A definite game-changer for the Burdekin Potters has been a successful grant from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) to acquire a new Tetlow front-loading electric kiln. Memberships of the club have grown to over 60 in the past five years and the addition of a second kiln will greatly increase the turn-around time with the firing of pottery pieces. There have been constant, back-to-back firings at the Burdekin Potters! Pottery pieces first need to be bisque fired. Then glaze (colour) i
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By Owen Menkens, CANEGROWERS Chairman Every time I drive through cane country, I’m reminded that those green paddocks grow more than sugar. They grow energy, jobs and opportunity. The potential has been staring us in the face for years – the question is whether we’re finally ready grab it. The Federal Government’s recently announced $1.1 billion Cleaner Fuels Program shows there’s an appetite for change. That kind of investment sends a clear message that Australia is serious about renewable fu
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Ayr State High School’s budding entrepreneurs had the chance to put their business skills into action last week, hosting a lively market day as part of their Year 8 Economics and Business unit. Fifteen groups of students set up stalls across the school, selling a range of creative products while putting classroom theory into practice. The event not only showcased innovation and teamwork but also taught students valuable lessons in markups, pricing, and profit. By the end of the day, the stalls
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Manager When Leanne Marriott left England in 2009, she thought she was embarking on a single-year adventure. Travelling through Asia and into Australia quickly changed those plans, and now, 16 years later, she's very much a local. By 2012 she had settled in the Burdekin, where her background in disability services in England naturally led her to Flexi Queensland. Leanne was particularly drawn to Flexi’s long-standing reputation for person-centred care, a reputation she has strived to
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House Leader Michaela Mye has called the Burdekin home for 15 years, quickly becoming an integral part of the community through local sport and family life. She plays touch football and netball, activities that have helped her connect with many locals. Family is at the heart of her life, with her daughter, fiancé, and two dogs keeping her busy and grounded. She was led to Flexi Queensland by her passion for supporting people with disabilities to live independently and achieve their goals.
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Lifestyle Facilitator Eighteen-year-old Lacy Horan has spent her entire life in Ayr, growing up surrounded by the close-knit community of the Burdekin. Lacy was drawn to Flexi Queensland by the opportunity to work flexibly while making a tangible difference in the lives of community members. As a lifestyle facilitator, her role covers a wide range of responsibilities, from assisting with personal care and supporting service users in the community to fostering independence in everyday task
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Flexi Queensland officially celebrated 30 years of service to the Burdekin community on July 18, marking three decades of support for people with disability across the region. The milestone event also honoured Maryann Petersen, a founding Board Member and long-time community advocate. Maryann is well known for her work at The Job Shop in Ayr, a family-operated business providing First Aid training, supplies, and support across Townsville, Burdekin, and Charters Towers for more than 21 yea
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It's been just over a month since Ruralquip welcomed new ownership, and while the transition marks an exciting milestone for the business, for customers, it’s been business as usual. The new owners say maintaining continuity has been a top priority, with the full team of existing Ruralquip staff retained to facilitate a smooth handover. “We're pleased to confirm that all existing Ruralquip staff, many of whom have served the local community for years, remain part of the Ruralquip family”, the
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David Jackson OAM doesn’t just report the news—he lives it, and for more than half a century, he has been at the heart of Home Hill, capturing its stories, shaping its history, and championing its people. Born into a family of local news pioneers, David’s roots in journalism were almost predetermined. His grandfather founded the Home Hill Observer in 1923, his father carried it through wartime, and David, alongside his brother, took the reins in 1974. “Even when Dad was in Changi, the paper did
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Whitsunday Myrtle was established in January 2013 by Grace Evans at Airlie Beach, after enjoying many cups of Lemon Myrtle tea and spending much time researching its health benefits. It began its market distribution in January 2014 offering a range of natural handmade products. The scientific name of the Lemon Myrtle tree is Backhousia citriodora of the Myrtaceae family. It grows all the way along the eastern boarder of Australia from the Atherton Tablelands in the north to as far south as the
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As Queensland enters October, the latest health data shows a mixed picture of respiratory illness across the state, with influenza cases easing but RSV and COVID-19 continuing to place pressure on hospitals. Influenza cases dropped by 27 per cent in late September, with 2,706 new cases recorded during the week of 15–21 September. Despite this decline, overall flu activity remains elevated, particularly in Central Queensland, where more cases are being reported among school-aged children. To da
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Burdekin seniors get ready, because Seniors Month is returning October 2025. From 1-31 October we’re celebrating older Queenslanders and their ongoing contribution to the state – whether as volunteers or in the workforce, community leaders or carers, grandparents, or advocates. Seniors Month is all about increasing the social connectedness of older people and their communities, because we all want to be connected to our communities and the important people in our lives, cared for and supported
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The Bendigo Bank Burdekin Singers & Theatre Company are set to bring the colourful, quirky world of Dr. Seuss to life in their latest production, Seussical Jr, opening Friday 17 October at The Lighthouse in Ayr. Audiences will be swept away on a musical journey through the imagination, featuring beloved Seuss characters including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, and Gertrude McFuzz. With catchy songs, vibrant costumes, and a heartfelt storyline, Seussical Jr promises to be a dazzling ex
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Home Hill’s Burdekin Memorial Hall will host the Burdekin Fights Back Gala Afternoon Tea on Sunday, 19 October, raising funds for the North Queensland Cancer Council and Gluyas Lodge in Townsville. The event will feature entertainment by Ricky Romeo and be guided by local MC Emma Halliday. Guest speakers will include Dr. Paula Heggarty, GP and Associate Professor of Rural Medicine at James Cook University, and Tegan Marsden from the North Queensland Cancer Council. Attendees can also participat
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15 excited gymnasts from The Burdekin Academy made the journey to Ingham to participate in the 2025 Ingham Flames Gymnastics Competition last September. Attracting over 100 competitors from communities across the state, gymnastics from The Burdekin Academy put on a showstopping performance, displaying exceptional levels of technique and expertise, executing each routine excellently. Gymnasts from levels one through to four entered in the competition and The Burdekin Academy’s Club Manager and
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The Clash of Clubs at the weekend was a huge success with old Burdekin players travelling from all over the state to take part. The Masters Final was won by Easts who beat Home Hill Rangers and the Seniors Final was decided on penalties, Saints winning after tying 1-1 with Rangers at full time. The next big occasion will be the Escriva Cup which will be played early in November. The Burdekin FC Presentation Night will be held on Saturday 25 October. Get your tickets now. Night Soccer The sec
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The Junior Touch Football season is set to kick off tomorrow night, Friday 10th October, welcoming boys and girls aged four to thirteen. Sign-on will take place at the Touch clubhouse on Wickham Street from 5:30 pm, with a season fee of $20 per child. Teams will be organized from the nominations, and each week participants will enjoy a mix of skills, drills, and games. Sessions will run from 5:30 pm to 6:15 pm every Friday night throughout the season. For further information, contact Michael L
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Twenty-two players turned out on a very warm spring afternoon, with temperatures peaking at 36°C around 2:30 pm. Fortunately, a welcome breeze arrived just in time. We were pleased to welcome Vicki and Ian Connell, as well as Steve Motu and Jeff Taylor, all visiting from Giru. On Rink 3, Paul Vass and Gary Nosworthy defeated Bruce McCallum and Glen Bones Berryman. Rink 4 saw Warren “Yogi” Bunn, Bob Darr, and Ian Connell account for Steve Motu, Ron Smith, and Terry Feakes. Meanwhile, Michael You
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It’s been a fantastic week of fun and fierce competition at Ayr Bowling Club! The greens have been buzzing with energy as members threw themselves into both social games and championship matches. With the championship season coming to an end, the talent and sportsmanship on display have been nothing short of impressive. On Wednesday, we saw a great afternoon’s social bowling competition. There were two games of Pairs and one game of triples. Winners were Cisco, Wayne and Dave. Saturday Social
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The Burdekin Rugby Union Club held its annual Presentation Night on Saturday, 27 September at the Queens Hotel, recognising the achievements of players, volunteers, and club representatives from the past season. First and Second Grade awards highlighted standout performers. Player of the Year honours went to Kelsey Hesp (First Grade Women), Kasey Parison (First Grade Women), and Wainui Matainavora (Second Grade), while other awards recognised Most Improved, Most Consistent, Best Forward, Best B
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Home Hill came alive on Sunday, 28 September, as the 2025 Canefields Ephemera launched in style at Mann Lloyd Gardens. Six striking installations by local artists transformed the gardens into a vibrant celebration of creativity, community, and regional identity. Among the showcased works were Uli Liessmann’s Dancing in the Park, Rhesa Menkens’ Palmacrame and Tribute to My Father, Allan Petersen’s Antler Gully, Rebekah Oakes’ Frederick the Frog, and Lisa Gianni’s Heart of the Burdekin. The highl
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Families are invited to lace up and put on their walking shoes to join in a morning of fun, entertainment, and community spirit at this year’s Step Up for Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability event. The walk will take place along Townsville's scenic Riverway on Sunday, the 12th of October, from 8am to 12pm, with all funds raised staying in the local region. Money raised will go directly toward providing support, services, and vital information to empower people with Down syndrome and their f
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Guys, it finally happened—I officially laced up the boots again for the first time in what seemed like an eternity when I made my Night Soccer debut a few weeks ago. It almost felt like a foreign experience. Beyond my clear regression in skill, I genuinely thought I might pass out after the first minute of play, because as enjoyable and relaxing as my time out of the game has been, it's definitely left a huge void in my physical activity. But maybe this experience was the slap in the face I nee
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The next generation of Burdekin basketballers had the chance to learn from two of the nation’s finest last Wednesday when Australian basketball legend Lauren Jackson and Opals star Tess Madgen visited the region to run a grassroots training camp as part of Basketball Australia’s She Hoops program. From 9am, around 40 young players were put through a series of drills and games over 90 minutes, sharpening their skills under the guidance of two of Australia’s greatest basketball exports. She Hoop
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Opinion Piece By Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox Coal has powered Australia for generations, and it still does today. Coal is the central reason the lights turn on, the fridge stays cold, and the air con works. Coal remains the cheapest form of electricity in Australia, and without it, our country would be vastly different, in a poorer way. But it is not just the electricity it provides. Coal provides our country with economic security. It drives investment, and the revenue raised in t
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