Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
A new campaign has been launched to provide dedicated female facilities at Mackay Rugby League, reflecting the surge in women and girls taking up the sport. Member for Mackay, Nigel Dalton MP, has partnered with Rugby League Mackay and District to champion the initiative, highlighting the urgent need for modern, inclusive spaces. Currently, female players are often required to share or adapt facilities originally designed for men, creating barriers that discourage participation and limit
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Last Thursday, former North Queensland Cowboys premiership winner Jake Granville sat down with staff at Wisely Group in Mackay to deliver a message that reached far beyond the footy field: the power of conversation, and the importance of “being a breather.” The session, held on national R U OK? Day, was livestreamed to Wisely’s regional sites across the Bowen Basin. It was part of the company’s ongoing commitment to breaking down stigma and encouraging everyday conversations about mental
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For R U OK? Day 2025 The importance of checking in on friends and colleagues was front and centre at the annual R U OK? Day Breakfast, hosted by Resource Industry Network in partnership with FMS Group last Thursday morning. The event drew members of the business and resource community together to share conversations, explore strategies for wellbeing, and show collective support for mental health. Guest speakers Anthony Gibs from Tenaxiti Business Psychology and Debbie Knight from the Gra
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Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is urgently appealing for people to donate blood and help boost critical supplies. The urgent call follows record high demand for blood during winter, coupled with peak appointment cancellations and seasonally lower bookings. Lifeblood needs 12,500 additional donors to give blood and plasma over the next week to ease the strain on its blood and plasma reserves. Data shows demand for blood reached record levels in June, July and August. This demand surge co
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Faces have changed but memories of school days at St Patricks College Mackay (formerly boys only Christian Brothers College) had not. 8 members of the 1965 Grade 12 (Senior) Class gathered in Brisbane recently for a reunion. Brisbane was picked due to only 3 of the original class currently living in Mackay. Of the original 16 classmates, 3 are deceased, 2 could not be located and 3 were unable to attend due to ill health. The reunion kicked off with dinner at GUSTO DA GIANNI Italian Res
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Looking for free family fun these school holidays? Head to Dunes Harbour Beach from 9 am to 12 pm, Wednesday 24 September for Coastal Kids - a morning of entertainment, fresh air and seaside community spirit. Make the most of the sprig sunshine at one of our region’s most spectacular beachside locations. With stunning sea views and an open grassed area, it’s the perfect spot to unwind while the kids burn off that ‘school holiday energy’. Adding to the fun, Jake from HitFM will be broadc
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The Queensland Government’s Primary Industries and Resources Committee held a well-attended public hearing in Mackay as part of its Inquiry into Sugarcane Bioenergy Opportunities in Queensland. Canegrowers Mackay Chairman Joseph Borg, Deputy Chairman Brett Leach, and Canegrowers Proserpine Chairman Glenn Clarke presented on behalf of growers. Mr Borg highlighted the opportunities for mill cogeneration and virtual microgrids to help farmers access cost-effective irrigation, boosting produc
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Simon Hood, Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing A final reminder to growers regarding the Global Traders Roadshow featuring Wilmar’s Senior Sugar Trader Peter Bingham. Peter is currently in India attending the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) convention, which means he will bring the very latest insights into Indian crop developments and ethanol policy for the year ahead. With India’s production forecast rising sharply this season, the country’s decisions around exports and ethanol could
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By Owen Menkens, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Sugarcane has always been part of Queensland’s story. From the sunlit paddocks along our coastline the sweet scent of a mill in full crush, it’s hard to imagine our state without it. But there’s a side to the industry that many people don’t see – how far our growers have come in making cane a world leader in sustainability. This month we reached a milestone worth celebrating. Farms accredited through our Smartcane BMP program have now earned a rare
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As CANEGROWERS prepares to celebrate its centenary in 2026, the organisation is inviting the community to help build a unique photo collection that captures 100 years of cane country history. Locals are encouraged to dig out their treasured sugarcane snapshots — from family moments on the farm to milestones in the industry — and share them on Facebook or by emailing info@canegrowers.com.au. The collection will form part of a centenary showcase honouring the people and stories behind the sugarc
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Applications open for 2026 Rural Women’s Award The search is on for inspiring rural women to step forward, with applications now open for the 2026 AgriFutures Australia Rural Women’s Award. The award recognises and celebrates inclusive and courageous leadership by women involved in Australia’s rural and emerging industries, businesses, and communities. Queensland’s 2025 state winner and Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Agribusiness Network, Nicole McNaughton, said she encouraged a
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The Nebo Bush Poet’s Smoko 2025 drew a strong crowd earlier this month, with 105 people gathering to celebrate the art of storytelling through rhyme and verse. The event featured 21 performers, who entertained with a mix of heartfelt reflections, witty tall tales and traditional bush poetry that resonated with the spirit of the outback. The morning’s program highlighted both seasoned poets and emerging voices, giving audiences a taste of the rich diversity within the bush poetry communit
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CUC Engineering Futures At Home Moranbah High School vice-captain Ethan Azzopardi hopes to be one of CUC Isaac’s first graduates: he’s one of five high school students who have already enrolled for the region’s new Country Universities Centre. The first of its kind in the Isaac region, the CUC Isaac campus gives locals a free, practical base to study without leaving town. Open from 6am to midnight, seven days a week, the centre provides high-speed internet, printers, quiet rooms, exam sup
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Queensland’s coal industry faces a major blow as BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) announced plans to cut about 750 jobs across its operations, citing the financial strain of state royalties and challenging market conditions. The company confirmed that its Saraji South mine at Dysart will be mothballed from November. Saraji South, part of the greater Saraji complex, is one of BMA’s five steel-making coal mines in the Bowen Basin and has been in operation since 1974. BMA asset president Adam
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With Titan Security & Protection Titan Security & Protection is providing a premier option for security services across the Mackay region, standing out for its professional approach, community focus, and locally owned drive. Founded by Beau Bath, a father of two, the company exists with one mission in mind. “We aim to protect the community we live in and give back to the place we call home.” Unlike larger out-of-town firms, Titan brings a fresh, locally driven approach to security in Ma
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Four years ago, Kimberly Stevens’ world was shattered when she lost her teenage son, Ethan, in 2021. A talented local footballer signed to the Broncos’ elite development squad, Ethan’s passing left a void no parent should ever endure. Six months later, as Kimberly returned to work, she found herself searching for something more, and there she found a calling to help other parents navigate the same heartache. “I didn’t know a lot about grief back then… and I just knew there wasn’t a lot a
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For many small business owners, getting a website built can feel overwhelming. You know you need an online presence, but when quotes start coming in, it’s hard to know what you’re actually paying for and what makes one website better than another. If you don’t know what you’re paying for, chances are you’re overpaying. A good website doesn’t have to be complicated or cost a fortune. What it does need is to speak to the right audience, be easy to use, and guide people to take action. That’
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Welcoming a new councillor with prior experience in local government presents a unique and valuable opportunity for both council and community, especially almost halfway through a term. Their familiarity with governance structures, policy development, and stakeholder engagement allows for a smoother transition into their role and accelerates the momentum of ongoing initiatives. One of the most immediate benefits is their ability to contribute meaningfully from day one. Of course, there w
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We place significant focus on building a career by developing our skills, acquiring qualifications and putting in the effort in the work we do. While these elements are an important foundation, there is another that is just significant, and that is the power of connection. Careers are not built in isolation and the connections we build along the way support personal growth, open up (often hidden) opportunities and feed into longer-term success. Careers are a lot about people so creating m
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When it comes to social media marketing, most of us focus on posting – but your profiles themselves can do a lot of the heavy lifting. Think of them as an online shopfront. When someone clicks through – can they quickly + easily see who you are, what you do + how to take the next step? If not, it’s time for a few simple tweaks that can make a big difference!! Instagram bio glow up If someone sees your content in their feed, they’ll often check your profile before following. Make sure it
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Kaley-Jade Baker’s Rise on Air A life that might have gone off the rails has instead found its megaphone. Kaley-Jade Baker’s rise from a fractured childhood to one of regional radio’s most compelling voices is a study in grit, reinvention and the redemptive power of community — and this year her work has been rewarded in the only currency that matters in broadcasting: listeners. Come survey day at ARN’s Star FM in Mackay, staff were stunned to learn the station had climbed to the top acr
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**Friday 19th September ** 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 Friday Gui
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A large, grey brick wall in the heart of Sarina will soon be transformed into a vibrant and lasting work of art, celebrating the area. Internationally renowned Grasstree Beach artist, Donna Marie Robinson, will work with young people and First Nations residents of the Sarina area to design and paint a mural on the exterior of the Grand Central. Workshops will be held Monday, September 22 to Wednesday, September 24 at the Sarina Youth Centre to develop the mural. Work to paint the mural will b
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A Warm Whitsunday Welcome For Jessica Mauboy Multi music award winner Jessica Mauboy will make her first Airlie Beach Festival of Music appearance this November. The much-loved Australian music legend first gained recognition on Australian Idol, but in an exclusive interview with Whitsunday Life Newspaper, she said performing live is her ultimate joy. “Being able to play it live is my ultimate favourite. So, it’s an absolute honour and opportunity to be able to do that in Airlie Beach. I
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2025 PIPA Investor Survey OPINION PIECE Australia’s rental market is under mounting pressure as a record number of property investors exit the sector, driven by rising costs, legislative uncertainty, and concerns over proposed federal tax reforms. The 2025 Annual Property Investor Sentiment Survey, released today by the Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA), shows that 16.7 per cent of investors sold at least one property in the past year – up from 14.1 per cent last year
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