Couples planning their dream wedding will have a unique opportunity to connect with top industry professionals at the Mackay and Whitsunday Annual Wedding Expo, set to take place on Sunday, 16th February 2025, at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre (MECC). Organised by Element Events by Ramona, the expo is a premier showcase featuring a wide variety local wedding vendors, offering everything from celebrants and florists to photographers and stylists. Attendees will have the chance to
Read more
Nestled just steps from the water, this stunning wedding venue offers a perfect blend of elegance and natural beauty. The ceremony takes place on a picturesque waterfront lawn, where couples exchange vows with a breathtaking ocean backdrop that creates a magical atmosphere. Accommodations for the wedding couple and their guests are nothing short of luxurious. The Waterfront Villa, typically reserved for the couple, boasts a private pool, expansive living spaces, and a master bedroom with panoram
Read more
Attracting almost a thousand participants over eleven sessions throughout the year, BMA Kidspace continued to be Artspace Mackay's most loved children's program. The program, Mackay's longest-running art and music program for toddlers, topped off a wonderful year in 2024 with a blockbuster Christmas celebration of art and music. Deputy Mayor Karen May said BMA Kidspace was not possible without the council's valuable partnership with BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA). "The continued support provid
Read more
As the highly anticipated barramundi season kicks off, fishing enthusiasts, families, and holidaymakers across the country are invited to gear up for Mackay Isaac’s Lucky Catch and Snap fishing competition, set to take place from April 5 to April 26, 2025, across the breathtaking Mackay Isaac region. Mackay Isaac Tourism Interim CEO Jeff Stewart-Harris said Mackay Isaac’s Lucky Catch and Snap has established itself as a significant fishing event in Queensland. “In just two years, it is the lar
Read more
The spirit of resilience and remembrance filled the air at Bluewater Quay as more than 300 people gathered for the second Mackay Survival Day Walk on the 26th of January. Survival Day, also known as Invasion Day and the Day of Mourning, marks a time to honour the passion and endurance of ancestors who faced the Frontier Wars, which began on January 26, 1788, at Botany Bay. In Mackay, the day is dedicated to paying tribute to the survivors of the Yuwi Nation and their descendants, who continue
Read more
A Clever Deal: The Fun of Learning Bridge If you’re looking for a game that challenges the mind, fosters real connections, and is just plain fun, Bridge is calling your name. Often described as a gym workout for the brain, this time-honoured card game blends strategy, problem-solving, and teamwork, making it both an entertaining and mentally stimulating pursuit. And the best part? You don’t have to be a card shark to dive in. Whether your schedule favours a morning start on Tuesday, February 1
Read more
Friday 7th 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 U3A Mackay Open Day 9am Retired from ful
Read more
In a world where unplanned pregnancies can leave women feeling overwhelmed, isolated, and uncertain about their futures, Hope’s Dream offers a lifeline of support. For many, the shock of an unexpected pregnancy can trigger a whirlwind of emotions - fear, confusion, and even doubt - leaving them questioning what to do next. Amidst these turbulent feelings, Hope’s Dream provides a compassionate space for women to breathe, reflect, and make informed decisions without the pressure of judgment. It'
Read more
Due to recent excessive rain, the Central QLD Blokart Club has announced the postponement of the "Come and Try" days. The heavy rain has caused water to leach from the sand dunes behind the beach, creating a "sand trap" that bogs down the Blokarts. As the water can take a couple of weeks to disperse after a rain event, the decision has been made to reschedule the event. The Central QLD Blokart Club sincerely apologises for any inconvenience, stating, "We at Central QLD Blokart Club apologise…bu
Read more
Last Saturday, Rugby Park in Rockhampton hosted a thrilling junior rugby trial featuring the Mackay Cutters junior squads competing against the CQ Capras. The event highlighted up-and-coming talent across four key teams: the Mal Meninga Cup, Cyril Connell Cup, and Harvey Norman U19s. With teams eager to make their mark, the day provided an exciting glimpse into the future of rugby league in the region. Before the game kicked off, enthusiasm and optimism were abundant. Marco Peters, Head of Wo
Read more
With the Sinkers Masters Swimming Club in full swing for 2025, members are swimming in numbers in preparation for upcoming events. The long weekend provided plenty of opportunities for members to engage in club activities and broader community events. Friday 24th marked the first club night with 17 attendees, learning the finer skills of race starts, turns, and finishes. Members were offered 2 x 25m, 1 x 50m, and a single 100m event to test their skills and fitness. Many learned that to race fa
Read more
A strongly-contested doubles tournament hit off the 2025 year for Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday morning players. Winners were George Camilleri in Division 1 with 153 points and John Hamelink in Division 2 with 152 points. It’s an unusual competition in which players rotate partners and play first to 31 while keeping track of their total scores. The morning finished with presentations by fixtures organiser Steve Mathieson to winning team members from the last season of 2024 along with other awar
Read more
While the sugarcane fields surrounding Mackay symbolise resilience and prosperity, the 2024 property market showed that the region's real estate is just as robust and sought after, firmly placing Mackay at the forefront of Regional Queensland’s property boom. In 2024, Regional Queensland's property market experienced notable growth, with property values increasing by 12.1 per cent over the year. This trend was particularly evident in key regional hubs. According to The Australian Financial Revi
Read more
Gilmour Space Station in Bowen is getting ready to launch Eris TestFlight 1, and one dignitary that has been there throughout the process is Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox. Founded by two brothers in Gold Coast, Queensland, Gilmour Space is a venture-capital-backed Australian launch services company that is developing new capabilities for launching satellites to space. Andrew Willcox explained how he’s excited for the launch of the rocket, that's going to put satellites into low earth orbit
Read more
Hi Everyone, What a week it’s been! I feel like we have been constantly at the mercy of the weather – dashing through puddles with battered umbrellas in-hand, overflown creeks and storm drains rampaging through usually dry beds, potholes appearing on almost every road and eternally damp clothes draped over sad looking washing lines – this truly is a wet season. I remember 20 years ago when I first arrived in town and this was what a wet season looked like every year – you could expect it to r
Read more
This week’s Good Deed goes to the local fire service team who came to the rescue of a car that got stuck on its own driveway. The driveway in question is made of pebblecrete, a notoriously slippery material when wet, and in this weather it's no wonder the car couldn’t keep a grip. Using bricks and rocks to stop the ute form sliding further, the fire team managed to haul the four-door ute back into alignment on the driveway. It had slid so far down sideways that it was dangerously close to going
Read more
Over the Christmas period the green space near Hook Close and Scarlet Gum Cresent in Cannonvale was removed to make way for development and since then, local residents have been actively voicing their outrage about its destruction. The residents allege that when they purchased their respective properties adjacent to the site, they were told by the real estate agencies that the location was a ‘green zone’ classified as ‘Category B Vegetation’. Whitsunday Regional Council have since issued a stat
Read more
The Collinsville Waterpark is once again closed and this time it is due to the recent break-in of the pump shed and theft of the pool acid therein. This is just the latest incident in what appears to be a series of targeted crimes directed at the Whitsunday Regional Council owned facility. Previously, young vandals have damaged the park and forcing its closure by littering and throwing glass bottles into the tipping buckets, an act that could have caused significant injury had they not been disc
Read more
International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8th, is a global occasion dedicated to honoring the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It also serves as a powerful call to action to accelerate progress toward gender equality. This year, Zonta is once again hosting their highly anticipated International Women’s Day event, marking a special milestone of 25 years of this beloved celebration, which has become known as one of the standout events of the year. Zonta Club of
Read more
Hook Island, a stunning gem in the heart of the Whitsundays, is poised to become a world-class eco-lodge by 2027, setting a new standard for sustainable luxury in Australia. Acquired in 2022 by Glenn Piper, CEO of Epochal Hotels, and a group of investors, the island—once ravaged by cyclones—will undergo a remarkable revival across 9.3 hectares. Previously home to the Hook Island Lodge, which shut its doors in 2013, the island has remained largely abandoned for nearly a decade. The resort was sev
Read more
Cane toads can be found everywhere across Queensland and persistent action needs to be taken to remove them. The Watergum Cane Toad Challenge came back again this year for their annual Great Cane Toad Bust event. With over 50,000 toads removed last year, they hoped to match that number and surpass it this season with state-wide help. Notoriously prolific breeders Cane toads produce up to 30,000 eggs at a time, and can live up to 10 years. They are toxic at all stages of their life cycle and when
Read more
The Tiny Homes project has finally got the go-ahead after almost three years in development. The project aims to build housing for homeless and vulnerable women over 55 in the Whitsundays with community fundraising and support. Led by a group of dedicated local volunteers, the Tiny Homes Project managed to secure a plot of land in Proserpine to begin construction of four homes. The Development Approval was granted in August 2024, and the land officially donated by the Whitsunday Regional Counci
Read more
It’s only February, and so much is already happening this year! Congratulations to Club Whitsunday opening their doors. It promises to be a massive asset for both the sporting community and the region at large, Well done JB and team! A big thank you to Whitsunday Regional Council for hosting a spectacular Australia Day Awards event! The Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce and Industry was proud to sponsor the Citizen of the Year Award, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Matt Stokes, our 2
Read more%20(1).JPG)
Recycling and reducing waste are critical steps we can take as a community to minimize the burden on our landfill sites in our Whitsunday region. These actions not only help to protect our environment but also significantly reduce the costs associated with managing waste, which are ultimately borne by our ratepayers. In line with these goals, Council’s construction of a new landfill cell at Kelsey Creek is nearing completion. This project, essential for servicing our region's future growth,
Read more
Are you a mum looking for a social group that supports and learns from one another? Are you and your bub keen to get your steps in and workout with like-minded mums? Or are you just looking for helpful and friendly advice to support your journey through motherhood? If you said ‘yes’ to any of these questions, then the Bowen Community Centre has the program for you! The Bowen Pram Pushers is a State Government and NQBP funded support group, launched to help new mums or mums new to town. It’s a s
Read more