The Agile Wallaby (Macropus agilis) is a frequent visitor to TYTO Parklands and Wetlands, especially during early mornings and late evenings. These shy marsupials graze on succulent grasses and are often seen in small groups of up to 10, but at TYTO, it's not uncommon to spot larger mobs, complete with joeys at foot.

With permanent water and ample open grassy areas, Agile Wallabies are able to breed year-round. If you stroll quietly through the parklands or wetlands, you might be rewarded with a special sight, and even better, a perfect photographic moment.

So next time you're at TYTO, keep your eyes peeled, you never know when one might hop into view!

Talented young tennis players, Riley Carr and Miles Dahlstrom, proudly represented Ingham Tennis Association at the 2025 North Region Junior Development Series – Gold Pan Teams event, held in Charters Towers over the weekend of May 31st and June 1st. This event brought together junior players from across the northern region to compete in doubles and singles matches in mixed-club teams.

Riley captained his Division 1 team with confidence and determination, leading them through a series of hard-fought matches to finish as runners-up. His leadership, both on and off the court, earned recognition and respect from coaches and peers.

Miles played an important role in Division 2, competing as the number 3 player for his team. Demonstrating consistency and strong team spirit, Miles helped his side secure the division title, emerging as overall winners in their category. Both players showed impressive sportsmanship and skill, and their performances have made the local tennis community proud.

To inspire and support the next generation of players, free junior coaching sessions, sponsored by Powerlink Queensland, will be held at the Ingham Tennis Courts on Tuesday 17th June at 3:30pm-4:30pm for ages 5-9 and 4:30pm-5:30pm for ages 10-17. There will be fun games and tennis tips from our coach and club volunteers. These sessions are open to all skill levels and are a great opportunity for kids to get involved in the sport, meet other young players, and build their confidence on court.

To register, contact Coach Tom Casey on 0413 199 702 or visit the Ingham Tennis Association Facebook page. Come along and see where tennis could take you!

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As a Councillor committed to environmental sustainability, I am pleased to share Council's ongoing efforts to transform our approach to waste management. Recognising that landfill space at Warrens Hill Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre is rapidly depleting, we have shifted our perspective from viewing waste as a burden to embracing it as a valuable resource that can be recovered and recycled.

One of the most pressing challenges we face is the contamination of household recycling bins. Contaminated materials hinder the recycling process and lead to increased costs and a loss of valuable resources. We are actively promoting educational campaigns such as the Bin Tagging Education Program (BTEP) to provide residents with instant feedback regarding their recycling practices and the importance of minimising contamination. To illustrate the effectiveness of this program, a Bin Tagging event conducted last week found an 18% decrease in households contaminating their yellow lidded recycling bins.

Council is also working to address the issue of the loss of valuable recyclable materials in both kerbside collection and commercial waste streams. By enhancing our recycling infrastructure and collaborating with local businesses, we aim to improve the recovery of these resources. Initiatives may include introducing more accessible recycling drop off locations and providing support for businesses to implement effective recycling programs. Watch this space.

Council is dedicated to fostering a culture of sustainability within our community. Together we can minimise landfill use and increase resource recovery, paving the way for a cleaner and greener Hinchinbrook Shire. Every household plays a vital role. By recycling correctly, we can reduce contamination, protect our environment and contribute to a more sustainable future. I encourage all residents to actively support our waste and recycling initiatives and be part of this positive change.

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One of the biggest issues we face as a community going forward into the future is waste and waste disposal practices. A number of years ago, the State Government introduced a waste disposal strategy designed to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, through improvement of recycling practices.

This strategy was underpinned by the imposition of a waste levy payable by most local authorities operating land refuse facilities such as Hinchinbrook, on the pretext that the levies would generate income to create markets to accept all forms of recyclable waste, thus creating the impetus for better recycling behaviour by the community. You observed increases in refuse disposal costs, including increased gate fees at the tip, as Council’s sought to recover the costs of the levy payable to the State. Fortunately, due to a rebate scheme, also introduced by the State Government with respect to household waste, residents were spared the full impact of the waste levy charges.

The levy was duly introduced by government and paid by Councils such as Hinchinbrook, but unfortunately, the markets for recyclable materials have not readily appeared and the jobs associated with the improved recycling market have not yet eventuated.

The State Government has now determined to review the former strategy and a new Queensland Waste Strategy 2025–2030 has been released for community consultation, with the commitment to reduce waste to landfill, transitioning towards a waste-free society. Hopefully, this time around more success will be achieved as the issue of what to do with waste is becoming very critical.

Whilst there has been a marked improvement in commitment to recycling throughout our district, we are still lagging well behind state averages, and we are nowhere near being in a position to meet the State targets any time soon.

We are still seeing contamination rates of 40 percent in our recycling bins, resulting in our recyclable loads condemned to general landfill at the Materials Recovery Facility in Townsville at great cost to our community. The underpinning principle towards encouraging material recycling is your hip pocket. To recycle is free, but to dispose of waste to landfill is costly, and will become more costly to the disposer as time goes on.

Please refer to Council’s website to gain information about the benefits of recycling and how to go about recycling as a simple practice in your everyday life. Make no mistake, recycling will save you a lot of money.

If you would like to know more about the new Queensland Waste Strategy 2025-2030, please visit the Queensland government website at https://bit.ly/4mGWvNx

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.