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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With the commencement of the Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce’s Hinchinbrook Festival of Events, the district has been buzzing with excitement as locals and visitors embraced a huge beginning weekend. The atmosphere has been electric, marking a significant milestone in the region’s ongoing journey of community recovery and resilience following the challenges faced earlier this year.
The Chamber has been firmly focused on community recovery since February, and with two major campaigns scheduled to roll out before Christmas, the remainder of 2025 promises to be a turning point for Hinchinbrook. The goal is not only to recover, but to rebuild community connection. The Festival of Events is already proving to be a powerful catalyst for this renewed energy.
What started as a small concept drafted on paper quickly evolved into a significant and transformative project. The Hinchinbrook Festival of Events was brought to life through careful planning, collaboration, and an enormous amount of behind the scenes work. The Chamber worked to unify existing community events under one marketing banner, build a fresh brand identity, and develop a new website and social media presence. The past four weeks have been a whirlwind of planning sessions, creative development, media interviews, and coordination across multiple community groups. As launch day arrived, all expectations were surpassed.
The Chamber is delighted to share that every event held to date has achieved outstanding success. Attendance numbers, community participation, and positive feedback have exceeded predictions. The Chamber extends sincere appreciation to the Hinchinbrook community for their enthusiasm. The unity displayed reflects the true Hincinbrook Spirit and reinforces the importance of standing together as a community.
The Festival has also opened new doors into the tourism space for Hinchinbrook. Advertising has reached audiences outside the district, generating interest from new visitors and helping position the region as a welcoming destination. This aligns strongly with the Chamber’s commitment to community recovery, as tourism brings valuable economic benefits to local businesses, accommodation providers, and hospitality venues.
Alongside the Festival activity, the Chamber has also launched its annual Christmas Buy Local initiative, Shop and Win in Hinchinbrook. Following the success of the 2023 and 2024 campaigns, this year’s initiative is already tracking toward another outstanding result. The timing works hand in hand with the Festival, encouraging visitors and locals alike to shop within the district and support local businesses, all while entering the draw to win major prizes.
The 2025 Shop and Win campaign began on 18 October and will run through to 20 December. Every purchase made within the 4850 postcode gives shoppers the chance to enter. Simply write your name and contact number on your entry ticket or receipt and place it into one of the designated collection boxes around the district.
The pace of the past few months has been significant, and the Chamber is deeply grateful for the ongoing support of its members and the achievements that have been accomplished through teamwork.
Residents can stay informed about Chamber initiatives by following the socials or visiting the website www.hinchinbrookchamber.com.au
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