Organisers are thrilled to announce that the market has a new home.

The Proserpine Farmers Market will now be held at Buffalo Hall, 10 Edward Street, Proserpine.

The first market at the new location will take place this Saturday, April 19 – Easter Saturday – from 8am to 12pm.

The markets will also be holding an Easter competition for the children: Guess how many eggs in the container to win it!

The relocation comes with heartfelt thanks to the amazing members of the Buffalo Hall and new market co-ordinator Georgina, who helped make the transition possible.

Marketgoers can rest assured that the friendly community atmosphere will remain unchanged.

All regular stallholders will continue showcasing their fresh produce, handmade crafts, baked goods, and quality recycled items at the new venue.

The Proserpine Farmers Market will continue its traditional schedule, operating from 8am to 12pm on the first and third Saturday of each month.

A special thank you goes out to June and Stephen Miller for their ongoing support and hard work, which has created the market as a treasured local asset.

“When Proserpine Farmer’s Market commenced on March 6, 2021, there were three stalls that consisted of us [June and Stephen Miller] and Mark the finger lime man,” founder June Miller said.

“From those days forward, it was wonderful to see the growth of the market, which not only supplied all local produce and goodies, but also grew as a community meeting place to help people socialise.

“We are so happy that a passionate person, who embraces our philosophy, has come along to take over the markets.

“We would love to sincerely thank Georgina for taking the reins and wish her all the best as she grows Proserpine Farmers Market to its next level.”

If you make it, grow it, bake it or recycle it, organisers would love you to join the market.

For updates and upcoming event announcements, follow the market’s Facebook page: Proserpine Farmers Market (19) Facebook.

Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry has announced a $250,000 commitment to deliver the next stage of the town’s beautification project, should the LNP be successful at the polls.

This fresh injection of funding will deliver Stage 2 of the revitalisation, focusing on landscaping both entrances to Collinsville and enhancing the area leading to the cemetery.

This will ensure that the first and last impressions of the town reflect the heart and pride of the local community.

Ms Landry said the project would build on the solid foundation already laid by the LNP Government through the $741,750 delivered in 2022, under the highly successful Building Better Regions Fund, for Stage 1 of the Collinsville CBD upgrades.

“I’ve fought hard to deliver real infrastructure for Collinsville,” Ms Landry said.

“This has included a brand new Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA) hall, the Stage 1 town centre upgrade, and $1.2 million for the waterpark.

“This additional $250,000 commitment is about finishing what we started.

“Collinsville is a hardworking, proud community and it deserves to look just as good as it feels to live in.

“Under the former LNP Government, we backed regional towns like Collinsville with funding that made a real difference.

“If elected, the LNP will get back to delivering for our regions, not forgetting them like Labor has.

“The new commitment is a clear sign the LNP is delivering for regional Queensland and the people of Collinsville.”

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox, who is standing for re-election, has announced several election commitments that an elected Dutton Liberal National Government would deliver for the region.

One of these commitments is $800,000 for upgrades to facilities at the Whitsundays Sportspark, Jubilee Pocket.

Mr Willcox said the significant investment would provide a more inclusive, safer environment for sports participants.

“I am proud to announce that the LNP is committing $800,000 towards critical upgrades at Whitsundays Sportspark, including new female change rooms, shade cover and upgraded field lights,” Mr Willcox said.

“Whitsundays Sportspark offers opportunity for players of all ages and skill levels to participate in netball, rugby and AFL, in an inclusive environment.

“It is a breeding ground for the new generation of players and has a long list of talented male and female players but, unfortunately, does not have designated female change rooms.

“The club is also in need of shade cover protection to go over the grandstand, which will protect spectators from the hot sun.

“New field lights are also needed to upgrade the current coverage over the sports fields, which will make a huge difference to night games being played in our hot summers.

“This upgrade would enhance the facilities and allow more games to be played in the evening, which will attract more players into the future.”

Whitsundays Sportspark President Justin Butler said the funding would be ‘transformative’ for sport in Airlie Beach.

“With record temperatures, and a return to a big wet seasons, the lack of protection from the elements over the grandstands has become a big issue,” Mr Butler said.

“These improvements will allow us to really finish off the initial upgrade of playing facilities at the Whitsundays Sportspark as part of our long-term vision to create one of Australia’s best, boutique, multi-sport stadiums.”

An elected Dutton Liberal National Government would also provide $20,000 to support Proserpine Youth Space.

“The Proserpine community is growing in population and therefore growing in the number of youths that require support,” Mr Willcox said.

“Youth Space is a non-government organisation offering the support and guidance for eight to 21-year-olds.

“It provides our young people with a safe and comfortable environment to socialise and interact with their friends, as well as with staff and volunteers.

“With the increase in crime and decrease in social development amongst youths, programs that create resilience and provide guidance are imperative.

“Youth Space does exactly that, by creating a foundation to reduce anti-social behaviour and help set our youth on the right path for their future and the betterment of the community.”

Proserpine Youth Space co-ordinator Renee Buckley said, “We receive referrals from Queensland Police of young youths who are going off the track in life, and we try to support them the best way we can with our Anger and Anxiety Youth Program.

“This funding commitment will mean we will be able to continue to run this program with martial arts, fitness and art therapy, with the aim to help teenagers develop resilience and channel any anger into other positive activities.”

Meanwhile, in Bowen, an elected Liberal National Government would commit $250,000 towards upgrades to the Bowen Neighbourhood Centre, ensuring it can continue delivering vital services in a safe, modern and accessible space.

“The Bowen Neighbourhood Centre provides essential support to people facing difficult circumstances, offering essential services that enhance dignity, wellbeing, and quality of life for people across the region,” Mr Willcox said.

“From providing assistance with housing and legal matters, to supporting those affected by domestic violence, the centre is a critical lifeline for many in need.

“Every day, the dedicated staff and volunteers make an enormous difference in the lives of people across the community.”

Bowen Community Centre treasurer John Finlay said, “This is a fantastic announcement for the Bowen community.

“We are seeing a lot more domestic violence cases, which is really concerning.

“Cost of living is also a big issue, and we are seeing people of all ages and backgrounds needing help for the very first time.

“But we have an incredible team of highly trained staff, who stand ready to provide crucial support services.

“Once the building refurbishments are complete, this will open the door to allowing other community groups to use the upgraded facilities.”

A Coalition Government will also reinstate the 80:20 federal funding model for nationally significant road projects in regional and remote Australia, if they are elected, ensuring more regional roads and highways get upgraded.

Taking place on May 10, 2025, the annual Show Ball is one of Proserpine’s biggest events on the social calendar, with around 700 guests expected.

Not only is it a lot of fun – with live entertainment, raffles and delicious food on offer – but it also raises funds to support the Proserpine Showgrounds, home to the annual Show Whitsunday.

“The Show Ball is back, in 2025, and we are inviting everyone to take part in this exciting event, on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the Proserpine Showgrounds,” organiser Elaine Riley said.

“The Show Ball was revived in 2021 and has since proved to be a glamorous, hot ticket item in the region’s social calendar.

“Each year, it gets better and, with a capped number of tickets, we expect it will be a sold-out event, as in previous years.”

Ms Riley said the Show Ball was a not-for-profit event, which raises funds to support the Proserpine Showgrounds, as well as providing a night of ‘fabulous entertainment’.

“The grounds and facilities have been the site of the annual regional show, and a local community venue for the region’s residents and community groups, for more than 112 years,” she said.

“It is an integral part of our local infrastructure.

“Like all such venues, it requires ongoing investment and maintenance to ensure its continued existence for generations to come.”

Ms Riley said she hoped businesses would be interested in supporting the community event, which in turn helps to keep the local showgrounds alive into the future.

“We would like to invite businesses to partner with us in this event,” she said. 

“There are package options for consideration, alternatively, a donation for our monster raffle may be more appropriate.”

Entertainment for the evening is The Luke Geiger Band.

“Luke’s passion for Cowboy Country Music and his reputation for professional, nonstop, high energy performances has made him one of the most sought-after country performers in Queensland, captivating audiences with his unique sound and his dynamite live shows,” Ms Riley said.

The raffle will be run in partnership with the Show Ball and, in previous years, it has generated a lot of interest with some amazing prizes to be won.

Tickets to the Show Ball 2025 are now available for purchase:

https://showwhitsunday.iwannaticket.com.au/event/the-show-ball-MzI4NzM

If you have a group of 10, please contact organiser Elaine Riley on 0419 678 553 so she can organise a table for you.

“I hope to see you all at what promises to be a great night of good food, good fun and good music,” she said.

If you are interested in sponsoring the Show Ball, please contact Elaine Riley at showballsponsors@gmail.com or call 0419 678 553.

The announcement was made yesterday when Queensland Premier David Crisafulli unveiled the plans for the Olympic events and the accompanying infrastructure.

Whitsunday Regional Mayor Ry Collins has welcomed the announcement, saying at this morning’s council meeting (Wednesday, March 26) that it was ‘an important moment in our history’.

“We need to make sure that we leave a lasting legacy,” he said in his opening address to councillors present at the meeting and those people watching the livestream.

On his Mayoral Facebook page yesterday, Mayor Collins said: ‘The Whitsundays, the Heart of the Great Barrier Reef, is set to take centre stage at the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games!’

“Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has officially announced that our region will host sailing events – an incredible achievement and a testament to dedicated advocacy and collaboration,” he said.

“I’m proud to have fought to secure this opportunity for our region.

“With the opportunity posed by the new Queensland Government’s 100-day Olympic review, we developed a compelling case, taking this to Brisbane to meet with the Queensland Government and the key decisionmakers in the review, ensuring the Whitsundays’ voice was heard loud and clear.

“This success proves what can be achieved through persistence and strategic advocacy.

Mayor Collins said nowhere else could host the sailing like the Whitsundays could.

“When you close your eyes for a moment, and think of what the best version of Olympic sailing events could look like, I think you’d find it hard to disagree that nowhere will showcase this event like us, and our iconic reef and 74 island backdrop,” he said.

“With ideal sailing conditions and a breathtaking natural backdrop, the Whitsundays is the perfect venue to welcome the world, in 2032.”

Mayor Collins thanked all those people and organisations involved in making this monumental event happen for the Whitsundays.

“A huge thank you to Premier David Crisafulli MP, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie MP MP, Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP, the Whitsunday Sailing Club, and Port Denison Sailing Club, Bowen,” he said in his Facebook post.

“I look forward to working with you, and all stakeholders, to deliver an outstanding event and to secure long-lasting legacy benefits for our region and all of Queensland.

“A truly Queensland Games means all of Queensland benefits, and now the Whitsundays will proudly play its part.”

Whitsundays MP Amanda Camm said ‘Let the countdown begin!’.

“The Crisafulli Government has a plan to showcase our Great Barrier Reef on the world stage,” she said.

“We know our region is well placed to host Olympic sailing and we’ll show them how it’s done!

“This is great news for our community and a once-in-a-generation opportunity, we’ll make it count with a lasting legacy.”

She also paid tribute to the Whitsunday Sailing Club.

“I want to acknowledge the advocacy of past and present committee members of the Whitsunday Sailing Club,” she said.

For more information visit www.delivering2032.com.au.

The lunchtime event, on Sunday, March 9, was held at the Whitsunday Leisure Activity Centre, in Proserpine.

Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox was in attendance, with apologies from Whitsundays MP Amanda Camm and Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins.  

Lion Gloria Demartini welcomed everyone, and this was followed by Grace and the Loyal Toast.

Lions’ Youth of the Year organiser Jane Bettridge then introduced the entrants and judges.

Students who had made it to the Zone Finals this year were Allegra Bradley, Proserpine State High School, Amelia McKay, St Catherines Catholic College, An Nguyen, Bowen State High School, and Kodi Mackie, Collinsville State High School.

First up were the impromptu speeches, which were followed by lunch.

Then came the prepared speeches before the Overall Winner and the Public Speaking Winner were announced, followed by the presentations.

 “Our Overall Winner was Amelia McKay, from St Catherine’s Catholic College, admirably representing Whitsunday Lions,” Ms Bettridge said. 

“Amelia now goes onto the next level, the District Finals, in Townsville [held on Saturday, March 15], where she’ll do a great job of representing our Zone.”    

The Public Speaking section of the competition was won by Kodi Mackie, from Collinsville State High School, representing Collinsville Lions. 

Kodi’s speech was pro Adult Time, Adult Crime, with her public speaking ‘very impressive’ according to Ms Bettridge. 

“She is a young lady with a voice and passions,” Ms Bettridge said.

“As always, I left totally inspired by the conduct, the commitment and the personality of these entrants. 

“The YOTY program always reassures me that there are parents, families, schools and communities doing great things, if these young people are the representatives. 

“I float out the door, utterly exhausted but grateful to have spent some time with some inspiring people who will surely go places.”  

Ms Bettridge said the Whitsunday Leisure Activity Centre did a fabulous job, with great staff, beautiful table settings and plenty of delicious food.   

This small but significant step forward from the new LNP Government is warmly welcomed as a show of faith in the project, and the agriculture sector in and around Bowen, Project Director Sean Brown said.

The Bowen Pipeline Project is a 182km underground water pipeline starting 16km upstream from Home Hill (at the Burdekin River) and moving south to Bowen.

The project will allow for the creation of a reliable, secure water supply to the Bowen and Gumlu area, which produces 1/5th of Australia’s vegetables and is the country’s largest winter vegetable growing area.

Currently, the area grows more than 250 million kilograms of fruit and vegetables, each year, with a gate value of more than $650 million.  

The Bowen Pipeline Project has 40 grower and industry investors who have, to date, invested about $2.5 million.

The project has also received a Commonwealth Grant for $5 million for engineering and design.

Most investors are growers, business owners and individual residents in the Bowen and Burdekin Regions, and project equity holders include the Juru People, who together with the Bindal People, form a cornerstone of the project.

Project Director Sean Brown said the project was on track to achieve the timeline of soil turning by Quarter Four this year.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Queensland Government and Sunwater to progress our approvals process and we hope to be able to finalise our approvals by Quarter Three 2025 and then progress to local council permitting,” Mr Brown said.

“It is unfortunate that the process was held up for so long, having initially lodged the application in March 2023, however, this show of leadership from the Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie MP will mean that we are well positioned to achieve our timeline of soil turning by Quarter Four 2025.”

Jarrod Bleijie MP is also the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations.

“We want to take this opportunity to thank our broad range of supporters and stakeholders for their ongoing patience and faith in the project,” Mr Brown said. 

“Like us, our supporters want to see North Queensland develop as a commercial and industrial hub and our project will deliver significant economic benefits during construction and operation.

“During construction, the Port of Townsville will receive 2,500 containers of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pellets for the onsite construction of the water pipeline and, when operational, the water will allow the export of 5,000 to 10,000 containers of produce out from the Port of Townsville.

“The project will create yearly economic gain of $300 million for North Queensland, 200 jobs during construction and 1,200 when operational.

“This excludes the potential ammonia (fertiliser), methanol and hydrogen projects that are being developed and funded by the South Koreans, Japanese and Australian companies, in the State Development Area.”

Supporters of the project include Indigenous Elders, business owners, farmers and growers, community leaders and residents.

New Beginnings International extended its marine conservation activities with its Whitsunday Reef Preservation Project, conducted from October to December in 2024.

New Beginnings International is a non-profit organisation and a GBRMPA approved Reef Guardian School that has reef protection as one of its core values.

It was started by businessman Ben Braeuer 25 years ago and has carried out many projects up and down the east coast of Australia.

The latest project saw Ben and two post-graduate university students depart Coral Sea Marina, on November 14, 2024, on their project vessel – a 74ft Beneteau Oceanis – to conduct a series of coral surveys in several target sites in the Whitsunday Islands.  

“This new project was our group’s transition into formal GBR research activities, with this project choosing to focus on prevention, as distinct from restoration, of the Whitsunday reef environment,” Ben said.

“The Whitsunday area was selected due to its vital importance to the Queensland Tourism Industry.” 

Ben, along with marine biologist Kimberly Wong and JCU marine biology intern Stephanie Cornish, carried out coral surveys in the Whitsunday Islands over two weeks, in November 2024.

Results of the team’s findings were transferred onto the International Coral Watch Database and published in two formal reports (Management Overview and Detailed Findings).

“Overall, whilst some bleaching of coral was encountered, our team was surprised at the variety and surprisingly good condition of coral at the five main sites covered during our surveys,” Ben said.

“Dangers noted were both due to excessive runoff from the Whitsunday region land base (lack of clarity of water at sites surveyed), and the negative impacts of tourism (failure to use reef-safe sunscreens and tourists physically damaging coral).

“In both cases, greater emphasis on education is strongly recommended.”

For more information visit: https://www.newbeginnings.net.au/marine-conservation

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewBeginningsMarineProjects.

Photo: Surveys using Coral Watch Coral Health Charts.

Ian Johnston was a long-term member of the Rotary Club of Airlie Beach and is most proud of his involvement with the ‘famous’ Rotary Phone Book, which was in print from 1992 to 2020.

He arrived in the Whitsundays in April 1989, from Sydney, having driven for five days via the ‘backroads’ due to the flooding at the time.

“I came up here because I guess you could say I was having a mid-life crisis!” Ian, now 83, said.

“I got out of corporate life and my first wife was a mad scuba diver, and we both enjoyed sailing, so we came to the Whitsundays.”

Born and raised in Tasmania, Ian worked in London, UK, for six years, before coming back to Australia and living in Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne…and then Airlie Beach.

“We came up to do some investing in property because I could foresee that Airlie Beach was an undiscovered jewel, as far as tourism was concerned,” he said.

“We built some units in Airlie Crescent, in 1990, but then the recession hit, in 1991, and I decided to look for a business because property was in the doldrums.

“I bought Hertz Car Rentals, which was going broke, and then bought National Car Rentals as well.

“We started with five cars and, by 1996 when I sold both businesses, we had 65 vehicles.”

Ian and wife Judy, who took off on Monday, were farewelled at a casual dinner held at Club Whitsunday, Jubilee Pocket, on Monday, February 24.

The Rotary Club presented Ian and Judy with a framed photograph of the local area in thanks for Ian’s service to the club and the community.

Ian joined the Rotary Club of Airlie Beach on June 1, 1992, and was a member for 32 years and nine months.

He held the position of club treasurer for nine of those years (not all continuous) and was club president in 2000-2001.

For several years, he was also the club’s liaison with the contractor who produced the club’s Rotary Phone Guide, which grew exponentially over the years as the region’s population grew. It was also very well supported by advertisers.

“We started as a ‘cottage industry’ and grew it to a point where we had contractors working for us,” Ian said.

“It was a very successful money raiser. We provided funding for the PCYC, Jubilee Pocket, originally, and also donated $100,000 to the VMR, in Cannonvale, to help get it going.”

Ian was also honoured by the club for his service to Rotary and the community through the presentation of four Paul Harris Fellow recognitions (named after Rotary’s founder) during his time in the club.

Ian and Judy are moving south to be closer to family and will be based in both Geelong, Victoria, and on the Gold Coast.

“I will miss the sea views,” Ian said of his time in the Whitsundays.

“I have lived in different places in the Whitsundays but I always had a sea view. And I’ll miss the sailing, and of course our friends.”

PHOTO: Ian Johnston (second from right at front) with wife Judy on his left, pictured with Rotary members, former members and friends.

Now known as Club Whitsunday, construction of the hospitality venue at the Jubilee Pocket Sportspark was completed in March 2022.

However, it has taken almost three years to obtain Liquor and Gaming Licenses and government approvals, and finalise finance.  

Now, finally, the community hub for sporting groups and local residents is officially open for business!

The official opening follows years of negotiations and hard work by the Sportspark committee, in particular, Sportspark committee chairman Justin Butler.

The Clubhouse is part of a complete Sportspark redevelopment, which included new lighting, new (relocatable) canteens, the addition of a second playing pitch, and new changing rooms.

Coming in at a total of $13m, the Sportspark funding was made up of $4m from the Federal Government, $3.6m from the Queensland Government, $1.5m from Whitsunday Regional Council (seed funding) and $900,000 from the Sportspark (totalling $10m for construction, lighting etc).

The remaining $3m came from bank loans, borrowed by Whitsunday Sportspark for the clubhouse fit-out and equipment.

Present on Saturday were Federal MP for Dawson Andrew Willcox, Whitsundays MP Amanda Camm, Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins and Councillors Jan Clifford and Clay Bauman.

Andrew Willcox MP said the clubhouse was an example of what could be achieved ‘when all levels of government work together’.

Amanda Camm MP echoed these sentiments, saying it had been a momentous effort by so many people – too many to name – but singled out Justin Butler as the main protagonist.

“Without Justin, this clubhouse would simply not be here,” Ms Camm said.

Mr Butler said it had been ‘a long road to get to this point’ with the original development application lodged in 2017.

He had a long list of people to thank at the official opening – in addition to those present – including all the sporting clubs who call the sportspark home, and suppliers such as Hutchinson Builders, who showed patience and understanding when hurdles arose.

Mr Butler also thanked Cr Jan Clifford for having been there every step of the way.

The Whitsunday Sportspark hosts the local rugby union, AFL, soccer, netball and touch football clubs and now, more recently, cricket has come into the precinct.

The clubhouse is a not-for-profit venue, with all proceeds going back into supporting sporting groups and other non-profit groups in the community.

It boasts a restaurant, bar and gaming room with pokies, and will be open seven days a week.

There is a large, shaded spectators’ terrace to watch the many and varied games and matches every week.

The Sportspark regularly hosts carnivals and exhibition games and is an important community hub for events, with PCYC Whitsunday right next door.  

It is anticipated that, now the clubhouse is up and running, even bigger events can be staged.