Council Connections - 15 December 2021

Mayor's Christmas Appeal

Reminder today is the last chance to donate towards the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal.

To support this Appeal, residents may deliver gifts, items of nonperishable food or monetary donations to the Hinchinbrook Shire Council Office until 5.00pm Wednesday 15 December 2021.

Mayor's Christmas Message

I take this opportunity in the last message for 2021 to sincerely thank all those members of the community for their generosity and support of the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal.

On behalf of Councillors, thank you all for your assistance throughout the year. I would like to recognise and thank all of our committed volunteers, staff, community groups and organisations and all our sporting committees who give up their valuable time to help others throughout the year. Thank you to all.

On behalf of Councillors and all staff, I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. For those travelling away – travel safe and similarly for your family travelling here, I wish everyone a safe journey.

Santa Claus Photo Opportunity

Council in partnership with Hinchinbrook Blue Light Association has arranged for Santa to visit the Hinchinbrook Shire Library between 9.30am and 11.30am on Saturday 18 December 2021. 

Families can bring their children along and take their own family photos with Santa for a gold coin donation.

Rate Incentive Winners

Congratulations to Stephen and Sandra Gurney who are the recent winners of the $2,000 Rates Incentive Scheme prize.

The Gurney’s have opted to spread their cash prize locally between Bossi Boots, Blanco’s Quality Meats, Hinchinbrook Rural Supplies and Ingham Manufactures Mitre 10.

Sandra Gurney commented that the Rates Incentive Scheme is a fantastic initiative and she was very surprised to receive the good news from Council. Sandra was extremely grateful and is looking forward to supporting local businesses.

Ratepayers who pay their rates in full and on time are entered in the half yearly Rates prize draw. The prize is $2,000, which must be spent within the Hinchinbrook Shire.

Council continues to facilitate the Rates Incentive Scheme in an effort to assist local businesses and encourage local spending.

Are you Disaster Ready?

Council has produced the 2021-2022 Hinchinbrook Disaster Ready Resource which contains important information with key contacts, flood height comparison charts and some quick guides for how to be prepared in the event of a disaster. This resource will be posted to residents in the New Year. 

To obtain a copy earlier, please visit Council's Lannercost Street office, Hinchinbrook Shire Libraries or download from Council’s website Disaster and Emergency Information page.

Retirement Planning Webinar

Council is seeking Expressions of Interest from interested community members to attend a Retirement Planning Webinar.

Participants who attend the webinar will receive a Retiring Well workbook with planning tools, checklists and access to additional resources to assist with their retirement journey.

The webinar is designed to assist with planning for wellbeing and adjustment in retirement and is suitable for those already in retirement who wish to optimise their plans.

It will help participants understand the impact the pandemic and the past two years has had on retirement, and the considerations necessary to ensure they continue to thrive in their current life stage.

To express your interest or for further information about the Retirement Planning Webinar, please contact Council.

Expressions of Interest close 5.00pm Friday 17 December 2021.

Baby and Child First Aid

Council in partnership with Parent+medic North Queensland is hosting Baby First Aid, Health and Safety Parent Education Sessions.

Parent+medic provides credible community-based health information and support to determine if your child faces an emergency and what to do about it. It does not give you medical training, but it does give you the confidence to know exactly what to do when your child needs you. And that can be lifesaving!

Dates:  Tuesday 11 January 2022

            Tuesday 12 April 2022

            Tuesday 12 July 2022

Time:    10.30am to 12.30pm

Where: TYTO Conference and Events  Centre

For further information please contact the Hinchinbrook Shire Library .

Late Night in Hinchinbrook Event Wrap-up

Late Night Shopping in Hinchinbrook on Thursday 9 December 2021 was a night enjoyed by all.

The town’s main street came alive with stalls of crafts and handmade wares lining its sides and local bands performing in the centre of the street.

Families enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with friends while the children enjoyed the opportunity to stop and have a photo with Santa and Mrs Claus and their Elves.

Carols by Candlelight Event Wrap-up

Carols by Candlelight was celebrated in Rotary Park on Saturday 11 December 2021.

Ingham was oozing Christmas Spirit on Saturday evening, when about 500 people swarmed to Rotary Park for the annual Carols by Candlelight.

More then 100 children were entertained with arts and craft activities with our Maraka Queens and Princesses, Carters Petting Zoo, and by the appearance of the Grinch and Santa Claus making it a memory not to be forgotten. The crowd was kept entertained by performances of Christmas Carols by locals such as Herbert Valley Voices, Hollie Fodriga and Mackenzie Di Bartolo.

Food and Drinks were enjoyed by all with special thanks going to The Hinchinbrook Rotary Club for there support of this event. It was a fantastic crowd, perfect weather, and a wonderful showcase of talent.

Mural Rear of Council Building

Council has commissioned artist Kennie Deaner to paint a mural on the rear of the Hinchinbrook Shire Hall.

The mural depicts the iconic images of the Shire, Wallaman Falls, the Seymour River, Hinchinbrook Island, sugar cane and Brahman cattle which embody the Hinchinbrook Way.

The mural is intended to be an inviting and exciting focal point for travellers and locals alike.

The project is scheduled to commence on Friday 17 December 2021 and is expected to take four weeks to complete, weather permitting. Parts of Shire Hall Lane will be temporarily partitioned off from traffic for the painting to occur.

Flying Fox Management Program

Council is aware that Flying Foxes are taking up temporary residence in undesirable urban locations.

The community is urged to contact Council’s Biosecurity Team on 4776 4740 to report such sites and seek the necessary assistance.

Morning dispersal activities will remain ongoing daily between 4.30am and 7.30am.

Need to print the Council Connections page? Click on the link below for the printable version. 

COUNCIL CONNECTIONS - 15 DECEMBER 2021