Thrilled to be recognised as a Finalist in two categories at the ABIA Awards, Louise Sugrue from Divine Weddings Whitsundays, says it was a privilege to attend the industry awards held in Brisbane earlier this month. Coming in seventh place out of 17 hopefuls in the Decorations and Styling category and fifth place out of 11 in the Independent Wedding Consultants category, Louise says she is pleased to rank so high among peers she admires. “To get that positive feedback and score so high when g
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Christmas in 1896 – Proserpine Notes - “Mackay Standard” January 13, 1897 “Christmas passed off quietly but very pleasantly with us here, as is usual among all small communities. The usual custom of shopping on Christmas Eve was not forgotten and it was surprising the amount and variety of goods Mr Jupp and Mr Campbell, our two storekeepers, were able to display … Mr Jupp, on his recent visit south, had not forgotten that there were a large number of children … and brought with him plenty of to
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The Young Widows Support Group are hosting their next catch up and widows of the region are welcome to attend and bond with individuals who understand. Organised by Ashlea Langston and Lisa Cherie, the pair have established the Youth Widowed Catch Up in order to promote healing and help each other. The term ‘widow’ covers a broad understanding, and everyone is warmly welcome to attend the catch ups, no matter gender, relationship status. “Age is no barrier either,” Ashlea explains. “Your age
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You better ‘Take a Chance on Me’ because over these two shows, we’ll have our dancing shoes on and we’ll be dancing our way to Christmas, singing every hit from ABBA’s impressive catalogue along the way. Coming to the Airlie Beach Hotel stage is none other than SOS, one of Australia’s best ABBA tribute artists. Samuel Bennett acts as the ineffable Bjorn, and he brings charisma, class and pizzazz like no other. In the role for coming on seven years, Sam knows exactly what to do and how to do it
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The draw of the year is finally here! Airlie Beach Hotel are gearing up to draw one of the two 2023 Toyota Corollas next week in a competition more exciting than anything else. TO ENTER Just spend $25 in The Pub, The Bar, or any ABH Liquor & Tobacco merchants bottle shop and be in our gaming room Wednesday & Thursday between 3pm & 7pm and Friday & Saturday between 4pm & 8pm with your members card inserted correctly for your chance to WIN. Prize draws every 20 minutes. Entries have been tallied
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Sip a celebratory cocktail and enjoy the last rays of sun for 2023, with an early evening New Years Eve Sunset Soiree at Whisper Restaurant and Gin Bar. With perfectly picturesque Coral Sea views and unforgettable entertainment, this is an event you will cherish well into 2024. Starting at 5pm, begin your New Years celebration early with free entry into Whisper Gin Bar and enjoy a range of free canapes and a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival, speciality gin cocktail menu, and DJ Dan on
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Get ready to get in the Christmas spirit with the Proserpine Entertainment Centre putting on the perfect event for classic Christmas movie fans. Love Actually has evolved to become the quintessential Christmas movie, with the PEC hosting their own wine and cheese night for the lovers of all things festive and charcuterie. Embrace the warmth of this heart-warming Christmas classic that tells the eight romantic stories of Harry and Karen, Juliet, Jamie, Colin, Karl, Sam, and David, as they navig
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The Proserpine Community Markets are done and dusted for 2023, with all attendees stocking up for their Christmas celebrations and for the summer break. With Santa making a special pitstop during the event, the entire family was well entertained, and everyone came home with a special treat or two. “It was such a wonderful event,” said Tarnia Patton, Proserpine Community Market Coordinator. “Our Christmas market is always a great market, but I say that this one was our best market yet.” With c
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Before we know it, Santa will come down our chimneys and 2023 will be drawing to a close and we will be seeing what the new year brings to our small club in paradise. Wednesday afternoon Jackpot bowls saw some great contests but it was the guile of skipper Andrew Butler, our brilliant club secretary at skipper that guided lead Marjorie Hughes, greatly improved second in Rob Turner completely dominating the rest of the field with a commanding victory and not only that the planet's aligned and the
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Our AGM was held on Sunday, new executive committee are Chairman Lloyd White, Vice President Gavin Charles, Secretary Helen Jacobsen, Treasurer Gus Munro. Congratulations to all appointed. Contributed with thanks to Joan Edwards.
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We had one game of Triples on Tuesday. Bron Tolcher, Merle Elphinstone and Penny Warren defeated Lindy Suann, Deb Retchless, and Irene Laird. The jackpot didn’t go off. Winners for Sunday afternoon bowls winners were Bill Myers, Alby Vigar, and Allan Rolfe defeated Lindy Suann, Deb Retchless, and Pat Tracey. In the other game Merle Elphinstone, Penny Warren and Kevin Jewell defeated Toni Bowen, Jim Quad and Sugar Brunker. The jackpot didn’t go off. With all the wind we are having, Cyclone Jasp
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On Wednesday, men and ladies played a single stroke event for the December midweek monthly medals sponsored by Bowen Golf Club. Ladies’ winner was Kim Bennion 64 nett, runner up Bev Lowcock 66 nett. Men’s winner on a countback Allan Cooper 65 nett, runner up Frank Broucek 65 nett. On Saturday, we played an 18-hole American Foursomes for Christmas hams kindly donated by Peries IGA. Winners Andrew Menzies and Jeff Day, 2nd Walter Maguire and Daniel Borgh, 3rd place Douglas Power and Michael Uerat
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December's first Tuesday competition was won by Larry Muller on a count back from Aaron Prosser on 69, with Leanne Alexander on 71 the leading lady from Paula McQuat on 73. Pins went to Barry Shuwalow, Lyn Muller, Rehab Hull, and Trevor Paroz. Elspeth Scotford edged out Marlene Gray on 69 to win the PDLAW ladies competition with the pins going to Jenny Hounsell, Brenda Cowan, Pauline Redpath and Jan Shuwalow. This competition also decided the Wednesday Medal of Medals winner, congratulations
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Our weekly 9-hole stableford saw Michael Norman take the win with 21 pt c/b, second place with 21 pts was Michael Bond and third place with 20 pts c/b Alan Clinch. Fridays 9-hole stableford saw Rob Lodders in first place with 21 pts, second with 20 pts c/b was Chris Bartlett and third place with 20 pts c/b Dee Norman. Top effort by all. Sundays 4 ball better ball was very close and saw Tyson Flavel and Shane Bradley come in first place with a 47.5 c/b and second Deeray Fo’ou and Benny Daniel wit
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On Wednesday night, close to 50 Cannons participated at the Christmas Club Night. At the start of the night, Tony Parkinson and Giselle Burton presented Upgrade Certificates to Lincoln Russell and Declan Dichiera. Chocolate Awards were presented to River Shields, Liam Filewood, and Anisa Helou for the best PBs. Congratulations, swimmers! The top performers, swimming PBs in all their events were Harry Chegwidden, Bonnie Crichton, Millie Groom, Indigo Harland, and Tate Harland. Koa Harland swam
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A Celebration At Mackay Birth Centre Birthed from a legacy of nurturing care, families, midwives, and supporters gathered at Mackay Base Hospital for an afternoon soirée celebrating the stork's long-time landing pad, the Mackay Birth Centre. Amidst memories and baby giggles, they embraced the past while eagerly anticipating the swag of changes ahead in the centre's evolution. Chief executive Susan Gannon, leading the celebrations, praised the midwives and families for making the centre a cheris
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Balancing Child Safety And Freedom In Library Resources The Mackay Regional Council finds itself at the centre of a heated debate concerning the delicate balance between providing unfettered access to educational resources in libraries and safeguarding children from potentially explicit or inappropriate content. The recent assertions by the "Worldwide Rally For Freedom Mackay" group, led by Tine McDonald, underscore a growing concern about the presence of what they term as pornographic literatu
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Hannah Farrar took to Mackay Crime Watch Facebook page on 28th November, but instead of reporting a crime, she reported a heartwarming act of kindness. A young P-plater driving a Toyota single-cab cruiser hopped out of his vehicle in the pouring rain. The man ran over to an elderly gentleman on a mobility scooter, who was waiting to cross the road at Sydney Street Markets. The man provided him with an umbrella to shield him, as he was being soaked by the rain. Hannah commented, “Just to see
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It's the most wonderful time of the year, right? Glitter, twinkling lights, and the aroma of Nan’s secret recipe Christmas cake fills the air. But let's get real; sometimes, the festive season isn't all sleigh bells and mistletoe. Life's unpredictability can throw us a curveball or two. The festive season is often painted with a brush of joy, but behind the glittering facade, the realities of life's financial strains echo loudly. I've found myself, much like many others, in the tightening grip
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Seven Mackay businesses have been given a helping hand to breathe new life into their building facades. The businesses have each received a grant under Mackay Regional Council’s Facade Improvement initiative, which has been in place for nine years and supports quality facade improvement works. Mayor Greg Williamson said the Facade Improvement Grant was a collaborative effort between council and local property owners and business operators. “By working together, we strive to encourage the revital
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Urban Greening Strategy Takes Root In The Northern Beaches While many residents are starting to put up their Christmas trees at home, Mackay Regional Council is planting some trees of their own in the Northern Beaches. Council will be planting 74 street trees along Eimeo and Blacks Beach roads this month. This is the first major planting project of the Mackay Urban Greening Strategy, with more to come in the future. The project supports the strategy’s vision of growing cooler, greener and more
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Grapevine Group have launched their annual campaign ‘Be Suicide Alert this Christmas’ hoping to remind everyone to keep an eye on colleagues and loved ones who might find the festive season mentally challenging. The Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac community can do their bit by downloading the Grapevine Group app which contains the sixteen warning signs of suicide. Community members can do their part by being aware of these signs and making themselves familiar with the local suicide prevention ser
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Gargett branch of the Queensland Country Women’s Association celebrated their 75th anniversary on 20th November, with a luncheon to commemorate the special occasion that comes once-in-a-lifetime. A cake cutting ceremony was held, alongside a day of reminiscence and nostalgia as members and their families looked back fondly on the seventy-five years of service that local women have dedicated to the branch.
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A special presentation ceremony took place at Banksia Scout Den in Andergrove on 27th November, celebrating the Australian Scout Award (ASA). Winners of the ASA included Scouts Avianca Johnson, Bindi Nongsra, Ebony Anderson and Logan Perkins. Scout Leader Joanne Hamilton said that all four recipients worked extremely hard to complete the requirements of the ASA and congratulated them for sticking it out. The recipients have displayed extreme persistence and perseverance, in both understanding t
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Excited Prep-Ready Kids and their families celebrated their graduation on 27 November 2023 at Ocean International. The children had all completed the Prep-Ready Kids Program delivered by The Neighbourhood Hub. Prep-Ready Kids Program is for children aged 3.5 to 5 years old and aims to prepare them for primary school. The Program is funded by the Multicultural Affairs through the Department of Environment and Science. The Program allows children to learn some of the basic skills they will bui
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