The Salvation Army is once again partnering to deliver The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal. The charity organisation is calling for support with gifts or monetary contributions until 24th December. The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is a program assisting in the delivery of Christmas gifts to those in need, including Aussies experiencing hardship or crisis and communities impacted by the cost of living. Choose a practical gift that can be useful beyond Christmas time and deliver it to the Express Drop-Off
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Ah, December 1st, the day that sprinkles a little extra magic into the air, it’s as though the world collectively flips a switch, and suddenly, it’s officially the holiday season. It’s incredible how today has this uncanny ability to transform our surroundings, ushering in the spirit of Christmas with an infectious joy that fills every corner. Or is that just my need to over-decorate? There’s an undeniable warmth in the air, a sparkle in people’s eyes as they eagerly prepare for the festivities
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Whitsunday Anglican School hosted their World’s Greatest Shave event last Friday, 24th November on their last day of school for 2023. Students partaking in the shave were passionate to raise funds to help Aussie families beat blood cancer, providing precious relief to those who need it most. With no screening programs available and no means of prevention through lifestyle changes, blood cancer is Australia’s hidden cancer crisis. Every day, 53 Aussies are diagnosed with blood cancer, and 16
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Syphilis infections in the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions have more than doubled this year with more than fifty cases diagnosed in 2023 to date, a concerning rise from the five-year average of 20 cases up to 2022. Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) Chief Medical Officer Dr Charles Pain said it was necessary to formally declare an outbreak, as infection has spread among the general population in the region, with risk to the particularly vulnerable. “Most people with syphilis, which
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Members from Conservation Councils Queensland, Capricorn, Gladstone, and Mackay convened in Rockhampton and Mackay this week to strategise and develop a plan for a successful implementation of the renewable energy roll out. The groups and community representatives discussed how ineffective planning laws in Queensland are the root cause of poor project siting and community engagement practices. “We all support the rapid transition to clean energy to address climate change, which is a major thr
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Mackay Regional Council approved funding for three community projects through the Activate My Place! (AMP!) Grants at its ordinary meeting last week. A new mural in the city centre, a series of beachside events on the Grasstree foreshore and family-friendly activities in the Northern Beaches have all received funding to invigorate public spaces and bring the community together. Mayor Greg Williamson said the AMP! Grant aimed to transform public spaces and bring communities together. “AMP! is mor
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Between 25 November and 10 December, the Zonta Club of Mackay will acknowledge the international campaign Zonta Says NO to Gender Based Violence. The 16 days of activism campaign, which aims to raise awareness of and increase actions to end violence against women and girls around the world, began in 2012 and is marked by public buildings and public spaces being lit orange – the United Nations colour of activism. Club President Fiona Koutlis said nearly 730 million women worldwide have experi
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Kevin Casey is a community-service superhero in the Mackay community, with his priorities solely based around giving back to the region. Kevin has an expansive array of community-based accolades, serving for twenty-two years with Mackay West Rotary Club including a stint between 2018 and 2019 as Club President. The club hosts events such as fundraisers, swap meets, fairs and charity nights to raise funds for local organisations. Kevin commented on his role as Club President, “I’ve always worked
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Mackay Regional Council’s 2022-2023 annual report, ratified during last week’s ordinary council meeting, highlights substantial strides toward the region's goal of becoming Australia's premier hub for liveability and economic viability. This report, an amalgamation of key achievements and major projects, seamlessly aligns with the Council's new Corporate Plan (2022-2027) and strategic vision. Mayor Greg Williamson, emphasising the year's noteworthy milestones, accentuated the significance of the
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Loose Ends opens today and will be a night to remember, where the community comes together to embrace difference and celebrate diversity. Join the Mackay Entertainment Convention Centre for a fun night of entertainment, giveaways, fundraising, socialising and more as they heighten awareness for International Day of People with Disability. Loose Ends is set to be an eclectic evening of art, music and performances by local artists and performers. Acts include Groove Movers, With One Voice, Choir o
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North Queensland Bulk Ports have announced the nine community organisations set to receive a share of $60,000 in funding, supporting local community with initiatives expected to deliver strong benefits. Of the nine recipients, six are in the Mackay and Hay Point port communities, and were selected on the principles of diversity, inclusion and the recognition of First Nations Peoples. Mackay’s Reef Catchments was one of the six and Reef Catchments CEO Katrina Dent said her team is excited to ex
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In a statement from the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), it has been reported that more people than ever before in the Greater Mackay region are working in jobs supported by the mining and energy sector, rising by five per cent during the past financial year. The region, including Mackay, Isaac and Whitsundays is now home to more people directly employed in the resources sector than any other region in Queensland, pushing Brisbane out of the top spot. The QRC’s latest Economic Contribution re
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Local disability support agency, Feros Care, invited the local community to dream and connect at the Mackay Riverside Market this week with a day of celebration to mark the International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD). At the heart of the Feros Care celebrations was an innovative 'Dream Wall', an interactive display featuring stars and clouds, adorned with dreams and aspirations written by attendees. The Dream Wall is designed not just as an art installation, but also as a source of insp
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131 ACU Sarina Celebrates 52 Years with Distinction 131 Army Cadet Unit Sarina (131ACU) held their Annual Ceremonial Parade at Sarina State High School last month. This is the 52nd year that 131ACU has been operating in the Sarina community and this year, 30 Cadets participated in the ceremonial parade. The cadets put on an amazing display of their skills, dress and bearing to over 90 members of the Australian Defence Force Cadets, special guests and the members of the community. Congratulati
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The holidays are almost here! End-of-year festivities can be costly, especially considering our cost-of-living increases. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to minimise your expenses. Here are 9 tips to save you money this holiday season. 1. Ask everyone to provide a wish list Yes, even the adults! Asking for gifts you want can sometimes be seen as greedy or entitled – but being clear with what you want or need saves money and waste for everyone. 2. Get creative with gift giving Getti
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The Year 8 Careers Showcase took place at Catherine McAuley College on 23rd November, with students implementing a reverse format to showcase their work to industry representatives. The showcase is a part of the Careers and Education Module, based around the Greater Whitsunday Alliance module that was created to encourage students in their future employment endeavours. Year 8 students put together a ‘career bucket’, a presentation featuring potential jobs they have studied this term that they wo
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Endeavour Foundation's Inspiring Mission In the heart of Mackay, Endeavour Foundation tirelessly champions the belief that everybody possesses the ability to achieve their dreams and contribute to their community. Their commitment to building a brighter future for all reflects their unwavering passion for enhancing lives, day by day. They recognise the unique needs of each individual and tailor their support accordingly. Whether it's achieving independent living, finding a fulfilling job, or
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The taste of sweet success is on the lips of Sarina Sugar Shed, taking home a gong at the 2023 Queensland Tourism Awards. Acting Coordinator Adele Lewis said winning silver in Excellence in Food Tourism is a testament to the amazing experiences and products on offer in our region. “We are thrilled to again be recognised as a premium food tourism experience in Queensland and we sincerely thank not only our amazing team, but everyone who has visited or purchased from us,” Ms Lewis said. The award
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The Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre (MECC) has secured bronze for the Business Events Venue category at the 2023 Queensland Tourism Awards. The award recognised the venue’s excellence across areas including technical capabilities, staff development, catering and customer experience. Acknowledged as the largest convention centre between Cairns and Brisbane, this state-of-the-art building has the equipment and skilled staff to guarantee successful event delivery. Mayor Greg Williamson s
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After another ground-breaking year for Queensland tourism operators, the Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s Queensland Tourism Awards were back with Mackay businesses bringing home two silver and one bronze awards for the region. At the 2023 Queensland Tourism Awards, Sarina Sugar Shed won Silver for Excellence in Food Tourism while The FLACKYARD won Silver for Best Tourism Restaurant. Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre celebrated with a Bronze Award in the Business Event Venues catego
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How good is Christmas and holidays? I’ll let you know mid-January, because this year again my family is planning a visit to my hometown of Adelaide. Driving. Yes, it sounds crazy, but the key is to have my own transport when I’m back home so we can go wherever we want, whenever we want, without having to rely on my parents having a car available. The last time we did the drive we made the journey part of the holiday, so each stop was a mini break in itself. We had a surprise stay at Se
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Ange Postecoglouis a good example for anyone in sport or business or someone trying to get ahead in life - that perseverance, consistency, effort, self-belief, discipline and culture create success. The Tottenham Hotspurs Manager (coach in our world) has gone from playing football (soccer in our world) for South Melbourne then coaching in Australia, Japan and Scotland before taking over one of the English Premier League’s most famous clubs. He took over the Spurs after massive success over sever
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A new knock-out program implemented by the Queensland Government, Active Women and Girls is set to promote gender equity in Queensland's field of sports and recreation. The $15 million Active Women and Girls Program is aiming to boost sport and active recreation opportunities for women and girls in Queensland. The program will be dedicated to encourage greater participation across all facets of sport and recreation, including playing, coaching, umpiring, volunteering and team management. The pro
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A statement released by Queensland Police Service informed the public that a 40-year-old Mackay man has passed away, following a truck rollover in Clairview on Monday 27th November. Initial investigations indicated that at approximately 11.40am, a truck was travelling south along the Bruce Highway when it left the road and rolled. The driver, a 40-year-old Andergrove man, was declared deceased at the scene. Forensic Crash Unit investigations are continuing. If you have information for police,
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Let the Children Play Toyshop is your one-stop toyshop, servicing the local community with quality items to encourage imagination and play. The business opened in 2013 and this September they celebrated their ten-year anniversary of operations in Mackay. Owner of Let the Children Play Toyshop Ally Blines believes in the importance of shopping local. She encourages customers during the Christmas period, to add ‘Mackay’ to the end of their online search when looking for specific products. Ally s
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