Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
With the wet season fast approaching, now is the time to make sure our beaches are clear of harmful rubbish and debris. Council has partnered with North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) and Save Our Northwall community group to host a beach clean up this Saturday, October 18. The event is part of the Great Barrier Reef Clean Up, coordinated by Tangaroa Blue. Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said we all had a part to play in protecting the marine environment. “Clean ups like this are
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Member for Dawson and Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capability, Mr Andrew Willcox MP, said farmers across Dawson have had an enormous win after Labor retreated on its poorly conceived, reckless, and cruel plan to tax unrealised gains on farms held in self-managed super funds (SMSFs). Mr Willcox said Labor had been embarrassingly forced to give in after The Coalition and industry groups campaigned strongly against the plan, and the government faced a backlash from far
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Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, billboards, newspapers, paid advertising or organic posting - today’s small business owners have a million and one opportunities to reach their audience. However not all platforms are equal, and it’s not about doing every “must-do” tactic you see online. Marketing overwhelm is real. It often shows up as confusion, wasted spend, and frustration when results don’t match the effort. Most small businesses don’t need more marketing, they need more clarity. You don’t ne
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SOFTBALL Two Mackay softballers, Jaxon Maluga and Peyton Barrow, headed off to the Club Classic tournament two weeks ago, each showcasing outstanding performances. Jaxon played for the Brisbane-based team Scorpions, coming away with an impressive list of achievements such as Best Pitcher, Team Pitcher, and selection in the All-Star Team. His team finished runner-up, narrowly missing victory by just one run. This weekend, October 17th–19th, Jaxon will play with the Open Mackay Men’s Team for t
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Mackay’s basketball community was buzzing last week as over 70 athletes took part in a high-energy Elite Camp led by Jalen Manumaleuga, one of the country’s top development coaches and current Illawarra Hawks NBL Player Development Coach. Mackay Basketball described the two-day event as “incredible,” with the camp delivering top-tier coaching and skill development for local players. “The energy, intensity, and attention to detail from our athletes was outstanding from start to finish,” the org
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Gunshot At Sandiford Leads To Attempted Murder Charge A 31-year-old Alligator Creek man has been charged with attempted murder following an alleged shooting incident at Sandiford, near Mackay, on October 7. Police allege that around 2.30pm, a 40-year-old Oakenden man attended a Palm Tree Road address where an altercation occurred between the two men. During the confrontation, the 31-year-old allegedly fired a weapon in the direction of the older man, striking him in the hip. The victim was tr
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A First-Term Perspective When I first took office as a councillor, I knew I wanted to make a difference, but I also knew there was a lot I didn’t know about how local government actually functions behind the scenes. Sixteen months in, I’ve learned that what most people see – roads being fixed, parks being built and bins being collected – is only the surface of a much deeper and more complex processes of governance. Many residents assume councillors can simply “get things done”. The truth is, we
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Human Characteristics With Enduring Career Value Staying relevant in our careers is part of our ongoing challenge and even more top of mind as conversations about the future of work are abuzz with the impact of AI. For those who have been around a while, the introduction of personal computers plus other tech required a significant career adjustment - some careers changed forever and new roles were created. And so is AI already making an impact and some advocates would say for the better. Regar
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OPINION PIECE China is, without question, one of Australia’s most significant trading partners. We export vast amounts of natural resources and agricultural products, and in return, we import vehicles, solar panels, wind turbines, various technological products, and household goods. But is this relationship balanced, and are we becoming too dependent? Recent reports out of the United States have raised serious concerns about the potential for embedded technologies in imported infrastructure f
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The YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament (QYP) continues to shape the next generation of leaders, celebrating 30 years of empowering young Queenslanders to speak up, step forward, and create real change across their communities. Her Excellency Jasmin Peak, the 30th Youth Governor of Queensland, described the program as “a parliament program that focuses on personal development, community engagement and parliamentary education.” She said, “We’ve been going on for 30 years this year… we had our 30th
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There would be no one prouder – except his parents, sisters, and uncle, of course – than the race’s namesake, Benita Willis, to see fifteen-year-old Max Miles take out the annual Mackay Spine Care Chiropractic Benita Willis 10km Handicap. Local running legend, four-time Olympian, former World Cross Country Champion, and BMA Mackay Marina Run Ambassador, Benita’s ongoing support of Mackay Road Runners remains one of the most anticipated highlights on the local running calendar – and a personal d
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Members enjoyed a quieter week following the busy Pairs and Teams Congress held last week. The club now looks ahead to several upcoming events, including the Life Members Pairs (Red Points), Presidents Trophy (Red Points), and the Australian Restricted Pairs. The final congress of the year will be the Del Ryan Central Teams event in November, rounding out the season with the Club Novice Pairs Championship. Weekly Results Tuesday Evening 7 September 2025 – 7 Table Mitchell Green Points N/S E/W
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A once-grey brick wall in the heart of Sarina has been transformed into a vibrant celebration of the town, thanks to a remarkable collaboration between local youth, artists, and the community. The mural, unveiled on Thursday, October 9, now brightens the exterior of the Grand Central gift and coffee shop, leaving a lasting mark on the town and the young people who helped create it. The project was led by internationally renowned Grasstree Beach artist, Donna Marie Robinson, who guided the youth
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Mackay Father Calls For Greater Awareness Of Silent Epilepsy Risk A Mackay father is urging Australians to talk more openly about the silent and little-known risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), three years on from the devastating loss of his 25-year-old son, Finley. “Fin had his first seizure at 22 and died at 25,” said Greg Smith. “He’d been seizure-free for 12 months and had just got his driving licence back. Then one day, he didn’t turn up for work.” Fin’s death shocked hi
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No one loves cyber security. 2FA, redundant backups, password manager pop-ups - it’s all annoying. Know who loves it when you don’t bother though? Yep, hackers. That’s what they’re very literally banking on (b—tards). So much of our life happens online now. For better or worse, we live in a digital age - and criminals exist there just as much as they do in the real world. Last week, I spoke at Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce’s Cyber Security Awareness event about simple, practical ways to kee
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For Saskia Macdonald, moving back to her hometown of Mackay to complete a graduate midwifery program was a no-brainer. The 23-year-old registered nurse had been living and working in Brisbane when Mater Private Hospital Mackay introduced fee-free midwifery courses. Ms Macdonald said the opportunity to broaden her skillset was all the incentive she needed to return to Mackay and her family. “Being a student is difficult financially, so having Mater pay for my midwifery graduate course has been
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In an effort to make it easier for the Mackay region to prepare for disaster season, Mackay Regional Council and Woolworths joined forces once again! Up until November 19, each of the region’s eight Woolworths stores will have a dedicated aisle end stocked with key items for household disaster kits. Mayor Greg Williamson said council had installed banners with tear-off shopping lists out the front of Woolworths stores, that customers can rip off and take into the store with them. “These shopp
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Mackay Celebrates Emergency Nurses Day In honour of Emergency Nurses Day, celebrated last week on Wednesday October 8, the Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) paid tribute to the dedicated teams of nurses who form the heart of emergency care across the region. Known for their calm under pressure and steady hands in moments of crisis, emergency nurses provide skilled, compassionate care to patients and families facing some of life’s most challenging circumstances. Whether responding to tra
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Mackay’s much-loved North Wall Recreational Area has received a major $2 million upgrade, with North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) unveiling new amenities and improved public access as part of a project designed to enhance the iconic coastal destination. NQBP Chief Executive Officer Brendan Webb said the area can now be enjoyed by the local community and visitors alike. “Today marks a major milestone for all those who love North Wall,” Mr Webb said. “After several months of constru
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Mackay Table Tennis Association Fixture Results 7th October 2025 Division 1 – Eagles (Emma Widdup, Josh Brown, Syed Aminul Hossain) defeated Lily (Robbie Richards, Will VanDaKaa, Lily Boland) 7-4 with Josh winning a massive 5 set match over Lily 15-13 Barra (Andrea Nicholson, Barry Patterson) defeated Jaguar (Anne Sheridan, Jacob Whelan) 3-2. Andrea had a big win over Jacob 11-9 in 5th set. Fish (Steven Whiting, Trent Day, Graeme Walker) defeated Gold (Vince Boeske, Geoff Denman) 10-1 unfortuna
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Spring Orchid Show Returns To Mackay Mackay’s floral enthusiasts are in for a treat this month, with the Mackay and District Orchid Society Inc. set to host its annual Spring Orchid Show at the Mackay Senior Citizens’ Centre, 58 Macalister Street, on Saturday 18th October and Sunday 19th October. Doors will open from 8am to 4pm on Saturday and 8am to 3pm on Sunday, with visitors invited to step into a spectacular display of orchids bursting into bloom for spring. From delicate pastels to vibran
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Get ready for a fun family outing and take a trip down memory lane at St Paul’s this October. Held at St Paul’s Church Hall, Macalister Street, Mackay, this nostalgic community event will take place from 9.00am on Saturday, 25th October, with free entry for all. Sample a range of traditional homemade favourites — after all, who can resist chocolate fudge and patty cakes? Stalls will feature a variety of quality fashion pieces, baked goods, sweets, books, artwork, and bric-a-brac treasures. Ga
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As a canefarmer and long-term local, I’m proud to introduce myself as the new Relationship Manager for the Proserpine region with Wilmar Grower Marketing. Having lived in Proserpine for the past 16 years, I know how much pride, resilience and effort go into every crop we grow. My husband, Rob, and I run our own farming enterprise, so I understand the seasonal pressures, business decisions and hard work that come with producing cane in our region. That experience drives my approach to this role:
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Bowen came together to celebrate a significant milestone for the South Sea Islander community, marking 25 years since the Queensland Government officially recognised their contribution to the region. The South Sea Islander people have long been an integral part of Bowen and the surrounding areas, contributing to the town’s cultural, social, and economic fabric. The celebration was a chance to acknowledge their history, achievements, and enduring connection to the region. For local families the
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