No, It's Rally Racers! By Victoria Velton Chris and Tracey Castles have taken to the skies on a 26-day, 10,500-kilometre journey as part of the Royal Flying Doctor Service Outback Air Race 2025. Flying under the banner of Team 15 – Rookies, the pair are navigating their fire engine red A32 Vixxen through some of Australia’s most remote regions in a rally that is less about speed and more about navigation, timing, and precision. Their mission is twofold: to embrace the adventure
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The renowned Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island (Munamudanamy) is receiving a significant upgrade, with works currently underway to enhance visitor experience while preserving the island’s unique natural and cultural values. Led by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, the project is being delivered in close collaboration with Bandjin and Girramay Traditional Owners. The aim is to improve infrastructure along the 32-kilometre trail without compromising the remote and pristine characte
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All around the Shire, and Australia, Vietnam Veterans' Day was commemorated in remembrance of the Battle of Long Tan and other Australian operations in the Vietnam War. “Vietnam Veterans Day holds profound importance in Australia's national consciousness. It is not merely a day etched into the calendar, but a moment of collective reflection, a time to pay tribute to those who served to acknowledge the complexity of their experiences and to ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten.” “The sto
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The Lions Club of Ingham is once again proud to present the annual Ingham Sportstar Awards, celebrating the outstanding sporting achievements and contributions of local athletes, teams, and volunteers. Nominations are now open, and the Club is calling on the community to help shine a spotlight on Hinchinbrook’s sporting heroes. The awards recognise achievements from 1st September 2024 through to the nomination closing date, and all nominees must be Hinchinbrook residents or represent a local sp
Read the full storyIngham welcomed local author Walter W. Mason for the launch of his two highly anticipated books, Little Girl Beautiful and The Blue Bus, and the event was nothing short of a triumph. The community gathered in high spirits, catching up with Mason, sharing stories, and celebrating a lifetime of connection to the region. By the end of the launch, every copy of The Blue Bus had sold out, and Mason was down to his last box of Little Girl Beautiful. Those who missed out eagerly placed orders online, ensuring his work would continue reaching readers far beyond the district.
Mason, who has spent almost all his life in Ingham, is known for weaving the North Queensland landscape and its people into his stories. Little Girl Beautiful is a gripping novel set in the district, with the Wallaman Falls area imaginatively modified to suit the narrative. The story follows Sebastian Castorana’s desperate search for his missing daughter, exploring family secrets, cultural tensions, and suspense against the lush backdrop of Queensland. The novel marks a departure from Mason’s earlier humorous tales, tackling darker, more intense themes with authenticity and depth.
The Blue Bus, Mason’s memoir, is an intimate account of his fifty-year marriage to his wife, Leigh, and their journey through love, loss, and the devastating onset of dementia. The book captures both the joy of their early romance and the heartbreak of caregiving, offering a raw, heartfelt testament to devotion, resilience, and enduring love. As guests at the launch shared conversations with Mason, many were moved by his candour, humour, and the courage with which he recounts personal tragedy.
The atmosphere of the launch, held at JK's Delicatessant and Cafe, was warm and convivial, with Mason chatting with everyone who stopped by, old friends catching up, and coming together to celebrate local talent. Heartfelt exchanges filled the space, reflecting both the personal and universal themes of Mason’s work. His stories, whether fictional or memoir, resonate deeply with anyone familiar with the landscapes and people of North Queensland.
Available on Amazon and Booktopia, Mason’s books stand as a powerful reflection of a life lived deeply, enriched by love, tragedy, and the beauty of the local environment. The launch was more than its books; it was a celebration of storytelling, community, and the enduring impact of one man’s remarkable life.
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