Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Recent law reforms by the Queensland Government have been by Australia’s foremost breeder of industrial hemp seedstock. Hemp Farms Australia CEO Lauchlan Grout said “good sense” had prevailed when MPs passed the amendments to the Drugs Misuse Act on April 18. Queensland’s Agriculture Minister Mark Furner introduced the changes, saying they support the continued growth of the state’s industrial cannabis industry. “The bill will support the industrial cannabis industry in Queensland by clarifyi
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The Lower Burdekin Landcare Association is inviting kids to learn about the environment with its Junior Landcare Program, happening this Saturday, May 1 and the first Saturday of every month. The program is aimed at showing kids the love and importance of the local environment while teaching how to cultivate future carers for the land through conservation. The first Junior Landcare Program ran last month where kids, along with their parents and grandparents, were shown how to assemble a worm fa
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The 2024 sugar production season will be delayed after a meeting with the Fair Work Commission on Tuesday, May 28 was unable to resolve an ongoing pay dispute between Wilmar Sugar and Renewables and its employees and union representatives. A Wilmar Sugar and Renewables spokesperson confirmed the company is in the process of notifying growers of revised start dates, which, across Wilmar’s four regions, represent total delays ranging from two to nine days. “Industrial action has already impacted
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Finding your dream home can be an exhilarating journey, filled with excitement and anticipation. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner looking for an upgrade, here are some top tips to guide you along the way: Define Your Needs and Wants: Start by creating a list of your must-have features versus those you desire. Consider factors like location, size, layout, amenities and style. Knowing what you truly need versus what you can compromise on will help narrow down your search.
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An impressive abode overlooking Macmillan Street in Ayr, Zammit House recently hit the market for the first time, changing hands and allowing former owner and granddaughter, Giselle Lennox, to reflect on its incredible history. The parcel of land at 113-115 Macmillan Street was originally entered into the Land Registry in 1883. It was purchased on April 6, 1933 by PJ Mellick and his wife, Nafley, Lebanese migrants for their daughter Lyla and husband Michael as a wedding gift. The land was in
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Prepare to rock n roll your way through the night of your life when the classic Australian rock band Grinspoon ignites the Burdekin Memorial Hall on Friday October 11. The iconic rock band holds 13 ARIA Award nominations to their name and with over half a million records sold, it’s clear why. Grinspoon’s showstopping discography features much loved hits ingrained in Australian rock history, including Chemical Heart (2002), Black Friday (1998), and More Than You Are (1997). Playing their hits to
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Thursday 6 June Morning Melodies: Some Enchanted Evening Thursday, from 11am We have all heard their songs and we have all enjoyed their musicals. They were known as America’s most successful musical theatre writing team and their partnership has been called the greatest of the 20th Century. Join us for a very special event paying tribute to the timeless music from the legendary Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Featuring your favourite tunes from Carousel, The King and I, South Pacific
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Rehoming fee: $195 DOB: 01.03.2023 Sex: Female Breed: Domestic Short Hair Kid friendly: Yes Dog Friendly: Slow introduction Other cats: Slow introduction Indoors/Outdoors: Indoors Rayne is a young mum and her kittens have recently left the nest so she can now look forward to the next stage of her life, and the loving family that she deserves. Raine is super sweet and affectionate and adores human company. She is okay with other pets but will need time to adapt to her new siblings. Raine is avai
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After 12 talent filled days spread across numerous enormous weekends, the Burdekin Junior Eisteddfod has come to a close for 2024. This season marked the organisation's 40th anniversary of running in the region, providing both local and travelled youth an opportunity to stage their talents in a fantastic environment. DANCE 5 YEARS & UNDER TINY TOTS Gold: Gracie O’Brien Silver: Kiera Wright Bronze: Calayah Ferris 7 YEARS & UNDER DEMI CHARACTER SOLO Gold: Lily Whybird Silver: Gracie O’Brien Bro
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Not only have Lindsay Butler OAM and Shaza Leigh OWB been touring the nation for 30 years with their multi-artist roadshow but their record label, LBS Music, has also launched the careers of many of today’s crop of traditional country music stars. Lindsay and Shaza have decided to celebrate their company’s 30th anniversary by hitting the road with a roster of LBS recording artists backed by an incredible six piece ‘Butler Showband’, coming to Home Hill in June. The unassuming couple have quiet
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On Saturday May 25, Inkerman Hill was covered with dedicated and inspiring members of the Burdekin community raising valuable awareness and funds for CORES Queensland. Climb 4 CORES, organised by Janai Giddy, stood as a moving community event with over 30 participants relaying their way up Inkerman Hill from 7am to 11am. The day was sunny, inspirational, and moving with perfect weather, plenty of laughter and a touch of friendly hill climbing competition determined who could run their way do
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On May 11, six debutantes and their partners were introduced into society with their family and friends present at the St Colman’s Catholic School Debutante Ball. The theme was Pretty in Pink, and the girls and their partners showcased their dancing skills learnt over the previous seven weeks. The night started at St Colman's Catholic Church with a small blessing to the debs and partners with their parents present. It was a lovely way to start the night before heading over to the hall with
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The Home Hill Community Sports Club President and ‘Top Dog’, Trevor Elton, sat down for a Q&A with the Spy and the Pork Pie: 1. Where were you born? Brisbane 2. What was your occupation? Retail 3. What is your first drink of the day, tea or coffee? Coffee 4. What is your favourite food? Thai takeaway 5. Which team do you support in State of Origin? Queensland 6. What is your pet hate? Waste of all kinds 7. What is your favourite make of vehicle? Toyota 8. What spo
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Welcome to the Home Hill Community Sports Club’s new Monthly Round Up! From the times of hardship to today, members of the Home Hill Community Sports Club have rejuvenated the facility to encourage new members to join. A haven for lawn bowlers young and old, the recently refurbished Rummeny Green remains a popular surface for social bowls on a Wednesday night while the more competitive take to the green on Thursday afternoons, with weekend bowls soon to be introduced. The last bowl was sent dow
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Weekly Events Mondays • 10am – Exercise Group ◦ A morning of low impact exercise for all ages and abilities. Tuesdays • 9am - Tuesday Trimmers ◦ This weekly ‘weight watchers’ group meets at the clubhouse every Tuesday. Wednesdays • 9am - Friends and Neighbours Craft Group ◦ Arts and crafts are just the beginning on Wednesday mornings, when the Friends and Neighbours Craft Group gathers to work on their current craft projects while catching up with friends over
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Ayr Bowling Club would like to invite all newcomers to Fun Friday Night Bowls on Friday June 7 starting at 6pm. It’s a great night out for all levels of bowlers, bring some friends or sign up by yourself and meet new friends. $10 a game, includes sausage sizzle and a concluding light supper. Sizzle is at 6pm with bowling commencing at 7pm. To enter or find out more information, contact Maurie Power 0412551816 or Pam Power 0458330019. It’s been a great week of bowls again. Monday May 20 saw
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Wednesday 22nd May: With a different start to the afternoon of bowls, Kevin Collins put the ladies through some practice drills to help sharpen their skills. Following the training, the ladies tried out their new skills with a game of rinks between Kaye Garner, Lyn Storrie, Colleen Olsen and Helen Collins in a nail biting finish only to draw with Ann Newton, Vanda Ballao, Joy Woods and Darelle Pearce. Same time next week names in by 1.00pm for 1.30pm start. Any ladies wishing to come along turn
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Local Last weekend the Burdekin Panthers had four games, winning two, drawing one and losing one. On Friday the Division 1 met Saints Eagles Souths in Townsville and drew 2-2. On Saturday the Premiers, Under 23s and Women Premiers were all at home to Warriors. The Premiers won 5-0, the Under 23s won 2-1 but the Women Premiers lost 0-7. This weekend the Funkies are away to Wulguru Roosters in Townsville on Friday night and the Premiers, Under 23s and Ladies are all at home to Estates on Saturd
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The Wednesday night barefoot bowls winners were Tony Caruso, Judy Elton and visitor Leona Johnson. Thursday bowls saw 25 players front up. The daily winners were Gary, Warren, Bob and Trevor.
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Roosters Impress In Front Of Old BoysIn front of a huge crowd bolstered by some 150 old boys, the Burdekin Roosters A grade played their best football of the year beating Centrals 38 nil at Rugby Park last Saturday night. Coach Steve Lansley said he was going to have one of the smallest pairings in the league in the halves and he did with success. Half Hayde Munro and five eight Rhett Williams were the perfect link between backs and forwards with Rhett picking up the player’s player but just ahe
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Round 2 week 3- 23/05: Nat II v Bombers at the Queens 10-0 Ants v Crushers at the Anzac 8-2 Falcons v Cougars at the Ayr 8-2 Nat I had the bye 10 points Points: Nat II - 81, Crushers - 69, Falcons - 66, Nat I- 58, Ants - 56, Cougars - 43 and Bombers 27 Games for Thursday 30/05: Nat I v Bombers at National, Cougars v Ants at Ayr, Crushers v Falcons at Anzac and Nat II have the bye Contributed by Kerry Davison Caption: Crushers at the Ayr Hotel
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The Norm Perry Memorial Duck Race brought bright yellow fun to Plantation Park on Sunday, May 19. Family-friendly activities, including colouring contests and novelty races, started the morning with plenty of other activities keeping attendees entertained before the big race. Speaking on Sunday, Organiser and Rotary Club of Ayr volunteer John McVeigh said that 200 ducks were sold for the race and 31 decorated ducks were entered, although it’s too early to tell how much money was raised for Bur
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Hi readers It looks like I missed an epic weekend in the Burdekin! A big thank you to my colleague Chelsea who was in town last weekend and captured all of the social photos from the Burdekin Growers Race Day and the Norm Perry Memorial Duck Race – flick to pages 20-23 for all the action. I returned to Mackay for only the second time since leaving last September on the weekend and had a wonderful time catching up with family and friends and celebrating the engagement of my cousin and her fiance.
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One of the biggest days on the Burdekin’s calendar, the Burdekin Growers Race Day, has come and gone and while frocks were worn and horses were raced, one of the bigger attractions of the day came when attendees got to leave with a free box of Burdekin grown produce. Local fruitmonger and “mango man” Henry Petersen said 42 bins of produce were cleaned out by 8:00pm the night of the races. “This was a gimmick I first created 26 years ago,” Henry said. “Today, it's the race day’s biggest attracti
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On 11 May 2024 at 8:40am a stolen Isuzu MU-X travelled from Townsville to Home Hill on the Bruce Highway. The vehicle was reported to be travelling at extremely high speeds on the highway. The vehicle was tracked by POLAIR helicopter to Home Hill. The driver of the vehicle crashed into a power pole on Fifth Avenue before decamping on foot into yards. Police located the driver on Eighth Street where he was arrested. A 21-year-old male from Cairns was charged with several property offences and was
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