Ron: “When we get heavy downpours here drainage is a real issue. On New Year’s Day we got a big, heavy downpour all day, and across the road over there, there was a lot of water. Some parts of it were completely cut off. So definitely more drainage would be good. Outside of that, I'd like to see another bridge built or if it’s possible, widening the exisiting one. The current Burdekin bridge is showing its age and become inadequate with lots more trucks and wider loads. It’s not uncommon for man
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A university-led research initiative is tackling a rapidly spreading pathogen that poses significant challenges to the Australian poultry industry. The microorganism, Enterococcus cecorum (EC), is a contagious bacterium responsible for severe health issues in poultry. One of its most debilitating effects is spinal cord compression, commonly referred to as "kinky back," which can lead to paralysis and increased mortality rates in affected flocks. The research, titled “Integrated Investigation of
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Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables (QCAR) has estimated more than 1.27m tonnes of cane remains unharvested across Australia’s sugarcane mills, resulting in forecast losses to farmers of more than $83M. QCAR CEO, Stephen Ryan said most mills had closed the doors on the 2024 crushing season except for Wilmar Sugar’s Pioneer and Invicta mills in the Burdekin, with Mackay Sugar Limited advising on Sunday it would no longer accept bins at its Marian Mill past 6pm Monday, 13 January. “This amo
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On December 23, 2024, Syngenta Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 002 933 717) initiated a voluntary recall for specific batches of GRAMOXONE® 360 PRO Herbicide, sold by agricultural retailers between October 1 and December 20, 2024. The recall was made under Section 106 of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code, as part of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994. Reason for Recall: The recall concerns the 20L containers from batches 389865 and 389866, which were found to have not me
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If you have been following Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre’s articles, you may recall our passion for “Compassionate Communities” and our commitment to fostering a better understanding of and support for death, dying, and grief within our beautiful Burdekin community. We are excited to kick off 2025 with a community chat featuring Jane, the Bereavement Coordinator for the Specialist Palliative Rural Telehealth (SPaRTa) Grief and Bereavement Service from Townsville Hospital and Health Services.
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Gaming has become a significant part of young people’s lives, offering a mix of benefits and challenges. On the positive side, gaming fosters creativity, problem-solving skills, and social connection through online communities. However, there is a downside. Excessive gaming can negatively impact physical and mental health, disrupt sleep patterns, and interfere with academic performance or personal relationships. During school holidays, when routines are more relaxed, young people often have m
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Meet Thomas, a super smoochy tabby who loves to meow and cuddle. If he’s not chatting away to you, you’ll find him purring happily, hoping for some lap time to snuggle up. Thomas is currently in foster care and winning the hearts of all the household with his sweet and fun nature. He shares his foster home with four other cats and a few dogs, including a few playful puppies. He gets along well with other cats, but is still a little unsure about the dogs. That won't stop him from running on up to
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Robert Turner, the presenter of ‘Classic Hits & Memories’ on Sweet FM, has been behind the radio mic since 2019. His popular Saturday afternoon show plays from 2 to 4pm, where he’ll play a mix of music from the fifties through to the nineties. Robert’s been with the station for nearly six years, and his radio show receives quite a lot of requests on the day. He retired in 2007 after 42 years as a shift supervisor at Inkerman Sugar Mill, before he got started with the station after someone ment
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Thursday 16 January Butterfly Creations School Holiday Activity Thursday 11am Craft a world of holiday fun with the Burdekin Library’s School Holiday Program! Bookings are essential via https://bit.ly/burdekinlibraryevents. Home Hill Library Sunday 19 January Plantation Park Markets Sunday 8am Join the VVAA for an enjoyable morning overflowing with wonderful market stalls from handmade creations to delicious treats! To become a stallholder yourself contact 4783 6627. Plantation Park Monday
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The Ayr Bowling Club is rolling into 2025 with plenty of enthusiasm and a packed calendar of events. We’re kicking off the new year by inviting all members and the broader community, to come join us in celebrating Australia Day on Sunday 26 January at 1:00pm. Names down by 12:30pm. $10 a game. The event promises to be a fantastic afternoon, with a classic Aussie sausage sizzle after the game, great company, and the perfect opportunity to enjoy some friendly lawn bowls. Whether you're a seasoned
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Saturday 18th 0f January: 1.00pm to 5.00pm ( Patrol Group A ) Chris Wicks, Damien Rickets, Emma Rickets, Jane Wicks. Sunday 19th 0f January: 9,00am to 1,00pm ( Patrol Group B ) Terry Lund, Tramayne Horan, Dylan Carew, Heather Scott, Anita Giddy, Jan Hatherell, Gabriel Hatherell, Toby Wilson, Danny Wilson. Sunday 19th 0f January: 1.00pm to 5.00pm (Patrol Group D ) Ben Lawry, Kellie Lawry, Zac Dale. Parker Bonato, Richard Dale, Bella Lawry, William Holt, Sharli Archibald, Danica Archibald, Li
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Burdekin Clay Target Club held their monthly shoot on Sunday 12th January. Forty-one shooters braved the extreme heat, and the scores were exceptional in all grades. Congratulations to all the winners on the day, with a big thank you to Max and Julie Nicolaides, of Storage Sheds Ayr, for sponsoring event four. Our next shoot will be on Sunday 9th February, followed by our ‘Come and Try Day’ on Saturday 22nd February.
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In 1970, Margaret Gudge became one of the founding members of the Home Hill Netball Club, later known as Burdekin Netball. Little did she know that five decades later, her great-granddaughter, Lillea Levitt, would join the club, continuing a remarkable family legacy. Lillea became the first-ever great-grandchild of a former player to sign up with Burdekin Netball in 2020. Back in the 70’s, Margaret and a group of friends formed a team in the newly established, Home Hill Netball Association. They
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Since the Burdekin Men’s Shed Association came to be in 2011, they’ve developed a strong link to the community. Known as a great place for recent or long-time retired men to go and keep up their skills, learn about men’s health issues, build lasting friendships with other blokes, and give back to the community, they’ve long been admired and respected within the region. However, with their membership numbers falling as a result of many older members passing away or moving, there are concerns th
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So, I’m six weeks into this regional role as your local journo, and I’m seeing trends – some good (most great), and one or two that are disconcerting. Nothing outrageous or an “everyone run-for-hills” kind of thing, just little observations I’ve noticed. See, as a perennial traveller and someone who was once called ‘The Thinker’ in high school, such was my lifelike pose I’d strike at any time akin to Auguste Rodin’s famous marble statue, I’m forever watching, observing, studying, and generally
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Leaders from the Lower Burdekin Scout Group, Chris Berkery and Narelle Timm, were presented with a generous $2000 cheque by Kerry Lowing, the Secretary of Bluey’s Thrift Shop, on Sunday 5th Jan 2025, at the Uniting Church in Home Hill. This is the second generous cheque that Bluey’s has presented to the Lower Burdekin Scout Group. The previous donation in 2024 was used to provide scout camps and activities, leadership training for the Youth members, and small First Aid kits for all Scouts, along
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Jo Veneman, a director of North Queensland company Renewable Homes, was recently taken aback by a $1000 bill for her truck to cross the Burdekin Bridge, a key freight route between Ayr and Home Hill on the Bruce Highway. The bridge, which serves both road users and trains, has a unique design that forces full closures when vehicles larger than garbage trucks need to pass. The Burdekin Bridge, managed by Queensland Rail and Transport and Main Roads, frequently experiences closures - up to 10 to
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The Federal Labor Government’s backflip on funding for the Bruce Highway has been welcomed by Member for Burdekin Dale Last, just weeks after flooding cut the national highway. Mr Last said the return of the 80:20 funding arrangement between state and federal governments for the East coast’s deadliest highway was welcome news for many communities in the Burdekin Electorate. “In the time since Labor axed the 80:20 funding arrangement for the Bruce Highway, we have seen more blood shed, familie
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Not even having a dialysis treatment, stopped this Santa from ensuring he was still able to deliver all those gifts over his busiest period ever, Christmas. Even having dialysis during the hectic gift-giving season, didn’t deter Santa (Ross Whiley), who needed to have it leading into the holiday season last December. If anything, it revitalised him, giving this Santa an extra spring in his step so he could guarantee the children got their presents on time, much to the relief of parents the Bur
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Plenty of rainfall was experienced across the Burdekin to ring in the new year, and many locals noticed a sad looking Christmas Tree struggling to cope in the Burdekin Theatre Forecourt. Almost poetic, the photo captured and shared on Wednesday the 1st of January 2025, attracted waves of attention with many members of the community noting it’s a sign to box up the festive season, and welcome in the new year. Although a sore spot for some, other locals were able to make light of the situation
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The Federal Government has announced an additional $7.2 billion investment into the Bruce Highway, marking the single largest funding commitment in the highway’s history. This pledge aims to upgrade Queensland’s critical 1,673 km transport artery to a minimum three-star safety rating, with the Burdekin region poised to benefit from significant improvements. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted the importance of the highway for connecting Queenslanders, tourists, and freight, stating, “Que
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Despite being a whopping 15,000km from Edinburgh, Scotland, and on the other side of the world in the Southern Hemisphere, a Scottish Hogmanay was celebrated in the Burdekin region with bagpipes, haggis and an Auld Lang Syne. The Lower Burdekin Celtic Dancing Association hosted over 250 people at their biennial Hogmanay Ceilidh on New Years Eve, bringing a Celtic flavour to a good old fashioned family night of fun. In between Gypsy Taps and Pride of Erins, the revellers were treated to the inc
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Schools, businesses, organisations and community groups across the Burdekin region will soon begin gearing up for Clean Up Australia Day, with many calling for locals to get involved in the fantastic initiative. Scheduled for Sunday the 2nd of March, 2025 will mark the 35th anniversary of the vital environmental event, which has been making a positive impact on Australia’s environment, one piece of litter at a time. What began 35 years ago as a simple idea from Ian Kiernan who wanted to clean u
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And so the new year begins. As this is my first Councillor column for 2025, I would like to reflect on the past year – and what a year it has been. Having been overwhelmingly elected by people to represent them in Council, I have tried my best to do so, sometimes garnishing the ire of fellow Councillors and directors. So be it, I fight for what I believe in. It has been a steep learning curve, understanding correct protocol, local laws and Government legislation. It’s not as cut and dried as peo
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I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year, filled with relaxation, joy and time spent with loved ones. It’s great to see our businesses reopening after a well-deserved break and getting back into action. As most of us return to work, it’s a good time to reflect on the year ahead. No doubt many of you set New Year’s resolutions, and perhaps a few have already been broken – we’ve all been there! We are truly blessed that the holiday period was disaster-free, allowing us to enjoy the s
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