Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Last Monday night, the Home Hill Tennis Association hosted a thrilling showdown between Pacific Blue and Wilmar. The competition was fierce, with each round being decided by just a game or two. Wilmar edged out wins in the first and third rounds, each by a single game, while Pacific Blue took the second round by two games. By the end of the night, both teams were tied at 28-all. A special mention goes to Sarah Shepherd, who was the only player to win all three of her sets. Pickleball Gaining Mo
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This weekend marks the final round of the RLTD fixtures for the Burdekin Roosters, with crucial A and Reserve grade matches that could determine the final standings heading into the playoffs. In the A Grade, while the Roosters are out of finals contention, four clubs are battling for the remaining three spots in the top four. Souths have already secured the minor premiership with 31 points, but Brothers, Western Lions, and Charters Towers, all tied on 22 points, along with Herbert River, close
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Crushers v Nat II at the Ayr 8-2 Nat I v Ants at the National 10-0 Falcons v Bombers at the Anzac 10-0 Cougars had the bye 10 points Points: Nat II - 157, Crushers – 151, Falcons - 141, Nat I -128, Cougars - 114, Ants - 101, and Bomber 48 1st round of finals Thursday 15/08/24: Nat II v Ants at the National, Crushers v Cougars at the Anzac and Falcons v Nat I at the Ayr CONGRATULATIONS TO NATIONAL II FOR TAKING OUT THE MINOR PREMIERS Contributed with thanks to Kerry Davison. Photo captio
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The Burdekin Clay Target Club enjoyed a successful weekend, starting with an impressive turnout of 24 competitors on the evening of Saturday 20 July. The evening’s competition was intense, with many shooters rising to the challenge of night shooting, which can be particularly tricky. Sunday 21 July brought an even larger crowd, with 37 shooters taking part. The weather was pleasant, with a light breeze adding to the day's enjoyment. The club extends a big thank you to their sponsors, Burdekin T
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Last week’s action at the Ayr Bowling Club began with ladies' social bowls on Tuesday, 6 August, where two exciting games of triples were played. The winning teams were R. Moore, R. Soper, and I. Wilson, who defeated I. Cislowski, B. Cornford, and D. Cutting, and K. Stuckler, K. Page, and P. Power, who overcame D. Soper, B. Schultz, and S. Stidston. Wednesday’s social bowls featured four games of triples, with B. Young, G. Nixon, and W. Coonan emerging as the winners. The Wednesday jackpot winn
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While the Roosters' A Grade and Ladies teams enjoyed a weekend off, the Reserves travelled to Bowen on the evening of Friday 9 August for a fixture match against the Bowen Seagulls. A strong crowd gathered for the Seagulls' final home game of the season, and they weren't disappointed. The Seagulls secured their second spot on the ladder with a 14–6 victory over the Roosters in a hard-fought and entertaining game. Roosters coach Chris Perry praised his team's defence, especially in the first ha
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Twelve eager juniors took to the green at the Ayr Golf Club last weekend for the August Monthly Medal. Congratulations to the young, talented winners: Rheanna Bain for 9 holes, Tegan Saxby for 6 holes, and Celine Bain for 3 holes. The Ayr Golf Club extends a special shoutout to the two players who advanced from 6 holes to 9 holes, and to Jacob Munro, who moved up to the 6-hole competition. The Club also expressed a big thank you to Cecily Lena for guiding the new junior 9-holers around the cou
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Two enthusiastic Lower Burdekin Cub Scouts took part in the Regional Cub Sailing Day at the Townsville Sailing Club on Saturday, 10 August. Being the first to arrive, they kicked off their adventure with an up-close look at the yachts. A total of 17 Cubs enjoyed a morning packed with activities, including sailing instruction, games on the foreshore, and a thrilling ride in the rescue boat. The weather couldn't have been better, with sunshine and a gentle breeze making for a perfect day on the w
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A Warm Welcome to Home Hill As I settle into the charming community of Home Hill and the greater Burdekin region, I am struck by the warmth and hospitality that define this beautiful area. From my very first day, the friendly faces and kind-hearted people have made me feel at home. One of the highlights of my time here has been meeting Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort. Her genuine warmth and enthusiasm for the community are truly inspiring. Mayor Dalle Cort's dedication to the well-being and prosperit
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On Sunday, 28 July, members of the Lower Burdekin Scouts participated in National Tree Planting Day alongside the Burdekin Landcare and other local community members. The event was a great opportunity for the Scouts to engage in environmental stewardship and community service. The day began with a focus on sun safety, ensuring all participants were well-prepared for the outdoor activity. The Scouts and other attendees were then given a tour of the Landcare facility, including an introduction to
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Tony Mooney, Health Board Chair, recently visited the Burdekin region to discuss ongoing efforts and plans for healthcare enhancements and community engagement. The visit included a board meeting with Mayor Dalle Cort at the council chambers, focusing on Burdekin-specific issues and the redevelopment of the Home Hill facility. Reflecting on the meeting, Mooney stated, “It was a very good meeting. We’ve been focusing on the issues specific to the Burdekin and the future of the Home Hill facili
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Opinion Piece A lack of funding to address crucial safety upgrades on the Bruce Highway highlighted in the state’s own 15-year action plan, has left Member for Burdekin Dale Last shaking his head. As community frustration continued over the loss of lives on some of the state’s deadliest sections of the Bruce Highway, Mr Last said any hopes of having serious concerns with sections of the major highway addressed in his electorate were all but dashed by the latest Queensland Transport and Road
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National Aboriginal and Torres Strait
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Dr. Priyanka Rapelli, a general practitioner, has recently joined the medical community of Home Hill, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a deep passion for patient care. Moving from Blacktown NSW, Dr. Rapelli started her new role just a week ago and has already begun to settle in well. "I love serving patients, practising medicine and learning new things," she shared, expressing her fondness for science and continuous learning. Being the first doctor in her family is a dream fulfilled
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Nine local riders recently completed the Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride, joining 160 participants for the 378km journey over three days, with the Burdekin cyclists riding as part of the Eagles team. Mario Romeo, James Jensen, Robbie Mitchell, Brooke Cross, James Kennedy, Andrew Sherrington, Mark Dale, and Chris Mallon started strong on day 1, covering 112km from Townsville to Ingham. The second day, a challenging 173km ride from Ingham to Innisfail, included the Cardwell Range, the old Tully hi
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In celebration of Bullying No Way Week, the Burdekin Shire Youth Council is excited to announce the ‘Community Notes of Kindness’ campaign, running throughout the month of August. The initiative aims to spread positivity and kindness within the Burdekin community, encouraging everyone to participate in simple acts of goodwill. During Bullying No Way Week, from 12-16 August, the Burdekin Shire Youth Council invites all community members to participate in this positive campaign. The steps to part
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The Home Hill Tennis Association was established in 1932 and holds a rich history, standing as one of the most prominent clubs in North Queensland. Annually, the Club hosts the highly successful and very popular Sugar Bowl Event, and encompasses twelve tennis courts, and four pickleball courts. The Club operates to provide opportunities for members of the local community as well as travellers and visitors alike to participate in tennis and racquet sports whilst upholding an important social foc
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Sixteen years ago, Kylie Cornford, the owner of Cinnamon Street Kids, seized the opportunity to buy a boutique children’s store after having kids of her own. This marked the beginning of a venture that has since become a beloved staple in the community. The recent move to a new location was prompted by the need for a fresh start and a request from the neighbouring chemist for more space. "The old shop was getting stale, and the chemist next door wanted more space," Kylie explains. Customer foot
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Spearritt's Jewellers has been a cornerstone of Ayr for over three decades, providing exceptional service and high-quality jewellery to the community. The business was established in 1953 by Joe Spearritt and was later purchased by the current owner Jim and Patricia Nuttall 33 years ago. With a passion for retail and leveraging her husband's retail expertise, the couple has transformed the business, maintaining its reputation for quality and trust. Operating in a small community like Ayr comes
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Compleat Angler and Intersport Ayr, a staple in the community for over 50 years, has recently undergone a significant refurbishment to enhance its offerings and modernise its appearance. The new changes and look only help increase the store's dedication to serving the local fishing community. "We haven't moved, we've just had a refurbishment," explained Brett Eathorne, the store manager. "We've been here for half a century, offering both sporting and fishing the whole time and it's been 15 year
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Gloria Brunner is a dedicated nurse and midwife who has spent her career serving the rural community of Ayr. Born and raised in Ayr, she moved to Townsville to complete her nursing course and gain experience at Townsville Hospital. She then returned to her hometown, where she has worked ever since. "Rural nursing is all she’s known," her daughter Teagan shared, emphasising that Gloria was "born and made to be a rural nurse because it’s just such a diverse profession." Gloria also pursued a deg
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By Ruth Puddefoot Having Diabetes is a monumental task that many people do not even realise. One person who truly understands this feat is Heather Andrews from Ayr. With 60 years of managing diabetes under her belt, Heather has an exceptional grasp of the condition. On the 21st of July, Heather flew to Brisbane where she won a Gold Kellion Victory Medal, for 60 years of managing the chronic disease. Heather’s journey with diabetes began when she was just eight years old, after her mother picke
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The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) is about to embark on its annual farm survey program collecting data from hard-working producers across Australia. The information collected each year is integral in supporting decision-making about the future of Australian agriculture. Executive Director of ABARES Dr Jared Greenville said two surveys will be conducted – the Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey, and the Australian Dairy Industry S
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In recent years, Australians in rural and regional areas have faced unprecedented challenges that have taken a toll on mental health and well-being. Factors such as inflation, cost-of-living pressures, climate change, and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have underscored the importance of mental health support, particularly for farmers and rural communities. Recognising the critical need for support, Zoetis has partnered with Beyond Blue to once again champion mental health initiat
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Applications are now open for the latest round of funding of the Queensland Feral Pest Initiative (QFPI), dedicated to effectively managing feral pigs through innovative and diverse approaches. Round 8b of the QFPI aims to support projects that will revolutionise feral pig control tools and techniques, ensuring a sustainable and effective approach to pest management across Queensland. Applicants are being sought with projects focused on supporting Queensland communities, forming or strengthening
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