Introducing the one and only Tones and I – or as her friends call her, Toni! This beautiful tabby with striking markings and captivating green eyes is ready to find her forever home. Despite facing challenges in her young life, including being a young mum, Toni is a resilient little fighter who’s determined to find the love and security she deserves. Toni is a social and affectionate cat who loves food, attention, and playtime. She’s especially fond of feather wands and will happily engage in a
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Established in 2011, the Burdekin Men’s Shed Association (BMSA), is a not-for-profit organisation that has been a haven for men to keep up their skills in retirement, engage with others and learn about men’s health issues, while giving back to the community. The BMSA meets every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8am-11.30, where they promote various activities that focus on recreation, skill building, and community projects such as making their popular kid’s toy boxes, and tables and
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New and improved agricultural levies legislation will replace the existing framework next year, making the levy system more user friendly for participants and making it easier for them to understand their obligations. More than 50 pieces of legislation governing over 110 levies and charges – across 75 commodities and 18 bodies that receive levies – are being streamlined into five Acts and subordinate legislation. Deputy Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Policy, Matt Lowe, said th
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Sugar cane growers in North Queensland are grappling with the dual challenges of rising electricity costs and restricted access to peak-time energy. According to irrigation specialist, Chris Doblo, of Farmacist Pty Ltd, the solution lies in smarter, more efficient practices. Drawing on his extensive experience, Mr Doblo shares practical strategies for growers to future-proof their operations and adapt to these mounting pressures. One of the most critical steps for growers, Mr Doblo advises, is t
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Burdekin firefighters spent some time at Wilmar Sugar’s Pioneer Mill last month, to do a site familiarisation tour and begin planning a joint emergency exercise drill. The site familiarisation was led by Operations Superintendent, Dean McNamara, and Safety Advisor, Ashley Corradi. During the visit, new members of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) team were informed about site-specific risks and where fire safety equipment is located on-site. They also met Manager Operations, Mat
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Social media has transformed the way we explore and share the natural world, but it has also had unintended consequences. Studies show that the rise of social media has contributed to habitat disturbances, impacting native species. Popular wildlife spots often experience increased visitor numbers, which can lead to habitat abandonment, changes in usage patterns, reduced breeding success, and altered feeding behaviours. If you’re planning to photograph wildlife and share it online, here are some
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Shay Linton, owner of Home Hill News & Coffee, is set for the back-to-school rush that invariably comes this time of year. With preparations in place, they cater for all the local Burdekin schools by providing book lists and stocking necessary school uniforms and supplies. They anticipate serving many families in the coming weeks, all who are looking for school uniforms and other supplies. Additionally, they offer non-school related book items also. “We've had Christmas, and now we're gearing
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Sid Ruskin, an 83-years young scallywag, has been part of the Burdekin ever since he first moved here 22 years ago. Born in Paddington, Sydney, his family moved from Captain's Flat to Cobar, a copper mining town in western New South Wales. They then moved to Mount Morgan near Rockhampton, before later going to Collinsville. Sid attended school in Collinsville, before receiving a teacher scholarship to Kelvin Grove in Brisbane, becoming a primary school teacher. From there he moved to Townsville
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Sophie Robertson has achieved another commendable milestone in her STEM journey, following her outstanding selection to attend the prestigious National Youth Science Forum this January. The celebrated National Youth Science Forum provides students with a broader understanding of study and career options available in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), across a nine-day session. Sophie will travel to Canberra from the 6th to the 14th of January to live and study on the Aust
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In a new (and hopefully continuing) segment here at Burdekin Life, we’re hitting the streets to meet you and ask the hard hitting questions. Well, not really, they’ll be easy. But we’re keen to hear your voice, and get your thoughts and opinions. This week’s question: What New Year’s resolutions do you have, or are there any revelations you learned from last year that you hope to do better and/or grow from for this year? Barbara: “I'd like to go swimming a lot more than what I have been. I us
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A new artistic talent has emerged in the Burdekin. Jane Baltzars, who hails from the small Welsh town Barry, has called this region home for the past 15 years. She’s now drawing up a storm and garnering praise for her real-life animal depictions. For someone who recently re-picked up the pencils about 18 months ago despite creating art for 45-50 years, the results have been nothing short of outstanding! Specialising in pencil drawing, Jane uses brands like Faber Castell and Caran d'Ache. “I al
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Thursday 9 January Owl Tealight Ceramic Painting School Holiday Activity Thursday 10:30am Children aged 8 years and over are encouraged to unleash their creativity on Thursday 9 January for the Ayr Library’s magical Owl Tealight Ceramic Painting workshop from 10:30am. Bookings essential https://bit.ly/burdekinlibraryevents. Ayr Library Friday 10 January Walk In Make It School Holiday Activity Friday 9:30am Craft a world of holiday fun with the Burdekin Library’s School Holiday Program! Booking
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When Heather Jorgensen started her Sunday radio program with two colleagues at Sweet FM, the station was only five years old. Twenty years on, and both her and the station are still going strong. Heather, who has lived in the Burdekin region for over 50 years after growing up on a cane farm, has been co-hosting the regular weekly Christian music program since 2005. She was initially inspired to start the program after a priest at her local church sought volunteers. “We're in church one day, an
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Get ready to roll into a fun-filled Australia Day celebration at the Ayr Bowling Club! On Sunday, the 26th January 26 the Ayr Blowing Club invites the community to come together for a social bowls event that’s all about enjoying the Aussie spirit. Dress in your best Aussie outfits and get ready for a day of friendly competition and plenty of Aussie prizes.
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Burdekin FC Inc. is on the lookout for female players eager to join their teams for the 2024 season! The club is recruiting for both the FQPL Northern Women and the U23 Northern Women teams with preseason training to kick off in early January. The club invites interested players to contact them for more information via email at burdekinfc@hotmail.com or send a message through the club’s Facebook page. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a passionate team! Stay tuned for further deta
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Are you searching for a new, energy-filled sport for the whole family to enjoy? Pickleball has been making waves in the US, earning the title as the fastest growing sport in the country! The Home Hill Tennis Association provides the community with the chance to have a swing at the fantastic tennis, cross badminton, cross ping pong sport at their courts located at 43 – 75 First Street, Home Hill. The Association hosts Pickleball Saturdays each week from 8am to 9am as well as free come and try
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With the festivities and new year holidays wrapping up, the Burdekin Roosters are looking forward to getting back on the field, announcing seniors will commence preseason training from Tuesday the 14th January. The Club is eyeing big things in the new year, debuting a new motto, “Roosters Thrive in ‘25” across their socials last December, following on from an action packed 2024 season. A call out for nominations of club roles will also be announced in early January, with the community encoura
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The Ayr Surf Club held it's final Junior Club Championships on Saturday 14th December, bringing their general nipper season to a close for 2024. The event showcased the junior surf sports skills where all members including the Green Caps (U6s and U7s), are able to compete in a variety of events, from wades, surf races, boards, and iron person in the water and flags, sprints and 1km beach run on the sand. The nippers compete in both their individual age group and a junior or senior category to d
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Saturday the 11th of January, 1pm to 5pm: Patrol Group B - Terry Lund, Tramayne Horan, Dylan Carew, Heather Scott, Anita Giddy, Jan and Gabriel Hatherell, and Toby and Danny Wilson. Sunday the 12th of January, 9am to 5pm: All Day Patrol Group F - Lisa and John Furnell, Jen and Jo Morgan, Lauren and Isla Chapman, and Ryley, Jake, Kat and Dave Sartori. Contributed with thanks to Hockey Vernon.
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The 2024 Hancock Prospecting Queensland Swimming Championships took place in Brisbane at the Chandler Aquatic Centre, and the Burdekin Swimming Club had a representative attend the Championships in December. Bringing together Queensland's best, including Olympian’s, Shayna Jack and Mollie O'Callaghan, as well as top competitors in Queensland, and also, from around the world, The Burdekin Torpedoes had Millie Lyne, and coaches, Kim and Mick McConnachie, represent them and the Burdekin region for
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The Ayr Surf Club Junior Championships on December 14th marked the end of an action-packed 2024 season, with Nippers competing in surf races, board events, and beach sprints. Looking ahead, the club’s juniors are gearing up for an exciting 2025. Selected members are training for the North Barrier Branch 2025 Youth State Team, with State Titles set for March on the Gold Coast. Additionally, under 12s and 13s will attend Camp Alva in January, focusing on leadership and development. The club is
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Home Hill State High School (HHSHS) are delighted to be the worthy recipients of a brand spanking new horticultural project initiative that’s set to be a massive boon for both the school and the Burdekin region. The new horticultural protected cropping system is likely the first of its kind at a school in Queensland, offering unique educational opportunities. It’s also a significant investment, not just in cost, but also for the school and the students who will now be able to attain certificate
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2025. We made it! Many of you may still be nursing hangovers, some of you won’t. But all of you will have made some kind of New Year’s resolution. Yet how many will stick to it? Instead of a resolution, that I won’t invariably keep, I do a New Year’s Revelation. Radical I know. But the last few years my wife and I will sit down on New Year’s Eve and go through our past year to talk about what worked, what didn’t, what we learned, and what we can do moving forward to make the upcoming year great
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A heart-warming display of community spirit has begun filling digital screens across the Burdekin shire and beyond with locals taking to social media to share a “Christmas for Everyone” thread. A simple concept, “Christmas for Everyone” asks the community to comment something they may need but cannot afford or something they have but no longer need with the post reading: “What is one thing you cannot afford but need right now? Let’s see if others have what you’re looking for lying around, and
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With a highly successful return staged in 2024, the beloved Burdekin Water Festival has confirmed the celebration will reignite Queen Street once again on Saturday the 6th of September 2025! The Burdekin Water Festival stands as one of the longest running festivals across the state, with the annual event celebrating the abundance of water within the Burdekin region. With a brief hiatus in 2023, the event returned bigger and better than ever last year with the nostalgic theme of “Bring It Back”
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