Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
More than 1000 Greater Whitsunday businesses and community groups have registered for the Greater Whitsunday Grant Finder in the past 18 months. The Greater Whitsunday Grant Finder is a partnership between, Mackay, Isaac, and Whitsunday Regional Councils and Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) to empower our regional business and community members with greater access to funding opportunities. Greater Whitsunday Grant Finder is powered by Grant Guru a grant-finding software company and helps bu
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A Haven For Kids Kool Beanz Built For Adventure And Zen Last week marked the official opening of Kool Beanz SUNS Harrup Park, introducing a cutting-edge childcare centre to Mackay. This state-of-the-art facility aims to alleviate the longstanding waitlists that have challenged parents seeking daycare and kindergarten options in the area, with two more centres planned for Mackay. Kool Beanz SUNS Harrup Park houses an all-inclusive environment and is the second of its kind following in the foot
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The opportunities available for Mackay’s Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) and commercial businesses at Queensland Mining Expo (QME) 2024 were highlighted at a business morning tea last week. The Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce’s February B2B Coffee Morning, sponsored by Mackay Regional Council, was held at the Resources Centre of Excellence (RCOE) at Paget. QME Exhibition Director Samantha Martin attended the morning to provide an overview of the QME’s 30th anniversary event. J
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Times are changing, and in 2024, interior decorating trends are breaking away from the safe confines of minimalism and embracing bold and expressive styles that celebrate individuality. While minimalism has its place, offering a clean and neutral canvas for stylists selling homes, those looking to make a statement and truly personalise their living spaces are turning to big and bold trends that command attention and reflect their unique personalities. Maximalism: Gone are the days of playing
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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay We are a month out from the next local government election, to be held 16 March. Councils and their mayors can play an important role in outcomes for farming businesses across the regions. Between the Isaac and Mackay region cane farming sector alone, that is upwards of ONE THOUSAND family farming businesses, supporting 8.3 per cent of the Mackay-Plane Creek workforce and a raft of service businesses, millers, and beyond across the regional economy.
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“Oh, my dear lady we couldn’t possibly approve you for a home loan unless you were married and you were buying a property with your husband … of course, if you know a man who could go guarantor on the loan for you that is something we might look at. But, no, we have pretty clear rules about not giving loans to the fairer sex.”This would have been the response from an Australian bank manager right up until the 1970s if a woman had had the temerity to apply for a home loan. However, times were cha
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By Amanda Wright In response to the rapidly accelerating homelessness crisis, the Queensland Government has launched a new housing plan: Homes for Queenslanders, revealing it will dramatically increase funding for homelessness responses across the state. Premier Steven Miles made the announcement last week, saying “everyone deserves a place to call home, a place they feel safe and warm.” Organisations who help Queenslanders experiencing homelessness will receive a 20 per cent increase for the
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By Hannah McNamara In the spotlight for his role as the schoolyard bully, 16-year-old actor Jordy Campbell shares his journey from 'bad guy' to screen sensation. In a Mackay Life interview, Jordy shared his interests and insights about his recent role portraying Bobby Linyette in the popular Netflix series ‘Boy Swallows Universe’. Originally born on the Gold Coast, the young star now lives in Mackay with his family. Jordy says when he’s not acting in Brisbane, he loves fishing, watching sport
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The MECC now has a plan of action for works and timeframes required to allow the re-opening of its auditorium, North Foyer, and Lynette Denny Space. Those areas have been closed following significant water damage over the Christmas period during heavy storms. The southern wing of the MECC, including the Convention Centre, is open. Council’s Community Services Director Janine McKay said the MECC had been awaiting a final report on the damage and remediation works required. She said that report ha
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After a heart-stopping escape from his cage, Henry the brave and exploratory bird has made a triumphant return to the loving arms of his rightful owner after venturing into a world with no barriers for two days. Last week, Henry's unexpected flight sent his owner Kim into a whirlwind of distress. With each passing moment, the chances of Henry's safe return seemed slimmer. Kim McLoughlin states she has had the fifteen-month-old Hahns Marcour since early this year. The day Henry made his great
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Contractors will be carrying out maintenance work at two popular playgrounds in Mackay later this month. The skywalk towers at Queens Park will be closed for three days from February 20 to 23, so that the entry sections of two tube slides can be replaced along with the anti-climb mesh ladder. The work site will be fenced off so the rest of the playground can remain open during this work. The playground at Iluka Park will be closed from February 22 until March 19, weather permitting. The work
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This could happen to you this Sunday, but I’m hoping it really doesn’t, just for safety’s sake. The reason I’ve thrown this wild idea into your mind, is because Sunday my mates at the Mackay Dragon Boat Club are doing a big charity paddle-a-thon at the Mackay Marina and they want your help. They are all paddling around the marina doing at least 40 laps, and the money they raise will go straight to Chances Op Shop and their fantastic community work, helping so many people in Mackay at this very
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Council is offering two great programs for young people to explore their love of art. Artspace Mackay and BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) are bringing free art and music to community centres as part of the BMA Kidspace program. BMA Kidspace is the gallery’s popular children’s program that gives children up to five years old the opportunity to explore and have fun with art and music with the guidance of skilled local artists and musicians. Artspace Director Tracey Heathwood said, with Artspace Mack
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RACQ CQ Rescue have formally thanked the volunteers of the Alpharho ESA gift wrappers, for endeavouring to assist Mackay wrap their festive presents, with wrapping proceeds donated to RACQ CQ Rescue. In 2022, the group donated $37,000 RACQ CQ Rescue, and at an official ceremony last Monday, the ESA announced that they raised a great $65,538, from their Christmas wrapping appeal. Marking their 20th year raising money at the Canelands Central Shopping Centre, more than 80 volunteers signed up fo
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Review by Hannah McNamara Smiles and satisfied stomachs filled the Lancaster Room at Harrup Park last Friday night as Sarah Todd returned to her hometown of Mackay and gave guests a taste of her creativity, sharing her remarkable life experiences and how her culinary career came to be. As most recognise her from appearances in two seasons of MasterChef, the well-known celebrity cook has since gained a fan base and opened up a successful restaurant based in India. She is now an inspiration, no
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By Amanda Wright A massive weekend of footy is coming up for our QCCS Mackay Cutters, followed by an NRL clash of Queensland crowd favourites with the North Queensland Cowboys taking on the Brisbane Broncos at BB Print Stadium, Mackay. The Cutters’ HPC and BMD squads will play in their first trial against the CQ Capras on Sunday before the NRL trial, and all Junior Reps will have their first home game of 2024 against the Northern Pride on Saturday. North Queensland Toyota Cowboys Head Coach T
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Photo credit: Mackay Regional Council
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In a massive signing coup, Mackay Basketball are thrilled to announce that U.S import player Sam Haiby, will join the McDonald’s Mackay Meteorettes roster for the 2024 NBL1 season. 24-year-old Haiby will head to the Sugar City in March for her first professional playing contract, following a stellar basketball career at the University of Nebraska. In 2021, the dynamic guard was named the Nebraska Most Valuable Player and earned All-Big Ten Second Team honours. McDonald’s Mackay Meteorettes
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Monday 5 February 2024 – 7 Table Mitchell Green Points N/S E/W 1st Ming Ting / Pamela Finger 1st Lorna Shuttlewood / Faye Wright 2nd David Ting / Eric Goodchild 2nd Monica Darley / Nancey Martin 3rd Helen Van Den Broek / Jan Harris 3rd Marilin Robins / Mick Robins Tuesday Evening 6 February 2024 – 7 Table Mitchell Green Points 1st Eric Goodchild / Noel Bugeia 2nd Ted Cullinan / Mary Rose Ramsden 3rd Helen Van Den Broek / Terrence Sheedy 4th Faye Wright / Marilin Robins Wednesday 7 February 202
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Emerging Mackay rugby league forward Nehemiah Wuatai-Davis can realise his childhood dream of playing in the NRL after signing a two year contract with the Wests Tigers. The rampaging 18-year-old Mackay Magpies prop is part of Benji Marshall¹s new breed of Tigers in 2024 after impressing the club¹s talent scouts with powerhouse performances in the Queensland junior development system. Wuatai-Davis, a teak tough front rower with a huge motor, was named in the Balmain S.G Ball squad that will co
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A huge weekend unfolded for Mackay Road Runners last week as they begun a parkrun last Saturday morning, followed by the set-up of the Jet Group Mackay Sports and Rec Expo held at the MECC, in which continued on through Sunday morning, not to mention their kick off of the first official Social 2024 Mackay Road Runners program that afternoon. With the outcome of a very successful weekend filled with running, sporting and other recreational activities, the Mackay region’s amazing strength and de
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Hi Everyone, Well, the election race has certainly begun! Over the past two days I have spoken directly with 26 different Local Government Election candidates, 13 from the Whitsundays and 13 from the Burdekin. It has been a whirlwind of congratulations, conversations, and off-the-record statements which of course we won’t share in these pages. What you will see this week, however, is an introduction to all the candidates and statements from current Councillors who are unopposed and will rema
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A small group of local business representatives gathered at the Whitsunday Housing Company earlier this week to discuss how they will contribute towards building four tiny homes for homeless women over 55 in Proserpine. This meeting brought together some of the inspiring businesses which have decided to step forward and offer their skills and supplies to the Tiny Homes Project. The project is being run by local charity Whitsunday Housing Company and over the last 14 months it has raised just u
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A truck rollover on the Bruce Highway, on Tuesday, February 13, caused a five-kilometre exclusion zone. The truck was travelling on the Bruce Highway on Tuesday morning, when is rolled over at Bloomsbury, south of Proserpine, at 11.30am, causing a blockage for both lanes of traffic. The truck was transporting ammonium nitrate, an agricultural fertilizer which is commonly utilised by mining industries for explosives. The exclusion zone was established following the truck leaking ammonium nitrate
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