Issue #

Mackay Contract Bridge Results

The final of the Queensland Women’s Selection Trials was held in Brisbane on April 3. Four Mackay members travelled down for the competition that was held over two weekends. Well done to the ladies that were selected (pictured). Mackay Contract Bridge Weekly Results

Marian Bowls News

On Wednesday March 15, the Harvest Triples were held at Marian Bowls. There were 16 teams that played two games of 15 ends. Most of the district was represented and a good time was had by all. First: Marian - Doris Fry, Judith Miller and Lyn Jackson. Second: Suburban - Ahondi Ray, Rhonda Meng and Florence Keft. Third: Northern Beaches - Debbie Adams, Lynda Leyshon and Jill Hancock. Contributed by Lyn Jackson

Mackay Bowls Club News

Mackay Bowls Club Ladies’ Section had a successful Presidents at Home day on Friday April 14 with a full green of 48 players from various clubs around the Mackay district. The games were played with good sportsmanship and much laughter was heard. After the game, players were invited to have lunch.

Sledding To Success

It’s a narrative not unlike that of the Jamaican bobsled team. An athlete preparing for a sport that takes place in the north American winter, training in tropical heat with not a flake of snow in sight. The Iditarod is the biggest sporting event in Alaska; an annual long-distance sled dog race across 1,500 kilometres, seeing teams race through blizzards, sub-zero temperatures and gale-force winds. Mackay’s Christian Turner was an unlikely late entry in the 2023 race, but the circumstances arou

Great Barrier Reef Rays To Bolster Brisbane Cricket

After two successful seasons, the Century Cricket Competitions Brisbane Senior Tournament (formerly the Brisbane Premier League) is expanding throughout the state for its third iteration, welcoming the Mackay-based Great Barrier Reef Rays. The Rays are one of two new teams to be added to the 2023 season, alongside the Eastern Comets Adelaide All Stars, with the tournament pitting 10 Senior teams against each other in two pools of five.

Dolphin Does Gold Coast

Pioneer Dolphin, Ella Bounden, travelled to the Gold Coast this past week for the Australian Age Championships. You will remember this budding star from a recent article. Ella did her club proud swimming the 50m backstroke amongst the best of the best at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre. Whilst she described her event as not going to plan, she still managed a personal best. She loved the experience and looks forward to swimming at Nationals again next year. Congratulations Ella – you have i

Exploding With Power

A Mackay Christian College (MCC) student set a box jump record at City Fitness earlier in the year while completing school-based training sessions. Standing at around 162cm, John Morano jumped 1.2m to set the record, a record that has since been matched albeit by much taller athletes than he. 13 students participated in the sessions across six weeks facilitated by Steve Eden of City Fitness Health Club.

Get Active Day in Bowen

Dangerous Canister Washes Up In Airlie

A canister containing aluminium phosphide pellets was found washed up in Airlie Beach after recent wild weather along parts of the Queensland coast last week.

Settlement Reached In 2018 Airlie Lagoon Drowning Case

An out of court settling has been reached following a five-year legal battle with the widow of a Chinese commercial airline pilot who drowned at the Airlie Beach Lagoon with his five-year-old son in October 2018.

Editor's Note

Hi Everyone,Last weekend we bought a dog.This is my first time as a pet owner and jeez this week has been an interesting learning curve!

A Sea Of Pink

An enthusiastic group of Collinsville residents have been acknowledged for their incredible fundraising efforts by being named a Mater Foundation Community Hero.

Power Signs For Cowboys

Bowen State High School graduate and Whitsunday Brahmans junior player Shaniah Power has signed a two-year deal to join the inaugural North Queensland Toyota Cowboys NRLW side.

Council Delays Planning Scheme Amendment

Whitsunday Regional Councillors have delayed their decision on major amendments to the planning scheme, citing the need for “more time” to look over a whopping 999-page document.

INQUEST ANNOUNCED In Luke Gilbert Police Shooting Death

An inquest into the death of Luke Gilbert, who was tragically killed in a police shooting in October 2022, is due to be held in Cairns in August.

What Happened To The Puma Servo?

The Puma Service Station in Cannonvale closed its doors suddenly last week with staff saying they were given very little notice before they were left unemployed.“Yes, they closed us forever, the lease wasn’t renewed,” said a staff member named Anthea.

“Enough is Enough”

Whitsunday Regional Councillors have deferred a decision on a short-term accommodation (STA) application in a move to take a stand on further exacerbation of the region’s housing crisis.

ANZAC Day Commemorations In Your Region

This ANZAC Day, the Whitsunday community will gather to honour all the Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in conflicts, wars, and other service operations, marking their involvement and suffering on our behalf. Lest we forget.

Honouring Our ANZACs

Local historians return to community cemeteries this weekend, in support of buried ANZAC soldiers and ex-military personnel.

Meet Our New Journo!

My name is Bronte, and I am the new cadet journalist with the Mackay and Whitsunday Life newspaper.I’ve relocated from the regional city of Armidale, in New South Wales.

Councillor Column

Hello everyone! I hope a wonderful Easter period was had by all and that everyone enjoyed being out and about in our beautiful region.

Volunteers Needed For Community Litter Audit

A year on and it’s time to clear, sort, and record the plastic pollution caught in the 15 litter traps that have been placed in the waters as part of the Whitsunday Gross Pollutant Trap project.

Passport Winner Announced

One lucky Central Queensland lady is celebrating this week having received a phone call to inform her she is the winner of the Visitor Information Centre Passport Competition and will now receive $2,100 worth of vouchers to spend in the region.

Council Endorses Flying Fox Management Plan

Whitsunday Regional Council has devised a flying fox management plan with short and long-term strategies in hopes that concerted action could lessen the adverse impact of the protected species in Collinsville.

KITCHEN GARDENS Norina Jane From Whitpro

Did you notice the influx of dragonflies! More than I have seen in a long time in the Whitsundays.“A lot of dragonfly mean the Wet has ended” (June Djiagween, First Nations Person)