Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
A major investment in skills training is set to deliver a stronger future workforce for Queensland’s booming resources industry, with the expansion of the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) announced this week in Mackay. The Queensland Government is allocating $2 million over three years to expand the QMEA into regional hubs across Central and North Queensland, starting right here in Mackay. The first hub will be established at the Resources Centre of Excellence, followed by Ro
Read more
Mackay’s Budget Blueprint This year’s State Budget has landed, and it brings with it a wave of good news for Mackay. The Crisafulli Government has delivered real funding, real projects, and a real plan to restore trust in the system—especially here in Mackay. The budget rests on four key pillars: delivering safety, boosting health services, improving lifestyle through a stronger economy, and planning for Queensland’s future. Across each of these, Mackay is seeing major investment. On sa
Read more
Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race Sets Sail With New Safety Standard Anticipation is building across Mackay’s coastline as one of Australia’s most exciting offshore sailing events returns — with new safety measures leading the charge. The GCCM Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race kicks off on 1 August, promising 520 nautical miles of pure offshore exhilaration from the shimmering skyline of the Gold Coast to the tropical charm of Mackay. But as the fleet grows — now with 29 entries, nearly double the
Read more
Thousands of car enthusiasts rolled into the Mackay Showgrounds over the weekend for the Hawks Industrial Solutions Pirtek Mackay Motor Show 2025, and the atmosphere was electric. Presented by the Mackay Rod & Custom Club, the two-day event featured a stunning display of classic cars, street machines, bikes, and jaw-dropping custom builds that left even seasoned showgoers speechless. “The level of some of these builds is absolutely mind-blowing and the attention to detail is on another le
Read more
The State Government has initiated a new Parliamentary inquiry through Queensland Parliament’s Primary Industries and Resources Committee to investigate the potential of sugarcane as a renewable energy source to help power Queensland’s future. The committee will be examining how to unlock new investment, support the value-add opportunities in the sugar industry and examining the regulatory hurdles that the sector may have to overcome to see potential growth for a new biofuel industry made
Read more
Concerns Over Future Of Wild-Caught Seafood Voiced Fresh, wild-caught seafood has long been a cornerstone of coastal Queensland life — not just a staple on the dinner table, but a key economic driver for countless small businesses, regional communities, and family-run operations. Yet the future of this industry is looking increasingly uncertain, with rising regulatory pressure and economic headwinds threatening to reel in more than just fishers’ nets. In a bid to hear directly from those
Read more
CANEGROWERS Australia Chairman Owen Menkens has been elected President of the World Association of Beet and Cane Growers (WABCG), marking a proud moment for the Australian sugarcane industry on the final day of the WABCG Conference in Cairns. The appointment was confirmed during official proceedings last Wednesday, with delegates from around the world endorsing Mr Menkens to lead the peak global body representing sugarcane and beet growers from 38 countries. “It’s a great honour to be el
Read more
Simon Hood, Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing Brazil remains front and centre in global sugar market movements. The latest UNICA report for the first half of June shows sugar production continuing to outpace ethanol. While sugar output dipped slightly in the fortnight, it still accounted for 51.5% of cane crushed, nudging the year-to-date figure to 50.5%—up from 48.3% in the previous season. However, cane quality remains a concern. The ATR is hovering below 12%, prompting analysts to downgr
Read more
A living legacy of culture, healing, and community spirit has taken root in the heart of Sarina. Unveiled during NAIDOC Week, the Yinha Gurubila Ganya – meaning ‘here medicine place’ – is a traditional bush medicine garden now flourishing at Sarina Hospital. More than just a garden, it is a cultural milestone, reconnecting the community with ancient knowledge passed down through generations of the Yuwi people. The project began as a shared vision and blossomed through collaboration betwe
Read more
A powerhouse team of mud racers from Sarina left their mark on the Queensland State Mud Racing Titles over the weekend, tearing up the tracks at CQ Mud Sportz in Kabra with a thrilling mix of speed, skill and Sarina spirit. Held across two adrenaline-pumping days on July 5 and 6, the state titles brought together racers from across Queensland for a high-octane display of horsepower, mud, and fierce competition – and the Sarina contingent more than held their own. Leading the charge in th
Read more
Mackay Voices Drive State Action By Amanda Wright Mackay’s small business sector took centre stage last week as Queensland’s Small and Family Business Minister Steve Minnikin visited the region, delivering a clear message: the State Government is listening—and acting. Speaking at a Mackay Chamber of Commerce breakfast, Minister Minnikin acknowledged the unique pressures facing regional enterprises, from soaring electricity bills to securing skilled workers and navigating government bureau
Read more
We’ve all heard it (or said it) – “there’s nothing to do in Mackay”. I don’t believe it, as there is always something to do in Mackay. We live in the best region in Australia. To ensure that there’s always something to do in Mackay, council created the Invest Mackay Events and Conference Attraction Program (IMECA). I’ve been a part of this committee since being elected to council in 2020. IMECA supports the attraction of major sporting and cultural events, concerts and conferences to sti
Read more
A mobile printmaking studio in a 40-foot-long shipping container will be a temporary addition to the local arts and design scene. The shipping container will be set up outside Artspace Mackay as part of a special residency by the Moveable Type Studio (MTS) in Mackay from July 2 to July 11. The Moveable Type Studio will be hosted by Artspace Mackay in conjunction with the prestigious 2025 Libris Awards: The Australian Artists Book Prize, and the abbe Conference and Artists Book Fair by Co
Read more
A Brave New Body Image Conversation Eight years ago, The Just Saying Project (JSP) asked women across our region how they really felt about their bodies. The responses weren’t filtered, photoshopped, or polished. They were raw. They were brave. And they were unforgettable. Now, in 2025, JSP is asking again. With a new body image survey titled The Faces Behind the Figures, JSP is inviting women to reflect on the stories they carry in their skin, their scars, and their silence. The questi
Read more
Emma Krause Is Coming To Mackay! Brace yourselves, Mackay – a comedy cyclone is headed your way and her name is Emma Krause. Fresh off a sold-out, award-winning, laugh-till-you-snort Fringe World run, this Perth powerhouse is strutting her way to the tropical north with her hit show 40+FABULOUS – and trust us, it’s exactly the kind of big, bold energy we all need right now. Not only did she take out Best Solo Performance at Broadway Perth and WA’s Best Comedy in 2024, but this ex-school
Read more
Young instrumentalists from the Mackay region are being invited to represent their town at a prestigious state-level music event, taking place this August at the State Library of Queensland. The Oz Schools Instrumental Championships (OSIC) is a solo performance competition for school-age students across four categories: piano, strings, drums, and guitar. In 2025, Queensland finalists will gather for a live concert and competition at SLQ’s renowned auditoriums, with top students progressin
Read more
Friday 11th July Northern Beaches Youth Create Gathering 9am A relaxed and welcoming morning for tweens and teens to get crafty with community bunting, crochet, and painting a giant community Jenga set. Bring your own fabric, yarn, or chess board, or use some communal supplies. Beginners and pros welcome — come solo or bring a friend for creativity and connection. Northern Beaches Community Hall NAIDOC Family Fun Day 11am A celebration of culture, community, and connection hosted by Mack
Read more
St Patrick’s College students have taken to the stage for Matilda the Musical Jr., supported by three guest choreographers who once stood in their shoes. Former students Regan, Shontaé and Georgia returned to the college to help choreograph the show, bringing with them professional experience and a passion for giving back. Two of the trio previously performed in the professional Australian tour of Matilda, and Regan has recently departed for South Korea, where he has joined the internatio
Read more
The countdown is on for one of the region’s most significant visual art events, with the Woollam Art on Show Awards & Exhibition Opening Night set for Friday, 1 August July 2025 at the 500 Pavilion, Mackay Showgrounds. The night will feature award presentations from a $10,000 prize pool, thanks to generous local sponsors, and a live painting auction showcasing selected works. Returning as guest judge is renowned artist and educator Ron McBurnie, whose prints, drawings and paintings have b
Read more
A Regional Gem Bringing World-Class Classical Performances Home For seven years now, the Mackay Chamber Music Festival has been quietly transforming the cultural landscape of this regional city, uniting Australia’s finest classical musicians for a weekend of intimate performances and vibrant community music-making. From July 18 to 20, the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Ooralea will come alive with the sounds of world-class chamber music, performed by celebrated artists incl
Read more
By Amanda Wright The Reserve Bank of Australia has left the official cash rate unchanged at 3.85 per cent, sparking frustration from both the housing and small business sectors, who argue the decision ignores clear signs of economic weakness and growing structural pressure. The move comes despite softer inflation data, sluggish consumer spending, and growing expectations of a rate cut. For many, it’s not just a delay — it’s a letdown. “This decision will leave new home
Read more
I was in Sydney recently for an indulgent four-day long weekend celebrating my wife’s birthday with drinks in cool bars, dinners in next-level restaurants and, for her, a spot of clothes and jewellery shopping. When it came to the day for serious shopping we went to the beautiful, cool, historic, bustling inner-east suburb of Paddington and I heard these magical words from my wife: “Why don’t you go to the pub while I have a look at the shops?” Like every couple, we’ve had the odd disagr
Read more
With a feast of events on offer over the weekend, many Mackay Road Runners turned their focus to the prestigious Asics Gold Coast Running Festival, featuring a full marathon (42.2km), half marathon (21.1km), 10km, 5km, and 2km kids’ races across two days of competition. The Gold Coast was bustling with thousands of runners of all ages and experience levels, many chasing personal bests while others proudly completed their first races. Several Mackay athletes tackled extraordinary challenges, wi
Read more
The club watched another amazing game of competition bowls between two of its best players, Ann Smith and Brenda Trannore, both competing in the Club B Grade Singles Final. The game had everything going for it: skill, patience, and great nerves to say the least. Both ladies had the same score going into the last couple of ends. Brenda took the honours and once again was very gracious in her win. This win made her one of the club’s most decorated bowlers for 2025, for her wins in both the Club
Read more
OUTRIGGING Sunset Bay paddlers made the journey to Townsville over the weekend of June 19–20 to compete in Round 3 of the North Queensland Zone Grand Prix, tackling events ranging from 500m sprints and 8km marathons to a gruelling 41km changeover marathon. To say the club returned on cloud nine is an understatement — they came home with a carload of medals and even bigger smiles. Coaches Scotty Macgroaty and Justin Davies made the most of the weekend’s event line-up, giving all 24+ paddlers t
Read more