With treatment number four behind me yesterday, I'm officially halfway through my chemotherapy journey. It’s been a winding road, but one with a clear destination in sight. I’ll be taking the next few days to recover, so I can hit the ground running for next week’s edition. Thank you all for your continued support and understanding during this time, it means more than you know. Today (Friday), Mackay turns its attention to the Trudy Crowley Foundation’s Touch of Teal soirée, an event that holds
Read more
After 25 years of dedicated service to the Mackay community, Robert Gregg has officially retired. As many in the city heart may have noticed, Robert is no longer seen with his iconic red trolley, tirelessly cleaning the streets and recycling to keep the town beautiful. His daily presence was a fixture in the community and was always accompanied by a friendly smile and a warm wave to passers-by. For decades, Robert’s quiet, yet impactful work touched the hearts of many, to the point of earnin
Read more
Cathy Freeman OAM, the iconic Australian Olympic champion born in Mackay has recently expressed her strong support for the planned Stage 2 development at the Great Barrier Reef Arena. She highlighted the critical need for international-standard training and competition facilities for athletes in regional Queensland. The Stage 2 development at the Great Barrier Reef Arena will feature accessible accommodation and amenities, allowing athletes and school students from regional, state and interstat
Read more
By Amanda Wright The ongoing crime wave in Mackay has left local businesses and residents frustrated and fearful, with many calling for stronger measures to combat the rising tide of offences. As part of their campaign for the upcoming Queensland election, LNP representatives have pledged to restore law and order in the region through their “Adult Crime, Adult Time” policy. Shadow Minister for Police and Community Safety, Dan Purdie MP, visited Mackay recently to highlight the alarming crime s
Read more
‘Pick up the early warning signs, know what to say, what to do and where to go for.’ CORES-Queensland is dedicated to fostering community-led initiatives to combat suicide through targeted training and workshops. Their upcoming events in the region are designed to equip participants with vital skills when it comes to suicide prevention and self-care. Suicide Intervention Training – September 16 On September 16, from 9:00pm to 4:00pm, CORES-Queensland will host a comprehensive Suicide Intervent
Read more.png)
Have you ever stopped to think what it would be like if you were suddenly diagnosed with a severe disease only to then find out treatments available in Australia don’t work for you? What about if there were other treatments you could access, but they were only available in Brisbane? Sadly, only 5 years ago that was the case for many in the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday region. However, in 2018, the Coral Sea Clinical Research Institute (CSCRI) was established because a doctor was frustrated in seein
Read more
Mackay Regional Council is strongly advocating for state and federal funding to support a new local road connection that would help ease congestion on Mackay-Bucasia Road. The proposed extension of Reed Street to Norwood Parade, while not a long-term solution, presents a more immediate option that can be delivered faster than the construction of an entirely new road. This project would improve access for Northern Beaches residents without placing the financial burden on local ratepayers, address
Read more
Roll up your sleeves and join The Great Spring Clean Up to help tidy up our beautiful region. This year council is aligning with Clean Up Australia’s “The Great Spring Clean Up” which will be held during September and October in a bid to keep our region pristine. Mayor Greg Williamson said the events were the perfect opportunity for residents to show their community pride and help keep our region beautiful. “Spring cleaning our homes is a usual practice for most of us – so why not also get out
Read more
After working for years as a boilermaker in the mines, Curtley Quakawoot is forging the tradespeople of the future as a schoolteacher, thanks to CQUniversity and the Queensland Government’s Trade to Teach Internship Program. Curtley completed his Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication in 2010 and quickly found work in the mining industry. “I spent three years post-trade on the tools out in the Bowen Basin in the coal mining industry before heading into a product conveyor support role as a s
Read more
North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) has launched its 2024-25 Community Fund, offering $100,000 in funding—an increase of $40,000 from previous years—for initiatives across its port communities in Hay Point, Mackay, Abbot Point (Bowen), and Weipa. NQBP Chief Executive Officer Brendan Webb said the annual NQBP Community Fund supports local groups and organisations in delivering valuable initiatives that make a real difference in their communities. “NQBP values the importance of givin
Read more
Armed with grit and an unwavering commitment to save lives, Australia’s top underground mines rescue teams are ready to prove their mettle against the best around the world. Anglo American teams from Grosvenor and Moranbah North mines won first and second place respectively at the 59th annual Australian Underground Coal Mines Rescue competition in October. This qualified the two Bowen Basin teams to compete at the International Mines Rescue Competition in Colombia from September 13 to 20 this ye
Read more
Australia’s place in the US $20 billion global banana market has been safeguarded, according to the federal government, with a new genetically modified banana being granted approval for commercial release and consumption. The QCAV-4 variety of the Cavendish banana has been developed by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to counteract the effects of Panama Disease or Tropical Race 4 (TR4), a fungal disease that starves bananas of their nutrients eventually killing the plant. Followin
Read more
CANEGROWERS is calling on Wilmar Sugar and unions representing mill workers to prove they are serious about resolving their long-running pay dispute by getting out of the way and letting the independent umpire decide a fair and reasonable outcome. “After many months of fruitless and increasingly bitter negotiations, it’s time for both parties to step aside and let the Fair Work Commission decide,” CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens said. “It’s clear that the parties involved are either unable
Read more
This week Season to date Cane crushed 50,817 427,811 Average bin weight 3.92 3.86 CCS 14.09 13.27 Cane variety performance for region Variety % CCS Variety % CCS Q183 31.9 13.85 Q253 16.2 14.22 Q240 10.4 14.72 SP80 4.8 13.78 Q208 13.2 14.30 SRA9 6.5 13.76 KQ228 6.6 14.72 Q252 3.9 13.67 Comments: Plane Creek Mill processed just over 50,000 tonnes of cane for the week, bringing the season total to just under 428,000 tonnes. The Plane Creek crop continues to cut above the original estimate. As a re
Read more.jpg)
Australian agriculture is set to benefit this financial year, as the gross value of agricultural production is forecast to increase by 4 per cent. The ABARES Agricultural Commodities and Crop Reports show significant growth in the sector, from $82.5 billion in 2023-24 to $86.2 billion in 2024-25. Executive Director of ABARES, Dr Jared Greenville, said this forecast shows value of production across agriculture, fisheries and forestry reaching $92.1 billion in 2024-25. “We have seen more favourabl
Read more
A new program aimed at achieving better health outcomes in our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community was launched this week at Mackay Base Hospital. The Better Medication Access program will give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients across the Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) access to any prescribed medications at no cost. Uncle Gary Mooney provided the Welcome to Country and spoke about the hospital working with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communiti
Read more
While the community came together to fundraise at the Annual BMA CQ Rescue Gala Ball, the dedicated crew were hard at work, showcasing their life-saving skills. The new AW139 helicopter, which only arrived in Mackay last week, has already been put to the test, flying to Collinsville, then to Hamilton Island via Proserpine, and the following day to Bowen Hospital to assist a patient. In another mission, the helicopter was dispatched to Cape Palmerston after a motorbike accident along the beach.
Read more
At around 11pm on Thursday, August 29, a man entered a business on Nebo Road in West Mackay and allegedly committed an armed robbery. The suspect initially placed an item from a shelf onto the counter as if intending to purchase it. However, he then produced a knife and demanded money from the staff member. After taking cash from the till, the man fled the scene on foot, heading north. Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident. The suspect is described as approximately 170 centimetr
Read more
Mackay Regional Council is partnering with local organisations to provide two potentially lifesaving events for R U OK? Day. On R U OK? Day (Thursday, September 12) council’s Sarina Neighbourhood Centre is partnering with OrangeSky to deliver a Conversations and Cupcakes event from 9am to 11am. Mackay Regional Council Libraries are partnering with Grapevine Group to offer special R U OK? Day SafeTALK Suicide Prevention Training at Dudley Denny City Library on Saturday, September 14, from 9.30a
Read more
With Dr. Bob Wong In today’s fast-paced world, chronic pain has become a widespread issue, affecting millions of people and diminishing their quality of life. While modern medicine often prescribes painkillers and invasive procedures, many are turning to the time-honoured practices of acupuncture and Chinese medicine for a more holistic and long-lasting solution. Acupuncture, a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has been practiced for thousands of years. It involves the inser
Read more
Calling all students and teachers! You’re encouraged to attend an inspiring film night for just $5 per student! On Friday, September 13th, at 7:30pm, the CQ University Conservatorium of Music will host a screening of Divertimento. This French drama, with English subtitles, tells the remarkable story of how classical symphonic music is everything for 17-year-old Zahia Ziouani and her twin sister, Fettouma. Nevertheless, living in underprivileged Parisian suburbs in 1995 with their Algerian bac
Read more
It’s a story about David Bowie, David Boon and David Fisher. In truth, the least-famous of those Davids was a mere observer and is now telling a story that’s a reminder that in real estate, and life, you can’t rest until the job is done. When I was 15, I was picked as the youngster in an ACT representative team to play in an Under 19 Australasian cricket competition in Christchurch, New Zealand. There were quite a few emerging stars there that year, none of whom were from Canberra. Cricket fans
Read more
Founder of one of the community's newest markets, 'Trash & Treasure,' and owner of Healthy Clean & Green, Wendy Steindl, has just been recognised for her honourable environmental conservation efforts. Last Thursday on August 29, she won the Mackay Chamber of Commerce Best in Business Award for the 2024 "It’s Not Easy Being Green Environmental & Sustainability Award." Reflecting on this milestone, Wendy shared that she was "mind blown and extremely chuffed" by the recognition. “It was super ni
Read more.jpg)
THE MECC Auditorium reopening celebration featured a terrible guest with terrible tusks, terrible claws and terrible teeth in his terrible jaws. The Gruffalo was the first show back in the MECC Auditorium following the significant water damage which occurred during heavy storms over the 2023 Christmas period. Mayor Greg Williamson said it was tremendous to reopen the northern part of the facility with a packed house. “The Auditorium, North Foyer and Lynette Denny Space have reopened this week
Read more
Feeling stressed after a long Tuesday or Wednesday? Skip the hassle of cooking and head to The Dispensary, where their irresistible deals will turn your tough day into a delicious one! Every Tuesday: Pasta Night Pasta Night is your go-to on Tuesdays! For just $40, choose from a variety of creamy pasta dishes, complete with homemade bread and a glass of wine to top off the evening. Whether you're seeking rich flavours or a refined dining experience, The Dispensary is the place to be! Every W
Read more