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

Brothers In Arms: Rival Club Donates $10,000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Being Head Chef leaves Ian with additional responsibilities as well.

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

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

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

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

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

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The State Emergency Service (SES) played a crucial role in the flood recovery across Hinchinbrook, leading rescue and evacuation efforts in Ingham, Halifax, and Lucinda.
Working with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES), they helped residents in submerged homes, managed storm damage, and supported vulnerable individuals with food and medical aid.
SES used aerial resources, including Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, to assess damage.
Area Controller John Forde praised the swift recovery efforts, averaging 40 minutes per house. “Every house, location, and access are a little different,” he noted. Forde also commended volunteers, including teams from WA and Northern Territory, for their dedication.

The Heroes Behind The Floods

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The State Emergency Service (SES) has been vital in flood recovery and emergency operations across the Hinchinbrook region following the recent disaster.
SES teams led rescue and evacuation efforts in flood-hit areas like Ingham, Halifax, and Lucinda, working with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) to rescue residents from submerged homes. They also responded to storm damage, including sandbagging, tarping, and managing storm-related issues.
As recovery progressed, SES focused on supporting vulnerable individuals, delivering food, medical drops, and providing medical aid in partnership with Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS). They also deployed air assets with the Australian Defence Force and QFES to transport people and supplies.
Additionally, the SES used Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) to assess damage and support local council and Queensland Police Service requests. These aerial resources were essential for accessing affected areas.
Area Controller John Forde highlighted the swift recovery, with crews averaging 40 minutes per house.
“Every house, location, and access are a little different, so the 40 minutes was a base estimate.”
John also praised the incredible volunteers from across Australia, including WA and Northern Territory, who supported the region. The WA team travelled 14 hours to assist in Hinchinbrook, and now, with cyclone devastation in the west, they may soon be called to help there.
“I was on standby to support our neighbours because of what they've done to us,” John added.
Local and non-local communities really came together to support the region, with neighbours and volunteers coming from all over to provide assistance:
“From the 30th of January we would have had in excess of maybe 300 to 400 volunteers come through the Hinchinbrook LGA over that period of time.
When comparing the 2019 floods to the 2025 floods, John explained how there was less warning for the community this time round.
“While there were signs, the timeframes, the information coming through, the communications, the access, it all compounded,” John explained.
“Then once the communities became isolated, it reduced the response capability for emergency services to get into some of these places initially.
“The Hinchinbrook LGA is a very resilient community, they all band together.
“The wardens out there are constantly communicating with their members and coordinating and communicating with emergency response.”
“Once the highway cut at Ollera Creek reduced the support that we could provide for our council area, so that when the ADF got involved with airdrops and support.
John explained how they are doing their best to help everyone in the community as fast as they can:
“In a major catastrophe, or in a major incident like this, there is always going to be somebody that's going to be last.
“We try as best we can, we've only got so many resources and personnel on the ground to get to all these people.
“We do try to keep up awareness on the dashboards, or ask individuals to ring the SES and 132, 500 or if it's five threading triple zero, but at the end of the day, there's, there's always going to be somebody that's going to be last.
“We accept that, and we try to get there as the best we can.
“Members are volunteers, so they're leaving their houses, their families, and some have already been impacted with these disasters.”
“One of the main things to realise with volunteers, it's literally for the community, by the community.”
John highlighted that many in the community will face mental distress during the recovery phase and stressed the importance of using available resources and reaching out for support.
If you've been impacted by severe weather in Northern Queensland, help is available. Contact the 24/7 Community Recovery Hotline at 1800 173 349 for assistance and to access local support.

Hello Hinchinbrook,

How nice is it to see some blue skies? Watching the community start to reconnect, people start to move around town and the overwhelming support people are giving each other has been incredibly heart-warming to witness.

At the end of last week, I went on my own journey of reconnection. Before accepting the position here, I used to live in the Whitsundays and worked for our sister publication Whitsunday Life Newspaper. While I was there, my grandparents (who live in the UK) booked tickets to visit me . . . in the Whitsundays.

Obviously, this would not usually be a problem, in fact I was looking forward to the scenic drive down the coast. But with recent flooding events impacting the whole coast, I had a difficult decision to make.

Knowing that the road between Ayr and Home Hill was closed to all traffic, other than semi-trailers – if I started the journey south – would I actually make it to the Whitsundays?

The previous week I had been worried about Ollera Creek Bridge, and when it opened, I was thrilled. When the Burdekin flooded at Plantation Creek, it was yet another setback for me!

On Wednesday afternoon, however, I learned that trucks were ferrying cars across the river so I made the decision to leave as soon as I could. I rushed to Ayr, arriving at 6pm, just as they closed the crossing for the night! I was too late! But fortunate to get a hotel room locally.

Up early the next morning, I was down at the crossing at 6.30am to begin searching for a truck to take me across Plantation Creek. Almost four hours later and $300 poorer, I made it across the floodwaters.

Later that morning I had made it to the Whitsundays and, I am pleased to report, I spent a wonderful weekend with my family and I miss them all already.

Tomorrow I will return to the region, and I am looking forward to being back on the ground continuing to bring you full coverage of the flood recovery.

Daniel

The Cardwell Lions Club has once again demonstrated the power of community spirit, thanks to a generous outpouring of support from the people of Cairns.
A large shipment of essential donations provided much-needed relief for local residents as they work to rebuild and recover.
The dedicated volunteers at the Lions Club wasted no time in unpacking and sorting through a variety of donated goods, including towels, linen, cleaning supplies, mattresses, toys, wheelbarrows, brooms, and mops. These essential items will be distributed throughout the coming week to those in need, ensuring help reaches the right hands as quickly as possible.
The Cardwell Lions Club said they were thrilled to announce that they will be begin distributing the donations throughout the next week.

They also expressed a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported the club over the past few weeks as they work together to help the town get back on track.

The Cardwell Lions Club are currently working on having someone be in charge of the distribution centre and will advise the public on their Facebook page when more updates are available.

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The Halifax Progress Association has played a crucial role in supporting the community during the recent flood crisis, working tirelessly to assist residents and coordinate essential resources.

Throughout the emergency, the Association mobilised volunteers, provided logistical support, and ensured vital supplies reached those in need. Their commitment to the well-being of Halifax residents has been evident through their on-the-ground efforts, helping to keep the community informed and connected during a challenging time.

The Association extends its heartfelt thanks to the Country Women's Association for generously allowing the use of their hall as a central hub for community support.

In addition, deep gratitude is expressed to all emergency services, including the State Emergency Service (SES), local police, fire, and ambulance services, whose swift response and dedication were instrumental in keeping the community safe.

As Halifax moves into the recovery phase, the Halifax Progress Association remains committed to assisting residents and rebuilding the community.

Further updates and opportunities for community involvement will be shared in the coming weeks.

For inquiries, please contact:
Brian Rupps - President - brianjohnrupp@hotmail.com

With many local schools still impacted by the recent historic flooding event, a visit last week from the Minister of Education, John-Paul Langbroek MP and Minister for Small and Family Business Steven (Steve) Minnikin MP showed support for those affected.

Accompanied by Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto MP, the delegates held a meeting at Ingham State High School to discuss schooling, small business grants, and the recovery of Hinchinbrook Shire.

Langbroek acknowledged that schools have been disrupted, not only due to flooding, but also the long-term impacts to social activities.

“Everyone knows swimming carnivals happen early in the year, but senior staff here reassure me that they're working together to make sure that they aren't going to interrupt the year,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minnikin discussed the grants in relation to Small and Family Businesses.

“In terms of at the height of a natural disaster, obviously the priority has to be life and protecting citizens, of course that's number one. But eventually when the skies open up again with the sunshine and the water recedes there will be a point in time when small businesses face their real hour of need,” he said.

“Media will move on to the next event throughout the state, the nation, etc. But the people of Ingham and North Queensland, they still have to live it.

“They still have to get up and particularly from a small business perspective, they have got to try and recover, and that is when in the coming weeks, they will particularly need state government assistance.”

Nick Dametto also addressed residents.

“This is a flood event that has rocked locals that have lived here their whole life,” he said.

“We've got people that have moved to the Herbert district or the Hinchinbrook Shire in the last 18 to 24 months, post COVID, that have never been through a natural disaster like this before. Those people have perhaps been caught off guard and will likely be the ones that need the most support moving forward.

“We also have a number of businesses out there that have been operating for 25-30, years, that are now considering not reopening because of the inability to get insurance here or having insurance companies playing a bit of muck around with policy on what's actually covered and what's not, and that's something that we will need to address moving forward.”

Despite this, the Local State Member remains positive and reassures the community he will help guide the recovery of residents and small businesses owners.

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The Hinchinbrook electorate has just experienced one of the toughest periods in recent history. The 2025 flood and monsoonal event devastated our region, cutting off entire communities, flooding and destroying homes and businesses, and leaving behind a massive clean-up effort.

But if there's one thing I know about the people of Hinchinbrook, it’s that we will get through this together and rebuild better than we were before.

On Saturday, access was finally restored into the Lower Herbert, allowing us to see firsthand the destruction left behind. It was a privilege to take Premier David Crisafulli into some of the hardest-hit areas. Seeing the devastation up close only reinforced the urgent need to ensure that our community receives the support it deserves.

We also met with Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to tour some local businesses in Ingham and discuss the next phase of the recovery process. Clearing the debris and restoring power is only the first stage, we now start to move on to the betterment projects to rebuild our region to be stronger and more resilient than before.

This week, I’ve had to leave Ingham to attend the first parliamentary sitting week of the year. I will be using my time this week to meet with key Ministers to ensure that the plan for Hinchinbrook’s recovery is thorough and extensive. We need urgent action on things such as roads and flood mitigation projects, particularly the Bruce Highway.

We need to address the housing shortage and the loss we are going to see in the primary production and small business spaces. Importantly as well, many of our local sporting clubs and community groups have lost everything, and we need to ensure they have all the help they can get to start running again.

We can’t flood-proof the Bruce Highway or our beautiful communities here in Hinchinbrook, but we can certainly minimise the impact of major flooding events through smart planning, investment and comprehensive recovery strategies.

The road to recovery will be long, but together we will navigate our way. We’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again.

Nick Dametto MP
Member for Hinchinbrook

Following the devastating flooding that hit the Hinchinbrook Shire, the Hinchinbrook Shire Council are now in the recovery stage of a natural disaster.

Deputy Mayor Mary Brown is chair of the recovery group and she said that there are four subgroups - Human and Social, Economic Development, Infrastructure and Environment.

“We've been working in the background for quite some time and that's how we established the community recovery here locally,” explained Deputy Mayor Mary Brown.

“We have a pop up, at Mercer Lane, the main one at TAFE, one down at Forrest Beach, and we're about to go and create a pop up at Halifax.”

The Recovery Group are now in talks with the Government and Ministers about disaster grants.

Mary Brown believes people in the Hinchinbrook Shire suffered extraordinary events, and in turn deserve extraordinary grants.

“These are extraordinary circumstances. So, we need to now start talking about consideration for is there extraordinary support that can be implemented over and above what is business as usual for that disaster grants,” she said.

“The other thing that we're dealing with, which is our highest priority, is the donation hubs that were set up in Townsville and Cairns, where people are gathering donations to send into our community.

“I spoke to that coordinator this morning, which who is an ex local, and in two days they have put together 50 pallets worth of stuff coming, and it will include personal hygiene, cleaning products, bedding, sheets, towels and pillows. Everything is non-perishable.”

The Ingham Theatre Group regrets to announce that the upcoming One-Act Plays, originally scheduled to be performed at the JL Kelly Theatre in March, have been postponed.
“Due to severe flooding of the venue, we have made the difficult decision to reschedule the performances to ensure the safety and well-being of our cast, crew, and audience.
“Our team is actively working to confirm new performance dates, which will be announced as soon as possible.
“We remain committed to providing a high-quality theatrical experience for everyone involved. We encourage everyone to stay tuned for updates.”