Australia’s investment in agricultural research and development has reached almost $3 billion in 2023-24, the latest ABARES release has shown. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry reported that this long-term commitment will lead to improvements in agricultural productivity, sustainability and modernisation. The private sector accounts for the largest growth in investment in the sector, with a nearly 5 per cent annual growth rate from 2005-06. ABARES Executive Director, Dr Jared
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Proserpine Being fit to burst with excitement is not only reserved for when someone buys you chocolate. It is also an appropriate way to feel if you have prepared for an event and successfully come out the other side chuffed to the rafters and stuffed with endorphins. And so it is that I am happy to report, thanks in main to the Proserpine district growers and stakeholders who took the time to attend our November 20 Meet & Greet, it was indeed a success. The gathering at the Hotel Metropole
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Sarina State High School (SSHS) students Katie Stevenson and Wyatt McKewen were each awarded a $2000 Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank Senior Schooling Scholarship at this week’s SSHS Awards Night. SSHS Grade 10 students were invited to apply for the scholarships which promote a commitment to education and community involvement, whilst providing funding to support their education and development in senior schooling, for items such as excursions, textbooks and technology. Community Bank Sarina
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Nestled on 400 acres of lush sugarcane fields in Calen, Oh Deere Farm Stay offers a truly unique escape where authentic farm life meets unforgettable hospitality. This family-run retreat, helmed by Karinda and Dale Anderson, is fast becoming one of Queensland’s must-visit destinations – and the accolades are pouring in to prove it. At the 2024 Mackay Isaac Tourism (MIT) Awards, Oh Deere Farm Stay took home an impressive five honours, including Gold for Unique Accommodation and two coveted People
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The Mackay Whitsunday District’s Dog Squad recently introduced two new canine recruits, adding fresh ears to the team. Labradors Neo and Baron have joined forces with German Shepherds Jury and Ruckus, creating a dynamic unit for the region. At 10 years old, Neo is the seasoned veteran of the squad, contributing a wealth of experience to every assignment in Mackay since his arrival earlier this year. Although recently retired, Neo has taken on the role of mentor to the team’s youngest recruit, B
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They were a series of sudden, brutal deaths of young Mackay people that devastated their families and friends and shook this town to the core when they were killed. Mackay-born people will mostly know about the deaths, and the names of some or all of those involved, but many others will be unaware of the tragic loss of the lives of these young local people. This town needs to talk more about these youngsters, some of them really just kids, and remember what happened to them. Fortunately, a speci
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By Hannah McNamara For 13 years, Ann Putland has led the Disability Bowls program at Souths Suburban Bowls Club, dedicating her time and heart as a volunteer to transform lives one roll at a time. Every Friday at 9am, Ann has welcomed bowlers from all walks of life to a program tailored for those living with physical and mental challenges. For Ann, it’s never been just about the game, but rather about building confidence, gaining friendships and helping people achieve far beyond what they th
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Friday 29th November BirdLife Mackay Monthly Bird Count In The Gardens 6am Join birdlife Mackay on the last Friday of each month for a free bird species count at the botanic gardens and lagoons. Meet at the viewing deck near the café at 6am. All are welcome to participate and learn about local birds. Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens Sip & Pearl 3pm Enjoy an afternoon of creativity at sprinkles and love cake emporium. participants can design their own pearl jewellery with expert guidance fro
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A boost of vibrancy will be felt in the Mackay City and Waterfront with an exciting array of activations and building works set to kick-off in the coming months. The recipients of the latest round of the Make Your Place Mackay Waterfront Placemaking Grants and City Safety Grants have been announced. The City Safety Grant aims to deliver safety infrastructure within the Mackay city centre, and the Make Your Place Grant aims to help people create inspiring and inclusive projects that encourage peo
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Saving the best film for last, Film Arts Mackay are screening the highly anticipated romantic comedy-drama Mr Blake at Your Service featuring the dynamic duo of John Malkovich and Fanny Ardant. Malkovich's brilliant underrated comedic style is on full display as he takes on the role of the charming British businessman, Andrew Blake. In a twist of fate, Blake becomes the butler of the Domaine de Beauvillier estate, owned by the graceful and aloof Madame de Beauvillier (Ardant). A once-distingui
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After breaking the $1 million mark for donations in 2024, the Mayor’s Charity Ball committee has announced the beneficiaries for the 2025 event. Mayor Greg Williamson said the aim of the event was to fund two charities for two years to enable significant funds to be raised for each group and to make a real difference in our community. “Proceeds will be split 50-50 between Grapevine Group and new beneficiary The Salvation Army’s Family Violence Service,” Mayor Williamson said. “Australian Street
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Perfectly positioned near Mackay’s hospital and airport, Tropic Coast Motel offers a welcoming and comfortable retreat for travellers. With a variety of room options—Standard Queen, Executive Queen, Deluxe Twin, and Triple or Quad Family rooms—there’s an option to suit every need. All rooms are conveniently located on the ground level, featuring large undercover parking and outdoor seating for guests to relax. Additional amenities include a guest laundry, ample parking for trucks and trailers,
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Headspace Mackay has officially relocated to Caneland Central, on the second level, Tenancy 2514 - opposite Snap Fitness - making mental health support even more accessible for local youth. The grand opening on November 14 featured tours, guest speakers, snacks and a very welcoming atmosphere for all. The new space, funded by the North Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN), is designed to provide a more inclusive and accessible environment for young people aged 12-25. Headspace offers free
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Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread human rights violations, affecting millions worldwide. It knows no cultural or national boundaries, occurring in homes, workplaces, and public spaces. From psychological and physical abuse to practices like human trafficking and child marriage - the impact is devastating - and to conquer this widespread issue we, as a community, must unite and take a stand against said acts. The Zonta Club of Mackay’s 16 Days of Activism campaign is
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The Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club recently travelled to Alva Beach, Ayr, to compete in the North Barrier Branch Champion Lifesaver Carnival. This challenging event assessed participants on their surf sports fitness, patient assessment, CPR skills, and theoretical knowledge through a detailed written exam. Josh Grant, Mackay SLSC’s Director of Surf Sports, highlighted the significance of the competition. “This competition is extremely important in developing the skills of our lifesavers,” he said.
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The Men’s Prostate Cancer Support Group is transforming how men view a prostate cancer diagnosis, turning fear and isolation into hope and connection. Meeting every second Thursday of the month at the South Suburban Bowls Club, the group provides a safe, uplifting environment where men can navigate the challenges of prostate cancer together. Chris Bartlem who has been involved with the group for 18 years after overcoming the disease himself, is passionate about breaking the stigma surrounding
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The final Sunday afternoon races for November wrapped up last weekend for the Mackay Road Runners, leaving just four more races scheduled for January 2025. December will provide a much-needed time for rest and recovery before the 2025 programs begin. However, for those eager to stay active, a few dedicated runners will meet at 4:30pm every Sunday throughout December at Bluewater Quay (near Red Dog). Everyone is welcome to join - no membership required, and there’s no cost involved. A small dona
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Monday 18 November 2024 – 7 Table Mitchell Green Points 1st Jan Harris / Helen Van Den Broek 2nd Mary Rose Ramsden / Sandy Patterson 3rd David Ting / Eric Goodchild 4th / Susan Ross / Vicki Howard Tuesday Evening 19 November 2024 –5Table Mitchell Green Points N/S E/W 1st Geoff Taylor / Janelle Conroy 1st Lorna Shuttlewood / Janet Hansen 2nd Patrica Garner / Adrian Westcott 2nd Terry Sheedy / Helen Van Den Broek 3rd Faye Wright / Marilin Robins 3rd Christopher Meyers / Shirley Worland Wednes
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The 2024 bowls year is just about completed…now’s the time to organise your competition teams and set your goals for next year. Setting goals is very important - it may be as simple as improving your game by approaching an experienced bowler or coach. For assistance it may take as little as 15 minutes. It may be your technique or stance requiring adjustment, or concentration level needs to improve. Improving your skill increases your outlook of the game and decreases the bad bowls delivered. Ano
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Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday morning fixtures November 19, 2024: Division 1: Code Crackers (Doug Dungavell, Delma Knight, Noreen Fredericksen, Coral Morgan) drew Byte Bouncers (Branko Vucurovic, Donna Abbott, John McGee, Marie Taylor) 7-all. Delma d Branko 7, -7, -10, 9, 13. Nano Nets (Tony Bowman, Charlie Payne, Peter Goodson, Veronica Shepherd) d Pixel Paddles (George Camilleri, Pam Joyce, Judy Zahn, Kevin Abbott) 10-4. Charlie d George 5, 6, -8, -3, 11. Division 2: Tokyo Turners (John Ha
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Teeing off for a worthy cause, last Sunday the Proserpine Golf Club hosted its annual Breast and Prostate Cancer Charity Event. Participants turned out in vibrant pink and blue attire to show their support, enjoying a fun-filled day of golf with friends, family, and colleagues. The scenic Proserpine Golf Club provided the perfect backdrop for the event, which was expertly organised by the dedicated Noelene Spurway. The aim was to raise vital funds to combat two of the most prevalent cancers affe
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Earlier this week Crown Princess made its inaugural call to the Port of Airlie, marking a significant milestone for both Cruise Whitsundays and the Port of Airlie Terminal. The ship received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from the Cruise Whitsundays team, with even the beloved Cruise Whitsundays mascot, Cruiser the Turtle, making a special appearance to greet both crew members and guests as they arrived at the port. Ren Van Rooyen, Hotel General Manager aboard the Crown Princess, shared his exc
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Hi Everyone! It’s been a busy week here at the office! As many of you know, we officially launched our brand-new Hinchinbrook paper on Tuesday. I'd like to start by giving a huge congratulations to the Hinchinbrook Life team for their fantastic efforts in bringing this paper to life. In other news, I've been busy doing a lot of dog-sitting lately, and one of the wonderful dogs I've been looking after this week is Finn, one of our office dogs. Which leads me to an exciting new addition to Whitsun
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Who doesn’t adore a nice little street library? If you haven’t heard of this heartwarming community concept, street libraries stand as beautiful homes for books, to invite neighbours and members of the community to share the joys of reading with one another! A popular phenomenon during COVID-19 isolation periods, street libraries began popping up around local streets and parks to keep people connected and reading - a wonderful habit with a world of benefits. Locals are able to leave a book they
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On Monday, November 25, Mayor Ry Collins, joined by several WRC Councillors, officially launched the Zonta Club Book Collection at Bowen Library. The unveiling took place before an enthusiastic crowd of community members, marking the addition of this valuable resource to the library. Mayor Collins was excited to launch the Zonta Collection. He praised the efforts of Zonta members for their contribution to the community. The Zonta Club of Bowen has generously donated a diverse and thoughtfully c
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