Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
November 29 Lions Airlie Beach Community Markets, Airlie Beach Foreshore, from 7am 30 Bowen Community Markets, Hansen Park, from 8:00am December 2 Sailing For Those With Disability, Whitsunday Sailing Club, from 9am 3 Social Seniors - Coffee and Chat, Cannonvale Library, from 9am 4 Morning Melodies - Home for Christmas, Proserpine Entertainment Centre, 11:00am 7 Bowen Community Markets, Hansen Park, from 8:00am 7 Proserpine Community Christmas Markets, Proserpine State School Cyclone She
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A Gentle Soul Looking for a Second Chance Handsome Patches has been through so much, but he hasn’t let it dull his big, loving heart. This 3-year-old Mastiff x Bull Arab boy was abandoned and left to fend for himself before coming into care. When he first arrived, he was nervous and unsure — but with patience and love, he’s shown just how affectionate and loyal he can be. Once Patches trusts you, he’s all heart. He’s a calm companion who loves spending time with his people, enjoys short walks,
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Country Jam Festival Hits Airlie Beach Airlie Beach is set for a country music takeover from December 5–7 as the Jack Daniel’s Country Jam Festival returns to the Airlie Beach Hotel. Free entry and three days of live entertainment make it one of the biggest country weekends of the year. The festival kicks off Friday night with a high-voltage performance from Ally Friendship, fresh from her stint on The Voice, where she chose team Richard Marx. Her performance on The Voice gained a standing ovat
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The Abell Point Yacht Club’s 2025 Coral Coast Rally set sail with all the excitement, colour, and competitive spirit that have made it a favourite among cruising sailors. The fleet burst across the start line in spectacular fashion, with Seventh Heaven narrowly avoiding an early black flag before scooting off right on the starter’s horn—suspiciously reminiscent of Terry Stevens’ tone. Amazing Grace, Symbiosis, Sea Mist, and Catnirvana were hot on its heels. With 20-knot gusts pushing them north,
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We’re in the last week of spring and summer is on the way, which means the weather is only getting warmer. It’s a relief to have our beautiful roof keeping us cool while the bowls keep sizzling. This week was again full of action, starting with Tuesday afternoon social bowls, which featured a fabulous final in the mixed fours. Tony Whitehorn as skipper, with Ladda Purdie, Betty Whitehorn and Lyn Graham, took on the strong team of skipper Shane Spann, Joan McGrath, Harry Quod and lead Vicki Span
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U11 Boys The U11 Proserpine Pitbulls hosted Brothers on Saturday, with Luka captaining and sending the visitors in after winning the bat flip. The bowlers were sharp from the outset, applying steady pressure and sharing the wickets: Jonty (2-10), James (1-10), Hector (1-12) and Fred (1-21). Six runouts—thanks to Hector, James, Will, Harry, Luka and Fred—kept Brothers to 119 after 20 overs. Harry and Fred opened the chase strongly before Will (12*) and James (18*) built momentum with smart stroke
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At Sunday morning’s AGM, members gathered to receive reports on the year’s club operations. Thanks to all who attended or sent apologies. This year’s reports highlighted notable achievements and acknowledged everyone who contributed to the club’s goals. A key item on the agenda was the awarding of Life Memberships to Wayne Handley and Heather Brown. Members were presented with summaries of their nominations before voting. We congratulate both recipients, who join the club’s valued Life Members:
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Tuesday afternoon winners were Gordon Queero, Deb Retchless, Laurie Land and Graeme Read, defeating Shirley Jones, Sue Shearing, Gavin Charles and Marg Wilson. The jackpot, which is building up nicely, didn’t go off. It was a big weekend for Wangaratta. On Saturday, the club hosted its annual Come & Try afternoon, with twenty budding bowlers out on the green showing plenty of natural talent. It was great to see everyone enjoying themselves in a relaxed social atmosphere. If you would like to le
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Hot conditions made for challenging rounds at Proserpine Golf Club this week, but strong fields still produced excellent golf across all competitions. Tuesday’s Single Stableford saw Scott Mason win the men’s event with 38 points, just ahead of Jon Miller on 37. In the ladies, Penny Wardroper finished on top with 38, followed by Jacqui Wall on 37. In the Vets’ 3 Clubs and a Putter, winners were Jacqui Wall (37) in the ladies and Larry Muller (38) in the men’s, with notable NTP hauls for both Mu
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Hi lovely readers! By the time you read this, I’ll be enjoying my long weekend and soaking up every second of my four-day holiday, before I’m back on Monday, refreshed and ready to hit the ground running until the end of year Christmas break. Adam and I plan to do a bit of sight-seeing around the region, and we’re particularly keen to head up to Cape Hillsborough early one morning to see the kangaroos and wallabies skipping about on the beach. I can’t wait to tell you all about it when I
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By Donating To Those In Need This festive season, the Neighbourhood Hub Mackay is inviting the community to help make Christmas a little brighter for families and individuals doing it tough. Donations are being collected for Christmas hampers filled with festive treats and essential food items, giving local community members a joyful holiday season. The Hub is seeking a range of non-perishable foods and Christmas goodies, including butcher vouchers, grocery-only vouchers, Christmas puddi
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A devastating early morning crash on 15 November has claimed the life of 18-year-old Lachlan McPhee, leaving the Mackay community in shock and sorrow. Police advised the collision occurred shortly after 1am, when a Mitsubishi Lancer travelling south on the Bruce Highway struck a semi-trailer turning onto Sams Road. Lachlan sustained critical injuries and was declared deceased at the scene. Another 18-year-old man from Blacks Beach, also in the Lancer, was taken to Mackay Base Hospital with lif
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Opening 27th November Mackay is about to experience a fitness revolution. On 27 November, Fitness Cartel Mackay opens its doors, promising a gym like no other. This is a space built for ambition, strength and transformation. From sprawling training zones to the latest equipment and a cutting-edge Wellness Centre devoted to recovery, the facility delivers everything this city has been waiting for. Every corner of Fitness Cartel is designed to push limits and elevate potential. Whether you are st
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Willcox Backs Cheaper, Better, Fairer Path Forward Federal Member for Dawson and Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capability Andrew Willcox says the Coalition’s decision to abandon Labor’s net-zero target is a victory for common sense, cost-of-living relief and Australian industry. Mr Willcox said the Coalition reached a principled position “the right way, through consultation, evidence and respect, not ideology, slogans or political theatre.” “This decision puts Austr
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The Queensland State Emergency Service Volunteer Association (QSESVA) is pleased to announce the election of Justin Englert as its new State President. Mr Englert brings more than 23 years of dedicated service to the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES), with a career that spans leadership, training, and community development. He began with the Eastern Group, Brisbane City Unit, serving as Deputy Group Leader for Training before relocating to Mackay, where he went on to serve as Deput
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Juvenile Spotted On Bucasia Beach A juvenile crocodile has allegedly been spotted slinking along Bucasia Beach, near the caravan park, sending a shiver through locals and visitors alike. While some online commenters joked the sighting might be AI-generated, multiple eyewitnesses insist the croc was very real. The alert came from an anonymous Facebook poster, who said the croc was likely 3–4 feet long. “I have no interest in scaring people and far too busy to make up stuff on AI,” the re
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Last week, the award-winning children’s musical Safety Circus visited primary schools across the Mackay region, delivering an entertaining 45-minute show focused on children’s safety. The performance, presented in partnership with the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, is designed to teach children to Recognise, React and Report whenever they feel scared or unsafe. The Safety Circus crew expressed their gratitude to the Daniel Morcombe Foundation for supporting the 2025 tour, which began on Mon
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In a remarkable moment for the region, Cadet Sergeant Murray Macgroarty, known locally for his advocacy for homeless veterans, was awarded one of the highest honours in the Australian Army Cadets on Saturday, November 8. National Commander of AAC, Brigadier David McCammon (DSM and bar), travelled to Mackay to personally present him with a Gold Level Commendation – which is the highest accolade an Australian Army Cadet can receive, awarded only in exceptional circumstances of service and l
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Christmas has come early for community and not-for-profit groups across the Mackay region with $10,000 in grants awarded for festive events. From lunches to provide social connection for seniors, to a treasured carols event and a festive bike ride, events will be held right around the region. The Christmas Grants provide funding of up to $750 for groups to help provide events that bring the community together, with a total funding pool of $10,000. This year’s successful events are: • D
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Alsatia Park has officially reopened, marking a significant moment for the Walkerston community as locals gathered last Sunday to celebrate the revitalisation of the much-loved space. The upgraded park now stands as a tribute to 18-year-old Luke Payne, a passionate skateboarder who tragically lost his life in 2022 and whose ideas helped shape the original skate facility. Families, skaters and community groups turned out in strong numbers for the opening, enjoying a lively morning of free
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Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank has announced a record breaking year of community investment at its AGM, with over $1 million injected directly into supporting more than 100 local projects and initiatives during the 2024/25 financial year. This milestone brings this profit for purpose organisation’s total community investment to more than $5 million since opening its doors in 2005, reaffirming its long standing commitment to creating an enduring impact in the Sarina and district commun
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Sarina Woman Marks 100 Years With Wisdom Celebrating A Century Joy Robinson Turns 100 It’s not every day a community gathers to celebrate a 100th birthday, but Sarina’s own Joy Robinson reached the milestone in style, surrounded by four generations of family, friends, and bridge club members last Wednesday. “Aren’t I lucky,” Joy said with a smile. “I’m thrilled and it’s a real privilege to be here.” With a smile as striking as her bridge play, Joy says her secret to longevity is simply, to j
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By Joseph Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay As the crushing season draws out and moves into its sixth month, it is pleasing to see that we are finally getting onto the downhill run, with both millers issuing their end-of-crush notices. Plane Creek expect to finish harvesting 26 November and Mackay Sugar announcing completion around 12 December, with any continuation dependent on sufficient cane supply. This follows a reduction of crop estimates in both districts, being 1.35Mt in Plane Creek
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Cultivating Tomorrow’s Opportunities Tickets are now on sale for ABARES Outlook 2026, the Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences’ (ABARES) flagship annual conference, set to take place on the 3rd and 4th of March 2026 at Hotel Realm, Canberra, and online. With the theme Reset. Rethink. Regrow: Cultivating Tomorrow’s Opportunities, the conference will explore the key forces shaping the future of Australian agriculture, fisheries, and forestry. ABARES Executive Director
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Local aged care provider Glenella Care is preparing to join Respect, one of Australia’s largest regional aged care organisations, in a move that honours Glenella’s legacy and invests in the future of care in Mackay. It is anticipated that from 1 December 2025, Glenella Care will officially become part of the Respect community. A dedicated transition team will support the change, with a focus on continuity of care for residents and preserving employment for current staff. Respect, a not-for-pro
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