Spirits are high as Burdekin Distillery prepares to return to the Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival—this time offering something truly unprecedented for festival-goers. The Giru-based distillery has earned a reputation for producing high-quality, award-winning spirits that celebrate the region's rich agricultural heritage, and has, over the years, become an integral part of the local community. Returning to the festival as a Gold Sponsor, the team will this year bring with them a special, limited
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Local Senior fixtures resumed last weekend, and the Panthers had three home games and one away game. On Friday, the Division 1 Men were at home to Wulguru and lost 1-3. The Division 2 Men’s team was away to Estates at Paradise Park and lost 0-4. Then on Saturday at International Park the Reserves drew 0-0 with Brothers and the Premiers came from behind to beat Brothers 3-2. The Ladies game against Wulguru was postponed at Wulguru’s behest. Panthers have no fixtures this weekend, blame Labour
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With so many long weekends lately, you could be forgiven for forgetting what day of the week it is! It has certainly been a busy time across the Burdekin. On Anzac Day, I had the privilege of attending ceremonies right across the Shire, including Giru, Brandon, Ayr, and Home Hill, as well as commemorations with our local high schools. It was wonderful to see so many young people involved, demonstrating such strong respect and understanding of the significance of this important day. Their partici
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Last weekend’s Canefield Ashes cricket tournament was certainly a memorable one, bringing together a variety of teams for an action-packed weekend of cricket, food, drinks and celebration. Both Saturday and Sunday saw teams battle it out for ultimate glory, with each team playing at least 3 matches. Attendees not only enjoyed the excitement of competitive cricket, but also a vibrant social atmosphere throughout the weekend. They were treated to a variety of food options, including burgers, spa
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With the 2025 Sugar Bowl—Queensland’s premier regional tennis event—just around the corner, excitement is building both on and off the court. For locals, the tournament represents more than just a competition: it’s a celebration of community pride, connection, and resilience. “It gives something to the people in our town, in our district, and it brings them together through physical, social and emotional activity,” says Home Hill Tennis Association (HHTA) Secretary, Kate Casswell. The HHTA, fo
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Saturday-Monday 3-5 MayThe Sugar Bowl Team Event & Official Amenities OpeningSaturday 7:45amOfficial opening of new HH Tennis Association amenities, while celebrating 44 years with 44 teams, in iconic event that brings players from across Queensland to compete in a thrilling team-based tennis event. Matches will take place at Ayr, Giru, and Home Hill.Home Hill Tennis AssociationSunday 4 MayPlantation Park MarketsSunday 8amJoin Ayr State Primary School for a picture-perfect morning showcasing the
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The Senior members of the Ayr Surf Club headed to Alva Beach on ANZAC Day to culminate their competition season. Although numbers were down on previous years, it was good to see some strong competition between Club mates in all disciplines, and a good afternoon of friendly racing. The seniors will join the juniors on Saturday 10th May at the Ayr Surf Life Saving Club's Annual Presentation Night to recognise their achievements over the 2024-25 Season. Celebrations will commence at the Ayr SLSC C
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One of the major attractions at the Burdekin Machinery Preservationists Open Day on Saturday, 10 May, will be the Walkers Engine No.1 Diesel Engine and Alternator Set. Built around 1930 by Walkers Ltd in Maryborough, this impressive engine is based on a Mirrlees design. Rated at 220 horsepower at 300 rpm, it weighs 25 tonnes and drove a 150kW alternator. It features an air-blast start system and air-blast fuel injection — a method based on Rudolf Diesel’s original 1897 engine design. Several Eu
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The mornings are getting cooler as we approach winter which also means the Cane harvesting season is not far away. One of the Burdekins signature events to kick off the season is the Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival which is over the last weekend in May. First on Friday the 30th is the First Fire as well as the Cultural Fair. The cane fire is something that still makes you sit back and watch in awe even when you have seen them your whole life. Accompanied by the Cultural Fair which is a great show
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Home Hill State High School enjoyed good weather for its cross country carnival on Monday, April 28, 2025, with a challenging course winding through the school’s surrounding farmland. Students tackled a range of terrains around the school, testing their endurance and spirit across grass, dirt tracks, and rugged paddocks. The event brought together competitors from across the school’s houses — Upstart, Inkerman, and Beachmount — all vying for age champion honours and a spot on the school’s repre
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Another week, another chance to meet more of you lovely people! This week was definitely a real “welcome to the industry” kinda week—full-on, non-stop. This followed right through the weekend, with three huge events to cover. But it was great to see the community out in force, embracing each other and making the most of the Burdekin experience. From a full morning of Anzac Day services on Friday to the Burdekin Sugar Rush on Sunday, each event was busy, spirited, and enjoyable to cover. The Ca
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The Burdekin community united on Friday, April 25, gathering in droves to honour Australia’s past and present Service People, with Dawn Services, marches, and commemorative ceremonies held across the region. From the first light of dawn, residents gathered at local memorials to reflect on the sacrifices of the ANZACs. Services were held in Home Hill, Ayr, Giru, and Brandon, each marked by the laying of wreaths, the sounding of the Last Post, and a minute’s silence. This included an intimate ce
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The Whitsunday community was rocked by the news that much-loved business owner, Tim Perkins, had suffered a severe injury after falling 10 metres from a palm tree on the 3rd December. Tim, who co-owns Whitpro Pty Ltd with his wife Norina, was performing a task he had completed thousands of times before, as an arborist— climbing and cleaning numerous palms on a local property, when the catastrophic accident occurred. From the rehabilitation centre at the Townsville University Hospital, Tim reca
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In a major boost for Rugby League in the Burdekin region, Community Bank Home Hill & Ayr has officially signed on as the naming rights sponsor of the local playing fields, which will now proudly be known as Bendigo Bank Park. This landmark partnership comes as the Burdekin Rugby League precinct undergoes significant upgrades to its facilities, setting the stage for a new era of growth, participation, and community pride in the sport. The improvements include enhanced amenities for players, refe
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Getting kids excited about homework and learning outside of school hours can often feel like a daunting task. However, with a little creativity, parents can turn learning into a fun and engaging experience that kids look forward to. Here are some fun and interactive ways to make homework and learning enjoyable for children. **Gamify Learning One of the easiest ways to get kids engaged in learning is by turning it into a game. Use educational apps or board games that teach math, spelling, histo
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Election day is just around the corner! If you're casting your vote in the Burdekin, there are a few convenient locations open across the region. Voting will take place on Saturday, 3 May, with booths open from 8am to 6pm. Check where you’re voting ahead of time to avoid any last-minute rush. You’ll be able to vote at any of the following locations across the Burdekin: Burdekin Sports Club Hall 142 Wickham St, Ayr QLD 4807 East Ayr State School 43-73 Ross St, Ayr QLD 4807 St Colemans Cathol
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Old Friends At 101, Carl is a living testament to the power of longevity in sport. He continues to bowl alongside his long-time mate, Bob, proving that age is no barrier to staying active. With years of experience on the green at Home Hill Bowls, Carl’s passion for the game, coupled with Bob’s ongoing involvement, shows how sport can remain a rewarding part of life, no matter your age. Mid-Week Bowls Mid-week bowls at Home Hill offer a great opportunity for everyone to enjoy the game in a rel
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A comprehensive plan to tackle bullying in Queensland schools will not only benefit students but is also a key part of reducing classroom assaults according to Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP. Since being announced, the program has received support from Dolly’s Dream, the charity founded following the tragic impact that an extended period of bullying had on Dolly Everett. “When we spoke about making Queensland safer in the lead up to the election, we committed to a range of programs,” Mr Las
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It’s easy to focus on the faces at the front—the speakers at ceremonies, the runners crossing finish lines, the players scoring goals. But behind every event in the Burdekin last week, there was another group at work: the volunteers. From Anzac Day services to the Sugar Rush fun run, and even weekend sport, dozens of people quietly gave up their time to help things run smoothly. They were setting up chairs before dawn, handing out water bottles in the sun, guiding traffic, collecting rubbish, c
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Many young people in Dawson are looking for opportunities to stay and work locally. What will you do to ensure young people thrive without having to leave the region? Question 2: With housing affordability becoming an increasing issue in regional areas like Dawson, what is your plan? Question 3: What specific policies will you introduce to improve healthcare infrastructure and ensure all residents of Dawson, regardless of location, have equal access to timely and high-quality care? **Andrew
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In the first few months of last year, Demi O’Shea was presented with the wonderful opportunity to represent Campbell’s Jewellery as a Senior Ambassador in 2024’s historic Burdekin Water Festival. A major pathway for self-development, personal growth and community engagement, Demi accepted the nomination and began one of her most memorable and significant experiences she’ll treasure for years to come. “On a personal level the Water Festival allowed me to unlock my full potential as it was an ex
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With an incredible dream and the support of the entire community, Macy Dabelstein will embark on a lifechanging journey to Nepal this October to provide free medical care to thousands of men, women and children in rural communities. Earlier this year, both Macy and her college, Josephine Long, decided to participate in World Youth International’s Nurses in Action initiative – a program enabling nurses and allied health professionals to deliver primary healthcare services to those living in remo
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As students return to the classroom this week, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) are urging all road users to take extra care - particularly around school zones - following a devastating Easter holiday period on the state’s roads. Operation X-Ray Easter, which ran from the 4th to the 21st April of, saw QPS officers dedicate over 30,000 hours to enforcement, in a bid to reduce risky behaviour behind the wheel. Across the state, almost 120,000 roadside breath tests and 7,500 roadside drug test
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Following the successful launch of our Managed Pool Plus for the 2025 season, we’re pleased to announce that we’re opening nominations earlier for the 2026 season. Nominations for the Managed Pool Plus open on 1 May and close on 30 June 2025. We’ve seen strong interest from growers who have experienced a couple of volatile seasons with unpredictable target pricing and are now seeking to share some of that pricing responsibility with Wilmar. The enhanced Managed Pool Plus aligns grower exposur
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Sugarcane growers and industry stakeholders from across Queensland and beyond have converged on Brisbane earlier this week for Sugar Cubed 2025 – a dynamic, future-focused event set to spark fresh ideas and foster new connections across the cane supply chain. Hosted by CANEGROWERS at the Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane Show Grounds from 27-29 April, Sugar Cubed brought together growers, manufacturers, researchers, policy makers and innovators for three days of thought-provoking
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