A group of 16 participants recently completed training facilitated by CORES Queensland, equipping them with the essential skills to identify and respond to a person at risk of suicide. The training day was held at PCYC Burdekin on Friday, February 9 and CORES Queensland Coordinator and Counsellor Ross Romeo said it taught people the warning signs to look out for in someone they’re concerned about and what to say, what to do and where to go for help. “It’s very interactive and we design it and de
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A forum was held on Tuesday, February 20 by Burdekin Chamber inviting mayoral and councillor candidates to present to the community and answer their questions. Caption 1: Pierina Dalle Cort, Burdekin Chamber President Leigh Kefford and Lyn McLaughlin Caption 2: Lyn McLaughlin, Amanda Hall, Fina Vasta and Kaylee Boccalatte Caption 3: Llewlyn Davies, John Furnell, Pierina Dalle Cort, Jayson O’Keeffe and Callan Oar Caption 4: Russell and Linda Kirk and Tiffany and Alissa Muir Caption 5: Michael Det
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The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating a two-vehicle traffic crash south of Home Hill on the afternoon of Thursday, February 15. A spokesperson confirmed Queensland Ambulance Service was engaged at approximately 1:50pm that afternoon after two vehicles collided on the corner of the Bruce Highway and Wallace Road in Inkerman. It has been confirmed that a van travelling north on the Bruce highway turned across the southbound lane to reach the rest area at Inkerman when it collided with a vehicle
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Authorities have arrested the fifth offender in relation to the recent crime series that occurred in the Burdekin in January, charging a 14-year-old Home Hill youth with 21 offences while police opposed his bail. The youth was the last of five arrests made in relation to a series of break and enter offences in the Burdekin during late January 2024. The offences were alleged to have been committed on January 25 earlier this year, where six local businesses were targeted, including an electric
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The vast majority of assaults reported to Ayr Police are between parties known to each other. Many occur in private residences between family members, which may constitute domestic violence, or friends and acquaintances. Other assaults occur in the street or licenced premises where, once again, the involved parties are usually known to each other. It is a not uncommon occurrence to see news reports where people are assaulted, fall back, hit their head and die. One punch can kill. “It’s Okay
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Two of Ayr Health Service’s longest serving employees were recognised with a morning tea and presentation on Monday, February 19. 15 staff members received awards at the Townsville Hospital and Health Service – Length of Service Awards presentation, most notably Executive Support Officer Ana Mooney who is celebrating 45 years of service and Raylee Hervey who has worked in Laundry Operations for 40 years. Ms Mooney, who was born at the same hospital she went on to work at for 45 years, started wh
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By Chelsea Ravizza James Cook University (JCU) Bachelor of Nursing Science and Midwifery students Ashely Green, Hayley Nosworthy, and Lauren Raitelli are dedicated, compassionate student midwifes looking to support local women in their pregnancy journeys. In fulfilling their undergraduate placements and requirements, each of the girls have fallen in love with all that midwifery entails and have assisted many women from Townsville and the Burdekin region in their pregnancies from prenatal care t
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Did you know that the Burdekin Community Association Inc (BCA) has a Specialist Homelessness Service and Crisis Accommodation Program? Our Housing and Community Support Team can assist adults and their children and young people aged 16+, who are sleeping rough or in non-conventional accommodation and people who are experiencing chronic homelessness. The team will assist eligible people by: • Providing Temporary Supported Accommodation (if a place is available in one of our five crisis accomm
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A couple of weeks ago, we touched on the idea of a Compassionate Community and rallying around to provide a support network for people experiencing challenges in life. This week, we would like to talk about Compassionate Communities from the perspective of death, dying and grief. Compassionate Communities is a way of recognising that we all can care for and support those dying. In the past, people often died at home, and their families knew how to take care of them. But nowadays, dying has becom
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Did you know that the Burdekin Shire Council operates two cemeteries located in Ayr and Home Hill? These cemeteries are well maintained, open environments with no gates, therefore providing 24 hour access for families and friends to visit the resting place of their loved ones. Council also maintains a burial register that contains records of all burials in the shire of Burdekin, dating back to 1888. Home to lawn, columbarium, and traditional burial sites, the Ayr and Home Hill Cemeteries cater
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Member for Burdekin Dale Last is calling for Federal Government support to fund additional Police Patrols to combat youth crime in the Burdekin. Following the announcement of Federal Government’s $1.3 million for night patrols in regional communities, Mr Last is calling for this to be echoed in the Burdekin. “It’s already been demonstrated that these night patrols are extremely effective in reducing youth crime with one community seeing a staggering reduction in offending and there is no reason
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Ayr resident June Pola knows a thing or two about preparedness for natural disasters. Having lived in the Burdekin Shire for 45 years, she’s experienced many cyclones and floods. She’s lost a roof – and kept her family safe. Like most people here, she’s well aware of the dangers and how to prepare. And she thinks that lived experience of natural hazards is important factor that pushes people to prepare. “I follow all the things that they say you have to do,” says June. “I moved everything that
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What started with a simple idea of supplying locals with sporting equipment has far exceeded even what owner Neville Eathorne expected, when he first opened the doors of Eathorne’s Sports Village in 1974. A born and bred Burdekin local, Neville looks back at the growth of his sporting store with pride, explaining that the last 50 years has been “a ride and a half”. It all started in 1973, when Neville was playing a lot of cricket and basketball, and realised that he couldn’t buy locally what t
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The next round for the Community Child Care Fund (CCCF) grants for child care centres in regional and remote areas has now opened and Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox MP is encouraging local childcare providers to look into how this opportunity could benefit them directly. Funds are available for eligible childcare centres to renovate or extend their facilities to cater for high un-met demand or for those wishing to work with other organisations to create sustainability support. The f
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NQ Dry Tropics has been awarded a grant through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund (FDF) Longterm Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices (LTT) Program, to complete a five-year trial testing the efficacy of drought resilient grazing strategies in the Burdekin region. Taking place at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ (DAF) Spyglass Beef Research Facility, this trial is the only Northern Australian trial, utilising virtual fencing systems in remote environments, that
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Tracpower Brandon recently hosted an open day to showcase their range of Deutz-Fahr products, inviting the agricultural community of the Burdekin to discover what the high horsepower range can offer on Monday, February 19 and Tuesday, February 20. Tracpower have been Deutz-Fahr dealers for 12 months and Tracpower Dealer Principal and Director Justin Minuti said the brand is gaining traction in the area. “The higher horsepower is what we were after with Deutz-Fahr,” he said. “We are a Kubota deal
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By Chelsea Ravizza Ashley De-Campo established the Burdekin Clothes Shop Facebook page in December of 2021 to solve one simple problem many women face: too many clothes, too little closet space. Looking for a solution, Ashley created the group in addition to other Burdekin trade Facebook pages in the interest of harboring a niche topic with a tailored audience. “I needed to make room in my cupboard, and I had lots of clothes that still had their tags on, clothes I had never worn before, and
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The first Burdekin Industry Breakfast for 2024 was held earlier this week welcoming two guest speakers to illuminate the morning event. The Burdekin business community gathered at the Burdekin Theatre on Wednesday, February 21 to hear from Rhian Aguirre, the Senior Manager of Operations and Maintenance of Ark Energy Corporation and Ranee Crosby, CEO of Port of Townsville. Mr Aguirre discussed Ark Energy’s goals, completed projects and future plans for the company, outlining the importance of o
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The NQ Fast Track Talent Showcase is around the corner, and no one is more excited than the two special guests for 2024, Taylor Henderson and Ethan Beckton. The two talented artists will not only perform live at the final showcase, but also attend a workshop with performers prior to them taking the stage. Having both participated in television talent competitions, Taylor and Ethan know how much a talent showcase can mean for someone’s career. Growing up in regional Victoria, Taylor Henderson wa
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The barramundi fishing competition of the year is back, with the organisers Whitsunday Game Fish Club excited to take to the lake. Based at Camp Kanga, the weekend starts with a briefing and registration at Camp Kanga on Friday March 22, from 7pm, for those wishing to get in on the action. Nomination for the Barra Bash is free and prizes will be presented at the conclusion of the weekend, from 1pm, with photo on a brag mat, including the date, of the longest Barra. Anglers can fish the lake,
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Carmela Bonanno, formerly of Home Hill, celebrated her 100th birthday on February 14 at the residential aged care home in Brisbane where she now lives. Carmela (nee Quattrocchi) emigrated to Australia from Zafferana-Etnea, Sicily, by boat in August 1950, aged 26. She settled in Townsville, working in a café owned by her sister and brother-in-law. Not long after she arrived, a friend introduced her to Giuseppe (Joe) Bonanno, who was living and farming in Home Hill. Joe hailed from the same villag
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Leaders’ Investiture Congratulations to Home Hill State High School’s leaders for 2024 who were sworn in at a ceremony on Tuesday, February 20. Senior Secondary School Captains: Saelym Poli and Jacob Machin Junior Secondary School Captains: Lucy Young and Alex Swinney Junior Secondary Vice Captain: Kalen Linton Indigenous Captain: Graycee Messer-Watego Indigenous Vice Captiain: Blaize Palmer Beachmount House Captains: Sienna Heron and Meleik Billy Inkerman House Captains: Rian Berryman and Geoff
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Fast Facts: Rehoming Fee: $425 DOB: 31/12/2022 Sex: Male Breed: Staffy Cross Kid Friendly: Older Kids Cat Friendly: Untested Other Dogs: Yes with Slow Introduction Fences: 5ft Oddish is a friendly and loveable boy whose favourite thing to do is spend time with his people. He is food motivated and knows how to sit and is keen to learn new tricks. He walks well on a harness but can pull out of excitement when people walk past. Oddish would be best suited to a home with older kids as he isn’t aw
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Brigitte Davies, the recipient of the Tom Kruger Award, Year 12 Dux of Burdekin Catholic High School in 2023, has not only excelled academically but has also exemplified remarkable dedication in every facet of her life. Her stellar ATAR of 99.55 is testament to her efforts. The Class of 2023 achieved outstanding results. Brigitte was one of six students at Burdekin Catholic High School who received an ATAR of 90 or above, and 47% received an ATAR of 80 and above. Brigitte's academic achievement
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