After another ground-breaking year for Queensland tourism operators, the Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s Queensland Tourism Awards were back with Mackay businesses bringing home two silver and one bronze awards for the region.

At the 2023 Queensland Tourism Awards, Sarina Sugar Shed won Silver for Excellence in Food Tourism while The FLACKYARD won Silver for Best Tourism Restaurant. Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre celebrated with a Bronze Award in the Business Event Venues category.

Also putting their products under the spotlight as nominees at the state awards were Isaac Regional Council's St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend Event, Friends of the MECC, Country Roads Motor Inn Dysart, Oh Deere Farm Stays and Windmill Motel & Event Centre.  All tourism operators completed a rigorous submission process to nominate for the Queensland Tourism Awards.

In the past financial year, Mackay broke its record for annual overnight visitor expenditure, reaching $751.3 million – a 22.5 per cent average increase compared to the previous financial year.

Spend per visitor also increased by 19.2 per cent in the last financial year and over the past three years, visitation has increased by 2.2 per cent to 1.1 million.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s Chief Executive Officer Brett Fraser congratulated the region on its success at the awards ceremony following a huge year of record-breaking tourism results.

“Congratulations to Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre for receiving the Bronze award for Business Event Venues,” Mr Fraser said. “This is the second year in a row that they have been named a winner in this category which is a testament to the services they provide.

“Another massive congratulations to Sarina Sugar Shed for winning Silver in the Excellence in food Tourism category and The FLACKYARD for winning Silver in the Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services category.

“It’s great to see so many tourists flocking to Mackay, proving the region is a serious player in the Queensland tourism industry.”

Mackay Isaac Tourism CEO Al Grundy said, "It is so exciting to be at the Queensland Tourism Awards supporting our local businesses who put their heart and soul into making the visitor experience a memorable one every day of the year!

“On behalf of our region and the team, I want to say congratulations, and in our eyes you are all winners.”

The workers and businesses behind these awards gathered at the Cairns Exhibition Centre on 24 November for a night of tropical glamour and recognition for all their hard work in the Queensland tourism industry for the past year.

There were 31 award categories ranging from attractions, events, tour and transport operators, accommodation, restaurants, culture and marketing. Across the 31 categories, 78 operators were awarded including 31 Gold, 26 Silver and 20 Bronze.

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Some of the Tourism Queensland Award winners with Queensland Premier Annastasia Palaszczuk

Mackay Isaac Tourism CEO Al Grundy, Deputy Mayor Karen May and Councillor Michelle Green joined representatives from the Sarina Sugar Shed and the MECC in celebrating wins at the Queensland Tourism Awards

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How good is Christmas and holidays?

I’ll let you know mid-January, because this year again my family is planning a visit to my hometown of Adelaide.

Driving.

Yes, it sounds crazy, but the key is to have my own transport when I’m back home so we can go wherever we want, whenever we want, without having to rely on my parents having a car available.

The last time we did the drive we made the journey part of the holiday, so each stop was a mini break in itself.

We had a surprise stay at Sea World Resort, a trip to Sea World, and a quick visit to Movie World, further south we had a few days in Port Macquarie where we dropped into the Koala Hospital.

One of the truly great things we did is walk over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, if you’re in Sydney it’s worth doing. An iconic landmark, awesome view and you get to see up close how this amazing piece of engineering was put together.

On our trip back we stayed in a former hometown of mine Orange in NSW and went for a look at Australia’s largest telescope near Coonabarabran. Making the drive part of the holiday is key to making long days in the car bearable.

This trip I’m thinking of a lap or two of Mt Panorama at Bathurst, if you haven’t done this one before it’s amazing. It looks steep on the TV, but that doesn’t do it justice as to how hilly the track is. And if you've got some ideas of things to do in Canberra, I'd love to hear them, because the capital is on the cards too.

The last time we went south we were well and truly ready for home on the way back and did Goondiwindi to Mackay in one day. In total it was over 7000 across three weeks, but I loved every bit of it.

If you’re travelling over Christmas may the petrol prices be low, the days in the car feel short, and the weather just awesome.

Scotty

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Ange Postecoglouis a good example for anyone in sport or business or someone trying to get ahead in life - that perseverance, consistency, effort, self-belief, discipline and culture create success.

The Tottenham Hotspurs Manager (coach in our world) has gone from playing football (soccer in our world) for South Melbourne then coaching in Australia, Japan and Scotland before taking over one of the English Premier League’s most famous clubs.

He took over the Spurs after massive success over several years at Celtic in Scotland and arrived at a time when Tottenham seemed to have lost direction. Just before the season kicked off, the Spurs’ most famous player and highest goal scorer, Harry Kane, walked out.

But Ange just did what he had always done. He stuck to the brand of football he believed in, he created a culture at the club where the players believed in him and supported his positive, attacking style of play.

And, with some early success, the fans got on board. I don’t think the fans expected their team to be Premier League Champions this year but they were encouraged by ‘Angeball’, with its attacking intent and were blown away by early season success. They started singing songs about him.

Now Ange’s team won’t be winning the league this year. They are sitting fifth on the table and at the time of me writing this they had suffered several losses in a row. It’s a pretty tough comp that is dominated by a handful of massively rich clubs.

So, I would have thought fifth is pretty good in your first year. The challenge for Ange will be to maintain the level in the second-half of the season.

But he has given hope to fans and brought out the best in his players. And I’ve noted a few things: He doesn’t get too excited about a win (let’s maintain some equilibrium), he keeps it simple and uncomplicated saying he is doing nothing different to any other club he has coached because the philosophy and game style are the same. And he is humble.

So, for me, it all applies to working in business and real estate. Be consistent with your effort, maintaining the standards of communication and other key elements that are vital for doing the best thing by the sellers I work for.

Have a strategy, a game plan that works. A lot of sellers say: ‘you only need one buyer’ and that is true but the key thing is that one buyer needs to see that there is competition for the property, that they are not going to be able to steal the damn thing. The marketing, the data base of buyers, the team work within the agency creates competition.

And you need to work with a business that has a culture of success. One where everyone in the organisation understands what we are there to do. The client needs to be at the centre of everything.

Like Ange’s players, Gardian people enjoy the work but the enjoyment only comes because the work is being done and the results are there for our clients. Oh, and we’ve got a song, too, but we don’t expect you to sing it when we get you a good result.

Contributed by David Fisher

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A new knock-out program implemented by the Queensland Government, Active Women and Girls is set to promote gender equity in Queensland's field of sports and recreation.

The $15 million Active Women and Girls Program is aiming to boost sport and active recreation opportunities for women and girls in Queensland. The program will be dedicated to encourage greater participation across all facets of sport and recreation, including playing, coaching, umpiring, volunteering and team management.

The program was launched during the Oceania Rugby Sevens tournament, a qualifying event for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and supported by the Queensland Government as part of its program to secure major events on the pathway to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The program is now open to applications, with funding available to be used across a range of focus areas, such as volunteer training, resources and equipment. Creating more participation opportunities for women and girls within clubs, communities and organisations is vital to deliver bigger and better opportunities.

Local clubs, state-level organisations, university-based clubs, and local government authorities can use this funding to deliver top-notch training, events, recognition, high-quality equipment and targeted programs.

There are two categories for eligibility under this program. Local clubs can apply for $7,500 under Category 1, with local government authorities and state-level sport and active recreation organisations having the ability to apply for $25,000 under Category 2.

Applications opened 20th November and will close on 6th March 2024. To apply for funding under this program, your organisation must be registered in the Sport and Recreation Grant Registration Portal.

Applications must be submitted using the online application form Sport and Recreation Grants Portal.

Find out if your club is eligible and apply now!

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A statement released by Queensland Police Service informed the public that a 40-year-old Mackay man has passed away, following a truck rollover in Clairview on Monday 27th November.

Initial investigations indicated that at approximately 11.40am, a truck was travelling south along the Bruce Highway when it left the road and rolled. The driver, a 40-year-old Andergrove man, was declared deceased at the scene.

Forensic Crash Unit investigations are continuing.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.

Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

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Investigations into the fatality are ongoing

Photo credit: Queensland Police Service

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Let the Children Play Toyshop is your one-stop toyshop, servicing the local community with quality items to encourage imagination and play. The business opened in 2013 and this September they celebrated their ten-year anniversary of operations in Mackay.

Owner of Let the Children Play Toyshop Ally Blines believes in the importance of shopping local. She encourages customers during the Christmas period, to add ‘Mackay’ to the end of their online search when looking for specific products.

Ally stated, “If you make the effort to look, a lot of us local businesses have really good professional webstores. If we've got it listed on our webstore, it will come up.

“People come from Townsville, Rockhampton and even from Brisbane and they say things like, ‘Wow, I can't get these things where I live. How come you've got them in Mackay?’.”

Let the Children Play Toyshop opened during a mining boom in 2013, and within twelve months the industry had collapsed. This was considered one of the most difficult periods for the toyshop, nevertheless Ally pushed through the difficulties and continued the operation.

Covid-19 also created a hard road ahead for the business, with stock reassessment and home deliveries taking place to adapt to the changes. Let the Children Play Toyshop has continued with their home deliveries, free for locals on orders over $100.

Over the years, the business has grown its inventory to cater to infants and toddlers. Let the Children Play Toyshop has also been busy in recent times, updating their selection of board games and puzzles, with an emphasis on adult-style products to entice parents to join in the fun.

Let the Children Play Toyshop have a passion for customer-centric service, taking time to understand the needs of both parents and children and talking them through their options.

Ally stated, “I've chosen toys because I'm passionate about learning and the importance of play. But I think what I've become really passionate about is customer service.”

Find Let the Children Play Toyshop at Shop 2 on 176 Victoria St or visit www.playmackay.com.au for more information.

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Owner Ally Blines with her vast array of board games and puzzles

Children can enjoy a hands-on experience at the store

Photo credit: Sinead Porter

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The Rug Gallery have been in business for over thirty years, supplying Mackay with high-quality rugs to add comfort and style to our homes.

The family business is owned by Katrina and Peter Hansen, who are a passionate duo striving to meet everchanging needs by offering quality service and one-on-one advice to their customers. With a fantastic range from designer to recycled rugs, the showroom has a wide variety to choose from, or you can order in if you’re in the market for something specific.

The team offer to search for specific rugs you might not be able to source yourself. If you can't find a rug to fit a space in your home or want some mats for your car, caravan or doorways, talk to the team about their custom-made products and overlocking services.

You can even take advantage of the Rug Gallery’s 24-hour ‘try before you buy’ option, to see the rug come to life in your home before making a final purchase.

Katrina stated her main mission in operating The Rug Gallery, “Helping people to make their homes look beautiful, helping someone have the ability to have a home that they want to come home to.”

She went on to say, “If we don't have what [customers] want, or if they want suggestions on things, we're always here to help them out and advise them in which way is the best way to go.”

The Rug Gallery stock quality products from trusted brands like Bayliss, Unitex, MOS International, Hufflett, Italtex and Brand Ventures.

For something traditional that stands the test of time, try rugs made from heat-set polypropylene, cotton, wool, hemp, sisal and jute. Recycled materials for rugs can include PVC, bicycle tubes, denim, fabric and leather. Machine-made rugs are stain resistant, or if you’re looking to spice up your alfresco space, try out the hard-wearing outdoor rugs!

Check out the tips and tricks for taking care of the rugs in your home, browse through The Rug Gallery website at theruggallery.com.au or visit the team at 133 Sydney Street to view their extensive range of products and services.

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A vast range of colours and styles at Rug Gallery

Photo credit: Sinead Porter

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The final hurdle for the expansion of a Bowen Basin coal mine has been cleared with the Queensland Government granting a mining lease.

The lease paves the way for Anglo American to expand its Lake Lindsay steel-making coal mine operation near Middlemount.

It will extend the life of the mine and secure the long-term future of 500 good jobs.

When fully operational the expanded mine will produce 5.6 million tonnes of steel-making coal.

Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the granting of this mining lease shows Queensland’s resources industry continues to go from strength to strength.

“It shows there is confidence from major mining companies that are investing in the future of Queensland’s resources industry into the future,” he said.

“Steel-making coal is one of our state’s biggest export earners, worth nearly $60 billion in the 12 months to May this year.

“We need steel for construction, domestic appliances, automotive and mechanical equipment, and also for turbines to generate renewable energy on wind farms.

“I want to congratulate Anglo American for their continued investment in their operations in the Bowen Basin because it means hundreds of good jobs and a boost to the local economy for years to come.”

Anglo American Australia CEO Dan van der Westhuizen emphasised the importance of steelmaking coal for the economy and every day life.

“Capcoal Open Cut is a significant contributor in our Steelmaking Coal portfolio and we’re pleased this extension to our mining tenure has been granted, allowing for continuation of the mine and maintaining the employment for the existing workforce at Capcoal.

“Steelmaking coal is a critical element of steel, which is used in every aspect of modern life.”

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Images supplied: Anglo American

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The success of a business in a regional area is often intricately linked to the wellbeing of the neighbourhood it calls home.

With many banks reducing their physical presence in regional areas, Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank is still committed to a focus on connection, capacity building and direct community impact, thanks to its unique community banking model.

At the recent Sarina and District Community Financial Services Limited (SDCFSL) AGM, the company reported strong financial results for Community Bank Sarina for the 22-23 financial year, including an increase in profitability and customer numbers.

Charmaine Matsen, Branch Manager of Community Bank Sarina, said whilst other banks are reporting record profits, Community Bank Sarina customers know that a percentage of their bank’s profits are injected directly into their own community.

“We are attracting customers now from further afield - some with strong connections to our community - who have discovered the benefits of banking with a community bank and want to do business with a profit for purpose enterprise. They can see the direct results of our investments around them and how it can assist communities thrive and prosper,” she said.

“Due to an increase in customers, we’ve been able to strengthen our presence in the community, as well as deliver over $300,000 of investments locally this past financial year through scholarships, community grants, sponsorships, and donations.

“Supporting the community in this way enhances the livability of our region, going beyond traditional banking norms and redefining a bank’s role in fostering community and customer prosperity.”

Board Chair Karen May said the results of this year’s AGM shows Community Bank Sarina has ramped up its ongoing commitment to support a range of community organisations – many of which are volunteer run – with a focus on connection, diversity, and inclusion.

“This unique model of banking is predicated on being commercially viable yet community spirited. We employ local people, we purchase locally where possible and this all helps further build regional prosperity and capacity,” she said.

“These strong financial results mean we can continue to deliver to our customers, the community, and our shareholders, who were also able to receive a fully franked dividend of 13c per share this past financial year, which is a record return.”

“Our customers can bank on the fact that Community Bank Sarina has invested over $3.8 million since 2005 directly in community initiatives throughout the region, and that we’re here to stay.”

To find out more Community Bank Sarina’s results and community support during the 2022/23 financial year, view their annual report at https://bit.ly/sdcfslannualreport2023.

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Standing at the mouth of the Pioneer River, Mackay City is known for its blue water estuaries and deep water artificial port, with one of the world's largest bulk-handling installations serving as the hub of Australia's sugar industry.

In 1860, an Irishman by the name of John McCrossin selected a 20-year-old Scotsman, John Mackay, to lead an expedition to seek pastoral opportunities. They eventually came across the coastal ranges, which are now known as the Pioneer Valley.

Established in 1862 and named after Captain John Mackay, the city attained municipal status in 1869, and later city status in 1918.

There was a construction boom in the early 20th Century due to a series of unrelated events which combined to transform the appearance of the city.

Factors included natural disaster events, such as fires in 1915 and 1916, which destroyed many shops in Victoria Street, as well as a devastating cyclone in 1918 which destroyed 80 per cent of the buildings in the city.

A policy of the Council at the time was to replace all timber commercial premises with masonry structures for safety reasons.

This regulation combined with a population explosion and retained economic growth from steadied sugar prices and co-operatively owned sugar mills, meant that Mackay’s streets began to be decorated with beautiful Art Deco style buildings, many of which still exist today.

The city has been historically recognised as a sugar research institute since 1953. Mackay has been known to contribute to various industries including dairy, lumber, alcohol production, and tropical fruit cultivation. More recently, the hinterland coal mining developments and the tourist industry have added to Mackay's economic structure.

Modern-day Mackay offers contemporary living, blending the tranquillity of suburban solitude and natural beauty. The city provides ever-growing career prospects, alongside the convenience of amenities, education, and sports facilities.

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The old Commonwealth Bank in Victoria Street in 1883 (colourised) vs. today

Photo credit: Have you seen the Old Mackay (Facebook page)

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Mackay Regional Council has recently partnered with Recycle Mate – a new web-based app tailored to ensure the information is relevant to our Materials Recovery Facility (MFR).

Recycle Mate is a nation-wide project led by the Australian recycling industry though strategic direction from the Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR).

Both state and federal governments have invested in the app as part of the waste management strategy. Recycle Mate can either be accessed online or via a mobile app, giving users the ability to search or take a photo of the item they wish to dispose of and within seconds, find out which bin it can go into.

Recycle Mate uses artificial intelligence (AI) to identify your waste and recyclables. The application has an advanced search engine with over 4000 items in their directory, as well as disposal solutions to confirm which bin to use at home, or learn if there is a better recycling option available.

To assist local residents in answering frequently asked questions about recycling practises and to help reduce the waste sent to landfill,

“Contamination is simply putting the wrong item in the wrong bin,” Mayor Williamson said.

“Common contamination items we find at the MRF range from nappies and green waste to bottle top lids and soft plastics.”

At the Materials Recovery Facility recyclables are manually sorted. Contaminants are often dirty and unsafe to sort manually, potentially causing harm and posing a serious health risk to workers.

Place items loosely in the recycling bin. Recyclables tied up in plastic bags are a safety risk as the materials cannot be easily seen for sorting. These items are left unopened by workers and are disposed of in landfill.

Give bottles and jars a quick rinse before placing them in the recycling bin. Ensure lids are taken off bottles and jars (place lids in the general waste bin).

TOP TIP

There’s no reason to harbour steel, auto parts, white goods and lead batteries that will negatively affect the environment either. Utilise Raw Metal Corp, Mackay’s metal recyclers servicing Mackay and Sarina. This business provides metal recycling services, including cash for cars and scrap metal.

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Follow this guide to appropriately dispose of your recycling and general waste

Photo credit: Mackay Regional Council

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Here are a list of ‘did you know?’ facts about Mackay, from the historical to the downright wacky and whimsical.  

• Mackay was officially founded in 1862 and named by Captain John MacKay, who explored the region. Port Mackay was declared for entry in 1863, but Mackay was not classified as a city until 1918.

• Mackay is home to Australia's longest stretch of subtropical rainforest.

• The Commonwealth Bank building was constructed in 1880 for the Australian Joint Stock Bank and is the oldest commercial building in Mackay.

• Mackay’s deepwater artificial port has one of the world's largest bulk-handling installations.

• Almost 1,300 predominantly family owned, and operated sugarcane farms supply our three local mills. Mackay Sugar, which produces around 800,000 tonnes of raw sugar and 200,000 tonnes of molasses each year.

• The Queen visited the Mackay Showgrounds in 1954, and again in 1970.

• Reports have shown snow falls in Queensland once every two to five years, it even made it as far north as Mackay in 1965!

• Mackay is home to many ‘big things’, including the Big Bulldog at Theo Hansen Park, Fred Flintstone, Snoopy, Old Mother Hubbard’s Shoe and Crocodile at Mulherin Park, and the Big Banana at Nashy’s Compleat Angler Shop.

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In All Mackay Catholic Churches This Christmas

Christmas is so much more than a day.  

Mackay Catholics can enjoy the secular traditions along with the special significance of Catholic rituals.

Christmas is a season, the season of Advent with four special Sundays leading up to Christmas Day itself.

The community warmth experienced over the four weeks is what manifests the ‘Spirit of Christmas’.

Mackay Southside Catholic Parish Council endorses a special Advent emphasis in all of their churches this year.

In achieving a community experience, they encourage more distant Catholics to rediscover the specialness of Christmas and their specialness in being there.

The Council invites parishioners to pause during Advent and come along and enjoy a light supper together at one of the weekend masses as a perfect way to communicate the importance of Christmas.

Our wish for all is that the joyful light of the season will burn as bright as it ever has and that, this Christmas, everyone will once again have the opportunity to share that joy at Mass.

Let us remember that Christmas also lives in our hearts, in the faces of our families and loved ones, in the hope and pure joy that springs from the birth of the Christ child.

Southside Catholic Church cluster includes St Patrick’s (city), St Mary’s (south), St Anne’s Sarina, St Michael’s and St Francis (west).

Contributed with thanks to Chris Karas.

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Mackay Southside Catholic Parish Council invites parishioners to communicate the importance of Christmas by coming along to enjoy a light supper together during Advent at a weekend mass.

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Graziers have been urged to keep a watchful eye on pasture dieback, which is continuing to spread across new areas of Queensland.

Principal Agronomist Stuart Buck said pasture dieback previously only affected high-yielding sown-grass pastures in regions with more than 600mm of average annual rainfall. However, it is now spreading into drier western districts of southern, central and northern Queensland.

“Graziers have reported pasture dieback south and south-west of Injune, and in the Cloncurry and Alpha districts,” Mr Buck said.

“We have also received reports of pasture dieback spreading inland from the Darling Downs and south from the Wandoan district, with new detections in the Condamine, Balonne and Border Rivers catchments.

“Graziers should be on the lookout for symptoms during the summer growing season, when pasture dieback is easier to detect.

“Initial symptoms include leaf discoloration and unthrifty growth, before the pasture dies in patches.

“The dead patches are then colonised by broadleaf weeds or legumes—both of which are unaffected by pasture dieback.”

Suspected pasture dieback should be reported through the Pasture Dieback App.

“Reporting pasture dieback through our app takes less than 5 minutes,” Mr Buck said.

“By uploading photos and describing the pasture species affected, you will help us better understand the spread of dieback.”

Pasture dieback research continues through the Queensland Pasture Resilience Program.

More information about pasture dieback (including an identification guide, the new fact sheet outlining four management options based on eight years of research and a recent webinar recording) is available at www.futurebeef.com.au

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As Summer approaches with rising temperatures, the local marine wildlife is making a splash. Shovel nose sharks have been sighted along Bucasia, Eimeo, and Shoal Point beaches. Particularly at Shoal Point Beach, reports indicate an impressive gathering of up to fifty shovel nose sharks during high tides.

Adding to the spectacle, stingrays have also been observed. Those brave enough to venture into the water are advised to exercise caution, keep a watchful eye and drag their feet along the sand to avoid accidental contact with the potentially dangerous barbed stingers along the edge of a stingray's tail.

A warning is also set in motion to be vigilant of jellyfish, with marine stinger season typically running from November through to May.  

Harbour Beach has become a nesting ground for turtles, and the Mackay and District Turtle Watch group commends locals for respecting designated 4WD tracks and avoiding the dunes to prevent disturbing precious marine creatures.

The nesting season, spanning from October to March, sees hatchlings emerging from December onwards. It's crucial to stay alert, especially during dawn or dusk, and ensure dogs are kept close and away from the dunes. As turtles favour the dark, those enjoying a nighttime beach stroll are encouraged to keep torches off and instead enjoy the moonlight.

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Turtle hatchlings are set to be on the move from December onwards

Photo credit: Mackay and District Turtle Watch

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