Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Water and fertiliser are two of the biggest costs – and opportunities – for cane farmers, and new insights are highlighting how the two are closely linked. According to Farmacist agronomists, irrigation scheduling can play a decisive role in whether nitrogen fertiliser is effectively used by the crop or lost through run-off, leaching or denitrification. With sugarcane heavily reliant on nitrogen for growth, ensuring the nutrient remains in the root zone is vital. Poorly timed irrigations
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Federal Coalition representatives are warning that Labor’s mining regulations and coal royalty regime are costing jobs and damaging regional economies, with urgent calls for reform. Shadow Minister for Resources Senator Susan McDonald said mining companies were preparing to mothball Queensland assets, with suppliers already being told their services were no longer required. She said three years of the Albanese Labor Government’s policies had left miners struggling. “This is a dire warni
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The resilience, beauty, and spirit of rural Australia have been captured in the winning entries of Rural Aid’s sixth annual Spirit of the Bush Photography Competition. This year’s competition drew a record-breaking response, with 201 entrants submitting 429 photos – almost double the number received in 2024. The powerful images tell stories of life on the land, from moments of quiet reflection to the vastness and challenges of the Australian landscape. Ten winners were each awarded a $25
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By Joseph Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay In the heart of Australia’s sugar-growing region, Mackay, “The Sugar City”, there exists sugarcane transport networks of the region’s two milling companies -the German- and Grower-owned joint venture Mackay Sugar, and Singaporean-owned Wilmar Plane Creek. These transport networks play a pivotal role in the production process, moving millions of tonnes of sugarcane each crushing season, from farms’ point of delivery cane rail sidings to the fact
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Invest Or not? Last year alone the tourism industry contributed approximately $666.3-million to the Mackay region. The tourism industry is a vital part of our economy. Improving our region economic viability and diversifying our economy has been a strong focus for our council over the past years. Sarina Field of Dreams Parklands plays an important role in the tourism industry as it forms the southern gateway to the Mackay region. It is the home of the Tourist Information Centre, Arts and C
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Putting Inclusion Into Action Join QDN’s Mackay Inclusion Matters Forum to explore how inclusive communities are built, lived, and strengthened – by everyone. Mackay Inclusion Matters forum, hosted by QDN Peer Leaders will showcase what real inclusion looks like across the seven outcome areas of Australia’s Disability Strategy. Join people with disability, families, allies and organisations as we share ideas, solutions and practical actions for building stronger, more inclusive communitie
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Artspace Mackay will unveil three compelling exhibitions this Friday, September 26, celebrating the diversity and depth of contemporary art across Australia and beyond. Artspace Mackay Director Tracey Heathwood said each of the three exhibitions were deeply personal and depicted the artists’ relationships with people and the world around them. “In the Main Gallery, En Plein Air traces the artistic pilgrimages of a unique collective of contemporary Australian and New Zealand painters,” Ms
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Community Encouraged To Share Their Story Online This October, Hugh Reilly Real Estate is proud to celebrate 80 years of service to the Mackay region – a milestone that wouldn’t have been possible without the many dedicated people who have worked within the business over the decades. As part of the celebration, Hugh Reilly Real Estate is inviting all former employees to come together and reconnect at this special anniversary event. It’s a chance to reminisce, share stories, and honour the
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Your Inner Wellness Engine Your gut isn't just about digestion – it’s a powerhouse influencing immunity, mood, and overall wellbeing. Central to this is the microbiome, the trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes residing in your digestive tract. A balanced microbiome aids in nutrient extraction, infection defense, and inflammation regulation. Probiotics: Friendly Bacteria Probiotics are live microorganisms that can boost the "good" bacteria in your gut. Found in foods like yogu
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Experience Meets Innovation With over 25 years of experience in massage, Bowen therapy, and frequency-based modalities, Trinity from Trinity Bowen Therapy believes healing isn’t one-size-fits-all. “Every person who comes through my door presents with something unique,” she says. “I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all treatments. I take an individual approach that suits my clients best.” Alongside Bowen therapy – a gentle hands-on treatment that activates the body’s natural repair systems
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More Than Just A Gym In just a few short months, Mackay will welcome a fitness destination unlike anything the region has seen before. Fitness Cartel Mackay is not just another gym — it’s a space built for strength, movement, and community, supported by cutting-edge facilities and a brand-new Wellness Centre dedicated to recovery and rejuvenation. Whether you’re stepping into a gym for the first time or you’ve been training for decades, this facility has been designed to raise the standard
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When most people think of the pelvic floor, they imagine pregnancy or ageing. But the truth is, our pelvic floor is working hard every single day — whether we’re lifting shopping bags, running after kids, or just going to the loo. And just like any other muscle group, daily habits can either protect it or put it under strain. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments and connective tissue that support your bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs. When these muscles and connective
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The Mackay Malayalee Association Inc. hosted its Onam Ponnonam 2025 celebrations on Saturday, 13 September, at the Tommy Webster Memorial Hall in Walkerston. Formed in 2012 and incorporated this year as a non-profit organisation, the Mackay Malayalee Association is a community of people from Kerala, the southern state of India. While promoting Kerala’s cultural heritage, traditions, and festivals, the association also embraces Australian values of multiculturalism, mutual respect, and soc
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Friday 26th September ** Lagoon Life – School Holiday Activity 10am Discover the hidden wonders of Mackay’s freshwater lagoons at the Lagoon Life school holiday drop-in sessions. Explore trays of dragonfly and damselfly nymphs, diving bugs, tiny fish, shrimp, and more—collected by Garden Friends and displayed with water plants that provide their habitat. Magnifying glasses will be on hand so children and families can get a close look at these fascinating creatures without getting wet. A free, h
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Ian Haug, guitarist for Australian band The Church, is set to bring his unmistakable sound to Mackay audiences this October as part of the much-anticipated Legends on the Lawn concert series. Haug, who joined the band 13 years ago, reflected on his long-standing connection to North Queensland. “I’ve been Mackay many times over the years with my old band Powderfinger… we used to come there all the time and play. I love North Queensland,” he said. While relatively new to The Church, Haug d
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Living in North Queensland offers a unique lifestyle filled with sunshine, coastal beauty and a strong sense of community. However, it also means living with the reality of tropical cyclones during the wet season. With climate change contributing to more intense and unpredictable storms, the way homes are built in this region has become increasingly important. Over the past several decades, building codes and construction practices in North Queensland have adapted to meet the challenges p
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A Smarter Way To Retire In Mackay and across North Queensland, more retirees are choosing to downsize and embrace a lifestyle that offers freedom, simplicity and less maintenance. The demand for smaller, low-maintenance homes is rising as older Australians look for practical and affordable ways to make the most of their retirement years. For many, the traditional family home served its purpose during the busy years of raising children and working full time. But as retirement approaches, p
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Queenslanders are part of a national boom in home building, with the latest HIA Housing 100 report highlighting the country’s largest residential builders and the homes they’ve delivered over the past year. “Metricon Homes has cemented its place in history as Australia’s number one home builder for the tenth year in a row,” stated HIA Chief Economist, Tim Reardon, at the launch of the HIA Housing 100 2024/25, sponsored by Colorbond® steel. The report ranks Australia’s 100 largest builder
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SOFTBALL What a day of action on the diamond — surprises, nail-biters, and plenty of fantastic ball played across all grades. Get The Power 5 Def. Nth Jacklin Choas Angels 4 It was a thrilling contest right down to the last innings, with the young ones keeping the crowd on edge. Pitchers Harry Dolgner and Ashlyn Ireland both impressed on the mound, with Harry the only player to take a catch in the game. For the Choas Angels, Harry, Ashlyn and Jarvis Locher each crossed home every turn a
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Kids Shine At Harrup Park Colouring Competition Throughout August, children had their coloured pencils, textas and crayons out, creating masterpieces that combined a love of cricket with a flair for art. The response far exceeded expectations, with more than 60 entries received in each division, making the job of choosing winners incredibly tough for judges. With all the international cricket action at Harrup Park during August, the club thought this competition would be a fun way to get
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BRIDGE Twenty one players went to Airlie Beach on Wednesday to compete in the Airlie Red Point pairs event. Six pairs all placed, including Patricia Garner and Martin Pearce, and Alan and Frances Brown winning first place. Nancy Wix and Julie O’Neill who have never played together before came in a respectable fourth place. Weekly Results Monday 15 September 2025 – 7 Table Mitchell Green Points N/S E/W 1st Helen Van Den Broek / Jan Harris 1st Geoffrey Patterson / Noel Bugeia 2nd Janelle Conroy
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TABLE TENNIS **Evening Fixture Results – Finals Night ** Well Finals for Season 3 have arrived and they delivered with the top 2 teams in each Division battling it out. There has been some incredible matches throughout the season and congratulations to everyone on a great season. Division 1: Fish (Goncalo Serra, Steven Whiting, Jacob Whelan) defeated Bears (Lily Boland, Josh Brown, Lee Brake) 7-4 with no 5 set matches but we did have some close 4 setters Josh come out on top by the skin
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$46 Million Set To Deliver Nearly 3000 Blocks Across The Region More than 2,900 new homes will be unlocked in Mackay and the Whitsundays with construction of several critical infrastructure projects set to be fast-tracked under the Crisafulli Government’s landmark $2 billion Residential Activation Fund. On Wednesday 24 September the Crisafulli Government announced in Cannonvale that funding of $41.66 million under the Residential Activation Fund (RAF) will support the construction of several cr
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Hi Everyone, This week has been one of big changes here at the paper — a mix of heartfelt goodbyes and warm new beginnings. Firstly, we bid farewell to the amazing Amanda Wright, who has stepped down from her role as Editor of Mackay Life to pursue a career in politics. Amanda has brought heart, talent, and fierce integrity to every edition, and we are so proud to see her take on a new chapter where she’ll no doubt make a difference. We also said goodbye to our office dynamo, Crissy Bottrell.
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A passion for craft and a love of community has led local maker Tina to brighten lives with her colourful handmade chairs and hampers. The project began when former school principal put a call out for a special reading chair for the school library. Tina answered the request and has since turned it into an ongoing way to give back. Each chair is carefully sewn, upholstered with cheerful fabrics, and donated rather than sold. “I don’t sell them – a lot of people suggest I should – but I only eve
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