Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
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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In September the Home Hill Choral Society presented Going Troppo, a comedy musical about being stranded on a tropical island. The performance captivated audiences with its light-hearted humour. Over four shows, nearly 200 people attended, making it a resounding success. The musical cleverly combined tropical themes, vibrant costumes, and witty dialogue to create an entertaining escape for theatre-goers. The cast brought island misadventures to life with energetic singing and comedic timing, le
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Brian Giddy, a familiar voice on Sweet FM, has been a radio host for four years. His journey into broadcasting began with a suggestion from his friend Cheryl, leading him to a post-retirement passion that perfectly blended his love for music with community service. “I always wanted to do something when I retired, and I love music,” Brian reflects. His involvement in the choral society and a fondness for classic tunes from his youth laid the groundwork for his on-air presence. “I enjoy playing
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Local The Final games of the 2024 North Queensland season were played last weekend in the Crad Evans Shield. At the end of every season the Champion teams from North Queensland play their counterparts in Far North Queensland. This year the eight senior games were played in Townsville. No Burdekin teams were minor Premiers and so were not involved. In the Main Men’s games, in the Premier Division MA Olympic lost 3-5 to Marlin Coast Rangers and in the Under 23s (Reserves) Estates were beaten 2-3
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The Burdekin Hockey Association is gearing up for their Hacker’s Cup 5-A-Side Mixed Hockey Carnival set for Saturday 19 October, and is calling for the community to register their teams for what will be an action-packed competition. The Association hopes to see players of all skill levels take to the Ayr Junior Rugby League Fields, and has extended an invitation for all old, new, and retired players to register. Each team must hold a maximum of eight players and must field two female / junior p
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Saturday 5th of October 1.00pm to 5.00pm (Patrol Group D) Ben Lawry, Kellie Lawry, Zac Dale, Parker Bonato, Richard Dale, Bella Lawry, William Holt, Sharli Archibald, Danica Archibald, Lisa Vivian, Kristy Wassmuth, Briella Wassmuth. Sunday 6th of October 9.00am to 1.00pm (Patrol Group B) Terry Lund, Tramayne Horan, Dylan Carew, Heather Scott, Anita Giddy, Jan Hatherell, Gabriel Hatherell, Toby Wilson, Danny Wilson. Sunday 6th Of October 1.00pm to 5,00pm (Patrol Group G) Carl List, Jimmy Hayil
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On Wednesday 25 September, the Brandon Bowls Club hosted an impressive turn out on the green for a great afternoon of bowling. In the A-grade women's category, two exciting games took place. Lyn Storrie claimed victory over Sandra Darwen, while Darelle Pearce defeated Joy Woods. In the mixed game, the team of Kevin Collins, Vanda Ballao, Colleen Olsen, and Alan Garioch triumphed over Kaye Garner, Ann Newton, Lyn Farr, and Helen Collins. The Club extends a friendly invitation to the community to
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The Home Hill Golf Club hosted a wonderful day on the green on Sunday 29 September for Round 7 of their Pennants competition. With a few gaps, the Club thanked those players who stepped up to have a swing and celebrated many awesome achievements as a result. Craig O'Keeffe had an impressive round shooting 2 under and finishing with 38 points, and John Power was runner up with 36 points in a countback from Amy Smail. Pin shots went to (4/13) Simon Power, Peter Dale & John-Ross Dale. (9/18) Owen
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Looking for a sport that's social, exciting, and perfect for all ages and fitness levels? Pickleball is the game for you! Whether you’re new to racquet sports or a seasoned player, Pickleball offers both social and competitive play in a fun and welcoming environment. Join the fun at the Home Hill Tennis Association, in the middle of the Home Hill Race Track where you can enjoy the energy, laughter, and action that comes with every game. No need to be a super athlete - just show up, grab a paddle
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Several perpetual awards were presented at the Burdekin Roosters Awards Night last week with the Prestigious Norm Dee Award for the player showing all aspects of club sprit on and off the field went to A grade player, Tate Brombal. Tate devotes his spare time coaching the Clubs under 7 team which means Tuesday and Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning whilst also attending working bees and Goose Clubs. Jye Olsen was the most outstanding Junior with Frenchman Paul the Rookie of the year. Full
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With the conclusion of the school holidays registrations have now opened for the Burdekin Touch Football Association’s Junior League. The Junior season runs over the next ten weeks as part of the school term with games played each Friday evening. Young players of all skill levels are invited to attend the Junior Touch Sign On this Friday, 4 October, at the Burdekin Touch Association Clubhouse from 5pm to 5:30pm.
Read moreSunday 29 September Home Hill Harvest Festival Canefields Ephemera Exhibition & LaunchSaturday from 3pmOn September 29th at 3pm join the highly anticipated Ephemera and Harvest Festival Launch. This exciting event marks the beginning of our festival celebrations, where attendees have the chance to meet the 2024 Harvest Festival Queens in person. Immerse yourself in creativity as you explore captivating art installations on display and cast your vote for your favourite piece. Don’t miss this oppo
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At just 16 years old, Beau Easton of the Burdekin has made waves in the international bull riding community by securing third place at the World Bull Riding Championship in the United States. However, despite his impressive accomplishment, the young cowboy remains as humble as ever, according to his mother, Jolene Easton. “Beau doesn’t like the attention,” Jolene shared. “He’s a man of few words, so if you asked him how it feels, he’d probably just say it was alright.” While Beau may be mode
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