Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
A national commitment to eradicate one of the world’s worst invasive species, the red imported fire ant (RIFA), has been reinforced with further confirmation of funding to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program. The Australian, Queensland, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory and Victoria governments have now all locked in funding to deliver the four-year response plan, with Western Australia confirming funding for two years. These commitments maintain importa
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In the 50th year of business for McCathies Furniture Plus, third generation owners, Rob and Kari Ravizza, still reflect the 1974 values of Jack and Millie McCathie in their operations.The Golden Anniversary marks half a century of providing high quality service to the Burdekin region and beyond, with Kari and her team delivering wonderful pieces of furniture all along the East Coast. “We are passionate about the Burdekin and support the local and wider community in every way we can,” said Kari.I
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1943 William ‘Jack’ McCathie, born in Gympie in 1913, marries Amelia Jane ‘Millie’ Orchard, born in Ayr in 1922, and the couple’s early business ventures include carpentry, wood depot and wood carting, Supreme Taxi Service, Macs Milk Bar & Café, Macs Toyland, T & G Mutual Life Insurance Agency, TAA Travel Centre, and agents for Kern Homes & McCathies Real Estate. 1970 Jack and Millie’s son, John, marries Lyndy Heuir. 1974 While running TAA Travel Agenc
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McCathies Furniture Plus was founded by well-known local entrepreneurial couple, William ‘Jack’ McCathie and Amelia Jane ‘Millie’ McCathie in 1974 under the title of Ayr Secondhand Dealers. Originally from Gympie, Jack relocated to the Burdekin region where he met and married the love of his life, Ayr local, Millie Orchard in 1943. The pair then went on to have two children, Janice Isobel and John William McCathie. The business was one of many established by the couple in their 47 years of m
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Proud and confident do not begin to describe the likes of Adam Smith, another strong team member of McCathies Furniture Plus. For Adam, who knows the Burdekin like the back of his hand, having been born and raised right here in the region, McCathies has become his second home for him. He loves working with a team he can rely upon, and loves seeing customers thrive with his dedicated and knowledgeable service. Most people, however, will recognise Adam from outside the calm interior of McCath
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Born in Papua New Guinea, George is a proud Torres Strait Islander who grew up on Yorke Island before moving to Australia, the country he now calls home. For many years he pursued a variety of professions, gaining invaluable skills and experience in areas such as construction and hospitality. These are now very useful experiences which he can apply to his role at McCathies Furniture Plus, where he now enjoys working with the team assembling and delivering furniture. With a varied and diverse ba
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For high school sweethearts Kari and Rob Ravizza, relocating back to the Burdekin to take over McCathies Furniture Plus was an opportunity to re-immerse themselves in their hometown. Both Rob and Kari grew up in Ayr, where they first met at their casual jobs at Big Rooster (now Red Rooster). Their path has taken many twists and turns and it’s ironic that, after their romance blossomed in the workplace, they have gone on to embark on an incredible journey of business together. Although Kari would
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Shay Kratzmann has evolved to become a steadfast staple of the McCathies Furniture Plus shopping experience, a friendly face and reliable sales assistant at the front line of the business. Born in Ayr and raised in Brandon, Shay is through and through a Burdekin girl, something she is quick to declare and happy to share, and for over six years, McCathies Furniture Plus has been her home away from home. “I honestly don’t think I can see myself doing anything else,” Shay shared. “Every day is di
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Talk of the town right now, The Little Mermaid theatre production is charming audiences from across the region. With successful shows behind them and more to come this weekend, this high-quality local masterpiece is one to watch. The Little Mermaid Opening Weekend Burdekin Singers & Theatre Company took audiences ‘Under the Sea’ as its production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid opened at Burdekin Theatre on Friday, February 2. The local production was the product of months of preparation from l
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Residents of the Burdekin will have the opportunity to experience African Drumming and Blissful Sound Immersion when Alex Salvadore of the Rhythm Connection comes to Ayr on the weekend. Mr Salvadore is holding two events at the QCWA Hall in Ayr on Sunday, February 11. “The Introduction to African Drumming workshop will have residents playing rhythms on authentic West African djembes,” he said. “The Bliss Out Sound Immersion Experience is an hour of relaxation while I play instruments from around
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The Ayr Surf Life Saving Club's Annual Beach Golf Day is gearing up to be a cracker of an event. Being held this Saturday February 10, with Tee-off from 1pm, teams of four will enjoy a fun filled day out with their clubs. Teams are invited to come in their best team themed outfits, to help add to the energetic atmosphere of the day. Their Top 100 Club event has also been moved to be aligned with Golf Day. The special event of the draw will take place between 12pm-1.30pm on Saturday 10th, with a
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The Whitsundays Writers Festival is gearing for a grand comeback, with a schedule jampacked full of immersive celebrations of all things literary. On the cards is esteemed 2023 Miles Franklin Literary Award winner, Shankari Chandran, winner of Australia’s premier literary prize for her debut novel, ‘Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens’. Alongside Shankari are several other highly regarded, award-winning Australian authors, who are excited to be in sunny Whitsundays for a weekend of literary prowess.
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Wednesday January 31: winners were Richard Aplin, Vince Beitia & Lew Stidston who defeated John Hall, Happy Horan & Kaos. Saturday February 3: Despite very hot conditions, we had a good turnout for our belated Australia Day Celebration sponsored by Phelan’s Pies. 1st Prize went to Barry Hewson, Sam Caltabiano and Thelma Klopper who defeated Jim Murray/Mick Olsen, George Nixon and Henry Hazle. 2nd Prize went to Happy Horan, Joe Grabbi and Lew Stidston who defeated Katharina Stuckler, Rob Garner a
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12 Bowlers attended for social bowls on Friday with eventual winners Marg McLaughlin, Lloyd Shepherd and Norm Storrie winning on countback. Championship B grade pairs started with Lloyd Shepherd and Peter Lejarraga defeating Gary Norsworthy and Kevin Ferguson 24 /18. Chris Pearce and Simon Griggs were selected for NQ District side trials at Northern Beaches Bowls Club, Mackay over the weekend. More trial matches still to come. Thanks to all those who turned up for the working bee on the weekend.
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A Giru cowboy has returned from Tamworth an open bull riding champion after the Australian Bushmen's Campdraft and Rodeo Association National Finals Rodeo was held in the ‘country music capital’ from January 25-27. Braydon Wellby went into the event placed third in the standings in the YETI Open Bull Ride, qualifying as one of 15 finalists after stellar results throughout 2023. With three opportunities to accumulate points, there were no qualified rides in the first go-round and the second was l
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Burdekin FC is now getting ready for the 2024 season. Pre-season training has already started, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.30 pm for men and Wednesdays at 6.00 pm for women. The Panthers first match of the season will be away to Estates in the Kappa Qld Cup this Saturday night in Townsville. Leighton Gallagher will be coaching the Premiers again this season. The Juniors have an exciting year of football coming up, with regular matches plus games against out of town opponents. Registrations for
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Winners for the day on Thursday, February 1 on countback was the team of Ray, Gary and Glen pictured with sponsor Des Chapman from Rocky Ponds Produce. 18 players turned up to play so three rinks of triples were contested. Rink 5: Ray, Gary and Glen outlasted Paul, John and Stephen 16 to 11. Rink 6: Bob, Alec and Wayne proved too strong for Phil, Joe and Mike 21 to 15. Rink 7: Warren, Des and Trevor narrowly defeated Judy, Jocelyn and Henry 21 to 18. Thanks again to sponsor Rocky Ponds Prod
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Pre-season training has started for the three men’s team for the Roosters with the Hens to start this week under new coach Anita Hagarty. Newly appointed A Grade coach Daniel Beazley has been in charge of the pre-season work assisted by Reserve Grade Coach Chris Perry and under 20 leaders Paul and Peter Horan. Former Junior Roosters star Terry Connors has returned home after six years away playing in Townsville. Whilst in Townsville, Connors attended Kirwan High where he reached a position in t
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Senior cricket returned to Barry Richards Field for the first time in 2024 last weekend, with Peto’s Marine taking on Guardian Pharmacy on Saturday, February 3. Guardian Pharmacy won the toss and elected to bat, with contributions from Hugh Smith (41 runs from 39 balls), Thomas Cardillo (23 from 27) and Jay Leckenby (21 from 13) setting a total of 7/183 runs from 25 overs. The bowling effort for Peto’s Marine was evenly spread, with Leo Olditch, Jack Oborne, Simon Vickers, Ben Walters, and Shaun
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Local Ergon Energy crews worked tirelessly to reconnect power to thousands of Burdekin customers. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie
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I survived my first cyclone! And I’m grateful to be able to say I got through it without a single issue. Ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily hit the Burdekin last Thursday evening, bringing with it strong winds and rain. A lot of people lost power for multiple days which, considering the weather’s quick revert to heatwave conditions, would not have been pleasant, I’m sure. I was prepared for a weekend without any electricity-fuelled entertainment, equipped with candles, books, puzzles and knitting equi
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There’s nothing like a natural disaster to bring a community together and, although ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily was considered minor in the end, the Burdekin still turned on its community spirit. Burdekin Life has received many reports of generous and neighbourly deeds, from locals helping each other fill sandbags before the cyclone to helping clean up backyards afterwards. “I did see some tremendous examples of good community people helping their neighbours, helping their friends, helping their
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In recognition of her academic achievements and commitment, Sophie Robertson of Ayr State High School is one of eight Queensland recipients of the 2024 Premier’s Anzac Prize, awarded by the Queensland Government. The award recognises the efforts and dedication of young Queenslanders and aims to present students with opportunities to gain an in-depth understanding of the ANZAC legacy. Sophie will embark on a 16-day international adventure touring France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom to explo
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Home Hill residents have called on the state government to fund private security patrols such is their frustration with the spiralling crime rate. Member for Burdekin, Dale Last, met with business owners and residents earlier this week and said the fact that they felt there was no alternative but private security to keep them safe was a direct result of the current state government’s many failures. “People are frustrated and angry due to the actions of a small group of offenders who are running
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Advertising Feature Lyn McLaughlin will run for a final term as Mayor of the Burdekin Shire at the 2024 Local Government Elections on Saturday, March 16. The announcement comes on the first week of candidate nominations opening, with the incumbent looking to see some of her Council’s long-term projects through to completion. “I have been fortunate to be Mayor of the Burdekin Shire for the past eight years and in that time, have seen many significant projects take shape,” Ms McLaughlin said. “T
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