“Where happiness is homemade and coffee is always a good idea.” Meet the café where a smile is a side delivered with every order. Along Walkerston’s rustic main street is the Siding Café, where owner Sharna Crawford and her team Brooke, Sue and Mel, bring joy to locals and passers-by through coffee and conversation.

“The idea behind owning a café was to be able to make a difference to somebody’s day,” Sharna said.  

“For some, their daily cup of coffee is more than the beverage itself. For some, it’s their chance to get out of the house, an opportunity for a conversation or connection with another person or simply a break from the daily grind.”

The Crawford family purchased the café just over 6 months ago. It’s been a favourite in Walkerston for about 7 years. The family grew up within the region and decided to move to Walkerston with their two young children, aged 4 and 2.

Sharna says that the food can be summed up as hearty and humble.

“Our regulars love that they can grab-and-go when they need to, other times they’ll stay and enjoy a chat.”

The regulars who frequent The Siding agree that a drawcard is the daily freshly made sandwiches with the dedicated crew up at 3:30am to ensure fresh fare is available from 4:30am when they open.

The early open time coincides with the civil construction crews and Bowen Basin miners who are passing through on their way to shifts. The breakfast wrap is a crowd favourite and Sharna says it’s the café’s most popular item.

“It’s one of the items we changed when we bought the business. It’s jam-packed full of wholesome goodness, but don’t take our word for it, come and try it yourself!”

It’s not just the fact that the sandwiches are made daily, but also that the filling is plentiful. The thick sangas feature favourite fillings like home-cooked corned beef, chicken and salad, egg and lettuce, ham and other specialties.

Passers-by love the convenience of grabbing fresh food on the go to enjoy on the road or to have for a hearty lunch later. Most regulars are known by name by the Siding girls.  

“With some of them being from the South-East, the connections they form with us is knowing they will see a smiling face and enjoy some good banter through conversation. Being away from their families for two weeks at a time, sometimes they need that feeling of familiarity to feel more at home,” Sharna said.

“That’s always been a point of difference with our café, we get to know our regulars and know most of them by name.

“It’s like creating an extended family, it’s not just about knowing their coffee order, in many cases we’ve watched their young family grow, consoled them during a time of grief or chatted about daily life.”

In the café you’ll find this local business supporting other local businesses, with a selection of homemade sauces and preserves, peanut butter, jerky, almond bread and even sets of handmade earrings for sale from small business throughout the region.

Platters can be made featuring the famous sandwiches as well as assorted sweets. They are popular for business morning tea and lunch shouts.

The next time you’re passing through Walkerston, stop at the Siding Café and see what all the fuss is about. Sip on great Merlo coffee, treat yourself to something sweet or savour a big sandwich for later. If you have time to dine in, try a delicious burger.

And a tip from the Editor, grab the banana bread. You’ll go bananas for it.

(left to right) Brooke, Sue, Sharna & Mel

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We all know the importance of exercising but stretching always seems to take a back seat.

When you’re young and fit, you might not see the benefits – but then one day it all comes crashing (maybe pinging) down. You’re tight, you’re sore, or – worst of all – you’re injured.

You’ve torn your hamstring, you’ve got constant back pain, you can’t bend over without cramping up.

What happened? You’re a mess!

Here’s how it starts: your hamstrings are tight, your physio or chiro says, but to release that built up tension, you need to stretch your calves. Ok, you’ve stretched out your calves – but how flexible is the right kind of flexible? And now your hip flexor is the cause of that pesky hamstring trouble. Your whole lower body is a condensed mess of knotted dough.

It’s daunting and confusing, and it’s kind of a pain. You don’t do exercise so you can keep exercising after the exercise. I’ve just finished a run, I don’t have the energy to do a post-workout stretch!

But hold on: what does stretching even do?

You may think of stretching as something performed only by runners or gymnasts. But we all need to stretch to protect our mobility and independence; in fact, that stretching has to happen on a regular basis. It should be daily.

Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy, and we need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints. Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for activity, they’re weak and unable to extend all the way. That puts you at risk for joint pain, strains, and muscle damage.

It might seem overwhelming to perform a daily stretching routine; with a body full of muscles, the idea is a bit daunting. But you don't have to stretch every muscle you have.

The areas critical for mobility are in your lower extremities: your calves, your hamstrings, your hip flexors in the pelvis and quadriceps in the front of the thigh.

Once you’ve given some of those a crack, you might even find you like it. Performing a daily stretching ritual, especially in the morning, can set you up for the day. It can centre you.

So this week of Movement Month, get down and stretch.

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Introducing Vibe Yoga and Pilates, a brand-new studio opening in the heart of Airlie Beach this Saturday.

Owner Manyia Vale says she is excited to welcome a community of people looking to connect, stretch out and revive from the stress of everyday life.

A yoga and Pilates teacher for 25 years, Manyia is originally from England but spent 14 years in Noosa where she owned and operated three yoga studios.

Looking for a new adventure, she moved to the Whitsundays two years ago and now feels a calling to open a dedicated studio which offers infrared heated yoga and Pilates classes, the first of its type in the region.

In her youth, Manyia was a marathon and triathlon competitor, but after she sustained many injuries she was no longer able to run.

Deciding to find alternative ways to heal her broken body, she discovered Bikram (26+2) hot yoga which not only calmed her mind but also aided her recovery.

Since then, she has felt passionate about helping others in the same way.

With five classes a day, running morning and afternoon, there are options for everyone in the community and everyone is welcome.

Here is a taste of what is on offer at Vibe Yoga and Pilates.

HOT YOGA

The infrared heat has powerful healing benefits. It releases stress and tension, sweats out the heavy metals and toxins, and reduces anxiety.

INFERNO PILATES (HIIT)

High intensity, low impact interval training with Pilates principals, weights and resistant bands are also added to classes. It is an effective way of recovering from sports injuries, it strengthens, leans and tones, burning fat for 72 hours after a 45-minute session.

VIBE FUSION

A mixture of Hatha (which promotes posture and stillness) and Vinyasa which is a flowing yoga, these classes incorporates breathwork and follows a sequence which evolves through the session.

Manyia Vale owner and operator of Vibe Yoga and Pilates

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The inaugural Whitsundays Songwriter Festival and Residency is happening from 22-26 September and organisers are inviting all aspiring local musicians to get involved by attending one of the events which are led by six professional songwriters.

This inspiring cultural event will be held at Topaz House at Yangaro Resort in Funnel Bay and is run in conjunction with the Whitsundays Art Festival.

Attend the three-day professional Songwriter Residential Retreat or enjoy a one-day workshop for emerging artists – the choice is yours.

This will be followed by an evening performance will be open to the public at The Belvedere at Toscana on September 25, offering an evening of fine dining, conversation, and live music.

Six highly talented professional songwriters will impart their knowledge during the three-day retreat.

They include Graeme Connors, country music legend and the most successful songwriter to hail from the region with twenty albums and 14 Golden Guitar awards, and certified Platinum artist Tia Gostelow, a Queensland Music Award winner.

Other outstanding artists include Francesca de Valence, Karen Jacobsen, Bryce Sainty, and LT (Leanne Tennant).

Festival attendees will have the opportunity to collaborate and potentially co-write some original music with the guidance of industry experts.

The one-day workshop for emerging songwriters will be led by Francesca de Valence, who offers a host of practical tools for overcoming songwriters’ biggest blocks and barriers once and for all, and rare mentoring access to our professional faculty.

For further information visit the Whitsundays Arts Festival website.

WHAT: Whitsundays Songwriter Festival and Residency

WHERE: Topaz House at Yangaro Resort in Funnel Bay

WHEN: September 22 – 26

Co-founders Karen Jacobsen and Francesca de Valence

Graeme Connors and Tia Gostelow

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Pedro Almodóvar is singular in his brilliance. Not only have the Spanish director’s films seeped into the American-dominated, mainstream of cinema, they have done so in irreverent, glossy style. It’s always immensely impressive when a foreign director cracks that hard, obstinate shell.

It certainly makes you pay attention; and his newest film, Parallel Mothers, is no different.

Penélope Cruz and Milena Smit offer two scintillating performances as the eponymous counterpart mums. Both are one part vulnerable, two parts strong as single women who meet in a hospital room as they are both about to give birth. One is middle aged and doesn't regret it, while the other is adolescent and scared.

The two women form a strong bond with one another as they both confront motherhood. The few words they shared in those hours will create a link between them, which by chance develops and complicates, and changes their lives in a decisive way.

Like any Almodóvar film, though, it’s hardly that simple. In the hands of a lesser director and writer it would be, but complex narratives are his passion, his joie de vivre. He deftly weaves in his country’s history, enlightening audiences with his own musings on the wake of General Francisco Franco’s death.

How do two mothers in a modern-day Spanish hospital have anything to do with General Franco, you might ask? Well, you’ll have to watch and see.

It’s that ability to weld together the intricate details – and serendipity - of the cradle and the grave that make Almodóvar a landmark director and storyteller of our time. All his expertise and experience shine in the film’s denouement, an emotional bundle of joy which is nothing less than magnificent.

Parallel Mothers (M) is screening at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre (PEC) on Sunday, September 25 at 1.30pm. Tickets are available online at the PEC website.

WHAT: Parallel Mothers (M)

WHERE: Proserpine Entertainment Centre (PEC)

WHEN: Sunday, September 25 at 1.30pm

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Musical notes will be ringing out of the Performing Arts Centre at Proserpine State high school next Thursday night when a host of musical magicians come together to present a night of big bands, big tunes and big entertainment.

The 2022 Gala Concert promises to be a revival of an iconic annual event that is now back after a three-year hiatus.

A true cross-community event, the concert brings together bands from across the region.

Cannonvale and Proserpine State School’s will join together, their concert bands and string orchestras combining to create the “The Little Kids Big Band’.

Having practiced the same songs separately all term, they will be united the day before for a full-day workshop where they will play together for the first time.

Proserpine State High School will showcase their concert band, stage band and string orchestra as well as their High School Big Band.

This year, the event also welcomes the Citizens Band who are coming to ‘sit in’ with the High School Band.

The Whitsunday Big Band will also feature in the Gala Concert and will be joined by young musicians from the High School.

Around 70 instrumentalists of all ages will be playing on the night and the new Performing Arts Centre can hold up to 450 people with tickets selling fast.

Head of the Arts Department Jenny Napier said that the bands will play a range of familiar songs from jazz to modern classics.

“It will be a lovely night of school and community bands getting together and performing,” she said.

“All the bands have already got a following so it will be a good opportunity for everyone to come and listen.”

A smaller event called The Gala Evening held in 2021

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Social Pics

When Mackay opened its regional gallery in 2002, artist and master printer Tate Adams AM made a donation that helped establish the gallery as the artists’ book powerhouse it is today.

Mayor Greg Williamson said Adams’ donation to commemorate the opening of Artspace Mackay is an important archive of Lyre Bird Press, of which he was a founder.

“For more than two decades, from 1977, Lyre Bird Press produced more than 50 artists’ books,” Mayor Williamson said. “Those works ranged from luxury publications to experimental book forms, involving creators of all kinds.”

Some of those works, as well as bookplates and ephemera, will form an exciting major exhibition opening this week at Artspace Mackay.

The exhibition, Tales of the Lyre Bird, opened in the Main Gallery last Friday, September 2, along with D. Harding: The Wall (Foyer Gallery) and Veronika Zeil: Echo Forest – the Eloquence of Trees (Foundation Gallery).

Artspace director Tracey Heathwood said Tales of the Lyre Bird would follow the important output of the press from its Melbourne conception by Tate Adams AM to its reinvigoration in North Queensland in the early 90s.

“This exhibition is curated by Ron McBurnie and Helen Cole and highlights the collaborative works that were conceived via the press, including collaborations with artists such as Tate Adams AM, George Baldessin, Anneke Silver, Ray Crooke and Juli Haas,” Ms Heathwood said.

Ms Heathwood said Veronika Zeil: Echo Forest – the Eloquence of Trees was also an exciting exhibition.

“It’s a multidisciplinary exhibition that features photography, sound, drawing and installation and offers a window into what she sees as fractured landscapes, focusing on the different growth stages of trees,” she said.

All exhibitions run until November 20, 2022.

Juli Haas from Palmetum 2001, drypoint, edition 2/40. Townsville: Lyre Bird Press. Mackay Regional Council Art Collection, purchased 2002

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A significant historical recognition was made in the country town of Nebo last month, with the unveiling of the John and Margaret Shannon memorial.

The memorial coincided with the 150-year anniversary of Salt Bush Park, which was purchased by John in 1872 for £600.

A HISTORY OF SALTBUSH

John married Margaret and the couple had 11 children. The Youngest, Alan, took over the management of Saltbush before acquiring the aggregation. Alan and his wife Irene had three children, their son Alan Jnr took over Saltbush in 1946. Ian Shannon took over the management in 1955 when Alan took over ‘Cardowan’ and he eventually purchased the property from the family. Ian and his wife Margaret have four children, their second son Stuart and his wife Leigh took over ownership of Saltbush Park.

John Shannon’s living depended on horse teams. He had draught horses and over the years Saltbush Park’s horses achieved a great reputation amongst the cane farmers, which encouraged John to run a herd of 40 brood mares.

When Alan Snr took over, he had a keen eye to breeding quality livestock, he purchased several Clydesdale Stallions to upgrade the stock. Auction sales were held in Mackay each year, and some enterprising local farmers used the Clydesdales for use in the cane fields.  They were used for cultivating the fields and planting the cane and carting the cane to the mills.

Johns cattle herd was mixed when he arrived on Saltbush, predominantly Shorthorns, over the next few years he purchased heifers to build up the herd.  He eventually purchased some quality Devon Bulls to improve the herd further.  Later the herd was infused with quality Hereford bloodlines.  

Alan continued this practice. The Saltbush herd was noted for its quality Hereford cattle. However, the arrival of the cattle tick meant they had to be dipped frequently.

When son Ian took over in 1955, he was aware of the increasing benefits of cross-breeding with Bos Indicus bloodlines, and in 1965 he bought a Brahman Bull and it became apparent that the crossbreds were much more thrifty and able to forage and ticks were not as much of a problem.

As a focal point for the early settlers, picnic race meetings were held in several sites through the Broadsound and Nebo Districts. One of these (Normanby) was on “Saltbush” and was an extremely popular gathering each Spring.  

The locals would sometimes travel for days in their sulkies and buggies and set up elaborate camps for the race period.  There were even formal balls in the evenings, and the ladies reveled in dressing for the occasion: Ruby Shannon composed several pieces for the balls, and one, the Normanby Waltz, proved very popular for many years.

To celebrate the centenary of John Shannon taking over Saltbush in 1872, the family arranged some significant activities around the weekend on 26th August 1972.  The most significant event was a five event Picnic Race Meeting, which was staged to invite the local community to join the family to celebrate the survival and prospering of the family through the first 100 years.

A great day and evening were had by all and as a result, a new ambulance was presented to the Sarina Q.A.T.B.  The races were held for another 10 years, however the decimation of the local community through the migration to the coal mines meant that there were eventually insufficient volunteer workers and local attendees, and the meetings closed.

This year marks the 150th year of the Shannon Family and Saltbush Park with the unveiling of a bronze Plinth in Centennial Park along with other celebrations held in Nebo and surrounding districts.

Last weekend saw two days of celebrations in Nebo and on the property, with more than 230 friends and family registering for the celebrations, some coming from as far away as Perth.

Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker was in attendance and said the day was “absolutely beautiful”.

“Congratulations to all involved in this wonderful project,” she said.

Thanks to Angie Caldwell, manager of the Nebo Museum for the history of Saltbush Park

Historical images courtesy of CQUniversity Australia Library Capricornia CQ Collection - Image of Saltbush Park station and John and Margaret Shannon

A bronze Plinth in Centennial Park was unveiled last weekend marking 150 years of the Shannon family in Nebo. Image: Mayor Anne Baker

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The final performance for DBCT Kids’ Theatre Season 2022 will take place at the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre (MECC) this Friday and Saturday.

Serving as a gateway to every dinosaur lover’s dream, Erth’s Prehistoric World Tour showcases some of the most incredibly detailed (and at times large!) dinosaur puppets ever to take the MECC stage.

Erth has worked over the years with leading paleontologists, museums, and zoos to ensure that the content of the shows is accurate, up to date and a catalyst to inspire young minds.

When asked what audiences could expect of the performance, Kristy Rushe, Acting Assistant Manager of MECC Events said; “Last time Erth’s visited the MECC, a giant Plesiosaurus magically floated over the audience. It was mesmerizing. This time – expect more lifelike dinosaur puppets, including a Velociraptor that will keep children on the edge of their seats”.

Dinosaurs are a gateway to learning, inspiring children to consider an array of subjects from science to literature, geology to bio engineering, and natural history to mathematics.

Dinosaurs have become a curious link between child and parent, grandparent, guardian and educator. “If you have a young dinosaur lover at home, bring them along. This will be a fun weekend activity” Mrs Rushe continued.

Focusing on Australian prehistoric life, with the majority of the creatures in the show having an Australian lineage – the show includes a host who acts as a zoologist, respectfully handing the wild animals to educate young minds.

WHAT: Erth’s Prehistoric World Tour

WHEN: Friday 9 September 2022, 6pm Saturday 10 September 2022, 9.30am & 12.30pm

WHERE: MECC Auditorium

TICKETS: www.themecc.com.au

Age Recommendation: Age 5+

Content Warning: Fog/smoke effects, loud noise, dinosaurs

Show Duration: 55 mins, no interval

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Friday 9 September

Lifeline Mackay $2 Clothing & Book Sale

Friday, 9:00am to Saturday, 2:00pm

Lose yourself in the tables upon tables of pre-loved books, DVDs and clothes, all for just $2 apiece. With men’s, women’s and children’s clothes on offer, you can refresh the whole family’s wardrobe and maybe start your Christmas shopping early. Plus, it’s all for a great cause – funds raised go towards the 13 11 14 Lifeline Crisis Support Line. By purchasing books and clothes you are helping to save lives.

23 Creek St, North Mackay

Friday Jazz @ the Con

Friday, 6:00pm to 7:30pm

CQCM Music Staff present Friday Jazz @the Con featuring singer and multi-instrumentalist Aaron West alongside music staff Dr David Reaston (Guitar), Dr Peter McKenzie (Saxophone) & Jason Smyth-Tomkins (Drums). Tickets available at the door or at https://cqcm.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales.

Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music

Friday SUN.sets

Every Friday Evening From 6pm

Knock off drinks, lakeside dinner, good friends, and LIVE MUSIC.

Wake House Australia

DBCT Kids’ Theatre Season 2022 presents ERTH'S Prehistoric World Tour

Friday, 6:00pm and Saturday, 9:30am and 12:30pm

Bringing ancient creatures from land and sea together in one show, Erth’s Prehistoric World is the perfect combination of theatrical magic and charm. It takes the audience to the bottom of the ocean to discover ancient bio-luminescent creatures and incredible marine reptiles, and then back to dry land to witness some of the most amazing dinosaurs to have ever walked this Earth.

MECC

Nathan "Whippy" Griggs

Friday, 7:00pm

Aussie banter whip cracking show from a Guinness world record holder. Free entry, all welcome, fun atmosphere, merchandise available, bar, food and Nathan passes his hat for a crust.

Melaleuca Golf Course

Adam Harvey & Beccy Cole - 'The Great Country Songbook Volume III' Tour

Friday, 7:00pm

Adam and Beccy have taken their favourite list of country duets to the studio and fans across the country are set to benefit when they hit the road this year with ‘The Great Country Song Book Volume III Tour.’ Together they have brought back some of the most famous country combinations of all time; classic duets recorded by Johnny Cash and June Carter, George Jones and Tammy Wynette, Conway Twitty and Loretta Lyn and Kenny Rogers and his many duet partners…including Dolly Parton of course! Australia’s most entertaining duo will be onstage for two unforgettable hours as they bring you their versions of the greats, delivered with high energy and a few laughs in true Adam Harvey and Beccy Cole style…You won’t want to miss this, tickets are on sale now!

Mackay Northern Beaches Bowls Club

Mackay Riding For Disabled Race Nite

Friday, 7:00pm

Mackay Riding for the Disabled is holding a Race Night to raise valuable funds for their horse-riding program. The night promises plenty of high-paced action, with five mock horse races and one mock pig race to be projected on the big screen throughout the night. Tickets are $50 and that will get you entry into the races, finger food, entry in the door prize and $7000 of funny money to bet with, with more funny money available for purchase.

The Metropolitan Hotel Mackay

Saturday 10 September

Pancakes And Play In The Park

Saturday, 10:00am to 2:30pm

Shed Happens in partnership with Neighbourhood Watch Northern Beaches will conduct a family games day and serve pancakes, jam and cream for free. This was originally an Australia Day event, but weather conditions made it impossible to conduct. There will be traditional family games including a sack race, three-legged race and egg and spoon race. Mega Jenga will also be offered for families to challenge each other. Prizes will be awarded, courtesy of DGH Engineering Pty Ltd. 'Shed interviews' with prominent men in Mackay will also be conducted.

Mackay Sugar Bowl Skate Park

PASIFIKA 2022

Sunday, 12:00pm to 4:30pm

The Queensland Multicultural Lions Club proudly presents Pasifika 2022. Pasifika celebrates the Pacific Island culture through crafts, food, awareness, religion, song, and performing arts. The event aims to represent our local pacific communities - Samoa, NZ, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, Tokelau, Niue, Tuvalu, and Kiribati. Invitations are also extended to the Aboriginal, Torres Strait and South Sea Island communities. Gather your family and friends and come along for a great afternoon showcasing the best of Pacific Culture.

Meadowlands Amphitheatre

WSPD2022 Light up the Lake for Suicide Prevention

Sunday, 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Real Mates Talk, MAD Cow Coffee Mackay and WakeHouse Australia are teaming up for World Suicide Prevention Day on Saturday to light up the lake with lanterns to remember those we have lost, support the survivors and honour those whose stories continue. Lanterns are free to anyone attending and can be decorated on the night or collected prior and decorated privately with family or friends. There will be local live music and the cafe will be open.

Wake House Australia

Sunday 11 September

Rock Paper Scissors Art and Design Markets

Sunday, 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Artspace Mackay's ever-popular Art & Design Market returns in 2022 in the beautiful outdoor space of the Civic Precinct. Join in for a free curated market featuring a fabulous selection of stalls highlighting the talented artists, designers, makers and foodies of our region!

Artspace Mackay

Jazz in the Park

Sunday, 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Staff and students from the Bachelor of Music course present "Jazz in the Park" on Sunday 11th September from 2pm to 5pm at the historic Queens Park. This event will feature special guest Aaron West (singer and multi-instrumentalist). Come and relax in the beautiful surrounds of Mackay and listen to some of Mackay’s finest up-and-coming musicians studying at the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music. Joining in on the fun will be Mackay’s very own Blue Water Big Band. Free event. Bring a picnic. BYO chairs.

Queens Park

Sunday Live Music – One For The Road

Sunday, 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Music every Sunday from 2pm - 5pm. Head down to the Seabreeze Hotel this Sunday for some fresh tunes, delicious food, and ice-cold brews.

Seabreeze Hotel

Afternoon Rock n Roll

Sunday, 3:00pm

Join Sugar City Rock n Rollers Mackay hosting an afternoon of fun and rock n roll under the trees on the deck of The Old Station Teahouse. Everyone welcome. Inquiries: Anne 0419 790 589.

The Old Station Teahouse

Tuesday 13 September

BMA Kidspace

Tuesday, 10:00am to 2:00pm

BMA Kidspace, Artspace Mackay’s free and ever popular toddler’s program, gives children under five a chance to explore and have fun with art in a climate of co-operative learning. The program includes free artist-run craft activities in two sessions, Sess1: Anytime from 10 to 11:30am; Sess2: Anytime from 12:15 to 2pm with live musical entertainment 11:30am to 12:15pm. Bring your children along for a fun day of art-making, singing and dancing.

Artspace Mackay

Wednesday 14 September

Mackay Farmers’ Market

Every Wednesday, 6:30am to 10:30am

The market is a showcase of our region’s amazing produce direct from the farmer.

Bluewater Quay

Sugar City Rock and Roll Mackay Club Wednesday Night Lessons

Every Wednesday, 7:00pm

Why not come along and learn to rock ‘n’ roll in a friendly and fun atmosphere with the Sugar City Rock ‘n’ Rollers Mackay Club? Previous experience is not required. Everyone learns at their own pace and, even better, the first lesson is free on your way to learning the four step style of rock ‘n’ roll. $5 for members and $8 for non-members after that. The club caters for social activities for club members with regular dances with live bands in attendance and away trips. For further enquiries call 0408 983 911.

58 Macalister St, Mackay

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Is there any better way to spend a belated Father’s Day than enjoying pancakes and play in the park?

The men’s group, International Men's Day Mackay Incorporated, incorporating Shed Happens Mackay, is celebrating Father’s Day in partnership with Northern Beaches Neighbourhood Watch this Saturday, September 10 with a day of pancakes and family games, sponsored by DGH Engineering.

Neighbourhood Watch will be offering pancakes, jam and cream for free on the day while Shed Happens will conduct the day’s games, all designed for the whole family to participate.

Shed Happens is an organisation that treasures and celebrates the role men play in our society.

It meets on the third Wednesday of every month and is a non-threatening, non-judgmental place where men can share their stories; the good, the bad, happy and sad.

It is a place where men are encouraged to live a wholesome life.

Neighbourhood Watch is a volunteer organisation that is integral to the effective policing of our city.

The more people who sign up to the blog and register their email addresses with Neighbourhood Watch, the more they contribute to reducing crime in Mackay.

The morning commences at 10:30am and finishes at 2:30pm, happening at the Mackay Sugar Bowl Skate Park in North Mackay.

More information can be found on Shed Happens Mackay and Mackay Northern Beaches Neighbourhood Watch Facebook pages.

This event is only possible with the financial support of Mackay Regional Council.

WHAT: Pancakes & Play In The Park

WHERE: Mackay Sugar Bowl Skate Park, Scriha St, North Mackay

WHEN: Saturday, September 10 from 10:30am to 2:30pm

This is a free community event

International Men's Day Mackay Incorporated and Northern Beaches Neighbourhood Watch will bring the community together on Saturday for a day of Pancakes & Play In The Park. Photos supplied: Shed Happens Mackay

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Plaid pants and Hawaiian shirts were the outfits of choice at The Mackay Golf Club last Friday for the 7th Annual Key Solutions Group and M&P Services Charity Golf Day.

144 Players in 36 Teams partook in the event, all of varying golfing abilities.

Cloudy and breezy weather provided perfect conditions throughout the morning before the heavens opened up in the afternoon, with many keen teams braving the wet to finish the course.

Key Solutions Group and M&P Services Charity Golf Day

Caption: Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

Continued from page 1…

The 18-hole course at the Mackay Golf Club consisted of novelty holes and different challenges including longest drive, accuracy drive, a hole-in-one challenge and the Happy Gilmore-inspired Gilmore Shooter Drive.

The event raised funds for five beneficiaries including Mackay Surf Club, Mackay Cutters – Change the Game, CQ RACQ Rescue, Ronald McDonald House Charities and Broken Ballerina Foundation, with good times and a quality day of golf a bonus.

Over $16,000 worth of raffle prizes were donated to the cause and over $35,000 had already been raised at the start of the day, with more to be tallied this week.

The success of the event was thanks to the many sponsors that supported the day including Key Solutions Group, Penske, GB Industries, DGH Engineering, Rimex, Roy Powell Security and MM Electrical.

144 keen golfers enjoyed a day on the green last Friday, raising money for the Key Solutions Group and M&P Services Charity Golf Day. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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With fairy lights strewn above, live music pumping and drinks pouring, CiteCon celebrated its business launch last Friday among family, friends, clients, sub-contractors and suppliers.

The newly established construction company entered the market in 2019 from the home office of Brad and Bec Gardner.

They’ve since relocated to their purpose-designed premises in Paget, where the launch was held, and taken on massive projects for very satisfied clients.

CiteCon has already made waves and, more importantly, valuable relationships throughout the industry.

The atmosphere on Friday night proved just how appreciative they are of these relationships and vice versa.

Photo credit: Photos By Nell

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Old time and new vogue sequence dancing is held on the ground floor of the Masonic Building in Wood Street every Wednesday morning from 9:00am to 12:00pm and every Friday night from 7:00pm to 10:30pm.

Sequence dancing involved all dancers performing the same steps at the same time around the dance floor.

There are hundreds of dances done throughout Australia with the Mackay group doing around 60 of those.

President Alex Dawson has been dancing for nearly 30 years and emcees the program twice weekly.

“(Attendees) get a chance to socialise, and they all enjoy dancing so they get to do the dancing,” he said.

“The age group is getting fairly high, and you can see how dancing is good for you because we’ve got some nearly 90-year-olds here and everyone’s getting up and dancing.”

Mr Dawson says the number of attendees is dropping.

“Everyone’s just getting older and young people aren’t coming through,” he said.

On Wednesday mornings, the music is provided by a four-piece band including drums, piano and tenor and alto saxophones.

Pianist Olive Leet has been playing piano at dances since she was eight years old.

“It keeps me off the streets,” she laughed.

“I love it.”

Dancer Anne Kelly says dancing is a lot of fun and Masonic Dancing provides a friendly atmosphere to learn.

“It’s a great hobby to keep you fit, improve your memory, balance and coordination,” she said.

A six-week lesson block was recently held to introduce newcomers to the dancing scene and the group is looking to hold another one block of lessons if there is sufficient interest.

To register your interest in learning to dance, contact Kevin on 0417 326 634.

All dancers are looking forward to the chance to dress up for the Spring Ball, held tonight, Friday, September 2 at the Masonic Hall from 7:00pm.

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