Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
A local pilot has been recognised by the Burdekin Aero Club for his contribution to local aviation.Neil Hoffensetz was presented with a handcrafted timber propeller, made by fellow Burdekin Aero Club member Steve Mcguire, to commemorate 20,000 hours flying and 17,000 hours instructing in light aircraft.
Read more
It’s the annual event that years 11 and 12 students from across the Burdekin look forward to every year, and 2023’s Home Hill Harvest Festival Students’ Ball definitely delivered glitz, glamour and an ‘enchanting’ night out.
Read more
As you may know from our first edition of Burdekin Life, climbing Mount Inkerman was almost at the top of the list of things I wanted to do since moving to Home Hill so when I awoke early last Friday morning, I decided to make the trek for sunrise.
Read more
A friendly interaction with a stranger at Woolworths Ayr has left local man Travis Clarence bewildered and blown away with the kindness of his community.Travis was doing his weekly grocery shop with his family when an elderly man approached him, stopping him for a brief conversation.“I thought he was going to walk past me at the time but then he stopped to have a conversation with me,” Travis said.
Read more
Perfectly timed for northern Queensland spring and summer is the new multi-purpose complex set to make the club a haven for visitors and residents alike. Funded by grants from the federal government, the complex is now host to an office for the Molongle Creek Boat Club’s caravan park, a licensed café, a new lawn bowling rink, and an event room for club events and dinners, as well as a manager’s residence.
Read more
Back for the second time, the Burdekin 12 Hour Relay Swim for Leukaemia Community Day is taking place soon. Hosted at the Home Hill Swimming Pool and organised by mother-daughter-duo Deni and Kavette Caspanello, the 12 Hour Relay Swim is a community fundraiser for the Leukaemia Foundation.
Read more
Community minded individuals are encouraged to attend the upcoming Queensland Police Recruitment Seminar which is due to take place in Bowen next week.The event will provide those interested in a career as a police officer with a range of relevant information and it will also give attendees the opportunity to ask questions about the application process.
Read more
On Saturday, October 14 2023, Australians will vote on a single question to change the Constitution. The question will be about adding words into the Constitution about an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.Find out where to vote:
Read more
Members of the Burdekin Aero Club say recreational flying is becoming more and more popular and last month’s Aviation Open Days, which saw over 100 people visit the Ayr Aerodrome over the September 9-10 weekend, was proof.Unfavourable weather meant October’s open day, held on Sunday, October 8, wasn’t quite as well attended, but loyal pilots flew in from nearby airstrips to enjoy the morning.
Read more
The Burdekin Men’s Shed Association hosted its annual Seniors Month morning tea, inviting members of the community to enjoy coffee, tea, and delicious food.Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin and Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox MP spoke to attendees while a slideshow displayed the history of the association.
Read more
The Hinkson Esplanade boat launch on Groper Creek has been confirmed for future upgrades, with $640,000 proposed to complete the works. Groper Creek and Hinkson Esplanade were identified for the upgrade through data released from Maritime Safety Queensland. The data recommended construction of a two-lane ramp with a centralised queuing structure in place of the southern, downstream ramp, and a new parking area to hold 40 car-trailer spaces.
Read more
Pope Francis has said, "I prefer a church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a church which is unhealthy from being confined and clinging to its security."
Read more
At 11.05pm on Friday 22 September, Ayr Police intercepted a vehicle on Queens Street, Ayr. The driver, a 40yr old Tablelands man, was issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) for drink driving, .131 and unlicenced driving. He is due to appear in Ayr Magistrates Court on 17 October.
Read more
A unique radio station often draws the attention of travellers making their way through the Burdekin. It’s the sweet sounds of Sweet FM, broadcasting from the prestigious old Home Hill courthouse, a building that, similarly, will catch the eye of passersby.Established in 1999 by the Burdekin Development Council, a sub-committee of the Burdekin Shire Council, and spearheaded by then mayor Beth Honeycombe, Sweet FM has become a trusted radio source, providing region-specific information, advertisi
Read more
Our region boasts a rich culture of sporting events and activities, catering to a diverse range of interests and ages. Whether it is football, swimming, netball, basketball, soccer, touch, tennis, or good run, the Burdekin really does have something for everyone.
Read more
Did you know that in the last financial year, your Council convened a total of 23 Ordinary and Special Council Meetings? Council meetings are open to the public, allowing individuals like you to observe how decisions are made and the reasoning behind them.
Read more
Nestled in Chippendale Street, Ayr is the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre, a space for kindness and community connection for all residents of the region.The centre has been operational for almost 40 years, originally established by volunteers wanting a hub for activity and connection and ultimately funded through the Department of Communities.
Read more
A fun-filled night of fancy dancing and fabulous costumes awaited all and sundry who came to the Clare State School Fancy Dress Ball recently. The theme for this year’s ball was ‘Under the Sea’ with students, staff and family members coming dressed as everything imaginable including sharks, mermaids, deep sea divers, jellyfish, turtles, flying fish and many, many more.
Read more
The Millaroo State School Kindy has had a very busy Term 3. In science, they explored sound: how it is created and how it can be changed, even creating some of their very own musical instruments. Also in science, the class explored light, the source of light and how when light rays are disturbed, shadows are created.
Read more
he towns of the Burdekin Shire look towards Townsville for all our services. This was not always the case. We have a new local newspaper, Burdekin Life, whose origins are from the Whitsundays. Bowen started out as our centre back in 1861 and over the years it has continued to play a roll in our Burdekin lives.
Read more
Cane farmers could dramatically reduce herbicide costs and Reef run-off thanks to an innovative new crop sprayer project led by James Cook University (JCU).Designed in partnership with JCU researchers, agricultural technology company AutoWeed and Sugar Research Australia, the machine uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and spray weeds, such as nutgrass, in a cane paddock, delivering greater efficiency than conventional blanket spraying methods.
Read more
Growers will receive additional support against fall armyworm with a nationally coordinated program to reduce the pest’s population and its impact.Led by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and delivered with co-investment from Hort Innovation, the $2.1 million initiative will arm vegetable growers with the tools and knowledge they need to wage war on the ravenous pest.
Read more
Year 11 student Brooke Smith has two different school uniforms in her wardrobe – one for Ayr State High School and, the other, a set of hi-vis clothing and steel-cap boots for Wilmar Sugar and Renewables.As part of an initiative to build a diverse and talented workforce, Brooke has become the company’s first school-based apprentice.
Read more
RuralQuip began its life as a small steel fabrication business on Rossiter Street in the 1940’s. Following the purchase by Robert Oar in 1982, the business was moved to the industrial estate and renamed “RuralQuip” in 1989.
Read more
By choosing Wilmar as your GEI marketer, you are choosing to work with a leading global sugar trader. This gives you direct exposure to insights to the world sugar trade backed by in- depth analysis of international supply and demand fundamentals that ultimately determine price outcomes.
Read more