Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
In the spirit of gratitude and appreciation, the Mackay Hospital Foundation extended a heartfelt thank you to Kay and his team at Muscle Garden Health & Fitness Centre. Owner of Muscle Garden, Kay Nyenuh has raised ongoing funds to support local healthcare providers and the act of generosity did not go unnoticed. Kristi, the General Manager of the Mackay Hospital Foundation, and Josh, a Senior Physiotherapist from Community Health and Therapy Services (CHATS) met with Kay last week, making a
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Locals rolled into Renegade Barber shop on Saturday morning for the Cars and Coffee meet, where car enthusiasts gathered to showcase their pride and joy and engage in passionate discussions about all things automotive. The carpark was filled with a diverse variety of cars, ranging from classic muscle, Japanese drift to sleek modern sports cars, ensuring there was something to capture the attention of every attendee. This marked the second Cars and Coffee event hosted by Renegade Barber, offeri
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Steve Jackson, Laurence Bonaventura, and Greg Williamson engaged in a spirited exchange at the Mayoral Debate hosted by the Mackay Chamber of Commerce last week. Held at Rydges Mackay, the event saw each candidate given five minutes for opening statements before delving into pressing issues facing the region, including rates, infrastructure spending, and the future trajectory of Mackay. Key debate highlights: • Pumped Hydro Scheme: Bonaventura supported the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro sche
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Mackay’s very own talented performer, Brenden Borellini has more than a decade of experience in performing for Crossroad Arts up his sleeve and a lifetime of impressive, memorable moments. Over the years he has gained the title of Crossroad Arts Ambassador and Artist in Residence, recently receiving recognition, alongside co-creators Georgia Cranko and Alison Richardson for their work on the production ‘Breathe In’ at the Matilda Awards in Brisbane. ‘Breathe in’ brought home the Lord Mayor’s A
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Police have charged a 31-year-old Slade Point man after an alleged assault of a police officer on River Street, Mackay, on February 21. Police were called to a disturbance on Nelson Street around 2.10pm where it is alleged the man became involved in an altercation with another man. The man left the scene prior to police arrival. However, officers were able to locate him on River Street where he allegedly threatened an officer with a weapon. Officers resolved the situation and, in that proces
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By Amanda Wright Amidst the pulse of progress and the hum of ambition in the heart of Mackay, Mayoral candidate Laurence Bonaventura sat down with Mackay Life editor Amanda Wright to discuss his plan for the region—a vision steeped in foresight, and an unwavering commitment to community welfare. Read more on page 7 Progress Through Transparency Laurence Bonaventura's roots in Mackay run deep, tracing back generations to a legacy of resilience and innovation. Descended from a lineage of pione
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The Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA) Sarina Branch’s centenary celebrations will culminate in a three-day Craft Expo, March 8-10, at the Big Shed, Mackay Showgrounds. Kicking off on International Women’s Day, the Craft Expo is open to the public and will feature hands-on classes with world-specialist crafters from Australia’s largest craft event series, Craft Alive, as well as displays from craft retailers with the latest supplies, kits, and equipment. Community Bank Sarina Bendigo
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Criminal charges brought by Queensland Police against anti-coal activist Coedie McAvoy returned to Emerald Magistrates Court earlier this week, almost a year after Mr McAvoy allegedly assaulted two workers at the Carmichael mine in central Queensland by forcing their work vehicle to stop and then attempting to drag the Indigenous environmental ranger from the car under the threat of subjecting the worker to “tribal law.” Mr McAvoy was arrested after he allegedly assaulted the Indigenous enviro
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Mackay welcomes a new era of medical expertise with the arrival of Dr. Wojciech Szubert, whose specialised focus on endometriosis treatment promises to elevate patient care in the region. The enviable lifestyle we often take for granted was a big drawcard for the newest member of Mackay Hospital’s Obstetrics and Gynaecology team, Dr Szubert. Dr Szubert, who is originally from Poland, relocated from the UK to Mackay with his wife and two children late last year. “My wife and I, when we were in
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New funding is now available to Central Queensland community groups and not-for-profit organisations in the Moranbah and Middlemount areas through Anglo American’s 2024 Community Grants Program. Anglo American Australia CEO Dan van der Westhuizen said the company was committed to supporting the development of thriving communities in the Bowen Basin. “The annual Community Grants Program is a vital avenue to ensure mining benefits are shared with local people, communities and economies in the
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Mackay Regional Council is hosting a Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) Showcase to highlight some of the amazing talent, vision and creativity we have in our region. This showcase celebrates the locally driven arts, cultural and heritage programs supported by RADF during the 2022/2023 program. The showcase launch will be held in the Jubilee Community Centre from 5pm to 7pm on Friday, March 8. It will feature works and project displays by Jan Ward, International Men’s Day Mackay, Lanna Mack a
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“The Federal Government’s target of building 1.2 million homes over the next five years will fall well short, if Australia’s chronic shortage of skilled trades people is not dealt with soon,” HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin said last month.
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More than two million tonnes of trade have passed through the Port of Mackay in just seven months, underlying the publicly owned port's versatility and importance to the region. The port has already clocked up 2.218 million tonnes of cargo, surpassing throughput in the same period of the previous financial year (2,070,495). North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) CEO Brendan Webb said the top three traded commodities were petroleum (1,115,656 tonnes) sugar (636,196 tonnes) and grain (2
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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay With the crush behind us, many farmers are getting to the jobs that sometimes need to be put to one side during harvest. Like taking care of Smartcane BMP accreditation and re-accreditation. There are numerous growers undergoing their five-year re-accreditations. The program has grown over the years, and now 43% of Queensland’s cane country is operated under the sustainable Best Management Practice program. It’s a standard that has been accepted by
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In an announcement that further boosts Queensland’s credentials as Australia’s emerging AgTech innovation capital, Brisbane has been named as the home of the AgriFutures evokeAG. global innovation event in 2025. Connecting the global agrifood innovation community of investors, entrepreneurs, AgTech service providers and agribusiness professionals, evokeAG. provides a digital platform and premier agrifood tech event where farmers share their experiences, startups pitch their potential, scientists
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The Lyon’s Grassland Striped Skink had not been observed since 1981 and is known only from a single locality that is heavily grazed by cattle. That is until the rare lizard was found last year for the first time in over 40 years living in north-east Queensland. In early 2023, scientists from Queensland Museum and James Cook University were tasked with the challenge of finding the elusive Lyon’s Grassland Striped Skink. The surveys were part of research by the Resilient Landscapes Hub of the Aust
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Landholder: Jeff Grech Project: Major Grants Program: Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Program Location: Sandiford, Qld Tonnes of Cane: 36,000 tonnes Sandiford grower Jeff Grech is enthusiastic about his new minimal till adjustable three row billet planter. Jeff was able to purchase the planter with assistance from the Major Grants Project under the Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Program, funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Found
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As we approach International Women's Day, Resource Industry Network (RIN) is thrilled to be hosting its annual business luncheon to acknowledge women in the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region. The global theme for International Women’s Day is "Inspire Inclusion,” reflecting a collective commitment to breaking barriers that may hinder women's presence and involvement in the workplace, and what we can do to bridge the inclusion gap. The luncheon will feature reputed speaker Dr Catherine Ball, an asso
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There’s nothing like wrapping your hands around a favourite mug, and now, you can help to promote Mackay’s natural beauty with a set of collector’s mugs available at the Mackay Visitor Information Centre and kiosk! In collaboration with local artist Harry Bruce, these caricature mugs are retailing at $22 each and feature famous faces and landscapes of our region. Oh Deere – We’re One Of A Kind In Australia Karinda and Dale Anderson are the passionate stewards of their family-owned and operat
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Summer Sipper - Woo Woo (Or Should We Say, Woo Hoo!) Get ready to elevate your summer fun with the vibrant and delicious Woo Woo cocktail! Ingredients: • 50ml vodka • 25ml peach schnapps • 100ml cranberry juice • Few drops of fresh lime juice • Ice • Wedge of lime Instructions: 1. Grab your cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. 2. Pour in the vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry juice, and a splash of fresh lime juice. 3. Shake vigorously until well mixed and chil
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Located on the picturesque waterfront setting of Mackay Marina, the enviable location combined with high quality facilities and service has positioned Mantra Mackay as Mackay’s premier accommodation, conference and events venue. At the heart of the Mantra lies Latitude 21 Bar & Restaurant, a culinary restaurant offering modern Australian cuisine. Open daily for breakfast, from Monday to Sunday, guests are treated to a delightful spread of dishes to kick start their day on a delicious note. Com
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Due to the April production, ‘Bob’s Your Auntie’ being postponed to 2025, Director Maureen Coleman has promptly adapted to the minor setback by selecting another entertaining performance, a classical thriller by English playwright and screenwriter, Constance Cox, titled "The Murder Game". In this performance, a man is financially dependent on his wife but in love with another woman. Will he commit the ‘perfect murder’ to be with the one he loves, and will a decision he makes see him go from the
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A female Minx cat arrived at the Mackay Pet rescue Incorporated just weeks ago, on the brink of death, suffering from a severe uterine infection after her alleged owners said she had run away two years ago and could no longer take her back. The helpless cat who was once known as Harmony was withered, bleeding and in immense pain. Thanks to the action of Mackay’s pet rescue team and the expert care provided by Peta Snell at Northern Beaches Veterinary Hospital, Harmony received the life-saving tr
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Mackay Regional Council will be undertaking an upgrade to the Willetts Road playground in North Mackay. The playground closed last Friday, (February 23) and is expected to be out of operation for two weeks, weather permitting, while the work is undertaken. Crews will remove the old carousel and replace it with a new cup spinner and spica spinner. The old swing set will be replaced with a new one, and the soft fall sand will be refurbished. For public safety, the playground will be full fenced of
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In today's whirlwind of financial uncertainty, saving money has become trickier than ever with the cost of living continuously on the rise. Women often look after the household finances as well as business finances, and while women can be naturally savvy at number-crunching, we have found some smart tips to help put money aside even during tough times. Knowing how to start healthy saving habits can be difficult, that’s why the financial experts at The Lazy Trader have put together a list of hel
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