Kickoff The Conversation, hosted by Burdekin Shore Council, was a raving success, with the drawcard of Aussie rugby league legend Wally Lewis encouraging locals to open up about their mental health.

Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin said the event was a dedicated effort to raise awareness, combat the stigma associated with mental health issues and equip attendees with invaluable tools and resources for self-care and support.

“Over 170 attendees enjoyed a night of inspiring stories, insights and tips from national and local speakers covering persistence, resilience, determination, reaching out and self-help,” Mayor McLaughlin said.

“The highlight of the evening was guest speaker and rugby league legend Wally Lewis, who shared his struggles with epilepsy, divorce and parenting a deaf child. His anecdotes from his footy career entertained the crowd and he generously gave away signed memorabilia and books.”

Speaking alongside Wally was the Unbreakable Farmer Warren Davies, Channel 9 presenter and author Steve Hadden and locals Janai Giddy, Andrea Piotto, Kate Gaze, and Lawrence Polga, who spoke on a range of topics including battling drought, debt, depression, alcoholism, and overcoming mental health issues.

CORES’ Ross Romeo and Sean Winning, a Clinical Nurse Consultant with Tackling Regional Adversity through Connecting Communities (TRACC) also shared professional advice on how and when to seek help.

“I extend my gratitude to Queensland Health for their generous contribution through the Mental Health Initiatives Funding, and to the speakers for openly sharing their experiences,” Mayor McLaughlin said.

“Without your support and valuable insights, this event would not have had the same profound impact,”

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‘The King’ Wally Lewis joined a cast of locals to discuss mental health awareness. Photo credit: Saskia Photography

It’s time to reflect on the year that was and highlight those who make our region great as Burdekin Shire Council has announced the commencement of nominations for the 2024 Australia Day Awards.

The awards symbolise acknowledgement and celebration of the extraordinary contributions and accomplishments of individuals and groups within the dynamic Burdekin community.

Award categories range from sporting, cultural and environmental achievements to stand-out community events, dedication to volunteering and the principal titles of Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year.

Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin said the Australia Day Awards recognise members of the community who have made an outstanding contribution to the Burdekin and stands as a moment to pay tribute to their selfless endeavours.

“I encourage the community to actively participate by nominating individuals or groups whom you believe deserve recognition for their outstanding efforts,” Ms McLaughlin said.

“The Burdekin is fortunate to be home to many individuals and this is an opportunity to express our gratitude for their invaluable contributions that often go unnoticed.

“Nominations are open to the public and forms can be found on Council’s website.”

Nominations for Burdekin Shire Council’s 2024 Australia Day Awards are now open and will close on Wednesday, 6 December at 5:00pm.

Download a nomination form at bit.ly/AusDayBDK or for more information, phone Burdekin Shire Council on 4783 9800.

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Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin with 2023 Burdekin Australia Day Award recipients Gerald Henaway (Citizen of the Year), Zavier Wood (Young Citizen of the Year), Brent Dingle (Young Citizen of the Year Achievement Award) and Australia Day Ambassador Selina Tomasich. Photo supplied: Burdekin Shire Council

Ayr Criminal Investigation Branch recently charged a 24-year-old male with 22 break and enter and fraud offences.  It is alleged the male was stealing large quantities of copper wire and diesel from business premises and farming properties in the Ayr, Clare, and Giru areas over the past months.  The fraud offences relate to the male selling the stolen copper to scrap metal dealers claiming he was the lawful owner of the property.

Townsville Property Crime Unit charged the same male with a further 10 offences relating to the theft of copper wire in the Townsville District.  This included the theft of $40,000 of copper from a business premise at Rollingstone on the 19th of October, resulting in the disconnection of power to the entire Rollingstone community for several hours.  

Police opposed the man’s bail and he was subsequently held in custody.

Police wish to thank members of the community who provided information regarding suspicious persons and vehicles during this time.  Although this particular person has been arrested, investigators believe there were multiple persons operating in the area over this time.  Police encourage the community to remain vigilant with property security and call 000 or Policelink on 131 444 if suspicious activity is observed.  

Lock It Or Lose It

There are often typical circumstances which occur prior to a home being unlawfully entered. An offender will usually act on easy or tempting opportunities, especially when it is evident no one is home or the risk of being caught is low.

Queensland Police encourage you to conduct regular audits of your home security.

Check out the following:

• Security doors in good working order with triple locks and finger guards installed.

• Main doors are solid and patio bolts installed on sliding doors.

• Windows have key operated locks.

• Home is well-lit with sensor lighting installed to deter intruders from entering the home.

• Keep an up-to-date inventory list recording serial numbers, makes, models and descriptions of your property.

• Wheelie bins secured in a location which prevents an intruder using them to climb into your home.

• Valuable items outside the home secured in a garage or shed.

Don’t let yourself become a victim of crime – Lock it or Lose it

If you have any information about crime or illicit drugs, phone crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.  The more detailed the information you give, the better it will be for all concerned.

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Massive delays to road projects across the country as a result of a 90-day review of all infrastructure projects is causing safety concerns locally as flood season approaches and risks to flood prone areas increases.

The review was announced in May and due to take three months, but 170 days later there is no news as to when it will be completed.

There are several local projects affected by this, namely the proposed project for the new bridge and the highway alignment.

These two projects are long-term developments that have not yet begun, but their funding sits within the government’s list of infrastructure projects, progress of which is halted.

In addition, the Burdekin Deviation has now been brought to a stop and Member for Burdekin Dale Last, says he is concerned about how flooding will be managed this storm season.

“Key projects for North Queensland that are currently in limbo due to the so-called review,” said Mr Last.

“The Burdekin Deviation aims to address road closures due to flooding and those closures impact the entire north of the state.

“Currently we have a proposed corridor reserved for the Burdekin Deviation and funding to secure that corridor is just one example of what’s at risk the longer this review drags out.

“It will be a multi-billion-dollar project that could go right back to square one if the federal government continues to dither.

“In May we were told the review would take 90 days but here we are, 170 days later, and the federal government won’t even say when the results will be made public.”

Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, is also concerned about the delays which he says are halting “life-saving road projects”.

“Crucial infrastructure projects have stalled under Labor and it’s just not good enough. The Australian people deserve answers, the people in our electorate of Dawson deserves answers.

“Families living in rural and regional areas deserve to be able to travel to and from work and to access crucial services safely.

“This was a question about roads and infrastructure, but it seems all roads lead back to The Voice for the Prime Minister,” said Mr Willcox.

Caption: Currently traffic must be stopped at The Burdekin River Bridge when a wide load needs to pass. Photo: Supplied

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In hindsight, I must confess that I used to take our local newspaper for granted. But not anymore. The new Burdekin Life Newspaper exemplifies the significance of supporting local businesses.

Take a moment to explore this remarkable FREE newspaper. The businesses that advertise within its pages are the ones who make it possible. Many of these businesses are also visible on sports club fences and team uniforms throughout the Burdekin. They consistently step up to support our community time and time again.

It's all too common these days to hear about people opting for out-of-town and online shopping. From clothing to automobiles with products from all over Australia and the world being just a click away. The sheer variety available to consumers is impressive, but it comes at the cost of increased exposure to online threats and scams. Personally, I take comfort in walking into a local business, knowing the people behind it. If I have an issue with a product, I can easily return it and receive assistance.

Consider the jobs they provide, the apprenticeships they offer, and the after-school employment and work experience opportunities that benefit our children. I understand the importance of saving money and putting food on the table as every cent counts, however if you genuinely compare Burdekin businesses, they can compete with anyone when it comes to quality products and services.

I was born and raised in a local family-owned business that thrived for 60 years. I witnessed firsthand the advantages and significance of the circular economy created by supporting local businesses.

So, I urge you to do a favour for all of us and show your appreciation to the businesses featured in this newspaper and all of the businesses in the Burdekin. They provide so much for our town, and it's time to give back.

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In the local community, Council’s Works Department plays a vital role in keeping our roads safe and accessible.

Did you know that Council maintains an extensive network of roads?

Council takes care of an impressive 1,146 kilometres of roads. That's like driving from Sydney to Melbourne. Out of this extensive road network, a significant 738 kilometres are sealed, which equates to 64.4% of the total road length. While sealed roads make up the majority, there are 408 kilometres of unsealed roads in our region.

In the 2023/24 Budget Council committed to $3 million towards road maintenance. Maintaining such a vast network of roads is no small feat. Council employees undertake regular defect inspections and prioritise work to ensure that our roads are safe to drive on. Road safety is a top priority, with regular inspections and upgrades to road signage, traffic signals and pedestrian crossings.

To help maintain and improve our road network, you can report any road issues you encounter. It's important to keep in mind that a designated officer will assess and evaluate each request according to intervention criteria.

If you notice potholes, damaged signs, or other concerns, phone Council’s Customer Service Centre on 4783 9800 or visit Burdekin.qld.gov.au.

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Four Catholic parishes from the Burdekin region came together as one last Tuesday, October 31 to ritualise the formation of Burdekin Catholic Parish.

After many hours of consultation with parishes and their communities, recommendations were made by Catholic Bishop of Townsville Bishop Tim Harris to combine the parishes of Ayr, Giru, Home Hill and Burdekin Valley into one.

“We prepared each of these separate parishes and we said to them all, ‘There’s strength in numbers and coming together’,” Bishop Harris said.

“As we know, the church isn’t growing; there are challenges not only for the church, but for local communities.

“What we want to say in all of that is that the church is alive and we’re trying to reconfigure how we do things and try some new ways for new times.”

Although the four parishes have combined to pool resources and personnel, the former parishes will remain operational and masses will continue.

A new Mission Council has formed to lead parish operations, led by Father Manoj Mathew and Chairperson of the Parish Leadership Team Bev Lando.

“I truly believe that this is going to give a lot more hope to the people here, there’s going to be more life in the community, more vibrancy of people working together,” Father Mathew said.

“I’ve always been about the collective group of peoples in the Burdekin,” added Ms Lando.

“The church is a broad combination of people who are going to walk together.”

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Bishop Tim Harris and Father Manoj Mathew

Fast Facts:

Rehoming Fee: $195

DOB: 1/02/2023

Sex: Male

Kid Friendly: Yes

Dog Friendly: Untested

Other Cats: Yes

Location: Home Hill

George will be quick to make himself right at home in your home, with his cuddly nature and love of all things warm, be it a warm bed, sunny blankets, or his human’s lap.

He loves attention, and is always ready for a play, with toys or with kids, it doesn’t bother George.

While he is incredibly loyal, George also does love to share his love, and will care on every single person inside the family home, snuggling on laps and being in the middle of every conversation and interaction.

George is desexed, microchipped, has been flea, tick and worm treated, and is up-to-date on his vaccinations.

To enquire about George, or to schedule a meet and greet, complete an animal inquiry form: https://www.angelpawsinc.com.au/forms.html.

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Calling all students of the Home Hill State High School year 8 class of 1964!

In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the opening of Home Hill State High School, a group of former students are planning a reunion to gather and catch up with their fellow classmates.

Jenni Auteri (Jezard) is part of a group of those students who catch up regularly and is putting the call out for any other people who were in that class to gauge interest in a reunion.

“We’re planning for just our class to get together some time in August across one or two days in Home Hill depending on what sort of feedback we get from people,” Ms Auteri said.

“I’m looking forward to catching up with as many people as I can.”

1964 was the first time year 8 transitioned from primary school to secondary.

Years 8, 9 and 10 were moved from the high top of Home Hill State School to the new high school which Ms Auteri said was an exciting time for the students.

“It was this whole big new adventure going to our high school and starting it off,” she said.

“We didn’t have a library, we just had lots of boxes, so some of the kids got to help unpack the boxes and set up the library.”

If you were in the year 8 class at Home Hill State High School in 1946, Ms Auteri would like to hear from you.

You can contact her at jenauteri@gmail.com or 0419 147 997 or Dianne Schultz (Power) at roddischultz@bigpond.com.

“We’d also like to know if the other year levels are planning anything,” Ms Auteri said.

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A group of former Home Hill State High School students catch up every couple of months. Photo supplied

10 years ago, Demi Russell took a maternity relief role in the Honeycombes warehouse with little to no knowledge of the industry she was entering.

Now, she’s one of the most respected Parts Interpreters in Burdekin agriculture, expanding her experience and sharing it with newcomers to the business.

“I’ve lived here all my life, so I kind of knew about different agricultural concepts, but I hadn’t looked at a harvester or anything before I started here, so I was quite green,” she said.

The learning curve of the agriculture landscape and terminology can be a steep one, but Demi approached the challenge with determination and tenacity.

Her high work ethic was instilled in her by her mother, a stalwart in the agriculture and automotive industries for over 30 years who proved to her that hard work and dedication will get her far.

As a young woman in the industry, Demi said it was difficult to gain the respect and acknowledgement of the customers who would often gravitate towards her male counterparts.

“Once I proved that I could excel in the job, I built great rapport and a lot of respect came with that which still stands today,” Demi said.

“Starting out 10 years ago, I had no idea what a chopper drum or an elevator was or anything to do with a harvester.

“You’ve got to learn all that, so my personal growth from where I started to where I am now is a real point of pride.”

Alongside her mother, Demi considers a dear friend as a major influence on her career in agriculture, who trained Demi when she first joined Honeycombes a decade ago. Demi now imparts this knowledge to others in the business.

“I feel like one of the senior people in the department, so people come to me to ask questions and I train new people,” Demi said.

Demi says there can be dirt, there can be heavy lifting and there can be challenging customers and requests, but she always strives to do her best to satisfy the customer and urges other young women to consider a career in agriculture.

“The agriculture industry can be one of the most rewarding industries to be involved in,” she said.

“When you think about it on a global scale, it helps to keep the world ticking.”

Lisa MacDonald – Keeping The Industry Moving

The last thing a farmer needs at this time of year is a mechanical breakdown but it’s people like Lisa MacDonald, Honeycombes’ Senior Service Advisor, who keep the machines running and the customer happy.

Working closely with customers, Lisa handles service requests and bookings, resolves service issues while providing and maintaining service support to technicians.

She is passionate about the agriculture industry and motivated about keeping her customers satisfied.

“I sympathise with the stresses that the farmers have and what they can encounter during the crush,” Lisa said.

“It emphasises the importance of having their machines going so I try to incorporate those needs into my work.”

Lisa loves the challenges of her work and says she feels a sense of pride and satisfaction on a daily basis.

“When you help someone who’s really struggling or there’s a breakdown and you’re able to get a technician out there, you have that feeling that you’ve accomplished that for them and now they’re able to keep going,” she said.

“At the end of the day, there’s a new level of appreciation for helping the farmer out and going as far as you did to get them back on track.”

A hardworking and dedicated individual, Lisa completes her work with modesty and an utmost respect for her customers.

She’s proud to be a woman in the agriculture industry and admires the hardworking farmers out in the field.

“Everyone needs admin, but we’re not the ones out there in the heat, the elements and the conditions,” Lisa said.

“The true inspiration are those women contributing to the rural and ag industry out in the field, so celebrating them is very important because they keep this community going.”

Working within a cooperative and coordinated team, Lisa thrives surrounded by passionate people, urging anyone interested in agriculture to “go for it”.

Rosita Previtera – From Farm To Honeycombes

Rosita Previtera grew up in a cane farming family surrounded by agriculture in many forms.

She’d join her mum and dad checking the irrigation on the cane farm, spending much of her childhood weekends riding the four-wheeler and helping pick and pack mangoes and other small crops.

Her mother had a very active role on the property, which Rosita says was rare at the time, so it felt like a natural step when Rosita embarked on her own career in agriculture, joining Honeycombes in 1995 when she finished school.

Starting in administration, was the beginning of a long and illustrious career for Rosita, who has worked across many departments in the company before filling the role of Service Warranty Advisor across the group’s seven branches.

“In my role, I oversee warranty for the group, providing support to customers and staff utilising our dealer platforms, and our main goal is to have our customers receive the best service support possible and limit their downtimes,” Rosita said.

For someone who didn’t have a mechanical background, Rosita immersed herself in the industry from the beginning and, with the support of Honeycombes, has become a role model to younger staff.

“In my role, I need to know the terminologies involved in machinery, repairing machinery and where things go. Honeycombes have been really supportive and they provide a lot of training platforms to progress my knowledge and get to where I am today,” she said.

“In turn, I’ve then trained Service Advisors to fulfil their role in other branches.”

Being in the business for almost 30 years, Rosita appreciates working in a family environment alongside a team she’s known for most of her life.

She feels appreciated for her work in the business, standing up as a pillar of advice, knowledge and experience, and reflects on her role as a woman in the agriculture industry with pride.

“It’s important to recognise how far we’ve come and how integrated women are in the industry,” Rosita said.

“It’s not a male dominated environment anymore. It doesn’t matter what part of the industry, whether we’re out there on tractors, operating machinery, or in an office providing support, we all have an integral role.”

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In the heart of Burdekin, where agriculture has long been the lifeblood of the community, one remarkable woman is taking to the skies to redefine the role of women in the agriculture industry. Meet Brooke Tudehope, the co-owner of Dwyer Aviation Services, a helicopter business that has been an integral part of the region's farming landscape since 1980.

Dwyer Aviation Services, which has been under the ownership of Brooke’s husband, Don, since 1997, offers a range of services, including aerial agriculture (spraying, spreading, and seeding), firefighting, powerline work, sling work, and more. However, the pair’s passion lies in the world of aerial agriculture.

Originally from Proserpine, Brooke relocated to the Burdekin in 2001, and she has been an integral part of the business since then, handling all administrative tasks, including bookings, accounts, compliance, and marketing. In 2002, she even began her journey to obtain a Commercial Helicopter License but had to put the flying component on hold when she had three children in quick succession.

Fast forward to 2023, with their three children now in their mid to late teens and more independent, Brooke has embraced additional roles within the company, becoming a qualified Agricultural Drone Pilot and taking on responsibilities as part of the Helicopter Ground Crew. She now drives the helicopter loading truck, mixes and loads chemicals, refuels helicopters and flies agricultural drones.

“It has been a really big change, going from the office to the field, but I have enjoyed the more physical work, the outdoors, seeing all different farms, learning so many new things and finally meeting the farmers and graziers and their families in person after years of talking to them on the phone,” Brooke reflected.

“I have even gotten used to the 3am alarm clock!”

Recognising the potential of drones in the aviation industry, particularly in aerial agriculture, the Tudehopes decided to invest in this technology in 2020. Last month, they welcomed their third large drone for aerial spraying, spreading, and seeding. The goal is to expand the use of drones to complement their existing helicopter ag business – while Dwyer Aviation Services will still have jobs only a helicopter can do, they are using the ag drones more and more in the local area.

Their latest drone is larger, smarter, and more productive, with a 50L capacity for spraying and an 80L capacity for spreading and seeding. The technology has also seen significant advancements, including increased obstacle avoidance range, airframe and battery improvements, and treatment mapping technology. Notably, Don and Brooke were the first in the country to be licensed on this new model of drone in late September.

“With Don’s decades of experience in agricultural flying in manned aircraft and in the application of agricultural chemicals, plus his local knowledge, together with what I’ve learned on the technology side of things, we make a pretty effective agricultural drone team,” Brooke said.

If you're interested in exploring the possibilities of aerial spraying, seeding, or spreading on your farm or property with the help of a drone, Don and Brooke Tudehope eagerly await your inquiry. While they predominantly contract to farmers and graziers in the Burdekin and Proserpine areas, they are available to go beyond where required. Brooke's journey is not only about defying industry stereotypes but also about embracing innovation and technology to elevate the agriculture industry in Burdekin and beyond.

Scan the QR code to find out more.

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Women in Sugar & Ag Burdekin Inc is a non-profit, non-political organisation with the aim to form a supportive network to unite and support all women in the agricultural sector.

The organisation has an executive committee comprising of President Frances Besterman, Vice President Lisa Pozzebon, Secretary Annalea Matthews and Treasurer Rebecca Love who strive to meet regularly to share knowledge of the industry, along with matters of interest for their members and community.

The drive for Women in Sugar & Ag Inc is to harness their contributions, of knowing how they feed the world, manage the environment and future energy sources, as well as maintaining biodiversity.

“Women make up more than 40 per cent of the global agricultural workforce, which makes it exciting for us to form a supportive network of like-minded women working in the Burdekin region,” President Frances Besterman stated.

“It is a rewarding feeling, being able to contribute to the support and knowledge of our beautiful and agriculturally rich region.”

From actively working on farms to industry partners, to simply being part of an agricultural community, the passionate focus of uniting women by building and sharing their knowledge base is vital to increasing understanding of all the various commodities within the Burdekin region.

This open dialogue is dedicated to encouraging all women to take a proactive approach in both industry activities and decision-making processes.

Membership is open to all women, with the organisation striving to facilitate networking activities on top of general meetings which can include field days, mill tours, farm tours, catching up with guest speakers and other events within the agricultural industry.

Finding the right information and presenting what is relevant about the regions’ diverse commodities are key factors in the engagement of the members.

A challenge the organisation has faced is the entrenched gender roles within the agricultural industry: “For our organisation to be able to facilitate women’s empowerment through knowledge, education and networking is just one way to start breaking stereotypes and achieving gender equality and balance in the agricultural sector,” Ms Besterman said.

Highlights from the past two years include the Regional Conference in 2022 – Uniting women from Bundaberg up to Cairns - as well as hosting numerous networking events focusing on mental health and technology advancements.

The organisation aligns with the mission of Rural Women’s Day which highlights the essential role that rural women play in the food systems of the world, promoting and being active in the discussion offers a renewed opportunity to commit to building on the vision of knowledge sharing, networking, and thinking outside the box, so that rural women everywhere benefit equally from their own productivity.

Women in Sugar & Ag Burdekin Inc would like to pay tribute to the incredible female figures spearheading the future of the agricultural industry.

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Looking back over her career, Ashley Corradi thanks her uninterrupted view of her home town, in one of the biggest industries fuelling the region.

Stepping into Wilmar Sugar and Renewables in 2013 in the laboratory, Ashley moved into the Safety Advisor role at Pioneer Mill after a few years, which is a role she loves, and has her learning firsthand the day-to-day operations of the facility.

“There are so many aspects to the sugar milling sector, which means there is so much to learn,” Ashley explained.

“I’ve lived in the Burdekin my whole life and it wasn’t until I started with this business that I realised how much opportunity there was to develop my career in my home town.”

Flourishing within Wilmar and the agriculture sector, Ashley is proud of the teams she has worked with, for site audits and improving safety standards.

“There is no better feeling than working as a team towards a common goal and getting a good outcome for the site,” she said.

Working within a male dominated industry, Ashley advocates for women to just give it a go.

“Go for it and learn as much as you can, there is so much opportunity within this industry and you never know where your career might take you.

“Rural Women’s Day recognises the critical role and contribution that rural women make in our society. This day in itself gives rural women a platform to share their stories and knowledge, to inspire the next generation. When women support each other, incredible things happen.”

Sally Rizzi – The Pinnacle of People

It is easy to see Sally Rizzi’s passion for people, for encouraging their growth and supporting individuals every way she can.

This is why her position with Wilmar Sugar and Renewables, as People and Culture Senior Coordinator is the perfect fit for her.

Having been a venue manager in Brisbane for 17 years, Sally looked to other opportunities that would keep her in the industry.  

“I was looking for a change that still allowed me to interact with people but with better working hours,” Sally explained.

“So, I went back to university and studied my Masters in Business in HR Management whilst working full time. I worked in HR for a manufacturer in Brisbane before moving back to the Burdekin where I grew up.”

Moving back to the Burdekin was an easy decision for Sally, particularly shifting into a position closely associated with agriculture and farming.

“I love the learning. There are times when I sit in an interview for a different position and, through the questions and discussions between the candidate and the hiring manager, I learn something different about the role for which I’m recruiting or the sugar manufacturing process.”

All in all, Sally loves Wilmar Sugar and the mills.

“I would have to say a highlight is my current People and Culture team within the Burdekin mills. I engaged each of these ladies for their position at the sites, and they have proven to be capable, witty and dedicated women who are a joy to work with daily.”

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Burdekin Cane Audit Services Deliver Both

Passionately working to provide Burdekin cane farmers with confidence in the quality and quantity of their cane is a team of independent auditors employed by Burdekin Cane Audit Services (BCAS) to oversee all facets of cane weighing and analysis.  

Comprised predominantly of committed women, you can be rest assured that if the mills are crushing, the auditors are checking. BCAS works diligently to ensure validity in all data included for cane payment.

“We have a very experienced team and are proud that 90% of our auditors are women,” said BCAS Business Manager, Barb Colls.

“Employment opportunities for women in agriculture are diverse. The value of our work is far reaching for both growers and the 4 mills.

“We have amazing women in our team, I am so proud of their commitment to accuracy and precision. All our employees contribute something unique and valuable.”  

Undoubtedly there is a strong connection to high quality sugar cane in the Burdekin, with a history of cane analysis governance that has evolved over more than a century, influenced by many inspiring women past and present. Today the BCAS board has an equal share of grower and mill representatives, ensuring the strategic direction considers the best interests of all. The BCAS board is also proudly represented by 50 per cent women directors.

Meet BCAS Director Dr Kayleen Walsh

Nominated to the directorship by CANEGROWERS Burdekin, Dr Kayleen Walsh is proud to be a part of a diverse board that brings balance to its discussion and decision making. While she unfortunately didn’t see many women in the science, engineering and agriculture industries as she was starting out, she now plays a vital role in showing that women can be leaders in agriculture.

“By showing our presence in the industry, more women will consider a career in agriculture and more men will accept and value our contribution,” Kayleen said.

“By celebrating Rural Women's Day, I hope I can inspire the daughters of farmers, farming fathers and grandfathers to aim for equality in family farming businesses and succession planning.”

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Agriculture can seem an intimidating industry for anyone to enter, but Melissa Boulter is redefining what it means to work in ag. As Office Manager with Queensland Cane Agriculture & Renewables (QCAR), Melissa heads the daily operations of the organisation’s office and service offerings to growers across the state. She says that not owning a farm herself is one point of difference between her and others in the industry, but she doesn’t consider it a disadvantage; it’s her passion for sugar cane, ensuring QCAR’s growers are adequately represented, that drives her to excel.

“I really love seeing the results from our growers from the start of their planting to the end product of the sugar being sold and all the processes in between,” she said.

Melissa transitioned from financial planning into a manager role with QCAR in February this year. The organisation’s constant evolution and collaboration with organisations like AgForce Cane Ltd saw her take on the role of Office Manager in July. Utilising her clerical skills and her passion for people, Melissa has become the backbone of the business, inspiring those around her while learning from and growing with the countless colleagues she considers to be her role models.

It's been a year of transformation, innovation and new beginnings for QCAR, from the collaboration with AgForce Cane Ltd to their recent rebrand from Burdekin Cane Agriculture Organisation, and Melissa has thrived in this time of growth. Being a part of such a momentous change fills her with great pride and satisfaction, knowing she’s contributing to such a seminal period for the organisation and the whole of the agriculture industry. She urges the young women of the Burdekin to consider a career in agriculture as she’s the proof that there is a role for everyone no matter your skillset or experience.

“Agriculture is the heart and soul of Australia and without it would be a very sad day,” she said. “Women feature in so many roles in agriculture from working on the farms, in the labs, mills, to Agri banking, the list is endless and sometimes women take a backseat instead of being recognised for their efforts. Agriculture has a wide variety of roles that anyone can do, and it is an extremely rewarding industry to be in.”

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