Galactic Gathering At The UFO Festival Cardwell was transformed into an intergalactic hotspot from 8 to 10 August 2025 as the Australian UFO Festival returned for its fourth year, attracting visitors from across the country. After a year’s absence in 2024, anticipation had been building for months, and the festival did not disappoint, offering three days packed with cosmic conversation, community fun, and unforgettable experiences. The action began on Friday with free community events
Read the full storyTec-NQ House grade 11 boarding student Max has his boots firmly planted in two very different worlds: the rugged, hands‑on life of a central Queensland cattle station, and the bustling day‑to‑day routine of boarding school in Townsville. “I live on a station north of Clermont called Mazeppa,” Max explained. “When I’m not here at school, I live there with my family.” Home for Max is anything but quiet. Mazeppa Station is a working property that runs both cattle and crops, keeping everyone on th
Read the full storyWhether you’re settling into a new home, revamping your garden, or simply refreshing your living space, the way we shape our surroundings has a powerful impact on how we feel. A well-loved home doesn’t have to be perfect – it just needs to reflect your personality, support your lifestyle, and offer a sense of comfort. In recent years, we’ve seen a growing trend towards practical and sustainable design choices in both homes and gardens. People are making the most of indoor-outdoor flow, bringing
Read the full storyBy Victoria Velton At Palm Creek, it was a bright and fresh morning for our 20 parkrunners, with a gentle breeze making the course all the more enjoyable. Welcoming three newcomers to the Palm Creek track, two from Team Veteran, four PBs were recorded, including the Fastest timer. Down on the foreshore, 22 parkrunners took to the scenic path under cool, clear skies. Joined by a great mix of locals and visitors, no doubt in town for the UFO festival, with six newcomers stepping onto the course f
Read the full storyThe Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)’s In a Good Place (IAGP) program is inviting applications for grants up to $20,000 for community-driven projects that strengthen the mental, social and/or emotional health and well-being of people living in remote, rural and regional places, particularly in farming communities.
This round, the IAGP program has $290,000 to support initiatives or activities that prevent or respond to mental well-being concerns.
Priorities include increasing mental health education and understanding to reduce stigma, supporting people to build connections and reduce social isolation, and encouraging, supporting and enabling people to seek help for their mental health.
Thanks to FRRR’s donor partners, community groups and not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) can apply for grants through two streams of funding:
1. Community wellbeing: for projects that focus on strengthening the general mental health and wellbeing of people in remote, rural and regional communities.
2. Farmers and farming communities: for projects specifically supporting the mental health and well-being of farmers and the communities they live in.
Jill Karena, Head of Granting at FRRR, said that while Australia’s farming communities are incredibly vibrant and resilient, even the strongest person needs help from time to time.
“There is a legacy of silence and perceived stigma around speaking up and seeking support for mental health issues. Thankfully, in rural communities, this narrative is shifting,” Ms Karena said.
“Together with our funding partners, we are supporting local groups to be part of that momentum and continue to challenge and positively shift perceptions about mental health in their remote, rural and regional communities.
“We want to fund initiatives that foster open and honest discussions around mental health, support the social and emotional well-being of vulnerable community members, and encourage farmers and other community members concerned with their mental health to seek support.
“We look forward to reading the project ideas put forward by community groups and not-for-profits across the country and to be inspired by their positive, proactive and community-focussed mental health initiatives,” Ms Karena said.
Groups seeking support must first lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI), which is due 14 February.
Final applications from those shortlisted are due by the 11th of March.
Learn more at: https://frrr.org.au/funding/place/in-a-good-place/