Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
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Last week, I had the opportunity to get a bird's-eye view of our region, thanks to the River Trust. Flying over the area provided a fresh perspective on the beauty and complexity of our local landscape. I even spotted some large crocs sunning themselves along the riverbanks - a true reminder of the rich biodiversity we’re fortunate to have in the Burdekin. It was an incredible experience, and I’d like to extend my thanks to the River Trust for making it possible. On another note, I was saddened
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Eyecare Plus optometrist and owner, Shannon Peckham, believes great eye health starts with a routine check up. Doing so can often detect potential eye health issues early on such as glaucoma, macular changes or on rare occasions ocular melanomas, and will help protect your eyes now so you can have your best chance at good eyesight for years to come. With twenty years of experience as an optometrist, Shannon’s seen and taken care of many people’s eyes across Australia and now calls the Burdekin
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John Cattell, a 71-year-old who originally hails from Glen Innes, in New South Wales, has been living in Home Hill for about four to five years after being homeless in Townsville. After he was placed in a housing unit courtesy of his daughter, John’s been happy to be here ever since. “I was homeless in Townsville for about three or four years before my daughter helped put me into a housing unit here in Home Hill, through Housing Services. It’s been both great and a big relief,” John says. Alth
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Australian sugar cane farmers will soon trade one tropical paradise for another as they explore first-hand the implications of Brazil being ranked number one and two in the world for sugarcane and ethanol production. Queensland sugarcane farmer Paul Atkinson is embarking on the 10-day tour for a second time because he is interested in how Brazil’s harvest and mills operate. “Brazil is our main competition,” Mr Atkinson said, adding its use of sugar to produce ethanol affected world sugar pr
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The open road became a classroom for early-career extension officers as they embarked on a two-week, cross-industry bus trip as part of the Agricultural Extension Work Placement Program (AEWPP). Hosted by the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF), this unique journey was more than a road trip—it was an opportunity for trainees to deepen their understanding of Queensland’s diverse agricultural landscape, showcase their work, and build valuable connections across the sector. The AEWPP places train
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A new venture, Oxitec Australia, is taking on two of the deadliest virus-carrying mosquitos in the Pacific region—Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus —to fight the spread of diseases like dengue, Zika, and yellow fever, which claim hundreds of thousands of lives globally each year. Oxitec Australia is a collaboration between CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and UK-based Oxitec Ltd, the leading developer of biological solutions to control pests. The new venture leverages Oxitec's p
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The Ayr Bowling Club continues to thrive as a hub of activity even during our hot summer days, with members enjoying social bowls throughout the week to keep their skills honed. Wednesday’s games saw some tightly contested matches, with bowlers showcasing their skills on the green. While the competition was fierce, Cisco, Lloyd Shepherd and Wayne Coonan were the winners on the day. On Saturday, 18 members came together for a lively afternoon of social bowls under the cover. It was a warm after
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With an update to the Burdekin Show committee and some positional changes, President Christopher Lyne, is confident that this year’s show will be the biggest and best yet. “We've got one new member, Stacey Koir, who joined the committee this year, while we've had a few changes. Meghan Wilson has gone from committee member to Vice President, and Brendan Kolb stepped down from Vice President to committee member,” Chris announces. “We're seeing fresh ideas come to the show, and every year we add
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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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Thalie: “Well, I have a lot of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander friends, so we don't celebrate Australia Day, but we gather and we tell stories. And in fact, probably my husband and I are probably going to be at home by ourselves that day. But we aim to share stories that reflect their heritage and values and stories of where we're from, and stories of connection, and stories of what's important to us, as all of us are Australians. We view the day as a time for connection, reflection, and h
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Lawrence Polgar, President of the Burdekin Singers and Theatre Company – who first went on stage in 1992 in Oliver – discusses the return of the show ‘Back To The 80s’ which first appeared here in the Burdekin, 20 years ago. “It’s exciting as it’s been 20 years since we first saw ‘Back To The 80s’ on stage here in the Burdekin. Some members even performed in the original show 20 years ago! The cast includes both senior and junior members from Townsville and the Burdekin area, many of whom ha
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Born and bred in the Burdekin, Sweet FM presenter, Carol Betteridge, has been with the station for a decade now. She started her show after leaving a long-term job and has been hosting Wednesday morning country music shows ever since. “I lived out of town about eight kilometres south of Home Hill. I lived there until I moved to town 35 years ago, where I've been ever since. Even though I’ve travelled the world, including Ireland, the UK, South Africa, New Zealand (five to six times), and I’ve
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The Burdekin Basketball U18 Boys team recently concluded their 2024/2025 representative season with an impressive performance at the State Championships on the Gold Coast. The team gave the southern clubs a tough challenge, showcasing exceptional skills and determination against bigger, more experienced opponents. As the season wraps up, the team bids farewell to six top-age players who are ending their representative careers. These athletes have been vital members of the team, with some having
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The Burdekin Basketball Club is incredibly proud of its referee team, who have once again demonstrated excellence on the court. Kyle Vitty and Caitlin Kross were both selected to officiate in prestigious medal games at the recent competition. Kyle refereed the Division 1 Boys Bronze Medal match, while Caitlin took charge of the Division 3 Girls Gold Medal match - an outstanding achievement for both! The club also wants to give a huge shout out to Emily Plaza, who was awarded the Division 1 Boys
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Burdekin Football Club has been busy upgrading its facilities during the offseason to create a more accessible and inclusive environment for players, supporters, and the wider community. The latest improvement project is the painting of the changerooms and bathroom facilities at the senior complex. These upgrades build on the recent addition of ladies' showers and renovated bathroom spaces, funded through the 2024 Ergon-Energex Community Fund grant. These much-needed works are set to provide
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The Brandon Bowls Club will host an afternoon of mixed triples in celebration of Australia Day on Sunday the 26th of January, with bowling to commence from 1:30pm. Prizes will be on offer throughout the event with the club kindly asking attendees to bring a plate to share with fellow bowlers and arrive dressed in bowls attire. Nominations can be made by calling the Brandon Bowls Club on 0476-302-889, Gary Pearce on 0488-214-222, or Neville Dickinson on 0414-519-210, with all names needing to
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Neville’s Nomads travelled to Charters Towers last weekend to take part in the 2025 Goldfield Ashes, marking their 27th appearance in the prestigious tournament. This year’s squad included six players who were part of the original team back in 1999, showcasing the team’s long-standing tradition and commitment to the game. The Nomads played three matches during the competition, winning two and losing one. They finished in 35th place in the B2 Grade, which featured 126 teams this year. Throughout
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The Queensland Kids Fishing Classic (QKFC) is back this January, running from the 11th to the 27th, and it’s the perfect opportunity for young anglers to get outdoors, enjoy some fishing, and compete for over $6,000 in prizes! The competition is open to kids across Queensland, with three age groups: 3-7 years, 8-12 years, and 13-17 years. This is a kids-only competition where participants can fish anywhere that is legal (excluding offshore areas). With 12 species categories, there’s something f
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Burdekin’s very own homegrown professional golfer, Karrie Webb, will return to the local green on Saturday the 1st of February for a wonderfully FREE Golf Clinic at the Ayr Golf Club! Set to run from 8:30am to 9:30am, the clinic invites golfers of all abilities, including beginners, to have a swing with Webb herself and learn plenty of helpful hints around the green. Attendees can bring their own clubs or borrow from the club on the day to enjoy a morning of education, fun and enrichment. What
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The Ayr Surf Club has received a much-needed boost to their patrolling ranks at the end of 2024, thanks to the efforts of trainer John Moloney and Assessors James Kennedy and Matt Stone. The Club has recently welcomed six new Bronze Medallion members; Dave & Kathryn Sartori, Richard Dale, Emma Parker, Jane Olsen and Will Holt, and six new Surf Rescue Certificate members; Gabriel and Jan Hatherell, Zachary Dale, Parker Bonato, Shaize Christie and Emma Jones into the red and yellow family. These
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In February, the Queensland Firebirds will be hitting the road once again as part of a spectacular Regional Tour to deliver comprehensive netball clinics across five locations in the Burdekin, Laidley, Murwillumbah, Townsville and the Whitsundays! On Sunday the 2nd of February, the Queensland Firebirds will host a clinic at Home Hill’s Burdekin Netball Association from 11am to 12:30pm. Children aged 6 to 17 are invited to participate in the clinic with the hour-long session set to focus on impr
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One of the most beloved events on the Alva Beach calendar will soon grace the community’s shoreline, as teams begin to finalise ahead of 2025’s Alva Beach Golf Day set for Saturday the 8th of February. A major fundraiser for the Ayr Surf Life Saving Club, the annual event will tee off from 1pm at the clubhouse with the celebrations to continue well into the late afternoon. Plenty of food and drinks will be available for purchase throughout the day as well as a selection of awesome prizes on off
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Founded in 1971 by a group of local Burdekin boaties and fishermen keen to look after each other, as well as visitors to the region, in a time when private vessels doubled as rescue vessels and the radio building was nothing more than a caravan towed to Alva Beach, Volunteer Marine Rescue Burdekin (VMR) has been going strong for over 50 years ever since. Now a more formal volunteer organisation, VMR has dedicated rescue boats, while operating out of two modern buildings that house their radio f
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You may have noticed some beautifully decorated rocks popping up around the Burdekin shire. These colourful stones are part of the ‘Kindness Rocks Project’, a heartwarming movement where people—along the East Coast and beyond—paint rocks with uplifting messages and vibrant designs to spread positivity. The project began in 2015, when Megan Murphy of Cape Cod left a rock on a beach with the message "You've got this." Her simple act of kindness sparked a viral trend that quickly spread. Soon, othe
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The Federal Government’s $7.2 billion pledge to upgrade the notoriously dangerous Bruce Highway has already hit its first set of potholes. Federal Finance Minister, Katy Gallagher, contradicted the Prime Minister’s claim that funding will be delivered this year. Instead, the Finance Minister admitted the funding won’t be available until after the forward estimates, leaving the region of Dawson waiting until 2028 for crucial upgrades. “The Prime Minister and the Finance Minister cannot both be
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