Tasman Turtle Picnic Day Shire Success Scores of locals and travellers flocked to TYTO Wetlands as Tasman Turtle returned with craft, food, activities, and family fun. With a rock climbing wall, circus acts, laser tag, pony rides, and a petting zoo, there was something for everyone. Music filled the air, even getting Tasman dancing, and the park buzzed from start to finish. Faces were covered with ice cream and fairy floss, but most importantly big smiles. Deputy Mayor Mary Brown happily remark
Read the full storyTwo respected members of the Hinchinbrook region have been named in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours, receiving national recognition for their dedication to the community and their service over many years. Patrick Brown, Officer in Charge at the Ingham Ambulance Station, has been awarded the Ambulance Service Medal, one of the highest honours available to an Australian paramedic. With 46 years of experience, most of it in rural and regional Queensland, Mr Brown has long been regarded as a stea
Read the full storyBy Victoria Velton In the quiet coastal town of Taylor’s Beach, Jayden McNeill is solving more than just colorful puzzles; he’s solved his way to global recognition. A Rubik’s Cube champion with international acclaim, McNeill’s story is one of perseverance, precision, and passion. It all started when a seven-year-old Jayden received a Rubik’s Cube for Christmas. Like many, he shelved it after failing to solve it. But years later, inspired by classmates in high school, he revisited the cube and
Read the full storyA Tool For Real-World Readiness When most people hear “LARPing” (Live Action Role-Playing), images of medieval knights and fantasy creatures might spring to mind. But for a growing community in Townsville, LARPing has evolved far beyond weekend cosplay, it’s becoming a valuable tool for real-world training and personal growth. The newly launched Townsville chapter of Swordcraft, Australia’s largest medieval battle and role-playing game, brings enthusiasts together every fortnight. What began as
Read the full storyThe Herbert River Men’s Shed has been operating in Ingham since 2012, and they have a focus on men’s health through building various metal or woodwork projects.
President of the Herbert River Men’s Shed Dave Willoughby said the main priority of Men’s Shed is for men to talk about their health with each other.
“We plot along this table here and some of the guys get together and tell each other their troubles, and that's why Men’s Shed is all about men talking shoulder to shoulder in a husband’s day care centre, type of thing,” said Dave.
“Men's health is the charter of the Australian Men's Sheds Association, and we follow through with that.
Dave explains there have been occasions they’ve invited a doctor to attend a meeting so they could answer any questions the group may have.
“We got the doctor to talk about prostrate cancer and by the time the doctor had finished, he'd answered every question from the blokes on prostrate, heart health and all sorts of other stuff.”
While men’s health is at the heart of the group, so too is contributing to the local community.
Member of Herbert River Men’s Shed Ian Merritt said they are approached with a variety of projects.
“We do the odd commission job, we do stuff for ourselves and we occasionally go out and do some work for the hub on a semi-professional basis,” he said.
“If the kindy brings in something, we tend to fix it for them.
“I guess you could say it’s community service for what is worthy or eligible.”
The Herbert River Men’s Shed, build and make repairs to various different items, but Ian said they try to not compete against other businesses.
“We do a little bit of commission work but we try very significantly to stay away from competing against any local businesses,” said Ian.
“We do the sort of stuff that they're not likely to do.”
Members of the Herbert River Men’s Shed. Photo credit Daniel Heggie
Photo credit: Daniel Heggie