Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
The Mackay community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of 18-year-old Andrew Lelliott, who tragically lost his life in a single-vehicle crash near Moranbah on Thursday, August 8. Andrew was travelling as a passenger in a silver Toyota Hilux when the vehicle left the roadway and collided with a power pole on the Peak Downs Highway. Despite the efforts of emergency services, Andrew, from Balberra, was declared deceased at the scene. The driver, an 18-year-old Beaconsfield man, sustained minor in
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TABLE TENNIS Season 3 Morning Fixtures – Results 2 – 29th August 2025 Division 1 - Tiger Paws (Allan Robins, Bryan Marshall, Ross DeBoer) tied 6-6 against Wolf Pack (Andrea Nicholson, Pam Joyce, Helen Ware) Shark Attack (Geoff Cowan, Peter Goodson, Marie Taylor) drew 6-6 Bear Claws (Judy Zahn, George Camilleri, Kevin Abbott) Lions King (Don Boettcher, Donna Abbott, Veronica Shepherd) defeated 8-4 Eagle Wings (Branko Vucurovic, Noreen Frederickson, Coral Morgan) Division 2 – Falcon Flyer
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With more than fifty runners taking part in the annual North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) Open and Podiatry Mackay Junior Magic Mile, the competition was fierce from the starter’s gun. The Podiatry Mackay Junior Club Championship was held ahead of the NQBP Open Club Championship in breezy but sunny and cool conditions on the scenic Mackay Marina Breakwater. NQBP once again played a pivotal role in the event, closing the breakwater to vehicle traffic for one hour during racing and sponsori
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Mackay Junior Rugby Union is set to launch its 2025 season in style, with a community sign-on day and first training session scheduled for Sunday, August 17, from 2pm to 4pm at Quarry Hill, North Mackay. The club, which continues to grow under the leadership of its dedicated president, is opening its doors to players of all experience levels, from absolute beginners to seasoned juniors. Training will be held Friday nights, with Sunday games and a full calendar of carnivals in Emerald, Airlie Be
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The first week of the Anne Hird Memorial Trophy was played on Wednesday for novices (under 100 mps), who play with three different experienced players over three weeks. The trophy is in memory of Anne Hird and Beanies for Brain Cancer. Anne was a supporter of encouraging new players, who can only win the trophy once. This is a high honour for all beginners. Weekly Results Monday 4 August 2025 – 8 Table Mitchell Green Points N/S E/W 1st Janelle Conroy / Robert Carless 1st Mary Rose Ramsden / Sa
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Red Cat Adventures has secured continued funding from the Australian Government's Tourism Reef Protection Initiative, allowing the Whitsundays-based eco-tourism operator to expand its reef conservation efforts through to May 2026. Since joining the program in late 2022, Red Cat Adventures has taken an active role in protecting the Great Barrier Reef by training its staff in reef health monitoring, predator control, and data collection. This important work is integrated into the visitor experien
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In the early hours of Sunday at 2:48am, supermaxi Wild Thing 100 roared into Mackay Marina to secure back-to-back Line Honours in the 2024 GCCM Gold Coast to Mackay Yacht Race, a challenging 520-nautical-mile offshore event. This second annual race attracted 27 yachts from across Australia and New Zealand, up from 19 in its inaugural year, highlighting its rapid growth and increasing prestige. Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson welcomed the fleet’s arrival, as over 4,000 people gathered at Mackay Mari
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Five years ago, we launched a brand-new newspaper… during a global pandemic. At the time, some thought we were bold. Others thought we were completely bonkers. Fair call. But we knew this region needed a local paper that brought people together, one that celebrated the good, covered the tough stuff honestly, and never resorted to clickbait just to get attention. Thanks to you, our readers, our advertisers, our community, we’re still here. Still independent, still in print, and still prou
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Pre-Loved Baby Clothes Aid Families At Mackay Special Care Nursery Teeny weeny pre-loved baby clothes are bringing comfort and care to families of sick and premature babies at Mackay Base Hospital. Wild Tribe Clothing Exchange & Preloved Clothing has once again donated baby clothes to the hospital’s Special Care Nursery (SCN), supporting families in the region who are doing it tough with their tiny bubs in hospital. Thanks to incredible support from their community of families, founders
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North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) is nearing the final stages of a major CCTV upgrade project. The project, first announced in November last year, has seen the upgrade and installation of more than 50 CCTV cameras across NQBP’s three ports of Abbot Point, Hay Point and Mackay. Preparations are now under way for the installation of the last camera for the Port of Mackay’s Southern Breakwater. NQBP Chief Executive Officer Brendan Webb said the project has seen several benefits
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Community Safety On Two Wheels And Four Paws Officers from the Northern Beaches Police Station, alongside the Mackay Dog Squad, hit the streets last week with their Mobile Police Beat and trail bikes to promote e-scooter safety. Locals were encouraged to ask questions, share concerns, and learn more about responsible scooter use in shared spaces. A highlight of the day was a visit to a local primary school, where Police Dog Barron became an instant celebrity. With tail wags and plenty o
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New Constables Join Mackay And Whitsundays District Five newly graduated constables have officially joined the Queensland Police Service in the Mackay and Whitsundays District, bringing fresh energy and a strong sense of commitment to the region’s frontline policing efforts. The officers, who recently completed their training at the Queensland Police Academy, will now begin their first year of service under the guidance of experienced field training officers. District Superintendent Dean
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A group of fourteen students in Years 10 and 11 from Whitsunday Anglican School made history as they participated in the School's inaugural Oxbridge Academic Tour, travelling to the University of Cambridge last month. The prestigious programme, inspired by the international reputations of both Oxford and Cambridge Universities, offers a transformative learning opportunity for students with high academic aspirations. The tour ran from 7 – 23 July 2025, beginning with three days of cultura
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OPINION PIECE Australia is blessed with abundant resources — coal, uranium, sunshine, wind, and water. We should have the cheapest and most reliable power in the world. Instead, electricity bills are soaring, reliability is falling, and households are feeling the squeeze. The gap between what we are paying for power and what we should be paying keeps growing. Investors are walking away from major wind and hydrogen projects, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill. Even members of the governmen
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Kerryn Grieve spent six years on dialysis before he received a life-changing kidney transplant earlier this year. The Mackay father of three had been spending five hours at a time, three days a week at Mackay Base Hospital on haemodialysis after dialysing at home was no longer an option. Kerryn was diagnosed with end stage kidney disease in 2018 which was secondary to his lupus diagnosis 10 years earlier. “You are placed on the kidney transplant waitlist when you first start on dialysis
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With school back in session and wheels spinning across footpaths, Mackay Whitsundays Highway Patrol is cracking down on the illegal use of electric motorcycles and personal mobility devices, targeting safety before speed. Since Operation Wolfking commenced in January, police have administered 54 charges, including driving unlicensed, driving uninsured, driving unregistered, and driving a defective vehicle. Police have also completed 35 street checks and issued 82 infringement notices, wi
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Mackay is once again rolling out the welcome mat for its Sister City, with ten students from Matsuura, Japan visiting this week as part of a long-standing cultural exchange. Mayor Greg Williamson formally welcomed the delegation last Friday during a civic reception, highlighting the enduring strength of the 35-year relationship between the two cities. “This is the continuation of a 35-year relationship with our sister city in Japan, Matsura,” he said. “Every other year we send studen
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Help Make A Difference In Mackay The St Vincent de Paul Society—known locally and fondly as Vinnies—is calling on compassionate community members to join in its mission of offering hope, dignity, and practical support to those doing it tough in Mackay. "Working with the St Vincent de Paul Society is a powerful way to live out our Christian faith in action—through love of God and love of neighbour," says Regional President Richard Calligan. “While we are proud of the spiritual foundation
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What a fantastic week it’s been in Mackay! Despite the winter chill, our community spirit has been on full display. I’ve been out and about across the region—listening, celebrating, and continuing to advocate for the issues that matter to locals. I kicked things off at the Bluewater Fling—there’s nothing quite like the sound of the mighty bagpipes and a sea of tartan to celebrate Scottish heritage. The music, culture, and dancing made for a memorable day. It was also great to catch up w
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When it comes to legends of the surf, few names command the respect of Reg Buttler, and recently, that reputation was etched into history with the awarding of a rare and remarkable 75 Year Pin. The milestone recognises an extraordinary lifetime of service to surf lifesaving, beginning in 1950 at Forrest Beach Surf Life Saving Club, when budgie smugglers were woollen and sunscreen was a novelty. Now based in Mackay, Reg has become a cornerstone of the Mackay Surf Life Saving Club and a fa
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OPINION PIECE There has been a lot of discussion regarding the council bi-election and varied opinions on what makes a good Councillor. Firstly, everyone has a democratic right to stand for election. Under the Local Government Act there is no specific qualification that you need, but there are plenty of things you need to learn and do to properly represent the people who voted for you. I would like to reflect on my experience as a local government representative for the past 21 years. Fir
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At Papa Ben’s Coffee Van You can’t miss it – the bold yellow van, the scent of freshly ground beans in the air, and the signature grin of Mackay’s very own barista-on-wheels, Ben Fiegert. Behind the wheel and the espresso machine at Papa Ben’s Coffee Van is a man who gave up a long career in the mining industry to follow a passion that was percolating for years… coffee and community. After 17 years of mining life, Ben made the bold decision to trade in the work boots and hi-vis for an apr
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Vote Jeff Keioskie For Mackay Regional Council In a by-election that will shape the direction of Mackay’s future, one candidate stands out not for promises made under fluorescent lights, but for decades of work done under the sun and on the ground. Jeff Keioskie, a familiar name within building and business in our region, is putting his hand up to serve on the Mackay Regional Council. With more than 45 years in the local construction industry and generations of family ties to the region,
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By Owen Menkens, CANEGROWERS Chairman As we approach the midpoint of the 2025 crush, it’s clear this season is shaping up very differently to the one we endured last year. In 2024, widespread delays, mill breakdowns, and wet weather left many growers stuck in the paddock and well behind schedule. This year, thankfully, we’re in a better place. Dry conditions have helped keep the wheels turning. Some districts are even ahead of schedule, a rare but welcome sight. Mills are running more reliably
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Simon Hood, Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing In a volatile global sugar market, having the right marketing partner can make all the difference. Wilmar Grower Marketing is helping local cane growers take charge of their sugar price exposure with tailored support, flexible options, and proven results. As one of world’s largest sugar traders, Wilmar offers growers the confidence to navigate changing market conditions. Whether you're someone who wants hands-on involvement or would rather leave
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