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 storyCarol Sanderson has been a dedicated volunteer with the Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre since its establishment in 1980—an incredible 44 years of service. Over this time, she has taken on numerous roles within the organization, including receptionist, emergency relief coordinator, and provider of community information and referrals. She also contributed to the food bank and served on the board.
The Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre began as a simple community information center and has since evolved into the comprehensive service provider it is today. Carol has been a constant presence through this journey, embracing change with a cheerful and friendly attitude.
Beyond her work with the Centre, Carol volunteers with other community organizations, such as Ingham Palliative Care, and previously dedicated 20 years as a Scout Leader. For Carol, volunteering is a way to stay engaged and connected.
"It’s the best thing to do instead of sitting at home feeling sorry for yourself. I’m getting out and meeting a lot of nice people," she said.
When asked about the challenges of volunteering, Carol admits, "Not always being able to help everybody" is the hardest part.
Volunteers like Carol are the backbone of the Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre, helping thousands of people in need every year. If you’re considering volunteering and want to make a difference in your community, we’d love to hear from you!
Contributed with thanks to Carmon Martin Community Grants Officer from Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre
Carol Sanderson has volunteered with the Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre for 44 years. Photo supplied