Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
A sudden incident involving juvenile offenders has left the Burdekin community on high alert and extremely concerned following suspicions the area will continue to experience a frightening crime wave. In 2022 – 2023, 82,677 offenders were prosecuted against by the Queensland Police Service (QPS), a 2% increase from the previous yearly period, and the first increase since 2015. The quantity of car thefts, breaking and entering incidents, and traffic incidents that have circulated online over t
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The Burdekin Readers & Writers Festival (BRWF) was a festival unlike any other in the area. Drawing acclaimed Australian authors and a wide audience from both Queensland and interstate, tourism and local businesses flourished in the Burdekin as a result. However, like most events in Australia and around the world, covid hit, forcing organisers to cancel the 2020 event, despite having several prominent writers who’d accepted and were keen to attend. Before covid scuppered the 2020 BRWF, the fes
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On Sunday, 26 January, The Burdekin Shire Council announced their Australia Day Award winners in front of a near full house at the Burdekin Theatre. The event, which was also open to the public, celebrated the achievements of many individuals and organisations, who have all benefitted the Burdekin in one form or another through significant contributions. All the honourees, special guests, friends and family, waited in the foyer as the Burdekin Brass Band belted out beautiful tune after beautifu
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Allan Darwen was working hard under the harsh Queensland sun last month, completing mowing and yard maintenance jobs just like every other workday, when one kind stranger decided to make this hot afternoon a little brighter. “So this afternoon, a bloke pulls up while we (Allan and Simon) are doing a yard, and I thought, old mate will want a last minute mow… but nope,” shared Allan online. “He said, mate, I’ve seen you on Facebook, and I see you two blokes around going hard, so I thought I’d sh
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This week I got a lot of calls – the most I’ve had since being the local journo here. Some people called to inform me about the native wildlife. “There’s no crocs out there… or pigs!” the caller exclaimed. He was calling to express his thoughts about a street interviewee that he thought was incorrect, who mentioned crocs and pigs in Wujunga. Then yet another one more ringing to tell me that the Telstra shop closing is not good and I should write about that, as well as putting in a story to ge
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In what he describes as a win-win, both agriculture and the environment in the Burdekin will benefit from a funding boost to Regional Natural Resource Management groups according to Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP. Mr Last announced the funding, which delivers on an election commitment in his role as Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, but said he was equally as proud of what would be achieved within the Burdekin electorate. “This funding confirms the Crisafulli government’s focus on e
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“I am honoured to have been endorsed once again as the LNP Candidate for the seat of Dawson. It's a privilege to be entrusted by the local party members, with a unanimous vote of confidence, and I am ready to work hard and fight even harder for the betterment of our region and our country.” “I understand my role is to represent the good people of Dawson in Canberra, and I am determined to fight for our fair share of funding and services.” “The upcoming federal election is the most important
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The new school year offers many opportunities for growth and learning, it can also present many uncertainties. From children's mental health and wellbeing, to bullying and navigating difficult social situations, going back to school can be stressful for parents and children alike as anxiety mixes with excitement. The Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) has put together six strategic points to help children and their guardians navigate negative social challenges such as isolation and bullying.
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What are they? Where have they come from? How did they get here? A strange device was discovered along the Alva Beach shoreline by Gavan Lamb last Wednesday, the 22nd of January and the community was left puzzled as to how an echo sounder satellite buoy made its way to the Burdekin. “I often walk the beach which is where I found this buoy plastic thing,” explained Gavan. “I dragged it home and pulled it apart and the batteries were corroded so it’s been floating around for a while, so it’s kin
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Hi Kids (and Big kids), Terrylicious, Burdekin Life’s canetoad back again to announce the winners. Well, well, well, seems we had some eagle-eyed little (and big) detectives last week. Maybe I didn’t hide myself well enough? But I was glad to be found seen waving my little Aussie flag ahead in support of Australia Day, especially as no one found me last month. Winners Well done to the dynamic duo of Evie (8) & Jai (6) Giardina, who spotted me ahead of everyone else, including adults. This brothe
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The Volunteer Marine Rescue Burdekin team did a double rescue on the weekend within the space of 12 hours. The first call was from a vessel that sent a triple zero call and had run aground on the beach in front of Plantation Creek. VMR sent a crew out in their RIB (rigid inflatable boat), but unfortunately, they got caught in the tide, so they had to wait for the tide to go out to be able to rescue them. The rescue helicopter found the two guys and left them with enough food and water until VM
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Happy New Year to you all and I hope this finds everyone getting back into it for another year. School is back (thank goodness say some parents) and business will return to some normality. The weekend saw us celebrate Australia Day and with that, my fellow councillors and I attended the Australia Day Awards Ceremony. Once again, we were privileged to see and hear what some of our residents have contributed to our community. We have sport stars that have represented us at state and international
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To all who became Australian citizens on Sunday, congratulations on choosing Australia as your home. Whatever the reasons that brought you to our beautiful country, I hope you feel proud to call it your own. I was reminded of the stories my grandparents shared about their journey to Australia and the hardships they faced along the way. Having travelled extensively myself, I felt deeply grateful that they chose this wonderful nation as our home. I am, and always will be, proud to be an Aussie. Th
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The Burdekin Community Association Inc is seeking Expressions of Interest from people interested in participating in a Healing Waves Mental Health Peer Support Group. Please refer to the following information and let us know if you are interested. HEALING WAVES MENTAL HEALTH PEER SUPPORT GROUP A friendly, warm and safe space to share experiences and support one another through the journey of mental health. HEALING WAVES provides a safe space where group members can provide support and ins
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Bendigo Bank is warning the community about remote access scams in which fraudsters gain access to individuals’ computers or devices under false pretences, often resulting in significant financial losses. Australia-wide, more than $15 million was reported lost from 8,975 remote access scam reports in 2023, according to Scamwatch. “Scammers will use every trick in the book with the aim of gaining access to your phone or computer,” said Head of Customer Fraud and Scam Protection, Jason Gordon.
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We wanted to start this week’s column off by wishing all the best to the kids of the district as they embark on a new school year and congratulating all the parents and caregivers for surviving the summer holidays! Is there anyone else out there pondering the swift passage of January? We had envisioned a leisurely transition into 2025. However, it seems that plan has been swept aside, and now we find ourselves racing into February, slightly frazzled, yet we remain ever ready to greet you with
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Welcome to 2025. Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I’m sure everyone is refreshed after the break and are ready to embrace 2025. I looked forward to attending the Australia Day Awards on Sunday 26 January 2025, at the Burdekin Theatre. The Burdekin is full of so many fantastic people, groups, sporting clubs, and community events, and it was rewarding to see them recognised at the 2025 Australia Day Awards. The Burdekin Shire Council Australia Day Awards recognised me
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The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)’s In a Good Place (IAGP) program is inviting applications for grants up to $20,000 for community-driven projects that strengthen the mental, social and/or emotional health and well-being of people living in remote, rural and regional places, particularly in farming communities. This round, the IAGP program has $290,000 to support initiatives or activities that prevent or respond to mental well-being concerns. Priorities include increasing me
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Members of the NQ Dry Tropics Traditional Owner Management Group (TOMG) took part in a recent workshop, focused on improving the quality of water flowing from the Burdekin catchments to the Great Barrier Reef. Delivered by NQ Dry Tropics in partnership with Senior Scientist at C2O Consulting, Jane Waterhouse, the workshop provided an opportunity for group members to contribute their knowledge and priorities to the development of a new Burdekin Regional Water Quality Strategy, funded through the
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Simon Hood Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing The New Year has heralded an unwelcome change in global sugar price sentiment, initially prompted by the world market getting more comfortable that the first quarter supply of sugar was tight but manageable. This resulted in a gradual deterioration of the ICE #11 March 25 futures premium over the May contract. The speculative money sensed the path of least resistance was down, so they had been getting increasingly aggressive with their short-sellin
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International stage director and producer, Neil Gooding, recently came to town where he got to look in on proceedings of his smash hit musical, Back To The 80s. Written over 20 years ago, it’s been a trip back in time for this Burdekin native, who now calls New York home. “I was born and grew up in Ayr and went to Ayr High School. During my time here, we did lots of shows at the Burdekin Theatre with the Burdekin Singers. Then at the end of year,12, I went to Brisbane to study law and commerce
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When Home Hill was founded in 1911 on the southern banks of the Burdekin River, it was difficult for settlers of Home Hill to do business, as that required the Services of the Court of Petty Sessions who were based in Ayr. With its unpredictable floods, crossing the river was a hit-and-miss affair. In August 1923, approval was granted for a Court of Petty Sessions in Home Hill, with the Department purchasing Mr P. M. Jensen’s ‘Boot Palace’ building on the corner of 8th Avenue and 9th Street in
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Vixen, a beautiful 15-month-old dog, has been patiently waiting for her forever home for over 400 days. This energetic and loving girl, weighing in at 25kgs, is ready to fill your life with joy and excitement. With her tall and agile frame, Vixen is the perfect companion for an active household that can match her spirited enthusiasm for toys, long walks, and playful activities. A social dog, Vixen thrives on human interaction and loves to explore her surroundings. After burning off some energy
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Thursday 30 January Ayr Friendship Club Wood Burning Thursday 10am Come along for a FREE creative and enjoyable morning with friends! 158 Queen Street, Ayr Friday 31 January Burdekin Singers & Theatre Company’s Back to the 80’s Friday 7:30pm From the era that brought the world the Rubik’s Cube, Max Headroom, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comes the “totally awesome” musical, Back to the 80’s! The Burdekin Singers & Theatre Company’s production of Back to the 80’s will be staged across t
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Burdekin Water Festival: “We won the Community Event of the Year Achievement Award, for the Burdekin Water Festival – ‘Bring It Back.’ We're very honoured to get it, considering they were going to shut it down, but it’s been a team effort for all of us. We've got quite a big committee, and they're all dedicated. The festival came together in only 13 weeks, so it was an actual achievement to get it off the ground and bring it back. So yeah, it's a real privilege to win.” Nicole Cervoni: “This ye
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