Fruit and vegetable market operators My Fruit Shop decided to give away five tonnes worth of fresh produce to families affected by the flooding. Opposed to letting it rot in their storage, they packed it all onto a tractor and drove it down to St Teresa’s College in Abergowrie for everyone to come and take as much as they needed.
Tim and Matthias Fehrenbacher of My Fruit Shop said “We had a mass of food that we didn’t want to go to waste and thought it be best shared amongst those in need.” They knew that a lot of people were struggling and being flood effected themselves in part, they decided to donate the $30,000 worth of fresh produce.
By spreading the word on their Facebook page and others in the community sharing the posts around, St Teresa’s had a huge turnout. Filling that craving for fresh food after living for a length of time on tinned goods, the community could not give more thanks to the men behind My Fruit Shop’s kindness.
“You guys are amazing! My kids and I were all so excited to get some fresh fruit and veg - thank you so so much,” Ms Natalie Wiese commented.
“Thank you so much for your generosity and beautiful produce. We have shared your delicious fruit and veggies with a very grateful Abergowrie community,” said St Teresa's College.
Many of the affected residents in the area said they were extremely appreciative of the generosity and so lucky to be part of such a kind-hearted community.
Locals supporting locals, and those with means giving to those who are struggling, is what My Fruit Shop championed when they brought their produce to relieve their flood-affected community. Tim and Mattias’ donation helped ease the burden on struggling families by providing joy with their fresh food.

Our hearts go out to all the residents who have experienced inundation of their homes and premises due to flooding over the past week. The flooding experienced has been devastating and not only homes have been destroyed, but many businesses have suffered loss of valuable stock, equipment, livestock and machinery occasioned by both water and the power outage. Terrible losses have occurred and there will be a long recovery process, not only the material matters, but the emotional scarring that has occurred due to the traumatic experiences of water inundation and physical evacuation of premises in the middle of the night.
These are experiences that no one will ever forget.
But as a community we must now rally and move as quickly as possible to try and return to some normality and it was heartwarming to see residents getting into the clean-up efforts of their properties the moment the water started to recede, with neighbours helping each other to get the job done. The Council is committed to doing its part and has commenced the clean-up processes including normal domestic rubbish collection, flood affected waste collection, and road/street opening and cleaning operations as a matter of urgency.
As I write this column, we are still not out of danger with the renewed rises in the river and the forecast for potentially more heavy rain in our lower catchment.  But we must start to rebuild in the knowledge that together, with the assistance of many including our state and federal governments, we will reestablish our community from this devastation.
The SES and Queensland Rural Fire Brigade are assisting residents to clear out and clean flood affected homes and residents seeking assistance in that regard are asked to register by phoning 132 500.
Financial hardship assistance packages have now been released by both the state and federal government and I urge our residents to apply for the assistance on offer either online or by visiting the Community Hub that has been established at the TAFE Centre on Townsville Road as soon as possible. I am sure that further assistance measures will be released once the waters clear and the full extent of damage is assessed and becomes apparent.

‍

A Message From The Mayor

‍

This was a horrific event, and we must thank the many many people who came to our assistance in response to the threat. The emergency service agencies including Queensland Fire, Police, Fire and Rescue, Swift Water Rescue, Water Police, and the State Emergency Services.
They each played a major part in helping our community members in the rising water, protecting our community and saving our residents in a time of need and we will be forever indebted to these brave men and women who went about their work in some quite atrocious conditions.  
We must also thank the Council staff who were involved in the response effort, from the administration staff who were involved and remain involved in the disaster coordination centre, to the technical officers whom worked tirelessly in ensuring that Council facilities and operations such as the water treatment plant remained operational during the highest peak of flooding. Thank you to you all.
We must also thank all those kind residents and community organisations who quickly rallied to help their neighbours, the displaced residents in evacuation, ferrying supplies about, cleaning out our community and sporting facilities and generally watching over our elderly residents in the days following the peak. There were many many people assisting as best they could. I will not mention any names at present for fear of injustice in leaving someone out, but we will acknowledge your effort sometime in the future as you are all applauded.
As we go about the recovery and the rebuilding our lives, please do not feel alone as there is much assistance about to help you as an individual and we will continue to push out information as it becomes available. The disaster recovery centre remains open and if you are in need of assistance or information, simply contact the centre on 4776 4600.
I wish you all the best.

‍

Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables (QCAR) estimates there could be up to one million fewer tonnes of cane cut across the Herbert this year, resulting in between $25 to $50 million in economic losses. 
However, the impacts of recent flooding in the Hinchinbrook Shire have yet to be realised because the waters are still receding. 
Early indications indicate significant crop losses and infrastructure damage to farms, drains, the cane rail network, machinery, and plants.
How does the flooding disaster impact cane yields?
It is difficult to estimate the crop losses associated with this severe event, but history tells us that saturated soil and waterlogging can severely impact yields. As soil pores fill with water, roots and soil organisms cannot access oxygen. Together with reduced sunlight, these conditions drop potential cane yields.
Floodwaters have inundated paddocks across the Ingham region, including this farm belonging to QCAR Herbert District Committee Chairman and sugarcane farmer, Matthew Pappin. The Pappins have already suffered financial impacts from having standover cane before dealing with the current flood event. Pictures: Contributed
Research from BSES and CSR showed that for every day the water table was less than 0.5 from the soil surface, cane yields reduced by 0.5 tonnes of cane per hectare.
Over the past three decades, there has been numerous years when flooding significantly impacted the region. They include:

The final crop yields varied significantly based upon the following factors associated with wet weather events:
   • Duration of the flooding event.

   • If sunny days occur while water is still covering the crop, or the crop is standing in water. In this situation, the water becomes very hot, and the crop becomes extremely stressed and, in some cases, dies.
   • Soil type. Generally, clay soils are more prone to waterlogging for long periods of time.
   • Position on the landscape. Higher fields are generally less impacted.
   • The month the flooding occurs in relation to crop growth.
   • The crop height when impacted by flooding. Generally, late harvested cane and drought affected cane is the greatest impacted, due to flooding.
   • The follow up rains post the flooding event, either low or high rainfall. The 1991 crop was impacted by flooding and a sudden stop to the wet season in April, with a subsequent drought leading a very low yielding year.
   • The amount of sunlight received throughout the wet season. The 2024 harvest was a good example of a year when there was low solar radiation to grow the crop leading to low crop yields.
   • Slit loadings on the crop, reducing the crop’s ability to undertake photosynthesis after flooding.
   • Impact on a crop caused by the loss of crop or stool. It is not uncommon for crops to fail or stool to be lost, due to adverse weather events.
   • The lead into the flooding event. Years when rains begin early generally result in lower tonnes harvested, like in 2009 and 2011. However, in 2019 there was good cane growth and better than expected yields due to favourable weather conditions both before and after the flood event.
Generally best yields occur after a succession of dry years in the Herbert; the graph below indicates this.

What will the 2025 crop yield look like?
It is difficult to predict what yield the district may experience this year; however early indications are not positive because of the following:
   • Late conclusion of the 2024 harvest 
   • Standover crops
   • The significant rain events during November and December in 2024, and wet weather harvesting impacting on the following crop. (We also made many ruts in field towards the end of the 2024 crush).
   • Receiving more than 2000mm of rainfall throughout the crops’ growing period thus far.
Looking into our crystal ball, we could expect to harvest a crop in the 3M tonne plus range.
If we have follow-up adverse weather events, it is more likely we will see the more disastrous scenario of fewer than 3M tonnes harvested.
A crop more than 4M tonnes is highly unlikely now, unless we have a miracle. Only time will tell what the 2025 crop harvest will yield.
Estimating the cost of the flood
The Herbert region harvests around 4.5M tonnes of sugarcane annually.
Based on historical data, QCAR estimates the Herbert will experience a loss of between 0.5 to 1M tonnes of cane due to this flooding disaster.
Based on an assumed $50 per tonne of cane, this equates to an economic loss of cane proceeds to the growers of between $25 to $50 million.  
This figure does not consider other losses from damages, repairs, and replanting of crops in some areas – all required actions, and at considerable expense, to ensure a business is again operational.
Lower crop yields, debris in the crop at harvest, infrastructure damage (i.e. to the cane rail network), and necessary repairs to damaged machinery (i.e. from equipment submersed in floodwaters) also impact the harvesting and milling sectors as well as the local business community. They too will need help to revive the sugarcane industry ahead of the 2025 crush.
How do we activate Category D status to unlock disaster funding for farmers?
Category D natural disaster assistance is provided by the Australian government in response to severe disaster events.
It is only provided in extraordinary circumstances and is considered after the assessment of a disaster’s impact.
The Queensland Government Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) undertake the assessment and provide their recommendations to the federal government.
QRA works with the Premier and Cabinet to seek endorsement of each Category C/D request form via the appropriate process, e.g. a Cabinet Budget Review Committee.
If approved, the Premier will then formally request endorsement from the Prime Minister through a letter. (Source: https://www.qra.qld.gov.au/)
The PM advises whether the Category C/D request was fully or partially approved, confirms the cost-sharing ratio between the state and federal governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) system, and any conditions that must be met.
QCAR believes the financial losses incurred both in the short term and long term justify the activation of Category D natural disaster assistance and it is prepared to work closely with the authorities to undertake the necessary assessments to make this happen.

“To the people of Ingham and the Hinchinbrook, we’re here for you.

Our dedicated staff have been working around the clock to care for the community since this rainfall event began.

Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and everyone affected by the tragic loss of life that this tightknit community has experienced.

We also acknowledge those whose homes have been impacted by floodwaters, including members of our own staff.

Through these challenges, the compassion and resilience of the local people have shone through.

There have also been moments of hope; our medical teams have helped bring new life into the world during recent days.

Our local hospital has remained open every step of the way, and our focus remains on supporting the community in the days and weeks ahead.

We are actively working to bring in additional staff to relieve those who have been working so tirelessly.

For anyone in the community who is feeling overwhelmed, please know that 24/7 mental health support is available at these numbers:

Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636

And, as always, our emergency department in Ingham remains open for urgent medical care.

Stay safe, look after each other, and know that your health service stands with you.”

When Jenni Hopping packed up her life to move to Forrest Beach in December, she expected a few hiccups—what she didn’t expect was a flood of them.

With her new job at Ingham Manufactures Mitre 10 and plans to settle into her new home at Forrest Beach, everything was falling into place. But now, thanks to major flooding that has split the Bruce Highway in half and thrown the region into chaos, Jenni’s fresh start has hit a standstill.

Prior to this, she lived on Magnetic Island and in Hervey Bay.

Jenni has a shipping container in the Gold Coast, and it was meant to be up here in Forrest Beach already, but now Jenni expects the delays to be even longer.

With major flooding breaking the Bruce Highway in half, flooded roads and other priorities Jenni expects her plot of land in Forrest Beach to be a low priority.  

She needs concreting done and telegraph piles erected, but she has accepted that it may be quite some time before her property receives the work it needs.

“Emergency services will be doing emergency-related jobs; they won’t be putting power on my block,” laughed Jenni.

Among other concerns, Jenni cannot work and does not know when she has to work.

“The lack of power and lack of service is the most frustrating because you just don’t know what is happening out there.”

Jenni works at Mitre 10 on a casual contract, and due to limited reception, she is unsure if she has to work or when she can work. She received a text from her employer informing her that the store had reopened, but she got no other information.

“I don’t know whether any water got into the shop or not, there was very little information in that department, but it sounded like they were okay and opened today. (Wednesday 5th Feb).”

“I'm just playing the waiting game. What can you do?”

‍

In a remarkable display of efficiency, Queensland Rail’s on-track recovery machine—an innovative vehicle designed to travel on rail tracks—successfully transported 468 passengers in just one day. The vehicle completed 68 trips, assisting residents and emergency services while ensuring essential supplies, including generators, fuel, and other necessities, reached Ingham via the Ollera Creek rail bridge.
This effort underscores the crucial role of Queensland Rail’s infrastructure in connecting communities during times of need. The teams behind this operation were praised for their tireless dedication and commitment, ensuring vital services and supplies were delivered without disruption. Their ongoing efforts were recognized for maintaining a lifeline to the area during critical moments.

On Monday the 3rd of February, Forrest Beach received the worst flooding it had ever seen.

The local emergency group full of volunteers gathered together and went door-knocking to residents to ensure they were safe, had enough food and to see if they were in need of medical supplies.

While door-knocking on Wattle Street, Maria Boeyen and Brett Stapley were safe and sound, but they had major concerns for Maria’s parents, Rita and Peter Boeyen, on Fern Street.

Water had been rising over the weekend, and they refused to leave. On Monday, the water was chest-deep, and they continued to refuse assistance from family.

With this information, the Forrest Beach disaster management group made getting them to safety a number one priority.

Queensland Fire and Rescue and Forrest Beach Surf Life Saving Club waded through the deep waters, and still with professional assistance, Maria’s mother with Alzheimer’s refused to leave.

With this news, the Forrest Beach disaster management group decided that Maria’s parents might accept help in her presence, so Maria attended the scene and stood at the end of the driveway.

With her presence, they evacuated and were taken to Maria and Brett’s place.

Maria said sometimes it’s easier to say yes to strangers than to family members.

“It all happened so quickly, with the disaster management group knocking on the door, Mum and Dad were out within an hour, or hour and a half, even getting in the boat too,” said Maria.

“The volunteers are fantastic, and so soon after I'd been contacted, we were together, straight away.”

After the initial flood water had passed, Brett visited Peter and Rita’s property to assess damage and, most importantly, retrieve a generator that had been safe from flood waters.

“It was in the highest part of the block, so it didn't even get wet. The wheel didn't even go under,” said Brett.

“We now have power, it's limited, but it's power.”

The family are all safe and in good spirits.

Peter is so happy he joked that despite all the effort people went through hopefully power doesn’t come on too soon.

“We’ve managed to keep the fridge cold for beer,” he added.

“It happened that quickly so some of the stuff that we should have taken with us, we didn't.

“But we’ve just come back from there now and it's a bit of a mess, outside and inside, but nothing that bit of hard work and time can’t fix.”

‍

“Going through this ordeal in Ingham has put into perspective how we live our lives. We may have lost a lot, but nothing compared to a lot of people. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. Last week the most I had to stress about was missing my mum, my family, slow internet, too hot, what’s for tea again tonight. Now we have homes under water, people without food, no electricity and loss of life. I would not change my mind about moving to Ingham. The the amount of support we have been shown from total strangers has renewed my faith in people. Neighbours that don’t really know us have been a great support. What a great town, we are proud to now be Ingham locals” (Jenny Carmody 6/2/2025)

Over the past two weeks the Hinchinbrook region has experienced a ‘once in a generation’ flooding event. It is one that many locals are comparing to the 1967 floods where the river rose to 15.20m and the 1927 floods which where the river rose to 15.40.

Deputy Mayor Mary Brown said “this will be the flooding event that future generations talk about. When we were kids the 1967 floods were the biggest in recent memory, the 2025 floods will now become this for the next generation”.

The past week has seen relentless rain and severe weather, with the full extent of the damage becoming clearer by the day. Approximately 30,000 properties, stretching from the Tableland to the Burdekin, have faced power disruptions due to flooding, high winds, fallen trees, and landslides.
Ergon Energy Networks dedicated teams have already restored power to over 20,000 of those properties, and today, they are focusing their efforts on the most heavily impacted and hardest-to-reach areas.
Currently, 6,778 customers in flood-affected Hinchinbrook LGA remain without power, and restoring service to these areas is the primary focus of operations.
More than 100 field staff from outside the impacted region are supporting local crews, with 20 specialists working directly at the critical Ingham substation. This substation is vital, supplying power to nearly 7,000 homes and businesses. Broader network assessments, both overhead and underground, are also underway, with hopes to complete these inspections today, weather permitting.
Meanwhile, generation teams are stationed in Lucinda, where the barge has been a lifeline for both supplies and crews. Efforts to support power generation are continuing at key sites identified by the Local Disaster Management Group.
In addition to ongoing restoration work, Ergon Energy are tackling other significant outages. Crews are back in Cardwell, and progress continues at Ollera Creek, where the installation of a large second pole is scheduled for today.
Work is also being coordinated with Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Transport and Main Roads (TMR) teams on bridge repairs.
Travel throughout the region remains a significant challenge. There is currently no road access between Ingham and Cardwell, Halifax, or Lucinda, nor between Halifax and Macknade.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s forecasts are being closely monitored, as further heavy rainfall would only complicate the situation. Additionally, low cloud cover is hindering helicopter patrols and supply deliveries.

Ergon Energy is working around the clock to restore power to Ingham, where residents remain without electricity after severe flooding. The community, already grappling with widespread flood damage, is now isolated, and crews have been dispatched to assess and repair the damage as quickly as possible.
Crews from Townsville began aerial patrols over Ingham and the surrounding areas Tuesday morning but were temporarily grounded due to poor weather conditions. These aerial inspections are crucial to identifying faults in the overhead power network, which will help Ergon develop a restoration plan as floodwaters recede.
Ingham has been particularly hard hit by both the floods and power outages. To ensure public safety, Ergon de-energized the Ingham Substation on Sunday as floodwaters rose. This substation is a critical supply point for thousands of customers across the region, including local staff from the Ingham depot.
Before power can be safely restored, crews will need to inspect and test key equipment at the substation, including transformers. Additionally, they will patrol feeder lines and conduct damage assessments in the affected areas. Unfortunately, until these inspections are complete, accurate restoration timeframes cannot be provided.
Safety Comes First
Due to the extensive damage, Ergon crews are facing significant logistical challenges in getting the necessary equipment and generators into the region. However, teams from across Northern Queensland are ready to deploy and are exploring all possible solutions to expedite the restoration process.
In the meantime, Ergon advises that any homes inundated by floodwaters must be inspected by a licensed electrical contractor before they can safely be reconnected to the grid. These contractors will also be responsible for any necessary repairs.
For the most up-to-date restoration timeframes, residents can visit Ergon Energy's Outage Finder: Outage Finder Text View | Ergon Energy
Generator Safety: A Critical Reminder
As residents begin to recover and rely on backup power, Ergon reminds everyone of the importance of safe generator use. Generators can be life-saving, but when not operated properly, they pose serious risks. For essential safety information on generator use, visit: Electrical Generator Safety | Ergon Energy
Ergon Energy appreciates the patience and resilience of the Ingham community and will continue to provide updates as restoration efforts progress.

‍

Flooded Ingham Substation
Line repairs at Ollera Creek ahead of TMR highway works

‍

The Hinchinbrook Local Disaster Management Group (HDLMG) convened on January 30 to discuss the potential impact of approaching weather conditions and to begin preparations for any possible events.
Chair of the HDLMG, Mayor Ramon Jayo, stated, “While the exact path of the current low-pressure system remains uncertain, we can be sure that significant rainfall is expected across the district, including both the lower and upper catchment areas. Given the heavy rainfall we’ve experienced over the past few days, our drainage systems are already at capacity, so flooding is likely, particularly in some areas.”
The latest forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology indicates that monsoonal rain is expected to develop across North Queensland from Friday, with the potential for this to continue into next week.
As the wet conditions persist, flash flooding is also expected to become a heightened risk, especially as catchments become saturated and more responsive to heavy, short bursts of rainfall.
There are also concerns that the tropical low 13U, which is approaching the region, may bring intense rainfall and damaging winds. This could lead to life-threatening flash flooding along the tropical east coast between Cairns and Bowen starting Friday night and continuing through the weekend. A Severe Weather Warning may be issued as the system crosses the coast.
At this time, there is a moderate (25-35%) chance that a tropical cyclone could develop in the Coral Sea or Gulf of Carpentaria over the weekend or into next week.
Tides along much of the Queensland coast, including through the Torres Strait, are expected to reach the Highest Astronomical Tide level in the coming days. This could cause minor flooding in low-lying areas during the high tide on Friday and Saturday.
Preparedness Measures Underway
In response, the HLDMG has initiated the usual preliminary measures for potential flooding. Sand and sandbags will be made available for residents, and machinery will be deployed to assist isolated areas. The distribution sites are as follows:
   • Site 1 – Halifax Petrol Station: Sand and bags (one pallet of premade sandbags)
   • Site 2 – Taylors Beach (Progress Park): Sand and bags
   • Site 3 – Cordelia (near Carr’s shed): Sand and bags
   • Site 4 – Shire Hall Carpark: Sand and bags (two pallets of premade sandbags)
What Residents Need to Know
Residents are urged to prepare for potential flooding by assembling emergency kits and ensuring they have enough food and water in case of an extended event. For advice on how to prepare for emergencies, visit the Council’s Disaster and Emergency Information page.
As conditions develop, residents are reminded to stay informed through official sources, including the Bureau of Meteorology, the Council’s Disaster Dashboard, and local radio and television broadcasts.
For further assistance or information, please contact the Hinchinbrook Shire Council.

‍

The 2024 Cane Crushing season wrapped up on the 18th of December, leaving a number of sugar cane crops still standing in the fields. While this premature end signals a direct loss for local businesses, it's not just the unharvested cane that could have lasting effects—it’s the quality and sugar content of the cane that really matters.
The key measure for growers is Commercial Cane Sugar (CCS), a standard used to assess the sugar yield from the crop. Growers are paid based on both the volume of cane they harvest and the CCS levels, which reflect the quality and sugar concentration. If the CCS falls short of expectations, it can mean a significant financial hit, with some farmers even receiving no payment at all. This typically becomes a concern in January when payments are processed and payment adjustments are made.
While many in the Hinchinbrook region are aware of the impact these fluctuations can have, the wider community may not realise how closely the quality of the sugar cane is tied to the prosperity of local businesses and families.

Cane Season Effects Whole Region

At the beginning of a cane season, grower collectives in the Herbert River district, such as QCAR and Canegrowers, will nominate what they believe their estimated commercial cane sugar (CCS) maybe for the season based upon data from prior seasons. Growers are then paid by the mill based on an average calculated from their estimated CCS. If the CCS is not reached, then growers may not receive payment, or they may be paid less to match the correct average.

Queensland Cane, Agriculture & Renewables (QCAR) Herbert District Manager and Senior Agricultural Officer Lawrence Di Bella produced the following table, demonstrating the importance of CCS.

CCS level                             Cane price/t                      Gross return/ha
(costs to grow and harvest the crop must be deducted from this amount to reflect the net return /ha) 
 
12                                         $51.04                                 $4083                                  
13                                         $57.34                                 $4587
14                                         $63.64                                 $5091

Calculations are based upon the following assumptions:
   • $700 tonne of sugar price
   • 80 tonnes/ha crop assumptions. 

“Our district average usually hovers around an annual 13 to 13.5 units of CCS based upon a five-year rolling average. It's really important to make sure that we try to keep that average up as high as possible,” said Lawrence.

“If the CCS drops below six, then the mill does not pay the grower at all, leaving the grower meeting all harvesting and production costs. At the end of the 2024 harvest, we did see some growers achieve CCS levels below six leaving them out of pocket.”

“It’s a balancing act between getting good CCS and high yields, with the weather playing massive roll in what outcomes a grower can achieve from their crop.”

Lawrence also calculated that cane farmers brought into the district in excess of $200,000,000 gross income into the district from last year’s crop.

President of Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce Mary Brown said that, to her understanding, there will be significantly reduced revenue coming into the district from sugar in January because of the lower-than-average CCS received last year”.

“It does have a direct impact on the spending capacity across the community, which does flow on to each and every business in some way, shape or form,” she added.

“When you add that to the already significant cost of living pressures, where it's known nationally that disposable income is already quite limited, this is another layer of pressure.  

“What it also does is when people are feeling cash flow constraints, they tend to become more conservative in their spending because of the uncertainty.”

The period after Christmas is usually a slow period for businesses, but Chamber reiterates that this time of year is more important than ever to help our local businesses.

“It's those small businesses that are there to help with sponsorship of schools fete, sporting organisations and broader community events,” said Mary Brown.

“Those businesses contribute a lot through sponsorship or donation, so it’s a great way for us, the consumers, to give back and support them during this challenging time.

“The potential impacts could be that there might be reduced trading hours and we've already seen it during this slower January period.”

The Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce says that now is a good time for businesses experiencing quieter months to review their operations. The chamber is also hosting workshops to help businesses with their professional development.  

Hello everyone

I hope you all had a great long weekend.

I am writing this on Friday the 24th of January, before the Australia Day awards, but I want to express a huge congratulations to all of the nominees. As a nominee you have displayed an outstanding contribution to the Hinchinbrook community and it is a great honour.

As I approach my first month living in the Hinchinbrook region I am blown away at the love and care that is in this community. Some people live and breathe Hinchinbrook and their dedication to making this community what it is today.

Majority of you here reading this are used to the hot weather up here, but I must admit coming from Adelaide this heat is truly something else.

In Adelaide, we get some warm days, but our evenings are usually cool, until about February and March, and then evenings are consistently warm. But here, the evenings are still roasting hot.

I leave the gym in the evening and am met with a wall of humid, sticky heat. I don’t know how I see people going on their runs but good on them.

Hope you all have a wonderful week, and enjoy the paper.

Quote of the week
‘All individuals should live in the singular pursuit of their individual dreams’