Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Saturday was the first round of the Men’s Local Pennants with BBC v Wangaratta B.C. with Wangaratta winning the first round. Friday night bowls are still going strong. Monday and Tuesday it is the Ladies Four Competition with 64 ladies from different towns participating. A busy week for our club. Contributed with thanks to Joan Edwards.
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With the weather being unkind to us this past week, we weren't able to play Social Bowls on either Wednesday or Sunday. Weather permitting we will be back this week. Draw for Men's Competition Singles, Pairs, Fours and B Singles has been released. There will be an amendment to the Singles Draw as a couple of players who had nominated, were on another sheet of paper. Their games have been drawn against some of the players who had been allocated a bye in the original draw. Competition begins on
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There was some really great plays and close games on Tuesday afternoon. Winners were Bron Tolcher, Lyn Danvers, and Greg Colquhoun defeated Deb Retchless, Irene Laird, and Geoff Danvers. Merle Elphinstone, Sue Shearing, and Penny Warren defeated Robyn Stitt, Laurie Land, and Kevin Jewell. The jackpot didn’t go off. Don’t forget barefoot bowls and sausage sizzle is again on this Friday so if you can be at the club by 5.30-5.45pm. Everyone is welcome. Congratulations to our men’s local pennant
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This week saw very little golf. Fortunately, the sun shone for Saturday and Sunday morning meaning we could hold our March Monthly Medals. 78 players contested Saturday event, Clay Coles with the overall and B Grade win with a very tidy 67 Nett. Jason Bourke won A grade with a 67 Nett, closely followed by Fraser Simpson on 68. John Clark was the Runner up of B Grade on 72 Nett. C grade winner was Louis Leo on 71, getting the win from Adam Brewster on 73 Nett. Pin Shots went to John Clarke and Ma
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This week 9-hole stabelford saw Glenn Rees in first place with 23 pts c/b, second place with 23 pts was Dee Norman and third place with 22 pts was Riley Merciera. Fridays 9-hole stableford saw Scott Macleod take first place with 25 pts, second place with 24 pts was Wayne Singleton and third place with 23 pts was Andrew Gomez. Sundays 18-hole stableford was a great turnout, taking first place with 42 pts was Wayne Singleton, second place with 40 pts c/b was Glenn Rees and third place with 40 pt
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There was a constant flow of parents and students on and off the water at Port Denison Sailing Club in Bowen on Sunday with a full schedule of activities. First up ten Little Pirates went for a fun buddy sail on the Qubes with Green Fleeter Georgia and Laser sailor Luke Austin to get used to sailing further from shore and use their boat terminology. Luke, who grew out of the Optimists and has now taken up Laser sailing, is always full of good conversation and often assists the Pirates lesson
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Arthur Gutteridge, an eighty-seven-year-old resident of Mackay, has raised a significant concern regarding the accessibility challenges faced by elderly locals due to the construction of a new bus-stop area in front of Caneland Central on Mangrove Road. Despite assurances of enhanced safety and accessibility, Arthur highlights the impractical and worrying reality that many older individuals endure with the new designated bus stop. Expressing his concerns through letters to various authoritie
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As I reflect on my recent anniversary celebrations, marking a milestone in my own personal journey of partnership and commitment, it struck me—12 years of marriage is no small feat. Yet, in the grand scheme of things, it pales in comparison to the monumental achievement of SH Tait & Co, as they proudly celebrate a remarkable 100 years in business. Imagine, a century of navigating the intricate labyrinth of finance and taxation, weathering economic storms and emerging stronger with each passing d
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In the spirit of gratitude and appreciation, the Mackay Hospital Foundation extended a heartfelt thank you to Kay and his team at Muscle Garden Health & Fitness Centre. Owner of Muscle Garden, Kay Nyenuh has raised ongoing funds to support local healthcare providers and the act of generosity did not go unnoticed. Kristi, the General Manager of the Mackay Hospital Foundation, and Josh, a Senior Physiotherapist from Community Health and Therapy Services (CHATS) met with Kay last week, making a
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Locals rolled into Renegade Barber shop on Saturday morning for the Cars and Coffee meet, where car enthusiasts gathered to showcase their pride and joy and engage in passionate discussions about all things automotive. The carpark was filled with a diverse variety of cars, ranging from classic muscle, Japanese drift to sleek modern sports cars, ensuring there was something to capture the attention of every attendee. This marked the second Cars and Coffee event hosted by Renegade Barber, offeri
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Steve Jackson, Laurence Bonaventura, and Greg Williamson engaged in a spirited exchange at the Mayoral Debate hosted by the Mackay Chamber of Commerce last week. Held at Rydges Mackay, the event saw each candidate given five minutes for opening statements before delving into pressing issues facing the region, including rates, infrastructure spending, and the future trajectory of Mackay. Key debate highlights: • Pumped Hydro Scheme: Bonaventura supported the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro sche
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Mackay’s very own talented performer, Brenden Borellini has more than a decade of experience in performing for Crossroad Arts up his sleeve and a lifetime of impressive, memorable moments. Over the years he has gained the title of Crossroad Arts Ambassador and Artist in Residence, recently receiving recognition, alongside co-creators Georgia Cranko and Alison Richardson for their work on the production ‘Breathe In’ at the Matilda Awards in Brisbane. ‘Breathe in’ brought home the Lord Mayor’s A
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Police have charged a 31-year-old Slade Point man after an alleged assault of a police officer on River Street, Mackay, on February 21. Police were called to a disturbance on Nelson Street around 2.10pm where it is alleged the man became involved in an altercation with another man. The man left the scene prior to police arrival. However, officers were able to locate him on River Street where he allegedly threatened an officer with a weapon. Officers resolved the situation and, in that proces
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By Amanda Wright Amidst the pulse of progress and the hum of ambition in the heart of Mackay, Mayoral candidate Laurence Bonaventura sat down with Mackay Life editor Amanda Wright to discuss his plan for the region—a vision steeped in foresight, and an unwavering commitment to community welfare. Read more on page 7 Progress Through Transparency Laurence Bonaventura's roots in Mackay run deep, tracing back generations to a legacy of resilience and innovation. Descended from a lineage of pione
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The Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA) Sarina Branch’s centenary celebrations will culminate in a three-day Craft Expo, March 8-10, at the Big Shed, Mackay Showgrounds. Kicking off on International Women’s Day, the Craft Expo is open to the public and will feature hands-on classes with world-specialist crafters from Australia’s largest craft event series, Craft Alive, as well as displays from craft retailers with the latest supplies, kits, and equipment. Community Bank Sarina Bendigo
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Criminal charges brought by Queensland Police against anti-coal activist Coedie McAvoy returned to Emerald Magistrates Court earlier this week, almost a year after Mr McAvoy allegedly assaulted two workers at the Carmichael mine in central Queensland by forcing their work vehicle to stop and then attempting to drag the Indigenous environmental ranger from the car under the threat of subjecting the worker to “tribal law.” Mr McAvoy was arrested after he allegedly assaulted the Indigenous enviro
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Mackay welcomes a new era of medical expertise with the arrival of Dr. Wojciech Szubert, whose specialised focus on endometriosis treatment promises to elevate patient care in the region. The enviable lifestyle we often take for granted was a big drawcard for the newest member of Mackay Hospital’s Obstetrics and Gynaecology team, Dr Szubert. Dr Szubert, who is originally from Poland, relocated from the UK to Mackay with his wife and two children late last year. “My wife and I, when we were in
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New funding is now available to Central Queensland community groups and not-for-profit organisations in the Moranbah and Middlemount areas through Anglo American’s 2024 Community Grants Program. Anglo American Australia CEO Dan van der Westhuizen said the company was committed to supporting the development of thriving communities in the Bowen Basin. “The annual Community Grants Program is a vital avenue to ensure mining benefits are shared with local people, communities and economies in the
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Mackay Regional Council is hosting a Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) Showcase to highlight some of the amazing talent, vision and creativity we have in our region. This showcase celebrates the locally driven arts, cultural and heritage programs supported by RADF during the 2022/2023 program. The showcase launch will be held in the Jubilee Community Centre from 5pm to 7pm on Friday, March 8. It will feature works and project displays by Jan Ward, International Men’s Day Mackay, Lanna Mack a
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“The Federal Government’s target of building 1.2 million homes over the next five years will fall well short, if Australia’s chronic shortage of skilled trades people is not dealt with soon,” HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin said last month.
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More than two million tonnes of trade have passed through the Port of Mackay in just seven months, underlying the publicly owned port's versatility and importance to the region. The port has already clocked up 2.218 million tonnes of cargo, surpassing throughput in the same period of the previous financial year (2,070,495). North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) CEO Brendan Webb said the top three traded commodities were petroleum (1,115,656 tonnes) sugar (636,196 tonnes) and grain (2
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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay With the crush behind us, many farmers are getting to the jobs that sometimes need to be put to one side during harvest. Like taking care of Smartcane BMP accreditation and re-accreditation. There are numerous growers undergoing their five-year re-accreditations. The program has grown over the years, and now 43% of Queensland’s cane country is operated under the sustainable Best Management Practice program. It’s a standard that has been accepted by
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In an announcement that further boosts Queensland’s credentials as Australia’s emerging AgTech innovation capital, Brisbane has been named as the home of the AgriFutures evokeAG. global innovation event in 2025. Connecting the global agrifood innovation community of investors, entrepreneurs, AgTech service providers and agribusiness professionals, evokeAG. provides a digital platform and premier agrifood tech event where farmers share their experiences, startups pitch their potential, scientists
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The Lyon’s Grassland Striped Skink had not been observed since 1981 and is known only from a single locality that is heavily grazed by cattle. That is until the rare lizard was found last year for the first time in over 40 years living in north-east Queensland. In early 2023, scientists from Queensland Museum and James Cook University were tasked with the challenge of finding the elusive Lyon’s Grassland Striped Skink. The surveys were part of research by the Resilient Landscapes Hub of the Aust
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Landholder: Jeff Grech Project: Major Grants Program: Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Program Location: Sandiford, Qld Tonnes of Cane: 36,000 tonnes Sandiford grower Jeff Grech is enthusiastic about his new minimal till adjustable three row billet planter. Jeff was able to purchase the planter with assistance from the Major Grants Project under the Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Program, funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Found
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