At their last meeting of 2023, members of Home Hill Rotary Club were pleased invite Kaylene Rinella of St Vincent de Paul to join them. Home Hill Rotary Club took the opportunity to present Kaylene with a cheque for $1,500 to support the work of St Vincent de Paul. At the meeting, Kaylene gave a brief update on the work of St Vincent de Paul and how this donation would be used. “Thanks to Rotary again this year for assisting Vinnies to provide emergency food relief, not only at Christmas but th
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Burdekin Shire Council wishes to inform the public that scheduled maintenance works on the Home Hill water tower trunk main are planned to commence tonight, Thursday January 18 from 9:00pm and are expected to be complete by Friday January 19 at 2:00am. While customers in Home Hill and surrounding areas may notice a temporary drop in water pressure during the works, Council does not expect there to be any interruption to supply. Council apologises for any inconvenience caused by the works and t
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An episode of ABC’s ‘Back Roads’ filmed in the Burdekin last year will go to air on Tuesday, January 30, showcasing what the region has to offer to the entire country. Back Roads is an Australian observational documentary series that takes the road less travelled and visits some of the small towns and communities that make Australia special. Host Heather Ewart travels to these towns to discover remarkable stories and inspiring people, with her and her crew visiting the Burdekin in May 2023 for t
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Neither a new Premier nor a new year have diverted Member for Burdekin Dale Last’s attention away from much-needed medical facilities and services in the Burdekin. Thousands of signatures and a campaign that ran for several months saw the state’s Health Minister recognise the importance of the equipment which would mean as many as 15 patients a week would no longer need to transferred to Townsville for CT scans outside business hours. “The response from the Minister was positive but if the Minis
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Luke O’Brien, formerly of Ayr, has been identified as the victim of a tragic incident that occurred at BHP Mitsubishi Alliance's (BMA) Saraji mine on Monday, January 15. Mr O’Brien and another worker were working in the fuel-bay area of the open-cut mine around midday when an interaction between two vehicles left the 27-year-old with significant crush injuries. He was taken to Dysart Hospital but later died from his injuries. Mr O’Brien’s mother, Yvette, shared her heartbreak on social medi
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PCYC Burdekin’s Get Set For Work Program will assist a new cohort of vulnerable job seekers in 2024 thanks to a renewed funding commitment from the Queensland Government. The Get Set For Work Program is funded through Skilling Queenslanders for Work, assisting unemployed and underemployed Queenslanders to gain skills, qualifications and experience to either enter or remain in the workforce. PCYC Burdekin Get Set For Work Program Coordinator Rowan Scott said the funding will allow the Program to
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Tennis in the Burdekin has received a massive boost this month with local junior Adam Walton starring on the international stage. Television sets across the region have been tuned into Channel Nine as Walton, along with plenty of other Australians, took to the court in the Adelaide International and the Australian Open earlier in January. The 24-year-old recorded two stunning victories to earn his place in the Adelaide International main draw, defeating world No.70 Pedro Cachin before backing
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On the afternoon of Thursday 28 December 2023, Ayr Police received a complaint of damage to an exterior wall at a residence in Munro Street, Ayr. As a result, a 30yr old Burdekin woman was charged with one count of wilful damage and is due to re-appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on 14 March 2024. At 11.20pm on Thursday 28 December, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Burke Street, Ayr. The driver, an 18yr old Burdekin man, was issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) for drink driving, .027 is due t
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By Chelsea Ravizza On Friday January 12, Burdekin Brass Band Members Jye Ravizza and Cecillia Cason were a part of the Queensland Band Association’s (QBA) Youth Band’s outstanding performance at Brisbane’s Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens. Just under 50 young students from bands across the East Coast performed 11 pieces of music for a lively audience in the heart of the botanical gardens, with Cecillia leading with her talents by performing a solo in Celtic Dream. The QBA’s Youth Band took the a
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CORES Queensland invites members of the Burdekin community to learn how to pick up the early warning signs, know what to say, what to do and where to go for help with its Suicide Prevention Training in February. The training will provide participants with the essential skills to identify and respond to a person at risk of suicide. It will give participants the tools to recognise the early warning signs of suicide, learn how to support a person at risk to access readily available services, promot
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Did you know that the Burdekin Community Association Inc (BCA) has the Burdekin Centre for Rural Health? The Centre was built with the help of government funding and a lot of community support in 2004. It’s been going strong ever since, helping thousands of community members to improve their health and wellbeing. Services currently available at the Centre include: • BCA Psychological Therapies Program (Free for eligible people and includes suicide prevention) Ph: 4783 2711 • Private
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Keep yourself fit and healthy by joining the "Move It Burdekin" program, offered by the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre in collaboration with Burdekin Shire Council. This program is free and is supported by Move it NQ and Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN). The 15-week program, facilitated by Andrea Piotto, is for people aged 55 years and above and aims to engage the community in physical activity. The sessions will include low-impact movements, Pilates and yoga, and seated exerci
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Happy New Year Burdekin! We have seen some New Year Resolutions being spoken about in the last couple of weeks and I think a great resolution for people is to try something different and join a new community club or group in 2024. The Burdekin has always offered many options when it comes to sporting and community groups. It takes a quick look through the new Burdekin Community Directory website, where it showcases the variety of options available in our region. From artistic pursuits like pott
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Did you know that you can access a wealth of resources, information and advice about water usage on Council’s website? Whether you want to save money on your water bills, reduce your environmental impact, or simply learn more about this vital resource, you can find helpful tips and tools on the Smart Water Advice webpage. Council has partnered with The Water Conservancy and other local governments to create this online hub of water efficiency information. You can discover how to use water wise
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Magnetic Island is a north Queensland gem well worth exploring thanks to its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife and captivating activities. Resting off the coast of Townsville, a haven for adventurers, nature enthusiasts and those simply looking to relax on the beach awaits. Whether you're planning a day trip or a multi-day stay, read on to discover some of the top things to do on Magnetic Island. Take A Hike Take advantage of Magnetic Island's scenic landscapes by exploring its diverse hiki
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By Owen Menkens, CANEGROWERS Chairman Happy New Year! I hope readers had a peaceful and relaxing break over the Christmas period and are feeling motivated for all those New Year’s resolutions as we head into 2024. It’s shaping up to be a big year on the agricultural advocacy front, with local government elections looming in March and the state election just 41 weeks away. At CANEGROWERS, we remain committed, as we have been for almost one hundred years, to advocating the best outcomes for growe
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The extent to which temporary workers from the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste are supporting essential agricultural and food processing industries has been highlighted by new analysis from the Australia Institute, adding weight to calls for much needed improvements to working conditions for temporary visa holders participating in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. The analysis finds that PALM workers are equivalent to 10% of the agricultural workforce usually resident in Austr
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The Burdekin agriculture community gathered to experience the future of farming recently as Sugar Research Australia (SRA) hosted a demonstration of Robotti, a Danish developed autonomous farm vehicle. The Robboti has been imported by Bundaberg company Farm Concepts and is designed for precision operations such as seeding, weeding and spraying, as displayed by Farm Concepts Director Braden Hellmuth and SRA District Manager Terry Granshaw in a cane field at the SRA’s Burdekin Station, Brandon yes
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Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox is backing calls for an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Inquiry into fruit and vegetable prices to make supermarkets pay their fair share. “While Coles and Woolworths made record profits of more than $1 billion each last year, the individuals and families living in our electorate of Dawson are struggling with rising grocery costs during a cost-of-living crisis,” Mr Willcox said. “Over the past 18 months we have seen fuel prices incre
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Home-grown Bowen locals Wendy Bickhoff and her family have been the friendly faces behind Corals City 2 Country since 2009. Retailing high quality western wear, fashion, school clothing and saddlery, Wendy’s description of what her business entails brought a smile to our faces. “We always say, we sell everything from your hat to your hanky,” said Wendy. With two kids, a dog and a horse, Wendy and her husband are forever busy, working up to six days a week in the Whitsundays and seven when tra
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Last week, Burdekin Life reported on local business McCathies Furniture Plus celebrating 50 years in 2024. To reflect this tremendous golden anniversary, Kari and her team warmly invite you to join them at McCathies Furniture Plus on the evening of Thursday, February 8 to enjoy bubbles, memories, and Cheers to 50 Years – this event is not happening today, January 18 as reported last week. Every customer from Thursday, February 8 to Thursday, February 15 will get $50 in McCathies Money to spend i
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Approaching its 16th year of business in the bustling Burdekin region, Dominiques Flowers and Funk has adapted and transformed to suit the ever-changing business landscape whilst keeping true to owner, Jenny’s strong family values. When the business began in 2008, Dominiques Flowers and Funk stood as a florist and accessory store, with a touch of event styling introduced in later years. In 2020, COVID-19 acted as a catalyst for change among each business in the Burdekin region, and for Jenny,
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As the calendar resets and the New Year unfolds, it presents an opportune moment for introspection, growth, and personal transformation. The concept of unlocking your best self isn't merely a cliché; it's a journey toward building resilience, fostering self-discovery, and embracing reinvention. Resilience, the cornerstone of this journey, embodies the ability to bounce back from adversity, navigate life's challenges, and emerge stronger. It's not about avoiding difficulties but about facing them
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Five days of dancing has wrapped up at the Burdekin Theatre as the Verve Dance Festival took over the Burdekin from Thursday, January 11 to Monday, January 15. The competition gives local competitors another opportunity to showcase their talents while bringing people from across north, central, and west Queensland to the Burdekin. Competitors aged 20 years and under performed in over 100 sections across the weekend. Read on to find a selection of results. SECTION: 001 4 years and under Tiny To
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