Clare State School Students have been surprised with the joy of comprehensive stationary packs, donated to the school by the Joyful Foundation.

Having met out and about during the school holidays, School Principal Troy Patti welcomed the donation from the Joyful Foundation.

Established over 10 years ago, the Joyful Foundation continues the legacy of their namesake Joylene Donnellan, a teacher and guidance officer who assisted disadvantaged children achieve a better education, by providing school supplies, uniforms, and other school essentials.

The Joyful Foundation gifted Clare State School half a dozen stationary packs, to ensure students are ready for the new school year.

“Anytime that someone is looking to help, we take it,” explained Troy.

“Our school’s P&C provide stationary to all our students, and having these packs donated to us takes the pressure off the P&C and allows us to better equip the school with other improvements for the students.

“We thank the Joyful Foundation for their generosity and look forward to working with them closely for more projects in the future.”

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Students of Clare State School with the Joyful Foundation stationary parks. Photo supplied

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In his first week as Officer in Charge (OIC) at Home Hill Police Station, Sargeant Samuel Pyke has highlighted the need for clearer avenues of communication and collaboration between police and community.

Sgt Pyke started in the role on Monday, February 12, bringing over a decade of experience from some of Queensland’s busiest beats to Home Hill.

Originally from the Gold Coast, Sgt Pyke joined the police force 12 years ago and has since been posted in Gladstone, Townsville, Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley and Ayr.

He worked in Ayr as Shift Supervisor for the last three years and is eager to bring his expertise across the bridge.

“As an officer in charge, I’m in charge of the division, and the staff who are involved in that,” Sgt Pyke said.

“I think everywhere in my policing career has probably given me a good insight into policing issues which are common in any town or policing division that you work in.

“I take a commonsense approach to policing, as do all of the very experienced officers who work here.

“It’s not a 9-5 job and you actually get some hands-on exposure on how to affect people’s lives and change them for the better.”

As youth and property crime continue to dominate word on the street, the incumbent OIC has expressed his desire to meet with key community members to address their concerns and work collaboratively with community groups.

“My hope would be to see a Neighbourhood Watch formed in Home Hill, formally recognised and run by the community with input from the police,” Sgt Pyke said.

“If we had a Neighbourhood Watch then we’ve got a formal entity, a formal place where police can report back to the community.”

Sgt Pyke said his previous dealings with existing local community watch groups have been positive.

“It’s good to see that the community care so much about the community itself, I think that’s important, but it would be good to see a formal structure if a neighbourhood watch was formed as an official entity which provides assistance to the community to prevent crime,” he said.

“Youth crime’s an issue across Queensland, it’s not just specific to this town.

“There’s been some great things that the government and the police have been doing in regards to early intervention, because you can’t arrest your way out of a youth crime issue.

“We’ll always do our best and use every tool in our toolbox to hold offenders to account and we’ll work within the limits of the Youth Justice Act when it comes to it.

“There’s a lot of work being done with youths to try and divert them from going down that path and that’s been ongoing for a number of years but it’s challenging, not just here, but everywhere.”

Sgt Pyke’s advice to the community is to ensure cars and homes are locked and secure at night.

“Most of these crimes are opportunistic,” he said.

“You have to be security conscious yourself to be able to prevent these things happening.

“I hope the community sees us out and about a bit more so they can see us out patrolling and engaging with the community.”

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Caption: Home Hill Police Station’s new OIC Sargeant Samuel Pyke

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The sudden closure of the Coles Supermarket at Burdekin Plaza in Ayr over the weekend took many residents by surprise.

It is expected that the store will now be shut for two weeks while urgent roof repairs are made.

Todd Riches, Coles Regional Manager, said Coles paused trade over the weekend due to concerns about the stability of the roof tiles as a result of excess moisture and humidity from recent heavy rain.

“We want to thank the community for their continued understanding and patience while our store is temporarily closed. The health and safety of our team members and customers is our number one priority,” he said.

“We are working closely with our landlord, and have engaged a contractor to replace the tiles, which will be completed over the next two weeks.”

While the Ayr store is temporarily closed, residents will still be able to receive home delivery options from Townsville store.

All orders over $50 will receive free delivery and this service begins today, Thursday 22 February.

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A group of 16 participants recently completed training facilitated by CORES Queensland, equipping them with the essential skills to identify and respond to a person at risk of suicide.

The training day was held at PCYC Burdekin on Friday, February 9 and CORES Queensland Coordinator and Counsellor Ross Romeo said it taught people the warning signs to look out for in someone they’re concerned about and what to say, what to do and where to go for help.

“It’s very interactive and we design it and deliver it in a way that does make it interactive,” he said.

“We don’t go anywhere telling anybody that we’ve got all the answers, so everyone learns from everybody else in the room.

“We supply the workbooks and the materials, but it’s all about engaging people and getting people to talk amongst themselves in breaks where they connect and form their own networks away from the training.”

The training also incorporates a lot of self-care strategies, teaching participants to take care of themselves.

CORES Queensland training sessions are free and are open to anyone 15 years and over, and Ross said they can be beneficial to anyone in the community.

“Suicide doesn’t discriminate, so everyone’s going to get something out of it, whether it’s in your personal or professional lives,” he said.

“The bit that appealed to me was that it was easy to understand and practical.

“It’s from a personal and community-focused perspective.

“Everyone can do it and we’ve all got a role to play.”

Glen Cornford was one of 16 to take the training earlier in the month, hoping to use the tools in his work with young people as an athletics coach in the Burdekin and Townsville.

“I definitely have an interest in helping all people with their mental health,” Mr Cornford said.

“I work with a lot of teenagers, so that’s a big worry for me, trying to identify when kids get to that point.”

Mr Cornford said he appreciated the interactive element of the training.

“To sit there and be around those people who had so much knowledge, especially the likes of Ross, it was great to take it all in and see other people’s points of view, opinions and ideas,” he said.

“It’s definitely well worth it.

“To learn those skills and to be able to identify that stuff early, that’s definitely valuable information to have.

“It gave me the confidence to be able to talk to people and ask the right questions.”

In a new partnership with the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre, CORES Queensland is hosting a two-hour self-care and mental wellbeing workshop.

This session will be held at the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre, 40 Chippendale Street, Ayr, on Tuesday, March 5 from 9:30am.

Email adminqld@kentishrc.com.au for more information.

“When things pop up around the community, I’d encourage everyone to come along because it’s all free and it’s delivered by local people,” Mr Romeo said.

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Caption: 16 participants undertook CORES Queensland’s suicide prevention training earlier in February. Photo supplied

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A forum was held on Tuesday, February 20 by Burdekin Chamber inviting mayoral and councillor candidates to present to the community and answer their questions.

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Caption 1: Pierina Dalle Cort, Burdekin Chamber President Leigh Kefford and Lyn McLaughlin

Caption 2: Lyn McLaughlin, Amanda Hall, Fina Vasta and Kaylee Boccalatte

Caption 3: Llewlyn Davies, John Furnell, Pierina Dalle Cort, Jayson O’Keeffe and Callan Oar

Caption 4: Russell and Linda Kirk and Tiffany and Alissa Muir

Caption 5: Michael Detenon, Max Musumeci and Llewlyn Davies

Caption 6: Tony Goddard, Warren Francis and Charlie Scuderi

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The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating a two-vehicle traffic crash south of Home Hill on the afternoon of Thursday, February 15.

A spokesperson confirmed Queensland Ambulance Service was engaged at approximately 1:50pm that afternoon after two vehicles collided on the corner of the Bruce Highway and Wallace Road in Inkerman.

It has been confirmed that a van travelling north on the Bruce highway turned across the southbound lane to reach the rest area at Inkerman when it collided with a vehicle heading south.

There were three people in the van, one of which was ejected from the vehicle before being airlifted to Townsville Hospital in a stable condition.

The other two occupants of the van were taken by ambulance to Ayr Hospital, as was the sole occupant of the southbound vehicle.

Bruce Highway traffic experienced minor delays whilst the rescue helicopter landed at the scene.

Police are still investigating this matter.

Witnesses or anyone with relevant dashcam footage is urged to contact police.

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Caption: A van and a car collided on the Bruce Highway at Inkerman last week. Photos supplied

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Authorities have arrested the fifth offender in relation to the recent crime series that occurred in the Burdekin in January, charging a 14-year-old Home Hill youth with 21 offences while police opposed his bail.

The youth was the last of five arrests made in relation to a series of break and enter offences in the Burdekin during late January 2024.

The offences were alleged to have been committed on January 25 earlier this year, where six local businesses were targeted, including an electrical store on Queen Street, a bottle shop in Drysdale Street, a service station on Eighth Ave, a steel fabrication company on Breen Street, a tyre shop on Bruce Highway, and a convenience store on Chippendale Street.

In previous reports, an 18-year-old man was charged with multiple offenses on January 25, followed by a 15-year-old male, charged on January 26, as well as a 14-year-old male who was charged shortly after, on January 30.

In total, five offenders were charged with a total of 84 offences. 

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The vast majority of assaults reported to Ayr Police are between parties known to each other.  Many occur in private residences between family members, which may constitute domestic violence, or friends and acquaintances.    

Other assaults occur in the street or licenced premises where, once again, the involved parties are usually known to each other.

It is a not uncommon occurrence to see news reports where people are assaulted, fall back, hit their head and die. One punch can kill.

“It’s Okay to Walk Away” – that’s the message Ayr police want to send to reduce the number of assaults both when people go out but also in the home.    

A split-second decision could change your life forever and have an impact on many people, including your family and friends.  

Remember, ‘one punch can kill’ is a shocking reality that simple acts of violence can have tragic consequences. The consequences of assault don’t stop at injury or death.

   • A single punch is all it takes to seriously assault someone and in some circumstances may cause death. The consequences of such acts devastate the lives of so many people and leads to a lifetime of regret and unfulfilled dreams.

   • Assaults can steal your future, and your actions could result in negative impacts on your family, your employment, overseas travel, the guilt of taking another person’s life and could possibly result in a criminal record.

   • Victims of assault don’t always walk away with just a bruise. Permanent disability, ongoing care by family and friends, employment and future prospects can be jeopardised from one senseless act.

From a perspective of personal safety, be aware of your surroundings and alert to what is going on around you. Go out with friends and stay with your group. If you are going to be drinking, just make sure someone in the group is not going to drink and can look after his or her mates and steer them clear of trouble and walk away from violence. Unfortunately, too many “good nights out” end poorly due to being assaulted, losing belongings, etc.

Police would like to remind people that “It’s okay to walk away” and “One punch can kill”.

Snr Sgt Steve Barton

OIC Ayr

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Two of Ayr Health Service’s longest serving employees were recognised with a morning tea and presentation on Monday, February 19.

15 staff members received awards at the Townsville Hospital and Health Service – Length of Service Awards presentation, most notably Executive Support Officer Ana Mooney who is celebrating 45 years of service and Raylee Hervey who has worked in Laundry Operations for 40 years.

Ms Mooney, who was born at the same hospital she went on to work at for 45 years, started when she was 16, saying she always wanted an administration job and applied after seeing an ad in the paper.

“What’s kept me here is the people; the people that we care for in our community and the people who I work with,” she said.

“I meet new people all the time and I’ve made some great friendships through people that I’ve worked with, so it’s definitely the people who have kept me here all these years.

“We work as a team and that’s what I like.

“I’m not directly involved in patient care but I’m happy to support our clinicians with their payroll, paperwork, and I’m also a secretariat to many committees, so I support the clinicians who ultimately provide great care to our community.”

Ms Mooney has seen many changes throughout the decades, the most significant being the advent of technology.

“When I first started, we had no computers, everything was done manually,” she said.

“We had the old-fashioned typewriters, we had gestetners for the reprinting of reports, so technology has made a big difference in the way we operate and the way we work.”

Ms Hervey is also Burdekin born and bred, starting at the hospital at 15 years of age.

“I remember, mum had to pick me up from school to bring me here, I think it was an 11 o’clock start,” she laughed.

Similarly, technology and equipment advancements has changed Ms Hervey’s role drastically over the years.

“The washing machines went from big ones that we had to put chemicals in and you had to actually open them up and get in them to get the linen out then take them to a spinner, spin it there and then take it out and put it in the dryer,” she reflected.

“Now, your washing machine spins it all and everything’s automatic so it’s a lot easier in that way.”

Ms Hervey agreed with Ms Mooney saying the people she works with make her job worthwhile.

“The girls are good to work with and I just love doing my job,” she said.

“They’re a good group to work with and they help the community out, I love it.”

Ayr Health Service Director of Nursing and Facility Manager Tracey Gabiola said she was thrilled to celebrate with the hospital’s length of service awardees.  

“Ana and Raylee’s dedication to our health service truly portray the values of this organisation,” she said.

“Within their individual roles from the laundry to the Executive office, they are vital members of our service and contribute to our strategic goals.

“330 years of service has been recognised here this morning across all disciplines - operational, administrative, allied health, nursing and medical.  

“Applauding our colleagues in this manner is just a small token of our appreciation for their dedication and loyalty to our organisation.”

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Caption: L-R Service Group Director Ann Marie Mallett, Raylee Hervey, Ana Mooney, Nursing Director Rural Hospitals Service Group Sari Holland and Tracey Gabiola. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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By Chelsea Ravizza

James Cook University (JCU) Bachelor of Nursing Science and Midwifery students Ashely Green, Hayley Nosworthy, and Lauren Raitelli are dedicated, compassionate student midwifes looking to support local women in their pregnancy journeys. In fulfilling their undergraduate placements and requirements, each of the girls have fallen in love with all that midwifery entails and have assisted many women from Townsville and the Burdekin region in their pregnancies from prenatal care to postpartum support.

JCU’s midwifery students are required to witness five births and catch 30 babies over the course of their 4-year degree. Each student must attend antenatal appointments to gain additional hands-on Continuity of Care Experience (CCE) and knowledge, which can at times be difficult to factor into placement schedules on top of university requirements.

Ashley Green, fourth year JCU Nursing Science and Midwifery student, understands this difficulty, yet in pulling power from her passion has successfully supported 22 women in their pregnancies. Ashely has continued this support as far as six months after labor and feels great confidence in her midwifery abilities.

“These requirements show you’re competent and that you’re able, but doing what’s required of you and even extra instills confidence in yourself,” explained Ashley.

“The more experience, the better you are as a practicing midwife.”

Ashley’s confidence, and skills have led her to find clients with ease, and she is eager to follow eight more women on their journey before her graduation later this year. Her passion for midwifery originated from subject matter touched on within her nursing studies, and she encourages anyone with an interest in the industry to pursue studies at JCU.

“I love getting to know the women when they’re just starting their pregnancy, and follow them through right to the end, especially to go in with them for their birth, and help bring their little bubba into the world,” expressed Ashley.

As Lauren Raitelli enters her third year of her Bachelor of Nursing Science and Midwifery degree, she understands the importance her role plays in supporting women through their pregnancies. Lauren ensures the preferences of the women she supports are not overlooked throughout their pregnancy and in the delivery room, a task she believes to be the most important part of being a student midwife.

“I love bringing new life into the world, and it’s amazing to get to know the women, provide them with continuity of care, and communicate with them on what they want, especially when going through labor,” expressed Lauren.

The girls have collectively supported 43 women on their pregnancy journeys gaining priceless experience fourth year JCU Bachelor of Nursing Science and Midwifery student, Hayley Nosworthy will be forever grateful for.

“My passion lies in supporting and empowering women, recognizing their incredible strength and capabilities, and to be apart of their birthing experience is a privilege I cherish,” explained Hayley.

“The bonds we form with women throughout this degree, and in future practice, is truly unparalleled, and I will be forever grateful I chose to do midwifery as my career.”

For those interested in having additional support in their pregnancies, you may contact Ashley at ashley.green1@my.jcu.edu.au, Hayley at hayley.nosworthy@my.jcu.edu.au or Lauren at lauren.raitelli@my.jcu.edu.au. The girls are more than happy to assist you with any enquiries, questions, or queries, big or small, and express gratitude towards your support of your local student midwives.

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Caption: Hayley Nosworthy, Ashley Green and Lauren Raitelli. Photo supplied

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Did you know that the Burdekin Community Association Inc (BCA) has a Specialist Homelessness Service and Crisis Accommodation Program?

Our Housing and Community Support Team can assist adults and their children and young people aged 16+, who are sleeping rough or in non-conventional accommodation and people who are experiencing chronic homelessness.

The team will assist eligible people by:

   • Providing Temporary Supported Accommodation (if a place is available in one of our five crisis accommodation properties)

   • Working to ensure clients are housed in secure and sustainable accommodation

   • Ensuring there are appropriate casework supports in place

For support or information please visit the BCA Support Centre, 130 Queen Street, Ayr. Ph 4783 3744 or Email bca@bcaburdekin.org.au.

Debra Cochran

Chief Executive Officer

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A couple of weeks ago, we touched on the idea of a Compassionate Community and rallying around to provide a support network for people experiencing challenges in life.

This week, we would like to talk about Compassionate Communities from the perspective of death, dying and grief.

Compassionate Communities is a way of recognising that we all can care for and support those dying. In the past, people often died at home, and their families knew how to take care of them. But nowadays, dying has become more of a medical issue, and we've lost some of that knowledge and confidence to help our loved ones at the end of their lives. Compassionate Communities is about bringing back that sense of community support and care for those who are dying.

Did you know the Neighbourhood Centre has access to resources for death, dying and grief that we can make available to you or link you with?

The Neighbourhood Centre, over the last couple of years, has held community education opportunities in collaboration with Palliative Care Queensland. We have covered subjects including What Matters Most to Me, How to Have Conversations About Dying and Grief, Last Aid, Community PalliNavigator, Getting Your Affairs in Order: Enduring Power of Attorney and Advanced Care Planning.

Life has a 100% mortality rate regardless of who we are and what our situation is. It is a normal part of life, and the more we learn how to talk about it, the less confronting it becomes to us.

We’ve all been touched by death, whether it is a sibling, parent, child, partner, friend, or pet.  There is something to learn from each of our stories.  

Would you like to come together and have conversations that contribute to building a Compassionate Community in the Burdekin? Finding ways, together, to be able to bring up the conversations about death, dying and grief in a way that can help us all have a better life and, ultimately, a better death.

Join us at the Centre on Wednesday, February 28 at 5:30pm for an informal chat to get the ball rolling.

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Did you know that the Burdekin Shire Council operates two cemeteries located in Ayr and Home Hill?

These cemeteries are well maintained, open environments with no gates, therefore providing 24 hour access for families and friends to visit the resting place of their loved ones. Council also maintains a burial register that contains records of all burials in the shire of Burdekin, dating back to 1888.

Home to lawn, columbarium, and traditional burial sites, the Ayr and Home Hill Cemeteries cater to diverse preferences.

The burial register can be accessed online through Council's website, burdekin.qld.gov.au, where you can search by cemetery, name or date. The burial register is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history and heritage of the Burdekin region.

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Member for Burdekin Dale Last is calling for Federal Government support to fund additional Police Patrols to combat youth crime in the Burdekin.

Following the announcement of Federal Government’s $1.3 million for night patrols in regional communities, Mr Last is calling for this to be echoed in the Burdekin.

“It’s already been demonstrated that these night patrols are extremely effective in reducing youth crime with one community seeing a staggering reduction in offending and there is no reason similar results couldn’t be achieved in the Burdekin,” Mr Last said. 

“In the month of January alone we have seen the number of unlawful entry offences committed in Ayr nearly triple from the previous month, while Home Hill has recently seen its highest number of unlawful entry offences in at least 12 months.”

The Burdekin community have rallied together, following a recent string of youth crime, with over 50 residents and business owners appearing at the local police station, and a petition, which has been signed by over 1000 local residents, calling for private security patrols and an increase to police officer numbers.

“This community has already demonstrated that they are willing to be pro-active on addressing youth crime in their community and it is now up to Labor governments on all levels to support it.”

“Let’s not forget, community safety is first and foremost a state government responsibility and given that Labor is in power at a state and federal level, it shouldn’t be too much to ask for the Minister to knock on the door of his federal mates to provide the funds needed to make these patrols happen.”

Mr Last said having night patrols formalised and fully funded in the Burdekin would mean that business owners and residents were not being left out of pocket in a bid to improve community safety.

“At a time when costs of living are impacting everyone, we are seeing community members using their own vehicles and fuel to keep their community safe and victims of crime left out of pocket for repairs and increased security,” Mr Last explained.

“The initiative already has the support of the Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox and given the response to the ongoing petition this community has sent a clear message they are not willing to let this issue lie.”

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Ayr resident June Pola knows a thing or two about preparedness for natural disasters. Having lived in the Burdekin Shire for 45 years, she’s experienced many cyclones and floods. She’s lost a roof – and kept her family safe. Like most people here, she’s well aware of the dangers and how to prepare. And she thinks that lived experience of natural hazards is important factor that pushes people to prepare.

“I follow all the things that they say you have to do,” says June. “I moved everything that might blow away under the house because I've seen what's happened with the winds.

People just have no idea of the strength of those winds and the driving rain when you get a category 4 cyclone. Unless you've gone through it, you just cannot experience it any other way.”

Insights like June’s on what helps people prepare, stay resilient and recover from natural hazards is the subject of research currently being conducted in the Burdekin Shire. A team from Deakin University in Melbourne is visiting Ayr this week, to ask locals about how disaster communication is done here. The research is being undertaken for Natural Hazards Research Australia, Australia’s research centre for natural hazards resilience and disaster risk reduction.

“By ‘disaster communication’ we mean, all the messages that people receive about how to prepare for natural hazards, how to survive through them, and how to recover,” says Dr Gabi Mocatta from the Deakin research team. “This might be from emergency authorities, the Council, from media – even from your neighbour.”

The team is particularly interested in what type of information makes people prepared and resilient in the face of ‘compound hazards’ (when two or more hazards occur at the same time or in quick succession) meaning protective responses may be more complex, and there’s less time for recovery. The team also wants to find out how people prefer to receive hazards information.

The Burdekin Shire is one of three case study locations across Australia. Each location has experienced different hazards – storms, floods, fires, drought, flooding, cyclone – some in middle of COVID lockdowns. Communities have different levels of preparedness.

“Sometimes, there are several sources of information and messages can be confusing or contradictory,” says Dr Mocatta.

Burdekin Shire does disaster awareness well. “It all comes through the Council they send out messages all the time,” says June. “The Bureau of Meteorology, they send out the warnings. Then, in the paper the week before the cyclone was a list of things that people needed to pack and get. Birth certificates, insurance documents, some of your better photos, put them in plastic. Because when the roof goes all that gets wet!”

In the latest event, Cyclone Kirrily, June’s house didn’t have any structural damage, but her garden suffered. “It’s nature’s pruning, you know.”

The Deakin team invites all Burdekin community members to join the forum this Saturday 24th February to discuss disaster communication, Burdekin-style. The event will be held at PCYC Burdekin, 64 MacMillan Street, Ayr. Afternoon tea will be served. More information here: https://bit.ly/4bjnCIQ

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Caption: Deakin University invites community members to discuss disaster communications at a forum this weekend

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