Burdekin Local News - Launch Edition

24 SEPTEMBER 2020

www.burdekinlocal.com.au • editor@burdekinlocal.com.au

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02 COMMUNITY NEWS

thursday 24 september 2020

Welcome Inside this week CONTENTS COMMUNITY NEWS 3-9 LIFESTYLE 10-13 SOCIAL SEEN 14-15 EDUCATION 16-17 BUSINESS 18 REAL ESTATE 20-21 ON THE LAND 22-23 DIRECTORY 24 IN THE REGION 25 SPORT 26-29

CONTACT US 07 4422 0518 PUBLISHER Scott Morrison scott@burdekinlocal.com.au

EDITORIAL Hayden Menso Journalist hayden.menso@ burdekinlocal.com.au

Marina Trajkovich Journalist marina.trajkovich@ burdekinlocal.com.au

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OFFICE 132a Young Street Ayr QLD 4807 facebook.com/burdekinlocal www.burdekinlocal.com.au

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Burdekin Local News Publisher Scott Morrison, Stacey Morrison and Journalist Hayden Menso

Pleased to meet you!

Scott Morrison Publisher

Welcome to your first issue of the Burdekin Local News. It’s all the local news you can get!

I thought you may like to know a little about how and why we launched the Burdekin Local News and who we are.

Well, for the past 14 years, my wife Stacey and I have designed and produced DUO Magazine which is distributed from Mackay to Port Douglas and west to Mt Isa every month. Maybe you’ve seen it and hopefully you liked it.

Covid forced us to place DUO into hibernation primarily because readers couldn’t share it with others and our over 500 outlets couldn’t stock it.

I don’t know if it was fate (or more likely good fortune) that when Stacey’s sister moved out of state, we decided to move down from Townsville for a ‘green change’ and to work on her place for her. We really had no idea we would like living here so much!

I had an idea it may happen but, like many others, we were surprised when the Burdekin Advocate closed. Was it a sign?

We believe so. We’vd never made a newspaper until this one you are holding in your hands now. But I decided

to have a go and convinced Stacey to come along with me.

Now you should know that we are not some big organisation with deep pockets and wealthy investors. Burdekin Local News is just Stacey and I and (now) our two amazingly talented young journalists, Hayden and Marina. We’re using our savings and taking on a big gamble that the paper will be economically viable. We know and have been told by many people that the Burdekin not only deserves but truly needs a local newspaper. We’re sure, with the support of local people and businesses we will continue to make a weekly local newspaper that promotes our region and shares the stories and local news that you want to read. I look forward to meeting you and learning more about you and what you want to see in your Burdekin Local News.

Hayden Menso Journalist

Welcome to a new age of news in the Burdekin.

I’m very proud to be a part of this exciting new publication; having been involved with newspapers from a young age, I’m extremely glad an opportunity has arisen for

Local newspaper and move to beautiful Ayr!

Burdekin Local News Journalist Marina Trajkovich

the region to now have an independently owned and operated news source.

I’m a born and bred Burdekin boy, who loves everything our region has to offer. I hope to share many great stories with you, in what is my first full-time Journalism job since completing university last year.

Local news is my passion, and I’m looking forward to the Burdekin Local journey.

Marina Trajkovich Journalist

My name is Marina and I’m excited to have the opportunity to help create the Burdekin

I’m originally from Sydney but have worked all over the world including Europe and Asia, where I worked in Al Jazeera’s Malaysia Bureau.

I’ve had my stories published

by SBS, The Daily Telegraph and Marie Claire to name a few and am now looking forward to focusing on local news and the opportunity to connect with the stories and people in the area.

I can’t wait to get to know the community and to get out and explore more of what the Burdekin and North Queensland have to offer!

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COMMUNITY NEWS 03

thursday 24 september 2020

Row keeps Laurie’s Love alive Hayden Menso hayden.menso@burdekinlocal.com.au

IN WHAT has been a tough year for our local events, one of the Burdekin’s biggest community showcases is back for its second year.

The Laurie’s Love 24 Hour Row for a Cure has defied setbacks, working with COVID-19 restrictions to ensure the event can go ahead.

The signature event of the Laurie’s Love Foundation this year will see nine teams put themselves to the test in a battle of man verses rowing machine for 24 hours, in an effort to raise awareness of the deadly impacts of brain cancer.

Brain cancer kills more children in Australia than any other disease, and is also the deadliest type of cancer to affect people under 40 years. The disease costs more per person than others to research due to its debilitating nature and aggressive nature.

In nothing short of a mammoth community effort, bringing the row to life for a 2020 landscape was always going to happen, in some form or another.

“It was always going to happen … it might have been a rower in one person’s shed, with people coming and leaving at different times,” committee member Dave Sexton said.

The 2019 Row for a Cure was awarded the Community Event of the Year Award

IT’S ABOUT AWARENESS, BUT IT’S ULTIMATELY ABOUT BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER. Dave Sexton Committee Member The full-scale event will go ahead, with attendance restrictions and strict social distancing in place, to adhere to government guidelines and ensure a COVID-safe event.

“We are planning to open up the event as much as possible for spectators, and we will be livestreaming parts of the event” Mr Sexton said.

“We definitely want to encourage the community to attend, we’re not deterring anybody. There will be food, drinks, kids’ activities, raffles and merchandise available, we want to encourage people to come down and create an atmosphere for the rowers and the event,” committee member Tammy Quagliata said.

Those participating in the event will be an amalgamation of community members including members of the wider community, Year 10 and 11 students from Burdekin Catholic High School, paramedics and emergency services, and lifelong friends and colleagues of Laurence.

This year will also see the inclusion of a team from both Townsville and Thursday Island.

“It is about raising money, it’s about awareness, but it’s ultimately about bringing the community together. Especially given this year, where we’ve had no events, it’ll be great to have the community’s support to get the 108 rowers across the line at the end” Mr Sexton said.

The commencement of the 2019 Row for a Cure

“We are so thankful for all the businesses, individuals and sponsors for their support, because for some businesses this year’s been horrific, and yet they’ve still reached into their pockets to help out,” he said.

“We’re so grateful for all our rowers, we couldn’t have the event without them and their dedication; the row is likened to what any brain cancer sufferer goes through, so the rowers put

themselves out there for a small period of 24 hours, in which we want to raise as much awareness as we can. Most people don’t know that brain cancer is the number one killing cancer for people aged under 40,” Mrs Quagliata said.

Doors open at 11am, with rowing taking place from 12pm Saturday October 3, to 12pm Saturday October 4, at the Marcellin Centre at Burdekin Catholic High School.

Caption here Et am, que simi, quat odit hilit estrum harum id ma edionsequis maximus eum expe ipitatiur

Claudia Pavone rowing her heart our while her family cheers her on

Dave Sexton pushing through the row in the 2019 event

04 COMMUNITY NEWS | STATE ELECTIONS

thursday 24 september 2020

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Meet the Candidates Michael Brunker

Australian Labor Party Marina Trajkovich marina.trajkovich@burdekinlocal.com.au IN THE WAKE of the state election this October, the Burdekin Local is taking a who’s who look at local politics. From the Australian Labor Party, Mike Brunker catches up with us to discuss his ideas for the local economy, jobs and agriculture as well as his passion for animal welfare.

So tell me a bit about your personal and professional background and how you decided to pursue local politics?

So I was born and bred in Collinsville, I left school and went into the mines, worked in both overcut and underground, I was in the Miner’s Union then as an executive. I was elected to the Collinsville Council on the Bowen Shire and then I suppose the rest is history.

I’ve had 22 years in local government, 15 years as the Mayor. I have a small business now, a small newsagent in Bowen so I’ve had a fairly diversified kind of lifestyle which puts me in good stead to be a state member.

What are some of the things we can expect from you if you get elected? What are some of the local issues you’ll be focusing on?

Well, it’s a shire that’s got a bit of a split personality, so definitely a coastal, horticulture, agriculture environment, compared to out west which is more mining. So the four pillars, it’s a powerhouse seat.

The GDP that comes out of the Burdekin electorate is just amazing, you know with the coal royalties, grazing, horticulture, agriculture, sugar cane. So we need to get in there and get our fair share. And it’s about creating jobs.

In the Burdekin I’ve built a reputation on economic development I always believe the best way to look after somebody is to give them a job, and the more jobs we can create in this area, then the wealth and everything flows on. It’s the small businesses, the housing, that sort of stuff.

Everywhere you go mental health is a huge issue too so we’ve just got some funding to upgrade Bowen hospital and The Ayr hospital has been upgraded. In every industry there’s a lot of issues and its a matter of seeing where the gaps are and making sure we have some soup around the caucus table.

Michael Brunker, ALP Candidate for the Burdekin

You’ve spoken a lot about the economy and creating jobs, what would be your plan to get people into those jobs and to get the local economy back on track?

It’s about electricity prices and water prices to make it cheaper for farming. Around out West its obviously mining, so Labor has actually approved nearly 10 mines in the last two years out in the Bowen Basin, so mining jobs are important as well.

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I’ve just left a meeting with Sun Rice and they’re looking at some future grant support.

So it would be my job as the state member to push that and see if we can’t help them out as far as future grants.

To keep us safe is one thing in Covid, but to get us out of this economic problem is investing in Queensland. So my investments, like Sun Rice for example, is a way that you can create jobs somewhere like the Burdekin.

What are some other issues you’re passionate about and how will you work to change policy in these areas if elected?

I’m here to make sure that we do have the strongest laws in the state and nation about animal cruelty because some of the instances we see are just absolutely disgraceful.

They need to cop the full force of the law and if our laws aren’t strong enough I’d be certainly talking to the Justice Minister so that we’ve got people to keep an eye on that, to make sure that our laws are right up there as a deterrent to stop animal cruelty.

There’s still unregulated puppy farms found all the time by different animal groups but certainly, we’ve got to make sure that the breeders are doing the right thing and there’s not these mass-produced, poor dogs making puppies for someone to make a few quid out of.

Why should people vote for you? What do you think makes you stand out from other candidates?

People have seen me for the last 22 years in local government, I call a spade a shovel, and certainly if I believe in something and if anything hurts our community here, I’ll speak up for it.

It’s gotten me into trouble sometimes and I don’t back away from that. You need a strong voice.

I live in the community and my opposition partner lives up in the Townsville area. In Bowen you can get a better feel for what’s happening, rather than living outside the community.

How do you think your work in the mining industry and in the Union has helped shape your political career and your ability to connect with people in the Burdekin area?

When I was in the Union. We looked after people’s wages, health and safety. You become a marriage guidance counsellor, you become a financial counsellor, everything that happened in Collinsville you’d have folks come with all sorts of problems.

Now it’s recognizing the fact that the casualisation of the work force is, I call it a scourge of the industry, where people are just working full time but on a casual basis. If you speak up about conditions that’s just an excuse for them to flick you, and that’s a huge issue with health and safety. We’ve seen five guys in Bowen the other day blown up and it’s pure luck to be alive.

It runs in my veins, my old man is 83 today and he survived the 1954 disaster where seven men were killed. Four got out and he was one of them so I’m very passionate about health and safety and mining conditions.

I suppose from my Union background, I’ve got a reputation for fighting for a community. So whether it’s a sugar cane farmer or a grazier or whatever, if they’ve got an issue I can take it up for them. Twenty-two years walking around the halls of parliament, you know where to go, you know where to look, I can use those skills that I have.

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Shout Out

thursday 24 september 2020

COMMUNITY NEWS 05

In this series we recognise the people in our community that you have told us are exceptional, special or simply deserve our thanks.

Brittany Lacco In her words I AM EMPLOYED by this local business which is run by mother-daughter duo Jenny Papale and Dominique Gorey.

The business consists of a retail gift store, along with their event management and styling business, Dominique’s Events. They cover everything from birthday parties to awards nights, gala balls and weddings - hosting the majority of all local events. They are known to be “the best of the best” in their line of work.

Due to COVID-19 they lost 90% of their events for the year.

Yet given the challenges these two are facing, they remain the most inspiring and positive powerhouses and show such resilience. They have never bowed their head or felt sorry for themselves… they just got on with it and found ways to adapt to the current conditions.

I remember one day Dominique came into work and decided we needed to lift

The team from Dominiques. From left: Brittany Lacco, Dominique Gorey, Jenny Papale and Lucy Gorey.

the spirits of people walking by our shop, so she got the chalk out and wrote a positive message with the rainbow on the sidewalk for people to read, and smile as they walked our local street. Not to mention times where they donated their services to help families at difficult times.

It is so important to highlight and show how well our small community is holding up through this adverse time. Everyone is really

trying to shop locally and I’m just one of many who is proud to be a part of that. I think it would be wonderful to showcase our local businesses and give them some support in return.

The Burdekin is a wonderful community and we are very lucky to have businesses like Dominique’s remaining positive and committed to keeping our town alive.

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HELP SUPPORT OUR STRUGGLING FARMERS Our Cane Farmers are already doing it tough.

They’re battling low world sugar prices, soaring power costs and other uncertainties.

But the State Labor Government has made things tougher by introducing new green laws that rob cane farmers of the ability to manage their own farms and, in some cases, not allow them to farm their land at all.

Help our farmers fight back against this Labor green attack.

SIGN THE PETITION: DONTCANEOURFARMERS.COM Authorised by G. Christensen, Liberal National Party of Queensland, 2/21 Milton Street, Mackay QLD 4740.

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COMMUNITY NEWS 07

thursday 24 september 2020

Photo of the week Cane Fire Send us your best pics through our social media pages and your image could be chosen as the photo of the week!

Next month’s theme is #BeautifulBurdekin!

Photo by Ralph Dutreall Ralph photographed the canefire at Vince Papale’s farm, located in Home Hill. Ralph and his wife Kim are currently exploring Queensland and got a glimpse of true Burdekin glory!

Community Letters Highlighting the to the issues that impact support will ensure editor: our region success Want to get in touch to talk about the paper, an issue you care about or just to say hello?

Let us know your thoughts by emailing editor@burdekinlocal. com.au

AS a third generation cane farmer in the Burdekin, I am proud of my region and want to welcome Burdekin LocalNews to the community.

I am also a proud Director of CANEGROWERS Burdekin Ltd. CANEGROWERS is a grass roots member organisation which represents all cane farmers, big or small, as we are all stronger together. CANEGROWERS has been talking to all levels of government since 1927 – we are known and respected as we concentrate on what affects cane farmers in Queensland.

The CANEGROWERS network collectively represents members from Mossman in Far North Queensland to Rocky Point in South East Queensland.

Any member can nominate to be on the board and representatives are elected by their fellow farmers.

Whilst there are many issues experienced right across the sugarcane industry, there are also districtspecific issues which require local representation and CANEGROWERS has 13 district offices with the local expertise, structure and resources on the ground to assist members.

We look forward to working with Burdekin Local News in the future highlighting the issues that impact on our region.

Roger Piva

Home Hill

ONCE again we have a paper in the Burdekin and the success will depend on how the community warms to it.

Many people including myself bagged the Advocate from time to time for the lack of interesting articles, however since it’s demise, I for one have missed reading about a number of local issues.

This paper will only succeed if the community and businesses get behind it through advertising and purchase.

Without full support from all sectors of the shire it will be as I see it an important opportunity gone begging as I believe all towns need a local newspaper for the good of the local economy.

At present Burdekin Shire Council contributes a substantial amount of money for the Council Connection page in the Friday edition of the Townsville Bulletin which has no or very little financial contribution to the Burdekin economy. One can expect council will now switch over to our local paper.

Their contribution I am sure will not go unnoticed.

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08 COMMUNITY NEWS

National Landcare Program: Smart Farms Small Grants Round 4 SMART FARMS Small Grants is an open, competitive, grant opportunity to support projects to increase farming, forestry and fishing communities’ awareness, knowledge, skills and capacity to adopt best practice sustainable agriculture. Minimum grant amount is $5,000 and maximum grant amount is $100,000.

The purpose of Smart Farms Small Grants is to support land manager practice change that will

deliver more sustainable, productive and profitable food, fibre and forestry business while protecting Australia’s biodiversity; protecting and improving the condition of natural resources; and assisting Australia meet its international obligations. Applications close 9 October 2020.

Please review the guidelines and apply at: https://www.communitygrants. gov.au/grants/smart-farms

thursday 24 september 2020

Startup Onramp Regional Queensland Program STARTUP ONRAMP, in partnership with the Queensland Government, is making places available in the Founders Course at no cost to entrepreneurs in regional Queensland.

The Founders Course is a practical online course that will show you how to start a highgrowth startup and maximise its chances of success.

It teaches core startup skills to aspiring startup founders in a flexible self-paced format, with participants gaining

access to video-based lessons from some of Australia’s leading startup experts.

Apply for a fully funded place at: https://www. startuponramp.com/ queensland

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First national recycling program for razors launches in Australia P&G brands Gillette and Venus have joined forces with TerraCycle to launch a free national recycling program for all brands of razors and their packaging.

A first-of-its-kind program in Australia, shavers can now collect and ship all their disposable and refillable razors, blade cartridges and plastic packaging to TerraCycle, who will turn them into new products.

Thanks to the new Gillette Razor Recycling Program

from Gillette and Venus, any household, community organisation, business or individual can sign up to recycle these items as well as raise money for the school, sports club, or charity of their choosing.

To join the Gillette Razor Recycling Program, simply sign up through the TerraCycle website. Spaces are expected to fill up fast.

To learn more, please go to: https://www.terracycle.com/ en-AU/brigades/gillette-au

PHOTO The Salvation Army

Local volunteers at St Vincent de Paul celebrate Op Shop Week

Drop in and thank your local charity shop Marina Trajkovich marina.trajkovich@burdekinlocal.com.au NATIONAL Op Shop Week, running from September 28th to October 4th is an initiative created to raise awareness and celebrate the amazing work of charity organisations across Australia, from the volunteers to the buyers, donators and resilient social workers operating behind the scenes.

The op shop, short for opportunity shop, once attached to stigma amongst less fortunate communities of the late 1800s, has become a beloved and socially responsible retail experience for bargain hunters and ecowarriors alike.

Australians consume the second-highest amount of textiles in the world with more than 501 million kgs of clothing ending up in landfills each year.

Now a trendy staple in the sustainable fashion movement,

op shops are not only a way to source vintage and secondhand clothing, knick-knacks and furniture, but make a huge impact on our war on waste while delivering much-needed funds to community services.

Katrina McIntosh from the Salvation Army oversees community support efforts within the Burdekin region.

“So we provide furnishing and household goods when we’ve got them available to those who are in need, particularly people who are relocating in emergency circumstances like domestic violence.”

“We oversee an emergency relief program in the Burdekin area, so we provide funds to those who may be struggling a little, and need extra help with things like medicine and fuel and food.”

She is in deep admiration of the many volunteers who make the work they do possible.

“It’s just a great place. It’s like a family, the ladies and gentlemen who work at that store truly are amazing and they give so much of their time. Volunteers are amazing people, they work hard. It’s not a really easy job, it’s not a cushy job. There’s a lot of hard work involved but they do it and they love it. So its really great to work alongside them and encourage them.”

Josie Felesina has been working in the Vinnies store in the Burdekin for 25 years.

“It was through a friend that I first started. She said ‘why don’t you come to work at Vinnies?’. I used to work at Meals-on-Wheels before and I said ok. You’re working for a

charity, helping people out and mixing with other people and it makes you feel good because you’ve got a group of friends.”

“It’s helping people by volunteering, then it’s benefiting the volunteer too, to get out and mix with people instead of maybe just staying at home and not doing much. It’s more of a purpose in life.”

Her co-worker Isabel Sawyer agrees, seeing the benefit of the organisation after working there for 14 years.

“There is a sense of community, we’re doing it for the people of the Burdekin.”

From helping the environment to providing life-changing support to those in need, op shops and the incredible work of their dedicated volunteers deserve to be celebrated.

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COMMUNITY NEWS 09

thursday 24 september 2020

The Conversation

How the Burkekin has readied itself during the Covid Crisis.

Pandemic Preparedness Marina Trajkovich marina.trajkovich@burdekinlocal.com.au

The coronavirus has affected us this year in numerous ways that are difficult to ignore. Although the threat to the Burdekin community appears to be over, authorities remind us that there are still plans in place should an outbreak occur.

SCENES on the ground across health facilities in Australia and the rest of the globe this year have been likened to preparing for battle, with doctors and health professionals readying their wards and intensive care units for the worst of Covid 19.

Fast forward 7 months and different parts of Australia are living vastly different realities.

Victorians are experiencing

some of the strictest lockdown measures in the world while many Queenslanders are able to go about life seemingly unaffected.

While the Burdekin region has been lucky to have experienced only one case of Covid 19 this year, acquired in April from overseas transmission and immediately isolated, authorities warn locals

to stay vigilant.

Burdekin Mayor Lyn McLaughlin has praised the work of everyone in the community for their resilience and response to the pandemic.

“As a whole the Burdekin attitude, they have been outstanding.”

“Some businesses have been harder hit than others, other businesses have really

thrived during this and I think it’s encouraged a lot of people to shop locally and discover everything that’s available here in this district.”

Although the risk of community transmission remains low, she assures that hospitals are well equipped and that there is an emergency response in place should the Burdekin need it.

“The hospitals have been well prepared since the pandemic broke out. The hospitals are well equipped with staff and with skills,” she says.

“The local disaster management group did meet back in March to look at our preparedness going forward.

We’ve been working with the Ayr and Townsville hospitals

to be aware of their plan and council has emergency plans ready should there be an outbreak announced in our community,” she says.

“We’ve got to reassure everyone that there is a plan in place that has been developed in conjunction with Queensland health. Our best outcome is that we just never need to use it.”

School’s gift gets students on the road Hayden Menso hayden.menso@burdekinlocal.com.au

FOR MANY teenagers in our community, learning to drive can be both an exciting and daunting experience.

A two-year partnership between the ARTIE (Achieving Results Through Indigenous Education) program, RACQ and Ayr State High School has seen a day of driver education and awareness in the classroom.

On Tuesday September 15, Year 11 students were treated to a docu-drama presentation about resilience behind the wheel, recognising road risks and important driver and passenger safety while learning to drive.

Head of Community and Education at RACQ, David Contarini said “young drivers between 16 and 24 are overrepresented in crash statistics worldwide, so we’re trying to educate students about the

reasons fatalities happen on the roads, and ways they can mitigate those risks.”

It comes as a timely reminder, with multiple fatal traffic accidents occurring on North Queensland roads in recent weeks.

The presentation was capped off by RACQ gifting a car to the school, to be used by students for supervised driving lessons and driver education.

The car, in conjunction with the ARTIE program, will be used to break down barriers for students who may have difficulties in reaching their 100 hours of learner driving.

The program allows students an opportunity to develop their skills, in the classroom and on the road, with the new driver’s license program, where those who achieve attendance requirements, meet their academic goals and are engaged in work will be eligible for the program and to use the car.

Steven Page, General

Manager of the FOGS ARTIE Academy, said the “the car is not only for the indigenous students, but for all eligible students within the school, to supply a little bit more support to get their 100 hours.”

“It will cut down the costs of some students getting their hours, and it can be used as an incentive as well, if students are coming to school and doing their best, then they can be a part of the program.”

Ayr State High School is the first school outside of the South-East to receive the car, with one each in larger schools in Beenleigh and Marsden.

“Being a part of the ARTIE Academy and also the relationship that we have with RACQ through their partnership, it’s an amazing opportunity for this school and a community like Ayr to have this car in the school,” Mr Page said.

The ultimate goal of the program is “to see every student get their license,” Mr Contarini said.

Ayr State High School students and staff with the new car, being presented by RACQ’s David Contarini to Craig Whittred (ASHS Principal) and Steven Page (ARTIE)

“RACQ sponsors students to go through the process, along with things from ARTIE like free driving lessons with a professional driving instructor

and also help getting students into the program,” he said.

Principal of Ayr State High School Mr Craig Whittred said it was a fantastic opportunity

for the students, and that the school is grateful for the ongoing partnership with ARTIE and RACQ.

10 COMMUNITY NEWS

New arrivals

Lexi Louise Reid Born 16.09.20 at Mater Mothers’ Private Townsville Weight: 6lb 3oz Length: 47cm Parents Chris and Charmaine Reid, proud big sisters Addison (6) and Dana (4)

thursday 24 september 2020

burdekinlocal.com.au

In the Burdekin we love babies! If you’ve got a special new life to celebrate, send us your big news and pictures to editor@burdekinlocal.com.au We’ll share our congratulations in the paper!

Alayah Devow Born 03.07.20 at Ayr Hospital Parents Wade Benjime Devow and Dannika Janai-Ann Poli

Colt Bentley Pedron Born 30.06.20 at Townsville University Hospital Parents Steven Pedron and Nikita Wallis

Mia Kimberley Marano Born 22.05.20 at Ayr Hospital Parents Daniel Marano and Jazmin Bamborough

As long-standing professionals servicing our Burdekin community since 1997, Helene Holmes Optique Eyes is proud to support our

For exceptional eye care and exquisite eyewear visit us today.

150 Queen Street Ayr 4783 3631 reception@optiqueyes.com.au Open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm and Saturday 9.00am to 12.30pm

200924AK03

new community newspaper, the Burdekin Local News.

Open every Saturday 9am to 12 pm or by appointment

660 Kilrie Road, Ayr • 0409 721 103

burdekinlocal.com.au

LIFESTYLE 11

thursday 24 september 2020

Recipe

COMMUNITY NEWS 11

The Stemmery

We are The Stemmery.

Merchants of fine flowers & quality plants.

It is a dream to be able to bring all of our favourite homewares and gifts to our hometown, Ayr. We hope you love it as much as we do.

Salmon and soba noodle salad Ingredients

Method

180g buckwheat soba noodles

Bring a large pot of water to boil, add noodles and cook for 3–5 minutes or until al dente. Drain off water, refill pot with cold water and set aside.

1 tablespoon sesame oil 4 salmon fillets ¼ red onion, finely diced

Place half of the sesame oil in a frypan on medium heat, then place the salmon fillets skin down.

1 carrot, grated

Cook salmon fillets for 3–5 minutes skin side down and then turn over to cook for another 2 minutes and set aside.

1 small Lebanese cucumber, halved, sliced diagonally

Place vegetables and pumpkin seeds in a large bowl.

1 red capsicum, finely sliced

Drizzle vinegars, remainder of sesame oil and soy sauce over and combine well.

3 cups rocket, roughly chopped

Drain noodles and toss through salad, mix well.

¼ cup pumpkin seeds

To serve, divide the noodle salad between bowls and place salmon on top.

4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar 2 tablespoons salt-reduced soy sauce OR tamari sauce (gluten-free)

X Claudia & Co.

Recipe supplied by Julie Nicolaides Accredited Clinical Nutritionist

0429 068 461 www.poweroffood.com.au facebook.com/poweroffoodau

Home ◆ Grown ◆ You 55 MacMillan Street Ayr 4783 7734 claudia@thestemmery.com.au www.thestemmery.com.au

12 LIFESTYLE

thursday 24 september 2020

burdekinlocal.com.au

Where are they now?

Isobel Badin

Fashion designer

Featuring intricate designs and hand-beaded details, Isobel Badin’s creations are a colourful hybrid of art and fashion. With floral motifs a nostalgic nod to her grandparent’s rose garden and styling that reflects her nature-filled childhood; the Burdekin native is making her mark on the Australian fashion industry, writes Marina Trajkovich.

COUNTRY GIRL AT HEART ISOBEL BADIN is a breath of fresh air in the Australian fashion and creative industries, marrying intricately detailed and handmade wearable art with whimsical designs that pay homage to her nature-filled upbringing in Clare, Burdekin.

After 10 years in the business designing highly coveted art pieces and accessories, the designer is launching her first apparel collection that celebrates nature, nostalgia and femininity, elevated with the signature Isobel Badin creative touch.

From large scale, hand-beaded art pieces to hand dyed t-shirts and bags embroidered with Madagascan shells almost too beautiful to wear, the 31-year old is no stranger to challenging herself and wears many hats when running her business.

The talented designer spared time between tiedyeing, designing, and running her studio in Noosa to discuss her brand’s new relaunch, the inspiration behind her work and growing up in the Burdekin.

Tell me a bit about growing up in Clare – where do you think your creativity came from and how do you think that’s helped shape you as a designer?

We had a tiny little mango farm on a beautiful family property that we grew up on. It was amazing, it was the dream childhood!

Growing up in a remote area, there was not always a lot to do, so a lot of my creativity over the years kind of came out of boredom, which I’m so grateful for now. I guess my creativity really was born playing around with my mum. She would always have paints in front of me or coloured pieces of paper to cut out. She really set my creativity and helped me realize that that’s who I was. I was a dancer so she used to sew all my costumes and there were always beads and sequins lying around.

Much to my brother and dad’s dislike, there was always a lot of female chaos in the house!

I think you can also really appreciate the natural environment around the area, there’s so much beauty in it and I think that really filled me creatively. There was a real freedom about growing up there, which was really beautiful.

I’ve noticed that a lot of your work incorporates flowers, is the environment you grew up in something that you think is reflected in your work?

Definitely. I’ve always loved flowers. My grandparents were beautiful flower growers and they would always deliver me the biggest bunches of flowers every week, big beautiful roses out of their garden, they were so amazing! They also had gerberas, they would just give me these massive bunches as we drove past their house.

www.facebook.com/isobelbadin www.isobelbadin.com www.instagram.com/isobelbadin

Every time I work with flowers I’m always reminded of those memories. I guess that’s deeply embedded in me. The flowers are a representation of nature and respecting nature in all its beauty, I try to bring that into the work wherever possible.

You were obviously a very creative child, how did you decide that you wanted to pursue a career in fashion?

When I was a teenager, I started watching this program on the ABC called Masters of Style, and there were about 10 episodes featuring all the pioneering designers of our generation like Valentino, Chanel, Jean Paul Gautier, Givenchy.

And I used to just watch them on repeat, I was just completely mesmerised by it.

Then in the Burdekin, a guy called Henry Petersen held the Fashion Bash which kind of gave a whole group of girls my age an opportunity to design their own garments. At the time it was really cool and really fun, so I entered that and created a piece and that’s sort of where it all began. I just realised that I really loved it and I would stay up all night just beading or sequining pieces.

After finishing your studies in Sydney, how did you feel entering the industry? Did you always want to have your own label?

I was straight out of TAFE and I’d just gone overseas to Madagascar where I was super inspired by my surroundings and had brought back all these unique materials. Then I just bunkered down for a couple of months and launched my first collection from those pieces. I knew that one day I wanted to have a label but I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted it to be like or how I would go about doing it.

Can you tell me a bit more about your first clothing collection that’s coming out soon?

The new apparel line is kind of an evolution from the accessories, so there will definitely be a lot of really artistic elements through the ranges. I just really hope to produce stuff that’s a little more unique and not necessarily offered on the market.

Everything will have a little bit of a twist to it so it’s definitely high end resort but I still hope to make it really contemporary, unique and a little bit artistic.

Everything that I do is about the art rather than having a fashion label, it’s more for me about the artistic side of it than the product or the fashion product.

What have been the biggest lessons you’ve taken away over the years as a businesswoman and as an artist?

I think that over the years I’ve been able to mature and I think for me one of the biggest things I’ve learned through my business is just learning who you are, your point of difference and who you want to be. Also understanding the value of persistence and perseverance, just not giving up.

I reached a point where I realised this is what I want to do and this is what I should be doing and what comes naturally to me. I don’t care what I have to do, I’m gonna pursue it and I’m gonna make it happen.

burdekinlocal.com.au

thursday 24 september 2020

LIFESTYLE 13

Photo: Shannon Lawrence

14 COMMUNITY NEWS

thursday 24 september 2020

Social seen Burdekin Junior Football Finals Saturday 19 September 2020

Burdekin Junior Football’s Under 10-12 Girls celebrated the season

Kristy Hudson and Stacey Lawson

The East Cobras Under 8s during Half Time

The 10-12s East Tigers were ready for their final game of the season

Courtney and Willow Pennisi (3)

Emmitt, Julie, Lawrie, Liz and John Fahey

Jack, Alicia, Xavier and Will Roncato

Lisa Macdonald, Hudson Bradford (5), Kovi and Damon Wilson (1.5)

burdekinlocal.com.au

burdekinlocal.com.au

COMMUNITY NEWS 15

thursday 24 september 2020

Social seen Live at the Grounds Saturday 19 September 2020

Sandra Kelly and Kim Woodall

Allson Spencer and Steve Zeilstra

Ana Mooney (front) with Andrea McDonnell, Linda Mitchelson, Rhonda Boxall and Debra Gosper

Hannah, Kourtney & Darryl Weaver, Corina Bezanson, Sue & Chris Perry, Marisa & Pat McCarthy (front)

Kathryn Hulett and Lisa Nye

Jennie and Walter Fabbro with Ruth and Larry Holman

Keagan Flynn and Brendan Kolb

Lily Horan, Portia Darwen and Kaitlin McCloskey

Irene and Brad Scott

Mika Rowston, Jessica Perks, Jane Wallis, Heidi Hatch and Violet Edwards

16 EDUCATION

thursday 24 september 2020

burdekinlocal.com.au

Local schools embrace the love Hayden Menso hayden.menso@burdekinlocal.com.au

ON FRIDAY September 18, schools of the Burdekin celebrated Laurie’s Love with a School Supporters Day. Coinciding with the final day of term, school students donned their black and red shirts to embrace the local organisation.

Laurie’s Love proprietor Julie Pavone said the day was about learning and dedication.

“It’s great to just have one day dedicated to getting Laurence’s message across through the schools. Laurence always said it was the kids that will see the future of the cure to brain cancer, so if we can start teaching them the key messages the foundation stands for, it will be beneficial for the future.”

With schools across the region taking part, it was an opportunity to not only fundraise, but teach students the importance of contributing to community and how they can have an input.

Students of East Ayr State School took part in practical activities, in and outside the classroom.

Learning about teamwork, kindness and positive

communication, students created ideals to live by in the classroom and foster a happy and safe learning environment.

“The day has given us an opportunity to look at communities – within the classroom and throughout the school as a whole. It’s important students understand that they do have an input into building their community in the future,” Deputy Principal Damien Ricketts said.

“It’s about giving them an authentic experience, with an opportunity to participate together and then debrief on how they went.”

Year One students played games which built on teamwork and communication skills, while Year Five and Six learners created banners with their class core values.

“It’s amazing, because what these kids are learning are the values Laurence stood by,” Julie Pavone said.

Burdekin Catholic High School student Alysse Contzonis said it was a day for the whole school community to come together.

“It’s great where our community comes to show

Burdekin Catholic High School students celebrating Laurie’s love Day on Friday

their support for such a big thing. It’s really good to have everyone involved, with lots of students contributing to fundraising and making it a great day,” Alysse said.

It’s hoped the school’s supporter day will be added into the Queensland curriculum in the future, to allow the event to run across all schools in the state.

East Ayr State School Year 5 students creating their classroom banner

East Ayr School’s Damien Ricketts (Deputy Principal), Julie Pavone (Laurie’s Love) and Chris Wicks (Principal)

Students step into STEM pathways

Sylvia Clarke (QMEA), Shima Tustin (Ayr State High School), Rina Patane (Home Hill State High School) and Lindsey Killer (Evolution Mining) at the Beakers.Bots.Build session.

A HANDS-ON learning experience for learners has brought practical engineering into the classroom.

Year 9 students of Ayr State High School and Home Hill State High School experienced the Beakers.Bots.Build program, run by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) and sponsored by Evolution Mining, on Tuesday September 15.

Learning the importance of teamwork, communication and problem solving, students used Lego robots to create “ore sorting” devices and explore various real-world mining processes.

The sessions had students creating perforated well casings, working with ore robotics and building coal sorters, in an invaluable insight into the sector.

The program gave students an opportunity to gain firsthand advice from those in mining and engineering about the many and varied career paths in the resources sector.

Evolution Mining Health, Safety and Community Manager Mark Brown said the session was aimed at “trying to open students’ eyes to the many possibilities in the resources sector which they may not otherwise have thought about.”

Shima Tustin, Ayr State High School student, said “The experience with cylinder extraction was interesting, to see the changing patterns needed to make the process work.”

The program had students working in teams to problemsolve lifelike mining processes.

“Being able to interact with both schools was great, getting to work in teams and learn new skills,” Home Hill State High School Student Rina Patane said. Hayden Menso

Follow us online facebook.com/burdekinlocal

burdekinlocal.com.au

EDUCATION 17

thursday 24 september 2020

Ayr State High School students and staff participating in their Relay for Life event

Ayr High’s relay powers on RELAY for Life brings communities together to celebrate cancer survivorship, remember loved ones lost and fight back against cancer. It is a fun and moving experience that raises vital funds for Cancer Council’s research, prevention and support services.

Ayr State High School was fortunate to run Relay for Life 2020, in lieu of the Burdekin community event, which was cancelled earlier in the year due to COVID-19. This was a student-driven event with over 30 students on the committee tasked with planning and

preparing the event. On Saturday 12 September, 138 students and staff participated by walking laps of the school oval for six hours, from 3pm to 9pm. The day was similar to the community event, including the carers and survivors first lap, candlelight ceremony and

games and activities. There were many opportunities to fundraise with cupcake sales, lolly jar guesses, free dress day, numbers board and merchandise being sold. Ayr High is proud to have raised $2,566.75 for the Cancer Council and also donated

approximately 100 tins of canned food. This was very much an Ayr High community event with all aspects of the school contributing to its success – well done and thank you!

We also could not have run this event without the support

of the local Burdekin Relay for Life Committee and the Cancer Council NQ Branch. The school would also like to thank the many local businesses who donated equipment, prizes and/or items for Relay for Life.

Courtney Carrigan, Ayr State High School

The class of Home Hill State High School for 2020 celebrating their Trivia Night

Glamour and fun a Senior Year highlight Hayden Menso hayden.menso@burdekinlocal.com.au

IN WHAT has been a tumultuous year for events, our local senior students have no less been affected.

With the cancellation of the 2020 Students’ Ball and other events which usually mark the success and milestone of senior year, students are coming up with their own unique ways to celebrate.

Home Hill State High School Year 12 students held their inaugural Trivia Night on Thursday September 17, an evening of celebration which will be one to remember.

“The Students’ Ball got

cancelled, and it’s been pretty tough this year to celebrate our final year. It’s been hard with assessments, working with ATAR and QCAA and the COVID situation too,” Valedictory committee member Ebony Lennox said.

With a decked-out classroom, food of their choice and glamourous outfits all-round, the evening was more than your average trivia session.

Teams of students participated in rounds of trivia on various themes, including Home Hill students

and teachers, battling it out for many donated prizes from local businesses.

Valedictory member Amy Newton said the event was a highlight of the senior year.

“We’ve really enjoyed the group of seniors, so it’s great to have a free reign night, to do something fun that’s not just schoolwork. It tops off the year.

We get to have our hard efforts paid off,” Amy said.

“The Students’ Ball got cancelled, and it’s been pretty tough this year to celebrate our final year.” Ebony Lennox

Congratulations on the first edition of Burdekin Local News.

BCHS looks forward to supporting this initiative, keeping our community informed and supporting local business.

A DV E R T I S E M E N T

Supporting local has never been better!

burdekinrewards Burdekin Rewards is the loyalty card that rewards you for shopping locally. You can win 10 x $50 per month, plus 4 x $1,000 in December.

Win a share of $9,500 in prizes each year!

burdekingiftcards

BURDEKIN

GIFT CARDS

Burdekin Gift Cards are an extremely popular gift option and a great alternative to large corporate retailer gift cards and online shopping, keeping your money local.

shoptheburdekin

Shop the Burdekin social media campaign and the Burdekin Gift Cards. The Burdekin Gift Cards have been a hugely successful project of the Ayr Chamber of Commerce, injecting over $60,000 back into our local economy in the first eight months.

Small business in the Burdekin is in need of a boost, and the Ayr and Home Hill Chambers of Commerce and the Burdekin Shire Council, are directing their joint efforts to provide this support.

Burdekin Rewards cards can be used at over 140 local businesses.

Burdekin Gift Cards can be redeemed at over 60 local participating businesses. See the Facebook pages for more details.

card and each time they make a purchase at a participating business, they receive one stamp. Shoppers then place the finished card in a barrel at one of the collection points: Helloworld Ayr, Home Hill News, Lucky Black Cat News or Wood’s News.

Each month the ten winners drawn will receive a $50 Burdekin Gift Card*. All tickets will then be retained for the Burdekin Rewards Mega Draw in December for the same year. The Burdekin Rewards Mega Draw in December will consist of four draws of a $1,000 Burdekin Gift Card*.

The Burdekin Rewards loyalty program joins the Ayr Chamber’s other support local initiatives: the

Y

our shopping dollar can now go further with the help of the Burdekin Rewards loyalty program, with $9,500 worth of Burdekin Gift Cards to be won each year!

This month the Ayr and Home Hill Chambers of Commerce, together with support from the Burdekin Shire Council, launched an exciting support local initiative: the Burdekin Rewards loyalty program. The program is designed to reward customers for shopping in the Burdekin, and aims to support local businesses achieve success, by encouraging spending during the present economic climate and beyond.

Local shoppers will be presented with a Burdekin Rewards loyalty

Shop the Burdekin is the Facebook page and Instagram to follow to keep up with all the great shopping that is happening in the Burdekin.

*Terms and Conditions apply. See www.ayrchamber.com for details.

you Bu r sha WIN rde re kin of $ Gif 9,5 tC ard 00 s!

NAME

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1. Shop at a participating retailer (one stamp per transaction) 2. Place your completed card in an entry barrel 3. 10 x $50 Burdekin Gift Cards drawn monthly (except Dec.) 4. 4 x $1,000 Burdekin Gift Cards drawn each December

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*Conditions apply. See www.ayrchamber.com.au for details.

Discover amazing local businesses when you shop in the Burdekin with a Burdekin Gift Card!

Available from:

burdekinlocal.com.au

BUSINESS 19

thursday 24 september 2020

Business milestone a community success TO START a small family business is one thing, but to still be operating 50 years later is quite a feat.

For local Burdekin business Liessmann and Sons, the milestone has been a call for celebration.

Opening the business from their current site in Fourth Street Home Hill in 1970, proprietor Uli Liessmann and his father began a small plumbing and gas service, without a plan to move forward as a business.

“We had no actual business plan or vision, it just grew naturally” Mr Liessmann said. “The building was originally two living quarters that came from Inkerman Mill, which were moved in the early ‘50s to where we are now.”

From starting out in the early days doing small jobs, the business has expanded to meet the needs of the growing community.

“There have been massive changes over the years, from the materials we used in plumbing and gasworks, to safety operations and technology.”

“Once upon a time staff could be up on ladders with 10kg power tools that would swing you around, something you definitely can’t do now. Today we have battery-operated tools you can take anywhere.”

For the Liessmanns, the community is first of mind, and there’s no job too big or small. “We’ve worked on sites including the Memorial Hall, Home Hill Hospital, local aged care homes and work for many government agencies, plus all small residential jobs. We can do it all. People may not know but we also travel a bit, out to Dalbeg, areas down south and even up to the Gulf.”

The business has naturally adapted to the changes in society too.

Hayden Menso hayden.menso@burdekinlocal.com.au “Gas was always a big service for us, but in the last 20 years particularly, it’s taken off. There’s a huge demand now with gas ovens, barbeques and businesses operating with gas. Now we are selling 1500 cylinders a month.”

“We were also the first business in the Burdekin to have a vacuum truck, which was used for septic services, and to service farm pumps” Mr Liessmann said.

Mr Liessmann attributes the success of the business to the support of its customers. A devotee to the local community, Uli also puts it down to the local employees being the lifeblood of the business.

“We’re proud to employ local people, and currently have thirteen staff, two of which are apprentices. We’ve always had apprentices and have been able to train them up for their careers.”

Celebrating 50 years of business are Uli, Wolfi and Rainer Liessmann

Supermarket Team Celebrates Award Produce Manager of the Year in our region THE BURDEKIN’S Woolworths store in Ayr has won Produce Manager of the Year in its zone in North Queensland.

The title, awarded to Tracy Cazzulino, was chosen from 52 stores across her Queensland zone.

Tracy, who has been the produce manager at the store for almost 7 years, said it was an honour to be recognised.

“A lot of effort goes into what we do, to

make sure we do a great job for the store and the community” Ms Cazzulino said.

She was one of the four finalists from across the state to receive the recognition.

“We have a great team with great support, especially for a success like this. Many of the staff have been with us for a long time, so there’s a lot of service between us. It makes a difference in the job we do.” Hayden Menso

FROM LEFT: Woolworths Ayr Produce Team Members Maryann Vasta, Angela de la Riva, Manager Tracy Cazzulino and Marie Great

ADVERTORIAL

Maria McCoy, Sandy Urzaa and Vicki Richards

Save cents p

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OFF PUM FUEL AN P PRICE FOR DD CURREN IESEL TO TR MEMBER ACQ S!

PUMA Ayr is now open to serve you Locally owned and operated by Sandy and Santina Urzaa and managed by Maria McCoy, the new Puma Ayr service station and convenience store is now open on Edwards Street, Ayr. Sandy and Santina owned the original for over 15 years before investing in an expansion of the existing building to create a convenient location with much to offer locals and travellers alike. Ayr’s newest service station is a handy stop for all of your everyday needs.

The redeveloped shop hosts a wide range of convenience items, including milk; drinks; phone charge; newspapers; snacks; sweet treats, plus automotive essentials and accessories.

There is always a great range of weekly specials and monthly promotional items to tempt you.

With their drink and quickstop food offerings, Puma Ayr is the perfect spot to grab a hot coffee and a bite to eat while you fill up.

And as an added improvement, the new Puma Ayr also has onsite toilet facilities.

Puma offers competitive pricing on petrol and diesel, ensuring a convenient and comfortable one-stop-shop for all your needs.

Call in today and experience the new Puma Ayr for yourself!

Sandy and Santina Urzaa with Maria McCoy

THIS MONTH’S CHEEKY TUESDAY SPECIAL! Hurry! Only

FOUR’N’TWENTY TRAVELLER PIE $2.50 PUMA Ayr 115 Edward Street, Ayr Corner Edward and Wllmington Sts Phone 4783 5468 Open 6.00am–6.30pm Monday–Friday

6.00am–6.00pm Saturday

7.00am–5.00pm Sunday

Go with the Award-Winning Team After only 12 months of operation, Raine and Horne Ayr faired very well at the recent Raine and Horne National Awards. For the first time run as a virtual awards night, Awards host Vince Sorrenti kept all those who logged in amused and entertained.

On the night Raine and Horne Ayr received 2 major awards: • Principal Nora Andersen was ranked Number 3 Nationally for the number of sales by a selling principal. Nora continues to provide a quality of customer service that contributes to the volume of sales on a year by year basis.

• Raine and Horne Ayr were also awarded the Number 2 Rural Office in Australia. The Residential Sales team of Nora and Carla together with the Rural team of Matt and Cass are the contributing factors to this award. Our sales for the year have been amazing and this award is a testament to the continued commitment by all of our Sales team.

Of course the sales don’t happen unless we also have first class administration and back office support. A big thanks to Kristen our Sales PA for your continued efforts. Our Property Management team also added to our success as an office. The team, led by Kelly, continues to achieve above average results thanks to Barb and Sharesse (Property Managers), with Julie-ann, Franka and Chantelle who are our reception, administration and back office support.

Last but not least, a big thanks to all of our valued clients who continue to support our business. Let’s hope the next 12 months continue in the same manner.

Regards Peter Andersen Principal

Raine & Horne Ayr 4783 5695 128C Edwards Street, Ayr raineandhorne.com.au/ayr

Ayr t

burdekinlocal.com.au

REAL ESTATE 21

thursday 24 september 2020

House of the week

5 2

bed bath

3

car

15 Old Home Hill Road Ayr $469,000

Simply Stunning…

No words can truly begin to describe or do justice to this magnificent, immaculately presented family home. Bragging accents of timber, VJ walls and cool high ceilings this impressive 5 bedroom glorious Queenslander has so much love and memories to give to its new forever family. Offering a fully airconditioned layout with-in. From bedrooms to kitchen to living and dining spaces, no room inside will disappoint.

All 5 bedrooms offer space, built-ins with 3 carpeted and the others showcasing cool timber floors. Master bedroom also has a delightful bay window seat with storage to use.

An inviting open plan kitchen, dining and lounge area with loads of space with a second downstairs rumpus room ideal for the kids or when visitors arrive. There are family bathroom amenities both upstairs and downstairs and internal laundry to complete.

An impressive fully screened and fanned entertaining and barbecue area is nothing short of amazing. Entertain the largest of crowds for any occasion or enjoy watching the footy with your “Crew”.

What’s equally impressive is the lush 2,264m2 yard with manicured gardens, shady palms and an assortment of fruit trees with backyard fenced for peace of mind. There is a pump and bore to keep it all green and all is under full irrigation. Parking is no issue as there are 3 bays, 2 open and one being enclosed with an extra boat / trailer pad behind for hubby.

The grand finale is the 5kw Solar in place to keep those pesky ERGON bills to a minimum.

The features and extras in this beautiful family home are endless and this is truly a home that needs to be seen to be fully appreciated.

Call to view one of the best decisions you will make this year!

Agent: Carla Healy 0477 006 880

OPEN HOMES FOR INSPECTION Raine & Horne Ayr Saturday 26 September 10.00–10.30am 10.00–10.30am 10.45–11.15am 11.00–11.30am

11 Paine Street Ayr 4 Bed 13 Catherine Street Ayr 3 Bed 33 Beach Road Ayr 3 Bed 47 Bowling Green Street Brandon 3 Bed

2 Bath 1 Bath 1 Bath 1 Bath

2 Car 4 Car 4 Car 4 Car

$449,000 Neg $285,000 Neg $239,000 Neg $209,000 Neg

22 ON THE LAND

thursday 24 september 2020

burdekinlocal.com.au

Photography competition celebrates regional women around Australia Marina Trajkovich marina.trajkovich@burdekinlocal.com.au

This International Rural Women’s Day, female photographers from regional Australia are invited to submit portraits of the local women in their communities, in a show of appreciation that celebrates the countries diversity.

FEMALE photographers around the Burdekin and regional Australia have been invited to submit their finest portraits, capturing the lives, achievements and personalities of the local women they admire, for International Rural Women’s Day on the 15th of October.

The competition, created by the National Rural Women’s Coalition, aims to celebrate the wonderful women throughout regional and remote Australia, showing support and thanking them for their contributions within their communities.

The NRWC invites portraits that capture the diversity of the country, from local heroes to women working in education, agriculture, health, politics, trade, retail, or the care economy.

Kayla Burrows is a local photographer and mother of two who has started thinking about her portrait and the

Giru photographer Rebecca Lintz

women in the community who inspire her.

“We had a neighbour who is a child care worker and she just illuminates care for other people and children.

My son is in year 1 and during the lockdown, she sent over little educational things and activities for him to do,” she says.

“I think it’s quite often we see the women at the top of their field or making breakthroughs but there are so many people behind them doing amazing things behind closed doors that we don’t see a lot.”

Another passionate photographer excited to

enter the competition is Rebecca Lintz from Giru of the Burdekin.

“To showcase the women in the Burdekin is a really good thing, it’s a small community, the women here do a lot of work and it’s just a different kind of lifestyle. I would love to enter and to have a photo that shows that. Something to show how the women live here and what they do, what they can do.

Portrait submissions close on the 14th of October, with images to be shared the next day on the organization’s social media pages. Eight winners will be selected to win a hundred dollars prize money.

Weekly production figures Burdekin region mills Week 15, ending 19 September 2020 Cane crushed Invicta Pioneer Kalamia Inkerman Burdekin

This week

CCS Invicta Pioneer Kalamia Inkerman Burdekin

151,947 85,892 77,363 84,298 399,500

Season to date

15.32 15.84 15.29 15.63 15.49

Weekly variety performance for region Variety % CCS Variety KQ228 32 15.30 MXD Q183 30 15.82 Q253 Q208 19 15.16 Q232 16 14.93

Burdekin photographer, Kayla Burrows of Love Lights Photography

Photo by Rebecca Lintz Photography

1,962,854 888,566 904,477 955,123 4,711,020 13.97 14.47 14.03 14.28 14.14 % 1 1

CCS 15.10 15.27

Comments: Close to 400,000 tonnes of cane was processed for the week, which was above budget.

Invicta Mill had a scheduled B-side clean. There were unscheduled stops at each of the other three mills, but factory performance outside these stops was good.

Average weekly CCS increased again to 15.49 units which is above budget for the week. Season to date CCS crept up to 14.14 units.

The highest CCS sample was 18.70 from a rake of Q183 plant cane in the Inkerman area.

With the commencement of school holidays, parents and carers are asked to remind children of the dangers associated with cane trains.

Children should stay well away from the tracks, points, locos and cane bins.

People travelling for the school holidays are reminded to ‘Use your train brain’ and always give way to cane trains.

John Tait Cane Supply Manager Burdekin Region

Ruby, photographed by Kayla Burrows of Love Lights Photography

burdekinlocal.com.au

ON THE LAND 23

thursday 24 september 2020

Automated irrigation saves time and money BURDEKIN grower Heath Salter has hailed the “life changing” benefits gained from installing an automated irrigation system on his parents’ Mulgrave Road farm in Clare.

Thanks to the smartphonecontrolled system, Heath said he no longer needed to spend hours travelling back and forth from his home in Ayr to water the property, or getting up at night to manually change sets and check pumps.

“It’s changed everything – how we use water and manage our time,” Mr Salter said.

“I used to have to drive around the farm two or three times to check whether the water had reached the bottom end, but now I can water most of the farm without even having to go out there.

“I’ve got my weekends back and have more time with my family. My wife and I have just bought a farm in Ayr, which is something I wouldn’t have previously considered due to lack of time. I’m already thinking about how we can automate it to make our lives easier,” he said.

And there are financial benefits too – with latest results demonstrating automation lowered the annual cost of

production on the farm by $162/ha, with a return on investment of 25 per cent, and a simple payback of four years based on the total investment.

In 2018, NQ Dry Tropics supported the Salters to upgrade their manuallyoperated furrow irrigation system, through a Reef Alliance Project Water Quality Innovations Grant, funded by the Australian Government’s Reef Trust Program.

NQ Dry Tropics Sugar Team Leader Luke Malan said the Salters, together with growers on six other lower Burdekin farms, had received grants totalling $660,000 to implement innovative solutions to improve irrigation efficiency, across a combined total of 584 hectares.

He said the participating growers had co-contributed more than $280,000, and a recent report on five of the projects – commissioned by NQ Dry Tropics and produced

by AgriTech Solutions – had highlighted excellent results.

“Across the five farms assessed the growers saved a combined total of more than $82,376 per year in reduced production costs, with a water saving of 2,090 megalitres per year,” Mr Malan said.

Burdekin Canefarmers Heath and Don Salter with Sugar Team Leader Luke Malan

“The Salters demonstrated great results on their farm, shortening the duration of their irrigation by more than 50 per cent, which equates to nearly 11 hours per irrigation event.

“They used far less water, with reductions of 3.2 megalitres per hectare – equivalent to 652 megalitres over the 203 hectare farm, which is now entirely automated.

“And electricity costs came down too, with pump energy usage reduced by 224 kW.h/ per hectare,” Mr Malan said.

Mr Salter said increasing irrigation efficiency on the farm had not only improved productivity and profitability, but delivered environmental benefits too.

“The amount of runoff

into our recycle systems has dramatically decreased, and that reduces levels of nutrient and sediment runoff to the reef,” Mr Salter said.

“And we’re also reducing deep drainage because we’re running our irrigation at a higher flow rate but for a shorter period,” he said.

Mr Salter said his dad Don

had first suggested checking out an automated system on a nearby farm – and once they decided to follow suit, NQ Dry Tropics supported them every step of the way: “NQ Dry Tropics has been amazing, from helping with the initial grant application, to providing ongoing support throughout the process,” he said.

“The hardest part of the installation was trenching the cable underground, but nowadays you don’t even need to do that anymore.

“I’d recommend to other farmers to definitely give automation a go. It’s a nobrainer and it will change your life,” he said.

Congratulations!

Burdekin canefarmer Heath Salter on the farm

CANEGROWERS Burdekin Ltd would like to thank Scott and Stacey Morrison and the team at Burdekin LocalNews for taking the initiative and making the leap of faith to provide a local newspaper for the benefit of the Burdekin community.

Wishing you all the best of success!

CANEGROWERS Burdekin 141 Young St, Ayr Ph 4790 3600 www.canegrowersburdekin.com.au Heath and Don Salter near the system intake with a floating drum filter

24 ENVIRONMENT

thursday 24 september 2020

burdekinlocal.com.au

LNP adopting AgForce’s landscape management policy a win for agriculture THE DECISION by the LNP to adopt AgForce’s landscape management policy in close to its entirety is a win for environmentally sustainable agriculture and AgForce’s progressive approach.

AgForce CEO Michael Guerin said that for years AgForce has been advocating a policy of landscape restoration, not broadacre clearing, and that the LNP’s commitment to deliver fair and balanced landscape laws acknowledged this.

“We wholeheartedly welcome the announcement by the LNP that they will essentially adopt our entire landscape management policy if they are elected to government in October,” Mr Guerin said.

“Landscape management does not mean facilitating a return to the wholesale land clearing of the past. No one

wants to see that, especially not the landholders who intrinsically care about the land because it’s their workplace and often their home.

“What landholders have been seeking to do is to maintain a healthy balance between trees and grass.

Management of the land and control of regrowth is what vegetation needs to be healthy and to regenerate.

“Current laws locking up land and preventing active management cause vegetation to thicken rapidly, often choking healthy ecosystems.

“Thinning ‘feral landscapes’ allows for effective weed control, minimises the risk of pest animals, and reduces overgrown vegetation that can become a severe fire risk. We have seen the devastating results of that in action.

Mr Guerin said that

Precinct opens to scale local business to global success

Resources and networking opportunities to support local businesses NORTH Queensland is on the cusp of becoming a breeding ground for entrepreneurs and start-ups scaling to global heights, with the opening of a dedicated precinct to support and attract high growth businesses based in North Queensland.

Smart Precinct NQ (SPNQ) Managing Director, Matt Steine, says the not for profit organisation offers a range of resources and networking opportunities to support local businesses to be nationally and globally competitive.

“We are bringing together the incredible talents in Townsville to support each other and new businesses,” said Mr Steine.

“Our goal is to make Townsville the best regional city in Australia to base a high growth business.

“With Australia’s largest defence base, world class universities, plans for a hydrogen fuelled economy, agriculture, minerals processing and a deep water port, Townsville is uniquely placed to support the development and deployment of technology that will continue to transform these industries over the next decade.”

Townsville City Council has contributed up to $1.5 million in cash and in-kind support to Smart Precinct NQ, and the Queensland Department of State Development, Innovation and Tourism has committed $500,000 in grant funding over two years.

“The investment from both local and state government represents the belief that they have, and we share, that the most important thing we can do to strengthen our local economy is unlock the potential of local talent and businesses,” said Mr Steine.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said Smart Precinct NQ is a key initiative that will drive entrepreneurship and innovation in the city.

“Smart Precinct NQ is a key pillar of Council’s Smart City Strategy which was developed through the Townsville City Deal,” Cr Hill said.

“This precinct will play a crucial role in supporting entrepreneurship and innovation within the region and will encourage economic growth as we recover from COVID-19 and at a time where businesses most need it.

“This precinct will nurture the innovators of our community as they build on their ideas and collaborate with like-minded people while encouraging new businesses and industries to settle in Townsville.”

The NQ Smart Precinct operates from Townsville, and covers the Burdekin in its operations.

Smart Precinct NQ is located at 143 Walker Street, adjacent to the Townsville City Council. Entrepreneurs wishing to connect with SPNQ can find more information at www.spnq.org.

AgForce had received very favourable support to its policy position on landscape management from the minor parties, including in recent meetings with the Greens, One Nation, and Katter’s Australian Party, and that they would welcome the same level of support from Labor.

“We are very keen to discuss landscape management with the State Government,” Mr Guerin said.

“We need a bipartisan approach to this issue – a practical, balanced approach that gives landholders certainty that they can manage their land regardless of who is in power.

“That basic principal has never been more vital with the issue of food security at the forefront of many peoples’ minds during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Queensland’s current laws limit what farmers can and can’t do on their own land with harsh penalties for non-compliance, which does nothing to support innovation and good management.

Mr Guerin did suggest there was one area the LNP could look to invest further effort in – that of Natural Capital.

“Farmers manage for the long term, beyond the normal cycle of elections, which in recent years have driven the major amendments to tree clearing laws,” Mr Guerin said.

OCEAN PLASTIC RETURNING TO AUSSIE COASTLINES NORTH Queensland is on the cusp of becoming a breeding ground for entrepreneurs and start-ups scaling to global heights, with the opening of a dedicated precinct to support and attract high growth businesses based in North Queensland.

Plastic waste in the ocean is making its way back to land and increasing pollution on Australia’s beaches, according to new research from CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency.

It explains why estimates of waste entering the ocean each year are 100 times

larger than the amount of plastic observed floating on the surface, and suggests waste management strategies on land need to accommodate larger volumes of pollution than previously estimated.

Dr Denise Hardesty is a Principal Research Scientist with CSIRO, working to solve the plastic pollution crisis by reducing unmanaged plastic leaking into the environment.

“We collected data on the amount and location of plastic pollution every 100 kilometres around the entire coast of Australia between 2011 and 2016,” Dr

Hardesty said.

“The highest concentrations of marine debris were found along the coastal backshores, where the vegetation begins.”

Arianna Olivelli from Utrecht University, who led the analysis, said these findings indicate that coasts are a major sink for marine debris, particularly for larger debris items.

“The debris recorded along the coasts was found to be a mix of littering and deposition from the ocean,” Ms Olivelli said.

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CLASSIFIEDS Jobs

Tributes Deaths

In Memorial

STANLEY, BETTY

LATE OF AYR FORMERLY OF BRANDON Passed away peacefully on 19th September, 2020 aged 93 years.

Beloved wife of Herb (deceased), much loved mother and mother-in-law of Wayne and Judy, Leigh and Steve Elmazis, loving grandmother and great-grandmother of their families.

Due to current gathering restrictions a family service will be held.

K&S WRIGHT FUNERAL DIRECTORS 40 FOURTEENTH STREET HOME HILL PHONE 4782 1270

Bery Sheehan (nee Lingard) 03.08.1926 – 23.09.2019. Your presence we miss. Your memory we treasure.

Graeme, Helen and Family.

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Notices POSITION VACANT

Application information can be found by following the link below and then clicking on the School Technical Officer Position folder: https://ayrshs.eq.edu.au/support-and-resources/ forms-and-documents/documents

Ayr State High School

200924ASH13

Edwards Street, Ayr Phone 4790 4333 PO Box 961, AYR Qld 4807 Email admin@ayrshs.eq.edu.au Website: www.ayrshs.eq.edu.au

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Annual General Meeting 7.30pm Thursday 8 October 2020 VMR Base Ayr Dalbeg Road (Behind United Service Station)

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26 SPORT RESULTS

thursday 24 september 2020

Lawn Bowls

Ayr Golf Club

Results 19-9-20 Wednesday Social; Winners L.Stidston and G. Nixon def T. Eadie and D. Poli, Second place; A. Cornford, L. Oats and M. Chapman def T. Feakes, B. Young and G. Rennie, Other games K. Rayner, B. Packard and S. Darwen def R. Soper, A. Jones and A. Gavuin, H. Hazle, B. Smith, R.Wall, B. Murison and J. Papale def C. Olditch, K Rummeny and J. McDonald, D. Defranciscis and G. Cameron def M. Olsen and J. Murray.

Bill Godwin’s Memorial Day was played on Saturday 19th September, sponsored by his wife Betty Godwin. Winners were A. Cornford, B. Cornford and D. Soper def K Rayner, J. Edwards and G. Brickhill.

Second place; R. Soper, A. Jones and V. Edwards def C. Olditch, S. Catbalaino and J. Hall. Third place; Tom Gough, B.Young and T. Heard def M. Olsen, E, Young and J. Berisford. Other games H. Hazle, T. Feakes and J. Murray def T. Klopper, G. Nixon and S. Darwen, L. Stidston, J. Papale and M. Nixon def D. Cutting, M. Chapman and B. Murison.

Competition played on 20th September, Mixed Pairs K. O’Sulivan and T. Wicks def B. Smith and S. Darwen. R. Soper and B. Cornford def H. Montgomery and R. Moore.

Triples; G. Pearse, S. Catbalaino and J. Murray def L. Stidston, J. Papale and M. Olsen

Wednesday Ladies Results In very windy conditions last Wednesday the ladies played a Four Ball Stableford event sponsored by Delta Electrix many thanks again Joe, the Overall Winners were Wendy Baker and Rhonda O’Brien second was Cheryl Olsen and Bev Andrews, and third Patricia Lawson & Debbie Searle other place getters were fourth Kerry Mann& Patricia Schlieff and sixth Janet Trezise and Loretta Mauro.

Thursday Club Results We all know we have a champion golf family in Ayr and on Thursday Rob Webb proved this right by winning our Thursday club event with a great score of twenty five points second was the old dog catcher Doug Power on twenty four points and in third was Johnathon Lewis with twenty three points.

Nearest to the pins 8a Neale Mahoney, 8b Gerry Mc Manus, 9a Owen Baure, 9b Shaun Mc Shane, 12a Johnathon Lewis , 12b Murry Gibbs, 18a Callan oar, 18b Barry Leard.

Other Winners were the meat tray Ben Smith and the carton Alana Shoobert.

Friday Veterans Results Friday winners were in the ladies was Janet Trezise on twenty points then we had a count back with two ladies on eighteen points and it was Loretta Mauro second and Mavis Carvolth third, the men’s event was won by Les Shoobert on eighteen points second Les Anderen on fifteen points.

Ayr Ladies Golf Club Another Wednesday - another golf day. Todays 4BBB was proudly sponsored by long time sponsor Delta Electrix.

Its always a fun day when you get to play with a partner. The wind once again was fierce, but the amazing scores by our winners did not indicate how difficult the conditions were.

Some of these ladies are in great form having great scores on a regular basis.

Congratulations to our winning duo Rhonda O’Brien and Wendy Baker with 45 stableford points winning on a count back over Bev Andrews and Cheryl Olsen and with another great score Pat Lawson and Debbie Searle had 43 pts coming in 3rd.

Burdekin Clay Target Club The Burdekin Clay Target Club held the August Monthly Shoot on Sunday 9th. There was a good field of 40 competitors.

First on the program was a 25 target Double Barrel Sweeps event. The winners in AA Grade were Ron Clive, Brad Farry, Cody Scalia, Bruce Murphy, Glen Rea, Ron Gough, Lui Populin, Joe Sebastiani (Snr) and Aaron Lemphers who all shot 25/25. In A Grade Peter Lejarraga was the only one to shoot 25/25 with Jodie Towning taking out second with 24/25.

In B Grade, Josh DelleBaite & Pedro LeBlowitz shared the cash after shooting 24/25.

John Cerqui was the best of the C Grader with 23/25 with Rob Mikkelsen second on 22/25.

Event Two was a 25T Single Barrel 15m Patrons Trophy sponsored by Lui Populin. The winner in AA Grade went to Ron Gough with 35/36 after a shoot off. Ben Beazley took out second with 34/36. In A Grade, Matt Carty took out first with 24/25 and Lindsay Groat shot off before claiming second place with 29/31.

Pedro LeBlowitz and Aaron Papale had to shoot off in B Grade to determine the winner with Pedro taking out the title with 24/27 leaving Aaron to take second place with 23/27.

The winner of the C Grade section was John Cerqui with 22/25 from Ian Connell on 21/25.

The Third Event on the day was the President’s Trophy sponsored by Wayne Cislowski, which was a 25 target Handicap event. First place went to Aaron Papale with the only possible 25/25 shot in the event. Three competitors went out for a shoot off for the minor places with Ben Beazley taking out second place with 48/50 from Aaron Lemphers third on 47/50.

There was a 15 pair Double Rise sweeps event next on the program with AA Grade cash being shared by Cody Scalia and Bruce Murphy on 30/30 with Brendan Schonenberg taking the crumbs on 29/30.

Lindsay Groat was the best of the A Graders with 26/30, followed by Jodie Towning on 25/30. B Grade saw the inform Aaron Papale taking first with 28/30 with the next best going to Pedro LeBlowitz on 25/30.

The best of the C Graders was Ian Connell with 24/30 with John Cerqui close behind on 23/30.

The final event of the day was a 20 pair Deauville Doubles Championship sponsored by Matthew and Grant Cox, with the overall winner going to Ben Beazley and Owen Ferguson on 68/68 and second place going to Ron Gough and Bruce Murphy on 67/68.

BURDEKIN NIGHT SOCCER Draw 29.09.20 TIME 6.30 pm

7.00 pm

7.30 pm

8.00 pm

8.30 pm

FIELD TEAM

TEAM

burdekinlocal.com.au

Winners of the Bill Godwin Memorial Day: D. Soper, B. Cornford, A. Cornford with B. Godwin (Sponsor)

FROM LEFT: Rhonda O’Brien, Wendy Baker, Cheryl Olsen, Bev Andrews, Pat Lawson and Debbie Searle

Ayr Ladies Bowls Club Tuesday afternoon social bowls was slightly down on numbers but all participants enjoyed the afternoon. The winners were Val Edwards, Isabel Cislowski

and Pam Power who defeated Jill Beresford, Karen Page and Irene Wilson.In the other game Jan Ruff, Beryl Cornford, Pat Herd and Thele Klopper defeated Carolyn Jones, Jill Edwards, Donna Soper and Dot Cutting.

Last week’s Competition Results Championship Pairs: M. Nixon/D. Cutting def (sub) P. Herd/T. Klopper Championship Triples: B. Cornford, D. Lindridge and Irene Wilson def H. Jorgensen, J. Comollatti and M. Poli

AYR SURF LIFE SAVING BEACH PATROL Roster DATE

TIME

Saturday 26.09.20

1.00pm to 5.00pm

Rory Archibald, Adrianna Higgs–Ward, Danica Archibald, Sharlie Archibald, Flynn Vivian, Mia Vivian, Lisa Vivian

Sunday 27.09.20

9.00am to 1.00pm

John Moloney, Anne Moloney, Tony Felesina, Isabella Moloney, Jane Jones

1.00pm to 5.00pm

Tramayne Horan, Lisa Furnell, Heather Scott, John Furnell, Anita Giddy, Cameron Giddy, Jones Munro, Hayden Munro, Jock Castrejana

BURDEKIN NETBALL Draw 24.09.20 TIME 4.00pm

CRT TEAMS

Umpires/Scorers/Res Um

1

Weirdos v white Lightning

Cara Trindle, Hanna Wilkie

2

Picklejuice v Terminators

Jess Cox, Aaliyah Gibson

1

Red v Skrt Skrt

Cara Trindle, Shae Munro

1

DL Lager

v

ZDS

2

CRT Local Blokes

v

BCC

3

UDS Ladies (L)

v

Smiling Assassins (L)

2

Bubblicious v Gazelles

Sheree McKaig, Shalon Gibson

1

Fair Call

v

Real Power

3

Alicia Butterworth, Di Armstrong

2

The Outsiders (L)

v

Shin Kickers (L)

Sweaty Bettys v And I Hoop

3

Honeycombes Hornets

v

Ryan’s Lot

1

The Birds v Pizzazz

Kristen Patterson, Amy Butterworth

4

Tight Nuts

v

Here for a Beer

1

Goal Diggers (L)

v

Just for Kicks (L)

2

Burdekin Floor Coverings

v

Shoot Your Shot

3

Young Guns (L)

v

Kicken Goals (L)

4

Kalamia Hote

v

Free Ballers

1

FUBC

v

Team Kettle

2

Kick N Miss (L)

v

Hangovers (L)

3

Oary’s Levellers

v

TWS

4

FJV

v

Jessi’s Boys

1

Hallerwealth Old Grumpies

v

Coke Cans

2

Mottin Earthmoving

v

Curtis Clowns

3

Amigos (L)

v

Ankle Tappers (L)

4

UDS

v

Wires Down

5.30pm

7.00pm

Scorers – NQIB 2

Sugar Plums v Tin Cans

Ash Fowler, Alicia Butterworth Scorers – Strikers

3

Scrambled Legs v Yung Wungz

Glenys Brotto, Sheree McKaig Scorers – LBC Reserve Umpires – Ash Dwyer, Shalon Gibson

8.15pm

1

LBC v NQIB

Glenys Brotto, Sarah Butterworth Scorers – The Birds

2

Strikers v 50 Shades

Christy Pensini, Cailin Betteridge Scorers – Sugar Plums Reserve Umpires – Cara Trindle, Kathryn Sartori

burdekinlocal.com.au

SPORT 27

thursday 24 september 2020

Racing on track in Home Hill David Jackson THE BURDEKIN RACE CLUB is on track for a bumper Derby Day Race meeting on Saturday, October 31 following the success of additional race meetings approved for the club over recent months, including the latest six-race program conducted on Saturday, September 12.

The Club was granted extra race days by Racing Queensland following the loss of several meetings earlier in the year because of wet weather and with the support of owners and trainers from throughout northern Queensland, those meetings have been successful with several increased to six races as exceptional nominations resulted in events being split into two.

That was the case at the September meeting, as one

of the feature events – the Bill “Cody” Prizeman Memorial over 1150 metres - was split in two, adding to the excellent racing provided for the many patrons on course for the race day despite the COVID-19 restrictions that were in place.

The splitting of the feature race also proved to be a bonus for jockey Chelsea Jokic, who was successful in riding the winners of both races – QTIS Benchmark 55 Handicaps over 1180 metres – the John Manzelmann trained Rockethead ($7) in Race Two and the Nippy Seymour trained Nuclear Boom ($10) in race three.

The race day crowd was treated to an excellent program of racing, with most races featuring tight finishes for the placings.

With the Spring Racing Carnival commencing in the southern states, the Burdekin Club will conduct its next

meeting on Saturday, October 31, which is also the day of the State Election, which should add to another strong crowd of racing supporters.

One of the feature events on the day’s racing will be the Justin Scott Memorial, to be run over the Burdekin Cup journey of 1830 metres with increased prize money of $10,000.

The program will also feature heats of the Country Cups Challenge and the Country Sprint Series, which the Burdekin Club has been included in this year.

Past Derby Day race programs have attracted excellent nominations, while the Fashions on the Field have also added to the entertainment on the day.

Hopefully, a lessening of the COVID-19 restrictions could also help to draw an even stronger crowd for both the racing and the fashions.

Rockethead Trainer John Manzelmann and Merle Prizeman (right), presenting the framed portrait of champion jockey, Darby McCarthy to Winning Jockey Chelsea Jokic (left)

Kicking goals all round 2020 has been a year to remember as COVID did its best to derail the Burdekin Junior Football season (and everyone else’s) but thanks to our sponsors, the committee members, parents and most importantly the players we have been able to enjoy a socially distanced season.

Once the games got underway we enjoyed a fairly typical season with players Thele Klopper, Ayr Bowls Club Championship Singles 2020 Winner

from u5-12 all making the most of the shortened season. It has been amazing to see all of the players training & playing with massive smiles on their face enjoying their football. Plans are already underway for next year, which (hopefully) is back to normal and we hope to see many returning and new players.

Leighton Gallagher Club President

Burdekin Junior Football players enjoying a return to playing

Football Matters Cyclops

The Burdekin Panthers had seven matches over the weekend winning four and losing three. In the Junior competition one match was won and the other drawn.

HOME V AWAY

LADIES STILL RANK HIGH

NIGHT PRIME

The Reserve Women lost 4-0 to ladder leaders Ingham on Friday night in Townsville. Burdekin was outplayed in the first half and trailed 3-0 at the break. In the second half the Burdekin put in a much better performance and kept Ingham to just one goal.

The 42nd Season of Delta cleaners Night Soccer kicked off on Tuesday 22 September and the Masters Annual Charity Match between Blue Balls and Rainbows will take place on Friday 9 October.

with

On Friday night in Townsville the Funkies beat Estates 7-0. The Youths defeated Ingham 4-1 but the Reserve Women lost 0-4 to Ingham.

On Saturday at home to Brothers the Premiers lost 0-1, the Premier Women lost 0-2 but the Reserves won 3-1. In addition the U13s drew 1-1 with Olympic but the U15s beat Brothers White 2-1.

DEFENDERS

The Kalamia Hotel Premiers played Brothers in a very even game. There were not many clear chances but the Burdekin defence coped well with Brothers early dominance and were unlucky to concede an own goal midway through the first half. The Panthers started to play better after this setback and created chances down the right flank, in particular Dylan Meinicke combining with Louis Zabala and Josh Valle to get in behind the Brothers defence. It was from these raids that half chances fell to the Dal Santo boys with shots just going wide at the far post.

In the second half the Panthers started well putting pressure on the Brothers defence and pressing for the equaliser but after Elliott Dal Santo went close before an odd refereeing decision saw Zabala shown a second yellow card.

The Panthers continued to push for the equalizer and even with ten men showed enough to suggest a goal was coming, but to no avail. A great effort from all players in a 1-0 loss.

RESERVES The Burdekin Tyre Service Reserves got off to a very good start against Brothers and were two goals up after nineteen minutes with Adrian Saunders scoring twice.

In the second half Luke Torkington added a third goal but Brothers soon pulled one back and the rest of the half was a fairly equal tussle.

Burdekin stay in second place on the ladder.

PERFECT WIN The Austral Masonry Funkies away to Estates on Friday night needed to win to secure their position in the top four. Estates started strongly but Burdekin scored in the 7th minute through Adam Perakovic. Ten minutes later the Funkies doubled their lead with a goal from Casper Licciardello. Licciardello was on the scoresheet again a minute later to give the Burdekin a comfortable 3-0 half time lead. Burdekin started the second half well and were awarded a penalty after three minutes which was converted by Adam Perakovic. Zac Park then scored a double in the space of four minutes and Luke Cathcart finished off the scoring for a 7-0 win to the Funkies. Next Friday Burdekin are in Townsville against Wulguru.

The Funkies were due to play Brothers at home on Sunday but Brothers forfeited giving the Funkies a 3-0 win.

BROTHERS BREAK THROUGH The Kalamia Hotel Ladies, up against competition leaders Brothers, played very well.

For most of the first half they kept the Brothers attack under control until conceding two goals late in the half. After the break Burdekin continued to defend and prevented Brothers from adding to their score but, were unable to break through the Townsville teams defence and the match ended at 2-0 to Brothers.

Kya Quagliata had a very good game and Angela Cabassi, in goal, made numerous saves.

The Ladies remain in the top 4 and host Wulguru this Friday night.

YOUNG GUNS Coming off the back of consecutive wins the Young Panthers were high in confidence and keen to continue their form coming up against rivals Ingham.

After a slow start the boys got going with Oliver Gabiola and Ben Ruskin combining down the right wing before a perfect cross which Dylan headed home.

The boys began to dictate the game and 10 minutes before the break Jack Gimson scored to make it 2-0 at half time. In the second half Ingham stayed in the game but a 25 yard strike from Dylan Meinicke and a Daniel Wilson goal made it 4-0 before Ingham scored with the last kick of the match.

JUNIORS SCORING The U15s met Brothers White in a top of the table clash and won 2-1 with two goals from Blake Walker. The Under13s drew 1-1 against MA Olympic after leading 1-0 at half time.

Nate Di Bartolo scored the goal.

THIS WEEK’S FOOTBALL QUOTE The Quote of the Week this week is from Sam Allardyce, ex England, West Ham and Newcastle manager “The only decisions I’m making at the moment are whether I have tea, coffee, toast or cornflakes in the morning.”

(After being sacked by Newcastle)

28 COMMUNITY NEWS

LocalSport

thursday 24 september 2020

Sports Results

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RACING ON TRACK IN HOME HILL

Bowlers strike it out

burdekinlocal.com.au

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Open Masters Winners presented with Frank and Angelo Nucifora

Burdekin hosts Tenpin Junior Championships Hayden Menso hayden.menso@burdekinlocal.com.au

OVER the weekend 19th to 21st September, the North Queensland Junior Tenpin Bowling Championships and Masters were battled out in Ayr. Sixty junior bowlers took part from across the north, including Atherton, Burdekin, Cairns, Mackay and Townsville, competing in singles, doubles and team competitions.

The annual event was a highlight of the 2020 season, becoming a main event on the junior calendar that all players were looking forward to.

The weekend was coordinated by the North Queensland Junior Committee, in conjunction with the Burdekin Junior Tenpin Bowling Association, and proved a successful

weekend for local bowlers.

Sunday’s Restricted Masters saw the Burdekin take out top place in the boys competition, with Lexcen Baker placing first, followed by Townsville’s Hayden Miller in second and Cairns’ Harry Leersen placing third. The girls were all placed by visitors.

Monday’s Open Masters was also won locally in the boys by Dean Post, with Kohan Davis in second and Jayden Livingstone in third, both from Townsville. Again, the girl’s division was awarded to visiting players.

The event saw great scores from all bowlers, from various ages and skill levels.

The COVID-safe event provided a welcome boost to hoteliers and

restaurants over the three days, with the advent of the visiting players.

The event also saw the Ageing Out ceremony, where bowlers aged 18 progress into a senior division.

Burdekin local Cameron Menso played his final junior event, having bowled with the club for the past eleven years. He said tenpin is an enjoyable yet challenging sport to play, and encourages anyone looking to join the sport to do so.

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Boys Open Masters Winner Dean Post (Burdekin)

Bur

Ageing Out Juniors Ben Nickles (Cairns), Cameron Menso (Burdekin), Tynika Raines (Mackay), Jessica Ducrot (Atherton) and Stephen Carr (Cairns)

Restricted Masters Winners presented with Frank and Angelo Nucifora