Shontai Heidi Maree Hinch and Shanae Jenny Rae Hinch sentenced over wild daylight melee

A young Dalby woman and her sister have pleaded guilty to public nuisance after a wild daytime fight at a Western Downs venue.

The Country Club Hotel in Dalby, 2020. Picture: Sam Turner

Two sisters have found themselves in court after a wild brawl at a Dalby club which left onlookers shocked and scrambling to safety.

Co-accused Shontai Heidi Maree Hinch and Shanae Jenny Rae Hinch faced Dalby Magistrates Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to public nuisance.

The court was told that on April 19, 2025 the Hinch sisters got into an argument with a woman outside of the Dalby Country Club, who allegedly beckoned them inside for a fight.

Shanae then followed the woman into the club with her sister going to back her up.

Shontai’s lawyer told the court Shanae was battling stage three bowel cancer and his client had gone in to make sure her sister didn’t get hurt.

Magistrate Kathleen Payne however questioned this, asking why if she was concerned for her health why they would even engage in the first place.

To which he replied “that’s the issue with young (people) they have this inability to back down from a fight”.

The court was told the pair entered the country club at 2.35pm and backed the aggrieved into the corner, yelling at her.

The pair then attacked the aggrieved punching her in the face and head, pulling her hair and throwing her to the ground where she was forced to cover up as she was kicked and stomped before onlookers intervened.

When sentencing Ms Payne took into account the sisters had no criminal history and the other woman had invited them to fight.

“You can have a fight, just don’t do it in public, people at the club ought to be able to enjoy themselves,” she said.

The pair were both placed on a $800, 12-month good behaviour bond.