Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Mackay Voices Drive State Action By Amanda Wright Mackay’s small business sector took centre stage last week as Queensland’s Small and Family Business Minister Steve Minnikin visited the region, delivering a clear message: the State Government is listening—and acting. Speaking at a Mackay Chamber of Commerce breakfast, Minister Minnikin acknowledged the unique pressures facing regional enterprises, from soaring electricity bills to securing skilled workers and navigating government bureau
Read more
We’ve all heard it (or said it) – “there’s nothing to do in Mackay”. I don’t believe it, as there is always something to do in Mackay. We live in the best region in Australia. To ensure that there’s always something to do in Mackay, council created the Invest Mackay Events and Conference Attraction Program (IMECA). I’ve been a part of this committee since being elected to council in 2020. IMECA supports the attraction of major sporting and cultural events, concerts and conferences to sti
Read more
A mobile printmaking studio in a 40-foot-long shipping container will be a temporary addition to the local arts and design scene. The shipping container will be set up outside Artspace Mackay as part of a special residency by the Moveable Type Studio (MTS) in Mackay from July 2 to July 11. The Moveable Type Studio will be hosted by Artspace Mackay in conjunction with the prestigious 2025 Libris Awards: The Australian Artists Book Prize, and the abbe Conference and Artists Book Fair by Co
Read more
A Brave New Body Image Conversation Eight years ago, The Just Saying Project (JSP) asked women across our region how they really felt about their bodies. The responses weren’t filtered, photoshopped, or polished. They were raw. They were brave. And they were unforgettable. Now, in 2025, JSP is asking again. With a new body image survey titled The Faces Behind the Figures, JSP is inviting women to reflect on the stories they carry in their skin, their scars, and their silence. The questi
Read more
Emma Krause Is Coming To Mackay! Brace yourselves, Mackay – a comedy cyclone is headed your way and her name is Emma Krause. Fresh off a sold-out, award-winning, laugh-till-you-snort Fringe World run, this Perth powerhouse is strutting her way to the tropical north with her hit show 40+FABULOUS – and trust us, it’s exactly the kind of big, bold energy we all need right now. Not only did she take out Best Solo Performance at Broadway Perth and WA’s Best Comedy in 2024, but this ex-school
Read more
Young instrumentalists from the Mackay region are being invited to represent their town at a prestigious state-level music event, taking place this August at the State Library of Queensland. The Oz Schools Instrumental Championships (OSIC) is a solo performance competition for school-age students across four categories: piano, strings, drums, and guitar. In 2025, Queensland finalists will gather for a live concert and competition at SLQ’s renowned auditoriums, with top students progressin
Read more
Friday 11th July Northern Beaches Youth Create Gathering 9am A relaxed and welcoming morning for tweens and teens to get crafty with community bunting, crochet, and painting a giant community Jenga set. Bring your own fabric, yarn, or chess board, or use some communal supplies. Beginners and pros welcome — come solo or bring a friend for creativity and connection. Northern Beaches Community Hall NAIDOC Family Fun Day 11am A celebration of culture, community, and connection hosted by Mack
Read more
St Patrick’s College students have taken to the stage for Matilda the Musical Jr., supported by three guest choreographers who once stood in their shoes. Former students Regan, Shontaé and Georgia returned to the college to help choreograph the show, bringing with them professional experience and a passion for giving back. Two of the trio previously performed in the professional Australian tour of Matilda, and Regan has recently departed for South Korea, where he has joined the internatio
Read more
The countdown is on for one of the region’s most significant visual art events, with the Woollam Art on Show Awards & Exhibition Opening Night set for Friday, 1 August July 2025 at the 500 Pavilion, Mackay Showgrounds. The night will feature award presentations from a $10,000 prize pool, thanks to generous local sponsors, and a live painting auction showcasing selected works. Returning as guest judge is renowned artist and educator Ron McBurnie, whose prints, drawings and paintings have b
Read more
A Regional Gem Bringing World-Class Classical Performances Home For seven years now, the Mackay Chamber Music Festival has been quietly transforming the cultural landscape of this regional city, uniting Australia’s finest classical musicians for a weekend of intimate performances and vibrant community music-making. From July 18 to 20, the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Ooralea will come alive with the sounds of world-class chamber music, performed by celebrated artists incl
Read more
By Amanda Wright The Reserve Bank of Australia has left the official cash rate unchanged at 3.85 per cent, sparking frustration from both the housing and small business sectors, who argue the decision ignores clear signs of economic weakness and growing structural pressure. The move comes despite softer inflation data, sluggish consumer spending, and growing expectations of a rate cut. For many, it’s not just a delay — it’s a letdown. “This decision will leave new home
Read more
I was in Sydney recently for an indulgent four-day long weekend celebrating my wife’s birthday with drinks in cool bars, dinners in next-level restaurants and, for her, a spot of clothes and jewellery shopping. When it came to the day for serious shopping we went to the beautiful, cool, historic, bustling inner-east suburb of Paddington and I heard these magical words from my wife: “Why don’t you go to the pub while I have a look at the shops?” Like every couple, we’ve had the odd disagr
Read more
With a feast of events on offer over the weekend, many Mackay Road Runners turned their focus to the prestigious Asics Gold Coast Running Festival, featuring a full marathon (42.2km), half marathon (21.1km), 10km, 5km, and 2km kids’ races across two days of competition. The Gold Coast was bustling with thousands of runners of all ages and experience levels, many chasing personal bests while others proudly completed their first races. Several Mackay athletes tackled extraordinary challenges, wi
Read more
The club watched another amazing game of competition bowls between two of its best players, Ann Smith and Brenda Trannore, both competing in the Club B Grade Singles Final. The game had everything going for it: skill, patience, and great nerves to say the least. Both ladies had the same score going into the last couple of ends. Brenda took the honours and once again was very gracious in her win. This win made her one of the club’s most decorated bowlers for 2025, for her wins in both the Club
Read more
OUTRIGGING Sunset Bay paddlers made the journey to Townsville over the weekend of June 19–20 to compete in Round 3 of the North Queensland Zone Grand Prix, tackling events ranging from 500m sprints and 8km marathons to a gruelling 41km changeover marathon. To say the club returned on cloud nine is an understatement — they came home with a carload of medals and even bigger smiles. Coaches Scotty Macgroaty and Justin Davies made the most of the weekend’s event line-up, giving all 24+ paddlers t
Read more
This week’s underwater hockey session at the ARC was a bittersweet one, highlighted by the return of Cameron Kerr from a well-deserved holiday. While his comeback was welcomed by all, the spotlight was stolen by rising star Molly, who netted three goals—edging out her father, who managed just one. The game unfolded in an exciting 6 v 5 format, delivering high-level play despite the absence of around 80% of the club’s regular stalwarts due to work and family commitments. The strong showing from
Read more-janet-hansen-and-diane-morgan---bowen-congress-winners.jpg)
BRIDGE Thirteen pairs from Mackay Contract Bridge Club competed in the Bowen Congress last weekend. Mackay Pair Diane Morgan and Janet Hansen took out the A Section and overall winners of the congress, with Helen Van Den Broek and Jan Harris runners up and Terry Sheedy and Noel Bugeia in third place. Martin Pearce and Sandra Morris came third in B Section, with Joy Block and Christine Fitzpatrick runners up in D Section. Janelle Conroy and Val Holbrook, along with Sandra Morris and Martin Pearc
Read more
St Patrick’s College Mackay has proven once again they are a netball force to be reckoned with, securing third place at the prestigious CQUniversity QISSN Championships in Bundaberg. In a thrilling final day showdown, St Pat’s Open Girls took to the court against Carmel College, Thornlands, in the third-place playoff. With sheer determination and tactical discipline, the Mackay girls ground out a hard-fought 16–10 victory to seal their spot on the podium. The match capped off an outstand
Read more
Hi Everyone, School holidays have been an absolute joy in our household! We’ve had both Grandmothers staying, and between them, they’ve orchestrated a series of fun-filled, action-packed days for the three children. The Grandmothers are not only kind and thoughtful carers to our boisterous kids—they’re also excellent role models, each with a strong moral compass. The children have spent the week working on a play they’ve written and directed themselves, ready to perform on Friday night. There’
Read more
The Proserpine Hospital maternity team recently received a significant boost thanks to the generosity of a local business, the Palace Hotel in Proserpine. Last month, the hotel presented the hospital with a substantial donation of $1,834, the impressive sum raised during a special Mother’s Day fundraiser held in May. This heartwarming initiative underscores the strong community spirit in the Whitsundays region. Acting maternity unit manager Nickey Pilgrim expressed immense gratitude for the co
Read more
From July 6 -13 the Whitsunday community has come together to honour NAIDOC Week. During this time, the profound history, rich cultures, and incredible achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples has been recognised. The week began at the Airlie Beach Markets where Yooribaya Cultural Experiences performed a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, captivating Cultural Dance Performances, and Yooribaya Film Screenings. Interactive workshops also offered hands-on experiences in
Read more
Big news for adventure tourism in the Whitsundays! The Government has handed down its first Budget and will be delivering $5 million towards the Whitsunday Skyway project. This is a bold new project featuring a cableway, summit station and downhill mountain biking park, on and adjacent to Conway National Park. Member for Whitsunday, Amanda Camm, said this world-class experience will boost tourism, create local jobs, and give visitors a brand-new way to explore our incredible natural landscape
Read more
522,000 and Climbing! Whitsunday Coast Airport has officially set a new annual passenger record, welcoming over 522,000 passengers over the past 12 months and surpassing its previous record of 507,000 set last year. This milestone cements Whitsunday Coast Airport’s status as one of Australia’s fastest-growing regional airports and highlights the strong appeal of the Whitsundays as a premier destination for both domestic and international travellers. Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins
Read more
The Whitsunday community is set to benefit after the newly instated State Government budget outlines how funding will provide vital repairs to the Bowen Courthouse. The new budget has delivered a $12.5 million boost to restore the Bowen Courthouse, addressing the major structural issues to the historic building while ensuring justice services continue to be delivered in the Whitsunday region. The project will focus on long-overdue restorations of one of Queensland’s oldest courthouses, the new
Read more
Concerns have been raised about unsafe behaviour and damage to public infrastructure at Jubilee Park in Proserpine, after a group of teenage BMX riders were allegedly seen riding dangerously through the children’s playground on Sunday morning. According to multiple witnesses, four boys on BMX bikes rode directly through the playground area while young children and toddlers were present. A concerned community member took to Facebook to report that the boys were riding through the playground whe
Read more