Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
When Heather Jorgensen started her Sunday radio program with two colleagues at Sweet FM, the station was only five years old. Twenty years on, and both her and the station are still going strong. Heather, who has lived in the Burdekin region for over 50 years after growing up on a cane farm, has been co-hosting the regular weekly Christian music program since 2005. She was initially inspired to start the program after a priest at her local church sought volunteers. “We're in church one day, an
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Get ready to roll into a fun-filled Australia Day celebration at the Ayr Bowling Club! On Sunday, the 26th January 26 the Ayr Blowing Club invites the community to come together for a social bowls event that’s all about enjoying the Aussie spirit. Dress in your best Aussie outfits and get ready for a day of friendly competition and plenty of Aussie prizes.
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Burdekin FC Inc. is on the lookout for female players eager to join their teams for the 2024 season! The club is recruiting for both the FQPL Northern Women and the U23 Northern Women teams with preseason training to kick off in early January. The club invites interested players to contact them for more information via email at burdekinfc@hotmail.com or send a message through the club’s Facebook page. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a passionate team! Stay tuned for further deta
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Are you searching for a new, energy-filled sport for the whole family to enjoy? Pickleball has been making waves in the US, earning the title as the fastest growing sport in the country! The Home Hill Tennis Association provides the community with the chance to have a swing at the fantastic tennis, cross badminton, cross ping pong sport at their courts located at 43 – 75 First Street, Home Hill. The Association hosts Pickleball Saturdays each week from 8am to 9am as well as free come and try
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With the festivities and new year holidays wrapping up, the Burdekin Roosters are looking forward to getting back on the field, announcing seniors will commence preseason training from Tuesday the 14th January. The Club is eyeing big things in the new year, debuting a new motto, “Roosters Thrive in ‘25” across their socials last December, following on from an action packed 2024 season. A call out for nominations of club roles will also be announced in early January, with the community encoura
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The Ayr Surf Club held it's final Junior Club Championships on Saturday 14th December, bringing their general nipper season to a close for 2024. The event showcased the junior surf sports skills where all members including the Green Caps (U6s and U7s), are able to compete in a variety of events, from wades, surf races, boards, and iron person in the water and flags, sprints and 1km beach run on the sand. The nippers compete in both their individual age group and a junior or senior category to d
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Saturday the 11th of January, 1pm to 5pm: Patrol Group B - Terry Lund, Tramayne Horan, Dylan Carew, Heather Scott, Anita Giddy, Jan and Gabriel Hatherell, and Toby and Danny Wilson. Sunday the 12th of January, 9am to 5pm: All Day Patrol Group F - Lisa and John Furnell, Jen and Jo Morgan, Lauren and Isla Chapman, and Ryley, Jake, Kat and Dave Sartori. Contributed with thanks to Hockey Vernon.
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The 2024 Hancock Prospecting Queensland Swimming Championships took place in Brisbane at the Chandler Aquatic Centre, and the Burdekin Swimming Club had a representative attend the Championships in December. Bringing together Queensland's best, including Olympian’s, Shayna Jack and Mollie O'Callaghan, as well as top competitors in Queensland, and also, from around the world, The Burdekin Torpedoes had Millie Lyne, and coaches, Kim and Mick McConnachie, represent them and the Burdekin region for
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The Ayr Surf Club Junior Championships on December 14th marked the end of an action-packed 2024 season, with Nippers competing in surf races, board events, and beach sprints. Looking ahead, the club’s juniors are gearing up for an exciting 2025. Selected members are training for the North Barrier Branch 2025 Youth State Team, with State Titles set for March on the Gold Coast. Additionally, under 12s and 13s will attend Camp Alva in January, focusing on leadership and development. The club is
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Home Hill State High School (HHSHS) are delighted to be the worthy recipients of a brand spanking new horticultural project initiative that’s set to be a massive boon for both the school and the Burdekin region. The new horticultural protected cropping system is likely the first of its kind at a school in Queensland, offering unique educational opportunities. It’s also a significant investment, not just in cost, but also for the school and the students who will now be able to attain certificate
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2025. We made it! Many of you may still be nursing hangovers, some of you won’t. But all of you will have made some kind of New Year’s resolution. Yet how many will stick to it? Instead of a resolution, that I won’t invariably keep, I do a New Year’s Revelation. Radical I know. But the last few years my wife and I will sit down on New Year’s Eve and go through our past year to talk about what worked, what didn’t, what we learned, and what we can do moving forward to make the upcoming year great
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A heart-warming display of community spirit has begun filling digital screens across the Burdekin shire and beyond with locals taking to social media to share a “Christmas for Everyone” thread. A simple concept, “Christmas for Everyone” asks the community to comment something they may need but cannot afford or something they have but no longer need with the post reading: “What is one thing you cannot afford but need right now? Let’s see if others have what you’re looking for lying around, and
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With a highly successful return staged in 2024, the beloved Burdekin Water Festival has confirmed the celebration will reignite Queen Street once again on Saturday the 6th of September 2025! The Burdekin Water Festival stands as one of the longest running festivals across the state, with the annual event celebrating the abundance of water within the Burdekin region. With a brief hiatus in 2023, the event returned bigger and better than ever last year with the nostalgic theme of “Bring It Back”
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The Burdekin Aero Club Inc. invites the community to their Monthly BBQ Breakfast on Sunday, 12th January at the Ayr Aerodrome in Brandon! Held on the second Sunday of each month from 8am to 11am, members and non-members are encouraged to come along for a delicious barbeque breakfast paired with plenty of opportunities for attendees to meet local pilots and get an up-close look at the aircrafts on display. What a great way to start your Sunday!
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Staff at the Ayr Health & Hospital, were duly rewarded on Christmas eve, when long time business supporter, Wilmar, recognised the tireless work of all the staff and delivered 30 pizzas to say thanks. Wilmar, an organisation involved in community outreach, has traditionally provided food for Ayr Hospital staff working over Christmas, with offerings ranging from barbecues to cupcakes. On the 20th of December, 2024, they switched to pizza due to a change in preference, which proved to be a master
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A new year has been hailed as a chance for new opportunities by Member for Burdekin Dale Last with goals to strengthen and support industries and communities within the electorate. Marking his tenth year as Member for Burdekin Mr Last reaffirmed his focus remained on issues that mattered to residents in the Burdekin Electorate. “As the member for Burdekin, my pride for the electorate is as strong as ever and my dedication to working for my electorate is unchanged,” Mr Last said. “That pride a
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The Home Hill Chamber of Commerce invites the community to its monthly Social and Networking Meeting held on the third Wednesday of every month. The next event will be held on Wednesday, the 18th February, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Home Hill Community Sports Club, located at 87 Ninth Avenue, Home Hill. This month, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from a guest speaker from Powerlink, who will provide insights into the CopperString Project, an important infrastructure development. Th
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Delivered by many helping hands, 94 Burdekin households received “Christmas Cheer” support through the Salvation Army this Christmas. The support included gift cards, toys, Christmas and non-perishable foods, household items and fresh produce. The number of households receiving Christmas Cheer this year increased by 25%. With many in the community who are struggling with homelessness and the cost of living, with some living in tents, couch surfing, or have medical/mental health needs for themsel
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Despite the heavy downpour prior to the Ayr Queen Street Festival, spirits weren’t dampened any as local revellers lapped up the night time activities. While the rain persisted throughout the evening, several of the kids (and some adults) used the opportunity to dance in the blocked off street as they welcomed the teeming rainfall. Several of the highlights ranged from a visit by Santa, who was busy walking the streets and having photos taken. He even managed to stay dry as he conducted the Bu
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What a wonderful Christmas 2024 and here we are celebrating a new year, ringing in 2025. Carols in Home Hill Sunday 8th December was well attended, despite the weather and change of venue. It was great to see local recording artist René entertain the crowd along with other talented locals. The evening concluded with Santa arriving with lolly bags greeted by Minty and rounding off with spectacular fireworks. I had the good fortune to experience the End of Season Golf Classic Friday the 13th Dec
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Wow, Christmas and New Year have come and gone in the blink of an eye! For many of us, the festive season is a time for family, laughter, and reflection. Coming from a big family myself, it’s rare that we’re all able to gather in one place, but I was grateful to spend Christmas Day in Townsville with my family members who could make it. It was particularly special to have my mum, who lives with dementia, enjoy a wonderful day surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. It
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Burdekin Potters Inc. has been a cornerstone of creativity and community spirit in the Burdekin region since its establishment in 1975. With 2025 marking its 50th anniversary, the club has seen tremendous growth in recent years, increasing its membership from just 10 members four years ago to 62 in 2024. From young individuals just starting out to those in their mid-70s, the club embraces potters of all ages, fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for creativity to flourish. The Burdeki
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The Lower Burdekin Scout Group held a Christmas Raffle for the first time in the last 5-7 years. The Scouts would like to thank “Beaver” who is one of our Adult Helpers for coming up with the fundraising idea and doing all the leg work. This fundraiser will assist us in keeping our membership fees the lowest in our region. We especially would like to thank the following local organisations who supported us by donating vouchers and gifts, which enabled us to create 12 packages of gifts as prizes:
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The Lower Burdekin Landcare Association Incorporated will soon celebrate its 35th anniversary within the region, with the committee’s rich agricultural history dating back to 1990. John Trace held the position of 1990 Burdekin Shire Chairman and decided to establish a Landcare steering committee within the community, issuing an official meeting on the 28th of February. A year later, following on from Councillor Ron Brennan chairing the first public meeting of the committee, April of 1991 saw t
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The Burdekin region is set to cultivate the next generation of agricultural talent with the return of the much-anticipated Burdekin’s Sweetest School competition. This unique event invites local schools to roll up their sleeves and showcase their skills in sugarcane cultivation while fostering a sense of pride and collaboration across the community. The competition, beginning in April, promises an exciting journey for participating schools as they learn the intricacies of sugarcane farming. From
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