Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Friday night’s highlight was the singles match between Pancho and Gary Pearce. Pancho set the pace early on in the game only to lose to Gary in later stages of game. Gary Pearce joined three other energetic bowlers in Chris Pearce, Peter Lejarraga and Lloyd Shepherd. Bowen Invitational Fours has been going for many years and along with 15 other teams the competition was very strong. Teams came from Townsville in the North to Mackay in the South. Three rounds on Saturday and the team walked away
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Wednesday night’s barefoot bowls saw 18 players take to the green on February 7. The winners for the night were Joclyn, Aaron and Meryl. Thursday February 8 also saw 18 bowlers do battle on Rummeny Green. Thanks again to the sponsor Rocky Ponds Produce. The winners on the day were Paul, Judy and Glen. Barefoot bowls again on Wednesday night with a pre-game snag Sanger as well as Wednesday morning craft group, Tuesday Trimmers, Thursday morning bingo and Thursday arvos for social bowls. The
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It was all looking good for Friday Junior Cricket to kick off after it was called off the previous week due to wet fields. That was until around 2:30pm when the rain came down at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex which dashed our hopes for play. It also put in jeopardy our home game against Wanderers in the Under 17 Townsville competition the next morning. The start time for this game was put back to 12 noon in the hope that pitch would dry out enough. Thanks to our groundsmen for their h
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Ayr Junior Golf held its first game for the year last Saturday, February 10. The weather was hot, but a nice group of players came ready to get back into it. Many regular members returned along with two new players, Celine and Heath. A mini 3 hole, 6 hole and 9 hole competition was played. Heath was the gross winner for 3 holes, Opie was the Nett winner. For 6 holes, some close scores, with Logan the gross winner, and Kyle the Nett winner. In 9 holes, Amaya was the gross winner, and Oscar the N
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Coming off a defeat in round 10 last week, Peto’s Marine have bounced back in a big way with a trouncing of Crowned Mongrels in their first fixture of the year. Peto's Marine won the toss and elected to bat, with opener Simon Vickers getting to work immediately with 33 runs from 17 balls. First drop Josiah Ballin top scored agonisingly short of his half century with 48 from 53, while Daniel Olditch also contributed with 37 from 36. Jaidyn Lambie-Fabbro shone with the ball for Crowned Mongrels, t
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Are you a local wanting to give back and assist in the medical needs and decisions of the Burdekin region? Then the Burdekin Community Advisory Network (CAN), hosted by the Townsville Hospital and Health Service is the group for you. Specifically designed for community members of provide assistance, advocacy and ensure that health services at met, CAN allows the Townsville Hospital and Health Service know the preferences and needs of the region. Chief Executive Kieran Keyes said community memb
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Hi readers It’s been about two weeks since Ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily crossed over north Queensland, but subsequent inland rain has the mighty Burdekin River flowing! Since my first crossing of the river last year, I’ve longed to see it bank-to-bank full of water, so I’m glad I’ve been able to witness this without any risk of flood – and let me reassure you, there are no flood warnings active for the Burdekin River at the time of writing. I’m a big fan of rivers (and bridges) so I enjoy the spe
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A long-term flying fox roost management plan will be developed for the region after a grant of $37,100 was secured by Burdekin Shire Council from the Queensland Government. The plan will help Council and the community to manage the impacts of flying foxes on public health, community safety and amenity, while also protecting the important ecological role of these native animals. Burdekin Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Terry Brennan welcomed the funding and said it would enable Council to e
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As power was restored to the final home in the cyclone-hit zone six days on from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily crossing, Ergon Energy once again shared their appreciation of the community’s support throughout the process. Posting on social media, Ergon Energy Network said it has been an incredibly tough time for tens of thousands of people, and their teams have been genuinely moved by the kindness of the community. “Thank you for the cold drinks, the ice blocks, the much-needed coffees and delish
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The Home Hill Comfort Stop is set to receive a makeover as part of Burdekin Shire Council's commitment to enhancing the amenity and attractiveness of the popular rest area. A total of $105,000 has been allocated to refresh the paved areas and replace the ageing picnic furniture and mosaic at the site. Council's Chief Executive Officer Terry Brennan said that the Home Hill Comfort Stop is a valuable asset for the community and visitors and is so popular with visitors to the shire that regular ref
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Burdekin Shire Council has conducted an aerial survey of feral deer populations from February 6-7 as part of its Feral Deer Control Program. Carried out by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, the survey established a baseline population of feral deer in the region, covering the areas of Woodstock, Giru and Rita Island. The information gathered will then assist to inform Council's management strategies and actions. Burdekin Shire Council’s Chief Executive Officer Terry Brennan said the
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King Charles has sent a message to the people of Queensland, sharing his and his wife Queen Camilla’s concern and admiration following recent weather events. As well as Tropical Cyclone Kirrily crossing over north Queensland, including the Burdekin, people across Queensland have faced Tropical Cyclone Jasper, southeast Queensland storms on Christmas night and Boxing Day and further rain in the state’s south. Governor-General David Hurley shared the message from the King on Monday as he and his w
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The Burdekin Industry Breakfast is back for 2024 and starting with a bang, welcoming two guest speakers to illuminate the morning event. The first speaker will be Rhian Aguirre, the Senior Manager of Operations and Maintenance of Ark Energy Corporation. Established in 2021, Ark Energy has become a leader in Australian renewable energy company specialising in wind, solar, and hydrogen, and is dedicated to the decarbonisation of the energy supply of their parent company, Korea Zinc Co. Rhian wi
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This past week was spent down in Canberra, holding the Albanese Labor Government to account, fighting for the issues that matter to our communities, and ensuring your voice was heard loud and clear in our nation’s capital. Beginning this week was a solemn ceremony at the Australian War Memorial, paying my respects to the heroic servicemen and women who have laid down their lives for our nation. The Australian War Memorial is a constant reverent reminder of the importance of the decisions we mak
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National television audiences were given insight into the charm of the Burdekin last week as ABC aired an episode of ‘Back Roads’ that was filmed across the region in 2023. The host of the Australian observational documentary series, Heather Ewart, travelled to Home Hill in May last year to film an episode centred around the sugar cane industry and the Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival. “Sugar cane is king in this part of the world,” Heather said. “It’s the reason the town of Home Hill exists, a
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Fast Facts: Rehoming Fee: $195 DOB: 1/5/2022 Sex: Female Breed: Domestic Short Hair Kid Friendly: Yes Dog Friendly: yes Other Cats: Yes, but prefers independence Indoors/outdoors: Indoors This beautiful lady is a cuddle machine, simple-natured and sure to be adored by her human. Tootsi loves being a little shadow, following her human around. She is quick to play and loves her toys. While she is happy to share her space, she also loves being an independent feline, and having full reign of the
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Three individuals have been arrested in relation to a series of break and enters in the Burdekin last week. Police allege on January 25, six businesses were targeted in a series of break and enters offences including an electrical store on Queen Street, a bottle shop in Drysdale Street, a service station on Eighth Ave, a steel fabrication company on Breen Street, a tyre shop on Bruce Highway, and a convenience store on Chippendale Street. Later that day, an 18-year-old man attended the Ayr Pol
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More than 50 business owners and residents gathered outside the Ayr Police Station last week to rally against spiralling youth crime, which many believe is due to insufficient police presence in the region. A petition has now been launched and Member for Burdekin Dale Last MP will soon be taking to the floor of parliament to raise awareness for the community’s frustration about the surging crime rates. Mr Last said the sheer number of frustrated community members at the event demonstrated the
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Many people today own a caravan and travel around the countryside. Just imagine the trials and tribulations of caravanning on Queensland Roads in 1928 and 1929. Thomas John McMahon, a journalist and photographer was working for the Queenslander newspaper in 1928 -1929. He travelled in a caravan named Queenslander which was on a truck from Brisbane to North Queensland. The journey began on May 2, 1928 in Brisbane, travelling through Ipswich, Esk, Nanango, through to Maryborough and up the coast
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Did you know that the Burdekin Community Association Inc. (BCA) plays a significant role in Burdekin Community Recovery? In my role as BCA’s CEO, I’m the Burdekin Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) Welfare Coordinator and member of the Townsville District Human and Social Recovery and Resilience Committee. The team and I help to provide Human and Social community recovery planning and operations. We work with council, state government agencies, other service providers and community groups t
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The start of 2024 has been a bit of a wild ride for all of us. We have come out from ex-TC Kirrily with a few dents and, hopefully, many lessons learnt. The team has noticed some community members needing a little extra support with a variety of concerns: • The rising cost of living. • Assistance to fill out forms and access much-needed services. • Personal Hardship grants following TC Kirrily. • Assistance with cleaning up yards/trees following TC Kirrily. • Assistance wit
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Did you know that the Burdekin Shire Council offers grants for excellence in sports and cultural activities? These grants are designed to support and encourage local residents who have achieved outstanding results in their chosen field of endeavour. Whether you are an athlete, a musician, an artist, a writer, or a performer, you may be eligible for a grant of up to $500 to help you pursue your passion and represent the Burdekin region. The grants are open to individuals and groups who have bee
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The Burdekin Potters have enhanced the footprint of their Plantation Park Clubhouse, with a permanent roof and part wall structure, through a generous grant from the Haughton Sustainable Communities Fund. The new all-weather roof has replaced a shade sail, which will now allow club members to carry out glazing of pottery pieces under permanent shade and protection from both the sun and rain. Until the erection of this cover, members were unable to utilize the space during rain, or early morn
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In alignment with the organisation’s growth and vision, Queensland Cane Agriculture & Renewables (QCAR) hosted its first strategic planning workshop last week, inviting directors, future directors, members and other stakeholders to discuss QCAR’s role in the sugarcane industry. Approximately 25 attendees from the Burdekin, Herbert and Mackay regions gathered in Townsville to talk through the company’s strategic goals and priorities, strategies, organisational structure and governance arrangement
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It is officially barramundi season, and avid fishers from around the region are fine-tuning their fishing tackle, filling their eskies with ice, and heading out for some action-packed days on the water. Kicking off last week on February 1, barra fishing is widely known as one of Australia’s best native fishing sports, great fun both recreationally and competitively. Top Barra Fishing Tips For Beginners: • Dawn and Dusk are the best times to go barra fishing in north Queensland • Barr
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