If there's one day a year that truly tests my credibility as a journalist, it's April Fools’ Day. Every year, I tell myself this time, I'll be sceptical. I'll cross-check, verify, and not fall for a single prank. And every year, without fail, I come dangerously close to publishing nonsense.
This time around, it was a Shetland pony that almost made it to print. Mackay Regional Council announced they were trialling the use of ponies and goats to maintain parklands, reducing costs and overcoming workforce shortages. It was genius—practical, sustainable, even a revenue-raiser with sponsorship opportunities! For a solid minute, I envisioned Mackay’s parks dotted with tiny horses in high-vis vests, diligently munching their way through overgrown grass. I was fully on board, and frankly, I still think Mayor Greg should make it happen. Just saying.
Then came the political prank. A press release claimed former Dawson MP George Christensen was considering a return to federal politics because Canberra had grown too quiet without him. The reasoning? "Not in a peaceful way—more like when the toddler goes silent, and you know something’s about to be destroyed." Now, that was a line too good to be fake… or was it? Given Christensen’s track record, the joke was almost too believable. If his campaign slogan "Make NQ Unignorable Again" turns out to be real, I expect royalties for the advertising boost.
Beyond Mackay, Virgin Australia took April Fools’ to a personal level, offering to check-in passengers’ “emotional baggage” along with their suitcases. A tempting offer, but I fear my baggage might exceed the weight limit.
Meanwhile, I'm still unsure if Jimmy Carr is actually touring Australia and New Zealand next year. The announcement seemed legit, but in this climate of carefully crafted satire, who knows? I missed seeing him in Manchester in 2021 when Covid cancelled our big European trip (which we still haven’t rebooked—future goals!). But if Jimmy miraculously lands in Mackay, maybe the universe is giving me a second chance.
So, lesson learned? Probably not. April 1, 2026, will roll around, and I’ll be back here, nearly running with another too-good-to-be-true story. Until then, I'll keep my eyes peeled for Shetland ponies in Jubilee Park—just in case.
Amanda
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