Simon Hood Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing By nominating Wilmar as your GEI marketer for the 2025 season, you are choosing to work with a leading global sugar trader. This gives you direct exposure to insights into the world sugar trade backed by in-depth analysis of international supply and demand fundamentals that ultimately determine price outcomes. For growers who use Call and Target pricing, access to this research and analysis is a comparative advantage when making pricing decisions f
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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay There is a rule of thumb that by Father’s Day, the crop should be 50 per cent crushed, but this year we saw that day come and go with about 65 to 75 per cent of the crop still sitting in paddocks across the district. If you are in the Mackay Sugar milling area, abysmal performance at Marian mill has left growers up the Pioneer Valley far behind in removing their crop, with attempts to restore equity by increasing Marian cane through Farleigh and Raceco
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By Hannah McNamara $38 million in funding has just been announced to enhance Kestrel Coal Resources' capabilities, supporting the construction of a waste gas-to-energy plant as part of the state government’s efforts to decarbonise its resource sector, if re-elected in October. This investment, along with an additional $5 million to develop the Resources Centre of Excellence in Mackay, was discussed during a meeting between Deputy Premier Cameron Dick, Labor Candidate for Mackay Belinda Hassan
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How good are you at trivia? Great or just average? Can’t get anything right if you’ve been before? Feel like you’re letting the team down, just because you’re in the group? Tonight is your night then! My mates at the Mackay Dragonboat Club are having another one of their remarkably successful trivia nights at the harbour and by all reports, it is set to be another cracking fun night. A couple of years ago Dale called me up to ask if I’d volunteer some time on the mic asking the questions wit
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Often when we have been in a career or organisation for some time, or even as we reach a time of year, maintaining motivation can be a challenge. The follow on from a loss of motivation may see us nudging more of a negative mindset than a positive one, which can result in a negative spiral, which pervades all aspects of our lives. It takes a purposeful shift in mindset and here are some practical actions to assist with putting the WOW back into our WHY. 1. Reflect on what was your original m
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Australian Church Women will celebrate World Community Day at 10 am on Friday 25th October, at Northside Uniting Church, Bedford Road Andergrove. We will also collect the ‘least coin donations’ that members have collected each time they pray for peace, justice and hope during the previous year. The Fellowship of the Least Coin is a global prayer movement that supports and advocates for peace, and justice and hopes to promote the physical, mental and spiritual health and well-being of women and
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“A wry, Jarmuschian musing on the human connections and possibilities that spark in the most unexpected places." – OBSERVER Get ready for the next film night featuring Fremont, a poignant and gently humorous immigrant story. The film follows Donya, a young Afghan who moved to Fremont, California after serving as a translator for the American army, spends her days working at a fortune cookie factory and her nights wide awake battling between her desire to rebuild her life and the overbearing gu
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Historically high work participation, lots of job vacancies, seriously strong population growth, rental and sales prices up by 10 per cent in the past financial year putting median house prices in Mackay up above the $500,000 mark. That was the message from Knight Frank Managing Director Craig Stack at a recent Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) function in Mackay. The facts and figures were a confirmation of the “feeling” that we have all had about how this city and region are on t
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Friday 27th September Matwork Pilates 5.45am Wanting to learn the fundamentals? This is a beginner experience and has been designed to show you the ropes and give you a taste of Pilates and how it should feel. This is a no pressure class, it's for beginners to have fun learning yet still receiving the full value of a Pilates session. Pilates should improve strength, flexibility, and overall well-being. Slade Point Community Hall. 4 Wren Street, Slade Point. Pokemon and Lorcana TCG Casual Pla
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Glitz, glamour and goodwill came together for a heart-warming cause last Saturday, as Broken Ballerina Inc. hosted its annual 2024 Be Bold, Be Brave, Be Beautiful Charity Ball at the Mackay Turf Club. Guests arrived in the early evening, gathering in the picturesque garden area before being welcomed into the grand ballroom at 6pm. Attendees were greeted with complimentary drinks and the sight of a glamorous pink carpet leading them into a beautifully decorated space. The ballroom itself was
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Eastern Swans, Moranbah Bulldogs and Bakers Creek Tigers shared the premiership spoils at this year’s AFL Mackay Grand Finals at Etwell Park earlier this month. All three clubs captured championship doubles in the junior and senior divisions to share bragging rights. The Swans stamped themselves a powerhouse by lifting the Senior Men’s Allied Cup and Under 12 Isuzu UTE Trophy while the Tigers are celebrating Grand Final triumphs in the Men’s Reserve Grade and Senior Women's ranks. Moranbah pro
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By Amanda Wright Step into the world of Scandalous, where seductive allure meets jaw-dropping circus stunts. At the heart of this sultry circus cabaret is Shayla Waterson, an aerial artist who commands the stage with daring acts that leave the audience breathless and yearning for more. From the moment Shayla lifts herself onto the trapeze or wraps herself in chains, the air crackles with anticipation. This isn’t your typical night out; it’s an 18+ spectacle that pushes boundaries and embraces t
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Host a holly jolly Christmas with a funding boost for local community groups! Mackay Regional Council is encouraging not-for-profit groups to make this Christmas a “cracker”! Council is looking to spread Christmas cheer across our region with the Christmas Grants program. Community and not-for-profit groups and organisations can apply for up to $750 from a $10,000 funding pool. Applications are open now and close at midnight on Friday, October 18. Council is happy to support events like carols,
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Noel Bugeia and Terry Sheedy have won the B4 Red Pt competition after a two-week event. The annual AGM has been held with a change of guard. Noel Bugeia stood down after three years of service as president, with Frances Brown as the new President. Many awards were given out to members at varying levels of achievement. Andrew Canavan was the best student this year, pictured with Anne Lutz. Congratulations Andrew! Weekly Results Tuesday Evening 17 September 2024 – 5 Table Mitchell Gree
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Papua New Guinea has claimed victory at the first-ever Pasifika Cup, held as part of Rumble on the Reef. This event marked a significant milestone in uniting Pacific Island skateboarding communities, showcasing a strong sense of connection and camaraderie among riders. The atmosphere was electric, with a supportive crowd cheering on all participants. Taking the top spot on the podium was PNG’s Josh O'Loughlin, followed by Fiji in second place and the Solomon Islands in third. In a remarkable sh
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By Hannah McNamara Ollies, kickflips, grinds and drop-ins were among the many impressive stunts and tricks displayed by our local skaters last Thursday afternoon at the Rumble Roadshow. The event took place at Camilleri Street Skatepark in Blacks Beach, providing a safe space for some of Mackay’s youngest skaters to come together, skate, and learn. Participants had the chance to pick up top skateboarding tips and tricks, not only from experienced skaters but also from fellow enthusiasts who s
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The Magpies Sporting Club Mackay has awarded its Time to Shine - Women in Sport Grant to local rugby union talent, Hula Day. Hula, an active member of both the Slade Point Rugby Union Women's team and the Mackay Stingers, regularly travels to Moranbah, Bowen, and Airlie Beach to compete. In June, Hula represented the U18s CQ Bushrangers at the Queensland Country Rugby Union competition in Rockhampton, gaining valuable experience against some of the state's top athletes. Passionate about rugby un
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Multisporters converged on Mackay last weekend for Mackay’s Triathlon Festival. Held on the 21st and 22nd of September, it featured ocean swims, a kid’s triathlon and multiple race formats including triathlon, duathlon, aquabike and aquathlon. More than 170 entries were recorded across two days, marking a fantastic increase from the past two years. More than 50 participants took part in the ocean swims, with a strong showing from the North Mackay Sinkers Masters Swimming Club. The Mini Kids r
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Mackay Airport acknowledges the planned industrial action by Trident security screening officers and the United Workers Union on Friday 27 September. Richard Barker, CEO of Mackay Airport, stated, “We are aware of ongoing negotiations between the security screening provider and union representatives, however, have not been party to these discussions. “Trident Services Security are responsible for reaching agreement with the union on the outstanding matters and we are hopeful the parties will r
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Ever started making an Asian dish and thought... how do I get that authentic flavour? Asian Products on the Go has you covered, stocking everything you could need to make your dish taste like it has come straight from Asia. Having been in their current store at the Whitsunday Shopping Centre for 10 years, owners Ken and Myrna, started out selling in markets and are proud of their shop, which they opened back in 2014. They love their location as people often stop by to check out their unique sele
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Providing Whitsunday residents with the popular Hawaiian/Japanese dish Poke, the owner Erina Miyake loves bringing this healthy, delicious and super quick lunch and dinner option to our region. Erina opened Lokahi Poke Bar two years ago and loves seeing her regular customers who cannot get enough of the tasty bowls which are packed with fresh local produce and flavour. Poke Bowl is a dish that originated from Hawaii, and it was inspired by the large population of Japanese residents on the is
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Uniting their passion for property and gardening, Whitsundays Property Services has expanded, opening a new store at the Whitsunday Shopping Centre that caters to the region’s plant lovers. The idea began when owners of Whitsunday Property Services, Rhys and Karly realised they had too many plants at home and wanted to share them with fellow enthusiasts. This planted the seed of an idea to launch a side-business and Fay’s Garden grew into the flourishing wonderland of greenery customers enjoy
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Recently opened Reef Beats is set to make its musical mark in Airlie Beach. Bringing a unique vibe to the Whitsunday Shopping Centre, owner Steve Payne says he is excited to be back. After leaving Perth in 2001, Steve moved to Airlie Beach and set up a record shop, after stumbling across the place on a tour up the east coast of Australia back when he was a youngster. Steve retold his time in Airlie Beach over 16 years and emphasised how the town was “Rockin’ 24/7.” Due to Cyclone Debbie, howeve
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Boomerang Bags and Craft Shop is a beloved community hub dedicated to uniting people through creativity. The shop offers a wide array of craft supplies and is adorned with charming homemade creations, from handcrafted seat covers to delightful crochet turtles. Each corner of the store reflects the spirit of local artisans, making it a vibrant space where creativity and community come together. Founder Tina Everett, decided to start up the group after sadly losing her mum. The group started as an
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Lumos Café is named upon the Harry Potter spell to summon light. And that is the purpose of Lumos Café - Owner Sarah Chen wants to bring a lightness to people who come in, and she wants them to leave with a big smile on their face. To set this café apart from others, Lumos Café has a strong focus on customer service, and you’ll feel that from your first breath inside. “We care,” is how Sarah describes Lumos Café. With customers being 80-90% local, staff love remembering the order of returning c
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