Mabel Quakawoot at has been named 2021 Citizen of the Year. Mackay Australia Day Awards Gala Dinner. Picture: Tara Miko  If he s the measure of our next generation of adults, Mackay is in safe hands.  Young Citizen of the Year Emmett Withers started his charity Emmett 4 Animals when he was five years old and has gone on to help thousands of stray animals across the region. The other heartwarming moment of the night was hearing from last year s Lori Burgess Community Volunteer Award Kathryn Andrews. Speaking eloquently and passionately, she talked about how the disability sector, like many of us, had to find a way to explain the lockdown to their clients and find ways to maintain contact while we were in isolation.
There will be five separate events for both serious competitors and amateurs to choose from. They include a 3km run, 5km run, 5km walk, a 10km run and a five kilometre team challenge. The club s president Neil John said those interested in participating could find all the information they needed on the run s official website. We ve got some really awesome sponsors come on-board this year - Croyden s, Ray White, Community Bank Sarina and NQ Bulk Ports, Mr John said We re hoping COVID-19 stays away and we can actually run it this year, because we had to cancel it last year.
Login to follow Mackay s Harbour Beach was the place to be as locals soaked up the sun on Australia s national holiday. Hundreds celebrated at Mackay Surf Life Saving Club s Aussie Day Beach Party - a free event from Mackay Regional Council. Attendees enjoyed a giant water slide, beach volleyball and Aussie Day activities, including a thong toss competition and sack races. There was also live entertainment from R & R Unlimited.
A fresh claim of environmental damage has been levelled against Keswick Island head lessee China Bloom, with video footage showing the devastation occurring in the tropical paradise. Island resident James Asbury has renewed calls for the State Government to tear up the lease, saying he was disappointed that multiple government agencies were not taking action. Videographer and island resident James Asbury said he uploaded video of a dive in November near what he described as China Bloom s illegal boat ramp on the island. In front of the ramp itself as you can see, there s nothing but devastation and a coral graveyard where once coral gardens flourished, Mr Asbury stated in the video.
Harrup Park Country Club has released designs for the Great Barrier Reef Arena to Mackay Regional Council to gain approval for the $10 million project.
Harrup Park Great Barrier Reef Arena Mackay Regional Council released the decision notice for the $10 million Harrup Park Great Barrier Reef Arena in early December, which is expected to be shovel-ready in 2021. The document outlined conditions required to sign off with rules ranging from bus routes to garbage collection, and the number of bike racks and carparking spaces available. Paddock to bottle distillery The paddock to bottle Greater Whitsunday Distillery will make a range of spirits including vodka, gin, rum and schnapps with a possible expansion into wine and beer.