The Ayr Golf Club ladies’ competition saw some thrilling performances on Selections Day 2025, with players showing off their skills on the greens. A special thank-you went out to Marissa and the team at Selections, long-term sponsors of the club’s Wednesday ladies’ competition. Their continued support is greatly appreciated by all members. On the day, it was Tuk Williams who stole the show, posting an impressive 40 points to decisively win the competition. Wendy Baker finished strong in second
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It was a big week at Brandon Bowls Club, with thrilling finals and tight finishes across all divisions. Jason Farry and Glenn Woodford claimed the 2025 Pairs Finals title after a hard-fought victory over Kenny Ferguson and Gary Nosworthy, drawing cheers from the crowd for their sharp teamwork and calm under pressure. In Wednesday’s A Grade Ladies Final, Lyn Storrie triumphed over Margaret Chapman in a close, high-quality match that had spectators glued to the green. The Ladies’ Triples saw Van
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Ayr Bowling Club has enjoyed another vibrant week on the greens, with a great mix of social and championship games bringing members together. With the championship season now coming to an end competition has been fierce but friendly, highlighting the impressive skill and sportsmanship of our bowlers. Social games have also been well-attended, creating a welcoming and lively atmosphere that continues to strengthen the club’s sense of community. Tuesday Ladies Social bowls was played, Winners on
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Home Hill Bowls Club report Thursday 23rd October. Twenty-three players turned out for a windy afternoon. Rink 2 saw a singles match between Alex Bojack and Michael Young, which was eventually won by Alex. He will now play Wayne Newton in the final. Rink 2 was also the lucky rink drawn, so Alex and Michael are the daily winners, shown in the photo. On Rink 4, Judy Elton, Janet Arthur, and Steve Doig went down to Bob Young, Michael Young, Ron Smith, and Gary Nosworthy/Trevor Elton after not bein
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Last Saturday, Burdekin Football Club celebrated another standout season at Populin Hall, honouring players, volunteers, and teams who went above and beyond. The night was a mix of camaraderie, recognition, and celebration, highlighting the dedication that fuels the club year after year. Standout moments included the presentation of the Ramon Oar Memorial Spirit Award to Wayne Kolb, the Presidents Medal to Garry and Kiera Durrant, and the Taylah Pearson Memorial Award to Sian Reardon. Young tal
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It was Ayr who had the last laugh on Sunday, 19 October, after defeating cross-town rivals Home Hill in a three-sport series as part of the Home Hill Harvest Festival's esteemed Town of Origin series. The well-attended event drew hundreds of locals to Home Hill State High School grounds for the 11th instalment of the series, with Ayr's 2-1 victory across junior cricket, netball and rugby giving it a 6-5 historical lead and temporary bragging rights over its local counterpart. Beyond the on-cou
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Once again, the region’s annual sunflower patch has coloured the region in vibrant shades of yellow and gold, painting smiles across the faces of everyone who passes Ayr’s Patricia Road! Delighted by 2024’s gleaming debut of the floral field, a local family have sewed the seeds once again, spreading the message of “Pick a Sunflower, Support a Cause!” to all who visit the patch located at 12 Patricia Road, Ayr. Anyone and everyone who wishes to pop down to the patch are encouraged to bring alon
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Last weekend, I was brought crashing back to earth after a humbling experience at Amelia Pivotto’s trivia night on Friday. At first, it was all going so swimmingly—a perfect night under the stars, replete with vibrant chatter and laughter as the questions came thick and fast. Our team was doing… fine. Not topping the leaderboard, but not embarrassing ourselves either. Then a particular question came up. Something along the lines of, “what is the name of the Burdekin journalism legend—a local c
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A 25-year-old Ayr man has died following a trail bike crash at Osborne early Monday morning. Emergency services were called to Iona Road around 6am on October 20, after reports a rider had been found unresponsive. Police said the man sustained critical injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Forensic Crash Unit has launched an investigation into the incident, with officers appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who has relevant dashcam or CCTV footage to come forwa
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A Local Fire Ban has been declared across the Burdekin Shire by the Rural Fire Service Queensland, taking effect from midnight Saturday, 18 October, and continuing until 11:59pm Friday, 31 October. The ban comes in response to current weather conditions and heightened fire risk. During this period, lighting, maintaining, or using fires in the open is strictly prohibited. All existing permits to light fires are suspended, except in limited cases. Fires used for cooking on a properly constructed
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With Remembrance Day around the corner, Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, is encouraging local groups to apply for grants that allow the community to better honour and acknowledge the service of veterans. The fact that the Burdekin election is home to a significant number of veterans meant the new funding program offered a potential boost for a community whose track record for honouring veterans was among the best in the state. “You only have to look at the number of people who attend events
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A $550 million tourism development in Townsville is set to ripple benefits through the Burdekin, with local businesses tipped to gain from increased visitor traffic and regional growth once the project gets underway. Townsville City Council last week granted preliminary approval for the Townsville Waterpark, Beach Club, and Hotel project—a major step forward for what has been described as a game-changer for North Queensland’s tourism economy. The 15-hectare site sits at the intersection of Bru
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The Burdekin is starting to rebuild after the devastating tropical low earlier this year, with restoration projects now underway at Plantation Park, Groper Creek Foreshore, and the Mt Inkerman Nature Trail. At Plantation Park, which houses the Burdekin Visitor Information Centre and the Nature-Based Playground, crews are repairing internal roads and carparks that were stripped and scoured by floodwaters. Once complete, families and visitors will have safe access to the park’s popular facilities
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On Sunday, 19 October, the Burdekin community came together at the Burdekin Memorial Hall for Burdekin Fights Back, a Gala Afternoon Tea supporting the fight against cancer. The event was led by local resident Raelene Grantz, who survived breast cancer last year and has watched her twin sister Maree face the disease nearly 12 years earlier. “We've just got to keep fighting. I'm a firm believer in the research,” Raelene said. Guests were treated to entertainment by Ricky Romeo and guided throug
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Once again, Jeffrey Lunn and Leon McCormack’s infamous Halloween Party will spook and delight the community next Friday, the 31st of October for an evening of costumes and candy, complete with iconic scary season decorations, music and an unparallel atmosphere! The pair first came up with the idea to introduce a haunting Halloween Party after witnessing firsthand the extravagant displays put on in the United States whilst on holiday, and after some planning, Jeff and Leon debuted their very fir
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As we move into the warmer months, I want to remind our community how important it is to be mindful of our water use. Temporary Stage 1 Water Restrictions in Ayr will commence from the 7 November to 7 December while Council completes a critical stage of the South Ayr Filtration Plant upgrade. These works are essential to securing the long-term reliability of our water supply. We all have a part to play in conserving this precious resource. I encourage everyone to follow smart water practices, p
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The Burdekin never ceases to astound with the variety of activities happening throughout the shire. The Harvest Festival Student Ball was an outstanding success and the activities for the Harvest Festival continue in Home Hill. Mental Health Week wrapped up with a time to consider our own mental health in a week of presentations including the group at the Burdekin Men’s Shed with an open community invitation to “Cuppa Chat & Chew”. Seniors Month culminates with the Seniors Expo & Luncheon Thurs
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Donzel began his Tec-NQ House journey in Semester 2, 2025, bringing fresh energy to the boarding community. As a year 10 student, preparing for year 11 in 2026, he already has his future mapped out: a career in the automotive industry. “I chose Tec-NQ for the opportunities after school,” said Donzel. “I heard about this school from family members,” he added. It’s the strength of Tec-NQ’s vocational pathway options that attracted him, and he is keen to take every chance to learn. “So far, it’s
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From Angel Paws Dog & Cat Rescue Zorro is a young feline with a heart full of promise and the opportunity for a bright future. Rescued from the pound, Zorro may initially seem a bit shy, but give him just thirty minutes, and you'll find yourself enchanted by his gentle nature and sweet demeanor. Once he trusts you, he transforms into a dedicated purr machine, letting you know you've won his heart with his melodic symphony of affection. Though Zorro's beginnings were challenging, his time in fos
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Team Spotlight: Raelene and Sonya At Community Bank Home Hill & Ayr, it’s the people behind the counter who make the biggest difference — not just in banking, but in building lasting community connections. Two of those friendly faces, Raelene and Sonya, share a deep passion for helping others and being part of something that gives back. Raelene, who has called the Burdekin home for around 35 years, joined the Community Bank just four months ago. For her, the most rewarding part of the job is si
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Step into Betta Ayr these days and you’ll feel a fresh energy in the air. That's because Dave Jenkins, the store’s new manager, has brought a friendly, homey touch to every corner, drawing on nearly 20 years of local experience in the appliance and electronics industry to make shopping simple, welcoming, and personal for everyone in the Burdekin community. “Trust is a big thing in a small town," says Dave. "Everyone walks through the door with a problem—maybe something’s broken, they want to up
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Rural Women’s Day brought together an inspiring crowd at the Masonic Temple in Ayr on Friday, October 17. Presented by Community Bank Home Hill & Ayr in partnership with Wilmar, Bowen Gumlu Growers Association, and Keir Steele Waldon, the event recognised the resilience and heart of women across the Burdekin and beyond. Hosted by Bendigo Bank’s Queensland equipment finance manager and Beyond the Farm Gate podcast host, Helen Connick, the day featured live music, a two-course lunch, and captivat
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For more than four decades, the Burdekin Machinery Preservationists have been keeping the region’s mechanical heritage alive—and now they’re calling on younger locals to join in and help keep the wheels of history turning. Based in the Brandon Heritage Precinct, the Burdekin Machinery Preservationists (BMP) are a passionate group of about 60 members, many of them retired tradesmen and lifelong tinkerers, who devote their time to restoring and maintaining historic engines, tractors, and machiner
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For one special evening, Home Hill’s Burdekin Memorial Hall will come alive with community spirit as guests gather for the Rotary Gala Ball, part of this year’s Harvest Festival. The event will feature live music, dancing, and a lively atmosphere, celebrating the people who contribute to the community. Attendees will enjoy a formal sit-down dinner, mingle with fellow guests, and support local initiatives in a night that blends elegance with fun and generosity. The Gala Ball will also honour the
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The King and Queen of the Hill event is back this Saturday, October 25, as part of the Home Hill Harvest Festival. Runners will tackle the challenging course from the base of Mount Inkerman to the scenic lookout and back, testing both speed and endurance in a thrilling competition. Competitors will be divided into multiple age group categories, giving runners of all levels the chance to claim the crown. Cash prizes will be awarded to winners, adding an extra incentive for those chasing glory.
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