.jpg)
As we mark National Men’s Health Week, Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank reflects with pride on the many years of support provided to the Sarina and District Community Men’s Shed. In 2014, Community Bank Sarina provided a community grant to lay the foundations – quite literally – for the Sarina Men’s Shed location that is now the organisation's home. Close to $100,000 in funding supported essential infrastructure that enabled construction to begin and by 2015 it was operational. Sarina
Read more.jpg)
One thing I’ve come to really value in my role as Councillor is how often a simple conversation can make a difference. Whether it’s chatting to someone at my market stall, a message on Instagram or sitting down for a coffee with a local community group, these everyday moments are where the real work of a Councillor happens! People sometimes imagine that Councillors spend most of their time in council chambers, debating complex policies or poring over budgets. While meetings and reports are 100
Read more
The Marian Bowls Club has once again demonstrated its generous community spirit, rallying together to support local charity Chances House with a thoughtful and timely donation. After learning of the organisation’s needs, club members reached out directly to see how they could help. “After a phone call direct to Chances we were advised what products/clothes were required and we then set out to provide a package for them,” said club secretary Lyn Jackson. On Wednesday 4 June, the ladies w
Read more
In a significant step towards supporting vulnerable Queenslanders, the Queensland Government has officially opened a purpose-built Vulnerable Persons Hub in Mackay — a place designed to offer compassion, connection, and coordinated care for those in crisis. By bringing together key specialist units under one roof, the Hub will deliver a unified, trauma-informed response that places safety, dignity, and recovery at the forefront. Inside the thoughtfully designed facility are two dedicated
Read more
The Greater Whitsunday region is once again taking bold steps toward a low-carbon future with the return of its highly anticipated event, "Decarbonisation Accelerated: Continuing the Conversation". Following the success of last year's sold-out Decarbonisation Accelerated Summit, this year's event will deepen the discussion around practical decarbonisation strategies and amplify regional voices in the national conversation. Attendees will engage in dynamic discussions on: Strategic Flexib
Read more
Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank celebrated 20 years of community impact in our region with a special celebration on Saturday, 7 June – acknowledging the many people who’ve been a part of this momentous journey. Directors, former directors, staff, shareholders and community leaders gathered to reflect on the milestones achieved and Community Bank Sarina’s proud record of reinvesting over $4.2 million into local organisations and initiatives since opening in 2005. The night also featured a luc
Read more
Mackay Regional Council has reassured the Sarina community that its museum items will be returned to the township once a project documenting the items of significance is completed. Mayor Greg Williamson said that complex process was expected to be completed in about six months and the collection would then be returned to Sarina. “The museum rationalisation project is, for want of a better term, a ‘stocktake’ of our museums collections,” Mayor Greg Williamson said. “This has been a mammo
Read more
Seagrass is thriving off the Isaac region’s coastline according to the latest monitoring data collected by the Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership. Researchers have been able to track seagrass condition off Clairview’s coastline for the past seven years, thanks to continued investment from Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal Pty Ltd (DBCT P/L, also known locally as Daly Bay) and Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure (DBI). Principal Research Scientist at James Cook University’s Centre for Tropical Water a
Read more
Country Fest Queensland Saddles Up For A Massive Weekend In Bloomsbury With cowboy boots dusted off and the sweet scent of fresh-cut grass in the air, Country Fest Queensland is set to roll back into Bloomsbury from June 27–28, promising two days of music, mateship and good old-fashioned country hospitality under the stars. The paddocks are primed, the line-up’s locked in, and the buzz is building – from long-time fans to curious first-timers, there’s plenty to be excited about. Among th
Read more
Respected Detective Hangs Up The Badge By Hannah McNamara What began as a fascination with the police force while watching the popular TV show Cops in the ’90s has transformed into a legacy spanning nearly three decades: one marked by blood, sweat, and a quiet commitment to uncovering some of the region’s most confronting crimes. Retired Detective Sergeant Paul Arnold officially signed off last Wednesday during an emotional “piping out” ceremony held at Mackay Police Station, where office
Read more.webp)
Soon after I arrived in Mackay I was talking with a middle-aged couple who mentioned they had been to a particular restaurant and, not being familiar with the local cuisine, I asked what the food was like. “The meals aren’t very big,” the wife said. In other parts of the world I’d heard criticisms such as “the steak was tough” or “the fish was oily”. My friend Mick tells the old joke about the bloke at a Chinese restaurant who complains to the waiter that “this chicken is rubbery”. “
Read more
Mackay Unites To Honour 29 Lives Lost In 1960 Air Disaster By Hannah McNamara Sixty-five years have passed, but the grief still lingers. On June 10, the Mackay community gathered to remember the 29 lives lost in Australia’s worst civil aviation disaster at the time – the crash of TAA Flight 538 in 1960. Among them was Mr Col Benson, local Historian, former Air Force radio technician and long-time Mackay RSL member, who helped organise the solemn anniversary. “I was a schoolboy when it ha
Read more
Mackay Down Under Skin Diving Club Marks 70 Years The Mackay Down Under Skin Diving Club has been diving deep – in every sense – since 1955. What began as a tight-knit group of ocean-loving skindivers has grown into one of the strongest spearfishing communities in Australia, boasting around 100 active members and a legacy that spans generations. As the second spearfishing club to be established in Australia, following Sydney’s Sans Souci Dolphins in 1953, the Mackay-based club has become
Read more
Earlier this month, 94 proud individuals officially became Australian citizens at a special ceremony held at the MECC. Mayor Greg Williamson and councillors welcomed the new citizens, who hailed from 25 countries including the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Italy, Namibia and Nepal. The ceremony was a celebration of the rich cultural diversity that continues to shape and strengthen the Mackay region. Since citizenship ceremony records began in 2013, Mackay has welcomed new Australi
Read more
Friday 13th June BMA Fun Day 9am Families are invited to a special BMA Fun Friday, hosted by the Northern Beaches Community Playgroup at Bucasia Esplanade. This community play morning promises outdoor fun, movement, music, stories and creativity, featuring special guests from Active Squirtz and Bunnings Craft. Proudly supported by BMA’s Benefiting My Community Fund, the event offers a joyful space for connection and play. All families welcome—bring your energy, your little ones, and join
Read more
Some moments in life change you forever – walking through the doors of the Trudy Crowley Foundation’s Cancer Support Centre was one of those for me. At the time, I was undergoing chemotherapy for bowel cancer – exhausted, vulnerable, and unsure what lay ahead. I had no idea that behind those doors I’d find not just support, but a sense of belonging, strength, and hope. Today, I’m deeply thankful to be in remission – and incredibly honoured to have recently been named one of the Patrons of
Read more
Council’s Mackay Show display this year is helping local artisans to sell their hand-crafted creations to show-goers. Mayor Greg Williamson said the display has evolved over the years and embraced new technology but for the second year in a row, we are proud to include local artisans. “The council display will be bigger than ever with free face painting and a photo booth for kids, free water bottles and chilled water refills and heaps of interactive displays, but council is very proud to also
Read more
Lifeblood Campaign Kicks Off With Emergency Crews Leading The Way Australia’s frontline heroes are trading sirens for syringes as the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood launches its annual Emergency Services Blood Drive – a spirited three-month campaign that pits police, paramedics, firefighters, and other emergency crews against one another in a race to save lives through blood donation. Running from June 1 to August 31, the friendly rivalry aims to boost vital blood, plasma, and platelet do
Read more
In the heart of Proserpine, The Proserpine Community Centre are turning soil and sowing seeds not just in garden beds, but into community spirit as well. Every Monday afternoon from 3pm to 5pm the Proserpine Community Garden welcomes locals of all ages to join in and get hands on in the garden. The Proserpine Community Centre encourage everyone to get their hands dirty building garden beds, planting fruit and veges, mowing lawns, weeding, learning about growing, and enjoying some good company
Read more.jpg)
The first humpback whales of the season were sighted on Friday, breaching between Penitecost Island and Suprise Rock, just south of Whitsunday and Hamilton Islands It’s exciting and we are privileged to have them visit our waters to court, mate, give birth and rear their calves. This is why the Whitsundays are a Whale Heritage Area. The whales have to rely on their energy reserves until they return to their feeding ground in the Antarctic. Mothers will already loose a third of their body weigh
Read more
Reef fish exhibit a wide array of mating strategies, from harems to life-long couples to gender switching to pregnant males. Let’s look some of the more unusual strategies. The parrotfish is often seen in large schools of rather bland coloured fish accompanied by one or two brightly coloured fish. The brightly coloured fish are the males, but they were not always males. Most parrotfish are born females but depending on environmental and social pressures may transition to male. This is known as
Read more
Hi everyone! The first whales of the season have been spotted, which means whale season is officially underway. If you capture any great photos, be sure to send them to ruth@lifepublishinggroup.com for a chance to have them featured in the paper. This week, I’m hoping to watch Oceans, the new documentary by Sir David Attenborough. I’ve long admired his work and he’s been a major influence on my own career. I recently read in his book (which I highly recommend) that he actually started out as a
Read more
Hi Everyone, On Sunday evening, I attended the Combined Church Service at Whitsunday Christian College, and it was incredible to witness a variety of faiths coming together to worship and enjoy fellowship. So often, different religions can seem fractured or opposed, when in reality, we are all worshipping one God. Even those who do not follow the Christian Bible often live by similar values and morals. This shared experience of life could unite us, but sadly, that is not always the case. Fort
Read more
If you can’t make it to the Mayor’s Charity ball this year, you can still show your support by purchasing online fundraising tickets for a chance to win an amazing Island Escape for two! Valued at over $2000, the prize includes two nights’ accommodation on Daydream Island, a guided snorkel tour, a private dinner experience, a pamper spa package and an Ocean rafting adventure! Entries are just $25, and every ticket is a donation to BMA CQ Rescue, the Bowen Community Centre and the Whitsunday Ne
Read more