.jpg)
On Friday 30 August, the Ayr Tennis Association will host a fabulous FREE Social Tennis Family Night for the community to enjoy! Beginning at 6:30pm, the Burdekin community has been warmly invited to come down to the courts for an evening of socialization, laughs, and friendly tennis competition! A BBQ will also be held on the night, with drinks and food available for purchase. Those interested are encouraged to message the Ayr Tennis Association’s Facebook page for more information.
Read more
Wednesday, 21 August, kicked off with Mixed Social Bowls at the Ayr Bowling Club, featuring three exciting games of triples. The standard of play was high across the board. The winning team of the day was B. Hewson, J. Papale, and M. Power, who defeated R. Smythe, H. Hazel, and R. Lazarin in a well-fought match. The weekend began with Fun Friday Night, where laughter, music, and good bowls brought everyone together for a memorable evening. A delicious supper was served at the end of the night,
Read more
Last Wednesday, 21 August, marked an exciting partner event at the Ayr Golf Club, featuring the Club’s newest Wednesday sponsor, "Hair on Hillier." The Club extended their heartfelt thanks to Shannon Benato, who generously provided two vouchers for our winners to enjoy some well-deserved pampering at her salon. The highlight of the day was the 4BBB format competition, where Nora Anderson and Evelyn Webb emerged as the winners with an impressive 45 points. Vicki Adcock and Ingrid Vaes followed
Read more
The Burdekin Clay Target Club hosted its monthly shoot on Saturday and Sunday. The weekend kicked off with a nostalgic twist, featuring the rarely-used Side by Side shotguns. Sixteen shooters competed in these old-school events, bringing a touch of tradition to the range. Later in the day, the action shifted to the Night Shoot, where 23 shooters took on the unique challenge of hitting targets in low light. Despite the difficulty, the shooters showed impressive accuracy. Sunday’s weather was far
Read more
Pickleball is continuing to surge in popularity at Home Hill Tennis, with solid attendance each Tuesday night. The fast-paced sport is drawing both new and seasoned players, including recent additions Noah, Chloe, and Bec, who have quickly adapted and are already making their presence felt on the court. This week saw 22 players take part in a lively King and Queen of the Court competition. After a series of games with multiple partners, Daniel Walsh emerged as the King, while Amelia Pivotto cla
Read more
The recent Gospel Festival in Burdekin proved that nothing can dampen the community’s spirit. Despite challenging weather conditions, the festival saw enthusiastic attendance, including guests who travelled from as far as Bowen. The event was a resounding success, featuring notable performances and a vibrant atmosphere. One of the highlights was the guest performance by Brisbane’s Dan Warlow, who delivered a memorable set that included the moving song "No Turning Back." The indoor setting provi
Read more
Burdekin Rugby Union Club’s Canetoads are gearing up for a do-or-die clash this weekend after experiencing mixed results in last weekend’s semi-finals. With the pressure mounting, the Cantoads’ Coach reflected on the team's performance during a recent radio appearance on Sweet FM, offering insights into what went right, what went wrong, and how they plan to move forward.
Read more
On Monday, Ayrville State School hosted a powerful workshop titled "How to Be a Champion," led by Frank Mechler, the founder of the Bullyproof program. This initiative, designed to combat bullying in schools, goes beyond raising awareness by equipping students, teachers, and parents with essential skills, strategies, and frameworks to effectively resolve conflicts. Frank Mechler was inspired to create the Bullyproof program after a tragic event deeply affected him—a close friend’s daughter, who
Read more
A 52-year-old man from North Ward has been charged in relation to a tragic traffic collision that occurred earlier this year in Gumlu. The incident took place on the Bruce Highway on June 3rd and involved a bus carrying 33 passengers and a Landcruiser towing a caravan. According to reports, the bus veered into the opposite lane and collided head-on with the Landcruiser. The impact of the crash was devastating, leading to the immediate deaths of three women, including two German nationals aged 3
Read more.jpg)
The Burdekin Community Association Inc (BCA) has forged a valuable partnership with Ayr State High School (ASHS) to enhance students' practical experience through a Certificate II in Active Volunteering. This initiative is designed to equip Year 11 students with foundational skills essential for volunteer work, providing them with hands-on experience in a real-world setting under professional supervision. Volunteer Manager Rita Quagliata is spearheading the program, guiding students like Isaac
Read more.JPG)
Settling into life and work in the Burdekin has been an incredible experience, one that I’ve found both enriching and rewarding. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the warmth and friendliness of the people here. It’s a place where community spirit thrives, and that sense of togetherness is evident in every interaction, whether it’s a casual chat at the local café or a friendly wave from a passing car. Living in the Burdekin offers a unique blend of rural charm and vibrant local culture.
Read more
Crash 1: On the morning of Saturday, August 17, 2024, a significant traffic incident occurred on the Bruce Highway near Home Hill. Around 4:30 am, a Mazda BT50 travelling south veered off the road on the Home Hill side of the Burdekin Bridge. The vehicle collided with both the armco barrier and a pole. The 22-year-old driver of the Mazda BT50 required extraction from the wreckage and was subsequently transported to Townsville University Hospital for treatment. The Townsville Forensic Crash Un
Read more
Member for Burdekin Dale Last is calling on residents to make their voices heard as community outrage grows over revelations local firefighters are battling exposure to toxic chemical compounds at the current facility. Mr Last said any hope that Labor was going to fund a new fire station for Ayr firefighters after it was found the site was contaminated with PFAS, had been hosed down in the 2024/2025 State Budget and instead replaced with another study. “Our firefighters are there for their comm
Read more
Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox MP, welcomes the opening of the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program Round 2. It is a significant initiative aimed at supporting the development, and delivering investment in infrastructure across Australia’s regional, rural and remote areas. The program provides funding of between $500,000 and $15 million to local government entities and incorporated not-for-profit organisations for capital works projects. With $393 million available unde
Read more.JPG)
The Burdekin community recently gathered at Deep Creek Retreat to commemorate the Battle of Long Tan with a solemn ceremony. The event, honouring the bravery and sacrifice of Australian soldiers during the Vietnam War, featured a performance by the Burdekin Brass Band, whose stirring melodies set a reflective tone for the proceedings. Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort delivered a poignant address, emphasizing the importance of remembering the courage of those who served and the lasting impact of their s
Read more
The Burdekin Shire Council has successfully completed the first round of its Woody Weed Program, a key component of the Reef Guardian Council’s Program. This initiative, part of the broader “Activating Local Council’s Reef Action Plans” (2023-2026), is dedicated to removing invasive woody weeds that threaten the natural ecosystem and the Great Barrier Reef. The first round, completed in May 2024, involved 25 days of focused effort across five properties, resulting in the treatment of approximat
Read more
The Burdekin Shire Council is making significant strides in managing the region’s feral deer populations through its ongoing Feral Deer Program, which began in January 2024. This initiative, funded by the Activating Reef Guardian Council Action Plan grant, is a critical component of the council’s efforts to protect the natural environment, support local agriculture, and ensure public safety. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) has been instrumental in the program's initial stages,
Read more
Millaroo State School is gearing up to celebrate its 70th anniversary on Saturday, October 12, 2024, with a day full of activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event will honour the school's rich history, offering attendees a chance to participate in a roll call, enjoy a cake cutting, and explore displays of memorabilia that capture the school's journey since its establishment in 1954. Morning tea and lunch will be provided, making it a wonderful opportunity for former students, teachers, and com
Read more
On Tuesday night, 13 August 2024, the Zonta Club Burdekin Inc celebrated the club’s 30th Birthday at the Ayr ANZAC Memorial Club. The event was ably emceed by Cathy McDonnell, a past Zonta foundation member. Cathy shared with us her enjoyable experiences while a club member. Pierina Dalle Cort, Burdekin Mayor, and a past member of Zonta, opened the celebrations warmly welcoming current and past members and their friends. Current members were honoured with the presence of past members, Lyndy Mc
Read more
Elder abuse is more common than you might think, with 1 in 6 older Australians reporting abuse. It often occurs within families, particularly by adult children, and is frequently hidden and underreported, with 61% of older people not seeking help. Elder abuse can take various forms, including psychological, financial, physical, sexual, social abuse, and neglect. Signs may include behaviour changes or evidence of harm. If you suspect elder abuse, don’t wait for proof. Call the Elder Abuse Helpli
Read more
When driving in the fog, we reduce our speed and turn on our headlights to increase visibility, using the demister and windshield wipers as necessary. We maintain a safe following distance and are cautious at intersections. If visibility becomes extremely poor, we pull over to a safe location and wait for the fog to clear. When our brains become foggy and don't function as we want, they can make everyday tasks challenging and cause us to lose our train of thought during a conversation. This con
Read more.jpg)
Councillors recently undertook disaster training focussing on recovery. It’s a timely reminder to start thinking about the upcoming ‘cyclone season’. If you think back to Cyclone Kirrily, ask yourself “what can I start doing in the next few months to better prepare”, eg removing excess vegetation that could cause a problem, look for a portable radio etc. Prior preparation is the best way to survive any natural disaster. Since 2011, Queensland has experienced around 100 significant natural disast
Read more%20(1).jpg)
Last weekend’s accident on the Burdekin Bridge was a stark reminder of the need for a second bridge in our region. The current infrastructure, whilst serving us well for our growing north, is simply not enough to meet the demands of connecting our communities and visitors. I, too, have personally experienced the frustration of being stuck due to an incident on the bridge - an experience that took place over a decade ago. I remember having to walk the gravel path under the bridge in my sandals j
Read more.jpg)
Established in 1932, the Home Hill Golf Club stands as a 9-hole course situated in the cane fields just outside of Home Hill. The Club operates with a membership totaling just over 100 dedicated players with golf at the core of the business, and welcoming the occasional wedding, wake or party to the venue. The Home Hill Golf Club additionally holds a wildly successful Ambrose as part of the Home Hill Harvest Festival Program, donating part of the proceeds to the Harvest Festival Committee. E
Read more.JPG)
Nestled in the heart of the community, Campbell’s Jewellery has been a shining beacon of quality and tradition for decades. The store's history is deeply rooted in its origins, dating back to the post-war era when "Les French" first opened its doors. Originally established as an optometrist, the store gradually evolved into a full-fledged jewellery store as Les introduced a small collection of jewellery that steadily grew, eventually becoming the store's primary focus. In 1960, the store change
Read more