Quake rocks our world

It was a Saturday afternoon like any other - until 3.31pm when the Whitsunday region was shaken up - quite literally.
Seismologist with Geoscience Australia Jonathon Bathgate said the rare Queensland earthquake, measuring a revised 5.3 on the Richter scale, was felt over a radius of 228km from its epicentre 60km west of Bowen.
To read more on this and other local news stories pick up a copy of the Whitsunday Coast Guardian, available now from leading news agencies, service stations, Coles (Cannonvale) and the Chapman Street office in Proserpine.

Whitsundays drenched by torrential rain

Flooding rains have caused havoc throughout the Whitsundays, blocking the highway near Proserpine on several occasions and shutting shops across the entire region.
Fourteen homes at Hydeaway Bay were evacuated by police on Wednesday night after landslides occurred, with the area being declared a natural disaster zone.
Meanwhile the heavy rain has badly affected the region's roads with council's mayor Mike Brunker saying the Bruce Highway in particular has seen a lot of potholes appear.
"Council workers are out assessing the entire road network and a report will be compiled by week's end so that we can get crews out there working on patching up the roads," Cr Brunker said.
To read more on this and other Whitsundays news stories, pick up a copy of the Whitsunday Coast Guardian, available now (in spite of the rain!) from leading newsagencies, Coles (Cannonvale) and the Chapman Street office in Proserpine.

Whitsunday residents debating development

Whitsunday residents are divided over the issue of development, with some in favour of progress and others convinced the region’s tropical ambience is disappearing fast.


Mayor Mike Brunker said this was a classic case of not being able to "please everyone all of the time".


For more on this and other Whitsundays news stories, pick up a copy of the Whitsunday Coast Guardian, available from Coles (Cannonvale), leading newsagencies, and the Chapman Street office in Proserpine.

Proserpine lady to appear in Weight Watchers magazine

Whitsunday woman Carol Clifton’s “can do” attitude has landed her on the front cover of one of the country’s most widely read weight loss magazines.

After losing a staggering 19kg, Ms Clifton will headline the Weightwatchers magazine next month.

“Anyone can do it,” she said, adding the support she has received from her local weightwatchers group has been instrumental in her quest for a healthier life. 

To read more on this and other local news pick up a copy of the March 16 Whitsunday Coast Guardian, available from Coles (Cannonvale), leading newsagencies and the Chapman Street office in Proserpine.

Whitsunday Wedding for Guardian's Angels

Airlie Beach will always have a special place in the hearts of one Swedish couple who chose to get married here on Thursday March 3.

Fredrik Granath and Anna Stahlin made most of the preliminary arrangements from overseas (via internet and telephone) with the help of Mary Bicanic from Total Weddings and Janet Keppke, the proprietor of the Organic B&B where the newlyweds stayed.

Fredrik and Anna were married on the beach in a ceremony conducted by local celebrant Colleen Farry.



Guardian's Angels is a new section celebrating brides, babies and life's happy moments. Send photos and details of special moments in your life (including your name and phone number) to editor@guardiannews.com.au

Airlie Beach rents higher than Sydney CBD

A number of commercial tenants in the country town of Airlie Beach are paying capital city rates in rent.

Trish Hoerlein (previous franchisee of the ice creamery Baskin Robbins) told The Guardian prior to losing her shop she was paying more per square metre for street frontage in the so-called ‘golden triangle’ of Airlie Beach than the asking rate for the Baskin Robbins in Sydney’s Circular Quay.

“In fact it would have been close to double,” Ms Hoerlein said.

“The attitude was – well it’s Airlie Beach. If you want to be here that’s what you’ve got to pay”.

For more on this and other local  news stories see this week's Whitsunday Coast Guardian, available from leading newsagencies, Coles (Cannonvale) and the Chapman Street office in Proserpine.

Shannon Noll visits Airlie Beach

He’s the boy from the bush. He’s a fair dinkum Aussie who shot to stardom through the popular TV show Australian Idol and he'll be singing at the Bunnings Airlie Beach store's mega opening party on Friday night, March 4.

 “I miss the bush a fair bit, I need to get back there more. At the moment we’d only get back about twice a year,” said the father of three who lives at Cronulla and is currently working on a new album.

Shannon Noll will be rubbing shoulders with the equally popular personality, though to another age, Bob the Builder this Friday night from 6pm.

“I’ve been to the Whitsundays before and I can't wait to get back, I just wish I had more time there with everyone,” he said.

Since 2003, Shannon has experienced fame like he never believed possible.

“If it wasn’t for my fans, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I love people asking me for autographs, I love my fans.” he said.

For more on this story see this week's Whitsunday Coast Guardian, available from leading newsagencies, Coles (Cannonvale) and the Chapman Street office in Proserpine.

St Patrick's Day in the Whitsundays

Dublin-born publican Thomas Dunne is hoping the Whitsundays can help him secure a prize which is worth more to him than a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.

When it comes to Irish cliches, the owner of O'Duinns Irish Pub in Proserpine would have heard them all, but perhaps this is what makes his hotel one of the best in the country.

“There aren't many Irish pubs in this country that are authentic.

“Owned by Irish people and serve genuine Irish food,” Mr Dunne said.

In the lead up to St Patrick's Day a daily national paper in Australia is running a special internet poll to find the best Irish pub in Australia.

“It takes no time to vote and the rewards will be amazing. Proserpine will be publicised right across Australia.”

It's free to vote, just visit www.irishecho.com.au.

“Plus we're giving you a chance to win a $1000 bar tab.” he said.

St Patricks Day is hugely popular at O'Duinns Irish Pub in Proserpine with the national day stretching to a  four-day event next month from March 17 to March 20.

For more on St Patrick's Day in the Whitsundays see forthcoming editions of the Whitsunday Coast Guardian, available from leading newsagencies, Coles (Cannonvale) and the Chapman Street office in Proserpine.