Hi readers

My mug has once again made it into the sport pages of Burdekin Life after the team I play cricket with, Guardian Pharmacy, took out the Home Hill Cricket Association grand final on the weekend.

You’ll find a photo of the team on the back cover and a report on page 29.

It was only my fourth game of the season, but I started to find my radar with the ball in these last few games and I was happy to be a part of the win.

Congratulations to my teammates on the win, to the other two teams on a terrific season of cricket and to the administrators and volunteers of Home Hill Cricket Association – it’s been a pleasure to write these reports all season and I look forward to experiencing my first Canefield Ashes in a few weeks!

You’ll also see my name mentioned across the page on page 28 it Stephen’s Home Hill Bowls Report, so it would be remiss of me not to mention my stellar bowls form at the moment.

I seem to be finding the jack consistently enough and, along with some other talented bowlers and teammates, have had a few wins in the last few weeks.

Most importantly, I’m loving my sport at the moment and enjoy getting out, meeting new people and having a crack.

Lastly, I must congratulate the talented performers who took the stage on Saturday for the NQ Fast Track Talent Showcase.

The level of talent on that stage absolutely blew me away – you can find results and photos on page 19.

I hope you enjoy the read this week!

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It is likely that Ayr travel agent Pierina Dalle Cort will be declared the next mayor of the Burdekin Shire Council after Burdekin residents hit the polls for the local government election on Saturday, March 16.

At the time of writing, 84.85 per cent of the 12,248 enrolled electors’ votes for mayor had been counted, with 52.92 per cent of those going to Ms Dalle Cort and 47.08 per cent going the way of incumbent mayor Lyn McLaughlin.

Although close, Ms Dalle Cort is expected to be declared the next mayor by the end of the week and said she received a phone call of congratulations from Ms McLaughlin on Saturday evening.

“It was tight to start with and I didn’t expect to get a call from Lyn,” Pierina said.

“I’m excited, the phone hasn’t stopped ringing and, basically, I can’t wait to get in there and start work with the new Burdekin team.”

Ms Dalle Cort served as a councillor on the Burdekin Shire Council for 12 years before being voted out in 2016.

She then unsuccessfully ran for mayor in the 2020 local government election, saying Covid-19 restrictions affected the reach of her campaign.

“I’ve always been interested in council, I’ve been in business for 42 years, been the president of the Chamber of Commerce, I’ve always been involved,” she said.

“I’ve got a very supportive partner who said he’ll support me through this, so I needed to do it, and if I didn’t do it, I would’ve lived with regrets, and they always say don’t live with regrets.”

Ms Dalle Cort said she is eager to improve communication between council and community.

“We need to work together to go through some of the problems that have been facing our community for some time and what’s been holding up our process,” she said.

“I’m there to listen.

“Me and the team (of councillors) have been selected by the Burdekin and we want to hear your message and want to listen to you.”

At the time of writing, 84.79 per cent of the 12,248 enrolled electors’ votes for councillor had been counted, with Amanda Hall, Michael Detenon, Max Musumeci, John Furnell, Fina Vasta and Callan Oar likely to fill the six seats on the Burdekin Shire Council.

In the ten days of early voting leading up to election day, 7,502 residents casted their in-person vote at the Burdekin Sports Club Hall.

Meanwhile, 567 postal votes were issued throughout the shire 365 of those being returned and 337 accepted.

10,190 formal votes for mayor had been accepted at the time of writing while 202 informal votes were received.

Ms McLaughlin had been contacted for comment.

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Caption: Pierina Dalle Cort is likely to be declared the next mayor of the Burdekin Shire Council

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Students and Staff gathered at Home Hill State High School in the heat to help reduce the impact of rubbish to better their school and community on Sunday March 3.

The school thanked all staff and students involved in Clean Up Australia Day including Jack Srisoongneon, Cheynne Worland, Ava Protstat, Zoe Bonanno, Grace Ogomeni, Maliq Ogomeni, Rowen Petersen, Saxon Petersen, Eli Ogomeni, Lucy Young, Louise Hayne, Bridget Zimmerlie, Daniel Hayne, Cruz Torkington, Sean Phayre-Leung, Sharni Smerdon, Faryn Poli, Saelym Poli, Ashlyn Poli, Adam Young and Talin Poli.

Staff involved were Bruce Gall, Lisa Todeschino and Julie Young.

Home Hill State High School thanked everyone involved and said thanks to Tony and the Crown Hotel for the discounted pizza and garlic breads.

Since it’s beginnings over thirty years ago, over twenty million Australians have stepped up and donated their time to improve the environment for Clean Up Australia Day.

The cause’s focus is as much on preventing rubbish entering the environment as it is on removing what has already accumulated.

Clean Up Australia Day is on the first March of every year and everybody is encouraged to participate to help reduce waste in Australia and your community.  

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Caption: Home Hill State High School students participated in Clean Up Australia Day earlier in the month. Photo supplied

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High school students from four Burdekin schools have been equipped with potentially lifesaving tools following the delivery of Road Safety Education Limited’s RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) workshop last Friday, March 15.

The program included a full day workshop of six practical, interactive and powerful sessions about road safety for students at Burdekin Catholic High School, Home Hill State High School, Burdekin Christian College and Burdekin Educational Engagement Program, delivered at the Burdekin TAFE Campus.

RYDA Coordinator for the Burdekin Tony Goddard said the program lays the foundation for safe road use throughout their lives and challenges students to think about the role they play in road safety.

“It gives people an awareness of what can go wrong when driving a motor vehicle for the first time,” he said.

“That’s why we’re targeting drivers that are either about to get their Learner’s or are on their Learner’s or maybe they’ve already progressed onto their Provisional license.

“I think there’s been a dramatic decrease in the number of road crashes on our roads … so we hope the program’s working and the message is getting across.”

The program was coordinated by local Rotary clubs, with up to 12 volunteers from Ayr and Home Hill Rotary Clubs assisting on the day.

Sessions were delivered by driving instructors, teachers, police officers, Rotary volunteers and crash victims, with a particularly impactful session coming from guest speakers Lorna and Raymond Abde.

Raymond was left with a brain injury and years of intensive rehabilitation after an incident on May 15, 1998, just nine days shy of his 18th birthday.

Since then, he and his mother, Lorna, have advocated for road safety at events across north Queensland.

“Raymond was a similar age to the students when he had his accident and you can see that the students connect with that while also getting a better understanding of what can happen as a result of road accidents,” said Member for Burdekin Dale Last, who was a police officer based in Charters Towers at the time of the incident and was one of the first on the scene.

“The RYDA Program encourages young people to take a more responsible attitude and Raymond’s story definitely helps in sharing that message.”

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Caption: Guest speakers Lorna and Raymond Abde with RYDA Coordinator Tony Goddard

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Opinion Piece

In a bid to reach a supercharged carbon emissions target, the Federal Government has just announced a proposed Family Car and Ute Tax, which is said to cause extra financial strain for families as well as complications within the automotive industry.

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox met with several car dealerships within the Dawson electorate this week and said that a major concern is spreading throughout the industry.

“We know this policy is going to have consequences, and those include higher vehicle prices, both new and old, decreased market choice, as well as the very real possibility that consumers will become disincentivised to upgrade their vehicle,” Mr Willcox said.

“These dealerships contribute to the local economy in an enormous way.

“Not only do they employ hundreds of people in the regions, but they give back to the community by supporting multiple charities and sporting clubs.

“During a Labor created cost-of-living crisis, families and individuals in our electorate of Dawson are already hurting and struggling to make ends meet.

“We know that the cost of Australia’s most popular SUVs and Utes will rise by up to $25,000 and in some cases that could push the price up so much they will incur the luxury car tax on top of that, but vehicles as small as a Toyota Corolla will increase in price as well.

“Electric vehicle mechanics are also already in short supply.

“Less than half of all advertised EV technician jobs were filled last year, so even if an individual or family can afford to upgrade their vehicle under this scheme, how are they going to get it serviced?

“We need a sustainable approach to lowering our emissions and this ill-advised policy is not the answer.

“The Coalition believes in a common-sense approach to protecting our environment, but we cannot stand for anything that is going to make it harder for families to manage their budgets, especially during a cost-of-living crisis.”

To have your say and stop Labor’s Family Car and Ute Tax visit www.familycar.tax to sign the petition.

Alternatively, if you have any concerns about the proposed changes, please contact my office at Andrew.Willcox.MP@aph.gov.au.

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Caption: Andrew Willcox MP addresses the potential issues that will affect both the community and automotive industries

Photo Supplied

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The long-awaited Millaroo Rural Fire Station was officially opened over the weekend more than 12 months after it was announced.

The new $1.8 million home for the Millaroo’s rural firies has provided volunteers with an expanded space, new amenities and a training room for volunteers.

Member for Burdekin Dale Last said the new facility for the rural fire brigade was both a credit to the brigade volunteers and an achievement the community could pride itself on.

“For a number of years now the Millaroo Rural Fire Brigade has operated out of a limited facility that was not meeting the demands of the brigade so it’s fantastic to see this community receive a rural fire station it can be proud of,” Mr Last said.

“Ensuring our firies have resources on the ground as soon as possible during an emergency is the difference between whether property and lives are lost or not, so it’s vital that our rural firies receive the investment they need to keep communities like Millaroo safe.”

Mr Last said the fact that Millaroo Rural Fire Brigade had managed to enlist three new recruits was commendable.

“At a time when the number of our frontline volunteers in many areas have been left to dwindle, the fact that Millaroo Rural Fire has recently welcomed three new recruits is a credit to first officer Wayne Ferguson, Kate and the rest of the brigade,” he said.

“I have no doubt that having a new training area will mean that not only are new volunteers able to learn the skills they need to fight fires but ensure further training opportunities are also available for current volunteers.

“We know that when it comes to living in rural areas of our state there is added risks and whether it is bushfires, cyclones or floods it is our volunteers that answer the calls for help.

“No matter where they are in Queensland, our front-line volunteers deserve to have facilities and equipment that will keep them and their community’s safe.”

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Caption: Member for Burdekin Dale Last said the opening of the Millaroo Rural Fire Station is a credit to the brigade volunteers

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Fast Facts

Rehoming Fee: $450

DOB: 12/07/2023

Sex: Female

Breed: Bullarab Cross

Kid Friendly: Yes

Cat Friendly: Yes

Other Dogs: Yes

Fences: 6 Foot

This confident and sociable lady is looking for her forever home. Vixen is a lovable and playful girl, who enjoys adventuring and exploring the world around her. She is so sociable that she would suit a home with another dog, to let her be playful and tired with another animal.

Vixen is a queen of routine and loves her regular walks, with her lead training progressing well.

Vixen loves her toys, and is always ready for a play with her foster siblings. She is a people orientated dog, and thinks that everyone is her friend, so she can be a little too enthusiastic with new people and other dogs.

She is still learning to sit and wait for her food, but she is crate trained and sleeps well with her foster siblings.

Vixen is desexed, microchipped, up to date on her vaccinations, flea, tick and intestinal worm treated, and is on heartworm preventative.

If you’d like to schedule a meet and greet, please complete and submit an animal enquiry form at https://www.angelpawsinc.com.au/forms.html

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Lena Courtney has lived in her Ayr house for 68 years.

It’s where her five children grew up and where her family calls home.

But after Lena’s children left and her husband passed away, she longed for more social interaction and involvement with her community.

That’s where Fiona Tomarchio came into her life, thanks to Burdekin Community Association’s (BCA) Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS).

The ACVVS is a national program funded by the Australian Government allowing community organisations like BCA to improve the quality of life for lonely and isolated people living in residential care or living at home with support from Home Care Packages.

Lena was introduced to Fiona by BCA Volunteer Service Manager Rita Quagliata over four years ago and, since then, a beautiful friendship has blossomed.

“She’s been a wonderful friend,” Lena said of Fiona.

“Having a person like Fiona to talk to is very nice, because we can communicate to one another and that’s something great.

“I can open up to her and Fiona opens up to me; it’s just like being a sister.

“I miss her when she’s gone.”

Fiona became a part of the ACVVS to give back to her community and has established a loving friendship with Lena in the process.

“She has no family present in the Burdekin so, in a sense, she has become part of our family,” Fiona said.

“She’s met all of my family, some of my girlfriends, she’s had coffee with them, we’ve had endless amounts of laughter.

“Lena is a very strong lady and I love that; she has all of her faculties and she’s allowed me into her life.”

In Rita’s 20 years as a Volunteer Service Manager for BCA, she has met amazing, compassionate, caring people and seen many wonderful friendships develop.

When Lena needed someone to visit her, she looked for a suitable match and came across Fiona four years ago.

“Ever since then, their relationship has developed immensely and they’ve got such a special connection and a special bond,” Rita said.

“For Lena, Fiona’s like an extended family member, they’ve become that close.

“Most of our community visitors, they all develop this special bond with the people they visit, it’s just beautiful.”

For Lena and Fiona, their weekly visit often involves going out for lunch, coffee with friends and family or simply a chat and a laugh over a cuppa at home.

For other visitors, spending time with their clients could mean playing cards or board games, working on a joint hobby like gardening, taking a walk, or watching a movie.

“Some people want only an hour a week or an hour a fortnight, but some, once they’ve developed a wonderful relationship, like to spend a couple of hours a week and do more together because they do become very close,” Rita said.

Rita will look at things people might have in common when matching a client with a volunteer and is always looking for friendly, outgoing people who have at least an hour a week to spend with their client.

“With the ACVVS, we have a lot of people like Lena who want visitors, but the problem we have is trying to get volunteers, so I’m constantly promoting the service, looking for people and asking people if they know of someone,” she said.

Fiona recommended volunteering to anyone looking to give back to their community.

“It warms your heart; Lena warms my heart,” she said.

“I think it’s really rewarding, and I think, if you do have some time on hand, give it a go.”

To find out more about the ACVVS, contact Rita Quagliata on 07 4783 3744 or Rita.Quagliata@bcaburdekin.org.au.

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Caption: Lena Courtney and Fiona Tomarchio

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Millaroo State School’s Leadership Induction was held on March 13.

Congratulations to Harris Petersen who was inducted as the new School Leader for 2024.

Harris has been a student at Millaroo since Prep and said that after watching all the leaders inducted, he’s very happy to be getting a badge himself.

Thank you to the parents and community members who attended and a special thanks to Constable Brendan who attended from the QPS.

We are looking forward to the rest of 2024!

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Contributed by Gillian Harris

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Outgoing P&C President  Kerrie Cervoni presenting Harris with his badge

Constable Brendan giving Harris some leadership advice

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Photos supplied

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A Home Hill cane farmer who was involved in the discovery of one of the Great Barrier Reef’s most horrific shipwrecks has revisited the tale almost 150 years on from her demise.

On the afternoon of Saturday, June 10, 1967, 17-year-old Peter Rubiolo joined two friends for a spot of spearfishing off Cape Upstart.

“They liked to go spearfishing so I went with them with a small dinghy so they could hop in, have a rest, take the fish off and reload the gun before going back over the side again,” Peter said.

“They were fishing along there and when the sharks would come up, they’d jump back in the dinghy until it quietened down again.

“This time around, they both got out, there were a few sharks around, and one of them had a look and spotted the clipper bow of a boat underwater.

“He went down with his spear and tapped steel on steel and heard that ringing sound, and he said, ‘Do you know there’s a wreck down there?’ and I said, ‘Not that we know of.’”

Over 18 months later, the shipwreck was identified as that of the SS Gothenburg, an iron-hulled sail- and steamship that was built in England in 1854.

The ship originally sailed between England and Sweden and then between Australia and New Zealand before she was rebuilt in 1873 and began operating in the Australian coastal trade.

The Gothenburg was chartered by the South Australian Government and regularly sailed between Adelaide and Port Darwin.

She had left Port Darwin on February 17, 1875, with a number of dignitaries and government officials onboard.

On the evening of February 24, 1875, the ship was heading south along Queensland’s east coast when it encountered cyclonic weather conditions.

The captain, Captain Robert George Augustus Pearce, altered the course of the Gothenburg when it struck a reef.

After attempts by the passengers and crew to lighten her load and float free of the reef, the ship eventually went down.

22 people survived the wreck while up to 112 are believed to have been killed.

It wasn’t until Peter and his mates went fishing that fateful day, over 92 years later, that the Gothenburg was rediscovered.

“We discovered the wreck on Saturday afternoon and on Sunday the boys went out spearfishing again, went a bit further north and found an anchor and chain with nothing on the end of it,” Peter said.

“There was no name on the bow – over a period of time, it would’ve come off – so how we identified it was by the government arrows on the porthole.”

The Member for Bowen at the time was Peter Delamothe, a history buff himself, who directed Peter and his friends to Brisbane based shipwreck historian Commander Norman Pixley.

Commander Pixley used markings on the porthole and the coordinates of where the shipwreck was found to identify it as the SS Gothenburg a year and a half after it was discovered.

“He worked it back to that era and that’s how we came up with the Gothenburg,” Peter said.

Since the discovery, Peter dived the Gothenburg himself and even still owns a porthole retrieved from the wreck.

“It was nothing out of the ordinary at the time,” Peter said.

“After that, I went and got some scuba gear and dived it myself a few times.

“We weren’t out looking for a wreck, we were just spearfishing along when we came across it.”

Today, the Gothenburg is a protected wreck and provides food and shelter for a variety of marine life including soft and hard corals, anemones, clownfish, coral trout, cods, sea perch, black tip reef sharks and other reef fish.

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Caption 1: Peter Rubiolo with a porthole retrieved from the wreck of the SS Gothenburg. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

Caption 2: SS Gothenburg docked at Port Adelaide wharf in 1873. Photo supplied: John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland

Caption 3: The stern of the SS Gothenburg shipwreck. Photo supplied: Dive into History – Queensland Shipwrecks, Department of Environment and Science

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Did you know that Burdekin Community Association Inc (BCA) can help you to access community services and get more involved in the Burdekin community? We offer a very wide range of services, under 36 programs, for people of all ages and backgrounds. Most services are FREE.

Our team is very well qualified and experienced and can provide you with information and/or help you to access local and outreach services. For example, aged care, disability care, housing, crisis accommodation, financial coaching, social activities and support, psychological counselling, rehabilitation and exercise programs, domestic and family violence services, essential food and toiletries, telehealth, legal services and much more.

You may also be interested in joining our “Community Connections Group” and/or “Make It Happen Life Skills Group”. Meetings are held at our Burdekin Centre for Rural Health and are a lot of fun! Great off-street parking and disability access.

For information on community and health and wellbeing services and being more involved in our community, please contact Burdekin Community Association Inc. on Ph 4783 3744, visit the Support Centre, 130 Queen Street, Ayr, Email bca@bcaburdekin.org.au or www.burdekincommunityassociation.org.au

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Debra Cochran

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Have you ever been lost for words or not know how to start or conduct a conversation?

You are not alone - it happens to us all at one time or another.

So, what is the Art of Conversation? Good conversation involves being able to connect with others, share thoughts and ideas, actively listen to what they have to say, and being respectful by not interrupting or making everything about yourself.

Conversation is a work of art – there is more than one creator!

We all can communicate or converse; sometimes, we just need to practise. Have you ever heard of Human Libraries, Death Cafes, Conversation Clubs, or Speed Dating? These are all examples of social activities where conversation is a way of getting to know someone or of hearing their stories.

Recently, community members have approached us asking if there is anywhere in the Burdekin where people can practise their English. We would love to get a Conversation Corner happening at the Centre where community members can meet to practise their conversation skills, improve their English, decrease their loneliness, and increase their confidence. Helping each other is an excellent way of improving our well-being.

The Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre is happy to offer a place to meet, help, and support groups interested in starting a new project or activity. If you are interested in joining a group or starting one, please let us know. We would love to hear from you and provide you with the necessary support. Please call the office on 07 4783 4243.

The Team at the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre values conversation and welcomes the opportunity to converse with the community. So, come on in and have a yarn with us. Let's start a movement -#letsgettalking.

Wishing you all a great week!

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The Team

Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre

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Did you know that the Burdekin Shire Council has a set of local laws that cover various aspects of community and environmental management?

Local laws are rules and regulations that are made by Councils to address specific topics, issues and challenges. Local laws complement the broader laws and regulations of the State and Federal Governments and help Councils to manage their local areas in a way that meets the needs and expectations of their communities. Local laws are made and enforced under the Local Government Act 2009 and are necessary or convenient for the good rule and local government of the area.

The local laws govern areas of interest in the community such as parking, waste management, animal management, and the use of council-controlled areas and facilities.

The local laws also include subordinate local laws, which provide more details and specifications for each topic. You can find the list of current local laws and subordinate local laws on the council's website or inspect them at the Council Chambers at 145 Young Street Ayr. The local laws are specific to the Burdekin Shire Council and reflect its unique characteristics and needs as a thriving agricultural region with abundant resources and opportunities.

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In the heart of the Burdekin, where fishing and boating means so much to the community, Ayr Marine Services ensures local boaties have access to top quality products and dedicated and trustworthy service right here in Ayr.

Founded by Aidan Slatcher, Ayr Marine Services began as a part-time venture back in 2018, and by 2021, Aidan had transitioned to full-time dedication, laying the foundation for what would soon become a local favourite. Aidan brings over 15 years of outboard experience to the business as well as a passion for boats and a vision for exceptional customer service. With a keen eye for quality and a knack for going above and beyond, Aidan has cultivated a loyal customer base that appreciates the personal touch he brings to every interaction.

The last couple of years has brought new partnerships for Ayr Marine Services with renowned brands like Makocraft boats and Suzuki outboards. Since stocking Makocraft boats last year, the business has expanded its offerings to include a diverse range, from compact car toppers to robust 7.5m plate boats. This year, Ayr Marine Services proudly introduced Suzuki Marine to its lineup, featuring a comprehensive selection and providing the Burdekin with a wider range of brands and products to choose from.

Together with full time apprentice Jaycob, the small but mighty team ensures that each customer receives personalised attention and expert guidance, whether they're in the market for a new boat or seeking repairs and maintenance services. From assisting with customisations to facilitating made-to-order boats, Ayr Marine Services are equipped to handle every aspect of the boating experience.

As a locally owned and operated business, Ayr Marine Services takes pride in serving the Burdekin community. With a fully equipped mobile service vehicle and service trailer, Aidan and the team ensure that customers receive prompt and reliable assistance wherever in the Burdekin they may be. Whether you're a seasoned boater or a newcomer to the waterways, Ayr Marine Services is your trusted partner for all your marine needs.

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Caption: Jaycob and Aidan of Ayr Marine Services

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The Burdekin Chamber held its second event of 2024 on the morning of Tuesday, March 19 at Home Hill News and Coffee, inviting guest speaker nbn Local North Queensland Community Ambassador Carly Crompton to address the members.

Ms Crompton provided an update regarding the Regional Connectivity Program, saying Fibre to the Premise will be available to eligible homes and businesses by the end of 2025 in Ayr, Home Hill and Brandon, replacing the copper telephone lines with fibre.

“Having completed the initial build of one of the largest infrastructure projects in Australian history, nbn is now focused on the next stage in the planned evolution of the nbn network,” Ms Crompton said.

“The purpose of the Regional Connectivity Program is to further enhance broadband services for rural and regional households, businesses, and communities to help meet growing and diverse needs of Australians living in regional areas.”

Ms Crompton said benefits of Fibre to the Premise include faster upload and download speeds for homes and businesses with access to over 150 retail service provides; faster streaming making it easier to work from home; No 3pm drop-outs when kids get home from school; and flood resiliency.

Burdekin Chamber President Leigh Kefford said nbn’s recent notification of an upgrade for the Burdekin region is massive for business.

“It allows the ability for an increase in speeds, and it will increase productivity for businesses, so it was a no-brainer to invite them along to give an update,” Mr Kefford said.

“Hopefully it educates a lot of the members on what the future holds, as well as the possibilities that the over 150 retail service providers bring.”

Works should get underway mid-year and completion is expected by the end of 2025.

Residents and business owners can visit nbnco.com.au to check their address and register to receive the latest build information.

The Burdekin Chamber plans to hold a marketing summit for small business owners in May in celebration of Small Business Month.

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Caption: Burdekin Chamber President Leigh Kefford and nbn Local North Queensland Community Ambassador Carly Crompton

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