Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay Farmers are typically your quiet achievers. They get in, get on, and get the job done. It’s been a frustrating start to the season again. Marian Mill has been a few weeks late getting up and running, and Plane Creek has been on a delayed start as miller and workers negotiate on wages. In the background, CANEGROWERS has been in communication with unions and miller, making sure that it is clearly understood that, while worker capacity to earn a living,
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An Australian rural charity has been urgently assisting farmers who are battling increased levels of mental ill-health in recent months. Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said primary producers are feeling overworked, underappreciated and anxious. “In a recent Rural Aid study, one in two farmers said they’ve felt their mental health decline in the past year,” Mr Warlters said. “76 per cent of our farmers rated their mental health as poor, very poor or average.” “These numbers show that all i
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OPINION PIECE Returning from Western Australia earlier this week, Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox said it is now clear that this “Albanese Labor Government wants Australian farmers to flock off.” “Make no mistake about it. They have decimated our fishing industry in Queensland, they are now attacking our live sheep exports in WA, and cattle exports will be next across Australia,” Mr Willcox said. “Over 3,000 farmers, families, and children from all around Australia turned out to
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One of the good Australian sayings is that someone or something is “punching above their weight”. The term is often used to describe an ordinary looking bloke with a good-looking girlfriend or wife … “gee, he’s punching above his weight”. The phrase, I imagine, comes from the world of boxing, where fighters are restricted to a weight division. Which brings me to a local bloke by the name of Liam Paro. Born and raised in Mackay, Paro won the world title in his IBF light welterweight division aga
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Creating inviting outdoor living spaces through DIY projects can transform your backyard into a functional and aesthetically pleasing area for relaxation and entertainment. Here are several creative ideas to inspire your outdoor makeover: Cozy Outdoor Lounge: Begin with comfortable seating options like DIY pallet sofas or repurposed wooden benches with plush cushions. Add a handmade coffee table using a reclaimed crate or an old trunk topped with a custom-cut piece of glass. DIY Hammock Corn
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The last of Wilmar Sugar and Renewables’ four Burdekin mills were on track to start crushing earlier this week, on Tuesday. General Manager Operations Mike McLeod said he expected the first bin to be tipped at Pioneer Mill near Brandon just after lunchtime on Tuesday, and the first raw sugar to be produced by Wednesday. This means half of Wilmar’s mills will be in full swing by Wednesday, making sugar, molasses and renewable energy. Inkerman Mill in Home Hill was first to begin the crushing se
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Friday 21 June Magnums Bar: James Reyne - Crawl File Tour (from 7pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm – 10pm) Reef Gateway: Louisa Taylor (6pm – 9pm) Jubilee Tavern: Paul Berger (6pm – 9pm) Grand View Hotel: Tim Griffin (8pm – 12am) KC’s: Zed Charles (from 8pm) Saturday 22 June The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Blues Brothers Tribute (2pm – 5.30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm – 10pm) Reef Gateway: David Flower: (6pm – 9pm) Grand View Hotel: Freddy Martin (8pm – 12am
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Friday 21st June Guided Walks In The Botanical Gardens 10am Explore the Botanic Gardens with your Gardens Guide. Walks will differ each week in circuit and theme and are FREE to attend. Walks commence from Botanic Gardens Visitor Information (opposite the cafe) and go for one hour in duration. For more information, contact the gardens on phone (07) 4952 7300 or email botanic@mackay.qld.gov.au Botanical Gardens opposite the cafe Conversations With Art 2pm 'Conversations with Art' is a free a
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Students and teachers from a range of different Mackay regional schools gathered for the annual Festival of STEM, which proved to be a major success last Wednesday as attendees gathered to engage in the Whitsunday STEM Challenge. This initiative explores the future of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to prepare and equip generations to come with the knowledge needed to work with an ever-growing world of technology. The Festival of STEM in Mackay is in its 7th year of c
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Get ready to be transported to Sudan as you engross this next film night of morality drama - Goodbye Julia. Across the divides of rich and poor, Muslim and Christian, north and south, light-skinned and dark, Goodbye Julia tells the story of two women who forge an unusual friendship. It takes place in Khartoum during the last years of Sudan as a united country, shortly before the 2011 separation of South Sudan. Wracked by guilt, Mona — a northern Sudanese retired singer — tries to make amends fo
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On Friday 24th May, about 100 members of Mackay 50's & Better celebrated their 30th year of community social events. The party was held at Goosies North Mackay with what was described as a “lovely delicious 2-course luncheon”, with live music by guitarist Graham Day. As hundreds of photos were displayed on the big screen, club members reminisced the special events and memories had throughout the years Generous raffle prizes were gifted by Member for Mackay, Julieanne Gilbert and Chris Ashmor
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Enjoy the region’s beautiful sunny winter days these school holidays and get the kids outdoors for FREE holiday fun with Strolling Stories at the Seaforth Esplanade and Sarina Field of Dreams, outdoor board games at the Botanic Gardens and kids' activities along the water’s edge at River Wharves. Make sure to check out all the activities and follow the Facebook pages of the facilities for more information and updates. > LIBRARIES Bookings for these activities, other than drop-in days, are requir
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Gold Coast SUNS AFLW games record holder Lauren Bella is the latest to commit her future to the club, inking a long-term contract extension. The SUNS Academy product and one of two remaining foundation players on the club’s AFLW list will remain in the red, gold and blue until at least the end of the 2027 AFLW season. Her extension coincides with this morning’s confirmation that the SUNS will be returning to Mackay for a fourth consecutive AFLW season, hosting Carlton at Great Barrier Reef Are
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In a regional first, a local man of Mackay, Liam Paro, etched his name into Australian sporting history by fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a world champion in boxing on June 16. Raised in Mackay, Liam was known for his boundless energy and passion for boxing from an early age after he confidently declared his ambitions to his mother while perched on his kitchen bench one day at just thirteen years old. Liam's mother, Sharon Cortez, vividly recalls the day when her teenage son procl
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Mackay Cutters rugby league team have zoomed into the top eight after toppling cellar-dwellers Ipswich Jets 30-16 in Hostplus Cup action last weekend at BB Print Stadium. There was no stopping the home side who laid the foundations for a sixth victory this season through their rugged forward pack and slick back division. Early tries by skipper and lock Sean Mullany and young winger Brent Anderson helped the Cutters establish a 10-0 lead after nine minutes. Ipswich centre Mathew Lyons responde
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Mackay's very own Meg Harris is gearing up for the Olympic trials, backed by a recent sponsorship from Auswide Bank. Born in Bundaberg, this 22-year-old swimming sensation has captured the hearts of her hometown supporters. Meg’s journey began on the sands of Eimeo Beach in Mackay, where her passion for surf lifesaving laid the groundwork for her Olympic success. At just 13, she traded coastal life for the pool in Brisbane, determined to chase her Olympic dreams. Like many athletes, Meg faces
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In a ground-breaking event, a grand total of $36,265 has been raised for the Ronald McDonald House Charities North Australia and Hospitality Cart at Mackay Base Hospital all thanks to the 2024 Mackay Basketball NBL1 fundraising game and charity singlet auction held on May 31. The Meteors wore limited edition jerseys representing Mackay’s renowned sugar cane trains and after the intense matchup, the jerseys, infused with the sweat and spirit of the game were auctioned off to eager bidders, with
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With a focus on empowering young aspiring athletes, Harrup Park is thrilled to announce the official launch of the Mackay Sports Foundation, a new initiative dedicated to supporting the youth of the community. This helpful new initiative is designed to offer financial aid to young athletes by assisting them in meeting the expenses associated with participating in sports events, with an emphasis on empowering the youth to reach beyond financial boarders. The goal is to encourage upcoming athlete
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QCCS Mackay Cutters players Jaxon Purdue, Jamal Shibasaki, and Mutua Brown were set to make their debuts in the U19 Queensland Origin squad yesterday, June 20th, at Leichhardt Oval. The time of print for this publication was prior to Thursday. In an exciting development, Queensland Rugby League recently announced the Queensland Under 19 men's squad, featuring standout talents from the Mackay Cutters. Jaxon Purdue and Jamal Shibasaki made their National Rugby League debuts for the North Queensla
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Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday night fixtures June 11, 2024 Division 1: Blue (Geoff Coran, Steven Whiting, Lee Brake) d Orange (Janice Kent, Geoff Denman, Donna Abbott) 7-4. Geoff C d Geoff D 8, 7, -9, -6, 12. Brown (Barry Patterson, Vince Boeske, Andrea Nicholson) d Red (George Camilleri, Anne Sheridan, Graeme Walker) 8-3. Andrea d George -8, -10, 5, 7, 7. White (Tony Bowman, Lily Boland, Leo Gilbert) d Whjte (Mark Sleeman, Andrew McHugh, Neil Brown) 8-3. Neil d Leo 9, 13, -7, 17. Black (Alla
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Cricket fans, get ready for international action here in Mackay. Watch Australia take on our competitive neighbours, New Zealand, in the CommBank T20 International Series as the teams finalise their World Cup preparations. Tickets for the highly anticipated Australia vs. New Zealand Commbank T20I series are now on sale. This September, the Great Barrier Reef Arena will host two thrilling international cricket matches on the 19th and 22nd, bringing world-class women’s cricket action right to our
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The cool clear morning provided perfect running conditions for Event #386. The Mackay parkrun event saw a fantastic turnout with 291 participants, including many first-timers and visitors. Highlights of Saturday's event included celebrating several milestones for Elaine McFarlane, Russell Leeson, and Ashley Miles who achieved their 100th finish milestones. Michael Zivkovic reached his 50th finish milestone. Weslan Hawkins completed his 10th Junior finish milestone and Michael Vella accomplishe
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Wednesday saw 12 Tables (48 players) arrive for a friendly game of bridge. This is a fantastic turn up mid-week. Friday was the twelfth round of Nation-Wide Pairs and Saturday the bridge heated up for the second round of the Club Pair Championships with 24 pairs competing for red points. Mackay pair Mary Rose Ramsden and Noel Saunders were placed 24th in the Australian Wide Novice Pairs, with more than 1,200 pairs and 90 clubs participating. This event is a national bridge event run by Australi
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Approximately forty runners tackled the 30km, 15km, and 5km distances last Sunday as they sprinted through the scenic Mackay region, from Glenella to West Mackay and then out to the Mackay Harbour and back. Mackay Road Runners Northview Park 30km Club Championship, 15km and 5km were held in perfect running conditions from the playground carpark at Northview Park, Schapers Road, Glenella. Club President, Brendan Bishop was a major contributor for the streamlined success of the event alongside
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Dagwood dogs dipped in sauce, fairyfloss and fairground rides, side show alley and the dodgem cars. A cuddly chicken and a friendly goat, the horse parades and the orchid display – there is so much to see at Show Whitsunday! Continued on page 3. Muster Dogs “A Must” Continued from page 1. This year Show Whitsunday will welcome a special guest with ‘Muster Dogs’ winner Frank Finger in attendance. Frank will “bring the crew” and be in the main ring at lunch time and again at 3pm, to talk to
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