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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Ingham local Carla Pizzi has made her mark in both state and regional lawn bowls competitions this month, achieving career-first milestones and bringing home a trio of medals. Representing Noorla Bowls Club, Pizzi showcased her determination and skill on two major stages, proving her place among the best in the game.
At the Bowls Queensland State Multi Disability Championships, held from 4–7 August, Pizzi competed in the Open Life Stream category across Singles and Pairs. In an emotional breakthrough, she secured her first-ever medal in Singles, winning bronze. She followed this achievement with a silver medal in the Open Life Stream Pairs, teaming up with Kaye Freeman from Cleveland Bowls Club. For Pizzi, who had never before reached the Singles podium, the bronze marked a special personal victory and a sign of her growing confidence on the green.
Just days later, Pizzi travelled to Townsville to compete in the North Queensland District Ladies Bowls Association Championships from 14–18 August. The event drew 48 competitors from Cairns to Yeppoon, all vying for regional glory. Pizzi dominated her section, advancing to the quarter finals after a tight 21–20 match. She carried her momentum into the semi-final, winning convincingly 21–13, before sealing the title with a 21–17 victory in the final to become the NQDLBA Singles Champion.
Reflecting on her success, Pizzi admitted she was still in disbelief. “I still can’t believe I won the Singles,” she said after the final.
Her victories not only highlight her individual resilience and consistency but also reflect the strength of community bowls in the Hinchinbrook region. Noorla Bowls Club is celebrating her remarkable run, expressing immense pride in her dedication and achievements.
With a bronze, a silver, and now a Singles championship to her name in just one month, Carla Pizzi has truly cemented herself as a rising force in Queensland bowls.
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