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The Daily Mercury is heading out to Midge Point and Bloomsbury

We cannot wait to return to the northern fringes of the Mackay region for our second My Town excursion up there.

My Town is headed to Midge Point from 10.30am to noon on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Picture: Heidi Petith
My Town is headed to Midge Point from 10.30am to noon on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Picture: Heidi Petith

The population might be small in the Mackay region's northern fringes but the stories are anything but.

Last time we went to Midge Point and Bloomsbury, we discovered an airfield village with a retro seaplane, celebrity insects, a wildlife park where you can handfeed cassowaries and a service station once home to a bird park.

Bredl's Wild Farm co-owner Daniel Bredl holding seven-year-old koala Alfio, during the last My Town visit to Bloomsbury and Midge Point. Picture: Heidi Petith
Bredl's Wild Farm co-owner Daniel Bredl holding seven-year-old koala Alfio, during the last My Town visit to Bloomsbury and Midge Point. Picture: Heidi Petith

We also learned how badly the community needed a boat ramp and the frustration of residents fighting for it.
But there were so many stories left untold which is why we're headed back for round two of the Daily Mercury and Mackay Regional Council's My Town series in the area.

Reporter Lillian Watkins, joined by Mackay Councillor Pauline Townsend, will be at Midge Point Community Hall along Midge Point Rd from 10.30am to noon on Tuesday.

Lillian is excited to meet residents, recognise unsung community heroes, uncover the quirky tales, celebrate businesses and explore issues you would like attention brought to.

Daily Mercury journalist Lillian Watkins. Picture: Heidi Petith
Daily Mercury journalist Lillian Watkins. Picture: Heidi Petith

My Town is about discovering more about our region and the people in the towns that foster deep pride for their residents.
It is your chance to tell us what you think is important.

And we want to hear from you.

Email Lillian on lillian.watkins@news.com.au or phone 4957 0344 to share your story.

And if you can't make it to the Hall on Tuesday morning but still want to get in touch, drop Lillian an email.

The My Town initiative has a reporter visiting a different town or area twice a month, and since its relaunch after Covid-19 lockdown, has visited Habana, Eimeo and Bucasia in the Northern Beaches as well as Eton, Calen, Kuttabul, Marian and Finch Hatton.

If you have a location in mind where we should meet, email us at mackay@news.com.au

My Town is about telling the stories of Mackay and surrounds that matter to you.
My Town is about telling the stories of Mackay and surrounds that matter to you.

From Mackay Regional Council:

The Daily Mercury's My Town initiative, supported by Mackay Regional Council, has been turning up some gems when it comes to inspiring community stories from all areas of our vast region.

We want to hear about community champions, milestones and what local groups in the area are working on.
Council continues to work to improve infrastructure in the area.

Upgrade works have begun at the Bloomsbury Water Treatment Plant to convert from using sodium hypochlorite to a chlorine gas system, which is safer and easier to maintain.

This $285,000 project is due to be completed by the end of September.

Recently completed projects in Bloomsbury include the $1.4 million Caping Road Bridge upgrade.

This council jointly funded the Bridges Renewal Program a with the Australian Government.

The Magees Rd bus turn location and the smaller bridge rehabilitation project for Coakley's Bridge were also both completed earlier this year.

 

Previous My Town stories:

 

Bloomsbury and Midge Point

IN PICS: Where you can feed cassowaries, emus in Mackay

A home among the gumtrees with an airfield out the back

Skydiving adventures reach new heights in Mackay

NO WORRIES: How a 31-student rural school is thriving

BUDGET SNUB: 'The boat ramp's a pie in the sky thing'

Flashback: The rural servo with talking birds

The Mackay critters leaving UK celebs 'scarred for life'

'Novelty' retro seaplane added to Whitsunday tour fleet

How a humble hall became a country town's heart and soul

Finch Hatton

Calls to 'bring the bloody train back' for tourism's sake

Vision to turn Finch Hatton into next Eumundi

Residents propose riverfront attraction for Finch Hatton

Pioneer Valley pub up for sale, friendly ghosts included

Next steps in making Pioneer Valley bike trail a reality

Finch Hatton community hubs rises from ashes of 2018 fire

Bucasia

Bucasia: A photo is worth 1000 words - these show a century

A woman of many badges: The story of a volunteer

Northern Beaches Rotary Club makes a dent on mental health

Walkerston

Phone glitch is hampering Walkerston business owner

What's in a name? For Walkerston, it's all Scrubby

Seaforth

Bowls club nears 50 years serving Seaforth community

'Extraordinarily tight': Seaforth at zero per cent vacancy

The Mackay seaside 'hidden oasis' booked out since Covid

From the red dust of Pilbara to the lush green of Seaforth

Eungella

The Mackay community crying out for a public playground

'Booming season': Tourism bright spot in Mackay Whitsundays

Mist-shrouded community gets new Men's Shed

No whey! Eungella dairy's new cheese factory plan

Sarina

How a community bank is improving Sarina's liveability

Sarina cafe's secret to thriving during Covid

'I was being called': Why Adele uprooted her life to Sarina

Calen and Kuttabul:

 

Friendships formed in corrugated-iron clad country hall

Mackay couple counts William the Conqueror as a relative

Cooking with gas: Zarby's Cafe celebrates 2nd birthday

Desire for new sports facility for Calen region youth

'Scary' Bruce Highway turn-offs on course for collisions

How a Calen cane farm became a tourist hotspot

Eton and North Eton:

Two years on from devastating Kuttabul house fire

Friendships formed in corrugated-iron clad country hall

Small town's headache over miners' long-term parking

Push for new ambulance station at Eton or Marian

New owner at the helm of 154-year-old pub

Widow waits for husband's funeral 6 months after death

North Eton State School rejoices for 125th anniversary

'We desperately want something done about it': Antoney's Crossing, Kinchant Dam

'You've got to have a lot of electricity in your body': Eton's water diviner

Habana:

Calls to prevent cyclists' deaths on Habana training route

Habana man's ukulele passion strikes selfless note

A Mackay castle fit for the bride and groom

Flashback: The heroic story behind a Mackay bridge

The hidden history of proud, culturally-rich Habana

Habana residents vent anger over subdivision stifling

Habana charm inspires city dweller's tree-change

$165K plea to build emergency assembly point at Habana

$47.1M boost for firefighters in the yellow trucks

Northern Beaches:

Northern Beaches club creates home for 'busy people'

GALLERY: Holiday travellers' pilgrimage to iconic pub

Eimeo's 'oldest resident' reveals wild history of beach

Northern Beaches crime fighting hub proposal

Mirani and Marian:

Mirani sweethearts' cheeky tales from the old schoolyard

Marian residents have their say on Nell Baker Park upgrade

Hopes for return of Marian's iconic cane cutter statue

Singing Marian's praises at historic operatic home

Massive playground 'makeover' plans revealed

Originally published as The Daily Mercury is heading out to Midge Point and Bloomsbury

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/mackay/community/the-daily-mercury-is-heading-out-to-midge-point-and-bloomsbury/news-story/adaa2548ee09fa3aac350b14e509b87c