Issue #

Public Submissions Open For Chicken Meat Industry Review

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) is seeking submissions to inform its review of the Australian chicken meat industry and has released an Issues Paper to assist. Submissions can be made via 'Have Your Say' online until 30 May 2025, including via written submissions or through a guided portal. Submissions are open to all interested parties and will not be published. Confidentiality deeds are also available for all submissions. ABARES was commiss

Seed Plot And Disaster Relief

A few rays of sunshine finally broke through in the Burdekin this week – but earlier visits to the Burdekin Productivity Services (BPS) clean seed plot found it still too damp to open at the time. Manager of Kalagro Alan Parker, BPS Field Officers Kristie Casalegno and Jack Edwards, and Farm Manager David Paine were among those checking conditions ahead of the expected opening earlier this week. QCAR Burdekin District Manager Angelo Licciardello said there were “plenty of tonnes of Q240 and Q1

A LITTLE BIT SWEET & A WHOLE LOT SPORTY!

This weekend, the Burdekin is the place to be with three exciting sporting events that promise to bring energy, competition, and plenty of fun for all! Lace up your shoes and hit the starting line at the Burdekin Sugar Rush, kick off your tennis skills at the 44th Annual Sugar Bowl, or grab your cricket bat and join the Canefield Ashes carnival for an action-packed two days of T20 cricket. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just looking to have a good time, there’s something for everyone. The Burd

Teens Slide Into Respect

A group of teenage boys were recently recognised on the Burdekin Community Hub on Facebook for their respectful and considerate behaviour while visiting a local water park two weekends ago. Despite clearly being excited to enjoy the slides, the boys demonstrated an admirable level of kindness towards the younger children at the park. As the younger ones queued for their turn, the teens graciously allowed them to go ahead, ensuring the little ones could enjoy the slides without feeling rushed. T

Jump In With Jacob

Hi Everyone! Hope you all had a fantastic Easter break :) With my first week in the Burdekin in the books, I can positively say: I love this place already! You all have made it so easy for me to settle in and find my feet in my new role as your local voice. I’ve really enjoyed learning and writing about some of your stories this week. After just a couple days on the job, one thing is already unequivocally clear: you guys LOVE your local events—and I’m all for it! It’s refreshing to see a comm

ANZAC Spirit Shines Through in Our Region

The ANZAC spirit is alive and well across our region, with attendance at dawn services, marches, and other commemorative events surging in recent years. This ANZAC Day is expected to see even greater numbers, as our community once again comes together to honour those who have served. Long before I became the Federal Member for Dawson, and my time as Mayor of the Whitsunday Regional Council, my family and I have always made it a priority to honour the sacrifices of our brave servicemen and women

Home Hill Chamber

The Home Hill Chamber of Commerce held its monthly meeting at 5:30pm on Wednesday, 16 April. Guest speakers included Police Officer in Charge Sam Pyke, Labor candidate for Dawson, Neil Wallace and Burdekin Life Newspaper Sales Manager Trish Jandt. Officer Pyke provided an update on local policing matters, identifying that sdaly domestic violence as the most prevalent crime in the Burdekin Shire. He also addressed questions from attendees about the operations and priorities of the local police f

Up-skilling Funding Up For Grabs

Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, is encouraging local chambers of commerce and industry representative groups to apply for funding to improve skills and service delivery in the region. The Local Skills Solution program is aimed at leveraging ‘on the ground’ knowledge to identify gaps in currently available training and to fill those gaps with suitable training subsidised by the Queensland government. “This a great opportunity for the retail sector and key industries to access subsidised face

Historic Marshal Tractor Restored

This week we bring you more information about the historic Marshal Tractor that among other artifacts has been lovingly restored by the multi skilled artisans at the Burdekin Machinery Preservationists (BMP). This historic Marshall Colonial Tractor Model C2 was purchased by John Drysdale and brought to Pioneer Sugar Mill in 1914. Unfortunately, the machine did not live up to expectations and lacked power – “it wouldn’t pull the skin off a rice pudding”. So, the tractor was parked in Delta Iron

Blades Ready: Australia’s Toughest Cane Cutters Head to Burdekin for National Title

The sound of swinging knives and the scent of scorched cane will return to Australia’s Sugar Cane Capital on Saturday, 31 May, as the Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships take centre stage at this year’s Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival. The competition—a true test of strength, technique and endurance—will see men and women from across the region and beyond battle it out in the paddock, vying for thousands in prize money and the coveted title of AHCCC Champion. Held from 11am to 5pm, with

Burdekin Region To Honour ANZACs

On Friday, April 25, the Burdekin community will come together to pay their respects to Australia’s past and present Service People, with local ANZAC services and parades to take place across the region. In Home Hill, the Dawn Service will kick the day off, commencing at 5:25am at the Burdekin Memorial Hall, followed by the laying of wreaths, the sounding of the Last Post, and a minute's silence at the Home Hill Cemetery Cenotaph. Attendees will then return to the Burdekin Memorial Hall for th

Councillor Column

It has been a busy time of year to say the least. I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Easter break. From all reports the crabbing was good, and the weather has turned nice, hopefully signalling the end of that humidity and rain. I recently attended the 75th Anniversary Roll Call at the Clare State School. It was great concept that saw each decade of attendees called up for a class photo and I found it an amazing display of some generational families that have been to the school. Well done

Minute with the Mayor

As we approach ANZAC Day, we pause to remember the sacrifices made by the men and women who have served - and continue to serve - our country. Their bravery, dedication, and resilience have shaped the freedoms we enjoy today, and it is our responsibility to ensure their legacy is never forgotten. Sadly, as we reflect on the lessons of history, we are reminded that war and conflict still exist across the world. ANZAC Day is not just about remembering the past - it is also about acknowledging the

Stardust Drive-In Set to Shine Again

One of the state’s longest standing drive-in theatres lives right here within the Burdekin region, and soon enough, after many, many long months, the Stardust Drive-In Cinema will be back to creating long lasting open-aired memories for Queenslanders. “It’s time, with the amazing new screen the Drive-In will come alive soon, and as we finish off the final details, we are preparing an opening for you, our Drive-In community, to experience,” shared Stardust Drive-In Cinema Manager, Suzzi Jerkic.

Cooking, Camping and Community Spirit

March and April have been busy months for the Lower Burdekin Scouts. The Scouts started March with swimming nights, followed by a visit to the Burdekin Men’s Shed. Other activities were: · A cooking night · Fire Lighting night · A night erecting tents in preparation for a camp to Magnetic Island. · Knot tying night · Harvey Norman BBQ stall · Easter Raffle stalls The cooking night involved making damper and creating handmade pasta with a tomato and mince sauce. The Easter Raffle involve

2024 Junior Water Festival Winner Cole Pontifex Reflects On Unforgettable Journey

Becoming a Junior Burdekin Water Festival Ambassador stands as a highly celebrated and unique opportunity for the region’s youth to take part in and in 2024, Cole Pontifex took full advantage of everything the amazing journey had to offer. Eligible Junior Ambassadors, as part of the Burdekin Water Festival, are students aged 11 to 12 years of age who are currently enrolled in Year 6 or 7 within the Burdekin Shire. Clubs, schools, sporting groups and organisations are able to nominate an Ambassa

Burdekin Community Gardens

The Burdekin Community Garden will open for the 2025 season on Monday morning 12 May from 9am – 11am. This year marks its fourth year of operation after it was initially established through generous donations from the congregation of the Burdekin Community Church in 2022. The garden exists to grow fresh produce to share free of charge with the local community. During the first three years of its existence the garden has produced a bountiful harvest of corn, carrots, snow peas, tomatoes, lettu

All Eyes On Queensland For Global Agriculture Investment

The State Government has secured hosting rights for the world’s premier conference for agricultural investors, cementing Queensland as the preferred investment gateway into Australia and surrounding regions. Global AgInvesting is the world's longest-running and largest gathering of agriculture investment stakeholders. Brisbane’s selection underscores Queensland’s ongoing global expansion and strategic positioning as a key player in international agriculture investment markets. The conference

Committees Call For Urgent Price Freeze On Irrigation Water

Two Burdekin water committees are urgently calling on the State Government to freeze irrigation prices and to exercise common sense and compassion for regional primary producers in the Giru irrigation area. The Giru Benefit Area (GBA) Irrigation Committee, supported by the QCAR Water Committee, is appealing to the Queensland Minister for Local Government, Water and Volunteers, MP Ann Leahy, and her government, to immediately dismiss the Queensland Competition Authority’s (QCA) recommendation to

Fast and Featherless: Ducks Revved Up & Ready

It’s that time of year—hundreds of ducks, one stream, zero control. The greatest slow-motion race of the year is about to float into Plantation Park. On Sunday, May 18, the Norm Perry Memorial Duck Race will return for its annual splashdown, bringing thrills, spills, and a whole lot of rubber ducks to the Burdekin region for it’s 16th edition. The event, one of the Rotary Club of Ayr’s major annual fundraisers, will raise funds for the Burdekin Woodcrafts Association and Burdekin Men’s Shed, p

Strength in Unity: Parkinson’s Awareness Month In The Burdekin

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month—a time to shine a light on the challenges faced by people living with Parkinson’s disease and the importance of community support. In the Burdekin, one group is doing just that. The Parkinson’s Queensland Burdekin Support Group has become a vital connection point for not only locals navigating the realities of the condition, but anyone seeking to learn more about it. Group Co-Ordinator Elvie Dickinson says the group aims to provide connection, understanding

Gardening with Kids: Fun, Easy Projects for All Ages

The Burdekin, with its warm climate and fertile soil, is the perfect place to introduce kids to the joys of gardening. Whether you have a large backyard or a small space, there are plenty of simple projects to get kids excited about planting, growing, and caring for their own garden. Here are some easy and fun gardening projects for kids that thrive in our local climate. Planting Easy-to-Grow Veggies North Queensland’s climate is great for growing vegetables, and kids love seeing their efforts

Football Matters With Cyclops

Local Senior fixtures resume this weekend after a very long hiatus. The Panthers have four home games and one away game over the weekend of 24 -26 April. On Friday, the Ladies are at home to Wulguru at 6.30 and the Division 1 Men play Wulguru at 8.30. The Division 2 Men’s team is away to Estates at 6.30 at Paradise Park. Then on Saturday the Panthers have two home games against Brothers with the Premiers playing at 7.00 after the Reserves have played at 5.00. Juniors Juniors are finally back un

Home Hill Easter Fours Raging Success

Cane You Keep Up?

The Burdekin Sugar Rush Is Back With Some New Twists and Turns! Lace up and bring the energy—on Sunday, April 27, the Burdekin Sugar Rush is back to fire up the region and kick off the ANQ Half-Marathon Series with a bang! Hosted by the Burdekin Road Runners and Walkers for the 23rd year running, the event will feature races for all ages and abilities. The morning is kicked off at Anzac Park with the Half-Marathon at 6:30am, followed by the 10km run at 7:15am, and the all-inclusive 5km fun run