Northern Peninsula Area State College students have designed bespoke footy boots for Gold Coast Suns players, which were worn on field at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium. Suns Indigenous programs lead Jarrod Harbrow connected with former StreetSmarts Suns Academy talent Glendon Woosup to make it happen.
Full story page 6
Crime Stoppers FNQ volunteers dumped
Crime Stoppers volunteers are a common sight at events across the Cape. But the loyal Far North Area Committee numbering in the dozens has been unceremoniously ditched as part of a digital push. The chief of the Brisbane-based charity says Crime Stoppers “needs to evolve” to reach more Queenslanders. Full story page 3.
Gold Coast Suns vice-captain Touk Miller receives boots designed by an NPA State College student. Photo: Supplied.
New birthing clinic for expecting mums
by CHISA HASEGAWA
WHEN travelling away from home and support systems to give birth, the last thing expecting mums need is to see unfamiliar faces in an unfamiliar place for weeks.
Cairns Hospital has unveiled its new clinic dedicated to providing continuity of care for women from Cape York and the Torres Strait, who often need to relocate to Cairns at around 36 weeks.
Established in April, the Sunbird Clinic uses an all-risk model to help up to 30 women while they navigate a new beginning.
Cairns Hospital clinical midwife consultant Laura Ammitzboll said two midwives primarily worked within the clinic to ensure consistency in the four weeks or more leading up to the birth.
Cnr of Endeavour Road and McMillan Streets, Cooktown Ph: 0419 759 892
“Women across the board report that consistency of care and familiarity does provide better outcomes,” she said.
“If you’ve got the same mid-
wife, you don’t need to retell your story, you can be known, you feel that you belong somewhere, and it’s easier to access the healthcare system.
“Our midwives will be working the same days that we book the obstetric clinic, so regardless of whether you’re seeing the midwife or the doctor, you should at least see your primary midwife through Sunbird (Clinic).”
The antenatal care clinic is named after the beloved tropical bird, which often symbolises joy and prosperity, and features a stunning mural led by Cairns-based First Nations artist Jedess Hudson.
Ms Ammitzboll said the Cairns midwives engaged closely with maternity service providers under the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service.
“We are working closely with Cape and Torres midwives; we are engaging closely with their healthcare workers as well to ensure that we’re providing culturally-sensitive care,” she said.
“It’s a tough transition to come down, to leave community, to leave other children, and to leave your support network.
“You are so vulnerable in all stages of pregnancy, but especially in these late stages of pregnancy. You need to feel safe, you need to feel like you belong, and we’re always looking to improve, and we felt that implementing this model would be a really great starting point.”
Families handed keys to new homes
by LUKE MORTIMER
SEVERAL new homes built via a Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC) tender have been handed over to families in Seisia.
However, overcrowding continues to be a problem in the area and in Indigenous communities across the Cape.
Last week, NPARC handed over the keys to the three homes which were recently constructed by Richardson’s Building Services.
Mayor Poi Poi announced during a special council meeting on the 2025/27 budget in June last year that 15 new homes for the community would be built by the end of the 2025-2026 nancial year.
Mayor Poi Poi said he was pleased for the community and proud of the council and its workers.
“Today the homes have been built and the rst three families have received their keys to the new homes,” he said.
“These 15 houses are not just a home to families, but they are also a real solution to overcrowding and positively contribute to the community’s health and wellbeing.
“Council looks forward to receiving practical completion of the remainder
of the houses in the near future so other families can also move into the new homes.”
NPARC continues to advocate to both state and federal governments for additional funding to build more houses.
“Overcrowding affects education and health outcomes and increases the spread of infectious diseases and acute rheumatic fever,” the council said in a statement.
The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ), which includes all of the state’s mayors, has been barracking for federal funding to reduce chronic levels of overcrowding in Indigenous communities “having devastating ow-on impacts to health and education”.
The Federal Budget missed another opportunity to properly tackle the issue, according to LGAQ president Mayor Matt Burnett.
Cooktown expectant mum Louise Cowley (centre) with Cairns Hospital’s Sunbird Clinic midwives Georgia Wilson and Rebecca Billingham. Photo: Supplied.
Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council has handed over three new homes to families in Seisia. Photo: Supplied.
Crime Stoppers volunteers left in lurch
by LUKE MORTIMER
THE Crime Stoppers Far North Area Committee is being disbanded due to a statewide digital push by the charity, leaving dozens of loyal volunteers “horribly pissed off”.
Mladen Bosnic, chair of the local committee which attended events from Cairns north to Weipa, said he and about 50 active members were disheartened by Crime Stoppers Queensland’s “deplorable” decision.
Brisbane-based Crime Stoppers Queensland was approached and stated the organisation was “transitioning to a more centralised, scalable and digitally-capable operating model to ensure it can continue to effectively support Queensland Police and the community into the future”.
Mr Bosnic said he was ghting to have the decision reversed and hoped media attention and the advocacy of community leaders would assist.
Instead of enjoying National Volunteer Week – which is about celebrating the vital contributions of millions of volunteers nationwide – Mr Bosnic was speaking up for dismayed fellow members.
He said the committee which formed in 2019 was an essential link between Crime Stoppers and communities that could not be replaced digitally. Sizeable Crime Stoppers committees will be replaced with few regional ambassadors.
“Don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater, when it works,” Mr Bosnic said.
“They said ‘we’re going to a new model, we’re this and we’re that’. Which was very disappointing.
“And then two weeks later all the executives were summoned to a (Microsoft) Teams meeting, and that’s when the bombshell was announced ... the volunteer network is being phased out and replaced with
Weipa Rodeo. But state-wide changes are afoot. Photo: Supplied.
an ambassador model. Wow. It was pretty, pretty devastating.”
Mr Bosnic said the committee had squirrelled away close to $200,000 in fundraising dollars.
“Probably the only consolation we got out of all of that was that the money raised that’s sitting there, we can try and spend it in the area where it was raised,” he said.
“We’ll try, but it will still be subject to state of ce approval.”
Cook MP David Kempton said Crime Stoppers played a critical role in the face of youth crime and anti-social behaviour and dissolving the volunteer network seemed counterproductive.
He said the volunteers worked “tirelessly” and travelled “thousands of kilometres each year, not only spreading the message of Crime Stoppers, ‘safety where you live’, but providing support to victims of crime and communities, pulling communities together”.
“No regional ambassador could possibly cover the 200,000sq km which is my electorate, attend the dozens of community events, foster the relationships, create community cohesion and give feedback to the central organisation as well as the 50 hardworking volunteers,” Mr Kempton said.
He said the “ill-conceived modernisation of the charity” did not properly consider “connectivity issues of regional and remote communities, including my expansive and complex electorate of Cook”.
“There is no timeline for the transition which leaves the volunteers feeling more deserted and with more questions than answers,” Mr Kempton said Committee members promoted Crime Stoppers at the Laura Races, Weipa Fishing Classic and Weipa Rodeo, among other events.
Mr Kempton said: “No matter where you go in my immense and spectacular electorate, if there are people gathered you can be assured Crime Stoppers will be there cooking sausages, spreading the message and bringing people together.”
“Volunteers do a lot of heavy lifting not only in my electorate but throughout Queensland and this National Volunteer Week is the time volunteers should be feeling celebrated not deserted,” he said.
Crime Stoppers Queensland chief executive of cer David Hansen said: “Crime Stoppers has a proud history built on the dedication of volunteers across Queensland, and that contribution cannot be overstated.”
“The organisation needs to evolve however in response to changing community engagement patterns, technology and crime itself,” he said.
“Our challenge is that the way people engage with organisations has changed signicantly, as have the regulatory and technology environments. Today more awareness and reporting is driven through digital and media channels, while governance, safety and compliance requirements have also increased.”
Mr Hansen said the new model “is not about a like-forlike replacement of volunteer roles”.
“It’s about ensuring we can reach increasingly diverse Queensland communities more consistently, using a mix of modern communication channels, partnership amplication, and targeted local engagement, rather than relying so much on traditional eventbased outreach often with similar audiences,” he said.
“This change will allow us to engage with hundreds of thousands more Queenslanders and encourage more anonymous reports than we have been able to achieve in recent years, despite the dedicated efforts of our volunteers at local community events.
“Crime Stoppers also recognises that the transition is signi cant for volunteers, many of whom have contributed decades of service and stresses it does not re ect on their performance or commitment, which is highly valued and has been central to the organisation’s success to this point.”
“We will be working hard to keep our volunteers informed during this staged transition and will be ensuring we respect their legacy and acknowledge them in local appreciation events wherever possible.”
There are no changes to how the public can anonymously report information. Phone 1800 333 000 or visit www. crimestoppersqld.com.au.
The volunteers are often seen promoting Crime Stoppers at events like the Laura Races, Weipa Fishing Classic and
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MP says Federal Government ‘dragging the chain’ on PDR
by LUKE MORTIMER
COOK MP David Kempton has criticised the Federal Budget as performative and “aimed at voter fallout”, with a significant lack of “nationbuilding infrastructure” outlined for the Far North.
Among other bugbears for the state politician, there is no funding outlined in the documents for ongoing Cape York Region Package (CYRP) work, including sealing the remaining 160 kilometres or so of the important Peninsula Development Road (PDR).
“I think the Federal Budget was aimed at voter fallout rather than any real fiscal reform or genuine infrastructure investment,” Mr Kempton said.
“What was so obviously missing in the budget was any real commitment to nation-building infrastructure in Queensland and in particular in the Far North.”
Mr Kempton said there were “no funds for Stage 3 of the PDR” and there was “no real
long-term commitment to the Bruce Highway”.
“The Crisafulli Government has committed its share to the Bruce and the PDR and the Albanese Government is dragging the chain,” he said.
Mr Kempton also said there was “no real commitment to relieve the housing crisis in the Far North”.
“There was no real commitment to housing in Queensland despite a mass migration from the south in tens of thousands,” he said.
“The changes to the CGT (capital gains tax) and negative gearing are a two-edge sword because it may slow down the housing market, which had steadied anyway, but it could push up rental availability and affordability.
“The changes tinker at the edges without making any significant gains to the economy.”
The LNP politician was also disappointed that the Lakeland Irrigation Scheme, which would unlock thousands of hectares of irrigated land for
Careers with Queensland Health
- Wound Care (Cooktown)
represent the largest investment in the Cape in generations,” he said.
“The Crisafulli Government is supportive of the Lakeland Irrigation Scheme. It would boost agriculture 10-fold and underpin the economic future of the region as a food supply powerhouse with untold flowon benefits to Indigenous communities.”
Leichhardt MP Matt Smith also spoke out after his Labor colleague, Treasurer Jim Chalmers handed down the budget on 12 May.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Thousands of new homes flagged
LEICHHARDT MP Matt Smith says the federal and Queensland governments have partnered to deliver infrastructure supporting the construction of 13,000 new homes in Far North Queensland by 2034.
More than 5000 of the homes would be reserved for first home buyers.
The Commonwealth has put forward $2 billion through grants and concessional loans for roads, sewerage and water infrastructure, as well as other projects, across Queensland. The state will match $110m in federal funding specifically for Far North Queensland.
The money comes in addition to the $2bn Local Infrastructure Fund announced in this month’s Federal Budget.
Parole system reforms underway
THE Queensland Government has been working on major reforms to Queensland’s criminal parole system to prevent dangerous prisoners being released into the community.
Restricted prisoner laws will be expanded to cover all prisoners serving a life sentence. Dangerous offenders who commit the most heinous crimes, including murder, could remain behind bars for up to 10 more years.
The Parole Board is currently only allowed to apply restricted prisoner laws to child killers and murderers who kill more than one person.
It follows an independent review of the Parole Board, which highlighted the need for improved decision-making and stronger engagement with victims.
crops, was “not even on the radar”.
“The budget continues to fund Closing the Gap initiatives that too often are without consultation with Indigenous communities and fail to underpin programs with economic development and infrastructure spends. For example, the Lakeland Irrigation Scheme is a critical project and would
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He said the budget was positive for the region, but did note it was “always going to be a budget big on national things”.
Mr Smith said work on the PDR would realistically take five to 10 years to finish, regardless of whether the required $240 million federal funding for Stage 3 was made available immediately.
But he said he had been advocating for the region in Canberra and outlining the importance of PDR work.
The government supported, or supported in principle, 31 of the review’s 46 recommendations where community safety and the rights of victims were prioritised.
Mapoon workshops rescheduled
MAPOON Aboriginal Shire Council has advised the 360° Storytelling, Explore AI, 3D Printing, and eSports Rocket League workshops scheduled for this week have been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. The workshops will be rescheduled. The Drone Workshop will still go ahead from 10am-12:30pm on Wednesday, 27 May at the Jerry & Ina Hudson Memorial Hall.
Cook MP David Kempton wants to see funding for Cape York Region Package Stage 3. Photo: Supplied.
A Tuxworth and Woods truck crawls along an unsealed section of the PDR, travelling at about 20 km/h due to corrugations. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
Bamaga boots feature in Suns’ Melbourne clash
by LUKE MORTIMER
AFL players from the Gold Coast Suns have run out on field at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium wearing boots emblazoned with designs by students from Northern Peninsula Area State College in Bamaga on the Cape.
The Suns donned gear decorated with Indigenous artwork during the club’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round fixture against North Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.
All players wore guernseys designed by Kombumerri artist Lann Levinge. Suns defender Mac Andrew and midfielder Lachie Gulbin also wore the boots decorated by the students.
Gulbin kicked a goal while wearing the Bamaga boots.
Suns Indigenous programs lead Jarrod Harbrow, a proud Yirrganydji Kuku Yalanji man, connected with former StreetSmarts Suns Academy talent and Ankamuthi Wagadagam man Glendon Woosup to get Cape students involved.
“I built a strong relationship with Glendon when he was on the Gold Coast and it’s great to see that he is now a leader in his community,” Harbrow said.
“Giving back to school students and for him to be able to reconnect with the football club on such a cool initiative like this is exactly what these pathways and what long lasting relationships look like.
“I’m very proud of Glendon and what he’s doing.”
Woosup said as a child he could not have dreamed that a visit from the AFL’s expansion team and emerging star at the time Harbrow would have the impact it did.
Throughout 2014-15, Woosup left the Cape to pursue football and his studies, developed his AFL skills in the StreetSmarts Suns Academy and went on to represent the Gold Coast in the North East Australian Football League (NEAFL) competition.
Now, Woosup is home on the north-west coast of the Cape, helping young people connect with sport as a community liaison officer with Metro Mining.
“One of the things the AFL and the Gold Coast Suns do so well is promoting and engaging with Indigenous communities,” he said.
“Sport is a big pillar in our community and from sport good things tend to happen. It provides students an incentive to engage along with avenues and opportunities.
“The Suns have had a relationship with the region since their inception in the league and Jarrod Harbrow was one of the players who visited multiple times and [helped] build a full footprint up here.”
Woosup reached out to his former Suns mentor and more than a dozen pairs of football boots were sent almost 3000 kilometres north
to Bamaga, the students went to work and the shoes were returned in time for game day.
“The biggest factor was giving students the opportunity to be a part of something special, something they can remember and build on,” he said.
“I often say ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’, so when students see the players wearing their artwork on the boots it reminds them that just because they’re from a remote community it doesn’t mean that they aren’t able to grow - there are limitless opportunities.”
“It has the potential to have a profound and positive impact in their life, and that’s special part,” he said.
The AFL Sir Doug Nicholls Round celebrates and highlights the contributions of First Nations people and showcases moments, connections and stories that have shaped and strengthened the game.
Harbrow said it was important for AFL clubs and other elite sports bodies to share and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
“We want everybody to be proud of our Indigenous cultures in Australia and there are so many ways to share culture,” he said.
“AFL Players have such a strong platform to reach remote Indigenous communities and connect through culture and sports and build relationships that will last a lifetime.
“The best part is seeing the players’ reactions once they receive their boots and see their design for the first time.
“What’s even more important is the understanding from players about the cultural connection that each student shares through their individual representations of their communities, families, totems.”
North Melbourne came from behind to claim an upset victory against the Suns in Saturday’s match.
Woosup said working with the Suns helped him “expand my thinking and outlook on life” and the project allowed the students involved “to see something bigger to strive towards”.
Glendon Woosup supporting NPA College students designing football boots for the Gold Coast Suns. Photos: Supplied.
Gold Coast Suns midfielder Lachie Gulbin kicked a goal while wearing a pair of boots designed by Bamaga students.
‘Clearance sale’ highlights reef coral trade
by LUKE MORTIMER
ENVIRONMENTAL activists have held a “coral clearance sale” in Sydney to raise awareness about rare coral being legally taken from the Great Barrier Reef and sold, which they say is causing further damage to ecosystems already in peril.
The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) launched its campaign to stop commercial live coral exports in Sydney’s Martin Place Amphitheatre on Thursday.
Comedian Kirsty Webeck hosted the event featuring models parading in eye-catching coral costumes to highlight the sale of up to 190 tonnes of coral annually under state and federal guidelines.
AMCS Great Barrier Reef fisheries campaign manager Simon
Miller said: “Most Australians would be appalled to know that the Great Barrier Reef’s corals are being chipped away and exported by
EYE IN THE SKY: Chopper unit proves invaluable across FNQ
FAR North police have celebrated a major milestone as the POLAIR helicopter unit has officially launched in the region, drastically cutting response times in emergencies.
POLAIR was launched in Cairns on 20 May, with a cutting-edge Bell 429 chopper stationed inside a recently refurbished hangar at Cairns Airport, building on aerial support operations that first took shape in 2024.
The hangar acts as a satellite base under a POLAIR North Queensland contract with Meridian Helicopters, which has three choppers in its fleet.
The other two helicopters operate out of Townsville, with one serving as the police district’s primary chopper and the other rotating between Cairns and Townsville to make sure aerial support is not interrupted by maintenance.
The new base allows police to quickly cover significant distances between Hopevale on the Cape to the north, west to Georgetown and back to the main Townsville POLAIR base in the south.
Chopper crews respond to critical incidents and provide vital support to police involved in frontline operations. Cairns POLAIR has been tracking stolen vehicles, responding to domestic incidents, searching for missing people and assisting in arrests, among other jobs.
Far Northern Region Assistant Commissioner Kevin Guteridge said the launch was a major advancement for policing in the region.
“With POLAIR as our eyes in the sky, we are further strengthening our ability to respond swiftly to emergencies and ensuring our communities benefit from enhanced aerial support, no matter how remote the location,” he said.
“POLAIR provides an invaluable advantage in a region defined by distance, terrain and unique operational challenges and this expansion reflects our commitment to keeping Far North Queensland communities safe.”
POLAIR operations manager Chief Inspector Daniel Bust said: “In 2025 alone, the POLAIR Cairns team achieved excellent outcomes, responding to more than 649 calls for service to support a wide range of community safety and policing operations.”
He said advanced technology, specialised equipment and highly trained officers were key to the unit’s effectiveness.
the truckload to satisfy the tastes of private aquarium owners.”
“The Great Barrier Reef’s corals have enough problems trying
to survive the increasingly frequent marine heatwaves and mass bleaching events, yet the Australian and Queensland governments allow businesses to remove healthy corals and export them overseas for private profit,” he said.
“There is no need for this industry to be chipping off coral from the Great Barrier Reef. Coral can be grown in tanks, and most coral harvesters already have aquaculture facilities to grow corals onshore.
“Live wild coral exports have been banned by Indonesia, Thailand, Fiji and Belize, while the European Union and United Kingdom ban imports of some of the most valuable Great Barrier Reef corals. Yet the harvest of our rare and unique corals continues despite the reef being in crisis.”
The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF) coral fishery harvest strategy: 2021–2026 declares the “sustainability risk to coral stocks from harvesting is currently considered low.”
QDAF applied to the Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water for assessment of the Queensland Coral Fishery (QCF) under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 in May 2024.
The Commonwealth department declared the QCF harvest operations were an approved wildlife trade operation, but proposed a range of management conditions to minimise any harm, including proactive awareness and adaptive management in the wake of severe environmental events.
AMCS campaigns to stop commercial live coral exports in Sydney’s Martin Place Amphitheatre on 21 May. Photo: Supplied.
Doctor’s race to better outcomes for premature bubs
by CHISA HASEGAWA
A WEIPA doctor’s passion for remote healthcare has led her to undertake a life-changing trek through the Australian outback to give premature babies a better chance of survival.
Weipa Hospital GP obstetrician Dr Jemma Nokes took part in the Running for Premature Babies challenge on the Larapinta Trail on 15-19 May.
She raised more than $5500
towards much-needed neonatal equipment for Alice Springs Hospital as part of a $50,000 collective effort.
Though the event was not specifically to support the Cape York region, she said her involvement was an opportunity to raise awareness of remote and rural facilities, and to ensure access to best practices and resources.
“Weipa birthing opened in 2024 and that is what initially attracted me to the Western Cape, as well as
the family-friendly lifestyle,” she said.
“Now we are in a growth and continuous improvement phase and want to provide best practice maternity care, including application of the recommendations for preterm birth prevention of the Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance.
“This is where the connection to the Running for Premature Babies organisation comes in, as they have supported research for the
national preterm birth alliance, and have quite a few health professionals joining them in their preemie marathon challenge.”
Growing up in remote New Zealand, Dr Nokes said she was passionate about health equity, and jumped at the opportunity in Weipa to give remote mothers a choice to give birth closer to home.
“Across Australia, the rate of preterm birth amongst First Nations women is approximately 1.7 times higher than the national average. Babies born prematurely in rural and remote communities often face further complexities, including lengthy separation from family, and the need for transfer to larger tertiary facilities to receive specialised care,” she said.
“I see the disparities daily between rural and remote and urban healthcare, and want to continue to improve, and this includes networking and connecting with charities working to prevent preterm birth or improve outcomes for premature babies across Australia.
“For these reasons, professionally as well as personally, I am a strong advocate for charities such as the Running for Premature Babies Foundation, that raise awareness of preterm birth, support research, and provide essential equipment to health services caring for premature babies and their families.”
The GP obstetrician initially had a fundraising goal of $3500, but easily surpassed that with the help
of her community when she gave a speech at the Weipa International Women’s Day luncheon earlier this year.
“I was incredibly thankful to be given the opportunity by the organisers of the Weipa International Women’s Day lunch to talk about Running for Premature Babies, the history of this organisation, and the amazing work that has been, and continues to be, done everyday by this charity,” she wrote on her fundraising page after the event.
“I was then very humbled by the women of the Weipa community for donating so generously to this charity and sponsoring me on the Larapinta Trek.
“I very much appreciate it, and am so grateful to be living and working in an amazingly supportive community.”
Weipa GP obstetrician Dr Jemma Nokes takes on the Running for Premature Babies challenge in Alice Springs to advocate for remote and rural healthcare. Photo: Supplied.
Dr Jemma Nokes shares the work of Running for Premature Babies at the Weipa International Women’s Day luncheon. Photo: Arnya Digital.
ABF boost in fight against illegal foreign fishers
by LUKE MORTIME R
THE Australian Border Force (ABF) has been given a substantial financial boost to continue tackling pervasive illegal fishing by foreign anglers across Cape York and the Torres Strait.
It comes as 10 more Indonesian anglers have faced court and some reoffenders have been locked up, bringing the total number of fishers from the country prosecuted in Darwin Local Court between 1 July 2025 and 12 May this year to 170.
Efforts to combat illicit fishing are ongoing under Operation Broadstaff, which is jointly run by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA).
Concerns have been raised about biosecurity risks to both agriculture and human health, with some foreign vessels even found fishing inland rivers on the peninsula.
The 2026-27 budget includes $74.9 million to “address border and biosecurity threats from illegal fishing activities in Australia’s northern waters”. There’s also more than $14 million for new patrol vessels, Federal Leichhardt MP Matt Smith noted.
Alongside Broadstaff, the ABF and AFMA have been carrying out Operation Pristis, which has targeted illicit foreign fishing on a longer term basis. Pristis has a particular focus on dodgy operators targeting prized sea cucumbers between the Cape and Western Australia’s Kimberley region.
Justin Bathurst, AFMA’s general manager of Fisheries Operations, said poaching in Australian waters “is not worth the risk”.
“Foreign nationals found unlawfully fishing in Australian waters face serious penalties including seizure of catch, equipment, their vessel and potential imprisonment,” he said.
“AFMA and Maritime Border Command remain resolute in our commitment to detect, apprehend and prosecute illegal foreign fishers.”
Pristis, which started in 2023, involves patrols in sensitive coastal mangrove systems across Australia’s northern waters.
AFMA and ABF officers, alongside others involved in Broadstaff, patrolled the Cape as part of Pristis
from 25 March to 7 April, with the knowledge and cooperation of Indigenous ranger groups and community members.
No foreign boats were found, which the ABF linked to recent enforcement efforts, as well as adverse weather.
Officers removed marine debris, including discarded nets and fish aggregation devices, which threaten reef and mangrove ecosystems.
Mr Bathurst thanked those who took part and said: “Communities in Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait rely on healthy sea cucumber populations to support a fishing industry which provides important economic opportunity.”
The 10 Indonesian nationals who faced the court on 28 April all pleaded guilty to illegally fishing after the ABF intercepted their two boats in the vicinity of Prince of Wales Island, just 12 nautical miles from Thursday Island, on 13 April.
Officers seized fishing gear and 300 kg of sea cucumbers. Both vessels were seized and the crew were detained to face the court.
The master of one vessel was found to be in breach of a good behaviour bond linked to a previous illegal fishing matter. He was re-sentenced to one month imprisonment and entered a $2000 undertaking to be of good behaviour for a further two years.
For the current matter, he received a three-month term of imprisonment, to be suspended after serving one month upon entering another $2000 undertaking to be of good behaviour for three years.
A pair of crew members were identified as having been before the court for similar offending, one as recently as six months ago. They were both sentenced to two-month terms of imprisonment, suspended after serving one month upon entering $2000 undertakings to be of good behaviour for three years.
The seven remaining crew members were released on $2000 undertakings to be of good behaviour for three years.
ABF Acting Deputy Commander of Maritime Border Command Brooke Dewar warned foreign fishers they would not slip the net and authorities were “disrupting illegal fishing operations at every opportunity”.
“Illegal foreign fishers should be under no illusion about the consequences of entering Australian waters – you will be found, you will be stopped and you will face enforcement action under Australian law,” she said.
Suspected illegal foreign fishing can be reported by phoning CRIMFISH on 1800 274 634 or emailing intelligence@afma.gov.au.
MORE than two years on, the destructive impacts of exTropical Cyclone Jasper continue to be felt, with flooding exacerbating the region’s invasive pest and weed issues.
Cook Shire Council is one of five local councils and two natural resource management groups sharing in $2.7 million to address the challenges and protect the area’s agricultural and tourism industries.
Mayor Robyn Holmes said the funding was crucial to long-term recovery.
“The widespread flooding that followed Tropical Cyclone Jasper had a devastating impact on river systems, farmland and natural environments across Cook Shire, accelerating the spread of invasive weeds and feral animals, including feral pigs, into vulnerable areas,” she said.
“Invasive pests and weeds pose a significant threat to biodiversity, waterways and agricultural productivity, and can place an increasing burden on landholders.
“A coordinated eradication program is essential to address these impacts and protect liveability and environmental values of our communities into the future.”
Member for Cook David Kempton said the program was essential in helping farmers and landholders in Cook Shire.
“Feral pigs and invasive weeds add to farmers’ workload and landholders’ costs in what can feel like a neverending battle,” he said.
“A coordinated eradication program, targeting all known sites, will help farmers fight these destructive pests and weeds.”
The package being delivered by the Department of Primary Industries’ Pest and Weed Management Program is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments through the Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said that under the Biosecurity Act 2014, the management of invasive plants and animals was a shared responsibility, and working with federal and local-level partners was important for success.
“Our objective with this funding package is to repair the environment by working with local partners to deliver positive environmental outcomes,” he said.
“Disasters like TC Jasper create favourable conditions for pests and weeds to thrive, as seeds are transported on the wind or in flooding, dispersing the invasive pests further, particularly in proximity to waterways.”
Cook Shire Council will share in $2.7 million of TC Jasper recovery funding to address its feral animal and weed challenges. Photo: Supplied.
The ABF has been given a substantial funding boost to continue targeting illegal foreign fishing. Photo: ABF.
Doctor urges jabs as diphtheria outbreak grows
by LUKE MORTIMER
THE biggest diphtheria outbreak ever recorded in Australia has spread from the Northern Territory into Queensland about four years after an upsurge in cases led to a mass vaccination campaign in Cape York’s Wujal Wujal community.
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) public health medical officer Doctor Helen Pedgrift has urged residents to check the vaccination status of themselves and their families.
There was up to five cases of the rare bacterial infection diagnosed in Queensland among 223 total diphtheria notifications in the NT, Western Australia and South Australia late last week, according to National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System data.
Dr Pedgrift said TCHHS had not recorded any cases in the current outbreak.
“Last year, we had three cases in the Torres and Cape health service region and one case each in 2024 and 2023 and six in 2022,’’ she said.
“Diphtheria vaccines are safe and effective. These cases in Queensland and across Australia are a pertinent reminder to the community to vaccinate their children on time.
“We also encourage everyone to have a booster vaccine if they have not had one within the past 10 years.’’
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said he was “very concerned” about “probably the biggest diphtheria outbreak we’ve seen, certainly for decades”. The number of diphtheria cases exceeds any full calendar year since national reporting began.
Mr Butler told ABC Radio on Tuesday (19 May) that his government was waiting on an investigation into a suspected diphtheria-related death, “but there’s no question that this is serious”.
“It’s serious in the Northern Territory. It’s spreading across other parts of the Top End. It’s crept below the South Australian border into the APY [Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara] Lands,” he said.
“So we’re working very closely with the Northern Territory government, but also with the Aboriginal-controlled sector.”
Diphtheria – once a major cause of early deaths before childhood immunisation – can affect the nose, throat, airways and skin.
In severe cases, respiratory diphtheria can obstruct breathing and its toxin can cause life-threatening complications, including heart and nerve damage.
In 2022, five cases were identified in and around Wujal Wujal, prompting the hugely successful mass vaccination campaign. It came amid a wider North Queensland cluster of 25 cases.
The campaign increased the number of residents aged over 14 years who had received a diphtheria vaccine in the past 12 months from 5 per cent to 74 per cent, and no more cases were detected, the Australian Centre for Disease Control states.
Dr Pedgrift said the bacteria toxin “can cause an abnormal membrane to grow in the throat or lead to damage of the heart or nerves, making these cases very serious in unvaccinated people”.
“Prolonged close contact is normally required for the infection to be transmitted to others,” she said.
“People can carry diphtheria without displaying symptoms, which is why vaccination is important to prevent more serious illness.”
Australian Medical Association (AMA) president Dr Danielle McMullen said the spike in cases was a serious reminder about the importance of vaccines.
“Immunisation is one of the greatest achievements in modern medicine, but when vaccination rates fall, serious diseases, which we had largely eliminated, can make a comeback,” she said.
“We are seeing that risk play out with diphtheria and it is a timely reminder for Australians to check they are up to date and to talk to their usual GP if they have questions.”
Dr McMullen also raised concerns about people turning to online artificial intelligence for health advice.
“We know many Australians are turning to AI tools and online searches for health advice. But those tools can’t look at your medical history, understand your personal risks, or give you the con-
text you deserve – and they’re not always accurate or validated. AI can give you an answer, but it can’t give you your answer,” she said.
The AMA also encouraged people to review their vaccination status and whether they needed any booster doses.
Kids should receive the diphtheria vaccination at two, four and six months old under the National Immunisation Program. Boosters are given at 18 months, four years old and again at Year 7 in school as part of the School Immunisation Program.
Adult boosters should be given every 10 years and for women during each pregnancy, Dr Pedgrift said. There were nine reported cases of diphtheria in Queensland last year.
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service public health medical officer Dr Helen Pedgrift. Photo: Supplied.
Wujal Wujal was hit by five diphtheria cases in 2022, which led to a highly successful vaccination campaign. Photo: Facebook/Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire.
Marine precinct pitch under microscope
by LUKE MORTIMER
THE State Government has put forward $300,000 in scoping funding for Douglas Shire Council to investigate a proposed world-class Port Douglas Marine Industry Precinct, attract significant private investment and ultimately boost regional tourism and growth.
The precinct would service tourism and fishing fleets, cruising yachts and recreational vessels. Currently, some boats need to travel to Brisbane for servicing and maintenance.
Pitched as a regional economic driver, the precinct would be built in a mangrove area, near Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina in Dickson Inlet.
Funding to examine the project comes as Douglas Shire has been working to transition its economy and workers after the Mossman Sugar Mill closed in early 2024, marking the end of more than 125 years of operation.
The government has put forward $12 million to stimulate the economy and help former sugarcane workers find new jobs, and it’s expected the precinct would create about 250 roles.
Port Douglas property developer and resident of 55 years John Morris, 98, was on hand for the announcement of the scoping study funding at his restaurant, Choo Choos at the marina.
He said the project could be “the
Closure
catalyst for a whole bunch of new development”.
“More accommodation, more infrastructure for luxury boats and reef boats. So the town will thrive. It’s not only just this town — it’s really Far North Queensland, including all the way up to TI [Thursday Island] and into the Gulf,” Mr Morris said.
“Because the facilities that have been announced will be able to service the fishing boats, and trawlers and other vessels all the way from TI. It’s easier for vessels to come to Port Douglas than having to go down to Cairns, or Townsville, or all the way down to the Gold Coast.”
It’s not the first time such a fa-
cility has been considered, but Cook MP David Kempton said the government was keen to make progress.
“This is going to be a catalytic project that will bring not only an opportunity for vessels up to 250,000 tonnes to be serviced here locally, instead of Brisbane, Townsville and beyond, but it’ll also open up this whole region for opportunities around tourism, economic development, and most importantly will bring a lot of (cane) farmers home who’ve had to leave to go work somewhere else,” he said.
Mr Kempton said it was expected the scoping study would take “three to four months”.
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 scoping study is not around feasibility, it’s more around the steps that need to be taken ... ultimately it’ll be a private investment, or a public-private partnership,” he said.
Asked about any expected hurdles building in an environmentally sensitive area, Mr Kempton said “there’s always environmental hurdles in everything you do, especially in the north adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef”.
“We’re confident that can be managed. There’s a number of processes around containment and I’m confident that this will tick those boxes, if the Federal Government has the will to see this happen for the region, I’m
confident we can work through that,” he said.
Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scamazzon expected the precinct would lead to considerable growth in the area should it be given the tick and proceed.
“Our region has long been powered by tourism and agriculture and expanding into new industries is essential for the Douglas Shire’s economy to evolve and grow,” she said.
“Once fully investigated, I’m confident Port Douglas will prove to be an ideal location for a vibrant, multi-use waterfront precinct — a hub for marine enterprise and new employment pathways for our community.”
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
and the
Stakeholders interested in the proposed Port Douglas Marine Industry Precinct gathered at Choo Choos at Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina on Friday. Photos: Luke Mortimer.
Port Douglas identity John Morris, 98, hopes to see the precinct take shape.
WELCOME BLAK HOME:
Elders step back in time at CIAF
by CHISA HASEGAWA
AMONG the hustle and bustle of the lively Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) will be a homelike sanctuary for elders created by Guguu Yalanji and Koko Lamalama woman Kerry Klimm.
The Flashblak founder, whose practice is grounded in storytelling, connection and knowledge sharing, will offer Welcome Blak Home as a culturally grounded space designed to feel like home.
Open from noon to 2 pm on 10-12 July, the Elders Lounge –featuring a kitchen, dining room and lounge area – will honour the central role elders play in community, culture and continuity.
Ms Klimm said the concept built on her previous work creating spaces for conversation and connection, including the popular Spill the Tea masterclasses presented at CIAF 2025.
“Welcome Blak Home is about creating a space where our elders feel comfortable, valued and at ease – like they are walk-
ing into their own home,” she said.
“It’s a place to sit, yarn, laugh, remember and connect. A place to say thank you for everything our elders have done and continue to do for our communities.”
Like any great space, music, including a custom vinyl album by Ms Klimm herself, will set the relaxed ambience.
“Music is integral to our cultural survival and expression, from the mission song, The Irex, to Uncle Charlie (Pride) and Mop & The Dropouts,” she said.
“I have created a special album that captures those musical memories for our elders, that hopefully will also get them up dancing too.”
In addition, Welcome Blak Home will also serve as a living archive, with elders invited to record their memories, reflections and stories in a dedicated book that will continue to grow over time.
Yidinji elders will also engage children through storytelling and guided cultural arts and crafts sessions inspired by ancestral stories from Yidinji Country.
Zone 19/05/2026 - 7/06/2026
Please be advised that due to current mining activity within the fallout zone of the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (Weipa Branch), the Weipa Gun Club will be closed from 19 May 2026 to 7 June 2026.
During this period, the area highlighted in red has been incorporated into an active mining zone For safety reasons, all access points into the Gun Club are clearly signposted with ‘Exclusion Zone - No Entry’ signage.
This area is strictly closed to the public for the duration of these works
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in ensuring the safety of all personnel working in the area.
Flashblak founder Kerry Klimm (right) makes way for pride, conversation and connection at her CIAF 2025 showcase booth. Photo: Studio Sol by Alicia Jade.
Shops promote healthier options to help cut chronic disease rates
A NOT-FOR-PROFIT operating shops across the Cape and Torres Strait has been encouraging families in remote First Nations communities to rethink sugary foods and drinks to drive down disproportionately high rates of chronic disease, including type 2 diabetes.
Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ), working with public health agency Health and Wellbeing Queensland (HWQ), has been promoting healthier options as part of its latest Healthy Ways campaign: Real food, real energy.
Healthy Ways airs a new health message across the CEQ IBIS and ABIS shop network every eight weeks. The campaign catchphrase is: “You’re sweet enough – choose healthy ways”.
Fred Gela, CEQ chief operating officer, said: “In remote communities the local store is often the main place families shop for food, so what’s on the shelves and how it’s presented really matters and is a powerful lever for positive health change.
“Real food, real energy is about making it easier for people to choose foods that keep them feeling strong and full of energy, without relying on sugary snacks and drinks that spike and crash,” he said.
Mr Gela said families “want to make healthy choices” and the campaign used “simple, practical messages in-store that support those choices – every shop, every week”.
“It’s one of the most direct ways we can support the longterm health of the communities we serve,” he said.
CEQ has been moving less healthy items away from high-traffic areas and making sure healthier options are visible, accessible and not crowded out.
Simone Nalatu, HWQ senior director of prevention systems, said creating environments that encouraged healthier eating was a key public health priority and the campaign was “already making a real difference”.
“We deeply value our partnership with CEQ and the incredible work being done in their stores to support this mission,” Dr Nalatu said.
CEQ manages the Islanders Board of Industry and Service (IBIS) and Aboriginal Business, Industry and Service (ABIS) shops, and other stores including Col Jones and Community Home and Hardware, Mona’s Bazaar and Mitre 10 on Waibene.
CEQ workers at the IBIS Wug (St Pauls – Moa Island) Store in the Torres Strait spread the message of the latest Healthy Ways campaign. Photo: Supplied.
Curtain about to lift on Discovery Festival program
THE new website is live, the headline acts have been locked in, reenactment rehearsals are under way, and the release of the program is imminent for those chomping at the bit to choose their must-do events at the 2026 Cooktown Discovery Festival from 19-21 June. They say the annual three-day celebration of all things Cooktown has something for everyone, and that will certainly be the case again
this year as thousands of visitors prepare to set course for southeastern Cape York to experience Guugu Yimithirr culture, live music, workshops, unique showcases and events, and the perennially popular reenactment of Captain Cook’s historic landing.
Australian music legends Kingswood have been booked as the main musical attraction in 2026, but the festival will also allow lo-
cal musical talent to shine with events including the busking competition and the hotly-contested Cook Shire’s Got Talent.
Many festivalgoers will kick off their celebrations with the reconciliation reenactment at Reconciliation Rocks on night one, before lining Charlotte Street for the head-turning street parade on Saturday afternoon.
One of the more energetic events
on the festival calendar is the Big Run for Little Athletics, which will pit competitors against one of the town’s most dominant landscape features in the lactic acid-inducing Goliath of Grassy.
For those wanting a one-of-akind festival immersion, the beloved Unfenced Asylum Challenge will have teams attempting to devour defrosting meat pies before hunting for fool’s gold, conquering
hobby horses and filling deceptively large buckets with a sponge. If you are chasing a slower, more relaxed pace to soak up the festival atmosphere, markets will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Keep an eye on www.cooktowndiscovery.com.au for the release of the program to start planning your tailored 2026 Cooktown Discovery Festival experience.
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The crowd will feel like it has stepped back in time to 1770 when the re-enactment of Captain Cook’s landing in the Endeavour River takes place on 21 June. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
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Phillips falls short in thrilling Weipa bowls C-grade final
by JACK HIGH
AFTER a gripping contest at the Weipa Bowls Club men’s C-grade singles finals, a new champion is celebrating victory over the 2026 B-grade winner.
Daylen Maunsell and Jack Phillips went head-to-head on 19 May in an epic showdown, but Maunsell eventually proved himself the best man when he defeated Phillips 25-17.
While the final margin suggested a comfortable win, the scorecard told the story of a match packed with momentum swings, pressure bowls, and determined resistance from both players.
Maunsell made the ideal start, controlling the opening exchanges with precise draw bowling and building an early 4-0 lead after three ends.
Phillips responded steadily, finding rhythm through the middle stages and staying within touching distance as the pair traded singles and doubles.
The contest began to ignite around end 13 when Maunsell picked up a valuable three-shot result to extend his advantage to 16-4.
At that stage, the match appeared to be slipping away from Phillips, but the newly crowned 2026 B-grade singles champion refused to surrender, showing the composure and fighting spirit that helped him secure the title.
Across the next eight ends, he consistently chipped away at the deficit, collecting singles, doubles and a crucial three-shot end (20th) to narrow the margin dramatically to 21-13.
Scarborough celebrates
first Dawnbusters victory
of four ‘Bridesmaids’ in his last five starts.
Suddenly, the pressure shifted back onto Maunsell.
Phillips continued his charge with further multiple-shot ends, reducing the gap to just seven shots entering the closing stages, and forcing Maunsell to dig deep under increasing pressure.
However, the C-grade finalist responded like a champion when it mattered most. Maunsell steadied the contest over the final ends, protecting his lead with controlled bowls and smart tactical play before sealing the championship 25-17.
Despite defeat, Phillips enhanced his reputation with another determined finals performance to cap off an outstanding season that already includes the club’s B-grade singles crown.
For Maunsell, the victory marked a deserved reward after
maintaining composure throughout a high-quality final and withstanding one of the strongest late fightbacks seen during this year’s championships.
The bowls season will conclude with mixed A-grade singles and triples in two weeks’ time.
Ryder streets ahead of Weipa parkrun field
SPORTS BRIEFS
Head cards Wackers
win
THERE was only half a stroke in it when 18 Wackers battled the back nine at Carpentaria Golf Club on 20 May.
Steve Head carded a gross 48 for a winning nett 32, with Jim “I Was Robbed” Lucas shooting 47 off the stick to finish runner-up on nett 31.5.
Luke Marsden joined the Wackers family and took home the 18th pin prize for his efforts, with Helen Sabatino landing a cracking shot on the 15th to bag the second par-3 prize on offer.
Sabatino, Grant Crossley and Dave Sands delivered the strongest gross rounds on the day, while Pete Moore was off his game and easily claimed the Bradman’s.
Golfers will need to choose wisely when they tackle the front nine in a three-club challenge on 27 May, with all eyes on which players opt to take to the course without a putter.
Crocs hit road
ALL roads will lead to Mareeba this weekend when the Cooktown Crocs hit the Mulligan Highway to vie for junior rugby league bragging rights.
THERE must have been something in the cool Sunday morning air as Weipa golfer Rory Scarborough took his first Dawnbusters win on the Carpentaria Golf Club greens.
Vivian Chan led the charge with a 45 off the stick when 15 Dawnbusters battled it out on the front nine, but it was Scarborough, playing his eighth game, who showed everyone up with his personal best score of 50.
Although he played well, Scarborough said it was unfortunate that his regular golfing cronies, Paiwan Lui, Hari Ginate and Leeroy Ahmat, were not present on the day to savour the inaugural victory with him.
Always the bridesmaid, never the bride, Peter Moore once again clinched the runner-up with an impressive achievement
Moore said he was lucky to win anything with his score, and thought he stood a higher chance of taking home the Hoffman’s, but that crown unsurprisingly went to Beth Dall.
Big guns of the morning were Vivian Chan, taking out the women’s longest drive, and Peter Kenny, close to driving the 1st green, taking out the men’s longest drive.
The pin prize went begging this week, with all 15 players failing to hit the 9th green.
Ex-Weipaite and Dawnbuster Jimmy Hoffman stopped in for a game during his bi-annual pilgrimage to catch up with friends and family, and golfers also welcomed Bernie Salam, playing his first game of Dawnbusters.
Dawnbusters will take on the back nine on 31 May, with an expected tee-off time of about 7am.
JUNIOR participant Ryder Street ratcheted up his Weipa Running Festival preparations when he delivered a top-shelf showing to claim Weipa parkrun #471 on Saturday.
The 14-year-old, who is training for his first half marathon, led a field of 50 around the 5-kilometre course to stop the clock in 23 minutes, 13 seconds.
In a parkrun dominated by the younger participants in the line-up, Hadley Fielding clocked a personal best time of 28:15 to be the first female across the finish line.
It was a morning for PB efforts, with a fifth of the field recording best-ever performances, including Jordan Buckley, Tyrone Tuckwood, Ashley Msimanga, Lynd-
The result is the highest percentages of PB finishes for a field to date this year.
Looking after volunteering responsibilities for the day were Katrina Scholefield, Nik Clegg, Julie Zeimer, Narelle Dealy, Inyika Nadredre, Kevin Pickup, Ash Lievore and Louise Jones.
Anyone wanting to offer their services as a volunteer each week is urged to keep an eye on the Weipa parkrun Facebook page.
Weipa parkrun is held every Saturday from 7am at the hospital roundabout shelter on the intersection of Kerr Point Drive and John Evans Drive.
The Gladiators will host the travelling Crocs, with a big Cooktown contingent expected to make the drive to support the players in their 2026 campaign.
Taggers scramble opponents
TOP End Taggers had an egg-ceptional result when they beat Scrambled Legs 26-3 in round five of Weipa Touch Association action on 19 May.
Costal Crocs also chalked up a big 18-2 win against the Bauxite Bees, while Lacking Stamina toppled The Misfits (10-3), Big Dig beat Touchy Feely 6-2, and Double Clutch stopped Cheers for Beers from finding the tryline in a 5-nil result. Out of Touch and Cape Candies delivered a thriller, with the former claiming the points in an 11-9 match, with Young Guns and Spartans sharing honours with an 8-all draw when the fulltime siren sounded.
The 2026 season will continue with round six on 26 May.
Daylen Maunsell is the new Weipa Bowls Club C-grade champion after a thrilling contest against Jack Phillips. Photo: Supplied.
by CHISA HASEGAWA
BLOOMING BRILLIANT
Cooktown hosts Ladies Orchid Festival
by CHISA HASEGAWA
COMPETITION, camaraderie and connection are the name of the game in any sport, but it was especially prevalent when the Cooktown Bowls Club hosted bowlers from across the region at the annual Ladies Orchid Festival meet.
The Cooktown greens came to life on 1617 May when 42 women from West Cairns, Marlin Coast, Edge Hill, Mareeba, Mossman, Yungaburra, Edmonton and Atherton
clubs enjoyed a weekend of friendly competition and some good ol’ Cape York hospitality.
While previous festivals have seen teams representing their own local clubs, this year’s event switched it up by featuring teams made up of mixed clubs.
Acting president Delma Badger said it was an interesting twist that allowed players to grow and create deeper connections.
“It was good to play with others that you don’t normally play with every week, be-
cause everyone has their own unique style, and you learn from them,” she said.
“I am especially pleased to say that the attitude of everyone to simply have a good time was wonderful.”
After 14 teams of three played 10 ends on Saturday and Sunday, there was just a onepoint difference between 1st and 2nd place, with Team L — Judy Jenner, Christie Colley and Margaret Brunni — triumphant with four wins + 18.
Badger said she was proud of Cooktown’s
ability to host a wonderful event each year for their fellow lawn bowlers.
“I was told by a few ladies that we excel in our hospitality, and we are very generous with our beautiful gestures,” she said.
“They enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of the town and the friendly people, as well as a bit of competition on the green.
“The lady members of the Cooktown Bowls Club go above and beyond with hospitality, catering and gifts over the two days.”
The Cooktown Ladies Orchid Festival brought together 42 women from bowls clubs across the region, mixing teams to nurture connections. Photo: Supplied.
