As the 2025 Ingham Marka Festival “Music thru the Ages” concludes, the organisers extend their deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this year’s Festival a resounding success. The event brought together the vibrant spirit of the community, showcasing the best of what Ingham has to offer. The Ingham Maraka Festival Committe would like to extend special to those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Their commitment and passion made the festival possible. Thanks to their efforts, the Ingham Marka Festival remains a cherished tradition and a highlight of the year. The community looks forward to celebrating together again in the future. See the highlights on pages 3 and 20-21
Read the full story
Spooky Weekend At Mt. Fox The Mount Fox Community Progress Association hosts its annual weekend Halloween Party on Friday, 31 October and Saturday, 1 November at the Mount Fox Campgrounds. This family-friendly event promises plenty of eerie excitement, with costumes, treats, games, movies, raffles, and spooky surprises planned throughout the day and night. The fun continues on Saturday with market stalls, and the kitchen is open for lunch and dinner, ensuring everyone is well-fed for the festivities. Camping is available for just $10 per car per night, with donkey hot water showers and toilets on site for campers’ convenience. Info Updates: 'Mount Fox Campgrounds' group on Facebook Nightmares In Ingham Families are invited to join the spooky fun on Friday 31 October, starting from 5:30pm, a street-wide Halloween celebration that promises spooky fun for the whole family. The highlight of the night is the walk-through front yard experience at 12 Gardiner Street, a hauntingly fun stop for brave trick-or-treaters! Trick-or-treating will continue along the street until 8:00pm, when residents will no longer be accepting visitors. Water coolers will be placed at several properties, so feel free to refill your bottle or grab a cup of cold water. Please dispose of cups responsibly in the bins provided. For safety reasons, please leave pets at home, with crowds and vehicles around, it’s best to keep our furry friends safe. Info Updates: 'Ingham Halloween 2025' on Facebook Cardwell’s Halloween Drive This year’s community trick-or-treat adventure will take families on a spooky drive through Cardwell and Kennedy, with participating homes and businesses offering sweet surprises along the way. While some stops are scattered across the two towns and best reached by car, several Cardwell’s business district locations are within walking distance, making it easy to enjoy the fun safely on foot. Keep an eye out for Halloween decorations to spot participating sites. Info Updates: Emma Raymond & 'What's the go in Cardwell. NQ?' group on Facebook Before The Events Begin – Important Information: – All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. – Follow the designated times for trick-or-treating in your area. – Out of respect for residents who do not wish to participate, only approach homes that are clearly participating. Participating houses will have a balloon out the front, Halloween decorations, or someone outside. – Remember to stay hydrated. It can get very hot, and children in costumes can overheat easily. – When walking and crossing roads, exercise extra caution and child supervision. Vehicles will still be on the roads. – Be respectful. Residents are participating out of the kindness of their hearts. Use your manners, be courteous, and enjoy the evening responsibly.
Read the full story
The February 2025 floods left an undeniable mark on Hinchinbrook Shire, affecting every corner of the community and testing resilience like never before. In response, Hinchinbrook Shire Council is introducing a new category in the 2026 Australia Day Awards — the Flood Hero Recognition — to honour the countless individuals who selflessly stood up to support their neighbours and help rebuild our community. Mayor Ramon Jayo said the overwhelming spirit shown during those difficult days. “These floods impacted us all, and throughout the crisis, ordinary people showed extraordinary kindness and courage,” Mayor Jayo said. “They didn’t seek recognition; they acted out of love and a deep sense of responsibility to their community. “This award is about recognising their quiet heroism and the strength they gave us when we needed it most. “This is the community’s chance to thank those who gave so much without expecting anything in return.” The Flood Hero Recognition category is unique. It’s not about a single winner but about honouring the many hands that held us together. Council invites the community to nominate anyone who inspired them from volunteers to emergency responders to neighbours who simply helped in small but meaningful ways. From celebrating outstanding citizens of all ages, to recognising cultural and sporting achievements, community events, and acts of heroism during the 2025 floods — there’s a category for every kind of contribution. Judges may reassign nominations to ensure they’re recognised in the most fitting category. Nominations across all categories are now open and will close at 5.00pm on Monday 15 December 2025. Visit www.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au/community-environment/australia-day-celebrations/how-to-nominate/ for more information, visit the Council office at 25 Lannercost Street, Ingham or call 4774 4600. Award recipients will be celebrated at the Australia Day event on 26 January 2026 at the Hinchinbrook Shire Hall.
Read the full story
Warrina Lakes came alive from 2–4 October as families and anglers of all ages gathered for the annual Tilapia Tournament — a much-loved Cassowary Coast tradition that unites the community while protecting the local environment. A record 710 participants took part in this year’s event, reeling in 604 tilapia, an invasive pest fish species that threatens native aquatic habitats. Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor Teresa Millwood said removing tilapia from local waterways plays an important role in restoring the health of Warrina Lakes and protecting native species. All fish caught were deep-buried on site to ensure safe disposal. “The Tilapia Tournament shows how local events like this can have a real impact, not just by removing tilapia from our waterways, but by bringing people together to learn, work as a team and care for our rivers and lakes for years to come,” Mayor Millwood said. Mayor Millwood and Councillors Nick Pervan, Renee McLeod and Jeff Baines joined participants throughout the event, encouraging catch efforts and discussing future opportunities for Warrina Lakes. Warrina Lakes is a great open space, and once you have been there you can’t wait to return,” Councillor Pervan said. “Seeing families, including mums, dads, aunties, uncles, and grandparents down there and catching fish shows how much the community and in particular the kids love attending each year,” he said Travelling families from Brisbane, Tully and Mission Beach also joined in, highlighting the event’s regional appeal. Councillor Baines presented 32 prizes across 18 categories, recognising the skills and enthusiasm of the region’s most dedicated young anglers. The tournament’s success was made possible through 32 local sponsors, who contributed over $9,600 in prizes and helped run activities such as face painting and a sausage sizzle. Special thanks were extended to Bek & Joe’s Donuts, Innisfail Mini Rail, and Goodstart Early Learning for helping create a festive, family-friendly atmosphere. As the last fish were measured and buried, one message was clear: that events like the Tilapia Tournament not only bring people together but help safeguard the Cassowary Coast’s natural beauty and biodiversity.
Read the full story
Summer can be as tough on gardens as it is on people. Blazing sun, unexpected downpours, and shifting soil conditions create a perfect storm of challenges for even the most seasoned gardeners. But with a few smart strategies, your garden can beat the heat and burst with life all summer long.
Start from the Ground Up
Great gardens grow from the ground up, and the secret lies in healthy soil. Think of soil as the lifeline for plants—holding nutrients, retaining moisture, and anchoring roots. Australia’s intense summer weather, combined with frequent watering, can strip the soil of nutrients, compact it, or leave it parched. This weakens plants and makes them more susceptible to pests, diseases, and heat stress.
To give your soil a fighting chance, enrich it with organic matter like compost. This improves its structure, allowing it to hold more water and essential nutrients. Healthy soil also nurtures beneficial microorganisms that help break down organic materials, making nutrients more available to plants. With nutrient-rich soil, plants grow stronger, develop deeper roots, and are better equipped to handle extreme conditions.
Mulch: Your Garden’s Summer Shield
Once the soil is healthy, a good layer of mulch is your garden’s best defence against the summer heat. Mulch helps lock in moisture, regulates soil temperature, and shields delicate roots from the harsh sun. It’s also a natural weed suppressant, making garden maintenance easier.
Before mulching, ensure the soil is well-watered. Spread a layer of mulch 5–10 cm thick, keeping it away from the base of plants to prevent rot. This simple step can make a big difference in how your garden handles summer’s ups and downs.
Pick Plants that Love the Heat
Choosing plants suited to your climate is essential for a flourishing garden. In the Wet and Dry Tropics, such as North Queensland, vibrant flowers like petunias, coleus, and marigolds thrive in the heat. For vegetables, cucumbers and tomatoes make great choices, while herbs like lemongrass and mint add a fresh, tropical touch.
By tailoring your garden to the climate and giving it a solid foundation, you can transform even the hottest summer days into an opportunity for growth. With healthy soil, smart mulching, and the right plant choices, your garden will thrive—and so will your love for gardening.
Keep It Tidy and Pest-Free
A little maintenance goes a long way when it comes to keeping your garden in peak condition. Regularly pruning dead or diseased branches and removing fading blooms encourages new growth and improves airflow around your plants, helping them stay healthy in summer’s heat.
Pests can be a gardener’s nemesis during warmer months, but with a few smart choices, you can stay ahead of them. Keep an eye out for common culprits like stink bugs, aphids, grasshoppers, and fruit flies. To naturally repel pests, consider planting marigolds, lavender, basil, or rosemary—these plants don’t just look and smell great; they’re nature’s pest deterrents.
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Life Publishing Group Ltd.
