Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Quality Aged Care You Can Trust We are proud to be part of this year’s Seniors Expo and to showcase the warm, values-led care provided at Good Shepherd Lodge and Kerrisdale Gardens. For over 50 years, we have been supporting older people in Mackay and the Whitsundays with residential aged care, independent living, and respite services designed to meet individual needs and support wellbeing.Our approach is centred on compassion, respect, and dignity. We believe aged care should feel like home wh
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Sarina State High School student, Joel Raward, was given an unforgettable behind-the-scenes experience at the Helicore BMA CQ Rescue Helicopter base last month on Thursday, 18 September. Joel was treated to a full tour of the CQ Rescue facility, where he explored the control room and gained insight into how the coordination team manages life-saving missions across the region. He also had the chance to sit inside the helicopter itself, learning how the crew operates during critical rescue and ae
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This year Queensland Mental Health Week starts from 4-12 October and is the perfect time to come together and raise awareness about mental health and wellbeing. One in five Australians aged 16-85 (22%) are estimated to have experienced a mental disorder in the last 12 months, while more than two in five (43%) have experienced one in their lifetime. The theme of the year – ‘connect for mental health’ - invites us all to reflect on the importance of connections – with ourselves, others, our comm
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This year, thanks to Tropical Petography, Mackay’s dogs have been given the chance to shine on the international stage as part of the Tails of the World book project. Tails of the World is an annual international photography book celebrating dogs from around the globe. Featuring stunning portraits by professional pet photographers, each edition showcases local dogs in their hometowns – from bustling cities to breathtaking landscapes. Founded by Caitlin J. McColl, the project brings together ph
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Memory, Meaning, And The World Around You If you’ve ever thought about writing your memoir but wondered how to move beyond personal reflection, this free workshop is for you.Memory, Meaning, and the World Around You: Deepening Your Memoir will be held at the Dudley Denny Library on Saturday 18 October, and is designed for anyone aged 15 and up who wants to bring greater depth, honesty, and perspective to their life story.This interactive two-hour session – presented by publishing consultant and
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Last Wednesday the finals of both the Club Under 70’s Singles and the Club Over 70’s singles finals were held at the club. The Under 70’s singles final was between Cheryle Corbett and Brenda Trannore. This game was tense but very friendly, with both ladies concentrating on each bowl to the end game of champion bowlers. Brenda Trannore was the eventual winner and this years Unders 70’s Champion. Her other achievements now include: Club Championship Singles Winner and the B grade singles Champion
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Fabulous results to the final of the Club Consistency Singles Comp. The game was played on Wednesday 10/9/25 with contestants Cheryle Corbett and Wendy Sonter vying for the win. Congratulations goes to Cheryle Corbett winning by the slimmest of margins. The games was a nail biter to the very last bowl with both ladies playing amazing bowls. Representing the Mackay District, the North Mackay Ladies Division 1 Pennant team travelled to Emerald on Saturday 20/9, to compete against the Leichhardt D
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James Cook University (JCU) researchers are calling for urgent government support to protect the spectacled flying-fox from extinction as new and escalating threats push the species closer to the brink. Despite their reputation as noisy and messy neighbours, spectacled flying-foxes play a vital role in the survival of Australia’s rainforests, travelling vast distances to pollinate flowers and spread seeds at levels unmatched by any other species. JCU adjunct associate professor Noel Preece sai
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The Toastmasters Area 14 Conference will take place on Saturday, 25 October 2025, hosted by the Mackay Regional Council Toastmasters Club. This year’s theme is “The Art of Speaking Stronger Together. The event will showcase the very best in public speaking, with contestants from the Mackay Clubs competing in four contests: Impromptu, where speakers think quickly on their feet; Evaluation, demonstrating the art of constructive feedback; Humorous, guaranteed to bring plenty of laughs; and the pre
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Mackay’s warm tropical climate brings sunshine almost year-round, making it a great place to enjoy the outdoors. However, the strong sun in North Queensland comes with health risks that should not be overlooked. Too much exposure can lead to sunburn, dehydration, heat stress, and an increased risk of skin cancer. UV levels in Mackay are rated as extreme for much of the year, even when it's cloudy or cooler. You can get sunburnt in as little as 10 minutes during peak UV hours, usually between 10
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Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, recently joined local families and young athletes at Harrup Park to celebrate the latest recipients of the Mackay Sports Foundation grants. Round 3 of the program marked its biggest round yet, with 28 talented young athletes receiving financial support to help overcome barriers and chase their sporting dreams. From Irish dancing and athletics to netball, gymnastics, and even horseball, the range of sports represented highlights the depth and diversity
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Mackay Reflects On National Police Remembrance Day By Hannah McNamara Mackay paused in quiet respect as police officers, past and present, marched through the city in a heartfelt tribute to colleagues who lost their lives in service. On Monday, 29 September, the streets from Brisbane Street to St Patrick’s Catholic Church were filled with the steady presence of the blue family, joined by friends, families, and community members from across the region, marking National Police Remembrance Day. Ea
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Hi lovely readers, Can you believe it’s October already? Cue all the Christmas fanatics cheering and unpacking their boxes of decorations, ready to adorn their homes early! My mum is one of those early Christmas fans – but I love her for it (lol). It’s been a busy week, with an even bigger month ahead, with plenty of fun activities and community events on the calendar. You might just spot me with my camera at this Saturday’s Mackay Family Carnival… so get ready to say cheese! On another
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A Mother’s Heartfelt Thank You To Caring Kids A simple act of kindness at a local play centre has touched the heart of a Mackay mother, who has praised a group of young girls and their parents for showing compassion and inclusion toward her daughter. Posting to a local community page, the mother shared how her 12-year-old daughter, who has an intellectual disability, was warmly welcomed by other children while visiting the Kidz Life Play Centre with her carer. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t
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Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has unveiled an $18 million transformation of its Mackay-based Pioneer BioPilot, now Australia’s leading pilot-scale fermentation facility. Backed by federal and state funding and linked with the Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA), the upgrade positions Mackay at the heart of Queensland’s push to become an Asia-Pacific biomanufacturing hub. Senator Corinne Mulholland said, “This investment positions Australia as a serious player in the global bi
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The Nebo community and surrounding regions were left in shock on Sunday evening, 28 September, when a light aircraft crashed, claiming the life of its sole occupant. The sudden loss has devastated family, friends, and the local community, as emergency services responded to the harrowing scene. Police are preparing a report for the coroner following the death of the 47-year-old pilot in Nebo Creek. Emergency services were called shortly after 6pm to a private property after reports of th
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OPINION PIECE Coal has powered Australia for generations, and it still does today. Coal is the central reason the lights turn on, the fridge stays cold, and the air con works. Coal remains the cheapest form of electricity in Australia, and without it, our country would be vastly different, in a poorer way. But it is not just the electricity it provides. Coal provides our country with economic security. It drives investment, and the revenue raised in taxes and exports generates the wealth to
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In the Community As we edge closer to Christmas and the end of the year, it’s been another full fortnight of activity in our region and in Parliament. I’ve recently had the pleasure of attending a range of events across Mackay. A highlight was launching the new SES Operational Support Unit trailer, which will serve the Mackay–Isaac–Whitsunday district as a mobile command centre during power outages and emergencies. A big thank you to our SES volunteers for their vital work. I also marche
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Mackay Regional Council has released the draft Mackay Region Housing Strategy, aiming to address a growing mismatch between current housing stock and the evolving needs of residents. The strategy is designed to create more diverse, accessible, and affordable housing across the Mackay and Whitsunday regions. A recent review of local housing trends highlighted a key concern: while 60 per cent of households in the region comprise just one to two people, only 18 per cent of current housing ca
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The Mackay SES unit unveiled its new Operational Support Unit (OSU) trailer last Thursday, September 25, marking a significant boost in capability as the service celebrates its 50th year. The OSU will provide advanced capacity for land and water searches, including the use of new drones, and will act as a mobile operational hub in remote locations for SES, QPS, council and other services during disasters. SES event co-ordinator Karyn Donnelly said, “This new trailer for the Mackay SES un
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Ergon Energy Retail Celebrates 25 Years Of Partnership With The Royal Flying Doctor Service Last Friday, Ergon Energy Retail staff in Mackay joined in a heartfelt celebration, marking 25 years of partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) – a collaboration that has raised more than $20 million through the company’s voluntary customer donation scheme. Mackay Ergon Energy Retail spokesperson Pam Lynch said the day was about “celebrating 25 years of partnership between Ergon Ret
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New data shows there’s been a significant increase in Mackay dog and cat registrations following a successful compliance inspection program. Local laws officers conducted patrols between October and December last year, with inspections at Mirani, Marian, Mackay, Slade Point, Northern Beaches and Armstrong Beach. Deputy Mayor Karen May said inspections were done by proactively patrolling from the kerbside, with council officers only entering a small number of properties with the consent o
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The Crisafulli Government is delivering one new and six expanded transit lounges to help ease pressure on some of the State’s busiest emergency departments and restore health services when locals need them. A new transit lounge will be built at Gladstone Hospital, while expansions will go ahead at Cairns Hospital, Townsville University Hospital, Mackay Base Hospital, Logan Hospital, Redland Hospital and Ipswich Hospital. All the transit lounges will be operational by late 2026, and additi
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Mackay Hospital and Health Board Interim Chair Monica McKendry has announced the appointment of a Chief Executive for Mackay Hospital and Health Service while the permanent executive recruitment process is underway. “I am very pleased to advise that Sean Birgan, the current Chief Executive of North West Hospital and Health Service, will commence a secondment as Mackay HHS Interim Chief Executive from 13 October,” Ms McKendry said. “Sean has more than 38 years of nursing experience, inclu
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