Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Touch footy fans across the region are gearing up for an exciting day of action as the third annual Burdekin Mixed Touch Football Carnival returns to the Ayr touch fields on Saturday, the 23rd of August. A growing highlight on the local sporting calendar, the carnival will welcome teams from Townsville, Bowen, Airlie Beach, and the Burdekin, with three divisions on offer: Mixed Under 16, Mixed Open, and Mixed Seniors (over 39 years). The event promises friendly competition, community spirit, a
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The Wilmar Club Challenge is set to unite all four Burdekin bowls clubs for a special community event this September. Marking the first time in decades that the clubs will compete side-by-side, the Challenge celebrates the spirit of bowls and the strong sense of community in the Burdekin region. Each club will field three teams of four players in a round-robin format, with points awarded for wins, losses, and draws. Supported by club leaders, this promises to be a memorable occasion for players
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After more than four decades in the Queensland Police Service, Steve Barton, Officer‑in‑Charge at Ayr Police Station, is hanging up his badge with much pride and little fanfare—exactly how he prefers it. “I’ve just really enjoyed doing what I’ve done,” he said. “Every job has its challenges and things you wish you’d done better, but [I'm proud of] my commitment to the work and the community.” Continued on page 3... A Career Built On Commitment And Connection Continued from cover... Barton
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After my mates last month, it was my parents’ turn to pay me a visit in this beloved region I now call home—and it’s only when you’re showing guests around that you realise just how much you’ve come to know about a place. Don’t get me wrong—I’m not claiming “local” status yet. But I’ve come a long way from the guy who first arrived here wondering why everything was closed on Sundays. Mum and Dad liked what they saw. I took them up the mountain, down to Groper Creek for a bit of fishing, and th
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Time is running out to shine a spotlight on Queenslanders making an extraordinary impact in their communities, with nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards closing at 11.59pm on Thursday, the 31st of July. The government is calling on locals across the State to nominate inspiring individuals for the prestigious national awards, which recognise everyday Australians doing remarkable work across four categories: Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year (65 years and ove
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A 27‑year‑old Ayr woman is among three people charged after an armed robbery at a Bruce Highway rest stop in Cardwell on Saturday, 26 July. Police allege that around 6.35pm, the trio–including a 26‑year‑old Rasmussen man and a 17‑year‑old Rasmussen boy–approached a white Hyundai Accent and demanded the 18‑year‑old German tourist driver hand over his keys, wallet and phone. One of the group allegedly threatened the man with a firearm before ordering him out of the vehicle. The tourist complied
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OPINION PIECE The Albanese Labor Government has used its numbers in Parliament to block a proposed Senate Inquiry into the health and future of Australia’s metals manufacturing industry, without providing any explanation for the decision. The Inquiry, moved by Nationals Senators Susan McDonald and Matt Canavan, was designed to investigate the looming crisis facing the sector, including key processing facilities Glencore’s Mount Isa and Townsville operations. “These facilities underpin our loca
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Helping You Achieve Financial Goals When Ross Rickards opened Astute Ayr in January 2020, he brought with him over a decade of experience in banking and a stint managing insurance clients—background that gave him a clear vision of what a customer‑first financial service should look like. Now, five years on, that vision has flourished into a bustling office that handles everything from home loans, equipment finance and commercial lending to Business, domestic and private health insurance service
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On 20 July 2025, surrounded by friends at the Alva Beach Tourist Caravan Park, Joan Mutton marked her 100th birthday the same way she has spent the past two decades of winters: in the Burdekin, fishing, quad‑biking and swapping stories at happy hour. “We’ve been coming up here for the last 20 years,” Joan said. “A lot of these people that come up here, and also friends we have made in Home Hill and so forth, were all here to celebrate, and it was lovely.” Born in Adelaide in 1925, Joan grew up
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The Burdekin continues to shine with celebrations of significance across our community. From Rotary marking 70 years of service, Burdekin Pottery celebrating 50 years of creativity, to the 100-year milestone of the Catholic Church in our region. We also applaud long-standing local businesses like Liesmann Plumbing, celebrating 55 years, and Nutrien Harcourts McCathies Real Estate, marking 60 years of operation. And next year, we’ll honour 100 years of the Ayr Surf Life Saving Club. Donations fr
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Once again Burdekin didn’t disappoint last weekend. The bagpipes were playing and competitors of various ages were enjoying the local highland dancing competition called ‘Sugarcane and Sword Dances’ at Burdekin Catholic High School’s Marcellan Centre. Competitors from Burdekin, Mossman, Mackay, Townsville and Brisbane took part. Fantastic to see the ‘Burdekin Youth Council’ members assisting with the canteen. Burdekin Potters celebrated 50 years of ‘Creativity and Community’ at Plantatio
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Sport plays a vital role with families in the Burdekin community and providing the appropriate facilities and resources is a constant challenge for local clubs. For generations, rugby league has been the beating heart of the Burdekin sporting community. At the centre of this proud tradition stands the Burdekin Roosters – a club forged in 1994, but whose roots go back over a century in local league. Over the years, the Roosters have grown from strength to strength, evolving into a vital part of
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As the hazard reduction burn season ramps up across Queensland, local firefighters and energy providers are reminding landowners to take extra precautions when burning near power infrastructure. Both Ergon Energy Network and the Queensland Fire Department are urging property owners to be mindful of power poles and electrical equipment when conducting hazard reduction burns, which play a vital role in reducing vegetation and fire risk across rural areas. Ergon Energy’s Corrine Young, who
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As the hazard reduction burn season ramps up across Queensland, local firefighters and energy providers are reminding landowners to take extra precautions when burning near power infrastructure. Both Ergon Energy Network and the Queensland Fire Department are urging property owners to be mindful of power poles and electrical equipment when conducting hazard reduction burns, which play a vital role in reducing vegetation and fire risk across rural areas. Ergon Energy’s Corrine Young, who
Read moreNorth Queensland’s ongoing flood recovery efforts have been boosted with the announcement of three new funding packages worth more than $77 million, with Burdekin residents now eligible for legal support under the expanded assistance. The packages, jointly delivered by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), are designed to support recovery and boost resilience across flood-affected areas, including the Burdekin. In particular, Bur
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On Friday, 25 July, the Salvation Army Family Store in Ayr officially shut its doors to the public, putting an end to its thirty-year spell of servicing the Burdekin. The closure, ordered by the organisation’s head office in Brisbane, came as a shock to regular visitors—and especially to employees, who were notified of the decision just a few days prior. “It’s a shame, because they don’t see the impact it has on the community,” said store manager Kieran MacElroy. “There’ve been a lot of people
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After five years of steady growth, Explore Property Burdekin has opened the doors to its fully renovated new office in Ayr, moving just across Queen Street into a space that reflects its modern, service‑driven approach to real estate. The new space—formerly Country Connection dress shop—has been rebuilt from the ground up with new flooring, upgraded air-conditioning, and a fresh, contemporary design. All work was completed by local tradespeople. Director and Principal Kylie Lawson, a rea
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A fantastic weekend was celebrated by the Burdekin Potters to mark half a century of fostering the arts and clay creativity within the Burdekin community. The celebrations were kicked off with an official opening by Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort at 10am on Saturday, followed by a presentation of “Lifetime Certificates”to long-time members Carolyn Starkey and Meredith Modra, and Patron Isobell Cislowski, who then had the honour of cutting the cake. A great crowd of locals and visitors turned up for th
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One of the Burdekin Water Festival’s most beloved events of the past has been revived, and nominations are now open for the community to enter in the official 2025 Residential Garden Competition as sponsored by Nuttall’s Garden Centre. Like numerous other festival favorites, the Residential Garden Competition was once a key part of the annual celebration, and the Burdekin Water Festival Commitee have already received plenty of positive feedback from locals. The competition will see the communi
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Representing The Burdekin Netball Association Charlotte Sgroi has always loved being part of a team, and supporting those around her, so when she was asked to represent the Burdekin Netball Association as a 2025 Burdekin Water Festival Junior Ambassador, the decision was easy! “I was honestly overwhelmed - in the best way - when I was invited to be the Junior Ambassador for the Burdekin Netball Association and I'm so thankful to Burdekin Netball for trusting in me and giving me this amazing opp
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A collection of fabulous fundraising events have begun filling calendars across the community as part of the 2025 Burdekin Water Festival, and with so much to do, see and be part of, here’s our guide for everything you need to know! Jorja’s DISCO Party like you’ve never partied before at a rockin’ Outdoor DISCO on Saturday, the 2nd of August in celebration of Burdekin Junior Rugby League’s Junior Ambassador, Jorja Vasta! Kicking off at Bendigo Bank Park (Rugby Park), the night promises nothing
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Did you know that the Burdekin Community Association Inc (BCA) has the Burdekin Centre for Rural Health? The Centre was built with the help of government funding and a lot of community support in 2004. It’s been going strong ever since and has helped thousands of community members to improve their health and wellbeing. Services currently available at the Centre include: BCA Psychological Therapies Program (Free for eligible people and includes suicide prevention) Ph: 4783 2711 Private Psycholog
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Representing SunWater Limited Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Speech Pathology with Honours at James Cook University, an active volunteer across various community events and a former Ayr State High School Vice-Captain, Georgia Tomasetig has forever leaped at every opportunity to give back to those around her. In the 2025 Burdekin Water Festival, Georgia will proudly represent SunWater Limited as a Senior Ambassador, and she’s more than excited to explore everything this chapter will brin
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Saturday 2 August Jorja’s DISCO Party like you’ve never partied before at an outdoor DISCO in celebration of Burdekin Junior Rugby League’s Junior Ambassador, Jorja Vasta! The night kicks off at Bendigo Bank Park (Rugby Park) with great tunes and dance moves. Bendigo Bank Park (Rugby Park) Sunday 3 August Plantation Park Markets Sunday 8am Join Ayr State Primary School for a picture-perfect morning showcasing the talents and hobbies of both local and travelling stallholders with everything from
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The Burdekin Regional Water Assessment (RWA) is now open for public feedback, offering landowners a critical window to shape the future of water security in the region. Led by the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers with federal funding, the assessment evaluates both infrastructure and non‑infrastructure options to meet future water needs and sustain economic growth. Burdekin producers, particularly in agriculture—which consumes nearly 874,000 ML annually—stand to benefit from
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