Local It was another strong weekend for the senior teams, with three wins and two losses. All five teams are expected to be in action again this weekend in Townsville. On Friday night at International Park, the Division 1 Men went down 0–6 to Brothers, while the Division 2 Men lost 1–2 away to Rebels. The Ladies, playing at home to Warriors, delivered a dominant performance and won 7–0. On Saturday, the Premiers and Reserves travelled to face Rebels, with both teams returning victorious. The P
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Each May, Queensland marks Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Prevention Month. This annual initiative aims to raise awareness of DFV and Coercive control, highlight the support services available and send a clear message that violence in our communities will not be tolerated. The theme for 2025 is: Take positive action today to build a safer Queensland. On Saturday the 24th of May, the Burdekin Domestic and Family Abuse Network hosted the 2025 Burdekin Domestic and Family Violence Awareness Wa
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(Incorrect dates in print, please see updated dates in bold) It’s all happening this weekend at the Home Hill Showgrounds, as one of the Burdekin’s biggest events returns for two massive days of culture, competition, food and fire. The Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival is back and packed with action, starting Thursday 30 May with the Burdekin Cultural Fair and First Fire, followed by the Australian Hand Cane Cutting Championships on Friday 31 May. Thursday 30 May: Burdekin Cultural Fair & First Fi
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Burdekin Christian College hosted a lively crowd on Friday 23 May for its annual Under 8’s Day Science Fair, bringing science to life for early learners in creative, hands-on ways. Held from 9:00am to 10:30am, the event featured a variety of themed stations where children explored everything from outer space and forensic science to medical experiments and bug hunting. Activities included fossil digs, stethoscope building, anatomy displays and more—all designed to make science fun and accessible
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More than 40 visitors turned out on Sunday 25 May to celebrate the opening of the Textile and Art Exhibition at 170 Arts on the Avenue, Home Hill—showcasing the work of long-time local artists Coral and Billie-Lee. Guests were greeted with a glass of wine or fruit punch as they explored the collection, which featured everything from detailed paintings to inventive textile creations. The afternoon opened with a warm welcome by Sandi Milani, President of the Burdekin Artisan Community Association
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Burdekin Men’s Shed Hosts Inter-Shed Visits Burdekin Men’s Shed hosted their first inter-shed visit since COVID on Wednesday, 21 May 2025, with 14 members from Townsville Men’s Shed, 4 members from Vincent Men’s Shed, and 3 members from Rollingstone Men’s Shed visiting our local shed. On arrival, the guests were treated to morning tea and mingled with members from the other sheds. This was followed by a guided tour of the Burdekin sheds, then a general discussion and Q&A session with all shed
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The 24th annual Burdekin Enduro tore through the Ayr Rifle Range over the weekend, with more than 50 off-road vehicles battling it out across a challenging course that’s become one of Queensland’s most distinctive racing experiences. Hosted by the Burdekin Off-Roaders, the two-day event delivered everything fans have come to expect—speed, skill, and clouds of red dust rising off the unique six-terrain track. With hundreds of spectators drifting in and out across Saturday and Sunday, the atmosph
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This week was one of intense reflection—albeit somewhat involuntarily. Battling sickness through Wednesday, I was reduced to the confines of my apartment walls—so as not to infect the whole neighbourhood. And it was while stuck with nothing but myself and my thoughts that my mind began to run wild: Should I learn the saxophone? Open a food truck? Have I been living in a simulation this whole time? Should I finally start composting? I wonder what became of my Year 4 science teacher. Wait—did I
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Concerns have been raised about ongoing erosion on the south bank of the Burdekin River, particularly near Home Hill, where experts believe the risk of a channel avulsion—a sudden shift in the river’s course—is at its highest. The erosion has reportedly damaged protective vegetation and riverbank stability, raising questions about the current approach to managing flood and flow-related risks in the Burdekin Delta. A recent statement by Professor Eric Wolanski (Townsville), Chris Hopper (T
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Queensland’s sugarcane growers have backed Owen Menkens to lead the industry through a pivotal period, re-electing the Burdekin grower for another three-year term as Chairman of CANEGROWERS Queensland. Mr Menkens was returned to the role by the grower-only Policy Council, which also elected Innisfail grower Joe Marano as Senior Vice Chair and Burdekin’s Steven Marbelli – a newcomer to the state board - as Vice Chair. “This is a grassroots organisation, run by growers for growers,” Mr Menkens s
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Hello, I attended the Burdekin Theatre on Friday the 16th May to hand out the awards and certificates for all the winning competitors in the Burdekin Eisteddfod. It was so rewarding to see their little faces as they received their awards. Congratulations to all winners and competitors of the event. I was honoured to open and lead the BCA Walk for Domestic Violence on Sunday. What an amazing event. To see everyone standing in solidarity and strength was a very impressive site. We gathered to no
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Many will recall the ABC series The Black Hand, which told the harrowing story of the Mafia in North Queensland. Among the many confronting moments in that program was the tragic story of Jean Morris, a young woman whose life was cut short by domestic violence and whose grave remained unmarked for nearly a century. Earlier this week I had the privilege of attending the unveiling of her headstone. It was a powerful moment of remembrance, justice, and dignity for a woman who was, for so long, forg
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If you’ve ever walked along the main strip of Home Hill, you may have noticed some unique, archival army gear hanging from the ceiling above the walkway. It marks the entrance to Annzack Tradings—a local oddity, institution, and treasure trove of vintage memorabilia, rare collectables, and stories from all over the country and beyond. Step inside and you’ll likely be greeted by Kenneth Hall—or just Ken, as everyone in town calls him. Owner, collector, conversationalist, and accidental shopkeepe
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Heating up ahead of the Sweet Days Hot Nights Festival this weekend, the Home Hill Chamber of Commerce meeting last Wednesday was its usual entertaining mix of guest speakers and lively debate. Erin Brennan from the Home Hill Choral Society gave the audience a heartfelt and engaging insight into the 94-year history of this dynamic community group of players and performers. Attendees were delighted by a PowerPoint presentation featuring photos from performances over the years and outlining the
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Time may be running out for residents to nominate their Local Legends in the lead up to Queensland Day but Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, wants to be sure the Burdekin’s legends receive the recognition they deserve. Across the state communities are nominating people that embody the Queensland spirit and those who are awarded legend status will certainly be celebrating Queensland Day in style. “In every community you have people who just get in and get the job done without any fuss,”
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This week’s Good Deed goes to one of our own — Burdekin Life journalist Jacob Casha — who, since moving to town just over a month ago, has proven himself an asset not only to the newspaper but also to the community. Well-known at the Home Hill Bowls Club for his enthusiastic participation in the sport, attending local soccer games, and joining the Tennis working bee, this young man is truly embracing local life. Kate Caswell from Home Hill Tennis took the time to write into the paper to nomina
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Last week at Home Hill State High School, Year 7 and 8 students in the STEAM class took on a hands-on engineering challenge inspired by one of history’s greatest inventors. Tasked with building Da Vinci bridges out of paddle pop sticks—without glue or tape—students quickly learned that patience, persistence, and resilience are crucial ingredients in the creative process. The activity, while frustrating at times due to the fiddly nature of the materials, encouraged students to problem-solve, rev
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Hailing from Townsville, Anne Walsh of Anne Walsh Fine Art travels to Home Hill’s 170 Arts on the Avenue on the first Saturday of each month to host a wonderful Art Class to foster creativity and artistic talent. With a love for coastal seascapes, Anne has a passion for nature and water scenes to evoke feelings of immersion and escapism through each brushstroke and her talents have been commended on several occasions. Anne’s joy of sharing art with others has led her to become a much-loved teac
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Burdekin Rugby Union Canetoads have congratulated a few of their star players, Caitlin Holmes, Brooke Smith, Amanda Brown, Julea Farry, Nathan Steel, Dom Arrate, Tubby Heron, and Jack McIntosh for being selected to represent the Brolgas over two massive days on the green. Over the weekend of the 17th and 18th of May, the crew did an exceptional job both on and off the field, playing with precision whilst displaying high levels of sportsmanship in each game. “The club is incredibly proud of you
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The highly anticipated Clash of Clubs event will return to the Burdekin Shire on the 3rd and 4th of October and locals are being urged to save the date for what promises to be a thrilling weekend of sporting action and community celebration. Hosted by Burdekin Football Club, the event will once again bring together Senior, Masters and Ladies teams for a fierce but friendly competition, with bragging rights on the line across two full days of matches. Back by popular demand is the fan-favourite
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Truck drivers across Australia are receiving vital wellbeing support when and where they need it most thanks to a new, first-of-its-kind mental health campaign from Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds, led by actor, comedian and truck enthusiast Shane Jacobson. Launched on National Road Safety Week’s Regional Roads Day last Monday, the 19th of May, the campaign delivers preventative mental health support to truck drivers travelling Australia’s most isolated freight routes using geo-targeted radio m
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An impactful and inspirational fundraising event will grace the four walls of Home Hill’s beautiful Burdekin Memorial Hall this October to raise vital funds for those impacted by cancer across North Queensland. Raelene Grantz will host a wonderful Gala Afternoon Tea on Sunday the 19th of October titled Burdekin Fights Back to stage a selection of guest speakers, exciting entertainment, multi draw raffles, cent sales and of course a delicious buffet to raise funds for the Cancer Council foundati
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Rural landholders across the Burdekin Shire are now eligible to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to assist with clean-up and reinstatement costs following the North and Far North Tropical Low disaster event that occurred earlier this year between the 29th of January and the 28th of February. The Rural Landholder Recovery Grant Scheme has been activated to support primary producers whose properties and livelihoods were impacted by this declared natural disaster. Funded by the Australian and Que
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Simon Hood, Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing North Queensland has seen a nice drop in temperatures this past fortnight, which is a welcome change to our growers who are still busy out in the field preparing for the start of the 2025 season. Our team has also been active on the ground, meeting with growers to finalise their pricing and provide updates on what’s happening in the market. For those participating in the Managed Pool Plus for the 2025 season, you would have recently received an update
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Queensland’s 2025 sugarcane crush is officially underway, with harvesters firing up across the Tablelands district this morning. It marks the start of a new season that growers hope will bring better fortunes after a tough run last year. Around 28.5 million tonnes of cane are expected to be cut and crushed across 13 districts, from Rocky Point in the south right up to Mossman in the far north. The crop is down slightly from last year, with recent widespread flooding across north Queensland cau
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