Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
The Mackay State High School Cowboys Challenge Rugby League Team, comprised of talented male students from Year 9 and 10, is making waves in the Cowboys Challenge competition, one of the premier rugby league competitions in Queensland and Australia. This competition features teams from Townsville (Kirwan, Ignatius Park), Cairns (Trinity Bay, Mareeba, and St Augustine), and Mackay (St Patricks, Holy Spirit, and Mackay State High School). The Mackay State High School Cowboys Challenge Team, led by
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Mackay Cutters Rugby League have unearthed one out of the box in rising hooker Xavier Kerrisk. The eighteen-year-old former Queensland Schoolboys representative impressed in his top-grade run-on debut for the Cutters last weekend in a 32-18 loss to premiership pacesetters Norths Devils in Hostplus Cup action at Denison Park in Bowen. Kerrisk, a local Mackay junior who is contracted to the North Queensland Cowboys, showed his class in the number nine jumper with his vision and ball skills in an
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Mackay’s veteran table tennis players starred on their home tables in a state championship event last month. The Queensland Veterans championship was hosted by Mackay and Queensland Table Tennis at the Bridge Rd Centre over four days, attracting players from throughout the state. Mackay’s Emma Widdup won gold in over 30 singles, in which training partner Anne-Louise Stewart was runner-up. Emma also took gold in over 40 women’s, in which Mackay’s Anne Sheridan won bronze. Mackay players also w
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After three weeks of competition, The Founders Team winners have been decided. With eight wins and only one loss, team Holewa has taken out the competition. Team Holewa members were Diane Holewa, Max Holewa, Terrence Sheedy and Lorna Shuttlewood.
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Born with success in her bloodline, Madison Malagueno has continuously represented her hometown of Mackay in a multitude of sports and has just secured another outstanding achievement to add to her collection of accolades. Growing up, Madison was much a water baby and according to one of her biggest supporters and mother Tahnie Malagueno, who is also the secretary of the club, says her daughter Madison has “always loved swimming ever since she was a baby.” While she finds enjoyment and fun in
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Paul MacKenzie was the highest handicapped runner on the park at the Eimeo Pacific Hotel event with a huge thirty-six minutes and 10 second wait for his start time. Despite the congenially frustrating wait, Paul bolted from the gates, eager to make his mark on the testing undulating course after reeling in half the competitors. Paul’s excellent condition will serve him well in a major upcoming international endurance event at the end of August. Mackay Road Runners Club President, Brendan Bisho
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Last night a multi-agency search and rescue operation successfully saved three local men, who were out fishing from a sinking 6.9-metre vessel near Block Reef, about 70 nautical miles offshore. The men were rescued after a mayday call was received at 10:15pm. Water Police, Volunteer Marine Rescue Association Queensland (VMRAQ), and a civilian boat were all involved in the rescue operation. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) also received an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon
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In a surprise announcement, Julieanne Gilbert, the Member for Mackay, announced that she will not be contesting the upcoming State election in October. Mrs Gilbert said that it has been an honour to represent Mackay in State Parliament. “The world has changed immensely during this time, increased use of social media, the global pandemic and now we are combating the global cost of living pressures. I have loved working in our community,” she said. “I have decided that it is time for me
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Detectives from Argos have charged a 29-year-old Mackay man after an investigation targeting offenders on the dark web using cryptocurrency to purchase child abuse material. The investigation enlisted assistance from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Mackay man was arrested following the execution of a search warrant on Friday and charged with 21 counts of soliciting child abuse material by using a carriage service, 19 counts of transmitting to himself child abuse material by using a c
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As I nervously settle into my second round of chemotherapy today, I'm reminded that life doesn't pause for a diagnosis. Instead, it becomes a complex juggling act. Between the complexities of modern life, I find myself navigating the intricate dance of living with cancer, working full-time, and raising a spirited toddler. When I received my diagnosis in April, my parents were on a plane the following week, ready to help look after my son while I navigated this new reality. Fast-forward three mon
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A heartfelt thank you was shared from a grateful parent to the individuals who came to the aid of their son last Tuesday evening on the Yakapari-Habana Road. The young driver had veered off the road into tall grass while attempting to avoid an animal. Acknowledging the fortunate outcome that spared harm to both the driver, his passenger and their vehicle, the parent expressed immense gratitude for the kindness shown by those who stopped to assist. Two individuals in the area witnessed the
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A former Mackay local played a major role in dropping four exercise torpedoes from a RAAF P-8A Poseidon on a US Navy nuclear submarine during a maritime patrol serial at Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC). 11 Squadron Commander and tactical coordinator, Squadron Leader Tristan Hull, said it was the first time an Australian P-8A dropped this variant of the Mark 54 Lightweight Exercise Torpedo. “It is not very often that we get to drop exercise torpedoes,” Squadron Leader Hull said. “It’s
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The Capricornia Pumped Hydroelectric Energy Storage (PHES) project, managed by the Capricornia Energy Hub (CEH), is advancing into a critical phase of development. This private project is different to the Pioneer Burdekin Pumped Hydro project overseen by Queensland Hydro, and it has reached a more advanced stage in its timeline. CEH is set to commence the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) process, beginning with the Draft Terms of Reference (TOR), which is now open for public commentary until Fr
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Nigel Dalton will seek the support of family and friends for his pitch to represent the people of Mackay during a public celebration of his 60th birthday this weekend. The former police officer is now the LNP Candidate for the seat of Mackay. “My 60th birthday marks the official end of my 40-year career as a police officer so it’s a very significant time for me,” Mr Dalton said. “I’ve also made a commitment to continue serving the community of Mackay by running as the LNP candidate for this s
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Australia’s largest regional mining event is happening in Mackay this week, and Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, said he’s excited to welcome the Queensland Mining and Engineering Expo (QME) back to the region. “Mackay is home to one of the largest mining, engineering, technology, and science, or METS sectors, and to host this expo right in our backyard really means we can showcase our industry capabilities and expertise,” Mr Wilcox said. “The mining industry is vital to our region,
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Queensland’s Catholic Education Week 2024 is being celebrated from 21 to 27 July. Catholic Education - Diocese of Rockhampton (CEDR) kindergartens, primary schools, and college communities joined in statewide celebrations to honour their distinctive mission. This year’s theme, Communities of Faith, Hope & Love, saw over 18,000 CEDR students, along with teachers, support staff, and volunteers from regional, rural, and remote centres ranging from Mackay to Bundaberg and west to Longreach, particip
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A 69-year-old local male cyclist has died in an alleged hit-and-run incident at a Bowen intersection. The rider was discovered deceased at the corner of Bootooloo Rd and Wheelers Ln on this morning at 4:40am when a passing motorist found him. They had stopped to render assistance but, after realising the gravity of the situation, contacted 000. Queensland Ambulance Services said the man sustained life-threatening injuries, and multi-system trauma. Queensland Police Acting Inspector for the Macka
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Two bright red park benches at Mackay Base Hospital will remind patients and visitors that ‘taking a seat will also help take a stand’ against domestic violence. The red benches are being officially launched by Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) on 23 July and will be installed in two high-profile locations at the hospital; one at the front of the emergency department, the other near the hospital’s front entrance on Bridge Road. Mackay Hospital and Health Service Executive Director Abori
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St. John's Catholic Primary School in Walkerston marked a memorable occasion last Friday as it celebrated 100 years of education. The event was a nostalgic journey through time, featuring a special memorabilia display adorned with past school photos, uniforms and historical artifacts in honour of the past generations of students and staff. St. John's Catholic Primary School in Walkerston was first established in 1924 by the sisters of Mercy, with 111 students in attendance. Now, in 2024, the
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The inaugural membership day of the Birri Gubba Nation was held on Saturday, 13th July 2024, at Conway Beach. Event organisers said this significant event marks the first step in building a peaceful future for a nation to be proud of and to pass down to future generations. The Senior Tribal Council joined eager participants in this foundational journey, moving forward together in the development of this re-emerging nation. Blessed with clear blue skies and a light breeze on the beachfront, Senio
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In an exciting initiative to foster youth engagement and community involvement, Mackay Regional Council has joined forces with Volunteering Queensland to fund the CHC24015 Certificate II in Active Volunteering program at Mackay State High School. The program marks a significant step forward in empowering the youth of Mackay to become active contributors to their community while developing essential skills and experiences that will benefit them throughout their lives. Students at Mackay State Hig
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Police will prepare a report for the coroner after a man died following a single-vehicle traffic crash at Mirani, west of Mackay, on Friday, July 19. Initial investigations indicate at approximately 12.30pm, a white Madza BT-50 utility was travelling along Mackay Eungella Road when it left the road and crashed. The driver and sole occupant, a 79-year-old Pinnacle man, sustained life-threatening chest injuries. He was transported to Mackay Base Hospital where he later died the following day on Ju
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During the local government elections held on March 16, the Mackay Regional Council emerged as one of the top spenders in Queensland, according to the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ). With a reported expenditure totalling $515,793.33 and a donation total of $217,177.60, Mackay joined the ranks in the top five of major urban areas such as Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast in campaign spending.
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Opinion Piece “The State and Federal Labor Governments must be held to account for their disastrous and mismanaged phaseout of commercial gillnets across Queensland, which is now seeing our local fishos consider walking away permanently,” Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox said. The local MP has said that the ban on commercial gillnets was announced amid pressure from international activist organisations. “It was not backed by any scientific reasoning, and there was no consultation wi
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In my observation, we do seem to spend a lot of time focussing on the negatives in our careers (and lives). The negative mindset is so often our ‘go to’ – what we haven’t achieved, and comparing ourselves to others can rapidly become a downward spiral and so de-motivating. Being purposeful about celebrating our achievements, however small, and not comparing ourselves to others can boost motivation. Comparing ourselves to others is a risky distraction and potentially can derail the pursuit of ou
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