Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
The Burdekin Chamber recently closed out the month of March with a commendable achievement in the way of the group’s Shop the Burdekin Gift Cards! A primary focus of the Burdekin Chamber has always been to encourage and promote “shop local” initiatives to further foster intercommunity networking and development. In doing so, the Chamber introduced Burdekin Gift Cards some years ago as a closed-loop gift card program which can be purchased from and redeemed only at participating local businesses
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Alongside professional development and coaching courses, 14-year-old Calem McCathie continues to reach new levels of cricketing success with the support and personalised mentorship of his father, Dean McCathie, formerly from Ayr. Just last week, Calem’s proud grandparents John and Lydny McCathie returned home from Adelaide where they enthusiastically cheered Calem along from the sidelines as he impressed spectators in the Schoolsport Australia 15 Years and Under Boys Cricket Championships. Cur
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It’s all hands to the pumps as the Burdekin Machinery Preservationists prepare for their Open Day celebrations on Saturday 10th May at the Brandon Heritage Centre. President Bruce Munro and fellow Burdekin Machinery Preservationist Peter Smith are reportedly sweating away on the final preparations of the historic Austral Hot Bulb Engine—a quaint old engine made in Australia by Ronaldson and Tippet. The burning question is: Can they get the hundred year old engine ready for Open Day? This parti
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The Ayr Surf Club is gearing up for a big finish to the season, with several key events on the horizon, starting with the annual Senior Club Championships. Set to take place on Friday, 25th April, the championships will commence following the local ANZAC Day march and parades. All competitors in the Under 15 through to Masters categories are asked to arrive at the Ayr Surf Clubhouse by 1pm. Participants are reminded that full competition attire is required, including a stingersuit, pink
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In September 1960, the Home Hill Bowls Club began a major upgrade of its green. A sub-committee made up of club members Mr Davies, Mr Adams, Mr Hanson and Mr King was formed to oversee the project, while Mr Adsma and Mr Davies were given the task of organising logistics with Mr Doug Haigh from the Ayr Shire Council. It was decided that the green would close after games finished on Sunday, 18th September. The very next day, work got underway. It was a huge job – graders, end loaders, trucks, and
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Friday night, the Burdekin had the opportunity to have Sam Childers share his incredible story at the Ayr Community Church. Sams journey has taken him from a life of violent crime to war torn eastern Africa where he has rescued over 1500 children from rebel armies in some of Africa’s most dangerous areas. He also runs schools, trade-training centres orphanages and farms in Africa all for the children. His life is also the basis of a 2011 movie starring Jerard Butler aptly named Machine Gun Preac
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Sunday 20 April Plantation Park Markets Sunday 8am Join the VVAA for an enjoyable morning overflowing with wonderful market stalls from handmade creations to delicious treats! To become a stallholder yourself contact 4783 6627. Plantation Park Saturday 26 April Home Hill Cricket, Canefield Ashes cricket carnival: an invitational T20 cricket carnival that sees 40 teams playing over 2 days in A, B, C and Social grades. Sunday 27 April Home Hill Cricket, Canefield Ashes cricket carnival: an invit
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Local Once again, there was no football in the Burdekin last weekend and unless there is a possible re-arrangement of postponed matches, there are now no more games until the end of April. The Panthers have four home games over the weekend of 25 -26 April. Juniors The school holidays and nothing now happens until the 3rd of May. We hope the kids and families enjoy the holidays. Masters Monday Night Masters resumed last Monday after a very long break. National and International The Socceroos
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The results of our grower survey last year made it quite apparent that growers who market with Wilmar believe that the market information we provide is one of the most important services of our Grower Marketing team. One way we keep growers up to date is via shed meetings and information sessions which we recently held in Proserpine, Ingham and the Burdekin. It’s always thoroughly enjoyable for the team to get out and about, meeting with growers, learning more about their businesses and hearin
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Australian plague locusts are an endemic pest that threatens our agricultural industry, devastating crops, and causing losses of up to $30 million. By harnessing cutting edge science, experts can forecast locust outbreaks with greater accuracy, helping mitigate economic impacts. The Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC) uses advanced analytics to improve early detection and rapid response. However, forecasting locust populations is challenging. The APLC has been developing a simulation m
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Fixing a decade-long reduction in housing supply across Queensland, including in the Burdekin, is the aim of a funding program that guarantees support for regional areas. Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, has welcomed the program’s commitment to regional Queensland due to details that have been shared with him by Burdekin locals. “The facts are that, over the last 10 years, housing approvals in Queensland have fallen by nearly 30% and the waiting list for social housing has ballooned,” he sai
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Home Hill Tennis is thrilled to announce the return of Junior Tennis Coaching in Term 2, kicking off with a FREE Come and Try Day on Tuesday, April 22! The program will run throughout the cooler months, across Term 2 and Term 3. We’re excited to welcome back Kayla Accornero as our Club Coach — now operating under her own business, Next Point Coaching. Kayla, originally from Ingham, has a strong understanding of coaching in regional areas and brings great energy and experience to our club. Why
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On Friday, April 25, the Burdekin community will come together to pay their respects to Australia’s past and present Service People, with local ANZAC services and parades to take place across the region. In Home Hill, the Dawn Service will kick the day off, commencing at 5:25am at the Burdekin Memorial Hall, followed by the laying of wreaths, the sounding of the Last Post, and a minute's silence at the Home Hill Cemetery Cenotaph. Attendees will then return to the Burdekin Memorial Hall for th
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Local schoolgirl, Grace Ogomeni, inspired the crowd at her local ANZAC Day ceremony with a heartfelt speech highlighting the importance of the day for both sides of her family. Grace is a School Captain at Home Hill State High School. A small school of just 200 students, despite its small numbers, it has a proud 60-year history of punching above its weight in terms of its achievements and the outcomes of its students. With a Papuan father and an Australian mother, Grace spoke passionately abou
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Clare State School has celebrated its 75th anniversary with nearly 500 attendees from the Burdekin community. Despite rain, Principal Troy Patti was delighted with the success of the event, which featured a Roll Call, Friday Night Fete, Time Capsule opening, and a Twilight Feast. Highlights included a dinner at Home Hill’s Burdekin Memorial Hall, where past students and staff shared memories, and current students led a rendition of the school song. The event also saw the unveiling of a monument
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Hi Guys! I’m both proud and excited to introduce myself as the new local journalist for the Burdekin Life newspaper! I was born and raised in the Greater-Sydney region. I’ve had an ardent passion for writing ever since I was young, and began studying journalism in 2019 at Western Sydney University. I made the leap to the USA to continue my studies in 2021, earning a full academic and athletic scholarship at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, where I was also on the Men’s Soccer team. After g
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With Easter just around the corner, excitement is building - especially for our little ones who are eagerly awaiting a visit from the Easter Bunny and, of course, plenty of chocolate! It’s a wonderful time of joy and indulgence, but beyond the treats, Easter carries a deeper significance for many in our community. For those who celebrate, it is a time of renewal, reflection, and hope - a reminder of new beginnings and the importance of faith, love, and kindness. The Easter long weekend also prov
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In light of ongoing global financial uncertainty, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) Financial and Cyber Crime Group (FCCG) are urging residents to remain vigilant and protect themselves from a rising tide of financial scams. Recent market instability has impacted many Australians’ superannuation accounts, prompting some to seek alternative ways to recover their losses. Unfortunately, scammers are taking advantage of this uncertainty by luring unsuspecting victims with fake investment opportun
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From flood recovery in the Burdekin to biosecurity updates and machinery innovation, QCAR continues to support growers where it counts – in the paddock, in the shed, and at the big-picture level. Following recent heavy rainfall, the QCAR Burdekin team has been busy assisting growers with flood and erosion issues. “You are not alone, and we might surprise you with how we can help,” said QCAR Central District Manager Angelo Licciardello. “We have the strength, the resilience, the knowledge and c
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Reform of global agricultural subsidies and tariffs at the World Trade Organization would support better environmental and food security outcomes, according to the latest ABARES Insights paper. Executive Director of ABARES, Dr Jared Greenville, said taxpayers and consumers bear the brunt of hundreds of billions of dollars spent every year on agricultural support policies that inadvertently create adverse environmental impacts. “Some forms of agricultural support distort production decisions in
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CANEGROWERS has welcomed Queensland Treasurer David Janetzki’s comments supporting the development of a domestic biofuels industry, during his speech to the Queensland Energy Club in Brisbane today. “The sugarcane sector is ready to see a biofuels industry take off in Queensland, with cane as a key feedstock,” CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan said. "It's great to see the Treasurer not just showing support, but taking on an important leadership role in driving the development of this emerging indus
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Burdekin Catholic High School has excitedly announced that enrolments are now open for Year 7, 2026. Families looking for a high-quality secondary education in a supportive, values-based environment are encouraged to consider what BCHS has to offer. With a proud tradition of academic success, vocational achievement, and holistic development of young people, Burdekin Catholic High School continues to set the standard for secondary education in the Burdekin region. Whether students are aiming for
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A huge congratulations to the Ayr High Hawks Swimming Squad, who made a splash at the BSS Interschool Swimming Carnival earlier this month, proudly finishing second overall! From powerhouse team efforts to standout individual races, each of the swimmers gave it their all in the pool and showed incredible determination, sportsmanship and school spirit throughout the day. A special shoutout was extended to the school's Age Champions, Mia Wicks, Briella Wassmuth, Isla Chapman and Ayden Barnett, f
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The Ayr High family showed their true colours at the end of Term 1, proudly celebrating Pink Stumps Day 2025 in support of the McGrath Foundation. With students, staff and community members all getting behind the cause, the school has already raised over $1000, with the final total still to come! Adding a bit of fun to the festivities, Year 12 student Bradley Cahill took out the win in the lolly jar guessing competition with a sharp guess of 203. A heartfelt thank you was extended to everyone
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Burdekin Christian College may have sent a small team to this year’s Burdekin Interschool Swim Carnival, but their impact in the pool was anything but small. With just eight determined students, Team BCC showed up with courage, heart, and incredible sportsmanship—proving once again that it’s not the size of the team, but the strength of the spirit that counts. From strong finishes to cheerful sideline support, students gave it their all and proudly represented the College in every event. A hu
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