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PREPARING FOR BATTLE

To bolster growers' efforts against fall armyworm, a nationwide coordinated program has been launched to curb the pest's population and minimise its impact.Led by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and delivered with co-investment from Hort Innovation, the $2.1 million initiative will arm vegetable growers with the tools and knowledge they need to wage war on the ravenous pest.

SWEET SUCCESS

July is filled with nostalgia for three Mackay Sugar employees who are this month celebrating 50 years since they started with the company. Commencing employment in 1973, the three men – Allan, David and Rodney – join fellow employee Phillip, who started at Mackay Sugar in 1971, in achieving the remarkable milestone.

Joey Scout Awarded Highest Honour

Mackay City Central Joey Scout Harrison Doyle was recently presented with the highest award for the Joey Scout Section, the Joey Scout Challenge Award, at an All Section Camp on a property at Gargett.

Pierce Brothers Find Calm ‘In The Water’

Jack and Patrick are the Pierce Brothers, an indie-folk duo known for their high energy live performance and their ability to create authentic, heartfelt music that speaks to the soul. The Melbourne boys recently unveiled their latest single, ‘In The Water’, a soulful and uplifting track that highlights the band's unique sound and musical style. Pierce Brothers will be headlining the Seabreeze Hotel in August to celebrate, so Sam had a chat with Jack ahead of the show.

Real People Taking Real Action

Greater Whitsunday Communities (GWC) and Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsunday (RDA) have partnered and initiated the housing project to identify collaboratively a solution to the housing stress being felt across the Greater Whitsunday region.

Property Point

I overheard a real estate agent the other day saying that write-ups are a “thing of the past”.In the modern world we live in it is true that previously important and highly valued features of life are indeed things of the past. The horse and buggy is, largely, a “thing of the past”. As much as I like the monochrome image, it is undoubtedly true that black and white televisions are a thing of the past.

Feeling Sniffly?

We’ve officially hit cold and flu season! Literally every time we get a change of season or an out-of-the-norm week of weather, I’m someone who starts getting sick instantly. I swear by the cold and flu liquid by Sambucol. It’s not only delicious but, nine times out of ten I’ll wake up the next day feeling, if not entirely better, 90 per cent better. I promise this is not sponsored (but I’ll take it if they want to partner – HEY SAMBUCOL MARKETING TEAM!) so I thought we could take a look at a co

Event Guide

Judging To Commence For Art On Show

The Woollam Art on Show Awards is celebrating 17 years of art excellence in 2023, with the prestigious exhibition and arts event right around the corner.Taking public and community art to a higher level of professionalism, the Mackay Show Association continues to seek a very significant level of participation from artists locally, interstate, and nation-wide, providing a high standard of presentation, playing an integral part in Mackay’s cultural future as a high-profile arts event, and promotin

Fellowship Day 2023

The Australian Church Women will celebrate our annual Fellowship Day Service on Friday 28th July at 10am at the Iona West Uniting Church Brook Street, Mackay. The theme is Renewal through Trust: Growing in God’s Ways.

Cabin Crew, Prepare For Landing

For the third consecutive year, the Dinner on the Runway by Ibis Mackay in support of Mackay Hospital Foundation will take place at Mackay Airport on Friday 8th September. The event is unique in that it takes place on the tarmac adjacent to the ‘old terminal’ on Casey Avenue. Guests will dine under the stars while scheduled jets take-off and land only metres away.

Director Discussion A Film Festival First

Queensland-based filmmaker Ivan Sen is one of Australia’s leading First Nations directors, as well as a screenwriter, cinematographer, editor, composer, and sound designer, and to celebrate the release of his newest film, he will be visiting the region in a first for the Mackay International Film Festival.

Domestic Cricket Returns To Mackay

The summer schedule at Great Barrier Reef is filling up with Queensland Cricket confirming three matches will be staged in Mackay in the 2023-24 season.The recently upgraded venue will host the WBBL Brisbane Heat in the Weber Women’s Big Bash League for the sixth time while the Queensland Bulls return to the region for the first time since the 2015-16 season.

From Mackay To Maroons: Emily Bella's NRLW Dreams Begin To Soar

Queensland Rugby League’s girl of the moment Emily Bella is still the same athlete from Mackay with dreams of playing in the NRLW series.The talented playmaker captured the imagination of the sporting public earlier this month when she figured prominently in the Maroons’ Under 19 Girls Origin triumph over NSW at Redcliffe’s Kayo Stadium.

Emma Memma Charms Little Ones During Library Visit

In an exciting event, Emma Memma, formerly known as "Emma Wiggle," made a delightful appearance at Mackay's Dudley Denny City Library during Toddler Time. The visit was part of her promotional tour ahead of the upcoming Twirly Tour scheduled for August 7 here in Mackay.

Game, Set, Match

The Mackay Tennis Association recently concluded a successful season one of tennis fixtures, showcasing increased player participation in both Division 1 and Division 2. Season one saw some excellent tennis played across the divisions, with team ‘Wanderers’ (Ranjan, Chris, Naveen, Kunal, and Hayden) emerging as Division 2 champions, narrowly defeating the ‘Invincibles’ (John, Auston, Demi, and Brian) to claim outright victory. In Division 1, team ‘Djokovic’ (Brett, Darryl, Justin, Jess, and Lexi

Honours For Superstar White As Meteors Bow Out Of NBL1 North Championship Race

Meteors superstar Isaac White has experienced a bittersweet week in the world of basketball.Just days after being named in the NBL1 All-League First Team and one of three finalists for the Most Valuable Player award, a disappointed White could only watch in despair from the sidelines as the Meteors crashed out of the North Conference title race after a 94-72 quarter final loss to South West Metro Pirates in Brisbane.White – still recovering from a torn quad – missed the sudden-death fixture agai

Rising Stars On The Court

Mackay's Talented Trio Impresses At QISSN Carnival Netball and natural talent go hand in hand for talented Mackay prospects Shaylah Pershouse, Rebecca Symons and Jayden Samson. The emerging trio underlined their potential with top performances for St Patrick’s College at the recent CQ University Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball Championships in Brisbane. Goal shooter Symons was named St Patrick’s Most Valuable Player after helping her school finish 16th overall from 48 teams

Honours For Superstar White

As Meteors Bow Out Of NBL1 North Championship Race Meteors superstar Isaac White has experienced a bittersweet week in the world of basketball. Just days after being named in the NBL1 All-League First Team and one of three finalists for the Most Valuable Player award, a disappointed White could only watch in despair from the sidelines as the Meteors crashed out of the North Conference title race after a 94-72 quarter final loss to South West Metro Pirates in Brisbane. White – still recovering

On The Ball

Mackay Table Tennis players are looking good in the club’s new uniform. Newly designed shirts and coats came into use this year, and the club is encouraging players to switch to the new look. The shirts must be worn for representative matches, and players are encouraged to wear them during fixture play. They can be ordered at the canteen. Contributed by Charlie Payne

Slice Of NRLW History For Mackay Try Scorer Manzelmann

Mackay Cutters’ inspirational rugby league leader Emma Manzelmann grabbed a slice of history on her debut with North Queensland Cowboys in the 2023 NRLW premiership. Lining up for the new Cowboys franchise, the dynamic hooker nabbed the club’s first ever try during a 16-6 loss to the Gold Coast Titans in last weekend’s NRLW season opener at Cbus Super Stadium. It took Manzelmann only six minutes to give the Cowboys an early 6-0 lead when she burst through the middle to dash over and score in a

Planking To Victory - The 10km With A Twist

In the unfortunate absence of the Beach to Gardens fundraising running event on the Mackay Road Runners program, the club slotted in a social 5km and 10km from the Bluewater Quay. Race Director, Julie Whibley confirmed the race course directions which included the Rotary Lookout at the pinnacle of High Street, North Mackay for the 10km with a one minute plank before descending. Jared Mackie was first to the top, completing his plank without complaint, although some later runners did have lit

Mackay Contract Bridge Club

Weekly Results For the last three Wednesdays the club has held the Founders’ Teams. Players had to play with a different partner each week. Eight teams competed and the Winners for 2023 were the Hansen team, Janet Hansen, Janelle Conroy, Alan & Frances Brown. Monday 17 July 2023 – 6 Table One Winner Green Pts N/S E/W 1st Monica Darley / Nancy Martin 1st Janine Rodgers / Richard Wix 2nd Margaret Jennings / Marilin Robins 2nd Bob Ranson / Lorna Shuttlewood 3rd Edward Kleise / Diane Stokes 3rd

Mackay Bowls Club News

Plenty of competition was played over the Weekend with Champion of Championship Fours being played at Mackay Bowls Club. Games started on Saturday morning and, unfortunately, Mackay Bowls Club team were beaten in a close game. Souths Suburban played Proserpine in the final on Sunday afternoon with Souths coming out victors in a close game. A good weekend of Bowls was witnessed over the two days. Tuesday Social Play continued with 24 players. Winners of Winners: Julie Caban, Marie Mayfield, Dot M

Editor's Note

Hello Everyone,Well, there is certainly a lot going on during our cool winter months – in fact, last weekend we attended seven events!From the sparkling dresses twirling around the dancefloor at the Mayor’s Ball to the delightful gardens at the Orchid Society’s Field Day, the excited squeals of children at Cannonvale State School Fete, the elegance of the Coral Sea Resort Long Table Lunch and the launch of the Women of the Whitsunday Display at Proserpine Museum – it was a whirlwind snapshot of