My Final Full Stop

It’s a strange thing to write your own full stop. After five years, countless deadlines, and more alliteration than even I care to admit, this is my last edition of Mackay Life. A paper born out of Covid uncertainty, built on a promise to connect, uplift, and inform — and somehow, against all odds, we made it something pretty special.

What a ride it’s been. We had an advert go globally viral, scooped “Best Free Newspaper in Queensland,” collected a shiny Gold Wonkley, and even launched two more regional papers on invitation from their communities. I've covered NRL games, interviewed Strassman one-on-one, taken selfies with the Prime Minister  and I was humbled to become a Patron of the Trudy Crowley Foundation. And through it all, you, our readers, have been right there with me.

You’ve seen my personal chapters unfold too: building a house mid-Covid, navigating IVF, finally celebrating the birth of my son, then facing a cancer diagnosis just after his first birthday. I typed stories during chemo, rang the all-clear bell in time for Christmas, and now I find myself here, typing the hardest words of all: goodbye.

Of course, none of this would’ve happened without a cast of incredible characters. To Bec Douthwaite, our fearless publisher — thank you for taking a chance on a Kiwi freelancer you’d never met, until you saw me fly off a banana boat near Daydream Island. That chaotic splash turned into the start of something extraordinary, and the ride since has been every bit as exhilarating. Thank you for trusting me, for handing me opportunities I never imagined, and for the adventure of a lifetime.

To Rach, my editorial twin flame, we’ve launched papers side by side, navigated storms, and cheered each other on through every deadline crunch. Your grit, warmth and wit have been the anchor and the sail. I know you’ll keep steering these publications to even greater heights.

To my Mackay team, Jess and Hannah — Mackay's heart beats stronger because of your dedication and care. Jess, your commitment to our advertising clients made every edition stronger. Hannah, your compassion and sharp eye for people’s stories have already left their mark. You’re both colleagues, friends, and confidantes, and I’ll miss our banter as much as our bylines.

To my wider team — from Hinchinbrook to Mackay — you’re more than colleagues, you’re family.

I'm proud to see Hannah step up into a senior editorial role to fill my shoes. Reading what she, Rach, and Bec wrote in a farewell to me on page 7 moved me to tears, the kind of tears that remind you how lucky you are to have been part of something so meaningful.

My words won’t be in print anymore, but will soon echo in Parliament, working alongside our Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox. I’ll swap newsroom banter for national debate — and maybe even slip in some more alliteration.

So, this is it. My last headline, my last deadline. It’s never too late to re-write your own story, thank you for reading mine.

Here’s to the next chapter.

Amanda

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From my little family to yours, farewell. Photo credit: Michelle Munro

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