Introducing the charming and mature Rex, a delightful Chihuahua cross whose friendly nature is simply irresistible. At 10 years young, Rex exudes a warmth and affection that will immediately endear him to anyone lucky enough to meet him. He's a true gem and an absolute love bug who is ready to bring joy and companionship to his new family.  

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Rex has recently undergone a complete veterinary check-up and his health is in top condition. As one of the most amiable little fellows around, Rex would thrive in a home where he can enjoy companionship and care.

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If you're looking for an affectionate, easy-going pup to share your days with, Rex is more than ready to be that special friend. Give Rex the loving home he deserves, and in return, he'll shower you with endless affection and wagging-tail excitement.

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Included in adoption fee of $350 DESEXED, MICRO-CHIPPED, up to date VACCINATIONS, FLEA/TICK/INTESTINAL WORM treated & and on PROHEART. Enquire at Angelpaws.com.au/dogs

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Sex: Male

Breed: Chihuahua X

Colour: Caramel

DOB: 23/04/2016

Cat Friendly: No

Dog Friendly: Yes

Kid Friendly: Yes

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‘As a parent, you know your child better than anyone.’ Photo supplied: Naturally Kids

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Contributed with thanks by Naturally Kids Allied Health

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Every child develops at their own pace, but as a parent, you know your child better than anyone. Sometimes it’s the little things that make you wonder.

Maybe getting dressed each morning is a struggle. Your child might avoid certain foods, sounds or textures, have difficulty with handwriting or using scissors, find it hard to concentrate at school, or become overwhelmed by everyday routines and changes.

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Perhaps they’re finding friendships challenging, struggling to regulate big emotions, or having difficulty developing skills that seem to come more easily to other children.

These challenges don’t automatically mean something is wrong. However, when they begin affecting your child’s confidence, independence, learning, friendships or family life, it may be worthwhile seeking extra support.

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Occupational therapy can help children develop practical skills for everyday life, including fine and gross motor skills, self-care, school participation, emotional regulation, sensory processing, confidence and independence.

At Naturally Kids Allied Health, supporting your child also means supporting you. We help give you the understanding, practical strategies and confidence to support your child beyond therapy sessions and in everyday life. Support can help you understand what your child needs and what you can do to help.

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Families can access Naturally Kids through a GP referral, Paediatrician referral or by self-referring directly. Naturally Kids welcomes private-paying and NDIS-funded clients who are self-managed or plan-managed. Regular outreach services are available in the Hinchinbrook region, helping families access support closer to home.  

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Sometimes the first step is simply asking, “Could my child benefit from some extra support?”

Starting that conversation early can help families understand their child’s needs and find ways to help them thrive.

Cr Donna Marbelli, Sharyn Steele, Rhonda Horton, David Horsley and Cr Kate Milton. Photo supplied: Cr Donna Marbelli

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By Victoria Velton

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For nine decades, the Ingham Kennel & Obedience Club has brought together generations of dog lovers, exhibitors and volunteers; a proud legacy celebrated at the club’s 90th Anniversary Weekend of Shows last weekend at the Ingham Showgrounds.

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The club was founded on 21st May 1936 as the Herbert River Kennel Association, holding its first dog show on Saturday 25th July that year. Since then, the club has continued to support the advancement and promotion of purebred dogs under the guidance and affiliation of Dogs Queensland. The weekend was a celebration of the club’s history, and an opportunity to recognise the people who have helped shape it.

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Three club life members, Sharyn Steele, Rhonda Horton and David Horsley, were recognised during the celebrations and honoured by cutting the club’s 90th Anniversary Cake.

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Hinchinbrook Shire Councillors Donna Marbelli and Kate Milton also attended the milestone celebrations, with Cr Marbelli congratulating the volunteers, committee members, judges, sponsors, supporters and families who have contributed to the club over the years.

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“Community clubs are such an important part of our Shire,” Cr Marbelli said.

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"The Ingham Kennel & Obedience club brings people together through friendship, participation and the shared love of dogs."

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As part of proceedings, a perpetual trophy once used for Best in Show was returned to the spotlight after being carefully restored by Kenny Fraser, son of former club patron Mary Fraser.

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The 90th Anniversary Weekend also featured a 1930s, 1940s and 1950s fancy dress competition, while the club’s exhibitors competed across the weekend’s shows.

Club representatives thanked the many judges and ring stewards who travelled from New South Wales to participate, along with sponsors EAC Animal Care, Plush Puppy, CEN and Nana Chelle’s Glass Studio.

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The club also recognised the contribution of its volunteers, including canteen volunteers and Rhonda Horton, described by the club as an “anchor” who has played an important role in keeping the club running.

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From its beginnings in 1936 to its 90th anniversary in 2026, the Ingham Kennel & Obedience Club has built a proud history around their passions for dogs, a legacy celebrated throughout the Kennel Club community that anniversary weekend.

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Year 4 students discovered that great stories began with an idea, and that they could be authors too! Photos supplied: Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School

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Contributed with thanks by Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School

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What a wonderful way to begin Book Week at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School!

Our Year 4 students were delighted to welcome Fiona Carmelito, a valued member of our school community and a published author, who shared her love of writing and her journey to becoming an author.

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Fiona spoke with the students about the writing process, from developing an initial idea through to seeing a story become a published book. She generously shared her own experiences and answered the many questions students had about what it was really like to write and publish a book.

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Fiona’s visit provided the perfect introduction to an exciting week of writing for our Year 4 students. Inspired by her story, the students embarked on their own journey through the writing process, working through the stages of planning, drafting, revising, editing and publishing.

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By the end of the week, every student had created their own published piece of writing. Together, these works formed a very special Year 4 collection, showcasing the informative, imaginative and entertaining writing of our students. The collection was intended to become a treasured addition to our school library, available for students and families to borrow and enjoy.

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Most importantly, Fiona’s visit helped our students see that being an author wasn’t something that only happened to other people. They could be writers. They could be storytellers. And their ideas were worth sharing.

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A very big thank you went to Fiona for generously giving her time to inspire our Year 4 students and for sharing her experiences as a published author. We were also thrilled to receive signed copies of both of Fiona’s books, which were proudly kept in our Year 4 classroom.

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It was a wonderful reminder that every great book began with an idea and every author began with the courage to put pen to paper.

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Little restaurant reviewers trying different foods. Photos supplied: Halifax State School

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Contributed with thanks by Halifax State School

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Creativity is also flourishing in the classroom, where students are taking on the role of restaurant critics as part of an English assessment. The task requires students to review meals in the style of professional food writers, evaluating presentation, flavour, texture and the overall dining experience.

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Teachers say the assessment encourages students to strengthen their descriptive and persuasive writing skills while developing critical thinking and analytical techniques. Students are challenged to support their opinions with evidence and use engaging language to bring their reviews to life.

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By examining meals through the eyes of a critic, students learn how effective writing can inform and influence an audience. The task moves beyond simply deciding whether a dish was enjoyable, encouraging students to consider elements such as visual appeal, balance of flavours and value for money.

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The combination of creative arts projects and engaging literacy activities reflects Halifax State School's commitment to providing authentic learning experiences that connect classroom learning with the wider world. Whether performing in a music video or crafting a detailed restaurant review, students are developing valuable communication skills, confidence and creativity that will serve them well into the future.

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Through initiatives that celebrate self-expression and critical thinking, students are discovering that every story, meal and review provides an opportunity to share their voice, showcase their talents and strengthen their connection to the Halifax community.

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In the GSMC Kitchen, Young Vinnies students roll up their sleeves. Photos supplied: Gilroy Santa Maria College

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Contributed with thanks by Gilroy Santa Maria College

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It’s been another Term of meaningful achievements for the Gilroy Santa Maria College Young Vinnie’s Program. This initiative sees local students giving back to the community, to mirror the work of the St Vincent DePaul Society.

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Thanks to the generous support of the Ingham Vinnie’s store, groups of GSMC students have participated in the Sorting, Pricing, Re-stocking excursions. This outing gives students a deeper appreciation for serving the community and supporting those in need. It’s a practical, hands-on way to serve the community, getting involved in the required tasks at the store. Students sort donated items, assist with pricing and also participate in re-stocking shelves.

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Back on the College grounds, in the GSMC Kitchen, Young Vinnies students roll up their sleeves and prepare delicious meals for those in our community who might otherwise go without. It’s always a lively afternoon when the Young Vinnies students and support staff step into the kitchen. Recent dishes included pumpkin soup, chicken curry, and fresh sugo.

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GSMC students will have a further opportunity to serve others, with the College recently commencing visits to local aged care facility, Bluehaven. The initial visit by GSMC Year 9 students warmed the hearts of the residents while students performed on guitar for them, played card games together, and enjoyed some competitive board games.

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Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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By Victoria Velton

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Welcome to the Cutting The Cane, a column where we have a chat with those supporting the backbone of the local economy: the farmers behind the sugar. This week third generation grower Paul Marbelli answered our questions about the 2026 season.

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What stage is your paddock at now?

I’m currently sitting at around 70 per cent harvested for this season. We had an early finish to planting this year and there’s still good moisture holding in our ratoon crops too.

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How are you feeling about the crop this season?

At Macknade, the weather conditions have generally been favourable.  Our crop has been a little down on the original estimate for yield.  However, this has been offset by higher sugar results, so at the end of the day this will probably balance out to achieve close to estimate for overall tonnes of sugar.

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How do you expect this year’s season will impact the next?

A big concern I’ve had this year has been the cost of inputs, particularly fuel and fertiliser.  There was a lot of focus on this before the season started. We knew that those costs would be high and profits would take a hit as a result. I was also concerned about supply but a positive is that we haven’t seen that issue in our region. Fuel and fertilisers have been available when needed, so we could continue to operate as normal. Whether this continues to be a challenge next year as well, well time will tell.  But costs overall remain a challenge.

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What do people who aren’t from the cane industry probably not realise about harvest season?

There is often a lot of discussion about the start and length of the season and when the right time is for this to happen. It’s quite a complex issue as what might be right for one area, may not be right for another. Take this year for example: we’ve had a very extended period of wet that has impacted growers in the Western regions. Harvesting didn’t start in those areas until July, and some are still trying to finish planting. Whereas there are other areas where growers are needing to irrigate their crops because of how dry it is. It just goes to show the vast differences that we can experience in the Herbert.

Ultimately, everyone – growers, harvesting contractors and millers, want to get the crop harvested at the best time when sugar is at the highest. Right now, it looks like the season will wrap up in early November, which will be good to see provided everyone can get their crop harvested. We’ve seen solid performance in our two mills but some bottlenecks in transport which have impacted cane supply. It’s always something to keep a close eye on to ensure that we can end the season on a good note for the whole community.

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Looking ahead to the rest of the season, what are the biggest factors that will determine how it finishes?

I’m feeling good about the rest of the season. If the weather can continue to hold and mill performance continues then we will remain on track to finish, before you typically see the CCS (sugar) drop away.

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One of North Queensland’s largest renewable energy projects is moving into its construction phase, bringing hundreds of jobs, business opportunities and new community funding closer for the Hinchinbrook region.

Located about 65 kilometres south-west of Ingham on Gugu Badhun Country, the Gawara Baya project has reached financial close following more than six years of planning, development and community engagement.

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The project comprises a 408MW wind farm and 104MW battery energy storage system and is expected to generate enough electricity to power about 240,000 Queensland homes once operational.

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Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners has acquired full ownership of the project from Windlab, providing the investment required to move towards construction, while Windlab personnel will remain part of the delivery team.

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Early works are expected to begin progressively from September, starting with preparation of the accommodation camp area. Access road upgrades are scheduled from October, followed by civil construction activities from November and accommodation camp construction from December.

At peak construction, more than 500 jobs are expected to be created, with the project anticipated to generate more than $200 million in regional economic activity through employment, procurement and supply-chain participation.

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Hinchinbrook community groups will also have an opportunity to benefit directly, with a $200,000 annual Community Benefit Fund becoming available as construction gets underway.

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The first funding round is anticipated to open in the final quarter of 2026, supporting community initiatives across the Hinchinbrook Shire and Charters Towers local government areas.

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The project has also committed to employment, training and business opportunities for Gugu Badhun People and other First Nations communities.

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As early works begin, locals may notice increased project vehicles, contractors and activity around the project area, with further community updates to be provided as construction progresses.

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Hinchinbrook Shire Council will conduct an aerial shooting program to control feral pig populations across participating land parcels and properties between Forrest Beach and Crystal Creek.

Subject to suitable weather conditions, the operation is scheduled for Thursday 17th September and Friday 18th September, from 5am to 7pm each day.

For public safety, access to the National Parks Estate, Bronte Road and Halifax Bay Wetlands will be closed during the operation. Access to huts located on Bronte Road will be permitted outside the planned control hours.

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The program is funded by the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation; Department of Natural Resources, Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development; Herbert Cane Productivity Services Limited; and HQ Plantation, in association with Hinchinbrook Shire Council.

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For more information, or to report pig sightings contact Council on (07) 4776 4600 or email council@hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au

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Hinchinbrook Shire is stepping up its fight against invasive weeds and pest animals, with Council launching two programs aimed at detecting and controlling pests before they become a bigger threat to farms, waterways and native wildlife.

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The two programs, which will run from September 30^th 2026, to September 30^th 2028, will see Council officers increase surveillance of known pest hotspots and investigate reports from residents and landholders.

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The work will target priority pests including feral pigs, wild dogs, pond apple, mikania vine, Singapore daisy, thunbergia, hygrophila and redwood acacia.

Council will also keep watch for invasive species not yet established in the region, including gamba grass, mimosa pigra, fireweed, electric ants and yellow crazy ants.

Biosecurity and Public Spaces Portfolio Councillor Kate Milton said early detection could make the difference between containing a pest and dealing with an established infestation.

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“Council can’t be everywhere at once. Many of our best reports come from residents and landholders who spot something unusual and let us know,” Cr Milton said.

“Early detection gives us the best chance of controlling pest species before they become established.”

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The Invasive Plants and Animals Surveillance Program will focus on finding and monitoring pest species, while the Prevention and Control Program will guide efforts to manage and reduce priority pests across the Shire.

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Council officers may use on-ground inspections, boats, drones, cameras and aerial imagery as part of the surveillance work.

Cr Milton said the issue extended well beyond individual properties.

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“Biosecurity doesn’t stop at a fence line. What affects one property can quickly affect neighbouring landholders, farming operations, waterways and natural environments,” she said.

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Residents who spot suspected pest plants or animals are encouraged to report them to Council on (07) 4776 4600.

More information is available through Hinchinbrook Shire Council’s website.

Residents are encouraged to report suspected pest plants and animals to Council by calling (07) 4776 4600.

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Photos supplied: Abergowrie State School Prep, learning in the classroom

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With a strong focus on outdoor learning, Abergowrie State School invites families to discover the benefits of its State Delivered Kindy and Prep programs. In a nature-rich rural setting, children learn, explore and grow through experiences that build confidence, curiosity and a connection to Country.

Abergowrie’s State Delivered Kindy has been rated as Meeting the National Quality Standard, with an Exceeding rating in Quality Area 1, Educational Program and Practice. The achievement recognises the quality education and care provided across all seven National Quality Standard areas.

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The school’s approach is centred on children as capable, curious and active learners. Their interests, ideas and choices help shape learning programs, alongside families and the wider community, with local Elders contributing knowledge and cultural perspectives that help children develop a strong sense of identity, belonging and connection to Country.

Learning extends beyond the classroom through specialist programs including Music, STEM and Bush Kindy, providing children with varied opportunities to discover their passions.

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The school’s commitment to inclusion, community and reconciliation was also recognised when it received a Queensland Reconciliation Award in Education in 2024.

From Playgroup through to the early years of school, Abergowrie State School aims to provide continuity in learning and a supportive environment where children can become resilient, curious and engaged learners.

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Families interested in State Delivered Kindy and Prep can contact the school office on 07 4780 8444 for more information and details about Open Days in Term 4.  

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Celebrating 100 Years of the Trebonne Post Office

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Congratulations to Christine Johnson and her family, who this year proudly celebrate an extraordinary milestone, 100 years of continuous postal services in Trebonne.

The Trebonne Post Office first opened its doors in 1926 when Ormonde and Dorothy Britton established the service on the corner of Stone River Road and the site where it still operates today.

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For half a century, the Britton family served the local community before passing the reins in 1976 to their granddaughter, Christine. Since then, Christine has continued that remarkable tradition of service, ensuring generations of local residents have remained connected through one of the district's longest running family enterprises.

The role of the Trebonne post office extended well beyond sorting and delivering mail. Over the years, the business also operated a telephone exchange and provided banking services as a Commonwealth Bank agency, making it a vital hub for the Trebonnecommunity.

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Reaching 100 years of continuous operation is a truly outstanding achievement and a testament to the dedication, resilience and community spirit of the Britton and Johnson families. Their commitment has helped support local families, businesses and the broader district through generations of change.

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To mark this special centenary, Christine has established a Facebook page 'Trebonne CPA – Post Office’  to share photographs, stories and memories from the Trebonne Post Office's rich history. I encourage anyone with connections to the post office, whether as a customer, employee, family member or friend, to contribute and help preserve this important piece of Hinchinbrook's history.

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On behalf of Hinchinbrook Shire Council, congratulations to Christine and her family on this remarkable achievement. One hundred years of service is a legacy worth celebrating, and one that has earned a special place in the story of our community.

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Did you know that Council has a feral pig management program? In partnership with Herbert Cane Productivity Services Ltd (HCPSL), cane farmers, graziers, National Parks and other land managers, Council has been baiting and trapping feral pigs across the Shire since 2009.

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We are proud to operate the second-longest running feral pig management program in the country. Over the life of the program, approximately one million feral pigs have been managed through coordinated control activities.

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Feral pigs cause significant damage to our cane industry, environment and grazing lands.  

They dig up the ground, spread weeds, destroy pasture and crops, and leave the land rough, uneven and difficult to traverse.

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They can devastate cane crops, resulting in millions of dollars in yield losses, while also damaging cane stools needed for future ratoons. Feral pigs can spread disease and are a major biosecurity concern. They also threaten native wildlife, including turtle nesting areas along our beaches, where they can dig up and destroy nests.

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To support our Feral Pig Management Program and help reduce feral pig numbers even further, we are launching a Pig Trapping Competition.

The competition will run from 1 October 2026 to 31 December 2026.

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Prizes will be awarded for the most pigs trapped, along with a participation prize. Terms and conditions apply, and participants must register to enter.

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This is a great opportunity for parents and grandparents to teach the next generation about responsible land management, protecting the environment, and controlling feral animals to support food security and agricultural production.

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To register or find out more, contact the HCPSL team on (07) 4776 5660 or email hcpslfrontdesk@hcpsl.com.au

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MP Wayde Chiesa at the Men’s Breakfast in Rollingstone. Photo credit: Offices of Wayde Chiesa MP

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By Wayde Chiesa MP, Member for Hinchinbrook

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Over the past fortnight, I have enjoyed getting out across the electorate and spending time with the community.

I recently joined locals at the Men’s Breakfast at Rollingstone, alongside representatives from a number of community organisations. These local groups are the backbone of our smaller communities. They bring people together, look out for those who need a hand and provide the volunteers who are there whenever our community needs them. It was great to catch up with everyone and hear directly about what is happening locally.  

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I also enjoyed visiting Bluewater State School, where the Year 6 students put me through my paces with plenty of questions about leadership and the qualities that make a good leader. It was a great morning with some impressive young people preparing to head into high school next year.

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Another issue I have been focused on is proposed changes to Commonwealth disaster funding. For North Queensland, this matters enormously.

Cyclones, floods and severe weather are a reality of where we live, and when disaster strikes, councils are often responsible for repairing enormous amounts of damaged local infrastructure.

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Under existing Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, the Commonwealth can contribute up to 75 per cent of eligible expenditure for key categories of assistance, once relevant thresholds are met.

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We cannot accept changes that simply shift more of that financial burden from Canberra onto the Queensland Government, local councils and ultimately local ratepayers.

The Commonwealth raises around 80 per cent of Australia's tax revenue. It is therefore unreasonable to expect state and local governments, with much smaller revenue bases, to continually pick up a greater share of the cost of rebuilding communities after natural disasters.

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That is cost shifting, and I will stand with our North Queensland councils in opposing it.

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Finally, our Breach Bail, Go to Jail laws are continuing their journey through Parliament. Public hearings will now be held in Townsville and Cairns, giving North and Far North Queenslanders another opportunity to have their voices heard.

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For too long, our communities have lived with the consequences of repeat offenders being released on bail and going on to offend again.

Bail is a privilege, and there must be consequences when that privilege is abused.

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These hearings are an important next step in ensuring these tougher laws are scrutinised, progressed and passed by Parliament before the end of the year.  

Breach Bail, Go to Jail – it is what our community asked for, and I will keep fighting to see it delivered.

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Many stores participated in the Shop & Win campaign in 2025. Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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

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Hinchinbrook Chamber’s annual “Shop & Win” campaign has become a familiar part of the local Christmas calendar, encouraging our community to shop locally, support local businesses and keep spending within our region during one of the busiest retail periods of the year.

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Since the inception of this campaign, a very small team have been the driving force to make this happen, however this year that capacity is reduced and it will not be possible to go ahead with additional support.  

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This is why Chamber is putting the call out for assistance. Like many community initiatives, “Shop & Win” takes considerable time and effort behind the scenes to coordinate, promote and deliver. While Chamber is committed to supporting our local business community, the campaign cannot be successfully delivered by a small number of people alone.

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This year, we are calling on local retailers, Chamber members and community volunteers to put their hands up and help bring “Shop & Win” to life. We’re not asking one or two people to take on the entire campaign. Quite the opposite. If a number of people can each contribute a small amount of time, the workload becomes much more manageable.

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Support can take many forms, for those who are not currently members, it can be as simple as joining Chamber and becoming involved through the decision-making process. Other ways include assisting with campaign coordination, distributing and collecting materials, helping engage participating businesses, promotion, prize coordination or lending a hand with some of the administrative tasks involved in running the campaign.

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Many hands make light work, and even a small commitment of time from several people would make an enormous difference.

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“Shop & Win” exists to support our local business community. It encourages people to choose a local retailer, spend locally at Christmas and discover businesses they may not otherwise visit. But for a campaign designed to support local businesses to continue, it also needs the support of those businesses and the wider community.

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Without additional retailer and volunteer support, Chamber will unfortunately not be in a position to progress the “Shop & Win” campaign this year.

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Chamber knows there is strong community support for shopping local and would love to see “Shop & Win” return in 2026, however its future relies on a collaborative approach and people being willing to contribute to make it happen.

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That’s not an outcome Chamber wants to see, and we know “Shop & Win” is something many businesses and community members look forward to each year, however continuing the campaign needs to be a shared effort.

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If you are a retailer, Chamber member or community member who value “Shop & Win”, have benefited from it in previous years or simply want to help encourage people to shop locally, now is the time to get involved.  

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Interested parties can contact Chamber through their many platforms or come along to the monthly Chamber meeting on Monday 21st September at 5:30pm at 73-781 Lannercost Street.

Shop local. Support local.

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