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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Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox is calling on the Federal Government to step in when it comes to the youth crime endemic in North Queensland, calling the inaction from both federal and state governments disgraceful.
Addressing Parliament last week, Mr Willcox made a heartfelt plea to the Labor government to protect the victims of crime, protect our children, and restore their personal safety.
“The fact that people in my electorate are thinking twice about taking their kids to the park because they can’t guarantee they’ll make it there and back safely. It’s appalling,” Mr Willcox said.
Stating that these victims need to be protected the MP labelled the long-term trauma felt as a result of these crimes “distressing.”
“Witnessing the escalating levels of criminal activity is distressing.
“The fact that in 2023 the people in my electorate are so afraid for their safety that they are sleeping with weapons beside their bed is unacceptable.”
Speaking on some of the recent crimes in the Dawson electorate, Mr Willcox said that the basic human need for personal safety isn’t being met.
“We need to know that when we’re sitting in our loungerooms watching TV or leaving the house to go to work that we’re safe.
“That the belongings we worked so hard to pay for are safe. That our 74-year-old neighbour won’t be assaulted in his own home.”
The competition emerging online among these young offenders is “fuelled by the desire for notoriety and misguided notions of popularity” exclaimed the impassioned MP.
“This is no longer about a single moment of adrenaline. This has transformed into a contest, not of skills or achievements, but rather a race to commit the most appalling acts, leaving our streets marred with the consequences of their thoughtless actions.”
“If their mate steals a Mazda, they have to steal a BMW. If their mate steels a Porsche, what next?
“Do they have to steal a life?”
In 2015 the Coalition created and funded the Office of the eSafety Commission to protect children from online bullying and harmful content, which was a world first explained Mr Willcox.
“I am now calling on the Labor Government to protect victims of crime by empowering the eSafety Commissioner to explicitly handle online content of criminal activity material in a similar way to how cyber-bullying and cyber-abuse material is treated.”
“[We need to] enhance protections of children and young people online from digital content that depicts criminal activity material and prevent them from a life of crime.”
Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, urges the Federal Government to act on youth crime issues in North Queensland
Two Home Hill State High School students have returned to the region with a clearer vision of what their futures hold after attending the University of Queensland’s (UQ) Young ChangeMakers program.
Maliq Ogomeni and Jacob Machin, who both completed year 11 this year, attended the four-day program in Brisbane last week, providing them with an immersive university experience highlighting different study areas and life as a UQ student.
“The program is about young people that are doing well in school to see what uni life is like and see what they can do at UQ,” said Maliq.
“We learnt about the uni experience, what we can do to get in, what courses we can do and how it opens up to more things, but it was also about connecting with the people around you.”
Maliq and Jacob were accepted into the program after a lengthy application process and said it good to connect with over 200 other participants.
“I’ve always been looking at UQ for after high school, so I thought it’d be a good introduction to the uni and get my name in the ring,” said Jacob.
“I knew there’d be likeminded people going so it was good to meet up with other people with the same interests from all around the country.”
“Brisbane’s huge and UQ’s the most prestigious university in Queensland, so I wanted to go to get the experience of being surrounded by likeminded people,” added Maliq.
Across the four days, participants attended lectures, heard from guest speakers, took part in workshops and explored career expos.
The final night involved a gala dinner and disco where Maliq performed a song with a fellow student he’d met at the program.
Both Maliq and Jacob are excited yet nervous to enter their senior years next year but said the program gave them a clearer idea of what they hope to achieve after finishing school.
Jacob hopes to pursue either a degree in Architecture or Design in the future and Maliq hopes to pursue a dual degree in Mechanical Engineering and Law.
The pair couldn’t speak highly enough about the program.
“If you get the opportunity, definitely pursue it, because the Young Chamgemakers Program is good as,” said Jacob.
Jacob Machin and Maliq Ogomeni
Local fire fighters are battling poor conditions at the Ayr Fire Station according to member for Burdekin Dale Last MP, who is imploring the Minister for Fire and Emergency Services to say ‘when’ not ‘if’ a new fire station will be built.
PFAS chemicals have been uncovered at the Ayr Fire Station and these have been found to be leaching into the ground.
These chemicals, which are often used to fight fuel fires, are a dangerous contaminant and management of them is severely impacting the daily function of the fire station.
The fire fighters are unable to train at the facility and have to travel to a new site, they are also having to adopt contamination management processes that cost time and money.
“Currently equipment and personnel have to be transported to a training site where they undertake their training and then all the equipment has to be cleaned before it can be returned to the Ayr station,” said Mr Last.
“Any water used at the station itself cannot be discharged and is collected and stored for treatment.
“There are also implications for the appliances that crews use to respond to emergencies. The latest design of firefighting appliance won’t fit in the existing station so, instead, we have to wait for a specially modified appliance to be delivered.”
There are other sites in the local region that have been found to contain PFAS, but many have been moved to a different location to solve the problem.
Mr Last believes this should be happening with the Ayr Fire Station as well.
“We rely on our local firefighters in our time of need and, frankly, it’s not good enough that they are expected to operate from a sub-standard facility,” said Mr Last.
“I raised the effects of PFAS on staff and volunteers and the need for a replacement appliance with the Minister back in October.
“In his reply the Minister confirmed a new appliance would be delivered in 2024 but, when it came to the PFAS issues, our concerns were completely ignored.”
“What we need to see is a new, purpose-built facility to house not only the staff and auxiliary firefighters, but also as a base for up to date appliances and equipment.”
At one stage, over 8,000 litres of contaminated water was awaiting collection from Ayr Fire Station. Photo supplied
Back in July 1904, Harry E P MacDonald was editor of the Delta Advocate for a very short time. Upon leaving the district he had the following words to say of living conditions in Ayr. This was printed in various newspapers- Queensland, New South Wales and the Sun from Kalgoorlie Western Australia.
“Also, we desire to bid a long farewell to Lynch’s Bull, and Irving’s Cow and Edwards’ Heifer. (Lynch, Irving and Edwards were V.I.P’s of the district). Furthermore, the insanitary system has provided us with material for paragraphs when more unsavoury subjects were unavailable . Then Mr Burke and the bailiff, and other sundries have rendered valuable assistance in the production of this journal to all of whom we are grateful, and a peace that passeth all understanding is upon us, together with 8s10pence, which is reserved to bear us hence. Good-bye again, dear friend of ours, and may your prosperity continue through all the years to come. Fight the same fearless battle you have fought so long. Success will finally crown your efforts, and fortune will smile upon you with kindly eyes, for your heritage is great. Farewell then A word that must be, and has been -sound which make us linger – yet farewell.”
Then he tore himself away. Sewage -in 1904 was a horse with cart and toilet pans were delivered and taken away from the outside the toilet shed by the night man and his cart. This service was performed in the early hours of the morning before people were up and about going to work etc. This was not a pleasant smelling aroma throughout the town. Just imagine this being written up today in our society. I wonder did the citizens of Ayr know their fame had spread far and wide in our country.
Come forward to October 1931 in the Home Hill notes of the Townsville Bulletin. The town was in the middle of the sugar-cane harvest and nothing much was happening as this was also the Depression years. So, the previous Saturday afternoon, an Italian Man came into town from up river (Osborne) pulling a four wheel buggy to stop beside one of the local hotels, where the excited chattering of a number of Italians proclaimed that something must be happening that they had no knowledge of. Enquiries elicited the fact that the human horse had made a bet with one of his countrymen, and this was the wager- the terms being the man had to pull the four-wheeler into town, a distance of seven miles, load a case of lager into the buggy and pull it home again, all within six hours. The seven miles into town took 2 hours 20 minutes an average of three miles per hour which was very good moving. After loading the case of lager (four dozen large Bottles) and incidentally using a little lubrication taking internally, the return journey was commenced. Word was later received in town that the human horse puller had reached home with just over half -an-hour to spare. Would any of us do this for entertainment today?
Finally fast forward to early 1950’s in Queen Street Ayr. The Shire Council decided to upgrade the footpaths in front of the shops in Queen Street by cementing them and making easy walking for pedestrians. The cementing finished and the footpaths looked great. Then along came the Post Master General’s (PMG) within the space of a couple of weeks and they decided to dig up a section of this newly laid cement footpath to work on laying telephone cables in Queen Street. The lines were duly laid and layers of soil covered up the telephone cables. So much for cement pavements in the main street of Ayr. Come Saturday morning and local shoppers came to town to find that some wags had planted lettuce, carrots and beetroots in the dirt to make a vegetable garden. There was much laughter. Would this happen today!?
Contributed by Glenis Cislowski
Vegetables were grown in the dirt in the middle of the footpath
At 8.15pm on Friday 17 November, Ayr Police were called to a disturbance at a licenced premises in Queen Street, Ayr. As a result, a 63yr old Burdekin man was charged with one count each of common assault, failure to leave licenced premises, disorderly on a licenced premises and commit a public nuisance on a licenced premises. He was released on conditional Police bail to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 12 December. He was also issued a Police Banning Notice relating to licenced premises in Ayr.
At 10.40pm on Friday 10 November, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Lando Street, Ayr. The driver, a 39yr old Burdekin man, was issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) for driving with a relevant drug in his saliva and is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 29 January, 2024.
At 2.55am on Saturday 18 November, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on MacMillan Street, Ayr. The driver, a 43yr old Mackay man, was issued a NTA for driving with a relevant drug in his saliva, possessing a dangerous drug and failing to dispose of syringe and needle correctly. He is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 29 January, 2024.
At 8.00pm on Sunday 19 November, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Bruce Highway, Ayr. The driver, a 48yr old Burdekin man, was issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) for driving with a relevant drug in his saliva and is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 29 January, 2024.
At 10.10pm on Sunday 19 November, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Soper Street, Ayr. The driver, a 47yr old Burdekin woman, was issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) for driving with a relevant drug in her saliva and is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 29 January, 2024.
At 7.50am on Monday 20 November, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Norham Road, Ayr. The driver, a 27yr old Burdekin man, was issued a NTA for drink driving, .095 is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 12 December.
At 9am on Wednesday 22 November, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Bruce Highway, Inkerman. As a result, the driver, a 26yr old Townsville man, was charged with seven fraud offences relating to fuel drive offs in the Townsville area along with another 30 charges relating to driving unregistered and uninsured vehicles and displaying false and cancelled registration plates. He was released on Police bail to appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on 7 December.
At 12.05am on Thursday 23 November, Ayr Police were called to a carpark in Queen Street., Ayr in relation to an incident. While there, a vehicle pulled into the carpark and the driver, a 26yr old Burdekin man, was spoken to. As a result, he was charged with one count each of drink driving, .159 and contravention of a Domestic Violence order. He is due to re-appear in Townsville Magistrates Court at a later date.
On 24 November, Ayr Police located a 41yr old Burdekin woman when attending a residence in Ayr. As a result of investigations, she was charged with fraud and disqualified driving relating to a fuel drive off from a service station in Ayr in late October 2023 and two counts of unauthorised possession a class S4 medicine. She was released on conditional bail to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 12 December.
At 7.55pm on Sunday 26 November, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Conlan Street, Ayr. The driver, a 33yr old Burdekin man, was issued a NTA for drink driving, .024 is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 24 January, 2024.
At 10.45am on Wednesday 29 November, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Eighth Avenue, Home Hill. The driver, a 21yr old Burdekin man, was issued a NTA for driving with a suspended driver’s licence and is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Cout on 19 December.
At 2.50pm on Wednesday 29 November, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Beach Road, Ayr. The driver, a 32yr old Burdekin man, was issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) for driving with a relevant drug in his saliva and possession of a category M weapon. He is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 29 January, 2024.
At 8.10pm on Wednesday 29 November, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Airdmillan Road, Ayr. The driver, a 57yr old Burdekin man, was issued a NTA for drink driving, .200 is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 19 December.
At 10.20pm on Thursday 30 November, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on MacKenzie Street, Ayr. The driver, a 44yr old Burdekin man, was issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) for driving with a relevant drug in his saliva and is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 12 February, 2024.
On the 2nd of December, police charged a 14-year-old and 12-year-old female with the Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle after allegedly stealing a family member's car and driving it from Mackay to Home Hill where they were located by police. The youths were already on bail in relation to a number of other property related offences, therefore police opposed their bail and they appeared in Townsville Magistrates Court on the 4th of December.
Police generally receive an increase in shop stealing offences leading up to the Christmas period. Business owners / employees are encouraged to report all offences. Business owners have the right to issue a banning notice to certain customers from their stores to prevent ongoing thefts.
On Friday evening, December 1, Flexi Queensland hosted an event at the Burdekin Aquatic Centre to celebrate International Day of People with Disability, Disability Action Week, and Christmas.
International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is a United Nations observed day held on December 3 each year. In Australia, IDPwD is a joint effort between government, schools, organisations, community groups, businesses, and individuals. The annual Disability Action Week for Queensland commenced on Saturday November 25, and the theme this year is ‘Access Ignites: it’s good for business.’ With events run through local councils and community organisations across the state, everyone is encouraged to get involved by attending events in their region and learning more about inclusion in the workplace.
Local disability service providers were invited to attend Flexi Queensland’s event, including RM Care and Endeavour Foundation, and a range of people with different abilities attended.
Many local businesses kindly donated food on the night, including Butcher on Queen, Alfie’s Bakery, Phelans Pies, Coles, and Woolworths. These businesses are regular supporters of Flexi Queensland events, and their generosity is greatly appreciated.
"It is amazing that different service providers can work together to ensure everyone is able to participate in the community alongside friends old and new,” Lifestyle Support Manager Teneill Ready said.
“And the support of donations we receive is always greatly appreciated."
Flexi Queensland is a NDIS registered service provider, who have been operating in the Burdekin for the past 28 years. Flexi Queensland strives to assist people to become more independent and have inclusion into the community.
Photo credit: Sam Gillespie
Hi everyone to a very special time of year.
The Christmas spirit at this time of year is one of excitement on the young children’s faces and expressions of wonderment. It’s a shame we can’t ‘bottle it’ and spread it throughout the year. I’ve had the privilege of attending ‘Ayr Community Kindergarten’, ‘Big Birds Nest Child Care Centre’ and the Library’s ‘First Five’s Messy Play’ Christmas function last week and it certainly gladdens the heart to witness the enthusiasm of the children with an early Santa visit with family watching. Congrats to the leaders of these groups and others looking after the care of these special and formative years.
At the other end of the Burdekin demographics it was another successful Christmas lunch for the Burdekin Community Association at the RSL, it was very well attended and great to catch up with so many of more mature Burdekin citizens. As we race towards Christmas Day let’s not forget those less fortunate than ourselves. If you can help out the many charities and care organizations around the Burdekin I’m sure it will be most appreciative, as is said, the gift of giving is greater than receiving.
On that note, spare a thought for the many voluntary organizations that operate in the Burdekin. It could be a sporting group, cultural, charity, special interest group or one of the many service organizations. The Lions held their 60th celebration of service recently and it was wonderful and inspiring to see the years of service some put in. Lion members travelled from far and wide, a 60th cake was cut by long-time members, Roy Musumeci, Bill Bojack and Sam Harris, well done Lions.
For 2024 in thinking about your New Year resolutions why not consider joining one, or more, of the voluntary groups to help make a positive difference to the Burdekin community.
As Christmas fast approaches the annual ‘Community Christmas Carols’ is on Sunday 10 December in ANZAC Park opposite the Touch fields starting at 5.30pm. The event is free, a variety of food and drinks will be for sale, free face painting, photo booth, Santa and fireworks. Come along and enjoy the evening, remember to bring a rug and chair.
On Sunday 17 December from 4.30pm to 7pm the Burdekin Uniting Church has invited the Burdekin to join them in celebrating the Birth of Jesus Christ at a ‘Carols in the Park’ to be held at the Home Hill Memorial Park. Thanks to all the Church groups for your support to the Burdekin Community.
As this will be my last column before the New Year may I wish you Merry Christmas, health and happiness for 2024, peace on earth and goodwill to all.
Did you know that the Burdekin Shire Council continues to work to support the Burdekin as a vibrant visitor destination, offering a mixture of sporting, cultural, natural and leisure based experiences?
Located on the Bruce Highway, the Burdekin is fortunate to have many visitors including those travelling in caravans passing through our towns daily.
Council has implemented a number of priorities and actions in the 5-year Burdekin Tourism Strategy, which was adopted in 2018. One of the key priorities of the strategy was to further develop the Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival into a significant destination event for the Burdekin. The Burdekin is the Sugar Cane Capital of Australia and this festival celebrates the people, produce and culture of the Shire.
To help grow awareness of the Shire as a visitor destination and to showcase what is on offer, Council promotes the Burdekin through a variety of platforms including social media, Visit Burdekin website, and marketing and advertising campaigns.
Burdekin Shire Council operate two Visitor Information Centres (VICs), where visitors can get friendly advice and information on the district. Local businesses can also join the VICs as members and enjoy benefits such as displaying their product information, networking events, workshops, newsletters and website listings.
The VICs are manned by a wonderful team of passionate and dedicated volunteers who welcome visitors to our region. Council is always looking for new volunteers to join the team. The centres are open 7 days a week and volunteers are given the opportunity to participate in famils, workshops, social outings and create new friendships. Those interested in volunteering can contact Council’s Tourism Officer on 4783 9800.
I am sure many Burdekin Life readers will have visiting friends and relatives over the Christmas and New Year period and I invite you to call into the one of our VICs or visit our website visitburdekin.com.au to find out more on what the Burdekin has to offer.
Following a successful 2023 Burdekin Show that exceeded expectations, the Ayr Pastoral, Agricultural and Industrial Association held its Annual General Meeting on Monday, December 4.
Burdekin Shire Council Deputy Mayor Sue Perry declared all committee positions vacant before electing a new committee, with most members being re-elected into their respective positions.
Chris Lyne was elected as President for a fourth term while Vice President Brendan Kolb, Treasurer Serafina Towler and Secretary Pam Christensen will also continue in their roles.
Marilyn Hutley, Sharon Kenny, Meghan Wilson and Carole Harness were elected to the Executive Committee while Lorraine Strathdee will take over as Patron after Rosemary Menkens stepped down from a significant tenure.
The 2023 Burdekin Show saw 5,302 people walk through the gate and Mr Lyne is looking forward to improving on that in 2024.
“Every year, we get more people through the gate, we get more takings from the gate, but the entertainment spectacle of the actual show gets bigger and better,” he said.
“There’s plenty of stuff for people to go and see, the trouble is getting around to it all.”
Recent shows have included fireworks, ring entertainment and a tractor pull with the committee hoping to add sheepdog trials to next year’s event.
The association is also looking to accept exhibit applications online for the first time and will keep the community informed on how this will work.
Mr Lyne said the Burdekin Show thanked the community for their support and sponsorship.
“People come for different reasons, whether it’s catching up with people or getting out and about, but it brings the community together,” he said.
“It’s one thing to put your hand up and say you’ll put this event on, but it’s another for the committee, volunteers, businesses and the general public to support it.”
The Burdekin Show will be held on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.
Visit burdekinshow.org for more information or like Burdekin Show on Facebook.
Vice President Brendan Kolb, Treasurer Serafina Towler, Secretary Pam Christensen, President Chris Lyne, Committee Members Marilyn Hutley and Sharon Kenny, Patron Lorraine Strathdee and Committee Members Meghan Wilson and Carole Harness
“The Love of Colours” owner and sole Artist, Amanda Lando has been a business operating in the Burdekin Region for over six years.
Amanda has been Commissioned to do numerous local business murals, including The Burdekin Bridge Motel in Home Hill, Tropical City Motor Inn, The Burdekin School and Burdekin Backpackers in Ayr, Jarvisfield State School and Claredale Pastures Café.
In addition, many private residences have booked her talents.
With these achievements under her belt, Amanda has had her name spread to as far afield as the North, at ECHO Centre for Women in Malanda, and to the South in Bowen, and Gracemere near Rockhampton.
Besides murals, there have been many oil, acrylic and pastels paintings commissioned or purchased from her own collections, on a variety of mediums, including canvas, pottery, and even farming tools.
The preparation for these artworks is very precise and Amanda takes special care to make sure they will be at their best for her clients, to produce a piece that keeps for many decades to come.
Amanda feels she is chosen to do commissions because she is always out there willing to give it a go, and show that no matter what other people think, to never judge a book by its cover.
There have been challenges for this accomplished Artist, but they haven’t stopped her by any means.
Being a sole providore has meant maintaining part-time work in between commissions to get her name out there and doing the best possible to accommodate the diary requirements of clients.
Being self-taught has seen her skill recognised and now there is the desire to do further learning in the field to expand her technique.
Amanda has ignored those that tried to discourage her, like many others before her have experienced, and now she has her own business of which she is very proud, and rightfully should be.
Amanda’s clearest message is to “keep going, never stop, learn new skills in the industry that you want to excel in.”
Amanda Lando holding some of her recent artwork. Photo supplied
Giving back and re-investing in the community sits at the very heart of the Bendigo Bank ethos, and this is evidenced locally by the incredible donations Community Bank Home Hill and Ayr has made to local community groups over the years.
“Since 2008 we have injected a total of $1,005,110 in community grants, sponsorships and dividends back into our amazing community,” said Chantel Michielin,
Senior Branch Manager.
“This has only been made possible by the support from our Home Hill, Ayr and Bowen communities and those people and organisations that have chosen to do their banking with us.”
“Community banking is based on a 'profit-with-purpose' model, which means our profits are returned directly to the community that has generated them. You may not think who you bank with matters. But it does. For our customers, their banking is making a real difference”.
It was back in 2003 when a group of community-minded volunteers first formed a steering committee to look at the possibility of operating a Bendigo Community Bank in Home Hill. After much hard work, Community Bank Home Hill opened its doors and, with the support of the community, flourished.
In 2017 a decision was made by the Board to expand into Ayr bringing a different mix of residential and small business and another wave of growth.
“We are a one-stop-shop for all your banking needs and offer business banking, agribusiness personal banking and all lending, including insurance and access to wealth advisors.”
Renowned for its exceptional customer service, Community Banks Home Hill and Ayr are entirely staffed by locals and everyone is invited to walk in and experience the genuine and personal customer service on offer.
“The whole concept of a Community Bank is to provide banking services to our communities and to generate profits that are then distributed back into those communities,”
“The more customers that we have banking with us, the more profits we can put back into our local community via grants and sponsorships as we fulfil our vision to be Australia’s bank of choice,” Ms Michielin concluded.
Chantel Michielin, Senior Branch Manager (centre) with the rest of the team at Home Hill and Ayr Community Bank. Photo supplied
For over six decades, Burdekin Funerals has been an integral part of our community's support system, guiding families through one of life's most challenging periods. Owned by Neville and Lori Boyle for the past decade, the business continues to provide a beacon of empathy, understanding, and innovation to the Burdekin region.
With a team of four dedicated local staff members alongside Neville and Lori, Burdekin Funerals embodies a commitment to personalised service and community support. Over the years, they've cultivated a deep understanding of diverse cultural beliefs, integrating them seamlessly into funeral services. Their resilience in facing the unpredictable and unexpected showcases their unwavering dedication to serving families during trying times.
Initially met with the challenge of being newcomers to the area, Neville and Lori swiftly earned the community's trust through their extensive industry knowledge and compassionate approach. Their ethos revolves around going above and beyond to honour the departed while supporting grieving families.
The team at Burdekin Funerals emphasise that the best gift you can give your family is to pre-plan your own funeral, taking the stress off your loved ones so they can focus on grieving their loss. Stressing the importance of relieving loved ones from this burden, they advocate for funeral bonds over insurance, underscoring the value of foresight and planning.
Moreover, their recent introduction of ‘The Gentle Way,’ an eco-friendly end-of-life option, reflects their commitment to innovation. This groundbreaking service, available through their sister company Townsville Funerals, Cremations & Crematorium promises a zero-carbon footprint, a symbolic ‘tree of life,’ and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional cremation methods.
Burdekin Funerals’ comprehensive service offerings, from various funeral types to personalized memorial books and uniquely designed coffins, highlight their commitment to tailoring each service to individual family needs. Their dedication doesn't stop at service provision; the team creates a supportive atmosphere, understanding firsthand the emotions families experience during such difficult times. Burdekin Funerals stands as a testament to care, adaptability, and community support, setting an exemplary standard in the funeral industry.
Amie Griggs, Graham Brierley and Fiona Botteon of Burdekin Funerals
Birthed from a profound need for personalised care and empowerment, Burdekin Support Coordination helps people to achieve their goals. Tara Harding, the owner-operator, radiates dedication to her community, striving to bridge the gap in support services since the business's inception approximately six months ago.
Tara’s journey began when she bought acreage in the Burdekin and moved to the block in April, discovering a lack of support in the region for those on the NDIS.
“I decided to offer my experience and knowledge of the NDIS to the community by starting my own Support Coordination business,” she said. “I am only taking on a limited number of individuals, ensuring that I am providing a personalised, quality service.”
As a Support Coordinator, Tara connects individuals with the right supports to achieve their goals in every aspect of life, whether it be health, training, employment, social, or housing. She works alongside providers, community and mainstream organisations across the region to provide customised care and support to maximise an individual’s NDIS funds. Tara can be found attending community events and meetings, networking with other professionals in the field and staying up to date on best practices, her collaboration with others enabling her to develop successful working relationships with many different stakeholders across the region.
Tara was met by the community with open arms and has since developed strong relationships with individuals and families by listening to their needs and providing clear communication. Her approach involves a solution-driven mindset to tackle the challenges posed by the intricate NDIS system, saying it’s her job to stay abreast of changes within the scheme and how individuals may be affected.
“Helping people reach their NDIS and personal goals is extremely rewarding to me, as is empowering people to take control of their lives through education and choice,” she said. “Getting the opportunity to make a positive difference in people’s lives on a daily basis is my idea of a dream job!”
Burdekin Support Coordination weaves together support, empowerment, empathy and community for a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow.
Tara Harding of Burdekin Support Coordination
St Francis Catholic School’s annual Awards Day was held on Wednesday November 30. It was a chance for the school community to reflect upon the incredible journey that they shared throughout 2023 as well as a time to recognise and honour the outstanding achievements of students throughout the year. From academic achievements to artistic endeavours, athletic triumphs to community service initiatives, St Francis Catholic School students consistently demonstrated their dedication, passion and resilience throughout the year.
At St Francis Catholic School, students are continually encouraged to strive and aim for excellence and on Awards Day we were reminded that there is no one measure for excellence. Aiming for excellence is about the personal goals, growth, resilience and character development that occurs throughout the year and in 2023, St Francis Catholic School students strived to put their best foot forward and they certainly aimed for excellence.
Contributed by St Francis Catholic School
Year 6 Awards
Cultural Award - Maggie Chandler and Zara Scovazzi
Burdekin MLA Youth Achievement Award - Asha Licciardello and Popi Loizou
St Vincent de Paul Award - Chloe Bowen
Jan Martin Good Samaritan Award - Paityn Coleman-Blakoe
CWL Community Service Award - Stephanie Nolan
Br Bill McAvoy Sports Award - Lily Ahern
Sportsperson of the Year Award - Nate Giddy
St Francis Academic Achievement Award - Asha Licciardello
Maggie Chandler and Zara Scovazzi
Asha Licciardello and Popi Loizou
Chloe Bowen
Paityn Coleman-Blakoe
Stephanie Nolan
Lily Ahern
Nate Giddy
Asha Licciardello
Photos supplied
As 2023 draws to a close, many reflect on a sugar cane season that was filled with highs and lows, making plans to ensure more prosperous seasons in years to come.
A fundamental issue facing the industry has been the timely supply of sugar cane from grower to mill, with Queensland Cane Agriculture & Renewables (QCAR) focussing efforts on restoring the harmonious supply of sugar cane to sugar mills.
QCAR CEO Panikos Spyrou said the prosperity of the sugar cane industry relies on a timely supply chain.
“When the industry, the growing fraternity and the harvest sector have the ability to supply cane to a miller in a safe and timely manner, it allows adequate time for new crop regrowth to take place,” he said.
“There’s been substantial work completed by a plethora of scientists and a multitude of research organisations who have all identified that cane supplied prior to October has the best opportunity to produce an optimum regrowth or ratoon crop which will give us the best production going forward, and naturally greater quantities of sugar being produced overall.
“As a result of inadequate timely supply of cane, amongst a myriad of social, safety and financial consequences, it has a direct impact on the grower’s sugar content, particularly in burnt cane districts where cane could be unduly delayed in a burnt state for excessive periods of time.
“Through constructive collaboration, we find ways to bridge that gap and remedy the various situations as they arise.”
Acting as the intermediary between the field sector and the milling field departments, QCAR approaches the issue with compassion and empathy, understanding that it can be cause for anxiety and frustration for many in the industry.
“There is no doubt, the timely and efficient supply of sugar cane to a factory is one of the most important issues for our growers and their respective farming operations,” Mr Spyrou said.
“We’re working to restore the harmonious supply of sugar cane to sugar mills and we’re experiencing really good relationships with individual Cane Suppliers, Milling Cane Supply Managers and their respective Field Department personnel.
“Acknowledging that things are by no means rosey across the board, we are striving to remedy this situation.
“We engage, we find solutions and we work with the various stakeholders; collaboration is key.”
Mr Spyrou said restoring the timely supply of sugar cane to sugar mills will allow growers to thrive and ensure the retention of farmers, contractors and employees across all sectors.
“Our target is to see that sugar mills are achieving very high availability and reliability rates and, in turn, optimal crush rates,” he said.
“We want to get back to nice, tight and timely season lengths.
“That, in turn, will see our production increase accordingly and we start moving towards meeting our district targets as set by our various regional productivity services.”
QCAR CEO Panikos Spyrou
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