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Football Matters With Cyclops

Local Senior fixtures resume this weekend after a very long hiatus. The Panthers have four home games and one away game over the weekend of 24 -26 April. On Friday, the Ladies are at home to Wulguru at 6.30 and the Division 1 Men play Wulguru at 8.30. The Division 2 Men’s team is away to Estates at 6.30 at Paradise Park. Then on Saturday the Panthers have two home games against Brothers with the Premiers playing at 7.00 after the Reserves have played at 5.00. Juniors Juniors are finally back un

Home Hill Easter Fours Raging Success

Cane You Keep Up?

The Burdekin Sugar Rush Is Back With Some New Twists and Turns! Lace up and bring the energy—on Sunday, April 27, the Burdekin Sugar Rush is back to fire up the region and kick off the ANQ Half-Marathon Series with a bang! Hosted by the Burdekin Road Runners and Walkers for the 23rd year running, the event will feature races for all ages and abilities. The morning is kicked off at Anzac Park with the Half-Marathon at 6:30am, followed by the 10km run at 7:15am, and the all-inclusive 5km fun run

Patrol Times

Saturday th 26th 0f April 1.00pm to 5.00pm (Patrol Group D )Ben Lawry, Kellie Lawry Zac Dale, Parker Bonato, Richard dale, Belly Lawry, William Holt, Sharli Archibald, Danica Archibald, Lisa Vivian, Kristy Wassmuth, Briella Wassmuth. Sunday th 27th Of April (9.00am to 1.00pm ( Patrol Group B )Terry Lund, Tramayne Horan, Dylan Carew, Heather Scott, Anita Giddy, Jan Hatherell , Gabriel Hatherell, Toby Wilson, Danny Wilson, Sunday th 27th April ( 1.00pm to 5.00pm ) ( Patrol Group E ) John Moloney

Burdekin Roosters Sign Terence Mosby

Young football star Terence Mosby is proving that dedication and talent can take you places starting from the remote community of Thursday Island to now signing with the Burdekin Roosters in Ayr as he chases his dream of playing professionally. Mosbys journey began when he made the bold move to leave Thursday Island and join the Townsville Blackhawks Under 19 squad. The transition wasnt easy, but his speed, agility and work ethic made him a standout player. Now, with the Blackhawks season conc

Ayr Bowling Club Report

Another lively week at the Ayr Bowling Club saw excellent competition, great sportsmanship, and some tightly contested matches across both social and competition games. Ladies’ bowls on Tuesday, April 15, saw a fantastic game with Donna Soper, Ron Soper and Pam Power coming out on top against Karen Shepherd, Sandra Stidston and Heather Jorgensen. Runners-up on the day were Meryl Smith, Linda Giumelli and Beryl Cornford, who claimed victory over Ruth Moore, Isabel Cislowski and Irene Wilson in a

SEE YOU AT THE SUGAR BOWL!

The Home Hill Tennis Association is proud to host the 44th Annual Sugar Bowl this weekend—an iconic event and a sweet spot on the North Queensland tennis calendar.This year, 42 teams have nominated, with matches played across the Home Hill and Ayr tennis courts. Each team consists of at least six players, with some fielding ten or more to allow for rest breaks. Games kick off at 8am Saturday and continue through to about 2 p.m. on Monday.With over 300 visitors expected in the region, the event b

Intervention Youth Program Promised By Willcox

A $70,000 early intervention youth program was announced as an election promise by Federal Member for Dawson last week, the the Blue Edge Program in Ayr is set to be a game-changer in the region. The program, which is run in High Schools across Queensland, supports the Queensland Police Service’s mission to unite policy, community, and the youth in early intervention. “I am proud to announce that if elected, the LNP will commit $70,000 to funding the Blue Edge Program in Ayr, run by a non-for-

Flying Fox Dispersal Activity To Begin At Arch Dunn Memorial Park, Home Hill

Council will commence flying fox dispersal activities in Arch Dunn Memorial Park with the aim to reduce flying fox numbers in preparation for Anzac Day. The activities will take place over three days from April 22nd to 24th 2025 between 5.30am and 6.30am each day as required. These non-harmful dispersal activities will include audible deterrents (pyrotechnics, shotgun simulator, pool noodles, LED torches and flashing lights) and therefore residents are advised to take measures to secure their p

Burdekin Chamber Networking Night

The Ayr Chamber gathered last Tuesday evening for a catch-up focused on all things advertising, and how the Chamber can best support its members in reaching their target markets. Rachael Smith, Chief Editor of Life Publishing Group—publisher of Burdekin Life Newspaper, Core Life, and Tripping Magazine—shared insights into the vision behind launching the two magazines in the region. The magazine, which has had a soft launch in the Burdekin in recent months, aims to showcase business profiles an

Locals Rally Behind Shop The Burdekin Gift Cards

The Burdekin Chamber recently closed out the month of March with a commendable achievement in the way of the group’s Shop the Burdekin Gift Cards! A primary focus of the Burdekin Chamber has always been to encourage and promote “shop local” initiatives to further foster intercommunity networking and development. In doing so, the Chamber introduced Burdekin Gift Cards some years ago as a closed-loop gift card program which can be purchased from and redeemed only at participating local businesses

Calem McCathie Stars In National Championship As Queensland Ends 30-Year Drought

Alongside professional development and coaching courses, 14-year-old Calem McCathie continues to reach new levels of cricketing success with the support and personalised mentorship of his father, Dean McCathie, formerly from Ayr. Just last week, Calem’s proud grandparents John and Lydny McCathie returned home from Adelaide where they enthusiastically cheered Calem along from the sidelines as he impressed spectators in the Schoolsport Australia 15 Years and Under Boys Cricket Championships. Cur

Open Day! Preparations Underway For Burdekin Machinery Preservationists

It’s all hands to the pumps as the Burdekin Machinery Preservationists prepare for their Open Day celebrations on Saturday 10th May at the Brandon Heritage Centre. President Bruce Munro and fellow Burdekin Machinery Preservationist Peter Smith are reportedly sweating away on the final preparations of the historic Austral Hot Bulb Engine—a quaint old engine made in Australia by Ronaldson and Tippet. The burning question is: Can they get the hundred year old engine ready for Open Day? This parti

Ayr Surf Club Prepares For Annual Championships & Season Finale

The Ayr Surf Club is gearing up for a big finish to the season, with several key events on the horizon, starting with the annual Senior Club Championships. Set to take place on Friday, 25th April, the championships will commence following the local ANZAC Day march and parades. All competitors in the Under 15 through to Masters categories are asked to arrive at the Ayr Surf Clubhouse by 1pm. Participants are reminded that full competition attire is required, including a stingersuit, pink

Home Hill Bowls ClubA Look Back at its Growth and Dedication

In September 1960, the Home Hill Bowls Club began a major upgrade of its green. A sub-committee made up of club members Mr Davies, Mr Adams, Mr Hanson and Mr King was formed to oversee the project, while Mr Adsma and Mr Davies were given the task of organising logistics with Mr Doug Haigh from the Ayr Shire Council. It was decided that the green would close after games finished on Sunday, 18th September. The very next day, work got underway. It was a huge job – graders, end loaders, trucks, and

Cr Column Councillor Fina Vasta

Friday night, the Burdekin had the opportunity to have Sam Childers share his incredible story at the Ayr Community Church. Sams journey has taken him from a life of violent crime to war torn eastern Africa where he has rescued over 1500 children from rebel armies in some of Africa’s most dangerous areas. He also runs schools, trade-training centres orphanages and farms in Africa all for the children. His life is also the basis of a 2011 movie starring Jerard Butler aptly named Machine Gun Preac

Event Guide

Sunday 20 April Plantation Park Markets Sunday 8am Join the VVAA for an enjoyable morning overflowing with wonderful market stalls from handmade creations to delicious treats! To become a stallholder yourself contact 4783 6627. Plantation Park Saturday 26 April Home Hill Cricket, Canefield Ashes cricket carnival: an invitational T20 cricket carnival that sees 40 teams playing over 2 days in A, B, C and Social grades. Sunday 27 April Home Hill Cricket, Canefield Ashes cricket carnival: an invit

Football Matters With Cyclops

Local Once again, there was no football in the Burdekin last weekend and unless there is a possible re-arrangement of postponed matches, there are now no more games until the end of April. The Panthers have four home games over the weekend of 25 -26 April. Juniors The school holidays and nothing now happens until the 3rd of May. We hope the kids and families enjoy the holidays. Masters Monday Night Masters resumed last Monday after a very long break. National and International The Socceroos

Information Sessions Deliver For Growers

The results of our grower survey last year made it quite apparent that growers who market with Wilmar believe that the market information we provide is one of the most important services of our Grower Marketing team. One way we keep growers up to date is via shed meetings and information sessions which we recently held in Proserpine, Ingham and the Burdekin. It’s always thoroughly enjoyable for the team to get out and about, meeting with growers, learning more about their businesses and hearin

AI To Help Scientists Forecast Devastating Locust Plagues

Australian plague locusts are an endemic pest that threatens our agricultural industry, devastating crops, and causing losses of up to $30 million. By harnessing cutting edge science, experts can forecast locust outbreaks with greater accuracy, helping mitigate economic impacts. The Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC) uses advanced analytics to improve early detection and rapid response. However, forecasting locust populations is challenging. The APLC has been developing a simulation m

5000 New Homes An End To Housing Hold-Ups

Fixing a decade-long reduction in housing supply across Queensland, including in the Burdekin, is the aim of a funding program that guarantees support for regional areas. Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, has welcomed the program’s commitment to regional Queensland due to details that have been shared with him by Burdekin locals. “The facts are that, over the last 10 years, housing approvals in Queensland have fallen by nearly 30% and the waiting list for social housing has ballooned,” he sai

Junior Tennis Coaching Returns to Home Hill Tennis!

Home Hill Tennis is thrilled to announce the return of Junior Tennis Coaching in Term 2, kicking off with a FREE Come and Try Day on Tuesday, April 22! The program will run throughout the cooler months, across Term 2 and Term 3. We’re excited to welcome back Kayla Accornero as our Club Coach — now operating under her own business, Next Point Coaching. Kayla, originally from Ingham, has a strong understanding of coaching in regional areas and brings great energy and experience to our club. Why

Burdekin Region to Honour ANZACs

On Friday, April 25, the Burdekin community will come together to pay their respects to Australia’s past and present Service People, with local ANZAC services and parades to take place across the region. In Home Hill, the Dawn Service will kick the day off, commencing at 5:25am at the Burdekin Memorial Hall, followed by the laying of wreaths, the sounding of the Last Post, and a minute's silence at the Home Hill Cemetery Cenotaph. Attendees will then return to the Burdekin Memorial Hall for th

Local Student Inspires With ANZAC Day Speech

Local schoolgirl, Grace Ogomeni, inspired the crowd at her local ANZAC Day ceremony with a heartfelt speech highlighting the importance of the day for both sides of her family. Grace is a School Captain at Home Hill State High School. A small school of just 200 students, despite its small numbers, it has a proud 60-year history of punching above its weight in terms of its achievements and the outcomes of its students. With a Papuan father and an Australian mother, Grace spoke passionately abou

Clare State School Celebrates 75th Anniversary

Clare State School has celebrated its 75th anniversary with nearly 500 attendees from the Burdekin community. Despite rain, Principal Troy Patti was delighted with the success of the event, which featured a Roll Call, Friday Night Fete, Time Capsule opening, and a Twilight Feast. Highlights included a dinner at Home Hill’s Burdekin Memorial Hall, where past students and staff shared memories, and current students led a rendition of the school song. The event also saw the unveiling of a monument