TOP NEWS

Government Inaction Has Flying Foxes In Fight For Survival

James Cook University (JCU) researchers are calling for urgent government support to protect the spectacled flying-fox from extinction as new and escalating threats push the species closer to the brink. Despite their reputation as noisy and messy neighbours, spectacled flying-foxes play a vital role in the survival of Australia’s rainforests, travelling vast distances to pollinate flowers and spread seeds at levels unmatched by any other species. JCU adjunct associate professor Noel Preece sai

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Ingham Pauses To Honour Fallen Police Officers

National Police Remembrance Day Today, the community of Ingham came together to pay tribute to the brave men and women of the Queensland Police Service who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The National Police Remembrance Day Service, held at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, offered a solemn and poignant moment for reflection, remembrance, and respect. Since 1861, 151 Queensland Police officers have lost their lives while protecting and serving communities across the state.

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HINCHINBROOK Cadets Shine At ESCAPE Week In Brisbane

Each year, a team of Hinchinbrook Emergency Services Cadets travels to Brisbane to attend the prestigious ESCAPE Week, a program that brings together cadets from across Queensland to experience life at multiple emergency services. This year, three Hinchinbrook cadets participated: two senior cadets attending as leaders and one as a program participant, accompanied by Cadet Coordinator Mark Regazzoli. The week kicked off at Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ), Bribie Island, where cadets underwent an

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Compassion On Wheels

The Hurley Bus Since launching in December last year, the Hurley Bus has already completed more than 400 bookings, providing free transport for elderly, frail, and palliative community members. The service, run entirely by volunteers through the Ingham Palliative Carers Committee, offers a safe, reliable, and compassionate way for people to stay connected and attend important appointments. The eight-seat bus is wheelchair accessible and travels throughout Ingham, the surrounding districts, Card

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New Bus Brings Renewed Connection For Ingham

May 27, 2025

The Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre has received a much-needed boost with the arrival of a brand-new bus to support their service delivery. The vehicle replaces the Centre’s previous bus, which was lost during the devastating floods earlier this year. While insurance covered the replacement of four other vehicles lost, there were no remaining funds to replace the bus, a critical resource for the Centre’s operations.

Recognising the importance of access to transport for many vulnerable community members, the Lions Club of Ingham and the APEX Club of Herbert River stepped in to co-fund the purchase of a new bus. Their swift and generous response addressed a significant gap in the Centre’s ability to deliver services to socially isolated and mobility-challenged clients, particularly children and seniors.

The vehicle, which has been modified by Toyota Ingham to be safe and accessible for people living with disabilities, will support a wide range of community programs. From school holiday activities to regular services for adult clients, the bus will play a central role in helping clients attend events, access support, and remain connected with the wider community.

President of the Centre, Bruce Grinstead, emphasised the impact of the donation, noting that the bus provides more than just transport, it offers inclusion and opportunity for individuals who might otherwise be left out due to isolation or a lack of mobility. Ingham has no public transport system, and many clients have no other means of travel, making this vehicle a critical link for participation and connection.

Councillor Donna Marbelli echoed this sentiment, describing the new bus as an important step forward in overcoming local transport barriers and ensuring that vulnerable residents remain supported saying that: "the bus will connect them and enhances their worlds."

The Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre, supported extensively by volunteers, continues to serve as a vital hub for the region. This new vehicle ensures those efforts can continue and expand. The donation reflects the strength of community partnerships and the willingness of local service clubs to support meaningful change.

Following the bus’s unveiling and formal acknowledgements, guests enjoyed refreshments, including a celebratory cake provided by Mick’s Bakery, marking a hopeful new chapter for the Centre and the people it serves.

Volunteers and support workers from HCSC joined with members of the Lions and Apex club to check out the new bus. Photo credit: Victoria Velton.
Representing Apex, Darrin Hoffensetz joined with Lions club president Col Dallavanzi, CEO of HCSC Linda McClelland and president of HCSC Bruce Grinstead in cutting a celebratory cake. Fellow members of the Lions Club, Karen, and Councillor Donna Marbelli, board members of HCSC were there to enjoy the moment. Photo credit: Victoria Velton.
Volunteer of HCSC, Craig was the first to try out the new bus. Photo credit: Victoria Velton.

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Victoria's View | 30 September 2025
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Lions Launch Disaster Recovery Fund For Flood-Affected Families
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Hinchinbrook Thanks Senior Sergeant Geoff Bormann For His Service
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Out of the Floods, Come the Warmbloods
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