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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Jim Hodge may call himself “a newbie” to Hinchinbrook, but after 22 years in Ingham, he has become a well-known voice both in person and online.
Born in Victoria in 1957, Jim spent little time in his birth state before moving around Australia. When it came time to settle, Ingham stood out. “It ticked enough boxes,” Jim said. “It was big enough to have Coles and Woolies, but not the traffic woes of bigger places. And the people were my kind of people.” He admired the strong work ethic of the Italian community in particular, which helped him feel right at home.
Jim’s working life was spent as a postie in New South Wales. He recalls long hours, especially at Christmas, when mail reached its peak. “One year, I didn’t start the round until five in the afternoon after a full day of sorting,” he said. The heavy workload eventually took a toll on his health, and he has been on a pension since his forties.
Life in Ingham has brought both challenges and new beginnings. Jim lost his first wife nearly 13 years ago after caring for her through illness. Today, he is married to Olivia, who has encouraged him to reconnect with the wider world. “Thanks to her, I got out in the world again,” he said. “The spirit wants to go, but the body doesn’t always agree anymore.”
Jim is a regular at the Seniors Morning Coffee Club, which he admits is his main form of socialising. Away from gatherings, he spends much of his time on the computer. While Olivia is active on Facebook, Jim also uses the platform, often adding his perspective to local conversations. “Somebody’s got to rock the boat,” he said with a smile.
Among his strongest views are the need for better community infrastructure, particularly footpaths. “It’s fine in the fancy parts of town, but down Perkins or McIlwraith Street, there’s nothing,” he said as he sees firsthand how difficult accessibility can be.
Before his father passed aged 94, Jim went to visit him as often as he could, always sporting his lucky hat so his father could recognise him. He suffered from dementia linked to a lack of vitamin B12, which has shaped Jim’s awareness of health services in regional areas. His own struggles with eyesight and the long wait for treatment have only reinforced his concerns about access to specialist care in smaller towns.
Candid, humorous, and never afraid to speak his mind, he continues to be an active presence in the Hinchinbrook community, and newcomer or not, Jim Hodge has found his place in Ingham.
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