By Amanda Wright In a major step forward in the fight against homelessness, the first sod has been turned on a new $5.2 million St Vincent de Paul Society Community Support Centre in Mackay. The project will bring housing and wraparound services under one roof for some of the region’s most vulnerable people. Six new social housing units — including one accessible ground-floor apartment — will sit alongside a purpose-built centre featuring welfare, youth and housing offices, interview room
Read the full storyCommunity-Loved Editor Signs Off By Hannah McNamara Stepping down from her role as Mackay Life Editor and Journalist for Life Publishing Group is a woman who morphed the very fabric of this paper. You may know her from networking events, her community presence, or from her heartfelt, but more often than not humorous editor’s note on page 2. Amanda Wright is the kind of woman who carries her heart on her sleeve for the community, always ensuring voices of the public are at the centre of th
Read the full storyTWO $2 MILLION LOTTO TICKETS SOLD IN THE WHITSUNDAYS IN ONE WEEK! Two life-changing Lotto tickets were sold in the Whitsundays within just seven days of each other. Hickmott's Supa News in Bowen sold a $2.5 million winning ticket on Saturday, 6 September, and News Whitsundays at Whitsunday Plaza in Cannonvale sold a $2 million winning ticket on Saturday, 12 September. Read more on page 3. **Lucky Locals Scoop Millions The Whitsundays is buzzing with excitement this week following the an
Read the full storyBowen Collinsville Pet Rescue is urging for more foster carers to step forward. Unfortunately, they have been left in the position where they have been turning away animals. With every foster home already full, the rescue centre is struggling to keep up with desperate requests even for animals facing euthanasia. The rescue centre covers vet work, food, and ongoing support, while foster carers provide love, safety, and a temporary home. Every time someone fosters, it means one more dog or cat
Read the full storyGet ready for a splash of colour and community fun at the Coral Sea Marina annual Colour Fun Run on Saturday, 13 September, as part of Queensland Child Protection Week 2025. Organised by Whitsunday Counselling & Support (WC&S), this free, action-packed event at the Marina Gardens from 9am to 12pm promises a morning full of laughter, family activities, and vibrant festivities. Participants can enjoy live music, face painting, a sausage sizzle, kid-friendly games, and the iconic colourful ‘fun ru
Read the full storyPolice are appealing for public assistance to help locate a 42-year-old man missing from Bowen since 19 August. Brett Breeze was last seen leaving a health facility at Gregory Street around 4.30pm on Tuesday and has not been seen since. Brett is described as Caucasian, approximately 180cm tall, with a solid build, auburn hair and blue eyes. Brett was last seen wearing a blue long sleeve fishing shirt, black shorts and sneakers with a dark coloured backpack. Police and family hold concerns fo
Read the full storyThis award-winning master-built home blends modern design with everyday practicality. Set on a generous 1051m² block, it’s the perfect balance of indoor comfort and outdoor enjoyment.
You are welcomed into the home by a customized & secure feature entry. From here, the home flows to multiple living zones — a private media room, open-plan living and dining, and a luxurious master suite with a custom walk-in robe and stylish ensuite.
The gourmet kitchen is a true centrepiece, boasting stone benches, a butler’s pantry, a 900mm gas cooktop, and quality finishes that make entertaining effortless. High ceilings, ducted air-conditioning, and tiled floors throughout complete the interior with a sense of space and refinement.
Outdoors has been transformed into your own retreat — an inground pool surrounded by lush gardens, veggie patches, and a cosy firepit zone. The alfresco area has also been cleverly enclosed with mesh screening, allowing you to entertain comfortably year-round.
Every detail reflects quality, style, and thoughtful design, with the home’s Master Builder award-winning titles underscoring its exceptional standard.
Key Features:
• 1051m² block with landscaped gardens and new inground pool
• Cleverly enclosed alfresco area with built-in TV for all-season entertaining
• Gourmet kitchen with butler’s pantry, stone benches, and 900mm gas cooking
• Multiple living areas including a media room and open-plan dining/living
• Double lock-up storage-rich garage.
• Ducted air-conditioning, high ceilings, and tiled floors throughout
• Firepit zone and veggie gardens for lifestyle living
This home is ready to impress — stylish, practical, and with all the extras you’ve been looking for.
September 19, 2025
It’s a strange thing to write your own full stop. After five years, countless deadlines, and more alliteration than even I care to admit, this is my last edition of Mackay Life. A paper born out of Covid uncertainty, built on a promise to connect, uplift, and inform — and somehow, against all odds, we made it something pretty special. What a ride it’s been. We had an advert go globally viral, scooped “Best Free Newspaper in Queensland,” collected a shiny Gold Wonkley, and even launched tw
Read the full storySeptember 19, 2025
A convoy of humble Postie bikes hit the open road for a good cause, as the annual Postie Bike Safari returned for its 13th year of fundraising and friendship – all in support of regional families facing childhood cancer. Departing from Mackay on Saturday, 30 August 2025, 26 riders and 6 support vehicles travelled more than 2,000 kilometres across outback North Queensland over the course of a week. Childhood Cancer Support is a Queensland-based charity that provides free accommodation, tr
Read the full storySeptember 19, 2025
OPINION PIECE Right now, any Australian can submit a simple request to access non-sensitive information from any Australian government agency. We can ask who a minister or government official has met, what was discussed, and the reasoning behind government decisions. This is a vital lever for holding the government accountable and right now it doesn’t cost a cent to ask the question. But the Labor government wants to water down these protections, restricting what information the public
Read the full storySeptember 19, 2025
Last Saturday, the Bakers Creek Tigers Senior Women’s AFL team played at the Great Barrier Reef Arena and came away with a thrilling Grand Final victory. The Tigers faced off against the Moranbah Bulldogs and secured the win, marking another milestone for the local club. Community Bank Sarina, major supporters of the Tigers, said, “Congratulations to the Bakers Creek Tigers AFL Women's team who took away the Grand Final Win last weekend! As major supporters of the club, we love seeing this loca
Read the full storySeptember 19, 2025
Over the last few weeks, Mackay parkrun has been a hotbed of record-breaking performances, with runners of all ages smashing personal bests and age category benchmarks at the community-run 5km event held every Saturday at 7am. Age Category Milestones Zoe Woodward celebrated her 250th parkrun while smashing her own SW30-34 Age Category Record by 16 seconds, setting a new benchmark of 18:55. Tayah Manttan continued her remarkable form in the JW15-17 category, lowering her own record by a furthe
Read the full storySeptember 19, 2025
Sunset Bay Outriggers have been on the road again, testing their skills against the best paddlers in North Queensland, with 17 paddlers making the seven-hour journey to Mission Beach. And the club did not come home disappointed. Both the men’s and women’s crews struck gold in the marathon races, overcoming challenging water conditions. Conditions worsened for the Senior Master Mixed crew’s marathon, but they held on to claim a silver medal for their efforts. The women paddlers made the most
Read the full storySeptember 5, 2025
Get ready for a splash of colour and community fun at the Coral Sea Marina annual Colour Fun Run on Saturday, 13 September, as part of Queensland Child Protection Week 2025. Organised by Whitsunday Counselling & Support (WC&S), this free, action-packed event at the Marina Gardens from 9am to 12pm promises a morning full of laughter, family activities, and vibrant festivities. Participants can enjoy live music, face painting, a sausage sizzle, kid-friendly games, and the iconic colourful ‘fun ru
Read the full storySeptember 19, 2025
A Warm Whitsunday Welcome For Jessica Mauboy Multi music award winner Jessica Mauboy will make her first Airlie Beach Festival of Music appearance this November. The much-loved Australian music legend first gained recognition on Australian Idol, but in an exclusive interview with Whitsunday Life Newspaper, she said performing live is her ultimate joy. “Being able to play it live is my ultimate favourite. So, it’s an absolute honour and opportunity to be able to do that in Airlie Beach. I
Read the full storySeptember 19, 2025
The unmistakable sound of AC/DC will once again thunder through the Airlie Beach Hotel when long-running tribute act takes the stage for a high-energy afternoon of rock and roll. The Sydney-based band has been performing its AC/DC tribute show for 20 years, bringing classic anthems to audiences across Australia. For frontman Michael Ward, the love of music is simply “in his DNA.” “I’m 55 now and I’ve been doing it since I was 12 years old, in various bands and multiple bands at one time too!”
Read the full storySeptember 19, 2025
On Friday evening the Whitsunday Sailing Club hosted the Whitsundays Writers Festival annual event and competition, Love Letter to Queensland. The evening began with Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor opening the event and announcing the Love Letter to Queensland Community writing competition. The Adult Section prize was awarded to Delila Bevan Zavadsky of Brinsmead, near Cairns, for her work title ‘Confessions to Queensland’. She received a two-night ocean view stay with transfers at Daydream
Read the full storySeptember 12, 2025
September 12 & 13 White on Whitehaven 12 Whitsunday Writers Festival Love Letter to Queensland, Whitsunday Sailing Club, at 6pm 12 Kung Fu Panda 4, The Movie Screen at Airlie Beach Foreshore in Coconut Grove, 6:00pm 13 Community Carnival, Mullers Lagoon in Bowen, 9am-12pm 14 Bowen Community Markets, Hansen Park, from 8:00am 16 Social Seniors - Coffee and Chat, Proserpine Library, from 9am 16 Tech Help, Cannonvale Library, 2:00pm-3:45pm 17 Australian Citizenship Day 17 Whitsunday Quilter
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