Wyld Hearts Sanctuary

25/02/2026

Just over a month ago my friends horse sustained a serious injury to his hoof that required a cast on his foot and a week stay at the vets. Comanche had to be stabled, kept dry, continue medication so he could not return to his agistment (we all know most places are ankle deep in mud!). So we offered to take over his care and keep him here to help them out. He has been here now over 4 weeks and although a few minor setbacks is doing extremely well. Comanche is a therapy horse and will be back doing what he loves in no time. I definitely have not lost my passion for medically caring for animals and i am so grateful to be in a position to help them get Comanche back to the community who needs him.

Comanche update...

As you can see from this picture, Comanche is now cast free and having some much-needed time outside to do horsie things, aka roll in the mud... which he seems to have really enjoyed!

He has a new girlfriend, Hope, that he is spending time with out in a small, grassed area, and time in his stable for breakfast, hay, and some 'dry' time to ensure his wounds stay nice and continue healing.

It has been a long 6 weeks, but he is doing well, all things considered, along with the recent setback.

Comanche will continue staying with his wonderful 'temporary' mum until our relocation to the new farm. We are all so bloody grateful for her efforts and look forward to doing something super special as a huge THANK YOU to Yvette and her family for all of their efforts over the last 5 weeks.

22/01/2026

We are a part of the burdekin shire and i was notified recently that i was nominated for an award. I dont publicly promote everything i do to contribute to our community so to have someone acknowledge and notice means the world, i did find out who nominated me and lets just say this person should totally win this award herself. I am a small fish in a pond of very deserving people.

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱

Burdekin Shire Council is pleased to announce the nominees for the 2026 Australia Day Awards, recognising outstanding individuals, groups and events who make exceptional contributions to the Burdekin community.

This year, Council received 42 nominations across 10 award categories, including:
Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Event of the Year, Lifetime Service, Volunteer of the Year, Senior & Junior Cultural, Senior & Junior Sportsperson of the Year, and Environment.

Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort said the calibre and number of nominees reflect the strength and spirit of the Burdekin community.

“Our region is home to so many remarkable people who continue to show leadership, compassion and genuine community pride,” Mayor Dalle Cort said.

“This year’s nominees truly represent the heart of the Burdekin, and I thank each of them for the contribution they make to our community.

“We also look forward to welcoming our newest Australian citizens at this year’s naturalisation ceremony.

“Australia Day is not only a time to recognise the outstanding achievements of our community - it is also a day to celebrate those choosing the Burdekin, and our nation, as their home.”

Australia Day remains one of the nation’s most significant days for welcoming new citizens. As at 31 December 2025, more than 25,450 people from over 160 countries have been invited to attend one of more than 425 citizenship ceremonies held nationally as part of Australia Day events.

Of these, more than 18,800 people from over 150 countries have been invited to become Australian citizens on 26 January 2026 at one of more than 325 ceremonies being hosted across the country.

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝘼𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙖 𝘿𝙖𝙮 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙉𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙨
• Andrew Ballin
• Christiana Bugeja
• Burdekin Catholic High School’s 2025 Leaders – Piper Grogan, Harrison Lammon, Nicholas Pengelly and Drea Piotto
• Cecillia Cason
• Anthony Drage
• Dolores Droguet
• Trevor Elton
• Debra Ferraris
• Flexi QLD
• Robyn Hewson
• Home Hill State High School
• Larry Hudson
• Susan Jerkic
• Jade Kelly
• Yvette Kelly
• Kellie Lawry
• Frank Nucifora (Snr)
• Louise Nicholas
• Grace Ogomeni
• Sam Perina
• Maryann Petersen
• Cheryl Platt
• Grayson Potter Geitz
• Luke Potter Geitz
• Osborne State School
• John Power
• Karin Thorburn
• Cruz Torkington
• Briella Wassmuth

Award recipients will be announced at the Burdekin Australia Day Awards Ceremony on 26 January 2026 at the Burdekin Memorial Hall at 4:00pm. Tickets are free but must be secured for catering purposes. Tickets can be secured online via the Burdekin Theatre website or by phoning 4783 9880.

22/01/2026

Who remembers Pierre? I was so lucky to visit him before he makes the journey down south with his forever family. To catch up with some of the rescues i have helped and seeing them so loved and well taken care of just makes my heart happy.

21/01/2026

Although we are no longer a not for profit we continue to help animals on a smaller scale. This is milky toupe who came to us just before Christmas. Found as a very young baby on belyando highway no mum in sight. He had a sore leg and his survival odds where very low. He is now living his best life and as you can see Dj and toupe have a very special bond and go on walks together.