Issue #

Tinker, Sailor, Solder, Ply

Paradise – what’s not to love? Trent Ridout-Allen knows that best. For 10 years, he’s been in dreamland, taking on the role of Coral Sea Marina’s Operations and Asset Manager, maintaining and looking after one of the world’s best marinas – living in “the place where anyone would choose to take their holiday” too. How could you say no?

Auto Career Expo This Week

Young people who are interested in pursuing a career in the automotive industry are invited to come along to the MTA Queensland Auto Career Evening which is due to be held at McCarthy Panel Works on Wednesday evening.

New Whitsunday Moorings To Protect Reef

The Queensland State Government will install new environmentally friendly public moorings across the Whitsundays to protect The Great Barrier Reef.Thirty public moorings will be installed by Townsville-based company Pacific Marine Group to reduce harmful anchoring in the Great Barrier Reef and improve access to the World Heritage Listed site.

This time next week, it will be Good Friday, and you know what that means right?

One month until I’ll be in Brisbane for Magic Round. One month until Dad comes up to say hello to the grandkids. It will be three months until I head down south with my daughter to see Lizzo, and 5 months until I have to run a silly amount of k’s for the Sydney Marathon. This year is turning into one of the best and busiest on record. I’m excited for it to all happen.

Property Point

The rental crisis is real in Australia and in Queensland and Mackay is no exception to the rest of the country. Anyone who is renting or looking for a rental property will be aware of the challenges and costs involved. It is a perfect storm for renters because landlords are facing increased costs because of interest rate rises … their mortgage payments have gone up and they are looking to increase rents to help cover the extra expense.

“Birders” Enjoy a Nature Walk

The first in a series of guided nature walks took place last week on the Glen Isla Wetlands and participants were excited to see a range of wildlife living peacefully within the serenity of our natural environment.

Why I Joined The Pioneer Catchment & Landcare Group

In 2020, I expressed an interest in being the council representative on (PCL) Pioneer Catchment & Landcare Group Inc Management Committee. I have to say that being part of this committee is so rewarding and I have learnt so much, but still have much more to learn. The committee is made up of some very passionate people who bring skills, knowledge and experience to the committee and that is what makes it successful. Add to this the amazing PCL staff who come to work each day with a positive mind

Cruisin’ Whitsunday Show and Shine

Avid motorists are gearing up for the seventh annual Cruisin’ Whitsunday Show and Shine which is due to be held at the Coral Sea Marina Community Gardens at the end of May.This year will be a whole weekend spectacular with events scheduled to entertain and delight visitors from across the state.

Training Available In A Call Out For Haulout

The Mackay region is steamrolling towards the 2023 crush and now is the time to get on board with CANEGROWERS Mackay’s Haulout Driver training courses. There is a high demand for haulout drivers at farms across the region during harvest season, and CANEGROWERS Mackay goes out hard to attract labour from the local workforce, but also from outside the region, with travelling rural workers and “working holidayers like backpackers and grey nomads.

GEORGE AUGUSTUS WAITE A Man among Men

A Wheely Good Morning For Riding Your Bike

In an action-packed week for St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, hundreds of students, parents and siblings jumped on their treadly and rode to school for National Ride to School Day. Meeting and departing from Pioneer Swim Centre, students rode their elaborately decorated bikes through the Gooseponds to the school where they were met with breakfast provided by Mackay Regional Council.

Pharmacy Changes Hands After 90 Years In The Family

After 60 years in the industry, a local pharmacy icon is moving onto her next chapter after selling her Mount Pleasant based business. Lynette Dupuy started working in a pharmacy at the age of 15, following in her father’s footsteps, and will finish her tenure this weekend.

Speechie Talks Free Support Program

Parents will soon have the opportunity to engage with a Speech Pathologist at a series of free educational sessions due to be held in a relaxed and social setting at our local libraries.

Harmony Day In Mackay

Schools, businesses and organisations across the region came together last week to celebrate Harmony Day. Grade 6 students at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School celebrated Harmony Day by hosting a play, scavenger hunt, chalk art and eat street markets, celebrating the 46 different cultures represented in the school.

Get ‘Geed Up’ For Easter

‘The Boys’ are back in town for an enormous Easter Weekend of three back-to-back-to-back shows at The Airlie Beach Hotel in what they promise is “a performance like no other.”

UNIFY In Mackay

Some of Australian music’s heaviest hitters are heading to Mackay after Unify Gathering announced their touring festival UNIFY Off The Record 2023. The rock, metal and punk festival, usually held in South Gippsland, Victoria, announced it will be taking a break in 2023, touring a mini festival around Australia instead visiting Mackay, Wollongong, Adelaide, Hobart and Frankston.

Cheese, Wine, And Art Auction

Art lovers and passionate community members are invited to a special cheese and wine evening due to be held at the 3 Little Birds Espresso Bar in Airlie Beach tonight.

An Easter Message

This Easter you are invited to attend church to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God. At Easter, Christians are called to put aside the cares of work, family, and holidays to worship the triumphant risen Lord. ‘Up from the grave he arose’, is the first line of the 1874 gospel song by Baptist pastor and church musician, Robert Lowry, ‘with a mighty triumph o’er his foes.

The MECC Will Bring The Funny To Mackay

One of the country’s largest Comedy Festivals is sending its best and brightest on the road to arrive in Mackay on April 27. The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow will return to the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre (MECC) with familiar favourites from this year’s Festival line-up, alongside the most talked-about breakthrough stars of the moment.

Empire of Light

Sam Mendes’s ‘Empire of Light’ is beguiling, undoubtedly, eventually finding a flow after its early portions, which can often feel overwrought or anxious. Directing and penning the film, Mendes has a deal to contend with. Though, with his credentials, audiences can back him. He has an immense and startling array of talent at his disposal – the invariably praised cinematographer Roger Deakins; the presently-deified (and justifiably so) Olivia Coleman. Yet, despite everything, the film begins in a

An Easter Message

Christ dies, and Christ lives. Sure, but what difference does it make to my life? Well, the Easter story is actually about everyone’s life. Jesus endures what all of us face at some time: betrayal, injustice, hurt, insults, suffering.

Sidewalks And Skate Parks, Aerials And Varials

No skater starts knowing how to ollie, kickflip, or even just move forward on the board – and that’s where Bowen PCYC’s free Skateboarding Workshop comes in.The local not-for-profit organisation is inviting enthusiasts of all ages and all abilities to head to Queens Beach Skate Park this weekend for live demonstrations, tutorials, and a free sausage sizzle.

Celebrate Red Dog’s First Birthday

It was one year ago that the Mackay community excitedly came together to check out the new watering hole in town, Red Dog Brewery. Offering fresh and flavourful beers made onsite, as well as a unique range of independent spirits and drinks, Red Dog clearly filled a gap in the market because, one year on, the brewery is going stronger than ever and is excited to invite everyone back for a big first birthday celebration.

“Extraordinary Support”: Over $5000 Raised At Dementia Morning Tea

Hundreds of Whitsunday locals attended Quota Whitsundays’ Dementia Morning Tea fundraiser and raised between five and six thousand dollars in support of Proserpine Nursing Home residents who are living with the devastating condition.

Event Guide

Friday 31 March Autumn Orchid Show Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm and Saturday, 8:00am to 3:00pm Mackay and District Orchid Society Inc presents their Autumn Orchid Show at the Sporting Wheelies Hall. Orchids for sale. Pots, Potting Medium, Tags etc. Orchid Culture Demonstrations. $2 coin donation. Raffles Email: mdos.secretary@gmail.com. Phone 0435002990. Webpage: www.mdos.com.au. Sporting Wheelies Hall, 78 Bridge Road, South Mackay