Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
The highly anticipated Canefield Ashes cricket carnival is set to return to the Home Hill Cricket Club the weekend of Saturday the 26th of April. Held annually in memory of Eugene Pagotto, this two-day invitational T20 event promises an action-packed weekend for cricket enthusiasts and the wider community. With 40 teams competing across A, B, C, and social grades, the carnival offers something for everyone, from seasoned players to those just keen for a bit of fun. Beyond the boundary ropes, th
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Unfortunately, on Sunday the Ayr Bowling Club’s highly anticipated Australia Day Bowls event was cancelled due to inclement weather conditions. While members are disappointed that they did not celebrate Australia Day together on the green, the safety of its members remains their top priority. Please rest assured, a new date will be selected soon, and the Ayr Bowling Club will keep everyone informed. In the meantime, the Club is excited to announce that Wednesday Night Social Mixed Bowls started
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Home Hill Tennis is set to host its Annual Club Open Day on Sunday 2nd February from 5.30–7.30pm, to coincide with the success of this year’s Australian Open. There was much to cheer about with local tennis star, Adam Walton, playing in the main draw of the singles and doubles. Adam is ranked inside the top 100 in the World. His family and friends were there to cheer him on and couldn’t have been prouder. Adam had a win in the first round of the doubles 6-2, 7-6 but was defeated by a very exper
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The sweet pea flower is known to symbolise loyalty and friendship – qualities that perfectly describe this loving girl! Sweet Pea is a cuddly, affectionate cat who adores spending time with her human companions and gets along well with other pets. She’s been a devoted mother to her kittens, and now it’s her turn to be pampered and loved in a forever home. Ready to meet Sweet Pea? Submit an inquiry form at www.angelpawsinc.com.au/forms.html and discover if this beautiful girl is the perfect add
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Get ready for an exciting year of track and field action across North Queensland in 2025! From February to October, athletes of all ages and abilities will have the chance to compete in a variety of exciting meets. Here’s your ultimate guide to the upcoming events: February: • North Star Summer Series Meet 1 – 1 February, Townsville (State Permit Meet) March: • North Star Summer Series Meet 2 – 1 March, Townsville (State Permit Meet) May: • Mackay Track & Field Carnival – 3 – 4 M
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On Friday, the 17th of January, despite some of the hottest and most humid conditions this year, 16 dedicated bowlers braved the elements for a thrilling night of social bowls. The game must go on, and it did - thanks to a fun draw of difference organised by Gary "Mr Bowls" Pearce, which led to some interesting pairings. On Rink 3, the father-son duo of Chris Jnr Pearce and Gary Pearce faced off against Hans Baas and his son-in-law Simon Griggs. Despite the heat, the Pearce family combination d
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Saturday the 1st of February, 1pm to 5pm (Super Sub Patrol): Joshua Furnell, and Barry and Brooke Cross. Sunday the 2nd of February (All Day Patrol Group B): Terry Lund, Tramayne Horan, Dylan Carew, Heather Scott, Anita Giddy, Jan and Gabriel Hatherell, and Toby and Danny Wilson. Contributed with thanks to Hockey Vernon.
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Lace up your running shoes! The 2025 Burdekin Sugar Rush is set for Sunday, the 27th of April, promising an exhilarating day of fitness and fun for participants of all abilities. Hosted by the Burdekin Road Runners and Walkers Club, this signature event is the Burdekin’s only formal running race and features the prestigious Athletics North Queensland Championship half marathon. Runners and walkers can choose from the 21km half marathon, 10km, or 5km events, catering to competitive athletes and
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Prepare to lace up your football boots because the Burdekin Touch Football open men’s and women’s season is almost here, and it’s time to get your team ready to play! The fun began with the pre-season competition on Wednesday, the 29th of January, and will run for three weeks. Teams will play two 20-minute games each Wednesday, with Week 4 ending in an exciting Grand Final! The top teams from the men’s and women’s divisions will compete for some sweet prizes - $150 off the winning team's season
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Jye Olsen has entered the spotlight, made headlines and wowed spectators over the past few years, leading an impressive rugby league career with the Burdekin Roosters. With a lifetime of experience, Jye first played on the field when he was just seven years old and reminisces fondly on his successful introduction to the sport. “I was lucky enough to play in a very good junior team which went undefeated for many years,” explained Jye. “It was with this team that we won the Paul Bowman Carnival
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It’s official! The Burdekin Shire Council’s 2025 Australia Day Awards nominees have been announced, and there are some excited and very nervous candidates among them. When nominations closed on the 4th of December 2024, a total of 25 surprised recipients were nominated. But they’ll have to sit patiently until Australia Day to find out whether they’ve won. Until then, they’re left to wait, some chewing their fingernails. However, for most, it's business as usual, and they take their nominatio
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100! It’s a big number any way you slice it or break it down. 100 years is not just 10 decades, but approximately 36,525 days, where there are 76 common years and typically 24 leap years. That’s almost a full month of extra days! So why am I discussing 100 years this week? Well, I was recently told about the Home Hill Post Office, which quietly, silently, celebrated 100 years (3 November, 2024) in her own hushed, inauspicious way with barely a mention or celebration held to acknowledge it anywh
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Got a desire to paint the town red? Or white? Perhaps blue? Maybe purple, green and pink stripes, with yellow and orange polka dots? Then Home Hill is looking for budding artists young and old to get along to Lloyd Mann Park and refresh the current panels. Anyone is welcome to attend, day or night, and create their own little bit of creative magic, all in the name of public art. The only request, no graffiti or obscenities. Other than that, the five panels that abut up against the fence by the
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A cornerstone within the Burdekin community, the Home Hill – Ayr Lions Club’s extraordinary generosity, fundraising efforts and commitment to supporting the shire’s future generations underpins the success of many local organisations, individuals and events. Over the past twelve months, the Home Hill – Ayr Lions Club made valued donations to the Home Hill State High School’s Optic Minds Competition, Zonta Club Burdekin Inc., Movember Australia, the Burdekin Shire Youth Council’s Fast Track Tal
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Australia Day Award nominees will be celebrated in Ayr and Home Hill on Sunday 26 January, marking another year that brings the community together, recognising those who have made a lasting impact in the Burdekin. “It’s great to be nominated for our 2024 Canefield Ashes. It was actually the 20th anniversary of the Canefield Ashes, so it feels really good to be nominated for a milestone event in our cricket club's history, Tiffany Olditch states, nominated for The Community Event of the Year.
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The Molongle Creek Boat Club has recently invested over $16,000 in surveillance cameras to enhance security around the trailer parking area, new clubhouse, and licensed café. These cameras are in place to ensure the safety of both club members and the public. The club reminds everyone that any inappropriate behaviour will be recorded and “you will be seen." Additionally, members and visitors are urged to check that their trailers are properly secured when parked. There have been incidents where
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As communities across the electorate prepare to celebrate the extraordinary effort of everyday community members during Australia Day ceremonies, Member for Burdekin Dale Last has offered his appreciation to those who take the time to make their communities a better place to live, work and play. Mr Last said with the heart of Australia beating firmly in regional and rural areas including the Burdekin, Australia Day was an opportunity to recognise our strength, diversity and generosity as Austra
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Looking for a way to make a real difference in your community in 2025? Join the Burdekin State Emergency Service (SES) and help Queensland communities before, during, and after emergencies. With over 5,000 volunteers across the state, the SES plays a crucial role in disaster response, and we need individuals like you to step up and support our efforts. As an SES volunteer, you’ll respond to various emergencies, including storms, floods, cyclones, rescues, road/rail/air incidents, landslides, an
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On Saturday, January 11th, the Alva Beach community was stunned to hear a wave of sirens after the Queensland Police Service, Queensland Fire Department, and Queensland Ambulance Service were called to a single-vehicle traffic crash. At approximately 3pm, a Subaru XV crashed into a tree on Torilla Street. The driver, a woman in her 70s, was then transported to the Ayr Hospital for treatment. A Queensland Police Service spokesperson has stated there have been no significant updates to the
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At 2.45am on Saturday the14th of December, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Queen Street, Ayr. As a result, an 18-year-old Townsville man was issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) for drink driving, .188 and is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 13 January. At 6.50pm on the 2nd of January, a traffic crash occurred on Munro Street, Ayr, when a motorcycle collided with a parked car. As a result, the driver, a 44-year-old Burdekin man, was issued an NTA for driving whilst under the influen
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The grand and iconic establishment that is the Home Hill Post Office, recently celebrated 100 years on the 3rd of November, and while a party was not thrown, she was, however, recently bought in July of 2024 by new owners keen to keep her tradition going. Holding a prominent corner position in the heart of town, nestled on the main street at 58 Eighth Avenue, she is a true testament of character, strength, beauty, and time. Originally low-set, she was raised in 1947 to avoid flood levels, wh
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The Burdekin Shire’s Visitor Information Centres in Ayr and Home Hill, have closed the books on a successful 2024, welcoming more than 11,000 visitors to the region over 360 days of operation. The centres saw their busiest month in August, with Ayr hosting over 900 visitors and Home Hill welcoming over 800 through the doors, highlighting the Burdekin as a popular stop for tourists. Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort said the Burdekin Tourism Volunteers play a vital role as ambassadors for the Burdekin.
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The Burdekin Community Association Inc. (BCA) Home Care Service delivers a wide range of services for seniors and their carers. Home Care Packages Program (HCP) The HCP Program provides support to older people with complex care needs to live independently in their own home. We can offer services to eligible seniors on a Level 1, 2, 3 or 4 package. Services include in-home support services, transport, home maintenance/repairs/modifications, access to allied health services and other care relat
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At the Neighbourhood Centre, we love bringing people together to share interests and build community connections. Recently, we received a question about whether there are any Bridge Clubs in the Burdekin area. As far as we know, there aren't any local groups, but we thought it would be a great idea to see if there's interest in starting one! The question was posed by Sylvia, who has been visiting the Burdekin for 17 years. She recently moved here from Northern NSW to be closer to her family. In
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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’m looking 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, it will be rewarding to see they will be recognised at the 2025 Australia Day Awards. The Burdekin Shire Council Australia Day Awards wi
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