Ensuring the federal government better understands the work undertaken by primary producers has resulted in more Queensland farmers being eligible for assistance following this year’s severe weather events. Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, said the changes would herald welcome assistance, especially given they will be applied retrospectively. “Until now producers whose income included activities like cane harvesting, for example, were mostly exempt from receiving assistance,” Mr Last said. “
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There’s a certain rhythm to life in the Burdekin—one I’m only just starting to catch. One moment you’re at a morning tea hearing stories that stop you in your tracks—the next, you’re standing in a cane field watching the sky catch fire to the sound of a cheering crowd and a roaring blaze. In the past couple of weeks alone, I’ve seen this community in celebration, in reflection, and—maybe most importantly—in conversation. From the solemn honesty of the DV Awareness Morning Tea to the sparks and
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Local Cane Cutter Triumphs At Sweet Days Hot Nights Signature Event
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Home Hill's Hand Cane Cutter Monument It’s no secret agriculture underpins the fundamentals of the Burdekin Shire, and in late September 2021, a wonderful artistic installation was unveiled in celebration of one of the region’s most treasured events. After speaking with locals and witnessing the impressive efforts of competitors in Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival’s 2021 Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships, renowned chainsaw sculptor Matthew George was inspired to create a magnificent han
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Stephen Walker’s Enduring Gift To The Burdekin A prominent art installation within the Burdekin Shire, Stephen Walker’s timeless Living Lagoon sculptures have stood in the forecourt of Queen Street’s Burdekin Theatre for almost half a century. 2025 marks exactly four decades since Walker’s work was unveiled in the region, and although 1985 was many moons ago, the sculptures continue to attract much attention and admiration from locals and travellers alike. Hailing from North Balwyn in Melbourn
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A magical Mixed Media Workshop will grace the Burdekin Art Society’s Clubhouse next month under the guidance of the talented educator, Cath Meharry. With 40 years of teaching experience, Cath has led an impressive career, honing her skills as a talented mixed media artist where she infuses her work with life and texture using collage, paint, drawing and layering. Upon her retirement, Cath was the head of the art department at Townsville’s St Margaret Mary’s College, and now she continues to sh
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A 35-year-old man has been charged after an alleged domestic violence incident earlier this May in the Burdekin Shire. Police allege that on the 16th of May, the man threatened a woman known to him with a firearm at a residence in Brandon. Thankfully, no one was physically harmed during the incident. The woman reported the matter to police on the 21st of May and the following day, officers from the Ayr Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) arrested the man at the intersection of Queen Street and
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The Burdekin Touch Association paid tribute to the vital role women have played in the sport during its Women in Touch celebration last week. Held during Round 11 of the local competition, the event honoured the countless women and girls who have helped shape Touch Football into one of the region’s most popular sports. Players, referees, coaches, and volunteers were treated to a drink and sausage sizzle in recognition of their contributions. Incoming president Peter Knapton acknowledged the st
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A cornerstone of the Burdekin Shire since 1926, the Ayr Surf Life Saving Club will officially celebrate its 100th anniversary in less than a year’s time, with a three-event extravaganza set to kick off from the 29th of May 2026. Although its early days, the club has taken to social media to ramp up the excitement and anticipation ahead of what’s shaping up to be a historic celebration to remember. To mark the monumental milestone, the Ayr Surf Life Saving Club will host an elegant Formal Dinne
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NQ Wildlife Care is reminding residents that baby season for the Little Red Flying Fox is officially underway, and community support is critical to the survival of these tiny, winged mammals. This is the time of year when mother bats give birth and raise their pups. The baby flying foxes are unable to fly for several weeks and depend entirely on their mothers for warmth, nutrition, and safety. “Sometimes pups may fall off their mums and land in random spots around town,” explained a spokespers
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Local community groups in the Burdekin Shire are being encouraged to apply for a share of $285,000 in funding, as the government opens applications for its Indigenous Languages Grants program during National Reconciliation Week. With grants of up to $15,000 available, the funding aims to support the preservation, revitalisation, and promotion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages across Queensland. Eligible projects include initiatives in art, drama, music and film, Yarning Circles
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A new era of learning has begun for students across regional and rural Queensland with the launch of the state’s largest classroom, the Queensland Virtual Academy. The initiative is providing more than 4,000 students from 365 state schools with access to specialist subjects that may not be available at their local school. With a $12 million investment in 2025, the program is set to transform education delivery by livestreaming high-demand subjects such as Specialist Mathematics, Senior Physics
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This week saw the Tour de Cure participants cycle through the Burdekin region. Travelling from Grays Beach in Bowen to Plantation Park in Ayr, then continuing to Mt Surround, and finally heading to Strand Park in Townsville. For the participants this isn’t just a ride, it’s a powerful movement to help cure cancer. Tour de Cure is a cancer-agnostic organisation, meaning funds raised support a wide range of cancer research, support services, and prevention projects. The fundraising goal for Signa
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Cyclone Jasper left a lasting mark on cane-growing regions across the Burdekin, including Giru, where widespread flooding and erosion in December 2023 caused significant setbacks for local farmers. Many are still recovering, with some forced to replant entire paddocks and stabilise creek banks to protect their operations into the future. The latest changes to disaster funding eligibility may offer long-awaited relief for those working to rebuild. More Queensland primary producers will now be el
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It’s been all hands-on deck this week at the Burdekin Christian College ahead of the school’s Open Day extravaganza on Sunday the 8th of June! Right down to the school’s convenient door-to-door bus route to ensure children from Ayr, Home Hill, Brandon and Giru travel safely to the classroom, Burdekin Christian College will spotlight everything the fantastic school has to offer families this Sunday from 1pm to 3pm. The afternoon will also offer attendees the opportunity to meet the school’s ded
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By Amanda Wright Andrew Willcox, the Federal Member for Dawson, has been appointed Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capabilities—an elevation that brings national attention to the critical role of regional Australia in shaping the nation’s future. The announcement from Nationals leader David Littleproud has been met with widespread congratulations, but Mr Willcox is keeping his focus close to home as he steps into the role. “I’m truly honoured to take on this role and
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There’s a new landmark on the Burdekin horizon in the form of a 72-metre boiler stack at Wilmar Sugar and Renewables’ Kalamia Mill. The new steel structure has replaced two concrete stacks that towered over the factory and dominated the local skyline for more than 50 years. With the 2025 crushing season starting this week, it means local residents will now see steam rising from a single stack at Kalamia Mill instead of the familiar two. Senior Project Engineer Fabian Sataro said the $12 milli
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The Burdekin Clay Target Club held its monthly shoot on Saturday, 10th May, attracting 34 enthusiastic shooters to the range. It was a pleasant day for competition, with ideal weather and a great turnout across all grades. A sincere thank you goes to the valued sponsors for the day — Raine & Horne and Dal Ponte Electrical — for their ongoing support of local sport. The shoot featured four competitive events: Double Barrel, Pointscore, Single Barrel, and the crowd-favourite Handicap, testing sho
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Twelve-year-old Kip Nicholas isn’t just cycling for fun—he’s riding for a cause that affects millions of Australians. This May, the young Burdekin local signed up for the May50K challenge, an annual fundraising initiative supporting research into multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease with no known cure that affects three out of four women diagnosed and strikes the average patient at just 30 years of age. Initially setting himself a target of 50 kilometres and $300, Kip had already surpassed both h
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Before a huge crowd at Rugby Park last Saturday night, the monkey was lifted from the Graders’ back when they recorded their first win of the season, beating last year’s grand finalists Western Lions 38 to 14. The locals were on top from go to whoa, using the ball to their advantage. The Lions were the bigger side across the park, and for the Roosters to win, they had to let the ball do the work and run the opposition off their feet. Coach Steve Lansley pulled the right strings, moving regular
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Two Burdekin locals recently competed in the 2025 Australian Mus Championships held in Brisbane, claiming the national title and earning a place at the upcoming World Titles in Argentina this October. Cousins Ramon Lequerica and Joe Aguirre emerged victorious, representing the Basque Club of North Queensland. The tournament featured 11 teams from across the country, including entries from Brisbane, Sydney, and Adelaide. Mus is a traditional card game with roots in the Basque Country in northea
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Growers across the Burdekin are being urged to sign on with SKY Renewables before the end of May, as interest grows in the company’s plan to convert sugarcane tops and trash into renewable energy for export. The immediate appeal lies in the opportunity to earn additional income from a by-product that is currently burned in the paddock. SKY Renewables is offering around $15 per green tonne of tops and trash, with all harvesting and transport costs covered by the company—not the grower. For many
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It’s been a bustling week at the Ayr Bowling Club, with plenty of action on the greens and members preparing for the upcoming Purple Pennants in Bowen from May 30 to June 1. Best of luck to our men’s team this weekend. Tuesday’s Ladies Social Bowls featured a game of triples and a rinks match. Karen Shepherd, Beryl Cornford and Pam Power claimed victory over Linda Giumelli, Heather Jorgensen and Dot Cutting. Runners-up on the day were Donna Soper, Rayleen Hervey, Joy Comollatti and Irene Wilson
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National Volunteer Week At The Burdekin Community Association #NVW2025 Burdekin Community Association (BCA) enjoyed their 21st National Volunteer Week celebration on the 21st of May. The event recognised the vital work of our Volunteers and said thank you with a morning tea at the BCA Support Centre. A Luncheon was also held on Friday at the Ayr Anzac Memorial Club. National Volunteer Week (NVW) is Australia's largest annual celebration of volunteering, held from the 19th to 25th of May 2025
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n a world full of sickness, disease, and fresh pandemics, breast cancer still remains the most prevalent form of cancer in women in Australia—and the Burdekin Breast Cancer Awareness Group is doing its best to ensure that fact doesn’t get lost in the noise. At 10am on July 5th, the group will host its first Biggest Morning Tea since before COVID at Dal Santo’s Deli, aiming to raise both funds and awareness for breast cancer research, as well as foster support for local women who struggle or hav
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