WORKING TOGETHER TO PROTECT THE LOWER HERBERT

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The Lower Herbert Water Management Authority (LHWMA) plays an important role in protecting our region, supporting local agriculture and ensuring our communities remain resilient in the face of changing environmental conditions.

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Established under the Water Act 2000, the Authority is responsible for providing drainage services throughout the Lower Herbert River catchment.  

Its work includes operating and maintaining essential infrastructure such as levees, bunds, floodgates and pumps.  

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These assets help manage water flow, reduce flood impacts and prevent saltwater intrusion, providing critical support to our agricultural industry and local landholders.

The authority also contributes significantly to environmental conservation efforts. Through the management of wetlands, including areas such as Mandam, LHWMA helps preserve local biodiversity while maintaining the balance between productive land use and environmental sustainability.

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As Council's representative, I have the opportunity to work closely with fellow board members, stakeholders and the community to ensure local priorities are considered in decision-making.  

Effective water management requires collaboration, and strong partnerships between government, industry and residents are essential to achieving positive outcomes for the region.

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I would also like to acknowledge Hinchinbrook Shire Council and Mayor Ramon Jayo, who is currently on annual leave, for their support in ensuring Council maintains a strong voice on the authority. Through ongoing engagement with farmers, landholders and community members, we can continue to identify opportunities to improve drainage networks and strengthen our region's resilience.

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The Lower Herbert Water Management Authority remains committed to safeguarding our water resources, supporting agricultural productivity and protecting the natural assets that make the Lower Herbert such a unique and valuable part of our community.

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Sails over the pool at the Hinchinbrook Aquatic Centre. Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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More than 18 months after floodwaters damaged the Hinchinbrook Aquatic Centre, works are finally set to begin, with the facility expected to undergo a major refurbishment throughout September.

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Hinchinbrook Shire Council has confirmed a contract has now been awarded for the insurance-funded works, which are expected to commence in early September and be completed by late September 2026, subject to material availability.

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The centre was among the local community facilities impacted by the February 2025 flood event. Since then, Council has worked with insurers to assess the damage and determine what was required to restore the affected areas.

Insurance funding was received in March this year, allowing Council to progress planning, procurement and contractor engagement before awarding the remediation contract.

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The works will focus on returning the flood-affected areas to their pre-flood condition. This includes refurbishment of the entry, kiosk, office, meeting room, pump room and storage room, along with professional cleaning of the amenities.

The centre’s retractable sails and water park sails will also be replaced as part of the project.

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The Hinchinbrook Aquatic Centre will remain closed while the remediation work is underway. Council says any temporary changes to facility access or operating arrangements will be communicated to the community as required.

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The September works are part of the broader recovery of community infrastructure following the February 2025 floods, with the long-awaited repairs set to restore an important recreational facility for the Hinchinbrook community.

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In 2025, the R U OK? Conversation Convoy set up in front of the Maraka stage in Ingham and had a free BBQ. Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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We all have times when life feels a little heavier than usual.

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Financial pressure, relationship difficulties, family responsibilities, loneliness, work stress, grief, housing uncertainty or simply trying to keep up with the demands of everyday life can gradually take a toll on our wellbeing.

And often, the signs that someone is struggling aren't obvious.

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They may still turn up to work, take the kids to school, laugh with friends and get through everything that needs to be done. From the outside, things might look fine. But underneath, they may be feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, anxious or unsure about where to turn.

Mental wellbeing isn't only about responding when someone reaches crisis point. It's also about recognising when things don't feel quite right, having conversations early and knowing that it's okay to reach out for support.

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Sometimes that starts with a simple question: "How are you really going?"

With R U OK? Day coming up on Thursday, 10th September, it's a timely reminder that we all have a role to play in looking out for the people around us. We don't need to be counsellors or have all the answers to make a difference. Taking the time to listen, without judgement or immediately trying to fix the problem, can be incredibly valuable.

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It's equally important to check in with ourselves.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, withdrawing from people or activities you usually enjoy, struggling to cope with everyday demands, or simply feeling like you're carrying too much on your own, you don't have to wait until things become unbearable before asking for support.

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There IS support close to home. At Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre (HCSC), we recognise that wellbeing is influenced by many different parts of life. Sometimes the issue that brings someone through our doors isn't the only thing they need support with.

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HCSC provides a range of community-based support services for people at different ages and stages of life. Our team can provide a safe and supportive space to talk, help people explore what may be contributing to the challenges they're experiencing, and connect them with appropriate supports and services.

Our youth programs also provide children and young people with opportunities to build confidence, resilience, coping skills, healthy relationships and a sense of belonging. Supporting emotional wellbeing early gives young people tools they can carry with them as they grow.

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Our broader community programs provide opportunities for connection and participation,  

recognising that feeling connected to other people and to our community can play an important role in maintaining wellbeing.

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Sometimes support might begin with counselling. Sometimes it might be joining a group, accessing practical assistance or being connected with another service. And sometimes, the first step is simply having a conversation with someone who will listen.

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As we approach R U OK? Day, we encourage everyone in our community to look beyond the automatic "I'm fine".

Check in with a friend. Call someone you haven't heard from for a while. Make time for a conversation with your child or teenager. And don't forget to ask yourself the same question.

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Are you really OK?

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If the answer is no - or even "I'm not sure" - reaching out can be a good place to start.

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Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre is here to listen, support and help connect members of our community with the assistance they need. Because sometimes one conversation really can make a difference.

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Rex Testoni looking over a historic map if Ingham and the surrounding areas at the Hinchinbrook Shire Library. Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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By Victoria Velton

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President of the Ingham Family History Association Rex Testoni was at the Hinchinbrook Shire Library this week for National Family History Day, helping locals navigate records and discover the resources available to uncover their ancestor’s stories.  

Rex’s own family has a long, rich story that stretches from a small village in northern Italy to the present day in Ingham.

Rex’s grandfather arrived in Australia alone in 1928, leaving his wife and three boys behind in Italy.

“He worked until 1932 to gain enough money to bring the wife and boys out,” Rex explained.

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The family arrived in 1932, settling around the Foresthome area and living in various barracks before establishing themselves in Ingham.  

Rex’s grandfather worked in market gardening, opening a garden on Forgan Street and supplying food shops locally and in Townsville.

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Rex’s uncle became a photographer in Ingham, opening a studio and photographing weddings and other district events. He played a significant role in bringing together Rex’s parents in 1948.  

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His mother was making her debut in Proserpine and did not have a partner to accompany her, so her brother suggested a young man he knew - Rex’s father.

The pair married in 1948 and returned to Ingham, where Rex’s father established an electronics, radio and television business in 1953.  

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In 1963, Rex’s father built the family home on Townsville Road, before opening a caravan park around 1965, where they remained until 1971.

His interest in gemstones then led to a change of vocation in 1972, when the owner of Bennett’s Jewellers invited Rex’s father to display his collection of stones in a gallery at the rear of the shop.

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Rex himself was born in Ingham and worked locally until his mid-20s, when repeated periods of unemployment prompted a major change.

“After getting put out of work four times, I got tired of that,” he said.

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"I found it difficult getting a job because I wasn't bilingual. I didn't speak Italian.

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"More than half the population would have been Italian - you could walk down the street, and it was just like being in Italy."

Rex joined the Air Force and spent roughly 30 years away in service before returning to Ingham in 2009 to be closer to his ageing parents. He has remained in town ever since.

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Rex is particularly interested in his Italian ancestry, although researching those Italian records comes with its own challenges.

Before the unification of Italy, the area was made up of hundreds of separately ruled principalities, meaning researchers looking further back than the mid-1800s often have to turn away from modern national records and towards individual churches.

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On one research trip, Rex spoke with a priest who allowed him access to the historic registers stored at the church. The priest opened a large cupboard containing stacks of books recording births, deaths and marriages.

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“We pulled out the year, checked through it, and I found six Testonis in there,” Rex said.

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None, however, turned out to be his father. That discovery was only the beginning of another genealogical puzzle.

Rex found that his father’s birth had been registered a year before his parents’ marriage appeared in the records and rather than abandoning the search, he started looking for evidence that could explain the discrepancy.

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One of the most valuable pieces of evidence came not from an official document, but from a bridesmaid at his grandparents’ wedding.

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“She said she (Rex's grandmother) definitely didn’t have any kids and definitely wasn’t pregnant,” Rex said.

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The answer eventually emerged: there were two different marriage dates. The church register recorded the actual wedding, while the civil registration took place around 18 months later.

Rex’s grandparents had married, then moved to another locality to establish their own farm. The civil marriage registration wasn’t completed until later, creating the apparent contradiction in the records

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“Be wary of dates.” Rex said.  

“You can get caught. You need to confirm where they came from and how they come together,” he said.

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Rex has traced his paternal line back to about 1800, but believes there is much more to uncover. His grandfather was the eldest of around 10 children, while earlier generations also had large families.

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“There’s a lot of extended family,” Rex said.

During a trip through Italy, he was even introduced to members of the wider Testoni family while they toured around the village.

“I’m on a (Testoni family) WhatsApp group in the village, and there’s a whole bunch of people there I’ve never met.”

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For Rex, those connections are one of the great rewards of the research.

During the National Family History Day display at the Hinchinbrook Shire Library, the Ingham Family History Association brought out maps dating back to the 1930s and 1940s, cemetery registers, school records, historical publications and information about local businesses and families. The association is also helping people navigate the growing number of online resources.

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“When we started off, there were zero registers available online,” Rex said of Italian records. “In the last probably 15 years, it’s gone from about 30 to 50 registers to 274 now.”

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For anyone beginning their own family history journey, Rex recommends starting with what is already known, beginning with conversations with parents, grandparents and cousins.

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That’s where his own journey started.  

But while family history can reveal wonderful stories and long-lost connections, Rex cautions that it can sometimes uncover things relatives would rather leave in the past.

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For those who missed National Family History Day, the records are held at the Hinchinbrook Shire Library. The Ingham Family History Association also meets once a month at the library.

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For Rex, the search continues. Even after tracing one branch back more than 200 years, there are still names, stories and connections waiting to be found.

Photo source: Shutterstock

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Hinchinbrook’s footy fans are being encouraged to kit up in their favourite team colours next month and help children and families facing cancer as part of the Fight Cancer Foundation’s Footy Colours Day.

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A national fundraising initiative running throughout September, Footy Colours Day stands as an opportunity for thousands of Australians to come together to show their support for kids with cancer and getting involved couldn’t be easier.  

Schools, workplaces, sporting clubs, families and groups can choose a date, register for free via www.footycoloursday.com.au and create their own footy-themed fundraiser! It could be a morning tea, BBQ, pizza night, sausage sizzle or a few footy games; the only requirement is wearing your colours with pride and raising funds for the cause.

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In 2025, 1,362 Footy Colours Day events helped raise almost $548,000 to support children and families affected by cancer, with all funds raised used to support vital cancer research and help keep parents, siblings and children together during an incredibly difficult time through providing accommodation for families who must travel for treatment.  

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So, whether you're backing the Cowboys, Broncos, Storm or something entirely different, get your team together and show your colours for kids with cancer!

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Distributor Wanted

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Hinchinbrook and Cassowary Coast Life is looking for a friendly, reliable and energetic distributor to deliver newspapers across the region each Tuesday.

Distribution areas include Cardwell, Mission Beach and Tully, with the run potentially extending further afield as required.

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Distribution vehicle supplied.

Approximately 4–6 hours per week.

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Contact the central office on 0429 035 046 to enquire.

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Cattle in Hinchinbrook.

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Hinchinbrook beef producers could benefit from new cattle breeding technology after the Queensland Government announced a $2 million investment in agricultural biotechnology company Nbryo.

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The investment is the first made through the $30 million Sowing the Seeds of Farming Innovation Fund, established to support technology aimed at improving productivity, profitability and sustainability across Queensland’s primary industries.

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The Queensland-based company is developing advanced cattle breeding technology capable of reducing seven years of selective breeding into seven days. The investment, managed by Queensland Investment Corporation, will help Nbryoexpand its technology and improve producer access to superior livestock genetics, with the potential to reduce production costs and improve productivity for beef and dairy producers.

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Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the investment would help Queensland producers make use of emerging technology.

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“Queensland is home to almost half Australia’s beef herd, and this investment will help accelerate technologies that improve access to superior genetics, reduce costs and support a more productive and profitable beef and dairy sector,” Minister Perrett said.

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"As a beef producer myself, I know how important it is to maximise productivity and make every dollar count. Nbryo is developing technology that has the potential to make advanced breeding tools more accessible and affordable for producers, helping them improve herd performance and profitability.

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"The Sowing the Seeds of Farming Innovation Fund is about backing Queensland innovators with great ideas and helping them turn those ideas into practical solutions that deliver real benefits for producers."

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Nbryo Chief Executive Officer Paul Niven said the investment would support the company’s next phase of growth.

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"Queensland has an incredible opportunity to lead the world in agricultural technology innovation. We're proud to showcase the work being undertaken at Nbryo and the role advanced reproductive technologies can play in helping make better herds faster," Mr Niven said.

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The Government has set a target of growing Queensland’s primary production industry to $30 billion by 2030, with the fund intended to help move agricultural innovations from development into practical on-farm applications.

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Year 9 and 10 Drama students from Ingham State High School rehearsing for ‘The Scene Project’. Photos supplied

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Young creatives from Ingham State High School are set to shine across the arts, with two upcoming events showcasing local talent.  

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A new exhibition at TYTO Regional Art Gallery, Storytellers will showcase the imagination, creativity and artistic skills of Year 7 to Year 12 Visual Art students, offering visitors a glimpse into the stories told through their own creative perspectives.  

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The exhibition will open at 6pm on Friday 4th September and run until 4pm on Saturday 3rd October at the Tyto Regional Art Gallery.  

The school’s drama students will be taking their talents to the wider North Queensland stage as they participate in Queensland Theatre’s The Scene Project.  

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Over the past term, students have been working together to interpret, shape and rehearse their own performance as part of The Scene Project, which is a statewide theatre education program that gives students the opportunity to work with a specially commissioned script and bring it to life in their own way.

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With their performances polished, the Year 9 and 10 students will soon join other school ensembles in Townsville, where they will perform alongside drama students from other North Queensland schools, see the creative choices made by other ensembles, and view a professional performance of the script by QLD Theatre.

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The Scene Project is an outstanding example of how authentic learning experiences can unlock student potential, inspire creativity and give young people the confidence to find their voice. Ingham High is proud to support its students as they take their place on the wider North Queensland arts stage.

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The Queensland sugarcane industry has launched a push to secure the evidence needed to restore paraquat access in cane production, with industry groups warning the herbicide’s removal could leave growers without effective weed-control options. Photo sourced: CANEGROWERS.

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Hinchinbrook sugarcane growers are among those watching closely as Queensland’s cane industry pushes for a pathway to retain access to paraquat, following a decision that has removed sugarcane from the herbicide’s revised labels.

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The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) made its final decision in June after reviewing paraquat and diquat, finding new restrictions were necessary because of risks associated with the chemicals. While paraquat remains available for a range of uses, its approved use in sugarcane is no longer supported under the new labels.

The decision has particular implications for the Herbert River region, where sugarcane is a major part of the local economy and growers rely on effective weed-management tools throughout the growing season.

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Industry bodies say paraquat remains an important tool for early-season weed control and minimum-tillage farming. CANEGROWERS and Sugar Research Australia have sought a one-year emergency permit that would allow growers to purchase and use paraquat under previous label conditions, subject to appropriate safeguards.

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Under the APVMA decision, paraquat products carrying labels approved before June 22^nd 2026 can continue to be supplied and used until June 22^nd 2028. However, growers are limited to the existing supply of those products while the industry works towards alternatives.

Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables (QCAR) has now joined the push, working with SRA to establish a cross-industry technical working group to investigate the evidence required by the regulator.

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QCAR General Manager Tara Malapass said paraquat remained one of the few effective options for early-season weed control and that its removal from in-crop use had significant implications for growers.

The APVMA’s decision was driven by an unresolved assessment relating to birds. QCAR said historical data on bird interactions with paraquat use in cane did not provide the specific evidence required by the regulator, making further research a priority.

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The proposed technical group will bring together specialists in chemistry, regulation, agronomy, ecology, spray technology and cropping systems, with other agricultural industries also facing similar challenges expected to contribute.

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For Hinchinbrook growers, the outcome could shape the weed-management options available in future seasons as the industry works to develop and register alternatives.

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QCAR has stressed there is no guarantee paraquat will regain approval for sugarcane, but said it would pursue every viable avenue while keeping growers informed as the process progresses.

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Sharon Cislowski with her Photography category winning ‘Peekaboo’. Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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By Victoria Velton

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After 10 years of entering the Hinchinbrook Birdlife Art Awards, Sharon Cislowski has taken out the Photography category with Peekaboo, a photograph capturing a fleeting moment with a spangled drongo at the TYTO Precinct.

Sharon said her love of the local art scene and the region’s birdlife had kept her returning to the Awards each year.

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“I love supporting the local art scene and have entered the Birdlife Awards for the last 10 years,” she said.

“I was inspired by the beauty and character of our local birdlife. Living in the Hinchinbrook region, we’re surrounded by such incredible natural wildlife, and Peekaboo was a way for me to capture a little piece of that and share my appreciation for the birds we’re lucky enough to have around us.

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“I also loved the idea of celebrating our local environment through art.”

The winning photograph came from a walk through the TYTO Precinct, where Sharon spotted a spangled drongo with a large grasshopper in one of the pandanus trees just off the path.

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She stopped to watch before the grasshopper escaped and was chased to the ground by the drongo.

“There was a lot of rummaging around in the tufts of grass and I crept forward to see if I could have a better view,” she said.

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“The bird must have heard something because it popped its head up from behind the grass and that’s when I snapped the shot.”

Capturing these fleeting moments requires patience, quiet observation and plenty of preparation.

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Sharon usually walks with her camera in hand, scanning for movement and listening for noises before slowing down and trying to become unnoticeable.

“I try to make sure my ISO and aperture are set for the conditions and adjust the shutter speed accordingly,” she said.

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“I usually have my lens at 600mm and autofocus to one spot. Waiting for the right moment with my camera poised, I’ll only raise it to shoot when the bird is easily seen.”

Her love of bird photography comes from both the challenge and the environment.

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“I enjoy the challenge of capturing something that can easily get away and the peaceful environments that you find yourself in,” she said.

“My approach is ever-changing according to what I have learned while taking photos.”

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Winning the Photography category was not something Sharon expected when she entered.

“I entered simply hoping people would enjoy the image, so winning was completely unexpected,” she said.

“I was genuinely thrilled and very proud to see Peekaboo recognised.”

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Sharon said she hoped her photography would encourage others to take an interest in the wildlife around them.

“I have always loved wildlife and just find birds delightful to watch,” she said.

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“I hope people become curious enough about the subjects of my photography to want to protect them.”

She thanked her friends and followers of Mama Shaz’s WildLife for helping her decide which images to enter.

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“It’s such a honour to be recognised alongside artists of such high calibre and I’m grateful for the opportunity to exhibit in such shows organised by Hinchinbrook Regional Gallery,” Sharon said.

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Hinchinbrook Shire Council has issued its first half-yearly rates notices for the 2026-2027 financial year, with residents urged to check their mailboxes and inboxes.

Rates notices were issued on Wednesday 12th August, with residents who have not received their notice by Wednesday 26th August, asked to contact Council’s Revenue Team.

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The full payment due date is Wednesday 30th September . Residents who pay their rates in full by the due date will automatically be entered into Council’s $2,000 Rates Incentive Scheme, with vouchers to be spent at local Hinchinbrook businesses.

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The winner will be randomly drawn at a public Council meeting on Tuesday 27th October.

From Thursday 1st October, unpaid rates will accrue interest at 12.19 per cent per annum, compounded daily.

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Residents experiencing financial difficulties are encouraged to contact Council as early as possible to discuss payment arrangements and support options available under Council’s Financial Hardship Policy.

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Rates can be paid online through BPoint, in person at the Council office or any Australia Post outlet, by phone using Visa or MasterCard, through BPAY or POSTbillpay, by cheque or money order, or by direct debit.

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Residents can view the full 2026-2027 Rates and Charges information and payment options on the Hinchinbrook Shire Council website.

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To receive future rates notices by email, residents can register through Council’s Electronic Rate Notices service.

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Clayton Smith, Ingham State High School Year 12 student. Photo supplied

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Ingham State High School Year 12 student Clayton Smith will take part in Design Tracks, an arts education and mentorship program hosted by Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA).

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The program supports Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Islander young people aged 15 to 19 to explore the possibilities of a career in the creative industries while building connections with artists and creative professionals.

Design Tracks gives participants the opportunity to work directly with established First Nations artists, designers and creative practitioners across a range of disciplines, including visual arts, fashion, design, performing arts and media.

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Through a combination of hands-on creative experiences, mentoring and exposure to professional practice, participants can gain a better understanding of what working in the arts and creative industries can look like beyond the classroom.

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The program also provides young people with opportunities to experiment with different creative disciplines, develop practical skills and consider how their interests could translate into future study or career pathways.

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For Clayton, the experience will provide an opportunity to develop his creative practice while learning from established First Nations creatives and exploring the different directions a career in the arts could take. Alongside developing his skills, Design Tracks places an emphasis on cultural identity and the importance of First Nations perspectives within contemporary creative practice.

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Clayton will have the chance to connect with other young creatives, build industry relationships and gain insight into the professional creative world as he considers his next steps after Year 12.

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Visual of the overall report results. Graphic credit: The State of Queensland (Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation) 2011–2026  

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The latest Reef Water Quality Report Card has highlighted continued progress towards improving the health of the Great Barrier Reef, with catchment health improving and progress recorded towards all water quality targets.

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The Reef Water Quality Report Card 2023–2025 points to the impact of investment, collaboration and practical changes being made by landholders and industries across reef catchments.

Queensland's sugarcane, banana, grain and grazing industries have contributed to improvements through more sustainable land management practices, while targeted gully and streambank restoration projects have also helped reduce pollutants reaching waterways.

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The report demonstrates and records the importance of continued action to protect the reef, with poor water quality capable of damaging seagrass ecosystems and reducing the sunlight needed for coral to grow and thrive.

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The Federal Government and Queensland Government have committed more than $2 billion to 2030 to support water quality improvements, working alongside industry, Traditional Owners, scientists and local communities.

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The report examines locally tailored approaches to reducing key pollutants, including fine sediments, nutrients and pesticides, which can affect coral and seagrass ecosystems.

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The reef remains an important environmental and economic asset, contributing an estimated $9 billion annually to the Australian economy and supporting around 77,000 jobs.

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The 2023–2025 report is the final report under the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan, which has now been replaced by the Reef 2050 Catchment Water Quality Strategy. The updated reporting framework takes a whole-of-catchment approach, places greater focus on wetland condition and inshore marine health and includes new measures reflecting landholder efforts to improve water quality.

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The full report is available at www.reefplan.qld.gov.au/tracking-progress/reef-report-card/2023-25

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The Ingham Theatre Group launched their latest theatre restaurant production this week, with the remaining shows of Cruise Club selling out following a laughter-filled opening weekend.  

Two packed performances saw audiences swept onto the Costa Lotta cruise ship’s chaotic voyage, complete with suspicious characters, a twisting murder mystery and plenty of opportunities for audience interaction.  

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Fully Booked: Costa Lotta’s Chaotic Cruise

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By Victoria Velton

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The Costa Lotta has officially left the dock, and if opening weekend was anything to go by, passengers aboard the Ingham Theatre Group’s latest theatre restaurant production are in for a wonderfully chaotic cruise.

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After two packed Friday and Saturday performances the Cruise Club is looking forward to more electric evenings, as all upcoming shows are officially sold out.

Steven Veltmeyer, Director of the Cruise Club, said the opening weekend set a high bar.

“Opening weekend was everything live theatre should be — great fun, lots of laughs and even a few exciting opening-night teething issues, which our cast and crew handled with absolute skill and professionalism. I’m incredibly proud of how everyone pulled together and kept the show rolling.”

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“Cruise Club is a wonderfully funny, slightly crazy night out, and judging by the laughter and reaction from our first audiences, they certainly enjoyed the voyage with us.”

Councillor of Community and Cultural Services Donna Marbelli also praised the local talent behind the production.

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“The talent, energy and effort that went into the production was outstanding, and it was wonderful to see such a great night enjoyed by the community. Congratulations to all our talented locals involved in putting together such an enjoyable evening.”

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For those lucky enough to have secured tickets to the upcoming performances, it is time to pack that suitcase, dig out a jazzy shirt – there's a prize for the best dressed holidayer – and prepare for an interactive cruise through Florida, the Bahamas and back again.

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Even the play’s author Lianne Mills, will be making the special voyage up to Ingham to join the local crowd on the final weekend of the show.

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Fill your plates at the 7pm midnight buffet, enjoy a cheeky cocktail, and set sail with the Ingham Theatre Group as they bring on the next round of Costa Lotta’s holiday cruises - just make sure you look out for pirates!

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See more photos here: www.hinchinbrooklife.com/social-pics/fully-booked-costa-lottas-chaotic-cruise

Nearly every Sunday the Cardwell RSL holds a BBQ lunch, a much-loved local event. Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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The Cardwell RSL Sub Branch has donated $11,200 to local schools, community groups, events and charitable causes so far in 2026, with volunteers taking pride in supporting the wider Cardwell and District community.

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The donations, made between January 1 and August 10, have supported a broad range of local initiatives, including schools, community events, sporting activities and cancer fundraising.

The Sub Branch said its community involvement also provides veterans with the opportunity to connect with the wider community while working alongside fellow volunteers.

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“Our principal aim is to look after our veterans, and that remains paramount. However, this voluntary work enables our veterans to socially interact with the wider public and is a great team-building experience for all,” said Robert Lang, President of the Cardwell RSL Sub Branch.

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The organisation also congratulated Thea Ormond and her committee on the success of the Australian UFO Festival weekend across Cardwell.

“Our congratulations to Thea Ormond and her committee for organising such a wonderful weekend of events,” said Robert.

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Current Cardwell RSL 2026 Donations:

May 5: Biggest Morning Tea, Cancer Council – $200
May 12: Cardwell State School – $2,000
May 12: Kennedy State School – $1,000
May 12: Murray River Upper State School – $1,000
May 12: Gilroy Santa Maria College – $500
May 12: Our Lady of Lourdes – $500
May 12: Tully State High School – $500
June 15: Cardwell U.F.O. Festival – $2,000
June 15: Families Sculpture War Memorial – $500
June 20: Cardwell Sports Fishing Barra Bonanza – $1,000
August 10: Cardwell Seafest Festival – $2,000

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TOTAL DONATED IN 2026 SO FAR: $11,200

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