🍼Mackay’s first baby of 2025 | Mackay’s inspiring nominees | Renewable Energy boost | QLD’s free flu jabs | Whale shark love life revealed and more!
Today's newsletter is 886 words, a 4.4-minute read.
Welcome back to our epic weekly newsletter; it’s January 9.
🎲 👻 That’s Fun: Here’s a classic and free game of Pacman to help you ease back into the first few work weeks of 2025.
In today's email
One Big Thing: Celebrating Mackay’s 2025 Australia Day nominees
Albanese Government leads: In renewable energy approvals
Free flu vaccines: For all Queenslanders in 2025
Trending: First baby born in the Mackay region for 2025
Around the web (Snippets): Grok’s unhinged news mode, Facebook marketplace changes, 10 fun facts about jellyfish and more.
Upcoming events
Mackay Weather - Weekend Forecast
The Weekly Dream Gig
🚜Thiess is hiring Truck, Multi-Skilled, and Excavator Operators for the Caval Ridge Project in Moranbah. Earn up to $166,000 + super, with a 7/7 roster, flights from Brisbane, and BIBO from Mackay or Townsville. Enjoy perks like camp accommodation, meals, and corporate discounts.
Bring your heavy machinery skills, safety-first mindset, and Standard 11 certification to the team. Apply now and power your mining career forward!⛏️
Need to advertise a job? Contact us here👇
Live National Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: Celebrating Mackay’s 2025 Australia Day nominees
What’s Happening?
The 2025 Mackay Regional Council Australia Day Awards nominees, 102 individuals and groups, were announced from 115 nominations across nine categories, including a new Brenden Borellini Access and Inclusion Award.
Why It Matters?
These awards celebrate Mackay’s inspiring residents and underscore the community’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
Local Impact
The awards honour those who uplift Mackay through service, advocacy, and innovation. Winners will be celebrated on January 25 at MECC.
Check out full article for the list of nominees. ⬇️
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2. Albanese Government leads in renewable energy approvals
What’s Happening?
The Albanese Government has approved the 800MW Prairie Wind Farm in North Queensland, set to generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of homes in Mackay and other major cities combined.
Why It Matters
This project is a critical step in addressing climate change, reducing emissions, and providing clean, affordable energy while boosting local economies through job creation.
By the Numbers
70: Renewable energy projects approved, the most in Australian history.
8 million: Homes these projects will collectively power.
116: Wind turbines planned for the Prairie Wind Farm.
Local Impact
The Prairie Wind Farm will bring cleaner energy and up to 240 construction jobs to Mackay and regional Queensland, while adhering to strict environmental protections to safeguard nature.
3. Free flu vaccines for all Queenslanders in 2025
Queenslanders will once again have access to free flu vaccinations in 2025, thanks to the Crisafulli Government’s $25 million initiative.
The program, is open to all residents aged six months and older, continuing efforts to protect public health and reduce hospital pressures.
With over 79,000 lab-confirmed flu cases in 2024, the program aims to improve vaccination rates, which dropped to 29% last year.
GPs, delivering most vaccinations, encourage Queenslanders to use this opportunity to stay healthy and prevent serious illness.
The full article and more details👇
4. Trending
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
Facebook Marketplace is being forced to: Display eBay listings to appease EU regulators
Soccer fields flooded at Beaconsfield in Mackay: After heavy rainfall across the Northern suburbs of Mackay.
Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) has initiated: The removal of the derelict 49-metre vessel Endeavour Bay
ChatGPT has just been surpassed as the top free app by: Watch Duty, an app to track wildfires with live maps and alerts
QPS seeks input: from community Facebook group admins to create safer online spaces.
First-Ever Observation Of Whale Sharks': Mysterious love Life has been caught on camera
Billionaire Elon Musk, owner of X, teased that a mysterious: Unhinged News Mode is coming for X’s AI-powered chatbot, Grok
Here are 10 wobbly wonderful facts about: The ocean’s jellyfish
6. Upcoming Events
🛍️ Mackay Showground Markets: 11 January, Local Produce, Natural products, Seafood, Plants and much much more.
💃 Dance Fit with Elena: 12 January, Get active with great people at Dance Fit with Elena! Destress and let it all out on the dance floor! Don’t worry about making a mistake. Beginners are welcome!
🧠 Trivia Night @ Harrup Park | Mackay: 13 January, Get your team together for a night of fun, laughs, and brain-busting trivia! Whether you’re a seasoned trivia pro or just looking for a fun night out, our Trivia Nights are the perfect way to challenge your knowledge and compete for prizes. Plus, its FREE TO PLAY!
🛒 Mackay Farmers Market: 15 January, The farmers’ market showcases local, fresh produce and value added products from the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday Region.
🖼️ Artist's Talk - Danish Quapoor: 15 January, Join behind the scenes at Artspace – before our next suite of exhibitions officially open – for a free artist’s talk with artist-in-residence Danish Quapoor.
📚 Valley Page Turners Book Club: 15 January, Dive into our monthly book club and connect with fellow book lovers who share your passion. Exciting reads and great company await—don’t miss out! This event is for adults aged 18 years and older.