Five small and family businesses in the Mirani electorate have received a grant under the Queensland Government’s Business Basics Grants program. The grants program provides support for small and family businesses to grow through access to professional business advice or improvements to digital and marketing systems. Queensland has more than 495,000 small and family businesses and they employ more than 1 million Queenslanders. One of the local recipients of the Crisafulli Government’s B
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Australian captain Alyssa Healy and vice-captain Tahlia McGrath will feature in the upcoming Australia A series to be played against India A across Queensland in August. National selectors have named three separate squads for the series that will feature a trio of T20s in Mackay as well as three 50-over matches and a four-day clash in Brisbane. Current and future stars of Australian and Indian cricket will go head-to-head across the multi-format series as part of an ongoing four-year agr
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What began a decade ago as a heartfelt response to a struggling community has blossomed into Central and North Queensland's largest charity golf day, consistently driving significant funds and fostering immense goodwill. The M&P Services-Key Solutions Group Annual Charity Golf Day is celebrating its remarkable 10th anniversary, poised to shatter all previous fundraising records and cement its legacy as a true community pillar. How a Passion for Golf Paved the Way for Community Support From hu
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The Bluewater Lagoon will close next Monday (June 30) for its winter maintenance period. The facility will undergo important upgrades to the plant room, including pump and instrument upgrades, during that time. Contractor Dowdens Pumping and Water Treatment will be carrying out the upgrades and are expecting works to be completed by mid-September 2025. Works will be carried out Monday to Friday from 6.30am to 6pm and Saturday from 7am to 5pm, as required. There may be some noise associ
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Friday 27th June Crochet & Conversation 9am Join a welcoming morning of crochet, coffee, and conversation with Northern Beaches locals at Beachfront Bar & Restaurant on Bucasia Esplanade. Bring your own tools or borrow from the communal box. All skill levels welcome—just look for the yarn to find the table. Connection and creativity guaranteed. Bucasia Beachfront Bar and Restaurant Farm Fun Open Day For Under 5’s 9.30am Enjoy a special morning of story time, farm-themed fun, and hand
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Calls for improved public transport access in Mackay’s growing Beaconsfield area have been brought to the attention of state leaders, with Member for Whitsunday and Minister for Seniors, Hon Amanda Camm MP, recently meeting with Margaret Lane and residents of Kerrisdale Gardens to hear their concerns. Ms Camm said, “After listening to the needs of the Kerrisdale community, I will take the matter forward to the Minister for Transport, TransLink and Mackay Regional Council to progress great
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By Amanda Wright Queensland’s new LNP Government has wasted no time making its mark, handing down a bold first budget that Premier David Crisafulli says will reset the state’s financial future. Unveiled on Tuesday by Treasurer David Janetzki, the budget comes less than nine months after the October election win and is shaped by what he called “the biggest redistribution of GST revenue in Australian history”. Titled Foundations for a Fresh Start, the budget outlines the new government’s p
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Finance experts are calling on the Federal Government to make it easier for Pacific and Timor-Leste workers that come to Australia to access unclaimed superannuation once their visa expires. More than 31,000 workers participated in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme in rural and regional Australia in March 2025, helping to fill labour gaps in agriculture, aged care, hospitality and tourism. PALM workers on a nine-month visa can typically accumulate between $3000-4000 in
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Aspiring home owners in Queensland will have access to a new shared equity program designed to lower the entry barrier to the property market. Expressions of interest open July 1 for the Boost to Buy scheme, which allows eligible first home buyers to purchase a home with as little as a 2 per cent deposit, thanks to a government equity contribution of up to 30 per cent for new homes and 25 per cent for existing properties. The initiative, unveiled in the 2025–26 State Budget, is targeted
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They say write what you know, but, this week, what I know is brain fog, a raspy cough that could sand timber, and the unique frustration of watching every hour crawl by during a night of fever, chills and wild temperature swings. I’ve been battling some uninvited flu-like lurgy for the better part of a week, and my body currently feels like it lost a wrestling match with a semi-trailer. So it was oddly poetic when I woke up to a region shrouded in thick fog on Wednesday. The sky outside p
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You might laugh at the term Netflix Bum, but Australia’s growing obsession with streaming, scrolling and sitting is no joke. Whether it’s back-to-back episodes or endless TikTok loops, the hours we spend glued to our screens are quietly taking a toll on our health – and our backsides. According to leading physical activity researcher Professor Corneel Vandelanotte, this modern-day lounge room phenomenon (known to weaken the gluteal muscles) is a symptom of a much bigger problem: Aussies
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By Hannah McNamara A grassroots movement in Mackay is punching beyond barriers in the fight against domestic violence, not just with words, but with gloves, grit and a dash of pink. Last Wednesday, Project Pink held its official opening and activewear fundraiser at the CWA Hall on Gordon Street, offering locals a chance to support the cause with every $5 item sold helping fund vital programs for women and teen girls affected by domestic violence. Founded by local mother and entrepreneur
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With Allison Bekker From Skin Transformations If you’ve ever wished for firmer, clearer, or more youthful-looking skin without going under the knife, there’s a breakthrough worth knowing about — and it’s right here in Mackay. Skin Transformations is one of only six clinics in Australia to use and recommend the cutting-edge Fusion Plasma USA device. Made in Turkey, this non-invasive plasma treatment is designed to rejuvenate, tighten and heal the skin using advanced argon gas-powered plasm
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In a frantic search for her daughter’s beloved bunny, a Mackay mother turned to a local mums and bubs Facebook page, hoping the power of community could help return her little girl’s most cherished companion. “Long shot, but us mummabears will do anything for our munchkins,” she wrote. “Andergrove State School mums and parents, my daughter has misplaced or lost her purple plush bunny at school… She is absolutely devastated.” The treasured toy – a Frankie & Friends plush bunny – carried
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The 2025 Woollam Art on Show Awards & Exhibition is already generating strong national interest, with entries coming in from across Australia and growing support from art societies, artist groups, and regional advocates. Now in its 19th year, the exhibition has become a key fixture in Mackay’s cultural calendar and a recognised highlight of the Mackay Festival of Arts. The $10,000 prize pool and the high standard of presentation continue to attract both emerging and well-established artists fro
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Local business Professional Inspectors is proudly celebrating 20 years of service to the Mackay region, offering trusted building and pest inspections backed by decades of experience and deep local knowledge. At the heart of the business is Jeff Keioskie, a well-known and highly respected figure in Mackay’s building industry. With over 45 years of experience, Jeff brings an exceptional level of expertise to every inspection. His background spans housing, group title units, commercial and indust
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Stan Camm Park in Midge Point has officially reopened following the completion of significant upgrade works. Mayor Greg Williamson said the revitalised park was a great example of council’s commitment to improving liveability across the region. “Creating high-quality public spaces like this is all part of council’s broader vision to enhance liveability for our residents,” Mayor Williamson said. “Stan Camm Park has always been a much-loved space and these upgrades make it more accessible, func
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Mackay Festival’s Wild Wedding Kickoff For fans of weddings with a twist – and a touch of scandal – Confetti and Chaos promises a night of laughter and unexpected drama. This sharp comedy dinner event will headline the opening week of the Mackay Festival of Arts, starting June 27. The audience becomes the guests caught in the crossfire at Stacey and Will’s surprise wedding reception, a highly immersive and highly improvised comedy. Audience members can enjoy a three-course meal while th
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Local Author Captures The Untold Stories Of Instrumental Regional Women With a historian’s lens and storyteller’s soul, local author Kaaren Sephton shines a light on Mackay’s unsung heroines in her self-published book, Shining a Light: Women of Mackay. Spanning over 160 years, the book celebrates 37 remarkable women who shaped the Mackay region from the 1860s to 2023. From settlers and midwives to artists, entrepreneurs, and a former convict, the collection reveals the evolving roles of
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CQUniversity Australia has officially launched its new micro-credential course, "Decarbonisation and Gas Emissions Scopes." This free, online course aims to equip local small and medium businesses with the essential skills and knowledge needed to tackle the challenges of decarbonisation. The course is designed to empower small and medium enterprise (SME) owners, managers, and employees with the foundational knowledge required to begin their decarbonisation journey. It offers timely, practical s
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Community Spirit Shines Through In Relocation Of Vital Outreach Services Local community advocate Lisa Jamieson has praised Mackay’s incredible spirit, following a successful grassroots effort to relocate essential outreach services in a true example of community collaboration. “What a great community we have in Mackay,” Ms Jamieson said. “As I head off on holidays, I have to share how blessed we are living in a community like Mackay. People care and want to make a difference. “Sometime
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A Colourful Tribute To Community Heritage A cherished piece of Mirani’s public art has been given a vibrant new life, with the completion of an updated mural at the Mirani Swimming Centre — a striking tribute to the region’s rich natural and cultural heritage. The original mural, which graced the entrance of the Swim Centre since the early 1990s, was commissioned by then-pool manager Lesley Kelly and painted by local artists Lesley Kane and Maxine Bradshaw of the Pioneer Valley Art Societ
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After 581 days in Mackay Base Hospital, 45-year-old Dan Honnery was discharged on June 6 to cheers and applause. Diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder that causes paralysis, Dan spent over nine months in ICU and a year in the F0 rehabilitation ward. Hospital staff formed a guard of honour to farewell one of their longest-staying patients, honouring his resilience and remarkable recovery. A Mackay Hospital and Health Service representative said Dan now begins a new
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By Joseph Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay In the current economy, one of the major challenges facing all industries is finding suitably skilled workforce to complete the required tasks for day-to-day operations. The sugar industry is, likewise, not immune to this scenario. All sectors of the supply chain must work extremely hard - and think outside the square- to compete with other Industries to find the human resources required to operate and function, particularly in the crush season. The
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RUNNING Over 30 Mackay Road Runners embraced a frosty start for the Club Championship 5km, 15km, and 30km event at Northview Park on Sunday morning. Club President Paul Tilse extended his thanks to the ever-reliable Andrew Short, who not only set the technically challenging course in the cold and dark but also completed the 15km run before collecting all signage and hydration stations from the route. His herculean efforts were supported by Vice President Len Howarth, Andrew Wallace, regi
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