Tec-NQ House grade 11 boarding student Caleb has his sights set firmly on the automotive trade, splitting his week between the classroom, paid work, and hands-on experience at the Townsville Audi and Porsche dealership just down the road from Tec-NQ House boarding campus. “I got to work on a timing belt,” said Caleb. “Each day I went to work experience, I walked because it was just up the road.” Time in a prestigious workshop has given him confidence and clarity. “I get to help the workers in
Read more.jpg)
It’s always rewarding to see projects progressing that will have long-term benefits for our community. Stage 5 of the Home Hill Be-Active Trail is progressing well, with the two-metre-wide concrete footpath currently being constructed along Seventeenth Street between Seventh Avenue and Eleventh Avenue. As someone who has spent plenty of early mornings on the farm watching the “black snow” fall during crushing season, I know how much locals value being outdoors and active in our fresh air. This t
Read more.jpg)
At a recent Chamber meeting, I heard about Ren Pedersen’s Million Dollar Mission. A deeply personal initiative born from heartbreak, yet driven by hope and action, highlighting the tough realities faced by families, including those in our community. It is impossible not to be moved by the stories of parents who, with hand on heart, share their journey of tragedy, grief and courage. Many of you will know Ren, a former Burdekin local now living in Townsville. Ren’s daughter was just seven years ol
Read more
As part of Road Safety Week, Burdekin Catholic High School welcomed firefighters Ashley Ryder from Ayr Fire Station and Alex Diorietes from Kirwan Fire and Rescue Station for an engaging Road Attitudes and Action Planning (RAAP) presentation last Wednesday. RAAP is a free road safety program delivered by operational firefighters, designed for Year 11 and 12 students across Queensland. With around 20 years of delivering the program in the Burdekin region, the firefighters bring first-hand experi
Read more
Homelessness is often viewed as a “big city” problem, but a group of passionate young leaders from Burdekin Catholic High School set out to challenge that belief – and in doing so, inspired the whole community. The idea for the school’s Stand Up Sleep Out was sparked when Burdekin Shire Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort encouraged school captains to think about why events like the Vinnies CEO Sleepout are held in major cities such as Brisbane, but rarely in regional towns like Ayr. For school captain Dr
Read more
Wigs & Wine Fundraiser Sees The Burdekin Netball Association Rally Behind Cancer Council With the tables set, and the scissors handy, nine members of the Burdekin Netball Association (BNA) will #RockTheChop this Friday, the 29th of August at the club’s Wigs & Wine fundraising party! The Ponytail Project fundraising event supports the vital work of the Cancer Council Australia and encourages people across the nation to #RockTheChop and donate their hair to create wigs for those diagnosed with ca
Read more
The Kalamia Hotel extends a warm invitation to the wider community to attend a heartwarming Garden of Hope event this Saturday, the 30th of August to support and fundraise for life-changing cancer research. Set to commence from 3pm in the venue’s Beer Garden area, the afternoon promises to entertain attendees with the wonderful musical talents of Alexa and keep the fun and good vibes flowing well into the evening with a delicious selection of food included with each ticket purchase. The theme o
Read more
Lower Burdekin Scouts Take on Sailing and Shooting Adventures Members of the Lower Burdekin Scout Group have been keeping busy with back-to-back outdoor adventures this August. On August 16, four Scouts from the group joined 10 others from Townsville for a sailing day at the Townsville Sailing Club. Under clear skies and a light breeze, participants started with sailing theory before learning to rig their boats. Once on the water, they rotated through different positions, gaining hands-on exper
Read more
Please join us to celebrate 50 years of the Burdekin Community Association Inc. supporting people in the Burdekin. Everyone is welcome - Clients, members past and present, BCA personnel, friends, organisations, other community members. BCA 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner Please join us for an evening filled with celebration and memories! When: Saturday 13.09.25 Where: Hotel Brandon, 54 Drysdale Street, Brandon Time: Doors open at 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start Cost: $40.00 per person Entertain
Read more
The Burdekin Water Festival’s infamous Grand Parade and Mardi Gras will roll into Queen Street on Saturday the 6th of September, and with a world of preparations underway, one wonderful new addition to the timeless celebration deserves to be highlighted! As generously sponsored by Wilmar Sugar, 1,000 brilliant buckets will be given away for children to safely collect and store their lollies during the specular Street Parade next weekend, and when all the fun is done, the kids can take the bucke
Read more
Rural Aid has launched a powerful new fundraising campaign to secure the future of rural Australia by supporting the next generation of farmers — the children growing up on the land today. These children are not only the future of their family farms, but also the future custodians of Australia’s food supply. Right now, many are facing significant challenges. From natural disasters to financial stress, country kids often grow up surrounded by uncertainty, with the weight of the farm’s future on
Read more
After more than four decades of involvement, Uli Liessmann has officially assumed the role of President of the Home Hill Chamber of Commerce, as announced by the organisation at its most recent meeting last week. Liessmann, returning for his second stint as Chamber president, was sworn in before a small crowd during Wednesday night’s proceedings, taking over from David Cooper, who stepped down after eight years in the role. Liessmann described his election not as a milestone, but as a natural
Read more
Have you ever wanted to try your hand at macrame? Here’s your chance! Natalina Royan of Gnat’s Clever Crafts & Creations will be hosting a magical Macrame Workshop this Sunday, the 31st of August from 1pm through to 3pm to teach and inspire locals to create something wonderful! “Allow me to share my love of macrame,” wrote Natalina on a post shared online. “With my help and guidance, I would love to provide you with some knowledge on how to create your own macrame single hat hanger!” The wor
Read more
Construction has begun on Stage 5 of the Home Hill Be-Active Trail, bringing the town one step closer to a continuous pathway network for residents. This stage will see a two-metre-wide concrete footpath installed along Seventeenth Street, stretching from Seventh Avenue to Eleventh Avenue. Once complete, work will move directly into Stage 6, extending the pathway along Eleventh Avenue from Seventeenth Street. Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort said the trail is a long-term investment in health, wellbein
Read more
Burdekin seniors are invited to celebrate, connect, and access valuable information at the annual Seniors Expo and Luncheon, hosted by the Burdekin Shire Council. The event will take place on Thursday, 30 October, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Burdekin Memorial Hall. Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort said the Expo is an important way to recognise and support the region’s seniors. “Our seniors play a vital role in shaping the Burdekin community, and this event is a wonderful way to celebrate their co
Read more
Home Hill's beloved Lloyd Mann Gardens, a known tourist hotspot, just became a little brighter and a lot more handy following the erection of a new signpost this month. The locally manufactured signpost, which cost the Home Hill Chamber of Commerce just shy of $2000 to construct and install, boasts five arrowed signs, each pointing in the geographic direction of a different Home Hill point of interest. Home Hill Chamber secretary Rob Antoniazzi said the idea behind the project stemmed from a p
Read more
“I always wanted to be a chef,” recalled Sonya Mase, the driving force behind Home Hill favourite Marzay’s Corner. For her, the kitchen has always been a place to create, experiment, and inspire—but her path into the culinary world, though always a dream, wasn’t exactly linear. Working as a cleaner in South Australia before moving to Queensland with her husband, Tony, cooking had been more of a dream than a serious consideration—a passion simmering on the back burner. It was during her time w
Read more
Most people attend comedy shows for the laughs. Some for the spectacle. But few come expecting to pick up a few handy life hacks. Jimeoin's upcoming 'Pandemonium' show delivers all three. Hitting the Burdekin Theatre on Thursday, 20 November, the Irish-born comedy legend—whose decades-long career has taken him across the globe—promises an evening of unique material blending observational humour, playful pranks, and moments of relatable absurdity. Over more than three decades, Jimeoin has tour
Read more
The Burdekin community will have the opportunity to celebrate a unique cultural connection when the “Basques in Australia” photographic exhibition arrives at the Masonic Hall and Burdekin Theatre from the 28th of September to the 3rd of October. Presented by the Basque Club of North Queensland, the exhibition honours the Basque migrants who came to the Burdekin to work in the sugar industry. Their contributions helped shape Ayr and the wider district, leaving a lasting legacy of hard work, resi
Read more.jpg)
On Friday, 28th June, 15 debutantes took centre stage at the Home Hill Memorial Hall for the Burdekin Singers’ annual Debutante Ball, this year themed “Enchanted Forest.” The event drew a large crowd of local families, eager to celebrate the young women making their formal debut. Lawrence Polga, President of the Burdekin Singers, said the ball remains an important tradition. “We do it because we believe it's an event that still holds a special place to a lot of teenage girls, and is still a tr
Read more
SATURDAY 30 AUGUST – SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER Burdekin Art Society Art Exhibition Daily from 8am–5pm A staple on the regional arts calendar, the Burdekin Art Society Art Exhibition draws entries from across Queensland and beyond. Held over a full week at the Burdekin Theatre, the exhibition showcases a diverse mix of fine art, offering something for seasoned collectors and curious browsers alike. Its longevity is a testament to its quality and reputation—and a must-see for lovers of creativity in al
Read more
Twenty-one Ayr Juniors competed in this year’s Ayr Junior Open on Sunday, following straight on from the Home Hill Junior Open the day before. With 69 players taking to the course, it was a strong turnout and a successful day all round. Local junior Amaya Mahoney claimed the overall Girls 18-Hole Championship with a score of 82, while Levi Holmes from Proserpine Golf Club took the Boys 18-Hole Championship with 81. Other standout results for Ayr included Micah Kemp, gross winner for 3-Hole Boy
Read more
Over the weekend, 6 members of the Ayr Surf Club joined hundreds of lifesaving members from across the State for the Surf Life Saving Queensland Conference. The weekend consisted of a wide variety of sessions with information and updates ranging from governance and insurances, membership and development, lifesaving and education and Surf sports, and everything in between. Two of the youth members, Bella Lawry and Briella Wassmuth attended the Youth Forum to work with 15–25-year-olds to address
Read more
The roar of engines and the spirit of competition filled the air on Saturday, August 23rd, as the Ayr Motorcycle Club hosted a high-energy race day at the Brandon Sports Reserve. Kicking off at 3:00 PM, the event attracted 80 competitors from across North Queensland, with riders travelling from as far as Sarina, Townsville, and Charters Towers to take part. Spectators were treated to a thrilling afternoon of racing, with events across multiple classes delivering plenty of close battles, skillfu
Read more
On Saturday, the 16th of August, the Burdekin Netball Association (BNA) became a hive of vibrant hues in celebration of their 2025 Burdekin Water Festival Junior Ambassador, Charlotte Sgroi! As part of her journey as a Junior Ambassador, Charlotte held a wonderful fundraising event at her home courts to fundraise for her club and celebrate her selection to represent the Burdekin Netball Association in such a treasured community event. Commencing from 2pm, a wonderful mixed netball competition
Read more