Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Bowen business had more than three million reasons to be thankful for the boost US forces gave the town's economy when its Chamber of Commerce held an official welcoming ceremony on July 24.
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The wait is over! The Coral Sea Resort Airlie Beach Triathlon race weekend has arrived, and race director Michael Kimpton said he is thrilled to welcome athletes, spectators, and the entire community to this exciting event.
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The 2023 Mayor’s Charity Ball was a massive success, with over 320 guests coming together under a giant marquee at the Shute Harbour Marine Terminal on Saturday night. The evening began with pre-drinks in the Terminal’s function room, Mayor Julie Hall greeting everyone personally as they walked through the door.A Welcome to Country was facilitated by Uncle Harold Bowen who gave an impassioned speech of inclusion and acceptance.
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In the heart of the Whitsundays, in the hub of tourism and vocational work, TAFE Queensland works as a tertiary and industry training centre that is well used and accessed by locals. With 100s of certificates and diplomas on offer, from every industry and trade available.
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Better keep an eye out for the tide chart, with this time being the best to trek to the lighthouse. When the tides are very low in Bowen, take the opportunity to walk to the lighthouse on North Head Island.
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Attracting, retaining and re-attracting the right people for your workplace costs infinite dollars and endless hours. By changing up your interview questions you can start to discover what someone really thinks and how they might really behave.
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Statistics aren’t all boring, especially when they make our region shine!Last week, the Regional Tourism Satellite Account (RSTA) data was released, and the figures give us a comprehensive snapshot of the impact of tourism on our regional economy. The Australian Bureau of Statistics compiles the data and it takes a full 12 months to distil and analyse.
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Paving the way for alternative medicine in the Whitsundays, Medicinal Cannabis wholesaler MediExtract, is opening its doors for medical practitioners to provide a new way of treating patient’s chronic illnesses and other ailments.For many years cannabis has been seen as an illegal drug, trafficked on the black market, and sold in back alleys right across the world.
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Two young Whitsunday locals participated in the inaugural Cairns Fashion Week in June, modelling a variety of swim and beachwear at the event.Five-year-old, Roze Vanderpoel and her seven-year-old brother, Jude, have already been invited back next year following a successful strut down the catwalk which certainly grabbed the model scout’s attention.
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Jo Parker did not fall into the beauty industry on a whim, it was a calculated decision when she was 14 years old that changed the trajectory of her life. Her true passion lies in all things skin, from laser treatments, to facials, to massages.
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Talent runs thick through the walls of Bowen State High School, as students and staff ramp up for their ‘Grease the Musical’ school production which premieres tonight.The student-led cast, coming from every age-group from year 7 to year 12, have spent close to six months preparing, rehearsing, and perfecting their lines, eager for the big show.
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For as long as Tania Reid has known, she has always had a gift for the written word. Tania moved to Bowen from Townsville 12 years ago, with her parents and sister.She has been writing poetry since she was a teenager, perfecting her craft for years now.
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Living life in the fast lane is nothing new for Chris Keillor, also known as Wheelsie, former Bowen local and current champion wheelchair marathoner. Just a few weeks ago, Chris completed the Tassal Airlie Beach Marathon Festival, and was the only wheelchair participant. He completed the 42.2-kilometre marathon in just five and a half hours.
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Now is the time to invest in new lawn maintenance essentials, with Bowen Small Motors and Cycles looking after us this season. Right now, and until stock lasts, all mowers – yes that includes your push, ride on, and zero turn mowers - are up to 10 per cent off!With brands from Honda, Stihl, Briggs, and Dunlite, Hansa, Shindaiwa, Bushranger, Ferris, Toro, Rover, and Cox, all terrain needs are met.
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It’s been over two decades since one local began what was originally the Whitsunday Reef Festival, starting an event that would bring together the coastal community of the Whitsundays in celebration of their lifestyle.
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The Immerse Art Installation is unveiling a brand-new component this year, introducing a full sensory experience that is set to amaze.Not only will the audience be able to view the beautiful homage to the spectacular marine ecosystem, they will also be able to listen to a classical composition performed live.
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The Great Barrier Reef Festival just got even bigger, with massive Australian headliner Reece Mastin confirmed for the opening night of the festival. In 2011, Australia was introduced to 16-year-old Reece when he auditioned for the music competition television show, The X Factor. With his confidence and charisma, it was clear to everyone that Reece was a natural born performer.
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Get ready for one of the best food experiences at the Great Barrier Reef Festival. Completely unique and always different, try your hand at the exclusive Bait to Plate experience, hosted and curated by Kev Collins, of Fish D’Vine. The six-course carefully selected and interactive seafood lunch is a delicacy for all those who attend.
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For the past three years the Immerse Art Installation has formed a creative centrepiece to the Great Barrier Reef Festival.Its glowing sea creatures, stunning animations and sparkling reef sculptures bring a magical underwater wonderland to life at Fairy Tree Park.With each year that passes, the installation grows in both scale and diversity – colourful marine life is added to the scene, the animations extend to neighbouring walls and this year, for the first time, an instrumental composition co
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In honour of the Great Barrier Reef Festival, naming sponsor Cruise Whitsundays, are transforming their iconic day trip to the Reefworld Pontoon into an immersive Master Reef Guide experience.For one day only, more than 10 Master Reef Guides will be on-board hosts, educating festival-goers on the marine environment in a tour that is both educational and informative.
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With preparations for the Great Barrier Reef Festival in full swing, the free community lantern making workshops have proved popular again this year.Led by dynamic sculpture artist, Lalune Croker, the workshops are lively and interactive, and represent an opportunity for aspiring local artists to get creative and spend time together.“I love the whole bringing the community together kind of thing, it’s like medicine!” said Lalune.“All over the world different cultures celebrate the lighting of th
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A long-term lover of the reef, this passionate scuba diver turned business coach unites her love of community events and the environment with every hour she volunteers to the Great Barrier Reef Festival.For the past seven years Heather has devoted her business savvy-ness to the festival and used her skills from owning and operating her own dive company, Yongala Dive, to source grants and drive sponsorship.
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Women from across the region crowded into the Proserpine Museum on Saturday, eager to learn more about their influential predecessors who had helped shape the region.This special event catered for 80 people and was completely sold out in advance.
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In April 1923, a meeting was held in the Grand Theatre to form a branch of the Country Women’s Association in Proserpine with the goal of easing the isolation and loneliness of women and children who lived on farms. Only five ladies attended so a letter was written to request that a state representative visit to explain the objects of the association. A successful meeting was held in the Shire Hall in July with fifty-one ladies present to hear the State President, Mrs Fairfax.
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Now in their 60th year, the Proserpine Orchid and Foliage Society have held their 2023 Field Day. The Field Day is a special event on the Society’s calendar, inviting guests from neighbouring Orchid and Foliage Societies, as well as local members, to their gardens for the day.
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