Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
St Francis Catholic School’s annual Awards Day was held on Wednesday November 30. It was a chance for the school community to reflect upon the incredible journey that they shared throughout 2023 as well as a time to recognise and honour the outstanding achievements of students throughout the year. From academic achievements to artistic endeavours, athletic triumphs to community service initiatives, St Francis Catholic School students consistently demonstrated their dedication, passion and resili
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As 2023 draws to a close, many reflect on a sugar cane season that was filled with highs and lows, making plans to ensure more prosperous seasons in years to come. A fundamental issue facing the industry has been the timely supply of sugar cane from grower to mill, with Queensland Cane Agriculture & Renewables (QCAR) focussing efforts on restoring the harmonious supply of sugar cane to sugar mills.QCAR CEO Panikos Spyrou said the prosperity of the sugar cane industry relies on a timely supply ch
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Wilmar Sugar and Renewables’ Pioneer Mill brought an end to the 2023 production season in the Burdekin on Sunday morning. Wilmar’s four Burdekin sugar factories processed a total of 8.03 million tonnes of sugarcane this season, manufacturing about 1.18 million tonnes of raw sugar. Group Manager Operations James Wallace said Wilmar’s Kalamia Mill was the first to finish on Friday, November 17. Inkerman Mill crushed out on Wednesday, November 29 followed by Invicta Mill on Thursday, November 30.
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Wilmar staff provided the Burdekin Women in Sugar group with a firsthand look at the sugar manufacturing process when the group attended a private tour of Wilmar’s Invicta Mill recently.The visit was hosted by three women from the Wilmar Sugar and Renewables business: Group Manager Asset Management Systems Sharon La Spina and Invicta Mill process improvement engineers Claire Dowling and Jessica Wilson.
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Named for her beauty, poise and charm, Aphrodite encapsulates being a Greek goddess. Incredibly playful and full of love, Aphrodite is looking for a family that can give her absolutely all the attention she deserves. She loves being cuddled, pet and held. However, Aphrodite is also an independent lady, who does enjoy her own company and can amuse and entertain herself while home alone, with her family at school or work.
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A trial conducted by Wilmar Sugar and Renewables on a 130ha cane farm in the Burdekin region has yielded promising outcomes through its complete automation in irrigation, implemented since the farm's early planting last year on Stockham Road. Agricultural Productivity Manager Peter Larsen said the first-year results showed the volume of water applied was reduced by one-third compared to traditional irrigation methods, and there was a significant reduction in nitrate runoff and losses to groundw
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You’re invited to join the Burdekin Shire Council for a night of festive fun at the annual Community Christmas Carols on Sunday, December 10. This year, the event will be held at the Burdekin Touch Fields in MacMillan Street, opposite the touch clubhouse, from 5:30pm and is a free event for all to attend.
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The Burdekin District Sportfishing Club celebrated a big year of big catches at their presentation night last Friday.Many awards were presented across a variety of divisions and kids enjoyed a surprise visit from Santa while plans for 2024 were discussed amongst the club.Join Burdekin District Sportfishing Club on Facebook for more information.
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The forecast heatwave didn’t dampen the spirits of the players and parents at the last week of Junior Cricket at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex in Home Hill on Friday. The usual afternoon breeze at the grounds was enough to keep everyone comfortable while watching and playing. Some of the parents weren’t taking any risks of dehydration by keeping their fluid intake up with many trips to the canteen for a cool beverage or two. The Rookies and Challengers played some fun games and drills
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Peto's Marine won the toss and elected to bowl as they faced Crowned Mongrels on a steamy Saturday afternoon in Home Hill.Their top order got the Mongrels off to a good start with openers Thomas Sarri and Andrew Wallwork scoring 24 runs from 28 balls and 12 from 17 respectively before first drop Jaidyn Lambie-Fabbro made 26 from 29.The numbers seven and eight batsmen briefly resurrected the batting side from a middle order collapse with Alex Stillhard making 10 from 12 and Joel Hanson making 15
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Helene Holmes Sponsored our last playing day Tuesday, November 28. Winners were Raylene Hervey, Betty Schultz and Pam Power defeating Ruth Moore, Carolyn Jones, Karen Page and Irene Wilson. Runners up and also winners of the jackpot were Katarina Stuckler, Di Lindridge, Heather Jorgensen and Sandra Stidston defeating Isabel Cislowski, Merle Nixon, Beryl Cornford and Dot Cutting. Wednesday night November 29 Winners on the night were Katharina Stuckler and David Burt and in 2nd place were Tricia
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Thursday November 30 saw 16 players turn up for a roll in very oppressive conditions. Two games of 3 bowl triples and of game of pairs were played. Rink 4: Joe, Des and Henry out lasted Jimmy, Roy and Trevor 18 to 10, 9 ends each. Rink 5: Tony, Judy and Glen proved too strong for Mick, Alex and Gary winning 22 to 8, 11 ends to 7. Rink 6: A very close game between eventual winners John and Stephen over Ray and Mick M 16 to 14 with Ray and Mick winning the ends 10 to 8. The lucky Rink went t
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And that's a wrap-up for 2023 season of tennis. Congratulations to the Spring Season Team winners: Captain John Chandler, Tim Branch, Paul Godfrey, Amy Howie, Sarat Tata and Georgia Howie - amazing efforts from you all.
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Last weekend, 31 members from the Ayr Surf Lifesaving Club headed to Sarina to compete in the annual North Barrier Branch Championships. This carnival is the culmination of the season for the region with members then being up for selection in the North Barrier Branch Youth State Team to travel to Burleigh in March 2024.
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The Burdekin Unit of the SES has appointed a new Local Controller to lead the Clare, Giru, Rita Island, Home Hill and Ayr units for the next three years.Warren Francis took over the role at a presentation on Monday, November 28 as John Winn stepped down after a three-year term.SES Regional Director Daryl Camp congratulated Mr Francis on his appointment.“He has so much ability,” Mr Camp said.
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Welcome to the tenth edition of Burdekin Life – we made it to double figures!I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for the excellent feedback you’ve been providing and let you know that it’s appreciated by me and the team, to whom I endeavour to pass on this feedback at every opportunity.
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There are renewed calls from state and national dental organisations for the Queensland Government to mandate fluoridated water across the state, with Burdekin Shire Council being one of 51 Queensland councils without fluoridated water.A statement from the Australian Dental Association Queensland (ADAQ) said community fluoridation is one of the simplest, safest and most inexpensive preventative health measures.
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In an unexpected and heartwarming gesture, students and staff from Maidavale State School brought joy to the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre with a delightful surprise. Earlier in November, students and staff from the school graced the centre's staff with a batch of delectable cupcakes as part of their lessons in random acts of kindness. A letter attached to the cupcakes read, “Thank you for providing our community with a great service! “Enjoy these yummy muffins from the Maidavale State School c
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Following the recent spate of youth crime in the Burdekin, victims are urged to come forward and share their stories in order to better inform decisions made by a newly announced Youth Justice Reform Select Committee.This Queensland Government committee will consist of three government, three opposition members and an independent representative and is set-up to examine the youth justice system including support for victims and reducing re-offending.
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On Thursday, November 16 and Friday, November 17, Ayr Health Service welcomed a team from Clinical Excellence Queensland (CEQ), which included an obstetrician, midwives and a project officer who met with staff and members of the community to talk about the hospital’s maternity service. Following the recent announcement by the Minister for Health regarding expansion and improvements in maternity services in regional Queensland, the team conducted meetings with medical, midwifery, nursing and heal
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Employees of Wilmar Sugar Australia have rejected a proposed pay increase as negotiations, which have been occurring since March, continue.The sugar giant, which is a subsidiary of the Singapore-based company Wilmar International and operates four sugar mills in the Burdekin, put their latest offer out to a ballot of employees earlier in November, with 80.5 per cent of respondents voting against the company’s offer.Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) Northern District Secretary Jim Wilson said that
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Seven participants in PCYC Burdekin’s Get Set For Work Program graduated at a ceremony held at the PCYC on Tuesday, November 28.The Get Set For Work Program is a Queensland Government-funded initiative through Skilling Queenslanders for Work delivering intensive employment and training assistance to young people.PCYC Burdekin offers the program to local young people aged between 15-19.
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Last Thursday November 23, the Lower Burdekin Scout Group visited the Ayr Fire and Rescue Station. Scout Leader Chris Berkery said the visit was a great night and thanked the fire crews for their patience answering the many questions of the inquisitive scouts. The visit to the fire station followed a visit to Home Hill Police Station the Thursday before.
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During the 16 Days of Activism, members of the Zonta Club Burdekin Inc have been engaged in activities to raise awareness in our community to Domestic and Family Violence.These include placing a Zonta Says No banner on St Francis Catholic School fence, arranging for orange water in Ayr’s town fountain and displaying Orange ladies at select locations across Ayr and Home Hill.
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Local car enthusiast Joe Perakovic believes that the Burdekin is home to more muscle cars and old cars per capita than anywhere else in Australia and with a whopping 26 cars in his collection, he may just be right. Joe and his wife Sue are active members of the Burdekin Cruisers Car Club, fuelling a passion for these machines that started at an early age.
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