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Shade, but make it historic. Halifax’s Row of Street Trees on Macrossan Street — mostly mango trees planted around 1885 — is Queensland Heritage-listed for its cultural significance. What started as practical heat relief evolved into a leafy community lounge room. For generations, these trees shaded shopfronts, schoolkids and neighbours swapping stories in the afternoon cool. Today, they still frame the town beautifully, with classic buildings and the Herbert River Museum nearby, tying together sugar, settlement and everyday life. It’s proof that some of the best planning decisions ripen over time. Stroll beneath the canopy, snap the symmetry, and remember: good ideas, like good mangoes, age beautifully. Stroll it: hinchinbrookway.com.au
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The Ingham Theatre Group is delighted to announce the return of its Juniors program, kicking off on Saturday, 9 May, offering young people across the Hinchinbrook region the chance to explore theatre in a fun, supportive environment. Open to participants aged 9 to 13, the program will cover a range of theatrical skills including performance, improvisation, and creative development, with script writing introduced as one of the many ways participants can bring their ideas to life on stage. Designed to build confidence, teamwork, and creativity, the sessions provide a welcoming space for young people of all experience levels. The program is free to attend (excluding the standard membership fee). Junior Theatre Director and teacher Kimberley Veltmeyer said the program is about giving young people the opportunity to explore every aspect of theatre. “This program is about helping young people find their voice, whether that’s through acting, creating, or writing. Script writing is just one of the many ways they can express themselves and be part of something special.” The Juniors program will run weekly, with participants working towards future performance opportunities as part of the Ingham Theatre Group’s community productions. To register, please email secretary@inghamtheatregroup.org.au. For more information, please contact Ingham Theatre Group via their social media channels or website. Caption: In December 2025, the Ingham Junior Theatre players acted out a Christmas skit full of naughty elves hiding cookies from a no-nonsense detective. Photo credit: Victoria Velton
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The Herbert River Crushers travelled to Townsville on Sunday and came up against Centrals who were too strong in all 3 grades. The Centrals Tigers side were up 34 - nil with 20 minutes to go in the match before Herbert River got on the board. Utility player Kynan Purdy, winger Bailey Skipper and backrower William Trethaway scored tries while captain & five eighth Dylan Gaggiano kicked 2 goals to give the Crushers a glimmer of hope, but the Tigers scored 2 more tries, one of which was converted to hand the Crushers their first A-Grade loss of the season. In Reserve Grade Centrals had gotten out to lead 12 nil before the Crushers scored either side of halftime with front rower Matty Chiesa pushed 2 defenders off to score first. With winger Riley Dickson's conversion, the Crushers went into the break 12 - 6 down. Soon after halftime halfback Keith Kyle stepped through the defence and the Crushers had a glimmer of hope to be down 12 - 10. Unfortunately for the Crushers Centrals scored 3 more tries to runaway with the game 28 - 10. Under 19s coach Annan Whittington advised the team started well and were in the grind for the opening 10 minutes but could not keep the intensity up for the entire half, centre Evandah Bann crossed just before half time and after halfback Hezekiah Nona converted it left them 18-6 down. Injury and an inability to stay engaged mentally for the 2nd half, meant Centrals ran away with the result 32 - 6. Whittington challenged the team in the dressing sheds at full time to get their preparation right and quickly adjust to the intensity of senior rugby league before playing competition leaders, Brothers in a fortnight. Multiple St Teresa’s College boys should be available for selection for that match, which should be some very welcome players to bolster their backline. Nona was named Players Player while hooker Aiden Stedman, centre Marsat Newman, five eighth Riley Morris and fullback Mitch Maher were all outstanding in defeat. There are no games next weekend. The Crushers next play Brothers in Townsville on Sunday, 10th May. Contributed with thanks by Peter Reitano.
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Wednesday afternoon saw our 3 clubs combine to play our Goodwill Afternoon sponsored by Alison Rutherford and family. Great afternoon, good company and fun bowling. Round 1. G.Ketlerer, M.Spano, A.Fudriga. J.Piotto 18 v B.Bell, G.Bison, J.Casanovas, R.Peterson 8. V.Raiteri, D.Tomba, L.DiBella, S.Ryan 12 v Dennis Bell, J.Leach, M.Moore, S.Cotton 4. A.Burns, C.Hewitt, K.Rotondo, P.Menagon, 12 v Dot Bull, J.Holmes, N.Evans, T.Thomson 7. N.Mancuso, T.Rhodes, S.Pizzi, T.Garate 9 v C.Seymour, T.Mawson, A.DiBella, M.May 4. J.Bell, C.Pizzi, A.Johnson, L.Melvin 11 v P.Poggio, B.Eddleston, J.Fenoglio, E.Piotto 8 I.Byrns. J.Eddleston, K.Wegert 8 v N.Mammerella, G.Byrns, R.Basaglia 7. J.Johnson, J.Leonardi, J.Craven M.Owen, 9 v G.Wright, S.Scott, A.Wegert, A.Bison 4. Round 2 skips only. M.May 20 v R.Basaglia 7. S.Cotton 13 v M.Owen 2. T.Thomson 10 v J.Piotto 9. A.Bison 7 v S.Ryan 5. R.Peterson 10 v P.Menagon 9. T.Garate 12 E.Piotto 5. K.Wegert 11 v L.Melvin 4. Winners of the day were N.Mancuso T.Rhodes, S.Pizzi, T.Garate 2 Wins + 21. Runners up I.Byrns, J.Eddleston, K.Wegert 2 Wins +19. Contributed with thanks by Sandy and John & Elsa Piotto Captions: 1st place N Mancuso, T Rhodes, S Pizzi & T Garate 2nd place: I Cheasley-Byrns, J Eddleston & K Weggett
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One of the world’s most beloved performers, Arj Barker, will have you questioning the fundamental components of life itself with his upcoming performance at the JL Kelly Theatre on Friday 9 May next year!
An ARIA Award Winning American comedian and actor, Arj’s performance intends to answer some of life’s biggest questions which will have audiences laughing and learning well into the night. The Mind Field has garnered much attention and five-star reviews from various publications and critics, with Broadway Baby calling Arj’s performance, “excellent stand-up by an exceptional comedian.”
Arj has been deemed Australia’s funniest adopted Californian, and having spent over a decade living in Melbourne, he has come to understand the complexities of Australian culture, an understanding he comedically intertwines into his performances.
Over his time living in Australia, Arj has become a household name, appearing on television shows including the original, Hey Hey It’s Saturday program, and performing in venues across the country. 2024 has presented itself as a big year for the talented comedian, from launching his brand new live stand-up show, The Mind Field, to landing his first lead role in a feature film, The Nut Farm.
After selling out shows across 2023, Arj landed himself a spot on the star studded 2024 Brisbane Comedy Festival lineup earlier this year where he performed Power Hour – a compilation of his most beloved jokes over the past thirty years.
Arj will ignite the JL Kelly Theatre into uncontrollable laughter on Friday 9 May, 2025, with audiences advised to strap in to enjoy many humorous perspectives on many of life’s most questionable phenomenon’s like, “why do farts smell?”. A 15+ performance, The Mind Field will explore many profound concepts with a comedic tone and tickets to the once in a lifetime performance will be available from 10am on Thursday 28 November on the JL Kelly Theatre website.
You’ll laugh, and you’ll learn, but you’ll never look at anything the same once you enter… The Mind Field.
What: Arj Barker – The Mind Field.
When: Friday 9 May, 2025, 7pm.
Where: JL Kelly Theatre.
More Information: Event Ticketing & Booking Platform | TryBookinghttps://www.proserpineentertainmentcentre.com.au/events/event/169/arj-barker-the-mind-field.
Arj Barker’s The Mind Field performance will ignite JL Kelly Theatre this May.
The Hinchinbrook Shire Library are gearing up for another enriching school holidays filled with enjoyment and education following the launch of their annual Summer Reading Program on Monday 9 December.
Students aged between six to twelve years are encouraged to sign up for the free program to discover the enchanting world of the written word, with an awesome, Fitbit Inspire Tracker awarded to the student with the highest reading logbook! With each student’s entry, they’re also placed into a fantastic raffle set to be drawn at the program’s conclusion for one lucky reader’s opportunity to win a Yeti 769ml Straw Bottle.
“The program is a great way to encourage children to read over the holidays, and have fun while doing it,” explained Kelannei of the Hinchinbrook Shire Library.
It should come as no surprise that fostering a love of reading at a young age produces a world of benefits in the areas relating to language growth, imagination, creativity, and academic advancement. What better time to introduce or build upon such a wonderful habit than during these summer school holidays?
Over the course of the school holidays, students are to record and track each book read in their logbook available at www.library.hinchinbrook.qld.gov, allowing the program to stand as a positive, and measurable tool regarding your child’s literacy engagement.
On Friday 24 January, the program’s participants are invited to attend a celebratory Summer Reading Party where each of the winners will be announced, and each student will be presented with an Encouragement Award for their commitment and dedication.
For more information on how your child can be part of such a fantastic and enriching program, visit www.library.hinchinbrook.qld.gov or email library@hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au.
With so many magical festive events set to be held over the next month, our calendars are most likely reaching breaking point in the best way possible, and there’s another wonderfully fabulous event that also deserves a spot on your schedule.
The QCWA Upper Stone Christmas Party will have the community busting a move to the musical talents of DJ Wayne Newton and smiling for Santa this Saturday 30 November from 6pm at the Upper Stone Hall. Attendees are invited to enjoy an evening overflowing with both modern beats and old time, sing-along classics as well as plenty of delicious eats with the barbeque hot and ready to go!
The evening will host a range of opportunities to win big with both a Major Cash Draw, and a Monster Raffle including over thirty fantastic prizes up for grabs as well as an awesome Lucky Door Prize.
The 2024 QCWA Upper Stone Christmas Party hopes to be nothing short of nostalgic, with Wayne under instruction to throw it back to the golden era to recreate the magic of past Upper Stone Hall dances where locals would waltz well into the night to Pride or Erin and other popular tunes.
An annual celebration, all funds raised from the cash only community event will be put towards advancing, improving and revamping the beloved hall to continue hosting fabulous celebrations, and creating wonderful memories will into the future.
What: QCWA Upper Stone Christmas Party.
When: Saturday 30 November, 6pm.
Where: Upper Stone Hall.
More Information: Visit the Upper Stone QCWA Branch Facebook page.
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