DERBY DAY
Photo Credit: Jacob Casha
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Editor’s Note
Hello Burdekin!
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You may have noticed something a little different about this week’s paper – Burdekin Life has a fresh new look!
After five years of the same masthead across the Life newspapers, we felt it was time to embrace a more modern design that reflects the natural beauty of our region. The new green–blue gradient draws inspiration from our lush hinterland and the Great Barrier Reef, which connects all four Life Publishing newspapers. It’s a bright new chapter for us, and we hope you love the new look as much as we do.
As we continue to grow (having quietly ticked over two years in the Burdekin!), I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supports the paper each week — our loyal readers, valued advertisers, Council, Chamber, and the many community groups we’re proud to work alongside. Your ongoing support keeps local, independent news alive and free for everyone to enjoy.
A special thanks also goes
to Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort, who joined us at our Enchanted Garden event held in the Whitsundays last month — it was wonderful to have her and Trevor there with us. We’re looking forward to continuing those conversations and exploring a charity event in the Burdekin next year to give back to the community that supports us so strongly.
Finally, a big shout-out to our incredible team — from our passionate on the ground journalist Jacob Casha to our dedicated Sales Manager Trish Jandt and all our design and production crew who bring each edition to life every week.
Here’s to a fresh new look, a strong community, and another year of stories worth sharing.
Rach
Quote of the Week: “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make” (Jane Goodall)
SCOUTS PLAN CHRISTMAS DINNER FOR THE HOMELESS AND LONELY
The Lower Burdekin
Scout Group is joining forces with Bluey’s Thrift Shop in Home Hill to host a free Christmas BBQ meal for anyone who is homeless, lonely or has nowhere to go this festive season.
The event will be held on Christmas Eve, December 24, from 5pm to 8pm at the Lower Burdekin Scout Den, 57–59 Twelfth Avenue, Home Hill.
The idea grew from discussions between the Scouts and Margaret Thorne from Bluey’s Thrift Shop, who have supported each other through community initiatives over the past year.
“Bluey’s provides donations to many local community groups and over the past 12 months they have provided two donations to the Lower Burdekin Scouts. The Scout Group decided to share some of the money by having the community Xmas meal,” a spokesperson said.
The Scouts said the project aligns with their long-standing focus on community involvement.
“One of the core areas of scout-
ing is the ‘Community’, be out in the community, understand how the community helps each other, and take an active part in the Community.”
Scouting has been part of the Lower Burdekin since the 1920s, and the group says this is their chance to give back to those in need.
“It now is an opportunity for Scouting to give back to those in our community that need a bit of support.”
The group is calling on locals to lend a hand by helping cook and serve meals, donating food, or assisting with setup and pack-up.
Anyone wanting to attend or volunteer can register before November 27 at Bluey’s Thrift Shop, 8th Street, Home Hill (8.30am–12 noon), or email gl@lowerburdekin.scoutsqld. com.au.
“We are looking forward to this event,” the spokesperson said. “If you know somebody that would like to join us for the Xmas meal, please let them know about this event.”
Funding Boost Paves Way for Burdekin Housing Growth
The Burdekin is poised for major residential growth, with over 350 new homes set to be delivered following funding from Round 1 of the Queensland Government’s Residential Activation Fund (RAF).
The funding will support planning, design, and infrastructure upgrades to unlock the development potential of strategically identified areas in Ayr, removing constraints that have previously slowed housing delivery.
Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort said the funding
represented a “game-changer” for the region.
“This funding is a game-changer. It allows us to make big strides in planning and design that will remove infrastructure constraints and unlock the development potential of strategically identified areas in Ayr,” she said.
Council will engage consultants to undertake planning, hydraulic modelling, and detailed trunk infrastructure design to create a ‘shovel-ready’ package for developers and the Council. The project is expected to
Transportable Solutions
unlock 296 new dwellings, with the potential to deliver up to 356 homes across the Shire. Without this support, only around 60 new homes would have been possible.
A key feature of the plan is a new road connection from Craig Street to Chippendale Street. The upgrade will ease traffic on existing roads, improve accessibility, and provide emergency services with an additional access point. The road will also link with Beach Road to integrate water, sewerage, and other essential infrastructure, supporting long-term residential growth.
Mayor Dalle Cort said the project goes beyond housing numbers.
“This isn’t only about housing numbers, it’s about shaping the future of our Shire. By investing in this level of strategic planning, we’re laying the groundwork to keep the Burdekin vibrant, liveable, and sustainable for generations to come,” she said.
The Council thanked the Queensland Government for its investment through the Residential Activation Fund, highlighting the funding as a crucial step in unlocking housing potential across the region.
Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort said the funding represented a “game-changer” for the region. Photo supplied
Burdekin Gift Cards
Continue To Boost Local Spending
You’ve heard of them, you’ve seen them, and you may have even used them! Burdekin Gift Cards are one of the many awesome initiatives introduced by the Burdekin Chamber to encourage locals to shop local within the shire, and last month was another commendable one in terms of Burdekin Gift Card purchases across the board!
$2390,00 worth of Burdekin Gift Cards were purchased in September, with an additional $3319.78 spent within local stores using the cards.
The Burdekin Chamber was es-
tablished to promote shop local initiatives, foster networking and development within the region and strength the broader community. One of the ways the chamber achieves this has been through the Burdekin Gift Card initiative; a community-wide, closed-loop gift card program. Burdekin Gift Cards can be purchased for any amount and redeemed only at participating local businesses within the area, and with over 50 local businesses part of the program, redemption opportunities come in many forms, from a physical gift to a nice dinner out on the town.
Since the program was introduced, more than $100,000 has been loaded onto the cards, directly benefiting the local community and economy, ensuring spending stays within the shire. The Burdekin Gift Card program has been an outstanding success for both the Burdekin Chamber and the rest of the community, with chamber members looking forward to its continued growth, and everything that’s to come ahead of the fast approaching Christmas silly season!
To view more information on the Burdekin Chamber visit burdekinchamber.com.au/gift-cards.
Local Fire Ban In Place For Burdekin Region
Alocal fire ban has been declared for residents across the Northern Region, including the Burdekin Shire, with authorities warning of heightened bushfire risk.
The Queensland Fire Department (QFD) has implemented the ban from 4:01pm Friday, October 31, through to 11:59pm Tuesday,
November 13, due to conditions “perfect for bushfires to ignite and spread quickly.”
During the ban, all open fires are prohibited, and existing Permits to Light Fire have been suspended. However, cane burning is exempt under the Notification for Sugar Cane Burning or where a specific permit has been issued.
Residents can still use power tools, but QFD urges extreme caution and recommends keeping firefighting equipment close by and having someone on hand to monitor for sparks or ignitions.
For updates, exemptions, and further details, visit fire.qld.gov.au/ firebans.
Bureau Changes Cause Rivers Of Concern
Changes to information provided by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) have caused a storm throughout Queensland but, according to Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, concerns raised by residents of the Burdekin centre on flooding rather than rain.
Coupled with a malfunctioning river level gauge during the severe weather event earlier this year, Mr Last said people’s concerns were justified and had been echoed in the state government’s call for the Bureau to ‘do the right thing’.
“We all like to have a joke at the expense of the weather bureau when it comes to their predictions being inaccurate,” Mr Last said. “But holding vital information for ransom is no joke and, frankly, could put lives at risk.”
“Whether it’s the Burdekin River or the Haughton or any other river, the level of those rivers triggers a response from locals right through to the Local Disaster Management Group and volunteers like the SES. By charging councils to access vital information, you basically have a taxpayer-funded organisation trying to generate another income stream at the expense of either ratepayers or safety.”
“Accurate, timely information is what is used to make decisions around evacuations, road closures and a long list of preparations throughout the community. To make access to that information only accessible by paying up to $40,000 a year is preposterous, and I know that the Premier, for example, has made that point directly with the federal minister responsible for the BOM.”
Mr Last also called out the
BOM based on what he described as an unforgivable oversight in the lead up to the last wet season.
“There is a long list of issues that the BOM and the federal government should be focussed on,” he said. “Their primary goal should be to ensure that the data they provide is reliable because, as we saw earlier this year, that is not always the case.”
“A lot of money, time, energy, and goodwill goes into encouraging Queenslanders to prepare for the threat posed by cyclones and flooding. I think it is fair to say that we are extremely lucky that the Burdekin River gauge malfunction resulted in people being more prepared than necessary.”
“The fact is that the malfunction caused quite a lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety, especially in Home Hill. Staring down a potential flood is stressful enough and, when incorrect information is provided by the BOM, for example, you have the potential for people to lose confidence in the advice that is provided during future events.”
“The state government has no intention of letting the Bureau of Meteorology off the hook when it comes to taking responsibility for their role in protecting Queenslanders from wild weather. Here in the Burdekin, that responsibility also means ensuring that the equipment that emergency services and the community rely on is working properly before nature puts it to the test.”
“The BOM’s focus needs to be on reliability and helping to protect Australians, not holding communities and councils to ransom in the name of generating revenue.”
The Queensland Fire Department (QFD) has implemented a fire ban from 4:01pm Friday, October 31, through to 11:59pm Tuesday, November 13. Photo source: Burdekin Shire Council
September was another successful month for the Burdekin Chamber initiative (Photo Supplied)
History Made As Burdekin Local Undergoes Landmark Surgery
It was during her youth that Home Hillborn Marj Manak was told she might not live to see adulthood, after being diagnosed with a serious liver condition as a baby. Fast forward to 2025, and the now 56-year-old mother of two has become the first patient to undergo a successful kidney transplant through the North Queensland Kidney Transplant Service (NQKTS); a milestone for both herself and the region. The transplant follows decades of health challenges for Marj, including two previous liver transplants, multiple surgeries, and years of medication that eventually damaged her kidneys. The successful surgery, completed in August, has given her a new lease on life, freeing her from dialysis and restoring a level of independence she had long been denied.
The NQKTS is expected to perform around 30 transplants in its first year, with plans to expand further in the future. Based at Townsville University Hospital, the service was introduced earlier this year to provide advanced kidney care closer to home for patients across the region. For Burdekin residents like Marj, it means life-changing convenience.
“Being closer to our home base was great,” she says. “During the recovery process we were allowed to go home to Ayr for a day which was handy to check on things and the house, and wouldn’t be possible if I had had my transplant in Brisbane.”
“My adult children were also able to visit regularly, as were my brother and sisterin-law... The people of the Burdekin who need this service will be amazed at how much easier it is than going to Brisbane.”
Marj was left impressed by the NQKTS, praising not just the technical skill on display but also the level of care and support she received throughout the process.
“The medical expertise and care is of a high, professional level, equal to that of Brisbane and on our back doorstep. The staff are very well trained and the surgeons are highly skilled, [and] every effort was made to make me and my husband comfortable and calm.”
She credited her husband, John, as one of her main avenues of support throughout the journey. “Without him, I would not be here,” she said. His employer, Wilmar Sugar, also played a role, allowing John time off work over the years to accompany Marj to appointments leading up to and during the transplant.
The experience also reinforced for Marj just how life-changing organ donation can be.
“Thinking of the donor and their family was at the front of my mind from day one in hospital,” she said. “From their pain and loss, I and others have benefited and I will always be grateful for that. It is important that people have the conversation with their loved ones about organ donation and registering to be an organ donor.”
Now on her road to recovery, Marj is taking things at her own pace, enjoying simple pleasures she had previously missed.
“Recovery will take quite a few months, so I will be taking it easy. I am enjoying cooking a lot more now that I have more energy, and we will be going on holiday.”
She also has a new kitten to keep her on her toes and is looking forward to starting a long-postponed bathroom renovation.
The successful surgery, completed in August, has given Marj a new lease on life, freeing her from dialysis and restoring a level of independence she had long been denied. Photo supplied
Marj credited her husband, John, as one of her main avenues of support throughout the journey. Photo supplied
Nationals Abandon Net Zero to Save Australian Industry
Yesterday at the National Press Club, The National Party of Australia drew a line in the sand, declaring it will no longer support Labor’s reckless Net Zero target by 2050, calling it unaffordable, unachievable, and unsustainable for Australia’s economic and industrial future.
The Party says Labor’s ideological approach is driving up power prices, costing jobs, andpunishing the regions that keep Australia running Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capability, Andrew Willcox MP, said the decision was based on economic reality, not ideology, and a stand for Australian jobs, industry, and energy security.
“Our economy is reliant on energy,” Mr Willcox said.
“And right now, our economy is being strangled by an obsession with targets that do nothing to change the global climate but everything to destroy local jobs and drive up the cost of living.
“Our environment is suffering with forests and farmland being destroyed. We need to bring common sense back to solving climate change.
“Our plan puts Australians first, with cheaper electricity and secure jobs, while still lowering emissions.”
Under Labor, electricity prices have risen 39 per cent and gas by the same. When
power costs go up, it costs more to grow food, to make goods, and to run every household and factory across the nation. For manufacturers, the lifeblood of regional Australia, high and volatile energy prices are not just an inconvenience, they are an existential threat.
“Australia’s manufacturing sector, once a global leader, is now being crushed under the weight of energy policy confusion, rising costs, and the unrealistic burden of Net Zero,” Mr Willcox said.
“Energy volatility and regulatory overreach have driven uncertainty and eroded our competitive advantage, while ‘carbon leakage’ is pushing production oƯshore to nations with weaker environmental standards and cheaper power.
“Labor’s renewables-only agenda is pushing businesses to the wall while pretending the transition won’t cost jobs. It will, and it already has.”
The crisis unfolding at Tomago Aluminium, where around 1,000 jobs are now in jeopardy, is the clearest warning yet. The company has confirmed that “future energy prices are not commercially viable”, a devastating reflection of the current government’s policy failures.
“When one of the nation’s biggest energy users says it can’t keep the lights on, that’s not an isolated problem, that’s a national crisis,” Mr Willcox said.
“If a powerhouse like Tomago can’t lock in affordable power, what chance does a small business in Wulguru or Ayr have?”
He said every closure in manufacturing sends shockwaves through the supply chain; suppliers, transport operators, and small workshops that rely on these industrial anchors.
“Net Zero isn’t a climate plan, it’s a de-industrialisation plan. Every job lost weakens our sovereign capability and makes us more dependent on imports.”
Australia cannot continue to punish itself for the emissions of others. Australia contributes just over one per cent of global emissions, while China, the United States, India and Russia account for roughly 60 per cent — and their emissions are still rising.
“To pretend that Australia can alter the global temperature by taxing our own industries out of existence is fantasy,” Mr Willcox said.
“If we continue down Labor’s reckless plan, Australians will only feel more pain, with the estimated cost of net zero at $7 to $9 trillion, or $300,000 per Australian.”
“It won’t move the dial on global temperatures one bit.”
Mr Willcox said the National Party will instead focus on policies that deliver affordable, reliable, and technology-neutral
energy, including lifting Australia’s outdated ban on nuclear power to test its commercial viability.
“We support cleaner technology, but not at the cost of common sense,” he said.
“Net Zero has become a slogan, not a solution.
“Australians deserve policy grounded in reality, one that strengthens our industries instead of strangling them.”
He added that the Nationals remain deeply committed to caring for the environment, because regional Australians live it every day.
“Our farmers are on the frontline of managing and protecting the environment,” Mr Willcox said.
“We want our children and grandchildren to grow up with clean air, healthy soils, and fresh waterways, and we believe in practical, achievable solutions that protect our environment while lowering emissions without trashing our economy.
“Australians want light in their homes, power in their factories, and hope for their kids; not lectures about what car to drive or what to eat,” Mr Willcox said.
“It’s time to stop the experiment and start rebuilding our strength.
“Australia deserves better than Net Zero.”
Shadow Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capability, Andrew Willcox, at the National Party Federal Council in Canberra, standing up
that threatens industries and livelihoods. Photo supplied
“We’d Be Lost Without Her” Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre Honours
It was 30 years ago that Kim Williams first stepped into the role of adminis trative assistant at the Burdekin Neigh bourhood Centre (BNC), seeking a job with limited hours after the birth of her first child. What she didn’t know was that three decades later, she and her colleagues would be celebrating her 30th year of ser vice.
“I never really expected [working here for so long]. It just kind of happened!” she said with a grin.
Her milestone was marked by an official acknowledgement during the BNC’s An nual General Meeting on Wednesday, 29 Oc tober, where she re ceived a congratulatory plaque recognising her enduring dedication to the organisation.
Although initially hired as an admin assistant, Kim later progressed into the role of financial admin assistant—the position she currently holds. She credited much of her early growth to her mentor, current BNC Treasurer Elvie Dickin-
Celebrating 30 years of dedication, BNC employee Kim Williams holds her congratulatory plaque, joined by colleagues who have supported her along the way. Photo credit: Jacob Casha
Thursday 6 November 2025
Thursday
Burdekin Shire Council says it’s time to “Cut the Crap”
Burdekin Shire to “Cut the
Burdekin Shire Council has launched a new wastewater awareness campaign after revealing that nonflushable items are costing the community thousands of dollars each year in repairs and maintenance.
poured down the sink.
Burdekin Shire Council has launched a new wastewater awareness campaign after revealing that nonflushable items are costing the community thousands of dollars each year in repairs and maintenance.
Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort said the cut the crap campaign is a reminder that simple household habits make a big difference.
“Not only does this put unnecessary strain on our network, it also increases the risk of sewage overflows into local waterways ,which is both harmful to the environment and unpleasant for our community.
do their part, keep a bathroom bin, never tip fats down the sink, and teach kids the 3 Ps rule. Together we can cut the crap out of our wastewater system.”
The campaign will focus on common household habits that lead to block-
ages, including flushing wipes, pouring cooking fats down the sink, and disposing of sanitary products in toilets.
Residents are encouraged to make small changes at home such as keeping a bathroom bin handy, disposing of fats and oils in
Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort said the cut the crap campaign is a reminder that simple household habits make a big difference.
“Every year Council attends to over 100 blockages across the Burdekin network, costing ratepayers more than $500,000 annually to repair,” Mayor Dalle Cort said.
sealed containers, and teaching children the 3 Ps rule.
poured down
For more information about wastewater disposal, visit Council’s website or contact our Customer Service team on (07) 4783 9800.
“Not only unnecessary network, the risk of flows into ,which is the environment and unpleasant our community.
“Every year Council attends to over 100 blockages across the Burdekin network, costing ratepayers more than $500,000 annually to repair,” Mayor Dalle Cort said.
“These blockages are often caused by wipes, sanitary products, cotton buds, fats, and other items that should never be flushed or
“By following the simple rule of flushing only Pee, Poo, and Paper, we can all help reduce blockages, protect our environment, and keep costs down for ratepayers.”
“This campaign is about community pride and responsibility. Every household can
“These blockages are often caused by wipes, sanitary products, cotton buds, fats, and other items that should never be flushed or
“By following the simple flushing only Poo, and Paper, can all help blockages, our environment, and keep down for ers.”
“This campaign is about nity pride sponsibility. ery household
PUBLIC NOTICES
At its Ordinary Meeting held on Tuesday 14 October 2025, Burdekin Shire Council resolved to implement a four-month of revised operating hours at selected waste facilities across region. The trial will commence on 1 December 2025 and assess community usage patterns and improve service efficiency.
The facilities and their updated hours are as follows: Kirknie Landfill
Monday to Friday: 8:00am – 1:00pm Saturday: 8:00am – 12:00pm
Ayr Transfer Station
Open 7 days a week: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Closed daily between 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Home Hill Transfer Station
Open 6 days a week (Closed Wednesdays): 8:00am – 4:00pm
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Closed daily between 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Council encourages residents to familiarise themselves with new hours and plan their visits accordingly. Feedback from community during the trial period will be vital in determining long-term viability of these changes.
“Out of sight” doesn’t mean “gone for good.” Wipes, fats, and other non-flushables cause blockages
Minute With The Mayor
Pierina Dalle Cort
It certainly is warming up, so I encourage everyone to stay hydrated. This applies to our furry friends, especially when we’re out on our morning walks - remember to bring water for your pets and look out for signs of heat stress. Our Queensland sun can be unforgiving, so a bit of preparation goes a long way.
Nearly 200 people attended our Seniors Luncheon, which continues to grow each year thanks to the generous support of Regis Care. There’s nothing better than being served a lovely meal in air-conditioned comfort and enjoying fantastic entertainment by Ricky Romeo. The event was filled with informative stalls offering valuable advice, plus plenty of giveaway goodies for everyone. As I walked around the Expo, I was reminded how important it is for all age groups to STOP, CHECK, REJECT. If you receive an unusual or unexpected phone call, text, or email never, ever give out your personal information if you’re unsure. When in doubt, hang up! Scamming is on the rise, and with the
introduction of AI, the world is changing rapidly. So please, stay safe everyone.
It’s always inspiring to open our ‘Burdekin Life’ and read about the achievements of people in our community. There are so many opportunities available, and it’s even more uplifting to attend School Award nights and see what our younger generations are accomplishing. Their drive and enthusiasm are a testament to the bright future of the Burdekin.
On Sunday, the CEO and I attended the Mackay Community Cabinet. I remain committed to fighting for the Burdekin and make it my priority to present our region’s needs and opportunities to Ministers at every chance. Advocacy for our community is always at the heart of my role as Mayor.
Should you wish to reach out, don’t hesitate to contact me directly by phone at 0447 150 582, or feel free to send an email to mayor@burdekin.qld.gov.au.
Councillor Column
Councillor
Let’s talk about something that affects all of us - what we flush and pour down our drains. Every year, Burdekin Shire Council spends a whopping half a million dollars clearing blocked pipes, and honestly, it’s money we’d all rather see spent on better things. Those blockages? They’re usually caused by households – wipes, nappies, fats, and other stuff that doesn’t belong in our wastewater system.
The good news is, there’s a simple fix. If it’s not Pee, Poo, or Paper, don’t flush it. That one rule makes a huge difference and can save Council thousands. Toss everything else in the bin and help keep our pipes clear, our rates down, and our waterways healthy.
I know we all want to look after our town - and teaching the kids the 3 Ps is a good place to start. Keep a bin handy in the bathroom and don’t pour fats down the sink. These small changes at home really add up.
Let’s make sure our money goes towards things that matter, not fixing avoidable messes. Got questions or want to know more? Check out Council’s Burdekin.qld. gov.au. Let’s cut the crap - literally - and protect our patch.
CRUSH CITY PLASTICS
Callan Oar
Celebrating Seniors Month with Community and Connection
Community Bank Home Hill & Ayr was proud to take part in the Burdekin Shire Council’s Seniors Month Expo & Luncheon, held on Wednesday, 16 October at the Burdekin Memorial Hall.
The event once again brought together local seniors, community organisations, and service providers to celebrate Queensland Seniors Month and showcase the many supports available in the region. With attendance growing each year, the move to the Burdekin Memorial Hall proved the perfect choice to accommodate the wide range of information stalls and the strong community turnout.
The Expo featured a variety of exhibitors offering advice and resources around aged care, health and wellbeing, finance, and community support. Our team enjoyed connecting with attendees, sharing practical financial tips, and providing information about how Bendigo Bank is helping protect seniors from scams.
Scams targeting older Australians continue to be a growing concern, and Bendigo Bank is committed to helping the community stay informed and vigilant. The bank’s ongoing education campaigns aim to give seniors the knowledge and confidence to identify scams and protect their finances.
many locals about common scam warning signs, such as unexpected calls, suspicious investment offers, and requests for personal details. We also shared information on how to report scams and get support through Bendigo Bank’s dedicated security and fraud assistance services.
Acting Branch Manager Jade Bywaters said the event was a great opportunity to connect with the community and show support for local seniors.
“At Community Bank Home Hill & Ayr, we’re passionate about helping our seniors feel confident and supported in managing their finances,” Jade said.
“Events like the Seniors Month Expo allow us to have those important face-toface conversations — whether it’s about everyday banking needs, planning for the future, or staying safe from scams. It’s all part of our commitment to being a trusted, local bank that’s here for our community.”
Community Grant Program
When you partner with us, good things happen.
Honouring Elenna
Andrew Willcox Joins Head to the Hill to Raise Awareness for Childhood Brain Cancer
On Tuesday, the 28th of October, Andrew Willcox MP attended Parliament House’s Head to the Hill event on behalf of Elenna Savorgnan’s mother, Maria.
Hosted by Brain Tumour Alliance Australia (BTAA), 2025’s Head to the Hill initiative marks the third year since the event’s debut, raising awareness for the unimproved life expectancy from brain tumours and highlighting the devastating financial, social, physical, cognitive and emotional impact on patients, families, carers and communities.
“I was honoured to attend the Head to the Hill event at Parliament House, a powerful gathering of patients, families, and advocates raising awareness of one of the most devasting cancers,” said Mr Willcox.
“It was incredibly emotional to put faces to the footprints represented by pairs of shoes, to meet families, survivors, and advocates and see firsthand the heartbreaking impact this disease has on so many lives.”
Elenna was diagnosed with Group 3 Medulloblastoma, an aggressive form of childhood brain cancer, last year at just two years old. After over a year of treatments and trails, little Elenna tragically lost her battle at three years old, changing the lives of her parents, Maria and Marty, forever.
“Brain tumours are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children and adults under 40, and survival rates have seen little improvement in decades. The voices of families like Maria’s must be heard. Their experiences should guide better policy, research, and support services for all Australians affected,” explained Mr
Willcox.
The gathering stood as an opportunity for attendees to visualise the impact of brain tumours through the placing of shoes on the pathways of Parliament House courtyard. The display brought together a large number of shoes of varying sizes to clearly represent the impact that brain tumours have on people of regardless of age, gender or background.
“Events like this unite communities and remind us that behind every statistic is a life, a family, and a story that deserves to be told.”
For more information on Brain Tumour Alliance Australia and the Head to the Hill initiative, visit btaa.org.au.
Applications close 12th April 2024.
During the Expo, our team spoke with
The Seniors Month Expo & Luncheon was once again a wonderful success — full of connection, conversation, and care for our older community members. Community Bank Home Hill & Ayr thanks the Burdekin Shire Council’s Community Development team for hosting another valuable event and looks forward to continuing to support initiatives that celebrate and strengthen the local community.
Your organisation gets sponsorship, and your banking helps support the community.
Industry Voices Differ Over Sugar Marketing And Governance Changes
Discussions around sugar marketing and governance have resurfaced following the recent Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL) Annual General Meeting, where proposed constitutional changes prompted differing views between CANEGROWERS representatives and miller members, including Wilmar Sugar and Renewables.
Plane Creek Area Committee Chairman Kevin Borg said that growers across Queensland are “growing tired of conflict in the sugar marketing space.”
Mr Borg said the CANEGROWERS Plane Creek Area Committee, whose members supply Wilmar Plane Creek Mill, were dis-
appointed at the outcome of a vote at the QSL AGM.
As a QSL Grower Representative Member for Plane Creek, Mr Borg spoke at the meeting on 21 October, saying it was time for QSL to “take the gloves off.”
Mr Borg stated that QSL sought to change its constitution to have members’ right to vote based on the amount of sugar they market through the body, aligning voting rights with those who use its services. He explained that currently, millers have a voting right based on their suppliers’ Grower Economic Interest (GEI) sugar – a clause dating back to the single-desk marketing era.
Mr Borg said, “Millers Wilmar and MSF voted down proposed changes to the QSL constitution. These mills market the entirety of their Mill Economic Interest sugar production through their own marketing arms, having no interest in the future of QSL except as a competitor.”
He added, “Whilst we don’t have an issue with these millers using their own marketing arm, it remains an issue that they refuse to have their right to vote based on present day throughputs and not based on a constitution that was fit for the past regulated, non-competitive era.”
“As competitors to QSL, this gives them control within the QSL organisation and
an opportunity to white-ant the organisation from within,” Mr Borg said.
He commended millers who supported the proposed constitutional vote, adding, “I commend those Millers – Mackay Sugar, Bundaberg Sugar and Isis Sugar –who supported the vote and have shown common sense and a willingness to work with industry.”
Mr Borg further stated,“STL has already gone down the path of removing QSL as Bulk Sugar Terminal Operator as of 30 June 2026, giving STL a monopoly control of Queensland’s sugar terminal ownership and operations.”
Mr Borg said, “Lack of investment in our mill is also a thorn in growers’ sides, causing longer season lengths and thus reduced crops, this being a root cause of growers choosing leaving the industry.”
In response to Mr Borg’s comments, a Wilmar Sugar and Renewables spokesperson stated that, “Half of the miller members did not support QSL’s proposed constitution changes, including Wilmar. “QSL members have rights to influence only a small number of governance matters. Importantly, these voting rights do not provide strategic or operational control of QSL’s marketing activities.
“Under the sugar industry regulatory framework, all millers are – and will remain – inextricably linked to QSL in its role as a marketer, irrespective of their marketing decisions.
“It’s important for miller members to retain their limited voting rights to protect their legitimate interests as supply chain participants.
“Wilmar does not have a controlling interest in Sugar Terminals Limited (STL).”
Both CANEGROWERS and Wilmar have reiterated their commitment to the longterm sustainability of Queensland’s sugar industry, despite differences in opinion on how marketing structures and governance should evolve.
Community Urged To Stay Vigilant As Invasive Weeds Threaten Local Cane Crops
Local organisations are calling on growers and residents to remain vigilant as the spread of Wild Sorghum and Itch Grass continues to threaten the Burdekin’s sugarcane industry.
Both weeds are difficult to identify in their early stages, often resembling sugarcane, and are extremely hard to control once established. Itch Grass, in particular, is listed as a declared pest under the Biosecurity Act 2014, requiring all landholders to take reasonable steps to destroy it if found on their property.
Queensland Cane Agriculture & Renewables (QCAR) Burdekin District Manager Angelo Licciardello said the weed’s aggressive nature and prolific seed production make it a major concern for local growers.
“Itch Grass can overtake cane paddocks
very quickly. Its seeds are easily spread by wind, animals, machinery and soil movement, so early identification and control are essential,” Mr Licciardello said.
Wild Sorghum has also become increasingly problematic across the district.
While native wild sorghum species naturally occur in Australia, introduced or hybrid types — such as Sorghum halepense (Johnson Grass) — can act invasively in cropping areas, competing with sugarcane and significantly increasing control costs.
Growers and community members are encouraged to help limit the spread by:
• Identifying and removing weeds before they seed.
• Cleaning machinery and equipment between paddocks.
• Seeking expert advice on appropriate
herbicide and management options.
Burdekin Productivity Services (BPS) and Sugar Research Australia (SRA) are working closely to combat the issue. Current SRA research is focused on identifying the most effective herbicide options and exploring advanced technologies, such as camera sprayers that can detect and target weeds within cane rows — reducing both chemical use and costs.
Meanwhile, BPS staff are actively monitoring known weed hotspots and are offering a subsidy program to assist growers with control efforts. Producers are encouraged to contact the BPS office for further details on available support.
To strengthen local coordination, a Biosecurity Committee is being established, bringing together representatives from
BPS, SRA, QCAR, Kalagro, CANEGROWERS Burdekin, and Burdekin Shire Council. The committee will focus on prioritising resources and developing strategies to effectively manage biosecurity risks across the district.
Burdekin Shire Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort said collaboration is crucial in protecting the region’s agricultural future.
“Our region’s prosperity relies on strong partnerships between Council, industry and landholders. By working together, we can stay ahead of invasive weeds and protect our farming future,” Mayor Dalle Cort said.
For more information on identifying or managing Itch Grass or Wild Sorghum, contact Burdekin Productivity Services on (07) 4783 1101.
Allan Parker (Kalagro), Angelo Licciardello (QCAR), Jack Edwards and Rob Milla (BPS), Greg Watson (CANEGROWERS) and Terry Granshaw (SRA) with wild sorghum from a local cane paddock (Photo Supplied)
A Field Day That Has It All
The 2026 Rotary NQ Field Day is shaping up to be a celebration of everything that makes North Queensland extraordinary: resilient producers, curious kids, cutting-edge tech, and a whole lot of heart.
The iconic Talangalook herd returns to the spotlight. Known for their tropical toughness, calm temperament, and powerhouse genetics, these Santa Gertrudis cattle are a cornerstone of North Queensland beef production. Their presence is a proud nod to tradition and a bold step toward the future.
Attendees can get ready for feathers, flair, and fast feet—Melville’s Racing Ducks will be there to stir up laughter and friendly competition. These waddling wonders will be a Field Day favourite, drawing cheers from all ages.
Kids will be able to grab their Farmers Passport and embark on a hands-on journey across the Field Day. From machinery displays to livestock exhibits, they’ll collect stamps, complete challenges, and learn about agriculture in a fun, interactive way. It’s education disguised as adventure—and a brilliant way to inspire the next generation.
The 2026 Rotary NQ Field Day Committee are thrilled to welcome Travearth back, showcasing their cutting-edge mapping and geospatial technology tailored for agriculture. From precision farming to land
management, Travearth’s live demonstrations will reveal how data-driven insights are transforming the way we grow, graze, and plan.
Whether you’re wanting to talk genetics, chase ducks, explore the paddock, or dive into ag-tech, the 2026 Rotary NQ Field Day promises something for everyone. Come for the cattle, stay for the quacks, explore with the kids, and leave inspired by the future of farming.
Home Hill High Showcases AgTech Excellence At Gatton
Home Hill State High School (HHS) representatives recently took part in the prestigious Gatton AgTech Showcase, an event celebrating innovation and technology in modern agriculture.
Agriculture teacher Louise Nicholas and agricultural assistant Kim Anderson attended the two-day event, which brought together more than 1,400 growers, industry members, students, and innovators from across Queensland. Hosted at the Queensland Government Smart Farm, the showcase provided a platform to explore the latest in protected cropping, ag-tech advancements, and sustainable farming solutions.
The work being undertaken by students at Home Hill SHS and Ayr SHS was proudly shared at the event, with attendees describing their efforts as “impressive.” The showcase featured cutting-edge technologies such as laser weeders, smart sprayers, and drone-based data systems, highlighting how rapidly the agricultural industry
is evolving.
These advancements will directly support the school’s mission of preparing students for future careers in agriculture, ensuring they are skilled, adaptable, and industry-ready.
Home Hill SHS expressed its gratitude to the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) for supporting the school’s involvement and providing ongoing guidance in their protective cropping journey. The school also acknowledged the partnerships and connections developed through the event, which will continue to enhance the agricultural program and deliver valuable real-world learning experiences.
The school extended its thanks to Hort Innovation, the Queensland DPI, and event sponsors for backing such a forward-thinking initiative. The strong turnout at the showcase reflected a growing interest in sustainable, technology-driven agriculture, something Home Hill State High School is proud to be a part of.
Cricketers Pay Tribute Before Junior Matches
Before games commenced at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex last week, players and parents paused for a moment’s silence in support of Ben Austin’s family, friends, and teammates following the tragedy earlier in the week.
The Home Hill Cricket Association extended its thoughts and condolences to all affected during this very difficult time. Players wore black armbands, and a bat was placed at the boundary for the duration of the match as a mark of respect.
Blue Group
The Blue Group didn’t post many high totals this week, mainly due to a late start caused by technical issues with the iPad electronic scoring system. As a result, the game was shortened, and the balls-faced retirement target was reduced for each batter.
Kyle Wilkie was the top scorer with 5 not out, and also claimed a wicket and a catch in the field. Other wicket-takers were Kip Nicholas, Mazlyn Smith, and brothers Henry and Royce Cohen.
Kyle and Mazlyn were awarded the McDonald’s Sports Awards for their strong performances.
Agricultural Precinct
• Home to the finest sporting fields in the Burdekin
Interested in sports and fitness?
Apply now for our 2025 Sports Excellence Program to take your health, fitness, and sporting goals to the next level! www.homehillshs.eq.edu.au
Gold Group
In the Gold Group, Oscar Mahoney hit two fours on his way to 20 not out, and also contributed a run out and a stumping in the field. For the opposing team, Ben Watkins struck two fours in his 17 not out and took a catch.
Mark Wilkie and Oliver Calligaro added 12 and 13 runs respectively, with Oliver remaining not out and performing strongly with the ball, taking 2 for 20. Tyler Schultz and Billy Muilwyk each took a wicket, while Mark Wilkie, Oliver Calligaro, Tyler Schultz, and Alex Cullen all effected run outs.
Oscar Mahoney and Oliver Calligaro received the McDonald’s Sports Awards for their all-round efforts.
Challengers
The Challengers division saw Doug Cohen record the highest score of the week with 14 runs, including two fours, followed closely by Flynn Sullivan, who finished 13 not out with three fours. Jack Gorey added nine runs, including a boundary.
With the ball, Jaxson Wilkins, Amaya Goggi, and Flynn Sullivan each took two wickets, while Everly Nicholas, Aria Bryant, and Doug Cohen claimed one wicket each. Claire Cross bowled a maiden over.
The McDonald’s Sports Awards went to Nate Ryder for his excellent fielding and batting, and to Doug Cohen for his strong batting performance.
Contributed with thanks to Scott Heidke
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Challengers -Jack & Nicholas
Blue and Gold - Kyle, Oscar, Oliver & Mazlyn
Burdekin Christian College Joins National Movement To Keep Kids Safe
Students and staff at Burdekin Christian College (BCC) showed their support for child safety last Friday, taking part in Day for Daniel—Australia’s largest child safety education and awareness event.
Dressed in red, the national symbol of child safety awareness, BCC students participated in classroom discussions and activities centred on the key messages of
Recognise, React and Report—tools that empower young people to protect themselves and others from harm, both in the community and online.
Held annually on the last Friday in October, Day for Daniel honours the memory of 13-year-old Daniel Morcombe, who was abducted and murdered in 2003 while waiting for a bus on the Sunshine Coast. His disappearance sparked one
of the country’s largest police investigations and led his parents, Bruce and Denise Morcombe, to establish the Daniel Morcombe Foundation—a not-for-profit dedicated to child safety education.
Since then, the event has grown into a nationwide movement, uniting schools, families and communities under a shared goal: keeping children safe.
A Burdekin Christian College staff repre-
sentative said the day was an important reminder that child safety is everyone’s responsibility.
“We’re proud to stand together as a college to promote child safety and honour the legacy of Daniel Morcombe,” they said. Across Australia, thousands wore red on the day, standing together to remember Daniel and continue his legacy of awareness and action.
You are invited to attend the annual student showcase of art, drama and musical performances. showcase of art, drama and musical performances. friday 7 november 2025
5.30pm-7:30pm
Light Refreshments and Entertainment provided friday 7 november 2025 5.30pm-7:30pm
BCC hall & Courtyard
BCC hall & Courtyard
Light Refreshments and Entertainment provided
Seniors Come Together for Burdekin Expo and Luncheon
Seniors from across the Burdekin region gathered at the Burdekin Memorial Hall on Thursday, 30 October for the annual Seniors Expo and Luncheon, hosted by Burdekin Shire Council. The event provided a day of connection, support, and entertainment while celebrating the vital role seniors play in the community.
The Expo featured a wide range of stalls from local organisations and businesses, giving attendees the chance to explore available resources and services. Notable participants included Regis Aged Care, Ayr Health Service, Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre, Burdekin Community Association, Bendigo Bank (Ayr & Home Hill), Nutrien Harcourts McCathies, and McCathie’s Furniture Plus. Seniors were able
to access information on health, finance, and wellbeing, as well as make connections with groups and services across the region.
Adding a festive touch to the day, guests enjoyed a roast lunch with dessert and were entertained by Emcee Ricky Romeo, creating a lively and social atmosphere for all.
Council thanked Regis Aged Care for their support as the event’s Major Sponsor, noting their contribution was key to making the Seniors Expo and Luncheon possible. The event was well-attended, vibrant, and proved to be both informative and enjoyable, reinforcing its place as a much-loved annual gathering for the Burdekin’s senior community.
Bev Howard, Kathy Ralph, Shirley Kapeechkie
Alan Walters, Connie Ybarlucea, Rosalea Ybarlucea, Maria Plaza Rhonda Sinclair, Cass Arboit, Bruno Fabbro
Margaret Milan, Bill Edwards, Gwen Lee Alex Smith, Yvonne Datt, Ian Stewart Carol Carnes, Gladys Sgarbossa
Stella Camilotto, Jill Piva
Cr. John Furnell, Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort, Cr. Fina Vasta
Sandra Beveridge, Debra Wellby
Kerry Caroll, Mel Curtis, Rosemary Coutts, Kristy McCloskey—Regis Ayr
Diana Lindridge, Trisha Achille, Kim Case, Janice Jones
Phillip Eade, Rod Clark, Ann Coffison, Jim Phillips, Rex Harrison, Karen Whitman—Regis
Dianne Statham, Shirley Kelly Lyn Elton, Betty Webb
Anna Stockdale, Esther Paoletti
Morning Melodies: Home for Christmas at Burdekin Memorial Hall
Music lovers, get ready to “Deck the shed with bits of wattle” as the beloved Morning Melodies series presents its final performance for 2025: Home for Christmas with award-winning artist Darren Coggan. Scheduled for Wednesday, 3 December 2025 at 11:00 AM, this special free event will take place at the Burdekin Memorial Hall to accommodate the large crowds this festive favourite always draws. Morning tea will be provided, and bookings are essential.
Darren Coggan is one of Australia’s most versatile and celebrated performers, known for his skillful storytelling and captivating stage presence. Over the course of a diverse career spanning Australian Country Music, Musical Theatre, and Television, Coggan has won over audiences both at home and internationally. His touring productions, including tributes to the songbooks of John Denver, James Taylor, and his acclaimed portrait of Cat Stevens, have graced prestigious stages worldwide, including the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, and Liverpool Philharmonic, often with sell-out seasons.
Home for Christmas promises a heart-
warming and engaging experience, filled with laughter, sing-along songs, and the joyful spirit of Christmas in Australia. It’s an intimate celebration of being “home for the holidays,” featuring tales and tunes that reflect the warmth and charm of the season.
Coggan’s Christmas album, This Christmas, showcases his expressive, powerful voice and signature storytelling, which critics have praised for its charm and style. The Australian described him as “the evening’s king of hearts… a fresh, powerful, expressive voice, and he just oozed style,” while the Sunday Herald Sun lauded his “outstanding musical storytelling.”
As a special bonus, audiences at this final Morning Melodies performance will hear the announcement of the 2026 Morning Melodies schedule. This free, Council-sponsored event is a must for locals and visitors alike looking to soak up the festive season through music and community spirit.
Bookings are essential for this popular event, so secure your spot early and join Darren Coggan for a morning of festive cheer, song, and storytelling.
Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/262x8bo4
Hollywood Elegance Hits Home Hill for Harvest Festival Finale
It’s that time of year. The Home Hill Harvest Festival is set to once again culminate in its trademark Grand Parade and Street Party on Saturday, 8 November 2025, and this year’s theme, Hollywood Elegance, promises a day of community fun with a hint of glamour.
The Grand Parade, starting at 5 PM along Main Street, will feature local schools, businesses, sporting clubs, and festival queens, with 30–40 floats expected. Festival Secretary Carlene Muilwyk said the theme is all about getting the community involved.
“We just tried to find a theme that’s really fun for the community… It gives everyone
in the Grand Parade a chance to have some fun with it,” she said.
The Street Party opens at 3pm at Watson’s Green and Memorial Park, giving families with young children a chance to enjoy rides, a petting zoo, and food stalls before the main festivities kick off at 6pm. This year’s Street Party features classic favourite rides alongside some tasty new food options.
Live music will hum across the town throughout the afternoon and evening, with the Thuringowa Brass Band from Townsville leading the parade before performing on stage, and local favourite Luke Geiger closing the evening. Drinks
Burdekin Community Rallies Against Gender-Based Violence
Zonta Club Burdekin and local organisations unite for 16 Days of Activism
Zonta Club Burdekin Inc (Zonta) and the Burdekin Domestic and Family Abuse Prevention Network (BDFAPN) BCA, Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre, Police, Burdekin Shire Council are coming together to mark the campaign, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, with a community vigil at the Burdekin Theatre forecourt on Monday, 25 November 2025.
The16 Days of Activism, commencing on 25 November, is a global campaign that unites individuals and organisations worldwide in calling for the prevention and elimination of gender-based violence in all its forms.
As part of this campaign, Zonta and the BDFAPN BCA, Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre, Police, Burdekin Shire Council will be hosting a series of local initiatives in the lead-up to the vigil, including sharing powerful first-hand stories, awareness-driving activities, and social media campaigns designed to spark conversation and drive change.
The vigil at the Burdekin Theatre will be held in remembrance for those who have
lost their lives as a result of gender-based violence, while also standing in solidarity with survivors and their families.
Zonta’s President, Isabel Stubbs, says that this vigil is an opportunity for our community to come together, reflect, and take a stand against violence.
“We want to do our part in the community by showing our support and helping raise awareness. By doing so, we can help create a culture of respect and safety for all,” she said.
“This vigil is a time for reverence, remembering, and determination. We honour the survivors, light candles for the departed, and renew our commitment to building safer communities.”
The event is open to all members of the community. We encourage all to attend and show their support.
Event details
Date: Monday, 25 November 2025
Time: 7pm
Location: Burdekin Theatre Forecourt, 161 Queen Street, AYR
are available from Tipsy Tap, and local services including the fire brigade, ambulance, and PCYC will be on site.
For Carlene and the Home Hill Harvest Festival Committee, the events are about connecting the community.
“Community is really what it’s all about for us,” Carlene said. “I love walking at the end of the parade and seeing all the people. The excitement on the kids’ faces… it’s seeing that happiness and energy that makes it special.”
She hopes visitors leave with a sense of fun and family togetherness.
“I just want people to have fun… This is
BCA’s Exercise Physiology Program Helping Locals Stay Strong and Healthy B
CA’s Accredited Exercise Physiology Program has been specifically designed to help individuals of all ages. Sessions are delivered from our fully equipped and friendly Burdekin Community Rehabilitation Centre located at 12A Chippendale Street, Ayr.
Our Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) supervise all AEP Program participants and provide best practice exercise prescription to ensure that everyone performs exercises that are safe and appropriate for their goals and health conditions. Sessions are delivered one-on-one and face to face.
Our AEPs specialise in helping people to manage a chronic disease or injury, provide post-surgery rehabilitation support, recover from a cardiac or cancer event, improve strength and mobility, reduce cholesterol, manage or improve arthritis and joint pain, and maintain or reduce body weight.
There are several ways you may be able to access AEP Program services, including through a Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDM), the Department of Veter-
really for families. I hope people come, bring their families, and enjoy everything we have going on for them.”
With community spirit and a touch of Hollywood flair, this year’s Home Hill Harvest Festival is shaping up to be another event to remember.
WHAT: Home Hill Harvest Festival –Grand Parade and Street Party
WHEN: Saturday, 8 November 2025 –Street Party opens 3pm, Parade starts 5pm
WHERE: Main Street, Home Hill; Street Party at Watson’s Green and Memorial Park
ans’ Affairs (DVA) for Gold and White card holders, the Home Care Packages Program (HCP), the Support at Home Program (SaH) which is expected to commence on 1 November 2025, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), a Private Health Fund, or by paying a private fee for service.
If you are accessing the program through a CDM or DVA, please speak with your GP. For Aged Care Packages or NDIS, please speak with your service provider or contact BCRH if you are self-managing your Package or Plan. For Private Health Fund enquiries, please speak with your Fund, and for private fee-for-service options, please contact BCRH directly.
For information, please contact the Burdekin Centre for Rural Health (BCRH) located at 12A Chippendale Street, Ayr. P: 4783 2711
E: bca@bcaburdekin.org.au
W: www.burdekincommunityassociation. org.au
F: www.facebook.com/bca1975
Contributed with thanks to Debra Cochran
Tegan Johnson, Gab Minuti, Lily-Mae Hunter, Shellyn Roberts
Riley Dobe, Caitlin Mio
Khyla Cursio, Emily Bonanno, Macey Watson
Jo Morgan, Renee Connors, Chelsea Jeffrey, Marilyn Roche, Laura Beattie, Tracey Platz
Emily Pacey, Erica Gongora, Chelsea O’Shea
Christy, Ella Pirrone
Amanda Coad, Jacquelyn Young, Katelyn Sibson
Bella Rennie, Tiara Maher, Lily Wagner
Leah Lamb, Courtney Clark, Emily Vasta, Mary Styles, Kathryn McKenna
Layla Kelly, Lola Aguirre
Malakai Smith, Damian Torrisi
Judy Wilson, John Power
Melinda Gianni, Megan Tatnell, Emily Milan
Henry Fallon, JD Wilkins, Rylan Weston, Lucas Donovan, Casey Calligaro, Karl Dabelstein
Dominic McKeough, Ashley Fowler
Gabby Cahill, Loretta Lena
Kya Olsen, Steffi Horn
Lillies Cubby House team
Jones Munro, Lachlan Sheppard
Asha Gould, Lachlan Brooks
Lucy Ashton, Liam Hillery, Dylan Little, Alex Lennox
Chloe Statham, Kendall Armstrong
EVENTGUIDE
FRIDAY 7 NOVEMBER
Rotary Gala Ball
6:30pm–midnight (Dinner 7pm)
Celebrate the Harvest Festival with a sit-down dinner, music and dancing. The evening crowns the Charity and Personality Queens, honouring community spirit and generosity.
Burdekin Memorial Hall
Cost: $80
SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER
97.1 Sweet FM Markets
Saturday 8am-1pm
Join Sweet FM for an entertaining morning jammed full of wonderful market stalls from handmade crafts, sausage sizzle, hot coffee & tea, and sweet treats, on the station's front lawns, all to the background of a live outside radio broadcast (request a song as you browse). To become a stallholder contact 0405 151 864.
97.1 Sweet FM front lawn (old Courthouse), Home Hill
Burdekin Art Society Exhibition
All day
Explore local talent at the Burdekin Art Society’s Art Exhibition during the Home Hill Harvest Festival. Featuring a vibrant display of artworks, the exhibition is set in the South Burdekin Water Board Building, across from Watson’s Green.
South Burdekin Water Board Building, 28 Ninth Street
Grand Parade
5pm
Floats, vehicles and marching bands light up Main Street for the festival’s colourful parade, showcasing community pride and creativity with the theme “Hollywood Elegance.”
Home Hill, Main Street
Street Party
3pm
Watson’s Green transforms into a lively hub with food stalls, carnival rides and live music. Dance under the lights and
celebrate the harvest season with family and friends.
Watson’s Green, Main Street
SUNDAY 9 NOVEMBER
BBQ Breakfast
Sunday 8am
The community is invited to attend the Burdekin Aero Club Inc. Monthly BBQ Breakfast at the Ayr Aerodrome from 8am to 11am. Meet the pilots, inspect the aircrafts, and enjoy a morning of socialisation for $10 per person. Call 0429 144 921 for more information.
Ayr Aerodrome, Brandon
TUESDAY 11 NOVEMBER
Pickleball
7:00 PM – 8:15 PM
Home Hill Tennis Association
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the US—easy to play and gentle on the body. With underarm serves, light paddles, and a smaller court, it’s perfect for all ages and abilities. Social sessions run weekly during school terms. Come and try for free!
Home Hill Tennis Association, 43–75 First Street, Home Hill QLD 4806
SUNDAY 16 NOVEMBER
Plantation Park Markets
Sunday 8am
Join the VVAA for an enjoyable morning overflowing with wonderful market stalls from handmade creations to delicious treats! To become a stallholder yourself contact 4783 6627.
Plantation Park
TUESDAY 18 NOVEMBER
Pickleball
7:00 PM – 8:15 PM
Home Hill Tennis Association
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the US—easy to play and gentle on the body. With underarm serves, light paddles, and a smaller court, it’s perfect for all ages and abilities. Social sessions run weekly during school terms. Come and try for free!
Home Hill Tennis Association, 43–75 First Street, Home Hill QLD 4806
The Role Are you a Farmer who understands the daily challenges Farmers face and would like to provide Farmer to Farmer peer support?
From isolation to difficult weather conditions, there are many experiences that can take a toll on Farmers mental health and wellbeing, and for some, it can all start to feel a little overwhelming.
Our Farmer to Farmer support line is tailored to provide support from someone who knows how tough it can get – a fellow farmer!
Full- time or part time maximum term until 30 June 2027 positions available. Offering a full-time equivalent salary of $88k + Super + Not for Profit Salary packaging of up to $15,900 and $2,650 for meals & entertainment.
in Psychological First Aid (PFA) can be obtained in initial stages of onboarding for successful applicant
Cassowary Coast, Charters Towers, and Hinchinbrook.
LAYING HENS ISA BROWNS
16 months old healthy, still laying strong! 20 each, buy 10 get 1 Free! Nov 8 Delivery Areas
Townsville, Ayr & Mackay Call 0439 943 012 or Facebook: Laying Hens Queensland
DEATH NOTICES COMMUNITY NOTICE
DEATH NOTICES
5/6/1933 - 11/11/2021
Softly in the morning you heard a gentle call, You took the hand God offered you, And quietly left us all.
Forever in our Hearts Miss you everyday
With Love Hazel, Therese, Mark, Joanne & Families
JAIDEN DAVID BOOTH LATE OF CLARE.
Passed away peacefully on 23rd October, 2025 aged 15 years.
Much loved son of Rachael and David, Adored brother of Billy and Remy, Cherished grandson, nephew and cousin of the Booth and Brotto families.
A service to celebrate the life of JAIDEN will commence at 10am TODAY, THURSDAY, 6th NOVEMBER at St. Colmans Catholic Church, Home Hill. There will be no cortege.
K & S WRIGHT FUNERAL DIRECTORS
40 FOURTEENTH STREET, HOME HILL PHONE 47821270
GLEN SHANE GALBRAITH LATE OF BRANDON.
Beloved son of Don and Lexene, loved brother and brother-in-law of Peter and Deborah, Paul and Gus, loving uncle of Jason and Jana and family, Aaron and Kylie and family.
A Memorial Service to honour the life of GLEN will commence at 2.30pm. TOMORROW, FRIDAY, 7th NOVEMBER at the Masonic Hall, 118 MacMillan Street, Ayr. Country/casual attire preferred.
K & S WRIGHT FUNERAL DIRECTORS
40 FOURTEENTH STREET, HOME HILL PHONE 47821270
CLARE CLARK LATE OF AYR
Passed away peacefully on 28th October, 2025 aged 101 years.
Beloved wife of Tom (deceased), Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Russell and Rhonda, Alan (deceased), Catherine and Len Quagliata, Trish and Carl Schell, David and Gina, Beverley and Alan Forte, loving grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother of their families.
WHITSUNDAY WHITSUNDAY MACKAY MACKAY BURDEKIN
A service to celebrate the life of CLARE will commence at 10am. TOMORROW, FRIDAY, 7TH NOVEMBER at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ayr. There will be no cortege.
K & S WRIGHT FUNERAL DIRECTORS
40 FOURTEENTH STREET, HOME HILL PHONE 47821270
WEEKLYTVGUIDE
6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00
Portrait Artist Of The Year. 11.00 The Following Events Are Based On A Pack Of Lies. 12.00 News.
1.00 The Newsreader. 1.55 Grand Designs Aust. 2.50 Home Delivery. 3.25 Grand Designs Revisited. 4.10 Long Lost Family. 5.00 Antiques Roadshow. 6.00 QI. 6.30 Hard Quiz. 7.00 News. 7.35 Gardening Australia. 8.35 Maigret. (M) 9.30 Hard Quiz. 10.00 Crime Night! 10.30 Spicks And Specks. 11.00 News. 11.15 Silent Witness. 12.15 Rage New Music. 5.00 Rage.
6.00 Rage Charts. 7.00 Wknd Brekky. 9.00 Rage. 12.00 News. 12.30 Beyond Paradise. 1.30 Maigret. 2.20 All Creatures Great And Small. 3.10 Last Night Of The Proms. 4.50 Spicks And Specks. 5.25 Landline. 5.55 Australian Story.
6.25 I Was Actually There. (PG) 7.00 ABC News.
7.30 Beyond Paradise. (PG)
8.30 Return To Paradise. (M)
9.25 The Following Events Are Based On A Pack Of Lies. (MA15+) 10.30 Neighbours Does Hard Quiz. (PG) 11.00 Rage. (MA15+)
6.00 Morning Programs. 11.00 Compass. 11.30 Praise. 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Gardening Aust. 2.30 Miriam & Alan: Lost In Scotland And Beyond… 3.15 Long Lost Family. 4.10 The Role Of A Lifetime. 5.00 Antiques Roadshow. 6.00 Grand Designs Aust. 7.00 News. 7.30 Spicks And Specks. 8.00 Portrait Artist Of The Year. 8.50 The Forsytes. 9.45 MOVIE: Priscilla Queen Of The Desert. (1994) 11.25 Brush With Fame. 11.50 Rage. 2.55 Rage Closer. 3.00 Ask The Doctor. 3.30 The Art Of... 4.00 Gardening Aust. 5.00 Insiders.
6.00 Morning Programs. 1.00 Landline. 2.00 Restoration Aust. 2.55 QI. 3.25 Home Delivery. 3.55 Grand Designs Revisited. 4.45 Long Lost Family. 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. 6.30 Hard Quiz. 7.00 News. 7.30 7.30. 8.00 Aust Story. 8.30 Annabel Crabb’s Civic Duty. 9.20 Media Watch. 9.35 Planet America. 10.10 I Was Actually There. 10.45 News. 11.00 The Business. 11.15 Creative Types. 11.45 End Game With Tony Armstrong. 12.35 Grand Designs Revisited. 1.20 Long Lost Family. 2.05 Rage. 3.40 Parkinson In Australia. 4.30 Late Programs.
6.00 Morning Programs. 1.00 The Forsytes. 2.00 Restoration Aust. 3.00 QI. 3.30 Home Delivery. 4.00 Grand Designs. 4.45 Long Lost Family. 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. 6.30 Hard Quiz. 7.00 News. 7.30 7.30. 8.00 I Was Actually There. 8.30 The Piano UK. 9.20 The Art Of. 9.50 The Assembly. 10.35 Media Watch. 10.55 News. 11.10 The Business. 11.25 Annabel Crabb’s Civic Duty. 12.15 Planet America. 12.45 Keating: The Interviews. 1.45 Grand Designs. 2.35 Long Lost Family. 3.40 Parkinson In Australia. 4.30 Gardening Aust. 5.30 7.30.
6.00 Morning Programs. 12.00 News. 12.30 Press Club. 1.35 Media Watch. 2.00 Restoration Aust. 3.00 QI. 3.30 Home Delivery. 3.55 Grand Designs. 4.45 Long Lost Family. 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. 6.30 Hard Quiz. 7.00 News. 7.30 7.30. 8.00 Hard Quiz. 8.30 Crime Night! 9.00 Spicks And Specks. 9.30 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee (NZ) 10.15 If You’re Listening. 10.35 News. 10.50 The Business. 11.10 Planet America. 11.40 You Can’t Ask That. 12.15 Grand Designs. 1.00 Long Lost Family. 1.50 Rage. 3.05 Parkinson In Australia. 4.30 Gardening Aust. 5.30 7.30.
6.00 News. 9.00 News. 10.00 I Was Actually There. 10.30 The Piano UK. 11.30 Crime Night! 12.00 News. 1.00 Silent Witness. 2.00 Restoration Aust. 2.55 QI. 3.25 Home Delivery. 3.55 Grand Designs. 4.45 Long Lost Family. 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. 6.30 Hard Quiz. 7.00 News. 7.30 7.30. 8.00 Grand Designs Australia. 8.55 Long Lost Family. 9.45 Portrait Artist Of The Year. 10.35 News. 10.50 The Business. 11.05 The Art Of. 11.40 Grand Designs. 12.30 Long Lost Family. 1.15 Rage. 3.40 Parkinson In Australia. 4.30 Gardening Aust. 5.30 7.30.
6.00 Morning Programs. 2.00 The Cancer Killers. 3.00 Nula. 3.30 Living Black: 50 Years Of SBS Indigenous. 3.35 Plat Du Tour. 3.40 The Cook Up. 4.10 Michael Palin In Nigeria. 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. 6.00 Mastermind Aust. 6.30 News. 7.30 Why Cities Flood. 8.30 Nick Knowles Into Death Valley. 9.25 Ancient Builders Of The Amazon. 10.25 SBS News. 10.55 Sisi. 11.55 Rogue Heroes. 2.05 London: 2,000 Years Of History. 3.00 Curious Traveller. 4.30 Bamay. 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Morning Programs. 11.55 Soccer. Aust C’ship. Sydney Olympic FC v Moreton City Excelsior FC. 2.00 Soccer. Aust C’ship. South Melbourne FC v Broadmeadow Magic FC. 4.30 WorldWatch. 5.30 The Irish Civil War. 6.30 News. 7.30 Royal Homes. 8.25 A Year At Kylemore Abbey. 9.25 Japan: World’s Most Punctual Train. 10.20 The Hospital: In The Deep End. 11.25 Homicide. 2.50 Curious Traveller. 4.25 Bamay. 4.55 Destination Flavour Bitesize. 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Morning Programs. 3.00 WorldWatch. 4.00 Gold Stars: The Story Of FIFA World Cups. 5.10 Freedom Is A Verb. 5.30 The Irish Civil War. 6.30 News. 7.30 JFK: One Day In America. 8.25 The Castle: Rebuilding History. 9.45 Watergate High Crimes In The White House. 11.25 Ancient Superstructures. 12.25 MOVIE: The Endangered Generation? (2022) 2.00 Sue Perkins: Along the US-Mexico Border. 4.15 Curious Traveller. 4.50 Destination Flavour Bitesize. 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 France 24 Feature. 5.30 Late Programs.
6.00 Morning Programs. 2.05 The Airport: Back In The Skies. 3.00 Going Places. 3.40 The Cook Up. 4.10 Michael Palin In Nigeria. 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. 6.00 Mastermind Aust. 6.30 News. 7.35 Bill Bailey’s Vietnam Adventure. 8.30 American Prince: JFK Jr. 9.20 Jimmy Carr’s I Literally Just Told You. 10.15 SBS News. 10.45 Conviction: The Case Of Stephen Lawrence. 11.40 The Man Who Died. 2.25 Looking For Rembrandt. 3.30 Curious Traveller. 4.35 Bamay. 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 Late Programs.
6.00 Morning Programs. 1.55 The Australian Wars. 3.00 Going Places. 3.30 Plat Du Tour. 3.40 The Cook Up. 4.10 Michael Palin In Nigeria. 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. 6.00 Mastermind Aust. 6.30 News. 7.30 Railway Journeys UK. 8.30 Who Do You Think You Are? 9.35 The Cancer Killers. 10.40 SBS News. 11.10 The Point. 12.10 Carmen Curlers. 2.15 Looking For Rembrandt. 3.25 Curious Traveller. 4.25 Home Of The Year: Scotland. 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Morning Programs. 2.00 The Black Death With Dan Snow. 3.00 Going Places. 3.35 The Cook Up. 4.05 Megabridges: Spanning The Void. 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. 6.00 Mastermind Aust. 6.30 News. 7.35 Michael Palin In Venezuela. 8.30 Reckless. 9.35 Scotland’s Poshest Train: Alan Cumming. 10.30 SBS News. 11.00 I Am Scrooge. 11.55 Headhunters. 2.30 Looking For Rembrandt. 3.35 Curious Traveller. 4.05 Home Of The Year: Scotland. 4.40 Bamay. 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 Late Programs.
6.00 Morning Programs. 2.00 The Black Death With Dan Snow. 3.00 Going Places. 3.30 Plat Du Tour. 3.40 The Cook Up. 4.10 Europe’s Greatest Train Journeys. 5.05 Jeopardy! 5.30 Letters And Numbers. 6.00 Mastermind Aust. 6.30 News. 7.35 Eva Longoria: Searching For Spain. 8.25 From That Small Island: The Irish Story. 9.25 Blue Lights. 10.30 SBS News. 11.00 Ridley Road. 1.15 Exterior Night. 4.25 Home Of The Year: Scotland. 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. 12.00 News At Noon. 1.00 Seven News With Alex Cullen. 1.10 Blankety Blank. 2.00 Bridge Of Lies: Celebrity Specials. 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 News. 5.00 The Chase Aust. 6.00 Seven Local News. 6.30 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. 8.30 MOVIE: The Bourne Legacy. (2012) (M) 11.15 GetOn Extra. 11.45 Motorway Patrol. 12.15 Healthy, Wealthy & Wise. 1.15 In Plain Sight. 2.30 Home Shopping. 4.00 Million Dollar Minute. 5.00 NBC Today.
6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. 11.00 Horse Racing. Five Diamonds Ladies Day and Charity Raceday. 4.30 Border Security: International. 5.00 Seven News At 5. 5.30 Creek To Coast. 6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Healthy, Wealthy & Wise. (PG) 8.00 MOVIE: Independence Day. (1996) (M) 11.00 MOVIE: 65. (2023) (M)
1.00 In Plain Sight. (M)
2.00 Home Shopping. 4.00 It’s Academic. 5.00 House Of Wellness. (PG)
6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 Morning Show. 11.30 House Of Wellness. 12.30 Cricket. WBBL. Heat v Renegades. 4.00 Border Security. 5.00 News. 5.30 Weekender. 6.00 Seven News. 7.00 My Kitchen Rules. (PG) 8.30 The Girl Who Caught A Killer. (MA15+) 11.20 Crime Investigation Australia: Most Infamous. 12.30 MOVIE: Secrets By The Shore. (2022) 2.30 Home Shopping. 3.30 Million Dollar Minute. 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. 12.00 News At Noon. 1.00 Seven News With Alex Cullen. 1.10 Blankety Blank. 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 News. 5.00 The Chase Aust. 6.00 Seven Local News. 6.30 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG) 7.30 My Kitchen Rules. (PG) 9.00 The Rookie. (M) 10.00 Alert: Missing Persons Unit. (M) 11.00 S.W.A.T. 12.00 Girlfriends’ Guide To Divorce. 2.00 Shopping. 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. 12.00 News At Noon. 1.00 Seven News With Alex Cullen. 1.10 Blankety Blank. 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 News. 5.00 The Chase Aust. 6.00 Seven Local News. 6.30 News. 7.00 Home And Away. 7.30 The 1% Club. 8.30 Murder In A Small Town. (M) 9.30 Homicide: With Ron Iddles. 10.30 Grosse Pointe Garden Society. 11.30 Lopez Vs. Lopez. 12.00 MOVIE: Secrets Of A Marine’s Wife. (2021) 2.00 Shopping. 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. 12.00 News At Noon. 1.00 Seven News With Alex Cullen. 1.10 Blankety Blank. 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 News. 5.00 The Chase Aust. 6.00 Seven Local News. 6.30 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PG) 7.30 RFDS. (M) 9.30 House Of Wellness. (PG) 10.30 Chicago Fire. (M) 11.30 The Amazing Race. 1.00 Life. 2.00 Home Shopping. 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. 12.00 News At Noon. 1.00 Seven News With Alex Cullen. 1.10 Blankety Blank. 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 News. 5.00 The Chase Aust. 6.00 Seven Local News. 6.30 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. 8.30 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. (PG) 10.30 Australia’s Most Dangerous Prisoners. 11.30 Gatecrashers. 12.30 Life. 1.30 Harry’s Practice. 2.00 Shopping. 4.00 NBC Today. 5.00 Sunrise Early News. 5.30 Sunrise.
6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: Cooking Up Love. (2021) 2.00 Pointless. 3.00 Tipping Point. 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. 5.30 News. 6.00 9News. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 David Attenborough’s Asia. (PG) 8.40 MOVIE: The Dry. (2020) (MA15+) 11.00 Law & Order: Organized Crime. 11.50 Tipping Point. 12.40 Pointless. 1.30 TV Shop. 4.00 Skippy. 4.30 Global Shop. 5.00 TV Shop. 5.30 Postcards.
6.00 Getaway. 6.30 ACA. 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday. 11.00 Horse Racing. Melbourne Cup Carnival. Stakes Day. 5.00 News. 5.30 Getaway. 6.00 9News Saturday. 7.00 A Current Affair. 7.30 MOVIE: Speed 2: Cruise Control. (1997) (M) 9.55 MOVIE: Exit Wounds. (2001) (MA15+) 11.50 Next Stop. 12.20 Rugby League. Ashes Tour. Third Test. England v Aust. 2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. 4.30 Global Shop. 5.00 TV Shop. 5.30 Helping Hands. 6.00 Morning Programs. 8.30 4x4 Adventures. 9.30 What’s Up Down Under. 10.00 My Market Kitchen. 10.30 GCBC. 11.00 Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Gen.
6.00 Morning Programs. 10.00 Rugby League. 2026 Men’s World Cup Qualifier. Cook Islands v South Africa. 12.30 Rugby League. Women’s Pacific C’ships. Final. 2.30 Rugby League. Men’s Pacific C’ships. Final. 5.00 News. 5.30 My Way. 6.00 9News Sunday. 7.00 The Golden Bachelor. 8.20 60 Minutes. 9.20 9News Late. 9.50 Social Media Murders. 10.50 Mobsters. 11.45 World’s Most Dangerous Prisoners. 12.35 World’s Greatest Journeys. 1.30 TV Shop. 4.00 Believer’s Voice. 4.30 Garden Gurus. 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.
6.00 Morning Programs. 7.30 Freshly Picked. 8.00 Intrepid Adventures. 8.30 What’s Up Down Under. 9.00 Australia By Design: Architecture. 9.30 The Chef’s Garden. 10.00 Frugal Foodie. 10.30 10 Minute Kitchen. 11.00 4x4 Adventures. 12.00 The Dog Academy. 1.00 Wheel Of Fortune. 1.30 Basketball. NBL. Adelaide 36ers v Wildcats. 3.30 Lingo. 4.30 Deal Or No Deal. 5.00 News. 6.00 10 News+. 7.00 Big Brother Australia. 8.30 Ghosts Australia. 9.00 NCIS:
6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 The Golden Bachelor. 1.20 9Honey: He Said She Said. 1.30 Getaway. 2.00 Pointless. 3.00 Tipping Point. 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. 5.30 News. 6.00 9News. 7.00 ACA. 7.30 The Golden Bachelor. 9.00 To Be Advised. 10.00 9News Late. 10.30 The Equalizer. 11.20 Transplant. 12.10 Tipping Point. 1.05 Hello SA. 1.30 TV Shop. 2.30 Global Shop. 3.00 TV Shop. 4.00 Believer’s Voice. 4.30 ACA. 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today. 6.00 Everyday Gourmet. 6.30 GCBC. 7.00 Neighbours. 7.30 Farm To Fork. 8.00 Bold. 8.30 Deal Or No Deal.
6.00 Morning Programs. 9.00 Today Extra. 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 The Golden Bachelor. 1.30 Find My Country House Aust. 2.00 Pointless. 3.00 Tipping Point. 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. 5.30 News. 6.00 9News. 7.00 ACA. 7.30 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo. 8.30 Bump. 9.50 9News Late. 10.20 Wild Cards. 11.20 Around The World With 30 Kilos. 12.10 Tipping Point. 1.00 Find My Country House Aust. 1.30 TV Shop. 2.30 Skippy. 3.00 TV Shop. 4.00 Believer’s Voice. 4.30 ACA. 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today. 6.00 Everyday Gourmet. 6.30 GCBC.
6.00 Morning Programs. 9.00 Today Extra. 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo. 1.00 Great Australian Detour. 1.30 My Way. 2.00 Pointless. 3.00 Tipping Point. 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. 5.30 News. 6.00 9News. 7.00 ACA. 7.30 Budget Battlers. 8.40 Australian Crime Stories: The Investigators. 9.40 Parole. 11.00 9News Late. 11.30 Resident Alien. 12.20 Tipping Point. 1.15 Innovation Nation. 1.30 TV Shop. 2.30 Global Shop. 3.00 TV Shop. 4.00 Believer’s Voice. 4.30 ACA. 5.00 Today Early
6.00
7.35pm Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures.
8.00 To Be Advised.
8.30 Hard Quiz Kids. (R)
9.00 Robot Wars. (R)
10.00 Merlin. (PG, R)
10.40 Officially Amazing. (PG, R)
11.10 Deadly 60. (R)
11.40 Dragon Ball Super. (PG, R)
12.00am Good Game Spawn Point. (R)
12.50 Rage. (PG, R)
7.30pm Hard Quiz Kids.
8.00 Kids BBQ Championship. (PG, R)
8.40 Chopped Junior. (R)
9.20 Fresh Off The Boat. (PG, R)
10.05 Abbott Elementary. (PG, R)
10.25 Speechless. (PG, R)
10.45 Pokémon: Diamond And Pearl. (R)
11.10 Dragon Ball Super. (PG, R)
7.35pm The Mysterious Benedict Society. (PG)
8.05 Crongton. (PG)
8.35 Fresh Off The Boat. (PG, R)
9.15 Abbott Elementary. (PG, R)
10.00 Speechless. (PG, R)
10.20 Merlin. (PG, R)
11.05 Secrets Of The Zoo. (PG, R)
11.55 Horrible Histories. (R)
7.35pm Ninjago: Dragons Rising. (PG, R)
8.00 Operation Ouch! (R)
8.35 Gladiators UK. (PG)
9.35 The Crystal Maze. (PG, R)
10.20 Merlin. (PG, R)
11.05 MythBusters
“There’s Your Problem!”. (PG, R)
11.30 Officially Amazing. (PG, R)
12.00am Operation Ouch! (PG, R)
7.35pm Ninjago: Dragons Rising. (PG, R)
8.00 Operation Ouch! (PG, R)
8.35 Deadly 60. (R)
9.05 Shark With Steve Backshall. (R)
9.55 Merlin. (PG, R)
10.35 MythBusters
“There’s Your Problem!”. (PG, R)
11.00 Officially Amazing. (PG, R)
11.30 Operation Ouch! (R)
7.35pm Ninjago: Dragons Rising. (PG, R)
8.00 Operation Ouch! (R)
8.35 To Be Advised.
9.55 Pokémon: Diamond And Pearl. (R)
10.15 Fresh Off The Boat. (PG, R)
11.00 Abbott Elementary. (PG, R)
11.40 Operation Ouch! (R)
11.55 Good Game Spawn Point. (R)
12.40am Rage. (PG, R)
7.35pm Ninjago: Dragons Rising. (PG, R)
8.00 Operation Ouch! (PG, R)
8.35 Secrets Of The Zoo. (PG, R)
9.20 Amazing Animal Friends. (PG, R)
10.05 The Mysterious Benedict Society. (PG, R)
5.30pm Escape To The Country. (R)
6.30 Bargain Hunt. (PG, R)
7.30 The Yorkshire Vet. (PG, R)
8.30 Escape To The Country.
11.30 Bargain Hunt. (PG, R)
12.30 Escape To The Country. (R) 1.30 The Great Australian Doorstep. (R)
6.00pm Dog Patrol. (PG, R)
6.30 The Yorkshire Vet. (PG, R)
8.30 Escape To The Country.
9.30 Escape To The Country. (R)
11.30 The Yorkshire Vet. (PG, R)
1.30 The Great Australian Doorstep. (R)
2.00 RSPCA Animal Rescue. (R)
5.30pm Escape To The Country. (R)
6.30 Escape To The Country. (R)
7.30 The Marlow Murder Club. (M, R)
8.30 Vera. (M, R)
10.30 The Thief, His Wife And The Canoe. (M, R)
11.30 Heathrow. (PG, R)
12.00 Harry’s Practice. (R)
5.30pm Escape To The Country. (R)
6.30 Bargain Hunt. (PG, R)
7.30 Doc Martin. (PG, R)
8.30 Endeavour. (M, R) 10.30 Air Crash Investigations: The Accident Files. (PG, R) 11.30 Doc Martin. (PG, R)
12.30 Bargain Hunt. (PG, R)
1.30 Our Town. (R)
2.00 Harry’s Practice. (R)
5.30pm Escape To The Country. (R)
6.30 Bargain Hunt.
7.30 Call The Midwife. (M, R)
8.45 Judge John Deed. (M, R)
10.45 Autopsy USA. (M, R)
11.45 Bargain Hunt. (R)
12.45 Hornby: A Model Empire. (PG, R) 2.00 Harry’s Practice. (R)
5.30pm Escape To The Country. (R)
6.30 Bargain Hunt.
7.30 Heartbeat. (PG, R)
8.45 Inspector George Gently. (M, R)
10.45 Air Crash Investigations. (PG, R)
11.45 Bargain Hunt. (R)
12.45 Our Town. (R)
1.15 The Great Australian Doorstep. (R)
2.00 Harry’s Practice. (R)
5.30pm Escape To The Country. (R)
6.30 Bargain Hunt.
7.30 Father Brown. (M, R)
8.30 Line Of Duty. (M)
6.00pm To Be Advised. 8.15 Surveillance Oz. (PG, R)
8.45 Movie: Contraband. (2012) (M, R) Mark Wahlberg, Ben Foster, Kate Beckinsale. 11.00 Movie: The Chronicles Of Riddick. (2004) (M, R) 1.30 Pawn Stars. (PG, R) 2.00 Surveillance Oz. (PG, R)
6.00pm Football. AFL Women’s. Finals Series. 8.15 Movie: Spider-Man: Far From Home. (2019) (M, R) Tom Holland, Jake Gyllenhaal, Zendaya.
10.55 Movie: The Man From Toronto. (2022) (M, R)
1.15 Pawn Stars. (PG, R) 1.45 Pawn Stars. (PG, R)
7.30 Cricket. Women’s Big Bash League. Match 3. Perth Scorchers v Sydney Sixers. 11.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG, R)
12.00 Blokesworld. (PG, R) 12.30 NFL. NFL. Week 10. Atlanta Falcons v Indianapolis Colts.
5.30pm American Pickers. (PG, R) 6.30 Pawn Stars. (PG, R) 7.30 Outback Crystal Hunters. (PG) 8.30 Aussie Gold Hunters. (M, R) 9.30 Aussie Salvage Squad. (M, R) 10.30 Mighty Ships. (R) 11.30 Tougher In Alaska. (PG, R) 12.30 Storage Wars. (PG, R)
5.30pm American Pickers. (PG, R) 6.30 Pawn Stars. (PG, R) 7.30 Outback Truckers. (PG) 9.30 Outback Farm. (PG, R) 10.30 Ice Road Truckers. (PG, R)
12.30 Storage Wars. (PG, R)
1.00 American Pickers. (PG, R) 2.00 Pawn Stars. (PG, R)
5.30pm American Pickers. (PG, R)
6.30 Pawn Stars. (PG, R)
7.30 Highway Patrol. (PG, R)
8.30 The Force: Behind The Line. (PG, R) 9.30 Caught On Dashcam. (M)
10.30 World’s Wildest Police Videos. (M, R)
11.30 Live PD: Police Patrol. (M, R)
5.30pm American Pickers. (PG, R)
6.30 Pawn Stars. (PG, R)
7.30 Family Guy. (M)
5.30pm The Travelling Auctioneers. (R)
6.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
7.30 Secret Life Of The Auction House.
8.30 Movie: Under Siege. (1992) (M, R) 10.40 Movie: Cold Sweat. (1970) (M, R) 12.35 My Favorite Martian. (R) 1.00 Creflo Dollar Ministries. (PG, R)
5.30pm Movie: Foreign Intrigue. (1956) (PG, R) Robert Mitchum.
7.30 Movie: The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. (2015) (PG, R) Judi Dench, Bill Nighy.
9.55 Movie: Bank Of Dave. (2023) (M, R) Rory Kinnear, Phoebe Dynevor.
12.05 Movie: Twisted Nerve. (1968) (M, R)
3.50pm Movie: Ice Cold In Alex. (1958) (PG, R)
6.30 M*A*S*H. (PG, R)
7.00 M*A*S*H. (PG, R)
7.30 M*A*S*H. (PG, R)
8.00 M*A*S*H. (PG, R)
8.30 Movie: Lethal Weapon. (1987) (M, R) 10.45 Major Crimes. (M, R) 11.45 Movie: Sweeney! (1977) (M, R) 1.45 Movie: Angels One Five. (1952) (G, R)
5.30pm The Travelling Auctioneers. (R) 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
7.30 Death In Paradise. (M, R)
8.40 Shakespeare And Hathaway. (PG, R) 10.40 Major Crimes. (M, R) 11.40 Poirot. (PG, R) 1.00 Creflo Dollar Ministries. (PG, R)
5.30pm The Travelling Auctioneers. (R)
6.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
7.30 New Tricks. (M, R)
8.40 The Chelsea Detective. (M) 10.40 Major Crimes. (M, R)
11.40 Poirot. (PG, R)
1.00 Creflo Dollar Ministries. (PG, R) 1.30 Movie: The Amorous Prawn. (1962) (G, R)
5.30pm The Travelling Auctioneers. (R)
6.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
7.30 To Be Advised. 8.40 Midsomer Murders. (M, R)
10.50 Major Crimes. (M, R)
11.50 Poirot. (PG, R)
1.00 Creflo Dollar Ministries. (PG, R)
1.30 Movie: The Dancing Years. (1950) (G, R)
5.30pm The Travelling Auctioneers. (R)
6.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)
5.30pm JAG. (PG, R)
6.30 JAG. (PG, R)
7.30 NCIS. (M, R)
8.30 NCIS. (M, R) 9.25 NCIS. (M, R) 10.20 Numb3rs. (M, R) 11.20 Blue Bloods. (M, R) 12.15 Home Shopping. (R) 12.45 Home Shopping. (R) 1.15 Home Shopping. (R) 1.45 Home Shopping. (R)
6.00pm The King Of Queens. (PG, R)
6.30 Friends. (PG, R) 7.00 Friends. (PG, R) 7.30 Movie: Black Rain. (1989) (M, R) 10.00 Becker. (PG, R) 10.30 The King Of Queens. (PG, R) 11.30 The Neighborhood. (PG, R) 12.00 Ridiculousness. (PG, R) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R)
5.35pm If You Are The One. (PG)
6.40 Jeopardy! (R)
7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (M, R) 8.30 Women Who Rock. (M, R)
9.35 Sex Unlimited. (MA15+, R) 10.30 Adam Hills: The Last Leg. (M, R) 11.25 Liam Gallagher: Knebworth 22. (MA15+, R)
6.00pm Football Tonight. 6.35 Soccer. A-League Men. Round 4. Melbourne Victory v Melbourne City. 9.00 NCIS. (M, R)
9.55 NCIS. (M, R)
10.50 NCIS. (M, R)
11.45 NCIS: Hawai’i. (M, R) 12.40 Evil. (MA15+, R) 1.50 Evil. (MA15+, R)
6.00pm Friends. (PG, R)
6.30 The Big Bang Theory. (PG, R)
8.20 The Big Bang Theory. (PG, R) 8.45 The Big Bang Theory. (M, R) 10.00 The King Of Queens. (PG, R) 11.00 Ridiculousness. (PG, R)
12.00 South Park. (M, R)
1.00 Home Shopping. (R)
1.30 South Park. (M, R)
5.30pm JAG. (PG, R)
6.30 JAG. (PG, R) 7.30 NCIS. (M, R) 8.30 NCIS. (M, R) 9.25 NCIS. (M, R) 10.20 Blue Bloods. (M, R) 11.15 Evil. (MA15+, R) 12.25 Home Shopping. (R) 12.55 Home Shopping. (R) 1.25 Home Shopping. (R) 1.55 Home Shopping. (R)
6.00pm Friends. (PG, R) 6.30 The Big Bang Theory. (PG, R) 9.35 The King Of Queens. (PG, R) 10.30 Ridiculousness. (PG, R)
11.30 South Park. (MA15+, R) 12.30 Home Shopping. (R)
1.30 South Park. (MA15+, R)
5.30pm JAG. (PG, R) 6.30 JAG. (PG, R)
7.30 NCIS. (M, R)
8.30 NCIS. (M, R)
9.25 Blue Bloods. (M, R)
10.20 NCIS: Hawai’i. (M, R)
11.15 The Real CSI: Miami. (M, R)
12.15 Home Shopping. (R) 12.45 Home Shopping. (R) 1.15 Home Shopping. (R) 1.45 Home Shopping. (R)
5.30pm JAG. (PG, R) 6.30 JAG. (PG, R) 7.30 NCIS. (M, R) 8.30 NCIS. (M, R)
9.25 NCIS: Hawai’i. (M, R) 10.20 Numb3rs. (M, R) 11.15 The Real CSI: Miami. (M, R)
12.15 Home Shopping. (R) 12.45 Home Shopping. (R) 1.15 Home Shopping. (R) 1.45 Home Shopping. (R)
5.30pm JAG. (PG, R)
6.30 JAG. (PG, R)
7.30 NCIS. (M, R)
8.30 NCIS. (M, R)
9.30 NCIS. (M, R)
10.30 The Weekly KickOff.
11.00 Numb3rs. (M, R)
11.55 The Real CSI: Miami. (M, R)
12.50 Home Shopping. (R)
1.20 Home Shopping. (R) 1.50 Home Shopping. (R)
6.00pm The King Of Queens. (PG, R) 6.30 Neighbours. (PG, R) 7.00 Friends. (PG, R)
8.00 The Big Bang Theory. (PG, R)
10.00 Becker. (PG, R)
10.30 The King Of Queens. (PG, R) 11.30 Poppa’s House. (PG, R) 12.00 Ridiculousness. (PG, R) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R)
6.00pm The King Of Queens. (PG, R) 6.30 Neighbours. (PG, R) 7.00 Friends. (PG, R) 8.00 The Big Bang Theory. (PG, R) 10.00 Becker. (PG, R) 10.30 The King Of Queens. (PG, R) 11.30 Poppa’s House. (PG, R) 12.00 Ridiculousness. (PG, R) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R)
6.00pm The King Of Queens. (PG, R)
6.30 Neighbours. (PG, R)
7.00 Friends. (PG, R)
8.00 The Big Bang Theory. (PG, R)
10.00 Becker. (PG, R)
10.30 The King Of Queens. (PG, R)
11.30 Poppa’s House. (PG, R)
12.00 Ridiculousness. (PG, R) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R)
6.10pm Mastermind Australia. (R)
6.40 Mysteries From Above. (PG)
7.35 Impossible Engineering. (R) 8.30 Eddie Murphy: Hollywood’s Black King. (MA15+, R) 9.30 The Idea Of Australia. (PG, R)
10.30 Big Fat Quiz Best Bits: Ultimate Jokes. (R) 11.30 Snowpiercer. (M)
5.50pm History’s Greatest Heists With Pierce Brosnan. (PG, R)
6.40 Abandoned Engineering. (PG, R) 8.30 AK47: The Legend Behind The Gun. (MA15+, R) 9.25 Uncanny. (PG) 10.35 The Change. (M) 11.35 Hudson & Rex. (M) 12.25 Forbidden History. (PG, R)
5.50pm The Food That Built The World. (PG, R) 6.40 Jeopardy! (R)
7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (M, R) 8.30 Sue Perkins: Into Alaska. (M)
9.25 Never Mind The Buzzcocks. (M, R) 10.05 Warren’s Vortex. (M) 11.05 Tell Me What You Really Think. (M, R)
5.50pm The Food That Built The World. (R) 6.40 Jeopardy! (R) 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (M, R) 8.30 Hoff Roading. (PG) 9.25 Go Back To Where You Came From UK. (M)
10.25 Hoarders. (M, R)
11.10 Dark Side Of The Ring. (M)
12.05 The Nine Lives Of. (M, R)
5.50pm The Food That Built The World. (PG, R)
6.40 Jeopardy! (R)
7.05 Jeopardy! (R)
7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (M, R)
8.30 Adam Hills: The Last Leg. (M)
9.25 Movie: Empire Of The Sun. (1987) (PG, R)
12.10 We Need To Talk About Cosby. (MA15+, R)
1.15 WWE Legends. (MA15+, R)
8.00 American Dad! (M)
9.50 Line Of Duty. (M)
11.10 Murdoch Mysteries. (M, R)
12.10 Father Brown. (M, R)
1.30 The Great Australian Doorstep. (R)
9.30 Movie: Happy Gilmore. (1996) (PG, R)
10.35 Merlin. (PG, R)
2.00 Harry’s Practice. (R)
11.30 It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. (M) 12.30 Storage Wars. (M, R) 1.00 American Pickers. (PG, R) 2.00 Pawn Stars. (PG, R)
7.30 Clarkson’s Farm. (M, R) 8.30 Movie: Analyze That. (2002) (M, R) 10.30 Major Crimes. (M, R) 11.30 Poirot. (PG, R) 12.40 Find My Country House NZ. (R) 5.30pm JAG. (PG, R) 6.30 JAG. (PG, R) 7.30 NCIS. (M, R) 8.30 NCIS. (M, R) 9.25 NCIS. (M, R) 10.20 Numb3rs. (M, R) 11.15 The Real CSI: Miami. (MA15+, R) 12.15 Home Shopping. (R) 12.45 Home Shopping.
6.00pm Our Medicine. (PG, R) 6.40 Jeopardy! (R) 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (M, R) 8.30 History’s Greatest Mysteries. 10.10 The UnXplained With William Shatner. (PG) 11.00 Kabul. (MA15+) 1.00 Homicide: Life On The Street. (M, R)
Across 1 Severe (7)
5 Varied (8)
9 Cubic measure (8) 13 Uncultured person (9) 14 Agreement (6)
16 Usually (8)
17 Residents of India (7)
18 Plant scientist (8)
19 Unit of ionising radiation (8)
20 Work independently (9)
25 Photograph (8)
26 Among (6)
27 Able to inject toxin (8)
28 Unfold (7)
30 Oil used in paint (7)
33 Cooling appliances (13)
37 Curved sword (8)
41 Tribal symbol (5)
42 Education, instruction (11)
43 Cover story (5)
44 Foolish (8)
47 Writing letters (13)
50 Theatres (7)
53 Type of cheese (7)
56 Calamity (8)
57 Tap (6)
59 Drug (8)
60 Member of an ambulance crew (9)
65 Notorious Venetian playboy (8)
66 Appraised (8)
67 Card game (7)
68 Japanese grilled chicken (8)
69 Medical professionals (6)
72 Alternative medicine practitioner (9)
73 One present at an event (8)
74 Class almanac (8)
75 Warned (7)
Down
1 Post-mission interview (7)
2 Shorten (7)
3 Labour (7)
4 Rich, deep, red colour (7)
5 Dignify (7)
6 And so forth (abbr) (3)
7 Couple (3)
8 Trainee position (9)
9 Praising someone (14)
10 Fine ceramic material (9)
11 Sea and land boundary (9)
12 People who speak (7)
14 Entertainer (7)
15 Hollow and curved (7)
21 Regretted (4)
22 Name formed after a person (6)
23 Quantity (6)
24 Swear (4)
29 Dizziness (7)
31 Method (6)
32 Constraint (6)
34 Departs (5)
35 Parent’s father (7)
36 Royal rule (5)
38 Ancient Irish language (6)
39 Frozen formation (6)
40 Spokesperson (14)
45 Its capital is Moscow (6)
46 Famous dog (6)
48 Thought (4)
49 Shop selling fine foods (4)
51 Small stone fruit (9)
52 Small outer space body (9)
53 Assuredly (9)
54 Hesitates (7)
55 Charges (7)
58 Firm in purpose (7)
60 Security device (7)
61 Soft cheese (7)
62 Sewer entrance (7)
63 Far (7)
64 Fought (7)
70 Ribonucleic acid (1,1,1)
71 Subside (3)
TODAY'S SOLUTIONS
To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.
41 Tribal symbol (5) 42 Education, instruction (11) 43 Cover story (5) 44 Foolish (8) 47 Writing letters (13)
50 Theatres (7) 53 Type of cheese (7) 56 Calamity (8)
57 Tap (6)
59 Drug (8)
60 Member of an ambulance crew (9)
65 Notorious Venetian playboy (8)
66 Appraised (8)
67 Card game (7)
68 Japanese grilled chicken (8)
69 Medical professionals (6)
72 Alternative medicine practitioner (9)
73 One present at an event (8)
74 Class almanac (8)
75 Warned (7)
8 Trainee position (9)
9 Praising someone (14)
10 Fine ceramic material (9)
11 Sea and land boundary (9)
12 People who speak (7)
14 Entertainer (7)
15 Hollow and curved (7)
21 Regretted (4)
22 Name formed after a person (6)
23 Quantity (6)
24 Swear (4)
29 Dizziness (7)
31 Method (6)
32 Constraint (6)
34 Departs (5)
35 Parent’s father (7)
36 Royal rule (5)
38 Ancient Irish language (6)
39 Frozen formation (6)
40 Spokesperson (14)
45 Its capital is Moscow (6)
46 Famous dog (6)
48 Thought (4)
49 Shop selling fine foods (4)
51 Small stone fruit (9)
52 Small outer space body (9)
53 Assuredly (9)
54 Hesitates (7)
55 Charges (7)
58 Firm in purpose (7)
60 Security device (7)
61 Soft cheese (7)
62 Sewer entrance (7)
63 Far (7)
64 Fought (7)
70 Ribonucleic acid (1,1,1) 71 Subside (3)
Rich,
so forth (abbr) (3)
Can
3
4
5
6
7 LETTERS ARISING AWAKING DEACONS MANHOLE MARTYRS TATTOOS
8 LETTERS ARRANGED
DEMENTIA RELEASES SEASONED
11
Junior Touch Carnival to Kick Off in Ayr
Young Touch Football players from across the region will converge on Ayr on Saturday, 22 November, when the Burdekin Touch Association hosts a Junior Touch Football Carnival for boys and girls aged 9 to 16 years.
The event will feature a ‘Fast Four’ competition format, played on half-sized fields with four players per side and up to six players allowed per team. While standard Touch rules will apply, each set will be limited to four touches, and matches will run for 10 minutes.
Divisions to be contested include Boys Under 10, Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16, and Girls Under 10, Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16. Prizemoney will be awarded to the winners of each division.
“The carnival will give the current players in our under 14 competition and the Friday Juniors a chance to learn more about the game of Touch in a competitive environment,” said Burdekin Technical Director Bruce Johnson.
“We expect teams from Townsville and Bowen to also participate,” he added.
Teams can nominate by completing a form available at the Burdekin Touch canteen on Wednesdays and Fridays, or by emailing burdekintouch4807@gmail.com with team details. The nomination fee per team is $20.
For further information, contact Bec Watson (0400 705 205) or Peter Knapton (0437 710 500).
Round 11 Results – Seniors and Under 14 Mixed
Mixed Under 14s
Baywatch 2 6 (Xavia 3) def Red Rippers 2
Silly Soft Serves 8 (O. Ferguson 3, T. Chapman 2) def Baywatch 3 1
Baywatch 1 10 (Matteo 3, Adea 3, Marcus 3) def Mustangs 1
Seniors Mixed Touch
Nrgize 7 (H. Munro 2, D. Lampton 2) def Antiskeptics 5 (Josiah Ballin 2)
Crocs 8 (C. Zaro 2, D. Doak 2) def Alliance Pharmacy 5 (J. Furnell 3, J. Gimson 2)
Nutek Titans 5 (S. O’Rourke 2, J. Olditch 2) def One Touch IT 4 (S. Smith 2)
Petrol Heads 6 (B. Vasta 2, D. Torrisi 2) def Redskins 2
Royal Touch 7 (C. Formilan 3, A. Miller 2) def Baywatch A 6 (E. Henaway 2)
Touch n Tease 7 (R. Siandri 2, H. Lemon 2) def Pink Piggies 4 (J. Dowson 2)
East Ayr 9 (K. Samios 2, N. Lacey 2) def
Baywatch B 7 (G. Dau-Mocka 2)
Slush Puppies 6 def Jigsaw 3
First in Physio 11 (T. Marshall 4, L. Rattler 3, M. Noah 2) def Renegades 3 (S. Andreatta 2)
One Touch Wonders 9 (K. Drain 5, L. Dobe 2) def Blue Murder 8 (R. Smith 3, C. McGrath 2)
NIS 6 (D. Arrate 4) def Touch Potatoes 2 (H. Horan 2)
Contributed with thanks to Peter Knapton
Football Matters with Cyclops
Avery successful Burdekin FC Presentation Night was held last Saturday at Populin’s Hall. This completes the 2025 season, and it will not be long before the 2026 season approaches. Night Soccer
The sixth week of competition and in a high scoring night, the twenty games produced ninety one goals and there were no Sin Bins! Top scorers were Ladies team Body Tune with fifteen goals, Mottin Earthmoving and Young Guns both netted six and Clare Cutters, UDS and Plumb Dingers all rattled in five goals.
In Men’s Competitive Group, UDS top the table with sixteen points one point ahead of Clare Cutters and Mountain View Fresh stay in third place. In Mens Social 1, DL Lager with thirteen points are two points clear of Willy Wackers with Oary’s Levellers in third place. In Mens Social 2, Jaime’s Boys now lead with twelve points from Always Fits on goal difference, five points ahead of Delta Physio and Bennetts Old Grumpies.
In Ladies Group 1, Scoregasms with sixteen points lead Young Guns by one point with Body Tune in third place and in Group 2, 6 TO UR 7 with twelve points lead Rocky Pond Wonders by two points with DILLIGAF in third spot on goal difference.
Juniors
Social soccer on Tuesday afternoons continues, with some good team performances and lots of enjoyment for the kids.
On Sunday, Ken Mitchell from Football Queensland conducted a Foundation of Football Coaches training course for twelve of our junior coaches. This was a highly informative all day session both theoretically and practically. Thanks to our junior FQ academy players for coming down to help our coaches in the afternoon with the practical aspect of the course (a welcome relief for themselves having completed the practical in the morning session!)
National and International
After the third round of the A League, Auckland top the table after defeating Adelaide 2-2. Sydney FC are one point behind after thumping Newcastle 4-1 and Brisbane Roar is in sixth spot with a 0-0 draw at home to Melbourne City.
The Women’s A league kicked off on the weekend with wins for Central Coast, Perth Glory, Brisbane Roar and Newcastle Jets. Melbourne City and Sydney could only manage a draw.
The Matildas have played two friendlies beating Wales 2-1, in Cardiff on 25 Octo-
ber, before losing 0-3 to England last Saturday.
The Socceroos have two friendlies coming up in November. They play Venezuela in Houston on 15 November and then meet Colombia in New York four days later.
The 2026 World Cup starts on 11 June with the Final on 19 July. Forty eight teams will compete in twelve groups of four team in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The top two teams from the groups plus the best eight third placed teams qualifying for the Round of 32. So far twenty eight countries have qualified with Qatar and Saudi Arabis the last teams to make it.
In the EPL, after ten rounds, Arsenal lead Manchester City by six points with Liverpool and Bournemouth a further point behind. At the foot of the table, it is still looking dire for Wolves who have just two points, but West Ham won, and Nottingham Forest managed a draw against ManU.
In Germany’s Bundesliga, the old order has not changed. After nine rounds Bayern still have maximum points and are five points clear of Leipzig. Dortmund is in third place a further two points adrift and Stuttgart drops to fourth spot. At the bottom of the league three points separate eight teams with Heidenheim and Mainz struggling with just five points.
In Spain, after eleven rounds, Real Madrid leads Barcelona by five points and is still unbeaten. Real has thirty points and Barca twenty five. Villarreal is third two points behind, and Atletico is in fourth spot. Girona and Oviedo continue to hold up the league with seven points each.
In Italy’s Serie A four of the top teams won but leaders Napoli could only draw. They lead Inter, AC Milan and Roma by a point. Juventus beat Cremonese and move up to sixth place. At the foot of the table five of the bottom teams lost and Genoa props up the league.
In France’s Ligue 1 all four top teams won and after eleven rounds PSG leads Marseille and Lens by two points with Lille, Monaco and Lyon a further two points behind. At the bottom of the league Metz have won their last two games and has moved off the bottom one point ahead of Auxerre.
Quote of the Week
Is from Roy Keane, Irish and Manchester Utd star and ex-manager of Nottingham Forest. “If you’re fully prepared you’ve got nothing to worry about - it’s just a game of football. Aggression is what I do. I go to war. You don’t contest football matches in a reasonable state of mind”.
Ayr Brings Home Gold and State Selection from Mackay
For the first time in four years, Ayr brought home gold in the All Age Relay. It was fantastic to see the camaraderie and team spirit, with members young and old cheering the team to victory.
The weekend concluded with presentations for overall club champion, handicap, age champions, and the announcement of the Queensland Country
Contributed with thanks to Kellie Lawry Continued from Back cover
Team. A massive congratulations to Milla Chapman and Warne McShane, both selected for the Queensland Country team and set to compete at the Queensland Interbranch Championships at the end of November. Special congratulations also to Warne McShane, who was named Under-14 Male Age Champion for the weekend.
Burdekin Roosters Players Represent State and International Teams
Last weekend, two Burdekin Roosters A-grade league players were in action in matches at both the north and south of the state.
Front-rower Tate Brombal was in Cairns representing the Queensland Italian team, while utility forward Kali Nauque was in Logan, Brisbane, representing Fiji.
Two years ago, Tate was selected in the Queensland Italian team to play the Cook Islands in Tully, and he says it was a tough match. This year, the team faced the Cardwell Axemen at the Southern Suburbs grounds in Gordonvale on Saturday.
Tate said the Italian team was coached by Johnno Zangrande from Cairns and included players from Cairns and Brisbane,
RUGBY LEAGUE
with Tate the only player from the Townsville area. “The Axemen were made up of players from Cairns, Townsville and Brisbane and were a pretty fast team,” he said. In a high-scoring encounter, the Queensland Italian team won 36 to 20.
Meanwhile, Kali Nauque, a dual Fijian international and World Cup player, represented Fiji in a mini Pacific Islands carnival featuring teams from Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands. Kali said the carnival was grassroots level, with no players involved from the NRL, Queensland Cup or NSW Cup. Games were held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, though no results were available at the time of writing.
The Roosters have a couple of big events scheduled in the
coming weeks. First, the AGM will be held at the Queens Hotel at 4.30pm on Sunday, where the new executive will be decided and coaches for A-grade, Reserve, Under-19 and Women’s teams are expected to be announced.
On Saturday, November 29, the popular Club of Origin games will take place. Players tied to the Burdekin’s four latest clubs – Colts, Hornets, Brothers and Home Hill – will compete for the Bendigo Bank Shield, while unaffiliated players will be drawn by ballot. There will also be plenty of activities for spectators, including a Ladies match featuring Ayr versus Home Hill. More information will be published as the games approach.
Contributed with thanks to Brian Carnes
Surf Lifesaving
Saturday 8/11 1-5pm Group
D - Ben Lawry PC, Kellie Lawry PC, Bella Lawry, Charlotte Lawry, Lisa Vivian
Sunday 9/11 AM 9am-1pm Group
B - Terry Lund PC, Kristy Wassmuth PC, Heather Scott, Anita
Sunday 9/11 PM 1-5pm Group A - Richard
PC,
Alyssa Irvine competing in the 100m patient tow at the Pool Rescue Championships.
Taylor Chapman - 2nd in Under 12 female flags
Emma Jones & Milla Chapman catching a wave in the Under 14 female board rescue
Warne McShane & Milla Chapman, selected in the Queensland Country Team.
Giddy, Briella Wassmuth, Emilee Wassmuth
Dale
Chris Wicks PC, Jane Olsen, Zachary Dale, Stephanie Dale, Warne McShane, Nico Ortner, Wil Holt
Ayr
Club Weekend Beach Patrol at Alva Beach
Home Hill Cricket Teams Battle Hard in CNQ Clashes
Third Grade CNQ – Home Hill vs Wanderers
In a tightly contested Third Grade CNQ clash at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex, Home Hill fell just short,
posting 110 runs before Wanderers chased the target with four wickets in hand.
Home Hill’s innings began shakily, losing two early wickets in the second over. Despite a composed 31 runs from Alexander
Romeo, 19 from Salvatore Cardillo, and a late contribution of 13 runs from Tomey Mathew, momentum proved difficult to recover. Home Hill finished on 110 from 26.2 overs.
Home Hill Bowls Club in Full Swing on Warm Spring Afternoon
BOWLS
Twenty players enjoyed a very warm spring afternoon at Home Hill Bowls Club last Thursday, with a welcome breeze arriving around 2pm.
On Rink 3, Bob Pickard and Alex Bojack (pictured) proved too strong for Yogi Bunn and Hugh Montgomery. Rink 4 saw Margaret Chapman, Mark Swaine and Trevor Elton on song, defeating Nev Webb, Sandra Darwin and Steve Doig. Rink 5 featured a win for
Des Chapman, Dino Poli and Joe Linton over Judy Elton, Bruce McCallum and Mick McClosky. Meanwhile, on Rink 6, in another pairs game, Paul Vass and Michael Young accounted for Betty Webb and Bones Berryman.
The raffle was won by Des Chapman, while Laura Bojack took home a bottle of wine. The club is currently seeking someone to run the kitchen next year, with thanks extended to Judy for all her efforts. The AGM will be held at
The Home Hill bowlers delivered a disciplined performance, keeping Wanderers to 4-114 and pushing the chase deep into the innings. William McLees was the standout, producing three maidens in his six-over spell, taking two wickets for just nine runs. Steven Zabala impressed in the field with a caught-and-bowled wicket and an additional catch.
Second Grade CNQ
– Home Hill vs Suburban Parks
Home Hill’s Second Grade team faced a dominant Suburban Parks side, falling short by 127 runs after Suburban Parks posted 9-242 and restricted Home Hill to 9-115.
Guy Stevenson led the Home Hill bowling attack with 3 wickets for 13 runs in 4 overs, breaking the opening partnership and taking two more wickets in quick succession to leave Suburban Parks at 3-75. Thomas Cardillo contributed 2 economical wickets in 2 overs, and JD Wilkins also took 2 wickets, but the Home Hill attack was ultimately unable to stop the flow of runs.
In reply, Adam Camer top-scored with a brisk 34 off 38 balls, hitting six boundaries. JD Wilkins anchored the innings with an unbeaten 24 from 35 deliveries. However, the remainder of the lineup struggled against disciplined bowling, with five batters dismissed for single digits, as Home Hill finished at 9-115.
10am on 13 December 2025.
Regular club activities continue to thrive. Monday morning fitness, Tuesday Trimmers and Tuesday Funday remain popular. Wednesday features the Kraft Group and evening barefoot bowls with a sausage sizzle. Thursday includes morning BINGO, social bowls in the afternoon, and $5 social bowls sessions.
Till next week, happy bowling!
Photo and report by Stephen Doig
Bob Pickard and Alex Bojack were too good for Yogi Bunn and Hugh Montgomery.
he team then hit the beach for two days of challenging racing in very hot conditions. Competitors took on a range of individual events, including surf race, board, ironperson, tube, flags, sprints, and 1–2km beach runs, as well as team events such as surf teams, Cameron relay, Taplin relay, board rescue, board relay, beach relay, and two-person R&R. Despite the high calibre of competition, the Ayr members held their own and secured multiple individual and team podium finishes.
