No, It's Rally Racers! By Victoria Velton Chris and Tracey Castles have taken to the skies on a 26-day, 10,500-kilometre journey as part of the Royal Flying Doctor Service Outback Air Race 2025. Flying under the banner of Team 15 – Rookies, the pair are navigating their fire engine red A32 Vixxen through some of Australia’s most remote regions in a rally that is less about speed and more about navigation, timing, and precision. Their mission is twofold: to embrace the adventure
Read the full story
The renowned Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island (Munamudanamy) is receiving a significant upgrade, with works currently underway to enhance visitor experience while preserving the island’s unique natural and cultural values. Led by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, the project is being delivered in close collaboration with Bandjin and Girramay Traditional Owners. The aim is to improve infrastructure along the 32-kilometre trail without compromising the remote and pristine characte
Read the full story
All around the Shire, and Australia, Vietnam Veterans' Day was commemorated in remembrance of the Battle of Long Tan and other Australian operations in the Vietnam War. “Vietnam Veterans Day holds profound importance in Australia's national consciousness. It is not merely a day etched into the calendar, but a moment of collective reflection, a time to pay tribute to those who served to acknowledge the complexity of their experiences and to ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten.” “The sto
Read the full story
The Lions Club of Ingham is once again proud to present the annual Ingham Sportstar Awards, celebrating the outstanding sporting achievements and contributions of local athletes, teams, and volunteers. Nominations are now open, and the Club is calling on the community to help shine a spotlight on Hinchinbrook’s sporting heroes. The awards recognise achievements from 1st September 2024 through to the nomination closing date, and all nominees must be Hinchinbrook residents or represent a local sp
Read the full storyOpinion Piece
On the 1st of September, the Northern Territory Government will commence a twelve-month trial allowing everyday residents to legally purchase and carry oleoresin capsicum spray (commonly known as pepper spray) for self-defence. Western Australia (WA) has already permitted pepper spray for many years, with limited reports of misuse.
I strongly believe Queensland should follow in the NT’s footsteps and trial the legal carriage of pepper spray. Back in June, I asked the Police Minister in a Question on Notice whether the government would consider this. The response was a lacklustre “no” due to what he described as “significant risks, including potential misuse and unintended harm.” I find his answer intriguing, especially knowing that West Australians have been allowed to obtain and carry pepper spray for self-defence for twenty-five years without the sky falling in.
The reality is that making pepper spray legal in Queensland could be done quickly and easily because it doesn’t even require a legislative change. A simple amendment to the Weapons Categories Regulation 1997 signed off by the Minister is all that’s required. With the stroke of a pen, this government could empower Queensland’s most vulnerable to better protect themselves.
Criminals are already arming themselves with knives and other weapons. Experts in self-defence believe that allowing law-abiding Queenslanders to carry pepper spray would give prospective victims a fighting chance. If criminals wanted to acquire pepper spray to use as a weapon, then they already would. Sensible safeguards could be put in place, such as limiting sales to persons over the age of eighteen with no criminal history and using licensed firearm dealers to manage distribution. We already have the networks in place to sell and regulate restricted items, and pepper spray could be easily added to that list with very little disruption.
With sustained levels of property crime, violent offences, carjackings and rapes, Queenslanders are currently left vulnerable and exposed. The NT Government has shown leadership on this issue and has taken steps to empower its residents. With very little effort, our state government could do the same.
Contributed with thanks by Nick Dametto MP, Member for Hinchinbrook.
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Life Publishing Group Ltd.
