Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
When I came back to work after my Christmas/New Year break in early January this year, there was a feeling that something had changed. Yes, I was fatter, older and poorer, but that happens every year after the Christmas break. It was more than that. My first open homes were frenetic, energised events with dozens of buyers ready to buy. The market had been good the previous year but nothing crazy. Suddenly it was as though Santa had snuck a message in everyone’s parcels that said, “It’s time to b
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For those ‘once-a-year’ bakers, the thought of compiling festive food can be overwhelming. But, fear not! Fun festivity doesn’t need to be fiddly. Check out these melted snowman cookies. Simply purchase pre-made cookies, dip the top in melted white chocolate and pop your marshmallow snowman on top. You can purchase an edible pen decorator in the baking section of your supermarket. TIP: It’s easier to draw the snowman faces before sticking the marshmallow onto the chocolate. Photo credit: Amanda
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Delightfully light and airy, this pavlova wreath bursts with fresh summer flavours, making it an ideal showstopper for your Christmas celebrations! Ingredients For the Pavlova Base: • 6 large egg whites, at room temperature • 1 1/2 cups caster sugar • 1 teaspoon white vinegar • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1 tablespoon cornflour For the Toppings: • 300 ml thickened cream, chilled • 2 tablespoons icing sugar (plus extra for dusting) • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Ingredients • 2 cups cranberry juice • 1 cup orange juice • 1/2 cup pineapple juice • 1/4 cup lemon juice • 1/4 cup sugar syrup (optional, depending on sweetness preference) • 1 cup ginger ale or sparkling water • 1/2 cup rum or vodka (optional) • Fresh fruit slices (orange, lemon, lime, and berries) • Ice cubes Instructions 1. In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine cranberry juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and sugar syrup (if using).
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Crochet & Conversation 9am Join a friendly group of Northern Beaches locals for crocheting, coffee, and conversation at Beachfront Bar & Restaurant on Bucasia Esplanade. Bring your own tools or borrow from the communal box. Everyone is welcome, whether crafting or just enjoying the vibe. Look for the yarn under the shade sails or inside, weather permitting! Beachfront Bar & Restaurant on Bucasia Esplanade. Century 21 Plaza Christmas Markets 4pm-7pm As a part of the Mackay Councils City Heart
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The Friends of the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre (MECC) are pleased to announce the Pathways to Performance program will be delivered in 2025, with funding support by BMA and Glencore Hail Creek Mine. Operating since 2011, Pathways to Performance is a funding program designed to assist schools with the financial costs associated with students accessing cultural opportunities at the MECC. Since its inception, the program has assisted more than 19,000 students through the payment of t
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Mackay’s City Heart will come to life with a festive two-storey light show and beautifully decorated shop windows. The City Heart Bright Lights will see a tropical-themed Christmas light show projected onto the Masonic Hall façade from the top floor of The Dispensary. Mayor Greg Williamson said this was a first for our region and would be a sight to see for residents. “This spectacular light show will run most nights from December 6 to December 14 and will be a real crowd-pleaser,” Mayor William
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Outstanding Mackay junior cricketers Myles Cochrane and George Fortescue are living the dream. Most Friday nights or Saturday mornings in the summer months you’ll find the talented 17 year olds starring for the Magpies White X1 in the Mackay Cricket Association’s Junior Under 17s competition. You’ll also find the emerging colts stepping up a class on Saturday afternoons with the Magpies’ all conquering first grade team in the Poole Cup limited overs series. The promising all rounders are two
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Mackay Magpies Cricket Club are the team to beat for the 2024-25 Mackay Cricket Association DBCT Poole Cup first grade title. The runaway minor premiers demolished the third placed Walkerston Roosters last Saturday in a one day fixture at Great Barrier Reef Arena to preserve their unbeaten status. In a reduced 25 overs per side clash, the Magpies chalked up a ninety-seven run victory and led the competition with 79 points – a staggering twenty nine points clear of second placed Pioneer Valley
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Hundreds of Moranbah school kids put their Phins up as the Dolphins brought their wellbeing team to Central Queensland schools. From touch footy drills to classroom sessions aimed at boosting self-esteem, Dolphins wellbeing and education team members visited three schools in November as part of Anglo American’s partnership with the NRL team. The partnership focuses on improving education and sporting outcomes in Central Queensland, and the sessions at Moranbah State School, Moranbah State High
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The annual Hamilton Island Triathlon and Ocean Swim was a great success last month, attracting a diverse field of competitors. Despite early morning wet weather impacting the triathlon on Saturday, the Ocean Swim on Sunday enjoyed more settled conditions for the 750m and 2km swims. Fourteen Sinkers made their way to Hamilton Island to participate in one of the swim distances, enjoying the moderate conditions off Catseye Beach. Several members, who also belong to other clubs, had already compet
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Mackay Surf Lifesaving competitors are gearing up to take on the best of the best at Sarina Beach this weekend for the North Barrier Branch Titles - the premier surf sports event for clubs stretching as far north as Ingham and as far south as Sarina. The Mackay team aims to build on recent successes at the North Aussie Champs and regional carnivals, setting their sights on claiming the Branch Championship title. Mackay competitors, from U8s to Masters, will compete across a wide range of events,
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A world-ranked ex-South American table tennis player will be passing on his talents to a new generation of Mackay players next year. After five years of regular coaching camps in Mackay, coaches Bruno and Bec are retiring and the association is planning to engage 20-year-old Neycer Robalino to conduct training next year. Neycer, who started playing when he was six, was nine when he joined the Ecuadorian national team in which he played until he was 19. He has a collection of 125 medals and 25 tr
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Mackay Contract Bridge ClubResults for week ending Saturday 30 November 2024Monday 25 November 2024 – 7 Table Howell Green Points1st Janelle Conroy - Tex Sheedy 2nd Max Holewa - Diane Holewa 3rd Diane Stokes - Edward Kliese 4th Eric Goodchild - David Ting 5th Janet Hansen - Diane Morgan Tuesday 26 November 2024 – 5 Table Howell Green Points1st Janelle Conroy - Geoff Taylor 2nd Janet Hansen - Lorna Shuttlewood 3rd Sandra Morris - Diane Morgan 4th Helen Van De
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The Mackay City Ladies recently concluded a busy bowls season with their annual presentation day, marking the end of a year full of competition and camaraderie. The day began with some friendly competition on the green, followed by a delicious roast lunch, before the presentation of awards for the 2024 season. The prestigious Val Aslette Memorial Trophy, awarded for consistency, was presented by Val's daughter, Anita, to one of the club’s younger bowlers, Emma Pash, in recognition of her outstan
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The competition season has wrapped up, and bowlers were recognised for their outstanding efforts. Clive Wales was named Men’s Bowler of the Year, while Champion Singles titles went to Chris Woo and Terry Clark. In the Pairs division, Nug Pratt and Dot Wise claimed victory, alongside the Trannore brothers, Wayne and Shane. The Triples champions were Bev Svenson, Carmel Bell, and Chris Hall, with the 2 Bowls Triples title awarded to Peter Miller, Peter Madden, and Alan Dillon, and the 3 Bowls Tri
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On Wednesday, 20 November, the Marian Ladies Bowls Club presented a generous donation of $1,000 to the Trudy Crowley Foundation, further supporting its ongoing efforts to assist individuals affected by cancer. Earl Neilson, a representative of the Foundation, attended the event to provide an update on the charity’s initiatives. This year, the Foundation has expanded its focus to include both men and women, continuing its commitment to raising awareness and providing support for those battling c
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By Hannah McNamara In the shadow of loss and the light of brotherhood, Managing Director Sam O’Neill has built a supportive network for veterans through a not-for-profit organisation, Never Alone Fight Together (NAFT). Drawing from his own experiences with life after service, Sam is on a mission to create a unique space for veterans…one that embodies the essence of brotherhood while breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and financial struggles. An eight-year Australian Army veteran, Sa
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A dramatic turn of events unfolded on Wednesday night last week when a trimaran sought refuge from rough seas in the Pioneer River, only to run aground on a sandbar and be battered by strong winds and waves. The incident occurred around 7:30 pm as the vessel attempted to navigate the river’s shifting approach during an outgoing tide and 25-knot winds. The challenging conditions holed the trimaran’s hull, leaving it stranded and partially submerged. At 3:30 am, Mackay Police contacted Marine Resc
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Battling cancer is an incredibly tough journey, but some stories remind us of just how terrifying the storms we never see coming can truly be. On page 5, you can read about Teharnee Peel, a Mackay mum diagnosed with cervical cancer while five months pregnant. Teharnee discovered a 6.5cm cancerous mass in her cervix at 22 weeks pregnant with her son, Harry. Determined to do everything possible to protect her unborn child, she began a specialised course of chemotherapy designed to be safe for pre
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A heartfelt act of kindness has brought joy to Ayuka and her partner, Pato, who recently faced the frustration of having their bike stolen… not once, but twice. Living in a foreign country, away from family and navigating a whole new language, the experience was particularly overwhelming. Ayuka first posted about the theft on social media, and was amazed by the outpouring of support they revived by the community. “Even people who didn’t know us offered to help us buy another bike,” she shared
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Mackay Regional Council will be replacing an aged water main at Alfred Street, between Wellington and Peel streets. Works began early this week (from Monday, November 25), and are expected to be complete by late-January, 2025, weather permitting. The centre parking on Alfred Street, in this section, will be unavailable for the duration of the work. While works are underway, a partial road closure will be in place, with the westbound lane (towards Peel Street) closed during working hours for the
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A Mackay mum who was diagnosed with cervical cancer while five months pregnant says she owes her life to her baby. Teharnee Peel, 34, was “shocked” when doctors told her she had a 6.5cm cancerous mass growing in her cervix while she was 22 weeks pregnant with her son Harry. Mrs Peel, who is now in remission, had been vaccinated against the HPV (Human papillomavirus) virus and her most recent pap smear results had been negative. “I went to my local Emergency Department in Mackay to get checked ou
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Visitors and residents will soon be sitting pretty in the Mackay City Centre. Starting Monday, November 25, council contractors will begin work refurbishing the timber slats on 58 seats in the City Centre. The work is expected to take about two weeks to complete, with minimal disruption to the public. Individual seats will be temporarily cordoned off while refurbishment works are underway, before contractors move onto the next seat. Council appreciates the community’s patience as it polishes up
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February 6, 2023, is a day Dylan Holmes will never forget. What began as an ordinary workday at Jennmar Australia took a dramatic turn when the worker in his 40s suddenly collapsed mid-conversation with a colleague. Without warning, he had suffered a sudden cardiac arrest - a life-threatening condition where survival hinges on immediate medical intervention. Luckily, Dylan was in a workplace equipped with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and colleagues who knew exactly what to do. With
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