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“A Fresh Take On A Timeless Classic” Comes To Mackay

A beloved family story re-imagined with original music and exciting antics is coming to the Mackay Entertainment Centre (MECC) in early May to entertain and inspire the Sugar City’s kids. A delightful production of The Wind in the Willows - the classic children’s novel by Kenneth Grahame - will go from page to stage in a joyous and masterful theatrical experience, brought to life by Queensland production company RAVA Productions.

Big Girl’s Pyjama Party Fun

Grab your comfiest pyjamas and your girlfriends and come to the Big Girl’s Pyjama Party, this Thursday, April 27. In the Soroptimist International (SI) Mackay’s 4th annual tradition, the Big Girl’s Pyjama Party hits new highs, screening 2022 movie ‘Allelujah’ on the big screen. Booking out the Mount Pleasant cinema, SI Mackay have high hopes for the 2023 event, with all proceeds to go to Mackay outreach of the Better Together Housing project.

Mackay One Of 100 Gigs

You almost need a magnifying glass to read the dates on Melbourne band Kingswood’s latest tour poster, such is the enormity of the tour. Cramming 100 gigs into a seven month window, the band are celebrating the release of ‘Home’, an album packed with sultry country music-tinged riffs, with their Hometowns tour. Sam caught up with Kingswood’s guitarist Alex Laska ahead of their show in Mackay this weekend.

A Hard Knock Life

Celebrating his 42nd anniversary, ARIA, Logie, and Helpmann Award winner Jonathon Welch AM retells his amazing story at the MECC this May. Best known as the creator of the multi award-winning ABC TV smash hit Choir of Hard Knocks, Jonathon Welch AM threads the amazing story of his life with beautiful music and stories.

Iconic Beatles’ Rooftop Concert Recreated In Mackay First

The Beatles are back and performing at the Mackay Entertainment Convention Centre (MECC) this May. Envisioning a revival of The Beatles iconic Rooftop Concert, Aussie band The Honey Sliders, will bring the best of Australian musicians, including the likes of Danny Widdicombe, Dan Mansfield, Ben Carstens, and Bos Borley in an invigorating movie projection, acclaimed to impress all audience members.

They're Creepy And They're Kooky

Mackay Musical Comedy Players, who brought you the smash hits Mamma Mia, Shrek, and Chicago, presents the original story of The Addams Family, and it's every father's nightmare! Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet young man from a respectable family.

North Mackay Ladies Bowls

Wednesday 12/3/2023: Social bowls played. Winners were: Sue Roscoe, Bev McDonald, Sheryl Cuttriss. Runners up were: Sue Hazledine, Lesley Baumgarten, Pat O’Neill. We also saw the semi-final of the Championship Triples played, with the winners to play on Thursday morning.

Quicksilver Peters And Polata Shine In

Mackay Cutters are proving a force to be reckoned with in the 2023 Queensland Rugby League BMD Womens premiership. Last Saturday at Brisbane’s Totally Workwear Stadium, Marco Peters’ talented charges again demonstrated their championship credentials by trouncing the Brisbane Tigers 48-4.

Simon Says Nathan Is One Out Of The Rugby League Box

Dynamic running is a common trait for talented Mackay rugby league siblings Kai and Nathan Simon. Seventeen-year-old Kai – who is contracted to the North Queensland Cowboys - proved a sensation at centre for St Patrick’s College last year in his final season in the schoolboy ranks. With his bustling runs, turn of speed, raw power and radar boot the goalkicking ace piloted St Patrick’s to the finals of the Confraternity Shield and Aaron Payne Cup schoolboy competitions and the Walkerston Wander

Mackay Contract Bridge Results

The final of the Queensland Women’s Selection Trials was held in Brisbane on April 3. Four Mackay members travelled down for the competition that was held over two weekends. Well done to the ladies that were selected (pictured). Mackay Contract Bridge Weekly Results

Marian Bowls News

On Wednesday March 15, the Harvest Triples were held at Marian Bowls. There were 16 teams that played two games of 15 ends. Most of the district was represented and a good time was had by all. First: Marian - Doris Fry, Judith Miller and Lyn Jackson. Second: Suburban - Ahondi Ray, Rhonda Meng and Florence Keft. Third: Northern Beaches - Debbie Adams, Lynda Leyshon and Jill Hancock. Contributed by Lyn Jackson

Mackay Bowls Club News

Mackay Bowls Club Ladies’ Section had a successful Presidents at Home day on Friday April 14 with a full green of 48 players from various clubs around the Mackay district. The games were played with good sportsmanship and much laughter was heard. After the game, players were invited to have lunch.

Sledding To Success

It’s a narrative not unlike that of the Jamaican bobsled team. An athlete preparing for a sport that takes place in the north American winter, training in tropical heat with not a flake of snow in sight. The Iditarod is the biggest sporting event in Alaska; an annual long-distance sled dog race across 1,500 kilometres, seeing teams race through blizzards, sub-zero temperatures and gale-force winds. Mackay’s Christian Turner was an unlikely late entry in the 2023 race, but the circumstances arou

Great Barrier Reef Rays To Bolster Brisbane Cricket

After two successful seasons, the Century Cricket Competitions Brisbane Senior Tournament (formerly the Brisbane Premier League) is expanding throughout the state for its third iteration, welcoming the Mackay-based Great Barrier Reef Rays. The Rays are one of two new teams to be added to the 2023 season, alongside the Eastern Comets Adelaide All Stars, with the tournament pitting 10 Senior teams against each other in two pools of five.

Dolphin Does Gold Coast

Pioneer Dolphin, Ella Bounden, travelled to the Gold Coast this past week for the Australian Age Championships. You will remember this budding star from a recent article. Ella did her club proud swimming the 50m backstroke amongst the best of the best at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre. Whilst she described her event as not going to plan, she still managed a personal best. She loved the experience and looks forward to swimming at Nationals again next year. Congratulations Ella – you have i

Exploding With Power

A Mackay Christian College (MCC) student set a box jump record at City Fitness earlier in the year while completing school-based training sessions. Standing at around 162cm, John Morano jumped 1.2m to set the record, a record that has since been matched albeit by much taller athletes than he. 13 students participated in the sessions across six weeks facilitated by Steve Eden of City Fitness Health Club.

Get Active Day in Bowen

Dangerous Canister Washes Up In Airlie

A canister containing aluminium phosphide pellets was found washed up in Airlie Beach after recent wild weather along parts of the Queensland coast last week.

Settlement Reached In 2018 Airlie Lagoon Drowning Case

An out of court settling has been reached following a five-year legal battle with the widow of a Chinese commercial airline pilot who drowned at the Airlie Beach Lagoon with his five-year-old son in October 2018.

Editor's Note

Hi Everyone,Last weekend we bought a dog.This is my first time as a pet owner and jeez this week has been an interesting learning curve!

A Sea Of Pink

An enthusiastic group of Collinsville residents have been acknowledged for their incredible fundraising efforts by being named a Mater Foundation Community Hero.

Power Signs For Cowboys

Bowen State High School graduate and Whitsunday Brahmans junior player Shaniah Power has signed a two-year deal to join the inaugural North Queensland Toyota Cowboys NRLW side.

Council Delays Planning Scheme Amendment

Whitsunday Regional Councillors have delayed their decision on major amendments to the planning scheme, citing the need for “more time” to look over a whopping 999-page document.

INQUEST ANNOUNCED In Luke Gilbert Police Shooting Death

An inquest into the death of Luke Gilbert, who was tragically killed in a police shooting in October 2022, is due to be held in Cairns in August.

What Happened To The Puma Servo?

The Puma Service Station in Cannonvale closed its doors suddenly last week with staff saying they were given very little notice before they were left unemployed.“Yes, they closed us forever, the lease wasn’t renewed,” said a staff member named Anthea.