Rural Quip, a staple in the Burdekin community for over four decades, has been locally owned and operated since 1981. With deep roots in the region's agricultural landscape, Robert Oar’s experience and passion for farming has fuelled the success of the dynamic business. From their beginnings in engineering to becoming a key player in the industrial and farming supplies sector, Rural Quip has evolved while maintaining its strong community ties. Robert’s background in engineering began as a boile
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Cane crushed This week Season to date Invicta 120,922 2,082,002 Pioneer 41,335 962,369 Kalamia 45,416 1,127,241 Inkerman 56,851 1,252,933 Burdekin 264,524 5,424,545 CCS Invicta 14.34 14.32 Pioneer 14.29 14.30 Kalamia 13.74 13.91 Inkerman 14.20 14.06 Burdekin 14.20 14.17 Weekly variety performance for region Variety % CCS Variety % CCS Q240 53% 14.45 Q183 8% 14.81 KQ228 17% 13.89 Q208 8% 14.30 WSRA17 8% 12.89 Q232 5% 13.09 Comments: The Burdekin mills processed just under 265,000 tonnes of cane f
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Farmers are often considered the backbone of the Australian economy. Yet with long hours, high demands, and tough conditions it’s easy for them to put their health on the backburner. Now, new research from the University of South Australia hopes to provide farmers with a dedicated pain management resource, to help them better manage chronic pain. Currently, there are no farmer-focused chronic pain management resources available to help Australian farmers better manage chronic pain. UniSA P
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By Angelo Licciardello, QCAR Burdekin District Manager The QCAR Burdekin team welcomes all Burdekin Life readers to our first fortnightly column. As a familiarisation exercise, I would like to introduce our expert team at the heart of Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables (QCAR) head office at 142 Young Street, Ayr. Melissa Boulter is our Office Manager, Lee-Anne Gelling is our Executive Assistant, and Bernadette Rehbein is our qualified Payroll Officer. This dynamic trio provide a wea
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Simon Hood Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing This week we released our first look at the comparative pool performances for the 2024 season. Our quarterly Pool Performance and Comparative Outcomes report enables growers to compare our results and associated marketing fees with those of our competitor, QSL. The latest report, published this week, is the first analysis to include 2024 season pricing. It must be remembered that it is early in the 2024 season and there is much that can change, but the
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Katya Venter, a talented artist and art teacher from Townsville, has claimed the top prize in prestigious local sculpture competition, Ephemera, as part of the Home Hill Harvest Festival, gaining widespread recognition for her exceptional work. The winning piece, which merges themes of the sugarcane industry and Australian wildlife, reflects Katya’s unique approach to art and her deep connection to the regional environment. Her sculpture, described as both striking and thought-provoking, stood
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On the spooky evening of Thursday 31 October, the ghosts and ghouls of the Burdekin will come alive for one spooktacular night of scares, sweets, and horror at the iconic, Halloween House, opposite the Ayr Golf Course. An outstanding display of lights and decorations will ignite Darwin Street to celebrate the frightful holiday with plenty of fun treats for everyone to enjoy. An almost three weeklong affair, Jeffrey Lunn and Leon McCormack decorate their home from top to bottom, producing amazin
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For the past three years, radio host Ros Row has been captivating audiences with a rich blend of musical genres and heartfelt moments. Drawn to this profession by a deep love for music and an invitation from a friend, Ros recalls lying in bed on Sunday afternoons, immersed in the Top 40 hits. “I love all genres of music,” she shares, embodying the spirit of a true music enthusiast. Among the many artists that inspire Ros, Matchbox Twenty and their charismatic frontman, Rob Thomas, hold a special
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Get your dancing shoes ready for a night of nostalgia at the Burdekin School Fundraiser’s Rock the 70’s Dance Party! On October 25, 2024, the Queens Hotel in Ayr will come alive with the unforgettable sounds of the 70’s, as Attori takes the stage to perform their smash-hit show, filled with classic tunes that defined the era. From standout anthems like "Eagle Rock" to disco favourites such as "Disco Inferno," "Dancing Queen," and "I Will Survive," this event is set to transport you back to the g
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The festive season in Ayr is set to be brighter than ever, with the annual Ayr Christmas Street Party scheduled for Thursday, 19th December. The Burdekin Shire Council is calling on local singers, dancers, and performers to fill the streets with holiday cheer. Local eateries are encouraged to join in, with outdoor seating allowing patrons to enjoy the festive atmosphere. Adding to the excitement, shoppers have the chance to win fantastic prizes in a special draw. When customers spend $30 at part
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Friday 25 October Burdekin School Rock the 70s Dance Party Fundraiser Friday from 7pm Prepare to rock and roll through the greatest hits of the 70s at the Burdekin School’s Rock the 70s Dance Party Fundraiser on Friday 25 October! Set to be held at the Queens Hotel, doors will open from 7pm with the show kicking off at 8pm sharp! Each ticket includes a complimentary beverage on arrival and can be purchased from both the Burdekin Theatre and the Queens Hotel. Queens Hotel Saturday 26 October Hom
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If you have seen media reports, you will be aware that mental health is a very real challenge for us globally, but more importantly for all of us as individuals. Latest data shows around 1 in 4 will experience a significant mental health issue in any 12 month period, and 1 in 2 during their lifetime. The Mental Health Australia – Report to the Nation revealed many things such as: • The 18 – 39, followed by 40 – 59 year age groups had the lowest levels of mental health, but for many, mental h
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The Lower Burdekin Scouts and their leaders, along with some families, participated in the 2024 RUSH event in Charters Towers over the weekend of 12 to 13 October. They joined 78 other teams and hundreds of participants for a fun-filled weekend of adventure, challenges, and exploration. The Scouts loaded their trailer early Saturday morning and made the trip to Charters Towers, stopping briefly for morning tea along the way. Upon arrival at the Charters Towers Scout site, they set up their tent
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The Ayr and Home Hill Rugby teams. Photo credit: Marni Hine
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The Burdekin Bocce Club warmly welcomed plenty of visitors and experienced players to enjoy a wonderful afternoon tea and a bowl on Sunday 20 October to celebrate Senior’s Month. Many attendees picked up a bocce for the first time on the weekend, embracing the relaxed nature of the beloved sport, as well as playing a round of a classic Italian card game. Mother and daughter duo, Dianne and Merle Glover took to the sport for the first time, and to the Club’s delight, the pair very much enjoyed
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On Wednesday, 16 October, the A Grade Women’s Singles final was played between Darell Pearce and Lyn Storrie. In a gripping contest, with President Joy Woods marking the match, the game remained close until Lyn Storrie powered through to secure the win. This marks back-to-back titles for Lyn - congratulations! Both ladies put on a fantastic performance, and thanks once again to Joy Woods for officiating the final. In the social game played at the same time, Kay Garner, Bev Gairoch, and Helen Col
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Local The Escriva Cup is due to be played on Friday evening, 1st November and is a fundraiser held by The SLoBs (Soccer Legends of the Burdekin) to help out ex-players with health problems. Last year fourteen Men’s teams and two Ladies teams took part. Hopefully, we will have more teams involved this year. Night Soccer Delta Cleaners Night Soccer’s Week 7 had to be postponed until Thursday because of the rain. The 21games produced 67 goals and surprisingly there were only three forfeits and
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Saturday Pairs Bowls was sponsored by Home Hill Prawn Stop and was a successful event. The pairs have attracted a mixture of male and female bowlers who all agree it is a fantastic and fun afternoon. Come and enjoy 3 bowl pairs, fully sponsored with a 12pm start. Burdekin Bowls club are great in supporting other clubs in the area in tournaments, congratulations to all these clubs. Apologies for missing the last few weeks, but we are back to regular programming. Contributed with thanks to Stor
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On Saturday 12 October, the 2024 Sip 'n Putt sessions at Home Hill Golf Club concluded with a fantastic finish! Fourteen ladies, including five newcomers, participated in the final session led by PGA coach Tara Jenkins where some of the ladies were introduced to golf for the first time, while others practiced skills from previous lessons. Several participants felt confident enough to play a hole in an Ambrose format, discovering just how much technique is required to get that little white ball
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The rainy weather early in the week that forced the cancellation of Monday's training thankfully cleared for the Home Hill Cricket Association’s junior cricket games on held on Friday, 18 October. Three groups of eager cricketers lined up for their games under sunny skies at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex in Home Hill. The youngest of these, the Challengers, were playing in front of the clubhouse on the "Barry Richards Field". The children put on a good show of skills for the adult
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The big news for the Ayr Bowling Club this week is Irene Wilson being named North Queensland District Ladies Bowling Association’s Bowler of the Year! Irene has been a standout performer at the club and secured this prestigious title by winning the North Queensland singles. The club also sends best wishes to Pam Power, another exceptional female bowler, as she heads to Bargara Bowls Club to compete in the State Champion of Champions after claiming the North Queensland Champion of Champions title
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The October Monthly Medal was the highly sought-after prize among the junior golfers at the Ayr Golf Club this weekend, with competitive scores across the 3, 6, and 9-hole competitions. In the 3-hole competition, Opie McKeough once again claimed the Monthly Medal with a net score of 5, while Tyler Smith secured the Gross win with a score of 22. Opie dominated the event, also taking home the prizes for Longest Putt and Least Putts. Heath Smart, playing his best round yet, won the Monthly Medal
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The Burdekin Roosters have named three of their four coaches for the 2025 season in the RLTD. The club will be fielding an under 20 team next year after not doing so in 2024, with Peter Horan set to coach. Peter took the under 18 to the grand final this season and although they were beaten by Brothers, Horan had them playing an attractive style of football. Peter said he expected to field a strong side with most of that team stepping up plus the addition of a few new players he has recruited.
Read moreA good crowd of Rugby League supporters last Sunday witnessed a good standard of Rugby League played at the annual Home Hill Harvest Festival Town of Origin! The first Town of Origin in this format was played in 2013 and since then Ayr has won five times to Home Hills four with no games played in 2018 and 2020. As is customary in these games the type of play was tough and hard with the town heritage at stake. Two former A grade coaches of the roosters, Chris Perry and Kieran Dawes took contro
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The only senior match of the round in Home Hill Cricket took place on Saturday afternoon, with Peto's Marine winning the toss and sending the Crowned Mongrels in to bat. The Mongrels made the most of their time at the crease, with Andrew Wallwork top-scoring with 46 runs from 41 balls. Handy contributions from Luke Mottin (29 runs) and Jaidyn Lambie-Fabbro (23 runs) helped set a competitive total of 6/153 from 25 overs. In response, Peto's Marine started strong with quick runs from Cal Boland
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