Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Facing a tough case in 2025 and need a private investigator without the hassle of looking beyond the region? Based in Mackay, Jason King and his team at Regional Queensland Investigations are ready to handle even the most complex cases…big or small. With an expanding team of experienced professionals, Regional Queensland Investigations is ready to make a significant impact in 2025 as they rise to new heights, now extending their services as far as the Northern Territory. Jason, a former law en
Read more
The Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce started 2025 on a high note last week with their first B2B Brews networking event at Ocean International. Over coffee by the pool, attendees forged new business connections and rekindled old ones in a relaxed, tropical setting. Special thanks went to Get It Done Training for sharing their exciting 2025 plans and to the Ocean International team for serving up excellent coffee to fuel the lively discussions. The event set the tone for a collaborative and succe
Read more%20copy.jpg)
Running a business can already be tough – your marketing shouldn’t add to the stress. You want your time, money, and effort to deliver real results, but the idea of creating a marketing plan? It’s daunting, especially if marketing isn’t your jam. Here’s a hot tip – you don’t need a degree in marketing to put together a workable plan!! The key is just starting. Seriously, that’s it. A simple plan gets you in the game and, from there, you’ll learn what works by paying attention to the results. R
Read more
Porters Mackay, a key player in the building industry for 141 years, is embarking on a major transition with plans for a custom-built trade centre in Paget. This multi-million-dollar facility will consolidate several operations and streamline services for trade customers, marking a significant shift in the company’s presence in the region. As part of this evolution, Porters will also bid farewell to its iconic Brisbane Street retail store and café, which have been central to the business since 1
Read more
As 2024 drew to a close, one of the region’s standout agricultural producers quietly achieved an extraordinary feat that deserves far more recognition. Australian Prawn Farms, a leader in prawn farming and biosecurity, quietly made waves with their exceptional approach to safeguarding the industry. Despite the attention often given to other sectors, this small but mighty farm has set the bar for biosecurity excellence, earning the title of Farm Biosecurity Producer of the Year. Located near Il
Read more
Earl Neilsen’s journey through cancer was one of those life-changing upheavals that began in silence and then roared to life with devastating force. Diagnosed in November 2019 with stage three rectal cancer, Earl recalls how his world turned upside down in an instant. What started as subtle symptoms, bloating, blood in the stool, and a change in his bowel habits, culminated in a diagnosis that felt like “a ton of bricks” landing on his family. Yet, amid the shock and devastation, Earl found his
Read more
In a world that often silences the unheard, a voice can become a revolution, one that speaks not just for itself, but for countless others. Beneath the veil of Bridgeen Doherty’s lilting Irish accent and radiant smile lies a story both heartbreaking and inspiring. Diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer just before Christmas in 2019, Bridgeen has faced the relentless grip of the disease with extraordinary resilience, naming her cancer ‘Octavia’ and using her determination to bring light to eve
Read more
The quiet joy of preparing for her first baby, painting the nursery, assembling tiny clothes, and dreaming of the future, was abruptly eclipsed by an unimaginable diagnosis. In the days after her 20-week ultrasound, with life blossoming within her, the word "cancer" shattered the serenity, leaving Teharnee Peel staring down a daunting mass growing in her cervix. Her battle ahead would intertwine the fragility of new life with the ferocity of survival, as chemotherapy coursed through her body w
Read more
The Mackay Musical Comedy Players are thrilled to announce their upcoming production of Goldilocks & The Three Bears, a fresh and playful reimagining of the beloved fairytale that sets the tone for the theatre group's 60th anniversary. This lively, family-friendly pantomime is set to delight audiences with humour, music, and engaging storytelling. Directed by MMCP Life Member Kristyn Everett, with choreography and co-direction by Leisa Persson (Theatre Bug Mackay) and musical direction by Sharon
Read more
Friday 17th January 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 Exhibitions Opening 6pm Join Mackay Regi
Read more
Children in Finch Hatton embraced the spirit of giving last holiday season with a heartfelt initiative that brought joy to their community. Under the guidance of local organisers, the young participants prepared and delivered festive treats, spreading Christmas cheer in a unique and thoughtful way. The initiative saw the children roll up their sleeves and craft 300 rum balls, each accompanied by a handwritten note. Over the course of the event, they created 99 personalised messages, carefully p
Read more
As the school year draws near, many young people are gearing up for a return to classrooms and routines. While some may feel excited and eager to see friends, others may experience feelings of anxiety, nervousness, or stress. The back-to-school transition can be challenging for a variety of reasons, including pressure to succeed academically, worries about making new friends, or even dealing with bullying. For some, mental health struggles such as anxiety or depression may also surface, making t
Read more
With the largest team of 11 to attend this tough qualifying meet, Coach Leigh-Anne Pokarier was already very proud of her young prodigies. The week is huge, with early mornings and late-night finals. Being present for the week in its entirety is the absolute challenge; nutrition, sleep, illness—everything can enter the domain the week of or prior, and nothing can be left for granted. How we all roll through it and prepare for each race is a process, as any athlete will vouch, and our entire team
Read more
With living spaces becoming increasingly compact, finding smart ways to maximise storage is crucial for maintaining an organised and clutter-free home. Whether you're in a small apartment or a spacious house, there are numerous strategies you can use to make the most of your available space. Here are some top space-saving tips and tricks for maximising storage in your home: 1. Utilise Vertical Space One of the most effective ways to save space is by thinking vertically. Install shelves on wal
Read more
The Mackay Meteorettes have achieved the ultimate success in junior basketball, claiming the Under-18 Girls State Championship at the 2025 Basketball Queensland Club State Championship. After five days of intense competition, the tournament concluded at Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast, with the Meteorettes emerging as champions in a thrilling final. A standout moment came in the opening quarter, an area the Meteorettes had traditionally struggled with. However, this time, they came out s
Read more
Playing Bridge keeps you young! Joy Robinson and Joyce Deguara have been playing Bridge for seventy plus years between them. They played for the first time together after all this time as they have both had other partners over the years. Joy is 99 and Joyce 93. Who says Bridge is for oldies? These two are still spring chickens. Our beginners’ lessons commence Wednesday 12 February at 6.30pm. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never played cards before, everyone is welcome! Weekly Results Monday 6 Jan
Read more
Opening Day 2025 President Alan Dillon’s Opening Day was a huge success, with over 60 men’s bowlers participating in the event. The big winners on the day were Vic Gaudion and Col Crocker, taking out the top prize money, while Alan Leyshon and Peter Madden picked up the runners-up prize. Meanwhile, John Fry and Joe Crocker were lucky enough to have their cards pulled for the lucky door prize. Friday Winners: Chris Woo and Terry Clark continue their great form, showing that their dedication to
Read more
The North Mackay Sinkers Masters Swimming Club has been nominated for the Mackay Regional Council Australia Day awards. The club has been nominated in the community group award and is proud to be included in the 17 groups nominated in this section that are providing services to residents in the Mackay Regional Council area. This section recognises an organisation, group or sporting association for its outstanding contribution and dedication towards improving, promoting and/or protecting the live
Read more
In the Proserpine Guardian, June 30 1972, it was reported that a visiting Sydney journalist had observed that “far too many details of the bygone days have faded in the mists of memories of the oldtimers … and many of these (oldtimers) have faded into the mists of mortality.” In an effort to preserve the narratives of people from the past who helped shape the future, today the story of yet another of the Whitsundays’ colourful characters is shared – Phillip “Skip” Moody, who held the lease on
Read more
In a recent meeting between Senator Nita Green and Mayor Ry Collins, discussions centred on two new $30 million projects in Cannonvale and the allocation of $7.2 billion in funding for the Bruce Highway. One key issue raised was the prioritisation of sections along the Bruce Highway, especially given that the Whitsundays region has been identified as the most hazardous area in the recent Bruce Highway safety survey. This funding represents the single largest investment in the highway’s history,
Read more.JPG)
Hi Everyone, Rach is away for the next two weeks, so I will be taking over editorial duties until her return. The weather has been crazy recently, and as a Brit, I'm no stranger to the rain, but the tropical storms are still something I am getting used to. That said, there is something incredibly calming about sitting indoors, listening to the rain, and watching the lightning. It's a simple pleasure that helps me slow down, stay in the present moment and make time for my housemates. At the same
Read more
Lost but not forgotten, a little boy’s treasured bear was accidentally left on the bus. The scruffy but much-loved bear named Teddy spent the day on the shuttle going back and forth between Proserpine and Shute Harbour when little Liam accidentally left him behind after riding the bus with his family. Tony Snape, an outstanding member of the Whitsundays community was the driver that day and noticed the lost bear. Tony returned the bear to the Jubilee Tavern where the family could pick Teddy u
Read more
The Proserpine Junior Cricket Club was thrown a hard ball late in December, an attacking shot that resulted in the loss of the club’s groundskeeping equipment. The thief delt a heavy blow to the community and the club is shaken but club members are trying to move forward. On the 23rd of December, an eyewitness reported that they saw a person driving the club's ride-on mower across the greens with a brush cutter on their lap. This was at 2:30pm, so at the time, they thought it was one of the gr
Read more
Amid growing concerns, a group of residents came together on Wednesday, 8th January, to confront the council over the recent clearing of land around their properties. The residents say that the work was carried out without sufficient consultation, sparking frustration and a call for greater transparency in the decision-making process. Residents claimed that site inspections and a meeting with Council planners offered no reassurance. They said they were severely impacted by runoff, noise, dust
Read more
The Bowen Collinsville Enterprises are hosting a breakfast forum for all who are interested in the region's economic priorities. Three guest speakers will come from all levels of business backgrounds to help attendees get informed and learn about certain points of local business economics. The communities in Bowen and Collinsville have achieved mutually beneficial outcomes by working together with large-scale companies and investors to improve the region. This forum will follow a select few pr
Read more