Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
A new youth basketball program in Mackay will provide over 130 young Australian South Sea Islanders with the opportunity to develop their skills and strengthen community ties, thanks to funding from the Queensland Government’s Strengthening Multicultural Queensland (SMQ) program. The Queensland Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association (PCYC) Mackay will receive over $46,000 as part of a broader $1.9 million investment in 26 multicultural community-led projects across the state. The two-year p
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_By Hannah McNamara _ In the heart of Mackay’s Jubilee Park, where monuments to sacrifice already stand in solemn silence, a new voice is being called into the chorus of remembrance. It is the voice of a generation whose service began after the dust of Vietnam had settled, but who stood no less bravely in East Timor, the Middle East, and countless unnamed operations across the globe. These are the quiet soldiers of recent decades, who returned home to Mackay with no grand monument and no ston
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This ANZAC Day, the Finch Hatton RSL Sub Branch is inviting the public to a weekend of connection, remembrance, and community spirit in the beautiful Pioneer Valley. From Friday, 25 April to Sunday, 27 April, locals and visitors alike can enjoy free camping, live music, food trucks, and family-friendly activities—all centred around honouring our veterans and bringing people together. Tammy Sprott, President of the Finch Hatton RSL Sub Branch, brings a wealth of experience and passion to the eve
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As the official election campaign begins, Australians can expect a flurry of promises, policies and political rallies. While most attention will focus on the House of Representatives, where government is formed, the Senate plays an equally crucial role. Often overlooked during campaigns, the Senate is a powerful chamber where no party currently holds a majority. Labor holds 25 seats, the Coalition 30, with the rest shared by the Greens (11), One Nation (2), Jacqui Lambie Network (1), United Aust
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OPINION PIECE This Anzac Day, I will pause to remember my father, a Vietnam veteran. From a young age, he instilled in me the importance of respecting those who served. That sense of respect grew into a broader appreciation for all people, regardless of their background or identity. My father served in the Royal Australian Navy from 1961 to 1974, rising to the rank of Petty Officer Marine Technical Propulsion. Throughout his service, he was posted to several ships, including HMAS Sydney, HMAS
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The ANZAC spirit is alive and well across our region, with attendance at dawn services, marches, and other commemorative events surging in recent years. This ANZAC Day is expected to see even greater numbers, as our community once again comes together to honour those who have served. Long before I became the Federal Member for Dawson, and my time as Mayor of the Whitsunday Regional Council, my family and I have always made it a priority to honour the sacrifices of our brave servicemen and wome
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A community-minded dad has rolled up his sleeves to tackle the graffiti and rubbish plaguing a popular riverside rest stop—turning frustration into action and sparking inspiration along the way. Dion Loader, a local father and the owner of Loader Painting & Maintenance, said he had simply had enough after noticing the growing mess at the seating area along the Bluewater Quay Trail where his family often visit during weekend bike rides. **“I just did it because I did it. That’s the type of pers
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The beginning of the Sugar Cane industry in the Walkerston area was 1869, when cane was grown and supplied to Pleystowe Sugar Mill. The first sugar crushing season at Pleystowe was in 1872. Sadly, to the dismay of many, Pleystowe Mill was closed down forever in October 2008 - after 139 years, then being the oldest…and many would say – the best - Sugar Mill in Australia. In 2010, a few of the staff of the old Pleystowe Mill came up with the brilliant idea that it would be great with a Pleystowe
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A sweeping crackdown is underway across the Mackay Whitsunday District as police zero in on the rising tide of illegal electric motorbike and Personal Mobility Device (PMD) use. Under Operation Wolfking, officers have ramped up enforcement efforts, conducting 18 targeted street checks since the beginning of the year—uncovering a concerning pattern of non-compliance and unsafe riding practices on local roads. The operation aims to identify, disrupt and prevent the illegal use of electric motorc
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For the movers, shakers and style-setters of Mackay and the Whitsundays, this is the one night you won’t want to miss. The Enchanted Garden, an exclusive new event presented by Life Publishing Group, will dazzle guests on Saturday, 25 October 2025, at the breathtaking Elementa, set high above the Whitsundays with panoramic views to match. With no other event quite like it in the region’s social calendar, it’s already shaping up to be the must-attend night of the year. Picture this: the soft gl
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Loneliness and isolation have quietly crept into the lives of many older Australians, especially in the years following COVID. But a new weekly program at The Neighbourhood Hub is offering local seniors a chance to reconnect, not just with themselves, but with others, and with their community. Held every Friday (excluding public holidays), Seniors Connect for Chair Exercises is more than just gentle movement. It’s a welcoming space where older residents can stretch, breathe, laugh, learn, and e
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At Community Bank Sarina, we believe commemorating ANZAC Day is one of the most important ways we can come together as a community. It’s a time to pause, reflect, and honour the bravery and sacrifice of our servicemen and women—past and present. The Community Bank Sarina team and Board are deeply grateful to the many volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure these services are delivered with dignity and respect. We’re proud to support the groups who actively participate in the
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Every life is a story waiting to be told. Your experiences and memories are priceless treasures that deserve to be immortalised. Join us for a captivating workshop that will kick-start your memoir writing journey. First held in 2024, this workshop returns to Mackay and will help uncover the magic of storytelling. This practical and interactive workshop will guide you through: Introduction to Memoir Writing: An overview of the memoir genre, its significance in preserving personal stories, fam
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Council is offering cat owners a financial incentive to help reduce local feral cat populations and protect our natural environment. Residents can apply now for a half price voucher which can be used when booking a desexing in April and May. The voucher can be used at Valley Vets Mackay, Marian and Walkerston. There are limited numbers of vouchers available and the desexing must be carried out before the end of May. The cat must also be registered; however, council is offering pro rata regis
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A papier-mâché Easter Bunny and menagerie of soft toys were gifted to Mackay Base Hospital for its youngest patients to enjoy this Easter. The over-sized bunny and cuddle toys were crafted by Val and Ian Ovenden specifically for the Child and Adolescent Unit. Val said the bunny, complete with basket backpack and beanies, has been a work in progress taking two months to create while each cuddle toy takes around a day to make. This was the third soft toy delivery facilitated by the Mackay Hospi
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Eighty women from across Queensland’s sugarcane growing and associated industries gathered at the Mantra, Mackay Harbour, for the 2025 Women in Sugar Australia (WISA) Conference on Monday 31 March and Tuesday 1 April. Held annually on a rotating basis, the conference welcomed attendees from the Herbert River, Burdekin, Bundaberg and Mackay districts. Hosted by the Canegrowers Network Mackay District, this year’s theme was “Honouring All Women in Sugar.” A diverse speaker line-up included gold s
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It is only a week until the Federal election, and there hasn’t been a great deal of discussion on agriculture this election. Obviously the issues that challenge regional and rural communities are important, and shared by agriculture: the issues like access to childcare, quality national roads and digital connectivity that have been discussed are important. Farmers are small businesspeople who happen to farm, and family farms are critical elements in regional economies. It is important that the
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Marketing isn’t something you’re either “good at” or not. It’s a skill – and like any skill, it can be learned, practiced + improved. If you’re running a small business or juggling a volunteer role in a community group, chances are you’re already doing some form of marketing (look at you go!). Whether it’s posting on socials, updating a website, talking to people about what you do – it all counts, it’s all marketing. So where do you start? When it comes to doing your own marketing, you can stil
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What are Donald Trump’s tariffs of 145 per cent on Chinese exports going to mean for house prices in Mackay? And why would there be a connection? To answer the second question first, many of China’s exports to the US and the rest of the world are products that contain steel. To make steel you need iron ore, the stuff that is dug up in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, and coking or metallurgical coal, the stuff that is dug up in our Bowen Basin. If China’s exports to the US were dramatically
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Phoenix Counselling Services, like the mythical phoenix reborn from the flame, stands as a symbol of renewal, resilience, and hope. With compassion at its core and clarity as its guide, this transformative practice offers a path through pain…a place where wounds are gently tended, burdens are lifted, and individuals emerge empowered, ready to embrace life’s next chapter with strength and purpose. So, Who’s The Heart Behind The Practice? Meet Robyn Geiger – a compassionate, faith-driven woman w
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Film and Arts Mackay is inviting locals to enjoy an award-winning international film and support a vital local cause at their upcoming fundraising screening. The evening will feature My Favourite Cake, a tender and subversive Iranian drama that took home two major prizes at this year’s Berlinale Film Festival. Directed by Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha, the film explores themes of love, loneliness and quiet rebellion through the story of Mahin, a 70-year-old woman in Tehran determined to
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They are sisters by chance, but friends and now colleagues by choice. The Brondello sisters, Tessa, Emma and Danika, work together in Allied Health at Mackay Base Hospital. Occupational therapist Tessa has worked at Community Health and Therapy Services (CHATS) for 6 and a half years, while physiotherapist Emma joined the Mackay HHS four years ago. Now the ‘baby’ of the family, Danika, is following in her sibling’s footsteps starting her OT career three months ago. The sisters grew up on a ca
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Mackay’s newest entertainment hotspot has officially opened its doors — and it’s already proving to be a hole-in-one with locals. X-Golf Mackay is a $1.5 million indoor golf and sports precinct bringing the latest in simulation technology, top-notch hospitality, and a cool, comfortable atmosphere to the city’s northern beaches. The 500sqm facility, located at the HomeCo Centre beside Bunnings on Mackay-Bucasia Road, is the first of its kind in the region. Roy and Mary Boase, the dynamic couple
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Fresh from a sold-out season at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, internationally renowned comedian Jimeoin will bring his latest show, Pandemonium, to the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre (MECC) on Friday, 2 May. Known for his razor-sharp wit, observational humour, and infectious charm, Jimeoin’s new tour promises an evening of non-stop laughter, peppered with playful insights and quirky life advice. From effortless bed-making techniques to harmless pranks and clever ways to talk dirty in
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RADfest is back – and it’s rolling into Mackay with more momentum than ever. This junior roller derby bootcamp and intensive training weekend was created to give regional skaters the same opportunities as their city-based peers. By bringing together elite coaches and junior players from across Australia, RADfest ensures local athletes don’t miss out on high-level training simply because of where they live. Over three adrenaline-fuelled days, skaters will take part in bootcamp-style sessions le
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