Kuttabul’s Aging Bridge Takes Its Final Bow Nestled quietly alongside the highway, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of commuters lies a relic from a bygone era. Many have driven past, and most wouldn’t even know it was there, but to the residents and farmers of Kuttabul, the bridge is an icon
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Vulnerable Isaac families facing cost-of-living pressures this Christmas will receive food relief through a $158,000 Community Pantry partnership. Anglo American has partnered with Emergency and Long-term Accommodation Moranbah (ELAM) to help provide emergency relief to families and individuals in crisis across the Isaac region. The two-year Community Pantry and Emergency Relief partnership delivers food relief measures under five initiatives. • $26,000 in funding to stock and maintain ELAM’s
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Whitsunday Regional Council have moved to allow Council Chief Executive Officer, Warren Bunker, to enter negotiations with Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) to transfer the Shute Harbour Boat Ramp from state ownership to Council’s. The Shute Harbour Boat Ramp is currently owned by the State of Queensland and was constructed in late 2021. Since its construction, the Council has received complaints of the useability of the structure, with the main complaint being in relation to the fixed structure
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Whitsunday Anglican School Celebrates Top Achievers …………………………………………………………………………………………… By Eamonn Doyle In a moment of achievement and distinction, Whitsunday Anglican School is revelling in the outstanding success of five students who secured remarkable ATAR results. This triumph not only highlights the dedication and academic abilities of these students but also the commitment of Whitsunday Anglican School to providing quality education. The highest result was achieved by student Parsa Sha
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DRINK DRIVER, RURAL VIEW A 44-year-old male resident of Bucasia has been issued with a notice to appear in court for an alleged drink driving matter following an incident at 4:00am on December 16 at Mackay Bucasia Road in Rural View. It's alleged that patrolling officers observed a Ford Ranger dual cab swerving over both lanes and then travelling along the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was stopped and officers spoke to the 44 year old male driver who was subjected to a roadside breath tes
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If Australia goes into a recession during 2024, how prepared is your family? How will it affect your job or business? How will it affect your super or pension? There is a very strong possibility that Australia will have a recession soon. Like most of the world, the huge handbrake central banks have put on economies with much higher interest rates are starting to bight. With monthly loan repayments rising by around 50% and those increases flowing on to rents as well, families have less to sp
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Last Christmas Baden Day created a Grinch costume, dressed up and visited sick children in hospital. This budding young actor, playwright, dancer, singer and gymnast has a passion for costume design – in fact, he has his own brand “Baden Day Theatrics and Design”. Over the last six years he has made more than 50 costumes. Baden is the MECC’s Jack Sturgeon Bursary recipient for 2024. He was awarded the bursary at a special morning tea last week, Wednesday, December 13. Mayor Greg Williamson said
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Sarina Beach's Carols by Candlelight Sarina Beach was the spot to be last weekend as the Sarina Beach Surf Lifesaving Club threw a ripper of a party with its 10th Annual 'Carols by Candlelight' on December 16th. Picture this: Christmas tunes, beach vibes, and folks rocking wooly Santa hats while wiggling their toes in the sand – pure Aussie summer festivity! Jay and Dave from Triple M were on fire, hosting the night and keeping the crowd hyped. The performers lit up the stage, belting out everyt
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A growing family, an investment purchase or a seachange - whatever the reason is, buying a new home is a big step in anyone's life. While the process can feel overwhelming, Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank can help you every step of the way. Knowing how to prepare for a home loan makes the process simple and straightforward. The Community Bank Sarina team have shared their home loan tips so that you can avoid any unexpected roadblocks. 1. Know your spending habits: If you’re seriously think
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1 Thomsett family. Photo: Photos by Nell 2 McCallum family, taken at the RSPCA Santa paws fund raising event. Photo: Coffee and Hops 3 Rootes family. Photo: Mad for Media 4 Parter family. Photo: Whitsunday Shopping Centre 5 Sullivan family. Photo: Photos by Nell 6 Smith family. Photo: Mad for Media 7 Fields Family with mum dressed as the Grinch. Photo: Mt Pleasant Shopping Centre 8 Walton family. Photo: Bee Me Photography 9 Batley family. Photo: Mad for Media 10 Vickery family. Photo: M
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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay With Christmas just a few days away, it seems timely to make a few Christmas wishes for the region’s sugar industry as we head into 2024. ● May four mills run sweetly: it’s been another crush run into overtime. Hopefully, our mills get some serious work done on the mills across the shut-down period- both in terms of capital works and maintenance. And investing in their reliability so that we can run an efficient industry with a whole-of-value-chain rew
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After breaking the $1 million mark for donations earlier this year, the Mayor’s Charity Ball committee has announced the beneficiaries for the 2024 event. Mayor Greg Williamson said the aim of the event was to fund two charities for two years to enable significant funds to be raised for each charity and to make a real difference in our community. “Proceeds will be split 50-50 between Australian Street Aid Project and new beneficiary Grapevine Group,” Mayor Williamson said. “Ronald McDonald House
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Embracing your true self, unapologetically, is a revolutionary act of self-love. It means stripping away the layers of societal expectations and daring to stand boldly in your authenticity, without fear of judgement. Our human innate desire to connect and belong has been vital to our survival, as being part of a tribe meant safety, security, and access to resources. Even in current times, our fear of rejection can make us feel as if we’ll wither away without acceptance, so we often mould oursel
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Queensland’s next generation of Year 12 graduates - the class of 2023 - reaped the rewards of their efforts last week, fittingly using technology to check their Senior secondary education results. Ninety-four per cent of all Queensland Year 12 graduates achieved a QCE (Queensland Certificate of Education) or a QCIA (Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement) in 2023. Of these, 27,778 students also received an ATAR, with 34 achieving the highest possible band result of 99.95 - having studi
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Rubble & Crew toys bring the new series to life Still scratching your head for those last-minute Christmas gifts? Don't panic! We’ve found some of the season's hottest toys that'll save your holiday shopping in the nick of time! After nearly 10 years of success, top-rated preschool hit series PAW Patrol has just launched a spin-off series titled Rubble & Crew, streaming on Paramount+. As a proud member of the PAW Patrol, Rubble has stolen the hearts of preschoolers around the world with
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INTO THE NEW YEAR THANKS TO SPECIAL BLUE DUO The Bluewater Quay is set to get even bluer thanks to a pair of special visitors this New Year’s Eve. Smurfette and Papa Smurf will be taking the stage at the Mackay Regional Council New Years Eve River Party. Families can expect to sing and dance along to a rock’n’roll party from the duo – as long as Papa Smurf can overcome his stage fright. Mayor Greg Williamson said the Smurfs would be just two of the performers at the expanded River Party. “This y
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Meet Brad Nicholls, Council’s Shute Harbour Marine Terminal Operations and Compliance Officer who has worked in the marine industry all his life. Brad has been with Council for almost 3 years and started his career operating speed boat rides and parasailing on south Stradbroke Island on the Gold Coast before working as a marine engineer on a whale watching vessel, also on the Gold Coast. He then spent a period managing the island resort and vessel logistics from South Stradbroke Island before be
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Friday 22 December Friday 5K Run 5:30pm Join Emmie-Lee Fitness, Rise & Mind Mackay and Mackay Surf Lifesaving Clubbies on a social fun run, jog or walk along the Breakwater and Marina paths. Meeting beach side of the Surf Club ready to go every Friday arvo @5:30pm. Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club The EMO Night Before Xmas 9pm – 3am Emo / Pop-Punk and Metal playing all night. Arcadia Bar Saturday 23 December Habana Carols Under the Stars 7pm One of the best outdoor carols in all of Mackay.
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Whitsunday Regional Council Customer Service Offices will be closed for the upcoming festive period from the 23nd December 2023 - 1 January 2024. Other Council facilities such as libraries, swimming pools and water parks, waste facilities and the Proserpine Entertainment Centre will also be closed at certain periods over the holidays. During these closure periods, Council has an After-Hours Emergency team who are available 24/7 by calling 1300 WRC QLD (1300 972 753). For more information o
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Vibrant memories from the Hawaiian-themed horse racing day at Mackay Turf Club. Relive the tropical flair and racing excitement that graced the tracks on this colourful day. Photos supplied, Mackay Turf Club
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As another busy Christmas and New Year period begins, we are once again thankful for the year that has been. To our major funders, Tourism and Events Queensland and Whitsunday Regional Council, thank you for your support this year. To all of our members, thank you for joining with us in 2023. . To our Volunteer Cruise Ship ambassadors, thank you for showing up to a record number of ships this year. Our community, thank you for making The Whitsundays the incredible destination it is. And finally
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Sarina's Bull Riding Extravaganza Saddle up, Sarina! This New Year's Eve, prepare for a thrilling, heart-pounding experience unlike any other as the town welcomes a groundbreaking event to ring in 2024 - a bull riding competition with a twist. Organised by Borghero Mini Buckers, this isn't your typical rodeo; it's an entertainment spectacle set to ignite the Sarina Showgrounds with pulsating beats, adrenaline-pumping action, and family fun under the stars. Danny Borghero, a seasoned bull rid
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A REJUVENATED Magpies first grade X1 are back in the hunt for the Mackay Cricket Association Twenty20 Division One Shootout title. The reigning Poole Cup champions zoomed into trophy calculations after posting twin victories last weekend to grab a share of the competition lead with Pioneer Valley. Both the Magpies and Valley are the current Shootout pacesetters on 24 points with four victories each after five rounds. In a timely return to form the Magpies edged out the Valley at Great Barrier
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In what looms as the biggest NBL1 off-season signing to date, Mackay Basketball announced the return of local hero and Australian Boomer Todd Blanchfield to the McDonald’s Mackay Meteors for 2024. The 15-season, 385-game NBL veteran will journey home to Mackay following his current campaign with the Illawarra Hawks, adding outstanding productivity and versatility to the Meteors NBL1 North line-up. The 32-year-old is coming off arguably his best NBL1 season to date, where he averaged 25 points (5
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A record number of people have visited the Bowen Visitor Information Centre in 2023 – smashing the previous year by more than 25%. The Visitor Information Centre next to the iconic Big Mango and the Information Booth next to the Little Mango at Bowen’s Front Beach are both operated by the team of staff and volunteers from Bowen Tourism and Business. For the first time in history, the team has welcomed more than 50,000 visitors this year. Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy sa
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