Issue #

Town Versus Town

The friendly yet passionate rivalry between Home Hill and Ayr was on show on Sunday, October 8 as Town of Origin pitted the two towns against each other in games of cricket, netball, and rugby league.

From Port Douglas To Adelaide And Back To Giru

There are approximately 3,000km between Port Douglas and Adelaide and Giru residents Brad and Kerry Garner plan to complete the trip in seven days.Not only that, but they’re also doing it in a ‘shitbox’, as part of the Shitbox Rally, raising money for the National Health and Medical Research Council.“It (the car) can’t be over the value of $1,500, which is why it’s a shitbox,” laughed Brad.

Dialysis Unit Expands At Home Hill Hospital

People living with renal failure in the Burdekin are now able to access treatment locally thanks to the expansion of the dialysis unit at the Home Hill Health Service facility.The newly expanded service opened last week and is able to treat double the number of patients, with a total of 16 people now receiving treatment there each week.Home Hill Hospital has been providing a satellite dialysis service for the past 30 years, opening a three-bed service back in 1991.

Sit Down With Sam

What a weekend of sport that was.I’ve been a diehard Broncos fan for as long as I can remember, and I know I’m not the only one, so I’m sure you can imagine how I’ve been feeling this week.

Service With A Smile

When we experience good service it can transform our day, make our hearts sing and put a big smile on our faces.This was true for one visiting family over the weekend who loved the friendly service at the local Woolworths supermarket so much that they took to the Burdekin Community Hub group on Facebook to congratulate local staff.

Burdekin Aquatic Centre Open For Swimming Season

Burdekin Shire Council proudly announced the completion of a new modern kiosk and upgraded entrance at the Burdekin Aquatic Centre in Ayr.Reopening at the start of September, the new kiosk and entry aim to provide modern amenities and enhance recreational experiences for the local community.

Local Fisherman Making Waves

A local fisherman is working to protect the rights of his industry after the federal and Queensland governments announced a ban on the use of gillnets in commercial fishing in north Queensland.Alva’s Neil Green is a second-generation fisherman, in the industry for 47 years and using gillnets throughout the duration of his career. He said the ban, which will see the use of gillnets phased out and completely banned on the Great Barrier Reef by mid-2027, will remove 30% of his income, impact other

Seniors Month At CWA

The Queensland Country Women’s Association (CWA) hosted the Ayr and District Orchids and Allied Plants Society and the Patchwork and Quilters Groups for a Seniors Month display earlier this week.

Touching Tribute To Lives Lost On National Police Remembrance Day

The community gathered to remember and honour Queensland police officers who have been killed in the line of duty at a National Police Remembrance Day service in Ayr last Friday, September 29.

Home Hill Students Reunite

Former students at Home Hill State School recently gathered at Hotel Brandon for a bi-monthly reunion.Despite being held every two months for the last two years, the reunion held on Tuesday, October 3 was the largest with over 50 people attending, travelling from Shepparton, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Gordonvale, Mackay, and Townsville.

Young Drivers “Braking The Cycle” Thanks To Burdekin PCYC

Getting one’s driver’s license is a vital step toward adolescent independence, but some children find it more difficult to complete the required driving hours than others.Whatever the reason may be, programs like Burdekin PCYC’s Braking the Cycle (BTC) assist those kids to complete their hours and gain that independence.BTC is a volunteer driver mentor program supporting learner drivers without access to a supervisor or registered vehicle to complete their logbook hours by pairing them with a vo

Stay In-The-Know With Burdekin Community Directory

Manager of Community Services for Burdekin Shire Council, Tony Blackwell, has introduced the new and improved Burdekin Community Directory, an online hub of information to help you spring into life in the Burdekin!The Burdekin Community Directory is a website built with th

Your One Stop Pet Shop In The Burdekin

MyPets Rural is your one-stop, Burdekin shop to access a range of quality products for your furry and feathered friends.MyPets Rural is a complete pet and stockfeed store, selling a massive range of supplies including pet food, health supplies, supplements and stockfeed.

Councillor Column

The Burdekin is a remarkable community, and I am incredibly proud to be part of it.Council has made significant progress toward securing a prosperous future characterised by long-term economic growth and social sustainability. Ensuring we have a strong foundation creates a stable platform upon which we can continue to build.

Did you Know?

Burdekin Shire Council is proactively collaborating with State, District, and local agencies to coordinate disaster planning, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.This strategic partnership is focused on one primary goal: reducing the impact of disaster events on residents in our community.The council is actively developing more than 500 new resident packages to ensure the community is adequately prepared. Updated Emergency Action Guides are also available to assist residents in preparin

ASSAULTS – It’s Okay To Walk Away

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.

Primary Producers Should Prepare Now For Disaster Season

As Queensland enters a potentially volatile season, the importance of disaster preparedness looms large. With the bushfire season already upon us and summer rainfall and cyclones on the horizon, authorities are calling on primary producers to take proactive steps in safeguarding their families, employees, and livestock.

Bumper Exports For Agricultural Sector

A record high of $12.51 billion in exports have been delivered by Queensland’s agriculture sector. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has announced that this is now the second consecutive year of increased exports, with the $12.51 billion a 16.8 per cent increase when compared to the previous 2021/2022 financial year.

More Than A Café

A welcoming atmosphere, diverse selection of fresh food and friendly and caring staff is what has established Cafelicious as a go-to meeting place for people across the Burdekin.Centrally located in Queen Street, the vibrant café has been owned by Kristian Moretto for two years.

Kick Off The Convo With The Kings

Supporting community wellbeing and mental health, Burdekin Shire Council is encouraging all members of their community to the ‘Kickoff the Conversation’.Tackling the hard questions and ending the stigma, the event sets to empower mental health and resilience.

Making Memories With Melanie Napier

Most recognisable with her camera in her hand and her eye behind the lens, Mel Napier is a passionate local photographer who loves capturing special moments and creating memories for both her own family and yours.

Gearing Up For Seniors Expo

The beloved Seniors Health and Wellbeing Expo is on again for 2023, with Burdekin Shire Council opening ticket sales. Hosting a range of informative and engaging stallholders for all walks of life, the expo will be insightful, allowing the community’s seniors to build connections and be inspired.

Coach Congratulates U12 Wildcats On Stellar 2023 Season

A team filled with newcomers to the sport of basketball, the Burdekin Wildcat under 12 girls have done their region proud in the 2023 season. With four representative players returning, six of the girls had not experienced representative basketball before with five being brand new to sport.“Both as a team and as individuals we improved out of sight,” said Coach Kate Gaze.

Giru International Fishing Classic Results

High-Octane Action Returns: ROUND 3 THIS WEEKEND

Mark your calendars for a thrilling weekend of dirt track racing as the 2023 Club Championships Round 3 revs up on Saturday, October 7th. The excitement is building, and you won't want to miss out on the high-speed action set to unfold on the Brandon track.