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Subscriber only Mackay residents are spoiled for choice this May Day long weekend with a social calendar chock-full of events. When: 7.30pm, Sunday May 2 Where: Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre, Alfred Street, Mackay What s happening: Renowned Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated artist Toni Childs will perform in Mackay to support the Daily Mercury s Hub for our Heroes campaign. Toni Childs will appear at Tanks Art Centre. Picture: supplied. Inspired by her father and her own mental health struggles, Toni Childs backs PTSD Frontline s mission alongside Sir Peter Cosgrove and Australia s oldest surviving Victoria Cross recipient Keith Payne to develop a first responders and veterans treatment centre at Kinchant Dam.
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Subscriber only A much-needed cash injection will help Mackay and Sarina lifesavers do what they do best instead of focusing on fundraising for their future. Surf Life Saving Clubs across Dawson and Capricornia can apply for a share of $9.7 million to upgrade equipment and bolster training programs to keep beachgoers safe after the Federal Government. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the additional funding would help save lives, building on a further $21 million over the next three years for the Water and Snow Safety Program. Our surf lifesavers play such a vital role at our beaches saving lives and dealing with emergencies in the water and on the beach day in, day out, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
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Subscriber only A major event on Sarina s social calendar will return this year after it was cancelled in 2020 because of COVID-19. Sarina Surf Life Saving Club s Cruisin the Coast Fun Run is back for its second year on Sunday, May 2. The club held the inaugural fun run in 2019 with all funds raised going towards the club itself and the Cancer Council of Australia. Sarina Surf Life Saving Club run co-ordinator Kent Street said there would be some changes to the major fundraiser this year. We have got to follow all COVID-19 regulations as far as contact-tracing competitors, Mr Street said.
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Subscriber only What a massive year it has been for the Mackay region with COVID-19 and the local and state elections undoubtedly the guiding forces. With that there has been a renewed vigour on speaking out on the issues that mattered. So without further ado, here are some of the Mackay region personalities who featured in the headlines throughout 2020:
Vicki Blackburn Vicki Blackburn, a mum plagued by what ifs since her daughter was brutally killed in Mackay almost seven years ago, has never stopped fighting for justice. She started off 2020 by hosting an awareness morning tea before she bravely pushed through the findings of an inquest into Shandee Blackburn s death in which the coroner found John Peros responsible.
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THE Community Diary offers free entries to not-for-profit groups, organisations, clubs and schools in the wider Mackay region.
Email details of your event, under the subject ‘Community Diary’ to heidi.petith@news.com.au
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16 CHRISTMAS lights bike ride hosted by Corry Cycles and Tri-Activ8: add tinsel, baubles, stars and lights. Mandatory bike (and rider) dress-up as well as stops for ice-cream, prizes for best dressed. Average pace will be 23km/h. Free event, starts 6.30pm. Meet at Corry Cycles, Corner of Gordon and Milton St, Mackay. HOLIDAY STEAM club for children aged five to seven: explore the fascinating world of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Imagine, invent, discover and create with challenging and entertaining hands-on activities. Free event, 9.30-10.15am, Gordon White Library. Book via Eventbrite.