Ayr State High School has taken advantage of The Queensland Government’s Student technology equity partnership (STEP) which will see the state government invest $152 million, over 4 years across the state. This funding enables Ayr State High School provide a one-to-one laptop roll out for its students in Years 7,8 and 9 over the next 4 Years.

This week the current Year 7 students became the first recipients to receive their laptops enabling them to access to their own allocated laptop across the curriculum.

School Principal Mr Craig Whittred said “this greatly enhances all students access to devices across all year levels. This year’s Year 7 students are the first group to receive laptops in a planned rollout, that will see all students in Years 7,8 and 9 having been allocated their own laptop by 2027. “

The STEP program will run alongside of our current BYOX program or Bring Your Own device program. Which allows students and families to choose to supply their own device to suit their family’s and child’s personal needs.

Mr Whittred explained that the BYOX program will be the focus for our students in Years 10, 11 and 12. He explained that dependant on what particular senior schooling pathway a student was on, impacted the requirement of the devices needed for students to have success in their studies. Mr Whittred said Ayr State High School was still committed to providing communal laptops for students to access for lessons but saw great value in students being involved with the STEP and BYOX programs as it offered students ownership over their laptops and prepared them better for the transition after school into further study and/or the workplace.

Student Gracie Gardina said “it is really good that we will have our own laptop that we can look after and use for our schoolwork. I’m excited and it will really help me complete all my work.”

Year 7 students (L-R Gracie Giardina, Lani Olsen, Jaylen Langbein, Eli Corwell) taking advantage of the new STEP laptops. Photo supplied

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As families across the Burdekin begin planning for the future, Burdekin Catholic High School (BCHS) is inviting parents and carers to consider a school where students are not just educated, but known, nurtured, and encouraged to flourish.

With enrolments open for 2026, BCHS continues its strong tradition of offering a quality Catholic education that supports academic achievement, personal growth, and spiritual development, all in a safe and supportive learning environment.

A Community That Cares
At BCHS, students are more than just numbers. “Our school is a community where every student is valued,” says Principal Lorraine Wolffe. “We aim to develop young people who are confident, compassionate, and committed to making a difference.”

The school is known for its welcoming and inclusive environment, built on Catholic values and a strong sense of belonging. From Year 7 through to Year 12, students are supported by dedicated staff who take the time to understand their individual needs and aspirations.

Excellence in Education
Burdekin Catholic High School offers a broad and balanced curriculum that caters for diverse pathways, from university and further education to trades and employment. With a strong emphasis on literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking, students are equipped with the skills they need for life beyond school.

Modern facilities, technology-rich classrooms, and access to co-curricular programs in the arts, sports, and leadership ensure students receive a well-rounded education.

Faith, Values, and Wellbeing
As a Catholic school, BCHS places strong emphasis on values such as respect, service, and integrity. Religious education and liturgical life are embedded into school culture, helping students grow in faith and character.

Student wellbeing is also a key priority. With dedicated pastoral care programs and access to counselling and support services, BCHS ensures students feel connected and cared for throughout their schooling journey.

Now Taking Enrolments for 2026
Parents and carers considering their child’s high school options are encouraged to book a tour and experience the BCHS difference firsthand.

Information packs and enrolment forms are available via the school office or online at www.bchs.catholic.edu.au

Come and be part of a school community where every student is inspired to believe, belong, and become.

Contributed with thanks to BCHS

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At our school, we understand how busy family life can be. Mornings can be rushed, afternoons are full, and balancing work, home and school can be a challenge. That’s why we’re proud to offer a comprehensive support program that lightens the load for families and ensures every child arrives at school ready to learn.

Through this program, students receive breakfast, a fruit snack, lunch, and afternoon tea each school day. In addition, all students are provided with their school stationery, a school uniform, and their annual school photos. By taking care of these daily essentials, we help families save time, reduce stress, and make the school routine that little bit easier.

What makes our school truly unique is this strong commitment to supporting both students and their families. By removing barriers and reducing the practical pressures of the school day, we’re creating a welcoming, inclusive environment where every child can succeed. It’s one of the many reasons our school is a great place to learn — and a great place to enrol your child.

This program is made possible thanks to the generosity and support of Food Bank, Fuel for Schools, the School Food Program, and our incredible P & C Association. Their partnership helps us make a meaningful difference in the lives of families every day.

Together, we’re building a school community where students feel supported, families feel valued, and everyone can flourish.

Contributed with thanks to Ayr State School

Ayr State School students enjoying burgers for lunch on National Burger Day as part of the school's comprehensive support program. Photos supplied

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China is, without question, one of Australia’s most significant trading partners. We export vast
amounts of natural resources and agricultural products, and in return, we import vehicles, solar
panels, wind turbines, various technological products, and household goods. But is this
relationship balanced, and are we becoming too dependent?

Recent reports out of the United States have raised serious concerns about the potential for
embedded technologies in imported infrastructure from China. Investigations have identified
backdoor capabilities in Chinese-made inverters and batteries used to connect solar and wind
systems to the American power grid. The implications are seriously concerning. Could these
systems be accessed or disabled remotely?

Here in Australia, the Albanese government is continuing its rapid push for more large-scale
solar and wind projects, many of which use Chinese-built components. Such reports coming
out of the USA should prompt urgent scrutiny.

Chinese-built EVs are also hitting Aussie roads in increasing numbers. Speculation is growing
around whether software in these vehicles contains embedded spyware or remote access
functions. Could data be tracked? Could vehicles be monitored, or even disabled remotely?

This isn’t aimed at alarmism. It’s about exercising caution. We must be fully aware of and
thoroughly investigate what’s entering our country, especially if our government is hell-bent on
tying the future of our energy grid to technologies made overseas. If a conflict arose, could a
foreign power flick the switch to cripple our electricity system and, by extension, our economy?

This isn’t about rejecting renewables or turning our backs on trade. It’s about balance. It’s about
resilience. It’s about protecting the infrastructure that underpins our economy and our way of
life.

Australia’s critical infrastructure, our energy systems, transport networks, and communications
must be secure, scrutinised, and ideally sovereign. Because if another country has the power to
disrupt our systems, then we’ve already handed over the keys. We need them back.

Outside of our grocery stores, mining sites, and engineering hubs, it’s becoming harder to spot
the green and gold Aussie-made logo. The bigger question is, how do we reduce our reliance on
other nations and build our sovereign capabilities?

For decades, we’ve watched smelters, refineries, and coal-fired power stations close, while our
car industry was allowed to disappear. But what if, instead of walking away, we invested in
modernising and building new assets? With advances in AI, robotics, automation and other
technologies, we are more equipped than ever to turn our resources into finished products here
at home, instead of exporting raw materials only to repurchase them at a premium.

Our trading relationship with China must remain respectful and firm. But we also need due
diligence, transparency, and surety.

It’s time to back our manufacturers, boost local production, and make sure that we’re not just
driving the economy, but holding the keys as well.

Contributed with thanks to Andrew Willcox MP

Andrew Willcox says it’s time to back Australian manufacturers and ensure we’re the
ones holding the keys to our nation’s future. Photo supplied

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In the heart of Home Hill, Mayfield Early Education has built a reputation as a place where children can explore, learn, and grow at their own pace. Formerly Genius Childcare Home Hill, the centre blends thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor spaces to nurture curiosity, creativity, and social skills, giving every child room to discover what excites them.

Centre Manager Hannah Nicholls, a Burdekin local who has been part of the team for three years, says the centre believes in letting curiosity lead the way. “We let them find what they are interested in, and then try to develop their knowledge on that.”

For Nicholls and the team, fostering a sense of community matters just as much as academic learning. “It’s all about creating an environment where they all get along and feel like they belong,” she said. That ethos guides everything from the centre’s structured programs to the everyday interactions that shape children’s social and emotional growth.

Mayfield Home Hill offers long day care from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm and a kindergarten program from 8:30 am to 3 pm, preparing children for school while supporting individual development. Learning spaces are divided by age, including the Window Room (nursery), Woodland Room (toddlers), Willow Room (two- to three-year-olds), Meadow Room (three- to three-and-a-half-year-olds), and Sunset Room (kindergarten).

Each room is recently renovated, featuring cutting-edge technology and a spacious setting for young ones to collaborate and learn. Resources and activities are refreshed regularly, giving children the freedom to follow their interests while building new skills.

Reflecting on the centre’s role in the Home Hill community, Nicholls notes, “We’ve built a good local reputation. So many parents comment on how well we look after the children… we make it feel like they’re at home.”

At Mayfield Home Hill, children are supported, engaged, and given the space to grow. Families, meanwhile, can feel confident knowing their children are in capable, caring hands—a balance the centre continues to nurture every day.

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The Burdekin’s very own Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival is up for a People’s Choice Award at the 2025 NQ Tourism and Events Awards, and locals are being urged to get behind the festival and vote. As the region’s only entry in the Festival and Events: Destination category, every vote counts in helping bring the award home.

Voting is open to the public, with the highest vote-getter in each category winning. Voting closes 26 October, and those who participate go in the draw to win a $500 Holiday Voucher.

The festival highlights everything that makes the Burdekin unique, from its agricultural heritage as the Sugar Cane Capital of Australia, to fresh local produce, culinary delights, adventure and sports tourism, music, and family-friendly entertainment.

The 2025 program delighted the region with headline events such as the Burdekin Cultural Fair featuring First Fire on 30 May, and the Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships on 31 May. With two days of community celebration, country hospitality, and fun for all ages, the festival showcased the Burdekin at its best.

Now the community has the chance to celebrate the festival once again by helping it claim a People’s Choice Award. Cast your vote today and help Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival take top honours for the Burdekin.

Vote via the QR code below or the following link: https://bit.ly/46NkK5G

Burdekin Singers Prepare for Seussical Jr

The stage at The Lighthouse is about to burst into colour, rhyme, and Seussian mayhem, as the Bendigo Bank Burdekin Singers & Theatre Company gear up for their next big adventure—Seussical Jr. Opening Friday 17 October, the production brings together 44 young performers in a fast-paced, joy-filled musical celebration of imagination.

The show, directed by long-time Burdekin Singers creative Pat Nuttall, revisits a production the group has performed before—but with plenty of new ideas.

“Pat has done the junior show in the past,” explained cast coordinator Thomas Pickersgill. “She’s changed and come up with new ideas of how she wants to bring it to life. The Burdekin Singers have also done it as part of the senior show, and she’s taking some elements from that and just improving it and making it better again.”

Featuring a cast of 44 local children aged five to eighteen, the production has been months in the making. Before the school holidays, the young cast began vocal rehearsals; then, over the break, they threw themselves into intensive full-day sessions.

“During the holidays, we smash out and do a lot of the rehearsals—10 to 5 nearly every day with a couple of hours break,” said Pickersgill. “The kids thrive and love it. Now we’re at a point where we’re running the show a whole week before opening.”

With so many young performers, Seussical Jr promises a burst of energy on stage—and a proud moment for local families. “People’s reactions to seeing their kids up on stage—that’s what we’re looking forward to,” Pickersgill said. “The little kids get all the oohs and ahs, the big kids get to show off all their talent and their skills, and it’s just a great night for everyone in the audience.”

The Burdekin Singers’ junior productions have long been a proving ground for local talent, and Seussical Jr looks set to continue that tradition—blending the familiar whimsy of Dr. Seuss with the enthusiasm of a new generation of performers.

Seussical Jr opens Friday 17 October at The Lighthouse, Ayr, and runs until Sunday 2 November. Tickets ($20–$30) are available at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1471609. Each ticket includes a selection of home-cooked nibbles and sweets, with guests encouraged to bring extra snacks to share.

What: Seussical Jr presented by The Bendigo Bank Burdekin Singers & Theatre Company
When: Friday 17 October - Sunday 2 November
Where: The Lighthouse, Ayr

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Rehearsals in full swing as the Burdekin Singers prepare to deliver their unique rendition of Seussical Jr. Photo credit: Jacob Casha

For one elegant evening, Home Hill’s Burdekin Memorial Hall will sparkle with glamour and community spirit as guests gather for the Rotary Gala Ball, part of this year’s Harvest Festival. The event promises live music, dancing, and a festive atmosphere, celebrating the people who make the community shine.

The Gala Ball will honour the Harvest Festival Queen, as well as the Charity Queen and Personality Queen, recognising their contributions to the local community. Attendees can enjoy a formal sit-down dinner, mingle with fellow festival-goers, and support local initiatives in a night that blends elegance with generosity.

Organised by the Rotary Club in partnership with the Harvest Festival committee, the evening is designed to bring residents and visitors together in a celebration of style, camaraderie, and community spirit. A licensed bar will be available throughout the night, and guests are encouraged to dress formally to match the gala setting.

Event Details:
Date: Friday, 7th November 2025
Time: 6:30 pm to midnight – Dinner at 7 pm
Venue: Burdekin Memorial Hall
Cost: $80

Grab your tickets now – Call Deslie on +61 408 822 029

The evening is designed to combine celebration with charitable support, reflecting the festival’s focus on community engagement and generosity.

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Derby Day Returns to the Burdekin

The Burdekin Race Club will host its annual Derby Day on Saturday, 1 November, as part of the Home Hill Harvest Festival celebrations. The event is a longstanding highlight of the Burdekin calendar, combining country racing with a traditional black-and-white fashion theme.

Attendees can enjoy a full program of races throughout the afternoon, with plenty of opportunities to soak up the social atmosphere and take in the stylish race-day attire. The event attracts locals and visitors alike, offering both racing excitement and a social atmosphere for the community.

Having recently celebrated its 100th birthday, the Burdekin Race Club has been a key part of the region for more than a century, hosting five major race meetings each year. Its signature events, such as the Burdekin Growers Race Day in May, regularly draw large crowds from across North Queensland.

As part of the Home Hill Harvest Festival, Derby Day adds a racing highlight to the festival’s calendar of events, which celebrate local culture, agriculture, and community spirit.

Gates will open at 11:30am, with the afternoon set to feature both competitive racing and social activities for visitors. Attendees are encouraged to embrace the traditional black-and-white dress code as they enjoy one of the region’s most anticipated community events.

The event is a longstanding highlight of the Burdekin calendar, combining country racing with a traditional black-and-white fashion theme.

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On Wednesday, 8 October, the Burdekin Men's Shed Association hosted it's annual Mental Health Week event, with this year's "Cuppa, Chat and Chew" welcoming attendees from across the Burdekin to connect and discuss mental health.

The day began with a morning tea at 9 am, followed by a keynote address from Holly Apps of the Burdekin Community Association, during which she shared personal insights and anecdotes from her own mental health journey, engaging the audience throughout. Guests were also given the opportunity to contribute, with representatives from local organisations sharing their experiences and perspectives.

The event brought together a diverse range of community organisations, reflecting the Men's Shed's commitment to providing access to a wide array of mental health resources. Charles Ford, spokesperson for the Burdekin Men's Shed Association, explained the reasoning behind the inclusive approach: “We are part of the community… we want to expose our clients to everything,” he said. “Most of our members have contacted one of these organisations at some time, and they benefited from it.”

Ford also highlighted the broader mission of the Men's Shed, noting that the events aim to address men's health issues such as depression and isolation, while fostering connection and support. “I call it health without a pill,” he said. “They basically come along, and instead of regurgitating their illness at home, they come here… by the time they’re talking to somebody else, it disappears.” The benefits, he added, extend to carers and family members, who are given a reprieve while participants engage with the community.

The association’s Mental Health Week event is part of a busy calendar that spans the month, including luncheons for seniors, committee meetings, and other community gatherings. These initiatives, Ford explained, are designed to strengthen ties across the Burdekin region and ensure that support is accessible for those who need it.

By connecting individuals with resources and providing a space for open conversation, the Burdekin Men's Shed continues to champion mental health awareness and foster a stronger, more supportive community.

Photos:
1. Burdekin Men's Shed Association members with Cr. John Furnell and keynote speaker Holly Apps. Photo credit: Jacob Casha
2. The event brought together a diverse range of community organisations, reflecting the Men's Shed's commitment to providing access to a wide array of mental health resources. Photo credit: Jacob Casha
3. BMSA President Chris Fox and Guest Speaker Holly Apps.
4. Burdekin School Principal Claire Cheyne.
5. George Kouk of Selectability Ayr
6. Zonta President Isabel Stubbs
7. Michelle Mallory of Nth QLD Right At Home

A definite game-changer for the Burdekin Potters has been a successful grant from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) to acquire a new Tetlow front-loading electric kiln.

Memberships of the club have grown to over 60 in the past five years and the addition of a second kiln will greatly increase the turn-around time with the firing of pottery pieces.

There have been constant, back-to-back firings at the Burdekin Potters! Pottery pieces first need to be bisque fired. Then glaze (colour) is applied, and they are once again put in the kiln for the final high firing to mature the glaze.

The extra kiln capacity will also benefit the local Kindys and schools, who have their students work fired at the Burdekin Potters on a regular basis.

Expensive equipment, like an electric kiln, is only achievable through the generosity of organisations, such as GCBF, who constantly support not-for-profit clubs in their endeavors to grow and offer social interaction and creativity to regional communities. The addition of the kiln will be a definite bonus as Christmas is already creeping up, and members are madly potting.

Contributed with thanks to Debbie Ferraris

Photos:
The kiln is finally positioned in the clubhouse.
Miranda loads the last pieces into the kiln for its maiden bisque firing.

By Owen Menkens, CANEGROWERS Chairman

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Every time I drive through cane country, I’m reminded that those green paddocks grow more than sugar. They grow energy, jobs and opportunity. The potential has been staring us in the face for years – the question is whether we’re finally ready grab it.

The Federal Government’s recently announced $1.1 billion Cleaner Fuels Program shows there’s an appetite for change.

That kind of investment sends a clear message that Australia is serious about renewable fuels. But money on the table is only half the story.

For projects to get moving, we need firm policy settings – rules that don’t shift with the wind and long-term commitments that give investors confidence.

That’s the case CANEGROWERS has been putting to the State Parliamentary Inquiry into Biofuels and the Sugarcane Industry over recent weeks.

We’ve already fronted regional hearings in Mackay and Townsville to explain how mills, growers and regional communities are ready to deliver if given the right framework.

Without things like enforceable fuel mandates and guaranteed offtake agreements, projects risk stalling before they even get off the ground. And when that happens, overseas producers happily step in and take the opportunity instead.

What’s at stake here isn’t just about fuels. It’s about the life of our regions. Upgrading mills, building turbines, constructing new facilities – all of that means jobs in towns that have too often watched opportunities drift away.

Reliable renewable power feeding into the grid means farms and small businesses can get on with the job without worrying about blackouts. And it means young people in our districts can see a future here, not just somewhere down the highway.

Next month in Brisbane, CANEGROWERS will again make the case for Queensland cane to be at the centre of a biofuels boom.

Ethanol from juice and molasses, sustainable aviation fuel through new pathways, renewable electricity from bagasse – these are practical, ready-to-go options. What’s missing is the green light.

It’s time to turn good intentions into real projects. Back what we grow, set the rules, and watch Queensland’s cane fields fuel a cleaner, stronger future for everyone.

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Ayr State High School’s budding entrepreneurs had the chance to put their business skills into action last week, hosting a lively market day as part of their Year 8 Economics and Business unit.

Fifteen groups of students set up stalls across the school, selling a range of creative products while putting classroom theory into practice. The event not only showcased innovation and teamwork but also taught students valuable lessons in markups, pricing, and profit.

By the end of the day, the stalls had collectively raised just over $200. The top spot went to KJR Construction Cookies, who achieved the highest profit overall, while Cody's Chopped Chin Cookies claimed second place with another strong performance.

Teachers praised the Year 8 cohort for their creativity and determination, with all groups successfully seeing their business plans through from the classroom to the real-world challenge of selling to their peers.

The hands-on activity provided students with a fun and practical way to understand the fundamentals of running a business, from developing a product and managing costs to handling competition and marketing.

Congratulations to all students involved on a successful day of learning, teamwork, and entrepreneurial spirit.

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Manager

When Leanne Marriott left England in 2009, she thought she was embarking on a single-year adventure. Travelling through Asia and into Australia quickly changed those plans, and now, 16 years later, she's very much a local.

By 2012 she had settled in the Burdekin, where her background in disability services in England naturally led her to Flexi Queensland. Leanne was particularly drawn to Flexi’s long-standing reputation for person-centred care, a reputation she has strived to uphold in her role as Manager at the organisation.

Her managerial role is multifaceted, overseeing day-to-day operations, supporting team staff, and making sure service users receive the care and respect they deserve.

"One moment I might be dealing with paperwork or funding reports, and the next I’m sitting with a family, helping them navigate their options for support," she says. "The variety keeps you on your toes, but it’s the human side of the work that keeps you going. Working in this role reminds me daily of what matters most."

For Leanne, success isn’t measured by accolades, but by the small, life-altering wins her work facilitates. “Success isn’t always loud," she says. "Sometimes it looks like a young person with a disability gaining confidence to go to the counter and pay for something. Sometimes it’s helping someone move into their own home after years of living with family. These milestones… are life-changing.”

Her career in disability support has helped her forge lasting local ties in the Burdekin, the town she has now called home for over a decade. Away from Flexi, her life is centred on family and the outdoors. With two young children, camping trips, property maintenance, and exploring new places keep her busy.

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House Leader

Michaela Mye has called the Burdekin home for 15 years, quickly becoming an integral part of the community through local sport and family life. She plays touch football and netball, activities that have helped her connect with many locals. Family is at the heart of her life, with her daughter, fiancé, and two dogs keeping her busy and grounded.

She was led to Flexi Queensland by her passion for supporting people with disabilities to live independently and achieve their goals. “It’s rewarding to make a positive difference and be part of an inclusive, supportive organisation,” she says.

As a House Leader, Michaela oversees day-to-day operations in the SIL homes, supports service users with their independence and personal goals, and guides her staff team to deliver safe, person-centred care.

Much like her colleagues, Michaela is particularly proud of Flexi Queensland being recognised at the Enablement Awards two years in a row, a testament to the dedication of the team and the impact they have in the community.

Outside work, Michaela enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, soaking up the relaxed Burdekin lifestyle. She also has a surprising passion for true crime, which she admits she could binge-watch for hours.

Michaela's connection to the local community, combined with her professional dedication, ensures she makes a meaningful impact both inside and outside the homes she leads.

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