Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
I’ve always said Mackay punches well above its weight when it comes to things to do, and last weekend really proved the point. The RIN Awards kicked things off on Friday night, hosted by none other than Ed Kavalee. It also happened to be my husband’s birthday, so I figured, why not blend work with celebration? We’re big Ed fans from Have You Been Paying Attention?, so that was my cheeky sales pitch for working on his big day. From there it was straight into Rhythm and the Reef on Saturday
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A local mum has shared heartfelt appreciation for the emergency department (ED) team, highlighting the compassion and professionalism of staff during a recent visit. “We were there Monday afternoon, sent via GP (tried to avoid) and they were so busy but the triage nurses were amazing, calm and thorough,” she said. The mum, who attended with her three children, described the challenges of the waiting area. “It took me an hour to even get through triage, but I could see how thorough the c
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Election day for the Mackay Regional Council by-election is this Saturday 30 August but unlike recent council elections in Mackay, there is no in-person voting at polling booths on Saturday. “All Mackay voters have been sent ballot materials in the post,” Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen said. “Please follow the instruction on your postal ballot envelope and on the ballot paper carefully to ensure your vote counts. This includes signing the declaration envelope and making sure the envel
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Mackay residents are being urged to roll up their sleeves and help save lives, with Lifeblood and Mayor Greg Williamson highlighting the importance of blood and plasma donations. Lifeblood spokeswoman Gwendolyne Camaret said the impact of a single donation could be profound. “One donation can save up to three lives. Our recipients include cancer patients, people undergoing surgery, car accident victims and more,” she said. Camaret said while Mackay’s donor centre had been kept busy, the
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With The Mackay View Club VIEW (Voice, Interests, and Education of Women) is dedicated to friendship, fun, and making a difference. Members enjoy regular social gatherings, engaging guest speakers, and the opportunity to support The Smith Family’s mission of helping Australian children experiencing disadvantage. Recently, Mackay VIEW Club members attended the Farmers’ Market, where they met with locals and shared information about the club’s activities. The club meets on the third Wednes
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Mackay Hospital and Health Board Chair Helen Darch announced today that Chief Executive Susan Gannon has resigned from her position with Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS). Ms Darch paid tribute to Ms Gannon for her hard work and dedication in leading the health service. “Susan has steered Mackay HHS through a significant period of recovery and renewal over the past two and a half years and we have been grateful to have someone with her depth of experience in the role,” Ms Darch sa
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OPINION PIECE More than three years in government, and Labor still doesn’t have any real plans to positively grow the economy. Last week, a hand-picked group of government, union, business and industry figures gathered for a three-day economic forum to supposedly chart a course for Australia's economic future. It was billed as a big deal, a national conversation. But even before it began, the chaos was showing. When Treasurer Jim Chalmers launched the forum, he declared “everything was on
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One year after thirty purpose-designed Habitat Reef Modules were installed off Mackay, new underwater footage is revealing encouraging signs of success. Monitoring has recorded at least 22 fish species now using the modules – a remarkable increase from just three species recorded before deployment. These include key recreational, commercial and indigenous fishery species such as red emperor, large-mouth nannygai, gold-spot cod and grassy sweetlip, along with small-bodied reef fish like w
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In 2022 a statue of “Joe” the international canecutter was unveiled in Albert Lloyd Park at Marian. Joe commemorates those of any nationality or ethnic group who worked to promote the sugar industry in and around Marian. The sugar industry actually began in Marian over 140 years ago in 1883, when a company was formed with British and industrialist money to establish a sugar mill in the Mackay district. Messrs Smith, McEachran and McKenzie were the key figures in raising the necessary fund
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Trainees Take The Next Step A graduation ceremony at Mackay Base Hospital for seven Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students has marked the next big step in turning their healthcare career dreams into reality. The teens have completed an 18-month traineeship across various departments at the hospital as part of the Budyubari Bidyiri Kebi Stapal – or Big Dream, Small Steps – Program. In a ceremony at the hospital on Friday, 22 August, the students celebrated with their families and
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The Mackay Disability Expo opens its doors today, with over 70 exhibitors on display at the Mackay Showgrounds Big Shed. Running from 9am to noon, the free event will showcase a wide range of services and supports for people with disability, their families, and carers. Exhibitors will include both local providers and visiting specialists, with displays covering prosthetics, physiotherapy, mobility aids, accessible housing, all-abilities sports, and inclusive fitness options. Mayor Greg W
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The businesses that stand out are those brave enough to own their differences and back them with a unique marketing strategy. After nearly thirty years, redhotblue has worked with clients across almost every industry, and one thing remains consistent - no two businesses are the same. Every business has its own fingerprint, a unique identity that sets it apart from competitors, which is why cookie-cutter marketing falls short. What works for one business won’t necessarily work for another,
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Mackay’s future is on show, with Mackay Regional Council launching its latest Investment Prospectus under the banner “Opportunity at Work,” spotlighting the region’s strong economy, enviable lifestyle and exciting prospects for growth. Mayor Greg Williamson said Mackay was positioning itself as a powerhouse of regional investment across a range of industries. “From emerging industries like biofutures to established sectors such as agribusiness, mining services and tourism, we have so man
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As a councillor, one of the most rewarding parts of the role is hearing directly from our residents – your ideas, concerns and aspirations help shape the direction of our region. That’s why I want to highlight a valuable tool that is helping council stay connected with the community – the Connecting Mackay website. Connecting Mackay is council’s dedicated engagement platform, designed to give every resident a voice in local projects, initiatives and planning. Whether it’s providing feedba
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With Bre Sanders From Sense Of Skin Mackay-born Bre Sanders is proving that talent, tenacity, and authenticity can turn a dream into national recognition. As owner of the acclaimed beauty salon Sense of Skin, she is one of just four winners across Australia selected for the prestigious ABIA Beauty Squad 2025, held in Sydney on August 17. “I didn’t always dream to have my own clinic, however when working for others it soon became a dream of mine… I didn’t want the limitations,” Bre recalls
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Born and raised in the Burdekin, Meagan Morris from MortgageWorks brings over 20 years of experience in banking and lending. She understands what makes North Queensland tick and how that affects local lending. With clients across Australia, her focus remains on helping the north navigate complex finance needs with clarity and care. “Finance isn’t one-size-fits-all,” Meagan said. “My job is to help clients fine tune their financial strategy in a way that suits them. “I work closely with
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When Gardian CEO and founder Peter Phillips died tragically and prematurely a couple of years ago, he left behind a heart-broken wife and daughters and other family members, devastated friends, a strong and growing business and a legacy of community involvement. In many ways not much has changed in the two years that have passed; the heart-break continues for his family, his friends still miss him, the business remains a growing success and his legacy of community involvement evolves from the p
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Three-year-old Dani from Mackay was back on her feet just 72 hours after open-heart surgery, thanks to a ground-breaking technique performed by the cardiac team at Queensland Children’s Hospital. In an Australian first, paediatric cardiac surgeons used a minimally invasive ‘axillary approach’, operating through a small incision under the arm and avoiding the need to open the chest. This approach reduces trauma, speeds recovery, and leaves no visible chest scars. Dani’s surgery repaired a heart
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Why Women’s Bodies Need Exercise At Every Age Women’s bodies are always changing. From the first period to pregnancy, postnatal recovery, perimenopause and beyond, our hormones shift and fluctuate, often leaving us wondering, “Is this normal?” Through all these seasons, one thing remains steady: the incredible power of movement. Exercise isn’t just about fitness or weight management; it is one of the most effective ways we can support health across every stage of life. In the teenage and
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By Joseph Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay Australia’s sugar industry is a cornerstone of the nation’s agricultural sector and we owe much of our global competitiveness and domestic efficiency to the network of sugar storage and export facilities that are a central part of many Queensland ports. For Mackay, they are a focal landmark on our coastal horizon: the familiar, massive triangular sheds that let Mackay’s growers and millers store large quantities of raw sugar. Built by industry
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Mackay & Whitsunday Builders Shine At 2025 Awards Visionary design, technical mastery, and community impact were front and centre at the 2025 Mackay & Whitsunday Housing & Construction Awards, raising the bar in construction excellence. Held at the Mantra Mackay on 9 August, the industry’s night of nights showcased the innovation and resilience driving the region’s built environment, at a time of exciting challenge and change. After sweeping the pool last year, Fergus Builders was again
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Paige Gardner’s Impact At Citecon Leadership, expertise, and resilience define Paige Gardner, Contracts Administrator/Project Manager at CiteCon Pty Ltd. These qualities, combined with her deep-rooted family heritage as a fourth-generation builder, have earned her the prestigious Women in Building Award at the 2025 Mackay & Whitsunday Master Builders Awards. A foundational employee at CiteCon, Paige has dedicated the past five years to mastering the complexities of commercial construction. Back
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In the competitive world of commercial and industrial construction, businesses demand more than just a builder – they need a partner who understands their vision, overcomes obstacles, and delivers results that endure. That’s exactly what CiteCon Pty Ltd brings to the table. As recognised project specialists, CiteCon has built a reputation for getting the job done – and done well. With proven expertise across design and construction, the company delivers modern, adaptable facilities tailored to
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Dominating the construction industry is Fergus Builders, multi-award-winning builders who have shaped some of the region’s most well-known buildings for over 40 years. Since 1983, the company has grown into one of the region’s most sought-after builders across residential, commercial, industrial, and community projects. Known for combining craftsmanship, innovation, and community focus, Fergus Builders has earned a reputation for quality and reliability across the state. The company’s com
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