Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Well done to Eric Goodchild and David Ting finishing second in the 500 - 750 Swiss Pairs division at Summer Festival of Bridge 2024 in Canberra. Well done also to Debra Goodchild and Ming Ting for finishing as solid sixteenth in their division. While at home the Unders and Overs Teams event was held on Friday, with Team Stokes (Diane Stokes, Terrence Sheedy, Joy Block & Janelle Conroy), taking out first place, coming second Team Ross (Susan Ross, Richard Wix, Vicki Howard & Janine Rodgers). Week
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Pioneer Valley have advanced to the Grand Final of the 2023-24 Mackay Cricket Association Twenty20 Division One Shootout competition. The Valley secured top position on percentages after edging out second placed Norths in their final round clash at George Gorrie Oval last weekend. In a low scoring tussle, Pioneer openers Mitch English (51 runs off 52 balls) and Cody Filewood (46) led the way against the Devils with a vital opening stand of 84 to help post a tally of 5-128. Norths (9-103) fell
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Amidst the stifling heat that clung to Mackay, the runners of the Shawn’s Summer Social Series found solace and support in an unexpected oasis. Dr. George Hannaford, from Mackay Spine Care Chiropractic at the Bucasia Shopping Centre, opened the doors of his air-conditioned clinic to over forty dedicated athletes. Dispelling the oppressive temperatures, the clinic provided a welcome respite for the runners before and after the challenging event. The sweltering conditions failed to temper the comp
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KC’s Bar and Grill are back with their great line-up of entertainment for Australia Day celebrations. Crab Races return, with Smally, The crab man Bob and Thomo, taking his hand at the microphone and ready to get the big bucks for these crabby creatures. And the excitement doesn’t stop there, with KC’s Bar and Grill pledging 50 per cent of the winnings from the crab races to be donated to our local Tiny Homes Project. This project fundraises tirelessly to construct tiny homes for homeless women
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Team Greg Williamson has this week announced its highly skilled lineup of candidates for the upcoming 2024 local government election, with the dynamic team expected to bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the forefront of Mackay Regional Council. Officially referred to as ‘Team Greg Williamson – For Our Region’, the group of eight candidates consists of Mayor Greg Williamson, Stephen Cutting, Peter Freeleagus, Cr. Michelle Green, Ash-Lee Johnson, Cr. Karen May, Joshua Thornton,
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G ‘Day mates! Buckle up because the Australia Day Awards are about to sweep into the MECC next Thursday, shining a spotlight on the unsung heroes who are the essential cogs in our community machinery. Forget about capes – these local legends are the everyday superheroes, keeping our town ticking with their incredible deeds. If you have never been to the Australia Day Awards, I encourage you to grab a ticket. It’s an incredibly inspiring and uplifting evening learning about the people who selfles
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In the world of air travel, where turbulence and tight spaces are the norm, one group of compassionate ladies showed that kindness can soar above it all. Cheyenne Edwards, a solo-traveling mum, embarked on a flight from Mackay to Brisbane with her two sons, aged 2 years and 3 months. Juggling two carry-on bags and a baby strapped to her, the challenge was real. Battling a migraine that blurred her vision, Cheyenne found herself in the midst of an anxiety-inducing situation. But then, a group of
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The Queensland Government is initiating a significant investment of $51.7 million to support up to 7,020 vulnerable job seekers across the state. Skilling Queenslanders for Work is one of the Government’s most successful job creating initiatives – assisting unemployed and underemployed Queenslanders to gain skills, qualifications and experience to either enter or remain in the workforce. In Mackay, organisations such as Community Solutions Group, Selectability and Ideal Placements will receive
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Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox is backing calls for an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Inquiry into fruit and vegetable prices to make supermarkets pay their fair share. “While Coles and Woolworths made record profits of more than $1 billion each last year, the individuals and families living in our electorate of Dawson are struggling with rising grocery costs during a cost-of-living crisis,” Mr Willcox said. “Over the past 18 months we have seen fuel prices i
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Last year, as the school term came to a close, the Grade 5/6 students from Middlemount Community School embarked on an educational journey to the Queensland Parliament, creating lasting memories that they would cherish for years to come. The students were accompanied by the Member for Burdekin, Dale Last, who took the time to catch up with them during their visit. Mr. Last expressed his enthusiasm for the day, stating, "No doubt the children left with plenty of stories to share with their famili
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In a bid to enhance water-based tourism along the Pioneer River, the Mackay Regional Council is gearing up for the completion of the Pioneer River Pontoon by the end of February, weather permitting. This exciting development opens doors for ambitious businesses keen on operating commercial ventures from the pontoon. Interested entrepreneurs are encouraged to submit their applications promptly, as the deadline for tenders is set for Friday, February 8. To access the tender documents and initiate
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In a bid to foster connection and support within the rapidly expanding Northern Beaches community in Mackay, a new initiative is set to launch – the Northern Beaches Community Playgroup. This free playgroup opportunity aims to provide a welcoming and relaxed space for parents and children to come together, play, and strengthen their sense of community. Rebecca Cooper, one of the organisers, expressed her excitement for the upcoming launch. "We are thrilled to bring this opportunity to the area,
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Mackay bids farewell to a beloved figure as Charlie "Chook" Deguara, former owner of Deguara Supermarket, peacefully passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, December 30, 2023. His legacy as a respected businessman and the warm-hearted proprietor of a local institution profoundly impacted the community. Daughter Andrea Hale shared the news, inviting friends and acquaintances to join the family in farewelling their beloved Chooky at St Bernard's Catholic Church on Klumpp Road, Upper Moun
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The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred on Pleystowe Connection Road in Mackay on January 10. Initial investigations indicate the rider, a 27-year-old Beaconsfield man, was riding as part of a group when he collided with a trailer attached to a vehicle travelling north just after 1.40pm on the John Cook Bridge. Police confirmed that the rider was a learner rider, travelling with a group of learner riders who were under instruction at the time of the incide
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Infusing Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) with a shot of vitality, 31 emerging medical talents arrived last week. As the first-year doctors undergo their orientation, they stand at the threshold of a captivating journey through diverse rotations, commencing their healing odyssey on Monday, January 22. The prognosis? An injection of fresh perspectives and limitless potential in the heart of healthcare. They have been welcomed to the health service by Chief Executive Susan Gannon and Chie
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In the world of daredevils and snake enthusiasts, one name stands out—Edward Royce Ramsamy, or as many knew him, Ram Chandra. A fearless showman, Ram's journey was a captivating tale of courage, passion, and a profound connection with some of the world's most dangerous snakes. Born in Lawrence, near Grafton, New South Wales, on May 24, 1921, Ram Chandra embarked on a path that would make him a legend in the world of snakes and venomous creatures. His journey began on the show circuit in Sydney
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Queensland's regulator for the resources sector, Resources Safety and Health Investigation (RSHQ), has launched an investigation into an incident at BHP Mitsubishi Alliance's (BMA) Saraji mine on Monday 15 January 2024. Two men were working in the fuel-bay area of the open-cut mine around midday when an interaction between two vehicles left a 27-year-old coal mine worker with significant crush injuries. Luke O’Brien has been identified as the victim of a tragic incident that occurred. He was t
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Ever felt that yoga might not be your 'thing'? Perhaps, it's precisely what your body and mind have been silently yearning for. Why not indulge your curiosity, take a step onto the mat, and discover the transformative power that yoga can bring to your life? Join us at Tranquil Yoga Mackay, where we believe in the inclusive embrace of everyBODY, offering a space for exploration, self-discovery, and well-being. More than just a studio, we are a family-run establishment with a commitment to commu
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The economic development bodies of North Queensland – Advance Cairns, Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) and Townsville Enterprise - have joined forces to seek a better outcome for the region amid questions around the effectiveness of the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool. This follows the recent devastating flooding which impacted the Far North in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper last month. The collective call from these three organisations is for a review into the terms of the Cyclone Reinsuranc
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As the Australian summer unfolds, garden enthusiasts are presented with the perfect opportunity to transform their outdoor spaces into a vibrant and flourishing oasis. With warmer temperatures and abundant rain in the wet season, adapting your gardening practices becomes paramount. Mulching Magic: Mulching is a game-changer when it comes to preserving soil moisture and regulating soil temperature. Applying a layer of organic mulch, such as straw or bark, around your plants helps retain moisture,
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As we step into the new year, having delved into the realms of movement and nutrition, it's time to turn our attention to another essential aspect of self-care—our skincare routine. Achieving radiant and healthy skin isn't just about the products you use; it's about cultivating habits that promote long-term well-being. So, bid farewell to last year's skincare sins and embrace 2024 with these eight transformative skincare resolutions that will have you glowing from within. 1. Clean out your skinc
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This is the question frustrated locals have been asking on community chat boards on Facebook this week. From bugging people at the beach to swarming doors while dinner is cooking, the problem has noticeably ramped up over the past week. It seems as though the issue isn’t selective when it comes to suburbs either, with people right across the region voicing their disgust in dealing with up to one hundred flies daily. You may think a fly is a fly, but according to the CSIRO, there are more than 30
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The wet season is upon us and residents are being urged to tidy up the areas around their homes. The regional councils of Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday have once again collaborated to raise awareness about dengue fever through the Environmental Health Whitsunday Isaac and Mackay (EHWIM) initiative. Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said dengue mosquitoes, such as the Aedes aegypti species, bred in stagnant water around the home. “To prevent a dengue outbreak, it’s important to empt
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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay We have headed into 2024 seeing many growers from Northern growing districts around Cairns, Innisfail and Mossman hit hard by flooding caused by ex- Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Our thoughts are with those growers who will have suffered significant damage to the 2024 crop. For the Mackay and Plane Creek Growing districts, the harvest ended within the festive season, with mills in both districts the last to finish in Queensland as a result of challenging mi
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More than $2 million in funding is up for grabs for Queenslanders to help fight feral pigs. In 2021, it was estimated that Queensland had up to 2.3 million feral pigs. They are among Queensland's most widespread and damaging pest animals. Feral pigs spread invasive plants, degrade soil and water, prey on native species, damage crops and livestock, and carry diseases. Round 8(a) of the Queensland Feral Pest Initiative (QFPI) is now open, with $2.16 million available to build local capacity for bi
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