Issue #

2024 Junior Water Festival Winner Cole Pontifex Reflects On Unforgettable Journey

Becoming a Junior Burdekin Water Festival Ambassador stands as a highly celebrated and unique opportunity for the region’s youth to take part in and in 2024, Cole Pontifex took full advantage of everything the amazing journey had to offer. Eligible Junior Ambassadors, as part of the Burdekin Water Festival, are students aged 11 to 12 years of age who are currently enrolled in Year 6 or 7 within the Burdekin Shire. Clubs, schools, sporting groups and organisations are able to nominate an Ambassa

Burdekin Community Gardens

The Burdekin Community Garden will open for the 2025 season on Monday morning 12 May from 9am – 11am. This year marks its fourth year of operation after it was initially established through generous donations from the congregation of the Burdekin Community Church in 2022. The garden exists to grow fresh produce to share free of charge with the local community. During the first three years of its existence the garden has produced a bountiful harvest of corn, carrots, snow peas, tomatoes, lettu

All Eyes On Queensland For Global Agriculture Investment

The State Government has secured hosting rights for the world’s premier conference for agricultural investors, cementing Queensland as the preferred investment gateway into Australia and surrounding regions. Global AgInvesting is the world's longest-running and largest gathering of agriculture investment stakeholders. Brisbane’s selection underscores Queensland’s ongoing global expansion and strategic positioning as a key player in international agriculture investment markets. The conference

Committees Call For Urgent Price Freeze On Irrigation Water

Two Burdekin water committees are urgently calling on the State Government to freeze irrigation prices and to exercise common sense and compassion for regional primary producers in the Giru irrigation area. The Giru Benefit Area (GBA) Irrigation Committee, supported by the QCAR Water Committee, is appealing to the Queensland Minister for Local Government, Water and Volunteers, MP Ann Leahy, and her government, to immediately dismiss the Queensland Competition Authority’s (QCA) recommendation to

Fast and Featherless: Ducks Revved Up & Ready

It’s that time of year—hundreds of ducks, one stream, zero control. The greatest slow-motion race of the year is about to float into Plantation Park. On Sunday, May 18, the Norm Perry Memorial Duck Race will return for its annual splashdown, bringing thrills, spills, and a whole lot of rubber ducks to the Burdekin region for it’s 16th edition. The event, one of the Rotary Club of Ayr’s major annual fundraisers, will raise funds for the Burdekin Woodcrafts Association and Burdekin Men’s Shed, p

Strength in Unity: Parkinson’s Awareness Month In The Burdekin

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month—a time to shine a light on the challenges faced by people living with Parkinson’s disease and the importance of community support. In the Burdekin, one group is doing just that. The Parkinson’s Queensland Burdekin Support Group has become a vital connection point for not only locals navigating the realities of the condition, but anyone seeking to learn more about it. Group Co-Ordinator Elvie Dickinson says the group aims to provide connection, understanding

Gardening with Kids: Fun, Easy Projects for All Ages

The Burdekin, with its warm climate and fertile soil, is the perfect place to introduce kids to the joys of gardening. Whether you have a large backyard or a small space, there are plenty of simple projects to get kids excited about planting, growing, and caring for their own garden. Here are some easy and fun gardening projects for kids that thrive in our local climate. Planting Easy-to-Grow Veggies North Queensland’s climate is great for growing vegetables, and kids love seeing their efforts

Football Matters With Cyclops

Local Senior fixtures resume this weekend after a very long hiatus. The Panthers have four home games and one away game over the weekend of 24 -26 April. On Friday, the Ladies are at home to Wulguru at 6.30 and the Division 1 Men play Wulguru at 8.30. The Division 2 Men’s team is away to Estates at 6.30 at Paradise Park. Then on Saturday the Panthers have two home games against Brothers with the Premiers playing at 7.00 after the Reserves have played at 5.00. Juniors Juniors are finally back un

Home Hill Easter Fours Raging Success

Cane You Keep Up?

The Burdekin Sugar Rush Is Back With Some New Twists and Turns! Lace up and bring the energy—on Sunday, April 27, the Burdekin Sugar Rush is back to fire up the region and kick off the ANQ Half-Marathon Series with a bang! Hosted by the Burdekin Road Runners and Walkers for the 23rd year running, the event will feature races for all ages and abilities. The morning is kicked off at Anzac Park with the Half-Marathon at 6:30am, followed by the 10km run at 7:15am, and the all-inclusive 5km fun run

Patrol Times

Saturday th 26th 0f April 1.00pm to 5.00pm (Patrol Group D )Ben Lawry, Kellie Lawry Zac Dale, Parker Bonato, Richard dale, Belly Lawry, William Holt, Sharli Archibald, Danica Archibald, Lisa Vivian, Kristy Wassmuth, Briella Wassmuth. Sunday th 27th Of April (9.00am to 1.00pm ( Patrol Group B )Terry Lund, Tramayne Horan, Dylan Carew, Heather Scott, Anita Giddy, Jan Hatherell , Gabriel Hatherell, Toby Wilson, Danny Wilson, Sunday th 27th April ( 1.00pm to 5.00pm ) ( Patrol Group E ) John Moloney

Burdekin Roosters Sign Terence Mosby

Young football star Terence Mosby is proving that dedication and talent can take you places starting from the remote community of Thursday Island to now signing with the Burdekin Roosters in Ayr as he chases his dream of playing professionally. Mosbys journey began when he made the bold move to leave Thursday Island and join the Townsville Blackhawks Under 19 squad. The transition wasnt easy, but his speed, agility and work ethic made him a standout player. Now, with the Blackhawks season conc

Ayr Bowling Club Report

Another lively week at the Ayr Bowling Club saw excellent competition, great sportsmanship, and some tightly contested matches across both social and competition games. Ladies’ bowls on Tuesday, April 15, saw a fantastic game with Donna Soper, Ron Soper and Pam Power coming out on top against Karen Shepherd, Sandra Stidston and Heather Jorgensen. Runners-up on the day were Meryl Smith, Linda Giumelli and Beryl Cornford, who claimed victory over Ruth Moore, Isabel Cislowski and Irene Wilson in a

SEE YOU AT THE SUGAR BOWL!

The Home Hill Tennis Association is proud to host the 44th Annual Sugar Bowl this weekend—an iconic event and a sweet spot on the North Queensland tennis calendar.This year, 42 teams have nominated, with matches played across the Home Hill and Ayr tennis courts. Each team consists of at least six players, with some fielding ten or more to allow for rest breaks. Games kick off at 8am Saturday and continue through to about 2 p.m. on Monday.With over 300 visitors expected in the region, the event b

Intervention Youth Program Promised By Willcox

A $70,000 early intervention youth program was announced as an election promise by Federal Member for Dawson last week, the the Blue Edge Program in Ayr is set to be a game-changer in the region. The program, which is run in High Schools across Queensland, supports the Queensland Police Service’s mission to unite policy, community, and the youth in early intervention. “I am proud to announce that if elected, the LNP will commit $70,000 to funding the Blue Edge Program in Ayr, run by a non-for-

Flying Fox Dispersal Activity To Begin At Arch Dunn Memorial Park, Home Hill

Council will commence flying fox dispersal activities in Arch Dunn Memorial Park with the aim to reduce flying fox numbers in preparation for Anzac Day. The activities will take place over three days from April 22nd to 24th 2025 between 5.30am and 6.30am each day as required. These non-harmful dispersal activities will include audible deterrents (pyrotechnics, shotgun simulator, pool noodles, LED torches and flashing lights) and therefore residents are advised to take measures to secure their p

Burdekin Chamber Networking Night

The Ayr Chamber gathered last Tuesday evening for a catch-up focused on all things advertising, and how the Chamber can best support its members in reaching their target markets. Rachael Smith, Chief Editor of Life Publishing Group—publisher of Burdekin Life Newspaper, Core Life, and Tripping Magazine—shared insights into the vision behind launching the two magazines in the region. The magazine, which has had a soft launch in the Burdekin in recent months, aims to showcase business profiles an

Locals Rally Behind Shop The Burdekin Gift Cards

The Burdekin Chamber recently closed out the month of March with a commendable achievement in the way of the group’s Shop the Burdekin Gift Cards! A primary focus of the Burdekin Chamber has always been to encourage and promote “shop local” initiatives to further foster intercommunity networking and development. In doing so, the Chamber introduced Burdekin Gift Cards some years ago as a closed-loop gift card program which can be purchased from and redeemed only at participating local businesses

Calem McCathie Stars In National Championship As Queensland Ends 30-Year Drought

Alongside professional development and coaching courses, 14-year-old Calem McCathie continues to reach new levels of cricketing success with the support and personalised mentorship of his father, Dean McCathie, formerly from Ayr. Just last week, Calem’s proud grandparents John and Lydny McCathie returned home from Adelaide where they enthusiastically cheered Calem along from the sidelines as he impressed spectators in the Schoolsport Australia 15 Years and Under Boys Cricket Championships. Cur

Open Day! Preparations Underway For Burdekin Machinery Preservationists

It’s all hands to the pumps as the Burdekin Machinery Preservationists prepare for their Open Day celebrations on Saturday 10th May at the Brandon Heritage Centre. President Bruce Munro and fellow Burdekin Machinery Preservationist Peter Smith are reportedly sweating away on the final preparations of the historic Austral Hot Bulb Engine—a quaint old engine made in Australia by Ronaldson and Tippet. The burning question is: Can they get the hundred year old engine ready for Open Day? This parti

Ayr Surf Club Prepares For Annual Championships & Season Finale

The Ayr Surf Club is gearing up for a big finish to the season, with several key events on the horizon, starting with the annual Senior Club Championships. Set to take place on Friday, 25th April, the championships will commence following the local ANZAC Day march and parades. All competitors in the Under 15 through to Masters categories are asked to arrive at the Ayr Surf Clubhouse by 1pm. Participants are reminded that full competition attire is required, including a stingersuit, pink

Home Hill Bowls ClubA Look Back at its Growth and Dedication

In September 1960, the Home Hill Bowls Club began a major upgrade of its green. A sub-committee made up of club members Mr Davies, Mr Adams, Mr Hanson and Mr King was formed to oversee the project, while Mr Adsma and Mr Davies were given the task of organising logistics with Mr Doug Haigh from the Ayr Shire Council. It was decided that the green would close after games finished on Sunday, 18th September. The very next day, work got underway. It was a huge job – graders, end loaders, trucks, and

Cr Column Councillor Fina Vasta

Friday night, the Burdekin had the opportunity to have Sam Childers share his incredible story at the Ayr Community Church. Sams journey has taken him from a life of violent crime to war torn eastern Africa where he has rescued over 1500 children from rebel armies in some of Africa’s most dangerous areas. He also runs schools, trade-training centres orphanages and farms in Africa all for the children. His life is also the basis of a 2011 movie starring Jerard Butler aptly named Machine Gun Preac

Event Guide

Sunday 20 April Plantation Park Markets Sunday 8am Join the VVAA for an enjoyable morning overflowing with wonderful market stalls from handmade creations to delicious treats! To become a stallholder yourself contact 4783 6627. Plantation Park Saturday 26 April Home Hill Cricket, Canefield Ashes cricket carnival: an invitational T20 cricket carnival that sees 40 teams playing over 2 days in A, B, C and Social grades. Sunday 27 April Home Hill Cricket, Canefield Ashes cricket carnival: an invit

Football Matters With Cyclops

Local Once again, there was no football in the Burdekin last weekend and unless there is a possible re-arrangement of postponed matches, there are now no more games until the end of April. The Panthers have four home games over the weekend of 25 -26 April. Juniors The school holidays and nothing now happens until the 3rd of May. We hope the kids and families enjoy the holidays. Masters Monday Night Masters resumed last Monday after a very long break. National and International The Socceroos