Are they not the most gorgeously beautiful and courageous ladies you have seen? Taking that step out into the Maraka spotlight are our wonderful Queens and Princesses, each putting themselves out there for the chance to claim the crown. You’ll get to meet them at the Wine and Cheese Night, the Afternoon Tea, Kids Big Day Out, and Aquathon, all before Hinchinbrook comes together for the ultimate display of regional pride at the Maraka Festival Mardi Gras Parade and Crowning. Mark your calendars as October runs Maraka royal green, floats and fireworks are just the tip of the festival iceberg!
Read the full storyAre they not the most gorgeously beautiful and courageous ladies you have seen? Taking that step out into the Maraka spotlight are our wonderful Queens and Princesses, each putting themselves out there for the chance to claim the crown. You’ll get to meet them at the Wine and Cheese Night, the Afternoon Tea, Kids Big Day Out, and Aquathon, all before Hinchinbrook comes together for the ultimate display of regional pride at the Maraka Festival Mardi Gras Parade and Crowning. Mark your calendars as October runs Maraka royal green, floats and fireworks are just the tip of the festival iceberg!
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On Saturday 11 October, the Cardwell Coastguard hosted its annual Tropical Plant Expo, drawing plant lovers from near and far. The event featured an impressive range of plants for both display and sale, with many local sellers showcasing exceptional specimens. Visitors enjoyed browsing the stalls, chatting with growers, and picking up new additions for their gardens. Alongside the plants were home-grown fruit and vegetables, a delightful selection of prize-winning homemade jams, and beautiful artworks by Mandy. No Coastguard event would be complete without the classic BBQ, complemented by coffee and cake. It was a wonderful day enjoyed by all who attended.
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TYTO Regional Art Gallery is currently home to two thought-provoking exhibitions, each exploring the world around and beyond, through entirely different lenses. In the main gallery, Flies and Weevils and Cockroaches by Lorraine Lamothe invites visitors to see beauty where they might least expect it. At 75, Lorraine found herself yearning to reconnect with her creativity after a quiet spell. “I thought, well, that’s it, I’ve got to put myself out there again and see what can happen,” she said. When Tyto confirmed her exhibition, she recalls thinking, “You’re not done yet, girl. You’re not done yet.” That moment reignited her passion for creating work that not only excites but also makes people think. Her collection of sculptural insects and woven displays celebrates the misunderstood creatures most people prefer to avoid. “I chose insects that are really disliked,” Lorraine explained. “People need to understand that they’re not all bad. They break down decaying plant material and help the environment. Let’s not be prejudiced about these insects, let’s find joy in them.” Across the way, in the Niche Gallery, artist Ashleigh Jane takes visitors into the realm of myth and legend with Mythical Beasts. Her intricate illustrations breathe new life into creatures drawn from global folklore, from Egyptian hybrids to celestial goddesses. “I’ve always been fascinated by mythology and folklore,” she said. “I wanted to delve a little deeper and rediscover stories that lurk in the darkness, the ones people might not know.” Ashleigh’s exhibition features works from her upcoming second book. Each piece is both a visual story and a modern reimagining of ancient tales. “My favourite story is about Doddle, a rain goddess who milks her heavenly cows to make it rain,” she shared. “But my favourite drawing is the Ikenty, a bird with a cat’s head found in Egyptian hieroglyphs. No one really knows what it was for, but I loved bringing it to life.” Together, these two exhibitions celebrate the power of curiosity, whether it’s found in the smallest of creatures or the myths that have shaped cultures for centuries. Both artists remind us that inspiration can be rediscovered at any stage of life, and that beauty often hides in the unexpected.
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The Ingham Pups have emerged victorious at the Saints Eagles Souths 2025 soccer carnival, defeating Brothers 4-3 in a thrilling grand final in Townsville. Goals from Patrick Pearce, Archer Carr, and a brace from Huxley Beatts secured the title for Herbert River. Ecstatic for the win, Herbert River's Sammy Pearce said, “We’re not Ingham Pups any more - we’re the Wolves now!”
The path to victory was powerfully fought with the under-7s side of the Ingham Wolves, advancing to the final after winning three consecutive matches. They kicked off their campaign with a commanding 7-1 victory over Northern Beaches, where Carr scored four and Beatts scored a hat-trick (3 goals). In the following match, Ingham dominated Saints Blue 7-0, with Patrick Pearce striking twice, Carr adding two more, and Beatts completing another hat-trick.
The final group match against Saints Red proved to be a gripping encounter with both sides knowing that a win would send them to the final. Sammy Pearce drew first blood, opening the scoring from the halfway line, but Saints Red responded with two quick goals to take a 2-1 lead. Carr fired back to level the game, and Beatts’ double secured a hard-fought 4-2 victory, earning Ingham a spot in the grand final.
Manager Melissa Carr expressed her pride in the team’s growth, saying, “Last year at our home carnival, the boys narrowly missed out in the grand final. Obviously, it’s all about fun and development at this age, but they really wanted the win today - and they deserved it. I can’t wait to see this team grow together this year.”
In the grand final match, Patrick Pearce put Ingham ahead, but the Brothers quickly equalised. Carr restored the lead, and a pair of goals from Beatts extended the advantage to 4-1. However, Brothers responded fiercely, and Thomas Martin's solid defending proved crucial for Herbert River.
One of the game’s highlights came when Ingham’s Cristiano Rapista had a shot blocked on the line by Brothers’ number 8, who then danced past two players before launching a long-range effort from inside his own half, scoring a stunning goal to make it 4-2. Brothers added a third to close the gap to 4-3, but Ingham’s relentless pressing helped them hold on to secure victory.
The Ingham Pups displayed their scoring prowess throughout the carnival, netting 22 goals in four matches. Huxley Beatts and Archer Carr led the charge with nine goals each. More than 70 young players represented Ingham at the carnival, with Herbert River fielding teams from under-6s to under-12s. Additional photos can be found on the Ingham Wolves FC Facebook page. Fans can support the Pups and Wolves at the next soccer carnival, scheduled for June 1 at Warriors FC in Townsville.
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