News & Articles

General News

Do you like Role-Play?

Do you like Role-Play?

February 12, 2024
Are you interested in tabletop games that solve challenges? The Burdekin Games Group is a local social group of like-minded adults who enjoy and play tabletop...
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MoveIt Burdekin

MoveIt Burdekin

February 12, 2024
The "Move It Burdekin" program is a collaborative initiative offered by the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre with the Burdekin Shire Council. The program is free and is...
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Do You Have What We Are Looking For?

Do You Have What We Are Looking For?

February 12, 2024
Burdekin Life 11/01/24 The Neighbourhood Centre is looking for community members who would like to help us make a positive impact in the Burdekin community. We...
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Burdekin Life Articles

Together, we can achieve amazing thingsBurdekin Life Article - 05.09.24

Together, we can achieve amazing things
Burdekin Life Article - 05.09.24

September 9, 2024
We often get asked what happens at the Neighbourhood Centre.  The answer is a lot of everything, and more often than not, the programs and activities...
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The Neighbourhood Centre gets a facelift!Burdekin Life Article - 29.08.24

The Neighbourhood Centre gets a facelift!
Burdekin Life Article - 29.08.24

September 9, 2024
If you've driven by or visited us recently, you might have seen the temporary fencing and skip bin out front of the Centre. The Neighbourhood Centre...
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What to do when the fog blinds you…Burdekin Life Article - 22.08.24

What to do when the fog blinds you…
Burdekin Life Article - 22.08.24

September 9, 2024
When driving in the fog, we reduce our speed and turn on our headlights to increase visibility, using the demister and windshield wipers as necessary. We...
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BNC and CORES working togetherBurdekin Life Article - 15.08.24

BNC and CORES working together
Burdekin Life Article - 15.08.24

September 9, 2024
In our fast-paced lives, time seems to rush by, and before we know it, Christmas is just around the corner. As we become increasingly busy, we...
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Loneliness Awareness Week Australia (5-11th August 2024)Burdekin Life Article - 01.08.24

Loneliness Awareness Week Australia (5-11th August 2024)
Burdekin Life Article - 01.08.24

September 9, 2024
This coming week is Loneliness Awareness Week in Australia. Social Isolation and Loneliness are growing epidemics worldwide. How does Loneliness Awareness Week define lonely and alone...
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Voices of the Community: What is our community missing?Burdekin Life Article - 25.07.24

Voices of the Community: What is our community missing?
Burdekin Life Article - 25.07.24

September 9, 2024
Every community has the potential to meet its residents' needs to foster well-being, growth, and resilience. Access to resources such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and social...
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Taking the Time to Learn about the People around YouBurdekin Life Article - 18.07.24

Taking the Time to Learn about the People around You
Burdekin Life Article - 18.07.24

September 9, 2024
In our busy lives, it's easy to overlook the importance of getting to know the people around us. Whether it's our colleagues, neighbours, or community members,...
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It’s Tax TimeBurdekin Life Article - 11.07.24

It’s Tax Time
Burdekin Life Article - 11.07.24

September 9, 2024
When you think of taxes, neighbourhood centres may not immediately come to mind. However, the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre has assisted community members with their tax responsibilities...
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Mid Year RoundupBurdekin Life Article - 04.07.24

Mid Year Roundup
Burdekin Life Article - 04.07.24

September 9, 2024
We thought we would do a recap of the programs and activities that are available from the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre.  Our regular programs and activities are:...
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Biggest Morning Tea at the Burdekin Neighbourhood CentreBurdekin Life Article - 27.06.24

Biggest Morning Tea at the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre
Burdekin Life Article - 27.06.24

September 9, 2024
Back for another year of festivity and fundraising, the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre held their 23rd Biggest Morning Tea earlier this month and they were once again...
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Time to Reconnect and RebalanceBurdekin Life Article - 20.06.24

Time to Reconnect and Rebalance
Burdekin Life Article - 20.06.24

September 9, 2024
While brainstorming ideas for this week's column, a casual remark sparked a discussion about the assumption that everyone is always in the loop. Our hectic schedules...
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Seen any Snowballs lately?Burdekin Life Article - 06.06.24

Seen any Snowballs lately?
Burdekin Life Article - 06.06.24

August 21, 2024
This week, the team has been reflecting on how we can often take on the negative thoughts and behaviours of others, causing us to question ourselves,...
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What happens to my online identity when I die?Burdekin Life Article - 30.05.24

What happens to my online identity when I die?
Burdekin Life Article - 30.05.24

August 21, 2024
It's common for many of us to plan for our physical assets after we're gone, but we often overlook our digital footprint. While some have prepared...
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Sad Ending, New BeginningsBurdekin Life Article - 23.05.24

Sad Ending, New Beginnings
Burdekin Life Article - 23.05.24

August 21, 2024
Some of our Burdekin MoveIT participants, with instructor Andrea Piotto Last Friday, the Burdekin Move IT Program came to an end, bringing up a lot of...
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Failure is just a step…Burdekin Life Article - 16.05.24

Failure is just a step…
Burdekin Life Article - 16.05.24

August 21, 2024
As a team, we're shifting our perspective on failures. Instead of dwelling on what we couldn't achieve, we're embracing them as stepping stones towards improvement. We...
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If a Community was a Cookie, how would we make it?Burdekin Life Article - 02.05.24

If a Community was a Cookie, how would we make it?
Burdekin Life Article - 02.05.24

August 21, 2024
The new cookies at Home Hill News and Café inspired this week's column. Coffee and Anzac biscuits from Alfie’s Bakery helped the ideas to flow. Basic...
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RipplesBurdekin Life Article - 25.04.24

Ripples
Burdekin Life Article - 25.04.24

August 21, 2024
The recent incident of a boating accident made the team at the Neighbourhood Centre think about the power of communities coming together. Family, friends, strangers, and...
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Mid-month Roundup at the Neighbourhood CentreBurdekin Life Article - 18.04.24

Mid-month Roundup at the Neighbourhood Centre
Burdekin Life Article - 18.04.24

August 21, 2024
At the Neighbourhood Centre, we love providing opportunities for the community to come together to increase their knowledge about various topics and, in turn, inform others...
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Navigating ChangeBurdekin Life Article - 11.04.24

Navigating Change
Burdekin Life Article - 11.04.24

August 21, 2024
Buddha tells us ‘That the only constant in life is change’.  Henry Ford says ‘If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what...
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GIVE and TAKEBurdekin Life Article - 04.04.24

GIVE and TAKE
Burdekin Life Article - 04.04.24

August 21, 2024
Give and take, back and forth, exchanging energy, you only get out what you put in.  How ever you want to say it, creating a vibrant,...
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President: Kay Duggan

Kay has been an active member of the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre since 1995 when she began volunteering in the Centre's Vacation Care Program. Kay has a background in administration and worked for CSR (now Wilmar). Her love for sports led her to play hockey and squash, and she is a Life Member of the Lower Burdekin Hockey Association (1982) and the Ayr Squash Rackets Association (1981), and she continues to be involved with the juniors in Burdekin hockey. Kay has served as the President of the Burdekin Neighborhood Centre since 2010.

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Treasurer: Elvie Dickinson

Elvie Dickinson has been associated with the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre since 1993. She served as the first paid Coordinator of the Centre from 1994 to 1998 and has been an active member of the Managing Committee since her retirement. In recognition of her service to the community through the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre, Elvie was awarded the Centenary Medal for Service by the Queensland Governor General in 2001. Elvie played a key role in establishing the Parkinson's Support Group in Ayr, which meets at the Centre monthly. Since 2001, she has held the position of Treasurer of the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre.

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Cr Fina Vasta

Fina was elected as a counsellor to the Burdekin Shire Council in 2024 and joined our Committee at the same time. She has been employed at the Ayr Police Station in an Administrative role since 1998. She was born and raised in Ayr and has a vast knowledge of the community. She hopes to bring some of that knowledge to the Centre. Fina enjoys walking and cooking.

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Bev Garioch

Since 2008, Bev has been actively involved with Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre and has assumed various roles within the Committee over the years. Having garnered a wealth of experience in the retail sector of the district, she has been associated with the family jewellery business for 23 years. Additionally, she has co-owned and operated a Convenience Store. Bev has been a committee member of the Burdekin Basketball Association, Squash, and is currently associated with Lawn Bowls. She has also worked with APEX and volunteered at Meals on Wheels. At our Centre, Bev is a part of the Crochet Group and volunteers her time, sharing her talent and knowledge with others.

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Centre Coordinator: Natalie Saroglia

Natalie has been with the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre since 1997, occupying various positions such as Committee Member, Volunteer, Administration Officer, and Coordinator. Initially, a music teacher, Natalie joined the Board as a Youth Advisory member. In 2003, Natalie assumed the role of Coordinator, and since then, she has acquired a Cert IV in Frontline Management and an Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management. Natalie has held several roles in the sector at the local, regional, and state levels. She finds joy in the community engagement aspect of her position at the Centre. Natalie has a keen interest in photography and endeavours to incorporate it into her work wherever possible.

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Community Development Officer: Jenny Cummings

Jenny first started with the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre in July 2021, as a student in a 500-hour professional placement program from James Cook University. Following placement, Jenny continued to volunteer and was offered the position of Community Development Officer at the Centre after finishing her studies in early November 2022. Jenny’s academic background includes a Master of Social Work (PQ), and a Bachelor of Communication (Distinction), and she is currently completing a Cert IV in Training and Assessment. Jenny is an Emergency Service volunteer with several organisations. Additionally, Jenny works as a Casual Disaster Management Officer for the Burdekin Shire Council.

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Finance Administration: Kim Williams

Kim has served as the Finance Administration Officer since 1995. She holds a Diploma in Children's Services and has worked in the Childcare Industry for many years. In addition to her roles as an administrator at the Ayr Community and Home Hill Community Kindergartens, Kim spends four afternoons a week with the kindy cherubs at the Home Hill Kindergarten. Kim enjoys spending time outside of work with her adult children and spoiling her two grandchildren.

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Frontline Administration: Susan Holznagel

Susan has been employed as a Frontline Administration Officer at the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre since January 2014. A lifelong resident of the Burdekin region, Susan's prior administrative experience was acquired while working as a Medical Administrator for a local Doctor's Surgery. Susan’s forte is her warm personality and instinctive empathy when someone is feeling down.

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Frontline Administration: Marisa O’Shea

Marisa has been employed as a Frontline Administration Officer at the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre since August 2021. A lifelong resident of the Burdekin region, Marisa maintains strong ties to the community and is our “go-to” person when working out who is who in the community. Marisa brings an extensive background in administration gained through employment with various financial organisations. Marisa is an excellent organiser and keeps us all on track.

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MyTime Burdekin Coordinator: Gwen Marshall

Gwen has been a part of the MyTime Burdekin Program for 15 years and has recently transitioned to the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre in October 2022. Prior to this, MyTime Burdekin was under the banner of CPL. A resident of Burdekin for the last 26 years, Gwen is Chappie at a private primary school. In addition to her current role at the Centre, Gwen also works for the Salvation Army.

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MyTime Burdekin Assistant: Angela Williams

Angela joined the MyTime Burdekin program mid 2023 as a Play Assistant.  Angela has four years of experience as a disability support worker. She is a stay-at-home mum and operates a home-baking business, mostly making birthday cakes. Angela enjoys cooking and baking for her family and the community.

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Vice President: Denise Wallace

Denise has been involved with the Centre since 2021 and has held several roles within the Committee. Denise has over 20 years of experience in the Childcare industry, running her own business within the Kids Club Service Industry. 

Born and raised in the Burdekin, she spent several years interstate & intrastate before returning to raise her family here. In her younger years, she was an active Basketball and Hockey player. 

Denise’s life experiences have instilled in her a strong desire to empower the community to find solutions and make every day as fulfilling as possible. Her wealth of knowledge and expertise make her an asset to the organisation. 

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Mary Pattison

Mary was invited to come along to some Board Meetings during 2023 as a potential board member and was so impressed by the volume of activity in the Centre that she stayed and joined the board at the end of 2023. She credits the warm welcome of the amazing people serving on the board to keep the Centre pumping as a plus for her decision.

Mary has enjoyed a 40-year career as a Primary school teacher here in the Burdekin and now takes an active role in many Community groups.  She is President of the Catholic Women's League in Ayr, helps the Burdekin Singers at their productions each year, and runs a community sing-along each week at the Queens Hotel with her friend Sandra.  Mary is a proud supporter of the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre and is keen to promote any activity within the Centre.

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Leonie Harch

Leonie joined the board in late 2023 after attending several meetings as a potential board member. Leonie has over 30 years’ experience in the Early Childhood Education and Care sector and has been self-employed for over 13 years in Ayr.

Leonie’s community activities include volunteering on different junior sports groups and P & C’s, along with Vice-President of the Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens Associations (QCPCA) – Northern Region.

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Secretary: Patrice Ferguson

Coming Soon.

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Karen Gilmore

Karen has always lived in the Burdekin region and has been involved in various ports and community volunteer organisations. She has held multiple positions, such as Treasurer of the Burdekin Basketball Association, P&C School Committee member, Relay for Life Committee member, Treasurer of the Catholic Women's League Ayr Branch, and Treasurer of the Catholic Women's League Townsville Diocese.

Karen has had an extensive career in administration and has operated her own cleaning industry business. She loves spending time with her family, travelling, walking her dogs,  and swimming in the sea.

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