WHITSUNDAY resident Ashley Kennedy will open his 65th birthday celebrations to include members of the Airlie Beach social club - Rough As Guts Entertainment (RAG Ent).

Mr Kennedy, who has been president of the club since 1979, is holding a joint birthday and 35-year reunion event at the Airlie Beach Hotel tomorrow (Friday) night.

Mr Kennedy said RAG Ent started in the late 70s "to give people something to do".

Its Sunday sessions quickly became an Airlie institution, including sporting matches, social outings, boat trips and even fancy dresses.

RAG Ent members wore t-shirts bearing iron-on nicknames by which the wearers were known.

The club's original president and founder was Pieter Koster, who "handed over the reins" to Mr Kennedy, a barman at the Airlie Beach Hotel.

Through the hotel, Mr Kennedy was able to further expand on the club's activities, which by the early 80s included music extravaganzas, sail-aways, iron man drinking and eating competitions and even a raft race as a pre-cursor to the area's famous Fun Race.

The RAG Ent headquarters was a house on the current Blue Bay Estate, renowned for hosting some of the biggest

parties the town had ever seen, including a helicopter send-off for the America's Cup in December 1985.

Mr Kennedy said this was an era not to forget, which ultimately led to the "building boom" and the rise of places such as the Terraces, Harbour Apartments and Hamilton Island.

Tomorrow's event, held during the Whitsunday Reef Festival fireworks will include music by the band Tyte and Live, who played at many a function in those good old days. RAG Ent t-shirts will also be available on the night.

For more information, contact Ashley Kennedy on 0459 903 588.