It's been just over a month since Ruralquip welcomed new ownership, and while the transition marks an exciting milestone for the business, for customers, it’s been business as usual. The new owners say maintaining continuity has been a top priority, with the full team of existing Ruralquip staff retained to facilitate a smooth handover. “We're pleased to confirm that all existing Ruralquip staff, many of whom have served the local community for years, remain part of the Ruralquip family”, the
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David Jackson OAM doesn’t just report the news—he lives it, and for more than half a century, he has been at the heart of Home Hill, capturing its stories, shaping its history, and championing its people. Born into a family of local news pioneers, David’s roots in journalism were almost predetermined. His grandfather founded the Home Hill Observer in 1923, his father carried it through wartime, and David, alongside his brother, took the reins in 1974. “Even when Dad was in Changi, the paper did
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Whitsunday Myrtle was established in January 2013 by Grace Evans at Airlie Beach, after enjoying many cups of Lemon Myrtle tea and spending much time researching its health benefits. It began its market distribution in January 2014 offering a range of natural handmade products. The scientific name of the Lemon Myrtle tree is Backhousia citriodora of the Myrtaceae family. It grows all the way along the eastern boarder of Australia from the Atherton Tablelands in the north to as far south as the
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As Queensland enters October, the latest health data shows a mixed picture of respiratory illness across the state, with influenza cases easing but RSV and COVID-19 continuing to place pressure on hospitals. Influenza cases dropped by 27 per cent in late September, with 2,706 new cases recorded during the week of 15–21 September. Despite this decline, overall flu activity remains elevated, particularly in Central Queensland, where more cases are being reported among school-aged children. To da
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Burdekin seniors get ready, because Seniors Month is returning October 2025. From 1-31 October we’re celebrating older Queenslanders and their ongoing contribution to the state – whether as volunteers or in the workforce, community leaders or carers, grandparents, or advocates. Seniors Month is all about increasing the social connectedness of older people and their communities, because we all want to be connected to our communities and the important people in our lives, cared for and supported
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The Bendigo Bank Burdekin Singers & Theatre Company are set to bring the colourful, quirky world of Dr. Seuss to life in their latest production, Seussical Jr, opening Friday 17 October at The Lighthouse in Ayr. Audiences will be swept away on a musical journey through the imagination, featuring beloved Seuss characters including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, and Gertrude McFuzz. With catchy songs, vibrant costumes, and a heartfelt storyline, Seussical Jr promises to be a dazzling ex
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Home Hill’s Burdekin Memorial Hall will host the Burdekin Fights Back Gala Afternoon Tea on Sunday, 19 October, raising funds for the North Queensland Cancer Council and Gluyas Lodge in Townsville. The event will feature entertainment by Ricky Romeo and be guided by local MC Emma Halliday. Guest speakers will include Dr. Paula Heggarty, GP and Associate Professor of Rural Medicine at James Cook University, and Tegan Marsden from the North Queensland Cancer Council. Attendees can also participat
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15 excited gymnasts from The Burdekin Academy made the journey to Ingham to participate in the 2025 Ingham Flames Gymnastics Competition last September. Attracting over 100 competitors from communities across the state, gymnastics from The Burdekin Academy put on a showstopping performance, displaying exceptional levels of technique and expertise, executing each routine excellently. Gymnasts from levels one through to four entered in the competition and The Burdekin Academy’s Club Manager and
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The Clash of Clubs at the weekend was a huge success with old Burdekin players travelling from all over the state to take part. The Masters Final was won by Easts who beat Home Hill Rangers and the Seniors Final was decided on penalties, Saints winning after tying 1-1 with Rangers at full time. The next big occasion will be the Escriva Cup which will be played early in November. The Burdekin FC Presentation Night will be held on Saturday 25 October. Get your tickets now. Night Soccer The sec
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The Junior Touch Football season is set to kick off tomorrow night, Friday 10th October, welcoming boys and girls aged four to thirteen. Sign-on will take place at the Touch clubhouse on Wickham Street from 5:30 pm, with a season fee of $20 per child. Teams will be organized from the nominations, and each week participants will enjoy a mix of skills, drills, and games. Sessions will run from 5:30 pm to 6:15 pm every Friday night throughout the season. For further information, contact Michael L
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Twenty-two players turned out on a very warm spring afternoon, with temperatures peaking at 36°C around 2:30 pm. Fortunately, a welcome breeze arrived just in time. We were pleased to welcome Vicki and Ian Connell, as well as Steve Motu and Jeff Taylor, all visiting from Giru. On Rink 3, Paul Vass and Gary Nosworthy defeated Bruce McCallum and Glen Bones Berryman. Rink 4 saw Warren “Yogi” Bunn, Bob Darr, and Ian Connell account for Steve Motu, Ron Smith, and Terry Feakes. Meanwhile, Michael You
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It’s been a fantastic week of fun and fierce competition at Ayr Bowling Club! The greens have been buzzing with energy as members threw themselves into both social games and championship matches. With the championship season coming to an end, the talent and sportsmanship on display have been nothing short of impressive. On Wednesday, we saw a great afternoon’s social bowling competition. There were two games of Pairs and one game of triples. Winners were Cisco, Wayne and Dave. Saturday Social
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The Burdekin Rugby Union Club held its annual Presentation Night on Saturday, 27 September at the Queens Hotel, recognising the achievements of players, volunteers, and club representatives from the past season. First and Second Grade awards highlighted standout performers. Player of the Year honours went to Kelsey Hesp (First Grade Women), Kasey Parison (First Grade Women), and Wainui Matainavora (Second Grade), while other awards recognised Most Improved, Most Consistent, Best Forward, Best B
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Home Hill came alive on Sunday, 28 September, as the 2025 Canefields Ephemera launched in style at Mann Lloyd Gardens. Six striking installations by local artists transformed the gardens into a vibrant celebration of creativity, community, and regional identity. Among the showcased works were Uli Liessmann’s Dancing in the Park, Rhesa Menkens’ Palmacrame and Tribute to My Father, Allan Petersen’s Antler Gully, Rebekah Oakes’ Frederick the Frog, and Lisa Gianni’s Heart of the Burdekin. The highl
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Families are invited to lace up and put on their walking shoes to join in a morning of fun, entertainment, and community spirit at this year’s Step Up for Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability event. The walk will take place along Townsville's scenic Riverway on Sunday, the 12th of October, from 8am to 12pm, with all funds raised staying in the local region. Money raised will go directly toward providing support, services, and vital information to empower people with Down syndrome and their f
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Guys, it finally happened—I officially laced up the boots again for the first time in what seemed like an eternity when I made my Night Soccer debut a few weeks ago. It almost felt like a foreign experience. Beyond my clear regression in skill, I genuinely thought I might pass out after the first minute of play, because as enjoyable and relaxing as my time out of the game has been, it's definitely left a huge void in my physical activity. But maybe this experience was the slap in the face I nee
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The next generation of Burdekin basketballers had the chance to learn from two of the nation’s finest last Wednesday when Australian basketball legend Lauren Jackson and Opals star Tess Madgen visited the region to run a grassroots training camp as part of Basketball Australia’s She Hoops program. From 9am, around 40 young players were put through a series of drills and games over 90 minutes, sharpening their skills under the guidance of two of Australia’s greatest basketball exports. She Hoop
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Opinion Piece By Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox Coal has powered Australia for generations, and it still does today. Coal is the central reason the lights turn on, the fridge stays cold, and the air con works. Coal remains the cheapest form of electricity in Australia, and without it, our country would be vastly different, in a poorer way. But it is not just the electricity it provides. Coal provides our country with economic security. It drives investment, and the revenue raised in t
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The commitments and achievements of local individuals and groups play a key role in offsetting concerns raised due to national and international events according to Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP. While acknowledging that the effects of horrific events will ripple through our community, Mr Last said it is important to take a balanced approach and that there were many positives which, sometimes, didn’t receive the praise they deserved. “It is very easy for major events to directly impact the
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The Basque Club of North Queensland's Basques in Australia exhibition is underway in Ayr, with the official opening at the Masonic Hall on Sunday 28 September drawing a strong local crowd to honour the profound influence of Basque families on the Burdekin community. The exhibition, which had already been shown in Townsville and Ingham, drew around 80 people to its Ayr opening, many eager to connect with a heritage that has been part of the Burdekin for generations. Ten large panels of photograp
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Burdekin Shire Council has officially opened the upgraded Butler Road Floodway, delivering safer and more reliable access for local residents, farmers, and road users. The new floodway replaces the former structure, which was badly damaged during past flood events. Council says the design will improve water flow management, enhance road safety, and ensure essential access during periods of heavy rain. Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort said the project was a significant investment in rural road infrastr
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Ayr police have charged several people over a series of incidents in the district this month, including business and home break-ins, drug driving, and an assault on an officer. A 23-year-old Ayr man has been charged with entering a Queen Street business, while a 16-year-old Ayr youth was cautioned over the same incident. The man was also charged in relation to two separate house break-ins, with the youth again cautioned. On September 21, a 31-year-old Ayr man was charged with assaulting a poli
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I would like to let everyone know about the great job Meals on Wheels do in our community. I attended the National Meals on Wheels morning Tea in late August. Without them in our community a lot of people would struggle to have wholesome and nourishing food on a daily basis. The quality and variety of the food is amazing. I had the opportunity to have a tour of the kitchen and witness the production line with the cooking, dishing out and packaging the food up for the distribution to the clients.
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Christmas will be here before we know it, and I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the enormous contribution of our volunteers. Until you find yourself needing support, it can be hard to truly appreciate how valuable these services are. Organisations such as the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre, Burdekin Community Association, Meals on Wheels and SES Burdekin rely on volunteers every day. If you are looking for a way to give back to our community, I encourage you to get involved. I’d also lik
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Simon Hood Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing Wilmar Grower Marketing’s annual Global Traders Roadshow has wrapped up for another year after a busy week of presentations, starting in Ingham and finishing in Sarina.The events brought together growers from across our milling regions to hear first-hand insights into the forces shaping the sugar market. Guest speaker Peter Bingham, Wilmar’s London-based Senior Sugar Trader, provided an in- depth look at the global market, with particular focus on the
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