A group of green-thumbed students from Ayr State High School have been getting hands-on with native plants as part of their Certificate II in Production Horticulture studies.

The students recently visited the Lower Burdekin Landcare nursery, where they were guided by experienced volunteers through activities designed to deepen their understanding of local plant species and the vital role native vegetation plays in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

From identifying native flora to learning how these plants support biodiversity, the visit was a valuable opportunity to blend classroom learning with real-world experience.

Students also spent time at Home Hill State High School, where they practised practical horticultural techniques such as taking plant cuttings and preparing seedling trays—skills they’re eager to put to use in school gardens and agricultural plots.

Ayr High extended a warm thank you to Lower Burdekin Landcare for generously sharing their time and knowledge.

With experiences like these, the future of local horticulture looks bright!

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By Chelsea Ravizza

Sarah McDonnell has led an impressive academic career in the pursuit of advocating for women’s health initiatives through magnifying the misunderstood, under-discussed or heavily stigmatised conditions many face, especially in remote communities.

After graduating as Ayr State High School’s School Captain in 2020, Sarah went on to peruse a Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery at James Cook University (JCU) in Townsville. In late 2026, Sarah will excitingly celebrate her tertiary graduation, and she hopes to lead a career in general practise, a speciality within the medical field in itself, with the option to peruse advanced skills in areas of interest, in particular, women’s health conditions.

“I’m particularly passionate about women’s health and hope to develop additional expertise in obstetrics and gynaecology,” Sarah shared.

“This would allow me to support women in rural and remote communities, providing antenatal care and helping deliver babies - something I see as both a privilege and a meaningful way to make healthcare more accessible.”

In her earlier academic years, Sarah volunteered for a plethora of women’s health initiatives promoting accessibility and education including Share the Dignity, marking the start of a long-term commitment to breaking down stigmas and improving access to care.

“I knew from a young age that I wanted to pursue medicine, and as I became more aware of the challenges women face - particularly around stigma, access, and representation in healthcare - my interest in this space only grew stronger,” said Sarah.

“I’ve always been drawn to the idea of helping people in a way that’s meaningful and long-term, which naturally led me to general practice as I love the continuity of care it offers - the opportunity to support someone through various stages of life, build strong therapeutic relationships, and even care for families across generations.”

Over the past five years of her medical studies, Sarah has continued to actively peruse every opportunity to build on her passion from taking elective placements and delivering over 10 babies to being part of several student-led organisations. Currently conducting a research project titled Beyond the Pain: The Psychological Impacts of Adenomyosis in Australia, Sarah hopes the findings will ultimately contribute to a broader understanding of the condition through identifying gaps in care, barriers to diagnosis and the unique challenges faced by different groups.

“My study, Beyond the Pain: The Psychosocial Impacts of Adenomyosis in Australia, is the first of its kind to explore how this condition affects women beyond just the physical symptoms,” explained Sarah.

“We’ve adapted a validated endometriosis quality-of-life tool to examine domains such as mental health, emotional wellbeing, sexual relationships, education, employment, and financial stability and by highlighting the broader impacts of adenomyosis, this project aims to improve understanding, advocate for earlier diagnosis, and push for more holistic, patient-centred care in women’s health.”

Approved by the JCU Human Research Ethics Committee, recruitment for the study has begun and biologically female participants residing in Australia aged 18 years or older with a confirmed diagnosis of adenomyosis are invited to take an anonymous survey online at https://lnkd.in/dwHSUphe.

Sarah’s current project covers just one of many underrepresented and understudied women’s health conditions she has come across throughout the course of her degree, and with such a long-standing passion for women’s health, her interest and curiosity has continued to deepen.

“My perspective has shifted – not in terms of reducing my passion, but by fuelling a stronger drive to advocate for change.”

“I’ve come to realise how many gaps still exist in the literature, how much more we need to learn, and how often women’s health is reduced to physical symptoms alone. Ultimately, my studies have made me even more determined to push for a more inclusive, holistic, and well-researched approach to women’s health - one that truly reflects the complexity and importance of the lived experience.”

Sarah believes women’s health as a whole has been historically under-researched, further fuelling decades of diagnostic misconceptions, and dismissive attitudes.

“If I could change one thing about how women’s health is approached today, it would be shifting the focus from a purely gynaecological lens to a truly holistic one,” Sarah said.

“Too often, women are given short-term solutions like painkillers or hormonal treatments, without any real acknowledgement of the broader, long-term impact these conditions have on their lives.”

While the nation’s awareness of conditions like endometriosis has begun to grow, Sarah hopes pelvic pain will become a key topic among medical researchers to correct centuries of incorrect and non-existent clinical trials.

“There are many other causes of pelvic pain, including adenomyosis, fibrosis, and anatomical variations, that remain poorly understood and we still know every little about the underlying cause of many of these conditions, and treatment options are often limited, carry side effects or have unknown impacts on fertility – there is a real need for more research, better management pathways, and greater clinical and public awareness around pelvic pain as a whole,” Sarah added.

“Many live with symptoms for years before receiving a diagnosis and endometriosis, for instance, has an average diagnostic delay of around 10 years - that’s a decade of ongoing pain, disruption, and the compounding effects on mental health, relationships, work, and daily life.”

Sarah’s current research project will continue recruiting candidates over the next six months, yet, with her tertiary studies quickly coming to an end, Sarah’s mission to bring awareness, generate research, and facilitate diagnostic tools is only just beginning.

“Through my Honours project and future practice, I hope to contribute to changing this narrative - by advocating for care that recognises and responds to the full psychosocial impact of women’s health conditions, not just the physical symptoms.”

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From Ayr SHS School Captain to future GP, Sarah McDonnell continues her mission to make women’s health care more accessible (Photo Supplied)
Currently completing her Honours research at JCU, Sarah is investigating the psychosocial impacts of adenomyosis in Australian women (Photo Supplied)
Sarah is on track to graduate with a Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery from JCU in late 2026 (Photo Supplied)
Sarah’s research project, Beyond the Pain, is the first Australian study of its kind focused on the psychological effects of adenomyosis (Photo Supplied)

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Representing Liessmann and Sons

Since she was just eight years old, Molly Julyan dreamt of one day becoming a Burdekin Water Festival Ambassador, and now, at the age of 21, she’s become the girl she used to admire.

“Going to the Grand Parades, seeing the floats go by and then afterwards, enjoying all the fun rides are memories that I’ll cherish forever,” reminisced Molly.

Hailing from Home Hill, Molly will represent Liessmann’s and Sons, and she could not be more excited and honoured to embark on her journey as a Senior Ambassador where she hopes to make many lifelong memories along the way.

“What motivated me to be an Ambassador for this year’s Burdekin Water Festival was to be able to give back to the community, step outside of my comfort zone and try something new,” shared Molly.

Above all else, Molly believes this opportunity will present her with a plethora of opportunities to grow, and for her confidence to flourish, noting she’s eager to support and contribute to the wider Burdekin community however she can both in and outside her role over the next four months.

“What excites me about this experience is getting myself out there by helping our beautiful community, supporting local businesses, forming new friendships with my fellow Ambassadors and supporting each other,” Molly added.

“But all around, I’m most excited to grow as a person, step out of my comfort zone, and give everything a go with a positive attitude.”

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Molly Julyan will represent Liessmann’s and Sons as a 2025 Burdekin Water Festival Senior Ambassador (Photo Credit: Sharon Bozzetto)

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The Story Behind CORES Queensland

CORES Queensland has been saving lives in the Burdekin for over 16 years. The organisation—run largely by volunteers—offers a wide range of mental health and suicide prevention services, quietly operating as the heartbeat of the community. Though, if you ask CORES Queensland Coordinator Ross Romeo, he’ll tell you it’s the other way around.

“The Burdekin community are the backbone of our program,” he says. “They are the reason we’ve survived all these years—we’re just so grateful.”

The CORES banner was first raised in rural Tasmania in 2003. It’s introduction to the mainland came in 2008, when Giru farmer Peter Shadforth saw a segment about CORES on TV, sparking the idea to launch the program in the Burdekin.

Since then, the program has evolved to offer counselling services, workplace training, self-care workshops and school presentations, among other forms of suicide prevention education.

Ross Romeo, a former cane farmer who’s been heavily involved in the program since its introduction to the region, says it brings him great joy to connect with and support the local community.

“I enjoy connecting with the community and helping people to learn,” he says. “When you run a workshop or do training and someone comes up to you and says ‘I got something out of that’—that makes it all worthwhile.”

For Ross and CORES, it’s all about everyone playing their part to support each other.

“We’re just one piece of the puzzle. There are so many people in the Burdekin doing great things—not just supporting us,” he says.

“They’re connecting people together in all these different ways, with all the groups and sports clubs—that, to me, is suicide prevention, because they’re supporting people and connecting people together, and that’s probably one of the biggest parts of the puzzle.”

CORES remains committed to educating Queensland in the future, with plans to extend their services further north.

“The long-term goal is to continue supporting the community, reinforcing where we already are as well as exploring opportunities to go into new areas if it’s possible,” says Romeo.

“We’ve recently started pushing further north, starting to deliver training around the Mossman and Daintree area, and we’re gonna head up to Cooktown and further north as well,” he added.

While growth is part of the plan, the heart of the program remains unchanged.

For Ross Romeo and CORES, it’s never been about the plaudits—it's about finding ways to give back to the community that have supported them so generously.

“We always say—even if we help at least one person, that’s more than worth it.”

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In 2017, Adam Perakovic came up to the Burdekin for what he thought would be a quick visit to his parents. That short trip turned into a permanent move—one that saw him meet his future wife and business partner, Randall, and build from scratch one of North Queensland’s most successful window covering manufacturers: Blinds2U.

“It started off as just me—I was doing small installs on my own with the help of my dad and father-in-law,” says Adam. “Then we expanded, it all started to grow, and now we manufacture cyclone-rated roller shutters right here in the Burdekin.”

The only cyclone-rated shutter manufacturer in Queensland to date, the team of four prides themselves on their 99% Australian made products.

Alongside two ranges of roller shutters, Blinds2U also offers a selection of roller blinds, slide tracks, outdoor blinds, roller doors, plantation shutters and more—with installation.

Serving the Burdekin since 2019, Blinds2U has managed to build a solid reputation in the region.

“Turnaround time used to be three days—now it's up to three months because of demand,” says Adam.

That community support has been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey for the Perakovics.

“People are amazed we actually make the products ourselves. At the start, they didn’t believe it—so we kept the shed wide open. People used to come in just to watch us build roller shutters,” Adam says.

Randall, who eventually joined Blinds2U full-time after working in her brother’s plumbing company, added:

“The support from locals is massive. The people here are very easygoing. That’s the best part.”

In addition to shutters, the team also specialises in custom roller blinds—offering practical, stylish solutions for homes and businesses alike.

Ready to upgrade your windows with quality, locally made products? Drop by Blinds2U at 124–128 Eighth Avenue, Home Hill, or call 0417 559 908 to chat with the team.

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The only cyclone-rated shutter manufacturer in Queensland to date, the team of four prides themselves on their 99% Australian made products. Photo credit: Jacob Casha

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National Recognition For McCathies At 2025 Harcourts HX Conference

The Nutrien Harcourts McCathies office represented the Burdekin with pride at this year’s Harcourts HX Conference, beating out more than 230 agencies to be named the Number One Nutrien Harcourts office in Australia.

“We’re proud to represent our region at national and international level, and to bring these awards home to our team and community who make it all possible,” said Business Owner John Mottin.

Hosted on the Gold Coast late last month, the two-day conference invited Harcourts branches from across Australia to connect, share knowledge, and gain valuable insights through keynote speeches, panel discussions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities.

But the McCathies team didn’t just attend—they made their mark.

Waving The Burdekin Flag With Pride

In addition to claiming the top agency honour during the conference's awards ceremony, individual team members secured prestigious, revenue-based rankings at both national and international levels. Mottin placed 5th nationally and 27th internationally among sales consultants, while Amber Hornsby proudly earned 10th place nationally for residential sales.

“I got a shock,” recalled Mottin, looking back on the moment he heard his name called.

But for John, it was the collective efforts of the team behind them that made both his and Hornsby’s victories possible.

“These achievements aren’t just ours,” he said. “They belong to every single person in our office, our incredible clients who trust us with their property journeys, and the Burdekin community who continue to support us every step of the way.”

John’s wife and Business Partner, Paula, said she’s very proud to see the agency receive recognition for the hard work and commitment to their clients.

This isn’t the first time McCathies has been recognised for its outstanding work. Notably, John received the Dick Larkin Memorial Shield in 2018—an award that honours honesty, passion and integrity within the Harcourts organisation.

“It’s incredibly humbling to see my husband receive this award, as it represents the genuine way he treats his clients—with integrity, respect, and a true passion for helping others”, said Paula.

"Our values provide the foundation for our success. People first; Doing the right thing; Being courageous; Fun and Laughter," she added.

With a legacy of service dating back to 1965, McCathies Real Estate continues to evolve with the times while remaining firmly rooted in its founding values: trust, hard work, and genuine care for the community.

"Whether it’s your first home, second home or investment. We are here to help. As trusted advisors to sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants, we continue to be dedicated to serving people and providing a first-class client experience," said Paula.

"It’s all thanks to you. Your trust in us pushes us to be the best we can be and recognised through these awards. But it’s not about the awards–it’s about the people. It’s about you."

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The local Nutrien Harcourts McCathies team are the Number One Nutrien Harcourts office in Australia! Photo credit Melanie Napier Memories and Photography

Inside hero option: “These achievements aren’t just ours. They belong to every single person in our office, our incredible clients who trust us with their property journeys, and the Burdekin community who continue to support us every step of the way.” (John Mottin). Photo credit Melanie Napier Memories and Photography

Amanda Tuffin, Candice Dyball, John Mottin, Madison Lamb, Stephanie Wilkie, Amber Hornsby. Photo supplied
Mick Green, Managing Director of Harcourts, and John Mottin receiving the award. Photo supplied #4 – The Nutrien Harcourts Team at the Awards Night
The awards: No.1 Nutrien Harcourts office nationally, and John's individual Top 5 award. Photo supplied
Husband and wife business owners, Paula and John Mottin. Photo credit Melanie Napier Memories and Photography

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If you’re a Burdekin local, chances are you’ve heard of Brennan Tyrepower. If you haven’t? Just ask your parents—or grandparents.

One of the region’s longstanding businesses—rooted in family, quality, and care—Brennan Tyrepower has been keeping the Burdekin rolling for the better part of 75 years.

“It’s a family business—we started out in the early 1950s and moved into tyres in 1969,” says co-owner Erin Brennan, who specialises in sales and administration. “We’ve served the grandchildren of people we used to serve in our earlier days!”

The business started out as an ironworks shop before shifting focus to tyres—a move that’s kept them at the heart of Burdekin life ever since. Erin, who has been a valuable part of the operation for 36 years, says that while the tools and technology have changed, the values haven’t.

“We’ve seen a lot of technical changes. When we first started, everything was manual. Now we have machines to help with just about everything. The technology is a big factor—but so is service. For me, it’s just about being able to provide a service for the people of the Burdekin.”

That service includes everything from everyday car tyres and batteries to tractor tyres, trailer parts and on-site servicing. If they don’t have something in stock? “We’ll get it,” Erin says.

It’s that commitment—and the relaxed, honest atmosphere—that’s kept customers coming back generation after generation.

Steeped in family tradition and driven by a deep-seated connection to the community, Brennan Tyrepower has been—and continues to be—the trusted name in tyres, and a pillar in the Burdekin Community.

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One of the region’s longstanding businesses—rooted in family, quality, and care—Brennan Tyrepower has been keeping the Burdekin rolling for the better part of 75 years. Photo source: Jacob Casha

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Although a whole ocean and a continent away, Giovanna’s Cucina in Home Hill brings you right to Italy’s doorstep with its traditional Sicilian flavour—no passport required.

What started as a modest entrepreneurial venture out of Giovanna Castorina’s own home in 2022, the business has evolved to offer a whole range of authentic Italian meals—including her famous lasagne—and now with it’s own storefront on the main road.

“I started the business at home myself—initially, it was just pasta sauces and lasagnas and I would put it up on Facebook,” says Giovanna. “People would place orders in the comments and it would sell out every week.”

“Now I’ve got a whole range of oven-ready meals—sauces, soups, pizza’s… the lot,” she added.

Being a mother herself, Giovanna says the inspiration behind the idea was to make life easier for those mothers and families with busy schedules.

“I had my daughter, and I had her in daycare one day a week, then two days a week, three days a week—and then I was like… 'I can’t do this,’” she said.

“People just want a good, nutritious homemade meal that they don’t have to cook themselves.”

And that’s exactly what Giovanna’s offers—homemade meals straight out of Nonna’s authentic Sicilian cookbook.

“Ive always been a cook at home. Everything here is either a recipe that’s been handed down from Nonna or something I’ve taught myself,” says Giovanna.

For the Burdekin local, it’s always been a dream to share her authentic Italian recipes with the community, and one that she realised through hard work, perseverance, and—of course—good quality food.

“Having old Italian and Sicilian women who come in here and buy my food—that’s the best compliment,” she says.

“I’ve even found a lot of people travelling through who come back, year after year, and they’re like, ‘we came here last year and we just had to stop in again.’”

Now a staple in the Burdekin community, Giovanna’s Cucina continues to satiate the bellies of families all across the Burdekin, one serving of Sicily at a time.

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Being a mother herself, Giovanna says the inspiration behind the idea was to make life easier for those mothers and families with busy schedules. Photo supplied

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From Where I Sit

At 1.20pm on Sunday 8 June, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Bower Street, Ayr. As a result the driver, a 53yr old Whitsunday man, was issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) for driving with a relevant drug in his saliva and possess drug utensil. He is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 11 August.

At 12.30am on Wednesday 11 June, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Beach Road, Ayr. As a result the driver, a 28yr old Burdekin man, was issued a NTA for drink driving, .139 and is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 30 June.

At 6.10pm on Sunday 15 June, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Edwards Street, Ayr. As a result the driver, a 50yr old Burdekin man, was issued a NTA for driving with a relevant drug in his saliva. He is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 25 August.

At 5.01pm on Sunday 15 June, Ayr Police were conducting stationery RBT on Bruce Highway, Greenacres, when they intercepted a vehicle. As a result the driver, a 42yr old Burdekin man was issued a NTA for drink driving, .054 and is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 30 June.

At 10.40am on Thursday 19 June, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Eighth Avenue, Home Hill. As a result the driver, a 53yr old Townsville woman, was issued a NTA for driving with a relevant drug in her saliva. She is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 25 August.

At 2.30pm on Thursday 19 June, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Eighth Avenue, Home Hill. As a result the driver, a 68yr old Townsville man, was issued a NTA for driving with a relevant drug in his saliva. He is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 25 August.

At 12.20am on Friday 20 June, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Bruce Highway, McDesme. As a result the driver, a 46yr old Sunshine Coast man, was issued a NTA for disqualified driving and is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 14 July.

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It was a successful trip to Bowen last Saturday for two Burdekin sides competing in the latest round of the RLTD, with both the Reserves and Women’s teams claiming solid wins. The A Grade Roosters had the weekend off with a bye.

The Reserves defeated Bowen 32–18, while the Women’s side dominated their opposition 54–0.

The Reserves came up against a large and determined Bowen outfit on their annual Ladies Day, which saw 260 women celebrate with a Country and Western theme.

With a couple of players sidelined due to injury, coach Peter Horan was forced to make changes, shifting Dylan Doak from halfback to hooker and giving Jye Olsen a start in the No. 7 jersey.

While Doak looked unsettled at dummy half, Olsen thrived at halfback, crossing for three tries in the first half to help the Roosters to an 18–10 halftime lead.

Bowen remained competitive throughout but never managed to hit the front.

Coach Horan admitted it wasn’t the cleanest performance, saying: “It wasn’t a pretty win. We made it tough on ourselves with dropped ball being one of the causes. We’ll need to be more focused and switched on when we meet the stronger sides. But today, everyone did their job and that was pleasing.”

The win marked four in a row for the Reserves, who now sit in fourth place.

Horan named Jye Olsen as his best on ground, closely followed by Bokeem Reid, with Adam Camer also impressing.

Try-scorers:

Jye Olsen (3)
Bokeem Reid (2)
Jack Rushton (1)
Goals: Dylan Doak (4)
Burdekin Women Continue Strong Season With Third Win

The Burdekin River women’s team scored their third win of the season with a commanding 54–0 result over Bowen, following previous wins against Norths and Charters Towers and a draw with Brothers.

Despite landing only three goals from 12 tries, the girls made an early statement, with hooker Abby King diving over in the first minute for her first of four tries.

The Bowen side boasted size, but the Burdekin team — wearing their smart new strip for the first time — countered with pace and teamwork.

Halves Toni Daisy and Martina Monday had too much speed for the defence, scoring two and three tries respectively, while Tiana Krutzfeldt and Akayla Weston also made the most of open space.

Abby King praised the team effort, saying: “We combined well and let the ball do the work. Our defence was strong, with more than one player defending together.”

The side had only one substitute, with players from Ingham unavailable due to a wedding.

“We kept going until the end and never let Bowen break our line,” King added, naming Martina and Toni as the standouts, but noting everyone played well.

Try-scorers:

Abby King (4)
Martina Monday (3)
Akayla Weston (2)
Toni Daisy (2)
Tiana Krutzfeldt (1)
Goals: Toni Daisy (2), Martina Monday (1)
RLTD Results

A Grade:

Brothers def. Norths 44–18
Western Lions def. Centrals 22–18
Souths def. Charters Towers 16–10
Burdekin and Herbert River had byes
Reserve Grade:

Burdekin def. Bowen 32–18
Brothers def. Norths 19–18
Western Lions def. Centrals 44–0
Souths def. Charters Towers 50–18
Women’s:

Burdekin def. Bowen 54–0
Brothers def. Norths 24–6
Centrals to play Western Lions
This Weekend’s Fixtures

The Roosters travel to Ingham this Saturday to take on Herbert River in both A Grade and Reserve Grade. These are crucial clashes, with all sides jostling for position among the competition leaders.

Both A Grade teams will be without their Cowboy allocations. Burdekin is expecting Nemia Nawave and Jett Castello to return.

The Crushers’ Reserves will be led by the experienced Mitch Seri, whose kicking game remains a major weapon.

Meanwhile, the Burdekin River Women will face Centrals in Townsville.

Also this weekend:

Centrals host Souths
Brothers travel to Charters Towers
Western Lions face Norths in A Grade and Bowen in Reserves and Women’s

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What an exciting time to live in the Burdekin with the official opening of the world first – (yes, WORLD FIRST, right here in the Burdekin!) Macroalgae Bioremediation Facility by the Honourable Ann Leahy MP, Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers on Friday 20 June 2025. The state-of-the-art facility leads the way in algae-based environmental research and is sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Congratulations must be extended to the Council for the day who had the foresight to proceed with such an innovative and cutting-edge solution of the wastewater treatment field, and to the project managers and all concerned who made it a reality. It takes a lot to impress me, and waste water isn’t on the top of my list of exciting things, but this facility really is very impressive.

Onto other exciting things…I hope everyone enjoyed the show and had their fill of fairy floss. Well done to the show committee, who through much hard work and elbow grease, always put on such a great event.

The Burdekin Water Festival is in full swing with the Maria Populin Community Launch being held on Friday 4th July, the QMN Manufacturing Long Lunch on Saturday 30th August and the Grand Parade and Mardi Gras on Saturday September 6th. How wonderful to see so many young people stepping up and enjoying the wild ride that is an Ambassador - they really do make the Water Festival go round.

Thank you to the many volunteers who give up their time in organising these events for our community. They don’t do it for the praise, they do it because they are locals who love our town and many are business owners, so….

Let’s support the locals who support us.

Until next time, take care, stay safe and God Bless.

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Last week I was proud to join Minister for Local Government and Water, the Hon. Ann Leahy MP, to officially open the Ayr–Brandon Macroalgae Bioremediation Facility. This event marks a significant milestone in Queensland’s journey towards cleaner, greener technology and we are extremely proud to open this facility right here in the Burdekin. The opening event brought together over 70 attendees with representatives from all levels of government and industry to celebrate the facility’s contribution to environmental innovation and the future potential of macroalgal technology.

We capped off the week with a Community Open Day at the facility on Saturday. It was fantastic to see locals come through to learn more about how this world-leading technology is improving water quality, capturing carbon, and creating circular economy opportunities right here in the Burdekin.

Council adopted the 2025–26 Budget on Tuesday. This budget is focused on maintaining essential services, delivering key infrastructure, and planning responsibly for the future of our growing region. I look forward to continuing to work with our community as we bring these projects to life.

Wednesday brought another community highlight with the annual Burdekin Show. This event is a favourite of mine, and I don’t mind a waffle as it always reminds me of my Nonna when she took me to the show when I was little. From the stalls and local business exhibits to the arts, crafts and rides, there was something for everyone. A huge thank you to all those who worked so hard behind the scenes to bring the Show to life.

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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The Burdekin Shire Council officially unveiled its cutting-edge Macroalgae Bioremediation Facility in Ayr on Friday 20 June, 2025, with the Honourable Ann Leahy MP, Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers, leading the momentous occasion.

“This facility is a great example of regional Queensland taking the lead and embracing emerging technology,” said Leahy.

The facility—which cost around $8.3 million—was jointly funded by the Queensland Government and Burdekin Shire Council. It uses RegenAqua’s award-winning Macroalgal Bioremediation Technology to naturally treat wastewater with native Australian seaweed, improving water quality before it reaches the Great Barrier Reef catchment and producing a sustainable, natural crop enhancer for agriculture.

“It’s a win-win situation for the whole community,” said Leahy. “It’s a sustainable solution for the beautiful North Queensland environment, delivering value for ratepayers and creating opportunities for local farmers.”

Also present at the official opening was Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort, who said that the project delivers wide-ranging benefits.

“Beyond the environmental benefits, the project has created local economic benefits, from employing local businesses during construction to creating exciting new opportunities,” she said.

Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort said the region had taken a bold step forward.

“We are extremely proud to open this facility right here in the Burdekin. It positions our region at the forefront of green innovation and demonstrates how regional communities can lead the way in environmental sustainability,” she said.

“I sincerely thank the Queensland Government for their funding support through the Building our Regions and Local Government Grants and Subsidies Programs, and acknowledge Pacific Bio’s vision and commitment to advancing this exciting technology.”

RegenAqua, developed over a decade at James Cook University, uses local macroalgae and sunlight to naturally strip nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater. Since its inception in 2021, the Burdekin pre-facility has outperformed expectations, reducing pollutants below global best-practice levels while remaining cost-effective and carbon neutral.

In recognition of its success, RegenAqua won the Conservation accolade at the 2022 Reef Champion Awards. CEO Sam Bastounas said the award highlighted the team’s environmental work, and Australian of the Year and climate scientist Professor Tim Flannery praised the system as “an absolute no-brainer sustainable solution that’s going to change the landscape of industries–for the better.”

Mayor Dalle Cort hopes the Burdekin can serve as the trailblazer of a wide-scale rollout.

"This facility has a great potential to be replicated across other local government areas. We're looking forward to sharing our results with our government colleagues."

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111: Sam Bastounas, CEO of Pacific Biotechnologies (Australia) Pty Ltd, Honourable Ann Leahy MP, Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers, and Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort at the Macroalgae Bioredmediation Facility Official Opening held this morning.
1: Unveiling of the Ayr/Brandon Macroalgae Bioremediation Facility plaque
2: Honourable Ann Leahy MP, Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers addresses the crowd.

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For the first time ever, a team from Burdekin’s own Football Queensland Academy hub will take part in the state’s Junior Cup—a major milestone for the region’s growing football program.

The team of Under-12 boys will join hundreds of players from across Queensland for the Football Queensland Academy Carnival, which kicks off on the Sunshine Coast this week. The carnival features separate formats for different age groups: Under-12s and older compete in the Junior Cup, while Under-9s to 11s play in the Winter Fest carnival.

Burdekin is part of Football Queensland Academy–Northern, and operates its own local hub. Players train weekly in Ayr and have the option of travelling to Townsville for additional sessions with the wider North Queensland squad.

Ready To Go Toe-To-Toe With The Best

“This is the first State Titles where we’ve had a Burdekin hub team,” said head coach Chris Wicks. “It’s a big deal for the region and a huge opportunity for our kids.”

The Under-12 boys will be joined by several other Burdekin players across the age groups, including a strong contingent of girls. Due to limited numbers, the girls will link up with the Townsville Academy to form combined squads, while the boys will play as a standalone Burdekin hub team.

The Burdekin teams will compete in Tier 2 of the carnival’s three-tiered system—a placement based on geography, player base, and coaching accreditation. While Tier 1 clubs typically draw from large metropolitan areas and boast A- or B-licenced coaches, Burdekin fits the Tier 2 category with its smaller talent pool and C Diploma coaching qualifications.

“It’s competitive without being too onerous on the kids,” Wicks explained. “It’s about development, and this is where you really see players improve—when they test themselves against strong academies and clubs from Brisbane.”

The growth of the Burdekin Academy hub has been dramatic. In its first year, only three players were selected to represent North Queensland. Now, in its third year, that number has grown to nearly 50.

“We always say we’ve got skin in the game,” said Wicks. “These are our kids. We’ve got to look after our local kids because we want to see them come through the junior pathways and play for our senior club. Without this work now, the senior club doesn’t survive.”

The commitment required is no small feat—some families will be away for up to nine days, attending both Winter Fest and the Junior Cup.

“It’s like a holiday, but you get to play football as well."

“It’s a big ask, but also a great learning experience—both on and off the pitch.”

After strong performances at recent carnivals in Mackay and Townsville—where the Under-12s lost just once—hopes are high for another step forward.

“It’ll be great to see how we stack up against the southeast corner teams,” Wicks said. “We’re excited to see where we’re at—and even more excited for the kids.”

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After strong performances at recent carnivals in Mackay and Townsville—where the Under-12s lost just once—hopes are high for another step forward. Photo credit: Jacob Casha

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Ashley and Anna Chatfield are the new husband-and-wife team behind Burdekin Demolition & Construction Services—but they’re no strangers to the business.

The couple officially took over operations this month, following a smooth transition from the previous owner. Ashley had already been managing the business for four years, making the step into ownership a natural one.

“I was managing the business alongside Llyod,” Ashley said. “Then he told me he was getting out of it, and it just felt like a really good opportunity.”

Ashley has worked in the industry since 2009, after he finished school. A qualified boilermaker, he spent years building hands-on experience before eventually overseeing day-to-day operations of the entire business.

“That time let me grow into it,” he said. “I always saw myself maybe having my own business, but I just never had the courage to do it—until now.”

Anna, who now handles administration, came on board six months ago. Though new to the role, she’s adapted quickly with strong support behind the scenes.

Burdekin Demolition & Construction Services provides labour hire for boilermakers, fitters, riggers, and crane operators, and also offers full demolition and fabrication services. All staff have remained with the company through the transition, with Ashley’s leadership style playing a key role in maintaining continuity.

Both Ashley and Anna are lifelong Burdekin locals and say community is at the heart of their business philosophy.

“It’s always good to be able to do it here so people don’t have to source outside,” Ashley said. “We support them—they support us.”

As they begin this next chapter, the Chatfields say they’re grateful for the chance to continue serving the region.

“We just want to thank the Llyod and Sabina for the opportunity, and thank the community for the support,” Anna said.

To get in touch with Burdekin Demolition & Construction Services, call 0432 234 890.

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“We just want to thank the old owners for the opportunity, and thank the community for the support”. Photo credit: Jacob Casha

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