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
Read the full storyAllan 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
Read the full storyHinchinbrook 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
Read the full storyOver 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
Read the full storyAs recovery works are continuing, I would just like to assure residents that assistance is still available and is only a phone call away.
Flood damaged goods kerbside collection is continuing and it is pleasing to see that our roads and streets have in the main been cleared of most damaged material. Thank you to MAMs and all contractors and personnel involved in achieving such a good result in a very quick time frame. Flood damaged goods kerbside collection is continuing in the wider areas at the moment and if you have any concerns, or think you may have been missed, please contact Council as soon as possible. Regular wheelie bin collection services are now functioning as per normal. If you have lost any wheelie bins, please call Council to arrange a replacement straightaway.
The Community Recovery Hub is continuing to operate out of the TAFE building to assist you with personal and financial matters and the wonderful people from the Department of Communities are continuing to run pop up centres in the smaller communities as needed. The pop ups will shortly be discontinued, but the main hub in Ingham will continue to provide all assistance required. Information on opening hours and locations may be obtained by visiting Council’s website January 2025 Flood Event Information page https://rb.gy/vc0xo6. Thanks to the wonderful SES personnel, a further Community Outreach activity was carried out through our worst flood affected areas late last week.
In total, 755 residences were surveyed, with 375 residents completing the survey with the SES volunteers and 374 residents not home. However, Community Recovery Information Sheets and support service numbers were left with in mailboxes for the resident’s attention for when they return home. If you were not home at this time and if you require further information or assistance, you may ring Council on 4776 4600 or even contact the SES direct on 132 500.
Funding to assist sporting and community organisations in continuing clean-up operations has also been made available above the Grant funding recently advised and Council has written directly to all organisations registered with Council requesting details of possible assistance required. Please let Council know prior to 28 February 2025 so that relevant arrangements can be made.
Reports received indicate that all electricity, Telstra and NBN facilities have been restored and working as normal. If that is not the case and you continue to experience difficulty, then we need to know so that we can look into the issue with the relevant providers and get the problem fixed for you.
The Rural Fire Service and SES remain willing and able to assist in house clean ups if required. You can arrange an appointment by contacting SES direct on 132 500.
I reiterate that assistance in various forms to help you recover from this event remains available and that many amazing people from many different State and Federal Agencies are still about and ready to activate if required. This assistance, in most cases, is only a phone call away.
Contributed with thanks to Mayor Ramon Jayo.