“Hands / Touchin’ hands / Reachin’ out / Touching me…”. Don’t say you didn’t start humming along; everyone knows the words.

Get ready to belt those legendary lyrics out alongside ‘Nearly Neil’, The Ultimate Neil Diamond Legacy show arriving at The Pub in two days of massive performances in mid-April.

Coming direct from Canada to the Airlie Beach Hotel, Bobby Bruce and The Solitary Band will play two shows on Saturday and Sunday, April 15 and 16, from 2pm to 5.30pm at local’s favourite local in a legacy show unlike any other.

The Vancouver-based band have been bearing the name and the heritage of Neil Diamond for almost two decades as The Ultimate Neil Diamond Legacy show, being led by superb singer Bobby Bruce.

His Happy Tunes have astonished and amazed packed houses across America, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, and Asia – and now he’s touring Down Under, stopping in at Airlie Beach for a double-header of shows.

“Passionate, exhilarating and vocally brilliant,” Bruce and his band are a five-star salute to the music of the Brooklyn-born singer and one of the best-selling musicians of all time.

The power and purity of Bobby’s voice have put him in a legacy league of his own, making his performance much more than a tribute – it’s a revival.

It’s as close to the authentic experience of sitting front row at a Diamond concert as you can get – particularly in the case of the strutting theatrics. Bruce glides through a powerful package of Diamond hits in his completion of the famed-singer’s repertoire: from Cracklin’ Rosie and Kentucky Woman to Cherry Cherry and everyone’s favourite, Sweet Caroline.

Bobby Bruce has continued to “stretch the meaning of tribute band”, bringing an unrivalled flair to his shows which have led him to enjoy the best numbers he’s ever seen in his ‘Down Under’ tours.

Australians have increasingly recognised the talent - Bobby’s mastery of music - and its little wonder he has been nominated two years running for the best international touring artist for the Australian ACE Awards.

Decked out in rhinestone dress trousers and white, beaded fringe shirt, Bruce meets Diamond’s raspy stridency in such favourites as Solitary Man and I Am I Said. His passion and energy connect him with the audience and his infectious warmth sets him in a league of his own – don’t miss him when he arrives at the Airlie Beach Hotel for two free shows.

What: Nearly Neil, The Ultimate Neil Diamond Legacy

When: Saturday and Sunday, April 15 and April 16, from 2pm to 5.30pm

Where:  The Airlie Beach Hotel

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Nearly Neil The Ultimate Neil Diamond Legacy show is coming to the Airlie Beach Hotel on April 15 and 16

The world-class performance is led by a world class performer, Billy Bruce

Head to The Pub for the free show in just over a week’s time

Queensland musical treasures Busby Marou will be the first band ever to perform at Cape Hillsborough in a massive showcase of their new album in a Mackay exclusive event this July.

The band, comprised of Jeremy Marou and Thomas Busby, will headline the signature event of the Queensland Music Trails’ ‘Reef Trail’ and will be joined by local artists in the natural splendour of Cape Hillsborough.

In ‘Between the Tides’ – the Reef Trail’s “signature event” according to Queensland Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch - the duo will play between two tidal movements on the nationally famous beach in a “unique and intimate experience” on July 7 and 8.

“It's going to be a couple of unforgettable nights as the first-ever band to perform there,” Thomas Busby said.

“We can't wait to showcase our new album 'Blood Red' and jam out to some favourites.”

Minister Enoch said the experience begins with local music at an eco-friendly pop-up food and beverage bar in the parklands before attendees head down the beach at dusk, encouraged to bring only themselves and what they can carry before the band play their new album in full.

"The Music Trails align with the priorities of Creative Together, our ten-year roadmap to transform the state through creativity, activating communities with rich arts and cultural experiences,” she said.

Between the Tides is a limited-ticket, all-age event, with tickets on sale at qldmusictrails.com.

Tickets for Between the Tides go on pre-sale from March 31, and patrons can sign up to get information early at qldmusictrails.com. The general sale starts on April 11.

Between the Tides is a Queensland Music Trails event presented by QMF and Mackay Regional Council and supported by Brisbane Airport Corporation, Capricornia Energy Hub and Containers for Change.

Qld Music Trails are supported by the Queensland Government.

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Queensland music royalty Busby Marou have been announced as the first-ever band to play on Cape Hillsborough Beach as part of a massive Queensland Music Trails event

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Orange has been the colour of choice over the past two weeks with schools, businesses and organisations coming together as a community to celebrate Harmony Day.

Harmony Day is the celebration that recognises diversity, bringing together Australians from all backgrounds.

Mackay Regional Council and The Neighbourhood Hub held an event last Tuesday, March 21 to celebrate Mackay’s multicultural community.

Multicultural groups shared their culture by wearing traditional dress and guest speaker Indriani shared her story as an Indonesian migrant.

Meanwhile schools such as Whitsunday Anglican College, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School and Mackay North State High School all held events to celebrate the diversity within their school communities.

Click here to see the photos

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Mackay Regional Council, The Neighbourhood Hub and Mackay’s multicultural community came together to celebrate Harmony Day. Photo supplied: Mackay Regional Council

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Avid motorists are gearing up for the seventh annual Cruisin’ Whitsunday Show and Shine which is due to be held at the Coral Sea Marina Community Gardens at the end of May.

This year will be a whole weekend spectacular with events scheduled to entertain and delight visitors from across the state.

These include a themed dinner on Saturday night and a recovery breakfast on the Sunday.

Set to the backdrop of the Coral Sea and amongst the flotilla of vessels in the marina, the event is visually impressive and it is expected that over 200 vehicles will exhibit.

The event is hosted by the Whitsunday Cruisin Car Club, a non-profit organisation which was started in 2012 by a small group of Whitsunday locals.

Since then, they have become one of the largest car clubs in the area, consisting of over 60 individual members and their families that have a passion for everything automotive.

The group take part in many events throughout each year, but this is their largest community gathering.

The main event will take place on Saturday, May 27 and the whole family is invited to come along and marvel at the array of colourful vehicles.

For the first time this year, organisers are introducing a special kid’s show and shine event.

Children are invited to show their ‘Pride and Joy’ – pedal car, go-kart, scooter, electric motor, bike trike or homemade creation.

“The Kids Show and Shine has been introduced to get the local kids involved and outdoors,” said organiser Keri Southee.

“All money raised this year from the entry goes to the QCWA Proserpine

Branch toward the maintenance and upkeep of The Airlie Beach Cottage.”

WHAT: Cruisin’ Whitsunday Show and Shine

WHERE: The Gardens, Coral Sea Marina

WHEN: Saturday, May 27

TICKETS: $5 from whitsundaytickets.com.au

Over 200 vehicles are expected to exhibit at this years’ Cruisin’ Whitsunday Show and Shine

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In an action-packed week for St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, hundreds of students, parents and siblings jumped on their treadly and rode to school for National Ride to School Day.

Meeting and departing from Pioneer Swim Centre, students rode their elaborately decorated bikes through the Gooseponds to the school where they were met with breakfast provided by Mackay Regional Council.

Information sessions were then held by Corry Cycles and Mackay PCYC before a brand new bike, donated by Corry Cycles, was given away.

“It’s an initiative to put bike riding to school at the forefront of kids minds,” said Corry Cycles owner Evan Corry.

“This school’s got bike racks at the front gate and you always see a few bikes there but it’d be great to see a few more after today.”

Mr Corry informed students of the safety of helmets and bike maintenance while Sargent Dorinda Freeman, Relief Branch Manager at Mackay PCYC, elaborated on road safety.

“We’ll be making students aware of what they need to look out for to get to school and how to navigate streets safely,” Ms Freeman said.

253 students, parents and siblings participated in the ride including Kristen Kachel who has two children at the school.

“It was a good opportunity to have the morning off, be with the kids, get involved with the school community and support a healthy approach to life,” Ms Kachel said.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for the kids to get outside and be active and see how much fun it is to be on a pushy.”

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Sargent Dorinda Freeman of Mackay PCYC and Evan Corry of Corry Cycles led National Ride to School Day information sessions at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

After 60 years in the industry, a local pharmacy icon is moving onto her next chapter after selling her Mount Pleasant based business.

Lynette Dupuy started working in a pharmacy at the age of 15, following in her father’s footsteps, and will finish her tenure this weekend.

Ms Dupuy’s father opened K M Dupuy Chemist in Sydney Street in 1934.

He passed away 19 years later and inspired Ms Dupuy to take up the profession to keep the family business going.

“I was 12 or 13 and then my fate was sealed,” she said.

Travelling to Brisbane to acquire her registration, Ms Dupuy worked in Brisbane and Cairns, all the while owning the family pharmacy.

She and her husband opened a new pharmacy in Mount Pleasant before building the current pharmacy in 1996.

Throughout her 60 years in the industry, Ms Dupuy specialised in a variety of areas including clinical nutrition, medicine compounding and vaccinations.

“All of those sorts of things I enjoy because originally I wanted to do medicine,” she said.

“I enjoy looking after people.

“I’ve had people coming in here the last few days begging me to stay.

“In all those things that I do, people come in here and ask me something and I usually know the answer.

“My brain never stops!”

The industry has changed aplenty over the years and Ms Dupuy has seen it all, striving to stay on top of the evolution of pharmacy.

“When I became a pharmacist – I’ve still got some of my dad’s books – it was the end of writing things in books in pharmacy; we started using a computer and software,” she said.

“It’s been a progression to the state it is now that everything is becoming electronic over the period of about 10 years.”

Ms Dupuy’s career has taken her across the world, with pharmacy conferences leading her and her husband to over 80 countries.

“I’ve made a lot of friends in Australia, Canada, England, everywhere,” she said.

“I enjoyed the company of pharmacists, doctors and physiotherapists.

“I enjoyed interacting with other people outside Mackay and I learnt a lot.”

Travel is one thing that Ms Dupuy hopes to do more of in the future.

“I’m looking forward to having Easter off, being with my family, going to see plays, going to do things, that’s what I’m looking forward to,” she said.

While she looks forward to retirement, she’s considering returning to the workforce in either clinical nutrition or pharmacy, plans to write books about her family history and her career and may even further her study.

“After about three months, I’ll make a decision,” she said.

“I just want some time to myself.”

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This weekend is Lynette Dupuy’s last weekend as a full-time pharmacist. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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Parents will soon have the opportunity to engage with a Speech Pathologist at a series of free educational sessions due to be held in a relaxed and social setting at our local libraries.

‘Speechie Talks’ is open to parents and carers of children aged zero to five years and will be led by Whitsunday Community Health’s speech pathologist Kelly Rodgers who will host weekly sessions for eight weeks.

Families will benefit from information on how to support early childhood communication development and topics will include early language, speech sounds, social communication and early literacy.

“We conducted a survey in 2022 seeking feedback on speech pathology programs for children aged zero to five years in the Whitsunday region,” Kelly said.

“More than 80 per cent of respondents indicated that they would like to see the Community Health service offer group education sessions on specific topics to assist parents with their child’s communication.”

Each session will start with a 20-minute presentation on the weekly topic followed by a Q&A session about anything speech pathology related.

Kelly said she is excited and looking forward to presenting Speechie Talks to Whitsunday region families.

“The library setting allows families to drop in with their children and connect with a speech pathologist to ask questions without having to go through a formal referral process,” she explained.

“We can also guide parents and carers on support pathways if parents are concerned about their child’s development.

“As speech pathologists, we want to share our knowledge with families on how to build and support their child’s communication to ensure they receive the best possible start.”

WHAT: Speechie Talks program

WHERE: Cannonvale and Proserpine Libraries

WHEN: Weekly from Monday, April 17 (alternating between the two libraries)

TIME: 9.30am to 10.30am

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Schools, businesses and organisations across the region came together last week to celebrate Harmony Day.

Grade 6 students at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School celebrated Harmony Day by hosting a play, scavenger hunt, chalk art and eat street markets, celebrating the 46 different cultures represented in the school.

“We’ve been learning about refugees and asylum seekers and their cultural backgrounds and the culture they bring into Australia that creates Australia’s cultural diversity,” said St Joseph’s School Captain Farrah Hamilton.

“It’s important to celebrate cultural diversity and to thank everyone for coming into Australia and making it the amazing place that it is,” added fellow School Captain Mila Hinschen.

Mackay North State High School celebrated similarly with chalk art, dumplings and plenty of orange.

Meanwhile, Mackay Regional Council teamed up with the Neighbourhood Hub to celebrate Mackay’s multicultural community.

Multicultural groups shared their culture by wearing traditional dress and sharing information and guest speaker Indriani shared her story as an Indonesian migrant.

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St Joseph's Catholic Primary School celebrated Harmony Day last week. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

Mackay North State High School put their chalk art skills to the test. Photos supplied

Mackay Regional Council and Neighbourhood Hub held a Harmony Day event. Photos supplied

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‘The Boys’ are back in town for an enormous Easter Weekend of three back-to-back-to-back shows at The Airlie Beach Hotel in what they promise is “a performance like no other.”

The Pub is becoming one of Brisbane band Geed UP's regular stomping grounds – and they’re becoming one of the region’s all-time favourite shows.

They’re ticking off the list of events: Already, Geed UP have rocked it out on New Year’s Eve, rode the stage on Melbourne Cup Day, and they’re tackling Easter this year.

Arriving in Airlie Beach for a massive Weekend, Geed Up will rock out to rapturous applause – as they have time and again with local’s favourite local hosting them for three world-class performances.

Comprised of Khan, Stevie, and Mat - who first met when they formed a casual singing group on the Gold Coast almost 20 years ago – Geed Up lines up these three New Zealanders who cater to every crowd with show-stopping dance moves guaranteed to bring down the house.

For the fifth time at the Hotel, The Boys are getting set to show off their vocal versatility when playing all afternoon long in three separate inspiring (and Geed up) performances for the crowds.

“We’re no regular singing trio,” Khan said.

“What’s different about us is we’re high-octane, performative. We incorporate percussion, saxophone, keys and guitar, explosive breakdancing choreography and comedy - I like to think we’re special; we do it better than anyone.”

The high-energy choreography is weaved into the performance’s base musicality – making it a truly show-stopping treat of electrifying movement and foot-tapping tunes that can’t help but inspire audiences to groove along.

With every Geed UP show a new and unique one, expect no different here: This Easter Weekend will mix some of the old and the new; from laid-back music to fill the dance floor, this trio will deliver it all.

The International-level performers, known for their polished three-piece harmonies, blending their unique vocal styles into a fusion of soul, funk, edge, and class, will have the audience speechless all afternoon.

Influenced by all genres of music and their New Zealand culture, there is nothing that the boys of Geed Up can’t cater for.

Expect plenty of surprises with a brand-new trick or two up their sleeve for this Easter. Don’t miss these three very special and free shows.

What: Geed Up! Easter Weekend

When: Good Friday, April 7, Easter Saturday, April 8, and Easter Sunday, April 9, from 2.00pm to 5.30pm each day.

Where: The Airlie Beach Hotel

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Geed UP Music are back in Airlie Beach for an Easter Weekend like no other, courtesy of The Pub

The incredible trio will set the bar-top stage alight at The Airlie Beach Hotel with three separate afternoon performances

Geed Up will bring comedy, charisma, and choreography to Airlie Beach for their fifth-ever performance in the Whitsundays

Some of Australian music’s heaviest hitters are heading to Mackay after Unify Gathering announced their touring festival UNIFY Off The Record 2023.

The rock, metal and punk festival, usually held in South Gippsland, Victoria, announced it will be taking a break in 2023, touring a mini festival around Australia instead visiting Mackay, Wollongong, Adelaide, Hobart and Frankston.

“When we made the decision to skip the 2023 gathering, we knew right away that we wanted to do something to fill the space left,” the festival said in a statement.

UNIFY Off The Record will feature a diverse roster of acts, celebrating heavy music at an intimate club show at the Seabreeze Hotel.

Thornhill, Void of Vision, Young Lions, Wildheart and locals Arcade Stories will all be taking the stage in May.

The event will also include pop up stores, artist signings and workshops before and after doors, with the aim to bring as much of UNIFY on the road as is possible.

“UNIFY is obviously a music festival, but it’s also always been an opportunity to bring our heavy music loving community together to share our experiences and learn,” the statement continued.

“We’re taking that ethos with us on the Off The Record road trip, working alongside APRA AMCOS and Support Act to host some real-talk sessions on everything from song writing to mental health, and providing exclusive insight into some of the Off The Record artist’s own stories.

“You’ll also be able to hit up the travelling pop up merch shop, selling our exclusive UNIFY Off The Record merch and other hard-to-find goodies.”

WHAT: UNIFY Off The Record 2023

WHERE: Seabreeze Hotel

WHEN: Saturday, May 20

TICKETS: unifygathering.com

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Melbourne’s Thornhill will headline the UNIFYOff The Record in Mackay. Photo supplied

Art lovers and passionate community members are invited to a special cheese and wine evening due to be held at the 3 Little Birds Espresso Bar in Airlie Beach tonight.

The evening is dedicated to fundraising for mounting costs needed to facilitate the ongoing legal battle against the approved high-rise development at Port of Airlie.

Local action group, Save Our Foreshore, are heading to the Planning and Environment Court next month to ask that the 47.7-metre high-rise planned for the site is replaced with the three to five storey resort that adheres to the town plan.

Many local artists have shown their support for the cause by donating artwork which will be auctioned at this evening’s event.

A range of artworks are available, including paintings, a voucher for a portrait, ceramic vases, sculptures, a cast iron wall decoration, and a picture framing voucher.

All proceeds will go directly towards paying for upcoming legal costs.

“It will be an auction of a collection of fabulous art and craft works donated by Whitsunday artists, residents and friends of Save Our Foreshore,” said organiser Faye Chapman.

“We would like to thank all those wonderfully talented artists and craftspeople, and individuals who have generously donated works and their time for our auction.  

“Your support is vital for an event such as this. Thanks to you all.”

WHAT: Arts and Crafts Exhibition and Auction

WHEN: Friday, March 31

WHERE: 3 Little Birds Espresso and Creative Arts Hub, Airlie Beach

TIME: 5.30pm – 7.30pm

TICKETS: Entry by donation

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Reverend Dr Julia Pitman

This Easter you are invited to attend church to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God.

At Easter, Christians are called to put aside the cares of work, family, and holidays to worship the triumphant risen Lord. ‘Up from the grave he arose’, is the first line of the 1874 gospel song by Baptist pastor and church musician, Robert Lowry, ‘with a mighty triumph o’er his foes.

He arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever with his saints to reign. He arose, He arose! Hallelujah, Christ arose.’

The Bible invites us to follow Jesus in his sacrifice of his life for the world and his resurrection from the dead. As we live our lives every day as baptised believers, we follow the path of Christ’s death and resurrection.

When we sacrifice our lives and live in the light of the resurrection, then we abolish fear, restore confidence, and abound in joy!

In the final verse of Charles Wesley’s famous hymn, ‘Christ the Lord is risen today’, our resurrection life is transcendent, like the path of an eagle: ‘Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia! Following our exalted Head; made like him, like him we rise, ours the cross, the grave, the skies.’

REV. DR JULIA PITMAN

Minister, St Paul’s Uniting Church

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One of the country’s largest Comedy Festivals is sending its best and brightest on the road to arrive in Mackay on April 27.

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow will return to the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre (MECC) with familiar favourites from this year’s Festival line-up, alongside the most talked-about breakthrough stars of the moment.

Comedian, self-proclaimed beer enthusiast, and cheeky scallywag Brett Blake MCs the evening alongside internationally recognised comedian Anirban Dasgupta.

Blake brings his brilliant digs at Aussie culture and Dusgupta – who vaunts an Instagram following of over 155 thousand and over 15 million views on excerpts of his skits – his effortless stage presence.

Joining them on the line-up are Bronwyn Kuss, Stuart Daulman, and He Huang – certainly a guaranteed great night out.

Manager of MECC & Events Andrew Bobeldyk said comedy is always a popular choice for Mackay locals.

“Laughter makes us feel good and helps us relax. Each year we receive great feedback following the Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow. Our audiences always enjoy their night” Mr Bobeldyk said.

“The festival has visited the MECC 15 times in 15 years. It’s quite popular!” he continued.

The night of entertainment will begin at 6.30pm with live music in the MECC North Foyer by local musician Jonte Tupaea.

For a one-way ticket to laughter, those looking for their next comedy fix should book now.

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The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow is bringing its stellar line-up to Mackay in April

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Sam Mendes’s ‘Empire of Light’ is beguiling, undoubtedly, eventually finding a flow after its early portions, which can often feel overwrought or anxious.

Directing and penning the film, Mendes has a deal to contend with. Though, with his credentials, audiences can back him. He has an immense and startling array of talent at his disposal – the invariably praised cinematographer Roger Deakins; the presently-deified (and justifiably so) Olivia Coleman. Yet, despite everything, the film begins in a woozy malaise, not knowing what it wishes to be. Ode to Cinema? Love story? Political and social commentary? An admixture of all?

Set against the backdrop of a post-Margaret Thatcher ‘80s Britain, the rheumy-eyed Hilary Small (Coleman) returns to, what is for her, drab work at a local cinema within her coastal township after her stay in a mental health institution.

Luckily, as is the case with Coleman’s Hilary, the film’s feeling of ennui subsides as hers does, and Empire of Light finds its feet through performances from Toby Jones, Michael Ward, and Coleman herself, as well as the faultless Deakins. At times, his cinematography is painterly: its landscapes remind of the piercing, evenly lit outdoor works of Edward Hopper; its interiors eerily akin to the painter's 'New York Movie'. Empire of Light is more of an art-deco-infused pastiche, with Deakins’ propensity for the gloriously long, drawn-out shadows.

Hilary is drawn out from her depression by the young, handsome, and black Stephen (Ward), a new hire at the cinema who rejuvenates her. I mention his race as it becomes the film’s central political treatise: The Thatcher-fuelled small town despises him, causing more misery for Hilary.

At its end, we are left with a question. Will their romantic tryst pull Hilary from here tristesse? That remains ambiguous. For most viewers, though, they may be dubious: the ending echoes Anton Chekov's The Lady with the Dog, only far more saccharine. There is a gesture towards hopefulness in its closing narration – a reading of Philip Larkin’s poem The Trees. We wonder, will love begin “afresh, afresh, afresh?”

Often moving, Empire of Light makes a grandiose sweep at love and loneliness with the help of a cinematographer at his zenith.

Empire of Light (MA15+) opens at the Bowen Summergarden Cinema on Tuesday, April 4.

Review by Declan Durrant

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Sam Mendes’s Empire of Light is a film of exquisite beauty courtesy of seasoned cinematographer Roger Deakins

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From The Venerable Dr Rosemary Dunn

Christ dies, and Christ lives. Sure, but what difference does it make to my life? Well, the Easter story is actually about everyone’s life. Jesus endures what all of us face at some time: betrayal, injustice, hurt, insults, suffering.

OK, most mightn’t face literal crucifixion – although some do. But suffering is a part of life and humans don’t seem to be able to stop this suffering.

But Christians understand that God, who created this universe in love and is love, comes into this world in Jesus to face all the rubbish that we do.

And although he suffers like us, he responds to that suffering in a way that most of us can’t- with love and forgiveness.

Jesus faces his tormentors and says: ‘Father forgive them for they know not what they do’. Jesus hands his accusers to God, for God’s will to be done: that his creatures find new life.

Jesus will not participate in the cycle of human vengeance – and so he breaks the cycle of death.  

In a world of destruction and cynicism,  Easter reminds us that God continues to share his compassion, love and grace with us, so that we can bring new life to our lives, now and forever.

Be blessed as you share Easter love with others!

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