OPINION PIECE In a week of budget announcements, it’s disappointing for me personally that the only level of government focused on tourism in this part of Queensland is Mackay Regional Council. Council has invested significantly into tourism for the last eight years and this week approved a further $4.9 million as part of the 2023-2024 budget to complete stage one of the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails. This will be the anchor project for the expansion of a more diversified tourism economy.
Read more
It’s been slated as a once in a lifetime opportunity to see live music on the shores of the iconic Cape Hillsborough National Park, with organisers of Between the Tides announcing that the July event is officially sold out. Between the Tides will take place between two tidal movements on Cape Hillsborough beach, with Queensland Music Trails bringing central Queensland icons Busby Marou to the exclusive event on July 7 and 8. Attendees will be the first to be treated to a performance of Busby Ma
Read more
> ARTSPACE MACKAY DRAWING POTTERY Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 3pm Workshop Room, Artspace Mackay Drop in to Artspace Mackay during the June/July school holidays and make beautiful drawings of pottery! Inspired by Fire and Ash: Woodfire Pottery of Arthur and Carol Rosser, the Artspace Workshop Room will be transformed into an accessible drawing activity space with still life arrangements of pottery and the art materials you’ll need to make an artwork to take hom
Read more
Friday 30 June Friday SUN.sets Every Friday Evening From 6pm Knock off drinks, lakeside dinner, good friends, and LIVE MUSIC. Wake House Australia Open Mic Night Last Friday of every month, 7:00pm Stand up comedy returns to the Ambassador Hotel with Deanne from Nth QLD headlining and Michelle Byrne as MC. Ambassador Hotel Saturday 1 July 2023 Riverside Festival Saturday, 3:00pm to 10:00pm 2023 Riverside Festival hosted by 100.3 HitFM is located at Mackay's Bluewater Quay and will include
Read more
Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday night fixtures June 20, 2023: Division 1: (Final) BMW (Emma Widdup, Ian McKay, Ivan Perkins) d Jaguar (Tim Sheehan, Barry Patterson) 9-2. Ian d Barry 9, -3, 8, -11, 11. Leading player: Emma Widdup. Division 2: (Final) Isuzu (Steve Mathieson, Andrea Nicholson, Donna Abbott) d Nissan (Graeme Walker, Will VanDeKaa, Matthew West) 6-3. Donna d Matthew 9, -6, -10, 9, 5. Leading player: Graeme Walker. Division 3: (Final) Holden (Tiffany Camilleri, Trent Day, John McGee) d Hy
Read more
With nearly forty runners and supporters, the annual Farmers Gallop 5km, 17km was a much quieter affair this year with the running of the Whitehaven Beach event on the same day. Many thanks to hostess and the club’s first Life Member, Agnes Farmer, who has generously hosted this event since the very early days of the Mackay Road Runners. The handicap start event had stand-in timekeeper, Julie Whibley, in full control of the proceedings with Luke Leven graciously and patiently waiting for what
Read more
Netball Excellence classes are reaping plenty of dividends for the emerging talent at St Patrick’s College Mackay. With the Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball Championships in full swing down in Brisbane, the College has ushered in a new generation of exciting young prospects. At the recent Mackay District Secondary Schools Netball Grand Finals, St Patrick’s came away with three of the four titles on offer – winning the Year 8A, 9/10A and Open A competitions against rivals Holy Sp
Read more
Mackay Meteors playoff hopes in the NBL1 North Basketball Conference took a savage blow last Saturday after a shock 69-68 loss to cellar dwellers Rockhampton Rockets at Bravus Arena. Rockets forward Chier Maker was the hero after hitting the match-winning shot with two seconds left on the clock to secure a one-point triumph and second win of the season. The loss could prove catastrophic for the Meteors who have now lost seven of their past ten matches and slip to seventh spot with eight wins i
Read more
Local athletes got their opportunity to play under the bright lights of Queensland Country Bank Stadium recently, as the Townsville Blackhawks and Mackay Cutters faced off for the inaugural Endeavour Foundation All Abilities Cup. After weeks of training, the teams took to the field ahead of the North Queensland Cowboys v Penrith Panthers NRL fixture on Friday, June 16, the brilliant showcase of all abilities footy catching the eyes of players like Nathan Cleary and Mavrik Geyer who were all too
Read more
The Sarina Bowls Club was abuzz with excitement on Sunday, June 25th, as enthusiastic bowlers gathered to compete in the district's highly anticipated 8-a-side tournament. The unique format featured teams consisting of eight bowlers from the same club, engaging in thrilling mixed and pairs games. Despite the participation of only three clubs in the district, the event did not lack in intensity or skill. Spectators were treated to an impressive display of bowls throughout the day, witnessing exce
Read more
Queensland’s premier rugby league competition for Catholic and independent secondary schools has swung into action this week in Brisbane with the cream of the State’s emerging talent on show. This year’s Confraternity Carnival hosts St Laurence’s College kicked off the QISSRL championships in style last Sunday at Suncorp Stadium - tossing Villanova College 26-16 in a curtain raiser to the Brisbane Broncos v Gold Coast Titans NRL derby. St Patrick’s College Mackay opened their 2023 campaigns on
Read more
Congratulations to Mona Townsend who turned 90. Mona was awarded her Matriarch Badge last week. Mona is still an active player with the Mackay Club in Carnivals, PaH’s and club competition. Mona’s memorable moment was when she skippered the Club Championships Triples team which included the youngest, oldest and newest member of the club to success. Mona is a tireless worker for the ladies section and is always there to assist in the running of raffles and cent sales, taking her turn as after
Read more
Rockhampton is one of the oldest cities in Queensland, famous for its history and culture and as the hometown of all time tennis great Rod Laver. Last Saturday the city was a “graveyard” for visiting Mackay sporting teams as the Cutters rugby league and Meteors and Meteorettes basketball lineups all tasted defeats in the city of charming historical architecture. At Browne Park, the Central Queensland Capras rallied with two late tries to eclipse the Cutters 30-22 in a hard-fought Hostplus Cup
Read more
The Mackay Bridge Club Championship Pairs was played over the last three weeks, with the same partner each week. This was a fiercely fought competition with Joy Robinson & Geoff Taylor prevailing as club Championship Pair 2023. Monday 19 June 2023 – 6 Table Mitchell Green Points
Read more
Mackay has cemented itself as Queensland’s regional skateboarding capital and the event that earnt our town the crown is returning in September. FMS Rumble on the Reef is the largest skateboarding event in the southern hemisphere and brings skateboarders young and old, from amateurs to professionals, to the sugar city to shred the Sugar Bowl for a week of action. Local business Field Mining Services (FMS) has once again signed on as naming rights partner for the event, confirming their support u
Read more
Hi all!While Rachael has gone on her big snow holiday this week, I’ve been tasked with the Editor’s Note. Next week marks three months of my time at Mackay and Whitsunday Life. And I have learnt an awful lot. I wasn’t used to writing for 8 hours a day, let alone proofing and interviewing people. All things I love now, but it took a second to get into the groove of things.
Read more
Since receiving Bunny, a soft cuddly rabbit plush, for Easter earlier this year, Poppy and Bunny have been inseparable. 8-month-old Poppy takes Bunny everywhere with her.
Read more
Just short of six weeks later, the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre has been the victim of another break-and-enter incident earlier this week.Six weeks ago, the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre was one victim in a string of business break ins around the Cannonvale and Cannonvalley area. A figure of $900 was stolen from petty cash tins, and three buildings were broken into, including the childcare centre, the main reception, and the op shop donation room.
Read more
In the recent Whitsunday Regional Council ordinary meeting, a motion to delegate authority of short-term accommodation applications, residing in low, low-medium, and rural residential zones from council to the Chief Executive Officer was refused.
Read more
Schools, businesses, and community groups shone bright with kindness on b kinder day which was held across the region, state, and country last Thursday, June 22.An important day, which is close to many local’s hearts, b kinder day celebrates the legacy of Billie Kinder who tragically lost her life in a horse-riding accident when she was 12 years old.
Read more
While thousands flocked to the Proserpine Showgrounds for the 110th Show Whitsunday last weekend, the prize poultry also flew into their new home with the grand opening of the new Poultry Pavilion held at 10am on Friday morning.
Read more
The whole school community enjoyed learning more about NAIDOC Day last week thanks to a full day program which saw children participate in activities hosted by two visiting indigenous educators and performers.
Read more
High Speed Incident, LethebrookA 23-year-old male resident of North Ward (Townsville) was stopped by police for an alleged high-speed incident at about 8:00am on June 24 on the Bruce Highway at Lethebrook (Proserpine).
Read more
As the whales migrate north, so do the cruising yachties and as the horizon fills with proud white masts, the boating season ramps up with the Coral Sea Academy’s free Better Boating Training events.Open to everyone, from the experienced to the new boat owners, these interactive and educational sessions are an ideal way to learn more about your craft and network with other likeminded people.
Read more
Testing riders’ endurance and skills, the Don River Dash is back on for September 2023. For two days, Bowen’s Don River is transformed into a unique and completely off-road track, through 50km of mud, sand, rocks, and jumps.
Read more