Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Mackay Regional Council staff will begin scheduled maintenance of palm trees in the Mackay City Centre next week. The maintenance will start on Tuesday, June 25, in Wood Street and will include removing dead fronds, cutting away visible fruit stalks and removing seed pods. Arborists will be on site between the hours of 5am and 9am on weekdays and they will be carrying out maintenance on trees located on Wood, Victoria, Sydney, Macalister and Nelson streets, Matsuura Drive and Mangrove Road. Work
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Works on the Paradise and Webberley streets intersection in West Mackay have progressed to stage two. Mackay Regional Council have completed the northern drainage and subgrade replacement for the entire project and will commence work on the southern stormwater drainage works, subbase pavement layer and pavement widening, and reconstruction of Webberley Street this week. Traffic management will be in place and the intersection at Simpson and Webberley streets will be closed with local traffic acc
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Medical professionals are emphasising the importance for women to familiarise themselves with the signs of endometrial cancer as projections indicate a 50 per cent increase in cases by 2040. A Brisbane woman who was just forty years old at the time received a endometrial cancer diagnosis in 2021 and now shares her heartbreaking testimony, in hopes that it raises awareness for other women. In Australia alone, approximately 3,300 cases of this cancer were diagnosed last year, marking a twofold ri
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There was no rest for the diligent RACQ CQ Rescue team last weekend as crews responded swiftly to multiple incidents across the region. In a display of their dedication and timely expertise in aeromedical rescue, the first mission, initiated by Queensland Health involved transporting a male that was injured whilst operating machinery at a mine site near Coppabella. The patient was air-lifted in a stable condition. The RACQ CQ Rescue Crew then flew to St Lawerance to retrieve a gentleman with
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A 73-year-old man tragically died after falling approximately 10 meters from a bridge in Marian early Friday morning. The Mackay Regional Council contractor was working at the site when the accident occurred. It was reported that the man was on shift early in the morning, when it is believed he fell between the gap of the George L Vickers bridge, which separates the railway line and road, with his body being discovered around 3am. Mackay Regional Council CEO Scott Owen confirmed the sad news, a
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Detectives have charged two Dysart men for copper theft and equipment damage at a Tieri mine, totalling over $500,000 in losses. The 57-year-old faces multiple charges, including receiving tainted property and drug production, while the 43-year-old was charged with theft. Detective Sergeant Sheldon Livingstone emphasises ongoing investigations and urges community support in combating property crimes in Moranbah. Both await trial at Moranbah Magistrates Court. 10-Day Blitz Leads To Knife C
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At a time when big banks are cutting services, a local branch is celebrating its institution’s success in bucking industry trends, adding more accolades to its collection, and demonstrating that the customer-focused approach is a clear winner. Queensland Country Bank, a member-owned institution, is distinguishing itself in an industry facing significant challenges, recently securing wins at the WeMoney 2024 Awards, including Customer Owned Bank of the Year, Best Flexibility – Home Loans, Best
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Right now, either way, you’d be in heaven with show season going full on all this week. For me personally, you can throw me any show-bags and I’ll be set for a winning day. Set me up on the roller coaster, or any machine that spins, rolls over and goes upside down? Well, you can forget it, because I’ll be guaranteed to bring up last week's smoko if I did. No one wants to see that, or even hear it for that matter. Show season is one of those weeks that we all love. Sure, we get a public holiday
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Merrick Watts has cracked the code when it comes to ensuring his audiences have a great time. It’s a straightforward formula – ply your audience with wine, tell them hilarious stories relating to the wine, rinse and repeat. It’s simple, it works and it’s the reason why Merrick Watts – An Idiot’s Guide to Wine has been selling out shows all over the world. Local audiences can catch the show at the MECC Plenary Halls during the Mackay Festival of Arts from Friday, July 5 to Sunday, July 7. M
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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay Farmers are typically your quiet achievers. They get in, get on, and get the job done. It’s been a frustrating start to the season again. Marian Mill has been a few weeks late getting up and running, and Plane Creek has been on a delayed start as miller and workers negotiate on wages. In the background, CANEGROWERS has been in communication with unions and miller, making sure that it is clearly understood that, while worker capacity to earn a living,
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An Australian rural charity has been urgently assisting farmers who are battling increased levels of mental ill-health in recent months. Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said primary producers are feeling overworked, underappreciated and anxious. “In a recent Rural Aid study, one in two farmers said they’ve felt their mental health decline in the past year,” Mr Warlters said. “76 per cent of our farmers rated their mental health as poor, very poor or average.” “These numbers show that all i
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OPINION PIECE Returning from Western Australia earlier this week, Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox said it is now clear that this “Albanese Labor Government wants Australian farmers to flock off.” “Make no mistake about it. They have decimated our fishing industry in Queensland, they are now attacking our live sheep exports in WA, and cattle exports will be next across Australia,” Mr Willcox said. “Over 3,000 farmers, families, and children from all around Australia turned out to
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One of the good Australian sayings is that someone or something is “punching above their weight”. The term is often used to describe an ordinary looking bloke with a good-looking girlfriend or wife … “gee, he’s punching above his weight”. The phrase, I imagine, comes from the world of boxing, where fighters are restricted to a weight division. Which brings me to a local bloke by the name of Liam Paro. Born and raised in Mackay, Paro won the world title in his IBF light welterweight division aga
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Creating inviting outdoor living spaces through DIY projects can transform your backyard into a functional and aesthetically pleasing area for relaxation and entertainment. Here are several creative ideas to inspire your outdoor makeover: Cozy Outdoor Lounge: Begin with comfortable seating options like DIY pallet sofas or repurposed wooden benches with plush cushions. Add a handmade coffee table using a reclaimed crate or an old trunk topped with a custom-cut piece of glass. DIY Hammock Corn
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The last of Wilmar Sugar and Renewables’ four Burdekin mills were on track to start crushing earlier this week, on Tuesday. General Manager Operations Mike McLeod said he expected the first bin to be tipped at Pioneer Mill near Brandon just after lunchtime on Tuesday, and the first raw sugar to be produced by Wednesday. This means half of Wilmar’s mills will be in full swing by Wednesday, making sugar, molasses and renewable energy. Inkerman Mill in Home Hill was first to begin the crushing se
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Friday 21 June Magnums Bar: James Reyne - Crawl File Tour (from 7pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm – 10pm) Reef Gateway: Louisa Taylor (6pm – 9pm) Jubilee Tavern: Paul Berger (6pm – 9pm) Grand View Hotel: Tim Griffin (8pm – 12am) KC’s: Zed Charles (from 8pm) Saturday 22 June The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Blues Brothers Tribute (2pm – 5.30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm – 10pm) Reef Gateway: David Flower: (6pm – 9pm) Grand View Hotel: Freddy Martin (8pm – 12am
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Friday 21st June Guided Walks In The Botanical Gardens 10am Explore the Botanic Gardens with your Gardens Guide. Walks will differ each week in circuit and theme and are FREE to attend. Walks commence from Botanic Gardens Visitor Information (opposite the cafe) and go for one hour in duration. For more information, contact the gardens on phone (07) 4952 7300 or email botanic@mackay.qld.gov.au Botanical Gardens opposite the cafe Conversations With Art 2pm 'Conversations with Art' is a free a
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Students and teachers from a range of different Mackay regional schools gathered for the annual Festival of STEM, which proved to be a major success last Wednesday as attendees gathered to engage in the Whitsunday STEM Challenge. This initiative explores the future of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to prepare and equip generations to come with the knowledge needed to work with an ever-growing world of technology. The Festival of STEM in Mackay is in its 7th year of c
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Get ready to be transported to Sudan as you engross this next film night of morality drama - Goodbye Julia. Across the divides of rich and poor, Muslim and Christian, north and south, light-skinned and dark, Goodbye Julia tells the story of two women who forge an unusual friendship. It takes place in Khartoum during the last years of Sudan as a united country, shortly before the 2011 separation of South Sudan. Wracked by guilt, Mona — a northern Sudanese retired singer — tries to make amends fo
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On Friday 24th May, about 100 members of Mackay 50's & Better celebrated their 30th year of community social events. The party was held at Goosies North Mackay with what was described as a “lovely delicious 2-course luncheon”, with live music by guitarist Graham Day. As hundreds of photos were displayed on the big screen, club members reminisced the special events and memories had throughout the years Generous raffle prizes were gifted by Member for Mackay, Julieanne Gilbert and Chris Ashmor
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Enjoy the region’s beautiful sunny winter days these school holidays and get the kids outdoors for FREE holiday fun with Strolling Stories at the Seaforth Esplanade and Sarina Field of Dreams, outdoor board games at the Botanic Gardens and kids' activities along the water’s edge at River Wharves. Make sure to check out all the activities and follow the Facebook pages of the facilities for more information and updates. > LIBRARIES Bookings for these activities, other than drop-in days, are requir
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Gold Coast SUNS AFLW games record holder Lauren Bella is the latest to commit her future to the club, inking a long-term contract extension. The SUNS Academy product and one of two remaining foundation players on the club’s AFLW list will remain in the red, gold and blue until at least the end of the 2027 AFLW season. Her extension coincides with this morning’s confirmation that the SUNS will be returning to Mackay for a fourth consecutive AFLW season, hosting Carlton at Great Barrier Reef Are
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In a regional first, a local man of Mackay, Liam Paro, etched his name into Australian sporting history by fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a world champion in boxing on June 16. Raised in Mackay, Liam was known for his boundless energy and passion for boxing from an early age after he confidently declared his ambitions to his mother while perched on his kitchen bench one day at just thirteen years old. Liam's mother, Sharon Cortez, vividly recalls the day when her teenage son procl
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Mackay Cutters rugby league team have zoomed into the top eight after toppling cellar-dwellers Ipswich Jets 30-16 in Hostplus Cup action last weekend at BB Print Stadium. There was no stopping the home side who laid the foundations for a sixth victory this season through their rugged forward pack and slick back division. Early tries by skipper and lock Sean Mullany and young winger Brent Anderson helped the Cutters establish a 10-0 lead after nine minutes. Ipswich centre Mathew Lyons responde
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Mackay's very own Meg Harris is gearing up for the Olympic trials, backed by a recent sponsorship from Auswide Bank. Born in Bundaberg, this 22-year-old swimming sensation has captured the hearts of her hometown supporters. Meg’s journey began on the sands of Eimeo Beach in Mackay, where her passion for surf lifesaving laid the groundwork for her Olympic success. At just 13, she traded coastal life for the pool in Brisbane, determined to chase her Olympic dreams. Like many athletes, Meg faces
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