Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Mayor of Mackay Greg Williamson, Editor in Chief Life Publishing Group Rachael Smith, Mayor of Burdekin Pierina Dalle Cort, Mayor of Hinchinbrook Ramon Jayo and Mayor of the Whitsundays Ry Collins
Local Mayors across five regions celebrated the success of Life Publishing Group on Tuesday night following the announcement that the Whitsundays-based, independently owned publishing house had won the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) Journalism Award.
At the awards night in Cairns, the Mayors congratulated Life Publishing Group on receiving the 2026 LGAQ award for its work connecting regional communities and spreading the power of positive news throughout the regions it serves.
Life Publishing Group journalists have been recognised for their on-the-ground, hyperlocal coverage of regional areas at the LGAQ awards held in Cairns on Tuesday night.
Editor-in-Chief of Life Publishing Group Rachael Smith attended the event to accept the award on behalf of the team.
“It was an absolute honour to see the hard work of our journalists and broader team acknowledged for the incredible work they do across the regions,” she said.
“Bringing the communities we serve positive news that connects and uplifts is something we are all dedicated to achieving each and every week, and I am beyond thrilled that this has been noticed, acknowledged and now awarded.”
Life Publishing Group has been publishing Core Life Magazine and Tripping Magazine for more than a decade, and in 2020, it launched its first newspaper.
What began as Mackay Life and Whitsunday Life in 2020 expanded to Burdekin Life in 2023 and Hinchinbrook Life in late 2024. Cassowary Coast Life launched as a flipbook publication alongside Hinchinbrook Life in June this year.
“Our journalists do exceptional work in our communities,” Rachael said.
“Not only are they the only on-the-ground journalists in the regions they serve, but they are also responsible for working closely with local Mayors, Councillors, community clubs and businesses.
“We were nominated for this award by the Mayor of Hinchinbrook, and all the other Mayors were then contacted to endorse the nomination. I would like to thank all the Mayors for advocating for local journalism and the important role it plays in our regions.
“This award means so much to our team and to our communities.”
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