As the 2025 Ingham Marka Festival “Music thru the Ages” concludes, the organisers extend their deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this year’s Festival a resounding success. The event brought together the vibrant spirit of the community, showcasing the best of what Ingham has to offer. The Ingham Maraka Festival Committe would like to extend special to those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Their commitment and passion made the festival possible. Thanks to their efforts, the Ingham Marka Festival remains a cherished tradition and a highlight of the year. The community looks forward to celebrating together again in the future. See the highlights on pages 3 and 20-21
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Spooky Weekend At Mt. Fox The Mount Fox Community Progress Association hosts its annual weekend Halloween Party on Friday, 31 October and Saturday, 1 November at the Mount Fox Campgrounds. This family-friendly event promises plenty of eerie excitement, with costumes, treats, games, movies, raffles, and spooky surprises planned throughout the day and night. The fun continues on Saturday with market stalls, and the kitchen is open for lunch and dinner, ensuring everyone is well-fed for the festivities. Camping is available for just $10 per car per night, with donkey hot water showers and toilets on site for campers’ convenience. Info Updates: 'Mount Fox Campgrounds' group on Facebook Nightmares In Ingham Families are invited to join the spooky fun on Friday 31 October, starting from 5:30pm, a street-wide Halloween celebration that promises spooky fun for the whole family. The highlight of the night is the walk-through front yard experience at 12 Gardiner Street, a hauntingly fun stop for brave trick-or-treaters! Trick-or-treating will continue along the street until 8:00pm, when residents will no longer be accepting visitors. Water coolers will be placed at several properties, so feel free to refill your bottle or grab a cup of cold water. Please dispose of cups responsibly in the bins provided. For safety reasons, please leave pets at home, with crowds and vehicles around, it’s best to keep our furry friends safe. Info Updates: 'Ingham Halloween 2025' on Facebook Cardwell’s Halloween Drive This year’s community trick-or-treat adventure will take families on a spooky drive through Cardwell and Kennedy, with participating homes and businesses offering sweet surprises along the way. While some stops are scattered across the two towns and best reached by car, several Cardwell’s business district locations are within walking distance, making it easy to enjoy the fun safely on foot. Keep an eye out for Halloween decorations to spot participating sites. Info Updates: Emma Raymond & 'What's the go in Cardwell. NQ?' group on Facebook Before The Events Begin – Important Information: – All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. – Follow the designated times for trick-or-treating in your area. – Out of respect for residents who do not wish to participate, only approach homes that are clearly participating. Participating houses will have a balloon out the front, Halloween decorations, or someone outside. – Remember to stay hydrated. It can get very hot, and children in costumes can overheat easily. – When walking and crossing roads, exercise extra caution and child supervision. Vehicles will still be on the roads. – Be respectful. Residents are participating out of the kindness of their hearts. Use your manners, be courteous, and enjoy the evening responsibly.
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The February 2025 floods left an undeniable mark on Hinchinbrook Shire, affecting every corner of the community and testing resilience like never before. In response, Hinchinbrook Shire Council is introducing a new category in the 2026 Australia Day Awards — the Flood Hero Recognition — to honour the countless individuals who selflessly stood up to support their neighbours and help rebuild our community. Mayor Ramon Jayo said the overwhelming spirit shown during those difficult days. “These floods impacted us all, and throughout the crisis, ordinary people showed extraordinary kindness and courage,” Mayor Jayo said. “They didn’t seek recognition; they acted out of love and a deep sense of responsibility to their community. “This award is about recognising their quiet heroism and the strength they gave us when we needed it most. “This is the community’s chance to thank those who gave so much without expecting anything in return.” The Flood Hero Recognition category is unique. It’s not about a single winner but about honouring the many hands that held us together. Council invites the community to nominate anyone who inspired them from volunteers to emergency responders to neighbours who simply helped in small but meaningful ways. From celebrating outstanding citizens of all ages, to recognising cultural and sporting achievements, community events, and acts of heroism during the 2025 floods — there’s a category for every kind of contribution. Judges may reassign nominations to ensure they’re recognised in the most fitting category. Nominations across all categories are now open and will close at 5.00pm on Monday 15 December 2025. Visit www.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au/community-environment/australia-day-celebrations/how-to-nominate/ for more information, visit the Council office at 25 Lannercost Street, Ingham or call 4774 4600. Award recipients will be celebrated at the Australia Day event on 26 January 2026 at the Hinchinbrook Shire Hall.
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Warrina Lakes came alive from 2–4 October as families and anglers of all ages gathered for the annual Tilapia Tournament — a much-loved Cassowary Coast tradition that unites the community while protecting the local environment. A record 710 participants took part in this year’s event, reeling in 604 tilapia, an invasive pest fish species that threatens native aquatic habitats. Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor Teresa Millwood said removing tilapia from local waterways plays an important role in restoring the health of Warrina Lakes and protecting native species. All fish caught were deep-buried on site to ensure safe disposal. “The Tilapia Tournament shows how local events like this can have a real impact, not just by removing tilapia from our waterways, but by bringing people together to learn, work as a team and care for our rivers and lakes for years to come,” Mayor Millwood said. Mayor Millwood and Councillors Nick Pervan, Renee McLeod and Jeff Baines joined participants throughout the event, encouraging catch efforts and discussing future opportunities for Warrina Lakes. Warrina Lakes is a great open space, and once you have been there you can’t wait to return,” Councillor Pervan said. “Seeing families, including mums, dads, aunties, uncles, and grandparents down there and catching fish shows how much the community and in particular the kids love attending each year,” he said Travelling families from Brisbane, Tully and Mission Beach also joined in, highlighting the event’s regional appeal. Councillor Baines presented 32 prizes across 18 categories, recognising the skills and enthusiasm of the region’s most dedicated young anglers. The tournament’s success was made possible through 32 local sponsors, who contributed over $9,600 in prizes and helped run activities such as face painting and a sausage sizzle. Special thanks were extended to Bek & Joe’s Donuts, Innisfail Mini Rail, and Goodstart Early Learning for helping create a festive, family-friendly atmosphere. As the last fish were measured and buried, one message was clear: that events like the Tilapia Tournament not only bring people together but help safeguard the Cassowary Coast’s natural beauty and biodiversity.
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In a heartening reminder of the value of rural health care, the Ingham Health Service recently celebrated nine years since the reopening of its maternity service — and what better way to mark the occasion than with the birth of four babies in just 24 hours?
On the 7th and 8th of April, four mothers; Giorgia Firmi, Marites Carao, Hannah Bestmann, and Leah Dingwell, welcomed their little ones into the world, creating a unique bond not only between their babies, but among themselves as part of this milestone moment.
For first-time mum Giorgia Firmi, the experience was both challenging and affirming.
“I was in labour for probably 15 hours, and it was a really long night but she (my midwife Kelly) stayed for probably longer than she was supposed to,” Ms Firmi said, expressing her gratitude.
Fellow mum Marites Carao echoed the sentiment, praising the compassionate care she received throughout her pregnancy and delivery.
“As a first-time mum, it’s a very exciting journey and the midwives and doctors supported me throughout my entire pregnancy, through to the delivery and aftercare,” she said.
For Hannah Bestmann, who had previously delivered her two other children in a major hospital, the contrast highlighted the expertise and reassurance provided at Ingham.
“The first two were born at Sunshine Coast University Hospital, and while the facilities at SCUH are more aesthetic and fresher, the expertise of my two midwives here in Ingham was noticeably significant,” she shared.
“I felt more and more confident in their care with each appointment, and they helped me trust my body to naturally labour without interventions which I appreciated and had hoped for.”
These powerful testimonies shine a light on a service that almost ceased to exist. Ingham’s birthing unit was closed for a decade before community advocacy led to its triumphant reopening on the 1st of July, 2016. Since then, it has gone from strength to strength — a testament to the commitment of its staff and the value of health care close to home.
Senior Medical Officer Dr Carmel Cockburn reflected on the journey so far.
“The ability to provide a safe and consistent rural birthing service despite workplace shortages across rural Australia has been a huge achievement,” she said.
“It has required constant dedication from our team and community. Our team includes midwives, rural generalists with obstetric and anaesthetic skills, as well as theatre nurses for those times caesarean section or operative complications arise.”
Clinical midwife Jodie Nema emphasised the importance of ensuring access to maternity services locally.
“We provide an essential service that encompasses antenatal, birth and postnatal care to pregnant women and their families in the Hinchinbrook area,” she explained.
“The midwifery group practice has capacity to provide services both at the hospital, and where appropriate, in-home care. We also work closely with maternity services at Townsville University Hospital when higher levels of care or support are required.”
At a time when many rural maternity services are under threat, Ingham's model shows what is possible when dedication, skill, and community will intersect. As the maternity team celebrates its ninth anniversary with four beautiful new arrivals, it reminds us that small towns can offer not only safe care—but exceptional care.
Expectant families in the region can self-refer to the service or be referred through their GP. For more information, call 07 4720 3050.
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