Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Radar Floors, a stalwart in the flooring industry, continues to leave indelible imprints across Queensland since its establishment in 2001. Founded in Brisbane and later relocated to North Queensland in 2005, the business has steadily cultivated its reputation for quality and reliability. Their recent expansion to a new showroom at 272 Queen Street earlier this year signals a significant stride in their local presence. Spanning substantial projects across the state ranging from hospitals, nursin
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With highly competitive prices, a broad range of direct flights and an experiential fun-focussed terminal, Whitsunday Coast Airport is quickly becoming the airport of choice for people living in the Burdekin. Airport Manager, Craig Turner, said that the Council-owned facility is “delivering seamless and cost-effective access” to a range of destinations. Flying direct to Cairns, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne and also the Gold Coast (as of December 7), the airport hosts
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Ayr Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) encourage the reporting of drug activity within the community. Community members are often reluctant to report these offences due to being uncertain if the suspicious activity is actually related to an unlawful act, the fear their identity will not remain confidential or the sometimes-incorrect belief police are already aware of these persons and their unlawful activities. Community members often assume that others are providing this same information to
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A group of East Ayr State School Year 6 students have excitedly completed the Blue EDGE program, in partnership with Burdekin PCYC, Ayr State High School, and Blue Light Queensland. Blue EDGE (Educate, Develop, Grow and Empower) is an eight-week program, designed as a physical training program, in order to help extend a young person’s mind and physical ability. For the eight-week program, the students of East Ayr State School completed two sets of physical challenges a week, at 7am, with Ayr St
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With summer well and truly upon us, most of us are enjoying everything the holidays has to offer. This often includes hosting visiting family and friends, entertaining the kids, or simply finding yourself with a bit of extra time on your hands. From the emerald fields of sugarcane to the magnetic allure of the Burdekin Bridge, the Burdekin beckons explorers to uncover a treasure trove of natural wonders and vibrant experiences. Whether you’re a traveller passing through, in town visiting family
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A spectacular showcase of local and visiting talent is coming to the Burdekin with Fast Track North Queensland 2024 fast approaching. This is the only Fast Track event in North Queensland featuring singers, dancers, musicians and more from across the state, taking place on March 16, 2024 at the Burdekin Theatre. Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin said registrations for performers will open in early 2024, with limited spots available. “It is fantastic to see a talent event of this s
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While Spotify users were enthralled to relive their 2023 music listening habits in last month’s Spotify Wrapped, the Burdekin Library and Burdekin Theatre have used the format to reveal their own statistics from the last year. According to a Facebook post from Burdekin Library, the libraries loaned 50,477 items in 2023. One of the latest instalments in Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series, No Plan B, was the most popular Adult Fiction title in the region this year followed by House of Wolves by James
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After 13 years on the Board, Michael Roncato is retiring from his role as Deputy Chair of Queensland Cane Agriculture & Renewables (QCAR), formerly Burdekin Cane and Agriculture Organisation (BCAO). A cane farmer of nearly 30 years, Michael was asked to join the board in 2010, then called the Pioneer Cane Growers Organisation Ltd. He has filled many roles over the years, including Chairman before stepping down to allow Charles Quagliata to take over the role. “My father, at a rather early age, t
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The market axiom that “high prices cure high prices” has played out with our sugar market over the last month. The breathtaking collapse of the ICE #11 sugar contract has been one for the record books! Combined with a rising AUD, this has resulted in the 2023 season AUD sugar swap price dropping from a record $950/t to a low $750/t. 2024 season prices are slightly less affected with a fall from a season high of $850/t to just under $700/t. So, what happened? In simple terms a combination of fu
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There was plenty of festive fun and laughter at the Burdekin Theatre last week as nearly 60 growers, extension officers and service providers attended the NQ Dry Tropics End Of Year Sugar Celebration. It was a chance to come together and raise a glass in recognition of a productive year across a variety of irrigation, nutrient and pesticide efficiency projects taking place in the lower Burdekin. Staff from NQ Dry Tropics, Sugar Research Australia, Farmacist and Aglantis updated attendees on the
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Following a busy year of art activity, the students who attend the Burdekin Art Society Art Classes welcomed their families to their annual exhibition of work and Christmas party on the December 5 at the McMillan Street Clubhouse. Over the year, between 18 and 21 primary children have attended Tuesday afternoon classes where they have dabbled in a variety of different painting techniques, drawing, sculpturing, collage, construction and more. Each child had a ‘gallery’ of their favourite art pi
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The Burdekin Art Society held their annual Home Hill Harvest Festival Exhibition on November 11, across the road from the Mardi Gras in the Lower Burdekin Water Board building. It was a colourful display of 82 paintings by members of the club. The People’s Choice awards for this year, sponsored again by Margaret Mary Spottiswood Bland, went to Luisa Delle Baite with ‘Floral Delight’ (first) and Maria Torrisi with ‘Friendship’ (second). The winner of our raffle was drawn with Margaret Redweik
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Photos supplied: Karen Keys
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Madison Magatelli Photography
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Thursday December 14 saw 21 players front up for two games of triples and two games of pairs. Rink 2: Dino and Gary out lasted Mick and Mick 15 to 11. Rink 3: Bob and Wayne were much too good for Ron and Stephen comfortably winning 25 to 8. Rink 4: Paul, John and Tony proved too strong for Clinton, Ray and Joclyn 26 to 11. Rink 6: Jim, Des and Glen proved too good in a close game vs Judy, Alex and Hugh/Trevor 22 to 19. Thursday morning saw a good roll up for Bingo with 26 attending. The raffle
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On Saturday 9th December the Ayr Surf Club's nippers held their Club Championships at Alva beach to wrap up their local competitive season. It was a lovely afternoon at the beach and the junior members put in some amazing individual performances with some great friendly rivalry on show. They took part in several individual events, including flags, sprints, wades, board race, surf race and ironperson; to gain points towards the overall Age Champion Titles, as well as events to determine a Jun
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The 2023 End of Harvest Golf Classic took over Ayr Golf Club last Friday, December 15 where hundreds of golfers enjoyed a day on the green for a good cause. Raising money for CORES (Community Owned Response to Eliminating Suicide), the event raised $29,600 towards their work in suicide prevention in the community. “We are blown away and extremely grateful for your support for the 2023 End of Harvest Golf Classic,” organisers Kelsey and Ben said. “Together we can and will make a difference to
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In a sizzling Sunday showdown, the Burdekin Clay Target Club wrapped up their final shoot for the year on December 10th, igniting hot competition under the sunny skies. The day wouldn't have been such a blast without the generous support from Peto Marine and Johnson’s Landscaping and Earthmoving, who sponsored the event. A special round of applause goes to Prawn Farm, Cignall Burdekin, Cameron Cislowski, Regan Southward, Lui Populin, and other contributors for their generous donations throughout
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The festive season is well and truly upon us and the Burdekin community gathered at the touch fields in Ayr last Sunday, December 10 for the Community Christmas Carols. With local entertainment, a fireworks spectacular and a very special visit from Santa, everyone revelled in the Christmas cheer. Entertainment was provided by The Burdekin Academy, Perform Music, Malia Ma’u, Uniting Church members and so many more, showcasing our region’s talent and passion for the community.
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Hi Readers. As promised, I’m back from Brisbane with stories of an epic weekend of live music seeing The War On Drugs and just one regret: I neglected to buy a t-shirt. I hope those who attended Sunday’s Christmas Carols had an excellent afternoon – from all reports and photos, it looked like a terrific and festive time and proves that Christmas spirit is well and truly in the Ayr.
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Rotary Club of Ayr says no to Domestic Violence and has raised funds towards the Burdekin DV Support at Burdekin Community Association (BCA). Club champions Narelle Hibberd and Shane Moon have guided the club over the years with different activities raising funds towards projects with one of these being home starter kits for families in crisis.
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Jumping on a trampoline is a sensation that all children should experience, and one that some may take for granted, and the Burdekin Special School (BSS) P&C has been fundraising to ensure its students don’t miss out.
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The Burdekin Chamber, formerly known as Ayr Chamber of Commerce, wrapped up a big 2023 with a Christmas breakup hosted by Blinds 2 U in Home Hill.Burdekin Chamber President Leigh Kefford said reflecting on 2023 fills him with pride and optimism.
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The recent threat of a tropical cyclone has prompted our local Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, to remind everyone that volunteering for the community is very important.Mr Last said that the Christmas spirit and the motivation behind volunteering were more similar than what many may think.“What greater gift can you give than to volunteer your time to keep your community safe,” he asked.
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More than 150 primary health care service contracts have been delivered across north Queensland, valued at more than $63.7 million, as outlined in the recent Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) 2022-23 Annual Report.Other significant milestones have been highlighted, including more than 4,000 engagements with primary health providers and notable advancements in mental health services.
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