Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
“A wry, Jarmuschian musing on the human connections and possibilities that spark in the most unexpected places." – OBSERVER Get ready for the next film night featuring Fremont, a poignant and gently humorous immigrant story. The film follows Donya, a young Afghan who moved to Fremont, California after serving as a translator for the American army, spends her days working at a fortune cookie factory and her nights wide awake battling between her desire to rebuild her life and the overbearing gu
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Historically high work participation, lots of job vacancies, seriously strong population growth, rental and sales prices up by 10 per cent in the past financial year putting median house prices in Mackay up above the $500,000 mark. That was the message from Knight Frank Managing Director Craig Stack at a recent Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) function in Mackay. The facts and figures were a confirmation of the “feeling” that we have all had about how this city and region are on t
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Friday 27th September Matwork Pilates 5.45am Wanting to learn the fundamentals? This is a beginner experience and has been designed to show you the ropes and give you a taste of Pilates and how it should feel. This is a no pressure class, it's for beginners to have fun learning yet still receiving the full value of a Pilates session. Pilates should improve strength, flexibility, and overall well-being. Slade Point Community Hall. 4 Wren Street, Slade Point. Pokemon and Lorcana TCG Casual Pla
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Glitz, glamour and goodwill came together for a heart-warming cause last Saturday, as Broken Ballerina Inc. hosted its annual 2024 Be Bold, Be Brave, Be Beautiful Charity Ball at the Mackay Turf Club. Guests arrived in the early evening, gathering in the picturesque garden area before being welcomed into the grand ballroom at 6pm. Attendees were greeted with complimentary drinks and the sight of a glamorous pink carpet leading them into a beautifully decorated space. The ballroom itself was
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Eastern Swans, Moranbah Bulldogs and Bakers Creek Tigers shared the premiership spoils at this year’s AFL Mackay Grand Finals at Etwell Park earlier this month. All three clubs captured championship doubles in the junior and senior divisions to share bragging rights. The Swans stamped themselves a powerhouse by lifting the Senior Men’s Allied Cup and Under 12 Isuzu UTE Trophy while the Tigers are celebrating Grand Final triumphs in the Men’s Reserve Grade and Senior Women's ranks. Moranbah pro
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By Amanda Wright Step into the world of Scandalous, where seductive allure meets jaw-dropping circus stunts. At the heart of this sultry circus cabaret is Shayla Waterson, an aerial artist who commands the stage with daring acts that leave the audience breathless and yearning for more. From the moment Shayla lifts herself onto the trapeze or wraps herself in chains, the air crackles with anticipation. This isn’t your typical night out; it’s an 18+ spectacle that pushes boundaries and embraces t
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Host a holly jolly Christmas with a funding boost for local community groups! Mackay Regional Council is encouraging not-for-profit groups to make this Christmas a “cracker”! Council is looking to spread Christmas cheer across our region with the Christmas Grants program. Community and not-for-profit groups and organisations can apply for up to $750 from a $10,000 funding pool. Applications are open now and close at midnight on Friday, October 18. Council is happy to support events like carols,
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Noel Bugeia and Terry Sheedy have won the B4 Red Pt competition after a two-week event. The annual AGM has been held with a change of guard. Noel Bugeia stood down after three years of service as president, with Frances Brown as the new President. Many awards were given out to members at varying levels of achievement. Andrew Canavan was the best student this year, pictured with Anne Lutz. Congratulations Andrew! Weekly Results Tuesday Evening 17 September 2024 – 5 Table Mitchell Gree
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Papua New Guinea has claimed victory at the first-ever Pasifika Cup, held as part of Rumble on the Reef. This event marked a significant milestone in uniting Pacific Island skateboarding communities, showcasing a strong sense of connection and camaraderie among riders. The atmosphere was electric, with a supportive crowd cheering on all participants. Taking the top spot on the podium was PNG’s Josh O'Loughlin, followed by Fiji in second place and the Solomon Islands in third. In a remarkable sh
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By Hannah McNamara Ollies, kickflips, grinds and drop-ins were among the many impressive stunts and tricks displayed by our local skaters last Thursday afternoon at the Rumble Roadshow. The event took place at Camilleri Street Skatepark in Blacks Beach, providing a safe space for some of Mackay’s youngest skaters to come together, skate, and learn. Participants had the chance to pick up top skateboarding tips and tricks, not only from experienced skaters but also from fellow enthusiasts who s
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The Magpies Sporting Club Mackay has awarded its Time to Shine - Women in Sport Grant to local rugby union talent, Hula Day. Hula, an active member of both the Slade Point Rugby Union Women's team and the Mackay Stingers, regularly travels to Moranbah, Bowen, and Airlie Beach to compete. In June, Hula represented the U18s CQ Bushrangers at the Queensland Country Rugby Union competition in Rockhampton, gaining valuable experience against some of the state's top athletes. Passionate about rugby un
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Multisporters converged on Mackay last weekend for Mackay’s Triathlon Festival. Held on the 21st and 22nd of September, it featured ocean swims, a kid’s triathlon and multiple race formats including triathlon, duathlon, aquabike and aquathlon. More than 170 entries were recorded across two days, marking a fantastic increase from the past two years. More than 50 participants took part in the ocean swims, with a strong showing from the North Mackay Sinkers Masters Swimming Club. The Mini Kids r
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Mackay Airport acknowledges the planned industrial action by Trident security screening officers and the United Workers Union on Friday 27 September. Richard Barker, CEO of Mackay Airport, stated, “We are aware of ongoing negotiations between the security screening provider and union representatives, however, have not been party to these discussions. “Trident Services Security are responsible for reaching agreement with the union on the outstanding matters and we are hopeful the parties will r
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Ever started making an Asian dish and thought... how do I get that authentic flavour? Asian Products on the Go has you covered, stocking everything you could need to make your dish taste like it has come straight from Asia. Having been in their current store at the Whitsunday Shopping Centre for 10 years, owners Ken and Myrna, started out selling in markets and are proud of their shop, which they opened back in 2014. They love their location as people often stop by to check out their unique sele
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Providing Whitsunday residents with the popular Hawaiian/Japanese dish Poke, the owner Erina Miyake loves bringing this healthy, delicious and super quick lunch and dinner option to our region. Erina opened Lokahi Poke Bar two years ago and loves seeing her regular customers who cannot get enough of the tasty bowls which are packed with fresh local produce and flavour. Poke Bowl is a dish that originated from Hawaii, and it was inspired by the large population of Japanese residents on the is
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Uniting their passion for property and gardening, Whitsundays Property Services has expanded, opening a new store at the Whitsunday Shopping Centre that caters to the region’s plant lovers. The idea began when owners of Whitsunday Property Services, Rhys and Karly realised they had too many plants at home and wanted to share them with fellow enthusiasts. This planted the seed of an idea to launch a side-business and Fay’s Garden grew into the flourishing wonderland of greenery customers enjoy
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Recently opened Reef Beats is set to make its musical mark in Airlie Beach. Bringing a unique vibe to the Whitsunday Shopping Centre, owner Steve Payne says he is excited to be back. After leaving Perth in 2001, Steve moved to Airlie Beach and set up a record shop, after stumbling across the place on a tour up the east coast of Australia back when he was a youngster. Steve retold his time in Airlie Beach over 16 years and emphasised how the town was “Rockin’ 24/7.” Due to Cyclone Debbie, howeve
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Boomerang Bags and Craft Shop is a beloved community hub dedicated to uniting people through creativity. The shop offers a wide array of craft supplies and is adorned with charming homemade creations, from handcrafted seat covers to delightful crochet turtles. Each corner of the store reflects the spirit of local artisans, making it a vibrant space where creativity and community come together. Founder Tina Everett, decided to start up the group after sadly losing her mum. The group started as an
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Lumos Café is named upon the Harry Potter spell to summon light. And that is the purpose of Lumos Café - Owner Sarah Chen wants to bring a lightness to people who come in, and she wants them to leave with a big smile on their face. To set this café apart from others, Lumos Café has a strong focus on customer service, and you’ll feel that from your first breath inside. “We care,” is how Sarah describes Lumos Café. With customers being 80-90% local, staff love remembering the order of returning c
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Meet Waylon Co-Manager And Butcher At MBW On The Barbie After eight years at Master Butchers Whitsunday and MBW On The Barbie, Waylon has certainly found his groove, carving out not just meat but also a satisfying career and lifestyle. When he made the switch from a large supermarket's meat department, he was ready for a real challenge, and Master Butchers Whitsunday delivered—helping him improve his skills as a third-year apprentice and eventually complete his trade in 2017. “They taught me
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What began as a service to the community and a desire to ensure a local shopping centre still had a butcher shop, has become a labour of love for a humble team of passionate staff members who have transformed a closing Butchery into a thriving business over the past 10 years. One of the longest running businesses at Whitsunday Shopping Centre, MBW On The Barbie, is the brainchild of entrepreneurial meat-specialists, Karen Rix and Don Cameron. Ten years ago, when the couple heard the lease was
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Friday 20th SeptemberThe Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm – 10pm)KC’s: Josiah (from 8pm)Grand View Hotel: Hannah Roberts (from 8pm)Saturday 21st SeptemberThe Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Geed Up (2pm – 5.30pm)The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Geed Up After Dark (7pm – 10pm)KC’s: Shaun Diver (from 8pm)Grand View Hotel: DJ Night (from 8pm)Coral Sea Pavilion: Live Music (from 1pm)Coral Sea Pavilion: Chill DJ Session (2pm – 6pm)Sunday 22nd SeptemberThe Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Geed Up (2pm – 5.30pm
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September20 Airlie Beach Movie Night – The Addams Family and Dumb & Dumber, Airlie Beach Foreshore, from 6pm21 Whit Old Iron Restorers Club Car & Bike Show, Showgrounds from 9am21 Mayor’s Charity Ball, at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre, from 5pm27 Children are Stinky, at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre, from 11am27 Children are Stinky, at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre, from 1pm29 Dingo Beach Sunday Markets, Dingo Beach Community Hall grounds, from 8am October1 Sailing For Those Wi
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The 2024 state elections are heating up with the formal announcement of all candidates who are in for the running. After four years of a Labour-run state led by Premier Steven Miles, the political landscape is wide open as the election approaches on October 26, 2024. All eight regional candidates are preparing their election campaigns in the lead up to the big day. Each candidate is working hard to connect with North Queenslanders, hoping to secure their votes and represent the region’s interest
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Hi Everyone, Have you ever shared a moment with others and felt an almost palpable energy radiate? I experienced this feeling twice this week, on two very different occasions. The first was when I was at my Saturday morning Body Combat class; we were about two-thirds of the way through and I was doing my two-hundredth knee kick when the moment struck me. The music was punchy, the stamina was waning and all of a sudden, I felt this almost euphoric energy wash over, one that I felt sure was
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