The Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre (HCSC) enjoyed a spooky twist on their Seniors Morning Coffee Club this week, celebrating Halloween on 24th October. The morning also included a special birthday celebration for October, with warm wishes to Joan Oldham — happy birthday, Joan! Attendees enjoyed a morning filled with Halloween-themed decorations, a few festive costumes, and plenty of laughter. Fun activities included a Halloween trivia challenge and several rounds of Bingo, making it a fantastic morning shared with wonderful company. The next Coffee Morning will be held on Thursday, 7th November. Anyone interested in joining in can contact Desley at the HUB for more details on (07) 4776 1822.
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Gilroy Santa Maria College marked a remarkable milestone on Wednesday, 30 October 2025, celebrating 75 years of education, faith, and community with a morning of reflection and festivity. Originally planned for last year but postponed due to severe weather, the long-awaited celebration brought together current and former students, staff, clergy, and community members to honour the College’s proud history and enduring legacy. The morning commenced with a liturgy led by Bishop Tim Harris of the Catholic Diocese of Townsville, setting a reverent tone for the occasion. Parish Priest Father John Kunnathumadappallil and Father Sylvester Emetuche from the Catholic Diocese of Townsville joined the ceremony, sharing in the blessings and prayers of the ceremonial mass. Among the many attendees was Bob Mitting, known affectionately as the “Barefoot Gilroy Boy”, who, along with several long-time past students, travelled from near and far to take part in the celebrations. Guests enjoyed guided tours of the College grounds, revisiting familiar spaces and exploring the many changes that have taken place over the decades. Inside the hall, displays of memorabilia, including vintage uniforms, old textbooks, alongside club and class photos, stirred fond memories and conversation, capturing the spirit of 75 years of growth and connection. The event provided an opportunity to celebrate the generations who have shaped Gilroy Santa Maria College into the vibrant learning community it is today, while also looking forward to the College’s future with pride and great optimism.
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The Hinchinbrook Festival of Events is entering week 3 of the event calendar, and the organisers are extremely pleased with the attendance and participation at the many events and celebrations delivered to date. The overwhelming and ongoing support from the local and visitor community has exceeded the organisers' expectations. Data recorded to date from each event indicates the majority of the ticketed events have been sell-outs, with the “free to enter” events exceeding previous attendance numbers. As the calendar continues to roll around, the next major event within the “Hinchinbrook Festival of Events” calendar is the NQIB Country Cups Challenge Qualifier - Hinchinbrook Cup Race Day on the 15th November at the Ingham Race Course! This event promises a full day of horse racing, fashion, and socialising that will not disappoint! Being a family-friendly event, a day of exciting trackside entertainment for the whole family is assured. Gates open at 11:00am on Saturday morning, with five local races. Local and southern bookmakers and Sky Racing are onsite for those who want to have a flutter. Live music and a DJ will entertain the crowd, with a bar and canteen open to keep the revellers fed and thirst-quenched. The spectacular “Fashions on the Field” is always a highly contested event and children’s amusements provide entertainment for the younger audience. This year, there is a new fashion category - “Living the Hinchinbrook Way – 4850” - which will add another interesting aspect to the fashions. So get ready to enjoy a day at the races, Hinchinbrook style! Pre-purchase Adult Entry Tickets ($15 each) and Tables ($60 per table – seats 10) online. With kids 0-14 years being free, and teens 14-17 years only available at the gate on race day. For more information, or to purchase Entry Tickets and/or Tables, visit https://hinchinbrookchamber.com.au/hinchinbrook-cup-race-day-family-event/
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Just like the dashing masked vigilante, Zorro is a handsome, well-dressed young feline with a heart full of promise and the opportunity for a bright future. Zorro may initially seem a bit shy, but give him just thirty minutes, and you'll find yourself enchanted by his gentle nature and sweet demeanour. Once he trusts you, he transforms into a dedicated purr machine, letting you know you've won his heart with his melodic symphony of affection. Zorro will do best in an environment where patience and plenty of love are abundant. His progression from a shy feline to an endearing companion makes him a truly rewarding pet to welcome home. Will you be the one to offer Zorro the loving space to settle and thrive? Please fill in an inquiry form at: https://www.angelpawsinc.com.au/forms.html. Included in adoption fee of $210 DESEXED, MICRO-CHIPPED, up to date VACCINATIONS, FLEA/TICK/INTESTINAL WORM treated. DOB: 1/10/2024 Sex: Male Breed: DSH Colour: Tuxedo Kid friendly: Yes Cat Friendly: Yes Dog Friendly: Untested Indoors/Outdoors: Indoors
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Good Morning Hinchinbrook,
I hope you’ve had a wonderful Easter holiday with family and friends – I know I certainly did! I brought my mum and son to town, and they had a great time hanging out at the playparks, eating at local cafes, and swimming in the pool at our accommodation.
This was my first time back in Ingham since the floods. Although I felt connected to the event through our newspaper coverage, local relationships, and, of course, helping manage the welfare of our local staff, this was the first time I had actually ‘hit the ground’ myself.
It was heartwarming to see things reasonably back to normal, and I’m sure it has taken an incredible effort from everyone to get to this point. As many of you will know, our newspaper was only 10 weeks old when the floods hit, and we certainly felt the full impact on our small publication. I want to say a huge thank you to the Council for supporting the newspaper throughout the event, and to the incredible local businesses that continued to advertise with us, despite the hardships they were undoubtedly facing.
Without these partnerships, we wouldn’t be able to produce this lovely local paper, so please show your support by reading their ads, shopping at their businesses, and supporting them, as they are supporting our community.
While I was in town, I met with Deputy Mayor Mary Brown, who emphasised that the most important message right now is to reassure the rest of Queensland that the region is open for business. With that in mind, we’ll be launching some promotional articles across all four of our papers in the coming weeks, aiming to attract more visitors to shop local and explore the area.
Additionally, our talented Sales Account Manager, Sherie Hensler-Adams, is excited to launch our glossy travel publication in the region this month. Printing 15,000 copies every eight weeks, Tripping Magazine has been running for over 10 years and is available for free at tourist hotspots from Mackay to the Whitsundays, Burdekin, Townsville, and now... Hinchinbrook.
If you’d like more information about how you can be part of a brand-new dedicated Hinchinbrook section of Tripping Magazine, please reach out directly to Sherie – her contact number is listed next to this column.
Rach
Quote of the Week: “A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.” (Nelson Mandela)
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