Scams can happen to anyone! This was the key message delivered by the Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank team during their dedicated scam awareness session at the recent 2025 QCWA Northern Region Conference. Scams work because scammers create believable stories and tricks designed to steal money and personal information. Over time, scammers have become more sophisticated, using new technology, products, services and even major events to make their scams appear genuine. Warning signs incl
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In the skies above Central Queensland, BMA CQ Rescue marked a remarkable milestone last week — completing its 13,000th mission since operations began nearly three decades ago. The landmark flight took place just before 9.30pm on Thursday, the 7th of August, when the crew was called to Moranbah to assist a man suffering multiple cardiac issues. After being handed over by the team at Moranbah Hospital, the patient was cared for by BMA CQ Rescue’s doctor and paramedic, who worked tirelessly
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Simon Hood, Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing The global sugar market has been holding steady in recent weeks, with supply fundamentals keeping a lid on prices. Brazil is now halfway through its crushing season, and analysts are forecasting production between 39 and 40 million tonnes. With that much sugar expected, commercial traders are confident supply will comfortably meet demand through to the first quarter of next year. This has left speculators largely in control of short-term price m
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Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has recorded its biggest year of planned burns to date, surpassing its annual target by more than 50 per cent. Between the 1st of July 2024 and the 30th of June 2025, QPWS carried out 637 planned burns across 968,884 hectares of Queensland’s public protected estate. The burns aim to reduce the risk and severity of bushfires, protect communities and infrastructure, and promote healthy ecosystems across the state’s parks and forests. The milesto
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Many years ago I was sitting on a ferry docked on the shores of Lake Van in eastern Turkey, near the borders with Iran, Iraq and Armenia, when two young Western women came racing towards me and asked if they could sit next to me. I had been sitting on the deck of this aquatic jalopy with a handful of other travellers and locals while the skipper waited for more people to arrive for the trip to the ancient cathedral we had come to see on a nearby island. A bus had pulled up and the two wo
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The Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre (MECC) will come alive on Saturday 27 September with two dazzling performances of Simply BRILL - a celebration of the songwriters who transformed 1960’s rock ’n’ roll forever. Starring three of Australia’s most acclaimed cabaret artists - Amelia Ryan, Michaela Burger, and Helpmann Award-winner Michael Griffiths - Simply BRILL transports audiences to the heart of New York City’s legendary Brill Building. Known as the “one stop shop” hit facto
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Residents will again have the chance to spruce up their gardens with the ever-popular native plant giveaway on again. The bi-annual event gives residents the opportunity to collect up to 14 free plants. Nurseries team leader, Sue McCormack, said staff at the Mackay Natural Environment Centre were prepared for big crowds. “We get between 600 and 700 ratepayers at the centre in the two days, which is wonderful to see,” Ms McCormack said. Among the species on offer is the Eungella Bottleb
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Cosentino Brings Magic, Mystery And Mayhem To Mackay Internationally acclaimed magician and escape artist Cosentino is set to bring his brand-new production to Mackay, promising audiences a 90-minute spectacle of jaw-dropping illusions, daredevil escapes, and close-up magic like they’ve never seen before. For a town more accustomed to footy finals and fishing weekends, this is a rare and exciting occasion. Cosentino isn’t just any magician, he’s a global phenomenon. With nine prime-time
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Fun Ways To Stay Active With Kids Staying active doesn’t have to be a solo pursuit – bringing the whole family along can make fitness fun, foster healthy habits, and create lasting memories. For parents looking to keep kids engaged while moving their own bodies, a variety of activities can turn exercise into play. Outdoor adventures are an ideal starting point. Local parks, beaches, or walking trails offer opportunities for family walks, nature hikes, or even scavenger hunts that encourag
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Fitness Cartel Mackay: Our Largest Health Club Opens This Year If you thought you knew what a gym could be, think again. Opening later this year, Fitness Cartel Mackay will be Fitness Cartel’s largest health and wellness club, delivering Affordable Luxury to every member. This 3,450sqm fitness sanctuary is purpose-built to inspire, energise, and connect. Opening in Spring this year, Fitness Cartel Mackay isn’t just another club — it’s a flagship destination redefining what it means to trai
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Friday 22nd August Crochet & Conversation 9am Drop in for a relaxed morning of crocheting, coffee and conversation with friendly Northern Beaches locals at the Beachfront Bar & Restaurant on Bucasia Esplanade. Everyone is welcome—whether you're a seasoned crocheter, a beginner, or just love a good chat over coffee. Bring your own tools or borrow from the communal box. It’s all about connection, creativity, and community. Beachfront Bar & Restaurant on Bucasia Esplanade Free Native P
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Mackay Musical Comedy Players (MMCP), the community theatre organisation that has brought audiences smash-hit productions like Mamma Mia!, Chicago, The Addams Family and most recently Footloose, is proud to present the original story of Evita, the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical that immortalises Argentina’s most controversial First Lady, Eva Perón. Driven by ambition and blessed with undeniable charisma, Eva Perón’s life reads like a script. She escaped her dirt-poor beginnings
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Kucom Theatre will shortly be holding auditions for Summer Shorts, a season of one-act plays showcasing in November 2025. Summer Shorts will feature three short comedies, including a reprise of Last Tango in Little Grimley, by David Tristram, which won Kucom two major awards at last year’s North Queensland Festival of One-Act Plays in Townsville: Best Director and Best Play. The program also includes: Bloody Actors, by Archie Wilson. A group of retired actors living in a nursing home try
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Which is Right for You? Deciding whether to rent or buy a home is one of life’s biggest financial and lifestyle choices. Both options come with their own advantages and challenges, and understanding these can help you make an informed decision that suits your personal circumstances, goals, and budget. The Pros of Renting Renting offers flexibility that buying often cannot match. If your job or lifestyle requires frequent moves, renting allows you to relocate with relative ease and withou
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Four rising talents from Mackay Cyclones Swimming Club have made waves on the national stage, earning recognition both in and out of the pool. Dakota Daniel, Ava Kearns, Isabelle Daniel, and Montana Townley recently returned from the 2025 State Short Course Championships with impressive results, while a fellow Cyclone Anisa Helou has been named as one of just 18 recipients of the prestigious Hancock Prospecting Patron Scholarship. The scholarship program, awarded to swimmers aged 13–18, provide
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SOFTBALL With just one or two weeks remaining in the season, teams are preparing for finals, with the grand final set for 13th September. The B Ladies will kick off their finals campaign next weekend on 30th August. Another tied game for the U14 teams ended in a 6-all draw between Dragons Get the Power and Angels North Jacklin Chaos. The young players have made remarkable progress since the start of the season. Dragons’ Connor Doolan got on base twice and scored each time, while Boyd Bax
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CRICKET As international cricket prepares to tee off in Mackay, local U20 cricketers are sharpening their skills and soaking up the excitement. Marcus Sammut, aged 17, reflected on the upcoming Australia vs South Africa matches, saying, “It’s really good—especially for a regional area. This hasn’t happened in Mackay before, which is awesome.” He added, “It’s inspiring to see how hard Mackay players train. We’ve got great facilities here, and hosting games like Australia vs South Africa
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BMX Mackay riders were in fine form at last weekend’s R7 & R8 of the Queensland State Series, held at the Cairns BMX Club. Competitors from across the region tested their speed and skill on the challenging track, with Mackay’s young riders producing some standout performances and claiming multiple top finishes. Round 8 Results: 11 Girls Lilly Bolger – F16:8 1st | 118:6 1st | 73:3 1st | 28:1 1st 12 Girls Ruby Soke – F17:4 1st | 119:8 1st | 74:5 2nd | 29:1 1st 13 Boys Max
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Mackay Table Tennis Match Results – 12th August 2025 **Tuesday Morning Fixtures ** Division 1 – Eagle Wings (Branko Vucurovic, Noreen Frederickson, Coral Morgan) defeated Bear Claws (Judy Zahn, John McGee, Kevin Abbott) 8-4. Kevin had a massive day with three 5 setters and saved the best for last coming back from 2 sets down to take the win over Branko 11-7. Tigers Paws (Allan Robins, Ross DeBoer, Bryan Marshall) defeated Shark Attack (Doug Dungavell, Peter Goodson, Marie Taylor) 8-4 wi
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Mackay athletics club continues to celebrate the dedication and progress of its athletes as they strive for excellence on the track. Each week, athletes are recognised for achieving personal bests (PBs), with special awards presented for every 10 PBs reached. On the 10th of August, club Vice President and Athlete Experience Officer Tammy Meyer proudly presented the latest batch of PB milestone awards. Congratulates to Blake, Dharman, Sharity, Quinn, Matilda and Marlee for their outstandi
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At Mackay Contract Bridge Club Well done to the Mackay Team who travelled to the Moreton-Bribie Teams and Pairs 2025 Congress. In an outstanding field of players, Diane Morgan, Janet Hansen, Francie Brown and Alan Brown won the Open Teams event. The second week of the Anne Hird Trophy was played on Wednesday with Andrew Canavan currently leading the coveted event. Weekly Results Monday 11 August 2025 – 8 Table Mitchell Green Points N/S E/W 1st Janelle Conroy / Terry Sheedy 1st Helen Van
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Life Publishing Group's newest staff member, Mia Galbraith, who works for Burdekin Life Newspaper is stepping up as a Burdekin Water Festival (BWF) Senior Ambassador representing CORES QLD. As part of her mission to help others, Mia, has taken it upon herself to run a Self Love Night to raise awareness for the importance of mental health and valuable funds for the invaluable work of CORES QLD. The event takes place this weekend and in the run-up Mia has shared several videos and posts online, d
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Hello Everyone, Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the 25th annual Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival—and what a treat it was! A huge congratulations to Mick, Val, and their incredible army of volunteers who made the event not only possible but truly memorable. A big shoutout also to all the participants—from overall winners Josh Ferris and Tara Sosinski to every single person who trained, showed up, and gave it their all. Dozens of local kids took part again this year, cheered on
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Calls from Whitsunday Regional Council and Mayor Ry Collins have borne fruit, with $18.9 million secured under the Country Road Connects Program to seal 15 kilometres of the Bowen Developmental Road. Mayor Collins said the funding is a long-awaited win for the region’s rural industries, residents, and road users. “We’ve heard over many years how important this road is—particularly to our rural industries, cattle farmers, the livestock sector, as well as the residents that traverse our rural ar
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Multi music award winner Jessica Mauboy will make her first Airlie Beach Festival of Music appearance this November. The much-loved Australian music legend first gained recognition on Australian Idol but in an exclusive interview with Whitsunday Life Newspaper, she said performing live is her ultimate joy. “Being able to play it live, is my ultimate favourite. So, it’s an absolute honour and opportunity to be able to do that in Airlie Beach. I'm looking forward to that,” she said. “I love to
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