Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
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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The Burdekin Art Society, a cornerstone of the local creative community, has received a substantial boost thanks to a $9,900 grant from Bendigo Bank’s Community Grants program. Established 53 years ago, this vibrant organisation has long been a hub for art enthusiasts, offering everything from casual Tuesday morning sessions to dynamic children’s art classes and workshops with award-winning artists. With 43 members who volunteer their time and talents, the Society plays a crucial role in foster
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In a world where the demands of daily life can often overshadow our well-being, a unique self-care workshop put on by CORES has emerged as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Founded on the principle that taking care of oneself is just as important as caring for others, this workshop is making a significant impact in the Burdekin community. The inspiration behind the workshop comes from a growing body of evidence highlighting the importance of self-care. Ross Romeo, the Queensland coordinator of
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Australia’s place in the US $20 billion global banana market has been safeguarded, according to the federal government, with a new genetically modified banana being granted approval for commercial release and consumption. The QCAV-4 variety of the Cavendish banana has been developed by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to counteract the effects of Panama Disease or Tropical Race 4 (TR4), a fungal disease that starves bananas of their nutrients eventually killing the plant. Followin
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CANEGROWERS is calling on Wilmar Sugar and unions representing mill workers to prove they are serious about resolving their long-running pay dispute by getting out of the way and letting the independent umpire decide a fair and reasonable outcome. “After many months of fruitless and increasingly bitter negotiations, it’s time for both parties to step aside and let the Fair Work Commission decide,” CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens said. “It’s clear that the parties involved are either unable
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Cane crushed This week Season to date Invicta 133,532 1,087,858 Pioneer 58,085 485,589 Kalamia 68,373 613,772 Inkerman 69,767 700,741 Burdekin 329,756 2,887,960 CCS Invicta 13.71 14.01 Pioneer 13.91 14.11 Kalamia 13.45 13.76 Inkerman 13.92 13.84 Burdekin 13.74 13.93 Weekly variety performance for region Variety % CCS Variety % CCS Q240 50% 13.91 WSRA17 7% 13.69 KQ228 24% 13.63 SRA23 5% 13.02 Q183 8% 13.51 Q208 3% 13.72 Comments: The Burdekin mills processed just under 330,000 tonnes of cane for
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The newly established network of Sustainable Agriculture Facilitators will connect stakeholders with others in the industry and share information on sustainable agriculture practices. The facilitators are employed by local Natural Resource Management organisations funded through the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program and will support the program’s broad climate-smart sustainable agriculture outcomes. Deputy Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Policy, Matt Lowe, said the $40.7 mill
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National Meals on Wheels Day was on Wednesday the 28th of August and thousands of Meals on Wheels volunteers served up care, connection and comradery to Australians in need. As part of the annual celebration Saint Andrews Meals on Wheels Lower Burdekin Committee has had a morning tea and has welcomed Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort to share in the festivities. Each client received a small bag of chocolate chip biscuits as a special memento for the day. Lower Burdekin Meals on Wheels Services i
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At 4.10pm on Friday 9 August, Ayr Police spoke with a male person on Norham Road, Ayr. As a result a 37yr old Burdekin man was issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) for possessing a dangerous drug. He is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 2 September. At 11.55pm on Friday 9 August, Ayr Police spoke with a male person at Alva Beach. As a result a 45yr old Burdekin man was issued a NTA for possessing a dangerous drug. He is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 2 September. At 2.20am
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For 20 years, Erin Brennan has been at the helm of various productions, bringing stories to life on stage. This year, they're excited to present "Going Troppo," a lively and humorous musical set on a tropical island, all to the beat of iconic 80s music. The storyline follows a group of vacationers as they embark on a hilarious journey, experiencing the highs and lows of island life. Brennan emphasises that the show is not just about entertainment but also about providing an escape for the audien
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DOB: 29/01/2024 Sex: Female Breed: DSH Kid friendly: Soft hands only. Cat Friendly: Yes Other dogs: Untested Indoors/Outdoors: Indoors Neema is a charming kitten and is still searching for her forever family after her siblings have all been adopted. She enjoys snuggling with her foster sister and foster mum, showing off her affectionate nature. Now her crazy siblings have gone, Neema has time to shine and has grown into a little talker who loves her food, enjoys playing with toys, and is w
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Under 12 Burdekin Wildcats Girls Representative Team were announced 1st Place Gold Medallist in Division 2, winning all 15 games at the Burdekin at Basketball Queensland’s North Queensland Junior Basketball Championships (NQJBC). Back Cover IMAGE: Back Row: (L to R) Manager – Hayley Colls, Darci Colls, Allie Boland, Bella Galbraith, Addison Reid, Dakota Oliver, Head Coach – Larni Vasta Front Row: (L to R) Assistant Coach – Kate Gaze, Tilly Chandler, Gracie Giardina, Radha Haller, Hallie Friend
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Local Burdekin Panthers had just the Premiers playing at the weekend. They had finished third on the League ladder and were playing in the Elimination Final against Estates at Paradise Park in Townsville. The Premiers won 2-1 and now face Olympic, who lost 0-2 to Brothers, next Saturday at 7.00 pm, for a Place in the Grand Final against Brothers. The Ayr Anzac Club Premiers were very nervous as they played their first Premier League finals series in ten years. The Panthers knew Estates would c
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