The Proserpine Bowls Club enjoyed a vibrant week of activities, starting on Wednesday with a well-attended afternoon of social bowls in preparation for the Memorial Day Carnival.
Read more
Melbourne Cup Day brought a festive atmosphere to the Wangaratta Bowls Club as social players combined their love of bowls with a few sweeps to mark the occasion.
Read more
It was a fantastic day for golf as 32 players hit the course for the Melbourne Cup Day Stableford competition, followed by a delightful spread provided by the club’s members.
Read more.jpg)
The Whitsunday Golf Club hosted an action-packed day with 20 players competing for the 2024 WGC Club Championship, the coveted Medal of Medals, and a weekly stroke competition. Under warm and breezy conditions, players showcased their determination and skill across the grades.
Read more
The Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Project, once a key part of Queensland’s energy future, has officially been scrapped by the newly-elected LNP Government. After releasing a detailed report into the project’s feasibility, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie confirmed it was neither financially viable nor environmentally sustainable, citing an overwhelming $36 billion cost. For many local residents, the decision brought a sense of relief after years of uncertainty, with concerns about tr
Read more
Cancer brings with it a profound sense of uncertainty, a reality that can feel overwhelming at times. Each stage of this journey, from the jarring moment of diagnosis to the draining side effects of chemotherapy, presents its own unique challenges. Now, as I await my PET scan results just one day before my next round of chemotherapy, I find myself in a particularly daunting moment, grappling with the weight of what those results may bring. By the time this paper goes to print, I’ll know the outc
Read more
The waterfall and slide at the Bluewater Lagoon has been temporarily closed due to a water pump failure. A new pump has been ordered and will be installed as soon as it arrives. Mackay Regional Council aims to have the slide back in action by Saturday, December 14, just in time for the summer break. Council apologises for any inconvenience caused and appreciates your understanding while they complete these essential repairs. The rest of the lagoon will be unaffected by the repairs and will c
Read more
A snorkelling trip turned into a high-stakes rescue when a woman in her 50s was bitten by a shark approximately 200 kilometres off the Mackay coast. On October 30, around 4:30pm, the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) received an urgent call reporting the woman had sustained severe lacerations to her lower leg, requiring immediate first aid and a coordinated rescue effort. The first responders on board acted swiftly, applying a compression bandage to control the bleeding, which proved essential
Read more
Take a moment to think about the people around you, the quiet achievers, the volunteers who go the extra mile, the sportspeople pushing their limits, and the local legends making a real difference. Now is your chance to shine a light on their extraordinary efforts, and this year, a powerful new category has been added shining a light on inclusion. Now is the time to nominate residents for the 2025 Australia Day Awards. Mayor Greg Williamson said there was a new award category this year – the Bre
Read more
Police are investigating a serious vehicle and pedestrian traffic crash and assault at Homebush, southwest of Mackay, earlier this week on November 2. The Mackay police unit said that initial investigations indicate that at around 9:45pm, a white utility was driving dangerously along Homebush Road before a red Mazda 3 travelling westbound collided with a 17-year-old girl who was on the roadway. The Mazda continued for a short distance before stopping, its then alleged several people nearby appro
Read more
A flood study for Finch Hatton was adopted at last week’s ordinary meeting of council. The Finch Hatton Flood Study was undertaken by engineering consultants Water Technology Pty Ltd to update the existing flood data and inform planning for the Finch Hatton township. Mayor Greg Williamson said council was continually expanding and re-assessing its flood hazard studies, which were prioritised based on various factors including the potential risk to the community and other development drivers. “Th
Read more
Hundreds of members from the Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA) gathered in Mackay for the first time in over a century to participate in the 101st Annual State Conference, held from October 22 to November 1. With 300 registered attendees, the conference aimed to unite women from rural and regional communities, addressing pressing issues affecting their lives and reinforcing the importance of camaraderie and support across Queensland. Throughout the conference, participants engaged i
Read more
Annie Wood Park playground in Mount Pleasant is getting a makeover. As part of the work, one of the open top slides on the existing play structure is being replaced with a larger closed tube slide. Other minor maintenance work is also being completed. The playground will be closed from Monday, November 4, to Friday, November 15, weather permitting, to allow for the installation of the new slide and associated foundation work. Council apologises for any inconvenience caused by this closure. T
Read more
Friday November 15, marks the 150th birthday of one of our region’s oldest schools – Walkerston State School. The school community is excited to celebrate this significant event with the outside community. Walkerston State School started as Alsatia Provisional School with 20 students, opening in November 1874, 12 years after Captain John Mackay settled at Greenmount. Over time the school has grown, moving to its current site in 1880, with the original 1880 building still standing. Over time s
Read more
It has been a year since nurse Ailsa Millewski passed away peacefully in the Mater palliative care unit where she once worked, but the legacy of her care has not faded. Ailsa joined Mater Private Hospital Mackay in 2010, working in the maternity team and coordinating the hospital’s Health Hearing Program. She made a positive impact on her patients and colleagues from the very beginning. “People said that when Ailsa smiled, it wasn’t just a smile. She smiled with her whole face,” her husband Ga
Read more
Last month on October 25th, the Mackay Hospital and Health Service acknowledged the outstanding contributions of their healthcare staff at the Let’s Celebrate Mackay HHS People Awards. The gala event was held at the Ocean International and recognised the individuals and teams who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and innovation in their roles, embodying the core organisational values of collaboration, trust, respect and teamwork. The Mackay HHS team extends their congratulations to th
Read more
Eleven months after a debilitating stroke changed her life, Susan Kynaston is still working hard to “retrain her brain”. Susan suffered a number of small brain bleeds in December last year and was flown to Townsville Hospital where she was operated on and spent four days in ICU. She spent four months in hospital in total including Christmas, her 71st birthday and her wedding anniversary. The stroke left her bed-ridden and unable to eat or drink – she spent months having to be fed via a tube bo
Read more
For many people, recovering from COVID-19 isn’t always straightforward. While most recover fully after a few weeks, some continue to experience symptoms long after their initial illness. This condition, known as Long COVID, can affect everyday life, making it hard to work, socialise, and manage day-to-day activities. Long COVID includes a range of symptoms that can last for weeks or even months. These can include extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating (often called “br
Read more
Last Saturday, the 2024 Annual Mackay Women’s High Tea, hosted by the Zonta Club of Mackay, was held at Ocean International, bringing together a diverse group of attendees for a morning of connection and engagement. The venue was elegantly decorated, providing a welcoming environment for all. Guests enjoyed an interactive session led by speakers from Rhythm Business, who incorporated song, drumming, and music-making into their presentation. This engaging approach encouraged participation and fos
Read more
After competing in her very first pageant, eight-year-old Cindy proudly took home the title of Miss Photogenic and placed in the Top 5, ultimately winning the Miss Ruby International crown. This remarkable achievement of ranking second among five levels: Amethyst, Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby, and Diamond, has brought immense joy to Cindy and her supporters. Cindy’s mother, Monique, expressed her pride, saying, “Cindy was really happy with her crowns and sashes.” This success is just the beginning
Read more
Over time, the things we want and need in a home can change. This is when you ask yourself ‘do I renovate and create exactly what I need?’ or ‘do I relocate and find something new?’. Here’s some tips to help you consider what may be best for you. Choosing to renovate Renovating allows you to customise your plans and create a home that is exactly how you want it to be. An office space, another bathroom, a second living area. Although a renovation may cost you money upfront, any upgrades or addi
Read more
If you’re on the hunt for a new addition to your wardrobe, look no further than the North Mackay Kidney Support Network (KSN) Inc Community Op Shop on Evans Avenue. This week, from 8-15th of November, they’re offering readers a special offer of 50% off all clothing! Here’s the best part… every dollar spent at KSN’s Op Shop directly supports individuals living with kidney disease in the community, with proceeds going towards essential services, particularly door-to-door transport for patients
Read more
The Pioneer Swimming Club is excited to announce their new club captains for the 2024/25 season, Zahli Herring and Stevie Brand. A representative from swimming club said, “The role of captain is given to those athletes whom the rest of the team respect and trust to lead them in the right direction - Zahli and Stevie nominated for these roles, and agreed to lead and inspire their junior swimmers for the season.” Members from the club also expressed their gratitude to WHF Constructions - Buildin
Read more
By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay This being our first column post-election, on behalf of CANEGROWERS Mackay I would like to congratulate the successful candidates across the region. We look forward to continuing to work with them as the new term of a new government for Queensland takes office and implements policy and programs. CANEGROWERS, throughout the election was clear about the needs of the industry to continue to raise productivity, sustainability in an effort to continue to re
Read more
This week Season to date Cane crushed 62,004 942,058 Average bin weight 3.93 3.91 CCS 14.73 14.06 Cane variety performance for region Variety % CCS Variety % CCS Q183 20.8 15.04 Q253 24.2 13.91 Q240 13.3 15.15 SRA9 10.0 15.04 Q208 13.3 15.57 SP80 5.9 14.63 KQ228 2.6 14.34 Q138 4.4 14.44 Comments: Plane Creek Mill processed just over 62,000 tonnes of cane for the week, bringing the season total to just over 940,000 tonnes. Average CCS dropped by 0.14 of a unit over the previous week, closing out
Read more