Welcome to the July 2022 edition of the Home Hill News.
You can read or download the whole newsletter (in pdf format) using the link above or read the individual articles below.
Turning heads in the Groper Creek caravan park
TURNING heads in the Groper Creek caravan park recently with their strikingly restored 1972 HQ SS Holden towing their 1958 Wayfarer caravan were Airlie Beach couple, Craig and Ange Clarke.
Mosquitoes on the move following Wet Weather
RESIDENTS of Home Hill have been reminded by the Burdekin Shire Council to be prepared to reduce the likelihood of mosquito breeding around their homes following rainfall.
Council Matters
A COUNCIL meeting held on June 14, 2022 was a bit wanting in information as reported/printed by the local media—they could try a bit harder.
A Well-attended Dinner
A WELL-ATTENDED dinner was held by the RSL Sub-Branch, Home Hill at the Crown Hotel with a great meal and very good service.
A Suggestion
A SUGGESTION only—to move the old mail box in Eighth Avenue across from the Post Office.
New Local Gym?
ALSO, I am led to believe a possible new gym studio is going to open in the same block.
New Establishments
REMEMBER the Home Hill laundromat in Eighth Avenue that was operational many years ago and closed because of the constant vandalism?
Work in Progress…
COUNCIL work is in progress on the upgrading of the footpath on the western side of Eighth Avenue.
All Photo Contributions Welcome
ON THE SUBJECT of old pictures, Sweet FM has received thousands of photos from the now closed The Advocate and The Observer newspapers.
“The Gate Way to Home Hill”
THE Home Hill Harvest Festival is in the process of building and erecting a new large modern installation in Lloyd Mann Garden to complement the other installations already there.
Full Track Renovation after Race Club July Meeting
PLANS are in place for the Home Hill Racetrack to undergo a full track renovation commencing on Monday, July 11 – immediately after the Burdekin Race Club’s meeting to be held on Saturday, July 9.
A Century of Memories
FOUR generations of the Stockdale family celebrated 100 years of memories at Groper Creek on June 12 in The Boat House.
Catch of the Day!
NOT everyone can brag about catching a 90cm Queenfish directly off the bank at Groper Creek, but that was the case recently for Graeme Falvey.
Groper Creek Entertainment
RETURNING to Groper Creek recently was nationally acclaimed Australian country music guitarist, songwriter and producer, Nev Molloy, who entertained guests gathered around the regular Friday night campfire.
Business Basics Grants available
APPLICATIONS for a $5000 Business Basics Grant, which will allow new and emerging Home Hill businesses to improve their day-to-day operations, have been open since early in May, 2022.
Burdekin Rewards encourages ‘Buying Local’
THE importance of buying local will again be highlighted throughout the Burdekin Shire, as the Burdekin Rewards Loyalty Program continues to encourage residents to shop locally in 2022.
Tennis Association to host Dual July Events
THE Home Hill Tennis Association will be recording a new first in July, as it hosts a North Queensland Games event as well as a Tennis Seniors Queensland Tournament.
Funding from Pacific Hydro
TWO Home Hill-based organisations have been successful in receiving funding as part of 15 projects, totalling $80,000, to receive support from Pacific Hydro in the 2022 funding period.
Chappies Benefit from Hilda’s Cosy Bed Socks
LONG-TIME Home Hill resident, Hilda Frew (89) is constantly knitting—so much so that her latest efforts have resulted in another $200 being donated to the Burdekin School Chaplains Hilda is well known for her support for the ‘Chappies”, regularly assisting another local resident, Margaret Taylor with their street stalls in…
Launch of Local League History
A HISTORY of rugby league played in the Burdekin district from its earliest days is to be launched later this year.
Dale says – Personal Safety
IT HAS recently been brought to my attention that many residents and business owners in Home Hill are experiencing unwanted intrusions into their properties, particularly late at night.
Dale says – Minister responds to Pigeon problem
THE battle to control feral pigeons in Home Hill is what could only be described as uphill.
Dale’s Parliament Update
AS I write this article, Parliament is about to sit with the 2022/2023 State Budget due to be handed down.
Burdekin Region Mills
Invicta and Inkerman mills both commenced crushing on Tuesday, June 14. Crushing was delayed at Kalamia and Pioneer mills due to recent wet weather.
Roaming Dogs create Havoc
ROAMING dogs have created havoc for an elderly Home Hill couple, as the animals killed the majority of their poultry housed in several pens in their residential property in Seventeenth Street recently.
New Reservoir provides Town Water Security
RESIDENTS of Home Hill have a more secure water supply in the town following the official opening in June of the town’s 5ML Reservoir.
Limited Hard Copies of Home Hill News in the Future
THE Home Hill News will transition to a primarily digital publication by the end of this year, with limited numbers of printed copies available each month from February 2023.
New Road Changes
SHOPPERS attempting to access Home Hill’s IGA Supermarket now have to obey the law when entering the property from Eighth Avenue, following the completion of a raised cement median which prevents north-bound vehicles crossing double lines to gain easy access.
Rising Fuel Prices urging Locals to support Locals
t for helping Home Hill businesses by encouraging the community to shop in Home Hill for their needs, instead of having to travel to Ayr.
Local “Cash for Containers” Insights
OUR efforts to get a “Cash for Containers” depot in Home Hill seems to have little chance of success, judging by the message given to members of the Chamber of Commerce at their June meeting.
Surprise Visit
THERE was a novel situation for Home Hill recently, with a government minister (well an “assistant” minister anyway) actually stopping in the town to carry out official duties.
Budget Time
IT IS budget time—but there is little to be enthused about for Home Hill residents.
Student Volunteer’s Initiative supports RSL Sub-Branch
THE Home Hill Sub-Branch of the RSL has recognised the support of a young Burdekin Catholic High School student, whose efforts in the local community around Anzac Day have resulted in $410 being donated to the Sub-Branch.
Shire Rates rise by “only 2.5 per cent”
BURDEKIN Shire ratepayers face a general rate increase of “only 2.5 per cent”, Mayor Lyn McLaughlin has announced in the 2022/23 Budget brought down this week