Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
A close season of competitive cricket came down to Saturday afternoon as Home Hill Cricket Association hosted its grand final between Guardian Pharmacy and Peto’s Marine. Ladder leaders Guardian, who defeated Crowned Mongrels the previous week to secure their spot in the final, won the toss and elected to bowl while second placed Peto’s were coming off a bye. The early wicket of Peto’s opener Brad Parravicini to Thomas Cardillo got the bowling side off to a great start before fellow opener Simon
Read more
Local Burdekin FC Prems have been playing well for this early part of the season and confidence was high to travel to Warriors and get a winning result. Despite having players missing through injuries and circumstances the team was able to focus and maintain their composure to play a high quality, high tempo game. The first goal came from a corner late in the first half and was a just reward for continued pressure from good attacks down both sides of the field. The second half started brightly,
Read more
There were blue skies finally last Friday at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex which allowed the Challenger Blasters and Junior Hardball cricket games to go ahead. The Challengers began with the whole group participating in some fun drills of running between wickets set up on the grass, then bowling the correct line and length in the nets. They were then split into two groups to play games of ‘Pairs Cricket’ on the fields. The Junior Hardball game had a mixture of low scores in the battin
Read more
The glory days of surf sport will return at the Surf Life Saving Queensland Youth State Championships being held at Burleigh from March 21-24. This event will be action-packed with thousands of the next generation of surf sport superstars battling each other on the surf and sand in their quest for state glory. More than 1,600 surf lifesaving youth sports competitors from all across Queensland, including six from the Ayr Surf Club, will compete in beach sprints, flags, board rescue, surf rescue,
Read moreBurdekin Roosters coach Steve Lansley was impressed after his team beat Townsville Brothers in an A Grade trial at Airlie Beach last Saturday night. “Brothers sent down a pretty strong side with only a couple of players missing and were confident of taking the match,” Lansley said. In the end, the Roosters came away with a two-point victory 28-26 after conceding a try late in the match when one man down with Dom Augostis in the bin. The Roosters crossed for five tries with Dylan Doak converting
Read more
Burdekin Clay Target Club had a very successful 2 Day Shoot on Saturday March 9 and Sunday March 10. 73 shooters attended, travelling from Atherton, Silkwood, Townsville, Bowen, Mackay, Sarina and Charter Towers to compete over the weekend. The weather wasn’t looking the best leading up to the weekend but at least the heavy rain held off for us, with only scattered showers at times. The cloud cover and wind made conditions very challenging with visibility tough while the targets danced a jig but
Read more
Hi Readers I finally got back out onto the cricket field on Saturday for the first time this year and only the third time this season. As is often the case, I’ve found my form at the pointy end of the season, taking a catch and a wicket and, most importantly, I didn’t bowl any wides. My team got the win on Saturday and have made it into the grand final this weekend, so hopefully I can continue this form and help the boys to a victory. Flick to page 47 for a recap of last week’s game and come on
Read more
The Burdekin Men’s Shed was invited to volunteer their time to operate the barbeque at a recent event and have been presented with a donation in recognition of their efforts. AGnVET Rural Ayr hosted its annual grower barbeque, an event to say thank you to its customers, last Wednesday, March 6, where volunteers from the Burdekin Men’s Shed manned the barbeque and fed the 180 attendees. A different local not-for-profit organisation is invited each year to operate the barbeque, and this year the B
Read more
A recent roadshow through north Queensland invited growers to hear from Rabobank’s experts on what the organisation believes the future holds for the sugarcane industry. Pia Piggott is an Associate Analyst in the research division of Rabobank, RaboResearch, who presented to growers in Ayr on Thursday, March 7 at the Burdekin Theatre. Based in Sydney, Pia’s role includes public speaking at events, recording RaboResearch podcasts and publishing various reports, generating widespread media coverage
Read more
Thousands of Burdekin residents have called for their local police to be bolstered and funding for security patrols in an overwhelming response to a petition supported by Member for Burdekin Dale Last. More than 3,000 business owners and residents fed up with soaring youth crime in the Burdekin put pen to paper over recent weeks with Mr Last now assuring the community that this was not the end of the action. “This community has sent a clear message to this state Labor government that the current
Read more
The Burdekin’s Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival has been named as one of the best Festivals or Events in the country after receiving Silver at the Grey Nomad Awards. Hosted in Home Hill from May 26-27, 2023, the biennial festival showcases and celebrates the rich agricultural lifestyle of the Burdekin, with highlights including the first cane fire of the season and the Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships. Burdekin Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Terry Brennan said being awarded and re
Read more
A GoFundMe has been started after a Burdekin family lost their Home Hill home to fire last week. Jimmy McGrath and Tan-gina Campman, along with their three children, returned from a shopping trip on the afternoon of Friday, March 8 to find their Hurney Road home engulfed in flames. Fire crews were unable to contain the blaze before the house was destroyed. A friend of the family, Angie Williams, started the fundraiser to raise funds for the family. “All funds raised will be put towards things l
Read more
Opinion piece Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin has hit back at claims that Council is denying landholders entry to their properties, and defended Council staff involved in the activities following recent media surrounding the Giru properties. Ms McLaughlin condemned advertisements published by the complainant likening Council’s Chambers to the Kremlin and officers labelled as ‘untouchables.’ “When we are in a period of time where many residents in our own community are impacted by war
Read more
Queenslanders will go to the polls this Saturday, March 16 for the 2024 local government elections. In the Burdekin, two people are vying for the position of Mayor of Burdekin Shire Council, while 13 people are campaigning for six seats on the council. On Saturday, you will be asked to place the number 1 next to the mayoral candidate you’d like to vote. You will then be asked to place the numbers 1 to 6 next to the councillor candidates you’d like to vote for – the order of these numbers has no
Read more
The search to locate a 42-year-old man missing from Home Hill since Sunday, December 10, 2023, is ongoing as police are continuing to appeal to the public for assistance. Phillip Malayta was last seen driving a green Toyota Avalon sedan near a sugar cane property near Rita Island Road, Jarvisfield, on the morning of December 10. The vehicle was recovered by police along Richard Street, Ayr that afternoon. SES volunteers and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services RPAS drone pilots joined the Town
Read more
Police have charged three people in relation to an alleged Nissan Patrol which was stolen from a residence in Canberra Street, Ayr during the night of Saturday March 9, 2024. This vehicle was located in Townsville and was subject to a tyre deflation device deployment near the Willows Shopping Centre in Kirwan As a result, an 18yr old Townsville man was charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and unlicenced driving as well as other property offences
Read more
Facing homelessness for the second time in five years, Jenny Harper and her daughter Katie were running out options. Upon finding a secure rental in Home Hill, the mother-daughter duo turned to their unique skillset of dog grooming as a way to save money to buy the house. Jenny, who lives with a disability, and Katie, who is also Jenny’s carer, were living in Townsville when they were evicted from their home for reasons out of their control. They returned to the Burdekin where Jenny grew up, fin
Read more
An eerie shadow spotted in video footage taken by a mother of her children swimming in Rollingstone Creek, north of Townsville, has been confirmed to be the outline of a saltwater crocodile. Wildlife officers have used photos and videos, captured on Saturday, March 2, to confirm the presence of an estimated three-metre crocodile in the Rollingstone Creek swimming hole, while the presence of three crocodiles was later confirmed in the creek system well downstream from the swimming hole. Senior Wi
Read more
Did you know that the Burdekin Shire Council has a comprehensive set of animal regulations? Council’s animal regulations are designed to protect the health and safety of animals and people and to promote responsible pet ownership and community harmony. There are local laws that specify the minimum standards for keeping different types of animals, such as birds, poultry, horses, cows, sheep, goats, and more. Depending on the size of your property and the number of animals you want to keep, you ma
Read more
A recent International Women’s Day (IWD) breakfast hosted by Burdekin Christian College (BCC) invited over 100 mothers and daughters to feel inspired by guest speakers. One guest speaker was Judith Arroita, mother of BCC student Lily, who spoke about Lily’s journey with Turner Syndrome. Turner Syndrome is a condition that affects only females, resulting when one of the X chromosomes is missing or partially missing, where most girls are born with two X chromosomes. Lily was diagnosed in November
Read more
Did you know that the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre links the community with various services, social groups, and community organisations? Neighbourhood Centres are places where people meet to build connections and strengthen their community. They provide a safe and welcoming environment for all community members to access essential services and participate in social activities. Essentially, they help bring people closer together and create a sense of belonging within their community - they are
Read more
International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on March 8 globally, honouring the achievements of women. Zonta International’s theme for IWD 2024 is, “Count her in: accelerating gender equality through economic empowerment”. To celebrate IWD, the Zonta Club Burdekin Inc hosted a High Tea at BCHS Marcellin Centre on Sunday, March 10. The afternoon was a wonderful success with guests travelling from Brisbane, Townsville, and the Whitsundays to enjoy the afternoon’s activities. The ve
Read more
Meet Kaylee Boccalatte Of Dal Santo’s Deli Star sign: Gemini Fav Colour: Blue Fav holiday destination: The tropical island destination called Rita Fav quote: Be the change you wish to see in the world – Mahatma Gandhi Something most people don’t know about you: I have unwittingly become a collector of unread books – I see them in the shop, buy them and then … they sit on the bookshelf. Describe your personality in three words: determined, honest and reliable. Kaylee Boccalatte was born and rai
Read more
Servicing the Burdekin and its surrounding North Queensland regions, ML Partners Pty Ltd has been a beacon of financial expertise since its incorporation in 2013. Founded by directors Peter McKaig and John Licciardello, this accounting and financial services firm boasts a rich history, with both leaders having been integral to the business since 1994 and 1995, respectively. But what sets ML Partners apart is not just its longevity in the industry, but also its commitment to fostering a unique an
Read more