Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
While most Burdekinites were in weekend mode last Sunday, a group of Ayr-Home Hill Lions volunteers spent several hours at the Lions Fruit Park in Home Hill giving the mango trees a much-needed trim. Volunteers Sam Harris, Lisa Corica, Rhondda Ware, Lynn Hutchings, Dan Bawden, Chris Goodwill and John and Jenny Donald worked steadily throughout the day, carrying out the first major prune the trees have had in years. By day’s end, seven trailer loads of off-cuts were transported to the local dump for disposal. The surrounding lawns were also mowed as part of the manicure, leaving the park noticeably refreshed. “We all agreed that the fruit park looks a lot better after the trim and mow,” a club spokesperson said. The working bee concluded across the road at the Lions Diorama, where volunteers enjoyed celebratory scones and coffee. The work represents one of the many voluntary efforts carried out by the longstanding local service club across the region. CAPTION: (L-R) Sam Harris, Lisa Corica, Rhondda Ware, Lynn Hutchings, Dan Bawden, Chris Goodwill and John Donald. Photo credit: Jenny Donald
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More than 60 scientists, farmers, Traditional Owners, conservationists and industry representatives gathered in Home Hill this month to explore new ways of protecting waterways, strengthening agricultural resilience and improving water quality flowing to the Great Barrier Reef. The 2026 Burdekin Regional Water Quality Science Forum, hosted by NQ Dry Tropics, highlighted the importance of strategic planning, collaboration and targeted investment to address environmental challenges while supporting productive farming systems. A field tour showcased practical projects already delivering results, including streambank restoration at Molongle Creek, where almost 4,000 timber piles were installed after severe flooding to stabilise the creek bank and encourage natural regeneration. Forum delegates also visited Mt Alma Organics near Inkerman, where the Spotswood family is working alongside NQ Dry Tropics to restore more than 60 hectares of wetland through long-term landscape management. Chief Scientific Officer from the Queensland Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation Carl Mitchell said long-term thinking was becoming increasingly important in water quality planning. "We need to think strategically about how the program would be used in, say, 20 years from now," he said. Collaboration between landholders, scientists and Traditional Owners was another key focus, with discussions highlighting the growing use of cultural burning as a land management tool. NQ Dry Tropics Sustainable Agriculture Program Manager Rob Hunt said collecting the right information was essential to improving environmental outcomes. "We really need to know what we're measuring," he said. "Whether it's to make sure our models are right, or to ensure a project is delivering what it's meant to deliver, or properly understanding the co-benefits arising from a project, we need to be able to map those out and understand what we're measuring." Senior Scientist and principal at C2O Consulting Jane Waterhouse said investment also needed to be carefully prioritised. "We also want managers and investors to think about protecting the areas in good condition ensuring we are taking action if necessary to maintain good water quality," she said. The forum also examined emerging opportunities in carbon emissions reduction, with researchers and industry leaders discussing how changes to fertiliser use and farming practices could improve productivity while creating future carbon market opportunities. The event was funded through the Australian and Queensland governments' Paddock to Reef Integrated Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting Program. CAPTIONS: NQ Dry Tropics Sustainable Agriculture Program Manager Rob Hunt directing people onto the bus to begin the forum. Photo source: NQ Dry Tropics The gathering had lots of questions about the 60ha wetland at Mt Alma Organics Farm. Photo source: NQ Dry Tropics Traditional Owner James Gaston, left, welcomes the group to Birrigubba Country. Watching on are Eddie Smallwood and Marian Davis. Photo source: NQ Dry Tropics Pictured during the forum are, from left: C2O Consulting Senior Scientist Jane Waterhouse, and NQ Dry Tropics Grazing Field Officer Eleanor Haig and Graduate Technical Officer Amelia Ross. Photo source: NQ Dry Tropics Alluvium Consulting's Principal Project Manager Jason Carter, left, with NQ Dry Tropics' NRM Implementation manager Brett King. Photo source: NQ Dry Tropics Pictured, from left, are: Healthy Waters Partnership team members Dinny Taylor and Kara-Mae Coulter-Atkins with NQ Dry Tropics .Project Officer Hayley Cook. Photo source: NQ Dry Tropics Inkerman organic farmer Gary Spotswood talks about the family's plans for the next 100 years, having farmed there for 99 years. Photo source: NQ Dry Tropics
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It has been another wonderful week in the Burdekin, filled with community spirit, celebration and important milestones for our region. The Burdekin Singers Debutante Ball was once again a standout event, with 23 debutantes presented alongside their partners. It was a truly special evening, marking an important moment in the lives of these young people as they step forward into a new chapter. Seeing them so poised and confident was inspiring - leaders in the making, full of potential and optimism for the future. Congratulations to all involved in delivering such a beautiful and well-run event. The Burdekin Show has also come and gone for another year, and what a fantastic event it was. We were fortunate to enjoy fine weather, which made for a great day out for families and visitors alike. It was especially pleasing to meet a group of young backpackers taking a well-earned day off to enjoy the Show. They spoke so highly of our community - our openness, friendliness and lifestyle, and it is always encouraging to hear how much people appreciate what we often take for granted here in the Burdekin. Council has now handed down its 2026/27 Budget, which takes a practical and forward-looking approach to the future of our region. We are proud to report that our general rates remain among the lowest in the State. This Budget reflects our commitment to the theme “Sustainable Growth, Security Tomorrow” - investing in the infrastructure our community needs now, while carefully planning for the years ahead. We recognise that many households are facing financial pressures, and Council has been mindful to strike a balance between affordability and maintaining essential services. Flexible payment options and support are available for those who may need assistance, and I encourage residents to reach out to Council if required. With school holidays now underway, I encourage families to take advantage of the many local activities on offer. Our libraries and community spaces are hosting a range of programs to keep young minds engaged and entertained throughout the break. As always, thank you for being part of what makes the Burdekin such a vibrant and welcoming community. Should you wish to reach out, don’t hesitate to contact me directly by phone at 0447 150 582, or feel free to send an email to mayor@burdekin.qld.gov.au.
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There is a lot of talk about the future of regional Queensland, but if you want to see where the Burdekin is heading, you don’t need a spreadsheet. You just need to look at our local workshops, worksites, and businesses. You need to look at our apprentices and trainees. For a long time, there was a belief that to "make it," regional kids had to pack their bags for the big cities. But here in the Burdekin, we prove every day that you can build a first-class career right here in your own backyard. When a local business takes on an apprentice, they aren't just filling a vacancy, they are investing in the survival of our community. Keeping our young people local means keeping our sporting clubs full, our volunteer groups alive, and ensuring the next generation is here to raise families in Ayr, Home Hill, and our districts. Council plays its part by hosting trainees and apprentices across our departments, but the real heavy lifting is done by our local businesses and contractors. Taking on a young worker takes time, patience, and money. To every Burdekin business owner who backs our youth, thank you! You are the backbone of our economy. To the young men and women currently turning spanners or learning a trade, stick with it. The skills you are learning right here are world-class. Let’s keep backing our kids, supporting our local shops, and keeping the Burdekin the best place in the North to build a life and raise a family.
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The extent to which temporary workers from the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste are supporting essential agricultural and food processing industries has been highlighted by new analysis from the Australia Institute, adding weight to calls for much needed improvements to working conditions for temporary visa holders participating in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.
The analysis finds that PALM workers are equivalent to 10% of the agricultural workforce usually resident in Australia, and equivalent to nearly a quarter (23%) of Australia’s meat processing workforce usually resident in Australia.
Exploitation and poor working conditions of many temporary workers has been revealed in the report which recommends that working conditions meet those afforded to domestic workers.
The conditions imposed on PALM workers place them at the mercy of employers in a way that would be illegal for domestic workers.
Employers are allowed to make deductions from their wages, and workers are unable to leave their employers without going through a rigorous bureaucratic process.
If they chose to leave an abusive employer without approval, they face the threat of having their visa cancelled.
“The numbers show that workers from the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste are keen to take up the opportunity to work in Australia, but being tied down to a specific employer creates problems,” said Dr Alexia Adhikari, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Australia Institute.
“It leaves workers enormously vulnerable to abuse and coercion and seriously reduces their ability to leave exploitative situations.
“While recent reforms to the program are certainly welcome, Australia can do more to ensure the equitable treatment of PALM Scheme visa holders.
“Overseas workers should be able to participate in temporary migration programs and return home with dignity as well as savings.”
Australia Institute research shows that there is strong support amongst the Australian public to provide better conditions for PALM visa workers with polling stating that over two-thirds of Australians believe PALM visa holders should have access to Medicare while working in Australia.
“Australia wants the Pacific region to think of us as a family and the Australian government wants to lean on our neighbourly relationship to establish partnerships for development, security and COP31 (climate summit),” said Dr Adhikari.
“We are asking for the co-operation and trust of Pacific Island nations, but our policies leave their citizens vulnerable to exploitation as they pick the fruit and vegetables that end up on Australian tables.”
Industries within which PALM visa holders are strongly represented make massive profits for the Australian economy.
Last year, the combined earnings from agricultural production ($90 billion) and agricultural export ($75 billion) were worth in excess of $160 billion.
The Burdekin agriculture community gathered to experience the future of farming recently as Sugar Research Australia (SRA) hosted a demonstration of Robotti, a Danish developed autonomous farm vehicle.
The Robboti has been imported by Bundaberg company Farm Concepts and is designed for precision operations such as seeding, weeding and spraying, as displayed by Farm Concepts Director Braden Hellmuth and SRA District Manager Terry Granshaw in a cane field at the SRA’s Burdekin Station, Brandon yesterday, Wednesday, January 15.
Mr Hellmuth demonstrated the vehicle and its capabilities of both the hardware and software.
The machine can operate 24/7 without a driver, solely guided by GPS and cameras.
Robboti, the creation of Danish field robotics company Agrointelli, is in operation on farms throughout Europe and around the world and was first imported to Australia in 2022.
“Automation is growing significantly in Australia and agriculture is an important sector in the country,” said Agrointelli CCO Jakob Bebe at the time.
“Robboti can play a significant role in automating the agricultural processes and therefore, we see Australia as an interesting market.”
To find out more about the innovation, visit https://bit.ly/3tOTNyP.
Robotti in the field. Photo supplied
Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox is backing calls for an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Inquiry into fruit and vegetable prices to make supermarkets pay their fair share.
“While Coles and Woolworths made record profits of more than $1 billion each last year, the individuals and families living in our electorate of Dawson are struggling with rising grocery costs during a cost-of-living crisis,” Mr Willcox said.
“Over the past 18 months we have seen fuel prices increase, energy prices increase, and now we’re all paying more at the checkout while supermarkets are paying farmers less and it’s not good enough.
“Farmers are integral to Australia, they provide food and fibre to the entire nation, and as a third-generation farmer myself I know just how difficult it can be on our farming families.
“If something doesn’t happen soon, we run the risk of seeing farmers walking away entirely and food security in Australia plummet.”
In November last year Mr Willcox urged Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Agriculture Minister Murray Watt to launch an investigation into supermarket meat sale prices and the Dawson MP is now putting the pressure on them to expand that investigation to include fruits and vegetables.
“Something must be done, it’s now a matter of urgency,” Mr Willcox emphasised.
“After 100 days from their announcement for a review of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, the Prime Minister has only just appointed someone to lead the review and it’s too little too late.
“A review isn’t going to go far enough.
“The ACCC has the expertise and the ability to do something about this issue, and the last thing we need are more politicians who don’t have the intricate understanding of market and pricing policies just sitting around asking questions.
“This is not only impacting family budgets in Dawson it is now starting to impact the health of families living here.
“We’re seeing reports of families bypass the fresh food section in their local supermarkets altogether and instead opt for cheaper, unhealthy pre-packaged meals.
“We are seeing Queenslanders hospitalised for diet deficiencies so severe that they’re leading to diseases such a scurvy and rickets, and if the cost of fruits and vegetables continue to rise this is only going to get worse.
“The Albanese Labor Government must act before it’s too late.
“We need to ensure there is an ACCC Inquiry into supermarket price gouging.
“The families and farmers in our electorate of Dawson deserve an urgent response and I am going to do everything I can to make sure that happens.”
Home-grown Bowen locals Wendy Bickhoff and her family have been the friendly faces behind Corals City 2 Country since 2009. Retailing high quality western wear, fashion, school clothing and saddlery, Wendy’s description of what her business entails brought a smile to our faces.
“We always say, we sell everything from your hat to your hanky,” said Wendy.
With two kids, a dog and a horse, Wendy and her husband are forever busy, working up to six days a week in the Whitsundays and seven when traveling. After all the hours the pair put into the business, it’s the interactions between customers that stand as Wendy’s highlights when reflecting on the past 15 years.
“The people that you meet in the store or on the road make your day, they become like family, and best friends,” explained Wendy.
With western wear still a focus of the business, Corals City 2 Country has begun retailing locally handmade products, as well as offering a Lazer engraving service to personalize customer’s pieces. Opportunities for growth and innovative approaches to business operations are always on Wendy’s mind, with customers and co-workers having never seen her sit still.
“I am always looking for something different to add to the store, and we talk to all our customers to see what they are looking for as well.”
Wendy and her team pride themselves on conducting their business with old fashioned service, and always seek to work above and beyond for their customers.
The team at Coral City 2 Country, Wendy and Mark Bickhoff and Mary, Wendy’s mother
Last week, Burdekin Life reported on local business McCathies Furniture Plus celebrating 50 years in 2024.
To reflect this tremendous golden anniversary, Kari and her team warmly invite you to join them at McCathies Furniture Plus on the evening of Thursday, February 8 to enjoy bubbles, memories, and Cheers to 50 Years – this event is not happening today, January 18 as reported last week.
Every customer from Thursday, February 8 to Thursday, February 15 will get $50 in McCathies Money to spend in-store during that week, while there will also be a $500 gift voucher hidden in store for one lucky customer to find.
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Approaching its 16th year of business in the bustling Burdekin region, Dominiques Flowers and Funk has adapted and transformed to suit the ever-changing business landscape whilst keeping true to owner, Jenny’s strong family values.
When the business began in 2008, Dominiques Flowers and Funk stood as a florist and accessory store, with a touch of event styling introduced in later years. In 2020, COVID-19 acted as a catalyst for change among each business in the Burdekin region, and for Jenny, she was prompted to introduce clothing to her retail range, and re-structure the event styling component of the store.
“We passed the event side over to my daughter-in-law, and now we get to relax, and sell beautiful clothing all day long,” said Jenny.
Since the introduction of an online store front for Dominiques Flowers and Funk, Jenny and her team are loving the fast-paced environment and are grateful for being the busiest they have ever been.
“We are forever getting in early, leaving late, responding to people’s messages as soon as we get them, and shipping orders as fast as humanly possible,” explained Jenny.
Jenny believes it’s the dedication to producing the highest quality of customer service that has granted the business 16 years of trading.
“We have 16 years’ experience in listening to our clients, doing our best to give them exactly what they are looking for, and we’re forever changing and trying something new.
“We love seeing people leaving the store feeling great about themselves in their new outfit.”
The friendly team at Dominiques
As the calendar resets and the New Year unfolds, it presents an opportune moment for introspection, growth, and personal transformation. The concept of unlocking your best self isn't merely a cliché; it's a journey toward building resilience, fostering self-discovery, and embracing reinvention.
Resilience, the cornerstone of this journey, embodies the ability to bounce back from adversity, navigate life's challenges, and emerge stronger. It's not about avoiding difficulties but about facing them with courage, adaptability, and a resilient spirit. The New Year provides a canvas to cultivate this resilience, to fortify the mind, body, and spirit against life's inevitable ebbs and flows.
Building resilience is a multifaceted process that involves various practices and approaches. Here are five steps to cultivate resilience and how they can assist in navigating everyday challenges:
1. Developing a Growth Mindset
Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. Acknowledge that setbacks are part of life and see them as chances to learn. When faced with the challenge of exercising on rainy days, a growth mindset helps reframe it as an opportunity to try indoor workouts, fostering adaptability.
2. Cultivating Self-Compassion
Treat yourself with kindness during difficult times. Recognise that everyone faces challenges, and it's okay to feel overwhelmed. When encountering stressful work deadlines, practicing self-compassion helps reduce self-criticism, allowing space to focus on tasks without added mental pressure.
3. Building a Supportive Network
Foster relationships with family, friends, or support groups. Strong social connections provide emotional support and perspective during tough times. When dealing with personal relationship setbacks, a supportive network offers a safe space for discussion, advice, and emotional comfort.
4. Practicing Mindfulness and Stress Management
Incorporate mindfulness practices like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga into daily routines. Mindfulness helps manage stress, promotes emotional regulation, and enhances mental clarity. When facing everyday stressors, mindfulness techniques assist in maintaining a calm and composed mindset.
5. Setting Realistic Goals and Taking Decisive Action
Break larger goals into smaller, achievable steps. Prioritise tasks and take proactive steps toward your objectives. When struggling with motivation to exercise or facing work deadlines, setting achievable daily goals creates a sense of accomplishment and motivates consistent progress.
Building resilience equips individuals with the tools to navigate daily challenges:
• Motivation for Exercise in Adverse Conditions: Resilience fosters adaptability, allowing you to find alternative workout routines or see rainy days as an opportunity for different physical activities, maintaining consistency in your exercise regimen.
• Handling Stressful Work Deadlines: Resilience encourages a problem-solving attitude, helping break down complex tasks into manageable components. This approach aids in maintaining focus, managing time efficiently, and handling pressure effectively.
• Navigating Personal Relationship Setbacks: Resilience promotes emotional balance and self-awareness. It enables individuals to process emotions constructively, communicate effectively, and seek support when facing relationship challenges.
Building resilience empowers individuals to navigate life's trials with adaptability, and a positive mindset, making every challenge an opportunity for growth and self-improvement.
Five days of dancing has wrapped up at the Burdekin Theatre as the Verve Dance Festival took over the Burdekin from Thursday, January 11 to Monday, January 15.
The competition gives local competitors another opportunity to showcase their talents while bringing people from across north, central, and west Queensland to the Burdekin.
Competitors aged 20 years and under performed in over 100 sections across the weekend.
Read on to find a selection of results.
SECTION: 001 4 years and under Tiny Tots Solo
1st Calayah Ferris
SECTION: 006 9 years Classical Solo
1st Elle Rose Cummings
2nd Summer Keating
3rd Ava Whybird
SECTION: 007 10 years Classical Solo
1st Shiloh Belle Sunnerdale
2nd Gracie Corowa
3rd Emma Maxey
SECTION: 016 6 years and under Demi-Character Solo
1st Frankie Whybird
2nd Arison Deicke
SECTION: 017/018 7 - 8 years Demi-Character Solo
1st Harvey Rose McClelland
2nd Ayllah Ferris
3rd Mackenzie Brown
SECTION: 019 9 years Demi-Character Solo
1st Elle Rose Cummings
2nd Summer Keating
3rd Annabelle Brooks
SECTION: 021/022 11 - 12 years Demi-Character Solo
1st Owen Reed
2nd Izalea Patuwai
2nd Peyton Prothero
3rd Abbie Grace Court
SECTION: 030/031 7 - 8 years Tap Solo
1st Harriet Lawson
2nd Harvey Rose McClelland
3rd Indigo Tranberg
SECTION: 033 10 years Tap Solo
1st Lataf-Elya Tietie
2nd Gracie Corowa
3rd Savannah Large
SECTION: 034 11 years Tap Solo
1st Abbie Grace Court
2nd Izalea Patuwai
3rd Demi Cook
SECTION: 035 12 years Tap Solo
1st Blake Calkin
2nd Charlotte Finch
3rd Ruby Harland
SECTION: 045 12 years Slow or Waltz Tap Solo
1st Charlotte Finch
2nd Brooke Wilkinson
3rd Savannah Jackson
SECTION: 061 6 years and under Jazz Solo
1st Ella Schurmann
2nd Frankie Whybird
3rd Mackenzie McDonald
SECTION: 065 10 years Jazz Solo
1st Gracie Corowa
2nd Emma Maxey
3rd Paityn Sukaserm
SECTION: 066 11 years Jazz Solo
1st Izalea Patuwai
2nd Peyton Prothero
3rd Abbie Grace Court
3rd Paeton Lorraway
SECTION: 079 8 years and under Lyrical Solo
1st Harvey Rose McClelland
2nd Maeve Young
3rd Ayllah Ferris
SECTION: 082 11 years Lyrical Solo
1st Peyton Prothero
2nd Izalea Patuwai
3rd Abbie Grace Court
SECTION: 089 8 years and under Contemporary Traditional Solo
1st Grace Hills
SECTION: 090/091 9 - 10 years Contemporary Traditional Solo
1st Payton Letitia Hills
2nd Brooklyn Keating
3rd Summer Keating
SECTION: 100/101 9 - 10 years Contemporary Commercial Solo
1st Sunny Rowbotham
2nd Radha Haller
3rd Payton Letitia Hills
SECTION: 112 11 - 12 years Hip Hop Solo
1st Paeton Lorraway
2nd Izalea Patuwai
3rd Meela Thornton
SECTION: 116 8 years and under Song & Dance Solo
1st Harvey Rose McClelland
2nd Indigo Tranberg
SECTION: 118 11 - 12 years Song & Dance Solo
1st Paeton Lorraway
SECTION: 129 8 years and under Student Choreography Solo
1st Harriet Lawson
2nd Grace Hills
SECTION: 138 9 - 10 years Acro Solo
1st Mikayla Close
2nd Summer Keating
SECTION: 142 8 years and under Improvisation - Classical Solo
1st Grace Hills
SECTION: 148 8 years and under Improvisation - Jazz Solo
1st Ayllah Ferris
2nd Indigo Tranberg
3rd Grace Hills
SECTION: 150 11 - 12 years Improvisation - Jazz Solo
1st Abbie Grace Court
2nd Izalea Patuwai
3rd Paeton Lorraway
SECTION: 155 9 - 10 years Improvisation - Tap Solo
Sponsored by Wilmar Sugar & Renewables
1st Gracie Corowa
2nd Payton Letitia Hills
3rd Lataf-Elya Tietie
3rd Summer Keating
SECTION: 160 8 years and under Open Duo/Trio
1st Frankie Whybird & Noah Logan
2nd Estelle Mooney & Harriet Lawson
For full results, visit Verve Dance Festival on Facebook.
Photo credit: KR Photos & Videos - Keeara & Reece
Dedicate a day to exploring the diverse history of the Burdekin. From farming triumphs to the hidden stories of WWII shelters, each place unfolds a unique tale.
Follow along on this one day history tour, courtesy of Visit Burdekin, North Queensland on Facebook:
• Starting in the small town of Brandon, you will find the Brandon Heritage Precinct, home to the Burdekin Machinery Preservationists. Inside you will find a display of old farm machinery including the restored 1910 Marshall C Class Tractor, the only one of its class left in the world.
• Travel into Ayr to find a number of heritage-listed and restored buildings. Within the Ayr CBD, admire the iconic Town Clock, Council Chambers, Ayr Post Office and Court House. Learn more about the Ayr Historic Town Walk at www.visitburdekin.com.au.
• Head over the Burdekin Bridge to Home Hill to find Pioneer Avenue, telling the story of the region's pioneering families. The plaques sit under the shady trees in the main street of Home Hill, Eighth Avenue, Bruce Highway.
• The Silver Link Interpretive Display at the Home Hill Visitor Information Centre houses many photos depicting the history of the region and the construction of the iconic Burdekin Bridge.
• Just 8km south of Home Hill is the Charlie's Hill WWII site, the No 211 Radar Station was one of twenty radar installations along the North Queensland coastline used during World War II.
Fast Facts:
Rehoming Fee: $425
DOB: 1/1/2022
Sex: Female
Breed: Cattle Dog Cross Shepherd
Kid Friendly: Yes, Older Children
Cat Friendly: Untested
Other Dogs: Yes, Slow Introduction
Fences: 6 Foot
This spirited and youthful pup, named Lara, is bursting with energy and is incredibly excited to meet her forever family.
With an affectionate and friendly nature, Lara just loves people and thrives with any sort of human interaction, making her an excellent addition to an active and busy household, who are dynamic and adore their four-legged furry friend.
Due to Lara’s massive energy, she is best suited to a household with older children that she can play with, and that can give her great exercise and stimulation daily. Lara loves puzzles that keep her mind active and enjoys a walk during the day.
Always ready for an adventure, Lara is excited to meet you.
Lara is desexed, microchipped, is up to date on her vaccinations, has been treated for fleas, ticks, and worms, and is on heartworm preventative.
If you are interested to meet Lara, complete and submit an animal inquiry form:
https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfVFbEvYZqF9l.../viewform
The Golden Anniversary of McCathies Furniture Plus marks half a century of providing high quality service to the Burdekin region and beyond, with third generation owners, Rob and Kari Ravizza, and their team delivering wonderful pieces of furniture all along the East Coast.
In 1974, Kari’s grandparents, Jack and Milly McCathie established the Ayr Secondhand Dealers. Well-known names in the Burdekin region, the pair had introduced many successful businesses to the town including the Supreme Taxi Service, Mac’s Milk Bar, Mac’s Ayr Toyland, McCathies Real Estate, and McCathie & Jones Travel Agency.
In 1978, Kari’s parents, John and Lyndy McCathie, relocated Ayr Secondhand Dealers from its original location, where Burdekin Motors stands today, to its current space a few blocks down at 262 Queen Street. 1998 saw Ayr Secondhand Dealers shift into a retailer of new furniture under numerous variations of business names, all under the McCathie title. In 2013, Kari and Rob relocated back home to the Burdekin and became the new partners in the business, now known as McCathies Furniture Plus.
“The plus means a lot of things, and it’s a running joke having a plus of the day, with it being the occasional goanna wrangling, or dressing up a life-size baby elephant out the front of the shop, but our amazing staff and customers are always my favorite plus,” said Kari.
“If you haven’t been in for a while, it’s definitely time you checked us out in store or online, as we’d love to help you with your new furniture and bedding needs.”
To reflect this tremendous golden anniversary, Kari and her team warmly invite you to join them at McCathies Furniture Plus on the evening of Thursday, January 18 to enjoy bubbles, memories, and Cheers to 50 Years.
Every customer from Thursday January 18 to Thursday January 25 will get $50 in McCathies Money to spend in-store during that week, while there will also be a $500 gift voucher hidden in store for one lucky customer to find.
Lyndy McCathie holding Murphy the dog, Kari Ravizza, Rob Ravizza and John McCathie with a photo of Milly and Jack McCathie
In 1932, a 19-year-old woman named Jean Morris, widely believed to not be her real name, was brutally murdered in a house she was renting on Queen Street, Ayr.
Jean was buried in an unmarked grave at the Ayr cemetery and, over 90 years later, local man Henry Petersen and his friend Paula Dawson are spearheading a fundraising campaign to ensure Jean’s story is remembered forever.
“This girl is part of history,” Mr Petersen said.
“She died a tragic death.
“Even though she was only in Ayr for seven days, she’s still a part of our history.”
Jean Morris
Ayr man Henry Petersen is leading a fundraising campaign to place a headstone on the unmarked grave of murder victim Jean Morris. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie
When Jean Morris arrived in Ayr, Australia was amidst the Great Depression while north Queensland was fighting its own battle against the Black Hand, an Italian crime syndicate targeting Italian Australian cane farmers and workers.
Jean had been working as a sex worker in Sydney when she moved up the coast, seeking new clients and new streams of income from the more affluent canecutters and Italian immigrants of north Queensland.
“She was of Italian descent, and she was such a good Italian speaker that she came up here where all the canecutters were as they were the only people with money,” said Henry Petersen, an Ayr man leading a fundraising campaign to honour Jean’s memory.
According to an article written and compiled by Queensland Police Museum Volunteer and Crime and Policing Historian Dr Anastasia Dukova, Jean was said to have become involved with the Black Hand while in north Queensland, led by Vincenzo D’Agostino who developed a romantic interest in her.
“D’Agostino was in love with her, and she didn’t like him and refused his advances,” Mr Petersen added.
“At the end of the day, he said she knew too much and had to go.”
Jean arrived in Ayr via Home Hill, Cloncurry, Innisfail, and Cairns on September 29, 1932.
She was last seen alive on the night of October 3 before her body was discovered in her bed in a small two-roomed galvanised iron house in Queen Street by an Electric Light Company employee at 10:00am the next day.
According to the post-mortem examination, Jean sustained 43 stab wounds about half an inch wide and four inches deep.
The inquest showed Jean Morris died about eight hours earlier, with evidence indicating a dagger or stiletto shoe was used to inflict the narrow and deep wounds.
While involvement from the Black Hand was suspected, the murder remains unsolved, with police closing in on a suspect who fled to Italy where he was arrested and hanged himself in an Italian prison.
Jean’s story was recently revitalised in 2023 when a documentary telling of the activities and stories surrounding the Black Hand aired on the ABC, which reignited Mr Petersen’s interest.
With the help of Paula Dawson and Amie Griggs of Burdekin Funerals, he set up a GoFundMe to raise funds for a gravestone at her burial site.
“A lot of people question why I’m doing it, and I say, ‘Would you like to be in an unmarked grave? Is that how you want to be remembered?’” Mr Petersen said.
“She was a human being.
“No one deserves to be brutally murdered like that.
“She should be remembered, and people should be able to go and visit her gravesite.”
Mr Petersen was recently contacted by Respect Inc, a non-profit, peer-based organisation focused on protecting and promoting the rights, health, and wellbeing of Queensland sex workers.
Respect Inc State Coordinator Lulu Holiday also became interested in the story after seeing the documentary.
“Being a sex worker was such a big part of Jean’s story,” said Ms Holiday.
“She was up here, working alone, making her way for herself and she was doing really well, but because of the stigma and vilification around sex work, Jean found herself in this situation where she had no support, she couldn’t go to the police, and at the end of the day, that’s a huge part of why she ended up dying.”
After googling Jean, Ms Holiday discovered she had been laid to rest in an unmarked grave and has since thrown her support behind the campaign.
“Respect Inc as an organisation felt like that did no justice for Jean and that didn’t honour her life, so decided we wanted to help Henry and Paula achieve the goal of honouring Jean with the dignity of a headstone,” Ms Holiday said.
“We want to see Jean get the respect and dignity that she deserves but also to see community attitudes change.
“I hear that the Burdekin community has been really supportive of the push to get Jean a headstone and it’s really heartening to see that community attitudes are starting to change towards sex workers.”
Over $1,600 has been raised towards placing a headstone on Jean Morris’ grave.
To find out more about the fundraiser, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/stiletto-jean-morris-headstone-fundraiser or scan the QR code.
The documentary ‘The Black Hand’ can be viewed on ABC iview.
Paula Dawson is accepting donations for Jean Morris’ headstone at her hair salon.
Photo credit: Sam Gillespie
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Hi readers
While I didn’t mention “reading more” as a new year’s resolution in last week’s ‘Sit Down With Sam’, this is one that goes unsaid as at the end of every year, I find myself unsatisfied with the amount of books I read and failing to reach my ‘Goodreads Reading Challenge’ goals.
These goals are arbitrary, of course, and I’m not going to beat myself up too much for not reaching them, but reading is one thing I’ve looked to do more of every year since I got back into it in lockdown so you’d think setting these goals would keep me on track.
Nevertheless, in the spirit of the Burdekin Library staff sharing their favourite reads of 2023 on page 21, I thought I’d share mine.
For me, a trip to Airlie Beach isn’t complete without a visit to Beach Book Boutique, and it was here in July last year that I stumbled upon ‘Blueback’ by Tim Winton.
Tim Winton is well known for his many Australian literary classics including ‘Cloudstreet’, while his ‘Lockie Leonard’ trilogy has captured the imaginations of generations of teen readers.
I plucked ‘Blueback’ from the often-overwhelming shelves of the store, admittedly drawn in by the small size of the book and my assumption that its size would make it a light, easy holiday read.
While first published in 1997, the edition I found was published in 1999 and is adorned with a beautiful cover illustration by Andrew Davidson; I was enamoured.
The cover depicts the book’s namesake, Blueback, a blue groper befriended by the protagonist, Abel Jackson, whose simple yet hardworking boyhood on the Western Australia coast is threatened by abalone poachers and the passing of time.
The book paints a stunning visual of life on the rugged WA coast and carries a powerful message of protecting our precious oceans.
It’s an easy yet impactful read and one that I’d recommend to readers of all ages.
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