Mackay is in for a treat as Harrup Park Country Club presents a sneak peek of their newly completed Great Barrier Reef Arena development during a special "Party in the Park" community open day on Saturday, 18th March.

"We are thrilled to invite everyone in the region to enjoy this exclusive opportunity to view our fresh Great Barrier Reef Arena development," said Harrup Park Country Club Chair Terry Doolan. "With the strong support from the State and Federal Government, we have delivered this amazing new community asset and we want everyone to share in the excitement."

Not only will the community get a glimpse of the Great Barrier Reef Arena, but they will also experience the Grand Final of the prestigious DBCT Poole Cup cricket competition, along with family entertainment, delicious food, and fireworks.

Mr Doolan continued, "Great Barrier Reef Arena will become one of Australia's leading event destination experiences, hosting brilliant sport and entertainment events, and promoting the amazing natural wonders in our backyard to the whole state and nation. What better way to kick it off than with the pinnacle event for our local cricket competition."

Local AFLW hero and Great Barrier Reef Arena ambassador Lauren Bella will also be in attendance to join in the celebration. "After growing up playing football here and returning to play with the Gold Coast Suns, I truly feel that the Great Barrier Reef Arena is my natural home.

“I'm sure that is also how everyone in our sports-loving community feels, particularly now with this amazing new stand and facilities," said Ms Bella.

Mark your calendars for May, as the official Grand Opening of the Great Barrier Reef Arena is planned to coincide with the Legends on the Lawn concert featuring Paul Kelly, Bernard Fanning, Missy Higgins, Mark Seymour, Ian Moss, Vika and Linda, and Troy Cassar-Daley.

The Party in the Park event is on Saturday 18 March, entry is a gold coin donation and will run from 1pm to 9pm.

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Image: Local AFLW hero and Great Barrier Reef Arena ambassador Lauren Bella will be at Party In The Park to join in the celebration. Photo credit: Gold Coast Suns

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In keeping with tradition, the Collinsville community gathered together for their Australia Day Breakfast and Awards Ceremony and, with over 200 people in attendance, the event was a lively affair fuelled by a delicious hot breakky served by the Lions Club.

Mayor Julie Hall, Member for Burdekin Dale Last, Councillors Michelle Wright, Jan Clifford and Clay Bauman were all in attendance on the day.

Award winners on the day included: Citizen of the Year Graham Smith, Young Citizen of the Year Jack Groocock, Community Event of the Year Springlands Campdraft Association, Young Sports Award Rilee Mackie, Senior Sports Award Gregory Fuller, Environmental Achievement Award Carol Cosentino and Volunteer of the Year Award Christine Pennay.

The Awards Breakfast was a free community event open to award nominees, their families and members of the general public.

This year Council voted to unite other Australia Day regional events but Collinsville was permitted to continue with a standalone celebration.

Collinsville Community Centre Association coordinator and MC for the day, Shayne Crump, said that they were thrilled to host another successful event and glad that it was able to remain in Collinsville.

“It’s very important for our community because we are further away from the more populous areas,” he said.

“Recognising local people locally is very important to us.”

Following the breakfast, additional Australia Day celebrations took place across town.

The Pit Pony Tavern hosted the annual Truck Pull Competition, the Workers Club organised toad and crab races, and the children enjoyed bouncy castles and face painting.

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Images:

1: L-R Cr Clay Bauman, Cr Michelle Wright, Member for Burdekin Dale Last and Mayor Julie Hall enjoying the Australia Day Breakfast in Collinsville

2: Mayor Julie Hall cuts the cake with Citizen of the Year Graham Smith

3: Cr Michelle Wright, Collinsville Community Centre Association (CCA) coordinator and MC for the day, Shayne Crump and President of the CCA Committee Diane Watts

4: The delicious cake from the Collinsville Bakehouse was a hit with the kids. Photos supplied

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Steven Spielberg has crafted his newest and most personal film, the Fabelmans, with the grace of his cumulative decades earnt in a lifetime of filmmaking.

The highest-grossing director in cinematic history can now, perhaps, claim his final mastery of the medium -- no director has ploughed more creative ground. A staggering 33 feature films are behind him in his career (and hundreds of producing credits, too), the only place left to create from was his experience; looking back across the field of years to find where his sense of self came from.

In The Fabelmans, Spielberg creates a memoir of his upbringing in the 1950s in New Jersey – close to truth yet maudlinly toned. Here, Sammy Fabelman, a thinly veiled Spielberg stand-in, finds his early, burgeoning love for cinema after watching Cecil B Demille’s The Greatest Show on Earth. His passion for filmmaking erupts and we continue to follow Sammy through his life, through family drama, and until his inevitable success.

It is a coming-of-age story through and through and allows Spielberg to show off his best asset: the playing up of childhood’s saccharin nature, its naivety and glowing perspective of the world, of new things – something he has done more deftly than any director before or since. Spielberg has mastered the so sweet it hurts your teeth, somehow it is never cloying. It is an ode to childhood, to loss of innocence, to passion and art, and the complexity of familial dynamics and love.

“Most of my movies have been a reflection of things that have happened to me,” Spielberg said. “But in the sense of The Fabelmans, it wasn’t about metaphor, it was about memory.”

Here is presented what we all fall in love with on the big screen: exceptional cinema that shows us ourselves. It stands on its own on two fronts; as an autobiographical, self-critical insight into a cultural figure, and as a piece of movie magic that is true to the human spirit.

The Fabelmans (M) is showing at the Bowen Summergarden Cinema now.

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Here is a story as old as music: the travelling artist - guitar strapped to their back - arrives in a beachside town with song on their lips. And they never leave.

Airlie Beach has become a rest home for more musicians and maestros, more bards and bands than it may have any right to – it is a place polished in creativity, in which artists have scraped at the sheen, hoping to keep a piece for themselves.

It is breezy. Here is the sound of it: water lapping with low sounds at the beachside, the acoustic guitar playing alongside it, as easy as the wind. Airlie Beach connects to the soft sensibility of some artistic core.

Yet, Airlie offers another side to its cruisy village aesthetic: -- it has a raucous, party-boy heart found in places like KCs, Magnums, Boaty’s. It is manifold, like life. At one time serene and another rowdy. And it also has a community.

Ash Smith is one of Airlie Beach’s musicians - part of a long tradition - who has found a home here far from his own.

Most people in Airlie Beach are from somewhere else. Ash is no different: he is a native son of Lisburn in Northern Ireland, having arrived in Airlie Beach six years ago, bringing with him his music from across the globe.

And he is Airlie Beach to a tee, part of its musical fabric: he embraces the swelling sounds of the seaside but can rock it out with the best.

Like all the Beach’s musicians, he has a story:

“I’ve been in a few different bands in my life: one called Whanau, which means family in Maori, and a grunge band, ‘Smoking Tongue’. I’ve always been a big fan of Pearl Jam, Allice in Chains, Soundgarden, and chilled out music like Pink Floyd and Ben Howard. I started gigging around in my early-20s and ended up going to the United States, to New Zealand, and eventually here,” Ash said.

“I was just travelling and if you’re a travelling muso, what’re you going to do? You’re going to play music. And when I came to Airlie Beach to watch another band, and I was gigging around and I couldn’t say anything but yes to living here.

“I was luckily offered a sponsorship from Total Entertainment, and it was a yes, straight away – no hesitation. I still work closely with them today. They’re fantastic. At the time, I was working down in Mackay hauling cane for the visa and then coming up here to play on the weekends. It was an amazing life. I think most of the musicians that come here are the same; they end up loving the place and then finding a community.”

With a repertoire of covers and his originals, Ash has become one of Airlie’s longstanding artists in the music scene. He’s performed everywhere and says it allows him to enjoy both sides of his music – which are also both sides of Airlie.

“Playing music makes me feel good. If anything bad is s happening in your life, you can get lost in it; it clears everything up,” he said.

“On some nights, you’re feeling the slow, intimate stuff and others you’re ready to go hard. I play everywhere – it’s a nice mix of vibes from one to the next. It’s a seven-night-a-week kind of place for musicians. It’s awesome.

“The music scene in Airlie Beach is great, and the original scene is picking up. It’s a great place to write music – it’s a great place to do anything.”

Find Ash on Facebook at Ash Smith Music.

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It’s game day and The Pub is packed: the fever pitch rises at every kick, every crunching tackle, every catch. And a silence descends; only a few huddled gasps and whispered encouragements -- “Go, you good thing!”

Then the roar of the crowd.

Every day and every night at the Airlie Beach Hotel’s Sports Bar, the big screen is filled with football, with fights, with bat and ball sports. And its atmosphere is always unmatched, it’s like being in the stadium.

And what’s on the menu? The full sporting scope.

The picks of the bunch from the early parts of this year have been the Australian Open (Djokovic’s win producing a groan from the Australian crowd), the A-League and Premier League, ODI Cricket and T20, and the NBA, NBL, and UFC.

Airlie Beach Hotel Sports Bar manager, Mathew Rowley, said it’s been a sporting start to the year – and they’re looking forward to more variety courtesy of their patrons.

“Any sport you can think of, we’ll put it on,” Rowley said.

“We don’t care if it’s hopscotch! If we can find a channel, it’s up on the big screen, ready to go. The atmosphere in here is incredible when there’s sport going.”

Rowley said the biggest event so far is the upcoming 2023 Super Bowl on Monday, February 13, one of the world’s largest sporting events which he said is ready to take over Airlie Beach’s largest sports screen – a nine by two metre mammoth that covers the length of an entire wall.

It’s certainly going to be a game to remember for football fans, too, with The Philadelphia Eagles taking on the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl LVII – the second time in six seasons for the Philadelphia team.

They come into the game as slight favourites – and it’s easy to see why, any American Football Fan will have witnessed the dominating NFC title game where the Philly side ran riot against the 49ers.

At The Pub, the day will kick off early at 9am with the Sports Bar operating in the morning hours thanks to a special license, so there’s plenty of time to grab a few drinks before the 9.30am start.

And you won’t want to miss this: Rowley will be hosting and dishing out Free Hot Chicken Wings all morning – his shout!

There’s no better atmosphere in town to experience one of the world’s biggest sporting events and the feel of prime-time football.

Grab yourself a freshly poured beer Stein of your choice and settle in for the Super Bowl – and plenty of other sports coming up this year.

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Images:

Airlie Beach Hotel’s Sports Bar manager Mathew Rowley said the preparations for the Super Bowl were well underway at local’s favourite local

The matchup is bringing together the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs for Super Bowl LVII

One of the biggest sporting matches of the year is just a taste of what’s on offer at the Airlie Beach Hotel

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Hundreds of children enjoyed an Australia Day slime-filled fun fest at the Whitsunday Sportspark last week thanks to the first annual event run by Proserpine Youth Space.

Photo credit: Rachael Smith and Sophie McManus

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It has been more than 10 years since the iconic Misogyny speech by the 27th Prime Minister of Australia. And, as was predicted by those attending parliament that day, history was made.

Julia Gillard’s justifiable anger at the shocking misogyny she had experienced during her leadership exploded into a speech which has survived the test of time. Since then, the speech has inspired thousands of renditions through social media platforms, with some TikTok videos reaching more than 100,000 views.

The Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre (MECC) has proudly partnered with international songwriter Karen Jacobsen for a new stage production, Misogyny Opus.

Misogyny Opus, composed by Ms Jacobsen, transforms Julia Gillard’s historic speech (word for word) into a ground-breaking composition that will debut at the MECC late February.

Ms Jacobsen remembers the first time she heard the iconic speech by Julia Gillard.

“I was living in New York City and noticed many friends in Australia posting the video link to this speech,” Ms Jacobsen said.

“The impassioned delivery had me take notice,” she said.

“I felt totally compelled to set it to music.”

The performance will be supported by musicians from Queensland Symphony Orchestra and will premiere at the MECC in February, the week before International Women’s Day.

Manager MECC and Events Andrew Bobeldyk said this year’s International Women’s Day theme was ‘Embrace Equity’.

“This theme and the timing is very fitting for this premiere and we couldn’t be happier to host it at the MECC,” Mr Bobeldyk said.

Ms Jacobsen is a life-long performer and is also well known to Mackay audiences. She grew up performing in the Mackay Eisteddfod before gaining international fame as the voice of Siri. Ms Jacobsen appreciated her years at school here in Mackay.

“I performed every year at the Mackay Eisteddfod in many sections at the Theatre Royal, and the phenomenal school musicals at North Mackay Primary and North Mackay High School,” she said.

“Some incredible teachers have guided me along the way, including Mrs Kathryn George, Mrs Tziolis and Mrs Pam Jensen.”

Audience members are advised there are two performance times available.

What: Misogyny Opus – Not Now, Not Ever

When: Friday 24 February 2023, 11am (student performance) 7.30pm (official premiere)

Where: MECC Auditorium

Tickets: www.themecc.com.au

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Image: Karen Jacobsen speaking of Misogyny Opus during a recent networking event hosted at the MECC

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Friday 3 February

Friday SUN.sets

Every Friday Evening From 6pm

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

Wake House Australia

Big Pups at Seabreeze Hotel

Friday, 7:00pm

Join Big Pups on his Deep South Tour as he travels through QLD, NSW, VIC, and TAS playing foot-stomping country blues music. Hail, rain or sunshine Big Pups is coming.

Seabreeze Hotel

Film Night: February Fundraiser Screening: BLUE BAYOU

Friday, 7:30pm

From award-winning writer/director Justin Chon, BLUE BAYOU is the moving and timely story of a uniquely American family fighting for their future. Antonio LeBlanc (Chon), a Korean adoptee raised in a small town in the Louisiana bayou, is married to the love of his life Kathy (Alicia Vikander) and stepdad to their beloved daughter Jessie. Struggling to make a better life for his family, he must confront the ghosts of his past when he discovers that he could be deported from the only country he has ever called home.

Central Queensland Conservatorium Of Music

Saturday 4 February

safeTALK suicide prevention training – Mackay

Saturday, 9:30am to 12:30am

Learn how to identify someone at risk of suicide, talk to those experiencing suicidal thoughts and help guide them to resources. safeTALK is presented by qualified LivingWorks trainers. LivingWorks is considered a world leader in suicide prevention training. Bookings are essential. To make your booking go to http://www.grapevinegroup.org.au/bookings/ and book online.

Dudley Denny City Library

Six Ducks & a Yarn Community Family Fun Day

Saturday, 1:00pm

Six Ducks & a Yarn Community Cricket Day has been organised for the community of Nebo, Valkyrie, Coppabella, Glenden and Clarke Creek to help raise awareness for Mental Health in the region while enjoying a family day out and some cricket. Join in for a day of fun, entertainment, and cricket. The day will feature Super 8 style cricket matches, live music by Bek Andrews and Mango Junction, and a special appearance by cricket legend Michael Kasprowicz. There will also be prizes for the best dressed team and best team name, plus free kids entertainment including dodgem cars and water slide.

Nebo Showgrounds

Kiwi Pub Choir - Waitangi Celebrations Mackay

Saturday, 5:30pm

Join in the festivities with the local community to celebrate Waitangi Weekend! Sing along with some of the most iconic Kiwi hits ever!

Mackay Northern Beaches Bowls Club

Brittany Elise Album Launch

Saturday, 6:45pm

Brittany Elise is quickly making her mark in the country-pop scene with her electric performances, powerhouse vocals and thirst for creativity embedded in her catchy new releases. Don't miss Brittany and her band at her hometown show on their Feel the Fire Tour.

Magpies Sporting Club Mackay

Summertime and All That…

Saturday, 7:30pm and Sunday, 2:00pm

Tutti Vocal Ensemble presents “Summertime and All That…” a collection of well-loved songs in Tutti style. The ensemble will take you on a journey with a few surprises along the way!

Central Queensland Conservatorium Of Music

Sunday 5 February

Regional Insurance Brokers Charity Boot Camp

Sunday, 7:00am to 8:00am

Muscle Garden presents the Regional Insurance Brokers Boot Camp for Charity! The annual charity boot camp is back again this year to help raise funds for the Mackay Hospital Foundation. Lots of prizes to win on the day and plenty of fun to be had, so grab the family and friends and come on down for a morning fitness for a very worthy cause! Book via Eventbrite.

Harrup Park

Seaforth Mega Markets

Sunday, 8:00am to 12:00pm

Trading commences at 8:30am including food vendors, juice, home-made sweets, coffee, fruit and veg, homemade jams/relish, candles, jewellery, bric-a-brac and heaps more. Across from the markets is also Just Beachy and Scrapbooking.

Seaforth Beach

Sunday Live Music

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

Social Barefoot Bowls

Every Sunday in February, 3:00pm

Lots of fun in a casual atmosphere. $5 green fees. Phone 4957 3571 for further information and to register.

Mackay Bowling Club

Wednesday 8 February

Teen Shed Mackay Teen Circle

Every Wednesday, 4:00pm to 5:30pm

Teen Circle is a place for all teens in the community to come together. It's a safe space for them to connect, heal & learn from each other. They can be seen, heard & understood with no judgement. It's a space to honour the uniqueness of each individual, everyone is equal. They will be able to speak from their hearts about things that trouble, annoy, frustrate them. This gathering will be held every Wednesday, all teenagers are welcome to attend. It is a free event, but attendees are asked to register for numbers.

Kutta Mulla Gorinna Special Assistance School

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

Thursday 9 February

Mackay Riverside Market

Every Thursday, 3:00pm to 7:00pm

Come and meet your local growers, bakers and makers, chill on the lawn listening to some beautiful tunes and grab some delicious dinner and desert.

Bluewater Quay

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Image 1: Big Pups

Image 2: BLUE BAYOU

Image 3: Michael Kasprowicz at Six Ducks & a Yarn

Image 4: Brittany Elise

Image 5: Regional Insurance Brokers Charity Boot Camp

Image 6: Seaforth Mega Markets

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Take two regional creatives from Far North Queensland, Roz Pappalardo and Rachel Terry, inspiration from a series of rocking female 80's musicians, a few 'writing trips' to Port Douglas, and what do you get? A cranking and inspiring part rock concert / part 80's aerobics dance class / part theatre show, telling the story of one woman's epic midlife crisis solved by a touch of time travel and a close encounter with the favourite songs of her youth - All Fired Up.

After a sold-out season at Brisbane Powerhouse, renowned Queensland artists Rachel Terry and Roz Pappalardo (women in docs, Soldiers Wife and Lontano), are set to present their electrifying, epic adventure at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre on 5 March 2023.

Hearing Pat Benatar belt out “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” and Cyndi Lauper shriek with passion to her parents that “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” were life changing moments and made creatives, Roz Pappalardo and Rachel Terry, and a host of women you know, the people they are today.

Rachel and Roz take great pride in gathering and leading a team of strong and uniquely skilled regional creatives to present this new work.

The team includes Cairns based four-piece live band taking the place of the AM radio playing the hits of the decade LIVE, written, directed, set designed, produced and musically directed by Terry and Pappalardo, with a touch of Brisbane injected by award winning lighting designer, Jason Glenwright, and musical maestro on keys, Tnee Dyer.

A 60-minute jammed packed show featuring Rachel Terry and her real-life daughter, Scarlet Terry, who time travel to tell the story of the power of the arts solving life's problems, and Roz Pappalardo as your favourite radio DJ "Neon" and singer of approximately 20 hit songs of the decade. All Fired Up will inspire, excite and literally have you singing and dancing on your seats.

WHAT: All Fired Up - solving the problems of your world, one 80's song at a time! All Fired Up

WHEN: Sunday 5 March, 7.30pm

WHERE: MECC Auditorium

TICKETS: www.themecc.com.au

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The Banksia Scout Group held an Open Day as part of Mackay Regional Council's Australia Day celebrations. The Fernleigh Avenue den in Andergrove was bustling with families joining in the activities promoting scouting in the community.

Scouting is all about hands-on learning in small groups, outdoors, and through fun. Our programs aim to build confidence, social skills, leadership, resilience, independence, responsibility, and a sense of community by providing adventures. This was reflected in the youth-led activities during the Open Day.

District Commissioner Katrina Hoare, Adventurous Activities Leaders, Scouting Leaders, and Parents were busy with activities such as crate stacking, rope bridge, low ropes, archery, and damper twist making. The excitement on the youth's faces as they explored new activities was a rewarding experience for the leaders, who strive to provide a fun learning environment.

The Open Day marked the start of the Scouting year and launched the Hibiscus Coast District Scouts "Try the 5" campaign, open to all ages starting at 5 years old and eligible for school.

Try the 5 - Pre-registration is required:

5th February Try the 5 – Abseiling https://www.trybooking.com/CEWTF

12th February Try the 5 – Rope Bridge at MRC Sports Sign On https://www.facebook.com/events/514665220628918

19th February Try the 5 – Mountain Biking https://www.trybooking.com/CFJJX

19th February Try the 5 – Archery https://www.trybooking.com/CEWTM

Except for the Sports Expo at the MECC, all activities will be held at Rowallan Scout Park, 290 Glendaragh Road, Farleigh.  Contact aa@hibiscuscoast.scoutsqld.com.au if you have any questions.

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Images: Banksia Scouts enjoyed archery and robe bridges among other challenges on Australia Day

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Following their sold-out national tour in 2022, Australia's new 'Kings of Variety Television' are back in 2023 with a brand-new show.

The Robertson Brothers are returning to Mackay with their new heart-warming and uplifting 1960’s Variety TV Show.

Geoff and Ben Robertson are back as your charming and cheeky hosts for this nostalgic night of entertainment as they pay tribute to the musical giants of the 1960’s - The Bee Gees, Simon & Garfunkel, Roy Orbison, Cliff Richard & The Shadows, Frankie Valli, The Everly Brothers, Neil Sedaka and The Seekers.

Simon Brook McLachlan (from the Original Australian cast of Jersey Boys) will return to the show in 2023 to thrill audiences with special tributes to Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons and Neil Sedaka, as well as a brand new Variety Show tribute to the much-loved 1960s superstar, Sir Cliff Richard.

Another bonus for fans is the addition of Australia’s internationally acclaimed #1 Roy Orbison tribute artist, Dean Bourne.

Dean will perform his very special Variety Show tribute to the one and only ‘Big O’ and his biggest hits from the 1960’s.

This 150-minute ground-breaking and interactive theatrical TV experience is filled with all the fun, music and long forgotten memories of the fabulous 1960’s.

Join the star-studded cast for an unforgettable trip down memory lane.

WHAT: The Robertson Brothers 1960’s Variety TV Show

WHERE: MECC Auditorium

WHEN: Friday March 3 from 7:30pm

TICKETS: www.themecc.com.au

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Image: The Robertson Brothers return to Mackay in 2023

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Two Mackay musicians feature on the newest season of Australian Idol to show off their singing voices in a bid to go all the way and launch themselves into national stardom.

Noah Cookson and Damien Agius both auditioned for the show – which returns to screens after a 13-year hiatus - at the end of last year and will represent the Sugar City on national television in what Damien called “a childhood dream come true.”

The 27-year-old country musician let the cat out of the bag on Tuesday and said he could hardly keep his excitement a secret for the past few months.

Agius, who began singing at the age of eight in the Mirani Primary School Choir, grew up watching Australian Idol and said he auditioned after seeing an advertisement whilst at a local pub.

“The secrets out! I am so excited,” Damien said.

“Thanks, everyone, for your support [in Mackay]. It’s been a long wait but Idol is back!”

Agius will join fellow Mackay muso Noah Cookson whose episode premiered on Wednesday night.

Cookson, a talented bright star in the Mackay scene, showed off his talents on the episode and told the tale of choosing between playing footy and singing – an easy choice for the youngster who said music was his “absolute passion.”

Tune in to catch Damien Agius’ audition on Sunday, February 5 on Channel 7.

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Damien Agius is one of two Mackay musicians to audition on the return season of Australian Idol

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The Mackay region is home to the largest population of South Sea Islander people outside of the Pacific, their story seldom told until now.

‘Black Snow’, streaming on Stan, is a work of fiction created and written by Lucas Taylor and produced by Goalpost Television set in the fictional town Ashford but filmed in the sugarcane fields of Proserpine, producers saw an opportunity to tell the true story of the region’s South Sea Islander people.

Mackay resident Marion Fatnowna Healy has worked for over 30 years to share the history of the South Sea Islander people of the region, with her latest assignment being Cultural and Historical Consultant on the show.

The series follows a cold case investigation of the 1994 murder of seventeen-year-old Jasmine Baker, a crime that shocked the town and devastated Jasmine’s Australian South Sea Islander community.

“Because Lucas had that idea that he would feature this cold case in the cane fields, the opportunity then came for the story to be aligned with the Australian South Sea Islander community,” said Ms Fatnowna Healy.

“We got to tell a bit of our history and story through that via our families and you see it roll out.”

The first boatload of South Sea Islander people was brought into Mackay in 1867, seven years after John Mackay first discovered the region.

Over 62,000 South Sea Islander people were shipped to Australia between 1863 and 1904, mostly to Queensland, where they worked mainly in the sugar industry in poor-to-terrible conditions.

After 40 years of labour, as Australia moved towards federation, the White Australia Policy was introduced.

“The big push was to remove all the South Sea Islanders out of Australia, so they deported 7,000 and 1,000 were left behind,” said Ms Fatnowna Healy.

“They were left either by their choice, they had to plead to the government … or they hid, farmers hid them, and from that 1,000 you have us today.”

Ms Fatnowna Healy has worked in education for over 30 years, supporting Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Island children and works to educate people on the untold history of South Sea Island people.

“We are the forgotten people,” she said.

“This year, we acknowledged that we’ve been in this country 160 years and the federal government only gave us recognition in 1994 and the Queensland Government, and I worked on it … we only got recognition in the year 2000.

“I have five children and we’re not even considered people of this country, but we helped build this nation.”

It’s Ms Fatnowna Healy’s rich knowledge of and advocacy for local and cultural history that got her the role of Cultural and Historical Consultant on ‘Black Snow’.

She was initially invited into the writer’s room to read through the completed script with Mr Taylor and other writers.

Ms Fatnowna Healy went on to workshop with the entire cast and crew, almost 170 people, telling the story of the South Sea Island people of Mackay.

“The commitment from Goalpost was … to educate everybody about the Australian South Sea Island audience,” Ms Fatnowna Healy said.

“People need to understand that it wasn’t all rosy, it definitely wasn’t rosy growing up.”

Working on the series for two and a half years, Ms Fatnowna Healy said she was honoured to share her culture’s story.

“What happened there was the feeling of compassion for us and the feeling of family amongst us, that we welcomed everybody into our community,” she said.

The cast features a large South Sea Islander contingent, many descendants of those who were brought over to the region in the 1800s and acting for the first time.

“We made sure that the application form gave the kids the opportunity to identify any which way they wanted, but when they did the lesson with me … many of those South Sea young people who were sitting at the table, it was the first time they were hearing their history,” said Ms Fatnowna Healy.

Less than a month after the show’s release, Ms Fatnowna Healy has already received glowing feedback from audiences.

“There’s been an amazing response from so many people, so it builds pride in me,” she said.

“Just like those young people not knowing who they were, it’s opened them up to start asking questions and having those conversations about, ‘Who are we? How do I find my history?’

“It’ll help those young ones, it’ll help my community, wherever they are, to have pride to be able to identify, ‘Hey, I’m a proud South Sea Islander and I matter.’”

In 2023, Ms Fatnowna Healy will continue to build her business Mer Bar Wakai Consultancy offering cultural and professional development workshops, leadership programs, cultural heritage awareness workshops, cultural activities and tours.

“I want our story to be told more further and further,” she said.

“I formed a business that brings in awareness and I’m available to anybody, private or public, to sit down and talk about our local history, so white history, black history, where we’re at and how we move forward.”

Ms Fatnowna Healy also runs the Kanaka Proud Cup with her brother Joseph Fatnowna, which Mackay is hosting from November 4 to 5 this year.

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Caption 1: Mackay resident Marion Fatnowna Healy worked as Cultural and Historical Consultant on Stan series ‘Black Snow’

Caption 2: Black Snow was released on New Year's Day after filming wrapped up in the Proserpine region. Photos supplied

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Is improving public speaking one of your New Year’s Resolutions?

If so, take the first step to make your goal a reality by attending Mackay Toastmasters Club's Presentation Mastery Class on Tuesday, 7 February.

The class will run from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm and cover the essentials you need to plan and deliver a presentation.

“We know many people want to improve their public speaking skills and build their confidence,” Mackay Toastmasters Club member Megan Dillon said.

“However, they often struggle to believe that they can do something about it.

“If that sounds like you, come along to our class to learn some practical skills that will help you be confident in front of an audience.”

The class is suitable for anyone who would like to be able to improve their presentation skills. It will cover what goes into giving a presentation; from the first time you sit down to plan it to the moment you step out in front of your audience.

Tickets must be purchased to attend the event. The price of $24.95 includes refreshments and education materials.

Mackay Toastmasters Club is part of the worldwide network of clubs that make up the not-for-profit educational organisation: Toastmasters International.

Megan Dillon said Mackay Toastmasters Club offers people an opportunity to practise their communication and leadership skills.

“Public speaking is like any skill,” she explained.

“You can learn what to do, but you’ll only begin to see improvement when you practise.

“Toastmasters can speed up this process because we practise our skills then get almost instant feedback on how we could improve next time.

“Plus, we make our meetings fun, so our members want to keep coming back!

WHAT: Mackay Toastmasters Presentation Mastery Class

WHEN: Tuesday, February 7 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

WHERE: Jubilee Community Centre

COST: $24.95 including refreshments and education materials. Purchase tickets at mackay.toastmastersclubs.org

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Rebel Rebel The Bowie Anthology is a captivating live concert experience recreating the iconic sound of David Bowie.

This live rock performance set in a rockumentary format explores the journey of David Bowie's life and music.

From Bowie’s 1969 release "Space Oddity" to his last Album "Blackstar". This concert will have you cheering and wanting more, as vocalist Whalen Hughes together with an outstanding live band and a visually spectacular stage show, pays tribute to one of rock’s most influential performers.

Performing all of Bowie’s classic hits including” Starman", "The Man Who Sold the World", "Space Oddity", "Changes", "Ashes To Ashes”, “Ziggy Stardust", "Golden Years", "Fame", "Fashion", "Life On Mars", "Let’s Dance", "China Girl", and many, many more. This is a concert not to be missed, book now!

Please note - This is a tribute concert

WHAT: Rebel Rebel – The Bowie Anthology

WHEN: Saturday 18 February, 7.30pm

WHERE: MECC Auditorium

TICKETS: www.themecc.com.au

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