The Tyto Conference Centre was filled with joy, pride, and absolute cuteness overload on Saturday May 17, as Hinchinbrook celebrated its annual Baby Welcome Ceremony. Held in the beautiful wetlands, the event marked a record turnout, with 50 newborns officially welcomed into the community. Mayor of Hinchinbrook, Ramon Jayo, expressed his delight at the overwhelming participation, saying, "It's amazing to see, we normally have in 30-40 but today we have 50 babies to welcome. We are very pleased
Read the full storyby Victoria Velton Harry Berger and Stephanie Hubinger’s lives are deeply intertwined with their hometown. From their humble beginnings to their impactful roles in the region, their story is one of dedication, resilience, and community spirit. Harry Berger, originally from Western Australia, arrived in the area in 1959 as part of his military service with the Army’s Survey Corps. His work in surveying and mapping was vital for opening up the region. Harry’s team played a pivotal role in recordi
Read the full storyLucinda recently found itself in the national spotlight as the Today Show rolled into town as part of their regional roadshow. Host Tim Davies and his crew brought a vibrant energy to the community, showcasing the unique charm and warmth that Lucinda and the surrounding areas have to offer. For Tim Davies, it was a welcome return to a place he holds dear. "It's my second time here, and it's been so good to come back and experience the lifestyle here," he said. "It's been great being in the regi
Read the full storyThe countdown is on! The highly anticipated Link2Country Expo, presented by CANEGROWERS, is just around the corner, making its debut on May 23rd and 24th at the Ingham Showgrounds. This action-packed, two-day event is set to bring the agricultural sector to life, connecting local communities to hands-on experiences, career opportunities, and much more. With just a week to go, excitement is building as preparations for the event come to a close. The expo will feature trade stalls hosted by indus
Read the full storyFollowing the weather events of February and March, support for community members impacted and looking for assistance is still available at the Hinchinbrook Information and Referral Centre at 73-81 Lannercost Street, Ingham.
Representatives from Community Recovery and Lifeline are available at the Centre Monday to Friday, with other government agency representatives having a presence there on a periodic basis. The community are encouraged to visit the Centre if they are still seeking assistance with matters such as assistance to complete Government Grant applications. This includes Support for Business, financial counselling, wellness coach, GIVIT assistance, Legal Aid, enquiries relating to rebuilding guidelines or any assistance relating to how the recovery process in the Hinchinbrook Shire can support local residents.
As the weeks are passing and the weather improves, preparation for the cane harvest, event and tourist visitation season is well underway. This increased activity in the farming, milling, sporting and hospitality sectors will assist the community in continuing the recovery journey back to the “new normal” of life post event.
Showcasing all the wonderful attractions on offer in the Shire, through several national television shows that have filmed and live broadcast from around the district, facilitates communications to the wider national audience, reminding them Hinchinbrook is ready and excited to again welcome visitors back for another year.
It is indeed encouraging to witness the return of sporting and social competitions, art and culture and the start of the major event season. These social outings provide the community with opportunities to reconnect, share experiences and enjoy more optimistic occasions with each other.
These progressions by no means suggest that the community has overcome all the challenges they have been facing during and since the weather event. However, as we navigate the pathway to full recovery, it is important to acknowledge what has been experienced, plan what can be improved and essential to have a positive vision for the future that can be worked toward achieving.