Second tourism book to be released in March

VOLUME II of the Pioneers of Airlie Beach, complied by Dale Hell, is set to be released in early March at the Cannonvale Beach Library.

Currently gallivanting the south-western Pacific Ocean around Papua New Guinea, Ms Hell said more details would be confirmed when she returned next week.

The first book was released last year and includes stories and pictures from the tourism pioneers of Airlie Beach.

Ms Dell decided to release a second book simply because there were more stories to tell.

“These stories have been written by a variety of people from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s to the 80’s and some are still living in this paradise today,” she said.

The second book features the stories of prominent faces such as Bernie Katchor and his late wife Yvonne who founded Whitsunday Rent-A-Yacht; Sandy and Maureen Prior who were pioneers of the diving industry in Airlie Beach; Kevin and Sue Bowe who founded Air Whitsunday, David and Lynn Moore who built the Island Gateway Caravan Park; Rex and Myra Robinson who started what is now the Lions Community Markets and many more.

Ms Dell firmly believes that it wasn’t until Cyclone Ada in 1970 that Airlie Beach was discovered by the outside world.

Therefore she said it was important for younger generations to snatch up a copy and learn of the history.

“There are some remarkable stories of where we started to where we are now and how that all happened,” she said.

The Pioneers of Airlie Beach Volume II is $69 each.

The books need to be pre-ordered.

To order and pre-pay, contact Dale Hell on 041 627 3598 or helldale@bigpond.com.