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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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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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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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
Read the full storyDuring the recent floods, Optimise Health and Wellness played a critical role in ensuring vulnerable community members received the care they needed. Despite widespread disruptions, the organisation remained operational, implementing emergency management strategies and strategically positioning staff across affected areas to provide continuous healthcare services.
Director and Mental Health Occupational Therapist Kara Christopher highlighted their efforts in supporting isolated individuals.
“One of our participants with Parkinson’s was alone and cut off from services, but our team maintained regular phone check-ins and worked with local stakeholders to ensure he was safe and supported. Knowing someone was checking in on him made all the difference,” she said.
Beyond direct client care, Kara was also involved in the Community Recovery Centre, to be able to offer mental health services to more people, not just clients of Optimise Health and Wellness.
Kara provided mental health support to residents processing the emotional toll of the disaster. She noted that people experienced lots of loss and a sense of being trapped.
“Having the opportunity to sit and normalise and discuss, that helps. And it's been kind of humbling to be able to sit and be part of that process and work through with people and to work within the broader team."
Despite the trauma of the event, Kara also said that Ingham residents are resilient and there are always people that believe someone is worse off than them. As a local Kara says she had heard about how caring the Ingham community is, but to witness it first-hand during the floods was incredibly uplifting.
In addition to crisis response, Optimise Health and Wellness provides a range of essential healthcare services year-round. They have been operational since 2018 and offer allied health support, including occupational therapy, psychology, exercise physiology, and therapy assistance. Their team works closely with NDIS and aged care, they mostly work with vulnerable people in the community.
With a strong focus on accessibility and person-centred care, Optimise Health and Wellness continues to be a pillar of support for the community, ensuring that healthcare services are available when and where they are needed.
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