Over the weekend, 21 Ayr competitors made the trip south to Mackay, taking on the region’s best at the North Australian Championships. This event draws clubs from as far north as Port Douglas and as far south as the Wide Bay region, with a few Sunshine Coast competitors also in attendance. The championships are a three-day sporting extravaganza, starting with the Pool Rescue Championships on Friday, followed by two action-packed days of surf and beach events over the weekend. At the pool rescue
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A couple of weeks ago, I was driving south down Queen Street, debating whether I felt more like pizza or Maccas. That’s when I noticed sirens and a crowd gathered outside the Queens Hotel, and, like clockwork, my journalistic instincts kicked in. I slammed a U-turn and headed straight for the scene, sensing story potential—and my instincts were right, though not in the way I expected. I parked and wove through the crowd, asking a few people what all the fuss was about. Nobody seemed to know for
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The Burdekin Shire is in for a treat this Friday, the 31st of October, as multiple Golden Guitar winner Tom Curtain brings his nationally acclaimed Katherine Outback Experience to the Ayr Showgrounds. Known not only for his talents as a musician and horseman, Tom Curtain uses his shows to champion important causes, including anti-bullying initiatives through Dolly’s Dream. As an official ambassador for the foundation, Tom spreads awareness about the impacts of bullying and encourages communitie
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The treasured generational entrepreneurial spirit of the McCathie family has been nationally recognised following the nomination of McCathies Furniture Plus in the 2025 Australia’s Favourite Family Business Competition. Just over 50 years ago, Jack and Milly McCathie founded the business in the heart of the Burdekin Shire, and half a century later, the business continues to operate with the same trustworthy, family values as it did in 1974. John and Lyndy McCathie joined the family business in
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The spirit of service was front and centre over the weekend as Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) Burdekin volunteers were recognised as founding members of the new statewide organisation. In a ceremony attended by Member for Burdekin Dale Last, Mayor Cr Pierina Dalle Cort, emergency services colleagues, and proud families, the crew received their official MRQ Citations—along with commemorative coins struck to honour the unit’s decades-long legacy. From its early days as Air Sea Rescue to Voluntee
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While the Burdekin has not seen a dramatic increase in housing construction, Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, believes a recently announced government initiative offers numerous advantages for the construction industry across the state and closer to home. An election commitment, the Small Business Apprenticeship Pilot Program will deliver wage subsidies to small businesses in the construction sector that employ apprentices. “A reduction in tradespeople in the construction industry is both a
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Wilmar Sugar and Renewables’ Kalamia Mill crushed out on the weekend, making it the first sugar factory in Australia to finish the 2025 season. The last bins of cane were tipped at Kalamia Mill in the Burdekin just after 1am Saturday (25 October) and the last batch of raw sugar went up the belt in the early hours of Sunday morning. General Manager Operations James Wallace said it was great to see one of Wilmar’s factories take line honours for the 2025 season. “The start and finish of the ann
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Home Hill marathoner Karin Thorburn has added another remarkable milestone to her already record-breaking career, taking out the Sporting Excellence Award at the 2025 North Queensland Sportstar Awards in Townsville on Saturday night. The accolade recognised Thorburn’s extraordinary feat as the first Australian to complete more than 500 official marathons, alongside her tireless efforts to grow the sport across North Queensland. “I couldn’t believe it [when i heard my name called]... I was in c
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Runners Rise to the Challenge at Mount Inkerman The sun had barely risen on Saturday, October 25, when a group of determined locals gathered at the base of Mount Inkerman for this year’s King and Queen of the Hill event. Starting at 6am, runners and walkers of all ages — along with a couple of enthusiastic dogs — took on the steady climb up the mountain road before making their way back down the goat track to the finish. The event drew a good turnout despite the early start, with a few supporte
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Over the past week I had the pleasure of attending the Local Government Annual Conference with Cr John Furnell, Cr Fina Vasta and CEO Matthew Magin, where Matthew and I presented on Council’s innovative Macroalgae Bioremediation Facility. The presentation attracted strong interest from other councils, many of whom are eager to understand how they could replicate this sustainable initiative within their own communities. I’m also proud to share that Council received a Risk Excellence Award, recog
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My how the year has flown. It has been almost two years since I was elected Councillor and believe it or not, there is more to the Burdekin than just Ayr. Without Divisions, some areas do not receive fair and equal representation and I consider it my job to represent the whole of the Burdekin Shire. Despite this, there are still those who think I advocate more for Clare, Millaroo and Dalbeg (as I live in Clare) and who have verbalised this to others. Let me assure you that this is not the case a
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Burdekin residents and families living interstate or overseas will now have easier access to cemetery information following upgrades to the Shire Council’s cemetery management system, OpusXenta. The enhancements allow users to access cemetery records directly from smartphones and include digital maps, interactive search functions, and progressively uploaded images of headstones. This means relatives can view memorials remotely, offering comfort and connection even from afar. Mayor Pierina Dall
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It’s been quite a while since the Centre has contributed an article for the paper, and we have to say, we’ve really missed it! We're truly grateful for the chance to connect with everyone in this way. What started three months ago as an initiative to combat social isolation and loneliness has blossomed into a lively gathering filled with stories and connections. Maddy Darley, the Centre’s Community Development Officer, has been instrumental in holding space for a monthly Community Cuppa morning
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Simon Hood Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing Recently, we released the first edition of this season’s comparative analysis for growers. This year’s analysis takes a slightly different focus, offering valuable insights into the strategies growers use to manage their GEI price exposure. Typically, growers who choose to market with Wilmar Grower Marketing use the Target Price and GMPRS pricing mechanisms, which give them maximum control over their final price outcomes. This year’s report analyses
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Combined Rotary Clubs of Townsville, Ingham and Ayr are doing it again! BUSINESSES from across Queensland are already making plans to be part of the 2026 Rotary NQ Field Day on 29-30 May 2026. With a change of venue to the Townsville Show Grounds and more suitable dates than the previous event, the 2026 Rotary NQ Field Day is gearing up to be a cracker event. With a few new faces on the 2026 Committee, combined with some seasoned committee members, these volunteers are working with exhibitors
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A new initiative is urging Queensland businesses to take biosecurity as seriously as other critical risks, with the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) and Biosecurity Queensland leading the charge. Biosecurity in the Boardroom highlights the growing threat of biosecurity incursions across all sectors of the economy, not just agriculture. With risks forecast to quadruple over the next decade, organisers say businesses of all kinds need to act now to protect supply chains, reputations, and long
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Says Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox MP, has raised serious concerns regarding the Bureau of Meteorology’s (BOM) new website, following overwhelming feedback from constituents, local farmers, and weather professionals. “My office has received numerous complaints from residents who rely on the Bureau for timely and accurate weather information,” said Mr Willcox. “The new website has been described as confusing, difficult to navigate, and missin
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There’s something special about a community that comes together — not just to celebrate, but to support one another through every stage of life. Our team is proud to be part of such a caring and connected community, where fun and compassion go hand in hand. This Halloween, our office is embracing the spirit of Halloween with our Best Dressed Halloween Competition! We can’t wait to see the creativity, laughter, and spooky costumes that make our community events so memorable each year. It’s all a
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October is Random Acts of Kindness Month, and Maidavale State School is playing its part this year by making sure the Burdekin's givers become receivers of delicious treats baked right at the school. The initiative is part of the school's longstanding Community Connect program, which encourages students to bake goods—from biscuits to muffins and cupcakes—and deliver them as a ‘thank you’ to organisations and services across the Burdekin. "The point is to thank people for their service to our c
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After more than 50 years of service, the Endeavour Foundation’s Ayr social enterprise has closed its doors for the final time. The disability employment provider, which has operated locally since 1972, announced in June that financial pressures under the NDIS made continuing the service unsustainable. Acting Executive General Manager of Work, Greg McCluand, said the decision was a difficult one. “We have continued to work with the community to meet our commitments, support our employees, and ex
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The Burdekin Netball Association’s $3.5 million redevelopment is one step closer to reality with the recent appointment of a local project manager to oversee the project. Announced in September 2024, the revamp follows five years of planning by the association, aimed at modernising facilities for players across the region. The project will see the demolition of the existing four hard courts, replaced with eight brand-new courts—two of which will be undercover. Plans for the clubhouse include re
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At The End Of Harvest Golf Classic One day, nine holes, and a four-person Ambrose all in support of one amazing organisation… you guessed it… the infamous End of Harvest Golf Classic will return to the community on Friday, the 12th of December! The time has come to nominate your teams for one of the most celebrated social sporting extravaganzas on the shire’s calendar with all funds raised going directly to CORES, supporting mental health and suicide prevention. Just 12 short months ago, 274 p
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Mosquito activity in the Burdekin is high year-round, particularly during the warmer months. With heavy rainfall, tidal inundation, and excess irrigation, dormant mosquito eggs can hatch in large numbers, creating the potential for increased biting and disease risk in the community. Burdekin Shire Council is actively managing mosquito populations, targeting the species Aedes vigilax through an aerial treatment program. Council officers also conduct twice-weekly field surveys across coastal and
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The Home Hill Third Grade side delivered a commanding all-round performance to claim victory over Brothers Resilient Projects, posting a strong 7/178 before bowling out the opposition for 126 at John McCulloch Oval. Simon Vickers set the tone early with a blistering 33 off 21 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes before being caught in the deep. The innings was steadied by Luke Mottin’s composed 59 from 76 balls, featuring five boundaries, while Travis Butler added a valuable 35. Lower-order r
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Runs were hard to come by at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex last week. In the Blue Group, Jake Cullen top-scored with 9 not out, while Kyle Wilkie was next best with 5 not out. Three run outs didn’t help batters settle in for bigger totals, but Jake contributed with one of those run outs and bowled well, finishing with figures of 1 for 2. Other wicket-takers were Kip Nicholas (1 for 4), Henry Cohen (1 for 7), and Corbett Cross (1 for 8). The McDonald’s Sports Awards for this group went
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