The 2024 Queensland Reconciliation Awards nominations are now open to celebrate the creation of meaningful partnerships, employment opportunities, and efforts made to improve the health and wellbeing of First Nations communities.

Businesses, community groups, schools, sporting clubs, and cultural organisations are encouraged to nominate for the 2024 Queensland Reconciliation Awards, and Minister Leeanne Enoch believes each nominee stands as an inspirational role model in advancing reconciliation.

“The awards provide us with an opportunity to celebrate our shared journey towards reconciliation highlighting initiates and programs that are advancing reconciliation, strengthening relationships, and improving outcomes for Queenslanders,” explained Ms Enoch.

The annual awards have recognized over 100 initiatives and partnerships for fostering a more inclusive Queensland since their inception in 2003. The 2023 Queensland Reconciliation Awards saw the celebration of the Waijungbah Jarjums Service as the winner of the overall Premier’s Reconciliation Award, and the health and wellbeing category. Delivered by Gold Coast Health, the Waijungbah Jarjums service improves health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their families from pregnancy through to childhood.

Once again, this overall Premier’s Reconciliation Award will be awarded to a nominated initiative demonstrating innovative strategies and exceptional outcomes towards advancing reconciliation in Queensland.

Nominations for the 2024 Queensland Reconciliation Awards close 5pm Monday March 18, and recipients will be announced during National Reconciliation week on May 27 to June 3 and will be awarded with a share of $30,000.

For more information on how to apply visit qld.gov.au/reconciliation.

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For the first time in the business’s history, Oar and Horan Dentists boasts a team of four Burdekin born and bred dentists caring for their community.

The team is proud to announce the appointment of Dr André Le Feuvre, a Burdekin local who spent his formative years in Giru before moving to Cairns to complete his dental studies.

Graduating in 2017, André gained valuable experience working in Cairns, Townsville, and Central Western Queensland throughout this time, working in private practice until his move back to the Burdekin in 2023 with his lovely wife Rachael and their children.  

André has cultivated a clinical philosophy centred on producing high quality workmanship with a long-term outlook and employs a direct, no-nonsense approach to dental care.

Joining the Oar and Horan Dentists team in December 2023, André is proud to return to his community representing the business alongside principal dentists Dr Ramon Oar and Dr Todd Horan and fellow dentist Dr Sian Blakey.

Driven by a passion for the Burdekin community, the team at Oar and Horan Dentists are dedicated to personal and professional care.

Established in the early 1990s as Pulvirenti & Holmes in Queen Street, Ayr, the practise has undergone a variety of name changes over the years with Ramon and Todd commencing the ‘Oar and Horan’ partnership in 2007.

Ramon was born in Ayr and completed a Bachelor of Dental Science degree at the University of Queensland.  

Upon graduating in 1993, he returned to the Burdekin to commence work at Pulvirenti & Holmes and celebrated 30 years of dental excellence at the practise in 2023.

Also born and bred in the Burdekin, Todd achieved his qualifications from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Dental Science with Honors in 2002.

He immediately returned to Ayr to commence his professional career as a general dentist.

In 2007, Todd entered into partnership with Ramon Oar and Oar and Horan was born.

Sian, meanwhile, grew up in the Burdekin and moved to Cairns to complete her studies.  

She graduated from James Cook University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery and started her dental career at Oar and Horan in 2017.

The four dentists each bring their own dental passion to the business while remaining fully committed to helping people with their dental needs well into the future, offering a full range of comprehensive dental services including preventative and restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, whitening, endodontics, oral surgery and implants.

They are ably supported by a talented team of hygienists, Rebecca Horan, Gaynor Ewens and Heather de Abreu, boasting a collective 80 years of dental experience, plus a dedicated team of receptionists and dental assistants who ensure the smooth operations of the practise.

Over the years, the staff at Oar and Horan Dentists has grown from five to close to 20, signifying rapid growth and increased commitment to the dental health and wellbeing of the Burdekin.

This growth ensures that the team can continue to offer appointments to new and existing patients in a timely manner.

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Caption: L-R Dr Todd Horan, Dr Sian Blakey, Dr André Le Feuvre and Dr Ramon Oar

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Community Bank Home Hill and Ayr – Bendigo Bank is welcoming Burdekin community organisations to step forward for their 2024 round of Community Grants.

Off the back of a stellar 2023 Community Grant Presentation, where Community Bank-Bendigo reinvested over $278,000 into 28 local Burdekin community groups, Community Bank Home Hill and Ayr are ready to do it all over again.

Senior Branch Manager Chantel Michielin explained that the grants will work the same as they did last year, with all local community organisations invited to submit their applications.

“I encourage all who apply to include a wish list, so while the one of the first on the list may not be granted, another critical item can be supported,” Ms Michielin explained.

“We are proud of our $278, 052 reinvestment into community groups and organisations last year, and are excited to make another round of significant contributions this year.”

Ms Michielin urges community groups to submit their applications, available from their website as a PDF download, a paper copy from the Branch, or an as email copy for those who inquire.

“Opening March 1, we have allocated six weeks for groups to complete and return their applications, with the Grants closing 5pm April 12,” Ms Michielin explained.

The Community Grant recipients will be presented to groups at an official ceremony on May 27.

To find out more, visit bendigobank.com.au/branch/qld/community-bank-ayr or contact the branch on (07) 4783 3288.

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Caption: The Bendigo Bank team at last years’ Community Grant Presentation Night. Photo supplied

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By Chelsea Ravizza

The online landscape has provided a space for businesses to grow far beyond expectations and in more ways than imaginable.

Holding an online presence in the form of social media pages, an online website, publishing blog posts or elevating Google Business profiles are all means to increase a business’ reach and push the domain to customers who would never physically walk through the store’s front door. In social media applications like TikTok and Instagram, it’s easy for businesses to take advantage of the algorithm, allowing content to reach not only a larger audience but also a tailored audience, realistically filled with potential customers. Following local businesses, influential community members, and showing consistent support of other business’s content through likes, comments, and shares, are all tasks to elevate a business’s profile and prompt search engines. When audiences grow, sales grow, when sales grow, businesses flourish.

In saying this, a business’s online presence can become much more than a means of attracting customers. In the time where social media has become a part of society’s everyday lives, it’s not surprising to discover those seeking employment use applications like Instagram, Facebook and TikTok similarly to websites like Seek, Indeed and LinkedIn. Businesses presenting an online brand which showcases a personalized approach to operations with photos of staff, the business itself, and customer interactions will evidently become more appealing to future employees in comparison to corporate focused profiles.

To employ techniques for successful online growth of a business’s brand, it’s integral to first evaluate the values of the business and how to portray such values in a way to attract a specifically targeted audience. When complete, it’ll become more than simple to hijack the social landscape for business success.

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Sugarcane’s potential as a renewable source of bioenergy, biofuel and bioproducts continues to grow through the concept of the circular bioeconomy.

Queensland Cane Agriculture & Renewables (QCAR) Director Russell Hall believes the sugarcane to be the only 100% renewable energy source.

“We cut it and from the day it starts growing again, it’s creating oxygen and natural capital on your farm and its producing natural energy,” he said.

“Once harvested, it joins the process of fuel, power, plastic, milk, oil, burning modules, it just becomes a whole array of green energy.”

Through the circular bioeconomy, sugarcane can fuel and power the future by utilising existing sugarcane land for sugar production while converting sugarcane waste into bioenergy, biofuel and bioproduct.

QCAR’s commitment to renewables and sustainable agriculture is also seen as a vital opportunity for the industry to capitalise on sugarcane’s unique composition as the globe makes strides in its mission to decarbonise.

Mr Hall recognised the potential for the Burdekin and beyond to participate in this shift by establishing itself as a bioeconomy hub through expansion of land and infrastructure.

“We can be part of the process and get ourselves into the grid by whole crop harvesting, then buy the power, fuel and fertiliser back,” he said.

“Because we’re in the dry tropics, the Burdekin’s got the most sunshine, radiation, the dam, the soil, the water and the infrastructure.

“There’s the first part which is the sugar and molasses process, but if it’s got organic nitrogen, green power and biodiesel or bioethanol, then all of a sudden, that sugar becomes 100% net zero sugar.

“We’re good for the reef, good for the economy and good for the environment, we tick all the boxes.”

This opportunity for the sugarcane industry is seen as a positive for not only farmers and growers, but also for the communities that thrive on the industry.

“The jobs in other renewables are non-existent, whereas sugar mills employ up to 200 people,” Mr Hall said.

“It will expand the industry because, all of a sudden, you’re not sending in 8 million tonne of cane, you’re sending in 12-14 million tonnes of biomass.

“You’re going to building more factories.

“Instead of losing our families, I think there’s enough money in this sort of system to keep young people in the towns.

“The whole community can prosper, whether as a part of it or as a shareholder or even just the supply of cheaper energy and cheaper fuel.

“There’s huge potential for the economy, we’ve just got to have a proactive government on board.”

Mr Hall believes this increased demand will require sugarcane to be cut year-round, seeing a return to Monday to Friday crushing which will again benefit communities and the families who call them home.

“We all know cane is like grass, we don’t have to wait until it gets to 60-70 tonnes to the acre, you can cut it every six months,” he said.

“We want it to be ongoing, Monday to Friday, so when the sun is shining, we can be harvesting cane as a biomass.”

“QCAR is willing to work with incumbent sugar millers to push the concept of a circular bioeconomy.”

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Caption: QCAR Director Russell Hall believes the sugarcane to be the only 100% renewable energy source

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A single Varroa Mite has been detected during a routine inspection at the Port of Brisbane.

The routine inspection, conducted by Biosecurity Queensland, completed diagnostic testing and confirmed that the mite in Varroa Jacobsoni, not Varroa Destructor.

The Varroa Jacobsoni mite parasitizes Asian honey bees, while the Varroa Destructor targets European honey bees.

While the common honey bee within Australia is the European honey bee, secondary testing is being conducted to determine if the mite is carrying any exotic viruses of honeys bees, or if any other exotic bee pests are present.

Biosecurity Queensland is also undertaking tracing activities to identify the potential source and likelihood of spread.

As a precautionary measure, a movement control order (MCO) is not in place to prevent any potential spread.

These movement restrictions apply to all beekeepers who have hives or have had hives in the areas around port of Brisbane in the last 90 days. These restrictions apply to movement of bees, bee hives, bee products, and used bee keeping equipment.

Queensland Beekeepers Association president Jacob Stevens explained, “The Queensland Beekeepers’ Association Inc is in position and ready to provide meaningful support to our impacted beekeepers in the movement control zones.”

“In recent years we’ve provided our expertise and technical knowledge to Biosecurity Queensland to deliver successful eradications of mites detected in Queensland,” he said.

“Queensland has a history of exotic incursions and the QBA is confident our beekeepers will rise to the challenge acting on our call to action to undertake varroa mite surveillance immediately, reporting all results to Bee 123.”

What Beekeepers Can Do:

All Queensland beekeepers are urged to:

   • continue monitoring hives for varroa mite using the alcohol wash method (at least every 16 weeks)

   • report your hive check using the quick and easy Bee 123 form, even if you do not find any suspect mites

   • immediately report unexpected hive deaths, deformed bees, bees with parasites, poor brood patterns and dead brood to Biosecurity Queensland

   • report sightings of Asian honey bees, feral nests/swarms or hives showing symptoms of exotic pests to Biosecurity Queensland

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Women in agriculture are invited to attend a two-day leadership forum in Ayr designed to develop leadership skills, personal confidence and be empowered to make future focused decisions to drive a positive change in their communities.

The Influential Women Community Leadership Forum, to be held 19 – 21 March in the Burdekin Theatre Music Loft, has been supported by Tropical North Queensland Drought Hub as part of their commitment to enhancing the skills and capacity of agricultural communities in North Queensland, and is open to female producers, farmers and agriculture service providers.

“This forum is firmly rooted in rural Queensland, reflecting the unique challenges and opportunities faced by rural women. This is a great opportunity to build their skills and confidence to be leaders and drivers of change in their communities,” said Tropical North Queensland Drought Hub Program Lead and forum organiser, Dr Jane Oorschot.

“The forum facilitator, Heather Ellis from Blue Wren Connections, will guide the participants through two days of group and individual activities to learn about different leadership roles, teamwork, adapting to change, understanding personal values, and self-care to achieve work/life balance.

“We piloted this forum last year in the Gulf Savannah region and received extremely positive feedback on how inspired participants felt about contributing to their local communities.”

Home Hill State High School Agriculture Science Teacher and President of the Queensland Agricultural Teachers Association, Louise Nicholas, said she enrolled in the forum to build more connections and further her leadership development.

“I think women play an enormous role in agriculture and we’re seeing more women in high profile leadership positions,” she said.

“In rural and regional areas, we sometimes feel isolated, so it is great to have those connections and networking opportunities to raise each other up and help us succeed in leadership positions.”

Ms Nicholas is one of four finalists in the 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Awards and said the Influential Women Community Leadership Forum will assist her in achieving the goals she set as part of the application process.

“We had to do a project plan and I believe this course will assist me in delivering ‘Grow Your Own,’ a project that will make connections between school students and industry,” she said.

“It’s about getting the students involved, training them up and making connections in the agricultural industry, and hopefully retaining them in our local areas.

“Any opportunity to develop yourself is of benefit, and I’m excited for the opportunity to attend a leadership forum here in the Burdekin.”

Registrations are limited to 20 participants and priced at just $20.  

Dr Oorschot encourages women in agriculture throughout North Queensland to register now for the Influential Women Community Leadership Forum so they don’t miss out on such a valuable professional and personal development opportunity.

“This course is valued at over $1400, but thanks to our partners BlueWren Connections, NQ Dry Tropics, Growcom and Burdekin Shire Council and the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, registration is just $20, with very affordable accommodation available at the Country Ayr Motel.

“Numbers are capped at 20 to ensure participants receive a highly interactive and personalised experience, and the program has been designed to be practical, challenging and fun.

“By supporting the skills and capacity within the agriculture sector, together we can become more drought and climate resilient and build flourishing, sustainable communities equipped to make future focused decisions.”

To register for the Influential Women Community Leadership Forum to be held in Ayr 19 – 20 March, visit the Tropical North Queensland Drought Hub website at www.tnqdroughthub.com.au or phone Dr Jane Oorschot on 0481 158 989.

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Caption: Home Hill State High School Agriculture Science Teacher and President of the Queensland Agricultural Teachers Association, Louise Nicholas

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Considering a weekend getaway? A quick rendezvous to a different location?

Consider venturing out to Airlie Beach’s Colonial Palms, for a cool afternoon of gentle jazz, that soothes the soul and sets your week off right.

Brought to visitors and locals alike by the likes of Motor Inn Managers Greg and Nettie Dunlop, the Jazz on the Deck is a relaxing afternoon, away from the big beats and loud noise typical of main street venues of Airlie Beach.

In fact, the tempered notes of the Jazz perfectly blends with the scenic view over the coral sea and the Port Of Airlie, which sets the Colonial Palms Motor Inn apart from other accommodation providers.

For Managers Nettie and Greg, they knew that live music entertainment on the deck was an aspect they wanted to bring to the business but were eager to set themselves apart from the other venues in Airlie Beach. And found that no other venues in our area offering Live Jazz

House musician, Nick De Gregorio, is a testament to classical and modern jazz music. Nick has studied Jazz at the conservatory of music in Western Australia and has travelled the world playing in Jazz bands throughout Europe, the UK, USA and aboard cruise ships

We are so lucky that Nick is now a local Airlie Beach resident, and brings his amazing musical talent and worldly connections to Airlie.

With Nick at the helm of inviting and welcoming his accompanying musicians on stage with him, the fortnightly jazz performances have a consistent flair of excitement and beautiful Jazz music.

On the next Jazz day on the 17th of March, Nick has invited Melbourne based Jazz Guitarist, Ash DeNeef to join him on the deck- sounds like we are in for a real treat!

As a special for the Burdekin, Greg and Nettie are offering Burdekin residents a special offer:

                                                       Stay, Wine and Dine Package

Stay in the comfortable king room, Bottle of wine and dinner for two at the Palms Restaurant and witness Nick and his guest musician entertain the afternoon away for the Jazz on the Deck.

                                                         Only $350   (per couple)

“And we offer the room on either Saturday or Sunday night, so you can come on Saturday and head home after the Jazz day,” Greg explained.

“Or travel down on Sunday and stay the night, then head home on Monday.”

WHAT: Jazz On The Deck, with Colonial Palms
WHERE: Colonial Palms Motor Inn
WHEN: Sunday, March 17, from 3pm
RESERVE YOUR GETAWAY: https://colonialpalmsmotorinn.com.au/ or call directly on 4946 7166.

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Last Wednesday February 28, Burdekin Catholic High School (BCHS) celebrated their Commissioning Liturgy to induct all the Year 12 students as leaders of their school community, commission their Student Representative Councillors, First Nation leaders and their Year 12 Student Leaders. The Year 7s, new staff and students were also acknowledged and welcomed to our school. It was a fantastic opportunity for our parents and families to join the students and staff to celebrate and pray that our new leaders be guided by God’s Spirit. One of the most beautiful parts of the liturgy is the ‘pinning’ of leaders’ badges by their parents and caregivers. It was a wonderful time to recognise and launch student leadership for 2024.

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Contributed by BCHS

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Caption: BCHS celebrated their Commissioning Liturgy last week. Photos supplied

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Wednesday February 28 Results For Ladies

This week, the eight ladies got on the green for a bowl with winners of the day Joy Woods, Darelle Pearce, Kaye Garner and Lyn Storrie coming home with the chocolates.

Don’t forget names in by 1:00pm for a 1:30pm start each week.

Friday March 1 Trophy Night

Proudly sponsored by Peto Marine Home Hill.

It has taken three weeks due to poor weather but finally 54 bowlers enjoyed a warm and entertaining evening.

Winners of the night Rhonda Martin, Lyn Storrie, Norm Storrie and Joe Ypinazor.

Second place was Sandra Darween, Henry Hazel, Margaret Chapman and Gary Pearce.

Third place Margaret McLaughlin, Ross McLaughlin and David Harding.

All who attended had a great evening to finish off with once again a great smoko and many thanks to the ladies in the kitchen for your preparation.

Sunday March 3

Under very hot and humid conditions, two Championship games were played.

First game was B grade pairs Glen Woodford and Tony Battglia defeating Neville Dickinson.

And in the other match was A grade singles Lloyd Shepherd defeating Allan Garioch.

Social March 3

Three games of triples were played and the winners were:

Con Sexton, Trevor Elton and Richie Mau

Lyn Storrie, Peter Jorgenson and Hugh Montgomery

Norm Storrie, Ray Paneccasio and Joe Ypinazar

Jackpot was drawn until we got a winner with Lloyd Shepherd and Lenny Feney.

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Contributed by Lloyd Shepherd

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Local

The start of the 2024 local football season was delayed yet again by the inclement weather. Burdekin Panthers Kappa Cup match against JCU Riverway has now been re-scheduled to Tuesday March 12, 7:00pm kick off at International Park. Last weekend’s away fixtures against Olympic were also rained off and are yet to be re-scheduled. This Saturday, March 9, the Panthers host Brothers in three grades. Reserves kick off at 3:00, the Ladies at 5:00 and the Premiers at 7:00.

With the matches against MA Olympic called off last weekend, the Panthers took the opportunity to have a Premier League vs Reserve grade match on Saturday on Field 2 at International Park. This was the first game at match intensity for some of the lads since last season, so it was good to get some minutes under our belt.

The Men’s Coaches this season are, Premiers – Leighton Gallagher, Reserves (Under 23s) – Michael Taylor and Maddy Reid will be coaching the Women’s Premier team. In the Save the Date Department, Female Football Week is May 3-12.

Senior Registrations are now open, and players must be Registered by this Friday to be eligible to play weekend fixtures. Training Shirts are now available to collect at Senior trainings. Jumper pre-orders are now open. Form is available on Facebook to order. Cut off date is March 8.

Training at International Park will be happening on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30pm for men and Wednesdays at 6:00 pm for women. New to town? Come down to training and have a run.

Juniors

The Juniors season finally got underway last Saturday for pre-season 1. The kids all seemed super keen to finally get into it! Great to see so many new faces joining the club also! There will be a second lot of pre-season games this Saturday, the schedule will be sent out this week. The season proper will then commence the week after, pending no more rain outs!

The fields were marked out Friday morning and finished off Sunday morning. A big thanks to all of those who helped out with this. We are in need of help in the canteen for this Saturday, if you can lend a hand that would be much appreciated.

Keep an eye out for details regarding the Working Bee and coach’s clinic which were also cancelled on the weekend.

Monday Night Masters had quite a good turn out after two weeks off because of the weather. In a very close game Bhutan beat Montserrat in a replay of “The Other Final”. Eugene Burelli scored two goals and the Player of the Night was Sian Reardon who was not averse to getting stuck in. Remember everybody is welcome, new and old players, including the very old. Usual time, usual place, 6.30 at International Park.

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64 players fronted up on Sunday March 3 for the Honeycombes sponsored Opening Day.  

The format was a 2 person Ambrose played only over 16 holes as 6/15 was deemed still too wet for the motorised buggies.

Instead, 6/15 tee to 7/16 green converted to a par 3 was used.

It was a great day with almost perfect weather.  

Nearest the pin shots were on 4/13 A grade was won by Craig and Sibbo; B grade by The Carretts.

7/16 A grade won by Pep and Turtle; B grade by Beth and Catherine.

9/18 A grade won by Owen and Judy; B grade by the Carretts.

The A Grade winners with a handicap of .25 shooting a 54 off the stick were Craig and Sibbo.

2nd place went to Murray and Tim and 3rd place was taken out by Nipper and Cam.

B Grade 1st place was the McCubbens, 2nd place the Smalls with 3rd place going to Eric and Michelle.  

Thanks to Bud from Honeycombes for sponsoring the day.

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Contributed by Stephen Doig

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Caption 1: Sunday’s winners

Caption 2: James, Mary and Judy waiting at the first tee

Photos supplied: Stephen Doig

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Two Rockhampton based teams have taken the trophies and cash south at the completion of another Whitsunday Civil Bowen Summer Tens carnival last Saturday.

Played at Denison Park in Bowen on two fields, the Annual Carnival attracted 14 mens and six ladies teams.

Matches were played over two ten-minute halves with each team playing three games in their pool.

Semi-finals and finals were played to find the winners of the cash and trophies.

The teams from Rockhampton, Darlz Warriors, proved to be too strong winning both the Tincome mens competition and the Abbot Point Operations ladies competition.

Darlz Warriors had to fight hard to beat Burdekin team Runamucks ten in their semi-final for the right to play Chargers in the final.

Chargers, a team of mates from Bowen, Burdekin and Townsville reached the final by beating Mackay Rugby League team Moranbah Miners in their semi-final.

The Rocky boys handled the final a little better than the combined team running out narrow winners over the Chargers team with players Ethan Hagarty and Riley Horan members.

Darlz Warriors supporters were outnumbered in the cheering department in the ladies final when they met hometown heroes Boonti Busters.

Like the men, though, the Rocky girls were a little too fitter.

Carnival organisers said all ran well with Kids Connecting Parents and the Bowen Seagulls Junior Rugby League collecting some much needed funds.

Three Burdekin mens teams took part ... defending Mens champions Fiji Time with Runamucks and Runamuck 10.

Runamuck also fielded a ladies team.

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Contributed by Brian Carnes

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Caption: Two Rockhampton based teams took out the Whitsunday Civil Bowen Summer Tens carnival last Saturday. Photo supplied

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Hi readers

I can’t believe footy is back.

It doesn’t feel like that long ago that I was taking to page two to lament over the Broncos’ heartbreaking loss in last year’s NRL grand final – and while I’ve learnt to deal with it, that wound is one that will never heal – but I’m excited to see what 2024 has instore for my mighty Broncos.

While I acknowledge that the Pre-Season Challenge means little in the scheme of the competition, a win is a win and I’ve been impressed with the early signs from the team.

Footy coming back to our screens is exciting enough, but I must admit that I’ve been utterly swept up by the hype surrounding the season openers in Las Vegas.

I’ve been keeping a close eye on social media to see what the boys have been getting up to over there and which American athletes and celebrities they’ve found themselves in company with.

I can’t wait to see the spectacle of the Brisbane Broncos taking to the field of Allegiant Stadium on Sunday and hope to see a solid performance against the Roosters to kick their season off the right way.

This edition of Burdekin Life sees the first instalment of our footy tipping competition, so flick to pages 34-35 to check out how the locals see round one panning out.

I’m also looking forward to my first opportunity to catch the Burdekin Roosters in action as their season kicks off soon.

Their A Grade side has been dealt an early blow with the unexpected departure of coach Daniel Beazley ahead of his first season at the helm – flick to page 37 to catch all the details.

And in personal news, my beautiful girlfriend Jakita will be visiting from Brisbane this week, and I’m excited to give her some more insight into my day-to-day up here.

From social lawn bowls in Home Hill to climbing Mount Inkerman and a camping trip over the weekend, I’m keen to give her a quintessential week in the Burdekin.

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A Community Engagement Session was recently hosted by Burdekin Shire Council, providing residents with the opportunity to raise concerns and share ideas on the management of flying foxes in the Shire.

Council has secured the services of Queensland based environmental consultancy company Ecosure Environmental Consulting to assist in developing a long-term flying fox roost management plan after funding was secured earlier this year.

Burdekin Shire Council CEO Terry Brennan said the overarching objective of the project is to create a document defining a clear way forward for staff and the community when managing flying foxes in the future.

“The five-year plan for flying fox management will be designed to prioritise public safety, the protection of flying foxes and the local amenity, and to maintain critical infrastructure,” he said.

“The plan will include short- and long-term strategies for management including community education, vegetation management, and mitigating conflict where human and wildlife interactions occur.”

Ecosure Environmental Consulting Senior Ecologist Dr John Martin said the company will utilise its 20 years of experience in flying fox management and community engagement to work towards a meaningful plan while acknowledging the fact that black flying foxes in town are a native and protected species.

He said a range of dispersal tools can be used, saying Council’s current method of light and sound can deter the animals from roosting in a certain location.

“The bats are moving and there can be different bats in a roost in one day, week or month to the next,” he said.

“If that is a tool that’s utilised in an appropriate way under the relevant permits, what we have seen is that flying foxes will move to other roost sites.

“There are rules around the amount of noise that can be made, the timing, the seasonality in respect to things like breeding, so the idea is that there is actually no harm to the animals, but they actively make a choice to move on.

“This is a very challenging space to get it right and it requires long-term, persistent management that aligns with the state government’s legislation.”

Dr Martin highlighted the flying fox’s importance to the ecosystem, saying they are a protective native species and that the risk of disease transmission, a common misconception associated with flying foxes, is extremely low.

“Think of them like a giant bee,” he said.

“They’re actually out there pollinating the trees, in particular the gumtrees that are so important to our landscape.”

Council’s current planned dispersal activities will continue to be carried out using sound and light, adhering to the State Government permit that ensures minimal harm to flying foxes.

Ecosure will survey the community to develop a draft 5-year plan to be submitted to Council and then the community in April 2024, with the final plan being completed in May 2024.

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Caption: 250-300 flying foxes have been observed roosting in five locations across the Burdekin

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