This year's ANZAC Day saw hundreds turn out to remember the efforts of Australia and New Zealand's great service men and women. Veterans, schools, clubs and businesses poured into the streets to march in grand parades, and packed in close to attend services held across the Hinchinbrook Shire. Beautiful wreaths were lain and the bugles mournful tones echoed across respectful silences as flags were lowered to half mast. A gunfire breakfast, coffee and traditional ANZAC biscuits kept everyone going
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Allan Colquhoun grew up in Sydney, but his life has taken him far beyond the city limits. In his youth, he worked with a station owner named Bob, whose property combined dairy and sheep farming with a focus on Jersey bulls and cows. One vivid memory that’s stayed with him is of Bob chasing down a bull meant for butchering on his stock horse —a beast that, to Allan’s amazement, climbed over the holding fence one hoof at a time to escape. Allan spent most of his working life as a coastal travelle
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Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Tourism held their monthly Coffee Connect last week, being hosted by local business Wild Local. There was a very strong attendance at this event, with Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter and KAP Senate candidate, Robbie Lyon. Rebecca and Dom Zaghini provided a delicious light snacks and gave the audience an overview of their business journey from inception to their current location, the diverse range of products they provide and some insight into t
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Over the weekend, the Ingham Kennel Club hosted six rounds of dog shows, featuring judges from across Australia who rotated to ensure fair and balanced competition. Dogs were entered into one of seven group categories, with the Toy Group attracting the largest number of entries. Sunday's shows saw the Italian Greyhound emerge as a standout, making up 20 of the 170 total entries across the weekend. Unique and rarely seen breeds like the Xoloitzcuintli and Briard added excitement to the event, of
Read the full storyHerbert River growers are picking up the pieces after the torrential rain event that devastated the district earlier this month. With over a metre of rain in just three days, floods and landslides buried paddocks, washed away topsoil, and left many wondering how they’ll recover.
Among those hit hardest was Ingham grower Victor Cervellin, who watched helplessly as his newly planted cane block was swallowed by a landslide.
“I live on the opposite side of the creek to where this happened, but I could see the colour of the water getting really dark and dirty,” Victor said.
“As soon as I could, I drove over and saw the landslide above my property, with a waterfall washing through the paddock. A lot of it’s now been buried.”
**CANEGROWERS fighting for growers’ recovery**
With many growers impacted, CANEGROWERS has been working hard to ensure disaster recovery grants provide meaningful support.
Thanks to strong advocacy, growers can now claim replanting costs under the grants – an essential win for those who lost plant cane. But the fight isn’t over.
“We’ve also been calling for the assistance cap to be lifted to $75,000, in line with Cyclone Jasper relief,” CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan said.
“Recovery isn’t just about cleaning up – it’s about getting crops back in the ground so farmers can rebuild.”
CANEGROWERS Herbert River Chairman Chris Bosworth estimates at least 10% of the region’s cane yield has been lost, with impacts rippling across the district.
“Our floods generally come in March or April, so no one was expecting this,” Chris said.
“Most cane farmers have been impacted to some extent. It will be a long recovery.”
CANEGROWERS is also pushing for broader eligibility so all affected growers, including those with off-farm income, can access assistance.
**Economic and mental health concerns**
Beyond the immediate damage, the economic fallout is significant. Power outages hit businesses hard, with no prior warning to allow for preparation.
“If we had six to ten hours’ notice, we could have organised generators,” Chris said. “Instead, businesses lost millions.”
The mental health toll is another growing concern. Years of challenges – from poor seasons to rat plagues – are wearing growers down.
“People in the wet end of town had six feet of water around them, no food, no electricity, and poor communication,” Chris said. “It was scary.”
CANEGROWERS will continue working with the government to cut red tape and deliver real relief.
As the waters recede, the organisation remains committed to ensuring Herbert River growers get the support they need to rebuild and recover.
Contributed with thanks to Frank Scardamaglia Manager CANEGROWERS Herbert River
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