The Cannonvale Swim Centre, located at the Cannonvale State School swimming pool provides a variety of programs designed to cater to swimmers of all abilities. Whether you're looking to improve your technique, get fit, or simply have fun, there's something for everyone. The training sessions focus on fitness for all swimming strokes, and swimmers can also enjoy meeting new people and having fun in the water. Senior swimmers particularly enjoy a game or two of water polo on Friday afternoons, th
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Whitsunday Touch offers a unique and inclusive sporting experience, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to get active, have fun, and join a supportive community. Touch football is a non-contact sport that’s simple to learn, safe, and enjoyable for players of all ages and fitness levels. At Whitsunday Touch, everyone is welcome. The club prides itself on being a place where players can pursue their goals, whether they’re aiming for national competition or just looking for a casual game w
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The Cannonvale Cannons hosted their highly anticipated Short Course Transition Meet over the weekend, attracting 195 swimmers from 18 clubs across North Queensland. The event showcased exceptional talent and sportsmanship, despite challenging weather conditions. Day 1 tested swimmers and spectators alike with intense heat and humidity and day 2 brought storms that delayed proceedings and ultimately forced an early finish due to a second round of severe weather. Despite these obstacles, the spir
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Whitsunday Moto Sports Club is a dynamic and welcoming social club that thrives on the shared passion for racing and motorcycle riding. Whether you're a seasoned racer or a complete beginner, the club offers a fantastic environment to improve your skills, with a focus on making the sport safer, faster, and more enjoyable. The club boasts exceptional facilities that cater to riders of all levels, ensuring a top-notch experience for everyone. Its family-friendly atmosphere makes it a place where r
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Despite the challenges of January’s heat and unpredictable downpours, Proserpine Golf Club members showcased their dedication to the game, hitting the course to improve their skills, compete, and enjoy some time outdoors. Whether partaking in competitions or social play, the club has had an excellent week of golf. On Tuesday, the 21st of January, the Single Stableford competition saw John Oates take the win in the Men’s division with 42 points, narrowly edging out runner-up Gerald Lovell, who s
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Get ready for the most exhilarating weekend on the North Queensland sporting calendar as the Coral Sea Marina Resort Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary on August 16-17. With Early Bird entries closing March 29th, now is the time to nominate and bring the whole family for some winter fun in the sun and enjoy some friendly competitive racing, with a weekend of events including Kids Triathlon, Ocean Swims and the best afterparty ever! The Triathlon’s race director Micha
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As January wraps up, school students are returning, and the Club’s Australia Day Celebrations were fantastic! The week started on Tuesday morning with a successful meeting that set the tone for the days ahead, with 18 bowlers participating and the team of John Trembath, with Dawn Dowell at second and Greg Fennell at lead the big winners of the day. Wednesday at 2pm start of Jackpot Bowls run by Rick Galea and had 14 players. The big winners of the day were skipper Ted Cullen who is in the middl
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Despite the less-than-ideal weather, 23 determined players participated in this week’s Stableford competition. The day was marked by remarkable scores, even as players contended with heavy rain and soggy conditions across the course. In the Ladies' division, Jenny Hounsell delivered an outstanding performance to claim victory with 40 points. Runner-up honors went to Tina Badenhorst, who finished with 31 points on a countback. The rundown included Paula McQuat (31 points), Tiina Randmae (29 poin
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Two lives have been lost on Mackay and Whitsunday roads in just one month, marking a tragic start to 2025. Authorities are pleading with all drivers to slow down, drive defensively, and stay vigilant. The recent fatalities are part of a growing road crisis across Queensland, with road deaths doubling compared to last year. Every decision made on the road can be the difference between life and death. The Queensland Police Service urges everyone to pay attention to road conditions, act cautiousl
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Australia Day has long been a paradoxical holiday—both a celebration of national pride and a poignant reminder of history’s complexities. This year, as a wave of national pride resurges, Australians are seeking ways to honour the day with a mindful balance that respects its layered meanings. For many, January 26 is a day to fire up the barbecue, toss a cricket ball, and celebrate what it means to be Australian: our laid-back nature, a love for community, and a determination to thrive despite th
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A heartwarming story unfolded in a local community when a mother reached out on Facebook, hoping to find someone to take her son fishing offshore. Her 13-year-old son, Cayden, is a passionate angler who spends “90% of his time out fishing and learning new skills from other like-minded people.” However, without a boat of their own, Cayden was eager to explore fishing in deeper waters. The mother’s post read, “He has the urge to go fishing offshore in a boat somewhere… happy to pay for your fu
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While the scorching heat in the region calls for a dip in our beautiful ocean waters, lifeguards and medical professionals are urging locals to stay out of the water as much as possible due to an influx of jellyfish stings. Mackay Hospital and Health Service (MHHS) reported five recent jellyfish stings in the Mackay region. This includes one box jellyfish sting in December, two Irukandji stings (one in November and one in December), and two other jellyfish stings (one in December and one in Ja
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That’s how 14-year-old Zoe Hoffman describes her journey and surviving life-threatening injuries including a broken neck and nearly losing her leg in a horrific accident more than 12 months ago. The teenager was hit by a four-wheel-drive while riding her bike on a Sunday afternoon in November 2023. She was racing her brother and neighbour down a hill in North Mackay when she rode out in front of a car – the driver didn’t have time to brake. Dad Luke remembers a frantic phone call from her youn
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Mackay Regional Council staff have begun maintenance of palm trees in the Mackay City Centre this week. The maintenance started on Tuesday, 21 January, and will include removing dead fronds, cutting away visible fruit stalks and removing seed pods. Arborists will be on site between the hours of 5am and 8.30am on weekdays and they will be carrying out maintenance on trees located on Wood, Nelson, Macalister, Victoria and Sydney streets, Mangrove Road, Matsuura Drive and the Memorial Swim Centre
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By Hannah McNamara Just three days after her 39th birthday, Sarah Munster was given the life-shaking news that would soon redefine her understanding of resilience. On the 5th of November, 2024, which also happened to be her son’s birthday, Sarah was devastated to learn she had breast cancer. "I found out about the diagnosis on my son's birthday, three days after my 39th birthday," Sarah shared. After noticing a sizable lump in her breast, measuring 4.2 centimetres, Sarah underwent a PET scan
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Small businesses are a vital part of our country’s economy, helping to keep everything ticking along. But right now, they’re under real pressure as the costs continue to cause major financial pain to everyday Queenslanders who are just trying to make a living. Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, said that more than 4,000 hospitality businesses have gone under in recent years, and jobs in the industry fell by 165,000 last year alone. “Under Labor, it’s getting harder, rising costs, red
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A new Graduate Diploma of Midwifery offered in Mackay by James Cook University is equipping 15 registered nurses with essential perinatal skills, boosting access to midwifery services across the region while providing flexible study options for local and remote healthcare workers. JCU Ngudya Yamba (Mackay) campus Nursing and Midwifery site coordinator Dr Maude Chapman said offering the diploma in Mackay removed the need for local nurses to travel to Townsville to study and allowed them to train
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The Mackay community is mourning the passing of Dr. Lyall Ford, a beloved historian, author, and educator whose contributions to preserving the region’s history have left an enduring legacy. Lyall passed away on January 12, 2025, at the age of 80, leaving behind a wealth of knowledge and a passion for storytelling that resonated far beyond Mackay’s borders. Born on May 13, 1944, at Lister Hospital in Mackay, Lyall grew up in Walkerston before moving to Mackay. He excelled academically, attending
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Picture a place where your voice isn’t just heard but celebrated, where healthcare meets compassion and your journey is guided with respect and understanding. Welcome to Generation Her, a sanctuary for women’s reproductive health, located in the heart of the Mackay region. Generation Her offers a comprehensive range of services tailored to each woman and her reproduction needs. From family planning and pregnancy care to postnatal support, Generation Her is dedicated to empowering, educating, a
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Despite good intentions, by this time in January – for some, New Year’s resolutions have been abandoned, relegated as ‘too hard’, are fading into oblivion due to inaction, or maybe not set at all. Feelings of failure and regret can bubble up. There’s any number of reasons why our resolutions don’t work. And we know that all the good intentions do not produce results, it’s about action. It’s about what works for you – and it’s key to keep it simple. What’s the one thing that you could choose
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In honour of their 10-year business milestone, Whitsunday Wealth has left a vibrant mark on Mackay's cityscape. The financial advisory firm commissioned a striking mural on the side of their Wood Street building, brought to life by the exceptional talent of local artist Gwada Murals. Unveiled in September 2024, the mural not only celebrates Whitsunday Wealth's decade of service but also enriches the aesthetic of Mackay’s city centre. Featuring bold colours and intricate designs, the mural has q
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Crafter Judi Hutchinson is having fun creating stunning art pieces, now showcased at the Sarina Arts and Crafts Centre. Using epoxy resin with silicon moulds, alcohol inks, mica powders, glitters, and other embellishments, Judi crafts unique décor items in a meticulous process that can take up to 24 hours. Her range of Resin Home Decor items includes coasters embedded with fish hooks or beer bottle tops, trinket trays in various colours and styles, bookmarks, key rings, owls, seahorses, turtle
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Students starting certain degrees and apprenticeships at CQUniversity this year can apply for a share of $30,000 in scholarships from Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank. The program includes two $9000 scholarships for undergraduate degrees and two $6000 scholarships for apprenticeships, providing not only financial assistance but also opportunities for professional development. Community Bank Sarina Board Deputy Chair Maree Franettovich highlighted Community Bank Sarina’s commitment to support
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Mackay Sugar is shifting its focus to the future following the conclusion of the 2024 crushing season. Operations at the Marian factory wrapped up earlier than expected on 14 January due to declining harvesting contractor availability and recent rain and storms across the region. The 2024 season saw Mackay Sugar crush approximately 4.85 million tonnes of cane, producing 626,000 tonnes of raw sugar. Additionally, its cogeneration facility generated 112,570 MWh of renewable electricity, with 79,7
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Tiny but deadly, mosquitoes are responsible for more human deaths than any other creature on Earth. Oxitec Australia is targeting two of the most dangerous species in the Pacific region—Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus—in a bold effort to combat the spread of life-threatening diseases like dengue, Zika, and yellow fever, which claim hundreds of thousands of lives globally each year. Oxitec Australia is a collaboration between CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and UK-based Oxitec Ltd
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