There's a mighty river in the north of this land we call Down Under.
And each year its gentle snaking flow can be raged into a thunder.
In the year of 2025 when it burst beyond controlling,
the Herbert rushed through Ingham town, the floods came up, the floods went down -
but the people kept on rolling.

As it swept the roads and houses, picking up tv sets and sofas,
and the lizards drifted through the streets - this was not a time for loafers.
While the SES - all volunteers - were the heroes out patrolling,
the currents sucked up utes and cars, and ripped through coffee shops and bars -
but the people kept on rolling.

Then a gateway bridge was washed away - which had cut the town's supply line.
And the Ergon station was a swamp - as more water filled the skyline.
There were townsfolk out in tinnies - helping their neighbours and consoling.
For days on end they had no power, or water in this endless shower -
still the people kept on rolling.

Some have lost their living and their homes, and their hearts are surely aching -
but the gutsy Herbert River mob are a long way yet from breaking.
And the valiant mayor and councillors - they have won their points for polling.
Each gave their all and had no rest, all members strived to do their best -
and the people kept on rolling.

It has smashed the records on the charts from the flood in ‘67 -
and has rivalled history's biggest flood - back in 1927.
When the sewage spread these streets were not fit for bathing or for strolling.
The homes they built on stilts up high, that never flood, did not stay dry -
but the people kept on rolling.

See, this town was built on floodplain paths of the Herbert when it’s raging.
And for five-score years and fifty now this town's culture has been aging.
All the sporting teams will soon go back to their soccer, league or bowling.
‘Cos choppers circled down and stopped, with parcels, fuel and food they dropped -
and the people kept on rolling.

As the bridges flood and roads are creeks and the central street’s a river -
there are ballsy Herbert River folk who will stand up and deliver.
They'll be out in force to give their all - while the trolls will keep on trolling.
When turkeys, chooks and bullock beef are sucked towards the coral reef -
Ingham people keep on rolling.

So this mighty flood of ‘25 may have left the town depleted,
but the honest Herbert River folk will be strengthened - not defeated.
And the cows will calf, and cane will grow, as the horses keep on foaling.
And when old man Herbert roars again, we know he will, but can't say when -
see the people keep on rolling.

Contributed with thanks to Jonny Paul

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Queensland’s community clubs are again swinging behind those impacted by the state’s severe weather with a $75,000 donation and an offer for free drinks with friends in the Herbert River.

The support from Clubs Queensland clubs kicks off with the donation collected from clubs in the North Queensland region. The donation will be handed to the Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre at a dedicated event for the local community at Herbert River RSL on Friday 28 February from 2pm.

Clubs Queensland CEO Kelly Egan said Operation Clubs Care: Have a Beer on Us was initiated by community clubs, including Brothers Rugby League Townsville and Cowboys Leagues Club, wanting to help after floods devastated the north.

“Our clubs only exist because of our communities, so they want to return the favour and provide that support to communities in times of need,” Mr Egan said.

“These severe weather events are not new for North Queenslanders but that doesn’t mean anyone is immune to their devastating effects. It is just heartening to know that when the chips are down, the clubs will rally around one another to help them get back on their feet.”

Herbert River RSL Manager Kerryn Brock said this Friday afternoon’s free community event provided the community with a chance to take a breath, relax and enjoy a few drinks on the house.

“No one has been able to come up for air yet,” Ms Brock said. “This event will be a way for people to come together, have conversation, enjoys some drinks and nibblies and present this incredible fundraising amount to the Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre.

“It’s extremely important to make sure the Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre has the finances to keep supporting those in our community that do need that help right now.”

In the weeks since Chamber last provided an update, so very much has changed in the Hinchinbrook Shire, as a result of the February rain event.

Now as our community slowly commences the process of rebuilding lives, homes, businesses and more broadly our community, we know the journey ahead will be at times difficult and challenging.  

Having acknowledged that, we also know that as a community, we have always come together to support, encourage and work together, when and as required and we know with absolute confidence, that in time we will recover and rebuild.

Many of our local businesses have been significantly impacted as a result of this flooding event and because of this, Chamber commenced the process last week of undertaking an initial survey to gain a better understanding of specific impacts, to enable data to be available more immediately to raise awareness to government agencies and visiting politicians.  

Once the roads were able to open, there has been a strong and immediate response from insurance companies, government support agencies and other organisations offering to provide any assistance to the community, as it commences its recovery.
 
This week’s Chamber meeting provided an excellent opportunity to bring together many of these representatives and connect them to the business owners who were able to attend.  The evening provided a broad oversight of the grants, support and services currently available locally and gave assurance that help is here to assist those who have been impacted.

One of the key messages provided was the need for the business community to complete the Queensland Government survey, which will provide critical information regarding impact and its economic effect.  This survey data will provide evidence to the government, when formulating the level of funding support that may be offered moving forward.  All business are strongly encouraged to complete this survey, if they have not already done so:-
Disaster impact surveys | Business Queensland

For anyone who was unable to attend this meeting or for those who require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact either Administration Assistant Christina Spencer on 0407569550 or President Mary Brown on 0409356252 or email admin@hinchinbrookchamber.com.au.

Contributed with thanks to Chamber President Mary Brown

I believe the Month of February 2025, will gain a new place in the history books as the event that has reset the historical benchmark for floods and their impact, in the Hinchinbrook Shire.  

Our community has been through some incredibly challenging and sometimes distressing times, in the past few weeks and we also acknowledge that for many, the hard work is just beginning, as we move to the recovery phase.

As Chair of the Local Disaster Recovery Group, I can assure the community that no time has been wasted in commencing the process of planning, bringing together the various stakeholder groups to gather information on impact, provide input on potential solutions and to commence the process of formulating  the Hinchinbrook Recovery Plan 2025.

The Recovery Plan, is a framework that brings together as many relevant and impacted community groups, government agencies and representative organisations, to inform the “community lead” pathway to recovery, that will guide how the Hinchinbrook Shire rebuilds into the future.  The plan will incorporate short, medium and long term goals,  to achieve and in addition to the practical outcomes, will be valuable advocacy document when communicating with political leaders and decision makers.

The announcement last week of former State Member and Deputy Mayor of Hinchinbrook – Andrew Cripps, as State Disaster Co-ordinator, to assist all impacted communities navigate their pathway as we emerge from these weather events, has been welcomed.  

Andrew has an existing knowledge of some of the key issues that impact these communities and not wasted any time in getting on the ground in the Shire to speak to community.  Andrew was also able to attended the first meeting of the master recovery group, last Friday and this has provided some early insights into the challenges being faced.

The structure of the recovery framework, in simple terms, includes myself as Chair, Cr. Pat Lynch as Deputy Chair, Chairs of Sub Groups that engage with the various stakeholder groups being:-
• Infrastructure – Cr Andrew Carr
• Economic – Cr mark Spina
• Human and Social – Cr Donna Marbelli
• Environment – Cr Kate Milton

The chairs of the sub groups continue to reach out to the community, to gather information and understanding of impact, to enable them to provide the best possible details and data into the meetings, that will then be captured and incorporated into the recovery planning.

New lifejacket laws have come into effect that all boat users must be aware of. The changes include stricter rules on when lifejackets must be worn as well as the phasing out of older Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) that do not meet modern Australian Standards.

While safety on the water is paramount, many North Queenslanders consider the new laws to be impractical as they fail to consider the realities of local boating conditions.

The laws came into effect on December 1, 2024, however there are still many people who are unaware of the new requirements. We are told that enforcement of the new rules will be delayed until July 1, 2025, as Marine Safety Queensland (MSQ) attempts to improve communication and education of the public about the requirements.

For those who aren’t yet aware, the changes now make it mandatory to wear a lifejacket in the following circumstances:

• When boating alone, or only with children under 12 on an open boat under 4.8m while underway.

• When crossing designated coastal bars on an open ship or in an open area of any boat.

• For children aged 1-12 who are on an open boat or in an open area of any boat while underway.

• During night-time boating (sunset to sunrise) on an open boat under 4.8m while underway.

In response to community concerns, I moved a disallowance motion in Parliament to scrap these heavy- handed changes which were introduced by the State Labor Government just prior to the 2024 State election. Although I had hoped for the current State Government’s support, the subordinate legislation was passed and will remain in force.

I will continue to push back against government over-regulation and fight to protect our cherished North Queensland freedoms. For more information about the new rules please visit https://www.msq.qld.gov.au/About-us/News-and-stories/New-rules-for-wearing-lifejackets or phone MSQ on 13 23 80.

Contributed with thanks to Nick Dametto MP Member for Hinchinbrook

Opened in 1949, the New Ingham Cemetery lies just 5 km from town, hidden amongst fields of tall sugar cane.

At first glance, there is grey argyle granite, gleaming white marble and enough tiles to pave a path back home to Italy.

Ornate ceramic flowers and crucifixes adorn the landscape, standing in solemn contrast to the grand mausoleums that define the cemetery’s character.

The Mammino family mausoleum, built in 1952, holds the distinction of being the first of its kind.

Nearby, the Prestipino family mausoleum, constructed in 1955, spans eight burial plots and boasts a stately portico—providing shelter rain or shine. Here, the departed rest beneath pieces of their homeland, a poignant tribute to the rich Italian heritage that helped shape Ingham.

Herbert River growers are picking up the pieces after the torrential rain event that devastated the district earlier this month. With over a metre of rain in just three days, floods and landslides buried paddocks, washed away topsoil, and left many wondering how they’ll recover.

Among those hit hardest was Ingham grower Victor Cervellin, who watched helplessly as his newly planted cane block was swallowed by a landslide.

“I live on the opposite side of the creek to where this happened, but I could see the colour of the water getting really dark and dirty,” Victor said.

“As soon as I could, I drove over and saw the landslide above my property, with a waterfall washing through the paddock. A lot of it’s now been buried.”

**CANEGROWERS fighting for growers’ recovery**
With many growers impacted, CANEGROWERS has been working hard to ensure disaster recovery grants provide meaningful support.

Thanks to strong advocacy, growers can now claim replanting costs under the grants – an essential win for those who lost plant cane. But the fight isn’t over.

“We’ve also been calling for the assistance cap to be lifted to $75,000, in line with Cyclone Jasper relief,” CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan said.

“Recovery isn’t just about cleaning up – it’s about getting crops back in the ground so farmers can rebuild.”

CANEGROWERS Herbert River Chairman Chris Bosworth estimates at least 10% of the region’s cane yield has been lost, with impacts rippling across the district.

“Our floods generally come in March or April, so no one was expecting this,” Chris said.

“Most cane farmers have been impacted to some extent. It will be a long recovery.”

CANEGROWERS is also pushing for broader eligibility so all affected growers, including those with off-farm income, can access assistance.

**Economic and mental health concerns**
Beyond the immediate damage, the economic fallout is significant. Power outages hit businesses hard, with no prior warning to allow for preparation.

“If we had six to ten hours’ notice, we could have organised generators,” Chris said. “Instead, businesses lost millions.”

The mental health toll is another growing concern. Years of challenges – from poor seasons to rat plagues – are wearing growers down.

“People in the wet end of town had six feet of water around them, no food, no electricity, and poor communication,” Chris said. “It was scary.”

CANEGROWERS will continue working with the government to cut red tape and deliver real relief.
As the waters recede, the organisation remains committed to ensuring Herbert River growers get the support they need to rebuild and recover.

Contributed with thanks to Frank Scardamaglia Manager CANEGROWERS Herbert River

Global Care Australia is the charity arm of International Network of Churches, and recently they have set up base in Life Church Ingham, with various donations ready to give out to people in the community that are in need.

They opened on Monday and will remain open throughout the week, until their donations are finished.

National Coordinator Andy Backhouse said there are food items, frozen meals, pre-packed meals, clothing, sheets, towels, hygiene kits and more.

“At Global Care, we do disaster response and recovery all around Australia, but to see the community from North Queensland and all through Queensland come together as they have to support the Hinchinbrook community and the Cassowary Coast community has been phenomenal,” he said.

“There's a lot of people being blessed by a lot of generous individuals and organisations and charities.”

As well as the donations, Global Care are providing people with cleanups, from home mud outs, pressure washing and curb side rubbish removal.

Life Church Ingham at 28/32 Townsville Road will be open all week from 10am – 2pm for people in need to stock up on essentials and Andy said they are always looking for volunteers too, to volunteer you can contact Life Church.

After the monumental rain and flooding that swept the Hinchinbrook Region, Herbert River Crushers Rugby League Football Club was severely damaged, but rival Brothers Rugby League Townsville announced a $10,000 donation to the Crushers to aid the rebuild of their facilities.

Brothers In Arms: Rival Club Donates $10,000

Despite boasting one of the fiercest on field rivalries of the past decade and a half, Brothers, through it’s rugby league club, Townsville Blackhawks and Brothers Leagues Club has stepped up to support their long-time adversaries during this time of crisis.

Heavy monsoonal rains swept through the region this month, leaving the Crushers’ clubhouse, training grounds, and equipment storage inundated with water. The floodwaters caused extensive damage, leaving the club struggling to rebuild in the wake of the disaster.

Crushers President Matt Chiesa said they lost approximately 80% of their belongings.

“It’s been a rough couple of weeks," he shared.

"Even when we thought the flooding was over the water came back up. We’ve lost a lot of gear, both the seniors and juniors, training gear, playing gear, the lot.”

Matt Chiesa heaped praise on Brothers President Jeff Doyle and his commitment to the Townsville rugby league community.  

“Since he came into the role a couple of years ago he has been great to deal with. This financial assistance is nothing short of inspirational and shows that everyone has a lot of mutual respect and care in the rugby league," he said.

Brothers Club President Jeff Doyle said rivalry aside, we are a rugby league community.

“What has happened to the whole Ingham region is heartbreaking, and we felt it was our duty to step up and help in any way we could. This donation is a gesture of goodwill and a recognition of the importance of a strong local rugby league competition, both seniors and juniors,” said Jeff Doyle.

Brothers Leagues Club CEO Justin Wilkins, said they hoped that the financial contribution will go directly toward repairing the damaged facilities, replacing lost equipment, and ensuring that the Crushers can continue to provide opportunities for players, staff, and supporters, especially immediately following the event.

This year marks the 30th year of the Herbert River Crushers and despite the set back, they have no plan to postpone, or delay their season. Matt Chiesa said they have lost a couple of weeks but are looking forward to starting up again soon.

President Matt Chiesa also added an interesting stat from the Crushers past.

“There's a couple of floods that have happened in the past, 09 and 2018, and they have won competitions with the flood event,” he said.

“Not so much this height but there is a good stat with a flood and going forward and winning the comp.”

Performance Physio Group in Ingham opened fulltime in 2016 and since then has been offering expert physiotherapy and care for the Hinchinbrook community.

Performance Physio Group covers a wide range of musculoskeletal treatments, post-surgical rehabilitation, and sports injury management. Mitchell Seri, the clinic's Director and Senior Physio grew up in Ingham, and has been steadily expanding its services to meet the diverse needs of the community.

The clinic offers treatment for general musculoskeletal injuries, including neck, back, shoulder, and ankle issues, as well as rehabilitation for patients recovering from joint replacements and reconstructions. Workplace injury management is also a key focus, ensuring individuals can return to their jobs safely and effectively. Additionally, the clinic provides mobile services for elderly patients who may not have the means to travel, as well as pre-employment screenings for seasonal workers and mining companies.

A key area the clinic aims to expand is women’s health, with one of the physiotherapists specialising in this field. Mitchell said it’s something that a lot of women could use and he looks forward to developing it within the region. Plans are in place to highlight these services in the future to raise awareness of their benefits.

Continuous learning is an essential aspect of physiotherapy, with professionals required to complete 20 hours of professional development each year to stay up to date with the latest medical advancements.

“The medical field is always moving, it's always moving forward with new advancements. So, it's important that you stay up to date with the latest treatments,” said Mitchell.

Mitchell also noted that his favourite part about being a physio is guiding patients through their therapy, and seeing them make a full recovery.

“We are getting people's lives back on track in terms of returning to work or returning to sport,” he said.

“To get to guide that person not only through the physical but with emotional stuff too,
people can get quite down about their situation from an injury, and to see the progress both physically and mentally through that process, it's pretty rewarding.”

With a commitment to high-quality care and community well-being, the clinic continues to expand its services, ensuring that residents of Ingham have access to expert physiotherapy treatments tailored to their needs.

The recent floods wreaked havoc across the region, leaving businesses underwater, and residents without power, but thanks to Ingham Motorcycles & Mowers many members of the community were able to turn on their lights.

As floodwaters surged, the store faced its own battle, with water levels reaching higher than any previous flood in the last 30 years. Despite the challenges, they quickly pivoted to provide assistance where it was needed most.

Generators became essential and owner Christine Pagliuso said they sold 80 generators during the week of the flooding.

With flooding not completely devastating the store, Ingham Motorcycles & Mowers were able to stay open, and people in the community could purchase generators.

With road closures the business had to rely on alternative transport solutions, including Queensland Rail, which played a crucial role in ensuring the generators reached those in need.

The team met with a few flood blocks when trying to transport more generators to the region as they were initially deemed non-essential and were being turned away. Fortunately, they received assistance and Christine expressed her thanks to Nick Dametto MP for his persistence in getting the generators through.

Post flooding, Ingham Motorcyles & Mowers has been busy with requests for repairs and replacements of flood-damaged goods.

"We’re prioritising mowers and generator repairs, people need to cut their grass, and with a threat of a tropical low hanging around people are very nervous about losing power. So the generators are still important,” said Christine.

Christine expects the recovery process is going to be long, she expects anywhere between 12 months to two years, for her store to return to normal operations.

“There’s more damage this time than there was with Cyclone Yasi, the flood just came up so fast, and even people that have lived through this weren't ready for this,” she said.

Since 2009 Kim Burnell has been the Macknade Disaster Warden, and this seasoned flood expert says that this flood was the highest she has ever seen.

When the flooding hit Macknade, Kim and her husband Shane took charge, ensuring their town’s safety amid devastating floods.

Their garage became a vital supply hub, where they distributed food, nappies, toiletries, and other essentials. Community members showed remarkable generosity, taking only what they needed and returning extras for others in need.

Their efforts didn’t stop at distribution, Kim’s expert knowledge of the area and surroundings helped Swift Water Rescuers navigate hazardous areas safely. She also worked with emergency services to ensure critical medical supplies and prescriptions reached those in need.

Shane and Kim collaborated with locals to secure high-ground parking, store emergency fuel, and utilise a helipad for supply drops. When power outages hit, they provided charging stations and emergency solar power, ensuring people stayed connected and informed.

Their resilience stems from years of dealing with extreme weather, always thinking ahead to prepare their community. "This is just what we do," Kim said.

Their actions highlight the spirit of true community heroes, everyday people stepping up when it matters most, proving that courage and kindness can make all the difference in a crisis.

Like many areas in our region, Macknade faced severe flooding and was cut off from Ingham and surrounding areas for more than a week.

Town new comer, Owen Mills, was faced many challenges during the floods but thanks to Shane and Kim's generosity, he managed to get through his first North Queensland disaster.

"I would like to personally thank you for everything that you did. The Aussie spirit lives!," expressed Owen.

"Thank you Shane and Kim, from all of the locals.

"Shane is a hard worker, Shane works for Zanghi Earthmoving. Michael and Sam run the company and the company donated a front-end loader to help the Macknade Community in this disaster.

"When rescuing somebody, Shane bogged it! But he did not get the sack. Unreal! Great boss!

"Shane’s wife Kim has a heart of gold, I wish them all the best."

To show his gratitude Owen also went around Macknade and asked locals if they would like to sign a card of thanks. He gifted Shane and Kim the card and some chocolates.

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Since 2009 Kim Burnell has been Macknade disaster warden but this flood, was the highest she has ever seen.

When the flooding hit Macknade, Kim and her husband Shane took charge, ensuring their town’s safety amid devastating floods. Their garage became a vital supply hub, where they distributed food, nappies, toiletries, and other essentials. Community members showed remarkable generosity, taking only what they needed and returning extras for others in need.

Their efforts didn’t stop at distribution, Kim’s expertise of the area and surroundings helped swift water rescuers navigate hazardous areas safely. She also worked with emergency services to ensure critical medical supplies and prescriptions reached those in need.

Shane and Kim collaborated with locals to secure high-ground parking, store emergency fuel, and utilize a helipad for supply drops. When power outages hit, they provided charging stations and emergency solar power, ensuring people stayed connected and informed.

Their resilience stems from years of dealing with extreme weather, always thinking ahead to prepare their community. "This is just what we do," Kim said.

Their actions highlight the spirit of true community heroes, everyday people stepping up when it matters most, proving that courage and kindness can make all the difference in a crisis.

At Gilroy College, school spirit and peer support are the cornerstones of a vibrant, inclusive, and united community. This year, School Captain Gemma Di Bella & Vice Captain Couper Giuliano have introduced or continued a range of programs that foster strong relationships between students of all year levels and cultivate a sense of belonging among the students.

One key initiative is the Peer Support program, where Year 11 students lead small groups of Year 7 students, helping them transition smoothly into high school life. These mixed-grade groups allow the younger students to connect with both their peers and seniors, creating a supportive environment that promotes teamwork, confidence, and friendship. The program is particularly valuable for students coming from rural schools, providing them with a sense of connection and a network of support as they adjust to the new school environment.

To further strengthen these connections, the school has implemented vertical homerooms, where students from all grades meet once a week. These groups allow seniors to organise games and activities, helping students from different year levels to interact, learn about upcoming events, and build lasting friendships. The vertical homerooms also serve as a support system, offering students a trusted teacher and senior students they can turn to if they need assistance.

By mixing students from different grades, the vertical homerooms promote a sense of unity and foster a community where all students feel connected. This initiative also aims to increase enthusiasm and participation in school events, such as sports days, where students from all year levels are encouraged to cheer for their teams and support one another.

Both Gemma and Couper added that the house competitions compliment this, as they create a healthy sense of rivalry and excitement. Students wear their house shirts on Wednesdays to show their school pride and participate in friendly competitions. These activities not only foster school spirit but also highlight the importance of teamwork, respect, and camaraderie across all grades.

The emphasis on school spirit extends to events and initiatives throughout the year, from community service projects like cooking meals for flood victims to fun activities such as dodgeball tournaments during lunch breaks. The leadership team is focused on making school an environment where students feel supported, engaged, and motivated to participate in school life.

By bringing together students from different grades, the vertical homerooms program and peer support initiatives are ensuring that Gilroy College is not just a place for learning, but a place where students feel a strong sense of community, connection, and school pride.

Ian Hobbs has always loved food and has been a chef for 35 years. He is now Head Chef at Lucinda Hotel, where he brings all his experience to a pub setting.

A passion for quality food has taken Ian across Australia, cooking in various states, before settling in Lucinda.

As head chef, he has mastered the delicate balance between quality, speed, and consistency, ensuring that patrons receive top-notch meals. His menu reflects this and it features traditional pub favourites like Lamb Shank and Pork Belly, while also offering specials influenced by international staff, such as Peruvian-style dishes.

Being Head Chef leaves Ian with additional responsibilities as well.

At Lucinda Hotel, they are far from Townsville, so they only receive 1-2 deliveries a week, and it’s Ian’s responsibility to maintain stock, and he says this is quite challenging in a busy pub, especially with recent weather events.

Ian loves being a chef, and he says running a pub kitchen is like a dream.

“Make sure your food is good, make sure you service is fast and make sure it's fresh and good quality,” he said.

Despite the challenges of managing a busy kitchen, Ian takes pride in maintaining fresh, high-quality ingredients and keeping operations smooth with a diverse, international team.

Looking ahead, Ian is happy to be at Lucinda Hotel and is eager for the busy Easter period to arrive.