Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Film and Arts Mackay is inviting locals to enjoy an award-winning international film and support a vital local cause at their upcoming fundraising screening. The evening will feature My Favourite Cake, a tender and subversive Iranian drama that took home two major prizes at this year’s Berlinale Film Festival. Directed by Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha, the film explores themes of love, loneliness and quiet rebellion through the story of Mahin, a 70-year-old woman in Tehran determined to
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They are sisters by chance, but friends and now colleagues by choice. The Brondello sisters, Tessa, Emma and Danika, work together in Allied Health at Mackay Base Hospital. Occupational therapist Tessa has worked at Community Health and Therapy Services (CHATS) for 6 and a half years, while physiotherapist Emma joined the Mackay HHS four years ago. Now the ‘baby’ of the family, Danika, is following in her sibling’s footsteps starting her OT career three months ago. The sisters grew up on a ca
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Mackay’s newest entertainment hotspot has officially opened its doors — and it’s already proving to be a hole-in-one with locals. X-Golf Mackay is a $1.5 million indoor golf and sports precinct bringing the latest in simulation technology, top-notch hospitality, and a cool, comfortable atmosphere to the city’s northern beaches. The 500sqm facility, located at the HomeCo Centre beside Bunnings on Mackay-Bucasia Road, is the first of its kind in the region. Roy and Mary Boase, the dynamic couple
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Fresh from a sold-out season at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, internationally renowned comedian Jimeoin will bring his latest show, Pandemonium, to the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre (MECC) on Friday, 2 May. Known for his razor-sharp wit, observational humour, and infectious charm, Jimeoin’s new tour promises an evening of non-stop laughter, peppered with playful insights and quirky life advice. From effortless bed-making techniques to harmless pranks and clever ways to talk dirty in
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RADfest is back – and it’s rolling into Mackay with more momentum than ever. This junior roller derby bootcamp and intensive training weekend was created to give regional skaters the same opportunities as their city-based peers. By bringing together elite coaches and junior players from across Australia, RADfest ensures local athletes don’t miss out on high-level training simply because of where they live. Over three adrenaline-fuelled days, skaters will take part in bootcamp-style sessions le
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Mackay Musical Comedy Players and McKays Solicitors present, Footloose The Musical! This electrifying show will hit the stage at the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre for three performances only, Friday, May 23 at 8pm and Saturday, May 24, at 2pm & 8pm. Based on the iconic 1984 film, Footloose is a celebration of youth, freedom, and the power of dance. With a rockin’ 80s soundtrack featuring hits like “Holding Out for a Hero,” “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” and, of course, the title number
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A transformative new workshop series in Mackay is helping local women take control of their financial future—one property at a time. Launched by respected real estate professionals Shirlz Russell and Robyn Agius of Area Specialist Mackay, the Women’s Wealth Creation Workshop Series is more than a seminar—it’s a movement. Designed to inspire and empower women to build long-term financial security, the workshops will guide attendees through the mindset, knowledge, and strategies needed to create
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As temperatures cool across Queensland’s subtropical regions, including Mackay, many pool owners are preparing to swap daily dips for doona days — but that doesn’t mean your pool should be forgotten. A little bit of maintenance over winter will go a long way to saving time, money, and effort when swimming season returns. With the wet season now easing, rainfall and humidity will drop, which typically means less organic debris and algae growth. This makes it the perfect time to reduce your pool
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The 2024 MSA National Championships were a splash hit for the Mackay Sinkers Masters Swimming Club, who dove into five days of fierce competition and camaraderie at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre from April 8–12. After sending six swimmers to Darwin in 2023, the Sinkers turned up the heat this year with a team of nine, joining over 700 swimmers from across Australia and overseas for one of the biggest meets on the masters calendar. Day One: Strong Start in the 800m and a Warm Welcome
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Mackay Surf Lifesavers recently headed to the Aussie Titles on the Gold Coast to take on the best in the country and came out winners in the Champion Lifesaver event, proving that Mackay’s volunteer lifesavers are some of the best in the country. Mackay’s very own Nate McKinnon took out 1st place in the U17’s becoming a record three-time national champion. Cadence McKinnon took out her first U14 national championship after dominating state titles for a number of years. Isabella Grant finished a
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BB Print Stadium Mackay is set for a game-changing upgrade, with a $1.5 million pledge from the Coalition promising new female changerooms, upgraded lighting, and major facility enhancements if elected. Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox made the announcement with club representative, describing the funding pledge as an exciting time for the regional sporting club. “BB Print Stadium will be transformed into a sports environment that local players and families deserve in Regional Queensla
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Runners and supporters gathered in strong numbers on Easter Sunday for the annual Burrito Bolt – a 5km and 10km social run hosted by Mackay Road Runners. The event started and finished in the Mackay City Centre, with runners enjoying cloudy, overcast conditions as they followed scenic riverside trails. The 10km course took participants along the Catherine Freeman Trail and through to the West Mackay parklands before a turnaround near Lansdowne Road, while the 5km runners turned just beneath the
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Mackay Table Tennis Association joined the global celebration of World Table Tennis Day on April 23, honouring the sport’s rich history and its growing presence in our region. World Table Tennis Day pays tribute to Ivor Montagu, the Englishman who founded the International Table Tennis Federation and organised the first world championships in 1926. What began in England as a light-hearted after-dinner pastime using dining tables and books for nets has since become a serious international sport.
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Results for week ending Saturday 19 April 025 Monday 14 April 2025 – 4.5 Table Howell Green Points 1st JANINE RODGERS - RICHARD WIX 3rd PAMELA FINGER - MING TING 2nd MONICA DARLEY - DIANE STOKES 4th NOEL BUGEIA - GEOFFREY PATTERSON Tuesday Evening 15 April 2025 – 4 Table Mitchell Green Points North/South East/West 1st ERROL MORRIS - PATRICIA GARNER 1st SANDRA MORRIS - DIANE MORGAN 2nd GLEN COCUP - TEX SHEEDY 2nd JANELLE CONROY - CHRISTINE MORRISON Wednesday 16 April 2025 – 7 Table Mitche
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Refurbishment works at Glenfields Park, located on Wheeler Drive in Glenella, will begin on Tuesday, April 22, weather permitting. The park will be closed for about six weeks while the refurbishment is completed. Works will include new concrete edging around the playground, fresh sand, a new seat, earthworks, improved drainage and new turf. Council appreciates the community’s patience during this time. To find an alternative playground during these works, visit knowyourburb.com.au.
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This Mother’s Day, treat the special women in your life to a delightful morning filled with joy, community spirit, and heartfelt appreciation at the Mother’s Day Morning Tea, part of the inaugural Proserpine Rock Wallaby Festival. Join us on the morning of Sunday 11th May, in the auditorium of the Proserpine Entertainment Centre, and indulge in a spread of delicious homemade goodies, enjoy light entertainment, and soak up the warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes this event so special. But tha
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In the heart of the Whitsundays, Green Energy Technologies (GET), a company owned and operated by locals for locals, boldly blazes the trail towards North Queensland's renewable future. Established in 2010 by director Kon Flaherty and James Webb, GET has experienced explosive growth from a small team of five to over 90 dedicated staff, witnessing a tremendous 30 per cent growth rate each year across offices in the Whitsundays, Mackay and Townsville. GET is Queensland's number one solar installe
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That is a tough question. The Reef is many things to many people and there are many ways to value the Reef. But it is more than just another coral reef. The Great Barrier Reef is in Australia’s cultural DNA. It is integral to the identity of Australia’s Traditional Owners. What’s more, its status as one the seven natural wonders of the world makes it an international asset. In many ways, it hardly seems necessary to quantify its value. The value of the Great Barrier Reef is priceless and we kn
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We have been recording whale songs and social noises in the Whitsundays for the last two whale seasons. Last week I wrote about why we are recording them and about the songs. The way we record them is using a hydrophone, which is an underwater microphone, connected to an amplifier and a recording device. We can record humpback whales 5 to 10 kilometers away, so we don’t have to see whales, to record them. A whale song lasts around 30 minutes and then it is repeated over and over. The fittest w
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Schools across the region wrapped up the term in festive style with vibrant Easter Bonnet Parades, bringing a joyful splash of colour and creativity to classrooms and playgrounds. Students proudly paraded their handmade bonnets, each one a unique expression of imagination and artistic flair. From bold colours to whimsical designs, the bonnets reflected the excitement of Easter and the spirit of celebration that marks the end of term. The parades have become a cherished tradition in many school
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The Bowen Health Connection event united local community members and health service providers for a day devoted to health and wellbeing across the entire spectrum of life, from babies to the elderly. Brought to life through the hard work and dedication of Stephanie Cora, executive officer of the Bowen Community Centre, and Josephenie Ferguson, community liaison officer with the Together Strong, Connected Care program. “The intention of the event was to not just focus on women's health but heal
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Miles Woods, or ‘Milo’ to friends, is the dynamic founder and president of Whitsunday Blokart Club, where his passion for performance Blokart land sailing has turned calm, breezy beaches into adrenaline pumping raceways. Since purchasing his first Blokart in April 2019, Milo has menaced his competition on a heart-thumping journey of speed, camaraderie and triumphs that have made him stick out like a sore thumb in Queensland’s and Australia’s land sailing scene. Milo’s love of Blokarting was set
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Will Donald Trump’s presidency lead to a stock market crash and how will that affect your retirement plans? We’ve all watched on as Donald Trump has taken a wrecking ball to the established world order over the last few months. This has led to what is officially called ‘a correction’, where share markets have fallen by over 10%. Will this turn into a ‘crash’ where markets fall over 20% from their highs? The real answer is no one knows. Trump’s policies are so aggressive that no one has any prec
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Nestled along the pristine waterfront of the Coral Sea, Marina Shores Airlie beach offers guests an unparalleled fusion of luxury, style and striking views. My recent tour of this exquisite property, under the guidance of the knowledgeable Ross Martin. Demonstrated why Marina Shores raises the bar for luxury living in the Whitsundays. From its elegantly designed accomodations to it’s enviable amenities, Marina Shores is a for seekers of indulgence and serenity. The tour commenced with a journey
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Blink and you’ll miss them, but catch a glimpse and you might think you’ve discovered an alien lifeform. Nudibranchs are the ocean’s most flamboyant residents: tiny, slow-moving sea slugs adorned in neon colours, wild patterns and surreal shapes. Like living confetti, they drift across the seafloor. For divers in the know, spotting one is a very special moment. These vibrant creatures come in an astonishing array of shapes, sizes and colours. Yet despite their dazzling appearance, nudibranchs c
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