Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Next film night June: Ghostlight Alex Thompson and Kelly O'Sullivan’s moving, gently comic collaboration is about the power of live theater to make sense of our offstage dramas and personal narratives. Ghostlight centers on Dan (Keith Kupferer), a melancholic middle-aged construction worker grieving a family tragedy. Cut off from his devoted wife, Sharon (Tara Mallen), and talented but troubled daughter, Daisy (Katherine Mallen Kupferer), Dan finds comfort and community in a misfit company of a
Read more
A program with a proven track record of improving the quality of care for surgical patients has been introduced at Mackay Base Hospital and the clinical team overseeing the initiative is excited about its potential. The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) was developed by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) in the early 90s to monitor the surgical care of veterans. The project is led by Surgeon Champion Dr Adrian Westcott and clinical nurse consultant Emma Jacobson, who wa
Read more
A popular coastal haven near the Port of Mackay is receiving a major upgrade, with construction officially underway on the $2 million North Wall Recreational Area improvement project. The works were launched on Tuesday morning by Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates, alongside Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton, Member for Mirani Glen Kelly, North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) Chair Jane McTaggart and Acting CEO Carissa Mansfield. They were joined by some of the commu
Read more
Sunset Bay Outrigger Canoe Club has returned from a strong showing at the Australian National Long Distance Titles, held in Mooloolaba from May 23–25, 2025. With just nine senior paddlers attending, the team still managed to bring home a haul of medals and proud performances. Friday brought cool conditions, but it didn’t take long for Bryan Wilkinson and Steph Lomas to find their rhythm, earning a silver medal in the 16km Senior Master OC2. New club member Peter Drew made a bold debut in a fiel
Read more
The foreshore area adjacent to the McEwens Beach swimming enclosure – locally known as “the Knoll” – is undergoing a makeover. The project, initiated by the McEwens Beach Progress Association, will see 2000-plus tube stock, all local coastal species, planted to reinforce the foreshore’s native vegetation and help stabilise the foredune. Beach fencing, which has improved access to the swimming enclosure and will help protect the new plantings, has already been installed. Mayor Greg Williamson
Read more
After a strong wind warning snuffed out SPARK a fortnight ago, the exciting pop-up event is set to reignite from Thursday, June 12, to Sunday, June 15. After the event was postponed, organisers sprang into action to reorganise the dozens of activities and attractions scheduled to activate the old cinema car park on Wood and Gordon streets. SPARK will now ignite with an evening networking event from 5pm to 7pm on Thursday, June 12, and will then be followed by three days of continuous activatio
Read more
There’s so much happening in Mackay in July, but for the art-lover there is nothing better than Artspace Mackay’s Libris Awards. Artspace Mackay, in partnership with Daly Bay, is delighted to announce the finalists for the 2025 Libris Awards: Australian Artists Book Prize. The shortlisted entrants’ artworks will be exhibited at Artspace from July 5 to September 14. The prestigious Libris Awards bring together works by leading and emerging artist book makers from across the country. Mayor Gre
Read more
Where Every Meal Feels Like A Celebration Whether you're planning a casual brunch, a romantic dinner, or a celebration with friends, Ocean International is the place to be from sunrise to sunset. Start your day with a breezy beachfront breakfast, settle in for a long lunch, or toast to good times with a sunset dinner on The Deck. Oceans Bar & Restaurant, open to the public seven days a week, offers elegant à la carte dining alongside your favourite seaside classics. Craving something new? Try
Read more
Nothing says “Aussie comfort food” quite like a piping-hot cob loaf fresh out of the oven. Once a staple at every neighbourhood gathering, footy night and backyard barbecue, the humble cob loaf is staging a triumphant comeback – and this time, it’s dressed to impress. At its heart, a cob loaf is simplicity itself: a crusty round bread, hollowed out and filled with molten goodness, then baked until golden and gooey. But the new generation of cob creations is pushing flavour boundaries in all th
Read more
Local Women Pack Power At Weekend Self-Defence Workshop Over the course of a weekend, a diverse group of women and girls, spanning various ages and physical abilities, came together to learn practical self-defence techniques aimed at increasing personal safety both at home and in the community. The sessions were led by Helle Smith, who also runs the Northern Beaches Karate Club (Shyto-Ryu), and supported by Sergeant Steve Smith from the Crime Prevention Unit, along with Volunteer in Policing, G
Read more
The Beating Heart Of Sweet Success There’s a reason Sarina Sugar Shed continues to steal both hearts and headlines. This small-but-mighty attraction is the region’s crown jewel, distilling the essence of Mackay’s sugar industry into an unforgettable visitor experience. With a trophy cabinet brimming with accolades – including Best of Queensland 2025, TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, and a sweep of honours at the Mackay Isaac Tourism Awards for Best of Queensland Tour or Attraction,
Read more
As the crushing season begins, this year will be “back to the future” in one important aspect. And I feel it is it is important to inform the sugar city and surrounding areas about what that might mean. There will be greatly increased frequency of cane fires seen around the district this crush season. For those of you who have been around long enough, you will remember that, late most afternoons in the crush season: the smell of a cane fire, the crackling tones and the black soot floating throu
Read more
Tech from the big trucks and diggers at Bravus Mining and Resources Carmichael mine near Clermont in central Queensland has been upcycled to help regional Queensland families doing it tough. Bravus Mining and Resources Head of Production and Site Senior Executive Glen Corfield said more than fifty state-of-the-art tablets no longer needed for mining operations had been upcycled to support the work of Ronald McDonald House Charities North Australia and the Salvation Army. Mr Corfield said the i
Read more
The Bowen Basin Women in Leadership Program hosted by Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsundays (RDA GW) and supported by Local Buying Foundation (LBF) assisted in bridging the cross-industry skills gap, by empowering local women. During this initiative, participants learned how to reposition their workplace skillset, understand their value, increase confidence, become more self-aware and reduce feelings of ‘Imposter Syndrome’. Program participant Manager of People and Capability Isaa
Read more
Discover how you can make a difference in your community at the 2025 Mackay Volunteer Expo. From emergency service personnel to comedic performers, street chaplains to crime stoppers, wildlife carers to choir singers and everything in between – more than 40 groups will have hundreds of roles on offer. The expo will be held this Sunday, June 8, from 9am to noon, in the Big Shed at the Mackay Showgrounds. Mayor Greg Williamson said the National Volunteer Week theme of “Connecting Communities” w
Read more
By Amanda Wright After nearly two decades in public office, George Christensen has resigned from Mackay Regional Council, effective last Friday, citing urgent family responsibilities and voicing serious concerns about the culture within council chambers. The former federal MP, who returned to local government in 2024 after serving four terms in Canberra as the Member for Dawson, announced his resignation during last week’s ordinary council meeting. While his departure marks the end of an extens
Read more-daphne-offield%2C-jean-schmidtke%2C-lidia-mccarthy..jpeg)
The ladies at the club have been busy contesting the Championship Triples, which commenced on Tuesday, 21st May, with the final played on Thursday, 29th May. As expected, the competition was fierce, with many closely fought ends and the head often tightly packed with both teams’ bowls. After a strong display of skill and teamwork, the eventual winners were Marie Bragg (Lead), Val DePinto (Second), and Nuggie Pratt (Skip). The runners-up were Daphne Offield (Lead), Jean Schmidtke (Second), and
Read more
Young rookie ballers are progressing nicely, showing improved skills each week. They’re playing harder, stronger, and with growing confidence – all while keeping the fun alive. A special highlight came when Asher Rootes was ecstatic after hitting a live pitched ball from Zac Hargraves for the first time. Ollie Baxter also impressed, showing great form behind the plate with confident catching. The Joey Ball troupers are also having a great time, with plenty of enthusiasm on the field. A big than
Read more.jpg)
Red point week The weekend saw the Whitsunday Zone Teams played in Mackay. Ten teams of four players competed for Red Points in the competition. Team Brown won after winning all nine rounds, a fantastic result! After three rounds of play with three different partners in the Remembrance Pairs Debra Goodchild came out as a winner, with Sandy Patterson winning the under 100 mps section. Fourteen other players in the competition also received a portion of red points. Weekly Results Monday 2
Read more
Mackay turned up the sunshine and community spirit for the region’s very first U-BEACH Community Beach Day, making waves for inclusion, connection, and coastal fun at the Harbour Beach last Friday, 30 May. With more than 100 attendees embracing the laid-back atmosphere, the day was a joyful celebration of diversity and accessibility. The shoreline came alive with a vibrant mix of activities, from swimming and walking to kite-flying, beach cricket, sand games, and spirited sandcastle building.
Read more
Mackay’s cane farmers may not have faced severe weather last year, but a new change to disaster funding eligibility has strengthened the region’s preparedness for future cyclones and floods. With updated support measures now recognising the realities of modern farming, local producers will be better placed to recover when the next natural disaster hits. More Queensland primary producers will now be eligible for vital support under the joint Commonwealth–State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangeme
Read more
The role of a councillor today is vastly different from the past. It carries significant responsibility and is increasingly shaped by regulatory constraints. When issues arise, new measures are put in place to prevent recurrence – but these changes affect everyone. This brings us to the distinction between strategic and operational responsibilities. In the past, a councillor could call a staff member working on a road project and request that excess soil be placed on a nearby block rather than
Read more
Mackay Marches To Shatter The Silence On Domestic Violence By Hannah McNamara A wave of purple swept through Mackay’s city centre last Friday, as more than 1000 people rallied together in a powerful show of unity to march against domestic and family violence. From the early morning hours, the streets filled with the steady rhythm of footsteps and the echo of a collective chant: “What do we want? RESPECT!” “When do we want it? NOW!” Led by the Rotary Club of Mackay and Resource Industry
Read more
Friday 6th June 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 Artspace And Memory 10am Join Art and Memory, a welcoming program for people living with dementia and their
Read more
If the essence of farce is chaos, Kucom Theatre’s production of Bob’s Your Auntie is right on the button. The story is simple enough: Robert Marshall has returned from his Aunt Roberta’s funeral only to find the taxman at his door for unpaid taxes. At the same time a call comes in from the Lottery commission to say Auntie has just won a considerable amount on one of her tickets, of which there are dozens. What ensues is a melee of total confusion when Robert, his girlfriend Juliet, and his fri
Read more