Mark 10th Birdlife Art Awards More than 280 people gathered to celebrate Hinchinbrook Shire Council’s 10th Birdlife Art Awards at the TYTO Regional Art Gallery on Friday night, 1 August 2025. This milestone event continues to honour the rich birdlife of the Hinchinbrook region through the eyes of talented artists from across Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. It features an impressive 106 entries across various mediums, including drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, and m
Read the full storySporting and recreation clubs across North and Far North Queensland impacted by early 2025’s severe flooding can now apply for a share in a $30 million funding package to help repair and rebuild their facilities. The Sport and Recreation Recovery Program (SRRG) — a joint initiative by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) — offers up to $1 million per facility for eligible not-for-profit sport and racing clubs, as well as local cou
Read the full storyLocally loved artist, Katie Louise, has graced the region once again, painting a beautiful mural on the wall of the infamous Frosty Mango building located 40km South of Ingham along the mighty Bruce Highway. Hailing from Townsville, Katie’s paint brushes have coloured many surfaces across North Queensland where she has artistically captured the unique qualities of several communities including the Atherton Tablelands, Charters Towers, and now Cardwell. Katie’s recent piece within the shi
Read the full storyFormer players, supporters, and families reunited in Ingham over the weekend of 18–19 July 2025 to celebrate the 55-year-long legacy of the Wallaman Rugby League Club, with attendees travelling from across Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and all corners of Queensland. Though no longer active, the Wallaman club holds a proud place in local sporting history. Formed in 1970 under challenging circumstances, the club faced early struggles just getting a team on the field. With determina
Read the full storyThe NQIB – Country Cups Challenge Qualifier Hinchinbrook Cup Raceday was a huge success earlier this month with organisers saying they were “very happy with the attendance”.
“We got the crowd we were hoping for, and more for a normal November meet,” they said.
Highlights on the day was the Fashions on the Field event which was a stand-out this year!
There were 10 Fashions Categories and over $10,000 worth of prizes.
“The Fashions itself, that were getting around trackside were phenomenal!”
Another highlight would be the amazing sponsorship the event received from the Ingham and Townsville business community.
“Without their generosity, we wouldn’t be able to have Race Day Events, or even, Fashions on the Field Events.”
Fashions on the Field Event
Judges were Marnie Davidson, Chelsea Burger and Jane Caffery.
Ingham Travel Classic Lady of the Track
Runner Up: Donna Smith
Winner: Amy Byrnes
Coffee Presto Contemporary Lady of the Track
Runner Up: Lolia Holder
Winner: Rachel Swarbrick
Snippers Boutique for Hair Millinery
Runner Up: Amy Byrnes
Winner: Hayley Place
Lifelong Supports Man of the Track
Runner Up: Bob Shaw
Winner: Peter Dibella
Northern Aroma Most Stylish Couple
Runner Up: Cheryl Shaw and Bob Shaw
Winner: Angelique Dibella and Peter Dibella
Living the Hinchinbrook Way (Local Category)
Winner: Sonia Milton
Best Dressed Family
Winner: Hayley, Brenton, Parker and Matilda Place
Best Dressed Junior Boy (0-11 years)
Winner: Parker Place
Best Dressed Junior Girl (0-11 years)
Winner: Matilda Place
There were no entrants in the Best Dressed Boy or Girl (12-17 years)
Spotter's Choice
Runner Up: Tahnee Bartolini
Winner: Amanda Truffa
Horse Racing Results
Horse racing was also a big part of the day, there were six local races on the day and all races were well contested with some very close finishers, especially Race 6, The Ingham Cellarbrations Ingham Gold Cup.
It was won by Joe Russo’s locally trained horse Zouhope.
After the races, the crowd were entertained with live music and DJ
Kids were also kept entertained during the day with face painting and balloon twisting.
Race Results
Race 1 COSCA ACCOUNTANT'S - MAIDEN PLATE 3-Y-O & Up. Set Weights 1100m
1st 1 Feargach Trainer. Alex Malliff Jockey. Nathan Day $12
2nd 2 Fivelineditty Trainer. Joe Russo Jockey. Ms L J Morrison $4.40
3rd 6 Miss Mildred Trainer. Matthew McGuire Jockey. S E Sheargold $3.20
Race 2 INGHAM CONCRETE / WILMAR SUGAR - QTIS BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP 1200m
1st 2 Fast As Steel Trainer. Alwyn Bailey Jockey. Ms L J Morrison $2.80
2nd 5 Hit Snooze Trainer. Georgie Holt Jockey. Ms G S Semmens $4.40
3rd 3 Collombatti Trainer. Matthew McGuire Jockey. S E Sheargold $16
Race 3 INGHAM MAZDA - BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP 1000m
1st 1 Jawgo Trainer. Alex Malliff Jockey. P G Romeo $2.20F
2nd 5 Tantrums Trainer. Bill Kenning Jockey. D Smith $6
3rd 2 Bean Warrior Trainer. Rodney Miller Jockey. Ms J S Edwards $13
Race 4 STOKES & COMPANY ACCOUNTANTS - CLASS B HANDICAP 1400m
1st 1 Tymon Trainer. Matthew McGuire Jockey. S E Sheargold $1.80F
2nd 3 Wong Way Trainer. Mark Dale Jockey. Ms G S Semmens $4
3rd 4 Russian Rose Trainer. Alex Malliff Jockey. N A Day $7
Race 5 NQIB COUNTRY CUPS CHALLENGE QUALIFIER / HINCHINBROOK CUP OPEN HANDICAP 1400m
1st 6 Aolani Trainer. Tom Button Jockey. Ms G S Semmens $2F
2nd 4 Loburn Lass Trainer. Alwyn Bailey Jockey. Ms L J Morrison $2.10
3rd 3 Savvy Sovereign Trainer. Matthew McGuire Jockey. S E Sheargold $4.40
Race 6 INGHAM CELLABRATIONS INGHAM GOLD CUP - BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 1600M
1st 4 Zouhope Trainer. Joe Russo Jockey. Ms L J Morrison $2.60
2nd 1 Going Nuclear Trainer. Matthew McGuire Jockey. S E Sheargold $2.50F
3rd 2 Tycoon Lad Trainer. Georgie Holt Jockey. A Butler $4.40
Photo credit: Christopher Spencer