Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Barbara Stockdale has been celebrated for becoming the Home Hill Health Service’s first Brighter Lives volunteer. Barb, as she’s warmly known within the Burdekin community began volunteering at the health service drawing inspiration from her experience of supporting her mum in hospital during the COVID 19 lockdowns. Barb’s decision to give back to her community has been commended by both residents of the Burdekin and Townsville, with her compassionate nature touching and inspiring many. Want
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Member for Burdekin Dale Last has sounded the alarm for the Minister to announce a new Fire and Rescue Station in Ayr as local firefighters and the community grapple with the impacts of a toxic compound contamination. While Labor’s budget included $4 Million toward remediation works at the current station, Mr Last said the lack of funding for a new station meant a lack of certainty for staff and the wider community. “It’s been more than five years since PFAS chemicals were detected in Ayr’s drin
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OPINION PIECE Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, is renewing his desperate calls for the Federal and State Labor Government’s to fix the Bruce Highway. Following the recent fatal tragedy on the weekend near Gumlu, Mr Willcox said Labor’s decision to slash funding to the Bruce Highway in his electorate of Dawson is despicable. “While the investigation into the cause of this accident is still ongoing, any life lost on the Bruce Highway is one life too many, and we desperately need inves
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The construction of the Ayr water treatment plant has reached a new milestone, with a contractor appointed to commence work on the $46.88 million project. Under the funding allocations made in the 2024/25 Budget last week, the Tallai Project Group were awarded the construction contract following the Burdekin Shire Council’s extensive tender process. The project consists of numerous stages, with Stage 1 of the new water treatment plant including iron and manganese pre-treatment, coal on sand
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The initial 2024 season sugar price forecasts from marketing companies indicate that the high physical premiums received by Australian sugar in the 2023 season, are likely to be repeated for this production season. For Wilmar growers who use Target Pricing, the initial forecast is for $38.43/t Actual to be added to the AUD #11 swap price fixed by the grower. This is in comparison to QSL’s forecast of $21.12/t Actual. While the initial forecast is below the 2023 season estimate of $53.22/t Actu
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STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) stands as a program designed to connect young, regional girls with local industries, and has made significant strides under the leadership of dedicated local educator, Sarah Chapman. Sarah Chapman, a former Ayr State High School student, Townsville Science Teacher, and recipient of the 2013 Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Science Teaching, has been the driving force behind STEM Changemakers, holding the position of Co-Chair of
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The "Make It Happen" Life Skills Cooking Class was created following the Burdekin Community Association (BCA) observing an increase in people who haven’t learnt essential life skills like cooking. The program works to educate and teach attendees essential skills like budgeting, and hygiene alongside cooking to empower participants to take control of their health, and finances. The classes are designed for people who have never learnt the basics of cooking and creating meals on a budget - a cr
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We thought we would do a recap of the programs and activities that are available from the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre. Our regular programs and activities are: • Crochet Club -Monday’s 1pm – 5pm • Free Community Legal Advice – First Tuesday of the Month (depending on rostered solicitor) • Dementia Support Group – First Tuesday of the month 10am – 12pm • Burdekin Seniors Computer Club – 1st and 3rd Thursdays 9.30am – 11am • Be Connected – by appointment • My Time Pr
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I would like to start by congratulating everyone involved in the success of the Burdekin Show. This annual event continues to showcase the vibrant spirit of our region. It is a great opportunity for families and friends to come together, enjoy entertainment, exhibits, and activities. Your hard work and dedication have once again created a memorable experience for all attendees. Last week Council adopted the 2024/25 Budget, focusing on stretching dollars and strengthening communities. Council’s
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Did you know that a leaking toilet can waste more than 96,000 litres of water a year? Fixing leaks and using water-efficient fixtures can save not only water but also reduce your utility bills significantly. Simple actions like turning off the tap while brushing your teeth or taking shorter showers can make a big difference. The allocation of water to properties in the Burdekin Shire (your annual entitlement) is generous compared to many other Councils across Queensland but property owners still
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GPB Constructions has been operating with a high level of workmanship for over 74 years, providing the surrounding communities with trustworthy, and reliable servicing opportunities. George Populin has been the director and leader of GPB Constructions since 1975, and prides himself on his honest and realistic approach to business. In joining the family business, George developed his understanding of GPB Constructions under the guidance set by the original founder, George’s father Demetrio Popu
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The latest Reef Water Quality Report Card (2021 and 2022) has been released. The report shows progress towards targets being made in the Burdekin region to improve Reef water quality, with a 0.5% reduction in sediment recorded for the area. The Burdekin catchment recorded a three per cent reduction in dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), one of the largest reductions across Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef catchments for the reporting period. The region also recorded good overall ground cover
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The Fair Work Commission has ordered three unions to suspend industrial action at the Queensland factories of Wilmar Sugar and Renewables for six weeks after hearing submissions from unions and the company. In light of the Commission’s decision, Sugar and Renewables is planning to have all of its eight factories crushing cane again this week, as soon as harvesting resumes in the wake of rain that drenched all its districts from Sarina in the south to Ingham in the north during the past week.
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For more than 20 years Elvie Dickinson has been Treasurer of the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre. As treasurer Elvie looks after the money of the neighbourhood centre, puts together the budget and oversees that everything is done correctly. Elvie does more than volunteer her time at the Neighbourhood Centre, she is also the coordinator of a support group for people with Parkinson’s disease in the Burdekin. After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease herself in 2011, she noticed there w
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How is the cost-of-living crisis affecting you? Where is it hitting you? And What would you like the government to do to help? Doreen Man “It doesn’t affect me because I live by myself and have two pensions. I'd hate to have a family I don’t know how I’d do otherwise, I’ve got a gold card, and free health and medical stuff. For those struggling minimum wage could be raised without having to tax more people and if they could keep some control over the supermarkets and the pricing of goods
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The exceptional talents of the young Zaza Road Quartet will ignite the Burdekin Theatre this July as part of the 2024 Outreach Tour. Violinist Keven Hsu, cellist Mya Whatson, clarinettist Nathanael Duffy, and pianist Mai-Lien Olsson attended the Australian Festival of Chamber Music’s (AFCM) International Masterclass Program as students, and now will lead the Outreach Tour to Charters Towers, Ingham, Ayr and Townsville. “They are the perfect example of what we aim to do in both programs – to
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On Saturday 22 June, fifteen debutantes made their official debut at the Burdekin Singers & Theatre Company’s 2024 Debutante Ball. The theme of the evening was “A Night Under the Stars” with gorgeous decorations, dresses and suits igniting the Burdekin Memorial Hall in Home Hill. Each debutante and partner shone bright for what was an amazing evening filled with both dancing choreographed by the talented duo, Eliza Worlein and Rory Jorgensen, and traditional dances debutante balls are known f
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The Home Hill Harvest Festival has begun gearing up for what will be an amazing Parade and Street Party for the annually anticipated event. The festival celebrates the rich agricultural industry within the Burdekin community and encompasses a range of events spread throughout the back end of the year from late September to early November. The Grand Parade, accompanied by a fantastic Street Party concludes the celebrations, and will run from 5pm at Eighth Avenue in Home Hill on Saturday 9 Novem
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The Burdekin Potters have been busily creating beautiful pieces as part of an Underglaze Decorating Workshop under the experienced guidance of the talented duo, Maleny Potter, and Judy Gardiner. The treat of a workshop had members expanding their pottery skillsets to colourful new heights. Each member was taught the technique of applying a gorgeous design to a raw, dry clay plate, and then adding vibrant colours and depth through the medium of ceramic paints or underglazes. After decorating th
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On Wednesday 12 June, the Home Hill branch of the Burdekin Library hosted a fantastic showcase of the literary talents of Burdekin Creative Writers, and Burdekin Night Writers. The talented writers presented poems, and stories focusing both on the past, and looking towards the future along with stories filled with love, paired with stories sharing the tales of familial chaos. Burdekin Creative Writers, and Burdekin Night Writers were joined by an audience of locals, and relatives, and onc
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Welcome to the Burdekin, a vibrant region where the charm of small-town Australia meets the boundless beauty of nature. Nestled south of Townsville, the Burdekin boasts picturesque landscapes, from the lush green fields of sugar cane to the pristine wetlands teeming with wildlife. This area is renowned for its rich agricultural heritage, dynamic history, and unique natural attractions, offering visitors an array of unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re diving into the depths of the ocean to
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Nestled where the lush rainforest kisses the coastline, Mackay emerges as a tropical haven teeming with natural wonders and vibrant culture. Imagine wallabies frolicking on the beach at dawn, the sun rising over one of Queensland's two stunning bluewater rivers, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. This sweet city, surrounded by picturesque fields of sugar cane, beckons travellers with its unique blend of adventure, serenity, and rich heritage. Mackay's landscape is a living tapestry of
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On Wednesday 26 June, the Burdekin Show ignited the region for another year, with star-studded entertainment, classic show rides, and a joyous atmosphere. Approximately 4,000 people flooded through the Ayr Showgrounds gates ready to enjoy one of the most anticipated events on the region’s calendar. The weather was not overly favourable, with a spot of rain here and there, however the show festivities shone through, with the show committee more than impressed with the overall attendance. “It w
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The Lower Burdekin Scout Group dedicated their time at the 2024 Ayr Show on Wednesday 26 June for another year, ensuring areas including parking ran smoothly. The group managed the carpark from 8am to 8pm, along with one of the entry admission points to fundraise for their organisation, with some scouts providing families with information on the club and what Scouting entails. The wet weather could not dampen the spirits of the scouts, with both youth and experienced members of the club fulfi
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On 16 April 1958, a group of representatives from numerous local organisations gathered to create a committee to organise the first-ever Water Festival. The first official Water Festival Committee members, known as Office Bearers, were Chairman Cr E. W. Ford, Secretary Mr R. L. Weatherstone, Assistant Secretary Miss J. M. Kruckow, and joining them were committee members, R. Rossiter, M. Towers, C. Richards, H. Wade, W. Saxby, L. M. Stockham, and S. M. Green. The committee developed vario
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