By Victoria Velton On Friday, 7 November, community members came together for a morning of hands-on environmental action. Volunteers planted native tree saplings that, once grown, will help shade out invasive parra grass and restore valuable habitat for the wetlands’ feathered and furry locals. Participants gathered beside two ute-loads of native trees. Some drilled holes into the clay-like soil, others prepared the saplings, and everyone planted as many trees as they could in the heat, each contributing to a greener future. The event highlighted the importance of community collaboration in tackling invasive species and supporting local biodiversity. It was a day not only about planting trees but also about nurturing long-term environmental stewardship in the region. The planting site adjoined another successfully revegetated area that had been established in a previous project, continuing the creation of a vital wildlife corridor through the TYTO Wetlands.
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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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Across the channel from the southern tip of Hinchinbrook Island are two coastal gems - Dungeness and Lucinda. They stand as gateways to world-class fishing and the breathtaking beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.
These communities are more than scenic postcards to us. They are living, thriving places with enormous potential. It’s not rocket science that growth needs a strong foundation.
Our northern neighbours at Cassowary Coast are primed to reap immense benefit from Port Hinchinbrook being declared a Provisional Priority Development Area by the Queensland Government last week.
Here in Hinchinbrook, we’re working hard to ensure our region shares in that momentum.
Our vision is clear: unlock opportunities for tourism, attract new residents, and create jobs — all while protecting the pristine environment that makes this place unique.
To do that, we’re seeking $18 million to upgrade trunk infrastructure and treatment facilities.
These upgrades will enable further commercial development and support population growth in a way that is sustainable and future focused.
It’s a big ask, but essential for a small Shire like ours, where the cost of infrastructure continues to skyrocket and our ratepayer base is limited.
We rely on strong partnerships with state and federal governments to make these ambitions a reality.
At Dungeness, improving marine access remains a top priority. Council has already secured State approval for dredging the Enterprise Channel, a project that will make boating safer and more reliable year-round. This upgrade includes deepening the channel, constructing a rock-armoured retaining wall, and using clean dredged sand to replenish the beach and protect the spit from erosion. These works will ensure vessels can safely navigate even during low tides and rough weather.
The next step is Commonwealth approvals. We’ve engaged environmental and coastal specialists to prepare reports for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and confirm compliance under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act. These reports build on what we developed for State approvals and will demonstrate that the Reef’s values remain untouched. We expect this work to wrap up before the year’s end, so applications can be lodged early in the new year.
Meanwhile, commercial operators can look forward to a new $500,000 pontoon off Denney Street — hopefully by Christmas or early in the new year — providing safer, more convenient access for charter operators, a boost for our tourism sector.
Infrastructure projects like these are more than upgrades. They’re commitments to a thriving future where people can move to our area and reap the benefits in one of the most spectacular corners of Queensland.
We are keen to see some commitments, and we look forward to working towards a better future for our district together.
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