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 storyThe Hinchinbrook Shire Library remains closed due to flooding, and the Halifax Library is open under limited opening hours, but Street Libraries are open around the shire.
Lynn Romano created a Street Library Last year at the bus shelter at Toobanna State School, so avid readers or travellers can read books and magazines at any time.
“My son, he loves to read. I have to say, I'm not a big reader myself, but I know reading is something we should do,” said Lynn.
“We do a bit of traveling with the caravan, and we have seen libraries in other places, and I just thought, well, it would be a great thing to have locally so people could access free books.
“When we've been in caravan parks, people would often leave books in the camp kitchen, they were passing them on in that way. So that was part of the journey and thinking about what to do here.
“It's near the school, I know lots of kids don't really like reading much and don't actually have many books. I just thought it might be a good place to have it. It's easy for people travelling past, easy for kids and for people in the community as well.”
Despite Toobanna school and homes receiving flooding, Lynn said that the library was safe, and the airtight container left the books with zero damage or mould.
“I went back to check it was okay after the flood and I put extra books in. It is quite full with books and magazines now,” said Lynn.
Lynn said that Street Libraries are all about sharing books in a free exchange.
“You don't have to leave books if you don't have any, but if you have something that you've already read, why not pass it on to somebody else?” said Lynn.
Street Libraries are all about inviting neighbours, travellers, or other community members together in sharing the joy of reading.
There is also a Street Library located on Hawkins Street in Ingham.
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