Andrew Willcox Joins Head to the Hill to Raise Awareness for Childhood Brain Cancer On Tuesday, the 28th of October, Andrew Willcox MP attended Parliament House’s Head to the Hill event on behalf of Elenna Savorgnan’s mother, Maria. Hosted by Brain Tumour Alliance Australia (BTAA), 2025’s Head to the Hill initiative marks the third year since the event’s debut, raising awareness for the unimproved life expectancy from brain tumours and highlighting the devastating financial, social, physical, c
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Local organisations are calling on growers and residents to remain vigilant as the spread of Wild Sorghum and Itch Grass continues to threaten the Burdekin’s sugarcane industry. Both weeds are difficult to identify in their early stages, often resembling sugarcane, and are extremely hard to control once established. Itch Grass, in particular, is listed as a declared pest under the Biosecurity Act 2014, requiring all landholders to take reasonable steps to destroy it if found on their property.
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The 2026 Rotary NQ Field Day is shaping up to be a celebration of everything that makes North Queensland extraordinary: resilient producers, curious kids, cutting-edge tech, and a whole lot of heart. The iconic Talangalook herd returns to the spotlight. Known for their tropical toughness, calm temperament, and powerhouse genetics, these Santa Gertrudis cattle are a cornerstone of North Queensland beef production. Their presence is a proud nod to tradition and a bold step toward the future. Att
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Home Hill State High School (HHS) representatives recently took part in the prestigious Gatton AgTech Showcase, an event celebrating innovation and technology in modern agriculture. Agriculture teacher Louise Nicholas and agricultural assistant Kim Anderson attended the two-day event, which brought together more than 1,400 growers, industry members, students, and innovators from across Queensland. Hosted at the Queensland Government Smart Farm, the showcase provided a platform to explore the la
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Before games commenced at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex last week, players and parents paused for a moment’s silence in support of Ben Austin’s family, friends, and teammates following the tragedy earlier in the week. The Home Hill Cricket Association extended its thoughts and condolences to all affected during this very difficult time. Players wore black armbands, and a bat was placed at the boundary for the duration of the match as a mark of respect. Blue Group The Blue Group didn
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Students and staff at Burdekin Christian College (BCC) showed their support for child safety last Friday, taking part in Day for Daniel—Australia’s largest child safety education and awareness event. Dressed in red, the national symbol of child safety awareness, BCC students participated in classroom discussions and activities centred on the key messages of Recognise, React and Report—tools that empower young people to protect themselves and others from harm, both in the community and online.
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Seniors from across the Burdekin region gathered at the Burdekin Memorial Hall on Thursday, 30 October for the annual Seniors Expo and Luncheon, hosted by Burdekin Shire Council. The event provided a day of connection, support, and entertainment while celebrating the vital role seniors play in the community. The Expo featured a wide range of stalls from local organisations and businesses, giving attendees the chance to explore available resources and services. Notable participants included Regi
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Music lovers, get ready to “Deck the shed with bits of wattle” as the beloved Morning Melodies series presents its final performance for 2025: Home for Christmas with award-winning artist Darren Coggan. Scheduled for Wednesday, 3 December 2025 at 11am, this special free event will take place at the Burdekin Memorial Hall to accommodate the large crowds this festive favourite always draws. Morning tea will be provided, and bookings are essential. Darren Coggan is one of Australia’s most versatil
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It’s that time of year. The Home Hill Harvest Festival is set to once again culminate in its trademark Grand Parade and Street Party on Saturday, 8 November 2025, and this year’s theme, Hollywood Elegance, promises a day of community fun with a hint of glamour. The Grand Parade, starting at 5 PM along Main Street, will feature local schools, businesses, sporting clubs, and festival queens, with 30–40 floats expected. Festival Secretary Carlene Muilwyk said the theme is all about getting the com
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Zonta Club Burdekin Inc (Zonta) and the Burdekin Domestic and Family Abuse Prevention Network (BDFAPN), BCA, Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre, Police and Burdekin Shire Council are coming together to mark the campaign, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, with a community vigil at the Burdekin Theatre forecourt on Monday, 25 November 2025. The16 Days of Activism, commencing on 25 November, is a global campaign that unites individuals and organisations worldwide in calling for the pre
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BCA’s Accredited Exercise Physiology Program has been specifically designed to help individuals of all ages. Sessions are delivered from our fully equipped and friendly Burdekin Community Rehabilitation Centre located at 12A Chippendale Street, Ayr. Our Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) supervise all AEP Program participants and provide best practice exercise prescription to ensure that everyone performs exercises that are safe and appropriate for their goals and health conditions. Sessi
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FRIDAY 7 NOVEMBER Rotary Gala Ball 6:30pm–midnight (Dinner 7pm) Celebrate the Harvest Festival with a sit-down dinner, music and dancing. The evening crowns the Charity and Personality Queens, honouring community spirit and generosity. Burdekin Memorial Hall Cost: $80 SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER 97.1 Sweet FM Markets Saturday 8am-1pm Join Sweet FM for an entertaining morning jammed full of wonderful market stalls from handmade crafts, sausage sizzle, hot coffee & tea, and sweet treats, on the station's
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Young Touch Football players from across the region will converge on Ayr on Saturday, 22 November, when the Burdekin Touch Association hosts a Junior Touch Football Carnival for boys and girls aged 9 to 16 years. The event will feature a ‘Fast Four’ competition format, played on half-sized fields with four players per side and up to six players allowed per team. While standard Touch rules will apply, each set will be limited to four touches, and matches will run for 10 minutes. Divisions to be
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A very successful Burdekin FC Presentation Night was held last Saturday at Populin’s Hall. This completes the 2025 season, and it will not be long before the 2026 season approaches. Night Soccer The sixth week of competition and in a high scoring night, the twenty games produced ninety one goals and there were no Sin Bins! Top scorers were Ladies team Body Tune with fifteen goals, Mottin Earthmoving and Young Guns both netted six and Clare Cutters, UDS and Plumb Dingers all rattled in five goa
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Saturday 8/11 1-5pm Group D - Ben Lawry PC, Kellie Lawry PC, Bella Lawry, Charlotte Lawry, Lisa Vivian Sunday 9/11 AM 9am-1pm Group B - Terry Lund PC, Kristy Wassmuth PC, Heather Scott, Anita Giddy, Briella Wassmuth, Emilee Wassmuth Sunday 9/11 PM 1-5pm Group A - Richard Dale PC, Chris Wicks PC, Jane Olsen, Zachary Dale, Stephanie Dale, Warne McShane, Nico Ortner, Wil Holt
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Last weekend, two Burdekin Roosters A-grade league players were in action in matches at both the north and south of the state. Front-rower Tate Brombal was in Cairns representing the Queensland Italian team, while utility forward Kali Nauque was in Logan, Brisbane, representing Fiji. Two years ago, Tate was selected in the Queensland Italian team to play the Cook Islands in Tully, and he says it was a tough match. This year, the team faced the Cardwell Axemen at the Southern Suburbs grounds in
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Third Grade CNQ – Home Hill vs Wanderers In a tightly contested Third Grade CNQ clash at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex, Home Hill fell just short, posting 110 runs before Wanderers chased the target with four wickets in hand. Home Hill’s innings began shakily, losing two early wickets in the second over. Despite a composed 31 runs from Alexander Romeo, 19 from Salvatore Cardillo, and a late contribution of 13 runs from Tomey Mathew, momentum proved difficult to recover. Home Hill fini
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Twenty players enjoyed a very warm spring afternoon at Home Hill Bowls Club last Thursday, with a welcome breeze arriving around 2pm. On Rink 3, Bob Pickard and Alex Bojack (pictured) proved too strong for Yogi Bunn and Hugh Montgomery. Rink 4 saw Margaret Chapman, Mark Swaine and Trevor Elton on song, defeating Nev Webb, Sandra Darwin and Steve Doig. Rink 5 featured a win for Des Chapman, Dino Poli and Joe Linton over Judy Elton, Bruce McCallum and Mick McClosky. Meanwhile, on Rink 6, in anoth
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Over the weekend, 21 Ayr competitors made the trip south to Mackay, taking on the region’s best at the North Australian Championships. This event draws clubs from as far north as Port Douglas and as far south as the Wide Bay region, with a few Sunshine Coast competitors also in attendance. The championships are a three-day sporting extravaganza, starting with the Pool Rescue Championships on Friday, followed by two action-packed days of surf and beach events over the weekend. At the pool rescue
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A couple of weeks ago, I was driving south down Queen Street, debating whether I felt more like pizza or Maccas. That’s when I noticed sirens and a crowd gathered outside the Queens Hotel, and, like clockwork, my journalistic instincts kicked in. I slammed a U-turn and headed straight for the scene, sensing story potential—and my instincts were right, though not in the way I expected. I parked and wove through the crowd, asking a few people what all the fuss was about. Nobody seemed to know for
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The Burdekin Shire is in for a treat this Friday, the 31st of October, as multiple Golden Guitar winner Tom Curtain brings his nationally acclaimed Katherine Outback Experience to the Ayr Showgrounds. Known not only for his talents as a musician and horseman, Tom Curtain uses his shows to champion important causes, including anti-bullying initiatives through Dolly’s Dream. As an official ambassador for the foundation, Tom spreads awareness about the impacts of bullying and encourages communitie
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The treasured generational entrepreneurial spirit of the McCathie family has been nationally recognised following the nomination of McCathies Furniture Plus in the 2025 Australia’s Favourite Family Business Competition. Just over 50 years ago, Jack and Milly McCathie founded the business in the heart of the Burdekin Shire, and half a century later, the business continues to operate with the same trustworthy, family values as it did in 1974. John and Lyndy McCathie joined the family business in
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The spirit of service was front and centre over the weekend as Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) Burdekin volunteers were recognised as founding members of the new statewide organisation. In a ceremony attended by Member for Burdekin Dale Last, Mayor Cr Pierina Dalle Cort, emergency services colleagues, and proud families, the crew received their official MRQ Citations—along with commemorative coins struck to honour the unit’s decades-long legacy. From its early days as Air Sea Rescue to Voluntee
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While the Burdekin has not seen a dramatic increase in housing construction, Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, believes a recently announced government initiative offers numerous advantages for the construction industry across the state and closer to home. An election commitment, the Small Business Apprenticeship Pilot Program will deliver wage subsidies to small businesses in the construction sector that employ apprentices. “A reduction in tradespeople in the construction industry is both a
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Wilmar Sugar and Renewables’ Kalamia Mill crushed out on the weekend, making it the first sugar factory in Australia to finish the 2025 season. The last bins of cane were tipped at Kalamia Mill in the Burdekin just after 1am Saturday (25 October) and the last batch of raw sugar went up the belt in the early hours of Sunday morning. General Manager Operations James Wallace said it was great to see one of Wilmar’s factories take line honours for the 2025 season. “The start and finish of the ann
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