TOP NEWS

Meet the 2025 Maraka Queen & Princess Entrants

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!

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Meet the 2025 Maraka Queen & Princess Entrants

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!

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Tropical Plant Expo Blooms In Cardwell

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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Creatures And Crawlies On The Walls At Tyto

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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October 9, 2025

Burdekin River Women Take The Win

The newly formed Burdekin River Women's Rugby League team showed on Saturday, 2nd August, in Charters Towers just why they could be a force in this year's RLTD women's premiership race.

When both the Herbert River and Burdekin Rugby Leagues had trouble fielding teams in the RLTD ladies competition, it was decided to try a combined team known as Burdekin River with their own sponsors and colours. It has been a success with the team running fourth and very near the top sides, Centrals and Western Lions.

On the 2nd, playing without two star players, Townsville representative Martina Monday and last year's Queensland Country player Toni Daisy, the team had a big win over Charters Towers in the western city by 42 to 18.

The team last Saturday was well led by the halves in Inghams' Paige Horvat and the Burdekins' Abby King. Paige at five eight is a class footballer, and when she decides to go, she is poetry in motion. Paige scored two tries herself, and with Abby was the perfect linchpin for the outside backs. Abby is very quick with a good step, whilst also being a top defender.

Both Paige and Abby crossed for two tries each, but the player who stood out on the score sheet was Tania Krutzfeldt, who crossed for three tries, and they were not gimmes. Tania, a Blackhawk U19 player this season, showed good hands with anticipation to cross.

Every good team has good bookends up front, and this one is not an exception, with Rebekah Pace and Sarah Castles doing the hard work. Another to stand out was Joeleen O'Niell in the centres, with lock Tanley Rowe. The combined team showed they can defend as well as attack.

They led 26 to 6 at the break when the Lady Miners started a comeback second half, scoring 12 points. The visitors then regathered their thoughts and finished the game off by scoring 12 points of their own to record a good, decisive win.

Try scorers for Burdekin River: Tania Krutzfeldt (3), Abby King (2), Paige Horvat (2), Julea Farry (1), Tanley Rowe (1).
Goals: Rebecca Pace (3)

The Burdekin River played the Bowen Seagulls in Ayr on Saturday, 9th August and won with a final score of 80 - 8.

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Congratulations to The Burdekin River Women: Herbert River Crushers RLFC and Burdekin Roosters Ladies coming together to be part of the Rugby League Townsville & District Women’s Competition. Photo sourced from Herbert River Crushers RLFC facebook page.

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