Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Mackay Reflects On National Police Remembrance Day By Hannah McNamara Mackay paused in quiet respect as police officers, past and present, marched through the city in a heartfelt tribute to colleagues who lost their lives in service. On Monday, 29 September, the streets from Brisbane Street to St Patrick’s Catholic Church were filled with the steady presence of the blue family, joined by friends, families, and community members from across the region, marking National Police Remembrance Day. Ea
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Hi lovely readers, Can you believe it’s October already? Cue all the Christmas fanatics cheering and unpacking their boxes of decorations, ready to adorn their homes early! My mum is one of those early Christmas fans – but I love her for it (lol). It’s been a busy week, with an even bigger month ahead, with plenty of fun activities and community events on the calendar. You might just spot me with my camera at this Saturday’s Mackay Family Carnival… so get ready to say cheese! On another
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A Mother’s Heartfelt Thank You To Caring Kids A simple act of kindness at a local play centre has touched the heart of a Mackay mother, who has praised a group of young girls and their parents for showing compassion and inclusion toward her daughter. Posting to a local community page, the mother shared how her 12-year-old daughter, who has an intellectual disability, was warmly welcomed by other children while visiting the Kidz Life Play Centre with her carer. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t
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Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has unveiled an $18 million transformation of its Mackay-based Pioneer BioPilot, now Australia’s leading pilot-scale fermentation facility. Backed by federal and state funding and linked with the Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA), the upgrade positions Mackay at the heart of Queensland’s push to become an Asia-Pacific biomanufacturing hub. Senator Corinne Mulholland said, “This investment positions Australia as a serious player in the global bi
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The Nebo community and surrounding regions were left in shock on Sunday evening, 28 September, when a light aircraft crashed, claiming the life of its sole occupant. The sudden loss has devastated family, friends, and the local community, as emergency services responded to the harrowing scene. Police are preparing a report for the coroner following the death of the 47-year-old pilot in Nebo Creek. Emergency services were called shortly after 6pm to a private property after reports of th
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OPINION PIECE Coal has powered Australia for generations, and it still does today. Coal is the central reason the lights turn on, the fridge stays cold, and the air con works. Coal remains the cheapest form of electricity in Australia, and without it, our country would be vastly different, in a poorer way. But it is not just the electricity it provides. Coal provides our country with economic security. It drives investment, and the revenue raised in taxes and exports generates the wealth to
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In the Community As we edge closer to Christmas and the end of the year, it’s been another full fortnight of activity in our region and in Parliament. I’ve recently had the pleasure of attending a range of events across Mackay. A highlight was launching the new SES Operational Support Unit trailer, which will serve the Mackay–Isaac–Whitsunday district as a mobile command centre during power outages and emergencies. A big thank you to our SES volunteers for their vital work. I also marche
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Mackay Regional Council has released the draft Mackay Region Housing Strategy, aiming to address a growing mismatch between current housing stock and the evolving needs of residents. The strategy is designed to create more diverse, accessible, and affordable housing across the Mackay and Whitsunday regions. A recent review of local housing trends highlighted a key concern: while 60 per cent of households in the region comprise just one to two people, only 18 per cent of current housing ca
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The Mackay SES unit unveiled its new Operational Support Unit (OSU) trailer last Thursday, September 25, marking a significant boost in capability as the service celebrates its 50th year. The OSU will provide advanced capacity for land and water searches, including the use of new drones, and will act as a mobile operational hub in remote locations for SES, QPS, council and other services during disasters. SES event co-ordinator Karyn Donnelly said, “This new trailer for the Mackay SES un
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Ergon Energy Retail Celebrates 25 Years Of Partnership With The Royal Flying Doctor Service Last Friday, Ergon Energy Retail staff in Mackay joined in a heartfelt celebration, marking 25 years of partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) – a collaboration that has raised more than $20 million through the company’s voluntary customer donation scheme. Mackay Ergon Energy Retail spokesperson Pam Lynch said the day was about “celebrating 25 years of partnership between Ergon Ret
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New data shows there’s been a significant increase in Mackay dog and cat registrations following a successful compliance inspection program. Local laws officers conducted patrols between October and December last year, with inspections at Mirani, Marian, Mackay, Slade Point, Northern Beaches and Armstrong Beach. Deputy Mayor Karen May said inspections were done by proactively patrolling from the kerbside, with council officers only entering a small number of properties with the consent o
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The Crisafulli Government is delivering one new and six expanded transit lounges to help ease pressure on some of the State’s busiest emergency departments and restore health services when locals need them. A new transit lounge will be built at Gladstone Hospital, while expansions will go ahead at Cairns Hospital, Townsville University Hospital, Mackay Base Hospital, Logan Hospital, Redland Hospital and Ipswich Hospital. All the transit lounges will be operational by late 2026, and additi
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Mackay Hospital and Health Board Interim Chair Monica McKendry has announced the appointment of a Chief Executive for Mackay Hospital and Health Service while the permanent executive recruitment process is underway. “I am very pleased to advise that Sean Birgan, the current Chief Executive of North West Hospital and Health Service, will commence a secondment as Mackay HHS Interim Chief Executive from 13 October,” Ms McKendry said. “Sean has more than 38 years of nursing experience, inclu
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The HeliCore Collective event hosted by BMA CQ Rescue last Thursday afternoon brought together members of the community for an inspiring afternoon of connection and conversation. Guests had the opportunity to hear from Rescue Crewman Ben, who is preparing to tackle the Three Capes Trek in Tasmania alongside a dedicated group of supporters raising vital funds for BMA CQ Rescue. Ben shared his experiences and insights during a Q&A session, highlighting the importance of community support i
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Mackay will once again come together in strength and solidarity this October as Broken Ballerina Inc hosts its highly anticipated Be Bold, Be Brave, Be Beautiful Charity Ball on Saturday, 18 October 2025, at the Mackay Turf Club. Running from 5pm to 11pm, the event promises an evening of elegance, entertainment and heartfelt purpose — raising vital funds to support local victim-survivors of domestic violence. Guests will be treated to a complimentary drink on arrival, appetisers, and a t
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By Hannah McNamara Nate Ralph is among the many young voices eager to shape the future of the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac regions. As the Youth Member for Whitsunday in the 30th Queensland Youth Parliament, he has taken his seat in Brisbane this week to debate legislation and shine a spotlight on the challenges and opportunities facing regional Queensland. For Nate, the role is not only symbolic, but a cornerstone of his passion for ensuring young people have a say in decisions that will
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RIN Calls for Action In the past week, our region has once again been thrust into the spotlight. One mine has closed and another has reduced production. Rising costs and the reduction in coal prices have made it unsustainable to continue normal operation. A key contributor to this challenge has been Queensland’s royalty regime, which has placed further strain on an already challenged sector. RIN’s position has been clear and consistent since the sudden royalty increase in 2022: we do not
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The world’s leading water scientists have heard how research at Bravus Mining and Resources’ Carmichael mine is advancing knowledge of how groundwater springs and plant communities interact. The five research papers undertaken for Bravus Mining and Resources by Eco Logical Australia in collaboration with Essence Environmental, BAAM Ecology, Water Mark Eco, EMM Consulting, and Griffith University, were presented at the 2025 International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) Congress in Melbourne
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Simon HoodWilmar Manager Grower MarketingWilmar Grower Marketing’s annual Global Traders Roadshow has wrapped up for another year after a busy week of presentations, starting in Ingham and finishing in Sarina. The events brought together growers from across our milling regions to hear first-hand insights into the forces shaping the sugar market.Guest speaker Peter Bingham, Wilmar’s London-based Senior Sugar Trader, provided an in-depth look at the global market, with particular focus on the la
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CANEGROWERS Mackay Chairman Joseph Borg said it is pleasing news that the halfway mark for the 2025 crush has now been crossed in both Mackay and Plane Creek Milling areas. “We have crossed the 50 per cent mark and moving towards 60%. We are not where we would like to be, but we are certainly in a better place than this time last year, and that’s a positive,” Mr Borg said. “Factory performance has improved on last year, but logistical issues including transport and communications have ca
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Mackay Rural Production Society Incorporated (MRPS) held its Annual General Meeting on 20 September at City Bowls Club, Shakespeare Street, where volunteers served a hearty roast meal followed by dessert. Formed in 1982 as an offshoot of the former Tropical Grassland Society, MRPS brings together like-minded people — not only from farming backgrounds — who enjoy exploring agricultural and rural enterprises. Over the years, members have travelled widely, from the Ord River in WA and the NT
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Horseshoe Bay Resort And The Café In Bowen As spring warms into summer, Bowen comes alive with crystal clear waters, golden beaches and a laid back tropical vibe that makes it one of North Queensland’s most treasured getaways. At the heart of this coastal paradise are two local gems: Horseshoe Bay Resort and The Café – together offering the perfect balance of relaxation, adventure, and flavour. Stay by the Sea at Horseshoe Bay Resort Nestled by the iconic Horseshoe Bay, this resort is a
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Australians may be spending less, but they’re hungrier than ever for new flavours, according to CupoNation’s inaugural 2025 “Forks & Searches” Food Trends Report. Drawing on more than 9,400 Google search terms and 23,706 TripAdvisor restaurant listings across six major cities, the report provides a data-driven look at how Australians are eating, discovering, and redefining food in a time of rising living costs. Despite tighter budgets, Australians are embracing dining discovery — with se
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A Proud 80-Year Story In Mackay In 1945, a young air force bomber returned from the battlefields of World War II with a vision for the future. That man was Hugh Reilly, and the business he founded in Mackay would go on to become one of the region’s longest-standing real estate agencies. With a reputation for fairness and integrity, Hugh Reilly Real Estate quickly became a trusted name in the community. In fact, when the United States forces relinquished Post Office Box One in 1945, it was hande
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“There are a lot of Asians here.” Part of the journey of life is that we go from being a young person embarrassed by what our parents do or say to being a parent who embarrasses our own children. My university-student daughter, Bianca, was in Mackay for holidays recently and I took her for lunch one day to the excellent new Japanese restaurant in Victoria St. It was the first time we had been there and soon after we sat down I made the comment about there being “a lot of Asians” in the restau
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