Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables (QCAR) says it has successfully challenged Wilmar Sugar to extend its crush end date for Herbert region mills giving more farmers a chance to minimise standover cane.
The QCAR Herbert River team met with Wilmar management at the Victoria Mill on Thursday (December 5) to contest a notice to growers advising the Herbert mills’ expected finish time and date would be 6pm Tuesday, 17 December.
QCAR Herbert District Chairman Matthew Pappin had argued Wilmar’s notice was invalid as the miller did not first consult with QCAR and it had not given 10 business days’ notice – both conditions outlined in QCAR’s Cane Supply Agreement (CSA).
Mr Pappin said the 17 December date had risked farmers being unable to push through the district’s remaining 270,000-odd tonnes of cane.
“There’s a lot of farmers out there, if the weather does fine up, that can remove more or potentially all of their crop,” Mr Pappin said.
QCAR Herbert River District Manager Lawrence Di Bella said Wilmar, in adhering to QCAR’s CSA, agreed in principle during the meeting to move its crush cut-off time for QCAR members to midnight on 19 December.
“We estimated the Hinchinbrook community, excluding the milling sector, stood to lose about $22.8 million if we don’t harvest the remaining cane.
“Both QCAR and Wilmar have agreed to be flexible in extending the finishing date further pending weather and cane supply to allow all growers to harvest cane.
“Wilmar has also indicated it is prepared to keep mills open as long as possible to let growers supply cane pending its quality and commercial viability.
“Under the QCAR CSA, farmers can supply cane between 6 to 7 units with payments being made from Wilmar.
“Cane less than 7 CCS units ‘Shall be determined by the Mill Owner for use in the Adjustment Payment at the end of the Crushing Season and subsequent cane payments for the Relevant Season’.”
The average CCS for cane crushed at Wilmar’s Macknade and Victoria mills was 11.58 CCS for the week ending November 30 compared to the season to date average of 12.47 CCS.
Mr Di Bella said QCAR would be asking harvesters, in support of Wilmar’s requests, to raise base cutters out of the mud as much as possible and to increase harvester fan speeds to reduce dirt and trash going through the mills, help maintain throughput and give the industry the best chance to get the 2024 crop off.
“Growers are urged to liaise with their harvesting contractor as soon as possible, and for the contractors to contact the mill if they believe they can supply cane,” Mr Di Bella said.
He said QCAR also discussed with Wilmar a harvester ‘buddy system’ “where-by harvesters can work together to get cane off.
“QCAR has agreed that to make this work contractors will need to contact Wilmar CS&T Manager Chris Winship in writing to seek approvals and will need to nominate days in which the buddy system will occur; this is to allow for bins to be scheduled accordingly,” Mr Di Bella said.
He added both QCAR and Wilmar were committed to giving every grower the best opportunity to harvest remaining crops, adding Wilmar advised it intended, at this stage, to supply 100 per cent of contracted cane.
Mr Pappin said farmers prior to the meeting, some of whom still had 30 per cent of their cane in the paddock, had told QCAR they were anxious wet weather could leave them just days to harvest.
“Personally, I’ve got 10 per cent left in the paddock, that’s the little bit of cream on the top at the end of the season that makes your total tonnes, cleans up your farm, allows you to get your fallows done properly,” Mr Pappin said.
He said longer crushes could create difficult circumstances for farmers including flooding of plant cane, trash from freshly cut ratoons smothering crops, and no time to do earthworks and other tasks.
Mr Pappin said the 2024 season had been disappointing with Wilmar delaying the season start after siding with Canegrowers, followed by further interruptions from mill breakdowns and union strikes.
He said farmers were also frustrated about Herbert’s equity system, disparities between harvesting times, and Wilmar’s struggle to process a total tonnage significantly lower than previous years.
“We had just under three million tonnes crushed in December, we should have finished four million tonnes by the middle of November,” QCAR Herbert River member Luciano Mammarella said.
“It’s just not good enough … and it’s the same old excuses (from Wilmar).
“Their attitude is when it’s breaks, they fix it but that’s the wrong attitude. My opinion is that it’s like the dog that chases its own tail.”
Mr Mammarella said he would like to see contracts introduce set finishing dates with consequences for breaching these.
Mr Di Bella said it would be a “challenge in some areas” to get cane off before Christmas, citing recent rainfall totals of up to 500mm in parts of the district over the past 2 weeks.
He said 2024 was the fourth year running Wilmar had declined requests to start the crush at the start of June.
If we would have started on the 4th June, as QCAR requested and Canegrowers Herbert River opposed, we would not be in this situation we are now,” he said, adding the mid-June start stemmed from the existing CSA Canegrowers had in place.
“The QCAR CSA does not have a fixed date in it, allowing us the flexibility to start when we have the best opportunity to get our crop off,” Mr Di Bella said.
For more information concerning discussions that took place please between QCAR and Wilmar, contact Mr Di Bella on 0448 084 252.

The festive season, while joyous for many, can bring unique challenges for families navigating financial and emotional pressures. For those in need, help is just a phone call away. Families experiencing difficulties with relationships, budgeting, housing, or other concerns are encouraged to contact Family and Child Connect at 13FAMILY (13 32 64) for advice and support.

This community-based service aims to keep children safe and families together by connecting them to the right resources at the right time. Whether you need guidance on managing child behaviour, building healthier family relationships, budgeting, or addressing housing and healthcare concerns, Family and Child Connect can help.

The service also works closely with families to determine the type and level of support needed, offering connections to more intensive programs if necessary, with domestic and family violence specialists also available for consultation.

In addition to phone support, Family and Child Connect can arrange face-to-face meetings at home or another safe location. Referrals can also be made online via https://familysupportreferral.org.au.

If you or someone you know could benefit from this support, don’t hesitate to reach out and contact 13FAMILY (13 32 64) to access help.

For four and a half years the team at Bakehouse on Central has been cooking up treats, and at this time of year their delicious Fruit Cake and delectable Christmas Puddings are extremely popular.

Both items are available now and throughout the festive period, as well as plenty of fresh bread, and other Christmas goodies.

In fact, Bakehouse on Central is now taking orders for anything you might need for your Christmas parties and gatherings. From sweet treats including Italian Biscuits, Crostoli, Gingerbread Biscuits, Christmas decorated Iced Cupcakes and more.

In addition, for the first time, this year Bakehouse on Central is offering a new dessert option for your Christmas lunch. Indulge in a refreshing Cassata, a frozen ice-cream dessert, that spreads Christmas cheer inside and out, and best of all it makes the dessert at Christmas lunch easy.

Co-owner of Bakehouse on Central, Serra Previtera said she loves Christmas especially the family time.

“We come from a traditional Sicilian background, and all of our family are here, so we are very lucky to have a big Christmas family gathering,” she said.

“Getting together and eating lots of traditional food, plus keeping that tradition alive – is my favourite part.”

Bakehouse on Central also have a loyalty program for customers, for every seven coffees you buy, you receive one for free, and it’s the same for loaves of Café sized bread.

Open in the build-up to Christmas, Bakehouse on Central is then closed from Wednesday 25th December and will reopen Monday 13th January.

The team at Bakehouse on Central wish all Hinchinbrook residents and loyal customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

Halifax Meats has been owned and operated by the Edmonds family for 15 years, and for the last few years David and his brother Paul, have been running the popular local butchery.

Becoming a butcher was something David always wanted to be and the profession is part of a long-standing family tradition.

“I'm fourth generation, so it's just in the family,” said David.

“I think I have always had a passion for meat. Growing up in and around butcher shops I was working in them every school holidays and it just becomes part of your life.”

One of the reasons David loves being a butcher at Halifax Meats is because he is able to work side by side with his family every day.

“The main thing for me, is I get to work with my brother every day,” he said.

“We are a family shop and that’s what makes us who we are.”

You will recognise Halifax Butchers by the colourful mural that adorns the external wall and can be seen from the street.

“We have a mural on front of the shop, and when we needed to update a few things, we decided to add even more colour!” shared David.

“My kids love Bluey, and I thought a mural was something fun and interactive.

“The kids love it and in the tourist season, we love that people stop to say G’day and take a few photos out front”

Serving the small Halifax community is something that is also very important to David.

“There are a lot of good people in the town,” he said.

“In a small town, it's great because we have a really good sense of community here, so customer service is important to us.”

After completing his internship in 2014, Andrew Giliberto jumped at the opportunity to become the owner of Hinchinbrook Community Pharmacy in Halifax, a position he has occupied since April 2015.

Progressing immediately from an internship to pharmacy owner was a big step for Andrew, but
his prior work experience allowed him to move into the new role with ease.

“When I originally took over, I was fresh out of my internship, so it was a bit of a
shock to the system!” said Andrew.

“I had worked here before, so I knew the previous owner and quite a few of the local people
Which made the transition a lot easier.

“I was already familiar with the daily processes and all that kind of stuff.”

Andrew thoroughly enjoys being a pharmacist, and says the best part is having one-
on-one interactions with customers and forming meaningful relationships.

“I get to know my patients a lot better than I would if I were in bigger cities,” said
Andrew.

“It is good to be back in my hometown too and it’s great to be able to give back to the
community in that way.

“I have found that regional towns have a different kind of atmosphere as
opposed to working in cities.”

Whether you’re looking for all your essentials from prescription medications, cold and flu remedies, through to hair and beauty products, and giftware, Hinchinbrook Community Pharmacy has what you need.

The Ingham Lions Club was founded in December 1961, and chartered successfully in March 1962, providing over 50 years of dedicated volunteer work for the Ingham community.

The Ingham Lions Club are known in the area for their community service work, most recently they were approached by Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School Ingham to sell some hot chips for charity and President Colin Dallavanzi said it went extremely well.

“There was lots of people and kids there, it was good to hop in and sell chips,” said Colin.

“We can make some money out of it, and then we give it back to the community later.”

Colin said that the money they raise they donate to non-for-profit organisations but they have also recently donated to the local hospital, and Colin enjoys the feeling of giving back to the community.

“It’s a good feeling when these recipients receive that amount of money, or the funding to purchase what they need, or have been able to get funds to assist their non-for-profit organisation to continue.”

The Ingham Lions Club currently have 40 members and current President Colin Dallavanzi has been in his position for three terms now, but he says presidency is shared amongst members.

“We change over as much as possible to give everyone some experience in leadership,” said Colin.

“It can break down those barriers of the fear of talking in front of people.

“We don't personally teach public speaking as a course but you develop those skills through chairing a project, in becoming a secretary or treasurer or a president.”

The Ingham Lions Club is always on the lookout for more volunteers, if helping the community is something you find inspiring and want to be apart of, contact them, or chat with the friendly Lions at the next community event.

After an extraordinary 15-year career at the Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre (HCSC), Marilyn Pavetto is retiring, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and dedication that has profoundly shaped our community. Marilyn began her journey in disaster recovery in 2009, providing critical support to families during and post crisis. She then worked as a counsellor and rolled out and delivered a suicide prevention program into the community, educating over 700 locals on how to save their friends and families lives.
Her passion for uplifting others eventually led her to focus on social inclusion for the elderly, a role in which she truly found her calling. Over the years, Marilyn has become a champion for senior citizens, creating programs that foster connection and belonging. From intergenerational projects to information sharing and good old fashioned morning teas, her efforts have empowered older adults to live fulfilling and engaged lives.
Her colleagues praise her as a "tireless advocate and a true inspiration," and the countless lives she’s touched are a testament to her dedication. CEO Linda McClelland praises Marilyn for her dedication and commitment to the organisation and for being a fierce advocate for the aged.
“I will miss Marilyn in the workplace, but her efforts will not be forgotten,” she said.
As Marilyn moves into retirement, HCSC celebrates her incredible achievements and wishes her joy and relaxation in this next chapter. Thank you, Marilyn, for your remarkable service!
Contributed with thanks to the Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre.

A camera happy croc was snapped lazing about on a bank at Sunday Creek over the weekend, with many locals reminded of the need to be Crocwise when in croc country these Christmas holidays.

Captured by the Lucinda Fishing Lodge, many believe the crocodile frequents the area, with similar sightings dating back to 2009. Although its common to spot a reptile or two in the area, boaters can never be too cautious when venturing into croc country.

As advised by the Queensland Government, there are a few simple steps boaters can take to be Crocwise including keeping out of the water, staying at least five meters away from the water’s edge, and keeping a sturdy object between yourself and the water.

Additional tips include avoiding entering the water in the same location twice, exercise extra caution at night, dusk and dawn, dispose of scraps in bins rather than into the water or around boat ramps, and keep clear of areas exhibiting slide marks, tracks and other signs of nesting.

Stay aware and choose safe behaviours around the water in croc country these holidays, and year-round to enjoy waterways safety.

With the Christmas and New Year holiday period almost with us, the volunteers at Ingham Coast Guard would like to wish all boaties a happy and safe time on the water.

Whenever the region experiences an exceptionally low tide, the Ingham Coast Guard often sends a drone up to photograph the exit from the Enterprise Channel at Dungeness. The sand here is continuously moving and has covered up the previous channels through the sand bar that once existed.

The Ingham Coast Guard would like to advise there is now NO channel through the sand bar. All boaties are urged to ensure they have sufficient water under their keel before attempting to cross the bar. A general rule of thumb is that whatever the tide chart says at a given time, there is half that on the bar.

This year-to-date Ingham Coast Guard has been called out 31 times and has rescued 91 people. Please stay safe on the water.

Contributed with thanks to Steve Whipps, Commander, QF14 Ingham Coast Guard.

Lifesavers at Forrest Beach are urging residents and visitors to remain vigilant after netting six box jellyfish outside the stinger net enclosure on Sunday 15 December. The lifesavers also conducted precautionary drags inside the stinger net, with no jellyfish detected.

With hot, calm weather and plenty of bait fish close to shore, conditions were ideal for box jellyfish, which were found in shallow waters. Lifesavers are reminding everyone to take stinger season seriously and follow key safety measures to reduce the risk of stings.

Safety Reminders for Beachgoers
   • Always swim inside the stinger net.
   • Wear a stinger suit for extra protection.
   • Avoid touching the sides of the net.
   • Boaters should exercise caution when launching boats at the ramp.

In the event of a sting, douse the affected area with vinegar for at least 30 seconds, carefully remove any tentacles, and seek medical attention. For severe stings outside patrolling hours, call Triple Zero for an ambulance.

Lifesaver Patrol Hours
While there are no weekday lifeguards during the school holidays, Forrest Beach's dedicated volunteer lifesavers are extending their patrols:
   • Saturdays: 1pm - 6pm.
   • Sundays: 9am - 6pm.
   • Public Holidays: 9am - 6pm.

Box jellyfish stings can be life-threatening, but with the right precautions, everyone can stay safe. For more information on stinger safety, visit lifesaving.com.au.

Almost 150 people attended the official launch of Hinchinbrook Life Newspaper last week, the event marking a moment in history, with the Premier of Queensland David Crisafulli accepting an invitation to formally welcome the newspaper into the community.

QLD Premier Attends Newspaper’s Official Launch

Originally from Ingham, the Premier began his working career in the early 2000’s as a cadet journalist for the Herbert River Express.

This much-loved local newspaper printed its final publication in 2020, the closure of 14 regional newspapers in Queensland marked 124 years of history coming to an end for the Hinchinbrook region.

As such, the reigniting of a community newspaper dedicated to local news has come with much support from the Hinchinbrook Shire Council, Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, the business community and residents of the Shire.

Hinchinbrook Life Newspaper printed its first run on Tuesday 26th February and will print 3000 copies every week.

Publishing each Tuesday, the newspaper is available from more than 15 distribution stands and 50 pick-points throughout Ingham, surrounding townships, north to Cardwell and South to Rollingstone.

On the evening of Wednesday, 4th December, the community had the opportunity to celebrate the official launch of the paper at the Herbert River Sub-Branch RSL Club in Ingham.

The night began with a presentation by Editor in Chief of Life Publishing Group, Rachael Smith, and followed by a moving speech by Mayor Ramon Jayo who publicly acknowledged the value of the newspaper and voiced his support.

Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto also spoke on the evening, complementing the newspaper on all the dealings he’d had with staff so far, expressing his gratitude and confirming his support.

The guest of honour, Premier of Queensland David Crisafulli attended the event with his wife Tegan, mum Karen, father Tony, sister Belinda and family.

Upon arrival he spent some time speaking with the many people that gathered around, treating each person with respect and courtesy.

When he took to the stage, David shared a story about the value of local newspapers stating that the biggest lesson had come from his father who had reminded him that it is the small communities that miss local newspapers the most.

He shared that it is for this reason, along with his long-standing love for regional newspapers and his affinity for his own hometown, that he accepted the invitation to attend the Official Launch.

The evening concluded with the Premier taking the time to speak to many others in the room, accepting invitations to be part of photos and graciously talking with countless attendees.

Hi Everyone,

What a week it has been!

I’m sure many of you will know already that Queensland Premier David Crisafulli came to town last week as the guest of honour at the official launch of Hinchinbrook Life Newspaper.

It was an absolute honour to have him at our launch at the Herbert River Sub Branch RSL in Ingham. David and his team are extremely kind and professional.

As I am still settling into Hinchinbrook, I find it wonderful that the community continue to approach me with story ideas.

This week, at the Launch of the paper, I was told about the mural painted on the side of the Hinchinbrook Community Pharmacy wall. The very next day, I met Andrew (who owns the pharmacy), and he told me the story behind it, and it was fascinating.

Please keep contacting me about any stories you think the community would like to know. It’s these stories that the community want to hear, and I thoroughly enjoy sharing them with everyone.

Whenever I am out and about, I am thrilled to hear everyone’s praise for the paper, knowing that the community not only values the hard work myself and the team are putting in, but also love the paper. It means a lot to us.

Quote of the week

“Sometimes you are aware when your great moments are happening, and sometimes they rise from the past. Perhaps it's the same with people.”
(James Salter, Burning the Days)

For almost 60 years the Taylors Beach community has gathered together for the installation of the Taylors Beach Stinger Net.

The installation and removal has been an annual community event and has now become a community tradition.

President of the Taylors Beach Stinger Net Association Inc. Greg Sexton said this year’s stinger net was put up in mid-November and the net has a deep history.

“The Taylors Beach net started life in the 1960's and was recognised formally by Council in the late 1990's,” said Greg.

“A family got together with locals, and they decided where they wanted to put a net for kids to swim in.

“The first net was quite a primitive affair, there's no doubt about it, it had wooden posts and slats.

“Later steel railway tracks were driven into the sand, and the net was hung off that, and they made it a little bit better. And then one time I was over in UK, I came back and somebody put in some nice concrete posting with PVC tubes over and that's what I look after now.”

Greg also said that the Hinchinbrook Shire Council support them throughout the year which is greatly appreciated.

Additionally, the Taylors Beach community has come together once more to donate $20 towards the upkeep of the net, and Greg is appreciative of that ongoing gesture.

The Taylors Beach net encloses an area 25 metres by 50 metres with two sets of stairs over a rock wall to enter the swimming area.

Hinchinbrook Shire Council is delighted to announce the arrival of nesting Green and Flatback Turtles along the pristine shorelines this season. These remarkable marine creatures are laying their clutches of eggs between November and January, with hatchlings expected to emerge from January to April.

Green Turtles typically lay around 50 eggs per clutch, while Flatback Turtles lay closer to 100. Many turtles nest multiple times a season, and their hatchlings begin a courageous journey to the sea, returning decades later to continue the cycle.

During nesting and hatchling season it’s important to reduce our use of artificial light on the shoreline. Hatchlings use the moonlight and starlight to navigate themselves towards the ocean, which means artificial light can confuse them and they may end up in land.

In addition, nesting turtles prefer beaches with no artificial light, the use of the light can deter them from nesting at their desired beach.

Council is calling on the community to assist in identifying nesting locations and turtle tracks. By reporting sightings or evidence of nesting, such as tracks, residents play a vital role in enabling Council to manage and monitor these sites for the duration of the nesting season.

Nesting sites, including those identified near Lucinda Beach, are fragile ecosystems. Council reminds residents and visitors that activities such as driving or misuse of beaches can crush turtle nests, damage vegetation that protects dunes, and exacerbate erosion. Prohibited behaviours may result in penalties under various legislations.

To report nesting sea turtle sites, please contact Council on 4776 4800 or send a photo of a nest and tracks to council@hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au.

Your support helps protect these magnificent creatures and ensures their legacy for future generations.

Understanding nesting patterns is crucial for:

• Contributing to the conservation of turtle populations within the Great Barrier Reef and globally

• Strengthening funding applications for initiatives like the Hinchinbrook Community Feral Pig Management Program, as feral pigs are known predators of turtle eggs

• Enhancing Hinchinbrook's wilderness appeal, drawing visitors to experience its natural beauty.

Opinion Piece.
As a proud Australian of a multi-cultural nation, I believe it’s important to celebrate where we’ve come from while embracing the values of our country. It’s been disappointing to see the growing trend of corporations and groups using their influence to push people away from celebrating Australia Day—one of the most important dates on our national calendar.
Not celebrating all things Australian on the designated day sounds un-Australian to me. In recent years, the minority voices have tried to shame Australians for celebrating our heritage. Our country and forebearers are not without fault and it’s understandable some may have negative feelings towards our past, but at some stage we must find a way to move forward.
Australia Day is more than just a date, it’s an opportunity to be embrace all that it means to be Australian, what it means to be a resilient, strong and united country.
It’s a time to reflect, to celebrate the people and the achievements that make this country great, and to acknowledge both the triumphs and the challenges that we have collectively faced.
We are a great sporting nation; we are a nation with a proud military history, and we are home to some of the world’s most brilliant minds. Although we are a young nation comparatively, we have a rich multicultural background that can be interwoven with our Indigenous peoples story to create what is modern day Australia.
Bowing to cancel culture by trying to erase Australia Day doesn’t fix anything—it only divides us further. We should be finding ways to unite our nation while instilling national pride in our flag, anthem and country.
This January 26, I encourage every Aussie to find a way to come together with family and friends, to celebrate what it means to live in the lucky country, a country free from war, conflict or imminent treat, a country where everyone is afforded opportunity and free will.
If you choose not to mark the day, that’s your choice—that’s the beauty of living in a free country. But no one has the right to tell us to stop celebrating what the majority love about Australia.
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Nick Dametto MP
Member for Hinchinbrook

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