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I am an authentic person who has a demonstrated platform of putting people over politics, I come with 17 years’ experience in local government - the last 12 as Mayor of the Isaac Regional Council. I am capable, confident, and committed to the electorate of Burdekin. 2: Equitable Government funding to the regions/electorates is a major concern for me, it was when I was the Mayor of Isaac, which I made progress on however there is more to do, and it remains a priority of mine. The model of dist
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Prior to becoming the Member for Burdekin, I spent more than 25 years as a Police Officer in regional Queensland as well as serving as a Local Government Councillor and running my own business. That means I bring wide ranging experience and knowledge to this role. My track record in advocating on behalf of rural and regional Queensland and the Burdekin Electorate speaks for itself and my ability to deliver results is evidence of my passion for representing our community. 2: The Burdekin Elec
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Burdekin FC, deeply rooted in the local community, has long been a pillar of football (soccer) in the Burdekin region. Established in the 1970’s as a formal club, Burdekin FC recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, highlighting its enduring commitment to fostering a love for football while giving back to the community. The milestone event, marked by the prestigious Escriva Cup, was a significant moment of pride for the club and its supporters, reflecting the unity and morale within the communi
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Over the course of last week, the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament held their Sitting Week at Parliament House in Brisbane, and in attendance was the Youth Member for Burdekin, Brent Dingle. At just 18 years old, Brent’s dedication to his position has shone brightly since he was sworn into the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament in April of this year, a position he applied for with the encouragement of his school principal, Ms Debra Creed, after exhibiting exceptional levels of community involveme
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The future of the Burdekin Chamber of Commerce is facing uncertainty as the organisation struggles to fill three crucial leadership roles: president, secretary, and treasurer. With the business support group at a crossroads, the chamber’s operations are in jeopardy unless these vacancies can be urgently filled. Despite the chamber’s long history of advocating for local businesses and fostering growth in the Burdekin region, the lack of leadership is becoming a pressing issue. Traditionally, thes
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Disaster season will soon be upon us, and the Burdekin Shire Council has urged the region to begin preparations to “Get Ready” by taking proactive steps to ensure the community is ready for the weather to come. In the interest of encouraging early preparations, the Council is now offering residents a chance to win a Yamaha EF2200iS Generator! Members of the community are invited to collect their FREE ticket throughout the month of October at the Ayr and Home Hill Libraries or by visiting the C
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As the weather heats up, it's the perfect time to look around your yard and start tidying up before storm season arrives. Don't forget, Burdekin residents can dispose of green waste for free at all local transfer stations, as long as no general waste is mixed in. With the warmer weather, make sure you're sun-safe by wearing a long-sleeve shirt, a hat, and sunscreen before heading out into the garden. If your yard is already in great shape, take a look through the shed or spare room - you might f
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Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the Ephemera and Harvest Festival Launch in Home Hill, where we kicked off the celebrations for one of our region’s most anticipated annual events. The Home Hill Harvest Festival, set to take place on Saturday 9 November 2024, showcases the heart of our agricultural community and the incredible people who work tirelessly to ensure our region flourishes. The Harvest Festival is more than just an event—it’s a reflection of who we are in the Burdekin: resi
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On Thursday 12 September, the Burdekin PCYC celebrated the graduation of four more dedicated young students from their current Get Set for Work Program. Troy Bird, Joshua Walton, Kaiden Cuzner and Christian Tannock learnt many valuable life skills, engaged in many educational sessions, strengthened their confidence, learnt about the Burdekin region though guided excursions and completed numerous qualifications and certifications in preparation to successfully enter the workforce. Paired with
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From its humble beginnings in 1974 as Ayr Second-hand Dealers to becoming a trusted name in quality furniture, McCathies Furniture Plus has stood the test of time. Now celebrating 50 years in business, Kari and Rob Ravizza, third-generation owners, proudly carry on the legacy of Kari’s grandparents, Milly and Jack McCathie, and parents, Lyndy and John McCathie. Their decision to transition from second-hand dealers to a retailer of new furniture and mattresses in 1998 reflected a changing consume
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Cane crushed This week Season to date Invicta 147,063 1,686,241 Pioneer 76,592 782,611 Kalamia 72,725 922,346 Inkerman 79,050 1,026,332 Burdekin 375,431 4,417,530 CCS Invicta 14.90 14.19 Pioneer 14.60 14.25 Kalamia 14.23 13.83 Inkerman 14.48 13.96 Burdekin 14.46 14.07 Weekly variety performance for region Variety % CCS Variety % CCS Q240 55% 14.81 Q208 8% 14.44 KQ228 16% 14.11 WSRA17 4% 14.04 Q183 11% 14.99 Q232 3% 14.12 Comments: The Burdekin mills processed just over 375,000 tonnes of cane for
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Running a successful farming business in the arid regions of Queensland is tough and maximising the productivity of your land is essential. Nobody knows this like rural business owners Nichole James and Jake and Adam Fietz. Nichole, Jake and Adam are participating in a field trial being delivered by Central Highlands Regional Resources Use Planning Cooperative (CHRRUP) as part of the Future Drought Fund (FDF) Drought Resilient Soils and Landscapes program. The project aims to demonstrate drought
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Applications for the 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award are now open, offering an incredible opportunity for Australian women to develop their skills and make a positive impact in their industries and communities. The award is designed to empower and celebrate inclusive and courageous leadership by women involved in Australia’s rural and emerging industries, businesses and communities. It provides a platform to inspire and support Australian women to use and develop their skills to benefit t
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Senior Plant Pathologist Jenny Morrison has been given a remarkable accolade: a newly discovered species of fungus has been named after her. It all started in north Queensland in 2019, when Jenny was one of 26 scientists from around Australia who took part in the ‘Pathoblitz’ workshop on plant disease. The workshop gave participants the opportunity to observe, collect and identify diseased plant samples from the Atherton Tablelands—a unique environment with savannah, rainforest, horticulture and
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Anh Do’s acclaimed stage show, The Happiest Refugee, is set to inspire audiences in the Burdekin on March 11, 2025. This unique performance blends comedy and heartfelt storytelling, based on Anh’s bestselling memoir of the same name. Through stand-up, personal anecdotes, and multimedia, Anh recounts his incredible journey from a refugee to becoming one of Australia’s most beloved comedians. His memoir touched hearts across the nation, and the live show builds on that success, combining laughter
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This Friday, 4 October, the senior students of the Burdekin region will dazzle and shine as they ignite the atmosphere at the Burdekin Memorial Hall with gorgeous gowns and suave suits at the 2024 Home Hill Harvest Festival Students’ Ball. An unforgettable evening, the Burdekin Memorial Hall will host a night filled with elegance, excitement and community spirit, bringing together students in years 10 to 12 from across the Burdekin district from 6pm to 11pm to enjoy plenty of social dancing, an
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Prepare for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate the music of Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) and John Fogerty, one of the most iconic bands in rock history. This live performance brings together all the hits that defined a generation, from the songs they wrote and performed, to the covers and tracks they penned for other artists. If you’ve ever been captivated by the timeless anthems of Bad Moon Rising, Proud Mary, Fortunate Son, or Have You Ever Seen the Rain?, then this is the night fo
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The Verve Dance Festival in Ayr is gearing up for its 6th annual event from Thursday, January 9th to Monday, January 13th, 2025. This five-day, four-night festival is North Queensland’s premier qualifying dance competition for the Showcase National Dance Championships, offering dancers the chance to compete at the prestigious finals on the Gold Coast. Since its inception in 2020, Verve has grown significantly, expanding from 400 to over 1,000 entries across 169 sections. It provides a unique pla
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Looking for a memorable night out filled with fun and laughter? The Zonta Club of the Burdekin invites you to their upcoming Movie Night on Thursday, 3 October, at Stardust Cinema. The event kicks off at 6pm and promises to be a fantastic evening for everyone attending. The featured movie for the night is Thelma, a humorous and light-hearted film that will leave you smiling. Whether you’re a fan of comedy or just looking for an enjoyable and relaxing time, Thelma is the perfect film to lift your
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Queensland Seniors Month provides opportunities to promote positive community attitudes towards older people and ageing by facilitating community participation and enhancing community connections, aligning with the Queensland Government’s vision of building age-friendly communities in Queensland. In 2024, Queensland Seniors Month is celebrated from Tuesday 1 October to Thursday 31 October. Queensland Seniors Month includes United Nations International Day of Older Persons (1 October) and Nationa
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The Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre, conveniently located at 40 Chippendale St, plays a crucial role in the local community by providing access to information and referrals for community members. It serves as a hub for residents, ensuring that assistance and support are within easy reach in various aspects of their lives. One of the key functions of the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre is to serve as a valuable resource for individuals and families in need of information. Whether it's about local s
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Sweet FM, Burdekin’s beloved community radio station, celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special dinner at the Ayr RSL on Saturday night. The event capped off a day of festivities that included a lively morning broadcast and a sausage sizzle in Ayr’s town centre. The morning kicked off with a live broadcast from the Ayr CBD, where Sweet FM’s charismatic presenters entertained listeners with special programming, community interviews, and a nostalgic look back at the station’s history. Locals
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Thursday 10 October Flexi Queensland’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Expo Movie Surprise Thursday from 6pm As part of Queensland Mental Health Week, the Burdekin community is invited to come along for an evening of fun and socialisation at Flexi Queensland’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Expo Movie Surprise! An event to raise awareness for Mental Health Week 2024, the evening will begin with an expo and nibbles at 6pm, with an exciting surprise movie screening from 7pm! Stardust Drive in Theatre Frid
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DOB: 1/05/2022 Sex: Female Breed: Kelpie x Kid friendly: Yes Cat Friendly: Untested Other dogs: Yes Fences: 6ft Are you looking for a loyal, fun and loving companion to join your family? Well, look no further than Dorothea, she might just be the perfect fit for you! Dorothea is a Cattle Dog and she loves the great outdoors, almost as much as she likes spending time with her humans. Going on walks are her absolute favourite, she loves exploring and smelling everything. When she’s not out
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The Burdekin Shire Council has launched an exciting competition as part of the upcoming Get Ready Burdekin Week, running from 7-11 October 2024. Local primary school students are invited to participate in naming the region’s new Disaster Management Mascot and the campaign is aimed at fostering awareness around disaster preparedness. The initiative is designed to engage young people in the Shire’s disaster management efforts through creativity and education. In addition to naming the mascot, stud
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