Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Council is encouraging residents to take advantage of the discount period by registering their pets before June 30. Registration renewal letters have been issued and should be in the mail for residents who have not opted to receive them electronically by email through eNotices. Mayor Greg Williamson said this month was the perfect opportunity for residents to get in early and ensure their pet’s registration was up to date. “A reduction in fees as much as 30 to 50 per cent can be claimed by re
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By Dean Kirkwood, General Manager, Resource Industry Network Safety leadership was brought into focus at the annual Resource Industry Network’s 2025 Safety Conference held on the 23rd of May at the MECC. Around 200 of the region’s safety leaders came together to hear from world class speakers and to unpack the latest techniques and strategies to help to continue the high standard of safety within their business. We received fantastic feedback from attendees which showed that the speakers
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A Time to Act, Not Just Account As the crisp air of winter descends upon Mackay and June 30 looms large, a familiar rhythm stirs for financially savvy households and enterprises alike. This isn’t just a date. It marks the finale of a fiscal year — a time to reflect, recalibrate, and position ourselves for the financial year ahead. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is ready. The question is, are you? For Our Local Businesses For the enterprising minds of Mackay, sharpening the books now
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CQUniversity and the QCCS Mackay Cutters have announced a new partnership focused on developing clear and structured pathways for both university students and emerging rugby league talent looking to build careers in elite sport. This partnership is set to bolster the pathway from Hostplus Cup and BMD competitions to the NRL and NRLW, providing our region's budding talents with a clear pathway to the elite level. The Mackay Cutters are a recognised feeder club to the North Queensland Cowb
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Last week, our publishing team had the privilege of attending the 2025 Queensland Country Press Association (QCPA) Conference and Media Excellence Awards — an annual gathering that brings together the heart of regional journalism from across the state. Held in Brisbane, the event reminded us that while the digital age may be reshaping how news is consumed, the need for trusted, community-driven storytelling has never been greater. That message rang loud and clear in the opening remarks fr
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Networking and learning were the themes of the morning at the fourth annual Manufacturers Breakfast held at the Resources Centre of Excellence (RCOE) at the start of June. The event offered an opportunity for local manufacturers to come together in a relaxed environment to share ideas and network over breakfast. Manager of the Queensland Manufacturing Hub in Mackay Deb Allan provided an overview of activities undertaken by Hub staff over the past 12 months and what local manufacturers ca
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The Mackay Regional Council has officially triggered the by-election process to fill the vacant councillor position left by the resignation of Cr George Christensen, following a special meeting held on Wednesday, June 4. The meeting, convened at 8.30am in the Sir Albert Abbott Administration Building, was called specifically to address the vacancy, which came into effect at 5.00pm on Friday, May 30. Councillors gathered to determine how the position—now legally required to be filled withi
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The highlight for most visitors to the Great Barrier Reef is their encounter with the myriads of coral reef fish…every size, shape, and colour. Very inquisitive and often right in your face. Unfortunately, the opportunity for that experience is changing. A study has found concerning new evidence of long-term declines in coral reef fish around highly visited inshore islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Scientists surveyed reefs at 100 sites around the Palm Islands, Magnetic Island, Whitsunday Isl
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Memories of time spent on Dent Island as recorded by Reg Hatch in his book “Dent Island 1959” – an extract. Reg was 20 years of age and a qualified painter when he left Brisbane in 1959 to “see what was over the hill.” On what was only his second plane trip, he arrived in Mackay and then, with two other passengers, flew to Lindeman Island on his first small-plane trip. After three weeks on Lindeman, Reg boarded the “Hossack H” bound for Dent Island. On Dent Island, the lighthouse is now an a
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In a powerful celebration of empathy, leadership, and community spirit, the B Kinder Foundation hosted its very first B Kinder High School Summit on 29 May 2025. Held at Proserpine State High School, the event brought together student leaders from Bowen State High School, Whitsunday Christian College, and St Catherine’s Catholic College. Far from a typical school event, the summit was designed to inspire students to become agents of change within their schools and communities. Through a series
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Hi Everyone, Whale season is here, and I’m eagerly awaiting the first sighting! This is truly my favorite time of year, there’s nothing quite like watching them swim alongside their calves, and send plumes of spray into the sky. To celebrate, I have had the idea to launch a fun new feature in Ruth2Reef called Whale Watch Weekly! If you capture a photo of one of these incredible whales, please send it to ruth@lifepublishinggroup.com. Your photo could be featured in an upcoming edition, with fu
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The first humpback whales we are likely to see close to the islands are pregnant females or females with newborns. Humpback mothers with calves spend as much of their time logging as possible. Logging is a form of rest where humpback whales float motionless near the water's surface, much like a log. They remain near the surface with their blowholes exposed to the air, allowing them to breathe. Whales must remain conscious while sleeping to breathe. During this resting state, humpback whales
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A once-abandoned gold mine near Proserpine is drawing renewed attention after modern testing revealed the presence of a large, mineralised system, with only a small area explored to date. The historic Dittmer Mine, discovered in 1934 and closed in 1951 after producing more than 54,000 ounces of gold, is being revived by Ballymore Resources. The company rekindled interest in the site last year after mapping and sampling unearthed several high-grade gold zones. Underground explorations have since
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The Whitsundays will soon play host to one of Australia’s most respected economic voices. David Robertson, Chief Economist at Bendigo Bank, is heading to Proserpine on Thursday, 10 July for a special community event – and everyone’s invited. Known for his ability to make complex economic trends easy to understand, David’s engaging and down-to-earth style has earned him a strong following, including on his popular YouTube series. With more than two decades at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank and a ca
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On Thursday, I had the privilege of welcoming guests to our Shute Harbour Marine Terminal to mark World Environment Day—a powerful reminder of why we must protect what makes our region so special. As the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, our Whitsundays is one of the most ecologically significant places in the world. From our reef to our rainforest, we’re not just caretakers of the environment—we’re leaders in sustainable tourism. Thursday’s event brought together environmental leaders, tourism
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Whitsundays Dancing CEOs Crowned 2025 Fundraising Champions & Win Community Awareness Award Coral Sea Marina’s Kate Purdie, SeaLink Whitsundays’ Julie Telford, Whitsunday Transit’s Candice Crossley and Whitsunday Family Dental’s Alice Harriott are officially ‘Dancing Queens’ after raising nearly a quarter-of-a-million dollars for Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ) at Brisbane’s City Hall on Saturday night. Representing the Whitsundays as the region’s inaugural team of ‘Dancing CEOs’, these
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Monday’s self-selected triples saw Jim Steele, Chris Healey and Jenny Healey emerge victorious over Keith Janette and Norm Dawson in a strong performance. In other matches, Ron Hyde, Maureen Hyde and Alby Vigar defeated Sugar Brunker, Kevin Daniels and Kennedy Whitton. Trish, Bob and Leon also claimed a win over Robyn, Isobel and Merle. The jackpot remained elusive. On Tuesday, winners were decided on Rink 4, with Lindy Suann, Margaret Wilson and Penny Warren defeating Merle Elphinstone, Gavin
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This month, we meet Chamber members Jen and Doug O’Connor of Option Insurance Brokers—a new Whitsundays-based business offering personalised insurance solutions for businesses and individuals across Australia. Established in 2024, Option Insurance Brokers provides tailored cover across all major insurance types, including business packages, liability, commercial motor, professional indemnity, cyber, home and contents, landlord and more. Drawing on over a decade of industry experience in both co
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The Whitsundays is celebrating a historic milestone in its tourism industry, with over 120 local businesses across the region recognised in the 2025 Best of Queensland Experience Program (BOQEP). This record-breaking achievement cements the Whitsundays’ status as one of Queensland’s premier tourism destinations, showcasing the region’s diverse offerings and commitment to delivering world-class visitor experiences. From boutique accommodations and exciting tours to unique attractions, delicious
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As the cooler months settle in, mid-winter is the perfect time to give your home a thorough deep clean. Beyond the usual dusting and vacuuming, focusing on upholstery, concrete surfaces, and rugs can transform your space into a fresh, healthy haven. Here are some expert tips to get started: Upholstery Cleaning: Why Professionals Matter Your couches, chairs, and cushions absorb dust, oils, and allergens daily. Did you know that over time, dirty upholstery can become a hotspot for bacteri
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Did you Know? This Friday 6 June is Queensland Day! Join us for a free community event at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre from 4pm as we celebrate all things maroon! There’s something for everyone; free activities and facepainting for kids, market stalls, Aussie animal encounters, live music, circus shows, food vans and free lamingtons! As the celebrations outside draw to a close, stick around for a special cinema screening of Crocodile Dundee – The Encore Cut at 7.30pm (tickets sold sepa
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Over the weekend, seven members of our team proudly represented Life Publishing Group at the Queensland Country Press Awards (QCPA) in Brisbane. We were absolutely thrilled when our publications each took home an award — Mackay and Whitsunday Life earned gold for Marketing Campaign of the Year, Burdekin Life received silver for Best ROP Feature, and our talented cadet journalist Victoria Velton was awarded bronze for Young Journalist of the Year for her powerful coverage of the floods in Hinchi
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Living on the picturesque Hayman Island hasn’t stopped Hang Nguyen from chasing her dream of working in early childhood education. The dedicated student is currently completing a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121) through TAFE Queensland, which she studies online to suit her unique island-based lifestyle. “I do my course online because I am based on Hayman,” Hang explained. Hang said that she likes the flexibility of doing the course online, but most she enjoys wh
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Locals are in for a treat with an upcoming Gin and Food Pairing Event that promises to celebrate regional flavours through a unique collaboration between a local venue and boutique 74 Islands Distillery Set just a few weeks away, the event will feature six carefully matched dishes, created by chefs from both Club Whitsunday and 74 Islands Distillery, paired with four gins, two vodkas, and two cocktails crafted with 74 Islands spirits. The distillery, located just up the hill from Club Whitsunda
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