On 29th, September 1869 William Hawkins took up an 800-acre selection. He named it Roscommon Park after his family’s property in Ireland.

A tree silhouetted at sunset by Simone Lennox

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(With thanks to the Ingham Photography Group)

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When summer hits, Kensington Pride mangoes take over Hinchinbrook? Trees in backyards, roadside stalls and sticky-handed locals mark the season in golden, ruby-red tones. Eating a mango here isn’t just snacking; it’s ritual. Cheeks smeared with sweetness, wedges disappearing faster than you can slice them, or a blitzed smoothie at sunset, there’s no wrong way to indulge.  

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The fruit is ephemeral, abundant, and synonymous with tropical holidays. Each bite tastes like sun, soil, care and community. Harvests last only a few weeks, making every mango a tiny celebration of the season. Farmers, locals and visitors alike share in the fleeting pleasure, knowing the moment will pass until next year. Summer here is defined by mangoes, and for good reason as they turn ordinary days into sticky, juicy joy. Find fresh flavour: hinchinbrookway.com.au

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Maraka is almost here, and this year Ingham is getting ready to bring a taste of Rio to the streets.

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The theme for this year’s Maraka Festival is Rio Carnivale; an invitation to go big, go colourful and let the imagination run wild.  

The Street Parade is one of those Maraka traditions that belongs to the whole community. Local schools, businesses, community groups, families and organisations come together to create the floats, costumes and characters that make their way through Ingham, turning the streets into a celebration of creativity and community.

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And this year, with Rio Carnivale as the theme, we want to see Ingham bursting with colour. If you have ever wanted an excuse to dress up, dance in the street or simply join a crowd and soak up some atmosphere, this is it.

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So start thinking about where you will watch from, who you will bring along and, most importantly, how you are going to get on theme. Whether you are part of a float or cheering from the roadside, the parade is made better by seeing the community out in force.

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But before the floats fill Ingham and leave a fabulous trail of feathers in their wake, there are other Maraka celebrations in store.

The annual Maraka cocktail evening is set to be a highlight, this year inviting mystery with Queens – Unmasked.

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“We’ve got a really fun night planned to kick-start the Maraka celebrations,” said Event Organiser Amber.

“DJ Westhoff will be playing, there’ll be prizes for the best masks, a $100 board, nibbles, and plenty of colour, feathers and all things masquerade.”  

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There will be more details about this exciting event and other Maraka events in the lead up to the Maraka Festival.

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Follow Ingham Maraka Festival on Facebook and Instagram for updates and ticket release.

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INGHAM MARAKA FESTIVAL 2026 DATES
24 Oct - Masquerade Party - Queens Unmasked
24 Oct - Fun Family Run-Swim-Run & Aquathon
25 Oct - Afternoon Tea
31 Oct - Fence Painting & Pet Parade
31 Oct - Street Parade / Mardi Gras & Queen Crowning

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Tuesday 22nd September

Cardwell RSL BINGO, 9am, 36-38 Roma Street, Cardwell

BINGO at Brothers Leagues Club Innisfail, 9am, Brothers Leagues Club, Innisfail

Art from the Heart Acrylic Painting Group, 10am-12:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach

Person Centred Emergency Disaster Planning FREE Workshop, 10am-12:30pm, Tully Community Support Centre, Tully

Pottery Session with Michelle, 5pm-8:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach

Trivia Night at Brothers Leagues Club Innisfail, 7pm, Brothers Leagues Club, Innisfail

Wednesday 23rd September

Cassowary Coast Multisport Club Run Speed Sessions, 6am, Bottom Oval, Mission Beach School, Mission Beach

Cardwell RSL Cardwell Craft Group, 9am-11:30am, 36-38 Roma Street, Cardwell

Pottery Session with Justin, 10am-2pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach

From Pub to Paddock, 5:30pm, Hotel Euramo, 11 Euramo Road, Euramo

Thursday 24th September

Oiled Painting Group, 9am-12:30pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach

Mums Club Collective Coffee Catch Up, 9:30am, Castaways Beach Bar & Grill, 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

BINGO at Brothers Leagues Club Innisfail, 6:30pm, Brothers Leagues Club, Innisfail

Trivia Night at Innisfail RSL, 7pm, 18 – 28 Fitzgerald Esplanade, Innisfail

Friday 25th September

BINGO at Brothers Leagues Club Innisfail, 9am, Brothers Leagues Club, Innisfail

Mission Beach Community Arts Centre Sanctuary Exhibition Opening, 6pm, Mission Beach Community Arts Centre, Mission Beach

Cassowary Coast Multisport Club Social Run, 6pm-7pm, Mission Beach, Mission Beach

Cassady Connections live at Innisfail Brothers Leagues Club, 7pm, cnr Campbell & Ernest Street, Innisfail

Saturday 26th September

Paradise Run Mission Beach, 6:45am, Seaview Street, Mission Beach

Cardwell parkrun, 7am, Cardwell Foreshore, Cardwell

Cardwell RSL Cardwell Seaside Quilters, 9am-11am, 36-38 Roma Street, Cardwell

World Cassowary Day Information Session, 9am-11:30am, Outer Limits, 37 Daly Road, Mutarnee

25 Years of Ulysses Link Community Event, 10am-11:30am, Village Green, Mission Beach

Craft in the Park, 3pm, Forrest Beach Park, Palm Street, Forrest Beach

Sunday 27th September

Cassowary Coast Multisport Club Long Run Group, 6am-7am, Casuarina Park, South Mission Beach

Cassowary Coast Multisport Club Sunday Cycling Group, 6am-8am, Mission Beach Police Station, Webb Road, Wongaling Beach

Fat Bastards Car Club Inc. Coffee & Cars Monthly Meet Up, 9am, Flying Fish Point Beach Café, Flying Fish Point

Cardwell Golf Club’s Cross Country Ambrose, 10am, Cardwell Golf Club, Cardwell

Cardwell RSL Sunday BBQ Lunch, 12pm, 36-38 Roma Street, Cardwell

Cardwell Sportfishing Club Monthly Sausage Sizzle & Presentation Day, 3pm-5:30pm, St Albans Street, Cardwell

Monday 28th September

Tully Support Centre Inc. Annual General Meeting, 3pm, 54 Bryant Street, Tully

Lions Club of Tully Meet Up, 6:30pm, Mount Tyson Hotel, 23 Butler Street, Tully

Tuesday 29th September

BINGO at Brothers Leagues Club Innisfail, 9am, Brothers Leagues Club, Innisfail

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

Trivia Night at Brothers Leagues Club Innisfail, 7pm, Brothers Leagues Club, Innisfail

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Kurrimine Beach Fishing Club committee members

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Kurrimine Beach may have missed out on its hugely popular annual fishing competition this year, but the local fishing club made sure the traditional start-of-school-holidays weekend didn’t pass without a celebration.

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With uncertainty around access during the current Kurrimine Beach boat ramp upgrade, the club committee decided to replace the fishing competition with its first Family Fun Day, at the Kurrimine Beach Progress Association Hall – and the change proved a hit.

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Club secretary Marika Wright said the event exceeded expectations, with plenty to keep both children and adults entertained.

“We had a really great turnout and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves,” she said.  

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“There were lots of free kids’ activities and giveaways, thanks to our sponsors, and plenty of big smiles.”

Hodgey the Barefoot Fisherman travelled from Townsville to show youngsters some baitcaster tricks, while Department of Fisheries staff and Innisfail Fire and Rescue also joined the fun.

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Live music from regional performers Andy G and the Electric Dreamers kept the celebrations going into the evening, while an impressive prize pool gave all ages plenty to smile about.

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The club is positive about the $3.5 million boat ramp upgrade, expected to be completed in early 2027. The new two-lane ramp will provide better tidal access, with the club hoping its popular fishing competition will return next year – bigger and better.

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Celebrate World Cassowary Day with a community walk along the Cutten Brothers Track in Mission Beach on Sunday, 20 September. Photo source: Shutterstock

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Mission Beach will mark World Cassowary Day 2026 with a community celebration walk on Sunday 20th September, inviting locals to explore the area's natural and cultural history.

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The morning will begin at 8:30am at Perry Harvey Jetty, with a Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners before participants set out along the Cutten Brothers Track.

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The walk will offer an opportunity to explore the rainforest landscape synonymous with the Cassowary Coast while celebrating the region's iconic southern cassowary.

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Organisers advise the track can be challenging, with trip hazards, muddy sections and the possibility of cassowary encounters, and is not suitable for wheelchairs.

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What? Cassowary Day Community Walk

Where? Perry Harvey Jetty

When? Sunday 20^th September, 8am

The rainforests of the Wet Tropics are so rich and complex that scientists continue to discover species new to science. Researchers have long described the region as one of Australia's great biodiversity frontiers, with many insects and other small rainforest creatures still waiting to be formally identified.  

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That means a walk through the rainforest isn't just a nature experience. You could be passing plants, insects or animals that science barely understands. In a world where most places feel thoroughly mapped and documented, that's a pretty remarkable thought. Discover it: cassowarycoasttourism.com.au

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Tuesday 22 September

Cafe Crawl, 9:00am–12:00pm, RSVP the HUB, different cafe each week, Hinchinbrook  

QCWA Forrest Beach Branch’s Connect & Chat, 9am-12pm, 6 Palm Street, Forrest Beach

Weekly Community Bingo (Tuesday Session), 10:30am, RSL Herbert River Sub Branch, Ingham

Creative Corner, 2:00pm–3:00pm, The HUB, 52 McIlwraith Street, Ingham

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Wednesday 23 September

Hinchinbrook Stitchers, Social Sewing Group, 9am-3pm, Victoria Mill Social Club Hall, Ingham

Tai Chi, 9am-10am, Forrest Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Forrest Beach

Friends of Forrest Beach, Conversation and Games, 9am-12pm, Progress Park Shelter, Forrest Beach

Brothers Bingo, 9:30am, Brothers Sports & Community Club, Cooper Street, Ingham

Spring's Booked Library Bingo, 10:30am–12:00pm, Hinchinbrook Shire Library, 73–75 McIlwraith Street, Ingham

Canasta & Cards, 1:30pm-3:30pm, The Centre, 71 Townsville Road, Ingham

Community Cuppa & Cultures, 2:00pm–3:00pm, Hinchinbrook Community Support, 52 McIlwraith Street, Ingham  

Justice of Peace (JP) Services, 2:00pm–4:00pm, Hinchinbrook Shire Library, 73–75 McIlwraith Street, Ingham  

Social Darts, 7pm, Brothers Sports and Community Club, Cooper Street, Ingham

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Thursday 24 September

Active Explorers – Walk, Talk & Mingle, 9:00am–11:00am, RSVP HUB, Ingham  

Senior Men's Social Group, 9am-12pm, HCSC The Centre, 71 Townsville Road, Ingham

CWA Craft Group, 9am-12pm, Forrest Beach CWA Hall, 6 Palm Street, Forrest Beach

Technology Classes, 10am-1:30pm, Hinchinbrook Shire Library, 73-75 McIlwraith Street, Ingham

Storytellers Gallery Exhibition, 10:00am–4:00pm, TYTO Regional Art Gallery, 73–75 McIlwraith Street, Ingham  

Playtime At The Library, 10:30am-12pm, Hinchinbrook Shire Library, 73-75 McIlwraith Street, Ingham

Mahjong, 1pm-3pm, The Centre, 71 Townsville Road, Ingham

Weekly Community Bingo (Thursday Session), 6:45pm, RSL Herbert River Sub Branch, Ingham

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Friday 25 September

September 2026 Tea and Trivia, 9:30am-11:30am, TYTO Conference and Events Centre, 73-75 McIlwraith Street, Ingham

Seniors Morning Coffee Club, 9:30am-11:30am, Noorla Bowls Club, 32 McIlwraith Street, Ingham

The House of Floating Flowers (Ukibana no ie), 10:00am–2:00pm, Japanese House, 5 Lynch Street, Ingham  

Mystery Movie Morning, 10:30am–12:00pm, Hinchinbrook Shire Library, 73–75 McIlwraith Street, Ingham  

Storytellers Gallery Exhibition, 10:00am–4:00pm, TYTO Regional Art Gallery, 73–75 McIlwraith Street, Ingham  

Green Thumb Club, from 2:00pm, 100 McIlwraith Street, Ingham  

Live Music with Anthony John Music, 6:30pm-9:30pm, Herbert River Sub Branch RSL, Ingham

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Super Sweet preshow Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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By Victoria Velton

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Any pre-show jitters quickly melted away as Super Sweet made their public debut at the Herbert River RSL Club to a packed and sold-out audience of 250 people.

The new band brought crowd favourites to life, filling the dance floor with patrons throughout the night, with electric guitarist Ben Barbi matching the crowd’s energy with dance moves of his own.

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While the performance was Super Sweet’s first public outing as a band, the musicians bring years of experience to the stage.

The gig was highly anticipated, with the initial 200 tickets selling out within a week before another 50 were released, selling out again the following week.

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“We’ve worked really hard to get to this point. Rehearsals have been full on every week, so this is the moment of truth,” the band said.

Super Sweet’s set is built around familiar songs designed to get people moving, covering artists including The Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Angels, Madonna and The Bangles.

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“We cover all your favourites,” the band said – and they do so 100% live.  

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“Every noise you hear from that stage is coming from an instrument.

“There is no pre-recorded stuff. There might be a couple of mistakes tonight, but we don’t mind. That’s what makes it real.

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“We just want people to be able to come to us and say we had a really good time. That’s the bottom line. To have a fun night.”

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The band is now hoping the sold-out debut will lead to more opportunities around Ingham, with plans to play at local events, parties, birthdays and pubs.

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Super Sweet already has a Townsville performance booked at the Herbert Hotel on 24th October, with several other gigs in the pipeline.

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Chelsea Barrett, Fur Ever Bags, custom upcycled toys into bags. Photo credit: Victoria Velton Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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By Victoria Velton

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There is only one regular Saturday market left for 2026, as Markets at the Mosaic welcomed locals and visitors for its second-last market of the year on Saturday 19th September.

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One stallholder bringing something different to the market was Chelsea Barrett, whose Fur Ever Bags stall gives pre-loved stuffed animals a new lease on life.

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Barrett sources stuffed animals from op shops, Facebook Marketplace and her own collection before transforming them into unique bags.

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“I sew an insert in, add a little strap, give it some second life, so that it’s not just sitting dusty on a shelf looking pretty,” Chelsea said.

The idea combines upcycling with a touch of alternative fashion, with each bag individually designed and often finished with accessories such as piercings or scarves.

“Each one is an individual,” she said.

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There were other new faces such as Bead Please, a custom charm maker, Hanging Rock, a handmade natural materials jewellery store, and Unseen Garden, handmade moisturising cream soaps and oils.

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The last market for 2026 will be held next month, giving shoppers one final opportunity to support local businesses, discover new makers and enjoy the Markets at the Mosaic atmosphere.

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PRINT:

2. Paris Andersen, Bead Please, custom charms Photo credit: Victoria Velton

3. Cindy Barrett, the Unseen Garden, handmade moisturizing cream, soaps and oils Photo credit: Victoria Velton

ONLINE:

Ingham Post Office circa 1880. Photo source: Queensland State Library

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By Dr Bianka Vidonja Balanzategui

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Imagine a time when mail took 45 days to arrive from Brisbane, if at all, and when it arrived at the Dungeness port there was nobody there authorised to receive it.  

More often than not, residents had to rely on “the good nature of any chance passer in private boats for the conveyance of the bags up and down the river.”  

On 1st July 1871 James Mackenzie, planter and owner of Gairloch Plantation Mill, was appointed as the first official Postmaster of the Lower Herbert River Post Office. His steam launch would meet the cutter from Cardwell once a fortnight wheremail was offloaded at the Mackenzie boat landing at Seaforth. The mail and other goods were then transported by steam launch up the Herbert River.

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Mackenzie was “obliging” if a bit “happy-go-lucky” in his responsibilities. Mackenzie’s eventual relinquishing of the position and community dissatisfaction led to a petition being sent to the Postmaster General for an improved service. It was only with the increased traffic on the stock route prompted by the Palmer gold rush that a new post office was opened on the newly gazetted Town Reserve on Palm Creek in 1875.  

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The Lower Herbert Post and Telegraph Office was the first public building in the Town Reserve. It was a small wooden board building wrapped by a verandah and linked to an adjoining residence accessed by a breezeway. In 1882 the name was changed to the Ingham Post Office and structural additions made in 1885.  Mail arrived by both coastal steamer and overland by horseback from Townsville.

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With the Commonwealth Government taking the responsibility for postal matters from the states with Federation in 1901 plans for a new, more suitable post office building were drawn up by the Queensland State Government architect.Construction began but not without disagreement between the Postmaster General and the Ingham residents over the location of the building.  

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The Postmaster General wanted the post office to be located on the corner facing Townsville Road (where the Commonwealth Bank stands today). Ingham residents wanted the building to face the town’s main street.  The residents won the toss and by January 1901 the new post office building was built and ready for business in the location it stands in Lannercost Street today. Once the railway line between Brisbane and Cairns was completed in December 1924 a twice weekly ‘mail’ service was introduced.

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In 1935 yet another building replaced the original post office. Constructed of rendered masonry on brick piers it is has heritage value today being one of the last Colonial-Revival post offices in Australia. The 1935 structure with some modifications is the one we see today.  

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The post office range of services have, over time, included the expected post, telegraph and telephone services. Other services included a savings bank, rainfall record keeping, cyclone warning by means of a red pennant hung from the flagpole outside the post office, and once a most valued service of ringing around during flood times to those who had telephones to warn of danger as river levels rose.  

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“Waiting near the water I saw something move near the water's edge,” A wild piglet photographed west of Townsville – By Cheryl Larsen

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(With thanks to the Ingham Photography Group)

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In 2025, Slippery Gypsy played the Rock N Croc Stage. Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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If you haven’t made plans for this weekend yet, Halifax has a suggestion: get ready to crocodile rock at the 2026 Rock N Croc Festival.

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The festival is taking over Riverview Parklands this Saturday, bringing a full day of live music, entertainment, food and activities for the whole family.

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Music will be playing throughout the day, with Cassidy Connections, Ukes Amondo and Sax Attak set to keep the festival atmosphere going from the morning onwards. But it won’t just be music making noise at Riverview Parklands.

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One of the big attractions will see local fireys putting their emergency skills on display, cutting up a car as part of a live rescue demonstration.

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The demonstration will give festival-goers a close-up look at the work involved in safely accessing a vehicle after a serious crash, with the fireys using their rescue equipment to cut through the car.

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For the kids, Carter’s Petting Zoo and pony rides will be on hand, alongside face painting, a kids’ music station, workshops and market stalls.

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Adults can make their way to the Croc Bar, while food vans, raffles, a lucky door prize and the $100 board will add to the festivities. Those wanting to turn the festival into a full weekend can also camp overnight. Pull up a camp chair, throw down a picnic blanket and watch the sun set over the Herbert River to a soundtrack of local music.

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With music all day, family entertainment, plenty to eat and drink, and activities for all ages there will be plenty happening when Rock N Croc takes over Halifax.

So, bring the family, call in the mates, this weekend it’s time to get crocodile rocking!

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WHAT: Rock N Croc Festival 2026
WHEN: From 10am, Saturday 26th September
WHERE: Riverview Parklands, Halifax

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Little Crystal Creek’s stone arch bridge is nearly 100 years old, built in the 1930s as part of Depression-era infrastructure. It has stood the test of time while adding architectural charm to Paluma Range National Park. Set above sparkling pools, framed by rainforest, the bridge blends human craftsmanship with natural beauty, creating a perfect spot for photos, picnics and reflective walks.  

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Bring swimmers to cool off in the creek below, linger in dappled light and explore downstream before heading to nearby Big Crystal Creek. The bridge is a tangible reminder that even tough times can produce enduring elegance and utility. More than a crossing, it’s a piece of living history set in spectacular surroundings, where every step across echoes both human skill and nature’s quiet artistry. Make a day of it: hinchinbrookway.com.au

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