The Home Hill Comfort Stop is set to receive a makeover as part of Burdekin Shire Council's commitment to enhancing the amenity and attractiveness of the popular rest area. A total of $105,000 has been allocated to refresh the paved areas and replace the ageing picnic furniture and mosaic at the site. Council's Chief Executive Officer Terry Brennan said that the Home Hill Comfort Stop is a valuable asset for the community and visitors and is so popular with visitors to the shire that regular ref
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Burdekin Shire Council has conducted an aerial survey of feral deer populations from February 6-7 as part of its Feral Deer Control Program. Carried out by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, the survey established a baseline population of feral deer in the region, covering the areas of Woodstock, Giru and Rita Island. The information gathered will then assist to inform Council's management strategies and actions. Burdekin Shire Council’s Chief Executive Officer Terry Brennan said the
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King Charles has sent a message to the people of Queensland, sharing his and his wife Queen Camilla’s concern and admiration following recent weather events. As well as Tropical Cyclone Kirrily crossing over north Queensland, including the Burdekin, people across Queensland have faced Tropical Cyclone Jasper, southeast Queensland storms on Christmas night and Boxing Day and further rain in the state’s south. Governor-General David Hurley shared the message from the King on Monday as he and his w
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The Burdekin Industry Breakfast is back for 2024 and starting with a bang, welcoming two guest speakers to illuminate the morning event. The first speaker will be Rhian Aguirre, the Senior Manager of Operations and Maintenance of Ark Energy Corporation. Established in 2021, Ark Energy has become a leader in Australian renewable energy company specialising in wind, solar, and hydrogen, and is dedicated to the decarbonisation of the energy supply of their parent company, Korea Zinc Co. Rhian wi
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This past week was spent down in Canberra, holding the Albanese Labor Government to account, fighting for the issues that matter to our communities, and ensuring your voice was heard loud and clear in our nation’s capital. Beginning this week was a solemn ceremony at the Australian War Memorial, paying my respects to the heroic servicemen and women who have laid down their lives for our nation. The Australian War Memorial is a constant reverent reminder of the importance of the decisions we mak
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National television audiences were given insight into the charm of the Burdekin last week as ABC aired an episode of ‘Back Roads’ that was filmed across the region in 2023. The host of the Australian observational documentary series, Heather Ewart, travelled to Home Hill in May last year to film an episode centred around the sugar cane industry and the Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival. “Sugar cane is king in this part of the world,” Heather said. “It’s the reason the town of Home Hill exists, a
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Fast Facts: Rehoming Fee: $195 DOB: 1/5/2022 Sex: Female Breed: Domestic Short Hair Kid Friendly: Yes Dog Friendly: yes Other Cats: Yes, but prefers independence Indoors/outdoors: Indoors This beautiful lady is a cuddle machine, simple-natured and sure to be adored by her human. Tootsi loves being a little shadow, following her human around. She is quick to play and loves her toys. While she is happy to share her space, she also loves being an independent feline, and having full reign of the
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Three individuals have been arrested in relation to a series of break and enters in the Burdekin last week. Police allege on January 25, six businesses were targeted in a series of break and enters offences including an electrical store on Queen Street, a bottle shop in Drysdale Street, a service station on Eighth Ave, a steel fabrication company on Breen Street, a tyre shop on Bruce Highway, and a convenience store on Chippendale Street. Later that day, an 18-year-old man attended the Ayr Pol
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More than 50 business owners and residents gathered outside the Ayr Police Station last week to rally against spiralling youth crime, which many believe is due to insufficient police presence in the region. A petition has now been launched and Member for Burdekin Dale Last MP will soon be taking to the floor of parliament to raise awareness for the community’s frustration about the surging crime rates. Mr Last said the sheer number of frustrated community members at the event demonstrated the
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Many people today own a caravan and travel around the countryside. Just imagine the trials and tribulations of caravanning on Queensland Roads in 1928 and 1929. Thomas John McMahon, a journalist and photographer was working for the Queenslander newspaper in 1928 -1929. He travelled in a caravan named Queenslander which was on a truck from Brisbane to North Queensland. The journey began on May 2, 1928 in Brisbane, travelling through Ipswich, Esk, Nanango, through to Maryborough and up the coast
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Did you know that the Burdekin Community Association Inc. (BCA) plays a significant role in Burdekin Community Recovery? In my role as BCA’s CEO, I’m the Burdekin Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) Welfare Coordinator and member of the Townsville District Human and Social Recovery and Resilience Committee. The team and I help to provide Human and Social community recovery planning and operations. We work with council, state government agencies, other service providers and community groups t
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The start of 2024 has been a bit of a wild ride for all of us. We have come out from ex-TC Kirrily with a few dents and, hopefully, many lessons learnt. The team has noticed some community members needing a little extra support with a variety of concerns: • The rising cost of living. • Assistance to fill out forms and access much-needed services. • Personal Hardship grants following TC Kirrily. • Assistance with cleaning up yards/trees following TC Kirrily. • Assistance wit
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Did you know that the Burdekin Shire Council offers grants for excellence in sports and cultural activities? These grants are designed to support and encourage local residents who have achieved outstanding results in their chosen field of endeavour. Whether you are an athlete, a musician, an artist, a writer, or a performer, you may be eligible for a grant of up to $500 to help you pursue your passion and represent the Burdekin region. The grants are open to individuals and groups who have bee
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The Burdekin Potters have enhanced the footprint of their Plantation Park Clubhouse, with a permanent roof and part wall structure, through a generous grant from the Haughton Sustainable Communities Fund. The new all-weather roof has replaced a shade sail, which will now allow club members to carry out glazing of pottery pieces under permanent shade and protection from both the sun and rain. Until the erection of this cover, members were unable to utilize the space during rain, or early morn
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In alignment with the organisation’s growth and vision, Queensland Cane Agriculture & Renewables (QCAR) hosted its first strategic planning workshop last week, inviting directors, future directors, members and other stakeholders to discuss QCAR’s role in the sugarcane industry. Approximately 25 attendees from the Burdekin, Herbert and Mackay regions gathered in Townsville to talk through the company’s strategic goals and priorities, strategies, organisational structure and governance arrangement
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It is officially barramundi season, and avid fishers from around the region are fine-tuning their fishing tackle, filling their eskies with ice, and heading out for some action-packed days on the water. Kicking off last week on February 1, barra fishing is widely known as one of Australia’s best native fishing sports, great fun both recreationally and competitively. Top Barra Fishing Tips For Beginners: • Dawn and Dusk are the best times to go barra fishing in north Queensland • Barr
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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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