Young and old flooded through the gates of Mackay Christian College (MCC) last Saturday, for the feast of entertainment on offer through the day and night.

It’s become one of the Mackay Region’s favourite family days to attend, and the 2022 Open Day did not disappoint.

While the open day is an opportunity for MCC to showcase its school to the Mackay and greater regions, families enjoy the displays and stalls and entertainment which makes it both fun and informative.

Marketing and Communications Officer Mrs Tish Scholtz said they couldn’t have asked for better weather.

“It was a beautifully sunny day, a spectacular evening and a great crowd to help us celebrate our open day,” Mrs Scholtz said.

“There was entertainment on stage throughout the event delivered by MCC’s Creative Academy. We had a great outcome from MCC students competing in the Lego and Baking competition, look out for future Master Chef and Lego Masters winners from MCC,” she said.

“Our house family mascots were interacting with the crowd, sharing chocolates and getting into mischief.”

With a variety of food, drinks and sweets on offer and the excitement of the amusement rides, young and old had a lovely day. The night concluded with a fantastic firework display.

The open day would not be a success without the hard work from the MCC staff, community support, and local Mackay business sponsorship.

Keep an eye on MCC’s Facebook page for the date of its Open Day in 2023.

Mackay Christian College

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Last Saturday exemplified what north Queensland winters are all about and it couldn’t have been a more perfect day for the return of BE Social Fest, bringing some of Australian music’s biggest names to Mackay.

The festival was the chat of the town and excitement was high; it had been a while since Mackay’s last opportunity to dust off their best festival ‘fits and check out some live music.

The festival’s objective is to bring together a fun bunch of festival goers to enjoy each other's energy and just BE, and when paired with an epic line-up and Mackay’s tropical winter climate, it was looking to be one hell of a night.

It’s no secret that Mackay isn’t on every musician’s touring radar but, with the support of Mackay Regional Council, Mackay Tourism and triple j, BE Social delivered a line-up and an event that organisers hope will put Mackay on the Australian music map.

BE SOCIAL

It was the locals who delighted the eager early afternoon crowds first, with Mackay’s Ruby Sue and Rockhampton’s The Stone Apes kicking off proceedings in style.

The Stone Apes’ lead singer Jye Kennedy has a swagger that has been likened to that of Gang of Youths’ Dave Le'aupepe, and the band’s catchy indie rock and captivating stage presence suited the Mackay winter afternoon perfectly.

LO'99 graced the decks next, mixing original heaters with songs from friends like Dom Dolla and more.

A deep house remix of Pink Floyd’s The Wall echoed between the Main Stage and the rave-tailored Social Stage with punters who were looking for a boogie spoilt for choice.

There was a noticeable abundance of pink scattered throughout the hair and outfits of punters and Peach PRC joined the pink party when she took the stage next.

Possibly the most TikTok famous person to visit Mackay, the rising pop star had the crowd in her hand the whole set, singing along to her viral hits God Is A Freak, Josh and a cover of Wheatus’ Teenage Dirtbag.

Middle Kids have been providing heartfelt, energetic and catchy indie rock for years and their 2021 album Today We’re the Greatest was no exception.

No strangers to Mackay, they delivered a set of youth-defining hits spanning both albums with the crowd singing and bopping along to songs like R U 4 Me?, Never Start and Edge of Town.

It’s always a treat when electronic and hip-hop acts perform with live percussion and Thundamentals provided the goods.

Their set of Aussie hip-hop anthems brought the crowd’s hands to the air, traversing through classics like Sally, Smiles Don’t Lie and their cover of Matt Corby’s Brother.

As the sun set in the west, the crowd grew, gearing up for an evening of epic electronic music and endless boogieing.

KLP was next behind the decks on the Main Stage with local producer Clovr closing out the Social Stage at the same time so there was plenty of dancing to be done between the two stages.

Hermitude were next to the Main Stage and played a career spanning set that indulged fans old and new.

The duo’s style has varied over the years, but the quality of heaters has remained consistently high.

There were many shoutouts to their early fans as they played classics like HyperParadise, Speak of the Devil and Through the Roof.

Hermitude once again proved why they’re considered icons and pioneers of the industry with a huge set that definitely had the crowd feeling “The Buzz”.

Mashd N Kutcher closed out the excellent day with a DJ set brimming with bangers that, of course, included their Dan Andrews-featuring viral hit Get on the Beers.

Punters dispersed, making their way to either of two official after parties organised by the BE Social crew, bringing an end to a day that proved Mackay is hungrier than ever for live music and good times.

Middle Kids brought the energy to BE Social Fest on Saturday afternoon. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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On May 8, 2021, 33-year-old Holland resident Tom Boerman departed his home country, embarking on a journey of incredible proportions.

Mr Boerman is on a trek across all continents on foot – a 25-thousand-mile-long walk through seven continents including Antarctica.

Last week, on day 435 of his journey, Tom made his way into Mackay, posting on a local Facebook group looking for a place to stay.

“I travel for the experiences, and I walk for the talks,” Mr Boerman said.

“For example, I posted something in the Facebook group in Mackay and a few people replied.

“I stayed with my host, and he said that he had an airplane, so he took me flying – this is how it goes.

“He said, ‘if you take a day off, I will take you flying,’ so I’m not going to say no to that.”

Mr Boerman says he wasn’t happy with the life he was living in Holland and needed to do something about it.

“I was depressed, suicidal and addicted; it was time for a change,” he said.

“I sold everything and started travelling.

“Nowadays I’m just walking around the world meeting people; it’s an awesome experience.”

Mr Boerman’s travels have taken him from Holland through Europe and into Asia where he got stuck in Iran with border closures.

He made his way through the Middle East and America and eventually flew to Cairns, now making his way down the coast and into Adelaide.

He says he was pleasantly surprised with what Mackay has to offer.

“Mackay’s actually a really nice city,” he said.

“Everyone who lives below the equator is more laidback and chill.”

As Mr Boerman walks across the world, he relies on the generosity of strangers for things like water and space to set up his tent.

He loves meeting strangers all over the world and getting their perspectives on life and politics.

With this unique insight into humankind, Mr Boerman says humanity still exists.

“It doesn’t matter where it is … people are keen to help,” he said.

“If you show vulnerability, they will answer that with vulnerability.

“It’s not a fairy tale – it’s the worst way to have the best time of your life, that’s what I always say.”

Having made such a drastic change to his circumstances, Mr Boerman’s advice to people is to avoid getting stuck in a rut.

“Make sure you don’t become the prisoner of your own life,” he said.

“I always say ‘never sacrifice happiness for achievement’, and I see people in the western world striving for whatever, they just try to reach goals and achievements and I see people running and I look at their faces and I’m like, ‘why are you running? To me, it doesn’t look like you’re enjoying it.’

“I would say to people if you had only 90 days, what would you do?”

While Mr Boermn is driven by the challenge and experience, he is also walking for a cause.

“Now that I am 35 years old, I simply cannot travel for pleasure only,” he said.

“I want to give back.”

He is raising money for the Bungamati Foundation, a Nepalese social organisation assisting marginalized, poor children, women and people and strengthening the capacity of schools and communities.

“I do think we all have the right to dream, but in order to dream one needs access to education,” he said.

To find out more about Tom Boerman’s journey and to donate to his cause, visit www.iwalkaroundtheworld.com.

Tom Boerman is walking across the globe. Photo: supplied

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You may know her as the beloved author of children's books starring Berky the Bush Turkey, but Pamela Gargett has recently finished penning her second book for adults drawn from inspiration from the Pioneer Valley.

Based in regional Queensland, titled The Quilted Valley, Ms Gargett’s novel is the second in The Cane Suite trilogy.

The Quilted Valley begins in Longreach with the return of a World War I soldier, and ends up in the Pioneer Valley – the namesake of the book.

A Mackay resident, Pamela has travelled extensively throughout Queensland – with the people and places she has come across helping to fuel her books.

“I’ve always thought of the Pioneer Valley as a patchwork with the spread of farms – all the interconnecting properties and the people who live there – forming a beautiful vista,” Pamela said.

“It was this view of the Valley, and how those people live alongside each other – all connected yet separate – that set the foundation for the interlocking stories in the book.”

While the third book is in the making, Pamela describes The Cane Suite trilogy as a set that can also be read as standalone books.

“The Quilted Valley has some totally new characters – with many strong, independent females leading the story threads.

“In this book, we watch those characters evolve from that post-WWI time through to the 2000s – with the third book then bringing those characters to the present day.”

Pamela is a former lecturer, teacher, and mentor to aspiring educators and has also authored two children’s books with the well-loved character Berky the Turkey – Birds Don’t Have Birthdays (2019) and How the Brush Turkey Lost His Egg (2017).

The Quilted Valley can be purchased at bit.ly/thequiltedvalley or on Amazon.

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Friday 5 August

Friday SUN.sets

Every Friday Evening From 6pm

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

Wake House Australia

Mackay IFF 2022 Opening Night Event: Official Competition

Friday, 7:00pm

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Mackay International Film Festival, Film & Arts Mackay warmly invites you to this special Opening Night event.

BCC Cinemas Mackay

Latin Roots Night

Friday, 7:30pm to 10:30pm

Get your ticket and join in Latin Roots Night with the best Latin music, enjoy a complimentary drink and enter for the chance to win a Latin Roots t-shirt!

The Gallery Lounge and Bar

Saturday 6 August

Big Boys Toys Expo 2022

Saturday, 8:30am to Sunday, 3:00pm

The Ultimate Adventure Expo showcasing boating, fishing, camping plus a huge range of caravans, campervans, 4x4s, classic cars, performance cars, clothing, spas, DIY, mowers, excavators, sheds, tools, BBQs – you name it. And as always, stunt riders and fun for the whole family.

Mackay Showgrounds

BE Social Fest 2022

Saturday, 1:00pm to 9:00pm

BE Social Fest is back for its second year and is bringing some big names to the sugar city. Catch Hermitude, Middle Kids, Thundamentals, Peach PRC, The Stone Apes and more.

Harrup Park

Mackay IFF 2022

Saturday, 2:00pm to 8:00pm

2:00pm – Blind Ambition

4:00pm – Hive

6:00pm – Drive My Car

BCC Cinemas Mackay

Artists' Books on Show: Director's Choice from the MRC Collection

Saturday, 2:00pm to 3:00pm

Meet Artspace Gallery Director Tracey Heathwood at ART ON SHOW and see her present a selection of her favourite artists’ books from the Mackay Regional Council Art Collection. The Art Collection holds over 600 artists’ books and every two years Artspace Mackay hosts a national artists’ book prize, the Libris Awards. Tracey has a long association with the gallery and its collection of artists’ books and is herself a practicing printmaker. She will share personal insights into some of her favourite artists and artists’ books.

500 Pavilion, Mackay Showgrounds

Mackay Christian College Open Day 2022

Saturday, 3:00pm to 7:00pm

Every year, MCC has amusement rides, a variety of food and beverage stalls, displays, and activities, and not to forget our fantastic fireworks show to conclude the night. Tickets can be purchased through the Senior Campus front office or the Junior Campus reception, by cash or EFTPOS.

Mackay Christian College

Sunday 7 August

2022 Mackay Weddings & Events Expo

Sunday, 11:00am to 3:00pm

The annual Mackay Weddings & Events Expo is happening again in 2022! Fashion parade from 1:00pm. Food, coffee and beverages available. Prizes to be won on the day. Gold coin donation at the door for Headspace Mackay. There will be a wonderful choice of local vendors from our Mackay region ready to help you plan your special wedding or event!

St Pat's Hall Mackay

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

Mackay IFF 2022

Sunday, 2:00pm to 8:00pm

2:00pm – Hit the Road

4:00pm – Compartment No 6

6:15pm – A Stasi Comedy

BCC Cinemas Mackay

Tuesday 9 August

Mackay Plumbing & Gas Trade Expo 2022

Tuesday, 4:00pm to 7:00pm

MPAQ invites you to attend your local Plumbing & Gas Trade Expo. Set out exhibition style, the event is FREE to attend and you'll have the opportunity to view trade displays and grab some delicious food and drinks, all while networking with industry representatives. A new addition in 2022 will be the interactive learning hub, giving attendees the opportunity to learn more about industry-related products and/or services in short, engaging presentations run in conjunction with the Expo. Registration and Expo Start Time: 4:00pm | Expo Concludes: 7:00pm. Complimentary canapes and drinks provided.

Magpies Sporting Club Mackay

Wednesday 10 August

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

Thursday 11 August

Art talk: How to start an ARI

Thursday, 6:00pm

Artist Run Initiatives & practical advice with Hamish Sawyer. Hear from Brisbane-based independent curator and writer Hamish Sawyer about what makes a successful Artist Run Initiative (ARI). Hamish will provide some relevant case studies, offer practical advice on how to start an ARI, and identify pitfalls to avoid. Hamish will also discuss his involvement with Outer Space, a Brisbane-based contemporary art organisation, its current SUPERCUT initiative and opportunities for Queensland artists.

Artspace Mackay

Envoy: Shark Cull Screening

Thursday, 7:00pm

Community screening of the ground-breaking documentary Envoy: Shark Cull – exposing the truth about shark culling programs on Australia’s East Coast. Join Humane Society International for the screening with a brief Q and A to follow.

Red Dog Brewery

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Celebrating its 10th year of hosting the Mackay International Film Festival, Film & Arts Mackay has curated another exhilarating program of award-winning film titles from across the globe which will screen this weekend at BCC Cinemas in Mt Pleasant.

Starting at 7pm tonight, the Opening Night film event is the bitingly funny comedy from Spain Official Competition about a mismatched collective of artists and investors making a film for all the wrong reasons. The film boasts a wicked dialogue and stellar acting from Spanish greats Penelope Cruz and Antonio Banderas. After the screening, the audience are invited to enjoy some delicious Tapas and drinks in the cinema foyer. Tickets are $22 and are available online through www.eventcinemas.com.au or at the box office.

One of the films on offer at this year's festival is the multi award-winning drama from Japan, Drive My Car, playing on Saturday, 6th August. Drive My Car is a beautifully haunting and absorbing recreation of a short story collection by the renowned Japanese writer Murakami which focuses on exploring emotions like regret and sorrow. The film won multiple awards including the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film in 2022 as well as a Golden Globe and a BAFTA Award.

Other award-winning titles on offer are the Iranian drama Hit the Road playing on Sunday, 7th August.  This striking feature debut is a sincere and moving comic drama that follows a family of four as they drive across the Iranian countryside. In addition, screening on Saturday 6th August is the Australian-made documentary Blind Ambition, a true story of an unlikely team of Zimbabwean refugees turned sommeliers who shake up the international wine establishment when they compete in the World Wine Tasting Championships.

The closing film on Sunday, A Stasi Comedy, is a hilarious and brilliantly acted comedy from Germany which follows a man’s double life as an underground poet and a Stasi agent in East Berlin in the 1980s which comes back to haunt him 30 years later. Also in the program are films from Albania (Hive) and Finland/Russia (Compartment No 6).

In addition, and as a result of generous funding from the Queensland Government (Flying Arts Alliance and Regional Arts Australia), there will also be films shown in Sarina on August 13 and Proserpine on September 25 as part of the program.

Film & Arts Mackay President and film programmer Sally Marsden says it is evident that people are not staying away from the cinema, but rather grabbing opportunities like the film festival and the monthly film screenings to watch quality, independent cinema on the big screen.  

The full program and ticket details can be found on FAM’s website filmartsmackay.weebly.com or on their Facebook page and programs are available at the cinema box office.

Blind Ambition

Drive My Car

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Do you dream of reliving the good old days?

Well do not miss THE ROBERTSON BROTHERS 1960's TV VARIETY SHOW with special guest Simon Brook McLachlan - from the original cast of the hit musical Jersey Boys.

The boys are back with a brand-new show! Take a trip down memory lane with this amazing interactive live TV Variety Show featuring the hits from: The Seekers, Bee Gees, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Neil Sedaka and The Everly Brothers! The Robertson Brothers grew up in a home that appreciated the Variety TV Show.

When designing this new live touring show they decided to reinvent the magic and diversity of the old school 1960's Variety TV shows. With an amazing multimedia presentation, expect to be entertained by many of the classic hits from the 60's.

Through the prism of the Variety TV show format, you will travel back in time to embrace and celebrate all the hits of these 60's Music Legends. You'll be singing, dancing, laughing and crying to Georgy Girl, Morningtown Ride, I’ll Never Find Another You, Oh Carol, Calendar Girl, Happy Birthday Sweet 16, Spicks and Specks, To Love Somebody, Massachusetts, I Started A Joke, Got To Get A Message To You, Sherry, Walk Like A Man, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Let’s Hang On, Bye Bye Love, Wake Up Little Susie, All I Have To Do Is Dream, Cathy’s Clown, Bus Stop, plus so many more in this celebration of your favourite 60’s Superstars!

“It’s the best show I’ve seen in years!” - Ray Hadley, 2GB

What: The Robertson Brothers 1960’s Variety Tv Show

When: Sunday 28 August 2022, 2pm

Where: MECC Auditorium

Tickets: www.themecc.com.au

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A clash of forces occurred last month when five Units of the Australian Defence Force Cadets come together for the Mackay Region’s annual Tri Service Challenge.

With last year’s event being such a success, the Navy, Army and Air Force Cadets went all out to win the Champions Trophy for their Unit in 2022.

Competitions included Drill routines, First Aid Skills, Relays and Tug-of-War which were all hotly contested.

Co-ordinating Officer for this year’s event, Major AAC John Zimmermann OAM, says the Cadets enjoy the opportunity to come together to contest in events to continue the friendly rivalry between each of the Units.

“The Jubilee Year Games continues the spirit of teamwork from formal events such as ANZAC Day to enable the Cadets to compete together in rivalry while participating in a variety of fun activities,” he said.

Mayor of Mackay Region, Councillor Greg Williamson visited the Cadets during the day together with the Brigade Commander and Regimental Sergeant Major of the North Queensland Australian Army Cadet Brigade.

The Challenge took place at Queens Park where families and Support Groups cheered on their teams. After scoring all of the individual events, the 122 Army Cadet Unit (Mackay) won the Champion Unit Shield for 2022.

The Australian Defence Force Cadets is comprised of the Australian Navy Cadets, Australian Army Cadets and Australian Air Force Cadets for teenagers aged 13 to 18 years.

Photo credit: Mackay Seen

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Over 400 photo entries were received from budding photographers in the Mackay and Isaac region for the 2022 Mackay Isaac Tourism #visitmackay and #ourisaac photo competition.

The panel of judges for the competition comprised of Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson, Isaac Regional Council Acting Mayor Kelly Vea Vea and Mackay Isaac Tourism Interim Chief Executive Officer Tash Wheeler, all given the mammoth task of choosing from the huge array of entrants.

Isaac Regional Council Acting Mayor Kelly Vea Vea says since the pandemic, travellers and locals have changed their travel habits and are looking to explore holiday destinations closer to home.

“The beauty and variety of our region has been captured spectacularly by the marvellous photographs entered in this photo competition – from coastal pandanus to rugged caves to sweeping vistas – it is all here and more,” Ms Vea Vea said.

"By sharing the photos captured as part of this competition on social media and in print in magazines hopefully we can capture the hearts of our locals and travellers.”

Throughout the month-long competition, Mackay Isaac Tourism’s social channels were flooded with stunning photos of hidden gems and stunning landscapes of the Mackay Isaac region.

With many amazing photos sent in this year, the judges had a hard time trying to pick out the finalists.

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson says he was not surprised by the amount of talent that was out there.

“Our residents prove time and again that they have a real eye for what is beautiful about our region,” Mr Williamson said.

“I think the (photos) that have been chosen by the panel really do represent the area.

“It’s been an absolutely sensational outcome this year around, with the 400 entries, hard to choose from, but it was all a celebration of our district.

“It makes you proud.”

Mackay Isaac Tourism Interim CEO Tash Wheeler says this year’s photo competition was all about inspiring locals to be proud of our region and showcasing it to friends and family, encouraging them to visit.

“Stimulating growth in the region’s tourism industry post-pandemic is particularly important as many people have now gone months without seeing their loved ones,” Ms Wheeler said.

“It’s fantastic to see the passion and creativity from everyone who got behind the #visitmackay and #ourisaac photo competition.

“In a region which is as expansive and diverse as ours, each picture perfectly represents not just what makes the Mackay Isaac region a great place to live, but also the perfect place to visit,” she said.

The prizes for the best pictures included drones, GoPros and Polaroid cameras and photos will be used in future marketing collateral by Mackay Isaac Tourism.

Mayor Greg Williamson was a judge alongside Isaac Regional Council Acting Mayor Kelly Vea Vea and Mackay Isaac Tourism Interim Chief Executive Officer Tash Wheeler. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

The winning photo for Mackay was St Bees Island by Benjamin Rennie

Sugar Mill Night shot by Ben Ashmore, second place for Mackay

Ring Road by Gus Sacco came third for Mackay

Sunrise at Clairview by Courtney Snook placed first for Isaac

Train Carriages Clermont by Damian Freiberg, second place for Isaac

Sunflowers by Emma Turnbull came third for Isaac

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As Goosies filled with tinsel, Santa hats, baubles and over a hundred smiling faces, it could only mean one thing: the Mackay 50’s & Better Christmas In July Luncheon.

108 gathered at Goosies last Friday for the annual Christmas in July luncheon, with many dressing up to take part in the fashion parade.

Attendees also enjoyed Australia-themed trivia, live music from Annette Worthington and, of course, a meal fit for kings and queens.

“It went very well,” said Margaret Edwards.

“We’re getting rave reviews from all our members that were there.

“We had a very good meal, of course - they do a good spread.”

“The food was absolutely tremendous,” added Garry Edwards, who emceed the event.

“(Annette Worthington) provided us with great entertainment and jokes as well.”

The next Mackay 50’s & Better outing will be a Mag and Meal luncheon on August 31, again at Goosies, featuring a guest speaker from Queensland Rail.

Tickets are available now and can be purchased from Margaret at upcoming 50s and Better events at Goosies on August 10 and 17.

For more information, contact Garry and Margaret on 0400 242 779.

108 social seniors enjoyed live music, trivia, a fashion parade and a hearty meal at the Mackay 50’s & Better Christmas In July Luncheon last Friday. Photo credit: Photos By Nell

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It’s coming up on five decades since the release of (potentially) cinemas all-time greatest blockbuster, Stephen Spielberg’s Jaws.

And yet we’re still infatuated with the nightmare-fuelling fish; shark thrillers have populated the bargain bins of the late Blockbuster Videos (and now supermarkets) since time immemorial. The shark thriller became its own subgenre of horror in the chum-filled wake of the Orca, and the imitators keep surfacing to this day, hoping to catch a morsel of that success.

But the stumble for most shark schlock – where they end up dead in the water – is that they focus on the fish.

Jaws isn’t about the shark.

The shark is a sparingly used story beat; it drives together our three, starkly different main characters. Now that might be the conceit of a story critiquing capitalism, but the idea still rings true.

The best of the horror genre in recent years have employed that trop: there’s a ‘monster behind the monster’.

In the case of Andrew Traucki’s film, The Reef: Stalked, the shark doesn’t represent capitalism or class war; the shark represents domestic violence and the post-traumatic stress disorder that comes with it.

A sequel to The Reef, Traucki’s 2010 feature film, The Reef: Stalked is another Bowen-filmed shark story, but one that this time employs an almost entirely female cast to battle a hefty shark near the Great Barrier Reef.

The past shapes this story where, after witnessing her sister's horrific murder by an abusive partner, who drowned her in her own bathtub, Teressa Liane’s Nic travels to a tropical resort with her friends for a kayaking excursion – one which inevitably goes wrong.

Only hours in, the women are stalked and then attacked by – you guessed it - a great white shark, and Nic must overcome her post-traumatic stress to survive.

For a shark thriller with fifty-years of well-worn track behind it, The Reef: Stalked is a competent suspense horror with an admirable treatise on domestic violence – and certainly one Bowen audiences will enjoy knowing many of its scenes took place at Queens Beach.

The Reef: Stalked opens at Bowen Summergarden Cinema on Friday, August 12 at 6:45pm.

Andrew Traucki’s The Reef: Stalked was filmed in Bowen over six weeks, and will release at the Summergarden Cinema in early August

Image: Declan Durrant

If You Like Pina Coladas, and singing along at The Pub, then you’re in for smooth Sailing courtesy of a soft-rock octet cruising to the Whitsunday shores in early August.

There’s set to be a Summer Breeze blowing in the Airlie Beach Hotel when the eight-member band Yacht Rock Revival pay tribute to the definition of ‘70s light rock, coinciding with the sailing sensation that is Airlie Beach Race Week.

Soulful, well-constructed groove, baby; if you’ve ever heard the Doobie Brothers fronted by Michael McDonald doing What A Fool Believes in, that’s Yacht Rock!

A collection of your favourite sounds, songs, and grooves from an era when ‘smooth’ meant everything. When artists like Fleetwood Mac, Hall and Oates, The Eagles, and America were kings and queens of the charts.

It’s like a sunset on the Santa Monica pier, walking hand-in-hand with your baby, matching gold-tone bracelets jingling as the ocean breeze caresses your moustache. The two of you stare out into the ever-deepening blue to think, in tandem: "Yeah, this is how it should always be".

When that foghorn blows, hold onto your captain’s hat because there’s an effortless cool flowing through your favourite local – we all love a bit of that sweetly unique ‘70s sound.

The Melbourne-based band recapture the time when music mellowed out and smooth sounds and Sunkissed melodies took over the airwaves – and they’re decked out in retro, nautical costumes to boot.

Band frontwoman Susan Marsden said they’ll be performing two afternoon shows at the Airlie Beach Hotel on August 13 and 14.

“We can’t wait to be in Airlie Beach – if there’s anywhere that sings yacht rock and smooth ‘70s tunes, it’s the Whitsundays,” she said.

“Be ready for songs that are slicker than slick and enormously well-played, from the melodically clever to the harmonically unexpected.”

By the end of their set, you’ll be singing: Ooh-ooh-hoo, no, Baby, please don't go

What: Yacht Rock Revival

When: 2.00pm to 5.30pm Saturday, August 13, and Sunday, August 14

Where: Airlie Beach Hotel

Yacht Rock are sailing up to the Whitsunday waters direct to perform at the Airlie Beach Hotel

The Melbourne-based band are groovy as can be, performing the very best of Fleetwood Mac, Hall and Oates, The Eagles, and more

They’ll be soft-rocking out at The Pub on Saturday and Sunday, August 13 and 14

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David Leitch’s Bullet Train is drenched in neon. A modern-day Japan besieged on all sides by dripping stylism. It’s a visual treat - both in its choreographed action and neo-noir visage - where the directors previous work on John Wick mixes with his Deadpool 2 and gets wackier and more vibrant for it.

This star-studded action comedy is based on Kôtarô Isaka’s novel Maria Beetle and reminds of Leitch’s solo directorial debut: the Charlize Theron led Atomic Blonde.

Aboard the world’s fastest train, Brad Pitt plays Ladybug, an unlucky assassin on his first job back after a self-chosen sabbatical. His handler, Maria Ladybug, is played with a sultry and laconic style by Sandra Bullock, who’s hand-picked his mission.

He was looking for an easy job to get him back in his groove – but his luck still hasn’t turned.

This latest foray into the assassination world puts him on a collision course with lethal adversaries from around the globe - all with connected, yet conflicting, objectives. Six assassins played by a who’s who of stars crash his party: Zazie Beetz, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Logan Lerman, Hiroyuki Sanada, and even Porto-Rican singer Bad Bunny.

It’s a story of dark-comic glee where there’s no grand cultural idea at stake, just the irresponsible pleasure of sheer entertainment where the end of the line is only the beginning.

It’s a wild, non-stop thrill ride, only helped by the performances. Each actor is undoubtedly having a blast, especially Pitt, decked out in a white bucket hat and thick glasses. Bullet Train is an absolute riot, and certainly one to catch when it hits cinemas.

See Bullet Train at the Bowen Summergarden Cinema, opening Friday, August 5.

Bradd Pitt plays Ladybug, an assassin down on his luck, in Bullet Train

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Grey nomads and tourists enjoyed an enormous, annual dinner courtesy of BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort on Monday night, all in the name of a local cause.

An event that has been running for over two decades, the Christmas In July celebration is just one of the holiday park’s fundraising dinners which regularly run during the busy season.

Grey Nomads who have been travelling to the region for as long as the event itself – and sometimes longer – sat around long tables, enjoyed party games, were serenaded by Coral C Voices choir, and ate a roast dinner.

“We make different occasions like an Asian night where we have Thai Dancing and all Thai food, but Christmas In July is always the biggest,” owner of BIG4 Whitsundays, Greg McKinnon said.

“It started many years ago as just cake, tea, and coffee for free, and people were saying they needed a meal, so then we started barbecues and it grew out of that.”

Mr McKinnon said the Christmas In July event is the largest of their fundraising dinners throughout the year – with Monday night hosting around 100 guests.

The event was all in the name of this year’s fundraising project for BIG4: Airlie Beach local, Louise Meadows, a woman with a rare degenerative optical disease called Stargardt’s Dystrophy.

Ms Meadows has lost a critical portion of her central vision – over 70 per cent – but is assisted by her loyal Guide Dog, Hector.

The funds this year will all go directly towards medical support for Louise, as well as Guide Dogs Queensland for training and housing.

Mr McKinnon said BIG4 would have raised somewhere in the figure of $300 thousand for charities over the events lifetime.

Coral C Voices choir serenaded the Christmas in July celebrations at BIG4 Whitsunday Resort’s fundraising event

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Entries have now closed for Mackay`s prestigious national art prize, the Woollam Art on Show Awards 2022. This year is the 16th celebration and has joined the Mackay Festival of Arts as a new Fringe Event.

200 talented Australian artists have entered, and have a chance to win a share in over $11,000 non-acquisitive prize pool, and be part of a four-day exhibition with an opportunity to sell their works.

This stand-alone annual event will this year enjoy new additions to further highlight and celebrate art and culture in our region.

The Mackay Show Associations initiative behind establishing The Art on Show Awards was to take the arts to a higher level of professionalism within the context of a public/community art competition in the show “arena”.

Art on Show Coordinator, Melissa Broadhurst, said, “Our continuing aim is to seek a very significant level of participation from artists locally, interstate, and nation-wide, provide a high standard of presentation, play an integral part in Mackay’s cultural future, as a high-profile arts event, and provide an educational role, raising awareness and promoting the arts to patrons who attend the Art on Show event and the Mackay Regional Show, annually.

“We aim to highlight the wealth of diverse local artistic talent in our region and attract a high standard of interstate works.”

The Art on Show Awards have 5 sections of entry, the major prize the Woollam Art on Show Award $3000, and the total prize purse is $11,000. The People’s Choice Award judged by the event patrons is published post event.

A high-profile judge has been secured for the 2022 awards with Ms Deanna Hitti, nationally acclaimed Australian artist, and recipient of the 2018 Fremantle Art Centre Print Award, judging this year’s competition.

Ms Hitti, a previous winner of our very own Artspace Mackay Libris Awards: The Australian Artists’ Book Prize, is also looking forward to reconnecting with Mackay`s art community.

She will also be presenting a special artist talk at Artspace Mackay and a Masterclass artist workshop at the Mackay Showgrounds during her visit.

You can show your support for art and culture, in your community, by purchasing work from our local artists, during the public exhibition.

OFFICIAL OPENING EVENING and AWARDS PRESENTATION: Friday 5 August 2022, Commencing 6.30pm.

ART EXHIBITION: Friday 5 – Monday 8 August 2022.

EXHIBITION OPENING TIMES: Friday 5 August 6.30pm – 9pm Official Opening - ticketed event.

Tickets available online at artonshow@mackayshow.com.au July 2022

Saturday 6 August 10am – 5pm Sunday 7August 10am – 5pm Monday 8 August 10am – 5pm

ARTISTS DEANNA HITTI MASTERCLASS WORKSHOP DATES: Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 August

ALL WORKS FOR SALE. Over 200 works exhibited in the exhibition. In the 500 Pavilion (Upper level).

Previous Overall Winner of the Woollam Art on Show Award 2021 Artist Greg Cannon with his work entitled Driftwood Retreat

Guests Letitia Anderson and Taya Anderson admiring works in the 2021 exhibition

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