Sunferries Revs up for the V8s Sunferries revs up the excitement at the Breakwater Terminal with a V8 Supercar on display for the Sucrogen Townsville 400 V8 Supercars. The Sieder's Racing Team ‘City of Townsville' V8 Supercar was on display last Saturday and Sunday at the Sunferries Breakwater Ferry Terminal as part of Sunferries celebrations for the Rev it up for Race Week Townsville Chamber of Commerce promotion. Our team has been busy this week transforming the terminal into a pit lane with race flags, tyre stacks, balloons, streamers and event posters so we welcome all island residents to come across and check out the ‘City of Townsville' V8 Supercar we have on display. Sunferries is a proud supporter of the Sieder's Racing Team ‘City of Townsville' V8 Supercar which is set to compete in the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Development Series at the Townsville 400 9 - 11 July. Are you revved up for Race Week? Dress up your business in a V8 theme and increase the excitement for your customers and staff!                (Sieder's Racing Team 'City of Townsville' V8 Supercar)               (Breakwater Terminal transformed into Pit Lane)

Offshore Superboat Championships Wrap-up

The Townsville leg of the Offshore Superboat Championships 2010 took place last weekend to a crowd of anxious spectators both on The Strand and on the water. There were thrills all around and guests on board the Sunferries Spectator Boat were treated to front row seats to the adrenalin-charged action plus live commentary and live entertainment.

                     
        (Crowds watch the race from the Sunferries Spectator Boat)          (Live band entertains guests between races)

The Sunferries Spectator Boat will take to the water again this September to give spectators front row seats to all the action of Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week 2010. Stay tuned for more information!

Watch Out For Whales   

With the first sightings of migrating whales for 2010 off Queensland's east coast, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is reminding vessel operators to take care, watch out for whales and know the approach distances. From May through until around September each year migrating humpback whales can be seen in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Having left the colder southern oceans they undertake an annual migration to warmer northern waters - to court, mate, give birth or rear their young.

It is important to abide by approach distances for both the safety of whales and onlookers. The following legal requirements are set out below:

• A vessel must not approach closer than 100 metres to a whale or 300 metres to a whale calf
• If your vessel is closer than 300 metres to a whale, it must be operated at a constant slow speed
• If there are three vessels within 300 metres of a whale, all additional vessels must remain outside 300 metres from the whale
• Vessels cannot be operated in a way that restricts the path of whales
• If a whale approaches close to your vessel, take all precautions to avoid a collision, either slow down and steer away from the animal, or place the engines in neutral and let the animal pass.

If you encounter a sick, injured, stranded or dead whale take as many details as possible and report it to the Department of Environment and Resource Management on 1300 130 372.

New Restaurant Embraces an Italian Feel

Cafe Siroccos on Maggie Island has welcomed an Italian feel to its restaurant bringing the walls to life! Stop by and enjoy the atmosphere with coffee and cake or take the family and enjoy lunch or dinner. Bellissimo!

         
                                                                      (Cafe Siroccos new Italian feel)

COMMUNITY NEWS

Promote your event, exhibitions, festivals, major sporting events, and performances free of charge on http://www.townsvilleholidays.info/, http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/, www.australia.com and up to 50 other websites, through the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW).  Visit www.tq.com.au/atdwevents and complete the registration form or refer to the events facts sheet for further information.

EVENTS

Water's Edge - Creating Environments

Jill Chism and selected artists from the Townsville, Mackay and Cairns regions respond to the exchange between man and water in an impressive collection of environmental artworks. In recent times extensive flooding, extended droughts and increasing pollution of waterways have placed unprecedented focus on water issues. The works explore the human imprint on the natural environment at various locations across Queensland.

Townsville based artists Tony Cuthbertson, Barbara Pierce and Pam Lane worked with Jill Chism at selected sites on Magnetic Island and Town Common. The artists engaged with the history of the sites as well as current issues. The intention to create change and the value of water in our community are themes which echo through the installations. Five other artists have contributed to the exhibition from sites stretching from Noosa to Cape Tribulation.

Venue: Pinnacles Gallery
Exhibition Dates: Saturday 3 July - Sunday 29 August 2010

School Holiday Activities Stuck for ideas to keep the kids entertained these school holidays? Take advantage of some of the following great school holiday activities Dino Discoveries School Holiday Program, Museum of Tropical Queensland - until 9th July Reef Dreaming at Reef HQ Aquarium - until 9th July La Luna Youth Arts Acrobatics - 8th July Commando Boot Camp, Anzac Park - 8th July Naidoc Week Family Fun Day, Riverway -9th July Download a copy of the Townsville City Councils Winter Holiday Program from www.townsville.qld.gov.au/recreation/events/holiday_program/index Get some recognition for your business!  Nominations are closing soon for the Townsville Airport North Queensland Tourism Awards. The awards are the region's most credible tourism benchmarking exercise - attracting nominations from operators throughout the region across 20 categories. The Awards recognise excellence in tourism and are held in high regard by Tourism Queensland, industry bodies and the travel media. Nomination is free for all tourism operators and businesses and you do not need to be a Townsville Enterprise member to nominate. To nominate visit http://www.northqueenslandtourismawards.com.au/ or for more information contact Chelsea Sutherland on 4726 2752.

What's On 7th July State of Origin - Game 3 Cheer on the Maroons as they compete for a clean sweep of the 2010 State of Origin! 9th - 11th July Sucrogen Townsville 400 V8 Supercars Gear up for the return of the V8 Supercars this month! 18th July Magnetic Island to Townsville Open Water Swim 24th July Cowboys vs. Knights Head to Dairy Farmers Stadium this Saturday to support North Queensland! COMING UP - mark your calendars 27th - 29th August  Great Tropical Jazz Party Now in its fourteenth year, the 2010 Great Tropical Jazz Party (GTJP) three nights and two days of jazz set amongst the lush tropical gardens of All Seasons Magnetic Island Resort. Weekend passes cost $70, (includes admittance to all sessions). Single session tickets are also available.