Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Council would like to advise residents in parts of Eimeo in the Northern Beaches area that their bin collection day will be changing. The change will take place on Tuesday, October 14, with both the general waste and recycling bins being collected on this day. Collection day is required to change due to population growth in the area and, as such, needs to change to fit in with the schedule to ensure all bins are collected. Residents affected have been notified via mail advising of the change o
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By Joseph Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay For decades, irrigation was a critical tool for farmers striving to boost yields and weather the region’s subtropical climate. Mackay enjoys a relatively high annual rainfall; however, the timing and distribution of rain can be unpredictable. Extended dry spells or inconsistent rainfall can stress crops, reducing yields and affecting sugar content. Recent years have seen a noticeable decline in the use of irrigation on sugarcane land throughout Macka
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Queensland families have shown overwhelming support for the Government’s Play On! Sports Vouchers program, with the first round now closed. The initiative, which provides vouchers valued at up to $200, was designed to ease cost of living pressures while encouraging more young Queenslanders to get active in sport. The Government has committed $62.5 million each year for four years to fund the program, ensuring families across the state can access financial support for children aged between five
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The Government has launched the Empowering Queensland Women (EQW) program, a new grants initiative designed to strengthen women’s economic security and create lasting opportunities across the state. The program will be delivered across two rounds, with a total of $540,000 in funding available. Round one offers $270,000 in grants, with eligible organisations able to apply for up to $10,000 each. Funding will support projects that focus on financial literacy, training programs, leadership develop
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The Queensland Police Service (QPS) is urging all road users to take extra care as October marks the start of Motorcycle Awareness Month. In just 24 hours alone, two motorcyclists in Queensland tragically lost their lives in separate crashes, bringing the total number of motorcycle fatalities in the state to 46, this year. Riders remain among the most vulnerable road users, with even minor mistakes by others often resulting in life-changing injuries or death. Inspector Gareth Bosley, of QPS’s
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Cyclones, bushfires and floods can hit with little warning, which is why Mackay Regional Council is urging residents to take steps to be prepared. This year’s Disaster Ready Saturday has doubled in size, with a new event being introduced in Sarina alongside the long-running Mackay program. The Mackay event will run on Saturday, the 11th of October, from 9am to 1pm at Caneland Central, outside Peter Alexander. A week later, Sarina residents will have their turn when the event comes to Sarina Be
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Producers and agribusinesses across the Greater Whitsunday region are being offered the chance to upskill in some of agriculture’s most exciting technologies, with 35 fully funded training places now available through TAFE Queensland. The initiative, known as the Greater Whitsunday AgTech Ready - Skills Sponsorship Program, is supported by the Greater Whitsunday Regional Jobs Committee in collaboration with the Greater Whitsunday AgTech Hub. The program has been designed to equip local producer
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A Family Legacy in Mackay’s Real Estate Scene When it comes to real estate, the Hall and Francis families are proof that some callings are just meant to be. Spanning three generations and more than six decades, their rich family legacy and journey details a story of persistence, innovation, and an honest commitment to people. Over the years, the family have grown and evolved their business from cars and insurance in the 1960s to today’s dynamic property market to serve the community with a stro
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Pioneer Nursing Services has been a cornerstone of the Mackay Shire for many years and hopes to soon become the first choice in disability care through setting new standards for holistic support and environment. With an extremely dedicated and caring team, the Brisbane Street home care provider fosters inclusivity, innovation, and a sense of belonging each and every day to greatly benefit the lives of their clients, their families and the broader community. Pioneer Nursing Services’ Founder an
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Jim Brown, Sales Consultant At Hugh Reilly Real Estate For Jim Kenneth Brown, real estate isn’t about flashy deals. It’s about people, principles, and delivering the best possible outcome. After 20 years with Hugh Reilly Real Estate, he’s known for his straight-talking honesty, steady nature, and the kind of integrity you can’t fake.Born in Ipswich and raised on a hardworking family farm, Jims’ journey to real estate was one of purpose, and perseverance. From serving nine years in the Royal Aust
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Why Saunas And Contrast Therapy Boost More Than Muscles By Michael James – Fitness Industry Professional, Facility Owner & Wellness CoachIn the fitness world, training gets all the attention. Lifting heavier, running faster, pushing harder. But here’s the truth: performance and results don’t come from training alone — they come from recovery. That’s why at Fitness Cartel Mackay, we’ve invested in a state-of-the-art Wellness Centre that puts recovery on equal footing with training.For athletes, r
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Wendy Chatto, Partner And Senior Property Manager At Hugh Reilly Real Estate
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Sarina Athletics Club has celebrated a strong 2025 season, with more than 60 members returning to the Clubhouse this year. Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank has continued to be active in sponsoring the Club’s rebuilding and ongoing growth. Steady participation across the season highlights the Club’s commitment to providing an inclusive environment where children and families can engage in sport and develop valuable life skills. Athletes have enjoyed a year of development, with several travelli
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Quality Aged Care You Can Trust We are proud to be part of this year’s Seniors Expo and to showcase the warm, values-led care provided at Good Shepherd Lodge and Kerrisdale Gardens. For over 50 years, we have been supporting older people in Mackay and the Whitsundays with residential aged care, independent living, and respite services designed to meet individual needs and support wellbeing.Our approach is centred on compassion, respect, and dignity. We believe aged care should feel like home wh
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Sarina State High School student, Joel Raward, was given an unforgettable behind-the-scenes experience at the Helicore BMA CQ Rescue Helicopter base last month on Thursday, 18 September. Joel was treated to a full tour of the CQ Rescue facility, where he explored the control room and gained insight into how the coordination team manages life-saving missions across the region. He also had the chance to sit inside the helicopter itself, learning how the crew operates during critical rescue and ae
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This year Queensland Mental Health Week starts from 4-12 October and is the perfect time to come together and raise awareness about mental health and wellbeing. One in five Australians aged 16-85 (22%) are estimated to have experienced a mental disorder in the last 12 months, while more than two in five (43%) have experienced one in their lifetime. The theme of the year – ‘connect for mental health’ - invites us all to reflect on the importance of connections – with ourselves, others, our comm
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This year, thanks to Tropical Petography, Mackay’s dogs have been given the chance to shine on the international stage as part of the Tails of the World book project. Tails of the World is an annual international photography book celebrating dogs from around the globe. Featuring stunning portraits by professional pet photographers, each edition showcases local dogs in their hometowns – from bustling cities to breathtaking landscapes. Founded by Caitlin J. McColl, the project brings together ph
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Memory, Meaning, And The World Around You If you’ve ever thought about writing your memoir but wondered how to move beyond personal reflection, this free workshop is for you.Memory, Meaning, and the World Around You: Deepening Your Memoir will be held at the Dudley Denny Library on Saturday 18 October, and is designed for anyone aged 15 and up who wants to bring greater depth, honesty, and perspective to their life story.This interactive two-hour session – presented by publishing consultant and
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Last Wednesday the finals of both the Club Under 70’s Singles and the Club Over 70’s singles finals were held at the club. The Under 70’s singles final was between Cheryle Corbett and Brenda Trannore. This game was tense but very friendly, with both ladies concentrating on each bowl to the end game of champion bowlers. Brenda Trannore was the eventual winner and this years Unders 70’s Champion. Her other achievements now include: Club Championship Singles Winner and the B grade singles Champion
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Fabulous results to the final of the Club Consistency Singles Comp. The game was played on Wednesday 10/9/25 with contestants Cheryle Corbett and Wendy Sonter vying for the win. Congratulations goes to Cheryle Corbett winning by the slimmest of margins. The games was a nail biter to the very last bowl with both ladies playing amazing bowls. Representing the Mackay District, the North Mackay Ladies Division 1 Pennant team travelled to Emerald on Saturday 20/9, to compete against the Leichhardt D
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James Cook University (JCU) researchers are calling for urgent government support to protect the spectacled flying-fox from extinction as new and escalating threats push the species closer to the brink. Despite their reputation as noisy and messy neighbours, spectacled flying-foxes play a vital role in the survival of Australia’s rainforests, travelling vast distances to pollinate flowers and spread seeds at levels unmatched by any other species. JCU adjunct associate professor Noel Preece sai
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The Toastmasters Area 14 Conference will take place on Saturday, 25 October 2025, hosted by the Mackay Regional Council Toastmasters Club. This year’s theme is “The Art of Speaking Stronger Together. The event will showcase the very best in public speaking, with contestants from the Mackay Clubs competing in four contests: Impromptu, where speakers think quickly on their feet; Evaluation, demonstrating the art of constructive feedback; Humorous, guaranteed to bring plenty of laughs; and the pre
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Mackay’s warm tropical climate brings sunshine almost year-round, making it a great place to enjoy the outdoors. However, the strong sun in North Queensland comes with health risks that should not be overlooked. Too much exposure can lead to sunburn, dehydration, heat stress, and an increased risk of skin cancer. UV levels in Mackay are rated as extreme for much of the year, even when it's cloudy or cooler. You can get sunburnt in as little as 10 minutes during peak UV hours, usually between 10
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Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, recently joined local families and young athletes at Harrup Park to celebrate the latest recipients of the Mackay Sports Foundation grants. Round 3 of the program marked its biggest round yet, with 28 talented young athletes receiving financial support to help overcome barriers and chase their sporting dreams. From Irish dancing and athletics to netball, gymnastics, and even horseball, the range of sports represented highlights the depth and diversity
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