Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Dea, Emma and Ellie from the Tourism Whitsundays team joined the Airlie Beach Cruise ship Ambassadors and Bowen Tourism for a memorable outing with our wonderful friends at Pioneer Adventures. They were treated to a stunning sunset and coral viewing experience, cruising comfortably aboard their glass-bottom boat. This scenic tour is a true highlight, offering a unique perspective of vibrant marine life, all while enjoying the warm glow of the sunset over crystal-clear waters. The evening was ex
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The majority of people who have endured a life-changing traumatic event would likely focus on their personal recovery, but local hero Michelle Wardrope says she feels more inspired to help others than ever before. Michelle tragically lost her leg last year after a soil-borne bacterial infection entered her bloodstream when she slipped and fell on her driveway following heavy rain. Initially believing it was nothing more than a deep cut, she left the hospital with several stitches, but woke up
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Four weeks ago, a local lady was bitten by a Coastal Taipan while attending to the laundry underneath her pole home in Proserpine. Accustomed to living in a remote area, Kate Cross commented in her social media post to the community that "I have always lived on acreage and have been bitten, stung, and spiked by many things," once having even been bitten by a snake. Due to this, following the initial bite, Ms Cross was not too concerned. "It was early evening and dark, but the light was on. I w
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After driving past kilometres of sugar cane fields, travellers along the Bruce Highway might be amazed as they pass the Whitsunday Gold Coffee plantation in Proserpine, North Queensland. While coffee growing in the area is unusual now, coffee plantations have a surprisingly long history here, dating back to the early 1900s. The variety grown now is same as was grown over 100 years ago - 'dwarf catui'; one of the Arabica types of coffee. So why was coffee grown in this region all those years ag
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It was a hot and humid morning last Sunday, 9 March, for the third annual Collinsville Sea of Pink. More than 75 people ran, walked, scooted or rode their bikes for five kilometres in the town’s ‘virtual’ answer to the Brisbane International Women’s Day (IWD) Fun Run event, supported by Mater Chicks in Pink. With the Brisbane IWD Fun Run event cancelled this year due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the wave of pink in the Queensland regions has made an even bigger impact, with people coming togethe
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Crocodiles are often considered the closest living relatives of dinosaurs. Despite this ancient lineage, they are remarkably complex creatures that survived the mass extinction event that ended the Cretaceous period around 66 million years ago. Today, many crocodiles inhabit Australia’s waterways, including the Proserpine River. As cold-blooded reptiles, crocodiles rely on their environment to regulate their body temperature. Without an internal thermostat, they seek habitats with consistently
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Sometimes, a good deed can sound as sweet as it feels, and that’s certainly the case with this week’s exciting news: music sensation Tones & I has announced she will be performing in Bowen! Music lovers across the region will be thrilled to hear that one of the biggest stars of the moment is bringing her incredible talent to our sunny shores. This highly anticipated event will not only be a fantastic occasion for locals, but it will also shine a well-deserved spotlight on our region, helping to
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One of the great privileges of being Mayor is witnessing the next generation of leaders step up with enthusiasm, fresh ideas, and a strong commitment to their community. Over the past few weeks, I have attended several school investiture ceremonies and Lions Youth of the Year events, and I can confidently say that the future of the Whitsundays is in good hands. Leadership is more than just a title—it’s about taking action, making a difference, and inspiring those around you. The Whitsundays ha
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On Sunday, the Proserpine Lions Club proudly hosted the Zone 9 Final of the prestigious Youth of the Year Australia program, showcasing the exceptional talents of four inspiring local students. The event, held at the Whitsunday Leisure Activity Centre, was a resounding success and highlighted the incredible potential of the young people in our community. The four entrants, all representing different schools in the Whitsunday region, were: Allegra Bradley – Proserpine State High School Amelia M
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Save Our Foreshore was founded in 2004 by passionate Whitsunday residents who united in response to a proposal by McDonald’s for a half-meter highway sign featuring their iconic golden arches. This proposal sparked Save Our Foreshore's first major protest, igniting a wave of community activism that would shape the town’s future. Wondering why the golden arches now sit discreetly on the building’s eaves rather than towering over the highway? The protest worked, leading to a significant shift in
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Get ready for an unforgettable evening of classic country music with one of Australia’s most beloved country music stars, Adam Harvey, as he hits the stage at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre on March 29 as part of his Let The Song Take You Home tour. With a career spanning over two decades, Adam Harvey has become a household name in the Australian country music scene. With more than half a million album sales, numerous gold and platinum records, and an impressive nine Golden Guitar Awards t
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Saturday, March 8th marked International Women's Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the remarkable women who inspire change, challenge norms, and make a difference both globally and locally, including here in the beautiful Whitsundays. Zonta Whitsundays hosted a lively and vibrant community event to honor the incredible women of the region. The celebration was filled with an array of delightful food, exciting raffles, heartfelt awards, sparkling moments, and a lively atmosphere that had everyo
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Hi Everyone, Sometimes it feels like there are inspiring people everywhere in our community. This week, I reconnected with one of my favorite local heroes, Shell Wardrope, who lost her leg after it was infected by a soil-borne bacteria last year. Instead of falling into self-pity or asking, “Why me?”, this incredible woman exudes positivity and gratitude in every aspect of her life. Reconnecting with her reminded me of this once again as she filled me in on her latest plan to get the Mayor to
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Meet Poppet, a 6-year-old, pint-sized dynamo of a Jack Russell with a heart as big as her personality! Surrendered to Bowen and Collinsville Pet Rescue, this little lady is ready to steal your heart. Poppet is a big fan of kids and is always up for a game or cuddle session. She's also got a curious streak when it comes to cats—she'll sit quietly and observe, trying to crack the mystery of their feline ways. When it comes to road trips, Poppet is your co-pilot of choice! She absolutely loves pe
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Working Together for Growth: Strengthening the Whitsundays! Progress happens when business, government, and community work together. Across all levels—local, state, and federal—we’re seeing a stronger commitment to collaboration, helping to advance major projects that will shape the future of the Whitsundays. One exciting opportunity on the horizon is the push to bring Olympic sailing to the Whitsundays in 2032. Mayor Ry Collins has been actively advocating for our region to be considered as a
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We’re on the hunt for creative designs for our new library bookmarks! Three lucky winners will have their designs professionally printed and shared in all four Whitsunday Regional Libraries! PLUS, winners and two runners-up will receive $20 gift vouchers to the Proserpine Entertainment Centre, which can be used for cinema or live shows. Judging categories are: Adult Design, Youth Design (12–18 years) and Junior Design (11 years and under). Head to Your Say Whitsunday to download the template
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NORTH Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) has held its first community reference group (CRG) meeting based in Bowen this week. The inaugural CRG meeting reaffirms NQBP’s long-standing commitment to meaningful community consultation and engagement. “NQBP is dedicated to fostering strong relationships between our ports and the local communities,” NQBP Chief Executive Officer Brendan Webb said. “These meetings provide an invaluable forum for sharing updates on trade performance, key infrast
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Sailability has started up again this February and they’re putting out the call for any sailor and their carer to come down to the Whitsunday Sailing Club and try out sailing on the beautiful Whitsunday waters. Sailability gives the joys of freedom on the waters to people with disabilities, teaching the basics of sailing, boat and water safety, and helping to discover positive interactions between participants and the ocean. "It's just really exciting for them. Sometimes they'll go out for a co
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Following heavy rainfall throughout February, it was a welcome change to see clear skies for our monthly shoot on Sunday, 23rd February. A total of 33 shooters participated, with competitors joining from Burdekin, Townsville, Silkwood, and Mackay/Sarina, alongside our local members, making for an exciting day of competition. Here are the amazing event results with the Trophy sponsored by Caruso Construction. 60T Medley Graded Trophy: AA: A Ballarino 93/100 A: G Maltby 94/100 B: N Munro 92/100 C
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Friday 14 March The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm–10pm) Grand View Hotel: Tim Griffin (4pm–8pm) Saturday 15 March The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Vertigo - U2 Experience (2pm–5:30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm–10pm) Grand View Hotel: Ultimate DJ Night (4pm-8pm) Coral Sea Pavilion: Live Music & Chill DJ Session (1pm–6pm) Sunday 16 March The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Vertigo - U2 Experience (2pm–5:30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Paul Fergus Morris (6:30pm–
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As cyclones are a current topic of discussion, we thought it might be useful to share a few notes about our experiences with them. When a cyclone system approaches our waters, the Harbour Master may close the ports to navigation. This means that vessels at sea within the affected area must seek shelter, and no new vessels should enter the waters. This is not the time to launch your tinnie for a family fishing trip. Last year, with the approach of a cyclone, we were surprised to be activated by
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Despite the official end of summer last Tuesday, the weather didn’t reflect the change of season, though the course was looking great after recent rains. A strong turnout of 33 members contested the March Monthly Medal. Gerald Lovell claimed victory for the men with an impressive score of 68, while Jenny Hounsell triumphed for the women with a solid 69. Close behind her was her husband Colin, who finished on 70. In the ladies' division, Lyn Muller took second place with 71, while Paula McQuat,
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The Whitsunday Swimming Club had 11 swimmers attend the 2025 NQ Championships in Townsville over the weekend. It was a long, hot, and exhausting few days, but all our swimmers returned home with terrific achievements, despite their tired bodies. George was the standout, claiming NQ Champion for 12 years MC in the 50m Freestyle, Butterfly, Breaststroke, Backstroke, and 100m Freestyle. He was also awarded 12 years boys MC Age Champion. Alex took home the NQ Champion title in the 17 years & over
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The Whitsunday Game Fish Club "Sweeties and Squires" (Ladies and Juniors) Family Fishing weekend is on 28th to 30th March and is shaping up to be a fantastic weekend. Participation is free to current members, and non members are more than welcome to join the Club and be part of this and future Club events. Membership is $70 per adult, and $35 for juniors under 16 years. All Juniors competing will receive a free Shimano rod and reel and a bag of goodies as part of the Queensland Game Fishing Ass
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At Explore Property, they’re experts in property marketing and all things real estate, and passionate about promoting their business, as shown by their exciting giveaway! From March 1st to June 28th, anyone who books a sales or rental appraisal with Explore Property Whitsunday and likes and follows their Facebook page, could win a brand-new MG3 valued at $20,000, complete with 12 months of registration. Even if selling your property isn’t on the cards, this giveaway is for everyone. Simply book
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