Mark 10th Birdlife Art Awards More than 280 people gathered to celebrate Hinchinbrook Shire Council’s 10th Birdlife Art Awards at the TYTO Regional Art Gallery on Friday night, 1 August 2025. This milestone event continues to honour the rich birdlife of the Hinchinbrook region through the eyes of talented artists from across Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. It features an impressive 106 entries across various mediums, including drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, and m
Read the full storySporting and recreation clubs across North and Far North Queensland impacted by early 2025’s severe flooding can now apply for a share in a $30 million funding package to help repair and rebuild their facilities. The Sport and Recreation Recovery Program (SRRG) — a joint initiative by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) — offers up to $1 million per facility for eligible not-for-profit sport and racing clubs, as well as local cou
Read the full storyLocally loved artist, Katie Louise, has graced the region once again, painting a beautiful mural on the wall of the infamous Frosty Mango building located 40km South of Ingham along the mighty Bruce Highway. Hailing from Townsville, Katie’s paint brushes have coloured many surfaces across North Queensland where she has artistically captured the unique qualities of several communities including the Atherton Tablelands, Charters Towers, and now Cardwell. Katie’s recent piece within the shi
Read the full storyFormer players, supporters, and families reunited in Ingham over the weekend of 18–19 July 2025 to celebrate the 55-year-long legacy of the Wallaman Rugby League Club, with attendees travelling from across Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and all corners of Queensland. Though no longer active, the Wallaman club holds a proud place in local sporting history. Formed in 1970 under challenging circumstances, the club faced early struggles just getting a team on the field. With determina
Read the full storyFormer players, supporters, and families reunited in Ingham over the weekend of 18–19 July 2025 to celebrate the 55-year-long legacy of the Wallaman Rugby League Club, with attendees travelling from across Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and all corners of Queensland.
Though no longer active, the Wallaman club holds a proud place in local sporting history. Formed in 1970 under challenging circumstances, the club faced early struggles just getting a team on the field. With determination and a strong community spirit, it grew into a formidable side.
The founding of the club was driven by the vision of John Hilliard, who enlisted local supermarket manager George Scrase as president and well-respected councillor and grazier Gerry Allingham as patron, while John himself took on the role of secretary-treasurer. Those first seasons delivered only a handful of wins, but thanks to a few key southern recruits and growing local support, Wallaman soon built a reputation as a side to watch.
Much of the club’s strength came from its supporters and volunteers. Stalwarts such as Joe and Mus, Eddie Joyce, Vic Liborio, Eddie and Colleen Danieli, Frank and Donna Morris, and Lloyd and Rhonda Greentree, alongside backing from local publicans, were instrumental in keeping the club afloat.
The reunion kicked off on Friday night with a lively meet-and-greet at the Station Hotel, setting the tone for a weekend filled with nostalgia and reconnection. On Saturday night, attendees gathered at the Ingham RSL, where MC Jim Busuttin shared club history and acknowledged the presence of two daughters of founding president George Scrase, as well as three original members of the first Wallaman team.
One of the evening’s highlights was the auctioning of a signed and framed 2006 Brisbane Broncos jersey, generously donated by Bill Micola. The winning bid came from Brian Winkle, with all proceeds going towards the RSL’s upcoming fundraiser for the National Prostate Cancer Foundation.
The event was a celebration not only of the club’s history, but of the community that supported it. A fitting tribute to a team that brought so many together.
Many thanks to Kathy & Peter Burdell for organising the event, taking photos and contributing to this article. See the full photo gallery online.
Find the social pics here: https://tinyurl.com/2b5gr7x5