Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
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After a busy week at the Club, competitions were back to normal. On Wednesday, Elspeth Scotford was in good form to win the competition ahead of Jenny Hounsell and Pam Casey.NTP winners were Jenny Hounsell x 2 and Heather Luvis x 2.
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Last Monday and Tuesday 115 men and women competed in the annual 2023 Wintersun Carnival hosted by Proserpine Golf Club. Thankfully the wet weather held off for the two days although the wind did get up. The course was in remarkable condition, all things considered.
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This weeks 9 hole stableford saw Jacob Nightingale take the win with 20 pts c/b, second with 20 pts was Donovan Pettiford and third with 19 pts Donna Henderson.Fridays 9-hole competition was Josh Quin in first place with 24 pts, second Justyn Durbin with 22 pts and third with a 19 pt c/b was Scott Morrisey. Great work gentlemen.
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Whitsunday Running Club member Aimee Sulzberger pulled off a magnificent victory in the recent Townsville Marathon in a time of 3:11:05. This beat her previous best time by a whooping 45 minutes!In March this year, Aimee had been crowned the North Queensland Cross Country Champion over both the 10km and 6km distances.
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The Whitsunday Raiders travelled to BB Print stadium in Mackay to take on the Moranbah Bulls for the 2023 MRU Grand Final. All season these two teams have been the strongest of the competition. It was always going to be a tightly contested game for the coveted silver cup.
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This week, on a stunning Whitsunday winter’s day, 117 impressive people ran, jogged, and walked the 5km waterfront course. There were 33 first timers, congratulations to the 18 participants that recorded new Personal Bests. Milestones for the day included Louise for 25 weeks of volunteering and Jo for 50 weeks of volunteering.
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Over the weekend, 5 Cannons completed at the Queensland Short Course Championships in Brisbane. Coach Ken Crittenden was very impressed with all the Cannons and their outstanding achievements over the weekend. Highlights include: Tora Delac, aged 12 years qualified and nominated for 9 events.
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A wildcard entry to the National Junior Basketball Championships in Melbourne has left ten promising Mackay hoopers brimming with excitement. The Mackay Meteors Under 14 Boys representative team will get the chance to rub shoulders with the finest basketball talent in their age group when they trek down south next month to compete at the prestigious carnival from September 23-29. Mackay Basketball Association was quick to snap up an invitation to participate at the national titles after the la
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From the modest stages of Mackay pubs to national television, Bella Mackenzie is well on her way to stardom. The local country music star featured on The Voice Australia’s Blind Auditions on Tuesday night, turning heads and chairs with her angelic cover of Taylor Swift’s Anti-Hero. Bella performed in front of a vocal crowd and four star coaches, Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, Jason Derulo and Rita Ora, with all four pressing the big red button to express their interest in mentoring her throughou
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In a move that promises to infuse new vitality into its operations, Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsundays (RDA GW) is unveiling a trio of dynamic individuals who are set to reshape its committee landscape. Chairperson Jeff Stewart-Harris is excited to introduce three remarkable additions to the team, marking a shift towards innovation and diversity. Mr. Stewart-Harris announced the outcome of an extensive and meticulous recruitment process that culminated in the selection of these e
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A local policeman has gone out of his way to assist an elderly couple with a simple and selfless gesture. A Facebook post on Mackay Noticeboard from Let the Children Play Toyshop shared the “lovely story my parents want to share”. The poster’s elderly mother was bringing groceries in from her car one bag at a time, leaving the door open as she did so. “Coming back from the kitchen she heard Dad, who couldn’t help as he is not mobile, say ‘here comes a policeman,’” the post read. “There certain
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More than a decade ago, as I embarked on my journey in journalism, I was granted the privilege of encountering the living remnants of a bygone era – World War II veterans. Their tales were whispered reminders that we must seize fleeting moments, for the faces that hold such stories won't grace our presence forever. These words, once fleeting themselves, now reverberate with an urgency I never fully understood until today. Time marches on, and as it does, the ranks of those who bore witness to h
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By Amanda Wright Last week, services of remembrance reverberated across Australia, commemorating the significant milestone of 50 years since the withdrawal of Australian combat troops from the Vietnam conflict. This poignant occasion served as a reminder of the enduring cost of war, and the valour of those who gave their lives in service. The Vietnam Veterans Vigil, held at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Jubilee Park on August 3, stood as a testament to this commemoration, uniting the communit
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The shockwaves of road crash trauma are often felt throughout the community, but a local organisation is continually working to educate users on road safety and reduce these incidents. The Road Accident Action Group (RAAG) has been operating throughout the Mackay, Isaac, Whitsunday and Central Highlands regions for the last 21 years, completing many successful projects and programs to reduce road incidents and fatalities. Last year, those regions saw a combined 25 fatal crashes, 512 injury crash
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The 140-Year Legacy Of The Porters Group Mackay’s longest standing hardware store is turning 140 on August 13, and the history behind this locally owned business is one for the books – literally! For The Porters Group’s 125 years of service, Ray Braithwaite OAM wrote 'The End of the Beginning' – a commemorative book explaining the history of The Porters Group. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves – let’s start at the beginning, where it all began with founder Charles Porter. 1883 - Taylors Hot
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By Amanda Wright In the latest quarter, Mackay Hospital and Health Service's emergency departments experienced an unprecedented surge in the care of critically ill and injured patients, yet despite the increase, all Category 1 patients received immediate attention within two minutes of their hospital arrival, according to data released by the Queensland Government. There
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A Sarina distillery and popular tourism destination has been awarded four national awards. Sarina Sugar Shed distiller, Sarah-Jane Parrott, travelled to the 2023 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards last Thursday and said the whole team were excited with the result. “We are thrilled to return from the awards with not just one, but four awards,” Ms Parrott said. “The awards were held in Melbourne, on Thursday, August 3, at a special awards presentation,” she said. Judges for the Australian Distill
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May was the first time in five years that the St Lawrence Recreation Group were able to host the St Lawrence Campdraft, the event making a very successful return. With 680 first round runs to get through, the campdraft kicked off with the ‘Mark Robertson Earthmoving Maiden Draft’ on the morning of Saturday, May 20. Events ran across the weekend with competitors, both local and visiting, competing and achieving impressive results. Six top quality judges were secured for the draft, prioritising t
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Despite their vastly different fields of study, three CQUniversity students have been recognised for following their chosen career paths close to home. Awarded scholarships by Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank in July, Chloe Paul, Seumus Andrews and Brooke Vella all share a dedication to their education and commitment to their community. The Community Bank Sarina scholarships enable those studying to remain in the region, seize opportunities in the local workforce, and actively contribute to
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A group of friends are about to embark on the journey of a lifetime for the second time after ticking off a “bucket list item” last year. Viv Coleman, Karen Armstrong and Molly Bendle from St Lawrence and Kate Craig from Sarina are the Opal Chicks, a team undertaking the 2023 Variety Bash from Toowoomba to Cairns, leaving on Tuesday, August 15. Ms Coleman said it had been a lifelong goal to take part in the Bash, which raises funds for Variety, a charity providing support for children who are s
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By Amanda Wright Sarina's QCWA Branch marked its centenary with a delightful high tea event that attracted guests and visitors from across the region. The celebration, a nod to the Branch's remarkable century of service, was attended by Mayor Greg Williamson, a representative of Michelle Landry MP, Councillor Karen May, and Maree Franettovich of Community Bank Sarina. The event, steeped in bygone era charm, treated attendees to an array of freshly baked pastries, sandwiches, cakes, and pikelets.
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Award-Winning Shop Up For Grabs By Amanda Wright Nestled in the heart of Sarina, Under the Veil, an award-winning bridal shop, is now presenting an irresistible opportunity for a passionate entrepreneur to take the reins of a thriving business. With its remarkable track record and esteemed clientele, this turn-key venture promises the chance to be a part of countless couples' special moments. Under The Veil has garnered acclaim for its commitment to offering an exceptional and personalised exper
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CANEGROWERS Mackay has appointed its new chief, District Manager Michelle Martin. Michelle comes with a strong background in business and member services, and her appointment follows the passing of esteemed, long-serving CEO Kerry Latter, who lost his battle with cancer in June. CANEGROWERS Mackay Chairman Kevin Borg made the announcement this week, saying that a long and transparent selection process had been undertaken. Mrs Martin will formally take up the position on Monday, August 7 “We are
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Funding has been secured for the region’s first two sleepbuses, with Safe Sleep Mackay urging the community to rally behind a third. Two buses will be located in Mackay, one open to everyone and the other pink sleepbus for women and children only, while the third will be located in Sarina. Lisa Jamieson of Safe Sleep Mackay thanked the community for their support but said $70,000 is still required for the third sleepbus, as well as volunteers to operate them. “We couldn’t do the fundraising with
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Local homeless support services have shared their gratitude for the support of the region’s youth. A group of students from Kutta Mulla Gorinna Special Assistance School (KMG) have been collecting plastic bags and turning them into mats, providing comfort and insulation for rough sleepers. As part of the Life Skills program, students learnt to crochet, taking strips of plastic bags and crocheting them into mats. The crocheted mats provide a reliable, durable, and lightweight sleeping surface f
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