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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Local car enthusiast Joe Perakovic believes that the Burdekin is home to more muscle cars and old cars per capita than anywhere else in Australia and with a whopping 26 cars in his collection, he may just be right.
Joe and his wife Sue are active members of the Burdekin Cruisers Car Club, fuelling a passion for these machines that started at an early age.
“I’ve always had a love of cars since I was a young kid,” reminisced Joe.
“In my misspent youth, I used to hot them up, and I did an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic.”
Joe’s automotive chronicle unfolds through a trail of iconic rides – from his inaugural Valiant Charger to a fleeting tryst with a Holden Torana that he said “didn’t go too well”.
“After that, I kept with the Chrysler Pacers and then I went to Fords, and I’ve been working with Fords ever since,” he said.
His collection now proudly boasts a Ford XY Falcon GT, a Chrysler Valiant Charger 770, a Chrysler Valiant Charger E49, a Ford VJR Mustang and one of his many current projects is a Pacer that he bought almost four decades ago.
It’s the process of rebuilding cars that Joe finds the most therapeutic and rewarding.
“Growing up loving cars, it’s just something I feel at home with, and I really enjoy it,” he said.
“I look for something that’s kind of unique and something that, if you put a lot of hard work into it, you can make it worth your while.
“Getting them going is the most enjoyable part; when you start with something that you don’t even think is ever going to work and when the journey’s finished and it starts up, that’s the most enjoyable thing.”
Joe's involvement in the Burdekin Cruisers Car Club mirrors his passion for sharing his automotive escapades.
With monthly meetings, social drives through the region and organising vibrant car shows, he embodies the spirit of a community bonded by their love for classic cars.
Joe also extends his passion and advice with the public, whether at car shows or simply out and about.
“When you’re going down the Bruce Highway and you pull up at a petrol station and people take photos of the cars and have a chat with you, that’s another thing I enjoy,” he said.
“Nothing makes me happier than when people come and have a look at your car and say, ‘Wow’, or the kids say to their parents, ‘That’s the car I want’.”
“It’s a great hobby and, at the moment, any old cars that you can get a hold of, get them and do them up, because they are going to be worth a fortune in years to come.”
Burdekin car enthusiast Joe Perakovic
Home Hill Police officers established a Mobile Police Beat at Home Hill IGA on Sunday, November 26 following a recent spike in crime in the area.
Senior Constable Dean Wellington of Home Hill Police Station said the police aim to increase their presence and engagement in the town.
“Due to recent break and enters in the Home Hill area, we decided to do some proactive work in the community giving information about home security, business security, personal security, answering any questions that people had, clearing up any misconceptions and identifying any issues that community members have,” he said.
“We were sitting in the centre of town basically to show any would-be offenders that we are there.”
Snr Const Wellington was joined by Senior Constable Jason Robertson and Sargeant Joel Little of Home Hill Police Station, Officer in Charge of the Criminal Investigation Branch Lisa Shields, Constable Faith Nelson and Constable Kieran Halley of Ayr Police Station and Senior Constable Brett Elton of Ayr Highway Patrol.
He said the response from the community on the day was very positive.
“People were asking questions, and we were answering them which is closing the gap,” Snr Const Wellington said.
“Some people have ideas of what police do from their own experiences in life and social media, so we were putting a face to police and giving them and insight into what we do on a day-to-day basis.
“Home Hill Police would like to thank the community for their ongoing support and interaction at IGA over the weekend.”
Snr Const Wellington said Home Hill Police plan to set up the Mobile Police Beat regularly in the future.
The police’s presence at Home Hill IGA came after an incident on Saturday, November 18 and a subsequent meeting between local business owners and Townsville’s Inspector Roger Whyte.
Karl Vass, who was the victim of vehicle theft in July and is part of a community led action group, invited Insp Whyte to the Burdekin for the meeting last Thursday.
“I voiced a few complaints with the local police and didn’t really feel like they were doing much about it,” Mr Vass said.
“I think it was a really positive meeting.
“We expressed our frustrations; we didn’t feel like there was much presence from the local police and he gave us his word that certain things would be implemented, and we’d see more police presence in the streets.”
Mr Vass said he was happy to see local police establish a presence at the IGA on Sunday.
“I truly hope it’s not just a one-off, but Roger did assure us that it would be ongoing,” he said.
“We were very grateful for Roger to make the trip down here and have this discussion.”
To request the Mobile Police Beat deployment in a particular location, email your name and contact details, location for deployment, preferred days and times and reason for deployment to TownsvilleMPBdeploymentrequest@police.qld.gov.au.
Home Hill and Ayr police officers manned a Mobile Police Beat in Home Hill on the weekend. Photos supplied
As a Councillor for the Burdekin, I would like to thank all the anglers who have enjoyed the Barra season this year and respected the closed season that started on 1 November. This is an important measure to protect the Barramundi population and ensure their sustainability for future generations. Barramundi are a highly migratory species that form large aggregations in estuaries and rivers during their spawning season. By avoiding fishing for them during this time, we help them reproduce successfully and maintain healthy stocks.
But don't worry, the Burdekin still has plenty of fishing opportunities for you to explore. Whether you prefer fishing in the creeks, on the beaches, or offshore, you will find a variety of fish species that are delicious and fun to catch. Some of my favourites are Mangrove Jack, Whiting, Flathead, Grunter, Fingermark, Coral Trout, Mackerel, and of course, Mud Crabs. These species have different size and bag limits, so make sure you check the rules before you go fishing. You can find them on the Queensland Fisheries website or on the free 'Qld Fishing' app.
If you need some guidance on where to go and what to catch, I recommend you get a copy of the 'Visit Burdekin Fishing Guide' from Council Chambers or Visitor Information Centres, which has useful information and a map of our local waterways and boat ramps. The guide has tips on how to fish safely and responsibly, such as wearing a life jacket, avoiding crocodile habitats, and disposing of your rubbish properly and you can also find it online at visitburdekin.com.au.
Happy fishing and I hope to see you on the water soon!
Did you know that the Council has a dedicated team of officers who take care of animal control activities?
The animal management team respond to customer requests and patrol problem areas, even outside regular working hours, ensuring the safety and well-being of both people and animals.
Council has a pound facility where stray or lost animals are kept temporarily. The facility is cleaned and disinfected daily to prevent diseases and drop-off cages are checked regularly to make sure that no animal is left unattended. The animal management team also coordinates the transfer of animals from the Council pound to off-site kennels within 24 hours where they are well-cared for in a suitable environment.
Last financial year there was an 86% success rate of rehoming or returning animals to their owners.
If you have lost your pet or want to adopt a new furry friend, you can contact the Council's animal management team. They will help you with the registration and microchipping process, as well as provide you with advice on responsible pet ownership. Council is committed to promoting animal welfare and reducing the number of unwanted animals in the community.
With close to 10 years of business under their belt and profound knowledge beyond this, AMDETT Services and Plastic Recycling are ensuring that the Burdekin region and the agricultural sector are doing right by the community and right by the earth.
At the helm are Demetrios and Peter Papadimitriou, who established the business in 2014 to address a need they recognised in the area.
“AMDETT loves recycling,” Demetrios explained.
“With the help of our farmers, we are making our environment healthier for the future. We aim to empower and inform our local community on the benefits of recycling for our future generations.”
These blokes know what they’re doing when it comes to agricultural plastic recycling, having become DrumMUSTER and Big Bag Recovery agents in 2015, to further cater to the Burdekin community and their environmental mission.
With DrumMUSTERalone, AMDETT have recycled more than 90,000 chemical and farming drums since 2015, an astonishing figure.
For Big Bag Recycling, “since 2015, AMDETT has collected over 600 tonnes of big bag plastic, saving over 800 tonnes of CO2 emissions and saving the community $1.5M in landfill costs,” Demetrios explained.
“This plastic in particular will be retained in Queensland for remanufacture into new products like school seats.”
One challenge Demetrios and Peter have faced, however, is the Australian Government’s ban on exporting plastic recyclables internationally to be recycled and repurposed overseas.
“This ban meant we have had to find a domestic market for our products to be recycled,” Demetrios explained.
But for AMDETT, Demetrios and Peter, this ban only fuelled their recycling mission.
“The most important message for us is that most agricultural plastics are recyclable and can be kept out of landfill. Chemical Drums, Fertiliser bags, fluming and drip tape can be recycled,” Demetrios said.
“We offer a free drop off to our depot for most agricultural plastics. We collect the returned fertiliser bags from the resellers, and we just aim to spread the word and help farmers in their efforts to recycle agricultural plastics.”
Demetrios Papadimitriou of AMDETT. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie
Burdekin Demolition and Construction Services make it an easy task to bring down any and all of your construction and demolition needs from around the Burdekin region.
Established in late 2020, Burdekin Demo was formed to provide the people of Burdekin with a service that had been previously lacking, a gap that owner-operators Lloyd and Sabina Ellsley recognised.
Now, over three years on, Burdekin Demo is one of the most recognisable teams and operations, performing all their duties with precision, expertise, and caution.
“We are a small local business that strives to give our clients the best service possible,” Lloyd explained.
With a small but powerful team of 10 employees, Burdekin Demo can offer any and all services, including the hire out of boilermakers, riggers, and skilled labourers.
They also offer crane hire of 12 and 25 tonne Franna Cranes, with crane operators and doggers.
“We offer the best quality service we can provide,” Lloyd explained.
“Our workers go above and beyond to make sure the work is completed to a high standard as well as in a timely manner.”
Burdekin Demo does not stop there, with workers and the team able to seamlessly transition into the mining industry and service labour shortages and skill gaps at a moments notice.
This is on top of complete and extensive steel fabrication, design and structural steel installation, for all projects, small and large, from start to finish.
“We also offer Mine Maintenance Services to the mines for shut downs as well as Demolition Services for all clients,” said Lloyd.
With expert workers, who go above and beyond for their workplace and their job they are tasked with, clients can rest assured of the quality and precision.
Lloyd explained, “We provide new workers with training and a great skillset for the demolition and construction industry, so we can offer the best service possible to our clients.”
Burdekin Motorcycles has been a driving force in the worlds of two-wheel, four-wheel and water sport enthusiasts since Dave and Alissa Muir purchased the local business in 2005. With over 35 years’ experience in motorcycle, speedway and drag racing, it’s no surprise the performance-orientated business has gone from strength to strength for almost 20 years.
With a team of six dedicated staff members, Burdekin Motorcycles has garnered many accolades over the years, being recognised as a Yamaha award winner for national market share in various categories multiple times. Their commitment to excellence and their customers has been unwavering, despite facing significant hurdles.
One such challenge arose from government legislation banning ATVs. However, the resilience and adaptability of Burdekin Motorcycles was evident as they diversified their product offerings, introducing a range of other high-quality items to cater to their loyal customer base. The showroom has one of the most comprehensive ranges of Yamaha motorcycles, watercraft and golf carts in Australia, backed by genuine Yamaha parts sales online and a range of accessories and performance upgrades second to none. Whether you’re after performance on two wheels or practicality on four, Burdekin Motorcycles has the range to suit all needs.
Complimenting their huge range of products is their extensive range of services. Burdekin Motorcycles has a nationwide reputation for quality and service when it comes to servicing and tuning of all manner of road, off road, ATV, SXS and race bikes and are a Yamaha Platinum Service Dealer, meaning there is nowhere better to get your vehicle like new.
Dave and Alissa Muir pride themselves on local knowledge and personalised customer service, proving that nothing beats the experience of local business. The business fosters a culture of expertise, honesty and first-class service. At Burdekin Motorcycles, it's not just about selling; it's about fostering a community of riders and enthusiasts.
Burdekin Motorcycles assures customers that their expertise spans from sales to servicing and performance builds—truly a one-stop destination for all things motorcycles and power products. This unwavering commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction cements Burdekin Motorcycles as a cornerstone of the local business landscape.
Dave and Alissa Muir
Under the astute leadership of Director Justin Luke, local mobility equipment provider Equip U combines industry expertise, personalised service and dedication to enhancing lives. Justin’s unwavering commitment to independence and tailored solutions echoes through the very ethos of Equip U. This commitment extends beyond sales; it's about understanding individual requirements.
“I'm an independent small dealer,” Justin said. “My relationships are direct with the suppliers, giving us the advantage to sell what best meets our customers' needs. Plus, we’re able to save people money because we do go direct to the supplier.”
Founded in 2020, Equip U has rapidly expanded over the last few months, driven by a mission to revolutionise accessibility. Justin’s journey traces back to his discovery of a pivotal piece of equipment, the Action Trackchair, igniting his passion for aiding those with mobility challenges. This one particular piece of specialised equipment highlights the broad range of products offered by Equip U, offering everything from the most unique and elaborate aids to hospital beds, recliners, mobility scooters, shower chairs, walkers, wheelchairs and hoists.
Growing up in the Burdekin, Justin worked as a police officer for 17 years before entering the allied health sector, expanding his expertise and portfolio of businesses and organisational roles across north Queensland. He said in his role in the police, he liked to stand for what was right, fair and just.
“I think in the disability and mobility fields, it’s very similar in the sense that I believe people should have the same access to what able bodied people have,” he said.
Equip U’s tagline, ‘We come to you,’ epitomises the business’s commitment to accessibility, ensuring aid reaches those who need it, wherever they may be. Justin’s team will travel across the country to wherever they are needed, ensuring everyone has access to the equipment that is going to improve their mobility.
But Equip U isn't just about products; it's about empowerment. Justin passionately advocates for funding accessibility, ensuring every individual knows their entitlements, contributing to the goal of keeping people in their homes longer and enhancing their quality of life.
Equip U serves the community as an embodiment of compassion and a driving force behind inclusivity and independence. With their unwavering commitment and personalised service, they've proven that when empathy meets expertise, lives are transformed.
Equip U Director Justin Luke
On Friday November 17, the 2023 Ayr State High School Year 12 graduates entered through the school gate for the last time. After a beautiful graduation event on Thursday night at the Burdekin Memorial Hall, students were given a final school parade in their honour on Friday followed by a family barbecue.
The parade capped off a busy last week for our students which saw them participate in a range of activities including a fun afternoon at the Ayr Aquatic Centre, guest speaker sessions with community representatives and the long-held tradition of a Christmas morning tea with the residents of Regis Aged Care.
The staff of Ayr High wish all the students the very best in their future endeavours.
Contributed by Ayr State High School
Ayr State High School’s graduating class of 2023. Photo supplied
On Thursday November 23, the Year 6 students from St Colman’s Catholic School held their Graduation Mass and Dinner. The students marked this special occasion with a mass with their family, friends and school staff. Each child’s achievements were celebrated during this event. It is a time of mixed feeling, a tinge of sadness and loads of happiness as we farewell our Year 6 students and send them off to high school. As we celebrated the achievements of our current year 6 students, we also reflected on their time spent at Primary School for the last seven years. It was wonderful to see how far they have come over their primary school journey.
The students and families then shared a meal at the school which was beautifully decorated by the Year 6 graduation committee. Year 5 parents helped with the serving of the meal and made this occasion a highlight of the year.
St Colman’s School encouraged each student to go out into the community and “Let their light shine.”
Contributed by St Colman's Catholic School
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2023:
Charlotte Alexander
Benjamin Bapty
Baylin Cruise-McCloughan
Makenzie Dale
Cooper Detenon
Matilda Forbes
Eden Godfrey
Sam Heatley
Indy Jacob
Mikaela Kenyon
Lily Lowis
Dixie Love
Xavier Martin
Isaac Apelt
Fletcher Sgroi
William Stanton-Cook
Miley Totorica
Noah Totorica
Home Hill State High School celebrated National Agriculture Day on Friday, November 17.
Each year, the school comes together to recognise the significant role farming plays in shaping Australia.
Staff and students were invited to dress in green with this year’s National Agriculture Day celebrating all things agriculture, from what we grow to the people across the supply chain and more.
‘Grow you good thing!’ was the catch cry for day, thanking Australian farmers for the food and fibre they grow for the country.
Photos supplied: Home Hill State High School
The women of the Burdekin will have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills thanks to the Influential Women - Community Leadership Forum to be held in Ayr in 2024.
The ‘Influential Women’ Community Leadership Forum, the result of a partnership between the TNQ Drought Hub and BlueWren Connections, will be its second iteration following a successful debut held in Mount Surprise earlier in the year.
“The idea is to bring together women who are either working in the agriculture sector or supporting the agriculture sector to have the opportunity to grow their leadership capability for the future and also bring together strong ties within their community networks,” said Dr Jane Oorschot, Program Lead – Building Human Capacity at Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub.
“The program is basically bringing together aspects of leadership and targets people who wouldn’t reach out to do formal leadership training.
“We’re trying to take this to the community level but still offer the same learning experience.”
With a rural focus, the forum will invite participants to reflect on oneself, analyse their personality types and focus on how they work within a team throughout a practical, active, challenging and fun three-day program.
“A lot of leadership is about exploring and understanding yourself and then being brave enough to share with others and learn from that,” Dr Oorschot said.
“In my experience with leadership, the heart of it is self-awareness, so they will have a much-heightened self-awareness and ultimately we’re hoping for them to have greater confidence and self-knowledge to work effectively with others within their community.”
The program will be facilitated by community leader, social worker and changemaker Heather Ellis of Bluewren Connections who specialises in organisational capacity building, strategic planning program design, training, group facilitation and research projects.
“Heather’s platform helps to create a safe and empowering environment for women to share their stories, their values and their goals for the future,” Dr Oorschot said.
The Influential Women - Community Leadership Forum will be held at the Burdekin Theatre, Ayr from Tuesday, March 19 to Thursday, March 21, 2024.
Registration is now open and limited to 20 participants.
Visit https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/influential-women-community-leadership-forum-tickets-721806481617 to find out more.
Outcomes
• Improved knowledge of self and others
• Improved ability to influence positive change in self, family, community, business and industry
• Improved ability to work effectively with others
• Greater confidence and courage for informed decision making, balancing the role of a leader, and stepping into leading roles in the future
WHAT: Influential Women - Community Leadership Forum
WHEN: March 19-21, 2024
WHERE: Burdekin Theatre, Ayr
TICKETS: $175 available from Eventbrite
The first Influential Women's Forum was held in Mount Surprise in April. Photo credit: Emily Harrington
Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox is concerned that the government-backed renewables plan that is being rolled-out across Australia will have damaging consequences in Dawson, continuing to drive up the cost-of-living for the community.
Mr Willcox stated that Energy Minister Chris Bowen has implemented a panicked market intervention to achieve 82 per cent renewables by 2030 target by expanding the Capacity Investment Scheme. He believes this will come at great cost to taxpayers in Dawson, destroying agricultural land, driving up food prices and tearing down our food security.
“Labor has to rip up farming land to achieve their irresponsible target but when supply goes down, prices go up. Hurting our food production capability by removing agricultural land means families in Dawson will pay even more for their food,” Mr Willcox said.
“Labor must tell taxpayers, communities and struggling families in Dawson, how many hectares of productive agricultural land and native vegetation, the very thing renewables were apparently meant to protect, will be impacted by its reckless race?
“Questions have to be asked, where is the Greens on protecting the environment on this and the Australian Conservation Foundation, who have been intimidating farmers that legally manage vegetation on their farms?” Mr Willcox stated.
“I fear federal Labor and the now all Labor states will abandon proper environmental approvals because Chris Bowen doesn’t want to miss their target.
“Labor must guarantee tough approvals processes and that there won’t be shortcuts for these projects.
“On top of wind turbines and solar panels, 28,000 kilometres of transmission lines at a minimum cost of $80 billion will also tear through regional communities.
“The Nationals believe this demonstrates why we should also have the conversation about nuclear and let the market decide about energy options, rather than taxpayers having to do all the heavy lifting.
“Labor has the wrong priorities for our nation. If you overburden farmers and reduce productive farmland, then you directly increase the price of fresh food at the checkout for families in Dawson,” he said.
Since Labor has been in office, food has increased by 8.2 per cent, gas by 28 per cent and electricity by 18 per cent.
Opinion piece.
An emergency kit is necessary during disaster season and it is vital that we all get prepared.
Fires, flooding or cyclones could force you out of your home, or keep you stuck there for an extended period of time.
Your kit should include these basics, but you can think about what items your family might use if you had to stay at home for up to three days.
• Food items include bottled water and non-perishable canned food (And don’t forget a can opener!)
• Non-powered items such as a torch, portable phone charger and cable and portable radio are important if there is a power outage, as well as spare batteries.
A portable radio is vital to listen in to emergency broadcasting.
• Important documents could include emergency contact numbers, passports and insurance documents.
• A first aid kit and medications are vital in an emergency, you can also pack hygiene supplies such as a toothbrush, soap and toilet paper.
• If you have a pet, don’t forget! They need their own supplies too, such as food and water, bowls, a leash and a lightweight crate for transportation.
• Disasters can be scary, but they can sometimes be boring too. Pack a few entertaining items such as a good book, playing cards or board games.
Water supplies could stop working. You can’t get to the shops or maybe you can, but the shelves are bare when you get there. Avoid being ill-prepared by stocking up on essentials before a disaster strikes.
You can also include more items, particularly if you live in a remote area. Think about your situation and pack a kit that is right for you.
Keep your kit in a strong waterproof storage container and store it in a safe place in your home that you can get to easily in the event of an emergency.
You can find more information about household emergency kits at getready.qld.gov.au/check-out-what-you-need
Discover why it is vital to pay attention to external home maintenance in the lead-up to storm season with this helpful checklist.
To start with, check on the status of your insurance policy, whether it is up-to-date and what it covers. If your policy doesn’t adequately cover your home, contents and car, you could be liable to pay out-of-pocket for damages.
On top of that, if your gutters and downpipes haven’t been regularly maintained, you could be unknowingly voiding your home insurance.
A good clean out of your gutters and downpipes is pretty much a non-negotiable part of storm preparation. If your gutters are full of debris, water can’t drain away from your residence.
This can cause a host of problems, such as water flowing into wall cavities and roofs, leading to serious complications like electrical short circuits and power outages.
If you have storm water sumps or drains around your home, it is critical to make sure these are cleaned out to ensure that they can drain water effectively.
Trim tree branches and remove any weak or dead branches from trees around your property, as they can fall onto your home or become airborne during strong winds.
It is important to check the condition of your roof. Look out for loose tiles, eaves or screws that need repairing.
Once these problems are resolved, there will be a limit on the amount of damages that can potentially occur during rough winds or intense storms.
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