Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
In the heart of Mackay, a new dawn has broken for families of children with autism, offering a fresh start and a world of possibilities. For six-year-old Nixon Kelly, finding a place where he is truly seen, understood, and celebrated has been a journey filled with challenges. But with the opening of Autism Queensland’s new specialist school in the region, life-changing opportunities have emerged—not only for Nixon, but for his entire family and a broader community long dreaming of a more inclusi
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For the first time ever, renowned Australian and international entertainer Mike Vee will be bringing his spectacular vocal talent to The Pub's mainstage. On Friday, the 25th of April, Mike headlines the ANZAC Day event with his sensational Whispering Jack Show, paying tribute to the legendary music of Australia's beloved John Farnham and captivating the crowds of Airlie Beach. Mike’s Whispering Jack Show, part of Airlie Beach Hotel's Anzac Day celebration, promises a phenomenal afternoon, runni
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You’ve likely seen Tourism Whitsundays around town or mentioned in the news - but what exactly do we do, and how can local tourism operators benefit? We’re a not-for-profit marketing organisation dedicated to promoting our beautiful region, supporting tourism product development, and delivering visitor services. Our core focus is to increase visitation, extend the length of stay, and encourage dispersal across Airlie Beach, Bowen, Collinsville, Proserpine, and the Islands - ultimately driving m
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A Fun, Social Way To Spend Your Tuesday Evening Picture this: It’s a dull, nothing Tuesday evening. You’re looking for something fun, a bit of healthy activity, and a chance to hang out with a few friends. You want some laughs, a few drinks, and tasty snacks – all under the stars. Sounds perfect, right? Well, Twilight Lawn Bowls at North Mackay Bowls Club (Goosies) is exactly what you need. Ladies President, Hilary Jones Rowan, says, “Traditionally, when many working women think about lawn
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I’m excited that the Whitsundays will be hosting the Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s 2025 World Environment Day event right here at Council’s beautiful Shute Harbour Marine Terminal. With the breathtaking Whitsundays as our backdrop, the Heart of the Great Barrier Reef and future home of Olympic sailing for the Brisbane 2032 Games there’s no better place to talk about the future of sustainable tourism and environmental leadership. On June 5, we’ll welcome tourism leaders, eco-innovators,
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Kicking goals and hitting boundaries, City Brothers Football Club and Mackay Cricket Club are in line for a $500,000 funding boost. The pledge, announced by Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox last Monday, will see an elected Liberal National Government invest in facility upgrades to create a safer and more inclusive environment for players. “This local club is a breeding ground for the next generation of professional players and has a long list of talented competitors in its membership,”
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Many Mackay Road Runners took a break from official timing duties over the weekend to enjoy a relaxed 5km and 10km social run from the Bluewater Quay. With blue skies and slightly more favourable temperatures, conditions were warm but ideal for running. Congratulations to Mick Vivian, who clocked up 11km just getting to the event, and Ashley Miles, who completed the 10km course alongside Mick. The route followed a relatively flat stretch along Harbour Road toward Mackay Harbour, before ascendin
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In Tuesday night fixtures, the team of Goncalo Sierra, Graeme Walker and Ian McKay took out the division 1 final ahead of Andrew McHugh, Andrea Nicholson and Ian McKay. Geoff Cowan, Saisha Palod and David Symons won division 2. **Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday night fixtures March 25, 2025:** **Division 1:** Phoenix Fire (Andrew McHugh, Josh Brown, Andrea Nicholson) d Panther Prowlers (Trent Day, Vince Boeske, Jacob Whelan) 7-4. Andrew d Trent 4, 13, 12. Venus Voyagers (Janice Kent, Graham Br
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We have been recording humpback whale songs in the Whitsundays during the past two whale seasons. The songs are submitted to the University of Queensland, Centre for Marine Science, where Professor Michael Noad is the Director and Genevieve Williams is doing a PhD studying the social learning of whales. Michael has been researching the evolution and function of humpback whale song, focusing on how the whales themselves use sound to communicate. The songs of these whales is one of the most comp
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Just what is coral? The simple answer: coral is an animal. These tiny animals, while seemingly simple, have built the greatest living structure on earth, the Great Barrier Reef! But a more fascinating and slightly complex answer: coral is animal, vegetable, and mineral. The coral animal, or polyp, is quite tiny, only a few millimetres although some species can be a few centimetres in size. The biology of a typical polyp consists of a stalk, a stomach, and a mouth surrounded by tentacles cover
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In March this year, Mackay Cutters' manager of Wellbeing, Education & Change the Game Zach Schill was the first in the organisation to become qualified as a safeTALK trainer in the hopes he can train others to help prevent suicide in the community. “I was honoured to do the Grapevine Group’s training because it makes me feel like I can make a difference,” Mr Schill said. “And it can do the same for our players, their families and our greater rugby league community.” The cost of suicide in A
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Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc. is proud to announce the unveiling of the Waves of Change community art project at the Whitsunday Coast Airport. This stunning artwork, crafted from a small portion of the 252,331 bottle top lids collected during marine debris clean-ups in 2024, is a powerful symbol of the urgent need to transition from a take-make-waste model to a sustainable circular economy. The Waves of Change project was made possible, in part, with grant funding from the Queensland Circular Econo
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Tourism Whitsundays was absolutely delighted to host our monthly networking event at Whitsunday Green. Leading up to the event, I stopped by to chat with the team and get all the details, and I must admit, I was totally blown away by what I discovered. To be honest, I had completely underestimated just how amazing the space is. So much so, I felt it would be a great opportunity to tell you all about it in its own Out and About with Tourism Whitsundays feature! Let's start with the incredible go
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If you're looking for a peaceful escape, Whitsunday Gold Coffee is the perfect place. The plantation is famous for its locally grown coffee, and there’s nothing like sipping a cup made from beans grown right there on the property. Whether you’re a coffee enthusiast or just looking to relax, it’s a wonderful experience.
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There was an excellent response to Mackay City Bowling Club’s Come and Try lawn bowls sessions, with a sausage sizzle enjoyed following the first Sunday and Monday events. Participants had plenty of fun playing a game and seeing who could get closest to the jack. Club members were on hand to assist and demonstrate the basics of the game, making it an enjoyable and welcoming experience for newcomers. Bowls were provided, and attendees came dressed in comfortable clothing and flatsoled footwear. T
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Monday 31 March 2025 – 5 Table Mitchell Green Points North/South East/West 1st Edward Kliese - Diane Stokes 1st David Ting - Eric Goodchild 2nd Helen Van Den Broek - Jan Harris 2nd Tex Sheedy - Gwen Liddell Tuesday Evening 01 April 2025 – 4.5 Table Howell Green Points 1st Simon Barnes - Martin Pearce 2nd John Mcgee - Mick King 3rd Geoff Taylor - Andrew Canavan 4th Tex Sheedy - Helen Van Den Broek Wednesday 02 April 2025 – 9 Table Mitchell Green Points (Nation Wide Pairs) North/South East/West 1s
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Harry Morgz is on a mission to raise awareness for men's mental health, walking from Cairns to the Gold Coast in an effort to shed light on the struggles faced by men, particularly in the butchering industry. A butcher by trade for over 30 years, Morgz is using his journey to highlight the mental health challenges, long hours, low pay, and high rates of addiction and suicide that have plagued the industry for decades.
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Bowen is to be the epicentre of high-speed excitement as it hosts the prestigious 2025 Auto Marvel Australian Sidecar Championship, held on Saturday April 19th, and Sunday April 20th. For the first time, the North Queensland Speedway Riders and Supporters Club will bring this action-packed event to the beautiful Whitsunday region, and local fans and visitors alike are in for a high-octane treat. Sidecar racing is a unique and thrilling sport where two teammates, a rider and a passenger, work in
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At the recent Futurist State of the Region event hosted by the Whitsundays Regional Council, key leaders and forward-thinking businesses gathered to discuss the exciting future of the region. The event’s presentation featured speeches by Mayor Ry Collins, Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP, and an amazing guest keynote speaker, Anders Sörman-Nilsson, a global futurist and innovation strategist. Mayor Collins’ speech reflected the past and future of the Whitsundays; highlighted the region’s ra
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Among many of the delights to be found at Whitsunday Green, the traditional freshly baked goods take the cake today. Natalie Avigdor, from the Clubhouse Cafe at Whitsunday Green bakes these delicious delights daily, and from scratch. Natalie, an avid baker, always keeps her oven hot and the scones and cakes warm for the guests and customers of the Whitsunday Green and Clubhouse Cafe. “Ive been baking since I was nine, making sweets and confectionaries," she shared. "Baking is just something I
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The 2025 Fast Track to Fame talent showcase in Burdekin, Ayr, was a thrilling celebration of exceptional talent, and Proserpine State High School (PSHS) students were front and centre. With over 55 acts competing across various categories, it was a weekend of fierce competition and thrilling performances. Among the standouts were talented students from PSHS, who left an indelible mark on the judges and audiences alike. Their accomplishments highlight not only their dedication to their craft but
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Outrigger Whitsunday will be hosting one of the largest outrigger regattas in Queensland on Saturday 3rd of May, and Sunday 4th of May. The weekend will kick off with the Va’a Moana Hoe, a 20-kilometer marathon race from Shute Harbour to Lagoon Beach, with events continuing throughout the weekend at Lagoon Beach. Tassal Aussie Seafood has generously agreed to be the major event sponsor. Club President Kim Dodds is thrilled with the preparations for the event, and race director Terry Kemp predic
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It was another challenging week for golf, with more rain and only one competition day. Unfortunately, the back 9 holes were still under water on Saturday, which made for a spectacular but unplayable sight. The end of March couldn’t come soon enough, and hopefully, we'll see a return to regular play soon. It also seems likely that the first week of April may be lost to weather, but we’ll keep you updated on any changes to the April schedule. The Easter competition will also be a busy time, and w
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The Whitsunday Game Fish Club's "Sweeties and Squires Fun Family Fishing Weekend" was postponed due to wet weather and is now rescheduled for the 11th-13th of April. This relaxed weekend is a chance for ladies and kids to enjoy Australia's most popular sport, fishing! The rules are simple, fish anywhere using a rod and reel with Dads and boyfriends to act as crew. Entry is free to all current W.G.F.C. members and new members are welcome to participate by joining the Club at the Briefing on nig
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Have you ever considered volunteering for VMR Whitsundays but felt like you didn’t have enough time or weren’t really a “boat person”? We’ve got the solution — become a Radio Room Operator! As a Radio Room Operator, you will be an essential part of the VMR team, providing valuable communication support for boats in distress and assisting other emergency services. This role is ideal for individuals who want to help but may not have the time or experience to be on the water. It’s an important job
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