Coral Coast Race a success

 Commodore of the Abel Point Yacht Club Rupert King described the inaugural Coral Coast race, from Airlie Beach to Magnetic Island as an “excellent race”.

 Originally designed as a replacement for the popular ‘Dent to Dunk’, the race proved so successful Mr King said there was a possibility of repeating it as an annual event.

 “This race was really well received by the participants and especially the people of Magnetic Island,” Mr King said.

 “There was a businessman in the crowd (at the presentation on Saturday) who said if we wanted to run the race next year he’d be happy to get behind it. He couldn’t believe that five boats could generate that much interest,” he said.

 Light winds for the duration of the race meant a shortened course, with participants sailing approximately 120 nautical miles overall.

 Mr King explained racers were originally set to round the Palm group of islands before heading south to the final destination at Horseshoe Bay.

 “I was a bit disappointed at the time (with the shortened course) but in hindsight it worked out well.”

 “In the future we might look at a direct race to Magnetic Island along that same course,” he said.

 The Volvo 60 round-the-world racer Spirit of the Maid scored line honours in the event, but came third on corrected time. Mr King’s trimaran Overdrive came first, with Questionable Logic taking second place.

 “It was a good experimental race. Everybody had a ball. Next year we’d look at holding it over the Queen’s birthday weekend, starting on Friday morning and with the prize-giving on Saturday night. That would give everyone Sunday and Monday to get home,” he said.

 To register interest in an Airlie to Magnetic Island race for next year, contact Rupert King on 0406 077 703.

Proserpine pays tribute to Sam Faust

 Sam Faust will be remembered as an easy going young bloke blessed with good looks, a cheeky grin and a heart of gold.

 The 26-year-old football star who passed away after a four-year battle with leukaemia was farewelled on Monday by a crowd of almost 800 mourners who packed the Proserpine Entertainment Centre spilling out on to the lawns outside.

 Amid tears of sadness, mates told heartwarming stories about the Cowboys' Rookie Player of the Year which offered a ray of hope to family and friends left behind.

 Sam’s father-in-law Terry Duckworth read the eulogy, touching on Sam’s courageous attitude in his fight for survival, which drew tears from the crowd

 "As a parent you cannot pick the man your daughter will marry. Sam ticked all the boxes – he played rugby league, he loved a cold beer on a hot day, he enjoyed fishing and had great manners. But most of all he loved and adored Kya. I don’t have a son, but if I did, I wouldn’t change a thing," Mr Duckworth said.

 Sam’s wife Kya, and mates Kieran Price, Grant Bell and Luke Harlen all read from their hearts before Father Busuttin offered communion and prayers.

 "To the family and those closest to Sam, I can only offer you sympathy. But God offers you hope. Sam’s work on earth is done. He has run his race, touching so many people the way he has. He can now enjoy his reward," Fr Busuttin said.

 Cowboys' players including captain Johnathan Thurston formed a guard of honour outside the centre where Sam's coffin was carried through on its way to his final resting place.

 But amid the sorrow and anguish, the sun’s rays beamed down on Sam’s three little girls, echoing the words of his mates - that his legacy will live on in the shining example that is his young family. The cortege departed for the Proserpine Lawn Cemetery before mourners attended the wake at the Reef Gateway Hotel.

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.

LNP Leader Campbell Newman visits the Whitsundays

 Queensland’s Premier Anna Bligh went south after the regional Parliament sitting in Mackay, but LNP’s Campbell Newman came north, dropping into the Whitsunday Coast Guardian last week.

 “I’m focussed on getting out across Queensland and meeting as many people as I can. I love being back in this part of the world. I used to buy molasses from the Proserpine Mill back in the mid ‘90s,” Mr Newman said.

 Mr Newman commented on the condition of the Bruce Highway, having observed it firsthand on the trip. “Not one overtaking lane past Mt Ossa – that’s a disgrace,” he said.

 If “can-do Campbell” is successful at next year’s election he plans to focus on the two pillars of our economy – tourism and sugar.

 “The sugar industry’s been neglected. Growers have been made to feel like environmental vandals. That’s something we’ll be dealing with if we get into government,” he said.

 Mr Newman also said if he became Premier he would “go out on the front foot”, to attract tourism from the emerging markets of India, China, South Korea and the Gulf countries, to our shores.

 “I want to build the tourism industry here and I will then fight for the restoration of direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne,” he said.

 An LNP government, Mr Newman says, would focus very much outside of parliament.

 “I’m always mindful of what Queenslanders want. I don’t want to be this micro-manager sitting in Brisbane. I want to give powers back to the mayors and councils. You elect them. They’re there to make local decisions.”

 “The labor party are going to make all sorts of promises – they’re scattering fairy dust around. Don’t look at what they say. Look at what they do. The state of Queensland’s finances are appalling. The debt is going through the roof. In two-and-a-half years’ time the interest on the debt will be $540,000 per hour. We’ll make commitments but we’ll make modest, sensible, deliverable commitments,” he said.

 Mr Newman was full of praise for Jason Costigan, LNP’s candidate for the seat of Whitsunday.

 “The main thing is to have someone who’s going to be an outspoken advocate for the region. He won’t be a shrinking violet,” Mr Newman said.

 “I know the Whitsunday electorate from north to south. I’ve got the get-up-and-go to help this part of Queensland go forward,” Mr Costigan said.

 Campbell Newman and his entourage said they enjoyed a “lovely” steak burger with chips and gravy from Café on Main in Proserpine during their stay. 

Social Media - the only way to "Do the Whitsundays"

 For the first time in history, more than 50 Whitsunday tourism operators have chosen to unite in an independently organised social media promotional campaign.

 “Do the Whitsundays”, a free online competition, was launched today, June 1, offering two winners a 25-night Whitsunday holiday (for two people), with 74 components, in keeping with the 74 Island wonders theme.

 Campaign organiser Philip Batty said entering the competition was easy.

 “Simply visit the “Do the Whitsundays” Facebook page, follow the prompts and you’re in.”

 Entrants will have 74 days, from June 1, to accumulate as many entries as possible by sharing the page with friends.

 Mr Batty said it was this viral component that had the capacity to make “Do the Whitsundays” a great success.

 “Basically the more times your name is in the hat the more chance it has of being pulled out,” he said.

 The prize includes flights from anywhere in the world, accommodation and more activities than any holidaymakers have experienced in the Whitsundays before.

 Mr Batty said the competition would also be posted on the Facebook walls of Tourism Whitsundays, Tourism Queensland and Tourism Australia, reaching a potential 1.9 million entrants through these avenues alone.

 Tourism Australia Managing Director Andrew McEvoy said seeing so many Australian businesses band together for the benefit of Australian tourism was amazing.

 "Obviously, both Tourism Australia and Tourism Queensland are already heavily involved in the Queensland recovery efforts but it's great to see the industry helping itself - further proof, if it were needed, that nothing beats Queensland,” Mr McEvoy said.

 Member for Whitsunday and Tourism Minister Jan Jarratt also praised the initiative.

 “It’s fantastic to see this level of collaboration and innovation from local operators working with TW, TQ, and TA. It’s these partnerships that will add value to the campaign in terms of brand awareness and such,” Ms Jarratt said.

 Prize contributor Heidi Ward of Catering Whitsunday said it was great to see businesses getting together to proactively promote the region.

 “This is a good opportunity for us all,” she said.

Find “Do the Whitsundays” at:

·      Website www.dothewhitsundays.com.au

·      Facebook http://www.facebook.com/dtwhitsundays

·      Twitter @dothewhitsunday

·      Youtube http://www.youtube.com/dothewhitsundays

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  

Best Job Ben booked for Hobie Kayak clinic in the Whitsundays

 Former Best Job in the World Island Caretaker and current Tourism Ambassador for Queensland Ben Southall, will hold a Hobie Kayak clinic during the winter school holidays at BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday in Airlie Beach.  

 Almost a quarter of the way into the Best Expedition in the World, a 1600 km kayaking venture that retraces the route taken by Captain James Cook along the Great Barrier Reef, Ben will welcome a day on land on June 28.

 As well as teaching youngsters how to sail a Hobie kayak Ben will explain more about his journey and his reef discoveries to date.

 BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday owner Naomi McKinnon said Ben’s presence will be a real highlight.

 “By the time Ben reaches our shores, he will have peddled, paddled and sailed almost 400 kilometres up the Great Barrier Reef since his launch from the Town of 1770 on May 21. He has bundles of enthusiasm and is a great role model for leaving the computer behind and getting active and into nature. If anyone can teach kids a passion for the great outdoors it has to be Ben.”

 BIG4 Adventure Activity Co-ordinator Alanna Schneider believes Ben’s kayaking lesson, along with the professional sailing clinics, are a perfect activity for kids visiting the Whitsundays for the first time. 

 “Imagine growing up and telling your kids that you had your first sailing lesson in the beautiful Whitsundays – and with Ben.  It’s a memory to last a lifetime,” Alanna said.

 During his visit to the region, Ben will also have an opportunity to catch up with his parents who are staying at Adventure Whitsunday from Monday 27 June as part of their own Queensland Road Trip.

 Ben said, “I’m a big supporter of nature and adventure and it’s fantastic to see BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday organise sporting activities for kids these school holidays. This is a beautiful environment and it’s natural that kids should get fit, get healthy and get out and enjoy it.”

 Ben’s Hobie Kayak clinic is just one of a number of activities scheduled at the holiday park to encourage younger kids to try new activities and ‘tweens and teens to learn new skills through bookable clinics.