Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Not every business starts with a blueprint. For some, it begins as a calling… in more ways than one. Burdekin local Robert Hayward had been in the hydraulics industry since he was 18. A diligent worker who loved his job, he quickly built a reputation locally as one of the best in the business. But despite a mutual affinity with the industry that had formed over years, he stepped away in the early 1990s to help his father-in-law maintain a cane property in Clare. Until he received a call. Then another… and another. Rob quickly realised that, despite his brief hiatus, his reputation in hydraulics had not faded. With that, he was pulled back into the game, this time with nothing but a $2,000 ute, a toolbox, and work up to his neck. And the only way to keep himself from drowning in it was, ironically, to go in deeper. “As the Burdekin is, if you do a very good job, word travels quickly between the community. One farmer talked to another, he talked to another, he talked to another… “Until I sat down with my wife one day and said, ‘I think we can make a business out of this.’” His ute would eventually make way for a permanent space—a small sub-shed at Larry Hudson Engineering in the Ayr Industrial Estate that would serve as his headquarters for the following four years. He tackled the first year solo, before demand forced him to put an apprentice on in the second year, and a qualified tradesman in the third. By the end of the fourth, Rob’s work had outgrown its humble base, moving down the road into a new purpose-built shed that would become the home of Hayward Hydraulics. That shed would officially open in 1996, spurring a 30-year legacy sustained by three defining pillars. Growing with the industry “I had no idea how to use computers,” Rob said with a smirk. Admittedly, he hadn’t realised he signed himself up for a three-decade, three-fold evolution between an entire industry, his own business, and himself. What he did know was that he was ready to learn, and eager to grow. It started with the basics. For Rob, that meant wrapping his head around modern computers, attending TAFE courses on emerging welding techniques, and becoming a leader. “I went from being a very good tradesman to having to be an employer,” he said. “You have to be a people's person, you have to treat people the right way, treat your workers the right way. That part I never even thought of until we started getting into it.” Rob treated this evolution as a marathon rather than a sprint, dedicating the business's first decade cementing its reputation as a local leader. After striking up deals with major companies, including Queensland Rail and Wilmar Sugar in the mid-2000s, he decided to take the leap into the mining industry in the early 2010s as a safety net for the unpredictable sugar industry. With that growth, Hayward Hydraulics’ shed would undergo its third structural expansion to accommodate its continuously increasing popularity and modernised technology. He built a habit of gleaning ideas from various online hydraulic magazines, and then building on them to not only keep up with the industry, but to will it into the future himself. “I eventually built a reputation for thinking outside of the square. If somebody's been doing something for 20 years, I'll look at a better way of doing it,” he said. Albeit, he admits he and the business are still evolving today. “I've seen harvesters and planters go from chain and sprocket to hydraulic motors, to hydraulic motors being linked to satellite GPS,” he said. “The industry has changed in leaps and bounds, and you have to keep finding ways to move with it.” Doing it the right way Hayward Hydraulics’ evolution was founded on something Rob didn’t need to be taught. Care. And he makes sure his staff do, too. “I didn't come from a real wealthy family, so we were brought up to work; you work, you do the job right, you get paid,” he said. “So if I'm not happy with something, I'll ask my workers: ‘would you pay for that?’” When the mining industry began to boom in Queensland, Rob admits he had a difficult time retaining workers. To compete, he was forced into paying top-dollar for what he called “good quality workers,” causing financial tension. When asked if compromising staff quality for cost was ever an option, with the conviction of a true-blue purist, he said: “No.” “I've always maintained that a business is only as good as your employees. You can be the best boss in the world, but if you've got workers that people don't like, they don't come through the door,” he said. “My current staff are up there with the best that I've had. I just try to make sure they’re happy to come to work every day.” With quality and care as its engine, Hayward Hydraulics became known not just for technical know-how, but for doing things the right way. As its stature in the industry continued to grow, so did the scope of its customer base. Calls started coming in from as far north as Tully, all the way to Mackay and Western Queensland, all saying the same thing: “We heard you were the guy to talk to about this problem.” Family and community at its heart For the last 10 years especially, the business has made a point of supporting local organisations and sports clubs, most notably the Burdekin Roosters Rugby League Club. Rob described it as a duty to a community that has given so much to him and the company. “The community has been so important to it all. I’ve got some customers that have been with me from day one, and with some, I’m onto the third generation of the same family,” he said. “The’ve given a lot to me. They've helped me grow and supported me, so it's about time I supported them back.” Beneath it all, though, he points to his family as the driving force. “I remember those early days when we were setting up the new workshop, building benches and all that, my two brothers-in-law and my father came out and gave me a hand,” he said. “But my biggest support is my wife. Especially in the early days when I wasn't home, and she solely looked after the kids and everything. “It got to the stage where I was working seven days a week, 12 hour days, and my wife would bring the kids on a Saturday and Sunday, and we'd sit on the shop floor and have lunch. “She's been with me through the lows and the highs, and that I thank her for.” Now, thirty years later, it’s his family pulling him out of the industry. Driven by the desire to make up for lost time with his wife and kids, Rob has loosened his grip on business operations, working four days a week with plans to eventually let his brainchild find its own footing. As for right now, he’s not yet ready to call time on a chapter that was, perhaps, never meant to last this many pages. “I still love what I do,” he said. “The early days come with sacrifices, but when I look back now, it was all worth it. “I remember when it all first started, looking on the ATO website and coming across that statistic that most businesses fail within five years. “When I read it, I said to myself, 'well, I'm gonna make sure I’m not that statistic.’” And that, he did. CAPTION: Rob and his current team. Back L-R: Chase Pearce, Stephan Du Plessis Front L-R: Kade Pearce, Renee Viero, Robert Hayward, Tina Dennis, Bryan Parison Absent: Sam Tomasetig Photo credit: Jacob Casha
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The Burdekin has rallied behind a local family after a sudden medical diagnosis turned their life upside-down. Ryan and Holly Davenport dropped everything when their two-year-old son, Rowen, was diagnosed with a brain tumour last month, temporarily relocating to Brisbane for his ongoing treatment. In response, a GoFundMe fundraiser has since raised over $55,000 in support of the family. Created in late May by Shannon Malone, a close friend of the Davenports, the fundraiser has been shared all over Facebook and Instagram by local organisations, garnering comments of support on top of 271 individual donations. “Words can’t describe how much it means to us to have everyone’s support behind Rowen as he begins his journey,” Ryan said. “They have given us precious time to spend with Rowen without the everyday worries.” The money will help fund hospital stays, travel, time away from work, and ongoing treatment expenses as the Home Hill family navigates a medical journey that began in April. Already on edge after daughter, Ally, underwent brain surgery to have a cavernoma removed just before Easter, Ryan and Holly acted promptly when they noticed a twitch in Rowen’s eye. Following weeks of consultations with Townsville doctors and specialists—which included MRI scans and a Royal Flying Doctors flight—Rowen was eventually diagnosed with pilocytic astrocytoma, a slow-growing brain tumour. He has since been transferred to Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane for chemotherapy, with the couple leaving their two young daughters with their grandparents in the Burdekin to be by his side. In their absence, locals have offered meals, helped on the family’s sugar cane farm, assisted around their home and helped look after their daughters, along with the generous donations. Ryan said the funds raised would not just help relieve the financial burden of Rowen’s treatment, but allow the flexibility to fly their daughters down and spend some time as a family. “(The toughest part has been) the unknown, not having our family together … and watching Rowen go through these traumatic times and … not being able to do anything,” Ryan said. “It has been a very emotional journey so far, and it is hard to believe we are only at the start.” Anyone wanting to support the Davenports is urged to donate using the following link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-the-davos-and-little-rowen?attribution_id=sl:75c20475-06e5-4752-8e11-d1b7a07c7728&lang=en_AU&ts=1779705595&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp20_t1&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link CAPTION: Funding will allow the family to fly their daughters down and spend more time together during Rowen’s treatment. Photo supplied
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The Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, has slammed the Albanese Government for an unacceptable ambush on regional communities, accusing the Commonwealth of abandoning disaster-prone areas to balance its own budget. The Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain, used a late Friday afternoon media release to quietly flag sweeping alterations to the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). The proposed changes dismantle the long-standing, scalable framework, which historically provided an average of 64 per cent federal coverage and capped support at 75 per cent for catastrophic events. In its place, Canberra intends to implement a rigid 50-50 funding model. This policy shift arrives at the worst possible time for the state; it follows a volatile severe weather season that caused widespread damage across 71 of Queensland’s 77 local government areas. Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, is warning that the sudden funding shortfall threatens the future viability of essential infrastructure, local water treatment facilities, and emergency evacuation operations. Mr Willcox, drawing on his extensive experience as the former Mayor of the Whitsunday Regional Council, stated that the Federal Government is completely detached from the realities of regional recovery. "This decision is a direct hit to the heart of North Queensland," Mr Willcox said. "Canberra is treating natural disasters like a corporate budgeting exercise; however, out here, it is a matter of community survival. To penalise the very regions that drive the nation’s agricultural wealth and mining export revenues is a profound betrayal. "During my time steering the Whitsunday community through the wreckage of Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie in 2017, I learned exactly what it takes to rebuild. We relied heavily on scalable federal assistance to restore our shattered rural road networks. Under a flat 50-50 split, local councils across Dawson would be forced to find millions of dollars in matching revenue; that is a financial burden our regional ratepayer base simply cannot sustain." Mr Willcox emphasised that major historical recovery operations would have been completely unviable under the newly proposed guidelines. "The total reconstruction of the Shute Harbour marine terminal and the $5 million federal package required to replace the decimated Proserpine Entertainment Centre occurred because the previous framework allowed for exceptional circumstances," Mr Willcox said. "Small regional councils do not possess the independent asset base to fund multi-million-dollar rebuilds alone. Furthermore, the historical system guaranteed that funding flowed directly into local economies, ensuring that regional earthmoving businesses and contractors were awarded the repair work. By lowering the funding floor, the Commonwealth is forcing cash-strapped councils to delay vital resilience works; this leaves our communities dangerously exposed before successive wet seasons. "It is a coward’s tactic for the Minister to leave this announcement until the day after the parliamentary sitting concluded, ensuring they avoided any real scrutiny or accountability in Question Time. “This is yet another calculated deception from a government that knows exactly how damaging these cuts are; this is absolutely not what the Australian people voted for, and I truly hope this betrayal is remembered at the next election. "This is yet another chapter in the ongoing federal neglect of regional Australia. The government is hiding behind the cover of an independent review to justify cutting essential frontline services. I call on the Emergency Management Minister to reverse this decision immediately; regional Queenslanders refuse to be treated as second-class citizens.” Supplied by the office of Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox CAPTION: FIGHTING FOR THE NORTH: Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox MP outside Parliament House in Canberra, condemning the Albanese Federal Government's plan to slash scalable disaster recovery funding for regional councils. Photo supplied
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"As the final week approaches for public submissions into the Sugar Code of Conduct, Member for Burdekin Dale Last has renewed his calls for growers to unite and make their voices heard. Mr Last said the public submissions for the sunsetting review of the Sugar Code of Conduct should be an opportunity for sugarcane growers from across the Burdekin to outline the benefits of the code for both farmers and the wider community. “Over recent weeks I have taken the liberty of providing a submission on behalf of the community, because ultimately the flow-on impact from changes in our sugar industry stretch beyond the paddock and the mills,” Mr Last said. “I recently met with several grower representatives which provided the opportunity to bring key stakeholders together, reaffirm my support as the Member for Burdekin and emphasise the need to work collaboratively as the review period unfolds.” Mr Last said while it was important stakeholders took the time to make their voices heard during the public submissions there was no better way to understand the impact of the Sugar Code of Conduct than to visit the area and speak directly to representatives. “A decade ago this district played a central role in bringing this code of conduct to fruition so I would expect our stakeholders receive a seat at the table they deserve,” Mr Last said. “If the Federal Labor Government was serious about consulting with the industry, the responsible Assistant Minister would be looking for every opportunity to listen to those who are most impacted by the Sugar Code.” Anyone wishing to have their say in the review can visit https://haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/sugar-code-review"
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Did you know that the Burdekin Community Association Inc. (BCA) delivers the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) and recruits and supports volunteers to visit socially isolated older community members? Through the ACVVS, we support volunteers to provide friendship and companionship to older people in their home and also at Regis aged care.
Visits are available to anyone who:
• receives government-subsidised residential aged care or a Home Care Package, including care recipients approved or on the National Priority System for residential or a home care package.
• is socially isolated.
Why it is important?
Some older people can feel alone for various reasons. This Includes:
• feeling isolated from their culture and heritage
• little contact with friends or relatives
• mobility issues that prevent them from taking part in social or leisure activities
• being different in some way.
Regular visits from volunteers can help to improve quality of life and help older people feel less isolated.
For information about this FREE service or to find out how to become a Volunteer, please contact the BCA Team on Ph 4783 3744, The Support Centre, 130 Queen Street, Ayr, bca@bcaburdekin.org.au
Debra Cochran
Chief Executive Officer
At the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre, we believe that communication is incredibly important for any community to thrive. When people can communicate effectively, they can connect with each other, share ideas, and work together towards common goals.
In today's world, there are many ways to communicate, such as phone calls, face-to-face conversations, and online platforms. We're excited to announce that we've launched our new website, which will make connecting with our community even easier.
You can check it out at www.thebnc.org.au.
We understand that not everyone feels comfortable using technology, so we also offer other ways to get in touch with us. You can call us, visit our Centre in person, or even connect with us on Facebook. We always provide a warm and friendly reception, no matter how you choose to communicate with us.
Suppose you're a senior citizen who's not confident with technology. Did you know that the Centre supports the Burdekin Seniors' Computer Club who meets twice a month and is a safe and friendly space where you can learn about computers, phones, and tablets.
We also offer free one-on-one sessions under the BeConnected program.
We want to ensure that everyone in our community can communicate effectively, even if they have lower levels of language, literacy, numeracy, or digital skills. We're exploring ways to help people improve these skills, so if you think this would benefit you or someone you know, please get in contact.
When people can communicate openly and effectively, they're more likely to feel heard and valued, which can lead to a more positive community experience.
The Team
Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre
Did you know that reporting local issues can be as easy as taking a photo and submitting it to ‘Snap, Send, Solve’?
This user-friendly platform is designed to streamline the reporting process, allowing you to select from a list of common issues, add a brief description and location, and submit your report in 30 seconds or less.
To report a local concern to Council, you have two convenient options: you can either download the 'Snap, Send, Solve' app for free or visit the website https://www.snapsendsolve.com/report/queensland. From there, you can fill out a simple online form and attach a photo of the issue.
Whether it's a pothole, a malfunctioning streetlight, or graffiti, you won't need to waste time figuring out who to contact. Plus, you'll receive updates on the status of your report and track how it's being resolved.
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.
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.
Caption: L-R Dr Todd Horan, Dr Sian Blakey, Dr André Le Feuvre and Dr Ramon Oar
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.
Caption: The Bendigo Bank team at last years’ Community Grant Presentation Night. Photo supplied
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.
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.”
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
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.
Caption: Home Hill State High School Agriculture Science Teacher and President of the Queensland Agricultural Teachers Association, Louise Nicholas
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.
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.
Contributed by BCHS
Caption: BCHS celebrated their Commissioning Liturgy last week. Photos supplied
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.
Contributed by Lloyd Shepherd
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.
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.
Contributed by Stephen Doig
Caption 1: Sunday’s winners
Caption 2: James, Mary and Judy waiting at the first tee
Photos supplied: Stephen Doig
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