T8T Fest Wraps Up For 2023 The fifth T8T Fest has wrapped up for Bowen, but the work isn’t over yet! For the Tait family who organise T8T Fest, the festival acts as a reunion and special celebration of life for their much-loved family member Nicholas Tait, who passed away in 2016 from Melanoma. At the age of 36, Nicholas was diagnosed with melanoma, and 16 short weeks later, he sadly passed away. “And in 2017, we held a reunion for everyone who knew Taity,” explained Amanda Tait, Nicholas’ elde
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Dear Kaylem, I know you will hate this, but I just had to do it! Dad and I are so proud of you and the amazing young man you have grown up to be. As this chapter closes and a new one begins, know that no matter what it brings Dad and I will always be here. Love Mum & Dad xxx Ps. Rent will be due next week! 😊 Photoshoot Location: Villa Botanica / Private Home / Shute Harbour Photography by: Norina Jane and R Jean Photography
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Year 12 Students Mark End Of An Era With School Formals Year 12 students from around the region celebrated the end of their school journeys this week, the countless festivities marked the end of an era, but also commemorated each individual’s achievements from a memorable period in their lives. Friends united, proud parents watched on with tears in their eyes and entire school communities gathered to wish departing students all the success in life.
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A musical movement that is aimed at not only raising awareness of our local indigenous culture but also healing the wounds of the past, is alive and singing in the Whitsundays, led by two inspiring local musos. The collaboration of artists Adrian Thomas and Uncle Harold Bowen has seen indigenous stories translated into meaningful music with heartfelt compassion and true storytelling. The pair have been working together for several months, Adrian writes the lyrics from the stories Uncle Harold
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The folk event of summer is arriving in the Whitsunday PCYC, checking into Airlie Beach for one night of mammoth music, that will leave the soul replenished and recharged. The Summer rendition of the Festival of Small Halls is back and featuring headlining acts Assynt and Jackie Marshall, with the evening expected to be music for the soul. Jackie Marshall is a folk singer-songwriter, with her inspirations stemming from 60s and 70s and western folk and country, jazz, and improvisation. Full of
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Friday 24th Nov • Paradiso: Mike Duff (7-10pm) • KC’s: Aaron Saxon (8pm-Late) • Metropole: Live Music (8pm-Late) • The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andrew Wishart (7pm-10pm) • Grand View Hotel: TBC (from 8pm) Saturday 25th Nov • The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andrew Wishart (7pm-10pm) • Airlie Beach Hotel: Dire Straits (2pm-5.30pm) • Paradiso: Simon Briley (7-10pm) • KC’s: Retro Joe (8pm-Late) • Grand View Hotel: Dave Helgi Johan (from 6pm) Sunday 26th Nov • Paradiso: Aaron Saxon (1-4pm) • The Pu
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Whitsunday Touch has rounded off the 2023 season, with a massive celebration earlier this week. The overall winning teams are: A Grade - GET Touch B Grade - Whitmonday Eagles C Grade - Flametree Flames Family Grade - Untouchables
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The weekly 9-hole stableford saw Scott Morrissey in first place with 24 pts, second with 22 pts Jane Muller and third David Wallace on 21 pts. We also had a couple of holes in one this week Jane Muller on hole 5 and Glenn Rees on hole 8. Fridays 9-hole stableford saw Tim Walton take the win with 23 pts, second place with 19 pts Alan Clinch and third place with 18 pt c/b Gary Goddard. Sundays 4 ball better ball was a great turn out, a top effort for our winners Glenn Rees and Rob Lodders with a
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Thirty Whitsunday players competed in a stroke competition which was also Round 2 of the Club championships for those who were eligible. It was warm and steamy out there as the course did not get the coastal sea breezes - they’re a hardy lot who know how to stay fresh on the course. Scoring indicated the state of the course with lots of run on the fairways and some very accurate (and some very lucky) putts on the greens. Championship winners will be revealed at the presentation evening to be he
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Playing with a handicap of 8, Jayden Lloyd had a sensational 4-under par to blitz Saturday's Hayman Electrical stroke event with a 58 nett. Chris Pham was second in the A division with 67. Wayne Fitzgerald with 68 won the B division from Jackson Gray on 68. Pins went to Jalen Jarvis, Rob Stanley, Mick Hamilton, and Jayden Lloyd. The ladies section winner was Lyn Muller on 72 from Penny Wardroper on 73 with the pins going to Pauline Redpath and Penny Wardroper. Tuesday's monthly medal saw Ja
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On Wednesday, men and ladies played a single stableford event sponsored by Bowen Golf Club. Ladies’ winner with a great score of 44pts was Tanya Gaudry, runner up Leanne Swan 40pts. Men’s winner also with a great score of 43pts was Joshua Fraser, runner up Reg Goldup 40pts. On Saturday, we played a single stableford sponsored by Roger Vandenberg from Proserpine Pro Shop. Ladies’ winner on a countback was Robyn Slade 36pts, 2nd place Helen Russell 36pts, 3rd place Lorraine McArthur 36pts.
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On Tuesday, winners were Deb Retchless, Merle Elphinstone, and Allan Rolfe who defeated Bron Tolcher, Irene Laird, and Geoff Danvers. The jackpot didn’t go off. Competitions results: On Saturday our Club Mixed Fours was played out. Laurie Land, Denise Wallace, Penny Warren, and Allan Rolfe defeated Robyn Stitt, Merle Elphinstone, Isobel Wheeler, and Mark Drummond. Tracey Roach, Crowie Kennedy, and Whitton Lloyd White defeated Lyn Danvers, Sue Shearing, Peter Hinschen, and Geoff Danvers. The fi
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On Wednesday we had twelve players enjoying bowls at the new Summertime opening hours of names in by 2.30pm and bowls from 3pm. Jim Bownds, Bruce Uhe and Philip Brown defeated John Anderson, Pat Bownds and Mike Harrison 22 – 17. Lee King, Barry Zillmann, and Heather Brown defeated Arthur Griffith, Mary Hedgelong and Sandy Daffara 28 - 16. On Friday night the club was opened for an evening of Barefoot Bowls and Proserpine really responded well with 52 bowlers enjoying an evening of bowls and a
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Well summer is almost here and it couldn't come sooner as the quality of bowls at our little club is sizzling. No bowls again on Tuesday due to no water, however Wednesday afternoon Jackpot Bowls run by Rick Galea, and marvellous Merve Stewart saw new bowler Arthur McManus showing all how much his practice has paid off whom with Shane Spann runaway winners on the day, and it was the Men's Singles champion Alan Pershouse who went home with the prestigious Health Hub award. Saturday morning Scroun
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AFL Sessions The Whitsunday Sea Eagles are looking for their next female super stars! All ladies, aged 16 years old and above, are welcome to attend a series of ‘Come and Try AFL’ afternoons throughout the end of November and early December. Designed for any women who are wishing to sign up for the 2024 season or wish to try out a new sport, these afternoons are perfect for seasoned players and newcomers. All fitness levels are welcome and are at no cost to participants. Contact Chris Morri
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The Cannonvale Cannons thoroughly enjoyed racing in the GBR meet held in Mackay over the weekend. The coaches, Mark Erickson and Ken Crittenden were impressed with all the swimmers. 14 years and older swimmers: Remy Hedges and Ehsan Helou won most of their individual events. Tiana Bell swam PBs in all her events and won medals for her Breaststroke races. Jack Ganter swam a brilliant 200m Backstroke in 2.56.30, 14.7sec PB to earn 1st place. Holly Perrin, Noah Maltby, Jacob Bell, and Anisa Helo
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RETURNS AFTER THREE YEAR HIATUS The local wedding industry just got bigger, bolder, and more exciting thanks to the newly rejuvenated Mackay and Whitsunday Annual Wedding Expo which is due to take place at the MECC on Sunday, 4 February, from 10am - 1pm. Launched in 2020 by local wedding and event specialist Ramona Burki from Element Events by Ramona, the Mackay and Whitsunday Wedding Expo was a huge success, but future plans were halted by the pandemic until the event became re-charged for 20
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As the mercury rises, this week’s good deed is a reminder to stay vigilant around water. Sherry Ferguson, in a heartfelt message on the Mums and Bubs of Mackay & the Whitsundays Facebook group, recounted a recent heart-stopping incident that transformed into a tale of immense gratitude towards local heroes. During a family outing at the Bluewater Lagoon, an unforeseen turn of events unfolded when Sherry's daughter, aged 19, found herself facing a nerve-wracking situation. While enjoying the day
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Ah, cyclone season—when the skies turn ominous, and we find ourselves glued to weather forecasts more than our favourite TV series. Here in Mackay, November through April is our version of a rollercoaster ride, with storms and cyclones potentially on the horizon. In Mackay Life, we've just wrapped up four weeks of disaster preparedness, reminding us that being ready for anything nature throws our way is not just a suggestion but a necessity. Our final Disaster Month feature can be found on pages
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A secret audit of Queensland’s roads has revealed almost half of Queensland’s Bruce Highway has a two-star safety rating or less. Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, said he is disappointed but not surprised the electorate of Dawson had the lowest overall star rating, with 63.4 per cent rated two stars or lower. Mr Willcox said much needed infrastructure projects like the Mackay Ring Road Stage 2 and the Goorganga Plains Flood Immunity project have been delayed by the Australian Governmen
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Mackay Man Dies 13 Days After Car Crash A serious traffic crash occurred in St Lawrence, south of Mackay on 7th November. Early investigations indicated that a truck left the Bruce Highway and crashed into a tree near Wumalgi Road, around 7am. At the time the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, a 55-year-old man from Rural View, was flown to Rockhampton Base Hospital in a critical condition. Queensland Police Service released a statement on 20th November informing the public that the 55-yea
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Officially Opened At CQ University The Mackay campus of CQ University has officially opened a new room, dedicated to First Nations students, staff and community members. The new room provides a safe environment that is culturally rich, for students, staff, and the community to have a space for study and independent work. Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Nick Klomp said the space was an “incredibly important addition to the campus”. “CQUniversity is proud to be one of Australia’s most a
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Mackay Regional Council have kicked in $10,000 to boost festive celebrations in regional areas like Grasstree Beach, Calen, Midge Point and Marian. From carols to morning teas, movie nights to lolly drops and everything in between – the Mackay region will be buzzing with festive fun. Christmas Grants were awarded to 13 exciting events and Mackay City Band was also supported to perform at a number of community carols and Christmas events, like the Habana carols and various retirement village perf
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The Mackay Tiger Moth Museum Inc is a long-standing non-profit organisation, run by local volunteers who possess a proud passion for aviation. The group began in 1974, when the founding members of the group, formerly known as The Tiger Moth Trust banded together to purchase a Tiger Moth that had been restored locally and was in danger of being sold to America. Support was gathered from the Mackay community to purchase the Tiger Moth and the Trust (now The Mackay Tiger Moth Museum) was formed to
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For RFDS Awards The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RDFS) are hosting their annual Local Hero Awards, recognising Queenslanders who go above and beyond to support their community. The RFDS began in 1928, providing vital healthcare to regional, rural and remote areas. With nine bases operating throughout the state, they form a strategic network and help deliver the finest healthcare to all Queenslanders. Without the ongoing support of the communities in which RFDS operate, they simply would not exi
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