Mark 10th Birdlife Art Awards More than 280 people gathered to celebrate Hinchinbrook Shire Council’s 10th Birdlife Art Awards at the TYTO Regional Art Gallery on Friday night, 1 August 2025. This milestone event continues to honour the rich birdlife of the Hinchinbrook region through the eyes of talented artists from across Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. It features an impressive 106 entries across various mediums, including drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, and m
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Sporting and recreation clubs across North and Far North Queensland impacted by early 2025’s severe flooding can now apply for a share in a $30 million funding package to help repair and rebuild their facilities. The Sport and Recreation Recovery Program (SRRG) — a joint initiative by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) — offers up to $1 million per facility for eligible not-for-profit sport and racing clubs, as well as local cou
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Locally loved artist, Katie Louise, has graced the region once again, painting a beautiful mural on the wall of the infamous Frosty Mango building located 40km South of Ingham along the mighty Bruce Highway. Hailing from Townsville, Katie’s paint brushes have coloured many surfaces across North Queensland where she has artistically captured the unique qualities of several communities including the Atherton Tablelands, Charters Towers, and now Cardwell. Katie’s recent piece within the shi
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Former players, supporters, and families reunited in Ingham over the weekend of 18–19 July 2025 to celebrate the 55-year-long legacy of the Wallaman Rugby League Club, with attendees travelling from across Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and all corners of Queensland. Though no longer active, the Wallaman club holds a proud place in local sporting history. Formed in 1970 under challenging circumstances, the club faced early struggles just getting a team on the field. With determina
Read the full storyAt 21 years old, Cooper has been named the Motorcycle Apprentice of the Year (MAOTY) for the QLD/NT Zone, an award that reflects his commitment to mastering the craft of motorcycle mechanics.
Cooper’s journey into the world of motorcycles was practically predestined. Growing up in a family immersed in the trade, his father was a motorcycle mechanic who owned a local shop. This early exposure to bikes sparked a passion that evolved into a career. “Growing up, my dad was a motorcycle mechanic, so I was always around motorbikes,” Cooper shared. “And then I went for work experience at Dad's shop.”
What set Cooper apart from his peers was his hands-on experience, particularly when Cooper found himself running the workshop independently for part of his apprenticeship. “I was working alone, without a tradesman, because he unfortunately had an accident. He had to stand aside, so I was pretty much running the workshop. I got a better a feel for the industry and all aspects of it,” he explained. This experience honed his problem-solving skills and developed his ability to maintain consistent quality, a trait that impressed the MAOTY judges.
“You have to work to a certain quality because you're working on people's equipment. But to do that consistently can be hard,” he shared. Despite the challenges, Cooper believes his ability to adapt and maintain quality set him apart from the other contenders.
Recalling his old mentor, William Cross, Cooper credits with shaping his professional mindset. “Willie, my old tradesman, he's great in teaching the trade. Always saying, ‘There's never such thing as a dumb question,’ always helping me to work the situation out."
With his apprenticeship now complete, Cooper plans to continue working in the trade, driven by a love for motorcycles and a commitment to excellence. Hoping one day for the opportunity to work on his dream bike – the Kawasaki Ninja H2 – Cooper says, "It's the cream of the crop, fastest sports bike ever. It'd be pretty awesome to work on one."
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