Issue #

New Crossing Near Canelands

A new signalised pedestrian crossing has been installed on Mangrove Road to improve pedestrian connectivity and safety in the Mackay City Centre.The signalised intersection is now operational.It replaces the old zebra crossing and features traffic lights, pedestrian signal displays and line marking.

Refresh Your Home

Sometimes we feel our home gets cluttered and needs a refresh, however, the budget doesn’t have wiggle room for a full home-renovation makeover. There are many simple and cost-effective improvements you can do yourself that can make your home feel brand new – which don’t have to cost a fortune. Simple changes like freshening up your home décor, updating tapware or repainting a wall can make all the difference.

LICENSE TO CHILL

Spending more time at home over the last few years means the search for style inspiration for outdoor living has never been greater. Making spaces work harder for longer seasonal use is the current garden trend.

Urban Greening Strategy Adopted

Mackay Regional Council has a plan to make Mackay cooler, greener and more connected.It’s all part of council’s new Mackay Urban Greening Strategy, which was adopted at last week’s ordinary council meeting.Urban greening is the process of strategically identifying ways to protect, plan and plant vegetation across urban areas, including streets, parks, reserves, car parks and waterways.

NQBP Announces Community Fund Recipients

Science and technology education, conservation and sailing skills are among nine community initiatives to be supported under North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation’s (NQBP’s) 2022-23 Community Fund.

A Sweet Partnership With The Sugarcane Industry

Did you know that in the 2020-2021 financial year, Queensland produced 96 per cent of Australia’s sugarcane?In a partnership that goes back to the 1900s, the Queensland Government is continuing its support for Queensland’s sugarcane industry with a 5-year $14.25 million funding grant to Sugar Research Australia Limited (SRA) for research, development and extension (RD&E) activities.

Allan Cameron Rotary Park Upgrade

The Allan Cameron Park in Walkerston is now open after recent upgrades. Allan Cameron Rotary Park was originally a Walkerston Rotary Club project in partnership with Mackay Regional Council - way back in the year 2000.

BMX Wraps Up Wheely Great Season

Academic Awards For Walkerston Students

Congratulations to St John’s Catholic School’s Harrison Freiberg and Nathan Salter and Walkerston State School’s Sophie Vassallo who were recently presented academic awards by the Walkerston Rotary Club.

Light And Hope This Christmas

The image of the man, woman and baby in the darkened stable has had a powerful hold on people’s imaginations over millennia. What makes it so powerful? Maybe it’s because so many can identify with the man or the woman, huddled in darkness, turned away from the inn, apart from family. How many people now feel displaced, not ‘at home’ in their surroundings? How many suffer the darkness of loneliness, betrayal and rejection? How many dwell in the shadow of illness and grief?

IT MAKES GOOD CENTS

Imagine if for minimal or no expense, your business can make changes that will allow you to increase your customer base and your bottom line? Interested…?

Vandals Ruin Popular Play Area For Christmas

A climbing unit and hammock swing located in Iluka Park playground in East Mackay will be temporarily closed while council waits for replacement equipment to arrive. Mayor Greg Williamson said vandals had recently targeted the play equipment, which was due for renewal.

No Room In The Inn

This Christmas how can you make room in your life for the Christ-child, the Saviour of the world?Christmas is a time for awe, wonder and response. The angels sing glory to God. The shepherds proclaim the birth of the king of the world. Mary rejoices that God chose her to carry the Saviour. The wise men follow a star, are overwhelmed with joy, and kneel down and worship the babe of Bethlehem.

Farewell 2022!

And just like that another year draws to a close. As we wrap up 2022, I’ve been very reflective. I don’t know why I do it but every year I look back on what was. It's bittersweet because I must turn another year older, but it feels good to see the back of this one. Finally, we have gotten on top of the COVID pandemic, life is going back to a real normal around the world and I am honestly so excited for 2023.

School Holiday Guide

Event Guide

Special Cat Finds Special Home

Three-year-old Ron has become the first cat in Mackay to be rehomed by RSPCA Queensland’s Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) rehoming program.Ron will spend his Christmas in the care of his new loving family after being adopted earlier this week.

Festival Brings World-Class Musos To Eungella

World class musos brought locals together at the Eungella Community Hall over the weekend, as part of the Festival of Small Halls Summer 2022 Tour.Festival of Small Halls features folk-pop songwriter Sam Buckingham from northern New South Wales and young traditional-folk trio Inn Echo from Canada, while they tour small communities up the east coast of Queensland.

A New Flag For An Independent Nation

A Mackay resident has designed and created a potential alternative to the current Australian flag that she says encompasses all current flags.Valerie Christiansen says she got her creative genes from her father who designed, planned and built houses.“He was very good at designing plans, he sat in his office forever designing plans and building houses,” she said.“I think I got the talent from him to design.”

Family Fun At Parkside

School holidays kicked off with a bang at Parkside Plaza last Saturday. Visitors of all ages were treated to face painting, a petting zoo, games and prizes, with HitFM broadcasting live from the plaza and businesses like Baskin Robbins and Active Blends getting on board with activities and specials.‍

Local Artist Among Best In Queensland

A budding Mackay artist is one of thirty Year 12 students across Queensland to have been crowned winners of the 2022 Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art. Whitsunday Anglican School (WAS) student Alexandra Clifford was recognised for her Collagraph Triptych piece titled ‘Disguised in the Dark’ which was inspired by an excursion to Cape Hillsborough National Park.

MARATHON MAN

“If I can inspire someone to get out of the door and run, then that’s pretty special.”His goal was to run one marathon, but fate had a different set of plans for Kay Nyenuh.This December, Kay completed his sixth marathon in six months, including the world’s largest marathon in New York City a month prior.It all started with a desire to run the Gold Coast Marathon, but COVID-19 restrictions put a spanner in the works.

QRL Remembers Rugby League Legend

Tributes have flown following the passing of Mackay rugby league legend Mick ‘Wombat’ Aprile last month. A tough second row forward who always made 50 tackles a game, Mick played first grade for Mackay Brothers from 1963 until he retired as a player in 1971, winning premierships with the club in 1967 and 1970.

World Cup Star Re-Signs With The Cutters

Mackay Cutters Hooker Kyle Schneider has re-signed with the club following a terrific 2022 season that led to his representative debut for Scotland in the Rugby League World Cup.

Oztag Refs Recognised

As the 2022 Oztag season came to a close last Wednesday, two of Mackay’s stalwarts were recognised for their contributions to the game by Oztag Queensland.Referee Courtney Gordon was awarded 2022 Female Referee Of The Year and Head Referee Damien Horwell was nominated for his service to the game.