Seafest 2025 brought the Cardwell foreshore to life with a vibrant celebration of the sea, community spirit, and local culture. Held over the weekend, the festival attracted visitors from across the region to enjoy a jam-packed program of entertainment, food, andfamily-friendly fun. Highlights included the thrilling mullet toss, live music from talented local artists,and visits from Ariel the mermaid and Captain Jack Sparrow the Pirate. Market stalls showcased everything from handmade crafts to local produce, while kids enjoyed facepainting, fishing and beachside games. With stunning weather, a festive atmosphere, and strong community support, Seafest2025 was a resounding success leaving locals and visitors alikealready looking forward to next year's celebration on the sea.
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The Halifax SES Unit has received a significant boost, with a new canopy and essential equipment funded through the Halifax Emergency Liaison Partnership (H.E.L.P.) and a new rescue vehicle provided by the Queensland Government’s SES Support Grant program.H.E.L.P. is a not-for-profit organisation formed to support emergency services across the Lower Herbert region, including Halifax, Lucinda, Taylors Beach and Macknade. The group raises funds through regular community raffles and events, such as the popular meat tray raffles held at the Lucinda Pub every second month. All proceeds go directly toward purchasing vital equipment for local emergency services, helping them respond effectively to community needs.SES Local Controller Dan Cordner from the Halifax SES said the support from H.E.L.P. had made a real difference to their growing unit. “H.E.L.P. came in to provide the canopy for our new vehicle, as well as two large battery fans, a charging bank and a vacuum cleaner,” he explained. “It’s all very useful equipment for our volunteers, especially as Halifax is still a relatively new branch of the SES. We’re building up our portfolio of gear and trying to get back to where we were many years ago.”Greg Sexton, a member of H.E.L.P. and the SES, added that the local fundraising efforts were a perfect example of how small communities come together in times of need. “Supporting the meat tray raffle at the Lucinda Pub is a big help,” Greg said. “The pub provides the prizes and the space, and we just turn up to sell the tickets. The funds go straight to H.E.L.P., which then supports groups like the SES, among others.”With natural disasters a regular challenge in the region, the new vehicle and equipment will help the Halifax SES continue its vital work in keeping the Lower Herbert community safe.If you’re looking for a practical way to help your community, consider joining the SES. New members are always welcome in the Lower Herbert and Ingham areas. Visit www.ses.qld.gov.au to learn more.
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Last week, Premier of Queensland David Crisafulli visited Ingham to see the impact of the Stronger Homes Grant, meeting with one of the successful households affected by February’s historic floods. Premier Crisafulli said. “We said when the flood came through this town that we’d be here for the long haul, and for the long haul we are. I’m determined to make sure that this community knows it’s not being forgotten in the recovery from what was really historic floods.” The programme has already been taken up by 44 local residents, with over half of the applications completed. “It’s about building resilience and allowing people to handle the next flood,” the Premier added. “Everything we’re doing is about making sure we can make our communities more resilient. By doing that work, it reduces the impact next time around, which means lower cost, less heartache, and getting people back on their feet.” Mayor of Hinchinbrook, Raymon Jayo, highlighted the practical benefits of the reduced pressure local emergency agencies will face if more homes take on the Stronger Homes Grant: "One home affected can impact 10 to 15 others, so the Stronger Homes programme abates all that.” Yvonne and Neville, recipients of the grant, described their experience. “During the flood, we lost our hot water service, and it was devastating,” Yvonne said. “After the floods had died back, the Stronger Homes Grant was released. We applied, and it was a very simple process. I was overjoyed to hear back so quickly that we’d been granted $10,000. We were able to replace the hot water service and install solar. The whole process went so smoothly and the staff were prompt and very helpful. Before we knew it, we had hot water again. It was brilliant.” Minister for Housing and Public Works Sam O’Connor added, “This is one of dozens of households in this community alone who have benefited from the Stronger Homes Grant. It’s fantastic to hear the benefits for their home and future resilience. Applications are still open until the end of the year, and we want to get as many households that were impacted with inundation to apply as possible.” The visit highlighted how the Stronger Homes Grant is helping Hinchinbrook residents rebuild safely, reduce future risk, and regain peace of mind after devastating floods.
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“We know there are many organisations out there who are more than capable of working in conjunction with the State Government to deliver this vital court-ordered sentencing alternative, and I encourage them to lodge their interest before the 9 October 2025 deadline. For more information or to register interest, visit www.youthjustice.qld.gov.au/circuitbreaker
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I’m excited to introduce myself as Wilmar’s new Relationship Manager for the Herbert region
working alongside Franco Zaini. Having grown up in North Queensland and worked across the
agricultural sector, I understand how important it is for cane growers to have strong local
connections and practical support.
In this role, I’ll be working closely with Herbert growers to provide one-on-one support, helping you make informed decisions about your sugar marketing and pricing. My focus is on building lasting relationships and ensuring you have the tools and information you need to get the most value from your GEI Sugar.
It’s a great time to be joining the Wilmar team, with the launch of our Wilmar Grower
Advantage program. This new initiative recognises the important partnership we have with
growers and provides access to a range of exclusive offers and discounts through trusted
rural suppliers. It’s designed to help reduce on-farm costs and deliver extra value to your
business — just one more reason to market your GEI sugar with Wilmar.
If you would like to take advantage of discounted pricing and access to Elder’s professional
support services, please reach out to me or Franco to get you connected with the Elders
team.
As we look ahead to next season, I’d also like to remind growers that marketing nominations for the 2026 season close on 31 October 2025.
Choosing Wilmar Grower Marketing means partnering with a team that understands your
business, offers flexible pricing options, and continues to invest in programs that deliver real benefits to growers.
I look forward to meeting more of you in the coming weeks and learning about your goals for
the seasons ahead. Whether you’d like to chat about pricing, the new Grower Advantage
program, or your nomination for next season, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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