Issue #

27

Event Guide

June 1, 2023

Friday 2 June HeART (beats) - Access is Love exhibition Friday, 5:30pm to 7:30pm HeART(beats)- Access is Love Exhibition aims to help build a world where accessibility is understood as an act of love, instead of a burden or an after-thought. Crossroad Arts Inc invited all community members to respond to the theme Access is Love by creating an original artwork using any medium and in any style. Opening Night is Friday June 2 from 5:30pm - 7:30pm as part of Mackay City and Waterfront’s ‘City Hear

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A Glittering Theatrical Spectacle

June 1, 2023

‘Song Contest - The Almost Eurovision Experience' Experience the glitz, the glamour, and the hilarious madness of CQUniversity's Bachelor of Theatre students as they unleash their uproarious new musical parody, Song Contest - the almost Eurovision experience. Get ready for a night of unforgettable performances that will transport you to Eurovision's dazzling world. The students will present five performances at Mackay’s Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) from Friday, 16 June. Wit

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Local Siblings Getting It Dunn

June 1, 2023

By Sam Gillespie Much like the Bee Gees, Luke, Sarah and Ryan Dunn are three siblings following their music dreams. Unlike the Bee Gees, the Mackay “family band” are impressing local crowds with their fresh take on indie punk music, fusing all their favourite genres to create a unique sound. Their band, Red Veridian, takes its name from the colours Luke, Sarah and Ryan associate with this sound, with red and viridian sitting almost opposite each other on the colour wheel. “What the name has actu

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ZIMBABWE CHURCH LEADER RETURNS TO MACKAY

June 1, 2023

Everyone is invited to hear the Rev. Dr Solmon Zwana, National Chaplain to Zimbabwean Methodists in Australia and Oceania, speak at meetings at St Paul’s Uniting Church on 2-4 June and on Sunday 4 June when he will preach at a combined service at 9.15am at St Paul’s Uniting Church and at 2.15pm at Calen Uniting Church. Dr Zwana will also speak at St Paul’s on Friday 2 June at 7pm. ‘The Uniting Church is your church,’ says Solmon to Methodist Zimbabweans looking for the Methodist Church in Austr

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Local Artist To Launch Pioneer Valley Studio

June 1, 2023

By Sam Gillespie A local artist is getting ready to launch her Pioneer Valley studio and is inviting the Mackay community to get involved. Charlene Attard has been practising art since taking art lessons with legendary Mackay artist Rosemary Payne at age 12 and has been teaching art throughout Queensland for over 20 years. In trying to balance teaching and practising art, Ms Attard has established a studio, gallery and workshop space on her property in Netherdale called ‘The Brae’. “I’ve never

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Cutters Young Guns Get Taste Of Maroon

June 1, 2023

Mackay rugby league stars Xavier Kerrisk, Jaxon Purdue, Kai Simon and Matthew Watts are well versed on the traditions of Queensland Origin football. The talented quartet were part of an elite 37-man squad that spent two days training at the Maroons’ recent Under 18 Emerging Origin camp at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre in Brisbane where participants were given a taste of life as an Origin player. The Emerging Origin program aims to help develop highly skilled rugby league players f

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At The Table

June 1, 2023

Mackay Table Tennis Association Tuesday night fixtures May 23, 2023: Division 1: Lexus (Graham Brake, Steven Whiting, Allan Edwards) d Mercedes (Geoff Denman, Graham Drury, Mark Sleeman) 7-4. Steven d Geoff -4, -11, 8, 14, 5. Ferrari (Lee Brake, Andrew McHugh, Robbie Richards) d Jaguar (Barry Patterson, Anne Sheridan, Tim Sheehan) 8-3. Lee d Anne 7, 11, -6, -7, 10. BMW (Emma Widdup, Ian McKay, Ivan Perkins) d Audi (Duncan Treloar, Neil Brown, Janice Kent) 8-3. Ivan d Duncan -5, -9, 9, 5, 8. Divi

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Road Runner Rule Takes Out The Grove Trophy

June 1, 2023

Elite Mackay Road Runners have battled for nearly thirty years to get their name on coveted The Grove 10km Handicap Trophy and today was no different when Oliver Rule took a resounding win in the historical event. Oliver’s form of late has been nothing short of classy as he bolted from his handicap start to take on and hold off the rest of the field in the technically tricky course which included a seriously challenging ascent and descent of Apsley Way, Andergrove. President Tim Magoffin and Vi

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Emerging Mackay Trio Named In Rep Squads

June 1, 2023

By Chris Karas Rugby league young guns Xavier Kerrisk and Jaxon Purdue have enhanced their sporting reputations with selection in the Queensland Secondary Schools Under 18s representative team. The dynamic St Patrick’s College Mackay duo were named in a powerful Maroons schoolboys’ squad after stand out performances for the Capricornia region at last week’s State Secondary Schools Carnival in Townsville. Both played key roles to help Capricornia reach the Championship final against South Co

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WHITE AND WILLIAMS

June 1, 2023

Steer Meteors Into NBL 1 North Top Four Mackay Meteors have rediscovered their championship groove in the NBL 1 North basketball competition. Joel Khalu’s marauding charges gathered momentum when they registered their seventh victory in eleven matches after trouncing the Cairns Marlins 107-76 last Saturday night at Mackay Basketball Stadium. The win avenged a seven-point loss on the road to the Marlins earlier this month and keeps the Meteors entrenched in the top four. Spearheaded by champ

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Mavericks Find New Home In 2023

June 1, 2023

In his first season as Mackay Mavericks coach, Brad Somerville exceeded expectations by leading the local gridiron club to the Reef Bowl, coming agonisingly close to their first ever title. “All we wanted to do was play great football and improve throughout the year so the fact that we were able to get there was amazing for the boys,” he said. “They really put in 110% to get us there.” With the 2023 preseason approaching, Mr Somerville is excited by the growth the sport has seen, exemplified by

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COURAGEOUS CUTTERS

June 1, 2023

Pipped By Tigers In Hostplus Cup Thriller Mackay Cutters Rugby League Club paid homage to their champions of yesteryear but couldn’t share the spoils after another heartbreaking Hostplus Cup loss at BB Print Stadium last weekend. Brisbane Tigers pipped the courageous Cutters 30-28 in a QRL top division thriller to move into second spot but can consider themselves lucky after surviving a monumental challenge from the home side. A last gasp try by winger Jaylan To’o gave the Cutters an opportun

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Amputee Golf Open Returns For Second Year

June 1, 2023

After Sunshine Coast resident Scott Smith had a work accident in 2005 resulting in the amputation of his right leg, discovering the Queensland Amputee Golf Association (QAGA) changed his life. “I used to play socially with mates and then I found QAGA and joined up and it’s been great,” he said. “It’s a very big thing for your personal wellbeing, the social aspect of it as well, getting out and meeting new people, amputees in the same situation as you are and hearing their stories. “It just inspi

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Winning Times Aplenty On Mackay City Greens

June 1, 2023

Mackay Bowls Club News Men's Pennants fixtures have finished with for 2023 and Mackay Club have finished first in Division 6, Second in Division 2 and fifth in Division 4. After not getting away to a good start in the first couple of rounds, the club got it together and won all of their next seven games playing some great bowls and claiming maximum points to secure the flag. Thanks to all the players who made themselves available and showing good sportsmanship and competitiveness throughout the

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Corry Shield Race Celebrates Family Legacy

June 1, 2023

In a race that left no wheel unturned, the Mackay Cycling Club paid homage to the Corry Family last weekend, with the adrenaline-pumping Corry Shield race. This highly anticipated annual event showcased the club's deep appreciation for the unwavering support of John, Len, Evan, Ryan, and other members of the Corry clan, who have been key spokes in the cycli

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BITUMEN BANDITS STRIKE AGAIN

June 1, 2023

There have been several reports of the infamous ‘Bitumen Bandits’ operating in the region, with local businesses and homeowners warned that the seemingly friendly tradies are in fact scam-artists.

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Editor's note

June 1, 2023

Hi Everyone,Last week we attended the Queensland Country Press Awards in Brisbane with high hopes and big dreams, and we are incredibly proud to announce that we returned home with four state awards for the newspaper, a huge achievement for our team and the broader region!

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Looking To Volunteer? Meals On Wheels Is Here

June 1, 2023

For over 65 years, Meals on Wheels has been helping people in our community and now the Meals on Wheels Proserpine branch is asking for help. Since coming out of COVID, the not-for-profit organisation’s volunteer numbers have dwindled, down to only 18 active volunteers. “It’s a rock and a hard place,” said Helen Maynard-Turner, the coordinator of Meals on Wheels Proserpine.

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Big Mango Goes Google

June 1, 2023

It was a pleasant surprise to open Google last Thursday and discover that the Google artwork – The Google Doodle – had become Bowen’s Big Mango, in honour of its 21st birthday.

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Flavours Of Bowen Festival This Weekend!

June 1, 2023

Everyone in the community is invited to the inaugural Queensland Day Flavours of Bowen Festival, hosted by Bowen Gumlu Growers Association.The event will showcase local history and the diverse foods grown and produced in the region.

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Willcox’s Winning First Year

June 1, 2023

From Whitsunday Mayor to Federal Member, Andrew Willcox, has catapulted himself to Canberra and, over the past year, he has certainly made some waves in Parliament, spruiking the merits of our region, and demanding a fair share for his community.By 6pm on election day, May 21, 2022, Willcox was clearly commanding a win, but it wasn’t until June 15 that he was officially declared as our new Federal Member For Dawson.

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Cultural Education During Reconciliation Week

June 1, 2023

The region’s National Reconciliation Week commemorations began last weekend in Proserpine. With the theme of ‘be a voice for generations’, Whitsunday Regional Council have held three workshops across the region, to promote the importance of listening, taking action, and speaking up, in order to create a brighter future.

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‘Let’s Do Latin’ Announces Artwork Auction

June 1, 2023

The upcoming Havana Party ‘Let’s Do Latin’ just got even more exciting with the announcement that the evening’s art auction will include a commissioned piece by a local Cannonvale artist, Trudy Hastings.

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First Whale Spot Of The Season!

June 1, 2023

Whale season has officially started, with Big Fury Whitsundays taking the first footage of the year; their video showing a whale breech to the delighted squeals of guests on board.

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Whales Welcomed At New Event

June 1, 2023

The Whitsundays is one step closer to becoming one of only two Whale Heritage Sites in Australia thanks to a team of passionate community members who are currently applying for the accreditation with the World Cetacean Alliance.

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