Issue #

A Kilometre Of Coins For A Kilometre Of Burpees

Involving squatting, jumping, planking and push-ups, burpees are an often-dreaded exercise, but a local family is asking Mackay to give them a go for a good cause.2023 is the third year of Harpertastic, a one-kilometre burpee challenge raising funds for Jeans for Genes.The event’s inspiration and namesake, Harper Flynn, was diagnosed with multiple rare genetic defects at age two, with her family taking the opportunity to make a difference.

Progress On A Vital Link

Ah, the age-old topics that ignite spirited conversations among Mackay residents – Aldi's arrival and the elusive Mackay Bucasia Road upgrade! We can't deny the excitement of shopping for quirky garden ornaments while filling our carts with BBQ essentials, that joy is around the corner with construction on Aldi underway. As for the road upgrade, it's been a hot topic for years, and it seems like we're finally seeing some action from the powers that be.

A Boy And A Bike Reunited

One of a child’s most prized possessions is their bike, so when Channy Schmidt accidentally left her son Wyatt’s bike at Moranbah’s Bernborough Park after a party, she was relieved to discover someone had found the bike and had posted the discovery to the Moranbah Community Notice Board Facebook group.

Planning For Future Upgrades To Mackay–Bucasia Road

Planning is underway to identify future upgrades to Mackay–Bucasia Road to improve congestion, active transport, safety, and flooding impacts. The $750,000 planning project is funded by the Queensland Government under the Transport System Planning Program. It will identify, assess, and prioritise key deficiencies along the corridor.

A Ride Back In Time

Mackay Riding for Disabled (MRDA) recently received a heartwarming request from Nanyima Aged Care in Mirani. Margaret, an 85-year-old resident, had one cherished wish, to ride a horse again.

Cooking Made Simple With 4 Ingredients Author

Kim McCosker uncovered the simplicity of cooking with her popular ‘4 Ingredients’ series of cookbooks, and the Queensland-based chef visited Mackay last week to share her tips and tricks.

Volunteers Continuing A Legacy

Established in the trenches of World War I, Legacy Australia was built on a promise between two diggers; a promise that has been honoured for over a decade.Legacy Australia has been supporting Veteran’s families since 1923 and in Mackay since 1947, but the branch faces an uncertain future if it doesn’t find more volunteers.The role of a Legacy volunteer, known as a Legatee, is to conduct welfare checks, either via a visit or a phone call, to the region’s war widows, and to be able to assist them

Races Ready To Hit Grasstree Beach

Get ready, rev-heads, for the Bullet Bikes Superstore Motorcycle Beach Races is returning for a day of methanol-fueled, nitrous-induced action.Promising another unforgettable experience, this year’s event will showcase the best of beach racing where high-octane energy meets the creativity of world-class modifications and unique designs.

Mackay Disability Expo Brings Support And Inspiration

Living with disability can be made easier with the right support networks, aids and equipment.The Mackay Disability Expo, coming up next Friday (August 4), from 9am until noon, will feature a range of both local and out-of-town specialist exhibitors and will be a one-stop-shop for everyone with an interest in disability services.

Arrest Unravels Weapons Heists

Police have charged a man after he was allegedly found with stolen weapons in Mackay last week.It will be alleged between June 20 and 22 a Sarina house was broken into and three guns removed from a gun safe that was secured inside the house.

From Doubt To Daring

Stage two of the Women in Leadership Thriive program by Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsundays (RDA GW) is now in full swing. Spearheaded by RDA GW Project Manager, Nic Willis, the program aims to tackle the under-representation of women in leadership roles within regional areas. Through a range of workshops, masterclasses, mentorships from local and regional leaders, and valuable industry networking opportunities, the program strives to empower and uplift aspiring women leaders.

Building Futures Together

Fuelling local ambition and empowering educational dreams, Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank took centre stage as they awarded scholarships to three outstanding CQUniversity students at the Ooralea campus presentation this week.

Highway Havoc: Motorcycle Clash Sends Two Riders Hospital-Bound

A female motorcyclist was taken to Mackay Base Hospital in a serious condition after a crash at Chelona last week.Mackay Police reported that preliminary inquiries indicate two motorcyclists were headed northbound on the Bruce Highway around 3.10pm. They overtook a number of vehicles and as they returned to the lane, collided with each other causing both riders to lose control.

Vietnam Veterans Vigil Honours Local Soldiers

Services of Remembrance will be held at every grave or commemorative plaque site across Australia on August 3 to mark 50 years since the withdrawal of Australian combat troops from the Vietnam conflict.

Greener Pastures Ahead For Cattle Industry

In an ambitious effort to tackle key challenges facing beef productivity in northern Australia, the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) has joined forces with MLA in a groundbreaking $24.4 million partnership. The collaboration aims to combat three critical threats: pasture dieback, land condition decline, and pasture rundown.

PREPARING FOR BATTLE

To bolster growers' efforts against fall armyworm, a nationwide coordinated program has been launched to curb the pest's population and minimise its impact.Led by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and delivered with co-investment from Hort Innovation, the $2.1 million initiative will arm vegetable growers with the tools and knowledge they need to wage war on the ravenous pest.

SWEET SUCCESS

July is filled with nostalgia for three Mackay Sugar employees who are this month celebrating 50 years since they started with the company. Commencing employment in 1973, the three men – Allan, David and Rodney – join fellow employee Phillip, who started at Mackay Sugar in 1971, in achieving the remarkable milestone.

Joey Scout Awarded Highest Honour

Mackay City Central Joey Scout Harrison Doyle was recently presented with the highest award for the Joey Scout Section, the Joey Scout Challenge Award, at an All Section Camp on a property at Gargett.

Pierce Brothers Find Calm ‘In The Water’

Jack and Patrick are the Pierce Brothers, an indie-folk duo known for their high energy live performance and their ability to create authentic, heartfelt music that speaks to the soul. The Melbourne boys recently unveiled their latest single, ‘In The Water’, a soulful and uplifting track that highlights the band's unique sound and musical style. Pierce Brothers will be headlining the Seabreeze Hotel in August to celebrate, so Sam had a chat with Jack ahead of the show.

Real People Taking Real Action

Greater Whitsunday Communities (GWC) and Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsunday (RDA) have partnered and initiated the housing project to identify collaboratively a solution to the housing stress being felt across the Greater Whitsunday region.

Property Point

I overheard a real estate agent the other day saying that write-ups are a “thing of the past”.In the modern world we live in it is true that previously important and highly valued features of life are indeed things of the past. The horse and buggy is, largely, a “thing of the past”. As much as I like the monochrome image, it is undoubtedly true that black and white televisions are a thing of the past.

Feeling Sniffly?

We’ve officially hit cold and flu season! Literally every time we get a change of season or an out-of-the-norm week of weather, I’m someone who starts getting sick instantly. I swear by the cold and flu liquid by Sambucol. It’s not only delicious but, nine times out of ten I’ll wake up the next day feeling, if not entirely better, 90 per cent better. I promise this is not sponsored (but I’ll take it if they want to partner – HEY SAMBUCOL MARKETING TEAM!) so I thought we could take a look at a co

Event Guide

Judging To Commence For Art On Show

The Woollam Art on Show Awards is celebrating 17 years of art excellence in 2023, with the prestigious exhibition and arts event right around the corner.Taking public and community art to a higher level of professionalism, the Mackay Show Association continues to seek a very significant level of participation from artists locally, interstate, and nation-wide, providing a high standard of presentation, playing an integral part in Mackay’s cultural future as a high-profile arts event, and promotin

Fellowship Day 2023

The Australian Church Women will celebrate our annual Fellowship Day Service on Friday 28th July at 10am at the Iona West Uniting Church Brook Street, Mackay. The theme is Renewal through Trust: Growing in God’s Ways.