Whitsunday What's On: July 2010

Winter sailing calendar

* 21st Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week August 12-19th with the first race on Friday 13th and the final race day & presentation of trophies on Thursday August 19th. There are also plenty of social happenings with the program nearing completion.

* Audi Hamilton Island Race Week is now in its 26th year and going from strength to strength with a range of sailing and social events unequalled in this or most other countries. Aussie winter sailing around the Whitsunday islands - August 20 - 28.

* Multihull Solutions Whitsunday Multihull Rendezvous - August 28 to September 3th organised by Abel Point Yacht Club provides a great format for multihull sailors. Of course, there is a social calendar with something for everyone.

* Since 1977, the Whitsunday Fun Race has provided a day out for sailors. It continues into the night for everyone. Saturday September 11 at Whitsunday Sailing Club

* International Talk Like a Pirate Day in Airlie Beach is a just for fun day to top off another winter of sailing in the Whitsunday Barrier Reef islands. Everyone has fun and talks like a pirate. Details - Saturday September 18, http://piratesofwhitsunday.blogspot.com/

Whitsunday Park News - July

Ngaro Sea Trail officially opened

On 2 June 2010, the Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail Great Walk was officially opened with a celebration at Whitehaven Beach. Guests were treated to exquisite weather whilst representatives of Traditional Owners began the launch with a Smoking Ceremony, followed by the unveiling of interpretation displays, and two short walks to experience the Sea Trail. QPWS have begun distributing the new Whitsunday national park islands visitor guide, which incorporates all of the Ngaro Sea Trail information for tourists.

Whales spotted in the Whitsundays

Once again, whales have begun their annual breeding migration north, and here in the Whitsundays we are lucky enough to witness these spectacular creatures throughout their journey. To ensure the safe passage of the whales in our waters, all vessels must adhere to whale watching regulations including watching distances. For further information, see:

http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/wildlife-ecosystems/wildlife/watching_wildlife/whale_watching.html

Mackay Highlands Great Walk now open

The damage caused by Cyclone Ului was quite extensive in the Mackay Highlands Great Walk, and Rangers have been working for some time to ensure the Great Walk is safe and accessible for tourists to traverse. Rangers are pleased to announce that the Great Walk is now open for use again - enjoy!

Update on Coral Beach track

To conduct routine track repairs and maintenance, the Coral Beach track and car park was closed in early June. This work is on schedule and both the track and the car park are due to reopen on 20 July 2010.

Butt Bins in place

To reduce the unsightly amount of cigarette butts affecting Tongue Point, Butt Bins were installed at both ends of the Hill Inlet track. Data on the effectiveness of these bins will be quantified next month.

The war on rubber vine continues

Rangers are continuing their spraying program to halt the spread of rubber vine Cryptostegia grandiflora on Gloucester Island, with teams targeting areas of outbreaks.

Planned burn program

QPWS will be conducting hazard-reduction burning operations on the Whitsunday national park islands between July and October 2010. These burns are being undertaken for asset protection, weed control and conservation purposes. Some areas may be affected by smoke during these burns. For further information, see:

http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks_and_forests/managing_parks_and_forests/fire_management.html

Responsible Park Practices: Bird watching

Queensland has more than 600 species of birds – about 80 percent of all bird species found in Australia. Here are some hints for better bird watching in parks and forests.

• Plan your bird walk for early in the morning or late afternoon when they are usually most active.

• Never feed birds– let them find their own food.

• Keep noise to a minimum; what seems quiet when alone can be loud when in a group and may disturb other park visitors and wildlife.

Distributed to http://whitsundaywhatson.blogspot.com/

Cap'n Dan Van Blarcom
Secretary, Whitsunday Local Marine Advisory Committee
4946 4131
0407676952
Email: ahoy@reefweb.info
Snail mail: PO Box 155,
Airlie Beach, Qld. 4802

July 5 Buddhist Study Group at Villa Botanica

Dear all,

On Monday 5th July, we will be hosting our next Buddhist Study Group at Villa Botanica. This will be the 3rd in a series of 12 study nights and the topic will be one that you may not be on top of but will definitely be familiar with: meditation. Meditation is something most of us have tried but many of us have a sense of failure about. And yet the benefits once you can truly still your mind are boundless: increased energy, creativity, inner calm, happiness and self esteem.

The session will be led by Venerable Tenzin Namdag. For those of you who are yet to attend one of our monthly learning sessions, Namdag is an Australian Buddhist nun, formerly a successful businesswoman, who has trained in the tradition of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. She has run many courses in the US, worked with Bill Gates as well as many inspiring spiritual teachers. In this next session, Namdag will show you different types of meditation and how to train your mind to do what you want it to do and attain a very alert state in which you protect your mind from being disturbed by unnecessary thoughts. Meditation is not an end in itself but when combined with greater wisdom is a key tool in attaining peace and happiness.

Session time: 6.30 pm – 8.30pm approx.

Date: Monday 5th July2010

Place: Villa Botanica, at the end of Botanica Drive, off Paluma Rd. (for directions see map attached)

There is no cost but a donation is appreciated

Tea and coffee served afterwards, BYO plate of food.

Please note we have limited space so if you wish to attend please confirm as soon as possible by return email.

If you need any more information on the evening, please call me on the mobile below. For more general info, go to www.dewachen.info

Best wishes,

Janet Hogan
Manager

FREE CALL 1800 795 990

M 0427 145 577

July 30 ESA ART & CRAFT& EXPO

July 30 ESA ART & CRAFT& EXPO

Proserpine Entertainment Centre

Fri. 30th July, from 9am to 5pm, & Sat 31st July, from 9am to 3pm.

ADMISSION $2.

Morning & afternoon teas and light lunch available.

Site fee for 2 days - $12.

Make-&-take craft lessons, wood turning demonstrations

& much more.

New stalls from Mackay, Townsville & Ayr.

For more info - contact Pat on (07) 49451050.

Beachworx to do it in style - free!

Its seems that there is no limit to the extent that Airlie Beach will go to attract people, tourism and valuable spend. Absolutely dependent on tourist numbers recent calls from organisations like Tourism Whitsundays have been out pounding the pavement seeking additional funding to market the area at a greater level. Calls ring out from local business for tourist taxes, underwriting flights, upgrade the main street and other expansive endevours.

Beachworx owner, Lyn Gregson has taken a big step in the other direction, heralding this weekend as the 21st birthday of the store in Shute Harbour Road, Airlie Beach adjacent to the lagoon. To celebrate Beachworx is giving away premium surf, swim and fashion brands for free. Supposedly without any strings or tricks, shoppers from Friday 2nd July to Sunday 4th July will be welcome to visit the store and select one item each from racks and racks of quality gear until stocks run out.

"Its a genuine celebration," says Lyn. "Beachworx is a name synonymous with Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays. 21 years here makes us the original surf wear outlet so rather than advertise widely a half price sale that won't excite anyone, we decided to do it in style - free!"

It is yet to be seen whether this or any other measure will bring the shoppers or the tourists back. Lyn's activity is one of the provocative moves that she has made given a vast community involvement spanning tourism boards, chambers of commerce and business leadership. We wish her well and a very happy birthday!

Irrespective the Whitsundays is the jewel in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, featuring pristine "Green Zone" coral reefs, 74 REAL islands, resorts and Whitehaven Beach. Return tourists and locals will never dispute the amazing aquatic playground or the lifestyle that makes the Whitsunday region uniquely special in the known universe.

For more information about the Beachworx 21st birthday celebration visit the Beachworx web site at www.beachworx.com

a cool "ad" video posted on www.channelwhitsunday.com