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!
Read the full story
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.
Read the full story
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.
Read the full story
Hinchinbrook, I’m very excited to announce that on Saturday, the 6th of September, at the Ingham Sugar City Rodeo, I’ll again be pulling on the boots for the Charity Bull Ride. This time, I will be going head-to-head against a former North Queensland Cowboys player, with Ingham Palliative Care being the beneficiary of this year’s bucking bull madness.
After putting a quick phone call through to Cowboys CFO, Michael Luck, to round us up a worthy rider to challenge me in this year’s Charity Ride, it didn’t take long for legendary NRL Cowboys Team Manager, Glenn Hall, to put his hand up for the cause.
Glenn is a former North Queensland Cowboys forward who retired at the end of the 2015 season. With a stellar career spanning over 14 years, he played a grand total of 98 games for the Cowboys in his final five seasons. This retired football player has never sat on a bull, let alone ridden one, but has professed that this has been on his bucket list for a very long time.
Due to wet weather, last year’s Ingham rodeo was cancelled, and after the 2023 event, I thought that may have been the end of my short but eventful bull riding career. However, after seeing first-hand and experiencing the compassionate work performed by the Ingham Palliative Care unit during the passing of my Nonna (Grandmother) last year, I felt compelled to do what I could to raise much-needed funds to help support their cause.
Ingham Palliative Care provides compassionate, end-of-life care and support to patients and families during one of life’s most difficult moments. This fundraising event aims to help them purchase essential equipment to allow them to continue their incredible work.
This year, our fundraising goal is $10,000 and with the help of Glenn Hall and his supporters, I believe this is a very achievable target that will directly benefit our community. To donate to the 2025 Charity Bull Ride and help raise funds for Ingham Palliative Care, please visit our GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/6dcfe141 We will also be shaking the tin at this year’s event if you’d prefer to donate in cash.
Corporate and local business sponsorship is welcome and will be given shout-outs on social media in the lead-up, as well as call-outs on the night. I look forward to seeing you all at the Ingham Sugar City Rodeo next month!
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.
.png)
.jpg)
