Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Renee’s Relentless Fight Through Stage 4 Melanoma By Amanda Wright When Renee Fenech felt a pea-sized lump in her upper arm in late 2023, she didn’t panic—but her instincts whispered that something wasn’t right. For months, she’d battled constant headaches while working full time in childcare, pushing through each day with little relief. “I was told many opinions of what could be troubling my headaches,” she later recalled. “Neck out, teeth grinding… but Panadol was not helping and my in
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Mackay’s Successful Approach To Attracting And Retaining New Players Sunday saw eighteen novice players (under 100 MP’s) take part in a competition, each supported by an experienced player. Held on the last Sunday of each month, this regular Novice and Mentor event offers a valuable opportunity for beginners to play alongside and learn from more seasoned players. Following six weeks of lessons and ongoing supervised play provided by Frances, Geoff, and their dedicated teams, participants gain co
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Local golfers can rub shoulders – and pick up some handy tips – when Australia’s leading professional golfers make their return to the region for the annual North Queensland Series. Starting May 31, Sarina Golf Club, Mackay Golf Club and Pioneer Valley Golf Club will each host a leg of the North Queensland Series that has become a popular feature on the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series calendar. This year’s North Queensland Series has drawn winners from the most recent Challenger PGA Tour of Australasi
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Derby day was a resounding success, with the team traveling from Rockhampton to Mackay for two intense games filled with skill and great sportsmanship. Both sides displayed class on the field, making for an exciting day of softball action. Rockhampton secured a 5-2 victory over the Angels, powered by fantastic pitching from 14-year-old Nate Benson. Nate, alongside Rory Spencer, contributed crucial runs for Rockhampton. Meanwhile, Angels’ pitcher Jaxon Maluga struck out five batters, with Heinri
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More than just a race, the 2025 BMA Mackay Triathlon Festival is a celebration of community, resilience, and giving back. Held 20–21 September at the Mackay Harbour, this iconic regional sporting event is proudly supported by naming rights sponsor BMA and the Mackay Regional Council’s Events and Attractions Fund. This year, the festival takes a meaningful stride forward by supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), with $5 from every race entry going directly towards helping famil
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When the call went out for a few strong arms to help relocate cupboards and supplies from inside St Vincent de Paul to the Mackay City Girl Guides hut across the road, the Mackay Brothers Football Club stepped up without hesitation. “There was no fuss, no bother,” said Mackay volunteer Lisa Jamieson. “All they needed to know was, ‘when and where do you want us?’” And with that, the Brothers arrived in numbers, ready to lend their strength to a good cause. Demonstrating teamwork and comr
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Local not for profit selectability will join forces with other Mackay community services in an effort to connect those experiencing (or at risk of) homelessness with essential support. The team will hold a stall at the Together for Shelter expo to showcase the range of services selectability provides across the Mackay community. Regional Coordinator Nicole Guzowski said making connections at local events was important for selectability. “Participating in events like Together for Shelter
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A picture-perfect Saturday morning set the scene for the 10th Open Day at the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens — and what a celebration it was! The Tropical Sun Lawn came alive with colour, community and curiosity as hundreds of visitors turned out to explore plant displays, get hands-on with nature activities and soak up the sunshine in one of Mackay’s most beautiful outdoor spaces. From up-close wildlife encounters to educational exhibits, orchid sales and native bee demonstrations, the
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Friday 30th May Crochet & Conversation9amJoin 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 U-BEACH community beach day in Mackay9amThe inaugural U-BEACH community beach day offers an inclusive
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Volunteers On The Frontline At Chances House In the quiet corners of Mackay’s toughest nights, where hardship often casts a long shadow, a steadfast light burns bright. Behind every warm meal served, every hand extended in compassion, and every moment of dignity restored at Chances House stands a quiet army of dedicated volunteers. They are the heart of the mission, the pulse behind the purpose, and the reason why so many vulnerable people have somewhere to turn. “There are so many organi
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May has been a significant month for Mackay, marked by substantial legislative advancements aimed at enhancing community safety and justice. Expanding 'Adult Crime, Adult Time' Legislation The Queensland Parliament has passed the second tranche of the 'Making Queensland Safer' laws, expanding the 'Adult Crime, Adult Time' framework. This expansion increases the number of offences subject to adult sentencing for youth offenders from 13 to 33 offences. Newly included serious offences encom
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Queensland’s small and family businesses will soon benefit from a major boost in crime prevention, with the launch of a $40 million Secure Communities Partnerships Program to help protect livelihoods and restore safety across local business precincts. Councils can apply for up to two grants worth $400,000 each to fund crime prevention measures to improve the security of business strips, including CCTV, bollards, lockable fencing, and improved perimeter security. A total of $10 million is
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As you flip through this week’s edition, some of our team are swapping deadlines for datelines — soaking up wisdom, inspiration and (hopefully) some wins at the Queensland Country Press Association’s annual media awards and conference. It’s a special trip for us. Last year, we had the incredible honour of being named Queensland’s Best Free Newspaper — an unforgettable achievement that still gives me tingles. We launched this paper right in the thick of Covid five years ago, with nothing b
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A much-loved local event is making its return to Dunes Harbour Beach. Tunes in the Dunes is back for another laid-back Saturday afternoon, bringing coastal vibes, live music, and a relaxed community feel to one of Mackay’s most scenic spots. A crowd favourite in 2024, Tunes in the Dunes drew a wonderful mix of people — from those looking for something a little different, to families catching up, and friends gathering to enjoy a drink by the sea. The oceanside setting made the perfect bac
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Hi everyone, I'm back after three wonderful weeks in the UK and excited to dive back into all the incredible environmental stories the Whitsundays has to offer! This week, we're featuring new whale names, vibrant reef fish, and a special focus on World Environment Day. As always, I’d love to hear from you! Please keep sending your environmental stories to ruth@lifepublishinggroup.com. Happy reading! Ruth “You are the last, best hope of Earth. We ask you to protect it. Or we, and all living
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The Whitsundays will take centre stage in Queensland’s tourism sustainability agenda this World Environment Day, as industry leaders, local operators and environmental champions gather to explore the future of eco-conscious tourism in one of the state’s most iconic natural settings. Local businesses and tourism operators are encouraged to book their place to attend the event on 5 June. Hosted by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC), the World Environment Day event will shine a spotlig
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The name Younga, means mother in local language of the Gia and Ngaro people of the Whitsundays. The sea people of the Whitsundays, the Ngaro People, have been watching over humpback whales while they are calving in the protection of the islands, for over 9,000 years. The Ngaro people have a strong cultural connection to land, sea and country. The whales have significance as totemic ancestors. The Ngaro have creation stories that indicate the whales have been here since their creation spirits f
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I recently had the opportunity to meet in Brisbane with Queensland’s new Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Brent Mickelberg MP, during a busy week in Parliament. I’m grateful he was able to make time to sit down with me to discuss several key infrastructure priorities for the Whitsundays. We spoke at length about the long-overdue upgrades to Shute Harbour Road, including the $24 million Hamilton Plains flood immunity project and the $79 million Paluma to Tropic Road upgrade. I’m pleased to
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Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc. is proud to announce a new partnership with Green Energy Technologies through the installation of a 13.2kW solar system at Eco HQ in the Whitsundays. The system will power essential components of Eco Barge’s conservation operations, including the five quarantine turtle tanks, water pumps, and marine debris recycling machinery in the Ocean Trash Recycle Shack — allowing Eco HQ to run almost entirely on clean, renewable energy. This upgrade represents a major milestone i
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The Bowen Polocrosse Club made a strong impression at the Lower Burdekin Polocrosse Carnival over the weekend, with players of all ages showcasing skill, spirit, and sportsmanship at the Townsville grounds. Bowen fielded four teams across A, B, and C grades, along with two junior players and four enthusiastic sub-juniors, cementing the club’s presence across every level of competition. In the A Grade division, Bowen 1—comprising Adam Burns, Mick Foster and Bryce Watson—took to the field with d
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An Airlie Beach woman’s lunch break took an unexpected turn after she opened her phone and discovered she’d won $100,000 in today’s Lucky Lotteries draw, leaving her lost for words. The Whitsunday resident held the 1st Prize winning entry in Lucky Lotteries Super Jackpot draw 10988, drawn on Tuesday 27 May 2025. She is now looking forward to receiving a total prize of $100,000. "Woo-hoo! That’s unbelievable!” she cheered when an official from The Lott confirmed her win. “I’m on lunch break ri
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The B Kinder Foundation is taking meaningful action to foster a kinder world, with two inspiring B Kinder Summits being held this Thursday and Friday at Proserpine State High School. One summit will cater to high school student leaders and the other to primary school leaders. Local students will gather to participate in an immersive event designed to promote kindness, inspire change, and encourage others in the community to get involved. Founded by former Whitsunday resident Danny Mayson-Kinder
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A Ferris wheel will soon take centre stage at the Airlie Beach Foreshore, with Whitsunday Regional Council announcing a temporary installation beside Airlie Creek from early June through to October 2025. Operating daily from 10am to 10pm, the attraction will feature 24 gondolas seating six people each, offering sweeping views of the Whitsundays. The five-month trial will help Council assess the success of visitation and community usage of the attraction. Feedback has already been gathered from
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The Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry is proud to present the 2025 Whitsunday Business Conference, taking place from 9am to 5pm on Thursday 28 August at the TAFE Queensland Whitsunday Campus in Cannonvale. This flagship annual event will unite business leaders, innovators and stakeholders from across the region – from Mackay to Townsville – for a dynamic day of insights, connections, and future-focused ideas. Kicking off the day, nationally recognised business coach and keynote spea
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Team Whitsundays Dancing CEOs’ Head for Brisbane Showdown An eight-month marathon of early morning dance practices and late-night planning for fundraising events is about to come to an end for the women behind the Whitsundays’ inaugural team of ‘Dancing CEOs’. On Saturday night, Julie Telford (SeaLink Whitsundays), Kate Purdie (Coral Sea Marina), Candice Crossley (Whitsunday Transit) and Alice Harriott (Whitsunday Family Dental), will step out on stage at Brisbane’s City Hall in a dance contest
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