IT was a mystery that kept the northernmost part of Cape York perplexed for 48 hours, but the question about the discovery of a “foot” at a Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) business has been put to rest by police.
The NPA community was abuzz with questions, theories and suspicion after Cape York
Weekly broke the story early on Anzac Day that what was suspected to be a human foot had been discovered at a bait and tackle shop at New Mapoon on 24 April.
A member of the public called police on Thursday just before 12pm to advise they had found what they believed could be the right foot of an adult human.
An initial forensic examina-
tion, which included medical imaging, was conducted at the Bamaga Hospital on Thursday afternoon before the item was sent to Cairns for further analysis.
On 26 April, police advised they had removed the crime scene after it was determined the bones were “not of human origin”.
“Police investigating the
discovery of bones located in Bamaga on 24 April have received confirmation that the bones are not of human origin,” a Queensland Police Service spokesperson said on Saturday afternoon.
“Those results (from the Cairns analysis) have now conclusively confirmed the bone is not human, and the crime scene has since been closed.”
By CHISA HASEGAWA
A WEIPA school is commemorating nine years of education in the community with a toast to the namesake and heart of its mission and teachings.
St Joseph’s Parish School held the annual Feast Day on 28 April in honour of its patron saint, St Joseph, as staff and students filled their bellies and spirits in celebration of the school’s final single-digit birthday.
Principal Kath Porter said
the day was a reminder of the school’s achievements, and St Joseph’s values of justice, humility and compassion.
“St Joseph lived a life of comparative obscurity as a carpenter, ‘a just man’, displaying values of humility and compassion,” she said.
“Our school looks to St Joseph as a model for the care we exercise over the students who are enrolled in our school.”
Ms Porter said the day began with a special mass by parish
priest Father Dariusz Osinski, and the Spirit of St Joseph Award presentation, which was given to one hard-working student chosen from each class.
After the official celebrations, the school community shared in a feast and cake, before ending the day with activities for the students.
While annual Feast Days have been intimate thus far, the principal said she was excited for the next Feast Day in 2026, which would be a bigger event
involving the community in celebration of the school’s 10-year milestone.
“Next year, being our 10th anniversary, we invite our community to save the date for Friday, 1 May, as we are planning a day of celebrations for our school and the wider community,” Ms Porter said.
“Being an extra special year, we hope to celebrate with past and present staff, students and many special guests, including our Bishop Joe.”
St Joseph’s Parish School began its ninth birthday Feast Day with a special mass by Father Dariusz Osinski and the Spirit of St Joseph Award presentation. Photo: Supplied.
Napranum celebrates laundry initiative
A FREE barbecue will help the Napranum community mark the launch of a new laundry initiative today (29 April).
The laundry is the result of a partnership between Community Owned Enterprises, the Na’Muk’A’Run Mob and Kuku’nathi Services, and is situated within the Yarning Shed at 123 Moi Ngum Road.
The barbecue will be at 11am on Tuesday and, as a further incentive for community
members to inspect the new facility, two days of free washing will be available.
A spokesperson for the collaboration said the laundry would play a key part in the health and wellbeing of Napranum families.
“This laundry aims to become a crucial part of keeping local families healthy. It will provide a convenient and cost-effective way for people who don’t have access to a washer or dryer at home, or just need to
put some bigger loads on, an easy means to clean clothes and linen,” they said.
Following the two-day launch, the laundry will begin normal operation from 1 May, and be open from 9am Monday-Friday.
The Na’Muk’A’Run Mob team at the Yarning Shed will provide company for laundry users, and will also be on hand to assist with operating the machines if assistance is needed.
Cape misses out (again) on election cash splash
By LYNDON KEANE
CAPE York has missed out on any significant direct election commitments as candidates and parties focus their campaign promises – and the wallets of taxpayers – at voter-dense parts of the Leichhardt electorate.
Neither major party has offered to spend a cent on stage three of the Cape York Region Package (CYRP) during the five-week campaign, despite the Peninsula Developmental Road (PDR) being the only road link between the resource-rich region and the rest of the country.
Remote leaders, residents and business operators had been hoping either Prime Minister Anthony Albanese or Opposition Peter Dutton would commit the $240 million needed to progress stage three of the CYRP as part of a barrage of northern election promises, however, most of the money offered up to voters ahead of Saturday’s election has been earmarked for Cairns and the surrounding area.
In late 2024, the State Government committed $60m to continue sealing the PDR, but the $300m project hinges on Canberra honouring an existing 80:20 joint funding arrangement and putting its share on the table.
Labor candidate Matt Smith offered a $2m package for preventative health measures in remote Cape York communities, and the Albanese government’s promise of a Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation of its com-
mitment to the remotest part of the electorate.
“Labor is investing $2m for preventive health measures up the Cape – this would include skin and cancer checks, as well as eye and ear health checks, because we know that preventative health leads to better health outcomes,” he said.
“On top of this, we are investing in universal mobile coverage for Cape communities, massively improving safety and connectivity.
“We’re also capping the costs of 30 essential items in remote
stores, dealing with the rising cost of groceries that impacts Cape communities.”
Jeremy Neal, who has been flying the Liberal National Party (LNP) flag while campaigning with former Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch, said the party’s regional policies would provide direct benefit to Cape York.
“The LNP has announced a $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund, which will deliver a guaranteed annual funding for regional and remote communities, including Cape York, to fix local roads and transport
grow the health workforce, deliver childcare services, improve connectivity and support local businesses,” he said.
“We have also committed to making the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) permanent, with a $7b fund capacity.
“This significant investment in the NAIF, which is currently scheduled to close in June 2026, will supercharge the local economy and jobs market, driving investment in Cape York by providing private enterprises the long-term certainty they need.”
networks,
Not a cent has been committed to the PDR in the five-week campaign by any of the candidates or parties battling to claim the 150,000 square kilometre Leichhardt electorate. Photo: Facebook (Coen Mechanical).
Do you know how to make your vote count?
Federal election, Saturday 3 May 2025
It’s important that you understand how to vote correctly.
On election day you need to complete two ballot papers:
• a green one for the House of Representatives
• a large white one for the Senate.
On the green ballot paper you are voting for a representative of your local area or electorate in the House of Representatives.
On the white ballot paper you are voting for representatives of your state or territory in the Senate.
Don’t worry if you make a mistake. Just ask for another ballot paper and start again.
Govt silence on Palmerville case
By LYNDON KEANE
THE state’s top law officer will not comment on whether she would consider intervening in the Palmerville Station murder case until a current petition calling for a coronial inquest into the 2012 disappearance of Bruce Schuler has closed.
Sharon Ferguson, the sister of Dianne Wilson-Struber, who is serving a life sentence after being convicted in 2015 of Mr Schuler’s murder with her husband, Stephen Struber, launched the ePetition with the Queensland Parliament in March, and is hoping to gather about 10,000 signatures before it closes on 28 July.
Mr Schuler, 48, was last seen on Palmerville Station, about 70 kilometres south-west of Laura, on 9 July 2012 while gold prospecting with Daniel Bidner, Tremain Anderson and Kevin Groth.
His body has never been found, and there was no physical evidence linking the former Palmerville Station leaseholders to his disappearance.
Cape York Weekly put four questions to Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington regarding the case, but understands she is unable to make a public statement until the petition closes.
The questions included:
Are you satisfied that the jury in the 2015 trial of Mr Stru-
ber and Ms Wilson-Struber had all the evidence required to be confident beyond reasonable doubt – the standard of proof in a criminal proceeding – to find the pair guilty, despite the absence of Mr Schuler’s body or any physical or forensic evidence linking them to his “likely” murder?
FREE COMMUNITY EVENT
As Attorney-General, are you satisfied beyond reasonable doubt Mr Struber and Ms Wilson-Struber murdered Mr Schuler?
A Coroners Court of Queensland spokesperson said State Coroner Terry Ryan could be approached to order an inquest if it was deemed to be in the public interest.
“The family of Stephen Struber and Dianne Wilson-Struber can formally request the State Coroner to order an inquest if it is determined to be in the public interest,” the spokesperson said.
“If this request is declined, parties can also apply to the District Court for an inquest within 14
days of receiving the coroner’s reasons.”
Ms Ferguson said she had no doubt taking a new look into Mr Schuler’s disappearance was in the public interest, given the absence of a body or forensic evidence, and the more than 140 discrepancies with the Crown case identified by former detective Graeme Crowley in his Where is Bruce Schuler podcast.
“I wasn’t aware that if they (Coroner Ryan) refuse, I could take it further,” she said.
“I’m sure there’s a lot of people who want to know, I mean, who wouldn’t want to know what happened to Bruce?
“I just believe it’s not right; the coroner in Cairns can just write him off as being shot and disposed of, and that’s just the end of it, without going deeper.
“I won’t give up on my sister until I’ve run out of options.”
In her findings following a 2018 non-coronial inquest, Northern Coroner Nerida Wilson said Mr Schuler was “likely to have died from shotgun wounds inflicted by Stephen Struber and/or Dianne Rose Wilson-Struber”.
She said Mr Schuler was “likely to have died at Palmerville Station”, “likely … on 9 July 2012”.
Residents of Queensland can sign the petition at www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-theassembly/petitions/current-epetitions.
As Queensland’s first law officer waits until after a petition for a coronial inquest closes in July to comment on the disappearance of Bruce Schuler, the sister of one of those convicted of the gold prospector’s murder (Dianne WilsonStruber, pictured) says she will not give up on having the case reopened until she has “run out of options”.
North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) will undertake maintenance dredging from early May 2025 at the Port of Weipa.
Dredging will also be completed at Amrun on behalf of Rio Tinto.
The project will take up to four (4) weeks to complete.
The dredge vessel TSHD Brisbane, as well as support vessels, have restricted manoeuvring capability. Local and visiting boaties are asked to take care and notice of all warning flags and lights.
Maintenance dredging needs to be carried out to ensure that safe, navigable shipping depths are maintained.
Environmental controls and management measures will be implemented throughout the program to minimise the risk of any potential impact on the marine environment.
Your cooperation and understanding is appreciated.
Kindy fundraiser targeting mums
By CHISA HASEGAWA
TICKETS are selling fast for the Cooktown Kindergarten’s biggest fundraising event of the year – the Mother’s Day ladies afternoon luncheon.
More than 100 women are expected to converge on the Cooktown Events Centre on 10 May for a celebratory day filled with plenty of food, fun and fundraising.
Kindy director Nardia Whitman said event organisers were confident it would offer something for everyone as Cooktown celebrated the region’s mothers.
“There’ll be a luncheon, but that’s just a little bit of the day,” she said.
“The rest of the day, there’ll be games, we’ll have a fashion parade, we’ll have entertainment, lucky door prizes, raffles, mini cent sale and an auction, so there’s heaps of stuff happening.
“Because we’re so remote, there’s not a lot of opportunities in our town for ladies to get together in a big group, and just be waited on and get spoiled for the afternoon.
“I think, as a mum, that doesn’t happen enough, so it’s a nice opportunity to get everyone together.”
Ms Whitman said tickets, which are $45 each, were already selling fast.
To purchase tickets, contact event organiser Sylvia Simpson on 0429 062 262.
WEIPA GOODLINE PEN
Event organiser Sylvia Simpson, kindy committee president Melissa Gunton and director Nardia Whitman prepare for this year’s biggest Cooktown Kindergarten fundraiser.
New Brisbane exhibition showcases Cape artists
By CHISA HASEGAWA
THREE Cape York and Torres Strait art centres are being showcased at Brisbane’s newest First Nations contemporary art exhibition.
The Hope Vale Arts and Culture Centre, Pormpuraaw Art and Culture Centre and Moa Arts were three of five Far North Queensland art centres that showcased the beauty and diversity of Indigenous art at artisan’s The Shape of Time, which opened on 24 April.
Memories from childhood and a passion found in adulthood came together for Hope Vale Elder and artist Esma (Fay) Bowen, whose work was part of the ceiling-to-floor textile display by the eastern Cape York community.
Ms Bowen’s two pieces, the Buthaya (Lady Apple) and Cabbage Palm, were striking in the line-up, surprising anyone who found out she had been an artist for less than a decade.
“I was a worker in the art centre, a yardsman, and then she (Hope Vale Arts and Culture Centre manager Melanie Gibson) said, ‘if it’s raining and you’ve got nothing to do, do some art’,” she explained to Cape York Weekly
The artist said the Buthaya piece was one of her first works, inspired by memories of going
to the beach around Christmas time. “When we [used to] go to the beach, that’s our only fruit, because we don’t come back to the community for a while,” she said.
Ms Bowen said she painted 10 Buthaya pieces in an array of colours and, to her surprise, Ms Gibson wanted to take them to the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, where eight of them were sold.
She said her art journey has
Bogged couple
LAURA police have used a helicopter to rescue a couple from the closed Cape Melville Track after their vehicle became bogged on 18 April.
The couple, a 21-year-old male and 19-year-old woman from the Atherton Tablelands, became stranded after their fourwheel drive became bogged and suffered a broken winch while attempting a recovery.
Hope Vale police attempted to locate the pair by road but roads in the area were closed and impassable due to wet weather.
At around 10am on 21 April, police using
been filled with joyous and proud moments, including the exhibition opening, but the best was seeing her granddaughter wearing her Cabbage Palm design at the Hope Vale and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) fashion show earlier this month.
The show, which was held in a community hall donated for the night by the Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council, show-
cased Elders’ artworks on garments designed by QUT fashion students, modelled by community youth.
The Hope Vale Arts and Culture Centre thanked the artisan team and former chief executive officer Claire Sourgnes, who arranged for the Hope Vale collective’s first exhibition outside of Cairns in 2019, which established the now six-year partnership with the Brisbane gallery.
airlifted after three days
a helicopter rescued the pair and transported them to the Laura police station.
The pair sustained minor cuts and abrasions.
Cape Melville National Park is closed each year from 1 December to 31 July, as roads are impassable for extended periods following annual wet season inundation.
Special Constable Adam Tickner said the pair did the right thing by staying with their vehicle.
“It was fortunate that these people had enough food and water to last a few days,
however, this is very challenging terrain, especially during the wet season,” he said.
“These roads are closed for a reason, and phone reception is limited.
“When travelling on the Cape, ensure you have a satellite phone or personal locator beacon, recovery gear, spare parts, first aid, and adequate food, water and fuel.”
Anyone travelling to remote parts of Cape York is urged to plan their trip, check national park alerts, and keep an eye on the QLDTraffic and local council websites for road conditions.
Early voting open
WEIPA and Cooktown voters who cannot make it to the ballot boxes on Saturday can have an early say this week who will become the new Member for Leichhardt.
Early voting centres will operate at the Weipa Storm Surge Shelter and Cooktown Events Centre until 2 May, with opening hours from 8:30am-5:30pm until 1 May, and from 8:30am-6pm on 2 May.
The same operational days and hours also apply to Thursday Island electors, who can cast their vote at the Anglican Parish Hall at 124 Douglas Street.
Pre-polling booths will also be operating in the five Northern Peninsula Area communities between today (29 April) and 1 May. Check the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council Facebook page for locations and times.
For more information about early voting, visit www.aec.gov.au.
Mining confidence down
A NEW report says the state’s mining sector has adopted a position of declining confidence amid concerns over regulation and increased operational costs, according to the Queensland Resources Council.
QRC’s State of the Sector Report, the 53rd since the first was published in 2009, identifies royalties and taxation reform, along with increasing operational costs, as the top concerns for resources chef executives over the coming 12 months.
QRC chief executive officer Janette Hewson said the industry was looking to rebuild confidence after nearly 10 years of “changing goal posts”.
Help flag PRD priorities
COMMUNITY members interested in having their say on priorities for stage three of the Cape York Region Package (CYRP) are invited to attend a taskforce meeting in Weipa ahead of the 2025 Western Cape Futures Symposium next Tuesday.
The meeting will allow the CYRP taskforce and Department of Transport and Main Roads to provide a project update, and seek input from attendees on what parts of the Peninsula Developmental Road should be prioritised once Federal Government funding is secured for the third stage.
The 6 May meeting will be held at the Weipa Town Authority office on Hibberd Drive from 3-5pm.
To register to attend, contact RDA Tropical North by emailing engage@ rdatropicalnorth.org.au or calling 4041 1729.
Authorised
Riley Gibson, Jaleighra Deeral, Melanie Gibson and Esma (Fay) Bowen represent Hope Vale at the opening night of Brisbane’s new First Nations art exhibition, The Shape of Time.
Photo: Chisa Hasegawa
Principal furious with ‘helicopter band-aid’ anti-bullying initiative
By CHISA HASEGAWA
A FAR North Queensland principal has slammed a new government initiative aimed at stamping out bullying in the schoolyard as nothing more than a “band-aid” solution that insults educators.
On 23 April, the State Government unveiled Rapid Support Squads, which will have the capacity to “fly into regional and remote schools, and provide on-theground expertise in response to a bullying incident”.
Each of Queensland’s eight education regions will have a designated squad, made up of three senior guidance officers and support staff, with a bailiwick to “strategically target bullying hotspots” as part of five new anti-bullying initiatives rolled out in a $33 million funding commitment.
The announcement comes on the back of a spate of serious incidents in schools across the state, including an alleged violent clash at a school in the Northern Peninsula Area seven weeks ago.
During the 13 March incident at the school, which cannot be named for legal reasons, a 16-year-old girl and a 17-year-old girl were left with serious injuries after being allegedly repeatedly beaten, with the 17-year-old being rushed to hospital after being punched in the head by a fist holding a rock during the alleged attack.
However, the initiative has been criticised by one principal, who spoke to Cape York Weekly on the condition of anonymity, for its reactive approach to a problem that is often long-brewing.
“By the time they (the squad) get on a plane, it’s too late,” the principal said.
“It would be preferred if this squad identify the best practices that currently exist in schools and communities, identify the consistent approaches required within every school that are evidence-based, then, support schools and communities to implement consistently, regardless of school location.”
The principal said many issues stemmed from social media, and relationships between families and community members, and questioned if simply focusing on school activity would deliver tangible results.
“This is not only happening from nine to three, this is happening largely outside, it’s just flaring at the common meeting point, the school,” they observed.
“Sometimes, it’s a community, family or peer issue that was brought into school, and the young people displayed the behaviours that they saw in community or online, and all of a sudden, it’s a black mark against the school.
“What’s the multi-agency response to this? What are the proactive strategies expected of police and other agencies, or are we just saying that educators are the only ones who can fix this, because we’re loading it all onto schools, even though that’s not often where it originates anymore.
“Putting a helicopter band-aid on a problem that is societal is not the best path.”
In communities where trust and relations are everything, the principal said they doubted outsiders would prove helpful.
“Tell me how a group of people are going to fly into a community, and somehow address the bullying
issue, which is a relational breakdown between kids, and they have no relationship with them,” the principal said.
“If they’re not aware of community life, they can cause huge damage, and be run out of town as fast as they run in, especially if they’re dealing with agitated families as a result of some sort of incident.
“It’s hoped that all government and non-government agencies come together to address the issues and map a path forward; the fly in squad could definitely have a role in that, especially if the state government place some legislative accountability on the agencies to [deliver] actions from it.”
The principal also stressed that a focus on recognising bullying, and building the emotional capacity to speak up when needed, was vital.
“It’s no longer the visible stuff, you’re not seeing it on the playground ... it’s online, it’s covert, and, [often], no one’s able to pinpoint even ... who the author is; it’s 24/7 and they can’t escape,” they said.
“It can go on for months and months undetected through social media, and this is where some of those tragedies have happened; no one’s aware of it until the worst happens.”
The principal said this complex issue required a multi-faceted approach, including a range of avenues to report bullying, and kids understanding the harm of their actions.
“We need to teach kids to be able to understand the impact of their actions, and that’s the bit that has been missing in these punitive consequences that are clearly not working,” they said.
“It’s about hearing from the victim, getting an understanding from the perpetrator why they did it, but understanding the harm that they’ve done, and then ideally, finding a resolution to move forward.
“It can include a consequence also, but often, if you have a look at someone, hear them, and see the pain you have caused, it has far more impact than any other consequence.”
Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said despite criticism, the government would be persistent in its efforts to wipe out the “scourge on society” that is bullying.
“We’re committed to driving down the number of students impacted by bullying and responding to serious incidents with the swift action such a serious issue deserves,” he said.
“Today’s announcement is just the starting point in our fight to prevent and reduce bullying.”
Premier David Crisafulli and Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek announce the State Government’s new Rapid Support Squad anti-bullying initiative, which has been slammed by a Far North Queensland principal, in Brisbane on 22 April.
Photo: Facebook (Gumdale State School)
The Cooktown Anzac Day march proceeds along Charlotte Street.
Western Cape College paused to mark Anzac Day with a special assembly last week.
51 FNQR Charlie company soldiers were on hand to support commemorations in Bamaga.
A large crowd turned out in Cooktown to commemorate past and present service personnel.
A commemoration was held under blue sky in Napranum.
Year 8 student Silvie Hynes plays the trumpet at Western Cape College’s 2025 Anzac Day assembly.
A member of the catafalque party stands solemnly during the Weipa dawn service.
Endeavour Christian College student leaders Zoe Winton and Elise Kamholtz laid a wreath for the Animals of War.
Past and present military personnel converged on western Cape York to mark Anzac Day in Weipa.
Military and traditional Torres Strait histories combined for a spectacular ceremony on Waiben (Thursday Island). Photo: Shenee Maclean
Cape could be a furniture powerhouse, says KAP
AN economic boom for Cape York that also stimulates trade for the Cairns port is possible if a “rotting” opportunity is embraced, according to the Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) candidate for Leichhardt.
Dr Daniel Collins, who is flying the KAP flag in the 10-candidate race to replace Warren Entsch, has detailed a plan he said could harness the development of the northernmost part of the electorate by harvesting two species of existing plants to make cane furniture.
“A huge untapped industry lies rotting in the rainforests of Far North Queensland,” he said.
“It could be used for furniture and interior decorating, yet socalled environmentalists and our
Canberra-focussed governing parties would rather tick green boxes than let FNQ thrive.”
Dr Collins said cane furniture is made from the genus Calamus, of which there are two marketable species already growing in region – Calamus Australis and Calamus moti – both of which were studied by the candidate during his honours thesis and demonstrated to represent a sustainable industry.
“This is an industry worth $50 billion globally, yet we are told to watch our share of that rot away,” he said.
“I’m not going to stand and watch that happen; I’m committed to getting this industry off the ground. The rainforests in the Cape are now infested with Calamus
Australis and Calamus moti, only made worse by the World Heritage listing of the wet tropics – it actually hinders the growth of trees and other native plants.”
As voters prepare to head to the polls this weekend, Dr Collins said he believed it was imperative decision makers in Canberra led with the best interests of communities in mind, not to pander to environmental groups and watchdogs like UNESCO.
“Successive governments have been conned into the lazy option of locking up the Cape to win favour with overseas lobby groups such as UNESCO, instead of releasing the handbrake they are slamming on communities right across Far North Queensland,” he said.
Feral pig issue finds centre stage
IT may be more than 2,500 kilometres from western Cape York to the glitter strip of the Gold Coast, but that did not stop feral pig management in one of the remotest parts of the state getting a mention at a national conference last month.
Newly-appointed Cape York Natural Resource Management (NRM) feral pig co-ordinator Brett Carlsson joined colleagues and other key stakeholders from across Queensland for the 2025 National Feral Pig Conference from 24-26 March and said it provided him with a chance to take a “deep dive” into his new role.
He is one of five new co-ordinators funded by the State Government’s Queensland Feral Pest Initiative (QFPI), operating in areas from the desert and channel country to the Cape, who attended the conference.
Feral pigs are estimated to cost almost $100 million of production losses and direct control costs in Queensland alone each year.
Mr Carlsson said the conference provided insight into alternative methods for managing the pest species, especially in remote areas.
“This was an opportunity for stakeholders in feral pig management from across Australia to get together and hear from a range of experts on topics from on-the-
ground management and current research projects,” he said.
“We heard about everything from understanding behaviour and impacts through to disease risk mitigation and community engagement and co-ordination; it was good to hear of things such as a focus on pest impacts, rather than numbers, and that there is a genuine shift in thinking and mindset across the pest management com-
munity in regards to this. Plus, the disease preparedness aspect, with threats from FMD (foot-andmouth disease) and ASF (African swine fever) high on the government’s agenda.”
Mr Carlsson said before the conference commenced, the new co-ordinators held a full-day meeting to discuss their new roles and hear from several researchers, as well as Biosecurity Queensland.
“They discussed the co-ordinator role in detail and a plan for moving forward as a team,” he said.
“As the co-ordinator for the Cape York and Terrain NRM regions, my initial focus will be collecting data and information on current control efforts and research activities across both regions.
“We recognise the significant work already being done in feral
pig management, and as co-ordinators, our role is to enhance program co-ordination, identify gaps, establish targeted working groups where needed, and also boost participation through community-led initiatives.
“Our ultimate goal is to improve landscape-scale feral pig control, ensuring programs deliver maximum impact for the effort invested.”
Cape York Natural Resource Management QFPI feral pig co-ordinator Brett Carlsson (second from left) catches up with his fellow co-ordinators, Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett and other key stakeholders at the 2025 National Feral Pig Conference.
KAP candidate for Leichhardt, Dr Daniel Collins (right), pictured with party leader Robbie Katter, is pushing for Cape York to become the centrepiece in a cane forestry revival he says could deliver economic benefits to the region.
Oriental fruit fly could be disastrous for producers
By CHISA HASEGAWA
IN a part of the state already stricken with concerns about the availability of fresh produce, an exotic fruit fly species is putting the homegrown food of Torres Strait families at risk.
The Oriental fruit fly was spotted for the second time earlier this month on Thursday Island and Kirriri (Hammond Island), putting Biosecurity Queensland on alert for its detrimental impact on fruit and vegetable crops.
Seisia-based biosecurity officer Rebecca Williams said unlike the common fruit fly, the
Oriental fruit fly damaged crops before they had a chance to be harvested.
“They attack any crops that are available to them, whether they’re ripe or not. Even before the fruit is actually ripe and still growing, they’ll leave larvae on the fruit. Each batch lays around 500 eggs,” she explained.
Ms Williams said while the Oriental fruit fly was not harmful to humans, with many Torres Strait families growing crops in their own backyards, it was imperative they got the threat under control quickly.
“We do know that a lot of families do cooking with banan-
as and wild yams, and there’s a lot of pawpaw that we’ve noticed in almost every backyard,” she said.
“It affects a lot of families, especially when it comes to ceremonial events and cultural gatherings, because the cuisine up here is mostly bananas and pawpaw, and that’s kind of the main food security, as well as mangoes.”
Ms Williams said the biosecurity team was currently working on putting up Oriental fruit fly blocks around community areas in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area that were identified as hotspots to kill the males,
as well as utilising spray packs to kill females.
She urged all community members to remain vigilant and report any possible sightings to Biosecurity Queensland.
“The best way to stop this is to not carry fruits and vegetables off the islands, and asking all visitors not to bring any fruits and vegetables when they go to the islands,” she said.
“If they think there’s Oriental fruit fly on their crops, just bag all the fruit in a garbage bag and leave it under the sun, so that it kills everything inside.”
For information, call Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.
Time for change, say panel members
AMID cost of living concerns, economic development woes and the absence of “real Indigenous policy”, one message will resonate louder than any other when a special election edition of The Point airs this week: it is time for change in Leichhardt.
The show was filmed in Cairns last week and goes to air on Tuesday (29 April) to highlight the key Indigenous issues facing Cape York and Torres Strait communities ahead of the country having its say on 3 May.
There will be some familiar faces on the screen for remote viewers, with Kowanyama’s Tania Major and Stacee Ketchell, representing the Torres Strait, making up two-thirds of the panel.
Host John Paul Janke said panellists had been united with their key messaging.
“The three panellists were saying ‘it’s time for a change’ –they were very keen to echo that with the retirement of Warren Entsch,” he said.
“They felt it was time for a change … with the [Liberal National Party] having been there for 26 of the past 29 years.”
Janke said “the absence of
real Indigenous policy in the election at a national level” had also been flagged by panel members, as had driving remote economic development, and coming up with an answer to cost of living and housing problems crippling Cape York and the Torres Strait.
“[They talked about] economic development, especially in Cape York communities, and how communities can really drive economic development in their regions,” Janke said.
“Cost of living, housing and petrol prices as well – they’re saying those things have always been high in remote communities, and First Nations communities have always been experiencing high grocery and fuel prices.”
Janke said the panellists were optimistic about the future of Cape York and the Torres Strait, adding they sounded a call to action for young Indigenous voters.
“All three at the end made a
pitch to young Indigenous voters to use their vote wisely,” he said.
“They’re all saying ‘just get out and vote, and vote for change if you want change, but really vote to empower the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice in those communities,’ that was their message.”
Leichhardt voters can see what other key election issues the panel identified when the episode airs tonight (29 April) on NITV at 7:30pm.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Weipa pedal power
WHICH Weipa class will come out on top when they go head to head for National Ride2School Day next month?
The Australia-wide event promotes healthy choices, physical activity and a sense of community spirit as adults and children swap four wheels for two on 14 May.
Weipa schools will participate in a class-versus-class challenge, with the class recording the highest percentage of students riding, scooting or walking to school on the day scoring a swag of prizes and bragging rights thanks to Weipa Town Authority.
In 2024, the St Joseph’s Parish School year 6 class reigned supreme, with Western Cape College eager to bring the honours back across the road this year.
Ignite local innovation
ASPIRING Cape York and Torres Strait innovators and entrepreneurs have the chance to propel their projects forward after the State Government released new funding rounds through its Ignite Ideas Fund and Ignite Spark Program.
The Ignite Ideas Fund is designed to empower Queensland small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with high-growth potential to bring their product or service to domestic and international markets, with grants of up to $200,000 on offer.
The Ignite Spark Program aims to help innovation driven businesses develop their product or service and ensure it’s primed for customer trials, with grants of up to $75,000 available.
Minister for Science and Innovation Andrew Powell said the latest funding rounds created more opportunities for Queensland businesses to continue kicking goals on the world stage.
Planned Weipa outages
THERE will be planned power outages across Weipa from 7-9 May for critical maintenance and repairs to be carried out.
On 7 May, from 8am-2pm, power will be interrupted to 1/13, 2/13 and 14-28 Eagle Terrace.
Noola Court, Yileen Court, Killara Place, Karingal Court, Wallanna Court (9, 10, 13, 14) and the Weipa Town Authority shed will be impacted from 8am-2pm on 8 May.
On 9 May, the Centrelink complex, My Pathway building, Queensland Country Bank, the community corrections office, Nonda Close, Bombax Court, 1-13 Alstonia Drive and 38-47A Pandanas Parade will be without power between 8am-12pm.
Panellists Stacee Ketchell, Josh Creamer and Tania Major with host John Paul Janke at the filming of the Leichhardt election edition of The Point on 23 April.
Cape deserves more election love
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
TO borrow and clumsily paraphrase a line from Moving Pictures and Shannon Noll: what about us?
With the federal election only four days away, we can pack away the optimism and spreadsheets tallying now much of a funding injection Cape York is set for, because you can count on one hand how many direct promises have been made, and how much money has been earmarked for the far north of the Leichhardt electorate.
Think of a number closer to zero than it is to billions, which is disheartening, given there are 10 candidates – representing nine parties – who have been campaigning fervently for the past five weeks as they attempt to plant their flag in the front yard of the house recently vacated by long-term tenant Warren Entsch.
For the most part, it has been a throw-up-a-little-bit-in-yourmouth scenario watching the campaigns of some of the major players play out since Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the election on 28 March and triggered a jousting contest for Leichhardt.
With Cape York making up less than 4 per cent of the 122,787 voters who will elect Leichhardt’s next representative in Canberra, it’s depressingly unsurprising most
of the pork barrelling, promising and chest puffing has been undertaken in and adjacent to Cairns, where the concentration of electors reside.
Sporting clubs proved particularly popular spots for campaigning candidates to wave wads of taxpayer money in shameless and often cringeworthy attempts to procure votes, with the rationale apparently being those based in urban areas have plenty of members of voting age only too happy to offer their support in exchange for a
new set of goal posts, and photos with a novelty cheque and cheesy grins.
While Cape York will likely benefit from national or statewide election commitments like Labor’s Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation and the Coalition’s $20b Regional Australia Future Fund, what was most critically needed was a specific funding commitment to infrastructure we need to go about our daily lives.
Things like the continued upgrading and sealing of that little
thing called the Peninsula Developmental Road.
Those responsible for progressing the next stage of the Cape York Region Package have now been left to spin their wheels until a new Federal Government is formed and someone in Canberra shows the intestinal fortitude required to secure the $240 million we’re waiting on to celebrate the vital road project’s continuation.
In an election cycle, it’s all about the numbers, and you can bet your firstborn they just didn’t
stack up when it came to committing $240m for, at best, not even 4 per cent of the votes up for grabs. The money could be much better spent seducing sporting clubs and Cairns-based groups with membership bases exceeding the entire population of Cape York.
I don’t expect a sensical answer about why the Cape has been so glaringly excluded from the election promise extravaganza over the past 33 days, but I am stumped why our elected leaders and community advocates have been silent about the lack of money committed to the remotest part of the electorate – their backyard.
Where have our mayors, councils, chambers of commerce and advocacy bodies like the Torres Cape Indigenous Council Alliance been since 28 March? Why aren’t they shouting from the rooftops, banging the tin and pleading on social media for candidates to throw a few bucks in our direction? Why aren’t they outraged – some would say rightly so – and cursing our aspiring federal politicians to any media outlet that will listen?
With such a small population base, we will never be taken seriously by political parties unless we demonstrate our anger at being constantly ignored by uniting when we head to the ballot boxes this weekend. Remember that when you pick up your pencil and begin numbering from 1 to 10 on Saturday.
While parties and candidates have splashed plenty of cash and promises around the south-eastern corner of the Leichhardt electorate, editor Lyndon Keane says Cape York voters have the right to feel hard done by as they head to the polls on Saturday.
Cape York Weekly Puzzles Page
Sudoku
Fill in the blank cells using numbers from 1 to 9. Each number can only appear once in each row, column and 3x3 block. Focus
Quick Workout
Fit the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 into the hexagons so that where the hexagons touch, the numbers will be the same. No number is repeated in any hexagon.
Juniors ready to Roar after clinic
JUNIOR soccer players are practicing newly-learned skills after Queensland’s premier football club visited Cooktown for a coaching clinic on 17 April.
The Cooktown Reefs Football Club hosted coaching and development staff from the Brisbane Roar for the three-hour clinic in the lead-up to the Easter long weekend, and club spokesperson Jen Jenyns said it had been a tremendous opportunity for younger players to hone new skills on the paddock.
“Twenty boys and girls aged 4-12 developed their football skills, stayed active and had fun with their friends,” she said.
“Coach James Sangma ran the clinic, which helped the kids develop essential game skills, including oneon-one, first touch, striking
the ball and running with the ball. It was a fantastic opportunity for players to access outdoor coaching of this calibre.”
The sport has experienced a Cape York resurgence over the past 18 months in Cooktown and Weipa, and Ms Jenyns said the clinic had also provided Football Queensland (FQ) with first-hand insight into the challenges associated with supporting the development of high-level players in remote areas.
“FQ were able to see the difficulties with the cost of travel to their academies for our star players to advance through FQ’s professional representative pathways,” she said.
“We hope to raise funding for Darius Boyers and Alfred Joy to attend these academies with the possibility of selection for state and
PUBLIC NOTICE
national teams in the near future. It was important for our players to see how popular and supported football is so close to home.”
The club is looking for more parents to help with coaching and game day support, and while the indoor incarnation of the sport is flourishing in Cooktown, Ms Jenyns said infrastructure continued to limit the rebirth of outdoor soccer.
“The Reefs FC have been trying to get an outdoors season going for some time now, but logistically, without lighting at John Street Oval, this is still some time off,” she said.
“We will continue for the foreseeable future to meet every Monday during school terms at the Events Centre Cooktown, and seniors will continue to play against Lakeland as well.”
JARDINE FERRY MAINTENANCE
CLOSURE: 23 APRIL – 23 MAY 2025
The Jardine River ferry will be removed from the Jardine River for essential repairs to the ferry hull to ensure ongoing safe operations.
Closure dates: Wednesday, 23 April to Friday, 23 May 2025. Annual safety repairs to the Jardine Ferry are under compliance regulations set by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). Council apologises for the inconvenience caused and thanks you for your patience during this essential repair period.
Tickets purchased for travel during closure period, remain valid when ferry is open.
Listen anywhere via our streaming audio and the FREE Black Star App
Great music National and local news FNQ weather updates Emergency informationroads, cyclones, fire and flood Local and regional events
RACE DAY
VIRTUAL
MARATHON | HALF MARATHON 10KM | 5KM | 2.5KM FUN RUN GRAND SLAMS | TEAM EVENTS
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Sunday 21th July 2025
Lead/Tail Bikes
Photographers
EVENT 6th – 20th July 2025 www.weiparunningfestival.org.au
There were smiles all round when the Brisbane Roar delivered a soccer clinic for Cooktown’s up-and-coming stars on 17 April.
THE wickets have been rolled –well, rolled out – and the road trip snacks sorted as cricketers from across Far North Queensland prepare to make tracks for the Musgrave Roadhouse this Labour Day long weekend.
If the weather gods play the game, 20 teams will pad up for the annual Super 8s encounter, with questionable displays of on-field prowess and plenty of banter the only guarantees for spectators.
Rivalries will resurface when players take to the field and Weipa Crocs veteran Aaron Johnson said his team was confident going into the competition.
“I think we’re fielding a better team than we did last year. We’ve
got a few younger people, which is good – it means I won’t have to play as much,” he said.
“It should be a really good weekend.”
In one of several pre-competition upsets, rival Weipa captain Kurt Gane is rumoured to have lost his own brother to the Crocs ranks in a line-up shock, something Mr Johnson said he believed would only add to the barbs being thrown between overs.
“There’ll be a pretty good rivalry because of Skinny playing for us,” he laughed.
And what tactics will the Crocs be taking into the weekend in a bid to flex their cricketing muscle over the competition?
“Maybe we’ll just put the young fellas on the bowling, not the old fellas,” Mr Johnson suggested.
A source close to event organisers told Cape York Weekly officials were gearing up for another weekend of wild and woolly attempts by teams to twist the rules of cricket to their advantage.
“I’m telling you now, it’s a certainty there will be LB (leg before wicket) appeals that wouldn’t have hit the stumps in a million years,” the source prophesised.
“If teams read this, you’re not going to get a raised finger if it hits the pads of someone standing a foot outside leg stump, no matter how much your appeal looks like a young Dennis Lillee.”
Trout-N-Off crowned champions in barra tournament
WITH more than 500 fish landed over two days and more than $27,000 in prizes given away to lucky anglers, the 2025 Tackle World Weipa Barramundi Catch and Release Tournament has been heralded an overwhelming success.
Twenty-six teams took to the water around Weipa on 16-17 April for the eighth edition of the competition, and hooked 218 barramundi on the first day of action before eclipsing the figure with 302 caught and released on the
second day of fishing. When the rods and lures were put away, Scott Gorman from No Scopers took individual champion angler honours with 684 points, eking out the win from Trout-N-Off’s Raine Hitch on 677 points, with Izzi McCann from Concreatures bagging bronze with a 608-point effort.
Given the strength of the trio, it was little surprise they featured heavily in the champion team showdown as Trout-N-Off (1,248 points) claimed the silverware
from No Scopers (1,204 points) and Concreatures (1,166 points).
Gorman and McCann took home the mystery barra length prizes on day one and two respectively with their 58-centimetre and 62cm catches.
Hitch and Gorman both landed metre-plus specimens of 103cm during the event, with the former pocketing $1,000 and the China Graham Memorial Trophy for the biggest fish of the tournament on countback.
Tackle World Weipa’s Nathan White said he believed the event was “the best barramundi tournament on the Cape” and thanked sponsors for their ongoing support of the catch and release extravaganza.
“As the years go on, this event just keeps getting better and better,” he said.
“The anglers involved fish harder, and the support we receive is overwhelming; we sort of cap it, otherwise we’d get 200 teams and it would be too big to run. I think all the boys are probably some of the best barra fishermen in Weipa – they love it.”
Champion angler: 1st Scott Gorman (684), 2nd Raine Hitch (677), 3rd Izzi McCann (608). Most overall scoring fish: Mark Birdsall (24).
Raine Hitch took home the China Graham Memorial Trophy for 2025 after landing this 103-centimetre specimen.
Rui Kanamori and Linda Whitburn congratulate Trout-N-Off – Raine Hitch and Aaron Small – for claiming the overall team champion crown at this year’s Tackle World Weipa Barramundi Catch and Release Tournament.
Cape York cricketing rivalries will resurface this long weekend when teams converge on the historic Musgrave Roadhouse for the annual Super 8s showdown.
Byrne relishes top conditions at Dawnies
UNUSUALLY dry and hot conditions had to be contended with when 11 golfers stepped up to the tee block for the latest instalment of Dawnbusters on 27 April. Despite returning to the clubhouse with 46 off the stick, not one of his best Sunday morning efforts, the newly-married Matt Byrne celebrated his nuptials by claiming a narrow victory with nett 19, relegating Steve
Kennett to catch the bouquet in second spot with nett 20.
Club manager Lil McKeown swapped the clubhouse for the fairways in her maiden Dawnbusters outing and bagged the women’s long drive and Hoffman’s honours for her effort.
The men’s longest drive went to Lucas Duvenhage, who dusted off his clubs for his
first game of Dawnbusters for the 2024-25 season.
Jim Lucas showed a deft touch from the 18th tee box to land his shot on the green and take the weekly pin prize.
There will be no Dawnbusters this weekend due to the 2025 Weipa Goodline Open, but players will be back on the course from about 6:45am on 11 May.
Weipa course ready for Open, despite vandalism
By LYNDON KEANE
PLAYERS are set to be greeted by a course in “terrific” condition when they arrive on western Cape York for this weekend’s 2025 Goodline Open, despite an act of senseless vandalism in the lead-up to Weipa’s biggest golfing event.
On 20 April, the rider of a quad bike caused damaged to one of the Carpentaria Golf Club greens and part of the adjacent fairway after doing “doughnuts and burnouts” on the waterlogged course.
Club president Murray Mountjoy said despite the setback, he was confident greenkeeping staff would have the course ready to go when golfers tee off on 3-4 May.
“Clearly, it’s enormously disappointing after the hard work of our green staff, Steve and Tom,” he said.
“The course is looking as good as it has in my time here and to have someone wantonly and disrespectfully damage the course is frustrating; it was raining and it was wet, so the damage was worse than it otherwise would have been.
“We had a working bee on the weekend and the Goodline Open will go ahead as planned; the rest of the course, apart from
where the damage is done now, is looking terrific.”
It is understood the alleged offenders posted footage of their handiwork on social media and that police have been provided with the name and address of one of the individuals suspects of being on the quad, however, a Queensland Police Service spokesperson said last week charges were yet to be laid.
“Police are investigating reports of a wilful damage inci-
dent at a Weipa sporting facility on April 20,” the spokesperson said.
“Initial information indicates at around 5pm, two people entered the property on a quad bike and caused damage to the turf.”
Club captain Clinton Wonfor said almost 50 players had currently nominated for Weipa’s showcase golfing event and said it was not too late for last-minute entries.
play, reach out to the club and speak to Lily,” he said.
When players do hit the fairways, all eyes will be on the A-grade women’s division after Michelle Field announced she would not be returning to Weipa to hunt for a fifth consecutive crown in 2025.
Field has dominated the top women’s grade since 2021 but said the lure of the road meant she would not be amongst the field this year.
“I won’t be at the Open this year to try for five in a row,” she said.
“I am travelling in my caravan and have been travelling for seven years now, and only decided to stay up in FNQ on my travels – it ended up being nearly five years up there.
“It’ll be a shame that I can’t defend my title and also [the] Cooktown [Open], but there’s a lot of this country I still haven’t seen; I’m sure there will be some happy people that I won’t be there.”
In the men’s A-grade, Matt Slade will be looking for backto-back titles, but will have to fend off what is tipped to be a big challenge from Warren Brewer, who was aiming for a four-peat in 2024 before Slade pipped him at the post in a thrilling one-shot victory.
SPORT IN BRIEF
Import claims Stableford
HE may not have diplomatic immunity like the South African villain in Lethal Weapon 2, but that didn’t stop Cooktown Golf Club’s very own import from taking home the chocolates on 26 April.
Lance Jennings may have had immunity from bad shots as he fired off a 38-point Stableford round at Walker Bay to claim victory ahead of Aaron Hobbs (36 points) and Rick Butler (34 points).
Hobbs claimed the 2/11 pin prize, with Jennings impressing off the tee to bag the 14th, while everyone embarrassed themselves on 9/18 to leave the distance marker untouched.
Golfers will contest the May Sovereign Resort Monthly Medal from the red tees on 3 May.
Sands salutes on front nine
CRACKING Weipa weather greeted 14 players when they pitted themselves against the front nine in Wackers action on Wednesday afternoon.
Dave Sands (50/33.5) was the best of the bunch and claimed a two-stroke win over Carolyn Head (61/35.5), who had to settle for runner-up bragging rights.
Steve Head was the nearest to the pin winner on the 7th hole, with Jim Lucas wearing the weekly Bradman’s crown.
There was still no sign of Mick Cernaka after he pulled his disappearing act the week prior, and Cape York Weekly believes he is either still sulking, or in training at an undisclosed location ahead of this weekend’s 2025 Weipa Goodline Open.
Parkrun milestones
CONGRATULATIONS to Leigh Jewell and Luke O’Day, who notched up their 100th and 25th finishes respectively when they greeted the timekeepers for Weipa parkrun #416 on 26 April.
Fifty-eight participants tackled the 5-kilometre circuit on Saturday morning, with Ross Dawson the first male home in 21 minutes, 32 seconds, while first timer Cara Shelley showed a clean set of heels to be the first female to finish in 26:04.
Ryder Street, Melanie Brewer, Susan Tuckwood, Nicola Campbell, Arthur Campbell, Lyndsey Fielding, Sarah Usher and Mel Scott recorded personal bests.
Carpentaria Golf Club president Murray Mountjoy says the 2025 Weipa Goodline Open will go ahead, despite one of the greens being damaged by vandalism on 20 April.
LEASE
• Only furniture and electrical business in Weipa
•
• Price includes 2021 Isuzu NPR truck & a 2005 Isuzu truck + 5 storage containers behind the store front • Stock is at value
