Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Community spirit was in full swing as participants and sponsors gathered for a second annual Charity Golf Day organised by the inspiring 16-year-old, Taya Rush. Held at the Mackay Golf Club, the event raised a staggering $18,315.50 for RACQ CQ Rescue, a vital lifeline for our remote and rural communities. Helicopter services like RACQ CQ Rescue play a crucial role in providing rapid response and critical care for individuals involved in rural accidents, boating mishaps, and emergencies beyond t
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Tuesday night fixtures April 23, 2024 Division 1: Orange (Donna Abbott, Janice Kent, Geoff Denman) d Blue (Steve Whiting, Lee Brake, Will VanDeKaa) 6-5. Geoff d Steven -10, 13, -8, 5, 10. Brown (Andrea Nicholson, Barry Patterson, Vince Boeske) d Red (Anne Sheridan, Graeme Walker, George Camilleri) 7-4. Andrea d George -7, 4, 8, -6, 6. Green (Leo Gilbert, Robbie Richards, Neil Brown) d White (Mick Ruhl, Graham Brake, Mark Sleeman) 6-5. Robbie d Graham 3, 10, -8, -6, 7. Black (Goncalo Serra, I
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The Ladies Section hosted their President's event at home this past Friday, with President Julie extending a warm welcome to 60 members from district clubs, including Men's President John, Board Representative Brian, Life Member Ruby, and Patroness Eunice. The gathering was filled with laughter and spirited bowls matches. The winning team, comprising B. Jenner, R. Lloyd, and R. Hughes, emerged victorious from the day's play, while the runners up lucky card from the losers were, R. O'Donnell, K.
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Goosepond Triples was a fun packed day with 78 bowlers vying for a share in the $2,000 prize money generously donated by our sponsors Minestaff and Gardian Mortgage Choice, for a second year. Three games of 16 ends determined the place-getters with the lucky winners being presented their trophies by Denis Fisher & Ben Phillips from Gardian. Clint Zahmel from Minestaff sent his apologies. First place: Lorna Coad, Del McKelvie & Ahondy Ray Second place: Kathy Mathews, Carmel Bell & Ph
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Premiership, with Cutters captain Tahlulah Tillett saying it was disappointing to miss out on two season points up for grabs. Bears winger Ashleigh Werner was on fire, scoring a hat-trick in front of a big and boisterous crowd; one in the first half to help the Bears go into half-time up 14-4, and the final two in the second half to help deliver the 22-10 win. Bears captain Zahara Temara said "oh man, it feels good to be back in the winner's circle", especially this close to State of Origin an
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More than seventy runners and supporters supported the 6th Annual Forsyth’s Accounting Services Shawn Claydon Memorial 10km Shield and Mackay Road Runners 10km Club Championship event held at historic Queens’s Park, where valuable funds were raised for Pancreatic Cancer Research (Pancare). Special invited guests in attendance were the Mackay Mayor, Cr Greg Williamson who has opened the event every year since its inception, Ms Leanne Druery and Mr Jim Ford. Their speeches were full of compas
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By Paul Gellatly "Keep clear of the 35-tonne flamey thing in the sky," is the admonition from Gilmour Space as it begins the complicated countdown to the launch of its Eris rocket from its launchpad just north of Bowen. The Aussie larrikin but memorable phrase belies the enormous premium the spaceport venture start-up is placing on safety around the rocket's launch path, which was described in detail by Gilmour Space representatives at a special meeting of the Bowen Chamber of Commerce on Apri
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The Cannonvale Cenotaph came alive through the break of dawn last Thursday when 4000 people converged on the grassy banks to say thank you to the men and women who have given their lives to protect the freedoms we enjoy today. With a population of 7,432 according to the Bureau of Statistics Census of 2021, this incredible figure means that over half the population of the Greater Airlie Beach area got out of bed that morning to attend the Dawn Service. Photo gallery from all events on pages 4 a
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Hi Everyone, Life is a rollercoaster, and sometimes it can be a crazy ride. Often, we have thrilling highs, but sadly there are times when we all have to endure significant lows. This week our small team was rocked by the news that our much-loved Mackay Life Editor, Amanda Wright, has been diagnosed with Bowel Cancer. You can read her own account which she has bravely decided to share in her Editor’s Note on the flip side of this paper. As many of you will know, I was diagnosed with Bowel C
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When your child is injured or unwell and in need of immediate medical attention it can be distressing for both the parent and the little one who is trying to comprehend everything that is happening around them. The bright lights of the hospital, the doctors and nurses rushing back and forth, and the often-long waits can be quite exhausting for young ones. Fortunately, at our local regional hospitals we are blessed with deeply caring hospital staff and a friendly atmosphere which makes everythi
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Photo credit: Rachael Smith
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This week the award-winning Airlie Beach Festival of Music announced that proceeds of any fundraising during the popular four-day event will go straight to vital local charity RACQ CQ Rescue. Every year the Airlie Beach Festival of Music choose a charity to donate to, last year was the Tiny Homes Project and this year it will be our local rescue chopper. Festival Founder Gavin (Butto) Butlin said, “If you're going to support a charity, it's got to be the CQ Rescue - everyone knows someone who
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From rubbish on the beach to stunning works of art, there are many waterway-themed submissions being collected by the Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership for their upcoming Submerged in Our Region exhibition. Bringing together the environment, science and the arts, the exhibition will launch on 25 July as part of the Mackay Festival of Arts. Healthy Rivers to Reef Executive Officer, Jaime Newborn, said she was excited to see the diversity of exhibits being received as part of their community a
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Close to 150 uniformed soldiers of the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment (3CER) will be involved in a parade along the main street of Airlie Beach next Saturday and the whole community is invited to come and watch the spectacle. The Freedom of Entry Parade will begin at Broadwater Avenue Carpark and continue along the Airlie Beach main street. The 3CER were bestowed Freedom To The City in November 2017 to acknowledge their invaluable assistance following Tropical Cyclone Debbie. As part of the eve
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The Whitsunday region currently has five known infestations of Yellow Crazy Ants and effective measures are being taken by Council to keep these pesty protein-loving pests under control. Known to swarm en-masse, these orange-coloured ants are slightly smaller than the common green ant, but a lot more formidable. Scott Hardy, Manager Natural Resource Management and Climate for Whitsunday Regional Council said Yellow Crazy Ants are known to have eaten anything that moves – from other ants to fro
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Pau Roig You know when I actually think it just depends on the tide, because when it’s high tide the rocks and these areas are not that visible so, as you see it now, I think it looks nice. But when the tide is low, you can see some rocks on the bottom so it's not as pleasant to see. I think that it's looking good as it is now. Mark Sznicer Isn't that other beach? (Boathaven Beach) That’s imported, isn't it? Well, it depends on what tide it is, doesn't it? I mean, I've been here 12 months now
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A man in his thirties, who fell more than 20 metres from a meteorological mast at Proserpine Wind Farm on Thursday has sadly succumbed to his injuries. It is understood the accident involved a contractor who attended the work site and investigations are still ongoing as to the cause of the accident. A spokesperson from Proserpine Wind Farm said they are shocked and saddened by the death. “Staff remain on site working with authorities and supporting family and colleagues,” said the spokesperso
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Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale-Proserpine now welcomes sponsorship applications for the 2024-25 financial year from Whitsunday not-for-profit community organisations. “At Bendigo Bank, our customers and the Whitsundays community always win. Our success is based on our profit-with-a-purpose model which sees around 50% of the profits generated by our independently owned and operated Community Bank branch invested back into the community” said Community Bank Cannonvale-Proserpine Chairman Mark
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Marking my first Anzac Day as Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor was a memorable one starting with a poignant Dawn service in Bowen, where I had the honour of laying a wreath with other dignitaries and members of the community. The spirit of community and remembrance carried on to Airlie Beach, where I saluted the march down Main Street and together with Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox and Councillors Jan Clifford and Clay Bauman, we laid a wreath at Remembrance Rock. The day continued with
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Whitsunday Regional Council is currently expanding the Kelsey Creek landfill with a new cell that will increase our capacity by up to five years. While we work on this important project, some temporary changes to our waste services are necessary and as a result heavier commercial and industrial waste will be redirected to the Bowen landfill. We will continue to accept all recyclable materials at the Kelsey Creek facility. By embracing practices of reduce, reuse, and recycle, we can all help e
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New signs have been installed on the Bruce Highway, north and south of the Big Mango, announcing that the Bowen Visitor Information Centre next to the Big Mango is now a Driver Reviver location. The friendly staff and volunteers at the Visitor Information Centre are thrilled to be able to offer travellers a free tea or coffee and welcome the official title of a Driver Reviver location. Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy said the team at the information centre had provided
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This was the question posed at an invigorating event held by the inspirational people and culture specialists at Shiift last week. Part of their Thriive series, which invites women of all ages and professions to gather to share information, support and stories, the event was another insightful exploration into our lives. Interestingly, statistics show that it is people who serve others who are leading the most meaningful lives, the act of selfless service proving most rewarding. On the night,
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Tourism Whitsundays are currently preparing their marketing strategy for the upcoming winter. Marketing Manager Laura Knipe gives us an overview of what is up and coming, inviting visitors from the southern states to escape their cool winters. As winter slowly begins to envelop the southern states and our friends from down south start planning their great escape from the cold, this means travel planning all over Australia is in full swing. Simultaneously, the Tourism Whitsundays marketing te
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