🚢💯 SeaLink scores perfect in Whitsundays
Coward punch statistics | QLD's Athlete Hunt | Rhythm and the Reef | Play Uno on Youtube and heaps more
Welcome back to the Mackay Minute, it’s May 29th.
Today's newsletter is 1,074 words and a 5-minute read.
In today's email:
One Big Thing: SeaLink scores perfect in Whitsundays
Mackay joins: QLD’s biggest athlete hunt
Coward punch cases: spark call for reform
Trending: Rhythm and the Reef 🎸💥
Around The Web (Snippets): Google trains AI to decode dolphin chatter, Trump’s Golden Dome explained and more
Upcoming Events
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1. One Big Thing: SeaLink scores perfect in Whitsundays
What’s Happening: SeaLink Marine & Tourism’s Whitsundays experiences earned perfect 100/100 scores in the 2025 Best of Queensland Experiences ratings.
Why It Matters: These scores highlight SeaLink’s excellence in customer satisfaction, sustainability, and tourism leadership across Queensland.
Local Impact: Mackay stands to benefit as increased visitor demand strengthens its role as a gateway to the Whitsundays.
Smooth Sailing Ahead
New tour upgrades, like an enhanced Tongarra Day Sail, are planned for 2025.
What The People Say: CEO Donna Gauci: “These ratings give travellers confidence they’ll get the very best with SeaLink.”
What To Look For Next Watch for expanded experiences and even more sustainable tourism options across Queensland. Read more in the full article below 👇
2. Mackay joins QLD’s biggest athlete hunt
What’s Happening: The YouFor2032 Talent Search, powered by RACQ and using AI-driven assessment, is now live in Mackay. Locals can discover their Olympic and Paralympic potential through the YouFor2032 app and in-person scout events.
Why It Matters: It’s a game-changing opportunity for regional youth to access elite sporting pathways—no coach, no gym, just talent and a smartphone.
By the Numbers
Ages 13–23 can trial for Olympic sports like Athletics and Rowing
Ages 13–30 can enter Paralympic streams like Swimming and Wheelchair Rugby
Daredevils aged 8–13 can try BMX Freestyle, Diving, and Skateboarding
Local Impact: Young athletes in Mackay can connect directly with QAS talent scouts, helping shape future sporting careers and putting Mackay on the Olympic prep map.
Sporting Dreams, Just a Tap Away: The app’s accessibility means talent from any background can shine—with or without traditional training resources.
What To Look For Next: Enter here 👇
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3. Coward punch cases spark call for reform
A landmark study by Monash University and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine has shed new light on coward punch assaults in Australia, analysing 287 convictions between 1990 and 2020.
Published in Medicine, Science and the Law, the research aims to inform future legislation and public safety measures. Findings reveal that these violent, often fatal assaults usually occur at night in public spaces and involve male offenders with alcohol commonly a factor. The data underscores the urgent need for targeted policy responses and community education.
In Mackay, where nightlife and public events are common, the findings present a clear case for local government and community action.
Education programs, violence prevention strategies, and stronger enforcement of existing laws could make a significant difference. Advocates like Danny Green and researchers such as Dr Reena Sarkar and Associate Professor Jennifer Schumann emphasise that legal reform must be paired with public health campaigns to drive lasting change across the country.
4. Trending
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5. Around The Web (Snippets)
Legally blind Mackay rider: Jayde Cloke gears up for the QLD State Equestrian Trials, proving determination knows no limits.
What even is Trump’s: Golden Dome missile system and how would it actually work?
Construction begins on Mackay’s: $2M North Wall Beach upgrade, with improved access, parking, and seating set for late 2025 completion.
Council invites locals to help shape: the draft Mackay Waterfront Place Strategy by choosing priority actions to enhance the City and Riverfront.
Google is training a new A.I. model to decode: Dolphin chatter, and, potentially, talk back
Team line-ups for: Mackay vs Norths Devils in Round 10 of the 2025 QLD Cup Season.
Victoria’s Secret hit by: Outages as it battles a cybersecurity incident
MADEC unveils a dual wheelchair-accessible van for: Mackay, boosting transport options for locals with disabilities and community groups.
🕹️That’s fun: Play Uno on YouTube using your keyboard! (Tip: use ‘Option’ instead of Control’ on a Mac)👇
🕰️ In Case You Missed It:
6. Upcoming Events
🎤 King Parrot – Album Launch Tour: May 31, 2025 – McGuire's Hotel, Mackay. Experience the high-energy performance of King Parrot as they launch their new album, "A Young Person's Guide To King Parrot".
🏃 BMA Mackay Marina Run: June 1, 2025 – Mackay Marina. Join one of Australia's premier running events, featuring a scenic half marathon and other race distances along the beautiful Mackay coastline.
🧶 Yarnbomb Mackay: June 2, 2025 – Mackay City Centre. Join the community in creating colourful yarn installations throughout the city, celebrating creativity and collaboration.
🎭 Lions Rock Pop Mime 2025: June 4–5, 2025 – MECC Auditorium, Mackay. Witness the 41st annual dance and mime spectacular performed by local primary and secondary school students.
🎾 Queensland Pickleball Tour – Mackay 2025: June 6, 2025 – Pickleball Mackay, 125 Kippen Street, Mackay. Compete or spectate in this exciting tournament as part of the Queensland Pickleball Tour.
🤝 Together for Shelter – Homelessness Event: June 5, 2025 – Queens Park Oval 1, Mackay. Participate in this community event aimed at raising awareness and support for homelessness issues in the region.
Community Contributor - Thought for the week
Save us from ourselves?
Humanity is a kingdom, like the animal, vegetable; mineral kingdoms; personal self aside, regardless of race culture religion country, we function also as one species, sharing one ultimate destiny through evolution.
Therefore, brother/sisterhood is not a choice; it is a fact of nature.
The challenge? Put the mean, the obnoxious, the myriad of ‘personality’ conduct aside. Just for a moment, can you open your mind and visualise every single soul- the entire human race?
Love is a force of nature, and very different to personal emotion or desire; cultivate it,embrace humankind, visualise the illumination of our species.
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