Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
The wait is over—just like a female’s gestation period—and the baby has arrived! The roof is on, and now the final touches are underway: securing it for a category 5 cyclone, installing downpipes and a drain for excess water, finishing the fences, and before long our little club will be a wonderful sight in our paradise. It’s something the whole community can be proud of. A big thank you to Amanda Camm for securing the extra funding for those finer finishing touches—it’s much appreciated by al
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In a heartfelt gesture Annie Norris recently donated her hair to Wigs4Kids after finding out that Reverend (Rev) Suzy Sitton, from her church, had been diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time earlier in the year. Annie said she was inspired by Suzy. “I have been so inspired by watching her strength, her recovery, her focus and still while conducting funerals and soldiering on really well,” she said. "I can honestly say my inspiration has come from Susie, just watching this woman and
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At Whitsunday Multicultural Festival On Saturday Bowen came alive with the Whitsunday Multicultural Festival. Organised by the Whitsunday Regional Council the free family-friendly event showcased traditional dance, global cuisine, music, art, storytelling and interactive activities. The festival closed with fireworks at 8pm, lighting up the cool Whitsunday winter sky. Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins said the Whitsunday Multicultural Festival has become a signature event in the reg
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Bowen State High School Student Olivia Boyce was one of 60 Year 10 students and 10 teachers selected to participate in the Department of Education’s 2025 STEM Girl Power Camp, which was held on 19 - 23 May in Brisbane. Students travelled from all over Queensland to represent their school in Brisbane, where they participated in a variety of events, innovative science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workshops and networking opportunities with experts from STEM fields. Camp studen
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On Thursday over 200 people gathered at Lake Proserpine for the Queensland Music Trail's free Reef Sundowner. Despite the poor weather in town, the evening at Lake Proserpine was chill but clear and the vibes were unmatched. Relaxing by a fire….. The event was enjoyed by all and the performers from the I Heart Songwriting Club were exceptional and well received. The Whitsunday Regional Council are already in talks with Queensland Music Trails to ensure that the Reef Sundowner event is secured
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John Swan ‘Swanee’ is coming to the Airlie Beach this weekend for two afternoon shows Saturday June 21 and Sunday June 22 at the Airlie Beach Hotel. His arrival at the Airlie Beach Hotel comes just before his new album is released. Swanee's brand new album titled ‘Believe’ will come out August 1, and it is an album that’s set to have all fans of Australian rock music in awe. 15 out of 16 tracks features an Aussie rock legend, including his two brothers Alan and Jimmy Barnes. It also features h
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For Airlie Beach Festival Of Music Escape the ordinary and dive into the ultimate music holiday! The Airlie Beach Festival of Music, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Great Barrier Reef, unveils its complete and sensational lineup for 2025, promising an experience that's truly more than a festival, more than a holiday. This November 7th-9th, prepare to immerse in three days of world-class live music across 15 venues throughout the vibrant seaside town of Airlie Beach, Whitsundays. Fo
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The Whitsunday Game Fish Club’s new season kicks off on July 1, with an exciting program planned for all members. First up is the Mackerel and Reef Fish Rally, taking place on July 19–20. (Reef fish have been added due to Queensland’s mackerel bag and boat limits.) A briefing and educational workshop will be held at 6pm on Thursday, July 17, at the Marine Club on Altmann Avenue, Cannonvale. Topics include rigging trolling baits, lure presentation, and angling techniques for Spanish mackerel and
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Seven Cannonvale Cannons swimmers were recently selected to attend the Swimming Queensland – North Queensland (SQ-NQ) Mobility, Movement and Strength Workshops held in Mackay and Townsville. Congratulations to Tyler Bennett, Zach Trefz, Tora Delac, Ruby Harland, and Roxy Groome who took part in the Mackay session, and to Nelson Malady and Jacob Bell who represented the club at the Townsville clinic. These workshops focused on enhancing athletes’ mobility, strength, and technical movement skills
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Region Picks Up Two First Place On Monday this week The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) announced the 2025 winners of the Top Tourism Town Awards, recognising the outstanding contributions of communities across the state in welcoming visitors year-round. For the first time ever, Bowen won the Top Tourism Town Awards and Airlie Beach won the Small Tourism Town Awards for the fourth time in a row. Winning these two awards is not only a testament to the natural wonders we have on our d
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After a quiet previous weekend, Whitsunday United roared back into action with a packed schedule of games across all levels. On Friday night, the Division 2 men travelled to face Rangers and were determined to bounce back from an earlier loss. A hectic opening half-hour saw them take a 3-2 lead. Harry netted his first senior goal early in the second half to give Whitsunday some breathing room, but a late Rangers goal set up a tense finish. Down a player, Whitsunday dug deep to hold on for a gri
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Football – Whitsunday United Football Club Friday, 20 June 6:00 pm - Div 2 Men vs Mackay Wanderers FC at Wanderers Park 8:00 pm - Div 1 Men vs Mackay Wanderers FC at Wanderers Park Saturday 21 June 9:30 am - U13 Div 1 vs Mackay Wanderers Roses at Whitsunday Sports Park 9:30 am - U14 vs Mackay Lions at Whitsunday Sports Park 11:00 am - U13 FQPL vs Dolphins FC at Whitsunday Sports Park 11:15 am - U15/16 vs Country United FC at Whitsunday Sports Park 5:00 pm - U23 Men vs Mackay Wanderers FC at Whi
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Hi Everyone, Hope you're all looking forward to a short week and the fantastic Whitsunday Show - I know I am! My past weekend was busy but so much fun. Saturday involved four-wheel driving through Cathu State Forest with friends. It's one of my top spots in the Whitsundays, and I always love discovering something new there! Sunday, though, was profoundly fulfilling. I spent the day planting corals in the Great Barrier Reef as part of a restoration project with an amazing team of divers. You c
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OPINION PIECE Superannuation is one of Australia's most important vehicles for building a comfortable retirement. Yet many of us only start paying attention to our super balances later in life. So why is super hitting the news and why am I raising it? The Federal government is planning a super heist and wants to change the goal posts on retirement savings. They are proposing to double the tax rate from 15 per cent to 30 per cent on all super balances valued above $3 million. This is a ver
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At Aligned Corporate Residences Mackay Located in the heart of Mackay on Queensland’s Central Coast, Aligned Corporate Residences Mackay offers a relaxed lifestyle in a vibrant, cosmopolitan city. Just an hour’s flight from Brisbane, this idyllic tropical destination is perfectly positioned for business and leisure. Our central city location places residents within easy walking distance to a variety of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. With convenient access to the business di
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Callea And Campbell Bring Elton And George To Life In an unmissable celebration of two of music’s greatest icons, Anthony Callea and Tim Campbell are taking the stage together for a spectacular live national tour, featuring the timeless hits of Elton John and George Michael. The powerhouse duo will bring their electrifying energy to the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre (MECC) on Saturday 28 June. Backed by their band, Callea and Campbell will take audiences on a musical journey t
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A major environmental milestone has been reached in the Mackay–Whitsunday region, with the completion of Queensland’s largest rock fishway on Jolimont Creek, north of Mackay. Spanning over 100 metres, the newly constructed fishway now provides vital upstream passage for native fish species, overcoming a three-metre-high concrete weir that has obstructed migration for more than three decades. Spearheaded by Mackay Regional Council and funded through the Australian Government’s Reef Guardia
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Sarina’s Railway Crossing Set For Vital Safety Overhaul Glen Kelly MP has championed a vital victory for Sarina, securing long-overdue safety upgrades for the Anzac Street Pedestrian Railway Crossing. While in Brisbane for Parliament on 29 April, Mr Kelly met with Queensland Rail to advocate for urgent improvements to the crossing. Queensland Rail has now confirmed the upgrades will go ahead under the Regional Level Crossing Upgrade Fund. Improving safety at the Anzac Street crossing ha
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Rotary Australia World Community Service Limited (RAWCS) was established in 1987 as a public company limited by guarantee. Operated under its own constitution and authorised by Rotary International as a Multi-District Activity, RAWCS helps facilitate life-changing community service projects both locally and internationally. Walkerston Rotary’s latest RAWCS project focuses on supporting communities in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. The initiative aims to supply educational an
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Earlier this month, Michelle Landry was officially declared the winner of the seat of Capricornia by the Australian Electoral Commission. At the Declaration of Results event, Ms Landry was confirmed to have retained the seat with a decisive margin of 11,512 votes. “This is an incredible honour and I want to sincerely thank the people of Capricornia for once again putting their trust in me,” Ms Landry said. “To be elected for another term is deeply humbling. I never take this job for gra
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Tucked away on the sun-drenched shores of Blacks Beach, just 20 minutes from Mackay, Comfort Resort Blue Pacific is one of regional Queensland’s best-kept getaways. Blending seclusion, spacious comfort, and standout service, this award-winning beachfront resort is framed by the natural beauty of the Coral Sea. Guests are welcomed with roomy, fully self-contained one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, ocean views, and direct beach access. From peaceful strolls beneath swaying palms to sun
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MADEC is proud to announce the launch of a new dual wheelchair-accessible community van, thanks to the generous support of Macrossan & Amiet and the Gambling Community Benefit Fund. The new van is a significant step toward improving transport accessibility for people with disabilities in the Mackay region. As part of MADEC’s ongoing commitment to inclusion, the vehicle will be made available to other local not-for-profit organisations who support individuals with disabilities. “This van
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For 2025 Woollam Art On Show Awards The Mackay Art Society is proud to announce that acclaimed artist, Ron McBurnie, has been selected as judge for 2025 Woollam Art on Show Awards & Exhibition. A celebrated artist and educator, Ron previously served as guest judge for Mackay’s prestigious Woollam Art on Show Awards in 2010 and will return in 2025 to once again lend his expertise. McBurnie’s artistic journey began in 1975 at Queensland College of Art. In 1980, he relocated to Townsville,
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The Mackay VIEW Club recently received a generous $1,000 donation from the Mackay Alpha Rho ESA Club. Since its inception, the dedicated members of ESA Mackay have raised substantial funds in support of the Cancer Council of Queensland, the Leukaemia Foundation, and various local charities this year, including the Mackay VIEW Club. “This most generous donation will assist with our ongoing support of our 5 Learning For Life students,” said VIEW Club President Elizabeth. VIEW is proud to
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By Simon Hood, Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing It’s great to see the 2025 production season off to an early start, with crushing under way in the Burdekin and Plane Creek regions, and the Herbert commencing this week. The weather continues to cooperate, and we hope that remains the case so all regions can get sugar into the sheds. The #11 sugar contract continues to trend lower, with little change in the global surplus production forecast. The recent UNICA report for the first half of Ma
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