Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
The region’s second Finley Smith Memorial Cup was deemed a remarkable success on June 15 with over 150 attendees indulging in a full day of cricket, raffles and auctions at Harrup Park. The Finley Smith Memorial Cup served as an opportunity to bring the community together in honour of Finley’s legacy and passion for cricket whilst also raising vital funds in light of Epilepsy awareness. On February 15th of 2022, Finley tragically passed away following an unexpected epileptic seizure, thus the F
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Queensland doctors, including those in Mackay, will receive a $40,000 boost to train in General Practice under a new $20 million Miles Labor Government workforce attraction incentive scheme. The incentive will bolster Queensland’s primary care services by incentivising trainees commencing their training from 2025 and 2026, to undertake General Practitioner training across Queensland. The payment will also address some of the issues young doctors face when considering a career in general practi
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Four deserving CQUniversity students can look forward to an even brighter future, thanks to the Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank Scholarship Program. The first-year students were selected to receive the impressive scholarship, which provides not only financial support, but also lasting opportunities for students' career and professional growth, as well as personal development. CQUniversity student Jordana Kelly was awarded a $9000 scholarship towards completing a Bachelor of Business, which
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Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsundays (RDA GW) has announced the launch of the EmpowerHER Collective, a bi-monthly networking initiative aimed at fostering a strong support system for women, both professionally and personally. The inaugural event will take place on July 9 from 8.30am to 9:30am at Ocean International Hotel. The EmpowerHER Collective will include professional development opportunities and promote the Women in Leadership programs managed by RDA GW. RDA GW Chief Exe
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What started out as a typical summer’s day for the Dray family, soon took a miraculous turn where a series of events ultimately saved their son Jed’s life. Mum Courtney, had taken her three children, Jed, Gus and Daisy down the road for a swim with their cousins. As the day progressed, Jed began feeling unwell, he was a little hot and headachy. Courtney initially assumed he’d had a little too much sun. However, overnight Jed’s condition worsened and she decided it was time to take him to the h
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Mackay Regional Council’s 2024-2025 budget has included a rates increase in line with CPI with no reduction in services in a climate of escalating costs. Mayor Greg Williamson said council understood that many people in the Mackay region were doing it tough, with cost-of-living increases putting pressure on household budgets. He said council, like any business or household, was also being impacted by rising costs. “This has been a tough budget to frame, but we’ve worked hard to keep the cost
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Much is discussed about how employers need to focus on the employee value proposition (EVP) to attract staff, however on a personal level, it’s just as important for your career to know what you have to offer the market. It’s widely acknowledged there’s a general skills shortage and that it’s more acute in some industries, therefore it’s mostly an employee’s market. It’s also reported that businesses are experiencing economic challenges and there’s an air of uncertainty. How are you as an emplo
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A pioneering Moranbah program designed to equip local talent with cutting-edge electrotechnology skills is creating career pathways into the mining industry while fostering thriving communities. Anglo American – which operates five steelmaking coal mines in the Bowen Basin – partnered with Moranbah State High School (MSHS) and Major Training to deliver the electrotechnology course in the region. The course provides an entry-level understanding of electrical systems, circuitry and safety while
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Queensland is intensifying its battle against Varroa destructor by employing six Varroa Development Officers (VDOs), an Extension and Engagement Coordinator, and establishing new surveillance hives for early pest detection. While varroa mite Varroa destructor has not yet been detected in Queensland, it is currently in New South Wales and the State Government has identified that Queensland needs to be prepared for this pest. The varroa mite is an insidious pest that poses a significant biosecurit
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$2 million in funding has just been announced by the Queensland Government in hopes of managing the State’s feral pig problem. Feral pigs are widespread across Queensland and cause significant harm as pests. They degrade soil and water quality, threaten native species, spread invasive plants, harm agricultural crops and livestock and can even transmit diseases. More than $2 million in funding has been awarded with four new feral pig management coordinators appointed with a focus on investing
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CANEGROWERS Mackay urged Mackay Regional Council (MRC) to reconsider its position on the agricultural land ratings categories, as council headed in to vote on the budget earlier this week. CANEGROWERS Mackay Chairman Kevin Borg said that having spoken with MRC councillors both before - and since - the 2023-24 budget it seems that council have again ignored the inequitable rating system on rural and cane categories. Sugarcane is on the brink of a revolution that will assist this region’s econom
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Wilmar Sugar and Renewables has urged unions to seriously consider a suggestion made by the company earlier this week in a Fair Work Commission hearing that the parties meet and explore the possibility of independent voluntary arbitration as a means of concluding a new enterprise agreement on fair and reasonable terms. However, Wilmar claims that the two unions did not immediately take up the offer while the third rejected the option. The offer to meet and explore the potential of the option
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Having worked in the radio industry for the better part of a decade I have given away my fair share of holidays, but at 28 years old, I’m ashamed to say I haven’t travelled since I became an adult. Any memories of foreign lands date back to when I was living on ‘the bank of Mum and Dad’. I always thought I’d love to explore the world with ‘the one I love’ but alas, I’m in my late 20s, single as hell, and still haven’t left the country since I was 11! That’s all about to change for me personally
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One of the best put-downs of Australians came from the late former New Zealand Prime Minister Sir Robert “Piggy” Muldoon, who said that “New Zealanders who leave for Australia raise the IQ of both countries”. Meaning only stupid people would want to leave the Land of the Long White Cloud for Australia, so their departure would lift the average intelligence in New Zealand, but they would still be smarter than the average Aussie, so their arrival would lift the average intelligence here. You’ve go
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Director of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Rockhampton, Miss Leesa Jeffcoat AM was farewelled by the Diocese at a Mass of Thanksgiving at St Joseph’s Cathedral, Rockhampton followed by a Reception at Rockhampton Leagues Club as she concludes her time as Director after more than two decades in the role. Catholic Education sector leaders and representatives from across Queensland and Australia were in attendance, together with many Priests and Religious, government representatives, Catholic
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Kucom Theatre proudly presents… ‘The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race’, a comedy by Australian playwright Melanie Tait, opening on July 18 for a two-week season at Kucom Theatre. Inspired by a true event in Robertson, New South Wales – home of the playwright and The Big Potato – ‘The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race’ is a hilariously inspiring tale about women taking action to break down the long-held male-based traditions of a small country town. The famous Appleton Potato Race offers a prize of $1000
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By Dunes Harbour Beach, part of Urbex. Dunes sets a new benchmark in beachside living. Modern tropical homes will seamlessly integrate amongst tourism nodes to create a relaxed life by the sea. Located near Mackay Harbour, the new development hosted a free beachside breakfast for the community, complemented by relaxing yoga. Delicious bacon and egg rolls were provided by the Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club and kids were treated to free face painting. Keep an eye out on Dunes Harbour Beach’s Facebo
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Friday 28th June Bold Botanicals Open until 28th July 6pm The Photographic Art of Loren Vanzella - Bold Botanicals solo exhibition serves as a platform that fosters risk-taking, experimentation, & freedom of expression, enabling me to push the boundaries of my creative process & produce innovative new works. This opens doors for experimenting with surreal elements, abstract concepts, and imaginative storytelling. Lagoon Gallery, Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens Crochet & Conversation 9am
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On Saturday, 18th of May, 15 dedicated athletes from Mackay, all representing Tri-ActiV8, achieved a monumental feat at the Great Wall Marathon in China. Nikki Giles, Tri-ActiV8 Director, Head Coach and participant said, "We have a strong team spirit, camaraderie, and sense of adventure amongst us. It started as an idea and then suddenly a lot more of our tribe wanted to be a part of the journey." The team tackled various distances: two participants competed in the 8.5km Fun Run, one in the 21
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Mackay Cutters rugby league Head Coach Michael Comerford has a sharp eye for talent. When the Cutters and North Queensland Cowboys renewed their Hostplus Cup partnership for the 2024 season the respected mentor had no hesitation in drafting 18-year-old young guns Jaxon Purdue and Xavier Kerrisk into his top-grade squad. The astute Comerford was well aware of the duo’s natural ability and skill set having coached the former Queensland Schoolboys representatives during his teaching days at St Pa
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Over forty runners and supporters enjoyed the annual historical Farmer’s Long Gallop from Evans Avenue on a very breezy but sunny day last Sunday on June 23. The forty-eight-year-old event is a favourite among members for its technical difficulty in the 17km and fast out-and-back racing in the 5km. Junior champion runner, Luke Leven unfortunately missed the 17km event due to double booking himself, however, his sister, Lily showed her speedy style in the 5km coming in 2nd behind previous Jun
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Delma and George went all the way to 21 on Tuesday morning, George wearing her down -12, 9, 19, 8. Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday morning fixtures June 18, 2024: Division 1: Hawks (George Camilleri, Andrea Nicholson, John McGee) d Plovers (Delma Knight, Doug Dungavell, Bryan Marshall) 8-4. George d Delma -12, 9, 19, 8. Parrots (Janice Kent, Charlie Payne, Marie Taylor) d Owls (Branko Vucurovic, Steve Mathieson, Coral Morgan) 8-4. Janice d Branko 10, -3, 8, 11. Ibis (Tony Bowman, Noreen Freder
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Mackay product and GC SUNS AFLW defender Wallis Randell is among four players to have inked contract extensions on the Gold Coast. Foundation player Jamie Stanton, Season Eight debutant Darcie Davies and 2023 draftee Sienna McMullen have all joined Randell in signing extensions through until the end of the 2025 AFLW season. The quartet of Queenslanders are the latest players to commit to the club beyond 2024, joining a growing list of names including Claudia Whitfort, Lucy Single, Lauren Bella
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North Mackay Ladies held their finals of both the Open Club Pairs and the "B" Grade Pairs during June. In both games the lead changed throughout the games and Nug Pratt and Dot Wise were able to come home triumphant in the Open Pairs over Jean Zamparutti and Marie Duck who provided stiff opposition. In the "B" Pairs it was Hilary Jones -Rowan and Sue Hazledine who finished the game ahead of Helen Goldston and Sue Beale. Contributed By Helen Fleming
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The 2024 Mackay Bridge Club Championship Pairs were played over 3 Saturdays, (8th, 15th and 23rd June 2024) with seventeen pairs competing for the prize. This year the Club Championship pair is Eric Goodchild and David Ting. Weekly Results Monday 17 June 2024 – 8 Table Mitchell Green Points N/S E/W 1st Monica Darley / Nancy Martin 1st Pamela Finger / Ming Ting 2nd David Ting / Eric Goodchild 2nd Margaret Lane / Barbara Tait 3rd Janelle Conroy / Christine Fitzpatrick 3rd Kitty Ranson / Bob
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