The Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal (FRRR), and Suncorp Group are inviting local not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) in remote, rural, and regional Queensland communities impacted by Cyclone Jasper and Kirrily to apply for a share of $300,000 in funding to support ongoing resilience building and recovery efforts. Grants of up to $20,000 are available through the Rebuilding Futures Program, and are available to NFPs providing community-led activities addressing local prevention, preparedne
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The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) seeks volunteers to provide companionship and friendship to older people who may be socially isolated, lonely, or can't leave their homes. Volunteer opportunities consist of visiting people and residents in local aged care facilities. They are looking for people from all walks of life who can cultivate friendships with vulnerable people within the community, who are at risk of social isolation. Social isolation can affect people from many backgrou
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On Saturday 13 April, Sophie Robertson set off on an international adventure as part of the annual Premier’s Anzac Prize. Sophie was prestigiously awarded the Premier’s Anzac Prize earlier this year and was 1 of 8 Queensland recipients to embark on the two-week-long historic journey. The award provides an extraordinary opportunity for young Queenslanders to develop a deeper understanding of the Anzac legacy through research, workshops, and visits to respected memorial sites in the United Kingd
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Since November last year Collinsville local, Daniel Honnery, has been on life support at Mackay Base Hospital after a rare illness caused his body to completely shut down. His sister, Shannon Honnery who resides in Home Hill, is currently appealing for support through a GoFundMe page and other donations to help him on his road to recovery. Daniel has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a severe and life-threatening neurological disorder where the body’s immune system attacks the nerve
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The Molongle Beach Caravan Park has undergone major improvements to modernise the space under the care of Amanda Wood, and Drew Blakeman, and provides a haven for locals and caravaners to enjoy. The location, although not centralised to the Burdekin, attracts many locals on a Sunday from 10am to 8pm for their spectacular Sunday Funday events with a selection of lucky attendees walking away with a D n S Quality Meats meat tray. The Sandbar Café was constructed from a Government Grant given to
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Al-Anon, a support group for individuals who have been impacted by or have cared for family members, friends or people with addictions has re-established in Burdekin after a 15 year hiatus. The original Burdekin support group ran for 30 years before sadly closing its doors due to losing regular participants. However, the driving force behind the revival is Melanie. Melanie returned to Ayr in February, having lived in the Tablelands for four years and was eager to give the group a new lease of
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While big banks are cutting services in an industry that is facing significant challenges, a local branch in Burdekin is celebrating its institution's success. Queensland Country Bank, a member-owned institution, is bucking industry trends, adding more accolades to its collection, and demonstrating that the customer-focused approach is a clear winner. Queensland Country Bank is a multi-award-winning financial institution. The bank has recently secured wins at the WeMoney 2024 Awards, including
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In about May 1932, Home Hill decided that they wanted a Golf Club instead of visiting the Ayr Golf Club. In September 22 1932, a public meeting was convened in the Central Theatre (8th Avenue where Tudge Haller once had a material and clothing store) in conjunction to forming a Golf Club. Messrs. F Murphy was patron, T A Villiers was President, Vice Presidents were E Peapell and G F Jones, L Lister was Secretary, W F Franberg was Treasurer, and Mr. Rowe was Auditor. A committee was formed with t
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While brainstorming ideas for this week's column, a casual remark sparked a discussion about the assumption that everyone is always in the loop. Our hectic schedules make it rare to be in the office simultaneously. This week, we want to emphasise the value of personal connections. It is important to touch base with each other and reconnect with people you haven’t spoken with in a while, as these connections truly enrich our lives. Losing touch with others can affect our health and wellbeing and
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There has been quite a bit happening around the area since my last column. Some of the events I have been lucky enough to attend are the Burdekin Grower Race Day, Burdekin Netball Association’s Burdekin Cup, Rotary Club’s Norm Perry Memorial Duck Race, East Ayr State School’s under 8s Day, the Burdekin Chaplaincy Fundraising Breakfast, and also made it along to the Burdekin Theatre to see Dreams – The Fleetwood Mac & Stevie Nicks Tribute Show. These types of events don’t happen in small towns li
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Did you know approval is required to set up a street stall or raffle on Council roads, footpaths or other areas? Council has a number of locations, mainly on Queen Street, Ayr and Eighth Avenue, Home Hill, where raffles and street stalls may be held. For information on availability of dates and locations and to receive approval, please contact Council's Customer Service Centre. If approved a copy of your current public liability insurance to the value of $10,000,000 is to be provided to Council.
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The Home Hill Chamber of Commerce has stood proudly in the Burdekin community since the early 1930s. Committed to addressing local issues and fostering community spirit, the chamber boasts a diverse membership of 43, encompassing not only business leaders but also dedicated individuals passionate about the region’s prosperity. The Chamber includes five Executive Committee members who, alongside its members, drive forward initiatives and outreach efforts. Recently, the Home Hill Chamber of Com
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Inkerman Lime and Gypsum stands as a celebrated business which has been operating in the region since 1932. In 2006, couple Joe and Rosetta Tama took ownership of Inkerman Lime and Gypsum, which has since become a family business with their son, Robert Tama now the manager, following in his parents’ footsteps. “My father has always been interested in investing in projects that he believed had great potential,” explained Robert. “When he saw the possibilities and benefits of Inkerman Lime and
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The scheduled return for the Burdekin Water Festival has been celebrated across the region, with the festival set to ignite Queen Street on Saturday 7 September with the nostalgic theme, Bring it Back. The theme, Bring it Back was decided at the Burdekin Water Festival Committee’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Monday 10 June where a group of dedicated members of the community put plans into motion for the 2024 event. Drawing from Water Festivals of the past, the theme, Bring it Back a
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A visit to the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) has given a group of Burdekin cattle producers an opportunity to learn more about the science behind water quality research. It was organised by natural resource management group NQ Dry Tropics, working with Burdekin graziers on changed grazing practices to manage riparian zones and maintain end-of-dry season groundcover to improve water quality and farm production. NQ Dry Tropics Paddock to Reef project officer Jade Fraser said the
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The last of Wilmar Sugar and Renewables’ four Burdekin mills were on track to start crushing earlier this week, on Tuesday. General Manager Operations Mike McLeod said he expected the first bin to be tipped at Pioneer Mill near Brandon just after lunchtime on Tuesday, and the first raw sugar to be produced by Wednesday. This means half of Wilmar’s mills will be in full swing by Wednesday, making sugar, molasses and renewable energy. Inkerman Mill in Home Hill was first to begin the crushing se
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The Australian Idol country singing treasure, Trent Richardson, will ignite the Burdekin Showgrounds on Wednesday 26 June. From growing up on an Emu Park camel farm to having his name up in lights, Trent’s musical talents have been broadcast across the nation as part of the 2024 season of Australian Idol earlier this year. Since concluding his time on the talent series, Trent has continued singing and working on his talents with bigger and better plans in mind for the future. “She’s been a w
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Cecillia Cason has been honourably selected to attend the Pacific Honors Ensemble Program in November; a prestigious program held in the United States of America. The program, as hosted by the Young Conservatorium (the pre-tertiary program for Griffith University) and the Western International Band Clinic, is held in Seattle, Washington annually with a small group of highly skilled honor band students selected to attend. Candidates are to audition for a position by performing a piece from a sel
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On the morning of Thursday 13 June, Ayr State High School hosted the Burdekin Chaplaincy Fundraising Breakfast. Chaplains from each school in the region came together to celebrate the work these amazing people do for the community and its students, with all funds raised re-directed to support the youth of the Burdekin. The event ran from 7am and encompassed school staff, principals, business owners, and community members from across the community, along with Mayor Dalle Cort. All attendees ha
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Creating inviting outdoor living spaces through DIY projects can transform your backyard into a functional and aesthetically pleasing area for relaxation and entertainment. Here are several creative ideas to inspire your outdoor makeover: Cozy Outdoor Lounge: Begin with comfortable seating options like DIY pallet sofas or repurposed wooden benches with plush cushions. Add a handmade coffee table using a reclaimed crate or an old trunk topped with a custom-cut piece of glass. DIY Hammock Corn
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Monday 24 June ARC by ERTH Monday and Tuesday, from 6.30pm Showcasing exquisite puppetry, an enigmatic host, audience interaction and a world of rare and exotic animals, ARC is a profound experience that embraces the natural world and the creatures that cohabit this place we call Earth. ARC presents intimate, magical encounters with rare and vulnerable species, raising important questions about our collective and individual relationship with nature and loss. Renowned as innovators of physical
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Entries are now open for the Love Letter to Queensland community writing competition. The competition is calling individuals to share their heartfelt stories and express their love for the magnificent state. The state is known for its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant communities and unique culture, and the competition wants to hear your individual experiences, memories and connections to Queensland, in the form of a love letter. How you construct your love letter is up to you. Whether thro
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On Wednesday 14 August, the Burdekin Theatre will be graced with the talents of Melinda Schneider as she returns to the stage to pay tribute to the legendary Doris Day. As part of the Burdekin Theatre’s Morning Melodies Series, this performance will encompass a nostalgic concert celebration as Melinda Schneider stages a heartfelt tribute to Doris Day. A legend of stage, screen and song, the world lost one of its biggest stars with the passing of Doris Day. Labelled “the girl next door” Doris
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Sunday 16 June hosted a celebratory milestone for Gumlu’s Biggest Morning Tea event, with community members flocking to the Molongle Creek Boat Club to attend the 10th anniversary of the fundraising gathering. 2024’s Biggest Morning Tea event raised an amazing total of $2,280 for the Cancer Council Queensland due to the outstanding generosity of the community, and Sunday’s fundraising efforts contributed to an overall decade total exceeding $10,000. Regina Lequerica has been running and organi
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Catching up with old school friends? How about catching up 50 years later? That's exactly what the ex-students from Marist Brothers and St Francis Xavier Convent High School did. Meeting at Hotel Brandon, around 42 individuals (pictured below), gathered to celebrate 50 years since they left school in 1974. Many of the alumni travelled a great distance to join the reunion, with some even travelling all the way from New South Wales. Attendees expressed how the evening was an extremely enjoyable
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