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!
Read the full storyAre 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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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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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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Canegrowers Herbert River Chairman Steven Marbelli and Manager Frank Scardamaglia have met with Wilmar’s leadership team to voice growing frustration over the continued failures in the company’s rail and transport operations. The meeting, held earlier this week, came in response to a string of derailments and locomotive incidents that have plagued the region’s harvest operations and shaken the confidence of growers and harvesting contractors.
With two more derailments occurring recently, the pressure has mounted for Wilmar to not only acknowledge the systemic issues but to urgently formulate and communicate a clear improvement plan.
“Growers and harvester operators have simply had enough,” Mr Marbelli said. “We’re already facing a poor crop due to the February floods, and the ongoing rail breakdowns are now threatening what’s left of this season’s viability.
"The lack of performance from Wilmar’s transport division is unacceptable.”
Mr Scardamaglia reinforced the point that confidence in Wilmar’s ability to crush the crop in a timely manner is at an all-time low.
“It’s not just about the derailments – it’s about a broader pattern of unreliability, lack of communication, and an absence of visible strategy. The performance this year has been far below industry expectations. If Wilmar doesn’t turn this around 180 degrees, we’re going to see serious consequences for growers’ bottom lines,” he said.
Local grower Michael Reinaudo, who is also a harvester contractor and one of the largest growers in the district, echoed these concerns, stating, “We can’t keep investing in our operations only to be let down by a transport system that doesn’t function. Every day there’s a delay is another day we risk losing cane. If this keeps up, some growers simply won’t want to continue growing or supporting the industry.”
Canegrowers Herbert River urged Wilmar to provide a detailed plan on how they intend to stabilise their rail operations and rebuild trust with the grower base. This includes addressing the root causes of the ongoing derailments, ensuring proper maintenance and staffing levels, and communicating with growers more transparently and proactively.
Growers have already made major investments in this season, and many are now being forced to absorb additional costs and delays because of rail failures that are outside their control. With the wet weather earlier in the year already damaging crop yields, growers cannot afford further disruption from operational mismanagement.
Canegrowers Herbert River has committed to keeping its members updated and will continue to hold Wilmar accountable until meaningful improvements are seen across the transport network.
“Wilmar must now step up and deliver real solutions – the industry is depending on it,” Mr Marbelli said.
Contributed with thanks to Canegrowers Herbert River.
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