A day for fashion. A day for socialising. A day for horse racing. A day for the Burdekin Growers Race Day. One of the most anticipated events on the region’s calendar will return to Home Hill’s Burdekin Race Club on Saturday 18 May with the day kicking off from 11am sharp. The event will showcase the talents of Trent Bell, stage the Nextgen Building Co. Produce Challenge, and the Hit 103.1 Mega Prize Draw, as well as provide attendees with free fruit and vegetable produce from 5pm. Various opp
Read more
Avid fashionistas from across the region are busy creating fabulous designs ahead of the 2024 Wilmar Sugar and Renewables Wearable Arts Parade which is due to take place in August as one of the central events hosted by the Great Barrier Reef Festival. A popular event, which is a regular stable at the Great Barrier Reef Festival, Wearable Arts has captured the passion of the community. The event will kick-off with the Wearable Arts Parade on Saturday 3rd August and will culminate in the competi
Read more
The bucket-list item on many a people’s list, the annual St. Bebida White on Whitehaven by Fish D’vine Catering is the only long lunch of its kind open to the public on Whitehaven Beach. This extravagant, decadent and opulent affair invites guests to indulge in a full day on Whitehaven Beach, where you are whisked away to a paradise, that is just a two-hour drive away from your home. Starting your day aboard an air-conditioned ferry, the party begins as soon as you join the sea of stunning whi
Read more
Property owners from in the Whitsunday region took part in a free community event earlier this month to hear all about the new Strata legislation that came into effect on the first of May. This free community information session was hosted by Archers Strata Professionals and their Chief Executive Officer Nicky Lonergan told the room about the upcoming changes. The new legislation addressed the following changes: Smoking Bodies corporate will be able to introduce bylaws that prohibit smoking
Read more
After being identified as a key growth area in Queensland, one of the largest residential-zoned developments in Townsville, officially launched earlier this year offering 20 homesites in the city’s southwest. In a strategic move to combat the growing population and new home buyer and investor interest demand in Townsville, property developer Urbex acquired the 80.27-hectare site in mid-2022. The plans will see 850 homesites at the Somers and Hervey development delivered over the next 15 years.
Read more
The Ayr Surf Life Saving Club celebrated another season of success on Saturday night at their annual club presentation night. This year the club had a joined event where both the Junior and Senior members came together to recognise the contribution of members to the club in all areas of service including surf sports, volunteering/community service and patrolling. The club would like to thank all sponsors for the evening, perpetual and memorial trophy families and life members for their continued
Read more
Things are certainly heating up at Ayr Bowling with both social and competition bowls featuring this week. Monday saw a competition B Singles game. It was a good contest with Heather Jorgensen def Lorraine Wolffe. On Tuesday, Social Ladies had a great day with Triples played. Isabel Cislowski, Beryl Cornford and Pam Power def Karen Shepherd, Linda Guimelli and Mary Poli. Raylene Hervey, Joy Comollatti and Heather Jorgensen def Katharina Stuckler, Betty Schultz and Irene Wilson. On Wednesday
Read more
The Cross Fire Youth Group from Burdekin Christian Church decided to have a fun night of playing bocce on Friday night at the Burdekin Bocce Club and they had a blast of a time. There was a little bit of friendly banter going on and lots of laughs. The group showed great teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the night with a lot of clutch moments. It was a first time for many in the group. They are thankful to the Bocce Committee for this opportunity to engage in an Italian traditional spor
Read more
Last weekend the Burdekin Panthers had just three games. On Friday the Division 1 were at home to Estates and lost 2-3 and on Saturday the Panthers had two home games against Olympic. The Under 23s drew 2-2 the Premiers lost 1-3 and the Ladies forfeited their match against Olympic. This week the Panthers have four away matches. On Friday night The Division 1 Funkies play Ingham in Townsville then, on Sunday the Premiers, Under 23s and Ladies meet Brothers, also in Townsville.
Read more
Ayr Junior Golf had 16 juniors turn up last weekend for the May Monthly Medal. Winners for the 3, 6 and 9 holes were Gabriella Cahill, Logan McKeough and Celine Baine. A special thanks to Dave for coming out and helping the juniors with their putting. Opie McKeough took out Dave's Putt Challenge which was kindly donated by Dave himself. A special mention goes to Ethan Pengally with a cracking drive down fairway 7. Contributed by Kristina Land
Read more
The Burdekin Roosters went close to raining on the Miners’ big day in Charters Towers on Saturday when they won two of the three games contested in the RLTD. Saturday was Ladies Day for the Miners and was a huge day for the Towers club with well over 150 ladies enjoying themselves for their annual day. The visiting Roosters had the Ladies looking for more champers when the coastal Hens showed the Lady Miners how to play the game scoring 11 tries and kicking 8 goals in a 60 – 6 romp. If that wasn
Read more
Round 2 week 1- 09/05: Nat II v Nat I at the National 8-2 Crushers v Cougars at the Ayr 7-3 Falcons v Ants at the Anzac 6-4 Bombers had the bye 10 points Points: Nat II - 61, Crushers - 57, Falcons - 50, Nat I - 46, Cougars - 41, Ants - 40 and Bombers 25 Games for Thursday 16/05 Falcons v Nat I at Anzac, Bombers v Ants at Queens, Nat II v Cougars at National and Crushers have the bye Contributed by Kerry Davison Caption: National I
Read more
The jampacked annual Sugar Bowl returned to the court for its 43rd year in the Burdekin as hosted by the Home Hill Tennis Association. One of the hottest events on the North Queensland tennis calendar, the 2024 Sugar Bowl impressed spectators once again with teams travelling from as far afield as Brisbane and Mareeba to compete in the event from the 4 – 6 of May. The event made its debut in 1981 when Lex and Pat Anderson invited captains from areas such as Mackay and Ingham to enter teams in t
Read more.jpg)
Hi Readers I’m back from holidays and feeling ready to get back into it, however I do return with some bittersweet news. But first, the holiday: I had a wonderful week on Norfolk Island with my family, taking in the layered history, intriguing lifestyle and breathtaking beauty of the incredibly unique place. My favourite moments came when hiking through the national park, swimming in the pristine waters of Emily Bay and exploring the rugged coastline of the small but diverse island. There was a
Read more
The bi-monthly Burdekin Plantation Park Markets are a popular place for locals to find handmade treasures, homemade baked goods, beautiful plants and yummy food, but last Sunday, May 5, marketgoers also had the opportunity to receive a free blood pressure check thanks to Mater Private Hospital Townsville. The team from Mater Private Hospital Townsville set up their market stall in celebration of Heart Week 2024, providing free blood pressure checks, fresh fruit thanks to Lamberts Fresh Produce,
Read more.jpg)
Brendon Carew, known by the community as Paddy Carew, officially retired from the Burdekin Police Force earlier this week after 40 years of exceptional service. Brendon attended the Brisbane Police Academy following the encouragement of a family member, and after graduation, he moved to the Burdekin where he has served 37 years stationed at the Burdekin Police Station. Brendon looks back on his career as being a long and fantastic journey, and believes the community will be in safe, capable
Read more
Burdekin residents sleeping in tents and farm sheds are being left without the answers they deserve according to Member for Burdekin Dale Last. Over a month ago, Queensland Premier Steven Miles promised crisis accommodation for every homeless person in the state. Mr Last, however, said the fact that his Housing Minister was yet to provide answers on what crisis accommodation was available for use in the Burdekin was a slap in the face to everyone sleeping rough in the region. “Towns like Moranb
Read more
In an act of kindness, a team of compassionate locals are currently raising funds to gift a gravestone to a 93-year-old unmarked grave in the Ayr cemetery. The heroes behind the act have recently reached a significant milestone in their fundraising efforts, achieving Stage 1 of the Jean Morris Gravestone Fundraising target with a total of $2500 raised but are needing ongoing community support to fulfill their goal. This accomplishment is the climax of their dedicated efforts that began in early
Read more
As part of the 2024 Australia Day Award Ceremony, former Burdekin local, Terri Bradon, was honorably presented with a Medal of the Order of Australia. An award of great prestige, the medal stands to recognise outstanding achievement and service, and Terri has been celebrated for her contributions to the arts in regional Queensland. When Terri began her journey in the world of the performing arts, she never contemplated the possibility of being presented an award as prestigious as an Order of A
Read more
With 44 teams competing the 43rd Sugar Bowl was destined to be a great weekend of tennis. The Burdekin turned the weather on which was perfect for tennis with cooler mornings and a slight breeze. The new on court shades donated by Bendigo in Home Hill were appreciated by the players. As usual the results were close with the last round determining the winners. B ladies was won by Cathy Fairburn’s The Odd Bunch with an average of 51.4 games per session followed by Sharon Mc Dermott 48.25 and Sophi
Read more
Sugar Bowl famous defending champions Dallan and Kurtis Gavey have been training to top A Grade once again in their team, the Teabags, and 2023 B Grade champions, Ian Gould’s Golden Aces, competed to defend their title in the A2 Grade for 2024’s event. However, across all divisions, each team was out to take home the legendary Woods Team Spirit Award, named after David Woods, the inaugural captain of the Teaspoons. Matches kicked off from 8am on Saturday and concluded around 2pm Monday afternoo
Read more
Kylie Newman has held a racquet at the Burdekin Sugar Bowl since she was 14 years old, an event she has always admired since being coached by the competition’s founders, Lex and Pat Anderson. With a family love for the sport, Kylie reminisces on watching her parents play in the annual Sugar Bowl event, eagerly waiting on the sidelines until she was old enough to join a team herself. “My whole family plays tennis, and both my parents were in a Sugar Bowl team each year, and I always knew it was
Read more
One of the Burdekin Sugar Bowl’s most celebrated teams, the Teabags, have stood undefeated for over 16 years. Established in 2010, the team consists of 8 – 9 players spread across Queensland, with each member looking forward to their annual catch up in the Burdekin to reminisce on the past 12 months and make new memories. “Our team’s success is credit to Kate Casswell, Steve Sunderland, Lex and Pat Anderson for all they have done, and it’s been great to see the Teabags boys turn from kids to f
Read more
On Saturday 14 April, the Queensland Parliament House hosted a ceremony to swear in the newly appointed members of the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament, and among them was Burdekin’s very own, Brent Dingle. The YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament (QYP) stands as a highly celebrated and unique opportunity for young people to create real change in Queensland. Open to young people aged 15 – 25 across Queensland, Brent has been eager to join the QYP since he was encouraged by his school principal at
Read more
Nestled amidst the serene beauty of the Whitsundays region, an intimate new music festival promises an unforgettable experience for country music enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. The inaugural Barra & Boots Music Festival is coming to the shores of Lake Proserpine on Saturday, June 15, and is sure to capture the hearts of attendees for years to come. Drawing from the rich tapestry of Australian country music, the festival boasts a lineup that will enchant audiences all afternoon. With esta
Read more