The Neighbourhood Centre aims to foster a welcoming and supportive environment where community members feel encouraged to engage in open discussions about everyday life. This often includes navigating complex conversations and sharing meaningful experiences to gain valuable insights.  These interactions not only enhance our connections but also promote a deep sense of belonging and mutual support within the community.

Last week, we provided opportunities for locals to present to other locals in two extremely powerful sessions regarding incredibly important subjects that affect our broader community in one way or another.

Our first session was presented by Amie at Burdekin Funerals regarding all the different funeral options available to residents and how we can financially, logistically and emotionally prepare for planning this event with dignity and respect.

Our second session was presented by Kim and Marieanne from the CBA Ayr Branch regarding Staying Safe Online and was directly linking in with scams, fraud, how to identify, report and set yourself up to ensure that you are staying safe online.

After these sessions, a variety of questions emerged from the discussions, opening the conversations for further exploration and dialogue.

We greatly value the insights and experiences of all our community members.  If you have a passion for sharing knowledge, or if you have expertise in a particular area that you believe could assist or increase awareness within our community, we urge you to reach out to the team at the Centre.  Let’s see what we can do by working together!

Until Next Time
The Team at Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre

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Raine & Horne Queensland/Northern Rivers 2025 State Awards took place in Brisbane last weekend and Raine & Horne Ayr brought home a plethora of awards on the night.

Principal of Raine & Horne Ayr, Carla Healy, earnt 2nd place for "Top Principal - Number of Sales," 7th place for "Top Principal - GCI," and Gold Status in the "Chairman’s Club". Additionally, her office ranked 4th for "Top Office - Number of Sales" and 3rd for "Top Regional Office - GCI."

Angus Payne Executive and Chairman and CEO of Raine & Horne with Principal of Raine & Horne Ayr, Carla Healy who received Gold Status in the Chairman’s Club at the 2025 Raine & Horne Queensland/Northern Rivers 2025 State Awards over the weekend. Photo supplied

Read more here! https://tinyurl.com/22q2reab

Debbie Shanahan
Property Manager
Debbie brings a wealth of diverse experience to her role here at Raine & Horne, where she excels as a dedicated and highly skilled Property Manager. Her rich and varied background includes time spent as a Veterinary Nurse, Swim Coach, Teacher's Aide, and in the Childcare industry. These roles have equipped her with strong interpersonal skills, a deep sense of responsibility, and an ability to adapt to different challenges.
Debbie’s multifaceted experience enables her to foster positive relationships between landlords and tenants, ensuring smooth communication and a high level of client satisfaction. She is committed to delivering exceptional service, always striving to keep clients thoroughly informed and supported throughout the property management process. Her keen attention to detail and proactive approach helps her address concerns promptly, ensuring all parties feel valued, heard, and understood. Debbie takes pride in her ability to create harmony between property owners and tenants, making every interaction as seamless as possible.
Beyond her professional commitments, Debbie has a deep passion for the outdoors. She enjoys horse riding, gardening, and immersing herself in a good book. Her appreciation for the relaxed lifestyle of the region is evident in her personal pursuits. Whether she is nurturing a garden, riding the horses or exploring the beauty of the Burdekin, Debbie carries her zest for life into everything she does.

Chantelle Tompkins
Sales Administration
Originally from Townsville, Chantelle made the decisive move to the Burdekin region with her partner in 2018, seeking new opportunities to expand her career and contribute to the local community.
She has worked in customer service roles for the past ten years however her journey in the real estate industry began at Raine & Horne Ayr. She has been with the company for the past five years and in that time has developed a comprehensive understanding of the industry, making her a valuable asset to the team.
Starting at the front counter, she quickly became known for her warm smile and friendly nature. Her approachable demeanour endeared her to clients and helped her advance through Raine & Horne Ayr. With a commitment to excellence and a keen learning ability, Chantelle seamlessly transitioned from administration to assisting Agents in Sales.
She expertly manages real estate logistics while building strong client relationships, ensuring every interaction is meaningful and productive.
Beyond her professional endeavours, Chantelle is passionate about cultivating her green thumb in the garden and devoting time to her love of her pets. These hobbies not only provide her with relaxation and enrichment but also contribute to her well-rounded approach to life and work.
With her extensive experience, infectious positivity, and dedication to her craft, Chantelle continues to make significant contributions to the real estate industry. She has enjoyed getting to know the wonderful locals of the Burdekin and looks forward to creating more connections as time goes on.   

Barb Cox
Property Manager
Barb brings over five years of dedicated experience to the real estate industry, specialising in property management with a strong commitment to excellence. With a background in hospitality, she has refined her ability to provide outstanding service, ensuring clients receive personalised attention and support at every stage. Her exceptional communication skills and proactive approach make her a trusted partner for both landlords and tenants.
Barb’s strong customer service skills stand out in her daily interactions with property owners and tenants alike, ensuring that all parties feel valued and understood. She has a keen interest in the continuously evolving legislation that governs the real estate industry, keeping up to date with all changes and ensuring that she remains a reliable resource for her clients.
Barb is deeply committed to managing her clients' most significant investments with precision, care, and passion. She goes above and beyond to ensure that every detail is meticulously handled, maintaining properties to the highest standards.
Outside of the office, Barb enjoys unwinding with a good book, cooking in the kitchen, and staying active through fitness. She cherishes the time spent with her son and daughter, finding joy in the simple moments of family life. Whether at work or home, Barb’s dedication to excellence and her nurturing spirit shine through in all that she does.

Amanda Wassmuth
Administration  
Amanda's professional journey began in the hospitality industry, where she owned and managed her own café in Ayr. This experience not only honed her entrepreneurial skills but also provided her with a solid foundation in customer service and management. Through her work in hospitality, Amanda developed a robust understanding of client needs and the importance of maintaining positive relationships, skills that would prove invaluable as she transitioned into the real estate industry.
At Raine & Horne you will be greeted by Amanda’s friendly smile or voice over the phone. Between greeting clients and creating first impressions, Amanda assists the whole team in every aspect of their daily tasks. She has exceptional communication and customer service skills, making her an integral part of the close-knit team. Her bubbly personality, combined with her proactive problem-solving abilities, enables her to handle a wide array of tasks with ease—no job is too small, and no task is too large.
Outside of work, Amanda enjoys spending quality time with her husband and their two children on their leased cane farm, which is a cherished family business. When she isn't managing tasks at work or on the farm, Amanda finds joy in the kitchen, where she loves to bake and cook delicious meals for friends and family.
Amanda seamlessly blends her expertise in customer service with her passion for family and community. Her journey from café owner to real estate administration highlights her adaptability and determination, making her an invaluable asset to the Raine & Horne team.

Julieann Boccalatte
Property Management
Born and raised in Ayr, Burdekin local Julieann brings to Raine & Horne Ayr an extensive background in the Banking industry. She joined the team in 2019, where she now plays an integral role in the Property Management department.  
With her keen eye for detail, she handles everything from scheduling inspections to following up on maintenance requests and efficiently processing rental applications. Julieann provides essential behind-the-scenes support that ensures smooth daily operations of the office.
Julieann blends her profound local knowledge with professional expertise to streamline processes within the office whether it’s tackling daily tasks or supporting her colleagues, she’s always ready to lend a hand and keep things on track.  Her dedication & commitment to service excellence make her a valuable asset to the team.
Recently, Julieann and her husband made the exciting move to the Whitsundays. They now reside in the beautiful Airlie Beach, where they embrace the coastal lifestyle with their three energetic boys. Whilst this has taken her away from the office, Julieann remains dedicated and available to assist with all enquiries remotely, ensuring a seamless experience for all parties involved.
In her spare time, Julieann cherishes moments spent with her family, whether they’re cruising over to the breathtaking Whitehaven Beach, enjoying the tranquillity of the Proserpine River in their boat, or embarking on camping adventures in their van.

Kelly Greaves
Senior Property Manager
Property professional like no other, Kelly Greaves arrived from Moranbah to the Burdekin region 20 years ago to help manage the famous family business Ayr Hotel. Through dissatisfaction of the service received on her own investment properties prompted her to venture into the real estate world which has been a successful 11 years.
In Kelly’s spare time she is known as the horse whisperer, and has a passion for all things equine.  Kelly’s success stems from the fact that she takes the time to understand the specific needs of her clients and genuinely cares for them.
What Kelly has brought with her when joining Raine & Horne Ayr, is finely honed customer service skills and a strong work ethic enabling her to deliver more to her clients than expected.
Kelly is a genuine individual and when you have her as your managing agent, you will have someone who is straight down the line, which is why so many home owners feel comfortable entrusting her with their most valuable asset.  
While Kelly displays such fresh and creative energy, she knows her success is simply not good luck, but more her ability to listen and understand the needs and wants of her clients - whether tenant or landlord – Commercial or Residential.
Most of Kelly’s business comes from referrals, which is a credit to how well she services and delivers results to her client's time and time again. Most importantly, she feels her success is driven by working in partnership with the incredibly successful team at Raine & Horne Ayr.

CARLA HEALY
Principal of Raine & Horne Ayr

The 7th of April, 2025, marks 10 years since Carla Healy entered the Real Estate Industry, with a combined 30 years in the customer service industry. Carla confidently provides her clients with a memorable, knowledgeable, and enjoyable experience when it comes to selling or purchasing one of their most valuable assets.

Recently, along with her husband Keith, she took the next step and purchased the Raine & Horne franchise from her previous employers, Peter and Nora Andersen.

As a local through and through, Carla truly believes that the beautiful region of the Burdekin is rich with so much choice and she is super proud to call Ayr her home and believes there is a property suitable for everyone.

“I believe every day in real estate is a “great day” and that everyone looking for their “forever home” wants professional prompt service.

“I am here to provide that for my clients and to make their journey one to remember. When they walk through the door at Raine & Horne Ayr, that is what they will receive,” Carla added.

Carla’s goal is to create the ultimate customer experience.

“I don’t want to just sell you a house… I want to help find you your forever home.”

Since resuming her new role as Owner/Principal/Sales Agent on 1st June 2024, the last six months was a true test to the commitment of herself and her wonderful Team who have made it all possible.

Carla Healy warmly welcomed Jo Gabiola back to the Raine & Horne family as she re-enters the real estate industry under the Raine & Horne banner after a short break. With an unparalleled wealth of local knowledge and experience, Jo is set to deliver outstanding service to both past and, most importantly, present clients, ensuring they receive expert guidance in their real estate journey.

“Success is not just one individual it is who is with you along your journey.

“My Team is my Family and we are proud to wear the Raine & Horne brand on our Hearts.

“Most importantly, my amazing Husband Keith, my rock, my stability and my bestest friend ever, all of the above makes us what we are and successful in what we do.”

Giovanna Gabiola
Senior Sales Agent
Born in the Burdekin, Giovanna Gabiola has always worked in Ayr, making a daily 40-minute commute each way to care for her clients. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, her dedication and commitment are evident in her unwavering passion for her work.
Giovanna thrives on connecting with people, making her role as a Real Estate Agent with Raine & Horne the perfect fit. She takes immense pride in her work and genuinely enjoys helping clients navigate their property journeys.
Her passion for real estate is undeniable, despite retiring twice, the continuous calls from past clients seeking her expertise brought her back for a third time, now under the Raine & Horne banner.
With deep local expertise, Giovanna stays updated on market trends to help clients achieve exceptional results, whether buying, selling, or exploring the area.
Over the past 12 years, Giovanna has earned numerous real estate awards. Among her proudest achievements are winning "Top Sales Agent Nationally" with 229 settled sales in a year and "Top Exclusive Listing Agent Nationally" in the same year with Nutrien Harcourts.
Now part of the Raine & Horne team, Giovanna is committed to delivering exceptional customer service to both buyers and sellers. She invites clients to visit her, have a conversation, and experience a smooth, stress-free, and successful real estate journey.

Cass Arboit
Rural Sales
Cass Arboit entered the Real Estate Industry when he joined Ray White as their Rural Sales representative in 2008 after selling his Cane Farming business which he farmed since 1958.  During the 51 years as a grower he was for 30 years also involved in Agricultural Contracting and successfully operating a Farm/Machinery sales business distributing tractors, farm machinery and motor vehicles to the far reaches of Queensland.
Cass is well known and respected in the Burdekin Agricultural Industry.  Cass spent a number of years as a director of Queensland Cane Growers in addition to many years as a member and chairman of the Kalamia Cane Growers. Other community organisations such as school P&C and Junior Farmers Organisation saw Cass offer his service where he also spent time as Chairman.
Within the Rural sector, Cass's experience & knowledge regarding soil types, irrigation, crops etc is an invaluable asset when both vendor and purchaser are required to make important decisions on their future.
His many property sales have included Cane Farms, Grazing Blocks, Mango Orchards, Mixed Crops, Hobby Farms and so on. Some significant sales include the former Burdekin Agricultural College for the QLD Government, Lardelli at Rita Island, Corrick Plains at Giru, Hillsborough Station at Ravenswood, The Burdekin Hotel in Ayr & Molongle Station at Guthalungra.

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From March 2 there was great flooding in North Queensland, and once again the Burdekin River flooded. Monday, March 4, the Burdekin River was 11ft 6¨ over the railway bridge which was said to be 16 feet high. The Lower Burdekin including Ayr, Giru and Home Hill, were isolated by road and rail to the North, South, and West.

To prove that the Lower Burdekin could be supplied by a sea route from Townsville, two representatives of the Telegraph paper – a reporter and a photographer – joined a party of men, which went from Townsville to Home Hill by fishing boat and dinghy. It was a tough, exciting, and precarious trip, but proved that you could get in or out of the Lower Burdekin River by sea.

The party left Townsville on Tuesday 5 on board fishing boat ‘Seal’, owned and skippered by Byron (Snowy) Whittaker. He was a tough fighter in the boxing ring and a mackerel fisherman on the reef. The Seal and two dories, Sally and Sue, put a tough fight to get to Home Hill.

The Seal was an eight-knot diesel fishing launch of 47ft. The boats had 6 hours going up stream, which was running at a rate from 6-10 knots. It was suggested that the provision of shallow-draught punts with high-power engines in Home Hill and a powerful launch in Groper Creek, would always give Home Hill contact with the outside world.

“When we were going up through the mangroves on our second attempt, we met Mr Rubiola, an Italian cane farmer coming down in a little punt with an outboard motor to see how the launches anchored in Groper Creek were faring. When we left we were accompanied by men going back to their properties by punt through the quiet backwaters in the mangroves.”

A mercy flight of a Tiger Moth aeroplane of the R.A.A.F landed at the Ayr Race Course to deliver penicillin to Home Hill Hospital. The penicillin was handed to Sergeant Dougherty, the officer-in-charge of the Ayr Police Station, who took the drug and arranged for its dispatch by boat across the river to Home Hill Hospital.

Mr Frank Carew, a photographer of the Brisbane Courier, was fortunate to be on board. They were besieged by residents to carry out mail and telegrams for dispatch from Townsville.

The Tiger Moth and its crew became the unofficial postmen. There was also a free delivery of papers dropped by plane in Ayr and Home Hill. The Mail Train from Brisbane had been marooned at Ayr since last Monday, and was still stationed at Ayr Railway Station. There were 100 plus passengers aboard, many of whom have enjoyed the hospitality of Ayr.

According to Sergeant O’Brian of Home Hill police, there was no loss of life, and floodwaters had receded from Home Hill by Friday.

News from Giru on March 7 reported no casualties during the floods. There were two cases of acute appendicitis and they were unable to get away to secure medical attention. The town had been out of meat since the previous weekend. The road to the slaughter yards, which is about a mile away, was impassable that the butcher couldn’t get there.

During the weekend 27 inches of rain were recorded making a total of 69 inches for the year, against an average of 45 to 50 inches.

The Piralko Reed Beds are a mortuary for stock, which got swept away. The stench from them was bad. The Haughton River broke through the banks to Griggs’ farm, then through Pink Lily and Crooked Waterholes, before making it onto the Reed Beds. The debris is still clinging to the lateral struts of railway telegraph poles 11 feet above the ground.

At Alligator Creek the line had been washed 120 yards away. At the approach the first span has been washed about 40 yards down and turned over, girders uppermost, and rails embedded in the sand.

We went to bed and waking in the morning, Plantation Creek was flooded. Monty James delivered bread and meat to the people of Old Clare Road in his punt. That folks, is some of the happenings in the 1946 flood.

Article supplied courtesy of Glenis Cislowski

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Ferry and Train Burdekin River. Photo: Supplied
Army crossing the old Burdekin Bridge. Photo: Supplied

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FROM WHERE I SIT
At 12.05am on Saturday 15 February, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Bruce Highway, McDesme. The driver, a 36yr old Sunshine Coast man was issued a NTA for driving with a relevant drug in his saliva, possessing a dangerous drug and possessing a drug utensil. He is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 7 April.

At 1.40am on Saturday 15 February, Ayr Police were called to a disturbance in Edwards Street, Ayr. It was established a person had been punched and knocked unconscious. As a result of investigations, Police located a male who was arrested with regards to this incident.  Upon returning to the Police watchhouse, he threw a shoe at a Police Officer, striking him.  As a result, a 28yr old Burdekin man was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, assaulting a Police officer and committing a public nuisance in the vicinity of a licenced premises. He was released on bail to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 22 April. He was also issued a Police banning notice prohibiting him from attending licenced premises in Ayr for 28 days.

On Wednesday 19 February a shop stealing was reported by a local sports shop in the Ayr CBD. As a result of investigations, a search warrant was executed at a residence in Brandon on Thursday 20 February. The property said to have been stolen from that shop was recovered and a 28yr old Burdekin woman was charged with one count each of stealing and commit public nuisance and is due to appear in the Ayr Magistrates Court on 10 March. A 17yr old juvenile female was charged with one count of stealing and due to appear in Ayr Children’s Court on 25 February.

At 3.25pm on Thursday 20 February, Ayr Police went to intercept a vehicle on Norham Road, Ayr when it drove away at speed and pulled into an address in Parkside. Police subsequently located the driver, a 25yr old Townsville woman, who was transported to Ayr Police Station for a further drug test. She was subsequently issued a NTA for failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis, disqualified driving and obstruct Police. She is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 10 March.
At 11.30pm on Friday 21 February, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Chippendale Street, Ayr. The driver, a 34yr old Burdekin woman was issued a NTA for drink driving, driving .072 and is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 10 March.

ASSAULTS – It’s Okay To Walk Away

The vast majority of assaults reported to Ayr Police are between parties known to each other. Many occur in private residences between family members, which may constitute domestic violence or friends and acquaintances.

Other assaults occur in the street or licenced premises, where, once again, the involved parties are usually known to each other.

It is a not uncommon occurrence to see news reports where people are assaulted, fall back, hit their head and die. One punch can kill.

“It’s Okay to Walk Away” – that’s the message Ayr police want to send to reduce the number of assaults both when people go out but also in the home.

A split second decision could change your life forever and have an impact on many people, including your family and friends.

Remember - One punch can kill is a shocking reality that simple acts of violence can have tragic consequences. The consequences of assault don’t stop at injury or death.

A single punch is all it takes to seriously assault someone and in some circumstances may cause death. The consequences of such acts devastate the lives of so many people and leads to a lifetime of regret and unfulfilled dreams.

Assaults can steal your future, and your actions could result in negative impacts on your family; your employment; overseas travel, the guilt of taking another person’s life and could possibly result in a criminal record.

Victims of assault don’t always walk away with just a bruise. Permanent disability, ongoing care by family and friends, employment and future prospects can be jeopardised from one senseless act.

From a perspective of personal safety, be aware of your surroundings and alert to what is going on around you. Go out with friends and stay with your group. If you are going to be drinking, just make sure someone in the group is not going to drink and can look after his or her mates and steer them clear of trouble and walk away from violence. Unfortunately too many “good nights out” end poorly due to being assaulted, losing belongings, etc.

Police would like to remind people that “It’s okay to walk away” while “One punch can kill”.

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Did you feel the earth move on the 1st of March? A magnitude 4.4 earthquake shook homes in Townsville on Saturday night, causing a stir across the region.

While the earthquake’s epicenter was located in Townsville, its impact reverberated along the entire Queensland coast, affecting residents in several cities.

Geoscience Australia took to social media to alert locals about the seismic event, which struck at 9:31 PM. According to the agency, the earthquake was detected approximately 17 kilometers from Townsville, with its depth reaching 10 kilometers below the earth’s surface.

Over 5,000 individuals reported feeling the tremor on the Geoscience Australia "Felt Report," with people as far away as Mackay and Cairns noticing the shaking. Many residents experienced moments of panic as buildings swayed and everyday activities were disrupted.

While the earthquake was significant, it serves as a reminder to stay prepared in case of future seismic activity.

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Hi Everyone,

Fantastic to be back in the region over the past few weeks and I’ve really enjoyed connecting with so many people in the community.

First-up was the Home Hill Chamber of Commerce meeting where our Sales Manager Trish and I came along to chat to local business owners and, of course, support our journalist Mark in his engaging talk about his novel.

Next up, it was the Sweet Days Hot Nights launch evening where we were thrilled to chat with event organisers and express our wishes to become Media Partner for the event. We are very much looking forward to throwing our support behind this and extending our coverage over the coming months.

Lastly, I was up early the next morning (which happened to be my birthday!) to celebrate in style at the Industry Breakfast where it was good to see lots of familiar faces from the night before.

As you will all know, the region is positively bursting with culture and character! There are always exciting events coming up and plenty of reasons for us all to get together.

As an ‘out of towner’ (I reside in the Whitsundays but come to the Burdekin at least once a month), I am always thrilled to be so genuinely welcomed by everyone.

I remember at the Industry Breakfast in September 2023 when we launched the first edition of the paper – it was such an exhilarating morning, and I am glad we are still delivering for your region 18 months on.

It is an absolute honour to be part of the team bringing your weekly news to you and I love working alongside all the local businesses.

A big congrats this week goes to Carla and her team at Raine & Horne Ayr for bringing back some state awards last weekend.

If you are a business with something to celebrate, make sure you give us a call, we’d love to help you get the word out.

Rach

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We’re Two Months Into The Year, What’s Something You’ve Done You’re Happy With Or What Do You Have Coming Up That You’re Looking Forward To?

John: “I’m retired now but I used to work at the old Farry’s supermarket here in Home Hill as a butcher. I've been here 28 years now, I lost my partner about six years ago, I live by myself and so I just relax now. I got a son in town, and a daughter in Newcastle, another in Torquay, Melbourne. But now that I'm retired, I just go to a local here and have a few beers and relax and enjoy myself with a few good friends.”

Katrina T: “Well, there's two things that I'm happy about. While I was not happy about the floods I was still able to work during them with everything that was going on, which was wonderful. And I'm looking forward to going to Canberra in August for a Lipedema conference. It's a condition that one in 10 women can have. It’s where the body can’t break down a particular sort of fat. There’s not really much known about it. This is the eleventh conference and it runs for about two and half a days. I hope to learn a little bit more because I have some clients that have it."

Denny: “I’m looking forward to footy season starting, I guess. I follow Parramatta, which is all right. It causes a bit of fun and banter. I’d also love to take a nice holiday somewhere but I haven’t booked anywhere yet. The kids want to go to New Zealand to the snow, me, I just do what I’m told to do. So New Zealand in winter is the plan I guess. I’ve also been renovating. We put in a pool, I put in a shed. That’s it for me I suppose.”

Kevin: “Townsville! We’ve friends there so we're going there to stay with them for a week. We’ve come from Central Coast, New South Wales. It’s been a nice drive. We’ve taken three weeks to do it after we took a bit of a detour because of the storms early on. We didn't know what the weather was going to do, so we slowed the trip down, then ducked out to Lightning Ridge as we always wanted to go out there. So that’s where we went. I do contract work, so work six months straight then take a few months off. After Townsville, we just turn around and come home again.”

Katrina B: “What am I happy with? I'm happy with the growth that my shop has had. I'm getting things together slowly and just, yeah, building on that, building on making the shop better. I’d like more customers. Something I am looking forward to is a family reunion we’ve got coming up in May. That’s in Cairns so I’ll be shutting the shop for that to attend. The one that I did 10 years ago, we had 150 people! There’s a few of us. This time around though, it won’t be as big as a lot of people couldn’t make it. It’s harder to organise than running a business sometimes trying to get everyone there.”

John White is just looking forward to relaxing more and having some quiet beers.
Katrina Thorn’s happy she could work during the floods and keen to go to a conference.
Denny Webster’s keen for footy season to start and taking a holiday somewhere.
Kevin Grew is on his way up to Townsville to stay with friends for a week.
Katrina Bowen is happy with her shop’s growth while planning for a big family reunion.

Photo credit: Mark T. Rasmussen

CANEGROWERS has written to the Federal Government, urging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to raise the disaster recovery grant threshold to at least $75,000 for primary producers impacted by the recent flooding in north Queensland.

It has been more than two weeks since the government announced recovery assistance packages of up to $25,000 for affected growers.  

While growers are grateful for the swift response and the inclusion of replant costs in recovery grants, reports from the ground make it clear that $25,000 is simply not enough to support the worst-affected farming businesses, CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan said.

"Growers appreciate the rapid response from both state and federal governments in announcing assistance following these devastating floods. However, as primary producers assess the damage, it’s evident that $25,000 barely scratches the surface for some of the hardest-hit farming businesses,” Mr Galligan said.

"The reality is the cost of recovery has risen dramatically. Prices for goods and services have soared over recent years, and primary producers are facing these higher costs as they work to rebuild their businesses. The level of support must reflect today’s economic conditions.

"We have written to the Prime Minister, urging the Federal Government to act as, we understand the Queensland Government has requested."

Beyond immediate relief, CANEGROWERS is calling for the following actions to help modernise disaster funding:

Updating the definition of a primary producer to reflect modern farm ownership, including those with off-farm income.

Ensuring grants are sufficient by indexing them to match rising recovery costs.

Improving workforce support to help businesses retain staff during recovery periods.

Establishing a dedicated pool of rural recovery officers embedded within industry groups to expedite recovery efforts.

"These aren’t just feel-good reforms – they are essential for keeping farms, communities, and industries viable after disasters," Mr Galligan said.

“CANEGROWERS, along with our partners at Queensland Farmers’ Federation and other commodity groups, will keep working with the state and federal governments to modernise how we approach disaster recovery.

“But in the meantime, it’s vital the grant threshold is increased. Farmers need this support now so they can get back to growing Australia’s food and fibre.”

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On Act of Kindness Day, Ayr State Primary School was privileged to receive a heartfelt and thoughtful donation from Mrs Penny Ford. With creativity and compassion, Mrs Ford transformed scrap materials into stunning library bags, pencil cases, and bookmarks, providing the students with unique, handcrafted items to enhance their learning experience through reading.

The donation, made from upcycled materials, not only promotes sustainability but also serves as a reminder of the power of giving. Each item tells a story of care and dedication, turning what might have been discarded material into something meaningful and useful.

The arrival of the donated items was perfectly timed with Act of Kindness Day, adding an extra layer of significance to the occasion. Students were thrilled to receive their new library accessories, which will surely spark even more excitement for reading and learning.

School captains Ruby and Sage personally thanked Mrs Ford for her kind donation, presenting her with a handwritten card from the Birburu class Year 4/5/6 as a token of their appreciation.

In a greater act of kindness, Mrs Ford has plans to create more items for the rest of the school.

Words cannot express how thankful the school is for her generosity and the lasting impact her donation will make in the school.

Ayr State Primary School is fortunate to be part of such a caring community, and they extended their deepest thanks to Mrs Penny Ford for her incredible contribution.

This thoughtful gesture will leave a lasting impact, reminding us of the joy that comes from sharing kindness with others.

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Nineteen new apprentices have kicked off their careers with Wilmar Sugar and Renewables. The new recruits are based in the Burdekin region, where Wilmar owns four sugar factories.

The apprenticeships are in the electrical, fitting and turning, boilermaking and diesel fitting trades.

Wilmar Sugar and Renewables Training Superintendent Daniel Shipard said he was pleased to welcome such a high-calibre group of first-year apprentices into the business.

“Wilmar Sugar and Renewables has a long history of developing great tradespeople in our sugar milling regions.

“We’re one of North Queensland’s largest apprenticeship providers, with about 150 apprentices employed across our operations at any one time. Our program is also one of the most successful Australia, with a completion rate of 98 per cent.”

Mr Shipard said this year’s intake included five young women, one of whom had transitioned from a school-based apprenticeship with the company.

“We’ve also signed up five seasonal employees who were keen to get into our apprenticeship program and learn a trade,” he said.

Brooke Smith from the Burdekin was Wilmar’s first school-based apprentice and is now enrolled as an apprentice boilermaker at Pioneer Mill.

She said she was excited to be working full time and developing her trade skills.

“Getting into Wilmar’s apprenticeship program means I’m finally going to get more experience and get more involved in what goes in the workshops. It also means I can really be part of the Wilmar business, instead of just being there one day a week,” she said.

Mr Shipard said the first-year apprentices kicked off their trade training with a two-week Safe Start program in December before beginning work at their respective sites.

“Our Safe Start program equips our apprentices to hit the ground running,” Mr Shipard said.

“It’s a comprehensive introduction that gives them important safety and technical skills, as well as the confidence to thrive in their new roles.”

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Jayde Holm and Brooke Smith from the Burdekin region have signed on as first-year boilermaking apprentices with Wilmar Sugar and Renewables. Brooke (right), has transitioned from a school-based apprenticeship with the company.

Wilmar Sugar and Renewables new Burdekin apprentices, back from left, Casey Calligaro (electrical), David Saunders (electrical), Dominik Arrate (fitting and turning), Jaxon Baldwin (diesel fitting) and Lucas Gabiola (fitting and turning). Front from left, Corey Baker (electrical), Jayde Holm (boilermaking), Cooper Raitelli (electrical), Jayden Shelton (electrical), Brooke Smith (boilermaking), Luca Lago (boilermaking) and Jacob Rossato (fitting and turning). Absent are Samantha Christensen (boilermaking), Brad Patti (boilermaking), Daniel Johnson (electrical), William Ghobrial (fitting and turning) and Dominic Forman (diesel fitting).

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Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox believes that residents in the electorate of Dawson have again been let down by the Government when it comes to the Bruce Highway being upgraded.

He states that Queenslanders were promised $7.2 billion in funding by the Prime Minister to fix the notoriously dangerous highway.

However, in evidence to the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport estimates hearings on Monday, department officials confirmed that just $432 million would be spent on the Bruce Highway in the next three years.

“Again the Labor Government have not been upfront with Queenslanders on when workers could get started to fix the highway,” Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox said.

“Only $30 million out of $7.2 billion will be allocated to the Highway over the next 16 months which is simply not good enough.”

“Tragically 43 lives have been lost on the Bruce Highway last year which has a devastating impact for families.”

“The community have been calling for the road to be fixed with more than 1,000 residents signing my Back Our Bruce petition which has been presented at Parliament.”

“If elected the Coalition has a plan to get Australia back on track and that starts with the restoration of the 80:20 percent funding arrangement for Bruce Highway projects after it was stripped away by Labor.”

In the May Budget, Federal Labor cut $488 million from the Bruce Highway over the Budget forward estimates.

“Now they are “restoring” less at $432 million and expect the people to be grateful and say thank you.”

“I am really concerned the Bruce Highway will be worse off over the next three years.”

“This is just like the broken promise that our energy bills would be reduced by $275 prior to the 2022 election.”

Opinion piece contributed by Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox.

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Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox is frustrated by delay in Bruce Highway upgrades. Photo: Supplied

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Home Hill-Ayr Lions Club hosted the club’s Youth of the Year Final on Monday 25 February. Four talented students from Home Hill High School submitted applications addressing a range of criteria about their academic results, their school and community involvement, and their aspirations for the future.

On Monday afternoon, the judging panel interviewed them separately. This component is worth 70 marks. That night, at a dinner at the Crown Hotel, the judges, teachers, family members and Lions and their guests were treated to some great public speaking by these four individuals.

Before dinner, each student introduced themselves to the audience, and then it was time for the impromptu speaking. Each student had to speak for a maximum of two minutes to each of the two impromptu topics. What would you say if presented with the topic ‘If you could be a fly on the wall, whose wall would it be?' with no time to prepare.

After dinner, students each had the opportunity to deliver a five minute prepared speech to the audience. The speakers covered a diverse range of topics but all spoke passionately and engaged everyone present with their points of view. The speaking component is worth 30 marks in total.

The judges returned with their verdict. Christiana Bugeja was the winner of the speaking component, while Sam Perina was the overall winner.

Sam will travel to the District Finals in Townsville next month to compete against the winners from the rest of the Lions District, which covers a large part of Queensland from Mackay and all clubs to the north and west.

After district finals, there are State Finals and a National Final. We wish Sam success.

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judges and for entrants. John McVeigh, Philip Scuderi, Sam Perina, Cruz Torkington, Grace Ogomeni, Christiana Bugeja, Michelle McVeigh
Overall winner Sam Perina being presented by Zone Chait Saraha Wiseman.
Club President, Laurie Land, the four entrants,  Sam Perina, Cruz Torkington, Grace Ogomeni and Christiana Bugeja the the Youth of the Year Club coordinator, Tony Gemellaro.
Zone Chair Saraha Wiseman presenting to Christiana Bugeja who won the Public Speaking section.

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Simon Hood
Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing

February was a positive month for prices with growers using the rally to tidy up 2024 season Target and GMPRS pricing.

Additionally, with 2025 season prices breaking through $650/t, there has been increased scale up selling from Target price growers. There is, however, still plenty of 2025 pricing to go with only about 25 per cent of Target prices locked in at this point.

The rally has also allowed our 2024 season pools to be forecasting higher returns. We have incrementally locked in prices on the rising market to ensure any potential correction will have less impact on final returns for the 2024 season. Likewise, we have initiated hedging on the #11 sugar contract to put a floor under a portion of the new Managed Pool Plus for the 2025 season.

This initial positioning combined with some sub 62 cent currency is providing a good foundation for that pool return. However, there is still a long way to go for 2025 season pool valuations to be finalised. With the focus on 2025 season and beyond, let’s have a quick review of the current outlook.

Most analysts are currently forecasting a small production surplus (Wilmar 3.5m tonnes) for the 2025-26 season based on a large Brazilian and Indian crop. Brazilian forecasts are starting to be scaled back as continued dry weather through February downgrade yield expectations. On the flip side, Indian forecasts are being maintained as high domestic prices encourage crop expansion and a very good monsoon filled storage and moisture profiles.

Nominations for our 2025 season GMPRS pricing mechanism are now open. This remains a popular choice among Target price growers due the flexibility of being able to price all GEI sugar exposure – excluding the US quota proportion – from mid-May in each season. Typically, growers are cautious about pricing too much of the final proportion early in the season as price risk is replaced with production shortfall risk.

During March we will be holding a series of shed meetings to update growers with the latest analysis from Wilmar on the outlook for 2025 season and beyond. Get in touch with your local Wilmar Grower Marketing consultant to find your closest meeting.

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Prices rallied in February, providing an opportunity for growers to tidy up 2024 season GMPRS and Target pricing

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Almost $600,000 had been committed to help state schools in the Burdekin turn the tide on poor behaviour according to Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP.

The funding, which is in addition to existing funding, will allow schools to tailor solutions focussed on tackling poor behaviour and lifting education outcomes.

“This funding is not only about making our schools safer to help improve attendance rates and education standards, it is also about backing our local principals and teachers,” Mr Last said.

“No one knows better when it comes to outcomes for students than the staff of the school they attend, so we are giving those staff the autonomy to tailor the best decisions.”

“Some schools may need additional staff while others may choose to provide existing staff with mentoring, specialist resources or training.  Either way, the focus is on ensuring that students and staff feel safe in the classroom.”

“We know that each child is different when it comes to the best way for them to learn.  The reality is that there is also a wide variety of ways to manage behaviour and that a “one size fits all” model would not achieve the outcomes our teachers and students deserve.”

Mr Last said the investment of $44 Million statewide was proof that the concerns of parents and teachers had been heard and an illustration of the state government’s commitment to future generations.

“This additional funding really is an investment in the future because it is focussed on both short and long-term goals,” he said.  “We all know that what a student achieves at school can have a huge impact on their future so better outcomes today can also mean better outcomes for those students throughout their life.”

“You don’t achieve those outcomes by focussing only on students or only on teachers and that is why addressing an issue that is affecting both teachers and students was a priority for the government.  Students weren’t achieving their full potential and dedicated teachers were walking away from the profession and neither of those results is acceptable.”

“Teaching is a profession that should be celebrated, and our teachers should be leaving at the end of the day feeling respected, not frightened or frustrated.  If we don’t back our teachers, we run the risk of losing the positive impacts that dedicated teachers have on students and that is a terrible outcome for our community.”

“I believe that, by giving local principals autonomy, we are sending a clear signal that this government trusts local staff to make the right decisions to deliver the best results for local students.  We’ve already reduced red tape for teachers and this investment is about addressing their safety concerns so that teachers can do what they excel at; helping our younger generation achieve their full potential.”

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Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, believes funding to turn tide on poor behaviour will benefit students and teachers. Photo: Supplied.

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