The Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre (HCSC) enjoyed a spooky twist on their Seniors Morning Coffee Club this week, celebrating Halloween on 24th October. The morning also included a special birthday celebration for October, with warm wishes to Joan Oldham — happy birthday, Joan! Attendees enjoyed a morning filled with Halloween-themed decorations, a few festive costumes, and plenty of laughter. Fun activities included a Halloween trivia challenge and several rounds of Bingo, making it a fantastic morning shared with wonderful company. The next Coffee Morning will be held on Thursday, 7th November. Anyone interested in joining in can contact Desley at the HUB for more details on (07) 4776 1822.
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Gilroy Santa Maria College marked a remarkable milestone on Wednesday, 30 October 2025, celebrating 75 years of education, faith, and community with a morning of reflection and festivity. Originally planned for last year but postponed due to severe weather, the long-awaited celebration brought together current and former students, staff, clergy, and community members to honour the College’s proud history and enduring legacy. The morning commenced with a liturgy led by Bishop Tim Harris of the Catholic Diocese of Townsville, setting a reverent tone for the occasion. Parish Priest Father John Kunnathumadappallil and Father Sylvester Emetuche from the Catholic Diocese of Townsville joined the ceremony, sharing in the blessings and prayers of the ceremonial mass. Among the many attendees was Bob Mitting, known affectionately as the “Barefoot Gilroy Boy”, who, along with several long-time past students, travelled from near and far to take part in the celebrations. Guests enjoyed guided tours of the College grounds, revisiting familiar spaces and exploring the many changes that have taken place over the decades. Inside the hall, displays of memorabilia, including vintage uniforms, old textbooks, alongside club and class photos, stirred fond memories and conversation, capturing the spirit of 75 years of growth and connection. The event provided an opportunity to celebrate the generations who have shaped Gilroy Santa Maria College into the vibrant learning community it is today, while also looking forward to the College’s future with pride and great optimism.
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The Hinchinbrook Festival of Events is entering week 3 of the event calendar, and the organisers are extremely pleased with the attendance and participation at the many events and celebrations delivered to date. The overwhelming and ongoing support from the local and visitor community has exceeded the organisers' expectations. Data recorded to date from each event indicates the majority of the ticketed events have been sell-outs, with the “free to enter” events exceeding previous attendance numbers. As the calendar continues to roll around, the next major event within the “Hinchinbrook Festival of Events” calendar is the NQIB Country Cups Challenge Qualifier - Hinchinbrook Cup Race Day on the 15th November at the Ingham Race Course! This event promises a full day of horse racing, fashion, and socialising that will not disappoint! Being a family-friendly event, a day of exciting trackside entertainment for the whole family is assured. Gates open at 11:00am on Saturday morning, with five local races. Local and southern bookmakers and Sky Racing are onsite for those who want to have a flutter. Live music and a DJ will entertain the crowd, with a bar and canteen open to keep the revellers fed and thirst-quenched. The spectacular “Fashions on the Field” is always a highly contested event and children’s amusements provide entertainment for the younger audience. This year, there is a new fashion category - “Living the Hinchinbrook Way – 4850” - which will add another interesting aspect to the fashions. So get ready to enjoy a day at the races, Hinchinbrook style! Pre-purchase Adult Entry Tickets ($15 each) and Tables ($60 per table – seats 10) online. With kids 0-14 years being free, and teens 14-17 years only available at the gate on race day. For more information, or to purchase Entry Tickets and/or Tables, visit https://hinchinbrookchamber.com.au/hinchinbrook-cup-race-day-family-event/
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Just like the dashing masked vigilante, Zorro is a handsome, well-dressed young feline with a heart full of promise and the opportunity for a bright future. Zorro may initially seem a bit shy, but give him just thirty minutes, and you'll find yourself enchanted by his gentle nature and sweet demeanour. Once he trusts you, he transforms into a dedicated purr machine, letting you know you've won his heart with his melodic symphony of affection. Zorro will do best in an environment where patience and plenty of love are abundant. His progression from a shy feline to an endearing companion makes him a truly rewarding pet to welcome home. Will you be the one to offer Zorro the loving space to settle and thrive? Please fill in an inquiry form at: https://www.angelpawsinc.com.au/forms.html. Included in adoption fee of $210 DESEXED, MICRO-CHIPPED, up to date VACCINATIONS, FLEA/TICK/INTESTINAL WORM treated. DOB: 1/10/2024 Sex: Male Breed: DSH Colour: Tuxedo Kid friendly: Yes Cat Friendly: Yes Dog Friendly: Untested Indoors/Outdoors: Indoors
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Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables (QCAR) is calling for transparency in the cane audit system and the continuation of the overdue review of the Cane Analysis Program (CAP).
QCAR Herbert District Committee Deputy Chair Matthew Pappin said exclusionary and anti-competitive practices had crept into the CAP document that governed cane testing in the Herbert district.
This is contrary to a misleading article published in the Hinchinbrook Life on 28 October and submitted by Herbert River District Cane Growers (HRDCG).
QCAR Herbert, Burdekin and Central region representatives visited the Burdekin Cane Audit Services (BCAS)
laboratory at Wilmar Invicta Mill on Monday, 27 October to review operations.
BCAS is a private industry company funded by millers and growers equally and is independently managed by a Board of Directors.
“It was eye-opening to see how open and transparent the cane audit services in the Burdekin are when compared to the Herbert,” he said.
In late 2024, a review of the CAP commenced in response to QCAR identifying the exclusion clauses and anti-competitive practices that had crept into the Herbert document and that the review of the document was well overdue.
QCAR representatives met with the Independent Sugarcane Analysist to review the operations in late 2023.
It came as a big surprise when the Independent Sugarcane Auditor informed QCAR representatives that the Cane
Audit Program for the Herbert had instructions that only Herbert River District Canegrowers (HRDCG) members would be sampled for fibre, unless ‘the Growers’ Bargaining Representative Group represents more than 11% of Cane Delivery Tonnes’. - (source document-CAS:2017).
CCS in the Herbert River district is calculated using a district average fibre level to calculate a grower’s CCS and ultimately their cane payment. Sampling should be conducted on a true random basis by the Independent Sugarcane Auditor.
QCAR Herbert District Committee Chair John Board said it required a unanimous vote by industry bodies to make any changes to the CAP to remove the anti-competitive clauses. The CAP review is now being stalled by one group.
“It’s time now for HRDCG to fall into line and allow all growers’ cane to be sampled for fibre - this is the right thing to do,” Mr Board said.
QCAR/ACL/HCQR grower collectives have united to get over the 11% threshold for fibre in 2025/2026; however, growers on individual contracts and mill cane are still being excluded.
QCAR is seeking the BCAS model to be replicated in all Wilmar regions, ensuring strong governance and procedures for the industry to adhere to.
“It’s time for open, transparent cane audit processes that are of a high quality and standard to be reinstated in the Herbert, while ensuring all sectors of the industry are being financially rewarded appropriately,” Mr Board said.
QCAR Herbert District Committee issued an invitation to HRDCG to join the tours; however, this was declined.
Mr Board said all attendees were appreciative of the time of BCAS and Wilmar staff for the opportunity to tour the laboratory and Invicta Mill.
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