Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Cardwell Seafest delivered an ocean of entertainment on the weekend for the whole community, with families, visitors and locals enjoying a packed program of activities, markets and performances. Young festival-goers were among those enjoying the classic Punch and Judy show, with plenty of little eyes glued to the colourful performance and its hilarious characters. The hot rod car show also proved a major drawcard, with the polished vehicles turning heads and attracting plenty of attention throughout the day. Car enthusiasts and curious spectators alike took the opportunity to admire the impressive collection and chat with fellow motoring fans. The Seafest markets were another hit, with stalls offering plenty to browse, buy and discover. And amongst them on the foreshore was the kid’s fishing competition and other fish-related activities that added to the active Sunday market atmosphere. From children gathered around the puppet booth, to fishing off the jetty, to crowds stopping to admire the hot rods and families wandering between market stalls, there was plenty happening along the Cardwell foreshore. As the weekend unfolded, Seafest offered plenty to watch, something to browse, activities to do and many familiar faces to catch up with, capturing the easygoing atmosphere that makes Cardwell events such a drawcard. Photo credit: Victoria Velton
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By Helen Cook With October signalling the approach of The Wet, children at Jumbun have been adding a splash of colour to a project that could make a big difference when the full force of the season arrives. Jumbun is a small Aboriginal community on Girramay Country, on the Cassowary Coast, home to people from the Girramay, Jirrbal and Gulnay nations, about 40km south-west of Tully. During the school holidays, community members have been painting power poles with colourful cassowaries, flowers, birds and other images inspired by their surroundings. But behind the painting is a bigger story. Heavy rain, storms, cyclones, fallen trees and vegetation can interrupt electricity supplies across the whole of the Wet Tropics. Jumbun is particularly vulnerable because it sits at the end of a powerline running from the Tully substation. “Every single power outage on that powerline, about 40 kms of it, the Jumbun community experiences,” Ergon Energy Senior Community Engagement Advisor Kate Austin said. This wet season, however, Jumbun has something new in its corner – a low-voltage microgrid designed to keep much of the community powered when the main supply is interrupted. At its heart is a large battery “box”. “If there’s a fault on the network upstream, we can isolate the residents here in community and power it from the battery,” Kate said, allowing Tully crews to make repairs while “keeping the power on to the community”. Around 25 homes, together with the health clinic and community hall, are connected to the system, while two houses outside the microgrid configuration have been fitted with rooftop solar. Jumbun is one of two Queensland First Nations communities involved in network-connected microgrid trials, alongside Mossman Gorge, where a high-voltage system has been installed. The trials will help determine whether the technology could benefit other communities at the edge of the grid. The pole painting is part of a wider program helping residents, particularly children, understand the new technology and the importance of conserving energy. And the biggest canvas is still to come. The microgrid box will be wrapped in artwork by local Jumbun artist Tonya Grant, depicting the story of Split Rock and giving the new infrastructure a distinctly local identity. The artwork is expected to be installed within the next month. Jumbun kids (and Chase, the dog) get creative with Ergon Energy’s Kate Austin and Karina Hoppe during a colourful school holiday art and power project. Photo credit: Helen Cook
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By Victoria Velton For some, a paint and sip is simply an afternoon out with a bit of bubbly. A recent Queensland Country Women Association (QCWA) event in Forrest Beach offered something a little deeper: an opportunity to talk about recovery, resilience and the importance of connection following disaster. Queensland Health Mental Health Clinician Jenna from the Disaster Recovery Team has been attending the CWA for around six months and helped organise the event as a way to bring people together. Jenna explained that the Disaster Recovery Team was formed following the region’s natural disasters, providing mental health support at a time when much of the immediate disaster assistance has already disappeared. “But that doesn’t mean people aren’t still struggling, still aren’t in their homes,” Jenna said. Jenna said community connection was a critical part of recovery, while her team also provides one-on-one support for people who may need additional help. “Stress during and immediately after a disaster is important as it helps us do what we need to do, however stress for long periods of time wreaks havoc on our body and mind and may be a sign to reach out for support,” she said. Beverley Hulme was one of those who shared her experience, recalling the floods at Forrest Beach, when she found herself isolated at home without power or communication. “I was really, really alone, and I had no resources because I wasn't prepared. Of course, I had never experienced rain coming down for 10 days,” Beverley said. Her experience changed when someone arrived at her home to conduct a welfare check, followed by women who offered to provide her with meals three times a day. “That’s what saved my mental health,” she said. For Beverley, the experience highlighted the importance of being prepared, but also the strength of a community coming together when people need it most. She also recognised that the emotional recovery does not necessarily end when the floodwaters recede. “You don’t just keep going. With that trauma inside you, you’ve got to get it out and talk about how you felt.” Another attendee shared her own experience of the disaster, explaining that while her husband was occupied helping others as part of the emergency response, she was often left alone at home. Her story highlighted a different side of disaster recovery, that even when someone has people around them, they can still feel isolated, particularly when family members are unaware of what they are experiencing. The discussion also raised concerns about residents in more isolated communities being forgotten during the floods, with attendees questioning whether emergency planning adequately considers those living further from major population centres. Jenna said the concerns raised were important and encouraged residents to continue providing feedback and directing their questions about how to get prepared before the wet season begins. “The HUB in Ingham might be able to answer those questions. Or even the councils as well, who are passionate about this. So that feedback is really important, both positive and constructive,” she said. As the community approaches another wet season, Jenna said preparedness and connection remain important parts of building resilience and supporting people through the longer-term impacts of disaster. As the conversation gave way to creativity, attendees picked up their brushes under the guidance of Tipsy-Doodle, a Townsville-based paint and sip program. The specially designed artwork showed the sun breaking through clouds over a grassy knoll, with a cut tree stump sprouting a new branch and leaves. The image was chosen to symbolise recovery and perseverance, reflecting the resilience of both nature and the community. Beginning with heavy conversation but finishing with bright artwork, the ladies of the Forrest Beach CWA’s Paint n Sip showcased canvases carrying a message that recovery takes time, and coming together is an important part of finding the strength to grow again. Photo credit: Victoria Velton Ladies of the Forrest Beach CWA Michelle and Joe Amanda and Beverley Anne, Vicky and Katrina Karen and Annie Pam and Alana Pauline and Wendy Valda's work Valerie
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On 10 October 1859 George Elphinstone Dalrymple first sighted what would become the Valley of Lagoons. He applied for a land grant of the area. Arthur and Walter Scott later took up controlling interest in the Valley of Lagoons Station.
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Hinchinbrook understands commitment levels. You can wander TYTO boardwalks for five minutes, loop the 1.9 km town walk, explore rainforest tracks, or disappear for days on the permit-limited Thorsborne Trail. Same region, wildly different energy settings.
No matter the distance, the basics stay the same. Carry water, wear proper shoes, slap on sunscreen, check weather and park alerts, and respect wildlife and tides. The reward is automatic: fresh air, better moods and that quiet satisfaction walking delivers.
This is a destination where short walks don’t feel like consolation prizes and long hikes don’t feel compulsory. Choose your pace, collect smiles and let the scenery do the heavy lifting.
Choose a track: hinchinbrookway.com.au
Just A Farmer film screening was held at the Ingham Showgrounds Covered Arena. Photo source: Hinchinbrook Shire Council
Around 100 people gathered at the Ingham Showgrounds Covered Arena on Saturday 4th July's night for a free community screening of the award-winning Australian film Just A Farmer.
The film explores rural life, grief, mental health, resilience and the importance of community support through the story of an Australian farming family. The screening provided an opportunity for the Hinchinbrook community to come together and engage with the issues raised by the film.
Locals thanked those involved in bringing the film to Ingham, saying the event helped build local connections and encourage more gatherings of its kind in the future.
Audience member Nikki Collins described the film as “very emotional” and thanked Hinchinbrook Shire Council and the organisers for hosting the free event and sharing its meaningful message.
“Was such an emotional movie. Thank you for hosting an incredible night. I cried all the way home,” she said.
Audience member Maria Bertocchi also thanked organisers for bringing attention to the sensitive subject of mental illness.
“Thank you for shining the light on this sensitive issue, the more mental illness is brought to the fore, the less stigma... thank you Hinchinbrook Shire Council,” she said.
Hinchinbrook Blue Light supported the event by supervising a children's movie screening, allowing children to be entertained while their parents attended the main film.
The event was provided through the Australian and Queensland Governments under the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, in association with Hinchinbrook Shire Council.
The Girramay people at the Cardwell NAIDOC market Photo credit: Victoria Velton
Hosted by the Girramay people on Girramay Country, the Cardwell Markets marked the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week on Sunday with a celebration of storytelling, traditional dance, bush tucker and weaving.
More than a cultural display, the morning was an opportunity for visitors to hear stories, sample traditional foods, and witness how language, traditions and cultural knowledge are passed from Elders to younger generations, ensuring stories, customs and identity continue for generations to come.
"We're celebrating 50 years of NAIDOC. We've included our Elders because without our Elders, there's no one to teach the young people,” Auntie Tracey of the Girramay said.
"It's very important that our children and people in general understand why we celebrate. Many years ago, a lot of our people fought and advocated for us as Indigenous peoples. This is about acknowledging them and celebrating who we are."
Rather than presenting individual displays, organisers deliberately linked every activity together to tell the story of Indigenous life.
"It's not a celebration that's separated," Auntie Tracey said.
"Every stall you see here is connected.
"We lived off the land. We ate bush tucker. We heard stories from our old people. We learned to hunt and gather food. We stayed with our mums and aunties to learn weaving.
"But it all comes back to our Elders. That's where you hear their heart and their aspirations. They don't just teach you who you are individually. They teach you through the land, and you automatically grow in the character of who you are."
Language also formed an important part of the day's activities with Auntie Tracey sharing stories explaining that many Aboriginal people carry both an English name and a traditional language name.
"We all know our English names, but it's important to know the story behind the language names our old people gave us."
One story centred on young performer Jarves, whose language name, ‘Doondu’ (Dundu), means "little bird", while fellow dancer Dante carries the language name ‘Mugirray’, (Mudgoia) meaning "big brother".
Traditional bush tucker was another highlight, with visitors able to sample wallaby and fish cooked over the fire, while traditonal dance stories were performed.
"It's the leanest meat and it (wallaby) was readily available for our people to feed their families. We also live by the sea, so fish has always been important too."
The Gundulu or Gunduy dance told the story of a greedy man who was captured and transformed into a cassowary, while the Djarrugan dance depicted the scrub hen building its nest.
Women and girls moved together for the Jarra dance, sharing the story of the soapy foam tree and the waves, while the men and boys took to the grounds for the lively Jiggirra Jiggirra, or Mr Willy Wagtail dance, described as a "show-off" dance.
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The Girramay people were dressed in weavings by Girramay and Mamu woman Martha Rudken. The colours of the chest pieces represented the sea country, orange and blue represents the sun and the sea together.
The performances were accompanied by singer Evander Cora, helping share Girramay stories with visitors as Cardwell joined communities across Australia in celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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Mind, Body Reformed studio owner Alicia Roelofs says the new class is great for reducing muscle tension. Photo credit: Sian Bantock
Mission Beach locals looking to improve their mobility, ease muscle tension and feel more relaxed have a new class to add to their wellness routine.
Mind, Body Reformed has expanded its timetable with the introduction of dedicated Myofascial Release classes, giving clients another way to improve flexibility, reduce soreness and support overall wellbeing.
Held twice each month, the Myofascial Release classes use a combination of targeted movements and stretches to encourage the fascia to release, helping participants feel more relaxed, rejuvenated and mobile.
The classes can assist with reducing muscle tension, improving flexibility and range of motion, enhancing recovery after exercise and easing everyday soreness.
The new offering joins Mind, Body Reformed's popular timetable of reformer Pilates classes, each designed to suit different fitness goals.
‘Toned’ focuses on strengthening the glutes, legs and core, while ‘Strength’ targets the upper body and core. For those looking for a faster pace, ‘Circuit’ combines reformers with props in a dynamic workout that blends strength, cardio, balanceand endurance. ‘Jump’ delivers a high-energy cardio session using a reformer jump board, providing a challenging workout that's gentle on the joints.
Whether you're looking to build strength, recover more effectively or simply move with greater ease, Mind, Body Reformed offers a welcoming environment for all fitness levels.
Mind, Body Reformed is located in the Shopping Hub at 46 Porter Promenade, Mission Beach. To book a class or view the latest timetable, visit www.mindbodyreformed.au.
Tuesday 14th July
Art from the Heart Acrylic Painting Group, 10am-12:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Pottery Session with Michelle, 5pm-8:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Wednesday 15th July
Pottery Session with Justin, 10am-2pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Super Southern School’s Community NAIDOC Celebration, 10am-2pm, Jumbun Community Oval, Murry Upper
Innisfail State School’s NAIDOC Day 50 Years of Deadly Celebration, 10:30am, Innisfail State School, Innisfail
Thursday 16th July
QCWA Flying Fish Point Craft Day & Basket Making Workshop, 9am, Girl Guides Hall, CNR Elizabeth and George Streets, Flying Fish Point, Innisfail
Pottery Session with Trudy, 5pm-8:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Innisfail Community & Services Club Trivia Night, 6pm, 18 Fitzgerald Esplanade, Innisfail
Fat Bastards Car Club Inc. Thursday Night Classic Cruise In, 5pm-7pm, Cairns Hardware, Edmonton
Friday 17th July
Local Inspirations Exhibition Opening Night, 6pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Saturday 18th July
Paradise Run Mission Beach, 6:45am, Seaview Street, Mission Beach
Cardwell parkrun, 7am, Cardwell Foreshore, Cardwell
Innisfail Markets, 8am-1pm, Anzac Memorial Park, Innisfail
Pottery Session with Hilary, 10am-2pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
MELT Workshop with Louise & Kellie, 3pm-5pm, Mission Beach Progress Hall, Mission Beach
Sunday 19th July
Mission Beach Markets, 7am-12pm, Ulysses Park, Mission Beach
Mission Beach BEACHRUN, 7am, North Mission Beach, Mission Beach
Silk Workshop with Cheryl Bigger, 9am-3pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Monday 20th July
Cassowary Coast Yarners, 10am-12pm, C4 Community for Coastal & Cassowary Conservation, Mission Beach
Children’s Art Workshop (Foundational Skills), 3:30pm-5pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Tuesday 21st July
Art from the Heart Acrylic Painting Group, 10am-12:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Pottery Session with Michelle, 5pm-8:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Cassowary Coast Business Women’s Network Inc. Presents Presentations by Justin Brennan and Anita Laksa, 6:30pm-9pm, Crown Hotel Innisfail, Innisfail
Wednesday 22nd July
Pottery Session with Irene, 10am-2pm, Mission Arts Pottery Studio, Mission Beach
Thursday 23rd July
Oiled Painting Group, 9am-12:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Pottery Session with Trudy, 5pm-8:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Innisfail Community & Services Club Trivia Night, 6pm, 18 Fitzgerald Esplanade, Innisfail
Friday 24th July
Tully Show, ALL DAY, Tully Showgrounds, Tully
Innisfail Leprechauns Old Boys Reunion Weekend Meet & Catch Up, TBA, Brothers Leagues Club Innisfail, Innisfail
Saturday 25th July
Tully Show, ALL DAY, Tully Showgrounds, Tully
Paradise Run Mission Beach, 6:45am, Seaview Street, Mission Beach
Cardwell parkrun, 7am, Cardwell Foreshore, Cardwell
Cassowary Coast Talent Quest Auditions, 10am, Multipurpose Court at Tully High, Tully
Pottery Session with Michelle, 10am-2pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Christmas in July Roller Disco, 4pm, RAM Recreational Centre, 4 Sitt Street, Innisfail
Simo’s Boxing Club Amateur Fight Night, 5pm, Innisfail Shire Hall, Innisfail
Innisfail Leprechauns Old Boys Reunion Weekend Old Boys Day (Innisfail Leprechauns VS Southern Suburbs), TBA, Callendar Park, Innisfail
Sunday 26th July
Fat Bastards Car Club Inc. Coffee & Cars Monthly Meet Up, 9am, Flying Fish Point Beach Café, Flying Fish Point
Cardwell Sportfishing Club Monthly Sausage Sizzle & Presentation Day, 3pm-5:30pm, St Albans Street, Cardwell
Tuesday 28th July
Art from the Heart Acrylic Painting Group, 10am-12:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Pottery Session with Michelle, 5pm-8:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Wednesday 29th July
Pottery Session with Justin, 10am-2pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Tully Book Fair, 10am-2pm, Tully Masonic Centre, Tully
Thursday 30th July
Tully Book Fair, 10am-2pm, Tully Masonic Centre, Tully
Pottery Session with Trudy, 5pm-8:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach
Innisfail Community & Services Club Trivia Night, 6pm, 18 Fitzgerald Esplanade, Innisfail
Friday 31st July
Tully Book Fair, 10am-2pm, Tully Masonic Centre, Tully
Count Down Band North Queensland Tour, 7:30pm-11:30pm, Silkwood Hotel, Silkwood
Alien costumes, live music, fascinating speakers and plenty of cosmic fun will take over Cardwell when the Australian UFO Festival returns from 6th to 9th of August. Photo source: queensland.com.au
For one weekend next month, Cardwell will become Australia's extraterrestrial capital as aliens, UFO enthusiasts, curious sceptics and adventure seekers descend on the Cassowary Coast for the return of the Australian UFO Festival.
Running from Thursday, 6th August to Sunday, 9th August, the four-day festival promises a cosmic mix of mystery, music, markets and family fun, celebrating one of Australia's most famous unexplained phenomena while showcasingeverything the region has to offer.
Whether you firmly believe we're not alone, remain healthily sceptical or simply enjoy a good story, organisers say there's something for everyone.
The festival centres around the C-Files Forum, where researchers, authors, investigators and experiencers from across Australia will dive into everything from UFO sightings and ancient mysteries to unexplained encounters and the future of humanity.
This year's event is especially significant, marking 60 years since the famous Tully Saucer Nest incident; one of Australia's most well-known UFO cases. The mysterious 1966 sighting, just south of Cardwell, continues to intrigue researchers and has helped cement North Queensland's place in UFO folklore.
Away from the forums, the festival spills onto Cardwell's picturesque foreshore with markets, art, cultural experiences and plenty of family-friendly activities.
One of the biggest highlights will be the Alien Invasion Party on Saturday, 8th August, where festival-goers are encouraged to dust off their best alien costumes and join the ultimate intergalactic celebration featuring live music from Zacariah.
Expect little green men, flying saucers, cosmic costumes and enough space-themed fun to keep visitors entertained well into the evening.
For those unable to make the trip, organisers are taking the festival global for the first time, with the entire three-day C-Files Forum available via livestream, allowing curious minds from around the world to tune into the discussions.
Festival organisers have also been having plenty of fun in the lead-up, sharing tongue-in-cheek "intercepted transmissions" on social media about extraterrestrials secretly planning their return to Cardwell after a failed recovery mission.
Whether fact or fiction, one thing is certain; Cardwell is embracing its reputation as Australia's home of UFO curiosity.
So, if you've ever wondered whether we're alone in the universe, or you're simply looking for an excuse to wear antennae, dance with aliens and enjoy a weekend unlike any other, the Australian UFO Festival might just be your next mission.
After all, the truth could be out there... and next month, it might just land in Cardwell.
Owner Bridgett Imre has created more than just a boutique at Ibu and Bean. Photo credit: Sian Bantock
In a world where everything seems to move at a frantic pace, stepping into Ibu and Bean in the heart of Mission Beach feels like a welcome invitation to slow down.
Owner Bridgett Imre has created more than just a boutique, she's built a space where customers are encouraged to take their time, enjoy a conversation and discover thoughtfully chosen pieces that each have their own story to tell.
"I've always believed retail is about people and connection," Bridgett said.
That philosophy is reflected throughout the store, where shelves are filled with carefully curated treasures including handmade notebooks, hand-picked jewellery, postcards, purses, hats and bags. Every item has been intentionally selected, with Bridgett constantly researching and sourcing brands that align with the boutique's relaxed, thoughtful ethos.
Clothing is another standout, with collections made from natural, breathable fabrics perfectly suited to the tropical climate. Alongside a range of beautiful labels, Ibu and Bean also offers its own exclusive linen collection, custom made especially for the store.
Whether your style is bright and bold or timeless and understated, there's something to suit every wardrobe.
Much like Mission Beach itself, Ibu and Bean embraces a slower pace of life, encouraging visitors to browse, chat and enjoy the experience as much as the purchase.
Whether you're searching for the perfect gift, a new outfit or simply looking for somewhere to be inspired, Ibu and Bean is well worth a visit.
You'll find Ibu and Bean at Shop 9, 41–43 David Street, Mission Beach. The boutique is open weekdays from 9.30am to 3pm, and Bridgett can be contacted on (07) 4088 6846.
Etty Bay is famous for its beach, but many visitors arrive hoping to spot one particular resident: the southern cassowary.
These ancient-looking birds roam parts of the Cassowary Coast and play a vital role in rainforest health by spreading seeds across large distances. Spotting one in the wild is a privilege, but it comes with responsibility. Keep your distance, never feed them and always give them room to move.
A cassowary sighting can become the highlight of an entire holiday in a matter of seconds. Spot it: cassowarycoasttourism.com.au
Members of the Tully and District Men's Shed are building more than community projects; they're creating friendships, support networks and a place where men can connect. Photo supplied
What began as a response to the devastation of Cyclone Yasi has grown into a vital community hub where friendship, purpose and conversation are helping improve men's mental health.
Established in 2011, the Tully and District Men's Shed was born in the aftermath of the cyclone after the Australian Red Cross identified that many local men may be struggling with their mental wellbeing. Noelene Burns, from Red Cross Tully and the Tully CWA, helped spearhead the creation of what has become a thriving organisation more than 14 years later.
Today, the Men's Shed is home to around 40 members who gather in a fully equipped workshop to work on woodworking and metalworking projects, complete repairs and build items for local schools, charities and community organisations.
But while the projects keep hands busy, members say it's the friendships formed inside the shed that matter most.
"Thats what it's all about, their mental health, so they've got somewhere to go somewhere to come and talk too," President Greg McLaughlin said.
The organisation's mission is to improve men's mental and physical wellbeing by reducing social isolation, encouraging healthy ageing, strengthening community connections and providing members with a renewed sense of purpose.
By helping men stay active, engaged and connected, the benefits extend beyond individual members, positively impacting their families and the wider community.
Long-time member Bill Kaukianen has been part of the Men's Shed since it first opened its doors.
"I was a builder in my working life, since I've joined the shed I've been on the committee and learnt a lot of stuff and learnt a lot of stuff from others, but it's helped me enourmously," Bill said.
Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the Tully and District Men's Shed relies on membership fees, community donations and a small charge for projects and repairs, with all proceeds reinvested into purchasing materials and maintaining equipment.
In 2021, the group relocated to a larger workshop at 5–15 Brosnan Street, Tully, allowing members more space to work, socialise and welcome new faces.
The Tully and District Men's Shed is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 8:30am to noon, with new members always welcome.
Tuesday 14 July
Hinchinbrook Island Clean Up 2026 Day 8, 8:00am – 2:00pm, Meeting at Public Boat Ramp, Dungeness Road, Lucinda
Weekly Community Bingo (Tuesday Session), 10:30am, RSL Herbert River Sub Branch, Ingham
Get Rhythm presents Johnny Cash and June Carter Story, 3:00pm - 5:30pm, Hinchinbrook Shire Hall, 25 Lannercost St, Ingham
Wednesday 15 July
Hinchinbrook Island Clean Up 2026 Day 9, 8:00am – 2:00pm, Meeting at Public Boat Ramp, Dungeness Road, Lucinda
Hinchinbrook Stitchers, Social Sewing Group, 9:00am - 3:00pm at Victoria Mill Social Club Hall, Ingham
Tai Chi, 9:00am - 10:00am, Forrest Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Forrest Beach
Friends of Forrest Beach, conversation and games, 9:00am – 12:00pm, Progress Park shelter, Forrest Beach
Ingham Probus Games Day, 10:00am Herbert River RSL Club, Ingham
Canasta & Cards, 1:30pm – 3:30pm at The Centre, 71 Townsville Rd
Social Darts, 7:00pm, Brothers Sports and Community Club, Cooper St, Ingham
Thursday 16 July
Hinchinbrook Island Clean Up 2026 Day 10, 8:00am – 2:00pm, Meeting at Public Boat Ramp, Dungeness Road, Lucinda
Senior Men's Social Group, 9:00am – 12:00pm at HCSC The Centre, 71 Townsville Rd, Ingham
CWA Craft Group, 9:00am – 12:00pm at the Forrest Beach CWA Hall, 6 Palm St.
Technology Classes, 10:00am – 1:30pm, at the Hinchinbrook Shire Library, 73–75 McIlwraith Street, Ingham
Playtime At The Library, 10:30am – 12:00pm at the Hinchinbrook Shire Library, 73–75 McIlwraith St, Ingham
Mahjong, 1:00pm – 3:00pm at The Centre, 71 Townsville Rd
Weekly Community Bingo (Thursday Session), 6:45pm, RSL Herbert River Sub Branch, Ingham
Friday 17 July
Seniors Morning Coffee Club, 9:30am – 11:30am at the Noorla Bowls Club, 32 McIlwraith St, Ingham
Saturday 18 July
Parkrun, 7:00am, Palm Creek, Ingham & Cardwell Jetty Foreshore, Cardwell
Markets at the Mosaic, 8:00am - 12:00pm, Mercer Lane, 78 Lannercost St, Ingham
Sunday 19 July
Lucinda Markets, 7am –11am, Borello Park, Lucinda
Monday 20 July
Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Tourism Inc. General Monthly Meeting, 1:30pm-3pm, Old Suncorp Building, Ingham
Tuesday 21 July
Weekly Community Bingo (Tuesday Session), 10:30am, RSL Herbert River Sub Branch, Ingham
2026 State of the Region Roadshow - Hinchinbrook Insights Session, From 5:00pm, The Powerhouse, 40 McIlwraith Street, Ingham
Wednesday 22 July
Ingham Probus Working Bee for Christmas in July
Hinchinbrook Stitchers, Social Sewing Group, 9:00am - 3:00pm at Victoria Mill Social Club Hall, Ingham
Tai Chi, 9:00am - 10:00am, Forrest Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Forrest Beach
Friends of Forrest Beach, conversation and games, 9:00am – 12:00pm, Progress Park shelter, Forrest Beach
Morning Melodies: James Taylor Tribute Fire & Rain by Darren Coggan, 10:30am, Hinchinbrook Shire Hall, Ingham
Canasta & Cards, 1:30pm – 3:30pm at The Centre, 71 Townsville Rd
Social Darts, 7:00pm, Brothers Sports and Community Club, Cooper St, Ingham
Thursday 23 July
Senior Men's Social Group, 9:00am – 12:00pm at HCSC The Centre, 71 Townsville Rd, Ingham
CWA Craft Group, 9:00am – 12:00pm at the Forrest Beach CWA Hall, 6 Palm St.
Technology Classes, 10:00am – 1:30pm, at the Hinchinbrook Shire Library, 73–75 McIlwraith Street, Ingham
Playtime At The Library, 10:30am – 12:00pm at the Hinchinbrook Shire Library, 73–75 McIlwraith St, Ingham
Mahjong, 1:00pm – 3:00pm at The Centre, 71 Townsville Rd
Weekly Community Bingo (Thursday Session), 6:45pm, RSL Herbert River Sub Branch, Ingham
Friday 24 July
Seniors Morning Coffee Club, 9:30am – 11:30am at the Noorla Bowls Club, 32 McIlwraith St, Ingham
Saturday 25 July
Parkrun, 7:00am, Palm Creek, Ingham & Cardwell Jetty Foreshore, Cardwell
Sunday 26 July
Monday 27 July
Tuesday 28 July
Weekly Community Bingo (Tuesday Session), 10:30am, RSL Herbert River Sub Branch, Ingham
Ingham Probus Christmas In July, 10:30am Theme: Australian Style
Wednesday 29 July
Hinchinbrook Stitchers, Social Sewing Group, 9:00am - 3:00pm at Victoria Mill Social Club Hall, Ingham
Tai Chi, 9:00am - 10:00am, Forrest Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Forrest Beach
Friends of Forrest Beach, conversation and games, 9:00am – 12:00pm, Progress Park shelter, Forrest Beach
Canasta & Cards, 1:30pm – 3:30pm at The Centre, 71 Townsville Rd
Social Darts, 7:00pm, Brothers Sports and Community Club, Cooper St, Ingham
Thursday 30 July
Senior Men's Social Group, 9:00am – 12:00pm at HCSC The Centre, 71 Townsville Rd, Ingham
CWA Craft Group, 9:00am – 12:00pm at the Forrest Beach CWA Hall, 6 Palm St.
Technology Classes, 10:00am – 1:30pm, at the Hinchinbrook Shire Library, 73–75 McIlwraith Street, Ingham
Playtime At The Library, 10:30am – 12:00pm at the Hinchinbrook Shire Library, 73–75 McIlwraith St, Ingham
Mahjong, 1:00pm – 3:00pm at The Centre, 71 Townsville Rd
Weekly Community Bingo (Thursday Session), 6:45pm, RSL Herbert River Sub Branch, Ingham
Friday 31 July
Seniors Morning Coffee Club, 9:30am – 11:30am at the Noorla Bowls Club, 32 McIlwraith St, Ingham
July 2026 Tea and Trivia, 9:00am - 12:00pm, TYTO Conference and Events Centre, Ingham
Cardwell Sportfishing Club is affiliated with the Australian National Sportfishing Association Queensland (ANSA Qld) - www.ansaqld.com.au
As ANSA operates on the financial year, July marks the beginning of a new competition year for all affiliated clubs.
Last year, Cardwell Sportfishing Club finished the season with an impressive 80 different fish species logged, compared with just 11 species during the 2024-25 year.
The club has been encouraging members to catch and record as many different species as possible, and the friendly competition is clearly paying off.
Already this season, Cardwell Sportfishing Club is leading the Queensland leaderboard with a total of 34 different fish species recorded.
(Contributed with thanks by the Cardwell Sportfishing Club)
On 20 July 1900 an official statement was released for publication in newspapers that the Stone River tramway was practically completed. It was built by the Hinchinbrook Divisional Board with day labour at a cost of £28,000 borrowed from the government.
By Leonie Leotta
‘Capture of a beautiful Blue Wren, taken in WA’
(With thanks to the Ingham Photography Group)
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Premier David Crisafulli with his family and the Hinchinbrook Life team, celebrating at the Herbert River RSL a few weeks after the Hinchinbrook Life newspaper launch in 2024. Photo credit: Christina Spencer
BY Dr Bianka Vidonja Balanzategui
When 116 years of continuous publication came to an end with the closure of the local newspaper the Herbert River Express in 2020, the community lost not only a newspaper, but an enduring link to its past.
The district's newspaper story began with the Ingham Planter in 1894, produced by the Ingham Printing Press. The printing plant was brought to Ingham from Ravenswood by M.P. Fitzgerald and housed in a shop in the main street, near the present-day Lee's Hotel. Among those associated with the paper was Harald J. Hoffensetz.
Some years later, Halifax's The Northern Age provided short-lived competition. Around the same time, one of the district's first planters, Onslow Waller, became owner and editor of the Ingham Planter. It was during this period that Alfred C. Cockrell, whose father was a cordial manufacturer in East Ingham, began work as an office boy. Following Waller's death, Walter's wife appointed Cockrell as managing foreman.
In 1900, less than a year later, the Ingham Planter and The Northern Age amalgamated to form the Northern Planter, with Captain Alfred Henry as editor. Henry was an entrepreneur who also bred horses for the British Army in India. When ownership of the paper later changed hands, Hoffensetz resigned to establish his own newspaper.
The first edition of the Herbert River Express, founded by brothers-in-law Cockrell and Hoffensetz, was published in February 1904. Initially a 12-page weekly publication, served the entire Herbert River Valley while also carrying international news.
The Northern Planter continued in opposition until 1906, when it was absorbed into the Herbert River Express. Hoffensetz managed the general printing business while Cockrell became editor. In 1915, Cockrell acquired full ownership of the newspaper, with Hoffensetz continuing to operate the printing and stationery business. During the war years, shortages of machinery parts and newsprint forced the paper to adapt, at one stage printing on brown paper and displaying copies in the shopfront window for passers-by to read.
In 1968, the Cockrell family repurchased the printing business from the Hoffensetz family, operating it alongside the Herbert River Express as United Press until the newspaper was sold to North Queensland Newspaper Company Limited, a branch of News Limited, in 1986, ending 82 years of family ownership.
One of the paper's most respected editors was Robert L. Shepherd, who took the role in 1954 and remained editor for 35 years. Following News Limited's purchase, he stayed on as Managing Editor, overseeing the transition from traditional hot-metal printing to high-speed web offset presses and computer technology, which transformed both production and the newspaper's appearance. Tragically, Bob died in March 1989, just three years after the sale, aged only 60.
In its later years, the Herbert River Express maintained its focus on local news while transitioning from local printing to tabloid production in Townsville, reducing publication to a weekly edition with an online presence. Its final edition was published in 2020, bringing 116 years of continuous publication to an end, the last edition of the Herbert River Express was filed away as an historical artefact.
However, that was to be but an interruption in the story of the ‘local newspaper’. In 2022 the Wet Tropic Times launched and ran for 3 years, operating from a shopfront in Lannercost Street. In the final print edition of that paper in June 2025, the editor wrote words Bob Shepherd would likely have endorsed: "In an age dominated by fast news and global headlines, the humble local newspaper remains a powerful platform for everyday people to be heard. It's where stories of resilience, celebration, concern, and change take root—told not by distant commentators, but by the people living them."
In November 2024, Hinchinbrook Life was launched at the initiative of Hinchinbrook Shire Council, with the support of local business owners and regional officials. The newspaper is published by the Life Publishing Group, which operates multiple thriving regional newspapers across Queensland.
Shepherds' sentiment continues today. As Hinchinbrook Life Editor-in-Chief Rachael Smith says, "Since we expanded to publishing weekly newspapers six years ago our central goal has been to give regional communities back their free voice in print. We believe in the power of positive news and the connection a newspaper brings to the communities we serve. It’s an honour to continue such an incredible tradition, we are privileged to play our part in preserving history as it happens.”
Group photograph of all the young chefs. Photo credit: Upper Stone CWA branch members
By Dr Bianka Vidonja Balanzategui
A school holiday activity with a tasty difference was hosted at the Upper Stone CWA Hall: Kids Pizza and Pasta Cooking Lessons. The lessons were conducted by caterer and CWA member Sharon Blanco and facilitated by a Commonwealth Government Volunteers Grant that enabled the purchase of suitable kitchen equipment to conduct cooking classes.
Outfitted in aprons, gloves, hairnets and chef hats the 38 children attending first tackled making pizza dough from scratch. Once the dough was risen and rolled, each child topped their own little pizza with a rich tomato base pre-prepared by Sharon and toppings of their choice. Of course, the best part was eating their pizzas straight from the oven!
Next came creating fresh pasta. Once Sharon and some of the older children made the dough, every child had several turns at passing balls of the dough through manual pasta machines till the pasta came out the right texture and thickness. Once cooked and topped with a delicious bolognese sugo pre-made by Sharon each child enjoyed a bowl for lunch.
There were no hungry tummies by the end of the morning’s cooking class!
In between the stages of the cooking class the children were invited to decorate their aprons and to complete an activity sheet. Small prizes were awarded to the winners in each activity. Children took home from the class not only experience in making pizza and spaghetti but their decorated apron and recipe sheets.
The Upper Stone CWA is enormously grateful to Sharon for her outstanding effort in conducting this class. Many thanks too to the CWA members, mothers and grandmothers who stayed on to help. The response from the children was a resounding YES when asked if they would come to another cooking class if it was held.
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