World Tai Chi Day in the Whitsundays

 At 10am on Saturday morning the Whitsundays were at the forefront of a global focus on Tai Chi. A wave of Tai Chi, travelling across the world, began at 10am in New Zealand, progressing westward and finishing at 10am in Hawaii in celebration of World Tai Chi Day, which is held on the last Saturday in April every year.

 Around 40 people turned out to the foreshore at Airlie Beach (between the Sailing Club and lagoon), to participate in routines led by Sandy McBean from Queensland Health and Maureen Kovachik, a Tai Chi instructor with Queensland Keep Fit.

 In fact, the session proved so popular it is now likely to become a regular event, with many now recognising the health benefits associated with Tai Chi.

 The Whitsunday World Tai Chi Day initiative was organised by Whitsunday Regional Council (WRC) and funded by WRC and the Australian government as part of the ‘Healthy Active Whitsunday Region’ campaign.

 For more information on future sessions pick up a copy of the Whitsunday Coast Guardian, available now at leading news agencies, service stations, Coles (Cannonvale) and the Chapman Street office in Proserpine.

 

Anzac Day in the Whitsundays

Whitsunday locals turned out en masse for the various events of Anzac Day, which this year marks the 96th anniversary of the landing at Anzac Cove; a historic episode now commemorated to honour those who fell in the Gallipoli campaign and preserve the legacy of the Anzac spirit.
President of the Whitsunday/Airlie Beach RSL sub branch Terry Brown said close to 1,000 people attended the dawn service in Cannonvale, with similarly large crowds gathering in Proserpine.
Although Anzac Day pays homage to the sacrifices of the past its relevance to the present is no less significant, as modern society continues to rely on service men and women for the provision of peace-keeping and disaster relief services.
Guest speaker Flight Lieutenant Dave NcCarron reminded Whitsunday crowds that serving a nation takes many forms.
"The support of family and friends is also part of the Anzac spirit," he said.
Lest we forget.

Whitsunday business booms over Easter break

Airlie Beach was once again a tourist town, as the Easter weekend saw a return to the glory days of large crowds, balmy weather and roaring trade.
General manager of the Airlie Beach Hotel Mark Bell said business over the long weekend had exceeded previous years by a substantial amount.
"It's been by far the best Easter we've ever experienced, buoyed by the five-day break and the fantastic weather," Mr Bell said.
To read more on this and other Whitsunday 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.

Do the Whitsundays

Whitsunday Tourism Operators are about to be offered another bite of the social media promotion cherry, when a new campaign called 'Do the Whitsundays' launches in June.
The independently organised campaign is the brainchild of long-time local Phillip Batty, who came up with a 'best holiday in the world' as opposed to a 'best job'.
Competitors stand to win one of two Whitsunday holidays worth roughly $25,000 each, comprising an action-packed itinerary of 74 components in keeping with the 74 island wonders theme.
Mr Batty said the campaign will be run predominantly through an application on facebook.
"All you have to do is enter, 'like' the page and you're in. The more friends you share it with the more entires you get. Basically the more times your name is in the hat the more chance it has of being pulled out," he said.
To read more on this story pick up a copy of this week's Whitsunday Coast Guardian, available now from leading news agencies, service stations, Coles (Cannonvale) and the Chapman St office in Proserpine.

Last call for million dollar memo

"You have to be in it to win it" - that's the philosophy behind Air Whitsunday's recent entry to the million dollar memo.
"We realised we were just as entitled to explore the rest of Queensland as any international company," said Air Whitsunday operations manager Jade Korosec.
Ms Korosec said the company's entry, uploaded to the web on April 17, was enjoying a good response.
"It's absolutely taken off (pardon the pun!). In comparison to other videos uploaded the same day our score is amazing," she said.
With less than one week togo before the competition closes off, Tourism Queensland Acting CEO Wendy Harch is encouraging companies not to leave entries to the last minute.
"You don't need weeks to pull it together - just grab a video camera and show the world what makes your company great," Ms Harch said.
To read more on this story pick up a copy of this week's Whitsunday Coast Guardian, available now from leading news agencies, service stations, Coles (Cannonvale) and the Chapman St office in Proserpine.

Whitsunday Sailing Club Easter Regatta

The Whitsunday Sailing Club's Iceberg Easter Regatta was patronised by sailors from near and far, with the out-of-town participants setting up camp on the foreshore of Airlie Beach.
In an ironic twist of fate the regatta's overall winners were also the sponsors - Bill and Jenny Mairs.
"If you give them money they'll let you win," joked Bill at the presentation on Sunday night.
To read more on the Whitsunday 'on water' events, see 'creek to coast', on pages 26 & 27 in this week's Whitsunday Coast Guardian, available now from leading news agencies, service stations, Coles (Cannonvale) and the Chapman St office in Proserpine.

Proserpine Para-cyclist going for gold

Proserpine's 19-year-old David Nicholas has returned victorious from the Australian Para-cycling Road Championships and Oceania Championships held at Caloundra and the Glasshouse Mountains on April 9, 10, 16 and 17.
David, who was born with cerebral palsy, represented the Mackay Cycling Club (in the C4 division), taking home a total of four medals - one gold, two silvers and a bronze.
To read more on David's achievements and other Whitsunday sport stories, pick up a copy of this week's Whitsunday Coast Guardian, available now from leading news agencies, service stations, Coles (Cannonvale) and the Chapman St office in Proserpine.