Baby season for the Little Red Flying Fox has officially begun, and NQ Wildlife Care is calling on the community to help protect these vulnerable native animals.

At this time of year, mother bats are giving birth and raising their young. The baby flying foxes are unable to fly for several weeks and rely entirely on their mothers for survival.

“Sometimes pups may fall off their mums and land in random spots around town,” explained a spokesperson from NQ Wildlife Care.

“If you see a baby bat alone anywhere, please call us immediately."

The organisation has only just finished caring for microbat and black flying fox babies and says while the work never stops, the dedicated volunteers are committed to safeguarding local wildlife.

Residents are reminded not to touch or attempt to care for any bats themselves, as bats can carry disease and need expert handling. Instead, any sightings of baby bats should be reported directly to NQ Wildlife Care.

To report a sighting or get assistance, phone 0414 717 374.

Hi Everyone,

It’s hard to believe, but Hinchinbrook Life Newspaper has now been serving our community for six months — an incredible milestone that fills us with pride and gratitude.

A huge thank you to Daniel Heggie, our first journalist, who laid the foundation by building strong community connections and getting the paper off the ground.

A big shoutout to Victoria Velton, who has done a fantastic job taking over the editorial reins and driving the paper forward every week.

To Sherie Hensler-Adams, our dedicated Sales Manager — your passion and hard work ensure the paper runs smoothly, from distribution to impressive sales. We truly appreciate you.

Thanks also to Crissy and Ruby at our central office, whose friendly, can-do attitudes make advertising with us seamless, and to our distributors Julian and Lesley for delivering the paper reliably each week.

Most importantly, thank YOU — our readers and advertisers. Your support is the heartbeat of this free community paper, which flies off the stands every week and often leaves demand for more copies.

This month marks a special milestone — our first-ever 40-page edition! This expanded format reflects growing community interest and your ongoing support. With your continued encouragement, we hope to bring you a 40-page paper every week.

As a free newspaper, we rely entirely on local businesses’ support. In return, we encourage readers to support these businesses by engaging with their ads and choosing their products and services. This cycle strengthens our local economy and community.

We’re proud that nearly 90% of our Foundation Advertising Partners have renewed their campaigns — thank you for trusting us from the start. We hope we’ve done you proud!

When you support Hinchinbrook Life, you’re helping to keep four local jobs going and providing a community paper that everyone can enjoy. So, when you’re deciding where to spend your advertising dollars, choosing to advertise with us means you’re supporting your community in a real and meaningful way.

With gratitude,
Rach

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Volunteer With Ingham Meals On Wheels

Have you been looking for a wonderful way to give back to your community whilst spreading a little love and kindness to the amazing people of the Hinchinbrook Shire?

Ingham Meals on Wheels have sounded a call for volunteers to join their terrific team and help the organisation continue to deliver meals around the community to those who need them most.

“Do you, or do you know someone that would like to volunteer in our kitchen?” asked Ingham Meals on Wheels.

“We are seeking kitchen volunteers to help us out with our ever-growing clientele! You wouldn’t only be helping us but helping to feed our elderly clients in the community and providing the best service we possible can!”

Recognised and valued across the country, Meals on Wheels Inc. is an outstanding volunteer run organisation committed to providing hot meals and support to senior and vulnerable members within local communities. Over the past 65 odd years, the organisation’s network of services have grown, with volunteers often going the extra mile to support those in need, especially during the uncertain times of COVID19 or the recent string of natural disasters.

Operating out of 17 Eleanor Street, Ingham, the team, comprised of dedicated local volunteers, have been regularly celebrated and commended by the community, with many noting there’s always a laugh to be had in and outside the kitchen.

Anyone interested in volunteering are warmly invited to email inghammow@bigpond.com or call 07 4776 3078 for more information.

Angelina Mastrippolito's Debut Novel

Growing up among the rustling rows of sugarcane in Macknade, Angelina Mastrippolito never imagined she would one day write a book delving deep into the trauma of two world wars, resilience, and cultural clash that shaped her childhood. Now living in Sydney, the proud daughter of cane farmers and second-generation Italian immigrants is sharing her story in print with Australia, one that began right here in North Queensland.

Her debut book, Le Seconde: Inheriting the Unspoken, is an evocative and honest account of life caught between two worlds - the old traditions of Fascist Italy and the evolving, feminist wave of 1960s and ’70s Australia. But at its core, the book is grounded in the cane fields and tight-knit Italian community that defined Angelina’s upbringing.

Among the first generations of Italians to settle in the Ingham region, Angelina’s family found familiarity and comfort in the multicultural enclave known as “Little Italy.” But behind the vibrant community life were often untold stories of emotional hardship, trauma, and cultural displacement.

Born in 1961, she began school without speaking a word of English. Yet, she excelled, earning top marks in maths and physics, before going on to become one of Australia’s first female actuaries. Despite her academic and professional success, Angelina said she struggled with identity, shaped by the cultural expectations of her childhood and then the expectations of an Australia which had not yet come to terms with its multicultural identity.

“Quando una bambina nasce, nasce per essere solo un mucchio di paglia,” her mother would say - “When a girl is born, she is born to be just a pile of straw.”

The phrase, handed down from her mother, epitomises the gendered beliefs she fought so hard to escape, first in her own home, then in the male-dominated corporate world of Australia’s financial sector.

Her words not only bring to life the region’s unique social fabric, a place of gumboot-stained hard work and quiet sacrifice but also the resourcefulness and resilience of the migrant women who raised families under the North Queensland sun.

Le Seconde is a deeply personal and timely contribution to Australia’s evolving understanding of migrant identity, generational trauma, and womanhood. But for those in Macknade and Ingham, it’s also a poignant reminder of the stories, both spoken and unspoken, that live in the cane fields and family kitchens of our own community.

Angelina will be hosting a wonderful book launch in TYTO Conference Centre’s Jacana Room on Monday the 16th of June from 9:30am to 11:30am. Please RSVP on or before the 6th of June to Angie herself by emailing amastrip@outlook.com

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Queensland is a state built on mateship, resilience, and community spirit and every town and suburb has someone who quietly embodies those values. As Queensland Day approaches, now is the perfect time to give those people the recognition they truly deserve with the newly launched Queensland Day Local Legend Awards!

The initiative has been designed to spotlight the everyday heroes among us, the volunteers, neighbours, and community champions who lend a hand without ever asking for thanks.

“The Local Legends are the ones who don’t ask for credit – they just get in and get the job done – and embody the Queensland spirit,” Premier David Crisafulli said.

These are the people who man the barbecues at local fundraisers, patrol our beaches on hot summer days, mow the local sporting fields before game day, and check in on those doing it tough as their kindness and service are the threads that hold our communities together.

Every Queenslander is encouraged to nominate someone who makes a difference, no matter how big or small the act.

“Every Queensland town or city has someone who makes that community a better place, and this is about giving those people the recognition they deserve,” added Premier Crisafulli.

Award recipients will be announced on the 6th of June, during Queensland Day celebrations at the Dolphins v St George Illawarra Dragons NRL game at Suncorp Stadium. Winners will receive a certificate presented by the Premier himself, along with a pack of limited-edition Bundaberg Brewed Drinks ‘Local Legend’ ginger beer.

This initiative follows the government’s “All the Best” campaign launched earlier last week, inviting Queenslanders to celebrate their favourite places, produce and local icons from the best meat pie to the most-loved beach or pub.

Nominations close at 11:59pm on Sunday the 1st of June, and can be submitted online at www.qld.gov.au/qldday.

Tucked into the lush fringes of Ingham’s wetlands is the Boonyee Rushgin Training Café. Known locally as the Tyto Café, it’s a vibrant community hub offering picturesque wetland views, delicious food, and a strong community spirit. Open Wednesday to Friday from 10 am to 2 pm for morning tea and lunch, and Sundays from 9 am to 12:30 pm for a continental-style buffet breakfast, it’s the perfect place to slow down, reconnect, and enjoy flavours from near and far.

Run by CEO Marg Oxley and Head Chef Ingolf Mueller, the café also serves as a training venue for emerging hospitality workers, providing hands-on experience in a real-world environment. The menu is ever-changing; think hearty mains, delicate pastries, and a hotel-style Sunday breakfast with both hot and cold options ($25 per adult), along with a soon-to-launch ‘Around the World’ dinner series, starting with Morocco.

Beyond the table, the café plays a quiet but vital role in the community. Today, frozen meals are prepared onsite and stocked at the Forrest Beach Spar for purchase and during the February 2025 floods, the café became a community lifeline, serving three meals a day over nearly two weeks to locals and flood responders. The team offered more than food as they created a space for connection, support, and healing.

Take the time to slow down and appreciate this local gem. Enjoy a meal on the deck while you take in the sights and sounds of the local birdlife. The Tyto Café team is here to serve only the best, made with the immense love they hold for their community. Drop by and experience it for yourself.

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Women across the Hinchinbrook Shire are warmly invited to share in a heartwarming and social morning tea this June, with an event that promises laughter, good company, and a touch of magic.

Presented by the Zonta Club of Townsville and the Hinchinbrook branches of the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA), the free morning tea will take place on Monday the 10th of June, from 9:30am at the Ingham Bowls Club on Ann Street.

The event welcomes ladies from across the region, including Abergowrie, Long Pocket, Forrest Beach, Halifax, and Upper Stone, to come together and enjoy a relaxed few hours filled with connection and conversation.

Attendees can look forward to a lively game of hoy, along with a fantastic selection of raffles, a cent sale, and lucky door prizes to keep the atmosphere festive and the excitement flowing.

Organisers hope the morning tea will be a chance for local women to take a well-deserved break, meet new friends, and celebrate the strength and spirit of Hinchinbrook’s regional communities.

Due to limited seating, bookings are essential and can be made by contacting Chris Walker on 0466 853 840, Sandy Ryan on 0434 338 371, Marion Martin on 0439 774 141, Maree Mitchell on 0427 225 836, or Margaret Hill on 0427 856 725. Alternatively, bookings can also be made online at northerndivision@qcwa.org.au.

WHAT: Women's FREE Morning Tea.
WHEN: Monday 10th June, 9:30am.
WHERE: Ingham Bowls Club.

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Residents of the Hinchinbrook Shire are invited to take part in a FREE six-week-long Responsible Tenancy Workshop, proudly hosted by the Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre.

Kicking off on the 2nd of June, the weekly sessions will be held each Monday from 9:30am to 12pm at The Hinchinbrook Community Centre, located at 71 Townsville Road, Ingham. The workshop is open to everyone in the community and aims to equip tenants with essential knowledge and confidence when it comes to renting a home.

The program will cover and explore vital topics such as entering and maintaining a tenancy, understanding key rental documents, knowing your rights as a tenant, and more to help strengthen tenant’s understanding of today’s rental market.

Attendees will gain practical, real-world insights into navigating the rental market, making the sessions perfect for first-time renters, families, and anyone wanting to brush up on their tenancy knowledge.

Light refreshments will be provided at each session, and bookings are essential. To secure a place, RSVP by calling the Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre on 4776 1822.

WHAT: FREE Tenancy Workshop.
WHEN: Weekly from Monday the 2nd of June, 9:30am to 12pm.
WHERE: The Hinchinbrook Community Centre, 71 Townsville Road, Ingham.

During last week’s parliamentary sitting, a public briefing was held on the Domestic and Family Violence Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025. This Bill aims to enhance police efficiency and provide immediate protection to victims of domestic and family violence (DFV) through the introduction of Police Protection Directions (PPDs). PPDs are intended to offer victims immediate protection for 12 months and do not require a court hearing.

DFV is a serious issue that affects too many Queenslanders. At present, there are 2,481 full time police officers that are dedicated to DFV. Without any changes, Queensland Police Services predict that by 2032, 5,747 full time officers will be required to maintain the current level of service delivery for DFV. Consequently, the government is looking to make changes that will improve police efficiency but still protect individuals against DFV.

While the intent of the Bill is to improve victim safety and streamline police responses, it raises some concerns about potential unintended consequences, particularly for individuals who may be wrongly accused. During the public briefing, I inquired whether a PPD would affect someone's Blue Card or Firearms Licence. The Department confirmed that a PPD could impact Blue Card holders and would also result in the revocation of a Firearms Licence. This is particularly concerning in cases of misidentification, where individuals could face personal and financial hardship if these cards or licences were wrongfully revoked.

While these reforms may reduce some of the workload for police when it comes to DFV, they shouldn’t offend the rules of natural justice or impede on the procedural fairness when it comes to legal matters. Whilst I would love nothing more than to see the workload of our police streamlined so that their time on the beat is better spent, perhaps alternative measures and options could have been explored prior to this bill being introduced.

I look forward to the ongoing examination of the bill. Submissions can be made through the committee website until 5pm, Friday 30 May 2025. There are also public hearings scheduled to take place in early June in Mackay, Cairns, and Brisbane.

Contributed with thanks to Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto.

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The Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre has received a much-needed boost with the arrival of a brand-new bus to support their service delivery. The vehicle replaces the Centre’s previous bus, which was lost during the devastating floods earlier this year. While insurance covered the replacement of four other vehicles lost, there were no remaining funds to replace the bus, a critical resource for the Centre’s operations.

Recognising the importance of access to transport for many vulnerable community members, the Lions Club of Ingham and the APEX Club of Herbert River stepped in to co-fund the purchase of a new bus. Their swift and generous response addressed a significant gap in the Centre’s ability to deliver services to socially isolated and mobility-challenged clients, particularly children and seniors.

The vehicle, which has been modified by Toyota Ingham to be safe and accessible for people living with disabilities, will support a wide range of community programs. From school holiday activities to regular services for adult clients, the bus will play a central role in helping clients attend events, access support, and remain connected with the wider community.

President of the Centre, Bruce Grinstead, emphasised the impact of the donation, noting that the bus provides more than just transport, it offers inclusion and opportunity for individuals who might otherwise be left out due to isolation or a lack of mobility. Ingham has no public transport system, and many clients have no other means of travel, making this vehicle a critical link for participation and connection.

Councillor Donna Marbelli echoed this sentiment, describing the new bus as an important step forward in overcoming local transport barriers and ensuring that vulnerable residents remain supported saying that: "the bus will connect them and enhances their worlds."

The Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre, supported extensively by volunteers, continues to serve as a vital hub for the region. This new vehicle ensures those efforts can continue and expand. The donation reflects the strength of community partnerships and the willingness of local service clubs to support meaningful change.

Following the bus’s unveiling and formal acknowledgements, guests enjoyed refreshments, including a celebratory cake provided by Mick’s Bakery, marking a hopeful new chapter for the Centre and the people it serves.

The Watkins family of Cardwell and fishing, go hand in hand, like needle and thread. Mr William Watkins Senior began his affair with the sea in the mid 1890’s, and his love of the sea was carried on to his sons Bill and George. The marine tradition was passed on to three of George’s sons - Cecil (Cocky), Francis (Frisco) and Fred (Mickey) and Bill’s son Leslie who joined the Navy. Between them they have owned and sailed different types of boats and know the seas around Cardwell and the Great Barrier Reef like the back of their hands.

George married Leah Elsa Green after his return from World War 1, and briefly took up charter work with his brother Bill. In 1939 George commissioned Norman Wright to build a general purpose launch 42 feet long and capable of carrying 15 to 20 tons of cargo and passengers. He named this vessel the Elsa after his wife Leah Elsa. In 1942, like many other boats, Elsa was taken over by the Townsville Port Control Authority who employed George Watkins to run her.

She worked seven days a week transporting stores to ships in the Townsville Harbour until in 1944 George, Leah Elsa and their family returned to Cardwell. Once back at home George spent his time fishing and resumed the charter work and island picnics. He took pilots from the Lucinda based Pilot Service from Cardwell to and from steamers sailing through the Hinchinbrook Channel to the bulk sugar terminal.

Sisters Dulcie Shanahan and Phyllis Hann of Ingham remembered the moonlight Sunday night trips on the Elsa when they would travel from Cardwell to the Haven on Hinchinbrook Island. There the group would play corners and 2’s and 3’s before returning to Cardwell. Their brother the late Edgar Richards (Stumpy) would bring out his mouth organ to accompany Tom Hubinger of Cardwell who played his piano accordion and everyone would crowd around for a sing song.

In 1942, Elsa and George gained notoriety when they rescued the crews of a Hudson aircraft in the Hinchinbrook Channel and a Kitty Hawk at Toad Creek north of Cardwell.

George lost his arm in an accident in 1949, and his teenage sons Cocky, Fisco and Mickey assisted with the upkeep and running of the boat. In the latter part of 1952, George sold the Elsa to Thursday Island resident Jack Zapher who operated a trochus shell and pearling business from Cairns. Sometime after this, her name was changed to the Anna Maria and underwent repairs at a Cairns slipway. When last heard of, the Anna Maria had been sold to Bamaga residents and during the 1970’s was burnt at Red Island Point.

George Watkins died in 1958 aged 63 years, and his wife Leah Elsa passed away in 1977. Some members of the Watkins family can be found in Cardwell Cemetery if you wish to pay respects.

When pests invade your home or business, you want someone local, experienced, and reliable to handle the job, someone like Michael Slater. Better known around Ingham and the Hinchinbrook region as The Pest Control Guy! With over 22 years of hands-on experience in the pest control industry, Michael has built a reputation for thorough, friendly, and professional service that’s as dependable as it is effective.

Michael offers a wide range of services, including termite treatments, cockroach control, bee, wasp and bird removal, building and pest inspections, and pre-construction termite management. Whether you’re dealing with a sudden infestation or planning ahead, he brings cutting-edge techniques and top-grade products to every job. Fully licensed and insured, Michael gives his clients peace of mind while delivering tailored solutions that actually work.

Flexibility is one of Michael’s strengths. Available six days a week, he works around your schedule because pests don’t wait for convenience, and neither should you. The flood waters may have gone, but they left behind many resilient pests that thrive in damp conditions and can wreak havoc if not addressed quickly. Cockroaches, ants, and termites better beware as Michael knows exactly where to look and how to act swiftly to prevent their long-term damage to your property.

What truly sets Michael apart is his local knowledge and community-first approach. As a Hinchinbrook local, he understands the unique challenges of pest control in tropical North Queensland and is always ready to help his fellow residents protect their homes.

So, if you’ve got spiders in the shed, ants in the pantry, or termites in the timber, don’t wait. Call Michael Slater: The Pest Control Guy today on 0409 065 069 or 0439 722 311, or email appc147@gmail.com

Rural landholders across the Hinchinbrook Shire are now eligible to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to assist with clean-up and reinstatement costs following the North and Far North Tropical Low disaster event that occurred earlier this year between the 29th  of January and the 28th of February.

The Rural Landholder Recovery Grant Scheme has been activated to support primary producers whose properties and livelihoods were impacted by this declared natural disaster. Funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments, this initiative aims to help landholders get back on their feet by covering direct recovery costs.

Eligible local government areas include Hinchinbrook, Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Charters Towers, Flinders, Burdekin, Palm Island, Tablelands, Townsville and Yarrabah and to qualify, landholders must meet the following criteria:

• Own or lease at least 10 hectares in one of the disaster-declared areas.
• Operate a primary production enterprise on that land.
• Hold an ABN that was active during the disaster event.
• Have earned at least $20,000 gross from primary production in the year before the disaster.
• Have no more than $250,000 gross off-farm income.
• Intend to re-establish the enterprise on the affected land.
• Not have already received financial assistance through other disaster loan or grant schemes for the same event.

The grant is reimbursable and can cover a range of expenses such as debris removal, damaged fencing, restoration of access roads, infrastructure repairs, and more. Applicants are required to provide supporting documents such as a rates notice or lease, 5–10 photos of the damage, insurance information, and evidence of expenditure.

Applications for the Rural Landholder Recovery Grant will close on the 13th of February, 2026, but eligible landholders are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to support timely recovery.

For full eligibility criteria and to apply, visit the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) website.

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Simon Hood, Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing

North Queensland has seen a nice drop in temperatures this past fortnight, which is a welcome change to our growers who are still busy out in the field preparing for the start of the 2025 season. Our team has also been active on the ground, meeting with growers to finalise their pricing and provide updates on what’s happening in the market.

For those participating in the Managed Pool Plus for the 2025 season, you would have recently received an update detailing the pool’s valuation, pricing strategy, and market outlook.

While it's still early days, the pool is tracking well above the benchmark price, supported by strong base pricing in both the futures and currency markets. The use of option strategies allows for downside protection while maintaining the opportunity to benefit from potential market rallies.

Launched last year as a new pooling option for Wilmar growers, the Managed Pool Plus has attracted strong interest from those seeking a more stable approach amid market volatility. Nominations for the 2026 season are now open and will close on 30 June. I encourage you to contact a member of the team if you’re considering this option for your pricing next season.

In broader market news, the #11 sugar contract remains range-bound due to limited activity from both buyers and sellers.

Attention is centred on Brazil’s bi-weekly UNICA reports, which offer key metrics such as harvested tonnage, CCS, and sugar mix. Yield data comes from the monthly CTC reports. The May reports indicate the Brazilian harvest is running behind schedule, with lower-than-expected yields, CCS, and sugar mix. However, it's still early in the season, and recent weather-related delays may be offset in upcoming updates.

Given the current "watch and act" sentiment, we expect prices to remain within a broad trading range of 17.00 to 18.50 USc/lb. A weaker-than-anticipated UNICA update could push prices toward the upper end of that range, while further declines in oil prices could pressure the lower end by reducing ethanol parity pricing.

Queensland’s 2025 sugarcane crush is officially underway, with harvesters firing up across the Tablelands district this morning. It marks the start of a new season that growers hope will bring better fortunes after a tough run last year.

Around 28.5 million tonnes of cane are expected to be cut and crushed across 13 districts, from Rocky Point in the south right up to Mossman in the far north.

The crop is down slightly from last year, with recent widespread flooding across north Queensland causing major losses to plant cane, while prolonged cloudy weather also slowed growth in some districts.

Despite this, growers are hoping to turn the page on 2024, which was one of the most disrupted seasons in recent memory. Unseasonal rain, mill breakdowns and industrial action caused major delays that saw some districts harvesting into January – and around a million tonnes of cane left in the paddock.

“Growers are eternal optimists,” CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan said.

“They’ve done their part, growing the best crop they can under the conditions. Now we will be working together with the rest of the supply chain to make this season work.”

While last season’s industrial disputes have been resolved, the reality is, multiple difficult harvesting seasons have had a cumulative impact on the profitability of farmers, Mr Galligan said.

“In the brief break since the last harvesting season we’ve been in urgent talks with the sugar manufacturers, and while we’re seeing a real willingness to tackle the problems and get things back on track, there are no quick fixes, unfortunately.”

Workforce shortages are also creating challenges, especially in regional areas where skilled mill workers, harvester drivers and haulout crews are in short supply.

CANEGROWERS is working with local offices and the Queensland Farmers’ Federation to help address these issues.

“There’s huge potential in this industry,” Mr Galligan said.

“But we won’t fully unlock it until we can consistently harvest the entire crop in most efficient and profitable time.”

With the first cane bins filling up, growers are crossing their fingers for dry weather, reliable mills, and a smooth run through the season.

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