Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
One of the major attractions at the Burdekin Machinery Preservationists Open Day on Saturday, 10 May, will be the Walkers Engine No.1 Diesel Engine and Alternator Set. Built around 1930 by Walkers Ltd in Maryborough, this impressive engine is based on a Mirrlees design. Rated at 220 horsepower at 300 rpm, it weighs 25 tonnes and drove a 150kW alternator. It features an air-blast start system and air-blast fuel injection — a method based on Rudolf Diesel’s original 1897 engine design. Several Eu
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The mornings are getting cooler as we approach winter which also means the Cane harvesting season is not far away. One of the Burdekins signature events to kick off the season is the Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival which is over the last weekend in May. First on Friday the 30th is the First Fire as well as the Cultural Fair. The cane fire is something that still makes you sit back and watch in awe even when you have seen them your whole life. Accompanied by the Cultural Fair which is a great show
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Home Hill State High School enjoyed good weather for its cross country carnival on Monday, April 28, 2025, with a challenging course winding through the school’s surrounding farmland. Students tackled a range of terrains around the school, testing their endurance and spirit across grass, dirt tracks, and rugged paddocks. The event brought together competitors from across the school’s houses — Upstart, Inkerman, and Beachmount — all vying for age champion honours and a spot on the school’s repre
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Another week, another chance to meet more of you lovely people! This week was definitely a real “welcome to the industry” kinda week—full-on, non-stop. This followed right through the weekend, with three huge events to cover. But it was great to see the community out in force, embracing each other and making the most of the Burdekin experience. From a full morning of Anzac Day services on Friday to the Burdekin Sugar Rush on Sunday, each event was busy, spirited, and enjoyable to cover. The Ca
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The Burdekin community united on Friday, April 25, gathering in droves to honour Australia’s past and present Service People, with Dawn Services, marches, and commemorative ceremonies held across the region. From the first light of dawn, residents gathered at local memorials to reflect on the sacrifices of the ANZACs. Services were held in Home Hill, Ayr, Giru, and Brandon, each marked by the laying of wreaths, the sounding of the Last Post, and a minute’s silence. This included an intimate ce
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The Whitsunday community was rocked by the news that much-loved business owner, Tim Perkins, had suffered a severe injury after falling 10 metres from a palm tree on the 3rd December. Tim, who co-owns Whitpro Pty Ltd with his wife Norina, was performing a task he had completed thousands of times before, as an arborist— climbing and cleaning numerous palms on a local property, when the catastrophic accident occurred. From the rehabilitation centre at the Townsville University Hospital, Tim reca
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In a major boost for Rugby League in the Burdekin region, Community Bank Home Hill & Ayr has officially signed on as the naming rights sponsor of the local playing fields, which will now proudly be known as Bendigo Bank Park. This landmark partnership comes as the Burdekin Rugby League precinct undergoes significant upgrades to its facilities, setting the stage for a new era of growth, participation, and community pride in the sport. The improvements include enhanced amenities for players, refe
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Getting kids excited about homework and learning outside of school hours can often feel like a daunting task. However, with a little creativity, parents can turn learning into a fun and engaging experience that kids look forward to. Here are some fun and interactive ways to make homework and learning enjoyable for children. **Gamify Learning One of the easiest ways to get kids engaged in learning is by turning it into a game. Use educational apps or board games that teach math, spelling, histo
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Election day is just around the corner! If you're casting your vote in the Burdekin, there are a few convenient locations open across the region. Voting will take place on Saturday, 3 May, with booths open from 8am to 6pm. Check where you’re voting ahead of time to avoid any last-minute rush. You’ll be able to vote at any of the following locations across the Burdekin: Burdekin Sports Club Hall 142 Wickham St, Ayr QLD 4807 East Ayr State School 43-73 Ross St, Ayr QLD 4807 St Colemans Cathol
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Old Friends At 101, Carl is a living testament to the power of longevity in sport. He continues to bowl alongside his long-time mate, Bob, proving that age is no barrier to staying active. With years of experience on the green at Home Hill Bowls, Carl’s passion for the game, coupled with Bob’s ongoing involvement, shows how sport can remain a rewarding part of life, no matter your age. Mid-Week Bowls Mid-week bowls at Home Hill offer a great opportunity for everyone to enjoy the game in a rel
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A comprehensive plan to tackle bullying in Queensland schools will not only benefit students but is also a key part of reducing classroom assaults according to Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP. Since being announced, the program has received support from Dolly’s Dream, the charity founded following the tragic impact that an extended period of bullying had on Dolly Everett. “When we spoke about making Queensland safer in the lead up to the election, we committed to a range of programs,” Mr Las
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It’s easy to focus on the faces at the front—the speakers at ceremonies, the runners crossing finish lines, the players scoring goals. But behind every event in the Burdekin last week, there was another group at work: the volunteers. From Anzac Day services to the Sugar Rush fun run, and even weekend sport, dozens of people quietly gave up their time to help things run smoothly. They were setting up chairs before dawn, handing out water bottles in the sun, guiding traffic, collecting rubbish, c
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Many young people in Dawson are looking for opportunities to stay and work locally. What will you do to ensure young people thrive without having to leave the region? Question 2: With housing affordability becoming an increasing issue in regional areas like Dawson, what is your plan? Question 3: What specific policies will you introduce to improve healthcare infrastructure and ensure all residents of Dawson, regardless of location, have equal access to timely and high-quality care? **Andrew
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In the first few months of last year, Demi O’Shea was presented with the wonderful opportunity to represent Campbell’s Jewellery as a Senior Ambassador in 2024’s historic Burdekin Water Festival. A major pathway for self-development, personal growth and community engagement, Demi accepted the nomination and began one of her most memorable and significant experiences she’ll treasure for years to come. “On a personal level the Water Festival allowed me to unlock my full potential as it was an ex
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With an incredible dream and the support of the entire community, Macy Dabelstein will embark on a lifechanging journey to Nepal this October to provide free medical care to thousands of men, women and children in rural communities. Earlier this year, both Macy and her college, Josephine Long, decided to participate in World Youth International’s Nurses in Action initiative – a program enabling nurses and allied health professionals to deliver primary healthcare services to those living in remo
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As students return to the classroom this week, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) are urging all road users to take extra care - particularly around school zones - following a devastating Easter holiday period on the state’s roads. Operation X-Ray Easter, which ran from the 4th to the 21st April of, saw QPS officers dedicate over 30,000 hours to enforcement, in a bid to reduce risky behaviour behind the wheel. Across the state, almost 120,000 roadside breath tests and 7,500 roadside drug test
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Following the successful launch of our Managed Pool Plus for the 2025 season, we’re pleased to announce that we’re opening nominations earlier for the 2026 season. Nominations for the Managed Pool Plus open on 1 May and close on 30 June 2025. We’ve seen strong interest from growers who have experienced a couple of volatile seasons with unpredictable target pricing and are now seeking to share some of that pricing responsibility with Wilmar. The enhanced Managed Pool Plus aligns grower exposur
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Sugarcane growers and industry stakeholders from across Queensland and beyond have converged on Brisbane earlier this week for Sugar Cubed 2025 – a dynamic, future-focused event set to spark fresh ideas and foster new connections across the cane supply chain. Hosted by CANEGROWERS at the Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane Show Grounds from 27-29 April, Sugar Cubed brought together growers, manufacturers, researchers, policy makers and innovators for three days of thought-provoking
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The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) is seeking submissions to inform its review of the Australian chicken meat industry and has released an Issues Paper to assist. Submissions can be made via 'Have Your Say' online until 30 May 2025, including via written submissions or through a guided portal. Submissions are open to all interested parties and will not be published. Confidentiality deeds are also available for all submissions. ABARES was commiss
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A few rays of sunshine finally broke through in the Burdekin this week – but earlier visits to the Burdekin Productivity Services (BPS) clean seed plot found it still too damp to open at the time. Manager of Kalagro Alan Parker, BPS Field Officers Kristie Casalegno and Jack Edwards, and Farm Manager David Paine were among those checking conditions ahead of the expected opening earlier this week. QCAR Burdekin District Manager Angelo Licciardello said there were “plenty of tonnes of Q240 and Q1
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This weekend, the Burdekin is the place to be with three exciting sporting events that promise to bring energy, competition, and plenty of fun for all! Lace up your shoes and hit the starting line at the Burdekin Sugar Rush, kick off your tennis skills at the 44th Annual Sugar Bowl, or grab your cricket bat and join the Canefield Ashes carnival for an action-packed two days of T20 cricket. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just looking to have a good time, there’s something for everyone. The Burd
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A group of teenage boys were recently recognised on the Burdekin Community Hub on Facebook for their respectful and considerate behaviour while visiting a local water park two weekends ago. Despite clearly being excited to enjoy the slides, the boys demonstrated an admirable level of kindness towards the younger children at the park. As the younger ones queued for their turn, the teens graciously allowed them to go ahead, ensuring the little ones could enjoy the slides without feeling rushed. T
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Hi Everyone! Hope you all had a fantastic Easter break :) With my first week in the Burdekin in the books, I can positively say: I love this place already! You all have made it so easy for me to settle in and find my feet in my new role as your local voice. I’ve really enjoyed learning and writing about some of your stories this week. After just a couple days on the job, one thing is already unequivocally clear: you guys LOVE your local events—and I’m all for it! It’s refreshing to see a comm
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The ANZAC spirit is alive and well across our region, with attendance at dawn services, marches, and other commemorative events surging in recent years. This ANZAC Day is expected to see even greater numbers, as our community once again comes together to honour those who have served. Long before I became the Federal Member for Dawson, and my time as Mayor of the Whitsunday Regional Council, my family and I have always made it a priority to honour the sacrifices of our brave servicemen and women
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The Home Hill Chamber of Commerce held its monthly meeting at 5:30pm on Wednesday, 16 April. Guest speakers included Police Officer in Charge Sam Pyke, Labor candidate for Dawson, Neil Wallace and Burdekin Life Newspaper Sales Manager Trish Jandt. Officer Pyke provided an update on local policing matters, identifying that sdaly domestic violence as the most prevalent crime in the Burdekin Shire. He also addressed questions from attendees about the operations and priorities of the local police f
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