By Amanda Wright The 2025 Federal Budget was never just about dollars and cents—it was about the direction Australia takes in the years ahead. Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ latest budget, delivered on 25 March, makes clear where the Albanese government believes that the future lies: in cost-of-living relief, housing, and a transition to a more sustainable economy. But with an election now set for 3 May, it’s impossible to ignore the political stakes. Is this a responsible economic plan or a budget de
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When disastrous floods swept through the region in February, the town of Ingham found itself in a crisis unlike any it had seen in recent memory with devastating flood waters surpassing the levels they reached in the historic floods of 1967. Amidst the chaos of the floods the local medical practices Hinchinbrook Healthcare and Ingham Family Medical Practice banded together in times of uncertainty and provided a glimmer of light to Ingham residents, demonstrating remarkable resilience and resour
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Victoria grew up in Brisbane and went on to pursue a Cert III in Business Administration while also qualifying as a swimming teacher through AustSwim. Their career path led them to roles as a receptionist and swimming instructor, where they worked hard to fund their Diploma of Arts. Later serving as an editor for a medical journal at Queensland University of Technology, Victoria further sharpened their writing and editorial skills. Victoria's family live in Macknade and moving to the reg
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A striking symbol of resilience and awareness now stands along the highway in Ingham—its vivid blue branches reaching out as a reminder that no one has to struggle in silence. The Blue Tree Project, a national initiative aimed at breaking the stigma around mental health, found a home in the town in July 2023, thanks to a collaborative community effort. Councillor Donna Marbelli first saw a Blue Tree while driving between Townsville and Ingham and knew the town needed one of its own. The search
Read the full storyLocal resident, Moiya Finocchiaro contacted the paper to let us know about two individuals in the community that she feels deserve to be acknowledged for their selfless actions during the floods.
When floodwaters rose around a community of elderly residents in Ingham, two women stepped forward to offer much-needed assistance, providing support that has left a lasting impact on those they helped.
Moiya Finocchiaro, a 79-year-old resident at the Apex Units recalls how Lea Vincenzi and Carina Chesson went out of their way to ensure the safety and well-being of her and her neighbours, many of whom were left isolated and without power during the crisis.
Moiya said that Lea drove through flood waters and announced “Excuse me, is there anything I can do to assist you?”
Moiya said that Carina allowed residents to charge their phones and even watch the news on a tablet.
“It was just something from the outside world, and we could see what other people were suffering too,” explained Moiya.
“We then realised that we were quite happy here - we all assisted each other as much as we could."
Almost four weeks later and Moiya says the residents of the Apex Units are still talking about the selfless acts of the two women helpers.
“I would like to thank them. This is the future of Ingham. Ingham will never die while we have these type of women to carry on and that's the truth of it," expressed Moiya.
“They had their own problems, but they took their time out to come to 22 people that they didn't know.”
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