What started as a dream has skyrocketed to a limelight reality for 21-year-old Regan Walker. With Wicked soon to be listed alongside Matilda and Grease on Regan’s impressive musical resume, he will undoubtedly lead an impressive Broadway-bound career. Originally from Mackay, Regan first laced up his dancing shoes at the age of four, following in the footsteps of his older siblings. As Regan turned nine, he decided to dip his toe into singing and acting, and soon enough, he became a triple th
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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay Smartcane BMP was established by CANEGROWERS around 15 years ago to ensure growers could be confident of meeting environmental legislation standards- the program was – and still is - ahead of the curve, and well-established by the time Reef Regulations were introduced. Beyond meeting legislation, it has become a proud standard of sustainability for our industry, attracting new markets and investment in new uses for sugarcane. Now that the crush is – at
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Sonia Ball, QCAR Central District Manager. …You probably knew that, but being treated as one has become ‘the norm’ in many parts of our every-day lives – waiting rooms, for example! Have you considered how different our lives may be, if instead you were treated as you? At Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables (QCAR), our secret weapon is our people. People passionate and driven to helping other people – face-to-face, beside you, behind you, with you and for you. From Far North Queensland
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Reef Catchments will lead the delivery of the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac (MWI) Landscape Repair Program, investing $26 million in water quality initiatives aimed at reducing 18 kilotonnes of fine sediment runoff into the Great Barrier Reef lagoon by June 2030. The Reef Trust Landscape Repair Program, backed by $200 million from the Australian Government, aims to prevent over 130 kilotonnes of fine sediment from reaching the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). This reduction is crucial in protecting the GBR’
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Simon Hood Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing The New Year has heralded an unwelcome change in global sugar price sentiment, initially prompted by the world market getting more comfortable that the first quarter supply of sugar was tight but manageable. This resulted in a gradual deterioration of the ICE #11 March 25 futures premium over the May contract. The speculative money sensed the path of least resistance was down, so they had been getting increasingly aggressive with their short-sellin
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Friday 31st January 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 Ethan Moon LIVE 7pm Enjoy an evening of
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A reunion is being planned for the Roma St John's class of 1969-1975, and the group is eager to reconnect with former classmates. In particular, they are searching for Debbie Sheargold (now Debbie Shaw), who is thought to be living in the Mackay area, along with the following: Roma St John's Class Of 1969-1975: Tony Gibson Noel Smith Debbie Sheargold Patrick Mackie Kayleen Cherry Jennifer Barnett Monica McNeil Vienna Church Nicky Cherry Beth Hanney Dianne Wilson Renee Kennedy Maryanne Martinek
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By Amanda Wright Alison Pighills’ rural property near Mount Jukes hums with the sounds of life—wallabies bounding through enclosures, possums scurrying into their pens, and the occasional chirp of birds in recovery. For almost a decade, Alison has dedicated her time to rehabilitating native wildlife, giving hundreds of animals a second chance at life in the wild. “When I release a wallaby and see it hopping off into the bush, there’s this incredible moment of pride and relief,” Alison said.
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Get ready to dive into a world of sporting opportunities at the 2025 Mackay Sport and Recreation Expo, kicking off at the MECC on Sunday, February 9. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better, with over 100 sport and recreation options to explore. Whether you’re ready to tackle a new hobby or looking to hit the ground running with your fitness goals, this expo has something for everyone, regardless of age or ability. The day will be packed with Active Zone activities and live demonstra
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Last Tuesday, the Mackay Isaac Region kicked off 2025 with the launch of its bold new destination events campaign, “Keep Up.” The campaign, unveiled by Mackay Isaac Tourism, aims to inspire visitors to explore the region’s exciting adventures, vibrant events, and breathtaking natural landscapes. “Keep Up” encourages travellers of all ages to embrace the spirit of discovery and connection throughout the Mackay Isaac Region. Mackay Isaac Tourism CEO Jeff Stewart-Harris said that the region's
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AFL Mackay is gearing up for another exciting season of Junior and Youth football, with registrations now open for all players aged U9.5 to U17.5. Whether you've kicked a thousand goals or are yet to score your first, AFL offers the perfect opportunity to get active, make new friends, and develop new skills in a fun and inclusive environment. This season also marks the introduction of the new Youth Girls U16.5 competition, an exciting addition to the league for 2025. The all-girls competition i
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For over 70 years, Marian Bowls Club has been a pillar of the local community, offering a friendly and welcoming space for players of all ages and abilities. Nestled in the quiet surroundings of Reg Smith Street, Marian, the club provides a peaceful escape where the only sounds are birdsong, the gentle hum of the Marian Sugar Mill and the occasional cheer of happy bowlers enjoying a friendly match. The club caters to a variety of bowling interests, from social bowls to competitive pennants and
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If you’ve ever dreamed of the wind in your sails and the thrill of racing, but the sea isn’t your thing, then blokarting might just be your next adventure. Combining the exhilaration of sailing with the accessibility of land sports, blokarting delivers an adrenaline rush like no other. Imagine zooming along a sunlit beach with the breeze at your back and breathtaking scenery surrounding you—this is blokarting at its finest. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or simply curious about this unique spor
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The Girls Only Hub program for 5-10-year-olds is set to begin on February 10, offering young girls an exciting opportunity to explore cricket in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Led by female coaches, the program focuses on building confidence, skills, and a love for the sport in a space designed just for girls. Great Barrier Reef Arena Sports Development Officer Mel Dwyer highlighted the importance of such initiatives, stating, “The girls-only program is a great opportunity for girls t
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Mackay’s newest swimming sensation, the Northern Stars Swimming Club Inc., is making waves in the region’s competitive swimming scene, delivering impressive results while fostering a love for the sport. With a focus on developing talent at all levels, the club offers three squad programs—Mini, Junior, and Senior—catering to swimmers of different ages and abilities. Under the guidance of Head Coach Steve Arnold, Northern Stars aims to provide a supportive and inclusive environment for swimmers
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The Mackay Regional Council-sponsored Australia Day “Come and Try Bridge Day” was a great success. Members and enthusiastic community participants gathered to enjoy morning tea, a sausage lunch and a wonderful day filled with cards and friendship. President Frances Brown expressed her delight at the strong turnout and encouraged attendees, as well as anyone interested in learning Bridge, to join the beginners' lessons starting Wednesday, 12 February, at 6:30pm at the Bridge Club, 414 Shakespeare
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A large roll-up of 84 bowlers took part in the Monday public holiday fun-packed afternoon of mixed bowls. The day was well represented by both men’s and ladies' committee members, ensuring the day was successful, and bowlers were treated to pies, sausage rolls, lamingtons and an ice-cold beer to top the day off. Congratulations to the prize winners and those who dressed up to the Aussie theme! Competition Results Open Fours Mick Walsh, Clive Wales, Greg McLean, and Andrew Coates dominated thei
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The 2024/2025 Shawn’s Summer Biathlon Splash & Dash Series concluded on Australia Day, with athletes and volunteers coming together to honour former Mackay Road Runners champion Shawn Claydon, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2018. Shawn’s legacy was celebrated with the attendance of his sister, Sharon Stewart-Harris, and her husband, Jeff, who supported the event. Held as an off-season training opportunity, the series welcomed not only club members but also newcomers and those seeking
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South Suburban Bowls Club has kicked off social bowls for 2025 and is welcoming both new and returning players to join in the fun. On January 16th, 30 ladies braved the heat, staying well hydrated and showing great determination as they played in the first Ladies Social Day of the year. Maryann Harrigan, President of the Ladies Section, was pleased to see so many ladies that were eager to get back on the green and called the day a success. For 2025, South Suburban Bowls is offering four days
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The first citizenship ceremony of 2025 took place last Friday, with 44 individuals taking the pledge to become new Australians, under the officiation of Mayor Ry Collins. The new citizens came from diverse corners of the globe, representing a rich tapestry of cultures and backgrounds. While some had only recently made their homes in the community, others had been valued residents for more than a quarter of a century. Over the long weekend, festivities continued with the Australian Day Awards whe
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Hi Everyone, Standing with my feet in the sand as the lively waves rushed past and our children squealed with delight, I caught myself smiling. Not just smiling, but grinning - wide and big – and I didn’t even realise I was doing it! That’s what holidays are about. From boogie boarding the surf of Wategos and Mooloolaba to feeding the birds and marvelling at the glow-worms at O’Reilly’s rainforest retreat to a relaxing time with family on Bribie Island - our holiday was both diverse and nour
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After four months of investigations, QPS Forensic Crash Unit has charged a 61-year-old Bowen man with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death whilst adversely affected by an intoxicating substance and did drive UIL. The fatal Myrtlevale incident under investigation occurred at approximately 5pm on the 15th of September 2024 and tragically resulted in the death of 22-year-old Wangige Kiumbura from Burdell. Emergency services were called to a two-vehicle crash involving a Holden utility an
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Remy, an abused bull terrier rescued from death row at the local pound found himself in the caring hands of the folks at the Bowen Collinsville Pet Rescue Inc. Sore, broken and neglected, his pain was evident to the volunteers who took him in. Remy was diagnosed with an eye infection, a severe skin infection covering his body and luxating patella, meaning he could barely walk and was in terrible pain. He needed surgery but the procedure was too expensive for the volunteer organisation to afford
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December was a landmark month for Whitsunday Coast Airport, as passenger numbers surged to new heights. Whitsunday Regional Council is excited to announce that December 22nd set a new daily passenger record, with 2,524 travellers passing through the airport’s terminal. This impressive achievement highlights the region's growing appeal as a top holiday destination. The Christmas period brought a wave of visitors, many arriving for festive getaways or long-awaited family reunions in the stunning W
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The latest Citizenship Ceremony took place at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre last Sunday, where Mayor Ry Collins had the honor of conferring Australian citizenship to 44 new citizens. These new Australians come from a wide range of countries, each bringing their own unique stories and backgrounds to the celebration. Becoming an Australian citizen is a deeply personal decision, one that is met with warmth and pride across the nation. Citizenship represents a commitment to Australia’s values,
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