Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
By Hannah McNamara In an outstanding display of determination and compassion, 16-year-old Murray McGroarty undertook a 382km walk over nine days during his school holidays to support homeless veterans in Mackay. His initiative, Just Keep Marching, not only aimed to raise funds but also to raise awareness about the challenges faced by veterans experiencing homelessness. Starting each day with laps along the picturesque Bluewater Trail in the early hours of the morning, Murray welcomed the commun
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Our city is absolutely buzzing right now with a killer lineup of events, proving that the council’s hard work to boost our liveability and attract top-notch events is paying off big time. Mackay is fast becoming the music capital of regional Queensland, and the upcoming Festival of Arts is the cherry on top! Thanks to the council’s ‘Invest Mackay Events and Conference Attraction Programs,’ we’re seeing a flood of major sporting events, concerts, and conferences, all giving our local economy a fa
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In a time when the cost-of-living crisis weighs heavily on many in Mackay, gestures of kindness like the one shown at Andergrove McDonald's last week has left a lasting impact on a local family. A local man by the name of Trey has selflessly payed for a stranger's dinner, including meals for a whole family at a McDonald’s in Andergrove and the mother on the receiving end has taken to a local Facebook page to express her profound gratitude. The recipient of Trey's generosity was deeply touched
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By Amanda Wright In last week’s ordinary meeting, the Mackay Regional Council approved a significant motion to rename the new playground area associated with the Seaforth Water Park in memory of the late Jim Adams, a former councillor. This decision, spearheaded by Cr George Christensen after the family sent him a letter, honours the late Jim Adams' extensive community service and reflects the council's commitment to preserving his legacy. Cr Christensen’s Notified Motion, supported by a detaile
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July 1 marked a momentous occasion for CQ Rescue as it commenced operations under its own CASA Air Operator Certificate, ushering in a new era for the region’s beloved rescue helicopter service. After years of preparation, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority has granted CQ Rescue the authority to operate its own flight operations, eliminating the need to outsource to another company. This change also signifies the end of RACQ's long-standing role as the naming rights sponsor. A CQ Rescue represe
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OPINION PIECE Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, is renewing his desperate calls for the Federal and State Labor Government’s to fix the Bruce Highway. His sentiments have been echoed by the Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry. Following the recent fatal tragedy on the weekend near Gumlu, Mr Willcox said Labor’s decision to slash funding to the Bruce Highway in his electorate of Dawson is despicable. “While the investigation into the cause of this accident is still ongoing
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Endeavour Foundation is embarking upon Australia’s largest Virtual Reality (VR) rollout for a disability service provider and 50 locals with disability from Business Solutions in Mackay, are set to benefit! The exclusive VR suite, will include two VR hubs with all of Endeavour Foundation’s leading VR learning programs, including: catching public transport (bus and train), how to cross a road through pedestrian safety, how to use an AT, navigating a café and barista training, forklift driving an
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Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) is again delivering the Greater Foundations program, aimed at informing Greater Whitsunday teachers and educators on what career and workforce opportunities exist across the region. Find out what role robots will play in the future of advanced manufacturing and how agtech is revolutionising the Greater Whitsunday agricultural landscape. Greater Foundations24 developed by Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) and delivered with curriculum experts Future Anything
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A heart-warming gathering was held last Saturday at the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens in support of Breast Cancer research. A total of $3122.00 was raised with $822 worth of donations contributed on the day. Attendees enjoyed a Pink Picnic afternoon tea amidst live tunes by local artist Tiffany Grace who adorned the event with her single ‘Last November.’ Peter T, Kellie Maree, Graham Day and Les McSweeney also put on a show for attendees while some even got up to boogey as Rock ‘n’ Roll d
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The late Sir Bruce Small who was famously called ‘Mr Gold Coast’ for touring the country with bikini models to promote Surfers Paradise, has been announced as the new posthumous winner of the Queensland Greats Awards 2024 … and Mackay musical heritage is connected with his famous life journey. The award honours the former colourful Gold Coast Mayor for his contribution to the history and development of Queensland including donating millions to charity, with the town of Mackay included in his
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Imagine a day devoted entirely to you—a rare opportunity to invest in your well-being, happiness, and personal growth. This is the promise of The Joy Maker Experience, held at The Ocean International. It's a Gift of a Day designed to help you pause, reflect, and realign with what truly matters in your life. And let me just say, "You deserve it!" You deserve the time off, to focus on YOU! In a world where we are constantly bombarded with demands and distractions, taking time for ourselves can see
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Dozer operators at Anglo American’s Capcoal Complex are in training to embrace remote control technology to improve operator safety on site. The operation, near Middlemount, is trialling a remote-controlled stockpile dozer ahead of plans to retrofit the entire fleet. Anglo American, which operates five steelmaking coal mines across the Bowen Basin, will reduce in-cab dozer exposure time by 45,000 to 75,000 hours a year once the technology is fully deployed across all sites. The remote cont
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By Amanda Wright In the early hours of Saturday 29 June, Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) was alerted to a methane ignition at Grosvenor coal mine in Moranbah, west of Mackay. The incident prompted an immediate response, with coal inspectors dispatched to secure the site. All employees were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported. RSHQ CEO Rob Djukic emphasised that the primary concern for everyone involved is the continued safety of workers. "The coal mine is in the proces
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Australia’s largest regional mining event, the Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition (QME), returns this month to the Mackay Showgrounds, raising the standard with its largest-ever Seminar Series. From 23-25 July, the free-to-attend Seminar Series hosted by Komatsu will feature 13 panel discussions with an impressive lineup of high-profile speakers from the C-suite to peak bodies, research and industry associations. The Seminar Series runs across all three days of the exhibition, coveri
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Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank awarded community grants to support students at three local primary schools through the Community Engagement Program – with a focus on enhancing youth education in the region and fostering the development of the next generation. Students at Alligator Creek State School benefitted from a successful community grant to upgrade their Homework Reading Project, including decodable books, to support students at all reading levels to improve their reading speed, comp
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In the dynamic landscape of Mackay’s sugar industry, Queensland Cane Agriculture & Renewables (QCAR) is fast becoming a driving force for growers, fostering innovation and resilience among its members. This organisation, dedicated to activating agricultural excellence, addresses rising farming costs, promotes environmental sustainability, and champions water quality issues. At the helm of QCAR's efforts in the Proserpine, Mackay, and Sarina areas is Sonia Ball, a woman whose life and career ar
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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay Given the community-wide current cost of living crisis, Mackay Regional Council’s budget announcement last week cannot be seen as anything more than a slap in the face for the people of this region. It’s a disappointing impost on the community in difficult times. It’s a double hit, too, with the steep 3.6 per cent rise in rates combined with a reduction in the on-time payment discount reduced from 10 per cent to 6 per cent. Obviously, council has costs
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The Fair Work Commission has ordered three unions to suspend industrial action at the Queensland factories of Wilmar Sugar and Renewables for six weeks after hearing submissions from unions and the company. Fair Work Commission Deputy President Dobson had been asked by Sugar and Renewables to issue suspension orders after unions notified intention to mount a series of stoppages over coming weeks, further threatening company attempts to continue with the annual sugar season. The company gave
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If you’re anything like me, it’s been a long while. After today, I’m hoping to get a few lazy sleep-ins as I’ll be on holiday from the 4MK breakfast show for a couple of weeks. The boss said to me a few weeks ago to get some holidays in, so July it is. For some people who have asked, including my dad who I spoke to on the phone yesterday, I won’t be travelling anywhere though. No road trips. No plane trips. No extended camping swag trips. None of that. Just my bed, the alarm clock set to off,
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By Amanda Wright At last week’s Mackay Regional Council annual budget meeting, tensions ran high as councillors debated the decision to reduce the early payment discount for ratepayers from 10 per cent to 6 per cent. This change, part of the 2024-2025 budget, effectively results in a significant rate increase for the majority of residents who traditionally take advantage of the prompt payment discount. Mayor Greg Williamson acknowledged the challenges facing many in the Mackay region due to risi
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Real estate agents are manipulative, greedy, parasitic sneaks who exploit desperate Mackay home-buyers and create angst and trauma in the community by forcing up property prices beyond what people can afford. Harsh. But is it fair? The sentence seems to accurately paraphrase the current view of a fair portion of the real estate-buying community in this town. Call me a sensitive little princess who can’t take fair criticism but, personally, I don’t agree with that view … although I do feel the
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Mackay is renowned for its vibrant seafood, tropical produce, public art, jazz scene, and festivals like the Mackay Festival of Arts and Jazz in the Park—and the culinary scene just got even more exciting. Eariler this week, the region’s culinary landscape was majorly elevated as Adrian and Jessica launched Gypsy Burger in Mackay, bringing their famous gourmet burgers to a Queensland foodie capital. Jess and Adrian were stoked to spill the beans for their latest gig following their grand ope
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Step into a world of playful indulgence with the Chupa Chup Cocktail, a whimsical creation that captures the essence of everyone's favourite childhood lollipop in a sophisticated adult beverage. Crafted with precision by the skilled hands at The Dispensary, this cocktail is a must-try for those seeking a blend of nostalgia and modern appeal. To create this delightful refresher, the mixologists start with a base of premium vodka, lending a smooth yet robust foundation. Next, a dash of buttersco
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From the creators of “The Alphabet of Awesome Science” comes a brand-new multi-award-winning family show, You Are a Doughnut. Audiences will join biology teachers Oesoph A. Gus and Dewey Dean as they embark upon an utterly brilliant all singing, all-dancing (and all-clowning!) exploration of every twisting tube and remarkable organ — with sketches, songs and sensational science. Along the way there will be a frenzy of enzyme powered ping pong balls, a sing along with a rainbow collection of po
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Friday 5th July Art Party Afternoons 3pm Bring your own project! Do you have an existing arts project that you are looking to finish? Are you looking to meet up socially with other artists in an accessible environment? Art Party Afternoons recognises all of our unfinished projects (crochet, painting, craft, zine, artist book, comic, scribbles…whatever you are working on!). The monthly art hangs will connect our like- minded community to get creative inspo and provide you a place to make. Ages
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