Issue #

Over $105,000 Raised For Two Charities

In a fantastic effort, the 2023 Mayor’s Annual Charity Ball has raised more than $105,000, this being the highest amount ever raised since the first Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor’s Ball in 2015.RACQ CQ Rescue and Whitsunday Housing Company were the two nominated charities, each receiving $52,914.29 at a special presentation last week.

On The Beat

On August 27, police arrested a 50-year-old Cannon Valley man for assault occasioning bodily harm that they allege occurred in Airlie Beach. It is alleged he assaulted a 50-year-old man in an unprovoked assault. He will appear in Proserpine Court at a later date.

Monthly Meetings For Whitsunday Councillors

Whitsunday Regional Council have decided to move to monthly Ordinary Council Meetings, rather than their bi-monthly meetings, for a more streamlined focus on strategy. The monthly meetings begin in September, with the meeting scheduled for Wednesday September 27.

Tournament Of The Minds Held At St Catherine’s Catholic College

More than 80 students from four different schools participated in the Regional Finals of the Tournament of the Minds competition last Sunday.Hosted by St Catherine’s Catholic College and held at the Secondary Campus’ Multi-Purpose Hall, the event saw 14 teams take part in the state-wide competition.

Trees Threatened In Council Permitted Clearing Works

A series of mature blue gums and rainforest trees are under threat of being cleared and removed, following the Whitsunday Regional Council initiative to approve an existing development plan on the land.

A Feeding Frenzy Of Fun

"Little Shop Of Horrors" Hits The Stage! Get ready to be entangled in a web of music, comedy, and a dash of sci-fi as the Mackay Musical Comedy Players proudly present their latest production, "Little Shop of Horrors." Following the triumph of their recent show, "The Addams Family," this not-for-profit Musical Theatre group is back to bring you a performance that's bound to leave you hungry for more. For over three decades, "Little Shop of Horrors" has captivated audiences with its devilishly de

MASTER PLAN UNVEILED FOR POPULAR ETON PARK

The development of Langford Park in Eton is starting to take shape. A master plan for the area has been developed based on feedback that was gathered during the community consultation activities in November last year. Mayor Greg Williamson said council was committed to improving liveability across the whole region. “These upgrades will ensure Eton residents have a viable option close by for birthday parties, play dates and other social activities,” Mayor Williamson said. “The work will take plac

Variety Bash Crew Stops At Bowen’s Big Mango

Bowen’s Big Mango continues to attract travellers from all states as well as overseas and they include families, grey nomads, celebrities and people travelling in unusual vehicles.An estimated 100,000 people stop by this iconic tourist attraction each year to have a selfie taken next to one of Australia’s favourite “big things”.

Youthful Energy Takes Centre Stage At SCOUT FEST

The weather was perfect for SCOUT FEST 2023 at Rowallan Park on August 19 and 20. On Saturday, there were 203 public participants and 258 Scouting members, along with six Guiding youth and three leaders who joined the activities. Leaders and youth members from Calliope and Tannum Sands enjoyed the weekend, along with youth and leaders from Proserpine, Sarina, Mackay City Central, and Banksia Groups. Visiting leaders from Brisbane, Townsville, and Yeppoon were also present, and their expertise wa

An Afternoon Tea With A Difference

The Gospel Garden Party is approaching, featuring a variety of entertainment highlighting classic easy listening gospel music, from the familiar and well-loved tunes to the occasional original. This spring celebration promises to be a wonderful afternoon of classic gospel and gardening glory. The members of the Mackay Anglican Community have been growing plants from their own gardens as a special project to be on display and for sale at the event. With completely free entry, there will also b

Chamber Chat

Customer experience, it is one of the most important things all the businesses in our region have in common. We are all working to ensure our customers feel important and appreciated and enjoy doing business or purchasing from us. We know that good customer service reputation and reviews are a major factor in attracting new business and delivering a great service experience will likely influence a return visit or purchase.

Event Guide

Friday 1 September M&P Services and Key Solutions Group 8th Annual Charity Golf Day Friday, 11:00am A charity fundraising event for corporate businesses to enjoy with work colleagues and friends to raise funds for local charities. The event is booked out every year with regular supporting sponsors. Mackay Golf Club Shirlz Russell Book Launch Party Friday, 6:00pm Join in to celebrate with Shirlz Russell, co-author of "The New Rules of Wellness" in the official hardcopy book launch held at Kitte

Bulldogs Trophy Haul At Mackay Junior League Grand Finals

Brothers Bulldogs reign supreme in the Mackay Junior League after being crowned 2023 Junior Club Champions and lifting three premiership trophies and a Plate title. The famous club also collected the Ivan Bradford Award for most teams in a Grand Final – highlighting the outstanding development work implemented by officials. On an action-packed program at BB Print Stadium, the Bulldogs underlined their depth of emerging talent by registering Grand Final victories in the Under 13, Under 15 and U

Councillor Column

As we emerge from “winter” and embrace the wonderful spring weather, I encourage us all to take particular care as our scaley snake friends awaken from their winter hibernation. They are usually hungry and cranky so please keep your children and your pets safe. The forest is also a source of danger to those who suffer severe allergies so again please take care.

Did You Know?

Waste or unwanted motor oil should not be put into recycling or rubbish bins as it is unable to be correctly processed or treated this way. Furthermore, waste oil that spills into collection trucks can ignite fires when in contact with hot surfaces, for example with the exhaust of the truck.

Marketing Tips

Road Runners Take On The Dunes

Nearly forty runners and supporters braved the very cooling but sunny sea breezes for the running of the annual Sladie Sand Dunes trail running event from Lamberts Beach. The Lamberts Beach/Slade Point nature reserve has an outstanding variety of options for a challenging event including soft sand, undulating sand dunes, bush trails and hilly ascents and descents with tricky steps and footfalls to carefully navigate. First competitor off a scratch start was the speedy Paul Mackenzie who revell

Picture-Perfect And Prize-Winning

For the second year in a row Peninsula Airlie Beach has received national recognition as Residential Manager of the Year – Short Term Accommodation runners-up at the ARAMA awards held down in Brisbane last month.

New Training For Nurses

Aspiring nurses of Bowen have been given the green light, with TAFE Bowen now offering the Diploma of Nursing in the Bowen Health Hub. Replicating a real-life hospital environmental, nursing students at the Bowen Health Hub will be able to get hands-on training for the duration of the 18-month course which is set to start on September 25.

North Mackay Ladies Bowls Club

No social bowls was played on Wednesday, August 23, however, the ladies did play the Graded 4’s competition and it was a very close one. Lois Deguara’s team won the honours this year, with her team of Lyn Maguire as lead, Helen Fleming as second, Sheryl Cuttriss as third and Lois Deguara as skip, with a very nice 7 and 5. Second was team Lorraine Lemke with 6 and 22, while third was team Lidia McCarthy with 6 and 9. Super effort to all those who played in the competition. There was once again no

‘Collision Of Worlds’ Is Legendary Louie Lee Feltrin As Robbie Williams

The superstars continue taking centre-stage at the Airlie Beach Hotel, with the one and only Louie Lee Feltrin, also known as one of the best and most authentic Robbie Williams tribute performances.

Mackay Contract Bridge Club

Anne Hird Memorial Winners - Beanies For Brain Cancer The Anne Hird Memorial Shield was played over the last three weeks with each Novice playing with three different ‘Over 100mp’ each week. Anne’s husband David Hird, who sponsors the event, presented the prizes which included Beanies for Brain Cancer. Diane Stokes finished on top of the leaderboard, but as Di was a previous winner of the shield the award went to Ian Gaskell the next best ‘Under 100mp’ Novice. Weekly Results Anne Hird Final No

Local Handmade Gifts

The Whitsunday Arts Festival has just gotten better, with the highly anticipated Handmade Markets being announced, culminating in a packed week of lively arts and entertainment.Taking on Fairy Tree Park, on the Airlie Beach Foreshore, the Handmade Markets are sure to be a treasure hunter and décor lover’s delight, with extensive stallholders with artworks, homewares, goods and gifts crafted locally, on display for all to see.

Mika Re-Opens!

With a sea of colourful umbrellas catching the eyes of passers-by, the new location of Airlie’s popular Mexican Restaurant, Mika, is now open and ready for business.In the heart of the Airlie Beach Esplanade, Mika can be found upstairs at Beach Plaza, extending the full length of the first floor, and offering stunning sea views from almost every table.

At The Table

Doubles brought out fierce rivalry when the Jan Meng Memorial Trophy was decided at the Mackay Table Tennis Centre last Tuesday. Don Boettcher and Fred Saliba won the trophy ahead of Pam Joyce and Gerry Synnott, while the consolation final was won by Donna Abbott and Bill Hey from Doug Dungavell and Cheryl Pearson. The trophy is played annually by Tuesday morning fixture players in memory of the late Jan Meng, who for many years organized the fixtures. Many thanks to Iris Grasso, Pam Joyce, Tony