As the 2025 Ingham Marka Festival “Music thru the Ages” concludes, the organisers extend their deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this year’s Festival a resounding success. The event brought together the vibrant spirit of the community, showcasing the best of what Ingham has to offer. The Ingham Maraka Festival Committe would like to extend special to those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Their commitment and passion made the festival possible. Thanks to their efforts, the Ingham Marka Festival remains a cherished tradition and a highlight of the year. The community looks forward to celebrating together again in the future. See the highlights on pages 3 and 20-21
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Spooky Weekend At Mt. Fox The Mount Fox Community Progress Association hosts its annual weekend Halloween Party on Friday, 31 October and Saturday, 1 November at the Mount Fox Campgrounds. This family-friendly event promises plenty of eerie excitement, with costumes, treats, games, movies, raffles, and spooky surprises planned throughout the day and night. The fun continues on Saturday with market stalls, and the kitchen is open for lunch and dinner, ensuring everyone is well-fed for the festivities. Camping is available for just $10 per car per night, with donkey hot water showers and toilets on site for campers’ convenience. Info Updates: 'Mount Fox Campgrounds' group on Facebook Nightmares In Ingham Families are invited to join the spooky fun on Friday 31 October, starting from 5:30pm, a street-wide Halloween celebration that promises spooky fun for the whole family. The highlight of the night is the walk-through front yard experience at 12 Gardiner Street, a hauntingly fun stop for brave trick-or-treaters! Trick-or-treating will continue along the street until 8:00pm, when residents will no longer be accepting visitors. Water coolers will be placed at several properties, so feel free to refill your bottle or grab a cup of cold water. Please dispose of cups responsibly in the bins provided. For safety reasons, please leave pets at home, with crowds and vehicles around, it’s best to keep our furry friends safe. Info Updates: 'Ingham Halloween 2025' on Facebook Cardwell’s Halloween Drive This year’s community trick-or-treat adventure will take families on a spooky drive through Cardwell and Kennedy, with participating homes and businesses offering sweet surprises along the way. While some stops are scattered across the two towns and best reached by car, several Cardwell’s business district locations are within walking distance, making it easy to enjoy the fun safely on foot. Keep an eye out for Halloween decorations to spot participating sites. Info Updates: Emma Raymond & 'What's the go in Cardwell. NQ?' group on Facebook Before The Events Begin – Important Information: – All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. – Follow the designated times for trick-or-treating in your area. – Out of respect for residents who do not wish to participate, only approach homes that are clearly participating. Participating houses will have a balloon out the front, Halloween decorations, or someone outside. – Remember to stay hydrated. It can get very hot, and children in costumes can overheat easily. – When walking and crossing roads, exercise extra caution and child supervision. Vehicles will still be on the roads. – Be respectful. Residents are participating out of the kindness of their hearts. Use your manners, be courteous, and enjoy the evening responsibly.
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The February 2025 floods left an undeniable mark on Hinchinbrook Shire, affecting every corner of the community and testing resilience like never before. In response, Hinchinbrook Shire Council is introducing a new category in the 2026 Australia Day Awards — the Flood Hero Recognition — to honour the countless individuals who selflessly stood up to support their neighbours and help rebuild our community. Mayor Ramon Jayo said the overwhelming spirit shown during those difficult days. “These floods impacted us all, and throughout the crisis, ordinary people showed extraordinary kindness and courage,” Mayor Jayo said. “They didn’t seek recognition; they acted out of love and a deep sense of responsibility to their community. “This award is about recognising their quiet heroism and the strength they gave us when we needed it most. “This is the community’s chance to thank those who gave so much without expecting anything in return.” The Flood Hero Recognition category is unique. It’s not about a single winner but about honouring the many hands that held us together. Council invites the community to nominate anyone who inspired them from volunteers to emergency responders to neighbours who simply helped in small but meaningful ways. From celebrating outstanding citizens of all ages, to recognising cultural and sporting achievements, community events, and acts of heroism during the 2025 floods — there’s a category for every kind of contribution. Judges may reassign nominations to ensure they’re recognised in the most fitting category. Nominations across all categories are now open and will close at 5.00pm on Monday 15 December 2025. Visit www.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au/community-environment/australia-day-celebrations/how-to-nominate/ for more information, visit the Council office at 25 Lannercost Street, Ingham or call 4774 4600. Award recipients will be celebrated at the Australia Day event on 26 January 2026 at the Hinchinbrook Shire Hall.
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Warrina Lakes came alive from 2–4 October as families and anglers of all ages gathered for the annual Tilapia Tournament — a much-loved Cassowary Coast tradition that unites the community while protecting the local environment. A record 710 participants took part in this year’s event, reeling in 604 tilapia, an invasive pest fish species that threatens native aquatic habitats. Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor Teresa Millwood said removing tilapia from local waterways plays an important role in restoring the health of Warrina Lakes and protecting native species. All fish caught were deep-buried on site to ensure safe disposal. “The Tilapia Tournament shows how local events like this can have a real impact, not just by removing tilapia from our waterways, but by bringing people together to learn, work as a team and care for our rivers and lakes for years to come,” Mayor Millwood said. Mayor Millwood and Councillors Nick Pervan, Renee McLeod and Jeff Baines joined participants throughout the event, encouraging catch efforts and discussing future opportunities for Warrina Lakes. Warrina Lakes is a great open space, and once you have been there you can’t wait to return,” Councillor Pervan said. “Seeing families, including mums, dads, aunties, uncles, and grandparents down there and catching fish shows how much the community and in particular the kids love attending each year,” he said Travelling families from Brisbane, Tully and Mission Beach also joined in, highlighting the event’s regional appeal. Councillor Baines presented 32 prizes across 18 categories, recognising the skills and enthusiasm of the region’s most dedicated young anglers. The tournament’s success was made possible through 32 local sponsors, who contributed over $9,600 in prizes and helped run activities such as face painting and a sausage sizzle. Special thanks were extended to Bek & Joe’s Donuts, Innisfail Mini Rail, and Goodstart Early Learning for helping create a festive, family-friendly atmosphere. As the last fish were measured and buried, one message was clear: that events like the Tilapia Tournament not only bring people together but help safeguard the Cassowary Coast’s natural beauty and biodiversity.
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With countless cars making the drive out to see the infamous Christmas lights at Paul Cavallaro’s house, this lively and extravagant display has become a Hinchinbrook family tradition during the merry season, dating back 21 years.
Paul and his mother Mary began creating a lights display for Paul’s nephew and discovered that they enjoyed it so much they continued expanding their collection and, as the years went by, their reputation grew.
Throughout the years Paul and his mother have created a wonderfully merry display of Christmas lights and Paul said they make 50 per cent of all the lights themselves, in fact making lights is a hobby they share together.
“We have made a lot of handmade cone trees, handmade archers, some towers and we have also put together our nativity set,” said Paul.
Including the Nativity Set has been a tradition for 21 years, and Paul said his mother hand painted each bulb individually to create the scene.
Paul describes it as a labour of love and said it resulted in over 300 hours of work.
Paul has also made a pergola and a striking ‘mega tree’ on his property.
The Nativity Set is most important to Paul because he started a tradition with the children he teaches at school.
“With my class that I have each year I invite them out and teach them about the real meaning of Christmas, and that is about the birth of Jesus Christ,” said Paul.
“So, I actually set-up in front of my nativity scene, I get my kids with their families and all their siblings, sit down and I read them the story of the first Christmas, in front of the lights.
“I'll continue that tradition as far as I can go each year while I'm teaching.”
This year’s creation has taken over 250 hours to put up and Paul said it takes lots of individual parts to put it together.
“There is probably 300 individual pieces out here this year. I haven't done the final count yet, but there will be easily over 2 million individual fairy lights,” explained Paul.
“I use 30, 12 outlet Power Pack boards, there is over 150 extension cords, and we go through at least anywhere between 5000 to 6000 zip ties!”
Paul explained that the zip ties are not just for setting the lights up, but for repairs too.
“With the sun, they don't last forever and sometimes the frames the zip ties deteriorate on the frame. So, they need zip tying,” he said.
“We go through easily about $300 worth of zip ties each year!”
A lot of zip ties are used in Paul’s creation, but he also estimates that he has approximately two kilometres of lights and wiring on his property for this display.
Paul is a Catholic, he loves going to church, he plays the organ at the Christmas Eve Mass, and he loves everything Christmas embodies.
“For me it’s the bringing together of family, friends, catching up together and remembering that it's the birth of Jesus Christ,” said Paul.
“It’s that one special time of the year.
“This my 11th Christmas I'm hosting my family we will have a lunch and tea together, and we normally have games and things during the day.
“And we will eat, probably too much and have a food coma in the afternoon, but I am looking forward to it again!”
The light display is a wonderful feature for the community to enjoy and everyone is welcome to come and soak up the Christmas spirit.
Paul is, however, looking for volunteers who would like to help him take down the decorations this year, if you would like to contribute and say thank you for this wonderful tradition please reach out to Paul directly.
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