Fancy a stress-free Christmas lunch this year? Escape the stress of a traditional home-cooked Christmas lunch this year and indulge in a luxurious buffet at Ocean International, where the whole family can enjoy a festive feast without the hassle of cooking! On Christmas Day, from 12pm to 2.30pm, Ocean International invites you to a seamless celebration where great food, good music and a welcoming atmosphere come together to create an unforgettable experience for you and your loved ones. As you
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When futureproofing your career, remember that while certain trends may be universal, it’s essential to adapt them to your personal situation. We’re already seeing ongoing advancements in technology, impacting all job roles, however, the ways in which it affects each role, and the pace of adoption, may differ. Forbes (2024) emphasises the ‘landscape of work is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by technological breakthroughs and evolving societal dynamics’. Other factors driving change are not
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Essential maintenance works on the Glenpark Street rail overpass bridge began on Monday, October 21. Mackay Regional Council contractors, Fressinet Australia, are undertaking the works to extend the life of the bridge. Traffic management will be in place as Glenpark Street will be closed to single lane traffic only. Minimal delays are expected as the works will be undertaken at night from 9pm to 5am, Sunday to Thursday only. The works are expected to take eight weeks, weather permitting. Council
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Mackay Regional Council's Australia Day event grants are now open and local community groups are encouraged to apply. Mayor Greg Williamson said council was excited to offer the Australia Day event grant funding once again. “A number of our 2024 Australia Day community events had to be postponed due to a cyclone, so we are really looking forward to a ripper Aussie Day event line up in the new year,” Mayor Williamson said. “Not-for-profit community groups can apply for up to $1000 to support thei
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For more than two decades, Reef Catchments has played a significant role in protecting and restoring natural resources in the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region. From the mountains to the sea, they have worked to support resilient regional environments, build strong community partnerships, and lead initiatives in conservation, land management and ecosystem restoration. As an independent not-for-profit Natural Resource Management (NRM) organisation, Reef Catchments are involved in the integrated man
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The Sustainable Agriculture team partners with farmers and landholders in the Mackay Whitsunday area to implement on-farm practice change. This collaboration produces on-farm benefits to productivity and profitability while directly contributing to important reductions in sediment, nutrient, and chemical losses. These activities span multiple agriculture sectors and are centred around providing agronomic support in the adoption of holistic farm management and best management practices. As well a
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The Reef Catchments Waterways team is a dedicated group of professionals committed to working with landholders to improve the health of our region’s waterways. With extensive experience in streambank and gully remediation, the team works closely with local landholders and stakeholders to achieve meaningful, long-lasting outcomes for water quality and riverine health. The team achieves this by focusing on reducing fine sediment runoff, particularly in areas like the O’Connell Basin, which is a p
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One of the largest teams at Reef Catchments, the Biodiversity team - formerly Conservation and Communities - undertakes a diverse range of projects with a focus on wetland conservation, safeguarding priority species (flora and fauna), and fostering community collaboration to manage invasive species and enhance habitat health in the face of a changing climate. Getting Started In 2004, the first funding for a Coastcare Facilitator was received from the Department of Environment and Heritage. Their
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In 2017, Cyclone Debbie hit the Whitsunday coastline causing extensive the regional landscape and also heavily impacting underwater ecosystems. This disaster was a key factor underpinning the formation of a Great Barrier Reef Foundation project - the Whitsundays Reef Islands Initiative (WRII). Managed by Reef Catchments, this groundbreaking project focuses on positioning the Whitsundays as a global hub for inshore fringing reef stewardship. The WRII coral and seagrass restoration projects were R
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The Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership, hosted by Reef Catchments, is a leading network of organisations working together to maintain and improve waterway health in the Mackay-Whitsunday-Isaac region, through monitoring, education and collaboration. The Partnership has representation from all sectors, including industry, agriculture, research and science, ports, conservation, tourism, traditional owners, government, and more. The Healthy Rivers to Reef team collate data from more than 40 data pr
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When it comes to using clichés, I avoid them like the plague. Boom boom. Some readers will pick up the vague humour in my use of the cliché “avoid them like the plague” to emphasise my dislike of clichés. Others will feel they have more important things to worry about in their busy, stressful lives than to be on the lookout for feigned hypocrisy and lame attempts at humour in a real estate column. To them, I say: Laughter is the best medicine; he who laughs last laughs loudest; read between the
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Across the Mackay region, a poignant tribute now graces our streets: newly redesigned signs featuring red poppies, honouring the sacrifices of World War I and II casualties. In the lead-up to Remembrance Day, the Mackay Regional Council has started installing these new commemorative street blades, replacing the M150 street signs first introduced in 2012 as part of Mackay’s 150th anniversary. The poppy signifies that the street is named after a soldier who was a casualty of war and whose records
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Friday 1st November Crochet, Coffee and Conversation 9am Drop in for a morning of crocheting, coffee and conversation with a friendly group of Northern Beaches locals at Beachfront Bar & Restaurant on Bucasia Esplanade. BYO crochet tools or you’re welcome to borrow from the communal box Bucasia Esplanade, Beachfront Bar and Restaurant. Australia A and India A Men’s Cricket 10am, 31st October – 3rd November Get ready for an exciting four-day match between the Australia A and India A Men's t
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For CQUniversity alumnus Fiona Mann Bobongie, starting her own First Nations consultancy as a way to facilitate a path towards cultural connection, respect and understanding. The Mackay resident started Cyclic Konnectionz (CK) in 2018 to create tailored programs that support community engagement, professional growth and reconciliation through culturally-informed frameworks and initiatives in the region. CK also delivers cultural capabilities training and development to improve professional sp
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Last weekend, Queens Park was transformed into a vibrant global party for Global Grooves 2024, an event that promised a feast for the senses. Held on Saturday, October 26, this free family event showcased cultural dances, global music, traditional attire, and mouthwatering food from around the world. Twelve cultural dance groups and bands entertained the crowds, creating an electric atmosphere filled with rhythm and celebration. Attendees also had the chance to participate in two exciting worksh
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Whitsunday Anglican School’s Junior School began Term 4 with a ‘superb’ display of talent and dedication. Special Acknowledgements: Miss Walker and the Junior Concert Band – Recognised for their outstanding performance, showcasing musical opportunities for students and the extended school community. Eason Wang – Acknowledged for his beautiful renditions of the national anthem and School song at assemblies. Dare to Care Award Winners – Celebrated for demonstrating kindness, empathy, teamwork
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October has been an exciting month for North Mackay Sinkers, packed with training sessions and upcoming events as members prepare for the annual Balnagowan Swim on Sunday, November 3rd. The Balnagowan Open Water Swim offers 1.25k, 2.5k, and 5k swim options, welcoming everyone from beginner swimmers to experienced distance competitors. Registrations are open online until noon on Saturday, November 2nd, with same-day registration available (although pre-registration helps with event planning). Th
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Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday night fixtures October 22, 2024: Division 1: Corgi (Will VanDeKaa, Robbie Richards, Lily Boland) d Aqua (Duncan Treloar, Geoff Denman, Ian McKay) 9-2. Will d Duncan 7, -12, -13, 11, 7. Andro (Emma Widdup, Allan Edwards, Graham Drury) d Azalea (Mark Sleeman, Barry Patterson, Allan Robins) 7-4. Allan d Mark -9, 7, 9, -7, 8. Alfa (Goncalo Serra, Tony Bowman, Vince Boeske) d Barry (Trent Day, Anne Sheridan, Lee Brake) 8-3. Vince d Anne 5, -9, 6, -6, 9. Division 2: C
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Emerging Proserpine Pitbulls prospect Ben Valmadre has continued his purple form patch in the Mackay Junior Cricket Association. The talented sixteen-year-old batsman chalked up back to back half centuries when he peeled off an unbeaten 67 last Saturday in the Pitbulls’ one day victory over Mackay Magpies Black in an Under 17s junior fixture at the Magpies Sports Ground. It followed his classy knock of 53 in Proserpine Cricket Club’s first round win over Magpies White. Valmadre is the Junior
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Mackay Magpies first grade cricket team have shown they will be a force to be reckoned with in the 2024-25 Mackay Cricket Association Poole Cup series. The undefeated Magpies claimed bragging rights with a seven wicket victory over rivals Walkerston in their top of the table tussle last Saturday at the Magpies Sportsground. Gun batsman Rhys McBride and swing merchant Andrew Borg proved the stand outs as the Magpies chalked up a fourth successive one day triumph to open up a nine point lead at
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Mackay Cycling Club made a strong impression at the Townsville Cup on Wheels, with Peter Ransome stealing the spotlight by winning the main event. Competing in the combined handicap race known as the Cup on Wheels, Ransome navigated the challenging outdoor concrete velodrome—akin to the Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane—with skill and tenacity. His ability to blend sprints with endurance paid off as he crossed the finish line first and also claimed the B-Grade Keirin trophy, showcasing the cons
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PCYC Queensland’s Deadly 3s 2024 Basketball Tournament is more than just a friendly sporting competition. It’s an opportunity for indigenous Australians to meet new friends, reconnect with old friends, and share in a common passion to strengthen their communities. This is the driving motivator for Athaliah Power (nee Henaway), who has been involved with Deadly 3s for five years. “Deadly 3s and other PCYC programs are such a driving force behind bringing people together,” Athaliah said. “Ther
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The Presidents Trophy is being hotly contested by forty-four players over three weeks. Each player plays with a different partner every week. After the second week it is anybody’s trophy. The Novice pairs competition after the second week is up for grabs as the leaders from last week, slipped down the ladder. This competition is still wide open. Weekly Results Monday 21 October 2024 – 6 Table Mitchell Green Points N/S E/W 1st Janelle Conroy / Terry Sheedy 1st David Ting / Ming Ting 2nd Joy B
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Cricket Australia (CA) has announced the 2025 National Indigenous Cricket Championships (NICC) will be held in Mackay from April 2-7, 2025. The decision to hold the Championships on Yuwibara Country in Mackay follows recent discussions with State and Territory Governments about the opportunity to collaborate with CA about hosting events and national tournaments over the next seven seasons. The NICC was held on Arrernte Country in Mparntwe, Alice Springs for eight years. This move aligns wi
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Mackay put on a show over three exhilarating days as competitors gave it their all at the 2024 North Australian Surf Life Saving Championships. From pool events and beach sprints to relays, flags and thrilling water challenges like the Board, Surf, Ski, and Iron events, athletes showcased extraordinary skill, resilience, and sportsmanship. Competitors ranged from U11s to Masters, each bringing unmatched energy and skill to every event. With sunny skies and perfect conditions, Emu Park Surf Life
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