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It was wonderful to see another group of young women take to the floor last weekend for their Debutante Ball, a special night that celebrates tradition, elegance and community. The debutantes looked absolutely stunning, and it was a great event. Congratulations to all the debutantes, their partners and families for a memorable evening. This Friday, I’ll be joining local students and community members in the Stand Up Sleep Out event. We will be braving the cold for an overnight event to raise awa
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A fresh burst of colour and creativity has landed on Edwards Street, Ayr, with the opening of Hey Flora—a new flower shop now offering delivery, everyday blooms, and arrangements for weddings, funerals, and other large-scale events. Officially opened on June 7, Hey Flora is the creation of Burdekin local Tegan Johnson, who brings six years of floral industry experience to the shop. Her carefully curated selection features blooms sourced from both North Queensland and interstate, with a focus on
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Simon Hood, Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing In a volatile global sugar market, having the right marketing partner can make all the difference. Wilmar Grower Marketing is helping local cane growers take charge of their sugar price exposure with tailored support, flexible options, and proven results. As one of world’s largest sugar traders, Wilmar offers growers the confidence to navigate changing market conditions. Whether you're someone who wants hands-on involvement or would rather leave prici
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Your Farm, Your Voice Producers across Queensland’s Reef catchments are being invited to have their say on how farming regulations are written and understood. Queensland Agriculture is reviewing the regulated standards that apply to commercial sugarcane and banana cultivation and beef cattle grazing within the Great Barrier Reef catchment, as part of a statutory review. The aim is to ensure the rules are practical, evidence-based, and easy to follow—so they work better for both farmers and the
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A major milestone has been reached by Rural Aid this month, with the organisation proudly supporting its 200th farm through its nationally recognised Farm Recovery Events (FRE) program. The milestone was marked in Coraki, in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales, where volunteers are currently participating in the latest recovery event, running through until the 2nd of August. Since the FRE program began in 2018, Rural Aid has delivered hands-on support to more than 200 farms across the count
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By Owen Menkens, CANEGROWERS Chairman As we approach the midpoint of the 2025 crush, it’s clear this season is shaping up very differently to the one we endured last year. In 2024, widespread delays, mill breakdowns, and wet weather left many growers stuck in the paddock and well behind schedule. This year, thankfully, we’re in a better place. Dry conditions have helped keep the wheels turning. Some districts are even ahead of schedule, a rare but welcome sight. Mills are running more reliably
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To mark the beginning of celebrations for 2025 National Skills Week, on Saturday, August 23, North Queensland Senior School and training organisation, Tec-NQ, will throw open its doors for an all-ages Open Day with a difference. With 69 trades currently identified as experiencing a national skills shortage, there is no better time to try out a trade. Tec-NQ Chief Executive Officer Ross Jorgensen said this year’s Open Day will be an all-ages celebration of everything trade, offering something of
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The Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre invites all members of our community to come together with us in a supportive environment, regardless of their background or life experiences. We deeply value the sharing of stories, the exchange of knowledge, and the cultivation of strong, positive relationships among our members. Our aim is to create a true sense of belonging by uplifting one another through life’s various challenges. It is important to recognise that loneliness often arises from the percept
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It was shovels at the ready on Sunday, 27 July, as members of the Lower Burdekin Scout Group joined local volunteers for National Tree Planting Day at the Landcare Centre in Ayr. With perfect weather, the Scouts rolled up their sleeves and got to work—digging, planting, watering, and mulching native trees. By the end of the morning, they’d lost count of how many they’d helped into the ground. “As Scouts, we’re always looking for ways to support our community and care for the environment,” said
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Feeling a little isolated, or just keen to meet new people? Loneliness Awareness Week is the perfect time to step out, get involved, and make meaningful connections—right here in the Burdekin. Friendship Bracelet Fun & Sausage Sizzle (Free) Get creative and share a few laughs at this feel-good event celebrating connection and community. Friday, 8 August 9:00am – 11:00am BCA Support Centre, 130 Queen Street, Ayr Make a friendship bracelet, enjoy a free sausage sizzle, and leave with more than
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The Burdekin community came together on Wednesday, 30 July, for the annual Ready Set Go event—an initiative driven by passionate volunteers from the Burdekin Early Childhood Network and Ready Set Go committees. Held at Ayr Primary School Hall, the free morning event saw 24 stallholders—including local schools, community groups, and emergency services—offering vital information and support to families with children aged 0–5. Now in its ninth year, Ready Set Go aims to raise awareness of early ch
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The Burdekin community is invited to experience the future of farming, education, and innovation at Home Hill State High School’s Agricultural Precinct Open Day on Thursday, 21 August. Open Day will officially unveil the school’s purpose-built Agricultural Precinct and learning spaces – a significant investment in the region’s agricultural education and workforce development. This new facility integrates cutting-edge horticulture, aquaponics, protected cropping, and traditional farming practice
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Chris Lloyds Brings the Classics of Tony Bennett and Other Great Crooners to Burdekin Theatre The smooth sounds of timeless standards will echo through the Burdekin Theatre on Wednesday, August 13, as acclaimed Australian vocalist Chris Lloyds presents Morning Melodies: For the Love of Tony & Friends—a soulful musical salute to the great Tony Bennett and other legendary crooners. Backed by the virtuosic Jamie Rigg Band, Lloyds will take the audience on a nostalgic journey, spotlighting Bennett’
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Friday 8 August Ayve’s DISCO 6pm onwards Start practicing your dance moves for Burdekin Basketball Association’s Junior Ambassador, Ayve Cursio’s Community DISCO at the Den. Expect bright lights, great music, games, prizes, and a fully stocked canteen! The Den, 14-16 Little Drysdale Street, Ayr SATURDAY 9th AUGUST Saturday 8am to 2pm Home Hill Rotary club present their Harvest Festival Mega Markets. Many local and Travelling market holders offering a wide variety of goods featuring local hand
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A very good weekend for the Panthers, winning four and losing just one of the five matches played. On Saturday, away to Saints Eagles Souths the Premiers won 2-0 but the Reserves 0-1. On Friday, in Townsville the Ladies defeated Wulguru 6-0, the Division 1 Men beat Warriors 5-2, and the Division 2 Men thumped JCU 7-0. This Saturday is Ladies Day with the Auction kicking off after the Premiers match. The Premiers and Reserves are at home to Estates, the Premiers at 7.00 and the Reserves at 5.00.
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Twenty-six players fronted on another perfect winter’s afternoon. A game of club singles and a game of club triples were held alongside three social triples matches. On Rink 5, Paul Vass edged out Des Chapman in a tight singles clash, 25–21. In the triples, Gary Nosworthy, Dino Poli and Hugh Montgomery proved too strong for Maude, Bob Pickard and Phil Marsden on Rink 3, winning 25–13. Rink 4 saw Michael Young, Elaine Young and Trevor Elton account for Bob Young, Ron Smith and Terry Feakes, 24–
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Three young Burdekin bowlers will put their skills to the test at the 2025 ANC Sunshine Coast Ultimate Tenpin Cup and Ultimate Teams Clash Junior Competitions over the week extending from Thursday the 14th of August until Wednesday the 20th of August. 14-year-old Aidan Butler, 14-year-old Chase Nucifora, and 16-year-old Xavier Jepsen will travel to the Sunshine Coast to compete in the CLS Townsville Jigsaw Team, and the trio could not be more excited to catch up with old friends and make new on
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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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