Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Ever felt that yoga might not be your 'thing'? Perhaps, it's precisely what your body and mind have been silently yearning for. Why not indulge your curiosity, take a step onto the mat, and discover the transformative power that yoga can bring to your life? Join us at Tranquil Yoga Mackay, where we believe in the inclusive embrace of everyBODY, offering a space for exploration, self-discovery, and well-being. More than just a studio, we are a family-run establishment with a commitment to commu
Read more
The economic development bodies of North Queensland – Advance Cairns, Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) and Townsville Enterprise - have joined forces to seek a better outcome for the region amid questions around the effectiveness of the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool. This follows the recent devastating flooding which impacted the Far North in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper last month. The collective call from these three organisations is for a review into the terms of the Cyclone Reinsuranc
Read more
As the Australian summer unfolds, garden enthusiasts are presented with the perfect opportunity to transform their outdoor spaces into a vibrant and flourishing oasis. With warmer temperatures and abundant rain in the wet season, adapting your gardening practices becomes paramount. Mulching Magic: Mulching is a game-changer when it comes to preserving soil moisture and regulating soil temperature. Applying a layer of organic mulch, such as straw or bark, around your plants helps retain moisture,
Read more
As we step into the new year, having delved into the realms of movement and nutrition, it's time to turn our attention to another essential aspect of self-care—our skincare routine. Achieving radiant and healthy skin isn't just about the products you use; it's about cultivating habits that promote long-term well-being. So, bid farewell to last year's skincare sins and embrace 2024 with these eight transformative skincare resolutions that will have you glowing from within. 1. Clean out your skinc
Read more
This is the question frustrated locals have been asking on community chat boards on Facebook this week. From bugging people at the beach to swarming doors while dinner is cooking, the problem has noticeably ramped up over the past week. It seems as though the issue isn’t selective when it comes to suburbs either, with people right across the region voicing their disgust in dealing with up to one hundred flies daily. You may think a fly is a fly, but according to the CSIRO, there are more than 30
Read more
The wet season is upon us and residents are being urged to tidy up the areas around their homes. The regional councils of Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday have once again collaborated to raise awareness about dengue fever through the Environmental Health Whitsunday Isaac and Mackay (EHWIM) initiative. Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said dengue mosquitoes, such as the Aedes aegypti species, bred in stagnant water around the home. “To prevent a dengue outbreak, it’s important to empt
Read more
By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay We have headed into 2024 seeing many growers from Northern growing districts around Cairns, Innisfail and Mossman hit hard by flooding caused by ex- Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Our thoughts are with those growers who will have suffered significant damage to the 2024 crop. For the Mackay and Plane Creek Growing districts, the harvest ended within the festive season, with mills in both districts the last to finish in Queensland as a result of challenging mi
Read more
More than $2 million in funding is up for grabs for Queenslanders to help fight feral pigs. In 2021, it was estimated that Queensland had up to 2.3 million feral pigs. They are among Queensland's most widespread and damaging pest animals. Feral pigs spread invasive plants, degrade soil and water, prey on native species, damage crops and livestock, and carry diseases. Round 8(a) of the Queensland Feral Pest Initiative (QFPI) is now open, with $2.16 million available to build local capacity for bi
Read more
One million doses of lumpy skin disease (LSD) vaccines have now been provided to Indonesia by the Federal Government, as the fight to protect our cattle industry from disease ramps up again in 2024. The final shipment of the Lumpyvax vaccines arrived in Indonesia late last month. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said aiding control of LSD in the region was a priority. “LSD and foot-and-mouth disease remain significant threats to the biosecurity of Australia and our ne
Read more
Celebrating a remarkable milestone, Wayne Carvolth stands at the helm of 25 years of unwavering dedication to Mackay Sugar. Throughout nearly his entire career, he has witnessed the company's rich history, observed its impactful community contributions, and marvelled at the steadfast commitment of its people to both the local sugar industry and each other. As we delve into his journey, Wayne shares the sweet story of his quarter-century-long connection with Mackay Sugar. “Sugar is in my blood,”
Read more
The Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce held its first B2B Brews of 2024 at Moss on Wood last week. Photo credit: Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce
Read more
Embarking on an emotionally charged farewell, Rob Bauman and Deb McLucas cast their final gaze upon Freckle Farm, a sanctuary of regenerative agriculture that has been their beloved haven for the past 14 years. On December 18, 2023, the torch was passed to a young farming family, who now calls the fertile land home, using it not just for cattle but also as a base for their helicopter mustering business. Reflecting on their journey, Rob and Deb shared, "It's bittersweet. The time is right for us
Read more
THE MECC’s auditorium, North Foyer and Lynette Denny Space will remain closed for an extended period. The rest of the MECC, including the Convention Centre, will re-open from next week. Community Services Director Janine McKay said sections of the MECC experienced significant water damage over the Christmas period during heavy storms. She said work to assess the damage and remediation works required had been undertaken since then and that process was still ongoing. “We are still awaiting a final
Read more
As the school bells chime and the back-to-school rush begins, there's no better place to gear up for the academic adventure than Little Treehouse Lane. Nestled upstairs at Caneland Central Shopping Centre, this haven for parents and little scholars alike is not just a store; it's a destination for quality, functionality, and style in back-to-school accessories. Emphasis on Quality from Trusted Brands Little Treehouse Lane takes pride in curating a selection of products from loved and respected b
Read more
A couple of things I want to touch on, as I let you drink your first of three coffees’ today, as we know this weekend will be a busy time for many around Mackay and the Whitsundays. The first one is Monday. It is the day to start the week, and I have got to say, this Monday will be special in so many ways. It is the start of school for so many kids around town. That means if for the first time, the second or the last time, emotions will be running high as we let our kids explore a new grade, or
Read more
In a heartening display of community connection, Glenella Care Centre opened its doors last week to mothers and their little ones as part of a special Mums and Bubs initiative. The event aimed to foster interaction between the elderly residents and the joyful energy of toddlers and babies, creating an atmosphere filled with love, compassion, and the magic that happens when generations intertwine. The initiative is a win-win situation, not only does it warm the hearts of the residents at Glenella
Read more
For several organisations, December was a time to finalise their year and wind down in preparation for the Festive Season but the team of helpers for Mackay Hospital Foundation were busy volunteering their time to make Christmas easier for many shoppers at Mt Pleasant Centre with its Christmas Gift Wrapping Service. Mackay Hospital Foundation General Manager, Kristi Algate said, “The result of our Christmas gift wrapping at Mt Pleasant Centre in the lead up to Christmas was our most successful
Read more
Applications for round three of Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) grants, worth about $80,000, close next Wednesday, January 24. This funding is available for projects commencing after Monday, March 4. Funds are allocated across three categories – $53,400 is available in the general category, $15,000 for young people and $12,000 for green arts. The Green Arts category aims to support initiatives that focus on environmentally based arts and cultural practice that highlights issues relating to
Read more
Carter Entertainment invites you to a night of Creedence Clearwater Revival and John Fogerty at the MECC this February. Celebrating the music of one of the world’s most iconic bands– from the songs they wrote, to the songs covered, to the songs they wrote for others. From their album debut in 1968 to their last album in 1972, Creedence Clearwater Revival was a juggernaut of phenomenal proportions. No other band has created such an impact in such a short time. There's something about Creedence
Read more
In a display of young talent and commitment, a group of athletes from Mackay Basketball's U12 division left an impressive imprint at the recent Next Gen Camp in Townsville. Congratulations to Marli Reid, Macey Egan, Audrey Walker, Harvey Geeves, Hunter Brown, Nash Novosel, Finley Philbin, Mitch Langham, Jack Taylor, and Onyx Wilson, the ten little legends who proudly represented Mackay. The Next Gen Program, renowned for introducing young athletes to the Basketball Queensland training style and
Read more
Mackay Magpies Cricket Club remain in the Dixon Homes 2023-24 Twenty20 Division Two Shootout title mix. The Magpies recently defeated Souths at the Magpies Showground to chalk up their fifth victory after six rounds and establish a six-point lead in the competition on 30 points from second placed Norths and Walkerston (24 points). Ethan Morris top scored with 47 as the Magpies (5-98) eclipsed Souths (9-97) with fine bowling performances from Rory Franklin (3-19), Craig Randell (2-12) and young
Read more
More than thirty dedicated runners laced up their shoes and embraced the challenges of the Shawn’s Summer Social Series off-season program with the Mackay Road Runners, kicking off from the Blacks Beach Tavern car park. A special salute goes to Club Captain and Race Director, Jim Ford, whose ingenuity carved out a course encompassing flat and undulating roads, sandy stretches, challenging hills, and stairways that tested the mettle of each participant. The 5km and 10km course, a two-loop journey
Read more
Get ready to swing into action as Mackay Tennis Association (located at Kippen St, right next to Harrup Park Country Club) invites you to embrace the thrill of tennis and pickleball in the upcoming 2024 fixture season. Whether you're an experienced player or just picking up a racket for the first time, there's something for everyone at the Mackay Tennis Association. Tennis and Pickleball Come and Try Day: Mark your calendars for Saturday, 27th January at 4 pm, as we kick off the season with a "C
Read more
On Sunday the greens at Mackay Bowls Club reopened to a great afternoon of Cut Throat pairs Bowls. The greens were full, with teams playing three games of eight ends. As teams dropped out, two games of four ends were played. Winners for the afternoon were: Division 1 runners up: Lucky and Karina Dunn Winners: Col Marks and Dot McNamara Division 2 Runners up: Arthur Naylor, Toni Blucher, Brian Williams Winners: Richard Bell, Julie Caban Games will continue during the week. Tuesday: Mixed socia
Read more