Burdekin Life - Weekly Local News

STANDING WITH OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN BLUE

Burdekin police, dignitaries and community groups gathered Tuesday morning to honour officers killed in the line of duty. Photo: David Cooper‍Burdekin community members, local dignitaries, and police gathered at Ayr's Burdekin Community Church on 29th September to commemorate National Police Remembrance Day. The solemn service honoured officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, featuring a wreath-laying ceremony and a reading of the Roll of Honour.‍Read more here: www.burdekinlife.com/article/burdekin-honours-fallen-officers-on-remembrance-day

Final Tickets Remain For Beyond The Gate Celebration

Contributed by Community Bank Home Hill & Ayr With final tickets now available, women from across the Burdekin and surrounding districts are being encouraged to secure their place at Beyond the Gate: Celebrating the Women at the Heart of Rural Communities. Hosted by Community Bank Home Hill & Ayr, the luncheon will bring women together to connect, share their experiences and celebrate the resilience, leadership and contribution that help rural communities thrive. Coinciding with the International Day of Rural Women, celebrated globally on October 15, Beyond the Gate recognises the many roles women play across agriculture, local business, community organisations, volunteering and family life. Community Bank Home Hill & Ayr Branch Manager Sally Smith said the strong response to the event demonstrated the value of creating opportunities for rural women to come together. “We are delighted to see so many women embracing this event, and with only the final tickets remaining, we encourage anyone considering attending to book as soon as possible,” Sally said. “Women make an enormous contribution to rural communities, whether they are working on the land, operating a business, leading a community organisation, supporting their families or quietly helping others behind the scenes. “Beyond the Gate gives us an opportunity to recognise those contributions, strengthen local connections and enjoy a well-deserved celebration together.” A highlight of the luncheon will be an inspiring presentation from Farm Angels, a national charity dedicated to supporting primary producers and farming families through some of their most challenging times. Originally established as Drought Angels in Queensland in 2014, the organisation has expanded its support to farmers affected by drought, floods, fires and plagues throughout Australia. Farm Angels has now assisted more than 4,700 primary producers across over 1,300 communities by providing tailored financial assistance, food hampers, care packs and mental wellbeing support. Through personal phone conversations and on-farm visits, the organisation works directly with farmers to understand their individual circumstances and provide practical and compassionate support. Its work recognises the considerable pressure carried by farming families and the importance of helping primary producers remain on the land. This support contributes not only to individual wellbeing, but also to the strength of regional economies, Australia’s food security and the social fabric of rural communities. Sally said the work of Farm Angels closely reflected the values behind Beyond the Gate and Community Bank Home Hill & Ayr’s commitment to rural communities. “Farm Angels understands that behind every farm is a person, a family and a story,” she said. “Their work is a powerful example of what can be achieved when people genuinely care for one another and provide meaningful support when it is needed most. “We are proud to welcome a speaker from Farm Angels and give our guests an opportunity to learn more about the important difference the organisation is making throughout rural Australia.” Guests can also look forward to a special “On the Couch” panel session featuring a range of perspectives and personal experiences, along with valuable networking opportunities, a delicious lunch and drinks. For Community Bank Home Hill & Ayr, the event represents more than a single day of celebration. It is part of a broader commitment to recognising, supporting and investing in the people who sustain the Burdekin and surrounding rural communities. “As a Community Bank, our connection to the region extends well beyond providing banking services,” Sally said. “We want to support initiatives that bring people together, create stronger networks and recognise those whose efforts make our communities better places to live and work. “Strong rural women help build strong rural communities, and we are committed to continuing to celebrate and support them.” Beyond the Gate: Celebrating the Women at the Heart of Rural Communities will be held from 11am to 3pm on Friday, October 16, at Populins Hall. Only the final tickets remain, making this the last opportunity to join an afternoon of connection, inspiration and celebration dedicated to the remarkable women at the heart of rural life. Bookings through Humanitix - https://events.humanitix.com/beyond-the-gate-celebrating-the-women-at-the-heart-of-rural-communities PLEASE TURN THIS INTO A QR CODE CAPTION: Women from across the Burdekin and surrounding districts are being encouraged to secure their place at Beyond the Gate: Celebrating the Women at the Heart of Rural Communities. Photo supplied

Burdekin BreastScreen Service ‘Secure’

Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) has confirmed there are “no plans to reduce or withdraw” the BreastScreen Queensland mobile screening service in the Burdekin amid rumours it could be axed due to low usage. A THHS spokesperson said the Ayr service is “secure” and “one of the most active mobile screening locations in the north Queensland region,” with more than 650 Burdekin women attending appointments since August. The service will remain on Chippendale Street until mid-December. Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort welcomed the news, calling the service “valuable for our community.” “I make it a priority to have a screening every two years when the van visits the Burdekin,” she said. “The appointment takes only around 15 minutes, it is free, and it could save your life.” BreastScreen Queensland has screened more than one million Queensland women since 1991, detecting over 34,000 breast cancers. The spokesperson encouraged eligible women aged between 50 and 74 to book their screening every two years. Appointments can be made by visiting breastscreen.qld.gov.au or by calling 13 20 50. CAPTION: The service on Chippendale Street, Ayr screened more than 1,710 local women during its last visit in 2024. Photo: Jacob Casha

BURDEKIN “BETRAYED” IN BACKPACKER SHAKE-UP

Regional communities across the country could be set to lose “millions” under a Federal Government shake-up of the backpacker visa system. The proposal would introduce caps on second- and third-year Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa places, with applicants now needing to win a ballot—on top of fulfilling the existing regional work requirements—to extend their Australian visit. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, who announced the proposal last month, said the changes are part of broader migration reforms that would deliver a “more orderly, fair, and targeted” system. Ayr Backpackers hostel owner David Esler called them a “betrayal.” “This is unfair to backpackers. It is damaging to employers. It is deeply harmful to regional communities,” he said. "The deal was very simple and mutually beneficial. Now we’re telling backpackers, ‘go and do the work anyway, and you might get a spot.’ “We’ve canvassed our [hostel] guests—they’re not going to take that chance … [and] we will lose tens and tens of thousands of workers in regional areas across the country because of this change.” The changes would cap second-year WHM visas at 45,000, down from about 57,000 last year, with third-year places plummeting from around 31,000 to 5,000. The mandatory 88 days of work for a second year—and six months for a third—will remain in place, although will no longer guarantee an extension. Swedish working holidaymaker Frida Dellhammar, a hospitality employee completing her regional work in the Burdekin, said her plans to extend for a third year were ultimately deterred by those odds. “I love being in this country and I would do a lot of things to extend my visa,” she said. “But once they [announced the ballot], I thought, ‘there's no way I would spend six months in a very remote place with only a possibility of getting a third year.’” Ms Dellhammar is one of around 200 guests currently staying at Ayr Backpackers. According to Mr Esler, the hostel accommodates up to 1,200 travellers across a season, with each guest working in town or on surrounding farms. Mr Esler said any reduction could leave an economic gap in the order of millions, citing Australian Tourism Export Council research that found WHMs spend “more than $32,000 in Australia” on average, with nearly a quarter of that expenditure occurring in regional towns. Jim’s Mowing franchisee Geoff Campbell, who will have up to five backpackers on his books later this year, said the Burdekin workforce would also feel the backpackers’ absence. Mr Campbell said his maintenance business, which was struggling to attract workers, was on the brink of demise before backpackers stepped in. “I had to go to backpackers—I couldn't find any local staff. I’ve been through 75 people in four years,” he said. “They can see the potential in Australia. They’re keen, they're reliable, and they realise the opportunities they have here.” Speaking on the reforms, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke argued that no visa category could be exempt from efforts to reach the government’s target of reducing net overseas migration to 225,000. He framed the WHM caps as a necessary step to ease nationwide housing pressures and give local infrastructure and housing supply a chance to catch up. Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort said good intentions would not negate the impact of the changes on communities like the Burdekin. “These people need to get out of their four walls and come out to the real Australia," she said. “This is not just about people entering our country. These are our workers.” Ms Dellhammar added: “We’re contributing so much—it’s not like we're just taking and taking. “We pay taxes. We help out. I don’t know who’s going to fill this void after it gets implemented.” CAPTIONS: 1—According to Mr Esler, the hostel accommodates up to 1,200 travellers across a season, with each guest working in town or on surrounding farms. 2—“They can see the potential in Australia. They’re keen, they're reliable, and they realise the opportunities they have here.” Photos: Ayr Backpackers