Whitsundays to party this Australia Day!

There’s plenty of places to celebrate Australia Day in the Whitsundays.

Grab a copy of the Whitsunday Coast Guardian and plan your public holiday now!

This Australia Day, the Whitsundays is putting on a real party at a myriad of locations around the region.

Dingo Beach is throwing a few parties, one at the new community centre from 10am to 3pm which will boast a bar, billy tea, pies and peas, dingo trap throwing, lamingtons and much more, the Whitsunday Sailing Club is putting on a great afternoon with old fashioned cricket, sailing and live music which kicks off at 11am.

Fausts Supa IGA has some top specials with all things Aussie reduced for the national party, Centro’s open pretty much all day and the Whitsunday Regional Council’s official awards ceremony kicks off at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre from 12.30pm.

More details? Grab a copy of the Guardian newspaper now.

Married on Christmas Day in the Whitsundays

A romantic wedding ceremony with close family and friends on one of the holiest days of the year couldn’t have been more perfect, say a local couple who tied the knot on Christmas Day at Dingo Beach.

Stacey and Belinda Hinschen say they chose Christmas Day to get married as it was a time when all family was already together.

"At first it was supposed to be a surprise," says Belinda. "But when I sent the invitations out for a Christmas party some people said they couldn’t come! So we had to tell them."

The wedding ceremony was simple yet romantic and held on the beach and included their 16-month old daughter Matilda.

"I have never seen the tide so high, I couldn’t believe it. There was hardly room to stand on the sand! But our celebrant Kieran McCarthy chose a beautiful spot under the ponsiana trees which was truly lovely," Belinda said.

The 30+ guests were then treated to a traditional Aussie Christmas dinner turned out by resident pub chef Darcy Osborne at the Dingo Beach Hotel which sadly the Hinschen’s will no longer be managing.

"It’s time for a change. We’ve been there 12 months and had a fantastic time and met a lot of great people. We’ll be there for another week or so."

"Darcy was great for coming in and giving us a hand. He didn’t have to so that was good. Also we’ve got to say thanks to Camo Marshall. He’s great," Stacey said.

Hydeaway Bay residents return home

Mayor Mike Brunker, MP Jan Jarratt and Geotechnical expert Graeme Jardine attended an urgent meeting at Dingo Beach last week following which Hydeaway Bay residents have now returned to their homes.
To read more on this and other news stories pick up a copy of the Whitsunday Coast Guardian, available now at leading newsagencies, Coles (Cannonvale) and the Chapman Street office in Proserpine.