A local artist has had his work showcased with the release of a second Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) unveiled by North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) last week. Launched during National Reconciliation Week, Acting Chief Executive Officer Belinda Kenny said the NQBP Reconciliation Action Plan 2023 to 2025 will further strengthen NQBP’s existing relationships with Traditional Owners in its port communities throughout Queensland. “NQBP has been actively engaging and building relations
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After 11 years of unemployment Butchulla man Brian Darby is thriving in his new job at Thomas Borthwicks & Sons. Brian secured employment after taking part in Moving the Mob, an intensive pre-placement training program created to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Mackay region. Powered by MRAEL through IntoJobs (part of the IntoWork Group), Moving the Mob has been co-designed with First Nations Program Facilitators to provide support and assistance specific to the nee
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Stronger, Safer, More Affordable Homes By Amanda Wright Quick Points ● $20 million Federal Government boost for Queensland’s Household Resilience Program. ● Builds on State Government’s $50 million of investment in the program to date. ● Up to 1,100 additional low-income homes in North and Central Queensland to be safer and more secure. ● Reduces insurance premiums by building resilience to natural disasters, especially cyclones and severe storms. Hundreds of Mackay and Whitsundays residents w
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Leading mental wellbeing and suicide prevention not-for-profit charity, selectability, has welcomed a new General Manager, service development to support its continued expansion in regional Queensland. The new General Manager, Matt Kinnane was appointed to create and develop multiple new services to meet the diverse mental wellbeing and suicide prevention needs of regional Queenslanders. CEO, Debra Burden said the rapid growth of the company prompted the move, which required a dedicated indust
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North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) launched its 2023-24 Community Fund today, Friday June 9. A total of $60,000 in funding is available for initiatives across NQBP’s port communities of Hay Point, Mackay, Abbot Point (Bowen), and Weipa. NQBP Acting Chief Executive Officer Belinda Kenny said the annual NQBP Community Fund supports local groups and organisations in delivering valuable initiatives that make a real difference in their communities. “NQBP values the importance of giving ba
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Shaun Killian is obsessed with studying, reading, improving his knowledge and using it to help others. A teacher for most of his life, Shaun ran into health complications that altered his path and led him to a career in web design, starting his business WEBsmall Website Design in 2021. Shaun started teaching in Collinsville in 1991 and spent most of his teaching career as a Tech Coordinator. “As schools got more and more invested in technology, I remained as Computer Coordinator in many schools
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A local third-year apprentice boilermaker from Mackay Sugar’s Marian Mill is one of the faces of a new digital campaign launched by the Australian Sugar Milling Council (ASMC) to highlight the training and apprenticeship opportunities available throughout regional Queensland and the sugar milling industry’s significant economic and social contributions to the state. Maddy McConaghy is one of eight apprentices from Queensland sugar mills to feature in the campaign, which coincides with the s
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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay The Plane Creek milling area covers a lot of country- the coastal strip from around Alligator Creek all the way down to Flaggy Rock and on to Clairview, and that country takes in a lot of productive cane growing land, along with many very good farmers. Just over a week ago, the cane-growing community came together to celebrate the Plane Creek Productivity Services Productivity Awards, celebrating the achievements of growers in the 2022 harvest. The to
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Photo credit: Sam Gillespie Hundreds of families enjoyed a Sunday filled with family fun last weekend, with all proceeds donated to Mackay Hospital Foundation and local hospitals. Presented by sponsors Gardian, Daly Bay, BMA, Mount Pleasant Shopping Centre and S.H. Tait & Co.
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Sarina Ladies showcased their skills and determination in the finals of the Open singles and B Singles, delivering an exhilarating display of bowling prowess. In a tightly contested battle, Bertha Archer emerged victorious in the Open category, overcoming Sudi Blinco with a nail-biting score of 25-22. Meanwhile, Robyn Large claimed the title in the B Singles, triumphing over Ros Way with an impressive score of 25-9. With these individual victories under their belts, the spotlight now shifts to t
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It's not every day that you come across individuals who go above and beyond to help others. Today, we shine the spotlight on Kylie Schulze, a remarkable individual who has been a vital team member of Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank for the past eight years. In her role as a Customer Relationship Officer, Kylie's primary focus is personal lending, including personal loans and credit cards. What sets her apart is her genuine passion for assisting clients to achieve their goals, whether it's p
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Hi Everyone,The housing crisis is something we have been covering fairly regularly for the past few years and a subject I feel passionate about including in the paper.It seems like we have all either directly experienced or know someone who has been directly impacted by the issue.This week I met a young 17-year-old couple who have a seven-month-old baby daughter.
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Porters Mitre 10 Mackay proudly emerged as the triumphant victor of the hardware realm, crowned as 'Store of the Year' at the prestigious National Timber & Hardware Awards. This monumental accomplishment, awarded to the Mackay City Store in the Retail Store over 2500 sqm category, pays homage to their unwavering commitment to store standards and operational excellence. Nestled at the heart of Mackay's thriving CBD, Porters Mitre 10 Mackay stands tall as the flagship store of the Porters Group. W
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When a grandmother took to social media to ask the local community if there was someone willing to teach her grandson to fish while they were on holiday, she was overwhelmed by the kind response from people willing to help.
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The upcoming Australian Defence Force (ADF) visit has become more exciting, with the Bowen Aerodrome being taken over for training exercises. The main runway of the aerodrome with remain open for pilots, except for when a Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) alert bulletin has been released to pilots.
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Over two years ago, the Proserpine Golf Club was granted $145,000 from the federal government to construct an irrigation circuit, keeping the green perfect and lush all year round for locals and visitors alike.
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A Mackay gastroenterologist has been recognised on the world stage for his significant research in the field of coeliac disease. Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) Interim Chief Executive Dr Charles Pain congratulated Dr Robert Anderson receiving the 2023 Global Coeliac Disease Research Prize from the Coeliac Disease Foundation. “It is indeed a high honour for Dr Anderson to win the international $25,000 Prize for Excellence in Coeliac Disease Research,” Dr Pain said. “This recognises ‘an
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A recent report by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) has found that “coral bleaching was mild last summer”, a positive outcome for our region that has been plagued by several bleaching events in the past few years.
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Did you notice a sprinkling of colour throughout the city centre over the last week? Locals spotted dozens of knitted and crocheted pieces throughout town last week, leaving many in awe of the talented artists who installed them, and many more scratching their heads wondering who these talented artists were. It was the work of Artists Connect Inc and YarnBomb Mackay, who installed the pieces overnight on Thursday, June 1 ahead of City Heart Fridays last Friday. The result of two months of work a
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The 2023 sugar crushing season at the Proserpine Mill is expected to begin on Tuesday with high optimism around this year’s sugar production due to the strong global sugar prices.
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Students at Whitsunday Christian College have gone above and beyond, collection over 4,400 pieces of food and grocery items for the Whitsunday Impact Church Community Food Pantry.
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I attended a conference recently and was privileged to meet an amazing woman who has faced more than her share of adversity in her life, and despite this, believes her life was saved by the kindness of other people. Kindness Factory™ started from her story of courage, hope and adversity and is now a global movement. Kath Koschel was an elite cricketer and in 2011, made her debut for NSW against SA. Kath sustained a back injury and complications from surgery saw her nearly have her leg amputa
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Criminals were operating in the Cannonvale area over the weekend with multiple break-ins reported to police and one case of vandalism witnessed at a local shopping centre.
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If anyone said to me that winter in Mackay is a period in which to curl up into a ball and hibernate for a few months, well they’ve got it drastically wrong. Things are just crazy flat out basically until Christmas time, and I love it. Take this weekend for an example. I have to play hockey on Saturday night, then I have to get over to the basketball and jump on the mic for the Meteors game. Then I’m up early Sunday to walk up Mt Blackwood and then get some running in after catching the bug la
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The doors to the $2.5 million Whitsunday Maritime Training Centre are expected to open within the next month, offering Airlie Beach the facilities to complement its already thriving marine industry.
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