Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
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Named after the goddess of love, Venus will ensure she brings this energy into your home, with her need for lots of attention and cuddles. 12-month-old Venus was rescued from death row and is now looking for a place to call home. Sweet little Venus sleeps peacefully throughout the night but loves a chat in the day if you meow to her, but is otherwise content and quiet. She has a gentle nature, loving kisses and belly rubs and just wants to spend quality time with her humans. Do you think yo
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February 7 Seniors Computer Program, Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, 9am-2:30pm Bookings Required 7 Pram Pushers, Bowen Neighbourhood Centre, 9am-10:30am 7 Alcoholics Anonymous, Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, 6pm-7:30pm 8 Park Run, Meeting Area D, Coral Sea Marina, starting at 7am 8 Airlie Beach Market, Airlie Beach, starting at 8am 9 Bowen Community Sunday Market, Hansen Park, from 8am 10 Boardgames Club, Proserpine Library, from 1pm 12 Cooking Classes 6week program, Cooinda Family Centre,
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The Bruce Highway is no stranger to headlines, often making news for its much-needed upgrades. But this week, it’s in the spotlight for a very different reason. While not typically known as a prime fishing destination in the Whitsundays, the highway unexpectedly became a hotspot for local angler Kent Rasmussen. Amid the recent floods, Kent saw an opportunity he couldn’t resist, making light of the situation as he cast his line. Although the highway is prone to flooding during the wet season, Ken
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Bowen Polocrosse Club is celebrating its 36th year and is always excited to welcome new players of all ages. Whether you’re a first-time rider, an experienced equestrian, or someone returning to the sport, they’re here to help you have a great time on the field at their Fun Day on March 1st. Polocrosse – the thrilling Aussie sport that combines the best of polo, lacrosse, and netball. Played on horseback by both men and women, this outdoor team sport is a fast-paced, action-packed adventure that
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Ryan Donnelly, a fourth-generation wood chopper, is carving his name into the annals of Australia's wood chopping history. As a proud representative of Queensland’s Under 21’s team at the prestigious Royal Sydney Show in 2025, Ryan's 2024 season has been nothing short of a triumph in the competitive world of wood chopping. Starting at the Biloela Callide Valley in May, Ryan's journey took him to events across Queensland, from Pioneer Valley to Mackay, and all the way up to Cairns. The Donnelly
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The Volunteer Marine Rescue have a good working relationship with the Queensland Ambulance Service, in that there's always paramedics on board for medivacs in cases where a rescue requires medical attention. The other service agency the VMR team work with is the Queensland Police Service in providing rapid response transport for officers. This ranges from emergency dashes to intervene in domestic violence, extracting intoxicated and possibly violent party goers, to also investigating reported st
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Whilst we all yearn for the overhead cover to be completed on our bowls green, we lament on the damage done caused by firstly the heat associated with North Queensland weather and now the cyclonic conditions have saturated the carpet and no play was possible this week and with fingers crossed we are all praying that the system dissipates as soon as possible and all stay safe. With no games to report on, the club wants to acknowledge the fantastic assistance and proof that anything is possible,
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Cannonvale Cannons swimmer Jacob Bell has made a memorable departure from the club, setting an astonishing 12 club records in the 18 & Over category at the recent carnival. As he prepares to leave for university, his achievements serve as a fitting farewell to over 12 years of dedication to the Cannons. Jacob’s leadership and commitment to training have set a high standard for younger swimmers. His disciplined approach and passion for open-water swimming have been an inspiration to his teammate
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The weather has caused significant disruption to upcoming and scheduled fixtures, so there will be an update to the fixture calendar once the weather clears up and normal play can resume. On Tuesday 28th, the competition was a Single Stableford event. In the men's competition, Bailey Hayward emerged as the winner with 37 points, edging out Pascal Neunreuther on a countback. Pascal, who finished as runner-up, played a solid round as well. In the ladies' competition, Pam Harrison claimed victory w
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On a soggy Tuesday, only 21 players braved the elements to take part in the competition. Initially, it looked like we’d be restricted to just 9 holes, but the weather held out, allowing us to complete the full 18. Despite the wet conditions, some impressive scores were posted, though with the current weather pattern, it remains uncertain when we’ll be able to tee off again. In the Ladies Division Jenny Hounsell continued her strong form, claiming victory for the second week in a row with an exce
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Rebecca Cooper is a woman with boundless energy and deep compassion who has been the human catalyst for a movement that has transformed the Northern Beaches. For her community-building efforts, Rebecca has been named the 2025 Mackay Regional Council Australia Day Citizen of the Year. Mayor Greg Williamson said Rebecca was an amazing person who had achieved something special in the Northern Beaches through her kindness, selflessness and desire to create a connected community. “By bringing peop
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The school bells have rung, marking the start of 2025 for students across the region. The first day brought a kaleidoscope of emotions—kids bouncing between happiness, nerves, and excitement as they embarked on new adventures. For preppies, it was the start of a whole new chapter, while for parents, it was a bittersweet milestone. School bags were loaded to bursting, uniforms were crisp, and shoes were polished to a shine (though let’s be honest, they’ll be scuffed by Friday). And those pict
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At Mackay Airport, a security guard has earned a reputation for her warm heart and helping hands. Known to many travellers, this exceptional woman has become a shining example of kindness in the region. One morning, a young couple with an eight-month-old baby arrived for their flight to Brisbane, burdened with two large suitcases and carry-on bags. Spotting their struggle, the security guard immediately stepped in, effortlessly lifting one of the heavy bags and walking with them into the termin
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Over the last few weeks, Mackay's city heart has undergone a major transformation, with the Mky City Heart Collective leading efforts to revitalise the region. This initiative celebrates the city’s rich history, particularly its once-thriving Chinatown, by blending art, culture, and community to breathe new life into downtown Mackay. Inspired by the once-thriving Chinatown district between Wellington and Macalister streets from the 1880s to the 1930s, the project highlights this important hub f
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Healthy Land & Water is hosting a meet and greet as part of a waterway naturalisation project at Woodlands Reserve in Andergrove on Friday, January 31, from 3pm to 6pm. Meet by the pedestrian bridge, at the Domino Crescent entrance to Woodlands District Park, and chat with the team, share how you use the reserve and provide ideas to enhance wildlife habitat and the natural environment. They are also hosting a community input session on Saturday, February 1, from 10am to noon at the Andergrove
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Detectives are appealing for more information as they continue to investigate the suspicious death of John Patrick Hackett, who was found deceased in his home on Gold Street in Mackay in November last year. On the 9th of November, 67-year-old John Patrick Hackett was located deceased at his unit following a welfare check by family members. A crime scene was declared, and police launched a homicide investigation, Operation Whiskey Glen, following results from a post-mortem examination indic
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Two of Central Queensland’s strongest voices in Canberra, Andrew Willcox and Michelle Landry, have been re-endorsed by the Liberal National Party (LNP) to contest the upcoming federal election, ready to advocate for their electorates and deliver for their communities. Mr Willcox, Federal Member for Dawson, said he was honoured by the unanimous support of local party members. “I am honoured to have been endorsed once again as the LNP candidate for the seat of Dawson,” he said. “It’s a privil
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Five women have already lost their lives to domestic violence in Australia this year. Five lives brutally cut short, leaving behind families shattered by grief. And it’s only January. For survivors in Mackay, Broken Ballerina Inc. has become their lifeline, often stepping in when no one else will. Led by Jules and Pete Thompson, this grassroots charity operates 24/7, helping women, men, and children escape unimaginable circumstances. They provide counselling, courtroom advocacy, and escape bags
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Film & Arts Mackay is kicking off 2025 with a stellar line-up of films, starting with a journey to Bhutan in the charming The Monk and The Gun. The latest charmer from Oscar-nominated Pawo Choyning Dorji (Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom, which was presented in December 2023), is set in the weeks before Bhutan’s first democratic election in 2006. This delightfully droll and slyly satirical film boasts a string of characters and misadventures, in a tale as suspenseful as it is winning. Film & Arts
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A blaze broke out near the Ron Cam Bridge on Sunday night, the 26th of January, prompting three fire rescue crews to respond to the scene at approximately 9:33pm. The fire tore through the council-maintained boardwalk, damaging an estimated 60 meters and affecting up to 100 meters of the structure during its peak. Firefighters worked diligently to bring the fire under control, with most of the flames extinguished by 11:00pm. Crews remained on-site to address hotspots, ultimately confirming that
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The Mackay and Whitsundays community is being encouraged to support the local arm of the Black Dog Ride by registering to ride in the 2025 One Dayer or participating in local fundraising. This will help start a national conversation about depression and suicide prevention. The Black Dog Ride ‘One Dayer’ is a one-day motorcycle ride to be held in more than 100 communities across Australia on Sunday, March 16, 2025 including a ride kicking off in Mackay and Whitsundays. Black Dog Ride O
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What started as a dream has skyrocketed to a limelight reality for 21-year-old Regan Walker. With Wicked soon to be listed alongside Matilda and Grease on Regan’s impressive musical resume, he will undoubtedly lead an impressive Broadway-bound career. Originally from Mackay, Regan first laced up his dancing shoes at the age of four, following in the footsteps of his older siblings. As Regan turned nine, he decided to dip his toe into singing and acting, and soon enough, he became a triple th
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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay Smartcane BMP was established by CANEGROWERS around 15 years ago to ensure growers could be confident of meeting environmental legislation standards- the program was – and still is - ahead of the curve, and well-established by the time Reef Regulations were introduced. Beyond meeting legislation, it has become a proud standard of sustainability for our industry, attracting new markets and investment in new uses for sugarcane. Now that the crush is – at
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Sonia Ball, QCAR Central District Manager. …You probably knew that, but being treated as one has become ‘the norm’ in many parts of our every-day lives – waiting rooms, for example! Have you considered how different our lives may be, if instead you were treated as you? At Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables (QCAR), our secret weapon is our people. People passionate and driven to helping other people – face-to-face, beside you, behind you, with you and for you. From Far North Queensland
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Reef Catchments will lead the delivery of the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac (MWI) Landscape Repair Program, investing $26 million in water quality initiatives aimed at reducing 18 kilotonnes of fine sediment runoff into the Great Barrier Reef lagoon by June 2030. The Reef Trust Landscape Repair Program, backed by $200 million from the Australian Government, aims to prevent over 130 kilotonnes of fine sediment from reaching the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). This reduction is crucial in protecting the GBR’
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