The State of the Region Roadshow panel saw speakers from telecommunications services, economists, and industry specialists. Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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Community leaders, businesses and residents gathered at the Ingham Powerhouse on Tuesday 21^st July for the State of the Region Roadshow, with speakers highlighting Hinchinbrook's strong economic foundations and future growth potential.

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Presented by Regional Development Australia (RDA) Townsville and North West Queensland in partnership with the Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, the event featured independent economic insights from Regional Economic Advisory Principal Economist Matthew Kelly.

According to RDA Townsville and North West Queensland, the presentation highlighted a region with a strong industry base, desirable lifestyle and significant potential for continued growth, while encouraging discussion around the opportunities ahead for the Hinchinbrook community.

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Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism President Mary Brown said one of the most encouraging aspects of the evening was seeing official data confirm trends many locals had already observed.

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"Personally, the most encouraging information coming out of the roadshow was the economic trend data provided by economist Matt Kelly, with data continuing to show pleasing population growth trends in Hinchinbrook Shire," Mary said.

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"Whilst those of us living and working in this space on the ground have been seeing this trend and receiving anecdotal advice of these positive changes over the past 10 years, it is very heartening to see the official data now reflecting this trend."

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Mary said the presentations reinforced her confidence in the region's future.

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"Listening to all the presentations, it reinforced my long-held belief that despite some of the short-term challenges that impact our community over the years, the Hinchinbrook Shire is well placed for a very optimistic future, that will be achieved when those who are prepared to invest in that future are supported by strong political leadership and favourable policy decisions that support regional communities."

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RDA Townsville and North West Queensland thanked Hinchinbrook Shire Council for welcoming the roadshow, the Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism for hosting the community session, Deputy Mayor Mary Brown for her support, and the panel members and community members who contributed to the discussion.

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Residents interested in exploring local employment opportunities can visit Jobs Townsville North Queensland and discover what Hinchinbrook has to offer www.jobsnorthqueensland.com.au

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The new Cell 4, which is now operational, will provide the additional capacity needed to continue delivery of essential services in the Hinchinbrook Shire. Photo supplied: Hinchinbrook Shire Council

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A $2.8 million investment in the Warrens Hill Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre has now been completed.

The new Cell 4, which is now operational, includes a modern, multi-layer liner system designed to protect surrounding land and groundwater while meeting Queensland's strict environmental standards.

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Mayor Ramon Jayo said the project was completed at a critical time, with landfill capacity becoming increasingly limited.

"As landfill capacity tightened, Council officers moved quickly to identify practical, safe and environmentally responsible solutions to ensure waste services could continue without interruption for the community," Mayor Jayo said.

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"The completion of Cell 4 gives Council additional capacity and provides certainty that residents, businesses and visitors can continue to access reliable waste disposal services while Council plans for the Shire’s long-term waste management needs."

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With Cell 4 now operational, Council's focus will turn to the development of a long-term Waste Strategy.

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"The Waste Strategy will guide future planning and investment, helping ensure waste services continue to meet the needs of Hinchinbrook community for years to come," Mayor Jayo said.

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Council thanked staff, contractors and specialist advisors who contributed to the successful delivery of the project, and invited residents to support sustainable waste management by reducing household waste, recycling correctly and making use of the waste and resource recovery services available across the Shire.

Last Tuesday, I joined six other Queensland Mayors to visit Federal Minister Kristy McBain in Melbourne to protest against the proposed changes to Disaster Relief Funding arrangements.  

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The proposed changes will essentially see a reduction in the amount of funds that the Federal Government will contribute to disaster response and recovery, to the tune of 25 per cent.

Calculated on average over the past nine years, during which we have experienced five declared events, that means a loss of $2 million per annum. That is a significant amount of money for a small council such as ours.

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Federal Minister Kristy McBain was in Melbourne attending the National Emergency Management Ministers' Meeting together with all other state emergency ministers, and we took the opportunity to ensure that all state ministers, not just those in Queensland, are aware of the severity of the issue facing Queensland as the most disaster-prone state in Australia.

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It is not fair for the level of government that receives the most taxation revenue in Australia, at 80 per cent, to slash its contribution to helping communities recover and put the burden on the states, which account for 17 per cent of all taxation revenue, or onto councils when our sector collects just three per cent.

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And when there is less money coming from Canberra, that means local ratepayers will carry more of the burden, with less money available for other critical programs. Premier David Crisafulli has already indicated during Senate estimates that the State of Queensland is not in a position to pick up the loss of revenue for recovery programs resulting from reductions by the Federal Government.

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The other critical matter is raising the threshold for when disaster relief kicks in. At the moment, relief kicks in when the costs to respond to and recover from a disaster exceed $240,000.  

Under the new arrangements, federal funding will not be activated until costs exceed $2.7 million. This alone will leave small communities such as ours without critical support.

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It is, however, pleasing to note that in Queensland we do have bipartisan support against the proposed changes, with both the State Government and the State Opposition publicly opposing the changes.

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Apart from the initial clean-up and repairs to our roads, one of the most visible signs of recovery after a major flood event is the return of our parks, gardens and recreational spaces. These areas are at the heart of our communities, providing places for families to gather, children to play, residents to exercise, and visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of our region.

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Sadly, the 2025 event left most of our parks and gardens needing repair. We have almost finished, with crews now working on the last of them.

The work undertaken includes more than $1.08 million in parks and public-space works, covering major repairs at Rotary Park, Ninja Park, Garbutt and Interact playgrounds, as well as exercise equipment, walking tracks, footbridges, viewing infrastructure, gardens, and the TYTO Wetlands.

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The Community and Recreational Asset Recovery Grants (CRARG) Program has provided vital disaster recovery funding to help Hinchinbrook Shire Council restore these assets.  

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This funding has given us the opportunity to maintain safe and accessible community spaces while reducing the financial burden that disaster repairs would otherwise place on Council’s limited budget and local ratepayers.

Jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, the broader CRARG program is supporting the restoration of 41 community assets across the Shire.  

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Without this funding, Council would find it very difficult to recover from a disaster situation.

Every repaired playground, refurbished park and rejuvenated garden helps strengthen a community that has, quite simply, “been through the wringer”, while also supporting the recovery and healing process.  

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Council and the community are very thankful for the assistance provided during this time and remain hopeful that the Federal Government will reconsider proposed changes to the current Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

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The Awards saw Forrest Beach SLSC come away with multiple recognitions. Photo source: Forrest Beach Surf Life Saving Club

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Forrest Beach Surf Life Saving Club has claimed the North Barrier Branch Club of the Year title for the third consecutive year, with the achievement announced at the 90th Annual North Barrier Branch Awards of Excellence in Mackay.

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The club’s popular Beers by the Beach initiative also received the Community Engagement Award, recognising them for bringing people together while raising valuable funds to support the club's volunteer lifesavers.

Junior Activities Chair Melissa Hall was honoured, receiving the prestigious Andy Frizzell OAM Service to Junior Activities Award, acknowledging her outstanding commitment to the club's Nippers program and junior members.

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Club Captain Michael Biasi, Melissa Hall and Mariam Hall, the North Barrier Branch Membership and Community Awareness Coordinator, represented Forrest Beach Surf Life Saving Club at the awards ceremony and the North Barrier Branch Membership Development Conference, accepting the awards on behalf of the club.

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The club said the recognition reflected the commitment of every member, volunteer and supporter who contributes their time and effort throughout the year.

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Securing the Club of the Year title for a third year highlights the strength of Forrest Beach Surf Life Saving Club both on and off the beach, recognising not only its lifesaving services but also its strong focus on junior development and local engagement.

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The Lions Club of Ingham and the Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride members holding the pink underwear that is part of the Wombats group tradition. Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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The Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride has officially wrapped up for 2026, with 140 riders completing the three-day journey while raising vital funds for childhood cancer research.

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The annual charity ride stopped in Ingham on day two, Thursday 23^rd July, after riders completed the first 112-kilometre stage from Townsville. The group continued north through the Hinchinbrook region before finishing the ride in Cairns on Saturday 25^th July.

Among those joining the ride this year was Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto, who returned to his hometown of Ingham as part of the Wombats riding group.

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Mayor Dametto completed the opening leg from Townsville to Ingham and said being part of the event was a proud moment.

“Yesterday I was able to join the Wombats for the first leg of the Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride, 112 kilometres yesterday from Townsville all the way to Ingham, and it just made me so proud to be a part of the group and be able to contribute in some way,” he said.

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“This charity is all about finding a way so we have a world without childhood cancers. That’s a world that I want to live in one day.”

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Ride President and rider John Masson said the Ingham stop marked another successful stage of the 26th annual event, with all seven riding groups arriving safely after a fast day on the road.

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“We had the wind behind us. It was probably one of the fastest days on the road for all the groups,” he said.

The riders were divided into seven groups, each named after an Australian animal, with groups catering for everyone speed abilities. The ride has raised more than $8 million for the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia over 26 years, supporting research into childhood cancers and treatments.

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John said one of the institute’s key projects involved analysing childhood cancers to identify genetic mutations that may respond to specific treatments.

“The goal is to reduce the mortality from childhood cancer to zero,” he said.

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“Thirty odd years ago, 80 per cent of kids died. Now only 20 per cent die, and let’s hope in another 20 years it will be near, if not zero.”

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The Ingham Lions Club has been supporting the ride for more than 20 years, joining Lions Clubs across North Queensland in supporting the riders along the route.

Member Pat Lynch said the club was proud to contribute to an event that aligned with the Lions’ commitment to supporting important causes, with the Ingham Lions Club also making an annual donation towards the fundraiser.

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For Wombats group rider and Communications Coordinator Jeanie McIntosh, the event is something she looks forward to. After participating for seven years, Jeanie said the friendships formed between riders, volunteers and the towns they visit were one of the most special parts of the experience.

“What we love about the ride is the whole community gets involved from towns along the way, the Lions, the road crew, and everyone supporting us,” she said.

“I’ve been seeing the same people for seven years, so you really miss people when you don’t see them.”

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Each riding group has developed its own traditions, with the Wombats known for their light-hearted approach, matching pink socks and team camaraderie.

One of their traditions involves a pair of pink lacy underwear, which riders must wear after being nominated for doing something silly during the ride. Even Mayor Dametto found himself taking part in the tradition.

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After three days on the road, the riders crossed the finish line in Cairns having once again pedalled in the kilometres to help create a future without childhood cancer.

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This year’s ride aimed to raise $300,000, with the current total sitting at $260,000 following the conclusion of the event. Community members can still support the cause through the Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride fundraising page: www.tcbr.org.au/event/tcbr-2026/donate

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Queenslanders are being urged to remain vigilant and report any sick or dead wild birds after the state's first suspected case of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu) was detected.

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The suspected case was identified in a deceased petrel that washed ashore on Moreton Island. Initial testing has returned a suspected positive result, with samples now undergoing further testing at the CSIRO's Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness for final confirmation.

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There have been no detections of the virus in native birds or poultry in Queensland, and there is no evidence of large-scale deaths among animals. The Queensland Government said the risk to human health remains unchanged and reassured the public that it is safe to continue eating chicken meat and eggs.

The announcement comes as at least one Hinchinbrook resident has already taken precautions, reporting a washed-up dead bird found about one kilometre north of the Forrest Beach boat ramp after spotting it while out walking.

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Anyone who sees sick or dead birds is urged to avoid contact and report the sighting immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

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Peter Reitano of Felix Reitano Real Estate. Photo supplied.

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After his family entered the Real Estate industry in the early 1990s, Peter Reitano spent decades building relationships, guiding buyers and sellers through one of life's biggest decisions.

"It has given me the chance to meet so many amazing people who have become valued clients," he said.  

"The moment that a Buyer finds a property that they love, then the Seller agrees to the price that the Buyer is comfortable with. Just the feeling that everyone is happy makes me happy."

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He believes the foundations of a great real estate agent are "politeness, honesty and ability to listen to clients and find out what they need,"

"Having lived here for my whole life I find that our town is friendly and I would like to think it is welcoming. I always do my best to greet people with a smile and welcome them."

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A lifelong local, Peter is equally passionate about the community he calls home.

"That as an Agent I have dealt with contracts hundreds of times -if not a thousand- in my life and that I realise this might be the first time they have ever done it," Peter said.  

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"I do my best to guide them through the steps as best I can to find their dream home or land to build their home on (...) or the Seller to give them the best possible service, They have most likely spent a lot of time putting loving touches to their homes and we want to get the best for them."

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It's an approach that reflects Peter's understanding that every property journey is different, even so, his focus always remains dedicated to his clients and achieving the best possible outcome for them.

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Artist Rose Knight with her piece, Flower Power, currently on display at the Mission Beach Community Arts Centre's Inspirations Exhibition. Photo source: Mission Beach Community Arts Centre

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An artist with a passion for reimagining landscapes, deliberately disassembling, rearranging and stripping away the clutter to reveal what remains in the head and the heart, Rose Knight has spent decades capturing the beauty often seen only in our peripheral vision.  

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Originally from Mornington Peninsula, Rose now resides in Far North Queensland, and her distinctive works have been showcased in galleries across the country, including the Cassowary Coast’s own Mission Beach Community Arts Centre.

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“Living in Far North Queensland has not only cemented my love of the ocean but has given me closer access to the outback and its salt-of-the-earth people that I admire so much,” she said.

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Rose first picked up a paintbrush in 2000, discovering an artistic calling that would soon become a lifelong passion. In 2003, she took the next step in her creative journey, joining a painting group under the guidance of acclaimed artist Terrence John Hadler, and just two years after that, she held her first gallery exhibition, marking the beginning of an accomplished career that continues to evolve today.

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With a deep appreciation for the beauty that surrounds her, Rose draws inspiration from the diverse landscapes and striking contrasts found across the country. Her creative process often begins with a simple photograph, capturing a fleeting moment or scene, before transforming it into something truly evocative upon returning to her studio.

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“I focus on what captured my attention and imagination initially – the essence of the place [and] by leaving out what clutters the mind, and leaving the viewer room to fill in the gaps creates an effect something similar to recalling a dream that’s just beyond the consciousness,” Rose said.

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Strongly drawn to the coast time and time again, Ms Knight frequently travels from her home in the Tablelands to soak up the sea breeze and salty air of Mission Beach; a place she lovingly describes as her “happy place.”

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“Mission Beach, with its nostalgic boho vibes, is a huge inspiration to me. It echoes of the bygone days in places like Byron Bay and Port Douglas before they became tourist franchises,” she said.

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Over nearly three decades, Rose’s connection to the natural world has inspired her to pursue a wide range of artistic disciplines, from fossicking, lapidary work and jewellery making to painting and sculpture. Though her creative practice continues to evolve, her work consistently reflects both her inner landscape and her enduring relationship with the land.

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“I feel that my work has evolved and simplified overtime yet has amplified in its simplicity – less detail allows more energetic brushwork, and it’s my hope that energy remains locked into the painting to be felt by the viewer,” she said.

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“I’m compelled to create, to paint. It brings me great joy when I hear someone who views my work comment “it reminds me of my…” [as] that tells me that it has spoken to them.”  

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Currently on display at the Mission Beach Community Arts Centre’s Inspirations Exhibition, Rose’s piece, Flower Power, encapsulates the vibrant energy and unmistakable charm of Mission Beach, reflecting the emotions and memories the coastal haven continues to inspire.

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Yolanda Jenkins, Justin Brennan, Jade Croft, and Britney Anastasi. Photo supplied

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Education, empowerment and community support took centre stage at the Cassowary Coast Business Women's Network's July event, with attendees hearing firsthand from two organisations making a meaningful difference across the region.

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Representatives from the Vocational Partnerships Group (VPG) and Innisfail Youth & Family Care shared their stories, shining a light on the services, opportunities and support available to Cassowary Coast residents.

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Justin Brennan and Jade Croft from VPG spoke about the success of the Cassowary Coast University Centre (CCUC), which has supported 184 students since opening less than two years ago.

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Located above the Cassowary Coast Regional Council Library on Rankin Street in Innisfail, the CCUC is helping to break down barriers to education by enabling students to undertake tertiary and vocational studies locally while accessing the resources and support of universities and training organisations from across Australia.

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With travel, relocation and the rising cost of living often preventing people from pursuing further education, the centre's mission to "Grow Our Own" is helping locals achieve their study and career goals without leaving the region.

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The VPG team provides guidance every step of the way, helping students navigate course options, enrolment processes and study pathways, while also offering a welcoming space where they can learn, connect and continue earning an income close to home. For more information about the Cassowary Coast University Centre, contact 4091 6411 or email ccuc@vpginc.com.au.

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The evening's second presentation was delivered by Anita Laksa, Britney Hoddle and Jess Mizzi from Innisfail Youth & Family Care, an organisation dedicated to "Achieving Better Futures" through local care, support, accommodation and opportunities for young people, familiesand individuals.

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Guests gained a greater appreciation for the breadth of services delivered across the Cassowary Coast, including homelessness response, youth support programs, domestic and family violence services, emergency relief and housing assistance.

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The presentation not only highlighted the challenges faced by many in the community, but also the important role individuals can play in supporting those in need through donations, advocacy and raising awareness.

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By the end of the evening, one message was clear: the Cassowary Coast is home to passionate organisations committed to strengthening communities, creating opportunities and ensuring residents have the support they need to thrive.

Terrain NRM's new Reefwise Farming program will support sugarcane growers across the Cassowary Coast to improve farm productivity while helping protect the Great Barrier Reef through more efficient nutrient management practices. Photo source: Shutterstock

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Sugarcane growers across the Cassowary Coast will receive support to boost productivity while reducing nutrient runoff into the Great Barrier Reef through a new $7.5 million farming initiative.

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Terrain NRM has secured Australian Government funding for the two-and-a-half-year Reefwise Farming project, which will assist growers across more than 6,700 hectares from Cairns to Ingham to improve fertiliser efficiency and strengthen crop disease and pest management.

The program will have a strong focus on the Innisfail and Tully districts, where extension officers will work one-on-one with growers to develop or update nutrient management plans, improve soil health and identify crop constraints. Demonstration sites, field days and shed meetings will also be held, with paddock-scale water quality monitoring taking place in the Tully district.

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Terrain NRM is delivering the project in partnership with Canegrowers Innisfail, Canegrowers Herbert River, Canegrowers Cairns and Sugar Research Australia.

Terrain NRM's Jamie Thornberry said farming in the Wet Tropics required balancing productivity with environmental stewardship.

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"As a region with high rainfall and a close proximity to the reef, intensive agricultural systems will continue to be presented with unique challenges," he said.

"Farmers have come a long way in accepting these challenges as a part of doing business in the region and continuing to manage nutrient runoff, sediment and pesticides to achieve water quality outcomes."

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The project is already underway in the Innisfail district, with Canegrowers Innisfail manager Deb Telford saying local growers were seeing the benefits.

"This project is allowing us to further work with growers at an enterprise level to improve their nutrient use efficiency through improved productivity," she said.

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In the Herbert River district, growers will have access to dollar-for-dollar grants through Canegrowers Herbert River to invest in equipment and farming practices that improve efficiency and environmental outcomes.

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Canegrowers Herbert River project officer Leah Russo said the funding would help growers make lasting improvements.

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"Projects like these provide growers with valuable opportunities to invest in equipment and technologies that may otherwise be beyond their financial reach. They enable meaningful practice change and deliver long-term environmental and economic benefits."

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Funded through the Australian Government's Reef Trust as part of the Reef 2050 Long-term Sustainability Plan, the Reefwise Farming project aims to improve water quality while supporting the long-term sustainability and profitability of the region's sugar industry.

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The Mission Beach Visitor Information Centre in its new location featuring fresh sinage. Photo credit: Siân Bantock

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Cassowary Coast Tourism's Visitor Information Centre has officially begun a new chapter, relocating to the Homestead Shopping Centre, with the move prompting reflections on more than four decades of tourism history in Mission Beach.

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The Mission Beach Historical Society has congratulated Cassowary Coast Tourism on the relocation, highlighting the significant community effort that helped establish the region's first visitor information service in the mid-1980s.

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According to historical records shared by the Society and local historian Don Marsh, the original Mission Beach Tourism Information Centre was established by the Mission Beach Tourist Association from a small shop located near the present-day Mission Beach Library. Local artist Helen Wiltshire designed the organisation's logos, helping shape its identity during its formative years.

Support from the former Department of Business, Industry and Regional Development provided funding for equipment and the wages of the association's first permanent office manager, laying the foundations for the service's growth.

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As visitor numbers increased, a Wet Tropics Authority grant enabled the development of a larger, permanent tourism hub. The project saw the relocation of the former timber Mission Beach Primary School building to public foreshore land set aside by the then Johnstone Shire Council.

The grant also funded associated infrastructure, including public amenities and the C4 Centre, creating a dedicated space to welcome visitors and promote the region's natural attractions.

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"The rest, as they say, is history," Mr Marsh reflected.

Today, as the Visitor Information Centre settles into its new home at the Homestead Shopping Centre, the move serves as a reminder of the volunteers, community leaders and organisations whose efforts helped establish Mission Beach as one of Tropical North Queensland's most recognised destinations.

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Cassowary Coast Tourism's Tourism Officer, Michelle Lloyd said the new location will continue to serve not only visitors to the region, but locals keen to discover what's happening in their own backyard.

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"There's always something new happening across the Cassowary Coast, and we have different deals and information available throughout the year," she said.

"It's nice to know what's on in your own backyard."

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Michelle also encouraged community members to consider volunteering with the Visitor Information Centre.

"We're always looking for volunteers to join us," she said.

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"If you'd like to learn more about what we do, drop in and say hi to the team."

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The Visitor Information Centre's new home at the Homestead Shopping Centre is now welcoming visitors and residents alike, continuing its long-standing tradition of connecting people with the best experiences the Cassowary Coast has to offer.

Tully Falls National Park is among several Cassowary Coast protected areas expanded as part of the Queensland Government's statewide conservation initiative. Photo source: Tripadvisor  

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Several national parks across the Cassowary Coast have been expanded as part of the Queensland Government's latest investment in protected areas, including significant additions to Tully Falls National Park and Herberton Range National Park.

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More than 82,000 hectares have been added to Queensland's protected area network statewide, with the Crisafulli Government committing $111 million in the 2026-27 State Budget to support future acquisitions, conservation efforts and visitor infrastructure.

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Locally, Tully Falls National Park received an additional 2,203 hectares, while Herberton Range National Park expanded by 4,723 hectares. Smaller additions were also made to Tully Gorge National Park, Maalan National Park, Little Mulgrave National Park, Japoon National Park, Gadgarra National Park and Djiru National Park.

The investment will support the strategic acquisition of environmentally significant land while continuing practical conservation efforts including pest and weed management, fire preparedness and upgrades to visitor infrastructure across the State's protected areas.

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Statewide, the expansion includes the establishment of Dhuny Yumba (Home of the Wombat) National Park near St George, protecting critical habitat for the endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat. Since November 2024, Queensland has added more than 259,000 hectares to its protected area network.

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Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said Queenslanders expected practical action to preserve the State's natural assets.

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“Queensland is home to some of the most remarkable natural places anywhere in the world, and it’s our responsibility to protect them for the generations that follow,” Minister Powell said.

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“That’s why we’re taking a practical approach - protecting the right places, investing in looking after them properly and making sure they continue to support regional communities, local jobs and visitors for generations to come. This is about growing Queensland’s protected areas sensibly and strategically, while making sure we never lose sight of the job of caring for the places we already have.”

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The protected area investment forms part of a broader $139 million commitment over four years, including $34 million ongoing annually to grow Queensland's protected area network and enhance visitor experiences.

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With some of Far North Queensland's most treasured landscapes among those receiving additions, the announcement highlights the continued environmental significance of the Cassowary Coast and its role in Queensland's conservation future.

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Mission Beach and Dunk Island remain among the Cassowary Coast's most iconic tourism destinations. Photo source: Visit Queensland

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Tourism operators across the Cassowary Coast are being encouraged to explore a new round of State Government funding aimed at supporting Queensland's next generation of visitor attractions.

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Applications are now open for Round Two of the $80 million Tourism Icons Investment Fund, part of the Queensland Government's Destination 2045 strategy to grow the state's visitor economy through new and enhanced tourism experiences.

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The fund supports projects that showcase Queensland's unique attractions by encouraging private investment, creating local jobs and attracting more visitors, with applicants required to match government funding to help deliver lasting economic benefits for regional communities.

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Applications close on Monday, 10th August, with more information available via www.detsi.qld.gov.au.

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Cardwell is among the communities set to benefit from a share of $7.6 million in funding to restore and strengthen North Queensland coastlines impacted by the 2025 Tropical Low. Photo source: Tripadvisor

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Cardwell is among the North Queensland communities set to benefit from a share of more than $7.6 million in funding to restore and strengthen coastlines impacted by the 2025 North and Far North Tropical Low.

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The funding, delivered through the Coastline Rehabilitation Grant Program, will support 12 projects across four northern councils, with works spanning from Cardwell to Injinoo at the tip of Cape York. Jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), the program forms part of the $73 million Environmental Recovery Package aimed at helping communities recover from severe weather events while building long-term resilience.

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The projects will focus on restoring beaches and coastal areas that suffered significant erosion and damage during the 2025 Tropical Low, while also strengthening natural coastal defences to better withstand future weather events.

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Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said the investment would help preserve some of the State's most treasured coastal destinations.

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“From Cardwell to Cape York, this investment is about ensuring Queensland's coastal destinations continue to be places where people can live, work, holiday and connect with the natural environment,” he said.

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Further details on the successful projects are available on the Queensland Government's environment website via https://www.qld.gov.au/environment.

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Many enjoy the reef in various ways such as snorkelling, fishing, boating, and tourist fights to see the iconic ‘Heart of the Reef’. Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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The Great Barrier Reef will not be placed on UNESCO's "in danger" list, with the World Heritage Committee recognising ongoing efforts to protect and improve the internationally significant natural asset.

The decision acknowledges continued investment by the Queensland and Australian governments to improve Reef health and water quality, including more than $2 billion committed through to 2032.

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It also follows the Queensland Government's recent announcement of a record $330.5 million investment over five years aimed at improving water quality and strengthening the Reef's long-term health.

Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell welcomed the decision, saying it recognised the efforts of Queenslanders working to protect the Reef.

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"Queenslanders care deeply about the Reef, and we welcome UNESCO's decision because it recognises the real progress being made to protect it," Mr Powell said.

"This is an important acknowledgement of the work happening right across Queensland to safeguard the Reef for future generations.

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"We know there is still more work to do, and we will keep backing practical action, guided by the best available science, to improve Reef health and strengthen our water quality efforts."

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The Great Barrier Reef supports around 77,000 jobs and contributes an estimated $9 billion annually to Australia's economy, making its long-term protection important for both the environment and regional communities.

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UNESCO's decision follows two monitoring missions, including a visit undertaken in September 2025. The next Great Barrier Reef State of Conservation report is due to UNESCO in December 2029, with a progress report scheduled for 2028.

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With sleek, jet-black fur that shimmers in the light, Marley is a beauty to behold. However, it's his charming personality that truly sets him apart. Marley is the ultimate purr machine, and his gentle vibrations will instantly soothe you the moment you cuddle up together.

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Included in adoption fee of $225 DESEXED, MICRO-CHIPPED, up to date VACCINATIONS, FLEA/TICK/INTESTINAL WORM treated.

Could Marley be the missing piece in your family?  Enquire today at: angelpawsinc.com.au/pets-for-adoption

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Sex: Male

Breed: DSH

Colour: Solid Black

DOB: 01/07/2025

Cat Friendly: Yes

Dog Friendly: Yes

Kid Friendly: Yes

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The Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre is partnered with Thread Together, bringing new clothing to people in need. Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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When you hear the word homelessness, what comes to mind?

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For many people, it's someone sleeping rough on the street. But homelessness is often hidden, and it can affect people from all walks of life.

On Census night in 2021, more than 122,000 Australians were experiencing homelessness.

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Many were not sleeping on the streets. They were staying with friends or relatives, living in overcrowded housing, sleeping in cars, residing in temporary accommodation, or facing the very real possibility of losing the place they called home.

Here in the Hinchinbrook region, many people have witnessed just how challenging it has become to find safe, stable and affordable housing. Rising living costs, limited rental availability and the ongoing impacts of recent natural disasters have placed increasing pressure on individuals and families throughout our community.

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At Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre (HCSC), we are seeing more people reaching out for support because they are worried about keeping a roof over their heads. Some are struggling to find an affordable rental. Others are facing unexpected life changes such as relationship breakdown, illness, loss of employment or family violence. Every story is different, but one thing remains the same - housing insecurity can affect anyone.

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This is why Homelessness Awareness Week, held from Monday 3 August to Sunday 9 August 2026, is so important. It encourages us to look beyond the stereotypes, build understanding and compassion, and remind those experiencing housing insecurity that support is available.

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HCSC's Housing and Homelessness Services support individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Our team works alongside people to provide information, advocacy, referrals and practical support, helping them work towards greater housing stability, independence and hope for the future.

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Join Us During Homelessness Awareness Week

As part of Homelessness Awareness Week, Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre is proud to host a Homelessness Event, bringing together local organisations and service providers to showcase the support available within our region.

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Rebecca (Bec) of Wild Local in her fish & chip shop by the display of all their locally sourced seafood. Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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Wild Local Has Sights Set On Putting Hinchinbrook On Australia's Culinary Map

Winning Queensland's 2026 Seafood Industry Take-Away Fish & Chips Award was a proud moment for Wild Local owner Rebecca (Bec) Zaghini, which represents the promise of something bigger on the horizon.

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With the business now preparing to represent Queensland as one of Australia's top three fish and chip shops at the Australian Seafood Industry Awards in Sydney on July 30^th, Bec believes the recognition belongs to an entire community.

"It was a win not just for our shop and our team here at Wild Local, but it was a win for our seafood community," she said.

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"We are nothing without the fishermen behind us who put that amazing product in the display every day."

When accepting the Queensland title earlier this year, Bec said she spoke from the heart, thanking the commercial fishers and their families whose hard work supplies fresh seafood to the region every day.

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"They're out on the water feeding our community, our visitors and our locals," she said.

Bec believes Wild Local stood out because of its commitment to serving locally caught seafood.

"We believe you deserve to know where your food comes from," she said.

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"That's why we champion sustainable fishing methods and proudly highlight our fishermen's accreditation through the Master Fishermen Accreditation Program with OceanWatch, because great seafood starts long before it reaches your plate."

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She said being based in Hinchinbrook gives the business a unique advantage, with access to fresh local seafood that many businesses elsewhere struggle to source.

"I'm talking to Darcy from Johnny's Fish Bar about how we make Ingham and Hinchinbrook a wild seafood destination," Bec said.

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"It doesn't matter if you're getting your fish and chips from Wild Local or from Johnny's Fish Bar. When you're shopping local, you're supporting our fishing families, our fishing culture and our community."

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Bec believes visitors should be encouraged to ask not only whether their seafood is Australian, but whether it was caught right here in Hinchinbrook.

"When you do that, you're really investing in our community, in jobs and in the future of our region."

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"It's not just a piece of fish on your Friday night. This is jobs. This is regional security. This is food security. This is history."

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That’s why Bec has established Wild & Fresh, a community initiative to bring together commercial fishers, seafood retailers, government and industry representatives.  

Its first major event, Spotlight on Hinchinbrook, will be held in September, welcoming delegates from across Australia for industry discussions, networking opportunities, seafood experiences and community celebrations designed to showcase everything the region has to offer.

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Bec hopes the event will pave the way for more.

"Our dream is to create a seafood festival here in 2027," she said.

While the Queensland title has placed Wild Local firmly in the national spotlight, Bec says the award is only the beginning of a much bigger journey to make Hinchinbrook synonymous with Australia's finest wild seafood.

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"The idea has been simmering away in my head for a little while," she said.

"I thought, why aren't we celebrating our seafood? We've got this amazing resource right on our doorstep."

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Bec hopes the Spotlight event will become an annual fixture and eventually grow into a major drawcard for the region. She envisions a celebration that not only showcases fresh local seafood, but also highlights Hinchinbrook's fishing heritage, local producers, live entertainment and unique tourism experiences.

"It's about creating opportunities for the next generation," she said.

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"It's about supporting our fishermen, our businesses and making sure people understand just how important this industry is."

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"It's not about businesses being competitive with each other, but how can we collaborate to lift each other up?" she said.

"If they're buying local seafood, they're supporting our fishing families."

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Mayor Jayo was part of a mayoral delegation standing up against proposed changes to disaster relief funding. Photo source: LGAQ

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The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has today taken six Queensland mayors from different corners of the state to Melbourne as the sector ramps up the fight to reverse the Federal Government’s disaster funding changes that critics say mightleave communities impacted by cyclones, floods and bushfires without the full financial support needed for recovery.

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The changes include reducing the Federal Government’s contribution to disaster recovery from an average of 64 per cent down to 50 per cent, despite the Federal Government taking about 80 per cent of all taxation revenue, compared to about 17 per cent for State Governments and three per cent for councils.

The Melbourne mayoral delegation comes just weeks after delegates from the country’s 538 councils used the Australian Local Government Association’s (ALGA) National General Assembly in Canberra to call on the Federal Government to abandon its proposed changes, in a motion put forward by the Byron Shire Council in New South Wales.

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The local government leaders - who travelled a combined 16,000km one-way - discussed the proposed disaster recovering funding changes outside the Melbourne hotel where the Federal, State and Territory Ministers met.

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“Queensland councils fear these proposed funding reductions will leave communities worse off, in what is Australia’s most disaster-prone state,” LGAQ Chief Executive Officer Alison Smith said.

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“These mayors chose to travel to Melbourne to demonstrate how important it is that the Federal Government drops these proposed reforms.”

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Today, the six Queensland mayors – from Queensland’s far north, north west, south west, south east and tropical coast - described the proposed reforms as unfair.

“We all pay our taxes. Communities expect that when they need help, it should be provided. Yet when the Federal Government collects 80 per cent of all national taxation revenue, and councils collect just three per cent, the expectation is that Canberra should make the strongest contribution during natural disasters,” said Etheridge Shire Mayor Barry Hughes.

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“Instead the Commonwealth has decided it wants to slash disaster funding, and pocket more than $600 million a year across Queensland if the last disaster season is anything to go by,” said Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon.

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“No one wants or deserves a natural disaster. No one asks for their town to be cut off, their roads to be washed away, their main street to be flooded and covered in mud, or their food to run out or go off because the trucks can’t get through. But disaster recovery funding is like an insurance policy – you want it to pay out when a community is on its knees,” said Hinchinbrook Shire Mayor Ramon Jayo.

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“These are all the reality of living in Queensland. Locals all do what they can to survive and help each other. All we are asking is that the Commonwealth continues to come good with the current levels of funding to help out,” said Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor Tanya Milligan.

“Councils and mayors are standing up for what is right, what is fair. If this deal goes ahead it is nothing less than kicking Queenslanders when they are down,” said Murweh Shire Mayor Shaun ‘Zoro’ Radnedge.

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“Our current system works and needs to continue to provide the reassurance communities can rely on,” Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins said.

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Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) analysis of the last three years of disasters shows Queensland would receive $1.5 billion less in Commonwealth disaster relief under the proposed changes, including $638 million less in just the past year alone.

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However, the modelling shows Queensland communities would have missed out on at least $2.8 billion in Federal support if the proposed regime had been in place since 2018.

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“In the 2025-26 summer, 74 of Queensland’s 77 local government areas were disaster activated,” Ms Smith said.

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“Councils have heard the Commonwealth say that no council will be worse off under these reforms, but with the size of the funding gap that this reduction in Federal support would create, these mayors are wondering who will meet this shortfall?” LGAQ CEO Alison Smith asked.  

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Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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Lifelong Support has celebrated 50 years of supporting people with disability and their families, marking the milestone with a 50th Anniversary Cocktail Celebration on Saturday, July 18.

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The organisation's story began in 1976, when a group of parents and supporters came together to create better opportunities for their children at a time when disability services were limited.

Longtime supporter of the organisation, Nathan Henderson, was the MC and said the organisation's foundations were laid by parents who believed their sons and daughters deserved better.

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“The seeds of this organisation were planted 50 years ago,” he said.

“Those seeds weren't planted by governments or large charities. They were planted by a group of parents together with their friends and supporters who simply believed their sons and daughters deserve better.”

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Mr Henderson said the organisation had been created during a time when many families had little access to education, respite or therapy, with some travelling hundreds of kilometres to access services.

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“This wasn't because parents loved their children any less; it was because society hadn't caught up yet,” he said.

“Then a handful of parents decided enough was enough. They weren't experts or politicians. They were mums and dads, and somehow, they created lasting change in our community.”

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The celebration welcomed original parents, former clients, staff, volunteers and supporters, while recognising the organisation's history and the people who helped shape its future.

Letters and messages from throughout Lifelong Support's history were also read aloud during the evening, bringing tears to the eyes of many listeners as they reflected on the organisation's impact over five decades.

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A significant part of the celebration was recognising current CEO Elizabeth (Liz), whose long-term contribution was highlighted by one of Lifelong Support's founding parents. Liz was praised for her tireless advocacy for people with disability and her determination to challenge government departments and fight for better outcomes.

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The evening celebrated the many people who have contributed to Lifelong Support's 50-year journey and the continuing importance of its work in the community.

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See more photos here: www.hinchinbrooklife.com/social-pics/lifelong-support-celebrates-50-years-of-community-care

Forrest Beach Hotel’s exterior from the parking lot. Photo credit: Forrest Beach Seaside Resort

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After months of renovations and upgrades, the Forrest Beach Hotel has begun welcoming visitors and former patrons back through its doors.

The venue is currently in a soft-launch phase, with the bar and bottle shop now open to the public. Food services are not yet available as work continues towards the hotel's full reopening.

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The reopening marks the latest step in an extensive redevelopment of the hotel, which has undergone months of work to upgrade and refresh its facilities.

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"It's been incredibly rewarding to finally open our doors again and welcome the community back. The support we've received from locals has been overwhelming, and we're so grateful for everyone's patience while we've worked to breathe new life into the hotel. We're not finished yet, but we're excited to share what we've achieved so far and to continue building a venue the whole community can be proud of." said owner Noel Fichera.

For locals who have watched the renovations take place, the open doors offer the first opportunity to see the changes and return to a familiar community venue.

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The hotel is now welcoming visitors, old patrons and members of the community to come and see the progress for themselves while the next stages of the redevelopment continue.

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With the bar and bottle shop now operating, the Forrest Beach Hotel is gradually returning to life as work continues behind the scenes.

The venue's full offering, including food service, is expected to follow as further upgrades are completed.

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"The reopening of the bar and bottle shop is just the beginning. Our focus now is completing the restaurant renovations so we can introduce a quality dining experience that locals and visitors alike can enjoy. We know people are eager for the kitchen to open, and we're working hard to make sure it's worth the wait."

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The reopening is a significant milestone for the hotel and the wider Forrest Beach community, providing a first look at the result of months of work and investment into the local venue. They have recently rebranded online to the Forrest Beach Seaside Resort, to fully encapsulate all their facilities.

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International Legends of League and The Herbert River Crushers players together pre-game. Photo credit: International Legends of League

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It was a weekend of rugby league and plenty of star power as the Legends of League came to the Hinchinbrook Shire. From school visits and community events, to a packed day at the Ingham Bowls Club and an evening at Lee’s Hotel, the weekend gave locals the chance to meet some of the game’s biggest names. The action culminated at Artie Gofton Oval, where more than 2,500 people watched the Australian League Legends take on the Herbert River Crushers Allstars.

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A 16-ALL THRILLER IN INGHAM AS LEGENDS TAKE ON CRUSHERS

A huge weekend of rugby league has wrapped up in Ingham, with the International Legends of League event bringing NRL stars, local legends and more than 2,500 spectators to Artie Gofton Oval on Saturday night.

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The Hinchinbrook event was the 102nd Legends of League showcase, but the first time the organisation had brought its NRL legends to the region, with players taking part in community visits and activities throughout the weekend.

The weekend began with the legends visiting schools across the Hinchinbrook Shire, delivering the Dream, Believe, Achieve program and speaking with students at Trebonne, Forrest Beach, Halifax, Ingham, Toobanna and Abergowrie State Schools.

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The players also visited the Ingham Bowls Club for a bowls day, while Friday night featured a dinner at the Lees Hotel.

Saturday's main event featured junior rugby league games before the Lewie Fire Protection Australian Legends took on the DRM Plumbing FNQ Pty Ltd Herbert River Crushers Allstars.

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The star-studded Australian Legends side included the likes of Matt Bowen, Sam Thaiday, Ben Hannant, Antonio Winterstein and Alex Glenn, while the Crushers team featured local rugby league legends from across the region.

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The visitors took a 16-6 lead into the second half, but the local side fought back in a thrilling finish. Jarrod Modder, a local fan who joined the team through an auction, levelled the scores at full-time. He had the chance to win the match with the conversion, but the kick missed, leaving the game tied 16-all.

The event was proudly presented by Hinchinbrook Shire Council, supported by the Queensland Government and made possible through the efforts of the Herbert River Crushers RLFC committee, sponsors, volunteers and the wider community.

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“Footy is part of the fabric of our community, and events like this give us the chance to celebrate that while also delivering real benefits for our young people and local clubs,” Mayor Jayo said.

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Organisers thanked the more than 2,500 people who attended and supported the event, as well as the many local businesses, schools and organisations that helped make the weekend possible. Special thanks were extended to Matt Chiesa and the hard-working Herbert River Crushers RLFC committee for partnering in the event, along with all sponsors whose support helped bring the Legends of League weekend to the Hinchinbrook Shire.

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See more photos here: https://www.hinchinbrooklife.com/social-pics/international-legends-of-league-vs-the-herberts-river-crushers-all-stars

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List of notable players include:

Visiting Lewie Fire Protection Australian Legends Players

Craig Wilson

Craig Teevan

Russell Bawden

Luke Goodwin

Stu Kelly

Scott Bolton

Jaiman Lowe

Neville Costigan

Kevin Campion

Noel Goldthorpe

John Hopoate

Darren Smith

Antonio Winterstein

Alex Glenn

Ben Hannant

Matt Bowen

Sam Thaiday

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DRM Plumbing FNQ Pty Ltd Herbert River Crushers Allstars Players

Todd Cockburn

Scott Vardanega

Paul Rose

Mitchell Seri

Grant Swarbrick

Damon Cockburn

Brenden Seri

Brendan Chapman

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Sally Sedgwick-James with some of the sorted boxes of yarn. Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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A simple call for yarn donations has resulted in an overwhelming response for the Forrest Beach CWA, helping the group continue its long-running efforts to create blankets, scarves and beanies for people experiencing homelessness.

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The appeal was made after the group ran out of yarn for its craft projects, with donations quickly arriving from across the region. The response has been so generous that the ladies are now taking stock of the materials they have received.

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One former Hinchinbrook Shire resident, now living in Brisbane, also rallied friends and CWA groups in her area and is expected to deliver around 190 balls of yarn to Forrest Beach next weekend.

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The CWA ladies regularly gather for craft mornings on Thursdays, where they knit and crochet items including large blankets big enough to wrap around a full-grown adult. A recent donation of blankets, scarves and beanies was delivered to the Hub for distribution to people in need.

“We sit together and knit to make these wonderful items on our Thursday craft mornings.” said CWA member Beverley Hulme, proudly showing off some of the beautiful blankets the ladies have made.

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The project will pause temporarily as the Forrest Beach CWA prepares to move to a new location on Progress Street later this year, but the generous donation from Brisbane will ensure the group has plenty of material to continue its work once settled.

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Steve and Marie Whipps were fishing when a shark took the line, “We got to the side of our boat, in an effort to get some of our gear back without having to cut the line, but it bit through 80lb braid like tissue paper, so we lost the rig.” Photo credit: Steve Whipps

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Just months after a fatal shark attack claimed the life of an experienced spearfisherman off the Hinchinbrook coast, the Queensland Government has announced a $2.4 million research project aimed at improving understanding of shark populations and strengthening future shark management across the state.

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The world-first study will examine key shark species, including bull and tiger sharks, through DNA analysis, tagging and acoustic tracking, with findings expected to help shape Queensland's Shark Control Program and improve swimmer safety.

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The announcement comes after 39-year-old Michael Jensz was fatally mauled while spearfishing at Kennedy Shoal, about 40 kilometres offshore from the Hull River Boat Ramp near Cardwell, earlier this year. Mr Jensz was diving with friends when he was attacked while attempting to retrieve a catch lodged on the reef.

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While authorities did not confirm the species involved, commercial fishers and recreational boaties have long reported regular sightings of bull and tiger sharks around offshore reef systems and deep-water drop-offs along the Hinchinbrook coastline.

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Unlike mainland swimming beaches, where shark control measures operate in many locations across Queensland, remote reef systems such as Kennedy Shoal do not have shark control equipment in place.

Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the research would deliver the most comprehensive understanding yet of Queensland's shark populations.

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"This is the first study of its kind for shark management in Queensland, and it will give us the most complete picture of these species we've ever had," Mr Perrett said.

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"I have said time and time again, the best science must inform our actions when it comes to fisheries [and] we're backing world-leading scientists to understand how sharks behave and how our management measures are affecting them.

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The project forms part of the Queensland Government's Shark Management Plan 2025–2029 and will be delivered in two stages. The first stage, already underway and due for completion in February 2027, will investigate the biology and genetics of key shark species to better understand how populations respond to fishing pressure and environmental change.

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A second stage, scheduled for 2028, will focus on mapping bull shark and pigeye shark populations through acoustic tracking, tagging and stable isotope analysis, providing scientists with new insights into movement patterns and breeding behaviour.

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The findings are expected to guide future shark management decisions across Queensland, including measures designed to keep beachgoers and ocean users safe while ensuring management strategies are based on the latest scientific evidence.

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Installing wildlife cameras along the creek: Chris Muriata, Girringun Rangers

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A small population of endangered mahogany gliders is living in narrow strips of forest on farmland south of Ingham. Wildlife cameras have captured mahogany gliders for two years in a row at four spots in the Bambaroo-St Helens area.

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Terrain NRM’s Evizel Seymour said the gliders were in forest along creeks where vines and woody weeds have been removed to improve its “glideability” and condition. Coupled with scientists’ findings from genetic research in recent years, it shows the critical need for more habitat restoration.

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“Mahogany gliders are only found between the Hull River near Tully and Ollera Creek north of Townsville, with an estimated total population of about 2500,’’ Evizel said.  

“The woodlands they live in are often narrow fragments of forest. To help this species, a big focus is restoring and connecting their habitat.”

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Recent genetics research by James Cook University researcher Eryn Chang found the species was retaining moderate genetic diversity despite decades of habitat loss. But it also identified inbreeding in northern parts of the mahogany glider’s habitat and researchers fear the increasing fragmented mahogany glider population could lead to serious genetic health issues.

During Terrain NRM’s recent ‘Keeping Country Connected for Mahogany Gliders’ project, crews from Hinchinbrook Shire Council removed woody weeds and vines from 15 kilometres of forest along Waterview Creek, Easter Creek and two unnamed creeks on cane farming land in the Bambaroo-St Helens area.  

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Evizel said wildlife cameras, installed twice at 30 spots along the creeks for six-week periods over two years, had led to mahogany glider detections across 15 locations.

“Of these, four locations recorded mahogany gliders during both survey periods, indicating consistent use of those areas,” she said.

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“The narrow strips of woodland are between sugar cane land and waterways and they’re close to Paluma and Halifax Bay national parks. The aim is to link more coastal patches of mahogany glider habitat to foothills in national parks via vegetated waterway areas, so there is a functional corridor for this endangered species.”

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This work follows a series of Australian and Queensland government-funded mahogany glider projects led by Terrain NRM over the past 15 years.

Mahogany Glider Recovery Team Chair Jacqui Diggins said that the multifaceted recovery teams members had strategically used their resources to improve habitat management and raise awareness of the species’ fight for survival.

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Ms Diggins said habitat connectivity remained the big issue.  

“The only north-south corridor for mahogany gliders is on the edge of national park and it’s a really narrow band of woodland abutting a steeper range that’s inaccessible to the species,’’

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“Land was historically cleared to the edge of the foothills. The forest areas that remain are progressively declining with the creep of rainforest species, woody weeds and sclerophyll making the narrow bands of habitat even less traversable for mahogany gliders.

“Mahogany gliders can glide about 30 metres. Sometimes connecting relatively small sections of land can make a huge difference. It helps these gliders to move between habitat areas for feeding and it can also help the flow of genes.”

The recent ‘Keeping Country Connected for Mahogany Gliders’ project, which ended this month, was proudly funded by the Queensland Government’s Threatened Species Recovery Action Grants program. It was delivered by Terrain NRM in partnership with Hinchinbrook Shire Council, Girringun and Nywaigi Indigenous Rangers and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

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(Contributed with thanks by Terrain NRM)

Shining little Sukki, a six-year-old beauty with striking markings that make her impossible to overlook. This gorgeous girl is searching for a new family to call her own. Sukki could easily grace the cover of a dog lifestyle magazine. She has the looks, the presence, and the personality to turn heads wherever she goes.

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Sukki would prefer to be the only dog in the household, as she can be selective about her canine companions. What she may lack in dog friends, however, she more than makes up for with her unwavering loyalty and devotion to her people.

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You’ll also appreciate Sukki’s watchful nature. She’s always quick to let you know when someone is at the gate, making her an excellent guardian of her home while remaining a loving and faithful companion. If you’re looking for a loyal best friend who will stand by your side and fill your home with love, Sukki could be the perfect match.

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Could Sukki be the missing piece in your family?  Enquire today about Sukki at: angelpawsinc.com.au/pets-for-adoption

Included in adoption fee of $495 DESEXED, MICRO-CHIPPED, up to date VACCINATIONS, FLEA/TICK/INTESTINAL WORM treated and on PROHEART.

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DOB: 10/04/2021

Sex: Female

Colour: White and tan

Breed: Staffy X

Kid friendly: Yes

Cat Friendly: No

Other dogs: Selective

Fences: 6ft

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An information session for stakeholders and service providers in Ingham was hosted by selectability. Photo supplied

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Understanding local priorities helps create stronger partnerships and better outcomes for communities. Through regular engagement with community leaders and stakeholders, selectability gains valuable insights that help shape future planning and service delivery.

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Recently, General Manager Regional Development, Sally Schaefer, and Regional Coordinator Julie Ross hosted an information session for stakeholders and service providers in Ingham to discuss emerging challenges, future opportunities and ways to support wellbeing outcomes across the region.

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Sally said the discussion gave participants an opportunity to share insights, strengthen relationships and explore how services can continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of the local community.

"Strong communities are built through strong relationships and genuine collaboration," Sally said.

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"By listening to local voices and working with community partners, selectability can better understand what people need and ensure services continue to make a meaningful difference in people's lives."

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Stakeholders also received an update on selectability's ongoing commitment to the region, including a service overview, workforce capability and community partnerships that support positive outcomes for people and communities across the Hinchinbrook region.

The session highlighted the value of collaboration in strengthening community wellbeing and ensuring services remain responsive to local circumstances and emerging needs. Insights from the discussion will help inform future planning and support selectability'scontinued commitment to caring for people and communities in need across regional, rural and remote Queensland.

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To learn more about selectability's services in Ingham, visit the Canegrowers Building at 11–13 Lannercost Street to chat with Julie and the team and find out more about what services are available. Our new office hours are 8:30am – 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.  

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Due to popular demand, the Clubhouse has also extended its opening hours to allow new activities. These extended hours provide more opportunities for social connection and accessible support. The clubhouse is now open 9am – 3pm, Monday to Friday. Check out the program timetable at selectability.com.au.

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Congratulations to the Pace Family, who on Saturday celebrated a massive 90 years of farming in our region, an extraordinary achievement that marks continuous farming and clearly evidences a commitment to hard work and a drive to succeed through many a generation.

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Many stories would no doubt be told about the challenges faced along the way, including weather events and changing markets over nearly a century of farming, but throughout it all, the commitment to farming and the contribution to agriculture and food production have remained clear.

Congratulations on 90 remarkable years. Your contribution to the Hinchinbrook Shire is remarkable, and your legacy will continue to inspire for generations to come. Best wishes for the continuing farming enterprise of the Pace family.

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Congratulations also to Ingham Bowls Club for once again bringing home the Dunn Cup for 2026. The Dunn Cup is the most prestigious lawn bowls competition in North Queensland, and this year was contested by seventeen teams from communities across North Queensland. Congratulations to Ingham Bowls Club and players Dave Wells, Phil Kite, Frank Pallanza and Brad Wilson on a job well done.

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The Dunn Cup has been played since 1937, and Ingham has won on 19 occasions, making Ingham Bowls Club the most successful club in tournament history. That is certainly something to boast about and is a testament to the great talent that exists within our district. Well done, Ingham Bowls. You have made our district proud.

Just a heads up that Powerlink will shortly commence works at the Ingham Powerlink station on Skinner Street, Ingham, with upgrades to critical equipment and the installation of a new control building designed to withstand Q200 flood events.

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The Ingham South Substation is an important part of Powerlink’s 132kV transmission network, helping to supply electricity to the wider Ingham area as well as Ergon Energy’s 66kV Ingham Substation next door.

The project will be delivered in stages over a three-year period, with all works expected to be completed by November 2028. These works are necessary to ensure a safe, secure and reliable electricity supply into the future.

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The first stage of works will commence on Monday, 3^rd August 2026 and continue through to mid-December 2026. No power outages are expected as a result of the work. As some construction activities may take up to 12 hours and must continue once they start, work crews will be onsite between 6:00am and 6:00pm, Monday to Sunday. If you have any concerns, you may contact Powerlink at: (07) 4034 7600 or email nqprojects@powerlink.com.au for more information.

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Wade Chiesa MP at the Pace family 90 years celebration. Photo sourced: Wayde Chiesa MP’s Facebook page

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Wayde Chiesa MP, Member For Hinchinbrook

When I stood as your local Member at the Hinchinbrook by-election, I made a commitment to be a strong voice for our community and focus on the issues that matter most to local families.  

Congratulations to the Pace family on celebrating 90 years of farming. This is an incredible milestone and a testament to generations of hard work and dedication, and a privilege to celebrate such a remarkable legacy. It was also great to attend the Legends of the League night at Lees Hotel and welcome such a fantastic event to my hometown. It was wonderful to see so many people come together to celebrate rugby league and support our local community.  

Community safety remains one of the biggest issues people raise with me. That's why the Crisafulli Government is continuing to strengthen youth justice laws, including expanding Adult Crime, Adult Time by introducing Breach Bail, Go to Jail laws and minimum sentencing for serious repeat offenders. These reforms are about restoring community confidence and making Queensland a safer place to live.  

We're also delivering better healthcare closer to home. With both additional funding for staff accommodations and a new CT scanner for Ingham Health Service, local residents will have access to important diagnostic imaging without having to travel further afield.  

Road safety remains one of the biggest issues people raise with me. The first works towards safety improvements between Ripple Creek and Mount Cudmore Road will soon begin with land acquisitions as part of the broader Bruce Highway (Ingham–Innisfail) Ingham to Cardwell Range Safety and Resilience Package. It's another important milestone in making the Bruce Highway safer and more resilient for our communities.  

We're also making real progress on the Port Hinchinbrook Revitalisation Project. The market sounding process for the dredging works has now closed, marking another important milestone in bringing this long-awaited project to life. I'll continue to keep the community updated as we move into the next stage and work towards unlocking the full potential of Port Hinchinbrook for tourism, local businesses and our wider regional economy.  

These are the commitments I took to the people of Hinchinbrook, and they're the commitments I'll continue working every day to deliver. Thank you for your continued support and your feedback. Together, we're building a stronger future for our community.

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By Mary Brown, President of the Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Tourism

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The Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Tourism Inc. is excited to announce the return of the Hinchinbrook Festival of Events following the overwhelming success of its inaugural campaign in 2025.

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Attendance and engagement in last year's Hinchinbrook Festival of Events exceeded all expectations, bringing together a diverse calendar of events that showcased the very best of our region. From community celebrations and sporting events to arts, culture, entertainment and markets, the festival attracted thousands of attendees, increased visitation to the Hinchinbrook Shire and created a vibrant atmosphere that was felt across the entire community.

One of the most rewarding outcomes was the significant number of visitors who travelled to the region specifically to experience events featured as part of the Hinchinbrook Festival of Events. Accommodation providers, cafés, restaurants, retailers and local businesses all benefited from the increased visitor spend, demonstrating the important role events play in strengthening our local economy.

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Many events experienced record attendances, with several selling out well in advance. Event organisers received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both locals and visitors, with many commenting on the variety, quality and welcoming community spirit that Hinchinbrook offers. The success of the inaugural festival highlighted what can be achieved when community organisations, volunteers, businesses and event organisers work together towards a common goal.

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As a result of this incredible community support and the many positive comments received throughout the 2025 festival period, Chamber members have supported the proposal to host and fund the Hinchinbrook Festival of Events campaign in 2026.

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The 2026 Festival will once again celebrate everything that makes the Hinchinbrook region unique, providing opportunities to showcase local talent, support local businesses, attract visitors and encourage people to stay longer and experience more of what Hinchinbrook has to offer.

The Chamber is now inviting all community groups, sporting clubs, schools, businesses and event organisers to be part of this year's festival.

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Chamber would like to hear about any events planned across the Hinchinbrook Shire between 17 October 2026 and 26 November 2026. Whether it's a community celebration, fundraiser, sporting event, exhibition, workshop, live performance, market or family day, your event could become part of the official Hinchinbrook Festival of Events program.

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Being included in the festival provides an opportunity for that event to benefit from coordinated regional promotion, increased exposure and the collective momentum created by a packed calendar of events designed to encourage visitors to explore our region throughout the festival period.

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Together, we can continue building a festival that not only celebrates our incredible community but also delivers lasting economic and tourism benefits for the entire Hinchinbrook Shire.

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If you have an event that you'd like included in this year's Festival of Events, please contact the Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Tourism Inc. We look forward to working with our community once again to make the 2026 Hinchinbrook Festival of Events even bigger and better than its successful debut.

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A new pontoon at Dungeness has been successfully completed. Photo supplied: Hinchinbrook Shire Council

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A new pontoon at Dungeness has been successfully completed, delivering more efficient marine access at the gateway to the Hinchinbrook Channel.

The project was delivered through a $556,000 investment from the Queensland Government through the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme, in partnership with Hinchinbrook Shire Council, providing practical infrastructure to support local industry, tourism, and the broader community.

Member for Hinchinbrook Wayde Chiesa said the completed project highlights the importance of investing in regional Queensland.

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“This is a great example of the Crisafulli Government delivering practical infrastructure that supports regional communities,” Mr Chiesa said.

“Through our Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme, we’re partnering with councils to get projects like this built; projects that improve access, support local businesses, and strengthen regional economies.”

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The new pontoon on Denney Street is designed to support commercial operators and improve day-to-day marine access, making it easier and more efficient for businesses that rely on the water.

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Hinchinbrook Shire Council Mayor Ramon Jayo said the completion of the project marks an important milestone for the region.

“Dungeness is a key departure point to Hinchinbrook Island, the reef, and some of the best fishing grounds in North Queensland,” Mayor Jayo said.

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“This new pontoon strengthens that role, improving access for operators and enhancing the experience for locals and visitors alike.”

“It’s about delivering the kind of infrastructure our community needs — practical, well-planned, and built to support our future.”

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Mayor Jayo said the project forms part of Council’s broader vision for the area.

“This is just the start. We’re continuing to advocate for further investment in critical projects like marine access at Forrest Beach and upgrade to sewerage infrastructure at Lucinda; projects that will unlock growth, support tourism, and strengthen our region,” Mayor Jayo said.

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The completed structure measures 13 metres in length and 3 metres in width, providing a durable and fit-for-purpose facility to support ongoing marine activity.

The Dungeness pontoon will help strengthen the area as a destination, support local businesses, and deliver lasting economic and lifestyle benefits for the region.

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Dr Adele Pile and Stuart Alexander ahead of their talk on monitory the reef. Photo Credit Sian Bantock

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The July edition of Science in the Pub brought a full house to Shanti Cafe on Tuesday 14^th July, with guest speakers Dr Adele Pile and Stuart Alexander sharing insights from their ongoing reef monitoring work.

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This month also marks a major milestone for the event, celebrating the second anniversary since the inception of Science in the Pub.

The first talk centred on the mass bleaching events that occurred on the Great Barrier Reef between 2024 and 2025. There was significant media coverage of the issue, and Dr Adele Pile wanted to bring the conversation directly to the people of Mission Beach. She was also keen to share the positive news that the reefs closest to the community were among the 25 per cent that were not affected.

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Dr Adele Pile worked in collaboration with Cassowary Coast Tourism to deliver a presentation to a group of enthusiastic attendees, sharing the wonders of the reef. Sean Daly from Citizens of the Reef also joined the event with a call to action, encouraging the local community to contribute to the upcoming Great Barrier Reef Census.

In 2024, Amber Kellett, newly appointed as Sustainability Education Officer at Cassowary Coast Regional Council, saw the potential in the concept and proposed it become a monthly event. Working alongside Shanti owner Patrick to help secure guest speakers, Science in the Pub as we know it today was born.

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"Stuart and I could not be prouder of the direction that Amber and Patrick have taken our initial concept," said Dr Adele Pile.

"We've learned so much from new species of microbes endemic to the origins of human speech and everything in between. But more importantly it is that sense of community that unites us as we sit under the stars, enjoying a meal and a cool drink whilst learning something new."

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If you want to get involved and assist with your own reef monitoring when you're next diving, snorkelling or fishing, simply snap a picture of the reef and upload it to the community monitoring program, Eye on the Reef. You can download the app or head to: www2.gbrmpa.gov.au.

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Updates on the latest Science in the Pub events can be found on the Shanti Facebook page or the Cassowary Coast Regional Council's social media pages. Bookings are encouraged as spaces are limited. To reserve your place, contact Shanti Cafe on 0435 166 656.

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Kerry Clow has been re-elected for a fourth term as President of the Cassowary Coast Business Women's Network, continuing her commitment to supporting women in business across the region. Photo source: CCBWN

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Some people build careers, while others build communities, and Kerry Clow has spent more than two decades doing both. Over the course of her career rich in leadership development, organisational culture and employee relations across Australia and New Zealand, Ms Clow has helped people become stronger leaders while empowering women in business across the region to build confidence, connection and opportunity.

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Since moving to the Cassowary Coast in the early 2000s, Ms Clow has become one of the driving forces behind the Cassowary Coast Business Women's Network (CCBWN), an organisation she credits with helping her establish a strong supportnetwork and quickly feel at home.

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"In my career, I had mainly worked for big organisations that offered me professional development and connections, and I felt that the CCBWN was a great conduit to connect women working in small business or being self-employed in this regional area."

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Ms Clow said her passion for leadership was shaped while working on major construction projects, where she witnessed first-hand that people and culture were just as critical to success as engineering and construction.

"I had the privilege of working with some amazing mentors and being involved in large projects that focused on the 'people' issues with the same priorities as the engineering and construction," she said.

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"It became so evident that effective leadership was fundamental to those successes that I immersed myself in understanding what makes great leaders, before ultimately delivering programs to help organisations develop leadership capability within their teams."

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Although now semi-retired, Ms Clow continues to work with organisations in leadership development, team building and recruitment.

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"Leadership is necessary at every level. Never judge who has the ability to lead, and emotional intelligence is key," she said.

"It has been very rewarding to work with people over many years, seeing them grow from first-time leaders into senior leadership roles and knowing I may have played a small part in that journey."

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Recently re-elected for a fourth term as CCBWN President, Ms Clow has helped transform the organisation into one of the region's leading voices for business, with membership growing from fewer than 50 to 80 women.

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Now, the CCBWN exists as one of the Cassowary Coast's leading business organisations, representing local women in business while contributing to regional reference groups that share valuable industry insights with members.

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"There clearly is a need for building connections for professional like-minded women that the CCBWN fills," Ms Clow said.

"The CCBWN was established 22 years ago [under a different title] and has continued to grow into a network that creates a space for women to learn from, support and encourage one another, while celebrating each other's successes."

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While CCBWN’s membership has almost doubled during her time as President, Ms Clow believes the network's greatest strength lies in the diversity of its members, and looking ahead, she hopes more women will step forward to take on leadership roles and help shape its future.

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"The value of the network continuing to grow is that our membership becomes more diverse. There are some amazing backgrounds, skills and stories within the group, and the CCBWN provides a space for those to be heard and celebrated,” she said.

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"If anyone is thinking about taking on the role next year, I'd encourage them to come along, see what we do and get involved. If you have good communication skills, initiative and a genuine interest in continuing the legacy of the CCBWN, all the systems and procedures are in place, with an Alumni group and Executive Team ready to support you."

Terrain Member with Kate Blank C4 Habitat Coordinator, Peter Trotts Nursery Coordinator(Centre) and Peter Rowles C4 President with Sponsor Terrain. Photo Credit Madeleine Beekman

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After six years of dedicated restoration, Community for Coastal & Cassowary Conservation (C4) has entered the final stage of revegetating the 16-hectare Gurrbum Nature Reserve, transforming land once overrun by invasive guinea grass into a thriving native habitat.  

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With just six planting beds remaining, the first trees of the final stage were planted on Saturday, July 17, by a team of 20 volunteers.

“It’s getting close to completion,” said C4’s President Peter Rowles.

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“This is the second-last planting. This area adjoins remnant rainforest and a creek where the revegetation work will have a great impact. We’ve gone from solid guinea grass to trees.”

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Restoration work began in January 2020 and, in partnership with the Queensland Trust for Nature (QTFN), C4 secured the property as a protected Nature Refuge, safeguarding it from future development.

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Throughout the years their work has been supported by volunteers and sponsors.  

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The latest planting has been funded through Terrain Natural Resource Management's Green Connections Project, supported by a $2 million Queensland Government investment in forest restoration to expand wildlife corridors and reconnect forests from the Daintree to Ingham.

The Guurbum Reserve sits within the Smiths Gap which is a strategic location for connectivity across the landscape.  

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“It’s at a pinch-point in Smith’s Gap – the longest and widest rainforest corridor in Australia. This corridor links the coast, at Mission Beach, with the ranges,” shared Terrain NRM’s Tony O’Malley

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The restored reserve will act as a vital passage for the endangered Cassowary and other native species.  

It will connect Japoon National Park, Tully Gorge National park and the Walter Hill Range Conservation Park. The work will ensure safe passage for Wildlife and will strengthen biodiversity across the region.

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More than 6,500 native trees and plants have been installed since the project began.  

“Each of the new trees were planted by hand as part of a dense planting layout. This method encourages rapid canopy formation, helping to suppress invasive weeds and reduce maintenance,” said Mr Rowles.

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Madeleine Beekman, the secretary for C4 was part of the team planting the final stage.  

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“On Saturday, we planted the first 800 trees of what will be the final stage of restoring the critical cassowary habitat,” she explained.

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Over the last six years there have been a variety of people supporting the project by dedicating their time, resources or money. The final stage of planting is expected to be completed by the end of the month.  

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85th Cake Cutting with President Wiliam Moran and youngest Tully Rotary Member, Kieran Borgna Photos Supplied

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The Tully Rotary club marked a major milestone this weekend as they celebrated their 85th Anniversary under the guidance of President William Moran.  

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The inaugural meeting was held on 25th May 1941 and, since then the club has remained committed to servicing the community.  

“Our club’s mission is to encourage and foster the ideal of service to club and community, both locally and internationally,” explained President William Moran.

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“We achieve this through club activities and project and vocational and youth development.”

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Over the past 85 years the club has supported countless initiatives and funded local community projects as well as charitable events.  

They are also proud supporters for a variety of causes including; Purple Socks - Domestic and Family Violence Awareness, National Youth Science Forum and Read to me Day.  

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In attendance at the 85th Anniversary celebration were long time supporters of the organisation, including local Rotarians, past Rotary District Assistant Governor Col Lawson, Cassowary Coast Regional Councillors Ellen Jessop and Trudy Tshui, Peter Reed from Tully Lions and friends of Rotary.

During the festivities, President William Moran said that the success of the club is due to the community’s unwavering support.

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“For the past 85 years The Rotary Club of Tully has been extremely fortunate to have the support of the Tully Community which has contributed at today’s value well over $3 million toward our fundraising efforts,” he shared.

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The celebrations continued as President William Moran and club member Joe Vasta were presented with the Paul Harris Fellow recognition.  

The award is one of the Rotary’s highest honours and is awarded to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the club.  

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“This honour carries the name of Rotary’s founder, Paul Harris, a man who believed deeply in the power of fellowship, service, and the idea that ordinary people, working together, can create extraordinary change.”

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Marcia Baker’s appreciation for colour and fine details are at the heart of every art piece she creates. Photo source: Mission Arts

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Having called Mission Beach home for nearly two decades, Marcia Baker draws endless inspiration from the region's golden beaches, swaying palms and tropical landscapes, all of which have helped shape the artist she has become.

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Ms Baker's artistic process often starts with the click of a camera, capturing the colours, light, shadows and fleeting moments of natural beauty that surround her and later find their way into her work.

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“One of my favourite daily rituals is walking along the beach at sunrise with my iPhone in hand, capturing the ever-changing colours of the sky, the reflections on the water, and the beauty of Mission Beach as it awakens,” Ms Baker reflected.

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“Living in the Cassowary Coast means being surrounded every day by incredible natural beauty - from the rainforest and beaches to the vibrant birdlife and marine life. It's a place where inspiration is never far away.”

Ms Baker's creativity knows few boundaries, with the Mission Beach artist embracing everything from acrylic painting and mosaics to handmade crafts and the intricate art of paper quilling; a passion that found its way back into her life following a two-year-long caravanning adventure around the country.

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“Rediscovering quilling reminded me that creativity doesn't have an expiry date. It felt like rediscovering a forgotten part of myself,” she said.

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“Paper quilling satisfies my love of precision and detail. I enjoy taking simple strips of paper and transforming them into intricate designs that have depth, texture and movement.”

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Constantly embracing a strong sense of curiosity and a deep appreciation for the natural world, Ms Baker has never confined herself to a single artistic medium. Instead, she embraces the opportunity to experiment, finding that each discipline offers a unique avenue for creative expression.

“Each medium allows me to express my creativity in a different way, and that’s what I love about being an artist,” she said.

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“Although each medium is different, they all share one thing in common – they allow me to celebrate the extraordinary beauty of the Cassowary Coast and to share that sense of wonder with others through my art.”

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One of Ms Baker's most popular creations remains a handmade paper-quilled cassowary greeting card; a fitting tribute to one of the Cassowary Coast's most iconic residents. Its enduring popularity comes as little surprise, with the striking bird holding a special place in the hearts of both locals and visitors to the region.

Whether she's painting a coastal scene or crafting a delicate paper creation, Ms Baker's love of the tropics shines through, with the colours, textures and natural beauty of Mission Beach serving as a constant source of inspiration.

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“I want my artwork to evoke a sense of happiness, warmth and joy. Whether it's a painting, a mosaic, a handmade pair of earrings or a quilled greeting card, I want people to feel the happiness and beauty that inspired me to create it,” she said.

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“If someone takes a closer look at one of my artworks and discovers something new each time they see it, or if it reminds them of a special place, a happy memory or simply brightens their day, then I've achieved what I set out to do. Sharing beauty and creating a connection through art is the most rewarding part of being an artist.”

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Ingham SHS Open Rugby League Team. Photo supplied

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Ingham State High School's Open Rugby League team returned from the Queensland State Schools Cup in Rockhampton as runners-up in Division 2, marking a memorable debut at the state-wide tournament.

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Guided by Coach Mark Cockburn, Trainer/Manager Jason Brown, and League Safe Trainer Hunter Winkel, the Ingham High squad proudly represented both their school and the Hinchinbrook community in their first appearance at the competition, which is now in its second year.

Despite opening the tournament with losses to North Rockhampton SHS (28–6) and Bundaberg SHS (44–0), the team showed remarkable resilience, bouncing back with impressive victories over the Barbarians (20–13) and Rockhampton SHS (22–6) to earn a place in the Division 2 Grand Final.

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Ingham High fell 18–0 to Yeppoon SHS in the decider, but their determination, teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the week were widely praised.

Individual performances were recognised throughout the tournament, with Jackson Hodge, Matthew Kondisenko, Carter Bates, Nick Stokes and Noah Jones each earning Player of the Match honours. Adding to the school's success, Matthew Kondisenko was also selected in the Queensland State Schools Cup ‘Open Boys Merit Team’.

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Ingham State High School would like to thank the following sponsors; Wilmar Sugar and Renewables, Hinchinbrook Real Estate, TDH Plumbing Solutions, SpinFX Electrical, Timrith Transport and Marb Constructions, Guido's Panel and Paint, MENZ, Rotary Club of Hinchinbrook, and Wholelife Pharmacy for their generous support of the team.

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The school congratulates all players and staff for representing Ingham State High School with pride, integrity and commitment, thanking the Queensland State Schools Cup for providing an outstanding opportunity. With valuable experience gainedand all but two players eligible to participate again next year, the team is already looking forward to returning even stronger in 2027.

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At a time when families have countless choices about their children's education, the right school is not always the largest one, but the one that provides the environment where each child can grow, learn and succeed.

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Halifax State School demonstrates the unique strengths of a small school, where personalised learning and strong community connections place every child at the centre of their education.

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In a small school, no student becomes just another face in the crowd. Teachers know their students, understand their strengths and challenges, and work closely with families to support their progress. Individual learning goals, targeted support and opportunities for extension help ensure every child is appropriately challenged and celebrated for their achievements.

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These close relationships help create confident learners who feel comfortable fully engaging in school life. At Halifax, the strong connections between students, staff and families foster a genuine sense of belonging.

A smaller school does not mean fewer opportunities. Halifax students can access a range of sporting, cultural, artistic and community experiences that help develop well-rounded young people. Multi-age learning environments also encourage collaboration, leadership and resilience.

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Halifax State School's strong community connections, valued family involvement and local partnerships enrich learning, while its caring environment supports student wellbeing, confidence and future success.

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“Small School. Big Future.” is more than a slogan. It reflects a philosophy that educational success is measured not by a school's size, but by the opportunities and care it provides.

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At Halifax State School, every child matters and every goal counts.

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Kynan, Holly and Charlotte’s Ingham Show cake. Photo supplied

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With Gilroy Santa Maria College

Delicious delights have been crafted at Gilroy Santa Maria College in abundance recently, thanks to the talents of Hospitality students. From catering opportunities, to creating with colourful imaginations- there’s been plenty of cooks in the kitchen.

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Recently Year 11 and 12 students studying the Certificate II in Hospitality, set early alarms to cater for the Year 7 Expo breakfast at the College. The menu saw a variety of flavours and colours incorporating incredible attention to detail.

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Before the school holiday break students warmly hosted past Rugby League and Netball players back to the College for a special Alumni event on the Chapel lawn. This presented another opportunity for their culinary skills to shine, going beyond all expectations with outstanding butlered service.

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To finish Term 2, Year 9 Food Tech students at GSMC were inspired by the iconic Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book for their Ingham Show entries.

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The hard work in the College kitchen paid off, with students placing first, second, third and highly commended for their entries. This enthusiasm saw the Ingham Show Society receive a record number of secondary school submissions.

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As the only school in the Hinchinbrook Shire offering a Certificate II in Hospitality, this vocational education pathway will open doors for students to gain employment across the Hospitality and Tourism industries.

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We can’t wait to see what’s created next in the state-of-the-art industrial training facility that is the Gilroy Santa Maria College kitchen.  

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Hi Readers,

One of the greatest strengths of the Hinchinbrook Shire isn't our buildings or facilities — it's our people.

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Across our community, hundreds of volunteers quietly give their time to make our shire a better place. They coach our children on weekends, serve on committees, organise community events, raise funds for local causes, support sporting clubs, assist during emergencies, and lend a helping hand wherever it's needed. Many do so without seeking recognition or thanks.

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As a Councillor, I have the privilege of attending many community events throughout the year, and I am continually reminded that behind every successful event is a dedicated group of volunteers. Whether it's setting up before sunrise, cooking a barbecue, selling raffle tickets, cleaning up afterwards, or spending months planning behind the scenes, these contributions often go unseen but never go unappreciated.

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Volunteering isn't measured by the number of hours you give — it's measured by the difference you make. Every act of kindness, every hour donated, and every person willing to get involved helps build a stronger, more connected community.

If you've ever considered becoming a volunteer or joining a local community group but aren't sure what's involved, there's a great opportunity coming up. The 'Back to Basics' Hinchinbrook Volunteer Workshops will be held on 23–24 July, providing valuable skills, knowledge and support for both new and existing volunteers.

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To register for these free sessions, visit: How to do a Plan on a Page

• Session 1: https://events.humanitix.com/hinchinbrook-free-training-b2b-plan-on-a-page-volunteer-training    

• Session 2: https://events.humanitix.com/hinchinbrook-free-training-b2b-plan-on-a-page-volunteer-training-de9pxjfu  

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Good Governance: Not for Profit Health Check

• Session 1: https://events.humanitix.com/hinchinbrook-free-training-b2b-good-governance-nfp-health-check  

• Session 2: https://events.humanitix.com/hinchinbrook-free-training-b2b-good-governance-nfp-health-check-t5l8z5y6  

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For more information, please contact Hinchinbrook Shire Council on (07) 4776 4600. To every volunteer, committee member and community supporter across the Hinchinbrook Shire, thank you. Your generosity, commitment and community spirit help create opportunities for others and make our district the welcoming place we are all proud to call home.

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MAMS Group Container for Change facility in Townsville. Photo supplied

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The MAMS Group has been recognised as a finalist in the 2026 Containers for Change Changemaker Awards, acknowledging the business's contribution to recycling, sustainability and community across North Queensland.

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The Ingham family-owned company operates Containers for Change depots in Ingham, Innisfail, Tully and Townsville and, since joining the scheme in 2018, has helped return millions of dollars to local families, schools, sporting clubs, charities and community organisations through container refunds and fundraising initiatives.

MAMS Group founders Brian and Bernice Day were among the early advocates for recycling in the Hinchinbrook region, working alongside Hinchinbrook Shire Council to introduce recycling initiatives at a time when the concept was still new to many people.

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Mrs Lannen said this recognition also celebrated the Day family legacy that began long before Containers for Change.

"It's incredibly special to receive this recognition because it reflects a journey that began with Mum and Dad's vision many years ago," she said.

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"Mum and Dad built MAMS on the belief that looking after the environment and supporting the local community go hand in hand. As the next generation of our family business, we're incredibly proud to continue building on that foundation.

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"Containers for Change has allowed us to introduce another recycling initiative that not only benefits the environment but also puts money back into the pockets of North Queensland families, schools and community organisations. That's something we're very proud to be part of."

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While the environmental benefits of the scheme are significant, Mrs Lannen said the greatest reward has been seeing the positive impact on local communities.

"We've been fortunate to build genuine relationships with our customers and community groups. Whether it's helping schools and sporting clubs fundraise or simply seeing familiar faces each week, it's incredibly rewarding to know we're part of something that gives back."

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Regardless of the outcome of the awards, Mrs Lannen said being named a finalist was already a significant achievement.

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"This recognition belongs to our staff, our customers and every community member who has supported our depots over the years," she said.

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"Thank you for choosing to recycle with us. Every container returned helps create cleaner communities while making a real difference for local families, schools, sporting clubs and charities."

Jack Larsen and his go kart, with his state championship trophy. Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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The Blackrock boy of 13-years-old has been crowned the 2026 KA2 Queensland Champion after a dominant weekend at the state championships, where he claimed pole position in the qualifiers and went on to win the final by huge 5.7 seconds lead. And now, Jack Larsen is already looking beyond his recent Queensland karting title.

The result was even more impressive considering Larsen was bumped at the start of the 20-lap final and dropped back to fourth. But Jack had confidence in his skills.

“I passed them all in the second or third lap, then I just slowly gapped away,” Jack said.

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His strong finish came down to more than just speed. With only one set of tyres available for the entire championship weekend, from qualifying through to the final, Larsen had carefully managed his tyres while other competitors pushed harder.

“I think other people burnt their tyres out because they were driving too hard,” he said.

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“Then my tyres were better than the other guys because I saved them during the weekend, and I slowly pulled away.”

Larsen had started the weekend in the best possible position, qualifying on pole. The advantage was particularly important at the circuit, where being on the outside through a pair of right-hand corners could leave drivers running onto the dirt and losing grip.

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It was only the second time Larsen had raced at the track and qualifying first was also the moment he began to believe he could win the State championship.

The KA2 field included some serious competition, including the driver who had been leading the Australian Championship before the Queensland round, as well as several other previous state champions.

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“It was quite competitive,” Jack said. “There were definitely some difficult people to race. They’re good racers, but they’re difficult to beat.”

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Larsen has been racing since he was eight and said the sport has given him so much beyond just the competition.

“Meeting new people, making friends, building relationships, and setting up my future to have the best outcome possible,” he said.

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That future may eventually take him beyond karting and into cars. While his current focus is on an Australian title, Larsen and the team behind him are already looking at the next steps in his motorsport career, with Formula Ford being discussed as a potential future career goal.

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“There are different steps,” he said. “The next steps are into cars, and you get to the step where you actually start making money in it.”

The path to that point will require plenty of hard work, with success often coming down to the smallest details.

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“It’s finding very fine things that you need to fix,” he said.

While he is the driver, much of the work behind the scenes is a family and team effort. His father handles much of the kart preparation, while Jack helps with tasks such as changing tyres and cleaning the kart.

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He also works closely with his team, analysing data to compare speed, acceleration and performance through different races.

His father, along with coaches including multiple Australian champion Cian Fothergill, Tom Williams Motorsport, and sponsors including JTH Asset Management, Joeflo Excavations, Ingham Express Transport, A & G Drone solutions, Bronte Ag, Cosca, ASM Eathmoving Company, HLD Constructions, Russo &Vella Machinery, have all played a role in supporting his racing.

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Jack has also competed internationally, travelling to Malaysia, Thailand and Italy, where he won a trip to race after finishing second in Australia the previous year. With a Queensland title now added to his achievements, Jack’s aim is now national.

“I would like to try and win a couple of Australian titles and win the Australian Championship,” Jack said.

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With his goal to continue climbing the motorsport ladder, for now, he is enjoying the perks that comes with his latest achievement, including the privileges and recognition of his new State Champion status.

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“When you are a state champion, you get to have a blue background behind your number,” he said.  

“Then everyone who looks at your kart knows you’re a state champion.”

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Jack Larsen Racing can be followed for updates on his motorsport journey on Facebook.

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Students, community members and local organisations will join forces on Gulngay Country to revegetate the Tully Heads foreshore as part of this year's National Tree Day. Photo source: Shutterstock

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In a region where rainforest meets reef, Planet Ark’s National Tree Day exists as a lovely opportunity for the community to come together, plant for the future and help protect the landscapes that make the Cassowary Coast such a special and beautiful place to live and visit.

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Community, conservation and the great outdoors will take centre stage on Wednesday, 22nd July, as Cassowary Coast Regional Council welcomes residents to plant trees together along the lush Tully Heads Foreshore in celebration of National Tree Day.

Residents are encouraged to arrive from 11:30am at the corner of Galmahra Road and Taylor Street, equipped with a water bottle, enclosed footwear and sun-smart clothing for an enjoyable afternoon of community planting.

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2026’s local planting effort will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Planet Ark initiative and focus on revegetating a section of the Tully Heads foreshore previously impacted by illegal clearing. Volunteers will plant clusters of native tube stock; including trees, shrubs and grasses suited to the local ecosystem, with the aim of stabilising the foreshore, reducing erosion, increasing biodiversity and creating valuable habitat for native wildlife.

Set to take place on Gulngay Country, the project will unite Cassowary Coast Regional Council, Girringun Aboriginal Corporation, Lower Tully State School students and members of the local community in a meaningful day of connection, conservation and giving back to the place they call home. For local students, the event offers more than just an opportunity to plant trees; it’s a chance to learn about Caring for Country, develop a deeper appreciation for the environment and play a hands-on role in protecting the wildlife and landscapes that make the Cassowary Coast so special.

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Better still, years from now, students will be able to return to Tully Heads and see the trees they planted standing tall, serving as a lasting reminder of the difference a community can make when it comes together.

Since its inception in 1996, Planet Ark’s National Tree Day has flourish into the country’s largest community tree planting and nature care event. In the Cassowary Coast, the nationwide movement focuses primarily on costal rehabilitation, and the conservation of habitats for native animals whilst allowing the community to connect and care for the nature in their own backyard.

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Over the past 30 years, volunteers have dedicated more than 10 billion hours to planting trees, restoring ecosystems and helping communities reconnect with nature. Although National Tree Day officially falls on the last Sunday of July, events are often tailored to local conditions, and, as Planet Ark reminds us, there's never a bad day to plant a tree.

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Residents are encouraged to RSVP via contacting Amber Kellett on 0436 801 950 or visit nationaltreeday.org.au for more information.

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What: National Tree Day Planting

When: Wednesday, 22nd July, 11:30am-1:30pm

Where: Taylor Street, Tully Heads Foreshore, Tully Heads

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The men who worked on the restoration holding certificates of appreciation, L-R George Murray, Jeff Bidner, Tim Smith, Ken Willoughby the Far Northern District RSL Sub Branch President, Ken Johnson, Stevo Knust, John Saunders, and Rob LangPhoto credit: Victoria Velton

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A restored World War II-era 40mm Bofors gun has officially been unveiled outside the Cardwell RSL Sub Branch, where it will stand as a lasting tribute to Australia's military history and those who served.

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The naval gun, donated by HMAS Cairns, underwent an extensive restoration after it was found to require significant repairs before it could be placed on display.

The project was supported through grant funding under Stream A of the 2024 Anzac Day Trust Fund Grants Program, with much of the restoration also made possible through the dedication of local volunteers and businesses who recognised the historical significance of the relic and what it would mean to the Cardwell community.

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Cardwell RSL Sub Branch President Robert Lang spoke at Sunday's unveiling, sharing the history of the Bofors gun, detailing the restoration process and acknowledging the many people who contributed their time, skills and resources to return the wartime relic to its former condition.

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Mr Lang thanked those involved in the project, including local businesses, volunteers and personnel who assisted with dismantling, repairs, painting and reassembly.

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Now mounted outside the Cardwell RSL, the restored gun is set to become a prominent feature of the memorial precinct, serving as a reminder of the role similar weapons played during World War II and preserving an important piece of Australia's wartime heritage for future generations.

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The unveiling marked the culmination of years of paperwork and months of restoration work and reflects the Cardwell RSL Sub Branch's ongoing commitment to preserving military history while honouring the service and sacrifice of Australia's veterans.

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Competitors from across Australia and New Zealand tackled rainforest trails, mountain bike tracks and coastal waters as the Amazon Adventure Race returned to Mission Beach, challenging women to push beyond their limits over three demanding days. Photo credit: Margarete Oti Oliverira

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Rain-soaked rainforests, rough seas, mountain trails and endless kilometres tested the grit of competitors as the Amazon Adventure Race returned to Mission Beach for its second year.

Over three demanding days, 25 all-female teams from across Australia and New Zealand tackled an unforgiving course through the Cassowary Coast, navigating by map and compass as they hiked, paddled and mountain biked across some of the region's most spectacular and challenging landscapes.

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For many competitors, including Mission Beach locals Angela Olsen and Elizabeth Stavreski, it was their first taste of adventure racing. Despite being pushed well beyond their comfort zones, crossing the finish line became a triumph they will never forget.

Race directors Jan Leverton and Kim Beckinsale say the event is about far more than competition, creating an environment where women can challenge themselves, build confidence and discover what they're truly capable of.

Mission Beach Becomes The Ultimate Playground For The Amazons

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Mission Beach once again became Australia's adventure racing capital as 25 all-female teams took on the Amazon Adventure Race, tackling three days of hiking, mountain biking, paddling and navigation through some of the Cassowary Coast's most spectacular landscapes.

Returning for its second year, the event attracted competitors from across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and New Zealand, all eager to test themselves in an adventure stage race unlike any other.

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Created by race directors Jan Leverton and Kim Beckinsale, who have spent more than 25 years competing in adventure racing, the event was designed to challenge women while making the sport more accessible.

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"We wanted to put an event on for women that was challenging but also nice, so we made it a stage race where they get to sleep every night," Jan said.

"With adventure racing you can't predict the distances, as they navigate themselves with a map and compass. Every day they're doing a bit of paddling, mountain biking and trekking."

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Each day, competitors had eight hours to complete as much of the course as possible, relying solely on their navigation skills to find checkpoints scattered across the region.

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The challenging course took racers through Tully Gorge, deep into tropical rainforest, across mixed cycling terrain and into the waters surrounding Dunk Island. However, unpredictable tropical weather added another layer of difficulty, with heavy rain and strong winds forcing organisers to make last-minute changes throughout the event.

For Mission Beach locals Angela Olsen and Elizabeth Stavreski, watching the inaugural race last year was enough to convince them to sign up.

"It was very tough, we were very much out of our depth with all of it. First adventure race, longest time I've ever been on a bike or Kayak, on foot and we finished it!" Angela said.

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"We warmed into it, our first two days were tough but today which is our 3rd day was our best performance by a long shot," Elizabeth said.

Despite the physical demands, competitors were rewarded with unforgettable encounters with the region's natural beauty.

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"We see so many different and cool things, cassowaries, feral pigs, turtles and a dugongs," Kristina O'Dwyer said.

She and teammate Genevieve Healy, from Brisbane, completed their second Amazon Adventure Race with an overwhelming sense of achievement.

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"That last little bit was hard but I'm very happy to be here and I'm very proud of ourselves," Genevieve said.

For Jan, the event is about much more than crossing the finish line.

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"We're really happy that we've got these strong, amazing women and we've developed them. Everyone's sort of loving the event, it's really hard out there… they were stretched out of their comfort zones," she said.

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"To us is so exciting that we've helped women be that, you know, that next level and put them up on a pedestal."

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While the race tested competitors physically and mentally, it also celebrated resilience, teamwork and courage, proving that the greatest achievement wasn't simply completing the course—it was discovering just how much they were capable of.

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See more photos here: www.hinchinbrooklife.com/social-pics/women-conquer-the-tropics-in-epic-amazon-adventure

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Mission Beach’s Susan Kelly with her two-year-old Australian Shepherd, Mr Percival. Photo supplied

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Since making Mission Beach home in 1985, Susan Kelly has become a familiar face across the Cassowary Coast; not because she has stayed in one lane, but because she has never been afraid to embrace new opportunities.

Over the years, Ms Kelly has worn many hats, from developing an award-winning eco-tourism retreat and teaching yoga to photographing local businesses, running photography workshops and now providing digital support for the Cassowary Coast Business Women's Network (CCBWN). In every chapter, her work has been united by a passion for people, creativity and community, and today, much of Ms Kelly’s work centres on helping local businesses tell the stories behind their brands.

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“I always knew that every business has a story behind it and there’s always a person, a reason, a risk, a lot of hard work, and usually a few extra good stories along the way,” she said.

“I enjoy working with small businesses because most people are so busy running the business that they don’t have time to stop and tell its story, and they may not even realise how interesting or valuable that story is. I love being able to help with that—to see the story, take the photos, create the content and help build their business.”

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That passion for championing small business naturally led Ms Kelly to her role as Digital Support for the CCBWN, where she helps showcase the people behind the organisation while encouraging more women in business to connect, collaborate and support one another.

“I've always loved the heart of small business. I know how much courage, work and belief it takes to build something, especially as a sole trader,” she said.

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“One of the reasons I wanted to become involved with the Cassowary Coast Business Women's Network is because I really believe that every business that does well is good for the whole community. When local businesses are supported, people grow, confidence grows, ideas grow, and the whole region benefits.”

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Reflecting on a career spent helping people tell their stories, Ms Kelly hopes one message stands out above all else: don't wait for the perfect moment to begin.

“Whether it's a business, a creative idea, a yoga practice, or becoming more involved in your community, it all starts with the first step. You learn as you go. You grow by beginning,” she said.

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“I think we can be very good at seeing the value in other people, but not always as good at seeing it in ourselves. Sometimes it takes a photograph, a conversation, a class, or being in the right room with the right people to think, ‘Maybe I can do this’.”

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Ms Kelly believes people don't need to have all the answers before taking the first step, and that no story needs to be perfect to be worth sharing.

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“You don't have to be great to start something, but you have to start to be great. Back yourself enough to begin, tell people what you're doing and let your community know how they can support you. When people show up for each other, small communities thrive.”

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A feral pig entering a Council-operated trap as part of the Cassowary Coast Regional Council's coordinated feral pig management program Photos supplied: Cassowary Coast Regional Council

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More than 800 feral pigs have been removed across the Cassowary Coast over the past 12 months through a coordinated management program involving industry, government, environmental organisations and local landholders.

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The region's Feral Pig Executive Oversight Group has led the cross-industry initiative, bringing together stakeholders from the sugar and banana industries, Cassowary Coast Regional Council, environmental groups and landholders to deliver targeted control programs aimed at reducing the impacts of feral pigs on agriculture, the environment and the wider community.

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The result was achieved through a combination of aerial shooting, Council trapping operations, and landholder-led trapping and baiting programs.

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Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor Teresa Millwood said the outcome demonstrated the strength of a collaborative approach to one of the region's most significant biosecurity challenges.

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"Feral pigs have a significant impact on our environment, agricultural land and natural ecosystems, so it's encouraging to see what can be achieved when organisations and landholders work together towards a common goal," Mayor Millwood said.

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"This program is a great example of collaboration in action, and we'd like to thank everyone involved, including our industry partners, Queensland Government, landholders, and community members who continue to report feral pig activity."

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Council acknowledged the support of Terrain NRM over the past year, which has helped expand the operational component of the feral pig management program.

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The partnership has enabled targeted action to protect endangered vegetation within the Wet Tropics and funded the purchase of five additional traps to strengthen Council's landholder trapping support program.

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Council still has three recycled cane bin pig traps available for purchase by interested landholders to assist with ongoing feral pig control efforts. Residents are encouraged to continue reporting feral pig activity and problem areas to help Council and its partners direct control efforts where they are needed most.  

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Council also reminded the public not to interfere with feral pig traps under any circumstances, noting that all traps operated by Cassowary Coast Regional Council are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  

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Lions District Governor of Far North Queensland Ed Morris and new Tully Lions President Peter Reed surrounded by his board of directors, who serve the local and surrounding communities, and beyond. Photos supplied

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The Tully Lions Club has welcomed new president Peter Reed, who will lead the club through the 2026-27 Lions year following the club's 55th installation dinner.

Held at the Tully Motel and Plantations Restaurant, the evening celebrated another year of service while recognising the volunteers who continue to support the local community.

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Far North Queensland Lions District Governor Ed Morris officially handed the ceremonial gavel to Mr Reed, marking the change of leadership.

Alongside his board of directors, Mr Reed will oversee the club's ongoing community projects and fundraising efforts, guided by the Lions motto, "We Serve".

District Governor Morris congratulated both the incoming and outgoing leadership teams.

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"Thanks for opportunity to install the incoming board with Peter Reed as incoming President. Congratulations to out going President Michael Ottone and the Lions Club of Tully for a great year of service and donations to the local Community," he said.

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The club thanked everyone who attended the milestone installation dinner, as well as those who contributed to the evening's raffle, including Plantations Restaurant, which donated two $50 vouchers.

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Members also acknowledged District Governor Morris for officiating the installation ceremony and wished Mr Reed and his board every success for the year ahead.

For more than five decades, the Tully Lions Club has supported local organisations, community events and people in need, continuing the Lions' commitment that "Where there is a need, there is a Lion."

Steve Lizzo, Richelle Miles and their sons, Silas and Micah, have spent the past decade growing MBL Bananas into one of the Cassowary Coast's leading banana farms. Photo supplied

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Just 50 metres from their home sits the farm that has become Steve Lizzo and Richelle Miles' life's work — a 150-acre banana plantation believed to be the closest operating banana farm to the Great Barrier Reef.

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The couple purchased MBL Bananas a decade ago and have since transformed the property into one of the region's leading banana producers through a focus on sustainability, soil health and innovation.

For Steve, banana farming has always been in his blood. He grew up just 15 kilometres away in Silkwood, working on his family's property, Liverpool Rivers Bananas. Richelle, originally from New Zealand, studied zoology before becoming an agronomist. After the pair met in 2016 and moved to Mission Beach, they discovered their new home backed onto a banana farm.

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It was a perfect fit.

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"Over the next few years we just put work and effort into slowly building it up, slowly improving soil health, increasing organic matter," Richelle said.

Steve said Mission Beach had a rich history as one of Australia's premier banana-growing regions.

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"About 40 - 50 years ago Mission Beach was the largest growing region for Australian Banana's," he said.

"We've got the opportunity to take over some beautiful land... and we're farming some original banana plantations that have existed for over 40 - 50 years. So that's been pretty special."

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Today, MBL Bananas employs around 30 staff and operates seven days a week, year-round. The farm produces approximately 40 tonnes of bananas each week, equating to more than 2,000 tonnes annually.

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Operations are divided into two key stages. Before harvest, crews work in the paddocks planting, weeding, pruning and harvesting banana bunches. Once picked, the fruit is transported to the packing shed, where another team prepares it for distribution across Australia.

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Mission Beach's tropical microclimate provides ideal growing conditions, but the weather can also present significant challenges.

"So when we get 6 inches of natural weather that comes down we also get the other bit from the subdivision [next door] racing through our farm which can do a lot of damage, you can lose up to 2 or 3 tones of dirt in one night," Steve said.

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To combat erosion and protect the surrounding environment, the couple has invested in water management infrastructure across the property.

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"It then flows into two ponds which acts as a sediment trap, so any soil that is running off from heavy rainfall goes into the ponds and then the soil settles and the clean water on top runs off," Richelle said.

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Their commitment to environmental stewardship has not gone unnoticed. In 2023, MBL Bananas received a major industry award recognising excellence in environmental best management practices, cementing its reputation as one of the region's leading banana producers.

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For Steve and Richelle, the award reflects years of dedication to caring for both the land and the industry that has shaped their lives.

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Youth Advisory Committee Member Gabby. Photo source: Cassowary Coast Regional Council

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Young people across the region are being encouraged to help shape the future, with expressions of interest now open for Council's new Youth Advisory Committee.

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The committee will give residents aged 15 to 25 the opportunity to share their ideas, concerns and priorities with Council, helping inform planning and decision-making on issues that matter most to young people.

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The initiative responds to community feedback gathered through the Cassowary Coast Community Scorecard and Community Voice Action Plan, which identified youth services as a key priority.

Mayor Teresa Millwood said the committee would ensure young people had a genuine voice in the future of the region.

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"Our young people are the future of the Cassowary Coast, and their voices matter. The Youth Advisory Committee is a fantastic opportunity for them to share their ideas and help shape a region they're proud to call home," Cr Millwood said.

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"I encourage all eligible young people to apply and be part of this exciting initiative."

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The committee will include three representatives each from Innisfail, Tully, Mission Beach and Cardwell. Applicants must live within the Cassowary Coast region and be between 15 and 25 years of age. Members aged over 18 will require a Blue Card, with Council providing assistance through the application process.

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Expressions of interest close on Sunday, 16th August. Applications can be submitted via Council's Your Say website or by contacting Cassowary Coast Regional Council on 1300 763 903 for more information.

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Division 2 Councillor Ellen Jessop is encouraging residents to have their say. Photo source: Cassowary Coast Regional Council

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Cassowary Coast residents, ratepayers and business owners are being encouraged to have their say on the region's future waste management, with community consultation now open on the proposed Resource Recovery and Waste Strategy 2026–2030.

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Council’s seeking community feedback on five priorities: harnessing economic opportunity, improving recycling access and behaviour change, driving innovation, reducing the cost of living and minimising the environmental impact of waste. The strategy also proposes improvements to kerbside collection services, upgrades to transfer stations, support for local circular economy initiatives, stronger community education and measures to keep waste services affordable.

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Mayor Teresa Millwood said community feedback would help shape the region's future.

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"By working together, we can create a cleaner, smarter, more sustainable waste system. The draft waste strategy ensures transparency for ratepayers, accountability for outcomes, and a shared vision for a cleaner and more prosperous Cassowary Coast."

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Councillor Ellen Jessop said waste management remained one of Council's largest operational costs.

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"Waste management is an essential service, but it is also one of Council's most significant operational expenses. My goal is to ensure we deliver this service as efficiently as possible, seek opportunities to reduce costs, and work with the community to divert more material from landfill."

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Community consultation closes on Friday, 27th July. Residents can provide feedback via Council's Your Say website, complete a paper survey or attend a community engagement session. For more information, visit yoursay.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au.

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Jim McQuillians’ adult children Barbara, Kevin and Susan toasting the new vessel. Photo supplied

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On Saturday 4th July the Tully Coast Guard held a ceremony to officially name and commission their new primary rescue vessel TU21, now known as; Jim McQuillian.  

The vessel has been named after the one of the founders and first commander of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association Inc (QF2). Jim dedicated over 40 years of active volunteering to his community and sadly passed away on 24 Dec 2024.

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Without Jim’s efforts as a founder the Tully Coast Guard wouldn’t be what it is today. Jim was pivotal in obtaining a radio base that opened on 1st October 1977.  Five months later in March1978 Tully received its formal Charter of Operations as the 12th Flotilla in Queensland with their first Commander: Jim McQuillan.  

Jim’s three children Susan, Kevin and Barbara, attended the celebrations over the weekend.  

“Seeing his name carried forward in a vessel dedicated to helping others feels especially meaningful, because he believed strongly in people helping people in order to support and strength community,” shared Susan.

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The launching of a new vessel was a significant moment for the Tully Coast Guard with ‘Jim McQuillians’ predecessor; The ‘Mary Liddle’ serving as their primary boat for over 23 years.  

The new vessel reflects current best practises within marine rescue and includes a sophisticated data network that brings together the information available through modern marine rescue technology including autopilot, automatic tilt/ trim, thermal imagining camera, radar, GPS and radio detector.  

“The new vessel, will be much more reliable, much better to ride in and much quieter,” said Rod Fittock Deputy Flotilla Commander

“With the extra technology, when we have a search and rescue where we don’t know where the person is; now with the infrared and a sat phone [it means we have] much greater communication, [and it’s] safer and speedier.”  

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The Tully Coast Guard plays a vital role in keeping the community safe on the water. They are a volunteer marine-safety organisation and serve, Tully, Mission Beach, Hull Heads, Tully Heads and the surrounding waterways.

The festivities also coincided with the recent signing of a Deed Transition which will see Tully Coast Guard move from the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association INC over to Marine Rescue Queensland. The MRQ are the custodians of the ‘Jim McQuillan’ vessel and this will only strength the partnership with Tully Coast Guard going forward.  

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Mission Beach student Jack Christopher is preparing for the adventure of a lifetime after being selected to spend three months in Germany through the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. Photo supplied

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Most teenagers may perceive spending three months living on the other side of the world as a daunting prospect, yet for Mission Beach’s Jack Christopher, it's an opportunity he can't wait to embrace.

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A student at Good Counsel College in Innisfail, Jack has been honourably selected to take part in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, which will see him travel to Germany for a three-month cultural exchange, where he'll immerse himself in a new way of life, strengthen his German language skills and proudly represent both Australia and the Cassowary Coast.

Known for throwing himself into every opportunity that comes his way, Jack said stepping outside his comfort zone was exactly what attracted him to the program.

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"I enjoy taking on new challenges, and I became interested in this exchange because it's an incredible opportunity to experience a new culture, improve my German language skills and represent both Australia and my local community overseas," he enthused.

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"This exchange excites me because it is a big step outside my comfort zone, but that's also one of the reasons I wanted to do it."

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The Rotary Youth Exchange Program gives students aged 15 to 19 the chance to live overseas while building lifelong friendships, experiencing another culture and developing confidence, independence and a broader understanding of the world, however, for Jack, the experience is about far more than travel.

"Rotary's values of Service Above Self and making a positive difference are things I'm really proud to be a part of," he said.

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"I hope this experience helps me return with a greater understanding of another culture, more confidence and a stronger sense of independence."

Before he boards the plane, however, Jack has one more challenge to tackle, and he’s now seeking community support to help cover the costs of the exchange, including travel, insurance, Rotary program requirements, language preparation and other associated expenses.

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"Any support will not only help me access a life-changing opportunity, but will also support the values of cultural understanding, goodwill and international friendship that Rotary promotes around the world," Jack said.

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As part of his fundraising campaign, he is searching for 10 Foundation Sponsors willing to contribute $250 each. Sponsors will be recognised throughout his journey with thank-you posts, social media updates and regular acknowledgements as he prepares for Germany and shares his overseas experience.  

With the support of the Rotary Club of Mission Beach, Jack is also planning a community raffle featuring a major prize and a range of donated prizes from local businesses where he’s encouraging businesses and community members who are able to donate a prize or voucher to get involved, with all contributors to be publicly acknowledged.

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Jack said the support he has already received from the community has meant a great deal.

"Thank you again for all the support so far. I'm very grateful for the encouragement and excited to keep sharing the journey."

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Community members interested in becoming one of Jack's Foundation Sponsors or donating a raffle prize are encouraged to contact him through messaging or calling his father, Seth Christopher, on 040 723 8282 or via social media.

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Tuskers at the Beach will host a fundraising event next month in collaboration with RC Homestead Animal Encounters. Photo source: Tuckers at the Beach

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Local residents are warmly invited to enjoy an afternoon of live music, family fun and fundraising when Tuskers at the Beach hosts a special charity event on Sunday, 2nd August.

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Set to run from 3pm to 6pm, the family-friendly fundraiser will feature live entertainment from Andy G, along with raffles and a 100 Board, with all proceeds supporting the McGrath Foundation and Animal Welfare League Queensland.

Since 2005, the McGrath Foundation has supported more than 181,000 people and their families by providing specialist breast care nurses and has since expanded its vision to support people affected by all cancers. Meanwhile, Animal Welfare League Queensland works to improve the lives of vulnerable animals through rescue, rehabilitation, rehoming and community education.

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Organised by RC Homestead Animal Encounters in partnership with Tuskers at the Beach, the event aims to bring the community together while raising much-needed funds for both charities.

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Locals are encouraged to book a table via calling Tuskers at the Beach on 4068 8503 and enjoy an afternoon of live music, good company and the chance to support two organisations making a meaningful difference to the lives of people and animals alike.  

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What: Community Fundraising Raffle  

When: Sunday, 2nd August, 3pm-6pm

Where: Tuskers at the Beach, South Mission Beach

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Aerial view of Palm Island. Photo sourced: Palm Island Council website

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Applications have opened for a new Rent-to-Buy Home Ownership Scheme on Palm Island, creating a pathway for eligible residents to purchase the social housing they currently live in.

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The scheme, delivered by the Queensland Government in partnership with Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council, is the first of its kind for the community and fulfils an election commitment to improve opportunities for home ownership on Palm Island.

Participants will enter into a payment agreement with Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council. Once the agreement is completed, ownership of the home will be transferred through a 99-year home ownership lease.

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The program will begin with 10 households and has the potential to expand over time, with up to 300 council-owned social homes able to be offered through the scheme depending on demand.

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Currently, only 1.4 per cent of Palm Island residents own their own home, compared with the Queensland average of 64 per cent. The initiative has been designed to address barriers to home ownership in remote communities, including the high cost of purchasing a home and limited access to traditional home loans.

The scheme follows extensive consultation with the Palm Island community and is supported through funding in the Queensland Government's 2026-27 Budget.

Palm Island Mayor Alf Lacey welcomed the initiative, describing it as a significant milestone for the community.

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"The Home Ownership Scheme provides a new opportunity to own a home and, at the same time, create wealth for the next generation of our people," Mayor Lacey said.

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"This is not a hand up or a handout. It's better. This government has proven that it can walk side by side with us to create meaningful opportunities for our people, and I didn't think I'd see this in my lifetime."

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Amazing You Daily Magnesium Spray comes in two convenient sizes. Photo sourced: amazingyou.com

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If you're looking for an easy way to support your daily wellbeing, the Amazing You Daily Magnesium Spray, available at Ingham Wholelife Pharmacy & Healthfoods, could be just what you need.

Made with magnesium harvested from pristine Australian salt lakes, this lightweight, water-like spray is designed to absorb directly through the skin without leaving behind a sticky or greasy residue.

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With consistent use, the spray may help ease everyday tension, relieve muscle cramps, support natural energy levels, reduce tension headaches and help your body relax for a more restful night's sleep.

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Containing just magnesium chloride brine and purified water, the formula is free from unnecessary additives.

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For best results, apply four to five sprays to the upper body each morning to help start the day. In the evening, spray four to five pumps onto the tops of the feet, behind the knees and across the lower back to help the body unwind before bed. The spray can also be used throughout the day for relief from tight muscles or tension, with most people finding eight to 10 sprays a day works well.

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Wholelife Pharmacy & Healthfoods stocks the Amazing You Daily Magnesium Spray in two convenient sizes, along with Amazing You Daily Magnesium Bath Flakes for those who enjoy a relaxing soak while boosting their magnesium intake.

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The Queensland biosecurity system partners Graphic sourced: QLD GOV, Queensland Biosecurity Strategy 2024-2029

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Hinchinbrook Shire Council has reinforced its commitment to protecting the region from invasive pests and weeds, officially adopting the 2026-27 Hinchinbrook Local Government Area Biosecurity Plan.

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Adopted on Tuesday, June 30, the plan outlines strategic actions for managing priority weeds and pest animals across all land tenures while promoting a collaborative, community-wide approach to invasive species management.

Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, local governments are responsible for protecting their regions from invasive biosecurity threats, with Council reviewing the plan annually to ensure it remains responsive to emerging challenges and continues to support coordinated management efforts.

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The updated plan also aims to help landholders and the wider community understand their general biosecurity obligations, encouraging shared responsibility in managing invasive plants and animals.

Hinchinbrook Shire Council Mayor Ramon Jayo said biosecurity is everyone's responsibility.

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“This Plan provides a clear roadmap for how Council, landholders, industry and the wider community can work together to protect Hinchinbrook's environment, waterways, agriculture and lifestyle from the impacts of invasive plants and animals,” Mayor Jayo said.

"The most effective biosecurity response is prevention and early action. By staying vigilant, reporting new pests and weeds, and meeting our general biosecurity obligations, we can reduce long-term impacts and costs while protecting the natural assets that make Hinchinbrook such a great place to live, work and visit.”

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The local plan announcement comes as the Queensland Government and Queensland Farmers' Federation expand the Biosecurity in the Boardroom initiative into Far North Queensland, encouraging businesses to strengthen their own biosecurity practices.

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The initiative provides practical advice to business leaders on identifying and managing biosecurity risks, highlighting the impacts plant and animal pests and diseases can have on business operations through costly delays and reputational damage.

Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said businesses had embraced the initiative.

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"Biosecurity is everyone's responsibility. Businesses have a legal obligation to uphold biosecurity standards, but this initiative encourages corporate leaders to go further and protect Queensland's great lifestyle while safeguarding their bottom line. It's a win-win," Minister Perrett said.

"Biosecurity threats are an ever-present reality, so we need to stay vigilant and prepared to protect our industries, our economy, our environment and our way of life.

"Further, biosecurity underpins Queensland's ability to grow and produce clean, healthy and nutritious local food, and ultimately, strong biosecurity is the linchpin of a productive primary industries sector and regional and rural communities."

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"I'm pleased we can back the Queensland Farmers' Federation in taking this initiative to regional businesses and helping them not only identify, but lift their biosecurity practices."

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Queensland Farmers' Federation CEO Jo Sheppard said businesses across all sectors were beginning to recognise biosecurity as an essential part of risk management.

“Boards and leadership teams outside agriculture are starting to ask the right questions: is biosecurity on our risk register, have we trained our people, what would a breach actually cost us," Ms Sheppard said.

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“Business leaders from all sectors are encouraged to get involved and can access a range of resources from the QFF website to get the conversation started – it's about embedding biosecurity risk management as part of every company’s culture, just as we have for workplace health and safety, and cyber security risk management.”

The Biosecurity in the Boardroom initiative supports the Queensland Biosecurity Strategy 2024-2029, helping businesses build stronger planning and preparedness while complementing local government efforts such as Hinchinbrook's newly adopted biosecurity plan.

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The 2026-27 Hinchinbrook Local Government Area Biosecurity Plan is available on Hinchinbrook Shire Council's website. The Biosecurity in the Boardroom initiative directly supports the Queensland Biosecurity Strategy 2024–2029

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New Queensland E-Mobility Laws Now in Effect

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As you may be aware, the Queensland State Government has introduced new e-mobility laws that came into effect on 1 July 2026.

The new laws are designed to strengthen enforcement measures and address community concerns regarding the safe use of e-mobility devices.

It is important that our community is aware of these changes, particularly the new path speed limits and the legal responsibilities that now apply to parents and guardians for offences involving children.

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The legislation includes:

• Police powers to seize and destroy illegal devices.

• Random breath testing of riders in public places.

• A ban on e-bikes capable of exceeding 25 kilometres per hour without assistance.

• A 12 km/h speed limit on footpaths and when passing pedestrians on shared paths.

• Increased penalties for offences such as speeding, not wearing a helmet, careless riding, carrying passengers illegally, and riding on prohibited roads.

• Parental accountability for children under 16 using illegal devices.

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Further changes will commence from 31 August 2026, including a minimum rider age of 16 and a requirement for riders to hold at least a learner licence, with limited exemptions.

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Path Speed Limits

A consistent speed limit of 12 km/h now applies to both personal mobility devices and e-bikes when travelling on footpaths. On shared paths, riders must slow to 12 km/h when passing pedestrians.

Please note that all footpaths within the Hinchinbrook Shire are deemed to be shared paths.

While shared paths may be signposted, signage is not required under the new laws. There is no expectation that local governments install additional signage to support the new speed limits.

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Parking Offences

A new parking offence has also been introduced.

Authorised officers, including Queensland Police Service and local government officers, may issue a $172 fine if an e-mobility device is parked on a pathway in a hazardous or obstructive manner.

Authorised officers also have the power to request information from e-mobility providers about the last user of a device to assist with enforcement activities.

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Keeping Our Community Safe

We all have a role to play in improving e-mobility safety. By understanding and complying with these changes, we can help keep our footpaths safe for pedestrians and all path users.

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Brenden and the Wholelife staff celebrating in store with cake. Photo supplied

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Five years ago, Ingham WholeLife Pharmacy & Healthfoods opened its doors with a vision of providing trusted healthcare and personalised service. Today, the business is celebrating a milestone that owner-operator and head pharmacist Brenden Seri says belongs just as much to the community as it does to the team.

"We've had the privilege of being part of this incredible community, sharing in life's happiest moments, supporting people through the challenging ones, and building friendships that mean the world to us," Brenden said.

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Behind the counter, he said, is a team that has become like family.

"Every single person who has been part of our team has helped shape Ingham WholeLife Pharmacy & Healthfoods into the place it is today. They'll always be a part of our story," he said.

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Brenden thanked both past and present staff for their dedication and the care they show customers every day and he also paid tribute to the community that has supported the business throughout its first five years.

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"Your kindness, loyalty and support have made these five years so rewarding, and we truly wouldn't be here without each and every one of you."

Visitors who dropped into the pharmacy on Thursday, July 9, were invited to celebrate the milestone with the team, enjoying birthday cake, product samples and giveaways as a thank you for five years of loyal community support.

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Looking to the future, Brenden said the pharmacy remains committed to growing alongside the community while continuing to introduce new products and services.

"Well, we're not going anywhere anytime soon," he said.

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"This pharmacy has been a mainstay within the community for a long time, and it will be for a long time to come. It's onwards and upwards from here.

"We'll continue bringing new products and new ranges to the pharmacy and to Ingham so people don't miss out on the latest health and wellness trends. We want our customers to have access to all their favourite products right here in town.

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"It's been a really wonderful journey, and we're looking forward to continuing to care for our community for many years to come."

Andrew Giliberto, Pharmacist of Hinchinbrook Community Pharmacy.

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Combining science with a genuine passion for helping others, a career in pharmacy was a natural career choice for Andrew Giliberto.  

"I've always enjoyed helping people and wanted a career where I could make a positive difference," Andrew said.

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"Pharmacy gave me the chance to combine science with caring for people, and I still love that every day brings a new opportunity to help someone."

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That passion has continued throughout his career, with Andrew saying the greatest reward is the relationships he's built within the Lower Herbert community.

"Halifax has such a strong sense of community,” he said.

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“It's a privilege to get to know our patients on a personal level. I enjoy being someone they can rely on for advice and support, not just when they're unwell, but to help them stay healthy too."

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While many people are familiar with the pharmacy for filling prescriptions, Andrew said the team offers far more than medication dispensing. Services include vaccinations, medication reviews, Webster packing, blood pressure checks and personalised health advice.

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"Sometimes it's simply taking the time to listen and point someone in the right direction that makes the biggest difference," he said.

Andrew believes the role of the community pharmacist has expanded significantly over the years.

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"We're much more involved in frontline healthcare than ever before," he said. "People often see us first because we're accessible, and we're able to provide advice, vaccinations and support that can save them a trip elsewhere."

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His advice to patients is straightforward: never be afraid to ask questions about your medicines.

"We're here to help, and understanding why and how to take them can make a real difference," he said.

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Andrew encourages people to stay on top of the basics by having regular check-ups, keeping active and taking medications as prescribed.

Above all, Andrew hopes everyone who visits the pharmacy feels welcome.

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"We genuinely care about our customers and want everyone to know they're among people who are happy to help," he said.

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As the Councillor responsible for Waste and Water Services portfolio, I often hear concerns about rising costs and how Council can continue to deliver services efficiently while keeping pressure off ratepayers. One area that has a major impact on both is landfill management.

Many people don't realise that operating a landfill involves much more than simply disposing of rubbish.

There are significant costs associated with daily operations, environmental monitoring, regulatory compliance, and the long-term rehabilitation of landfill sites once they reach capacity and are no longer in use. As these costs continue to increase, so too does the challenge for councils to keep waste management services affordable.

The good news is that there are practical ways we can all help reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.

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Over many years, Hinchinbrook Shire Council has invested in waste education programs and improved waste separation at our transfer stations. Residents are encouraged to sort materials such as steel, timber, concrete, cardboardand reusable household items into dedicated waste streams. This reduces the volume of rubbish ending up in landfill and also creates opportunities for resource recovery, generating income that helps offset operating costs.

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Recycling remains one of the most effective ways to reduce landfill waste. By ensuring recyclable materials are placed in the correct bins and contamination is minimised, we can improve recycling outcomes and make better use of valuable resources.

Composting is another simple solution that can make a significant difference. Food scraps and garden waste make up a large proportion of household rubbish. Composting these materials at home reduces landfill volumes while creating a useful product for local gardens. Compost bins are readily available through local hardware stores and are a worthwhile investment for many households.

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Education also plays an important role. Through ongoing awareness campaigns, bin audits and community engagement, Council can help residents better understand what can and cannot be disposed of through kerbside collection services.

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Council is also working with other North Queensland councils through the North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NQROC) to explore regional waste management opportunities. By sharing knowledge, investigating new technologies and working collaboratively on common challenges, councils can identify more efficient and cost-effective approaches to waste management while reducing the amount of material sent to landfill.

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We continue to explore innovative solutions, including emerging waste-to-energy technologies and regional partnerships that may provide future benefits for our community.

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Waste management is everyone's responsibility. Every item recycled, reused or composted is one less item going to landfill. Small actions across our community can make a big difference — not only for the environment but also for managing costs and delivering better value for ratepayers.

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I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. What waste reduction initiatives would you like to see in the Hinchinbrook Shire?

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Nissan Pathfinder, one of the unreserved Hinchinbrook Shire Council Abandoned Vehicles for auction. Photo credit: Hinchinbrook Shire Council

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Hinchinbrook Shire Council advises the community that a number of abandoned vehicles and other unclaimed assets will be offered for sale via a public online auction conducted by Pickles.  

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These vehicles were removed by Council from local roads after being abandoned and left unclaimed.

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Auction details:

·                Auction Opens: 10.00am Monday 27 July 2026  

·                Auction Closes: 3.00pm Tuesday 28 July 2026  

·                Auction Platform: Pickles Online Auctions

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Buyers can participate and bid from anywhere in Australia through the Pickles Online Auction platform.

For all auction enquiries, please contact the Pickles Customer Contact Centre on 1300 052 392  

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Introducing Sukki, a six-year-old beauty with striking markings that make her impossible to overlook. This gorgeous girl is searching for a new family to call her own.

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Sukki would prefer to be the only dog in the household, as she can be selective about her canine companions. What she may lack in dog friends, however, she more than makes up for with her unwavering loyalty and devotion to her people. If you’re looking for a loyal best friend who will stand by your side and fill your home with love, Sukki could be the perfect match.

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Included in adoption fee of $495, Sukki is DESEXED, MICRO-CHIPPED, has up to date VACCINATIONS, FLEA/TICK/INTESTINAL WORM treated & and on PROHEART.

Enquire about Sukki through: Angelpawsinc.com.au/pets-for-adoption/Dogs

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Sex: Female

Breed: Staffy X

DOB: 10/04/2021

Cat Friendly: No

Dog Friendly: No

Kid Friendly: Yes

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With tyres hanging from cranes, volunteers hauling white chemical drums through the sand and piles of plastic bottles stacked high on the beach, the scale of rubbish washing onto Hinchinbrook Island is difficult to ignore.

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For Ocean Crusaders founder Ian Thomson, however, the cleanup is a step back to where the journey all began in 2010.

"I picked up a heap of dead turtles out of the Whitsundays. A few of them had died because of plastics, and I wanted to do something about it," he said.

Mr Thomson initially set a solo sailing world record around Australia to raise awareness of marine plastic pollution before establishing Ocean Crusaders as a hands-on conservation organisation.

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"There's plenty of people trying to educate people," he said.

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"We actually need to go pick up the stuff and get it out of the environment and save our wildlife."

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Since 2016, the organisation has removed more than one million kilograms of debris from Australian waterways. With operations now expanding into North Queensland through an Environmental Recovery Grant, the team recently removed 5.7 tonnes of rubbish from Townsville in just 10 days before beginning work around Hinchinbrook Island.

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The current campaign is only the beginning, with crews scheduled to return later this year to clean the northern reaches of Hinchinbrook, the Family and Barnard Islands, Palm Island group and, potentially, areas throughout the Cassowary Coast.

One of the biggest surprises for the Ocean Crusaders team has been where the rubbish is actually coming from. Many people assume debris washing onto Hinchinbrook Island has drifted across the Coral Sea from overseas, but Mr Thomson said the clean-up tells a very different story.

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"People would say the rubbish around here is foreign, but 99.9 per cent of what we're picking up at the moment is Australian rubbish," he said.

"It's coming out of our towns and ending up on our beaches. We've got to stop blaming other countries and actually look after our own crap first."

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In the Hinchinbrook region, much of that rubbish is believed to be carried down the Herbert River during the annual wet season before washing ashore on the island's beaches and becoming trapped in the mangrove forests.

"The big white drums are coming from farms. The tyres are coming off farms," Mr Thomson said.

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"Farmers don't throw tyres away; they're too expensive to dump, so they just put them around their farms, and when they go under, sadly they just wash away.”

Plastic bottles and aluminium cans remain common finds despite Queensland's Containers for Change scheme, while polystyrene continues to dominate many of the organisation's clean-ups.

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"On beaches like this it's a little bit less because it blows further into the mangroves, but in places like Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne around 30 to 35 per cent of what we collect is polystyrene."

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Working just five-hour days over three days, volunteers covered only about two-and-a-half kilometres of beach between George Point and the island's western point.

Even so, they filled a truck and boat with an estimated two-and-a-half tonnes of rubbish.

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"We've only scratched the surface," Mr Thomson said.

The operation has been made possible by Ocean Crusaders' specialised equipment, including a four-wheel-drive truck fitted with a crane and a shallow-draft work boat capable of reaching isolated creeks and beaches.

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"There's not many boats that can do what we did today," Mr Thomson said.

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"It's why councils call us after floods and cyclones."

Following Cyclone Alfred earlier this year, councils across South East Queensland queued for assistance, with Ocean Crusaders prioritising locations closest to river mouths to stop debris reaching the ocean. Now the organisation hopes to apply that same approach across North Queensland.  

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While the work is physically demanding, volunteers say the spectacular locations make every cleanup worthwhile.

Volunteer Moira said cleaning beaches and mangroves offered the chance to experience nature while helping protect it.

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"The whole reason for doing this is to reduce the negative human impact on nature, so that we're leaving a place better than we found it," she said.

She particularly enjoys working through mangrove forests where storm surges trap debris among the trees.

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"I like the trees, the forest, the flowers, the fungi - just the smells in there."

Long-time volunteer Layne has spent almost a decade travelling across Queensland with Ocean Crusaders and took recreation leave from work to join the Hinchinbrook operation.

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"I'll do what I'm told and clean up where we need to clean up," he said.

"I'm more of a mangrove person than a beach person. Beaches are just too hard to walk around on the soft sand."

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During the Hinchinbrook cleanup, one unusual discovery prompted a response from emergency services.

"We found an aluminium phosphide canister," Layne said.

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"What resulted from that was quite interesting. Learning the emergency response processes and procedures from the Queensland Fire Department about how they had to dispose of it."

Volunteer Deborah, who has been with Ocean Crusaders since before COVID, said the organisation regularly takes volunteers into environments few people ever experience.

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"Ocean Crusaders has taken me to some of the most magical places in the mangroves that you would expect to see on a David Attenborough film," she said.

"Blue underneath, green above, full of wildlife. Spectacular."

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She said the team had recovered everything from truck tyres and water tanks to half refrigerators and even what first appeared to be an eight-person spa.

"We finally realised it was the entire top of a boat!" she laughed.

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For Mr Thomson, however, every unusual find reinforces the same message.

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"We're not a 50-kilo-a-day cleaner. We're closer to a one-tonne-a-day cleaner," he said.

"You'll come home tired. You're usually wet or filthy, but when you look at the boat or the truck and you see how much rubbish there is, it's a satisfying feeling of just going, 'We did that. We're making a real, real difference.'"

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Ocean Crusaders is largely volunteer-run, with community members able to register for future clean-up events through the organisation's website.

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The snake that was placed across the only vehicle entry point to the Halifax RV Park. Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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The Halifax Progress Association is calling for an end to suspected malicious vandalism at the Halifax RV Park after sharp metal shards capable of puncturing tyres and a dead snake were deliberately left at the park's only driveway entrance.

The first incident occurred on the evening of Monday, July 6, when hundreds of sharp steel fragments, believed to be a type used in reinforcing concrete fibres, were scattered across the entrance to the park.

The following morning, RV park guests alerted attendants at the local SPA to further suspicious activity. The attendants said they notified the Halifax Progress Association, with volunteers attending the site to clean up the area and dispose of a dead snake that had been placed in the middle of the driveway.

Halifax Progress Association representative Michelle Richards said the deliberate placement of the metal posed a serious safety risk.

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"It was scattered all the way across the path, which is a huge safety issue," Ms Richards said, indicating that the metal laid all down the driveway from where the main road met the park’s fenceline.

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"It's the only way in and out."

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Ms Richards said the sharp metal was difficult to see, while she was cleaning up the entrance in the low light of the evening of the first incident.

“I went home with several of them in my shoes.”

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She said the incidents were particularly concerning given the number of families who use the volunteer-run facility.

"The park attracts visitors from all over, including families travelling with children and dogs," she said.

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"The steel shards and the dead snake at the entrance created a hazard for anyone entering or leaving the park."

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Ms Richards believes the latest incidents were not isolated, with several acts of suspicious or malicious behaviour occurring since the park opened for the tourist season.

"There have been little bouts of suspicious activity happening since we opened up the park to visitors," she said.

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"It's very saddening because we're all volunteers. We just want this park to be beautiful and welcome as many people as possible."

She said there had now been more than five occasions of alleged malicious activity directed at the park.

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Queensland Police were notified of the incidents, with Ms Richards saying the matter had been recorded as illegal dumping, although she believes the deliberate scattering of steel shards and the placing of the dead snake was clearly intended to create a negative image of the RV park.

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A vehicle was reportedly seen entering the area at about 5am on July 7, however darkness prevented witnesses from identifying it.

As a possible preventative measure, the association has discussed options including additional security or trail cameras near the entrance, although no decision has been made.

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Ms Richards said the association would continue working with authorities while monitoring the situation in the hope the behaviour stops before someone or their vehicle is seriously harmed.

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The Progress Association has reported this incident to Council, and Council is now following up on the matter.

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Whether its sweet or savory, Micks Bread Kitchen has a freshly made delicacy just for you. Photos supplied.

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Regular customers visiting Mick's Bread Kitchen will notice a few new additions, with the bakery expanding its menu to include creative drinks and new hearty pies alongside returning favourites.

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From artisan breads and pastries to hearty savouries and decadent sweets, Mick's Bread Kitchen has become a popular stop for locals looking for quality food made with care. The latest additions to the menu continue that tradition, giving customers plenty of reasons to call in and see what's new.

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For those after something heartier, the pie warmer is always filled with their freshly baked favourites. Traditional Pepper Steak and Potato Top pies remain popular choices, while the Pizza Pie offers a fun twist on a bakery classic. New to the range is the Pulled Smoked Brisket Pie with Jalapeño and Cheese, with just the right amount of spice for a delicious hearty meal on the go.

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Leading the way is the café's new Lavender and Sakura Nitro Coffee, a drink that's already turning heads. Smooth, creamy Nitro Cold Brew is infused with delicate lavender or sakura, creating a refreshing floral twist that's unlike anything else on the menu. Thanks to the nitrogen the coffee develops a naturally velvety texture with a silky finish- it’s a perfect for choice for those looking to try something a little different.

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For anyone with a sweet tooth, Mick's Bread Kitchen has welcomed back one of its most requested treats: Creme Brulle and Boston Cream Doughnuts. The soft, fluffy doughnuts are filled with smooth vanilla bean custard and finished with a glossy chocolate glaze. Other flavours include Pistachio, Biscoff and Jam, ensuring there's something to satisfy every craving.

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Whether you're stopping in for your morning coffee, grabbing lunch or picking up an afternoon treat, there's always something fresh coming out of the oven at Mick's Bread Kitchen. With inventive new flavours sitting comfortably beside bakery favourites, every visit offers another reason to come back.

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This fortnight, the Crisafulli Government delivered its second Queensland Budget, focused on delivering for Queenslanders through investment in the services and infrastructure our communities need.  

This Budget is especially important because it delivers on the commitments I made to the people of Hinchinbrook. During the by-election, I said I would fight for safer communities, improve safety and flood resilience on the Bruce Highway, deliver better health services, support more housing and unlock opportunities across our region. This Budget backs those commitments with real investment.  

Roads remain one of the biggest issues people raise with me, and this Budget delivers funding to improve flood resilience between Gairloch Floodway and Ripple Creek on the Bruce Highway, along with continued Bruce Highway safety upgrades. These projects will keep our communities connected, support local businesses and improve safety for everyone travelling our region.  

The Budget also delivers funding for new hospital staff accommodation. In addition, the new CT scanner for the Ingham Health Service will give local residents greater access to important diagnostic services closer to home. Investment in trunk infrastructure for Toobanna and Ingham will support future housing, while reconstruction works on Mount Spec Road will strengthen resilience and connectivity across the electorate.  

Another significant milestone this fortnight has been securing the future of Phosphate Hill. This agreement provides greater certainty for regional industries, local workers and the agricultural sector that underpins so much of North Queensland. Supporting the industries our farmers rely on is essential to the long-term strength of our region and helps protect local jobs.  

Budgets are about priorities, and this one sends a clear message. It says Hinchinbrook matters. It says our roads, our health services, our communities and our future deserve investment. I will continue working to ensure Hinchinbrook has a strong voice in Brisbane and that we keep delivering for our region.  

Before I close, I want to acknowledge the tragic events that unfolded across our community last week. My heartfelt condolences are with the families, friends and loved ones of those who lost their lives, and my thoughts and prayers remain with everyone affected.  

This has been a heartbreaking week for our community. I also want to sincerely thank our emergency services and first responders for their professionalism, compassion and dedication in responding under incredibly difficult circumstances.

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Police and Firefighters on the scene at Butler St in Tully. Photo sourced: Facebook

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An overnight fire has extensively damaged a commercial building on Butler Street after crews rescued a woman trapped inside before bringing the blaze under control.

Queensland Fire Department crews were called to the shop about 11:30pm on Saturday after reports of a structure fire.

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The first crew arrived shortly before 12:20am to find smoke issuing from the building and worked to gain access after discovering the premises was locked.

Firefighters located one person inside, believed to be one of the business owners, Jean. Crews brought her onto a second-floor awning before safely assisting her to the ground with support from partner emergency services.

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The fire continued to burn while rescue efforts were underway but was brought under control soon afterwards and extinguished just before 1am.

A QFD spokesperson said that initial investigations indicate the blaze was caused by an electrical fault in a refrigerator. As the cause has been identified, no further investigation is required.

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The fire caused extensive damage to the interior of the business, destroying stock and equipment. Owners Nick and Jean, who recently took over the shop, are expected to face several months of repairs before they can reopen.

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Despite the damage, the building remained standing thanks to the efforts of the four Queensland Fire Department crews who responded to the incident. No serious injuries were reported.

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A very important piece of work being undertaken by the Queensland Government at the moment is the Review of the North Queensland Regional Plan.

A Regional Plan is essentially a suite of policies and statutory instruments intended to guide land use planning and development in a manner consistent with the State Government’s strategic intent. Local Government must have regard to the Regional Plan when developing, amending, or adopting local council planning schemes, which are the primary instruments dictating and enabling various land use practices within respective local government areas.

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The renewal of the North Queensland Regional Plan is driven by a clear intent: to ensure that the region’s long-term planning framework remains contemporary, resilient, and responsive to the evolving needs of communities, industries, and the environment. This update reflects the State’s commitment to supporting sustainable growth while safeguarding the unique social, economic, and environmental values of North Queensland.

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A very strong focus of the previous Regional Plan was the protection of Prime Agricultural Areas (PAAs) from non-agricultural activities. There is no doubt that agricultural land must be protected; however, provision needs to be made for non-agricultural activities to be established on prime agricultural land when good reason and pressing circumstances exist.

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As you would appreciate, most of our district is classified as prime agricultural land, and the previous Plan enabled non-agricultural uses to proceed within PAAs only if the new use was complementary to agriculture and served to add value to agricultural activities (for example, a new sugar mill industrial development in the cane fields), and for no other reason.

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We are advocating for this position to be changed to recognise the largely unique circumstances that exist in our community, namely flooding. We need to be able to offer choice in the establishment of uses such as housing and industrial development in more flood-resilient areas of our district, as circumstances beyond people’s control — such as insurance costs and the escalating expense of raised developments — are changing attitudes. Many people are no longer willing or prepared to operate in environments that may be susceptible to floodwater from even relatively minor events.

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We need to be able to offer that choice to enable growth.

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While we truly believe that agriculture in our district must be protected, we will pursue exemptions that enable non-agricultural uses, such as industrial and residential development, to be accommodated in appropriate, well-considered, and easily serviceable areas of our district.

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Victoria Mill behind vast cane fields, as seen from Warrens Hill Road. Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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QSL has marked a significant milestone with the transfer of bulk sugar terminal management to Sugar Terminals Limited (STL), ending decades of operational responsibility.

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QSL Managing Director and CEO Mark Hampson thanked the Operations team for its long-standing service, saying it had built a legacy of safely and efficiently exporting Queensland sugar and molasses to markets around the world.

He said QSL had provided terminal management as a service to the industry without profit, helping establish Queensland's reputation as a reliable global sugar exporter.

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While terminal operations have now transitioned to STL, Mr Hampson said QSL remains focused on its core role as Queensland's largest provider of sugar marketing, pricing and payment services, with a continued commitment to delivering value for cane growers and millers.

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QSL has also announced the results of its 2026 Grower Representative Member elections following ballots in the Burdekin, Herbert River and Mackay regions.

In the Herbert River region, representing Macknade and Victoria mills, Vince Russon and William (Robert) Lyon were elected as Grower Representative Members.

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(Contributed with thanks by QSL – Queensland Sugar Limited)

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Carol Sanderson has been recognised with the Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering Award at the 2026 Volunteering North Queensland Volunteer of the Year Awards. Photo source: Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre Inc.

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Carol Sanderson has spent more than half a century giving back to the Hinchinbrook Shire, a lifetime of selfless service recognised in May when she received the Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering Award at Volunteering North Queensland's 2026 Volunteer of the Year Awards.

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Known for her compassion, resilience and unwavering commitment to helping others, Ms Sanderson has become one of the region's most respected volunteers, dedicating decades to supporting local organisations and community causes.

"Building connections and supporting others has always been at the heart of what I do, and that's what continues to motivate me to volunteer after all these years," Ms Sanderson said.

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"I enjoy the company and the opportunity to meet new people, and most of all, I enjoy helping others and relieving some of the stress they may be carrying, even if it's simply by providing a listening ear and a friendly chat."

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As one of the founding members of the Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre, Carol helped establish what has become a vital lifeline for local families and individuals experiencing hardship. Nearly three decades later, at 89 years of age, she still volunteers two days a week, playing an integral role in the Centre's Emergency Relief Program by providing food assistance and practical support to those who need it most.

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Carol's journey into volunteering began in the wake of personal tragedy after losing her husband at a young age. What started as a way to find purpose and healing soon became a lifelong commitment to serving others.

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"Through volunteering, I slowly realised that there are always people facing challenges of their own, [and] seeing others navigate difficult situations helped me feel less alone in my grief," Ms Sanderson reflected.

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"It [volunteering] also gave me a sense of purpose and reminded me that even small acts of kindness can make a difference in someone's life."

Beyond the Support Centre, Carol is an active member of the Lions Club of Ingham, where she assists with fundraising and community initiatives, and a dedicated volunteer with Palliative Care Ingham, supporting and advocating for people receiving end-of-life care. She hopes others will discover the same sense of fulfilment through volunteering.

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"Instead of staying home and doing nothing, get out and volunteer," Ms Sanderson said.

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"There are so many opportunities to make meaningful connections, [and] you never know you might help someone through a difficult time, and they may, in turn, teach you something valuable. Volunteering is rewarding not only for the people you support, but for yourself as well."

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Ms Sanderson's decades of quiet dedication have touched countless lives, leaving an enduring legacy of kindness, compassion and community spirit across the Hinchinbrook Shire.

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In 2025 The Betsy won the ‘Most Humourous’ enrty of the Maraka Festival street parade floats. Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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The Hinchinbrook community is mourning the loss of Brian Clerk, a respected volunteer and Australian Fire Service Medal recipient, who died following a workplace incident at a cane farm on Scrubview Road, Bambaroo, this past Thursday afternoon.

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Emergency services were called to the property about 2pm following reports two men had become trapped beneath a trailer. Queensland Police Service confirmed a 63-year-old Bambaroo man, Mr Clerk, died at the scene.

A 70-year-old Bambaroo man sustained serious chest and abdominal injuries and was transported to Townsville University Hospital. Police said a report will be prepared for the Coroner in conjunction with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.

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Beyond farming, Mr Clerk was widely known for his decades of service with the Bambaroo Rural Fire Brigade, serving as First Officer for 23 years. During that time, he and fellow brigade members responded not only across the Hinchinbrook region but also deployed throughout Queensland to assist with bushfires, cyclones and floods.

Paying tribute, the Rural Fire Brigades Association Queensland described Mr Clerk as a volunteer who embodied the spirit of community service.

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“Many of you in the fire family remember Brian for not only being the Bambaroo 1st Officer for 23 years, but also from him and his brigade deploying across not just the Hinchinbrook but all of Queensland for fires, cyclones or floods.

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“Long term commitment such as his, and that shown by the thousands of brigade members across Australia is a demonstration of what makes this country great.

“We truly hope that his family find comfort in that he was cherished by many and respected by all.”

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Hinchinbrook Shire Mayor Ramon Jayo said the loss had been deeply felt across the district.

“On behalf of Hinchinbrook Shire Council and our community, I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the families of those involved in yesterday's tragic accidents.

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“The loss of loved ones in such sudden and heartbreaking circumstances is something no family should ever have to endure, but all we can do is offer our prayers and sympathy.

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“The losses are devastating to a small and close-knit community such as ours.

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“Everyone knows each other and is connected in some manner or form, whether through family, friends, sport, or community activities, and we as a community will honour their memory and offer our strength and support to the families as they grieve the terrible loss that has occurred.

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“May they rest in peace.”

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Tributes also came from the Maraka Festival Committee, which remembered Mr Clerk as a familiar face in the annual street parade and a dedicated community volunteer.

“Brian and ‘Besty’ were regular participants in our street parade for many years. Additionally, as a committed volunteer in the community, his tragic loss will be felt.”

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The dual tragedies on Thursday prompted an outpouring of support from across the Hinchinbrook community, with many recognising Mr Clerk's decades of service and extending their condolences to his family, friends and first responders.

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Messages from the community

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John Fisher - The world is a poorer place with this loss. The big fella and the big smile matched a big heart and I personally am deeply saddened to hear of his passing. But he leaves in his wake a long line of good deeds and positive memories.

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Liz Lane - Such sad news. Brian always lit up the room with his smile and laughter. Our love and prayers are with his family and the rural fire community. He will be missed.

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Ian Cameron - I will miss him greatly at our training nights and other RFS functions. And as a friend of over 40 years through basketball. RIP Brian.

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Simone Michael - Such a big loss for the family and community. He had the biggest heart and a warm smile. Brian will be missed dearly.

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Franco Pagliuso - R.I.P. Brian, a gentleman true and true, a gentle giant. Condolences to his family and friends, also we wish Russell a speedy recovery.

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Alicia Cavalli - Such a loss to our community. My heart is also with all the first responders who in small communities like ours are faced with knowing these community members as well. Big hugs to everyone needing one today

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Leonie Leotta - Very sad for his beloved family and the Ingham community. Sincere Condolences to Brian’s beloved Family.

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Carolyn Lynch - Sincere condolences to the families. May they R.I.P.

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The strange capsule lodged in the sand, found at a Forrest Beach. Photo credit: Queensland Fire Department

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Police were first called to Forrest Beach about 2:30pm on Friday, 3rd July, after three unidentified objects were discovered. A fourth object was located the following day, with Queensland Fire Department scientific specialists later securing a total of five objects and rendering a sixth safe while continuing to search the area.

Authorities believe the debris may have originated from a large satellite or the upper stage of a rocket. The Australian Space Agency is assisting investigators to determine the debris' origin and nature.

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Space Debris Washes Ashore At Forrest Beach

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The objects are suspected to be hydrazine propellant tanks or similar pressure vessels, washed ashore and discovered by Forrest Beach locals. Reports state that Hydrazine is a highly toxic rocket fuel that can remain dangerous long after re-entry and are capable of causingsevere burns, respiratory irritation and long-term organ damage through skin contact or inhalation.

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A Public Safety Preservation Act declaration was initially put in place in the area while specialist crews assessed the objects. This declaration was then revoked once they were rendered safe. However, a 50-metre exclusion zone remained around each item until partner agencies could remove them.

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Police have stressed there is no danger to the wider community and the incident is not being treated as a criminal matter. Queensland Fire Department crews remained on scene alongside partner agencies, with emergency services warning that additional debris could still wash ashore over coming days.

Residents are urged not to approach or touch any unfamiliar metallic objects found along the coastline, as they may contain hazardous materials. Anyone who discovers suspected space debris should move away from the area immediately and contact Triple Zero (000).

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The incident prompted a significant emergency response, with specialist hazmat crews wearing protective suits to recover the objects from the beach before securing them for safe removal. The Australian Space Agency continues to support the operation while investigations into the debris continue.

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The Forensic Crash Unit are investigating following a fatal traffic crash at Toobanna, near Ingham, on the morning of 2^nd July.

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Initial investigations indicate about 9:45am a white Toyota Hilux and a prime mover truck collided on the Bruce Highway near Masters Road, approximately 7km south of Ingham.

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The driver of the Toyota, an 80-year-old Toobanna woman was declared deceased at the scene.

The sole passenger of the Toyota, an 86-year-old Toobanna man, was declared deceased on the way to hospital.

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The driver and sole occupant of the truck, a 44-year-old South Gladstone man was not physically injured and is assisting police.

The Bruce Highway was closed in both directions and motorist were urged to avoid the area.  

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Investigations are ongoing.

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The Shed Gym opened its doors just over 12 months ago and is reaching new heights with 20 of its members competing Sydney Hyrox.  

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For those new to the Hyrox craze it’s a high energy global competition that combines functional strength training with endurance cardio. Competitors are faced with eight different workout stations and run 1km intervals for a total of 8km.  

In 2025 Hyrox Sydney had 20,000 participants which was a global record and this year the expected turnout is set to be over 28,000.  

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Owner and coach Jaime Harris reflects on how far the gym has come in a short space of time.

"There was no gym in the area so all the tradies got behind us and the building was up within four months,” she explaimed.

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“From the first slab going down to being open, it’s a gym made by the community for the community.”

The gym offers state of the art equipment with adequate space for a self-guided workout, a private stretching area and an outdoor workout space. They offer a variety of classes throughout the week and round it off by hosting Social Saturday at 6:30am.  

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Jamie says “in the beginning we had eight people turn up to a class now we’re averaging 40 which is pretty amazing”.

Local resident and member Katie Kirkwood started her fitness journey when the gym opened a year ago and regularly attends the group classes as well as 4 PT sessions a week.  

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She has just completed her 2nd Hyrox event and shaved off 7 mins from her first one which was just a few months ago in Brisbane.

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The Shed Gym might be situated in a small town but it’s doing big things “The community has backed us and whilst they continue to do so we’ll keep doing what we’re doing”.

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At Mrs B’s Café, they know that the perfect day begins with the perfect coffee.  

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That’s why they've been working behind the scenes to create an elevated brew, featuring specialty beans from Townsville's Long Shot Coffee Co, roasted in small batches using ethically sourced beans, with a focus on freshness and flavour. These new beans will be brought to life by a new espresso machine and high-quality grinder.  

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The result: richer, smoother coffee, that extracts the full character of every bean.  

Whether you favour a flat white, latte or frothy cappuccino, every coffee is crafted with care and served with warm hospitality.

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Of course, great coffee deserves equally good food. Mrs B's serves breakfast favourites alongside a selection of light lunches – try the burgers, featuring handmade patties with locally butchered meat.  

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The display cabinet is constantly evolving, with fresh treats like cakes and slices, grab-and-go savouries and seasonal specials, ensuring there's always something different to tempt returning visitors.  

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One pairing the team recommends is a pretty little pink Peach Blossom and a smooth cappuccino, a combination that perfectly captures the café's relaxed approach to good food and good coffee.

Whether you're calling in for breakfast, meeting friends over lunch or simply chasing your morning caffeine fix, Mrs B's latest upgrade is well worth discovering. With a new roast, new equipment and a passion for getting every cup right, Mrs B's is giving locals and visitors another reason to linger a little longer over their morning coffee.

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Jules and Kate of Jules Fashion in Mission Beach. Photo supplied

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Stepping into Jules in Mission Beach is like stepping into your dream wardrobe, filled with colour, personality and pieces chosen to make you feel your best. Filled with clothing, accessories and gifts that capture the relaxed spirit of tropical North Queensland, the boutique has become a favourite stop for locals and visitors alike.

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Whether you're searching for an easy everyday outfit, a standout dress for a special occasion, or something fun for your next holiday, Jules offers a collection designed to suit every style. Flowing dresses, stylish tops, lightweight layers and eye-catching accessories sit alongside a thoughtful range of unique gifts and homewares, making every visit a chance to discover something new.

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With fresh arrivals landing regularly, the boutique is constantly evolving. New seasonal collections and carefully selected pieces keep the racks full of inspiration, whether you're refreshing your wardrobe or searching for the perfect present.

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Rather than chasing fleeting fashion trends, Jules focuses on timeless, wearable pieces that celebrate individuality, comfort and confidence, making it easy to find something that feels uniquely you.

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Central in Mission Beach, the boutique is the perfect place to browse after a morning coffee, before lunch with friends or while exploring the village's collection of local businesses. Whether you're a local looking for your next favourite outfit or a visitor wanting to take home something special, Jules offers a colourful shopping experience that's every bit as warm and welcoming as Mission Beach itself.

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Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services’ Chris Roach (left) and Kim Gray (right) with Terrain NRM’s Deb Bass. Photo supplied

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One of Australia’s most threatened ecosystems is being restored in a project that’s bringing organisations together at Kurrimine Beach, south of Innisfail.  

Targeted conservation work in Kurrimine Beach National Park is safeguarding the largest remaining area of littoral rainforest in the Wet Tropics region.  

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Often described as “where the rainforest meets the reef”, littoral rainforest grows close to the sea — typically within two kilometres of the coast — along the east coast in areas ranging from headlands to sand and coral rubble. It’s listed nationally as critically endangered.  

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Terrain NRM has partnered with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Traditional Owners and other land managers to protect and restore littoral rainforest at Kurrimine Beach.

Terrain NRM Project Coordinator Tony O’Malley said weeds and feral pigs are the most immediate threats to the ecosystem.  

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“Invasive plants are a major issue, with many species washing ashore, particularly coconuts and Singapore daisy,’’ he said.  

“However, this national park is a rare stretch of coastline that remains largely free from coconut palms, which are dominating littoral rainforest in other areas.  

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“Feral pig trapping has also been a key focus. This coastline is an important sea turtle nesting area, and pigs pose a significant threat by digging up and consuming turtle eggs.  

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“Since it grows along the coast, littoral rainforest also faces significant development pressure, compounded by climate change, rising sea levels, storm surges and receding shorelines. It’s important that we work together to protect what remains and plan for future growth so the forest can thrive.”  

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Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service’s Resource Ranger Chris Roach said the littoral rainforest at Kurrimine Beach National Park is a high conservation priority.  

“This is the largest remaining area of this threatened ecosystem in the Wet Tropics, making its protection critically important,” he said.  

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“Terrain NRM’s Forest Resilience project has brought land managers and Traditional Owners together to reduce the impacts of weeds and feral pigs, while supporting actions under the National Littoral Rainforest Recovery Plan.”  

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Beyond on-ground works, the program is building community awareness about the importance of littoral rainforest.  

Terrain NRM has developed an online resource including a booklet and location-based factsheets for littoral rainforest hotspots, which can be found at terrain.org.au/littoral-rainforest  

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Locals can help to protect littoral rainforest by being responsible with garden waste (taking it to your nearest council transfer station), by being on the lookout for plants that might be weeds at the edges of forests and by supporting restoration efforts.  

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Terrain NRM’s Forest Resilience project is funded through the Australian Government’s Saving Native Species Program. The project applies a whole-of-ecosystem approach to improve the condition the Eastern Forests of Far North Queensland priority place identified in the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032.

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(Contributed with thanks by Terrain NRM)

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One hundred years of service, sacrifice and community spirit were celebrated last week as Tully Ambulance Station reached its centenary. The milestone brought together past and present ambulance personnel to reflect on a proud history that began with local fundraising and horse-drawn transport and continues today with world-class emergency care.

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A Century Since Tully Answered The First Call For Help

"The spirit that has defined Tully Ambulance Station for a century has no signs of slowing down." Brina Keating

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For 100 years, the Tully Ambulance Service has answered the call.

Day and night, through floods and cyclones, celebrations and tragedies, generations of paramedics, drivers, volunteers and support staff have stood ready to help their community.  

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On Wednesday 1st July, past and present members came together to celebrate the remarkable centenary milestone.

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The celebration brought together retired officers, former staff, local dignitaries, members of the Local Ambulance Committee and current paramedics, many travelling from across Queensland to honour a station that has become renowned not only for its history, but for the people who have called it home.

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Before there was a dedicated ambulance station, the service began as a first aid post at the Tully Sugar Mill. As the district grew, so too did the need for emergency medical care. Rather than waiting for outside assistance, local residents took matters into their own hands.

"It was community driven. There was a need. The community rallied together, they fundraised, they purchased their own vehicles, supplies and equipment," said Far Northern Region Assistant Commissioner Brina Keating.

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It began with horse-drawn transport, which later gave way to motor vehicles, as volunteers became highly-trained paramedics and medical equipment evolved beyond anything those early pioneers could have imagined.

Modern ambulances now carry advanced cardiac monitoring equipment, four-wheel drive capability and technology that links paramedics directly with Queensland Health while en route to hospital.

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Despite those changes, Heritage and History Manager Mick Davis believes one thing has remained remarkably consistent in Tully.

"You can measure a hundred years in buildings and vehicles, but the real history is found in the people who answered the calls and the community that supported them," he said.

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Unlike many ambulance stations across Queensland, where staff frequently transfer between locations, Mr Davis said Tully has become a place where people choose to stay.

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"It means your community has accepted you. It means that you've contributed in a very significant way to this community."

Mr Davis also noted the remarkable commitment of the Tully Local Ambulance Committee, with many members dedicating decades of service to supporting the station and its staff.

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"I think it's very important today in acknowledging 100 years, because in all of that, Tully has had a steady, reliable and capable level of service," he said.

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"It's a tribute to all of those who've been here and served Tully from day one to today."

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Current Officer in Charge Vanessa Schafranek was recognised throughout the celebration for continuing that legacy. Recently awarded the Ambulance Service Medal, Ms Schafranek was praised for her leadership and deep connection to both the station and the community.

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"It's not just a job for Vanessa; this is part of her way of life. It is part of her family and connection to her community."

Among those returning for the celebration was former Officer in Charge Bob McIlroy, who transferred to Tully in 1992 after serving in Blackwater.

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Standing alongside retired paramedic Ronald Allport, Mr McIlroy reflected on both the remarkable changes and familiar traditions that have shaped the station.

Mr Allport described seeing the station celebrate its centenary as "a dream come true", noting that while today's paramedics work with vastly different equipment, many of the routines remain surprisingly familiar, with equipment checks and daily preparation still taking place in much the same way they always have.

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Cassowary Coast Mayor Teresa Millwood also acknowledged the milestone, thanking generations of ambulance personnel for their dedication.

"Thank you to those who are serving today, and we look forward with confidence to the next 100 years of outstanding service," she said.

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"Congratulations on this extraordinary achievement and thank you for your unwavering dedication to our community."

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As guests browsed historical photographs, memorabilia and stories collected across the past century, one theme echoed throughout the afternoon. While ambulances have become faster, equipment more sophisticated and medicine more advanced, the relationship between the people of Tully and their ambulance service remains much the same as it was 100 years ago.

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It was built by the community, sustained by the community and will continue to serve the community for years to come.

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See all photos here: https://www.hinchinbrooklife.com/social-pics/a-century-of-saving-lives-tully-honours-100-years-of-its-ambulance-service

The 40mm Bofors Gun on the move to get its coating in Ingham. Photo supplied

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After months of careful restoration, the Cardwell RSL Sub Branch's historic 40mm Bofors Gun is nearing the finish line.

The World War II relic has now been sent to Ingham for its final sandblasting and powder coating before returning to Cardwell, where it will take pride of place alongside the Sub Branch's mural at 36 Roma Street.

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Manufactured in Nottingham, United Kingdom, in 1940, the gun serves as a lasting reminder of Australia's wartime history and the very real threat faced along the North Queensland coastline during 1942 and 1943, when Japanese forces came dangerously close to Australian shores.

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Preserving pieces of military history remains an important part of the Cardwell RSL Sub Branch's commitment to honouring the service and sacrifice of those who served, ensuring future generations can connect with the stories that helped shape the nation.

The community is invited to celebrate the completion of the restoration at the official unveiling ceremony, to be held at 12:00pm on Sunday 12^th July at the Cardwell RSL Sub Branch, 36 Roma Street, Cardwell.

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Everyone is welcome to attend this special occasion as the restored Bofors Gun is officially unveiled and begins its next chapter as a permanent reminder of the region's wartime history.

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Lest We Forget.

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WHAT: 40mm Bofors Gun Unveiling Ceremony
WHEN: Sunday 12th July 2026, 12:00pm
WHERE: Cardwell RSL Sub Branch, 36 Roma Street, Cardwell

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The transformation of the Halifax Hotel continues, as one of the district's most recognisable pubs steadily returns to the heart of the community.

Following months of rebuilding, repainting and restoring, the hotel has welcomed locals back through its doors with a refreshed look, an expanded drinks selection and exciting plans still to come.

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One of the hotel’s core values is supporting local producers, a mission it is furthering by showcasing and vending North Queensland products- like the range of condiments from Ingham's Livia's Sauces now available for purchase. Customers can choose from the fiery Black Sauce Hot, the classic Black Sauce Worcestershire and the ever-popular Kilpatrick Sauce.

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Behind the bar, beer lovers now have even more choice, with the number of taps doubling from eight to 16. Alongside the classics, patrons will find a wider-than-ever selection of beers, cocktails and bottle shop favourites to enjoy.

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But the biggest changes are still on the horizon. Rather than simply refreshing the existing outdoor area, recent building inspections uncovered structural issues that have led the Halifax Hotel team to rethink the next stage of the redevelopment. As a result, plans are now being redesigned to deliver an entirely new kitchen, dining room and alfresco beer garden, creating a modern space that will better serve the community for many years to come.

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While this has extended the timeline for the next stage of works, it also presents an exciting opportunity to build something even better than originally planned. As designs are finalised and approvals progress, locals can look forward to a purpose-built hospitality space that reflects the future vision of the Halifax Hotel.

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The Halifax Hotel is fast becoming the place to be for Friday nights, with NRL action shown live and loud on the big screens. Pair the footy with one of the hotel's popular $10 Steak and Slaw sangas and an ice-cold drink, and you've found the perfect way to kick off the weekend.

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With more developments still to come, cold drinks on tap, and exciting new spaces taking shape, there's never been a better time to drop into the Halifax Hotel and see what's new. Stop by and catch up with the mates, grab a meal or cheer on your team- every visit offers another glimpse at the next chapter of this iconic local pub.

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The Rotary Club of Hinchinbrook marked the beginning of a new Rotary year during its annual presidential changeover dinner at the Herbert River RSL Club on Wednesday, 1st July. 60 members and guests came together to celebrate over 80 years of Rotary in the district, with a number of Past District Governors from Townsville and Southern Queensland joining the dinner.

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The evening celebrated the club's achievements over the past 12 months before Madeleine D'Urso was officially inducted as president, taking over the role from Sari Russo for the 2026-27 Rotary year.

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As part of the traditional ceremony, the outgoing president reflected on the year's projects and community service, before formally handing over the chain of office. The club also introduced its new board and recognised members for their ongoing commitment to serving the Hinchinbrook community.

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Several donations were presented to local organisations during the evening, continuing the club's long-standing commitment to supporting community groups and initiatives throughout the district.

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Rotarians, partners and guests gathered to celebrate the leadership transition and look ahead to another year of service under the club's new president.

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In the last year the club had been involved with events such as Maraka, Tyto Gallery Openings, Meals on Wheels, The Frank Fraser Primary School Lecturette Competition, Forrest Beach Progress Association Christmas Carols, Hinchinbrook Shire Christmas Carols, Nursing Home Christmas Carols, Tones & I Concert, ANZAC Day Parade Marshalling & Assistance, Ingham Sugar City Rodeo, NQ Field Days and most recently the Ingham Show where they had now Past District Governor Greg Marlow helping with the lunchtime rush.  They have also had a number ofsocial events.

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The club meets the 2^nd & 4^th Wednesdays of each month and will follow the new Rotary International President as they strive to "Create Lasting Impact".

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See more photos here: https://www.hinchinbrooklife.com/social-pics/rotary-club-welcomes-new-president-at-annual-changeover

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Join Regional Development Australia Townsville and North West Queensland (RDA TNWQ), Regional Economic Advisory (REA) for a free community insights session hosted by the Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism.

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Hear from guest speakers Dr Lisa McDonald, Chief Executive Officer, RDA TNWQ, Matthew Kelly, Principal Economist, REA, and Emma Dobbins, Project Manager, JTNQ, as they share the latest economic, workforce and investment insights shaping the Hinchinbrook region.

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The session includes a panel discussion with regional leaders, providing the opportunity to ask questions, discuss local economic trends and regional activity, and connect with fellow business, industry, government and community representatives over light refreshments and networking. This is a free event, registration is required at https://tinyurl.com/2y2lcne2 or by searching ‘2026 State of the Region Roadshow - Hinchinbrook Insights Session’ on eventbrite.

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WHAT: State Of The Region Roadshow Insights Session
WHEN: Tuesday, 21 July 2026, 5:00pm
WHERE: The Powerhouse, Ingham

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While the overall threatened status of the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo is listed as “Least Concern” in the EPBC act, the South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo is listed as ‘Endangered’ and the ‘Forest Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo’ of WA is listed as ‘Vulnerable’. A Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo feeding at Forrest Beach. Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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Australia’s unique birdlife is facing a new challenge after the Federal Government confirmed the detection of H5N1 avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, in a migratory Brown Skua found in south-west Western Australia. The detection marks the first confirmed arrival of this strain in Australia.

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While the virus has not yet been detected in Queensland, local wildlife groups and authorities are reminding residents and visitors to be aware of the signs of illness in birds and avoid contact with sick or deceased wildlife.

Across the world, H5N1 has caused significant impacts, with millions of wild birds and tens of thousands of mammals affected. Australia is home to some of the world’s most distinctive bird species, many of which rely on healthy ecosystems to survive. Around one in six Australian bird species is already considered threatened with extinction, highlighting the importance of protecting habitats and supporting wildlife resilience.

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Residents are reminded not to handle sick or dead birds or wildlife. If you spot affected animals, record what you observe where safe to do so, including the species, location, date, time and number of animals affected. Do not touch or collect the birds, report it.

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Sightings of sick or deceased wildlife can be reported to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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Human infections from avian influenza remain rare in Australia. Overseas cases have generally occurred following close contact with infected birds, animals or contaminated environments. People who develop flu-like symptoms after handling birds or wildlife should seek medical advice.

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Anyone who works with or is regularly in close contact with birds is encouraged to stay up to date with their influenza vaccination. While the seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against bird flu, it does help reduce the risk of becoming unwell with both viruses at the same time.

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For more information, please visit the Australian Centre for Disease Control website.

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(Information provided with thanks by the Hinchinbrook Local Disaster Management Group & BirdLife Australia)

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Hello Hinchinbrook, the Disaster Ready Fund (DRF) is the Australian Government’s flagship initiative for disaster resilience and risk reduction.

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The Australian Government is providing up to one billion dollars through the DRF. The funding runs over five years from 1^st July 2023.

Disaster Ready Fund Round Four 2026–27 application proposals closed on 1^st July 2026.

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The funding supports projects that address the physical and social impacts of disasters on our communities, including disasters caused by climate change and other natural hazards.

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In addition to the Australian Government assessment criteria, Queensland will prioritise projects that demonstrate the following priorities:

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• How strongly the project contributes to addressing local and regional disaster risk priorities and demonstrates that the proposed risk mitigation measure is a priority for the local or regional community. This includes projects that:

    -   are included in Council’s endorsed Local Resilience Action Plans (LRAPs);

    -  are included in other local disaster risk management plans or strategies; and

    -  address identified needs and risks identified in the 2023 State Disaster Risk Report or local risk assessments.

• How effectively the project aligns with relevant Queensland disaster and resilience strategies and plans.

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The Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) is the lead agency for Queensland, responsible for coordinating DRF proposals and submitting applications to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on behalf of the State.

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QRA undertakes an indicative assessment to identify projects for NEMA to assess. Ultimately, NEMA makes the final decision. QRA is an impartial entity in this process and, to ensure fairness and equality are applied across the applicant base, cannot support individual applicants in developing the content of their application.

This information session is the primary source of information for all applicants. Incomplete applications will not be assessed. If a proposed project does not align with the Guidelines and the eligibility criteria detailed within them, it will not be assessed.

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Queensland can only send 30 applications to NEMA for Round 4. Ministerial and Premier endorsement will be sought for the final 30 applications before they are sent to NEMA for consideration.

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The DRF is extremely competitive. For example, in Round 3, QRA received almost 200 applications. Of these, 62 were sent to NEMA for consideration and fewer than 18 were ultimately funded. Of the $200 million available across the entire country in Round 3, Queensland received $51.4 million.

Eligible applicants include River Improvement Trusts constituted under the River Improvement Trust Act 1940. Currently, the Herbert River Improvement Trust (HRIT) has more than 64 sites, at an estimated cost of approximately $8.6 million, that have been inspected and costed. Some of these projects have been put forward and, hopefully, will be successful in receiving funding.

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Once again, it is great to be able to pick up a copy of Hinchinbrook Life and read through what has been happening and what will happen throughout our Shire. Thank you once again for the opportunity.

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Phosphate Hill. Photo sourced: Incitec Pivot Fertilisers

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The future of fertiliser supplies for Herbert cane growers has received a major boost after the Federal and State governments announced a jointly funded $160 million loan package to secure the ongoing operation of the Phosphate Hill fertiliser facility.

The agreement follows the sale of Phosphate Hill to Mayfair and is expected to safeguard the nation's only domestic ammonium fertiliser producer while protecting hundreds of regional jobs.

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For Hinchinbrook, the announcement provides confidence that locally produced phosphate will continue supplying fertiliser blends used extensively across the district's cane farms.

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Member for Hinchinbrook Wayde Chiesa welcomed the announcement.

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"This is what securing the future looks like. The Crisafulli Government's $160 million commitment to secure Phosphate Hill is fantastic news for North and North West Queensland.  

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“It shows the Government is backing our communities, protecting regional jobs and investing in industries that matter. Phosphate Hill produces around one million tonnes of fertiliser each year and is a critical part of Australia's sovereign manufacturing capability. This is about securing industry, supporting regional development and providing confidence for our future."

Hinchinbrook Shire Mayor Ramon Jayo, who is also a local cane farmer, said the continued operation of Phosphate Hill was vital for the district because of its reliance on phosphate fertiliser.

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"I am very pleased to see that Phosphate Hill will continue operating following considerable negotiations, as it plays an integral role in producing the phosphate component used in fertiliser blends that are applied extensively throughout our district due to the nature of our phosphate-deficient soils."

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Mayor Jayo said fertiliser produced from the facility formed a key part of the local agricultural supply chain.

"Phosphate product from Phosphate Hill, as well as being exported overseas, is blended with urea at the Port of Townsville to create fertiliser blends used by our farmers."

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He said retaining domestic production would help shield growers from volatile international markets.

"The fact that this product will continue to be sourced domestically, rather than imported from overseas, will help ensure costs to farmers remain lower and less volatile than what has been experienced with urea over recent years."

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"The ability to continue sourcing phosphate from our wider region rather than overseas is a good gain for our district, and we look forward to governments continuing to work with the industry to further drive prices down through the reduction of energy costs, particularly gas, for the benefit of our regional industries."

Mayor Jayo said the importance of domestic fertiliser production had become increasingly apparent following the closure of Australian urea manufacturing and recent global supply disruptions.

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"Many would remember that it was not that long ago that urea was produced in Brisbane until high energy costs led to those operations closing, forcing greater reliance on imports from overseas."

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"More recently, global supply pressures and conflicts in the Middle East have contributed to significant price increases."

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"Our country, let alone our region, needs to avoid this if farmers are to remain sustainable."

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He said local representatives had been advocating for the facility since uncertainty emerged around the future of the Mount Isa operations last year.

"When concerns about the future of the Mount Isa operations first emerged last year, I joined a North West Queensland delegation in Canberra to highlight the impacts any closure could have on regional communities, industry and agriculture."

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"One of the key issues raised was the importance of maintaining local fertiliser supply chains and protecting the industries that support them."

"This announcement not only secures an important facility for regional Queensland, it also provides greater certainty for farmers, local industry and the broader economy into the future."

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The joint government package will support the modernisation of the Phosphate Hill facility and provide assistance to manage rising sulphur costs, which have increased sharply due to conflict in the Middle East. The agreement is expected to secure more than 500 direct jobs at Phosphate Hill while also supporting the ongoing operation of the Mount Isa Copper Smelter and Townsville Refinery, which rely on the facility as part of North West Queensland's interconnected industrial network.

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Martha is a sweet little girl with a loving nature, full of purrs, head bumps and affection. Once she knows you, she absolutely adores her people and enjoys being close to them whenever she can.

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This lovely girl is also quite talkative and will happily answer when called by name, adding plenty of personality and charm to your home. At night, Martha loves nothing more than snuggling up beside her foster mum on the bed.

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Martha would thrive in a calm and peaceful home where she can feel secure and loved. She is also a grazer, preferring to nibble on her meals throughout the day.

Martha came into foster care with her special friend, Milah, and the two share a beautiful bond. They take comfort in each other's company, making them a wonderful pair. If Martha and Milah could find a forever home together, it would be truly extra special.

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ADOPTION FEE: $210 Martha's adoption fee includes desexing, microchipping, up-to-date vaccinations, and flea, tick and intestinal worm treatment.

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SEX: Female
BREED: Domestic Short Hair
COLOUR: Tuxedo
DOB: 25/09/2022
CAT FRIENDLY: Yes
DOG FRIENDLY: Unsure
KID FRIENDLY: Yes

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The Fresh start Academy team and their truck full of equipment. Photo sourced: Facebook

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A generous act of kindness has left more than a few people smiling, with the team from Fresh Start Academy travelling from Townsville to provide free haircuts for the Hinchinbrook community.

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Hosted by the Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre, the pop-up event gave locals the opportunity to enjoy a free, fresh haircut.

The Centre thanked the Fresh Start Academy team for generously donating their time, skills and passion, as well as making the journey north to support the local community.

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Every haircut was tailored to individual requests, with the team ensuring each person left feeling comfortable, confident and cared for.

The Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre said the academy's kindness and dedication made a real difference to everyone who attended and expressed its appreciation for the team's willingness to invest in regional communities.

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Fresh Start Academy continues to make a positive impact through its community-focused work, and the Centre wished the organisation every success as it continues to grow.

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Sometimes the smallest gestures leave the greatest impact, and for those who received a fresh haircut, the visit was a welcome reminder of the generosity and goodwill.

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The Cassowary Coast Regional Council has adopted a $196.8 million budget for 2026-27, with a strong focus on flood resilience, infrastructure upgrades and town centre revitalisation while keeping rate increases in line with inflation.

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Mayor Teresa Millwood said the budget had been developed during a period of global economic uncertainty, with international events continuing to place pressure on households, businesses and councils alike.

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"This year's budget comes at a time of uncertainty, with the conflict in the Middle East impacting our economy," Mayor Millwood said.

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"Despite the challenges, we're committed to keeping costs down as much as possible – and we've looked very closely at how we can be more efficient and innovative."

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More than $80.6 million has been allocated to capital works across the region, including road and bridge upgrades, drainage improvements, footpaths and water infrastructure. The capital program includes about $38 million in external funding.

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Council will also spend $116 million delivering day-to-day services, including libraries, swimming pools, waste collection, emergency management, community grants, environmental programs and maintenance of public facilities and open spaces.

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Flood mitigation remains a major priority following a series of severe weather events in recent years.

"We've committed over $4 million in 2026-27 to deliver vital drainage upgrades across the Cassowary Coast," Mayor Millwood said.

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Projects include works in Cardwell, Mourilyan, Flying Fish Point, Mission Beach and Silkwood, while investigations will continue into drainage solutions for Mill Street in Mourilyan and Goondi Bend in Innisfail.

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More than $30 million has also been committed to maintaining and upgrading roads, bridges and pathways, including upgrades to Bowen Street, Jubilee Road, Scougal Road, Granadilla Road and Stephenson Road.

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Council has retained its rates discount for residents who pay on time, with owner-occupied general rates increasing by five per cent.

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"For the majority of owner-occupiers, this means the average general rate increase will be $90 per year – equal to $1.73 per week," Mayor Millwood said.

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Waste charges will rise by 5.5 per cent, which Council says reflects cost recovery only. For most households, this equates to an additional $37 a year, or about 71 cents a week. To help residents prepare for the wet season and clean up after storms, two free waste vouchers will be included annually with rate notices. Council has also allocated more than $8 million to maintain the region's water network, which includes 31 reservoirs, 13 pumping stations and more than 830 kilometres of water mains.

Mayor Millwood said maintaining ageing infrastructure remained one of Council's biggest responsibilities.

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"We've tried very hard to find ways to keep water charges down. However, we have inherited ageing infrastructure, and we must invest in its renewal," she said.

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The budget also continues investment in housing developments at Daradgee Estate and Eaton Estate, support for local businesses, environmental initiatives and community programs, while work on revitalising the Innisfail CBD will continue with more than $4 million earmarked for streetscape improvements, parking upgrades and pedestrian safety.

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"This budget is all about working towards our vision for the Cassowary Coast to be the most liveable tropical community," Mayor Millwood said.

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This snapshot covers specific Cassowary Coast 2026-2027 state budget announcements. Region-wide announcements can be found overleaf on Page 6 of Hinchinbrook Life, and a more expanded overview can be found at budget.qld.gov.au

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Specific Local Targets

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Innisfail Courthouse

Commencing remediation works at the Innisfail Courthouse ($1 million over one year).

Port Hinchinbrook Revitalisation

Delivering dredging and remediation works as part of the Port Hinchinbrook Revitalisation Project, to restore safe navigability, address longstanding environmental liabilities and enable activation of the Port Hinchinbrook Provisional Priority Development Area ($64 million over two years).

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Willow is a playful 12-week-old tuxedo kitten looking for her forever home through Cassowary Coast Paws & Claws. Photo source: Cassowary Coast Paws & Claws

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Playful, affectionate and full of curiosity, 12-week-old Willow is ready to find her forever family.

The adorable female tuxedo kitten is currently in the care of Cassowary Coast Paws & Claws Inc. and is looking for a loving home where she can continue to grow and thrive.

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Like any young kitten, Willow loves to explore her surroundings, chase toys and spend time playing with her feline friends. After a busy day of adventures, she's just as happy curling up in a cosy spot for a well-earned nap or enjoying plenty of cuddles.

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With her striking black-and-white tuxedo markings and sweet personality, Willow is sure to bring companionship and plenty of entertainment to her new family.

Willow's $200 adoption fee includes her first and second vaccinations, a veterinary health check, microchipping, up-to-date parasite prevention and desexing, which will be carried out when she reaches six months of age.

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If you think Willow could be the perfect addition to your family, contact Cassowary Coast Paws & Claws on 0428 807 461 to arrange a meet and greet, or visit the refuge during opening hours.

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A new $2 million Future Farms project will help banana, sugarcane and grazing properties across the Cassowary Coast improve resilience to extreme weather and strengthen soil health. Photo source: Shutterstock

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A new $2 million project will help future-proof farms across the Cassowary Coast by improving soil health, reducing erosion and strengthening resilience to extreme weather.

Terrain NRM will deliver the Queensland Government-funded Future Farms project, working with landholders from Innisfail to Kennedy to improve the long-term productivity and sustainability of banana, sugarcane and grazing properties.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development Dale Last said the investment would help landholders better prepare for future weather events.

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"Local landholders have been subject to extreme weather events in recent years, and this program will fund on-ground initiatives to improve farm resilience and soil and land conditions," Mr Last said.

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The project is being delivered in partnership with the Australian Banana Growers Council, Canegrowers Innisfail, the Cassowary Coast Graziers Association and local landholders.

Several farms will host demonstration sites showcasing practical land management techniques tailored to each agricultural sector.

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On sugarcane farms, the focus will include mixed-species fallow crops, improved drainage, laser levelling and soil amelioration. Grazing properties will trial pasture management practices, including legume planting, strategic paddock design and erosion control through revegetation and fencing.

Banana growers will demonstrate contouring techniques to reduce erosion on steep slopes, along with improved drainage design and streambank remediation to minimise sediment loss.

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Terrain NRM chief executive Stewart Christie said the project had been developed in response to years of severe weather that had taken a toll on the region's agricultural landscape.

"These events, following decades of land-use pressures, have extensively damaged the region’s agricultural landscapes, resulting in financial losses and long-term degradation of land and waterways," he said.

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"This area sits between two World Heritage-listed regions, the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest, making it one of Queensland’s most ecologically significant and climate-exposed landscapes."

Mr Christie said agriculture remained central to the region's economy.

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"Agriculture contributes more than $630 million each year to the Cassowary Coast, with sugarcane, bananas and grazing forming the foundation of regional livelihoods," he said.

"This project is a way to support landholders through practical tools, knowledge and on-ground support to increase their resilience so they can continue producing now and into the future."

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Australian Banana Growers Council representative Amelia Foster said the project would help strengthen an industry already committed to best practice.

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"Working alongside experienced engineering consultants will also strengthen our Best Management Practice team's technical skills and increase industry capability to support practical, farm-based solutions into the future," she said.

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The Future Farms project is funded through the Queensland Government's $117.8 million Natural Resource Management Expansion Program, which is supporting projects aimed at improving environmental outcomes and strengthening regional resilience across the state.

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The new measures will help customers choose between imported seafood and fish caught right here in the Hinchinbrook region. Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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From 1^st July 2026, mandatory Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL) laws will apply to seafood sold in hospitality venues across Australia, including restaurants, cafés, pubs, clubs, takeaways and food trucks. Menus and display boards will need to clearly identify whether seafood is Australian (A), Imported (I) or Mixed Origin (M) using the new AIM labelling system.

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These new laws are providing transparency to allow Australians to support local industry and make informed choices about quality, sustainability and freshness.

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Ensuring Accuracy and Compliance, businesses must ensure that any origin claims are supported by supply chain records such as invoices or supplier information. Incorrect or misleading origin claims can result in penalties under Australian Consumer Law. Complaints against incorrect labelling can be reported to the ACCC.  

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Read more about the new Country of Origin Labelling changes on Queensland Catch’s website.

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The 6.1m alloy boat under tow by the Snow Stafford. Photo supplied

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In the afternoon of Sunday 21^st June, the Lucinda Coast Guard received a call from two local fishermen aboard a 6.1m alloy boat off the southern end of Orpheus Island. The fishermen reported that they had spun a propeller off the spline, leaving them without any driveability.

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They requested a tow back to Dungeness, so a volunteer crew was organised and preparations began to launch the larger vessel, Snow Stafford.

Once again, the crew faced challenging tide conditions, with limited water over the sandbar, but they were able to safely make their way out. Around 40 minutes later, the distressed vessel was located, a tow was secured, and the journey back to shore began.

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After a rough trip out against a south-westerly wind and swell, the crew enjoyed a smoother return journey with the sea behind them. The vessel and its occupants were safely delivered back to the boat ramp.

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Lucinda Coast Guard reminds everyone to take care when heading out on the water and to ensure vessels are properly maintained before departing.

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Stay safe on the water.

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(Contributed with thanks by Steve Whipps, Commander Qf14 Lucinda Coast Guard)

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Sandra has been named a 2026 State Finalist for Pharmacy Assistant of the Year. Photo supplied

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Terry White Chemmart Ingham continues to provide trusted healthcare support to the local community, with the team dedicated to delivering accessible services and quality care.

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Pharmacists at Terry White Chemmart Ingham can now administer a wider range of vaccines, offering customers the convenience of walk-in appointments or scheduled bookings. This expanded service allows locals to access important vaccinations with the support of their local pharmacy team.

Eligible customers can also access free vaccinations through the National Immunisation Program (NIP), including free flu vaccines, pneumococcal vaccines for those aged over 65, and RSV vaccines for people aged over 75.

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The team’s commitment to care has also been recognised, with pharmacist Craig nominated for Queensland Pharmacist of the Year through the Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s recognition program. Pharmacy assistant Sandra has also been recognised as a State Finalist for Queensland Pharmacy Assistant of the Year.

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Sandra’s nomination celebrates the Terry White Chemmart motto ‘dedicated to care’ through recognising her genuine care for others, and her daily positive impact.

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate Sandra, who has been named a 2026 State Finalist for Pharmacy Assistant of the Year!” the team said.  

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“Sandra’s unwavering dedication to her community, genuine care for others, and positive outlook make a difference in the lives of so many people every day. This well-deserved recognition reflects not only her hard work and commitment, but also the kindness and compassion she brings to everything she does.”

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With exciting developments planned for the future of Terry White Chemmart Ingham, the team looks forward to continuing to support the community with new services and initiatives.

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Many local growers and industry representatives attended the first Herbert Variety Management Group meeting earlier this month. Photo source: Sugar Research Australia Limited

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Sugar industry representatives and local growers gathered this week for the first Herbert Variety Management Group meeting, marking a positive step forward for collaboration and productivity in the region.

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The meeting, which attracted a strong turnout earlier this month, brought together Herbert growers and key industry stakeholders to discuss cane variety performance and future opportunities for the district.

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Organisers thanked attendees for their participation and acknowledged Greg Shannon for sharing insights from the Tully Variety Management Group, highlighting the successes and learnings that could be applied to the Herbert region.

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The event forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen communication between growers, service providers and industry bodies, with a focus on improving cane variety selection and supporting long-term productivity across the sugar sector.

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Representatives from across the industry, including Sugar Research Australia Limited, CANEGROWERS, Herbert Productivity Services Limited, Wilmar Sugar Australia Limited and Tully Sugar Limited, were involved in the discussion.

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Organisers say they are looking forward to future meetings, with continued collaboration expected to play a key role in driving innovation and sharing knowledge across the industry.

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The Herbert Variety Management Group will continue to meet regularly as part of its commitment to improving outcomes for growers and supporting the sustainability of the sugar industry in North Queensland.

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Georgia and the team are here to help you find out about what support is available. Photo supplied

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Sometimes finding the right support or accessing the NDIS can be overwhelming. Other times it’s a matter of knowing where to turn. That’s where service navigator Georgia comes in; her role is all about connecting recipients with local services and resources that can make a meaningful difference in their lives.

Over the past four years, Georgia has progressed from a lifestyle support worker into her current role as a service navigator, supporting recipients across Ingham, Charters Towers, the Burdekin, Townsville, Palm Island and Richmond.

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Working across such a large footprint gives her a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities that exist across regional Queensland communities.

“A service navigator plays a vital role in guiding individuals through complex systems of support including health, community, housing, disability and social services,” said Georgia

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“The goal is to ensure people feel informed, supported and confident rather than lost or overwhelmed.”

Through her work, Georgia has learned that meaningful outcomes are unique and personal and that progress often comes through consistent support and encouragement.

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“One of the most important things I’ve learned in my role is that recovery takes time and looks different for everyone.

“I’ve also learned that recipients have so much potential when they’re given the right support, encouragement, and opportunities.”

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For those considering a career in the sector, Georgia believes looking after your own wellbeing is just as important as supporting others.

“The biggest advice I’d give to anyone considering a role in this sector is to make self-care a priority.”

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Meet Georgia and the team to find out more about what support is available by contacting 07 4781 2690 or pop into the Mental Health Hub at the Canegrowers Building, 11-13 Lannercost Street.

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Volunteer with Ocean Crusaders to keep the regions islands and beaches pristine. Photo source: Ocean Crusaders

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Ocean Crusaders, Australia’s premier waterway cleaning team, will return to Hinchinbrook Island this July for the 2026 Island Guardians Mission, bringing volunteers together for a 10-day marine debris clean-up along the island’s south-eastern beaches.

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Running from Tuesday 7^th July to Thursday 16^th July, the initiative will see volunteers work together to protect one of the region’s most spectacular and important natural environments. The clean-up is part of a 10-day programme funded through the Queensland Government’s Environmental Recovery – Clean Up and Local Conservation Grants (2025).

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Each day, volunteers will depart from the Lucinda Public Boat Ramp at 8:00am aboard Ocean Crusaders’ 8.3m landing barge, travelling across to Hinchinbrook Island to remove marine debris from the remote coastline. Teams will spend the day making a practical difference by collecting rubbish that has washed ashore, helping to protect marine life and preserve the island’s unique ecosystems.

Ocean Crusaders founder Ian Thomson said the project is a chance for people to experience the beauty of Hinchinbrook Island while contributing to meaningful conservation work.

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The daily clean-ups will return to Lucinda at approximately 2:00pm, giving participants a full day outdoors surrounded by the natural beauty of the region.

Volunteers are encouraged to come prepared for an active day, with participants needing to bring their own food and drinks as no catering will be available. Accessing the beaches may involve walking through shallow water, so sturdy enclosed shoes suitable for wet conditions are recommended.

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Participants should also bring sun-safe clothing, a hat, sunscreen and any personal essentials needed for the day.

The Hinchinbrook Island clean-up is an opportunity for locals and visitors alike to become directly involved in caring for the coastline, while enjoying a memorable experience in one of North Queensland’s most iconic island environments.

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Book your volunteer spot on eventbrite, search Ocean Crusaders or Hinchinbrook Island Clean Up 2026. For more information or to get involved, contact Ian on 0412 932 808.

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‘Unlike many companies that have disappeared into larger national organisations, MAMS has remained proudly local.’ Photo supplied

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‍How One North Queensland Family Business Has Grown With Its Community

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For nearly half a century, MAMS Group has quietly been doing one of the jobs most of us never think about – until it isn't done.

From collecting household rubbish to helping businesses navigate an increasingly complex world of recycling and environmental compliance, MAMS has become part of everyday life across North Queensland.

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What began as a small family business founded by Brian and Bernice Day has grown into one of North Queensland's largest locally owned waste and recycling companies. Today, the second generation of the family works alongside the founders, continuing the values that built the business nearly 50 years ago: hard work, genuine service and supporting the communities that support them. Over the years, MAMS has expanded from its Ingham base to establish operations across Townsville, Tully, Innisfail and Cairns, while remaining proudly family owned and committed to regional Queensland.  

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Unlike many companies that have disappeared into larger national organisations, MAMS has remained proudly local. That means local decisions, local jobs and local suppliers. Every dollar spent with local contractors helps strengthen the regional economy and keeps investment where it belongs, in North Queensland.

That local knowledge has never been more valuable.

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Businesses today face increasing pressure to reduce landfill, improve recycling and comply with changing environmental expectations. For many business owners, understanding new waste requirements can be confusing, time-consuming and costly.

Rather than simply collecting waste, MAMS works alongside businesses to review their waste streams, identify recycling opportunities and develop smarter collection systems. In many cases, those changes not only help businesses meet evolving environmental obligations but also reduce disposal costs and improve operational efficiency.

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Josh Lannen, General Manager and Board Member at MAMS Group, who also serves on the Board of the Waste and Recycling Industry of Queensland (WRIQ), says the role of waste management has changed dramatically over the past decade.  

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"Waste management has changed dramatically over the past decade. Businesses are facing new expectations around recycling and resource recovery, and we're helping them navigate those changes with solutions that are practical, compliant and cost-effective."

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Community has always been just as important as commercial success.

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Through the MAMS Groups participation in the Containers for Change scheme, MAMS has helped return more than $5 million to local schools, sporting clubs, charities and community organisations while collecting more than 255 million containers that might otherwise have ended up in landfill or waterways.  

Schools have funded new equipment, sporting clubs have purchased uniforms, and community groups have raised thousands of dollars through container drives – all made possible by a recycling program that turns everyday waste into meaningful community support.

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Today, MAMS employs around 60 North Queensland locals who deliver reliable waste and recycling services across homes, councils and businesses throughout the region. But for the Day family and the wider MAMS team, success has never been measured simply by the number of bins collected.

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It's measured by the communities they help keep clean, the businesses they help grow, the local jobs they create and the partnerships they've built over almost five decades.

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As North Queensland continues to grow and sustainability becomes an increasingly important part of doing business, MAMS Group remains committed to helping local businesses and communities build a cleaner, smarter and more sustainable future, together.

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