Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
The Cane Country Cup is back for its second year, bringing with it more teams and more action. The mixed-team pickleball event, hosted by the Home Hill Tennis Association, will take place on Sunday, June 8 from 8am, with spectators welcome to join the action courtside. After a successful debut, the 2025 edition has grown to 24 teams, up from 16 last year, with teams coming from across North Queensland—including Whitsundays, Bowen, Townsville, Home Hill, Ingham, Cardwell, and Tully. Teams will
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At 10am last Thursday, PCYC Burdekin welcomed community members, support agencies, and high school students for a heartfelt Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Awareness Morning Tea, held as part of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month. Guest speaker Foxie Eleoyze, an intuitive coach, NLP trainer, and energy healer, headlined the event with a focus on empowerment and healing. The atmosphere was informal and welcoming, encouraging open conversations about DFV in a safe setting. Sergeant
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The Burdekin region is known for its strong community spirit, and that spirit is on full display through the ongoing support by the Community Bank Home Hill & Ayr for the Burdekin Combined Chaplaincy. The community bank, operated by a local board with a deep commitment to community wellbeing, has once again stepped up to support the work of local school chaplains. Through generous funding and public advocacy, the community bank is helping ensure chaplaincy services remain a vital support for st
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It’s been 10 years since the Burdekin Roosters last claimed A Grade glory in the Townsville District Rugby League—and this weekend, the heroes of that 2015 premiership will reunite to relive one of the club’s greatest triumphs. The Roosters’ 2015 campaign began with Chris Perry appointed head coach, but he was forced to withdraw early in the season. Local junior coach Glenn Brock stepped in, bringing on Carl List as assistant. With a number of Bowen-based players in the squad, Brent Stocker als
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Sweet Days Hot Nights festival took the Burdekin by storm over the weekend, reaffirming its status as the region's premier destination event with two days of electrifying entertainment, colourful celebrations, delicious food, and, of course, swinging blades. Attendees were greeted with a lively mix of music, movement, and mouthwatering aromas from the moment they stepped through the gates, funnelling through the array of food options to the main stage for the official opening at 6pm. After the
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What a fantastic weekend it’s been with Sweet Days Hot Nights once again delivering an unforgettable celebration of our region’s people, produce and culture. From the Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships to the vibrant Canefield Cook-Off and cultural performances, it was wonderful to see so many locals and visitors enjoying everything that makes the Burdekin so special. My thanks to everyone involved from volunteers to organisers and sponsors for making the festival such a success. Without
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Wow that was great weekend!! The Sweet Days Hot Nights once again did not disappoint. The rain may have taken the spectacle out of the fire but rain could not dampen the spirits of everyone who attended. I spent a little bit of time at the gate taking postcodes and it was pleasing to see the support from the locals and also pleasing to see some postcodes starting with 2’s and 3’s. Official numbers through the gates show with over 4000 locals and visitors attending the event. The bands sounded
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Sunday 8 June BBQ Breakfast Sunday 8am The community is invited to attend the Burdekin Aero Club Inc. Monthly BBQ Breakfast at the Ayr Aerodrome from 8am to 11am. Meet the pilots, inspect the aircrafts, and enjoy a morning of socialisation for $15 per person. Call 0429 144 921 for more information. Ayr Aerodrome, Brandon Sunday 8 June The Cane Country Cup Pickleball Team Event Sunday 8:30am Annual pickleball team event returns to the calendar. Teams from Mackay, Whitsundays, Bowen, Townsville,
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Ensuring the federal government better understands the work undertaken by primary producers has resulted in more Queensland farmers being eligible for assistance following this year’s severe weather events. Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, said the changes would herald welcome assistance, especially given they will be applied retrospectively. “Until now producers whose income included activities like cane harvesting, for example, were mostly exempt from receiving assistance,” Mr Last said. “
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There’s a certain rhythm to life in the Burdekin—one I’m only just starting to catch. One moment you’re at a morning tea hearing stories that stop you in your tracks—the next, you’re standing in a cane field watching the sky catch fire to the sound of a cheering crowd and a roaring blaze. In the past couple of weeks alone, I’ve seen this community in celebration, in reflection, and—maybe most importantly—in conversation. From the solemn honesty of the DV Awareness Morning Tea to the sparks and
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Local Cane Cutter Triumphs At Sweet Days Hot Nights Signature Event
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Home Hill's Hand Cane Cutter Monument It’s no secret agriculture underpins the fundamentals of the Burdekin Shire, and in late September 2021, a wonderful artistic installation was unveiled in celebration of one of the region’s most treasured events. After speaking with locals and witnessing the impressive efforts of competitors in Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival’s 2021 Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships, renowned chainsaw sculptor Matthew George was inspired to create a magnificent han
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Stephen Walker’s Enduring Gift To The Burdekin A prominent art installation within the Burdekin Shire, Stephen Walker’s timeless Living Lagoon sculptures have stood in the forecourt of Queen Street’s Burdekin Theatre for almost half a century. 2025 marks exactly four decades since Walker’s work was unveiled in the region, and although 1985 was many moons ago, the sculptures continue to attract much attention and admiration from locals and travellers alike. Hailing from North Balwyn in Melbourn
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A magical Mixed Media Workshop will grace the Burdekin Art Society’s Clubhouse next month under the guidance of the talented educator, Cath Meharry. With 40 years of teaching experience, Cath has led an impressive career, honing her skills as a talented mixed media artist where she infuses her work with life and texture using collage, paint, drawing and layering. Upon her retirement, Cath was the head of the art department at Townsville’s St Margaret Mary’s College, and now she continues to sh
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A 35-year-old man has been charged after an alleged domestic violence incident earlier this May in the Burdekin Shire. Police allege that on the 16th of May, the man threatened a woman known to him with a firearm at a residence in Brandon. Thankfully, no one was physically harmed during the incident. The woman reported the matter to police on the 21st of May and the following day, officers from the Ayr Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) arrested the man at the intersection of Queen Street and
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The Burdekin Touch Association paid tribute to the vital role women have played in the sport during its Women in Touch celebration last week. Held during Round 11 of the local competition, the event honoured the countless women and girls who have helped shape Touch Football into one of the region’s most popular sports. Players, referees, coaches, and volunteers were treated to a drink and sausage sizzle in recognition of their contributions. Incoming president Peter Knapton acknowledged the st
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A cornerstone of the Burdekin Shire since 1926, the Ayr Surf Life Saving Club will officially celebrate its 100th anniversary in less than a year’s time, with a three-event extravaganza set to kick off from the 29th of May 2026. Although its early days, the club has taken to social media to ramp up the excitement and anticipation ahead of what’s shaping up to be a historic celebration to remember. To mark the monumental milestone, the Ayr Surf Life Saving Club will host an elegant Formal Dinne
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NQ Wildlife Care is reminding residents that baby season for the Little Red Flying Fox is officially underway, and community support is critical to the survival of these tiny, winged mammals. This is the time of year when mother bats give birth and raise their pups. The baby flying foxes are unable to fly for several weeks and depend entirely on their mothers for warmth, nutrition, and safety. “Sometimes pups may fall off their mums and land in random spots around town,” explained a spokespers
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Local community groups in the Burdekin Shire are being encouraged to apply for a share of $285,000 in funding, as the government opens applications for its Indigenous Languages Grants program during National Reconciliation Week. With grants of up to $15,000 available, the funding aims to support the preservation, revitalisation, and promotion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages across Queensland. Eligible projects include initiatives in art, drama, music and film, Yarning Circles
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A new era of learning has begun for students across regional and rural Queensland with the launch of the state’s largest classroom, the Queensland Virtual Academy. The initiative is providing more than 4,000 students from 365 state schools with access to specialist subjects that may not be available at their local school. With a $12 million investment in 2025, the program is set to transform education delivery by livestreaming high-demand subjects such as Specialist Mathematics, Senior Physics
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This week saw the Tour de Cure participants cycle through the Burdekin region. Travelling from Grays Beach in Bowen to Plantation Park in Ayr, then continuing to Mt Surround, and finally heading to Strand Park in Townsville. For the participants this isn’t just a ride, it’s a powerful movement to help cure cancer. Tour de Cure is a cancer-agnostic organisation, meaning funds raised support a wide range of cancer research, support services, and prevention projects. The fundraising goal for Signa
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Cyclone Jasper left a lasting mark on cane-growing regions across the Burdekin, including Giru, where widespread flooding and erosion in December 2023 caused significant setbacks for local farmers. Many are still recovering, with some forced to replant entire paddocks and stabilise creek banks to protect their operations into the future. The latest changes to disaster funding eligibility may offer long-awaited relief for those working to rebuild. More Queensland primary producers will now be el
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It’s been all hands-on deck this week at the Burdekin Christian College ahead of the school’s Open Day extravaganza on Sunday the 8th of June! Right down to the school’s convenient door-to-door bus route to ensure children from Ayr, Home Hill, Brandon and Giru travel safely to the classroom, Burdekin Christian College will spotlight everything the fantastic school has to offer families this Sunday from 1pm to 3pm. The afternoon will also offer attendees the opportunity to meet the school’s ded
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By Amanda Wright Andrew Willcox, the Federal Member for Dawson, has been appointed Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capabilities—an elevation that brings national attention to the critical role of regional Australia in shaping the nation’s future. The announcement from Nationals leader David Littleproud has been met with widespread congratulations, but Mr Willcox is keeping his focus close to home as he steps into the role. “I’m truly honoured to take on this role and
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There’s a new landmark on the Burdekin horizon in the form of a 72-metre boiler stack at Wilmar Sugar and Renewables’ Kalamia Mill. The new steel structure has replaced two concrete stacks that towered over the factory and dominated the local skyline for more than 50 years. With the 2025 crushing season starting this week, it means local residents will now see steam rising from a single stack at Kalamia Mill instead of the familiar two. Senior Project Engineer Fabian Sataro said the $12 milli
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