Local All four Burdekin Panthers teams should have been in action last weekend but because of the very wet weather, all NQ Football fixtures were called off. Hopefully, this week’s fixtures will go ahead as planned. The Premiers and Reserves are at home to Estates on Saturday and the Division One and Ladies are both away on Friday night. The Division One team travel to JCH and the Ladies meet Ingham at Paradise Park in Townsville. Juniors No junior fixtures due to the rain and wet fields. Le
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Although the weather in the Burdekin was pleasant on Saturday, the scheduled match with Bowen had been called off on Thursday due to the state of the field. The Roosters will have their season launch this coming Saturday night at the Queens Hotel the major sponsor of the league. Fixtures in the R L T D are to start the following weekend with the Roosters to host Norths from Townsville in four grades on Saturday April 5. Apart from playing games, club members will be involved in other activities
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Attention Burdekin rock fans – Daybreak is back! The local rock band is returning to their roots for an exclusive performance at the Ayr Hotel on Saturday, March 29th. If you love 80s, 90s, and 2000s rock classics, this is one gig you won’t want to miss! Formed in Ayr, North Queensland, Daybreak is a band of proud locals who bring a fresh, high-energy take on rock music. Frontman Trent Worley shares, “We just basically go out and put on a rock show,” and that’s exactly what you can expect, a ni
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The Fast Track Talent Showcase returned with a bang last weekend, captivating audiences as Queensland’s rising stars dazzled on stage. With over 55 acts competing, the event crowned its 2025 winners, including the dynamic band Category 5, who claimed the prestigious Best Overall Talent award. Guest judge Hugh Sheridan was left in awe of the performances, which spanned music, dance, and more. Thanks to generous sponsors, winners walked away with over $7,000 in cash and prizes. The showcase prove
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The Home Hill Bowls Club was a hive of activity last Wednesday night, with more than 40 people attending the Home Hill Chamber of Commerce meeting, eager to hear from two engaging speakers. First up was Paul Day, Environmental and Health Officer for Burdekin Shire Council, who outlined the Council’s plans to "nudge" the flying foxes away from their roosting sites near the park in Home Hill. Members of the audience were eager to ask questions about this historically important issue, and Mayor P
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The grounds at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex dried enough for play last Friday. Aria and Corbett, along with Jai and Nahjiyah, each scored 19 runs for the Challengers. Nahjiyah and Olivia took two wickets each, while Harvey, Lincoln, Aria, Everly, Claire, and Corbett took one each. McDonald's Sports Awards went to Nahjiyah for his bowling and Everly for her all-round performance. In the "Blue Group," Jude excelled with 26 runs, six wickets, and a runout, earning one of the awards, alo
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Tiles have become a preeminent feature of Australian households, and 2025 has seen the emergence of thrilling new tile trends tailored perfectly to the Burdekin lifestyle. Burdekin homeowners have been emphasising designs which harmoniously connect indoor and outdoor areas, creating cohesive living areas well suited to our tropical climate. The indoor tile scene has witnessed the dominance of large format tiles, which are praised for their minimalist style, simple and easy maintenance, and room
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Hi Everyone, A big thank you to the Home Hill Chamber of Commerce for welcoming our team to the recent Chamber meeting at the Home Hill Bowls Club. It’s always so energising to be surrounded by such passionate individuals who are unafraid to voice their thoughts on so many important local issues! During the evening, I had the privilege of chatting with Chamber Secretary Robert Antoniazzi, who shared a truly moving story about the Choral Society’s most recent event. Though he didn't name name
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Sometimes it’s the smallest acts of kindness which have the power to make a world of difference in someone’s day and just last week, one Burdekin resident was beyond delighted when their day was brightened. Gary Pappalardo shared a post on a local social media group detailing how surprised he was when his morning coffee was paid for ahead of him by one kind stranger. “A big thank you to the kind person who paid forward a coffee at Little Leaves this morning,” Gary wrote. “I was the lucky reci
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Ready, set go, the wait is almost over. Race season is back, and the engines are ready to roar at Pioneer Park Speedway! Mark your calendars for Saturday, the 29th of March, and get trackside for an adrenaline-fueled night of high-speed action. Formula 400s will be hitting the track for the first meeting of the year, promising edge-of-your-seat excitement. Whether you’re a die-hard speedway fan or looking for a thrilling night out, this is an event you won’t want to miss! Get your cars sorted,
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Prepare to bust out your calendars, highlight Saturday the 17th of May and get ready for a vibrant day of racing, fashion, and festivities as the Burdekin Growers Race Day returns in 2025! Known as the Burdekin’s premier 18+ social event, this unmissable day at the track promises a thrilling mix of local horse racing, dazzling fashion, live entertainment, and thousands of dollars in giveaways! The excitement will kick off with a six-race program, featuring some of the best local horse racing ac
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One of Ingham's most infamous street market events will soon kick off for the new year and a warm invitation has been extended to Burdekin stallholders to join in on the action! Markets at the Mosaic ignites Ingham's Mercers Lane on the third Saturday of each month and will officially commence for 2025 on Saturday the 17th of May. Stallholders flock to the area to retail everything from homemade treats and delights to keychains, candles and clothing. "At Markets at the Mosaic, we are only abo
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In January of 2001, a memorable weather event tore through the Burdekin, leaving a devastating footprint on the Home Hill community which many locals still recall to this day, almost 25 years later. Homes were left without rooves and trees were uprooted from street to street as hail fell and thousands of lightning strikes ignited the green washed horizon. Many recall the fear they felt when winds lifted tiles of rooves, snapped power poles like matchsticks and trees toppled over as well as the
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Burdekin Event Guide Friday 28 March Clare State School Open Classroom Friday 12pm Come along to Clare State School’s Open Classroom afternoon, Meet & Greet (4pm) and P&C BBQ Dinner (6pm) in celebration of the school’s 75th Anniversary! Clare State School Saturday 29 March Clare State School 75th Anniversary School Fete Saturday 9am A timeless tradition, Clare State School will hold a fantastic School Fete as part of their 75th Anniversary celebrations where the opening of the time capsule wil
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The Community Bank Home Hill and Ayr have acknowledged the recent announcement of a national award for Bendigo Bank. It is official that Bendigo Bank home loan customers are the most satisfied in Australia, a survey of more than 45,000 Australians across the nation’s 10 largest banks has found. New findings released by Roy Morgan show Bendigo Bank had the highest home loan customer satisfaction rate in the six months to December last year, sitting at 87.7%. In the announcement, Roy Morgan credit
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Appreciating the finer details in each and every day has been made simple by Visit Burdekin’s exquisite Burdekin Art Trail visual map available at www.visitburdekin.com.au! The map outlines the plethora of artistic gems displayed around Giru, Brandon, Home Hill, Groper Creek and Ayr to help locals and visitors alike spot and learn more about the region’s beautiful street art collection. With 30 gorgeous installations to appreciate, exploring the entire list may just be the perfect way to spend
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Just six weeks after floodwaters devastated the Burdekin and surrounding regions, local businesses are bouncing back, with 95% of small and family businesses now reopened. The floods, which forced nearly half of all businesses in North and Far North Queensland to close at various stages, left a lasting impact on communities. However, the resilience of business owners, combined with ongoing government support, has ensured a strong recovery. Queenslanders are now being encouraged to shop locally
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Currently perusing a Bachelor of Laws at James Cook University, Saelym White was celebrated as Home Hill High School’s 2024 Valedictorian earlier this year following on from her graduation held in last November. Saelym’s schooling journey was nothing short of successful, a triumph she achieved through flexibility and adaptability, especially in times when life would disrupt regularly scheduled routines. “When I started Year 12, I had this idea that I would stay on top of everything and get thi
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And the rain continues for North Queensland, reminds me of wet seasons of old. I used to work on South Molle Island in the Whitsundays as a Guest Liaison Officer and it was sometimes hard to find activities to keep people occupied when it rained seven days and nights out of their seven day stay. It was a pleasure to attend a BBQ at Council to say thank you to some of the wonderful volunteers who assisted with the rain event just recently. I admire those who help the community for no financial r
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CANEGROWERS welcomes the Federal Government’s commitment to Feeding Australia, a national food security strategy that aligns with the long-standing calls from Australian farmers to strengthen our agricultural supply chains. However, the sugarcane industry urges the Government to go beyond studies and deliver a clear national feedstock strategy – led by both the Queensland and Australian Governments – to unlock the potential of biofuels and position Australia as a leader in sustainable energy.
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QCAR Burdekin District Manager Angelo Licciardello has been on the ground assisting local farmers in the wake of recent flooding, with erosion emerging as a key concern. Cane grower Frank Scarabel is among those affected, with floodwaters stripping his irrigation system at Healey’s Lagoon in Giru down to bare earth. Restoring the site will require re-bedding with rock, a challenge many farmers across the Haughton district are now facing. In addition to flood recovery efforts, Angelo met with Ni
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Queensland’s peak agriculture body— the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) and its members Cotton Australia, Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG), and Canegrowers—are calling on the Queensland and Australian Governments to take a long-term approach to support the agriculture sector. With two significant weather events already hitting Queensland this year and a possible third on its way, climate resilience, preparedness and response are front and centre with Queensland’s farmers who are
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Last weekend, we had the privilege of hosting a BBQ to thank the incredible volunteers who stepped up during the recent flood event. It was fantastic to see over 50 people come together to recognise the tireless efforts of those who worked around the clock to support our community. We were also joined by our local representatives, Dale Last MP and Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox, who showed their support for the Burdekin and the dedicated individuals who make a real difference in times
Read moreFriday 28 March Clare State School Open Classroom Friday 12pm Come along to Clare State School’s Open Classroom afternoon, Meet & Greet (4pm) and P&C BBQ Dinner (6pm) in celebration of the school’s 75th Anniversary! Clare State School Saturday 29 March Clare State School 75th Anniversary School Fete Saturday 9am A timeless tradition, Clare State School will hold a fantastic School Fete as part of their 75th Anniversary celebrations where the opening of the time capsule will take place. Clare St
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A man of the match performance by former Papua New Guinea International front rower Aiden Arusa helped the Roosters record a 26 nil won over the Bowen Seagulls at Denison Park in Bowen last Saturday. Arusa ,who has played four seasons with the PN G Hunters in the Host plus Cup, showed his vast experience by leading the young Roosters around the park in defence and attack last Saturday. The match, which is played each year, honours the playing days of former Bowen and Burdekin player Lona Kaifo
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