Police Charge Man Over Stolen Rural Fire Vehicles Detectives have charged a man after he allegedly stole two rural fire trucks in separate incidents near Mackay over the past week. It will be alleged on October 31, the man broke into the Sarina Marlborough Rural Fire Brigade on Tara Creek Road and stole a Nissan Patrol rural fire vehicle and other equipment. It will be further alleged on November 4, the same man broke into the Victoria Plains Rural Fire Brigade on Victoria Plains Road and sto
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Following the informational video released by the State Emergency Services – Mackay Regional Unit, an emergency kit is necessary during disaster season. Fires, flooding or cyclones could force you out of your home, or keep you stuck there for an extended period of time. Your kit should include these basics, but you can think about what items your family might use if you had to stay at home for up to three days. • Food items include bottled water and non-perishable canned food (And don’t forget
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Mackay Regional Council have geared up their disaster preparedness, hosting their Disaster Ready Saturday event last weekend at Caneland Shopping Centre. Seeing over 1200 people stop by the event and collect new and up-to-date disaster preparedness material, attendees were also able to check in with Australian Red Cross, Ergon Energy, Sunwater, SES and the Mackay Hospital and Health Service. Visitors received important information regarding the Council’s Emergency Action Guide booklet. Storm
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Sarina Neighbourhood Centre and Aurizon are putting the call out to the community to help make a better Christmas for those doing it tough. Sarina residents are asked to donate Christmas gifts, holiday season items and nonperishable hamper items to help bring joy and comfort to those in need during this festive time. Deputy Mayor Karen May said unfortunately Christmas wasn’t a festive time of year for everyone in our community. “While most of us look forward to exchanging gifts, feasting and rel
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You couldn’t wipe the smiles off the faces of Sarina State High School (SSHS) students Sophie Steindl and Jacob Adams after they received a Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank Senior Schooling Scholarship last week. Presented at the annual SSHS Awards Presentation Night, Community Bank Sarina sponsored two $2000 scholarships which provide funding for excursions, textbooks, and technology and also encourages students’ dedication to both their education and community involvement. Community Bank
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Consolidating your savings Ah, savings. We all want more. Just when you think you might be getting somewhere, that’s often when bills and repayments, rent and other expenses are ready to bring you back to reality. So, how can you start ascending the savings summit and, most importantly, continue climbing? Customise Saving means different things to different people. Because – and this shouldn’t come as a shock – we’re all different. Firstly, you need to have a glance at what you’re spending yo
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Look out Cockroaches, Sarina’s Buffy the Cane Toad is on the march. More specifically Sarina’s tribute to one of Australia’s greatest ecological disasters, the dreaded cane toad, is the subject of a post card prepared by Sarina Arts and Crafts volunteer Owen Bromley. A range of cards by Owen and other volunteers are available at the centre, and Blues supporters could even find them featuring Buffy turning up in their letterboxes if visitors from NSW are game enough to buy them. Owen has made
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Buffy the Cane Toad is an avid supporter of Sarina’s role in Queensland’s proud State of Origin heritage. No fewer than seven players originating from Sarina have represented Queensland in Origin and national rugby league teams and the latest three were recognized in a plaque unveiling at Buffy’s site last week. The event was emceed by rugby league great and Mackay region councillor Martin Bella. Daly Cherry-Evans has played 22 Origin matches and 18 Tests and Reuben Cotter 40 Origins and two T
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CANEGROWERS has congratulated Federal Trade Minister Don Farrell on taking the courageous decision to step away from free trade negotiations with the European Union rather than sign a bad deal for Australia’s farmers. Minister Farrell was in Japan last month for the G7 Trade Ministers Meeting in Osaka, where it was anticipated an Australia-EU free trade deal might be done on the sidelines. However, with agriculture strongly represented by the National Farmers’ Federation, CANEGROWERS and oth
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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay The harvest should be winding up in the next few weeks. But it’s not. It runs against sugarcane agronomy, and it runs against cane supply agreements. Grower confidence is suffering under the influence of another long and arduous crush, potentially heading to a third consecutive year of harvesting into the Christmas curfew period, or at the least, cutting right up until Christmas. It cuts against profitability, with a high likelihood of cane left in t
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Gargett branch of the Queensland Country Women’s Association will mark its 75th anniversary on 20th November, with a special luncheon reminiscent of times gone by. This month, the children and grandchildren of those women will be at the centre of the branch’s anniversary celebrations, joining past and present QCWA members and people with links to the branch at a birthday luncheon at Gargett Hall. A morning tea, as well as a display of photos through the ages will be a part of the itinerary, to
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With chiropractic care as the largest natural health profession in the world, Experience Healing is the leading choice in treating and maintaining physical health for people of all ages. Experience Healing Chiropractic Centre has provided the Mackay region with the best chiropractic care for over eight years and counting. Experience Healing believes in correcting the pillars of physical health, movement, strength, posture and balance. When these pillars are improved, pain is reduced and optima
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Bell's Palsy Recovery Bell's Palsy often manifests as sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the face, leading to drooping features, difficulty in speech, and eye-related problems. Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine practice, has gained recognition for its effectiveness in addressing the symptoms of Bell's Palsy. Bell's Palsy is a neurological condition that can strike without warning, causing temporary facial paralysis and a host of associated discomforts. It is something the tea
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I was talking to a young female friend recently and she told me she had left her car in a 30-minute parking zone and that time-period had already lapsed. But she was having fun and didn’t feel like bothering with the car so she was going to “risk it for the biscuit”. I might have been hiding under a rock but I hadn’t heard the term before. I liked it and it is one of those terms where you can work out what it means. That’s not the case with a lot of the terms Millennials and some Gen-Xers use w
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Christmas is a magical time for families, filled with joy and cherished moments. Yet, for busy mumpreneurs juggling the demands of business and family life, it can also be a period of financial stress. Balancing the costs of gifts, decorations, and special meals while running a business can seem overwhelming. Fear not, fellow mumpreneurs! Here are five money-saving strategies to help you enjoy a memorable Christmas without draining your budget. 1. Strategic budgeting: Start by creating a clear
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OPINION PIECE I am a single mum, in my 40s, with two primary school-aged kids. I was approached to run for public office when they were only toddlers. I named all the reasons under the sun why I didn’t belong as a councillor. But I do. My experience, not only as a mother with a young family, but an individual with layers of knowledge from the health and resources sectors, brought a unique perspective to the council chamber. My influence has directly resulted in outcomes that may have been
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OPINION PIECE We love Friday’s. They are one of the better days that end in Y. But do you know why Friday is such a good day? Have a look around you. Do you see something that makes you smile? A photo on the wall? Kids play stuff all over the front yard? Grass that hasn’t been cut in a few weeks? Maybe a washing basket on the laundry floor that’s overflowing? That’s the stuff we love. It’s real life, and without all that stuff, where would we be? The last few weeks have reminded me to be than
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A brilliant line-up of highly awarded new films from around the globe will light up the big screen in Mackay at BCC Mount Pleasant, from 17th to 19th November, bringing exciting world-class cinema to sunny Queensland. The Travelling Film Festival brings international and Australian film programs to venues and locations that would not ordinarily get to see the range of films on offer in a cinema setting. Featuring six award-winning and nominated feature-length films and three award-winning Austr
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Friday 10 November Keep the Speed off the Streets! (Test & Tune) Gates open 3pm Scrutineering opens at 4.00pm to 6.00pm Racing from 5.00pm to 9.00pm. $20 Spectator tickets available at the gate. Palmyra Dragway Paxtons Night Markets 4pm to 8pm Mackay’s original and truly local handmade Night market. A unique shopping experience with quality stalls, live music, food and the best location on the river. | Free entry. 10 River Street Friday Night Live Music Every Friday from 5pm Join us on Fri
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Dance Express Mackay is thrilled to hit the stage on 19th November in a dance extravaganza like no other - No need to toss up which concerts to see in 2023, the concert of the year is right here! The Dance Express kids will have you grooving in your seat from their larger-than-life Ready Set Dancers making a stage debut, to their Graduating Seniors taking their final bow. A spectacle for the whole family, Dance Express concerts are known for their high energy and entertainment factor. “After p
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Local businesses have the opportunity to learn essential digital marketing skills in face-to-face workshops this November. Run by digital marketing agency Rebel Nation, the small group workshops allow participants to upgrade their marketing knowledge, learn new tools and ask questions specific to their business. Rebel Nation head trainer Jade McAuley said the final 2023 workshops were two of her “favourite” topics because of “the massive impact they can have on your business, and anyone can use
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Mackay Regional Council's Australia Day event grants are now open and local community groups are encouraged to apply. Mayor Greg Williamson said council was excited to offer the Australia Day event grant funding once again for 2024. “Our 2023 Aussie Day community events had a record attendance of more than 2900 people, so we are looking forward to another exciting Aussie Day event line up,” Mayor Williamson said. “Not-for-profit community groups can apply for up to $1000 to support their Austral
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Mackay Regional Council is on the hunt for unsung heroes, community volunteers, inspirational sportspeople and local legends of all ages. Now is the time to nominate residents for the 2024 Australia Day Awards. Nominations are now open for the following categories: Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Arts and Culture, Environmental Achievement, Lori Burgess Community Volunteer, Community Group, Senior Sports and Young Sports Award. Mayor Greg Williamson said there had been so many tr
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By Chris Karas Mackay Meteorettes coach Jamiey Douvendans has a sharp eye for basketball talent. The respected hoops mentor has just returned from the Champion Basketball School of Queensland Junior Secondary tournament on the Gold Coast where he marvelled at the skills sets on show. In his role as Coaching Co-ordinator of the St Patrick’s College Mackay basketball program, the experienced Douvendans guided the school to a Boys Division Three Grand Final appearance and a top five finish in the
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Twin centuries by talented Walkerston juniors Tyler Peters and Cooper Newbury proved the highlight of fourth round limited overs action in the Mackay Junior Cricket Association competition. Padding up in the Under 15B division, the promising colts turned on a batting masterclass to help the Walkerston Under 14s team amass an imposing tally of 1-252 in the 25 overs per side fixture at McLennan Park. In an entertaining run fest the flamboyant Peters blasted 103 runs off only 56 deliveries includ
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