Channel 7's Sunrise broadcasts from Airlie Beach

 It’s official – the Whitsundays is now Australia’s happiest town. Weather presenter James Tobin made the announcement on national television last Friday when Channel 7’s Sunrise show was broadcast live from Airlie Beach.

 Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer Peter O’Reilly said nomination for the ‘Vaalia happiest town’ promotion was based on the success of the ‘smile’ campaign’ and Channel 7’s James Tobin said he loved the idea.

 “We were running a campaign for happiness and ‘smile’ is in exactly the same vein. It’s this great positive attitude of ‘let’s do everything we can to get back on top’,” he said.

 “Sunrise is keen to do as much as they can for Queensland. It’s great that all of the tourism operators and businesses here are ready to go but they need customers and that’s where we can help. We can show everyone that Queensland is shining again and there’s never been a better time to come.”

 “You’ve got service here like nowhere else in the world,” he told viewers on Friday.

 “I met so many locals today - what a great group of people. It’s no wonder this is Australia’s happiest town. That hospitality – it blows you away”.

 Friday’s show was such a success the Sunrise team decided to stay another day for a broadcast of the weekend show from the Airlie Beach markets on Saturday.

 Stall holder and ukulele player Jeni Borellini sang her special ‘smile’ song during a live cross.

 “I wrote the song for the smile campaign. It’s about smiling in the Whitsundays and being good to our customers, particularly in these hard times,” Ms Borellini said.

 Member for Whitsunday and Tourism Minister Jan Jarratt said the timing of Channel 7’s Sunrise broadcast at the beginning of the winter season was critical.

 “It’s invaluable exposure for this region to have one of our most popular TV shows come here. And it raises morale for everyone in town,” Ms Jarratt said.

Australian Cricketer Matt Hayden brings Operation Sunshine to the Whitsundays

 Australian cricketing legend Matthew Hayden was in the Whitsundays last week to film the finale of his ‘Operation Sunshine’ campaign. Operation Sunshine was launched as an initiative of the ‘Hayden Way’, to spread the ‘open for business’ message to all Australians following Queensland’s cyclones and floods.

 “What’s left behind is communities of people on all levels who need patronage,” Matthew said.

 As part of Operation Sunshine Matthew has travelled through much of Queensland, blogging, tweeting and filming along the way.

 “I’ve been an athlete for a long time. I had phenomenal support from the people of Queensland and I guess this is my way of saying ‘thanks’,” he said.

 Matthew described his time in the Whitsundays as “amazing”.

 “I love Queenslanders. I love Airlie Beach. It’s been a fantastic week.”

 Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer Peter O’Reilly said the Operation Sunshine team toured Airlie Beach, checking Whitehaven Beach and inspecting the Great Barrier Reef from above and below during the visit.

 “We made sure to schedule in visits to our greatest icons during Matthew’s visit, so that he can assure everyone they’re looking great and ready to welcome visitors,” Mr O’Reilly said.

 Matthew praised the efforts of all those involved in making Operation Sunshine “connect”.

 “We’ve got such beautiful pictures revealing the spectacular sights of Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays,” he said.

 Member for Whitsunday and Tourism Minister Jan Jarratt said Matthew’s patronage of the region was priceless.

 “Matt’s a trusted person and he’s endorsing our product,” Ms Jarratt said.

 Heavily supported by Channel Seven throughout his tour, Matthew also appeared alongside weather presenter James Tobin on Sunrise at Airlie Beach last Friday.

 From June 6 aggregated content from Operation Sunshine will appear on the “C’mon Australia – nothing beats Queensland” campaign.

 For more information visit www.operationsunshine.com.au