Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
The Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre invites all members of our community to come together with us in a supportive environment, regardless of their background or life experiences. We deeply value the sharing of stories, the exchange of knowledge, and the cultivation of strong, positive relationships among our members. Our aim is to create a true sense of belonging by uplifting one another through life’s various challenges. It is important to recognise that loneliness often arises from the percept
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It was shovels at the ready on Sunday, 27 July, as members of the Lower Burdekin Scout Group joined local volunteers for National Tree Planting Day at the Landcare Centre in Ayr. With perfect weather, the Scouts rolled up their sleeves and got to work—digging, planting, watering, and mulching native trees. By the end of the morning, they’d lost count of how many they’d helped into the ground. “As Scouts, we’re always looking for ways to support our community and care for the environment,” said
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Feeling a little isolated, or just keen to meet new people? Loneliness Awareness Week is the perfect time to step out, get involved, and make meaningful connections—right here in the Burdekin. Friendship Bracelet Fun & Sausage Sizzle (Free) Get creative and share a few laughs at this feel-good event celebrating connection and community. Friday, 8 August 9:00am – 11:00am BCA Support Centre, 130 Queen Street, Ayr Make a friendship bracelet, enjoy a free sausage sizzle, and leave with more than
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The Burdekin community came together on Wednesday, 30 July, for the annual Ready Set Go event—an initiative driven by passionate volunteers from the Burdekin Early Childhood Network and Ready Set Go committees. Held at Ayr Primary School Hall, the free morning event saw 24 stallholders—including local schools, community groups, and emergency services—offering vital information and support to families with children aged 0–5. Now in its ninth year, Ready Set Go aims to raise awareness of early ch
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The Burdekin community is invited to experience the future of farming, education, and innovation at Home Hill State High School’s Agricultural Precinct Open Day on Thursday, 21 August. Open Day will officially unveil the school’s purpose-built Agricultural Precinct and learning spaces – a significant investment in the region’s agricultural education and workforce development. This new facility integrates cutting-edge horticulture, aquaponics, protected cropping, and traditional farming practice
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Chris Lloyds Brings the Classics of Tony Bennett and Other Great Crooners to Burdekin Theatre The smooth sounds of timeless standards will echo through the Burdekin Theatre on Wednesday, August 13, as acclaimed Australian vocalist Chris Lloyds presents Morning Melodies: For the Love of Tony & Friends—a soulful musical salute to the great Tony Bennett and other legendary crooners. Backed by the virtuosic Jamie Rigg Band, Lloyds will take the audience on a nostalgic journey, spotlighting Bennett’
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Friday 8 August Ayve’s DISCO 6pm onwards Start practicing your dance moves for Burdekin Basketball Association’s Junior Ambassador, Ayve Cursio’s Community DISCO at the Den. Expect bright lights, great music, games, prizes, and a fully stocked canteen! The Den, 14-16 Little Drysdale Street, Ayr SATURDAY 9th AUGUST Saturday 8am to 2pm Home Hill Rotary club present their Harvest Festival Mega Markets. Many local and Travelling market holders offering a wide variety of goods featuring local hand
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A very good weekend for the Panthers, winning four and losing just one of the five matches played. On Saturday, away to Saints Eagles Souths the Premiers won 2-0 but the Reserves 0-1. On Friday, in Townsville the Ladies defeated Wulguru 6-0, the Division 1 Men beat Warriors 5-2, and the Division 2 Men thumped JCU 7-0. This Saturday is Ladies Day with the Auction kicking off after the Premiers match. The Premiers and Reserves are at home to Estates, the Premiers at 7.00 and the Reserves at 5.00.
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Twenty-six players fronted on another perfect winter’s afternoon. A game of club singles and a game of club triples were held alongside three social triples matches. On Rink 5, Paul Vass edged out Des Chapman in a tight singles clash, 25–21. In the triples, Gary Nosworthy, Dino Poli and Hugh Montgomery proved too strong for Maude, Bob Pickard and Phil Marsden on Rink 3, winning 25–13. Rink 4 saw Michael Young, Elaine Young and Trevor Elton account for Bob Young, Ron Smith and Terry Feakes, 24–
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Three young Burdekin bowlers will put their skills to the test at the 2025 ANC Sunshine Coast Ultimate Tenpin Cup and Ultimate Teams Clash Junior Competitions over the week extending from Thursday the 14th of August until Wednesday the 20th of August. 14-year-old Aidan Butler, 14-year-old Chase Nucifora, and 16-year-old Xavier Jepsen will travel to the Sunshine Coast to compete in the CLS Townsville Jigsaw Team, and the trio could not be more excited to catch up with old friends and make new on
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Touch footy fans across the region are gearing up for an exciting day of action as the third annual Burdekin Mixed Touch Football Carnival returns to the Ayr touch fields on Saturday, the 23rd of August. A growing highlight on the local sporting calendar, the carnival will welcome teams from Townsville, Bowen, Airlie Beach, and the Burdekin, with three divisions on offer: Mixed Under 16, Mixed Open, and Mixed Seniors (over 39 years). The event promises friendly competition, community spirit, a
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The Wilmar Club Challenge is set to unite all four Burdekin bowls clubs for a special community event this September. Marking the first time in decades that the clubs will compete side-by-side, the Challenge celebrates the spirit of bowls and the strong sense of community in the Burdekin region. Each club will field three teams of four players in a round-robin format, with points awarded for wins, losses, and draws. Supported by club leaders, this promises to be a memorable occasion for players
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After more than four decades in the Queensland Police Service, Steve Barton, Officer‑in‑Charge at Ayr Police Station, is hanging up his badge with much pride and little fanfare—exactly how he prefers it. “I’ve just really enjoyed doing what I’ve done,” he said. “Every job has its challenges and things you wish you’d done better, but [I'm proud of] my commitment to the work and the community.” Continued on page 3... A Career Built On Commitment And Connection Continued from cover... Barton
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After my mates last month, it was my parents’ turn to pay me a visit in this beloved region I now call home—and it’s only when you’re showing guests around that you realise just how much you’ve come to know about a place. Don’t get me wrong—I’m not claiming “local” status yet. But I’ve come a long way from the guy who first arrived here wondering why everything was closed on Sundays. Mum and Dad liked what they saw. I took them up the mountain, down to Groper Creek for a bit of fishing, and th
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Time is running out to shine a spotlight on Queenslanders making an extraordinary impact in their communities, with nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards closing at 11.59pm on Thursday, the 31st of July. The government is calling on locals across the State to nominate inspiring individuals for the prestigious national awards, which recognise everyday Australians doing remarkable work across four categories: Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year (65 years and ove
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A 27‑year‑old Ayr woman is among three people charged after an armed robbery at a Bruce Highway rest stop in Cardwell on Saturday, 26 July. Police allege that around 6.35pm, the trio–including a 26‑year‑old Rasmussen man and a 17‑year‑old Rasmussen boy–approached a white Hyundai Accent and demanded the 18‑year‑old German tourist driver hand over his keys, wallet and phone. One of the group allegedly threatened the man with a firearm before ordering him out of the vehicle. The tourist complied
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OPINION PIECE The Albanese Labor Government has used its numbers in Parliament to block a proposed Senate Inquiry into the health and future of Australia’s metals manufacturing industry, without providing any explanation for the decision. The Inquiry, moved by Nationals Senators Susan McDonald and Matt Canavan, was designed to investigate the looming crisis facing the sector, including key processing facilities Glencore’s Mount Isa and Townsville operations. “These facilities underpin our loca
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Helping You Achieve Financial Goals When Ross Rickards opened Astute Ayr in January 2020, he brought with him over a decade of experience in banking and a stint managing insurance clients—background that gave him a clear vision of what a customer‑first financial service should look like. Now, five years on, that vision has flourished into a bustling office that handles everything from home loans, equipment finance and commercial lending to Business, domestic and private health insurance service
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On 20 July 2025, surrounded by friends at the Alva Beach Tourist Caravan Park, Joan Mutton marked her 100th birthday the same way she has spent the past two decades of winters: in the Burdekin, fishing, quad‑biking and swapping stories at happy hour. “We’ve been coming up here for the last 20 years,” Joan said. “A lot of these people that come up here, and also friends we have made in Home Hill and so forth, were all here to celebrate, and it was lovely.” Born in Adelaide in 1925, Joan grew up
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The Burdekin continues to shine with celebrations of significance across our community. From Rotary marking 70 years of service, Burdekin Pottery celebrating 50 years of creativity, to the 100-year milestone of the Catholic Church in our region. We also applaud long-standing local businesses like Liesmann Plumbing, celebrating 55 years, and Nutrien Harcourts McCathies Real Estate, marking 60 years of operation. And next year, we’ll honour 100 years of the Ayr Surf Life Saving Club. Donations fr
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Once again Burdekin didn’t disappoint last weekend. The bagpipes were playing and competitors of various ages were enjoying the local highland dancing competition called ‘Sugarcane and Sword Dances’ at Burdekin Catholic High School’s Marcellan Centre. Competitors from Burdekin, Mossman, Mackay, Townsville and Brisbane took part. Fantastic to see the ‘Burdekin Youth Council’ members assisting with the canteen. Burdekin Potters celebrated 50 years of ‘Creativity and Community’ at Plantatio
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Sport plays a vital role with families in the Burdekin community and providing the appropriate facilities and resources is a constant challenge for local clubs. For generations, rugby league has been the beating heart of the Burdekin sporting community. At the centre of this proud tradition stands the Burdekin Roosters – a club forged in 1994, but whose roots go back over a century in local league. Over the years, the Roosters have grown from strength to strength, evolving into a vital part of
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As the hazard reduction burn season ramps up across Queensland, local firefighters and energy providers are reminding landowners to take extra precautions when burning near power infrastructure. Both Ergon Energy Network and the Queensland Fire Department are urging property owners to be mindful of power poles and electrical equipment when conducting hazard reduction burns, which play a vital role in reducing vegetation and fire risk across rural areas. Ergon Energy’s Corrine Young, who
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As the hazard reduction burn season ramps up across Queensland, local firefighters and energy providers are reminding landowners to take extra precautions when burning near power infrastructure. Both Ergon Energy Network and the Queensland Fire Department are urging property owners to be mindful of power poles and electrical equipment when conducting hazard reduction burns, which play a vital role in reducing vegetation and fire risk across rural areas. Ergon Energy’s Corrine Young, who
Read moreNorth Queensland’s ongoing flood recovery efforts have been boosted with the announcement of three new funding packages worth more than $77 million, with Burdekin residents now eligible for legal support under the expanded assistance. The packages, jointly delivered by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), are designed to support recovery and boost resilience across flood-affected areas, including the Burdekin. In particular, Bur
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