By Hannah McNamara In the heart of Mackay’s Queens Park, a new Legacy plaque stands as a timeless tribute to those who served and the families they left behind. More than just bronze and stone, it whispers stories of sacrifice, resilience, and enduring love. It is a place of reflection, where gratitude lingers in the air and remembrance takes root in every visitor’s heart. The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay in 2023 was a significant event, commemorating 100 years of support for the families of f
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By Amanda Wright On 20th February, the Mackay community lost a warrior. Bridgeen Doherty, a woman of unyielding strength, compassion, and determination, succumbed to ovarian cancer after a courageous battle. Her passing marks the end of an incredible life but the beginning of a legacy that will continue to save lives and inspire countless women for generations to come. Bridgeen’s fight against ovarian cancer was not just a personal battle—it was a mission to shine a light on one of the
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In honour of two of the region’s most dedicated volunteers, Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton and Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm have selected two outstanding recipients who embody a heart for volunteering. Julie Nieslen, sponsored by Nigel Dalton, and Rebecca Cooper, sponsored by Amanda Camm, are attending the Queensland Volunteering Conference in Brisbane this week – the state’s largest sector gathering under the theme ‘Inspire, Empower, Ignite.’ The two-day conference provides evidenc
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As we celebrate an incredible month dedicated to women’s achievements, I’m in awe of the strength, resilience, and passion women bring to our community every day. Across Mackay, we’ve been inspired by women breaking barriers—in business, health, leadership, and community service. From high teas and awards ceremonies to health initiatives and volunteer efforts, this special edition of Mackay Life is a tribute to the women shaping our region and our future. This month, we’ve attended events
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The value of agriculture in 2025-26 is expected to be the third highest on record at $91 billion. Including fisheries and forestry, The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) expects the sector to reach $98 billion, according to Executive Director Dr Jared Greenville. “While this is slightly down on an exceptional 2024-25, particularly strong results are forecast for livestock and livestock products – expected to reach a new record value of $40 bil
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Friday 21st March Crochet and Conversation 9am Join the friendly group of Northern Beaches locals at Beachfront Bar & Restaurant on Bucasia Esplanade for a morning of crocheting, coffee, and conversation. BYO crochet tools or borrow from our communal box. All skill levels welcome. This is a great opportunity to connect, share experiences, and start our next project for the Northern Beaches community in 2025. Beachfront Bar and Restaurant, Bucasia Family Boogie Night 5.30pm Family Boogie Night
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Indoor plants not only enhance the beauty of a home but also offer numerous health benefits, such as improved air quality and increased humidity. When choosing plants for indoors, it’s essential to consider light levels, space, and ease of care. Here are some of the best indoor plants: Snake Plant (Sansevieria) – Known for its hardy nature, the snake plant thrives in low light and requires minimal watering. Its upright, sword-like leaves make it a striking addition to any room. Spider P
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Catch the right species, at the right size, at the right location, and you could win big! That’s the excitement building around Mackay Isaac’s Lucky Catch and Snap event, taking place over the Easter school holidays from April 5th until the 26th, 2025. In a bid to encourage visitors and locals to explore the Mackay Isaac region and increase their chances of winning the jackpot, Mackay Isaac’s Lucky Catch and Snap daily locations have now been revealed ahead of the 2025 event. This announc
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Leading child protection organisation Act for Kids has expanded its Mackay service in response to huge community demand from families needing support. Act for Kids will officially open the doors to its new centre at 1/121 Boundary Rd East, Paget this Friday, relocating to the larger premises from its previous Mackay central site. Act for Kids Director of Family Support Services Northern, Julie Inskip, said the new location would allow the for-purpose organisation to help more families in need.
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Diving into February with purpose, the Sinkers Masters Swimming Club made a splash for a great cause, taking on the Starlight Super Swim to raise funds for sick children. As Australia’s biggest charity swim event, the Super Swim serves as both a community fundraiser and a training motivator for Sinkers members, who are preparing for events like the Masters Swimming Championships in Melbourne (April 2025). In 2024, Sinkers raised $2,827, and this year, they increased their total to an imp
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Last Thursday, the underwater hockey club made a splash with a record-breaking turnout of 20 players! That’s right, our aquatic arena was packed to the brim, and the energy was electric. With full teams and four substitutes, our positional and support play reached new depths! However, we might need to rethink our guest policy. If newcomers like Boyd and Kurt have breath-holding skills that rival Aquaman, we could be in for a challenge! Seriously, folks, if you think you can outlast our ne
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Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton is rolling up his sleeve to receive his free flu vaccination, as part of the Crisafulli Governments $25 million flu vaccine program, which launched on 1 March. The program runs until 30 September 2025, making flu vaccinations free for all Queenslanders at GPs, pharmacies, and community vaccination centres. It’s aimed at reducing flu-related hospitalisations and easing pressure on the healthcare system ahead of flu season. “Flu season is fast approaching, and I’m
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Mackay is about to be transformed into a floral wonderland as the Mackay and District Orchid Society prepares to host its Autumn Orchid Show on March 22 and 23 at the Mackay and District Senior Citizens’ Centre. For two days, visitors will be treated to a stunning showcase of orchids in full bloom, alongside a treasure trove of gardening goodies, including orchids for sale, pots, potting mediums, tags, and accessories. Whether you're an experienced orchid enthusiast or simply appreciate s
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Last Friday night, Mackay’s riverfront came alive as over 1,100 runners, walkers, and wheelchair athletes laced up for the BMA Mackay Marina Run’s Twilight Launch 5km Fun Run at Bluewater Quay. With the city skyline glowing and the music pumping, the atmosphere was electric. Thanks to the generous support of Mackay Airport, this much-loved event once again delivered a night of fitness, fun, and fundraising—all for a great cause. Every dollar from registration fees went directly to the Mac
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Championship Pairs played on 5/3/25: M. Bragg and L. Silman def S. Beale and K. Mathews C. Woo and D. Mackenzie def J. Schmidtke (sub P.Cooper) and C. Bell Final will be between M.Bragg and L.Silman V C. Woo and D.Mackenzie. ‘B’ Pairs Competition Results For 5/3/25 N. Schmidtke and D. Dodds def W. Sonter and B. Trannore S. Roscoe and B. Woodward def W. McGee and H. Fleming ‘B’ Pairs Competition Results For 6/3/25 M. Andrew and A. Smith def S. Roscoe and B. Woodward S. Hazledi
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Monday 3 March 2025 – 5 Table Howell Green Points 1st Noel Bugeia - Eric Goodchild 4th Margaret Lane - Barbara Tait 2nd Janelle Conroy - Tex Sheedy 5th Helen Van Den Broek - Jan Harris 3rd Jewel Schmidt - Geoff Taylor Tuesday 4 March 2025 – 4 Table Howell Green Points 1st John Mcgee - Mick King 3rd Ken Seaniger - Tex Sheedy 2nd Patricia Garner - Adrian Westcott 4th Geoff Taylor - Janelle Conroy Wednesday 5 March 2025 –9 Table Mitchell Green Points (Nation Wide Pairs) North/So
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What a great start to the 2025 season with junior competition kicking off! The action began with Dragons Tyre Power facing Dunbar Awsum Angels, resulting in a tie of 10 all. Alanna Counsell and Lachlan Mikle each picked up two walks, while Ruben Tassan had two ripper hits to score runs for the Dragons. Ruben also did a great job on the mound with two strikeouts. Eli Neilson led the way for Dunbar, slamming a home run, while Tristian Hillier and Payton Roderique each picked up two walks.
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Calling all actors, of all ages, who get a buzz out of making people laugh. In this crazy world we live in, what’s better than a good old ‘belly laugh’ to brighten up your day! Well, here’s your opportunity. My name is Maureen Coleman, and I am a member of Kucom Theatre here in Mackay. I will be directing a comedy called Bob’s your Auntie by Thomas Amo for our June production. Performance dates are 12th, 13th, 14th 19th, 20th & 21st June with a start of 7.30pm, and a matinee on Sunday 1
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First impressions matter, and when it comes to selling your home, presentation can make all the difference, especially in today’s hot property market, where many homes are sold to buyers from out of state who rely on photos and videos to make their decisions. With competition high, the way your home is presented can make all the difference in attracting serious interest, securing stronger offers, and achieving top dollar. A well-styled home not only stands out in listings but also helps b
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An Australian-first initiative to improve fatigue management on farms has heard directly from busy primary producers about how they prioritise rest, safety and productivity. CQUniversity researchers are compiling the practical advice for farmers, with farmers – with input from across dairy, cotton, eggs and grains sectors. Now the project is creating useful guides to highlight causes, impacts and management strategies for fatigue on farms – and launching a new survey to grow understa
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Biosecurity Queensland is advising of the preliminary identification of varroa mite (Varroa destructor) for the first time in Queensland. Initial samples from a recreational apiary in the Lockyer Valley have returned a positive diagnostic result for Varroa destructor. Further samples from recreational and commercial apiaries have been collected and are currently undergoing testing to confirm the presence of Varroa destructor and also check for other exotic pests and diseases. Depart
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The Queensland Government is inspiring young minds with science programs to promote agricultural science as a rewarding, long-term career choice. Thousands of students will explore the role of ‘insects in agriculture’ as they take part in a national school plant science competition. Registrations are now open for the Department of Primary Industries’ 29th annual Hermitage Research Facility Schools Plant Science Competition. This year, students will focus on the world of insects, gai
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You’d think that two years would be sufficient time to make a business case available. It’s a little over two years ago that Sugar Terminals Limited (STL) announced the bold move to so-called “insource” sugar terminal operations across Queensland. In other words: remove the not-for-profit terminal operator Queensland Sugar Ltd (QSL) and place itself as the sole terminal operator. Time is ticking to the mooted handover in June 2026, and STL has remained inflexible despite clear and extens
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Mackay locals will get the free urgent care they need, fully bulk billed, without waiting hours in a busy hospital emergency department, if the Albanese Labor Government is re-elected. Labor has said it will open a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Mackay as part of a $644 million commitment to open another 50 Urgent Care Clinics, with more clinics in every state and territory. This announcement from the Labor party has been made alongside Queensland Labor announcing that Neil Wallace will
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Mark your calendars and dust off your dancing shoes – River of Life Festival 2025 is set to bring a whirlwind of music, fun, and feel-good vibes to Mackay. This free, family-friendly event will take place on Saturday, 29th March, at Mackay’s picture-perfect Blue Water Quay and River Wharves. The popular festival has grown beyond expectations, drawing thousands of attendees in its second year. Originally planned as a one-off event, community enthusiasm has likened it to be an annual celebr
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