TOP NEWS

Bright Light Christmas Cheer At Paul Cavallaro’s House

With countless cars making the drive out to see the infamous Christmas lights at Paul Cavallaro’s house, this lively and extravagant display has become a Hinchinbrook family tradition during the merry season, dating back 21 years. Paul and his mother Mary began creating a lights display for Paul’s nephew and discovered that they enjoyed it so much they continued expanding their collection and, as the years went by, their reputation grew. Continued on page 3 Paul Cavallaro and his mother Mar

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Shop & Win Success At The Late Night Shopping Event

With unpredictable weather attempting to dampen the festive spirit of the region, the Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce and Markets at the Mosaic organisers assured the second 2024 Late Night Shopping event would go ahead, rain, hail or shine! On Thursday 19th December, a wonderful turnout filled Mercer Lane and surrounding precincts, with stalls retailing handmade delights, delicious treats, beautiful plants, fantastic florals, and more for all to enjoy. Shoppers flooded the streets, supporting

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Mangiamo, Beviamo E Cantiamo At The Australian Italian Festival

Ingham will soon be treated to another wonderful celebration of Italian culture with the return of the Australian Italian Festival scheduled for Saturday 7 June, and Sunday 8 June 2025! An annual celebration of all things food and culture, the Australian Italian Festival continues to make headlines across the state, with the atmosphere beautifully complimented by Ingham’s gorgeous TYTO wetlands and parklands. Since its establishment in 1995, the festival has grown exponentially with the suppor

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Graduation Night Excitement For Hinchinbrook Emergency Service Cadets

On Monday 9 December the Hinchinbrook Emergency Service Cadets had their graduation, acknowledging the hard work they have dedicated to the service. 18 Cadets received their end of year graduation certificates marking the completion of the 2024 Program, while one Senior Cadet who is now over 18, graduated the whole program, having been a cadet for the past four years. On the night all Cadets graduated the year and some received special awards. Keldon Fletcher was awarded the Don Prichard mem

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Councillor Column With Councillor Donna Marbelli

I am deeply privileged to have been elected as Councillor for a second term by the residents of Hinchinbrook Shire.

It is an honour to continue serving this vibrant community, and I am excited to work closely with all of you over the next four years.

As the Community and Cultural Services Advisory Portfolio Councillor, I look forward to continuing my work with various initiatives and committees, including Art and Culture, “First 5 Forever” program, North Queensland Sports Foundation "Move It" program, Human Social Recovery Sub-Group as Chairperson, Regional Arts Development Fund panel member, Community Activity Grants panel member, Youth Development Advisory Committee, Australia Day Advisory Group, and Taylors Beach Progress Association, just to name a few.

Liveability in our district remains a key focus together, we think it, work it, achieve it.

I am particularly excited about expanding our efforts in fostering a strong sense of community and belonging. Council will continue to promote arts and culture, as these are vital components of a vibrant society that celebrates diversity and creativity. Additionally, I am committed to enhancing our youth development programs, ensuring that the next generation has the tools and opportunities they need to succeed.

Council will also maintain our focus on health and wellbeing initiatives like the "Move It" program, encouraging everyone to stay active and engaged. In the aftermath of recent challenges, our work with the Human Social Recovery Sub-Group will be crucial in ensuring that all community members feel supported and resilient.

Our district's liveability is not just about infrastructure and services, it’s about creating an environment where people feel connected, valued, and empowered to contribute to the community’s growth. I believe that by working together, we can address the challenges we face and turn them into opportunities for innovation and progress.

I’m very excited to be able to submit a column in this newspaper on a rotation with other Councillors, sharing community highlights.

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! May your holiday season be filled with joy, love, and special moments with family and friends. I look forward to an amazing 2025 ahead.

IN OTHER NEWS

Christmas For Everyone
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Rural Health Worker Incentives Cut Dametto Concerned About Government Decision
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Ingham Maraka Festival Has Big Plans For 2025
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Christmas Message from Nick Dametto MP
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