A team of researchers at Deakin University recently partnered with local media and natural hazards experts to deliver the Burdekin Aware and Prepared Community Forum. The forum, held on Saturday, February 24 at Burdekin PCYC, saw community members come together to share their experiences of living through natural disasters and how information was communicated by different organisations. The project’s lead researcher, Dr Gabi Mocatta, said the team was grateful for the support of the Burdekin com
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When reflecting on her role as President of the St Vincent de Paul Home Hill Conference, Kaylene Rinella admitted that the work of the conference can fly under the radar. Providing assistance to the whole of the Burdekin in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, Kaylene and her team of passionate volunteers provide a hand up, not a handout, and rely on dedicated community support to do this. “We’re just trying to help people survive, really, help people get through,” Kaylene said. “We’re seeing s
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Question Of The Week: Please share with us one personal experience during your campaign trail so far that has really reinforced the reason you are running. Pierina Dalle Cort Mayoral Candidate Another day, another frustrated rate payer. There is a lack of urgency and efficiency in addressing issues. Surveyors, planners, and their clients are frustrated with the system. I keep hearing it is just too hard to do business with Burdekin Shire Council. Ratepayers have
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At just 42 years old, Laurence Pavone was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour. This set him on a path to give back, make a difference and leave a lasting legacy for his young family in the form of a charity called Laurie’s Love. In 2019, 10 months on from his diagnosis, Laurence sadly passed away, but Laurie’s Love forged ahead in his absence, continuing his legacy of love, compassion and community spirit. The much-loved local charity is due to host its biggest event yet next weekend, the Lau
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Burdekin residents can now access a range of mental wellbeing and suicide prevention services under one roof, as not-for-profit charity, selectability, today officially opens the doors to a new Mental Health Hub. The new facility, located in the previously disused Caledonian Hall, is proudly funded by the Queensland Government’s Community Infrastructure Investment Partnership Program. selectability Chief Executive Officer Debra Burden said the Mental Health Hub provided a central location for t
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The Burdekin Community Association Inc. (BCA) Home Care Service delivers a wide range of services for seniors and their carers. Home Care Packages Program (HCP) The HCP Program provides support to older people with complex care needs to live independently in their own home. We can offer services to eligible seniors on a Level 1, 2, 3 or 4 package. Services include in-home support services, transport, home maintenance/repairs/modifications, access to allied health services and other care related
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You don’t know what you don’t know. Makes sense, right? But where do you go when you need to know something? Ever thought about popping into the Neighbourhood Centre to ask? We aim to be helpful to anyone who comes into the Centre with an issue. It takes a lot of courage to walk into somewhere new. When you walk through our door, there is no judgement, no shame. Just friendly faces, a listening ear and a safe space to take a moment to find your direction. And whilst we may not show it – trust
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Did you know that the Burdekin Shire has over 200 kilometres of beaches within its boundaries? That's more than the distance from Ayr to Airlie Beach. The Burdekin Shire is home to some of the most pristine and diverse coastal environments in Queensland, with sandy shores, rocky headlands, mangroves and access to coral reefs. Whether you're looking for a relaxing getaway, a fishing adventure or a wildlife encounter, you'll find it in the Burdekin Shire. Here are some of the best beaches to expl
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Home Hill State High School teacher Louise Nicholas has progressed to Finalist of the Queensland AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, an award to recognise notable female rural leaders who are advocating, empowering, and celebrating for changes in agriculture. Louise is excited to have progressed to become a Finalist for the award. “It’s still sinking in,” she explained. “I was nominated two years ago and didn’t progress to this stage, so it’s all new. “This time around, my project is further re
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Simon Hood Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing The sugar market remains in no man’s land as the window between the close of the 2023-24 Brazilian crush and the start of the 2024-25 season seems impossibly short. The final production for this season’s output is yet to be determined, but is heading towards a record harvest. Projections for the 24-25 season are fluid in the analysts’ spreadsheets. The early number of 640+ million mt of cane is being wound back, due to the dry weather in December and Ja
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The rural event of the year is fast approaching with Burdekin Boars and Barras taking over Clare this weekend. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, and with something for everyone, the Burdekin is invited to get behind the rod or the rifle to help fundraising efforts for the Clare State School P&C Committee. Involving fun for the whole family, the event schedule includes the coveted weigh-in presentations for all pigs, fish and crabs, a well-stocked licensed bar, Rotary food tent, Lillie’s Cubby H
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In an announcement that further boosts Queensland’s credentials as Australia’s emerging AgTech innovation capital, Brisbane has been named as the home of the AgriFutures evokeAG. global innovation event in 2025. Connecting the global agrifood innovation community of investors, entrepreneurs, AgTech service providers and agribusiness professionals, evokeAG. provides a digital platform and premier agrifood tech event where farmers share their experiences, startups pitch their potential, scientists
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Growers participating in the Burdekin Irrigation project, the Lower Burdekin Smart Irrigation Project and the Major Grants project hosted sugarcane growers from the Mackay-Whitsunday region the Far North and local growers to demonstrate on-farm smart irrigation strategies, tools, technologies, and practices throughout the Burdekin. The bus tour aimed to increase cross regional relationships and provided an opportunity for growers interested in new advancements in irrigation practices and techno
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The Lyon’s Grassland Striped Skink had not been observed since 1981 and is known only from a single locality that is heavily grazed by cattle. That is until the rare lizard was found last year for the first time in over 40 years living in north-east Queensland. In early 2023, scientists from Queensland Museum and James Cook University were tasked with the challenge of finding the elusive Lyon’s Grassland Striped Skink. The surveys were part of research by the Resilient Landscapes Hub of the Aust
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By Chelsea Ravizza January 2024 saw a new mammoth monthly record set for the Containers for Change Scheme across Queensland, with 175,805,461 containers returned for a refund and recycling. This outstanding total surpasses the previous record set in January of 2023 of 157,525,681, and Rachael Coleman of NQ Green Solutions continues to be blown away by the Burdekin’s recycling efforts. NQ Green Solutions recycled 1,133,972 containers in January, and the depot shows no sign of slowing. Recycling
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Next month, high school students from four Burdekin schools will attend a potentially lifesaving education program professionally developed and delivered by trained local mentors. Road Safety Education Limited’s (RSE) RYDA workshop is a whole of school program which includes a full day workshop of practical, interactive and powerful sessions about road safety for students at Burdekin Catholic High School, Home Hill State High School, Burdekin Christian College and Burdekin Educational Engagement
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Scouting has been part of the Home Hill community since 1928. On Monday 12 February 12, as part of our community involvement, members of the Lower Burdekin Scout Group attended the Burdekin Council Australia Day event at the Home Hill Memorial Hall. This was a great night seeing and hearing about so many inspirational people in our community. We also took the opportunity to share the opportunity for youth 5 to 15 years of age (adults too) to come along for four weeks for free to Try Scouting on
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Ayr Surf Lifesaving Club is inviting the community to the beach for a Family Fun Day happening Saturday, March 2 from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. The day will offer fun for the whole family, including a dunk tank, face painting and slip and slide. Snacks will be available including popcorn, slushies and fairy floss as well as other food and drinks – BYO is not permitted. The 2024 Family Fun Day is free to enter and will take place at the Ayr Surf Club, Sandown Street, Alva. Following the Family Fun Day w
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Rehoming Fee: $195 DOB: 1/1/2023 Sex: Male Breed: Domestic Short Hair Kid Friendly: Yes Dog Friendly: Untested Other Cats: Yes Indoors/Outdoors: Indoors This playful little tabby is on a quest to find his furever home! Dubbed Harry Potter, he is affectionate and loving, sure to keep his humans spellbound with his stellar personality. He can magically make your worries (and a whole bowl of food) disappear! Harry isn’t a fan of Quidditch, but he flies around at top speed chasing his toys. The
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Burdekin resident Talika Pegoraro understands that the busy lives of women and mothers doesn’t always allow for time to be spent on oneself. That’s why she started Sisters of the Moon, a fortnightly women’s circle inviting local women to take two hours out of their busy lives to focus on themselves. Talika has been working with Airlie Beach-based life coach Jen Gils to work through her anxiety, depression and complex PTSD, which she said was an opportunity to change her mindset. “I found that, l
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Friday, February 23 saw Burdekin Catholic Shire Council (BCHS) lift in rivalry with the Interhouse Swimming Carnival. After a fantastic Spirit Week, the three houses were set to bring their best to the pool. The day was filled with highly competitive races, with BCHS showcasing many great swimmers. Importantly, there was also high participation from our non-competitive races to ensure maximum points were gained towards acquiring the House Trophy. It was great to see the fantastic spirit of each
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The first of Burdekin Christian College’s pre-carnival spirit activities was dodgeball, a very popular activity with many students participating. Mighty Mathew took out the first event of spirit week.
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Caption: Photos supplied: Jarvisfield State School
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Social Bowls were played Tuesday February 20 where the winners were Ruth Moore, Elaine Young, Beryl Cornford and Pam Power defeating Desley Olsen, Donna Soper, Sandra Stidston and Irene Wilson. Isabel Cislowski, Heather Jorgensen and Mary Poli defeated Katharina Stuckler, Joy Comollatti amd Dot Cutting. Eighteen bowlers enjoyed playing lawn bowls under the stars at Wednesday Night Bowls on February 21. Coming in first place were Katharina Stuckler, Anthony Bull and Robyn McAllister. In second
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