Tasman Turtle Picnic Day Shire Success Scores of locals and travellers flocked to TYTO Wetlands as Tasman Turtle returned with craft, food, activities, and family fun. With a rock climbing wall, circus acts, laser tag, pony rides, and a petting zoo, there was something for everyone. Music filled the air, even getting Tasman dancing, and the park buzzed from start to finish. Faces were covered with ice cream and fairy floss, but most importantly big smiles. Deputy Mayor Mary Brown happily remark
Read the full storyTwo respected members of the Hinchinbrook region have been named in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours, receiving national recognition for their dedication to the community and their service over many years. Patrick Brown, Officer in Charge at the Ingham Ambulance Station, has been awarded the Ambulance Service Medal, one of the highest honours available to an Australian paramedic. With 46 years of experience, most of it in rural and regional Queensland, Mr Brown has long been regarded as a stea
Read the full storyBy Victoria Velton In the quiet coastal town of Taylor’s Beach, Jayden McNeill is solving more than just colorful puzzles; he’s solved his way to global recognition. A Rubik’s Cube champion with international acclaim, McNeill’s story is one of perseverance, precision, and passion. It all started when a seven-year-old Jayden received a Rubik’s Cube for Christmas. Like many, he shelved it after failing to solve it. But years later, inspired by classmates in high school, he revisited the cube and
Read the full storyA Tool For Real-World Readiness When most people hear “LARPing” (Live Action Role-Playing), images of medieval knights and fantasy creatures might spring to mind. But for a growing community in Townsville, LARPing has evolved far beyond weekend cosplay, it’s becoming a valuable tool for real-world training and personal growth. The newly launched Townsville chapter of Swordcraft, Australia’s largest medieval battle and role-playing game, brings enthusiasts together every fortnight. What began as
Read the full storyThe Herbert River cane crushing season has been a sweet tradition since the late 1800s, when sugarcane first took root in Ingham’s fertile soils. With mills like Macknade (Queensland’s oldest, established in 1874) and Victoria (since 1883), the region has been churning out the sweet stuff for generations. From June to November, it’s full steam ahead as the mills fire up and cane trains choo-choo-se their way through the fields. The sugar industry has long been the backbone of the community—providing jobs, boosting the economy, and stirring up a strong cultural legacy. It’s a grind during harvest, but worth it when things crystallise into success. Despite modern machinery, the local passion remains unrefined—just like the cane before processing. So, as the season kicked off last week, locals know it’s time to stick together, weather the sticky days, and celebrate the sugar rush that’s been part of Hinchinbrook for over a century with their cane train cap on.