Dave Symons showed his trademark grit to edge out Tiffany Camilleri in a hard-fought battle on Tuesday night, prevailing 11-7, -8, -12, 6 in a thrilling Division 2 clash. In Division 1, in the battle of the Council comms workmates, Mark Sleeman got one up over Lee Brake, however Lee came back with a great win over Robbie Richards. Mark’s team (Star Lords) victorious overall on the night, 7-4. Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday night fixtures March 4, 2025: Division 1: Star Lords (Geoff Cowan,
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Can you help give this pet a second chance of a loving home? If interested in adopting, please contact the Animal Management Centre on 1300 MACKAY (622 529) or visit during opening hours 11.30am -1.30pm or by appointment. For more information on Mackay Regional Council's pound pets, visit the website: www.mackay.qld.gov.au/poundpet
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By Hannah McNamara _ Cover… Tropical Cyclone Alfred caused significant damage across southeast Queensland, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and triggering severe flooding. Amid the destruction, the state’s first responders, including SES volunteers from Mackay, worked tirelessly to clear debris, deliver aid, and rescue residents. Queensland Police and other emergency services collaborated closely, with more than 2,200 SES volunteers responding to thousands of requests for help.
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Business Break-In – Mount Pleasant Police are investigating a break-in at a business on Grandview Drive, Mount Pleasant, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, March 11. At approximately 2:00 a.m., unknown offenders gained entry to the premises, where they proceeded to search through drawers before stealing a quantity of food items. No other property has been reported stolen at this stage. CCTV footage capturing the incident has been obtained by investigators. Police are urging a
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When we talk about the cost-of-living crisis, we think of families struggling to keep a roof over their heads, pensioners making impossible choices at the checkout, and young people priced out of the housing market. But there’s another group quietly suffering—one that can’t speak for itself. Pets are the forgotten casualties of the housing crisis. Rental shortages, financial strain, and changing circumstances are forcing people to surrender their animals, sometimes with heavy hearts, some
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We’re about 10 weeks into 2025 and although there have been some significant global changes, in many ways there is a feeling of more of the same. Politically, the big shift has been a new bloke moving into the White House. The funny old dude who used to aimlessly wander the halls hoping he would recognise someone has been turfed-out. The resulting changes have been quite dramatic. Humans who are born with male bits and pieces can no longer play sport against women in the US. Foreigners w
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Friday 14th March Try Toastmasters 6.45am Get your Friday mornings off to a great start and develop your communication skills. Come along and Try Toastmaster. This is a free event! Paul’s Uniting Church, Meeting Room, 21 Macalister Street, Mackay 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 ski
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The Mackay Cutters’ Hostplus Cup season opener against the PNG Hunters was postponed over the weekend due to Cyclone Alfred, which disrupted travel plans and forced the QRL to reschedule affected matches. While the senior side was sidelined, the Cutters’ junior teams took to the field against the CQ Capras, securing wins in the Harvey Norman U19s, Mal Meninga Cup, and Cyril Connell Cup. The Harvey Norman U17s struggled against a dominant Capras outfit. Harvey Norman U19s – Cutters 28 def. Capra
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To celebrate her son’s fifth birthday, a mother and her son headed to one of Mackay’s most cherished spots—The Dispensary. “It was my son’s 5th birthday, and he wanted to go out for breakfast—The Dispensary is his favourite,” the mother shared with a smile, knowing this outing was the perfect way to mark his special day. The two enjoyed a hearty breakfast, soaking in the atmosphere and the birthday joy, when they made their way to the counter. But what happened next took them by surpris
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This week I have the very exciting news that I have become a volunteer turtle carer for Eco Barge Clean Sea’s Inc. Currently I am looking after the lovely Betty, a juvenile green sea turtle. Sadly, Betty has come into Eco Barge’s care due to two serious issues: she’s affected by a condition known as 'float' and has a significant boat wound on her shell. Her situation serves as a crucial reminder to boaters to take extra care when navigating near seagrass beds in Pioneer Bay and Airlie Beach. By
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For a plant, one of the harshest environments on earth is the intertidal zone. Half the day, inundated with salt water. The other half of the day, high and dry. 24 hours a day, strong tidal currents and crashing waves. A tough place for a plant to survive. But mangroves are survivors. They thrive in these wild conditions that would quickly kill most plants. How do they do it? Through a series of impressive adaptations—including a filtration system that keeps out much of the salt and a complex
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What is Native to Africa, has exceptionally long legs, has an erratic walking style, and measures just 5mm in length yet poses a serious threat to the environment? The yellow crazy ant. This invasive species is infamous for forming vast ‘super colonies,’ devastating natural ecosystems by preying on native wildlife, including birds, frogs, insects, lizards, and mammals. If left unchecked, they threaten biodiversity, agriculture, tourism, and local communities and is listed as one of the world's
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There's plenty happening in Bowen right now, with attractions for food lovers, adventure seekers and anyone looking for a great day out. The new "360 on the Hill" restaurant at Flagstaff Hill will offer Aussie-Italian cuisine with stunning ocean views when it opens just before Easter. Enjoy breakfast and lunch featuring local Bowen mangoes, Mt Dangar strawberries and fresh seafood. On weekend evenings, they transform into a full Italian dining experience with homemade pizzas and pasta. For wat
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Dea, Emma and Ellie from the Tourism Whitsundays team joined the Airlie Beach Cruise ship Ambassadors and Bowen Tourism for a memorable outing with our wonderful friends at Pioneer Adventures. They were treated to a stunning sunset and coral viewing experience, cruising comfortably aboard their glass-bottom boat. This scenic tour is a true highlight, offering a unique perspective of vibrant marine life, all while enjoying the warm glow of the sunset over crystal-clear waters. The evening was ex
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The majority of people who have endured a life-changing traumatic event would likely focus on their personal recovery, but local hero Michelle Wardrope says she feels more inspired to help others than ever before. Michelle tragically lost her leg last year after a soil-borne bacterial infection entered her bloodstream when she slipped and fell on her driveway following heavy rain. Initially believing it was nothing more than a deep cut, she left the hospital with several stitches, but woke up
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Four weeks ago, a local lady was bitten by a Coastal Taipan while attending to the laundry underneath her pole home in Proserpine. Accustomed to living in a remote area, Kate Cross commented in her social media post to the community that "I have always lived on acreage and have been bitten, stung, and spiked by many things," once having even been bitten by a snake. Due to this, following the initial bite, Ms Cross was not too concerned. "It was early evening and dark, but the light was on. I w
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After driving past kilometres of sugar cane fields, travellers along the Bruce Highway might be amazed as they pass the Whitsunday Gold Coffee plantation in Proserpine, North Queensland. While coffee growing in the area is unusual now, coffee plantations have a surprisingly long history here, dating back to the early 1900s. The variety grown now is same as was grown over 100 years ago - 'dwarf catui'; one of the Arabica types of coffee. So why was coffee grown in this region all those years ag
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It was a hot and humid morning last Sunday, 9 March, for the third annual Collinsville Sea of Pink. More than 75 people ran, walked, scooted or rode their bikes for five kilometres in the town’s ‘virtual’ answer to the Brisbane International Women’s Day (IWD) Fun Run event, supported by Mater Chicks in Pink. With the Brisbane IWD Fun Run event cancelled this year due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the wave of pink in the Queensland regions has made an even bigger impact, with people coming togethe
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Crocodiles are often considered the closest living relatives of dinosaurs. Despite this ancient lineage, they are remarkably complex creatures that survived the mass extinction event that ended the Cretaceous period around 66 million years ago. Today, many crocodiles inhabit Australia’s waterways, including the Proserpine River. As cold-blooded reptiles, crocodiles rely on their environment to regulate their body temperature. Without an internal thermostat, they seek habitats with consistently
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Sometimes, a good deed can sound as sweet as it feels, and that’s certainly the case with this week’s exciting news: music sensation Tones & I has announced she will be performing in Bowen! Music lovers across the region will be thrilled to hear that one of the biggest stars of the moment is bringing her incredible talent to our sunny shores. This highly anticipated event will not only be a fantastic occasion for locals, but it will also shine a well-deserved spotlight on our region, helping to
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One of the great privileges of being Mayor is witnessing the next generation of leaders step up with enthusiasm, fresh ideas, and a strong commitment to their community. Over the past few weeks, I have attended several school investiture ceremonies and Lions Youth of the Year events, and I can confidently say that the future of the Whitsundays is in good hands. Leadership is more than just a title—it’s about taking action, making a difference, and inspiring those around you. The Whitsundays ha
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On Sunday, the Proserpine Lions Club proudly hosted the Zone 9 Final of the prestigious Youth of the Year Australia program, showcasing the exceptional talents of four inspiring local students. The event, held at the Whitsunday Leisure Activity Centre, was a resounding success and highlighted the incredible potential of the young people in our community. The four entrants, all representing different schools in the Whitsunday region, were: Allegra Bradley – Proserpine State High School Amelia M
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Save Our Foreshore was founded in 2004 by passionate Whitsunday residents who united in response to a proposal by McDonald’s for a half-meter highway sign featuring their iconic golden arches. This proposal sparked Save Our Foreshore's first major protest, igniting a wave of community activism that would shape the town’s future. Wondering why the golden arches now sit discreetly on the building’s eaves rather than towering over the highway? The protest worked, leading to a significant shift in
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Get ready for an unforgettable evening of classic country music with one of Australia’s most beloved country music stars, Adam Harvey, as he hits the stage at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre on March 29 as part of his Let The Song Take You Home tour. With a career spanning over two decades, Adam Harvey has become a household name in the Australian country music scene. With more than half a million album sales, numerous gold and platinum records, and an impressive nine Golden Guitar Awards t
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Saturday, March 8th marked International Women's Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the remarkable women who inspire change, challenge norms, and make a difference both globally and locally, including here in the beautiful Whitsundays. Zonta Whitsundays hosted a lively and vibrant community event to honor the incredible women of the region. The celebration was filled with an array of delightful food, exciting raffles, heartfelt awards, sparkling moments, and a lively atmosphere that had everyo
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