Issue #

24

A Week of Social Fun and Competitive Spirit At Proserpine Bowls Club

October 10, 2024

After a couple of weeks of suspense, the missing scorecard has been found and returned, allowing us to report that Philip Brown, John Anderson, Mary Hedgelong, and Sandy Daffara triumphed over Philip Brown, Alen Sanderson, Barry Zillmann, and Mike Harrison with a final score of 23-17. Wednesday's Social Bowls welcomed two special guests to the fold: Wayne Coonan from Ayr Bowls Club and Henny Tattum from Airlie Beach. The matches were lively and competitive, with Bruce Uhe, Barry Zillman, and Sa

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Wangaratta Bowls

October 10, 2024

Tuesday's social bowls welcomed a few visitors from Mackay, adding excitement to the afternoon games. The winners were I. Laird and T. Winter, who defeated K. Ellis and D. Walsh, while D. Retchless and Joe Paynting triumphed over Stumpy Adama. Gavin and Bron Tolcher, Robyn Stitt, and Mick Walsh had a draw with June Paynting, Mark Drummond, and Steve. Unfortunately, the jackpot remained untouched. In the Men's Competition, the Fours Final saw a victory for Laurie Land, Barry Beel, Mark Drummond,

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Proserpine Golf Club Competition Results – Week Ending 6th October 2024

October 10, 2024

The Proserpine Golf Club (PGC) enjoyed another week of excellent golf weather, with several key competitions taking place. Tuesday 1st October – PGC Vets: The Whitsunday Group at PGC The penultimate Whitsunday Group competition saw a strong field of 58 players competing in a Stableford event. Ladies: PGC ladies dominated, taking out the top nine places. • Winner: Jacqui Wall (38 points) • Runner-up: Robyn Whitham (34 points, on countback from Elaine Philpott) • Run Down: Allison McC

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Cannonvale Cannons Achieve Impressive Results In Distance Events

October 10, 2024

The Cannonvale Cannons hosted their first Distance Night of the season, providing swimmers with an opportunity to swim longer events and prepare for future meets. Distance nights allow competitors to swim up from their current event distances, making it an invaluable experience to trial and set times for future comparisons. The evening started with the 1500m and 800m Freestyle events. Congratulations to the swimmers who took on these challenging distances: Don Algie, Tiana Bell, Jax Claywor

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Transforming Senior Wellbeing

October 10, 2024

With Life In Motion Exercise Physiolgy Clinic Life in Motion is set to make an exciting appearance at this year's Seniors Expo, offering visitors an inside look at how their Exercise Physiology services can greatly improve the health and well-being of older adults. As an allied health provider, Life in Motion addresses a wide range of senior health needs, from balance and falls prevention to diabetes management, neurological rehabilitation, cardiac rehabilitation, bone health, dementia manage

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Take Charge Of Your Skin Health

October 10, 2024

Shocking statistics show that two out of every three Australians will develop skin cancer by the age of 70, and people over 55 are at the highest risk. That’s why the first 100 visitors to the CQ Skin Cancer Centre stand at the upcoming Seniors Expo in Mackay will receive a special voucher to save $20 off their full-body skin cancer examination! CQ Skin Cancer Centre is part of Australia’s leading network of skin cancer clinics, which has been operating for twenty years and conducts over 200,

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From Hardship To Hope

October 10, 2024

Mother Cat And Kittens Rescued From Despair A brave mama cat and her six kittens have found refuge with Mackay Pet Rescue Inc. after a challenging start to their lives. Last Tuesday afternoon, the mother cat, who is severely malnourished and skeletal thin, was discovered in a shed with her two-week-old kittens. The kind person who initially found the cats attempted to give away the vulnerable family to shoppers in the carpark of Petbarn in Greenfields. Thankfully, the compassionate Petbarn

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Property Point

October 10, 2024

It is pretty easy is to identify when and where my vague dislike of heights turned into a full-on, socially embarrassing fear and hatred of heights; on the 40th floor of a Hong Kong skyscraper when a very powerful typhoon hit what was then the British colony in the 1990s. The thing about skyscrapers is that they are designed to sway with the wind when they are hit by typhoons, hurricanes or cyclones. While this is a life-saving engineering feature that I celebrate, the experience of lying face-d

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Event Guide

October 10, 2024

Friday 11th October Unlock Your Potential With Toastmasters 6.45am Unlock your potential with engaging presentations, networking opportunities, and improving your communication skills. Contact eyeopenmackay@gmail.com for inquiries. St Paul’s Uniting Church Yoga At The Botanical Gardens 9am Join Anna for some blissful yoga sessions out in nature at the beautiful Botanical Gardens. These classes are FREE and will be held on the 2nd Friday of the month from 9-10am. All ages are welcomed, even

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When Was The Last Time You Celebrated A Milestone Birthday?

October 10, 2024

I’ll be doing it this weekend, because my baby brother Graham has just turned the big 50 on Tuesday this week, and he’s here in Mackay with his family to celebrate. A few months ago, I got a call from Graham in Sydney wanting to know if I would be around in October, because they were thinking about coming up to Mackay and the Whitsundays to say hello, and to celebrate an important birthday. I will be honest, I thought it was unexpected, as it would have only been a few weeks since I saw them l

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Mackay's Table Tennis Veterans Battle At Nationals

October 10, 2024

Eight Mackay veteran table tennis players were put through their paces with seven days of intense competition at the national veterans championship in Launceston. Veteran players Vince Boeske, Donna Abbott, Andrea Nicholson, Noreen Fredericksen, Robbie Richards, Goncalo Serra Gageiro, Anne Sheridan and Janice Kent had been selected to represent Queensland at the Australian National Veterans tournament held from 14 – 21 September in Launceston. The freezing temperatures did not deter these player

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Mackay SHS Senior Netball Team Shines In New Zealand

October 10, 2024

The Senior Netball Academy team from Mackay State High School recently embarked on an exciting sporting trip to New Zealand, where they competed in the International Netball Festival. Accompanied by Miss Barons and Miss Robertson, the talented team participated in three competitive game days over the course of 11 days while exploring the scenic city of Christchurch and its surrounding areas. The trip kicked off with a leisurely tour around Christchurch, allowing the team to soak in the local

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North Mackay Sinkers Whirl In Success At Whitehaven Beach Open Water Swim

October 10, 2024

From start to finish, the North Mackay Sinkers enjoyed the best that Whitehaven Beach and the Whitsundays had to offer, with so many smiles and great achievements both for the quicks and the first timers challenged by an open water swim (OWS). The last Whitehaven beach OWS was in 2019 and it took the North Mackay Sinkers a few years to consider hosting the event themselves. In 2023 the idea gelled into an event to be co-hosted by the club, as well as Masters Swimming Qld to ensure its viability.

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Labor Pledges $1.5 Million To Boost Mackay Hockey Association

October 10, 2024

Last week, Labor announced a substantial commitment to the Mackay Hockey Association, pledging $1.5 Million to improve the region’s indoor sporting facilities. This announcement nearly doubles the previous promise made by the LNP and is aimed at enhancing infrastructure and supporting the development of Mackay’s grassroots athletes, with a particular focus on fostering Olympian talent. The fund has now been fully secured and is said to be a landmark investment in the region’s sporting future.

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Mackay Contract Bridge

October 10, 2024

The Mackay Contract Bridge Club celebrated a successful weekend during the 2024 Mackay Contract Bridge Congress. The event showcased impressive talent, with Don and Jan securing the title for A Grade Team Winners, alongside B Grade pairs winners Helen and Jan. In the Walk-ins category, Sandra Morris and Annie Lynch emerged victorious, with Terry and Janelle taking the runner-up position. The weekend was a fantastic display of camaraderie and skill amongst players in the region.

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Pennant Showdown

October 10, 2024

The North Mackay Bowls Club’s ladies team claimed victory in the Division 1 Pennants in the Mackay District, showcasing their skills and determination. However, in a closely contested match against the Leichardt District champions, they were narrowly defeated by just 2 points. This result means the Leichardt Ladies will advance to the State playoffs at Club Tweed next month. Despite the loss, the North Mackay ladies can be proud of their impressive performance throughout the competition. North

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East Mackay Incident Leads To Murder Charge

October 4, 2024

Detectives from the Mackay Criminal Investigation Branch have charged a 33-year-old man following the death of a 64-year-old man in East Mackay yesterday, October 3. Emergency services were called to a Rae Street address around 3.40pm, following reports a 64-year-old East Mackay man was unresponsive. The man was later declared deceased at the scene. A 33-year-old Mackay man was taken into custody at the scene and has been charged with one count of murder. He is due to appear before Macka

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Prossie Local Delivers For Ugandan Youth

October 3, 2024

Proserpine Café owner Joanne Klose has returned from a sensational trip to Uganda and she cannot wait to tell the Whitsunday community about the trip. Joanne travelled to Uganda with 29 others with Mission Abundance to support two charities in Uganda, Kyampisi Childcare Ministries (KCM) and Bridge Christian Ministries (BCM). Mission Abundance is helping these charities by building a new rehabilitation centre, giving over a thousand people access to free health care, and supplying clean drinki

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Editor's Note

October 3, 2024

Hi Everyone, By the time you are reading this I will be on my honeymoon in Melbourne! As many of you will know, I got married in August, but with family visiting from all over the country and the world, we decided to spend time with them after the wedding, electing to have our honeymoon now instead. We have two nights in the city, followed by three nights at Hepburn Springs where we will enjoy six and a half hours of spa treatments! Indulgent? Absolutely! A big thank you to my mum for looki

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Don’t Be Lonely This Christmas

October 3, 2024

Understanding that nobody should be alone for Christmas, Whitsunday local and retiree Michael Thomas recently posted on Whitsundays Noticeboard inviting fellow locals to an ‘orphans’ Christmas party. He expected a group of people to be interested, but you can imagine his surprise when the post garnered 440 reactions and 151 comments. “It blew way past my imagination!” laughed Michael. “I'm still doing lunch for Christmas but it is going to be limited to 40 people in my backyard. “If I can m

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Labor Announce Bright Future For Bowen Jetty

October 3, 2024

Plans for the new $68 million Bowen Jetty have been revealed. The project will see a new jetty construction that will revitalise the asset and the precinct for the community. The project will see the construction of a modern jetty that has been designed in line with extensive community consultation, and that will feature a host of public amenities while honouring the rich, 150-year-old history of the structure. Anne Baker, Labor candidate for Burdekin expressed excitement about the announceme

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LNP Reveal Bright Future for Bowen Jetty

October 3, 2024

The Bowen community's long-awaited dream of ensuring the future of the Bowen Jetty has come true following a prolonged bout of advocacy by Member for Burdekin Dale Last MP. Mr Last said he was proud to have worked with Bowen’s community leaders on behalf of the community and condemned the Labor state government's delays. “For several years the Labor state government has made promises about the future of the jetty but, frankly, had failed to deliver," Mr Last said. Mr Last said that once the p

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Workforce Accommodation Issues Workshopped

October 3, 2024

By Paul Gellatly A meeting at Bowen Neighbourhood Centre last week attempted to find solutions for the workforce accommodation crisis, which is claimed to be crippling the town and surrounding region. Hosted by Greater Whitsunday Communities and Regional Development Australia, the meeting was attended by representatives of some of Bowen's major employers and sought to find ways to kickstart more workforce accommodation at a time when the shortage of such lodgings is harming the town's economic

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Police Remembrance Day Service Honours Officers

October 3, 2024

Over 30 people gathered at St Paul’s Anglican Church in Proserpine last Friday for National Police Remembrance Day. The service paid respect and recognised Australian Police Officers nationwide and international police officers. The Remembrance Day paid tribute to officers that died both in service and out of service. Queensland Police Proserpine Station Sergeant Mark Flynn spoke on the matter. “The Queensland Police Service acknowledges the years of service, commitment and integrity of reti

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Sportspark Club House Officially Opens In December

October 3, 2024

Almost a decade in the making and the Whitsunday Sportspark Club House finally has all its licences, approvals and financials in place enabling it to announce an official opening date of December this year. The $8 million site is a modern, fully equipped Club House which offers a comfortable community hub for both sporting groups and regular residents. A non-profit venue, all proceeds will be ploughed straight back into supporting sport groups and other non-for-profit groups within our communi

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