Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, is standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Australian farmers to fight the Australian Government’s fresh food tax which he said will hurt families and farmers amid a cost-of-living crisis. A new petition, Stop the Fresh Food Tax, is being launched by the Coalition, alongside industry’s ‘day of action’ to scrap the tax. Mr Willcox is urging local farmers and families to get behind the campaign and sign the petition to stop the new fresh food tax. “The Coa
Read more
2024 is a year of milestones and celebration for Ayr legal firm Groves and Clark Solicitors who are, most notably, celebrating 90 years of service to the communities of north Queensland. From the humble beginnings of Charles Groves and Frank Clark in 1934, the firm has welcomed many talented legal practitioners, assisted countless members of the community and achieved excellent results for its clients. But it’s the relationships developed amongst staff and clients that Groves and Clark Solicitor
Read more
Alongside Mr Clark, Senior Partner Bruce Medley is one of the longest serving team members in the history of Groves and Clark, celebrating the 50th year of his tenure in 2024. Meanwhile, Managing Partner Rebecca Fabbro marks her 25th year, with the pair honouring 20 years of partnership this year as well. Bruce started with the firm on January 2, 1974, as an Articled Clerk after he was offered a job by Ian McDonald while finishing his studies. He was admitted as a Solicitor in late October 1974
Read more.png)
Following a unique route into the firm compared to that of some of his counterparts, Barry Torkington joined Groves and Clark in 1989 after years of public service across the state. Originally from Charters Towers, Barry started work in what was then known as the Mining Warden’s office before it became the Justice Department. His work took him across southern Queensland until he was appointed Clerk of the Court in Toogoolawah, moved to Clermont and then Ayr. He spent 18 months as Clerk of the Co
Read more.png)
A former partner who went on to serve his community, state and nation, Ian Macdonald AM started his career with Groves and Clark in 1964 immediately after completing school at Ayr State High School. He says he’d always been interested in law, politics and government, and even wanted to be Prime Minister for a period of his high school years. This led him to serving Ayr State High School as School Captain and House Captain, roles he reflects on proudly. Ian had travelled to Brisbane in the August
Read more.png)
One of the firm’s longest serving team members, Jean Woodford worked with Groves and Clark from 1962 to 1973, returning again in 1976 and ultimately retiring in 2021. Employed by Mr Clark, Jean originally joined the team as a Stenographer after high school and ultimately diversified her skillset and ended her career in conveyancing. She also attended Ayr State High School and was in the same class as Ian. “I think one of the reasons I got the job was because I put the apostrophes in the right pl
Read more.png)
As the proud daughter of Mr Clark, it was inevitable for Pat to work for the firm her father established at some point or another. She worked for Groves and Clark from 1958 to 1972 as a shorthand typist, a career that would take her across the world. “I did year 11 at school and came to work after that,” Pat laughed. “Dad was short of people, so he pulled his daughter in.” Later in her career, Pat joined a temp agency in London and was assigned a role with global firm Linklaters & Paines. “They
Read more%20(1).png)
Below is a letter written by Charles Groves and addressed to Frank Clark dated May 1, 1934, prior to opening the doors of Groves and Clark Solicitors on May 10, 1934. Dear Clarkie In confirmation of my wire I have the honour to report that the address at Ayr is Queen St. & the phone No. 307 (office). I telephoned a good boarding house there which was recommended to me & there will be two vacancies there next week. The address is Wilmington St. & the phone No. 170. The cost of board & lodging
Read more
Photo of secretaries taken in the 1950s at the original office in Queen StreetCelebrating Frank Clark’s 40 years of legal practice in 1974. Standing L-R: Brad Robins, Terry Baxter, John Bolton, Alex Baxter, Robert Simeoni, David Liddell, John Gaviglio, Geoff Grady, Keith Kern, Bruce Medley, Roy Dickinson and Barry Jones. Sitting L-R: Justice Kerry Cullinane, Frank Clark, Ian MacDonald, Jim Webb and Brian Baxter.Current and previous staff of Groves and Clark in 1981-82 when the current building w
Read more
It has been twelve months since the Burdekin lost another legend. On the 6th May, 2023 Laszlo (Leslie) Voros, better known to his old mates from Inkerman Sugar Mill where he worked as an electrician for forty years as "Yogi", passed away leaving behind his wife of 60 years Andrea, daughter Amanda (Hall) and son Steven who resides in the UK. Les was born in Budapest, Hungary on 13th February 1938, a year before the start of World War Two. His father, a baker who later became an officer in the Hu
Read more
On July 13, HIT Productions’ The Sunshine Club will light up the stage at the Burdekin Theatre. Written and directed by Wesley Enoch and showcasing music by John Rodgers, The Sunshine Club is a vibrant, energetic, and thought-provoking musical set in 1946, telling the story of Aboriginal soldier, Frank Doyle as he returns home to Brisbane after serving in World War II. The musical follows Frank and his strong, ambitious desires to transform the attitudes and prejudices within his home as he es
Read more
Saturday 18 May Burdekin Growers Race Day Saturday, from 11am The Burdekin Growers Race Day is the Burdekin's premier 18+ social event of 2024 with thousands of locals and visitors flocking to the Home Hill Race Club. The event is not only about horse racing but also about fashion. The Fashion's on the Field is a hotly contested event amongst race goers. The day is filled with thousands of dollars worth of prize giveaways and every patron receives a free box of locally grown fruit and vegetable
Read more
Offering a morning of bright yellow family fun, the Norm Perry Memorial Duck Race will return to Plantation Park this Sunday, May 19. A bunch of family-friendly activities kick off from 9:30am and will run throughout the morning including the colouring in competition and novelty races, including egg and spoon and sack races. Organisers are inviting attendees to dress themselves or their already-purchased ducks up as creatively as possible to enter the Best Duck Outfit and Best Decorated Duck com
Read more
A day for fashion. A day for socialising. A day for horse racing. A day for the Burdekin Growers Race Day. One of the most anticipated events on the region’s calendar will return to Home Hill’s Burdekin Race Club on Saturday 18 May with the day kicking off from 11am sharp. The event will showcase the talents of Trent Bell, stage the Nextgen Building Co. Produce Challenge, and the Hit 103.1 Mega Prize Draw, as well as provide attendees with free fruit and vegetable produce from 5pm. Various opp
Read more
Avid fashionistas from across the region are busy creating fabulous designs ahead of the 2024 Wilmar Sugar and Renewables Wearable Arts Parade which is due to take place in August as one of the central events hosted by the Great Barrier Reef Festival. A popular event, which is a regular stable at the Great Barrier Reef Festival, Wearable Arts has captured the passion of the community. The event will kick-off with the Wearable Arts Parade on Saturday 3rd August and will culminate in the competi
Read more
The bucket-list item on many a people’s list, the annual St. Bebida White on Whitehaven by Fish D’vine Catering is the only long lunch of its kind open to the public on Whitehaven Beach. This extravagant, decadent and opulent affair invites guests to indulge in a full day on Whitehaven Beach, where you are whisked away to a paradise, that is just a two-hour drive away from your home. Starting your day aboard an air-conditioned ferry, the party begins as soon as you join the sea of stunning whi
Read more
Property owners from in the Whitsunday region took part in a free community event earlier this month to hear all about the new Strata legislation that came into effect on the first of May. This free community information session was hosted by Archers Strata Professionals and their Chief Executive Officer Nicky Lonergan told the room about the upcoming changes. The new legislation addressed the following changes: Smoking Bodies corporate will be able to introduce bylaws that prohibit smoking
Read more
After being identified as a key growth area in Queensland, one of the largest residential-zoned developments in Townsville, officially launched earlier this year offering 20 homesites in the city’s southwest. In a strategic move to combat the growing population and new home buyer and investor interest demand in Townsville, property developer Urbex acquired the 80.27-hectare site in mid-2022. The plans will see 850 homesites at the Somers and Hervey development delivered over the next 15 years.
Read more
The Ayr Surf Life Saving Club celebrated another season of success on Saturday night at their annual club presentation night. This year the club had a joined event where both the Junior and Senior members came together to recognise the contribution of members to the club in all areas of service including surf sports, volunteering/community service and patrolling. The club would like to thank all sponsors for the evening, perpetual and memorial trophy families and life members for their continued
Read more
Things are certainly heating up at Ayr Bowling with both social and competition bowls featuring this week. Monday saw a competition B Singles game. It was a good contest with Heather Jorgensen def Lorraine Wolffe. On Tuesday, Social Ladies had a great day with Triples played. Isabel Cislowski, Beryl Cornford and Pam Power def Karen Shepherd, Linda Guimelli and Mary Poli. Raylene Hervey, Joy Comollatti and Heather Jorgensen def Katharina Stuckler, Betty Schultz and Irene Wilson. On Wednesday
Read more
The Cross Fire Youth Group from Burdekin Christian Church decided to have a fun night of playing bocce on Friday night at the Burdekin Bocce Club and they had a blast of a time. There was a little bit of friendly banter going on and lots of laughs. The group showed great teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the night with a lot of clutch moments. It was a first time for many in the group. They are thankful to the Bocce Committee for this opportunity to engage in an Italian traditional spor
Read more
Last weekend the Burdekin Panthers had just three games. On Friday the Division 1 were at home to Estates and lost 2-3 and on Saturday the Panthers had two home games against Olympic. The Under 23s drew 2-2 the Premiers lost 1-3 and the Ladies forfeited their match against Olympic. This week the Panthers have four away matches. On Friday night The Division 1 Funkies play Ingham in Townsville then, on Sunday the Premiers, Under 23s and Ladies meet Brothers, also in Townsville.
Read more
Ayr Junior Golf had 16 juniors turn up last weekend for the May Monthly Medal. Winners for the 3, 6 and 9 holes were Gabriella Cahill, Logan McKeough and Celine Baine. A special thanks to Dave for coming out and helping the juniors with their putting. Opie McKeough took out Dave's Putt Challenge which was kindly donated by Dave himself. A special mention goes to Ethan Pengally with a cracking drive down fairway 7. Contributed by Kristina Land
Read more
The Burdekin Roosters went close to raining on the Miners’ big day in Charters Towers on Saturday when they won two of the three games contested in the RLTD. Saturday was Ladies Day for the Miners and was a huge day for the Towers club with well over 150 ladies enjoying themselves for their annual day. The visiting Roosters had the Ladies looking for more champers when the coastal Hens showed the Lady Miners how to play the game scoring 11 tries and kicking 8 goals in a 60 – 6 romp. If that wasn
Read more
Round 2 week 1- 09/05: Nat II v Nat I at the National 8-2 Crushers v Cougars at the Ayr 7-3 Falcons v Ants at the Anzac 6-4 Bombers had the bye 10 points Points: Nat II - 61, Crushers - 57, Falcons - 50, Nat I - 46, Cougars - 41, Ants - 40 and Bombers 25 Games for Thursday 16/05 Falcons v Nat I at Anzac, Bombers v Ants at Queens, Nat II v Cougars at National and Crushers have the bye Contributed by Kerry Davison Caption: National I
Read more