Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
By Joseph Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay October materialised with a real kick of hot dry weather, bringing with it some blazes around the region. That reality has dominated the month, bringing with it fire bans and moderate to high fire danger. It’s times like these, we are thankful for our local rural fire brigades It is something that probably became a little foreign in the recent past and hasn’t been experienced across the district in several years. In fact, an extended dry period like
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At low tide on the Seaforth coast, volunteers gathered with buckets, boots, and a shared ambition to restore the seagrass meadows that support the health of the Great Barrier Reef. Lead by Reef Catchments in partnership with Central Queensland University and OzFish Unlimited, the two successful volunteer events at Seaforth marked a major milestone in the (Sea)Grassroots Community Restoration Project; a three-year initiative aimed at improving the health and resilience of seagrass meadows in the
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Authorities are urging residents of the Mackay Shire to be hypervigilant around cane trains this crushing season following an incident last week involving an on-track collision between a cane train locomotive and a vehicle just south of the region. Shortly after 12pm on Monday, the 13th of October, first responders were called to Oakenden after a cane locomotive and a b-double truck collided at a level crossing. Queensland Fire and Rescue officers cut the train driver out of the terribly damage
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Disaster recovery assistance has been expanded to include a wider range of primary production businesses, offering vital financial support to more regional enterprises impacted by severe weather events earlier this year. Under the updated Primary Production Enterprise definition, contracting businesses such as farm irrigation services, mustering, shearing, silage baling, and timber plantation maintenance services may now be eligible for assistance, subject to the Australian and New Zealand Stan
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First there were the YUPPIES, then came the DINKS. The terms emerged in the 1980s when marketing types got the Western world by the scruff of the neck and started ascribing labels to various groups. The marketing people sought to categorise emerging groups within the society and then identify commercial opportunities. YUPPIES stood for Young Upwardly-Mobile Professional People and they were the type of annoying people in their 20s and 30s who would be seen arriving at trendy inner-city cafes
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Council is calling on residents to have their say on the draft Mackay Region Housing Strategy 2025–2030, which sets out a roadmap to ensure future housing supply meets the community’s changing needs. Council recognises that housing needs vary across life stages, household types and income levels, and community input is essential to ensure our future housing reflects these diverse needs. The strategy responds to a growing imbalance between the types of homes people need and the ones currently av
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How Keyton’s Queenslanders Are Rewriting the Rules For many, retirement means slowing down: lazy mornings, long lunches, time to finally relax. Yet Australians are increasingly reimagining this stage of life as a chance to rediscover purpose, deepen connections, and embrace passions set aside during the busier years. Purpose, after all, is powerful. Those who feel their days have meaning enjoy greater wellbeing, sharper minds, and stronger health. Research into the world's Blue Zones, reg
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In the endless pursuit of glowing, youthful skin, many of us reach for the latest serum, cleanser, or mask—believing that the right product will fix what we see in the mirror. But growing evidence suggests that beauty really does begin within, and the health of your skin might have far more to do with your gut than your skincare routine. This rising wellness trend, known as the gut–skin axis, is gaining traction among scientists, nutritionists, and dermatologists alike. In simple terms, it’s th
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World Menopause Month We talk about the weather in Mackay. We talk about the sugar price, the reef, the school run, and even the potholes; but one topic that often stays off the table is menopause. For something that every woman will go through in her lifetime, menopause is still surrounded by silence. Many women describe it as something you “just get on with.” But this natural transition can bring changes that affect your energy, mood, sleep, relationships, and confidence, and you don’t have t
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By Hannah McNamara Smiles and excitement filled the room as Shara’s Club officially opened its doors on Monday, 13th October, celebrating a landmark moment for adults living with physical or intellectual disabilities across the Mackay, Whitsunday, and Coalfields regions. The not-for-profit registered charity offers a safe, welcoming, and non-judgemental space, that’s completely free, where visitors can connect, learn, and enjoy a wide range of enriching activities. The Open Day drew an excited
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**Friday 24th October ** Women In Sport – Leadership Breakfast 7.30am Celebrate the power of women in sport at the Women in Sport Leadership Breakfast at Harrup Park. Hear from Olympic legends Cathy Freeman OAM, Tracey Belbin OAM, and Linda McKenzie OAM as they share insights on leadership, diversity, and inspiring the next generation on the road to Brisbane 2032. Proceeds support local girls’ sport through the Mackay Sports Foundation. Tickets essential via: https://bit.ly/WOMEN-IN-S
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As Reclaim The Night Returns To Mackay The Zonta Club of Mackay, together with Mackay Women’s Service, Salvation Army, and The Neighbourhood Hub, will host the Reclaim the Night March and BBQ on Friday, 31 October 2025, from 5–7pm near Artspace in the Council Precinct. The event will feature information from Zonta and the Mackay Police Vulnerable Persons Unit, as well as a performance of a local Reclaim the Night song written for the occasion by Rhythm Business. Walkerston Rotary Club will als
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In Support Of The Smith Family’s Christmas Appeal Mackay VIEW Club is calling on the community to embrace the festive season spirit of giving and help raise funds for The Smith Family’s Christmas Appeal, to ensure thousands of students experiencing disadvantage can be supported in their education in 2026. The charity aims to raise $4.9 million nationally through the appeal, which will provide more than 11,600 children with access to critical learning and mentoring programs to help them stay eng
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The Heat Girls League kicked off its season in spectacular fashion on Friday afternoon, with PV Fire facing off against Souths Hurricanes, and PV Thunder challenging the reigning premiers, PV Throwing Coconuts. With several players making their league debut, the atmosphere was filled with anticipation and excitement. Fortunately, the seasoned campaigners were in top form both on and off the field—offering encouragement and support to the newcomers, helping to settle nerves and foster a welcomin
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Whitsunday Anglican School is celebrating a thrilling sporting triumph after both its Year 12 Boys and Girls Volleyball Teams claimed grand final victories against Mackay State High School (MSHS). After six weeks of preliminary games against schools across Mackay, the two teams faced off against MSHS in front of a strong home crowd. MSHS took the first set in both matches with some excellent volleyball, setting the stage for an intense contest. A representative from Whitsunday Anglican School
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BOWLS The Annual Dames versus Dandies Fun Day was held at the club on Tuesday, October 7, and proved to be another great success. With the support of many enthusiastic district bowlers and members from the North Mackay Club, the day was filled with fun, laughter, and friendly competition. After a few shandies and plenty of good spirits, the Dandies claimed victory, with the ladies graciously admitting they were outplayed this year — but vowing to come back stronger in 2026! A special thank yo
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This season is proving to have some fantastic matches, Allan Robins has always had a lot of marathon matches but last Tuesday night, Duncan gave Allan a run for his money and they didn’t disappoint. They took turns with every set was super close with Allan won in the end 11-8, 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 16-14. Evening Fixtures Division 1 – Gold (Goncalo Serra, Geoff Denman, Graham Brake) beat Barra (Barry Patterson, Lee Brake, Graham Drury) 8-3, with Lee beat Graham 11-6. Eagles (Emma Widdup, Syed Am
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Hi everyone, It’s definitely awards season, and the excitement is building! This Saturday marks our inaugural Life Publishing Group gala event, supporting seven regional charities. A huge thank you to our entire team for their hard work — especially our Mackay Sales Manager, Jess Clark, whose passion has driven this event from the start, and to our Whitsunday Sales Manager for coordinating donations and client support. I can't wait to share more about the event with you next week. This week,
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This week’s good deed comes from someone many of you will know, Life Publishing Group’s Editor-in-Chief, Rachael Smith. While out on a distribution run, Rachael was restocking newspaper stands at Whitsunday Plaza, hauling heavy bundles as she moved from point to point. Despite pushing through with determination, the load was visibly demanding. As she powered through, a kind young man approached and offered to lend a hand, Rachael taken aback by the gesture stated: “At first, I almost declined
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Jetstar have announced that the Whitsunday Coast Airport to Adelaide direct flight will soon be cancelled. Since launching less than 12 months ago the flight has averaged at around 61% capacity and has not met the airline’s minimum requirements for long-term sustainability. The final direct flight will operate on Wednesday 28 January. A council spokesperson said that customers booked onto the Adelaide service have been re-accommodated on alternative flights. Despite the cancellation of the A
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The Whitsunday Tourism Awards took a bold new direction this year, shifting away from the traditional, time-consuming written submission format in favour of alignment with the Best of Queensland Experience Program (BOQEP). This updated model now mirrors the approach adopted across much of Queensland, with winners assessed based on real-world results — including verified online reviews, customer feedback, accreditation standards, and industry engagement. In the past, operators were required to
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The Whitsunday business community will come together next month to celebrate innovation, leadership, and community spirit at the 2025 Whitsunday Business Awards, recognising 70 outstanding nominees across ten award categories. Delivered in partnership between Whitsunday Regional Council, the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Bowen Chamber of Commerce, the Awards shine a spotlight on the people and enterprises driving growth across the region. This year’s event is proudly su
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Turquoise waters, teeming reefs, green landscapes, and the whitest of white beaches. The Whitsundays is a pretty special place. The region is not just a natural wonderland, home to 74 of the world’s most stunning islands. It’s a place for adventure, escape, indulgence, and where dreams become happy memories to share as stories for years to come. As I move across the region, it’s never lost on me how blessed we are to live in such a beautiful and diverse part of the world. Tourism is a vital dri
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As part of Sexual Violence Awareness Month this October, Whitsunday Counselling and Support will host its main community event, Reclaim the Night, at Coral Sea Marina Gardens. The evening will feature guest speakers including MP Amanda Camm and Officer in Charge Anthony Moynihan from Whitsunday Police, followed by a walk along the Airlie Beach Foreshore. Attendees are encouraged to bring signs, or pick one up from the team on-site. Live music by Dylan Hammond, light nibbles, and networking oppo
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Donzel began his Tec-NQ House journey in Semester 2, 2025, bringing fresh energy to the boarding community. As a year 10 student, preparing for year 11 in 2026, he already has his future mapped out: a career in the automotive industry. “I chose Tec-NQ for the opportunities after school,” said Donzel. “I heard about this school from family members,” he added. It’s the strength of Tec-NQ’s vocational pathway options that attracted him, and he is keen to take every chance to learn. “So far, it’s
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