Are they not the most gorgeously beautiful and courageous ladies you have seen? Taking that step out into the Maraka spotlight are our wonderful Queens and Princesses, each putting themselves out there for the chance to claim the crown. You’ll get to meet them at the Wine and Cheese Night, the Afternoon Tea, Kids Big Day Out, and Aquathon, all before Hinchinbrook comes together for the ultimate display of regional pride at the Maraka Festival Mardi Gras Parade and Crowning. Mark your calendars as October runs Maraka royal green, floats and fireworks are just the tip of the festival iceberg!
Read the full storyAre they not the most gorgeously beautiful and courageous ladies you have seen? Taking that step out into the Maraka spotlight are our wonderful Queens and Princesses, each putting themselves out there for the chance to claim the crown. You’ll get to meet them at the Wine and Cheese Night, the Afternoon Tea, Kids Big Day Out, and Aquathon, all before Hinchinbrook comes together for the ultimate display of regional pride at the Maraka Festival Mardi Gras Parade and Crowning. Mark your calendars as October runs Maraka royal green, floats and fireworks are just the tip of the festival iceberg!
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On Saturday 11 October, the Cardwell Coastguard hosted its annual Tropical Plant Expo, drawing plant lovers from near and far. The event featured an impressive range of plants for both display and sale, with many local sellers showcasing exceptional specimens. Visitors enjoyed browsing the stalls, chatting with growers, and picking up new additions for their gardens. Alongside the plants were home-grown fruit and vegetables, a delightful selection of prize-winning homemade jams, and beautiful artworks by Mandy. No Coastguard event would be complete without the classic BBQ, complemented by coffee and cake. It was a wonderful day enjoyed by all who attended.
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TYTO Regional Art Gallery is currently home to two thought-provoking exhibitions, each exploring the world around and beyond, through entirely different lenses. In the main gallery, Flies and Weevils and Cockroaches by Lorraine Lamothe invites visitors to see beauty where they might least expect it. At 75, Lorraine found herself yearning to reconnect with her creativity after a quiet spell. “I thought, well, that’s it, I’ve got to put myself out there again and see what can happen,” she said. When Tyto confirmed her exhibition, she recalls thinking, “You’re not done yet, girl. You’re not done yet.” That moment reignited her passion for creating work that not only excites but also makes people think. Her collection of sculptural insects and woven displays celebrates the misunderstood creatures most people prefer to avoid. “I chose insects that are really disliked,” Lorraine explained. “People need to understand that they’re not all bad. They break down decaying plant material and help the environment. Let’s not be prejudiced about these insects, let’s find joy in them.” Across the way, in the Niche Gallery, artist Ashleigh Jane takes visitors into the realm of myth and legend with Mythical Beasts. Her intricate illustrations breathe new life into creatures drawn from global folklore, from Egyptian hybrids to celestial goddesses. “I’ve always been fascinated by mythology and folklore,” she said. “I wanted to delve a little deeper and rediscover stories that lurk in the darkness, the ones people might not know.” Ashleigh’s exhibition features works from her upcoming second book. Each piece is both a visual story and a modern reimagining of ancient tales. “My favourite story is about Doddle, a rain goddess who milks her heavenly cows to make it rain,” she shared. “But my favourite drawing is the Ikenty, a bird with a cat’s head found in Egyptian hieroglyphs. No one really knows what it was for, but I loved bringing it to life.” Together, these two exhibitions celebrate the power of curiosity, whether it’s found in the smallest of creatures or the myths that have shaped cultures for centuries. Both artists remind us that inspiration can be rediscovered at any stage of life, and that beauty often hides in the unexpected.
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After years of battling devastating floods, the Herbert River Athletics Club has finally celebrated a season defined by growth instead of recovery.
For the first time in recent memory, the club escaped major flooding — a huge relief after countless seasons spent rescuing gear from rising waters at George Day Oval. Volunteers once worked through Christmas and Easter to move fridges, canteen supplies, and even the tractor to higher ground.
“It felt strange not having to check how high the water was getting this year,” a club representative said. “We could finally focus on the athletics instead of the weather.”
Although the old clubhouse still recorded over 2.4 metres of floodwater, the club’s new grounds remained dry. After quietly relaunching last year with 17 athletes, 2025 saw numbers more than double to 40 thanks to community support and the efforts of Media Officer Renee Poppi.
The club used the stable season to improve its facilities. Funding was secured to replace the sand in the long jump pits with plans for new covers, shade structures, and future field levelling.
A successful Come and Try Day in March kicked off the year, and despite wet weather, sessions continued indoors. From Term 2, training was split into two time slots, giving families more flexibility. The addition of Coach Shannon Reynolds brought structured sprint training for athletes aged 10 and over, adding professional guidance to the program.
Community partnerships also played a big role. Jason Brown and the Ingham State High School agriculture class returned with the GPS line-marking robot, ensuring perfectly marked fields. Volunteers were again the heart of the club, many helping in the canteen despite not having children involved.
Several athletes also achieved regional success, with Molly-Rose Gaggiano, Joshua Stagnitta-Gurnick, and Tilly Poppi qualifying to represent North Queensland at the Queensland School Sport Track and Field Championships in Townsville.
As the club looks ahead, optimism is high. “After everything this community has been through, to see the club thriving again is something really special,” a spokesperson said. “It feels like we’re finally back on track — in every sense.”
Herbert River Athletic Club - ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Awarded to: JOSHUA GURNICK-STAGNITTA
Josh broke the 13 yrs Long Jump and 13 yrs 100m record. Both records were from 1993 and the previous record holder was Graham Pether.
Herbert River Athletic Club – New Record Holders 2025
Ellyse Chiesa – 7 Years Girls High Jump – 90cm
Liam Ambrose – 7 Years Boys High Jump – 70cm
Joshua Gurnick-Stagnitta – 13 Years Boys 100m & Long Jump
Shannon Reynolds – Open Long Jump – 4.47m
MASKELL & BURNETT - CLUB PERSON OF THE YEAR
Awarded to: RINA ZATTA
DOT HODGETT ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD
Awarded to: KURT ACCORNERO & SULLIVAN BLANCH
DEBORAH STRID - COURAGE & DEDICATION AWARD
Awarded to: TILLY POPPI
RON REID MEMORIAL SHIELD - QUIET ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Awarded to: LILY CHITTENDEN
GILLIAN MARANO ENCOURAGEMENT TROPHY
Awarded to: EVIE SPINA
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