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
Read the full storyWith 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
Read the full storyIngham 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
Read the full storyOn 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
Read the full storyThe NQIB – Country Cups Challenge Qualifier Hinchinbrook Cup Raceday was a huge success earlier this month with organisers saying they were “very happy with the attendance”.
“We got the crowd we were hoping for, and more for a normal November meet,” they said.
Highlights on the day was the Fashions on the Field event which was a stand-out this year!
There were 10 Fashions Categories and over $10,000 worth of prizes.
“The Fashions itself, that were getting around trackside were phenomenal!”
Another highlight would be the amazing sponsorship the event received from the Ingham and Townsville business community.
“Without their generosity, we wouldn’t be able to have Race Day Events, or even, Fashions on the Field Events.”
Fashions on the Field Event
Judges were Marnie Davidson, Chelsea Burger and Jane Caffery.
Ingham Travel Classic Lady of the Track
Runner Up: Donna Smith
Winner: Amy Byrnes
Coffee Presto Contemporary Lady of the Track
Runner Up: Lolia Holder
Winner: Rachel Swarbrick
Snippers Boutique for Hair Millinery
Runner Up: Amy Byrnes
Winner: Hayley Place
Lifelong Supports Man of the Track
Runner Up: Bob Shaw
Winner: Peter Dibella
Northern Aroma Most Stylish Couple
Runner Up: Cheryl Shaw and Bob Shaw
Winner: Angelique Dibella and Peter Dibella
Living the Hinchinbrook Way (Local Category)
Winner: Sonia Milton
Best Dressed Family
Winner: Hayley, Brenton, Parker and Matilda Place
Best Dressed Junior Boy (0-11 years)
Winner: Parker Place
Best Dressed Junior Girl (0-11 years)
Winner: Matilda Place
There were no entrants in the Best Dressed Boy or Girl (12-17 years)
Spotter's Choice
Runner Up: Tahnee Bartolini
Winner: Amanda Truffa
Horse Racing Results
Horse racing was also a big part of the day, there were six local races on the day and all races were well contested with some very close finishers, especially Race 6, The Ingham Cellarbrations Ingham Gold Cup.
It was won by Joe Russo’s locally trained horse Zouhope.
After the races, the crowd were entertained with live music and DJ
Kids were also kept entertained during the day with face painting and balloon twisting.
Race Results
Race 1 COSCA ACCOUNTANT'S - MAIDEN PLATE 3-Y-O & Up. Set Weights 1100m
1st 1 Feargach Trainer. Alex Malliff Jockey. Nathan Day $12
2nd 2 Fivelineditty Trainer. Joe Russo Jockey. Ms L J Morrison $4.40
3rd 6 Miss Mildred Trainer. Matthew McGuire Jockey. S E Sheargold $3.20
Race 2 INGHAM CONCRETE / WILMAR SUGAR - QTIS BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP 1200m
1st 2 Fast As Steel Trainer. Alwyn Bailey Jockey. Ms L J Morrison $2.80
2nd 5 Hit Snooze Trainer. Georgie Holt Jockey. Ms G S Semmens $4.40
3rd 3 Collombatti Trainer. Matthew McGuire Jockey. S E Sheargold $16
Race 3 INGHAM MAZDA - BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP 1000m
1st 1 Jawgo Trainer. Alex Malliff Jockey. P G Romeo $2.20F
2nd 5 Tantrums Trainer. Bill Kenning Jockey. D Smith $6
3rd 2 Bean Warrior Trainer. Rodney Miller Jockey. Ms J S Edwards $13
Race 4 STOKES & COMPANY ACCOUNTANTS - CLASS B HANDICAP 1400m
1st 1 Tymon Trainer. Matthew McGuire Jockey. S E Sheargold $1.80F
2nd 3 Wong Way Trainer. Mark Dale Jockey. Ms G S Semmens $4
3rd 4 Russian Rose Trainer. Alex Malliff Jockey. N A Day $7
Race 5 NQIB COUNTRY CUPS CHALLENGE QUALIFIER / HINCHINBROOK CUP OPEN HANDICAP 1400m
1st 6 Aolani Trainer. Tom Button Jockey. Ms G S Semmens $2F
2nd 4 Loburn Lass Trainer. Alwyn Bailey Jockey. Ms L J Morrison $2.10
3rd 3 Savvy Sovereign Trainer. Matthew McGuire Jockey. S E Sheargold $4.40
Race 6 INGHAM CELLABRATIONS INGHAM GOLD CUP - BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 1600M
1st 4 Zouhope Trainer. Joe Russo Jockey. Ms L J Morrison $2.60
2nd 1 Going Nuclear Trainer. Matthew McGuire Jockey. S E Sheargold $2.50F
3rd 2 Tycoon Lad Trainer. Georgie Holt Jockey. A Butler $4.40
Photo credit: Christopher Spencer