BUSINESS SHOWCASE
Keeping It Cool
When the heat of Mackay’s summer sets in, there's one name that comes to mind for keeping things cool: McGuire Air & Refrigeration. For over 30 years, this local business has been keeping homes and businesses comfortable, and now, the baton has been passed to the lively duo of Matthew and Che Ruddell.
Read the full storyLeaving Footprints In The Sand
Behind every great business is a passionate couple with a heart for serving others. With over two decades of love poured into Comfort Resort Blue Pacific, Nick and Cath Uit den Bogaard are preparing to trade the working day for late sunsets and coastal road trips.
Read the full storyProserpine Golf Course Celebrates 100 Years
The Proserpine Golf Club celebrated its Centenary on the first weekend of May and the excitement among members and locals was palpable. Whilst the club's genesis dates back to 1925, this landmark occasion is just as much about honouring its strong and thriving present as it is about reflecting on its rich and vibrant past.
Read the full storyWriting Their Own Chapter
When Dr Julia Evans and Richard Evans founded 852 Press in 2020, they weren’t just launching an independent publishing consultancy — they were building a platform for writers to take control of their own stories.
Read the full storyRevving Up Careers
McCarthy Panel Works hit the gas once again with its second Auto Ready course and Careers Expo held on April 16, following the success of its inaugural event. Co-owner Andrea McCarthy was eager to bring the initiative back, recognising the vital role hands-on training plays in preparing students for real-world automotive careers.
Read the full storyRewriting Futures Through Generosity
For many Australians living with disability or in care, life is lived on the edge of ‘just enough’. Enough to get by. Enough to pay for essentials. Enough to survive week to week.But what about joy? What about belonging, adventure, dignity… what about living?
Read the full storyA Taste of Tradition With Elisabeth Ribeiro from Deja-Vu
Elisabeth Ribeiro’s journey from Brazil to Australia at the age of 20 is one of resilience, ambition, and a desire to create something truly special for the people around her. Arriving in a new country with little knowledge of the English language, Elisabeth poured her time into her children for thirteen years before discovering her destiny as a business owner. Fast forward to today, she is the proud owner of Deja-Vu, a delightful gift shop café in Mackay that offers so much more than just a pla
Read the full storyThriving at Every Age With Jo Sainsbury from Kickass Women
A champion of empowerment through professional development, Jo Sainsbury, Founder of ‘Kickass Women,’ believes in embracing challenging and transformative pathways while collaborating with others to successfully reinvent oneself. “I consider myself as an on-going project and work in progress albeit heading towards my late 50’s and I’m allowed to be both a work in progress and help others grow at the same time,” shared Jo. “I’m one of those people who still has a healthy appetite for continual
Read the full storyThe Game-Changer Businesses NEED With Emma Armstrong from The Kollective Co.
Mackay’s business scene just got a seismic shake-up. The Kollective Co. has arrived—ready to redefine how businesses grow, connect, and thrive. But, this isn’t just another business hub—it’s a dynamic fusion of coaching, education, and holistic tools designed to elevate businesses from the inside out. Founded by Emma Armstrong, a business growth strategist who blends strategy with soul, she takes a no-nonsense approach to unlocking potential and driving high-impact results. Emma is sha
Read the full storyBreaking The Mould With Kate Collins of Taste Whitsundays
A key figure in the Whitsunday community, Katelyn Collins (Aslett) is a renowned philanthropist and business woman who smashes through barriers, innovates and catapults ideas into a new stratosphere. Completely redefining the way people transit through Whitsunday Coast Airport, Kate introduced a high-tech food offering at Taste Whitsundays and the results have been a game-changer. Meanwhile, her fundraising endeavours have seen her spearhead initiatives and drive campaigns where all she touches
Read the full storyA Journey Of ‘Yes’ with Dr Ritu Rana From Ritu Rana Medical
If you ask Dr Ritu Rana how she ended up in Mackay, she’ll tell you it started with a search for sunshine. What she found was more than just warm weather—she found a thriving career, a supportive community, and a life where medicine and motherhood go hand in hand. Today, she’s not just one of Queensland’s leading fertility specialists; she’s also a business powerhouse, balancing family life and a medical empire with grace, determination, and a knack for making the impossible seem effortless. Dr
Read the full storyBreaking Barriers, Closing Deals With Kelisha Day, Sales and Leasing Executive, Explore Property Commercial
At just 23, Kelisha Day is proving that age and gender are no barriers to success in the high-stakes world of commercial real estate. As a Sales and Leasing Executive with Explore Property Commercial, she’s not just finding the perfect spaces for businesses—she’s carving out her own place in an industry traditionally dominated by men. Kelisha’s story is one of grit, persistence, and a genuine love for helping people. Her journey began in 2019, not with a glamorous job offer, but as a determined
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