Once being discharged from the Australian Army in 1968, Kevin Plumb, affectionately known as ‘Kev’, became a member of RSL Queensland. Now, Kev has committed lifelong service to RSL Queensland, being an active member since 1971, with the Sarina RSL Sub Branch. He then moved to Vice President of the Mackay RSL Sub Branch, then promoted to President. “I had a few issues from Vietnam, and my roles within the RSL gave me something to put my mind to,” he said. Kev is dedicated to veteran care and
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Simon Hood Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing GEI pricing mechanism selection for 2023 season closed at the end of April, with growers choosing overwhelming to stay with forward pricing as opposed to pool products. This is despite the Wilmar Production Risk Pool delivering growers a final price of 622/t Actual in 2021 and currently forecast at $718/t Actual for 2022 season! We have done some high-level analysis of the 2022 season now that grower pricing has been finalised for the Call, Target an
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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay It seems as though the 2022 harvest has only just finished, but the 2023 harvest will roll out in the coming weeks. Gear and heavy vehicles will already be moving around cane farming areas, and across the loco network, so it is important for the community to start thinking crush safety on the roads, and be on the lookout for harvest vehicles, and be patient if they encounter slower moving vehicles like tractors. Every year, farmers send us dash cam fo
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Orange was seen scattered across workplaces, schools and throughout the community on Wednesday, April 17 for Wear Orange Wednesday, a day to thank SES volunteers. SES Mackay Group Leader Jo-Ann Clout said the day is a reminder to the community that the SES is training year-round and are ready to go should a disaster strike. “It’s just about giving the community a heads up that there are people within their workplaces or neighbourhoods who are giving up their time to help out,” she said. “Just be
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Situated among the trees in North Mackay, Mackay Riding for the Disabled (RDA) provides the unique experience of riding a horse to those living with a disability but the not-for-profit organisation is in desperate need of volunteers to continue the service. The dedicated team of volunteers provide both recreational and therapeutic horse riding programs for children and adults with disabilities, facilitating fortnightly lessons to special schools, community groups and other participants. Coach of
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Mackay locals, long time tennis friends and valued volunteers Mavis Liddell and Pam Keune both celebrated 30 years of volunteering at Mackay Hospital Foundation last week. Ms Keune has a long history of volunteering, starting at both Friends of the MECC and Mackay Hospital Foundation after returning to Mackay from a stint in Townsville. “Our youngest was just starting uni, so I didn’t have any schools or sports to get involved in, but I still wanted to volunteer,” she said. From tuckshops to ten
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Exciting new plans are on their way for the next instalment of the Cruise Whitsundays’ Great Barrier Reef Festival which is due to take place in August. The mammoth four-day festival, from Thursday August 3 to Sunday August 6, has a jampacked program of events and experiences, sure to impress locals and visitors alike.
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For Out-Of-This-World Fostering Experience When a lack of services for pets without a family became apparent, Mackay Animal Rescue Society Inc. (MARS) was formed, becoming a haven for the dogs and cats of the Mackay region since January 2011. MARS is a not-for-profit registered local charity committed to providing animals with a second chance by taking them into loving and safe foster homes and providing them with the care they need until they find their new home. Led by President Rachael Darman
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Learn the fundamentals of art, design, and community collaboration in these 101 workshops for all makers, DIY-ers, creatives, and artists. Designed for members of the community who wish for growth in community connection and relationships, these workshops will provide creative ideas to foster connection through art and artistic
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The upcoming Australian Institute of Architects National Architecture Awards for Regional Queensland have two local buildings in the running for awards. The Hutchinson Builders construction, Proserpine Entertainment Centre (PEC), has been nominated into the Project Award Public Architecture, because of the complex’s impact on Proserpine’s community
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A lot if you take last night’s 4MK Rob’s Party at Magpies Sporting Club as an example. We had a ball with a night that we’ve never done before. Filled a room with everyone named Rob. Sure, some people were officially named Rob or Robin, or Roberta based on their birth certificate. But we had plenty more there who were given a world famous Rob name for the night, and we loved every second of it. We played a few games, gave out some prizes and we may have had a couple of drinks, but let’s not sa
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Last week this newspaper published a story on a memorial service that took place in Airlie Beach to mark what would have been Luke Gilbert’s 25th birthday.Luke sadly passed away during a police shooting in October last year.
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The mobile Breast Screen van will be making the rounds in the area from June 8, starting with Proserpine Hospital. The Breast Screen initiative began in 1991 and has since detected 25,000 breast cancers through five million breast screens.
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A mate of mine posed a question to me the other day: When did it become okay to wear those branded fishing shirts out to dinner? They’re definitely great for fishing in Queensland, with their protective long sleeves and collars but, according to my friend, wearing them out to dinner is a step too far. The question is, has Mackay changed or is my friend a little bit precious? Perhaps pretentious? My friend was born in South Mackay where, last time I checked, no one was complaining about fishing s
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Friday 26 May Marion Family Carnival Friday, 5.30pm to Sunday 9pm Get together and experience the fun at the annual Marion Family Carnival this May! With free entry, tonnes of fun rides and alley games, everyone will be entertained. Don’t forget all the food, including ice cream, fairy floss, and dagwood dogs. For $40, you can get an unlimited ride armband! Marion Church Grounds Saturday 27 May Metal Fest Relaunch Saturday, from 8.30pm This Mackay favourite is back for 2023, with two new hea
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The recently announced Havana Party Night ‘Let’s do Latin’ fundraiser night for the Whitsunday Tiny Homes Project has another massive announcement for the event. Kelly Ann Doll, Australian power burlesque dancer will be appearing as Carmen Miranda, the famous Brazilian singer, dancer, and actress who is renowned for her floral fruit headpieces and her signature outfits.
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The absolute passion and drive that fuels Wendy Downes OAM is clear, illuminating everything she does. When Wendy and her husband John moved to Airlie Beach in 1998, she brought her passion for running, cycling, and competing with her.
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A hugely successful Vision for the Whitsundays launch event last week saw over 60 attendees from local businesses eager to hear the visionary perspectives from David Littleproud MP (federal leader of the National Party), Andrew Willcox MP (Federal Member for Dawson), Amanda Camm MP (Queensland Member for Whitsunday) and Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall, all centred around driving economic growth and prosperity in our region.
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Greater Whitsunday Communities (GWC) and Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsunday (RDA) have partnered and initiated the Housing Summit to identify collaborative solutions to the housing stress being felt across the Greater Whitsunday region. Stakeholders from across the housing industry came together in October 2022 to guide the project. The first initiative in December 2022 was to hold a housing round table where the following key themes emerged from the consultation: 1. Availability
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I am pleased to provide an update on the progress of the Wilson’s Beach Swimming Enclosure.As I’m sure many of you are aware, the enclosure was damaged during Tropical Cyclone Debbie and Council has been unsuccessfully out to tender three times in an attempt to have the enclosure rebuilt.
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Get behind the control panel of a Bell 412 rescue helicopter and speak with local firefighters at the 2023 RACQ CQ Rescue Emergency Services Day, set to be a fantastic family fun day. Open for all the community in the region, there will be every opportunity to slip into the seat of a police car, get behind a rescue helicopter and get up close and personal with marine rescue boats and all-terrain buggies and vehicles. There will also be tonnes of fun family entertainment, including a jumping ca
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This was an event not to miss, with headliners Mark Seymour, Missy Higgins, Bernard Fanning, and Paul Kelly causing chaos in the audience. In the massive sold-out show, with 7,700 people attending, it was no surprise that you could feel the beat of the bass through the grass. Revellers could find Mark Seymour dancing with the crowd to Paul Kelly’s set, and had the chance to win signed Missy Higgins merch during her performance. The turnout included young and old, all enjoying the serenading vo
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At 4pm on Sunday 28 May, in celebration of the Day of Pentecost, Christians from different denominations will walk, pray and sing together. The spirited walk will follow the footpaths from St Paul’s Uniting Church, Macalister Street, to Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Gordon Street, to the Salvation Army, Gregory Street, and back again to St Paul’s Uniting Church.
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Artist Margaret O’Neill has turned full circle with her recent return to Sarina. Margaret, who was one of seven artists displaying their works at the Sarina Art Gallery during May, now lives at Campwin Beach with husband Gary, a place she where spent many happy holidays when she was young. “I was born at Townsville but christened at Sarina, and I had a lot of family from here,” she said. “I spent many happy holidays at Campwin and now we can walk the beach each day.” Margaret was a teacher for 3
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Bring Home Year 9/10 Karen Murphy Cup Star Mackay Cutters rugby league half back Brandon Finnegan is celebrating his first win of the 2023 season. The skilful playmaker coached the St Patrick’s College Year 9/10 Girls Blue team to Karen Murphy Cup success last week at the Mackay Junior League Fields to snap a lengthy personal losing streak. It has been a frustrating period for the 25 year old maestro number seven who last tasted victory in the QRL Hostplus Cup with the Cutters on August 6 las
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