Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
The most recent Tiny Homes Project fundraiser event, Get Lei’d Hawaiian Party held at Cape Gloucester, saw over 120 people attend, streaming off the buses donated by Whitsunday Transit. Major Sponsors D & C Mechanical and Electrical.“It was a fantastic event,” said Fiona Donnellan, Fundraising Coordinator for Tiny Homes Project. “The entire event was a huge success, which was incredible.”
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Local skateboard star Freddie Hazelton has been selected for the YouFor2032 program, a youth feeder program for alite athletes aspiring to compete in the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics.A Year 8 St Catherine’s Catholic College student, Freddie is a busy young man, having travelled Australia competing in skateboarding competitions, testing his skills and techniques against a wide variety of other skaters.
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he North Queensland Zone Mission Beach Regatta was conducted at South Mission Beach on the weekend of 16th and 17th of September. The conditions were challenging with a persistent strong wind and choppy seas. The Outrigger Whitsunday team performed extremely well.
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On Wednesday, the Cannons hosted the first Distance Club Night for the season. Swimmers had the opportunity to swim longer distances than normal. The coaches were pleased to see senior swimmers taking up the challenge of swimming 400m IM or 400m, 800m or 1500m Freestyle. Jacob Bell swam 1500m Freestyle in a time of 18.15.97.
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An exciting opportunity for the local sporting community, Base 51 played host to the Australian Kangaroos earlier this week ahead of their clash with Samoa in Townsville this weekend.Joining them for Monday’s high intensity workout were a group of Under 17 Whitsunday Brahmans.
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To round out the year, many fitness facilities (including mine - F45 Airlie Beach) run 6, 8 or 12 Week Challenges. With so many to choose from, how do you decide which one is right?
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A Glioma Warrior's Story By Sinead Porter Nineteen-year-old Ashlee Knight was diagnosed with an optic nerve glioma and intercranial hypotension on 27th July, 2020 that unknowingly would alter the course of her life. While playing lawn bowls at Mackay City Bowls Club, Ashlee started complaining that she couldn’t see the kitty up at the other end of the green. Her mother Anna booked her an optometrist appointment, which was just the beginning of her three-and-a-half year battle ahead. From
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FROCKS AND FILLIES ON SHOW AT TURF CLUB’S DERBY DAY
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Group Leader of the State Emergency Service Mackay Regional Unit, JoAnn Clout, has stepped down from her role after ten years of dedicated service. JoAnn stepped out of the role originally in 2018, however since then she has filled in on an interim basis when other members have come and gone from the position. She has been a pillar of strength for members of the SES and continues to stay active in the organisation. Today, JoAnn spends her time keeping busy with the new recruit program, keen o
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A primary-school aged entrepreneur has taken to his front yard to sell cups of lemonade to his local community, while raising money for various charities. Local Bucasia resident, Cooper, sells his own batch of homemade lemonade to local residents, alongside his little sister, Lexi. Over the weekend, Cooper was out selling from 10:30am until 1:30pm, a hard day’s work for a young man. In past events, Cooper has raised money for both his own pocket money, as well as the Kmart Wishing Tree Appea
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Change is the heartbeat of life, and as we embrace it, we often find remarkable stories waiting to be uncovered. This week, I have the pleasure of introducing you to a fresh face in our editorial team, Sinead Porter, whose journey from the red dust of the desert plains in Western Australia to the coal dust of our vibrant Mackay region brings a unique perspective and a treasure trove of stories. Sinead has experienced an interesting tapestry of heritage. She was born in Ireland and moved to the
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The process of repurposing involves using a product to serve another purpose. For example, soft plastic bags can be repurposed into sleeping mats. Mary Worby is one such woman in Mackay that started making sleeping mats from plastic bags three years ago. Her journey began four years ago after seeing on Facebook school children in America making sleeping mats for the homeless out of bread bags. Mary googled a pattern and started using the grey plastic shopping bags. When recycled plastic bag
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A Mackay man’s after-work visit to the local bowls club has become an unforgettable moment after picking up a $54,000 win in a recent Keno draw. The Queensland resident held a Keno Classic 6 Spot winning entry in draw 659, drawn Saturday 30 September 2023, and took home $54,000. “I feel great!” he exclaimed when an official from Keno called to confirm the life-enhancing win. “What an amazing way to finish off a long workday. “I just knocked off, went to the bowls club for a feed, and the
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The rare New Guinea Tongue Orchid, taking host in the Ken Burgess Orchid House, is getting ready to flower, with botanic lovers waiting patiently. This Orchid is the Orchid’s House’s most infamous plant, and is a member of the Bulbophyllum fletcherianum, but is better known as ‘Stinky’, due to the eye-watering stench that accompanies its flower. The flowers of the orchid resemble rotting flesh both in look and smell, but serve the important role of attracting flies, who believe they are laying
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A 73-year-old Kuttabul man has died following a tragic road accident in Mia Mia Forest, on Sunday October 2. Police reported that at about 6am, the man was travelling north on Pinnacle Station Road, towing a caravan, when he stopped his vehicle to clear an obstruction on the road, at Captain’s Crossing. His vehicle has then rolled forward, hitting the man, and causing his death. Police said he was alone at the time and was later discovered by a passer-by at about 7.30am.
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Mackay Hospital Foundation Giving Day 2023 “We shouldn’t be disadvantaged because of where we live so let’s make our hospitals the best they can be, providing the absolute best possible care for our family and friends.” Mark your calendars for a heartwarming occasion on Thursday, October 12th, as the Mackay Hospital Foundation gears up for its third annual Giving Day. This cherished event stands tall as one of the organisation's grandest fundraising endeavours, with the dedicated team at t
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A new pet owner said she feels like she’s ”struck gold” after adopting a senior dog from council’s Animal Management Centre. Megan Gray said the kelpie-cross, August, was the perfect fit for her home. “I feel like I’ve struck gold — he is such a well-behaved, intelligent, beautiful boy!” Ms Gray said. “A big thank you to the wonderful team at council’s Animal Management Centre for making the adoption possible,” she said. “Now he is in a safe loving home.” Leslie Sleeman also adopted a senior Jac
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This year marks National Police Remembrance Day’s 35-year anniversary since its commencement in 1989, pausing to honour 150 officers whose lives have been lost in the line of duty. National Police Remembrance Day (NPRD), observed every year on September 29, is a sombre reminder of the bravery and commitment of our police officers, who protect and serve the people of Queensland. In the past 12 months, two Queensland Police Service officers, constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, tragically
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A proactive plan to ensure our coastal communities are as prepared as possible for the impacts of climate change and coastal hazards is one step closer. The Mackay Coast – Our Future, Coastal Hazard Adaptation Study improves council’s understanding of coastal hazards. It also provides a plan to manage the impact on our communities, environment, cultural values and built assets. The draft study was endorsed for public consultation at last week’s ordinary meeting of council. Mayor Greg Williamson
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Rain and strong winds put a dampener on Daly Bay Illuminate in July. However, rather than abandon the iconic event, the Mackay Festivals team worked hard to secure the various drawcard installations for a new date in October. This amazing family-friendly event is back, with the first night illuminating Queens Park last night. The park has come alive with giant interactive dogs, exotic UV florals, neon sea creatures and so much more until Sunday, October 8. Better still, entry to this all-ages, i
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Do you have enough supplies to last you three days in the case of a disaster? Mackay Regional Council has joined forces with Woolworths to make it easier for Mackay region residents to organise their disaster supply kit. Across the region’s eight Woolworths stores, each supermarket will have two dedicated aisle ends at the back of the store stocked with key items for household disaster kits. Mackay Deputy Mayor Karen May said council had provided banners with tear-off shopping lists outside o
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With Queensland's bushfire season, the upcoming summer rains, and the looming cyclone season, farmers across the state are gearing up for a season of unpredictable challenges. It's a crucial time for primary producers to ensure the safety of their families, workers, and livestock. The recent warmer winter weather has raised concerns about an increased bushfire risk, highlighting the need for preparedness. To assist Queenslanders in facing these imminent natural challenges, disaster guides have
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• Applications are open now for the 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award until 25 October 2023. • The Rural Women’s Award supports Australian women to use and develop their skills to benefit their industries and communities. • The AgriFutures Australia Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant is open to provide professional development support to rural women to bring their idea, cause or vision to life. Applications are now open for the 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, a platform designed to empowe
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The ABS released the Lending to Households and Businesses data for August 2023 earlier this week, which provides statistics on housing finance commitments. It also released its monthly building approvals data for the same month for detached houses and multi-units covering all states and territories. “Housing and finance data continues to be weighed down by the interest rate increases that the RBA commenced more than a year earlier,” added Mr Devitt. “In the three months to August 2023 lendin
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Your Insurer's Role As our vehicles become increasingly technologically advanced, it's crucial to grasp the significance of code clearing and calibrations in the context of automotive repairs and insurance claims. Understanding how these processes factor into pre, mid, and post-repair stages can make all the difference. Manufacturers issue specific position statements that dictate how these procedures should be carried out. Some manufacturers emphasize their importance by using words like "MUS
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