Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
By Annie Liz Across the wide pacific And the North and Coral Sea, And the storm tossed wild Atlantic We had wrested victory. We built the ships and bred the crew And well we knew their worth! For our battle scarred old Empire And her allies gave them birth. There were U-boats in the waters! There were bombs rained from the sky! But the men who manned our navy Were not afraid to die. Across the burning desert sands, With heart and bitter thirst And through the murky jungle shades With fever at its worst, They fought against overwhelming odds! Defeat seemed very near – But each man held his courage high To hide the face of fear. And when the fight seemed hopeless, lost The way was hard to see, We knew each one would carry on To final victory. Above the seas, above the earth, And far into the sky, That breed of men still fought for right And cared not through they die! For well they knew that some must fall Ere half the task be done – And well they knew the ranks would fill Till victory be won. And there were still bold hearts at home, Through oft in humble guise, And many a dauntless spirit Looked out through aged eyes, And the sacrifice of children And of lonely saddened wives Helped hasten on the victory And save the fighter’s lives And – one who watched with pitying eyes The Guiding Hand held true, So through we cheered the victory May we be thankful too. Contributed with thanks to Annie’s daughter, Anne McCubben.
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The Home Hill-Ayr Lions Club celebrated one of its longest-serving members last weekend, congregating at Chill Cafe in Ayr for a surprise ceremony marking Bill Bojack's 55 years of service to the organisation. 16 attendees watched on as Mr Bojack was presented with a special badge recognising his tenure, during which he contributed to numerous Lion’s projects across the region. Mr Bojack said he was pleasantly surprised by the occasion which rounded out decades of positive memories tied to the club. “I didn’t know I was going to get this award, but it was really pleasing, and I’ll always cherish it,” Mr Bojack said. “I’ve made a lot of friends over my years with the club, and it’s always given me a really good kick.” A life member of the Lion’s Club, Mr Bojack worked on numerous projects spearheaded by organisation, including the Burdekin Diorama in Home Hill, the planting of mangrove trees, and rural numbering around local farms, among many others. Club president Nola Nendick called Mr Bojack’s service “very rare,” while lauding his continued support of the club and its endeavours. “He has been an integral part of Lions and helped new Lions with the way International Lions work,” she said. “He finds it hard to participate these days, but still always attends meetings and is always available to help with Lions matters.” It is a milestone that marks not just a length of service, but a lifetime of commitment to the Burdekin community. CAPTION: The Home Hill-Ayr Lions Club celebrated one of its longest-serving members last weekend, congregating at Chill Cafe in Ayr for a surprise ceremony marking Bill Bojack's 55 years of service to the organisation. Photo supplied
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Residents across the region are being invited to reset, refocus and recharge at a free two-day workshop with Allan Parker, OAM, coming to Collinsville this May. Hosted by NQ Dry Tropics, the Regional Brain Reset workshop will be held on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 May at the Opal Ridge Motel Conference Room. The event is designed to equip attendees with practical tools to better manage pressure, improve communication and maintain mental resilience—both on-farm and in everyday life. Across the two days, participants will learn how to reset their thinking using five simple steps aimed at cutting through noise, handling pressure more effectively and reading people more clearly. The workshop will also introduce three practical skills to help people talk about pressure early, without situations escalating. Attendees can also expect to gain straightforward habits to support long-term mental wellbeing, alongside strategies to stay level-headed when things don’t go to plan and keep conversations on track when it matters most. The workshop forms part of the Landholders Driving Change (LDC2) project, funded by the Queensland Government through the Queensland Reef Water Quality Program. The initiative focuses on supporting landholders and regional communities with practical skills and knowledge that extend beyond the paddock. With places limited, locals are encouraged to secure their spot early and take advantage of this opportunity to build resilience, strengthen communication skills and invest in their mental wellbeing. The Collinsville workshop is one of a series of events aimed at supporting regional Queenslanders, providing tools that can make a real difference both professionally and personally. To find out more, visit www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1564970?utm_content=416225772&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lcp-87151812. What: Regional Brain Reset Workshop When: Friday 8 and Saturday 9 May Where: Opal Ridge Motel Conference Room, Collinsville
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Queensland fishers are being encouraged to log their catches, with every recorded trip helping to build a clearer picture of the state’s fisheries and secure the future of recreational fishing. Fishers record their trips for a range of personal reasons. For some, it’s about protecting local waters, while others want to see decisions backed by stronger data. Many enjoy tracking their own fishing history, while others provide feedback to help improve the Qld Fishing 2.0 app. Whatever the motivation, each entry contributes to a broader understanding of fishing activity across Queensland. For many, the decision to record catches begins with concern for the future. “I started recording my catch because I was concerned about the future of fishing quality in our local area,” one Queensland fisher explained. Catch reporting plays a practical role in supporting sustainable fish stocks, protecting waterways and ensuring future generations can enjoy the same fishing experiences. Accurate data is also key to informed decision-making. By submitting trip details, fishers help Fisheries Queensland track species trends, monitor fishing pressure and identify changes over time. "When everyone submits their data from across Queensland, it gives us a clearer picture of fish quality, what species are being caught, and what we can do to preserve these fish for many years to come,” another fisher said. The information collected through the Qld Fishing 2.0 app is combined with commercial, charter and scientific data to guide fisheries management decisions, including size limits and seasonal closures. Recent figures highlight the growing impact of the initiative. In January 2026, 100 fishers recorded 159 trips, logging more than 1,600 fish. February continued the momentum, with 64 fishers submitting 122 trips and recording 825 fish. Importantly, even unsuccessful trips provide valuable insights, helping to create a realistic picture of fishing activity across the state. As participation grows, so too does the ability to protect Queensland’s fisheries—ensuring that every catch, or even no catch at all, contributes to a lasting legacy.
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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.
Whitsunday Coast Airport is taking-off! Photo supplied
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
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.
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
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.
RG Customs NQ Owner Riley Granshaw. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie
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