Issue #

North Queensland Bulk Ports Celebrates Year Of Achievements

Around 60 port industry and community stakeholders came together to celebrate their collective achievements at North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) Stakeholder Function on Tuesday night.

From Mackay To Matsuura

Since COVID-19 swept the world, youth ambassador tours to Mackay’s sister city Matsuura have been put on hold, but that’s about to change. Mackay Regional Council is currently seeking applications from students in years 10, 11 and 12 (in 2023) to travel to Japan on June 23, 2023, returning on July 8, 2023.

Eisteddfod Honours For Mercy College Students

Mercy College students achieved a wave of success across all platforms at this year’s 75th Annual Mackay Eisteddfod. The performing arts students claimed multiple ribbons in the Dance, Music, Speech and Drama categories – earning high praise from experienced judges as well as Mercy/St Patrick’s College Principal Janelle Agius, who is the widely respected President of the Mackay Eisteddfod Association.

Crossroad Arts Opens New Exhibit

Crossroad Arts has again thrown open their doors to the community with their walls adorned by the art of a number of talented local artists. Artists including Emma Pattermore, Cynthia Gregg, Hahn Izard, Sue Nami, Bonnie Keam, Jewels Ibby, and Carly Lange are displaying their works at the Street View Gallery which opened on November 21 and will welcome visitors through to December 12.

Leisa Payne School of Dance

Leisa Payne School of Dance features the cream of Mackay dance talent in a non-stop variety of Classical Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary and Cabaret.

Mural To Encourage Uni Students To Dream Big

Bidyiri Woorwaya means “to dream big” in the YUWI language. It’s fitting that this is the name given to the cultural gardens and yarning circle at CQUniversity's Mackay Ooralea Campus.

“Confidence Is Your Best Accessory”

Miss and Mr Diamond is more than just a beauty pageant. It’s a program for men and women across the world from different walks of life, celebrating inclusivity and diversity and giving contestants the opportunity to raise awareness and funds for any charity of their choice.

Editor's Note

Hi Everyone, How are you feeling about Christmas? Excited? Frazzled? Happy? Overwhelmed? Christmas is certainly a magical time of year but for many of us it can also involve racing around trying to squeeze in as many things as possible – drinks with friends, shopping for presents, hanging up the decorations – it seems every spare moment is full of fun and festivity.

ELECTION DAY THIS SATURDAY

Residents of Division 2 will head to the polling booths tomorrow morning to cast their votes on who will become their next local Councillor.Early voting has taken place all week with the voting station open from 9am to 5pm, and special extended hours until 6pm this evening, at Shop 15 Whitsunday Shopping Centre.

The Gift Of Pre-Loved Pressies

Many of us are getting excited for Christmas and looking forward to watching our family members unwrap special presents bought just for them.While most are fortunate enough to be able to do this, we must also remember that there are those in the community who are unable to afford much this year and are worried their children will miss out.

Boat Ramps And Main Roads: Mayor Julie Hall Gets Answers

Flying down to Brisbane for a face-to-face meeting with Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey on Friday, Mayor Julie Hall sought answers to important questions in hopes it will improve infrastructure in the Whitsundays.

Abbot Point Master Plan: “The Most Important We’ve Seen In The Last Ten Years”

Australia’s most northern deep-water coal export port has released its draft Master Plan and Port Overlay documents for public consultation in what is a major step for the site’s potential development.

One Whitsunday Australia Day Awards

The separate Annual Australia Day events are set to become one as Council announces a combined Regional Australia Day Ceremony to be hosted at Proserpine Entertainment Centre in 2023.

Red Cat Adventures Acquires Whitsunday Jetski Tours

One of the region’s biggest marine tourism companies just got bigger with the acquisition of another Airlie Beach adventure tourism brand.Whitsunday-based operator Red Cat Adventures officially purchased one of the Queensland tourism mecca’s famed outfits: Whitsunday Jetski Tours.

Councillors Quibble At $100,000 “Bowen Bias”

A series of community grants totalling $99,210 were the subject of a verbal scuffle between Councillors at Whitsunday Regional Council’s Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, November 23.

Aussie’s Buy Back Resort Islands

A swathe of Whitsunday Island Resorts have been bought by Australian investors over the past few years, sparking the revival of many once thriving tourists hubs that have since become rundown wrecks.

Planning Scheme Changes Address Housing Crisis

Whitsunday Regional Council have delivered what Mayor Julie Hall is calling “one, tiny piece of the pie” towards solving the housing crisis sweeping the region.At Council’s Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, November 23, Councillors approved amendments to the Whitsunday Planning Scheme in hopes to encourage housing diversity, promote affordable rentals, and entice home ownership options.

Local Dancers Gear Up For That’s Entertainment 2022

St Patrick’s and Mercy College Mackay students feature prominently in Centre Stage Dance Company’s upcoming That's Entertainment 2022 Concert next Monday December 5 and Tuesday December 6 at the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre (MECC) starting at 6pm.

“I Want Real Communication We Can All Understand”

Division 2 Candidates – Where Do They Sit On Local Issues?

Firebirds Bring The Heat

The Queensland Firebirds finally took to the court at Mackay Multisport Stadium last Saturday, taking on the Sunshine Coast Lightning for the inaugural Suncorp Spirit Cup. It’s been almost a year since the Firebirds announced their intentions of visiting the sugar city and Mackay netball fans were hungry, turning out in force to cheer their team home.

It Takes A Village To Restore A Vessel

Jarrah Boeghim was raised on her father’s wooden ships. In Airlie Beach’s Pioneer Bay, the 20-year-old finally sat on the prow of her own ‘ketch’ ship last week, a 1937 New Bedford Model wooden vessel, and surveyed what has been a six-month labour of love.

Cutters Complete The Puzzle With New Women’s Team

The Mackay Cutters have announced their sixth team in the statewide Queensland Cup competitions with the inclusion of the Mackay Cutters BMD Premiership team. The announcement comes following the North Queensland Cowboys entry into the NRLW and provides a direct pathway to the game’s top league, with players from the North Queensland Gold Stars (Townsville) and Northern Pride (Cairns) systems to be involved in the Cutters squad.

Bowen Tourism Welcomes Two New Committee Members

Bowen Tourism and Business now has two new committee members, Peter Greer and Karen Morton.Peter is the owner and operator of the Queens Beach Tourist Village with his wife Jennie.

PBR Season Wraps Up In Townsville

The season finale of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Australia came down to the wire in the Championship Round with Singleton’s Cody Heffernan claiming both the PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals event title and the 2022 PBR Australia National title.