Cape York Weekly FREE – #095 | Tuesday, August 2, 2022
Editor: Matt Nicholls 0477 450 558 | editor@capeyorkweekly.com.au
SAILING OFF INTO SUNSET Cook Shire CEO Linda Cardew and her husband Tony have sailed out of the Endeavour River and into retirement. The couple plan on sailing around the world for the next five years before returning to Cooktown. The ex-chief executive will be missed by many in the council and community. Story – Page 3
NEW CEO FOR SEA SWIFT Page 5
CASSOWARY CHASE EXCITES Page 8
Picture: SARAH MARTIN
LOCKHART RIVER CLUB OPENS ITS DOORS
Drinks are served By SAMUEL DAVIS
COLD beer and refreshments can be savoured in Lockhart River again after the community’s new social club finally opened its doors to patrons. Canteens in remote Indigenous communities across Cape York closed in 2008 after the state gov-
ernment decided Indigenous councils could no longer hold liquor licenses. But Lockhart River mayor Wayne Butcher said while supply disappeared, demand remained high with “sly grog” running rampant for more than a decade. “We’ve had a long battle with people selling alcohol in the com-
munity and our people binge drinking,” Cr Butcher said. “This is a long-term social investment to counter that because prohibition has never worked.” The club, which opened its doors on Friday night, operates under a Restricted Liquor Permit that aims to provide a safe space to socialise and drink responsibly.
“I reckon we got about 100 people through,” Cr Butcher said. “That’s a good start and was easy for the staff to manage. “Everyone was playing darts, pool and watching the footy on TV. “It was a really good atmosphere. It’ll just keep on going from here on.” In a community with high un-
employment, Cr Butcher said the social club provided more than just a gathering place. “It’s created eight new jobs for local people overnight,” he said. “That caught a lot of people’s attention. It’s capacity building and creating more leadership within the community.” Continued – Page 2
E VER Y T HURSDAY 5 – 7.30PM
JAG THE
JOKER
JACKPOTS $100 EVERY WEEK UNTIL THE JOKER IS FOUND! T&C apply ~ one ticket per transaction between 5 – 7.30pm