Member for Mirani, Glen Kelly MP, has welcomed last Friday’s announcement from Deputy Premier Bleijie that all new wind farm approvals will be impact assessable and required to consult with local councils, communities and other stakeholders for new projects. Under the previous Labor Government Wind Farms had been code assessable and didn’t require full impact assessments or consultation with impacted communities as part of the development process. The previous code assessable rules had bounded
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The talents of six CQUniversity TAFE-trained apprentices will be put to the test when they compete at the 2025 WorldSkills National competition in Brisbane in June. Five apprentices from the Gladstone region and one from the Mackay suburb of Habana were recently confirmed as the Central Queensland representatives as part of the Queensland team. Gladstone Ports Corporation Limited (GPCL) apprentices Ashley Cassar, Saxon Smith and Corey Burfield will compete in their respective categories of Ele
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By Hannah McNamara Since 2017, Orange Sky has provided free laundry services and a safe space to connect for those experiencing homelessness and hardship in Mackay and Sarina. Over 80 dedicated volunteers run 10 shifts weekly, and demand continues to grow. "We've seen a 10 per cent increase in our services, and Orange Sky services have never been busier," said Co-founder Nic Marchesi OAM. The service not only addresses practical needs but also creates opportunities for community connectio
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Comedian Anh Do will bring his best-selling memoir, The Happiest Refugee, to life in a ground-breaking stand-up show at the MECC on 13 March. This moving, inspirational and unforgettable theatre experience combines humour, real life stories, photos and filmed pieces to retell Do’s amazing story. Anh Do travelled to Australia in 1980 on an eight-metre fishing boat with 47 other Vietnamese refugees. Sick with dehydration and one person already dead, the journey was the first of many struggles fo
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Looking to build confidence, improve public speaking, or develop leadership skills? Join a local Toastmasters Club and take the next step toward achieving your personal and professional goals. Toastmasters is a friendly, vibrant, and supportive group of individuals dedicated to helping each other grow in communication, leadership, and organisation - while having fun along the way. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced speaker, Toastmasters provides practical tools, constructive feedback,
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Capricornia’s small businesses have a golden opportunity to showcase their unique, locally made products on one of the biggest stages in the country, the Australian Parliament House Gift Shop. Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, is calling on local businesses to apply for the Parliament Shop National Showcase, where Queensland will take centre stage this April. “This is an incredible chance for our small businesses to shine,” Ms Landry said. “Queensland is home to some of the mos
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Imagine a future where mental health is no longer a barrier, but a conversation that leads to change. MADEC’s ‘Stronger Together’ initiative in the Mackay region is doing just that, offering accessible mental health education and support to the community. With over 50 years of experience in community services, MADEC is empowering locals with the tools to manage their mental health and help others along the way. Sponsored by the Queensland Mental Health Commission, this initiative brings afforda
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By Hannah McNamara_ Inspiring and unstoppable are just two words to describe former St Pat’s student Evelyn O’Brien, who recently received a life-changing scholarship that will see her live out her dream career at just seventeen. As she seizes each opportunity and breaks down common barriers, Evelyn is determined to create change and set an example for regional students in Mackay. “I remember the day I got it - it was just an email that popped up, and I was at home alone… I jumped up and I j
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The Mackay Whitsunday policing district has welcomed nine first-year constables, each bringing valuable skills and experiences to the force. As they embark on their careers in law enforcement, Superintendent Dean Cavanagh highlighted the importance of diversity within the Queensland Police Service (QPS). “We have some constables here from a variety of backgrounds, which is really important because you want to bring in that skill set and knowledge from different employment backgrounds and areas
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By Hannah McNamara _ At 34, Dale Potter is one of Mackay’s most talented and dedicated athletes, excelling across multiple sports while exceeding his own limits in the Special Olympics community. What began as a way to make friends, gain confidence, and stay active turned into a new profound passion for Dale, who now leads others to do the same. Mackay Fire Special Olympics is a welcoming space for athletes of all abilities, offering basketball, table tennis, ten-pin bowling, bocce, and power
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In the heart of Sarina stands Roots Collective, an all-in-one bakehouse, restaurant, and community hub, serving smiles and great coffee since 2022. With a focus on staying grounded in the roots of humanity, Roots Collective creates a space where locals can relax, enjoy a drink, grab a bite to eat, and most importantly, connect with others. Expanding its branches, Roots Collective now hosts monthly Parent Connect groups, held on the last Wednesday of every month to foster a sense of community fo
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Mackay Road Runners extends a big thank you to volunteers who helped with setup, spoke to prospective and existing members, and packed up at the MECC Sports Expo last weekend. It was a lovely and very successful event filled with chatting, talking, laughing… and more talking! Special thanks to Julie Whibley (Secretary), Janelle Tilse (Publicity Officer), Club Captain Jim Ford, Assetkeeper Andrew Short, Merchandiser Jo Hughes, and Vice-President Len Howarth for their time and support throughout
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Mother Nature has caused disruption in the latter half of the junior cricket season, dashing the hopes of some young players hoping to make it to the big dance as they race towards the finals. The minor premiers have been decided across all grades, with Proserpine leading the way in three of the four divisions, U12, U15 and U17s. In the U13 division, Souths claimed the top spot, while Magpies White took the honours in the U17 competition. The semi-finals are set for this Saturday, 15th Februar
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Detectives from the Mackay Child Protection and Investigation Unit have charged a second person in relation to the sexual assault of a child. On Sunday, the 9th of February, police executed a search warrant at a Beaconsfield address, where a 37-year-old woman was taken into custody. The arrest follows police charging a 50-year-old man with several drug and child sexual assault offences last week. It will be alleged that the 37-year-old woman facilitated in the transport of one of the man’s vi
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As floodwaters in North Queensland begin to recede this week, communities across the Dawson electorate are assessing the damage and beginning the clean-up effort. Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox visited several flood-affected areas, meeting with residents, business owners, and local leaders to discuss the impact and ongoing response. "At the first opportunity, when flooding subsided, I jumped in the 4WD and headed north, visiting towns in the Burdekin region including Gumlu, Home Hill, Ayr and
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Great things happen when local businesses come together, and building a strong business community starts with strong connections. Networking is one important way to foster this collaboration and can open doors to new opportunities. As Platinum Sponsors of the Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce (MRCOC), Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank is hosting a Twilight Networking Event, 5:30pm, Thursday 20 February at Ocean’s Bar and Restaurant in Mackay. Community Bank Sarina invites the local business
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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay_ CANEGROWERS is 100 years old in 2026, we have grown over those 10 decades with one clear focus: championing the needs and capacity of each of our members, and working hard for a flourishing industry that supports every grower and harvester. In 2025, the organisation will hold its triennial elections, with nominations opening in just a few weeks. Every member is welcome to put their hand up to nominate in what is an exciting part of CANEGROWERS’ demo
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This week, QCAR Central District Manager Sonia Ball, also a property owner at Ilbilbie (south of Koumala), met with Peter Currie, a long-term member of the Ilbilbie Rural Fire Brigade and cane farmer in the Plane Creek area. Ms Ball said Peter was typical of the volunteers in rural fire brigades across the state operating in a dual role as fire fighter and brigade secretary-treasurer. “What stands out with Peter is that he has been doing this dual role for 38 years – the volunteer hours he a
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Harper Bee, the much-loved gift and lifestyle store for tweens and teens, is buzzing with excitement as it prepares to move to a new, iconic home in Mackay’s CBD. Soon, the boutique will trade from the heritage-listed Queensland National Bank building on Victoria Street—an upgrade that reflects just how far this family-run business has come. The move comes as their sister business, Cheeky Little Monkeys Play Centre, prepares for a major expansion of its children’s soft play space. Rather than s
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Pioneer Catchment Landcare has been recognised on the national stage, winning the prestigious Group Community Champion Award at the Clean Up Australia Day Awards in Canberra. This year marks the 35th anniversary of Clean Up Australia Day, making the honour even more special. The award celebrates outstanding commitment to environmental stewardship, recognising community groups and organisations that champion sustainability. Criteria for the award include the longevity of service, the number of C
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Mater Mothers’ Hospital in South Brisbane urgently needs donations of ‘cuddle hearts’ to give its tiniest patients the best start to life. The Neonatal Critical Care Unit is looking to restock the cupboards with the fabric hearts, which are two heart-shaped pieces of material (soft cotton or flannelette) sewn together. Mater Neonatal Critical Care Unit Education Coordinator Julia Maguire is calling on crafty volunteers to turn on their sewing machines and lend a hand. “One fabric heart is
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Reef Catchments and Drought Hub recently hosted a highly successful workshop in Sarina, designed to help local farmers tackle the challenges of transitioning their agricultural businesses to the next generation. Led by renowned succession expert Scott Patterson, the Succession Planning workshop offered practical strategies tailored to the realities of farming life. Scott used real-world case scenarios to deliver practical insights that deeply resonated with attendees. Farmers gained a clearer u
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Despite the recent unstable weather, a number of intrepid Sinkers arrived for normal Wednesday night training at the North Mackay State School pool. They found the choppy conditions suitable for open-water swimming training, and they braved the conditions to complete a full training session. Once again, not to be deterred, even more, members turned up for the Saturday morning training session at the Memorial Pool held in similar conditions with, at times, horizontal rain. The Sinkers Masters S
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Since its founding in December last year, Purrrfect Treasures has been dedicated to rescuing and rehoming surrendered, dumped, or abandoned cats and kittens in need of a loving family. In just a short time, the not-for-profit organisation has already made a significant impact, recently celebrating the adoption of 10 cats in a single adoption day. Purrrfect Treasures hosts ‘Cat Haven’ adoption days every Saturday from 10am to 2pm at Petstock, providing potential adopters with the perfect opportu
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Softball Mackay is swinging into action for the 2025 season, with clubs now signing on players of all ages and experience levels. Whether you're a seasoned competitor or picking up a glove for the first time, there’s a place for you on the diamond! Who Can Play? Softball is a fantastic sport for boys and girls aged 5 and up, as well as men and women of all skill levels. No experience? No problem! All clubs provide full training, so you can learn the game in a fun and supportive environment. Se
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