From start to finish, the North Mackay Sinkers enjoyed the best that Whitehaven Beach and the Whitsundays had to offer, with so many smiles and great achievements both for the quicks and the first timers challenged by an open water swim (OWS). The last Whitehaven beach OWS was in 2019 and it took the North Mackay Sinkers a few years to consider hosting the event themselves. In 2023 the idea gelled into an event to be co-hosted by the club, as well as Masters Swimming Qld to ensure its viability.
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Last week, Labor announced a substantial commitment to the Mackay Hockey Association, pledging $1.5 Million to improve the region’s indoor sporting facilities. This announcement nearly doubles the previous promise made by the LNP and is aimed at enhancing infrastructure and supporting the development of Mackay’s grassroots athletes, with a particular focus on fostering Olympian talent. The fund has now been fully secured and is said to be a landmark investment in the region’s sporting future.
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The Mackay Contract Bridge Club celebrated a successful weekend during the 2024 Mackay Contract Bridge Congress. The event showcased impressive talent, with Don and Jan securing the title for A Grade Team Winners, alongside B Grade pairs winners Helen and Jan. In the Walk-ins category, Sandra Morris and Annie Lynch emerged victorious, with Terry and Janelle taking the runner-up position. The weekend was a fantastic display of camaraderie and skill amongst players in the region.
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The North Mackay Bowls Club’s ladies team claimed victory in the Division 1 Pennants in the Mackay District, showcasing their skills and determination. However, in a closely contested match against the Leichardt District champions, they were narrowly defeated by just 2 points. This result means the Leichardt Ladies will advance to the State playoffs at Club Tweed next month. Despite the loss, the North Mackay ladies can be proud of their impressive performance throughout the competition. North
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Detectives from the Mackay Criminal Investigation Branch have charged a 33-year-old man following the death of a 64-year-old man in East Mackay yesterday, October 3. Emergency services were called to a Rae Street address around 3.40pm, following reports a 64-year-old East Mackay man was unresponsive. The man was later declared deceased at the scene. A 33-year-old Mackay man was taken into custody at the scene and has been charged with one count of murder. He is due to appear before Macka
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Proserpine Café owner Joanne Klose has returned from a sensational trip to Uganda and she cannot wait to tell the Whitsunday community about the trip. Joanne travelled to Uganda with 29 others with Mission Abundance to support two charities in Uganda, Kyampisi Childcare Ministries (KCM) and Bridge Christian Ministries (BCM). Mission Abundance is helping these charities by building a new rehabilitation centre, giving over a thousand people access to free health care, and supplying clean drinki
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Hi Everyone, By the time you are reading this I will be on my honeymoon in Melbourne! As many of you will know, I got married in August, but with family visiting from all over the country and the world, we decided to spend time with them after the wedding, electing to have our honeymoon now instead. We have two nights in the city, followed by three nights at Hepburn Springs where we will enjoy six and a half hours of spa treatments! Indulgent? Absolutely! A big thank you to my mum for looki
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Understanding that nobody should be alone for Christmas, Whitsunday local and retiree Michael Thomas recently posted on Whitsundays Noticeboard inviting fellow locals to an ‘orphans’ Christmas party. He expected a group of people to be interested, but you can imagine his surprise when the post garnered 440 reactions and 151 comments. “It blew way past my imagination!” laughed Michael. “I'm still doing lunch for Christmas but it is going to be limited to 40 people in my backyard. “If I can m
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Plans for the new $68 million Bowen Jetty have been revealed. The project will see a new jetty construction that will revitalise the asset and the precinct for the community. The project will see the construction of a modern jetty that has been designed in line with extensive community consultation, and that will feature a host of public amenities while honouring the rich, 150-year-old history of the structure. Anne Baker, Labor candidate for Burdekin expressed excitement about the announceme
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The Bowen community's long-awaited dream of ensuring the future of the Bowen Jetty has come true following a prolonged bout of advocacy by Member for Burdekin Dale Last MP. Mr Last said he was proud to have worked with Bowen’s community leaders on behalf of the community and condemned the Labor state government's delays. “For several years the Labor state government has made promises about the future of the jetty but, frankly, had failed to deliver," Mr Last said. Mr Last said that once the p
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By Paul Gellatly A meeting at Bowen Neighbourhood Centre last week attempted to find solutions for the workforce accommodation crisis, which is claimed to be crippling the town and surrounding region. Hosted by Greater Whitsunday Communities and Regional Development Australia, the meeting was attended by representatives of some of Bowen's major employers and sought to find ways to kickstart more workforce accommodation at a time when the shortage of such lodgings is harming the town's economic
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Over 30 people gathered at St Paul’s Anglican Church in Proserpine last Friday for National Police Remembrance Day. The service paid respect and recognised Australian Police Officers nationwide and international police officers. The Remembrance Day paid tribute to officers that died both in service and out of service. Queensland Police Proserpine Station Sergeant Mark Flynn spoke on the matter. “The Queensland Police Service acknowledges the years of service, commitment and integrity of reti
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Almost a decade in the making and the Whitsunday Sportspark Club House finally has all its licences, approvals and financials in place enabling it to announce an official opening date of December this year. The $8 million site is a modern, fully equipped Club House which offers a comfortable community hub for both sporting groups and regular residents. A non-profit venue, all proceeds will be ploughed straight back into supporting sport groups and other non-for-profit groups within our communi
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At last week's monthly Ordinary Council Meeting in Bowen, the Council deferred a decision on flying fox deterrent activities to a future meeting this calendar year pending further information on the Roost Management Plan and the Flying Fox Management Strategy both currently being developed. Council wants to balance the need to protect flying foxes as a threatened species while reducing their impact on residents so we can all live together in our Whitsundays. Council’s 2017 Flying Fox Management
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As part of Australia Post’s Bank@Post service, Bendigo Bank customers can do basic bank transactions at the Proserpine Licensed Post Office. Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale-Proserpine customers can deposit cash or cheques, withdraw money, and check account balances at all Australia Post outlets. Bendigo Bank customers who are pensioners, and select concession card holders, can make no-fee withdrawals using the Bank@Post service at any Post Office Australia-wide. All other Bendigo Bank custom
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Mayor Ry Collins' first Charity Ball raised over $60,000 for BMA CQ Rescue and the Whitsunday Suicide Prevention Network, making it a great success! The event, held at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre, combined glamour and entertainment with a strong sense of community support. A big thank you to our Event Partners and Platinum Sponsors, Hillery Group, Abbot Point Operations, and Airlie Beach Hotel, for helping to make the night possible. To see the full list of sponsors, visit https://bit.ly
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North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) has unveiled a community-led concept design for a new jetty that will help transform the Bowen coastline. The release of the final Bowen Jetty concept design comes as the Queensland Government has provided funding approval for the $68 million project. The project is made possible thanks to a $50 million commitment from the Queensland Government and a $18 million contribution from the government owned port authority North Queensland Bulk Ports Co
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1: My name is Andrew Elborne, age 59, born in Brisbane. I attended a catholic school until grade 10 left to pursue a trade as an electrician. I have worked in construction and believe there is major room for improvement in the power generation base load field area. I have been a proud foster parents to 63 children over the years, I have also been part of peer support programs and men’s mental health groups. 2: Today’s education system does not cater to youth wanting to do trades and not univers
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1: I am an authentic person who has a demonstrated platform of putting people over politics, I come with 17 years’ experience in local government - the last 12 as Mayor of the Isaac Regional Council. I am capable, confident, and committed to the electorate of Burdekin. 2: Equitable Government funding to the regions/electorates is a major concern for me, it was when I was the Mayor of Isaac, which I made progress on however there is more to do, and it remains a priority of mine. The model of d
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1: Prior to becoming the Member for Burdekin, I spent more than 25 years as a Police Officer in regional Queensland as well as serving as a Local Government Councillor and running my own business. That means I bring wide ranging experience and knowledge to this role. My track record in advocating on behalf of rural and regional Queensland and the Burdekin Electorate speaks for itself and my ability to deliver results is evidence of my passion for representing our community. 2: The Burdekin El
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1: The last four years has been a privilege to serve as the Member for Whitsunday; I’m asking for the community to give me the opportunity to continue to serve them. I have worked hard and believe I have stood up on the issues that matter to our community. 2: Our road projects – we need Hamilton Plains to commence – its ready to go, and congestion on Mackay Bucasia Road - we just need a government who is committed to regional Queensland to ensure our region gets its fair share instead of st
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1: As a health professional, now working as an Emergency Physician, I have seen firsthand how the community’s health and wellbeing thrives when Governments invest in healthcare and health infrastructure. As a local dad of five kids aged between 10-21, cost of living relief is vital to our family. I want to continue on Labor’s commitment to doing what matters to Whitsunday families by providing free Kindy, free TAFE as well as $1000 energy rebate, and 20% off car rego. 2: My health background
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1: Previously the people’s Mayor of the Whitsunday Regional Council, I am a mother and a grandmother with a passion for representing my community to ensure the world we are creating for our children is one worth living in. I didn’t go into politics to become a career politician, I did it to give my community a real voice. I have the guts to say what most people are thinking, and I can have a much stronger voice in State Government. 2: I can’t pick one issue, there are so many that are affecting
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Questions posed for each candidate to answer: 1: Who are you and what do you think qualifies you for the role? 2: If you could initiate a project or address one issue in the region – what would it be and how you would go about it? 3: There are many diverse communities within your electorate, how would you ensure each was served fairly? 4: What do you think the people most want now and how would you give it to them? 5: Tell us what your first 100 days would look like if you were successful
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Gilmour Space has successfully completed a major wet dress rehearsal at the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland, marking a key milestone towards the launch of the country's first Australian-made orbital rocket later this year. During the test, the Eris rocket was safely loaded with propellant and all launch procedures were executed up to T-10 seconds before lift-off. The full rehearsal confirmed the performance of critical systems and only minor issues were identified. These issues i
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