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Robotic Surgery To Advance Patient Outcomes

A ground-breaking robotic surgical system which will deliver state-of-the-art medical care to local patients has arrived at Mater Private Hospital Mackay. The da Vinci X robotic system, which has been used to perform more than nine million urology, gynaecology, colorectal, cardiac, head, neck and thoracic surgeries worldwide, will begin operating in Mackay next month.

Future Tradies On The Tools

Year 10 students in Rockhampton and Mackay were given a taste of tradie life when they recently participated in the Try a Trade event hosted by WorldSkills Queensland, Construction Skills Queensland - CSQ and CQU.

Cobra Joins Mackay Police Dog Squad

Mackay Police Dog Squad has welcomed its newest team member, with Police Dog Cobra (PD Cobra) joining the force.Cobra has been in Mackay for approximately three months, finishing his final training and development with Sergeant Jacob Bates and PD Griffin. "Recruit" Dog Cobra was recently signed off and officially promoted to "PD" Cobra after a series of assessments at a Police Dog Training Course he and Sergeant Bates attended in Brisbane.

Jazz Legend Inspires Local Students

Whitsunday Anglican School proudly played host to internationally acclaimed jazz great James Morrison recently. Four of the School ensembles were excited to share the stage with The James Morrison Quartet at the Friday August 4 concert under the stars at the school.Brass students from years 5 to 12 also enjoyed a special workshop with James Morrison before taking to the stage later that night.

Female Sport Funding Commitment Supported By Local MP

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox has thrown his support behind the announcement that a future Coalition government will commit $250 million in funding over the next four years to improve the lives of future sporting stars nation-wide.

Changing The Face Of Business

Businesses have the chance to breathe new life into their building facades and enhance the overall experience for residents and visitors alike.This council initiative, which has been in place for nine years, supports quality facade improvement works.

Koala Conservation Receives $3.5 Million For Habitat Preservation

Reef Catchments, the Natural Resource Management organisation for the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region, has been awarded $3.5 million from the Australian Government Saving Koalas Fund to expand and improve koala habitat in Sarina.According to Reef Catchments Coordinator, Kira Andrews, “Our project provides meaningful support that enables the community to plant koala food and habitat trees for the creation of sustainable koala friendly corridors.”

HOME BREAK IN, HAMPDEN

Mackay Police reported that between 3:00pm and 5:56pm on August 15 someone had broken into a home on Nine Mile Creek Road at Hampden.“Entry was gained into the house which is situated on an elevated block through either the front or back door which were both later discovered open,” police said in a statement.

September Announced For Seaforth Splash

The official opening of the Seaforth Esplanade Redevelopment will take place next month, on Saturday, September 2, from 9.30am to noon.Be one of the first to try the new playground and waterplay area and enjoy the free entertainment on offer including live music, face painting and the Seaforth mini markets. There will also be a free fishing clinic thanks to Mackay Recreational Fishers Alliance. Bring your own rod or reel. Places are limited and bookings are essential. Don’t forget to bring your

Boom In Babies For Mackay’s Mater

With hearts brimming with anticipation, proud parents throughout the Mackay region are rejoicing as they welcome an influx of newborns into their lives. At Mater Mothers’ Private Mackay, the month of July witnessed the advent of 33 newborns, each one an embodiment of pure potential and promise.

Be Social Backs Community

Be Social Fest went off with a bang in June and the good vibrations are still being felt throughout the community.

Pioneer Swim Centre Closed For September

North Mackay’s Pioneer Swim Centre will close its gates for the month of September for scheduled maintenance work.The work will include levelling the deep end of the 50m pool, expansion joint renewal, pool tile renewal, recoating the children’s pool water features and repairs and maintenance to the grandstand.

AMP Up! Your Locale

Energise your local community hub or Mackay’s town centre with a touch of magic courtesy of the Activate My Place! (AMP!) Placemaking Grants. As these grants take centre stage, they are your passport to rejuvenating your surroundings, stitching together vibrancy and vitality in a symphony of transformation.

Put Funding On The Ground

It is always positive to see government investing in the sustainability of the sugar industry. As growers, we know it is all-important that farm inputs - like fertiliser – stay in the ground where we need them working towards increasing productivity and profitability, and not making its way off farm during rain and into creeks and on to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.

MACKAY IN THE RUNNING FOR GROUNDBREAKING SUGAR PROJECT

Pivotal Ingredients has teamed up with the local sugar industry in Mackay to tap into the growing global demand for sustainable animal-free dairy products. Pivotal Ingredients is excited to announce its vision to build a state-of-the-art fermentation facility in Mackay, Queensland and is partnering with local sugar producers to help make this project a reality.

Bill Lake – Walkerston’s Vietnam Veteran

Walkerston’s Vietnam Veteran William Lake was, at last week’s local RSL meeting, presented with a commemoration medallion and certificate marking the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

Rainy Season Readiness

When it comes to protecting your home from the impacts of natural disasters, being prepared is key. Mackay residents have experienced firsthand the importance of home maintenance in the face of our region's unpredictable weather patterns. Whether you own your home or are renting, these practical steps can make all the difference in safeguarding your property. If you are renting and have concerns regarding the safety of your home, bring these to the attention of your landlord or property manager

Top Tips for Keeping Your Car Sparkling Clean

Maintaining a clean car not only enhances its appearance but also contributes to its longevity and overall value. Regular cleaning goes beyond aesthetics; it helps protect your investment and ensures a comfortable and healthy driving environment. Here are some expert tips to keep your car sparkling clean:

Property Point

My real estate career is littered with occasions when I have held open houses and private inspections and have not been required to draw a gun and shoot someone. Call me a bright-eyed optimist who views the world through rose-coloured glasses if you like, but I have never even felt the need to take a gun to a private inspection. I think my stance on weapons in real estate probably reflects the broader Australian situation but, like so many things, it’s different in America. Judging by the discus

Going, Going, Gone

These three words explain a lot about our extinct and endangered species. I can’t stand by and see this continuing to happen, so I came up with the ‘Love an endangered Aussie species’ revolution. I want all Australians to get on board and say, ‘I stand up for our endangered wildlife’. Australia is home to some of the world’s most unique and rare species. However, since European settlements in 1788, the country has experienced widespread habitat destruction and the introduction of non-native pre

Up To 1200 Homeless In Our Region

Opinion piece The Housing Summit has been and gone and the numbers are scary, with approximately 1,200 homeless in the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaacs areas. We need the results of this to be more than just data collection. We need to see some action in the short term to address our deteriorating position. You can judge the effectiveness of the summit over the next six months through signs of reduction in the homeless in our region. The current problems are caused by a higher-than-expected pop

Saddle Up For Sounds

If I tell you something very special, do you promise not to tell anyone else? Promise? No? Well, OK, let me tell you anyway. This weekend is one of the biggest concerts ever seen in Mackay. Sure, we’ve seen some big names here over the years! Elton John for one. Even having KISS play here years ago was an amazing experience too. I even remember watching Dire Straits back in ’86 and what a show that was! The list of artists that have played here is just incredible. This weekend we are adding

Event Guide

Science Fever At Eimeo Road

This week, students at Eimeo Road State School celebrated science week, kicking off with lots of interesting experiments on junior parade on Monday. The school’s resident “Mad Scientist” Mrs Bowerman conducted exciting, explosive and chemically charged experiments in front of an awe-struck crowd of students. The week continued with lots of engaging science fun, including the Student Council Mad Scientist Disco on Wednesday, inviting students to dress as their favourite mad scientist. As part of

Step Up 2 Prep

Both the creative and the culinary juices have been flowing for children in Dundula State School’s ‘Step Up 2 Prep’ program. Last Wednesday, students used colouring pencils, glue and sparkles to create their very own rainbow fish before enjoying mini pizzas on Friday. The program invites children aged zero to five years from across the region to enjoy a social morning of art, puzzles, stories and play, preparing them for the transition into primary schooling. Children created art and pizza as pa