
Firstly, I would like to thank all the people who attended our Council meetings and the community catch-ups that have been held so far. It was reassuring and reinvigorating to hear dozens of people applaud as Council voted to maintain “Maximum Building Heights” and what I call our Airlie Beach vision statement which calls for us to maintain our vital, small-town scale, blue views to the sea, green views to Airlie Hill, and heights.
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The well-known Yacht Share Mariner Group, which currently has two vessels operating in the Whitsundays, are expanding to offer a brand-new yacht share opportunity in the Mediterranean.
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A beautiful quilt made by a late Sarina crafter has gone to a good home. Lilian Brown won the quilt made by Dulcie Christensen, first prize in the Sarina Arts and Crafts Centre mega raffle drawn just in time for Mother’s Day. Lilian and Dulcie spent many years working on crafts together at the Sarina Fibre Arts Group and as supporters of the Sarina Arts and Crafts Centre. The quilt was donated by Dulcie’s son Glen after she sadly passed away last week. It was one of five prizes in the raffle
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One of the Whitsunday’s most exciting property developments, Mandara Rise, boasts 40 residential land lots spread out over 80 beautiful acres of prime local real estate in Cannonvale.
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Have you ever wanted to try your hand at jewellery making, weaving, felting, yarn and textile working, or charcoal drawing, but wanted some detailed instruction first? Why not take part in The Artist Place’s workshops at Queens Park. The Artist Place is a community art group, who allows people to try their hand at a broad range of art mediums in workshops and classes with local artists. In this mammoth week of 11 workshops, attendees will be given dedicated instruction and intimate help, in ord
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I have been asked frequently of late: “Is it too late to plant from seed?”, Absolutely not!May and June are the perfect months of the year in the Whitsundays to start planting your vegetables and herbs. So, get planting this month!
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For the second year in a row, Magpies Sporting Club is hosting a Biggest Morning Tea event to raise money for Cancer Council and improve the lives of those affected by cancer. Everyone is welcome to attend this vibrant charity function which will take place on The Deck, where guests will enjoy a decadent morning tea with barista coffee. An inspirational guest speaker from the Icon Cancer Centre Mackay will inform and tickets are just $25 per person, with all proceeds going directly to the Can
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Prepare to be amazed by the performance of the year, with the Grand Kyiv Ballet of Ukraine taking over the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre this June. This internationally touring performance will keep audiences hooked, encompassing two magical stories that will be sure to keep audiences enraptured in the touching choreography and fantastic cinematography. The first act follows the Ukrainian story, Forest Song, and reflects Ukrainian culture and heritage. Forest Song follows Lukash, a
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For the month of May, the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens are celebrating their birthday. On May 24, 2003, the Mackay botanic gardens officially opened, marking a goal accomplished of the Mackay Association. Since then, the Botanic Gardens have gone through stages of redevelopment and redesign including constructing new gardens, permanent wetland, to highlight the various water plants, and a kids play garden in 2006, and restoring and rehabilitating frost-damaged and drowned plants in 2007 and
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The world is their oyster for a group which visited the Sarina Arts and Crafts Centre. The World Café group enjoyed a morning tea before viewing the centre’s crafts. It is a free culture-sharing group which meets every Tuesday at 4 George Street, Mackay (the Annex) between February and November from 10 am to 12.30 pm. Activities include cooking, art and craft, conversational games, small projects, workshops, information sessions, culture and conversations and local excursions. For more info
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Meet the promising St Patrick’s College Red rookies that captured the NRL Gala Day Trophy last week at the Mackay Junior League Fields. Under the guidance of Sports Co-ordinator Mercy campus Matthew Paul, the Mackay colts underlined their depth of talent with impressive victories in the preliminary rounds before toppling Bowen State High School 8-4 in the Year 7/8 trophy decider.
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Sarina Bowls Club celebrated and remembered all the fallen soldiers on Anzac Day. After a minute’s silence, 64 bowlers all in great spirit enjoyed an afternoon of two games of bowls, good music, many laughs and afternoon tea. Contributed by Charlie Payne
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Four Mackay Cutters have been named in the Queensland Maroons squad ahead of the opening game of the women’s State of Origin series in Sydney. Emma Manzelmann, Shannon Mato, Romy Teitzel, and China Polata have all been named in the extended squad after leading the Cutters to the BMD Premiership semi-finals in the club’s debut season in the competition. “We’ve picked in-form players on the back of a really strong BMD Premiership competition,” Maroons head coach Tahnee Norris said. "This year’s co
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3/5/23: Wednesday Social games winners are Gloria Sam, Wendy McGee and Marie Duck. Runners up are Carmel O’Lauchlan, Donna Gordon and Lidia McCarthy. 10/5/23: Wednesday Social games winners are Shirley Bartolo, Jean Schmidtke, Anne Smith and Joyce Camilleri. Runners up are Betty Mulhall, Helen Goldston, Pat O’Neill and Daphne Offield. 17/5/23: We celebrated our 75 anniversary with our PAH at Gooseponds Sport and Recreation Club. With players from all of our district clubs invited to this special
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Locals and cruising yachties are invited to enjoy a packed calendar of social events at Coral Sea Marina thanks to their unique edu-tourism workshops and experiences that are free for both customers and the broader community to enjoy.
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Mackay Cutters first grade team may be searching for its first victory in the Hostplus Cup this season, but the club’s heavy investment in youth is reaping dividends. After four rounds, the all-conquering Cutters share top spot in the Hastings Deering Under 21 Colts competition and shape as an early contender for this year’s title. The Mackay colts chalked up their third win of the 2023 series after toppling the Burleigh Bears 22-14 in blustery conditions at BB Print Stadium last Saturday to mai
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This world-wide sell-out production by Circa, a front runner in performing arts and acrobatic illusions, is coming to the Proserpine Entertainment Centre (PEC) this Saturday, May 20.
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When Corben Becker received a call from a former coach late last year, he was ecstatic to receive the news. It was a coach he’d played for at Walkerston Wanderers, who also assistant coaches the Hastings Deering Colts Mackay Cutters, giving him the call up to join the squad. Corben has been training with the Mackay Cutters Under 21s squad and played one trial game, working hard to ensure a debut. “I’m just taking it all in,” Corben said.
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An extroverted Australian swimming and diving champion of the early 1900s, Annette Kellerman raised many an eyebrow with her exploits in world swimming circles and for her risqué appearances in films depicting her as a mermaid.
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The Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA) of Proserpine is celebrating 100 years this July and, to coincide with their big centenary, they are hosting one of their famous Devonshire Teas in August.
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Thrills and Spills at Queensland Mud Trials The annual Queensland Mud Trials held in Sarina thrilled audiences once again, with competitors travelling across Queensland, as far west as Mount Isa, and New South Wales, as far south as Boomi, to participate. It was truly a grudge match, with New South Wales versing Queensland in the matches, tensions running high, and audiences eager for the smoke of engines working. Separated into five categories – Junior, Standard, Buggy, Bombs, and Top Gun – the
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Set to the backdrop of a beautiful Autumn Day, the St Catherine’s Catholic College Under 8s Day was a massive success.
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The Pioneer Valley played host to the Corry Cycles ZACH MACH Adventure Challenge on Saturday May 6, attracting over 100 adventure-seekers from across the country. The ZACH MACH Adventure Challenge celebrates the life of former Mackay Christian College student Zach Roberts, who tragically lost his life in a traffic accident at the age of 18 and has become a beloved tradition in the Mackay community since its inception in 2013. The challenge features four stages of intense adventure activity, incl
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Over two days of powerful music, the Airlie Beach Hotel is bringing two massive powerhouses to the Whitsundays. This tribute show is unlike any other, with world class act Anita Spring as Dame Olivia Newton-John coming to Airlie Beach for the first time ever and performing alongside Brendon Chase as Elvis Presley.
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Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday night fixture results May 9, 2023: Division 1: Ferrari (Andrew McHugh, Robbie Richards, Lee Brake) d Mercedes (Mark Sleeman, Geoff Denman, Daniel Warfield) 9-2. Andrew d Geoff -6, 6, -9, 10, 7. BMW (Emma Widdup, Ian McKay, Ivan Perkins) d Jaguar (Tim Shehan, Barry Patterson, Anne Sheridan) 6-5. Barry d Ivan 2, -5, 6, -12, 6. Lexus (Graham Brake, Mark Poplawski, Allan Edwards) d Audi (Mick Ruhl, Janice Kent, Duncan Treloar) 7-4. Allan d Janice -7, -5, 5, 7, 8. Division
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