Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Mackay Table Tennis Association Fixture Results 7th October 2025 Division 1 – Eagles (Emma Widdup, Josh Brown, Syed Aminul Hossain) defeated Lily (Robbie Richards, Will VanDaKaa, Lily Boland) 7-4 with Josh winning a massive 5 set match over Lily 15-13 Barra (Andrea Nicholson, Barry Patterson) defeated Jaguar (Anne Sheridan, Jacob Whelan) 3-2. Andrea had a big win over Jacob 11-9 in 5th set. Fish (Steven Whiting, Trent Day, Graeme Walker) defeated Gold (Vince Boeske, Geoff Denman) 10-1 unfortuna
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Spring Orchid Show Returns To Mackay Mackay’s floral enthusiasts are in for a treat this month, with the Mackay and District Orchid Society Inc. set to host its annual Spring Orchid Show at the Mackay Senior Citizens’ Centre, 58 Macalister Street, on Saturday 18th October and Sunday 19th October. Doors will open from 8am to 4pm on Saturday and 8am to 3pm on Sunday, with visitors invited to step into a spectacular display of orchids bursting into bloom for spring. From delicate pastels to vibran
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Get ready for a fun family outing and take a trip down memory lane at St Paul’s this October. Held at St Paul’s Church Hall, Macalister Street, Mackay, this nostalgic community event will take place from 9.00am on Saturday, 25th October, with free entry for all. Sample a range of traditional homemade favourites — after all, who can resist chocolate fudge and patty cakes? Stalls will feature a variety of quality fashion pieces, baked goods, sweets, books, artwork, and bric-a-brac treasures. Ga
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As a canefarmer and long-term local, I’m proud to introduce myself as the new Relationship Manager for the Proserpine region with Wilmar Grower Marketing. Having lived in Proserpine for the past 16 years, I know how much pride, resilience and effort go into every crop we grow. My husband, Rob, and I run our own farming enterprise, so I understand the seasonal pressures, business decisions and hard work that come with producing cane in our region. That experience drives my approach to this role:
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Bowen came together to celebrate a significant milestone for the South Sea Islander community, marking 25 years since the Queensland Government officially recognised their contribution to the region. The South Sea Islander people have long been an integral part of Bowen and the surrounding areas, contributing to the town’s cultural, social, and economic fabric. The celebration was a chance to acknowledge their history, achievements, and enduring connection to the region. For local families the
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The Airlie Beach community is taking action against motor neurone disease (MND) with a massive fundraising festival called The Big Freeze set to take place on 25 October at Club Whitsunday. The family-friendly event will feature a giant ice slide, live entertainment, and a full day of activities. “The Big Freeze is a homegrown Airlie Beach initiative, and we are overwhelmed by how our local community has come together as a force to make it happen,” said organiser Katrina Chaplin. Funds raised
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Locals and visitors have been very excited about the launch of the Big Mango coin by the Royal Australian Mint and Australia Post. When the Bowen Visitor Information Centre received their first quota of coins for sale, they sold out in just 43 minutes. Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy said people were lined up at the centre from 7.30am and the centre did not open until 9am. “It really was like a Boxing Day sale in the city,” she said. The good news is that the Visitor
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After last week’s fantastic carnival action, it’s back to business as usual — though preparations are already underway for next year’s event. A big thank you to the hundreds who helped make it so memorable. On Tuesday, 26 bowlers took part in three games of triples and two games of pairs. The dice decided the winner by the smallest margin, with Carol Crosbie leading Mel Fennell and Alan Pershouse to a thrilling 21–19 victory. Mel’s final bowl stopped inches before the ditch after sending the ja
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It was an exercise in military precision by the Sinkers Masters Swimming Club to move 150 people plus equipment from Shute Harbour to Whitehaven Beach for the annual Open Water Swim. Strong winds added to the challenge of transferring from the large boat to the tender and then to shore! Once on Whitehaven, everyone pitched in to erect marquees, sort equipment and prepare for the event. The Water Safety crew provided first aid supplies and ensured all equipment was up to standard and ready for u
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Brother and sister Benson and Jasmin Smith are rewriting the Queensland and Australian game fishing record books. Last week, nine-year-old Benson Smith, fishing on the family boat Lay-Low, landed a 27.95kg Sailfish on 15kg line after a 30-minute battle — a catch now submitted for both Queensland and Australian Small Fry records. Benson also has another record claim awaiting verification for a large Barracuda he caught on 10kg line while fishing with his dad off Cairns recently. Not to be outd
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It’s been another big week for the Cannonvale Cannons, with new club records, a senior swimmers’ dinner, and the first distance night of the season. First, we’d like to congratulate Tyler Bennett (13 years), who set a new record in the 25 m Freestyle with 12.52 seconds, and Tora Delac (14 years), who broke the 50 m Freestyle record in 27.83 seconds. Our annual Senior Swimmer Dinner was held this week — a special evening for our high-school swimmers and coaches. A huge thank-you to Hog’s Breath
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More than 2000 people turned out for a successful Bowen Cup Day on Saturday, enjoying a full day of racing, fashion, and fun at the Bowen Turf Club. “It was really good just over 2000 people attended, and it was a really successful day,” said organiser Emily Harvey. “We had heaps of catered marquees, perfect weather, and a great crowd atmosphere.” The event featured a Sportsbet Tomato Relay with $4000 in prize money, and Lux Whitsundays ran the popular Fashions on the Field, celebrating the b
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Bowen students are putting their best foot forward this Queensland Mental Health Week with the launch of specially designed “mental health socks.” The initiative, led by the 2025 student leadership team, will be part of a mindfulness market at the school this Wednesday. The socks are black, aligning with school uniform requirements, and feature a colourful message on the arch of the foot: “Just because you don’t see the struggles, doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Be kind always.” The message is hi
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Bowen Flexi Care In 2025, Bowen Flexi Care celebrates 30 years of dedicated support for people living with disabilities and their families across the Whitsunday region. What began as a small community initiative in 1995 has grown into a cornerstone of local care embodying compassion, inclusion, independence and resilience. CEO Elise Woodhouse said this is not only Bowen Flexi Care but for the community, participants, and staff. “I feel very proud that Bowen Flexi Care has established itself an
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After taking over management of Queens Beach Tourist Village just last year, new operators Mel and Bob Sotheringham are already gearing up for their first big milestone the Whitsunday Tourism Awards this Saturday night. “It’s our first year since we took over the park on the first of October last year,” Mel said. “This park’s done so well in the past, and we’re hoping we’re going to crack it this year.” The Bowen-based park has earned silver in both 2023 and 2024, but Mel is quietly confident
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Adventure, Simply Done Better As the Whitsunday Tourism Awards draw near, Portland Roads Sailing the Whitsundays has earned a well-deserved nomination, an achievement that owner John Linton says reflects not just their exceptional guest experiences, but a deep respect for the Whitsundays’ cultural and natural heritage. For 20 years, Portland Roads Sailing the Whitsundays has charted a unique course through Ancient Ngaro Sea Country, offering travellers the freedom to skipper their own vessel wh
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Organisation doesn’t always come naturally when you’re living with ADHD. Forgotten appointments, misplaced items, or that never-ending to-do list can create daily stress. But some practical tools and habits make life feel more manageable. One practical tool is the Eisenhower Matrix. It determines which tasks need immediate action, long term attention, delegation and deletion. Start with external supports. Visual planners, calendars, and phone reminders take the load off your memory. Many peopl
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As the Whitsunday tourism community gathers this Saturday to celebrate the 2025 Whitsunday Tourism Awards, the team at BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort reflects with immense pride on a year that has cemented its place as one of Australia’s most celebrated holiday destinations. Following an extraordinary run of success through the 2024 awards season, BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort achieved a truly remarkable milestone - winning Gold for the Caravan and Holiday Parks category at the Whitsunday,
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Airlie Beach favourite The Garden Bar Bistro is once again in the spotlight, named a finalist in this weekend’s Whitsunday Tourism Awards. The waterfront venue has already taken home gold in the Best of Queensland Experience program, earning its place among the region’s top tourism businesses. Owners Penny and Mandy Coles said they’re thrilled to be recognised and are looking forward to the gala event. “It’s always something we look forward to,” said Penny. “It’s an honour to be included among
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Bowen State High School Year 9 student Isaiah Howell has been selected as one of eight outstanding Queensland students to receive the prestigious 2026 Premier’s Anzac Prize, earning the opportunity of a lifetime to travel to Europe and learn about Australia’s rich Anzac legacy. Isaiah will join fellow students from across the state on a two-week educational tour of historic war sites in the United Kingdom, Belgium, and France, culminating in the Anzac Day dawn service at the Australian War Memo
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An evening of exhilarating talent will soon grace the stage of the beloved Airlie Beach Hotel (ABH) as the one and only Bobby Bruce returns to the Whitsunday Shire! Sold out venues from Vancouver to Vegas have had the absolute pleasure of hosting Bobby Bruce live and in concert. Since he began touring internationally, Bobby Bruce, known as Nearly Neil, has gained quite a following and now has fans throughout America, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, Asia and of course, Australia! “So Good, So Good
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The countdown is on for Schoolies 2025, with organisers officially dropping the theme nights for this year’s week-long celebration and it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest yet. Running from November 22 to 28, the official Schoolies event will take place each night from 8pm to midnight in a fully enclosed, alcohol-free zone at the Airlie Beach foreshore – the same site used for the Reef Festival. This year’s theme nights promise plenty of fun and creativity, giving Schoolies a new reason to
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Disaster season in the Whitsunday region runs from 1 November to 30 April. During this period, our region is at increased risk of cyclones, storms, floods and bushfires. Taking a few simple steps today to make sure you’re prepared can make all the difference in an emergency. Start by preparing your home: clear gutters, secure loose items and check your property for risks. Create a household disaster plan so everyone knows what to do and where to go. Now is the time to also start prepping a surv
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The season is officially underway for Proserpine Junior Cricket, with the first Club afternoon on Friday, October 10, welcoming many returning and new faces. With more than 120 registrations and counting, the club is set for another bumper season. History was made for the youngest Pitties, with the club fielding its first all-girls team. Their debut was a friendly club clash against the Under 11s Pitties Boys. The boys won the toss and batted first, facing strong bowling from the girls (M. Neal
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Meet Tipsy If a sweet, playful and fun-loving companion is who you’re searching for, Tipsy is your girl! Tipsy is a gorgeous young girl who was saved from the pound and is now safely in foster care. She’s an absolute sweetheart who just wants to be loved, and she’s more than ready to find her forever family! She’s affectionate and full of love to give, and would suit a family ready to enjoy her bucketloads of puppy energy, and provide her with a little training and guidance to see her grow int
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