Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
On Tuesday, winners were Deb Retchless, Merle Elphinstone, and Allan Rolfe who defeated Bron Tolcher, Irene Laird, and Geoff Danvers. The jackpot didn’t go off. Competitions results: On Saturday our Club Mixed Fours was played out. Laurie Land, Denise Wallace, Penny Warren, and Allan Rolfe defeated Robyn Stitt, Merle Elphinstone, Isobel Wheeler, and Mark Drummond. Tracey Roach, Crowie Kennedy, and Whitton Lloyd White defeated Lyn Danvers, Sue Shearing, Peter Hinschen, and Geoff Danvers. The fi
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On Wednesday we had twelve players enjoying bowls at the new Summertime opening hours of names in by 2.30pm and bowls from 3pm. Jim Bownds, Bruce Uhe and Philip Brown defeated John Anderson, Pat Bownds and Mike Harrison 22 – 17. Lee King, Barry Zillmann, and Heather Brown defeated Arthur Griffith, Mary Hedgelong and Sandy Daffara 28 - 16. On Friday night the club was opened for an evening of Barefoot Bowls and Proserpine really responded well with 52 bowlers enjoying an evening of bowls and a
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Well summer is almost here and it couldn't come sooner as the quality of bowls at our little club is sizzling. No bowls again on Tuesday due to no water, however Wednesday afternoon Jackpot Bowls run by Rick Galea, and marvellous Merve Stewart saw new bowler Arthur McManus showing all how much his practice has paid off whom with Shane Spann runaway winners on the day, and it was the Men's Singles champion Alan Pershouse who went home with the prestigious Health Hub award. Saturday morning Scroun
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AFL Sessions The Whitsunday Sea Eagles are looking for their next female super stars! All ladies, aged 16 years old and above, are welcome to attend a series of ‘Come and Try AFL’ afternoons throughout the end of November and early December. Designed for any women who are wishing to sign up for the 2024 season or wish to try out a new sport, these afternoons are perfect for seasoned players and newcomers. All fitness levels are welcome and are at no cost to participants. Contact Chris Morri
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The Cannonvale Cannons thoroughly enjoyed racing in the GBR meet held in Mackay over the weekend. The coaches, Mark Erickson and Ken Crittenden were impressed with all the swimmers. 14 years and older swimmers: Remy Hedges and Ehsan Helou won most of their individual events. Tiana Bell swam PBs in all her events and won medals for her Breaststroke races. Jack Ganter swam a brilliant 200m Backstroke in 2.56.30, 14.7sec PB to earn 1st place. Holly Perrin, Noah Maltby, Jacob Bell, and Anisa Helo
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RETURNS AFTER THREE YEAR HIATUS The local wedding industry just got bigger, bolder, and more exciting thanks to the newly rejuvenated Mackay and Whitsunday Annual Wedding Expo which is due to take place at the MECC on Sunday, 4 February, from 10am - 1pm. Launched in 2020 by local wedding and event specialist Ramona Burki from Element Events by Ramona, the Mackay and Whitsunday Wedding Expo was a huge success, but future plans were halted by the pandemic until the event became re-charged for 20
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As the mercury rises, this week’s good deed is a reminder to stay vigilant around water. Sherry Ferguson, in a heartfelt message on the Mums and Bubs of Mackay & the Whitsundays Facebook group, recounted a recent heart-stopping incident that transformed into a tale of immense gratitude towards local heroes. During a family outing at the Bluewater Lagoon, an unforeseen turn of events unfolded when Sherry's daughter, aged 19, found herself facing a nerve-wracking situation. While enjoying the day
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Ah, cyclone season—when the skies turn ominous, and we find ourselves glued to weather forecasts more than our favourite TV series. Here in Mackay, November through April is our version of a rollercoaster ride, with storms and cyclones potentially on the horizon. In Mackay Life, we've just wrapped up four weeks of disaster preparedness, reminding us that being ready for anything nature throws our way is not just a suggestion but a necessity. Our final Disaster Month feature can be found on pages
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A secret audit of Queensland’s roads has revealed almost half of Queensland’s Bruce Highway has a two-star safety rating or less. Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, said he is disappointed but not surprised the electorate of Dawson had the lowest overall star rating, with 63.4 per cent rated two stars or lower. Mr Willcox said much needed infrastructure projects like the Mackay Ring Road Stage 2 and the Goorganga Plains Flood Immunity project have been delayed by the Australian Governmen
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Mackay Man Dies 13 Days After Car Crash A serious traffic crash occurred in St Lawrence, south of Mackay on 7th November. Early investigations indicated that a truck left the Bruce Highway and crashed into a tree near Wumalgi Road, around 7am. At the time the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, a 55-year-old man from Rural View, was flown to Rockhampton Base Hospital in a critical condition. Queensland Police Service released a statement on 20th November informing the public that the 55-yea
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Officially Opened At CQ University The Mackay campus of CQ University has officially opened a new room, dedicated to First Nations students, staff and community members. The new room provides a safe environment that is culturally rich, for students, staff, and the community to have a space for study and independent work. Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Nick Klomp said the space was an “incredibly important addition to the campus”. “CQUniversity is proud to be one of Australia’s most a
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Mackay Regional Council have kicked in $10,000 to boost festive celebrations in regional areas like Grasstree Beach, Calen, Midge Point and Marian. From carols to morning teas, movie nights to lolly drops and everything in between – the Mackay region will be buzzing with festive fun. Christmas Grants were awarded to 13 exciting events and Mackay City Band was also supported to perform at a number of community carols and Christmas events, like the Habana carols and various retirement village perf
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The Mackay Tiger Moth Museum Inc is a long-standing non-profit organisation, run by local volunteers who possess a proud passion for aviation. The group began in 1974, when the founding members of the group, formerly known as The Tiger Moth Trust banded together to purchase a Tiger Moth that had been restored locally and was in danger of being sold to America. Support was gathered from the Mackay community to purchase the Tiger Moth and the Trust (now The Mackay Tiger Moth Museum) was formed to
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For RFDS Awards The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RDFS) are hosting their annual Local Hero Awards, recognising Queenslanders who go above and beyond to support their community. The RFDS began in 1928, providing vital healthcare to regional, rural and remote areas. With nine bases operating throughout the state, they form a strategic network and help deliver the finest healthcare to all Queenslanders. Without the ongoing support of the communities in which RFDS operate, they simply would not exi
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Families of the Pioneer Valley gathered to experience an extra special Remembrance Day this year, with a service at the cenotaph followed by an unveiling of Finch Hatton RSL’s World War II Honour Gallery. With over two-hundred and fifty people in attendance from the local area and surrounds, the unveiling was a joint affair with RSL Life member David Oliver, RSL auxiliary Life Member Graeme Ware and auxiliary member Wendy Sievers all sharing in the honour. The World War II Honour Gallery follow
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With Doctor Rana of Ritu Rana Medical Doctor Ritu Rana of Ritu Rana Medical has a tremendous passion for gynaecology, pregnancy and fertility, everyday acknowledging that the gift of new life is one to be appreciated well before birth. Dr. Rana has an extensive background in the field of medicine, having done her basic medical training in India, moving on to Obstetrics and Gynaecology and a fellowship in Assisted Reproduction in the United Kingdom before moving to Australia for the sunshine. St
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Construction work on a prime riverfront food and beverage site in River Street has been paused to allow time to consider new design and construct options. Work on the council-owned building, formerly Maria’s Donkey and more recently the Don Daniels restaurant site, is being undertaken by Woollam Constructions. It is part of development in the Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area (PDA), with other nearby projects being the completed River Wharves and the upcoming installation of a pontoon.
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A dedicated student from Mackay State High School was announced as the recipient of the 2024 Hill Family Scholarship this week, in honour of his great dedication to his academic achievements. The Hill Family Scholarship provides vital financial support of $5,000 to one deserving student each year, who is embarking on their tertiary education journey within the fields of law, accounting, or commerce. Year 12 Mackay State High School student Ned Gething won the 2024 scholarship, the accolade sho
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I bought a car the other day and, as a sales person, it was an interesting experience. I don’t like spending a lot of money on cars and, as someone with a 16-year-old son, a 20-year-old daughter and a wife, there’s not much left for me anyway. So I decided on a budget. That budget would have got me a brand new four-cylinder Japanese or Korean SUV but I wanted something a bit better, sportier, something a step up from my old Toyota Aurion that was about to die a painful, age-related death. I narr
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Festival Fever is the theme, $1000 dollars is the prize and the front cover of the 2024 Mackay Festival of Arts program is the canvas. The Mackay Festivals team is calling on artists, graphic designers, freelance creators, hobbyists, beginners and everyone in between to show off their creativity, imagination and artistic skills. The winning artwork will be featured on the cover of the 2024 program and will inspire the branding of the 2024 festival. The winning artist will also receive $1000 in p
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I have, and I do it quite often. Let’s just say I don’t have great willpower. I say that because 10 weeks ago I was shopping for Christmas decorations with my kids, and we bought a gigantic wooden advent calendar with all the sliding drawers for gifts to put in each one for the month. When we got that, I thought wouldn’t it be great to have little chocolates to put in each drawer, so I decided to grab one of those big mixed boxes of sweets. It has a few dozen little parcels of greatness wrappe
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Sporting fans from across the region gathered at a special fundraising event earlier this week, the crowds eager to meet two sporting legends, Ivan Cleary and Kerry Boustead, who shared their inspiring stories. Held at Souths Leagues Club, the event was also an opportunity to connect with recently announced mayoral candidate, Steve Jackson, who was available to answer questions. The audience enjoyed a vibrant atmosphere at the sold-out event, with a seafood and meat buffet, drinks and desserts,
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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay It has been saddening to see the many bushfires hitting rural communities across Queensland in recent months. Like any natural disaster, bushfires hit hard on farming businesses, sometimes undoing the work of generations. It’s also saddening to hear of cane farmers losing part or all of their crop, and doubly so to hear that they have not had crop insurance. Growers invest a great deal in bringing a crop to harvest, in terms of soil health, fertilising
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Celebrating Mackay's Man of the Year In a world where conversations often revolve around physical health, what about the well-being of men's minds? Shed Happens, with major sponsors DGH Engineering, recently sparked discussions on this critical topic, bringing together 141 individuals at an International Men's Day Breakfast, under the banner of "Health & Well-being for All Generations of Men." The event wasn't just a morning meal; it was a celebration of mateship and men's mental health. Phil
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With A Perfect Present From Mackay Music Whether you're embarking on a musical journey as a novice, searching for your dream instrument as a seasoned professional, or in need of comprehensive event gear, Mackay Music stands as the reliable choice committed to meeting all your musical needs. With a legacy of twenty-four years in the business, Owner Kelly Cacciola and her team have made Mackay Music a go-to destination for musicians of all ages and skill levels. The team at Mackay Music boasts a
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