The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating a two-vehicle traffic crash south of Home Hill on the afternoon of Thursday, February 15.

A spokesperson confirmed Queensland Ambulance Service was engaged at approximately 1:50pm that afternoon after two vehicles collided on the corner of the Bruce Highway and Wallace Road in Inkerman.

It has been confirmed that a van travelling north on the Bruce highway turned across the southbound lane to reach the rest area at Inkerman when it collided with a vehicle heading south.

There were three people in the van, one of which was ejected from the vehicle before being airlifted to Townsville Hospital in a stable condition.

The other two occupants of the van were taken by ambulance to Ayr Hospital, as was the sole occupant of the southbound vehicle.

Bruce Highway traffic experienced minor delays whilst the rescue helicopter landed at the scene.

Police are still investigating this matter.

Witnesses or anyone with relevant dashcam footage is urged to contact police.

‍

Caption: A van and a car collided on the Bruce Highway at Inkerman last week. Photos supplied

‍

Authorities have arrested the fifth offender in relation to the recent crime series that occurred in the Burdekin in January, charging a 14-year-old Home Hill youth with 21 offences while police opposed his bail.

The youth was the last of five arrests made in relation to a series of break and enter offences in the Burdekin during late January 2024.

The offences were alleged to have been committed on January 25 earlier this year, where six local businesses were targeted, including an electrical store on Queen Street, a bottle shop in Drysdale Street, a service station on Eighth Ave, a steel fabrication company on Breen Street, a tyre shop on Bruce Highway, and a convenience store on Chippendale Street.

In previous reports, an 18-year-old man was charged with multiple offenses on January 25, followed by a 15-year-old male, charged on January 26, as well as a 14-year-old male who was charged shortly after, on January 30.

In total, five offenders were charged with a total of 84 offences. 

‍

The vast majority of assaults reported to Ayr Police are between parties known to each other.  Many occur in private residences between family members, which may constitute domestic violence, or friends and acquaintances.    

Other assaults occur in the street or licenced premises where, once again, the involved parties are usually known to each other.

It is a not uncommon occurrence to see news reports where people are assaulted, fall back, hit their head and die. One punch can kill.

“It’s Okay to Walk Away” – that’s the message Ayr police want to send to reduce the number of assaults both when people go out but also in the home.    

A split-second decision could change your life forever and have an impact on many people, including your family and friends.  

Remember, ‘one punch can kill’ is a shocking reality that simple acts of violence can have tragic consequences. The consequences of assault don’t stop at injury or death.

   • A single punch is all it takes to seriously assault someone and in some circumstances may cause death. The consequences of such acts devastate the lives of so many people and leads to a lifetime of regret and unfulfilled dreams.

   • Assaults can steal your future, and your actions could result in negative impacts on your family, your employment, overseas travel, the guilt of taking another person’s life and could possibly result in a criminal record.

   • Victims of assault don’t always walk away with just a bruise. Permanent disability, ongoing care by family and friends, employment and future prospects can be jeopardised from one senseless act.

From a perspective of personal safety, be aware of your surroundings and alert to what is going on around you. Go out with friends and stay with your group. If you are going to be drinking, just make sure someone in the group is not going to drink and can look after his or her mates and steer them clear of trouble and walk away from violence. Unfortunately, too many “good nights out” end poorly due to being assaulted, losing belongings, etc.

Police would like to remind people that “It’s okay to walk away” and “One punch can kill”.

Snr Sgt Steve Barton

OIC Ayr

‍

Two of Ayr Health Service’s longest serving employees were recognised with a morning tea and presentation on Monday, February 19.

15 staff members received awards at the Townsville Hospital and Health Service – Length of Service Awards presentation, most notably Executive Support Officer Ana Mooney who is celebrating 45 years of service and Raylee Hervey who has worked in Laundry Operations for 40 years.

Ms Mooney, who was born at the same hospital she went on to work at for 45 years, started when she was 16, saying she always wanted an administration job and applied after seeing an ad in the paper.

“What’s kept me here is the people; the people that we care for in our community and the people who I work with,” she said.

“I meet new people all the time and I’ve made some great friendships through people that I’ve worked with, so it’s definitely the people who have kept me here all these years.

“We work as a team and that’s what I like.

“I’m not directly involved in patient care but I’m happy to support our clinicians with their payroll, paperwork, and I’m also a secretariat to many committees, so I support the clinicians who ultimately provide great care to our community.”

Ms Mooney has seen many changes throughout the decades, the most significant being the advent of technology.

“When I first started, we had no computers, everything was done manually,” she said.

“We had the old-fashioned typewriters, we had gestetners for the reprinting of reports, so technology has made a big difference in the way we operate and the way we work.”

Ms Hervey is also Burdekin born and bred, starting at the hospital at 15 years of age.

“I remember, mum had to pick me up from school to bring me here, I think it was an 11 o’clock start,” she laughed.

Similarly, technology and equipment advancements has changed Ms Hervey’s role drastically over the years.

“The washing machines went from big ones that we had to put chemicals in and you had to actually open them up and get in them to get the linen out then take them to a spinner, spin it there and then take it out and put it in the dryer,” she reflected.

“Now, your washing machine spins it all and everything’s automatic so it’s a lot easier in that way.”

Ms Hervey agreed with Ms Mooney saying the people she works with make her job worthwhile.

“The girls are good to work with and I just love doing my job,” she said.

“They’re a good group to work with and they help the community out, I love it.”

Ayr Health Service Director of Nursing and Facility Manager Tracey Gabiola said she was thrilled to celebrate with the hospital’s length of service awardees.  

“Ana and Raylee’s dedication to our health service truly portray the values of this organisation,” she said.

“Within their individual roles from the laundry to the Executive office, they are vital members of our service and contribute to our strategic goals.

“330 years of service has been recognised here this morning across all disciplines - operational, administrative, allied health, nursing and medical.  

“Applauding our colleagues in this manner is just a small token of our appreciation for their dedication and loyalty to our organisation.”

‍

Caption: L-R Service Group Director Ann Marie Mallett, Raylee Hervey, Ana Mooney, Nursing Director Rural Hospitals Service Group Sari Holland and Tracey Gabiola. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

‍

By Chelsea Ravizza

James Cook University (JCU) Bachelor of Nursing Science and Midwifery students Ashely Green, Hayley Nosworthy, and Lauren Raitelli are dedicated, compassionate student midwifes looking to support local women in their pregnancy journeys. In fulfilling their undergraduate placements and requirements, each of the girls have fallen in love with all that midwifery entails and have assisted many women from Townsville and the Burdekin region in their pregnancies from prenatal care to postpartum support.

JCU’s midwifery students are required to witness five births and catch 30 babies over the course of their 4-year degree. Each student must attend antenatal appointments to gain additional hands-on Continuity of Care Experience (CCE) and knowledge, which can at times be difficult to factor into placement schedules on top of university requirements.

Ashley Green, fourth year JCU Nursing Science and Midwifery student, understands this difficulty, yet in pulling power from her passion has successfully supported 22 women in their pregnancies. Ashely has continued this support as far as six months after labor and feels great confidence in her midwifery abilities.

“These requirements show you’re competent and that you’re able, but doing what’s required of you and even extra instills confidence in yourself,” explained Ashley.

“The more experience, the better you are as a practicing midwife.”

Ashley’s confidence, and skills have led her to find clients with ease, and she is eager to follow eight more women on their journey before her graduation later this year. Her passion for midwifery originated from subject matter touched on within her nursing studies, and she encourages anyone with an interest in the industry to pursue studies at JCU.

“I love getting to know the women when they’re just starting their pregnancy, and follow them through right to the end, especially to go in with them for their birth, and help bring their little bubba into the world,” expressed Ashley.

As Lauren Raitelli enters her third year of her Bachelor of Nursing Science and Midwifery degree, she understands the importance her role plays in supporting women through their pregnancies. Lauren ensures the preferences of the women she supports are not overlooked throughout their pregnancy and in the delivery room, a task she believes to be the most important part of being a student midwife.

“I love bringing new life into the world, and it’s amazing to get to know the women, provide them with continuity of care, and communicate with them on what they want, especially when going through labor,” expressed Lauren.

The girls have collectively supported 43 women on their pregnancy journeys gaining priceless experience fourth year JCU Bachelor of Nursing Science and Midwifery student, Hayley Nosworthy will be forever grateful for.

“My passion lies in supporting and empowering women, recognizing their incredible strength and capabilities, and to be apart of their birthing experience is a privilege I cherish,” explained Hayley.

“The bonds we form with women throughout this degree, and in future practice, is truly unparalleled, and I will be forever grateful I chose to do midwifery as my career.”

For those interested in having additional support in their pregnancies, you may contact Ashley at ashley.green1@my.jcu.edu.au, Hayley at hayley.nosworthy@my.jcu.edu.au or Lauren at lauren.raitelli@my.jcu.edu.au. The girls are more than happy to assist you with any enquiries, questions, or queries, big or small, and express gratitude towards your support of your local student midwives.

‍

Caption: Hayley Nosworthy, Ashley Green and Lauren Raitelli. Photo supplied

‍

Did you know that the Burdekin Community Association Inc (BCA) has a Specialist Homelessness Service and Crisis Accommodation Program?

Our Housing and Community Support Team can assist adults and their children and young people aged 16+, who are sleeping rough or in non-conventional accommodation and people who are experiencing chronic homelessness.

The team will assist eligible people by:

   • Providing Temporary Supported Accommodation (if a place is available in one of our five crisis accommodation properties)

   • Working to ensure clients are housed in secure and sustainable accommodation

   • Ensuring there are appropriate casework supports in place

For support or information please visit the BCA Support Centre, 130 Queen Street, Ayr. Ph 4783 3744 or Email bca@bcaburdekin.org.au.

Debra Cochran

Chief Executive Officer

‍

A couple of weeks ago, we touched on the idea of a Compassionate Community and rallying around to provide a support network for people experiencing challenges in life.

This week, we would like to talk about Compassionate Communities from the perspective of death, dying and grief.

Compassionate Communities is a way of recognising that we all can care for and support those dying. In the past, people often died at home, and their families knew how to take care of them. But nowadays, dying has become more of a medical issue, and we've lost some of that knowledge and confidence to help our loved ones at the end of their lives. Compassionate Communities is about bringing back that sense of community support and care for those who are dying.

Did you know the Neighbourhood Centre has access to resources for death, dying and grief that we can make available to you or link you with?

The Neighbourhood Centre, over the last couple of years, has held community education opportunities in collaboration with Palliative Care Queensland. We have covered subjects including What Matters Most to Me, How to Have Conversations About Dying and Grief, Last Aid, Community PalliNavigator, Getting Your Affairs in Order: Enduring Power of Attorney and Advanced Care Planning.

Life has a 100% mortality rate regardless of who we are and what our situation is. It is a normal part of life, and the more we learn how to talk about it, the less confronting it becomes to us.

We’ve all been touched by death, whether it is a sibling, parent, child, partner, friend, or pet.  There is something to learn from each of our stories.  

Would you like to come together and have conversations that contribute to building a Compassionate Community in the Burdekin? Finding ways, together, to be able to bring up the conversations about death, dying and grief in a way that can help us all have a better life and, ultimately, a better death.

Join us at the Centre on Wednesday, February 28 at 5:30pm for an informal chat to get the ball rolling.

‍

Did you know that the Burdekin Shire Council operates two cemeteries located in Ayr and Home Hill?

These cemeteries are well maintained, open environments with no gates, therefore providing 24 hour access for families and friends to visit the resting place of their loved ones. Council also maintains a burial register that contains records of all burials in the shire of Burdekin, dating back to 1888.

Home to lawn, columbarium, and traditional burial sites, the Ayr and Home Hill Cemeteries cater to diverse preferences.

The burial register can be accessed online through Council's website, burdekin.qld.gov.au, where you can search by cemetery, name or date. The burial register is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history and heritage of the Burdekin region.

‍

Member for Burdekin Dale Last is calling for Federal Government support to fund additional Police Patrols to combat youth crime in the Burdekin.

Following the announcement of Federal Government’s $1.3 million for night patrols in regional communities, Mr Last is calling for this to be echoed in the Burdekin.

“It’s already been demonstrated that these night patrols are extremely effective in reducing youth crime with one community seeing a staggering reduction in offending and there is no reason similar results couldn’t be achieved in the Burdekin,” Mr Last said. 

“In the month of January alone we have seen the number of unlawful entry offences committed in Ayr nearly triple from the previous month, while Home Hill has recently seen its highest number of unlawful entry offences in at least 12 months.”

The Burdekin community have rallied together, following a recent string of youth crime, with over 50 residents and business owners appearing at the local police station, and a petition, which has been signed by over 1000 local residents, calling for private security patrols and an increase to police officer numbers.

“This community has already demonstrated that they are willing to be pro-active on addressing youth crime in their community and it is now up to Labor governments on all levels to support it.”

“Let’s not forget, community safety is first and foremost a state government responsibility and given that Labor is in power at a state and federal level, it shouldn’t be too much to ask for the Minister to knock on the door of his federal mates to provide the funds needed to make these patrols happen.”

Mr Last said having night patrols formalised and fully funded in the Burdekin would mean that business owners and residents were not being left out of pocket in a bid to improve community safety.

“At a time when costs of living are impacting everyone, we are seeing community members using their own vehicles and fuel to keep their community safe and victims of crime left out of pocket for repairs and increased security,” Mr Last explained.

“The initiative already has the support of the Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox and given the response to the ongoing petition this community has sent a clear message they are not willing to let this issue lie.”

‍

Ayr resident June Pola knows a thing or two about preparedness for natural disasters. Having lived in the Burdekin Shire for 45 years, she’s experienced many cyclones and floods. She’s lost a roof – and kept her family safe. Like most people here, she’s well aware of the dangers and how to prepare. And she thinks that lived experience of natural hazards is important factor that pushes people to prepare.

“I follow all the things that they say you have to do,” says June. “I moved everything that might blow away under the house because I've seen what's happened with the winds.

People just have no idea of the strength of those winds and the driving rain when you get a category 4 cyclone. Unless you've gone through it, you just cannot experience it any other way.”

Insights like June’s on what helps people prepare, stay resilient and recover from natural hazards is the subject of research currently being conducted in the Burdekin Shire. A team from Deakin University in Melbourne is visiting Ayr this week, to ask locals about how disaster communication is done here. The research is being undertaken for Natural Hazards Research Australia, Australia’s research centre for natural hazards resilience and disaster risk reduction.

“By ‘disaster communication’ we mean, all the messages that people receive about how to prepare for natural hazards, how to survive through them, and how to recover,” says Dr Gabi Mocatta from the Deakin research team. “This might be from emergency authorities, the Council, from media – even from your neighbour.”

The team is particularly interested in what type of information makes people prepared and resilient in the face of ‘compound hazards’ (when two or more hazards occur at the same time or in quick succession) meaning protective responses may be more complex, and there’s less time for recovery. The team also wants to find out how people prefer to receive hazards information.

The Burdekin Shire is one of three case study locations across Australia. Each location has experienced different hazards – storms, floods, fires, drought, flooding, cyclone – some in middle of COVID lockdowns. Communities have different levels of preparedness.

“Sometimes, there are several sources of information and messages can be confusing or contradictory,” says Dr Mocatta.

Burdekin Shire does disaster awareness well. “It all comes through the Council they send out messages all the time,” says June. “The Bureau of Meteorology, they send out the warnings. Then, in the paper the week before the cyclone was a list of things that people needed to pack and get. Birth certificates, insurance documents, some of your better photos, put them in plastic. Because when the roof goes all that gets wet!”

In the latest event, Cyclone Kirrily, June’s house didn’t have any structural damage, but her garden suffered. “It’s nature’s pruning, you know.”

The Deakin team invites all Burdekin community members to join the forum this Saturday 24th February to discuss disaster communication, Burdekin-style. The event will be held at PCYC Burdekin, 64 MacMillan Street, Ayr. Afternoon tea will be served. More information here: https://bit.ly/4bjnCIQ

‍

Caption: Deakin University invites community members to discuss disaster communications at a forum this weekend

‍

What started with a simple idea of supplying locals with sporting equipment has far exceeded even what owner Neville Eathorne expected, when he first opened the doors of Eathorne’s Sports Village in 1974.

A born and bred Burdekin local, Neville looks back at the growth of his sporting store with pride, explaining that the last 50 years has been “a ride and a half”.

It all started in 1973, when Neville was playing a lot of cricket and basketball, and realised that he couldn’t buy locally what the professionals were using, and thought it was a good idea to bring this standard of equipment to Ayr.

“And with absolutely no business experience, I opened Eathorne’s Sports Village,” Neville explained.

“At first it was a rough store, with rough presentation, but I was always reinvesting back into the shop.”

As much as it was Neville’s dedication and hard work, the longevity of Eathorne’s Sports Village also rested upon the support of the local community, something that Neville continues to value implicitly to this day.

“In the early days, we had accounts running, and people would put their equipment on the account and come back later to pay for it,” Neville explained.

In fact, Neville can remember vividly a time when he was in the store and a man walked past the counter with a tennis racquet.

“’Nev! Put this on my account!’ the man said. I couldn’t remember his name, but the next week, he was back to pay for the racquet!” Neville explained.

Understanding the value of community, Neville joined every sporting committee that he played on, and learnt how the clubs were run, and the equipment they needed.

For Neville, looking back over the years, he is most proud of the team members that helped build up the shop.

“How we achieved all that we have achieved is through the great staff and team members we have had over the years,” he said.

By 1983, buying groups and franchises boomed in popularity.

“And I knew that to survive against them, I would have to join them,” Neville explained, and Eathorne’s Sports Village transitioned into Eathorne’s Sportscene.

During this time, Neville expanded the shop’s offerings, bringing on trophy engraving, which increased in popularity before long, and Neville was moved to bring on a permanent engraver.

In 1997, Neville’s two sons returned home to Australia, following a career of playing college basketball in America, with Brett staying on in the family business, and Wade deciding to pursue a financial planning career.

By 2001, with Brett on the books and computers at the counters, Neville and his wife Karen were able to purchase a premise on Queen Street in Ayr, which continues to host the business now.

The business went through another transformation in 2003, when it transitioned into Eathorne’s Sportspower, as Sportscene and Sportspower came together under the ARL Group.

Neville was invited to join the Sportspower Board, which saw him travel to Melbourne regularly to move the Sportspower brand forward.

“I was on the board for five or six years, and I enjoyed it so much. It gave me this great insight in the business and the brand,” Neville explained. “But it was really hard to be away from my family for days at a time.”

Following an injury, Neville took a step back from the business, and Brett transitioned into a managerial role where he continues to be a key partner in the business.

In 2024, another key moment in the business’ evolution occurred when it moved across to the Intersport brand. Neville continues to be a part of this business and Brett continues to take a bigger role.

“This venture would never have happened without the support of the Burdekin people,” Neville shared.

“They have supported a small business trying to grow and I hope they have enjoyed the ride. We are proud to have been supporting the Burdekin district, with us sponsoring just about every club during the 50 years. It has created some lifelong friendships.”

“I am so proud to have started way back in 1974 and am still trading 50 years later. I am also proud of what I will be leaving to Brett and his family to work with for how many years they want.”

Without a doubt, Neville’s legacy will continue to prevail throughout Burdekin history, even though he is vowing to not go anywhere anytime soon.

‍

1. Eathorne’s Sports Village, in 1974

   2. Eathorne’s Sportscene with Neville Eathorne in 1983

   3. Eathorne’s Sportspower in 2020. Photos supplied

   4. Three Generations: Neville, with his son Brett, and his twin grandchildren

   5. Eathorne’s Sportscene, making waves in Ayr

‍

The next round for the Community Child Care Fund (CCCF) grants for child care centres in regional and remote areas has now opened and Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox MP is encouraging local childcare providers to look into how this opportunity could benefit them directly.

Funds are available for eligible childcare centres to renovate or extend their facilities to cater for high un-met demand or for those wishing to work with other organisations to create sustainability support.

The funding is directed at helping early childhood education and care (ECEC) services to address barriers to ECEC participation for disadvantaged and vulnerable families and communities.

Mr Willcox says he welcomes the announcement of additional funding to support a fourth round of financial support for these crucial services.

“This funding aims to support centres in regional and remote areas to increase the viability and sustainability of early childhood education and increase the accessibility of services where there is high unmet demand.”

“Eligible childhood education and care centres can receive funding of up to $300,000 for capital works, including repairing, modifying, renovating, or extending their facilities.

“Alternatively, eligible centres can receive funding of up to $400,000 for sustainability support including working with other organisations and families to identify and address barriers to early childhood participation.

Applications for this funding close on March 8, 2024.

To find out more about the eligibility requirements and application process visit: Current Grant Opportunity View - GO6796: GrantConnect (grants.gov.au)

‍

NQ Dry Tropics has been awarded a grant through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund (FDF) Longterm Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices (LTT) Program, to complete a five-year trial testing the efficacy of drought resilient grazing strategies in the Burdekin region.

Taking place at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ (DAF) Spyglass Beef Research Facility, this trial is the only Northern Australian trial, utilising virtual fencing systems in remote environments, that will shape and promote wider adoption.

The predominate virtual fencing system used by this study will be the Gallagher eShepherd Virtual Fencing System, pioneered by CSIRO.

Using the Gallagher eShepherd System, the herd will be monitor in real time, using both desktop and mobile applications, with the farmers able to instantly modify boundaries for any reason, including to lower stress drafting, directing high need cattle to better pastures, or to protect areas of land vulnerable to erosion.

The System was initially tested in 2023, with cattle first observed for their behaviours with the device, to ensure the technology has minimal behaviour and welfare impacts on the animals, with this new trial expanding to test efficacy in improving drought resilience capacity.

“Virtual fencing has unparalleled potential to drastically change the impact of grazing,” explained Marc McConnell, a DAF representative.

“My hope is the trial will demonstrate how the technology allows graziers to move fences and herds to promote healthier pastures and boost carbon sequestration by preventing overgrazing, while saving them time and money,”

‍

1. Cattle in the Spyglass Station trial wearing the Gallagher eShepherd collars

   2. The tracking for one individual shows how quickly the animal learns the meaning of warning sound emitted as it approaches the virtual fencing. This animal received two small shocks, after which it paid attention to the alarm on seven occasions. Photo supplied

‍

Tracpower Brandon recently hosted an open day to showcase their range of Deutz-Fahr products, inviting the agricultural community of the Burdekin to discover what the high horsepower range can offer on Monday, February 19 and Tuesday, February 20.

Tracpower have been Deutz-Fahr dealers for 12 months and Tracpower Dealer Principal and Director Justin Minuti said the brand is gaining traction in the area.

“The higher horsepower is what we were after with Deutz-Fahr,” he said.

“We are a Kubota dealer as well … Kubota has been the top brand in the Burdekin region for the last four to five years so I wanted something we could offer our customers in the higher horsepower range that Kubota doesn’t offer.

“We looked at Deutz-Fahr and their tractors are very heavy, simple, easy to use, good technology and good backup and good backup service is something we pride ourselves on.

“We’ll drop everything if we have to to get to you.

“If you’re broken down, we’ll be there straight away.

“We’re service-orientated, it’s more about the experience for the customer.

“We’ve got a very good staff with the same ambitions and the same idea of putting the customer first.”

“That’s why our motto is, ‘We not only sell, we service as well.’”

The open day was also held in partnership with Queensland Cane Agriculture & Renewables (QCAR).

“We’ve been a partner of QCAR for a few years, so we offer members a discount of 2% on whole goods and 5% on spare parts and servicing,” Mr Minuti said.

“QCAR have done a fantastic job of getting exposure for this event.”

QCAR CEO Panikos Spyrou said QCAR was happy to be supporting the event.

“We respect Tracpower’s very honourable and generous support of our organisation and the discounts their providing to our members on sales, service and parts,” Mr Spyrou said.

“Our members are benefitting incredible from that at the moment and the extension of that to our collaborative partners as well, so full credit to Tracpower and Justin to allow us to enjoy those benefits.”

An open day was held at Tracpower’s Ingham branch today, Thursday, February 22 and tomorrow.

‍

Caption 1: Christian Lago, Charles Quagliata and Ben Pontifex

Caption 2: Mick Brombal, Frank Mugica and Scott Harness

Caption 3: Panikos Spyrou and Barry Breadsell

Caption 4: Aiden Kratzmann and Julen Achurra

Caption 5: Justin Minuti and Charles Quagliata

‍

By Chelsea Ravizza

Ashley De-Campo established the Burdekin Clothes Shop Facebook page in December of 2021 to solve one simple problem many women face: too many clothes, too little closet space.

Looking for a solution, Ashley created the group in addition to other Burdekin trade Facebook pages in the interest of harboring a niche topic with a tailored audience.

“I needed to make room in my cupboard, and I had lots of clothes that still had their tags on, clothes I had never worn before, and clothes in really good condition,” explained Ashley.

“It felt like a bit of a waste, so I thought why not make some money out of them by selling them.”

The sustainable fashion page has blossomed into a lively community of over 2,200 women looking to make some space and make some cash.

Members often hop onto the page to search for unique costume pieces other people may have buried in their closets, finishing touches to Race Day outfits, or even to post enquiries on clothing pieces they cannot find anywhere else.  

“I felt like it was something everyone would be able to get involved in, because particularly us women, we’re all in the same boat with having too many clothes not being worn and needing to make space in our closets.”

Ashely, as the page’s administrator, monitors the member requests to ensure all Burdekin Clothes Shop members are living in the local region to simplify the trading process.

“I wanted the interactions to be as easy and stress free as possible, and not have people wanting to be sent clothes or come from out of town, and it was an easier option to create a more intimate group with less people to make it easier for all the users,” explained Ashely.

Since creating the page, Ashley has received an overwhelmingly positive response she never could have imagined, and she is very grateful for the community’s continued support.

“I just thought there would be a handful of people, but 2,200 members is huge!

“I’m so grateful for the community getting involved, and for making the Burdekin Clothes Shop such a successful and supportive group.”

‍

Caption: Ashley De-Campo. Photo supplied

‍