Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Home Hill resident Karin Thorburn returned home last week after a month spent travelling the world, though it was not exactly your typical sightseeing expedition. The 59-year-old local runner, recognised last year as the first Australian to complete 500 marathons, set off for Cyprus in March for the XM Limassol Marathon—the first of 15 she would run over the following 30 days. Her itinerary took her through major European cities, including Paris, before culminating in the world-famous Boston Marathon, where her strong performance all but guarantees qualification for next year’s race.Home Hill’s 59-Year-Old Marathon Record-Breaker Continued from cover Home Hill runner Karin Thorburn has returned to the Burdekin after successfully completing 15 marathons in 30 days across four countries. Thorburn, a veteran runner who was this year named Burdekin Senior Sportsperson of the Year for her marathoning exploits, ran 14 marathons across Europe in preparation for the Boston Marathon, which rounded out the trip. At 59 years old, Thorburn is currently the Australian record holder for the highest number of marathons completed, with her tally now reaching 547. Despite having just competed in the Sugar Rush half-marathon only six days after returning from the United States, she shows no signs of slowing down, describing her intense schedule as a “lifestyle choice.” “It’s for my mental health, it’s for my physical health, it’s for keeping me in the best shape I can be, for a lady that’s my age," Thorburn said. “I’m not a spring chicken, and there are so many people out there saying I’m too old. I just tell them, I’m just getting started.” The gruelling 30-day itinerary began in Limassol, Cyprus, followed by the “12 in 12” event—12 marathons in 12 days—in the UK, and the Paris Marathon, before finally tackling Boston. The feat was as much a mental battle as a physical one, says Thorburn. “The mind is stronger than the legs,” she said. “Sometimes it plays tricks and says, 'You’ve done enough. Why don't you just stay in bed?' But I knew I could do it.” She explained that the massive volume of racing was a strategic training block designed specifically to conquer the Boston Marathon, an event she considers "the pinnacle.” “I love a challenge," Thorburn said. “Running the other 14 marathons, they were all fantastic, but it all led me to one thing, and that’s the Boston Marathon. That’s the greatest race in the world.” Her run in Boston was the third time she had competed in the event, finishing with a 15-minute buffer which she says effectively “guarantees” her entry into the 2027 race once applications open in September. “I can't even describe how you feel,” Thorburn said. “Getting to the start is one thing, but doing it, finishing it, conquering it again—especially at my age—you feel things you never felt before.” Thorburn has lived and breathed distance running since she started taking it seriously 26 years ago. Her passion has since taken her across the globe, completing all six of the Abbott World Marathon Majors—Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York—earning her the prestigious official title of “Six Star Finisher.” Her achievements have garnered much local support, but perhaps none greater than from her residents at Ozcare Home Hill. As well as her work with Ozcare, Thorburn helps organise the Magnetic Marathon Series in Townsville, an event that attracts international competitors while also providing a space for athletes looking to kickstart their running careers. Thorburn sees her local events as a platform for others to “have a go”—a mantra that has fuelled her own career for over two decades. “My events are only small events, but they're a stepping stone and people get to run with me and go, ‘Okay, so this is what you do,’” Thorburn said. “I hope I can inspire other women, including those younger than me, to look at what I do and think: ‘If she can do it, I can have a go.’” CAPTIONS: 1— The gruelling 30-day itinerary began in Limassol, Cyprus, followed by the “12 in 12” event—12 marathons in 12 days—in the UK, and the Paris Marathon, before finally tackling Boston. 2—Thorburn successfully completed all six of the Abbott World Marathon Majors—Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York—earning her the prestigious official title of “Six Star Finisher.” Photos supplied
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My Vibe Homewares has a growing reputation as your go-to store when searching for that unique, contemporary piece. Since opening its doors in Ayr ten months ago, the store has attracted customers from across North Queensland, building a strong local following in the Burdekin. Boasting a wide range of earthy, textural and timeless homewares, My Vibe offers quality linen, luxury towels and exquisite rugs, all selected to deliver quality at affordable prices right here in the Burdekin. At the heart of the store is a carefully curated range that is hand-picked to provide both functionality and practicality. Every piece is selected with durability and classic design in mind, with owner Sue ensuring that long-lasting quality remains a priority in every decision. Sue’s strong eye for design is supported by her regular attendance at the Sydney and Melbourne gift fairs, where she gains access to the latest seasonal designs and colour updates. This, coupled with her innate ability to coordinate the range to suit most design tastes—from subtle, natural tones through to more textured and statement pieces—ensures the store is continually refreshed with new ideas and inspiration brought back to the Burdekin. The result is a thoughtfully balanced collection that caters to a wide variety of interiors and personal styles, while maintaining a consistent focus on quality and affordability. Supporting the store is a friendly and welcoming team who are always ready to assist and offer advice when required, ensuring a relaxed and enjoyable shopping experience. Located on Queen Street, Ayr, My Vibe Homewares is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am until 4pm daily, offering a local destination for stylish, practical and contemporary homewares in the heart of the Burdekin.
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If you’re still scratching your head for something meaningful this Mother’s Day, two local arts groups are offering simple, thoughtful options that keep it close to home—and handmade. At the Burdekin Art Society, a special Mother’s Day art sale will be held on Sunday 3 May 2026 at the Art Shed, 154 MacMillan Street (across from the pool), from 8am to 1pm. A wide selection of paintings will be available, with prices starting from just $20, making it easy to find an affordable, locally made gift. For something a little more tactile, the Burdekin Potters Inc in Plantation Park will be open for anyone looking for a unique, handmade gift. The pottery studio regularly opens on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday mornings, but visitors are also welcome whenever the doors are open or the “OPEN” flag is flying. Gift vouchers are available, and private visits can be arranged by contacting Debbie on 0428 832 355. Both options offer a chance to support local artists while picking up something with a personal touch—far more memorable than a last-minute petrol station bouquet.
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Australia has everything we need right here at home. We have the resources, the technologies, and the people with the talent. Yet our manufacturing sector and sovereign capability have fallen off a cliff; farmers are being left out in the cold; and Australians across the country, particularly in the regions, are being left behind, while we all pay more for everything. Labor’s Net Zero nonsense is crippling our country, while others not hamstrung by arbitrary targets advance at pace. China, India and the United States are not taking their foot off the pedal, while we send our resources overseas on a dime and buy back the finished product at top dollar. Australian manufacturing has been in decline for decades, but in the last four years under Labor the rate at which manufacturers, smelters, refineries and food processors have closed is truly alarming. We are making far less today and relying more and more on others. We need to turn that trend around before the only thing we are producing is a piece of paper handed out to overseas students. At the heart of this rapid decline in manufacturing? Our weaker and more expensive energy grid. To be blunt, rising electricity costs are forcing manufacturers to close and deterring others from starting up. When I speak to manufacturers, the message is the same: “I don’t know how much longer we can keep going like this.” The simple reality is that weather-dependent power cannot sustain a modern industrial economy on its own. Manufacturers cannot operate on intermittent electricity. Farmers cannot rely on an unstable energy system. And renters and lower-income households, who cannot afford rooftop solar or battery storage, are increasingly left paying the hidden costs of maintaining a complex grid built around intermittent supply. Australia once prided itself on energy independence. Now we are replacing dependable Australian energy with a system dependent on imported wind turbines, solar panels and batteries, many manufactured in China. In doing so, we are hollowing out our own industrial base while increasing our reliance on foreign supply chains. I’ll keep saying it. We need a balanced approach, and all technologies must be part of the energy mix. The other part of the energy story is, of course, fuel. No fuel, no transport, no movement of goods. When faced with the recent fuel supply constraints, Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the solution is to buy an electric car. That may suit city commuters, but for many regional Australians travelling long distances and those needing to tow heavy loads, an EV is nothing but an expensive paperweight. Right now, a very bad government is deploying a very bad energy policy that puts international recognition for fairytale emission targets ahead of affordable electricity and fuel security. We need an urgent course correction on our nation’s energy policy. We need an energy mix that supports manufacturers and farmers. We need to be able to better use the resources we have so that we can stand on our two feet. And, we need a government that believes in putting Australians first.
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The National Farmer’s Federation (NFF) has launched its largest protest campaign in almost 40 years in response to recent policies enacted by the Australian Government.
Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, said that the extraordinary step taken by the NFF is a desperate attempt to save farming from the government who he said has torn up farming confidence in the regions.
“As a third-generation farmer, I can see what this current Labor government is doing to farmers across our region and it’s reckless, senseless, and is going to have dire consequences,” Mr Willcox said.
“I worked the land for most of my life, and I agree with what the new NFF President David Jochinke said at the NFF Conference a week ago; farmers are in the fight of their lives, and it’s only going to get worse if the Labor government don’t do something about it now.
“Every single Australian is feeling the impact of the pain and hurt being put onto farmers.
“The end result of Labor’s bad policies is that families and vulnerable Australians are being forced to pay more for food at the checkout.”
Mr Willcox said that while scrapping the EU trade deal that would have severely disadvantaged Aussie farmers was a good start, farmers are still being punished in every possible way.
“It’s unfortunate that the EU trade deal couldn’t come to a mutually beneficial agreement and walking away was the right thing to do at this time, however it is now time to focus on what the current Australian government is doing that disadvantages our farmers,” he said.
“Instead of taxing international importers for their biosecurity risks, the Labor government wants to make Australian farmers pay more to cover these importers costs.
“The new fresh food tax will impact all farmers and push up food prices.”
Mr Willcox also admonished the Government’s refusal to reinstate the Agriculture Visa after peak food industry bodies warned that agriculture required an additional 172,000 workers.
“Only around 16,000 Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) workers have come in since Labor got into office, and it’s making it difficult and costly for farmers to get their product from paddock to plate,” he said.
“The PALM scheme has introduced some serious roadblocks for our farmers who are now being forced to offer a minimum of 30 hours per week, despite agriculture work being seasonal and weather dependent.”
Mr Willcox also warned that other policies such as the water buyback scheme, which has the potential to reduce farm production by $9 billion, will hurt regional communities and drive-up food prices.
“Labor’s ideologies are putting our food and fibre production at risk,” he said.
“We need to support, protect, and grow our farming industry.”
To find out more, visit keepfarmersfarming.org.au.
With a dryer and hotter summer than normal looming on the horizon, farmers are urgently seeking donated hay.
In the past month alone, Rural Aid has been inundated with requests for over $1 million worth of hay from farmers.
As devastating bushfires continue to ravage more than 100 locations in Queensland and New South Wales, Rural Aid is preparing for an imminent surge in requests.
Drawing from their experience during the previous drought and the catastrophic Black Summer bushfires of 2019, it's expected that the demand for hay will escalate swiftly as conditions worsen.
“Rural Aid delivered $56 million of hay and other services over a two-year period between 2018-19 when drought and bushfire were ravaging the country,” Chief Executive Officer John Warlters said.
“The drought has already arrived for thousands of farming families. Lower than average rainfall and higher than average temperatures and have plunged families back into financial and emotional turmoil.
“We are seeing that every day through the huge demand for our services and that’s ahead of the hot and dry summer forecast by the bureau.”
Mr Warlters said Rural Aid will need another huge and generous outpouring of support from the Australian community and business sector to meet the rapidly escalating demand for its services.
Rural Aid is asking Australians to dig deep and rally together to help meet the significant challenge ahead. You can buy a bale by visiting www.buyabale.com.au or calling 1300 327 624.
Queensland cattle producer Betty Johnson, Biggenden, this month received hay from Rural Aid.
“It’s a great service, it really is,” the 84-year-old said.
“It’s wonderful to get a bit of help when I really do need it. If you have a look at my property, there’s not a green speck anywhere.
“We’ve had no rain at all since about January which means that I’ve been feeding stock for ages. If you’re feeding stock, it costs money.”
Mr Warlters said Rural Aid was hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.
“If the current dry is just the beginning – and that is what the experts are suggesting, then it is going to be an extraordinarily difficult time for our farmers.”
Individual electronic identification (eID) for sheep and goats will commence in Queensland from 1 January 2025 as a part of the agreed national initiative.
All states and territories have agreed to work towards mandatory implementation of sheep and goat eIDs, working alongside industry, to improve tracing and support an emergency animal disease (EAD) outbreak.
The current visual mob-based system is slower and not as accurate as individual electronic tags for tracing sheep and goat movements, particularly if there is an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
An eID is a device with a microchip inside, generally in an ear tag. This technology has been used successfully for cattle in Australia since 2005 and sheep and goats in Victoria since 2017.
The national eID system has three elements to enable rapid contact tracing:
• Each location having a property identification code (PIC).
• Using an ear tag with a microchip inside to identify each animal.
• Entering the necessary information for each animal into the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) database.
For more information visit https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/animal/nlis/sheep-and-goat-identification or phone 13 25 23.
Family and friends, relatives old and new, gathered at the Millaroo home of Elizabeth Tudehope last Saturday, November 4 to celebrate the launch of ‘May the Cane Prosper’, a remarkable family history spanning continents and generations.
The book was written by two second cousins, New Zealand based author Pene Greet and Brisbane based researcher Avis-Ann Ballard, who met at a family gathering in 2017 and bonded over their passion for family history.
“I hadn’t seen Pene since 1961 when she was two and I was 10,” Avis-Ann said.
Pene and Avis-Anne share the same great-grandmother, Louise Backhaus, who ventured from Germany to Australia in 1884 and is the central character of ‘May the Cane Prosper’.
“Pene’s grandmother was Louise’s first daughter, my grandmother was the second daughter and then there was a third daughter who had no children,” Avis-Ann said.
The book charts the family’s movements throughout north Queensland, with descendants now residing across the state.
Avis-Ann said her passion for family history came from her father, who loved his family.
“Being a banker, my dad was very particular, very pedantic about everything, and he kept every piece of paper from everywhere,” she said.
“He also looked after his widowed mother, his widowed aunt and his widowed sister and he had all of their papers and photographs so before he died, I had a chance to go through all of his old photos and he’d tell me his stories.
“He always said he had all this family history and in his funeral file, I found a letter he had written to me and my brother explaining where everything is.”
Avis-Ann and her mother would go through her father’s belongings after his death in 2009, keeping the important pieces of history and ultimately creating a family timeline.
After Pene and Avis-Ann’s meeting in 2017, they began collaborating, sharing, and collecting photos and information.
With the two second cousins based on opposite sides of the Tasman Sea; the book was written entirely by electronic correspondence.
“It’s a beautiful book; there are photographs in there from the 1800s and they look great,” Avis-Anne said.
“We did the whole book by emails so I’m very proud of it.
“It didn’t matter how much information I gave Pene, she always wanted more and that became more enjoyable for me; I became addicted to it all.
“The friendships I have made with these other family members that I didn’t know before has been the greatest thing.
“It wasn’t just Pene and I; it’s been a collaborative effort.”
Book launches were held at locations including the Burdekin, Atherton, Innisfail, and Brisbane, sharing the book and the stories with the far reaches of the family across Queensland.
Copies have been donated to Burdekin Shire Council libraries and are available to purchase from Home Hill resident Anne Kerr.
Elizabeth Tudehope, Avis-Ann Ballard, Pene Greet and Anne Kerr. Photo credit: Melanie Napier
Miah is still a puppy at heart, full of energy and ready to love her new humans. Her absolute favourite activities include playing fetch and going for swims, but she also loves meeting new dogs.
She loves going on daily adventures and errands and thrives being active and stimulated.
Miah is extremely friendly to people and loves meeting people. She walks well on leash and will be sure to keep you company at all times.
Miah is up to date on her vaccinations, and flea, tick, and intestinal worm treated, and is on heartworm preventative. Miah is also desexed and microchipped.
To schedule a meet and great, complete an animal enquiry form with Angel Paws: https://www.angelpawsinc.com.au/forms.html
Fast Facts:
DOB: 24/08/2022
Sex: Female
Breed: Kelpie Cross
Kid Friendly: Yes
Cat Friendly: Untested
Other Dogs: Yes
Fences: 6ft
Rehoming Fee: $450
The Queensland Government earlier this year placed a record $1.1 million on the line to support fishing in Queensland's stocked impoundments, a 16 per cent increase on the 2021-22 financial year.
The Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS) provides a sustainable freshwater fishing option for recreational fishers, who are required to purchase a permit before line fishing in any of the 63 SIPS impoundments.
Revenue from the sale of permits is used to maintain and improve the impoundments via the stocking of native fish fingerlings and other approved activities that improve fishing.
The scheme is important to regional communities because it helps support tourism and opportunities for recreational fishing, which contributes $333 million to Queensland’s economy every year.
Preliminary data indicates this increase is largely due to the success of the Fish ‘n’ SIP$ tagged fishing competition, which was announced in December last year.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said that Permit sales have increased more than 15 per cent since the Fish 'n' SIP$ competition started in December 2022.
The restocking efforts across the scheme has led to the release of approximately 3.2 million fingerlings by community stocking groups.
"As part of the competition, anglers had the chance to win up to $50,000 by purchasing a SIPS permit and catching a tagged fish at prescribed stocked impoundments, with $12,000 still on the line,” Minister Furner said.
"It’s also an important part of the Queensland Government's Sustainable Fishing Strategy, providing fishers with the opportunity to catch popular species sustainably.”
There were also increased stocking efforts due to an additional flood recovery grant program of $200,000 last financial year for south-west, Murray Darling and some Wide Bay Burnett stocking groups.
Burdekin Dam (Lake Dalrymple) is stocked by the Burdekin Fish Restocking Association Inc. In 2017/18, 19,000 barramundi were stocked from SIPS permit sales.
For more information on SIPS and to obtain one of our trail guides head to https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/activities/boating-fishing/rec-fishing/dams
Burdekin Fish Restocking. Source: Facebook
Women are integral to the Burdekin’s agricultural and farming enterprises, contributing significantly to the growth and prosperity of rural industries. They play diverse and pivotal roles, challenging stereotypes that have persisted for too long.
Despite more than 40 per cent of the global agricultural workforce being women, the outdated "farmer's wife" stereotype lingers, undermining the substantial contributions of rural women in agriculture. Their impact is far-reaching, and their influence is essential for the growth and innovation of rural and regional communities.
Our women in agriculture feature in this edition highlights some of the achievements of local women who have made their bread and butter from working the land.
One example is the dynamic mother-daughter duo, Eileen List and Jenny Cook from Burdekin Growers Services. Their 30-year journey exemplifies the resilience and dedication required in this challenging and often undervalued industry.
Lisa MacDonald, Honeycombes’ Senior Service Advisor, plays a vital role in keeping farming machinery running smoothly, providing unwavering support to farmers during critical times. And Brooke Tudehope from Dwyer Aviation Services has redefined the role of women in agriculture. She has become a qualified Agricultural Drone Pilot and actively participates in aerial agriculture.
These women and so many more represent a broader community of strong, capable, and innovative individuals who continue to shape the future of the agriculture industry. It is high time to acknowledge and celebrate the pivotal roles women play in agriculture and empower them to achieve even greater success.
Read about the incredible achievements of local women in agriculture on pages 15-21
I’m looking forward to welcoming my wonderful parents to the Burdekin for the first time since moving here this weekend.
Although not intentional, they’ve chosen to come at the perfect time with Home Hill Harvest Festival in full swing, and I look forward to experiencing the excitement of the parade and street party, as well as all the other amazing events, next weekend alongside them.
I hope to show them the wonderful locations I’ve navigated so far, like Mount Inkerman, Groper Creek and Alva Beach, and I hope to use their visit to explore some more undiscovered wonders.
I’m sure we’ll patronise a few pubs and cafes – I know they’ll love the brewery in Brandon and they must taste a delicious Home Hill pie.
I want to give them the authentic Burdekin experience so if you have any other recommendations for me and my parents while they’re up here, feel free to let me know!
I’ve been learning a lot about the agriculture industry this week as we’ve been working on our massive Rural Women’s Day feature, which you’ll find on pages 15-21.
It’s been great to hear from these women and learn about their inspiring journeys and their roles in the industry, the variety truly proving there is a role in agriculture for everyone.
Our region is dependent on agriculture and, like all industries, diversity and inclusion is key to its future.
It is heartening to hear how rewarding working in the agriculture industry is.
It was love at first sight for Lorraine Strathdee when she came across Sofie on Facebook.
Sofie, the cutest black and white fluff ball, available on the Burdekin Pet Rescue Facebook page, was lovable and cuddly, but without her forever home.
However, a few weeks later, when Lorraine saw Sofie in the pages of Burdekin Life Newspaper, she fell in love and decided it was time to bring Sofie home.
Unable to get in touch with Burdekin Pet Rescue, Lorraine rang our head office, and we gave Lorraine’s number to our contact.
From there, the rest is history.
On the first meet and greet, Lorraine said that Sofie was so anxious she didn’t want anything to do with Lorraine.
But now, over a week since Lorraine brought Sofie home, she has been nothing but a bundle of love.
“It took a second for her to settle, and she would hide underneath the bed, but now, she follows me around, meows, loves to knock over photo frames, and she’s discovered she can fit behind the TV cabinet and gets covered in cobwebs.
“She was slow to settle but I was patient, and now I can pick her up and cuddle her.”
Although she did consider changing Sofie’s name, Lorraine decided against this with how nervous Sofie was, but now her nickname is ‘Baby’, which brings a smile to everyone’s face.
“Sofie was just the perfect package.”
Sofie has made herself right at home in Lorraine Strathdee’s home. Photo supplied
Businesses from around the region met at the Burdekin Theatre on Tuesday morning to hear from organisations involved in the delivery of the CopperString 2032 Project and learn about how they can get involved.
It comes after the Queensland Government announced a $1.3 billion package to progress work on the 840km transmission line which will run from outside Ayr to Mount Isa.
“CopperString 2032 is the largest ever economic development project in North Queensland, and the largest expansion to the power grid in Australia,” said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
The funding is a vital step towards construction commencing in mid-2024 and will enable publicly owned energy cooperation Powerlink, alongside construction partners UGL and CPB, to undertake detailed design and engineering and environmental assessments.
“CopperString 2032 essentially connects the north and northwest, the North West Minerals Province and a whole lot of potential renewable energy development to the national electricity market,” said Powerlink Queensland Manager Stakeholders and Communities Nicole Maguire.
“There are a lot of advantages for the region and it’s a game-changing project for the area in terms of the regional development it’ll bring, the jobs and the contracting and supplier opportunities.
“It’s probably a once in a generation project for the north of the state and we’re excited to be delivering it.”
The Department of State Development along with Powerlink, CPB and UGL presented to businesses in Ayr and other regions inviting contractors or suppliers to express an interest in being a part of the project.
“There are 50 works packages that people can express an interest in being a part of and start the conversation with us about what their capability is and what they can deliver as part of the project,” Ms Maguire said.
“It’s extremely important that we get local suppliers involved in this project; it’s a north Queensland project and we want north Queenslanders a part of it.”
The packages cover a range of activities and services including engineering, construction, environmental management, logistics, camp construction, haulage and communications.
Visit www.powerlink.com.au/projects/copperstring-2032 to learn more and register your business.
Regional Development Australia NNWQ CEO Wayde Chiesa, Powerlink CopperString2032 Director - Project Delivery Steve Pepper, Powerlink CopperString2032 Manager Stakeholders and Communities Nicole Maguire, UGL Procurement Manager Greg Edmonds, Powerlink CopperString2032 Project Engagement Susannah Greenleaf and DSDILGP Manager Economic Development North Queensland Amy Savage. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie
Launching a campaign to raise awareness for the need of a CT scanner in the Burdekin, Burdekin Community Advisory Network (CAN) hosted a movie night at Galaxy Cinema last Thursday, October 26.
The screening ‘About My Father’ saw at least 45 people and was an opportunity to gather the community to launch the campaign and raise funds for the Brighter Lives Foundation.
Councillor and Chair of CAN Kaylee Boccalatte explained the campaign aims to reiterate the importance of a CT scanner in the region.
“What we’re asking people to do more than anything is to communicate with their friends, family and colleagues and pass on the message that we don’t have a CT scanner and this is why it’s important that we do get one,” Ms Boccalatte said.
The night also raised funds for Brighter Lives, the official charity partner of Townsville Hospital and Health Service, with all money raised in the Burdekin to be dedicated to the Ayr and Home Hill hospital services.
CAN has printed corflutes and flyers to place around the region to continue the awareness campaign.
“We’re hoping that most shops and businesses in the community will allow us to place them in their windows or on their front counter so that every time people walk past these flyers they’re going to be reminded of the need for a CT scanner,” Ms Boccalatte said.
“Grassroots advocacy can be the most powerful form of change, so we’re hoping that the more people we can make aware of the need, the reasons behind it and what it would mean for our community, the more support we’re going to garner.”
Scan the QR code to find an information sheet with statistics and further information.
Kaylee Boccalatte and Joanne Barbagallo
Tracey Gabiola, Fiona Tomarchio, Madolyn Gabiola
Charlie Scuderi and Wesley Boccalatte
Photos supplied
Held annually on the last Friday of October, Day for Daniel honours the memory of Daniel Morcombe, asking all Australians to wear red on the special day.
Daniel Morcombe was a 13-year-old boy from Queensland who was abducted and was labelled as a ‘missing person’ for eight years before police were eventually able to track down his killer in 2003.
Burdekin Special Education School, Burdekin Christian College and Burdekin Family Day care all took part in the Day for Daniel event, with a sea of red flooding the Burdekin in support of the day.
Parents, carers, and educators were encouraged to start a conversation with children and young people about personal safety, with schools and early learning centres to conduct child safety education activities.
Day for Daniel is the Daniel Morcombe Foundation’s biggest fundraiser each year. With support through fundraising, the foundation continues to develop free resources and programs for parents, carers, and educators to teach children how to stay safe. Funds also contribute to supporting young victims of crime.
You can utilise the Daniel Morcombe Foundation’s ‘Keeping Kids Safe’ resources and lesson plans to help educate your children about safety.
Keeping kids safe is vital – Recognise, React and Report!
Burdekin Family Day Care
Burdekin Christian College
With over 70 Justice of the Peace (JP) and Commissioners for Declarations (Cdec) located in the Burdekin area, there are plenty of community-minded individuals who are happy to help others with officiating a range of documents.
While there are dozens of qualified people, however, there are sometimes only a favoured few used, largely because others are not necessarily known by the wider community.
Thankfully, a newly upgraded website will now allow locals to see the full range of JP’s and Cdec’s in the area so they can find the service closest to them for easy access that spreads the load across the region.
Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, has welcomed the upgrade saying the role played by JP’s and Cdec’s extends far beyond what is known by those who are aware of their services.
Mr Last hopes what he describes as an overdue update will not only demystify these important roles but improve service to the community.
“We have a great service on Tuesdays at the Ayr Library and the community members who provide that service should be applauded,” Mr Last said.
“Unfortunately, not everyone can access that service and this update ensures access for those people and for urgent matters.”
“A lot of JP’s and Cdec’s perform their duties as part of their job with the support of their employer. By having a reliable and easy-to-use search facility, we're not burdening a few people with all the work and increasing the options for the people who need their services.
“The old system made finding a JP or a Cdec difficult for a lot of people and, in some cases, the information was out of date. I am glad to see that the concerns raised by the community have been addressed with the upgrade.”
Mr Last said that the importance of JP’s and Cdec’s was often misunderstood and encouraged people to consider the roles as a way to ‘give back’ to the community.
“JP’s and Cdec’s aren’t just essential members of the community, they are an essential part of the justice system,” he said.
“From assisting members of the community to assisting Police and even playing a part in court proceedings; they are certainly roles that we should all value.”
Local JP, Sandra Stidston, receiving her award for 40 years of service from Dale Last MP, Member for Burdekin. Photo supplied
Kickoff The Conversation, hosted by Burdekin Shore Council, was a raving success, with the drawcard of Aussie rugby league legend Wally Lewis encouraging locals to open up about their mental health.
Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin said the event was a dedicated effort to raise awareness, combat the stigma associated with mental health issues and equip attendees with invaluable tools and resources for self-care and support.
“Over 170 attendees enjoyed a night of inspiring stories, insights and tips from national and local speakers covering persistence, resilience, determination, reaching out and self-help,” Mayor McLaughlin said.
“The highlight of the evening was guest speaker and rugby league legend Wally Lewis, who shared his struggles with epilepsy, divorce and parenting a deaf child. His anecdotes from his footy career entertained the crowd and he generously gave away signed memorabilia and books.”
Speaking alongside Wally was the Unbreakable Farmer Warren Davies, Channel 9 presenter and author Steve Hadden and locals Janai Giddy, Andrea Piotto, Kate Gaze, and Lawrence Polga, who spoke on a range of topics including battling drought, debt, depression, alcoholism, and overcoming mental health issues.
CORES’ Ross Romeo and Sean Winning, a Clinical Nurse Consultant with Tackling Regional Adversity through Connecting Communities (TRACC) also shared professional advice on how and when to seek help.
“I extend my gratitude to Queensland Health for their generous contribution through the Mental Health Initiatives Funding, and to the speakers for openly sharing their experiences,” Mayor McLaughlin said.
“Without your support and valuable insights, this event would not have had the same profound impact,”
‘The King’ Wally Lewis joined a cast of locals to discuss mental health awareness. Photo credit: Saskia Photography
It’s time to reflect on the year that was and highlight those who make our region great as Burdekin Shire Council has announced the commencement of nominations for the 2024 Australia Day Awards.
The awards symbolise acknowledgement and celebration of the extraordinary contributions and accomplishments of individuals and groups within the dynamic Burdekin community.
Award categories range from sporting, cultural and environmental achievements to stand-out community events, dedication to volunteering and the principal titles of Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year.
Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin said the Australia Day Awards recognise members of the community who have made an outstanding contribution to the Burdekin and stands as a moment to pay tribute to their selfless endeavours.
“I encourage the community to actively participate by nominating individuals or groups whom you believe deserve recognition for their outstanding efforts,” Ms McLaughlin said.
“The Burdekin is fortunate to be home to many individuals and this is an opportunity to express our gratitude for their invaluable contributions that often go unnoticed.
“Nominations are open to the public and forms can be found on Council’s website.”
Nominations for Burdekin Shire Council’s 2024 Australia Day Awards are now open and will close on Wednesday, 6 December at 5:00pm.
Download a nomination form at bit.ly/AusDayBDK or for more information, phone Burdekin Shire Council on 4783 9800.
Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin with 2023 Burdekin Australia Day Award recipients Gerald Henaway (Citizen of the Year), Zavier Wood (Young Citizen of the Year), Brent Dingle (Young Citizen of the Year Achievement Award) and Australia Day Ambassador Selina Tomasich. Photo supplied: Burdekin Shire Council
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