Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Mackay is a hub of natural beauty and adventure waiting to be explored. Whether you're seeking a day trip or a tranquil retreat, we've compiled a list of hidden gems around Mackay that promise unforgettable experiences. Seaforth: A Coastal Paradise Located a mere 35 kilometres northeast of Mackay, Seaforth is a quaint coastal town that beckons travellers with its pristine beaches, fishing hotspots, and breathtaking natural landscapes. The town boasts one of the region's few swimming enclosures,
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OPINION PIECE Think about this. Pet euthanasia is a difficult reality for animal workers and pet lovers alike. The crippling truth is that approximately 20 per cent of 200,000 dogs admitted to Australian shelters each year are euthanised, with cats facing an even more devastating rate of euthanisation. Council’s Animal Management Centre is testimony to this fact. While the centre has achieved an impressive milestone of four years since a rehomable cat was euthanised and six years for rehomable
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Friday 06 October Public Art Walk Mackay – New Mural Unveiling 4:30pm - 5:30pm Hosted by Artspace Mackay Public Art Officer Jennifer Dalton-Smith, this free city art walk for all ages 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. Wear a hat, and comfortable shoes, bring a bottle of water, and arrive promptly at Artspace M
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Pioneer Swimming Club held its annual Long Course Transition Meet at the Mackay Aquatic Centre on Saturday, 30 September and 1 October, proudly sponsored by Naming Rights and Gold Sponsor, BTP Group. The popularity of this meet has grown again this year – having welcomed just under 200 swimmers and double that in supporters through the gates over the 2-day event. Swimmers travelled from as far North as Cairns, Townsville, Ayr, Proserpine, Cannonvale and then to the South, Rockhampton, Emerald,
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Mackay schoolgirl Skye Vaughan relishes a challenge on the hockey field or basketball court. With her steely determination, athletic prowess, vision and will to win the dual Queensland representative is well equipped to show her wares. At the age of 14 the versatile Vaughan is regarded as one of the State’s most gifted sportswomen with an impressive list of achievements at an elite level. When she’s not keeping close tabs on strikers as a talented high fullback on the hockey pitch, you’ll fin
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In the world of social bowls, on Wednesday, September 27th, the triples game saw Betty Mulhall, Isla Comelli, and Kathy Mathews emerge as winners. The pairs game witnessed Fay McCubben and Lidia McCarthy securing the runner-up position. Moving to Sunday, September 24th, the Club Mixed Pairs final took centre stage. Competing in this closely contested match were Mick Walsh and Lois Deguara against Peter Delaney and Jean Zamparutti. Ultimately, Mick and Lois clinched the title. The Men's and Lad
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Life can’t get any better for Mackay Cutters iron woman Shannon Mato after powerhouse performances on the rugby league field in 2023. The dual code international – who was part of the Jillaroos’ World Cup-winning squad in the United Kingdom - has experienced a bumper season in the women’s ranks since leading the Cutters to the BMD Premiership semi finals back in May. Front rower Mato helped Queensland clinch an Origin series against the NSW Blues before helping the Gold Coast Titans reach the
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At the start of this September’s school holidays, Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club sent a ‘small, but strong’ contingent of 10 lifesavers to take on the best of the North Barrier Branch, consisting of competitors from Sarina in the south to Ingham in the north. The event took place at the beautiful Magnetic Island for the first carnival of the season, hosted by Townsville’s Arcadian SLSC. The small team in numbers was strong in its competitiveness, taking out ten gold, five silver and six bronze med
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Mackay-Whitsunday senior representative cricket team have fallen short in their quest for the Bulls Masters Twenty20 Country Challenge Cup. The Nitros bowed out of the trophy race after a heart-breaking four wicket loss to the Central Queensland Seamers in an epic semi-final last weekend at Griffiths Park in Cairns. It was the Nitros first defeat at the 2023 tournament after posting impressive wins over the Wide Bay Flames, reigning champions Far North Fusion and Darling Downs Suns in the prel
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Tickets are now on sale for the 2023 Whitsundays Tourism Awards which are due to take place at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre on Friday, October 20.Adopting a new format this year, the event will be a cocktail evening followed by a sit-down awards ceremony in the theatre.
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Hi Everyone,Welcome to a brand-new edition!We now officially produce five different publications from our little publishing house here in Cannonvale – for those of you that don’t know, these are Core Life Magazine, Tripping Magazine, Mackay Life Newspaper, Burdekin Life Newspaper and Whitsunday Life Newspaper.
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Our local non-for-profit community organisations are run by a sea of volunteers who kindly give their time to enrich the tapestry of local life.Behind the scenes, there is also a host of local businesses who donate money to these organisations and ensure the day-to-day operations of these important local assets are kept open, now and into the future.
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Rugby League lovers from across the region are feeling the excitement this week with news that the Australian Rugby League team are spending six days in the region prior to their game against Samoa in Townsville.
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In a unanimous decision by Whitsunday Regional Council, a memorial plaque will be erected in in honour of the four Australian Defence Force personnel lost in a helicopter accident off the coast of Airlie Beach.
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On October 1, at about 4.15pm, Police allegedly intercepted a Toyota Landcruiser traveling at a spend of 144 kilometres an hour, in a 100 kilometre an hour speed zone. Police spoke to the alleged driver, a 44-year-old Midge Point man, who allegedly explained that he was overtaking vehicles as he wanted to be home in time to watch the football.
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Last Friday, September 29, was National Police Remembrance Day, a day to commemorate and honour the police servicemen and women who have passed away in the line of duty, as well as those who have died outside the line of duty.
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Almost four years after it opened its doors, the free Proserpine RV park has now closed due to Whitsunday Regional Council’s decision not to renew the current lease.This decision was made largely due to the required $600,000 of upgrades needed to be undertaken on the site.
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A group of sociable dog-lovers who play and swim with their dogs almost daily down at Boathaven Beach are celebrating this week as Council make the three-month off-leash trial, a permanent fixture.
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Hitting the number one spot in both Netflix Australia and Netflix US, the recent blockbuster filmed right here in the Whitsundays, is already promoting our region to the world with its stunning backdrops and friendly local characters.
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It is exciting that our Council will have three Councillors acknowledged for their service to Local Government at the Qld Conference in October. Over the next three weeks, we will recognise each Councillor starting with Division 3 Councillor John Collins for over a decade of service to his community.
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Batteries should never be put in your recycling or waste bin. This includes rechargeable batteries and lithium-ion batteries in objects such as laptops, mobile phones, power tools, cameras, and e-vape machines.Used batteries may still contain residual charge and often produce sparks which can lead to fires in our waste trucks and recycling facilities, putting our waste teams at risk, and potentially causing dangerous gases if waste is burned incorrectly. To dispose of batteries safety, make sure
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Five new members have been welcomed into the Tourism Whitsundays Board, breathing new life into an already dynamic group of local tourism professionals.The newly announced members are Nathan Fleming of Ocean Rafting, Sue Watson owner of Pinnacles Airlie Beach, Phil Browne Director of True Blue Sailing and Nicole Graham owner of Iconic Whitsunday Adventures and one invited member, Carly Povey of Bonza Airlines.
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The Whitsunday Regional Council initiative Whitsunday Healthy Heart Project has attracted 45 businesses from the tourism sector to take part in the project. The project has welcomed a wide range of tourism businesses, including marine operators, island resorts, accommodations, restaurants and bars, tours, and ceremony providers.
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In an effort to curve cigarette waste and prevent it from entering local waterways and the Great Barrier Reef, Airlie Beach and Proserpine venues have installed new cigarette bins and signage.
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Police gave an address on state-of-the-art crime prevention for business and residents at the September monthly meeting of Bowen Chamber of Commerce.Sgt Nigel Dalton, backed by Sgt Stephen Smith, both from Mackay District Crime Prevention Unit, and Sgt Michelle O'Regan of Bowen Police, addressed about 20 people at Bowen's Larrikin Hotel.
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