Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
In a sugar-covered gesture, a local mum and her young son spread a little sweetness during a challenging morning for Anita Pritchard and her children. Facing the unexpected hardship of waking up to a power outage caused by a car accident near their home, the Pritchard family found themselves on the way to an appointment with empty stomachs. The thoughtful duo ahead in the line at Mount Pleasant Donut King surprised them by purchasing a dozen cinnamon donuts, paying it forward in an unexpected
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The Isaac Regional Council is set to receive a crucial funding boost from the Queensland Government, securing $70,200 in grants as part of the Flying-Fox Roost Management in Queensland Program. This initiative, now in its sixth round, disburses over $620,000 among sixteen Queensland councils, empowering them to enhance flying-fox management projects. The funding will enable Isaac Regional Council to implement low-impact actions outlined in their Hoods Lagoon draft flying-fox management plan, foc
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On Saturday, just after 4.00pm, RACQ CQ Rescue received word from Queensland Health that four hikers needed help after it received a triple 0 call. The chopper headed to the dense bushland of Cape Hillsborough to search for the bush walkers. The four were reportedly walking the trails when they became disoriented and overcome by the heat of the day. On arrival, RACQ CQ Rescue quickly located a hiker in steep, wooded terrain. A Rescue Crew Officer was winched to the site to determine what medi
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Amid community concerns over potential delays, Mackay Base Hospital's helipad operations are set to temporarily move to Mackay Airport during the forthcoming $250 million hospital expansion. This relocation introduces a travel distance of 5.4 to 6.2 km from the airport to the hospital, sparking apprehensions about extended transfer times. The decision, guided by extensive consultation and expert evaluations, underscores the importance of Mackay Airport as the interim landing site due to not havi
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Get ready to applaud and celebrate the exceptional achievements of women in the greater Mackay region as the Just Saying Project (JSP) Women’s Awards 2024 unveils its nominees. This annual event transcends mere awards, transforming into a vibrant celebration of resilience, triumphs, and inspiration. The awards gala, penned for March 2 at the MECC, promises to showcase diverse narratives, spotlighting the inspiring stories, challenges overcome, and successes achieved by the women shaping the reg
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Five lucky university students will have the opportunity to kick start their careers through the academic bursary program when applications open today. The program offers students in their second last year the chance to gain valuable paid work experience aligned with their area of study, along with the added bonus of $5000 financial assistance for costs associated with their studies. Mayor Greg Williamson said council established the program back in 2011 to help support students in the region an
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Two Stolen Cars Located Shortly after 11:00pm on January 20 someone gained entry into a home on Rudd Street in Rural View possibly through a doggie door propped open at the laundry. Once inside the home car keys have been stolen from the hallway. The keys were used to steal an Isuzu D-Max dual cab which was parked in the driveway. The stolen car was found abandoned at 1:00pm on January 21 at Walkerston Homebush Road in Walkerston. There was some minor panel damage seen on the car at this tim
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Almost $45 billion worth of projects have been listed on the Greater Whitsunday Regional Projects Development Register 2024. The register lists 472 projects which are valued at more than $1 million planned for the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region. Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) Chief Executive Officer Ms Kylie Porter said the Greater Whitsunday Regional Projects Development Register clearly demonstrates the strong pipeline of development ahead for the region. “This register showcases how str
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Amid the escalating cost-of-living crisis, Michelle Landry, the Federal Member for Capricornia, has launched an online survey aimed at gauging the extent of the challenges faced by residents in Capricornia. Ms Landry said the statistics are a frightening reality to just how much it hasn’t been easy under Albanese. “Before the election, Labor promised a $275 reduction in people’s power bills and that Australians would be “better off” under his leadership. However, under Anthony Albanese’s leade
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Distinguished Professor James Dale AC has been revealed as the Isaac Region Australia Day Ambassador, bringing his remarkable story to the forefront. As the inaugural Director of the Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities (CTCB) at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Prof. Dale has been a key figure in the biotechnology field for over 30 years. A recipient of numerous accolades, including being named the 2019 Queensland Senior Australian of the Year, Prof. Dale gained recognition fo
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CANEGROWERS has added its voice to a growing chorus of agricultural bodies from across the country demanding the Federal Government abandon plans for the introduction of a biosecurity levy on farmers. Representatives from more than 50 peak ag groups, including CANEGROWERS, have signed a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling for the proposed biosecurity levy to be scrapped. CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens said the proposed levy would in fact operate like a new tax on farmers,
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The extent to which temporary workers from the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste are supporting essential agricultural and food processing industries has been highlighted by new analysis from the Australia Institute, adding weight to calls for much needed improvements to working conditions for temporary visa holders participating in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. The analysis finds that PALM workers are equivalent to 10 per cent of the agricultural workforce usually resident
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Embarking on a digital detox is not just a break from screens; it's a deliberate and transformative choice to cultivate mindfulness and create a healthier tech-life balance. Here are some top tips to help you navigate a successful digital detox and make the experience both achievable and enriching: 1. Set Achievable Goals: • Define Clear Objectives: Outline specific goals for your digital detox. Whether it's reducing screen time, limiting social media use, or designating tech-free hours, ha
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Embarking on the journey from the uncertain rental market to owning your first home is an exciting prospect as the New Year unfolds. To guide you through this transformative process, consider these essential steps to align your finances and make 2024 the year of homeownership. 1. Know Your Borrowing Power: Assess your borrowing power using online calculators before delving into the housing market. Estimate how much a lender may allow you to borrow by considering your income, existing debts, and
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With costs rising across many areas of life’s expenses, small savings can have a big impact. Here are our 5 top tips for beating the rising cost of living and making your dollar go further. 1. Check your home loan rate Your home loan is a great place to start when looking for savings. If you haven’t yet reviewed your home loan, now is the time. With rates on the rise, there is an opportunity to save money and better align your loan to your future goals – there’s more to a home loan than just an
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Sarina Sugar Shed is celebrating after recently being named as a two-time finalist in the national Grey Nomad Awards. The Sarina Sugar Shed’s tasting tour has been shortlisted in the 2023 Best Foodie Experience category while the Sarina Sugar Shed tour has been shortlisted in the Best Tour category. Mayor Greg Williamson said it was great news for the multi-award-winning facility and is recognition, once again, of their outstanding food tourism experiences. “Congratulations to the Sarina Sugar S
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Next Thursday (1 February) sees the opening of Kucom Theatre’s first offering for 2024, a season of one-act plays collectively titled Odd Couples – for a very good reason. Odd Couples is a trio of one-act plays that take a grown-up look at relationships between men and women - some quirky, some weird or even downright kinky, but all in a richly comic vein: The Extraordinary Revelations of Orca the Goldfish, by David Tristram For Henry Smith life was rarely dull. For Alice Smith life was rarely a
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Just over a century ago, two devastating cyclones etched their mark on north Queensland, a sobering reminder to be prepared for what mother nature can produce. In the summer of 1918, the Mackay Cyclone, a Category 4, unleashed its fury on January 21, leaving Mackay and its surroundings in ruins. With violent winds and a 3.6-meter storm surge, reports of waves breaking in the town's main street mirrored the destructive force. The aftermath witnessed widespread damage, with 1300 out of 1400 house
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As a cyclone brews in the Coral Sea, Ergon Energy Network is urging North Queenslanders to be prepared for power outages and prioritise electrical safety. General Manager Field Delivery Northern Chris Hooper said recent severe weather events were a reminder of what to expect and plan for. “We can start to see the impacts of a cyclone well before it crosses the coast as winds pick up and bring down trees, branches and other debris into powerlines, so you should be prepared for prolonged p
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Grab your boardies and thongs and get ready to celebrate Australia Day at a council supported community event! The Aussie themed events will take place on Australia Day, 2024 (Friday, January 26) at twelve different locations around the region. From barefoot bowls and live music at Seaforth to beach games and races at Armstrong Beach, there's something for the whole family to enjoy. For more information and event organiser contact details, see the list of events below. **Please note, these even
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Wet weather provides a perfect excuse for a game of cards and Mackay Contract Bridge Club are inviting visitors to come and learn the game of bridge on Australia Day. While members will be playing their regular bridge, the Come and Try Day invites guests to come and watch, learn how the game is played and even pick up some cards and have a go. Joy Block and her husband have been playing bridge for two years and still consider themselves beginners, saying the club has been very welcoming. “It’s v
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Australia Day at the Palace Hotel & MC’s place 12pm Crickey! chuck on your best Aussie attire and sharpen your singing skills as you belt out all your favorite Aussie classics. Pluggers and boardshorts are encouraged! From 8pm score a $100 bar voucher just by showing off your best rendition of an Aussie classic. The audience will determine the winner! Will the winner be you? The Palace Hotel & MC’s Place 82 Victoria St Australia Day Family Beach Party 12pm Live music by Significant Other, gli
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In a significant move for Mackay Basketball, former Team MVP and All-League member Emmanuel Malou is set to rejoin the McDonald's Mackay Meteors for the upcoming 2024 NBL1 season. Expressing his happiness about returning to the Meteors, Manny stated, "I'm happy to be going back to the Mack, very excited to play in front of the home fans again and can't wait to get the ball rolling with our new squad." Standing tall at 6’9, the versatile forward had an outstanding season with the Meteors in 2021,
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Australia Day Bowls at the Mackay Club will consist of two divisions of triples played during the afternoon, each consisting of two games of eleven ends starting at 1:00 pm. Division one will include bowlers, and division two will consist of two non-bowlers and one bowler. Prize money will be awarded to winners and runners-up in both divisions. Throughout the afternoon, a BBQ and Aussie food will be available. Bowlers and non-bowlers looking for an afternoon of fun and bowls are invited to come
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