Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Entries for Whitsunday Sailing Club’s (WSC) Ocean Dynamics and Mount Gay Airlie Beach Race Week 2024 continue to flow in and competition is set to ignite in the Trailable Yachts and Sports Boat class, while new support sponsors sign up for the popular Queensland regatta. Akin to the other classes taking part in the 36th running of Airlie Beach Race Week, numbers are growing in the Trailable and Sports Boats, which has attracted new blood. Expresso Martini is making her ABRW debut, but her
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Hard-fought matches under perfect skies resulted in medals for some of the 30 Whitsunday picklers who competed in the Qld Pickleball Tour series of events in Townsville last weekend. This relatively new sport in Australia, which is a combination of tennis, badminton and table tennis, has grown so quickly in the past few years. It now has 4,000 registered players in Queensland alone and many more social players. Bowen, Cannonvale and Mackay all contributed strong teams that didn’t exist a fe
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Sailing conditions on Pioneer Bay are now at their premium, as seen at last Wednesday’s twilight race conducted by Whitsunday Sailing Club. A fleet of 18 boat carrying a total of 133 crew sailed in a 12 – 15 knot south easterly breeze as they competed for bragging rights at the aprez-sail event back at the club. In the first race of the day, Smooth Criminal (Leo Rodriguez) timed the run to the starting line to perfection, initially leading the fleet away, but Black Jack (Blair Mitchell) soon too
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On Sunday, 25 swimmers travelled to Mackay to compete at the Pioneer Swim Carnival while two Cannons competed in the first Townsville open water swim for the season. The Cannons swam very well on Sunday despite the very chilly conditions in Mackay. The pool water was warmer than the air temperature. The Cannonvale Cannons would like to thank Coach Ken Crittenden and his Apprentice Coach, Tiana Bell. A big thank you to Kristin Pisaniello and Theresa Manning for officiating. 7 years and Under:
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May 18 Mini Roller Disco, PCYC from 10am 18 Ross Wilson & the Peaceniks at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre from 7.30pm 21 Sailability, Whitsunday Sailing Club, from 9am 25 Mini Roller Disco, PCYC from 10am 25 CQ Rescue Charity Golf Day, Proserpine Golf Club, from 9am 25 St Mary’s Bowen Family Fun Day, Location TBA, from 2pm 26 Jazz Event, Colonial Palms, from 3pm 31 Reconciliation Week – Bowen Twilight Markets, Hansen Park, Horseshoe Bay Road from 4pm 31 National Reconciliation Week Twiligh
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Mackay's social calendar sparkled with generosity and community spirit as the Mackay Mayor's Charity Ball unfolded at the MECC last Saturday evening. The event, a cornerstone of philanthropy in the region, saw more than 400 guests gather in support of two vital local charities: Grapevine Group, dedicated to suicide prevention across the Mackay, Isaac, and Whitsunday regions, and the Australian Street Aid Project (ASAP). This year’s Ball was all about celebrating Iconic Mackay – its features, his
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While the budget brings welcome relief in the form of minor boosts and tax cuts, does it fall short of addressing the fundamental issue of the widening wage gap in Australia? While households may receive modest sums weekly due to the tax cuts, the stark reality remains: the cost of living continues to soar, outpacing any marginal increase in disposable income. Not to mention, as ordinary Australians struggle to make ends meet, major banks continue to rake in billions in profit, much of which is
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As the nation eagerly awaited Treasurer Jim Chalmers' budget address on Tuesday evening, anticipation mounted over the proposed measures to alleviate the economic strain gripping Australian households. The Federal Budget unveiled a multifaceted approach aimed at easing the burden of cost-of-living pressures while steering the country towards financial stability and prosperity. At the heart of the budgetary agenda was meant to be a resolute commitment to provide "responsible relief" to Australian
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Across Australia on May 10, individuals along with schools and businesses alike participated in Dolly’s Dream to honour the late Dolly Everett, a young girl who sadly took her own life due to ongoing bullying. Inspired by the tragic loss of their daughter, Dolly's parents initiated anti-bullying measures, aiming to empower and educate communities on kindness and bullying prevention which has since sparked a nationwide movement against bullying. Mackay locals, students, teachers and businesses
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They are the heart and soul of the healthcare system and last Friday Mackay Hospital and Health Service recognised the care, commitment and compassion delivered by nurses across the region. International Nurses Day is celebrated on May 12 each year on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. The annual Mackay HHS International Nurses Day Awards acknowledged nurses for their vital roles in our communities and dedication to achieving health outcomes for patients. There were more than
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Krystal DeMaid, a determined 23-year-old Wheelchair Basketball player has been recognised for her talent, by being selected to play for the Comets Women’s National League Team. Despite having a background in netball, Krystal decided to take up basketball in 2022 and instantly fell in love with the sport. She then began to take it to the next level and joined the Mackay Machines last year in 2023. With the guidance of her coach, she embraced the challenges and pushed herself to achieve greater
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The announcement by former Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker that she is running as the Labor candidate for Burdekin is both disappointing and damning for the Queensland mining industry, Energy Resources Queensland (ERQ) said in a statement last week. “Last week’s hurried announcement highlights what we have said all along – Anne Baker needed a headline to leverage herself into State Parliament and that is why she concocted the save Glenden announcement,” ERQ spokesperson Paul Turner said
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Mackay Regional Council has approved a $7500 Community Grant to help fund a program aimed at reducing incidents of road crashes involving Indigenous youth. Clontarf's Mackay L-2-P Driving Program aims to help more than 40 disadvantaged young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males who face barriers in obtaining driver education and a licence. The grant was one of 15 Community Grants and 16 Small Equipment Grants approved to the value of $175,353. Mayor Greg Williamson said council was please
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Last Friday, students and teachers from St Joseph's Catholic Primary School joined in the nationwide event of National Walk Safely to School Day. This initiative, celebrated in primary schools across Australia, aims to promote a healthier, more active lifestyle among children by integrating walking into their daily routines. Principal of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Deb Mallet said it was a fabulous turnout. For the third time, St Joseph’s students, staff, parents and friends participa
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Mackay Airport has launched a new $25,000 initiative to support local sporting clubs. Five deserving not-for-profit groups will receive $5000 each as part of the Mackay Airport Local Community Sports Grants campaign. Nominations opened on Wednesday 8th of May and will close on Thursday 23 May. Mackay Airport Head of Operations Adrian Miles said the new initiative recognised the significance and wide-ranging benefits of Mackay’s local sporting culture, particularly for school-aged children. “W
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In April 2024, the prestigious WIDA (World Irish Dance Association) World Championships took place in Belgium, providing a platform for Irish dancers worldwide to showcase their skills. The championship spanned approximately five days, beginning with the Grade Feis, followed by team events and later concluded in The World Championships. Isabella Cummins, also known as Issey, began dancing at the age of 2. Since then, she has flourished into a phenomenal talent and is now a seven-year-old with a
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Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton, the Most Reverend, Michael McCarthy, has announced the appointment of Mr Michael McCusker as the new Director of Catholic Education for the Rockhampton Diocese effective from 1 July 2024. The appointment of Mr McCusker follows the announcement by current Director Miss Leesa Jeffcoat, that after 23 years she will be concluding her time in the role at the end of 2024 and will be on leave from 1 July 2024. In congratulating and welcoming Mr McCuske
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Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) has suspended Harbour Road Medical in Mackay for six months due to substandard spirometry testing, affecting 135 coal mine workers. RSHQ's Director of Health Strategy and Compliance, Patrick Jensen, emphasised the importance of maintaining high-quality medical screening to protect workers' health and safety, especially in light of past incidents like the re-identification of black lung disease in Queensland in 2015. The state's resources regulator,
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A military vehicle careened into chaos at a petrol station in North Queensland, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. It was reported by emergency services that at 5:15pm on Tuesday, authorities including police, firefighters and ambulance were called to the Ampol station situated on the Bruce Highway in Sarina, just south of Mackay. Quick action from station personnel prevented any fuel spills, averting any potential risks of environmental disaster. Shocked residents took to a popula
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A captivating celestial display unfolded as the aurora australis, commonly known as the southern lights, adorned the skies across the country with stunning hues of pink, green, and blue. This rare spectacle, triggered by a severe geomagnetic storm, marked the first such event in Australia since 2003, captivating observers across the country. The mesmerising light show, fuelled by sun-emitted plasma and solar flares in four distinct "coronal mass ejections," cast its brilliance over two consecut
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In a first for the local area, Mackay Regional Council will recruit the help of two very clever canines to detect water leaks. Don’t worry, council hasn’t gone barking mad, Bubbles and Splash from NTS Group are two highly trained spaniels able to sniff out potential water leaks. Together with the help of their diligent handlers they will cover approximately 63 kilometres of water mains in the City Centre precinct, South Mackay and East Mackay areas over the next two weeks. Besides being adorable
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Mackay audiences will be treated to an inspiring production The Peasant Prince this June as part of the DBCT Kids’ Theatre Season. Based on the incredible story of Mao’s Last Dancer, the autobiography of Li Cunxin and a major motion picture, the play is aimed at audiences aged seven to twelve years of age. Following the successful performances of Possum Magic and Edward the Emu, the award-winning theatre company Monkey Baa is thrilled to bring the production The Peasant Prince to Mackay, pres
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You don’t get a second chance at making a first impression. I can’t claim that as an original saying but it sums up one of the most important things to consider when selling a property. It is one of the big points of discussion I regularly have with sellers as they try to work out how much time, effort and money they need to put in to get their property ready for sale. The obvious point is that you only put money into something that is going to give you a significantly better return than the amo
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In today's environmentally conscious world, optimising your home's energy efficiency isn't just about reducing your carbon footprint, it's also about saving money and enhancing comfort. With a range of upgrades available, here are some efficient ways to transform your home into an eco-friendly space without sacrificing style or functionality: Led Lighting: Start by replacing outdated incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED lights. LED bulbs consume less energy, last longer, and emit less h
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A brighter future for Queensland’s sugarcane industry was the focus as more than 100 growers and industry leaders gathered in Mackay last week for the inaugural Sugar Cubed conference. The two-day event featured a lineup of expert speakers, many at the forefront of innovations in the sugarcane industry and the Australian bioeconomy. Jet Zero CEO Ed Mason, Qantas Head of Sustainable Aviation Fuel Graeme Potger, KPMG Origins CEO Laszlo Peter, Coca Cola’s Head of Sugar Procurement Pete Greenwell, a
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