Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
The splash park at Seaforth Esplanade will be temporarily closed for scheduled maintenance from Monday, August 18 to Friday, August 22, 2025. The planned work includes replacing a foot valve at the base of one of the filtered water tanks, as well as repainting stencils on the concrete surface of the splash pad. While the splash park will be closed during this period, the nearby playground and public amenities will remain open for everyone to enjoy. The park is expected to reopen on Augu
Read more
The Mackay Art Society launched the 2025 Woollam Art on Show Exhibition with sparkling success on Opening Night last Friday, drawing a crowd of around 240 art lovers, artists, and supporters. Guests enjoyed a fabulous evening, officially opened by Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson and expertly hosted by MC Rob Kidd from ABC Tropical North. Among the special guests were Nigel Dalton MP and Mark Svendsen, poet, writer and arts administrator of the Regional Centre of the Arts, Rockhampton who joi
Read more
Mackay Safety has been nominated for the Expansion into New Markets Award – sponsored by Capricornia Pumped Hydro – at the upcoming 2025 Resource Industry Network (RIN) Awards. The nomination recognises their innovative payroll integration tool within the 4P Forms mobile platform, which is transforming industry data management. Designed to digitise and streamline critical business records, 4P Forms enables workers to submit timesheets, pre-start forms, service sheets, issue reporting, tasking,
Read more
Celebrating Mackay’s Industry Trailblazers The Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region has never been short on heavy hitters in the resources sector, and this year’s Resource Industry Network (RIN) Awards finalists prove that excellence here isn’t just a habit, it’s a standard. Among the names stepping into the 2025 spotlight are four standouts already making waves nationally: ALT Industries, with Tristan Turnbull earning recognition in the Standing Out from the Crowd category; Mackay Safety, whos
Read more
With Dual RIN Nominations At just 24 years old, Mackay’s Tristan Turnbull is redefining chemical safety and compliance in the resource industry, and the country is taking notice. His innovative leadership has earned him not one but two nominations in the 2025 Resource Industry Network (RIN) Awards: Expansion into New Markets and Standing Out from the Crowd. Tristan spearheads ALT Industries, with his father and business partner John Turnbull, a specialist provider of hazardous goods manag
Read more
Proudly Mackay family-owned and operated, Gardian has been part of the local community for 25 years, and this year, the business has been nominated and are finalists for the Connecting in the Community Award – Sponsored by Local Buying Foundation at the upcoming 2025 Resource Industry Network (RIN) Awards. The category recognises organisations that excel in building meaningful connections with the community and external stakeholders. Built with the Mackay community at heart, Gardian’s con
Read more
Richglen Nominated For Champion Culture Award In Mining Richglen, a Central Queensland-based company specialising in mechanical, electrical, and structural services for the mining and milling industries, has been nominated for the Champion Culture Award at the 2025 Resource Industry Network (RIN) Awards, sponsored by FMS Group. Managing Director, Matt Borg says the heart of Richglen is its people-first approach. “This award represents exactly what drives us – a culture built on connectio
Read more
The latest round of Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank’s Community Engagement Program has been announced – with near $900,000 in community grants, donations and sponsorships committed to groups and projects across the greater Sarina region. The FY25 program includes 15 community grants supporting everything from school swimming programs, providing local students with lifesaving skills, to vital medical equipment. Community Bank Sarina also confirmed over 30 sponsorships and several major
Read more
A Mackay Northern Beaches State High School student has been recognised on the state stage, earning top honours at the annual Literary Competition hosted by the Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT) in partnership with the English Teachers’ Association of Queensland (ETAQ). Isabelle Refalo claimed first place in the Years 9 and 10 poetry category for her poignant piece Blood-stained poppy. Rebecca Cheers, who judged the entries, said the winning entry
Read more
‘Freedom of choice’ is a superpower in careers, just as it is in other aspects of our lives. ‘Freedom of choice’ in careers give us a sense of control and reduces the risk of feeling stuck. A lot of attention and energy goes into making those first career decisions. So we don’t feel stuck, it’s important to check in and reflect as we progress through our careers whether our choices are serving our purpose. ‘Freedom of choice’ becomes increasingly important as we progress through our car
Read more
Cr Heath Paton Some fantastic news to report this week with the appointment of the new CEO for Mackay Regional Council. After an extensive recruitment process, Gerard Carlyon will be coming on board at the end of September. He brings with him a wealth of experience as he joins us from the Fraser coast regional council where he’s currently serving as the deputy CEO. Mr Carlyon is a personable, approachable leader who cares deeply for his staff and the community. He aims to make council a
Read more
I usually talk about the marketing and comms side of branding – what you say, how you show up, the messages that connect with your audience. But today, I’m crossing to the dark side – and talking design (because I guess visuals matter as much as your voice 😉). Specifically: logo suites and style guides. Because if your brand is still limping along with a single JPEG logo from 2012, this one’s for you. Let’s break it down… What’s in a logo suite (aka the essential files every business sh
Read more
Going for a wander around Mackay’s City Heart will tell you a few things, some good and some not so good. On the down-side you will see plenty of vacant shops and commercial spaces, some with boarded up facades. It is disappointing, in a city as active, vibrant and successful as Mackay to see empty spaces in the City Heart. We’ve all seen dead city hearts in regional areas. They reflect the changing demographic of a particular town; people leaving because they can’t find work, young peo
Read more
A donated car restored by Mackay engineering students has found a new home with local youth support organisation YIRS One Stop Youth Shop, marking another milestone in a community-driven automotive initiative that blends training, purpose, and giving back. The project, now in its third year at CQUniversity's Mackay Engineering College, gives students hands-on experience refurbishing vehicles destined for non-profits. Automotive trainer Simon Korneliussen said this particular vehicle had
Read more
Cricket Is Coming to Mackay “Cricket” is my favourite Bluey episode. Yes, my kids are outside the target market for Bluey, but I just couldn’t shake the FOMO. We watched it — and my heart is happy for it. A show for kids that is genuinely, unironically beloved by parents? I still don’t know how they do it. It’s always clever and charming, but for me, that cricket episode hits different. Somehow it captures the magic and reverence of the backyard version of our national pastime. From Uncle
Read more
Zoe Kennedy – Financial Adviser In 1983, Australia abolished what were once known as death duties; estate taxes that could strip up to 27.9% from estates worth more than $1 million. With their abolition Australian’s have long assumed our country is free of inheritance taxes. However, while traditional estate duties are gone, certain taxes can still apply after death and one of the most significant is embedded within the superannuation system. As superannuation becomes the primary wealth-b
Read more
The Airlie Beach Festival Of Music Has Camping! The Airlie Beach Festival of Music has always been more than just a music event; it’s a full-blown music holiday, and this year, the festival is taking that experience to the next level with an incredible lineup and a brand-new camping package designed to make your escape to paradise as seamless and unforgettable as the music itself. The 2025 lineup is a legendary mix of Australian music royalty and thrilling new talent. Get ready to sing al
Read more
Friday 15th August Crochet & Conversation 9am Drop in for a relaxed morning of crocheting, coffee and conversation with friendly Northern Beaches locals at the Beachfront Bar & Restaurant on Bucasia Esplanade. Everyone is welcome—whether you're a seasoned crocheter, a beginner, or just love a good chat over coffee. Bring your own tools or borrow from the communal box. It’s all about connection, creativity, and community. Beachfront Bar & Restaurant on Bucasia Esplanade QCWA Mackay Branch Mo
Read more
Mackay’s rising cycling stars have made their mark on the state stage, bringing home an impressive haul of titles and podium finishes at the AusCycling Queensland 2025 Gravel State Championships in Rockhampton on Saturday, 9 August, and the Cyclocross State Championships the following day. Heavy rain in the lead-up to the gravel event made for a muddy, unpredictable course, but Mackay’s juniors thrived in the challenging conditions. In the Gravel State Championships, Max Teague was crown
Read more
The 2025 Mackay Wanderers Junior Football Carnival was a standout weekend for grassroots sport, featuring a record-breaking 130 teams from across Central Queensland. The carnival’s scale and success brought thousands of visitors to the region, creating an electric atmosphere on and off the field. Mayor Greg Williamson congratulated the organisers, volunteers, and families who made the event possible. He said, “It was the biggest event to date, bringing thousands of visitors to our region and c
Read more
The Mackay community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of 18-year-old Andrew Lelliott, who tragically lost his life in a single-vehicle crash near Moranbah on Thursday, August 8. Andrew was travelling as a passenger in a silver Toyota Hilux when the vehicle left the roadway and collided with a power pole on the Peak Downs Highway. Despite the efforts of emergency services, Andrew, from Balberra, was declared deceased at the scene. The driver, an 18-year-old Beaconsfield man, sustained minor in
Read more
TABLE TENNIS Season 3 Morning Fixtures – Results 2 – 29th August 2025 Division 1 - Tiger Paws (Allan Robins, Bryan Marshall, Ross DeBoer) tied 6-6 against Wolf Pack (Andrea Nicholson, Pam Joyce, Helen Ware) Shark Attack (Geoff Cowan, Peter Goodson, Marie Taylor) drew 6-6 Bear Claws (Judy Zahn, George Camilleri, Kevin Abbott) Lions King (Don Boettcher, Donna Abbott, Veronica Shepherd) defeated 8-4 Eagle Wings (Branko Vucurovic, Noreen Frederickson, Coral Morgan) Division 2 – Falcon Flyer
Read more
With more than fifty runners taking part in the annual North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) Open and Podiatry Mackay Junior Magic Mile, the competition was fierce from the starter’s gun. The Podiatry Mackay Junior Club Championship was held ahead of the NQBP Open Club Championship in breezy but sunny and cool conditions on the scenic Mackay Marina Breakwater. NQBP once again played a pivotal role in the event, closing the breakwater to vehicle traffic for one hour during racing and sponsori
Read more
Mackay Junior Rugby Union is set to launch its 2025 season in style, with a community sign-on day and first training session scheduled for Sunday, August 17, from 2pm to 4pm at Quarry Hill, North Mackay. The club, which continues to grow under the leadership of its dedicated president, is opening its doors to players of all experience levels, from absolute beginners to seasoned juniors. Training will be held Friday nights, with Sunday games and a full calendar of carnivals in Emerald, Airlie Be
Read more
The first week of the Anne Hird Memorial Trophy was played on Wednesday for novices (under 100 mps), who play with three different experienced players over three weeks. The trophy is in memory of Anne Hird and Beanies for Brain Cancer. Anne was a supporter of encouraging new players, who can only win the trophy once. This is a high honour for all beginners. Weekly Results Monday 4 August 2025 – 8 Table Mitchell Green Points N/S E/W 1st Janelle Conroy / Robert Carless 1st Mary Rose Ramsden / Sa
Read more