Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
The time has come to nominate both Junior and Senior Ambassadors for the 2024 Burdekin Water Festival! With the theme announced, and preparations well underway, the committee is calling for ambassadors to join the 2024 Bring it Back event, and many locals have begun reminiscing on their time spent as a Water Festival Ambassador in previous years since the announcement. Clubs, schools, sporting groups, and organisations are invited to nominate their Junior Ambassador who is 11 – 12 years of age
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Caitlin Kross has been celebrated for her refereeing excellence after returning from Basketball Queensland’s State Referee Program’s (SRP) Camp on Monday 17 June. Caitlin was prestigiously selected for the six-week program after refereeing at the U16 States Competition in April and has since been selected as 1 of 4 referees to represent Queensland at the School Sport Australia Nationals in July later this year. Caitlin made the decision to progress into the referring sphere four years ago foll
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Saturday 13 July The Sunshine Club Saturday from 7.30pm It tells the story of Frank Doyle, an Aboriginal serviceman who has come home from World War II to find that although the wider world may have changed, attitudes back home in Brisbane are just the same. Filled with a defiant energy and ambition for a better life, Frank starts The Sunshine Club, a place where black and white can meet and, most importantly, dance. Here he dreams of a future where he can dance in step with Rose, the girl nex
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On Thursday the 20th of June, four students from the Burdekin PCYC’s Get Set for Work Program celebrated their official graduation. The Get Set for work program is a skilling Queenslanders for Work program funded by the Queensland Government designed for those 15 - 19 years no longer attending school. Reece Piva, Kyle Gudge-Bollman, Jhay Leamon, and Jak Hervey completed a Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways over the duration of 10 weeks, engaging with and participating
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Finding your dream home can be an exhilarating journey filled with excitement and challenges. Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking to upgrade, here are essential tips to help you navigate the process and land the perfect home:
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The Burdekin’s own Adam Walton made his Wimbledon debut in London one to remember, marking several impressive milestones. Making his Wimbledon debut in the top 100 paired with a maiden ATP main-draw win, as well as earning direct acceptance into a Grand Slam tournament for the first time, has earned Walton waves of celebrations across the Burdekin region and beyond. “We are extremely elated for Adam and his family on this monumental first round win at Wimbledon,” expressed the Home Hill Tenni
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The Ayr Bowling Club has been a hub of activity over the past few weeks, and warmly thanks their dedicated weekly working bee team for buzzing around the club each Tuesday. The team arrives to the club early to ensure the grounds and greenkeeping are up to standard and paired with the hard work of the roster goers, the green is ready for players to give it their best during the crushing season. On Wednesday 26 June, the spirit of friendship filled the afternoon’s competition, despite the sligh
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Directed by the talented Wesley Enoch, Jane Harrison’s The Visitors will grace the stage of the Burdekin Theatre on 7 September. Audiences will be transported back in time, to witness the historical happenings of January 1788 unfold right before their eyes… On a sweltering day in January 1788, seven clan leaders gather on a sandstone escarpment overlooking the harbour. The attendees, six of them Elders and one new initiate, catch-up, laugh together, share a meal and compare notes. But beyond t
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The Whitsundays Writers Festival is thrilled to announce the featured local authors of this year’s pen-dropping event which is happening this September. Festival President, Karen Jacobsen says “We are excited to be showcasing the creative talent and diversity of the region’s writers and there are many ways local authors can get involved.” Featuring among the esteemed line up of local authors is Rachel Armstrong, North Queensland award winning contemporary romantic fiction author, who loves wr
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On the last weekend of June, four Burdekin Rugby Union Canetoads players put it on the field for the Queensland Country Championships in Rockhampton. Andy Smyth, Caitlin Holmes, Kelsey Hesp and Nathan Steel brought their all for a jampacked weekend from 28 June to 30 June. “The Country Championships are a celebration of the talents, passion, and dedication of the Queensland Country Rugby community,” said Queensland Country Rugby Union President Mr. Rod Hohn. The event was one of the biggest i
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The Ayr Golf Club made a splash at the Drummond Golf 4BBB Day last weekend, producing outstanding results across the board. Prizes were donated with thanks to Kev from Drummond Townsville, and both men and women participated in the event, with fantastic numbers in attendance for a shotgun start to what was a beautiful day on the course. The slight tilt in weather conditions did not dampen the players spirit or the course, with everyone eying off incredible scores to bag some of the amazing pr
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Local The Burdekin Panthers had no matches last week. This week they have four games, and the Women Premiers are in action twice. On Friday the Austral Masonry Funkies are at home to Riverway JCU and on Saturday the ANZ Anzac Club Premiers, the Burdekin Tyre Service Under 23s and the Ayr Anzac Club Women Premiers are all away to Olympic. Then on the following Wednesday the Ladies are away, in Townsville again, to Saints Eagles Souths. Masters A better turn out on Monday night with some new
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On Thursday 27 June, Richard and Jeff were victorious at the Home Hill Bowls Club, with Jimmy Murray luckily walking away with a raffle win, and Keith, visiting from Jervis Bay crowned the lucky ball winner. The club celebrated their new sponsor, Oar and Horan, with 21 players turning up for a roll on a cool damp winters afternoon on the weekend. Rink 3: Helena and Joe outlasted Margaret C. and Gary 20 to 16. Rink 4: Richard and Jeff were too strong for Yogi and Henry defeating them 18 to 8
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The Burdekin Roosters are down to face Western Lions for the second time in three weeks with all the players gearing up for what will be an intense weekend with the Roosters still reflecting on their 26 nil defeat held three weeks ago at Rugby Park against Western Lions. The Roosters were contending with a heavy penalty count against them, and had two players receive suspensions, Kali Nauque, and Epi Kikau. Since defeating the Roosters, the Western Lions have remined on top, going on to beat Ce
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Brandon Bowls Club was represented by skip Gary Pearce, Chris Pearce, Doug Robins and Lloyd Shepherd at the Dunn Cup at Jubilee Bowls Club Townsville where the players went up against the best bowlers in the district. 17 teams from the district congregated at Jubilee to fight for bragging rights for 2024 playing 7 rounds of rinks / 4s bowls over 4 days. The team played against South Townsville, Bowen, Wangaratta, Giru, Alligator Creek, Magnetic Island and Ingham, and after 4 gruelling days B
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On Wednesday 26 June, the Burdekin Shire Council announced allocations as part of its 2024/25 Budget. Here is an outline of what you’ll find in the budget. $16.4 Million for Road Reconstructions and Upgrades An investment dedicated to both rural and urban projects, $16.4 million will be invested into initiatives in the areas of reconstruction, floodway, drainage and culvert upgrades, and footpath replacements. Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort said this investment is dedicated to a range of initiatives
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Hi everyone! Thank you for all the messages of support I’ve received over the past week! I’ve enjoyed chatting with you all here and there, and love continuing to share your stories. This week, my social calendar has been booked and busy, farewelling many of my friends heading off for Euro-Summers, Contiki’s and ski trips. We’ve had a few see you soon evenings and have even started warming up with a new firepit on our back patio. We also headed out to a music concert the other night to watch Th
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In a world where tech is responsible for all aspects of our lives, it’s worth keeping in mind how this affects our seniors. So much of our digital world keeps on changing, it becomes more difficult for many of our seniors to learn how to use new technology on their own. Many require help in learning how to use their smart phone, smart TV, or computer etc. One Ayr resident was having difficulties with his new devices until Mark Viero volunteer at the Burdekin Community Association helped him
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Around 7:30pm on Saturday 22 June, Kylie Rice was driving home from work when a rock was hurled from the side of the Bruce Highway, penetrating through her front passenger window. A terrifying ordeal, Kylie was fortunately not physically injured by the dangerous act, however, was extremely shaken by the experience, and hasn’t driven her vehicle since. “I heard a thump and a shattering sound, and I rang my husband, and said, ‘My window has just smashed’, and he was like, ‘What do you mean your
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The state government has been accused of putting the cart before the horse when it comes to addressing the contamination of Ayr’s water supply. After it was revealed historic use of firefighting foam at the Ayr fire station had caused carcinogenic compounds to leach into the town’s drinking water, the state government committed $4million towards remediation works at the station. However, Member for Burdekin Dale Last said with no funding commitment to provide Ayr’s firies with a new alternative
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Burdekin Communications Jaycar was struck by a pair of thieves on Thursday 20 June. Dressed in high visibility clothing and backward Akubra hats, a man and a woman stood directly in front of a functioning security camera and stole a $3,500 camera system from Burdekin Communications Jaycar. SRW Security Services have shared images of the two on social media, and their post has been shared well over a thousand times, with widespread input from the local community to help name the pair of thiev
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Last week, Peter Dutton and the Coalition announced their nuclear energy plan to ensure Australians have access to “zero-emission reliable power” that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. “As your Federal Member, I support the announcement made by the Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton MP, and Leader of the Nationals, David Littleproud MP, as we stand behind all Australians and have a plan to ensure all future generations have access to a strong and reliable energy grid,” Federal Member
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On Wednesday 23 September 2009, Queensland Police Officer, Senior Sargeant Michael Isles was last seen leaving his residential home in Graham Street, Ayr. Wednesday 26 June 2024, was to be for celebrating Senior Sargeant Michael Isles’ 73rd birthday, however, he was celebrated in the memories of those he left behind, still searching for answers. Mick, as he was fondly known, was a praised member of the community, a dear husband to Fiona, and a loved father of three. He served in the police for
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On Sunday 16 June, George Populin and his family gathered at the popular Beach Road mural commissioned by George earlier this year to mark a special occasion. The mural honours two of the Burdekin region’s most respected and influential residents, Maria and Demetrio Populin. The mural was commissioned by the couple’s son, George, to honour his parents following his travels in Italy to uncover his family’s history. Last week’s gathering stood as a memorable event to express their love for Mar
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Rehoming fee: $450 DOB: 1/11/2023 Sex: Male Breed: cattle dog x Kid friendly: yes Cat Friendly: untested Other dogs: Yes Fences: 5ft Dug is a friendly, goofy but loveable boy looking for a forever home. Dug has a lot of love to give and loves sharing that with humans and other dogs alike. He enjoys playing with toys and is learning some obedience. Dug would benefit from someone that is willing to put the time in to continue his training. If you're looking for a dog that will make you laugh,
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