Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
What do you do in Airlie Beach when it rains? Wish for a hard cover, and these thoughts were echoed last weekend by all our members as there was no action on Saturday or Sunday and we were all left lamenting. Tuesday, we had a few hardened bowlers keen to play and several great games were played with Jill Spencer and Ladda Purdie convincing winners of the day but it must also be stated that Dawn Dowel playing lead with Margo Stanley played superb bowls and time after time, end upon end effectiv
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On Wednesday we were very lucky at Proserpine Bowls Club to have avoided the heavy showers of rain experienced elsewhere. We had six players enjoy a game of bowls. Arthur Griffith, Philip Brown, and Peter Lawton defeated Alen Sanderson, Mike Harrison, and Heather Brown 28 - 10. There was no play on Sunday due to the heavy rains experienced during the week. Games Director, Barry Saroglia, has advised that nominations for Club Championships - Singles, Pairs, Fours and for B Singles and B Pairs w
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Although it has been a bit hot, we still had one rinks game on Tuesday. Winners for the afternoon Bron Tolcher, Merle Elphinstone, Robyn Stitt, and Penny Warren defeated Deb Retchless, Lyn Danvers, Irene Laird, Greg Colquhoun. The jackpot didn’t go off. Congratulations to Life Member Neil Tracey on reaching a milestone in bowls, receiving his Super Veteran’s badge from Men’s President Mark Drummond on Sunday. Winners for the afternoon were Bill Myers, Graeme Read, and Kevin Daniels defeated L
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Last weekend, February 10th and 11th, saw four swimmers, Mae Carter-Attwood, Alex Yuskan, Chloe Eldridge, and Axel Yuskan, from the Whitsunday Swimming Club, attend the 2024 Hancock Prospecting QLD State Sprints at Sleeman Aquatic Centre, Chandler, Brisbane. Mae had seven swims, having qualified for all 50-meter strokes in her age group (Girls 15 years), and 50-meter Freestyle, 50-meter Breaststroke and 50-meter Butterfly in Open Women. Mae came home with some awesome PB’s and a massive smile fo
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A record number of children attended the two learn to sail groups in Bowen at Port Denison Sailing Club on Sunday morning. Fourteen students in the Little Pirates group learned the parts of the boat and then played a game of ‘Sink the Boat’ on the water, followed by games on shore to learn terminology and all about the wind. Seven students who completed Little Pirates last year have continued to the Big Pirates group which runs afterwards. This week they went for a buddy sail with Green Fleet
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On Wednesday night, the Cannonvale Cannons hosted their first Distance Club Night for 2024. Swimmers had an opportunity to swim a longer distance in two events. The Cannons would like to commend Matilda Nicholes and Millie Groom for being selected for the NQ team to compete in the Queensland Schools Aquathon/Triathlon Championships in Hervey Bay. Both girls backed up and on the same weekend competed in the Queensland Sprint Championships. The Cannonvale Cannons are sorry that Matilda Nicholes
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Robert Meers had 33 stableford points to beat Scott Mason by a shot to win the Tuesday competition, while Jacqueline Wall had 17 points to beat Tiina Randmae by five shots in the ladies' division. Aaron Prosser won the pin shot. A wet course prevented further play during the week. Contributed with thanks to Proserpine Green. Photos supplied
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This week’s 9-hole stableford competition saw Dee Norman take first place with 21 pts, second with 20 pts was Glenn Rees in third place with 19 pts was Michael Bond. Friday’s 9 hole stableford saw Tony Spurway in first place on 22 pts, second place with 21 pts was Kev Franke and third place with 20 pts c/b was Darren Lloyd. Sunday’s rain didn’t stop Justin Butler from taking first place in our 18 hole stableford with 40 pts, second place was Cooper Lane on 39 pts and third place was Jack Hay
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This Saturday, test your skills with the Whitsunday Touch Juniors Youth and Ladies Development Skills Day. Hosted by Queensland and North Queensland Touch, this development clinic will help prepare Whitsunday youth and ladies with their field skills and get them ready for the 2024 season. Don’t miss the free sausage sizzle happening at the conclusion of the session. Register by contacting Whitsunday Touch on Facebook today, ready for this Saturday!
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By Hannah McNamara A number of lucky participants are getting ready to take flight in the upcoming 2024 Mackay Airport Twilight City Run with a chance to snap up free return flights from Bonza, just for taking part. This year, the event aims to not only break records, but to break barriers, rallying support for the Leukaemia Foundation and providing hope for those affected by blood cancer. The all-inclusive 5km fun run is designed for everyone to come along, simply just to have fun and conn
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The family of a man discovered deceased in the back of his vehicle has chosen to speak out following revelations that police are treating the death as non-suspicious. The body was found inside a LandCruiser near East Point Drive around 1:15 PM on Saturday, 10th February. Detectives cordoned off the area and police have indicated they are not treating the circumstances as suspicious. Before the tragic event, the man's LandCruiser had been stolen, with a family friend saying this added to his d
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Local elections are approximately four weeks away and shortly you’ll see candidates for the roles of Mayor and Councillor ramp up their campaigns. Early voting will run from Monday, 4 March to Friday, 15 March 2024 (excluding the weekend) and Election Day will be on Saturday 16th March where polling booths will be open from 8am until 6pm. Remember, it’s compulsory to vote in local elections for all Australian citizens aged 18 years and over, and this is regardless of whether you are a tenant
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A small, yet meaningful gesture from Key Solutions Group, a local Mackay engineering company, has showcased their respect and gratitude towards the local Australian Air Force Cadet Unit by donating a brand-new picnic table to provide a space for well-deserved downtime. The table was kindly gifted to encourage the hard-working cadets to gather, learn and enjoy a place to unwind from their committed roles. The team at Key Solutions Group says, “supporting our community and the amazing work of loc
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By Amanda Wright The Queensland Government has allocated funding for a Stage 1 redevelopment of Lindeman Island Resort, situated off the coast of Mackay. This initiative aims to restore the former Club Med, which was impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Yasi, into a vibrant tourist destination. Among the planned improvements is the construction of a fixed 50-metre jetty, facilitating convenient access for visitors to the island. This redevelopment project has been selected as one of five recipients
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By Amanda Wright In a show of grassroots opposition, concerned citizens from across the nation gathered on February 6 in front of Parliament House in Canberra for the National Rally Against Reckless Renewables. The event, held on the first sitting day of Parliament, aimed to address growing concerns over the Australian Government's approach to renewable energy initiatives. The rally, organized by the National Rational Energy Network, drew participants from various regional communities direct
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Chances House, the latest initiative by Chances Op Shop and the Australian Street Aid Project, marks a significant milestone in addressing homelessness in Mackay. Positioned adjacent to Chances Op Shop, this newly established facility serves as a sanctuary for individuals grappling with homelessness, providing essential resources, amenities, and support services aimed at fostering dignity, privacy, and holistic well-being. With its mission centered on offering refuge and empowerment, Chances Ho
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The Mortuary Garden at Mackay Base Hospital is a place, if given a choice, where no-one wants to be. For many years, the space allocated as the Mortuary Garden was a desolate, unkempt area that, even in times of extreme sorrow, wasn’t an acceptable place where final goodbyes and respects to loved ones could be spent. In 2021, in consultation with Mackay Hospital Foundation, the Mackay Base Hospital Auxiliary Committee made it their mission to fundraise in an effort to revitalise this space int
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More than 1000 Greater Whitsunday businesses and community groups have registered for the Greater Whitsunday Grant Finder in the past 18 months. The Greater Whitsunday Grant Finder is a partnership between, Mackay, Isaac, and Whitsunday Regional Councils and Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) to empower our regional business and community members with greater access to funding opportunities. Greater Whitsunday Grant Finder is powered by Grant Guru a grant-finding software company and helps bu
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A Haven For Kids Kool Beanz Built For Adventure And Zen Last week marked the official opening of Kool Beanz SUNS Harrup Park, introducing a cutting-edge childcare centre to Mackay. This state-of-the-art facility aims to alleviate the longstanding waitlists that have challenged parents seeking daycare and kindergarten options in the area, with two more centres planned for Mackay. Kool Beanz SUNS Harrup Park houses an all-inclusive environment and is the second of its kind following in the foot
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The opportunities available for Mackay’s Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) and commercial businesses at Queensland Mining Expo (QME) 2024 were highlighted at a business morning tea last week. The Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce’s February B2B Coffee Morning, sponsored by Mackay Regional Council, was held at the Resources Centre of Excellence (RCOE) at Paget. QME Exhibition Director Samantha Martin attended the morning to provide an overview of the QME’s 30th anniversary event. J
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Times are changing, and in 2024, interior decorating trends are breaking away from the safe confines of minimalism and embracing bold and expressive styles that celebrate individuality. While minimalism has its place, offering a clean and neutral canvas for stylists selling homes, those looking to make a statement and truly personalise their living spaces are turning to big and bold trends that command attention and reflect their unique personalities. Maximalism: Gone are the days of playing
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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay We are a month out from the next local government election, to be held 16 March. Councils and their mayors can play an important role in outcomes for farming businesses across the regions. Between the Isaac and Mackay region cane farming sector alone, that is upwards of ONE THOUSAND family farming businesses, supporting 8.3 per cent of the Mackay-Plane Creek workforce and a raft of service businesses, millers, and beyond across the regional economy.
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“Oh, my dear lady we couldn’t possibly approve you for a home loan unless you were married and you were buying a property with your husband … of course, if you know a man who could go guarantor on the loan for you that is something we might look at. But, no, we have pretty clear rules about not giving loans to the fairer sex.”This would have been the response from an Australian bank manager right up until the 1970s if a woman had had the temerity to apply for a home loan. However, times were cha
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By Amanda Wright In response to the rapidly accelerating homelessness crisis, the Queensland Government has launched a new housing plan: Homes for Queenslanders, revealing it will dramatically increase funding for homelessness responses across the state. Premier Steven Miles made the announcement last week, saying “everyone deserves a place to call home, a place they feel safe and warm.” Organisations who help Queenslanders experiencing homelessness will receive a 20 per cent increase for the
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By Hannah McNamara In the spotlight for his role as the schoolyard bully, 16-year-old actor Jordy Campbell shares his journey from 'bad guy' to screen sensation. In a Mackay Life interview, Jordy shared his interests and insights about his recent role portraying Bobby Linyette in the popular Netflix series ‘Boy Swallows Universe’. Originally born on the Gold Coast, the young star now lives in Mackay with his family. Jordy says when he’s not acting in Brisbane, he loves fishing, watching sport
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