Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
The Home Hill Chamber of Commerce welcomed new faces and a sense of renewed optimism last Wednesday, with owners of the town's newest businesses among presenters at its latest social meeting. The 5:30pm meeting hosted a healthy turnout of around 20 at the Home Hill Community Sports Centre, with the new attendees signaling forward momentum for the organisation. Proceedings commenced with Ayr graphic designer and keynote speaker for the evening, Linda Butler, who shared her journey through the industry before landing back in Ayr. After a career spanning decades, with notable stints in Sydney, Townsville, Gibraltar, London and Denmark, Ms Butler shared insights into the ever-shifting nature of graphic design and the implications of new-age technology, such as artificial intelligence, on the industry. “It’s been an interesting career, and I’ve enjoyed it … I’m just glad I’m near the end and can let the young ones take over,” she quipped. First-time attendee Candace Young, who opened Salted Roots on Eighth Avenue with her husband Scott this month, then shared the story of her business’s beginnings with the crowd. The venture of the two Burdekin locals, who spent two decades away before returning home, offers a range of unique homewares, which Ms Young said had become popular amongst the local community. “Everyone thinks it’s the tourists behind us that are supporting us, but it’s actually the locals,” she said. “They’re coming in, and then the very next day, they’re coming back in right when you open.” Neil Machin and Patricia Thomas from Scrubby's Teahouse also praised the community support, saying their café had quickly become a popular meeting point for locals since opening next door to Salted Roots last month. “Food is an essential item, and so is socialisation,” said Ms Thomas. “We wanted to develop an atmosphere where you can come in, sit down, relax, and watch the world go by.” The pair of entrepreneurial ventures have been credited with breathing new life into Home Hill’s Eighth Avenue, with locals eager to see if each business’s early success can help catalyse a sustained rejuvenation effort within the town’s CBD. The Home Hill Chamber’s next Social and Networking Event is pencilled in for next month, with local cane farmer and accomplished clay target shooter Joseph Roseate to serve as guest speaker. CAPTIONS: 1—Linda Butler shared her decades-long journey through the graphic design industry with attendees. 2—Chamber president Uli Liessman, Candace Young, Neil Machin and Patricia Thomas. Photo credit: Jacob Casha
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Burdekin sugar mills have surpassed two million tonnes of cane crushed for the 2026 season, with throughput reaching its highest level to date during week six of crushing. The region’s four Wilmar-operated mills processed 391,241 tonnes of cane in the week ending July 11, taking the season total to 2,045,917 tonnes. Wilmar said weekly throughput was well above budget and marked the strongest week of crushing so far this season. Invicta Mill recorded the region’s highest weekly output, processing 157,646 tonnes of cane—its best weekly throughput for the season to date. Pioneer Mill crushed 75,790 tonnes during the week, while Kalamia processed 78,184 tonnes and Inkerman crushed 79,621 tonnes. Sugar quality remained strong across the Burdekin, with the average weekly commercial cane sugar (CCS) level reaching 14.70, nearly one unit above budget. Invicta recorded the highest average CCS for the week at 14.78, followed by Pioneer at 15.16, Kalamia at 14.43 and Inkerman at 14.36. The highest CCS result for the week came from a rake of Q240 plant cane supplied from the Barratta productivity district, which recorded a CCS of 17.30. Q183 was the strongest-performing variety for CCS across the region, recording an average of 15.29, followed by KQ228 at 14.77 and Q240 at 14.68. Season-to-date, Invicta has processed 794,310 tonnes of cane, Pioneer 404,606 tonnes, Kalamia 417,809 tonnes and Inkerman 429,192 tonnes. Wilmar said favourable throughput and sugar quality results had helped maintain strong progress through the early stages of the crush. CAPTION: Invicta Mill (pictured) recorded the region’s highest weekly output, processing 157,646 tonnes of cane—its best weekly throughput for the season to date. Photo: Rory Ironside.
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Burdekin grower organisations will have a seat at the table as the Federal Government reviews the future of the Sugar Code of Conduct. The review has now entered its consultation phase, with Federal Government officials visiting North Queensland this month to hear directly from growers and industry representatives about their priorities for the Code. Introduced in 2017, the Code was established to promote fair and transparent trading between growers and millers. It is now undergoing a mandatory review ahead of its scheduled expiry in October 2027, with the process to determine whether it will be extended, amended or replaced. Public consultation attracted 283 submissions from across industry, demonstrating strong engagement with the review. The Federal Government is now consulting directly with grower collectives, with Canegrowers Burdekin Limited (CBL), QCAR, and Kalagro among North Queensland organisations set to meet with Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Anthony Chisholm when he arrives in North Queensland this month. Senator Chisholm said the discussions were part of the government’s commitment to ensuring the industry had the right regulatory settings to remain competitive. “The sugar industry has played a huge part in our state’s history, and it will continue to play that role into the future,” Senator Chisholm said. “Sugar already supports thousands of regional jobs and contributes billions to our economy—we know with the right settings it can grow even further. “Sugar is vitally important to rural and regional Queensland, and the Federal Government wants to ensure that the industry has the right settings to thrive.” QCAR General Manager Tara Neill said any changes to the Code must recognise the industry’s transition into new opportunities, including renewable energy. “We're moving more and more into the renewable space and looking at other ways to add revenue, and that's what we would like to see included in the Code to ensure that growers are party to that discussion in the future," she said. “We need to make sure that the Code will be effective not only now, but in another 10 years' time.” CAPTION: Canegrowers Burdekin Limited (CBL), QCAR, and Kalagro among North Queensland organisations are set to meet with Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Anthony Chisholm when he arrives in North Queensland. Photo supplied.
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A major Burdekin Delta wetlands restoration project has entered its next phase, with scientists, land managers and Traditional Owners coming together to establish how improvements to local waterways will be measured over coming years. The Working Wetlands in the Burdekin Delta (WWBD) project recently held its first Steering Committee and Monitoring Advisory Group (MAG) meetings, bringing together project partners to guide the development of a long-term monitoring program. Led by NQ Dry Tropics, the project is targeting wetlands across Sheep Station Creek, Kalamia Creek and Plantation Creek, with restoration works already underway to improve wetland health and reduce pollutants entering the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. The newly formed groups will help oversee the project’s direction, with the Steering Committee providing strategic guidance and the Monitoring Advisory Group providing independent scientific and technical advice. NQ Dry Tropics said the meetings marked an important step in establishing a monitoring framework that will allow the environmental benefits of wetland restoration to be measured and modelled. The project’s monitoring program will track changes across the restoration sites, helping determine how effectively wetlands can capture and process pollutants such as sediment, nutrients and pesticides before they reach the Reef. The meetings also included a field visit to project sites across the Burdekin Delta, allowing participants to view restoration areas and discuss future activities. The WWBD project is being delivered by NQ Dry Tropics in partnership with local stakeholders, including land managers and Traditional Owners, with funding through the Australian Government’s Reefwise Wetlands Program. CAPTION: A major Burdekin Delta wetlands restoration project has entered its next phase, with scientists, land managers and Traditional Owners coming together to establish how improvements to local waterways will be measured over coming years. Photo: NQ Dry Tropics.
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You may have noticed changes to the rules surrounding e-bikes and e-scooters across Queensland. New e-mobility laws came into effect on 1 July 2026, introducing a range of measures designed to improve safety for riders, pedestrians and other road users. One of the key changes is a reduced speed limit of 12 kilometres per hour on footpaths, with riders also required to slow to 12 kilometres per hour when passing pedestrians on shared paths. Riders must continue to obey all signed speed limits and are reminded that personal mobility devices cannot exceed 25 kilometres per hour. The new laws also introduce stronger penalties for unsafe behaviour, including increased fines for speeding, riding without a helmet and other dangerous practices. Police now have additional enforcement powers, including random breath testing of riders in public places. Importantly, new parking rules mean e-bikes and e-scooters must not be left in a way that obstructs pathways or creates hazards for pedestrians. Local government officers now have the authority to issue fines where devices are parked irresponsibly. These changes are aimed at ensuring everyone can safely enjoy our shared public spaces. I encourage all riders and families to familiarise themselves with the new requirements and help make our footpaths, parks and shared pathways safer for all members of the community. Should you wish to reach out, don’t hesitate to contact me directly by phone at 0447 150 582, or feel free to send an email to mayor@burdekin.qld.gov.au.
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I quite often (unfortunately) read comments or hear talk of “what do we get for our rates?” or “our rates are higher than (insert much larger towns or cities)”. Something to bear in mind is that all the hidden infrastructure; sewerage, water, waste, is something we all take for granted but come at a great cost. You turn on your tap, you expect water; you flush your toilet, the waste just disappears; you utilize the dump for green waste or other and think nothing of it. The processes behind these services are complex and costly and the solutions will not suit everyone. That being said, I am very disappointed with the removal of the dump facilities in Dalbeg. In my opinion, people should not be penalized simply because of where they live. These people will now have at 45km drive to the Clare dump or over an hour drive to the Ayr dump. I can only hope they do the right thing and there will be no increase in illegal dumping. If you’re travelling to Townsville or Giru along the Upper Haughton River Road, you will notice some extensive works being carried out between Malone Road and Norris Road. The works will include lime stabilisation of the subgrade and a three-layer 450mm gravel pavement installation. This is certainly a huge job and well overdue. Council and contractors are also progressing through unsealed road grading programs approved under the Disaster Relief Funding Arrangements which are subsidised by both the Federal and State Governments. Council workers, in general are a proud lot who do an exemplary job, often copping criticism and ridicule in the process. I would like to say thank you to each and every one of them for their continued contribution to our Shire. I’d like to acknowledge the recent passing of Charlie Nucifora, an immigrant who along with his brothers Sam and Frank have contributed so very much to the Burdekin. He, like so many others, had a story and it was beautifully told at his service by his daughter, Janine. May he, and the other members of our community who have passed rest easy in the arms of God. God Bless.
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The Burdekin’s inaugural Liberal National Party (LNP) Women executive committee has been officially announced, with local councillor Amanda Hall elected as the branch’s first chair. The new branch, which was formally approved by the LNP State Executive in May, held its first annual general meeting last Saturday, appointing Ms Hall to lead the group alongside former Burdekin Shire councillor Dr Kaylee Boccalatte as vice chair. Cathy McDonnell was appointed treasurer and will also serve as acting secretary until the secretary position is filled. The formation of the branch followed strong local interest at an information meeting held in May, where women from across the Burdekin discussed the opportunity to establish a local arm of the LNP Women network. With the branch now formally established, Ms Hall said it would provide a platform for women across the region to raise issues and have their voices heard. “If women want to have their say, if they want to have a voice, this is the place to do it in the Burdekin,” she said. The inaugural AGM was conducted by Northern Regional Chair of LNP Women Jean McCubben, with guest speakers including State Member for Mundingburra Janelle Poole and former Member for Burdekin Rosemary Menkens. Member for Burdekin Dale Last also addressed attendees, providing an update on current issues affecting the region. Moving forward, Ms Hall said the branch would give local women a direct pathway to contribute to broader party discussions, particularly ahead of future state conventions. “If there are any particular issues that are concerning women, or just in general, we want to start having some meetings early so that we can prepare for the state convention, go down there with a strong contingent of women and make our presence felt,” she said. Ms Hall said the branch would not necessarily meet on a fixed monthly schedule, instead aiming to hold discussions when there were meaningful issues or opportunities for members to engage. She said the group hoped to encourage involvement from younger women in the community to ensure a broad range of perspectives were represented. “I'd really love to get some younger women involved … because I know there's a lot of issues that face young people at the moment,” Ms Hall said. “We want to hear the younger women's point of view because their opinions can differ quite substantially, and it's important to hear from everybody.” Women interested in joining the branch is encouraged to reach out directly to Ms Hall on +61 427 827 386. CAPTION: Vice chair Kaylee Boccalatte (left), former Member for Burdekin Rosemary Menkens (left-centre), chair Amanda Hall (right-centre), and treasurer/secretary Cathy McDonnell (right). Photo supplied.
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The countdown is on for the official opening of the Burdekin's new Anzac Park Pump Track, with the community invited to celebrate the completion of the purpose-built facility at a free open day on 31 July. The gates of the $778,850 facility—roughly a year in the making—will officially open at 3:30pm, with riders of all ages encouraged to bring their BMX bikes, scooters, skateboards or balance bikes and be among the first to put the new track through its paces. The opening celebration will also feature a sausage sizzle, the chance to meet fellow riders and a giveaway, with the Burdekin Shire Youth Council offering attendees the opportunity to win a new scooter and helmet. The pump track, backed by $760,000 through the Queensland Government's Works for Queensland program, was first announced in June 2025 as the flagship project of Burdekin Shire Council's $2.8 million investment in regional parks. Construction began earlier this year following an extensive design process that included two rounds of community consultation. Located on the former junior soccer field alongside the existing skate park at Anzac Park, the facility has been designed to cater for riders of all skill levels using BMX bikes, scooters, skateboards and mountain bikes. When construction commenced, Burdekin Shire Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort said the final design reflected feedback from the local community. “The Anzac Park Pump Track is a great example of how community feedback helps Council deliver facilities that meet local needs and encourage people of all ages to be active,” Mayor Dalle Cort said. “Pump tracks are designed to be inclusive and accessible, catering for a range of users including bikes, scooters and skateboards. This facility will add to Anzac Park's existing recreational offerings and provide a safe, purpose-built space for the entire community to enjoy.”
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Wilmar Sugar and Renewables’ Invicta Mill was forced to shut down on Tuesday afternoon after a fire broke out in its compressor room, with emergency crews responding swiftly and bringing the blaze under control within about an hour. The incident was reported at the Giru site at about 2.20pm on Tuesday 21st July, prompting a response from Ayr, South Townsville and Home Hill fire crews. Ayr Fire Station Acting Station Officer Luke Mulcahy said firefighters arrived to find smoke and fire coming from the ground-level compressor room, where the mill’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) had already deployed multiple hose lines in an effort to contain the blaze. Fire crews entered the area wearing breathing apparatus and used hose lines to suppress the fire and prevent it from spreading further. Mr Mulcahy said the evacuation was successfully completed with no injuries to mill staff or emergency responders. He said the cause and origin of the fire remained unknown, but confirmed the blaze was contained to the area where it started. Queensland Ambulance Service and Queensland Police Service also attended the incident. A Wilmar Sugar and Renewables spokesperson acknowledged the efforts of its ERT and confirmed the factory had been safely shut down, with production halted following the incident. The spokesperson said the company would provide further information when more details became available. CAPTION: A fire inside Invicta Mill’s compressor room (pictured) was contained by emergency crews on Tuesday afternoon, with no injuries reported and production temporarily halted. Photo: Wilmar Sugar and Renewables.
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When someone is facing breast cancer surgery, even the smallest act of kindness can make a world of difference. For many women across the Burdekin and North Queensland, that comfort comes in the form of a handmade breast care cushion set, lovingly created by the dedicated volunteers of the Zonta Club Burdekin. Each year, the club produces around 150 breast care cushion sets, which are provided free of charge to patients through the Breast Care Nurses at North Queensland Minimally Invasive Surgery and Townsville University Hospital. The sets support people recovering from mastectomies, lumpectomies, breast reduction surgery and melanoma procedures involving lymph node removal. Each carefully prepared set includes a specially designed crescent-shaped cushion that provides support and padding around the surgical area, helping to reduce discomfort while resting, travelling in the car or simply going about everyday activities. The sets also include practical tote and shower bags to discreetly carry wound drainage pouches, helping patients maintain both comfort and dignity during recovery. Behind every cushion is an extraordinary community effort. Club members donate countless hours cutting fabric, sewing, stuffing and packaging each set, while annual "Stitch and Stuff" working bees bring together volunteers who share a common goal of supporting women through one of life's most challenging journeys. This important community project is made possible with the ongoing support of Community Bank Home Hill & Ayr. Sponsorship from the community bank helps fund essential materials including wadding, fabrics, cottons and other supplies, ensuring the cushions continue to reach local families at no cost. Community Bank Home Hill & Ayr Branch Manager Sally Smith said supporting projects like this reflects the bank's commitment to investing back into initiatives that make a genuine difference. "One of the things that makes community banking unique is that our success is returned to the communities we serve," Sally said. "The Zonta Club Burdekin's Breast Care Cushion project is a wonderful example of local people caring for local people. Knowing our support helps provide comfort, dignity and practical assistance to women during their recovery is something we're incredibly proud to be part of." For Zonta Club Burdekin, the partnership allows volunteers to focus on what they do best—creating something with care that offers both physical comfort and emotional reassurance. It's another example of how community organisations, volunteers and Community Bank Home Hill & Ayr continue to work together, creating positive outcomes that extend far beyond banking and into the lives of local people when they need it most. Supplied by Community Bank Home Hill & Ayr CAPTION: Club members donate countless hours cutting fabric, sewing, stuffing and packaging each set, while annual "Stitch and Stuff" working bees bring together volunteers who share a common goal of supporting women through one of life's most challenging journeys. Photo supplied.
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Opinion by Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox If you put your hard-earned cash into a locked safe every single week for decades, you expect the lock to hold. You certainly do not expect the federal government to turn up years later with a crowbar, trying to force it open. Yet, this is exactly the kind of financial trespass that people across our electorate are concerned about right now. Superannuation is meant to be a private fortress for your retirement; it is not a quarry for a government to dig into and mine whenever they face a budget shortfall. To understand why so many locals are worried, we need to look closely at the legislation that came into effect on 1 July: the Treasury Laws Amendment (Building a Stronger and Fairer Super System) Act 2026. This new law doubles the concessional tax rate from 15 per cent to 30 per cent for individuals with superannuation balances exceeding $3 million. The government is playing standard class-warfare politics here, targeting a small percentage of wealthy people. Why this is concerning for everyday Australians, is that by breaking the promise that superannuation is sacrosanct, the government has set a precedent: if they can come after these high-balance accounts today, middle-class savings will be next on the chopping block when the deficit deepens. That is why the Coalition opposed this legislation. Even more concerning is the Prime Minister's recent language, where he explicitly branded our $4.5 trillion national retirement pool as a "national asset". This is outrageous, your superannuation does not belong to the federal government, it belongs to you. The government wanting to treat your private savings like a state-run bank account to fund their political pet projects is an abhorrent overreach. Look at the mess this Labor government has made of the economy; it is blindingly obvious they cannot manage money. Now, they are bringing that exact same financial incompetence to your private retirement savings. They have zero right to dictate where your money goes, but they are altering the official performance benchmarks anyway: they want to force big super funds to bankroll their ideological green energy projects. In other words, this Labor government wants to push your retirement money into an ideological net zero fantasy that is already costing an estimated trillion dollars. This experimental agenda cannot survive on its own merits; it has to be propped up with massive, ongoing subsidies just to stay afloat. Blind Freddy can see this is a terrible investment strategy that would likely destroy the compound returns of everyday workers. Hard working Australians should not be subjected to this government’s woke ideology, and they certainly should not be gambling your retirement security on their unproven climate experiments. Then there is the backdoor plan to tangle your private superannuation up with Centrelink. This is a massive shift being pushed by the original architect of the system, Paul Keating, after he sat down for talks with the Prime Minister. They are trying to sell this to you as a simple tweak, claiming it makes sense to turn your super fund into the main shopfront for the Age Pension. This is a dangerous move to set up a massive data-sharing pipeline between the government and your private accounts. It forces corporate super funds to act as gatekeepers for public welfare, completely blurring the line between your own hard-earned savings and taxpayer-funded entitlements. Independent economist Dr Cameron Murray hit the nail on the head when he warned about the massive bureaucratic mess this will create. He said, "The superannuation network is already a highly complex, expensive apparatus that costs billions of dollars a year just to run. Attempting to integrate this private infrastructure with the public Age Pension system risks creating a massive bureaucratic web that compromises the economic efficiency of public welfare." Superannuation relies entirely on a promise of long-term stability. If you sacrifice your current lifestyle to build an independent future, you deserve to know your money is safe from political interference. The Albanese Labor government must not rewrite the rules of superannuation to cover their economic failures. They want the power to pick winners and losers with your life savings, ensuring the government gets the good headlines while your retirement balance carries all the danger. When Labor runs out of money, they come after yours. CAPTION: “Superannuation is meant to be a private fortress for your retirement; it is not a quarry for a government to dig into and mine whenever they face a budget shortfall.” Photo supplied.
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Planet Ark’s National Tree Day will soon offer opportunity for the community to come together, plant for the future and help protect the thriving, diverse ecosystem that makes the Burdekin Shire such a special place to live and visit. On Friday 24th July, students from across the region will roll up their sleeves for the event, helping kick-start a community effort to plant 1,000 native trees over two days. Later, on Sunday 26th July, as Burdekin Shire Council and the Lower Burdekin Landcare Association host the region's annual National Tree Day planting at 57 International Drive, Ayr. Since its inception in 1996, Planet Ark’s National Tree Day has flourished into the country’s largest community tree planting and nature care event. In the Burdekin Shire, the movement will focus primarily on the protection of rivers, wetlands and waterways, as well as the conservation of habitats for native animals. Over the past 30 years, volunteers have dedicated more than 10 billion hours to planting trees, restoring ecosystems and helping communities reconnect with nature. Although National Tree Day officially falls on the last Sunday of July, events are often tailored to local conditions, and, as Planet Ark reminds us, there's never a bad day to plant a tree. Residents are encouraged to RSVP via contacting Chris Gallyer on (07) 4783 9867 or visit nationaltreeday.org.au for more information. What: National Tree Day Planting When: Sunday 26th July, 8:30am-11:30am Where: 57 International Drive, Ayr Young Man Gardener Planting Tree Garden Stock Photo 1936976101 | Shutterstock CAPTION: Students and community members will come together later this month to help restore local habitats and plant 1,000 native trees as part of Planet Ark's National Tree Day. Photo source: Shutterstock
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The road to a career in motorsport has just begun for local enthusiast Jorja Ahern, who spent last week working the paddock as a scrutineer during the V8 Supercars' return to the Townsville 500. Photo supplied.It was while watching a Formula 1 film years ago that Burdekin local Jorja Ahern first fell in love with professional motorsport. But unlike many aspirants, it wasn't those donning helmets and racing suits in the cockpit that piqued her interest. It was the crewssteering the ship from the garage. An avid fan ever since, the teenager took her first steps into the paddock during last week’s Townsville 500 and, with them, a major stride towards her dream of working in the sport full-time. LOCAL TEEN FAST-TRACKS MOTORSPORT DREAM AT TOWNSVILLE 500 The road to a career in motorsport has just begun for local enthusiast Jorja Ahern, who spent last week working the paddock as a scrutineer during the V8 Supercars' return to the Townsville 500. The Year 10 student worked alongside fellow scrutineers to ensure the high-octane Supercars met a list of racing regulations, dedicating a gruelling 48 hours across the four-day event from Thursday’s Porsche category to Sunday’s Supercar showdown. The voluntary role marked Jorja’s first time in a professional racing garage, an experience she said crystallised her long-standing dream of working as a professional motorsport engineer. “Just being there and being close to the cars, I was like, ‘how did I get here?’” she laughed. “You would walk through the paddock and then all these drivers would just come out of nowhere… Being in that environment, like that—I feel like that's my element.” Jorja landed the role after reaching out to the Supercars team in search of opportunities to gain hands-on experience, eventually signing on as a scrutineer. In the role, she was responsible for assessing tyre pressure, driver apparel, seat belts, and checking that fuel chains were ‘earthed’ to avoid potential fires, among other tasks. She also observed the races from the garage, monitoring pit stops and ensuringprocedures were undertaken smoothly. The Year 10 student worked alongside fellow scrutineers to ensure the high-octane Supercars met a list of racing regulations, dedicating a gruelling 48 hours across the four-day event. Photo supplied. The experience gave the teenager a rare opportunity to pick the brains of seasoned engineers and crew members across four long days of racing, each of which began as early as 5am. She said that, come the end of the week, her fascination for engineering and the finer details of racing had only grown. “I had no idea they had to do all those different safety checks … and all the different regulations that had to be ticked off,” she said. “It's also so interesting how the aerodynamics work, and how one little change in the aerodynamics can make such a big difference to the speed.” According to her mother, Tracey Ahern, Jorja’s heart has long been in engineering, evidenced by her gravitation toward STEM-related school subjects as early as primary school. “Whenever there was an opportunity to become involved in STEM, she would put her hand up and say, ‘yeah, I want to get involved. I want to see what that's all about,’” Tracey said. Jorja’s STEM interest continued into high school, where she became involved in the STEM Changemakers program—an initiative which aims to encourage female participation in scientific and technical industries. Tracey described the Changemakers experience as a pivotal reassurance for Jorja that “girls can do anything.” “[The Changemakers program] really opened up like the doors to understanding how diverse engineering is, and that although it has been a male-dominated industry … girls can do these things as well,” she said. That notion was rubber-stamped for Jorja, who recalled seeing several women in the garages during race week in Townsville. Now armed with newfound confidence, the motorsport aspirant is eager to continue her surge into the world of professional motorsport engineering. For Jorja, that involves studying mechanical engineering at university, before pursuing an engineering role at “any motorsport team—whether Supercars or F1.”
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REPRESENTATIVE TEAMS RISE TO THE CHALLENGE Continued from cover Burdekin Netball Association’s junior representative teams have returned from the Queensland Junior State Age Championships with plenty to celebrate, producing strong performances against some of the state’s leading clubs. The Under 13 team finished an impressive 11th out of 21 teams, while the Under 14 side also secured 11th place from a field of 18 teams. These highly respectable results reflect not only the dedication of the players but also the depth of talent continuing to emerge through the Burdekin Netball Association pathways. The Association was also proud to see club player Luca Lawry selected to compete with QC Netball's boys team at the championships. Luca earned his invitation following a standout performance at the North Queensland School Sports netball championships in May. Luca's journey is a testament to the strength of grassroots sporting organisations and the important role community clubs play in developing young athletes. Netball runs deep in the Lawry family, with Luca's grandparents, uncle, aunties and siblings all having represented the Burdekin Netball Association over the years. Despite being one of the youngest members of the QC Netball team, Luca performed exceptionally well throughout the tournament and demonstrated enormous potential for the future. With his sights now firmly set on representing Australia at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, his future in the sport looks incredibly promising. The Burdekin Netball Association is proud to provide opportunities for aspiring netballers to represent the Burdekin region, challenge themselves against the state's best players and create lifelong memories and experiences through sport. Supplied by Burdekin Netball Association Under 14 Team Photo Back row (left to right) Indy Broadhead, Ivy Martin, Chloe Bowen, Eden Godfrey, Charlotte Lawry Front row (left to right) Charmaine Reid (coach), Lily Ahern, Miley Gesah, Makenna Trail, Popi Loizou, Kasey Dobe, Jacki Samwell (manager). Photos supplied
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Burdekin’s next generation of touch footballers will soon have their chance to hit the field, with the Under 14 competition kicking off next Wednesday, July 22. Sign-on will take place from 5pm, with both full teams and individual players encouraged to get involved. Those who nominate individually will be placed into teams to ensure everyone has the opportunity to take part. Games will run each Wednesday from 5pm to 5.45pm, with the season continuing through until November 18. The cost is $60 per player. For more information, contact Bruce on 0408 060 476. CAPTION: Mazlin Smith in action. Supplied.
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Seniors A good weekend for the Panthers. They played four games against Rebels, winning three, losing one and scoring twenty three goals! The Premiers and Reserves were away on Saturday with the Premiers winning 10-0 and the Reserves winning 7-0. The Division 1 and Division 2 teams were away on Friday night with the Division 1 losing 2-5 and the Division 2 winning 4-2. This week, all five teams are in action. On Friday, the Division 1 and Division 2 teams are at home to MA Olympic kicking off at 8.30 and 6.30. The Colts are away to Brothers with a 6.30 kick off. On Sunday, the Premiers and Reserves are at home to Estates kicking off at 5.00 and 3.00. Ladies Day tickets went on sale last Friday and sold out within ours. Did not get a ticket? You can still join in on all the fun at International Park on Saturday 22nd August!’ Calling all Life Members, Sponsors & Old Boys. It’s time to celebrate you! On Sunday August 9th, join us for an afternoon of football, free drinks, and food! Let’s reminisce on all the good, bad, and ugly! Please confirm attendance with Sian Reardon. Premiers – Ayr Anzac Club The Panthers produced a ruthless attacking display against Rebels, running out convincing 10–0 winners after dominating from the opening whistle. Jake Siandri made an immediate impact on his return from injury, opening the scoring inside the first three minutes. Elliott Dal Santo doubled the advantage after ten minutes before Jay Leckenby added a third in the 22nd minute. The goals continued to flow, with Matthew Kolb finding the net three minutes later, followed by Jaidyn Lambie-Fabbro in the thirtieth minute. Dal Santo then grabbed his second of the afternoon in the 34th minute to send the Panthers into the break with a commanding 6–0 lead. The second half began in much the same fashion, with Cooper Kross scoring just two minutes after the restart. Burdekin continued to create chances throughout the half and were rewarded late in the match. Ryan Scodellaro added the eighth goal in the 79th minute before Matthew Kolb claimed his second three minutes later. Jonte Grazioli completed the scoring in the 85th minute, capping off an impressive team performance. It was a clinical display across the park, with the Panthers showing their attacking quality while also keeping a clean sheet to round out a dominant 10–0 victory. Reserves – Burdekin Tyre Service The Panthers Reserves also produced an outstanding attacking performance against Rebels, recording a comprehensive 7–0 victory with goals spread across both halves. Cooper Kross got the scoring underway in just the fourth minute before Jhett Jones struck twice in quick succession, finding the net in the 12th and 13th minutes to put the Panthers firmly in control. Kross added his second of the afternoon just two minutes later, giving Burdekin a commanding 4–0 lead heading into half time. The Panthers picked up where they left off after the break. Jonte Grazioli extended the advantage in the 48th minute before Cooper Kross completed a well-deserved hat-trick with his third goal in the 53rd minute. Grazioli then rounded out the scoring in the 59th minute, grabbing his second of the match to seal an emphatic 7–0 victory. It was a dominant team performance from start to finish, with the Panthers controlling the contest throughout and showing plenty of quality in front of goal while keeping another clean sheet. Division 1 – Austral Masonry The Division 1 Panthers took on Rebels also but unfortunately suffered a 2-5 loss. Burdekin started well but could not convert their chances in front of goal, hitting the crossbar and hitting shots wide. Rebels made the most of their chances and jumped out to a 3-0 lead after just twenty minutes which remained the score at half time. The Panthers were much better in the second half with goals to Krishneel Singh and Jack Shears but a penalty and a late goal to Rebels gave them the 5-2 win. A score that did not reflect the amount of possession or chances on goal that Burdekin had. Despite the loss a good performance from a relatively young Burdekin Division 1 side. Jack Shears and Jack Gimson had strong games. Division 2 – RG Customs The Funkies got their season back on track after a couple of tough games recently with a 4-2 win against Rebels. Jared Giardina opened the scoring before Chris Achille made it 2-0 after only five minutes of play. Rebels pulled a goal back soon afterwards and the score remained 2-1 to Burdekin at half time. The Funkies were quite dominant and in control of the game in the second half. Goals to Krishneel Singh and then James Dwyer from the penalty spot gave the Funkies a 4-1 lead approaching full time. Rebels scored a late goal, but the Funkies won 4-2 quite comfortably and move into 4th place on the table. Masters The Masters numbers were higher despite the cool conditions and featured a pre-play of the England v Norway World Cup Quarter Final. The game ended with Norway winning 4-2. after drawing 2-2 at half time. Best players on the night were Felipe Brazil and Shane Feeney. The Magic Moments were very rare! Masters play every Monday night. All players are welcome, male, and female, useful and hopeless, halt and lame. Be there, International Park for 6.30 Kick Off. Juniors Junior Saturday games are still on a break for the school holidays, but we’re looking forward to seeing everyone back on the field next weekend! While regular games were on pause, four Burdekin teams travelled to Townsville to compete in the Filippo Mele Memorial Competition from 7–9 July. It was a busy three days of soccer, with plenty of great games and valuable experience for our players. Well done to all players, coaches and families involved for representing the club throughout the competition. International The World Cup Is now at the semi-final stage. France plays Spain on Wednesday in Dallas and England meet Argentina in Atlanta on Thursday. The Final will be played on Monday in New York Quote the of the Week is from ex-Manchester Utd and Scotland manager Tommy Docherty “I’ve always said there’s a place for the press, but they haven’t dug it yet.”
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Burdekin Roosters utility Nemia Nawave had a standout game against Western Lions at Bendigo Bank Park on Saturday night, but it wasn’t enough to get the locals over the line, going down 30-24. Both sides played open, fast football in the first half to have the scores 30-18 to the visiting Lions at the break. While the first half was fast and exciting, with eight tries scored, the second half was a dour affair with a lot of dropped ball as both teams tried to get the ascendancy. The Roosters looked the better team in attack in the second session, but dropped ball robbed them of tries at vital stages. Nothing could be taken away from the defence from both teams in the second session, as both fought valiantly to get on top. The loss by the locals sees them now in fifth place on the ladder, and with Centrals giving the premiers from the last two years, Souths, a hiding on Sunday, Western Lions are now equal third with Brothers behind Souths and Centrals. Coach Steve Lansley said the Roosters produced a spirited second-half fightback but were left to rue a costly opening 40 minutes as they went down to the Western Lions in an entertaining rugby league contest. The first half was an attacking spectacle, with an incredible scoreline as the Lions raced to 30 points while the Roosters kept themselves in the contest with three tries of their own. Defensive improvements after the break saw just one try scored in the entire second half, highlighting the commitment and resilience shown by the Roosters. Unfortunately, the damage had already been done, with the 30 points conceded before half-time proving too much to overcome. Despite the defeat, Burdekin never stopped competing and pushed the Lions all the way to the final siren. Mitch Brown was outstanding throughout, while Nemia once again provided plenty of spark in attack and Jake O’Brien impressed with his tireless work across the park. On to Ladies Day and the return of the Home Hill Devils reunion. For Burdekin, tries came from Lachlan Shepherd, Jake O’Brien, Nemia Nawave and Lach Bachbach. Jake O’Brien kicked four goals. In other A Grade games, Centrals caused the upset of the season so far, beating two-time premiers and undefeated this year Souths 50-10, while Brothers and Herbert River played out a 30-all draw and Norths beat Charters Towers 26-14. It was not a good day for the Roosters, with Western Lions easily winning the reserve grade 40-6 over a disappointing Burdekin team. The Lions led 24-0 at the break, and it wasn’t until near the end that the locals showed any glimpse of what they are capable of. Then Pryce Gesah finished off his match with a good try. Coach Peter Horan said he was thoroughly disappointed with the efforts of a number of players. Braiden Di Bella was the players’ player for a good effort, with Lincoln Boccolatte, Luca Lago, Bryce Caltiabano and Calem Saxby giving of their best. Pryce Gesah scored the try, converted by Dylan Doak. In other reserve grade matches, Norths beat Charters Towers 46-8, Brothers beat Herbert River 40-6 and Souths beat Centrals 34-6. The Roosters Under 19s had a bye for the weekend. Only one Ladies game was played, with Charters Towers beating Norths 24-12. Supplied by Brian Carnes CAPTIONS: 1—A grade Player of the match - joint winners are Nemia Nawave (left) & Jake O'Brien (right) presented by old boy Thomas Lammon (middle) 2—Reserve grade Player of the match - Braedyn Di Bella (accepted by Jahi Starr (right)) presented by old boy Sam Russo (left) Photos supplied
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If the loss to New South Wales in Wednesday’s State of Origin game wasn’t enough for us Maroons to bear, Home Hill members had to accept another win by the travelling Blues supporters, taking out the random rink win of the day. Jo Roser and Charlie Cheatam, both from Jervis Bay and currently camped at Groper Creek, were the lucky winners and, with all jokes aside, their win provided a great deal of banter in the club room, as you could imagine. Well done and congratulations. It was pleasing to see club member Tony Caruso, who has been recovering from a cancer scare, back on the field. You’re a good man, Tony, and have been sorely missed at the club. Members also extend our sincere welcome to Chris Holden, a new player introduced by fellow club member Hugh Montgomery. Chris, we trust this will not be your last visit to our club and, from all reports, you have good potential as a bowler. Club Championships have resumed after a short break due to Pennants and Dunn Cup. Sunday, 5th July saw Wayne Newton and Tony Eadie play Sandra Darwin and Joscelyn Defranciscis, with Wayne and Tony taking out the win. Thursday on Rink (6), Scott Taylor and Paul Vass played Trevor Elton and Judy Elton. Throughout the encounter, it was always going to be anyone’s game, with the Taylor team a step ahead in the early part. However, the tables turned in favour of the Elton team, leading by a close margin from end sixteen (17), only to see Scott Taylor and Paul Vass take the win on the last end. Congratulations go to Scott and Paul on what turned out to be a close contest. Thursday, 9th July, club members were able to say their final farewell to their previous caretaker, Warren (Yogi) Bunn, and his daughter Terese Bunn, who will be moving south to within 30 kilometres of Brisbane. We extend our best wishes to them both for the future. Wednesday night bowls were cancelled due to the State of Origin; however, they will resume on the 15th July at the usual time. On the green, three games of triples and two games of pairs were played out, as well as the championship pairs games previously mentioned. On Rink Two, Bruce McCallum, Warren Bunn and Teresa Bunn had a win by a close margin against Joe Linton, Nev Webb and Betty Webb. On Rink Three, Alex Bojack, Dino Poli and Terry Feakes had a comfortable win over Margaret Linton, Rob Darr and Les Hoey. Rink Four: The first of the pairs games was played between Jo Roser, Charlie Cheatam, Hugh Montgomery and Chris Holden. The winners of this game need no introduction, as previously reported. On Rink Five, Keith Roser, Katarina Stucker and Colleen Olsen had a more than convincing win over Glenn Berryman, Steve Doige and Bob Pickard. All three players demonstrated exceptional bowling skill throughout the entire game, giving their opposition no chance of a win. On Rink Seven, the second of the pairs games played out between Gary Nosworthy, Janet Arthur, Mick McCloskey and Tony Caruso, with the Nosworthy team having a sound win. To all the winning teams, and to those not so lucky, remember participation, friendship and enjoyment of the afternoon are the most important parts of the day. The weekly raffle first prize of seafood was won by Margaret Linton, with the second prize of a bottle of wine going to Dino Poli. Congratulations to you both. Contributed by Bob Pickard CAPTION (L-R): Jo Roser, Charlie Cheatam. Supplied
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Community sporting clubs across the Burdekin are being urged to secure their share of a new funding pool aimed at future-proofing grassroots sports ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. The federal Game On grants program has officially opened, offering one-off grants of up to $100,000 for local eligible sporting organisations to upgrade energy systems, slash power bills, and ease the financial burden on volunteers and families. Round 1 applications are currently open and will close on 28 July 2026, though locals are being warned that the finite investment pool may close earlier if fully allocated. Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, said rising energy bills have become a constant challenge for clubs in the region, taking vital resources away from upgrading local facilities and supporting junior athletes. “Our local sports clubs are the lifeblood of our communities,” Mr Willcox said. “They aren’t just places to play footy or netball; they are hubs for families and volunteers who put in countless hours to keep our regions connected.” The funding is designed to help local clubs reduce their overheads through practical measures, such as installing energy-efficient technologies, upgrading field and clubhouse lighting, or investing in battery storage. Money saved on electricity bills can be reinvested straight back into purchasing new equipment, improving playing surfaces, and lowering costs for local families. Mr Willcox said strengthening grassroots facilities now was essential to nurturing the region’s sporting future, particularly with the home Olympics on the horizon. "As we look ahead to Brisbane 2032, we want to ensure our next generation of champions has every opportunity to shine, but we know that cost-of-living pressures are making it incredibly tough for families right now," Mr Willcox said. “Mums and dads can only do so much, and our hardworking volunteers shouldn't have to carry the burden alone. Any measure that reduces costs and keeps our kids on the field should be embraced. “These upgrades aren't just about modernising facilities, they are about future-proofing the places that bring us together and ensuring that sport remains accessible, affordable, and strong for every young athlete in Dawson." Burdekin clubs looking to apply can view the full eligibility criteria and submit applications via GrantConnect at https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/programs/sports-clubs-energy-upgrades. CAPTION: As participation in sports like pickleball continues to surge across North Queensland, Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, has emphasised the need to back local clubs with the facilities required to support both current demand and the next generation of athletes. Photo supplied.
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Thursday 16 July Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre’s Community Cuppa, 10am-12pm, Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre, 40 Chippendale Street, Ayr Rotary Club of Ayr Weekly Meeting, 6:15pm-8pm, Ayr Anzac Memorial Club, 101 Burke Street, Ayr Friday 17 July Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre’s Bridge Group, 9am-1pm, Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre, 40 Chippendale Street, Ayr Home Hill Devils Rugby League Club 40 Year Reunion Meet & Greet, 6pm, Crown Hotel, Home Hill Saturday 18 July Home Hill Devils Rugby League Club 40 Year Reunion Burdekin Roosters VS Centrals, 3pm, Bendigo Bank Park, Ayr Burdekin Rugby League Ladies Day, 4pm-8pm, Bendigo Bank Park, Ayr Sunday 19 July Wings & Wheels for Angel Flight, 8am, Donnington Airpark, Woodstock Home Hill Devils Rugby League Club 40 Year Reunion Goodbye Breakfast, 9am, Burdekin Race Club, Home Hill Burdekin Dachshunds Meet Up, 9am, Ayr Dog Park, Ayr Zonta Club Burdekin’s Strive to Be Kind Lunch, 12pm-2pm, Silver Screens ‘N Coffee Beans, Ayr Monday 20 July Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre’s Crochet Group, 1pm-5pm, Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre, 40 Chippendale Street, Ayr Tuesday 21 July RSL Bingo Morning, 9am-11am, Ayr Anzac Memorial Club, 101 Burke Street, Ayr Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre’s Bridge Group, 9am-1pm, Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre, 40 Chippendale Street, Ayr Wednesday 22 July Home Hill CWL Free Morning Tea Wednesday, 9:30am Home Hill CWL extends an invitation to all for our free morning tea—a great opportunity to catch up with new and old friends and especially if you’re new to the area. Some entertainment and games with a chance to win a raffle prize. St Colemans Hall, Home Hill Thursday 23 July Burdekin Water Festival Senior Ambassador Zyon Dallecort (CORES QLD & Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre)’s Trivia Night, 6pm, The Lighthouse, 130 Young Street, Ayr Rotary Club of Ayr Weekly Meeting, 6:15pm-8pm, Ayr Anzac Memorial Club, 101 Burke Street, Ayr Friday 24 July Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre’s Bridge Group, 9am-1pm, Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre, 40 Chippendale Street, Ayr Burdekin Support Group of Parkinsons, 10am-12pm, Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre, 40 Chippendale Street, Ayr Bowen Collinsville Pet Rescue’s Monthly Adoption Day & Sausage Sizzle, 10am-2pm, Pets Domain Ayr, 93 Graham Street, Ayr The Eagles Greatest Hits Friday, 7:30pm-10pm Celebrate the timeless sound of The Eagles live in concert, as a world-class six-piece band delivers two hours of iconic hits including Hotel California, Desperado and Lyin’ Eyes in a powerful, nostalgia-filled night of classic rock. Purchase tickets via www.burdekintheatre.com.au. Burdekin Theatre, Ayr Saturday 25 July Macrame Pot Hanger Workshop, 2pm, Home Hill Greek Community Hall, Home Hill Sunday 26 July Gospel Music Festival Sunday, 10am-6pm Enjoy a free, uplifting day at the Gospel Music Festival at the Stardust Drive-In, featuring inspiring live performances from Brendon Walmsley, Victor Clay and Lynton Allen in a powerful celebration of music, faith and community. Stardust Drive-In Theatre, 27 Kilrie Road, Ayr Monday 27 July Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre’s Crochet Group, 1pm-5pm, Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre, 40 Chippendale Street, Ayr Tuesday 28 July RSL Bingo Morning, 9am-11am, Ayr Anzac Memorial Club, 101 Burke Street, Ayr Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre’s Bridge Group, 9am-1pm, Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre, 40 Chippendale Street, Ayr Thursday 30 July Rotary Club of Ayr Weekly Meeting, 6:15pm-8pm, Ayr Anzac Memorial Club, 101 Burke Street, Ayr Friday 31 July Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre’s Bridge Group, 9am-1pm, Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre, 40 Chippendale Street, Ayr
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The life of well-known North Queensland business and golfing identity Wayne Haller was celebrated at an open-air funeral at his beloved Ayr Golf Club recently. Over 200 friends, business associates and fellow golfers joined Wayne’s wife Lyn and their three sons – Kurt, Todd and Ryan – attended the gathering. Lyn Haller, her sons and grandson delivered moving tributes. Family friends Peter Andersen, Ross Lewis and Alan Nelson also shared memories of their late mate. Wayne, 81, was born in Home Hill, the eldest child of Harold and Nancy Haller. He grew up on the family cane farm at Osborne with his sister Carol and late brother Kelvin where he learned values that stayed with him throughout his life – hard work, humility, honesty and respect for others. After finishing school, Wayne studied teaching at Kelvin Grove Teachers College before returning to North Queensland to teach at Home Hill. It was there that he met the love of his life, local girl Lynette Melvin. They married on December 10, 1966, beginning a partnership that would last almost 60 years. Wayne was often heard to say in later life that he had come to love Lyn more and in a different way as they got older than when they were first married. The young married couple were transferred to Julia Creek where their first son, Kurt, was born followed by Todd and Ryan. Wayne made many friends in Julia Creek, including Ken Cooney, the local butcher at the time, who encouraged Wayne to leave teaching and begin a new career with the insurance and financial services company, AMP. Wayne took his friend’s advice, returned to Ayr and through hard work, genuine care and an ability to earn people’s trust, built one of North Queensland’s most respected financial services businesses that became known as Haller Wealth. Wayne’s brother-in-law, Jim Melvin, who delivered the eulogy, said Wayne believed that success in life was measured by the difference you made in the lives of others. “His clients knew they could rely on him, not just because he understood financial advice but because he understood people,” he said. “He celebrated their successes, stood beside them during difficult times and treated every client with honesty, compassion and respect.” Wayne’s success as a businessman and as a gifted public speaker led to many professional honours, including invitations to speak at conferences throughout Australia and overseas. Success in business was only part of his busy life. His greatest fulfilment came through family, friendships, golf and serving his community. Golf, in particular, became a lifelong passion. He won countless local and regional events, both as an individual and in partnership with his late brother Kelvin. He devoted countless hours to the Ayr Golf Club and in 1978 was instrumental in transforming the nine-hole layout into an 18-hole course. His contribution to the game extended well beyond Ayr. Through many years of service to the North Queensland Golf Association, he helped strengthen and promote golf across the region, earning Life Membership of both organisations. One of the proudest moments of his life came in 2000 when he was selected as an Olympic Torch Bearer, an honour he shared with brother Kelvin. Retirement was simply an opportunity to devote more time to the things he loved most – family, friendships, serving his community and discovering new passions such as Rotary, travel, keeping fit and photography. Family was everything to Wayne. He loved watching his children and grandchildren building successful and fulfilling lives. The successful husband, father, grandfather, businessman and golfer, made lifelong friends wherever he went and quietly left every community, every organisation and every person a little better for having known him. “Wayne Haller lived a remarkable life, a life that mattered,” said brother-in-law Jim Melvin. “That is the measure of a life well lived. “May he rest in peace.”
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Burdekin Catholic High School's Confraternity Rugby League team has returned from Brisbane with a sixth-place finish, following a valiant effort that saw them go toe-to-toe with schools from across Queensland. The week-long tournament, hosted by Marist College Ashgrove from 29 June, welcomed a host of school teams for what is widely considered one of the state's most prestigious school sporting competitions. BCHS made a strong account of themselves, earning two victories with a handful of close contests decided by fine margins. The team opened its campaign in strong fashion, defeating St Augustine's College, Augustine Heights, 16-10 in its opening match. The team then suffered a narrow 16-10 defeat to St Mary's Catholic College, Cairns, with Lincoln Hoare earning Player of the Match honours, before falling 14-6 to Good Samaritan Catholic College, Bli Bli. Despite being reduced to 11 players for a period of the game, the BCHS boys remained resolute, with Logan Guglielmana named Player of the Match. A tough quarter-final crossover clash against Good Shepherd Catholic College ended in a 30-8 loss, with Jesse Leo recognised as Player of the Match. The team bounced back with a hard-fought 4-0 victory over St Anthony's Catholic College before contesting the Division Four playoff final against Good Samaritan Catholic College. In a dramatic finish, and despite missing five key players through injury, BCHS fell just two points short, losing 10-8 after the full-time siren to secure sixth place overall in the division. Both Reid Kiehne and Logan Guglielmana were deemed standouts for BCHS throughout the week, receiving the school Spirit of Confraternity Award and Player of the Carnival respectively. School staff also acknowledged the extensive support network behind the campaign, thanking coaches Mr Luke Marano and Mr Brent Mitchell, trainer Mr Thomas Lammon and team manager Mrs Sharon Kiehne for their dedication throughout the three-term program. BCHS Principal Lorraine Wolffe said she was “proud” of how the entire team represented the school. “It was a privilege to travel to Confraternity with the team,” Ms Wolffe said. “Our coaching staff, supported by a strong parent volunteer group, was a wonderful display of our community in action. I was very proud of the achievements of our young men at the carnival.” CAPTION: BCHS made a strong account of themselves, earning two victories with a handful of close contests decided by fine margins. Photo supplied.
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Clare State School will play host to more than 10 Burdekin primary schools this Friday as students battle it out for honours at this year’s Combined Small Schools Athletics Carnival. Clare State School will welcome students, families and staff from Airville State School, Brandon State School, Giru State School, Gumlu State School, Jarvisfield State School, Kalamia State School, Maidavale State School, Millaroo State School and Osborne State School for the 17 July carnival. Hosted by the Burdekin Primary Schools' Sports Association, the carnival will feature sprint races, 200-metre and 800-metre events, high jump, long jump and shot put, with older students vying for qualification to the Burdekin District Championships later this month. Younger students will take part in a fun-filled program of athletics rotations and novelty activities designed to develop confidence and fundamental movement skills. Clare State School said it remained committed to creating a welcoming environment where every student is known, valued and supported to “Together We Shape Tomorrow”. Families and community members are invited to attend and cheer on the young athletes. Food and refreshments will be available from Osborne State School's tuckshop, the Clare State School P&C snack stall and the Student Council's popular Zooper Dooper stand. Proceedings will officially commence at 9am as the schools compete for championship glory, team spirit and community pride. Supplied by Clare State School CAPTION: Small schools from across the Burdekin will descend on Clare this Friday as more than 10 primary schools come together for the 2026 Combined Small Schools Athletics Carnival. Photo supplied.
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The Ayr State School community joined the nation in celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture as NAIDOC Week arrived late last month. The celebrations, this year honouring five decades of NAIDOC, saw students and families gather at the school to recognise the history, culture and achievements of First Nations peoples. Attendees created Indigenous-inspired artworks and took part in hands-on damper making, before exploring one of the Gudjuda Rangers' research boats used to monitor and protect sea turtles. A kup murri lunch provided a unique taste of First Nations cuisine, with traditional dance performances and the singing of Taba Naba, a traditional song from the Torres Strait Islands, closing out the event. Ayr State School Head of Curriculum Nikky Guilfoyle said the event was an opportunity for students to “develop a greater appreciation of culture.” “Seeing our students proudly engage in NAIDOC celebrations is incredibly special,” she said. “Through storytelling, art, dance and shared experiences, [the students] develop a greater appreciation of culture, identity and community while learning the importance of respect and inclusion. “These experiences help build understanding, strengthen relationships and ensure every student recognises the significance of Australia's First Nations cultures as an essential part of our shared story.” The school extended a “heartfelt thank you” to everyone involved in bringing the event to fruition. CAPTIONS: 1—“Seeing our students proudly engage in NAIDOC celebrations is incredibly special,” Head of Curriculum Nikky Guilfoyle said. 2—Attendees explored one of the Gudjuda Rangers' research boats used to monitor and protect sea turtles. Photos: Facebook/Ayr State School
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The Millaroo State School P&C has raised more than $17,000 to support students after a successful return of its annual Catfish Competition last weekend. More than 50 competitors took part in the two-day fishing event, with the community gathering at the Millaroo Social Club on Saturday night for presentations, live entertainment and a fish-and-chip dinner prepared by the Millaroo P&C. The evening attracted more than 100 people in total, with auctioned items kindly donated by Don West Toyota & Burdekin laser cutting raising $1,075. Sponsorship contributions made up the rest of the fundraising total. This year’s competition saw anglers compete across categories including longest catfish, most catfish caught and longest other species, with junior divisions encouraging young fishers to get involved. Among the weekend’s winners were Millaroo State School students Leo and Layla Middleton, who claimed the titles for the longest catfish in their respective age categories, along with Harris Peterson and Remy Booth, among others. The event featured live music from Tiny & The Bad Teddy, raffles and a range of prizes, with free camping available for competitors wanting to make a weekend of the event. Organisers thanked the wider community via Facebook for helping make the fundraiser a success, highlighting the teamwork and support behind the event. “We’re a small community but when there’s work to be done, everyone pitches in,” shared Millaroo Social Club. “That’s what makes days like this possible and it’s all worth it to create memories for our kids and bring our community together. “Thank you again to everyone who supported the event. We can’t wait to do it all again next year!” CAPTIONS: 1—Winners of the adult men's and women's categories. 2—Winners Harris Peterson and Remy Booth. 3—QLD Rural sponsor Nick Malone auctioning off the items kindly donated by Don West Toyota & Burdekin laser cutting. Photos supplied.
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