Burdekin Christian College (BCC) recently hosted a vibrant and engaging Harmony Week event, showcasing the talents and cultural awareness of their students. The celebrations included an impressive series of performances by the college's senior students, who danced in traditional styles from Fiji, Tonga, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. The performances were a highlight of the day, and the students' passion for sharing their heritage was evident in every step. As part of their
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From cats perched on counters to guinea pigs and beyond, My Pets Rural is far more than just a pet and stockfeed supply store. It is a vibrant community hub, proudly dedicated to caring for both its customers and their beloved animals. A much-loved local business, My Pets Rural has also earned well-deserved recognition beyond the region, recently being named Member of the Year at the Aiir and Tucker National Member Conference 2025. Owners Ross & Tracy Tapiolas shared the team’s excitement and
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Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, believes two recent announcements herald a far better future for the Bruce Highway and will provide numerous benefits for the people of the Burdekin. According to Mr Last the announcements mean projects that have been stagnant can now be kicked into gear and that planning for upgrades can now begin in earnest due to increased funding. “The re-introduction of funding for the Bruce Highway will see a return to normal levels, meaning maintenance projects for exa
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More than 180 people attended the most recent performance by the talented Home Hill Choral Society, which took to the stage in a flash of green for their Shamrock Shindig musical. Themed for St. Patrick's Day, the event took place over the past two weekends, providing a wonderful opportunity for the whole community to come together. Robert Antoniazzi from the Choral Society expressed his delight in seeing people attend who had never come to an event of this kind before. "There were 14 to 16 p
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With 65 years of dedicated service to the community, McKaig's Hiway Motors has built an unparalleled reputation, earning not only a wealth of experience but also the deep-rooted trust of locals. This family-owned business, which has been passed down through multiple generations, is now in the capable hands of Ray McKaig, who took over the reins from his father and brother. Ray, together with his wife, Karen McKaig, has worked tirelessly to maintain the business’s strong community presence while
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Home Hills' highly popular Canefields Ephemera Art Competition upped the ante this year, increasing the first place cash prize significantly from $1500 to an impressive $5000. This sum does not include the People's Choice Award of $500, bestowed on the artist who receives the most votes on social media, bringing the total amount up for grabs to $5500, a grand jackpot sure to stir the competitive spirit of many artists. This escalation is a reflection of the competition's evolution from a small
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Concerns about the dangers posed by the resident flying fox population in Home Hill were addressed by Council at a lively Home Hill Chamber of Commerce meeting last week. Many locals attended to voice their frustration about the disruptive species, which not only defecate on children's play equipment but also cause noise and pose a potential risk of disease to nearby residents. Some locals reported that children are unable to use the nearby playground due to the prevalence of these native pest
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Local All four Burdekin Panthers teams should have been in action last weekend but because of the very wet weather, all NQ Football fixtures were called off. Hopefully, this week’s fixtures will go ahead as planned. The Premiers and Reserves are at home to Estates on Saturday and the Division One and Ladies are both away on Friday night. The Division One team travel to JCH and the Ladies meet Ingham at Paradise Park in Townsville. Juniors No junior fixtures due to the rain and wet fields. Le
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Although the weather in the Burdekin was pleasant on Saturday, the scheduled match with Bowen had been called off on Thursday due to the state of the field. The Roosters will have their season launch this coming Saturday night at the Queens Hotel the major sponsor of the league. Fixtures in the R L T D are to start the following weekend with the Roosters to host Norths from Townsville in four grades on Saturday April 5. Apart from playing games, club members will be involved in other activities
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Attention Burdekin rock fans – Daybreak is back! The local rock band is returning to their roots for an exclusive performance at the Ayr Hotel on Saturday, March 29th. If you love 80s, 90s, and 2000s rock classics, this is one gig you won’t want to miss! Formed in Ayr, North Queensland, Daybreak is a band of proud locals who bring a fresh, high-energy take on rock music. Frontman Trent Worley shares, “We just basically go out and put on a rock show,” and that’s exactly what you can expect, a ni
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The Fast Track Talent Showcase returned with a bang last weekend, captivating audiences as Queensland’s rising stars dazzled on stage. With over 55 acts competing, the event crowned its 2025 winners, including the dynamic band Category 5, who claimed the prestigious Best Overall Talent award. Guest judge Hugh Sheridan was left in awe of the performances, which spanned music, dance, and more. Thanks to generous sponsors, winners walked away with over $7,000 in cash and prizes. The showcase prove
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The Home Hill Bowls Club was a hive of activity last Wednesday night, with more than 40 people attending the Home Hill Chamber of Commerce meeting, eager to hear from two engaging speakers. First up was Paul Day, Environmental and Health Officer for Burdekin Shire Council, who outlined the Council’s plans to "nudge" the flying foxes away from their roosting sites near the park in Home Hill. Members of the audience were eager to ask questions about this historically important issue, and Mayor P
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The grounds at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex dried enough for play last Friday. Aria and Corbett, along with Jai and Nahjiyah, each scored 19 runs for the Challengers. Nahjiyah and Olivia took two wickets each, while Harvey, Lincoln, Aria, Everly, Claire, and Corbett took one each. McDonald's Sports Awards went to Nahjiyah for his bowling and Everly for her all-round performance. In the "Blue Group," Jude excelled with 26 runs, six wickets, and a runout, earning one of the awards, alo
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Tiles have become a preeminent feature of Australian households, and 2025 has seen the emergence of thrilling new tile trends tailored perfectly to the Burdekin lifestyle. Burdekin homeowners have been emphasising designs which harmoniously connect indoor and outdoor areas, creating cohesive living areas well suited to our tropical climate. The indoor tile scene has witnessed the dominance of large format tiles, which are praised for their minimalist style, simple and easy maintenance, and room
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Hi Everyone, A big thank you to the Home Hill Chamber of Commerce for welcoming our team to the recent Chamber meeting at the Home Hill Bowls Club. It’s always so energising to be surrounded by such passionate individuals who are unafraid to voice their thoughts on so many important local issues! During the evening, I had the privilege of chatting with Chamber Secretary Robert Antoniazzi, who shared a truly moving story about the Choral Society’s most recent event. Though he didn't name name
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Sometimes it’s the smallest acts of kindness which have the power to make a world of difference in someone’s day and just last week, one Burdekin resident was beyond delighted when their day was brightened. Gary Pappalardo shared a post on a local social media group detailing how surprised he was when his morning coffee was paid for ahead of him by one kind stranger. “A big thank you to the kind person who paid forward a coffee at Little Leaves this morning,” Gary wrote. “I was the lucky reci
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Ready, set go, the wait is almost over. Race season is back, and the engines are ready to roar at Pioneer Park Speedway! Mark your calendars for Saturday, the 29th of March, and get trackside for an adrenaline-fueled night of high-speed action. Formula 400s will be hitting the track for the first meeting of the year, promising edge-of-your-seat excitement. Whether you’re a die-hard speedway fan or looking for a thrilling night out, this is an event you won’t want to miss! Get your cars sorted,
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Prepare to bust out your calendars, highlight Saturday the 17th of May and get ready for a vibrant day of racing, fashion, and festivities as the Burdekin Growers Race Day returns in 2025! Known as the Burdekin’s premier 18+ social event, this unmissable day at the track promises a thrilling mix of local horse racing, dazzling fashion, live entertainment, and thousands of dollars in giveaways! The excitement will kick off with a six-race program, featuring some of the best local horse racing ac
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One of Ingham's most infamous street market events will soon kick off for the new year and a warm invitation has been extended to Burdekin stallholders to join in on the action! Markets at the Mosaic ignites Ingham's Mercers Lane on the third Saturday of each month and will officially commence for 2025 on Saturday the 17th of May. Stallholders flock to the area to retail everything from homemade treats and delights to keychains, candles and clothing. "At Markets at the Mosaic, we are only abo
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In January of 2001, a memorable weather event tore through the Burdekin, leaving a devastating footprint on the Home Hill community which many locals still recall to this day, almost 25 years later. Homes were left without rooves and trees were uprooted from street to street as hail fell and thousands of lightning strikes ignited the green washed horizon. Many recall the fear they felt when winds lifted tiles of rooves, snapped power poles like matchsticks and trees toppled over as well as the
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Burdekin Event Guide Friday 28 March Clare State School Open Classroom Friday 12pm Come along to Clare State School’s Open Classroom afternoon, Meet & Greet (4pm) and P&C BBQ Dinner (6pm) in celebration of the school’s 75th Anniversary! Clare State School Saturday 29 March Clare State School 75th Anniversary School Fete Saturday 9am A timeless tradition, Clare State School will hold a fantastic School Fete as part of their 75th Anniversary celebrations where the opening of the time capsule wil
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The Community Bank Home Hill and Ayr have acknowledged the recent announcement of a national award for Bendigo Bank. It is official that Bendigo Bank home loan customers are the most satisfied in Australia, a survey of more than 45,000 Australians across the nation’s 10 largest banks has found. New findings released by Roy Morgan show Bendigo Bank had the highest home loan customer satisfaction rate in the six months to December last year, sitting at 87.7%. In the announcement, Roy Morgan credit
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Appreciating the finer details in each and every day has been made simple by Visit Burdekin’s exquisite Burdekin Art Trail visual map available at www.visitburdekin.com.au! The map outlines the plethora of artistic gems displayed around Giru, Brandon, Home Hill, Groper Creek and Ayr to help locals and visitors alike spot and learn more about the region’s beautiful street art collection. With 30 gorgeous installations to appreciate, exploring the entire list may just be the perfect way to spend
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Just six weeks after floodwaters devastated the Burdekin and surrounding regions, local businesses are bouncing back, with 95% of small and family businesses now reopened. The floods, which forced nearly half of all businesses in North and Far North Queensland to close at various stages, left a lasting impact on communities. However, the resilience of business owners, combined with ongoing government support, has ensured a strong recovery. Queenslanders are now being encouraged to shop locally
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Currently perusing a Bachelor of Laws at James Cook University, Saelym White was celebrated as Home Hill High School’s 2024 Valedictorian earlier this year following on from her graduation held in last November. Saelym’s schooling journey was nothing short of successful, a triumph she achieved through flexibility and adaptability, especially in times when life would disrupt regularly scheduled routines. “When I started Year 12, I had this idea that I would stay on top of everything and get thi
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