TOP NEWS

Strength, Vision And Legacy

Flags Raised In NAIDOC Tribute On 22 July 2025, a flag-raising ceremony marked a meaningful NAIDOC Week in Hinchinbrook. Community members gathered at the Hinchinbrook Shire Hall in Ingham, led by Deputy Mayor Mary Brown and Traditional Owners, together, they proudly raised the flags in recognition of the Warrgamay, Nywaigi and Bandjin peoples — Traditional Custodians of the Hinchinbrook region. With around 70 people in attendance, the event offered a moment to reflect on this year’s NAID

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Townsville To Cairns Bike Ride Rolls Through Ingham

A peloton of dedicated cyclists rode through the Hinchinbrook Shire last week as part of the mighty Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride; an initiative established to make a difference in the lives of children affected by cancer. Held annually, the Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride raises both valuable awareness and funds for the Children’s Cancer Institute to support comprehensive efforts focused on preventing and treating childhood cancer. The Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride was founded in 1999 by Sel

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Junior Theatre Takes The Stage

On Saturday, the 26th of July, the Junior division of the Ingham Theatre Group debut in their first matinee. After 10 weeks of work-shopping improvisations, theatre sports, performance technique, stage craft, and most importantly fun and friendship, the Juniors stepped up and performed the wondrous adventure that was 'Princesses of a Feather'. Together, the cursed princesses-turned-birds, defeated the evil knight Sir Glimmerpants with the help of Charlie Cowgirl Cat In A Cape, while t

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Cardwell Community Comes Together For Rebuilding Support

On Thursday 10 July, the Cardwell RSL became a vital hub of information and support as more than 35 residents and service representatives gathered for the Cardwell Community Rebuild Info Session. Organised by Centacare FNQ, the evening brought together key organisations supporting North Queenslanders affected by the 2025 floods and now in the rebuilding phase. The session was hosted in partnership with Centacare’s Disaster Recovery and Resilience Hub, the Queensland Building and Construction Co

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Master Fishermen Program Casts New Wave Of Knowledge In Cardwell

April 16, 2025

A major sustainability-focused training initiative washed over Hinchinbrook last week, as the final session of the OceanWatch Master Fisherman Program took place in Cardwell last Tuesday the 8th of April.

Delivered by national not-for-profit environmental organisation OceanWatch Australia, the program has travelled across the state, offering a series of six one-day workshops designed to boost environmental knowledge and promote sustainable fishing practices among professional fishers.

Net fishers from throughout the region from Ingham to Cairns gathered at Cardwell for a workshop conducted by the national environmental organisation OceanWatch Australia (Photo Supplied)

Master Fisherman Program Takes Place In Cardwell

OceanWatch spokesperson David Schubert said the training aims to equip Queensland’s inshore net fishers, particularly those operating in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, with tools to continue their work responsibly and ethically.

“These face-to-face training sessions are an opportunity to provide information about the latest research discoveries and practices involved in protecting the marine environment while fishing, especially safely handling interactions with what are called threatened, endangered or protected species (TEPs), such as turtles, dugong and sawfish,” shared David.

“It is also an opportunity to bring fishers together formally and exchange information and observations amongst the fishers themselves, so they benefit from each other’s practical experience on the water - these fishers are on the water virtually every working day and have enormous knowledge about the marine environment.”

Sessions were previously held in Townsville, Ayr, Mackay, Gladstone, and St Lawrence, before wrapping up in Cardwell and David believes the program is about more than just theory.

“We believe the OceanWatch Master Fisherman program can play an important role in protecting vital habitats, promoting healthy waterways and ensuring the long-term sustainability of marine ecosystems, while providing top-quality seafood products to the public,” added David.

OceanWatch CEO Lowri Pryce also travelled from Sydney to attend the Cardwell session, emphasising the value of formal recognition for participating fishers.

“The fishers participating in this program are recognised by OceanWatch as our Master Fishermen,” Lowri said.

“They value our marine environment and do their utmost to keep it healthy and productive through their actions on water and this program paves a way for fishers to demonstrate ethical and responsible practice, so they can continue to bring seafood to Queensland families.”

An ongoing initiative supported by the Australian Government, the program is delivered in partnership with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and will launch a series of digital modules this August to continue strengthening the link between commercial fishing, conservation, and community trust.

To access more information, visit www.oceanwatch.org.au or view the program’s introductory video by searching OceanWatch Master Fisherman.

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