The Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre (HCSC) enjoyed a spooky twist on their Seniors Morning Coffee Club this week, celebrating Halloween on 24th October. The morning also included a special birthday celebration for October, with warm wishes to Joan Oldham — happy birthday, Joan! Attendees enjoyed a morning filled with Halloween-themed decorations, a few festive costumes, and plenty of laughter. Fun activities included a Halloween trivia challenge and several rounds of Bingo, making it a fantastic morning shared with wonderful company. The next Coffee Morning will be held on Thursday, 7th November. Anyone interested in joining in can contact Desley at the HUB for more details on (07) 4776 1822.
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Gilroy Santa Maria College marked a remarkable milestone on Wednesday, 30 October 2025, celebrating 75 years of education, faith, and community with a morning of reflection and festivity. Originally planned for last year but postponed due to severe weather, the long-awaited celebration brought together current and former students, staff, clergy, and community members to honour the College’s proud history and enduring legacy. The morning commenced with a liturgy led by Bishop Tim Harris of the Catholic Diocese of Townsville, setting a reverent tone for the occasion. Parish Priest Father John Kunnathumadappallil and Father Sylvester Emetuche from the Catholic Diocese of Townsville joined the ceremony, sharing in the blessings and prayers of the ceremonial mass. Among the many attendees was Bob Mitting, known affectionately as the “Barefoot Gilroy Boy”, who, along with several long-time past students, travelled from near and far to take part in the celebrations. Guests enjoyed guided tours of the College grounds, revisiting familiar spaces and exploring the many changes that have taken place over the decades. Inside the hall, displays of memorabilia, including vintage uniforms, old textbooks, alongside club and class photos, stirred fond memories and conversation, capturing the spirit of 75 years of growth and connection. The event provided an opportunity to celebrate the generations who have shaped Gilroy Santa Maria College into the vibrant learning community it is today, while also looking forward to the College’s future with pride and great optimism.
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The Hinchinbrook Festival of Events is entering week 3 of the event calendar, and the organisers are extremely pleased with the attendance and participation at the many events and celebrations delivered to date. The overwhelming and ongoing support from the local and visitor community has exceeded the organisers' expectations. Data recorded to date from each event indicates the majority of the ticketed events have been sell-outs, with the “free to enter” events exceeding previous attendance numbers. As the calendar continues to roll around, the next major event within the “Hinchinbrook Festival of Events” calendar is the NQIB Country Cups Challenge Qualifier - Hinchinbrook Cup Race Day on the 15th November at the Ingham Race Course! This event promises a full day of horse racing, fashion, and socialising that will not disappoint! Being a family-friendly event, a day of exciting trackside entertainment for the whole family is assured. Gates open at 11:00am on Saturday morning, with five local races. Local and southern bookmakers and Sky Racing are onsite for those who want to have a flutter. Live music and a DJ will entertain the crowd, with a bar and canteen open to keep the revellers fed and thirst-quenched. The spectacular “Fashions on the Field” is always a highly contested event and children’s amusements provide entertainment for the younger audience. This year, there is a new fashion category - “Living the Hinchinbrook Way – 4850” - which will add another interesting aspect to the fashions. So get ready to enjoy a day at the races, Hinchinbrook style! Pre-purchase Adult Entry Tickets ($15 each) and Tables ($60 per table – seats 10) online. With kids 0-14 years being free, and teens 14-17 years only available at the gate on race day. For more information, or to purchase Entry Tickets and/or Tables, visit https://hinchinbrookchamber.com.au/hinchinbrook-cup-race-day-family-event/
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Just like the dashing masked vigilante, Zorro is a handsome, well-dressed young feline with a heart full of promise and the opportunity for a bright future. Zorro may initially seem a bit shy, but give him just thirty minutes, and you'll find yourself enchanted by his gentle nature and sweet demeanour. Once he trusts you, he transforms into a dedicated purr machine, letting you know you've won his heart with his melodic symphony of affection. Zorro will do best in an environment where patience and plenty of love are abundant. His progression from a shy feline to an endearing companion makes him a truly rewarding pet to welcome home. Will you be the one to offer Zorro the loving space to settle and thrive? Please fill in an inquiry form at: https://www.angelpawsinc.com.au/forms.html. Included in adoption fee of $210 DESEXED, MICRO-CHIPPED, up to date VACCINATIONS, FLEA/TICK/INTESTINAL WORM treated. DOB: 1/10/2024 Sex: Male Breed: DSH Colour: Tuxedo Kid friendly: Yes Cat Friendly: Yes Dog Friendly: Untested Indoors/Outdoors: Indoors
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Please tell us a bit about yourself:
I’m proud to be Ingham-born and bred — growing up on our family farm and spending weekends at Forrest Beach and playing footy. After finishing school, I moved to Townsville to study at university, but Ingham has always been home.
Tell us a bit about your professional background, including your previous career, skills, and education?
Over the years, I’ve worked across many industries — from small and family businesses to regional development — including as CEO of Regional Development Australia Townsville and North West Queensland, and as Director of Regional Development and Investment at Townsville Enterprise.
I’ve also run my own business and spent 17 years calling Cowboys games with the Triple M Cowboys Call Team, which has been an incredible way to stay connected to the community right across North Queensland.
If elected, what would your priorities be during your first 100 days in office?
This by-election is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to elect someone who can sit alongside David Crisafulli, around the table where decisions are made. For too long Hinchinbrook has been on the sidelines from Government but I want to change that.
What is one major project or initiative you would seek to drive forward within your first year?
I’m fighting for a sensible plan to deal with youth crime. The LNP’s Adult Crime, Adult Time laws are starting to hold youth criminals accountable but there’s a long way to go to fix a decade of Labor’s weak laws.
We need more police with better early intervention and rehabilitation that works – as well as CCTV in known trouble spots. I’ll also fight for tougher bail laws for youth criminals, which I believe our State needs.
In your view, what is currently missing in the Hinchinbrook region, and how would you propose to address it?
The traffic on the Northern Beaches keeps getting worse and I’ll also be fighting to get these busy local roads flowing again. Under-investment for the past decade has left us behind the eight ball and it will only get worse unless we get Government delivering. We need someone who can listen first, work hard and get results around the table where decisions are made.
Through my career I’ve championed our local industries including agriculture, tourism and manufacturing. My priorities will be to fix Port Hinchinbrook, improve marine infrastructure, improve flood resilience and getting better roads.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time or to relax outside of work?
Community has always played a big part in my life. I’ve volunteered with the Forrest Beach and Arcadian Surf Life Saving Clubs, served as Treasurer of the Rotary Club of Townsville, and helped organise the Townsville Triathlon Festival — all opportunities that have taught me the importance of teamwork, giving back, and supporting others.
Family means everything to me. My two kids, Lucy and Tommy, love spending time with their Nanna and Nonno here in Ingham — especially visiting the family farm and catching up with their cousins. Those connections and simple family moments are what keep me grounded and remind me why our region is such a great place to raise a family.
Wayde Chiesa, LNP for Hinchinbrook
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