The 2024 BMA River 2 Reef Ride Festival held last weekend was a resounding success, bringing together hundreds of cyclists and their families for a celebration of fitness, community and charity. With a focus on promoting healthy living and raising funds for BMA CQ Rescue and Disabled Sport & Rec Mackay, the event has become a cornerstone in the region since its inception. The Golding Kids Colour Ride at the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens was a hit with young riders, who delighted in the colourf
Read the full storyAfter 25 years of dedicated service to the Mackay community, Robert Gregg has officially retired. As many in the city heart may have noticed, Robert is no longer seen with his iconic red trolley, tirelessly cleaning the streets and recycling to keep the town beautiful. His daily presence was a fixture in the community and was always accompanied by a friendly smile and a warm wave to passers-by. For decades, Robert’s quiet, yet impactful work touched the hearts of many, to the point of earnin
Read the full storyRoll up your sleeves and join The Great Spring Clean Up to help tidy up our beautiful region. This year council is aligning with Clean Up Australia’s “The Great Spring Clean Up” which will be held during September and October in a bid to keep our region pristine. Mayor Greg Williamson said the events were the perfect opportunity for residents to show their community pride and help keep our region beautiful. “Spring cleaning our homes is a usual practice for most of us – so why not also get out
Read the full storyThe mining community is in mourning following the tragic death of another worker at the Byerwen Mine site, located west of Glenden. Emergency services were called to the site at approximately 1.10 pm on Thursday, August 22nd, where they discovered a man believed to be in his mid 50s suffering from critical injuries. Bundaberg man, John Linwood (56), was fatally injured at the Byerwen mine site and was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident involved a collision between a haul truck and a
Read the full storyWith World Suicide Awareness Day fast approaching, Whitsunday Suicide Prevention Network has been raising awareness with a variety of initiatives right across the region. From the recent Memorial Service and plaque unveiling held in Airlie Beach last week to the sunflower sale at Stackelroth Farm where over $500 was raised for the cause. Starting a conversation about suicide awareness is considered the most effective way to normalise such a stigmatised issue and encourage those living with men
Read the full storyProtecting children is a shared responsibility, and organisers Whitsunday Counselling & Support Inc. is dedicated to raising awareness about this crucial issue through their upcoming Community Colour Run. This year's activities will include a colour fun run, bubble blowing, face painting, sausage sizzle, raffles & prizes, arts & crafts, games, races and a fantastic live music performance from Josiah. Intensive Family Support Case Manager, Niamh Mulvihill, says she is excited for another year of
Read the full storyNext Father’s Day imagine your dad living the dream by sipping world-class Shiraz in the Heart of the Barossa Valley at lunch, and by sunset, swimming in the Coral Sea in the Whitsundays, Heart of the Great Barrier Reef. This idyllic escape is now a reality with the first direct flights between Adelaide and Whitsunday Coast Airport (WCA) taking off earlier this week connecting the two cities in less than three hours and creating 58,000 low-cost seats a year. Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor R
Read the full storyTwo (very sweet!) white female rats are looking for their forever home. Rats are great therapists and companions, especially for children with developmental disabilities, due to their gentle and calm nature. A bonus is they are also extremely intelligent! You can train them to do tricks, and they are naturally curious animals who enjoy forming bonds with their owners. The best home for rats is a wire cage; the larger and taller, the better, especially due to their active nature, with them lo
Read the full storyPortside Whitsunday Apartments offers executivestyle
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September 5, 2024
By Hannah McNamara CQ Rescue put on quite a show last Wednesday as the Mackay community recently celebrated the exciting arrival of the new BMA CQ Rescue AW139 helicopter. A spectacular water show was presented by fire trucks on the runway, capturing the amazement of both children and adults as the chopper circled overhead, giving everyone a chance to view the impressive new aircraft from every angle. As the sun set over the runway, the landing of the pristine AW139 was a memorable moment,
Read the full storySeptember 5, 2024
With treatment number four behind me yesterday, I'm officially halfway through my chemotherapy journey. It’s been a winding road, but one with a clear destination in sight. I’ll be taking the next few days to recover, so I can hit the ground running for next week’s edition. Thank you all for your continued support and understanding during this time, it means more than you know. Today (Friday), Mackay turns its attention to the Trudy Crowley Foundation’s Touch of Teal soirée, an event that holds
Read the full storySeptember 5, 2024
Cathy Freeman OAM, the iconic Australian Olympic champion born in Mackay has recently expressed her strong support for the planned Stage 2 development at the Great Barrier Reef Arena. She highlighted the critical need for international-standard training and competition facilities for athletes in regional Queensland. The Stage 2 development at the Great Barrier Reef Arena will feature accessible accommodation and amenities, allowing athletes and school students from regional, state and interstat
Read the full storySeptember 5, 2024
Mackay State High School showcased its basketball prowess, winning two titles at the recent Mackay Interschool Basketball Tournament, which brought together schools from across the region. The school's Open Boys and Junior Girls teams emerged victorious, demonstrating skill, teamwork, and determination. The Open Boys, coached by Mr Stuart Watkins, began their campaign with a commanding win against Sarina State High School, setting the tone for the tournament. Their second game against Northern B
Read the full storySeptember 5, 2024
Tuesday morning Mackay Table Tennis players warmed up for another season of fixtures with a doubles tournament. Janice Kent carried all before her to win the first division with 151 points, Don Boettcher winning division 2 with 155 points. The tournament was first to 31, five matches with partners swapping randomly and was strongly competed by a good turnout of players, who especially enjoyed the ‘bring a plate’ spread at the end of play. A new season of fixtures is starting, and if you haven’t
Read the full storySeptember 5, 2024
In a thrilling display of skill and determination, the Slade Point women’s rugby union team won Mackay’s inaugural Women’s Rugby 7s Grand Final at BB Print Stadium. Capping off a remarkable season for women’s rugby in the region, a star player for Slade Point, Hula Day, has been playing different codes of rugby for seven years, starting in 2018 before switching to rugby union in 2020. Her versatility on the field has seen her excel in various positions, from flanker in 15s to playing as a ho
Read the full storyAugust 29, 2024
More than 300 participants revved up their themed cars for a week-long adventure to raise an astounding $1.5 million for children in need. The 32nd Variety Victoria Bash officially hit the gas on August 16, shifting into high gear for an unforgettable adventure, kicking off in Swan Hill, Victoria, the convoy then travelled through New South Wales, following a pit stop at the sunshine state of Mackay before concluding their joy ride in Airlie Beach last Saturday on August 24th. Along the way,
Read the full storySeptember 5, 2024
THE MECC Auditorium reopening celebration featured a terrible guest with terrible tusks, terrible claws and terrible teeth in his terrible jaws. The Gruffalo was the first show back in the MECC Auditorium following the significant water damage which occurred during heavy storms over the 2023 Christmas period. Mayor Greg Williamson said it was tremendous to reopen the northern part of the facility with a packed house. “The Auditorium, North Foyer and Lynette Denny Space have reopened this week
Read the full storySeptember 5, 2024
The Mackay Musical Comedy Players are thrilled to announce their latest production, the highly acclaimed musical revue Closer Than Ever, created by Maltby and Shire. This evocative two-act show will be performed at St Patrick's College Mackay - Senior Campus Hall for a limited run on Friday, September 20, and Saturday, September 21, 2024. Closer Than Ever is renowned for its poignant and personal storytelling, exploring themes of love, security, and the search for happiness in today’s complex w
Read the full storySeptember 5, 2024
Mackay VIEW Club is on the lookout for new members who want to give back to their community and make new connections with women in the area. VIEW, which stands for Voice, Interests and Education of Women, is a network of close to 300 clubs and over 14,000 women throughout Australia. It provides a place for women to connect in the community, enjoy social activities, and develop lasting friendships – all while supporting the work of children’s education charity, The Smith Family. Mackay VIEW Clu
Read the full storySeptember 5, 2024
On August 3, 2024, the streets from Mackay Harbour to Seaforth became a whirl of vibrancy and colour as participants united in bright tutus for the 2024 Tutu Challenge in support of ovarian cancer research. Miss Diamond International Finalist of 2024, Jennifer-Lee Houseman, who is widely recognised for her modelling and dancing talents, organised the event, and the day turned out to be a powerful demonstration of solidarity in the fight against one of the most common cancers affecting women.
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