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 storyFran Nason has had a love for creating art since she was a child and held strong aspirations to become an art teacher specialising in painting after completing her schooling.
After moving from Brisbane to Cairns at the age of twenty, Fran decided to explore a new artform, and pursued a course in lead lighting where she learnt the fundamentals of glass cutting.
“I fell in love with the beautiful colours of the stained glass, and over the years, I developed my skills by making many art pieces for family and friends in my spare time,” explained Fran.
In 2000, Fran and her young family moved to Weipa, where she began teaching the unique artform to many local ladies in a space under her home.
“It was a great social gathering for us, and one night my husband overheard us saying, “wouldn’t it be good if we had a kiln to fuse glass”, and to my surprise, he bought me one as a present for our anniversary,” shared Fran.
With her new kiln, Fran taught herself to fuse and slump glass, and following her retirement as an educator to children with special needs three years ago, her family relocated to Forrest Beach where Fran finds plenty of time to practise her glasswork.
A simple hobby, Fran creates glass art for the local Hinchinbrook Markets here and there to continue funding her passion, and earlier this year, she decided to enter a piece in the 46th Hinchinbrook Art Awards where she received the Overall Acquisitive Award for her piece, “Wallaman Falls at Dusk”.
“The beautiful piece of timber which frames the lead light was gifted to me from a friend’s father’s farm on the Tablelands, and it was the shape of this and the want to create artwork that represents Hinchinbrook that inspired me,” Fran added.
Fran’s talents have been displayed and celebrated on multiple occasions, including winning Champion Exhibit earlier this year at the Ingham Show.
“I am forever learning new techniques to improve my artwork and taking on more challenges, and I enjoy seeing the joy people receive from my artwork.”
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