Beat the Bug: Top Remedies To Keep Cold & Flu At Bay As winter sets in, so does cold and flu season. But the good news is there are plenty of simple, effective ways to help strengthen your immune system and reduce your risk of getting sick. First and foremost, good hygiene is key. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after being in public places. Avoid touching your face, particularly your nose, mouth and eyes, where viruses can easily enter. Staying well-rested is anothe
Read moreWhen you’re recovering from a cold or flu, what you eat can make a big difference in how quickly you bounce back. Nourishing your body with the right foods helps rebuild strength, support your immune system, and ease lingering symptoms. Soups and broths are excellent choices when you're unwell. Not only are they easy to digest, but they also help keep you hydrated. Chicken soup in particular has anti-inflammatory properties and can help clear nasal congestion. Fruits high in vitamin C—
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Nine Burdekin writers read their stories and poems to a small but appreciative crowd at the Home Hill Library on Wednesday, 2 July 2025. “To stand in front of an audience and share something you’ve created takes guts,” said writer Megan Hippler. “I’m proud of everyone who was brave enough to read.” The event was a collaboration between the Burdekin Creative Writers, the Burdekin Night Writers, and Burdekin Libraries, celebrating the 2024 Burdekin Creative Writers Anthology. From heartfelt poet
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Four members of the Lower Burdekin Scout Group recently attended the 2025 LEAP Camp, held from June 29 to July 5 at Bluewater, north of Townsville. They joined 140 Scouts aged 9 to 18, along with 40 adult leaders from Scout Groups stretching from Cairns to Mackay to Brisbane, for a week focused on Leadership, Empowerment, Adventure. Throughout the week, the Scouts worked together in teams (called Patrols) of 5–6, cooking meals, camping in tents, and supporting one another through a series of ha
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Saturday 12 July Rags to Runway 07:30 PM - 10:00 PM The Burdekin Rags to Runway event encourages competitors of all ages to revamp new or second-hand clothing items into a wearable runway outfit within a strict budget. Entrants are required to purchase items either from second-hand organisations, local dress salons’ throw out racks or their own closet and to redesign them into a wearable runway worthy item, you'd be proud to wear. St Stephen's Greek Orthodox Hall SATURDAY 12 JULY 97.1 Sweet FM
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The Ayr Bowling Club has had a brilliant week on the greens, with members embracing the cooler weather and enjoying a mix of competitive and social games. Spirits have been high as players continue to show enthusiasm and support for the game, reinforcing the club’s strong community spirit. With momentum building and winter conditions ideal for play, members are looking forward to another exciting month of bowls and camaraderie. Our Ladies’ Social Tuesday Afternoon on the 1st July was very enjoy
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A crew of Burdekin Rugby Union Canetoads hopped their way up north a couple of weekends ago to play in Townsville’s Queensland Country Champion Competition on the 28th and 29th of June. Closing out the month with a bang, seven players and celebrated coach, Rowland Holmes, represented the Canetoads with pride both on and off the field, with the club praising each of the players for their skills and sportsmanship. “Well done to our incredible men and women who participated in the QLD Country Cha
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The year 2025 marks ten years since the Burdekin Roosters last won an A Grade premiership in the then Townsville District Rugby League. Originally appointed as A Grade coach that season was Chris Perry, but he had to withdraw early, making way for Glenn Brock — a familiar face in local league circles, having coached many Burdekin junior sides. Brock brought in Carl List as assistant coach, and with several Bowen-based players in the squad, Bowen’s Brent Stocker joined the coaching team. Gary We
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Another difficult weekend for the Panthers, winning two and losing three matches. On Sunday, in Townsville against Saints Eagles Souths, the Premiers lost 2–3 but the Reserves won 3–2. On Friday, also in Townsville, the Ladies beat Warriors 6–1, but the Division 1 Men lost 1–5 to Ingham and the Division 2 Men lost 1–3 to Brothers. This Saturday, the Premiers and Reserves are at home to Olympics—the Premiers at 7:00 and the Reserves at 5:00. The Ladies and Division 2 Funkies are playing in Towns
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A total of 28 players turned up for another perfect winter’s afternoon of bowls, with a top temperature of 24 degrees. A warm welcome to our visitors: Cisco from Ayr; Keith and Jo Roser, and Charlie Cheetham from St Georges Basin; and Jeanie Thompson and Col Ceating from Ulladulla, NSW. A big thank you to today’s sponsor: ALLRIG Townsville. Five games were played — four games of triples and one of pairs — with plenty of friendly competition across the rinks. Today’s winners, on Rink 3, were S
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4 July 2025 Sixteen bowlers took to the Brandon greens on Friday night, 4 July, under lights and in near-perfect conditions. Two games of triples and one game of pairs were played, with all matches tightly contested. Triples Results: Dave Sheehan, Ben Mills, and Joe Yipnazar defeated Deon McIntosh, Rob Jorgensen, and Lyn Storrie. Margaret McLaughlan, Zeek, and Jamie Woods got the better of Joe Darragh, Emma Woods, and Ross McLaughlin. Pairs Result: Brad McIntosh and Gary Pearce defeated Damian
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Burdekin Catholic High School’s Confraternity Rugby League team has made an unforgettable debut at the 2025 Confraternity Carnival in Rockhampton, finishing 3rd in the Division 4 Classic Competition and proudly flying the BCHS flag throughout an action-packed week of school rugby league. The week began with the team’s safe arrival and participation in the beautiful Opening Mass and Ceremony at St Joseph’s Cathedral, Rockhampton. They joined schools from across Queensland Catholic and Independen
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By CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens It’s early days for the new Queensland Government, but I’ll say this — the first six months have brought some practical decisions that are making a real difference for cane growers. The recent State Budget struck a few important notes for agriculture. We’re not expecting miracles, but it’s encouraging to see a stronger focus on things that matter — especially biosecurity and rural resilience. With more movement of people and goods across borders, the threat
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The Story Behind CORES Queensland CORES Queensland has been saving lives in the Burdekin for over 16 years. The organisation—run largely by volunteers—offers a wide range of mental health and suicide prevention services, quietly operating as the heartbeat of the community. Though, if you ask CORES Queensland Coordinator Ross Romeo, he’ll tell you it’s the other way around. “The Burdekin community are the backbone of our program,” he says. “They are the reason we’ve survived all these years—we’r
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A group of enthusiastic Year 5 and 6 students from St Colman’s Catholic School recently stepped out of the classroom and into the heart of the Burdekin’s agricultural landscape, visiting Rocks Farming Company in Mona Park for an immersive learning experience. Held on Wednesday, the 18th of June, the excursion was made possible through a collaboration with CQUniversity’s Agri-Tech Education Officers, Lilly and Grace. The visit offered students a rare, hands-on insight into one of Australia’s lar
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Unlocking nostalgic memories across the nation, Jack Hodgins has set out on a mission to publish a book detailing the golden era of Hoadley’s Battle of the Sounds and he’s confident the residents of the Burdekin Shire have plenty of stories to tell. The contest captured the attention of Australians from 1966 to 1972, and at its peak, held 60 heats across the country where young bands would compete for a chance to win a place in a state country final, and ultimately the national grand finale. “
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Small changes are making a big difference across Queensland, and the Burdekin Shire is proudly playing its part. Through a smart partnership with Containers for Change QLD (COEX), more than 600 outdoor recycling units have now been installed in parks and public spaces across 13 participating councils, including the Burdekin Shire Council. The initiative, supported by the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ), aims to make recycling more accessible while creating lasting social and
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The Burdekin Shire Council is among 30 North and Far North Queensland councils now eligible to apply for a share in a $19.2 million funding package aimed at restoring flood-damaged community assets. The Community Recreational Assets Recovery Program has been launched to support recovery from the North and Far North Tropical Low disaster event, which impacted the region between the 29th of January and the 28th of February 2025. The funding, jointly provided by the Australian and Queensland Gove
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Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, has delivered more than half a billion dollars worth of projects and services for the Burdekin electorate via the Crisafulli government’s first budget. Focussed on the key issues directly affecting local communities, Mr Last said essential services and infrastructure saw increased funding and election commitments were ‘fully honoured’. “Across the Burdekin electorate, almost $600M in projects and services have been supported in this budget including every sin
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On Tuesday, June 24, Rights in Action brought more than just a free barbecue to Anzac Memorial Park—they brought a chance for families to connect, ask questions, and access vital support. The Townsville-based advocacy organisation deliberately planned the event as an informal gathering to introduce their new Inclusive Education Toolkit, a free resource designed to help parents and carers of children with disabilities understand their rights and find the support they need in schools. “This came
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In recent weeks, I’ve noticed a growing conversation within our community around the issue of homelessness. Sadly, the Burdekin is not immune to this challenge, and we are seeing an increase in both homelessness and housing stress. I am advised there are currently around 500 people experiencing homelessness in our region, with more than 800 displaced individuals unable to access secure, stable housing. There are many contributing factors - mental health, the national housing shortage, rising liv
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Council adopted its 2025/26 budget last week, and I’d like to thank all council staff for delivering a sensible and responsible outcome that reflects today’s economic climate. With just a 1.5% increase in general rates and only modest rises across water, sewerage and waste services, this budget strikes a careful balance. That Burdekin Shire Council can deliver such a low increase, well below the current CPI, while still meeting community expectations is a testament to our strong financial positi
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For most people the mention of the word budget prompts images of page after page of numbers and the need for a quick overview but, for one Burdekin student, last week’s state budget heralded a unique opportunity. Ayr State High School’s Sophie Robertson was one of 47 high school students from across the state who got to witness the hustle and bustle of budget day firsthand at Parliament House in Brisbane before catching up with Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP. “It’s great to see one of our l
Read moreLocal Another mixed weekend for the Panthers, winning one and losing one of the two matches. On Sunday in Townsville, against Warriors, the Premiers won 3-2 and the Reserves lost 0-4. This Sunday, the Premiers and Reserves are away to Saints Eagles Souths, the Premiers at 7.00 and the Reserves at 5.00. The Ladies, Division 1 Men, and Division 2 Funkies are all playing in Townsville on Friday. The Ladies play Warriors at 8.30, the Men’s Division 1 meet Ingham at 6.30, and the Men’s Division 2 a
Read moreA Grade The A Grade Roosters fell short on Saturday in a gritty fightback against Herbert River in Ingham. The team suffered a heartbreaking 14–12 defeat to the Crushers in a hard-fought derby, with a slow start and missed opportunities ultimately costing them the game. The Roosters found themselves in a 14–0 hole after a frustrating first half plagued by errors and missed chances. Poor ball control and a lack of attention to detail in attack saw them squander early field position, allowing th
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