Are they not the most gorgeously beautiful and courageous ladies you have seen? Taking that step out into the Maraka spotlight are our wonderful Queens and Princesses, each putting themselves out there for the chance to claim the crown. You’ll get to meet them at the Wine and Cheese Night, the Afternoon Tea, Kids Big Day Out, and Aquathon, all before Hinchinbrook comes together for the ultimate display of regional pride at the Maraka Festival Mardi Gras Parade and Crowning. Mark your calendars as October runs Maraka royal green, floats and fireworks are just the tip of the festival iceberg!
Read the full storyAre they not the most gorgeously beautiful and courageous ladies you have seen? Taking that step out into the Maraka spotlight are our wonderful Queens and Princesses, each putting themselves out there for the chance to claim the crown. You’ll get to meet them at the Wine and Cheese Night, the Afternoon Tea, Kids Big Day Out, and Aquathon, all before Hinchinbrook comes together for the ultimate display of regional pride at the Maraka Festival Mardi Gras Parade and Crowning. Mark your calendars as October runs Maraka royal green, floats and fireworks are just the tip of the festival iceberg!
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On Saturday 11 October, the Cardwell Coastguard hosted its annual Tropical Plant Expo, drawing plant lovers from near and far. The event featured an impressive range of plants for both display and sale, with many local sellers showcasing exceptional specimens. Visitors enjoyed browsing the stalls, chatting with growers, and picking up new additions for their gardens. Alongside the plants were home-grown fruit and vegetables, a delightful selection of prize-winning homemade jams, and beautiful artworks by Mandy. No Coastguard event would be complete without the classic BBQ, complemented by coffee and cake. It was a wonderful day enjoyed by all who attended.
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TYTO Regional Art Gallery is currently home to two thought-provoking exhibitions, each exploring the world around and beyond, through entirely different lenses. In the main gallery, Flies and Weevils and Cockroaches by Lorraine Lamothe invites visitors to see beauty where they might least expect it. At 75, Lorraine found herself yearning to reconnect with her creativity after a quiet spell. “I thought, well, that’s it, I’ve got to put myself out there again and see what can happen,” she said. When Tyto confirmed her exhibition, she recalls thinking, “You’re not done yet, girl. You’re not done yet.” That moment reignited her passion for creating work that not only excites but also makes people think. Her collection of sculptural insects and woven displays celebrates the misunderstood creatures most people prefer to avoid. “I chose insects that are really disliked,” Lorraine explained. “People need to understand that they’re not all bad. They break down decaying plant material and help the environment. Let’s not be prejudiced about these insects, let’s find joy in them.” Across the way, in the Niche Gallery, artist Ashleigh Jane takes visitors into the realm of myth and legend with Mythical Beasts. Her intricate illustrations breathe new life into creatures drawn from global folklore, from Egyptian hybrids to celestial goddesses. “I’ve always been fascinated by mythology and folklore,” she said. “I wanted to delve a little deeper and rediscover stories that lurk in the darkness, the ones people might not know.” Ashleigh’s exhibition features works from her upcoming second book. Each piece is both a visual story and a modern reimagining of ancient tales. “My favourite story is about Doddle, a rain goddess who milks her heavenly cows to make it rain,” she shared. “But my favourite drawing is the Ikenty, a bird with a cat’s head found in Egyptian hieroglyphs. No one really knows what it was for, but I loved bringing it to life.” Together, these two exhibitions celebrate the power of curiosity, whether it’s found in the smallest of creatures or the myths that have shaped cultures for centuries. Both artists remind us that inspiration can be rediscovered at any stage of life, and that beauty often hides in the unexpected.
Read the full storyThe Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) last Wednesday 20 November, with Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto in attendance on the night.
At the AGM the executive committee were re-elected and are as followed:
President: Mary Brown
Vice-President: Peter Reitano
Treasurer: Siobhan Pelleri
Secretary: Debbie Camp
The new Committee Members are: Sam Torrisi, Ted Cogger and Christina Spencer.
Mary Brown issued a President’s Report during the AGM and touched on several key initiatives Chamber have been involved with over the year.
In November/December of 2023 the Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Hinchinbrook Shire Council, Mayor other sponsors launched the new ‘Shop & Win’ initiative.
The Chamber was pleased to report that, in 2024 the project met with great success with many businesses feeling more support as visitors and locals were encouraged to shop locally.
In May 2024 Chamber managed to deliver an Agricultural Machinery Operator training course. Eleven candidates participated in the course and eleven of them subsequently gained employment.
In other Chamber news, building on the success of the 2023 Markets at the Mosaic, Chamber continued to grow these markets in the last calendar year.
‘Shop The Hinchinbrook Way’ is another initiative managed by Chamber and operated in partnership with Hinchinbrook Shire Council and other major sponsors.
With a marketing campaign to encourage and promote locals and visitors to support local businesses, Chamber were pleased to report that sponsorship grew to a value $13,000 ahead of the event this year.
Chamber also continued their ‘Whole of Shire’ radio promotion discussing Retail & Food, Accommodation, Marine & Beaches, and Nature.
Chamber’s social media profile also increased this year, mainly thanks to Christina Spencer and all of her work in Administration and Social Media Management.
From now on the Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce has said they will be hosting more informal occasions, with formalities talked about first, followed by informal chit-chat/networking.
If you would like to join the Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce reach out to the team. You can call 4776 0090 or go to hinchinbrookchamber.com.au.
The 2024-2025 Executive Committee: Vice President Peter Reitano, Secretary Debbie Camp, Treasurer Siobhan Pelleri, and President Mary Brown.
(BACK ROW) State Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto, Ted Cogger, Vice President Peter Reitano, President Mary Brown, and Sam Torrisi. (FRONT ROW) – Secretary Debbie Camp, Christina Spencer, and Treasurer Siobhan Pelleri.
Photo credit: Daniel Heggie
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