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 storyIn just two weeks, Cardwell’s own Nephi Denham will be showcasing his talent at his very first solo exhibition at the Umbrella Studio in Townsville. A journey that started nearly 15 years ago, Nephi's passion for art was sparked when his auntie took him to the Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre back in 2010, and it’s been a creative adventure ever since.
Nephi’s connection to his culture has been a driving force behind his work.
“I’ve always wanted to learn about my culture, to understand and listen to the stories told through art,” he says. For his upcoming exhibition, Nephi will be presenting a diverse collection of paintings, weavings, and ceramics.
“I’ve got 46 pieces ready so far, but I’m aiming for 60 to 70 artworks,” he shares.
Nephi said his favourite art styles are weaving and ceramics, he enjoys that it involves more hands-on work.
“When you're weaving in, I sit there for hours. It takes my mind to another place and relaxes me, I suppose, as a person,” Nephi said.
“With ceramics, you can build a form that's possibly in your mind; you can shape it how you want to shape it, shape the clay, be the boss of the clay, and mould it how you'd like it to come out.”
Nephi is not the first in his family to be given the opportunity to display his artwork, art runs in his family.
“There were four other people before me, my father, auntie, sister, and another auntie from Mission Beach and now they have decided to put me up to display my artwork,” laughed Nephi.
“It’s exciting that it’s my first ever exhibition after so many years of helping other artists prepare for their own.”
Over the years, Nephi has learned the three styles of weaving and how to create ceramics. He uses these skills to teach other enthusiastic artists in workshops.
Nephi travels to Tully twice a week, Tuesday and Thursday.
“I teach a lot of ceramics, and also painting,” he said.
“Most years, we have specific themes; higher up gives that out every year, and we try to focus our work for that specific topic or theme.”
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