Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Over 30,000 passengers disembarked from cruise ships last month, each of them visiting a diverse range of restaurants and shops, and taking part in tours and excursions on offer in our beautiful region.
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Holidaymakers, industry workers and visiting family members have all combined to create record-breaking numbers for Whitsunday Coast Airport over the Easter holidays.
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A departmental traffic crash took place earlier this week when a police vehicle was responding to a priority incident in Mackay. The incident occurred at the intersection of George Street and Milton Street when the police vehicle collided with a four-wheel drive.
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Residents are advised to check their land valuation notices and consider if they should lodge an objection against their new valuations before the six-week window elapses. Anyone wishing to submit an objection must do so before the closing date of 16 May. Total land valuations across the Mackay local government area have increased in by 16 per cent but it is the rural residents that have seen the greatest impact.
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Full access to Eungella Range on Mackay–Eungella Road has been restored with extensive work clearing landslip debris and rectifying damage done during January’s flooding and heavy rainfall. The road was closed temporarily on January 16 after more than 600mm of rainfall was recorded within a single, 48-hour period at Mount Charlton, and more than 1000mm within seven days at Finch Hatton.
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A local bank branch has joined the “Smile Month” effort to fundraise for Clown Doctors – a national program which provides highly trained, professional “medical clowns” to help lift the spirits of sick kids by through laughter and joy.
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Sarina crafter Val Pearce is expanding her skills after a lifetime of crafting. Val is a member of the Sarina Fibre Arts Group, whose members offer their crafts for sale at the Sarina Arts and Crafts Centre. “I think it was about 1998 that I joined them,” Val said. “They were meeting at Sarina High School then, but they now meet in the Craft Cottage, across from the Sarina Men’s Shed.
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Single-use plastics will soon be removed from Whitsunday businesses thanks to a state government scheme that has already been rolled out to 600 regional businesses and it is heading here next.
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Queenslanders with an interest in sustainable management of the state’s fisheries are urged to submit an application to join a fishery working group. Fisheries Queensland Executive Director Dallas D’Silva said nominations are open for membership of 14 fishery working groups, which are integral to delivering world-class, sustainable fisheries. “This is an exciting opportunity to be part of sustainable fisheries management,” Mr D’Silva said.
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Men are afraid of vulnerability. “There is an idea that it is a kind of weakness,” Cannonvale local Bob Eden said. “Men think that others will use it against them; use it to get a foot up on one another. That’s not the case.”
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Sugar Terminals Limited’s decision to remove Queensland Sugar Limited and become owner/operator of the state’s bulk sugar terminals has generated a stir right across the industry. But it is an issue that has potential flow-on effects to the regional community and economy.
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Sarina’s Jordan Patullo (Ruddell) said she cannot thank her local Australian Army Cadets Program enough for her career in the trades sector and her recent receiving of a scholarship opportunity. The member of 131 Army Cadet Unit Sarina is undertaking an apprenticeship in engineering (fabrication trade) and said the skills she has learnt while in the Cadets were “exactly what employers are looking for – discipline, respect, courage, teamwork, initiative, and time management”.
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Recycling just got a whole lot easier thanks to Anything Environmental who have just opened a new depot in Cannonvale.This means Whitsunday residents can access recycling services in Proserpine and Cannonvale as of April 17.
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Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank turned to their Sarina State High School and CQUniversity scholarship winners to celebrate Youth Week. The recipients were asked what was their first job and what they have most been proud of this year.
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I hope you are all enjoying the holiday spirit and some well earnt down time, or, as is the case for many – enjoying the holiday boom!.
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Hello everyone,Thanks to those of you who have been joining us at the Community catch-ups across the region. The turnout in Cape Gloucester was great and it provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with residents to discuss current and future plans. We appreciate the time you have taken out of your busy schedules to meet with myself, my fellow Councillors and the Community Engagement and project teams.
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Do you know who your workplace’s Employee Assistance Program provider is? An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) ensures employees have access to professional and confidential counselling services. Whether it be workplace relations, mental health or stress, grief or loss or issues at home, EAP provides a safe space to discuss outside of the workplace. Robyn Geiger of Phoenix Counselling implores all local businesses to get an EAP provider, and to support local when doing so.
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It is not a uniquely Australian character trait to lend a hand, but Aussies do it better than most. When things turn sour, the ‘lucky country’ shows its compassion the best way it knows how; getting stuck in.
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Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow and restore balance. In recent years, acupuncture has gained popularity as a complementary therapy for couples undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment and those struggling with infertility.
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Reece Mastin and Jonte at The Metropolitan Friday, 7:30pm Celebrating his 10-year anniversary X-Factor winner, Reece Mastin, is in Mackay, performing at The Metropolitan. Mackay local artist, Jonte, will be supporting Reece, with a 45-minute opening. Reece will hit the stage, performing all his best hits from 9pm, making this a night not to miss. Tickets $39.90. Doors open at 7:30pm. The Metropolitan Hotel Mackay
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Easter eggs could be found scattered around Lake Poco for Wake House Australia's annual Family Easter Egg Hunt. Dozens of children walked away with sugar highs, sticky fingers and chocolate-covered mouths, with all money raised going directly to local charity All Abilities Inc - Summer House Mackay. A beautiful day of wakeboarding ensued as the sun shined on a stunning Easter Sunday.
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North Queensland’s Pick Paradise workforce attraction campaign has re-launched for the 2023 growing season, encouraging workers to experience what the Whitsunday region has to offer.
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The competition was hot when Sarina Bowls Club hosted the men's only 2023 Wilma Plane Creek Mill Shield. One hundred and twenty bowlers from 12 clubs competed, playing three games on a reasonably hot day. Lots of good bowling and friendship resulted between the 120 men fighting it out to see which club could take home the shield.
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The Whitsundays has been named the most affordable place to live in Queensland, followed closely by Mackay, in a study completed by PRD’s Chief Economist Dr Diaswati Mardiasmo.
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Marking a moment in history, the upcoming performance of the Misogyny Opus at the MECC later this month is a world premiere of an important pop orchestral piece, written and delivered by local musician Karen Jacobsen.
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