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 storyHello Hinchinbrook,
I hope everyone has had a fantastic week!
I come to you with a mix of emotions as I share some bittersweet news. This will be my final week with Hinchinbrook Life Newspaper as I transition back to the Whitsunday office, where I’ll be continuing my work as a journalist for our sister publication.
It has truly been an honour to be part of the team that brought print media back to this region, and I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved together. It fills me with pride to know that the community has embraced what Hinchinbrook Life has brought to the area.
In my time here, I’ve witnessed my first natural disaster, contributed to a newspaper launch that brought the community together, and met so many incredible people from across the Hinchinbrook Shire.
None of this would have been possible without the amazing support of the broader Life Publishing Group team and many members of the local community.
I’d also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Mayor Ramon Jayo and the Hinchinbrook Shire Council for championing this paper for the people. It was actually Ramon who approached us with the idea of bringing print media back to the region, and that conversation sparked the creation of Hinchinbrook Life.
A huge thank you also goes to the local businesses and the community—you are the reason this paper is in your hands every week. We couldn’t do it without you.
Though this is my goodbye, Hinchinbrook Life is in great hands. For the past three months, Victoria has been training in the Whitsunday Life office, meeting the community, and preparing for this move up here. Victoria is eager to connect with all of you, and you can learn more about them on page 11.
This isn’t a full goodbye just yet—I’ll still be around until Thursday, so we may cross paths before I head off.
Thank you, Hinchinbrook, for the unforgettable experience.
Take care!