With highly competitive prices, a broad range of direct flights and an experiential fun-focussed terminal, Whitsunday Coast Airport is quickly becoming the airport of choice for people living in the Burdekin.

Airport Manager, Craig Turner, said that the Council-owned facility is “delivering seamless and cost-effective access” to a range of destinations.

Flying direct to Cairns, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne and also the Gold Coast (as of December 7), the airport hosts Qantas, Virgin, JetStar, SkyTrans and Bonza airlines.

“The Whitsundays is a well-known holiday destination – this makes it cheaper, faster and direct!” said Mr Turner.

“Locals are also buying a seat next to a leisure passenger rather than when they travel from Townsville and are sitting next to a corporate or mine worker which drives the prices up.”

In addition to passenger travel, Whitsunday Coast Airport also has a dedicated Freight Distribution Centre – transporting fish, crabs, and pets all around the country.

They can also transit fresh local produce to population centres quicker than any road or rail transport.

“This is great for local farmers whose produce gets to market as fresh as possible,” Mr Turner explained.

“Not only is the produce worth more, it also looks fantastic!”

While the flights and the freight are definitely setting Whitsunday Coast Airport apart from other regional airports, it is also the terminal experience that has seen Whitsunday Coast win several awards this year.

“We unashamedly promote fun!” said Mr Turner.

From the Heart Reef inspired aquarium at the centre of the departure lounge to the free-form seating, augmented reality screen to entertain the kids and the Taste Whitsundays food and beverage offering – everything is an experience at Whitsunday Coast Airport.

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Whitsunday Coast Airport is taking-off! Photo supplied

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The Home Hill – Ayr Lions Club have a saying: ‘Where there’s a need, there’s a Lion,’ which sums up the work they’ve been doing throughout the Burdekin for the last 60 years.

The club is celebrating 60 years in November and inviting the community to celebrate their contributions and hard work.

“It’s time to sit back and look at what we’ve done, who we are and enjoy that with each other and the community,” said Home Hill – Ayr Lions club member and Public Affairs Officer for North Queensland Nick Wiseman.

“We’ve got members who have been in the club a long time and we’ve got some newer members as well.

“It’s going to be amazing to see and be a part of what Lions have been doing in this community for such a long time.”

The Home Hill – Ayr Lions Club most notably fundraise and donate money to organisations and causes locally and nationally.

Recent beneficiaries have included the Burdekin BMX Club, local schools, chaplaincy programs, cancer research and natural disaster funds, most recently Burketown floods.

The club maintains ongoing projects including the fruit park in Home Hill, located across the road from the Lions diorama.

The Home Hill – Ayr Lions Club have also sponsored Allie-Jo Farry, a 2023 Queensland Country Home Hill Harvest Festival Queen entrant who, with the club’s assistance, is fundraising through bake sales, raffles and events, with funds raised to be donated to a charity of her choice.

The club will also welcome the Lions Eye Health Project Coordinator to the region, visiting Home Hill State School on October 30 to conduct early intervention vision screening on school students.

The Home Hill – Ayr Lions Club is always looking for new members and assistance, meeting at the Crown Hotel every second and fourth Monday from 6:30pm.

To find out more about membership and the club’s 60th celebrations, email homehilllions@gmail.com.

WHAT: Home Hill – Ayr Lions Club 60th Celebration

WHEN: Saturday, November 18 from 6:30pm

WHERE: Brandon Tavern

TICKETS: $40pp

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The Home Hill – Ayr Lions Club meet at the Crown Hotel twice a month. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

With disaster season approaching, the emergency services of the region gathered at the SES Home Hill Open Day on Saturday to spread awareness ahead of Get Ready Week.

The Open Day came after the Burdekin Unit State Emergency Service won the Regional Unit/Group of the Year and more at this year’s SES Week Awards.

“We are a tightknit little group,” said Burdekin SES Deputy Local Controller Laurinda George.

“We do not have a lot of members, but we know how to pump out jobs, we trust each other, we know each other’s abilities, so we spread out and do what needs to be done.”

Local Controller John Winn attended the SES State Awards ceremony in Brisbane earlier in the month as a Suncorp Spirit of SES nominee.

“I’m pretty proud and the members are pretty proud,” Mr Winn said.

“It’s quite an impressive award for our small numbers.”

Last weekend’s Open Day welcomed SES, Fire Brigade, Ambulance, Police, Rural Fire Brigade and Council to engage with the community and share helpful information ahead of the summer.

“What we like to do is engage with the community so that they can become independent in times of trouble,” added Ms George.

“We’re here to educate them on how to help themselves so they don’t find themselves in a state of emergency, they’ve done it all before and they’re prepared, and today is a big part of that.”

Burdekin SES members meet every Monday evening from 7:00pm with depots across Ayr, Home Hill, Clare, Rita Island and Guru, all sponsored and maintained by the Burdekin Shire Council.

The organisation currently has 33 members across the region, some being with SES for over 30 years, but are seeking more interest from the community, welcoming people 16 years and above to join.

“We are a volunteer organisation so it’s what you can volunteer,” said Ms George.

“We just need people to want to support their community and by doing that we can support them.

“There is something for everyone.”

To find out more about joining SES, email SESNR.Admin@qfes.qld.gov.au.

Get Ready Week will take place across the region next month.

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SES Week Awards

Burdekin SES Unit – Regional Unit/Group of the Year

Paul Haller Group Leader Ayr SES – SES Week Award

John George Deputy Group Leader Ayr SES – SES Week Award

Donn Thomson Deputy Group Leader Home Hill – Meritorious Service Clasp for 30 Years of Outstanding Service

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Burdekin SES Deputy Local Controller Laurinda George, Deputy Local Controller Warren Francis, and Local Controller John Winn

Home Hill SES hosted an Open Day last weekend

Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

A motorcycle mechanic by trade who has upskilled himself because of his passion for four-wheel driving, Riley Granshaw’s business RG Customs NQ was born when he started working on his friends’ cars from his parents’ shed in Mount Kelly.

“I’ve always been involved with four-wheel drives and mechanics, I grew up on a property so it’s in my blood to be on the tools,” he said.

“I’m pretty passionate about my four-wheel driving and I got more and more enquiries, so it started from there.

“It was all just word of mouth, and it was getting very, very busy.

“Flash forward to this year and I was getting ridiculously busy and running out of space.”

In June this year, RG Customs NQ moved into its current location on the corner of Queen and Parker Streets, conveniently located in the centre of Ayr.

Ironically, it’s the exact same building in which he completed his apprenticeship, taking over the lease immediately after his former boss relocated.

“It was a no-brainer, I’ve got the showroom where I can move into the retail side, which is coming, and the workshop out the back is just unreal, there’s plenty of room,” Riley said.

“I bought my toolbox when I started my apprenticeship here and brought the same toolbox back, it’s pretty wild.”

Specialising in custom fit outs, Riley’s satisfaction comes from the transformation of a stock standard vehicle into a four-wheel driving machine, sourcing and fitting bull bars, spotlights, snorkels, suspension, roof racks and all other four-wheel driving accessories.

“The best part about it for me is when the customer sees their car and they go, ‘how good’s that,’” he said.

“They bring it here completely standard, and it leaves completely different.”

An avid four-wheel driver himself, Riley frequents driving and camping spots along the Burdekin River and up the coast, recognising the market in the Burdekin and filling the niche four-wheel drive accessories and custom fabrication.

With the assistance of his mother Sue in the office, Riley hopes to expand the business and the team, growing RG Customs NQ’s services, retail display and reputation throughout the region.

Visit RG Customs NQ on Facebook to find out more.

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RG Customs NQ Owner Riley Granshaw. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie