Amidst the anticipation, the winners of the 2024 JSP Women's Awards were revealed at a gala dinner earlier this month, each embodying extraordinary resilience, courage, and innovation. These individuals, recognised across various categories, stand as shining examples of the diverse talents within our community: WINNERS Mother of All Mothers: Marnie Louise Woman Who Breaks the Mould: Adrienne Bradshaw Health and Wellbeing Warrior: Lauren Neill Magic Muse: Samantha Munt Resilient Rebel: Haley
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Two women at the helm of the Mackay Hospital Health Service are inspiring an entire workforce to new heights and demonstrating what can be achieved with hard work and perseverance. MHHS chair and board member Helen Darch OAM and chief executive Susan Gannon are among the 83% female workforce at the Mackay Hospital Health Service. Both agree International Women’s Day today is an ideal time to reflect on and highlight the important role of women in the workforce and within the community. “It’s
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Three engineers, a dragline operator and a workplace support manager have taken out this year’s Resources Awards for Women. The event was hosted on International Women’s Day by the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) and Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ) to celebrate the contribution of women to the state’s number one export industry. The QRC was pleased to welcome Queensland Premier Steven Miles to the event, who presented this year’s Exceptional Woman in Queensland Resource
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Last week, as the world geared up to celebrate International Women's Day, the Resource Industry Network (RIN) hosted its annual business luncheon at the MECC in Mackay. With the global theme of "Inspire Inclusion," the event aimed to recognise and empower women while fostering a more inclusive workplace environment. Dean Kirkwood, the General Manager at RIN, emphasised the importance of creating an inclusive workforce. "We believe that creating an inclusive workforce is not only the right thing
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By Amanda Wright Last weekend, the Zonta Club of Mackay Inc. hosted its annual International Women’s Day luncheon to celebrate and recognise girls and women worldwide. Club President Fiona Koutlis said the lunch celebrates the strides that have already been made towards equality and a life where women can live free from discrimination and violence. “Where women can live life to its fullest,” she added. The UN Women International Women’s Day theme for 2024 is ‘Count her In: Invest in Women. Accel
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One of my hockey mates Gareth is having his 40th birthday party tomorrow night. For anyone living near Milton Street High School, get ready. There could be some music and noise, but I’m sure the events will be very low-key. Honest. Trust me, I work in radio. One of the other events this weekend is on tonight at the Mackay Turf Club. Their big Sugar Awards are on, and I’ll jump on the mic to help it all flow along in my own way. This weekend we’ve got markets at the showgrounds, beach markets a
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Last weekend marked a momentous time in history for the Mackay Cutters rugby league team as they announced they would field three female teams for the first time in their history, competing in the Harvey Norman U17s & U19s divisions, as well as the BMD Premiership. The timing couldn't have been more fitting, with Round 1 of the BMD Premiership coinciding with the team's "Ladies in League Day," aligning perfectly with the celebrations of International Women's Day. In front of an eager crowd, the
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It’s that time in the election cycle when citizens can metaphorically pick up their baseball bats and head to the polls. It can be a lot of fun for the populace to get together like a gang of marauding bullies and head to the Showgrounds or local schools and give the elected representatives a good going over. Sometimes the electoral flogging is well-deserved and a local member, councillor or mayor is punished for their ineptitude or for simply failing to get the results that had been expected. T
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Mackay Regional Council staff will begin scheduled maintenance of palm trees in the Mackay City Centre next week. The maintenance will start on Tuesday, March 19, in Wood Street and will include pruning dead fronds/leaves, shaving the trunk, cutting away visible fruit stalks and removing seed pods. Arborists will be on site between the hours of 5am and 9am on weekdays and they will be carrying out maintenance on trees located on Wood, Victoria, Sydney, Macalister and Nelson streets, and Matsuura
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McDonald’s Mackay U16 Junior Rep Teams were back in action for their third Basketball Queensland tournament held earlier this month at Townsville Basketball. The U16 Meteors and Meteorettes both took out the top honours in their division to claim gold. The U16 Comettes and Comets both finished second overall in their grades. The U16 Stars finished in second place while the U16 Starettes took out the bronze medal.
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The Mackay City Lady bowlers recently held an exciting string of events, including their Opening Day, PAH and an ‘Overs and Unders’ Carnival. These three successful events proved to be a fantastic bowling day out for those involved! Margot Stanley, Lorraine Silman and Pam McDermott from the Mackay District Ladies Bowls Association (MDLBA) joined bowlers from all around the Mackay district to participate in the City Ladies’ Presidents at Home on the 28th of February. The Cent Sale and luncheoun
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Club President, Brendan Bishop welcomed over seventy runners to take part in the annual Construct Health Physio 3km Mackay Road Runners Club Championship event, where the pace was expected to be fast and furious over the flat road race as runners took to the East Mackay streets surrounding Queens Park. Weather conditions were perfect for running as the overcast skies and rainclouds threatened but thankfully didn’t open up throughout the event. Hardy runners knew from the gun that the race was
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Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday night fixtures March 3, 2024: Division 1: Jaguar (Vince Boeske, Tim Shehan, Anne Sheridan) d Mercedes (Steven Whiting, Graham Brake, Graeme Walker) 7-4. Vince d Graham -6, 8, 7, -11, 6. Lexus (Andrew McHugh, Janice Kent, Barry Patterson) d BMW (Ian McKay, Daniel Warfield, Allan Edwards) 8-3. Andrew d Allan 9, 9, -8, 12. Audi (Mick Ruhl, Lee Brake) d Ferrari (Tony Bowman, Geoff Denman) 6-3. Mick d Geoff 2, 8, -10, 7. Division 2: Isuzu (Mark Stam, George Camilleri,
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Weekly Results Monday 4 March 2024 – 8 Table Mitchell Green Points N/S E/W 1st Janelle Conroy / Jan Harris 1st David Ting / Eric Goodchild 2nd Patricia Garner / Mick King 2nd Geoffrey Patterson / Noel Bugeia 3rd Geoff Cowan / Sandy Patterson 3rd Monica Darley / Griffin Bancroft 4th Ming Ting / Pamela Finger 4th Marilin Robins / Mick Robins Tuesday Evening 5 March 2024 –5 Table One Winner Green Points 1st Janelle Conroy / Eric Lievesley 2nd Janice Mansfield / Faith Hutchinson 3rd Errol Morris /
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In a groundbreaking moment for adventure enthusiasts and tourism alike, Finch Hatton's Stage 1 Mountain Bike trails have officially opened, drawing scores of mountain bikers to experience the thrilling twists and turns of these newly unveiled pathways. With the inaugural trails now accessible, the stage is set for a monumental transformation in the tourism landscape of the Pioneer Valley. This milestone isn't just about launching trails; it's about igniting a tourism revolution that promises t
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A new agreement has Mackay Airport firmly on the path to becoming carbon-neutral by next year, a status which would make it among the first in Australasia. Mackay Airport, through operator the North Queensland Airports Group, recently entered a six-year partnership with state-owned CleanCo Queensland. Commencing in January 2025, the agreement means 100 per cent of the airport’s electricity, and that of tenants, will be powered by renewable energy. Mackay Airport Chief Executive Officer Richa
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As we approach the upcoming local elections in Mackay, it's imperative that we, as a community, take the time to reflect on the issues that resonate most deeply with us. With a diverse array of candidates vying for council positions, each with their own unique platforms and priorities, it's crucial that voters engage with the specific concerns and aspirations outlined by these contenders. Candidates have articulated a range of issues and proposals that they believe are vital for the future well-
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Discovering hidden treasures during home renovations can be an unexpected delight, as one local recently experienced after renovating their kitchen. While working between the oven and drawer, they stumbled upon an old certificate dating back to 2013, belonging to what she assumed, was one of the previous homeowners. In a commendable effort to reunite the certificate with its rightful owner, the new homeowner took to social media, posting on a local Facebook community page to seek assistance in
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The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating a single fatal motorcycle crash in Crediton last week, March 1. Initial information indicates some time the day before on February 29, a motorcycle was travelling west on Eungella Dam Road when it left the road and crashed. Emergency services were alerted to the crash around 7am on March 1. Upon arrival, the rider, a 61-year-old Crediton man was declared deceased. The Pioneer Valley is grieving the loss of David ‘Warby’ Grant, a cherished member and one o
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The Official Blessing and Opening of Stage 2 of Mackay’s newest Catholic secondary school, Catherine McAuley College, was held on Wednesday 7 February. Catholic Bishop of Rockhampton, The Most Reverend Michael McCarthy, conducted the Blessing and Stage 2 was officially opened by Member for Mackay Julianne Gilbert MP representing the Queensland State Government, and Director of Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton (CEDR) Leesa Jeffcoat AM. “This is an exciting milestone for the Catherin
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Mackay is the latest Queensland city to gain a State Development Area (SDA), with the declaration to unlock land for new industrial development and more jobs. The Queensland Government has declared a State Development Area across two sites, at Racecourse Mill and Rosella. The SDA sets aside industrial land to support industry economic diversification, including bioenergy and biofood production. A $4 million Bioenergy Fund opened late last month, on the 29th February 2024. Assistant Ministe
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Mackay bids farewell to a legend as Doug Knight OAM, a pillar of the community and rugby league aficionado, peacefully passed away on February 27, 2024. His legacy, spanning decades of dedication and service, leaves a mark on the hearts of those who knew him. Born in Bowen, Doug devoted many of his teaching years to Victoria Park State School, leaving an unforgettable impact as both an educator and a mentor. His commitment to fostering the potential of countless students earned him widespread r
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With a 10.5% increase in Mackay Regional Council’s rates and charges looming, Mayoral candidate Steve “Jacko” Jackson and his ‘Jacko’s Team - Mackay First’ candidates have made a bold pledge to reduce residential rates. Council's 2023/24 budget document "Statement of Income and Expenses", endorsed by current Mayor Greg Williamson and incumbent councillors, shows a planned spike in rates and charges from $240.5 million this financial year to an eye-watering $266.1 million by 2025/26, a hike of
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Last week, 22 of the 29 candidates running for the position of councillor with the Mackay Regional Council, attended a Q&A forum at the Northern Beaches Bowls Club. Hosted by the Northern Beaches Community Group, the forum aimed to introduce candidates to the public and invite each candidate to answer two questions on relevant local issues. Below is a short summary of their introduction from every candidate who attended. Alison Jones Alison Jones prioritises advocacy and transparency in local
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