Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Supporting Sustainable Farming And Cleaner Waterways Reef Catchments (Mackay Whitsunday Isaac) is launching the Proserpine Integrated Project (PIP), which brings together seven initiatives tailored to the unique characteristics of this region. The project focuses on improving water quality through practical, place-based solutions that balance environmental, social, and economic factors. The PIP is part of the Queensland Government’s investment of over $5.5 million through the Queensland R
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Central’s Crushing Reality We are now well past the first month into the 2025 crushing season in the Central District, with millers reporting reasonable factory operations, albeit plagued by wet conditions and other adverse impacts. Mackay Sugar Limited, as of 6 July, was at 8 per cent of its 5.15Mt estimate, leaving around 4.75Mt to crush. The miller is predicting, on current estimates, that the season will end—dependent on the usual myriad of factors, including weather—around 5 December. The
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By Joseph Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay
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Powered by returning naming rights sponsor Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank, registrations for the 2025 Cruisin’ the Coast Sarina Beach Run & Ocean Swim are now open. Hosted by Sarina Surf Lifesaving Club, the 31 August event has five different runs and two new ocean swims options to choose from, with all proceeds going to support the Club. Sarina Surf Lifesaving Club President Trent Vernon said that the event is the Club’s principal annual fundraiser, combining “fun, fitness and fanta
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The beloved Mackay Scottish Bluewater Fling returns this year with added flair, now proudly featured as part of the Mackay Festival of Arts. This free, family-friendly community event will transform the Bluewater Quay next weekend into a vibrant celebration of Scottish and Celtic culture through music, song, and dance. Honouring Mackay’s deep Scottish heritage, the Fling also marks the 99th anniversary of the Mackay & District Pipe Band. A line-up of talented pipe bands from across Queens
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Friday 18th July 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 Christmas In July 12pm L&H Mackay is hosting its Annual Christmas in July event at Fairways Golf Simulator
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Mackay Unites For NAIDOC 2025 A record-breaking crowd gathered at Queens Park last Friday to mark the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC celebrations in Mackay, with this year’s Family Fun Day hailed as one of the most powerful yet. With the event held during school holidays, families turned out in force to celebrate the 2025 theme Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy. Mayor Greg Williamson described the turnout as “wonderful,” praising the contributions of youth performers and cultural
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Get your pencils ready, Mackay! The much-loved story of The Gruffalo’s Child is leaping from the page to the stage this August for a limited run at the MECC, and we’re giving your little one the chance to win a family pass to the 6pm evening show on Tuesday 6 August. It’s set to be a ripper of a night, packed with fun, laughter, and live theatre magic the whole family will love! To enter, simply colour in this page, then send a photo of your masterpiece to hannah@lifepublishinggroup.com
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LASSÙ Lands In Mackay Giddy up, Mackay — the most exhilarating event of the year is about to touchdown. From 18 to 27 July, the Mackay Showgrounds will transform into a galaxy of glitter, grit and gravity-defying glamour as LASSÙ — the adults-only cosmic cabaret — rockets into town. Think space cowboys, alien drifters, and a dash of vintage rodeo magic, all set under a stunning bespoke big top. This isn’t just a circus. It’s a bold, risqué, interstellar journey through time and space, wh
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A heartfelt Christmas in July event hosted by disability support group SNAGS brought smiles, music, and mid-year cheer to nearly 90 participants and support workers in Mackay last Saturday. “We received a donation from the Rotary a few weeks back, so we planned on what we could do with the donation, which became Christmas in July,” said the group’s organiser Rainelle Peterstorfer. With the support of Sally’s Curry Hut, who donated their time and cooked the meal, the SNAGS team brought th
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The 13th annual Mackay International Film Festival (Mackay IFF) returns this year with an exciting lineup of thought-provoking and visually stunning films from around the globe. The festival will open with a special screening at Pinnacle Playhouse on Saturday, 26 July, followed by the main program from 1–3 August at BCC Cinemas Mt Pleasant. Since its inception in 2011, the Mackay IFF has brought diverse and powerful stories to regional Queensland, offering local audiences a rare opportuni
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Mackay’s own Riley James was in Canada from July 8 to 14, where he helped defend Australia’s 2022 softball championship title at the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup Finals in Prince Albert. Starting his softball journey as a junior with the Angels in 2004, Riley has since represented Mackay, Queensland, and Australia on numerous occasions. Riley James is a pure product of Australia’s highly successful Men's National Team programme. He joined the programme at a young age, and at just 23 yea
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Mackay Road Runners Life Member and Club Asset Manager Andrew Short delivered another unforgettable afternoon with his signature Mystery Run, launched from the Mackay Surf Club. His cleverly written, cryptic course description was worthy of a wordsmith’s masterclass another legendary effort from the club stalwart. Approximately 30 runners took part in the 6km and 10km events, enjoying new and previously unexplored terrain. Perfectly sunny and cool conditions made for ideal running weather
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Future Stars Shine At Ruby North Competition In Mackay Mackay was the heart of Queensland netball last weekend, as the Netball Queensland Board held its regional meeting in the lead-up to Round 3 of the Ruby North competition at the Mackay Multi-Sports Stadium. The action-packed weekend brought together elite competition, community connection, and a shared vision for the future of regional netball. Leanne Coddington, Chair of Netball Queensland, said the board’s visit to Mackay underscored ho
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By Amanda Wright One of Mackay’s most versatile riders is showing no signs of slowing down, as 12-year-old cycling talent Camden Brownsey backed up his national mountain biking triumphs with two dominant wins on the tarmac at the 2025 Queensland Road State Titles in Bundaberg. The rising star proved he’s just as fierce on the bitumen as he is on the bush trails, securing gold in both the Under-13 criterium and road race — an impressive double that cements Camden as one of the brightest yo
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More than 70 young golfers teed off at the Mackay Golf Club last weekend for the 2025 Gardian Mackay Junior Open, a popular event on the regional junior golf calendar. The tournament saw competitors take part across four divisions – 3-hole, 6-hole, 9-hole, and full 18-hole rounds for both boys and girls. The event continues to grow in size and prestige, drawing promising talent from across the region. The club extended its thanks to long-time event sponsor Joe Rickman and Gardian, as wel
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Jennifer-Lee’s Journey Of Talent, Tenacity And Tutus VAULTING At just 14 years old, Jennifer-Lee Houseman is showing that regional youth can lead with talent, creativity, and compassion. Whether she’s flipping on horseback, striking a pose in front of the camera, or rallying support for sick kids, Jennifer-Lee is making her mark across multiple fields, including sport, fashion, and community service. Since joining Sarina Christian Vaulting in February, the Mackay teen has soared to success
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Made of 98 per cent silica, the sand at Whitehaven Beach is so pure it never gets hot under your feet. Even the scientists are unsure how it came to be so pristine, but The Sinkers Masters Swim club isn’t asking any questions, they’re just planning to host the Whitehaven Open Water swim on the King’s Birthday long weekend, October 5th 2025. Choose from a 500m, 1km or 2km swim with medals to be presented on Whitehaven Beach. Come prepared for a day of fun in the sun topped off by the afte
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BRIDGE Mackay Novice Pairs 2025 Sixteen Novice Pairs competed for the title of Mackay Novice Pairs 2025 and red points on Sunday. It was fantastic to see so many brave new players participating in the event. Although scary playing in competitions at first, it’s like any sport or game, the more we play, the better we get! Congratulations to Mary Cruickshank and Geoff Cowan taking out first place with Annie Lynch and Ann Whitmore as runners up. Weekly Results Monday 7 June 2025 –- 6 Tab
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Junior cricketers were back in action on Sunday for their first games after a few months off, and what a cracker of a day it was, with the sun shining and excitement all around! There were two games running at both Walkerston and Harrup Park. Over at Harrup Park, the U17s hit the turf with intent. Matthew Logan lit up the scoreboard with a blistering 100 off just 61 balls before retiring not out! He was well supported by solid contributions from Casey Forrester and Aarnav Reehl, helping t
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Test Flight Of Bowen's Eris Rocket Delayed FRONT Australia’s first private orbital rocket launch has been postponed again, with Gilmour Space Technologies confirming the Eris rocket will now lift off no earlier than July 27. The delay follows operational setbacks and upper wind forecasts that ruled out a safe launch during the original July 16–20 window. The Gold Coast-based company announced the change in a social media update, saying they were “standing down from this week’s launch window” a
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Hi Everyone, Exciting news! The latest issue of Core Life and Tripping Magazine is hitting the stands this weekend—so keep an eye out for the brand-new edition. A huge thank you to our incredible team for creating yet another amazing magazine—an impressive 116 pages of blood, sweat, and passion! Speaking of blood and sweat, in this edition of Core Life, you can read about my Metabolic Diet journey with local nutritionist Bec Tarver. Together with my husband, I spent a month with no sugar, no
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No one knows a stringed instrument quite like Roger Buckmaster. For 60 years, strings have been his profession, from crafting violins to selling handcrafted banjos through a shop in Nashville. Now retired, Roger has been pulling on the heartstrings of the community by freely restoring cherished stringed instruments for those in need. Now 81, Roger has spent a lifetime making and repairing violins, banjos and guitars. Trained in London, and originally from Loughborough, Roger has travelled acros
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Family Thank Community For Support As Local Dad Faces Fight Of His Life A local family is facing one of the most challenging times of their lives, but their battle has been buoyed by an incredible wave of community support. In February 2024, Brad Lindsay was diagnosed with Testicular Lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. He spent the next nine months undergoing intensive chemotherapy and radiation, and by October 2024, he was considered in remission. Tragically, several weeks ago, w
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The twelfth annual Smart Arts Exhibition, will open this Friday 18 July and it will be showcasing art work from local artists of Cannonvale Smart Arts. A special feature of this year’s event will be an auction of pieces from the exhibition’s African-themed section, with all proceeds going to Aid for Africa Down Under AFADU). The works will be judged by renowned artist Carol Bell, with the live auction to follow, conducted by Brad Sobott of Taylors Property Specialists. Suzi Hancock, founder o
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