Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
The Reef Guardian Council program, launched in 2007, is a voluntary partnership designed to address key threats to the Great Barrier Reef. This initiative, involving 19 local governments across a vast area of 300,000 square kilometres, plays a crucial role in safeguarding the reef, which was heritage-listed in 1981. The program targets significant challenges such as water runoff, illegal fishing, climate change, and coral bleaching, all of which pose ongoing risks to the reef's delicate ecosyste
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CANEGROWERS has welcomed the end of industrial action at Tully Sugar Mill, saying it’s an example of what can be achieved when employers and unions negotiate in good faith and are prepared to compromise. Over the weekend, Tully Sugar Limited announced that mill workers had voted in favour of a pay deal tabled by the mill following recent conciliation talks with unions in Townsville. “This is a good outcome for the local industry,” CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens said. “It shows that a syst
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Burdekin region mills Week 9, ending 10 August 2024 Cane crushed This week Season to date Invicta 145,089 947,701 Pioneer 70,238 426,444 Kalamia 76,043 540,157 Inkerman 86,423 625,836 Burdekin 377,792 2,540,138 CCS Invicta 14.55 14.06 Pioneer 14.69 14.14 Kalamia 14.24 13.80 Inkerman 14.78 13.83 Burdekin 14.57 13.96 Weekly variety performance for region Variety % CCS Variety % CCS Q240 54% 14.54 SRA23 7% 14.46 KQ228 20% 14.58 WSRA17 5% 13.86 Q183 8% 15.05 Q208 4% 15.06 Comments: The Burdekin mill
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Troubling figures released earlier this week show many illnesses among rural, regional and remote Australians could have been prevented or treated better with accessible primary care, thus avoiding the need for hospitalisation. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), many parts of rural Australia have higher rates of potentially preventable hospitalisations, highlighting the need for early interventions and ongoing care, particularly for non-communicable diseases. U
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As the first quarter of the 2024 crush season unfolds, Wilmar Sugar and Renewables is reporting a substantial 4.14 million tonnes of cane processed across its eight mills. Despite widespread rainfall halting harvesting and crushing across all regions, the Burdekin stands out with notable progress and performance. In the Burdekin, the season has been marked by a CCS (Commercial Cane Sugar) of 14.57 this week, with a total of 2.55 million tonnes processed, representing 30 per cent of the total Bur
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Ayr State High School is set to transport audiences back to the dazzling 1970s with their upcoming production, ‘Disco Inferno’. This vibrant musical reimagines the classic tale of Faust in a whirlwind of flared trousers, platform shoes, and glitter, complete with an explosion of hit songs and high-energy dance routines. The talented students of Ayr State High School will bring the stage to life with their dynamic performances, ensuring a night of fun, nostalgia, and spectacle. Audiences can cat
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This Friday, August 16th, Ayr State High School will host a remarkable student-led fundraising event, spearheaded by school captains Layla Kelly and Noah Arboit. The initiative, organised by the Student Executive, will see teams of students and staff walking non-stop for five hours, from 4pm to 9pm, in a spirited effort to raise money for their chosen charities. Each team has actively sought sponsorship to support a range of worthy causes, including Autism Awareness Australia, the Laurie’s Love
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Burdekin Christian College has embraced innovation and sustainability by participating in the Big Ideas Youth Challenge, a competition aimed at encouraging young minds to become entrepreneurs with a focus on the circular economy. The challenge is not just about business; it's about inspiring students to think about the future and how they can be the change-makers in their communities. The competition is structured to help students develop their ideas from scratch, with a strong emphasis on sust
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Burdekin Christian College continues its tradition of hosting an annual careers expo, an event that has seen significant growth and success over the years. Designed to connect students with various industries and professions, the expo provides invaluable insights into the steps needed to pursue their dream careers. This year, the expo has expanded to include a wider range of organizations, reflecting the growing interest in apprenticeships, IT, and health among students. The expo's evolution has
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For Macy Grabs, being an ambassador is much more than a title—it’s an opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with her community. “It’s mainly about getting out of my comfort zone and into the community,” she says. Through this role, she’s gained insight into how the water festival is organised and how the Burdekin Shire Council operates, particularly its longstanding connection to the festival. This deeper understanding has enriched her appreciation for the region’s traditions and the importanc
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The Burdekin Shire Council is inviting local organisations to express their interest in participating in the 2024 Seniors Month Expo and Luncheon. This year’s event aims to engage and support the senior community by featuring stalls focused on senior services, finance, health, and wellbeing. Due to the fantastic turnout and high attendance at last year’s event, this year’s Expo and Luncheon will be held at a larger venue: the Burdekin Memorial Hall. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, 16t
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Saturday 10 August saw Alva Beach come alive for Bur-Del’s Annual NAIDOC Fishing Competition & Family Fun Day! Hosted by Burdekin Water Festival Senior Bur-Del Ambassador Zimyra Monday and Junior Bur-Del Ambassador Olivia Ferguson, the highly successful day encompassed face painting, a jumping castle, a sweet candy stall, a delicious selection of hot food, a craft station, and of course, the highly anticipated fishing competition. The day began at 10am at the Ayr Surf Life Savers Club House, w
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This past Saturday, Brandon was abuzz with green-thumb enthusiasts at the much-anticipated Succulent Terracotta Planter Workshop. Held at 3pm, the event drew a diverse crowd eager to get their hands dirty and create stunning plant displays. Participants had the opportunity to pot one larger succulent and arrange six to eight smaller succulents or cacti. The array of decorative elements, including pebbles, quartz crystals, shells, and driftwood, allowed attendees to add personalised touches to t
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The eagerly awaited return of the Whitsundays Writers Festival in September 2024 offers an exciting opportunity for writers, poets, and book cover designers across Australia. In a bold initiative, the Festival launched earlier this year the Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards, offering substantial cash prizes to recognise and honour outstanding contributions to the literary and design landscape. The Heart Awards’ mission is to spotlight the diverse talents within the Australian creative community
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Renovating your home can be an exciting but daunting task, especially when you're trying to stick to a budget. However, with some smart planning and creative ideas, you can refresh your space without overspending. Here are some expert tips to help you achieve an amazing transformation on a budget. Start by focusing on the areas that will have the most impact. Kitchens and bathrooms are often the best places to invest your money, as they can significantly increase the value of your home. You don
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The Burdekin Panthers faced a tough weekend on the field, managing just one win out of four matches. The weekend kicked off on a sour note with the Division One Funkies suffering a heavy 0-8 defeat to Ingham in Townsville on Friday night. The following day, the Panthers’ other three teams travelled to face Riverway JCU, where they experienced mixed results. The Premiers fell short with a 1-4 loss, while the Under 23s emerged victorious with a 4-1 win, and the Ladies secured a 1-1 draw. This Satu
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This week, the Brandon Bowls Club saw a closely contested match during Wednesday afternoon's social bowls, ending in a tie. Kaye Garner, Vanda Ballao, Lyn Storrie, and Helen Collins matched up against Ann Newton, Sandra Darwen, Colleen Olsen, and Lyn Farr, with neither side able to claim victory. Friday night brought lively competition and plenty of laughter to the greens, with Norm Storrie, Lyn Storrie, and Gary Pearce emerging as the winning trio. They defeated Ben Mills, Rob Jorgensen, and R
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The Home Hill Bowls Club saw a great turnout with 27 players enjoying another beautiful winter afternoon on the greens. The winning team of the day consisted of Terry, Wayne, and Henry. In the seafood tray raffle, Yogi emerged as the lucky winner, while Steve Mutu took home the second prize, a bottle of wine. The lucky draw, conducted by Bob Pickard, unfortunately, had no winner this week, leaving the jackpot to roll over to next week at $225. On the rinks: Rink 2: The team of Karl, Jimmy, Dino
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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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