Third Whitsunday Writers Festival July 2012 at Coral Sea Resort, Airlie Beach

Third Whitsunday Writers Festival July 2012 at Airlie Beach

The Whitsunday Writers Festival will take place at Coral Sea Resort in Airlie Beach.

On Friday July 13, a full day workshop of Creative Writing run by Leeza Baric, freelance writer, editor, mentor.

In the evening, a cocktail party around the pool situated on the waterfront of Coral Sea Resort.

Saturday features five well-known authors including Sarah L'Estrange, Producer Books and Arts Daily ABC Radio National and Sally Collings, best selling author and publishing expert amongst others.

The day will finish with a gala dinner on the jetty enjoying the ambience of the best Airlie Beach has to offer.

Sunday is half day conference and a farewell lunch.

This promises to be an entertaining weekend where authors, publishers and guests will mix over wine and good food.

Organiser Gloria Burley 0422026793 - GloriaBurley@bluepeace.com.au.

Currently in development are elements incorporating youth and indigenous culture

Online - wowfestival.blogspot.com.au/

Zonta International Womens Day at Coral Sea Resort

Zonta International Womens Day at Coral Sea Resort.

We have Maria Conroy from RIEP in Bowen and also Serena Drummond to talk to us. They both have very interesting stories.

And it should be a good day, with some great auction and raffle prizes..

Dawn Green is in charge of tickets and tables please contact her on 49481829 if you would like to attend

With kind regards

Janet Keppke

Zonta Club of the Whitsundays Committee

Mixed Open Day at Airlie Beach Bowls Club

We are having our Mixed Open Day for 2012 on Sunday 26th February, all members, friends and visitors are welcome to come along.

Games will start at 1.00pm as normal, please ring names through by 12.30pm to 49467656.

We are also commencing our Business House Bowls Competition for 2012 on Wednesday 7th March, any business in the area is welcome to participate and you require four players each week for 6 weeks.

Anyone interested please contact Margo on 0412469989.

Margo Stanley for ABBC

Online -http://airliebeachbowlsclub.blogspot.com.au/

Bare Foot Bowls on Facebook-

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barefoot-Bowls-Airlie-Beach/352525257584

Cap'n Dan Thursday mornings on ABC Radio Tropical North 0655 before the 7am news - 89.9 FM in Airlie Beach

[Alan Dufty for Whitsunday Council] Council Question time

Council Question time

This week as usual, I attended the Council Meeting where I requested an answer to my question asked at the Council meeting on 9th November 2011.
My question was regarding the removal of the sign on the Airport Road, Sir Reginald Ansett Drive that runs from the railway line to the Whitsunday Coast Airport.
This section of the road was named for Sir Reginald Ansett in recognition of the vision and monetary contribution he made to the upgrade of the Whitsunday Coast Airport in the 1950's. At that time, Ansett owned Hayman Island.
In the 60's I remember the large Ansett helicopters that flew from the then Proserpine Airport to bring tourists to Hayman Island. Those that have been around long enough will remember the little train that took you from the boat or helicopter to Hayman resort. Reg Ansett had the vision in conjunction with the then Proserpine Shire Council to upgrade the Proserpine Airport to enable larger aircraft to land.
The road sign has been missing for over 12 months and I was concerned that this road may loose that important historical connection.
The contribution that Reg Ansett and others made to this area when the Tourist Industry was in its infancy should not be forgotten.
After no action for three months, I have now been assured that the sign would be reinstated in the near future.

We will wait and see

Till next time, Alan

Alan Dufty for Whitsunday Council Division 2

--
Posted By AO1 to Alan Dufty for Whitsunday Council at 2/09/2012 07:42:00 AM

Check the weather before going out

Planning a boating trip? Check the weather before you go!

If you're preparing to head out on the water this summer, check the Bureau's round-the-clock forecast service for all Australian coastal waters.

Four vital checks

There are four things to take note of when planning your boating trip: Warnings, Weather, Wind and Wave Conditions.

1. Warnings current for your boating area

Warnings are the highest priority forecasts. They warn of potentially dangerous wind conditions expected during the next 24 hours. Winds of 26 knots or more indicate rough conditions for small boats.

Type of warning	Average wind speeds indicated
Strong wind	26 knots or more
Gale	34 knots or more
Storm force	48 knots or more
Hurricane	64 knots or more

2. Weather conditions affecting safe navigation and comfort

Coastal water forecasts provide information about conditions that may affect safe boating.

Take note of forecasts indicating reduced visibility from fog or risks to safety and comfort from thunderstorms, lightning or squall conditions.

Some forecasts will also include information on UV levels and the times of day to use sun protection.

3. Wind conditions

To plan your trip for the best conditions, look for forecast trends in wind speeds and shifts in wind direction over the day. Forecast winds are average wind speeds, with gusts being up to 40% stronger.

Wind conditions for the next three or four days can also be found in coastal or local waters forecasts. Three-hourly marine forecast maps are also available from the Bureau's Forecast Explorer tool available in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. These forecasts are all accessible from the Marine Services website: http://www.bom.gov.au/marine.

4. Wave conditions

Also take note of swell and sea wave conditions and how your boat reacts to short sharp sea waves against longer and flatter, but more powerful, swell waves.

Swell waves don't enter enclosed waterways, but do have a dramatic effect on entrances to these areas.

Enclosed waterways are affected by sea waves – waves produced by the wind blowing across the region. A sea height of 1 metre can create enough chop to swamp a small boat. For coastal waters, you need to consider swell and sea waves. Swell waves can be of considerable danger near reefs and breakwaters.

The combination of sea and swell heights indicates the wave conditions you may experience. But you can't just add one to the other. For instance, a 2.5 metre swell and 2 metre seas results in wave conditions over 3.2 metres. See http://www.bom.gov.au/marine/about/combinedseaswell.shtml for information on how to calculate combined sea and swell height.

Getting forecasts while you're out on the water

You can access our marine website using 3G mobile coverage if you're close to the coast. Forecasts are also provided by VHF and HF radio broadcasts. The Bureau's radio schedule is available at: http://www.bom.gov.au/marine/radio-sat/marine-radio-sat.shtml. Depending on local arrangements, warnings are generally broadcast every hour whilst forecasts are generally broadcast every few hours.

Happy boating from the Bureau of Meteorology!

School is back and it is sign up time

P & F

Welcome back to the new school year, particularly all our new students and their families.

Our P & F AGM will be held next Tuesday night at 7pm at the Senior Campus library in Renwick Road. P & F meetings are an open forum for all parents, carers and friends of our school community. They give us the opportunity to learn about what is happening in the school, show support and make important decisions about things that affect our school and our children. Some of our current agenda items include the new school uniform and the new tuckshop.

EVERYONE is welcome to come along to the meetings and I encourage everyone to do so. If you can't attend the meetings let someone know and your issue can be raised on your behalf. The minutes of each meeting are also attached to the school newsletter, and are an important way of knowing the facts so that you remain up to date with the decisions being made.

The more input St Catherine's P&F has from parents and carers, the more the school, and consequently our children, benefit.

All committee positions will be available at our AGM this Tuesday, as well as new positions of Social Representative, Tuckshop and Uniform committee members.

Hope to see you there.

Regards,

Sophie Camm
P&F President
Phone 0439 461 233

PROSERPINE JUNIOR TENNIS -SIGN ON

Saturday 4th February
8.00 am to 9.30 am
At the Proserpine Clubhouse
Jupp Street, Proserpine

Contact: Wendy Hinschen 49452256

WHITSUNDAY NETBALL ASSOCIATION

"In Fitness, Friendship and Fun"

SEASON 2012 SIGN ON

JUNIORS
5 – 16yrs Proserpine SHS outside Hall Mon 13th Feb @ 5-6pm

5 – 16yrs Whitsunday Sports Park Wed 15th Feb @ 4-6pm

SENIORS
Whitsunday Sports Park 14th March @ 5pm – 6pm

This year we would like to expand our competition. So why not get your friends or workmates together and form a team to enjoy the fun and fitness of Netball on Wednesday nights at the Sports Park.

Mixed and Graded Teams.
Sausage Sizzle, Canteen Facilities with Liquor Licence available each week.
Don't worry if you don't have a team we'll find one for you.

For more details contact
Juniors: Trisha McHugh 0414 240 757
Seniors: Michelle White 0407 124 268

PROSERPINE WHITSUNDAY JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE –SIGN ON DAY

WHEN: Saturday 11TH February
WHERE: Proserpine Junior Sporting Complex Corner of Crystalbrook and Kelsey Creek Rd
TIME: 1-5pm
COST: $140 includes registration, club shirt, shorts, socks and footy

AGES: Under 6-16's

New signings please bring birth certificate

Inquiries contact Bob Dwyer 0422 484 613

Alan Dufty Whitsunday Council Division 2

http://alanduftyforwhitsundaycouncil.blogspot.com.au/

Airlie Beach Triathlon - Interview with Allan Dufty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnH0eRS545k