The State Emergency Service (SES) played a crucial role in the flood recovery across Hinchinbrook, leading rescue and evacuation efforts in Ingham, Halifax, and Lucinda. Working with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES), they helped residents in submerged homes, managed storm damage, and supported vulnerable individuals with food and medical aid. SES used aerial resources, including Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, to assess damage. Area Controller John Forde praised the swift reco
Read the full storyFollowing the devastating flooding that hit the Hinchinbrook Shire, the Hinchinbrook Shire Council are now in the recovery stage of a natural disaster. Deputy Mayor Mary Brown is chair of the recovery group and she said that there are four subgroups - Human and Social, Economic Development, Infrastructure and Environment. “We've been working in the background for quite some time and that's how we established the community recovery here locally,” explained Deputy Mayor Mary Brown. “We have a p
Read the full storyOne of the state’s most infamous celebrations of Italian culture will grace the Hinchinbrook Shire once again when the Australian Italian Festival returns on the 7th and 8th of June 2025. Over the decades, the festival has attracted waves of support and interest across the nation and beyond, and a particular State Library of Queensland interview conducted in 2013 further cemented the festival’s deserving place in the state’s history. 2013 President of the Australian Italian Festival Commi
Read the full storyThe Australia Day Pool Party at the Hinchinbrook Aquatic Centre on Sunday 26 January 2025, was a fantastic community celebration, bringing together families and friends for a day filled with fun, laughter, and Aussie spirit! A True Blue Aussie Celebration The festivities kicked off at 9.30am with a lamington style cake-cutting, setting the tone for a day of enjoyment. By 10am, DJ Wayne Newton was spinning all the Aussie classics, keeping the energy high and the good vibes flowing until 3pm—cre
Read the full storyFollowing the devastating flooding that hit the Hinchinbrook Shire, the Hinchinbrook Shire Council are now in the recovery stage of a natural disaster.
Deputy Mayor Mary Brown is chair of the recovery group and she said that there are four subgroups - Human and Social, Economic Development, Infrastructure and Environment.
“We've been working in the background for quite some time and that's how we established the community recovery here locally,” explained Deputy Mayor Mary Brown.
“We have a pop up, at Mercer Lane, the main one at TAFE, one down at Forrest Beach, and we're about to go and create a pop up at Halifax.”
The Recovery Group are now in talks with the Government and Ministers about disaster grants.
Mary Brown believes people in the Hinchinbrook Shire suffered extraordinary events, and in turn deserve extraordinary grants.
“These are extraordinary circumstances. So, we need to now start talking about consideration for is there extraordinary support that can be implemented over and above what is business as usual for that disaster grants,” she said.
“The other thing that we're dealing with, which is our highest priority, is the donation hubs that were set up in Townsville and Cairns, where people are gathering donations to send into our community.
“I spoke to that coordinator this morning, which who is an ex local, and in two days they have put together 50 pallets worth of stuff coming, and it will include personal hygiene, cleaning products, bedding, sheets, towels and pillows. Everything is non-perishable.”