A rising number of missed specialist appointments across the Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) region is placing strain on the public health system and putting patients’ own health at risk, officials have warned. Last year alone, 20,204 patients across the Mackay HHS – which includes rural facilities in Proserpine, Bowen, Sarina, Collinsville, Clermont, Dysart and Moranbah – failed to attend specialist appointments. At Mackay Base Hospital’s Specialist Outpatient Department, the fi
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Jacob King Takes On 4 Points Challenge For Starlight Kids At just 27, Moranbah local Jacob King has set off on an extraordinary 17,000-kilometre bike ride around Australia, turning his wheels, and his heart, toward raising funds for seriously ill children. On July 1st, Jacob departed from Mackay to begin the 4 Points Challenge, a self-designed route connecting the country’s four most extreme points: Cape York, Steep Point, Wilsons Promontory and Cape Byron. “The 4 Points Challenge is a
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An unforgettable night of glamour, music and meaning is coming to Mackay this August, as Crossroad Arts presents Candlelight Opera in the Woods — a breathtaking immersive performance held in a secret industrial venue in the Mackay CBD. This exclusive boutique fundraiser promises an operatic experience like no other, where guests will be surrounded by candlelight, soaring vocals and the industrial grandeur of a space transformed for one night only. All proceeds will support inclusive arts
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By Amanda Wright Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson swapped council chambers for kitchen chaos earlier this week, stepping into the spotlight as guest chef for Crunch Time, a theatrical dining experience that’s stirring more than just soup. Part of this year’s Mackay Festival of Arts, Crunch Time is no ordinary dinner party. Co-commissioned by Metro Arts and the Next Wave Festival, the critically acclaimed event transforms the dining table into a democratic battleground, where a select group of
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Community Invited To Free safetalk Suicide Prevention Training Grapevine Group has trained more than 7000 people in suicide prevention across Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions and the community is invited to attend the next free safeTALK training session on Wednesday, July 23 at 6pm at Ocean International, Mackay. This internationally recognised training teaches participants how to recognise when someone may be at risk of suicide. It also provides the skills to engage in open and suppo
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A major investment in skills training is set to deliver a stronger future workforce for Queensland’s booming resources industry, with the expansion of the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) announced this week in Mackay. The Queensland Government is allocating $2 million over three years to expand the QMEA into regional hubs across Central and North Queensland, starting right here in Mackay. The first hub will be established at the Resources Centre of Excellence, followed by Ro
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Mackay’s Budget Blueprint This year’s State Budget has landed, and it brings with it a wave of good news for Mackay. The Crisafulli Government has delivered real funding, real projects, and a real plan to restore trust in the system—especially here in Mackay. The budget rests on four key pillars: delivering safety, boosting health services, improving lifestyle through a stronger economy, and planning for Queensland’s future. Across each of these, Mackay is seeing major investment. On sa
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Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race Sets Sail With New Safety Standard Anticipation is building across Mackay’s coastline as one of Australia’s most exciting offshore sailing events returns — with new safety measures leading the charge. The GCCM Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race kicks off on 1 August, promising 520 nautical miles of pure offshore exhilaration from the shimmering skyline of the Gold Coast to the tropical charm of Mackay. But as the fleet grows — now with 29 entries, nearly double the
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Thousands of car enthusiasts rolled into the Mackay Showgrounds over the weekend for the Hawks Industrial Solutions Pirtek Mackay Motor Show 2025, and the atmosphere was electric. Presented by the Mackay Rod & Custom Club, the two-day event featured a stunning display of classic cars, street machines, bikes, and jaw-dropping custom builds that left even seasoned showgoers speechless. “The level of some of these builds is absolutely mind-blowing and the attention to detail is on another le
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The State Government has initiated a new Parliamentary inquiry through Queensland Parliament’s Primary Industries and Resources Committee to investigate the potential of sugarcane as a renewable energy source to help power Queensland’s future. The committee will be examining how to unlock new investment, support the value-add opportunities in the sugar industry and examining the regulatory hurdles that the sector may have to overcome to see potential growth for a new biofuel industry made
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Concerns Over Future Of Wild-Caught Seafood Voiced Fresh, wild-caught seafood has long been a cornerstone of coastal Queensland life — not just a staple on the dinner table, but a key economic driver for countless small businesses, regional communities, and family-run operations. Yet the future of this industry is looking increasingly uncertain, with rising regulatory pressure and economic headwinds threatening to reel in more than just fishers’ nets. In a bid to hear directly from those
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CANEGROWERS Australia Chairman Owen Menkens has been elected President of the World Association of Beet and Cane Growers (WABCG), marking a proud moment for the Australian sugarcane industry on the final day of the WABCG Conference in Cairns. The appointment was confirmed during official proceedings last Wednesday, with delegates from around the world endorsing Mr Menkens to lead the peak global body representing sugarcane and beet growers from 38 countries. “It’s a great honour to be el
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Simon Hood, Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing Brazil remains front and centre in global sugar market movements. The latest UNICA report for the first half of June shows sugar production continuing to outpace ethanol. While sugar output dipped slightly in the fortnight, it still accounted for 51.5% of cane crushed, nudging the year-to-date figure to 50.5%—up from 48.3% in the previous season. However, cane quality remains a concern. The ATR is hovering below 12%, prompting analysts to downgr
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A living legacy of culture, healing, and community spirit has taken root in the heart of Sarina. Unveiled during NAIDOC Week, the Yinha Gurubila Ganya – meaning ‘here medicine place’ – is a traditional bush medicine garden now flourishing at Sarina Hospital. More than just a garden, it is a cultural milestone, reconnecting the community with ancient knowledge passed down through generations of the Yuwi people. The project began as a shared vision and blossomed through collaboration betwe
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A powerhouse team of mud racers from Sarina left their mark on the Queensland State Mud Racing Titles over the weekend, tearing up the tracks at CQ Mud Sportz in Kabra with a thrilling mix of speed, skill and Sarina spirit. Held across two adrenaline-pumping days on July 5 and 6, the state titles brought together racers from across Queensland for a high-octane display of horsepower, mud, and fierce competition – and the Sarina contingent more than held their own. Leading the charge in th
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Mackay Voices Drive State Action By Amanda Wright Mackay’s small business sector took centre stage last week as Queensland’s Small and Family Business Minister Steve Minnikin visited the region, delivering a clear message: the State Government is listening—and acting. Speaking at a Mackay Chamber of Commerce breakfast, Minister Minnikin acknowledged the unique pressures facing regional enterprises, from soaring electricity bills to securing skilled workers and navigating government bureau
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We’ve all heard it (or said it) – “there’s nothing to do in Mackay”. I don’t believe it, as there is always something to do in Mackay. We live in the best region in Australia. To ensure that there’s always something to do in Mackay, council created the Invest Mackay Events and Conference Attraction Program (IMECA). I’ve been a part of this committee since being elected to council in 2020. IMECA supports the attraction of major sporting and cultural events, concerts and conferences to sti
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A mobile printmaking studio in a 40-foot-long shipping container will be a temporary addition to the local arts and design scene. The shipping container will be set up outside Artspace Mackay as part of a special residency by the Moveable Type Studio (MTS) in Mackay from July 2 to July 11. The Moveable Type Studio will be hosted by Artspace Mackay in conjunction with the prestigious 2025 Libris Awards: The Australian Artists Book Prize, and the abbe Conference and Artists Book Fair by Co
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A Brave New Body Image Conversation Eight years ago, The Just Saying Project (JSP) asked women across our region how they really felt about their bodies. The responses weren’t filtered, photoshopped, or polished. They were raw. They were brave. And they were unforgettable. Now, in 2025, JSP is asking again. With a new body image survey titled The Faces Behind the Figures, JSP is inviting women to reflect on the stories they carry in their skin, their scars, and their silence. The questi
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Emma Krause Is Coming To Mackay! Brace yourselves, Mackay – a comedy cyclone is headed your way and her name is Emma Krause. Fresh off a sold-out, award-winning, laugh-till-you-snort Fringe World run, this Perth powerhouse is strutting her way to the tropical north with her hit show 40+FABULOUS – and trust us, it’s exactly the kind of big, bold energy we all need right now. Not only did she take out Best Solo Performance at Broadway Perth and WA’s Best Comedy in 2024, but this ex-school
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Young instrumentalists from the Mackay region are being invited to represent their town at a prestigious state-level music event, taking place this August at the State Library of Queensland. The Oz Schools Instrumental Championships (OSIC) is a solo performance competition for school-age students across four categories: piano, strings, drums, and guitar. In 2025, Queensland finalists will gather for a live concert and competition at SLQ’s renowned auditoriums, with top students progressin
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Friday 11th July Northern Beaches Youth Create Gathering 9am A relaxed and welcoming morning for tweens and teens to get crafty with community bunting, crochet, and painting a giant community Jenga set. Bring your own fabric, yarn, or chess board, or use some communal supplies. Beginners and pros welcome — come solo or bring a friend for creativity and connection. Northern Beaches Community Hall NAIDOC Family Fun Day 11am A celebration of culture, community, and connection hosted by Mack
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St Patrick’s College students have taken to the stage for Matilda the Musical Jr., supported by three guest choreographers who once stood in their shoes. Former students Regan, Shontaé and Georgia returned to the college to help choreograph the show, bringing with them professional experience and a passion for giving back. Two of the trio previously performed in the professional Australian tour of Matilda, and Regan has recently departed for South Korea, where he has joined the internatio
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The countdown is on for one of the region’s most significant visual art events, with the Woollam Art on Show Awards & Exhibition Opening Night set for Friday, 1 August July 2025 at the 500 Pavilion, Mackay Showgrounds. The night will feature award presentations from a $10,000 prize pool, thanks to generous local sponsors, and a live painting auction showcasing selected works. Returning as guest judge is renowned artist and educator Ron McBurnie, whose prints, drawings and paintings have b
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A Regional Gem Bringing World-Class Classical Performances Home For seven years now, the Mackay Chamber Music Festival has been quietly transforming the cultural landscape of this regional city, uniting Australia’s finest classical musicians for a weekend of intimate performances and vibrant community music-making. From July 18 to 20, the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Ooralea will come alive with the sounds of world-class chamber music, performed by celebrated artists incl
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