Celebrating their 5-year anniversary, Rhythm and the Reef brings a 5-star lineup for the 2025 event – with presale tickets going live 4pm, May 28. Held in Mackay, Queensland, Rhythm and the Reef will play out over the August 22-23 weekend – including an exclusive VIP pre-party at McGuires Hotel on the Friday night, all ages music festival at Meadowlands Amphitheatre (Botanic Gardens) on the Saturday from 1-10pm and more to be announced. Thanks to Naming Rights Partner FMS Group and radio
Read more
After two rain-soaked postponements, the sun finally smiled on the Marian Ladies Bowls Club as they hosted their much-anticipated annual Harvest Triples on Monday, 12 May 2025. With a full green of 16 teams, players were eager to hit the turf and enjoy two spirited games of bowls. Laughter, friendly competition, and fine form were all in abundance throughout the day. Alongside the on-green action, visitors also enjoyed a popular cent sale and browsed a delightful selection of plants and handma
Read more
143 Years Of Trusted Service At Porters, our commitment to serving the Mackay community remains as strong as ever. As our business continues to evolve over 143 years, we want to reassure our loyal customers that all Porters Can Do Trade divisions at Carlyle Street are still open and trading. You can continue to rely on the local expert teams at our Mackay City location - Mackay Trade Centre, Porters Plumbing Plus, and Inspirations Paint Mackay, all located on Carlyle Street. These stores
Read more
Last Sunday, more than 40 runners and supporters took to the streets for the annual Farmer’s Long Gallop, featuring 5km and 17km courses that started from the Evans Avenue North residence of long-time supporter, Agnes Farmer. Agnes and her late husband Fred hosted the event from the club’s very first year, and following Fred’s passing from multiple myeloma 12 years ago, Agnes continued the tradition. A self-confessed non-morning person, she had now hosted the run an incredible 49 times, still m
Read more
By Joseph Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay With the culmination of triennial elections this month, I have been given the honour to serve growers as Chairman of CANEGROWERS Mackay. It is a privilege to lead such an iconic organisation, that has been integral to the development of the modern sugar industry in this region since its inauguration 99 years ago. It is also exciting to take up this leadership role at a time when the sugarcane industry will become even more important to the regi
Read more
The North Mackay Ladies Bowls club radiated with colour, laughter and plenty of flair as the club hosted its first-ever “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” Dress-Up 3 Bowl Triples Fun Day. Club President Hilary Jones-Rowan, donning full Dolly Parton attire, warmly welcomed fellow bowlers before play commenced with one game of 18 ends, followed by a light lunch shared among the teams. Adding to the day’s spirited atmosphere, players showcased their costumes in a lively parade before judges Dorothy Wise
Read more
The sun was shining, and the softball fields were buzzing with energy as the season kicked off with a full day of games across all age divisions. The action began with Under 14s, followed by Joey Ball and Rookieball. After a short lunch break, the senior teams took to the diamond for their first official games of the season, many featuring a mix of fresh faces and seasoned players returning to the sport. One such team, Angels Golden Oldies, made their mark early, defeating Young Guns 14–7
Read more
The North Mackay Sinkers Masters Swimming Club made a splash on Saturday, May 17, kicking off the day with dedication, stamina, and community spirit. The morning began bright and early with a special endurance session at 7am. Following that, the club’s popular 8am “Jim Session” offered a second challenge for many, all leading up to a heartfelt cause. In partnership with DMR Leisure, the Sinkers hosted a swimmer’s take on Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea at the Memorial Pool – raising vital
Read more
Not content with a morning of epic swims members welcomed the Sinkers and DMR Leisure’s swimmer version of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea and helped to raise funds for the Cancer Council. Event planning was in high gear, thanks to the club Secretary, who ensured plenty of action with games and a best hat competition. Stunning tea cups were available for purchase, and an impressive multi-sponsored raffle prize—valued at $550—added extra excitement to the fundraising efforts. Of course, n
Read more
The Endurance 1000 annual program consists of a number of distances and strokes, which start with 400m and progress to 1-hour swims, for the keen there are 63 swims in the program. On Saturday, a baker’s dozen of swimmers fronted at 7am for events ranging from 400m to 60-minute swims, recording either times or distances against the event. Swimmers earn points for the club in a State and National competition during the calendar year. It was also the first time for some swimmers to challeng
Read more
At The 2025 Eimeo Triathlon The 2025 Eimeo Triathlon delivered a picture-perfect morning of racing, with calm waters and clear skies welcoming competitors to the first open water event of the year. The club’s new swim markers, funded by a Mackay Regional Council grant, added a professional touch. A low tide added difficulty with a longer beach run to transition, but spirits remained high, and the pace was fierce. Local favourite Jody Walker dominated the Sprint Distance once again, cl
Read more
Celebrate RSPCA's Million Paws Walk Fundraising Event For The Final Time Across Australia In 2025\ For the past three decades, RSPCA’s Million Paws Walk event has united animal lovers across Australia, raising vital funds to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals in need. As the beloved event prepares for its final lap in 2025, the community is invited to come together one last time to celebrate its enduring impact – and create a brighter future for vulnerable animals. Among the thousand
Read more
National Volunteer Week National Volunteer Week (19-25 May) is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering – a time to recognise the vital role volunteers play in our communities and to encourage more people to get involved. This year’s theme, ‘Connecting Communities’, highlights the incredible power of volunteering to bring people together, creating meaningful relationships that enrich lives and strengthen the places we call home. At Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank, this th
Read more
Friday 23rd May Mackay Outdoor Adventure Expo 8am The Mackay Expo returns in May 2025, promising three action-packed days as the region’s largest event of its kind. Featuring everything from caravans and 4x4s to camping gear, boats, and home improvement products, it’s a must for outdoor adventurers and home enthusiasts alike. With live demos, expert advice, and exclusive deals, it’s the ultimate showcase of lifestyle, leisure, and living. Mackay Showgrounds Crochet & Conversation 9am Jo
Read more
Kimberley Named QLD Volunteer Of The Year A passionate Mackay local has taken out one of the state’s top honours during National Volunteer Week, being crowned Volunteer of the Year at the 2025 Queensland Volunteering Awards. Kimberley Doyle was recognised for her extraordinary service to Special Olympics Mackay Fire and Special Olympics Queensland. Since stepping into a leadership role in 2014, she has helped grow the powerlifting program across three states, introduced bocce and table te
Read more.jpg)
Local green thumbs gathered last week to celebrate the official opening of Sarina Landcare Catchment Management Association’s (SLCMA) expanded community nursery—an exciting milestone made possible through a $9,000 Community Grant from Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank. The event marked the completion of Stage 1 of the expansion project, which aims to boost the nursery’s capacity to grow native plants, engage volunteers and support environmental rehabilitation projects across the Sarina r
Read more
Thick smoke rising from Marian Mill on Sunday afternoon drew attention across the Pioneer Valley, as emergency services responded to a fire within the Mackay Sugar facility. Mackay Sugar confirmed the incident involved a blaze in the mill’s bagasse bin. “There has been an incident today (Sunday 18 May) where a fire has become alight in the bagasse bin at our Marian Factory. The fire is now officially under control and all our people, employees and contractors, are safe and accounted for,
Read more.png)
Imagine living in a world where reality is constantly shifting – where the past and the present mix with the imagination, and paranoia creeps in. Based on a play by French writer Florian Zeller, The Father was released as a film in 2020, featuring Anthony Hopkins as an elderly father in the advanced stages of dementia. The film was nominated for six academy awards, as well as best actor (Hopkins) and best supporting actress (Olivia Colman). The stage play is now coming to Kucom Theatre i
Read more
Did you know that already this year 28 Australian women have been killed as a result of domestic and family violence? This is not someone else’s problem – we all have a part to play in preventing this scourge on our society. So, what can you do to help? The combined Rotary Clubs of Mackay have collaborated with several other local organisations to take action. Our mission is clear and powerful. We aim to inspire values of respect and accountability – especially among young men. We also a
Read more
Conference To Champion Culture Over Compliance In high-risk industries, safety is more than a checklist—it’s a culture. That’s the message behind Resource Industry Network’s 2025 Safety Conference, set to take place on Friday 23 May at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre. Themed Safety Starts with Us, this year’s event serves as a timely reminder that safety leadership isn’t confined to policies and procedures. It starts with people—every team member, every day. RIN’s annual S
Read more
Serious Crash Under Investigation, Laguna Quays Police are investigating a serious two-vehicle crash that occurred last Sunday, May 18, at Laguna Quays near Proserpine. Around 10.25am, a group of motorcycles had been travelling southeast along Kunapipi Road when a Honda VT400C collided with a silver Holden Colorado coming from the opposite direction. A second motorcycle, a Kawasaki VN800 carrying a pillion passenger, lost control and crashed into a nearby ditch. The rider of the Honda,
Read more
By Amanda Wright The unmistakable scent of race fuel, scorched rubber and hot chips hung in the air, as the roar of engines echoed through Palmyra for the 2025 Sugar City Titles, a full-throttle festival of speed and spirit. From pint-sized prodigies to silver-haired speedsters aged 6 to 68, the Mackay and District Kart Club was alive with heart-pounding hairpins, high-speed skids and flag-flying finishes. With Mayor Greg Williamson on the starter’s line and legendary race caller Kev Davies at t
Read more
I was at a bloke’s house doing an appraisal the other day and saw a phone on the wall and it took me by surprise. It shouldn’t have surprised me because it wasn’t that long ago that everyone had a phone on the wall. Okay, some people kept the phone on the kitchen bench or on a stand in the hallway or, if they had two, one was on the bedside table. Ooh, flash. The point is that it was only a few years ago that you’d expect to see a phone on the wall. And we didn’t call it a landline way
Read more