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
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Sporting 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
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Locally 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
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Former 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 Though no longer active, the Wallaman club holds a proud place in local sporting history.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 storyMore 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 mixed media.
Open Award winner Kevin Young was emotional after the announcement, they said. “To be chosen from among so many amazing works—it’s given me the boost to keep pushing myself, and I hope it inspires others to keep going too.”
Cr Donna Marbelli, Council’s Community and Culture Service Portfolio holder, said each piece showcases bird species found in Hinchinbrook, home to over 230 bird species, to the broader natural landscapes that inspire our local creatives.
“The Birdlife Art Awards are more than just an art competition,” Cr Marbelli said. “They’re a celebration of our environment, our community, and the incredible talent we have in our backyard.”
Kevin Young won the Birdlife Art Awards' top prize for their striking piece Brolga, which impressed judges with its creativity, technique, and deep connection to Hinchinbrook’s birdlife. The artwork was inspired by a powerful moment on a road trip, when Kevin witnessed a pair of brolgas dancing in a paddock, a sight that left a lasting impact.
“We pulled over and just watched,” Kevin recalled. “They started doing their dance, and it was an emotional event. And when the male threw his head, that image stayed in my mind, and so I had to do something with it. I had to. It's not a choice. It was a need to do so.”
Nick Dametto MP was among the many guests at the opening night and praised the calibre of entries and the dedication of organisers; "Every year I'm absolutely blown away, just like the locals that attend and people that come from out of town to enjoy the inaugural Bird Life Awards, it's absolutely spectacular.
The event is proudly supported by valued sponsors, each of whom has chosen a specific award category to sponsor:
Open Award sponsored by Windlab – Kevin Young: Brolga
Local Artist Award sponsored by Guido’s Panel and Paint – Sharon Cislowski: What the water knows
Youth Award sponsored by Ingham Real Estate - Esther-Rose McCaul: Black Cockatoo
Painting (2D) sponsored by Bisson’s Electrical – Kristina Fontana: Peewee Afterparty
Watercolour sponsored by Frosty Mango – Sahan Kulathunge: The Black Beauty
Mixed Media sponsored by Jenark Business Solutions – Diane Beningfield: Terrible Trio
Works on Paper – Amy Venn: The Bathers
Photography sponsored by Wilmar Sugar and Renewables – Stan Skeates: Pull the other one
Creamics – Meg Allford: Backyard Visitor
Sculptural Form sponsored by KDM Allsorts – Fran Nason: Cockatoo Sunrise
Voting for the People’s Choice Award sponsored by Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto will remain open until the close of the exhibition, with the winner of this category announced on Wednesday, 3rd September 2025.
To vote, please visit the TYTO Regional Art Gallery. The 10th Hinchinbrook Birdlife Art Awards will be on display daily from 10:00am to 4:00pm until Saturday, 30th August 2025. The full gallery of social photos from the opening night is avaliable online at: hinchinbrooklife.com
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