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 storyConnecting the Dots through Culture is making significant strides in embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into everyday practice within education and support services.
Established in 2019, the company is dedicated to training educators and professionals to create culturally inclusive environments where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children feel valued, respected, and seen.
Co-founders Jackie Bennett and Cecelia See Kee bring decades of experience in community work and education. Their shared vision arose from a recognised need for sustainable, long-term programs that go beyond the short-term cycles of government funding.
“Our biggest mission is working within the Early Childhood sector—because that’s where real change begins,” says the team.
Connecting the Dots through Culture delivers a range of training programs, including the powerful ‘Hidden Histories’ workshop, which explores Australia’s true history from pre-colonisation to the present day. The program invites participants to reflect on where their own family histories intersect with this timeline, creating space for personal connection and understanding.
The organisation’s professional development packages also include mentoring and hands-on workshops, typically delivered in small groups to foster meaningful discussion and engagement.
A standout feature of their work is the immersive study tours to Cherbourg and Thursday Island. These experiences allow educators to learn firsthand about the rich diversity within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities offering a deeper insight into the diversity of the two cultures.
In addition to training, Connecting the Dots through Culture now offers a growing range of educational resources—books, puzzles, and culturally responsive teaching tools—available at their newly expanded shopfront on Palm Terrace in Ingham.
With a growing national reach, Connecting the Dots through Culture continues to foster cultural understanding within education and community services.
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