Balancing Child Safety And Freedom In Library Resources The Mackay Regional Council finds itself at the centre of a heated debate concerning the delicate balance between providing unfettered access to educational resources in libraries and safeguarding children from potentially explicit or inappropriate content. The recent assertions by the "Worldwide Rally For Freedom Mackay" group, led by Tine McDonald, underscore a growing concern about the presence of what they term as pornographic literatu
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Hannah Farrar took to Mackay Crime Watch Facebook page on 28th November, but instead of reporting a crime, she reported a heartwarming act of kindness. A young P-plater driving a Toyota single-cab cruiser hopped out of his vehicle in the pouring rain. The man ran over to an elderly gentleman on a mobility scooter, who was waiting to cross the road at Sydney Street Markets. The man provided him with an umbrella to shield him, as he was being soaked by the rain. Hannah commented, “Just to see
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It's the most wonderful time of the year, right? Glitter, twinkling lights, and the aroma of Nan’s secret recipe Christmas cake fills the air. But let's get real; sometimes, the festive season isn't all sleigh bells and mistletoe. Life's unpredictability can throw us a curveball or two. The festive season is often painted with a brush of joy, but behind the glittering facade, the realities of life's financial strains echo loudly. I've found myself, much like many others, in the tightening grip
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Seven Mackay businesses have been given a helping hand to breathe new life into their building facades. The businesses have each received a grant under Mackay Regional Council’s Facade Improvement initiative, which has been in place for nine years and supports quality facade improvement works. Mayor Greg Williamson said the Facade Improvement Grant was a collaborative effort between council and local property owners and business operators. “By working together, we strive to encourage the revital
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Urban Greening Strategy Takes Root In The Northern Beaches While many residents are starting to put up their Christmas trees at home, Mackay Regional Council is planting some trees of their own in the Northern Beaches. Council will be planting 74 street trees along Eimeo and Blacks Beach roads this month. This is the first major planting project of the Mackay Urban Greening Strategy, with more to come in the future. The project supports the strategy’s vision of growing cooler, greener and more
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Grapevine Group have launched their annual campaign ‘Be Suicide Alert this Christmas’ hoping to remind everyone to keep an eye on colleagues and loved ones who might find the festive season mentally challenging. The Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac community can do their bit by downloading the Grapevine Group app which contains the sixteen warning signs of suicide. Community members can do their part by being aware of these signs and making themselves familiar with the local suicide prevention ser
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Gargett branch of the Queensland Country Women’s Association celebrated their 75th anniversary on 20th November, with a luncheon to commemorate the special occasion that comes once-in-a-lifetime. A cake cutting ceremony was held, alongside a day of reminiscence and nostalgia as members and their families looked back fondly on the seventy-five years of service that local women have dedicated to the branch.
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A special presentation ceremony took place at Banksia Scout Den in Andergrove on 27th November, celebrating the Australian Scout Award (ASA). Winners of the ASA included Scouts Avianca Johnson, Bindi Nongsra, Ebony Anderson and Logan Perkins. Scout Leader Joanne Hamilton said that all four recipients worked extremely hard to complete the requirements of the ASA and congratulated them for sticking it out. The recipients have displayed extreme persistence and perseverance, in both understanding t
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Excited Prep-Ready Kids and their families celebrated their graduation on 27 November 2023 at Ocean International. The children had all completed the Prep-Ready Kids Program delivered by The Neighbourhood Hub. Prep-Ready Kids Program is for children aged 3.5 to 5 years old and aims to prepare them for primary school. The Program is funded by the Multicultural Affairs through the Department of Environment and Science. The Program allows children to learn some of the basic skills they will bui
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Mackay Women’s Services Bring Christmas Joy To Survivors of Domestic Violence Mackay Women’s Services are a strong pillar in the Mackay region, not only offering support and resources for women facing domestic violence (DV) situations, but also an annual Christmas Hamper Drive to lift spirits in the lead-up to the festive season. For many women facing the uphill battle, these hampers are a positive note to finish off the year. Many women have children that are forced to go without when the going
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The festive season is a joyous occasion, but for many people this time of year can be emotionally and financially taxing, with stress relating to family, isolation, and securing the funds to provide themselves a meaningful experience on Christmas Day. It is paramount that people can access safe spaces to feel welcome in, so they can truly enjoy the holiday season without any pressure. If you’re feeling the pinch and doing it tough this year, read on to discover the range of free events and supp
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The holiday season should be a time to celebrate and spend time with loved ones. Unfortunately, many Aussies risk falling victim to holiday scams. With full calendars, school holidays and extra life admin taking our focus, the festive season presents prime conditions for scammers to strike. Here are three scams to watch out for! 1. Phishing scams The holidays are a busy time, and scams catch us out when our guard is down - particularly phishing scams. These scams involve impersonation of a trust
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Mackay Regional Council Libraries are revitalising the area behind the Sarina Library, with exciting plans to use the space for future outdoor programs and activities. Outdated play equipment is set to be removed over the next few weeks to make way for the transformation, with a host of other exciting projects underway around the area. A beautiful mural has been painted by local artist Steph, who is the founder of Emu Creek Art Co. Beautiful artistry has been splashed across the walls of Sarin
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A team of Sarina high school students are some of the first members of the community to set foot on the grounds of the new Sarina Hospital which is being built on Brewers Road. Executive Director Public Health and Rural Services Terry Johnson said progression on outdoor works and the establishment of gardens at the site had provided the opportunity for some community involvement which had been welcomed by all parties. “Over the past six to eight weeks, we have had a group of Year 10 students f
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The board of directors, all of whom are volunteers, of Sarina and District Community Financial Services Limited (SDCFSL), which operates Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank, recently recognised one of their own at the 2023 Annual General Meeting. Deputy Chair, Company Secretary and Chair – Business and Community Engagement are the three current hats worn by Maree Franettovich, who was recognised for 10 years of volunteer service and re-elected as a non-Executive Director with the SDCFSL board. A
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Farmers and producers in the Mackay and Whitsunday region will soon be able to learn more about the importance of integrating the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework on-farm, thanks to an upcoming workshop being held next week. Delivered by the Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (TNQ Drought Hub) in partnership with Reef Catchments, the Mackay workshop is the first in a series across the region focused on increasing ESG awareness within th
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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay THE CANEGROWERS Mackay AGM is always a time for members to come together and consider the issues that have affected our industry and our organisation across the year. This year has been no exception, as an organisation we have tackled millers on issues around milling performance across the season. For a third year in a row, we find ourselves harvesting in the aggressive heat of December, with the storm season also developing and challenging in paddock
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Located on the north side of The Leap, RDO Equipment Mackay is the cornerstone of agricultural and construction needs. With a history in farming lifestyle, the business has undergone significant transformations to reflect their diverse range. The journey began with the business under the name Vanderfield Mackay, which was replaced by RDO Equipment in 2019. The name change took place 18 months ago, solidifying their identity as a one-stop solution for agriculture and construction machinery. The
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The festive season can bring joy, but it also can intensify stress and strain. For many Australians, Christmas triggers financial worries and personal challenges, affecting relationships and mental well-being. However, with some mindful preparations and self-care strategies, you can navigate the holiday season without the stress. Financial Control: Set a Budget and Stick to it Money woes often plague the holidays. Establish a realistic budget for gifts and festivities, and avoid the anxiety of
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For more than a decade, Mackay’s Child Youth and Family Health Service has offered Early Parent Groups to support families in those early stages of parenthood. Early Parent Groups are facilitated by a child health nurse each Wednesday morning (9.30 to 11.30am) at Carlyle Community Health for new parents of babies aged 0-5 months. Topics covered over four sessions include sleep and settling, adjustment to parenting, feeding, play and development. The groups also provide a space for families to
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March 2023 marked the beginning of an exciting journey, with a unique storefront for teens, when Harper Bee opened at Caneland Central. Harper Bee focuses on serving their niche, primarily catering products designed for teenagers, with an ongoing transition to be more inclusive of both boys and girls. The passion that goes into the storefront stems from a personal connection, with Owner Lisa Versaci being a parent to three teenagers herself. She recognised the lack of suitable items in the marke
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The first chiropractic adjustment dates back to 1895. The terminology arising from Greek words cheiro (hand) and praktikos (doing or action). Prior to this, people who practiced joint manipulation were called ‘bone-setters’. Joint manipulation, or bone setting, is not the only form of treatment that is performed at Experience Healing, although it is the foundation. Chiropractor Dr. Mat has spent his previous years in the health industry as a Personal Trainer and Massage Therapist, developing sk
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Hot off its sold out 2023 UK Tour, ‘A Taste of Ireland―The Irish Music & Dance Sensation’ returns with a performance that is ‘Celtic―for this decade’. Laugh, cry and jig into the night with a show that has entertained thousands, as A Taste of Ireland returns to Mackay for the first time in 3 years. Having performed over 300 shows since 2019, ‘A Taste of Ireland’ has merged cultural traditions, modern flair, and craic galore to deliver a performance that has brought the house down night after nig
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A light dusting of rain did not dampen the spirits at Carols by the Beach which was held on the Airlie Beach Foreshore last Sunday. Hundreds flocked to the event which saw the Proserpine Citizens Band delight and almost 200 students from Cannonvale State School perform some of the season’s favourite Christmas songs. The cheeky green grinch stole the show with his mischievous antics, enticing a trail of squealing kids to follow along in his wake. The event culminated with Santa’s arrival in the
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Friday 8 December Churches Together Christmas Lunch From 12pm to 2pm All are invited to attend, with Mayor Greg Williamson featuring the launch of the Christmas Bowl Appeal of the National Council of Churches in Australia. Discussion on the issues the churches are facing especially at Christmas, and the launch of an appeal for a NAYBA social and economic impact survey and report. | $28 per person, kids under 12 eat free! Bookings essential by 12pm, 1st December at www.trybooking.com/CNDFF S
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