Tasman Turtle Picnic Day Shire Success Scores of locals and travellers flocked to TYTO Wetlands as Tasman Turtle returned with craft, food, activities, and family fun. With a rock climbing wall, circus acts, laser tag, pony rides, and a petting zoo, there was something for everyone. Music filled the air, even getting Tasman dancing, and the park buzzed from start to finish. Faces were covered with ice cream and fairy floss, but most importantly big smiles. Deputy Mayor Mary Brown happily remark
Read the full storyTwo respected members of the Hinchinbrook region have been named in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours, receiving national recognition for their dedication to the community and their service over many years. Patrick Brown, Officer in Charge at the Ingham Ambulance Station, has been awarded the Ambulance Service Medal, one of the highest honours available to an Australian paramedic. With 46 years of experience, most of it in rural and regional Queensland, Mr Brown has long been regarded as a stea
Read the full storyBy Victoria Velton In the quiet coastal town of Taylor’s Beach, Jayden McNeill is solving more than just colorful puzzles; he’s solved his way to global recognition. A Rubik’s Cube champion with international acclaim, McNeill’s story is one of perseverance, precision, and passion. It all started when a seven-year-old Jayden received a Rubik’s Cube for Christmas. Like many, he shelved it after failing to solve it. But years later, inspired by classmates in high school, he revisited the cube and
Read the full storyA Tool For Real-World Readiness When most people hear “LARPing” (Live Action Role-Playing), images of medieval knights and fantasy creatures might spring to mind. But for a growing community in Townsville, LARPing has evolved far beyond weekend cosplay, it’s becoming a valuable tool for real-world training and personal growth. The newly launched Townsville chapter of Swordcraft, Australia’s largest medieval battle and role-playing game, brings enthusiasts together every fortnight. What began as
Read the full storyPremier David Crisafulli was in Ingham last week to talk about the Stronger Homes Program, joined by State Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto MP, State Disaster Recovery Coordinator Andrew Cripps, CEO of GIVIT Chris Staines, and homeowner Mark Hutchinson.
The Premier announced that the Stronger Homes Program was already gaining interest. 300 people expressed their interest in the program, and from Thursday, March 13, they would be able to access it and get back on their feet.
“It enables people to make sure that they don't have to replace the same things to the same standard in their house and expect a different result, it's about working with the insurance industry, working with builders, and making sure that when people are picking up the pieces, that they can do it in a stronger way to make them more resilient for the next time,” said Premier Crisafulli.
“So, it might be lifting a hot water system out of harm's way, lifting your power points, replacing carpets with tiles, doing the little things to make your home stronger.
“But in the end, we want people to be able to live in the communities they love, and we want to make them more resilient.”
Nick Dametto MP said people living in Ingham know that flooding may occur, but thanks to the new Stronger Homes Grant, they can better prepare.
“We know living here in the Hinchinbrook electorate, in the middle of the Hinchinbrook Shire right now, that we are prone to flooding, and this time of year, as you can see right now, it continues to rain,” he said.
“We are in the middle of the wet season, and we usually do build properties here that are actually able to sustain wet weather events, but making sure that we can make them more resilient and stronger for the next round is a win for everybody.”
State Disaster Recovery Coordinator Andrew Cripps was also present at the announcement and said $7.8 million in personal hardship grants had been issued to individuals who have been impacted by the flood event. This included 38,000 applications in multiple regions.
“This represents a boost to people who are trying to get back up on their feet after the impact of the flood event in terms of their personal circumstances,” said Mr Cripps.
“Yesterday (Wednesday 12 March) was an important announcement in terms of the uplift for the grants to businesses and primary producers across the impacted area.
“The Queensland recovery team and the Queensland Reconstruction Authority in particular have spent the last four weeks working diligently to secure the information, the data and the images required for the Queensland Government to make applications to the Commonwealth for uplift in those grants to businesses and primary producers.”