Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
The Burdekin Roosters will have three teams competing in the RLT Grand Finals this weekend, with the Under-13s and Under-18s playing on Saturday, and the Reserve grade squad taking the field on Sunday. The Under-13s are set to face Charters Towers at 8:30am on Saturday, following a commanding 60-0 victory over the Western Lions last weekend. The Miners edged out the Roosters in the major semi-final by just four points, but with a couple of key players returning from illness, the Little Roosters
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The return of five-eighth and goal kicker Dylan Doak from suspension proved to be the decisive factor in the Burdekin Roosters' Preliminary Final victory over Bowen last Sunday. Doak slotted three crucial goals, while Bowen’s kicker missed two vital conversions, allowing Chris Perry's Burdekin team to advance to the Grand Final. Looking ahead, Coach Chris Perry is hopeful that the return of another key player, Kali Nauque, from suspension will have a similar impact. The Burdekin side faces off
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In the same week three Aussie men made it to the last 16 at the US Open, the Ayr Tennis Association was overflowing with local juniors playing in the annual Delta Cup tennis tournament. Ayr tennis coach Patrea Bojack said the weekend was an enormous success with some exciting youngsters heading for higher honours after surviving some close calls on the way to finals. Alex Swinney and Michael Lindley led the way in the yellow ball top division while Keegan Carter and Nash Christie fought out t
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On Wednesday, 28 August, the Brandon Bowls Club celebrated President Joy Woods Day, welcoming 64 ladies from various clubs, both near and far, to join in the festivities. The day unfolded under perfect weather, adding a touch of magic to the friendly games and lively atmosphere filled with laughter. A special mention goes to the sponsor of the day, DG & M O'Shea Painting Contractors. Their valuable support ensures that days like this are possible, and the club shared sincere thanks to Danny and
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Burdekin Clay Target Club held their Monthly Shoot on Saturday 31 August. With beautiful weather conditions, the Club’s members performed exceptionally, with celebratory scores across the board. The Club warmly thanks its sponsors, Joe Caruso Construction and DnS Quality Meats, and Lui Populin for donating the meat tray for the raffle. Burdekin Clay Target Club will hold its next shoot on Sunday 13 October. Saturday’s Overall High Gun Winners were Joe Caruso, Domingo Diaz, Daniel Scott, and Br
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Wednesday 28 August marked another fantastic Spearritts Jewellers Day at the Ayr Golf Club, with longtime sponsors Jim and Pat Nuttall generously providing three exceptional prizes for the top golfers. The course was in pristine condition, and the weather remained pleasantly ideal for play. A field of 21 ladies competed in what was a closely fought contest, with standout performances by the winners. Bev Andrews rolled back the years with an impressive 41 points, claiming the top spot and the c
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Father’s Day saw an early start for some, as NQ Green Solutions proudly sponsored the Ayr Closed Junior Championships on Sunday 1 September. Fourteen junior golfers hit the green, showcasing their talent and love for the game to kick off the first day of Spring. In the 3-hole division, Hudson Suficiencia claimed the gross winner title, while Opie McKeough secured the nett winner spot. In the 6-hole competition, Jett James impressed with a solid round, taking home the nett winner award. Sam Heat
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23 players turned out on another perfect winter’s afternoon. Incidentally, the last Thursday of this winter next week will be spring. Today's winners were Rink 3. Bob Y and Glen [Bones] over Paul and Cy. Rink 4. Jimmy, Tony and Johnno defeated Terry, Bob and Joe. Rink 5. Margaret, Stephen and Hugh accounted for Yogi, Gary and Mick Mc. Rink 6. Des, Ray H and Jeff beat Judy, Dino and Henry. 1st touches of the day winning a $5 voucher went to lead Yogi. 2nd Joe and eventually Skip got one, good o
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The stage was set for the Preliminary Finals on Sunday 1 September, with the Burdekin Rugby Union Canetoads fighting for their place in both grades. The Reggies delivered a strong performance, but the Brothers capitalized on their chances, demonstrating a polished game. Both sides engaged in a physical and fast-paced contest that kept the spectators captivated. Unfortunately, luck was not on our side, as the Brothers overcame the Toads, knocking them out of Grand Final contention with the final
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The Home Hill Golf Club welcomed 26 players to the green on Friday 30 August, despite many regulars being away. The club shared a special welcome to newcomer Dan, and a warm welcome back to Dave Cannavan! Kieren Dawes and Robert Marshall claimed the pin shots, while the ladies unfortunately missed out on apparently “finding the green”. Doug McCubben had the least putts of the day, finishing with an impressive 11! Gary Pappalardo emerged as the overall winner of the day, and Kevan Chatfield wal
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The Ayr Surf Club is extending an invitation to the public - both new and returning members - to become part of this fantastic club. Now is the perfect time to get involved with Surf Life Saving Queensland, the largest volunteer organisation in the world, and help build a safer, stronger community. Whether you're a strong swimmer, skilled in first aid, or simply want to lend a hand, there's a role for everyone at the Ayr Surf Club. Enjoy the sunshine, forge new friendships, and make a positive
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Representatives of the Ayr Surf Lifesaving Club are returning triumphant following the Life Saving World Championships which took place in the Gold Coast this week. Chris Wicks, Ross Rickards and Jimmy Hayllor, supported by teammates Ben and Kelly Lawry, took out fifth place in the Masters Men’s Beach Relay in their age category while Kristy Wassmuth came home with a silver in the 200-metre obstacle race.
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As the Burdekin transitions from the cooler months into the warmth of spring, the change of season brings a fresh wave of energy and activity to our vibrant community. The longer days and blooming landscapes set the perfect backdrop for a range of seasonal activities and agricultural shifts that define this unique time of year. For our farmers, this season marks a crucial period of preparation and planting. With the soil warming up, there's a renewed focus on cultivating the crops that will sus
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Every week, the Federal Government allocates $2,600 to the Doorways Emergency Relief program, providing crucial support to individuals and local families facing hardship. These funds play a vital role in ensuring that those going through tough times have access to essential services and resources. In the Burdekin region, Gwen Marshall spearheads this initiative through the Burdekin Community Association. Working closely with the Neighbourhood Centre, Gwen and her team are dedicated to helping t
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If you've driven by or visited us recently, you might have seen the temporary fencing and skip bin out front of the Centre. The Neighbourhood Centre is currently undergoing construction and renovations. Phase one has been completed, and we now have a new storage building at the back of the centre. This has allowed us to move our filing archives and storage from the garage to the new building. Phase two has just commenced, and we are currently converting the garage into a multi-purpose trainin
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The Burdekin Chamber, a key supporter of local businesses through initiatives like the Burdekin Gift Card scheme, is at risk of closing due to a lack of volunteers. For the past decade, the Burdekin Gift Card program has played a crucial role in keeping money within the community by limiting its use to local businesses. This "closed-loop" system has bolstered the local economy and become a popular choice for organizations such as Wilmar, social clubs, and the Burdekin Eisteddfod, who use the gif
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Opinion Piece North Queenslanders left to run the gauntlet in their daily commute on a substandard highway have been offered a clear picture about how little Labor cares about their safety, according to Member for Burdekin Dale Last. Mr Last said despite an extensive campaign and multiple reports pointing to some of the deadliest sections of the Bruce Highway in North Queensland, the Prime Minister has failed to give locals a date as to when they could feel safe driving on the Bruce Highway. “
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Home Hill's Anglican Church recently hosted a lively community event that brought together residents for a day of fellowship, food, and cultural celebration. The event featured an array of activities, including a series of addresses by various ministers who shared inspiring messages and led the congregation in prayer. The atmosphere was one of warmth and camaraderie as attendees enjoyed a traditional sausage sizzle, which provided a delicious break between the day’s festivities. The aroma of gr
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Flexi Queensland has proudly been recognized as 'The Most Exceptional Disability Support Services Team in Australia' at the prestigious Enablement Awards 2024, held in Brisbane on Friday, August 16, 2024. This accolade highlights the outstanding contributions of top performers across the Disability Care, Housing, and Services sectors throughout the year. Winning this award is a testament to Flexi Queensland’s unwavering commitment to providing high-quality support and care for individuals with
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After a seven-year hiatus, the Whitsundays Writers Festival returns in 2024, Friday 6 to Sunday 8 September in Airlie Beach. A stellar line up of Australian literary figures are confirmed, along with local regional writers, in a program of author keynotes, conversations, and workshops. The writer’s festival kicks off next Thursday with the Love Letter to Queensland event, which is from 6:30-9pm. The evening will feature a stimulating lineup of notable speakers, each presenting their own love let
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Reverend Malia Ma’u of the Burdekin Uniting Church (Home Hill and Ayr), a passionate advocate for music and community, shares the inspiring story behind the formation of Burdekin’s newest ukulele group. The journey began with Ma’u’s desire to create a space where people could come together to enjoy music, and it took a significant turn when a Townsville ukulele professional faced a battle with cancer. Despite the setback, the group persevered and is now set to offer the Burdekin community a vibr
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Burdekin Catholic High School (BCHS) kicked off its 50th anniversary celebrations with a series of heartwarming events that brought together the school community, past and present, to honour half a century of education and community spirit. The festivities began with an unforgettable Opening Night that set the tone for the weekend. The school campus was filled with pride, a strong sense of family, and an overwhelming spirit of community. The evening was a resounding success, marking the beginnin
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Did you know that the Burdekin Community Association Inc. (BCA) has delivered the ‘Be Connected Program’ to Seniors over 50 for more than 14 years. Our Volunteer Tutors have provided hundreds of seniors with the essential digital skills to get online safely and with confidence. With so many aspects of life now online, from healthcare and government services to finding a job and staying in touch with loved ones and the technology we use changing very quickly, it’s super important that you get o
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Bullying. Just say no. In light of the recent Bullying No Way: National Week of Action which ran from 12th August to 16th August I would like to highlight the fact that bullying takes many forms, including cyber. Cyber bullying is perhaps one of the most heinous things to grace our media devices. It affords people the opportunity to say hurtful things and make awful allegations that they otherwise would not have the courage to say to someone’s face. Statements can escalate rapidly when oth
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As we approach the eighth year of Queensland's 10-year Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Strategy, it's clear that significant strides have been made, but there is still much work to be done. With over $1.3 billion invested in services, programs, and strategies, the Queensland Government continues its commitment to ending domestic and family violence. Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with the Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Council. Under the leadership of Co-Chairs Ms. Vane
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