Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
The National Farmers' Federation, in collaboration with CANEGROWERS, is urging the Federal Government to halt free trade negotiations with the European Union, emphasising the importance of avoiding unfavourable deals that could adversely impact Australian farmers. Federal Trade Minister Don Farrell will meet with his EU counterpart in Japan later this week, to discuss and possibly even agree to a free trade deal. However, there appears to be little of value to agriculture on the table, with
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Following up from State Emergency Service – Mackay Regional Unit’s informative video, read ahead for some handy tips in preparing your yard against potential damages when strong wind gusts blow through your property. Things you may need: - Star pickets or solid stakes - Ropes/Straps - Garden shed or storage area Tie down and secure bulky items such as trampolines, patio furniture, barbeques and washing lines. Store smaller items in areas such as a garden shed, carport or other suitable storage
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The Australian Government has developed a national approach to information and warnings for hazards like bushfire, flood, storm, cyclone, extreme heat and severe weather. The Australian Warning System (AWS) means the way the incidents are displayed during a possible or active emergency situation has changed. The AWS provides consistent warnings, with the same alert levels across all natural disasters, so people know what to do when they see a warning level. A warning provides point-in-time infor
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With hot and dry weather conditions headed our way, a total fire ban has been established in the Mackay region. Queensland have been recently inundated with rural bushfires, with another occurring on our doorstep. Sharon Black, a landowner on Rutlands Road in Kuttabul, has had over ninety percent of her property burnt by what she said started as a small backyard fire four properties away. With a permit for Hazard and Debris Removal the week before the incident, Ms Black completed a successful
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The Aquaculture and Agriculture Tech Skills Hub was switched live last week, with a focus on stimulating and supporting our local agricultural industry sector now, and into the future. The virtual portal is intended for agricultural technology developers and users to access learning products to advance agricultural technology skills. The Hub is jointly funded by the Australian Government (under the Regional Recovery Partnerships), Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) and Regional Development Aust
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Emergency response capabilities were put to the test as eight highly-skilled mines rescue teams proved their mettle in a national competition at Moranbah North Mine last month. Anglo American teams from Grosvenor and Moranbah North mines won first and second place respectively at the 59th annual Australian Underground Coal Mines Rescue competition after a gruelling day. South 32’s Dendrobium Blue from Wollongong NSW came in third. The day’s format included underground and surface simulation
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OPINION PIECE At the time of writing, it’s Halloween and it’s a hot day, so any choccy’s are going to melt fast. Anyway, there are more Halloween Houses around than ever, decorations on the trees and letter boxes out the front of houses; I think it looks great. At schools, there’ll be excited kids everywhere who are going out trick or treating. They’ll eat too many lollies and when Mum and Dad tell them later to go to bed, they’ll be on such a sugar high they won’t fall asleep until December.
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The Mackay Sugar City Rock and Rollers Club members and participants recently had a Saturday night out to remember, with the old Glenella Dance Hall giving a blast from the past, with dancing and fun surrounded by amazing vintage decor of yesteryear. The Club offers classes every Wednesday night at 7pm in the Senior Citizens Hall on Macalister Street, with the first night free! Club members are looking forward to the Christmas dance on 9th December, with tickets to be pre-purchased by 17th
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OPINION PIECE I wrote a column last week about now being a great time to sell and since reading that, people have asked me what time frames are best for sellers who can’t be on the market right now but do want to sell soon. As a seller, it is important to be conscious of what is in a buyer’s head to ensure you are maximizing any leverage you might have. If you are on the market now you have the opportunity to go under contract and, with a 35-day settlement period, hand over the keys before Chr
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A fun family afternoon has been prepared as Crediton Provisional School and Crediton Hall Recreation Club celebrates an amazing milestone of 80 years in operation. The event is on 18th November, starting at 12pm and running until late. CHRC is providing a delicious spread of roast beef or pulled pork and gravy rolls, a celebration cake for dessert, as well as a tea and coffee station. Attendees are encouraged to bring a plate of nibblies to share, and are reminded that the event is BYO for drink
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OPINION PIECE Thirty years ago, I had a young officer in the Airforce who was both loved and respected by all of us under his command. He rode his motorbike with us “enlisted” airmen on the weekends. He called us by our nicknames, and we called him by his. But on base he called us by our last names, and we called him “Sir”. If we did something unsafe or were late for work more than once, he would give us a fair dinkum warning or we would be charged. We didn’t want to let him down because we k
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Mackay Choral Society is proud to present its newest production, A Glorious Christmas taking place 11th and 12th November at 3pm. The two concerts will comprise of choruses from Handel's Messiah and traditional Christmas Carols, conducted by Kevin Field, a world class conductor currently based at the Bentley Music Academy, Malaysia. The Society will also bring two professional soloists, Jo Burton and Paul McMahon, to perform beside their own renowned soprano, Nicole Thomson. The two concer
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Carmen Bennett is a teacher with twenty-five years of experience as an educator, with a focus to empower others to learn, develop and succeed through her MindSpace Learning classes. Ms Bennett accepts students of all ages, although is currently offering a free 6 week Mindfulness Program through Term Four, targeted at teens aged 13 to 16 years old with many activities on offer: Week 1 - Mindfulness for stress and sleep - Breathing, meditation, create an essential oil roller Week 2 - Mindful mov
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Friday 3 November Public Art Walk First Friday of every month from 4:30pm This city art walk begins at Artspace Mackay and takes you through the city centre. Along the way, participants will learn about Mackay’s iconic public art installations and the local, and internationally-acclaimed artists who created them. | Free entry for all ages. Artspace Mackay 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 co
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Melbourne Cup falls on Tuesday, 7th November. With a range of events planned around the city, you can enjoy a delicious meal, live music and entertainment all while supporting your favourite local establishments. All venues are offering a chance to watch the Melbourne Cup 2023 on the big screen, some with on-site TAB facilities. Don’t miss out on a day of sheer elegance and excitement – with the race that stops the nation! Souths Leagues Club From 10am. The Milton Room Luncheon - $15 per perso
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Bush Heli Services Bush Heli Services took home the silver for the ‘Tour and Transport Operators’ category in the Mackay Isaac Regional Tourism Awards for 2023. Bush Heli Services was established in Clermont back in 2011 by Jamie and Mardi Bush. With Jamie as the sole pilot operator, the main aim for the duo has been to provide quality aerial work services in the safest, most efficient manner to the agricultural, mining and charter-flight industries. The business started by offering an aerial
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The Hunter Valley couple whose wedding day turned to tragedy when 10 of their wedding guests were killed in a devastating bus crash have just returned from a quiet, belated honeymoon in the Whitsundays, thanks to a kind community member and several local businesses.Maddy and Mitchell Gaffney spent the last six months grieving the loss of their loved ones, attending funerals and processing everything that happened on that fateful day. Wishing to help ease the pain, a local lady took it upon herse
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Hi all! Rach has given me the absolute pleasure of writing this week’s Editor’s Note, so here we are.This week has been a bit of a whirlwind, so I thought I’d share it with you.
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The world's most beloved children's entertainment group, The Wiggles, are thrilled to announce their brand new live show, WIGGLY BIG DAY OUT! Tour, proudly presented by Huggies. This spectacular event will treat families to an enchanting carnival-inspired extravaganza, as The Wiggles perform live to the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre (MECC). Promising a festive day filled with music, dancing, and laughter for the whole family, audiences can expect an unforgettable event filled with
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The Sarina Rugby League Club and the Sarina Neighbourhood Centre are hosting a free “Happy As” barbecue and mini expo to celebrate Men’s Health Awareness Month (Movember). The event, to be held at the Sarina Sporting and Services Club beer garden this Saturday (November 4), from noon to 2pm, will be a great social event with a positive health and wellbeing theme. There will be live music, random lucky door prizes, ten cars on show from the Mackay Vintage Car Club and various expo displays from l
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The invaluable Whitsunday Lions have celebrated another great period of success, helping and supporting local community groups and organisations, with a social barbeque and a game of social bowls, at the Airlie Beach Bowls Club.
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Mackay’s emerging cricket all-rounder Jack Law has been named Player of the North Queensland Cricket Alliance Under 15 Championships. The talented Brothers junior produced stand out performances with bat and ball to help the Mackay-Whitsunday team finish second overall at the recent representative carnival staged at Harrup Park. All conquering North Queensland claimed the title, winning all three matches with Townsville young gun Hunter Brischetto leading the way. Playing on his home turf, t
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A stray grassfire shut down the Bruce Highway near Gregory River, between Bowen and Proserpine last Saturday afternoon, leaving the region splintered for hours. With Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) battling the blaze from midday on Saturday, all lanes on the Bruce Highway were closed until 9pm that evening.
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In an exciting development, the Mackay Cutters have secured a significant two-year affiliate club agreement with the North Queensland Cowboys. This partnership is set to bolster the pathway from Hostplus Cup and BMD competitions to the coveted NRL and NRLW, providing our region's budding talents with a clear route to the top. This agreement will see half of the Cowboys NRL squad allocated to the Cutters, with players not selected to play NRL will be eligible to play for the Cutters. Cutters H
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A young Whitsunday local who sadly lost his battle with brain cancer last year has been remembered as part of a national initiative through Coles Supermarket to raise money for Hummingbird House.Cody Gibbs spent his last days at Hummingbird House, a palliative care support service which helps create memorable moments for families, allowing them to make the most of their time together.
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