Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
On 10 June, former Burdekin Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Terry Brennan was among over 700 Australians recognised in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours List. Brennan was recently bestowed with the prestigious Public Service Medal for his dedication and outstanding service to local government in Queensland, marking an extraordinary milestone in his remarkable 45-year career. “It was a wonderful recognition for my service in local government and the work I’ve accomplished across several cou
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The Zonta Club Burdekin Inc will “paint the region orange” for the 16 Days of Activism from 25 November to 10 December 2024, as part of the global Zonta Says No to Gender-Based Violence campaign. This initiative aligns with the United Nations’ observances of the Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Human Rights Day, spotlighting the profound impact of domestic violence. Advocacy Chair Judy Mitchell said the campaign raises awareness about gender-based violence and its societal
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How good was the Harvest Festival? Congratulations most certainly need to be extended to Mark Vass and his committee for yet another incredible display of community spirit. From the Ephemera and Festival launch through to the culmination with the Grand Parade and festivities, everything was spot on. Personally, the highlight for me, apart from catching up with people I haven’t seen in yonks, was Ida Arici’s deliciously decadent Italian sweets. 😊 The Burdekin Machinery Preservationists in Br
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This past week, I had the privilege of attending the graduation ceremonies for our Year 12 students. It’s a significant milestone, marking the end of their school journey and the beginning of an exciting new chapter. To all the graduates, I wish you the very best as you step into this next stage of life, full of opportunities and new experiences. Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to volunteer at McDonalds for McHappy Day, a wonderful event that raises funds for Ronald McDonald House Charit
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Ross Tapiolas, owner of My Pets Rural, is dedicated to providing quality and variety that sets his business apart. As a member of the AIRR Tucker independent buying group, My Pets Rural offers a wide selection of pet and livestock supplies at competitive prices. “Being part of a large buying group allows us to purchase at better prices, which means these savings can be passed on to our customers,” Ross explains. With a main warehouse in Brisbane, they run weekly deliveries to ensure fresh and
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For 20 years, Donna Dabelstein has brought uplifting messages, music, and conversation to her listeners on the local radio station. She and two others began their radio journey in 2005 when Merle Scott, then in charge of the station, invited them to join. "We were sitting in the same church pew, and before we knew it, we were in training, learning to switch CDs instead of streaming music online. Whether the Good Lord intended it, I don’t know, but we’ve been doing it ever since,” Donna reflects
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At AGLANTIS, we believe that innovation in agriculture should make life easier and more affordable for farmers. Our automated irrigation system was developed with one main goal: to provide a practical, cost-effective solution for water management that genuinely supports farmers’ needs. This system was shaped through listening to local farmers in the Burdekin region. Their insights helped us design a tool that’s both efficient and easy to adopt. This isn’t just another high-tech solution; it’s a
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Cane crushed This week Season to date Invicta 140,548 2,633,446 Pioneer 72,135 1,251,605 Kalamia 69,560 1,395,898 Inkerman 83,005 1,571,486 Burdekin 365,247 6,852,435 CCS Invicta 14.77 14.41 Pioneer 14.24 14.35 Kalamia 13.75 13.90 Inkerman 14.33 14.14 Burdekin 14.37 14.23 Weekly variety performance for region Variety % CCS Variety % CCS Q240 53% 14.69 Q208 6% 15.54 KQ228 19% 13.54 Q232 6% 13.60 Q183 11% 14.05 WSRA17 4% 13.47 Comments: The Burdekin mills processed just over 365,000 tonnes of cane
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Marking National Agriculture Day last week (November 15), Queensland’s Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett reiterated the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to supercharging the state’s agricultural industry. With a bold target to boost farm gate output to $30 billion by 2030, the LNP say that Queensland is poised to become a national leader in food and fibre production. The Crisafulli Government has also said it will strengthen Queensland’s biosecurity frontline, with a $50 million bo
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By Angelo Licciardello, QCAR Burdekin District Manager Well, there is more to sugarcane farming than I thought! Weeks 21 & 22 Crush: The last two weeks QCAR has been involved in discussions with many industry bodies to continue to develop relations and partnerships which can influence our success as a region/district to be the leaders in sugarcane production. I recently turned my focus to water systems in the Burdekin, so many thanks to Evan Shannon of Farmacist, NQ Dry Tropics and Sunwa
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Home Hill State High School marked National Agriculture Day on 18 November with a vibrant celebration highlighting the region’s rich agricultural heritage and sustainable farming practices. Students, teachers, and community leaders came together to showcase the vital role agriculture plays in the Burdekin region and beyond. National Agriculture Day, typically celebrated on 15 November, was delayed slightly to accommodate school schedules but retained its focus on recognising the people and ind
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Drawing from an outstanding 140-year history of reputable and trusted business operations, Raine & Horne Ayr sits perfectly at 128C Edwards Street and continues to incorporate the professionalism and 1883 values of Tom Raine and Joesph Horne when servicing the bountiful Burdekin district. Carla Healy, Principal and Sales Specialist at Raine & Horne Ayr, will soon be celebrating a decade of real estate expertise, and having recently taken over the business with her husband Keith, she cannot tha
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Simon Hood Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing With the weather gods being kind over the past eight weeks, the Burdekin season is about 85 per cent complete at the time of writing. Our Target price growers have mostly priced their 70 per cent exposure limit, with a few still holding out for higher pricing. Our focus now is updating growers with their delivered GEI exposure, so they can comfortably price the balance of their crop through the Grower Managed Production Risk Scheme pricing mechanism. Th
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The graduation of the Burdekin Christian College’s Year 12 class was an emotional and joyous occasion, filled with love, laughter, and a few tears. This year’s group of graduates held a special place in the hearts of the school community, with Principal Debra Creed expressing the sentiment, "It’s always special, but this year was really something extraordinary." Celebratory features for Burdekin Christian College and Ayr State High School on pages 16-18.
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Ayr State High School's 2024 Academic Awards evening, held at the Burdekin Theatre, was a celebration of student excellence across a variety of disciplines. The event brought together students, families, and staff to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of students from Years 7 to 12. From academics to leadership, citizenship, and sports, the evening highlighted the diverse ways in which students excel within the “Ayr High Family”. The evening was a testament to the hard work and dedication
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Burdekin Artisans invites the community to get festive and creative at their "Button Tree Christmas Workshop" hosted by the talented Billie Lee. This unique, hands-on workshop will take place at 170 Arts on the Avenue in Home Hill, offering a chance for participants to create their own beautiful button Christmas trees. Priced at just $28, the workshop includes all the necessary supplies, so attendees only need to bring their creativity. However, participants are encouraged to bring any special
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The Burdekin Shire Council warmly invites families, friends, and neighbours to an evening of Christmas cheer at the 2024 Bendigo Community Bank Home Hill and Ayr Christmas Carols. Set to light up the Home Hill State High School Oval on Sunday, 8 December, this festive gathering kicks off at 5.30pm and promises something for everyone. Best of all, it’s free to attend! The highlight of the evening will be a headline performance by Burdekin’s very own René LeFeuvre. Known for his soulful performanc
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Currently treating international listeners to his musical talents in Germany, René LeFeuvre will soon headline the 2024 Bendigo Community Bank Home Hill and Ayr Christmas Carols set for Sunday 8 December. From touring across the world to enrolling in acting classes, 2024 has been nothing short of showstopping for René, and he’s looking forward to touching back down in Australia later this month for another outstanding performance on home soil. “I’m grateful to be performing again this year for
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For Gloria Lazzarini, plum puddings are more than just a festive treat—they’re a lifelong passion. Since the age of 17, Gloria has been perfecting her craft, first inspired by a recipe she discovered in The Australian Women’s Weekly. “Italians don’t traditionally eat plum puddings,” Gloria explains, “but I loved the idea and started making the cloth-boiled ones.” Gloria is recently semi-retired from St Francis, St Colmans, and East Ayr State Schools after teaching music and Italian for 60 years.
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Get ready for the festive season at the Max Place Markets on Saturday, November 23rd! Running from 8am to 12.30 pm at 119 Railway Street in Ayr, this Christmas-themed market promises to be a fantastic final event for the year. Whether you're looking for unique Christmas gift ideas or just want to enjoy a relaxed morning with family and friends, the Max Place Markets have something for everyone. Take memorable photos with a special Christmas backdrop, perfect for holiday keepsakes or sharing with
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Saturday 23 November 1.00pm to 5.00pm Patrol Group D: Ben Lawry, Kellie Lawry, Zac dale, Parker Bonato, Richard Dale, Bella Lawry, William Holt, Sharli Archibald, Danica Archibald, Lisa Vivian, Kristy Wassmuth, and Briella Wassmuth. Sunday 24 November 9.00am to 1.00pm Patrol Group B: Terry Lund, Tramayne Horan, Dylan Carew, Heather Scott, Anita Giddy, Jan Hatherell, Gabriel Hatherell, Toby Wilson, and Danny Wilson. Sunday 24 November 1.00pm to 5.00pm Patrol Group E: John Moloney, Anne Molo
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Help us bring the joy of Christmas to the lives of locals this festive season. From families experiencing Domestic and Family Violence, to older persons alone, we are hoping to be able to provide assistance to locals needing a festive lift this holiday season. We would greatly appreciate the following new items: • Bonbons • Festive decorations • Festive tableware • Toiletries including women's hygiene • Christmas books • Sparklers • Long life milk • Tinned fruit
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Apathy, often described as a lack of interest or enthusiasm, can creep into our lives quietly, leaving us disconnected and unmotivated. Whether it's a result of burnout, stress, or the overwhelming pace of everyday life, apathy can hinder personal growth and happiness. However, understanding the roots of this feeling and implementing strategies to overcome it can help us reclaim our motivation. Firstly, it's important to recognise the signs of apathy. These might include disinterest in activiti
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On Saturday 16 November, lifesavers from across the North Barrier Branch attended the Annual Surf Rescue Championships at the Ayr Surf Club. Surf Rescue Champs is a specialised carnival that focuses on events that test your 'life saving' skills. Competitors in the Champion Lifesaver event will compete in a Rescue Tube race, board, surf swim and beach sprint, as well as completing a theory test paper, a live patient assessment and a Resuscitation component. The day also hosts a First Aid competi
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The Ayr Bowling Club kept the competition lively throughout the week despite the warmer weather. On Tuesday, the ladies’ social games enjoyed a refreshing breeze. Ruth Moore, Sandra Stidston, and Pam Power triumphed over Karen Shepherd, Karen Page, and Mary Poli, while Ron Soper and Heather Jorgensen secured a win against Donna Soper and Irene Wilson. Thursday, 14 November, saw no competition games for the ladies, but only three more games remain in their season, which wraps up at the end of th
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