News Headlines for Mackay & the Whitsundays, 24th August 2017

Dawson MP George Christensen is being caught up in the duel-citizenship debacle. While he can confirm that the UK Home Office says he does not have claim to British citizenship. The local MP was born in Australia in 1978 while his mum was born in the UK.

The Bruce Highway just north of Koumala is now clear following a truck carrying gravel rolling this morning. It happened at around 12:40

Almost one thousand signs around the Whitsunday region are damaged following Cyclone Debbie tearing through. While Mayor Andrew Wilcox says he expected works to replace of reinstate them should start in the next couple of weeks with the signage claim being assessed by insurers.

A local Mackay dad is being recognised for his extensive community work with the local autism support groups. Jeremy Lange crowed CQ's Father of year. He says as long as his boys, who both have autism are happy, that's all the reward he needs

The Kutta Mulla Gorinna Alternative Learning Program will be staying open. The federal government coming to the rescue with a $100,000 dollar grant. Dawson MP George Christensen says things were looking pretty dire there for a while.

LOCAL SPORT

Mackay's hockey sensation Steele Pearce is making a name for himself after being selected in the Australia Country Senior Men Hockey Team. It's following a stand-out performance at the recent Australian Country Hockey Championships.

Our Mackay Gymnasts are home from the NQ Junior Regional Gymnastics champs with a swag of medals. The men taking out 15 medals and trophies and four girls being named 2017 NQ Junior Champion. Coach Michelle Morgan says they took out a few good wins in level three for the girls

WEATHER

MACKAY: Sunny. Light winds.

WHITSUNDAYS: Mostly sunny. Light winds. 

ON THE WATERS: East to northeasterly about 10 knots. Seas Below 1 metre. Swell Northeast to southeasterly below 1 metre.

SUNRISE: 6:19AM & SUNSET: 5:52PM