St. John's Catholic Primary School in Walkerston marked a memorable occasion last Friday as it celebrated 100 years of education. The event was a nostalgic journey through time, featuring a special memorabilia display adorned with past school photos, uniforms and historical artifacts in honour of the past generations of students and staff. St. John's Catholic Primary School in Walkerston was first established in 1924 by the sisters of Mercy, with 111 students in attendance. Now, in 2024, the
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The inaugural membership day of the Birri Gubba Nation was held on Saturday, 13th July 2024, at Conway Beach. Event organisers said this significant event marks the first step in building a peaceful future for a nation to be proud of and to pass down to future generations. The Senior Tribal Council joined eager participants in this foundational journey, moving forward together in the development of this re-emerging nation. Blessed with clear blue skies and a light breeze on the beachfront, Senio
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In an exciting initiative to foster youth engagement and community involvement, Mackay Regional Council has joined forces with Volunteering Queensland to fund the CHC24015 Certificate II in Active Volunteering program at Mackay State High School. The program marks a significant step forward in empowering the youth of Mackay to become active contributors to their community while developing essential skills and experiences that will benefit them throughout their lives. Students at Mackay State Hig
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Police will prepare a report for the coroner after a man died following a single-vehicle traffic crash at Mirani, west of Mackay, on Friday, July 19. Initial investigations indicate at approximately 12.30pm, a white Madza BT-50 utility was travelling along Mackay Eungella Road when it left the road and crashed. The driver and sole occupant, a 79-year-old Pinnacle man, sustained life-threatening chest injuries. He was transported to Mackay Base Hospital where he later died the following day on Ju
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During the local government elections held on March 16, the Mackay Regional Council emerged as one of the top spenders in Queensland, according to the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ). With a reported expenditure totalling $515,793.33 and a donation total of $217,177.60, Mackay joined the ranks in the top five of major urban areas such as Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast in campaign spending.
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Opinion Piece “The State and Federal Labor Governments must be held to account for their disastrous and mismanaged phaseout of commercial gillnets across Queensland, which is now seeing our local fishos consider walking away permanently,” Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox said. The local MP has said that the ban on commercial gillnets was announced amid pressure from international activist organisations. “It was not backed by any scientific reasoning, and there was no consultation wi
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In my observation, we do seem to spend a lot of time focussing on the negatives in our careers (and lives). The negative mindset is so often our ‘go to’ – what we haven’t achieved, and comparing ourselves to others can rapidly become a downward spiral and so de-motivating. Being purposeful about celebrating our achievements, however small, and not comparing ourselves to others can boost motivation. Comparing ourselves to others is a risky distraction and potentially can derail the pursuit of ou
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Cheree Ridolfi, a compassionate Mackay local, is spearheading a significant effort in the fight against cancer with her upcoming #ForkCancer Longest Table event on Saturday, the 3rd of August. This initiative aims to raise crucial funds for life-changing cancer research, addressing a sobering reality where approximately 444 Australians are diagnosed with cancer every day. Having witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of cancer on her loved ones, Cheree's commitment to fundraising has been d
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Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsundays (RDA GW) announced the appointment of five new committee members, including new representatives from Mackay and Isaac Regional Councils following the election results. Previous committee member Stephen Cutting has stepped into the role of Deputy Chair. RDA GW CEO Robert Cocco said that the new committee members would be an “excellent complement to the existing committee’s skillset”. "With extensive backgrounds in strategic planning, financi
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In an evolving world, businesses must adapt to meet new challenges. Sarina and District Community Financial Services Limited, the operator of Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank, has achieved certification as a Social Enterprise by Social Traders Australia. But what exactly does this entail? Social Traders is an organisation in Australia that plays a significant role in supporting and certifying social enterprises. This certification is crucial because, as a certified enterprise, you give stake
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Nothing beats a country show – the fanfare, the flavours and the family atmosphere has made the two-day Sarina Show and Rodeo a favourite amongst locals and visitors since starting in 1964. Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank has supported the Sarina Show Society for many years, continuing in 2024 with a Gold Sponsorship. The 2024 Sarina Show and Rodeo, on 3-4 August, will have displays and exhibits, stud cattle, prime cattle and ring events, as well as the always popular rides and excitement o
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CANEGROWERS has welcomed news that Wilmar and unions representing workers at the company's nine Queensland sugar mills have accepted a mediation offer from the Fair Work Commission. CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens said he hoped the move signalled the beginning of the end for the long-running pay dispute that is affecting half of the industry and threatens to completely derail the season. “Sugarcane farming families have been losing $4 million a day due to strike action at Wilmar mills, and
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This week Season to date Cane crushed 42,008 132,779 Average bin weight 3.87 3.80 CCS 13.10 12.85 Cane variety performance for region Variety % CCS Variety % CCS Q183 29.7 12.72 Q253 8.7 13.38 Q240 23.0 13.26 Q138 2.4 9.37 Q208 15.1 13.28 SRA9 2.4 11.17 KQ228 10.5 14.61 Q250 2.2 13.51 Comments: Plane Creek Mill processed just over 42,000 tonnes of cane for the week, bringing the season total to just under 133,000 tonnes. Throughput was disrupted early on Wednesday morning due to a bagasse belt c
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Allan and Neville Hellmuth are not just genetically identical; they also have identical careers and interests. The twins are both radiographers and sonographers at Mackay Base Hospital and both share a profound and deep connection to the ocean. Both earned TE scores of 990 (equivalent to OP 1) and despite being offered university placements to study medicine and law, they both opted to take a gap year and join the family fishing business. “But here’s the red herring; that gap year actually laste
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Pests estimated to cost Australia tens of billions over coming decades will now find it much harder to enter the country, thanks to measures announced this week by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The department is launching AusTreat, a new pre-border biosecurity scheme designed to ensure overseas treatment providers target the right pests with the required treatment. Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity and Compliance Justine Saunders said AusTreat will enable a more efficient
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Last week, Wilmar Sugar and Renewables reported that the unions have joined Wilmar in accepting an offer from the Fair Work Commission to assist in resolving a long-running enterprise agreement dispute. The Electrical Trades Union (ETU), Australian Metal Workers Union (AMWU) and Australian Workers Union (AWU) informed Wilmar this morning that, following consultation with members, they were willing to participate in the Commission process. A Wilmar Sugar and Renewables spokesman said the comp
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Many years ago I found myself relaxing under a tree in a big park in central New Delhi, desperate to peacefully escape the frenetic intensity of the city’s people, noise and bustling activity. Sometimes it becomes too much in India and you need to have a break from it all; so I pulled my cap down over my forehead, closed my eyes and started to embrace the tranquillity. It lasted for five seconds. “Excuse me, you want a drink? Can of coke?” “No thanks.” “Fanta?’ “No thanks”. The drink vendor le
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Anywhere you go around Mackay and the Whitsundays now, you’ll hear the familiar chorus of coughs and splutters – it’s flu season. I’d dare say it’s a pretty bad one at that. One unwell person, who wasn’t even aware they were that ill, was in our office, and within three days there were only four people left standing. Some had received flu vaccines, and by all reports, their symptoms were much less severe. I, on the other hand, had not got a flu jab and spent the entire week regretting it. Seeing
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Mackay's prestigious Woollam Art on Show Awards 2024 is poised to captivate art enthusiasts as entries have now closed. The Mackay Show Association proudly presents the launch of this highly anticipated non-acquisitive National Art Prize and exhibition, set to showcase the finest in art and culture from 2 August to 5 August 2024. Celebrating its eighteenth year, the event promises an impressive array of artistic excellence. In exciting news for 2024, the event will welcome the esteemed Susi Mudd
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Australian Church Women 10am Come and celebrate Fellowship Day - a group of Christian women who seek to promote peace, understanding and unity through faith and love in the one God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones! Church of Christ, 65 Beaconsfield Road, Beaconsfield Submerged Art Exhibition 10am A fantastic all-ages community exhibition featuring creative works inspired by waterways in the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac Reg
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Screening at the Pinnacle Playhouse at 7:00pm this Saturday, 27th July is THE HOLDOVERS, a feel-good film from a bygone era laced with wit and sarcasm. Golden Globe winner Paul Giamatti is a pleasure to watch as the grumpy teacher in charge of students stuck in a boarding school over the Christmas holidays. The rest of the Mackay International Film Festival is only a week away so don't miss out on the Gala Opening Night on Friday 2nd August for a night of lost love, ancient secrets, and a jou
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Lila McGrath is making waves in the world of ballet after recently taking home the Tanya Pearson Memorial Award at the Sydney Eisteddfod Ballet Scholarship. The prejudice event was held at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall last Sunday, July 21. “It was an amazing experience and atmosphere at the Opera House, I’ll never forget it,” Lila remarked. The 15-year-old ballerina was selected out of hundreds of entrants across the nation and was the youngest out of eight finalists (being five girls
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Friday 26 July The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Geed Up After Dark (7pm – 10pm) Reef Gateway: Jan Arns (6pm – 9pm) Jubilee Tavern: Kieran Mc (6pm – 9pm) KC’s: Alex Kosenko (from 8pm) Saturday 27 July The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Geed Up (2pm – 5.30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm – 10pm) Reef Gateway: Sam McCann (6pm – 9pm) Coral Sea Marina Resort: Live Music (from 1pm) Grand View Hotel: Dave Johan (from 9pm) KC’s Sar-Rah (from 8pm) Sunday 28 July The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: G
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July 26 Trivia Night Fundraiser, Tom Gard Centre, St Catherine’s College, 7pm 28 Airlie Beach Triathlon, Airlie Beach Lagoon, from 5am 28 Dingo Beach Sunday Markets, Dingo Beach Community Hall grounds, from 8am 29 Family Field Day, Les Stagg Oval, from 3pm 31 The Poems, Prayers & Promises of John Denver, at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre, from 1pm August 1-4 Great Barrier Reef Festival, Airlie Beach, from 9am 2 Airlie Beach Movie Night – Finding Dory, Airlie Beach Foreshore, from 6pm 6
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The 2024 Townsville Congress was held at the end of June with Mackay members in attendance. Val Holbrook and Mackay President Noel Bugeia claimed second in Category A of the Swiss Butler Pairs. President Noel and partner Terrance Sheedy won the Walk Ins on the Friday evening.
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