Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Introducing Hinchinbrook Life and Cassowary Coast Life Newspaper, a newly extended newspaper uniting our regions and highlighting the importance of sharing local community news to inform and uplift. Produced weekly and running on the flipside of this newspaper, Cassowary Coast Life will be distributed to Tully, El Arish and Mission Beach, along with the paper’s current footprint of Cardwell, Ingham, Halifax, Lucinda, Forrest Beach, Rollingstone and more. We have some exciting news to share — Hinchinbrook Life is welcoming a little sister to the family, and she’s going to be part of this very newspaper! You may have noticed her gradually taking shape over the past several months as we’ve expanded our coverage across the broader region. What started as a growing presence has now become something official. In fact, next week she will take her first breath when Cassowary Coast Life is born. Most importantly, we want to reassure our loyal readers that Hinchinbrook Life will remain exactly what it has always been. You will still receive the same 28–32 pages of dedicated local news, stories and community coverage each week. The only difference is that, from next week onwards, you’ll receive a second newspaper completely free on the flip side of this publication. Essentially, it’s two newspapers in one - a Hinchinbrook Life masthead on one side and a Cassowary Coast Life masthead on the other. This expansion has been almost a year in the making. Over that time, we’ve seen increasing demand for more Cassowary Coast news and greater coverage of the communities that sit just beyond our traditional footprint. Since launching Hinchinbrook Life, Cardwell has always been an important part of both our news coverage and distribution network. Now, we are extending that reach further south to include Tully, Mission Beach and El Arish. Our goal is simple: to strengthen the connection between neighbouring communities and encourage the flow of people, ideas and opportunities across the region. From next week, readers will be able to discover local events, community stories, business news and inspiring people from both regions every week. This is the second time Life Publishing Group has adopted this unique newspaper format. We first introduced it with our flagship publication, Mackay and Whitsunday Life, where readers embraced the opportunity to share stories and celebrate what makes each community special. We hope you enjoy it just as much. As always, we value your feedback and would love to hear your thoughts, so please feel free to reach out and share your views. Rach
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Missed calls cost money. Patchy reception, dropped calls, and “can you hear me now?” isn’t a great look, especially when customers are trying to reach you. Logilytics helps locals set up modern phone systems that are reliable, clear, and built for the way you work (or live). Whether you’re in an office, on the road, juggling multiple locations, or just want better calling at home, we’ll design a solution that keeps you connected. We can help with: New business and residential phone system supply and setup Desk phones, cordless handsets, headsets, and mobile-friendly options Call routing, hunt groups, after-hours messages, and voicemail-to-email Better call quality and coverage (including network/Wi‑Fi checks) Clean installs and tidy cabling where needed Most importantly, you get local support. If something isn’t right, you’re not stuck on hold to a provider, you can call us and we’ll sort it. If you want a phone system that makes your business easier to reach – or your home setup clearer and more reliable – talk to Logilytics. Captipn: Logilytics helps locals set up modern phone systems that are reliable, clear, and built for the way you work and live. Photo supplied
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A Cassowary Coast ambulance leader who has weathered the storm of Queensland’s biggest natural disasters has been recognised for community leadership and her role in reinforcing local disaster preparedness. Officer in Charge, Tully Ambulance Station, Vanessa Schafranek is one of three Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) paramedics announced as an Ambulance Service Medal (ASM) recipient in the King’s Birthday 2026 Honours List. This prestigious recognition is awarded to ambulance staff who have consistently exemplified the highest levels of dedication and professionalism throughout their career. As Officer in Charge of Tully Ambulance Station, Vanessa Schafranek has served her beloved Tully community for the past 15 years, after first commencing as a paramedic in 2002. As goes hand-in-hand with working in the Cassowary Coast region, Officer Schafranek has led her community through numerous natural disasters, including Tropical Cyclone (TC) Larry in 2006, TC Yasi in 2011, TC Ita in 2014, TC Debbie in 2017, and most recently TC Jasper in 2023. Drawing on her boots-on-the-ground experience during these disasters, Officer Schafranek has been instrumental in developing procedures that assist the QAS in preparing for natural disasters to this day. In addition to Officer Schafranek’s efforts during disasters, she continues to exemplify the characteristics of a frontline operational leader. She leads by example, mentoring and guiding up-and-coming leaders and remaining active in ensuring positive welfare, wellbeing and psychological health in the workplace. Officer Schafranek fell into the service by happenstance, when her husband saw an advertisement in the paper. “It was nothing I'd ever thought of beforehand - it was never, ever on my radar,” she said. “It was just completely by chance that the paper was there that day, which we didn't usually have.” Officer Schafranek hasn’t looked back since, with 24 years of service now under her belt. Officer Schafranek values the trust and support of her colleagues and the community, explaining that her love for rural areas is what drives her. “I think working in a rural setting is very rewarding because you see the whole circle. You see patients after whatever has happened and see the results of what you’ve done,” Officer Schafranek said. With a preference to fly under the radar, she was shocked to discover she had been nominated for the award. “It's nice that someone's noticed that you've gone above and beyond, and you're doing a great job in that space,” Officer Schafranek said. “It’s very heartwarming.” QAS Commissioner Craig Emery said that Officer Schafranek’s dedication and professionalism have made her a standout leader in the service. “This prestigious medal is a testament to her exceptional service, her tireless work ethic, and her passion for helping others,” Commissioner Emery said. “I commend Officer Schafranek on her exemplary service, and her fitting recognition as she joins the distinguished few to receive an Ambulance Service Medal.” 1 - Officer in Charge, Tully Ambulance Station, Vanessa Schafranek is one of three QAS paramedics announced as an Ambulance Service Medal recipient in the King’s Birthday 2026 Honours List. Photo supplied 2- Vanessa promoting the CPR Awareness Program at an expo for local school students. Photo source: Facebook.
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Queensland children and teenagers who are uncomfortable with needle vaccinations can now access a free nasal spray flu vaccine under an expansion of the State Government’s FluMist program. The Government has widened eligibility for the free nasal spray vaccine to children and teenagers aged six to 17, building on the existing program already available to children aged two to five years. The expanded rollout forms part of the Government’s $31 million free flu vaccination program, which is available through participating GPs, pharmacies and vaccination clinics across Queensland. The expansion comes to help fight the winter chills with families being urged to get vaccinated while FluMist stock remains available. More than one million Queenslanders have already received a flu vaccination this year, including a significant rise in vaccinations among younger children. The Government said the expansion followed feedback from health professionals and families, including parents of children with disability or sensory sensitivities, who said the needle-free option would make vaccination less stressful and more accessible. Families have been encouraged to book vaccinations sooner rather than later, with FluMist supplies expected to run out nationally after early August due to the vaccine’s shorter shelf life. More information about the free flu vaccination program and participating providers is available through the Queensland Health Flu Vaccination website via www.health.qld.gov.au.
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Australian farmers are set to benefit from an additional 90,000 tonnes of fertiliser secured by the Government to support food production and supply chains. Photo source: Shutterstock
The Albanese Labor Government has secured approximately 90,000 tonnes of agricultural grade urea to support Australian farmers and help maintain the nation’s food supply chain amid ongoing global uncertainty.
The additional fertiliser shipments were secured through Export Finance Australia in partnership with CSBP and Incitec Pivot and mark the first shipments obtained under the Government’s new Strategic Reserve powers.
The move forms part of broader efforts to help Australia’s agriculture sector manage the impacts of conflict in the Middle East, with more shipments expected in the coming weeks.
The new supply builds on the 250,000 tonnes of fertiliser previously secured with Indonesia through PT Pupuk in partnership with Incitec Pivot.
The Government said the extra fertiliser would provide greater certainty for farmers as they make planting and growing decisions while supporting both domestic food production and export supply chains.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Government was focused on supporting Australian farmers during a period of global disruption.
“We’re backing Australian farmers and producers during this time of global uncertainty,” Mr Albanese said.
“We know how critical fertiliser is for the sector, which is why we’re securing important additional shipments like this.”
Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell said the Government was providing practical support to farming communities facing supply challenges.
“This is another example of the Government providing practical and timely assistance to Australian farmers at a time of intense global supply disruptions,” Senator Farrell said.
“Our hard-working farming communities can be assured that we will leave no stone unturned to help secure the inputs needed to keep them moving and produce the best food and fibre in the world.”
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Julie Collins said securing fertiliser supplies was essential for food security.
“Underwriting additional shipments of fertiliser is about ensuring our farmers can continue producing the food we all love and rely on,” Minister Collins said.
“This is positive news for our farmers and means they can continue planting with confidence during this current season and know that additional supply is on the way for the future. Having access to critical inputs like fertiliser underpins the food security of Australia and the countries we export to, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, which is why we’ve been working day and night with industry to get fertiliser to our farmers.”
The Government has also announced a $7.5 billion Fuel and Fertiliser Security Facility to support supply and storage, alongside measures to streamline fertiliser imports and strengthen food security partnerships internationally.
So far, the Albanese Government says it has secured more than 450 million litres of additional diesel and 100 million litres of additional aviation fuel under new financing arrangements.
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Hello Hinchinbrook,
I would like to share an update regarding developments with the DETSI Environmental Disaster Recovery Unit, which is currently developing the Catchment Rehabilitation Program for the 2025 North and Far North Tropical Low (NFNTL) severe weather event (29 January – 28 February 2025).
The DRFA North and Far North Tropical Low Environmental Recovery Program (NFNTL ERP) forms part of an exceptional circumstances package jointly agreed to and funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under Category D of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
This program is designed to support recovery following this significant disaster event.
Funding will be prioritised for projects that adopt a whole-of-system approach to catchment rehabilitation, demonstrate strong stakeholder engagement, and foster collaborative partnerships.
DRFA funding for the NFNTL ERP was approved by the Prime Minister on 16 July 2025. Any work undertaken prior to this date is not eligible under DRFA funding arrangements.
The program aims to:
Funding outcomes will support a strong, locally led approach to catchment rehabilitation, focused on improving the condition and resilience of impacted environments and ecological systems.
Eligible activities must:
Eligible activities may include:
Eligible applicants include River Improvement Trusts constituted under the River Improvement Trust Act 1940.
The Herbert River Improvement Trust (HRIT) has currently identified more than 64 sites, with an estimated value of approximately $8.6 million. These sites have been inspected and costed, and many will be submitted for consideration under the DETSI Catchment Rehabilitation Program.
Once again, it is great to pick up a copy of Hinchinbrook Life and read about the events, initiatives and developments across our Shire.
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The Gairloch Bridge sustained damage during the 2025 February Weather Event. Photo suppled
Hinchinbrook Shire Council has welcomed the joint announcement by the State and Federal Governments to support disaster-impacted, heritage-listed landmarks across North and Far North Queensland, recognising the importance of preserving places that hold deep meaning for regional communities.
The inclusion of the Gairloch Bridge Conservation Project highlights the significance of this much-loved local landmark, which remains an important part of Hinchinbrook’s history and identity.
Mayor Ramon Jayo said Gairloch Bridge holds a special place in both Queensland’s history and the hearts of the local community.
“Gairloch Bridge is a landmark of both local and state heritage significance. Built between 1890 and 1891, it is the oldest composite concrete and steel bridge in Queensland and has served the region for more than a century,” Mayor Jayo said.
“For many in our community, this bridge is more than infrastructure, it represents our shared history, memories and connection to place.”
The project has been allocated $47,000 under the 2024–25 Environmental Recovery Package: Heritage Disaster Recovery Grants program. This funding will support initial assessment and planning following damage sustained during the February 2025 flood event.
The funding will deliver a Conservation Management Plan, prepared by a qualified Heritage Architect, along with a detailed structural inspection. These will help Council understand the current condition of the bridge, identify any urgent works, and outline a practical, staged approach to its future conservation.
This project is proudly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Commonwealth–state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) in association with Hinchinbrook Shire Council.
“This funding is an important first step in ensuring we can properly assess the damage and plan for the preservation of this iconic structure,” Mayor Jayo said.
Following the 2025 flood event, Gairloch Bridge sustained structural damage and has been closed to all access, including pedestrians, to ensure public safety.
The bridge was previously closed to vehicular traffic in 2014 due to safety concerns; however, the latest damage means continued access is no longer viable.
As a State Heritage-listed structure, any future works must meet strict heritage requirements, making recovery and restoration complex.
“Restoring heritage infrastructure like Gairloch Bridge takes time and careful planning. This funding allows us to start that process properly. We thank the Australian and Queensland Governments for recognising the importance of sites like Gairloch Bridge and supporting their recovery.”
This local heritage structure holds much history in it struts and supports. Many a foot has crossed it and a few lives were tragically lost. Read the Gairloch Bridge history of local tales at www.hinchinbrooklife.com/article/the-gairloch-bridge
SES Volunteers are among the thousands of Queenslanders being recognised during the 2026 Queensland Volunteering Awards. Photo source: Hinchinbrook Shire Council
Volunteers across the Hinchinbrook and Cassowary Coast regions are being recognised as part of the 2026 Queensland Volunteering Awards, with almost 50,000 volunteers acknowledged statewide for their contributions to local communities.
The awards, supported by the Crisafulli Government, celebrated 21 finalists, eight recipients and 275 nominations across Queensland this year.
Regional communities across North Queensland rely heavily on volunteers, particularly through SES groups, sporting organisations, charities, community events and disaster recovery efforts.
Queensland Minister for Volunteers Ann Leahy said volunteers were essential to the strength and resilience of Queensland communities.
“Volunteers are at the heart of our communities, and our government is proud to be delivering practical support and recognition for the people who selflessly give their time to help others,” Minister Leahy said.
“These awards are about honouring the thousands of Queenslanders who step up every day to support others, strengthen communities and deliver real impact across our state.”
CEO of Volunteering Queensland Jane Hedger said volunteers continued to make a difference despite growing pressures on households and support services.
“At a time when cost of living pressures and increasing demand for support are placing strain on Queenslanders, volunteers continue to step up and be the steady hands helping to hold our communities together,” Ms Hedger said.
The awards form part of broader efforts to recognise volunteers during the United Nations International Year of Volunteers in 2026.
The orange ball division had an absolute blast on the courts. Photo credit: Victoria Velton
The 2026 Ingham JDS Tennis Tournament on Saturday, 16th May, boasted competitors far and wide, with the local players among a talented field competing throughout a full day of junior action. Hosted at the Ingham Tennis Association Courts, the tournament showcased emerging talent from across the region, with competitive matches and strong performances highlighting the depth of junior tennis. Supported by Hinchinbrook Shire Council, Cheapa Auto Spares and a team of volunteers and officials, the event once again provided young athletes with an opportunity to test their skills and continue their development in a competitive environment.
Three Ingham juniors achieved placings at the 2026 Ingham JDS Tennis Tournament held on Saturday, 16th May, highlighting the strong local talent on display throughout the day. The event was proudly supported by Hinchinbrook Shire Council and Cheapa Auto Spares, while the tournament also relied on the support of volunteers and officials who dedicated their time to ensuring the day ran smoothly.
Among those contributing behind the scenes was Division 1 winner Gordon Scott, who also serves as one of the officials helping run the event and supporting local tennis development.
Held at the Ingham Tennis Association Courts, the tournament was packed with young players, supportive families, competitive matches, and enough energy to make even non-tennis people watch with excitement.
One of the best parts of the day was seeing how seriously everyone took their games, even the younger players. Some of the junior orange ball players looked like tiny professional athletes in the making. With every point clearly mattering, every serve carrying importance and every player giving it their absolute best.
What stood out the most was the sportsmanship. Win or lose, players still shook hands, encouraged each other and got back out there for the next match. There were moments of disappointment after lost points, but also excitement, determination and strong support from families watching from the sidelines.
The atmosphere around the courts was described as something special. Parents, grandparents, coaches and friends all turned out to support the players, proving that sport in a small town is about much more than simply winning.
It was also noted how much effort volunteers and organisers put into making the tournament happen, with events like this requiring significant work behind the scenes.
Overall, the Ingham JDS tournament was described as fun, competitive, inspiring and a reminder that Hinchinbrook has some seriously talented young athletes coming through the ranks.
Award-winning Cardwell ceramic artist Jane Arnold draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the region. Photos supplied
Widely celebrated and award-winning artist Jane Arnold first discovered her passion for pottery through a simple quest to create a humble spoon rest — a journey that quickly evolved into a lifelong creative obsession.
“I have always been interested the pottery process and after my unsuccessful attempt to purchase a replacement spoon rest,” recalled Ms Arnold.
“I had the opportunity in Weipa to attend a pottery beginners Hand Building Course after I had approached the ladies at the pottery club to make me a spoon rest also unsuccessful... this led to my obsession.”
Years later, with a wealth of experience and recognition behind her, Ms Arnold now draws inspiration for her distinctive ceramic works from the natural beauty surrounding her home in Cardwell, where the colours, textures and landscapes of the outdoors continue to shape her craft.
“After moving to Cardwell my husband and I built a gas kiln and every time I use it I am amazed at what we achieved,” she said.
“I love the process of making something useful and hopefully pleasant on the eye, out of a lump of clay. It is satisfying to see the product come out of the kiln, and it’s often a complete surprise with the affects you can achieve! I find my hobby both satisfying and relaxing and hope to continue for as long as I am able.”
Curiosity and creativity have continued to push Ms Arnold to experiment with new techniques, patterns and glazing methods inspired by the coastal environment she loves most.
“I have always loved camping, boating and fishing and use these times with nature to reflect in my designs with glazes on my work,” she said.
“I love to see what effects glaze over glaze gives. This started with the Weipa Potters as it was part of their process. I have added a wax resist with patterns, like mangrove roots, seaweed, and broken cobweb, which shows up when a second glaze is added.”
Ms Arnold said she hopes people not only enjoy using her handmade pieces, but also feel a connection to the place and passion behind them.
“I would like people to continue to enjoy using my pieces and hopefully appreciate the thought and love put into my hobby,” she said.
“Maybe when they use the casserole dish or have a cup of coffee they can think of the time they visited Cardwell.”
Cardwell is set to play a meaningful role in this year’s National Reconciliation Week celebrations, with local organisation Under One Sky Workshops securing funding through the Queensland Government’s Celebrating Reconciliation Grants program.
The Cardwell-based initiative will deliver a cultural art series co-designed and facilitated by the Girramay Traditional Owners, helping bring the community together through storytelling, creativity and shared cultural understanding.
The grants, worth up to $2,500 each, are supporting dozens of events across Queensland as part of National Reconciliation Week, running from 27 May to 3 June. This year’s theme, “All In”, encourages Australians to walk together with greater understanding and reconciliation.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Fiona Simpson said the grants were about strengthening relationships at a grassroots level.
“These grants support local organisations to unite communities and promote respect between cultures,” Minister Simpson said.
“Reconciliation is about acknowledging the significant heritage of our First Peoples and the importance of deepening our shared understanding."
The Government said the program forms part of its focus on practical reconciliation and community-led initiatives across the state.
Nicole Kelly, Mayor Teresa Millwood, Lainie Poon. Photo credit: Regional Development Australia Tropical North
The achievements and contributions of businesses across the region were recognised at the recent Cassowary Coast Local Business Awards, with community leaders, business owners and industry representatives gathering for an evening celebrating local success.
Held at the Innisfail Shire Hall on Friday evening, the event recognised businesses and individuals across a range of categories while highlighting the important role local enterprise continues to play within the regional economy and community.
Attendees praised the presentation of the evening, with the venue transformed for the occasion and guests enjoying catering by Rosco's and entertainment from Alissa Q.
“Last night I was So proud to hear the testimonies from Local stakeholders who have invested in the Cassowary Coast and how our Economic Development Team along with The Economic Leadership Committee are working hard alongside council in driving positive change and making brave decisions to see our region prosper” Mayor Teresa Millwood
Cassowary Coast Business Women's Network congratulated all finalists and winners and also celebrated the success of several member businesses recognised on the night.
“Congrats to all the finalists and winners. Cassowary Coast Business Women's Network is super proud of our six member businesses who were finalists.”
The organisation highlighted the importance of recognising the contribution small businesses make to communities and regional growth.
Among the award recipients on the night was Tropical Vets Cassowary Coast Clinics, which received the 2026 Leading Employer Recognition Award.
“We are incredibly proud to share that Tropical Vets Cassowary Coast Clinics, including Innisfail, Tully, Mission Beach and Cardwell, have received the 2026 Leading Employer Recognition Award at the Cassowary Coast Business Awards,” the clinic said.
“This award reflects the passion, care and dedication of our amazing team across all of our clinics. We are so grateful to our staff and to the wonderful community who continue to trust us with your animals each and every day.”
Winning In Their Category:
Outstanding Business Achievement - Mission Beach Dive,
Customer Services Excellence - House of Valmai and Trade,
Retail & Services Excellence - O'Brien Electrical Innisfail
Leading Employer Recognition Award - Tropical Vets Cassowary Coast Clinics
People’s Choice Award - Hair Manor Innisfail.
With Mother’s Day still fresh in many families’ minds, it can also be a reminder that parenting is not always picture-perfect. Between school pressures, busy schedules and the emotional ups and downs that come with raising children, many North Queensland families are finding the start of the year more challenging than expected.
That is where services like Tumbleweed Therapies - Psychology are stepping in to help. Based in Townsville, the practice offers parenting and family counselling designed to support families through difficult periods, whether it is communication breakdowns, behavioural concerns, relationship stress or simply feeling overwhelmed by daily life.
Tumbleweed Therapies was founded with a focus on providing accessible mental health support to regional communities across North Queensland, recognising that families outside major cities can often struggle to access timely services. The practice works with children, adolescents and adults, offering support that is tailored to each family’s circumstances.
Parenting itself has changed significantly in recent years. Families are balancing technology, social pressures, school demands and the ongoing challenge of maintaining healthy routines and relationships. Counselling can provide practical strategies, a safe space for open conversations and tools to help families reconnect.
Importantly, seeking support is no longer viewed as a last resort. More families are recognising that counselling can strengthen relationships before problems escalate. Whether it is helping parents better understand their child’s emotions or supporting families through life transitions, services like Tumbleweed Therapies - Psychology are helping North Queensland families navigate modern life with greater confidence and connection.
When businesses first move their data and computing systems to the cloud, costs often appear manageable. However, as operations expand, cloud expenses can rise much faster than revenue. This growing problem is known as “cloud waste”, the unnecessary spending hidden within monthly cloud invoices.
Cloud waste occurs when businesses pay for resources that are not delivering value. Common examples include underused servers, storage linked to completed projects, and development or testing environments left running outside business hours. While cloud platforms make it easy to create resources on demand, they also make it easy to forget to switch them off. Because most cloud providers operate on a pay-as-you-go pricing model, unused resources continue generating costs around the clock.
One major source of waste is over-provisioning. Businesses often choose larger servers or more computing power than required “just in case”, then fail to reduce capacity later. Orphaned resources are another common issue. When projects end, storage disks, IP addresses and load balancers are frequently left active, quietly adding to monthly bills. Idle databases and containers can also drain budgets over time.
The scale of the issue is significant. According to a 2025 VMware report surveying more than 1,800 global IT leaders, nearly half believed more than 25 per cent of their public cloud spending was wasted, while 31 per cent estimated waste exceeded 50 per cent.
Addressing cloud waste requires more than a simple audit. Many organisations are adopting a FinOps approach, which brings finance, technology and business teams together to manage cloud spending collaboratively. Rather than simply cutting costs, FinOps focuses on maximising the business value gained from every cloud dollar spent.
Havana and Heath loved making their crafty gifts for their mums.
At Halifax State School the prep students created a special “Love You to Pieces” wall hanging ornament for their mothers for Mother’s Day this year. The wording on the timber was laser engraved, and students carefully glued jigsaw pieces onto their hanging to complete the design.
Students also personalised little white heart boxes and selected two chocolates to give to Mum. The gifts were beautifully wrapped using paper created from the students’ balloon paintings completed earlier in the week.
Each gift for mum was crafted with love and each student had fun making them. Huge thanks to Mrs Jenny, for supplying the resources that allowed the preps to craft such thoughtful and lovely gifts.
Robert and ITW Townsville generously donated a TrakFast gun to the school. Photo credit: Ingham State High School
Our Construction students were extremely fortunate to take part in a specialised industry training session delivered by Robert Buckley from ITW Townsville. Experiences like this continue to provide our students with valuable opportunities to work directly with industry professionals and gain exposure to the latest technology being used in the construction industry.
Throughout the session, students gained an insight into Ramset and the important role fastening systems play within the building and construction industry. Robert took students through the history and development of both mechanical and chemical fasteners, before showcasing how modern fastening technology has evolved to meet industry demands.
Students were trained in the correct use of ChemSet chemical fastening systems, as well as a variety of traditional mechanical fastening methods commonly used on construction sites today.
The highlight of the day was students having the opportunity to use industry-standard equipment, including the TrakFast fastening system, allowing them to fix timber directly to steel and concrete, a fantastic hands-on experience that many students would not normally access until entering the workforce.
We are also incredibly grateful to Robert and ITW Townsville for generously donating a TrakFast gun to the school. This equipment will allow us to continue training students with industry-standard tools and provide even more authentic, hands-on learning experiences within our Construction program.
At Ingham State High School, we are proud to continue building strong partnerships with industry leaders to ensure our students are developing practical, job-ready skills and gaining authentic experiences that prepare them for future pathways in the construction industry.
A huge thank you to Robert and ITW Townsville for supporting our students and helping bring real-world industry training into the classroom.
Students working together in the kitchen to prepare a shared meal. Photo supplied
Learning at our school is beginning to flourish through hands-on experiences that connect the garden to the kitchen. As part of the Pick of the Crop program, students have recently started working in the garden beds, learning how to care for plants and understand where food comes from.
Outdoors, students are developing responsibility as they begin planting, weeding and maintaining the garden spaces. These early steps are helping students build knowledge about growing fresh produce and the importance of caring for the environment. The garden is quickly becoming a purposeful space where students can engage in practical, meaningful learning.
This learning is already extending into the kitchen, where students are exploring how ingredients can be used to create simple meals. Working together, students assist with preparing food, practising safe handling and sharing tasks. These experiences encourage teamwork and give students a sense of involvement in the food journey.
Although the program is still in its early stages, students are beginning to see the valuable connection between growing and preparing food. The combination of gardening and cooking is supporting the development of practical life skills while fostering curiosity and engagement.
As the Pick of the Crop program continues, students will have even more opportunities to deepen their understanding and take pride in what they grow and create.
Gilroy student Sophia doing Year 10 Work Experience. Photo supplied
Without realising it, some of our greatest triumphs start from a seed planted while in secondary school.
The encouragement given to students at Gilroy Santa Maria College to explore their career pathways and possibilities, often sparks success for years to come. Students who have experienced this journey are returning to the school yard on Thursday May 28 for a past student panel career discussion, at GSMC’s Beyond the Classroom evening.
Featuring a range of professions including Engineers, Electricians and Miners, this experienced panel will discuss how they worked towards achieving their career aspirations while at Gilroy Santa Maria College and how encouragement from passionate educators developed their goals beyond any limits.
The evening will also feature opportunities to meet the College’s Careers staff and find out how they work with students for maximum results.
“This will be an exciting opportunity for local families to kick start or dive further into crafting their child’s career pathway. There are going to be great conversations from our past student panel,” says Marie Noble, GSMC VET and Careers Leader.
Local businesses, educators and employers will also share their knowledge via the booths available to be explored on the night.
Any businesses that would like to host a booth are welcome to express their interest to the College Office on 4776 2888.
Gilroy Santa Maria College ‘Beyond the Classroom’ career possibilities and pathways evening will take place at the College from 5pm-6:30pm on Thursday May 28. All local Year 10-12 students and their families are invited to attend.
Northern Heavy Machinery can help you find the right machine for your job. Photo supplied
Northern Heavy Machinery is a Townsville-based heavy equipment supplier and service provider working across North and Central Queensland. The team supports industries such as construction, mining, agriculture and earthmoving by providing machinery, parts and servicing that help keep operations running smoothly in tough regional conditions. At its core, the business is focused on practical support, reliability and building long-term relationships with customers who rely on their equipment every day.
Rather than simply selling machinery, the team takes a hands-on approach, helping customers find the right equipment for the job and backing it up with servicing, repairs and parts support. This includes everything from heavy earthmoving machines through to smaller utility equipment, with a focus on keeping downtime to a minimum and productivity high.
Northern Heavy Machinery is also looking forward to connecting with the community at the Rotary NQ Field Day 2026, where the team will be on site to meet attendees, answer questions and showcase a range of their machinery. It is a chance for local operators, contractors and farmers to see the equipment up close, talk directly with the people who service and supply it, and get practical advice tailored to their needs. Having machines on display also gives visitors a clearer understanding of what is available and how it performs in real working conditions.
With a strong regional presence and a commitment to supporting North Queensland industries, Northern Heavy Machinery continues to focus on being a trusted partner both on the job site and within the wider community.
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