Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
The Burdekin likes to fly its flags proudly, but the north Queensland sunshine can certainly take its toll. That’s where Member for Burdekin Dale Last came in, providing a new set of flags for Brandon State School earlier in the month. Mr Last presented students and staff with the flags on Monday, March 11. “Like all schools throughout the electorate, the Brandon State School takes great pride in flying their flags,” he said. “Thanks to the North Queensland weather, the school’s flags were look
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Alva fisher Sienna Green has been awarded the Young Achiever Award at the Queensland Seafood Industry Awards after being nominated for making “a positive difference to the seafood industry.”
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The Australian Government has found itself in quite a pickle after breaking its election promise to reduce overall household energy bills by $275. The draft of regulated electricity prices was released on March 20 after the national energy regulator pledged to intensify efforts in safeguarding consumers. Dale Last, Member for Burdekin, remained reluctant about the proposal, raising major concerns that it wouldn’t be enough to ensure regional customers can afford to keep the lights on in their
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One of the Burdekin’s longest serving members of Local Government is walking the halls of the Burdekin Shire Council chambers for the last time this week, having been first elected over 30 years ago. Lyn McLaughlin has risen from local Councillor to Mayor of the region during this time and despite being unsuccessful in her bid for another term in the hot seat, she said she is harnessing the optimism and integrity she is known for, taking the new life direction in her stride. No stranger to loc
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The approval of an underground pipeline corridor connecting Bowen with the Burdekin River is now in the final stages of Federal and State Government assessment and support, as pre-construction activities for the Bowen Pipeline Project continue to advance. Developed by the Bowen Pipeline Company (BPC), the community led and funded Project is a 182 km underground water pipeline commencing 16km upstream from Home Hill and moving south through to Gumlu, Guthalungra, and on to Bowen. The development
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Home Hill Chamber of Commerce held its second Social and Networking Event last Wednesday, March 21, inviting Scripture Union School Chaplain John Mackay to address the business community. John has 17 years of experience as a school chaplain and currently works at both East Ayr State School and Clare State School. He said the biggest role of the school chaplain is to care for the students within the schools. “More than that, we also care for the staff and the families there too, so we’re trying t
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Rehoming fee: $195 DOB: 1/07/2022 Sex: Male Breed: DOH Kid friendly: Yes Dog Friendly: Untested Other cats: Yes Indoors/Outdoors: Indoors Checkers is relaxed and looking for a relaxing home. He is super chilled and tolerant, making him perfect if you have children around the house. Checkers doesn’t just chill in his own world, he is renowned for cuddles and loves attention. Checkers is desexed, microchipped, up to date on vaccinations and is tick, flea and worm treated. If you are
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Ian and Justine Baker are two of the Burdekin’s newest residents and when they moved here from Ipswich, they brought with them a rare opportunity for local veterans to experience offroad racing. Although new to the Burdekin, the Raemus Rover Racing program has been operating in southeast Queensland for over 10 years, a method of adrenaline therapy utilising the highly dynamic genre of racing and combining it with a peer-to-peer counselling and support program. The program’s origins trace back to
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The Great Barrier Reef is amidst its fifth widespread coral bleaching event in just eight years, aerial surveys have revealed. The surveys, conducted by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), observed over 300 reefs between Cape Melville north of Cooktown to just north of Bundaberg and confirmed the event. Reef Authority Chief Scientist Dr Roger Beeden said the results of these surveys are consistent with the patterns of heat stress th
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In February 2017, eleven people climbed the steep stairs at the Burdekin Library in Ayr. Beginners and experienced writers alike, they dreamed of novels, family histories, memoirs, anthologies and children’s stories. They sought a group of like-minded individuals who would inspire and encourage their creativity. From that meeting, Scratchy Scribblers was formed. Over the next six years, the group changed names and meeting locations multiple times. Members and partnerships came and went, but, thr
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This week, we wanted to share with you something that comes up a lot at the Neighbourhood Centre. We often hear people say – “not that my opinion matters”, “I don’t have anything to offer”, “I am just… xyz”. One of our core values at the Centre is that EVERYONE has something to offer, EVERYONE has had life experiences that can help others, NO ONE is JUST anything…. You are You – and YOU MATTER. People often get caught up in the expectations and opinions of others, leaving little space for sel
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Did you know that the Burdekin Shire Council has an Arts and Cultural Strategy 2021-2030 to support the vitality and diversity of arts and culture in the region? The Arts and Cultural Strategy 2021-2030 strategy is based on contemporary cultural planning principles and is informed by evidence and community values. It aims to promote a cultural vitality that will enrich the liveability and appeal of the Burdekin Shire and is designed to integrate with other Council planning mechanisms and be co
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Burdekin School Celebrated Harmony Day with social games, allowing students to explore different cultures and create pieces of a group mural. Photos supplied: Burdekin School Burdekin Community Association Inc. Community Services Officer Aimee Cursio and local resident Allan Lee celebrated Harmony Day 2024 with a market stall on Queen Street. Photo supplied: Burdekin Community Association Inc.Burdekin Christian College marked Harmony Week, the celebration that recognises diversity and brings tog
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In mid-1983, Marie Finn was sitting in the waiting room of Dr Joyce’s surgery for the six-week check of her fifth child, flicking through the latest edition of the Home Hill Observer when she read of the closure of a local kindergarten operated by Mrs Williamson. “Coming from Cairns and driving there regularly, I had often seen beautiful buildings that provided kindergarten facilities and hoped that Home Hill could one day have the same,” Marie said. “Perhaps this was the opportunity, so I spran
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In 2024, C&K Home Hill Community Kindergarten proudly commemorates 40 years of childcare excellence. Since inception, the kindy has been committed to providing a dynamic and enriching educational experience for children aged three to five, prioritising play-based learning where every moment is an opportunity for exploration and discovery. Supported by passionate educators, the program instils a love for lifelong learning in each child. With purpose-built facilities and expansive outdoor spaces,
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In the 40 years since its inception, Home Hill Community Kindy has grown to become an integral part of our small community. The Centre has educated thousands of local children, providing them with wonderful preparation for the commencement of their formal education. The Centre is a vibrant, welcoming space which allows children to grow and develop into curious, capable and collaborative learners. Director, Sue Amore, together with Educator Jodie MacDonald and the other staff implement the C&K ea
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For over four decades, Rural Quip has supported the industrial and agricultural sectors of the Burdekin with passion, knowledge and experience. Established in 1982 initially as a steel fabrication business, the company has since undergone a remarkable evolution, transitioning into a comprehensive retail hub catering to the diverse needs of local industries. Under the leadership of Managing Director Robert Oar, whose extensive experience spans 45 years in agricultural and engineering sectors, Rur
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A cohort of women in agriculture attended a three-day leadership forum in Ayr last week designed to develop leadership skills, personal confidence and be empowered to make future focused decisions to drive a positive change in their communities. The Influential Women Community Leadership Forum, held from March 19 – 21 in the Burdekin Theatre Music Loft, was supported by Tropical North Queensland Drought Hub as part of their commitment to enhancing the skills and capacity of agricultural communi
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Local graziers attended an informative workshop at Warrawee Station to learn how to achieve optimum reproductive performance for their breeder herds. This two-day workshop focused on the theory and practical skills of pregnancy testing and foetal ageing in cattle, and how to integrate skills and information to make decisions about livestock efficiency and performance. Eiren Smith, Dreghorn Station, said pregnancy testing was a valuable management tool to monitor reproductive efficiency and det
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Just as leaving your doors unlocked poses a risk, neglecting to install and maintain smoke alarms in your home can jeopardise the safety of yourself and your loved ones. With more Australians dying in residential fires on average than by all natural hazards combined, it’s sparking a renewed call from experts for Australians to protect themselves with a working smoke alarm. Smoke alarms provide a critical early warning to give you and your loved ones time to escape, so testing and maintaining t
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Social Ladies Bowls on Tuesday March 19 winners were Deslie Olsen, Betty Schultz and Heather Jorgensen defeating Ruth Moore, Isabel Cislowski and Dot Cutting. Merle Nixon, Joy Comollatti and Pam Power defeated Katharina Stuckler, Karen Page and Irene Wilson. Competition Results Thursday March 21 rinks Deslie Olsen, Trish Achille, Beryl Cornford and Pam Power defeated Katharina Stuckler, Elaine Young, Heather Jorgensen and Mary Poli. Singles Irene Wilson defeated Sandra Stidston. Wednesday night
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Wednesday March 20 11 Ladies ventured out onto the green with winners of the day Bernice Kugatoff, Lyn Storrie and Joy Woods. Next contact Joy Woods with names in by 1:00pm for 1:30 start. Sunday March 24 Club Championship events – A Grade single was played between Doug Robins and Brett Wilshere and early on in the game Brett was giving Doug a run for his money however the veteran from Giru was the eventual winner. Thanks to Lenny Feeney for marking yet again. B Grade Pairs Semi Final - the in-f
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18 players rolled up for barefoot bowls on Wednesday March 20. Three games of triples were played. Mark, Margaret and Torrie proved too strong for Kate, Greg and Lloyd winning 23 to 10. Carol, Meryl and Mick prevailed against Phoebe, Yogi and Sam 12 to 6. The final game saw Conner, John and Alex put the cleaners through Brenda, Laurence and Joe 16 to 4. Thursday March 21’s winners by mystery draw were Bones, Bob and Dino. Rink 4 saw triples match Dino, Bob and Bones out lasted Karl/Terry, Al
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27 players turned up on Friday, March 15 to do battle on a course that looked amazing after all the rain. The day’s winner was Pat Toohey who also drew his own ticket out of the bucket. Least amount of putts went to Gary Pappalardo with 12. Pin shots on 9. The ladies winner was Beth Prescott. Gary Pappalardo won the C grade. Sadly no one from A/B hit the green. The fifth hole was the most difficult putting hole with scores of 5, 4, 3 and multiples of them there were only two one putts. F
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