Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Get ready for some family-friendly fun! The playground at Iluka Park is set to reopen this weekend, weather permitting, on Saturday, March 23. Exciting upgrades are almost completed, with the climbing unit getting replaced along with a new Spica playground spinner included for extra fun! Additionally, new sections of concrete footpath and softfall edging are being installed to enhance safety. As part of the improvements, the rubber softfall below selected play units will be replaced with ar
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I went for a check-up at the skin clinic the other day and when I went in to see the doctor I accidentally left my car keys and wallet on the seat next to where I had been waiting. My car was parked out the front and it was virtually an open invitation for someone to grab the remote, jump in the car and have some fun with my cash and credit card. It had been a busy day and I had been sending work emails and texts as I was waiting to see the doctor, so while my body and soon-to-be-burned-off sun
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It’s that time of year again when we are giving one local school in Mackay and the Whitsundays $10,000! Jake and I have had the best time getting out to visit so many local schools who have entered to win. For me personally it has been a chance to have a sticky beak at which school I might enrol my kids in. With my daughter off to kindy next year I can’t believe I’m already at the stage of having to think about school. Feels like only yesterday I was competing in hunger games for a daycare sp
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Shortages remain an annual issue for growers and harvest contractors. It is a fact of life that seasonal workers need to maintain a living year-round, and so often move on to other regions post-harvest, or find more permanent work. However, for the viability of the entire sugar industry, it is vital that harvesters recruit enough haulout drivers that they can get the harvested crop off to sidings to load to cane trains. The work is a critical link in the delivery of crop from paddock to mill. C
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In the light of youth crime, political tensions and war we seem to be living in the pain of a perpetual Good Friday – without the “Good” bit. This Easter season I encourage us all to find the hope of the resurrection – It is not just a wishful hope, but based on a real and certain rock of truth and freedom. Holy Thursday and Good Friday we commemorate facts in history. Jesus, considered a miracle worker, a good man, was whipped, mocked and crucified. Christians believe that when Jesus died on
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As the excitement builds for the countdown of the Mackay Sugar Ag Trade Expo 2024, Western Suburbs Leagues Club is set to host a spectacular celebration of all things agricultural! Julie Crowley, Coordinator for the event said "We've been thrilled with the response from exhibitors, with bookings pouring in daily. “We have an incredible lineup of stallholders already confirmed, ensuring two days packed with action, displays, products, and services catering to all aspects of agriculture and ru
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Another massive name is Australian literature will be gracing the Whitsundays Writers Festival stage, with Christos Tsiolkas recently announced to attend. Prepared for the September festival, Melbourne based author, Christos Tsiolkas has penned nine novels, and is an accomplished playwright, essayist, and screenwriter. His novels include ‘The Slap’, which won Overall Best Book in the Commonwealth Writers' Prize 2009, Australian Literary Society Gold, and 2009 Australian Booksellers Association
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Easter is about celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ and God’s invitation to share in resurrection joy. What are you doing at Easter? Going away, attending a conference, or going to church? You are invited to join us in one of our Uniting Churches in the Mackay region. From Mirani in the Valley, to Sarina in the south, to Northside in the northern suburbs, to St Paul’s and Armitage in the city. There is a Uniting Church near you to which you are invited to attend. At one of our service
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The Mackay Cutters have kicked off their 2024 Hostplus Cup season with an emphatic win on the road against the Sunshine Coast Falcons. The Falcons were flying high after a round one win over Brisbane Tigers but the Cutters, coming off a bye in the opening round, proved too strong at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Saturday. It was an error from Falcons winger and former Cutter Flynn Camilleri that led to the visitors’ opening try, with opposing winger Semi Valemei crossing in the sixth minute to open
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Last week a big week of bridge was held at the Mackay Contract Bridge Club. Week one of the Mackay Teams, Week 6 of the Nation-Wide Pairs and the two section Whitsunday Zone Pairs event. Thirty pairs over two days battled to win the Open and Novice sections of the Whitsunday Zone Pairs, with the winners of each section representing the zone in the Queensland Festival of Bridge in Brisbane in October. Terrence Sheedy & Noel Bugeia from Mackay Contract Bridge Club took out the Open Section and Sue
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Masters Swimming is for all adults over the age of eighteen. There are no age limits to be a member of Masters Swimming Queensland (MSQ). In fact, many members started their adult swimming in masters several decades ago and continue to enjoy the many benefits of swimming and club life. Masters Swimming Australia aims to provide an environment that encourages all adults, at a club, state and national level, regardless of ability, to swim regularly or compete to promote fitness and improve their g
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Over this weekend, Toby Tule has been competing at the Queensland Athletics State Championships and won a silver medal in the Steeplechase and an 11-second PB on Thursday night in the 1500-metre to place 4th. He also came 4th in the 800-metre with a 2-second PB. Next weekend, he will compete back in Brisbane at his last Little Athletics Championships, which are in the 800-metre and the 1500-metre. In April, Toby will be attending the 2024 Chemist Warehouse Australian Athletics Championships,
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Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club’s U15 competitors Nate McKinnon and Zara Richardson recently travelled to Broadbeach on the Gold Coast to compete in the State Rescue Championships. The event involves lifesavers being assessed on their surf sports fitness, patient assessment and CPR skills and a detailed theory paper, at a state level. Nate McKinnon took out 1st place, with Zara Richardson achieving a 4th place. “The club is extremely proud of Nate & Zara for representing Mackay and showing that
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Over sixty enthusiastic runners gathered for an invigorating Sunday morning run in West Mackay. The scratch start race kicked off at Club Secretary Julie’s house, sending runners from the Whibley’s backyard reserve towards the Mackay Base Hospital and onto the scenic Catherine Freeman Trail. Those that tackled the twelve-kilometre continued towards Forgan Smith Bridge before returning for the homeward trek. Luke Leven had a sensational twelve-kilometre run, bolting from the starter’s gun with f
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Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday night fixture results March 12, 2024: Division 1: Ferrari (Geoff Denman, Goncalo Serra, Ishan Rana) d Lexus (Andrew McHugh, Janice Kent, Barry Patterson. Geoff d Barry -12, 8, 2, -11, 9. Mercedes (Steven Whiting, Graham Brake, Graeme Walker) d BMW (Ian McKay, Allan Edwards) 9-2. Allan d Graeme -8, 12, -6, 9, 9. Jaguar (Tim Shehan, Anne Sheridan, Vince Boeske) d Audi (Jason Hodda, Mick Ruhl, Lee Brake) 7-4. Tim d Lee 3, -1, -9, 9, 4. Division 2: Mazda (Mark Sleeman, N
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Mayoral Candidate Ry Collins steamed out in front as soon as the count began on Saturday, becoming the clear leader and commanding the most votes within the community. As of the time of writing, 79.64 per cent of the votes had been counted by the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ), with Collins claiming 47.52 per cent, Phil Batty 25.35 per cent, Peter Hood 14.54 per cent and Richard Evans 12.60 per cent. Within the coming days, postal votes will be counted and preferences allocated, with
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Hi Everyone, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I feel like I have lived and breathed the local government elections over the past four weeks. Attending lively community forums, chatting with candidates on a weekly basis and running extensive coverage in the paper – by the time Saturday rolled around I was exhausted! A huge congratulations to Ry Collins for striking out in the lead and looking more than likely to claim the title of our next Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor. I met with
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Two local bowlers, Andrew Butler and John Matterson will be feeling the sunshine on their head this week, having shaved their heads for World’s Greatest Shave over the weekend. John had the idea of participating in the World’s Greatest Shave whilst growing his hair out on an 83-day sailing trip with his wife, Juanita. He had been growing it out for six years when he was diagnosed with monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL). MBL is a rare condition that can develop into chronic lymphocytic leuk
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Respected local leader, Clay Bauman, is looking likely to return as Division 2 Councillor following Saturday’s election where he struck out ahead in a very tight race. As of the time of writing, Mr Bauman was in the lead having received 58.54 per cent of the votes compared to his opponent, Tony Price who had commanded 41.46 per cent. Having initially been voted in as Division 2 Councillor in the bi-election 18 months ago, Mr Bauman is thrilled to be re-elected and delighted to start his first
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Well-known and well-liked Bowen local, John Finlay, is celebrating this week following incredible results at the polling booths on Saturday. At the time of going to print 81.96 per cent of the votes had been counted for the Division 6 Councillor Candidate position. John Finlay struck a significant lead, with 72.51 per cent of the votes compared to his opponent, David Paddon who received 27.49 per cent of the vote. Mr Finlay said he is “absolutely honoured” and thanks the Bowen community for s
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Mayor Julie Hall is signing off this week, bidding farewell to the job she loves, but proud of her dedicated efforts which have delivered more connection within the community over her short but productive tenure. Her shock decision not to run for re-election as Mayor of the Whitsundays surprised many, but Mayor Hall is confident in her decision. Although sad to be leaving such an important role within the community, she says she is excited for the next challenge, and looking forward to finding
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Avid sailors from across the country are set to enjoy an entirely green experience at Airlie Beach Race Week which is due to take place at the Whitsunday Sailing Club in August. An announcement was made this week said that the entire marina village will be off grid during the event. Whitsunday Sailing Club President, Terry Archer expressed his enthusiasm about the event going green. “We operate in a sport, that’s powered by the wind, so to have our onshore operations powered by the sun is ju
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The 24th Coral Sea Marina Resort Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival is set to take place later this year and a host of exciting special guests are due to attend the event. Olympic swimming legend Susie O’Neill will attend and take the role of Swim Ambassador for the weekend. During her swimming career, Susie won two Olympic Gold medals, one in the in 200 metre butterfly and the second in the 200 metre freestyle. Also in attendance will be the Voice of Triathlon both here in Australia and Inter
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