🤖Optimus humanoid robots | Coronado starts mining at Mammoth | Fresh start for Mackay Base Hospital | Mandatory eID for livestock | ICYMI The Mackay Minute top articles of 2024 and more!
Today's newsletter is 821 words, a 4.1-minute read.
Welcome back to the Mackay Minute it’s 2025 and our first epic weekly newsletter for the year!
We sincerely thank you for sharing 2024 with us and look forward to continuing to grow with you all over another weird and wonderful 12 months ahead.
It’s January 2. 😎
💸 That’s Fun: Spend Bill Gates' Money is a quirky and free online game where you try to burn through $100 billion by buying everything from Big Macs to skyscrapers.
The Mackay Minute team splurged on five Superbowl Ads, two Mansions, made a movie and still had billions left!😲
In today's email
One Big Thing: Coronado begins coal mining at Mammoth Underground
ICYMI: All the big things from our last newsletter of 2024
Australia’s livestock traceability upgrade: Mandatory eID 2025
Trending: Relocating to Mackay
Around the web (Snippets): A massive mammalian comeback story,51 most disruptive Startups of 2024 and more!
Upcoming events
Mackay Weather - Weekend Forecast
The Weekly Dream Gig
Join STEM Tech Club in North Mackay as an After-School Club Teacher and inspire young minds with fun, hands-on projects like building air rockets, slime-making, and circuits! With $40–$80/hour, flexible hours (2:30–4:30 pm, Mon–Thu), and all materials provided, it’s perfect for those who love working with primary-aged kids.
Bring your energy, enthusiasm, and a sense of humour to this rewarding role. Apply now and turn after-school chaos into creativity! 🌟📚
Need to advertise a job? Contact us here👇
Live National Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: Coronado begins coal mining at Mammoth Underground

Coronado Global Resources has begun coal mining at the Mammoth Underground Mine in Blackwater, Queensland.
Officially opened by Queensland Minister Dale Last, the mine is part of the Curragh Complex, which includes two open-cut operations. Mammoth uses a bord and pillar system and builds on existing resources, extending the asset life of the complex.
The mine is expected to produce up to 2 million tonnes of saleable coal annually by 2025. It strengthens regional employment with over 2,250 workers already at the Curragh Complex.
With 290 million tonnes of reserves, the Curragh Complex has a 20-year mine life.
Check out full article ⬇️
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2. ICYMI - All the big things from our last newsletter of 2024
🎇 Australia's Google results of 2024 | Our final 2024 newsletter | Top articles and more!
Welcome back to the Mackay Minute, our final Thursday newsletter of 2024.

3. Australia’s livestock traceability upgrade: Mandatory eID 2025

Australia is introducing mandatory electronic identification (eID) for sheep and goats starting 1 January 2025.
This system will use RFID devices to improve livestock traceability and biosecurity. The new eID tags will allow animal tracking within minutes, replacing the slower visual tagging system. The government has allocated $20.4 million to help farmers transition and $26.6 million to upgrade databases.
In Queensland, the rollout will happen in two stages, with all sheep and goats requiring eID by 2027. This change aims to protect the livestock industry from disease outbreaks and improve efficiency.
Support and financial assistance are available to help farmers adapt before the deadline.
4. Trending
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
Here are the 51 most disruptive: Startups of 2024
68-year-old East Mackay woman: Has died following a fatal traffic crash.
From 40,000 in 2004 to 2.8 million in 2024, here is a story about: One of the most significant mammal recoveries ever recorded
Fresh Start: for Mackay Base Hospital.
A deadly terrorist attack this morning in: New Orleans killed 15 people
Mackay’s Basketball Ben Ramsay debut: As a Technical Official at the WNBL.
Tesla Cybertruck explodes outside Donal Trump’s: Las Vegas Hotel, found to be full of fireworks and gas canisters
1,000 Optimus humanoid robots will: Be working at Tesla this year
6. Upcoming Events
🧧 Golden Fortune: 3 January, Welcome the Chinese New Year with luck, joy and Golden Fortune at Harrup Park! Throughout January, when you eat, drink or play at Harrup Park you'll earn tickets into our exciting Golden Fortune draws. With a guaranteed $17,888 in cash to be won throughout the month.
🚛Learn to Tow in Safety - Mackay: 6 January, By attending Learn to Tow course you will enjoy the benefits of having skilled instructors teach you in a friendly supportive environment. This course is designed to build your confidence and skills with lots of practice.
🍵B2B Brews are BACK: 7 January, Ease your way back into work with a coffee, and a catch up - our first B2B Brews of the year is proudly sponsored by Get It done Training.
⚙️Young Engineers Summer Workshops in Mackay: 8 January, Young Engineers workshops are coming back in Mackay. We’ll be using LEGO, motors and sensors to explore all the science and engineering of everyday stuff. Strictly limited spaces available for students from Year 1 to Year 9.
🎈Hive Inflatables Fun Day-Mackay: 9 January, Hive Inflatables are running sessions again which are all about fun active play on our inflatable playground.