Mental health is a crucial component to a healthy, happy and productive life. For better or for worse we can never escape our own minds and as most readers probably know, the little voice in our heads is constantly speaking to us and sometimes the voice does not say nice things. For this reason it is important to talk about the inner workings of our minds as the little voice is not always right. So it is essential to normalise conversations surrounding mental well- being, share personal experien
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This Friday Burdekin will be fortunate enough to welcome a truly remarkable individual — Sam Childers, also known as "The Machine Gun Preacher." His incredible journey from a troubled youth to a hero who has dedicated his life to rescuing children from war-torn regions is one of both heartache and hope, and now, for the first time, he is bringing his powerful story to our small regional town. Childers, an American former biker and gang member, transformed his life after a deeply spiritual exper
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With all games in the opening round of the senior R L T D transferred to the contingency date in July due to the weather and state of grounds last week, the season will officially get underway this weekend. Only four clubs are fielding the under 20 grade so that will leave four clubs contesting with Brothers, Western Lions, Centrals and Souths. With the exception of Souths who do not have a Ladies team, all clubs will be in the other three grades. This weekend on Saturday Souths will host Wes
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The Burdekin Touch Association recently shone a spotlight on its senior players, celebrating their longstanding commitment to the sport and the vital role they continue to play within the community. Each week, more than 25 men and women aged over 50 take to the field, proving that Touch football is not only a game of speed and skill, but also one that fosters lifelong fitness and friendships. “I started playing Touch in 1981 when I was transferred to Home Hill,” said Bruce Johnson, now 70 year
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Ladies Day Out The Home Hill ladies enjoyed their Saturday afternoon bowls. Home Hill Bowls Club is growing, and the club is seeing a fantastic growth and support from the ladies bowlers with everyone taking the advantage of the sun. Home Hill Open Easter Fours: The Home Hill Bowls & Sports Club will be sponsoring an attractive fours carnival over the Easter Saturday and Sunday, flyers have gone out already to all bowler club. We are hoping to make this an annual event. As we are all now in
Read moreThe Burdekin Touch association celebrated the contribution of senior players to Touch football in the Burdekin recently. With over 25 male and female players over the age of 50 taking the field each week, Touch is proving to be a great sport for fitness and social connection. “I started playing Touch in 1981 when I was transferred to Home Hill,” said Bruce Johnson, now 70 years of age. “It’s a contact sport but not a collision sport so there is maximum speed and skill with minimum injury. Eve
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While many people aspire to reach 100, Jean Neep from Home Hill has well and truly raised the bar, celebrating an incredible 107th birthday surrounded by love, laughter and fond memories. Born in an era of immense change, Jean has witnessed the world transform in extraordinary ways. She married in 1938, just before the outbreak of the Second World War, and embraced the challenges of family life with strength and grace. Together with her husband, she raised three children in Ayr; John, Marilyn a
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In a major win for North Queensland farmers recovering from last month’s floods, the federal and Queensland governments have overhauled disaster funding rules to allow growers to use recovery grants to replant and reseed waterlogged crops—unlocking critical support that was previously out of reach. **The significant changes to extraordinary assistance grants under Category C and D of the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) mean farmers can now: Replant lost o
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Opinion Piece Having clocked up over 150,000KM on the Bruce in my three years as the Federal Member for Dawson, I’m a passionate advocate for a better National Highway. I travel this highway every day, visiting and spending time with my constituents from Mackay to Townsville, and all the communities in between. I know the highway well, riding the potholes and the bumps. I know the risks travellers face, the delays they experience, and the frustrations they feel when the roads are cut. Not a da
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Opinion Piece A Dutton-Littleproud Coalition Government will reinstate the 80:20 federal funding model for nationally significant road projects in regional and remote Australia — ensuring more regional roads and highways get upgraded. Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox said regional roads including the Bruce Highway in the Dawson section had missed out on critical road funding because of the Albanese Government’s decision to slash funding for regional road projects by 30 per cent. “Whi
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A warm community spirit permeated the air of the Burdekin Theatre at the Community Morning Tea event, hosted by Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort over the weekend. The event extended a warm welcome to Queensland’s Governor Dr Jeanette Young and her husband and was attended by local leaders, healthcare professionals, and community members, producing an atmosphere thick with camaraderie, optimism and hope despite the recent challenges faced by the Burdekin and its people. Mayor Dalle Cort hospitably embra
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Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, believes victims of domestic and family violence will be offered more support sooner and Police will be able to respond sooner under Legislation to be introduced to parliament. The former Police Officer said calls for assistance due to domestic and family violence had more than tripled in the last decade and changes were needed to better protect victims and to hold perpetrators to account. “Sadly, we have seen an immense increase in both the number of calls f
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Burdekin Shire Council is calling on Federal election candidates to commit to funding the $4.4 million Ayr Industrial Estate – Second Access project. The proposed second access will improve safety, boost connectivity, and support the region's long-term growth, including residential and commercial development. With only one current access point to the estate, Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort emphasises the need for alternative routes, especially for emergency services and heavy vehicles. The project, wh
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COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS GROUP (Free) Come along to the Burdekin Centre for Rural Health, 12A Chippendale Street, Ayr. Wednesdays, 9.30am to 11.30am Have a chat Meet new people Learn something new Have a cuppa Contact the BCA Support Centre to register today on 4783 3744. **MAKE IT HAPPEN LIFE SKILLS GROUP (Free) Now taking expressions of interest* Build independence – Maybe you’d like to learn to cook or manage everyday household duties. Develop social skills – meeting new people and d
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Long-time Ayr business owner Kristy Oar, alongside husband Callan, has embarked on an exciting new venture that is sure to bring a fresh approach to workwear and western fashion to the Burdekin. Earlier this year, Kristy and Callan, who collectively have run local businesses for more than 20 years, purchased and rebranded the well-known Sibby Savers store. Now called Wild East, the retail business specialises in western and workwear apparel, offering a unique blend of fashion and function
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Hi Everyone, By the time you read this, I will have had the opportunity to attend and present at the Burdekin Chamber of Commerce meeting, and I’d like to extend my thanks to Kari and the team for their kind invitation. We really enjoy attending both the Burdekin and Home Hill Chamber of Commerce meetings. They’re fantastic opportunities to connect and network with our local business community. I strongly encourage everyone in the area to join their local chamber. If you're unsure which one t
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With a wonderful long weekend holding space on our calendars this April, there’s truly no better way to spend the coming, long autumn days than enjoying the smorgasbord of free activities, locations and events on offer within our own backyards! Burdekin Library’s All Day Drop-In Ahead of the Easter long weekend mayhem, the Burdekin Library has designed an awesome program to keep your little bunnies busy and entertained these school holidays, from Monday the 7th of April right up until Friday th
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Bendigo Bank officially welcomed Rural Bank customers to Australia’s most trusted bank today in a transition that provides a seamless and consistent experience for the Bank’s agribusiness customers. Bendigo Bank Agribusiness offers a bigger, better banking experience, fully backed by Bendigo Bank’s digital capability and services, along with an improved lending and product offering. Bendigo Bank Agribusiness customers will feel even more at home with Australia-wide coverage from agribusiness sp
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By Amanda Wright Calls to list a productive agricultural plant as a Weed of National Significance (WoNS) are "misinformed" and risk undermining a crucial feed source for Australia’s livestock industry, the National Farmers’ Federation has warned. NFF Sustainable Development and Climate Change Committee Chair, Mr Angus Atkinson, said buffel grass was a key asset for grazing operations—carefully managed by producers for its resilience and value in supporting livestock. “It is a high-yielding pla
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It’s hard to believe that April is already here. It certainly doesn’t feel like it if you wander anywhere outside of air-conditioning. The council is currently deep in budget discussions. Hopefully, we can all agree on a sensible, customer-first budget. At the end of March, Council’s Economic Development staff organised a round table meeting at the Ayr Industrial Estate that gave manufacturers the chance to sit down with the Honourable Dale Last, Minister for Manufacturing. I was lucky enough to
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It’s been a week of community spirit and celebration across the Shire. We were honoured to welcome Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeanette Young, Governor of Queensland, to our region. Her Excellency visited both Ayr and Home Hill hospitals and took the time to engage with local community groups over morning tea - a wonderful opportunity to showcase the passion and care that exists in our community. Our local radio station, Sweet FM 97.1, opened its doors for a fun and informative fête, giving
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Wonderful crops of happy sugarcane have well and truly begun sprouting across the region as Burdekin’s Sweetest School Competition continues to foster the shire’s next generation of farmers and agricultural enthusiasts. Sponsored by Canegrowers Burdekin, the unique competition works to highlight the agricultural talents of both students and teachers within the area whilst fostering a strong sense of community spirit and collaboration. The friendly initiative also provides students with the oppo
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Celebrating its 6th anniversary, the Burdekin Artisan Community Association’s Burdekin Rags to Runway event will ignite the region this July to spotlight some of the shire’s most talented seamstresses! Burdekin Artisan Community Association’s President Sandi Milani and Secretary Desley Jackson cannot wait to launch 2025’s showcase. “We have six categories this year including an exciting new addition of Budget Evening Wear,” explained Sandi. “Budget Evening Wear was on the wish list of some of
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Burdekin Christian College (BCC) recently hosted a vibrant and engaging Harmony Week event, showcasing the talents and cultural awareness of their students. The celebrations included an impressive series of performances by the college's senior students, who danced in traditional styles from Fiji, Tonga, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. The performances were a highlight of the day, and the students' passion for sharing their heritage was evident in every step. As part of their
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Saturday 5 April Sweet FM 25 Year Reunion Saturday 8am-1pm Local radio station 97.1 Sweet FM’s 25th year anniversary celebration. There will be free tours of the facility, interviews with current and past presenters, food and market stalls and more at this fun and open public event. Sweet FM (134–136 Eighth Avenue, Home Hill) Sunday 6 April Plantation Park Markets Sunday 8am Join Ayr State Primary School for a picture-perfect morning showcasing the talents and hobbies of both local and travelli
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