Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Home Hill resident Karin Thorburn returned home last week after a month spent travelling the world, though it was not exactly your typical sightseeing expedition. The 59-year-old local runner, recognised last year as the first Australian to complete 500 marathons, set off for Cyprus in March for the XM Limassol Marathon—the first of 15 she would run over the following 30 days. Her itinerary took her through major European cities, including Paris, before culminating in the world-famous Boston Marathon, where her strong performance all but guarantees qualification for next year’s race.Home Hill’s 59-Year-Old Marathon Record-Breaker Continued from cover Home Hill runner Karin Thorburn has returned to the Burdekin after successfully completing 15 marathons in 30 days across four countries. Thorburn, a veteran runner who was this year named Burdekin Senior Sportsperson of the Year for her marathoning exploits, ran 14 marathons across Europe in preparation for the Boston Marathon, which rounded out the trip. At 59 years old, Thorburn is currently the Australian record holder for the highest number of marathons completed, with her tally now reaching 547. Despite having just competed in the Sugar Rush half-marathon only six days after returning from the United States, she shows no signs of slowing down, describing her intense schedule as a “lifestyle choice.” “It’s for my mental health, it’s for my physical health, it’s for keeping me in the best shape I can be, for a lady that’s my age," Thorburn said. “I’m not a spring chicken, and there are so many people out there saying I’m too old. I just tell them, I’m just getting started.” The gruelling 30-day itinerary began in Limassol, Cyprus, followed by the “12 in 12” event—12 marathons in 12 days—in the UK, and the Paris Marathon, before finally tackling Boston. The feat was as much a mental battle as a physical one, says Thorburn. “The mind is stronger than the legs,” she said. “Sometimes it plays tricks and says, 'You’ve done enough. Why don't you just stay in bed?' But I knew I could do it.” She explained that the massive volume of racing was a strategic training block designed specifically to conquer the Boston Marathon, an event she considers "the pinnacle.” “I love a challenge," Thorburn said. “Running the other 14 marathons, they were all fantastic, but it all led me to one thing, and that’s the Boston Marathon. That’s the greatest race in the world.” Her run in Boston was the third time she had competed in the event, finishing with a 15-minute buffer which she says effectively “guarantees” her entry into the 2027 race once applications open in September. “I can't even describe how you feel,” Thorburn said. “Getting to the start is one thing, but doing it, finishing it, conquering it again—especially at my age—you feel things you never felt before.” Thorburn has lived and breathed distance running since she started taking it seriously 26 years ago. Her passion has since taken her across the globe, completing all six of the Abbott World Marathon Majors—Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York—earning her the prestigious official title of “Six Star Finisher.” Her achievements have garnered much local support, but perhaps none greater than from her residents at Ozcare Home Hill. As well as her work with Ozcare, Thorburn helps organise the Magnetic Marathon Series in Townsville, an event that attracts international competitors while also providing a space for athletes looking to kickstart their running careers. Thorburn sees her local events as a platform for others to “have a go”—a mantra that has fuelled her own career for over two decades. “My events are only small events, but they're a stepping stone and people get to run with me and go, ‘Okay, so this is what you do,’” Thorburn said. “I hope I can inspire other women, including those younger than me, to look at what I do and think: ‘If she can do it, I can have a go.’” CAPTIONS: 1— The gruelling 30-day itinerary began in Limassol, Cyprus, followed by the “12 in 12” event—12 marathons in 12 days—in the UK, and the Paris Marathon, before finally tackling Boston. 2—Thorburn successfully completed all six of the Abbott World Marathon Majors—Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York—earning her the prestigious official title of “Six Star Finisher.” Photos supplied
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My Vibe Homewares has a growing reputation as your go-to store when searching for that unique, contemporary piece. Since opening its doors in Ayr ten months ago, the store has attracted customers from across North Queensland, building a strong local following in the Burdekin. Boasting a wide range of earthy, textural and timeless homewares, My Vibe offers quality linen, luxury towels and exquisite rugs, all selected to deliver quality at affordable prices right here in the Burdekin. At the heart of the store is a carefully curated range that is hand-picked to provide both functionality and practicality. Every piece is selected with durability and classic design in mind, with owner Sue ensuring that long-lasting quality remains a priority in every decision. Sue’s strong eye for design is supported by her regular attendance at the Sydney and Melbourne gift fairs, where she gains access to the latest seasonal designs and colour updates. This, coupled with her innate ability to coordinate the range to suit most design tastes—from subtle, natural tones through to more textured and statement pieces—ensures the store is continually refreshed with new ideas and inspiration brought back to the Burdekin. The result is a thoughtfully balanced collection that caters to a wide variety of interiors and personal styles, while maintaining a consistent focus on quality and affordability. Supporting the store is a friendly and welcoming team who are always ready to assist and offer advice when required, ensuring a relaxed and enjoyable shopping experience. Located on Queen Street, Ayr, My Vibe Homewares is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am until 4pm daily, offering a local destination for stylish, practical and contemporary homewares in the heart of the Burdekin.
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If you’re still scratching your head for something meaningful this Mother’s Day, two local arts groups are offering simple, thoughtful options that keep it close to home—and handmade. At the Burdekin Art Society, a special Mother’s Day art sale will be held on Sunday 3 May 2026 at the Art Shed, 154 MacMillan Street (across from the pool), from 8am to 1pm. A wide selection of paintings will be available, with prices starting from just $20, making it easy to find an affordable, locally made gift. For something a little more tactile, the Burdekin Potters Inc in Plantation Park will be open for anyone looking for a unique, handmade gift. The pottery studio regularly opens on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday mornings, but visitors are also welcome whenever the doors are open or the “OPEN” flag is flying. Gift vouchers are available, and private visits can be arranged by contacting Debbie on 0428 832 355. Both options offer a chance to support local artists while picking up something with a personal touch—far more memorable than a last-minute petrol station bouquet.
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Australia has everything we need right here at home. We have the resources, the technologies, and the people with the talent. Yet our manufacturing sector and sovereign capability have fallen off a cliff; farmers are being left out in the cold; and Australians across the country, particularly in the regions, are being left behind, while we all pay more for everything. Labor’s Net Zero nonsense is crippling our country, while others not hamstrung by arbitrary targets advance at pace. China, India and the United States are not taking their foot off the pedal, while we send our resources overseas on a dime and buy back the finished product at top dollar. Australian manufacturing has been in decline for decades, but in the last four years under Labor the rate at which manufacturers, smelters, refineries and food processors have closed is truly alarming. We are making far less today and relying more and more on others. We need to turn that trend around before the only thing we are producing is a piece of paper handed out to overseas students. At the heart of this rapid decline in manufacturing? Our weaker and more expensive energy grid. To be blunt, rising electricity costs are forcing manufacturers to close and deterring others from starting up. When I speak to manufacturers, the message is the same: “I don’t know how much longer we can keep going like this.” The simple reality is that weather-dependent power cannot sustain a modern industrial economy on its own. Manufacturers cannot operate on intermittent electricity. Farmers cannot rely on an unstable energy system. And renters and lower-income households, who cannot afford rooftop solar or battery storage, are increasingly left paying the hidden costs of maintaining a complex grid built around intermittent supply. Australia once prided itself on energy independence. Now we are replacing dependable Australian energy with a system dependent on imported wind turbines, solar panels and batteries, many manufactured in China. In doing so, we are hollowing out our own industrial base while increasing our reliance on foreign supply chains. I’ll keep saying it. We need a balanced approach, and all technologies must be part of the energy mix. The other part of the energy story is, of course, fuel. No fuel, no transport, no movement of goods. When faced with the recent fuel supply constraints, Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the solution is to buy an electric car. That may suit city commuters, but for many regional Australians travelling long distances and those needing to tow heavy loads, an EV is nothing but an expensive paperweight. Right now, a very bad government is deploying a very bad energy policy that puts international recognition for fairytale emission targets ahead of affordable electricity and fuel security. We need an urgent course correction on our nation’s energy policy. We need an energy mix that supports manufacturers and farmers. We need to be able to better use the resources we have so that we can stand on our two feet. And, we need a government that believes in putting Australians first.
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In the bustling heart of Queensland's sugar industry, a significant agreement unfolded on April 30, 2024, between QCAR and Mackay Sugar. This milestone marks a pivotal moment for sugarcane growers statewide, as QCAR continues to strengthen its relationships and extend its reach beyond the Burdekin’s borders, staying true to its mission of providing Queensland-wide representation.
As part of this ongoing mission, QCAR has been diligently fostering partnerships and agreements across the state, ensuring that its growing membership benefits from larger-scale collaborations that amplify its collective voice and influence in the sugar industry.
Amidst these efforts, a new Cane Supply and Processing Agreement (CSPA) was forged, shaping the future of cane supplies to Mackay Sugar's mills in Farleigh, Marian, and Racecourse.
The new agreement sets out a course for how the growth and supply of cane is to take place and observes the ever-changing expectations of consumers and the communities in which we operate.
It is increasingly important to be recognised as ‘environmentally sustainable’ by way of accreditation, holding up the standards which Australian sugar is globally recognised for.
“It has been crucial to us, as a sugar producer and seller of sugar in global markets, that we have a partner who so clearly states their ambition around sustainable practices,” says Brent Casey, Mackay Sugar’s General Manager, Commercial & Agriculture.
QCAR is dedicated to advocating and empowering Queensland agriculture producers by fostering sustainable farming practices for a prosperous future.
QCAR Director and lead negotiator in the Mackay area, Chris Punzell said, “Mackay growers have been eagerly awaiting an alternative cane supply agreement and enhanced grower representation.
“I was confident that this would materialise, and I am delighted that it has become a reality. By listening to the needs of farmers, we have successfully secured this agreement to benefit the farming community.”
QCAR Executive Director, Panikos Spyrou said, “With this agreement, we have provided our growers in the Mackay Region with contractual certainty – however we will, true to our spirit in Securing a Stronger Future, keep looking at ways to amend the CSPA to the benefit of both the growers we represent and the miller with whom we cooperate.
“Joined in this effort with Mackay Sugar we have pinpointed several mutually advantageous improvements to collaborate on for the 2025 crushing season. Interested growers can access these enhancements through QCAR,” Mr Spyrou said.
Also in recent QCAR news, Panikos Spyrou expressed his enthusiasm regarding Stephen Ryan's appointment as CEO, following the QCAR board's approval of his proposal.
The former CEO said, “I'm excited to have the opportunity to focus more intently on strategic initiatives and the specialised work I undertake for QCAR,” Mr Spyrou said.
“This shift allows me the flexibility to engage in additional activities outside the realm of QCAR's operations.”
An interview with QCAR’s new CEO will be in a future edition of Burdekin Life.
(L-R): QCAR Member Tony Bugeja, Mackay Sugar Limited CEO Jannik Olejas (standing), QCAR Director and Lead negotiator Chris Punzell
The Burdekin Woodcrafts Association Incorporated, in Ayr, have recently been awarded a grant of $9,450 as part of a shared Australia-wide $1.4 million grant for rural areas, from the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal (FRRR). This funding will be utilised to establish an additional storage area for the wood crafters.
The initiative aims to enhance the group's capacity to support community projects and minimise environmental waste by facilitating the purchase and outfitting of a storage facility for donated wood.
One hundred and twenty-nine community groups, including Ayr, across remote, rural and regional Australia are sharing nearly $1.4 million in grants through FRRR’s flagship Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program.
Awarded via three streams of funding, SRC grants support small and vital projects, like upgrades to the community pool in Cummins, SA; COVID recovery projects, such as creating of an arts and cultural precinct in the remote community of Tully, QLD; and disaster preparedness or recovery initiatives, like providing culturally informed, trauma-responsive community healing days for the flood-affected community of Lismore, NSW.
FRRR received a record 450 applications for this round of SRC funding, requesting more than $4.5 million in grants for projects valued at more than $19 million. The team has worked hard to shorten the time between applying and awarding SRC grants, with these grants being awarded just nine weeks after the round closed.
Jill Karena, FRRR’s Place Portfolio Lead, says that there is an increasing need for FRRR to fill gaps in areas that may have previously relied on funding from government incentives or programs or support from local businesses.
“The SRC program is flexible and open year-round, meaning it can lean in when Government and other agencies lean out.
"This access to continued funding opportunities is especially vital in communities that are moving beyond the immediate threats and response to natural disasters and other shocks.
“This round, we have seen increased applications from the organisers of community events, such as local agricultural shows, as some local governments are reducing their annual funding support.
“We also saw increased funding requests from smaller more remote communities that are seeking to boost the local economy by developing activities and events to encourage overnight stays from visitors who would otherwise pass through,” she said.
In addition to the 129 initiatives awarded grants, there were a further 85 funding-ready projects, requesting more than $900,000, that FRRR did not have the funds to support. This highlights the importance of small grants to remote, rural and regional community groups and is why FRRR is seeking new partners so that the Foundation can fund more projects in the future.
“Given the uncertainty of the current financial landscape, groups have told us that they value having access to timely secured funding to support medium to long term goals, as well as initiatives that respond to present needs and priorities,” Ms Karena added.
A full list of grant recipients is available on FRRR’s website.
Local not-for-profit organisations and community groups are encouraged to review the program guidelines and apply.
More information about the SRC program is available at www.frrr.org.au/src.
Geoff from the Burdekin Woodcrafts Association made this custom glass walled display case made to house an old school bell. The Association recently benefited from a grant from the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal
Glastonbury Hall & Recreation Association Inc used their SRC grant, awarded in 2022, to create a safer and more secure space at the Hall by establishing it as a Disaster Centre Hub
Excitement is building as expressions of interest (EOI) to showcase Queensland’s AgTech innovation ecosystem, alongside international agrifood tech and innovation event AgriFutures evokeAG 2025, open in less than a month.
AgriFutures evokeAG. 2025 was officially launched last week on April 18, with entrepreneurs, key agricultural stakeholder groups and senior Queensland and Local Government figures coming together to back the event.
AgriFutures evokeAG., to be held in Brisbane on February 18-19 2025, brings together the agrifood tech and innovation community from Australia and across the world.
"Queensland not only has a global reputation for high-quality, sustainable, safe and trusted agricultural products, it is becoming recognised as a powerhouse for AgTech innovation," said Acting Deputy Director-General of Agriculture Elton Miller.
"A key action under the Queensland Government’s AgTech Roadmap is to showcase Queensland innovation at global agricultural innovation events and attract major conferences to Queensland.
"AgriFutures evokeAG. 2025 will provide an international platform to demonstrate that Queensland is a prime destination for the development and export of world-leading AgTech.”
Over two days producers will share their experiences, entrepreneurs will showcase their technology and innovations, scientists will showcase their discoveries and global business leaders and industry experts will share their insights on the future.
The 2024 event held in Perth attracted more than 1,800 delegates from Australia and around the world, and organisers are confident evokeAG. 2025 will continue to grow year-on-year.
Julia Spicer, Queensland’s Chief Entrepreneur, will host a webinar sharing details about the opportunities to showcase Queensland AgTech and innovation across the State and the EOI process on Tuesday, 14 May 2024 – visit https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/news-media/campaigns/agtech/news/evokeag-webinar for more information.
AgriFutures evokeAG. 2025 is supported by the Queensland Government, Brisbane Economic Development Agency and Platinum Partner Elders.
AgriFutures evokeAG 2025 will be hosted in Brisbane in February 2025. Photo supplied
Introducing Kevin Swanson, who is the newly appointed Dealer Principal of Burdekin Motor Group, starting in his new position just eight weeks ago.
Kevin’s career spans nearly 38 years and he has recently moved to the area, drawn by the warmer climate of the Burdekin-Townsville region.
A country-boy at heart, Kevin was born and raised in a country town of just 3800 people.
He left when he was 22 and moved to the big smoke of Melbourne Victoria, where he started his career in the automotive business.
After spending such a long time in major city businesses, however, Kevin is now looking forward to a well-balanced work and family lifestyle in a regional town.
“Working and living in Burdekin-Ayr-Townsville region I couldn't think of a better place,” said Kevin.
“In the short period of time I’ve been here, the local community, the people and staff, everyone has been so welcoming, it’s been so positive thus far.”
Burdekin Motor Group is a strong local business, with top 10 new car brands and with exceptional employees, nearly 50 per cent of the staff have been here between 10-20 years.
In a short period of time, Kevin sees a need to build a larger second-hand vehicle market. He’s noticed that the current used vehicle choice is very low. If it’s not new “What is everyone going to buy/drive?” he asked.
“Most families I’m sure have to go to Townsville to buy a second-hand car - I see that as a missing jigsaw piece for the Burdekin region, and I am excited to grow and support a larger second-hand market for our current buyers and especially for the younger generation coming through.”
Burdekin Motor Group currently has five new car franchises, Mitsubishi, Kia, Isuzu, Nissan, and Suzuki plus the new Burdekin Used Car Centre.
They also have Multi New Car Brands and Used Car Specialist Service Technicians, Parts and Accessory Centre, plus Finance and Insurance Specialists.
Kevin always strives to look ahead and keep abreast of the modern trends, whilst delivering high quality cars and with exceptional customer service.
He looks forward to meeting more local people and being involved in the local community programs-sporting clubs in the region and encourages you to come and say g’day if you haven’t already.
Kevin Swanson in the car dealership
“The time for talking is over!
“Immediate, large-scale, effective action is what’s required if we’re to have any hope of halting the march of Red Imported Fire Ants,” CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens has said.
Mr Menkens, who has been touring the Burdekin cane-growing region this week with National Farmers’ Federation President David Jochinke, accused the state and federal governments of failing in their duty to protect Australians from the dangerous invasive species.
“Sugarcane growers have been sounding the alarm on this problem for almost 20 years. Our members in Rocky Point have been on the frontline of this war and they’ve seen firsthand the inadequate and ineffective attempts at containment and eradication to date.”
“It has impacted their lives and their livelihoods, but despite their persistent warnings, the state and federal governments have failed to commit the resources necessary to tackle this problem, and now it may be too late.”
Mr Menkens said other state and territory governments also shared responsibility for the failure to eradicate the pest.
“This is a biosecurity problem with huge ramifications for the entire country, but until now, other state and territory governments have treated it as a Queensland problem.”
“We are seeing the consequences of that approach now, with fire ants already in New South Wales and on the doorstep of Victoria and South Australia. If they reach SA, how long will it be before they’re in West Australia and the Top End?
“We know these pests can travel huge distances via waterways using a technique known as rafting. Now that they’re west of the Great Dividing Range, in the heart of the Murray Darling Basin, they could quickly spread throughout the whole of eastern Australia.”
Mr Menkens called on all state and territory governments to join with the federal government and commit whatever resources are necessary to finally win the battle against fire ants.
“We need a program that is properly resourced with hundreds, even thousands of boots on the ground every single day seeking out and destroying these nests.”
“We don’t need more reviews and broken funding promises. We need leadership, and real, large-scale containment and eradication action, and we need it immediately.
“Stop talking about it, just do it.”
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Did you know you can claim a tax deduction for putting up to $27,500 into your super? That means if you put say $10,000 into your super, you could get a tax refund of up to $4,700 depending on what you earn.
Tax deductible contributions into super are taxed at 15% on the way into the fund. You then claim them as a tax deduction in your personal income tax return and if you’re earning between $45,000 and $120,000 than you get a personal tax refund of 34.5%.
If you’re earning under $45,000 the refund is 21% and if earning over $120,000 it’s 39%. That’s pretty handy, it’s like the government giving you an immediate return of 6% to 24% on your money on top of any actual interest it earns. On top of that you’ve put it away where it should grow to fund a good retirement lifestyle, smart.
As always, the devil is in the detail so get some advice. The $27,500 is the current annual cap on tax deductible contributions but remember these include the compulsory super your boss pays in. From 1st July that annual cap goes to $30,000 for the new financial year.
If you super balance is under $500,000, you may also have the option to make ‘catch up concessional contributions’. This allows you to make up for the last 5 years unused concessional contribution cap. I.e., if you’ve only had $10,000 go in per year the extra, unused $17,500 carries forward and you could make a huge contribution in one year.
Your accountant can run a simple ATO report showing what you’ve got available in catch up contributions or you can get it from your MyGov if you have the ATO linked.
As of 1st July 2024, any unused cap from the 2018 Financial Year drops off so you should at least consider catching that up before 30th June, or it’s gone. This is especially true for self-employed people who often neglect their super, which can come back to haunt them at retirement.
The key to making big financial decisions, just like making a big purchase, is doing your homework. You wouldn’t buy a boat or caravan without some research. How much is your boss paying in? What about Salary Sacrifice? What is your carried forward allowance? Are you confident your existing super fund is good value and is getting a good return?
If you think you could benefit from a discussion with a Financial Planner, give us a call on 49467359 of visit www.eclipsefp.com.au. There’s no obligation, the first meeting is free and all fees are spelled out clearly in advance.
The Burdekin’s Sweetest School Competition has made its exciting debut in the region, standing as an educational event where schools showcase their student’s skills in growing the best sugarcane.
Canegrowers Burdekin (CBL) launched the friendly competition in collaboration with Burdekin Productivity Services (BPS), Sugar Research Australia (SRA), and the Burdekin Shire Council’s Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival to highlight the agricultural talents of students and staff whilst creating a sense of community pride through collaboration.
Aiming to foster a hands-on learning experience, the competition hopes to promote environmental awareness and build a deeper understanding in young minds of the region’s celebrated farming process.14 Schools across the region have joined the competition to learn the intricacies of sugarcane cultivation, and sustainable farming practices and Manager for CBL, Greg Watson, believes this event will highlight the importance of the sugarcane industry within the local economy, and as a future career path for students.
“It’s a great opportunity to educate schools and their students on everything involved in growing sugarcane,” expressed Greg.
Each competing school will allow for a 1m x 1m plot for their crop, with BPS and SRA providing 3 – 4 sugar cane billets for the students to plant.
“Each school has a Grower Mentor attached so the students can call on a local grower to come and give them advice to help them tend to and to grow the best plot of sugar cane they possibly can,” explained Greg.
Ayr State School, Airville State School, Brandon State School, Burdekin Catholic High School, the Burdekin Christian College, the Burdekin School, Clare State School, East Ayr State School, Giru State School, Home Hill State School, Millaroo State School, Osborne State School, St Colman’s School, and St Francis Primary School have all rolled up their sleeves and entered the competition.
Planting of the sugar cane billets is already underway, and after 12 months, the cane will be harvested and milled at SRA via their small mill to measure the CCS (sugar content), weight, and overall size of the cane produced. Based on these parameters, a winner will be determined and awarded at 2025’s Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival.
The Burdekin’s Sweetest School Competition stands as a newly associated award event of the Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival and the winning school will receive a trophy presented at the festival’s Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships along with a $1,000 prize.
“We’ve been ready pleased with how the schools have gotten behind the Burdekin’s Sweetest School Competition, and with how the Burdekin Shire Council has supported it as well, and the Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival is such a wonderful celebration of the sugarcane industry in the region, and this competition is just another way to bring more community support, education and awareness,” explained Greg.
BPS staff Asha Gould and Rob Milla, Mick the Canecutter from Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival, CBL Director Charlie Papale, Senator Susan MacDonald and CBL Chair Owen Menkens with a group of local school students. Photo supplied
Planting underway at St Colman's School with CBL Chair Owen Menkens and Mick The Canecutter from Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival. Photo supplied
Home Hill High School students planting billets under the watchful eye of CBL Director Glenn Betteridge. Photo supplied
Planting underway at St Colman's School with CBL Chair Owen Menkens. Photo supplied
Thousands of people attended a variety of different Anzac Day events in the region last Thursday. School children learnt the power of history, Veterans remembered their own unique journeys and everyone in the community came together to say thank you to those who gave their lives to defend the freedoms we all enjoy today.
From Ayr to Home Hill, Brandon to Giru, communities came together to remember and pay their respects. Afterwards, games of Two-Up were held and festivity commenced.
The Anzac Day March at Home Hill. Photo credit: Daniel Heggie
A woman died in a traffic crash at Inkerman on Tuesday this week at around 1.20pm.
Two cars collided on the Bruce Highway near Wallace Road, approximately 10km south of Home Hill.
The 70-year-old woman from Gumlu, driving the Hyundai I30, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The 61-year-old Ayr woman was injured and transported to Townsville University Hospital by QGAir.
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As many of you know, Sam is on holiday for a couple of weeks so in his absence you will see some of our other team members out and about in the region.
Many of you will be familiar with our Sales Team, Jake Greenfield and Ruby Gorlick, and many of you will have seen our 6-foot red-headed cadet journalist Daniel Heggie taking photos at the Anzac Day events last week.
Daniel is our newest recruit and he brings to the table an impressive background of knowledge and experience, with not only a degree in Journalism, but a Sub-Major in Film, as well as a passion for writing.
Although he was originally born in England, Daniel moved to Australia with his family when he was seven years old, calling Adelaide home since 2007.
Daniel attended Urrbrae Agricultural High School in South Australia, focusing on Agriculture and Science and considered a future career route in the subject as it sparked his interest.
While he was interested in science, however, he later discovered that it wasn’t for him, and soon found his next calling in grade 11 when he began to enjoy English, specifically writing.
Bringing this passion to fruition, Daniel studied Journalism along with Film and graduated university in 2022. He then spent the year of 2023 travelling across Europe as well as the East Coast of Australia.
At the beginning of 2024, he decided it was time to settle into a job and has now been fortunate enough to secure a position here at Core Publishing.
In his spare time, Daniel enjoys mingling with friends, going to the gym, adventuring on a walk and vegging out with a movie or a good book.
A local family is feeling the love this week, with their local school gathering together to support young Lily Arroita who is living with Turner Syndrome.
This is a rare condition that only affects females and is caused when one of the X chromosomes is missing or partially missing.
Lily was diagnosed in November 2022, which Lily’s mother said was quite late.
“Lily was considered quite old to be diagnosed,” she said.
“Usually, it can be picked up at birth, but as girls get to puberty age, it will often be picked up and that was the case with us.”
Burdekin Christian College (BCC) decided to show their love for Lily by holding a fundraiser ‘Purple Day’, selling butterfly broaches and raising awareness.
Together they managed to raise $300 for Turner Syndrome.
Principal of BCC, Debra Creed enthusiastically shared why this was an important cause to donate to.
“It was important to us that students, parents and our staff understand a parent’s perspective and also the challenges that students with Turner Syndrome face on a daily basis,” she said.
On behalf of the College, Lily presented the cheque to the representatives of the Turner Syndrome Association.
Debra urges all to continue donating as every cent helps support people with Turner Syndrome.
Lily presenting a cheque to a Turner Syndrome Association representative. Photo supplied
Local businessowners were once again offered the invaluable opportunity to network with fellow peers and professionals as Burdekin Shire Council’s hosted its Industry Breakfast on Wednesday, May 1, a key event to launch Queensland Small Business Month (QSBM).
Serving as a platform for skill development and gaining insights into the support structures that bolster Burdekin’s business and agricultural communities, the Industry Breakfast featured guest speakers Dominique Lamb, the Queensland Small Business Commissioner, and David Jochinke, President of the National Farmers’ Federation.
Dominique Lamb, known for her unwavering support and advocacy for small businesses, discussed the vital role of small enterprises in Queensland’s economy and how QSBM aims to support and celebrate their year-round contributions.
Her insights focussed on the practical support available to help local businesses flourish and the importance of community backing for the retail, trade, logistics, health sectors, among others.
David Jochinke then provided an overview of the National Farmers’ Federation’s (NFF) work, emphasising the support provided to growers in the Burdekin region.
His address highlighted the NFF’s role as a leading advocacy organisation in Australia’s agricultural landscape.
Following the guest speakers, the Burdekin Chamber provided an update on their activities.
The event was proudly supported by Burdekin Shire Council, Burdekin Chamber and Home Hill Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Pierina Dalle Corte speaking at the Industry Breakfast. Photo credit: Jake Greenfield
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