The Ayr Golf Club celebrated its Junior Golf break-up on Sunday with an impressive turnout. Each junior brought along a parent or friend to join in a fun, two-person ambrose competition over 6 holes. The morning was filled with laughter and friendly competition, followed by a well-deserved lunch back at the clubhouse, where participants also enjoyed a lively 'wobbly' putter contest. The day concluded with the end-of-year presentations, acknowledging the juniors' hard work and achievements throu
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Round 5 of the Home Hill Senior Cricket competition featured an impressive display by Alliance Pharmacy as they secured a strong victory over the Rookies. Winning the toss, Alliance Pharmacy elected to bat first and laid a formidable foundation with openers Lee Watts and Mark Coventry leading the charge. Coventry showcased his batting prowess, retiring not out with a quick 51 runs from 41 balls, while Watts followed closely behind, retiring on an equally commendable 50 runs from 52 balls. The p
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The cricket match continued with an impressive display of orange flames as their backdrop. Photo supplied
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The Home Hill Harvest Festival’s Gala Ball was a night of elegance, celebration, and community pride. Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner and danced the night away, honouring the remarkable young women competing as Festival Queens. Each of the seven contestants showcased their unique personalities through interviews and group performances, giving the audience insight into their dedication to the community.
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The Home Hill Harvest Festival’s Gala Ball concluded with the crowning of two queens. Marnie Skipper from Home Hill Community Kindy was named Personality Queen, celebrated for her charisma and community spirit, while Madison Mainwaring-Samwell from Burdekin Netball earned the title of Charity Queen for her exceptional fundraising efforts, raising an epic $29,375.49. Reflecting on the event, Carlene Muilwyk shared, “The Rotary Club put on an exceptional event, giving our queens and their partner
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A bright yellow Rotary Duck from Ayr has made an unexpected appearance in Canberra, delighting locals with its journey to the nation’s capital. The cheerful duck, a symbol of the annual Norm Perry Memorial Duck Race, was recently brought to Canberra by Andrew Willcox, the Member for Dawson. The Rotary Club of Ayr, led by John, arranged for the duck to be sent to Willcox's Canberra office. The playful mascot quickly found its way to the pond outside Parliament House, making a splash in its new e
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Renee Hudson has recently celebrated the official publishment of her first children's book titled, Where in the World is Winston, an adorable story following the travels of an adventurous sausage dog! Originally from Home Hill, Renee graduated from Home Hill High School and moved to Townsville to peruse her studies in speech pathology, a field she feels deeply passionate about. In 2014, Renee graduated from James Cook University with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology, and then commenced a position
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Attending the Harvest Festival for the first time was a memorable experience that truly showcased the spirit of our community. This cherished annual celebration not only brought our town together but also highlighted the talent, traditions, and tastes that make this festival a standout event. Wandering through the festival, I couldn’t resist stopping for the famous honey puffs—warm, golden treats that lived up to their legendary reputation. The lively buzz of the crowd added to the festive atmos
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Haughton Solar Farm has just been granted approval for a substantial expansion which is set to provide a significant economic boost for the region, with an estimated 405 full-time jobs and 10 permanent roles created. With the Burdekin Shire Council approval, the project will increase the farm’s capacity to 300 megawatts (MW) of solar power, enough to power an additional 110,000 homes, and the project will also include a 200 MW Battery Energy Storage Solution (BESS). The expansion will see the ad
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As the festive season approaches, Burdekin residents are preparing to embrace the Christmas spirit. For years, Queen Street in Ayr has been the heart of holiday celebrations, with its iconic Christmas tree as a focal point in the main shopping district. However, this year, locals will notice a significant change – the tree won’t be in its usual spot and, this bold move by Council, has sparked concern among some community members. One Burdekin resident believes that Queen Street and the Christma
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The Burdekin Community Association Inc (BCA) is pleased to tell you that our application to the CommBank Staff Foundation has been successful. Our application would not have been possible without BCA being nominated by local Commonwealth Bank Australia employee, Rebecca Love. The Foundation will grant BCA $20,000 to help with service operational costs for the Burdekin Centre for Rural Health and Burdekin Community Rehabilitation Centre. Please see our website www.burdekincommunityassociation.
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Another busy week in the Burdekin, Home Hill Harvest Festival wrapping up, ‘wow’, what a great parade, enjoyable food and lively entertainment. Burdekin’s Biggest Garage Sale Trail was well attended and the Burdekin Machinery Preservationists open day is always a step back in time and an experience to be viewed by all. Solemn Remembrance Day services were held, a chance to pause and remember those who have contributed to our freedoms and lifestyle we enjoy today. Well done to all organisers of
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Opinion Piece As the debacle over the impact of toxic chemical compound continues to cause havoc in Ayr, Member for Burdekin Dale Last has called for assurances residents will have the chance to have their say during an upcoming federal inquiry. Mr Last said given Ayr’s ongoing battle to rid its water supply of PFAS chemical compounds there was no excuse why a full and thorough inquiry would not include a public hearing in the township. “The announcement of a federal government inquiry into t
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This past Monday 11 November, we came together to honour Remembrance Day. It was a solemn moment as I attended the memorial service in Ayr to pay our respects to the brave service men and women who have served our nation. Their sacrifice and dedication will never be forgotten. While attendance at the ceremonies in both Ayr and Home Hill was unfortunately lower than anticipated, I trust that many took a moment to reflect and commemorate in their own private ways. For those who are unaware, I’d l
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Burdekin Potters Inc., a longstanding creative fixture in the Burdekin region, has been enriching the community with its pottery programs and initiatives since 1975. With nearly five decades of history, this not-for-profit organisation has seen remarkable growth, expanding from around ten members four years ago to an impressive 62 members today. “Our youngest member is just 16, while our oldest is in her mid-70s,” shares Debra Ferraris, the current President of Burdekin Potters. This diverse m
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The Lower Burdekin Scouts embarked on an educational and enriching excursion to the Burdekin Marine Safety complex on Thursday 7 November to learn more about the fantastic work these wonderful volunteers achieve in and around the local community. Each month, the Lower Burdekin Scouts follow a theme to further their knowledge, skills, and scouting expertise, with November’s theme being “emergencies”. The Scouts enjoyed listening to the volunteers share rescue stories, and learnt valuable First A
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Cane crushed This week Season to date Invicta 137,074 2,492,898 Pioneer 65,544 1,179,470 Kalamia 77,229 1,326,338 Inkerman 85,153 1,488,482 Burdekin 365,000 6,487,187 CCS Invicta 14.82 14.39 Pioneer 14.58 14.36 Kalamia 14.08 13.90 Inkerman 14.56 14.13 Burdekin 14.56 14.22 Weekly variety performance for region Variety % CCS Variety % CCS Q240 60% 14.78 Q183 7% 15.66 KQ228 12% 13.66 Q232 5% 14.37 Q208 10% 14.38 WSRA17 5% 12.89 Comments: The Burdekin mills processed 365,000 tonnes of cane for the w
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Wilmar Sugar and Renewables has reached the three-quarter mark of the 2024 crushing season, with its eight North Queensland mills processing a total of 11.78 million tonnes of cane so far. This represents 77% of the estimated 15.34 million tonne crop. The Burdekin region is performing particularly well this season, with favourable weather conditions aiding in smooth harvesting. Current CCS (Commercial Cane Sugar) levels have returned to budgeted targets, bringing the season-to-date average to a
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Local photographer Marni Hine’s journey behind the lens began far from her home in the Burdekin. Reflecting on her early days in photography, Marni recalls, “I was a fashion model in Asia in the late 1980s and early 90s, and I became interested in the alchemy of photography then. It was such a mystery.” This initial spark led her to New York City, where she studied photography at Parsons School of Design, diving into the world of “chemistry and dark rooms.” Her experiences shaped her career, e
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Mark your calendars for 12 June 2025, when Echoes of Pink Floyd will perform live at the Burdekin Theatre, paying tribute to the iconic British rock band on their 60th anniversary. This highly anticipated show celebrates six decades of Pink Floyd’s legendary music, offering fans a spectacular journey through every era of their career. As Australia’s premier Pink Floyd tribute band, Echoes of Pink Floyd promises to deliver an unforgettable experience that captures the essence of Pink Floyd’s grou
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For nearly as long as Australia’s iconic duo Roy and HG have been on air, Cyclops and JG have been broadcasting their own blend of humour and music. With almost 60 years in Australia, Cyclops has made a lasting impact on Sweet FM, where he co-hosts alongside JG, drawing inspiration from classic Australian radio personalities. Cyclops’ passion for radio was sparked years ago when he hosted a jazz program, Jazz Journey with the Guv, running live on Thursday evenings for Sweet FM. He’s a lifelong
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DOB: 04/10/2020 Sex: Male Breed: Ragdoll Kid friendly: Yes Cat friendly: Yes Dog friendly: Untested Blaze and Arlo are two stunning cats who are as beautiful as they are affectionate. These sweet boys will win your heart the moment they start following you around, always eager for cuddles and pats. They love to be close to you, often curling up next to you. Not only are they incredibly loving with people, but they share an unbreakable bond with each other. You’ll often find them playing toget
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The Home Hill Harvest Festival delighted pet lovers with its annual Pet Show and “Bolt for Bucks” event, bringing together a range of furry, feathery, and even scaly participants! Held in the heart of the festival, the Pet Show saw beloved animals dressed to impress for categories like Best Dressed Pet, where creative costumes stole the show, and Best Kept Pet, showcasing shiny coats and well-groomed friends. The contest also celebrated talents, with prizes for the Fastest Eater and Waggiest T
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The Home Hill Harvest Festival’s Mardi Gras and Street Parade came alive with vibrant colours, music, and excitement, creating a festive evening for the entire community. More than 38 creative floats rolled through the streets, each one capturing the festival’s spirit and highlighting the talents of local organisations, schools, and businesses. Standout winners included Harmony Fletcher from Rotary, awarded Best Theme; Home Hill News and Coffee, named Best Trade; and Danelle Laubscher from Lions
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The Burdekin Clay Targets Club hosted a successful competition on Sunday, 10 November, drawing 47 competitors to the event. Despite the hot sun, a refreshing breeze kept conditions manageable, leading to outstanding performances across all grades. Congratulations go out to all the winners for their remarkable achievements. The club extends heartfelt thanks to sponsors Peter and Juantia DelleBaite, Mick Parison from the Giru Shop, and Lui Populin for generously donating meat trays for the raffle
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