Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
In January of 2001, a memorable weather event tore through the Burdekin, leaving a devastating footprint on the Home Hill community which many locals still recall to this day, almost 25 years later. Homes were left without rooves and trees were uprooted from street to street as hail fell and thousands of lightning strikes ignited the green washed horizon. Many recall the fear they felt when winds lifted tiles of rooves, snapped power poles like matchsticks and trees toppled over as well as the
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Burdekin Event Guide Friday 28 March Clare State School Open Classroom Friday 12pm Come along to Clare State School’s Open Classroom afternoon, Meet & Greet (4pm) and P&C BBQ Dinner (6pm) in celebration of the school’s 75th Anniversary! Clare State School Saturday 29 March Clare State School 75th Anniversary School Fete Saturday 9am A timeless tradition, Clare State School will hold a fantastic School Fete as part of their 75th Anniversary celebrations where the opening of the time capsule wil
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The Community Bank Home Hill and Ayr have acknowledged the recent announcement of a national award for Bendigo Bank. It is official that Bendigo Bank home loan customers are the most satisfied in Australia, a survey of more than 45,000 Australians across the nation’s 10 largest banks has found. New findings released by Roy Morgan show Bendigo Bank had the highest home loan customer satisfaction rate in the six months to December last year, sitting at 87.7%. In the announcement, Roy Morgan credit
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Appreciating the finer details in each and every day has been made simple by Visit Burdekin’s exquisite Burdekin Art Trail visual map available at www.visitburdekin.com.au! The map outlines the plethora of artistic gems displayed around Giru, Brandon, Home Hill, Groper Creek and Ayr to help locals and visitors alike spot and learn more about the region’s beautiful street art collection. With 30 gorgeous installations to appreciate, exploring the entire list may just be the perfect way to spend
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Just six weeks after floodwaters devastated the Burdekin and surrounding regions, local businesses are bouncing back, with 95% of small and family businesses now reopened. The floods, which forced nearly half of all businesses in North and Far North Queensland to close at various stages, left a lasting impact on communities. However, the resilience of business owners, combined with ongoing government support, has ensured a strong recovery. Queenslanders are now being encouraged to shop locally
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Currently perusing a Bachelor of Laws at James Cook University, Saelym White was celebrated as Home Hill High School’s 2024 Valedictorian earlier this year following on from her graduation held in last November. Saelym’s schooling journey was nothing short of successful, a triumph she achieved through flexibility and adaptability, especially in times when life would disrupt regularly scheduled routines. “When I started Year 12, I had this idea that I would stay on top of everything and get thi
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And the rain continues for North Queensland, reminds me of wet seasons of old. I used to work on South Molle Island in the Whitsundays as a Guest Liaison Officer and it was sometimes hard to find activities to keep people occupied when it rained seven days and nights out of their seven day stay. It was a pleasure to attend a BBQ at Council to say thank you to some of the wonderful volunteers who assisted with the rain event just recently. I admire those who help the community for no financial r
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CANEGROWERS welcomes the Federal Government’s commitment to Feeding Australia, a national food security strategy that aligns with the long-standing calls from Australian farmers to strengthen our agricultural supply chains. However, the sugarcane industry urges the Government to go beyond studies and deliver a clear national feedstock strategy – led by both the Queensland and Australian Governments – to unlock the potential of biofuels and position Australia as a leader in sustainable energy.
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QCAR Burdekin District Manager Angelo Licciardello has been on the ground assisting local farmers in the wake of recent flooding, with erosion emerging as a key concern. Cane grower Frank Scarabel is among those affected, with floodwaters stripping his irrigation system at Healey’s Lagoon in Giru down to bare earth. Restoring the site will require re-bedding with rock, a challenge many farmers across the Haughton district are now facing. In addition to flood recovery efforts, Angelo met with Ni
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Queensland’s peak agriculture body— the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) and its members Cotton Australia, Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG), and Canegrowers—are calling on the Queensland and Australian Governments to take a long-term approach to support the agriculture sector. With two significant weather events already hitting Queensland this year and a possible third on its way, climate resilience, preparedness and response are front and centre with Queensland’s farmers who are
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Last weekend, we had the privilege of hosting a BBQ to thank the incredible volunteers who stepped up during the recent flood event. It was fantastic to see over 50 people come together to recognise the tireless efforts of those who worked around the clock to support our community. We were also joined by our local representatives, Dale Last MP and Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox, who showed their support for the Burdekin and the dedicated individuals who make a real difference in times
Read moreFriday 28 March Clare State School Open Classroom Friday 12pm Come along to Clare State School’s Open Classroom afternoon, Meet & Greet (4pm) and P&C BBQ Dinner (6pm) in celebration of the school’s 75th Anniversary! Clare State School Saturday 29 March Clare State School 75th Anniversary School Fete Saturday 9am A timeless tradition, Clare State School will hold a fantastic School Fete as part of their 75th Anniversary celebrations where the opening of the time capsule will take place. Clare St
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A man of the match performance by former Papua New Guinea International front rower Aiden Arusa helped the Roosters record a 26 nil won over the Bowen Seagulls at Denison Park in Bowen last Saturday. Arusa ,who has played four seasons with the PN G Hunters in the Host plus Cup, showed his vast experience by leading the young Roosters around the park in defence and attack last Saturday. The match, which is played each year, honours the playing days of former Bowen and Burdekin player Lona Kaifo
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Hi everyone! I’m excited to introduce myself as I take on the journalist role for Burdekin in the interim. I’ll be in the region multiple times each week, so I’m looking forward to getting to know the community! I’ve been with Life Publishing Group and Whitsunday Life Newspaper for nearly a year now. While Whitsunday Life has been my main focus, I’ve worked across all our newspapers behind the scenes. Before moving to Australia, I worked in Sky News’ political department in the UK, and during
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Bob: “Well I reckon what they should be doing here is some sort of festival that includes the children and teenage kids that gives them something to do and look forward to. In the modern age it could maybe be something like them four-wheelers where they could ride around the Showgrounds on their quad bikes. It’d be better than just hanging around on their phones doing nothing. When we were growing up we made our fun. Kids today don’t seem to be able to do that but that’s because there’s more res
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The Neighbourhood Centre aims to foster a welcoming and supportive environment where community members feel encouraged to engage in open discussions about everyday life. This often includes navigating complex conversations and sharing meaningful experiences to gain valuable insights. These interactions not only enhance our connections but also promote a deep sense of belonging and mutual support within the community. Two weeks ago, we provided opportunities for locals to present to other locals
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The Burdekin Clay Target Club held its Annual 2-Day Shoot on Saturday and Sunday, 8th and 9th March, attracting 75 shooters who competed under sweltering conditions. Despite the extreme heat, the event was a great success, thanks to the support of sponsors including B & M Drilling, QMN, John & Gina Calligaro, CVS Mechanical, Russo & Vella, AGnVet, Lui & Inez Populin, NQHF, Glen Rea & Kirknie Station, and Burdekin Air Conditioning & Electrical. Special thanks go to Lui Populin for t
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The Ayr Bowling Club has enjoyed a fantastic week, with members coming together for a series of competitive and social matches under cooler playing conditions. The energy on the greens has been great, as the club continues to foster a strong sense of enthusiasm towards the great game of lawn bowls. With the momentum showing no signs of slowing, members are eagerly anticipating another month of great matches and good times ahead especially with the weather cooling. Ladies’ Social bowls on Tuesda
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The Home Hill Cricket Association’s 2024/25 Junior Cricket season is approaching its final stages, with the last Friday games and presentations at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex just two weeks away. Players have shown significant improvement throughout the season, much to the satisfaction of coaches. In the Challengers division, Nate and Jack formed a strong partnership, contributing 21 runs, while Aria and Olivia added 14 runs, both pairs remaining not out. Bowlers Jai and Harvey led
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Ayr Junior Golf held its first Monthly Medal of the year on Saturday, with 16 juniors taking to the course. The cooler morning provided ideal conditions, making for an enjoyable round. Winners were decided based on nett scores, with Zane Keating taking the 3-hole event, Tyler Smith winning the 6-hole category, and Parker Lawson claiming victory over 9 holes. The gross winners, achieving the lowest overall scores, were Opie McKeough (3 holes), Heath Smart (6 holes), and Oscar Mahoney (9 holes).
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Brandon Bowls Club hosted a successful Trophy Bowls Night on Friday, 14th March, with all eight rinks in play. The event was proudly sponsored by G K Diesel, with special thanks extended to owners Greg and Kylie Ainsworth for their generous support. A total of 62 bowlers participated, enjoying the cooler conditions, although some found the green to be quicker than expected. Nevertheless, the evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Winners of the evening: Raymond Tortorica Sponsor Kylie Ainswor
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Kick back under the stars and enjoy a night of country music at the Burdekin Theatre on Friday, 28 March. Join Australian country music legend Adam Harvey for an unforgettable evening of timeless classics and new hits. With a career spanning over two decades, half a million album sales, multiple gold and platinum records, and nine Golden Guitar Awards, Harvey is one of Australia’s most beloved and enduring artists. Currently touring nationwide in celebration of his 17th studio album, Let The S
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IIt was in the year 1930 that a solitary bowler, Mr Frank Mulholland, approached a number of citizens of Home Hill, talked and preached bowls to them and eventually infected them with the bowl bug. The job seemed to be a big one, but realising that no job was too big for Frank, the 32 gentlemen present at the public meeting on 15th March 1930, decided unanimously to form the Home Hill Bowling Club. An application was made to the Ayr Shire Council for a 20-year lease of a portion of the P
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More than 30 people attended the first Burdekin Chamber of Commerce event of the year, held at the Kalamia Hotel in Ayr last Wednesday evening. A new and enthusiastic committee has stepped forward to lead the Chamber, and Treasurer Kari Ravizza expressed optimism for the year ahead.
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Selecting the right high school for your child is one of the most important decisions a family will make. It is a choice that will influence not just academic success, but also personal development, friendships, and future opportunities. With so many factors to consider—curriculum, values, extracurricular opportunities, and overall school culture—it can be an overwhelming decision for parents and students alike. In the Burdekin region, families are fortunate to have access to a Catholic high sc
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