As 2025 approaches, Community Bank Home Hill & Ayr is taking a moment to reflect on a year filled with powerful community moments — each one a reminder of how local partnerships can create real change. Among the standout highlights was the strong support shown for Burdekin Catholic High School’s Stand Up Sleep Out, an initiative driven by a passionate group of student leaders determined to shine a light on homelessness in the region. Although homelessness is often seen as a “big city” issue, s
Read more
Simon Hood Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing As we near the end of the year, it has been an important time to reconnect with Burdekin growers and hear how the season has unfolded. Next week, we will be hosting market update sessions at Inkerman Mill and the Clare Club – both on Thursday 11 December. These sessions are a valuable chance to sit down with growers, talk through the current price environment, and discuss the range of tools available to help manage risk and protect farm income. They al
Read more
CANEGROWERS has welcomed the appointment of Peter Trimble as the new Chair of Sugar Terminals Limited (STL), calling it an important opportunity to restore confidence and unity across the sugar industry following a period of division. CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens said growers are hopeful the new leadership will bring renewed stability, transparency and genuine engagement to STL. “Queensland’s sugar terminals are industry-owned assets. Growers paid two-thirds of the original construction c
Read more
Queensland’s much-loved giant mud crab populations are thriving, with a major new study reaffirming the State Government’s commitment to maintaining a world-class and sustainable fisheries industry. A recently completed study led by Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and co-funded by the Australian Government through the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) has confirmed that there is no current threat to the sustainability of the species. The research highligh
Read more
Queensland agrifood innovators are being encouraged to step forward, with applications now open to join Team Queensland at evokeAG 2026, Australia’s premier agrifood technology and innovation event. Primary producers, Queensland-based businesses, social enterprises, startups and AgTech ecosystem leaders are invited to apply for the opportunity to represent the state at the international event, which will be held in Melbourne on 17 and 18 February 2026. Department of Primary Industries Acting D
Read more
Jo Gabiola’s Real Estate Journey Jo Gabiola has been helping the Burdekin find their homes for over 15 years, and her dedication to the community shows in every aspect of her work. Born in Ayr but now situated at Alligator Creek, Jo still travels 40 minutes each way to meet clients, typifying the commitment that has made her a trusted local agent. Her career in real estate has spanned more than a decade, but Jo’s connection with people started long before she held a license. She managed the Hom
Read more
The Ayr Industrial Precinct is on the brink of completion, marking a major step forward in expanding business opportunities across North Queensland. Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort said the precinct will be a key driver of economic growth and investment for the region. “Council is thrilled to see the Ayr Industrial Precinct taking shape and nearing completion,” Mayor Dalle Cort said. “This project represents a major investment in the future of the Burdekin, providing well-loca
Read more
After a stellar 2025 lineup, the Burdekin Theatre has announced its 2026 Morning Melodies season, promising a sonorous combination of music, storytelling, and nostalgia for audiences across the region. The fresh six-show lineup will feature an array of performers, from well-known acts to rising stars. Tickets for each show are $15—except the free, end-of-year Christmas spectacular—and include a complimentary morning tea from 10:00am, with performances starting at 11:00am. The season opens on W
Read more
Grace Pimpinella celebrated an extraordinary milestone on 22 November, surrounded by family who travelled from Brisbane, Rockhampton, Gympie and Home Hill to honour her 90th birthday. With a beautiful cake and a joyful gathering, the day was filled with laughter, memories, and deep appreciation for a much-loved matriarch. Born and raised in Stanthorpe, Grace moved to Home Hill after marrying her husband, Guiseppi Pimpinella, with whom she shared a hardworking and devoted life on their Up River
Read more
Thursday 4 December Community Christmas Cuppa Thursday 10:00am Residents are invited for morning tea, a cuppa and a community chat—an easy way to encourage conversation and connection. Tea, coffee and morning tea provided. Please RSVP to the Centre for catering. Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre – 40 Chippendale Street Saturday 6 December Simply Merry – Annual Dance Recital Saturday 1:30pm Students of Simply Dance return to the Burdekin Theatre with their annual end-of-year performance, Simply Merr
Read more
In a nail-biting Third Grade clash at JCU Cricket Oval, Home Hill fell agonisingly short of victory, losing to Saints PPS by just 2 runs in a match that went down to the wire. Despite a spirited bowling effort and flashes of brilliance with the bat, Home Hill were edged out 9/151 to Saints’ 7/153. The top order struggled to settle in scorching conditions, with early dismissals stalling momentum. Andrew Wallwork anchored Home Hill’s innings with an unbeaten 51 off 40 balls, striking six boundari
Read more
Saturday PM 6/12 (1-5pm) Group H - Dave Satori PC, Katherine Satori PC, Riley Satori, Jake Satori, Cole Pontifex Sunday AM 7/12 (9am-1pm) Group G - Carl List PC, James Kennedy PC, Shane Morgan, Ross Rickards, Ross Blakey Sunday PM 7/12 (1-5pm) - Group F - Lisa Furnell PC, Jen Morgan PC, John furnell, Josh Furnell, Jo Morgan, Jan Hatherell, Gabriel Hatherell
Read more
Burdekin Roosters 2025 Best and Fairest A Grade lock Hayde Munro capped off his season by being named the best player in the Grand Final of the Club of Origin, played last Saturday at Bendigo Bank Park in Ayr. Munro scored two tries for his Colts side as the Red Horses beat Brothers in the final 20-6. Coached by Ignatius Park coach Will Jack and Roosters A Grade captain Joel Mason, the Colts played entertaining football, with the backs finishing off the hard work of their forwards. In the forw
Read more
Local Training for Men and Colts for the 2026 season starts on this Thursday night at 6.15. Small sided games for the next three weeks. Be There! Night Soccer The tenth week of competition and another low scoring night. There were four forfeits (Schoolies?) and the sixteen games produced just fifty one goals. And there were three Sin Bins. Top scorers were Mottin Earthmoving and Ladies team Goal Diggers with five goals and UDS and DL Lager each with four. There were three drawn games and jus
Read more
Another warm spring afternoon, even starting at 2.30 pm, saw 28 players in attendance. Rink 3: The final of the club triples was played, with the team of Des Chapman, Joe Linton, and Alex Bojack winning on the last two ends for victory over Margaret Linton, Joclyn DeFranciscus, and Jeff Taylor (all six finalists pictured). Congratulations to Des, Joe, and Alex! Rink 4: Bob Pickard, Sandra Darwin, and Hugh Montgomery defeated Janet Arthur, Bruce McCallum, and Steve Doig. Rink 5: Margaret Chapm
Read more
The Ayr Bowling Club has celebrated an exceptional week on the greens, with members coming together for a mix of spirited club Championship games and engaging social matches. The vibrant atmosphere and camaraderie continue to strengthen, showcasing the club's dedication to fostering connections through the sport of lawn bowls. It is very heartening to see that despite the increase in warmer conditions our members keep coming down for a roll up under our shaded cover. Wednesday men’s social bowl
Read more
The fields at the Nutrien Ag. Solutions Cricket Complex are looking nice and green after the recent showers. Blue Group: Only two bowlers took wickets in their game. Tait Parker claimed 2 for 9, while Mitchell Patti took 1 for 3 and also ran out a batter. Jake Cullen also contributed with a run out while fielding. The top scorer this week was Royce Cohen, followed by Jake Cullen and Corbett Cross, who continues to improve each week. Stirling Williams and Henry Cohen earned the "McDonald Sports
Read more
After 13 Years of Growing, Learning, and Memories The school bell rang out one last time for Burdekin Christian College’s graduating Class of 2025, closing the book on over a decade of classes, camaraderie and countless hours of homework. The College celebrated them in style this month with a graduation ceremony at Populin's Hall and a traditional farewell on the school grounds. Both events saw smiles, tears and heartfelt farewells as the BCC community came together to send the graduates confid
Read more
One of the beautiful things about the Burdekin is that a global tourism hotspot sits just a two-hour drive south. I spent the back end of last week soaking up the sun and admiring the breathtaking coastal scenery of the Whitsundays, though that wasn’t the main reason for the trip. Members of the Life Publishing Group, the company behind Burdekin Life and other North Queensland papers and magazines, came together in Airlie Beach for a day of training before attending the Whitsundays Business Awa
Read more
The Burdekin Woodcrafts Association has been bringing the joy of woodworking to the community for more than 30 years, and thanks to a recent RACQ Foundation Resilience Grant, the club is now in a stronger position to continue its good work. The Brisbane-based RACQ Foundation, which has distributed over $15 million since 2011 to more than 500 Queensland community groups affected by natural disasters and drought, provided the Association with a combined $20,500 grant after water damage from recen
Read more
Positive steps have been made towards improving the safety of a notorious intersection in the Burdekin, however Member for Burdekin Dale Last has emphasised that everyone has a role to play when it comes to safety on our roads. After extensive community consultation Mr Last said proactive measures and tackling the matter from all angles would provide the missing pieces needed to pave a pathway towards a solution for concerns faced at the Giddy Road- Bruce Highway intersection. “An increase in
Read more
Opinion Piece From Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox Most Australians will eventually be touched by the reality of old age. Many of us will one day, if not already, require assistance in our later years. Older Australians have done their fair share and deserve the dignity of reasonable, affordable aged care, should they require it. Older Australians have paid their taxes, fought in wars, raised generations, built and run businesses, farmed our lands and pushed this country forward. They’
Read more
The festive season in Burdekin is set to sparkle once again, with the 2025 Burdekin Christmas Carols returning on Sunday, 14 December 2025, at Wickham Street, Ayr, beside the PCYC. Families and friends are invited to gather for an evening filled with music, holiday cheer, and community spirit. The evening will feature a visit from Santa Claus, a fireworks spectacular, free face painting for the kids, and a variety of food stalls to keep everyone fuelled while enjoying the entertainment. This y
Read more
The Bowen Pipeline Company (BPC) has recently received confirmation from the Queensland Government that its formal approval process can proceed, following the lodgement of its Ministerial Planning Application in 2024. Director Sean Brown confirmed the project has strong backing from the Deputy Premier, and construction could begin early next year if water allocations are secured in the next few months. For the Burdekin, the pipeline represents a major local economic driver. During construction,
Read more
Burdekin Shire Council is celebrating a remarkable achievement this week, with local trainee Nicole Cervoni being named TAFE Queensland Business Trainee of the Year. The prestigious award recognises outstanding dedication, professional growth and excellence within the vocational training sector, and Nicole’s success places her among the very best trainees in the state. Each year, Burdekin Shire Council offers a variety of traineeships across multiple departments, giving local residents the oppo
Read more