The results of our grower survey last year made it quite apparent that growers who market with Wilmar believe that the market information we provide is one of the most important services of our Grower Marketing team. One way we keep growers up to date is via shed meetings and information sessions which we recently held in Proserpine, Ingham and the Burdekin. It’s always thoroughly enjoyable for the team to get out and about, meeting with growers, learning more about their businesses and hearin
Read more
Australian plague locusts are an endemic pest that threatens our agricultural industry, devastating crops, and causing losses of up to $30 million. By harnessing cutting edge science, experts can forecast locust outbreaks with greater accuracy, helping mitigate economic impacts. The Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC) uses advanced analytics to improve early detection and rapid response. However, forecasting locust populations is challenging. The APLC has been developing a simulation m
Read more.jpg)
Fixing a decade-long reduction in housing supply across Queensland, including in the Burdekin, is the aim of a funding program that guarantees support for regional areas. Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, has welcomed the program’s commitment to regional Queensland due to details that have been shared with him by Burdekin locals. “The facts are that, over the last 10 years, housing approvals in Queensland have fallen by nearly 30% and the waiting list for social housing has ballooned,” he sai
Read more
Home Hill Tennis is thrilled to announce the return of Junior Tennis Coaching in Term 2, kicking off with a FREE Come and Try Day on Tuesday, April 22! The program will run throughout the cooler months, across Term 2 and Term 3. We’re excited to welcome back Kayla Accornero as our Club Coach — now operating under her own business, Next Point Coaching. Kayla, originally from Ingham, has a strong understanding of coaching in regional areas and brings great energy and experience to our club. Why
Read more
On Friday, April 25, the Burdekin community will come together to pay their respects to Australia’s past and present Service People, with local ANZAC services and parades to take place across the region. In Home Hill, the Dawn Service will kick the day off, commencing at 5:25am at the Burdekin Memorial Hall, followed by the laying of wreaths, the sounding of the Last Post, and a minute's silence at the Home Hill Cemetery Cenotaph. Attendees will then return to the Burdekin Memorial Hall for th
Read more
Local schoolgirl, Grace Ogomeni, inspired the crowd at her local ANZAC Day ceremony with a heartfelt speech highlighting the importance of the day for both sides of her family. Grace is a School Captain at Home Hill State High School. A small school of just 200 students, despite its small numbers, it has a proud 60-year history of punching above its weight in terms of its achievements and the outcomes of its students. With a Papuan father and an Australian mother, Grace spoke passionately abou
Read more
Clare State School has celebrated its 75th anniversary with nearly 500 attendees from the Burdekin community. Despite rain, Principal Troy Patti was delighted with the success of the event, which featured a Roll Call, Friday Night Fete, Time Capsule opening, and a Twilight Feast. Highlights included a dinner at Home Hill’s Burdekin Memorial Hall, where past students and staff shared memories, and current students led a rendition of the school song. The event also saw the unveiling of a monument
Read more
Hi Guys! I’m both proud and excited to introduce myself as the new local journalist for the Burdekin Life newspaper! I was born and raised in the Greater-Sydney region. I’ve had an ardent passion for writing ever since I was young, and began studying journalism in 2019 at Western Sydney University. I made the leap to the USA to continue my studies in 2021, earning a full academic and athletic scholarship at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, where I was also on the Men’s Soccer team. After g
Read more%20(1).jpg)
With Easter just around the corner, excitement is building - especially for our little ones who are eagerly awaiting a visit from the Easter Bunny and, of course, plenty of chocolate! It’s a wonderful time of joy and indulgence, but beyond the treats, Easter carries a deeper significance for many in our community. For those who celebrate, it is a time of renewal, reflection, and hope - a reminder of new beginnings and the importance of faith, love, and kindness. The Easter long weekend also prov
Read more
In light of ongoing global financial uncertainty, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) Financial and Cyber Crime Group (FCCG) are urging residents to remain vigilant and protect themselves from a rising tide of financial scams. Recent market instability has impacted many Australians’ superannuation accounts, prompting some to seek alternative ways to recover their losses. Unfortunately, scammers are taking advantage of this uncertainty by luring unsuspecting victims with fake investment opportun
Read more
From flood recovery in the Burdekin to biosecurity updates and machinery innovation, QCAR continues to support growers where it counts – in the paddock, in the shed, and at the big-picture level. Following recent heavy rainfall, the QCAR Burdekin team has been busy assisting growers with flood and erosion issues. “You are not alone, and we might surprise you with how we can help,” said QCAR Central District Manager Angelo Licciardello. “We have the strength, the resilience, the knowledge and c
Read more
Reform of global agricultural subsidies and tariffs at the World Trade Organization would support better environmental and food security outcomes, according to the latest ABARES Insights paper. Executive Director of ABARES, Dr Jared Greenville, said taxpayers and consumers bear the brunt of hundreds of billions of dollars spent every year on agricultural support policies that inadvertently create adverse environmental impacts. “Some forms of agricultural support distort production decisions in
Read more
CANEGROWERS has welcomed Queensland Treasurer David Janetzki’s comments supporting the development of a domestic biofuels industry, during his speech to the Queensland Energy Club in Brisbane today. “The sugarcane sector is ready to see a biofuels industry take off in Queensland, with cane as a key feedstock,” CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan said. "It's great to see the Treasurer not just showing support, but taking on an important leadership role in driving the development of this emerging indus
Read more
Burdekin Catholic High School has excitedly announced that enrolments are now open for Year 7, 2026. Families looking for a high-quality secondary education in a supportive, values-based environment are encouraged to consider what BCHS has to offer. With a proud tradition of academic success, vocational achievement, and holistic development of young people, Burdekin Catholic High School continues to set the standard for secondary education in the Burdekin region. Whether students are aiming for
Read more
A huge congratulations to the Ayr High Hawks Swimming Squad, who made a splash at the BSS Interschool Swimming Carnival earlier this month, proudly finishing second overall! From powerhouse team efforts to standout individual races, each of the swimmers gave it their all in the pool and showed incredible determination, sportsmanship and school spirit throughout the day. A special shoutout was extended to the school's Age Champions, Mia Wicks, Briella Wassmuth, Isla Chapman and Ayden Barnett, f
Read more
The Ayr High family showed their true colours at the end of Term 1, proudly celebrating Pink Stumps Day 2025 in support of the McGrath Foundation. With students, staff and community members all getting behind the cause, the school has already raised over $1000, with the final total still to come! Adding a bit of fun to the festivities, Year 12 student Bradley Cahill took out the win in the lolly jar guessing competition with a sharp guess of 203. A heartfelt thank you was extended to everyone
Read more
Burdekin Christian College may have sent a small team to this year’s Burdekin Interschool Swim Carnival, but their impact in the pool was anything but small. With just eight determined students, Team BCC showed up with courage, heart, and incredible sportsmanship—proving once again that it’s not the size of the team, but the strength of the spirit that counts. From strong finishes to cheerful sideline support, students gave it their all and proudly represented the College in every event. A hu
Read more
Ayr State Primary School finished up Term 1 with plenty of treats, and loads of fun, and preparations are already underway, and the excitement is well and truly building ahead of Term 2! The Easter Bunny made a quick trip over to visit Ayr State Primary School’s staff and students, treating plenty of lucky children and teachers to an adorably decorated bunny biscuit to enjoy at lunch time. The school extended a warm thank you to their awesome Tuckshop, P&C Committee and Miss Jazzy for making fu
Read more
It is the number one issue I hear from people in the Burdekin and across Dawson which is why we need a government that will grow our economy and deliver real cost of living relief for Australians. Our Labor government is focused on bringing down inflation, increasing wages, and delivering this relief. Labor has provided tax cuts, energy bill relief, cheaper medicines, student debt relief and more, to help Australians with the cost of living. But we know we have more to do. So here is what we
Read more
The written word took centre stage at the Burdekin Library last week as the Burdekin Creative Writers and Burdekin Night Writers once again brought local storytelling to life. The community was treated to an afternoon of spoken word and literary celebration, as members of both groups shared original works spanning poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. From nostalgic reflections on the past to sharp insights into the present, the readings offered a rich tapestry of family stories, local myth
Read more
Just last week, a local couple kindly expressed their gratitude towards many members of the Burdekin community for their support in a time of need. Diane Arroita shared a handwritten letter with Ayr’s Family Practice’s Dr Bosko Susic and Leann Essery, thanking them both for their help after her husband, Warren, unfortunately suffered a stroke. “Dr Bosko Susic and Leann go beyond their job with all their kindness and help,” Diane wrote. In her letter, Diane shared how grateful she was to
Read more
A colourful crew of young entrepreneurs brought smiles to the faces of almost 300 locals last week when Mark Vass shared their little business venture online. Xanthe and Eden Godfrey, and Maya, Myles, Olivia and Harley Vass established a humble lemonade stand serving freshly squeezed beverages at just $2 a cup to plenty of happy customers on the corner of Menkens and Bapty Road. As the day went on and foot traffic began to build, a turf war ignited, Harley switched sides, and an avocado stall
Read more
2024 staged the celebrated and triumphant return of the beloved Burdekin Water Festival and following on from such an overwhelmingly positive response from the local and wider community, the Committee cannot wait to host another fantastic event! Almost a year ago to date, seven junior ambassadors and seven senior ambassadors representing various community groups, schools and businesses with outstanding enthusiasm, leadership and pride touched the hearts of the entire community from the Festival
Read more
Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox has announced a ground-breaking Regional Australia Future Fund, to deliver a guaranteed annual funding stream in perpetuity for regional, rural and remote Australia. Mr Willcox said the Fund is in recognition of the contribution regional Australians make in growing our national economy and the unique challenges faced now and into the future. A Coalition Government will preserve a portion of commodity windfall receipts towards the establishment of Region
Read more
Burdekin Clay Target Club held it's 100 Target Double Barrel competition on Sunday 13th April. It was a complete turn around to last months extreme heat, the weather was very pleasant with a constant breeze all day. Thank you to our sponsor Honeycombes Sales & Service and lui Populin for donating the meat trays for the raffle. Our next shoot will be on Saturday 10th May. Event 1 – 15 Target Pointscore 15m In AA Grade, Simon Steele, Joe Caruso, and Wayne Cislowski all shot a perfect 45/45
Read more