Growing up in Beechworth, Victoria, sport was a central part of life. Whether competing at the state level or cheering on his teams, Josh always had a fierce rivalry with New South Wales. When he moved to Moruya Golf Club on the NSW South Coast as CEO in 2019, he carried his Victorian roots with him, including a love for Queensland in the State of Origin, Melbourne Storm in the NRL, and AFL as his number one sport. Now, Josh is bringing his expertise to Club Whitsunday, where he’s excited to hel
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Tracy O'Shea brings over 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry, primarily with community clubs. Her most recent role was Club Manager at Benowa Bowls Club on the Gold Coast, before she relocated back to Far North Queensland in December last year. As part of the team behind Club Whitsunday, Tracy is excited to have contributed to the opening of this new venue. She’s particularly eager to see the membership grow, especially with the support of the various sporting clubs in the local p
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With over 10 years of experience in the Whitsundays, Zibby Deca has built a diverse and extensive career in the local food industry. He has collaborated with a wide range of businesses, from assisting with the launch of new restaurants to managing catering departments and preparing food for large community events and music festivals. Zibby has also worked as a private chef for high-end clients, offering his culinary expertise aboard luxury yachts and in exclusive holiday homes. About a year ago,
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Next weekend, the 10th annual Whitsunday Sports Expo will transform the Whitsunday Sportspark, adjacent to the PCYC and new Club Whitsunday, into a vibrant activity hub, bringing together sports enthusiasts of all kinds. Attendees will have the chance to ‘come and try’ a number of activities and sign up for exciting seasons ahead. This year's Expo is particularly special, marking its 10th anniversary and coinciding with the grand opening of the brand-new Club Whitsundays, which is set to become
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Sport isn’t just about staying fit; it’s also a fantastic way to meet new people and expand your social circle. By attending the Whitsunday Sports Expo, you’ll have the chance to discover a wide range of sports and connect with others who share your interests. Whether joining a team or simply attending to explore, you’re bound to meet like-minded individuals and form new friendships. The Expo offers a perfect opportunity to find a sport or activity that suits your interests and connect with peop
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Since 2001, ADFAB Industries, has been a trusted name in the community, crafting high-quality stainless steel, brass, and aluminium products. We’ve been dedicated to delivering precision and excellence in every project, big or small. We’re especially proud of our involvement in the fabrication and installation of the kitchen and bar at Club Whitsunday, It was an exciting project, and we are proud to contribute to such a fantastic addition to the community. We look forward to seeing the park and
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The Airlie Beach Bowls Club is currently awaiting the installation of a new roof, which has led to a decrease in participation from many of the members due to the extreme heat. As a result, the weekly schedule has been lighter than usual, and Wednesday night Business House bowls has been postponed until the students return to school. On Tuesday morning, 10 players participated in bowls, with the team of Joan McGrath, skip, and Kath Remmeswaal, lead, emerging victorious over the team of Tony Whi
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Get ready for an exciting year of track and field action across North Queensland in 2025! From February to October, athletes of all ages and abilities will have the chance to compete in a variety of exciting meets. Here’s your ultimate guide to the upcoming events: February: • North Star Summer Series Meet 1 – 1 February, Townsville (State Permit Meet) March: • North Star Summer Series Meet 2 – 1 March, Townsville (State Permit Meet) May: • Mackay Track & Field Carnival – 3 – 4 M
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The Queensland Kids Fishing Classic (QKFC) is back this January, running from the 11th to the 27th, and it’s the perfect opportunity for young anglers to get outdoors, enjoy some fishing, and compete for over $6,000 in prizes! The competition is open to kids across Queensland, with three age groups: 3-7 years, 8-12 years, and 13-17 years. This is a kids-only competition where participants can fish anywhere that is legal (excluding offshore areas). With 12 species categories, there’s something f
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n February, the Queensland Firebirds will be hitting the road once again as part of a spectacular Regional Tour to deliver comprehensive netball clinics across five locations in the Burdekin, Laidley, Murwillumbah, Townsville and the Whitsundays! On Saturday the 1st of February, the Queensland Firebirds will host a clinic at Jubilee Pocket’s Whitsunday Netball Association from 5pm to 6:30pm. Children aged 6 to 17 are invited to participate in the clinic with the hour-long session set to focus o
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Is golf your go-to activity, and you're looking for a place to play this Australia Day? Then the Proserpine Golf Club has some great news for you! Polish off your clubs and head over to the greens with your best mate for an 18-hole scramble. Proserpine Golf Club is hosting a 2-ball Ambrose competition this 26th. Be ready for the Shotgun Start at 9am where yours and the other teams all tee-off at the same time, and then follows the scramble as you and your partner work together taking turns to
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The Cannonvale Cannons had a busy week in and out of the pool, kicking off with 23 swimmers competing in the Burdekin Sprint LC Transition Meet on the weekend. Despite the sweltering conditions, the team delivered impressive performances, with standout personal bests (PBs) achieved by Roxanne Groom, Gracie Laguna, Pippa Laguna, Ruby Lawson, and Sophie Palmero. A special congratulations went to Nelson Malady and Levi Smith, who triumphed in their Dash for Cash events, each earning a well-deserved
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After a well-deserved break over the festive season, the Wangaratta Bowls Club returned to action on Sunday, with members eager to get back on the green. Despite the ongoing hot weather, the day was made all the more enjoyable by a refreshing sea breeze that lingered throughout the afternoon, providing some relief and a pleasant atmosphere for play. Two triples games and one pairs match were contested on the day. On Rink 5, the pairs competition saw Jocelyn De Franciscis and Alby Vigar emerge vi
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On New Year’s Day, the rescue team was called to action just before dinner time. At 5:25pm, Paul, a skipper on the Marine Rescue team, was happily anticipating a lovely evening meal when a single phone call halted all dinner preparations. A broken-down vessel with three people aboard requested a tow out by Stonehaven and required assistance to get back to Coral Sea Marina. When Paul and Donna arrived at the VMR1, they found both Rodney and M already preparing the rescue vessel for departure. It
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The words fall like stones in a silent room, heavy and irreversible. A diagnosis delivered by a doctor doesn’t arrive gently; it crashes in, turning life as you know it upside down. The reality of cancer sinks in, casting an unsettling shadow over the world you knew just moments before. The fear begins to coil around you: fear of the unknown, of what’s to come, of what this means. The medical jargon is endless, technical, and impossible to fully absorb, especially when every thought is cloud
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A welcome boost to the region's medical workforce saw 31 intern doctors begin their healthcare careers with Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) last week. Among them are three proud Mackay locals excited to return home and serve their community. In 2025, a total of 38 interns will join the team, with opportunities to rotate through rural facilities in Proserpine and Bowen. These interns will be the second cohort to train under the new intern training framework, gaining valuable experience i
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Recent tragedies have reminded us all of how fragile and unpredictable life can be. The devastating wildfires that began on January 7, 2025, in Los Angeles have claimed at least 25 lives and destroyed over 12,000 structures, including homes, businesses, and schools. The Pacific Palisades fire, the most destructive in LA's history, rapidly spread due to strong winds and dry conditions, leaving entire neighbourhoods reduced to ash. The toll has been immense, with lives lost, wildlife displaced,
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In a heart-warming act of kindness, a young woman has left a lasting impression on a local family after helping their anxious teenage daughter change a flat tyre on Eversleigh Road. The daughter, a P-plater with high anxiety, found herself stranded by the side of the road, upset and unsure of what to do. With her parents out of state, she was about to call RACQ when a stranger in a red Mazda CX-5 pulled over and offered assistance. The kind woman, who is believed to be of Islander descent
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Mackay Regional Council contractors will begin work on the fourth stage of the Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area (PDA), which will include upgrades to the Sydney and River Streets intersection and Bluewater Trail. Vassallo Constructions Pty Ltd have been awarded the contract to improve the pedestrian and cycle connectivity between the City Centre and Riverside precincts. The works will include new and wider footpaths, new park furniture, improved lighting and landscaping. There will al
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The Federal Government’s $7.2 billion commitment to upgrading the Bruce Highway is already facing delays, with conflicting statements from senior government officials raising concerns about the timeline for delivering the critical funding. While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese assured the public during a press conference in Gympie that funding for the project would begin this year, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher told ABC’s 7.30 Report that the funding would fall outside the current forward est
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The Mackay community is in mourning following the tragic death of Cassandra Townsend, a 37-year-old mother of two, whose body was discovered in her Beaconsfield home on the 8th of January. Police were called to her Lorne Court property around 3.20pm, where her body was found. Authorities declared the site a crime scene, and investigations into the cause of her death are ongoing as they await autopsy results. A Queensland Police spokesperson confirmed, “Investigations into the death are conti
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An inferno on a conveyor system at a grain silo in Mackay Harbour on Monday, the 13th of January, left locals in shock and sparked an urgent response from emergency services. The blaze, which began around 6.15pm at GrainCorp on George Bell Drive, unleashed thick plumes of black smoke that could be seen throughout the Mackay Port industrial area. Workers in the vicinity were the first to spot the smoke and flames leaping from the silo, which reportedly contained chickpeas. Workers at nearby bus
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Wildcat Mackay, the award-winning boat tour that brought the beauty of Mackay’s offshore islands to life, has announced its closure after more than three years of operation. The decision, made with careful consideration, comes following a decline in demand for the day-tours over the past 18 months. Since its debut in December 2021, Wildcat Mackay has offered locals and visitors an extraordinary opportunity to explore the pristine islands of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Its state-of-the
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Mount Pleasant Shopping Centre is excited to announce a vibrant and inclusive Australia Day weekend celebration on January 25th and 26th. This year, we are proud to support our local RSL and bring together our diverse community for a weekend of events, unity and festivity. Landlord and Owner Fawkner Property believe that while we come from many cultures and hold many beliefs, we are united as one Australia. Our Australia Day weekend celebrations are a testament to this, and we warmly invite peo
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A new year brings the perfect opportunity to reflect on how we spend our time and how we can make a meaningful impact. If one of your 2025 resolutions is to give back, why not consider volunteering? Offering your time and skills to help others is one of the most fulfilling ways to start the year. And what better place to lend a hand than at the heart of our community – the hospital? Mackay Hospital Foundation provides countless ways for volunteers to support patients, families, and staff, making
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