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DANNY NOSE BEST

LONG ROAD

Don’t expect work on the PDR and access roads to wrap up anytime soon. A community forum has provided a detailed update on the expansive Cape York Region Package, the funding required – and why improvements need to be ﬁnished ASAP. Full story page 2.

Danny the determined leak detection dog is the star of one Cape council’s mission to sniff out water leaks before they turn into a much bigger problem. The highly trained pooch and his handler will be inspecting a sweeping section of the network in Cooktown before moving on to Lakeland, Laura and Coen. Full story page 3.

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by LUKE MORTIMER

THE widespread social beneﬁts of improving the lifeline Peninsula Development Road (PDR) and its access roads were outlined during the latest Cape York Region Package forum update at Cairns.

Mobile breast cancer checks have rolled out to areas accessible by newly sealed roads across the peninsula – just one example of how the infrastructure program can improve access to services for remote residents, and why work needs to be ﬁnished as soon as possible.

Regional Development Australia Tropical North hosted the 8 May community forum at the Cairns Regional Council building with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR). About 30 of the bi-annual forums have been held to date.

TMR district director (Far North) Darryl Jones said 173 kilometres of the PDR was sealed in Stage 1, while 38km has been sealed in Stage 2, with about 10km more to go. About 160km will remain unsealed after Stage 2.

Realistically, it will be years before extensive work on the PDR and access roads is ﬁnished and the package wraps up, with a ﬁfth stage on the cards. Some

at the forum bandied around a 2045 ﬁnish date.

There has been a “massive increase” in construction costs since Stage 2 started, lead presenter and package taskforce cochair Professor Allan Dale said.

Stage 2 has focused on sealing priority sections and on infrastructure including the Archer River and Saltwater Creek bridges at a cost of $323.13 million – of which $258.5m came from the Federal Government and $64.63m from the Queensland Government.

Pending Stage 2 work includes sealing 2.4km between Yarraden and Three Sisters, 9.3km between Musgrave and Red Blanket and 2.4km between Koolburra to south Hann.

Work has also been undertaken under the Community Access Roads Program (CARP) to seal sections of primary access routes to Indigenous communities. Northern Peninsula Road is next in line.

The State has already earmarked $60m for Stage 3 and it’s hoped the Commonwealth will pay for 80 per cent of the work with $240m, but more will be revealed come Budget time.

“50-50 ain’t going to work,” Prof Dale said.

TMR is due to prepare a Project Proposal Report and 20 per

cent of Stage 3 funds will be used on access roads.

Proposed initial Stage 3 projects include renewing Myall Creek bridge and work around Myall, Sudley, Merluna, York Downs, Koolburra and south Hann.

Prof Dale said crash black spots and “real tension points” preventing travel between communities would be a focus.

It’s expected work around Weipa may be complex due to Rio Tinto’s bauxite mining lease covering 400,000 hectares.

“It’s actually the easiest to do, but it’s the hardest to do because it’s [the roads] in the Rio lease … ” Prof Dale said.

Attendees also heard that there was less of an economic or productivity business case to make to the Commonwealth regarding Cape road funding due to the relatively small number of people using the roads – roughly 500 a day on average.

But social and health ramiﬁcations of improvements are huge. In some cases, the poor state of the Cape’s public roads could even be considered a human rights issue because it limits access to food, medical care and social services, the forum heard.

Prof Dale said those involved need to “tell the bigger

story” and “what this means for the region” when ﬁghting for funding.

Local government representatives included Cook Shire Council Mayor Robyn Holmes, Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council Mayor Robert Poi Poi and Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council CEO Chad King. Federal Leichhardt MP Matt Smith attended, while Cook MP David Kempton could not make it, but was briefed.

Ms Holmes told the forum “the whole PDR unsealed section sits in Cook Shire” and it was “really important we try and get that [federal] funding”.

Mr Poi Poi was also passionate about ensuring his community was properly served by the package.

“In terms of advocacy, my strong interest is around community access roads,” he said.

Mr King said his community was a “key customer” of the PDR and it was “cut oﬀ for wet season every year”.

“And our neighbour councils on the western side of the Cape are also dependent on logistics in and out of Weipa and connecting it,” he said.

Better roads would also be helpful for emergency broadcasting purposes, an ABC Far North attendee noted.

Pormpuraaw says ‘no’ to domestic violence

by CHISA HASEGAWA

“HANDS are not for hitting. Say no to violence. Domestic violence is not our culture. Love doesn’t hurt.”

These are the words that were heard across Pormpuraaw when the community came together for the annual Domestic and Family Violence Awareness Walk on 5 May.

Organised by Pormpur Ngamplin Pam Mongthak (PNPM), community members marched and chanted from Pormpuraaw State School to the Boomerang Building against violence.

“It is very important for the Pormpuraaw community to see everyone come together against domestic and family violence,” PNPM CEO Ganthi Kuppusamy said.

“Children are watching and learning from adults.

“When they see the community standing together, they learn that violence is not OK, love should not hurt, and everyone deserves to feel safe.”

Pormpuraaw also walked in memory of Kumanjayi Little Baby, a ﬁve-year-old First Nations girl who died in the Northern Territory recently.

“Walking in honour of Kumanjayi [Little Baby] was important because violence against any child aﬀects all of us,” Ms Kuppusamy said.

“Even though she was not from Pormpuraaw, the community wanted to show respect and stand with her family and community.

“It also shows that child safety is important to us, no matter where we are. Stopping violence is not only one community’s responsibility. As human beings, we all need to stand together against violence.”

Detection dog to sniff out Cook pipe leaks

WATER waste is never a paw-sitive thing, but a furry friend seems to be the key to sniffing out savings for the Cook region.

Danny the leak detection dog and his handler Dennis Gannaway from Bellden Environmental Services will arrive in Cooktown on 18 May to showcase their talents across approximately 70 kilometres of water networks over five days, before moving on to Lakeland, Laura and Coen.

Using advanced scent detection, Danny can identify treated water escaping from underground pipes –pinpointing leaks that may otherwise go unnoticed for long periods.

Cook Shire Council

Mayor Robyn Holmes said Danny would help the council work smarter, reduce waste and minimise long-term costs.

“This is the kind of technology you’d usually see in large urban networks and we’re now trialling it here in Cook Shire,” she said.

“In a region like ours, where every litre counts and every dollar matters, finding leaks early can make a significant difference.”

Early detection of leaks within major water infrastructure will help the council identify and repair issues before they escalate into larger failures requiring emergency works.

Some underground leaks are only discovered once a pipe bursts, which can result in significant water loss, costly repairs, unexpected service interruptions, and unplanned impacts on the broader community.

The council advises there will be no disruption to water supply during the survey works.

Dancers perform at Cape mining tug welcoming ceremony

INJINOO dancers have put on a captivating performance after Ankamuthi elders named a new mining tug on the Skardon River.

Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC)

Mayor Robert Poi Poi and chief executive officer Dalassa Yorkston, as well as Cook MP David Kempton, attended the welcoming ceremony for the Metro Mining vessel on Wednesday (6 May).

The tug was named Mandang, the Ankamuthi word for ‘strong’. Pastor Titom Tamwoy officiated, while George Ropeyarn and Dale Salee cracked a young coconut in blessing.

Mr Kempton was pleased he was able to attend the ceremony: “What an experience to visit the Bauxite Hills mining project on the Skardon River, operated by Metro Mining.”

“This is a massive trans-

shipment ore project, which employs about 500 people, mostly locals, and exports about seven million tonnes of bauxite annually,” he said on Facebook.

“We visited the floating terminal about 12 miles offshore, where barges are loaded onto ore carriers.

“The ceremony for the launching of the Mandang tugboat was well attended and we were entertained by the Injinoo dancers.”

Metro’s mine which started operating in 2018 is about 140 kilometres south of the tip of Cape York and has a tenement package of about 825 square

kilometres. The company has a large Indigenous workforce.

Bauxite is mined by frontend loaders, trucked to the river port, screened and put onto barges, which are towed down the Skardon River to an anchorage point at sea, where the ore is then taken to freight vessels.

Danny the detection dog uses advanced scent detection to identify treated water escaping from underground pipes. Photo: Supplied.

Injinoo dancers perform after Ankamuthi elders named the new mining tug Mandang on the Skardon River. Photo: Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council.

Restoring safety where you live

The new Queensland Government is Making Queensland Safer with more police and stronger laws combined with early intervention and rehabilitation programs for at-risk youth.

Already delivering a 7.2 per cent reduction in victim numbers* and with serious repeat offenders down 17 per cent**, the Government is breaking the cycle of crime. But there’s more to be done.

Under Adult Crime, Adult Time almost 4700 youth offenders have been charged with more than 22,800 offences. Youth bail monitoring laws are also stronger, improving safety where you live.

More than 1600 new police are restoring safety where you live.

Bolstered police capability includes an expanded POLAIR (Police Aerial Operations) and the largest rapid response unit in Queensland’s history. The State Flying Squad is providing surge capacity straight into crime hotspots – moving fast to target and remove criminals from the street.

Crime hotspots are being targeted through locally led and centrally coordinated police operations. Operation Xray Steeler recently resulted in more than 1300 people charged with 4072 offences. Operation Forge is underway across the state delivering a highly

visible six-month crackdown on breakins, robberies and stolen cars.

Jack’s Law is keeping our streets safer, with police scanning for, detecting and removing weapons to combat knife crime.

The Government is also better protecting children by strengthening the blue card system and delivering Daniel’s Law – which provides access to vital

information for parents, guardians and members of the community to help safeguard children. More information is available at DanielsLaw.qld.gov.au

Significant investment in early intervention and rehabilitation programs is breaking the cycle of crime by helping at-risk youth re-engage with education and their communities.

Across Far North Queensland, the new Queensland Government is backing frontline policing, with 207 new police recruits for the region in less than 18 months. Capability on the ground and in the air is being lifted – funding upgrades to the Edmonton Police Station and investing in POLAIR aerial support to cut response times across the region.

Queensland’s largest police rapid-response unit, the State Flying Squad, is restoring safety in Far North Queensland. More than 800 people, including more than 455 youths, have been charged with more than 2200 offences.

Six new early intervention programs to help reduce crime in Cairns across the region will receive Kickstarter funding to deliver new programs to divert youth away from a life of crime.

Far North Queensland communities can also tap into Secure Communities Partnership grants to expand CCTV coverage and lift security for small business and local government. For more information visit business.qld.gov.au/securegrant

*Compared to 2024 (Jan to Dec) per capita. **Compared to 2024 serious repeat youth offenders.

Operation Forge restoring safety where you live

Operation Forge combines specialist personnel from POLAIR (Police Aerial Operations), the State

Co-Responder and Public

Safety Response Safety Team with local police.

In the first six weeks, more than 2000 offenders have been charged with over 5000 offences.

QPS Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations, John Tims, said communities would see more highly visible proactive patrols to reduce crime.

“Bolstered by coordinated investigations and shared intelligence, the operation will target prolific, high harm repeat offenders,” he said.

“Responses will be tailored for local issues and have the flexibility to strategically shift gears to target high-crime and high-harm locations.”

Officer in Charge of POLAIR Senior Sergeant Tony Lawliss said the extension of POLAIR’s aerial crime-fighting capability in Cairns and the expansion of that capability on the Sunshine Coast to include the Moreton Bay region had bolstered their ability to support on-ground crews in responding to emergencies.

“Our highly trained crews can respond to incidents faster now that they’ve been strategically positioned out of more regional bases across Queensland,” he said.

Daniel’s Law: Turning a legacy into safer communities for Queensland’s children

Daniel’s Law is one of the most significant reforms to child safety legislation in Queensland’s history and is a major milestone in restoring safety where you live.

With more than 290,000 visits to the Daniel’s Law website since 31 December 2025, the State’s first public sex offender register provides parents with an online tool to keep their families safe.

The online register provides eligible members of the Queensland community access to information about convicted sex offenders who are on Queensland’s Child Protection Register , helping communities stay alert and informed.

The register honours the legacy of Sunshine Coast schoolboy Daniel Morcombe, whose abduction and murder in 2003 inspired two decades of advocacy for stronger child protection laws.

“It has been more than 20 years since Daniel was taken from us, and every single day since, we’ve fought to make sure no other family goes through what we did,” parents Bruce and Denise Morcombe shared.

“Daniel’s Law is about protecting kids, empowering parents, and shining a light on those who lurk in the dark.”

QPS Detective Acting Chief Superintendent Denzil Clark said Daniel’s Law will help families better understand local risks and take informed precautions.

“Daniel’s Law provides parents, guardians and the broader community with access to information that helps safeguard children,” he said.

Visit DanielsLaw.qld.gov.au

The new Queensland Government is driving down crime and restoring safety where you live. Victim numbers are down 7.2%* and serious repeat offenders are down 17%^ under Adult Crime Adult Time, but there’s more to be done.

*Compared to 2024 (Jan to Dec), per capita. ^Compared to 2024 serious repeat youth offenders.

A six-month locally led and centrally coordinated operation targeting break-ins, robberies and stolen cars is underway across the state.

Flying Squad, Youth

POLAIR in action. Image credit Kana Photography.

Frontline policing rebuilt with 1600 additional police

Frontline policing is being rebuilt with more than 1600 new police recruits as part of the plan to make Queensland safer.

F ollowing the March graduation of 61 police officers from the Queensland Police Academy in Oxley, a total of 1625

new police recruits have been delivered in less than 18 months.

These officers are ready to support their communities with integrity, respect and courage in communities across the State, including Brisbane, Cairns, Mount Isa, Townsville, Mackay, the Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay and the Gold Coast.

A career with the QPS offers diverse

roles, unique challenges and the chance to make a real difference every day.

From emergency response and crime prevention to community engagement and public safety, no two days are ever the same.

Gold Coast volunteer Surf Lifesaver, Constable Sophie Christie, deployed to the South Brisbane District, said she felt it was an obvious career move to go from the boat to the beat.

“I wanted to continue to help people and I wanted my work to have a meaningful impact on Queensland,” Constable Christie said.

“Policing ticked all of those boxes for me; I just can’t wait to get out there and make a difference in people’s lives.”

Former school chaplain Noah Langley, now stationed at Tully Police Station, is part of the growing local capability in the Far North.

“It’s my people, it’s my home. I couldn’t imagine serving any other place than Queensland,” he said.

Constable Chyenne Koki-Collier joined the service to help others.

“The people who have helped me along the way in my life really motivated me to try and help others,” she said.

For more information visit policerecruit.qld.gov.au

Flying Squad delivers safer streets for Queenslanders

Built to quickly target and remove dangerous criminals from the streets, the State Flying Squad has clocked up more than 140 deployments to make Queensland safer since its launch in January 2025.

The largest police rapid response unit in Queensland’s history is restoring safety where you live, so far arresting 2372 offenders, including 1318 youths, on 7249 charges.

The unit has been deployed to fight crime in locations including the Far North, Townsville and Darling Downs districts.

Senior Constable Samuel Wendt, an officer with the State Flying Squad says their work strengthens existing police activities by providing surge capacity into local crime hotspots.

“We enhance their ability to conduct operations by boosting their numbers on the frontlines, which increases community safety,” he said.

“Recently, we have been regularly deployed to assist with operations that aim to reduce property crime in Northern and Far Northern Queensland, which resulted in reduced numbers of victims of crime.”

Breaking the Cycle: Early intervention to prevent reoffending and Make Queensland Safer

The new Queensland Government is delivering targeted early intervention programs that support at-risk young people, increase accountability and reduce reoffending.

The Regional Reset program intervenes when young people start to disengage or show signs of antisocial behaviour. It combines mentoring, outdoor challenges and cultural learning to build skills and confidence to make safer choices and avoid trouble.

When a young person leaves detention, the Staying on Track program steps in immediately with six months of intensive support to reduce the risk

of reoffending. The program connects youths with mentoring, family support and practical life skills training to build routines and stay on a positive path.

The Government is also strengthening local crime prevention by backing communityled projects through Kickstarter Grants and expanding school-based support – opening four new Crime Prevention Schools and two Youth Justice Schools.

To ensure the longevity of early intervention and youth justice programs, the Queensland Government is investing $560 million in early intervention and youth justice programs, including $225 million over five years to deliver Staying on Track.

In Far North Queensland, the Stand

As One mentoring program, part of the Staying on Track initiative, is helping young people transition from detention back into their communities. Delivered by Shine for Kids, the program supports youth in Cairns and Townsville.

National Practice Manager Moana Wati says the program is connecting them to family, community and culture.

“I hear about changes in behaviour, changes in energy and caregivers noticing a difference,” she said.

DELIVERED DANIEL’S LAW MAKING QUEENSLAND SAFER

Jack’s Law makes impact across the state

ack’s Law is helping make Queensland safer by enabling police to use handheld metal detectors to find knives and other weapons without a warrant.

Since the laws were made permanent and expanded statewide in July last year, more than 127,000 scans have been carried out, leading to 1947 arrests and 3773 charges.

Brett and Belinda Beasley lost their 17-year-old son, Jack, in December 2019 at Surfers Paradise when he was fatally stabbed during a night out with friends.

Today, they are proud to see Jack’s legacy drive real change, with every wanding operation helping police remove weapons from the streets.

“We don’t want any other family to go through what we’ve been through,” Mr Beasley said.

Adult Crime, Adult Time expands

Protecting communities, reducing reoffending and holding young offenders to account underpins ongoing efforts to strengthen youth crime laws.

Recommended by the Queensland Government’s Expert Legal Panel, these laws aim to deliver tougher measures on youth crime to protect the community.

New legislation passed in State Parliament expands Adult Crime, Adult Time to include 12 additional offences, such as aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm, further bolstering efforts to make Queensland safer.

So far, almost 4700 youth offenders have been charged with more than 22,800 Adult Crime, Adult Time offences, contributing to a 7.2 per cent year on year drop in crime victims.

The decisive reforms, along with early intervention and rehabilitation programs, send a clear message that youth offenders will face serious consequences for their actions.

FOR OUR KIDS

In honour of Daniel Morcombe, the new Queensland Government has delivered Daniel’s Law, the State’s first public child sex offender register, available now. This online tool identifies certain reportable offenders living in your local area, or whose whereabouts are unknown to police. Parents and guardians can also apply for a search on unsupervised contacts.

Through Daniel’s Law, the Queensland Government is delivering access to vital information to help keep kids safe.

Constable Chyenne Koki-Collier (centre) with her graduating cohort.

Police officers use hand-held metal detectors to scan for knives and other weapons.

Chronic housing crisis crippling remote communities

by LUKE MORTIMER

THE mayors of First Nations communities across Far North Queensland are pleading with the Federal Government for funding to reduce chronic levels of overcrowding “having devastating ﬂow-on impacts to health and education”.

Residents in isolated communities have been paying a high price due to years of underinvestment and the leaders are calling for change, according to the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ).

The LGAQ is calling on the Commonwealth to alleviate the problem with a $400 million funding allocation in the May Federal Budget.

Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Bruce Gibson said: “Overcrowding and a lack of housing impact on our social determinants – which include education, health and general wellbeing of communities who live in overcrowded houses.

“The kids just don’t have any space. It impacts their education, their ability to do homework, and their ability to be a child,” he said.

“We need 62 houses just to break even with the current population. It impacts on people having a normal life.”

Torres Shire Council Mayor Elsie Seriat said housing shortages in her community led to a slew of other problems.

“A lack of housing means a strain on households – health issues, education issues and no sense of belonging and ownership,” she said.

“Where we are in the Torres Strait is gold set in a pearl environment that has diamond potential – which is a quote from my former mayor.

“We need more houses for our people because people are moving away. Housing is so important to us to keep people at home, have our own workforce and have our schools.

“We have a lot of potential for develop-

ment – land that we are seeking to be unlocked from the government. This would enable us to build more houses.

“We are looking to build over 250 homes. We just need the government to walk with us so we can have real outcomes for our community.”

The call for funding comes more than a year after the LGAQ made a federal election campaign plea for an urgent cash injection to help ﬁx the worsening housing crisis in remote communities.

Mayors from Lockhart River, Pormpuraaw, Palm Island and Wujal Wujal spoke out – and an open letter to Canberra was signed by all 77 LGAQ mayors.

There are accounts of more than 10 people living in two- and three-bedroom homes amid a shortfall of thousands of homes in the remote communities state-wide.

LGAQ president Mayor Matt Burnett said more government funding would help ﬁx the state’s remote accommodation crisis.

“Overcrowding in First Nations communities has reached critical levels and without an urgent federal funding injection, the situation will continue to deteriorate,” he said.

“We’re calling for at least $400 million over four years to be earmarked in the Federal Budget, enabling Queensland’s 17 First Nations councils to kickstart crucial housing construction.”

The LGAQ has created a “timeline of inaction” showing how overcrowding in communities has worsened since the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing, designed to tackle severe shortages, ﬁnished in mid-2018.

The program was not replaced, overcrowding steadily worsened and councils

and the LGAQ asked for funding assistance at the 2019 and 2022 federal elections, but pleas were “ignored”.

LGAQ CEO Alison Smith said: “During the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing (NPARIH) when all levels of government were working together, overcrowding rates decreased.

“Since the end of the NPARIH, overcrowding is again worsening and with it the negative impacts to health, education, and domestic and family violence,” she said.

“Councils have vast on-the-ground knowledge about the housing these communities need, and they can partner with the Federal Government to ensure it’s delivered.”

Federal Leichhardt MP Matt Smith said he spoke at the LGAQ Indigenous Leaders forum and met with mayors last week.

“We spoke at length about the challenges facing communities across Leichhardt, as well as pathways to Closing the Gap,” he said.

“On my trips to the Cape community housing is always the number one priority that is bought up. I will always support the voices in my community and will work in collaboration to achieve the best outcomes.

“Each township has diﬀerent speciﬁc needs which we need to address in a bespoke and collaborative manner, as opposed to blanket policies, and my active engagement with the leaders of our communities is ongoing.

“Housing is a priority of this government, but I am unable to comment on what maybe in or out of the upcoming budget.”

Treasurer Jim Chalmers was approached for comment.

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Torres Shire Council Mayor Elsie Seriat says more than 250 homes are needed in her community. Photo: Lewis James Media.

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NOTICE OF AUTHORISATION MEETING FOR A NATIVE TITLE DETERMINATION AGREEMENT

EASTERN KUKU YALANJI NATIVE TITLE GROUP Cape York United # 1 Native Title Claim (QUD673/2014)

THURSDAY 28 MAY 2026 – WUJAL WUJAL

This notice is to advise that Cape York Land Council (CYLC) will convene a decision-making Authorisation Meeting on behalf of the Cape York United #1 (CYU#1) Claim Applicant for the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Native Title Group to consider whether to authorise a proposed native title agreement under s.87A of the Native Title Act 1993 for a determination of native title over the area shaded in purple shown on the map below.

Date: Thursday, 28 May 2026

Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm (Registration from 9am) Venue: Wujal Wujal Community Hall, Wujal Wujal Qld

Section 87A AUTHORISATION MEETING

A copy of the proposed s.87A native title agreements for determinations of native title for the areas shown on the map will be available at the meeting on Thursday 28 May 2026. At the request of the Applicant in the CYU#1 Claim, CYLC staff and consultants will be in attendance at the meeting to be available to explain matters such as the meaning and effect of the proposed agreements. Any person attending the meeting will be able to ask questions about the proposed agreements and state their views about the proposed agreements.

PURPOSE OF AUTHORISATION MEETING

The purpose of this Authorisation Meeting is for the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Native Title Group to decide whether to approve the proposed s.87A native title agreement for a consent determination of native title for the area shown on the map. The meeting will be asked to consider and make decisions about the following:

1. agree and adopt a decision-making process;

2. agree to the proposed s.87A agreement for a determination of native title; and

3. agree to either:

(a) incorporate a new corporation to be the prescribed body corporate (PBC) to represent the native title holders identified in the proposed s.87A agreement for a determination of native title, and so:

Map of Proposed

(i) make a decision (1) to approve the rules of the new corporation, (2) to identify who will be the initial directors and contact person for the new corporation, and (3) to authorise one or more named persons to apply to the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations to register the new corporation; and (ii) agree to nominate the new corporation, once it is registered, to be PBC for the Eastern Kuku Yalanji People; OR (b) on certain conditions, nominate an existing corporation to be the PBC for the Eastern Kuku Yalanji People, and so: (i) make a decision (1) to specify the existing corporation to be the PBC, and (2) direct the identified corporation to take steps to make itself eligible to be appointed as the PBC by amending its rules, and to ensure it is representative of Eastern Kuku Yalanji People (by accepting new membership applications, holding new elections for directors or other matters); and (ii) agree to nominate the identified existing corporation, once it has complied with the directions made by the meeting in 3(b)(i) above, to be the PBC for Eastern Kuku Yalanji People; and (iii) in the event that the identified existing corporation has not complied with the directions made by the meeting in 3(b)(i) above by 22 June 2026, incorporate a new corporation as set out in 3(a) above, which corporation will be nominated to be the PBC for Eastern Kuku Yalanji People; and 4. authorise the Principal Legal Officer of CYLC to nominate the proposed corporation in writing to the Federal Court for it to be the PBC under ss.56 or 57 of the NTA for the proposed determinations of native title.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND?

All members of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Native Title Group as described below are invited and eligible to attend the Authorisation Meeting. The Eastern Kuku Yalanji Native Title Group are the descendants by birth or adoption in accordance with traditional law and custom, of one or more of the following apical ancestors (listed alphabetically):

1. Alamandi Lizzie (Lilly) Dawson

2. Amulkaba Jimmy Johnson Snr*

3. Annie Mason (sister of Daisy)

4. Bagi Kari Mary Ann (sibling of Kalkamanangu (Billy King) and mother of Charlie Ball Dirrakari and Dugaldandi Leslie Yarry and Billy Collins)

5. Balmbarra aka Billy Bloomfield (father of George Doughboy, Toby Bloomfield and Doolma Peter Bloomfield)

6. Baral-Baral (spouse of Bluja King Nia-iman)

7. Bijun Dungarra (spouse of Mujinija Walker Nandy)

8. Biru (mother of George Doughboy, Toby Bloomfield and Doolma Peter Bloomfield)

9. Bluja King Nia-iman

10. Buji (mother of Polly Kangkwiyin and others)

11. Bujilkabu

12. Burradi

13. Charlie Denman Snr

14. Charlie Redheart Wawujabba

15. Daisy (sister of Annie Mason)

16. Dickie Springvale Kukujika

17. Dimbanga Sandy

18. Dinah Dalkeith

19. Duraja (mother of Olbar and Nellie Nambaji)

20. Friday (mother of Lily Bertha and others)

21. Friday Wauwaga (brother of Bluja King)

22. Harry Beche-De-Mer

23. Harry Shuan

24. Henry Bloomfield

25. Isabella Henderson (Wawu-kuwa)

26. Jalbanmun Peter (grandfather of Lizzie Big Jack)

27. Jeannie ‘Ginny’ Bamboo

28. Jennie Douglas

29. Jerry Wotton

30. Jessie Buchanan (Babi Milbija Narrijinya)

31. Jimmy Blanket

32. Jimmy Johnson Snr (grandfather of Rene Johnson and others)

33. Jimmy Mossman Snr

34. Jinabaji aka Ginabundgee Ayton

35. Jinjirrba (Old Man Toby)

36. Jubby Lily Burchill

37. Jukurra Polly

38. Juwalba Willie Wiltia Cross-eye

39. Kalkabinda

40. Kalkamanangu (Billy King)

41. Kalkamanangu (father of Olbar and Nellie Nambaji)

42. Kalkaymba (mother of Doris Jinamul and others)

43. Kilkil (Gilgil) Punda

44. King Toby

45. Kubukubu (Old Billy Corporal)*

46. Kulka (Gulga) (mother of Polly Black Gibson)

47. Kuruwuja

48. Lily Kajakaja

49. Lora aka Laura (mother of Charlie and Hilda McLean)

50. Maggie (mother of Charlie Collins)

51. Maggie (mother of Muriel Minnie Rossville)

52. Maggie (spouse of Charlie Ogilvie)

53. Maggie Queen

54. Mandilba Jimmy Rossville (brother of Old Bamboo)

55. Mara Baril Baril

56. Marray-Marray Murranbi Jinakulur (three toes) aka Peter Smith

57. Maudie (aka Maudie Johnson)*

58. Maymi Kitty (spouse of Bujilkabu Wulbar)

59. Mijinba Nellie (spouse of Mandilba Jimmy Rossville)*

60. Miliji

61. Mindil (father of Charlie Ogilvie)

62. Minnie (spouse of Bamboo)

63. Molly (mother of Jessie Brown)

64. Moongabuyan Ngamu-Ngulmbay Friday (father of Rosie Redheart and Jimmy Winkle)

65. Mujala (sister of Rosie)

66. Munari Billy Gibson Snr

67. Mundy Nunn Pui-Alnganga

68. Nambaji (aka Numbudgee Ayton)

69. Narrakinna Annie Lox (mother of Eileen Crowley)*

70. Nellie (mother of Paddy Mossman)

71. Nellie ‘Anana’ Fisher (spouse of Jimmy Mossman Snr)

72. Ngamu Milimilinga

73. Ngingkibaji Polly (spouse of Bluja King Nia-iman)

74. Ngingkibaji Wawuwida Nellie (spouse of Bluja King Nia-iman)

75. Old Bamboo (brother of Mandilba Jimmy Rossville)

76. Old Kokoe (Koka) aka Curley Kooka

77. Old Man Kooka (aka Kogal Coker)

78. Old Man Yorkey

79. Paddy (father of George Mirror aka George Mero)

80. Paddy Missionary

81. Paddy Shuan

82. Panakalbi (Bankalbi) Rachel aka Bunnagulkay

83. Peter Mossman

84. Polly Mugalbaru

85. Roseann (Rosie Rosie) aka Louisa

86. Rosie (sister of Mujala)

87. Rosie (spouse of Old Man Yorkey)*

88. Rosie Gurrmurragudgee

89. Rosie Neil

90. Ruby (mother of Rosie Redheart and Jimmy Winkle)

91. Tommy Hides Buchanan*

92. Topsy (mother of Harry Mossman)

93. Wabaji (mother of Johnny Jones)

94. Wampie (Wambi) Nuggett

95. Wawooamittan King Charlie (Donald) Diamond

96. Wawu Dimbi

97. Wawu Yilkinga

98. Wawu-Darra Jack (father of Charlie Ball Dirrakari and Dugaldandi Leslie Yarry and Billy Collins) 99. Wawunga Jambi Stumpy

100. Willy Ngamu-Darrba

101. Woko Jeannie (mother of Binda Brenda Maggie Solomon and others)

102. Wulbar (father of Tiger Tableland)

103. Wunbu Cross-eye

104. Wuynkul-baka Nellie

105. Yanbun (spouse of Mijili)

106. Yangki (father of Lizzie Big Jack)

107. Yangki (father of Polly Kangkwiyin and others)

108. Yimaday (aka Kate)

To enquire as to whether you are a member of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Native Title Group as described above and are eligible to attend, please contact CYLC Anthropologist Tara Zaicz by email TZaicz@cylc.org.au or on free call number 1800 623 548

If you have any queries about the purpose of the meeting, please contact CYLC Deputy Principal Legal Officer Louise Keepa by email LKeepa@cylc.org.au or on the free call number. For all other enquiries, please contact CYLC Personal Assistant to the Principal Legal Officer Marijke Walker by email MWalker@cylc.org.au or on the free call number.

IMPORTANT - Attendance, Travel Assistance & Teleconferencing

For travel assistance, to confirm your attendance or for any general queries about the meeting, please contact Marijke Walker at CYLC on free call number 1800 623 548 or by email MWalker@ cylc.org.au Note that there is limited funding available for travel assistance and requests must be made by Monday 18 May 2026. Teleconferencing facilities will also be made available at the meeting. If you would like CYLC to arrange a teleconference from your location into the meeting, whether you live at the location of the meeting or elsewhere, please contact Marijke Walker at CYLC. CYLC is committed to providing every opportunity for eligible persons to attend the meeting.

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Eastern Kuku Yalanji Determination Area under the CYU#1 Claim

Hartwig hits stage with Guy Sebastian

by CHISA HASEGAWA

AFTER spending her teenage years covering Guy Sebastian’s Battle Scars, a Cooktown singer is still pinching herself after singing her own signature song in front of the award-winning Aussie star.

Twenty-three-year-old Ella Hartwig got the opportunity of a lifetime when her regular volunteering gig at the Queensland Children’s Hospital landed her an invite to open Guy Sebastian’s intimate show for patients last month.

“Guy Sebastian heard me play Western Star – I’ve made it,” she laughed.

“I thought they were just asking me to provide a speaker or something, because the children’s hospital wouldn’t have a speaker, so I was happy to help, but then they were like, ‘This is your set time’.

“When you’re a kid, and there’s someone famous, they’re so far away from you, but it’s like the degrees of separation are getting so much smaller.”

Although her inner teenage self was bursting with excitement and nerves, she said remembering the purpose of the performance helped her to ground herself.

“Yes, I’m an artist, yes, it’s really cool, but I’m here for the children, so it’s not about me,”

Ms Hartwig said.

“It’s helped me with my performance conﬁdence as well, because it’s not the time to be shy or scared to perform. I’m literally there to brighten a kid’s day, and you can see the impact it makes.

“They told me about one child who was unresponsive, pretty much, and when I sang, it was the ﬁrst time

they responded to anything in a while. That kind of stuﬀ is such a big deal and so humbling.”

The singer said the opportunity was also a reminder to keep putting herself out there, reﬂecting on all of the steps that led up to sharing the stage with Guy Sebastian.

“It’s the whole thing of, you never know who might be watching, and you never know what a connection is going to get you,” she said.

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“I started volunteering for them (Queensland Children’s Hospital) because I played a show in the city, and then, because I put my name on my guitar case in front of me, the organiser saw my name and reached out to me.

“The chances of a famous person’s manager walking past is pretty low, but if I hadn’t done that gig that day, if he didn’t walk past and I didn’t volunteer, it never would’ve happened.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

Be heard in 2026 Census

THE Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has urged regional and remote Queenslanders to ensure they get involved in the upcoming Census.

The Census will be held on 11 August and the data gathered will highlight priorities for government spending on transport, schools, healthcare, roads and buildings, among other assets. Emily Walter, Census spokesperson, encouraged communities to start preparing. “The 2026 Census is a vital opportunity for people in regional and rural Australia to be heard and ensure their communities are accurately represented. Every answer matters to help us understand what Australia needs now and into the future,” she said.

Data collected is kept private by law. Visit census.abs.gov.au online for more information.

Time to shine at talent show

YOUNG people in the area have been encouraged to get involved in this year’s Cook Shire’s Got Talent competition, which celebrates local creativity and community spirit. Performers aged 5-25 years are invited to showcase their talents at the Cooktown Events Centre on 5 June. Performances can include singing, dancing, comedy, music, magic and more. As part of the Cooktown Discovery Festival program, winners also have the chance to perform on the main stage. This year, one passionate young person will be selected as the ﬁrst-ever Cook Shire’s Got Talent junior judge. Check out the council’s website for details.

Scenic Rim Trail Works & helicopter operations

Walking track access restrictions will apply

Queens Oval will be temporarily closed for helicopter operations

Increased helicopter activity and noise can be expected, particularly around the Botanic Gardens and Grassy Hill areas

Residents are asked to secure pets, follow signage, and plan accordingly during operations.

Council appreciates the community’s patience while these important restoration works are undertaken following Cyclone Jasper damage. Works expected to finish

A series of events set off by saying yes to a volunteering gig at the Queensland Children’s Hospital led Cooktown’s Ella Hartwig to opening Guy Sebastian’s intimate showcase. Photo: Child’s Play Photography.

Major tourism marketing push as season underway

by LUKE MORTIMER

FAR North Queensland and Cape York’s main tourism body will be promoting the destinations at the biggest tourism trade show in the Southern Hemisphere amid a marketing campaign to draw more visitors.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) has launched a last-minute campaign with deals to attract more people this season and is planning a big turnout from local operators at the upcoming Australian Tourism Exchange, while the Queensland Government has revealed the latest on its $80 million Tourism Icon Investment Fund.

TTNQ CEO Mark Olsen said the organisation’s

winter campaign aimed to generate $1.6 million in domestic visitor spending throughout May-June.

Operators including Cape York Camping Punsand Bay said in recent days they remained optimistic about the season, but noticed a drop in bookings, potentially due to fuel prices.

“TTNQ has immediately responded to the slow start to the shoulder season and unpredictability about the upcoming peak season by investing in this unbudgeted campaign to target lastminute holiday bookings,”

Mr Olsen said.

“There is a lot of uncertainty from travellers about what to do with their holiday time with some changing their plans and looking

for reassurance before they choose a destination.

“This winter campaign is about getting in front of the customer, particularly those who had overseas trips planned, and encouraging them to holiday in Australia’s international destination – Tropical North Queensland.”

Mr Olsen said the campaign was expected to “bring some 1000 people to the region before 30 June”.

“My Queensland will provide additional exposure for Tropical North Queensland through a multi-channel campaign across newspapers, digital, including video distribution via Flight Centre and ALDI Holidays, and an e-newsletter to their extensive database,” he said.

Meanwhile, more than 50 regional operators plan to attend the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE26) at Adelaide from 10-14 May.

TTNQ has almost 170 appointments and key meetings with Tourism Australia, Tourism and Events Queensland, aviation partners and trade partners like Expedia Group.

Cooktown roars for RAW exhibition best

by CHISA HASEGAWA

SOMETIMES it is the imperfect that catches people’s hearts, which is exactly what happened when the 2026 RAW - primitive exhibition People’s Choice Awards were announced in Cooktown.

Ori Albert-Mitchell’s pyrography work was one of the three artworks voted on by the community late last month, but an unfortunate machine breakdown just one week before the exhibition left the piece incomplete.

Playing on the primitive theme, Ms Albert-Mitchell depicted a tiger on plywood, which became the first of many wall panels that she would use to decorate her home.

“It was annoying because it was all lined up, I finally had time to finish it, and then the machine died,” she said.

“I still decided to put it in because it was like ‘the theme is raw, it’ll fit right in’.

“It was the first time I’d actually been able to put something in an exhibition … I just haven’t had time, or the things I’ve been making were just too big to fit in a gallery, so this time, I thought I’ll put it in, and then it’ll go into the house, and it’ll all work out.”

Local textile artist Diana Burns and painter Tracey Blumer rounded out the three Cooktown School of Art Society (CSAS) exhibition winners, with Ms Blumer also choosing to present a tiger piece.

The artist said she did not expect the outcome, with her piece incomplete and several strong artworks submitted in the exhibition.

“Everyone had such amazing artwork for that exhibition. I was so impressed, so I’m really surprised to have been given one of the People’s Choice Awards,” she said.

“It was interesting to see how everyone interpreted it a bit differently, because I guess there was a little bit of a pun with the ‘RAW’ versus the ‘roar’, so that might be how everyone got to the big cat kind of scenario.”

CSAS president Jane Dennis said there was an interesting mixture of mediums and interpretations of the theme.

“People kind of went out of the box and used their imagination, but the actual application of technique and whatnot was quite refined,” she said.

“They were all really well accomplished in their medium, so while it’s raw, it was all very polished, and it was quite a stunning exhibition.”

Work is underway to draw more tourists to Tropical North Queensland. Photo: Kikki Starr.

Despite a machine breakdown incident leaving her work incomplete, Ori AlbertMitchell captured the hearts of voters at Cooktown’s 2026 RAW exhibition. Photo: Supplied.

Funding program for Indigenous councils

by JOHN MURTAGH

THE Crisafulli Government is delivering on an election commitment to provide a $2 million funding program to support local economic development.

Funds go towards 11 Indigenous councils across Cape York to deliver job-creating programs, drive long-term opportunities and strengthen local economies.

The State Government hopes this commitment will give the councils more power and ability to enact positive change in the community, which it hopes to achieve collaboratively with individual councils.

Central to the program is support for businesses, jobs, investment, cultural and community programs and other initiatives that support local prosperity.

Dubbed the Indigenous Cape Communities Economic Development Fund (ICCEDF), the initiative allocated non-competitive funding to support local projects in 11 Indigenous Cape communities.

Eligible council recipients include: Aurukun, Hope Vale, Kowanyama, Northern Peninsula Area, Pormpuraaw, Torres Strait Island, Wujal Wujal, Yarrabah, Lockhart River, Mapoon and Napranum.

Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy stated that the new fund made good on an election

promise to support the Indigenous communities of the Cape by investing in local development.

“We’re committed to unlocking economic potential no matter where you live in Queensland, ensuring even our most remote communities have the support to build sustainable local economies, more jobs and a better lifestyle,” Ms Leahy said.

“This fresh start is about empowering the councils to deliver projects that reflect their local needs, priorities and aspirations to foster long-term benefits.”

Funds must be spent on projects which aim to achieve economic development in the areas of workforce or business support, investment, infrastructure development or community and culture.

“The Crisafulli Government is delivering practical outcomes for our Indigenous communities across Queensland through locally driven projects which turn the dial on Closing The Gap,” Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Fiona Simpson said.

“This funding can be used to build workforce capacity through skills development, upgrade infrastructure to support local businesses, or facilitate community initiatives to enhance liveability.”

More information can be found on the government’s website.

Re-Opening of Country

Peppan Countr y

Please be advised that access to Peppan Country is now open, with the exception of the Peppan Outstation This area will have signage on country and is shown on the below map

All community members, visitors and contractors are expected to follow closure signage and instructions at all times Respecting closures protects Country, people and the relationships that sustain our operations and our future

Please call our feedback hotline 1800 820 711 or RTAWeipafeedback@riotinto com FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

New Mapoon community set to welcome back ‘vital’ local shop

by CHISA HASEGAWA

WALKING over an hour under the blistering sun carrying groceries sounds exhausting, but it is a reality for many New Mapoon residents with no car and no local store.

The New Mapoon Community Shop was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving the Bamaga IBIS supermarket as the only nearby option for essential groceries and household goods.

While the drive from New

Mapoon to Bamaga IBIS supermarket takes mere minutes, walking to the grocery store could take residents 30-50 minutes each way, depending on which side of New Mapoon they reside.

With extremely hot weather and no public transport, Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC) Mayor Robert Poi Poi said restoring a local shop and supporting community convenience, food security and future employment opportunities was vital.

“The reopening of the New Mapoon Community Shop is about supporting our people and ensuring families have better local access to the essentials they need,” he said.

“Council understands how important this service is to the community, and we are committed to delivering it the right way.”

Following NPARC’s endorsement, planning is underway for the refurbishment of the shop, with officers currently finalising the project plan, budget and delivery time.

Once refurbishment planning is finalised, the New Mapoon community will be invited to hear more information about the reopening process and anticipated opening date at a community barbecue.

As a lifelong resident of New Mapoon, councillor Marlene Bond welcomed the decision, adding that the reopening would bring strong community benefits.

“This is a positive outcome for New Mapoon — something that I have been advocating to council to make happen,” she said.

“We look forward to coming out and engaging with the community as we move forward with this project.”

Closure of Country

Paiden Countr y

Please be advised that access to Paiden Country is closed until further notice, due to sorry business It is important that we acknowledge and respect the advice from Traditional Owners so that cultural customs can be observed and practiced Rio Tinto personnel, contractors and the public are not to enter the area until further notice

This includes the following areas: Amban Road South (inclusive of the road), Beagle Road (inclusive of the road), Possum Creek, Sandy Creek, Ward River, Obon (Ward River Side), Yagalmungkan, Coastal areas from Big Horse Creek to Alechin Point including Ikleth, Six Ti Tree, and Awelombok (Waterfall)

The return of the New Mapoon Community Shop will ensure locals have access to essential groceries and goods close to home. Photo: NPARC.

ICN 1163 | ABN 22 965 382 705

NOTICE OF AUTHORISATION MEETING FOR A NATIVE TITLE DETERMINATION AGREEMENT WESTERN YALANJI NATIVE TITLE GROUP Cape York United # 1 Native Title Claim (QUD673/2014)

TUESDAY 26 MAY 2026 CAIRNS

This notice is to advise that Cape York Land Council (CYLC) will convene a decision-making Authorisation Meeting on behalf of the Cape York United #1 (CYU#1) Claim Applicant for the Western Yalanji Native Title Group to consider whether to authorise a proposed native title agreement under s.87A of the Native Title Act 1993 for a determination of native title over the area shaded in blue shown on the map below

Date: Tuesday, 26 May 2026

Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm (Registration from 9am)

Venue: Rydges Esplanade Resort, Pandanus Room, 209-217 Abbott Street, Cairns

Section 87A Authorisation Meeting

A determination of native title involves a decision of the Federal Court. A determination of native title means that the Federal Court determines (1) who holds native title; (2) what the native title rights are; (3) the area to which the native title rights apply after any determination is made; and (4) which corporation will represent the members of the determined native title group. If the meeting on Tuesday 26 May 2026 decides to authorise the proposed s.87A native title agreements, each determination will then be sought in the Federal Court. The Court may list a hearing for consent determination on Friday 14 August 2026 for the areas shaded in blue and identified as the “Proposed Western Yalanji Determination Area”. A copy of the proposed s.87A native title agreements for determinations of native title for the areas shown on the map will be available at the meeting on Tuesday 26 May 2026. At the request of the Applicant in the CYU#1 Claim, CYLC staff and consultants will be in attendance at the meeting to be available to explain matters such as the meaning and effect of the proposed agreements. Any person attending the meeting will be able to ask questions about the proposed agreements and state their views about the proposed agreements.

PURPOSE OF PRE-AUTHORISATION INFORMATION MEETING

The purpose of this Authorisation Meeting is for the Western Yalanji Native Title Group to decide whether to approve the proposed s.87A native title agreement for a consent determination of native title for the area shown on the map at right

The meeting will be asked to consider and make decisions about the following:

1. agree and adopt a decision-making process;

2. agree to the proposed s.87A agreement for a determination of native title; and

3. agree to either:

Map of Proposed Western Yalanji Determination Area under the CYU#1 Claim

(b) on certain conditions, nominate an existing corporation to be the PBC for the Western Yalanji People, and so: (i) make a decision (1) to specify the existing corporation to be the PBC, and (2) direct the identified corporation to take steps to make itself eligible to be appointed as the PBC by amending its rules, and to ensure it is representative of Western Yalanji People (by accepting new membership applications, holding new elections for directors or other matters); and (ii) agree to nominate the identified existing corporation, once it has complied with the directions made by the meeting in 3(b)(i) above, to be the PBC for Western Yalanji People; and (iii) in the event that the identified existing corporation has not complied with the directions made by the meeting in 3(b)(i) above by Monday 27 June 2026, incorporate a new corporation as set out in 3(a) above, which corporation will be nominated to be the PBC for Western Yalanji People; and 4. authorise the Principal Legal Officer of CYLC to nominate the proposed corporation in writing to the Federal Court for it to be the PBC under ss.56 or 57 of the NTA for the proposed determinations of native title.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND?

All members of the Western Yalanji Native Title Group as described below are invited and eligible to attend the pre-authorisation information meeting.

The Western Yalanji Native Title Group are the descendants by birth or adoption in accordance with traditional law and custom, of one or more of the following apical ancestors (listed alphabetically):

1. Alena Ida (mother of Bernard Castors)

2. Biddy Mango (aka Biddy Looney)

3. Billy (father of Jimmy Riley and others)

4. Buiku Buiku

5. Bula Burton

6. Charlie Curraghmore

7. Charlie Fox

8. Charlie Jubilee

9. Charlie Lee Cheu

10. Danyulgulga Lizzie

11. Dianna (Dinah) (sister of Mary (Maggie) Anderson)

12. Dolly (mother of Alice Roberts and others)

13. Dolly (maother of Charlotte Palmer and others)

14. George Dodd (aka George Maytown)

15. Hilda (mother of Jessie Pauletta Davis and others)

16. Jack Burton

17. Jangga Dolo (aka George Maytown)

18. Jimmy (father of Jack Lawyer and others)

19. Jimmy Snider

20. Johnnie Cake (aka Johnny Stewart)

21. Jukumu George Pegus

22. Kitty (mother of Jimmy Riley and others)

23. Maggie (mother of Dave Crowley and others)

24. Maggie (mother of George Sibley Snr and others)

25. Maggie (mother of James Andrew Mossman and others)

26. Mary (Maggie) Anderson

27. Molly (mother of Annie Green and Dolly Walker)

28. Mother of Rosie Simpson nee Murray

29. Mujilabu Sandy Tippo (aka Deppo King)

30. Nellie (mother of Doris Choikee and others)

31. Ngamu Minkidji

32. Ngamu Yarrkin Mitchell Earl

33. Ngamukaia Billy Carroll

34. Palmer McLean (aka Old Palmer)

35. Railu aka Mary

36. Rob Miller Snr

37. Rosie (Ross) Palmer

38. Ruby Barney Maytown (aka Ruby Meldrum)

39. Sambo (father of Dave Crowley and others)

40. Wautalunggu Maggie

41. Wur’purdam (aka Ngarrabulga)

To enquire as to whether you are a member of the Western Yalanji Native Title Group as described above and are eligible to attend, please contact CYLC Anthropologist Hannah Nott by email HNott@cylc.org.au or on free call number 1800 623 548

If you have any queries about the purpose of the meeting, please contact CYLC Deputy Principal Legal Officer Louise Keepa by email LKeepa@cylc.org.au or on the free call number. For all other enquiries, please contact CYLC Senior Business Support Officer Clementine Rushford by email CRushford@cylc.org.au or on the free call number.

IMPORTANT - Attendance, Travel Assistance & Teleconferencing

For travel assistance, to confirm your attendance or for any general queries about the meeting, please contact Clementine Rushford at CYLC on free call number 1800

or by email CRushford@cylc.org.au. Note that there is limited funding available for travel assistance and requests must be made by Friday 15 May 2026. Teleconferencing facilities will also be made available at the meeting. If you would like CYLC to arrange a teleconference from your location into the meeting, whether you live at the location of the meeting or elsewhere, please contact Clementine Rushford at CYLC. CYLC is committed to providing every opportunity for eligible persons to attend the meeting.

Great Barrier Reef hammered on all fronts

by LUKE MORTIMER

A FAR North Queensland diver with more than a decade of experience says she was shocked by the concerning damage to the Great Barrier Reef she witnessed after Cyclone Narelle.

It comes as the natural wonder of the world continues to cop a battering from increasingly frequent marine heatwaves, weather systems and ﬂooding.

Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS ) diver and community campaigner Tanya Murphy has spoken out following the release of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s latest Reef Snapshot for summer 2025–26.

The report shows the Federal and Queensland governments need to do more to protect the reef.

“As a diver based in Cairns, it has been devastating to witness the impacts of ﬂooding, coral bleaching and cyclone damage on the reef this summer,” Ms Murphy said.

“I visited one of my favourite snorkel sites near Cairns before and after Cyclone Narelle and the change to the north-facing side of the fringing reef, which saw the majority of the wave damage, was shocking.

“There was broken coral everywhere and many of the soft corals were decomposing on the sea floor. On the protected side of the reef, the corals were still standing, but many were bleached from a combination of freshwater flood runoff and heat stress. There was also rap-

id growth of macroalgae covering the reefs due to the nutrients in the ﬂoodwater.

“The reef is still incredibly beautiful and well worth visiting but, coming straight after back-to-back mass bleaching events in 2024 and 2025, these impacts are deeply concerning. It means many parts of the reef are not getting the recovery time they urgently need as climate change drives more severe cyclones, ﬂoods and marine heatwaves.

“Climate modelling indicates there is a high risk of another signiﬁcant coral bleaching event in Australia next summer, driven by the likely development of a strong El Niño, which can trigger widespread marine heatwaves.”

Ms Murphy said the Great Barrier Reef was “just too important to the world’s marine life to lose”.

“They are the most productive parts of the ocean, like rainforests on land,” she said.

“Australia is custodian of the world’s largest reef. We have the Amazon of the oceans in our backyard and we need to treasure it.

“The reef is also an economic powerhouse. It contributes $9 billion to our national economy every year and is Australia’s ﬁfth biggest employer, supporting 77,000 jobs.”

Sea surface temperatures rose above average across the marine park between December and March, which caused signiﬁcant coral bleaching in the north and localised coral bleaching in parts of the far north, central and southern regions.

The authority’s Reef Health Update from April states powerful waves from Narelle caused severe coral damage in the far north, extending into the northern region near Cairns.

Polluted runoﬀ from aboveaverage rainfall impacted inshore coral systems and two widespread

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crown-of-thorns starﬁsh outbreaks have aﬀected the whole park.

AMCS Great Barrier Reef water quality manager Dr Max Hirschfeld said the reef “avoided another mass coral bleaching event after the devastating back-to-back bleaching events of the previous two summers, but there has been no reprieve for the reef from climate change”.

“It is still suffering significant coral bleaching in the northern region and extensive flooding all along the coast has exacerbated the reef’s water pollution crisis,” he said.

“The Australian and Queensland governments need to do more to address climate change and must stop approving new fossil fuel developments.

“This summer the reef experienced the fourth consecutive year with above-average rainfall and ﬂooding, ﬂushing more pollutants into the reef’s waters. This time

the ﬂooding spread across the entire reef coast and lasted for three months, rather than just shorter distinct ﬂooding events.

“The Great Barrier Reef has a chronic water pollution problem that we’ve known about for 40 years.

“Pollutants such as sediment, fertilisers and pesticides impact the growth, reproduction and health of corals and seagrasses when they need all the help they can get to cope with climate change and recover from the increasingly frequent and severe marine heat waves and cyclones.

“That impacts the ﬁsh, dugongs, turtles and other marine life that rely on corals and seagrasses for their survival.”

Dr Hirschfeld called on the State Government to commit to ongoing funding for the Reef Water Quality Program and come up with a clear plan to reduce water pollution.

Diver and AMCS Great Barrier Reef community campaigner Tanya Murphy (centre) door knocking with volunteers. Photo: Supplied.

Staghorn coral turned ﬂuorescent blue by bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef. Photo: Tanya Murphy.

Investigator urges escape training after TSI chopper crash

by LUKE MORTIMER

THE national transport safety investigator has urged organisations sending staﬀ on helicopter trips over water to consider underwater escape training after a chopper crashed into the ocean with two Queensland Government employees on board in the Torres Strait.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) issued the advice as it released its ﬁnal report into the ditching of the Robinson R44 operated by GBR Helicopters during a ﬂight from Thursday Island (Waiben) to Coconut Island (Poruma) on the morning of 8 October last year.

It comes as the ATSB has been investigating why a Bell LongRanger chopper operated by Fortescue Helicopters lost control at about 91 metres in the air a short time after taking oﬀ from Thursday Island on 6 January this year in a separate incident.

Investigators have been examining whether dodgy fuel is to blame.

The ATSB was also considering whether to launch investigations after a privately chartered helicopter “rolled” over during takeoﬀ at Weipa Airport on 27 March.

The 8 October incident involved two Department of Education staﬀ travelling to Coconut Island for work aboard the Robinson R44.

The chopper was about 182m above sea level when a low rotor RPM horn sounded and the pilot manoeuvred in an attempt to manage a loss of power.

Emergency pop-out ﬂoats were deployed and the pilot told the passengers to brace for the ditching of the chopper.

The helicopter hit the water and rolled on its left side, detaching the left ﬂoat from the aircraft.

The pilot and rear seat passenger escaped through the right door while it was above the waterline, but the front passenger tried to go through the left door, which was already underwater.

Everyone managed to escape, but the ATSB investigation found the passengers were not trained in helicopter underwater escape training (HUET), despite regularly travelling over water for work.

“HUET is a regulatory requirement for helicopter pilots conducting overwater

ﬂight, but not for regular passengers on such ﬂights,” ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said.

“Other organisations whose employees regularly travel over water in helicopters have arranged HUET for these employees, but this was not the case in this accident.”

The passengers said they fumbled and felt panicked as the helicopter went underwater, which the ATSB said was commonly reported in similar helicopter ditching and rollover scenarios.

“HUET familiarises individuals with a ditching environment and provides them with conﬁdence in their ability to cope with the emergency situation,” Mr Mitchell said.

“Organisations whose employees regularly travel over water in helicopters are therefore urged to consider the potential life-saving beneﬁts of this training for their employees.”

The cause of power loss to the engine could not be determined because the helicopter sank after the accident and could not be recovered.

However, the ATSB made several ﬁndings relating to accident survivability.

The pilot made a MAYDAY call before the crash, which was picked up by the pilot of a nearby helicopter, who diverted to the accident location.

The helicopter’s emergency locator transmitter (ELT) also went oﬀ during the incident and its signal was received by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, which launched a rescue response.

“The accident highlighted the importance of an eﬀective MAYDAY transmission,” Mr Mitchell said.

“But situations requiring a MAYDAY call are often intense and time-limited and calculation of an accurate position can be diﬃcult – so the role of the ELT is vital in these types of accidents.”

The ATSB also found GBR Helicopters did not provide pilots with a personal locator beacon (PLB) for overwater ﬂights, which reduced the likelihood of survival in a ditching event.

The operator has since supplied local pilots with transmitters and sea dye to be placed in lifejackets, according to the transport investigator.

Robinson R44 helicopter similar to the aircraft which ditched in the Torres Strait in October. Photo: Marek Ślusarczyk.

New $35.4m Pormpuraaw Primary Health Care Centre takes shape

by LUKE MORTIMER

TORRES and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) has provided an update on the new $35.4 million Pormpuraaw Primary Health Care Centre, which has been under construction since 2024.

The centre was initially ﬂagged to be completed by the middle of this year.

It’s set to include a new emergency section equipped with a procedure and resuscitation room, a treatment room, mobile x-ray facilities and a decontamination shower.

The facility will also have six dedicated outpatient consultation rooms to meet future demand and the needs of visiting health partners such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

A dental suite will include consultation and work areas, there’s a pathology room for specimen collection, as well as a medical records area, enclosed ambulance bay and a “culturally appropriate” morgue.

The previous Queensland Labor Government promised the centre would feature “world-class, modern facilities”.

On 1 May, TCHHS said construction on the centre was progressing well and tracking ahead of schedule, despite some interruptions due to Tropical Cyclone Narelle and other weatherrelated issues.

The health service said important milestones included the completion of waterprooﬁng across all wet areas and the installation of specialised radiation shielding in the x-ray room.

Furniture has been selected and is awaiting transfer, while work is underway to make sure the centre ﬁts the community.

TCHHS recently met with a Traditional Owner Implementation Group (TOIG), which is helping to incorporate culturally signiﬁcant artwork into the centre’s design to reﬂect community heritage and identity.

“Overall, the project remains on track to deliver a modern, welcoming and culturally inclusive health facility for the Pormpuraaw community,” according to TCHHS.

Pormpuraaw has been able to continue using the existing centre during construction of the upgraded facility.

GBR protection front of mind at Reef Fest 2026

CAPE York NRM will bring together land managers, rangers, community members and organisations committed to protecting the Great Barrier Reef at Cooktown for Reef Fest 2026.

The event on Thursday 21 May, which is part of the Paddock to Reef program, will showcase work from across the Cape helping to safeguard the reef for future generations.

Reef Fest is set to include presentations on projects such as gully remediation and wetland restoration, as well as research into runoﬀ monitoring, water quality, the condition of reefs and east coast turtle conservation.

Cape York NRM will hold an afternoon poster session to highlight more regional projects and provide opportunities for discussion and networking.

The gathering will end with a panel discussion to allow attendees to engage with speakers and explore key issues in more depth.

Reef Fest is a free public event and will be held at Cooktown Shire Hall at 42 Helen Street from 12 to 5:30 pm.

Light refreshments will be provided on the day.

Those who would like to attend are encouraged to RSVP by Tuesday 19 May.

For more information and to RSVP contact sustainable agriculture facilitator Lauren O’Bryan on 0477 720 359 or via email at lauren.obryan@capeyorknrm. com.au.

The Paddock to Reef Integrated Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting Program is jointly funded by the Queensland and Federal governments.

50% off race entry for you and your family

As proud sponsors of the 2026 Weipa Running Festival, we are offering a 50% discount to employees, Category 1 contractors, their immediate families, and students from the Western Cape College residential campus who register before 24 July

We’re also excited to be sponsoring the 5km race this yearso all 5km entries are completely FREE!

Scan the QR code to register or visit www.weiparunningfestival.org.au Discount Code : RIO2026

A hawksbill sea turtle on the Great Barrier Reef. Photo: Chad Taylor.

Work on the new Pormpuraaw Primary Health Care Centre. Photo: TCHHS.

St Joey’s turns 10: Weipa school celebrates double digits

by CHISA HASEGAWA

A RAINBOW explosion marked a milestone anniversary when St Joseph’s Parish School celebrated double digits with a ceremonial colour run.

Students, staﬀ and families came together on 1 May to commemorate 10 years since the Weipa school was founded in 2016, taking a trip down memory lane in the memorabilia displays before digging into the cake and showing oﬀ their best disco moves to the beats of DJ Nathan.

Assistant principal Melanie Turner, who has been at the school since day one, said it was a special moment of reﬂection while looking forward to the next decade.

“It’s been a real privilege to watch the school develop and grow over the last 10 years, and to be part of it,” she said.

“We have an amazing school, and the students, staﬀ and families are incredible and very supportive.”

The school also held its annual Feast Day alongside the anniversary celebration, beginning the day with a special mass by parish priest Father Dariusz Osinski.

A student from each class who best displayed the St Joseph values of justice, compassion and humility received the prestigious Spirit of St Joseph Award, presented by Father Osinski, principal Kath Porter and Cairns Catholic Education representative Wayne Wood. Mr Wood also congratulated the school’s First Nations leaders.

Yvette McGowen and Jacinta Roberts from Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns, and past assistant principal Amanda Suanders were also present at the 10-year celebration.

Ms Porter said the day served as a reminder of St Joseph’s dimensions as a devoted parent and diligent worker, with Joseph recognised by the Catholic Church as a “model of the holiness of human labour”.

“Weipa is a strong community built on the dedication of its workers. [1 May] is an opportunity to acknowledge and thank those who build and sustain our society,” she said.

“They work not for recognition, but for the good of others. In this, they reﬂect the humility of Joseph.

“As a school celebrating 10 years in this vibrant and hardworking community.”

Young students make new colourful memories as St Joseph’s Parish School celebrates its history. Photos: Supplied.

St Joseph’s Parish School turned into a sea of colour when it celebrated 10 years of Catholic education in Weipa this month.

St Joseph’s Parish School teachers celebrate 10 years of Catholic education in Weipa.

Kath Porter, Melanie Turner and Libby Lange.

Father Dariusz Osinski cuts into the cake with the school’s youngest and oldest student.

Father Dariusz Osinski begins the celebration with a special mass for the school.

Sharron Allwood, Rachael Steele and Jess Eyre.

Emily Ridgley and Jemma Woodhouse.

Cape York Weekly Puzzles Page

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.

Fit the numbers 1-6 once into every hexagon so that where the hexagons touch, the numbers are the same. No number is repeated in any single hexagon.

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Seisia & Bamaga

Mapoon

Weipa Napranum

Lockhart River

Aurukun

Coen

Archer River Roadhouse

Musgrave Roadhouse

Hann River Roadhouse

Pormpuraaw

Kowanyama Laura

Lakeland

Wujal Wujal

Cooktown

Hope Vale

Mud Crabs take Musgrave Super 8s

by CHISA HASEGAWA

WHILE the banter on the Musgrave Super 8s ﬁeld will never cease, a trophy for the Mission River Mud Crabs may be the end of an era for a Weipa cricket sibling rivalry.

The annual cricket showdown — aptly nicknamed ‘the opening of the Cape’ — reunited teams from across Far North Queensland earlier this month as Musgrave Roadhouse opened its doors for another tourist season.

The Mission River Mud Crabs were the only team travelling down to represent the western Cape York township, with the Weipa Crocs folding at the last minute due to player shortages.

In a twist of fate, Mud Crabs coach Kurt Gane was back playing on the same side as his brother, who normally bats for the Crocs.

“We’ve always played for the Crocs — that was the one team in Weipa — but then we had too many players that wanted to play in the comp a few years ago, so I made the Mission River Mud Crabs, but Skinny stayed with the Crocs,” Gane said.

“This year, he rang me

and said, ‘our team’s folded, is there any room?’ and I said ‘you can come and play, but I’ll have to probably share the games with you because we’ve got a full team’.

“At the last minute, one of our other players had to pull out, so he ended up with a full-time spot.”

Rumour has it that the Croc has turned into a Mud Crab in a shocking cricket reunion, though Gane joked that “they weren’t just going to take him”.

“He’s in now, but the joke was that we’ve got to go away and have a vote,” he laughed.

“He’s like, ‘am I in now?’

and I said ‘we’ll have to review your performance ﬁrst and make sure that we’re happy with you’.”

While the win was sweet, Gane said the social aspect of the tournament was the true highlight year after year.

“We all gather from all over the place, like from Mareeba, Mount Garnet, and there are towns from all over the Cape that come together and catch up,” he said.

“Because we’ve been doing that for a number of years now, you’re all looking forward to seeing those people that you played against last year.

“It also makes myself and our friends from Weipa lock in a time. Everybody’s busy these days, so it’s the one weekend when we all make the time go down and catch up, and in between games we’re swimming in the creek and everything, so it’s pretty awesome.”

Gane thanked organiser William Rofe, Musgrave Roadhouse owners Adam McDowall and partner Michelle, Weipa cricket drivers Claire and Aaron Johnson, Queensland Cricket’s Trish Spry, and the many hands and brains behind the Musgrave Super 8s tournament.

Perry pounds pavement for parkrun honours

NINE personal bests were set in a ﬁeld of 61 who pitted themselves against Weipa parkrun #469 on 9 May.

Ross Perry was the first finisher to cross the chalk line in a time of 21 minutes, 46 seconds, with first-timer Brad Hay hot on his heels in 22:26.

Kat Hansen delivered a PB performance of 23:06 to round out the top three and be the ﬁrst female to say good morning to the timekeepers.

Ariel Ampado, Tyrone Tuckwood, Tamara Lambert, Ashleigh Lievore, Natasha Davui, Rebecca Hafner, Jessica Rex and Michelle Deer were the other participants who laced up their shoes to record a PB time.

It always takes a volunteer army to make any event run smoothly, and this week it was Nicola Campbell, Arthur Campbell, Emma Eyre, Michael Rowland, Lyndsey Fielding, Nanthini Kanthan, Damien Fogarty, Ben Fielding and Biko Fielding who donned the hi-vis vests.

With the tourists starting to roll into Weipa, everyone is welcome to join the parkrun family if they feel like kickstarting their Saturday by challenging themselves on the course.

Participants are asked to assemble at the shelter next to the hospital roundabout in Nanum prior to the stater’s pistol ﬁring at 7am each week.

What’s not to love about kicking off the weekend in Weipa by pounding the pavement surrounded by friends? Photo: Weipa parkrun/Facebook.

The Mission River Mud Crabs came out on top after a thrilling grand ﬁnal against the Cooktown Convicts at the 2026 Musgrave Super 8s cricket tournament. Photo: Supplied.

Weipa Bowls Club shines on home turf and away

by JACK HIGH

WEIPA Bowls Club hit the road in force over the past month, sending 24 players south to contest the Tropical Far North Division 1 and Division 3 Pennant competitions.

It was a campaign marked by grit, long kilometres and some standout individual performances across both grades.

Division 1 faced the challenge of split venues, playing both home at Gordonvale and away across the region.

Team 1 – Ben Moore, Malachy McTaggart, Steven Pye and Daylen Maunsell – fought hard for four wins, ﬁnishing with a combined score of 111–132, while Team 2 – comprising Fraser Maguire, Dwayne Brooks, Rita Price and Jessie Pye – also secured four wins locked at 116 -116 overall.

Carl Schapel, Russell Wellby, Kevin Periera and Jack Phillips chalked up three wins as Team 3, and edged out their opponents 129 -124.

The early rounds belonged to Weipa, with three convincing victories:

• Round 1: Win versus Brothers Edmonton (away) – 59–55

• Round 2: Win versus Brothers Edmonton (home) – 76–45

• Round 3: Win versus Marlin

Coast (home) – 83–36

But the tide turned in the back half:

• Round 4: Loss versus Edge Hill Cairns (away) – 39–91

• Round 5: Loss versus Edge

Hill Cairns (home) – 29–92

• Round 6: Loss versus Marlin

Coast (away) – 57–66

It was deﬁnitely a tale of two halves in Division 1, but plenty of promise was shown by all three rinks.

Division 3 ﬁelded three fresh combinations, being Stacey Sorbello, Jamie Pye, Lynn Hill and Nicole Woodall (Team 1), Patricia Price, Amanda Edwards, Martin Bray and Angie Ibrahim (Team 2), and Jason Wild, David Tuckwood, Matt Sampson and Wayne Wilshere Cumming (Team 3).

The results did not go the way of western Cape York this time, with teams suﬀering losses to Innisfail, Atherton and Ravenshoe, but there was plenty of heart shown, and plenty to build on as the 2026 season progresses.

Back at home, the 2026

Championship calendar is already producing quality bowls and a few surprise storylines. A number of Mixed A-grade matches are still to be completed, with several tight contests expected as the draw narrows.

The date for the Triples Championship has been set for 30-31 May, with players able to nominate through the BowlsLink app.

OPEN SINGLES

Men: Winner – B. Moore; Runner-up

– C. Millard Ladies: Winner – R. Price; Runner-up – S. Sorbello

B-GRADE SINGLES

Men: Winner – J. Phillips; Runner-up

– W. Wilshere Cumming Ladies: Winner

– S. Sorbello; Runner-up – N. Woodall

C-GRADE SINGLES

Men: Winner of J. Phillips vs S. Pye to meet D. Maunsell in the ﬁnal

Ladies: Winner – S. Sorbello; Runnerup – L. Hill PAIRS

Men: Winners – B. Moore & C. Schapel; Runners-up – J. Phillips & M. Sampson Ladies: Winners – L. Hill & A. Ibrahim; Runners-up – P. Price & A. Edwards FOURS

Men: Winners – B. Moore, C. Schapel, F. Maguire, D. Brooks; Runners-up – J. Millard, C. Millard, M. Hall, S. Biddle

Ladies: Winners – R. Price, P. Price, H. Stewart, A. Edwards; Runners-up – S. Sorbello, L. Maskell, N. Woodall, E. Dall MIXED PAIRS

Winners – D. Brooks & P. Price; Runners-up – J. Millard & L. Cruse

Dawnbusters inundated with critters on course

AFTER a break in the Dawnbusters program for the Carpentaria Goodline Open, 16 golfers got a diﬃcult welcome back when they were met with March ﬂies and cyclonic wind gusts on Sunday morning.

Scott “Silent Assassin” Triﬃt managed to tame the course with an impressive 41 oﬀ the stick, though it was Hari Ginate who snagged the win with a Dawnbusters personal best of 48.

Triﬃt and Ginate both came oﬀ a win at the previous weekend’s Open, with the golfers taking out the B-grade men’s gross champion and C-grade men’s runner-up, respectively.

Ginate, now nicknamed “lost for words”, advised that he was all out of

bragging vocabulary following his acceptance speech at the Open awards night.

The Bridesmaid went to Derek Tata with an impressive 49 oﬀ the stick, which appeared to be his best performance of the past two years.

Big guns of the day were Dave Sands, taking out the men’s longest drive, and Vivian Chan with the women’s longest drive.

Sands also made Dawnbusters proud as the Open’s C-grade men’s champion, while Chan showed how it was done when she bagged the A-grade women’s champion.

After taking last week to rest, Beth Dall came back strong to reclaim the Hoﬀman’s

crown, but Nearest the Pin went begging after the magniﬁcent 16 were unable to hit the 9th green.

New members are welcome when Dawnbusters take on the back 9 on 17 May at about 6:45 am, with golfers urged to bring their own March ﬂy repellent.

SPORTS BRIEFS

Hari humbles Wackers

A BIG ﬁeld of 19 golfers vied for bragging rights on the back nine of Carpentaria Golf Club during Wackers action on 6 May.

Scott Trifﬁtt, Mick Foy and Dave Sands all carded impressive rounds off the stick, but it was Hari Ginate who won the day with a nett 28, four strokes ahead of runner-up Gary Head.

The Cape loves a good family ﬁght, and this week it was the father-and-daughter duo of Grant Crossley and Rhiannan Head slugging it out for Bradman’s honours, with the daughter taking the chocolates in a countback lesson.

Bob Marshall claimed the 15th pin prize, while Matt Byrne reminded the ﬁeld about his hot-and-cold ability with the irons by bagging the gong on the 18th.

League legends visit

THE Central Cape Suns will bring some household names to western Cape York when the club hosts an International Legends of League clash at Andoom Oval on 23 May.

Some of the players scheduled to run onto the paddock include Sam Thaiday, John Hopoate and Ben Hannant.

Players will conduct school and community visits in Weipa, Mapoon, Aurukun, New Mapoon and Napranum in the lead-up to the game.

Keep an eye on the Central Cape Suns Facebook page for details as game day approaches.

Brent ‘bridesmaid’ again

THE man who has caught more bouquets than any other golfer on Cape York did it again last weekend when players contested the Cooktown Golf Club May Monthly Medal.

Graham Burton took home the winner’s chocolates with a sharp nett 65, with Brent “I’m Sick of Catching Flowers” Hetaraka had to settle for another billing as bridesmaid three strokes behind on nett 68.

GB also claimed the pin prize on 2/11, with Terry Young nearly jarring one on 9/18.

Golfers are reminded they can still register for the 2026 Cooktown Open, to be held on 27-28 June, by emailing cooktowngccaptain@gmail.com.

Whether on their home turf or not, Weipa lawn bowlers are producing standout performances on the greens. Photo: Supplied

Bridesmaid Derek Tata and winner Hari Ginate. Photo supplied.

by CHISA HASEGAWA

CAMARADERIE and community spirit

on the field have set the tone for a competitive footy season ahead in the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA).

The 2026 NPA Regional Rugby League (NPARRL) season kicked off in style with a 9s carnival on 2 May, bringing footy back to the region as the Bamaga Roos, Alau Eagles and Injinoo Crocs battled it out for bragging rights.

Green was the new gold when the Injinoo Crocs came out on top, setting the bar high before the weekly 13-a-side season started on 9 May.

Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council sport and recreational coordinator Bewan Idai said the 9s carnival was used to gauge player interest and deter-

mine whether competitive footy still had a place in the region.

“It has been some time since we have had community footy, but despite this, all the teams showed flashes of strong football,” he said.

“One of the most noticeable things was the return of that ‘footy atmosphere’, with players, supporters, officials and volunteers all helping create what was a great event with a great atmosphere throughout the day.

“NPA is passionate about their footy, and if the opening weekend is anything to go by, Cape York footy is in for a big year.”

Idai said the excitement was high in the lead-up to a new season after the strong turnout and calibre of football displayed at the opening carnival.

“When you are at events like this, you see that it is more than just rugby league. It is community coming together, it is community spirit, and it is the lifeblood of NPA,” he said.

“It is a strong reminder of how important community sport is.

“On the day, I actually drove around the Yusia Ginau Oval grounds, and there were well over 130 vehicles, with the grandstands filled with families.”

The 2026 footy season will welcome a fourth team, the New Mapoon Warriors. Though the players were all in loan uniforms for the carnival, with the lineup now finalised, an order of fresh jerseys is on its way to the NPA for players to represent their teams with pride.

It is shaping up to be a huge year for Cape York footy after strong interest and skills were displayed at the NPA 9s rugby league carnival.

The Injinoo Crocs set the standard for the return of community footy when they triumphed at the NPA 9s rugby league carnival. Photos: Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council.