Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Operation Diamantina, conducted by local Queensland Police officers, has resulted in 17 people being charged in relation to 89 property crime offences. Since October 8th, police have been in full force targeting property offences, including burglary, stealing, unlawful use of motor vehicles, unlawful weapons and dangerous drugs. On October 16th, at around 5.30am, Mackay police responded to reports of a man allegedly siphoning approximately 1,600 litres of diesel from a cane farm at Te Kowai. Officers from Mackay’s Property Crime Task Force, Dog Squad, Tactical Crime Squad and Mackay Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) attended the area, arresting a 30-year-old man a short time later in nearby cane fields. The East Mackay man was subsequently charged with 11 offences, including enter premises and commit indictable offence, possess utensils, obstruct police officer, possession of implements used in the commission of an offence, receiving tainted property, stealing and vehicle-related offences. He has been remanded in custody and is due to reappear before Mackay Magistrates Court on November 18th. In a separate incident, between October 9th and 10th, an offender allegedly entered the residence of an 80-year-old woman at Andergrove while the resident was away. Following targeted investigative enquiries, police arrested a 27-year-old woman and recovered several stolen items, including jewellery and other personal belongings. The woman has since been charged with one count each of enter dwelling and commit, and wilful damage. She has been remanded in custody and is due to reappear before Mackay Magistrates Court on November 18th. Around midday on October 29th, police responded to reports of a stolen vehicle on Milton Street in Mackay. Police will allege a 35-year-old man attended the Mackay Showgrounds and stole a black and orange Kubota RTV900. The vehicle was later located abandoned, with police locating and arresting the man a short time afterwards. The 35-year-old man was charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and was due to appear before Mackay Magistrates Court on October 30. Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Andrew McNamara said the work by Mackay’s Property Crime Task Force was an example of the district’s commitment to pursuing property crime offences. “Investigating property crime remains a priority, and I commend the work being undertaken by our Property Crime Task Force,” said Detective Acting Senior Sergeant McNamara. “The work undertaken by our team in just a few weeks has seen multiple offenders held to account.” “Our team also ensured treasured family items were returned, and that vulnerable people will be supported through proactive investigations.” “Stolen property will be actively pursued and recovered wherever possible, and we ask the community to continue to report any instances of property offending to police.” Footage by Queensland Police Service, Mackay
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Sarina State High School has recognised the dedication of its teachers and support staff, celebrating a combined range of service milestones as part of World Teachers’ Day. Staff gathered for a morning tea to acknowledge colleagues who have reached 10, 15, 25 and 30 years of service, recognising the contribution they have made to the school community over the years. Among those celebrating 10 years were Mr Bermingham, Ms Koschel, Mrs Beveridge, Vanessa Wright and Mrs Mcintosh. The 15-year milestone was reached by Ms Wright, Ms Flynn, Mr Clegg, Mrs Allen, Mrs Hall and Mrs Grendon, while Mrs Berry and Mr Ford were recognised for 25 years of service. Ms Regan also marked an impressive 30 years. The school thanked each staff member for the knowledge, care and commitment they bring to their roles, and for the difference they make in the lives of students. The celebration also acknowledged the support of the school's P&C, which provided the morning tea, and James Cook University, which supplied a cake for the occasion. Sarina State High School celebrated staff reaching 10, 15, 25 and 30 years of service at a morning tea for World Teachers’ Day. Photo source: Sarina State High School
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Mackay doctor Hannah Penner is getting ready to swap her scrubs for heels and take part in the national final of the Miss Australia Pageant. When Hannah competes in the Gold Coast next month, it will be about more than going for the crown. For her, it’s a chance to boost her confidence, promote her community and raise funds for an important cause. The Kattabul local currently divides her time between working as an ENT Principal House Officer at Mackay Base Hospital, studying for medical exams, and practicing her runway strut in high heels. And if that wasn't enough, she is developing her photography and videography skills. Hannah will be competing against more than 20 women across Australia for one of four national titles, with just two months to prepare. For Hannah, the upcoming competition is a chance to “step outside [her] comfort zone, build confidence, meet people from different backgrounds” and use a public platform to make a difference. “I’m quite a reserved person, so this is really quite challenging for me,” Hannah said. “But I believe in mind over matter, and I want to keep learning new things, be curious and become a more well-rounded and confident person.” Hannah moved to Australia when she was eight. Originally from South Africa, she has made Kattabul her home for the past decade. After attending Holy Spirit College in Mackay, she studied medicine at James Cook University in Townsville. She has spent the past five years working in surgery. Her ENT colleagues have helped her along this newest journey. “It’s been a great team-building and bonding experience, and they’re just as invested in this pageant as I am,” Hannah said. “The ENT team has been amazing. They’re not only giving me great moral support but also helping me with their own different skills.” Hannah is raising funds for Destiny Rescue, with a target of $3000, and is excited to champion the Mackay region and show what it has to offer. “Mackay and the surrounding region are a hidden gem. I love it here, and my future is here,” she said. Hannah wearing her pageant award. Photo Credit: Mackay Hospital and Health Service Hannah getting ready to compete. Photo Credit: Mackay Hospital and Health Service
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Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox has highlighted the importance of quality standards and accountability across disability and aged care services following an event at Parliament House. Mr Willcox attended the Every Australian Deserves Quality Care event, which brought together parliamentarians, community leaders and service providers to discuss access to safe, reliable and high-quality care for Australians. In a social media post following the event, Mr Willcox said the discussion included the work of Assistance Dogs Australia and the role assistance dogs play in helping people live more independently and confidently. He said the event also highlighted the importance of ensuring people and families could have confidence in the services and support they accessed. “Quality standards build trust, and that trust gives people and families the confidence to access the support they need,” Mr Willcox said. He also said Australians should be able to expect properly trained and accountable organisations and workers, whether receiving support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or other community services. “Whether it's through the NDIS or other community services, Australians deserve to know the people and organisations supporting them are properly trained, accountable and delivering quality care.” Mr Willcox said peace of mind was particularly important for families across Dawson navigating disability and aged care services. The event was an opportunity for parliamentarians, community representatives and service providers to gather and discuss the standards expected across the care sector, with a focus on building trust in the support available to individuals and families. Mr Willcox thanked those involved in bringing the discussion to Parliament House, as well as the assistance dogs who attended the event. Photo source: Andrew Willcox MP
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Reclaim the Night 2026. Photo credit: Zach Houtenville
Rain failed to dampen the community’s resolve as locals walked through Airlie Beach for the second annual Reclaim the Night march, calling for women to feel safe in their community after dark.
Hosted by Whitsundays Counselling and Support, the walk from the Fairy Tree to Shingley Beach brought together residents of all ages, local police and Mayor Ry Collins in solidarity against sexual violence.
Reclaim the Night began in the UK in the 1970s, with women taking to the streets to protest violence and demand the freedom to walk safely after dark.
Held during Queensland’s Sexual Violence Awareness Month, the Airlie Beach march highlighted the same rights, which Whitsundays Counselling and support domestic and family violence coordinator Charlotte said women should not have to fight for.
“We should feel comfortable and safe walking in the community,” she said.
Charlotte praised the turnout despite the wet weather. At the Fairy Tree speakers highlighted everyone’s right to feel safe, regardless of gender, before participants set off on 1.6-kilometre walk to Shingley beach.
The walk concluded with snacks and further speeches raising awareness of sexual violence.
With a Reclaim the Night march taking place in Bowen the previous evening, the event reflected a shared commitment to making the Whitsundays safer for everyone.
Riley McAlister and Michelle Bravford
Proserpine State High School Year 11 student Riley McAlister has flown a plane before driving a car on his own, completing his first solo flight in Townsville during the school holidays.
“When they left me by myself in the plane for the first time, I did feel a little bit nervous, but I felt more free,” Riley said.
“When I first took off, it was, wow, I’m flying a plane by myself.
“Before I’ve even got my Ps.”
The 16-year-old secured one of just eight places in a flying course through the Australian Air Force Cadets after applying for a second time late last year. The course combines aviation theory with practical flight training, preparing cadets to fly solo under the guidance of experienced instructors.
What began as an opportunity to try something new has grown into a passion for aviation, with Riley now hoping to become an Air Force pilot.
“I used to not have too much of an interest in aviation, but after this experience and once I got in, my knowledge and just willingness to learn more about it increased massively,” Riley said.
Riley’s prep began in late July or early August, taking weekend trips to Mackay to train alongside an instructor.
During the September school holidays, he travelled to Townsville for an intensive week of flying and independent study, working towards his first solo flight on the Friday.
With around 17½ hours of flying experience recorded in total, Riley said the training helped him feel ready to take the controls alone.
“By then, it was all in my head, and I knew what to do,” he said.
FLTLT (AAFC) Michelle Brayford, commanding officer of 110 Squadron and a senior teacher at Proserpine State High School, said she was “incredibly proud” of Riley’s first solo flight.
Brayford, who teaches maths, agriculture and digital technologies, said Riley competed against about 600 cadets for the scholarship and completed his flight training in his own time while keeping up with school.
“To do that, as well as juggle school and other external commitments that he has, it’s just such a credit to Riley and the committed person that he always is,” she said.
Riley joined the squadron at 12, just as he started high school. He, 4 years on, now helps Brayford run Friday night cadet sessions alongside another senior cadet.
“One thing that I pride 110 Squadron on with regards to the Air Force cadets is their leadership ability,” she said.
“Riley’s done that impeccably.”
Riley is saving to build up his flying hours locally and earn his pilot’s licence, with his years in cadets drawing him to the teamwork and shared sense of purpose he sees in the Air Force.
“I’m wanting to become a pilot in the Air Force, so hopefully that works out,” Riley said.
Local Whitsundays/East Coast Dingoes. Photos Supplied: Dingo Conservancy
Whitsunday Regional Council says no decision has been made to remove or destroy alleged dingoes frequenting the Cannonvale Transfer Station, following community concerns about the animals’ future.
The response follows an open letter from national group The Dingo Conservancy, which received a tip from the Whitsundays area alleging Council planned to euthanise the animals, which they categorised as “dingoes or wild dogs”.
The group questioned that description, arguing that the animals are dingoes whose ecological importance as native apex predators should not be overlooked, and calling for a non-lethal approach to managing the animals.
“Dingoes are our native apex predator, not an introduced pest species. Grouping them under the term ‘wild dogs’ erases their ecological importance and misleads the public,” said Secretary for the Dingo Conservancy Jo Samuel-King in a letter to Council.
“While protecting livestock and domestic pets on rural fringes is important, responsible land management should focus on non-lethal deterrence and co-existence rather than treating native dingoes as feral dogs or domestic strays.”
The Conservancy requests that Council releases available incident reports and risk assessments, consults relevant Traditional Owners and qualified dingo ecologists, and assesses each animal’s documented behaviour rather than its familiarity with people.
This recommended approach is supported by the Invasive Species Council’s July 2026 policy, which recognises dingoes’ ecological and cultural value and advocates for targeted management where harm occurs.
The group also calls for stronger education about the importance of never feeding dingoes, alongside carefully supervised humane deterrence, such as using loud noises, where experts consider it appropriate.
“Feeding and frequent and repeated close contact can encourage habituation and create safety concerns,” Jo stated in the letter.
“Familiarity should not, by itself, be treated as evidence of aggression.
“Each dingo should be judged on its actual behaviour.”
In its response, Council referred to the animals as “dingoes or wild dogs”, without confirming their identification. It said no decision had been made to remove or destroy them, and no public safety incidents had been reported to date.
“No immediate action is planned, and no decision has been made to remove or destroy the animals,” said Mayor of the Whitsundays Ry Collins.
“We acknowledge the community's concern for these animals, and the desire to see the situation managed responsibly and humanely.”
Council cited its obligations under Queensland’s Biosecurity Act 2014, which provides a framework to protect the state’s economy, environment and community from risks associated with pests, diseases and contaminants, when referring to wild dogs.
If the animals are recognised as dingoes, despite being native wildlife, dingoes outside national parks are classified as restricted invasive animals under the legislation. Queensland Government guidance requires reasonable and practical measures to minimise associated biosecurity risks.
“Council has obligations under Queensland's Biosecurity Act to manage potential risks and we will continue to assess the situation to consider the most appropriate way forward, balancing our responsibilities under the legislation with community safety,” said Mayor Ry Collins.
Council will keep monitoring their presence and the situation.
Photo source: Shutterstock
Warmer waters are bringing familiar signs of the approaching summer, with marine stinger nets and mysterious smells returning to the foreshore as crocodile sightings offer another reminder to take care along the coast.
November marks the beginning of the region’s recognised stinger season, when box jellyfish and the tiny Irukandji become a greater concern for those heading into the water.
Council has officially put up stinger nets at Boathaven and Cannonvale beaches, urging swimmers to stay within the designated areas and wear a stinger suit whenever they enter the water.
Box jellyfish are primarily found close to shore, while Irukandji can occur from coastal waters out to the outer reefs, according to local diver for the last 45 years and President of the Whitsundays Conservation Council Tony Fontes.
While the Stinger nets have been put up, Tony warned swimmers that stinger nets can be unreliable against Irukandji, with their coined sized bodies often drifting through the mesh.
“As a diver, I wear head to toe cover 12 months of the year when I’m going in the water,” he said.
“If they just happen to drift through the mesh without touching it, they’ll just continue drifting into the safe zone.”
For those strolling along Cannonvale’s foreshore, another seasonal arrival has been harder to ignore, with an unpleasant smell reported along the shoreline.
While some might suspect coral spawning, Tony attributes the recent odour to a naturally occurring bloom of algae known as Trichodesmium, pushed ashore by northerly winds.
When alive, he explained it resembles sawdust floating on the surface, with a pale yellow or orange colour. Once washed onto the beach, it becomes considerably less appealing.
“By the time it washes ashore, it’s yucky mucky,” Tony said.
“If the northerlies are blowing, it’ll stick around as well.”
Tony explained that coral spawning can also produce a smell, but its timing depends on water temperature and the lunar cycle, with late October generally on the early side.
Crocodile sightings have also drawn attention along the coast, with sightings at Coral and Cannonvale beach sparking early concern for swimmers.
With the nearby Proserpine River home to a large saltwater crocodile population and the waters getting warmer into summer, sightings along the coast remain a possibility.
Tony described the animals as shy and often quick to retreat when disturbed but their ability to disappear beneath the surface means they can be present without being seen, a reminder for people to remain vigilant around local waterways.
As people head to the coast to cool off, the seasonal changes are a timely reminder to heed beach signage and local warnings.
A clean-up at the Bowen Soundshell has brought the town’s homelessness challenges into focus, with Council moving to restore community access to the facility.
The action followed concerns raised over recent weeks about people sleeping at the Soundshell and reports of antisocial behaviour. Council worked with Queensland Police and local support services, giving those staying at the facility notice to move on before the clean-up.
“Council has since taken action under its Local Laws to address the unauthorised occupation of the facility,” said Mayor of Whitsunday Regional Council Ry Collins.
“The Soundshell is an important community facility and Council has a responsibility to ensure it remains safe, accessible and available for the community.
“Council will continue to monitor the area and respond as required.”
The Bowen soundshell was established in 2009, as an entertainment venue by the Bowen Jetty but over the past few years has become a gathering spot for unhoused community members. Before work was undertaken at the site, council and local police warned those occupying the site to move on.
“Council worked with Queensland Police and local support services to manage the situation respectfully, with those occupying the Soundshell given notice to move on before the clean-up,” said Mayor of Whitsunday Regional Council Ry Collins.
“Council continues to support connections to temporary accommodation and longer-term assistance, while ensuring public spaces remain safe and accessible.”
The Soundshell is one of a few areas on Council’s radar, with the Catalina memorial also being a site of concern and further action.
The work has drawn praise from certain locals grateful to regain access to the site, while others have called for “more mental health resources” and somewhere for people experiencing homelessness to stay.
Homelessness in the region is said to have spiked in the past couple of years, with rising rentals and housing shortages being the leading cause, according to the Whitsunday House Company.
“We need a caravan park to house these unfortunate people,” commented Rebecca Shyhun.
“Make it a community that gets the right help and support.”
Addressing the need for longer-term solutions, Mayor Collins said Council would continue working with housing and support services to help those experiencing homelessness.
“Homelessness is a complex issue that cannot be addressed through enforcement alone. Council will continue working with the Queensland Government, Queensland Police and homelessness and housing support service providers to support an appropriate response,” Mayor Collins said.
“While housing and specialist homelessness services are primarily the responsibility of the Queensland Government and relevant service providers, Council will continue to work collaboratively with these agencies where local issues arise, including supporting connections to temporary accommodation and longer-term assistance.”
Mia with her parents, Mel and Seb. Photo supplied
The Whitsunday community is rallying behind local mother Melanie Russell and her family as her daughter Mia prepares for further surgery and treatment after doctors discovered a brain tumour on her first birthday.
It all started when Mia’s parents first noticed her left eye turning inward in photographs, with the movement becoming more frequent over several weeks.
After seeking medical advice, they were told she likely needed prescription glasses and were referred to an ophthalmologist. As her vision worsened, Mel arranged an urgent appointment with a paediatric optometrist in Mackay.
Despite reassurance at that appointment, Mia became sleepy and lethargic over the following 24 hours. Mel, a nurse at Proserpine Hospital, took her daughter there for assessment before the family travelled to Mackay for further investigations.
An MRI the next morning, on Mia’s first birthday, revealed a large mass on her brain.
“Our world shattered into a million pieces and we will never, ever, be the same way again,” said Melanie Russell.
“Heartbreak, grief, and sorrow hit us like a f**king freight train.”
Mia was medically flown to Brisbane, where she underwent emergency surgery to relieve a build-up of fluid and pressure in her brain caused by the tumour. She was subsequently diagnosed with pineoblastoma, a rare and aggressive brain tumour Mel says makes up 1% of all brain tumors.
In an update since the surgery, Mel shared that the symptoms caused by that pressure have resolved, describing Mia as back to her “normal cheeky, strong-willed, happy self”, sharing some crucial news that the tumour has not spread through her cerebrospinal fluid.
“It’s a miracle,” Mel said.
Mia is now scheduled for further surgery on 12th November in Brisbane, with neurosurgeons aiming to remove up to 95 per cent of the tumour. Chemotherapy and ongoing scans will follow, with overseas therapies also a possibility as her family takes each stage of the treatment plan one step at a time.
“We are staying in Brisbane for as long as we need to, in order to support Mia through this journey,” said Mel.
“She is truly the best of this world and we are so beyond fortunate to be her parents.”
In an effort to rally around the family, donations have poured in from across the community, helping cover lost income and the costs of staying in Brisbane while Mia receives treatment.
With the total already reaching $67,000, Mel and Seb, Mia’s Dad, say they have been overwhelmed by the generosity shown to them.
“The ongoing support from the local community has been nothing short of incredible and overwhelming,” they shared.
“We are so grateful to everyone in Airlie Beach and surroundings that have shown up for us as a family.”
Support has extended beyond GoFundMe, with local businesses lending their support by lending their venues, hosting fundraisers for the family.
It starts on the Friday 13th November, with a Cocktail Club for a Cause night being held at Elementa Whitsundays, followed by Tee Off for Mia at Mulligans Airlie Beach on Sunday 15th November.
“Being parents ourselves and also knowing Mia’s parents, Mel and Seb, hearing the news about her was just devastating,” said Events Executive at 74 Islands Distillery Caitlin McLuskey.
“They are such a wonderful local family who have dedicated their lives to helping our community, and Mia is the most beautiful, happy little girl.”
To support Mia and her family through her treatment, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/princess-mias-fight-for-life
The Airlie Beach Festival of Music is set to raise more than just the roof, collecting funds for Proserpine Hospital Auxiliary through this year’s raffle.
Volunteers will be roaming the festival grounds and venues selling tickets, with the lucky raffle winner to be announced in the main tent on Sunday afternoon. The prize? A guitar signed by the 2026 headline acts.
“We’ve always felt it was important to give back to the local community,” shared festival founded Gavin ‘Butto’ Butlin.
“The festival generates $5 million dollars for the Whitsunday region every year, so it’s good to know some of that money is going to people and organisations who are really in need."
A spokesperson from Proserpine Hospital auxiliary shared their gratitude for the festival’s upcoming contribution.
“Fundraising and accepting donations from the Community allows the Proserpine District Hospital Auxiliary to support Whitsunday Health Service and Proserpine Hospital with equipment and other items that help to improve patient comfort and experience,” they said.
“The Auxiliary have a number of wish list requests at present: from additional equipment through to patient comfort items and storage re-design.”
The initiative means the festival is not only a chance for the community to come together to party, but to rally in mateship by supporting a trusted and impactful local cause.
Photo source: Whitsunday Anglican School
Whitsunday Anglican School has celebrated a successful year of student sport, recognising the tremendous talent and achievements of its athletes at its 2026 Sports Awards.
Among the major honours, the Bill Turner Cup Under-15 Soccer Team and Vicki Wilson Cup Year 7–9 Netball Team were named Sports Teams of the Year after winning their respective Mackay competitions and progressing to represent the Mackay Region at state competitions.
Harriet received Sports Official of the Year for her commitment to netball umpiring, including her selection to officiate at Queensland Representative School Sport level, while Maverick and Chelsea were named Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year for their sporting excellence, integrity and contributions to the school.
The school also recognised Mr Jim Fredericksen for 20 years of volunteer coaching with its Archery Programme.
Mayor Greg Williamson attended the awards, alongside guest speaker Mrs Deanna Turner, who shared insights into the value of sport in education. A former Queensland Firebirds netball player, Australian rugby league player and Queensland Rugby League coach, Mrs Turner is also a current Queensland Representative School Sport coach.
Her presentation explored how sport can help build resilience, teamwork and leadership.
The school congratulated all award recipients and students who represented Whitsunday Anglican School throughout 2026.
It’s the story about 30,000 drowned pigs and how it applies to real estate, best business practices and life in general.
In an earlier life I was the editor of the Daily Mercury newspaper, back when it was published and printed six days a week and over 20,000 copies were sold on a Saturday. Different times in the media world.
Anyway, this one day we were following a story about flooding in Rockhampton.
Some days earlier there had been a lot of rain and some flooding in the Mackay region and, as often happens, the river system’s flood waters then made their way towards Rockhampton.
When there is a rain event upstream a lot of water from various rivers and tributaries runs into the low-lying Fitzroy River system and into Rockhampton.
It is very predictable and Rocky authorities can often establish that when there is flooding further north in places like Mackay that in a week’s time the Rocky area will be flooded.
So up in nearby Mackay we were following the approaching flood and in communication with our sister paper in Rocky who were giving it massive coverage. It wasn’t Mackay so it wasn’t going to be front page in our paper but we were planning on a significant coverage.
In the late afternoon one of our reporters came into my office and said: “30,000 pigs have drowned in the Rocky floods. They were washed away from a farm.”
I said: “Thirty thousand pigs!? That’s a lot of pigs. Can we check on that?”
The reporter came back five minutes later and said: “The story’s right. The farmer told the Rocky journo thirty thousand pigs have drowned from his property upstream from Rocky. Rocky’s running the story.”
I asked if we had photos and he said they didn’t but would let me know when they had some, although none arrived that evening. We went pretty big on the drowning, as the Page 3 or Page 5 lead story with the obvious headline of 30,000 pigs drowning in the Rocky floods.
Early the next morning the young journalist who had told me about the thirty thousand pigs drowning approached my office and tentatively knocked on the door.
In a stammering voice he said: “Ah, look … about that, um, story about the, ah, thirty thousand pigs drowning near Rocky ...”
I had an uneasy feeling, bordering on dread.
“Uh ha … what about the pig story?” I asked.
He said: “It wasn’t thirty thousand pigs. It was 30 sows and pigs.”
I’m no mathematician but even I could work out that our story and big headline was out by about 29,970 dead pigs.
I knew immediately how the miss-communication would have happened. A young Rocky reporter busily covering the floods. On the phone talking to a distressed farmer or piggery owner who blurts out: “Mate it’s terribly out here. I’ve lost 30 sows and pigs, all drowned.”
If someone, speaking quickly, blurts out “thirty-sows-and-pigs” you can understand how someone could hear “thirty thousand pigs”. Also, who says “sows and pigs”? A piggery owner, obviously, but probably no-one else. Certainly not a reporter in the city.
Anyway, we ran a correction the next day. The story reminds me that in life, real estate and business, listen to your gut. I had questioned the story. I thought 30,000 pigs was extremely unlikely but accepted it when the young reporter confirmed it. I should have asked more questions. I should have listened to my gut.
In real estate, owners sometimes get the facts wrong … how many kilowatts in the solar system, how many litres the bore produces, when the previous owner had renovated the house. You can’t just pass these things on to a buyer as facts if you don’t know them 100 per cent true.
You’ve got to be cautious, listen to your gut and check the facts.
Queensland Telestroke Service is saving lives one video call at a time, recently providing life saving consultation to 37-year-old Mackay mum Angelica Murray.
Angelica suffered a stroke whilst out with a friend, and was rushed to Mackay Base Hospital. Within minutes of her arrival she was connected by video to a specialist stroke neurologist who prescribed life-saving medication.
“I was in the car with my friend and suddenly I couldn’t concentrate or remember names,” Angelica said.
As her condition deteriorated, her friend rushed her to hospital.
At the emergency department, staff immediately recognised the signs of a stroke.
“I remember all the nurses and doctors working together so quickly,” Angelica said.
“They were explaining everything, even the stroke doctor on the screen.”
From the advice of the Queensland Telestroke Service (QTS) neurologist, Angelica received the clot busting medication she needed. The speed of the service made a life changing difference.
“I started feeling better after a couple of hours,” Angelica said.
Mackay Base Hospital is now recording the fastest stroke treatment times in the state.
QTS is operating live across ten Queensland sites ( Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Ipswich, Makay, Toowoomba, Kingaroy, Rockhampton, Bowen, Proserpine, and Gladstone hospitals) with more than 850 patients being treated so far. 12 Queensland hospitals are planned to be added to the list.
The service aims to make sure that regional patients are receiving specialist stroke care just as efficiently as those in central areas.
Local Stroke Nurse Helen Nengasha, who has spent more than a decade caring for stroke patients, said seeing outcomes like Angelica's was exactly why the team has embraced Queensland Telestroke Service.
“The introduction of QTS has streamlined care for patients experiencing time-critical strokes,” Helen said.
“Now, it doesn’t matter where you live, you can get that expert care straight away.
“In one recent case, the team achieved treatment in just 42 minutes, well under the national 60-minute benchmark. That’s the fastest we’ve ever done.”
From toilet training to prostate health, pregnancy to menopause — why pelvic health matters to us all.
When you hear the words pelvic floor, what comes to mind? Pregnancy? Childbirth? Perhaps those exercises you were told to do but never quite remembered?
For many years, pelvic health has been viewed as a women’s health issue. But here’s something that might surprise you: everyone has a pelvic floor, and everyone can experience pelvic health problems.
Whether you’re a child struggling with constipation, a new mum recovering from childbirth, a man experiencing bladder changes after prostate surgery, or someone navigating menopause, pelvic health plays an important role in everyday life.
Our pelvic floor is a group of muscles at the base of our pelvis. These muscles support our pelvic organs, help control our bladder and bowels, contribute to sexual function and work alongside our abdominal muscles during movement.
When things aren’t working as they should, the impact can extend well beyond the bathroom.
It might be the child who avoids school toilets because passing a bowel motion hurts. The mum who stops running because she leaks urine. The man who avoids social outings because he’s worried about finding a toilet. Or the woman who believes pelvic heaviness is simply another part of getting older.
Different people. Different stages of life. But one common thread: pelvic health can influence our confidence, activity levels and quality of life.
And importantly, many pelvic health concerns can improve with the right support.
Pelvic health physiotherapy is about much more than strengthening muscles. Treatment might involve bladder retraining, bowel management, improving muscle coordination, addressing pain or helping someone return to activities they love.
Sometimes the answer is strengthening. Sometimes it’s learning to relax. And sometimes it’s simply understanding what’s happening in your body.
This broader understanding of pelvic health is also why our clinic has recently embraced a new name.
After five wonderful years as Women’s Health Physio Mackay, we are now proudly Pelvic Health Mackay.
Our new name reflects something we’ve always believed: pelvic health is for everyone. While our name has changed, our team, our care and our commitment to helping the Mackay community remain the same.
So here’s my question to you.
Have you stopped doing something you love because of your bladder, bowel or pelvic health?
Perhaps you’ve given up running because of leakage, avoided social outings because of urgency, or accepted discomfort because you thought it was simply part of getting older.
You don’t have to wait until symptoms become overwhelming to seek help. Many concerns can improve with appropriate assessment, education and individualised treatment.
If something doesn’t feel right, start the conversation. Speak with your GP or a pelvic health physiotherapist and find out what support is available.
Because pelvic health isn’t just about muscles, bladders or bowels. It’s about confidence, independence and enjoying life without unnecessary limitations.
Pelvic health isn’t just women’s business. It’s everyone’s business. And your health deserves attention.
Lauren Neill | APA Titled Women’s, Men’s & Pelvic Health Physiotherapist | Pelvic Health Mackay
Pelvic Health Mackay
admin@pelvichealthmackay.com.au
Happy Tails Paws Pet Minding Pet Services and Training caters to a wide range of animals, from miniature and small dogs to medium, large and giant-sized dogs. The service also looks after cats, birds (including parrots, canaries and macaws), chickens, fish of all types and even turtles.
With the Christmas, New Year and school holiday periods approaching, pet owners can arrange for their animals to be cared for through the following services:
Pet Home Visits: Daily visits to care for pets, including feeding and spending quality time with them.
Pet House Sitting: A pet carer stays in the pet owner's home to provide care while they are away on holiday.
Dog Walking: Walking services are available for small to medium-sized dogs only, with large and extra-large dogs excluded under the business's health and safety policy.
Bathing and Grooming: Pet bathing and grooming services are also available.
Complimentary services are included to help pet owners with household maintenance tasks, such as collecting mail, putting out garbage bins on allocated collection days, and watering pot plants and garden beds.
The pet carer can also walk dogs while providing home or pet-sitting services, with walks limited to small and medium-sized dogs.
Happy Tails Paws Pet Minding is a mobile service prepared to travel throughout Mackay and surrounding areas, including Hay Point, Sarina, Bakers Creek, Armstrong Beach, Salonika Beach, Campwin Beach and Grasstree Beach.
Enquiries can be made by text message, email or through the Happy Tails Paws Pet Minding Google business listing. Enquiries are answered within 24 hours.
For more information, contact 0447 123 413 or email htppm.enquiries@gmail.com.
We are the pet business with a HEART!
Award-winning stylist Sheridan Shaw, owner of Melbourne-based MAMA WEST will lead Chair Culture Education’s inaugural hands-on cutting workshop. Photo supplied
Regional hairdressers deserve the same opportunities to learn and grow as their city counterparts, inspiring Mackay hairdresser of 30 years, Bianca Kemp, to establish Chair Culture Education and bring quality, hands-on industry education closer to home.
As a locally owned business, supporting the regional hairdressing community is at the heart of Bianca's investment.
“Chair Culture Education is a locally owned business, and supporting these workshops means supporting a local business that's investing money, opportunities and growth back into our region,” she says.
Kicking things off on Monday 22nd February 2027, award-winning stylist Sheridan Shaw from MAMA WEST will lead a six-hour, hands-on cutting workshop at CQUniversity Mackay City Campus.
Instead of just watching demonstrations, attendees will have the opportunity to work alongside an experienced educator, ask questions, practise new techniques and build confidence they can take straight back into the salon.
The workshop will also launch Culture Give Back, an initiative where one lucky participant at every Chair Culture Education event will receive a voucher towards future education, encouraging continued learning and professional growth.
Bianca says, “It's my way of giving back to the hairdressing community and encouraging hairdressers to keep learning, growing and investing in their careers.”
While Bianca hopes to eventually expand into Townsville and Cairns, her focus remains on building something meaningful in Mackay.
Tickets are already available, with a Salon Crew offer giving two or more hairdressers from the same salon $100 off each ticket.
To discover upcoming workshops, follow Chair Culture Education on Facebook and Instagram. Tickets are available through the link via social media bios.
Team pic - Photo supplied
Contributed with thanks by Woolworths, Mount Pleasant
Woolworths relaunched its Mount Pleasant Centre store last week, with an expanded fresh food experience, convenient shopping options and value at the heart of its offering.
The new look store now offers a large range of Australian fruit and vegetables, with additional grocery products to choose from including chilled dairy goods, as well as more self-scanning checkouts for shopping convenience.
Shoppers will discover a new "Dinner Made Easy" section, offering a variety of ready-to-go meals that includes everything from fresh pizzas and pastas to salads, soups and BBQ favorites.
Also on offer are artisan style breads, 100% Australian beef from Aussie farmers and an array of fresh, local seafood from the deli department. The store also features a selection of plant-based protein and a range of gluten-free goods.
Mount Pleasant Store Manager, Clinton Mackie, who has managed five stores around Mackay over his twelve year career at Woolworths, can’t wait to show off the new look to Mount Pleasant locals.
“We were excited to see the renovations wrap up and there have been lots of changes to help our customers get the most out of the shop, whether it’s finding a larger range of groceries across the store or the improvements made to all our fresh food departments”, Clinton said.
“This refurbishment has been a number of years in the making and it’s been great to be part of the supermarket’s transformation. The new look store will significantly benefit our team members, customers and the local community”.
“Another great part of this process has been growing our team, with nearly 30 new members joining in the past few months, bringing the total number of team members to over 140.”
Woolworths Mount Pleasant is also proud to support the community by providing food donations to Foodbank and community support group, The Neighbourhood Hub.
A new undercover Direct to Boot service is also expected to open in the coming months, at the rear of the store. Customers will be able to conveniently pull up in one of the six undercover parking bays to pick up their groceries, after placing an online order.
Across 32 countries, more people now name mental health as the biggest health problem facing their nation. More than cancer, stress, or obesity. Nearly half of respondents in the latest global survey put it first, and the number has been rising for years.
The reasons are not mysterious. Chronic stress has become a daily background condition rather than an occasional spike. Sleep is shorter and more fragmented. Ultra-processed food dominates many diets, quietly feeding inflammation that affects the brain as much as the body.
In-person social connection has thinned for millions, while constant digital stimulation keeps the nervous system on alert. Many people also spend large parts of their energy pleasing those around them at the expense of their own needs, leaving little energy left for recovery. At the same time, doom-scrolling has become a quiet habit of judging and comparing oneself to others, steadily eroding self-worth and calm. Without knowing themselves deeply, or having a clear sense of purpose and mission, many feel adrift.
Life shrinks to the daily grind with little to look forward to.
For many, there is also a quiet loss of connection to their spirit, the inner sense of meaning, belonging, and guidance that once provided steadiness. The result is a steady rise in anxiety, low mood, brain fog, and the sense that ordinary life requires more effort than it used to.
What makes this different from many other health issues is how quietly it spreads. There is often no single dramatic event. Instead, small daily drains accumulate: poor sleep compounds poor food choices, which deepen fatigue, which makes stress harder to manage, which further disrupts sleep.
Over time, the body and mind both run on less reserve. People begin to feel “off” without a clear diagnosis, and the cycle continues.
Most of the public conversation still treats mental health as something that happens mainly in the mind and is best addressed with therapy or medication alone. Those tools help many people. Yet a growing body of evidence shows that the state of the body strongly influences the state of the mind.
Stable blood sugar, adequate minerals, a calmer gut environment, and consistent sleep each change how the brain functions. When those foundations are neglected, even the best psychological support has to work harder.
This is why the conversation is shifting. People want to understand why they feel the way they do and what practical steps can reduce the load on their system.
Simple, consistent changes in food quality, daily rhythm, and nervous-system recovery often produce noticeable improvements in mood and clarity before any dramatic intervention is required. Equally important is reclaiming a sense of self, purpose, connection to spirit and something meaningful to look forward to beyond the daily grind.
At Healthy Life Essentials we see this pattern regularly. Many people arrive feeling stuck, tired, and mentally flat after years of doing what they were told. When we help restore the foundations, the mental fog frequently begins to lift alongside the physical symptoms. The mind, body, and spirit are not separate problems.
Brighter mental health is possible. It starts with treating the whole person.
Brad Baker: Healthy Life Essentials
www.healthylifeessentials.com.au
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