Mackay Regional Council has awarded more than $30,000 to two local equestrian organisations. Mackay Riding for the Disabled was awarded $6739 to upgrade its fences and boundaries and Mackay and District Hack and Pony Club received $24,300 to upgrade and extend their current cross-country course. The grants were part of $192,564 worth of Community Grants (round one) awarded to 22 community groups. Community Grant Committee Chair Cr Laurence Bonaventura said this round of grants had been very comp
Read more
This year, Mackay Regional Council is asking residents to be prepared for all natural disasters – not just cyclones. On Saturday, November 4, council will hold Disaster Ready Saturday at Caneland Central from 9am to 1pm, outside Target. Mayor Greg Williamson said more and more we were faced with the threat of bushfires, floods, storms and extreme heat, as well as cyclones. “We’ve changed the name of this event from previous years as natural disasters can happen to anyone, anywhere,” Mayor Willia
Read more
Businesses looking to leverage off the exciting Finch Hatton Mountain Bike Trails can learn more at workshops being held in November. Council is hosting two Bike Ready Business Workshops, at Finch Hatton and Mackay, to assist businesses in learning about the significant opportunities the trails will offer. Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said the workshops would be co-hosted by award-winning destination and marketing specialists, Destination Marketing Store (DMS) and Swell Design. “DMS and Swell ha
Read more
The Pioneer Swimming Club travelled to Proserpine last Saturday, for the Whitsunday Swimming Club Transition Meet. Quite the contingent of Dolphins enjoyed the small but mighty event. This small country carnival sure packed a lot into the day. Highlights for our swimmers included receiving a token rubber duck if a swimmer won their heat, mystery relays where swimmers from all clubs were randomly chosen to form teams in a hotly contested relay, a candy shop for the sweet tooth amongst us and t
Read more
Fans of popular American television sitcom My Three Sons that aired in the 1960s would remember notable actor Fred McMurray and the fortunes of his kids Mike, Robbie and Chip. Wind the clock forward five decades and Mackay couple Teresa and Phil Simon are proud of the rugby league achievements of three of their off-spring Kane, Kai and Nate. Originally hailing from the Sarina Crocodiles, the Simon trio have established themselves in the Mackay Junior League with the Walkerston Wanderers and Mac
Read more
Victorian master blaster Matt Short came to Mackay and conquered last week with a blistering ton at Great Barrier Reef Arena. The 27-year-old opener from Ballarat demonstrated his batting power in the Bushrangers’ 19-run victory over Queensland in the Marsh Cup limited overs series – peeling off a superb 134 to earn the Player of the Match award. A swashbuckling Short showed why he has earned five international caps for Australia in white ball cricket with a cracking century against the Queens
Read more
In a huge recruiting coup, Chelsea Brook has put pen to paper and will return to the McDonald’s Mackay Meteorettes for the 2024 NBL1 North Season. 25-year-old Brook is the first NBL1 roster signing for the Meteorettes and makes her way back to North Queensland following a two-year stint with the Darwin Salties. In her second season in the Northern Territory, Brook averaged 15 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists. Across 51 career NBL1 games she’s averaged an impressive 16 points, 8 rebounds and 3 a
Read more
Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday night fixtures October 17, 2023: Division 1: Foxtrot (Tony Bowman, Tim Sheehan, Geoff Denman) d Echo (Steven Whiting, Graham Brake, Mark Sleeman) 8-3. Geoff d Steven -8, 3, 6, -10, 8. Charlie (Anne Sheridan, Robbie Richards, Graeme Walker) d Delta (Ian McKay, Barry Patterson, Lee Brake) Graeme d Lee 6, 7, -7, -4, 12. Bravo (Neil Brown, Emma Widdup, Vince Boeske) d Alpha (Mick Ruhl, Janice Kent, Allan Edwards) 6-5. Neil d Janice -8, 6, 10, -14, 6. Division 2: Nov
Read more
The Mackay Bowls Club's Ladies Section recently hosted a thrilling 3 Bowl Triples Carnival, showcasing the skills and camaraderie that make lawn bowls a beloved sport. The event, which featured all rinks in play, was made possible through the generous sponsorship of Barry and Leanne Jenner of Sheds n Homes. The competition was spirited, and the victory went to the team of Carol Savage, Sue Hunter, and Karina Dunn, who secured the championship title. Second place was claimed by Ros White, Rita Hu
Read more
This weekend will see Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club host over one thousand competitors and spectators from the Gold Coast up to Cairns, competing for the coveted title of Northern Australian Surf Lifesaving Champions for 2023. Director of Surf Sports Josh Grant stated, “Our club is extremely proud to be the host of this prestigious surf lifesaving event that we have successfully hosted since 1991. “This is a huge drawcard for lifesavers to take on the best of the best in the North. It is absolut
Read more
‘Queensland State Champions’ Champion of Champions 4’s competition was conducted this past weekend on 21st and 22nd October at South’s Suburban Bowls Club. Teams from Toowoomba, Gold Coast, Townsville and Mackay all vied for the coveted trophy in both the Men’s and Ladies Competition. Knockout games were played on Saturday, with the semi-finals played on Sunday morning. The two teams in first and second place played off in the afternoon, with North Mackay and Townsville vying for the honour of
Read more
The Mackay Contract Bridge Club congratulated members rising through the Master Categories. Life Master Patricia Garner, Silver National Debra Goodchild, Bronze Local Sandy Patterson and Club Masters Joy Block and Vicky Howard. WEEKLY RESULTS Monday 16 October 2023 – 6 Table Mitchell Green Points N/S 1st Geoffrey Patterson / Noel Bugeia 2nd David Ting / Eric Goodchild 3rd Edward Kleise / Diane Stokes E/W 1st Helen Van Den Broek / Jan Harris 2nd Terry Sheedy / Janelle Conroy 3rd Geoff Cowan /
Read more
Over sixty attendees enjoyed the 2023 Annual Mackay Road Runners Awards Evening at The Grove last week, with ecstatic recipients, friends and families celebrating in style and good humour alongside a presentation of awards and prizes. Club Patron, Mr Col Meng was on-hand to present the awards, receiving several awards on behalf of his talented grandchildren, Luke and Lily who were unable to attend. Club President, Tim Magoffin presented a cheque to Christine and Barry Comben of the Mackay Bran
Read more
i Everyone,This week our humble little publishing house has produced 136 pages of local news for the Whitsunday, Burdekin, and Mackay regions.A whopping 163 ads have been placed and 156 articles have been written.
Read more
For one visiting family, Airlie Beach was a calling card of fun and excitement. And for single mum of two, Mandee, that’s exactly how her holidays unfolded thanks to the kindness of strangers. The story began when Mandee was travelling in a taxi, headed towards the ferry with her children ahead of their much anticipated holiday to Daydream Island, and she suddenly realised that she’d misplaced her card.
Read more
Trucks, tradies, and diggers retuned to the previously abandoned work site on the corner of Paluma Drive and Shute Harbour Road this week and it looks as though works have resumed.A spokesperson from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) said that “a component of the enabling works on this section of road was temporarily paused while a review of the scope and program of works in this location was undertaken”.
Read more
All local servicemen and women are invited to the 100 years commemorations of the Proserpine Returned Services League. “We have over 65 returned servicemen and women members of our league, from all walks of life, from all different services,” explained League volunteer Brian Dunlop, known more affectionally as ‘Weary’.
Read more
he grand final of Young Whitsundays Got Talent took place in front of a crowd of over 400 people last weekend, the young stars performing heartfelt renditions of their favourite songs for an engaging afternoon of live entertainment.
Read more
Nominations are now open for the 2024 Australia Day Awards, through the Whitsunday Regional Council. And Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall is calling on residents to nominate the special people in their lives for the awards.
Read more
Over 150 people, including children and their families took to Lake Proserpine last weekend for a mammoth day of fishing and fun. A total of five lucky local youth won the big prize of a Daiwa Fishing Rod and a one hour exclusive fishing session with the local fishing legend Matt Scholz.
Read more
Whitsunday local Karen Vloedmans has taken part in the JDRF One Walk Australia every October for the last few years, this year uniting a team, Whitsundays Type1 Tribe, to pool donations and make an even bigger impact.
Read more
Innovations are coming thick and fast for the new-look Whitsunday Coast Chamber of Commerce, with the announcement of a new name and three new committee members at its AGM last week.
Read more
The past few weeks have been hectic as I was part of the Greater Whitsunday Regional delegation to present to the State Government in Brisbane, then attended the Local Government of Queensland Annual Conference in Gladstone before arriving back in region for the Tourism Whitsundays’ night of nights at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre.
Read more
Storm season in the Whitsundays starts on the 1st of November and continues until the 30th of April. It is more important than ever to make sure you are prepared for the season, by understanding your zoning, having a disaster plan in place for your household, having an emergency and evacuation kit ready and also having a plan in place for pets in case of emergency.
Read more
For close to 50 years, Claire Mitchell-Must has dedicated her life to saving the lives of others, and she has recently hung up her nursing uniform and welcomed retirement. “It’s amazing too, because my mum was a nurse, for 50 years, and so are my two sisters, so between all of us, we have over 120 years of nursing,” Claire explained.
Read more