The soaring sounds of saxophones will echo through the Burdekin Theatre this July as part of a free community concert showcasing the next generation of classical music talent. The Pathways Outreach Concert, hosted by the Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM), will take place from 2pm to 3pm on Thursday, July 31, offering locals the chance to experience live chamber music performed by the Andromeda Sax Quartet—a talented young ensemble handpicked through AFCM’s prestigious Fellowship Progr
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At just 16, Jack Roveglia is already a familiar face behind the counter at Harvey Norman Ayr. Since starting almost two years ago, he’s found more than just a job—it’s become a space where his interests and ambitions can thrive. “I’m a salesperson,” he says, simply—but that title only scratches the surface. Jack’s love for technology has been nurtured since young. “I’ve always liked electrical things—working with wiring and circuits. That’s what interests me,” he says. “When I saw a job ad for
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OPINION PIECE By Federal Member for Dawson and Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capability Andrew Willcox It’s no secret that the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is under financial pressure. Costs have ballooned, and participation rates are rising faster than anticipated. Reform is clearly needed. But how the government plans to tackle reforms is all cloak and dagger. Before the May election, Labor stuck to its usual script, spruiking only they could be tru
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Wednesday 2 July Burdekin Writing Groups – Anthology Showcase 10:30am Join the Burdekin Writing Groups at Home Hill Library for readings from their latest anthology and a celebration of local writing. Home Hill Library Sunday 6 July Plantation Park Markets Sunday 8am Join Ayr State Primary School for a picture-perfect morning showcasing the talents and hobbies of both local and travelling stallholders with everything from home baked treats to handmade creations on offer! To become a stallholder
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Win Gleeso’s Ultimate Party in Paradise! Get ready to amplify your tropical festival escape! The Airlie Beach Festival of Music is thrilled to announce that Aussie rock legend Dave Gleeson of The Screaming Jets has been named its official Festival Ambassador for 2025. To celebrate, the festival is launching Gleeso’s Ultimate Party in Paradise competition, where entrants go in the draw to win the ultimate festival experience. Set to ignite the Whitsundays from November 7th-9th, 2025, the Airlie
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Last Thursday, Bendigo Community Bank Home Hill and Ayr celebrated 20 years of serving the community by doing what they do best: serving the community. The two-decade milestone was marked by a well-attended special event at the Burdekin Theatre, which saw grants totalling $65,000 awarded to five deserving organisations across the Burdekin. “The whole idea of a Community Bank is to provide banking services to our communities, to generate profits, and to then distribute those profits back into t
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The 2025 Burdekin Show burst to life under mostly clear skies and a soft winter sun, drawing thousands through the gates for a full day of colour, noise and classic country show charm. From the moment the gates opened, the showgrounds buzzed with the sounds of laughter, engines, livestock and live music. Smoke drifted from food stalls frying onions and churning out steak burgers, while kids chased each other between pavilions, faces sticky with fairy floss. Side Show Alley roared to life early
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Three Burdekin Touch players recently returned from the State of Origin series held in Coffs Harbour. This competition between Queensland and New South Wales is held every two years and is contested just as fiercely as its Rugby League cousin. The states compete in a three-game series for Open Men, Women, and Mixed, as well as several age divisions from Under 20 to Over 65. Results from all series are aggregated to decide the overall winning state. Michael Littlefield attended as an elite refer
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Thursday, 26 June 2025 Twenty-eight players fronted on a perfect winter’s afternoon. The winning team today was Henry Hazel, Phil Marsden and Alex Bojack (pictured). Sorry—no Henry in the photo as he had already left. Four games of triples and one game of pairs were played. Rink 2: Paul Vass and Jeff Taylor had a narrow win over Bob Young and Hugh Montgomery, 20–19. Rink 3: Judy Elton, Delys Fuller and Keith Roser defeated Margaret Linton, Dino Poli and Norm Bethel, 18–7. Rink 4: Henry Hazel,
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The Ayr ANZAC Memorial Club Men's 4BBB Golf Championships took place over the weekend at Ayr Golf Club, with a host of local golfers battling it out for ultimate glory across three skill-based divisions. The two-day event was highly contested, with gross winners and nett winners being recognised for each division at the tournament's close. Gross winner of Grade B, Terry Hancock, said he was happy to be part of this years tournament. "It was great to be involved in this event. Thank you to eve
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Burdekin Water Festival Community Launch This Friday The Burdekin Water Festival is back for 2025, and it's bigger, brighter, and bursting with excitement! Kicking off this Friday 4 July with the Community Launch at Populin’s Hall, the night will showcase this year’s Junior and Senior Ambassadors under the vibrant theme “Bon Voyage – Roam the Globe”. From fashion parades to the “European Summer,” Long Lunch on 30 August, and the iconic Grand Parade and Mardi Gras on 6 September, the Water Fest
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This week was definitely more relaxing from a professional standpoint—let’s call it the calm in the midst of the storm. I had Friday off, as a few of my mates from Sydney came up to visit. Our expedition started in Townsville on Thursday, where we spent the night before heading down to Airlie Beach, with a scenic pit stop right here in the Burdekin to show my mates around my new home-town. Having not known much about the place before arriving, they were pretty pleasantly surprised by North Que
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With the announcements of both Junior and Senior Ambassadors trickling throughout our pages over the past few weeks, the excitement among the community ahead of the 2025 Burdekin Water Festival has continued to build, and with so many events on the calendar, how could you not be bursting with anticipation?! After a heartwarming come back in 2024, the Burdekin Water Festival returned to its rightful place within the community in spectacular form as one of the state’s longest running celebrations
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Have you checked the calendar? The winter school holidays have rolled around once again, marking the halfway point of the 2025 school year, the conclusion of term two, and the commencement of 14 days of endless fun! With so much to do and see in and around the Burdekin Shire, we’ve compiled a list of what’s hot this winter for you and your kids to enjoy… ON AIR Teen Radio Takeover Calling all radio enthusiasts and future broadcasters! The Burdekin Library has partnered with 97.1 Sweet FM to deb
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Queensland primary producers who have completed a Farm Business Resilience Plan (FBRP) are being invited to participate in a research initiative led by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Bureau of Meteorology. The study aims to gather insights on the use of digital tools that provide climate information to support agricultural decision-making. Eligible participants will engage in confidential interviews discussing their experiences with weather and
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By Andrew Willcox MP – Federal Member for Dawson, Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capabilities The sugar crush across Dawson is on again, and it’s a timely reminder that cane trains are on the move and caution is needed around level crossings. Please, everyone — stay aware and remain safe on our roads. As the federal member for Dawson and Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capabilities, I am incredibly proud of our local sugar industry. Behind wh
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CANEGROWERS Australia Chairman Owen Menkens has been elected President of the World Association of Beet and Cane Growers (WABCG), marking a proud moment for the Australian sugarcane industry on the final day of the WABCG Conference in Cairns. The appointment was confirmed during official proceedings last Wednesday, with delegates from around the world endorsing Mr Menkens to lead the peak global body representing sugarcane and beet growers from 38 countries. “It’s a great honour to be elected
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Over half a century of creativity underpins the success of the Burdekin Art Society, a celebrated organisation, focused on nurturing local talent and highlighting artistic expression across the Burdekin Shire. 54 years ago, the late Cecilia Spottiswood and a passionate group of artists and community members came together to establish the Burdekin Art Society, which still to this day, continues to bring creativity to life from its mural-covered gallery at 154 Macmillan Street, Ayr. The space do
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A long-serving Burdekin paramedic has been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours List, receiving one of the highest accolades in the profession, the Ambulance Service Medal (ASM). Peter Heron, Acting Officer In Charge (OIC) at Kirwan Ambulance Station and a proud Juru man, is one of only four Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) officers to receive the honour in 2025. Officer Heron has served with the QAS for nearly 30 years, working in rural and remote communities across Queensland,
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Just ask all the wives When the "Harvesting Season" arrives They'll tell you how hard their man works For no extra perks Off to bed early each night to get a good sleep Before they fall in a heap To wake in the morning before sunrise, to then Do it all over again Whether driving the harvester or pulling the bins The pattern is always the same Cut the cane and fill up the bins Haul em out, drop em off at the siding Come back and do the same When they come home had it, washed up and ready for t
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A group of green-thumbed students from Ayr State High School have been getting hands-on with native plants as part of their Certificate II in Production Horticulture studies. The students recently visited the Lower Burdekin Landcare nursery, where they were guided by experienced volunteers through activities designed to deepen their understanding of local plant species and the vital role native vegetation plays in maintaining healthy ecosystems. From identifying native flora to learning how th
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By Chelsea Ravizza Sarah McDonnell has led an impressive academic career in the pursuit of advocating for women’s health initiatives through magnifying the misunderstood, under-discussed or heavily stigmatised conditions many face, especially in remote communities. After graduating as Ayr State High School’s School Captain in 2020, Sarah went on to peruse a Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery at James Cook University (JCU) in Townsville. In late 2026, Sarah will excitingly celebrate her
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Representing Liessmann and Sons Since she was just eight years old, Molly Julyan dreamt of one day becoming a Burdekin Water Festival Ambassador, and now, at the age of 21, she’s become the girl she used to admire. “Going to the Grand Parades, seeing the floats go by and then afterwards, enjoying all the fun rides are memories that I’ll cherish forever,” reminisced Molly. Hailing from Home Hill, Molly will represent Liessmann’s and Sons, and she could not be more excited and honoured to embark
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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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In 2017, Adam Perakovic came up to the Burdekin for what he thought would be a quick visit to his parents. That short trip turned into a permanent move—one that saw him meet his future wife and business partner, Randall, and build from scratch one of North Queensland’s most successful window covering manufacturers: Blinds2U. “It started off as just me—I was doing small installs on my own with the help of my dad and father-in-law,” says Adam. “Then we expanded, it all started to grow, and now we
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