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 Though no longer active, the Wallaman club holds a proud place in local sporting history.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 storyOn Monday 9 December the Hinchinbrook Emergency Service Cadets had their graduation, acknowledging the hard work they have dedicated to the service.
18 Cadets received their end of year graduation certificates marking the completion of the 2024 Program, while one Senior Cadet who is now over 18, graduated the whole program, having been a cadet for the past four years.
On the night all Cadets graduated the year and some received special awards.
Keldon Fletcher was awarded the Don Prichard memorial Award for the Cadet of Year and Hinchinbrook Shire Council Cadet of Year. Keldon also received the Blue Light - Cadet Volunteer of the Year.
Meanwhile, Keira Erkkila received the Academic Cadet Award. Kingsley Nipper received the cultural support award. Ella Cross graduated from the program having spent 2020 to 2024 with the Hinchinbrook emergency service cadets and is on her way to CQ University next year.
All cadets who attended received recognition for graduating the 2024 Program.
A framed cadet momento was presented to unit coordinator Mark Regazzoli, for his five years in the position.
Hinchinbrook Emergency Service Cadets has been active for five years and coordinator Mark Regazzoli, has been coordinator throughout that time.
Mark said that in order to graduate the cadets must show various attributes.
“We class them on their academic leadership, communication, organisational skills, uniform dress code, conduct and volunteering,” he said.
“Volunteering is a big issue. It's very hard to get good volunteers, so we encourage them to do that.
“Their general conduct during the year, how they perform, how they behave, their respect to leaders and public comes into account as well.
“Every cadet that commits to the program and does the full year of training gets a graduation certificate - to do that they must have attended 95% of the training year.”
Mark is extremely proud of his group and said it was great to see some develop into hard working cadets.
“I have seen some kids here turn up meek, mild and reserved and turn into really open, honest and committed cadets,” added Mark.