Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
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Local green thumbs gathered last week to celebrate the official opening of Sarina Landcare Catchment Management Association’s (SLCMA) expanded community nursery—an exciting milestone made possible through a $9,000 Community Grant from Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank. The event marked the completion of Stage 1 of the expansion project, which aims to boost the nursery’s capacity to grow native plants, engage volunteers and support environmental rehabilitation projects across the Sarina r
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Thick smoke rising from Marian Mill on Sunday afternoon drew attention across the Pioneer Valley, as emergency services responded to a fire within the Mackay Sugar facility. Mackay Sugar confirmed the incident involved a blaze in the mill’s bagasse bin. “There has been an incident today (Sunday 18 May) where a fire has become alight in the bagasse bin at our Marian Factory. The fire is now officially under control and all our people, employees and contractors, are safe and accounted for,
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Imagine living in a world where reality is constantly shifting – where the past and the present mix with the imagination, and paranoia creeps in. Based on a play by French writer Florian Zeller, The Father was released as a film in 2020, featuring Anthony Hopkins as an elderly father in the advanced stages of dementia. The film was nominated for six academy awards, as well as best actor (Hopkins) and best supporting actress (Olivia Colman). The stage play is now coming to Kucom Theatre i
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Did you know that already this year 28 Australian women have been killed as a result of domestic and family violence? This is not someone else’s problem – we all have a part to play in preventing this scourge on our society. So, what can you do to help? The combined Rotary Clubs of Mackay have collaborated with several other local organisations to take action. Our mission is clear and powerful. We aim to inspire values of respect and accountability – especially among young men. We also a
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Conference To Champion Culture Over Compliance In high-risk industries, safety is more than a checklist—it’s a culture. That’s the message behind Resource Industry Network’s 2025 Safety Conference, set to take place on Friday 23 May at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre. Themed Safety Starts with Us, this year’s event serves as a timely reminder that safety leadership isn’t confined to policies and procedures. It starts with people—every team member, every day. RIN’s annual S
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Serious Crash Under Investigation, Laguna Quays Police are investigating a serious two-vehicle crash that occurred last Sunday, May 18, at Laguna Quays near Proserpine. Around 10.25am, a group of motorcycles had been travelling southeast along Kunapipi Road when a Honda VT400C collided with a silver Holden Colorado coming from the opposite direction. A second motorcycle, a Kawasaki VN800 carrying a pillion passenger, lost control and crashed into a nearby ditch. The rider of the Honda,
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By Amanda Wright The unmistakable scent of race fuel, scorched rubber and hot chips hung in the air, as the roar of engines echoed through Palmyra for the 2025 Sugar City Titles, a full-throttle festival of speed and spirit. From pint-sized prodigies to silver-haired speedsters aged 6 to 68, the Mackay and District Kart Club was alive with heart-pounding hairpins, high-speed skids and flag-flying finishes. With Mayor Greg Williamson on the starter’s line and legendary race caller Kev Davies at t
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I was at a bloke’s house doing an appraisal the other day and saw a phone on the wall and it took me by surprise. It shouldn’t have surprised me because it wasn’t that long ago that everyone had a phone on the wall. Okay, some people kept the phone on the kitchen bench or on a stand in the hallway or, if they had two, one was on the bedside table. Ooh, flash. The point is that it was only a few years ago that you’d expect to see a phone on the wall. And we didn’t call it a landline way
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The countdown is on to one of Mackay’s most loved community events — and this year’s Family Fun Day is set to be bigger, brighter and more joyful than ever. Hosted by Mackay Hospital Foundation and presented by Gardian, the much-anticipated event will roll into BB Print Stadium on Sunday 1 June from 10am to 2pm, bringing with it a full program of free rides, family entertainment and live performances. Entry is $10 for children aged over two, with adults free — and the one-time ticket pri
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If Mackay had a middle name, it’d be “Eventful.” From dirt-kicking rodeos to dazzling stadium takeovers, this region doesn’t just host events, it wrangles them, races them, and occasionally feeds them fairy floss. Last weekend, Nebo brought the yee-haw with its annual rodeo, and if the dust has finally settled, it’s only because we needed room on the calendar for a flurry of fun runs, triathlons, and the type of Lycra that really shouldn't be seen in slow motion. But don’t hang up your c
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As industries evolve and workforce demands shift, understanding the expectations of the next generation is essential for employers seeking to attract, retain, and develop future talent. The Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s next event – 7:30am Thursday 5 June at Wilmar Sugar and Renewables, Proserpine Mill – will explore what today’s apprentices, trainees, and early career professionals value most in a workplace; from culture and leadership to flexibility, purpose, and career progr
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This week is National Volunteer Week where we celebrate the power of volunteering to bring people together, create lasting relationships and strengthen our communities. The theme this year is ‘Connecting Communities’ and I can hand on heart say the volunteers across the Whitsunday region have an enormous impact in ensuring our communities are thriving and inclusive. The breadth of volunteer groups in our region is far-reaching – from the SES, marine rescue crews and wildlife carers to museum gu
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Sign Up To The Whitsundays First ‘Masterclass For Mums’ Whitsunday mums and local practitioners with specialised skills are being invited to participate in the region’s first ‘Masterclass for Mums’, a short, paid program that aims to support maternal wellbeing and help families thrive. This brand-new initiative is designed for mums of all ages and stages and will run four times over the next 12 months. Program creator and founder of Motherhood & Matrescence, Amanda Jackson, said this was not a
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In Bowen, Coastal Esthétique Skin Clinic, led by aesthetic nurse Leonie, is revolutionising local access to professional skincare treatments and products. Leonie’s passion for aesthetic nursing was ignited in 2012, but after acquiring her Diploma of Midwifery, she focused on consolidating her skills in this area. While traveling Australia with her husband and welcoming their children into their lives, she took the time to nurture her clinical expertise. After settling in Bowen, Leonie recognised
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Last Wednesday, the Bowen Chamber of Commerce hosted a meeting featuring a speaker from Muroona Gardens and QCoal. The board of Muroona outlined its role as a not-for-profit aged care provider since 1964, employing 165 locals and offering residential care, home care, and independent living units. They emphasised challenges such as uncertainties in funding, nurse shortages, and rising dementia rates and consequential care demands, alongside plans for 24 new dementia care rooms funded by a $14.7
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When the going gets tough, the tough get going! At the beginning of May, I knew this would be the busiest month of the year, and I braced myself for impact. Three kids' birthdays, two weekends away, one magazine deadline, staff on holiday, family visits, and... we’re moving house! The last three weeks have been a whirlwind, and I think many of us can relate to the madness of mid-year. It feels like the year is flying by at full speed, and May seems to be the peak of it all. Despite all this,
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The Queensland Government has launched the exciting new “All the Best” campaign, celebrating the State’s favourite produce and places, ahead of Queensland Day on June 6. From the best pie to the best pint, Queenslanders across the State are being encouraged to put their town on the map and vote for their local ‘bests’ across 15 categories, including: • Fish and chips • Meat pie • Coffee • Bahn Mi • Parmi • Ice cream • Burger • Beer • Pub • Café • Event • Big thing • Beach • Landmark • Natural
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The picturesque Lake Proserpine Campground will host two distinctly different yet equally exciting events this month, drawing hundreds of locals and visitors to this incredible lakefront location. On Thursday 12 June, the Queensland Music Festival’s Reef Sundowner will bring a relaxed evening of soulful performances to the lakeside, followed by the high-energy, Barra and Boots Music Festival, on Saturday 21 June. Both events are family-friendly and attendees can expect a laid-back country vibe
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Locals in Jubilee Pocket may have noticed some welcome changes at their neighbourhood store, with new owners Nathan Parker and Tayla Clout taking the reins in September last year and steadily breathing new life into the business. Alongside Tayla, Nathan has been working hard to restore the shop to its full potential, making it a place the community can rely on and be proud of. “We are rebuilding the business, trying to bring it back up to a standard that the community wants and needs over here
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New Program Boosts Student Success At Bowen High In 2025, Bowen State High School has launched the Hands on Learning (HOLA) program as part of its Flexispace learning initiative. This practical in-school program aims to enhance student engagement, wellbeing, and attendance by providing opportunities for students to uncover their talents and achieve success through meaningful, hands-on projects. HOLA is an initiative of 54reasons.org.au and supports students to develop the social and emotional c
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Club Medal & Level Achievements In Part Two of our end-of-season wrap-up, we shine a light on the swimmers who reached important performance milestones throughout the season. These awards are based on official qualifying times achieved in our home pool at Club Nights, Club Championships, or Cannons-hosted Carnivals – and they represent dedication, determination, and consistent improvement. First up, we celebrated recipients of the Club Medal, awarded to swimmers who have achieved up to four qua
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We’re happy to report that the weather was beautiful for the Queenfish and Trevally Rally last weekend, and the winning fish was a GT. If you’re not already a member of the Whitsunday Game Fish Club, we recommend becoming one. Not only is it fun getting involved in local fishing comps, it’s also a great way to connect with the local fishing community and make new friendships. Dam Based on the reports we’ve received, fishing at the dam the past week has been much better than the week prior, wit
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The new pennants season is underway, with local bowlers enjoying a mix of social matches and competitive fixtures over the past week. Social Bowls Results On Wednesday, a lively group gathered for social bowls, with two matches played. Trevor Parsons, Bruce Uhe and Heather Brown defeated Trevor Parsons, Mary Hedgelong and Mike Harrison in a convincing 28–10 win. In the second game, Arthur Griffith and Barry Zillmann took a solid 21–8 victory over Alen Sanderson and Philip Brown. Sunday’s socia
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