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 March monthly Chamber Meeting was held last Monday and very well attended despite the return of another rain event. The meeting was very well attended with new Members welcomed and some new faces around the table.
Chamber would like to acknowledge and thank Alan and Sharon Quagliotto, previous owners of the Royal Hotel, for their years of support of chamber and for hosting the monthly meetings for so many years and always being accommodating and welcoming. We wish them well in retirement and hope they have an opportunity to relax and enjoy this next phase of their life. We also thank the new hotel owners for continuing to support chamber in hosting their monthly meetings at this venue.
The meeting opened with President Mary Brown acknowledging the challenging times that the business (and broader) community has experienced during this recent flood event and commending the strength and determination that has been demonstrated by so many to reopen their businesses and return as quickly as possible to some kind of normal.
An update was provided in relation to the work that has been done by Chamber to continue to support its members and as many local business owners as possible during and after this event. Working with the relevant government agencies, Dept Small and Family Business, Rural financial Counsellors, Wellness Coach, Insurance Council of Australia and QRIDA. Chamber has to date, facilitated three lots of “One-on-One” sessions for local business owners with QRIDA representatives and are very pleased with the uptake to date.
An update was provided in relation to the local spend from flood donations through GIVIT and how this is supporting the economic recovery processes locally, as well as benefiting those who have been significantly impacted through the flood event. Chamber’s Administration Assistant, Christina, provided valuable information in relation to business openings and contact for GIVIT team, immediately after they were engaged. This information assisted in ensuring as many local businesses could be included in the GIVIT local supplier database.
Chamber continues to survey local business owners to gain an understanding of the Flood event Impact, having commenced immediately after the event and follow up survey at 6 weeks post event. The information received from these surveys is consolidated to provide trends, which enables Chamber to provide input to the economic recovery sub group and advocate for support for the business community.
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