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March is a powerful month of celebration and reflection, marking International Women’s Day, Queensland Women’s Week, and International Women’s Month. It’s a time to honour the incredible women in our community—mums raising the next generation of champions, grandmothers sharing their golden wisdom, business leaders breaking barriers, students striving to make a difference, frontline workers saving lives, and those who unite women through networking and support. These women are the backbone
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Simon Hood, Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing As the ground dries out and activity picks up on farm, so does the activity of our Grower Marketing team. We are in the process of organising our popular shed meetings where we come on farm and update growers on our recent results, the global sugar market and new products or services we can offer. This will be followed up in June with a regional tour by our Senior Sugar Trader Peter Bingham to deliver an in-depth analysis of global produ
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International Women’s Day provides a highly visible lens to spotlight women’s contributions and elevate issues, however this special day should be only part of the story. If we are to effect real change, we need to be influencing and advocating for change as part of ‘business as usual’. Women’s influence is everywhere in society – as parents, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, friends, teammates, and colleagues – and historically while many of these roles are informal, they should not be unde
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Mackay has been blessed so far this year, avoiding the worst of natural disasters. But when ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred devastated Southeast Queensland, our local emergency services stepped up to help those in need. Sixteen Mackay police officers, including newly promoted Superintendent Dean Cavanagh, deployed south to assist their counterparts. Their dedication embodied the Queensland spirit—showing up when it mattered most. Our SES volunteers also answered the call, with 85 personnel fr
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If your idea of marketing to women involves pastel packaging, soft imagery or throwing a “girl boss” in there, it’s time for a rethink. Women make up a massive part of the consumer market, but too many brands still rely on stereotypes that srsly miss the mark. The good news? It’s not hard to do better – here’s how >> Drop the stereotypes Not all women are into babies, cooking + fashion (srsly – have you seen what I wear??!). Not all Mums want “Mum life” products. Women are just as di
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The Zonta Club of Mackay’s International Women’s Day High Tea was bigger than ever this year, bringing the community together to celebrate women’s achievements and push for meaningful progress. Held with the generous support of Area Specialist as the major sponsor, the event featured raffles, silent auctions, and thought-provoking panel discussions on the 2025 UN theme, March Forward – It’s Time to Turn Promises into Progress. The afternoon was a celebration of resilience, highlighting th
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In one of the region's biggest drug busts in recent times, police have charged three people with drug trafficking and possession following a major search warrant operation in Mount Pleasant. Mackay’s Tactical Crime Squad, along with the assistance of the Dog Squad, executed a search warrant at a Lachlan Street address last month on February 28. The operation uncovered over a staggering $1 million worth of cocaine, methylamphetamine, and cash. Authorities confirmed the seizure included ap
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Last Thursday night, underwater hockey sessions featured a focused group of five players who engaged in a productive warm-up, honing essential skills that are crucial for performance. The players were put through a series of drills emphasising puck control, particularly the importance of maintaining head-up play, which encourages awareness and strategic movement without fixating on the puck. “It’s a lot trickier than it sounds,” said Joel Sadleir. The session also included an innovative drill
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Congratulations to Riley James on his selection for the Aussie Steelers squad. This incredible opportunity will take him to Canada from July 8 to 14, where the team will defend their 2022 championship title. Riley’s journey in softball began with the Angels in 2004 as a young junior. Since then, he has represented Mackay, Queensland, and Australia on numerous occasions. Volunteer and former coach Cheryl Martin said, “As one of many coaches that have coached him, I always found Riley to be a ve
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Championship and B Grade Pairs Last Sunday was an exciting afternoon of bowls, with both the Championship and B Grade Pairs finals taking place. In the Championship Pairs, Chris Woo and Debbie Mackenzie claimed victory over Marie Bragg and Lorraine Silman. Meanwhile, the B Grade Pairs saw Min Andrew and Ann Smith secure a well-earned win against Sue Hazledine and Coral Francis. Both matches were played in great spirits, with plenty of skill and laughter throughout. Congratulations to all compe
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The Mackay Road Runners Construct Health Mackay Physio 3km Club Championship (CC) was a great success, despite the intermittent rain showers during both the pre-race briefing and post-run presentation. A big thank you to Sarah and Nick from Construct Health Mackay for once again sponsoring the annual event and donating special clinic vouchers to the first and second-place male and female runners. Over fifty runners and supporters challenged themselves against not only the weather but also the fa
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By Amanda Wright The Liberal National Party (LNP) has pledged $500,000 to upgrade the Northern Beaches Bowls Club if elected, boosting the local community’s social and sporting hub. Federal Member for Dawson, Mr Andrew Willcox, announced the funding at the club, confirming the federal contribution would match the $500,000 already committed by Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm from the Queensland state government. “This is a very important project for our community,” Mr Willcox said. “The upgra
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The Whitsunday Zone Pairs was played over the weekend of 15th and 16th March, with 24 pairs including Airlie Beach Bridge Club and Bowen Bridge Club coming to play in Mackay. Category A (Open) winners were Tex Sheedy and Noel Bugeia from Mackay Club. Category B (Understate) winners were Jill Brabon and Beverley Lowcock from Bowen Club. The winners will travel to Brisbane in October to play in the Queensland Open Pairs. Results For Week Ending Sunday 16 March 2025 Monday 10 March 2025 – 5
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John had a blinder in Tuesday morning Mackay table tennis fixtures last week, winning all his matches including a rare defeat of Branko, -5, -12, 9, 6, 9. And there was absolutely nothing between Ken and Iris, Ken getting up -3, 10, 12, -11, 10. What a great competition! Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday morning fixtures March 11, 2025: **Division 1: ** Saturn’s Rings (George Camilleri, Charlie Payne, Coral Morgan) d Solar Comets (Doug Dungavell, Judy Zahn, Bryan Morgan) 7-5. Coral d Bryan 10, -4,
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Fresh off its critically acclaimed run, YOAH by Cirque Work is set to captivate audiences at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre (MECC) on 27 March. After winning both the Adelaide Fringe Weekly Award for Best Circus and the Critics Circle Award, and delivering sold-out performances, this visually stunning and emotionally resonant production continues to push the boundaries of contemporary circus. Blending Japanese traditions with cutting-edge digital artistry, YOAH is an electrifyi
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The first event in the 2025 “Off the Beaten Track” Trail Run Series, the Full Moon Ultra, lit up Rowallan Park on 14 March 2025 with endurance, grit, and a whole lot of mud. Athletes had long been calling for a local endurance event, and ActiV8 Adventures proudly delivered under wild and windy conditions that tested every competitor’s preparation and determination. Friday night’s forecast didn’t disappoint. Rain, wind, and thick mud made for a rugged trail that demanded both physical toughness
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Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) will host EndoMarch next week, a public engagement event to raise awareness and understanding of endometriosis. Those attending will have the opportunity to meet the Mackay Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Service team, learn more about endometriosis and ask questions in a relaxed and informal setting. The morning event will begin with a 30-minute presentation by Mackay HHS Obstetrics & Gynaecology Specialist Dr Wojciech Szubert. Morning tea and
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By Amanda Wright and Hannah McNamara Rain poured over Mackay as women gathered at the Neighbourhood Hub for the unveiling of a powerful new symbol in the fight against domestic violence—the Red Bench. The downpour mirrored the silent tears of countless women who endure abuse behind closed doors, reinforcing the bench’s purpose: to spark conversation, offer support, and remind victims they are not alone. Installed outside the Neighbourhood Hub at 4 George Street, the striking scarlet benc
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Meet Cindy-Jo Zahmel – a woman whose integrity and passion for serving others shines through in everything she does. On weekends, you might just find Cindy in the heart of Mackay, volunteering with Mackay Street Chaplaincy, a Christian-based organisation that offers practical support to those in need while enjoying the city’s nightlife. As a member of the Mackay Street Chaplaincy team, Cindy and her fellow volunteers provide essential services to the public from 10:00pm to 3:30am on Frid
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Mackay’s rising mountain biking star, Camden Brownsey, has made a name for himself on the national stage after claiming double gold at the 2025 GWM Mountain Bike National Championships in Mount Buller, Victoria. Competing in the Under-13 category, the 11-year-old sensation secured first place in both the Cross-Country Short Track (XCC) and Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) events, leading from start to finish in both races. Held in the stunning alpine terrain of Mount Buller, the championship brough
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Cr Alison Jones has always had a heart for community, advocating for those whose voices often go unheard. For decades, she has dedicated herself to ensuring her community is seen and represented, approaching every challenge with resilience and a keen eye for what’s right. Her journey into public service was not only driven by personal ambition, but by a deep-seated love for the people and places around her. “I didn’t see myself as a politician,” Alison admits. But when the community enco
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I grew up in the era of "Girls Can Do Anything" bumper stickers. I don’t remember if there were fancy corporate lunches with keynote speakers and goody bags—maybe there were—but I was in high school. Fighting gender stereotypes was something I did on my lunch break. The bumper sticker spoke to my battle cry. Because even though the music was better in the ’90s, the treatment of women and girls in school, in sport, and in the workplace? Frankly, it sucked. Women were underpaid, overlook
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Workplace Health and Safety (WH&S) isn’t sexy. It is well-known to be a difficult thing to prioritise when you’re busy keeping your business afloat. It may as well have dank, greasy hair and be dressed in a faded brown overcoat with boots and no socks. It’s not that attractive, and that’s how I personally felt when we recently reviewed our WH&S policies. While most of us are cognizant of the fact that WH&S compliance is one of those things you don’t need until you do; there is the busy l
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The Mackay Woodturners Association Expo saw an impressive turnout over the weekend, with visitors of all ages drawn to the craftsmanship and creativity on display. Held at Snow Wright Court in Beaconsfield, the event showcased a stunning collection of handcrafted wooden pieces, from elegant homewares to intricate toys and bespoke furniture. One of the biggest surprises for attendees was just how affordable these high-quality, handmade items were. Many assumed bespoke craftsmanship came with a h
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Mackay has taken a significant step forward in addressing homelessness with the arrival of its first-ever sleepbus. This highly anticipated addition will provide vital support to the region’s most vulnerable community members. Despite the national Sleepbus organisation ceasing operations due to financial difficulties, Safe Sleep Mackay (SSM) successfully secured the delivery of the sleepbus, marking a milestone for the region. Lisa Jamieson from Safe Sleep Mackay expressed her excitement
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