The Rug Gallery have been in business for over thirty years, supplying Mackay with high-quality rugs to add comfort and style to our homes. The family business is owned by Katrina and Peter Hansen, who are a passionate duo striving to meet everchanging needs by offering quality service and one-on-one advice to their customers. With a fantastic range from designer to recycled rugs, the showroom has a wide variety to choose from, or you can order in if you’re in the market for something specific.
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The final hurdle for the expansion of a Bowen Basin coal mine has been cleared with the Queensland Government granting a mining lease. The lease paves the way for Anglo American to expand its Lake Lindsay steel-making coal mine operation near Middlemount. It will extend the life of the mine and secure the long-term future of 500 good jobs. When fully operational the expanded mine will produce 5.6 million tonnes of steel-making coal. Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the granting o
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The success of a business in a regional area is often intricately linked to the wellbeing of the neighbourhood it calls home. With many banks reducing their physical presence in regional areas, Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank is still committed to a focus on connection, capacity building and direct community impact, thanks to its unique community banking model. At the recent Sarina and District Community Financial Services Limited (SDCFSL) AGM, the company reported strong financial results
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Standing at the mouth of the Pioneer River, Mackay City is known for its blue water estuaries and deep water artificial port, with one of the world's largest bulk-handling installations serving as the hub of Australia's sugar industry. In 1860, an Irishman by the name of John McCrossin selected a 20-year-old Scotsman, John Mackay, to lead an expedition to seek pastoral opportunities. They eventually came across the coastal ranges, which are now known as the Pioneer Valley. Established in 1862 a
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Mackay Regional Council has recently partnered with Recycle Mate – a new web-based app tailored to ensure the information is relevant to our Materials Recovery Facility (MFR). Recycle Mate is a nation-wide project led by the Australian recycling industry though strategic direction from the Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR). Both state and federal governments have invested in the app as part of the waste management strategy. Recycle Mate can either be accessed online or via a mobile app, gi
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Here are a list of ‘did you know?’ facts about Mackay, from the historical to the downright wacky and whimsical. • Mackay was officially founded in 1862 and named by Captain John MacKay, who explored the region. Port Mackay was declared for entry in 1863, but Mackay was not classified as a city until 1918. • Mackay is home to Australia's longest stretch of subtropical rainforest. • The Commonwealth Bank building was constructed in 1880 for the Australian Joint Stock Bank and is the oldest comm
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In All Mackay Catholic Churches This Christmas Christmas is so much more than a day. Mackay Catholics can enjoy the secular traditions along with the special significance of Catholic rituals. Christmas is a season, the season of Advent with four special Sundays leading up to Christmas Day itself. The community warmth experienced over the four weeks is what manifests the ‘Spirit of Christmas’. Mackay Southside Catholic Parish Council endorses a special Advent emphasis in all of their chu
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Graziers have been urged to keep a watchful eye on pasture dieback, which is continuing to spread across new areas of Queensland. Principal Agronomist Stuart Buck said pasture dieback previously only affected high-yielding sown-grass pastures in regions with more than 600mm of average annual rainfall. However, it is now spreading into drier western districts of southern, central and northern Queensland. “Graziers have reported pasture dieback south and south-west of Injune, and in the Clonc
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As Summer approaches with rising temperatures, the local marine wildlife is making a splash. Shovel nose sharks have been sighted along Bucasia, Eimeo, and Shoal Point beaches. Particularly at Shoal Point Beach, reports indicate an impressive gathering of up to fifty shovel nose sharks during high tides. Adding to the spectacle, stingrays have also been observed. Those brave enough to venture into the water are advised to exercise caution, keep a watchful eye and drag their feet along the sand
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Mackay and surrounding areas offer locals and tourists alike a chance to explore the rainforest and coastline, visit significant historical and natural wonders, as well as enjoy food and entertainment. Read ahead to delve into just a few of many wonderful experiences that are on offer in the Mackay region. Sarina Sugar Shed The Sarina Sugar Shed offers fully interactive guided tours, encouraging a paddock-to-plate experience to be had by their guests. Take a historic journey into the pioneering
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Friday 1 December Friday Night Live Music Every Friday from 5pm Join us on Friday’s from 5pm for live music from our local favourites, good food and great company. | Free entry. Boomerang Hotel Morning Melodies – Christmas with Karen Knowles From 11am Well known for her Carols and Christmas repertoire, Karen performs regularly with her musical director accompanying her on piano. Join Karen for a wonderful selection of her hits, standards and your favourite Christmas songs as her music moves
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Kicking off on 2nd December, the Bob Wood Cultural Hall Park is set to host a community Christmas fair celebration in the leadup to the festive season, alongside a music festival and a special, artist-created light show. The Christmas fair will take place in the park outside the Bob Wood Cultural Hall from 2pm to 5pm, with eventgoers set to be delighted with jumping castles, face painting, balloon twisting, disco and kids karaoke, as well as a visit from Santa. These activities will be coupled
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A whopping 48 Pioneer Swimmers competed at the 50th Great Barrier Reef LC Transition Meet held at the Mackay Aquatic Centre on 18th and 19th November. The team was mighty - being the largest team in presence - pumped for the weekend of racing! The Meet was hosted by the Mackay Swimming Academy and this was their 50th anniversary event. To celebrate such a momentous milestone, the medals were extra special this year with the lanyards featuring the Great Barrier Reef Ocean and sea wildlife. Th
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The Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre (MECC) is excited to host the first Morning Melodies performance in six months, featuring Christmas with Karen Knowles starting at 11am this morning, Friday 1st December. Morning Melodies is known locally as an affordable day of entertainment, with tickets including a small morning tea and the opportunity to share in over twenty lucky door prize giveaways. Proudly sponsored by The Friends of the MECC, their President Kerry Bonaventura said the fina
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The Marian Ladies Bowling Club concluded its year of spirited competition with a flourish, celebrating champions across various categories. With tremendous teamwork, the quartet consisting of Laurel Morrow, Lyn Jackson, Judith Miller, and Doris Fry emerged victorious in the 4's category. Meanwhile, the Triples title was clinched by the formidable team comprising Gwen Harberger, Joan Vickers, and Fay Erickson, demonstrating their stellar coordination and strategic play. The Pairs category witness
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Festival of Small Halls The folk event of summer is arriving in to town, checking into Sarina for one night of mammoth music, that will leave the soul replenished and recharged. The Summer rendition of the Festival of Small Halls is back and featuring headlining acts Assynt and Jackie Marshall, with the evening expected to be music for the soul. Jackie Marshall is a folk singer-songwriter, with her inspirations stemming from 60s and 70s and western folk and country, jazz, and improvisation. Fu
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The Seaforth Markets are a community-based event that occur every Sunday from 8am to 12:30pm, supplying organic and gourmet produce, fresh fruit and vegetables and an array of quality products from local artisans. The Markets are run by the Seaforth Progress Association, with funds also recycling back into the community, by allowing stalls from organisations such as RACQ CQ Rescue, Country Women’s Association, local schools and sporting clubs to participate. The Seaforth Progress Association hav
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The recent Athletics North Queensland Awards saw 16-year-old Toby Rule win the prestigious Junior Athlete of the Year Award for his achievements in middle-distance running. Toby's accomplishments from October 2022 to October 2023 were highlighted during the recognition process. This included accolades from school-related track-and-field and cross country competitions, as well as his contributions to the Queensland Athletics team in national cross country events. Toby secured his first national
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Vintage performances from wily left arm paceman Adam Knezevic and schoolboy prodigy Etienne Pretorius helped Walkerston maintain its winning streak in the Mackay Cricket Association Poole Cup first grade competition last weekend. Knezevic, the Head Coach of Mackay-Whitsunday Representative Cricket, and spinning all rounder Pretorious bagged four wickets each in their team’s seven run victory over the Magpies at the Magpies Sports Ground. It was an impressive haul by the Walkerston trump cards
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Mackay's Mogford Clinches Second In Premier Off-Road Racing Championship In the rugged terrain of Australia's off-road racing circuit, where dust clouds billow and engines roar like the outback's untamed echoes, Mackay's own James Mogford blazed through the wild tracks like a modern-day bushranger. In an adrenaline-fueled adventure across untamed terrains, Mogford finished in second place in his maiden season of the Polaris Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship series. It was an outst
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Seventeen-year-old James Galea has taken home the Athletics North Queensland Junior Official of the Year Award for the third time, with a consistent contribution to officiating in North Queensland events. James is a field specialist concentrating on throws, officiating events including discus, shot put, javelin, hammer throws and weight throws. His accomplishments dating back from October 2022 to October 2023 were highlighted during the award qualification process. Recently, James was promoted t
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The Airlie Beach Bridge congress was held on 25th and 26th November, with seventeen Mackay Contract Bridge players competing in three different grades with much success. A Category was won by Noel Bugeia and Terrence Sheedy, with Frances and Alan Brown finishing third in A Category. B Category was won by Noel Saunders and Mary-Rose Ramsden. Faith Hutchinson and Dorethy Slater came third in the C Category. It was great to see Karen Caldwell and Susan Gibson (first away congress) participating
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A batch of promising cheer dancers from Mackay are bound for Hawaii next May to compete at the Global Cheer and Dance Games. Young performers from the Adrenalin Cheer and Dance school based at North Mackay showed their wares at the recent Cheerbrandz Super Nationals Championships, staged at Brisbane’s Nissan Arena – securing many places and victories across the weekend. It was the final event of the season for the Mackay club, with the Senior Hip Hop ‘Envy’ team receiving the greatest accolade
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Queensland Schoolgirls netball goalkeeper Shaylah Pershouse and Redcliffe Dolphins-bound rugby league forward Sam Anderson are the St Patrick’s College Junior Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year recipients for 2023. The talented duo were officially recognised for their superb achievements this season on the netball court and football field and accepted their awards at the College’s annual Sports Assembly. Defensive dynamo Shaylah capped a stellar season in her chosen sport when she represente
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The Whitsunday region has reached wide-spread acclaim once again with 10 local operators returning home with accolades from the 38th annual Queensland Tourism Awards which were held in Cairns last weekend.A total of seven golds, two silver, five bronze and one highly commended award were won by local businesses and CEO of Tourism Whitsundays, Rick Hamilton said he is thrilled with the result.“The awards our operators received on Friday night further highlights the outstanding contribution The Wh
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