Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Council has expanded its offering of Small Equipment Grants to allow greater flexibility for local not-for-profit organisations needing to purchase essential equipment. Organisations can now apply for grants of up to $1500 at any time to purchase equipment that supports the organisation or its volunteers – things like kitchen appliances, office equipment and computers. Mayor Greg Williamson said the grants would allow local community groups and organisations that positively impact our region t
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Mackay’s 2024 annual Victory in the Pacific (VP) Day ceremony took place last Thursday, August 15th, at Jubilee Park, marking the 79th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. The event was a solemn and reflective occasion, drawing together the community to honour the sacrifices made by those who served in the war. Victory in the Pacific Day commemorates the moment when Australia’s Prime Minister at the time, Ben Chifley, announced the end of the war against Japan on August 15, 194
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Paralympic stars Kelly Cartwright OAM and Dr. Brendan Burkett OAM recently visited Mackay to lead discussions on accessibility and inclusivity in sports and recreation. Their presence at the 2024 Accessible Active Living Seminar at Harrup Park Country Club was a powerful reminder that an impairment does not define one's ability to achieve greatness—mindset does. Kelly Cartwright, who found success as a gold medal-winning 100m sprinter, long jumper and most recently a powerlifter, shared her j
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Your Cheer Squad is a key group of people in your corner who can encourage and uplift you and, most importantly, will provide you with honest feedback. This is particularly useful if you operate a small or micro business, as it can be quite isolating. As well as providing encouragement, your Cheer Squad will hold you accountable to your goals, offering feedback and a motivation boost when needed. And best of all - you get to choose and build your Cheer Squad based on what you need. It’s impo
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Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank is now the Volunteer Sponsor for the Mackay Hospital Foundation (MHF), investing in the vital role that volunteers play in the Mackay, Isaac, and Whitsunday region hospitals. This partnership, involving more than 100 dedicated volunteers, is key to supporting MHF’s mission of improving patient care and community wellbeing. Community Bank Sarina Chair Karen May noted that this sponsorship aligns with the bank's “profit for purpose” model. “Our commitment to comm
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Sarina local and former Sarina State High School (SSHS) student Georgia Beveridge has secured a full-time position at Aurizon, Australia’s largest rail freight operator, as an Electrician. Georgia attributes the support she received throughout her education as “instrumental” to her success, including a scholarship during her apprenticeship from Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank. “My scholarship provided easier access to essential tools and resources,” Ms Beveridge said. “It was a tremendous
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Nestled near the Sarina Neighbourhood Centre on Anzac Street, is Sarina’s cherished Orange Sky Laundry Pod. The pod has three washing machines and three driers, but most of all, it has an amazing team of volunteers who are determined to get to know their fellow community members and offer their unconditional support to those doing it tough. The passion of these volunteers is undeniable, with some having served Orange Sky for up to six years and counting. An example of this dedication is Oran
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The Making Waves Foundation was thrilled to announce its 2024 Northern Campaign, sailing proudly into Mackay before continuing to Townsville. The voyage aims to empower local youth living with disabilities or facing disadvantage by promoting inclusivity through the joy of sailing. This exciting journey began in Southport, with Rosslyn Bay and Mackay stops before the crew made their final port in Townsville. The Making Waves Foundation has been operating for 30 years, originating in Sydney un
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North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) will undertake maintenance dredging at the Port of Hay Point, including Half Tide Tug Harbour from this week. The works are estimated to take up to 28 days from late August until mid-September 2024. NQBP Chief Executive Officer Brendan Webb said maintenance dredging is undertaken by port authorities around the world and is critical for maintaining port infrastructure. “In the same way we maintain roads and rail lines for freight transport, we nee
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If you’re a patient at Mackay Base Hospital you may run into one of the region’s rising medical stars; she may even help with the birth of your child. Dr Remi Sayre works as a doctor in obstetrics and gynaecology at the hospital in a job she says is demanding but rewarding in multiple ways. She is currently completing her training to be a GP Obstetrician, or a doctor who delivers babies in the bush. Remi grew up in Boyne Island, a small town near Gladstone, and studied at James Cook University
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This week Season to date Cane crushed 34,654 318,691 Average bin weight 3.84 3.84 CCS 13.12 13.01 Cane variety performance for region Variety % CCS Variety % CCS Q183 23.1 12.94 Q253 22.6 13.15 Q240 11.6 13.30 SP80 5.2 13.59 Q208 11.8 13.77 SRA9 5.4 13.40 KQ228 3.8 13.57 Q200 2.9 12.47 Comments: Plane Creek Mill processed 34,654 tonnes of cane for the week, bringing the season total to just under 320,000 tonnes. Rainfall early in the week put a halt to crushing operations. However the growing an
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A rural charity has opened its annual photography competition to the public for its fifth year. Spirit of the Bush is an Australian-wide photography competition run by Rural Aid. Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the competition was a great way to get a glimpse into life on the land. “Our Spirit of the Bush competition is always very popular, attracting hundreds of entrants from across Australia,” Mr Warlters said. “The winning 12 photos are turned into a beautiful wall calendar.”
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The widely-used Qld Fishing 2.0 app is reaching new heights, now allowing fishers and citizen scientists to record and submit catch data and shark depredation data in real-time. The latest upgrades to Queensland’s top recreational fishing app include several new features to enhance user experience. The new personalized 'My Fishing' feature replaces 'My Fish Photo' and now allows fishers to log recreational catch and depredation data, access environmental data and view their historical catch re
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Wilmar Sugar and Renewables and representatives of three unions met last week at the company’s request to discuss current positions in relation to their enterprise bargaining dispute. Wilmar suggested today’s meeting following discussions two weeks ago in Townsville facilitated by Fair Work Commissioner Bernie Riordan. Subsequent to those discussions, Commissioner Riordan recommended some potential solutions to a range of issues in dispute. A Wilmar spokesman said last week’s meeting estab
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Simon Hood Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing Following a jam-packed July that was dominated by our international sugar trader roadshow, the Grower Marketing team has been busy compiling the first edition of our new grower newsletter – The Sugar Brief. In this new communication offering, we collate the range of activities we engage in that might otherwise go unnoticed. Wilmar Sugar and Renewables sponsors dozens of events within our sugar milling regions that are linked to cane growing, loca
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Thousands of young people will get a taste of democracy when they head back to the ballot box this week for the Mackay Youth Council election, building on the success of last year’s inaugural election. Voters will head to local high schools and community spaces to elect 12 representatives from 21 candidates to the second Mackay Youth Council. Young people aged 11-17 (inclusive) are eligible to vote for the candidates running in the region they live or spend the most time in. Voting will be opti
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Friday 23rd August Free Native Plant Program 9am Free Native Plant Program open days will return on: Friday, August 23, from 9am to 3pm and Saturday, August 24, from 9am to noon. Mackay ratepayers can collect four free native plants per year. Visit the Mackay Natural Environment Centre, 6 Swayne Street, North Mackay to view the collection and pick up your plants during open days. 6 Swayne Street, North Mackay Guided Walks In The Botanical Gardens 10am Explore the Botanic Gardens with your G
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Is Mackay’s next Aus Poetry Slam (APS) Champion among us? The CQ Heat is coming to town and it’s the perfect opportunity for aspiring poets to showcase their talent! With just an original poem and 2 minutes on the mic, participants have the chance to impress the audience and judges. The top two poets from the event will move on to compete in the QLD State Finals in Brisbane on September 27. For those who prefer to cheer from the sidelines, attending as part of the audience is just as important
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Director Kristyn Everett has assembled an impressive cast for David Williamson’s Family Values, Kucom Theatre’s final production for the year, which opens on Thursday 24th October for a two-week season. The play centres around Roger (played by Greg Webb), a retired judge, who is turning 70. All he wants for his birthday is some quality time with his wife Sue (Bronwyn Grannall) and their three children Lisa, Emily and Michael (Sarah Neivandt, Molly Betteridge, and Michael Brennan)—no gifts, no fu
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It’s time to dust off your bikes and scooters; construction on Woodlands Track in Andergrove is now complete. The new 300-metre multipurpose active track has been designed for all ages and a variety of wheeled devices including bikes, scooters, skateboards and more. Mayor Greg Williamson said Woodlands Track would be the ideal spot for exercise and family outings. “The track’s thoughtful design ensures it is a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone, from young children to adults,” Mayor
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If the Mackay real estate market were by itself at a school dance or sitting solo at a busy bar, there would be a line-up of suitors asking for a dance or offering to buy drinks. Mackay Market would be dressed nicely, nothing flashy or ostentatious, and would not be part of the boisterous “in-crowd” that likes being the centre of attention. But the conga line of admirers would be dizzy with delight at the very sight of this attractive, although slightly distant beauty. The admirers would be swe
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Last week, the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre (MECC) hosted the annual Resource Industry Network (RIN) Awards Gala Dinner, where the region’s top organisations and individuals were honoured for their contributions across various categories. The event highlighted achievements in safety, innovation, community engagement, and more, reflecting the sector’s commitment to excellence. The standout winners included: Safety Foremost Award (Sponsored by Diacon Australia): BMA took home the a
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Eight-year-old Cindy is making moves, not just on the runway as a model, but as a compassionate young star now raising funds for Share The Dignity Drive – a movement dedicated to ensuring that women, girls, and those at risk of domestic violence, homelessness or poverty, have access to essential period products. Whilst Cindy eagerly awaits the grand final of the Fashion vs Beauty competition on the Gold Coast in September, she gladly dedicates her time to giving back to her community alongside
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The St Patrick's College Cultural Showcase is being held on Thursday 29 August at the Bluewater Quay, in conjunction with the Riverside Markets. Join us as we celebrate the incredible talents of our students, showcasing captivating performances from a variety of college ensembles. Whether you’re a fan of rhythmic beats or melodious harmonies, the lineup has something for everyone. Including performances from the College Stage and Concert Band, Drum Corps, Choir, Strings Ensemble and the lively D
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Mackay State High School's U15 Girls Netball team emerged victorious at the Capricornia Coast Carnival, held on the 12th and 13th of August at the Barmaryee Sports Complex. The team went undefeated over seven games, showcasing their skill and determination. The winning team, consisting of Anna Pearson, Abbey Williams, Sabra Roberts, Keeley Ball, Darcie Malayta, Lilly Boyd, Lara Snell, Ella Matsen, Talia Steindl, Eaden Madsen, Molly Cassan, and Dana Guley, played with exceptional teamwork and spo
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