WEIPA DRESSES TO IMPRESS AT POPULAR CABARET FUNDRAISER
Weipa’s much-loved Wine by the Sea kindy fundraiser drew a big crowd for a ‘spectacular’ sell-out evening of fire eating, burlesque and jaw-dropping flexibility. Story and pictures page 15.
Healthcare workers going above and beyond to improve the lives of patients and their loved ones have been recognised in Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service’s first-ever Nursing and Midwifery Awards. Story and pictures page 9.
THROUGH love, grief and plenty of hard work, a Cooktown man has become the latest addition to the local allied health team to help his community as a social worker.
Proud Aboriginal father Nash Snider, who raised ve daughters while completing his Master’s in Social Work, commenced in the role at Cooktown Multipurpose Health Service earlier this year
Iraci Ave, Evans Landing Mob: 0429 003 743
after graduating from James Cook University.
It completed an incredible, and at times challenging and heartbreaking, journey for Mr Snider, who was left to raise the girls on his own after the death of his partner eight years ago.
A sel ess soul, Mr Snider said he had always been drawn to social work, having previously contributed to the establish-
ment of an Indigenous drug and alcohol family residential rehabilitation service in Cooktown.
“Social work always helped me – I’ve always worked to support my family culture, land and kinship, and I’ve always been drawn to being able to help people,” he said.
“It’s also good to be a good role model to my daughters.”
Mr Snider got his start as an allied health assistant within Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS), before progressing through the First Nations Graduate Pathway as a social worker.
TCHHS acting executive director allied health Jennifer Mann said the pathway had been established to provide opportunities for First Nations people to commence allied health careers.
“Nash is our third clinician who has joined TCHHS via this pathway, and the rst social worker,” she said.
“It is a wonderful way to not only provide these opportunities, but also to increase the number of First Nations staff within our organisation, which is so important for cultural and clinical safety.
“We are so proud of Nash for all that he has achieved, and believe he could go on to be a leader within our allied health team.”
by LUKE MORTIMER
MORE than 110 new homes are set to be built across the Northern Peninsula Area as residential lots are made available in fresh estates.
Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC) has started initial work on making 114 new home lots available across the region, starting with the clearing of Injinoo Housing Subdivision by local staff.
The subdivision will provide space for 21 new family-size homes.
Following the early development work at Injinoo, NPARC will begin preparing space for a 32-house estate at New Mapoon and an estate the same size at Seisia.
Minimal clearing will be required for nine more residential lots at Umagico and 20 lots at Bamaga.
NPARC Mayor Robert Poi Poi visited the Injinoo estate site with Injinoo councillor David Byrne and the council’s works team.
“The development work is being delivered by NPARC staff with council equipment – and is the rst time in many years that local council staff or local Indigenous contractors have been given responsibility for such works,” Mr Poi Poi said.
Mr Poi Poi thanked the Queensland Government on behalf of the council for funding assistance and what he described as a valuable partnership and investment in the Northern Peninsula communities of remote Cape York.
“These vital works will make such a positive contribution to our community,” he said.
Langtree and RPS Tetra Tech urban development consultants will be working on the design of the Injinoo housing project, which includes the involvement of the state Department of Housing and Public Works.
by LUKE MORTIMER and CHISA HASEGAWA
THE 2026-27 Federal Budget includes some wins for the Cape, but there’s plenty more funding gaps to ll.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers delivered the budget on 12 May with a focus on withstanding the global oil shock and reforms to housing, taxation and healthcare.
There’s no mention of funding for Stage 3 of the Cape York Region Package (CYRP) in papers, or of Peninsula Development Road (PDR).
There is a Queensland road funding pool and negotiations have been underway between the State and Federal governments for the $240 million of Commonwealth cash needed for CYRP Stage 3.
Leichhardt MP Matt Smith said the budget was positive for the Cape, but it was “always going to be a budget big on national things”.
“The thing about the PDR is that even if we were given four-and-a-half, ve billion dollars tomorrow to do it, it will still take ve to 10 years to complete,” he said.
“You know, it’s a big project, it’s a complicated project ... even if all the money suddenly arrived, we wouldn’t know where to spend it, how to spend it. So we’ll get this bit done and then we’ll continue to have the battle.
“The thing about the PDR and the thing that I keep saying down here in Canberra, and it’s getting through, is that all the business cases in the world are ne, but the PDR is a moral responsibility that the Federal Government has to the communities of Cape York.”
Mr Smith said CYRP Stage 2 work was ongoing and “we’re going to do the bit that’s in front of us right now, that we’ve got the money to do” before “continuing those conversations”.
He pointed out funding for the Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme, The Clontarf Foundation and for Australian Border Force to combat illegal shing.
Another budget commitment listed involves funding for “progression of the World Heritage listing” for the region. $3.1m is allocated for Queensland-wide bids in 202627.
Meanwhile, Torres Strait Regional Authority will receive $73.1m in 2026-27 and there’s $5.8m for the management of Torres Strait/Papua New Guinea cross-border health issues at Queensland Health facilities.
Cape and Torres Health Commissioning Ltd will receive $1m in 2026-27. There’s also $1m for mosquito control
in transport hubs of the Torres Strait Protected Zone and $1.1m to tackle bloodborne viruses and sexually transmissible infections (STIs) in the Torres Strait.
When it comes to the Great Barrier Reef, there’s $56.9m over two years from 2026-27 to speed up outcomes under the Reef 2050 Long-term Sustainability Plan.
The ght against invasive yellow crazy ants will continue with $8.9m budgeted from 2026-28.
While not speci cally Cape funding, $110.8m will be used over two years from 2026-27 to extend the Saving Native Species program and on H5 bird u preparedness efforts.
A funding commitment for preventative health will be extended a year and there’s national funding for Indigenous boarding schools, birthing on Country and dialysis services.
General funding includes $229.3m for multipurpose precincts across regional, rural and remote Australia and a $2 billion national Local Infrastructure Fund for housing infrastructure.
Cook Shire Council Mayor Robyn Holmes said it was “a bit disappointing” to see no mention of Cape road funding in the budget.
While she waits to hear more, Ms Holmes said her
council would like more consultation about Stage 3.
“Cook Shire hasn’t had input into that and that’s what’s disappointing for me because we host the whole of the unsealed section of the PDR,” she said.
Ms Holmes was pleased Mr Smith was pushing hard for funding. The Queensland Government has already allocated $60m.
“I have some really good conversations with him, so I’m kind of hoping he nds a way,” she said.
Ms Holmes said the council could help outline priorities, cost-saving opportunities and the social importance of improvements.
“ ... there’s a lot of money to be saved in the works that happen on the PDR,” she said.
Ms Holmes said she understood “these things take time”, but hoped the entire PDR would be sealed sooner rather than later.
The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) welcomed funding to boost housing investment and development, but warned funding shortfalls threatened everyday council services.
Ms Holmes echoed the LGAQ and said money for Coen Water Treatment Plant work “is probably the top of the list”.
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Make: Ssangyong
Model: Korando
Colour: White
Registration Number: DQJ39U
Date impounded: 6 May 2026
Location impounded from: Charles St Cooktown
Notice is hereby given that the following vehicle has been impounded in accordance with Section 100 of Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995
The owner or person entitled to possession of this vehicle is requested to contact Cook Shire Council on 07 4082 0500 to arrange for its release.
Conditions for Release:
1 Production of identification and proof of ownership (e.g., registration papers, statutory declaration).
2 Payment of all release fees (as per Council’s fee and charges schedule)
Final Notice: If the vehicle is not claimed and the applicable fees are not paid by 4:45 pm on Friday 19 June 2026, the vehicle will be disposed of in accordance with the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995.
• Delivering new classrooms at Cairns State Special School
• Upgrading six community halls in Far North Queensland
• Upgrading the lighting at Cooktown Oval
• Upgrading Jeff Pezzutti Park Youth Activities Space
• Upgrading Cairns Western Arterial Road
Find out what else we’re delivering for you.
As well as delivering emergency communication between Cooktown and Cairns, here are some of the ways the new Queensland Government is delivering for Far North Queensland:
• Upgrading Barlow Park and the Manunda Sports Precinct for 2032 and beyond
• Delivering public transport for Babinda, Dimbulah and Ravenshoe
• Upgrading Cairns’ Queensland Ambulance Service Operational Centre
• Upgrading the Cooktown Multipurpose Health Service Facility.
A 13-YEAR-OLD Bamaga boy has become the youngest ever artist to have a design featured on the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys annual Indigenous apparel range.
NRL Cowboys House boarder and Year 8 student Pryce Mara created the design as part of the NRL Cowboys House cultural program.
His artwork will adorn the 2026 Cowboys Indigenous jersey and NRL Cowboys House polo and singlet.
“This is my first proper art piece,” Pryce said.
“I feel proud – and a little bit shy at the same time.
“When I think of home, these are the images that come to mind. It felt like the design just came to me.
“I hope people see that I’m young, that I represent both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and that people think it looks good.”
When he’s not working on his art, the Kirwan State High School student enjoys playing basketball and dreams of one day playing in the NBA. He also likes fishing, gaming and spending time with friends.
Pryce’s design was unveiled at the NRL Cowboys House Kit Launch earlier this month and the artist told students, family, staff and supporters the story of how his design came to be.
Titled Ngaw Gidha (My Story), the artwork reflects his identity as both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and tells the story of his connection to Bamaga and the Torres Strait Islands.
Pryce, guided by his uncle Edmond, was inspired by his family, Country and the place he calls home when creating his design.
He continues to learn about cultural storytelling through art while juggling school, basketball and boarding life in Townsville.
Cowboys Community Foundation chief executive officer Fiona Pelling said the selection was a special achievement and a proud moment for his family, community at home and the broader Cowboys family.
“We’re incredibly proud of Pryce and the way he has shared his story through this artwork,” she said.
“This design is thoughtful, authentic and full of pride in culture and identity, and it’s amazing to see someone so young create something with such meaning.
“NRL Cowboys House is all about creating opportunities for young people to grow in confidence, stay connected to culture and pursue their passions, and Pryce is a wonderful example of that.
“To see one of our students become the youngest designer in the history of the Cowboys Indigenous range is really special for everyone connected to the program.”
North Queensland Cowboys chief executive officer Micheal Luck said the club was excited to showcase the artwork on one of the most significant jerseys of the season.
“The design is really striking and has such a strong story behind it,” he said.
“Pryce has created something incredibly meaningful that represents both his culture and his journey, and I know our players are going to love wearing it.
“It’s fantastic to see a young person from NRL Cowboys House given the opportunity to share his story on such a big stage.”
The 2026 Indigenous range is due to be available at the Cowboys Team Shop from early July.
The launch was supported by sleeve sponsor Australian Reinforcing Company and shorts sponsor Training and Personnel Australia.
THIS artwork tells my story – where I come from and who I am. The bottom part of the design, in red, brown and yellow, represents the mainland at Bamaga, the tip of Australia, where I’m from. The top part, in blues and greens, represents the Torres Strait Islands – Badu, Mabuiag and Saibai – where my family bloodlines come from. I am both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, so this design shows the connection between land and sea, and how both are part of me. When I think of home, these are the images that come to mind. I included the shape of Australia and the dhoeri, the Torres Strait Islander headdress, because they are important symbols of my culture and identity. The patterns across the artwork represent culture and storytelling. I’m still learning what they all mean in my culture. When people see my design, I hope they see that I’m young, that I represent both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and that I’m proud of who I am.
by CHISA HASEGAWA
THE rumbling of Cooktown’s iconic hot pink four-wheel drive marks the start of the unmissable Cape York Automotive Muster, and sponsors are needed to ensure the event returns bigger and better than ever.
Held during the Cooktown Discovery Festival each year, the popular event brings together car enthusiasts from across the region over three days of engine-charged madness.
Muster organiser Lauren Bowyer – owner of the hot pink four-wheel drive – said the popular event would see annual favourites
and new faces chasing a ribbon and prize over several new categories this year.
“Every year, I’m trying to make sure I can cater to everyone, so it’s not just the fourwheel drives,” she said.
“Most car shows will cater to a certain type of vehicle, whether it be your vintage vehicles or your hot rods, whereas my vehicle show has everything.
“There’s something for everybody, which I think is what appeals to a lot of people who go to these places. They want to travel the distance, but also have more than just one category to be interested in.”
As a family-friendly event, a fun new addition in the 2026 category line-up will be the Best Remote Control Vehicle category for youngsters up to 15 years old.
Ms Bowyer said along with a community benefit grant from the local RSL Memorial Club, as well as major support from a Tullylocal attendee, she would love to have more local businesses on board to support the event.
“I grew up at Cape Flattery Silica Mines, and coming to the Discovery Festival was a highlight of our year,” she said.
“I’ve sort of set this car show up in a way that caters to the locals – the people that
have been here for years – and give them something to be interested in.
“Sponsorships, in the way of prizes that I can give out, that’s what keeps the contestants coming, which in turn, brings a bigger crowd to our Discovery Festival weekend, so anything that they can provide in the way of prizes would be fantastic.”
Sponsors for the event will also be helping the muster support the Cancer Council of Australia.
“Last year, I raised $1000, and this year, I’m hoping to go above and beyond that amount,” Ms Bowyer said.
by CHISA HASEGAWA
A GROUP that started as a couple of Cooktown ladies having fun and performing for their community is now holding its own alongside some of the top burlesque names in the state.
Maeham Productions was recently nominated in several categories at the Icon Burlesque Awards Queensland, with the Bellahdi Dance Troupe making the list for Best Group, and founder Jasmine “Madam Maeham” Sieverding recognised in the Best Teacher, Spirit of the Community, Best Producer, Best
Neo Performer, Performer of the Year, and Best Creative categories.
Though they did not come out on top this time, Ms Sieverding said it was an honour just to be nominated as a new troupe from a remote community.
“It was really, really cool, given that we’ve only been performing a lot since last year,” she said.
“I think there has been an acknowledgement from the community and from other people in the burlesque community, in particular, of what we’ve been able to achieve in such a remote space with limited settings.
“We don’t have a proper burlesque school here, we don’t have a dance studio here, we are literally just making do with whatever we’ve got.
“It’s definitely made the local girls want to take it further, and want to push themselves more artistically as well.”
With the Bellahdi dancers gaining recognition in the Queensland performing arts space, Ms Sieverding said the next logical step was to form a production company to utilise different performers within the group and outside.
“The Bellahdi Dance Troupe will be how the girls perform when we’re together, but we are now performing under Maeham Productions,” she said.
“I’m performing a lot on my own now as well, and we wanted to shift more into an arts collective space.
“Right now, we’re focusing on bringing more talent from around Queensland, and encouraging more performers in the Cape to get out there, have some fun and come to Cooktown.”
She said a big catalyst for the change was her experience at Apprentease earlier this year, a burlesque competition in Brisbane for new and semi-established artists, where Madam Maeham was crowned runner-up against talent from across Queensland.
“We had a whole heap of amazing performers who are reasonably big names in the industry going,
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‘Oh my god, there’s a dance scene in Cooktown, we want to come up and perform’, so we’ve had that shift to be able to include them,”
Ms Sieverding said.
“Nobody even knew where Cooktown was when I first got there, and now we’ve got a show coming up in July, and we’ll have a whole heap of new performers from Cairns and probably Brisbane coming up.
“It’s amazing that it’s gone from a thing we did for fun to perform, essentially, once a year, to a production company where the empowerment and the fun and the connection with other people has spread throughout the Cape, and hopefully, by the end of the year, throughout the state.”
The performer said she had
been loving the behind-the-scenes aspects of entertainment, adding that the Best Teacher, Spirit of the Community and Best Producer nominations were particularly special.
“I was quite taken aback by the recognition of that side of things, and knowing that it’s appreciated that I’ve been able to create a space where we have a burlesque community up here now,” she said.
“Performing is lovely, it’s a great thrill and I love doing it, but my priority is to create an art space up here that didn’t use to be accessible to people, that is welcoming to everyone, and makes people feel not like they can just come up and see a show, but they can be part of a show and express themselves creatively.”
by CHISA HASEGAWA
THE best of the best in Cape York and Torres Strait healthcare have been recognised in the region’s inaugural Nursing and Midwifery Awards.
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) shone a spotlight on three caring and capable nurses and midwives last week, presenting awards in the Nurse of the Year, Midwife of the Year, and Early Career Nurse or Midwife of the Year categories.
TCHHS executive director nursing and midwifery services Jacob Walsh said the winners were at the top of their profession.
“Nursing is invisible at times, so I don’t know that nurses and midwives really expect recognition, so to be able to call out people who do amazing work every day is very important,” he said.
“You see everything in our primary healthcare centres and in our hospitals before they get out to a tertiary centre for stabilisation or further treatment, so you’re really on the front line of what nurses and midwives can do.
“I think for us, what we were looking for is someone who embodies the profession, so comes to work every day to do the very best that they can and deliver highquality care.”
Award winners were nominated by their peers and judged by Mr Walsh, Queensland Health acting chief nurse officer Dr Karen Slater, TCHHS director of nursing First Nations Hylda Poipoi, and TCHHS director of midwifery Michelle O’Connor.
Boigu Island’s Beth Johnson was named the 2026 Nurse of the Year, and was surprised in her community in time for International Nurses Day.
“She’s been a nurse for 50 years, and the last 15 years have basically been the clinical backbone of Boigu Island,” Mr Walsh said.
“She would probably not realise this about herself, but people say
that to work alongside her is to get a master class in what it is to be a remote area nurse.
“She flies under the radar, so she’s one of those people who it was an absolute joy to surprise her and be able to say to her, you’re our Nurse of the Year, you’re the very best of us, you embody everything that we do at this place or that we strive to do, and you do it well.”
As Cooktown looks to return birthing services to the community, Mr Walsh congratulated midwifery unit manager Debbie Bannan on receiving the Midwife of the Year award.
“She’s a new midwifery leader, but has completely reimagined midwifery services in Cooktown,” he said.
“She’s made all the appropriate links clinically, and she’s doing that in the community as well, so that people have a visible representation of midwifery services in that part of our HHS.
“She’s a midwife because she understands and recognises the privilege of what it means to support a woman bringing new life to the world, and how much of a massive moment that is in a woman’s life.”
Early Career Nurse/Midwife of the Year Katrina Pearson, a homegrown midwife from the Torres Strait, was described as an “amazing emerging leader”.
“Her practice, her sense of calm, her ability to navigate difficult clinical situations, and respectfully communicate the women’s needs and be an advocate is far beyond her years of practice,” Mr Walsh said.
“This award was to recognise
that, and to say, we see you, we know your story, and we want to celebrate you, because you are exactly the type of person that Torres and Cape wants in the health service.”
He said the award winners were just the tip of the iceberg when it came to talent in the region.
“They’re just the top of the amazing team that we have that works in our part of the world, and
it’s exciting to be able to recognise that,” he said.
“I can’t wait until next year, because the talent is deep here, and we need to share that with the community more, so that they know when they walk into hospitals and primary healthcare centres, they’re seeing some of Queensland and Australia’s most highly-trained, most capable, and most skilled nurses and midwives.”
by LUKE MORTIMER
A CAPE York beef cattle operation – one of the biggest in the country – has made changes to procedures after a helicopter pilot fatally crashed while flying at night during a bushfire without proper qualifications, according to the national transport safety investigator.
It comes as the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has been investigating or has recently wrapped up probes into a string of separate peninsula and Torres Strait helicopter safety incidents between October last year and March this year.
The ATSB’s latest report examines the cattle station crash involving a Robinson R22 Beta II on the evening of 9 October last year, which claimed the life of a 27-year-old man.
The chopper was being used to guide ground vehicles fighting a bushfire on a Rutland Plains station owned by MDH Pty Ltd about 25 km south to south-east of Kowanyama.
It was at about 7:20 pm when the pilot told colleagues on the ground he was going to return to the station because it was getting too dark.
The station’s helipad was lit up for the chopper’s arrival, but it never arrived.
Tragically, the wreckage of the helicopter and the fatally injured pilot were discovered the next morning.
The ATSB determined the helicopter’s last recorded movement was at 7:29 pm – which was 37 minutes after last light and 12 minutes after nautical twilight.
It was later found the pilot was not qualified to fly at night and the helicopter was not properly equipped for such flights.
The ATSB discovered it had been “normal for MDH helicopter pilots to exceed the limits of last light”.
“An ATSB analysis of historical flight tracking data showed 39 occasions in the previous six months where MDH pilots flew beyond the legal minimums into night,” the bureau said in a statement.
ATSB Chief Commissioner
Angus Mitchell said: “Instead of observing the legal limits, pilots chose their own limits, despite none of the company’s R22 pilots being qualified for night flight, and none of its R22 helicopters being equipped for night flight.
“Flying after last light was a tolerated and unmanaged risk,” he said.
“Flying after last light without appropriate equipment and qualifications is unsafe.
“The acceptance and normalisa-
tion of flying after last light is leading pilots to fatal accidents.”
Mr Mitchell said the crash was the fourth similar fatal accident in Australia during the past five years.
MDH now requires pilots to determine the official time of last light. Station managers and pilots must make sure choppers are grounded before dark.
Mr Mitchell said requiring pilots to operate helicopters during the day and planning to land 10 minutes before last light gave pilots reliable and sufficient external visual references.
“Pilots and the companies or landowners they work for or contract to must work together to avoid flight at night by unqualified, unequipped pilots,” he said.
“Development of risk management practices in any organisation should be an ongoing activity. It should develop an ability across all parties to document operational risks and codify learnings from operations.”
Pre-flight planning by MDH pilots now includes considering fatigue, including rest and duty times, as well as specific risk assessment criteria.
Since the crash, MDH has put in place a mentoring scheme to assist and supervise pilots involved in aerial mustering operations.
In recent days, the ATSB released its final report into the ditching of a Robinson R44 operated by GBR Helicopters during a flight from Thursday Island (Waiben) to Coconut Island (Poruma) on 8 October last year – a day before the fatal crash near Kowanyama.
The ATSB has also been investigating why a Bell LongRanger
Rio Tinto Weipa will be undertaking capital dredging at the Amrun Port from early May 2026 until late July 2026.
Dredge vessels have restricted manoeuvring capability.
An exclusion zone applies for all boats operating within the vicinity of dredging activities. Please take care and notice of all warning flags and lights.
Dredging is being carried out to create an additional berth pocket, and deepen and widen the Amrun Port departure channel and existing berth pocket.
Environmental controls and management measures will be implemented throughout the program to minimise the risk of any potential impact on the marine environment.
May – July 2026 For more information,
chopper operated by Fortescue Helicopters lost control at about 91m in the air a short time after taking off from Thursday Island on 6 January this year, with dodgy fuel flagged as a possible cause.
The ATSB was also considering whether to investigate after a helicopter “rolled” over during takeoff at Weipa Airport on 27 March.
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
by LUKE MORTIMER
CAPE residents and visitors are encouraged to get involved in the Tangaroa Blue Foundation’s upcoming beach clean ups, which will remove a huge amount of rubbish washed up across the peninsula.
The not-for-profit is currently gauging interest and will be taking cars of volunteers up from Cairns to meet with local rangers, schools, community groups and others keen to get stuck in.
The Old Mapoon Clean up will be held from 15 June to 19 June, while the Chilli Beach Clean up will be carried out from 20 July to
24 July and the Five Beaches Loop Clean up will keep attendees busy from 31 August to 4 September.
Tangaroa Blue senior operations coordinator Ebony Bail said more than 10 tonnes of plastic debris was removed from Cape beaches and taken to recycling facilities last year.
“We work very closely with traditional owners and the local Indigenous ranger groups to deliver the events. And we also have community members, businesses, government departments — we have lots of different partners come and join us for either a day or some of the days,” she said.
“If anybody sees a Tangaroa Blue clean up happening, they’re more than welcome to stop, ask questions, grab some bags and gloves, and join in.
“We’re really happy for anybody interested to contact us and join. We have the option for people to drive themselves to a location, they don’t have to come in our vehicles, and can still camp with us and everything.”
Ms Bail said the annual clean ups were usually a bit of fun too.
“There’s nothing like getting stuck into tons of marine debris. That is a bonding experience,” she said.
Tangaroa Blue founder, director and chief executive officer Heidi Tait said in late April that more than 50 tonnes of marine debris had been removed from Chilli Beach alone since the first community clean up there in 2012.
Ms Bail said: “Last year our number one found item was plastic lids and pots. Number two was plastic drink bottles and number three was foam insulation and packaging. Yeah, so anything really that floats. We get a lot of plastic.”
“We categorise all the marine debris that we find to be included in the Australian Marine Debris Initiative database, or AMDI database.
“Tangaroa Blue’s motto is ‘If all we ever do is clean, that’s all we’ll ever do’. So it just is really important for us to use the AMDI database to create reduction plans and try and stop marine debris at its source.”
Tangaroa Blue created the AMDI database to record marine debris and litter. More than 30 million pieces of debris have been recorded since 2004 and about 20,000 people inputted data last year.
For more information about the Cape beach clean ups, or to get involved, email ebony@tangaroablue.org.
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
by LUKE MORTIMER
THE man behind Weipa’s only pharmacy has urged residents and the wider Cape community to take advantage of free flu vaccinations as dry season tourism ramps up.
Some children can even avoid the jab altogether thanks to a newly available needlefree nasal spray flu vaccine for eligible kids aged between 2 and 5.
Jamie Sutton, pharmacist-in-charge of Northpharm Weipa Pharmacy, said he was pleased to see more people being vaccinated for influenza, which could prove fatal in severe cases.
A total of 66 people had received vaccinations at the pharmacy as of Wednesday (13 May), compared to 26 at the same time last year.
It comes as a new and highly contagious strain known as ‘Super K’ has been circulating in Queensland.
More than 280 people died of the flu and more than 9100 people were hospitalised in the state last year, according to Queensland Health data.
The vast majority (about 80 per cent) of those recorded as coming down with the flu – more than 95,500 people – were not vaccinated.
The state has been running the Free Flu Vaccination Program to boost immunity ahead of peak flu season and the Weipa pharmacy is taking part. Anyone aged six months and older can receive their annual shot free until 30 September.
Mr Sutton said it was particularly important to get vaccinated in Weipa.
“The dominant flu strain changes every year. And Weipa has a really transient population,” he said.
“Oh mate, there’s always something [going on in town]. Whether it’s the Fishing Classic, or the Rodeo, or the big Pig Hunt, or the Running Festival.
“Whenever you get people sort of coming in from all over the place and staying in Weipa for any length of time, they bring with
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)
them germs and bugs from other parts of the state, country and the world. So it’s important that we sort of stay on top of the latest and greatest variant of the flu that’s getting around and we vaccinate against that.
“We’re busy every day with the vaccinations. From the littlies right through to the oldies.”
Mr Sutton said the flu vaccination protected the immunocompromised and “pockets of the population that are quite vulnerable”.
“There’s a lot of people who have had kidney transplants [living locally],” he said.
First Nations Australians are at heightened risk of worse outcomes from acute respiratory diseases, including bad cases of the flu, and almost one in five Weipa residents identified as Indigenous at the last Census.
When it comes to vaccinating younger members of the community, Mr Sutton said the FluMist nasal vaccine took some of the stress out of the experience.
“No such thing as a drama-free immunisation with a four-year-old,” he laughed.
The pharmacy boss, who took on the job in August last year, said he enjoyed being a “problem solver” at work and helping customers in Weipa.
Mr Sutton said it seemed “there’s two kinds of people” in town – “those that have stayed for three months and those that have stayed for 30 years”.
“It can be a bit of a shock coming to a little town like Weipa. But the town has been really good, the people have been really friendly and embracing,” he said.
“We don’t get many idiots like you do in a big town. I think the people here realise that we’re needed and appreciated and that sort of stuff.
“But it goes both ways, the people here make working here a pleasure.”
Northpharm Weipa Pharmacy is at Shop 4 in the Heritage Shopping Centre, Nanum. Visit the store or phone the team on 07 4069 7412 to book a free flu shot or other appointment.
Please be advised that access to Thanikwithi 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
FOR
Please call our feedback hotline 1800 820 711 or RTAWeipafeedback@riotinto com
THE revamp of a vital healthcare facility servicing one of the most populated islands in the Torres Strait has been finished.
Darnley Island (Erub) Primary Health Care Centre on the waterfront at The Esplanade was battered by the extreme marine conditions and a bit worse for wear.
Torres and Cape Hospital & Health Service (TCHHS) engaged a contractor for a full roof replacement across the centre, morgue and staff accommodation, which were constructed in the early 2000s.
On May 13, TCHHS announced refurbishments were finished and delivered “important upgrades for staff and the local community”.
The upgrades “will help protect the buildings from the harsh marine environment while supporting safer, more reliable healthcare delivery”.
Queensland Health workers who live on-site will enjoy better day-to-day living and working conditions. The centre is also serviced by visiting specialists and community health providers.
Darnley Island, which is about 3 km long by 2 km wide, is part of the Torres Strait’s eastern group of islands and has a fairly transient population of about 300.
call
by CHISA HASEGAWA
AFTER a night of awe-inspiring fire eating, mindblowing flexibility and cabaret fashion for the ages, Weipa is now in recovery mode post-Wine by the Sea on 16 May.
The coveted Weipa Community Kindergarten fundraiser brought together 300 locals, and though the total is still being finalised, the event raked in more than $20,000 for the community’s children.
Bringing this year’s Cirque Du Cabaret theme to life was the Bellahdi Dance Troupe from Cooktown’s Maeham Productions, catching attendees’ eyes with burlesque numbers, flamboyant costumes and fireeating acts.
Wine by the Sea committee member Bethany King said the Weipa community was blown away by leader Jasmine “Madam Maeham” Sieverding and the dancers.
“People were yelling at me during the show, looking at me going ‘what the hell, thank you so much, how did you get these guys here?’,” she said.
“It was beyond anyone’s expectations on how professional and how incredible all the girls were. It was just spectacular, and it had everyone captivated.
“Even from the performers’ side of it, they were
saying that it was one of the best crowds they’ve had – the engagement, the cheering and support was pretty special.”
The Weipa Gymnastics Club’s new acro and aero group, the Weipa Wildcats, also wowed audiences with tricks and flips at their debut performance.
The club brought gymnastics back to the community in 2024, but ran coachless for 18 months and was at risk of folding before head coach Tracey Small put her hand up for the job.
“It’s been quite a few years since gymnastics has done any kind of a public display – I would say more than 10,” she said.
“My hair stood up; We actually finished the whole thing off on the Friday night before the event, so I could not have been prouder of the work they put in to finish that extra minute.”
Alongside their performance, coach Small said she was extremely proud of how much the girls supported one another, from cheering each other on, adapting to changes after a teammate was injured, and ensuring all the girls felt included.
“The camaraderie that they’ve built in this group is better than any of my other groups, and that’s pretty high,” she said.
Fill in the blank cells using numbers from 1 to 9. Each number can only appear once in each row, column and 3x3 block.
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.
*
*
one nine letter word
* No swear words
* No verb forms or plurals ending in
* No proper nouns and no hyphenated words
Good: 9 words FOCUS Very good: 15 words Excellent: 30 words
Macquarie Concise Dictionary Focus
4110
WITH winter in the air, 15 golfers were greeted with cool conditions when they took on the back nine of Carpentaria Golf Club for the latest Dawnbusters showdown on 17 May.
Dave Sands looked to be in the lead with his Dawnbusters personal best of 42 off the stick, but a win at the Weipa Open C-grade division resulted in a significant slashing of his handicap to 17, and he missed out on Sunday’s top honours.
Grant Crossley was hot on his heels with a 43 off the stick, but it was Beth Dall who took the win for the day with a nett of 18.
Dall, who is a regular wearer of the Hoffman’s crown, refused to share the love despite her win, and walked away with two trophies.
When asked about her win, Dall said she threw caution to the wind and forgot everything her husband Jon had ever told her about golf, instead favouring tips from lessons she had taken with Derek Tata the week before.
Jim “Lefty” Lucas netted 20, two shots behind Dall, to take the Bridemaid, while Oliver Tata claimed the pin prize.
Big hitters of the day were Scott “Silent Assassin” Triffitt and Viv-
ian Chan, who took out the men’s and women’s longest drives, respectively.
Dawnbusters welcomed Tim Ives for his first of many games on Sunday, and Viv Dick playing his first round in six months following a break from the game.
Dawnbusters will take on the front nine on 24 May, with an expected tee-off time of about 6:45 am.
by JACK HIGH
JACK Phillips has booked his place in the Weipa Bowls Club C-Grade final after producing a determined comeback performance to defeat Steven “Chilli” Pye 27–19 in a thrilling semi-final encounter.
The match, played in front of an attentive crowd, had all the ingredients of a classic contest, with momentum swings, pressure bowls, and high-quality shotmaking throughout.
Early in the game, it was Pye who looked firmly in control. Chilli settled quickly and used accurate draw bowling,
by CHISA HASEGAWA
A BUMPER field of 85 participants made the most of a stunning Weipa morning when they contested parkrun #470 on 16 May.
Visitor Trev Staader, who was one of seven first timers in the field, made his maiden appearance his own by conquering the 5-kilometre course in a time of 19 minutes, 52 seconds to be the first participant to greet the timekeepers.
Jordyn Mulherin was the first female to stop the clock in a time of 23:03.
Saturday was a big day for personal best performances, with Clayton Morrison, Connor Clay-Taylor, Lewis Haslop, Jarrod Prakelt, Riley Weidman, Jordan Buckley, Tamara Lambert, Hadley Fielding, Michael Rex, Leah Derby, May-Ann Thompson, Archie Waia, Sophia Rex and Biko Fielding the 14 parkrunners to celebrate an eventbest time.
Nicola Campbe, Amanda Allender, Lizzy Polak, Fiona Dyer, Andrew O’Day, Nanthini Kanthan, Keira Fogary and Rebekah Laurisden volunteered to ensure the large field stayed on track as they pounded the pavement.
The Queensland Teachers Union threw some snags on the barbecue to feed participants, while Cappaeccino Crew ensured everyone was on a caffeine high.
With the 2026 Weipa Running Festival now only 10 weeks away, parkrun crowds are tipped to continue nudging triple figures as nominees ramp up their training for western Cape York’s running spectacular.
You can join the fun by being at the hospital roundabout in Nanum by 7am every Saturday morning.
along with strong conversion shots, to race to a 10–4 lead after the opening nine ends. At that stage, Phillips appeared to be under enormous pressure as Pye dictated the pace and consistently forced his opponent onto the back foot.
But Phillips showed tremendous resilience and refused to let the match slip away. Gradually working himself back into contention, he began to tighten the heads and pick up valuable multiple counts to reduce the deficit end by end.
As the match entered its closing stages, the atmosphere around the green intensified, with spectators closely following every
bowl. Despite Pye’s efforts to halt the momentum shift, Phillips maintained his composure under pressure and delivered several crucial bowls when they mattered most.
The eventual 27–19 scoreline reflected the persistence and determination shown by Phillips in a match that could easily have gone either way.
The contest was played in excellent spirit and proved a fitting semi-final showcase for C-Grade bowls.
Phillips will now face Daylen Maunsell in the final, with the date yet to be confirmed, in what promises to be another outstanding clash.
A WIN may be on its way at last for Cooktown Golf Club’s perpetual ‘bridesmaid’ after a solid round 2 performance at the club championships on 16 May. Taking out the men’s A-grade division, Brent Hetaraka has one hand firmly on the cup to hold future bouquets going into the final round. The B-grade division looks to be Devo Butler’s to lose, with a tidy 76 and no real challenges putting him comfortably in the lead. C-grade will be where the battle happens, with top three players Wal Welsh, Steve “Pom” Kennett and Aaron “Slippery Grips” Hobbs hot on each other’s heels. While Al Burton came out as the women’s top contender, it was Tanya Stewart who impressed fellow golfers with her performance, taking out the first Nearest the Pin prize of the year, smashing her personal best and leaving the rest of the field questioning everything from the club to the wind to their life choices.
ANOTHER big field of 19 Weipa Wackers vied for bragging rights on the front nine of Carpentaria Golf Club on 13 May. Bob Marshall, Scott Triffit and Dave Sands all carded impressive rounds off the stick, but were overshadowed by Paiwan Lui and his sensational 42. Carolyn Head’s new personal best of 52 off the stick earned her the runner-up prize. Despite a solid gross score, Les Sariman only managed to take out the Bradman’s category with an unhelpful handicap of two. Rob Richardson landed within 30 centimetres of the 7th flag, securing a birdie on the hole, while no Wackers managed to find the 9th green.
NOMINATIONS are currently open for the Cooktown Pig Hunt taking place on 27-29 August. With big hogs, big competition and even bigger bragging rights up for grabs, the three-day event will bring hunters from across the region together to vie for the top honours. Nominations received before 1 July are $95 and include an event shirt, after which the tickets will go up to $100. Hunters can register for the 2026 Cooktown Pig Hunt and find more information on the Yeahtheboars Facebook page.
by CHISA HASEGAWA
AMID the stresses of adulthood, western Cape York’s former footy players will return to simpler times on the field when International Legends of League kicks off this week.
Household names of rugby league will arrive in Weipa on 20 May to deliver a series of mental health and wellbeing workshops before battling it out in the Goodline Central Cape Suns Allstars v Embley Australian Legends showdown on Saturday.
Central Cape Suns president Michelle Kostecki secured the opportunity for Western Cape when she attended the International Legends of League exhibition match on Thursday Island (TI) last November.
“Weipa’s had so much raw talent over the years, and it’s their opportunity to live out their childhood dream, really; these are the people that were in the TV,” she said.
“When we selected the team, it was the people that have not played for a long time, that have got one of their kids now playing in the junior comp who would’ve never seen their parent play.
“I’m so proud to bring this opportunity to the club, and it’s not just Weipa, it’s all communities that come under the Western Cape, from Aurukun, Napranum, Mapoon and New Mapoon.”
Kostecki highlighted that International Legends of League was about more than just football, with Wednesday to Friday dedicated to physical, mental and social wellbeing.
“Their presence in community is really good – I’ve seen all of that working in TI,” she said.
“When you’re at a grassroots level, and we’ve got problems within our community, it’s a stepping stone for people to let them know that things are okay, there’s areas to go, and these are the highs and lows of football players from when they’re popular to when they retire.
“We’re a pretty resilient place, but at the end of the day, do we know that the help is there?”
International Legends of League event manager Troy Byers said the Australian Legends team would split up before game day to visit schools and Elders in the surrounding Western Cape communities.
“Everything’s about community. The players get to schools to talk to the kids about their dreams, their beliefs, and achieving whatever they want to do in life, but also about mental health with the whole community,” he said.
“A lot of the players go through a lot of that – doesn’t matter whether you’re men, women, boys, girls – we all have ups and downs.
“Our guys, they come out of all different age groups, all different eras of rugby league, but the one thing is talk. Our players talk to each other about ups and downs, and that’s the biggest focus, is that if something’s wrong, talk about it.”
The Weipa International Legends of League exhibition match will kick off at 6pm on 23 May at Andoom Oval.
Manager: Michelle Kostecki
Coach: Garreth
Smith
Kareem Tabui
Albert Bond
David Kostecki
Sai Nadredre
Walter Convent
Karl Adams
Jason Nixon
Tuks Poi Poi
Brayden Raye
Pana Canaweka
Eli Tabui
Sireli Volavola
Leonard Yusia
Danny Boyle
Alfred Hudson
Freddy Clermont
Paul Taylor
Bulu Davui
Tristan Dick
Ishak McCann
Dan Tonan
Marasat Agale
Massie Zamiak
Cliff Lyons
Sam Thaiday
Ben Hannant
James Tamou
Darren Smith
George Burgess
John Hopoate
Stu Kelly
Scott Bolton
Antonio
Winterstein
Neville Costigan
Kevin Campion
Noel Golthorpe
Craig Teevan
Craig Wilson
Russell Bawden
Reggie Cressbrook
Jaiman Lowe
Luke Goodwin
Joel Reithmuller
Ronnie Bosuen
Pharrell Kostecki
Nick Williams
Damon McLeod
Aaron Nixon
