Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
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Members enjoyed a quieter week following the busy Pairs and Teams Congress held last week. The club now looks ahead to several upcoming events, including the Life Members Pairs (Red Points), Presidents Trophy (Red Points), and the Australian Restricted Pairs. The final congress of the year will be the Del Ryan Central Teams event in November, rounding out the season with the Club Novice Pairs Championship. Weekly Results Tuesday Evening 7 September 2025 – 7 Table Mitchell Green Points N/S E/W
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A once-grey brick wall in the heart of Sarina has been transformed into a vibrant celebration of the town, thanks to a remarkable collaboration between local youth, artists, and the community. The mural, unveiled on Thursday, October 9, now brightens the exterior of the Grand Central gift and coffee shop, leaving a lasting mark on the town and the young people who helped create it. The project was led by internationally renowned Grasstree Beach artist, Donna Marie Robinson, who guided the youth
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Mackay Father Calls For Greater Awareness Of Silent Epilepsy Risk A Mackay father is urging Australians to talk more openly about the silent and little-known risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), three years on from the devastating loss of his 25-year-old son, Finley. “Fin had his first seizure at 22 and died at 25,” said Greg Smith. “He’d been seizure-free for 12 months and had just got his driving licence back. Then one day, he didn’t turn up for work.” Fin’s death shocked hi
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No one loves cyber security. 2FA, redundant backups, password manager pop-ups - it’s all annoying. Know who loves it when you don’t bother though? Yep, hackers. That’s what they’re very literally banking on (b—tards). So much of our life happens online now. For better or worse, we live in a digital age - and criminals exist there just as much as they do in the real world. Last week, I spoke at Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce’s Cyber Security Awareness event about simple, practical ways to kee
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For Saskia Macdonald, moving back to her hometown of Mackay to complete a graduate midwifery program was a no-brainer. The 23-year-old registered nurse had been living and working in Brisbane when Mater Private Hospital Mackay introduced fee-free midwifery courses. Ms Macdonald said the opportunity to broaden her skillset was all the incentive she needed to return to Mackay and her family. “Being a student is difficult financially, so having Mater pay for my midwifery graduate course has been
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In an effort to make it easier for the Mackay region to prepare for disaster season, Mackay Regional Council and Woolworths joined forces once again! Up until November 19, each of the region’s eight Woolworths stores will have a dedicated aisle end stocked with key items for household disaster kits. Mayor Greg Williamson said council had installed banners with tear-off shopping lists out the front of Woolworths stores, that customers can rip off and take into the store with them. “These shopp
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Mackay Celebrates Emergency Nurses Day In honour of Emergency Nurses Day, celebrated last week on Wednesday October 8, the Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) paid tribute to the dedicated teams of nurses who form the heart of emergency care across the region. Known for their calm under pressure and steady hands in moments of crisis, emergency nurses provide skilled, compassionate care to patients and families facing some of life’s most challenging circumstances. Whether responding to tra
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Mackay’s much-loved North Wall Recreational Area has received a major $2 million upgrade, with North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) unveiling new amenities and improved public access as part of a project designed to enhance the iconic coastal destination. NQBP Chief Executive Officer Brendan Webb said the area can now be enjoyed by the local community and visitors alike. “Today marks a major milestone for all those who love North Wall,” Mr Webb said. “After several months of constru
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Mackay Table Tennis Association Fixture Results 7th October 2025 Division 1 – Eagles (Emma Widdup, Josh Brown, Syed Aminul Hossain) defeated Lily (Robbie Richards, Will VanDaKaa, Lily Boland) 7-4 with Josh winning a massive 5 set match over Lily 15-13 Barra (Andrea Nicholson, Barry Patterson) defeated Jaguar (Anne Sheridan, Jacob Whelan) 3-2. Andrea had a big win over Jacob 11-9 in 5th set. Fish (Steven Whiting, Trent Day, Graeme Walker) defeated Gold (Vince Boeske, Geoff Denman) 10-1 unfortuna
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Spring Orchid Show Returns To Mackay Mackay’s floral enthusiasts are in for a treat this month, with the Mackay and District Orchid Society Inc. set to host its annual Spring Orchid Show at the Mackay Senior Citizens’ Centre, 58 Macalister Street, on Saturday 18th October and Sunday 19th October. Doors will open from 8am to 4pm on Saturday and 8am to 3pm on Sunday, with visitors invited to step into a spectacular display of orchids bursting into bloom for spring. From delicate pastels to vibran
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Get ready for a fun family outing and take a trip down memory lane at St Paul’s this October. Held at St Paul’s Church Hall, Macalister Street, Mackay, this nostalgic community event will take place from 9.00am on Saturday, 25th October, with free entry for all. Sample a range of traditional homemade favourites — after all, who can resist chocolate fudge and patty cakes? Stalls will feature a variety of quality fashion pieces, baked goods, sweets, books, artwork, and bric-a-brac treasures. Ga
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As a canefarmer and long-term local, I’m proud to introduce myself as the new Relationship Manager for the Proserpine region with Wilmar Grower Marketing. Having lived in Proserpine for the past 16 years, I know how much pride, resilience and effort go into every crop we grow. My husband, Rob, and I run our own farming enterprise, so I understand the seasonal pressures, business decisions and hard work that come with producing cane in our region. That experience drives my approach to this role:
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Bowen came together to celebrate a significant milestone for the South Sea Islander community, marking 25 years since the Queensland Government officially recognised their contribution to the region. The South Sea Islander people have long been an integral part of Bowen and the surrounding areas, contributing to the town’s cultural, social, and economic fabric. The celebration was a chance to acknowledge their history, achievements, and enduring connection to the region. For local families the
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The Airlie Beach community is taking action against motor neurone disease (MND) with a massive fundraising festival called The Big Freeze set to take place on 25 October at Club Whitsunday. The family-friendly event will feature a giant ice slide, live entertainment, and a full day of activities. “The Big Freeze is a homegrown Airlie Beach initiative, and we are overwhelmed by how our local community has come together as a force to make it happen,” said organiser Katrina Chaplin. Funds raised
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Locals and visitors have been very excited about the launch of the Big Mango coin by the Royal Australian Mint and Australia Post. When the Bowen Visitor Information Centre received their first quota of coins for sale, they sold out in just 43 minutes. Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy said people were lined up at the centre from 7.30am and the centre did not open until 9am. “It really was like a Boxing Day sale in the city,” she said. The good news is that the Visitor
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After last week’s fantastic carnival action, it’s back to business as usual — though preparations are already underway for next year’s event. A big thank you to the hundreds who helped make it so memorable. On Tuesday, 26 bowlers took part in three games of triples and two games of pairs. The dice decided the winner by the smallest margin, with Carol Crosbie leading Mel Fennell and Alan Pershouse to a thrilling 21–19 victory. Mel’s final bowl stopped inches before the ditch after sending the ja
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It was an exercise in military precision by the Sinkers Masters Swimming Club to move 150 people plus equipment from Shute Harbour to Whitehaven Beach for the annual Open Water Swim. Strong winds added to the challenge of transferring from the large boat to the tender and then to shore! Once on Whitehaven, everyone pitched in to erect marquees, sort equipment and prepare for the event. The Water Safety crew provided first aid supplies and ensured all equipment was up to standard and ready for u
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Brother and sister Benson and Jasmin Smith are rewriting the Queensland and Australian game fishing record books. Last week, nine-year-old Benson Smith, fishing on the family boat Lay-Low, landed a 27.95kg Sailfish on 15kg line after a 30-minute battle — a catch now submitted for both Queensland and Australian Small Fry records. Benson also has another record claim awaiting verification for a large Barracuda he caught on 10kg line while fishing with his dad off Cairns recently. Not to be outd
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It’s been another big week for the Cannonvale Cannons, with new club records, a senior swimmers’ dinner, and the first distance night of the season. First, we’d like to congratulate Tyler Bennett (13 years), who set a new record in the 25 m Freestyle with 12.52 seconds, and Tora Delac (14 years), who broke the 50 m Freestyle record in 27.83 seconds. Our annual Senior Swimmer Dinner was held this week — a special evening for our high-school swimmers and coaches. A huge thank-you to Hog’s Breath
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More than 2000 people turned out for a successful Bowen Cup Day on Saturday, enjoying a full day of racing, fashion, and fun at the Bowen Turf Club. “It was really good just over 2000 people attended, and it was a really successful day,” said organiser Emily Harvey. “We had heaps of catered marquees, perfect weather, and a great crowd atmosphere.” The event featured a Sportsbet Tomato Relay with $4000 in prize money, and Lux Whitsundays ran the popular Fashions on the Field, celebrating the b
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Bowen students are putting their best foot forward this Queensland Mental Health Week with the launch of specially designed “mental health socks.” The initiative, led by the 2025 student leadership team, will be part of a mindfulness market at the school this Wednesday. The socks are black, aligning with school uniform requirements, and feature a colourful message on the arch of the foot: “Just because you don’t see the struggles, doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Be kind always.” The message is hi
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Bowen Flexi Care In 2025, Bowen Flexi Care celebrates 30 years of dedicated support for people living with disabilities and their families across the Whitsunday region. What began as a small community initiative in 1995 has grown into a cornerstone of local care embodying compassion, inclusion, independence and resilience. CEO Elise Woodhouse said this is not only Bowen Flexi Care but for the community, participants, and staff. “I feel very proud that Bowen Flexi Care has established itself an
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After taking over management of Queens Beach Tourist Village just last year, new operators Mel and Bob Sotheringham are already gearing up for their first big milestone the Whitsunday Tourism Awards this Saturday night. “It’s our first year since we took over the park on the first of October last year,” Mel said. “This park’s done so well in the past, and we’re hoping we’re going to crack it this year.” The Bowen-based park has earned silver in both 2023 and 2024, but Mel is quietly confident
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Adventure, Simply Done Better As the Whitsunday Tourism Awards draw near, Portland Roads Sailing the Whitsundays has earned a well-deserved nomination, an achievement that owner John Linton says reflects not just their exceptional guest experiences, but a deep respect for the Whitsundays’ cultural and natural heritage. For 20 years, Portland Roads Sailing the Whitsundays has charted a unique course through Ancient Ngaro Sea Country, offering travellers the freedom to skipper their own vessel wh
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Organisation doesn’t always come naturally when you’re living with ADHD. Forgotten appointments, misplaced items, or that never-ending to-do list can create daily stress. But some practical tools and habits make life feel more manageable. One practical tool is the Eisenhower Matrix. It determines which tasks need immediate action, long term attention, delegation and deletion. Start with external supports. Visual planners, calendars, and phone reminders take the load off your memory. Many peopl
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