Utilising his skills from his civilian workplace in the Australian Defence Force Reserve and, indeed, vice versa, Nick O’Connor is a passionate reservist who was recently recognised for his contribution to the Air Force Reserve.
As a civilian, Mr O’Connor can be found at the Burdekin Shire Council chambers filling the role of Director, Corporate & Community Services.
He also works part time with the Air Force Reserve as a Public Affairs Officer and was recently awarded the Prince of Wales Award (POWA) as part of a scheme that recognises ADF reservists and their civilian employers for their ongoing support and contribution to Defence capability.
“It’s targeted at reservists within Army, Navy and Air Force across Australia and it aims to provide up to $10,000 financial assistance to assist an ADF reservist to undertake professional development training, a course, a conference, or formalised study,” Mr O’Connor said.
“It’s a real acknowledgement of the commitment I’ve provided to Air Force, the skills I bring to my role in the ADF, and the great thing about the POWA is the scholarship that’s provided will go towards, for me, a Graduate Certificate in Digital Transformation and completion of that will have direct benefits to me civilian career and my civilian employer.”
With a passion for service, Mr O’Connor commenced his association with the ADF Reserve in 1996 when he joined the Army Reserve as an Infantry Soldier.
After four years, he discharged, got married, started a family and embarked on a civilian career as a journalist in regional Queensland newspapers before turning to local government in 1998.
His desire to serve led him back to the Reserve in 2006 when he commenced as a Part Time Public Affairs Officer in the Air Force Reserve.
“The benefits and the leadership skills developed through my air force career are directly translatable to my civilian career and, indeed, it’s a two-way street,” Mr O’Connor said.
“I’ve been in local government, so there’s that service element in trying to better the local communities in which I’ve worked.
“Then amplifying that out when it comes to my ADF career, what triggered my interest was that real desire to serve, but also the camaraderie and the personal and professional development opportunities.”
Mr O’Connor is one of 17 reservists from across Australia to receive the POWA in 2024 and only one of three Queenslanders.
As the POWA scheme celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024, Head of Joint Support Services Division Major General Douglas Laidlaw commended this year’s recipients and spoke of the skills they will gain through this scheme.
“The Prince of Wales Award scheme is one way that Defence invests in the relationship between reservists, Defence and civilian employers,” Major General Laidlaw said.
“I congratulate the 2024 recipients of the Prince of Wales Award and their supportive civilian employers.”
Mr O’Connor travelled to Brisbane for a presentation held at Government House on Thursday, May 9.
“I’m really chuffed to have won the award; it is a prestigious award and it’s something that I hold in great esteem,” he said.
“It was a wonderful event and a great opportunity to have the achievements formally recognised.
“I want to acknowledge the support I’ve been provided from Burdekin Shire Council
“I think winning the award and undertaking the Graduate Certificate is my and the ADF’s tangible way of giving back to my employer and increasing my knowledge and skillset in quite a dynamic environment will have benefit for not only myself in my civilian career but also my civilian employer.”

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Nick O’Connor was presented with the Prince of Wales Award in recognition of this ADF Reserve contribution by Governor of Queensland Jeannette Young
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Mr O’Connor (left) with his Commanding Officer Peter Croce who flew up from Canberra for the event
Photos supplied

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On Wednesday May 15, the Burdekin Community Association (BCA) called for the community to gather together and remember all of those who are no longer with us due to domestic and family violence.
Joined by Burdekin Shire Council officials, Zonta Club Burdekin members, local Police Service and NQ Domestic Violence Resource Service, we paused for a minute’s silence to respectfully remember the lives of women and children lost to gendered based violence.  
Following on from the candle lighting ceremony, the community was invited to the opening of our art gallery, filled with artwork representing ‘Through Her Eyes’.
Local women, children and men have responded to our call for submissions of artwork displaying the effects and impact of Domestic and Family Violence.  
This artwork will remain on display at the BCA Support Centre at 130 Queen Street, Ayr throughout the month of May.
It is a powerful representation of the impact of Domestic and Family Violence and a must see for every member of our community.
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Contributed by the BCA Team

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The Burdekin community gathered last week to hold a Candlelight Vigil and Exhibition of Artwork in honour of victims of Domestic and Family Violence. Photos supplied

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After moving into their newly refurbished premises on Queen Street, Ayr earlier this year, Intersport Ayr hosted the Burdekin Chamber’s May Chamber Connect event on Tuesday, May 21.
Brett Eathorne of Intersport Ayr shared a brief history of the business which reaches back to February 1974 when Brett’s father, Neville, first opened the doors of Eathorne’s Sports Village.
“It was a tiny little shop, it was just himself and a funny note, his first day he made $24, he sold one tennis racquet,” Brett said.
After many changes throughout the years, the business went through a major refurbishment, reopening its 138 Queen St, Ayr location earlier this year.
“It’s ended up really nice,” Brett said.
“Floor space is a premium, so we took out everything that we didn’t need and got rid of it to try and give us as much retail floor area as humanly possible, and it’s made a huge difference.
“Everything’s visible and it’s so much easier for customers.”
Burdekin Chamber President Leigh Kefford said the Chamber took the opportunity to showcase a local business who had recently undergone refurbishment.
“It was good to show a new look for one of our members,” he said.
Leigh also shared details of the Burdekin Chamber’s Marketing Mingle, happening this evening, Thursday, May 30 from 6:00pm at the Kalamia Hotel.
“That should be a great event,” he said.
“It’s open to the public, employees, anyone who has an interest in marketing.”
Head to the Burdekin Chamber’s Facebook page for more information on the Marketing Mingle and on next month’s Chamber Connect event.

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Burdekin Chamber President Leigh Kefford and Brett Eathorne of Intersport Ayr

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On Saturday 25 May, the 2024 Climb 4 CORES fundraising event will have Inkerman crawling with passionate locals walking the track to raise funds and awareness for mental health.

CORES aims to spread mental health awareness and provides Queenslanders with valuable tools, resources, and information to help those struggling with their mental health, and potentially save someone’s life. The work that CORES carries out is completely free and their only source of funding to continue is drawn from community driven fundraisers such as the Climb 4 CORES.

The Climb 4 CORES fundraiser will run from 7am to 11am this Saturday, where participants can enter teams of any number to walk Inkerman Hill with at least one team member on the hill at all times. To ensure the safety of all participants, the Burdekin Shire Council will be closing off Inkerman Hill to general traffic throughout the event. A base camp will be set up and operating at the base of Inkerman’s new goat track where team captains will collect all registration information for their team members and pay the nomination fee of $50 which will go directly towards CORES Queensland. All funds raised from the Climb 4 CORES event will be re-invested locally into the Burdekin community to support CORES’ free suicide intervention training programs which can be run anytime, anywhere in the region.

Janai Giddy, the event’s coordinator, made the decision to run the event following on from her extraordinary fundraising event in 2023 where she walked from Ayr to Townsville and raised over $12,000 for CORES Queensland.

“The day I began the walk, people were already asking me, what’s next, we want to be a part of something to raise money for CORES, so that’s when we came up with the Inkerman walk to make a team event for everyone in the community to get involved and get people talking,” explained Janai.

The event was selected with the challenge of mental health in mind and the important role health and general fitness plays in developing a positive relationship with your mind and body. Janai believes the challenge of walking Inkerman Hill serves as a valuable parallel to the challenges those struggling with mental health experience daily, further raising additional awareness on the important work CORES provides for the region.

The event has established a Go Fund Me page for those unable to participate in the event but still wishing to support the fundraising efforts. All information on how to register and support the event are available on the CORES Queensland Facebook page.

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What: Climb 4 CORES fundraising event
When: Saturday 25 May 2024
Where: Inkerman Hill
More Information: CORES Queensland Facebook page

Janai Giddy (centre) is organising the Climb 4 CORES fundraiser after walking from Ayr to Townsville to raise money for CORES in 2023

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Member for Burdekin Dale Last was the special guest as Home Hill Chamber of Commerce held their May Social and Networking Event on Wednesday, May 15 at the Home Hill Community Sports Club.
With Mr Last running for re-election as the LNP candidate in the October state election, he said it was great opportunity to be able to catch up with the Home Hill community and hear about the latest activities of the Home Hill Chamber of Commerce.
“As we see right across the electorate, the diversity of each of the communities, from those in the Bowen Basin like Moranbah and Clermont to the coastal areas of Ayr and Home Hill, means the issues that affect them are incredibly different so chambers play an important role in advocating for their residents and business owners,” Mr Last said.
“With an eight-hour drive from the coast to the western boundary of the electorate it is safe to say time is incredibly important when it comes to ensuring that I can meet with constituents on a regular basis.
“Being able to join the Chamber of Commerce for their meeting means concerns can be raised from across the community and these can be discussed in an open forum.
“Just as we have seen when it comes other issues, the ability for community members to work together to achieve a common goal is a credit to the town’s residents and I know that this will set the example for other communities.
“Of course we also recently opened the new Burdekin Electorate Office which I am proud to say is a community asset that now provides a much improved space in which to work and conduct meetings.”
Home Hill Chamber of Commerce’s next Social and Networking Event will be held on Wednesday June 19 at the Home Hill Community Sports Club where Labor candidate for Burdekin Anne Baker will address the community and Executive Member Meghan Wilson will speak about her USA trip.

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L-R June Bartlett, Member for Burdekin Dale Last, Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort and Home Hill Chamber of Commerce Vice President Uli Liessmann

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Rehoming fee: $195

DOB: 10.08.2023

Sex: Male

Breed: DSH

Kid friendly: Yes

Dog Friendly: Yes

Other cats: Yes

Indoors/Outdoors: Indoors

This beautiful boy still cannot believe no one wants him.

He is a bit shy and can get a bit scared sometimes but his carer says he is a wonderful cat and has lots of love and cuddles to give to his new family.

He is extremely well trained and is used to his litter box too.

If you think you could welcome Jumanji into your home, care for him and love him then please submit an enquiry form at: https://www.angelpawsinc.com.au/forms.html.

Jumanji is available for adoption desexed, microchipped, up to date on vaccines and is flea/tick/worm treated.

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Lower Burdekin Scout Group took part in a Scouting tradition practised all around the world when they went on a hike on the Saturday before Mother's Day.
The event is known as Jamboree of the Trail, where some of the Lower Burdekin Scout Group members joined approximately 200 Scouts of various ages and adults in Townsville on Saturday May 11 to hike from the Jezzine Barracks.
The older Scouts walked to the top of Castle Hill and back while the younger Scouts walked down along the Strand towards the yacht club and back.  
There were several stops along the way for a snack, drink and play.
At the end of the hike, everybody enjoyed a well-earned BBQ before heading home.

Lower Burdekin Scout Group members took part in Jamboree of the Trail in Townsville on Saturday May 11. Photos supplied: Chris Berkery

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Last Friday, the Burdekin Move IT Program came to an end, bringing up a lot of emotions for everyone involved. This program was made possible with the support of North Queensland PHN, Burdekin Shire Council, MoveIT NQ, and NQ Sports Foundation.

We want to express our sincere thanks to the Burdekin Shire Council for giving us the chance to make a positive impact on our community. It's been incredible to witness the changes in everyone over the past 16 weeks. The connections and friendships that have developed among the participants, Andrea, and ourselves have brought genuine joy. The arrival of the Monday and Friday groups at the Centre was always filled with excitement and anticipation. We are truly moved (no pun intended!) by the experience and its positive impact.

Programs like MoveIT don’t just happen on their own, so we have been working behind the scenes to find the right funding to keep the program going, although it will be under a different name. We are still working on this, but the BNC Committee can see the positive impact the program has had and has decided to contract Andrea Piotto to continue with another 8-week program starting on July 8th. This time, there will be a cost, and we hope our community members aged 55 and above will be able to participate. If you would like to participate – don't hesitate to get in touch with the Centre to find out more information and register.

We don’t have a name as yet – and we would love the input of our community in naming the new program. Send us your best suggestion to admin@thebnc.org.au.

Until next time,
The Team
Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre

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Some of our Burdekin MoveIT participants, with instructor Andrea Piotto

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May heralds the beginning of Small Business Month, a time to honour and celebrate the backbone of our local economies. The festivities kicked off at the Burdekin Industry Breakfast, signalling a month filled with recognition and support for small businesses. Central to this celebration is an exciting competition that is currently underway, ‘Snap for Small Business’. As you’re shopping around town, snap a photo in one of your favourite small businesses and upload it to socials, tag @supportlocalburdekin and #snapforsmallbusiness to go in the draw to win 1 of 4 $100 Burdekin Gift Cards. Don’t forget to tag the business!
Looking ahead, mark your calendars for the Marketing Mingle event in collaboration with the Burdekin Chamber tonight at 6:00pm at the Kalamia Hotel. This event is presented by Natasha Buttler, founder of Boost Marketing Services and JCU lecturer in marketing, and is a great opportunity for anyone wanting to gain more knowledge. You will walk away with effective tips that you can immediately implement into your business.
You will have also seen in last week’s paper the newly installed tourist frames located at Lynch’s Beach, Alva and one to be installed at Mt Inkerman. I encourage locals to visit these frames and snap some photos of our beautiful region.
For those who don’t know, Councillors have been going on air with our local Sweet FM every Wednesday at 2:00pm. Be sure to listen in for your weekly update on what is happening around the region.

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Did you know that our kerbside recycling doesn't end up at Kirknie Landfill?  Instead, the recycling truck takes our co-mingled recycling to the Townsville Material Recovery Facility (MRF), where it undergoes processing.
This facility isn't just about sorting recyclables; it's also equipped with an education facility! The Townsville MRF encourages locals to take charge and responsibility for their recycling practices. You can even book tours through Townsville City Council to learn more about the recycling process firsthand. Let's all do our part for a cleaner, greener future.
Knowing what items can go in your yellow lid bin will help make sure we’re recycling as much as we can and doing it right. Recycling helps reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill, which benefits both the environment and our community.
If you would like to get in touch with me, please feel free to phone me on 0447 150 582 or email mayor@burdekin.qld.gov.au.

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Giru State School, a cornerstone of the small but vibrant community of Giru, is marking a century of educational excellence with a grand celebration.
The milestone event, featuring a gala dinner and a lively fete, is set to honour the school’s rich history and its enduring legacy in the region.
Giru derives its name from a railway station named on 31 March 1916, based on "goru," a sugarcane variety from New Guinea grown locally.
The Invicta Sugar Mill, originally located on the Richmond River in New South Wales, moved to Bucca in 1906 and then to the Haughton River in 1919, around which the township of Giru developed.
The mill began operations there in 1921 and Giru State School opened three years later on in October 1, 1924.
Jenni Lund, the current principal of Giru State School, encapsulated the spirit of the occasion by reflecting on the school’s journey.
“We’ve grown and we’ve gone through those fluctuations of a small town that’s lost residents and built the residents back up,” Ms Lund said.
“There’s the country atmosphere of the school and the community, but we’re not that far away from Townsville or Ayr; it’s a great location.”
The school has seen significant growth in recent years, transitioning from a two-teacher to a three-teacher school, and currently boasts an enrollment of 74 students across three classes.
Corin Widderick, a teacher, parent, and former student, represents three generations of family ties to the school and emphasised the unique opportunities available at Giru State School.
“We’re proud of what we have to offer; it’s a great little school that offers so many different things,” she said.
“We have tennis courts, a school swimming pool, and we’re able to send our students to play in big sporting tournaments.
“Even though it is such a small, rural school, we still have those opportunities which is really special."
The gala dinner to be help on Friday, July 5 promises to be a highlight, featuring live entertainment, tours of the school, and speeches that reflect on its storied past.
One particularly poignant moment will be the unveiling of a time capsule buried 25 years ago, with plans to bury a new one to be opened by future generations.
The fete, a vibrant community affair, will kick off the next morning with a high tea.
Attendees can look forward to a range of activities including rides, stalls, and displays, as well as bus tours of the Invicta Mill conducted by Wilmar.
The event will also feature a “Giruvian” challenge, where participants can engage in local activities such as putting crab pots together, cutting cane, casting fishing rods, and moving hay bales.
Students have integrated the festivities into their Media and Arts curriculum, creating videos, documentaries, posters, and magazine covers about the school's history, which will be shared on social media and displayed during the event.
A colouring in competition has even been designed by year 2 and 3 students which has been distributed throughout the school and other schools in the area, with entries to be displayed on the weekend.
The fete will also feature a raffle and auction aimed at raising funds to upgrade the school's soundproofing.
The involvement of parents, former students, and community members in organising the event is a testament to the strong community spirit that has kept the school thriving for a hundred years.
“We’ve had so many sponsors help out with putting our event on, so we’re very appreciative of that,” Ms Widderick said.
“It’s really good to see our community getting involved and helping out.”
With people traveling from as far as Perth and Melbourne to join the celebrations, Giru State School’s centenary is set to be a memorable event, celebrating the past while looking forward to a bright future.
Visit the Giru State School Facebook page for more information.

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WHAT: Giru State School 100 Years Gala Dinner
WHEN: Friday, July 5 from 5:00pm
WHERE: Giru State School
TICKETS: Giru State School Facebook page

WHAT: Giru State School 100 Years Fete
WHEN: Saturday, July 6 from 3:00pm
WHERE: Giru State School
ADMISSION: $5 for adults, $2 for children aged 5-12, 4 and under free

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Giru State School’s 2024 cohort
Giru State School is celebrating 100 years in 2024
Photos supplied

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The Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience, Adoption and Innovation Hub (TNQ Drought Hub) has secured funding to extend its efforts in North Queensland for several more years following last week’s announcement of the Federal Government’s record commitment of over $500 million to the Future Drought Fund.
Led by James Cook University, the TNQ Drought Hub is one of eight national hubs tasked with implementing and supporting practices for drought preparedness.
The Hub has been collaborating with farmers, researchers and industry to spearhead drought-resilience initiatives across North Queensland since its establishment in 2022.
Hub Director Professor David Phelps said the funding will enable them to continue a range of programs designed to bolster and support drought preparedness for North Queensland’s agricultural communities.
“This funding extension is pivotal for our region,” said Professor Phelps.
“It ensures the continuation of key TNQ Drought Hub and partner initiatives, including governance, leadership and succession workshops to prepare the next generation, advanced ESG research for practical on-farm adoption, and scholarship programs for honours and PhD students to propel forward their innovative research in finding solutions for our communities.”
Professor Phelps noted that the commitment to long-term funding, as opposed to sporadic short-term allocations, will enable the Hub to implement longer-lasting projects.
“We know that farms and producers in North Queensland experience different challenges to our southern counterparts,” said Professor Phelps.
“With secure, long-term funding, we can now ensure our projects and activities will have more meaning and impact on our region. We will also be able to seek out additional opportunities to collaborate closely with more communities and industry partners to address regional priorities and opportunities for future sustainable solutions.
“We’ve had terrific success over the last three years and are looking forward to continuing to help our primary producers and their communities prepare for the impacts of drought and work with the other Hubs nationally to ensure there is collaboration across the country.”

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TNQ Drought Hub Director Professor David Phelps. Photo supplied

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445 construction and operational jobs are set to be created as a result of the State Government greenlighting a major phosphate mine in Northwest Queensland.

Located 130km northwest of Mount Isa, the North West Phosphate’s Paradise South complex has been granted $300 million in mining leases. The Resources and Critical Minerals Minister Scott Stewart believes the initiative will stand as a vote of confidence from the government and reputable mining companies.

“Paradise South will create 445 good local jobs for the region and confirms the North West Mineral Province will continue to be a key driver in Queensland’s economy,” said Mr. Stewart.

“Phosphorous is an important product not only in the agriculture sector but is also needed for the technologies the world will adopt as it moved to a net zero economy, that is why the Commonwealth Government has added phosphorous to its new Strategic Materials list.”

The mining leases will further prompt additional support and benefits to the northwest Queensland economy with North West Phosphate intending to use local services throughout construction and in future operations. Northwest Phosphate Executive Chairman, John Cotter believes this project will stands as a significant milestone for the Paradise South project and for the Mt Isa community.

“We know that the Mt Isa community is relying on us to deliver local jobs and local opportunities and we will continue to work with the Queensland Government to get this project off the ground as soon as possible,” explained Mr Cotter.

“As many in the North West region would know, this project was first talked about decades ago, but is the cutting edge project design underpinned by world class technology that has been put together by the North West Phosphate project team that will make sure this project becomes a reality.”

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Opinion piece

The crossbench will block the Australian Government’s “disastrous” and “ill-thought-out” fresh food tax in the Senate with Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, saying common sense has prevailed.
 
It comes after The Nationals spent the past year campaigning with farmers and industry against the tax, called a biosecurity protection levy, which would have hurt both families and farmers in Dawson amid a cost-of-living crisis.
 
“This is a win for families, a win for farmers and a win for regional Australia,” Mr Willcox said.
 
“I am proud to have been part of a campaign to stop Labor’s fresh food tax as soon as it was announced in Labor’s bad Budget last year.

“I would like to thank everyone who supported The Nationals and joined our efforts to scrap this tax, either by signing our petition, backing our media campaign or helping to highlight just how disgraceful Labor’s reckless new tax would be.
 
“Not only would this tax drive up the price of fresh food in Dawson, with farmers forced to pass on costs, it would also undermine the entire levy system, causing chaos and confusion across industry.
 
“Families need food that is more affordable and our farmers need support to get food from paddock to plate.

“While Labor tried to introduce the exact opposite, The Nationals will always fight for common sense and for fairness in the regions.”
 
Mr Willcox admonished Agriculture Minister Murray Watt for even contemplating the idea, let alone trying to push it through and introduce the tax on July 1.
 
“The fact Minister Watt refused to listen to concerns and instead doubled down, carrying out a rushed and confusing policy which lacked in detail, is either lazy or arrogant,” Mr Willcox added.
 
“It was senseless when better alternatives were offered by The Nationals, such as an importer container levy, which would charge importers, not our own farmers, to pay for biosecurity risks being created as produce comes into the country.
 
“In what parallel universe would a government charge its own farmers to pay for the biosecurity risks their competitors are creating, just to raise $150 million over three years for consolidated revenue?

“I want families and farmers to know The Nationals have your back.

“We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Australian farmers today and welcome news the Senate will reject Labor’s fresh food tax.”

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Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, welcomes news the Senate will reject a fresh food tax. Photo supplied

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Simon Hood
Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing

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The ICE#11 sugar contract continues to be weighed down by the growing 24/25 forecast global trade surplus.
The early start to the Brazilian harvest, and clear weather, has resulted in record breaking production numbers being posted in the UNICA half monthly production reports for April. Seasonal cane tonnages are up and so is the ratio of sugar to ethanol production, particularly for this early in the season. This is forcing analysts to revise their sugar production numbers for Brazil.
Additionally, much needed rain in Thailand is improving the outlook for this year’s crop to climb back above 10M tonnes of sugar production. Combined with incremental increases in tonnage for Europe, China and Central America, there is a growing consensus around another surplus year in sugar production.
The speculative money has sensed that the path of least resistance has been down, and has consequently moved to net short position on the market to around 50,000 contracts.
The good news is that global stocks are low and demand remains strong. Even with the significant pullback in prices, the forward market still exhibits a slightly inverted structure in which nearby prices are higher than deferred.
Australian sugar is selling well into our traditional Asian markets and the solid physical premiums paid for the 23-season crop look likely to be repeated into this year’s pricing. While Brazilian ethanol parity is still well below current market levels, the import parity for raw sugar into Chinese refineries is resulting in some fresh business and plenty of price checking.
Following the close of the 24 season pricing nomination date (April 30), the grower’s GEI sugar pricing mix has shifted back to traditional pool pricing mechanisms for price management. After a couple of years of record returns for our Production Risk Pool, this is not a total surprise.
Further, the large volatility of prices over the last 18 months has left some growers who forward price feeling a bit whiplashed. As with all choices, there are trade-offs.
For those in the pools you can never be sure of your final price until well after harvest has been completed, whereas forward pricing gives you certainty and control of your own income.

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AUD Sugar Swap Price: 2024 season
AUD Sugar Swap Price: 2024, 2025 and 2026 seasons

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