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 Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) last Wednesday 20 November, with Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto in attendance on the night.
At the AGM the executive committee were re-elected and are as followed:
President: Mary Brown
Vice-President: Peter Reitano
Treasurer: Siobhan Pelleri
Secretary: Debbie Camp
The new Committee Members are: Sam Torrisi, Ted Cogger and Christina Spencer.
Mary Brown issued a President’s Report during the AGM and touched on several key initiatives Chamber have been involved with over the year.
In November/December of 2023 the Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Hinchinbrook Shire Council, Mayor other sponsors launched the new ‘Shop & Win’ initiative.
The Chamber was pleased to report that, in 2024 the project met with great success with many businesses feeling more support as visitors and locals were encouraged to shop locally.
In May 2024 Chamber managed to deliver an Agricultural Machinery Operator training course. Eleven candidates participated in the course and eleven of them subsequently gained employment.
In other Chamber news, building on the success of the 2023 Markets at the Mosaic, Chamber continued to grow these markets in the last calendar year.
‘Shop The Hinchinbrook Way’ is another initiative managed by Chamber and operated in partnership with Hinchinbrook Shire Council and other major sponsors.
With a marketing campaign to encourage and promote locals and visitors to support local businesses, Chamber were pleased to report that sponsorship grew to a value $13,000 ahead of the event this year.
Chamber also continued their ‘Whole of Shire’ radio promotion discussing Retail & Food, Accommodation, Marine & Beaches, and Nature.
Chamber’s social media profile also increased this year, mainly thanks to Christina Spencer and all of her work in Administration and Social Media Management.
From now on the Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce has said they will be hosting more informal occasions, with formalities talked about first, followed by informal chit-chat/networking.
If you would like to join the Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce reach out to the team. You can call 4776 0090 or go to hinchinbrookchamber.com.au.
The 2024-2025 Executive Committee: Vice President Peter Reitano, Secretary Debbie Camp, Treasurer Siobhan Pelleri, and President Mary Brown.
(BACK ROW) State Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto, Ted Cogger, Vice President Peter Reitano, President Mary Brown, and Sam Torrisi. (FRONT ROW) – Secretary Debbie Camp, Christina Spencer, and Treasurer Siobhan Pelleri.
Photo credit: Daniel Heggie