Local Students Compete In Hydrogen Grand Prix World Final In Germany Five talented students from Gilroy Santa Maria College in Ingham are trading the tropics for Germany as they compete in the Hydrogen Grand Prix (H2GP) World Final in Chemnitz. Known as the Gilroy Velocity Raptors, this Year 7–9 team earned global recognition after dominating the North Queensland Finals with a record-breaking 387 laps. In their first year—and as the youngest team competing—they’ve turned a lunchtime STEM club i
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All around the Shire, and Australia, Vietnam Veterans' Day was commemorated in remembrance of the Battle of Long Tan and other Australian operations in the Vietnam War. “Vietnam Veterans Day holds profound importance in Australia's national consciousness. It is not merely a day etched into the calendar, but a moment of collective reflection, a time to pay tribute to those who served to acknowledge the complexity of their experiences and to ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten.” “The sto
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The Lions Club of Ingham is once again proud to present the annual Ingham Sportstar Awards, celebrating the outstanding sporting achievements and contributions of local athletes, teams, and volunteers. Nominations are now open, and the Club is calling on the community to help shine a spotlight on Hinchinbrook’s sporting heroes. The awards recognise achievements from 1st September 2024 through to the nomination closing date, and all nominees must be Hinchinbrook residents or represent a local sp
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Families seeking a nurturing and enriching beginning to their child’s education are invited to enrol for Prep 2026 at St Peter’s Catholic School, Halifax. The school offers a warm and caring environment where each child is valued and supported to thrive academically, socially, and spiritually. With small class sizes and a qualified, experienced early years teacher, St Peter’s ensures every student receives personalised attention and one-on-one support tailored to their unique needs. Teaching pr
Read the full storyIn 1981 Bill Phillips envisaged a dream of a living memorial to the men and women connected with the Battle of the Coral Sea.
“Cardwell needed something to attract tourists, and being on the beach front, I looked at the idea of the ‘South Pacific image’ with rows of coconut palms in a special park. Other towns had an identifying landmark and I saw the park as one of Cardwell’s future attractions.”
As owner of the Banfield Caravan Park and former Cardwell Shire Councillor, Bill approached the Cardwell Shire Council to set aside 16 acres (6 hectares) of crown land for a memorial park.
When Cardwell was originally settled in 1864 the land was gazetted as a botanical garden. By 1983 local residents became involved with the development and by 1985 scrubby bushland was removed and the whole area beautified, with plantings of trees of remembrance being organised.
The Governor of Queensland, the Late Sir James Ramsay dedicated the site as a living memorial to the Battle of the Coral Sea on April 29, 1984. In 1992 Australia celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea with various commemoration services, but Cardwell is the only place where an annual service is held early in May each year.
The beach front park is the largest war memorial in Australia and is unique because of its closeness to the site of the battle but the ships sunk during it lie on the sea bed about 500 miles east of Cardwell. It is not just a showpiece memorial as all visitors can stroll through the trees, admire the wall of plaques or enjoy a snack at one of the tables or shelters. Each tree is dedicated to a person or group of people who took part in the battle both on and off shore.
This park serves as a living shrine to demonstrate to our Allies and the many domestic and international tourists that Australians hold in high regard those gallant men and women who fought so courageously to protect our shores against foreign intruders.
Contributed with thanks by Robert Lang, President of the Cardwell RSL Sub Branch. From the Cardwell 1993 booklet 'Coral Sea Battle Memorial: 1942 the experiences and memories of World War II, through the eyes of the local residents.
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