Some of the most amazing and impactful movements have started from tiny sparks. The power of a simple idea, a small act of kindness, or a question asked with genuine care can grow into something truly remarkable, creating ripples that spread far and wide. One great example is the R U OK? Day held today. It all started with a simple question; “Are you OK?” This incredible movement encourages conversations about mental health and checking in on others. It was inspired by the personal story of Gav
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The Canefields Ephemera, now in its seventh year, has become a highly anticipated event in Home Hill, showcasing the creativity of local and state artists. Set against the picturesque Lloyd Mann Gardens, this outdoor sculpture festival transforms the park into an open-air gallery, allowing visitors to explore striking installations both day and night. This year’s exhibition builds on the success of previous festivals, continuing to attract artists from across Queensland and the local region. Or
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Since 1962, the Molongle Creek Boat Club (MCBC) has been a cornerstone for boating enthusiasts at the mouth of Molongle Creek. It’s a place run by volunteers who are passionate about keeping this community hub thriving. Right now, the club is buzzing with activity as the Department of Transport tackles some much-needed dredging and excavation to improve boat access. After years of pushing for support, the state government took over maintenance duties in 2021, but the work hasn’t been straightfo
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Ayr State High School graduate René Le Feuvre is set to make a highly anticipated return to North Queensland this October. After building a flourishing music career, René’s tour will include performances across Mackay, Bowen, Airlie Beach, and Townsville, with a special highlight at the Giru Pub on October 5. Having last toured the region in 2018, following his appearance on The Voice, René’s return has been a long time coming. He is excited to reconnect with the local community, particularly i
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Rehoming fee: $195 DOB: 6/12/2023 Sex: Male Breed: DSH Kid friendly: Yes Dog Friendly: Yes Other cats: Yes Indoors/Outdoors: Indoors Chippy is a lively, playful cat and always on the move. He loves exploring every corner of his home. Whether chasing toys or pouncing on imaginary prey, his energy is a joy to watch. He loves food and is always ready for more treats, kibble, or wet food, making snack time a highlight of his day. Chippy also loves climbing cat trees and shelves, watching the worl
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The weekend kicked off with a thrilling Friday night social bowls clash on September 6th. Newcomer Ben Mills and club President Jamie Wood faced off against veterans Ray Paneccasio and Gary Pearce. It was a tightly contested game, with Mills dominating early on, but Paneccasio’s powerful performance turned the tide, leading his team to victory. Despite their loss, Mills and Wood claimed the evening's jackpot. On Sunday, September 8th, 30 bowlers gathered for a mix of pairs, triples, and Champi
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Burdekin FC’s Premier League side have qualified for Saturday’s Grand Final after winning 1-0 against MA Olympic in the Preliminary Final, played at Paradise Park in Townsville last Saturday night. The Ayr Anzac Club Premiers had a sense of confidence going into this game, having beaten MA Olympic twice with the most recent win coming just two weeks ago. However, the Panthers also knew that it wasn't going to be an easy task coming up against the minor premiers. The game started slowly for th
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Local Burdekin Panthers had just the Premiers playing at the weekend. They were playing in the Preliminary Final, against Olympic, the Old Enemy, and won 1-0. They now play in the Grand Final against Brothers this Saturday night at Paradise Park in Townsville. Masters Monday Night Masters has finished for the year and will recommence in January 2025. Night Soccer Delta Cleaners Night Soccer’s 46th Season started last week with the first of the two Trial Weeks. The competition proper start
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The Burdekin Roosters had a strong presence in the Rugby League Townsville and District (RLTD) finals last weekend, with three teams competing: the Under 13s, Under 18s, and Reserve Grade. One family that stood out was the Lammon family, who had an especially busy weekend. Melissa Lammon, the registrar for both the junior and senior Roosters, and her husband Thomas, who runs water for the Under 13s, 18s, and at times the Reserves, supported their three sons in an exceptional weekend of football
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Pam Power from the Ayr Bowls Club has claimed victory in the Champion of Champions Zone 8 singles competition, defeating Emma Rowbotham from Cairns in a closely fought match. Both players showcased exceptional skills, but Pam emerged triumphant. She now advances to the State finals in October. Congratulations to Pam on her stellar season in lawn bowls, and best of luck for the State finals! The club’s week began with Mixed Social Bowls on Wednesday, September 4th. Two games of triples were pla
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Last weekend, Ayr Tennis hosted the highly anticipated Junior Development Series (JDS) finals, welcoming top junior players from Ingham to Mackay. Despite a rainy start, the weather soon cleared, allowing for an exciting weekend of tennis action. The top two players from the 11, 13, 15, and 17-year-old divisions have now qualified for the JDS Masters State Finals, set to take place in Rockhampton on October 12th and 13th. Local players performed well, with Michael Lindley securing third place
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The Burdekin Roosters Reggies suffered a tough defeat in the Grand Final last Sunday, falling 42-24 to minor premiers Souths at the Sports Reserve in Townsville. Early mistakes from the Roosters allowed Souths to gain momentum, and by halftime, the Redmen led 24-0. Despite a spirited second-half comeback, where the Roosters outscored Souths 24-18, the early deficit proved insurmountable. Terry Connors crossed twice for the Roosters, with Nemia Nawave and Braedyn Cotter also scoring, but Souths
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On September 7th, Tennis Townsville hosted the "Double Trouble" pickleball tournament, drawing players from Cairns, Cardwell, the Burdekin, Mackay, and Townsville for a weekend of competitive action. Home Hill pickleball players, along with their Townsville family members, enjoyed challenging matches with high-quality play across the board. Hannah Casswell and Ryan Schwab, seasoned tennis players but newcomers to pickleball, teamed up to win gold in the A-grade Mixed Doubles. Rylan Pivotto and
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The Burdekin Netball Association has awarded Wilma Wright a prestigious Life Membership in recognition of her 15 years of dedicated service. This honour is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the association, and Wilma’s tireless commitment over the years has made her a standout recipient. Wilma became involved with the association in 1996 when her daughter Sarah joined the local netball scene, shortly after the family moved to the Burdekin. Despite being new to th
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The Ayr Surf Life Saving Club will be back on duty this coming weekend with the start of the September school holidays. The red and yellow flags will be raised again at Alva Beach on Saturday afternoons, all day Sunday, as well as public holidays from now until May. There is still time to 'Join the Club' and become part of a family friendly organisation and give back to your community with a wide variety of roles available and a new Bronze and SRC course commencing shortly. For more inform
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Hi everyone, I hope you have all had a great week so far and are enjoying the warmer weather! I was in Ayr for a weekend last month to visit family, and I had the chance to catch up with Miah over coffee. It was lovely to hear how much she has been enjoying living and working in the Burdekin, and how welcoming the community has been! With only four more weeks to go until I complete my degree, a Bachelor of Communications and Journalism, I’ve been as busy as a bee, finalising presentations, and
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Saturday 7 September will mark the celebratory Queen Street return of the beloved Burdekin Water Festival, with the Queensland Country Bank Grand Parade and Mardi Gras beginning at 4:30pm. Following on from the beautiful QMN Manufacturing Long Lunch held last weekend at Populins Hall, the Grand Parade and Mardi Gras will see Queen Street come alive with impressive floats, spectacular stalls, and lively entertainment. Burdekin Water Festival 2024 Winning Senior Ambassador, Demi O’Shea (represe
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The Burdekin Art Show, a vibrant display of local creativity, captivated attendees with its diverse range of artworks, reflecting both seasoned expertise and fresh talent. Held at the Burdekin Theatre, the show featured various sections, each highlighting different mediums and artistic styles. From intricate paintings to bold sculptures, the event offered a rich tapestry of artistic expression. Maxine Thompson, a New Zealand artist who arrived in town just yesterday, was a prominent figure at t
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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 a senate inquiry. Mr Last said given Ayr’s ongoing battle to rid its water supply of PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) 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 governm
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As part of the Burdekin Water Festival Queensland Country Bank Grand Parade and Mardi Gras the community has been advised to note the closure of the following streets on Saturday 7 September. • Edwards Street including between Queen and MacMillian Street from 6am to 1pm. • Queen Street including Soper to Mackenzie Street from 12:30pm to 7:30pm. • Soper Street between Graham and MacMillian Street from 12:30pm to 7:30pm. • Parker Street between Graham and MacMillian Street from 12
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The Giru community is reeling after a young girl, who recently moved to the area, was attacked by two dogs while on her way to school. The incident occurred last Tuesday, leaving the child pinned to the ground as the dogs bit her ankle, ear, and throat. She was rushed to Townsville Hospital, where she is currently undergoing surgery to repair the damage to her ankle and throat. The severity of the attack has sparked concern among residents, particularly parents, who fear for their children's
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A most enjoyable morning was experienced by some residents of Regis, Aged Care, Ayr last week. Mrs Raelene Grantz, Membership Chair, Zonta Club Burdekin Inc, and Ms Kristy McCoskey, Regis Lifestyle Coordinator spent some time “stuffing” and “stitching” breast care cushions in preparation for delivery to the Mater and University hospitals in Townsville and to patients on request. Annually, the Zonta Club Burdekin Inc members and the Friends of Zonta sew and donate more than 120 breast care cushio
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I’m very pleased to let community members know that BCA has appointed a new Journey Coordinator as part of our Mental Health services expansion. The main aim of the Journey Coordinator is to connect adults and children to the services and supports they require and ensure that they access timely and appropriate mental health services. In the future, we expect that the Journey Coordinator will also be able to deliver free group mental health education sessions, for people needing low intensity m
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We often get asked what happens at the Neighbourhood Centre. The answer is a lot of everything, and more often than not, the programs and activities are born out of our conversations with community members and what they want to see happen at the Centre. Do you or a group of people you know have concerns or ideas that you would like help raising? We can help! Are you from a local service or group that would like to collaborate on different community projects? We can help! At the Neighbourhoo
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Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Australian Local Government Women’s Association Queensland Branch Annual Conference in Brisbane alongside Councillors Amanda Hall and Fina Vasta. This conference was an incredible opportunity to connect with other women leaders in local government and share our experiences. I was honoured to be part of a mayoral panel with two other mayors, where we discussed the unique role of being a mayor, the challenges we face, and what inspires us to keep goi
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