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
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Tec-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
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Whether 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
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By 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 storyIf you’re an avid reader of Hinchinbrook Life, you might not have seen my byline too often—but I’ve been here since the beginning. While Rachael steers the ship and Daniel is our man on the ground, I’ve been working behind the scenes covering rural affairs. And as the federal election race heats up, you’ll be seeing more from me outside the rural pages, too.
Politics has always fascinated me—not just the policies, but the passion. I love a good debate, the fiery exchanges, and watching our politicians go to battle for their local regions. With an election on the horizon, expect plenty of political coverage alongside my usual dive into all things agriculture.
A bit about me: I’m Amanda, the newspaper’s rural journalist, and if there’s one thing I love, it’s getting to the heart of a good story—whether that’s in the paddock, Parliament, or somewhere in between. When I’m not chasing down stories, I’m chasing down my almost-two-year-old, who has the energy of a category-five cyclone and a talent for making me question why I buy him toys, when he gets as much delight from rocks from the garden or a cardboard box.
Last year threw a challenge my way in the form of bowel cancer, but after eight rounds of chemo, I got to ring the bell just before Christmas to celebrate being in remission. A quick PSA—do those bowel screen tests, even if you think you’re ‘too young.’ I was 43 when diagnosed with stage 3B colon cancer, and I’m beyond grateful that we caught it when we did.
I moved from New Zealand to Queensland 13 years ago, and while I’ll always have a soft spot for an All Blacks v Wallabies clash, these days, you’ll find me watching more rugby league than union. (Queensland loyalty might be rubbing off on me.)
While my home is in the rural pages, you’ll start seeing more of my work in the lead-up to the election across Hinchinbrook Life, and our sister publiations; Burdekin Life, and Mackay Life. So, if you’re passionate about agriculture, politics, or just want to argue footy codes—let’s talk.
Looking forward to bringing you more of the stories that shape our region.
Amanda
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