TOP NEWS

Meet the 2025 Maraka Queen & Princess Entrants

Are they not the most gorgeously beautiful and courageous ladies you have seen? Taking that step out into the Maraka spotlight are our wonderful Queens and Princesses, each putting themselves out there for the chance to claim the crown. You’ll get to meet them at the Wine and Cheese Night, the Afternoon Tea, Kids Big Day Out, and Aquathon, all before Hinchinbrook comes together for the ultimate display of regional pride at the Maraka Festival Mardi Gras Parade and Crowning. Mark your calendars as October runs Maraka royal green, floats and fireworks are just the tip of the festival iceberg!

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Meet the 2025 Maraka Queen & Princess Entrants

Are they not the most gorgeously beautiful and courageous ladies you have seen? Taking that step out into the Maraka spotlight are our wonderful Queens and Princesses, each putting themselves out there for the chance to claim the crown. You’ll get to meet them at the Wine and Cheese Night, the Afternoon Tea, Kids Big Day Out, and Aquathon, all before Hinchinbrook comes together for the ultimate display of regional pride at the Maraka Festival Mardi Gras Parade and Crowning. Mark your calendars as October runs Maraka royal green, floats and fireworks are just the tip of the festival iceberg!

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Tropical Plant Expo Blooms In Cardwell

On Saturday 11 October, the Cardwell Coastguard hosted its annual Tropical Plant Expo, drawing plant lovers from near and far. The event featured an impressive range of plants for both display and sale, with many local sellers showcasing exceptional specimens. Visitors enjoyed browsing the stalls, chatting with growers, and picking up new additions for their gardens. Alongside the plants were home-grown fruit and vegetables, a delightful selection of prize-winning homemade jams, and beautiful artworks by Mandy. No Coastguard event would be complete without the classic BBQ, complemented by coffee and cake. It was a wonderful day enjoyed by all who attended.

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Creatures And Crawlies On The Walls At Tyto

TYTO Regional Art Gallery is currently home to two thought-provoking exhibitions, each exploring the world around and beyond, through entirely different lenses. In the main gallery, Flies and Weevils and Cockroaches by Lorraine Lamothe invites visitors to see beauty where they might least expect it. At 75, Lorraine found herself yearning to reconnect with her creativity after a quiet spell. “I thought, well, that’s it, I’ve got to put myself out there again and see what can happen,” she said. When Tyto confirmed her exhibition, she recalls thinking, “You’re not done yet, girl. You’re not done yet.” That moment reignited her passion for creating work that not only excites but also makes people think. Her collection of sculptural insects and woven displays celebrates the misunderstood creatures most people prefer to avoid. “I chose insects that are really disliked,” Lorraine explained. “People need to understand that they’re not all bad. They break down decaying plant material and help the environment. Let’s not be prejudiced about these insects, let’s find joy in them.” Across the way, in the Niche Gallery, artist Ashleigh Jane takes visitors into the realm of myth and legend with Mythical Beasts. Her intricate illustrations breathe new life into creatures drawn from global folklore, from Egyptian hybrids to celestial goddesses. “I’ve always been fascinated by mythology and folklore,” she said. “I wanted to delve a little deeper and rediscover stories that lurk in the darkness, the ones people might not know.” Ashleigh’s exhibition features works from her upcoming second book. Each piece is both a visual story and a modern reimagining of ancient tales. “My favourite story is about Doddle, a rain goddess who milks her heavenly cows to make it rain,” she shared. “But my favourite drawing is the Ikenty, a bird with a cat’s head found in Egyptian hieroglyphs. No one really knows what it was for, but I loved bringing it to life.” Together, these two exhibitions celebrate the power of curiosity, whether it’s found in the smallest of creatures or the myths that have shaped cultures for centuries. Both artists remind us that inspiration can be rediscovered at any stage of life, and that beauty often hides in the unexpected.

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Hinchinbrook Sportfishing Reels In The Big Winners

October 9, 2025

The Hinchinbrook Sportfishing Festival showcases the skills of our region's anglers, displaying their expertise as they reel in the diverse collection of fish found in this region. Congratulations to all the participants.

Champion Anglers
Champion Male - Chris Bache (Cairns)
Champion Female - Helen Johnson (Hinchinbrook)
Champion Junior Male - Jackson Hodge (Hinchinbrook)
Champion Junior Female - Rosie McArdle (Cardwell)

Mystery Length Winners
Rosie McArdle (Cod)
Kylie Jackson (Coral trout)
Shaun Manthey (Emperor/Snapper)
Shane Murphy (Mackerel)
Sandra Cooper (Bream)
Jackson Hodge (Trevally)
Chase Bartolini (Junior - All species)

Landbased & Sportfishing (bait) Winners
Best Landbased capture - Jackson Hodge
Longest Javelin - Stephen Dametto
Longest Barramundi - John Andrejic
Secret Length Javelin - John Andrejic

Fly Fishing & Lure Fishing Winners
Fly fishing highest points scorer - Helen Johnson
Longest lure caught Barramundi - Adam Royle
Longest lure caught Mangrove Jack - Melissa Royle
Lure caught Mangrove Jack (secret length) - Scott Hinds

And last but by no means least congrats to the Hinchinbrook Sportfishing Festival�E��E�E���E��Es Champion Club (most points) and the recipient of this years �E��E�E���E��EMost Unwanted Award�E��E�E���E��E (least amount of points).
Champion club - Cairns
Most Unwanted Award - Redcliffe

Winners of 'The most unwanted' award, Redcliff Club. Photo sourced: Hinchinbrook Sportsfishing Club Facebook page

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