Outstanding Mackay junior cricketers Myles Cochrane and George Fortescue are living the dream. Most Friday nights or Saturday mornings in the summer months you’ll find the talented 17 year olds starring for the Magpies White X1 in the Mackay Cricket Association’s Junior Under 17s competition. You’ll also find the emerging colts stepping up a class on Saturday afternoons with the Magpies’ all conquering first grade team in the Poole Cup limited overs series. The promising all rounders are two
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Mackay Magpies Cricket Club are the team to beat for the 2024-25 Mackay Cricket Association DBCT Poole Cup first grade title. The runaway minor premiers demolished the third placed Walkerston Roosters last Saturday in a one day fixture at Great Barrier Reef Arena to preserve their unbeaten status. In a reduced 25 overs per side clash, the Magpies chalked up a ninety-seven run victory and led the competition with 79 points – a staggering twenty nine points clear of second placed Pioneer Valley
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Hundreds of Moranbah school kids put their Phins up as the Dolphins brought their wellbeing team to Central Queensland schools. From touch footy drills to classroom sessions aimed at boosting self-esteem, Dolphins wellbeing and education team members visited three schools in November as part of Anglo American’s partnership with the NRL team. The partnership focuses on improving education and sporting outcomes in Central Queensland, and the sessions at Moranbah State School, Moranbah State High
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The annual Hamilton Island Triathlon and Ocean Swim was a great success last month, attracting a diverse field of competitors. Despite early morning wet weather impacting the triathlon on Saturday, the Ocean Swim on Sunday enjoyed more settled conditions for the 750m and 2km swims. Fourteen Sinkers made their way to Hamilton Island to participate in one of the swim distances, enjoying the moderate conditions off Catseye Beach. Several members, who also belong to other clubs, had already compet
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Mackay Surf Lifesaving competitors are gearing up to take on the best of the best at Sarina Beach this weekend for the North Barrier Branch Titles - the premier surf sports event for clubs stretching as far north as Ingham and as far south as Sarina. The Mackay team aims to build on recent successes at the North Aussie Champs and regional carnivals, setting their sights on claiming the Branch Championship title. Mackay competitors, from U8s to Masters, will compete across a wide range of events,
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A world-ranked ex-South American table tennis player will be passing on his talents to a new generation of Mackay players next year. After five years of regular coaching camps in Mackay, coaches Bruno and Bec are retiring and the association is planning to engage 20-year-old Neycer Robalino to conduct training next year. Neycer, who started playing when he was six, was nine when he joined the Ecuadorian national team in which he played until he was 19. He has a collection of 125 medals and 25 tr
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Mackay Contract Bridge ClubResults for week ending Saturday 30 November 2024Monday 25 November 2024 – 7 Table Howell Green Points1st Janelle Conroy - Tex Sheedy 2nd Max Holewa - Diane Holewa 3rd Diane Stokes - Edward Kliese 4th Eric Goodchild - David Ting 5th Janet Hansen - Diane Morgan Tuesday 26 November 2024 – 5 Table Howell Green Points1st Janelle Conroy - Geoff Taylor 2nd Janet Hansen - Lorna Shuttlewood 3rd Sandra Morris - Diane Morgan 4th Helen Van De
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The Mackay City Ladies recently concluded a busy bowls season with their annual presentation day, marking the end of a year full of competition and camaraderie. The day began with some friendly competition on the green, followed by a delicious roast lunch, before the presentation of awards for the 2024 season. The prestigious Val Aslette Memorial Trophy, awarded for consistency, was presented by Val's daughter, Anita, to one of the club’s younger bowlers, Emma Pash, in recognition of her outstan
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The competition season has wrapped up, and bowlers were recognised for their outstanding efforts. Clive Wales was named Men’s Bowler of the Year, while Champion Singles titles went to Chris Woo and Terry Clark. In the Pairs division, Nug Pratt and Dot Wise claimed victory, alongside the Trannore brothers, Wayne and Shane. The Triples champions were Bev Svenson, Carmel Bell, and Chris Hall, with the 2 Bowls Triples title awarded to Peter Miller, Peter Madden, and Alan Dillon, and the 3 Bowls Tri
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On Wednesday, 20 November, the Marian Ladies Bowls Club presented a generous donation of $1,000 to the Trudy Crowley Foundation, further supporting its ongoing efforts to assist individuals affected by cancer. Earl Neilson, a representative of the Foundation, attended the event to provide an update on the charity’s initiatives. This year, the Foundation has expanded its focus to include both men and women, continuing its commitment to raising awareness and providing support for those battling c
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By Hannah McNamara In the shadow of loss and the light of brotherhood, Managing Director Sam O’Neill has built a supportive network for veterans through a not-for-profit organisation, Never Alone Fight Together (NAFT). Drawing from his own experiences with life after service, Sam is on a mission to create a unique space for veterans…one that embodies the essence of brotherhood while breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and financial struggles. An eight-year Australian Army veteran, Sa
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A dramatic turn of events unfolded on Wednesday night last week when a trimaran sought refuge from rough seas in the Pioneer River, only to run aground on a sandbar and be battered by strong winds and waves. The incident occurred around 7:30 pm as the vessel attempted to navigate the river’s shifting approach during an outgoing tide and 25-knot winds. The challenging conditions holed the trimaran’s hull, leaving it stranded and partially submerged. At 3:30 am, Mackay Police contacted Marine Resc
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Battling cancer is an incredibly tough journey, but some stories remind us of just how terrifying the storms we never see coming can truly be. On page 5, you can read about Teharnee Peel, a Mackay mum diagnosed with cervical cancer while five months pregnant. Teharnee discovered a 6.5cm cancerous mass in her cervix at 22 weeks pregnant with her son, Harry. Determined to do everything possible to protect her unborn child, she began a specialised course of chemotherapy designed to be safe for pre
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A heartfelt act of kindness has brought joy to Ayuka and her partner, Pato, who recently faced the frustration of having their bike stolen… not once, but twice. Living in a foreign country, away from family and navigating a whole new language, the experience was particularly overwhelming. Ayuka first posted about the theft on social media, and was amazed by the outpouring of support they revived by the community. “Even people who didn’t know us offered to help us buy another bike,” she shared
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Mackay Regional Council will be replacing an aged water main at Alfred Street, between Wellington and Peel streets. Works began early this week (from Monday, November 25), and are expected to be complete by late-January, 2025, weather permitting. The centre parking on Alfred Street, in this section, will be unavailable for the duration of the work. While works are underway, a partial road closure will be in place, with the westbound lane (towards Peel Street) closed during working hours for the
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A Mackay mum who was diagnosed with cervical cancer while five months pregnant says she owes her life to her baby. Teharnee Peel, 34, was “shocked” when doctors told her she had a 6.5cm cancerous mass growing in her cervix while she was 22 weeks pregnant with her son Harry. Mrs Peel, who is now in remission, had been vaccinated against the HPV (Human papillomavirus) virus and her most recent pap smear results had been negative. “I went to my local Emergency Department in Mackay to get checked ou
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Visitors and residents will soon be sitting pretty in the Mackay City Centre. Starting Monday, November 25, council contractors will begin work refurbishing the timber slats on 58 seats in the City Centre. The work is expected to take about two weeks to complete, with minimal disruption to the public. Individual seats will be temporarily cordoned off while refurbishment works are underway, before contractors move onto the next seat. Council appreciates the community’s patience as it polishes up
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February 6, 2023, is a day Dylan Holmes will never forget. What began as an ordinary workday at Jennmar Australia took a dramatic turn when the worker in his 40s suddenly collapsed mid-conversation with a colleague. Without warning, he had suffered a sudden cardiac arrest - a life-threatening condition where survival hinges on immediate medical intervention. Luckily, Dylan was in a workplace equipped with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and colleagues who knew exactly what to do. With
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Illawong Beach became the scene of a heartwarming homecoming on November 23, as Mickey, a juvenile Green sea turtle, was released back into the ocean following his successful rehabilitation at the Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre. Mickey's journey began when he was found floating and struggling in the waves off Illawong Beach, covered in algae and barnacles and in urgent need of care. Ali from the Mackay District Turtle Watch team stepped in to transport him safely to the Whitsundays, where his r
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The Queensland Government has announced an exciting opportunity for local residents, businesses and road users to have their voices heard about the future of the Bruce Highway. As part of a long-term commitment to improve road safety and capacity, the state government will re-establish the Bruce Highway Advisory Council (BHAC) by the end of 2024. This is a significant step forward for the region, and residents of Mackay, Whitsundays, and surrounding areas are encouraged to play a part in the pro
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As the festive season approaches, Mackay finds itself grappling with an escalating homelessness crisis that serves as a stark reminder that not everyone will experience a merry Christmas. For many in our community, the holidays are not a time of celebration but of survival—a daily struggle for shelter, food, and safety. At the heart of the city’s efforts to combat homelessness is Chances House, Mackay’s only dedicated drop-in centre for those experiencing homelessness. Located at 2 Endeavour Str
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For some, Christmas can be a challenging time and it is up to us to check on those around us by being suicide alert this festive season. There is no doubt that Christmas is special, but Mayor Greg Williamson reminds us that while many love celebrating with family and friends, some will struggle. “Unfortunately for some people it is the most challenging time of the year emotionally. “Knowing the signs and having the courage to reach out to those struggling at Christmas is a gift that can change
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This December 6th, the heart of Mackay City will come alive with holiday cheer as the Christmas Markets take over Century 21 Plaza from 4-7pm. A unique celebration of local talent, this festive gathering promises to bring together some of the region’s best artisans, makers, and small businesses for an unforgettable Christmas experience. Forget the generic chain store hustle—this market is all about supporting local with a stunning range of handpicked stalls that showcase the creative spirit of M
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North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) is investing more than $1 million to increase security at its ports of Mackay, Hay Point and Abbot Point. The upgrade and installation of more than 50 cameras across the three ports comes after a security review was completed earlier this year. It also comes on the back of the recent increase to Australia’s national security threat level, through which NQBP is responsible for associated maritime security obligations. NQBP Chief Executive Officer Bre
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This week Season to date Cane crushed 35,206 1,090,513 Average bin weight 3.84 3.90 CCS 14.58 14.15 Cane variety performance for region Variety % CCS Variety % CCS Q183 22.9 15.21 Q253 9.8 13.00 Q240 20.1 14.62 SRA9 7.6 14.79 Q208 21.4 14.73 SP80 6.3 14.99 Q252 3.0 13.62 Q138 4.6 13.88 Comments: Plane Creek Mill processed just over 35,200 tonnes of cane for the week, bringing the season-to-date total to just over 1.09 million tonnes. Widespread rain mid-week triggered a halt to harvesting operat
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