On The HUB’s Cafe Crawl, a coffee is more than a simple pleasure - it is an opportunity to connect with others, discover local businesses and engage with the Hinchinbrook community.

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Held from 9am to 12pm every Tuesday, the Cafe Crawl invites locals to come together at a selected cafe, providing a chance to explore some of the region’s popular spots while enjoying good conversation.  

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Its primary aim, though, is to provide a welcoming social activity for anyone looking to get out of the house and spend some time with others. Whether participants come along with friends or arrive on their own, the morning is centred around conversation and connection.  

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The HUB encourages anyone interested in joining to RSVP ahead of time. To register your interest, contact The HUB at 07 4776 1822.

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Boneless and rindless pork belly rolled in a sweet hickory and maple seasoning. Perfect in the smoker, BBQ, oven or air-fryer. Photo credit: Halifax Meats

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There is plenty to tempt the tastebuds at Halifax Meats, with the local butcher offering up some familiar favourites alongside a few options you might not expect to find behind the counter.

One of the more eye-catching offerings is the shop’s meat lollipops - a fun BBQ favourite that has become a talking point for customers looking for something a little different.

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A recommendation from the butcher is the boneless and rindless pork belly rolled in a sweet hickory and maple seasoning, which can be cooked to perfection in the smoker, BBQ, oven or air-fryer (pictured) for an easy and delicious dinner.

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Those wanting to venture further outside the ordinary can look to gamier venison, a recent addition to the range that has received enthusiastic feedback.

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Venison offers a rich flavour and lean texture, so can be prepared in many of the same ways as beef or lamb, including as steaks, roasts, sausages, burgers or in slow-cooked dishes, depending on the cuts available.

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Never cooked venison before? Just the butcher and they’ll provide tips on preparation and cooking.

Contact Halifax Meats or keep an eye on the business’s Facebook page for updates on availability.

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Let’s talk Grants in Hinchinbrook

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There are a number of grants available across Hinchinbrook Shire, including Council’s Community Grants and the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF), along with other funding opportunities. Today, I want to highlight these two programs because they can help turn great local ideas into reality.

What’s your big idea?

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Hinchinbrook Shire Council’s 2026–2027 Community Grants Program is now open, with applications accepted until 16 June 2027.

Have you ever thought, “What if we did that here in Hinchinbrook?” This is your opportunity to explore that idea and see how funding could help make it happen.

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During the 2025–2026 financial year, Council invested $115,600 through its Community Activity Grant stream, supporting local groups, clubs and individuals. In total, 37 community events were supported, helping bring people together through shared experiences, celebration and connection.

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Whether it’s a youth project, a community event, an initiative bringing people together or something that supports our local economy, your idea could make a real difference.

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And you don’t have to be a professional grant writer. Free assistance is available through the Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre on (07) 4776 1822.

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The other grant I want to mention is RADF – Regional Arts Development Fund. RADF is a long-term partnership between the Queensland Government and local governments, supporting arts and cultural projects across regional communities.

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A fantastic local example is Hinchinbrook Lane, which was very recently transformed through RADF funding. It’s a wonderful example of how an idea, creativity and the right funding can create something special for everyone to enjoy.

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So, if you have an idea that could benefit our community, don’t be afraid to ask. Council’s friendly staff are here to help you understand what funding may be available and how to apply. Call Council on (07) 4776 4600. Sometimes one good idea is all it takes to make a difference.

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Flood levels in Ingham peaked at 14.93 metres on 3rd February 2025, just shy of the town's historic 1967 flood record.

The Herbert River rose an extraordinary seven metres in just 24 hours, driven by intense rainfall and unprecedented inflows from the Stone River after 1,467mm of rain fell across the Paluma Range.

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In the middle of it all sat the Hinchinbrook Shire Library.

Surrounded by floodwater and effectively transformed into an island, the library endured rain damage to its roof, a significant mould outbreak and 17 weeks of flood-related closures.

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While the building remained closed, library staff pivoted quickly to digital services, helping residents access ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and online resources from home. What started as a disaster response became a catalyst for lasting change.

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Hinchinbrook Local Recovery Group Chair Cr Mary Brown said the library's recovery reflected the resilience of the wider community.

"The February 2025 floods tested our community in ways we never imagined, but what we've seen since is a remarkable recovery story," Cr Brown said.

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"The library was heavily impacted, yet staff adapted quickly to ensure residents could continue accessing services and resources when they needed them most."

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More than a year later, the results tell a remarkable story.

Digital collection use has not only been maintained but has continued to grow. Usage increased from 971 digital loans and accesses in June 2025 to 1,429 in July 2026, representing growth of more than 47 per cent and comfortably surpassing the original 29 per cent increase recorded during the recovery period.

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When the doors reopened in June 2025, the community came back in force.

Collection transactions surged from 5,970 in June 2025 to 14,611 by August 2025, an increase of almost 145 per cent. Visitor numbers climbed from 2,550 to 3,588, while new memberships jumped 48.7 per cent, with nearly 300 new members joining during 2025-26.

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The library's programs have flourished too. Regular events increased by more than 50 per cent, while attendance at everyday programming grew by around 70 per cent, creating more opportunities for learning, connection and community participation.

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Community Portfolio Councillor Donna Marbelli said the figures demonstrated the evolving role libraries play in regional communities.

"Libraries today are so much more than shelves of books. They're places where people learn, connect, access technology, develop new skills and feel part of their community," Cr Marbelli said.

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"To see membership grow, visitation increase and digital services continue to thrive after such a challenging period is a credit to our library team and the community that embraced these services throughout the recovery."

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Cr Brown said the library's success was a reminder that recovery extended beyond infrastructure.

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"These results show that recovery is about much more than repairing buildings. It's about restoring connections, supporting wellbeing and ensuring our community remains resilient," she said.

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"Our library has done exactly that and has come back stronger than ever."

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North Queensland growers could soon have new tools in the fight against weeds, with a Queensland Government project investigating alternatives to traditional chemical control.

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The three-year project will test emerging physical weed-control technologies, including laser, electrical and mechanical systems, with a focus on finding methods that can work under Australian growing conditions.

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Led by the Department of Primary Industries in partnership with Hort Innovation, the project will focus on onion and vegetable production and aims to help growers adopt technologies suited to their individual crops, conditions and landscapes.

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For growers, the research comes as weed management becomes increasingly challenging, with rising costs, labour shortages, herbicide resistance and fewer available chemical control options creating pressure across the agricultural sector.

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The project, known as the Validation of Physical Weed Technologies in Australia (Onion and Vegetable), is funded by Hort Innovation through industry levies.

Researchers will work with Australian and international partners, including Californian AgTech stakeholders, the Western Growers Association, Reservoir Farms and Cornell University.

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While the technology being investigated may sound futuristic, the goal is practical: identifying equipment and techniques that can be tested in Australian conditions before being considered for use by growers.

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For North Queensland producers, the potential benefits could include reduced reliance on herbicides and chemicals, as well as new options for managing weeds where labour and chemical availability are ongoing concerns.

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Weed control is a significant consideration for agricultural businesses, with weeds competing with crops for water, nutrients and growing space while also increasing production costs.

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The project is part of Queensland’s broader push towards greater adoption of agricultural technology and innovation.

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Whether laser-based systems, electrical methods or mechanical equipment ultimately prove suitable for local conditions remains to be seen, but the research could provide growers with a broader range of options in the future.

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The project will run for three years, with findings intended to help bridge the gap between emerging weed-control technology and practical use on Australian farms.

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Cassowary Coast fishers are encouraged to contribute to Fisheries Queensland’s spotted mackerel monitoring program at Kurrimine Beach during its final month of sampling. Photo source: Queensland Fisheries

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Cassowary Coast fishers are being encouraged to contribute to important fisheries research as a seasonal monitoring program at Kurrimine Beach enters its final month.

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Fisheries Queensland’s North Queensland Fishery Monitoring team has been collecting biological data on spotted mackerel and other key recreational species in the Kurrimine Beach area since July, with sampling continuing during September.

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As part of the program, monitoring staff are measuring recreational catches at the Kurrimine Beach boat ramp to gather information used to assess fish stocks and support the sustainable management of Queensland fisheries.

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Local anglers can play their part by allowing Fisheries Queensland scientists to measure their catch or by donating fish frames after cleaning their fish.

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Two convenient freezer drop-off points have been established locally, with fish skeletons able to be donated at the King Reef Hotel and BIG4 Kurrimine Beach Holiday Park. The donated frames provide researchers with valuable biological information while allowing fishers to make use of the remainder of their catch as usual.

Those who cannot access the local drop-off points can also contribute information about their catches through the Queensland Fishing 2.0 app.

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With September marking the final month of the Kurrimine Beach sampling period, local fishers heading out in search of spotted mackerel are encouraged to keep an eye out for the monitoring team at the boat ramp and get involved in the research.

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Jo threlfall, Sandy & Alix Kastndr. Photo Credit: Sian Bantock

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By Sian Bantock  

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Wongaling Beach hosted the second Homemakers Swap on Sunday 30th August, and despite strong winds and intermittent drizzle, locals turned up in impressive numbers.  

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The swap was created as a way for locals to connect and showcase home-grown skills, following a simple format: each participant brings five handmade items and leaves  with five different creations  

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This month’s tables were packed with baked goods and pantry stables - cookies, butter, kombucha and flavoured syrups - alongside plants, dried spices and candles.  

For updates on future Homemakers Swap, follow them on Facebook or Instagram pages.  

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Upcoming Events:

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4th October - Tully  

25th October - Bingil Bay  

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Women undertaking manufacturing apprenticeships across the Cassowary Coast are being encouraged to put themselves forward for statewide recognition, with nominations now open for the 2027 Women in Manufacturing Apprentice Awards.

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The Queensland Government awards recognise female apprentices demonstrating leadership, initiative and strong communication while building careers within the state’s manufacturing sector.

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Two awards will share a $15,000 prize pool, with the Leading Apprentice Award winner receiving $10,000 and the Highly Commended Apprentice Award recipient receiving $5,000.

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Prize money can be used to support professional development, training, education, tools or uniforms.

Minister for Manufacturing Dale Last said apprentices were playing an important role in developing Queensland’s future skilled workforce.

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“The future of Queensland manufacturing is being built by apprentices today,” Mr Last said.

“These awards recognise the talented women already building careers in manufacturing and show the next generation that there is a place for them in Queensland’s manufacturing future.

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“Whether it’s advanced manufacturing, robotics or critical minerals processing, we want more women seizing the opportunities being created as Queensland manufacturing grows.”

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Last year’s Leading Apprentice Award recipient, second-year automotive electrician Zahlee Wheeler from Allweld Manufacturing, encouraged other women to back themselves.

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“There are so many opportunities for women to build rewarding careers, take on leadership roles and make a real impact in this industry,” Ms Wheeler said.

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“If you’re thinking of applying – I’d say back yourself, embrace the opportunity and be proud of what you have achieved.”

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Nominations close on 9th October 2026, with winners to be announced at the Brisbane Women in Manufacturing Breakfast in March 2027, coinciding with International Women’s Day.

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The awards come as Queensland Manufacturing Month begins on 1st September.

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Residents across the Cassowary Coast and Hinchinbrook are being invited to have their say on proposed changes to Queensland’s planning framework, including how communities plan for natural hazards, housing and future development.

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Public consultation has opened on the Queensland Government’s draft State Planning Policy (SPP), with submissions accepted until midnight on Monday, 26th October.

The SPP guides land use planning and development across Queensland and informs the preparation and application of local planning instruments.

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The current policy was released in 2017, with the proposed framework aiming to improve the clarity and efficiency of the planning system while supporting housing, economic growth and infrastructure investment.

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Among the key proposed changes is a revised approach to natural hazards and resilience, with a greater focus on risk-based planning.

The government is also reviewing approaches to flood mapping, citing inconsistencies created by different technical inputs which can result in varying maps across the same catchment.

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Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the current approach was creating uncertainty.

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“We also know the state’s current flood mapping methodology and guidance is causing more confusion than clarity, and it’s affecting everything from people’s property rights to insurance premiums,” Mr Bleijie said.

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Other proposed changes include six new strategic aspirations to guide planning outcomes, streamlined state interests and a new Environment, Heritage and Efficient Growth state interest aimed at supporting coordinated growth while protecting environmental, heritage, natural and rural landscapes.

Feedback is welcomed from local governments, industry, community organisations and residents.

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Submissions can be made through the Queensland Government’s online survey, by emailing planningforqueensland@dsdip.qld.gov.au or by post.

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Betty Cocharine - Photo credit; Sian Bantock

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By Sian Bantock

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Betty Cocharine holds a remarkable accolade within the Tully branch of the Queensland Women’s Country Association (QCWA) - she has been apart of the group for the last 50 years and is the longest serving member.  

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Betty and her husband moved to Tully in the mid-1970s for his work selling fertiliser.  

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“Coming to a rural town was quite daunting at first and I only knew my husband; back then I wouldn’t have spoken to a goose,” Betty said.  

“One of my neighbours invited me to the next meeting and when I arrived I felt like I was their grandchild ‘cause they were so nice to me.”  

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Across the last five decades, Betty has seen the QCWA branch play a steady and practical role within the local community - from making sandwiches for schools sports day, supporting expectant mothers, hosting social nights, playing card games, group yoga and collecting donations local causes.  

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“The old motto is: it’s what we can do for the CWA not what CWA can do for us”  

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For residents like Betty, the Tully QCWA became a lifeline - a place to build confidence, find friendship and support the local community.  

The branch remains active today and continues to welcome new members. Reach out to the secretary at: tullybranch@qcwa.org.au  

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Local schools, sporting clubs and community organisations could soon receive an extra helping hand, with FNQ Motor Group launching a new initiative designed to give back with every vehicle sold.

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Through the Community Benefits Program, FNQ Motor Group will donate $100 from each vehicle purchase to a beneficiary nominated by the customer.

The program applies across Island Coast Ford and Mitsubishi, Innisfail Mazda and Nissan, as well as the group’s pre-owned vehicle sales.

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Importantly, it will be locals themselves who decide where the money goes.

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Each customer purchasing a vehicle will have the opportunity to nominate a beneficiary they would like to support, with donations collected and distributed at the end of each quarter.

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Schools, sporting clubs, Rotary and Lions clubs, not-for-profit organisations, hospitals, medical centres and churches are among the organisations customers can choose to support.

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FNQ Motor Group estimates the program will generate more than $5,000 in community donations each month, potentially providing a significant boost to organisations and groups across the region over the course of the year.

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The Community Benefits Program was established as a way for the local motor group to give back to the community that continues to support its dealerships.

While each individual vehicle purchase will generate a $100 donation, collectively the contributions have the potential to make a much larger impact for local organisations.

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For Cassowary Coast customers, it means buying a new or pre-owned vehicle can now go a little further, providing an opportunity to support a school, club, charity or community organisation that matters to them.

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It is a simple initiative aimed at keeping support local and giving back to the organisations that help make the Cassowary Coast community what it is.

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Primary school students across the Cassowary Coast and Hinchinbrook are being armed with potentially lifesaving electrical safety lessons ahead of Queensland’s storm season.

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The Queensland Government’s Safety Heroes program is being rolled out across primary schools during Electrical Safety Fortnight, running from 31st August to 11th September.

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Delivered through Ergon Energy and Energex, the program provides teachers with interactive, curriculum-aligned resources designed to teach Prep to Year 6 students how electricity works and how to stay safe around electrical equipment and hazards.

This year, a record 99 per cent of Queensland primary schools have registered for the program.

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The lessons are particularly timely as communities prepare for the upcoming storm season, when severe weather and flooding can create dangerous electrical hazards.

Ergon Area Manager Jason Rowe said students were taught to remain at least 10 metres away from electrical hazards and tell an adult, who should report the danger to emergency services on Triple Zero (000).

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“The children learn water is a good conductor of electricity, so they should never use wet electrical appliances or power points that have been submerged,” Mr Rowe said.

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“Floodwaters can conceal many hazards, including fallen powerlines, so we remind children never to enter swollen creeks or rivers.”

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Treasurer and Minister for Energy David Janetzki said teaching young Queenslanders how to respond to electrical hazards was particularly important given the state’s exposure to severe weather, bushfires and floods.

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The Safety Heroes program aims to give students practical knowledge they can use both at home and throughout their communities.

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Cardwell Lions Club members have been proudly serving the local community since 1968, continuing a long tradition of friendship, volunteering and giving back. Photo supplied

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Over the course of almost six decades, the Cardwell Lions Club has been quietly woven into the fabric of the community, bringing locals together while lending a helping hand wherever it is needed.

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Established in 1968, the club has grown and changed alongside Cardwell. Its Lions Hall at the Cardwell Sportsground was built over the years through the voluntary work and generosity of members, creating a home for a club founded on community service and companionship.

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The club was also ahead of its time when it came to welcoming women as full members.  

While Lions Clubs were originally open only to men, with women supporting activities as Lions Ladies, that changed internationally in 1987. Cardwell was among the early clubs to embrace women as Lions members in their own right.

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Over the decades, generations of local families have crossed paths with the club. Long-time residents may remember its three-day camping trips to Gould Island for final-year primary students or the annual Country Music Festival, while many of its traditions continue today.

One of the most enduring is the Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch, which has been held for 57 years and now provides food, drinks and entertainment for more than 120 local seniors each year. Carols by Candlelight also brings residents of all ages together during the festive season.

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The club's community spirit extends well beyond Christmas. Its annual Biggest BBQ for Childhood Cancer Research, held alongside a car boot sale during the UFO Festival, typically raises $2,000 or more for Lions Childhood Cancer Research.

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Closer to home, funds raised through weekly Goose Club raffles at the Marine Hotel and other activities are returned to the community in practical ways. Recent contributions have included a reclining chair for the Cardwell Medical Centre and a sound system for Cardwell State School, while members also provided assistance and vouchers following last year's flooding.

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The Lions Hall remains a community space too, hosting activities including Tai Chi, line dancing and the Cardwell Lions Choir, which visits residents at Rockingham Home each month.

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Behind each fundraiser, event and donation is a group of locals giving their time to support their town. For members, however, Lions is just as much about the friendships formed along the way.

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With almost 60 years of service behind it, the Cardwell Lions Club is welcoming new members keen to contribute in whatever way they can and become part of a long tradition of community spirit. Interested parties may email cardwelllions@gmail.com.

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Junior briefing on the jetty with MBSC Commodore Lachlan Heath, Camden Heath, Hayden Brachna, Carmen Walker, Chloe Brachna, Liam Rayner-Pink, Bee Stokeld, Xanthe Henderson, Quinn Henderson, Josie Heath Photo Credit Rachel Brachna

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Mission Beach Sailing Club has delivered a new kind of sailing experience, with its inaugural Adventure Sail bringing 37 participants and 15 vessels together for a weekend on the waters surrounding Dunk Island.

Held across 22–23 August after three years of planning, the event swapped traditional racing for adventure, connection and the relaxed spirit of island time, with Dunk Island serving as base camp.

Sailors took on courses around Purtaboi and Timana islands, while the weekend also featured hiking, fishing, jetty jumping, wildlife spotting and foil boarding.

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MBSC offers a unique sailing experience

By Sian Bantock  

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Mission Beach Sailing Club (MSBC) held an inaugural adventure sail between 22nd -23rd August, bringing together 37 participants and a fleet of 15 off-the-beach dinghies and catamarans, for a unique adventure sailing experience with Dunk Island serving as base camp.  

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The event was highly anticipated, having been 3 years in the making. Most adventure races focus on the competitive aspect, but MB Sailing Club intentionally embraced the spirit of ‘island time’, encouraging sailors to slow down, build connections and share their passion for sailing.

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MBSC Commodore, Lachy Heath was impressed by how well the first Adventure Sail panned out.  

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”We were able to provide a different take on sailing events, focusing on adventure rather than racing. Many juniors had their first experience sailing to an island and navigating around an island." 

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The two-day itinerary offered a range of activities whilst remaining flexible should the conditions change. Sailors made the most of everything Dunk Island had to offer, including hiking, jetty jumping, wildlife spotting, fishing and foil boarding in the sheltered waters between Dunk and Purtoboi Islands.

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Adventure sailing requires not only physical endurance but also mental resilience.  

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“The challenging Saturday afternoon sailing course sent juniors around Purtaboi Island. Navigating the island's rocky shores tested their sailing skills and extended their mental capabilities. The senior fleet sailed a longer course around Timana Island. and Purtaboi Island,” said MBSC Secretary Carmen Walker.

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 “We get a buzz out of being able to facilitate sailing, social connection and watching the sailors progress their skills and confidence.”

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It wasn’t just the juniors that were learning something new. Rob Lattimore sailed with his 17-year-old nephew Lars Gatti on their Nacra 5.8 catamaran.  

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"This event reminds me of the adventure sails we used to do as kids back in the 90s,” Rob said.  

“The sailing stretched our skills, put us out of our comfort zone and fuelled our adventurous spirit,”  

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The club is now looking ahead to the 44th Mission Beach Regatta, which will be held on 24th and 25th October and is expected to attract sailors from all over North Queensland.  

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Anyone wishing to join the Sailing club can reach out to them on; info@missionbeachsailingclub.com.au or follow their Facebook page for more updates.  

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A mysterious barnacle-covered object bearing the identification number ISL+274267 washed ashore at the southern end of Wongaling Beach. Photo credit: Linden Carney

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A strange barnacle-covered object discovered on the southern end of Wongaling Beach has sparked plenty of curiosity among locals, with the mystery item believed to be part of a device used by commercial fishing vessels to locate fish at sea.

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Mission Beach’s Linden Carney who came across the circular object shared photographs online asking if anyone knew what it could be, prompting several suggestions however, its appearance and identification markings suggest it may be a satellite tracking buoy associated with a drifting Fish Aggregating Device, commonly known as a FAD.

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Photographs show the identification number ISL+274267 on the object, although exactly where it came from, who owns it and how far it travelled before reaching Wongaling Beach remain a mystery.  

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FADs are used by commercial fishing vessels to help locate fish such as tuna, which naturally gather around floating objects in the ocean. Drifting versions can be fitted with satellite tracking equipment and, in some cases, sonar, allowing fishing crews to follow the device and detect fish gathering beneath it.

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Judging by the marine growth covering the Wongaling Beach find, the unusual object certainly appears to have spent some time at sea before its arrival on the Cassowary Coast, and it’s not the first mysterious object to turn up on a nearby North Queensland beach in recent months.

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In early July, six large spherical metal objects washed ashore at Forrest Beach, near Ingham, attracting national and international attention. Authorities established a safety exclusion zone while the objects were investigated, with the Australian Space Agency later saying they appeared consistent with pressure vessels from a space launch vehicle.

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While the Wongaling Beach discovery appears to have a much more earthly explanation, it has once again sparked plenty of curiosity about what can travel across the ocean before eventually finding its way onto Far North Queensland's shores.