The first Burdekin Industry Breakfast for 2024 was held earlier this week welcoming two guest speakers to illuminate the morning event. The Burdekin business community gathered at the Burdekin Theatre on Wednesday, February 21 to hear from Rhian Aguirre, the Senior Manager of Operations and Maintenance of Ark Energy Corporation and Ranee Crosby, CEO of Port of Townsville. Mr Aguirre discussed Ark Energy’s goals, completed projects and future plans for the company, outlining the importance of o
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The NQ Fast Track Talent Showcase is around the corner, and no one is more excited than the two special guests for 2024, Taylor Henderson and Ethan Beckton. The two talented artists will not only perform live at the final showcase, but also attend a workshop with performers prior to them taking the stage. Having both participated in television talent competitions, Taylor and Ethan know how much a talent showcase can mean for someone’s career. Growing up in regional Victoria, Taylor Henderson wa
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The barramundi fishing competition of the year is back, with the organisers Whitsunday Game Fish Club excited to take to the lake. Based at Camp Kanga, the weekend starts with a briefing and registration at Camp Kanga on Friday March 22, from 7pm, for those wishing to get in on the action. Nomination for the Barra Bash is free and prizes will be presented at the conclusion of the weekend, from 1pm, with photo on a brag mat, including the date, of the longest Barra. Anglers can fish the lake,
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Carmela Bonanno, formerly of Home Hill, celebrated her 100th birthday on February 14 at the residential aged care home in Brisbane where she now lives. Carmela (nee Quattrocchi) emigrated to Australia from Zafferana-Etnea, Sicily, by boat in August 1950, aged 26. She settled in Townsville, working in a café owned by her sister and brother-in-law. Not long after she arrived, a friend introduced her to Giuseppe (Joe) Bonanno, who was living and farming in Home Hill. Joe hailed from the same villag
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Leaders’ Investiture Congratulations to Home Hill State High School’s leaders for 2024 who were sworn in at a ceremony on Tuesday, February 20. Senior Secondary School Captains: Saelym Poli and Jacob Machin Junior Secondary School Captains: Lucy Young and Alex Swinney Junior Secondary Vice Captain: Kalen Linton Indigenous Captain: Graycee Messer-Watego Indigenous Vice Captiain: Blaize Palmer Beachmount House Captains: Sienna Heron and Meleik Billy Inkerman House Captains: Rian Berryman and Geoff
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Fast Facts: Rehoming Fee: $425 DOB: 31/12/2022 Sex: Male Breed: Staffy Cross Kid Friendly: Older Kids Cat Friendly: Untested Other Dogs: Yes with Slow Introduction Fences: 5ft Oddish is a friendly and loveable boy whose favourite thing to do is spend time with his people. He is food motivated and knows how to sit and is keen to learn new tricks. He walks well on a harness but can pull out of excitement when people walk past. Oddish would be best suited to a home with older kids as he isn’t aw
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Brigitte Davies, the recipient of the Tom Kruger Award, Year 12 Dux of Burdekin Catholic High School in 2023, has not only excelled academically but has also exemplified remarkable dedication in every facet of her life. Her stellar ATAR of 99.55 is testament to her efforts. The Class of 2023 achieved outstanding results. Brigitte was one of six students at Burdekin Catholic High School who received an ATAR of 90 or above, and 47% received an ATAR of 80 and above. Brigitte's academic achievement
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Burdekin Christian College has welcomed their 2024 Student Leaders at their official Student Leadership Induction Ceremony. These students embody the values of the College, showing grace, dignity, and confidence in everything they do. At the Official Ceremony earlier this year, the students were presented with their leadership badges by honoured guest, 2023 College Captain, Emily Holmes, who returned for the event. Senior Leadership Team College Captain – Brent Dingle College Captain – Sh
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Ayr State High School’s leaders were formally introduced to the school community at their recent Investiture Ceremony last week. Despite the inclement weather, nothing could dampen the enthusiasm and excitement of the Student Executive, lead by school captains Layla Kelly and Noah Arboit, as they introduced over 90 student leaders. House Captains, LIP Leaders, House Family representatives, QATSIF recipients, Year 7 and 11 scholarship awardees, and elected Student Council and Interact committee
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Championship Rinks and Championship Singles are now open, names wanted to be drawn February 27. Ladies Social Bowls played on February 13. Winners were R Soper, D Soper and P Power defeating R Hervey, K Page and D Cutting. Runner up on count back Merle Nixon, Joy Comollatti and S Stidston defeating K Stuckler, H Jorgensen and I Wilson. Wednesday Feb 14 Winners were Jim Murray, Dino Poli and Henry Hazle who defeated John Hall, Anthony Bull and Ron Soper Saturday Feb 17 Winners were John Hall, Mic
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Thanks to all the members who turned up for Saturday morning’s working bee putting the shade sails back up. Chief in command Richi Maui had everyone working hard and thanks also to Sharon Penny for smoko which was enjoyed by all. 24 members attended social bowls on Monday, February 19 in favourable conditions. Norm Storrie, Ray Panacassio and Jamie Woods played against Bernice Kugatoff, Leo Kenny, and Len Feeney. In the early stages in that game, it looked all over with Len Feeney letting everyo
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Thursday bowls went ahead even though the green was under water at 1pm after a couple of inches of rain in about an hour. Surprisingly, the new green drains very quickly so the games could go ahead at around 2:15pm. RINK 2: Mick/Hugh, Dino and Stephen were to strong defeating Judy, Dave and Wayne 17 to 11 and 8 ends to 4. RINK 3: Bob, Joe and Trevor pipped Jim, Des and Henry 10 to 9 with 6 ends to each side. RINK 4: In a pairs game Paul and Mick steamrolled Yogi and John to the tune of 12 t
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Rain fell throughout the district which again disrupted the Junior Cricket season last week. There were still clouds above the Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex on Sunday when six Home Hill Cricket Association members undertook a coaching course. This was run by QLD Cricket’s Coaching and Talent Specialist Lachlan Ford, and these members are now Level 1 Community Cricket Coaches. They join the 14 other accredited coaches at the club so all of our Junior players from the smallest Rookies thro
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Looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat in round 11, Crowned Mongrels delivered a strong performance in a very close affair against Guardian Pharmacy at Barry Richards Field last weekend. Guardian won the toss and sent Mongrels in to bat, with opener Ayden Marano getting to work immediately with 41 runs from 21 balls, assisted by Joel Hanson with 23 from 18 and Casper Licciardello with 19 from 26 not out. Daniel Olditch took an impressive 3/7 from two overs for Guardian while Andrew Cardillo
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The 2024 football season was due to start last Saturday but the very wet weather caused all football activity in the Burdekin to be postponed. The Panthers were due to play JCU Riverway in the 3rd round of the Cup. The match has been re-scheduled for this Saturday night, February 24, at International Park at 7.00pm. Training at International Park is on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.30pm for men and Wednesdays at 6.00pm for women. The Week 1 pre-season matches for Juniors were unfortunately call
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The draw from Rugby League Townsville & Districts (RLTD) has been released showing the Burdekin Roosters will have eight home games during the regular season, which gets under way for the Burdekin teams on Sunday April 7 when they travel to meet the Western Lions in Townsville. The first home game will be a big one when they host powerhouse Brothers on Saturday April 20 at Rugby Park. Other home games will be Sunday April 28 against Souths in A grade and Bowen, Saturday May 25 against Centrals,
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Burdekin Clay Target Club held their 100 Target Double Barrel event on Sunday February 11. 44 shooters attended, including travelling shooters from various clubs, which is always wonderful to see. Our Major sponsor for the day was Honeycombes Sales & Service, thank you for your ongoing support. The weather was hot in the sun with a slight breeze now and then. Wayne Cislowski was top dog for the day shooting a clean sweep with 100/100; he was on fire, not even looking like he was going to mis
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On the weekend of the February 10-11, Millie Lyne and her coaches, Kim and Mick McConnachie, travelled to Brisbane to compete in the QLD State Sprint (50m events) Championships held at Chandler Swimming Pool. Millie represented the Burdekin Torpedoes in five events and one final, which included the open 50m Breaststroke where she secured her qualifying time for the National Age Swimming Championships held on the Gold Coast in April with a time of 36.24s, smashing her personal best time by 1.08s.
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For six years, locals and visitors alike have been starting their weekends with a social run through Ayr’s Plantation Park. Plantation parkrun marked its sixth anniversary on Saturday, February 17, with 25 runners joining the celebrations. Co-Event Director Stephen Crouther attended the first Plantation parkrun on February 18, 2018 where 90 people attended. “Since then, we’ve run with 20-30 people each week,” he said. “It’s good to see people turn up and volunteers turn up to make it happen.”
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The recipients of the 2024 Australia Day Awards were proudly announced by Burdekin Shire Council at a rescheduled ceremony on Monday, February 12, recognising the outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals and groups in the community.
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Hi readers I have exciting news! Next Tuesday, I’ll be making my debut on Sweet FM with my very own show! I started volunteering for community radio station 4CRM while living in Mackay where I would host ‘The Prekend’ on Thursday nights, a show where I aimed to shine a light on local musical talent while bringing fresh, contemporary independent music from all over the world to Mackay's airwaves. I had no radio experience prior to this but, as I’ve mentioned plenty of times, moving to the regions
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The magic of the Little Mermaid was not lost on anyone at the recent Burdekin Singers and Theatre Company production. When Billy found out his school teacher, Olivia Licciardello, was playing Ariel in The Little Mermaid, he asked his mum to buy tickets. With his hearing impairment, Billy has difficulty distinguishing between different sounds, and has never been to the theatre before, but he wished to support his teacher and just watch and enjoy the show’s fantastic imaginary and amazing acting.
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Caption 1: Citizen of the Year John Wood (centre) was gifted a framed photograph of the Burdekin Bridge, pictured with Australia Day Ambassador Karen Jacobsen (left) and Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin (right) Caption 2: Young Citizen of the Year Eddie Jones Caption 3: Young Citizen of the Year Achievement Award and Junior Cultural Award Winner Emily Holmes Caption 4: Senior Cultural Award Winner Irene Richards Caption 5: Young Citizen of the Year Achievement Award Winner Martina Boj
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Are you ready to get your business to stand out from the crowd, to attract more contracts and achieve essential government and industry tenders? This workshops, hosted by the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning (DSDILGP), will aid businesses in improving their chances of securing tenders, of putting together a concise and comprehensive capability statement, and marketing your business to attract tenders. An effective and up-to-date capability statemen
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