Captured in stunning detail by Belinda Eckford, this breathtaking image showcases a powerful wedge-tailed eagle in flight, clutching its latest meal. Taken approximately four hours west of Mackay, near Clermont, the photo highlights the raw beauty of nature in the Australian outback. Belinda described the experience as surreal, watching the mighty bird soar effortlessly. As Australia’s largest raptor, the wedge-tailed eagle is an awe-inspiring sight, a true symbol of the rugged wilderness. Tha
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Mackay Regional Council began refurbishment work on Brewers Skate Park in Sarina earlier this week. The project includes refurbishing four of the existing ramps to ensure the skate park remains a popular and safe recreational space for the community. To minimise disruption, temporary fencing will be placed around two ramps at a time, allowing half the skate park to remain open while work is being carried out. A new half pipe will also be installed to replace the one that was vandalised last y
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Long pants and sturdy shoes might help avoid a trip to the ED as yard clean ups begin across the region after recent wet weather. Residents are being urged to be vigilant with an increase in snake bite presentations recorded across the Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) with snakes on the move due to high temperatures and floodwaters. There have been 27 snake bite presentations at Mackay Base Hospital since December last year. There were 11 patients treated at the hospital in December
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An amazing thirty-two, Mackay novices and experienced players, attended the 2025 Gold Coast Congress last week. This congress attracts players from all over the world. Everyone enjoyed the week with some hard cards, lots of fun and time away enjoyed. Congratulations to David and Ming Ting who won the Bobby Richmond Championship Intermediate E Final. Well done to everyone who participated. The home front was a bit quieter but thanks to some wonderful dedicated people, members still enjoyed their
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Valentine’s Day is more than just roses…though you’ll find plenty of those too at Blossoms Flower Boutique. Now under the new ownership of Frances Deguara, this boutique is THE one-stop-shop for thoughtful gifts, fresh flowers, and locally made treats. From elegant lilies and sunflowers to handcrafted fudge and gourmet Poppy’s chocolates, there’s something for every taste. Blossoms Flower Boutique also features the ever-popular Ecoya candles, adorable teddies, and custom hampers filled with aut
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Love is in the air, and what better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with an unforgettable dining experience at Tropical Phoenix Garden Restaurant? Nestled on River Street in Mackay, this charming spot offers the perfect blend of exquisite Asian cuisine, warm hospitality, and a relaxed atmosphere beside the Bluewater Lagoon. For those looking to impress their special someone, the restaurant’s special Valentine’s Day set menu delivers exceptional value, featuring a selection of beautifully
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**Friday 14th February ** **Crochet and Conversation** **9am** Join the friendly group of Northern Beaches locals at Beachfront Bar & Restaurant on Bucasia Esplanade for a morning of crocheting, coffee, and conversation. BYO crochet tools or borrow from our communal box. All skill levels welcome. This is a great opportunity to connect, share experiences, and start our next project for the Northern Beaches community in 2025. **Beachfront Bar and Restaurant, Bucasia ** **Mocktails Music And Me
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A huge thank you to the rescue services and local emergency stars who stepped up to support flood-affected areas. Your generosity and hard work did not go unnoticed! Amanda Camm MP, gave a special shoutout to Britt and the Mackay team from Ergon Energy Network, after the crew gifted her a pair of gumboots during her visit to Ingham. Photo sources: State Emergency Service - Central Region and Amanda Camm MP (Facebook)
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How good is it to finally see the sun?! After what felt like a never-ending stretch of rain and gloomy skies, I was beginning to forget what natural light looked like. Just when I thought my washing might never dry again, the sunshine decided to make a grand return—right as I boarded a plane to New Zealand, of course. Timing, right? This trip isn’t for a holiday, though. Two of my beloved family members have been diagnosed with aggressive cancers, and both have been told their conditions are in
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Mackay Regional Council will consult with the community to determine the ideal location for an off-leash dog park in Slade Point. Four potential locations for the new off-leash dog park have been identified including a stretch of beach accessible from Swallow Street Park, Lamberts Beach Lookout Park, Cumberland Park and Wren Street Oval Park and the adjoining Swift Street Reserve. Mayor Greg Williamson said he supported the development of an off-leash dog park in Slade Point as it was aligned w
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The Queensland Government’s $3.9 million Reef Trails project has far exceeded its original goal, delivering 91 new public moorings for boaters and tourism operators along the Great Barrier Reef—three times its initial target of 30. This initiative ensures the protection of fragile coral ecosystems by providing sustainable mooring options. The latest moorings in the Whitsundays and off the Capricorn Coast are now operational. There is now a network of 362 public moorings and 298 Reef Protection M
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Hi Everyone, I wanted to start by saying how truly touched I was by all the kind messages I received about last week's Ruth 2 Reef feature, and I am thrilled by how many of you are eager to share your own environmental stories with the paper! This week in the feature (pg18 & 19), we have had some wonderful contributions from local environmental organisations and initiatives, each doing fantastic work to protect the beautiful Whitsundays, and amid the recent weather, it is always nice to have som
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Two young lads, Rory and Luke got out their shovels and helped fill as many bags of sand as they could for locals in distress during the recent torrential rain event. With the flood waters encroaching and the rain still coming down, residents in Bowen went out to the local council deposits seeking sandbags to protect their doorways from the threat of floodwaters. Many hands made light work as Rory and Luke pitched in to get as many bags filled and delivered as they could. Helping to fill and loa
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A woman was rushed to hospital after being bitten on the foot by a snake on Sunday evening, around 7:26 at her home in Proserpine. Paramedics were called and she was rushed to Proserpine Hospital. She was then airlifted by CQ Rescue Helicopter to Mackay Base Hospital for further treatment The quick and decisive actions of those around her were crucial in ensuring she received timely medical care. Her partner David, who called the ambulance, wanted to verify his fears about the bite and asked abo
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This week Club Whitsunday set the bar high for charity support and their sporting devotion by hosting an NFL Super Bowl party for the children of Camp Quality. This fundraising event displayed their devotion to supporting children living with cancer, while also showing their capacity to cater to those who love watching the Super Bowl. Justin Butler, Whitsunday Club Chairman, and Tracy O’Shae, the Club’s Operations Manager, were on the floor making sure the event went off without a hitch. Supplyi
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John Collins, known as JC, Queensland’s first appointed Night-Life Economy Commissioner, is out and about on tour making connections to hotspots in regional Queensland. With the Government appointing an expert panel to ‘dial up’ Queensland’s night-life, JC has come to Airlie Beach to see how the locals swing it. As the new commissioner, he is touring regional Queensland to understand local nightlife dynamics and advocate for vibrant nightlife across the state. The primary function of his role
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The call is out to members of the Whitsunday community to put two dates in the diary for the month of March. First is Saturday, March 15, when ‘Team Whitsundays’ Dancing CEOs will host a Masquerade Gala Ball at the Shute Harbour Marine Terminal. Following this, on Sunday, March 30, the entire community is invited to the ‘Epic Walk for DV’, looping about the Coral Sea Marina Gardens. Both events are fundraisers for Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ), an organisation providing life-saving,
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The Whitsunday Regional Council has decided they want to try and host the 2026 Australian Cruise Association’s (ACA) Conference here in Airlie Beach. The Whitsundays is one of Australia's most popular holiday destinations, which is why cruise ships choose to dock in Airlie Beach year-round. Each year the number of ships that visit ports in the Whitsundays increase, from roughly 70 post the covid-19 pandemic, to a whopping 90 expected this year! There are also two new cruise liners making their
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What advice do you have to effectively work with your best mate/spouse/partner? This Valentines Day, the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry asked some of its members: What advice do you have to effectively work with your best mate/spouse/partner? Chamber members from McDonalds and Live Life Pharmacy replied. Jaide Paranomos, Licensee for McDonald’s Airlie Beach, Bowen, and Cannonvale, shared valuable insights from her experience working with her husband, Andrew. “My husband Andrew
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Did You know? Whitsunday Regional Libraries First Five Forever Program is now back in full swing for the first school term of 2025. Research shows that up to 90% of a child’s brain development happens in the first 5 years; it is never too early to talk, read and tell stories with your child! The First Five Forever sessions are free to all residents to attend. They focus on language and literacy development for children aged 0-5 years through fun and interactive play, reading and song. S
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During the recent extreme weather event, our Whitsunday community once again demonstrated resilience, teamwork, and unwavering commitment to each other’s safety. From Council staff and emergency services to volunteers and neighbours looking out for one another, this response showcased the true strength of our Whitsunday community. When severe weather and flooding impact our region, it takes a coordinated effort from many dedicated staff working behind the scenes and on the ground to keep our
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Valentine's Day has a long and windy history. However, whether you view the day as a commercial invention or a celebration of love, here's why we celebrate on February 14th. It’s not always been about leaving secret notes or giving chocolates and the biggest bouquet of the reddest roses. Valentine's Day, now a universal celebration of love, has become synonymous with romance, flowers, and gifts, with Australia alone spending an estimated $465 million alone on Valentine's Day in 2024. The origin
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Why made you choose the Pest control Industry? In the early 90’s, Australia was still in a recession and had little luck in getting the jobs I was applying for. In 1992, I answered an ad in Sydney Herald, where they needed a University graduate in science with sales experience and living locally Eastern Suburbs…it was a company called Academic Pest Control. I had all the required criteria and more, so found myself working for the company, and 3 years later we reached an agreement with my b
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Proserpine State High School’s 2025 school leaders were inducted on Monday 10th February in front of their peers, teachers, and members of their school community. Mia Vloedmans and Callum Henry were inducted into the position of School Captains, with Tavis McDonald and Abbie Green making School Vice Captains. Principal Don McDermid said he looks forward to working alongside the school leaders to provide an inclusive and supportive environment for all students. “We value our school community an
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Congratulations to Proserpine State High School graduate Alice Pini who received an impressive ATAR result of 99.40 upon the culmination of her high school studies. Alice’s dedication to her academic excellence resulted in outstanding Year 12 subject results achieving an ‘A’ in all 6 of her subjects and being put on the Queensland Certificate of Education honour roll. Alice’s remarkable efforts at school were acknowledged when she received subject awards for Specialist Maths, Maths Methods, Che
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