Managing Stress for Small Business Staff | August 2026

Online 12.30am - 2.30pm

Join our Managing Stress for Small Business Staff Workshop, offered at no cost thanks to the SA Office for Small & Family Business.

In this session, we explore what stress is, how it can be both helpful and unhelpful, and practical ways to manage pressure. Running a small business brings many stressors including finances, customer challenges, problem-solving, and constant demands. Especially at this time of year, when many people feel stretched thin, learning about stress and practising management skills can be particularly valuable.

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Lunch & Learn: Understanding Your Workplace Personality Style

Online 12.00pm - 12.30pm

We all have different communication and working styles. Understanding your own personality profile can improve teamwork, reduce conflict and help you communicate more effectively with others. This introductory session explores the DISC (TICK) personality framework, helping you recognise different behavioural styles and how they influence workplace interactions.

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From Breakdown to Benchmark: High Impact Asset Protection for Mining Webinar

Online 1.00pm

Mining equipment is constantly exposed to severe impact and abrasion, leading to premature wear, costly downtime, and increased maintenance requirements.

Join our technical experts to discover how LOCTITE PC 9313 and PC 9593 wearing compounds help protect critical mining assets, extend equipment life, and improve maintenance reliability. Through technical insights, real-world case studies, and a product demonstration, you’ll gain practical strategies for implementing proactive wear protection across high-wear applications, including chutes, hoppers, pump liners, vibrating feeders, and more.

Can’t attend live? Register anyway and we’ll send you the webinar recording after the event.

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Workshop: Understanding Website Analytics

Online 11.00am - 12.00pm

Your website collects valuable information every day. The challenge is knowing what it means and how to use it to improve your business.

This beginner-friendly session explains website analytics in plain English, helping you understand where visitors come from, what they’re doing and how to make informed marketing decisions.

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Best in Business Awards

Mackay 5.30 - 9.30pm

We are thrilled to announce the much-anticipated relaunch of the Best in Business Awards in Mackay. This event will celebrate the achievements and innovations of our local businesses, shining a spotlight on the talent and dedication within our community.

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Psychosocial Hazards for Small Business Leaders | August 2026

Online 1.00pm - 3.00pm

As a small business owner, you have a responsibility to eliminate or minimise psychosocial risks to safeguard your staff’s wellbeing and mental health. But what does this mean, and how does it work?

We have curated a free 2-hour workshop for small business leaders to help you develop an understanding of the recently introduced psychosocial risk regulations and how you can use your company’s values to take positive action tailored to your organisation’s specific needs.

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Lunch & Learn: Does Your Website Pass the 10-Second Test?

Online 12.00pm - 12.30pm

You only have a few seconds to convince someone they’ve come to the right place. If visitors can’t quickly understand who you are, what you do and how to take the next step, they’ll often leave and visit a competitor instead.

In this practical session, you’ll learn how to view your website through the eyes of a potential customer. We’ll identify the common mistakes that cause people to click away and explore simple improvements that can increase enquiries, sales and customer confidence, without needing to rebuild your entire website.

Whether your website is brand new or has been online for years, you’ll leave with a checklist of practical actions you can implement immediately.

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Effective Contract Delivery

Online 10.00 - 11.00am

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Workshop: Customer Service Basics

Online 11.00am - 12.00pm

Great customer service builds loyalty, generates referrals and creates repeat business. Small improvements in the customer experience can make a big difference.

This practical session explores the habits and communication skills that help businesses consistently deliver excellent service, even when things don’t go to plan.

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Lunch & Learn: Grant Writing Mistakes That Cost Funding

Online 12.00pm - 12.30pm

A great project idea isn’t always enough to secure funding. Many grant applications miss out because of avoidable mistakes, unclear responses or failing to demonstrate the impact of the project.

This practical session will help you understand what funding bodies are looking for and how to avoid the common pitfalls that weaken applications. Whether you’re applying for your first grant or looking to improve your success rate, you’ll gain practical tips to help you write stronger, more competitive submissions.

You’ll also learn how to plan ahead, gather the right supporting information and present your project in a way that clearly demonstrates value and aligns with the grant’s objectives.

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Greater Whitsunday Regional Projects Forum

Mackay 9.00am - 3.00pm

Hear directly from project proponents and industry leaders at the Greater Whitsunday Regional Projects Forum, featuring updates on major projects, investment pipelines and procurement opportunities across the region. The forum will also provide valuable market intelligence and networking opportunities with project proponents and prime contractors.

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R U OK? Day Breakfast

Mackay 6.4am

Join RIN for a free R U OK? Day Breakfast, proudly sponsored by FMS Group. Come together with industry colleagues over breakfast to recognise R U OK? Day and the importance of connection, meaningful conversations and looking out for one another.

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Workshop: Recruitment Planning for Small Business

Online 11.00am - 12.00pm

Finding the right employee starts long before you advertise the position. A little planning can save significant time, money and frustration.

In this session, you’ll learn how to identify your staffing needs, write better job descriptions and develop a recruitment process that attracts quality candidates.

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The Brief: Olympic Games Edition

Mackay 5.30pm - 7.30pm

Join MRCOC for the next edition of The Brief, featuring Dominique Lamb, Director of Community Affairs with the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee. Former Queensland Small Business Commissioner, Dominique is leading regional engagement to ensure communities across the state have a voice in the journey to 2032 and beyond.

Discover how the Games Vision, Believe. Belong. Become., translates into real opportunities for Mackay, from business capability and procurement to regional legacy, community confidence and global visibility. Whether you’re a business owner, community leader or simply curious about what Brisbane 2032 means for our region, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Thanks to Local Buying Foundation for their support of The Brief Series.

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The Brief: Olympic Games Edition

Mackay 5.30pm - 7.30pm

The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games represent far more than a sporting event. They are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape Queensland’s future, with lasting benefits for regional communities and businesses.

Join us for the next edition of The Brief, featuring Dominique Lamb, Director of Community Affairs with the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee. Former Queensland Small Business Commissioner, Dominique is leading regional engagement to ensure communities across the state have a voice in the journey to 2032 and beyond.

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Austmine Webinar: Removing Bottlenecks

Online 2.00pm - 3.00pm

The mining sector is facing operational challenges on a day-to-day basis, impacting productivity, costs, reliability and performance. The Mining Operations – The Issues That Matter Now webinar series will dive into how METS companies are supporting mine sites to address these issues, with practical solutions, services and approaches in real operating environments.

Join us on Tuesday 15 September as we continue with Removing Bottlenecks – Unlocking Throughout by Targeting System Constraints. This session explores how METS companies are helping mine sites identify constraints and improve throughput through operational reviews, engineering services and process improvements.

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Decarbonisation Accelerated: Continuing the Conversation

Mackay 8.00am - 1.00pm

Following the success of our inaugural Continuing the Conversation event in 2025, businesses, industry leaders, and stakeholders will come together once again to explore the practical opportunities emerging through decarbonisation, diversification and innovation.

This year’s event is focused on implementation. What does change look like in practice? How are businesses adapting, identifying new opportunities, and positioning themselves for future growth?

Across the day, attendees will hear from leading voices in decarbonisation and diversification, including two keynote presentations that will challenge thinking, share practical insights and explore the pathways ahead for industry and regional businesses.

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Women in Manufacturing Breakfast

Mackay 7.30am - 9.30am

The Mackay Women in Manufacturing breakfast provides an engaging discussion on Queensland manufacturers’ ability to innovate and the opportunities and importance for women to contribute to and actively shape the future of the sector.

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