Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
A couple of weeks ago, we touched on the idea of a Compassionate Community and rallying around to provide a support network for people experiencing challenges in life. This week, we would like to talk about Compassionate Communities from the perspective of death, dying and grief. Compassionate Communities is a way of recognising that we all can care for and support those dying. In the past, people often died at home, and their families knew how to take care of them. But nowadays, dying has becom
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Did you know that the Burdekin Shire Council operates two cemeteries located in Ayr and Home Hill? These cemeteries are well maintained, open environments with no gates, therefore providing 24 hour access for families and friends to visit the resting place of their loved ones. Council also maintains a burial register that contains records of all burials in the shire of Burdekin, dating back to 1888. Home to lawn, columbarium, and traditional burial sites, the Ayr and Home Hill Cemeteries cater
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Member for Burdekin Dale Last is calling for Federal Government support to fund additional Police Patrols to combat youth crime in the Burdekin. Following the announcement of Federal Government’s $1.3 million for night patrols in regional communities, Mr Last is calling for this to be echoed in the Burdekin. “It’s already been demonstrated that these night patrols are extremely effective in reducing youth crime with one community seeing a staggering reduction in offending and there is no reason
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Ayr resident June Pola knows a thing or two about preparedness for natural disasters. Having lived in the Burdekin Shire for 45 years, she’s experienced many cyclones and floods. She’s lost a roof – and kept her family safe. Like most people here, she’s well aware of the dangers and how to prepare. And she thinks that lived experience of natural hazards is important factor that pushes people to prepare. “I follow all the things that they say you have to do,” says June. “I moved everything that
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What started with a simple idea of supplying locals with sporting equipment has far exceeded even what owner Neville Eathorne expected, when he first opened the doors of Eathorne’s Sports Village in 1974. A born and bred Burdekin local, Neville looks back at the growth of his sporting store with pride, explaining that the last 50 years has been “a ride and a half”. It all started in 1973, when Neville was playing a lot of cricket and basketball, and realised that he couldn’t buy locally what t
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The next round for the Community Child Care Fund (CCCF) grants for child care centres in regional and remote areas has now opened and Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox MP is encouraging local childcare providers to look into how this opportunity could benefit them directly. Funds are available for eligible childcare centres to renovate or extend their facilities to cater for high un-met demand or for those wishing to work with other organisations to create sustainability support. The f
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NQ Dry Tropics has been awarded a grant through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund (FDF) Longterm Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices (LTT) Program, to complete a five-year trial testing the efficacy of drought resilient grazing strategies in the Burdekin region. Taking place at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ (DAF) Spyglass Beef Research Facility, this trial is the only Northern Australian trial, utilising virtual fencing systems in remote environments, that
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Tracpower Brandon recently hosted an open day to showcase their range of Deutz-Fahr products, inviting the agricultural community of the Burdekin to discover what the high horsepower range can offer on Monday, February 19 and Tuesday, February 20. Tracpower have been Deutz-Fahr dealers for 12 months and Tracpower Dealer Principal and Director Justin Minuti said the brand is gaining traction in the area. “The higher horsepower is what we were after with Deutz-Fahr,” he said. “We are a Kubota deal
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By Chelsea Ravizza Ashley De-Campo established the Burdekin Clothes Shop Facebook page in December of 2021 to solve one simple problem many women face: too many clothes, too little closet space. Looking for a solution, Ashley created the group in addition to other Burdekin trade Facebook pages in the interest of harboring a niche topic with a tailored audience. “I needed to make room in my cupboard, and I had lots of clothes that still had their tags on, clothes I had never worn before, and
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The first Burdekin Industry Breakfast for 2024 was held earlier this week welcoming two guest speakers to illuminate the morning event. The Burdekin business community gathered at the Burdekin Theatre on Wednesday, February 21 to hear from Rhian Aguirre, the Senior Manager of Operations and Maintenance of Ark Energy Corporation and Ranee Crosby, CEO of Port of Townsville. Mr Aguirre discussed Ark Energy’s goals, completed projects and future plans for the company, outlining the importance of o
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The NQ Fast Track Talent Showcase is around the corner, and no one is more excited than the two special guests for 2024, Taylor Henderson and Ethan Beckton. The two talented artists will not only perform live at the final showcase, but also attend a workshop with performers prior to them taking the stage. Having both participated in television talent competitions, Taylor and Ethan know how much a talent showcase can mean for someone’s career. Growing up in regional Victoria, Taylor Henderson wa
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The barramundi fishing competition of the year is back, with the organisers Whitsunday Game Fish Club excited to take to the lake. Based at Camp Kanga, the weekend starts with a briefing and registration at Camp Kanga on Friday March 22, from 7pm, for those wishing to get in on the action. Nomination for the Barra Bash is free and prizes will be presented at the conclusion of the weekend, from 1pm, with photo on a brag mat, including the date, of the longest Barra. Anglers can fish the lake,
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Carmela Bonanno, formerly of Home Hill, celebrated her 100th birthday on February 14 at the residential aged care home in Brisbane where she now lives. Carmela (nee Quattrocchi) emigrated to Australia from Zafferana-Etnea, Sicily, by boat in August 1950, aged 26. She settled in Townsville, working in a café owned by her sister and brother-in-law. Not long after she arrived, a friend introduced her to Giuseppe (Joe) Bonanno, who was living and farming in Home Hill. Joe hailed from the same villag
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Leaders’ Investiture Congratulations to Home Hill State High School’s leaders for 2024 who were sworn in at a ceremony on Tuesday, February 20. Senior Secondary School Captains: Saelym Poli and Jacob Machin Junior Secondary School Captains: Lucy Young and Alex Swinney Junior Secondary Vice Captain: Kalen Linton Indigenous Captain: Graycee Messer-Watego Indigenous Vice Captiain: Blaize Palmer Beachmount House Captains: Sienna Heron and Meleik Billy Inkerman House Captains: Rian Berryman and Geoff
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Fast Facts: Rehoming Fee: $425 DOB: 31/12/2022 Sex: Male Breed: Staffy Cross Kid Friendly: Older Kids Cat Friendly: Untested Other Dogs: Yes with Slow Introduction Fences: 5ft Oddish is a friendly and loveable boy whose favourite thing to do is spend time with his people. He is food motivated and knows how to sit and is keen to learn new tricks. He walks well on a harness but can pull out of excitement when people walk past. Oddish would be best suited to a home with older kids as he isn’t aw
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Brigitte Davies, the recipient of the Tom Kruger Award, Year 12 Dux of Burdekin Catholic High School in 2023, has not only excelled academically but has also exemplified remarkable dedication in every facet of her life. Her stellar ATAR of 99.55 is testament to her efforts. The Class of 2023 achieved outstanding results. Brigitte was one of six students at Burdekin Catholic High School who received an ATAR of 90 or above, and 47% received an ATAR of 80 and above. Brigitte's academic achievement
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Burdekin Christian College has welcomed their 2024 Student Leaders at their official Student Leadership Induction Ceremony. These students embody the values of the College, showing grace, dignity, and confidence in everything they do. At the Official Ceremony earlier this year, the students were presented with their leadership badges by honoured guest, 2023 College Captain, Emily Holmes, who returned for the event. Senior Leadership Team College Captain – Brent Dingle College Captain – Sh
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Ayr State High School’s leaders were formally introduced to the school community at their recent Investiture Ceremony last week. Despite the inclement weather, nothing could dampen the enthusiasm and excitement of the Student Executive, lead by school captains Layla Kelly and Noah Arboit, as they introduced over 90 student leaders. House Captains, LIP Leaders, House Family representatives, QATSIF recipients, Year 7 and 11 scholarship awardees, and elected Student Council and Interact committee
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Championship Rinks and Championship Singles are now open, names wanted to be drawn February 27. Ladies Social Bowls played on February 13. Winners were R Soper, D Soper and P Power defeating R Hervey, K Page and D Cutting. Runner up on count back Merle Nixon, Joy Comollatti and S Stidston defeating K Stuckler, H Jorgensen and I Wilson. Wednesday Feb 14 Winners were Jim Murray, Dino Poli and Henry Hazle who defeated John Hall, Anthony Bull and Ron Soper Saturday Feb 17 Winners were John Hall, Mic
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Thanks to all the members who turned up for Saturday morning’s working bee putting the shade sails back up. Chief in command Richi Maui had everyone working hard and thanks also to Sharon Penny for smoko which was enjoyed by all. 24 members attended social bowls on Monday, February 19 in favourable conditions. Norm Storrie, Ray Panacassio and Jamie Woods played against Bernice Kugatoff, Leo Kenny, and Len Feeney. In the early stages in that game, it looked all over with Len Feeney letting everyo
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Thursday bowls went ahead even though the green was under water at 1pm after a couple of inches of rain in about an hour. Surprisingly, the new green drains very quickly so the games could go ahead at around 2:15pm. RINK 2: Mick/Hugh, Dino and Stephen were to strong defeating Judy, Dave and Wayne 17 to 11 and 8 ends to 4. RINK 3: Bob, Joe and Trevor pipped Jim, Des and Henry 10 to 9 with 6 ends to each side. RINK 4: In a pairs game Paul and Mick steamrolled Yogi and John to the tune of 12 t
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Rain fell throughout the district which again disrupted the Junior Cricket season last week. There were still clouds above the Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex on Sunday when six Home Hill Cricket Association members undertook a coaching course. This was run by QLD Cricket’s Coaching and Talent Specialist Lachlan Ford, and these members are now Level 1 Community Cricket Coaches. They join the 14 other accredited coaches at the club so all of our Junior players from the smallest Rookies thro
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Looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat in round 11, Crowned Mongrels delivered a strong performance in a very close affair against Guardian Pharmacy at Barry Richards Field last weekend. Guardian won the toss and sent Mongrels in to bat, with opener Ayden Marano getting to work immediately with 41 runs from 21 balls, assisted by Joel Hanson with 23 from 18 and Casper Licciardello with 19 from 26 not out. Daniel Olditch took an impressive 3/7 from two overs for Guardian while Andrew Cardillo
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The 2024 football season was due to start last Saturday but the very wet weather caused all football activity in the Burdekin to be postponed. The Panthers were due to play JCU Riverway in the 3rd round of the Cup. The match has been re-scheduled for this Saturday night, February 24, at International Park at 7.00pm. Training at International Park is on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.30pm for men and Wednesdays at 6.00pm for women. The Week 1 pre-season matches for Juniors were unfortunately call
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