Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Growing up on a farm 100km from town, Riley Granshaw learned to build, fix, and figure things out the hard way. One day, he decided to put those skills to use—and four years later, what began as a backyard project in his parents’ shed has grown into RG Customs NQ—a one-man customs garage known for its personal touch and elite craftsmanship. Now located in Ayr, RG Customs NQ has become a local favourite for people seeking custom work on their vehicles. Specialising in 4x4 accessory fitment and c
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In what will be the 24th annual Burdekin Enduro off-road racing event, racers and fans alike are in for another weekend full of fast cars, red dust, and roaring engines as Queensland’s toughest drivers take on the rugged terrain of the Ayer Rifle Range on the 24th and 25th of this month. The weekend, organised by the Burdekin Off-Roaders, is set to see upwards of 50 cars from the local region and beyond battle it out for glory—a proportionately large number compared to the eight cars that
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As the Burdekin’s flagship race day approaches this weekend, now’s the time for you blokes to get your outfit sorted—and Wild East Western and Workwear has you covered. With a fresh new season of stylish shirts, dress pants and classic hats, Wild East is your one-stop shop for raceday threads that’ll turn heads—or help you blend in with ease. Whether you're aiming for sharp and polished or rugged and relaxed, they’ve got the gear to suit the occasion. Previously known as Sibby’s Savers, the bu
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Excitement is building across the Burdekin as ducks and humans alike ready themselves for the Norm Perry Memorial Duck Race, set to take over Plantation Park this Sunday, May 18. Now in its 16th year, the much-loved community event will see hundreds of bright yellow ducks hit the creek for a thrilling 130-metre float to glory. The spectacle kicks off at 11am near the Don Moss Archway, with cash prizes on offer for the fastest five finishers—including $1000 and the coveted 2025 Quack Cup for fir
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After implementing a range of flying-fox dispersal strategies in the lead-up to this year’s Anzac Day, Burdekin Shire Council has doubled down on its efforts to prevent flying fox roosting locally through a long-term, strategic approach that prioritises both environmental responsibility and community wellbeing. The initial activities were rolled out across a three-day period from April 22nd to 24th. This strategy incorporated a range of audible deterrents, such as pyrotechnics, shotgun simulato
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At Ayr State School, learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door — it leaps into the pool, brushes across a canvas, and even includes wild encounters with native wildlife! This term, students have enjoyed a range of hands-on and enriching experiences that reflect the school’s commitment to providing a vibrant and well-rounded education. From swimming lessons to engaging art workshops, every opportunity is designed to nurture creativity, confidence, and curiosity. Students recently made a splas
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After a busy weekend of events, the club returned to its regular routine, starting with Friday night bowls. Attendance was down slightly due to the long weekend, with ten players participating across one game of triples and one game of pairs. In the triples, Margaret McLaughlan and Ray Panacassio defeated D. Sheehan and Ross McLaughlan. In the pairs, the team of Ben Mills, Lloyd Shepherd, and W. Newton proved too strong for A. Newton, L. Storrie, and Jamie Woods. Saturday, 3 May – Pairs
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The Burdekin Art Society recently held its first art workshop of the year with a charcoal drawing class run by visiting Townsville tutor, Carole Howlett. Originally from the UK where she gained a BA (Hons) Degree in Fine Art, Carole has won many awards at the annual Townsville Art Society exhibitions; conducts art classes at the Drill Hall; and regularly exhibits at Jezzine Barracks. Carole took the attendees of the recent class through an array of exercises using a variety of techniques,
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After a week off with away opens, junior golf was back on here in Ayr this Saturday morning. Overcast and cool, it was a perfect few hours on the course. May Monthly Medal. Our winners for the monthly medal for 9 holes was Kyle Wilkie, with a wonderful PB. For 6 holes it was Hunter Oar, who played some great shots today. And for 3 holes it was River Oar. Gross winners were Amaya Mahoney for 9 holes, Evelyn Mahoney for 6 holes, and Opie McKeough for 3 holes. Congratulations all. Ayr Junior
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It’s officially debutante ball season in the Burdekin, with St Colman’s hosting a beautiful evening over the weekend to start off the calendar. Deb Balls are such a unique part of our community’s traditions, elegant, meaningful, and a rite of passage that many locals’ treasure. I know so many people look forward to these events each year, whether it’s to support family or relive fond memories. Another fantastic local event was the Burdekin Machinery Preservationists Open Day. What an incredible
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Synonymous with the Sugar Bowl are the Teaspoons. The Teaspoons have been part of the Sugar Bowl since the 1980s, originally led by longtime captain David Woods. Today, the legacy continues with his son Josh, who rallies the team each year. They come together not just to play, but for mateship, camaraderie, and to support the club and the wider community. The Sugar Bowl simply wouldn’t be the same without their unwavering commitment. The Woods family motto — “first to arrive, last to lea
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On Saturday, the Ayr Surf Life Saving Club hosted their annual Presentation night for both the Junior and Senior members to celebrate and recognise achievements over the season. The club had over 100 members, family, friends and sponsors attend to wrap up the 2024-25 Season. The Ayr SLSC junior committee would like to thank their additional sponsors for the donations for prizes and awards - Wassmuth Automotive, Radar Floors, Rocky Ponds Produce, Laser Electrical, Bob Gould's Fabrication, A
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Local It was a strong weekend for the seniors, with four wins and two draws from six matches, scoring 35 goals across the board. All five senior teams will be in action again this weekend. On Friday night at International Park, the Ladies defeated Saints Eagles Souths 16-0, while the Division 1 Men thumped Warriors 11-0. In Townsville, the Division 2 Men beat JCU Riverway 2-1. On Saturday at home, the Premiers drew 1-1 with Warriors and the Reserves finished 0-0 against the same opponent
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On Saturday 10th May 20 keen hikers (Scouts and family members) of the Lower Burdekin Scout Group hiked up and down Mt Inkerman. The day before Mother’s Day each year Scouts around the world undertake a hike called “Trail Jam” or previously known as “Jamboree of the Trail”. The ages of the hikers ranged from 2-80 years, and the morning started with a small activity involving compasses and maps before tackling the trail. There was a hot BBQ sausage waiting for all the hikers when they got
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It was a tough outing for the Roosters in Townsville on Saturday, with Norths racing away to a 40–4 win in A Grade, thanks in no small part to a host of NRL and QRL talent. The difference in resources was stark. Norths fielded seven Cowboys-contracted players and three from the Blackhawks system — a luxury the Roosters simply didn’t have. The Burdekin side was allocated one Cowboys player this year, but he remains sidelined for the season after being injured in last year’s City-Country cl
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It’s time for another Councillor column and it has been a very busy period since my last column, with budget meetings, Anzac Day and the election. I recently completed a three-day Foundations of Directorship Training course in Brisbane through Lower Burdekin Water, of which I am the Council representative director. It was a very intense, insightful three days and I look forward to bringing that knowledge to my positions as both Director and Councillor. It was wonderful to read the positive soc
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More than 60 per cent of growers who attended last week’s town hall meeting in Ayr have signed up—either on the spot or within 48 hours—to supply cane waste to SKY Renewables, according to company CEO Simon Yim. The event, held at the Ayr Showground Hall on Wednesday 7 May, outlined SKY’s plan to convert sugarcane tops and trash into renewable natural gas (Bio-LNG) for export to energy-hungry markets like Singapore, which relies on liquefied natural gas for 95 per cent of its electricity. SKY
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Burdekin Christian College will transform into a hub of curiosity and creativity on Friday 23 May, when the school welcomes families and community members to its annual Under 8’s Day Science Fair, running from 9:00am to 10:30am. The event is all about letting kids explore science in fun, hands-on ways—whether that means mixing up colourful chemical reactions, digging for fossils, or cracking a cookie-themed mystery. “It’s about unleashing scientific thinking through play,” said event organiser
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Young storytellers across the Burdekin are being encouraged to tap into their imaginations for the 2025 Sweet Days Hot Writes Short Story Competition, with entries now officially open. Hosted by Burdekin Shire Council, the competition is open to children aged 5 to 17 who live in the Burdekin region. This year’s theme, “Mystery in the Canefield,” invites participants to draw inspiration from the area’s iconic rural landscape and local culture. Entrants will compete in three age-based categories
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If you’ve ever set foot in the Home Hill Bowls Club, chances are you’ve heard the name Bob Young. Bob first joined the club in 1960, back when he was juggling life as a young father and the demands of a growing bakery business. Even then, his talent on the green was unmistakable. It didn’t take long before fellow members noticed his knack for the sport—and his drive to see the club thrive. By 1979, Bob had been elected club president, stepping into the role with trademark energy. That year alo
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Over $3.65 Million has been committed to sporting and community groups in the last few weeks with Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, describing the funding as illustrating the government’s commitment to grass roots organisations in the district. Following a commitment in the lead up to the October 2024 election, planning for facility upgrades at Burdekin Netball is now underway while facility and equipment upgrades for 6 community groups have also been given the green light under the provisions
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It was another busy week for news in the Burdekin. Among the notable events was the re-opening of Stardust Drive-In Cinema, which welcomed customers for the first time in almost a year-and-a-half, after Cyclone Kirrily left its mark on the beloved, long-standing community hub back in January, 2024. I decided to give it a go at their soft re-launch last Friday, and it did not disappoint. It was also refreshing to see the community turn up in droves to support the venue, which has been a staple
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Saturday 17 MAY Nutrien Ag Solutions Burdekin Growers Race Day Saturday 11am The Burdekin Race Club is preparing to celebrate the 18+ social event of the year. 7 local horse races, thousands of dollars in prizes for fashion, mega draws, super bets, to be won. Free fresh fruit and veg for all. Live entertainment on stage till late. Sunday 18 May Norm Perry Memorial Duck Race Sunday, from 9am Watch on as hundreds of decorated plastic ducks are dropped into Plantation Creek and float their way t
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Kicking off the 2025 season in the Burdekin, the St. Coleman's Debutante Ball was a night to remember. Held on Saturday, May 10th at the Burdekin Memorial Hall, the event saw eight debutantes and their partners take the stage in a stunning display of grace and tradition. The evening was made even more special by the presence of Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort, who joined the packed hall of parents, family, and attendees to celebrate this significant occasion. The event marked the perfect start to a sea
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After over a year of repair and preparations, Burdekin’s beloved Stardust Drive-In Theatre softly relaunched last Friday, 9th May, reopening its gates for the first time since Cyclone Kirrily devastated the site in January 2024, with locals flocking back to the community icon that has served the region for over 60 years. Devastation struck early last year as the cyclone tore through the area, toppling the drive-in’s iconic screen and leaving the venue in ruins. Despite the challenges, Stardust’
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