Outrigger Whitsunday recently asked the question - Why Do We Paddle? on their Facebook page as a part of the Come & Try program to be held on Saturday 11th. Organisers were excited to welcome 36 members of the community keen to see what outrigger canoeing was all about. Club President, Kim Dodds, greeted the new paddlers giving an overview of the sport and what to expect in the morning’s program. “What a great start to the New Year!” Kim has stated. “Our ‘Come & Try’ day was a huge success. We
Read more
Aaron Lewis is a highly experienced real estate professional with over 25 years in the industry. He began his career in 1998 in Horsham, Victoria, before moving to Melbourne and later returning to Horsham in 2002. Over the years, Aaron has held pivotal leadership roles, including founding an independent office under the Ballarat-based Jen's Gaunt franchise. This initiative quickly expanded, with Aaron managing a portfolio of over 450 properties. In March of the previous year, he successfully so
Read more
Hi Everyone, I’m pleased to inform you that our team continues to expand! Our Cadet Journalist, Daniel Heggie, has moved up to the Ingham to be part of the launch team for the new Hinchinbrook Life Newspaper which we started in November. This means we are now welcoming Whitsunday Life Newspaper’s newest Cadet Journalist Victoria Velton to the team. She will work alongside Ruth Puddefoot in the editorial department. Also, new to the team is our Sales Account Manager Kerry Eastwood who starte
Read more
At the beginning of the year, Frankie O'Brien reached out to the Bowen community for support after being hospitalized due to a severe flare-up of her terminal autoimmune disease, Mastocytosis. In her Facebook post, she explained that she had developed five diabetic ulcers on her foot, requiring daily wound care at the hospital. Although the hospital was only 609 meters away, Frankie shared that she is highly allergic to UV exposure, making even short walks dangerous for her. With limited financi
Read more
By Hannah McNamara After two decades of dedicated service in the medical field, Dr. Ben Shepherd, clinical lead at CQ Rescue in Mackay, has recently been selected for an exclusive secondment with the London Air Ambulance, one of the world’s most advanced helicopter emergency medical services. This prestigious opportunity places him among a select group of helicopter rescue doctors - fewer than 1 per cent globally - who have achieved this milestone. The selection process for this role is fierce
Read more
It has been an incredibly tragic start to 2025 for many local families, and my heart goes out to all those affected. The devastating house fire in Sarina is unimaginable—such a loss is beyond words. A 25-year-old man tried desperately to save his mother from the flames, but tragically, she passed away. The loss of a loved one in such a way is heartbreaking, and I can only imagine the profound grief this family is experiencing. Sadly, the beginning of the year has seen further accidents on our r
Read more
A humble trolley pusher at Sydney Street Coles has become the unexpected hero of Mackay, earning heartfelt praise from shoppers for his selfless acts of kindness and unrelenting work ethic. Local shoppers have taken to social media to express their admiration for Linden, a young man appearing to be in his late 20s with a signature Afro hairstyle and tattoos on his lower arms. One shopper posted, “Every time I go to Coles, I see him helping elderly people with their groceries, taking trolleys
Read more
A quiet Sunday in Sarina took a tragic turn when a devastating house fire claimed the life of a 71-year-old woman and left her 25-year-old son with severe burns. The harrowing incident unfolded at a high-set home on Kathleen Street on January 5, leaving the community reeling in shock and grief. Emergency services were alerted just after 4.25pm, and when firefighters arrived, they found the home completely engulfed in flames. The inferno raged as crews fought tirelessly to bring it under control
Read more
Meet baby Telicia, who chose the first moments of the year for her arrival into the world on 1 January, making her the first baby born in the Mackay region for 2025. Mum Heather Comer said she was not expecting bub to arrive on her due date, but she did just that at 12.16am weighing 3760g (8lb 2oz). “I had a calm and natural birth at the birth centre with the help of three wonderful midwives; Lisa, Julie and Danielle,” Heather said. “And then also a team of doctors and nurses at the hospital, t
Read more
A quick photograph was all it took for Annie Tomkinson to notice something that would change her family’s life forever. She was at home in Mackay, enjoying a quiet afternoon with her newborn son, Lijah, when what appeared to be a golden reflection in his eye caught her attention. “He just looked the right way and at the right angle, and I managed to get a photo of it,” Annie recalled. Annie’s maternal instincts kicked in, and she wasted no time. Soon after, she showed the photo to her husba
Read more
The Federal Government’s $7.2 billion funding announcement for the Bruce Highway was celebrated by many as a significant step towards safer roads in Queensland. But for those in Mackay and its surrounding areas, the announcement feels like a slap in the face, with critical stretches of the highway once again excluded from priority upgrades. Despite the Bruce Highway's appalling safety record—including two fatalities already in 2025 and 43 in 2024—sections notorious for their danger, such as St L
Read more
Council contractors, Fressinet Australia, will begin maintenance works on Cattle Creek Bridge (Owens Creek Loop Road), Finch Hatton, this month. The works are expected to take around six months to complete and will result in a road closure in May, adding around 15 minutes additional travel time to Finch Hatton Gorge via a detour. The essential works will extend the life of the bridge and will be delivered in four stages, beginning on Monday, January 6, weather permitting. Each stage will involve
Read more
Local artist Donna Robinson’s breathtaking work Flourish has been selected as the winner of the 2025 Mackay Festival of Arts Design Competition. Her vibrant design will take pride of place on the cover of the festival’s program, embodying the dynamic spirit of this beloved annual event. Flourish is a stunning reflection of life in a tropical city celebrating art. As Donna describes, “The Festival of Arts is not just an event but a living, breathing manifestation of Mackay's spirit—where colour,
Read more
As drones topped Christmas wish lists this past holiday season, Ergon Energy Network is urging people to ensure they never fly them near the power network. With more people having given drones as gifts recently, particularly to children, Ergon crews have increasingly been called out to remove drones that have become stuck in powerlines, sometimes causing significant power disruptions. Area Manager Renee Kath stated, “We’ve steadily seen a rise in the number of drones being flown into powerli
Read more
The JSP Women's Awards is excited to announce nominations are now open for the JSP Women’s Awards for 2025. Now in its fourth year the awards shine a spotlight on the magic making women across the Greater Whitsunday region. The awards honour women who quietly lead, inspire, and make a lasting impact on their communities. The JSP Women’s Awards are part of The Just Saying Project (JSP), which is celebrating 10 years in 2025, with a celebration planned as part of the awards ceremony on Saturday
Read more
In years gone by, Mackay’s beaches were bustling hubs of activity, with families gathering for picnics, church outings, and carefree swims in the shallows. Black-and-white photographs from the early 1900’s capture locals in old-fashioned swimming costumes, wading knee-deep in the waters of Eimeo Beach or enjoying the laughter of a Sunday School picnic by the shore. In the thirties, the beaches were packed, the place to be for reprieve from the summer heat and humidity before air conditioning bec
Read more
A long and diverse career in nursing has gone by in “the blink of an eye” according to renal clinical nurse Jennifer Dale. She was recently presented with her 45-year Length of Service (LOS) gift by Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) chief executive Susan Gannon. Jennifer began her nursing training at Mackay Base Hospital in 1978 as a cadet before starting in renal nursing in 1983 at the Royal Brisbane Hospital. She worked in the UK for five years in transplant and paediatric units and ear
Read more
Centre of Movement, a leading paediatric allied health clinic from the Gold Coast, is bringing its expertise to Mackay with a two-week intensive therapy pop-up clinic. Running from 13th to 24th January at the Mackay Surf Life Saving Club, this initiative offers families access to specialised neurological rehabilitation tailored for children with disabilities. With 10 families participating, both local and from surrounding areas, the clinic aims to empower the community by providing innovative th
Read more
In 2024, PCYC Mackay continued to serve as a vital part of the Mackay community, offering programs and opportunities that make a meaningful impact. Focused on fostering safer and healthier communities through youth development, the centre has played an important role in supporting families, young people, and the wider region. Among the year’s many milestones, the launch of the Little n Active program was a standout. This innovative initiative introduced children under five to physical activity
Read more
Social media has transformed the way we explore and share the natural world, but it has also had unintended consequences. Studies show that the rise of social media has contributed to habitat disturbances, impacting native species. Popular wildlife spots often experience increased visitor numbers, which can lead to habitat abandonment, changes in usage patterns, reduced breeding success, and altered feeding behaviours. If you’re planning to photograph wildlife and share it online, here are some
Read more
Sonia Ball, QCAR Central District Manager In response to a well-known song line penned by John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival) – we have indeed seen the rain. As expected in the wet season. In this forever predictable and forecast rainy period, which comes year-after-year, no-one should still be sloshing around in the mud trying to cut sugarcane that in more idyllic times would have been harvested in far drier conditions a month or so earlier. And it is not just the Central District, all
Read more
On December 23, 2024, Syngenta Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 002 933 717) initiated a voluntary recall for specific batches of GRAMOXONE® 360 PRO Herbicide, sold by agricultural retailers between October 1 and December 20, 2024. The recall was made under Section 106 of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code, as part of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994. Reason for Recall: The recall concerns the 20L containers from batches 389865 and 389866, which were found to have not me
Read more
By Hannah McNamara The holiday season, often romanticised as a time of joy and togetherness, can place immense strain on families already facing challenges. Financial stressors, such as the pressure to buy gifts or host gatherings, can escalate tensions, while increased consumption of alcohol and drugs may act as a catalyst for abusive behaviours. Compounded by complex family dynamics, these elements create an unpredictable environment where incidents of domestic violence tend to surge. Jules
Read more
Recently, the Bruce Highway Advisory Council (BHAC) convened for its first meeting in Townsville, marking a significant step forward in the State Government’s 100-Day Plan to improve road safety and infrastructure across Queensland. Representing six regions, the council unites truck drivers, road safety advocates, and civil construction experts, all working together to address the challenges of Queensland’s busiest highway. For the Mackay and Whitsunday region, this meeting brings renewed optim
Read more
Young Leaders Honoured With Bank Role Model Awards Twelve students from across the Sarina and Pioneer Valley regions were recently celebrated with a Community Citizenship Role Model Award from Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank. Since 2017, Community Bank Sarina has recognised outstanding Grade 6 students, with recipients selected by their teachers based on consistent academic efforts and active participation in school and community activities. These students were also nominated for their dem
Read more