A community-minded dad has rolled up his sleeves to tackle the graffiti and rubbish plaguing a popular riverside rest stop—turning frustration into action and sparking inspiration along the way. Dion Loader, a local father and the owner of Loader Painting & Maintenance, said he had simply had enough after noticing the growing mess at the seating area along the Bluewater Quay Trail where his family often visit during weekend bike rides. **“I just did it because I did it. That’s the type of pers
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The beginning of the Sugar Cane industry in the Walkerston area was 1869, when cane was grown and supplied to Pleystowe Sugar Mill. The first sugar crushing season at Pleystowe was in 1872. Sadly, to the dismay of many, Pleystowe Mill was closed down forever in October 2008 - after 139 years, then being the oldest…and many would say – the best - Sugar Mill in Australia. In 2010, a few of the staff of the old Pleystowe Mill came up with the brilliant idea that it would be great with a Pleystowe
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A sweeping crackdown is underway across the Mackay Whitsunday District as police zero in on the rising tide of illegal electric motorbike and Personal Mobility Device (PMD) use. Under Operation Wolfking, officers have ramped up enforcement efforts, conducting 18 targeted street checks since the beginning of the year—uncovering a concerning pattern of non-compliance and unsafe riding practices on local roads. The operation aims to identify, disrupt and prevent the illegal use of electric motorc
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For the movers, shakers and style-setters of Mackay and the Whitsundays, this is the one night you won’t want to miss. The Enchanted Garden, an exclusive new event presented by Life Publishing Group, will dazzle guests on Saturday, 25 October 2025, at the breathtaking Elementa, set high above the Whitsundays with panoramic views to match. With no other event quite like it in the region’s social calendar, it’s already shaping up to be the must-attend night of the year. Picture this: the soft gl
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Loneliness and isolation have quietly crept into the lives of many older Australians, especially in the years following COVID. But a new weekly program at The Neighbourhood Hub is offering local seniors a chance to reconnect, not just with themselves, but with others, and with their community. Held every Friday (excluding public holidays), Seniors Connect for Chair Exercises is more than just gentle movement. It’s a welcoming space where older residents can stretch, breathe, laugh, learn, and e
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At Community Bank Sarina, we believe commemorating ANZAC Day is one of the most important ways we can come together as a community. It’s a time to pause, reflect, and honour the bravery and sacrifice of our servicemen and women—past and present. The Community Bank Sarina team and Board are deeply grateful to the many volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure these services are delivered with dignity and respect. We’re proud to support the groups who actively participate in the
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Every life is a story waiting to be told. Your experiences and memories are priceless treasures that deserve to be immortalised. Join us for a captivating workshop that will kick-start your memoir writing journey. First held in 2024, this workshop returns to Mackay and will help uncover the magic of storytelling. This practical and interactive workshop will guide you through: Introduction to Memoir Writing: An overview of the memoir genre, its significance in preserving personal stories, fam
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Council is offering cat owners a financial incentive to help reduce local feral cat populations and protect our natural environment. Residents can apply now for a half price voucher which can be used when booking a desexing in April and May. The voucher can be used at Valley Vets Mackay, Marian and Walkerston. There are limited numbers of vouchers available and the desexing must be carried out before the end of May. The cat must also be registered; however, council is offering pro rata regis
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A papier-mâché Easter Bunny and menagerie of soft toys were gifted to Mackay Base Hospital for its youngest patients to enjoy this Easter. The over-sized bunny and cuddle toys were crafted by Val and Ian Ovenden specifically for the Child and Adolescent Unit. Val said the bunny, complete with basket backpack and beanies, has been a work in progress taking two months to create while each cuddle toy takes around a day to make. This was the third soft toy delivery facilitated by the Mackay Hospi
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Eighty women from across Queensland’s sugarcane growing and associated industries gathered at the Mantra, Mackay Harbour, for the 2025 Women in Sugar Australia (WISA) Conference on Monday 31 March and Tuesday 1 April. Held annually on a rotating basis, the conference welcomed attendees from the Herbert River, Burdekin, Bundaberg and Mackay districts. Hosted by the Canegrowers Network Mackay District, this year’s theme was “Honouring All Women in Sugar.” A diverse speaker line-up included gold s
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It is only a week until the Federal election, and there hasn’t been a great deal of discussion on agriculture this election. Obviously the issues that challenge regional and rural communities are important, and shared by agriculture: the issues like access to childcare, quality national roads and digital connectivity that have been discussed are important. Farmers are small businesspeople who happen to farm, and family farms are critical elements in regional economies. It is important that the
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Marketing isn’t something you’re either “good at” or not. It’s a skill – and like any skill, it can be learned, practiced + improved. If you’re running a small business or juggling a volunteer role in a community group, chances are you’re already doing some form of marketing (look at you go!). Whether it’s posting on socials, updating a website, talking to people about what you do – it all counts, it’s all marketing. So where do you start? When it comes to doing your own marketing, you can stil
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What are Donald Trump’s tariffs of 145 per cent on Chinese exports going to mean for house prices in Mackay? And why would there be a connection? To answer the second question first, many of China’s exports to the US and the rest of the world are products that contain steel. To make steel you need iron ore, the stuff that is dug up in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, and coking or metallurgical coal, the stuff that is dug up in our Bowen Basin. If China’s exports to the US were dramatically
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Phoenix Counselling Services, like the mythical phoenix reborn from the flame, stands as a symbol of renewal, resilience, and hope. With compassion at its core and clarity as its guide, this transformative practice offers a path through pain…a place where wounds are gently tended, burdens are lifted, and individuals emerge empowered, ready to embrace life’s next chapter with strength and purpose. So, Who’s The Heart Behind The Practice? Meet Robyn Geiger – a compassionate, faith-driven woman w
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Film and Arts Mackay is inviting locals to enjoy an award-winning international film and support a vital local cause at their upcoming fundraising screening. The evening will feature My Favourite Cake, a tender and subversive Iranian drama that took home two major prizes at this year’s Berlinale Film Festival. Directed by Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha, the film explores themes of love, loneliness and quiet rebellion through the story of Mahin, a 70-year-old woman in Tehran determined to
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They are sisters by chance, but friends and now colleagues by choice. The Brondello sisters, Tessa, Emma and Danika, work together in Allied Health at Mackay Base Hospital. Occupational therapist Tessa has worked at Community Health and Therapy Services (CHATS) for 6 and a half years, while physiotherapist Emma joined the Mackay HHS four years ago. Now the ‘baby’ of the family, Danika, is following in her sibling’s footsteps starting her OT career three months ago. The sisters grew up on a ca
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Mackay’s newest entertainment hotspot has officially opened its doors — and it’s already proving to be a hole-in-one with locals. X-Golf Mackay is a $1.5 million indoor golf and sports precinct bringing the latest in simulation technology, top-notch hospitality, and a cool, comfortable atmosphere to the city’s northern beaches. The 500sqm facility, located at the HomeCo Centre beside Bunnings on Mackay-Bucasia Road, is the first of its kind in the region. Roy and Mary Boase, the dynamic couple
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Fresh from a sold-out season at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, internationally renowned comedian Jimeoin will bring his latest show, Pandemonium, to the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre (MECC) on Friday, 2 May. Known for his razor-sharp wit, observational humour, and infectious charm, Jimeoin’s new tour promises an evening of non-stop laughter, peppered with playful insights and quirky life advice. From effortless bed-making techniques to harmless pranks and clever ways to talk dirty in
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RADfest is back – and it’s rolling into Mackay with more momentum than ever. This junior roller derby bootcamp and intensive training weekend was created to give regional skaters the same opportunities as their city-based peers. By bringing together elite coaches and junior players from across Australia, RADfest ensures local athletes don’t miss out on high-level training simply because of where they live. Over three adrenaline-fuelled days, skaters will take part in bootcamp-style sessions le
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Mackay Musical Comedy Players and McKays Solicitors present, Footloose The Musical! This electrifying show will hit the stage at the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre for three performances only, Friday, May 23 at 8pm and Saturday, May 24, at 2pm & 8pm. Based on the iconic 1984 film, Footloose is a celebration of youth, freedom, and the power of dance. With a rockin’ 80s soundtrack featuring hits like “Holding Out for a Hero,” “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” and, of course, the title number
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A transformative new workshop series in Mackay is helping local women take control of their financial future—one property at a time. Launched by respected real estate professionals Shirlz Russell and Robyn Agius of Area Specialist Mackay, the Women’s Wealth Creation Workshop Series is more than a seminar—it’s a movement. Designed to inspire and empower women to build long-term financial security, the workshops will guide attendees through the mindset, knowledge, and strategies needed to create
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As temperatures cool across Queensland’s subtropical regions, including Mackay, many pool owners are preparing to swap daily dips for doona days — but that doesn’t mean your pool should be forgotten. A little bit of maintenance over winter will go a long way to saving time, money, and effort when swimming season returns. With the wet season now easing, rainfall and humidity will drop, which typically means less organic debris and algae growth. This makes it the perfect time to reduce your pool
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The 2024 MSA National Championships were a splash hit for the Mackay Sinkers Masters Swimming Club, who dove into five days of fierce competition and camaraderie at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre from April 8–12. After sending six swimmers to Darwin in 2023, the Sinkers turned up the heat this year with a team of nine, joining over 700 swimmers from across Australia and overseas for one of the biggest meets on the masters calendar. Day One: Strong Start in the 800m and a Warm Welcome
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Mackay Surf Lifesavers recently headed to the Aussie Titles on the Gold Coast to take on the best in the country and came out winners in the Champion Lifesaver event, proving that Mackay’s volunteer lifesavers are some of the best in the country. Mackay’s very own Nate McKinnon took out 1st place in the U17’s becoming a record three-time national champion. Cadence McKinnon took out her first U14 national championship after dominating state titles for a number of years. Isabella Grant finished a
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BB Print Stadium Mackay is set for a game-changing upgrade, with a $1.5 million pledge from the Coalition promising new female changerooms, upgraded lighting, and major facility enhancements if elected. Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox made the announcement with club representative, describing the funding pledge as an exciting time for the regional sporting club. “BB Print Stadium will be transformed into a sports environment that local players and families deserve in Regional Queensla
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