Cane Crush Kicks Off Amid Fresh Hope And Ongoing Challenges

Cane fields in the Tablelands and Bundaberg are springing to life, with the 2025 harvest officially underway and the first loads already rolling out. For many growers, there’s nothing quite like seeing that first bin filled. It signals the start of a new chapter and the chance to reset after a trying year.

Elsewhere across Queensland, paddocks are prepped and machinery is humming, with farms putting the final touches in place while waiting for local mills to kick into gear. There’s a quiet energy in the air, a mix of determination, relief and hope for smoother days ahead.

The previous season was one many would rather forget. Weather events, equipment issues and industrial stoppages meant that harvest ran far longer than usual, with some regions still cutting into the new year. When it was all said and done, roughly a million tonnes of cane were left uncut, not due to any lack of effort, but because the system buckled under pressure.

But if cane growers know anything, it’s how to dig deep. Across the districts, paddocks have been reworked, gear has been fixed and preparations have been made. The 2025 season is here, and farmers are ready to give it another red-hot go.

This year’s projected crop sits at around 28.5 million tonnes across 13 regions. It’s a touch lower than last season, largely thanks to the early-year floods that wreaked havoc in parts of North Queensland, including major damage throughout the Herbert River area.

Still, there’s cautious confidence among the farming community. Growers have done their bit, now it’s over to the mills, the weather and the supply chain to play their roles and help deliver solid returns.

Labour, however, remains a stubborn challenge. There’s still a shortage of trained hands, from harvester drivers to mill crews, and the crunch is being felt across the broader agriculture sector too.

That’s why CANEGROWERS is working closely with regional offices and the Queensland Farmers’ Federation to push for solutions that will ease the pressure on farm labour and ensure skilled staff are available where they’re needed most. Because even the best-prepared farm can’t succeed without boots on the ground.

Another issue making headlines is the need to update disaster relief to reflect how farming operates today. Last week, Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett travelled to Ingham, where he attended the Link2Country Expo and met with flood-affected farmers during a Community Cabinet session.

One of the key concerns raised was the way disaster payments are currently assessed. Some farmers are being excluded from assistance simply because part of their income comes from contracting services such as harvesting or planting for others. But for many small-scale operations, that kind of side income is essential to staying afloat, and still very much part of the agricultural sector.

CANEGROWERS and the QFF are urging the government to modernise the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements so they reflect the real-world nature of regional farming today and ensure support reaches those who genuinely need it.

Growers appreciated the chance to speak directly with the Minister, but now they’re asking for more than just a sympathetic ear - they want to see change.

As the 2025 crush gets into full swing, farmers are keeping one eye on their fields and the other on the bigger picture, pushing for an industry that is supported, fairly treated and better equipped to weather whatever comes next.

Here’s to a smoother run this season and a brighter, more secure future for every grower doing the hard yards in the cane fields of Queensland.

CANEGROWERS has welcomed the renewed momentum in Australia-EU free trade negotiations, urging both sides to work towards a deal that delivers meaningful outcomes for Australian agriculture.

“We’re pleased to see talks are getting back on track,” CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan said. “But success will depend on whether an agreement provides commercially realistic access for agricultural sectors like sugar.”

Negotiations stalled in late 2023 after proposed market access for key commodities – including sugar – fell well short of industry expectations.

CANEGROWERS was among the peak agricultural bodies that supported the government’s decision to pause discussions.

Mr Galligan was in Japan for the final round of talks in late 2023, where they urged Trade Minister Don Farrell not to sign a deal that would lock in poor outcomes for agriculture for decades to come.

We advised the Minister directly that no deal was better than a bad deal – and to his credit, the government listened,” Mr Galligan said. “It was a strong stance, and the right one.”

“The sugar industry is open to trade and wants a deal that works for both sides. But any agreement must recognise the value and competitiveness of Australian farm exports. We’re not looking for special treatment – just fair, practical, and commercially meaningful terms.”

Mr Galligan pointed to the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement as a credible benchmark for what a modern deal can look like.

“With the right approach, an Australia-EU agreement can deliver long-term benefits for both our economies. We look forward to working with the government to help get it there.”

Hinchinbrook’s banana growers are being encouraged to speak up and push back against mounting compliance pressures through the 2025 National Horticulture Compliance Survey.

The Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) is calling on local producers to take part in the nationwide survey, which aims to give growers a stronger voice in shaping the future of regulation across the horticulture sector.

With red tape on the rise, growers say it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with the ever-expanding list of paperwork and compliance requirements; often at the expense of time spent on the farm.

The survey is open until Friday 8 August and takes just a few minutes to complete. It asks growers to share their experiences dealing with compliance, from biosecurity and employment rules to environmental and chemical regulations.

Local industry members are being urged not to miss the opportunity.

Need a hand? Contact Kath Dryden at members@abgc.org.au or phone 0455 553 596.

To complete the survey, visit:
https://forms.office.com/r/W7KaFRJnfH

Let’s get behind this and make sure Hinchinbrook’s growers are well represented. It’s time to speak up for simpler, fairer rules that work for farmers and not against them.

Queensland’s youngest artists are being called on to help spread an important message, as the Crisafulli Government launches its 2026 Farm Safety Calendar Competition.

Designed to raise awareness about potential hazards on farms and in rural communities, the competition is open to all Queensland primary school students from Prep to Year 6. Twelve standout artworks will be chosen to feature in the official 2026 calendar, with each month focusing on a different safety theme—from overhead powerlines and electrical equipment to animal safety and hand hygiene.

More than 40,000 copies of the calendar will be printed and distributed to Queensland primary schools and the wider community.

Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, and Minister for Industrial Relations Jarrod Bleijie said the campaign taps into creative young minds to highlight a serious message.

“Raising awareness among primary school students and their communities about common safety hazards on farms and in rural settings is an ongoing campaign,” he said.

Member for Condamine Pat Weir echoed the importance of the initiative.

“As someone who has been injured themselves from a farm accident, I know all too well the importance of the issue to local farming families,” Mr Weir said.

“It’s great that the focus is also about educating our next generation of farmers as well throughout primary schools in Queensland.”

In last year's competition, Kalamia State School's Paige Colls created a wonderful drawing to share the message of water safety which is featured on November of 2025's Farm Safety Calendar which can be seen in classrooms across the state!

The competition has also been welcomed by Queensland educators, who say it aligns perfectly with classroom lessons on agriculture and safety.

“The students enjoy the challenge of illustrating farm safety aspects which are extremely important for each student to remember as they go about their daily lives in rural settings,” said Ms Wendy Thornton, teacher at Gogango State School in Central Queensland.

The competition is open until the 27th of June and each of the 12 winning entrants will receive a $250 gift card, with their schools also awarded $500.

To find out how to enter and access resources, visit WorkSafe.qld.gov.au.

Mapping To European Settlement

The pursuit of a port began in 1862 when HMS Pioneer, commanded by Commodore George Burnett, set sail from Brisbane to search for an appropriate site. With Queensland’s first Governor, Sir George Bowen, also aboard, the two men decided that Rockingham Bay offered two excellent anchorages. The following year, in 1863, Governor Bowen requested that Captain George Richards, then commanding HMS Hecate, select the best site for a port and township in Rockingham Bay. In this process, Captain Richards landed on a small sandy beach on the north-west side of the island and named it Hecate Point. He also named Mangrove Islet, Mount Burnett, Mount Bowen and Mount Pitt, and ensured that Hinchinbrook Island was clearly marked on the chart.

In 1859, the pioneer and explorer George Elphinstone Dalrymple led an overland party to the Valley of Lagoons and took up land for grazing in partnership with Arthur and Walter Scott, as well as Robert Herbert, Queensland’s first premier. By 1863, their enterprises boasted 25,000 sheep and 4,000 cattle grazing in the Valley of Lagoons. Cardwell’s history as a settlement began in January 1864 when the first European settlement in the area, serving as the port for North Queensland, was established. The schooner Policeman, towing the cutter Heather Bell, anchored in Rockingham Bay carrying the first settlers. The landing party comprised 20 men, 10 horses, 12 sheep, 2 goats, fowls and dogs, with George Dalrymple acting as leader, and Cardwell became recognised as the first non-indigenous settlement north of Bowen.

The township was named after Viscount Cardwell, a renowned British statesman whose title ended with him, as he left no heirs. Despite his renown as the greatest British military reformer of the 19th century, he never visited the area. The original route taken by Dalrymple to connect his property with the port is still commemorated today by the Dalrymple Gap walking track, and the stone bridge over Damper Creek remains the oldest engineering structure in North Queensland. During Cardwell’s early years, the original Post Office was a double tent – one side served as the Post Office while the other side housed the Postmaster’s residence. By 1870, Cardwell Post Office and Telegraph Station were built and are now listed on three National Heritage registers, while one of the first buildings erected was John Morrisey’s Royal Hotel, located on the site of the current Marine Hotel.

Ingham State High School wishes to formally acknowledge and thank the businesses and organisations that generously supported the Year 10 Work Experience Week.

This vital program offers Year 10 students a unique opportunity to engage with the world of work, gain insight into a range of industries, and acquire practical, hands-on experience within professional environments. It plays a significant role in equipping students with essential workplace skills, enhancing their self-confidence, and helping them explore potential career pathways.

The school is grateful to the many employers who welcomed students, shared their expertise, and contributed to such a rewarding and educational experience. Feedback from host organisations has been overwhelmingly positive, with many commending the students for their enthusiasm, professionalism, and eagerness to learn.

The Work Experience Program not only enriches students’ understanding of the workplace but also supports the development of valuable professional networks and future employment prospects.

The school looks forward to continuing these important community partnerships in the years ahead.

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On Thursday, 23 May, St Peter’s Catholic School came alive with colour, curiosity, and creativity as little members of the wider community and students celebrated Under 8’s Day with the theme “Unleashing Scientific Thinking Through Play.” The event highlighted the importance of early childhood development, especially in the first eight years of life.

The school grounds were transformed into a vibrant hub of hands-on learning and joyful discovery. Children explored science through play with activities like erupting volcanoes made from different materials, skittle colour experiments, fossil identification, and crafting veggie boats and fruit skewers. Sensory stations featuring water, spaghetti worms, and sparkly slime added to the fun, while an obstacle course, music corner, and painting areas kept little hands and minds busy.

Special guests added to the excitement. The Hinchinbrook Shire Council Library showcased their First Five Forever program, promoting early literacy and family engagement. Talented artist Veronica Lawlor amazed everyone with her face painting, and councillor Donna Marbelli made a special visit, showing her support for early learning initiatives.

The day was a wonderful celebration of the programs and values that make St Peter’s Catholic School a nurturing and inclusive environment. It was a perfect example of how the school supports learning through play, creativity, and community connection – all within a Catholic framework that encourages every child to grow in faith and knowledge.

Two respected members of the Hinchinbrook region have been named in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours, receiving national recognition for their dedication to the community and their service over many years.

Patrick Brown, Officer in Charge at the Ingham Ambulance Station, has been awarded the Ambulance Service Medal, one of the highest honours available to an Australian paramedic.

With 46 years of experience, most of it in rural and regional Queensland, Mr Brown has long been regarded as a steady hand and a caring presence. Alongside his frontline role, he also serves as a Queensland Ambulance Service Chaplain and Peer Support Officer, regularly volunteering his time to support fellow paramedics.

“This was something I’d never really thought about because I’ve always just focussed on doing my job – helping people, caring for patients and supporting my colleagues, whether it’s as a paramedic, or as OIC, or as a Chaplain or Peer Support Officer,” Officer Brown said.

He said he was “stunned but quite moved” when he found out he had been nominated for the medal.

Queensland Ambulance Service Commissioner Craig Emery praised Mr Brown’s contributions, describing him as the backbone of the Ingham station and a trusted figure across the district.

“As a QAS Peer Support Officer and Chaplain, he is a trusted and respected confidant to his peers and ensures their welfare and safety by often travelling to stations across the region to provide support to staff who are often isolated,” Commissioner Emery said.

Over the years, Officer Brown has attended numerous and varying traumatic incidents, often as a single officer or as Foward Commander and his continuous support of fellow emergency service officers who have attended critical incidents alongside QAS was also highlighted by Commissioner Emery.

"In particular, in 2008, Officer Brown was the first on scene when a Tilt Train and B-double truck collided at Rungoo," added Commissioner Emery.

“This incident involved 81 passengers, seven train crew and the truck driver and while other crews arrived, Officer Brown provided an exemplary level of care and leadership during this multi-casualty incident.”

Also recognised in this year’s honours list is Hinchinbrook local Felix Reitano, who received the Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to the community through Rotary and business.

Mr Reitano has been an active member of the Rotary Club of Hinchinbrook for more than three decades and is well known for his longstanding support of local initiatives.

State Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto MP took to Facebook to congratulate Mr Reitano on the honour.

"A big congratulations to Felix Reitano of the Rotary Club of Hinchinbrook, who has today been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the King’s Birthday Honours List.

"With over 32 years of service as a dedicated Rotarian, Felix has been recognised for his contributions to business and his dedication to the Hinchinbrook community.

"Well deserved, Felix. Thank you for all that you do!"

Both Mr Brown and Mr Reitano have been celebrated not only for their years of service, but for the positive impact they continue to have in their community.

The Old Grave Digger

It was a day trip to the Old Ingham Cemetery to establish a grave of a long-lost ancestor and give a facelift to another grave.

All went well with shovel in hand, until Mother Nature took over and the heat struck. His good wife fearing the worst called the Ambulance that a person needed medical attention at the Old Ingham Cemetery.

On arrival at the Cemetery, they found the Old Grave Digger as white as a ghost, and not quite with us. They sprang into action and brought him back to life, then contacted the lngham Hospital to expect a patient from the Old Ingham Cemetery. The Ambulance sped off with half a tree hanging out of the back door.

The staff at the hospital did not know what to expect. The Ambulance doors swung open and all the leaves fell down. The Old Grave Digger was stretchered out. He thought he was in heaven.

The dedicated doctors and nurses brought him back to earth. After 3 days in hospital, he knew the Pearly Gates weren't ready for him.

So, the next time you are driving past the Old Ingham Cemetery, take time to call in and walk around. You will be surprised how much of the district's history is on the tombstones. The Friends of the Cemetery have done a marvellous job locating and laying epitaphs on many old graves.

Author's note: A big thank you to the Ambulance Bearers, Doctors and Nurses at the Ingham Hospital for their dedicated and professional care and attention. (Kevin Blackford)

Driftwood, a Haiku.

Tossed by time and tide,
once a tree, now ocean's ghost,
resting on warm sand.

Author's note: Inspired by the Golden Oldies travels and nomadic lifestyle, as they too have fared the world as driftwood does. (Victoria Velton)

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This June, the Herbert River RSL has proudly gone pink in support of their chef, who underwent a double mastectomy and the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The club has officially registered a fundraising team under the name Herbert River Pink RSL, with the goal to raise $5,000 throughout the month. With strong community spirit and a passionate team behind the cause, they’re hopeful they’ll exceed their target.

As of mid-June, the tally sits at $1,364 — a promising start thanks to ongoing support from locals. Every dollar raised from the club’s Friday night raffles will go directly to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, helping fund vital research and support services.

To cap off the month of fundraising, the RSL will host a free sausage sizzle on Sunday, 29 June from 12 noon to 3:00pm. Everyone is welcome to come along for a relaxed afternoon of great food, entertainment by local favourite Kevin Spencer, and community raffles proudly sponsored by Bisson Electrical.

Bookings are required for the Sunday event to help with catering numbers. It’s a chance to enjoy a good feed, connect with their community, and make a meaningful difference. Don’t miss this great opportunity to support a worthy cause and stand together in pink.

If you can't make it to Sunday, please consider donating to the team here: fundraise.nbcf.org.au/fundraisers/herbertriverpinkrsl

What a night to remember! The 2025 Arts Retrospective at Gilroy Santa Maria College was a vibrant celebration of creativity, performance and community spirit, brought to life by the college’s talented students and dedicated staff.

The evening featured a stunning showcase of art, music, dance and food, all thoughtfully prepared and presented by students. The college’s art gallery was filled with visitors admiring a diverse and expressive collection of student works, setting the tone for an inspiring night.

The stage came alive with an exciting mix of music and dance, with students delivering powerful and entertaining performance displays. Each act reflected the hard work, confidence and creativity of the students, leaving the audience thoroughly impressed.

Guests were treated to delicious food prepared and served by Hospitality students, whose professionalism and polite service added a warm and welcoming touch to the evening. The menu was a standout and earned praise from all who attended.

Congratulations go to Mrs Dametto, the teaching team, support staff and of course, the students, for creating such a memorable night. Their dedication and talent were on full display and made the event a true success.

The 2025 Arts Retrospective was a brilliant reminder of the incredible talent and teamwork thriving at Gilroy Santa Maria College. With such a strong showing this year, there is already great anticipation for what 2026 will bring

After 17 weeks of closure following February’s severe flooding, the Hinchinbrook Shire Library and TYTO Regional Art Gallery are officially reopening and the community is invited to help celebrate. A special Community Open Day will be held on Thursday, 26 June 2025, from 10am to 4pm, just in time for the June school holidays.

Although floodwaters didn’t enter the buildings, the lingering effects created conditions for widespread mould growth, forcing the temporary closure of both facilities. Thanks to $200,000 in recovery works, including professional mould removal, indoor air quality testing, and upgrades to ventilation systems, the spaces are once again safe, fresh, and ready to welcome visitors.

Council staff, contractors, and community partners have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this reopening possible. While services continued online and from the TYTO Conference Centre, having the library and gallery back open means even more programs, events, and creative opportunities for everyone.

The Open Day will feature tech classes, kids’ activities, art displays, a colouring-in competition, and a chance to win a family pass to the Ingham Show. It’s the perfect way to reconnect with these much-loved spaces before heading over to the Showgrounds.

All are welcome to join the celebration and see what’s new at the heart of our cultural precinct.

Attributed to Hinchinbrook Shire Council CEO Mary-Anne Uren.

WHAT: Community Open Day
WHEN: Thursday, 26 June 2025. From 10:00am to 4:00pm.
WHERE: Hinchinbrook Shire Library & TYTO Regional Art Gallery at 73–75 McIlwraith Street, Ingham.

By Victoria Velton

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In the quiet coastal town of Taylor’s Beach, Jayden McNeill is solving more than just colorful puzzles; he’s solved his way to global recognition. A Rubik’s Cube champion with international acclaim, McNeill’s story is one of perseverance, precision, and passion.

It all started when a seven-year-old Jayden received a Rubik’s Cube for Christmas. Like many, he shelved it after failing to solve it. But years later, inspired by classmates in high school, he revisited the cube and taught himself the solution using YouTube tutorials. What began as curiosity quickly became a calling.

Fast-forward to today, McNeill’s competitive best sits at an astounding 4.9 seconds. He once came heartbreakingly close to breaking the four-second barrier in 2018, but a last-turn fumble cost him a world record. Yet, he didn’t let that moment define him. In 2023, he made a triumphant return to form by setting a world record in “fewest moves” solving, an intellectual and strategic variation of cubing where competitors aim to solve the cube in as few moves as possible over a one-hour analysis.

At 27, McNeill has shifted from sheer speed to the more thoughtful challenges of the cubing world, now chasing a sub-20 move average, near the current world record. His achievements span nearly every official discipline, from blindfolded solves to one-handed and even feet-solving.

Yet, McNeill is just as passionate about the people behind the puzzles. “The cubing community is one of the most wholesome groups you’ll find,” he says. It’s a space of mentorship, shared interest, and international friendship, far from the cutthroat competitiveness seen in many sports.

His advice for beginners? Go to a competition. “Even if you’re just starting out, competitions are where you’ll really learn and feel part of the community.” And forget the myth that cubers are maths geniuses. “I just like the colours,” he jokes, emphasising that cubing is more about pattern recognition and physical dexterity than complex arithmetic.

Jayden McNeill may now call Hinchinbrook home, but his sights remain global, with a world championship just weeks away, and dreams to even hold a competition in the region. From a Christmas toy to world records, his story proves that sometimes, solving the puzzle unlocks more than just a cube.

Opinion Piece

Like many locals, I remember a time when crocodile numbers were low due to hunting. As kids we swam in the Herbert River, water-skied at Taylors Beach, and fished at Forrest Beach without fearing crocodiles. Today, those activities come with the real risk of encountering a man-eater.

These apex predators have been spotted across our district, the TYTO Wetlands, Rollingstone, Lucinda and many other swimming spots. Since crocodile hunting was banned in 1974, they have become more active and have lost their fear of humans.

Under the Labor Government we were told to live with crocodiles and report the large and aggressive ones so that they could be assessed for removal. But many North Queenslanders have demanded a more proactive approach. That's why this year Katter’s Australian Party has for the third time introduced a bill into Parliament to do just that. The Crocodile Control and Conservation Bill 2025 (the Bill) aims to actively remove crocodiles from populated areas where they pose a risk to human life.

We’re not calling for an all-out cull, but the population needs to be managed better. Geographically, Queensland is a massive state, we just want our beloved swimming holes and beaches back, the crocodiles can enjoy the rest of it.

Recently, the Bill came under fire from Terry Irwin, who publicly criticised the proposal, claiming it would take us “back to the dark and destructive days” and offer a false sense of security. This is ironic coming from an American who capitalised on conservation and turned caged crocodiles on the Sunshine Coast into an empire. Public opinion was not on her side.

Steve Irwin did an incredible job pushing for protection of these animals at a time when numbers were low.  However, times have changed, and populations have rebounded.

Under an LNP government, I believe this is the best chance we have at restoring some balance to our waterways. North Queenslanders will be watching to see if they support our calls.

We look forward to the Parliamentary Committee report which is due late August, debate and a vote will follow in the coming months.

Contributed by Nick Dametto MP Member for Hinchinbrook

Families across the community are invited to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School for a morning of discovery, creativity, and connection as part of this year’s Under 8’s Day and Prep Expo.

Taking place on Wednesday, 30 July, the event offers a unique opportunity for children aged 0–8 and their families to explore the world of early learning through hands-on activities and play-based experiences. From science-themed fun to outdoor adventures, the morning is all about nurturing curiosity and imagination in a warm and welcoming environment.

Principal Jo Desailly said the event is a wonderful way to introduce families to the school’s values and learning culture; “We love welcoming new and familiar faces to our school and sharing what makes Our Lady of Lourdes so special. Families can expect a morning filled with creativity, community spirit, and hands-on fun that reflects the heart of our early years approach,” she said.

To top it off, families can enjoy a free sausage sizzle and mingle with other local parents and carers while their children play and learn. Our Lady of Lourdes takes pride in building strong foundations for lifelong learning, and this open morning offers a glimpse into the joy and care that shape every child’s early school experience, call: (07) 4776 2719 for more information.

WHAT: Under 8’s Day and Prep Expo.
WHEN: Wednesday, 30 July 2025, 8:45am to 10:30am.
WHERE: Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, 18 Abbott Street, Ingham.