A major step has been taken to tackle rising groundwater and salinity issues in the Lower Burdekin, with Sunwater completing significant upgrades to a nearby irrigation channel. The project, part of a $25 million regional initiative, aims to reduce groundwater levels that threaten local farms and the surrounding environment. The latest phase of the project involved upgrading and lining a section of the open channel on Cadio Road, Upper Haughton, identified as a likely contributor to rising gro
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Burdekin mills processed just over 283,000 tonnes of cane in Week Nine of the season, bringing the total crushed to just under 2.8 million tonnes. This represents around 35 per cent of the estimated crop. The week began with delayed and slow starts following last week’s wet weather event, which hampered throughput across all sites. Another rain system on Thursday night halted production at every factory on Friday. Invicta received the least rain and returned to operations quickly, while Pioneer
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Born and raised in the Burdekin, Meagan Morris from MortgageWorks brings over 20 years of experience in banking and lending. She understands what makes North Queensland tick and how that affects local lending. With clients across Australia, her focus remains on helping the north navigate complex finance needs with clarity and care. “Finance isn’t one-size-fits-all,” Meagan said. “My job is to help clients fine tune their financial strategy in a way that suits them. “I work closely with accoun
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If you’re looking to create a beautiful, low-maintenance garden that thrives in Burdekin’s warm subtropical climate, native plants are a fantastic choice. Well-adapted to local conditions, these species require less water, less care, and provide a vital habitat for native birds and pollinators — all while adding natural colour and texture to your outdoor space. One standout is the Burdekin Plum (Pleiogynium timorense), a hardy tree producing edible fruit. It thrives in full sun to partial shade
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YOU ARE SO WORTH IT Hi everyone, how’s it going? Ever heard of the acronym HALT? It stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired. We all go through stress at different times in our lives, just as there are times when the good stuff comes along. How we react to life is greatly influenced by how we are going both physically & emotionally. How we feel influences what we do. Our decisions both good & bad are exactly that—OURS. We need to take ownership for all our decisions, learning from our bad ones
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Hearts were pumping, muscles were straining and voices were cheering as students from all of the Burdekin District’s small schools converged on Clare State School for the Combined Burdekin Small Schools’ Athletics Carnival. Rainfall during the week meant that the track was a little soggy but spirits and effort reigned supreme as the students competed in shot put, long jump, sprints, high jump and the 800 metres. The younger student also had a fierce ball games competition with Corner Spry, Capta
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Families considering a high-quality Catholic education options for their children are encouraged to act fast, as limited positions remain for Year 7 enrolments in 2026 at Burdekin Catholic High School. Enrolment interviews will commence in Week 2 of this term, and with demand growing, families are urged to book early to avoid disappointment. Burdekin Catholic High School offers a supportive and dynamic environment for students starting their high school journey. As part of the school's transit
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Although pet shows and discos have been keeping all 12 of the 2025 Burdekin Water Festival (BWF) Senior and Junior Ambassadors busy over the past couple of months, the overwhelming excitement surrounding the highly anticipated QMN Manufacturing Burdekin Water Festival Long Lunch is undeniably contagious. Preparations are well underway; ticket sales have officially opened up to the public and the Burdekin Water Festival Committee is more than ready for the community to bask in the magic of the E
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It’s easy to think you know what a music festival is. A vast, dusty field, hours of queuing, and the logistical puzzle of seeing your favourite bands. But in a picturesque corner of the Whitsundays, the Airlie Beach Festival of Music has completely rewritten the script, transforming the concept from a penned-in weekend to a laid-back, three-day music holiday. This isn't just an event; it's an invitation to experience world-class live music in a place that's as much a star of the show as the arti
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An enthusiastic literary crowd gathered at the Burdekin Library on Wednesday, 6 August 2025, as local writer Denise Neville and former Burdekin Readers & Writers president Mickey McKellar led an intimate conversation on the theme “You’re Never Too Old.” McKellar, an aspiring author herself, guided the discussion as Neville shared her journey from cane fields to the page, offering insights into creativity, resilience, and the life of a late-blooming writer. For Burdekin-born Denise Neville, the
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Friday 15 August Giulia’s Movie Night Evening Burdekin Christian College’s Junior Ambassador, Giulia Sarri, will host her second fundraising event supporting Bowen and Collinsville Pet Rescue at the school’s Melbourne Street grounds in Ayr. Burdekin Christian College grounds Saturday 16 August Charlotte’s Colour Run A vibrant day full of colour, good vibes, and fun tones will light up the Burdekin Netball Association’s Home Hill grounds in celebration of Junior Ambassador Charlotte Sgroi’s Colo
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Meet Zorro! Zorro is a young feline with a heart full of promise and the opportunity for a bright future. Rescued from the pound, Zorro may initially seem a bit shy, but give him just thirty minutes, and you'll find yourself enchanted by his gentle nature and sweet demeanor. Once he trusts you, he transforms into a dedicated purr machine, letting you know you've won his heart with his melodic symphony of affection. Though Zorro's beginnings were challenging, his time in foster care has worked w
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Twenty-four players turned out on another perfect Burdekin winter afternoon, with plenty of exciting action across multiple games. In the club singles played earlier, Norm Bethell claimed victory over Yogi Bunn on rink 3. One of the closest games of the day took place on rink 3, where Bob Young, Elaine Young, and Steve Doig edged out Judy Elton, Yogi Bunn, and Mick McClosky on countback after scores and ends were tied—a thrilling finish for all involved. Rink 4 saw Bob Pickard, Ron Smythe, and
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This week at the Ayr Bowling Club was filled with friendship and healthy competition. Tuesday 8th August saw Ladies Social Bowls with 6 Ladies giving us 1 triples game. Ladies’ competition on Thursday 10th crooked kitty was played in a great match Heather Jorgensen defeated Beryl Cornford. In consistency singles Katharina Stuckler defeated Karen Shepherd. On Wednesday, we saw a great afternoon’s social bowling competition. There were three games of Triples and one game of pairs. Winners were P
Read moreTwenty-four players turned out on another perfect Burdekin winter afternoon, with plenty of exciting action across multiple games. In the club singles played earlier, Norm Bethell claimed victory over Yogi Bunn on rink 3. One of the closest games of the day took place on rink 3, where Bob Young, Elaine Young, and Steve Doig edged out Judy Elton, Yogi Bunn, and Mick McClosky on countback after scores and ends were tied—a thrilling finish for all involved. Rink 4 saw Bob Pickard, Ron Smythe, and
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A good weekend for the Panthers, winning three and losing two of the five matches played. On Saturday, at home to Estates the Premiers won 3-1 but the Reserves lost 0-1. On Friday, in Townsville the Ladies beat Saints Eagles Souths 8-0, the Division 1 Men lost 1-3 to Olympic but the Division 2 Men beat Warriors 3-1. This week the Premiers and Reserves are at away to Brothers, the Premiers at 7.30 and the Reserves at 5.30. On Wednesday night the Ladies, are at home to Wulguru at 7.00 and on Frid
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Last Saturday, the Burdekin Roosters pulled off a stunning turnaround, avenging their 40-point thrashing by Charters Towers with a spirited 28–24 win. Down 18–4 at halftime, they showed remarkable fortitude to storm home, even with tough utility Kali Nauque spending 10 minutes in the bin. Standout performances from Nevia Nawave, Isaia Vuda, and Kelevi Ralulu proved decisive. Nawave’s powerful running and tackle-breaking set the attacking platform, while Vuda and Ralulu’s explosive carries repea
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On the 19th of July the Ayr Surf Club hosted the Annual North Barrier Branch Presentation Night to wrap up the 2024-25 Season. The night is a celebration to recognise members from the seven clubs across the Branch - Forrest Beach, Arcadian, Townsville-Picnic Bay, Ayr, Eimeo, Mackay and Sarina - for their dedication, commitment and love of lifesaving in a variety of facets. Surf sports athletes, teams, coaches and officials were recognised as well as volunteers in their respective areas. Four of
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For Simon Yim, SKY Renewables is much more than a passion project. It’s a mission. Make no mistake—there’s plenty of passion involved. But for Simon, it’s not just about personal fulfilment; it’s about building something meaningful and, in turn, transforming the lives of cane farmers across Australia. After growing up in Hong Kong, Simon studied in Canada and the UK, qualifying as a solicitor in the late 1980s. Over the next three decades, he held senior roles across Asia in law, corporate str
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Over twenty years ago, the Burdekin Patchwork and Quilters found a way to turn their hobby into a way of giving back. Every year since, they've been patching the community with care, creatively repurposing their excess material and generously donating it to local organisations that need it more. This year was no different. On the 23rd of July, the group delivered a trolley full of freshly crafted knee rugs to the Regis Aged Care Centre in Ayr, where they'll bring warmth, colour and joy to
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One of the things I love most about the Burdekin is its diversity—on more levels than you might first think. There’s the sporting culture, for starters. Whether it’s rugby, cricket, netball, bowls, or something a little more niche, there’s always a game being played somewhere. You can wander from one field to another and find entirely different communities, each with its own passion and traditions. Then there’s the people—locals who’ve been here for generations and newcomers from every corner
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Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, is calling on local sporting clubs to register for Play On Sports Vouchers to ensure local kids can enjoy the benefits on offer. When applications opened to families on Monday morning systems were stretched almost to breaking point, but Mr Last believes many families and sporting organisations in the Burdekin may miss out on the opportunity. “From abseiling to gymnastics to Zumba, the range of sports and activities that can participate is almost endless,” Mr
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Burdekin police conducted a search warrant operation targeting drug offences on the 28th, 29th, 30th July. A total of 12 search warrants were executed within Giru, Ayr and Home Hill. As a result, 11 persons were charged with a total of 39 offences including Produce Drugs, Possess Drugs, Possess Proceeds of Crime along with weapon related offences. Almost 100 grams of methylamphetamine was seized and over 2 grams of cocaine. Two hydroponic setups were located with 76 plants and 1.3 kilograms of
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Ayr Police Station is now under historic new leadership, with veteran officer and former detective Lisa Shields becoming the station’s first-ever female Officer in Charge. With more than two decades of service behind her—including eight years in general duties and a substantial career as a detective—she brings a wealth of experience and insight to the top job in Ayr. "I feel honoured to be in this position," said Shields. “I look forward to working alongside the community to ensure the Burdek
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Councillor Amanda Hall For locals and newcomers to the Burdekin, have you ever really thought about the history that has made us what we are today? The Visit Burdekin website has a list of heritage experiences people can partake in, some of which are the Home Hill War Memorial in Memorial Park Home Hill, the Burdekin Machinery Preservationists in Brandon, the Burdekin Diorama in Home Hill, Charlie’s Hill WWII Site just outside of Home Hill, the Ayr War Memorial at the Ayr Cemetery and the many h
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