Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
In a surprise announcement made last week, Julieanne Gilbert, the Member for Mackay, announced that she will not be contesting the upcoming State election in October. Mrs Gilbert said that it has been an honour to represent Mackay in State Parliament. “The world has changed immensely during this time, increased use of social media, the global pandemic and now we are combating the global cost of living pressures. I have loved working in our community. “I have decided that it is time fo
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The community came together in force this year to support the Crossroad Arts’ Annual Giving Program, smashing this year’s target of $17,500 out of the park. The final tally included a generous $5,000 donation of matched funds from Golding as the 2024 Crossroad Arts Community Champion, Golding generously matched community donations $1 for $1 up to $5,000. Last week the Crossroad Arts team and Ambassador Georgia Knoll visited a local Golding civil engineering infrastructure project for a behin
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Mayor Greg Williamson said Mackay residents were treated to a welcome, and a level of hospitality, that was second to none whenever they visited Matsuura. “Our sister city relationship has remained strong since its inception in 1989, but the people of Matsuura are just tremendous – they welcome us with open arms, invite us into their homes and share beautiful meals with us,” Mayor Williamson said. Planning is currently underway for the first citizen's tour of our Japanese sister city since Decem
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Digital marketing agency Rebel Nation opened Expressions of Interest earlier this week for The Rebellion – a marketing mentoring and coaching membership tailored to regional businesses and markets. The Rebellion will commence with a founding membership – which is an early round available only to local organisations – with a discounted price. To be eligible for the founding membership round, an EOI must be submitted by August 16. Rebel Nation Director Jade McAuley said the membership would bri
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Final restoration works, including minor pavement and concrete repairs, have started on Mackay–Eungella Road. Further significant repair works have commenced this month (July 2024) on the Eungella Range section of Mackay–Eungella Road, including the construction of a 62-metre-long, 2.4-metre high concrete sleeper wall at the base of the slope to provide protection from rock falls. High tensile mesh and soil nails will be installed over two areas, and shotcrete will be applied to the water flo
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Yesterday, the highly anticipated GCCM Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race was set to begin, attracting 29 boats from South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. Among the entrants is the impressive 72-foot Antipodes, registered to the Royal Yacht Club of Hong Kong, and the largest entry, the 100-foot super maxi Wild Thing 100. The race also features the beautifully restored 1904 timber classic, the 33-foot Maritimo Katwinchar. The official Skippers Briefing took place earlier during t
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William Baker was an adventurous, headstrong rule breaker; he also had a big and incredibly kind heart. Like most teenage boys, he thought he was bulletproof and immortal, mum Kim Baker said. The Baker family’s world fell apart when William tragically lost his life in 2022 following a serious traffic crash involving a van and motorbike at Blacks Beach. Two years on, her grief still very raw, Kim said she finds comfort knowing that Will’s heart, lungs, liver and kidneys were donated to help sa
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Member for Whitsunday, Amanda Camm has recently voiced concerns about the ‘unacceptable’ state of healthcare in the region, particularly focusing on staff turnover rates and the pressures faced by local hospitals and staff. Ms Camm highlighted what she sees as a concerning trend at the Mackay Hospital and Health Service, attributing to the rise in staff turnover rates under the management of the Labor Government. “We’ve seen an increase over the last four years under this current term of Lab
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Kelly Cartwright OAM is a gold medal-winning Paralympic athlete who has found success as a 100m sprinter, long jumper and more recently as a powerlifter. Dr. Brendan Burkett OAM is an Australian swimmer who won five medals at four Paralympics and was the Opening Ceremony flag bearer in Sydney 2000. These legends of the sporting world will be the keynote speakers at council’s 2024 Accessible Active Living Seminar on Friday, August 16, at Harrup Park Country Club. Running across two sessions, this
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To celebrate a decade of waterway health and data, Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership showcased a vibrant display of river-themed artwork last Thursday, on July 25th. The event was launched as part of the Mackay Festival of Arts ‘Submerged in Our Region’ exhibition which was held at Gallery 31 at CQUniversity’s Mackay City campus. Partnership Chair, Charlie Morgan, said the achievement was significant. “That is 10 years of community, 10 years of data, and 10 years of collaboration with like
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Health practitioners learned how to put a spin on traditional exercises for brain injury and rehabilitation patients at a dance program information session with Queensland Ballet last week. Allied health, orthopaedic, neurological, rehabilitation and geriatric clinicians were invited to attend one of two modified dance sessions held at Mackay Base Hospital to understand how ballet can support their patient’s health and wellbeing. The specially designed dance rehabilitation programs, offered by
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Two exciting grant opportunities are available in the Mackay City and Waterfront area to create safer and more engaging places. Applications opened yesterday on Thursday (August 1) for the City Safety Grant and the Make Your Place Mackay Waterfront Placemaking Grant. The City Safety Grant aims to improve the late-night economy by delivering safety infrastructure within Mackay city, and the Make Your Place Grant facilitates inspiring and inclusive projects that connect the local community and enc
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One of North Queensland’s most desired regions has welcomed a new era of beachfront luxury at Harbour Beach with seven exclusive homes officially hitting the market last week. Located just seven kilometres from Mackay’s CBD, The Beach Collective by national developer Urbex offers luxury coastal living in Mackay, featuring low maintenance seaside residences that appeal to both local residents and interstate buyers seeking a high-end home with an absolute beachfront lifestyle. Urbex Realty Gener
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The value of Queensland’s agricultural sector is projected to boom to a second-highest-ever valuation of $23.56 billion in 2024-25. New AgTrends figures released last month show a promising year ahead, despite challenges such as declining cattle prices, drier conditions and major natural disasters in 2023-24 leading to a valuation of $22.1 billion for the year. The valuation remains higher than the five-year average and showcases the resilience of Queensland agriculture, with a corresponding sup
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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay The current harvest season in Mackay and Plane Creek is languishing, and it is costing growers, and the regional economy. There’s been a few factors at play, but mill performance and industrial action have dogged Plane Creek and brought on an abysmal season start, and in Mackay, the very poor reliability at Marian Mill has unbalanced crush progress across the milling area as a whole. Added to that mix was the late June rain event of up to 90mm which ma
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This week Season to date Cane crushed 54,338 187,117 Average bin weight 3.84 3.81 CCS 13.13 12.93 Cane variety performance for region Variety % CCS Variety % CCS Q183 23.4 12.70 Q253 16.2 13.60 Q240 19.8 13.43 Q138 2.9 10.81 Q208 12.2 13.60 SRA9 3.8 11.31 KQ228 12.2 14.61 Q242 3.3 12.59 Comments: Plane Creek Mill processed 54,338 tonnes of cane for the week, bringing the season total to just over 187,000 tonnes. Throughput was disrupted on Tuesday morning due to a major derailment at Tedlands si
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Mackay Sugar has reported its 2024 crushing season is well underway. As of 6am last Friday (26th July), Mackay Sugar said in a statement that its three factories have crushed a combined 16 per cent of the predicted crop. “Farleigh and Racecourse mills are experiencing some of the best early-season crushing performance in recent years, with Farleigh delivering as much as 85.4 per cent reliability and Racecourse as much as 90.3 per cent,” the statement read. Despite the evident improvements at t
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Enterprise bargaining discussions between Wilmar Sugar and Renewables and representatives of three unions in Townsville earlier this week on Tuesday have been described as constructive by a Wilmar company spokesman. A Fair Work Commissioner assisted in the discussions and the Wilmar spokesman said that in the course of the day the parties had succeeded in narrowing the gap further between unions’ claims and company offers. The Commissioner, Bernie Riordan, has offered to provide further input
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Get ready for an unforgettable Friday night in Airlie Beach as it transforms into a dazzling spectacle of fireworks and live entertainment, courtesy of Sebel Whitsundays! The Great Barrier Reef Festival kicks off with a bang, inviting you, your family, and your friends to experience an electrifying opening night like no other. At 8:30pm the fireworks will light up the shores casting a mesmerising glow over the Coral Sea – so bring a blanket and get cozy on the beach while the magic begins and w
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The Immerse Art Installations are lighting up the Great Barrier Reef Festival again this year. Scattered across the Airlie Beach foreshore and centered beneath the iconic fig tree, the streets of Airlie will come alive with stories from the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. While the installations are visible by day, the real magic happens at night with pieces illuminated from 6-9 pm. Beginning in 2021 as a modest segment of the festival, this event has grown significantly and now stands as a maj
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On Friday night, watch as hand-crafted lanterns illuminate the town with a vibrant sea of color. Enjoy the sight of children's faces glowing with delight as they pass by. The ever-popular event, is a festival highlight and festival organiser Margie Murphy, emphasised that the Coral Sea Marina Lantern Parade is “one of the signature events.” The Parade departs from the The Garden Bar Bistro at Coral Sea Marina, bringing colour and light along the Bicentennial Boardwalk, past Sorrento’s Restauran
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While the live music is free, you can also book an exclusive VIP area at Point Bar and receive a free cocktail and nibbles with an ocean view.
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The traffic of Airlie Beach Main Street will come to a halt on Saturday, for an action-packed day of colourful community events that will take over the town. Starting with the sound of engines, the Revvin the Reef car show will dazzle spectators, with Hot Rods, Muscle and Classic Cars. Car enthusiasts from all over the region are ready to show off their unique vehicles. Attendees will channel their inner retro enthusiasts, dressing in their finest 50s and 60s attire while enjoying classic tunes
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Long before the Great Barrier Reef Festival was established, the iconic Rotary Club Street Parade had already become a vital part of Whitsunday culture and is now a key element of the festival. There will be fun for all the family showcasing the creativity of the region’s best businesses, schools, community groups and dancers. The parade’s theme this year is ‘Above and Below,’ which is open to interpretation by institutions, but aligns with the festival’s reef theme. Organiser of the Great Barr
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The Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition returns in 2024, now hosted at the scenic Whitsunday Sailing Club, offering a stunning setting for the featured artworks. Under the theme, "Whitsunday Wonders: Above and Below the Surface," artists are encouraged to explore both the land and sea of the region. Capture the stunning landscapes, skies, and coastal beauty above, or dive into the intricate marine world, highlighting the symbiotic wonders and delicate relationships that characterise the
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