Mark 10th Birdlife Art Awards More than 280 people gathered to celebrate Hinchinbrook Shire Council’s 10th Birdlife Art Awards at the TYTO Regional Art Gallery on Friday night, 1 August 2025. This milestone event continues to honour the rich birdlife of the Hinchinbrook region through the eyes of talented artists from across Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. It features an impressive 106 entries across various mediums, including drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, and m
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Sporting and recreation clubs across North and Far North Queensland impacted by early 2025’s severe flooding can now apply for a share in a $30 million funding package to help repair and rebuild their facilities. The Sport and Recreation Recovery Program (SRRG) — a joint initiative by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) — offers up to $1 million per facility for eligible not-for-profit sport and racing clubs, as well as local cou
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Locally loved artist, Katie Louise, has graced the region once again, painting a beautiful mural on the wall of the infamous Frosty Mango building located 40km South of Ingham along the mighty Bruce Highway. Hailing from Townsville, Katie’s paint brushes have coloured many surfaces across North Queensland where she has artistically captured the unique qualities of several communities including the Atherton Tablelands, Charters Towers, and now Cardwell. Katie’s recent piece within the shi
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Former players, supporters, and families reunited in Ingham over the weekend of 18–19 July 2025 to celebrate the 55-year-long legacy of the Wallaman Rugby League Club, with attendees travelling from across Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and all corners of Queensland. Though no longer active, the Wallaman club holds a proud place in local sporting history. Formed in 1970 under challenging circumstances, the club faced early struggles just getting a team on the field. With determina
Read the full storyThe 58th Parliament of Queensland commenced last week as the Legislative Assembly sat for the first time under the incoming Crisafulli Government. Most of the first week was filled with ceremony and official proceedings except for Thursday when the incoming government introduced three new bills, one being the anticipated Making Queensland Safer Bill, which is set to become law before Christmas.
While the legislation is a step in the right direction, in my opinion it doesn’t go far enough. The bill takes inspiration from several of the Katter’s Australian Party’s (KAP) crime policies, like “removing detention as a last resort” and the principle of “adult crime = adult time” but fails to address the public’s calls to implement minimum mandatory sentencing and castle law.
Youth offenders must be locked up, but the fact is, our detention centres are full. Young crims are climbing over themselves to get into places like Cleveland Bay detention centre before Christmas because it’s a holiday camp. Detention should be a place to avoid, instead of plush purpose built metro facilities. I’d like to see these kids spending the Christmas holidays out in Western Queensland on a cattle station or in donga style accommodation near Urandangi serving time under KAP’s Relocation Sentencing policy.
Also, during the first week of parliament, I moved a disallowance motion to oppose incoming regulations that would make wearing a lifejacket mandatory in certain circumstances. From December 1st, boaties in vessels under 4.8 metres will be forced to wear lifejackets when boating alone or at night.
I’m all for safety, however mandating this requirement is overbearing and takes away what should be a personal responsibility. Boaties should have the right to decide if it is necessary or safe for them to wear a lifejacket or not. The regulations are not justified. What’s next, regulating floaties for everyone who decides to go swimming?
Opinion Piece
Contributed with thanks to Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto
Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto with his son Deekin at the official opening of the 58th State Parliament. Photo supplied
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