The “glass cliff” refers to the phenomenon in business that women have a better chance of breaking through the glass ceiling and being appointed into positions of senior leadership only when an organisation is facing a crisis. There are numerous cases throughout recent history where we see such a phenomenon; an oganisation on the brink of destruction suddenly brings in a female CEO, usually for the first time to replace the male leader responsible for the current turmoil. We’ve seen this
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Gardian isn’t just a business; it’s a force. A powerhouse of talent, ambition, and generosity that has shaped Mackay’s landscape for over 25 years. What began as a husband-and-wife mortgage broking venture has evolved into one of the region’s most extensive and dynamic firms, spanning finance, real estate, financial planning, and insurance. But at its core, Gardian is about people—its clients, its community, and, most importantly, its team. This International Women’s Day, Gardian celebrates t
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As the cooler months approach, Mackay Regional Council Libraries is bringing the community together—one stitch at a time—with the Keep Warm Project. This heartwarming initiative invites locals to help turn donated 20cm squares into cosy blankets for those in need. In true community spirit, volunteers will gather at library locations to assemble these knitted and crocheted squares into beautiful, handcrafted blankets, which will then be distributed to local organisations supporting vulnera
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While Cyclone Alfred spared us a direct hit, its presence serves as a powerful reminder that cyclone season isn’t over yet. With the worst of the monsoonal rains behind us, now is the perfect time to turn our attention back to home maintenance—ensuring our properties are secure against late-season storms while also tackling the unwelcome side effects of the wet season. A little effort now can mean fewer risks from flying debris in high winds, fewer mosquito swarms, and fewer encounters wit
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On a quiet Saturday afternoon near the Harbour roundabout, a woman found herself stranded on the side of the road, her car resting on a flat tyre. With cars rushing past and uncertainty creeping in, she wasn’t sure how she would manage to change it alone. Then, like a true gentleman, a truck driver pulled over without hesitation. With a reassuring smile and a willingness to help, he quickly got to work—lifting the car with her jack, swapping the damaged tyre, and making sure everything wa
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Arson Investigation Underway In North Mackay Police are investigating two suspicious fires that occurred overnight in North Mackay on March 2. Emergency services were first called to a car fire at approximately 10:50 PM on Palmer Street. The vehicle, which was parked in a carport, was completely destroyed, and the carport sustained damage. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Shortly after, at around 11:30 PM, emergency services responded to a second fire at a nearby unit complex, al
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Two weeks in New Zealand was exactly what I needed—a chance to be with family, reconnect, and take a breath before returning to reality. But while the trip was a break from the everyday, it wasn’t exactly a holiday. Both my father and father-in-law have started radiation treatment for cancer, meaning I’ve gone from being the patient to the support person overnight. It’s a difficult transition, made harder by the distance, but the most important thing was that my little one had time with his gran
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Making sushi at home is a fun and rewarding experience that lets you experiment with flavours and ingredients while learning a new culinary skill. Here’s how you can prepare delicious sushi in your own kitchen. Ingredients You’ll Need: • Sushi rice (short-grain rice) • Rice vinegar • Sugar • Salt • Nori (seaweed sheets) • Fresh fish (salmon, tuna, or other sushi-grade fish) • Vegetables (cucumber, avocado, carrots, etc.) • Soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger (for serving) Step 1: Prepa
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Making homemade peanut butter cups is simple and delicious. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating your own version of this classic treat. Ingredients: • 1 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy) • 2 cups powdered sugar • 1/4 cup butter (melted) • 2 cups chocolate chips (milk, dark, or semi-sweet) • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional) Instructions: Prepare the peanut butter filling: In a bowl, mix together the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and melted butter until smooth. You can also add vanil
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Friday 7th 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 International Women’s Day Launce 2025 11.4
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Meet Dan and Nikita Kinnane, the dynamic duo behind RE/MAX Select who are dancing their way into the hearts of the community for the Mackay Hospital Foundation. Known for their dedication to creating a real estate office with a difference, Dan and Nikita go above and beyond for their clients, suppliers, and the wider Mackay community. Their passion isn’t just about finding people homes, it’s about making a real, positive impact in the region. "We hope to leave our mark in the town by sup
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Kerry Malay, a passionate advocate for community health and a proud Kamilaroi and Mandandanji Aboriginal woman, is taking on the challenge of dancing for a cause very close to her heart – the Mackay Hospital Foundation. With over 25 years of experience in community services, Kerry serves as the Executive Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health at Mackay Hospital and Health Service. She is deeply committed to improving health outcomes for both Indigenous and local communiti
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By Sonia Ball, QCAR Central District Manager As a rural journalist a millennium ago, I recall being utterly confused yet totally captivated by the complexities, the diversity and resilience, the culture and the people (great people!), the practices and politics. I just could not stop looking, and that hasn’t changed. To me the cattle, the grain, the horticulture and other primary industries all seemed so…. Well, simple. I may never have grown a stick of cane, yet I have become indelibly
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Birri Gubba Nation will mark its second anniversary with a two-day celebration on March 8-9, 2025. The event will begin at Bluewater Quay in Mackay, overlooking the picturesque Pioneer River, before continuing at Conway Beach on Sunday from 10am. The Senior Tribal Council, Ministers, and Ambassadors of Birri Gubba have expressed enthusiasm for the progress made in strengthening the nation. The anniversary will feature guest speakers who will provide updates on ongoing projects and future
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International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8, 2025, carries a theme that couldn’t be more fitting—March Forward: For ALL Women and Girls. It’s a rallying cry that acknowledges how far we’ve come while urging us to keep moving, pushing, and striving for a future where every woman and girl can thrive. Across Australia, the day will be marked with powerful events, from leadership summits to grassroots gatherings, all celebrating the achievements of women while addressing the work still ahead.
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The Northern Beaches Community Playgroup (NBCP) is set to return in 2025, once again made possible through the BMA Benefiting My Community Grant. This year, in addition to the usual play and connection sessions, families can look forward to twelve special "super sessions" throughout the year, including BMA Playfest, BMA Fun Friday, and BMA Bookweek. These sessions will feature a range of engaging activities for young children, including gross motor programs, puppet shows, music, art, and
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Toad Busters Break Records Cane toads can be found everywhere across Queensland and persistent action needs to be taken to remove them. The Watergum Cane Toad Challenge came back again this year for their annual Great Cane Toad Bust event. With over 50,000 toads removed last year, they hoped to match that number and surpass it this season with state-wide help. Being prolific breeders, Cane Toads are notorious pests producing up to 30,000 eggs at a time, and can live up to 10 years. They are to
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What better way to end the working week than feasting on the freshest seafood I could ask for with Whitsunday Sailing Club’s Seafood Platter for Two. This mouthwatering platter is packed with the finest local seafood, sourced from a range of top suppliers, including one of our local favourites, Fishi, guaranteeing the freshest, tastiest bites from the sea. Get ready to indulge in a variety of flavours and textures, from the crispy battered Red Emperor Fish to the juicy local prawns, smoked salm
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The Whitsundays is off to a flying start in 2025, breaking records left, right, and centre! In just two months, The Whitsundays has welcomed 27 cruise ships, bringing over 66,000 passengers to our region. Around 52,000 of them have stepped off to soak up the sun, explore Airlie Beach and beyond and support local businesses. And it’s not slowing down—another 13 cruise ships are set to arrive in March, proving The Whitsundays is a must-stop destination for cruise lovers. Whitsunday Coast Airport
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Hi Everyone, For the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of being part of the Life Publishing Group family. When I first joined, we were printing two bi-monthly magazines. Fast forward to today, and we now produce four weekly newspapers alongside those same two magazines. It’s been an incredible journey—one filled with growth, determination, breaking barriers, and plenty of laughter along the way. We've embraced every challenge, thinking outside the box, and smashing stereotypes at every turn
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Did you know that from 1 January 2025, intentionally underpaying an employee’s wages or entitlements can be a criminal offence? This doesn’t include honest mistakes. The Voluntary Small Business Wage Compliance Code Declaration 2024 (the Code) came into effect at the beginning of the year, alongside Australia’s new federal wage theft laws. The Code provides small businesses (those with fewer than 15 employees) with a framework to avoid prosecution for underpayments that occur unintentionally.
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Hi everyone! Last weekend was Clean Up Australia Day, and it was fantastic to see so many wonderful organisations doing their bit to keep the beautiful Whitsundays clean. I had the chance to visit Coral Sea Marina and witness firsthand the incredible amount of rubbish collected by volunteers. It is heartwarming to see communities and businesses coming together for such an important cause. Back in Sydney, I often took part in scuba diving clean-ups where we removed rubbish from the ocean floor
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Plunging into the ocean’s depths, you might be fortunate enough to encounter a Moray Eel. Known for their fierce appearance and impressive diversity, these fascinating creatures captivate divers and marine enthusiasts alike. Beyond their striking looks, Moray Eels play a vital role as apex predators in coral reef ecosystems. Inhabiting warm, reef-rich waters, they help maintain ecological balance by preying on fish, crabs, shrimp, squid, octopuses, and even scavenging weakened or dead organisms
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It is easy to see Whitsunday Islands and surrounding fringing reefs as static and unchanging. But that is not true, as slow, gradual changes often go unnoticed. Over time these changes may become accepted as the status quo, the way things have always been. This phenomenon is called shifting baseline syndrome. Shifting baseline describes a gradual change in our accepted norms and expectations for the environment across generations. Unfortunately, our tolerance for environmental degradation incre
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Cleaning up the coastline is no small task, but it’s one that the Whitsundays community is eager to take on. On Sunday, March 2nd, Coral Sea Marina became the heart of action for the annual Clean Up Australia Day event. Volunteers, fueled by a shared passion for preserving the region’s pristine coastline, came together to make a real difference. In partnership with the Tangaroa Blue Foundation and the ReefClean program, they tackled the shoreline, collecting litter with dedication and teamwork.
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