The quiet joy of preparing for her first baby, painting the nursery, assembling tiny clothes, and dreaming of the future, was abruptly eclipsed by an unimaginable diagnosis. In the days after her 20-week ultrasound, with life blossoming within her, the word "cancer" shattered the serenity, leaving Teharnee Peel staring down a daunting mass growing in her cervix. Her battle ahead would intertwine the fragility of new life with the ferocity of survival, as chemotherapy coursed through her body w
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The Mackay Musical Comedy Players are thrilled to announce their upcoming production of Goldilocks & The Three Bears, a fresh and playful reimagining of the beloved fairytale that sets the tone for the theatre group's 60th anniversary. This lively, family-friendly pantomime is set to delight audiences with humour, music, and engaging storytelling. Directed by MMCP Life Member Kristyn Everett, with choreography and co-direction by Leisa Persson (Theatre Bug Mackay) and musical direction by Sharon
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Friday 17th January Crochet and Conversation 9am Join the friendly group of Northern Beaches locals at Beachfront Bar & Restaurant on Bucasia Esplanade for a morning of crocheting, coffee, and conversation. BYO crochet tools or borrow from our communal box. All skill levels welcome. This is a great opportunity to connect, share experiences, and start our next project for the Northern Beaches community in 2025. Beachfront Bar and Restaurant, Bucasia Exhibitions Opening 6pm Join Mackay Regi
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Children in Finch Hatton embraced the spirit of giving last holiday season with a heartfelt initiative that brought joy to their community. Under the guidance of local organisers, the young participants prepared and delivered festive treats, spreading Christmas cheer in a unique and thoughtful way. The initiative saw the children roll up their sleeves and craft 300 rum balls, each accompanied by a handwritten note. Over the course of the event, they created 99 personalised messages, carefully p
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As the school year draws near, many young people are gearing up for a return to classrooms and routines. While some may feel excited and eager to see friends, others may experience feelings of anxiety, nervousness, or stress. The back-to-school transition can be challenging for a variety of reasons, including pressure to succeed academically, worries about making new friends, or even dealing with bullying. For some, mental health struggles such as anxiety or depression may also surface, making t
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With the largest team of 11 to attend this tough qualifying meet, Coach Leigh-Anne Pokarier was already very proud of her young prodigies. The week is huge, with early mornings and late-night finals. Being present for the week in its entirety is the absolute challenge; nutrition, sleep, illness—everything can enter the domain the week of or prior, and nothing can be left for granted. How we all roll through it and prepare for each race is a process, as any athlete will vouch, and our entire team
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With living spaces becoming increasingly compact, finding smart ways to maximise storage is crucial for maintaining an organised and clutter-free home. Whether you're in a small apartment or a spacious house, there are numerous strategies you can use to make the most of your available space. Here are some top space-saving tips and tricks for maximising storage in your home: 1. Utilise Vertical Space One of the most effective ways to save space is by thinking vertically. Install shelves on wal
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The Mackay Meteorettes have achieved the ultimate success in junior basketball, claiming the Under-18 Girls State Championship at the 2025 Basketball Queensland Club State Championship. After five days of intense competition, the tournament concluded at Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast, with the Meteorettes emerging as champions in a thrilling final. A standout moment came in the opening quarter, an area the Meteorettes had traditionally struggled with. However, this time, they came out s
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Playing Bridge keeps you young! Joy Robinson and Joyce Deguara have been playing Bridge for seventy plus years between them. They played for the first time together after all this time as they have both had other partners over the years. Joy is 99 and Joyce 93. Who says Bridge is for oldies? These two are still spring chickens. Our beginners’ lessons commence Wednesday 12 February at 6.30pm. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never played cards before, everyone is welcome! Weekly Results Monday 6 Jan
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Opening Day 2025 President Alan Dillon’s Opening Day was a huge success, with over 60 men’s bowlers participating in the event. The big winners on the day were Vic Gaudion and Col Crocker, taking out the top prize money, while Alan Leyshon and Peter Madden picked up the runners-up prize. Meanwhile, John Fry and Joe Crocker were lucky enough to have their cards pulled for the lucky door prize. Friday Winners: Chris Woo and Terry Clark continue their great form, showing that their dedication to
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The North Mackay Sinkers Masters Swimming Club has been nominated for the Mackay Regional Council Australia Day awards. The club has been nominated in the community group award and is proud to be included in the 17 groups nominated in this section that are providing services to residents in the Mackay Regional Council area. This section recognises an organisation, group or sporting association for its outstanding contribution and dedication towards improving, promoting and/or protecting the live
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In the Proserpine Guardian, June 30 1972, it was reported that a visiting Sydney journalist had observed that “far too many details of the bygone days have faded in the mists of memories of the oldtimers … and many of these (oldtimers) have faded into the mists of mortality.” In an effort to preserve the narratives of people from the past who helped shape the future, today the story of yet another of the Whitsundays’ colourful characters is shared – Phillip “Skip” Moody, who held the lease on
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In a recent meeting between Senator Nita Green and Mayor Ry Collins, discussions centred on two new $30 million projects in Cannonvale and the allocation of $7.2 billion in funding for the Bruce Highway. One key issue raised was the prioritisation of sections along the Bruce Highway, especially given that the Whitsundays region has been identified as the most hazardous area in the recent Bruce Highway safety survey. This funding represents the single largest investment in the highway’s history,
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Hi Everyone, Rach is away for the next two weeks, so I will be taking over editorial duties until her return. The weather has been crazy recently, and as a Brit, I'm no stranger to the rain, but the tropical storms are still something I am getting used to. That said, there is something incredibly calming about sitting indoors, listening to the rain, and watching the lightning. It's a simple pleasure that helps me slow down, stay in the present moment and make time for my housemates. At the same
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Lost but not forgotten, a little boy’s treasured bear was accidentally left on the bus. The scruffy but much-loved bear named Teddy spent the day on the shuttle going back and forth between Proserpine and Shute Harbour when little Liam accidentally left him behind after riding the bus with his family. Tony Snape, an outstanding member of the Whitsundays community was the driver that day and noticed the lost bear. Tony returned the bear to the Jubilee Tavern where the family could pick Teddy u
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The Proserpine Junior Cricket Club was thrown a hard ball late in December, an attacking shot that resulted in the loss of the club’s groundskeeping equipment. The thief delt a heavy blow to the community and the club is shaken but club members are trying to move forward. On the 23rd of December, an eyewitness reported that they saw a person driving the club's ride-on mower across the greens with a brush cutter on their lap. This was at 2:30pm, so at the time, they thought it was one of the gr
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Amid growing concerns, a group of residents came together on Wednesday, 8th January, to confront the council over the recent clearing of land around their properties. The residents say that the work was carried out without sufficient consultation, sparking frustration and a call for greater transparency in the decision-making process. Residents claimed that site inspections and a meeting with Council planners offered no reassurance. They said they were severely impacted by runoff, noise, dust
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The Bowen Collinsville Enterprises are hosting a breakfast forum for all who are interested in the region's economic priorities. Three guest speakers will come from all levels of business backgrounds to help attendees get informed and learn about certain points of local business economics. The communities in Bowen and Collinsville have achieved mutually beneficial outcomes by working together with large-scale companies and investors to improve the region. This forum will follow a select few pr
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This year, Council will be hosting Australia Day with a special event at the Airlie Beach Foreshore. Join us from 4pm as we celebrate Australia Day Our Whitsunday Way, with live music, food stalls and family fun. The event will also include the prestigious Australia Day Awards Ceremony and conclude with a spectacular fireworks display at 8pm.
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Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of hosting Federal Senator for Queensland and Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef Nita Green to tour our region and witness firsthand some of the transformative projects underway in the Whitsundays. Senator Green is a tremendous advocate for North Queensland, and visits like this highlight the importance of collaboration between local government and other tiers of government to ensure our region gets its fair share of funding and support. During her
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Heading back to school is an exciting milestone, but it can also bring its share of stress. To help your child start the year off on the right foot, here are some essential items and tips to ease the back-to-school jitters: 1. Invest in a High-Quality Backpack A good backpack is a must-have for students who carry a variety of items, from lunch boxes and water bottles to books and stationery. Look for a comfortable, durable rucksack with adjustable straps and multiple compartments to help organis
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As the seasons transition from summer to autumn and you have no idea what to plant, here’s a helpful planting guide with some growers that do well in both seasons. The Whitsundays is located in the Wet & Dry Tropical zones of north Queensland and the plants below can handle the weather and the heat. Starting small with some ground cover, the native coleus is great for damp soil, sun or part shade and naturally thrives in eucalypt forests and rainforests. They are hardy, tough little plans that c
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While we are in the thick of storm season, it's important to prepare your trees for the weather to prevent incidents that could put you or your property at risk. Here’s some helpful advice on how to prepare your trees and keep them safe during storms. Assessing your trees is the best place to start. Consulting an arborist can be done if you are not familiar with your trees or if you need a professional, second opinion. All trees are different, and not every protective method is applicable to eve
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What better way to spend your Sunday than with six hours of classic Australian Rock at the Airlie Beach Hotel? For a raging afternoon of double-headers The Pub is putting on a show that will excite all Aussie Rock music enthusiasts. Start your afternoon off with a full three hours of surf rock tunes with Reckless, the Australian Crawl tribute band taking to the stage to deliver their signature back-to-back hits. Reckless, will perform the best songs from Australian Crawl’s iconic history, such a
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Embrace the spirit of Australia Day with the Whitsunday Regional Council’s exciting festivities at Airlie Beach Foreshore. From 4:00 PM, come together for a day filled with live music, delicious food stalls, and a wide range of activities for all ages. The little ones will have a blast with games, activities, and more, while the prestigious Australia Day Awards will shine a light on the exceptional individuals who make the Whitsunday community thrive. Australia Day Award Categories and nomin
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