Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Stormin’ Norm Bethell, a long-time lawn bowler, is involved with the Home Hill Community Sports Club, which has a near 90 year history. The club hosts various community events, including bingo on Thursdays, arts & crafts on Wednesdays, and private functions like birthday parties and even wakes – they’ve had five since the start of this year alone. “I've taken a new venture and stepped back from competitive bowls after 30 years to work with the Home Hill Community Sports Club, which is a fantasti
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Like many other outdoor sports clubs in the north, Home Hill Tennis has felt the impact of the persistent monsoons. Apart from a few dedicated pickleball players sneaking in a quick game one afternoon, the courts have remained quiet. Now, with clearer skies ahead, the club is eager to get back into action! Tennis fixtures kick off next Monday night, February 17, at 7 PM. The first season is designed to align with the crushing season, making it convenient for local cane workers and farmers. It
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The Burdekin Rugby Union Canetoads are currently recruiting women who are interested in playing Rugby Union or are thinking about giving it a try. Whether someone is a complete beginner or has previous experience, the Canetoads welcome women of all skill levels to join the team. Rugby Union provides an excellent opportunity to stay fit, make new friends, and try something new and exciting. It's a fun and fast-paced sport that challenges players physically, while also offering a strong sense of c
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Recently crowned Senior Sportsperson of the Year Award winner at the Burdekin Shire Council’s Australia Day Awards, Jennifer Fotinos, not only excels in one sport – but three! She’s also represented both state and country in two of them. It’s a phenomenal effort for someone so young. At just 20 years of age, Jennifer has achieved so much already and if her recent successes and attitude are anything to go by, she’ll achieve plenty more before she’s done. While Jennifer first started playing soc
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What a week, huh? So much unrelenting rain I was beginning to understand what Noah must have felt like when he built his Ark. Thankfully, this region didn’t suffer like our cousins up north did, where there’s no signs of it slowing either with yet more rain forecast. It’s a good reminder of what matters and what doesn’t when you see so much devastation. Our sister paper, Hinchinbrook Life, up in Ingham however, lost power in the deluge and floods and will now run a special ‘Flood Edition’ late
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A slow-moving low pressure system brought several days of widespread and heavy rainfall to the Far North Queensland during the week, with many sites recording daily rainfall totals between 200 and 700 mm, and in some locations, 7 day rainfall totals greater than 1000 mm. Many sites across northern Queensland recorded their highest daily, or multi-day rainfall on record. Weekly rainfall totals greater than 300 mm were recorded across the Lower Burdekin districts. Several days of significant ra
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We’ve all experienced that dreaded sinking feeling when we suddenly realise we’ve forgotten something important, whether it’s a phone, keys, or wallet. For local resident Robyn Rose, it happened after a quick shopping trip when she realised she had left her handbag behind. Losing a handbag can be an incredibly stressful and upsetting experience. For Robyn, it was no different. A handbag is not just a place to store belongings; it often holds important items like ID, credit cards, and cash. Howev
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Burdekin Shire Council is pleased to announce that it is reinforcing its commitment to supporting local developers, property owners, and community members, with dedicated face-to-face consultation opportunities. Starting Friday 31 January 2025, the last Friday of each month will be set aside for focused engagement with both the Planning and Development and Technical Services teams. On these designated Fridays, their Planning and Development and Technical Services Managers will make themselves
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As severe wet weather continues to hamper the Burdekin region, Member for Burdekin Dale Last has warned locals not to be complacent as multiple reports of motorists driving through flooded roads continues to occur. Mr Last said despite multiple warnings from authorities to stay off roads, reports of people driving through flooded roads has left local emergency services and community members risking their lives to help. “Make no mistake this is a significant weather event and, while the Burdek
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“I was due to fly to Canberra for the first sitting of Parliament this week but I have made the decision to remain here for now, to support the people and provide any Federal assistance I can through this devastating event,” The Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox said. “The Townsville region is facing one of the most significant flood emergencies since the catastrophic events of 2019. “Sadly a woman has tragically died after an SES rescue boat capsized during a rescue in Far North Que
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Are you passionate about improving healthcare in the Burdekin? The Townsville Hospital and Health Service is calling on community members to share their voices and make a difference by joining the Burdekin Consumer Advisory Network (CAN). The Burdekin CAN offers a platform for locals to contribute ideas for improvement, highlight what’s working well, and advocate for the specific needs of the community. It’s an opportunity to play an active role in shaping hospital and health services that bett
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This is my first column for the year so welcome everyone to 2025. The weather has already reminded us we live in the North Queensland tropics as we experienced weeks of hot and humid over Christmas and the New Year. The heatwave finally broke and it did so in a very wet way as I am listening to heavy rain and like many residents, am unable to leave my house as I write this. We are fast approaching budget preparation at council, and although it is a big task, it is something I enjoy participati
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Our thoughts are with the families and communities currently facing the floodwaters entering their homes. It’s a distressing time, with loss and uncertainty weighing heavily on many. Our volunteers are the backbone of these efforts, often working long hours with little recognition and no pay. The number of volunteers continues to decline, and the reality is, they cannot do it alone. This situation puts into perspective just how vital our volunteers are. From emergency response to recovery effor
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At 3.00pm on Sunday 12 January, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Seaforth Road, Jarvisfield. The driver, a 29yr old Burdekin man was issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) disqualified driving, driving an unregistered vehicle and driving an uninsured vehicle and is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 28 January. At 4.00pm on Tuesday 14 January, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle Plantation Park, Ayr. The driver, a 49yr old Townsville woman was issued a NTA for driving with a relevant drug in
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Inka is a sweet-natured and easy-going young pup who loves nothing more than lounging in the sun and watching the world go by. She enjoys playtime with her foster siblings and gets along wonderfully with a variety of animals in her foster home. With her friendly and gentle nature, she’s a perfect match for families with kids, and she especially loves splashing in the water and trying out new games. Still a young pup, Inka is working on her training, but with her excellent listening skills, she’
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As Australia fights to protect its most vulnerable wildlife, the use of 1080 baiting remains a controversial yet critical tool in managing major threats to native species. While some conservationists advocate for its role in reducing predation pressure, concerns persist over its impact on non-target species and the need for alternative control measures.
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The State Government has unveiled a 25-year blueprint to future-proof Queensland’s primary industries, reinforcing agriculture as the backbone of the state’s economy. With a strong vision for growth, the plan aims to increase Queensland’s agricultural output to $30 billion by 2030. By working in close partnership with farmers, industry leaders, and regional communities, the government aims to set a strategic direction complemented by five-year operational plans tailored to regional and sector
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Applications are now open for the 2025 Backing the Future program, which offers $50,000 grants to individuals in remote, rural, and regional Queensland. The funding is aimed at supporting people aged 18 and over who are working on innovative projects designed to improve the lives of young people aged 12-30 in these communities. What sets the Backing the Future program apart is that it funds individuals, not just organisations. This removes one of the common barriers to accessing funding and giv
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When the shelves at the supermarket run bare after a big storm or supply chain hiccup, there’s one place that never lets you down—your own backyard. Growing your own vegetables isn’t just about saving a few dollars or enjoying fresher produce; it’s about resilience, self-sufficiency, and knowing that when the world throws a curveball, you’ve still got food on the table. If you’ve ever felt the urge to swap grocery store dependency for a greener, more reliable alternative, it might be time to di
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A sugar cane advocacy group is working with the Queensland Government's disaster preparedness team, as severe weather threatens cane-farming communities across the state's north. CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan attended a government briefing last week to ensure the industry’s concerns were heard as authorities ramped up their efforts to prepare for and monitor the unfolding weather event. Heavy rainfall inundated large parts of the region, with cane-growing communities such as Gordonvale, Hi
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By Owen Menkens CANEGROWERS Chairman There’s something truly special and iconic about sugarcane. Grown along 2000km of Australian coastline, from Grafton in northern New South Wales to the fringes of the Daintree in the tropical far north, it’s been a cornerstone of Queensland’s identity for over 150 years. In fact, so foundational is this industry that it even features on our state’s Coat of Arms. Yet, as iconic as it is, sugarcane isn’t just part of our history – it’s a dynamic, future-fo
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Simon Hood, Wilmar Manager, Grower Marketing The wash-up of the 2024 season is all but done, with only a portion of growers still to price out the balance of their 2024 crop. The recent recovery in prices following the dip due to India announcing 1 million tonnes of export quota is welcome. We still see tight trade flow for raw and whites into this quarter which may stretch into the second quarter depending on how quickly Brazil comes back online and the current Indian and Thai crop cut out.
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Joining a club isn't just about exploring something you're passionate about or picking up a new hobby; it's also about connecting with others, building relationships, and immersing yourself in your local community. Clubs offer a unique opportunity to meet people who share your interests and values, and often, these connections can evolve into long-lasting friendships. A great example of this is The Burdekin Brass Band. By becoming a member, you'll not only be joining a community of like-minded
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Troy Everett, Cultural Venues Manager at the Burdekin Shire Council, recently discussed the significance of the Burdekin Theatre and Memorial Hall in fostering the arts in the region. Long considered a jewel in the crown, the venues are top-class. The Burdekin Theatre seats 475, while the Memorial Hall can accommodate 490. The Burdekin Theatre also has the extra bonus of being able to use the beautiful forecourt along with its foyer. The Theatre hosts anything from world-class shows, events,
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The Lower Burdekin Scouts started 2025 early in January, when two members attended the Jamboree at Maryborough – a 10-day camp packed with fun and activities. This was followed by a night for our Group in Plantation Park, and a walk around Ayr to visit some of the Heritage sites. A few days later, several of the Scouts and adults attended the Australia Day Awards ceremony at the Burdekin Theatre on Australia Day. People aged 5 to 85 can come “Try Scouts” for four nights for free and begin to le
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