The Ayr Bears have gone one up in the Annual Inter-Town Rugby League series against Home Hill, part of the Town of Origin Harvest Festival celebrations. The series, now in its 11th year, sees the two towns compete across Rugby League, Cricket, and Netball.

On Sunday, Ayr won the Cricket 60–59, Home Hill claimed the Netball 40–17, with Krystal Kerr judged best player, and Ayr secured the Rugby League decider 32–4, giving the northern town a 6–5 advantage in the series.

Ayr fielded an experienced side compared to a young Home Hill team, which showed in the scoreboard. Bears coach Chris Perry, however, praised the efforts of two standout young players.

Under-18 half KJ Zaro impressed in both attack and defence, using his speed and willingness to take the ball into the line. He scored a try and kicked three goals for a personal tally of 10 points, earning him the Qld Country Credit Union Man of the Match. Under-18 hooker Harrison Lammon came off the bench to play a leading role, providing smart ball from dummy half and defending strongly.

Outside back Arlvaikasai left the crowd in awe, racing away for three tries, supported by Zaro. Other try-scorers for Ayr were Jones Munro, Caleb Noah, and KJ Zaro, while KJ kicked three goals and Caleb one. Home Hill’s only try came from Jules Arrate.

Coach Perry also praised young utility Justin Cursio for his determination and effort throughout the match.

Players are now looking forward to the rejuvenated Bendigo Bank Club of Origin on Saturday, 29 November at Bendigo Bank Park in Ayr. Teams with connections to the Hornets, Colts, Home Hill, and Brothers clubs will compete for bragging rights and the Bendigo Bank Cup. A Ladies match between Ayr and Home Hill will also be held for the first time in around 60 years. The Club of Origin launch will take place at the Queens Hotel on Saturday, 15 November.

Contributed with thanks to Brian Carnes

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The Burdekin Clay Target Club held another successful shoot on Sunday, 12th October, with 28 shooters taking part. The club thanks sponsors Michael and Susy Populin and Torri Davies from Home Hill Engineering, and acknowledges Lui Populin for his continued support in donating meat trays for the raffle. The next shoot is scheduled for Sunday, 9th November.

Event 1, the 25 Target Single Barrel, saw AA Grade winners Phillip Scalia, Benji Micallef and Aaron Lemphers achieve a perfect 15/15, while A Grade was topped by Ron Clive, Bruce McBow and John Cerqui on 14/15. B Grade honours went to Pedro Le Blowitz with 14/15, followed by John Kinnimonth with 13/15, and C Grade was taken by David Russell on 13/15, with Alf Gangemi second on 12/15.

The 30 Target Double Barrel Championship 15m, sponsored by Michael and Susy Populin, produced a perfect score of 58/58 from Alex Scalia in the Open division, with Phillip Scalia taking AA Grade on 57/58 and Alex Scalia also topping A Grade. B Grade went to John Kinnimonth with 28/30, and C Grade to Alf Gangemi with 28/32.

In the 25 Target Double Barrel Handicap, Larry Archer claimed first place with 29/30, followed by Lindsay Groat on 33/35 and John Kinnimonth on 32/35. The 25 Target Burdekin Mixed Target Championship 15m, sponsored by Home Hill Engineering, was dominated by Lindsay Groat, who won both the Open and AA Grades on 34/35. John Cerqui took A Grade on 32/35, Chantal Micallef claimed B Grade with 32/35, and Blake Heffernan won C Grade on 31/35.

The 10 Pair Double Rise 15m event saw AA Grade won by Phillip Scalia on 17/20, with Lindsay Groat second on 16/20. Tony Caruso won A Grade on 16/20, with Glen Rea and Greg Maltby sharing second on 15/20. B Grade went to Larry Archer with 14/20, followed by Mark Simpson on 13/20, and C Grade honours were shared between Ron Clive, Chantal Micallef and David Russell on 15/20.

Raffle prizes, generously donated by Lui Populin, were won by Tony Caruso, Gina Calligaro and Lui Populin himself.

Contributed with thanks to Sylvvia Rossato

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Event 2-30 Target Burdekin Double Barrel Championship 15m Sponsored by Michael & Susy Populin
Phillip Scalia, Alex Scalia, Lui Populin, John Kinnimonth, Alf Gangemi

Event 3- 25 Target Handicap
Larry Archer, Linsday Groat, John Kinnimonth

Event 4-25 Target Burdekin Mixed Target Championship 15m, Sponsored by Home Hill Engineering
Lindsay Groat, John Chequi, Chantal Micallef, Blake Heffernan

Raffle Winners, Donated by Lui Populin
Tony Caruso, Gina Calligaro, Lui Populin

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The inclusion of the Ayr Hospital on a list of 11 locations receiving significant medical imaging upgrades signals another major step forward on the delivery of a CT Scanner at the facility, according to Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP.

“It has been a long fight to get to where we are today and I know there will be, literally, thousands of people in the community who will be extremely happy that the project has taken a giant leap forward,” Mr Last said. “Having Premier Crisafulli and the Health Minister commit the funding means work can get underway in earnest.”

“There was never any doubt that the government would deliver on our commitment, but I was concerned that there may be delays due to the state of our health system statewide. Our government was left with a health system full of cost blow-outs and unfunded promises that we needed to address to ensure Queenslanders can access medical services in their time of need.”

“As we have said since we began the campaign for the CT Scanner at Ayr, this project will not just boost health services here in the Burdekin, it will actually help take pressure off the Townsville University Hospital as well. Unfortunately, both of those benefits were overlooked by the previous government but, every time they knocked us back, the community united even more to back this project.”

Mr Last said the progress made on the project in the last 12 months was in stark contrast to what had been seen in the preceding three years and was a credit to a long list of locals.

“Since the Community Advisory Network first raised the issue with me, I could see that this was equipment our community didn’t just need, it was equipment we needed,” Mr Last said. “We went from basically being told there wasn’t enough demand to being told it was an important project but, despite that, it wasn’t funded by the previous government.”

“We endured three frustrating years of being given excuses, responding to those and then being handed another excuse. In the last 12 months, by contrast, we’ve seen planning commence, the Minister engage directly with local staff and now, the funding we need to make this project a reality.”

“Facilities like these do take time to come on-line because it is specialised equipment and we need to make sure that we get it right to ensure the best outcomes for patients and local staff. I’ll keep the celebrating for the opening of the facility but the progress that has been made since the election is staggering.”

“It has taken a joint effort with thousands of locals supporting my petition because this is a logical project. Once complete, it’s up to 15 less Ambulance trips a week, hundreds of staff hours saved and better health services for everyone from newborns right through to the elderly.”

“Because we have staff here that are already trained, I know the CT Scanner will make an impact from day one. It will be a great asset for our local staff as they work hard to save lives and improve quality of life and that makes the fight well and truly worth it.”

Premier David Crisafulli said the investment will help deliver faster and more accessible healthcare for Queenslanders, particularly in rural and regional areas.

“We are delivering easier access to health services so Queenslanders have the care they need, when they need it most,” Premier Crisafulli said.

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Pets Domain Ayr hosted a heartwarming and tail wagging morning last Saturday, the 11th of October for Pets Domain’s Adopt-A-Dog Day!

A joint effort between Pets Domain Ayr, Bowen Collinsville Pet Rescue Inc. and Pets Domain Bowen, the day saw plenty of the community’s amazing foster carers and volunteers come together to meet several fun-loving rescue pups searching for their forever homes. Bowen Collinsville Pet Rescue were extremely grateful to the community for showing up to the event and cannot thank attendees enough for their donations and support.

“What a beautiful day! Thank you to our amazing fosters and volunteers, the teams at Pets Domain Ayr and Pets Domain Bowen, and the public who showed up to meet our rescues and donate,” shared Bowen Collinsville Pet Rescue.

The day saw six brave rescue dogs, Poppy, Maisie, Max, Narlyn, Zephyr and Ninja, capture the hearts of locals, with Bowen Collinsville Pet Rescue urging the community to reach out to inquire about adoption, fostering, or volunteer opportunities via emailing bcpri.adoptions@gmail.com.

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Just last month, the Graduating Class of 1975 came together to celebrate the 50 years that had passed since leaving the grounds of Home Hill State High School (HHSHS).

Over the course of 12 months, Greg McCane and Carmelo Pasquale spearheaded organisational efforts to ensure the reunion would be one to remember, coordinating arrangements down on the gorgeous Gold Coast. HHSHS’ Class of 1975 travelled far and wide to attend the reunion in Southern Queensland to share in three days of laughter, friendship and trips down memory lane.

“So many memories of wonderful times together, and much laughter, it was like we were back at school again, and it did not feel like 50 years had passed,” shared HHSHS’ Class of 1975 graduate, Rosemaree Linton.

Classmates, partners and other family members gathered together to celebrate the occasion, and to the delight of many, Mr Bell and Mr Dawes also joined in on the weekend’s festivities.

Commencing on the evening of Friday, the 12th of September, everyone attended a casual affair at the Burleigh Hotel for dinner, drinks and a wonderful Meet and Greet gathering to kick off the weekend. Saturday saw attendees enjoy a beautiful three-hour-long river and rainforest lunch cruise along the Tweed River before coming together for a celebratory function where many danced the night away to a plethora of 70’s tunes performed by the talented band, Milky Way.

“The cruise down the Tweed River was enjoyable, the weather was lovely, and the scenery was beautiful, however, it was being with old mates that made the trip so memorable,” added Rosemaree.

“On Saturday night, there were no sore hips, feet or knees as we danced all night to music of our era! Milky Way kept us on our feet as we sang and danced to the music of the 70s and 80s with a few modern songs thrown in for good luck!”

With the festivities drawing to a close, HHSHS’ Class of 1975 partook in a good-old-fashioned “Barefoot Bowls Sunday Recovery” at the Burleigh Bowls Club from midday before bidding farewell to one another, and reminiscing on the weekend that was.

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Hi everyone, it’s certainly been a minute since I’ve written one of these!

When you read this, I’ll be enjoying the stunning beaches along the coastline of Albania for a little while longer before heading off to country number 34… how insane! It’s certainly been an amazing year, and I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to jump around the world for so long, writing for you all from three different continents while exploring breathtaking cities, villages and towns. It truly has been a dream!

I’ve loved chatting to you here and there over email or through poorly connected WhatsApp calls (thank you for bearing with me) for interviews, stories, and casual chats. Whenever the people I meet on my travels ask me how I’ve been able to be abroad for so long, and “what’s my secret”, it’s always exciting to tell them about Burdekin Life, and all the other publishments under the Life Publishing Group umbrella – even if they have no idea what or where any of these communities are, or even that there’s more to Australia than just kangaroos and spiders!

Europe has started to get a little too frosty for me, and I’ll never forget the fear I felt when I looked out the bus window on my way to a new city to see SNOW as I’m literally wearing Birkenstocks and a singlet! Soon I’ll be heading off to somewhere far warmer before making my way back to the heat of Australia just in time for my little brother’s high school graduation.

My year of traveling has been entirely spontaneous, and from sandboarding down the dunes of the Sahara Desert to skydiving over the island of O’ahu, it’s been nothing short of UNREAL! I would not have been able to do everything I’m doing if it wasn’t for the support of Rachael, Ruth, Daniel, Jacob and Victoria who have been absolutely amazing, especially considering I’m working in a complete opposite time zone from the other side of the globe - you guys are legends.

Hope you’re all enjoying the warmer weather and hope to chat to you again soon!

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Farmers across Outback Queensland are facing yet another major challenge, with swarms of locusts tearing through more than 5.3 million hectares of pastureland, compounding the devastation already caused by this year’s catastrophic floods.

Rural Aid is ramping up its response, providing hay deliveries, financial assistance, and mental health support to affected farming families, and standing ready to scale up operations further as the crisis deepens.

“This is a one-two punch for many farming families,” said Rural Aid CEO John Warlters.

“Earlier this year, floodwaters destroyed homes, fences, feed, and infrastructure. Now, as farmers begin to rebuild, locusts are stripping paddocks bare and threatening the recovery.”

Mr Warlters said Rural Aid had already begun delivering aid to rural communities and was fully prepared to escalate its support as needed.

“Rural Aid is already delivering assistance to rural communities and is fully prepared to step up support in response to this unfolding locust crisis — but we need the public’s help to do it,” he said.

Locust swarms have now been confirmed across the Richmond, Winton, Longreach, Barcaldine, and Flinders Regional Council areas, with widespread destruction to grazing land and natural feed supplies.

In response, the Queensland Government has announced an additional $4.5 million in funding for statewide locust control efforts, building on the $1 million provided last month under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

“Rural Aid welcomes this funding,” said Mr Warlters.

“But we know from experience that Rural Aid will play a crucial role in supporting farmers before, during, and long after this disaster.”

He said the impact of feed loss was mounting quickly, with hay deliveries essential to keeping livestock alive.

“Locusts are destroying thousands of tonnes of natural feed and replacing that with hay is going to require significant support,” Mr Warlters said.

“Rural Aid stands ready to deliver, but to match the scale of what’s unfolding, we’re calling for urgent donations. Every truckload of hay we send is funded by generous Australians who want to keep our farmers going.”

Rural Aid’s Support Efforts

• Hay deliveries to support livestock feed shortages
• Financial assistance to help cover household and farm costs
• Free mental health counselling from Rural Aid’s qualified rural counsellors
• Volunteer assistance through the Farm Army
• Long-term recovery and community wellbeing programs

To strengthen its presence in the region, Rural Aid is also recruiting a full-time counsellor to be permanently based in Western Queensland.

“Farmers need to know they’re not alone in this,” Mr Warlters said.

“We’re here. We’re ready. And we’ll respond with everything we’ve got — but we need Australians to stand with us and help make that happen.”

Farmers can register for support by visiting www.ruralaid.org.au or calling 1300 327 624.

Donations to assist farmers affected by the locust outbreak can be made at www.ruralaid.org.au/donate.

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Queensland farmers are bracing for another devastating blow, as swarms of locusts rip through more than 5.3 million hectares of pastureland (Photo Supplied)

The potential to transform Burdekin sugar into biofuels is lighting up exciting new opportunities for cane growers across North Queensland, following a recent public hearing in Townsville as part of the Queensland Government’s Sugar Bioenergy Inquiry.

The inquiry, which is exploring the potential for biofuel and value-added sugar production across the state, has sparked valuable discussions about how diversification could benefit not only Queensland’s sugarcane industry but also the broader agricultural sector.

Regional Area Manager for North Queensland, Angelo Rigano, said diversification could play a vital role in boosting sustainability and strengthening farm resilience.

“Diversification can help primary producers boost biodiversity, create additional income streams, and mitigate on-farm risks – which are all also timely considerations as we approach disaster season,” Mr Rigano said.

The shift toward bioenergy represents an opportunity to add long-term value to the sugar industry, opening doors for innovation, employment, and environmental benefits. While the final report into the Sugar Bioenergy Inquiry is expected within the next year, Queensland primary producers are being encouraged to explore diversification opportunities right now.

Mr Rigano outlined five practical ways producers can diversify their operations through QRIDA’s First Start or Sustainability Loans:

1. Expand into paddock-to-plate: QRIDA’s Sustainability Loans can fund value-adding activities such as constructing a commercial kitchen to help expand your farm business into a paddock-to-plate model. See Wide Bay fruit and vegetable growers and QRIDA Sustainability Loan clients Greg and CC Petersen’s success story here.
2. Plant alternative crops and integrate livestock: Whether you’re starting out or expanding, QRIDA’s loans can help diversify into new crops and livestock. Western Queensland goat and beef producer and QRIDA First Start Loan client Ed Wade successfully diversified into goats through this initiative.
3. Buy additional rural properties: QRIDA’s Sustainability Loans can assist producers in purchasing more land or entering share-farming or lease-farming arrangements. Central Queensland graziers and QRIDA clients Sam and Casey Alsop used their loans to purchase a second property.
4. Build on-farm packing facilities: Producers can take greater control of their supply chain and minimise risk by constructing their own packing facilities. North Queensland citrus growers, the Bugno family, used a QRIDA Sustainability Loan to install a computerised packing machine on-farm.
5. Construct rural workers’ accommodation: QRIDA’s Sustainability Loans can help improve productivity and workforce retention by funding rural workers’ housing. The Spotswood family, who own an organics operation in North Queensland, used their loan to build on-farm accommodation.

For more information, visit QRIDA’s First Start Loan or Sustainability Loan webpages, or call 1800 623 946.

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Wilmar Grower Marketing is committed to helping Burdekin growers market with confidence and get more value from every tonne of GEI Sugar.

By combining local knowledge with global reach, Wilmar provides a marketing partnership that’s personal, flexible and backed by international trading strength.

When you choose Wilmar as your GEI Sugar marketer, you’re supported by a professional local team that understands both cane farming and the global sugar industry.

Our Burdekin team members, Fiona Villis and Owen Richards, are based in your community and on hand to provide advice, answer questions and guide you through every step of the marketing process. Their goal is simple: to help you make confident, informed decisions that support your business, your farm and your family.

Fiona and her husband Paul have been farming cane in the Kalamia area for more than 20 years, giving her a deep understanding of the seasonal pressures and long-term decisions that shape farming in the Burdekin. Owen has extensive experience in business development, with a strong focus on supporting growers to make informed and profitable marketing decisions.

Together, they form a well-rounded team that combines commercial insight with genuine local knowledge, delivering practical support and strong outcomes for Burdekin growers.

To deliver even greater value, Wilmar has recently introduced the Wilmar Grower Advantage, a partnership with Elders that gives growers access to exclusive discounts on fertiliser and farm chemicals. The program also provides soil testing, nutrient management plans, BMP fertiliser planning and complimentary agronomy services, helping you lower input costs, improve productivity and simplify decision-making.

This exclusive offer is available to growers who nominate Wilmar Grower Marketing as their GEI Sugar marketer for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

With the nomination deadline for the 2026 season closing on 31 October 2025, now is the perfect time to secure these valuable benefits for your farm and your future.

To find out more about Wilmar Grower Advantage or to nominate Wilmar as your GEI marketer, please contact Fiona Villis or Owen Richards and see how we can help you market with confidence.

Burdekin Business Development Manager Owen Richards discusses the benefits of choosing Wilmar Grower Marketing with a local grower.

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A groundbreaking wastewater treatment project in the Burdekin has taken out the Infrastructure Project Innovation Award (Regional) at the Queensland Water Awards.

The award was presented to a collaborative team made up of Burdekin Shire Council, Pacific Biotechnologies Group, and James Cook University (JCU) for their innovative Macro-Algal Bioremediation Facility.

The project showcases a nature-based solution to wastewater treatment, using macro-algae to clean water sustainably while delivering both environmental and economic benefits. By harnessing algae’s natural ability to absorb nutrients and pollutants, the facility improves water quality in an eco-friendly way, offering a model for future regional developments.

Described as a powerful example of collaboration and innovation, the project combines scientific expertise with practical environmental design to support a smarter, greener future for Queensland communities.

The win highlights the potential for regional partnerships to lead the way in sustainable infrastructure, while also recognising the importance of investment in emerging clean technologies.

The Burdekin facility now stands as a benchmark for eco-conscious water management and demonstrates how regional Queensland can contribute meaningfully to global sustainability goals.

Representatives collecting the award recently. Photo supplied

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Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort

Over the last few months Council has been identifying areas around Home Hill and across the Shire that could use a little extra care and attention.

We all want our towns to look clean, tidy and welcoming not just for visitors, but for the people who live here and take pride in calling the Burdekin home.

As part of this work, Council has sent letters to some property owners asking them to tidy their premises. Most people have been really responsive, and it’s a simple but effective way we can all play a part in keeping our community looking great.

If you notice an area that needs attention, whether it’s overgrown grass, rubbish, or maintenance concerns, you can let Council know quickly using the Snap Send Solve app. It’s an easy way to report issues straight from your phone and helps our team respond faster.

As we come into October, it’s Get Ready Queensland Month, a great reminder for everyone to start preparing for the upcoming disaster season. While you’re out and about, I encourage you to take part in the Burdekin Disaster Ready Trail. It’s a fun and interactive way to learn how to stay safe and prepared this season. You can also go in the draw to win a generator, fuel vouchers and more!

More information can be found on Council’s website at burdekin.qld.gov.au.

Should you wish to reach out, don’t hesitate to contact me directly by phone at 0447 150 582, or feel free to send an email to mayor@burdekin.qld.gov.au.

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Member for Dawson and Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign
Capability, Mr Andrew Willcox MP, said farmers across Dawson have had an enormous win
after Labor retreated on its poorly conceived, reckless, and cruel plan to tax unrealised
gains on farms held in self-managed super funds (SMSFs).

Mr Willcox said Labor had been embarrassingly forced to give in after The Coalition and industry
groups campaigned strongly against the plan, and the government faced a backlash from
farming families across Dawson.

“Labor’s plan to punish Australia’s hardest workers and attack their unrealised gains in
superannuation was shocking from the start and never should have happened,” Mr Willcox said.

He said many farming families across Dawson, including the region’s sugar cane growers, had
set up SMSFs as part of their retirement and succession planning, unaware Labor could attempt
to tax their assets on paper every single year.

“Labor could never even tell us how many primary producers, small and family business owners
would have been impacted. In what parallel universe does a government think it’s okay to tax
on-paper, unrealised gains?” Mr Willcox said.

Mr Willcox said the plan would have forced some farmers to sell their land instead of passing it
on to the next generation, and that such uncertainty had caused unnecessary anxiety in regional
communities.

“Farmers in Dawson deserve certainty, not shifting goalposts from a government that doesn’t
understand regional Australia. This backflip is a win for common sense and for the families who
have worked hard to build something for the next generation,” he said.

He said The Coalition had taken a strong stand to protect regional communities and hold Labor
accountable, ensuring the concerns of rural Australians were heard loud and clear.

“The Coalition led the charge against this unfair policy because we knew what was at stake. This
was never just about tax — it was about livelihoods, retirement security, and keeping family
farms in family hands,” Mr Willcox said.

While welcoming Labor’s retreat, Mr Willcox warned the government not to revisit similar
measures in the future.

“While Labor’s backdown is welcome, it’s also a warning. Every time this government looks for
revenue, it seems they reach for regional Australia first. We’ll keep holding them to account to
make sure they don’t try to sneak this or similar measures back in through the back door,” he
said.

Mr Willcox said Labor should apologise to the farming community for the stress and uncertainty
they caused.

“Our farmers who produce the nation’s food and fibre — from sugar to beef — must be
protected from Labor’s tax grabs.

“The Coalition will always stand up for our farmers, their families, and the future of regional
Australia.”

Andrew Willcox says The Coalition will always back Aussie farmers, defending family farms from unfair taxes and supporting a strong future for regional industries. Photo supplied

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For Burdekin Christian College (BCC) student Jessica Holmes, 2026 promises a year unlike any other. Accepted into a 12-month internship with 100% Hope Uganda, Jess will immerse herself in a new culture, assist with primary school teaching, and run interest clubs before and after school—a rare opportunity for a high school graduate to teach, serve, and experience life on a global scale.

Jess first learned about the internship when 100% Hope Uganda visited BCC. When the organisation’s manager announced a gap-year program for Year Twelves, Jess’s interest was immediate. “It immediately caught my attention because I love different countries, and since I hadn’t decided what I wanted to do next year, I thought that’d be great,” she said.

Volunteering abroad isn’t completely new to the year 12 student, having taken part in missions trips to countries including the Philippines in the past. Committing to a whole year, however, is a new challenge for her, though one she has long imagined taking. “I’ve always thought I’d be going over to different countries to help people, in third world countries,” she explains. “The only foreign thing is being there for a whole year.”

In Uganda, Jess will step into a hands-on role as a teaching assistant for Year Three and Four students. She’ll support classroom learning, assist with programs in the school, village, and church, and run co-curricular activities after school. “It’ll give me a sort of taster of being a teacher,” she says. “I’m really excited to meet lots of people and have new experiences.”

Beyond teaching, Jess is motivated by the opportunity to help the community. “I’d love to share what I can do and help out with whatever they need,” she says. She also hopes to represent BCC well abroad, bringing a piece of home with her. “I just hope to be very helpful and hopefully share some of the Burdekin's traditions.”

For Jess, the internship represents a chance to grow, learn, and make a meaningful difference. Friends, family, and the College community are already watching eagerly, knowing that her adventure will be both challenging and transformative. With her curiosity, compassion, and dedication, there’s little doubt she will make the most of every moment in Uganda.

Accepted into a 12-month internship with 100% Hope Uganda, Jess will immerse herself in a new culture during her 12-month internship. Photo supplied

Home Hill State High School is set to showcase its creativity and teamwork at the Opti-MINDS State Finals in Brisbane on 18–19 October 2025 following an outstanding performance at the Regional Championships in Townsville on 31 August, where the junior team, The Misfits, earned an Honours placing and a coveted Wildcard entry.

Opti-MINDS is a nationally recognised competition that challenges students to “Think, Create and Communicate” while solving real-world problems. Home Hill SHS is the only school from the Burdekin region to participate, giving its students a rare opportunity to compete against some of the best teams in Queensland.

At the regional challenge, The Misfits presented a creative play blending live performance and digital media. Their story imagined society 100 years in the future and explored how information can be manipulated by those in power, using humor, drama, and popular culture references to highlight the importance of critical thinking and preserving truth.

Victoria Flynn, the teacher in charge, said the teams prepared through lunch breaks, after school, and even a day during the school holidays, learning invaluable skills along the way. “Each year we’ve had people that have done it before, so they have that experience," she said. "It’s about not questioning what they’re doing and letting them go on whatever tangents they want. Some of these kids are shy, and it gets them out of their shell, showing them that they can do more than what they think.”

Isla Wilkie, a member of The Misfits, echoed this. "[Opti-MINDS] definitely helps with creative thinking and thinking outside the box, and gives you the confidence to speak up,” she said. “It's encouraged us to learn everyone’s unique perspectives on things and use them as a team to get a good result. We all have very different focuses, but we put them together and came up with a good outcome."

This marks the third consecutive year Home Hill SHS has advanced to the State Finals. The Wildcard entry earned by The Misfits is one of only four offered statewide this year, highlighting the team’s exceptional creativity and problem-solving skills.

For rural students, the experience offers much more than competition, says Ms Flynn. “Some of our students haven’t been on a train, some haven’t been on a plane. We go down on the train or fly, and they do things outside their comfort zone. They absolutely love it.”

The school community is invited to support the students’ journey to Brisbane. Contributions towards travel and event costs can be made via the QR code below. Every donation helps Home Hill SHS students take their ideas to the state stage, and prove that small schools can achieve big things.
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Photos:
1. Junior Team - The Misfits - prepare for the State Finals -Ashlyn Poli, Talin Poli, Faryn Poli, Isla Wilkie, Cheyanne Worland, Adam Young & Mackenzie Worland
2. Senior Team Participants Sam Perina, Zaine Palmer, Cruz Torkington, Christiana Bugeja & Grace Ogomeni Absent - Zoe Bonanno & Grayson Potter-Geitz

A Harvest Festival Student Ball To Remember

For just a moment on Friday, October 10, Home Hill’s Memorial Hall and its surrounds put on their best Hollywood impression, welcoming more than 200 students with a dazzling red carpet entrance to the annual Harvest Festival Ball.

Organised by Home Hill Harvest Festival in conjunction with the staff and P&C Committee of Home Hill State High School, the event brought together students from Years 10 to 12 across the Burdekin district, blending glamour, celebration, and plenty of dance floor energy from 6pm to 11pm.

The night captured everything the Harvest Festival Ball has come to represent—style, community spirit and a celebration of youth—as students stepped from their cars to cheers from hundreds of spectators, all turning out in true Burdekin fashion.

A Student Ball To Remember

Continued from cover

This year, a range of awards recognised students for their style, confidence, and presence on the night, including Belle and Beau of the Ball, runners-up, Best Dressed Couple, and the ever-popular Sass and Swagger awards.

Top honours went to Belle of the Ball Ashley Fawkes (BCHS) and Beau of the Ball Texas DelleBaite (BCHS), while Vaylee Grabs (ASHS) and Blaize Palmer (HHSHS) were named runners-up. Cameryn Koia and Jayke Marano (BCC) took out Best Dressed Couple, with Grace Ogomeni (HHSHS) and Harrison Lammon (BCHS) winning Sass and Swagger respectively.

Special mentions were awarded to Pascale Crooks (ASHS), Sid Sajan (BCC), Imogen Petersen (BCHS) and Grayson Potter-Geitz (HHSHS).

Organisers praised the students’ conduct and enthusiasm, describing the event as “truly one to remember” and thanking the sponsors, volunteers, and staff who helped make the 2025 Students’ Ball a spectacular success.

Photos courtesy of Hayden Menso Photography
COVER: Belle of the Ball, Ashley Fawkes (BCHS) and Beau of the Ball, Texas DelleBaite (BCHS), pose with their awards. Photo credit: Hayden Menso Photography
1. Belle of the Ball - Ashley Fawkes - BCHS
2. Beau of the Ball - Texas DelleBaite - BCHS
3. Runner up Belle of the Ball - Vaylee Grabs - ASHS
4. Runner up Beau of the Ball - Blaize Palmer - HHSHS
5. Sass - Grace Ogomeni - HHSHS, and Swagger - Harrison Lammon - BCHS
6. Best Dressed Couple: Cameryn Koia - BCC and Jayke Marano - BCC
7. Special Mentions: Pascale Crooks - ASHS, Sid Sajan - BCC, Imogen Petersen - BCHS, Grayson Potter-Geitz - HHSHS

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