The Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre (HCSC) enjoyed a spooky twist on their Seniors Morning Coffee Club this week, celebrating Halloween on 24th October. The morning also included a special birthday celebration for October, with warm wishes to Joan Oldham — happy birthday, Joan! Attendees enjoyed a morning filled with Halloween-themed decorations, a few festive costumes, and plenty of laughter. Fun activities included a Halloween trivia challenge and several rounds of Bingo, making it a fantastic morning shared with wonderful company. The next Coffee Morning will be held on Thursday, 7th November. Anyone interested in joining in can contact Desley at the HUB for more details on (07) 4776 1822.
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Gilroy Santa Maria College marked a remarkable milestone on Wednesday, 30 October 2025, celebrating 75 years of education, faith, and community with a morning of reflection and festivity. Originally planned for last year but postponed due to severe weather, the long-awaited celebration brought together current and former students, staff, clergy, and community members to honour the College’s proud history and enduring legacy. The morning commenced with a liturgy led by Bishop Tim Harris of the Catholic Diocese of Townsville, setting a reverent tone for the occasion. Parish Priest Father John Kunnathumadappallil and Father Sylvester Emetuche from the Catholic Diocese of Townsville joined the ceremony, sharing in the blessings and prayers of the ceremonial mass. Among the many attendees was Bob Mitting, known affectionately as the “Barefoot Gilroy Boy”, who, along with several long-time past students, travelled from near and far to take part in the celebrations. Guests enjoyed guided tours of the College grounds, revisiting familiar spaces and exploring the many changes that have taken place over the decades. Inside the hall, displays of memorabilia, including vintage uniforms, old textbooks, alongside club and class photos, stirred fond memories and conversation, capturing the spirit of 75 years of growth and connection. The event provided an opportunity to celebrate the generations who have shaped Gilroy Santa Maria College into the vibrant learning community it is today, while also looking forward to the College’s future with pride and great optimism.
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The Hinchinbrook Festival of Events is entering week 3 of the event calendar, and the organisers are extremely pleased with the attendance and participation at the many events and celebrations delivered to date. The overwhelming and ongoing support from the local and visitor community has exceeded the organisers' expectations. Data recorded to date from each event indicates the majority of the ticketed events have been sell-outs, with the “free to enter” events exceeding previous attendance numbers. As the calendar continues to roll around, the next major event within the “Hinchinbrook Festival of Events” calendar is the NQIB Country Cups Challenge Qualifier - Hinchinbrook Cup Race Day on the 15th November at the Ingham Race Course! This event promises a full day of horse racing, fashion, and socialising that will not disappoint! Being a family-friendly event, a day of exciting trackside entertainment for the whole family is assured. Gates open at 11:00am on Saturday morning, with five local races. Local and southern bookmakers and Sky Racing are onsite for those who want to have a flutter. Live music and a DJ will entertain the crowd, with a bar and canteen open to keep the revellers fed and thirst-quenched. The spectacular “Fashions on the Field” is always a highly contested event and children’s amusements provide entertainment for the younger audience. This year, there is a new fashion category - “Living the Hinchinbrook Way – 4850” - which will add another interesting aspect to the fashions. So get ready to enjoy a day at the races, Hinchinbrook style! Pre-purchase Adult Entry Tickets ($15 each) and Tables ($60 per table – seats 10) online. With kids 0-14 years being free, and teens 14-17 years only available at the gate on race day. For more information, or to purchase Entry Tickets and/or Tables, visit https://hinchinbrookchamber.com.au/hinchinbrook-cup-race-day-family-event/
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Just like the dashing masked vigilante, Zorro is a handsome, well-dressed young feline with a heart full of promise and the opportunity for a bright future. Zorro may initially seem a bit shy, but give him just thirty minutes, and you'll find yourself enchanted by his gentle nature and sweet demeanour. Once he trusts you, he transforms into a dedicated purr machine, letting you know you've won his heart with his melodic symphony of affection. Zorro will do best in an environment where patience and plenty of love are abundant. His progression from a shy feline to an endearing companion makes him a truly rewarding pet to welcome home. Will you be the one to offer Zorro the loving space to settle and thrive? Please fill in an inquiry form at: https://www.angelpawsinc.com.au/forms.html. Included in adoption fee of $210 DESEXED, MICRO-CHIPPED, up to date VACCINATIONS, FLEA/TICK/INTESTINAL WORM treated. DOB: 1/10/2024 Sex: Male Breed: DSH Colour: Tuxedo Kid friendly: Yes Cat Friendly: Yes Dog Friendly: Untested Indoors/Outdoors: Indoors
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Gawara Baya, meaning “Wind Song” in the language of the Gugu Badhun People, is reshaping the future of Hinchinbrook and Charters Towers with clean energy, local jobs and community investment.
Located near Mount Fox on a cattle property with more than a century of agricultural history, the project will sit alongside ongoing farming operations. Led by Australian renewable energy company Windlab, Gawara Baya will produce around 400 megawatts of clean electricity, supporting Queensland’s shift to a cleaner, more reliable energy mix and regional energy security.
The project’s strength has been recognised nationally, selected as one of just 20 in the Capacity Investment Scheme, putting the region firmly on the map as part of Australia’s clean energy transition.
Local jobs and business opportunities
Construction will create more than 300 direct jobs in trades, logistics, environment, catering and equipment services. Windlab is working with contractors who are committed to local hiring and procurement, with targets including:
· 10% of labour hours from workers within 160km of the site
· 50% of labour hours from Queensland residents
Local businesses are encouraged to register interest across civil works, quarry supply, equipment hire, fencing, fuel and water, traffic management, cleaning, catering and more.
Training the next generation
Windlab is focused on building local careers in clean energy through hands-on learning.
The company is working with training providers, Construction Skills Queensland, and local schools to offer exposure to career pathways in construction, engineering and environmental science. Windlab has supported regional initiatives like Link2Country, the Find Your Futures Expo, the Velocity Raptors team representing Australia at the Hydrogen Powered Grand Prix (H2GP) World Championships, the Hinchinbrook Birdlife Awards and the Maraka Festival, encouraging locals to explore careers in the growing renewables sector.
Apprenticeships, site visits and training opportunities are all being explored for young people across the region.
Designed with community and environment in mind
Extensive consultation with landowners, Mount Fox locals, environmental specialists and Traditional Owners has shaped the project over four years.
More than 8,000 hours of ecological studies guided turbine placement and informed Australia’s first biodiversity net-gain strategy for renewable energy, a 20-year commitment to restoring habitat, protecting species and delivering measurable environmental improvements.
Respecting Country and culture
Windlab and the Gugu Badhun Aboriginal Corporation have formed a long-term partnership to ensure the project respects Country, community priorities and cultural heritage. The Indigenous Land Use Agreement supports cultural management, employment and training pathways, and the inclusion of Gugu Badhun culture throughout the project.
Backing local communities
Windlab will launch a $200,000 annual Community Benefit Fund, shared between the Hinchinbrook and Charters Towers regions. Local groups, individuals and councils will be encouraged to apply for funding to support initiatives with lasting regional value.
Windlab has already contributed to local events, including the Ingham Industry Breakfast and the Find Your Futures Expo.
Planning for roads and transport
Construction traffic will primarily travel via the Port of Townsville and Charters Towers, prioritising State-controlled roads to reduce impacts on residential areas. Windlab will continue working closely with councils and the community to support safe road access.
How to get involved
With construction expected to begin next year, now is the time for local businesses to connect. Industry Networking Sessions will be held:
· Tuesday 11 November — Ingham
· Wednesday 12 November — Charters Towers
Come along to learn, ask questions and explore ways to participate. More details at www.gawarabaya.com or join the mailing list: gawarabaya@windlab.com
WHAT: Industry Networking Ingham Session
WHEN: 4:00pm-6:00pm, Tuesday 11th November 2025
WHERE: Royal Hotel - Front Bar, 44-46 Lannercost St, Ingham
RSVP: Via the QR Code or Hinchinbrooktickets.com.au
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