Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
It can be really frustrating when someone close to us ignores our advice or information, only to later repeat the same thing as if it's coming from a "reliable source." It feels like our words only matter when someone else says the same thing. This kind of experience can strain relationships and cause a lot of emotional turmoil. It's important to find healthy ways to talk about these feelings and work through the difficulties of these situations. One approach could be to have an open and honest
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Brian Carnes began his radio career in 1964, stepping in to take over Henry Carkeet’s rugby league program on 4AY. His Sunday afternoon show covered rugby league news from Burdekin, Townsville, and Herbert River. Soon, he was asked to commentate live games, a role he embraced wholeheartedly. “I was living in Ayr, travelling to Townsville to call games,” Carnes recalls. “I ended up calling matches from Mossman to Brisbane, even out to Mount Isa.” One memorable trip to Mount Isa almost left him st
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On the evening of Friday 20 September history was made at the Burdekin Rugby League Presentation night held at Populins Hall where the Club inducted its first ever Lady Life Member, Jenna Parravicini. The Burdekin Rugby League was first formed in that name in 1963 and although there have been several males honoured with Life Membership, Jenna will be the first female. Jenna has been associated as Secretary and Treasurer for a period of just over 12 years. During that period, she has become heav
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On Wednesday 25 September, the Ayr Golf Club hosted a partner event, generously sponsored by Burdekin Tyre Service, featuring 12 pairs competing in a split six format. The windy conditions added a layer of challenge, but they also kept the heat at bay, ensuring an enjoyable day for all. The final two pairings played neck and neck throughout the entire 18 holes, adding excitement to the day. The top five teams were awarded prizes, with Kerry and Heather finishing 5th, Elesa and Kim in 4th, Rhond
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The Burdekin Bocce Club, a small but dedicated group of 26 members, is embracing Seniors Month this October by hosting an open afternoon on Sunday, 20 October. The event will include afternoon tea, and guests are encouraged to either watch or join in a friendly game of bocce. With many of the club's members aging and finding the physical demands of the sport challenging, some have transitioned to playing Italian card games while others continue to enjoy bocce. Last Sunday 6 October, the club he
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On Friday, 4 October, the A & B Pairs competition saw an exciting match at the Brandon Bowls Club. Ross McLaughlin and Rob Jorgensen faced off against Lloyd Shepherd and Gary "Mr. Bowls" Pearce on a beautiful evening. Rob and Ross took an early lead with some strategic kitty movement from Rob, which kept the opposition on their toes. However, once the Shepherd-Pearce duo found their rhythm, they began to position their bowls perfectly, ultimately taking control of the game and securing the win.
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Local The Burdekin Panthers Presentation Night will be held this Saturday 12 October at Populin’s Hall. Tickets are now available and can be bought online or from the Mad House at Night Soccer. The next Big Thing locally is the Escriva Cup. This is due to be played on Friday evening, 1 November. The Escriva Cup 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. Hopefull
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In a major push for improved safety infrastructure in Queensland, the LNP has pledged to deliver a new Fire and Rescue Station in Ayr if elected next month. This announcement comes in response to long-standing issues with the current 65-year-old facility, which has been deemed unfit for purpose due to carcinogenic contamination and other structural concerns. The project aims to prioritise the safety of both first responders and the local community.
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Hi everyone! I hope you have all been enjoying the warmer weather, I know I have! It was amazing to see how many people filled Queen Street for the 2024 Burdekin Water Festival Grand Parade last month! The drone footage posted by Burdekin Drones was awesome! I had the pleasure of interviewing Cole, Stella, Demi and Brielle a couple of issues back, and it was so lovely to hear their stories from their time as Ambassadors, and it has been wonderful to see all the great things they have all been
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Imagine a Saturday morning where children’s laughter mingles with the sounds of nature, hands dive into soil, and young minds brim with curiosity. At Lower Burdekin Landcare’s Junior Landcare events, this scene comes to life every month as kids of all ages dig into environmental fun, learning about sustainability while planting seeds, building worm farms, and crafting bee houses. Lower Burdekin Landcare invites children of all ages to join their Junior Landcare events, held on the first Saturday
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Prepare to welcome a sustainable treat to your calendar this November with the Burdekin Shire Council’s Garage Sale Trail set to ignite the Ayr Show Grounds Hall! As part of the national Garage Sale Trail initiative, the Council has excitedly announced the community can expect two weekends of eco-friendly shopping which will take place on the 9 and 10 of November, and the 16 and 17 of November from 9am to 1pm. Operating with a focus on sustainability, and waste reduction, the event will featu
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Last week, the Burdekin community came together to observe Police Remembrance Day, a solemn occasion to honour the dedication and sacrifices of police officers who have served Queensland since 1864. The service was held at the Burdekin Community Church, drawing a significant turnout of both serving officers and community members. Sergeant Steve Barton from Ayr Police Station reflected on the importance of the day, stating, "On 27 September, we honoured all police officers who have passed since 1
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My name is Andrew Elborne, age 59, born in Brisbane. I attended a catholic school until grade 10 left to pursue a trade as an electrician. I have worked in construction and believe there is major room for improvement in the power generation base load field area. I have been a proud foster parents to 63 children over the years, I have also been part of peer support programs and men’s mental health groups. 2: Today’s education system does not cater to youth wanting to do trades and not universi
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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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