Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Cr Heath Paton Some fantastic news to report this week with the appointment of the new CEO for Mackay Regional Council. After an extensive recruitment process, Gerard Carlyon will be coming on board at the end of September. He brings with him a wealth of experience as he joins us from the Fraser coast regional council where he’s currently serving as the deputy CEO. Mr Carlyon is a personable, approachable leader who cares deeply for his staff and the community. He aims to make council a
Read more
I usually talk about the marketing and comms side of branding – what you say, how you show up, the messages that connect with your audience. But today, I’m crossing to the dark side – and talking design (because I guess visuals matter as much as your voice 😉). Specifically: logo suites and style guides. Because if your brand is still limping along with a single JPEG logo from 2012, this one’s for you. Let’s break it down… What’s in a logo suite (aka the essential files every business sh
Read more
Going for a wander around Mackay’s City Heart will tell you a few things, some good and some not so good. On the down-side you will see plenty of vacant shops and commercial spaces, some with boarded up facades. It is disappointing, in a city as active, vibrant and successful as Mackay to see empty spaces in the City Heart. We’ve all seen dead city hearts in regional areas. They reflect the changing demographic of a particular town; people leaving because they can’t find work, young peo
Read more
A donated car restored by Mackay engineering students has found a new home with local youth support organisation YIRS One Stop Youth Shop, marking another milestone in a community-driven automotive initiative that blends training, purpose, and giving back. The project, now in its third year at CQUniversity's Mackay Engineering College, gives students hands-on experience refurbishing vehicles destined for non-profits. Automotive trainer Simon Korneliussen said this particular vehicle had
Read more
Cricket Is Coming to Mackay “Cricket” is my favourite Bluey episode. Yes, my kids are outside the target market for Bluey, but I just couldn’t shake the FOMO. We watched it — and my heart is happy for it. A show for kids that is genuinely, unironically beloved by parents? I still don’t know how they do it. It’s always clever and charming, but for me, that cricket episode hits different. Somehow it captures the magic and reverence of the backyard version of our national pastime. From Uncle
Read more
Zoe Kennedy – Financial Adviser In 1983, Australia abolished what were once known as death duties; estate taxes that could strip up to 27.9% from estates worth more than $1 million. With their abolition Australian’s have long assumed our country is free of inheritance taxes. However, while traditional estate duties are gone, certain taxes can still apply after death and one of the most significant is embedded within the superannuation system. As superannuation becomes the primary wealth-b
Read more
The Airlie Beach Festival Of Music Has Camping! The Airlie Beach Festival of Music has always been more than just a music event; it’s a full-blown music holiday, and this year, the festival is taking that experience to the next level with an incredible lineup and a brand-new camping package designed to make your escape to paradise as seamless and unforgettable as the music itself. The 2025 lineup is a legendary mix of Australian music royalty and thrilling new talent. Get ready to sing al
Read more
Friday 15th August Crochet & Conversation 9am Drop in for a relaxed morning of crocheting, coffee and conversation with friendly Northern Beaches locals at the Beachfront Bar & Restaurant on Bucasia Esplanade. Everyone is welcome—whether you're a seasoned crocheter, a beginner, or just love a good chat over coffee. Bring your own tools or borrow from the communal box. It’s all about connection, creativity, and community. Beachfront Bar & Restaurant on Bucasia Esplanade QCWA Mackay Branch Mo
Read more
Mackay’s rising cycling stars have made their mark on the state stage, bringing home an impressive haul of titles and podium finishes at the AusCycling Queensland 2025 Gravel State Championships in Rockhampton on Saturday, 9 August, and the Cyclocross State Championships the following day. Heavy rain in the lead-up to the gravel event made for a muddy, unpredictable course, but Mackay’s juniors thrived in the challenging conditions. In the Gravel State Championships, Max Teague was crown
Read more
The 2025 Mackay Wanderers Junior Football Carnival was a standout weekend for grassroots sport, featuring a record-breaking 130 teams from across Central Queensland. The carnival’s scale and success brought thousands of visitors to the region, creating an electric atmosphere on and off the field. Mayor Greg Williamson congratulated the organisers, volunteers, and families who made the event possible. He said, “It was the biggest event to date, bringing thousands of visitors to our region and c
Read more
The Mackay community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of 18-year-old Andrew Lelliott, who tragically lost his life in a single-vehicle crash near Moranbah on Thursday, August 8. Andrew was travelling as a passenger in a silver Toyota Hilux when the vehicle left the roadway and collided with a power pole on the Peak Downs Highway. Despite the efforts of emergency services, Andrew, from Balberra, was declared deceased at the scene. The driver, an 18-year-old Beaconsfield man, sustained minor in
Read more
TABLE TENNIS Season 3 Morning Fixtures – Results 2 – 29th August 2025 Division 1 - Tiger Paws (Allan Robins, Bryan Marshall, Ross DeBoer) tied 6-6 against Wolf Pack (Andrea Nicholson, Pam Joyce, Helen Ware) Shark Attack (Geoff Cowan, Peter Goodson, Marie Taylor) drew 6-6 Bear Claws (Judy Zahn, George Camilleri, Kevin Abbott) Lions King (Don Boettcher, Donna Abbott, Veronica Shepherd) defeated 8-4 Eagle Wings (Branko Vucurovic, Noreen Frederickson, Coral Morgan) Division 2 – Falcon Flyer
Read more
With more than fifty runners taking part in the annual North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) Open and Podiatry Mackay Junior Magic Mile, the competition was fierce from the starter’s gun. The Podiatry Mackay Junior Club Championship was held ahead of the NQBP Open Club Championship in breezy but sunny and cool conditions on the scenic Mackay Marina Breakwater. NQBP once again played a pivotal role in the event, closing the breakwater to vehicle traffic for one hour during racing and sponsori
Read more
Mackay Junior Rugby Union is set to launch its 2025 season in style, with a community sign-on day and first training session scheduled for Sunday, August 17, from 2pm to 4pm at Quarry Hill, North Mackay. The club, which continues to grow under the leadership of its dedicated president, is opening its doors to players of all experience levels, from absolute beginners to seasoned juniors. Training will be held Friday nights, with Sunday games and a full calendar of carnivals in Emerald, Airlie Be
Read more
The first week of the Anne Hird Memorial Trophy was played on Wednesday for novices (under 100 mps), who play with three different experienced players over three weeks. The trophy is in memory of Anne Hird and Beanies for Brain Cancer. Anne was a supporter of encouraging new players, who can only win the trophy once. This is a high honour for all beginners. Weekly Results Monday 4 August 2025 – 8 Table Mitchell Green Points N/S E/W 1st Janelle Conroy / Robert Carless 1st Mary Rose Ramsden / Sa
Read more
Red Cat Adventures has secured continued funding from the Australian Government's Tourism Reef Protection Initiative, allowing the Whitsundays-based eco-tourism operator to expand its reef conservation efforts through to May 2026. Since joining the program in late 2022, Red Cat Adventures has taken an active role in protecting the Great Barrier Reef by training its staff in reef health monitoring, predator control, and data collection. This important work is integrated into the visitor experien
Read more
In the early hours of Sunday at 2:48am, supermaxi Wild Thing 100 roared into Mackay Marina to secure back-to-back Line Honours in the 2024 GCCM Gold Coast to Mackay Yacht Race, a challenging 520-nautical-mile offshore event. This second annual race attracted 27 yachts from across Australia and New Zealand, up from 19 in its inaugural year, highlighting its rapid growth and increasing prestige. Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson welcomed the fleet’s arrival, as over 4,000 people gathered at Mackay Mari
Read more
Five years ago, we launched a brand-new newspaper… during a global pandemic. At the time, some thought we were bold. Others thought we were completely bonkers. Fair call. But we knew this region needed a local paper that brought people together, one that celebrated the good, covered the tough stuff honestly, and never resorted to clickbait just to get attention. Thanks to you, our readers, our advertisers, our community, we’re still here. Still independent, still in print, and still prou
Read more
Pre-Loved Baby Clothes Aid Families At Mackay Special Care Nursery Teeny weeny pre-loved baby clothes are bringing comfort and care to families of sick and premature babies at Mackay Base Hospital. Wild Tribe Clothing Exchange & Preloved Clothing has once again donated baby clothes to the hospital’s Special Care Nursery (SCN), supporting families in the region who are doing it tough with their tiny bubs in hospital. Thanks to incredible support from their community of families, founders
Read more
North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) is nearing the final stages of a major CCTV upgrade project. The project, first announced in November last year, has seen the upgrade and installation of more than 50 CCTV cameras across NQBP’s three ports of Abbot Point, Hay Point and Mackay. Preparations are now under way for the installation of the last camera for the Port of Mackay’s Southern Breakwater. NQBP Chief Executive Officer Brendan Webb said the project has seen several benefits
Read more
Community Safety On Two Wheels And Four Paws Officers from the Northern Beaches Police Station, alongside the Mackay Dog Squad, hit the streets last week with their Mobile Police Beat and trail bikes to promote e-scooter safety. Locals were encouraged to ask questions, share concerns, and learn more about responsible scooter use in shared spaces. A highlight of the day was a visit to a local primary school, where Police Dog Barron became an instant celebrity. With tail wags and plenty o
Read more
New Constables Join Mackay And Whitsundays District Five newly graduated constables have officially joined the Queensland Police Service in the Mackay and Whitsundays District, bringing fresh energy and a strong sense of commitment to the region’s frontline policing efforts. The officers, who recently completed their training at the Queensland Police Academy, will now begin their first year of service under the guidance of experienced field training officers. District Superintendent Dean
Read more
A group of fourteen students in Years 10 and 11 from Whitsunday Anglican School made history as they participated in the School's inaugural Oxbridge Academic Tour, travelling to the University of Cambridge last month. The prestigious programme, inspired by the international reputations of both Oxford and Cambridge Universities, offers a transformative learning opportunity for students with high academic aspirations. The tour ran from 7 – 23 July 2025, beginning with three days of cultura
Read more
OPINION PIECE Australia is blessed with abundant resources — coal, uranium, sunshine, wind, and water. We should have the cheapest and most reliable power in the world. Instead, electricity bills are soaring, reliability is falling, and households are feeling the squeeze. The gap between what we are paying for power and what we should be paying keeps growing. Investors are walking away from major wind and hydrogen projects, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill. Even members of the governmen
Read more
Kerryn Grieve spent six years on dialysis before he received a life-changing kidney transplant earlier this year. The Mackay father of three had been spending five hours at a time, three days a week at Mackay Base Hospital on haemodialysis after dialysing at home was no longer an option. Kerryn was diagnosed with end stage kidney disease in 2018 which was secondary to his lupus diagnosis 10 years earlier. “You are placed on the kidney transplant waitlist when you first start on dialysis
Read more