The Burdekin sub-branch of Vietnam Veterans has been busy expanding the Deep Creek Veteran Retreat with a new barbecue area to create an even more welcoming space for veterans and their families. Ten members recently gathered for a working bee at the retreat, putting in hours of effort to bring the vision of a third barbecue area closer to completion. Don Bailey, a key organiser, shared that the team focused on extending the roof area and caring for some freshly planted trees, ensuring the area
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At 2.20 am on Saturday 2 November, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Edwards Street. As a result, a 34-year-old Burdekin man was issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) for drink driving, .153 and is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 25 November. At 11.35pm on Saturday 2 November, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on MacMillan Street, Ayr. The driver, a 27-year-old Townsville woman, was issued a NTA for drink driving, .101 and will appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 11 November. At 7.10pm on
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The Burdekin Theatre’s Friends of the Theatre volunteer group has been guiding patrons to their seats since the theatre was established in the 80s and hold a celebrated role in providing the community with access to live entertainment. Comprised of approximately twenty dedicated and enthusiastic members, the Friends of the Theatre not only provide the venue with a friendly ushering service, but also contribute to delivering a warm atmosphere for the community to enjoy through a range of fantasti
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Established over a century ago, the Delta Tropical Theatre, also known as the Olympia Theatre, opened its Queen Street doors on Friday, 23 September 1910. The beloved Burdekin establishment homed waves of live entertainment from exquisite balls and dancing performances to meetings, and even skating, before introducing the screening of silent movies in 1912. Built alongside the Delta Hotel, the Delta Tropical Theatre was constructed and designed by David Edwards, and Fred Smith in May of 1910 to
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Woohoo! The summer school holidays will officially commence from 3pm on Friday 13 December with the 2025 school year to kick off on Monday 27 January. In order to ensure the next six weeks are nothing short of enjoyable, we have compiled a fantastic list of wonderful, educational, engaging and entertaining activities for both you and your children to enjoy in and around the Burdekin community to make this school holiday period one for the history books! Fun Activities At The Library Starting of
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Continuing on with this month’s focus on emergency education and training, members of the Lower Burdekin Scout Group were treated to the amazing opportunity of visiting the Ayr Ambulance Complex on Thursday 14 November. The Scouts were guided through the role of first responders, with Victor of the Queensland Ambulance Service, sharing a few stories to provide the Scouts with a further insight into what its like to be an ambulance officer. Victor then guided the Scouts through lifesaving First
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On Tuesday, 19 November, the Ayr Golf Club came together to celebrate the life and legacy of one of its most cherished members, Rusty Reguson, at the annual Honour Board event. As the year draws to a close, the golfing community took a moment to remember Rusty, a man whose contributions and presence left an indelible mark on the club. Rusty's Day was not just about golf; it was about honouring a life well-lived. The day featured three exciting competitions: a male winner, a female winner, and a
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The Burdekin Wildcats U12 Boys Representative basketball campaign kicked off in June, with the team travelling to Cairns, Mackay, and Townsville to compete in the North Queensland Junior Basketball Carnival (NQJBC). The boys played 12 games across three carnivals, securing an impressive 10 wins out of 12. Their only losses were narrowly by just 2 and 4 points, earning them the gold medal and setting the stage for an exciting journey ahead. Next, the team travelled to Toowoomba for the State Bas
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The 2024 Laser Electrical Golf Classic saw an outstanding turnout of 82 players, all of whom gathered at the Ayr Golf Club for an exciting Greensomes paired event. This year, the event was proudly sponsored by Bonato Laser Electrical, marking a significant partnership for the tournament. Continued on 29. Laser Electrical Golf Classic 2024 a Resounding Success Continued from page page The success of the Laser Electrical Golf Classic 2024 was largely due to the efforts of Janet, whose meticul
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The Plantation parkrun #305 took place on Saturday, 23 November 2024, with a fantastic turnout of participants. The top finishers were Robert Tama, who crossed the line first in a time of 21:40, followed by Viven Govender with a time of 26:08. Drew Bursey secured third place in 27:26, just ahead of Kimberly Backman, who finished in 27:29. John Byers rounded out the top five with a time of 30:43. Plantation parkrun is a free, fun, and friendly weekly 5km community event that takes place every Sa
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The Burdekin Rugby Union Canetoads shared a huge congratulations to their very own Nathan Steel, Andrew Symth, Leonard Heron, Joshua Davies, and Robert Cantarella for their well-deserved selection in the TRDU Men’s Team of the Year! The outstanding achievement reflects their hard work, skill, and dedication to the sport, and the Burdekin Canetoads are proud to see these players recognised at this prestigious level. Contributed with thanks to the Burdekin Rugby Union Canetoads.
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The recent rainfall may have dampened plans for Fun Friday Night, but the Ayr Bowling Club are pleased to announce that the event has been postponed to this Friday, 29 November, starting at 6pm. The club invites community members to come out and enjoy a fun evening of bowling - whether you're an experienced bowler or trying it for the first time, this event is perfect for players of all levels. It’s a fantastic opportunity to bring friends or join in solo and meet new people. The evening kicks
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Local Pre-season training has begun. We have had twenty-four players the last two weeks, a mixture of seasoned senior players and Under16 and Under14 players. Training will continue up until 19 December then start again on 2 January. Thursday nights at International Park from 6pm. All new and returning players are welcome. Only Night Soccer left on the local Calendar. The Group rounds continue until the 3rd December followed by the Semi-finals on 10 December and Grand Finals on Friday 13 Dec
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Despite a rainy start to the weekend, the Home Hill Cricket Association juniors made their way to Bowen on Sunday for two intertown matches in the Blue and Gold Groups. While the weather initially put a halt to Friday’s play at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex, Sunday saw the teams giving it their all on the field. In the Blue Group, Jude Shannon led the way with an impressive 17 not out, hitting some clean boundaries along the way. Kip Nicholas also showcased his batting skills, remain
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The Burdekin Rugby Union Canetoads came together on Sunday 24 November in support of an incredible fundraiser aimed at supporting men’s mental health, reflecting their strong commitment to both community and well-being. The event saw fantastic participation, filled with laughter and meaningful conversations. While the day was all about raising awareness, some of the players may have ended up feeling more "mentally tough" than physically tough, with sore muscles reminding them it might be time
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On Sunday, 24 November, the senior representative team from the Home Hill Cricket Association travelled to Bowen for an exciting 40-over inter-town match. Bowen won the toss and chose to bat first, setting the stage for an engaging contest. Bowen’s opening batsman, Jamarley Daley, provided a strong start, making the highest score of the innings with 61 runs before being dismissed by Alex Stillhard. Lee Watts (51 runs) and Ricky Parslow (26 runs) contributed valuable runs, helping Bowen reach a
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Hi Everyone, Great to see so many people in the community celebrate the end of a successful year – from the Year 12 graduating students through to local businesses embarking on a busy Christmas period – there is certainly a lot going on! A big congratulations to all local students graduating this year. Completing your school career is one of the biggest moments of your life and I am sure we all have our own special memories of the day we walked through the high school gates for the last time.
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Rose Rodighiero is a true gem in the Home Hill community, dedicating her time and energy to ensuring no one feels lonely. She is deeply committed to visiting her clients, sharing her warmth and bringing joy to their lives. Through these regular visits, Rose has formed lasting friendships that enrich both her life and the lives of those she visits. Born in a small town in Sicily, Rose moved to Australia at just eight years old. She attended St Colman’s Catholic School in Home Hill, where she stru
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Three Burdekin tradies have turned their commitment to mental health awareness into an incredible community effort by running 180km each for Movember. Austin Dewar (18), Campbell Johnson (21), and Braden Rawlins (21), who are all local apprentices, initially aimed to raise $540 but have far surpassed their expectations, collecting nearly $7,000 to date. Speaking about the inspiration behind the challenge, Austin Dewar explained: “Basically, my two mates and I are running 180km each for Movember
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Brain cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Australian children, with DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma) the most aggressive form, referred to in medical circles as the deadliest cancer known to man. Ren’s Million Dollar Mission was born out of personal tragedy when Ren Pedersen lost his 9-year-old daughter, Amy, to DIPG in 2009. Amy’s legacy lives on, inspiring Ren’s relentless efforts to fund research into this devastating disease. The campaign, which aims to rai
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Marking 10 years of his Christmas Appeal, Member for Burdekin Dale Last is hoping this year may be the Burdekin’s biggest year of giving so far. Across the decade, Mr Last said the appeal had gone on to help numerous Burdekin families at a time of the year that can be incredibly difficult for many in the electorate. “The appeal has run every year since 2015 and has had a huge impact on literally hundreds of families,” Mr Last said. “For some it’s about being able to put food on the table o
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Approaching the three-year anniversary since a monstrous 3.9-meter crocodile was hauled away by Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) wildlife officers from the bustling Groper Creek jetty and boat ramp area, along with members of the boating and fishing community have become increasingly concerned about recent crocodile sightings, calling for DESI to take immediate action. Rodney Walter, Commodore of the Home Hill Boat Club Inc. Committee submitted a letter to the Burdekin S
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On 10 June, former Burdekin Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Terry Brennan was among over 700 Australians recognised in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours List. Brennan was recently bestowed with the prestigious Public Service Medal for his dedication and outstanding service to local government in Queensland, marking an extraordinary milestone in his remarkable 45-year career. “It was a wonderful recognition for my service in local government and the work I’ve accomplished across several cou
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The Zonta Club Burdekin Inc will “paint the region orange” for the 16 Days of Activism from 25 November to 10 December 2024, as part of the global Zonta Says No to Gender-Based Violence campaign. This initiative aligns with the United Nations’ observances of the Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Human Rights Day, spotlighting the profound impact of domestic violence. Advocacy Chair Judy Mitchell said the campaign raises awareness about gender-based violence and its societal
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How good was the Harvest Festival? Congratulations most certainly need to be extended to Mark Vass and his committee for yet another incredible display of community spirit. From the Ephemera and Festival launch through to the culmination with the Grand Parade and festivities, everything was spot on. Personally, the highlight for me, apart from catching up with people I haven’t seen in yonks, was Ida Arici’s deliciously decadent Italian sweets. 😊 The Burdekin Machinery Preservationists in Br
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