Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Prepare to be captivated as the prestigious Libris Awards 2025: The Australian Artists Book Prize is launched at Artspace Mackay after a three-year hiatus! This highly anticipated event brings together the finest works by leading and emerging artists’ book makers from across Australia. The shortlisted entrants in the Libris Awards will be exhibited at Artspace from July 5 to September 14, with the winners announced at a special exhibition opening event on July 5. Mayor Greg Williamson said th
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At Tropical Phoenix Garden Restaurant Whether it’s a lively family gathering or a memorable office celebration, Tropical Phoenix Garden Restaurant on River Street offers an excellent dining experience that will satisfy every craving. Specialising in authentic Thai, Chinese, and Malaysian cuisine, the restaurant is led by a talented chef from China’s Canton region, ensuring every dish bursts with genuine flavour and tradition. Open seven days a week, Tropical Phoenix Garden caters to all
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Laffos Cookies is fast becoming a favourite stop for families seeking a delicious way to take a break. Located just up from the Target entrance and beside Caneland Central’s new playground, Laffos Cookies offers the perfect spot to recharge while the kids enjoy some playtime. Freshly baked daily, each 125g cookie is packed with real ingredients—no nasties, just good old-fashioned indulgence. Parents can sip on a smooth, locally roasted Primal Coffee while keeping an eye on little ones enj
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A Tasty Trio Of Sunday Fun! Get ready to pack your picnic rugs and dancing shoes – the 2025 Mackay Festival of Arts is bringing the party to your backyard with Savour the Suburbs! Get ready to pack your picnic rugs and dancing shoes – the 2025 Mackay Festival of Arts is bringing the party to your backyard with Savour the Suburbs! This July, the festival is hitting the road (and the beach, and the valley!) for three unforgettable Sunday sessions that celebrate the heart and soul of our re
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Two Year 12 students from St Patrick’s College Mackay have achieved national recognition, placing third in Australia at the prestigious National High School Mooting Competition – while simultaneously becoming the only regional school to reach the semi-finals and claim a top-three spot. Claudia Illguth and Mikayla Green represented the appellant in a challenging civil law case centred on parental liability for a child’s negligent behaviour. Their client had been injured on private property by an
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Country Fest Queensland 2025 transformed Bloomsbury into a vibrant celebration of country music and rural culture over the weekend of June 27–28. Held at the Dittmann Bull Pit, the festival featured a stellar lineup of artists, including American headliners Randy Houser and Max McNown, alongside Australian favourites like James Johnston, Shannon Noll, Casey Barnes, and Tori Darke. Attendees enjoyed a diverse array of activities beyond the music, such as the adrenaline-pumping PBR Bull Rid
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A lovely couple in their 80’s were left stunned by a stranger’s generosity during a visit to Mount Pleasant Shopping Centre last week on Friday, 28 June. The husband and wife had just finished shopping when they approached the checkout around 11am. As the woman attempted to pay for their groceries in cash, the unexpected happened. “While I attempted to produce the cash necessary to pay for the items we purchased, the female attendant at the checkout told me that my groceries were all pai
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New coaching structure takes shape ahead of double-header weekend There’s a new leader in the huddle for the McDonald’s Mackay Meteors, with Mackay Basketball announcing a mid-season coaching change as the team eyes a strong finish to the NBL1 North regular season. Head Coach Matt Paps was officially released from his duties this week, with the club thanking him for his contributions and wishing him well for the future. Stepping into the role is none other than veteran guard and team lea
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What began as a simple photography meet-up has evolved into one of Mackay’s most inclusive and energising creative events. On Saturday, June 14, the Old Cinema carpark at the corner of Wood and Gordon Streets became a dynamic stage for the SPARK! Street Scene Photo Swap — a community-driven collaboration that brought together over 20 local photographers and models in a colourful flurry of creativity, laughter, and camera shutters. The event was part of the SPARK! Wood Street Event Hub, a
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As a first term councillor with a background in the sugar industry, I have a particular interest in the rural parts of our council area. With qualifications in corporate governance and accounting, I have to acknowledge that coming in as an independent candidate into an elected role has had its challenges. It has been a rapid learning experience about the roles and responsibilities of the three tiers of government and how they are funded. Local government has by far the lowest share of t
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The Mackay Cutters delivered a dominant double-header at BB Print Stadium over the weekend, with both their men's and women's teams securing impressive victories over Central Queensland rivals, the Capras. In the BMD Premiership, the Cutters women showcased their class with a commanding 30–4 triumph. The home side controlled the match from the outset, combining clinical attack with determined defence to shut down the Capras and keep their finals hopes alive. Later that afternoon, it was
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Rates season always sparks conversation — and rightly so. After all, these decisions impact your wallet, your neighbourhood, and your long-term future. This year, the voices of concern have grown louder across the board. Local residents are feeling the strain as household budgets tighten; rural landholders are facing mounting pressure from soaring land valuations; and developers are raising red flags about rising costs and planning roadblocks. Amid the growing unease, Mackay Regional Counc
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Vision Alone Won’t Build A Brand Some business owners have a strong sense of what their brand should be, what it should convey, how it should appear, and the impression it should make on their customers. But when it comes time to execute, progress often slows. Tasks that should take 10 minutes take hours, as internal teams attempt to master skills well outside of their wheelhouse, relying on trial and error to replicate what seasoned marketing professionals and designers have spent years r
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Friday 4th 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 Abbe 2025 Conference 12pm Coming to Mackay this July, the abbe 2025 Conference dives into the dynamic wo
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OUR LONGEST SERVING SUGAR MILL MANAGER “From 1919 until his retirement in 1964, (Mr Murray Gibson) provided a steady leadership which saw Proserpine take its long-predicted place as a leading sugar district.” A Crystal Century by John Kerr. For forty-five years, Murray R Gibson was a well-respected mill manager whose tenure far outstripped that of any other manager since. When he retired, directors had to select the first general manager since the formation of the Association. Murray Gibson fi
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Did you Know? This year’s National NAIDOC Week (6 -13 July) marks 50 years of the week-long celebrations. The theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, celebrates achievements of the past and the bright future ahead. Join us over the course of the week as we celebrate regionwide with a variety of events which recognise the histories, cultures, achievements and ongoing contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our region. Including guided nature walks, stree
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Win Gleeso’s Ultimate Party in Paradise! Get ready to amplify your tropical festival escape! The Airlie Beach Festival of Music is thrilled to announce that Aussie rock legend Dave Gleeson of The Screaming Jets has been named its official Festival Ambassador for 2025. To celebrate, the festival is launching Gleeso’s Ultimate Party in Paradise competition, where entrants go in the draw to win the ultimate festival experience. Set to ignite the Whitsundays from November 7th-9th, 2025, the Airlie
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The Proserpine Golf Club enjoyed a fine week of competition to round out June, with improved weather and strong participation across multiple events. Among the highlights, juniors Levi Holmes and Blake Lovelock proudly represented PGC High School at the Queensland Northern Region School Sports Championships — gaining valuable experience on the big stage. Tuesday saw the postponed April Monthly Medal played out in stroke format, with Scott Mason taking out the men’s event with a nett 68, ahead o
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The Heart Behind Fresh Fields News & Gifts This month, we meet the passionate business owner – Barbara Cochrane – behind Fresh Fields News & Gifts, a beloved local hub for stationery, lotto, gifts, and more. Owned since December 2013, Barbara offers a wide range of products to support office, home, and school needs—from essential stationery and school supplies to unique gifts for all ages and special occasions. Whether it's a beautiful journal, a quality pen, or a thoughtful baby gift, the sto
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This week I assisted Dr Olaf Meynecke, the Lead Scientist Marine Megafauna Coastal and Marine Research Centre from Griffith University in an exciting research project, deploying a 24/7 hydrophone (an underwater microphone and recorder) at 26 metres in the humpback highway in the Whitsundays. This is one of six hydrophones, which will be spaced at approximately 500km intervals along the East Coast of Australia from Merimbula to the Ribbon Reefs off Cooktown, ensuring wide coverage of the annual
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Eco Barge Clean Seas is proud to announce that it has extended its collaboration with Hamilton Island to support vital marine conservation efforts in the Whitsunday Islands. Hamilton Island’s continuing support will greatly assist Eco Barge’s mission to keep the islands clean and protect vulnerable marine life, including the care of rescued sea turtles. One important part of the collaboration is Hamilton Island’s support through the Containers for Change program, where eligible containers colle
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OPINION PIECE It’s no secret that the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is under financial pressure. Costs have ballooned, and participation rates are rising faster than anticipated. Reform is clearly needed. But how the government plans to tackle reforms is all cloak and dagger. Before the May election, Labor stuck to its usual script, spruiking only they could be trusted with healthcare and made promises of no cuts to health. Yet just two months into a new term, Labor is making cut
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Meet Tex, a young, energetic boy bursting with personality and ready for a second chance at life. Tex was rescued from death row and is now looking for a loving forever home where he can continue to thrive. This handsome lad is full of energy and always up for an adventure, but he also has a sweet, cuddly side and loves spending time with his humans. While incredibly affectionate, Tex does have some past trauma and can be sensitive around his collar, head and ears. His foster carer has been wor
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Country Festival 2025 Another fantastic year of boot scootin’ has come to a close as the Queensland Country Festival 2025 wrapped up in true country style on Sunday. Locals and visitors from near and far hit the dancefloor to enjoy toe-tappin’ tunes from crowd favourites including Ella Mackenzie, Lane Pittman, Luke Geiger, Max Jackson, The Wolfe Brothers, Tori Darke, and Zac & George. Festivalgoers browsed a variety of market stalls, tested their skills on both mechanical and live bull rides,
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Mark your calendars! The highly anticipated Cruise Whitsundays Great Barrier Reef Festival is set to ignite Airlie Beach from Friday, August 1st to Sunday, August 3rd, 2025, promising an immersive weekend of celebration and Reef themed events and art. The 2025 Festival theme is Coral Kingdom. This beloved annual event invites locals and visitors alike to immerse themselves in the magic of the Whitsundays, showcasing the region's vibrant culture and its unique connection to the world-renowned Gr
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