As part of the show’s Tiny Towns Tour, Triple M’s The Rush Hour paid a visit to Brandon last week, broadcasting from the Iron Works Brewery on Thursday, November 23.

Brandon was the first stop on the tour which saw Townsville-based presenters AB and Elliot learn about local history and hear from local guests.

“We’re travelling around Queensland visiting the unsung hero towns, the ones that aren’t on the tourist maps, the ones with really small populations and short Wikipedia pages,” said AB.

“We spend a lot of time on air in the Burdekin, being close to Townsville, and Brandon was a town that we don’t think gets talked about enough.”

“The one thing we’ve noticed since doing our radio show, which broadcasts from Townsville all throughout the regions, is the callers from the regions are loose in the best possible way,” added Elliot.

“They’re fun, they’ve got the best stories and I think you’ll find that the smaller the towns are, the bigger the stories are.”

Elliot has been going on Tiny Towns Tours for the last year visiting towns across Queensland including Woodford, Biloela, Calliope and Weipa, and this was the first time AB came along for the ride.

Throughout the show, AB and Elliot invited local guests and heard local stories, including Mayor Lym McLaughlin who was put to the test on her knowledge of sugar products.

“We’re putting all the mayors to the test to see how well they know their towns,” said AB.

Meanwhile, Elliot was particularly intrigued by the story of the town’s namesake, Henry Brandon.

“I read about him for ages, he came over from the UK,” he said.

“The fact that he literally just subdivided a spot, wanted to put in a sugar mill and name the place after himself, I thought that was awesome.”

“We’re also going into the feuds between Brandon and Ayr in regards to which was going to be the main town outside of Townsville,” added AB.

“They were originally going to build the train track to here, but they decided to go to Ayr, so I think there’s always been a bit of animosity between the towns because of it.”

The Tiny Towns tour continued to Sarina, Clermont, Alpha and Longreach before wrapping up today in Muttaburra.

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Triple M’s The Rush Hour producer Luke and presenters AB and Elliot

Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin, Elliot, Mick the Canecutter and AB

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Rhythm Edge Dance Studios took over Burdekin Theatre last weekend for two sold out Rhythm Nation dance concerts.

The shows saw the region’s dancing talent take to the stage, wowing crowds with a dazzling and professional production.

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Photo credit: Keeara and Reece Photography

Rhythm Edge Dance Studios sold out two shows over the weekend

Acro students

Senior students

Junior and Inter students

Minis students

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After months of dedicated writing and rehearsal, the Home Hill Choral Society is preparing to take audiences ‘Around the World in 20 Songs’ with their new show ‘All Things Folk’ debuting next month.

The show is written and directed by Erin Brennan who felt inspired on a drive home from Townsville one day.

“I heard a folk music radio station and it was really great and really stirring,” she said.

“We’ve got folk songs from Australia, Italy, Ireland, and Scotland, a bit of everything.

“We weave songs into the show and try and do them traditionally and interweave little skits and fun puns in between.”

The cast have been rehearsing for almost two months and Erin said it usually takes her three to four weeks to write a show before coming together with Musical Director Cheryl Platt.

“I’m constantly reading books and getting ideas,” she said.

“I then share it with Cheryl, and we come together for the music.”

The Choral Society will be performing four shows with two already sold out.

Tickets are still available for shows on Saturday, December 2 and Friday, December 8.

“Everyone likes to come and sit back, relax and forget about their troubles for a couple of hours,” Erin said.

“If we make a mistake, they laugh with us, not at us.

“Don’t miss out, this is the last show of the year.”

To book tickets, contact Erin on 0428 822 091.

The Home Hill Choral Society has been active since 1931.

Following the four shows, the Choral Society will join the Burdekin Uniting Church and Burdekin Brass Band for Christmas Carols in the Park on Sunday, December 17.

WHAT: The Home Hill Choral Society Presents Around the World in 20 Songs: All Things Folk

WHEN: December 2, 3, 8 and 9

WHERE: The Vault, 93 Eighth Avenue, Home Hill

TICKETS: $35, contact Erin on 0428 822 091

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The cast of Around the World in 20 Songs: All Things Folk

Writer and Director Erin Brennan and Musical Director Cheryl Platt

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The Burdekin turned on its charitable spirit last weekend with people donning their Silly Socks and Helping Hands for McHappy Day, the largest annual fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities.

McHappy Day helps seriously ill and injured children and their families stay together while receiving medical care in a nearby hospital.

“Every year, we are blown away by the generosity of our customers who dig deep for McHappy Day and help us raise much needed funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities,” said Licensee for McDonald’s Ayr Paul Rissman

“The funds raised will go directly towards helping Ronald McDonald House Charities continue to make a real difference to the lives of seriously ill or injured children and their families across Australia.”

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Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin and Councillors Kaylee Boccalatte and John Furnell

Mayor Lyn McLaughlin and Councillor John Furnell

East Ayr State School held a fundraising pyjama day last week before school captains proudly took donations on the day

Local emergency services also got in on the fundraising fun

Photos supplied

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Fast Facts:

Rehoming fee: $545

DOB: 25/08/2020

Sex: Male

Breed: Border Collie Cross

Kid Friendly: Yes

Cat Friendly: Untested

Other Dogs: Yes

Fences: 5ft

If you’re looking for a ball of energy to join your home, look no further than Zeus. Intelligent and energetic, Zeus is a boy who loves a day of fun, from daily walks to playing with his toys.

A quick leaner, Zeus is always eager for a play, however he does occasionally forget his manners. When playing fetch, he often forgets to return the ball to his human, and the game of catch is on!

Still learning, Zeus is in training to not jump up on people and he loves playing tug-of-war, so he would be best suited to a family with older kids.

Zeus is also a great alarm, being able to give early warning when the family home is about to receive a guest and give pre-emptive barks.

Zeus is desexed and microchipped, up to date on his vaccinations, and is flea, tick, intestinal worm treated, and on heartworm preventative.

To organise a meet and greet, complete the animal enquiry here: https://www.angelpawsinc.com.au/forms.html

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Burdekin Catholic High School hosted annual Academic Awards on the night of Monday November 13.  Students, staff, parents and special guests gathered to celebrate the academic achievements of Year 12 students.  This significant ceremony acknowledges the hard work and dedication of their students throughout the year, not only academically but also as leaders withing the school and wider community. It also marked a significant milestone – 13 years of schooling. The evening was a proud and well-deserved acknowledgment for both the students and their families.

Major award recipients include:

Leo Previtera Award for Vocational Excellence – Charlotte Dal Santo

Ayr Rotary Club – Norm Perry Community Spirit Bursary – Sharlie Archibald

Ayr Rotary Club – Tertiary Education Bursary – Logan Flanagan

JCU Rising Star Scholarship – Tia Sorohan

The James Cook University Shield – Lily Thomason

The Year 12 Award for Outstanding Cultural Contribution – Faith Taylor

Ampol Best All Rounder – Kiel Keryk

CQU Award – Lachlan Cambruzzi

Br Lawrie McCane Fellowship Award – Benjamin Smail

RACI Qld Excellence in Chemistry – Logan Flanagan and Brigitte Davies

Townsville Catholic Education Deus Caritas Est Award – Brayden Rennie

ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award – Brigitte Davies

ADF Future Innovators Award – Cameron Keys

Dawson Medal for Leadership – Isabella Moloney

Hansen Shield for Outstanding Leadership and Character – Brigitte Davies

Contributed by Burdekin Catholic High School

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Charlotte Dal Santo

Sharlie Archibald

Logan Flanagan

Tia Sorohan

Lily Thomasson

Faith Taylor

Thomas Davies, Kiel Keryk and Benjamin Smail

Lachlan Cambruzzi

Brigitte Davies and Logan Flanagan

Brayden Rennie

Cameron Keys

Isabella Moloney

Shae Munro

Caitlin McDonnell

Photos supplied: Burdekin Catholic High School

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The Burdekin Race Club pulled all the stops at their most recent race day, with an exciting Fashions on the Field culminating the event.

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Lady of the Turf, Trendsetter and Man of the Turf fashion winners for the 2023 Burdekin Race Club Just Scott Memorial Derby Day. Photo credit: Saskia Photography

Making Waves On Centre Stage

Two East Ayr State School students have participated in the coveted Australia Wearable Art Creative 2023 PSOE event, which is also part of the Festival of the Arts.

Year 6 students Savannah and Zenniece, with their teacher Mrs Nash, travelled to the event in Townsville in August to showcase two wearable art costumes, designed and constructed by East Ayr State School students.

Perfectly rehearsing their walk on Friday and Saturday, the girls modelled in the event on Saturday night.

During a 20-minute intermission, members of the public were welcome to meet with the girls, view the costumes up close and personal and ask questions.

Both girls were confident showcasing their costumes, took photos with community members and explained the significance of their costumes and how they were made.

Savannah and Zenniece were excited and thankful for the opportunity to showcase the costumes that were made by students from their school, as well as step out of the comfort zone, build their confidence and represent East Ayr State School.

Wearable Art Creatives is an organisation which aims to grow and promote wearable art as innovation and a creative form of expression.

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East Ayr State School students Savannah and Zenniece showcasing wearable art in August. Photos supplied

Close to 10 years ago, an opportunity arose for Tasha Smith, something that she could not pass up, and she has been reaping the benefits ever since.

12 years ago, Tasha accepted a job in a Burdekin boutique, a shop she fell in love with and two years later when the offer came up for her to purchase the business, she couldn’t turn it down.

A thriving boutique, Tasha’s Top Shop has continued to serve the women of the Burdekin, with every style, every size, and for every event.

“My mantra is that absolutely everything is $85 or under,” Tasha explained.

“There are not very many boutiques that you can just walk into and be able to pay under $85 for a great dress or a pair of shoes.”

A bargain for an extensive range, from coastal chic, rustic rural, lovely linen, and your next race dress or favourite pair of sandals, there is something everyone will love and cherish in their wardrobe.

“We have great pieces that will elevate your looks, great everyday pieces that are comfortable and fashionable,” Tasha said.

And coming into February 2024, Tasha and Tasha’s Top Shop are celebrating a massive 10 years in business, and everyone is welcome to the party.

Watch this space to hear more about the celebration!

Tasha’s Top Shop is open is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and Saturday 9am to 12.30pm, and with a comprehensive online shopfront, Tasha is keeping her customers dressed best, no matter the hour. Visit now at 93 Queen Street or online at tashastopshop.com.au.

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The beautiful shopfloor of Tasha’s Top Shop. Photo supplied

Grand Parade And Street Party

Over 3,000 people lined Eighth Avenue last Saturday, November 11 for the Harvest Festival Grand Parade where businesses and organisations paraded down the street in floats of all shapes and sizes.

Celebrations continued at Watson’s Green for the Street Party where rides, food and live music kept guests partying on into the night.

Harvest Festival President Mark Vass said the committee was extremely happy with the event.

“The Harvest Festival committee was overwhelmed by the support the community gave in coming out in their droves to the Grand Parade and Street Party,” he said.

“We had a bumper crowd, and everything went off without a hitch.

“I found that the crowd stayed a lot later than usual listening to Luke Geiger and his band.

“We had the largest bar takings since I’ve been involved in the festival.”

Mark went on to thank his committee of volunteers, including Vice President John Woods, Treasurer Desley Musumeci, Secretaries Peta Anne Broadhead and Carlene Muilwyk, Sponsorship and Promotions Peta-Anne Broadhead and Debbie Simpson, Minutes Secretaries and Social Media officers Faith Swindley and Carlene Muilwyk and Setup Volunteers Greg Dwyer and Stephen Simpson.

“Without them and our fantastic sponsors, these events wouldn’t go ahead,” Mark said.

“We also welcome any community feedback on how to improve and if anyone is keen to get involved, please contact me.”

Ephemera winners were also announced on the night, with Uli Liessmann’s ‘Peace’ winning Judge’s Choice and “It’s a Colourful World” by Maree McKeough and Lorraine Lynch winning People’s Choice.

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Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

Harvest Festival Rotary Ball

It was a weekend of glamour, dancing and celebration for the four Home Hill Harvest Festival Queen Entrants.

Friday night saw Dayna Linton crowned Charity Queen and Allie-Jo Farry crowned Personality Queen, although all four entrants were celebrated for the occasion.

Dayna raised $29,653.62 for Burdekin Netball Association, whom she was representing as an entrant.

The total raised by all four entrants was $48,911.15 with the money raised by Allie-Jo Farry and Zoe Oakes to go towards the organisations they represented, Home Hill – Ayr Lions Club and Home Hill Rotary Club respectively, and money raised by Kaitlyn Warren, who represented Home Hill Prawn Stop, to be donated to Burdekin Chaplains.

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2023 Home Hill Harvest Festival Queen Entrants Zoe Oakes, Allie-Jo Farry, Dayna Linton and Kaitlyn Warren

Dayna Linton was crowned Charity Queen after raising $29,653.62 for Burdekin Netball Association

Allie-Jo was crowned Personality Queen

Adorable pets of all shapes and sizes turned out to Watson’s Green for the Home Hill Harvest Festival Pet Show last Wednesday, November 8.

Dedicated owners brought along their animal friends, showcasing their talents and spreading happiness.

The pets stole the show with charm, grace, and talent thanks to generous sponsors My Pets and Hanson & Lawrence and the Home Hill – Ayr Lions Club supplying a barbecue.

Congratulations to the paw-esome winners!

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Photos supplied: Home Hill Harvest Festival

Pintxos, Paella and Postre were on the menu on Sunday, November 5 as North Queensland Basque Club hosted its Burdekin function at the Parish Hall in Ayr.

Generous members donated to the raffle prizes while the Arrate sisters celebrated their November birthdays.

North Queensland Basque Club shared a huge ‘eskerrik asko’ (thank you) to Mary Arrate and her team of helpers who prepared, cooked and served Sunday’s meal and drinks.

“We are so fortunate that our club has volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure that guests are welcomed and able to enjoy good food and excellent company,” the club posted on social media.

“The hard work continues long after the guests have left.

“You are all appreciated and valued - mil esker!”

North Queensland Basque Club consists of over 250 members, young and old, who attend social functions and promote Basque culture.

Visit www.basqueclubnq.org.au for more information.

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Photo credit: Basque Club NQ

Jarvisfield State School hosted a Christmas Fete last Saturday, November 11, the first big event held by the newly reinvigorated P&C in many, many years.

“Our school community is extremely proud of the event that was held on the weekend,” said Jarvisfield State School Principal Lisa Bello.

“Without the help from sponsors, the school community, volunteers and staff, this event would not have been possible.”

Attendees enjoyed perusing market stalls, meeting with emergency services, petting the animals, sliding down the slide and getting their faces painted.

The school also received donated produce which almost all sold out.

Staff, students and parents contributed by helping to run student created stalls including face painting, bottle stall, bake stall, footy toss, hundreds board, raffles and much, much more.

“Santa photos were a real hit with families lining up out the door to meet the jolly fellow and many a Christmas wish was whispered in his ear,” Ms Bello said.

“Since the weekend, staff have received nothing but positive accolades about our school and our wonderful fete.

“Thank you to the local community for supporting our small and wonderful school.

“The P&C are eager to make next year's fete even bigger and better.”

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Photos supplied: Jarvisfield State School

Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

What is commonly known as the Scartwater Trust and Scholarships had its origins in 1917, when Arthur Henry Wickham Cunningham (Harry) conceived the idea of developing a cattle station in central Queensland to furnish means of rehabilitating servicemen returning from the First World. In March 1917, Mr Cunningham took up four selections of land on St Anne’s Station which became known as Scartwater (an old Scottish word scart or skarth named for cormorant- there were many of these birds on lagoons of the Suttor River which ran through the property.)  Harry Cunningham became the manager trustee of the property. Only returned soldiers were employed on the property. There were many donations from such as North Queensland Turf Clubs including Ayr and Home Hill as well cattle property owners of cattle and equipment for the running of Scartwater.  

Mr Cunningham, the founder of the scheme, desired that the funds be available for educational purposes and for the alleviation of distress for the returning soldier to secure and/or retain a means of livelihood. Accordingly, it was decided to establish two funds. Once the station was developed to the point of providing a reliable income, the Trust began aiding ex -servicemen and women by advancing interest free loans. As the need for assistance declined, a new scheme of scholarships to assist the children of ex-servicemen in their education was implemented. It is for this programme continuing to the present day of Scholarships that is most widely known.

Arthur Henry Wickham Cunningham was born on June 29, 1879, at Woodhouse Station near Ayr to Edward Cunningham and Caroline nee Hann. He married Nellie Maud Wharton of Birralee Station on May 12, 1910. They had four children, Mrs MacMillan,  Edward-known as Ted, John and Keith.  Harry passed away aged 62 in Townsville on January 8, 1942, as a result of an accident at Strathmore Station. His son Ted carried on as a Trustee of Scartwater.

Ted realised in the fifties that the soldiers had grown old and so the Trust took on building an establishment of the A H W Cunningham Memorial Home for ex-servicemen and wives in Bowen. Land was bought in 1961 and building began with finance from the Scartwater Trust. It came to pass that Scartwater Station was sold in 1979  and the money from that has been invested to  finance the Scholarships that still are carried on today as well the Bowen Cunningham Home. Ted married and had children and was a well-known figure in North Queensland circles. He met his death by a car accident near Strathmore in 1991. He was 80. He was survived by a son Edward Thomas Cunningham who died in 2008.  The Scartwater Trust still operates today, its Scholarships for tertiary education and the aged care in Bolton Clarke Cunningham Villars.

Many men and women in North Queensland have been aided in their education over the years. It includes many people from Ayr, Home Hill and the Lower Burdekin Region. What other Trust for the welfare of ex-servicemen and women who served Australian in wars has lasted from one man’s vision Arthur Henry Wickham Cunningham and his many trustees from 1917 to the present day of 2023. Today, there is the Scartwater Trust Scholarship awarded to students of Year 11 and 12, and the Cunningham Scholarship Tertiary Trust for university students. Contact for these scholarships can be made online to headquarters in Townsville.  The Scartwater Trust, may it live on in this troubled world of conflict.  Some good does come out of War.

Contributed by Glenis Cislowski

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A H W Cunningham

Bowen Cunningham Homes 1971. Photos sourced from ‘The Story of Scartwater Trust’ by Anne Smith