After a promise of a new way forward in marine rescue, thousands of volunteers have been left in uncharted waters with no clarity on the future according to Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Dale Last.
As the July 1 deadline for the first VMR squadrons and AVCG flotillas to transition to the new Marine Rescue Queensland approaches, Mr Last said crews, radio operators and skippers had been left in the dark about what the transition would look like and how it would operate.
“It’s been more than five years since Campbell Darby handed down his report into the marine rescue sector and since then we’ve seen volunteers offered lip service, the services of marine rescue moved from QFES to police service responsibilities and countless pie-in-the-sky promises from this state government,” Mr Last said.
“Despite the changes to the responsible agency, there has been a consistent minister at the helm of this ship for the last four years who has failed to provide any sort of clear direction forward for volunteers, let alone the communities that rely on their services.
“The Minister has stated on several occasions that July 1 would see the new marine rescue entity commence but volunteers are yet to be provided with transitional agreements for consideration and legislation governing the new entity is still to be debated in parliament.
“At the heart of all of this is volunteers who go out in rough conditions to save lives at sea and the communities who for years have supported and fundraised for new boats and assets.”
Mr Last said after hearing first-hand from both Australian Volunteer Coast Guard members and Volunteer Marine Rescue it was clear that a lack of consultation and direction had left a sour taste in the mouths of crews and leaders within both blue water rescue organisations.
“While the government may have us think that the transition to bring about one entity for marine rescue in Queensland is smooth sailing, what we are seeing at the coal face could best be described as nothing but shifting goal posts and lip service by this state government,” he said.
“We are lucky in Queensland to have some of the greatest coastlines to enjoy but, just as we do if we got into trouble on our roads, we need assurances that if tragedy strikes, help is on the way and that falls squarely in the hands of the Minister.”

Burdekin Marine Rescue boat; Photo supplied

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A 13-year-old girl was stung by a jellyfish near Cape Upstart over the weekend and was one of three people hospitalised due to jellyfish stings across the state over the weekend.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesperson confirmed the female patient in her teens was transported by boat from Cape Upstart to Gumlu after suffering a marine sting on Sunday, March 31.
Bowen paramedics met the patient on the shore and assisted in transporting her to a rescue helicopter which flew her to Townsville University Hospital in a stable condition.
That same day, a female in her 40s was transported to Proserpine Hospital in a stable condition after suffering a marine sting on Hamilton Island.
A male child was also transported to Rockhampton Hospital following a marine sting on Kemp Beach, Rosslyn.
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Bowen paramedics and a rescue helicopter safely transported a 13-year-old girl to Townsville University Hospital after a marine sting. Photo supplied: Queensland Ambulance Service

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American popstar P!nk wrapped up her record-breaking Summer Carnival Australian tour in Townsville last month, with the benefits being felt throughout north Queensland thanks to the tens of thousands of fans flocking for her two concerts.
Held at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23, the concerts attracted over 65,000 punters across the two nights, breaking the Stadium attendance record previously held by game one of the 2021 State of Origin series.
Millions of dollars are said to have been injected into the local economy from the concerts, with Burdekin Shire Council confirming over 120 rooms across the region were booked by concertgoers and turning Ayr’s Queen Street fountain pink to celebrate.
Before P!nk took to the Townsville stage, the tour’s promoter, Live Nation, revealed nearly one million tickets had changed hands throughout the tour, making P!nk’s Summer Carnival Australian tour the biggest for any female headliner in Australia by far.
“Nobody else has ever played 20 stadium shows across Australia and New Zealand in a single tour, but we just did it together on the Summer Carnival Tour,” P!nk wrote on social media.
“The ticket sales for the Summer Carnival Tour are the biggest for any tour by a female artist in Australia.
“We’ve sold over 3.1 million tickets during six tours here - that’s the most career ticket sales ever achieved by an international performer in Australia and New Zealand.
“We’ve grown up together over the last 20 years.
“And we’ve danced, laughed, screamed and cried together, too.
“You’ve always been there for me, but this week I learned just how great your support has been.”

P!nk finished her record-breaking Summer Carnival Australian tour in Townsville on the weekend. Photo supplied

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The Rita Island Progress Association (RIPA) has recently formed to promote a sense of community and good fellowship with the people of Rita Island, a small rural farming area just out of Ayr where they can get cut off from the mainland during floods.
Having good neighbours in those times of need and hardship really makes a difference, so we aim to bring everyone here closer together through social gatherings and fund-raisers that will hopefully help fund a central meeting point and recreational area for the locals of the island and general public.
The association has just completed their first fundraiser, a whopping Easter raffle which was a great success, and wonderful to see a huge response from the Burdekin and surrounding communities in the purchasing of tickets and the many businesses who donated prizes for the cause.
Congratulations to Keith Frew, Michelle Briant and Jay Patterson on their prizes, and we'd like to thank all of the sponsors for their generous donations.
A huge thank you goes to Burdekin Distributors, Braddy's Quality Seafood, William Quirk, Butcher On Queen, Star Liquor, RG Customs NQ, SWERVE Surf & Ski, Kathleen Brabon, 2BU Nutrition, Intersport Ayr, Fuel me up Cafe, About Town Bait and Tackle and Burdekin Printers.
The Association would also like to thank Kylie Horan for organising the raffle and all of the members who spent their time selling tickets.
We can't wait to see what comes next for us and our amazing little community here on Rita Island, thanks again for your support Burdekin!
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Supplied by Shantelle Ehmann
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Emily Shearman, Jeff Pyott and Shantelle Ehmann of the Rita Island Progress Association

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Opinion Piece
Legislation on a new fresh food tax has been introduced in Parliament, a move that Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox says will increase the cost of living and hurt families, farmers, and food producers throughout Australia.
Mr Willcox said the Government’s biosecurity protection levy will charge Australian farmers for the biosecurity costs of importers bringing their product to Australia.
“These costs to farmers will inevitably be passed onto the consumer, hurting individuals and families who are already struggling with immense cost of living pressures,” he said.
“Labor is treating Australian farmers with contempt.
“We don’t know which producers are going to be charged, and the Department has said they will formally advise industries on their rate in the coming weeks or months.
“This tax is meant to come into effect as of 1 July 2024, it’s now March.
“Our farmers deserve more warning than this.”  
Mr Willcox explained the policy follows a disingenuous consultation process and is expensive, confusing, risky, and flawed, putting the entire voluntary levy system at risk.
“It is expected that it’s not just farmers that are captured under this new tax, but also fishers and foresters,” he said.
“If this is true, we can almost say goodbye to Australia’s world-class fishing industry completely, especially after Labor’s announcement to ban commercial gillnet fishing.
“This could destroy the entire fishing industry in our electorate.
“First the Labor Government want to take away our fishers’ ability to catch fish, they now want these fishos to foot the bill for their international competitors to bring their supply to Australia.
“It just doesn’t make sense.
“I will stand shoulder to shoulder with our farmers and fight to get rid of this outrageous tax, after all, without farmers, we all starve.”

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Burdekin-based father-daughter fisher duo Neil and Sienna Green recently took to Canberra’s Parliament House to prepare fresh Burdekin-caught barramundi for politicians and press.
The barbecue and press event was hosted by Shadow Minister for Northern Australia Senator Susan McDonald and the Queensland Seafood Industry Association to raise awareness of the impacts of banning net fishing in Queensland on both industry and consumer.
“I invited fishers to Canberra to cook barramundi burgers for politicians and journalists to highlight that the wild-caught variety of this fish – a table favourite around the country, especially on Good Friday and Easter – will be more scarce and more expensive because of this net ban,” said Ms McDonald.

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Burdekin fishers Dale Vener, Neil Green and Sienna Green joined Shadow Minister for Northern Australia Senator Susan McDonald to cook Burdekin barramundi in Canberra last week. Photo supplied

Fishers Fight Back Against Gillnet Ban
At Canberra Barra Barbecue
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Shadow Minister for Northern Australia Senator Susan McDonald and Queensland seafood identities have warned that feasts of fresh fish are under threat after the State and Federal Government announced a phase out of gillnet fishing on the Great Barrier Reef.
Ms McDonald has been campaigning against the bans since mid-2023 and invited impacted Queensland fishers to Canberra to discuss the issue last Wednesday, March 27, including Burdekin-based Sienna Green who was recently named the Queensland Seafood Marketers Association’s ‘Young Achiever’ for her work publicising the sustainability of net fishing.
“The Queensland Government – with the full support and encouragement of the Federal Government – has rushed to do the bidding of UNESCO and completely ignored the people involved in the industry, the jobs it provides and the regional communities it supports,” said Ms McDonald.
“This is appalling overreach and it’s not backed by the federal Fisheries Research and Development Corporation which lists all the main net-caught species as sustainable on Queensland’s East Coast.”
According to the Queensland Government, “The use of gillnets is being phased out to better protect the threatened, endangered and iconic species of the Great Barrier Reef in keeping with its world heritage status.
“The phase out is being implemented as part of commercial fishing reforms led by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) to support sustainable fishing in Queensland, and is one of the commitments to UNESCO to protect the outstanding universal value of the Reef.”
Sienna’s fisherman father, Neil Green, said banning net fishing was an overreaction that would have severe impacts on fishers, consumers and retailers.
“There is no net fishing anywhere near the Great Barrier Reef, and the creeks, rivers and foreshores that are fished make up just 0.2% of reef waters,” Mr Green explained.
“This leaves 99.8% of the world heritage waters closed to net fishing.
“Barramundi licences in Queensland this year have been reduced from over 90 to 23, robbing consumers, restaurants and retailers of wild-caught barramundi.
“It will potentially deny them the opportunity entirely after mid-2027 when these 23 licences expire.”
Mr Green said the phase out is a warning to other primary producers after UNESCO advised the Federal Government that all food production in reef catchments must be further regulated.
“All primary industries and associated businesses in regional and coastal areas of Queensland need to band together before the government comes after them,” he said.
“We’re calling on the government to reverse this net ban and stand up to UNESCO before this and other important food producing primary industries are sent to the wall.”
Queensland Seafood Industry Association chief executive David Bobbermen said the Queensland Government had ignored fishers’ input and the industry’s moves to reduce impacts on non-target species and improve sustainability.
“There is a lot of science that supports the use of gillnets as one of the most targeted and low carbon emitting fishing methods,” he said.
“Many small regional and remote community economies are struggling, and the loss of net fishing is simply another nail in their coffin.”
Mr Green and Sienna’s partner Dale Vener were two of the 23 to be granted restricted NX licenses earlier this year, allowing them to continue to use gillnets to catch barramundi under strict conditions.
These licenses are due to expire in mid-2027.

L-R Normanton businessman Noel Scott, Burdekin fisher Sienna Green, Shadow Minister for Northern Australia, Senator Susan McDonald, Leader of the Federal National Party David Littleproud, Queensland Seafood Industry Association chief executive David Bobbermen and Burdekin fisher Neil Green. Photo supplied

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On Wednesday March 27, PCYC Burdekin had eight students graduate from their current Get for Work Program.
The program is for 15-19 year olds looking for work and have finished their schooling journey.
During the course, the students completed a certificate II in Vocational Pathways and Employment Skills, first aid certificates, RSAs and gained their learner's licence.
The students also participated in a range of actives to enhance their employability including cultural and historical awareness, team building, budgeting and cyber security.
Enquiries for next program are now open.
Contact Rowan Scott if interested on 0448 686 648.

Contributed by Tamara Kemp
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L-R Rowan Scott, Jake Post, Jake Richardson, Sharni Cragie, Lilly Scutt, Lincoln Chatfield and Tamara Kemp. Absent: Riley Watson, Thomas McCammon and Zjkya Stockham-Boyd. Photo supplied

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Rehoming fee: $450

DOB: 15/03/2022

Sex: Male

Breed: Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Kid friendly: Yes

Cat Friendly: Untested

Other dogs: Yes

Fences: 6ft

Don’t be alarmed by the name! Hades is actually a bit shy when you first meet him but it doesn’t take long for him to warm up to you and when he does, he has so much love to give.

Despite his young age Hades is very relaxed and chill but when it comes to play time, he will never stop.

His favourite game is fetch and he will play for as long you are willing to throw the ball.

And when play time is over he loves to show affection by resting with his head in your lap. Hades would love to be someone’s lapdog getting loads of cuddles.

Hades is currently on heartworm treatment.

If you are interested in taking home Hades, Please fill out an animal enquiry form at: https://www.angelpawsinc.com.au/forms.html

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At 3.35am on Saturday 9 March, Ayr Police located a vehicle on Robertson Road, Brandon. As a result, a 25yr old Burdekin man was issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) for being in charge of a motor vehicle while under the influence of liquor, .166. He appeared in the Ayr Magistrates Court on 25 March.
At 8.40am on Saturday 9 March, Ayr Police were called to the local hospital regarding a male wishing to make an assault. It was alleged he was punched in the face then bitten on his nose by a male associate in Parker Street, Ayr around 2.30am. Ayr Police located a 28yr old man at a residence in Ayr and he was subsequently charged with one count of assault occasioning bodily harm whilst adversely affected by an intoxicating substance. He was released on conditional Police bail to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 8 April.
At 8.00pm on Thursday 14 March, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Drysdale Street, Ayr. As a result, the driver, a 69yr old Burdekin man, was issued a NTA for drink driving, .072. He is due to appear in the Ayr Magistrates Court on 8 April.
At 12.15am on Thursday 21 March, Ayr Police were called to the intersection of Chippendale and Ross Street, Ayr in relation to a disturbance where it was reported a male person was yelling and hitting road sign and power pole with a mailbox and shovel. Patrols located a 29yr old Burdekin man a short distance away allegedly in possession of a mailbox and he was issued a NTA for going arm in public and is to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 8 April.
On 22 March, a shop stealing was reported from a local Queen Street business. Subsequent inquiries led Police to an address at Home Hill where a 52yr old Burdekin woman was issued a NTA for one count of shop stealing and is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 8 April.
At 8.00pm on Friday 22 March, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Chippendale Street, Ayr. As a result, the driver, an 18yr old Burdekin man, was issued a NTA for drink driving, .029. He is due to appear in the Ayr Magistrates Court on 8 April.
At 9.00pm on Saturday 23 March, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Railway Street, Ayr. As a result, the driver, an 22yr old Burdekin man, was issued a NTA for drink driving, .052.  He is due to appear in the Ayr Magistrates Court on 8 April.
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Snr Sgt Steve Barton
OIC AYR

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After two successful Big Cigarette Butt Hunts in Cairns, thanks to funding from Queensland Gives, No More Butts is now expanding the events to four new locations including right here in the Burdekin.

No More Butts is taking action against cigarette butts, the single biggest contributor to litter in Australia and around the world, holding its first event in 2022 where more than a dozen volunteers picked up 4,500 butts in just under an hour.

In 2023, 20 volunteers from several different organisations and businesses joined forces to comb the streets of Cairns and, after one hour, had collected a total of 10,350 butts.

The success of this event saw two further events held in December 2023 in partnership with the Sea Shepherd Marine Debris Campaign, Rye, Victoria and Surfers Paradise played host to the groups, who picked up more than 14,000 butts.

“Partnering with councils, businesses, local rangers and other like-minded groups is having a great impact,” said No More Butts Executive Director Mr Shannon Mead.

“Although our ultimate goal is to ban plastic cigarette filters, for now, we need to spend a lot of effort on education and prevention, as well as picking up these toxic nasty plastic parcels.”

Jumping into the “butt mobile” in April, No More Butts founder Mr Mead will travel from Innisfail to Mackay to participate in the four events across two weekends.

Identifying hot spots, based on previous visits and community feedback, Mr Mead is optimistic that others may join him in the hunt for as many butts as possible.

Although some essentials will be on hand, participants are encouraged to bring their own gloves, suncream, a hat and a water bottle.

WHAT: Big Cigarette Butt Hunt
WHEN: Sunday, April 7 from 8:30am to 10:00am
WHERE: Beach Park Road, Ayr
MORE INFORMATION: https://bit.ly/nqldbh24 or scan the QR code below

20 volunteers picked up 10,350 butts in one hour in Cairns. Photo: stock image

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Have you ever wanted to learn what it takes to become a radio presenter?
Your chance is fast approaching thanks to Sweet FM and the Burdekin Shire Council’s Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF).
Sweet FM will be hosting presenter training later this month aimed at anyone from novice to experienced presenters.
The course will provide the unique opportunity to discover the inner workings of Sweet FM, learn about local radio and a presenter’s legal responsibilities, and gain experience with presenting, producing and using the equipment.
Sweet FM Station Manager Charlie Scuderi said this is the first time Sweet FM has applied and been successful in receiving a RADF grant, funding the opportunity to train new and existing presenters.
“It’s a good opportunity to see how a radio station works,” Mr Scuderi said.
“We’re fortunate to have a district of this size with our own radio station staffed entirely by volunteers.
“If you want to get involved in radio, come along.”
Sweet FM has invited Jason ‘Wolfy’ Wolfgram to present the training.
Wolfy has decades of experience in radio and media and specialises in compiling and delivering media workshops covering all aspects of radio broadcasting including program content, media law, emergency preparedness and interview techniques.
Burdekin Shire Council CEO Terry Brennan said the RADF is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Burdekin Shire Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
“RADF grants are very important to the Burdekin community as evidenced by the Sweet FM project,” he said.
“The application fitted within the guidelines and was considered an important opportunity to provide an upskilling opportunity for the valuable volunteers of Sweet FM.
“Of recent times RADF funds have been provided to projects such as the 2024 Gospel Music Festival, a regional highland dancing workshop, attendance by a junior band member at the Queensland Youth Band Development Camp in Brisbane and the completion of sculpture installation with vinyl cladding of images of pioneers of the district.”
RADF applications are invited in two rounds each year, with the next round to be advertised in April for projects to be undertaken the second half of the year.  
Sweet FM’s presenter training is free and open to everyone, not just existing Sweet FM presenters, and there is the opportunity to utilise learnings from the training in an ongoing volunteer presenter role at the station.
Attendees are asked to RSVP to admin@sweetfm.com.au by Wednesday April 10 for catering purposes and notify of any dietary requirements.
Lunch is provided; all you need to bring is something to take notes in.

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WHAT: Sweet FM Presenter Training
WHEN: Sunday, April 14 from 8:30am to 4:00pm
WHERE: Sweet FM Studio, 134-136 Eighth Avenue, Home Hill
RSVP: Email admin@sweetfm.com.au by Wednesday April 10

Sweet FM Station Manager Charlie Scuderi

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Give and take, back and forth, exchanging energy, you only get out what you put in. However you want to say it, creating a vibrant, healthy, and strong community requires effort from everyone involved.  

Our Burdekin community is unique and has its own set of strengths, needs, and challenges that should be considered when developing strategies to address our requirements. To do that, all hands are needed on deck.

We believe in working together to identify our community’s strengths, prioritise community needs, and develop solutions tailored to the Burdekin community. Empowering every community member to actively shape where we live, work, and play creates a better future for ourselves and our families. By working together, we can achieve great things.

We are asking the Burdekin community to put some thought around and feedback to us about:
   • What issues are important to you?
   • What are your unmet needs?
   • What energy do you have to contribute to solutions?

Based on last week’s article, #letsgettalking, we have had several people identify that it would be great if there was some way that our community members from a non-English speaking background could get practice in having conversations to improve their English, share stories, culture and decrease isolation.  

We love this idea! Does it interest you, too? Would you like to be part of creating a new social connection?

At the Neighbourhood Centre, we know that people are the bosses of their own lives and that they have the solutions to most of the things happening in those lives.  Our role is to provide opportunities for those conversations and support the solutions.

Here is some more food for thought:  
   • Dementia Friendly Community Activities
   • Opportunities for Community Physical Wellness Activities
   • How do you? aka Adulting (because – let’s face it – it’s hard!)

There needs to be more than one voice in creating solutions – please reach out to us – we really do listen!
Call in at 40 Chippendale St and have a chat with us!

The Team
Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre

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Did you know that the Burdekin Shire Council offers interest free loans to not-for-profit sporting, cultural and community organisations that want to upgrade their facilities or purchase specialised equipment.

This policy aims to encourage the social, cultural and sporting development of the Burdekin Shire area by supporting community organisations’ initiatives. The loans are subject to eligibility criteria, repayment terms and a maximum amount set by the Council. Applications can be for projects that create permanent improvements or items considered to be fixed to a structure erected on Council owned or controlled land.  This includes structural improvements of a fixed nature.

Applications can be for projects to purchase large items of specialised plant or requipment to a value greater than $20,000, such as tractor, mowers and the like, to be used for the purpose of enhancing the activity of the sporting/cultural/community organisations.

If you are interested in applying for an interest free loan, you can find more information on Council's website, burdekin.qld.gov.au.

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On Tuesday, March 26, St Colman's Catholic School held their Easter Hat Parade and were joined by Home Hill Community Kindy.  
There were so many fabulous hats created by the students of all ages and we thank our families for coming along and supporting the children.  
Winners were selected from each class and the judges said it was such a hard task trying to pick a winner.

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Contributed by St Colman's Catholic School

Students from St Colman's Catholic School and Home Hill Community Kindy took part in an Easter Hat Parade. Photos supplied

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Elders has been announced as Australia’s Most Trusted Agribusiness Brand in Roy Morgan’s inaugural Trusted Agribusiness Brand Awards following an exceptional year garnering high levels of trust, and exceedingly low, or negligible, levels of distrust.
50 brands were measured as part of the study involving surveys with over 1,000 Australian farmers, with Elders claiming the top spot in the Agribusiness Products and Services category and the ‘Best of the Best’ Most Trusted Agribusiness Brand for 2023.
Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine said Elders’ success can be attributed to five factors: strong customer relationships, good customer service, experienced and knowledgeable staff, long-standing presence, and reliable products and services.
“While its historic roots are in agriculture, today Elders’ diverse business operations cover rural services, real estate, insurance and much more,” Mr Levine said.
“For 185 years Elders has been embedded in the fabric of Australian agriculture and played a key role in rural and regional communities by employing local people and servicing local farming families.”
Farmers interviewed in the study, praised Elders, saying, “Any dealings I have had with them were completed efficiently and in a straightforward manner,” and, “Comprehensive insurance and banking services underpinned by local support.”
The Awards recognised the outstanding levels of trust built up by eight brands across a range of different industries and services including Animal Health, Agribusiness Banks, Chemicals and Fertilisers, Farmers Co-op, Grain Companies, Industry Groups, Stock Feed, and Agribusiness Products and Services generalists.
“When customers trust a brand, they continue buying its products or services, they recommend it to others and remain loyal to the brand,” Me Levine said.
“So trust is the underpinning foundation of brand reputation.
“This is especially important in the farming and agribusiness industries where building and maintaining trust is a key pathway to developing business and personal relationships within this competitive sector.”

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