This year's ANZAC Day saw hundreds turn out to remember the efforts of Australia and New Zealand's great service men and women. Veterans, schools, clubs and businesses poured into the streets to march in grand parades, and packed in close to attend services held across the Hinchinbrook Shire. Beautiful wreaths were lain and the bugles mournful tones echoed across respectful silences as flags were lowered to half mast. A gunfire breakfast, coffee and traditional ANZAC biscuits kept everyone going
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Allan Colquhoun grew up in Sydney, but his life has taken him far beyond the city limits. In his youth, he worked with a station owner named Bob, whose property combined dairy and sheep farming with a focus on Jersey bulls and cows. One vivid memory that’s stayed with him is of Bob chasing down a bull meant for butchering on his stock horse —a beast that, to Allan’s amazement, climbed over the holding fence one hoof at a time to escape. Allan spent most of his working life as a coastal travelle
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Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Tourism held their monthly Coffee Connect last week, being hosted by local business Wild Local. There was a very strong attendance at this event, with Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter and KAP Senate candidate, Robbie Lyon. Rebecca and Dom Zaghini provided a delicious light snacks and gave the audience an overview of their business journey from inception to their current location, the diverse range of products they provide and some insight into t
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Over the weekend, the Ingham Kennel Club hosted six rounds of dog shows, featuring judges from across Australia who rotated to ensure fair and balanced competition. Dogs were entered into one of seven group categories, with the Toy Group attracting the largest number of entries. Sunday's shows saw the Italian Greyhound emerge as a standout, making up 20 of the 170 total entries across the weekend. Unique and rarely seen breeds like the Xoloitzcuintli and Briard added excitement to the event, of
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Ingham’s 2024 Showgirl, Amanda Way, is heading to Tully to represent her community at the sub-chamber finals, a key step on the road to the prestigious finals at Brisbane’s EKKA. While Amanda was the sole entrant in last year’s Ingham Showgirl competition, her commitment to the role has been anything but minimal.
“I sort of knew I was already selected to represent Ingham, because at the show last year I was the only one that entered,” Amanda said. “So we didn't get to run a local competition, unfortunately, but that is ultimately the goal. So, at the Show last year, I got sashed as the 2024 Ingham Showgirl, and with that, I knew that I would be representing Ingham at the sub-chamber finals.”
The time between being sashed locally and stepping onto the sub-chamber stage is spent learning the ins and outs of how shows operate and how Showgirls can support their local communities as Amanda explains “You have about eight months to understand the show, go to show meetings, and get a bit more information before going to the sub-chamber finals.” This is to give the Showgirl time to engage with the community and the event itself.
As part of her role, Amanda has been instrumental in creating new traditions that connect the younger generation to Ingham’s agricultural roots.
“For the Showgirl, you’re responsible for organising the next competition and promoting it, but you also get to represent your community and help shape the future of the show,” she said.
“We started getting the tissue culture cane planted in the schools and the childcare, including where I work at St Mary MacKillop Childcare. That allows the kids to then grow, cut, and enter cane into the show." And the project has not only engaged children, but their families as well.
“I’ve had kindergarten kids go home and demand their parents to enter their farms' cane,” she laughed. “We’ve had fathers say, ‘It’s your fault, I’m digging out cane!’ But I always say, ‘If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t have a cane section at all!’ And that’s one of the biggest parts of our show, the cane display.”
Amanda’s own connection to the show runs deep, recalling that, "Growing up, I have always gone to the show. It's one of the only large events Ingham has, so when it does come around, you make the effort to go and support it, because without the support, there's not going to be a show any more."
If Amanda wins in Tully, she will go on to represent all of North Queensland at the finals held at the iconic EKKA in Brisbane, she hopes to win saying, “I’ve never been to the EKKA. That would just top the whole experience off.”
Still, she balances her Showgirl duties with full-time university and full-time work, it hasn’t been easy, but Amanda is determined.
And if she wins it all?
“That would be amazing. It would mean everything to me. To be a voice for all things ‘show’, to empower women, and to grow the community. Getting young children involved and helping people understand the value of the Show, that’s what I’d want to focus on.”
Amanda Way is not only wearing the sash, she’s carrying the spirit of Ingham with her, good luck Amanda at the sub-chamber finals!
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