At just 10 years old, little Ellie Sutcliffe has made the decision to cut, colour and donate her hair to raise both valuable funds and awareness for those affected by blood cancer as part of the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave! “The reason I was inspired to participate in this wonderful event is because several years ago, my grandfather had a blood cancer, so I want to help raise funds to support the important research done by the Leukaemia Foundation, and to help raise awareness,
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As the pages of our calendars flipped over to show the 4th of April this week, many locals were left feeling a sense of unsettling nostalgia, recalling the havoc that tore through this very township 36 years ago when Cyclone Aivu made landfall. Originally formed on the waters surrounding the Solomon Islands, Cyclone Aivu tracked directly towards the Queensland coastline, intensifying greatly, almost to the strength of 1974’s Cyclone Tracy. At approximately 10am on the morning of the 4th of Apri
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Queensland has recently become the site of a remarkable paleontological discovery: the identification of a new ancient fish species, Palaeospondylus australis. This specimen, unearthed from the 400-million-year-old limestone deposits of the Georgina Basin in western Queensland, is believed to be one of the smallest known vertebrate fossils in Australia. The fossil's exceptional preservation in three dimensions offers unprecedented insights into the creature's skeletal structure. This level of d
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We've had continued wet weather, which has certainly impacted our roads. At present, they are being patched until we receive disaster relief funding. If you come across any large potholes, I encourage you to contact our Customer Service Centre on 4783 9800 or use the Snap Send Solve app to report them. Please take extra care while travelling during this weather, and don’t hesitate to report any other concerns. What a fantastic event the Fast Track Talent Showcase was last weekend. This event fir
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So, how is everyone liking the rain? I have to say that I do like it, but enough is enough now. Despite farmers still needing to plant, I think we as a Shire have gotten off lightly and my heart goes out to those who have suffered tremendous loss and damage as a result of these rain and flood events. Thank you to Council’s Disaster Management Team who go to great lengths to keep us all updated in a timely fashion while under the constraints of the BOM. I attended the NQ Fast Track Talent final s
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Since 2018, Pacific Blue have held an integral role in the running of the highly celebrated Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival however, the work the organisation achieves in and around the Burdekin community extends far beyond sponsorship. Pacific Blue’s Haughton Sustainable Communities Fund was created to share the benefits of the Haughton Solar Farm with the wider community, providing long-lasting social, economic and environmental value extending beyond the life of the solar farm itself. Lachla
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CANEGROWERS Burdekin Ltd (CBL) recently welcomed a visit by Jo Martin, Policy Advisor, Water from the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) to discuss the issues and priorities related to the Lower Burdekin Rising Ground Water challenges. The consequences of a rising water table and associated salinity issues have been compounding over decades, and unfortunately, the can has been kicked down the road for far too long. A clear position on what is required to make some significant progress on the
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By Amanda Wright The 2025 Federal Budget was never just about dollars and cents—it’s about the path Australia takes in the years ahead. Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ latest budget, handed down on 25 March, focuses on cost-of-living relief, housing, and a shift towards a more sustainable economy. But with an election now locked in for 3 May, the question is clear: does this budget lay strong economic foundations, or is it a political play designed to secure votes? At the heart of the budget are incom
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Kick back under the stars and enjoy a night of country music at the Burdekin Theatre on Friday, 28 March. Join Australian country music legend Adam Harvey for an unforgettable evening of timeless classics and new hits. With a career spanning over two decades, half a million album sales, multiple gold and platinum records, and nine Golden Guitar Awards, Harvey is one of Australia’s most beloved and enduring artists. Currently touring nationwide in celebration of his 17th studio album, Let The S
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Hi Everyone, It was wonderful visiting the region last week and meeting so many of you. Thank you for making me feel so welcome. I especially enjoyed exploring the beautiful shops around Burdekin with our Sales Manager, Trish, who I am sure many of you know or recognise. There is such a genuine sense of community spirit in the region, which feels quite rare these days. It was lovely to see how close-knit the community is and how passionate everyone is about the area. If I did not get the cha
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Burdekin Christian College (BCC) took great pride in its core values of inclusivity and celebrating each child’s uniqueness. A special event was recently held to raise awareness of Turner Syndrome — a condition that affects only females and occurs when one of the X chromosomes is missing or partially missing. The College community was encouraged to turn the campus into a sea of purple, the official colour of Turner Syndrome Awareness Day, in support of this important initiative and one of their
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What more could you possibly need than a 5.3kg Nugget! Nugget is a sweet little companion who is ready to be your new best friend. Having lived a spoiled life alongside his previous owners, Nugget has enjoyed visits to coffee shops, Bunnings, and anywhere his family went — he went too. Well-behaved both indoors and out, Nugget is a delightful small breed with many years of love still to give. His gentle nature and loyal personality mean he will fit beautifully into almost any home. Nugget’s a
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Burdekin Shire Council Plans 'Nudging' Operation for Flying Foxes, Do You Have Experience With The Bats And What Is Your Opinion On The Situation? Damien: “I've had experience with bats over the past year, but haven't directly seen them causing issues for residents. Still, I support what the council is doing. If no action is taken, things will only get worse and harder to handle later. Unless they're actively moved, bats will keep returning. Nudging makes sense because there needs to be control.
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The grounds at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex dried up enough for play to go ahead last Friday. The partnerships of Aria and Corbett and Jai and Nahjiyah produced 19 runs each in the Challengers. Nahjiyah also took two wickets with his great fast bowling, as did Olivia in her overs. Harvey, Lincoln, Aria, Everly, Claire and Corbett all took one each. The McDonalds Sports Awards were given to Nahjiyah for his great bowling and Everly for an excellent all-round performance. It was an ex
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The Ayr Bowling Club has celebrated an exceptional week on the greens, with members coming together for a mix of spirited club Championship games and engaging social matches. The vibrant atmosphere and camaraderie continue to strengthen, showcasing the club's dedication to fostering connections through the sport of lawn bowls. As enthusiasm remains high, members are returning to the club after their break during the summer heat. Unfortunately, our club games were cancelled during the week due t
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The weekend saw two days of competitive and social bowls as teams from across the region gathered for a highly anticipated tournament. Players travelled from Townsville, Mackay, Airlie Beach, Giru, Brandon, and Proserpine to take part, with plenty of skill and camaraderie on display. Among the competitors was Wayne Carroll, a veteran of the tournament who has been participating for an impressive 34 years. Now representing a Mackay team, Wayne first took part at the age of 36 and, still fit as a
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The last round of the Home Hill Senior Cricket season saw the top two teams, the Rookies and Peto Marine, take to the field to decide the minor premiership. Andrew Ballin (retired 53 runs not out) and Josiah Ballin (44 runs) led the way for the Peto Marine innings after being sent in to bat. Brad Parravicini contributed 18 runs before being caught by the safe hands of Brock Gorey. Dan Olditch (3 wickets for 17 runs off 2.4 overs) and Salvatore Cardillo (2 wickets for 2 runs off 2 overs) did the
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Sam Childers, an American preacher and international speaker from Pennsylvania, is coming to Burdekin Community Church to share his extraordinary journey of redemption and hope. His story is one of transformation, showing how God reached an outlaw biker, a drug dealer, and a man who once destroyed lives—and completely turned his life around. This is more than just a story—it’s a message of inspiration and the power of redemption. Sam’s remarkable transformation from a troubled past to a life of
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Burdekin Christian College (BCC) recently hosted a vibrant and engaging Harmony Week event, showcasing the talents and cultural awareness of their students. The celebrations included an impressive series of performances by the college's senior students, who danced in traditional styles from Fiji, Tonga, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. The performances were a highlight of the day, and the students' passion for sharing their heritage was evident in every step. As part of their
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From cats perched on counters to guinea pigs and beyond, My Pets Rural is far more than just a pet and stockfeed supply store. It is a vibrant community hub, proudly dedicated to caring for both its customers and their beloved animals. A much-loved local business, My Pets Rural has also earned well-deserved recognition beyond the region, recently being named Member of the Year at the Aiir and Tucker National Member Conference 2025. Owners Ross & Tracy Tapiolas shared the team’s excitement and
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Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, believes two recent announcements herald a far better future for the Bruce Highway and will provide numerous benefits for the people of the Burdekin. According to Mr Last the announcements mean projects that have been stagnant can now be kicked into gear and that planning for upgrades can now begin in earnest due to increased funding. “The re-introduction of funding for the Bruce Highway will see a return to normal levels, meaning maintenance projects for exa
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More than 180 people attended the most recent performance by the talented Home Hill Choral Society, which took to the stage in a flash of green for their Shamrock Shindig musical. Themed for St. Patrick's Day, the event took place over the past two weekends, providing a wonderful opportunity for the whole community to come together. Robert Antoniazzi from the Choral Society expressed his delight in seeing people attend who had never come to an event of this kind before. "There were 14 to 16 p
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With 65 years of dedicated service to the community, McKaig's Hiway Motors has built an unparalleled reputation, earning not only a wealth of experience but also the deep-rooted trust of locals. This family-owned business, which has been passed down through multiple generations, is now in the capable hands of Ray McKaig, who took over the reins from his father and brother. Ray, together with his wife, Karen McKaig, has worked tirelessly to maintain the business’s strong community presence while
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Home Hills' highly popular Canefields Ephemera Art Competition upped the ante this year, increasing the first place cash prize significantly from $1500 to an impressive $5000. This sum does not include the People's Choice Award of $500, bestowed on the artist who receives the most votes on social media, bringing the total amount up for grabs to $5500, a grand jackpot sure to stir the competitive spirit of many artists. This escalation is a reflection of the competition's evolution from a small
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Concerns about the dangers posed by the resident flying fox population in Home Hill were addressed by Council at a lively Home Hill Chamber of Commerce meeting last week. Many locals attended to voice their frustration about the disruptive species, which not only defecate on children's play equipment but also cause noise and pose a potential risk of disease to nearby residents. Some locals reported that children are unable to use the nearby playground due to the prevalence of these native pest
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