
Semi Finals Championship Fours results: G. Wright, L. DiBella, E. Piotto, L. Melvin 24 vs A. Burns, J. Bell, N. Mammerella, M. Owen 18. M. Spano, J. Casanovas, J. Feneoglio, N. Evans 22 vs I. Byrne, K. Rotondo, J. Craven, S. Ryan 17. Final winners were G. Wright, L. DiBella, E. Piotto, L. Melvin. Our Allamanda Fours was well attended with 14 teams playing in good bowling conditions. Overall winners for the day was a team skippered by Rhonda Tawse from Townsville. Townsville skips L. Poole and L. Riches took out 2nd and 3rd place with a local team coming 4th. Our thanks go out to our sponsors, Hinchinbrook Shire Council, The Carey Group and Wilmar for making our day possible. Wednesday was back to club bowls with 1 competition being played. B Grade Singles saw D. Tomba defeat T. Mawson 25/12. Social play results: B. Eddleston, M. Owens, E. Piotto 22 vs M. Spano, N.Evans, J. Fenoglio 14. A. Burns, J. Casanovas, J. Craven 19 vs N. Mammerella M. Moore, L. DiBella 13. Results of Play Wednesday 8 April - Championship Singles: Jan Craven def. Judy Fenoglio 26/19. Norma Evans Def. Sandy Ryan 26/15. Social play results: R. Horton, M. Spano, L. DiBella, A. Rutherford 15 v N. Mammerella, M. Moore, T. Rhodes 14. D. Toomba, B. Eddleston, E. Piotto 25 v T. Mawson, K. Rotondo, J. Casanovas 13. (Contributed with thanks by Sandy Ryan & John and Elsa Piotto) Captions: Championship 4’s Winners: L Melvin, E Piotto, L DiBella & G Wright. Photo supplied Championship 4’s Runners up: N Evans, J Fenoglio,J Casanovas & M Spano. Photo supplied
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Recently, Ingham Tennis Association had some of their juniors go to the Kalynda Chase Open Tennis Tournament, this tournament put their players in the same age grouping as players who came from Cairns and surrounding areas. The opens are for experienced players and award money is offered in the adult sections. This time, the Ingham juniors didn't get any placings but came away a lot better for the experience and made new friends enjoying the whole weekend. They have the Ingham Junior Development Series tournament coming up soon which gives kids of all abilities the chance to compete and have some fun against kids of the same ability. Ingham Tennis has paused for the school holidays as a break but will be in full swing in the first week back from the easter break. (Contributed with thanks by Geoff Caso) Caption: Macie competing in the under 12 girls. Photo supplied Miles competing in the under 12 boys. Photo supplied
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Multiple “Banyan Creek” signs causing confusion in the Cassowary Coast Issue raised by Councillor Trudy Tschui Three different locations share the same name Drivers, especially visitors, being misdirected—worse during floods Request for clearer signage submitted to Department of Transport and Main Roads
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Grants of up to $50,000 available for Cassowary Coast businesses & community organisations Delivered through Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) Funding doubled from $25,000 due to severe recent weather events Covers impacts from Monsoon Trough, Cyclones Koji & Narelle, and ongoing severe weather Supports clean-up & recovery: infrastructure repairs, equipment replacement, debris removal, labour costs
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Hinchinbrook Shire Council wishes to advise the community of the operational status of Council facilities due to the significant wet weather currently affecting the region.
Facilities operating as normal
Temporarily closed
Council will provide updates on operational changes as new information becomes available.
Council apologises for any inconvenience and continues to monitor Council’s Disaster Dashboard at https://disaster.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au
For more information during this time, please contact Council on (07) 4776 4600.
The Disaster Dashboard includes helpful advice and recourses, such as flood cameras and an incidents map. Photo sourced: Hinchinbrook’s Disaster Dashboard

To clean up Queensland’s electoral system, the Government has passed reforms through Parliament that restore fairness, transparency and integrity to elections.
In line with the Government’s commitment to put victims first, criminals serving a sentence of imprisonment or detention for one year or more will no longer be eligible to vote in state or local government elections, or referendums.
The Government has also delivered on its election commitment to level the playing field for political donations, with new legislation allowing both trade unions and property developers to make donations for state election campaigns.
The previous government’s ban on property developer donations at a state level was allegedly at odds with Recommendation 20 of the Crime and Corruption Commission’s Operation Belcarra Report, which focused on local government elections.
Importantly, the ban on property developers donating to local government election campaigns remains in place, with increased penalties for breaches to strengthen the local council donation ban.
Reforms to enhance integrity around political advertising will now require authorisations on all electoral material in the 12 months before polling day, encouraging transparency and ensuring Queenslanders know who is behind political advertisements.
The new laws make political donation cap periods annualised in alignment with New South Wales and the Commonwealth, while loans from regulated lenders and reputable financial institutions for electoral expenditure are now permitted.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington said the reforms helped restore a fairer electoral system.
“These reforms not only put victims first, but bring Queensland into line with other jurisdictions, and restore a genuine level playing field for political donations,” the Attorney-General said.
‘The Government has passed reforms through Parliament that restore fairness, transparency and integrity to elections.’ Photo sourced: Shutterstock

The Crisafulli Government has launched the 2026 Celebrating Reconciliation Grants program, with applications open to share in $100,000 to support local events.
The program aims to support local organisations to host events in communities across Queensland during National Reconciliation Week (27 May - 3 June) to strengthen relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Queenslanders.
The grants provide up to $2,500 for eligible organisations to support local events and activities which foster and celebrate reconciliation across community. These can include cultural performances, art exhibitions, and storytelling.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Fiona Simpson said she remained focused on delivering community initiatives which deliver tangible outcomes to Indigenous communities across the State.
“We are focused on delivering practical programs, while also strengthening shared understanding and social cohesion. The Celebrating Reconciliation Grants will support at least 40 local events in all corners of the State during National Reconciliation Week for that purpose," Minister Simpson said.
“Delivering practical reconciliation in partnership with local communities to improve the quality of life in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities – no matter where they are located.”
National Reconciliation Week commemorates two significant milestones in Australia’s reconciliation journey – the successful 1967 referendum and the 1992 High Court Mabo decision.
Reconciliation Queensland Interim CEO Libby Ferrari said the program should encourage all Queenslanders to learn about their shared histories, and the strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“Every year we look forward to seeing the amazing events and programs the Celebrating Reconciliation Grants recipients deliver and the opportunities it creates in bringing communities together right across the State,” Ms Ferrari said.
“These grants create the space and place in communities to share and experience reconciliation at a local level, and this Reconciliation Week, I want to invite all Queenslanders to align with theme and go ‘All In’ in their communities.”
Applications close on 10 March. For more information, including eligibility criteria, and to apply, visit www.qld.gov.au/recgrants.

Reforms have been introduced that will protect the community and mean that youth offenders on bail can have their location tracked 24/7 to reduce reoffending and victim numbers. Changes are part of the Government’s commitment to deliver safety where you live with stronger laws, more police, early intervention and rehabilitation to break the cycle of crime.
The Youth Justice (Electronic Monitoring) Amendment Bill 2025 makes electronic monitoring for youth on bail permanent and statewide, putting GPS trackers on more youth offenders.
The new laws mean courts can impose a GPS device as a bail condition for any youth offender aged 10-17, including first-time offenders.
The Bill delivers some of the strongest youth bail monitoring laws in the country and is another step towards delivering on the promise to make Queensland safer and fight the Youth Crime Crisis.
Electronic monitoring devices have been found to reduce the likelihood of reoffending by 24 percent. This is an act to restore consequences for actions, with more police, early intervention and rehabilitation.
Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support Laura Gerber said the tough new laws would reduce reoffending and drive down victim numbers.
“We promised Queenslanders we would continue to strengthen youth crime laws to restore safety and that’s exactly what we are doing,” Minister Gerber said.
“By putting more GPS trackers on youth offenders on bail, alongside intensive support services, we will reduce reoffending, have fewer victims of crime and safer communities.”

Hello Hinchinbrook,
With Tones and I and Diesel done and dusted, whether you are a local or a visitor, I hope you enjoyed your time at the concerts and in the Hinchinbrook Shire as we offer a perfect mix of relaxation, adventure and community spirit.
I thought I would mention an area which is very important for our Shire: Waste. The Hinchinbrook Shire Council is committed to reducing waste going to our landfill and is shifting focus from seeing waste as simply 'waste' to treating it as a potential resource which needs to be recovered and recycled.
Recently I have been helping an elderly ratepayer clean their residence out. I visited the Halifax Transfer Station with 10 ute loads. We paid for two loads and used the two free vouchers. The remaining loads were split between the Tip Shop to be reused and repurposed, consisting of household goods and furniture. The rest — steel, green waste, E-waste, aluminium, batteries and glass jars — were all separated, well worth the effort of sorting your loads.
I would also like to give the staff a wrap, as each time I arrived they were more than helpful and always there to give advice with a smile.
On a negative note, very close to the transfer station there was a dumped box trailer, which could have nearly all been recycled bar the tyres. I reported this on Snap Send Solve.
Illegal dumping of green waste and household rubbish in waterways, easements and drains increases the risk of flooding to properties and costs millions of dollars in property damage across the region.
Snap Send Solve is a free app that lets you report a problem to your local council using an iPhone or Android device. You can also make a general request or provide feedback. It allows you to quickly and easily capture and report common issues such as illegal rubbish dumping or a street sign needing repair.
Snap Send Solve determines your local council using your smartphone’s GPS location and sends you the council’s contact information. Your request is then sent from the app using your email address and phone number so that Hinchinbrook Shire Council can communicate directly with you to resolve the issue.
Once again, it is great to be able to pick up a copy of Hinchinbrook Life and read through what has been and what will be happening throughout our Shire.

Did You Know?
Wallaman Is a One-Drop Wonder
Cue the mic drop as Wallaman Falls plunges 268 metres in a single, uninterrupted drop, making it Australia’s highest permanent single-drop waterfall. Located in Girringun National Park, it’s been carving drama into the landscape for thousands of years.
Start at the main lookout for mist, rainbows and full-frame waterfall power. Wet season brings thunder and spray; dry season delivers crisp views and calmer climbs. Feeling adventurous? The Djyinda Walk (about 3.2 km return) descends steep rainforest terrain to the base for a rewarding, but leg-day serious hike. Sturdy shoes, water and turnaround time are essential.
Prefer low-effort, high-reward? The Banggurru Walk (around 800m return) follows Stony Creek and serves rainforest ambience without the quad meltdown. Either way, Wallaman quiets crowds and hijacks timelines, yours and your socials. Pack lunch. You’ll linger.
Plan the day: hinchinbrookway.com.au

At time of publication: Unfortunately, due to the severe weather currently impacting the Hinchinbrook district, Mayor Ramon Jayo has remained in the Shire and was unable to travel to Canberra as planned. He had been scheduled to join the Townsville Enterprise delegation and has asked counterparts to ensure Hinchinbrook’s priorities are clearly represented in every meeting. There will be further opportunities for direct advocacy once conditions stabilise.
The Mayor had been due to attend Canberra alongside Townsville Enterprise and neighbouring councils including Townsville, Burdekin, Charters Towers and Palm Island for 17 meetings with Ministers, advisors and federal agencies.
Our focus is simple and urgent: unlocking housing, unlocking sustainable fuel opportunities, unlocking better health services, and unlocking the enabling infrastructure that lets our community and economy grow with confidence.
We are bringing Hinchinbrook’s priorities to the national level because federal decisions set the funding programs, policy settings and timelines that determine what gets built and when.
At the same time, some of our projects are advancing through state‑level discussions to align approvals, technical standards and co‑funding. Doing both in parallel means we can move quickly when programs open and keep delivery on track.
Expanding accommodation capacity helps do exactly that by attracting investment, supporting local operators, and creating new roles in hospitality, guiding, tours and small business.
We are seeking $4 million to establish the Hinchinbrook Recycling Waste Facility at Warrens Hill. This modern recycling centre will create five full‑time jobs, improve waste separation, increase resource recovery and extend the life of our landfill by diverting recyclable materials. It is a practical upgrade that reduces long‑term costs for ratepayers and supports a cleaner, more resilient Shire.
Health is another immediate priority. We are advocating for $10 million to upgrade and expand the emergency department at Ingham Hospital. A fit‑for‑purpose emergency department improves timely care for local families and strengthens the wider regional health system. The health sector is one of our largest employers and purchasers of goods and services, and a major driver of skilled migration.
The Townsville Hospital and Health Service operates 21 facilities across the broader region; investing in Ingham’s emergency department supports that network’s long‑term plan for high‑quality care and delivers strong economic and social returns.
We are also positioning Hinchinbrook within the emerging sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel supply chain.
As one of Australia’s leading sugarcane regions, we can contribute feedstock and logistics to processing, refining and export. With clear national policy settings, private investment follows — creating skilled jobs, value‑adding to agriculture and strengthening Australia’s fuel resilience. This is a strategic, future‑focused opportunity we are elevating in Canberra while working with state counterparts on approvals and industry development pathways.
Many residents will rightly ask, “What about projects like the Forrest Beach boat ramp?”
We agree those local amenities matter, and we continue to progress planning and advocacy so they are ready when the right funding programs open.
The priorities we are advancing today meet four tests on a national stage:
• they enable housing and jobs now
• they deliver strong economic and social returns
• they protect essential services
• and they are ready, aligned and co‑fundable right now.
Face‑to‑face conversations matter because they let us present local evidence directly, answer detailed questions in real time, align timelines and program settings, and build the trust and accountability that lead to commitments.
Being in the room moves projects from discussion to delivery.
Read more in Townsville Enterprise’s Unlock the North plan: www.townsvilleenterprise.com.au/advocacy/unlock-the-north/

Researchers at James Cook University are developing a new tool that could transform the way sugarcane farmers detect disease, using artificial intelligence and free satellite data to identify infections before any visible symptoms appear.
Led by Professor Mostafa Rahimi Azghadi, the research team has created a crop health monitoring system that analyses satellite imagery to assess sugarcane health and detect Ratoon Stunting Disease (RSD) at its earliest stages. RSD is one of the industry’s most damaging diseases and can significantly reduce yields if left undetected.
“RSD can affect the yield of sugar by up to 60 per cent and it’s highly contagious. But being asymptomatic, you can't see it with the naked eye until the latter stages of the growing season,” Prof Azghadi said.
The team’s latest study tested the tool’s ability to distinguish between healthy and diseased crops using multispectral satellite imagery and machine learning. Results showed accuracy rates between 86 and 97 per cent, depending on the sugarcane variety.
“Depending on the sugarcane variety, our method was between 86 and 97 per cent accurate … which is on par or better than other crop disease detection tools,” Prof Azghadi said.
Currently, farmers must manually cut and test cane samples and send them to laboratories for DNA analysis, a process that is both costly and time-consuming.
“It’s time consuming and expensive, especially if you want to do it at larger scale as every test costs about 10-15 dollars,” Prof Azghadi said.
The project was developed in collaboration with Herbert Cane Productivity Services, which provided on-the-ground data from the Herbert River region.
“They provided data on both diseased and disease-free plants, which has been critical in helping us develop our technology,” said lead author and JCU engineering graduate Ethan Waters.
Mr Waters said the technology relies on subtle differences invisible to the human eye.
“There are subtle differences between a healthy crop and a diseased crop. The naked eye can't see all the subtleties and only a well-trained machine learning algorithm can spot those differences,” he said.
The research is supported by Australia’s economic accelerator program and could be expanded to other crops in the future.
“RSD in sugarcane is just our first successful case study … our approach can be extended to other crops and other crop health challenges,” Prof Azghadi said.
“The long-term objective is to develop an early-warning tool that identifies disease risk and tracks overall crop health. It’ll be a bit like a regular check-up with your GP, but for sugarcane and other crops.”
JCU researchers are developing a new tool to help farmers monitor crop health and accurately detect diseased sugarcane. Photo source: Shutterstock

Concessional disaster loans for primary producers affected by recent North Queensland flooding have been increased to up to $2 million, providing significant financial support for recovery efforts.
Jointly delivered by the state and federal Governments through the Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), the loans were previously capped at $250,000. The increase recognises the widespread damage caused by the North Queensland Monsoon Trough and ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji.
The concessional loans can be used to repair or replace damaged equipment, livestock and farm infrastructure, support replanting and restoration activities, and assist with essential operating costs such as rents and rates.
Disaster assistance has now been activated for primary producers in the Barcaldine and Cassowary Coast local government areas, including access to disaster loans and freight subsidies of up to $5,000.
Additional support has also been expanded to producers in Barcaldine, Cassowary Coast, Central Highlands, Livingstone and Whitsunday regions, who can apply for Disaster Recovery Grants of up to $75,000 to assist with clean-up, repairs and resupply.
Eligibility for the Primary Producer Industry Support Package has also been extended to Central Highlands, offering financial and personal counselling, pest and locust management, and recovery and resilience support.
A $4.26 million Mental Health Program supporting psychosocial wellbeing in flood-affected communities has also been expanded to include Hope Vale and Wujal Wujal.
Primary producers seeking assistance can contact the Queensland Rural Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) via www.qrida.qld.gov.au or call 1800 623 946 for further information.

Hinchinbrook Shire Council advises that an aerial shooting program will be conducted to control feral pig populations.
The operation will cover land parcels managed by participating organisations and landholders in the area extending from Forrest Beach in the north to Crystal Creek in the south.
Subject to suitable weather conditions, the program is scheduled to take place on:
To ensure public safety during the operation, access to the following areas will be closed during the specified times:
Council appreciates the community’s cooperation and understanding during this important control activity.
This initiative is funded by the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation; the 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.
For more information, email council@hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au or call Council’s customer service centre on (07) 4776 4600 to report sightings.
Impact of Feral Pigs on Sugarcane: Feral pigs are among Queensland’s most widespread and damaging pest animals. They degrade soil and water, damage crops and livestock, and carry diseases. In the sugarcane industry, feral pigs cause losses of an estimated 20,000 tonnes of sugarcane each year.
‘Feral pigs cause losses of an estimated 20,000 tonnes of sugarcane each year.’ Photo credit: The State of Queensland, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Tec-NQ House in Rosslea, Townsville accommodates up to 40 boys completing Years 10–12 at Tec-NQ. With a deliberately unique approach to high school, students explore vocational pathways aligned with their career goals while completing their Senior School Certificate.
Through work experience programs across north and west Queensland, students get to test out different industries to see what suits them best. Many students go onto secure school-based apprenticeships where they are paid to learn, before transitioning to full time apprenticeships once they graduate.
Caleb’s Tec-NQ House journey took an exciting turn this year through his placement at Dan’s Automotive in Currajong. Quiet by nature, he arrived eager to learn but still building confidence. That quickly changed.
“When Caleb first started, he was quiet… but now his confidence has grown, and he is a valued member of our team,” said Dan, the owner.
Dan’s Automotive has long supported Tec-NQ students, including one former school-based apprentice who is now a tradesman. Caleb began his placement doing the basics: cleaning, sweeping and passing tools. Through commitment and curiosity, he quickly progressed.
Today, he’s operating the hoist, changing oil and completing full services under the supervision of the tradespeople. His growth has been impossible to miss.
“Caleb has really shown us what he’s made of—I plan to offer him an apprenticeship very soon,” Dan said.
Head of Boarding Luke Papworth says this is exactly the opportunity Tec-NQ House is designed to support.
“Boarding gives young people the structure and independence to step into real work environments with confidence. When students like Caleb take these opportunities seriously, the transformation is remarkable.”
With the steady support of Tec-NQ House and the hands-on guidance of local industry partners, Caleb is building a strong future in automotive. From quiet beginnings to earning the trust of a professional workshop, he’s proving what dedication and the right environment can achieve.
For a unique senior school and boarding solution that delivers a real-world trade start, you can’t look past Tec-NQ.
Caleb at work during his placement. Photo supplied

Learn from last year's Valentine's season when millions of dollars were scammed out of Queenslanders through ‘love scams’
The Government is warning Queenslanders to protect their hearts and bank accounts from scammers as last February, scammers raked in more than $1.4 million from 61 Queenslanders, which was quadruple the more than $296,000 lost in New South Wales, and more than triple the $380,000 lost in Victoria.
Data from the National Anti-Scam Centre register, Scamwatch, shows the top three methods used by scammers to contact their victims were websites, emails and text messages.
The age group most likely to be scammed in Queensland was 55-64 year olds, with a median loss of $7,000 reported per scam.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington urged Queenslanders to be cautious, especially if they receive a request for money from someone they’ve never met in person.
“It’s deeply concerning and disappointing to see February continue to be a peak time for scammers to target unsuspecting Queenslanders, with devastating consequences,” the Attorney-General said.
“More than 850 Queenslanders reported losing close to $6 million to dating and romance scammers last year, with around a quarter of those financial losses occurring in February alone.
“But we need to remember those victims are only the ones who reported being scammed, and there are likely to be many others who were too embarrassed or afraid to report the fact they were ripped off.
“If you do fall victim to a scam, contact your bank immediately, report it to police, and log the incident with Scamwatch to help prevent others from being impacted by these heartless scammers.”
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION – Signs it might be a scam (credit: Scamwatch)
Caption: Do not give your private and confidential information to “lovers” online, report scammers.

A new statewide police operation targeting break-ins, robberies and stolen vehicles will begin this week as the government steps up efforts to reduce crime across Queensland.
The operation, known as Operation Forge, will officially commence on Friday, February 27, and will involve high-visibility policing across the state aimed at tackling property crime and high-risk offenders. The initiative is being rolled out in partnership with the Queensland Police Service and follows a reported 7.2 per cent reduction in the number of victims of crime in 2025 compared to the previous year.
Operation Forge will be led by district police, with support from specialist units including the Criminal Investigation Branch, Child Protection and Investigation Unit and tactical crime squads. Resources such as POLAIR, forensic services, surveillance operations and digital intelligence teams will also be deployed.
The government says the operation forms part of its broader commitment to restoring community safety and addressing what it describes as Labor’s “Youth Crime Crisis”. The crackdown will also focus on serious repeat offenders, following a 17 per cent reduction in repeat offending over the past year.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the operation would target the state’s most serious offenders.
“Operation Forge will target the worst of the worst as we continue to turn the tide of Labor’s Youth Crime Crisis and give our police the laws and resources they need to do their jobs,” Minister Purdie said.
Acting Police Commissioner Brett Pointing said the message to offenders was clear: those who cause harm in communities would be held to account.
“I want to send a clear message to criminals – if you cause harm in our communities, you will be held to account,” he said.
“I would like to thank our people for the incredible work they do each day and for their unwavering support to their communities during this operation.”
CAPTION: QPS’ latest operation forms part of its broader commitment to restoring community safety. Photo source: QPS

Vegetables are a cornerstone of a healthy diet, yet most Queenslanders are falling well short of recommendations. Just 8 per cent of adults and 5 per cent of children eat the recommended five or more serves of vegetables each day, according to Queensland Health.
Guidelines from the National Health and Medical Research Council show that eating enough vegetables can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, weight gain and some cancers, while also improving gut health. Vegetables are rich in dietary fibre, including soluble and insoluble fibre and resistant starch, which helps people feel fuller for longer and supports digestion.
Even small changes can have a big impact. Increasing vegetable intake by just one serve a day could reduce the risk of death from all causes by five per cent, and deaths from heart disease and stroke by four per cent.
Cost and food waste are often barriers, but using more of what you buy — and embracing imperfect produce — can help overcome both.
Using the whole vegetable, including leaves, stems and skins, reduces waste and boosts nutrition. Carrot tops, broccoli and cauliflower leaves, and celery greens can be added to stir-fries, soups and salads. Leaving skins on vegetables such as carrots, zucchini and potatoes saves time and retains valuable fibre and nutrients.
Food waste remains a major issue, with around 70 per cent of household food waste in Australia still edible. Wilted or soft vegetables can often be rescued by roasting, adding to soups and curries, freezing for later use, making stock, pickling, or even rehydrating leafy greens in water.
Consumers can also help reduce waste by choosing imperfect vegetables. The National Farmers Federation estimates that 25 per cent of crops never leave farms due to cosmetic standards. These “imperfect” or “odd” vegetables are just as nutritious, often cheaper, and support farmers while cutting waste.
By buying smarter and using vegetables from root to leaf, households can save money, reduce waste and enjoy the full health benefits vegetables have to offer.
Are you making the most of your veggies? Photo source: Shutterstock

Mick’s Bread Kitchen has something for every coffee lover, whether you’re after a sustainable sip, a plant-powered treat, or a bold caffeine kick.
Mick’s new Pottery For The Planet travel cups are now on the counter, ready to go to their new homes. Each cup is handmade and unique, available in beautiful earthy colours, including the stunning Ocean Jasper glaze. Buy one and get $0.50 off your coffee or tea every time you bring it in. Designed to keep drinks hot or cold longer, dishwasher and microwave safe, these cups are a gift for yourself or someone special, all while helping the planet.
Coffee lovers, a brewed fresh batch of cold brew and Nitro coffee, including Vietnamese style, is now available. The Nitro tap creates a creamy, velvety texture similar to Guinness, with higher caffeine and lower acidity than your usual brew. Enjoy it straight up, over ice, or with your choice of milk for a perfectly refreshing pick-me-up.
Pair your drink with the creamy, nutty delight of Madame Tiger Barista Tiger Nut Milk. This plant-powered, allergen-friendly milk is dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, and FODMAP certified. Rich in fibre, packed with vitamins and minerals, and sustainably grown, it’s the perfect addition to your coffee or to take home by the carton or box of six.
Come in today to Mick’s Bread Kitchen to try these delights. Sip sustainably, taste boldly, and take home something deliciously, uniquely yours.
Madame Tiger Barista Tiger Nut Milk is now available in-store for drinks and take-home cartons. Photo supplied