Cape York Weekly Edition 106

feud in Cape

By SAMUEL DAVIS

SIMMERING tensions between Queensland Health and a Cape York medical service over a ma jor cyber security breach have surfaced in a leaked email sent to community leaders.

Apunipima Cape York Health Council staff have been locked out of information systems since the

remote service suffered a ransom ware attack two weeks ago.

Since then, Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service has severed all electronic links with Apunipima and an incident man

agement team has been stood up to oversee its response.

But in an email to mayors that was forwarded to Cape York Weekly, TCHHS revealed it is urg ing Apunipima to finally tell them

what has happened to confidential patient records.

“TCHHS has formally request ed information from Apunipima to advise of Personal Identity Infor mation such as Queensland Health

patient information being stolen and held to ransom,” it read.

“At this stage TCHHS has not received confirmation from Apu nipima as to whether personal information of TCHHS patients has been breached by the cyber at tackers, any payment of ransom, or publication of TCHHS informa tion.

Western Cape College was last week recognised at the Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools in Brisbane. Pictured are (from left) Director-General of Education Michael De’Ath, WCC primary principal Craig Law, Assistant Regional Director of FNQ Suzanne Currin, WCC deputy principal Jon Currie, WCC secondary principal Dan Tonon, Education Minister Grace Grace, WCC deputy principal Siobhan Wilson, WCC college principal Peter Linnehan and QUT’s Dr Meegan Brown.

TO SUCCESS

Tension between health providers a major issue

From – Page 1

“All Apunpima’s ICT sys tems are currently offline and patient care has been switched to paper-based processes.”

The breakdown in commu nication highlights data sharing problems amongst health ser vices across the Cape, the Aus tralian Medical Association of Queensland’s representative Dr Michael Clements said.

“This is a system problem within remote communities where you have so many fly-in fly-out services,” he said.

“When you have so many different service providers –not just Queensland Health but other services and specialists like Apunipima and the RFDS, problems can arise.

“If we have proper sharing, we can minimise unnecessary patient testing and possible harm.”

Dr Clements warned that limiting Apunipima’s access to health records in the future as a result of the breach would be a mistake.

“You can almost liken it to being in the military. Countries are unlikely to share secrets with other countries if they think they are likely to lose that informa tion,” he said.

“But as soon as we stop shar ing information in a safe way, or patients lose trust, it leads to poor health outcomes.

“We shouldn’t look at it as a singular organisation’s failure.

“We know medical centres get targeted regularly and will likely be more so in the future.

“So we need a coordinated approach.”

Last year, a Four Corners in vestigation revealed the tragic case of three women with se vere Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) in Doomadgee who all died within a year after seeking treatment at the community’s hospital.

Dr Clements said the wom en’s deaths served as an example of what can happen when health

information is not being shared across services.

“If we look at Doomadgee and when those patients pre sented at hospital, some of their information was held in a differ ent system,” he said.

Cape York Weekly has made numerous attempts to speak with Apunipima. It has declined to comment.

TIMELINE: Fifteen days since the hack

Monday, October 3 – Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service is advised of a likely ransomware attack against Apunipima Cape York Health Council. Staff are locked out of all their information systems, including Best Practice which is used to collect patient health information.

Tuesday, October 4 – Apunipima confirms to Queensland Health that a Lockbit 3.0 ransomware attack has been made against Apunipima. It is still unknown how much the ransom is.

Thursday, October 6 – Leaked emails and community concern lead to Cape York Weekly publishing multiple stories regarding the cyber attack.

Apunipima refuses to answer detailed questions put to them by Cape York Weekly but issues a statement on their website.

The statement confirms an “unauthorised third party” gained access to Apunipima’s computer network and “possibly” downloaded some information.

Sunday, October 9 – Apunipima issues a second statement on their website.

Monday, October 10 – Apunipima Cape York Health Council refuses to speak to media or provide a written statement to questions issued the week before.

Angry mayors from across the Cape voice their frustration at the lack of information coming from Apunipima since the breach.

Multiple mayors tell Cape York Weekly they have had no contact with Apunipima since the breach occurred.

Tuesday, October 11 – Queensland Health announces it’s sending national identity theft experts, IDCARE, to Cape York to support potential victims of cyber crime.

Wednesday, October 12 – A leaked email seen by Cape York Weekly reveals growing tension between Apunipima and Queensland Health as the cyber security crisis enters its second week.

October 13 to 19 – IDCARE visit 10 remote Indigenous communities which have a major Apuniumpa presence.

Staff from the Coen Regional Aboriginal Corporation caught up with Sarah Cavanagh from IDCARE on Friday. The identity and cyber support service was booked by the TCHHS to speak with locals on the ground in response to the hack on Apunipima. However, because the visits were made at the last minute and were not advertised, Cape York Weekly understands IDCARE has barely had any interest on the ground, with visits lasting just a few hours.

Dedication to students is recognised at awards

By MATT NICHOLLS

WESTERN Cape College’s reputation as one of the leading schools in the Far North contin ues to grow after it picked up a statewide award last week.

The Weipa school’s Wis Wei – the WCC Way submission was the joint winner of the Bevan Brennan Every Child Needs a Champion Award at the 2022 Showcase Awards for Excel lence in Schools.

Wis Wei – the WCC Way is the school’s unique method that embraces a “whole child” well being approach to secondary schooling.

It’s an approach that has led to significant improvements in school performance, student be haviour and wellbeing.

Western Cape College’s class of 2021 was the most successful to ever graduate from the school.

Out of 62 students, 60 gradu

ated with a Queensland Cer tificate of Education (QCE) and two with a Queensland Certifi cate of Individual Achievement (QCIA).

Western Cape College sec ondary principal Dan Tonon said he was proud of the staff and stu dents who worked hard for the school’s success.

“Five hundred secondary stu dents walk through our gates every day – each with their own virtual backpack and, for some, no backpack at all,” he said.

“We have worked tirelessly to create an environment that cre ates a strong sense of belonging, recognises our unique cultural fabric and builds the collective efficacy of staff to provide un conditional positive regard for every student.

“We celebrate the success of every student no matter how small.

“We have leveraged every

external agency that works with vulnerable youth on the Western Cape to ensure a coordinated re sponse for our most vulnerable.

“We have opened our school to experts to critique our systems and processes to ensure we are trauma-informed and we have a positive culture for learning.

“And, most importantly, each of our staff understand the deep impact their work is having on supporting our students’ needs every day, creating generational change.”

Mr Tonon said the school had worked hard to build a reputa tion for academic achievement.

“Twenty years ago, 13 stu dents graduated from our school, with three of them Indigenous,” he said.

“This year, 74 students will graduate with 44 identifying as Indigenous.

“I want to acknowledge the WCC staff because they are the

champions who provide this re lentless unconditional support for every student.”

Western Cape College shared the Bevan Brennan Every Child Needs a Champion Award hon ours with Lawnton State School.

There were 86 submissions from right across Queensland for the 2022 awards.

Education Minister Grace Grace congratulated winners at the awards ceremony, hosted at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“The Showcase Awards allow us to recognise and celebrate the great work our educators are doing every day to ensure that students in Queensland state schools are getting a world-class education,” Ms Grace said.

“That there were so many high-quality entries to this year’s awards shows the hard work, dedication and expertise of Queensland school staff.”

Some of the Western Cape College’s secondary staff with their statewide education awards following last week’s win in Brisbane.

Major boat ramp upgrade begins in Cape community

By SARAH MARTIN

ACCESS to the Great Barrier Reef off the Bloomfield River will soon be safer, with work started on a $1 million upgrade of the Ayton boat ramp.

The first stage of the Depart ment of Transport and Main Roads project will repair the boat ramp, the bottom section of which has been broken for years, making it difficult to launch larger vessels.

Cook Shire mayor Peter Scott welcomed the state government works, which he said council had lobbied hard for.

“It’s a fantastic win for our com munity and a testament to positive advocacy and the power of col laboration,” Cr Scott said.

“The upgraded ramp will im prove launching and croc safety for users from the communities of Ayton, Degarra and Wujal Wujal and encourage more visitors to this beautiful area.”

The boat ramp is closed during the works, expected to be finished in November, with the second stage to add a pontoon downstream of the ramp scheduled for 2023.

Transport and Main Roads Min ister Mark Bailey said the upgrade would improve safety at the ramp.

“The rebuild will bring Ayton’s boat ramp up to all-tide standards

and improve safety for boaties, which is great news,” Mr Bailey told Cape York Weekly

Some locals have been criti cal of the works, with Bloomfield resident Ned Auld claiming the upgrade wasn’t needed and con cerned the pontoon wouldn’t with stand annual wet season floods.

“I think it’s pretty unnecessary,

it’s a good boat ramp as it is and doesn’t need a heap of money spent on it,” he said.

“I don’t see a pontoon working very well there; there’s a really strong current and when it floods that part of the river flows really, really fast which could be prob lematic.”

Other locals have welcomed the

news, with Ross Andreassen say ing the upgrade would improve croc safety, with a large saltie reg ularly seen near the ramp.

“We’ve seen him a few times getting around the place,” he said.

The Ayton boat ramp is closed while works are under way, with boaties able to use the Wujal Wujal boat ramp in the interim.

Big entries tipped for barra blitz

ALMOST 1000 anglers are ex pected to flood into Cooktown this weekend for the chance to snag a winning fish in the eighth annual Sovereign Resort Hotel barramundi fishing competition.

Last year’s competition at tracted a record 700 fishos, and with $55,000 in prizemoney and giveaways on the line, resort manager Rachael Webber said this year numbers were expected to be even higher.

“It’s a great event for the com munity, it gets family and friends out fishing, camping and doing what we all love to do,” she said.

“Anglers come from all over the Cape, Atherton, Mareeba and Cairns; we have even had anglers come from as far as Em erald to join in.”

But Ms Webber said the mys tery weight fish, drawn at the weigh-in and bagging the owner a new tinny and trailer, had so far only gone to locals.

“This year we have a 4.6m Quintrex Renegade with a 60hp motor valued at $38,000 for the mystery weight, as well as lots of prizes and giveaways,” she said.

Registrations open at the Sov ereign Resort Hotel this Friday, with fishing starting at 11am Fri day and weigh-ins on both Sat urday and Sunday.

Auction

Ayton is getting a new boat ramp and pontoon on the Bloomfield River, giving locals great access to the reef.

Dance festival gears up for 2023

By SAMUEL DAVIS

CLAPSTICKS struck in rhythm as red dirt rises from beneath Quinkan dancers’ feet will mark the opening of next year’s Laura Dance Festival.

Usually held every two years, the three-day event attracts First Nations dance groups from across Far North Queensland, sharing art and culture with thousands of visi tors to the remote community.

Speaking at the festival’s launch, Ang Gnarra Aboriginal Corporation CEO August Stevens said dancers’ performances would take centre stage in 2023.

“There were concerns from TOs that the event had become overcommercialised (in the past),” Mr Stevens said.

“In previous years, other organ isers started introducing live bands and things like that.

“Listening to the TOs, they felt that was inappropriate on that par ticular site.

“So we’re going back to having just the traditional dance competi tion, along with art and craft sales.

“We’ll also have a didgeridoo competition.”

Festival director Fiona John said the event was unlike any other cultural experience in Australia.

“Over the three days, guests will be immersed in rich cultural heritage, experiencing traditional art, ancient storytelling, song and dance,” she said.

“It’s a window into a slice of

Australian life not often seen out side of remote communities, and guests often describe it as a lifealtering experience.”

Next year, Quinkan dancers will perform at the opening and closing of the event.

Performer, Violet Snider said she was excited to share her fam ily’s culture through dance.

“I like doing it,” she said.

“It keeps my family strong and proud. It’ll feel good to perform next year.”

Last year, Lockhart River dance group Kawadji Wiimpa won the festival’s dance competition, tak ing home the prestigious shield.

It’s estimated 4600 visitors at tended the event in 2021.

The Laura Quinkan Dance Fes tival will be held July 7-9, 2023.

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Violet Snider and her grandfather Walter Snider.

Nash and Zion Snider will perform at the 2023 Laura Dance Festival.

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No births in Cape York until 2023

By MATT NICHOLLS

RECRUITING and retaining staff continues to be an issue for the Cape’s health service after it was announced that the opening of the Weipa birthing service would not start until next year.

The decision was announced last week by Torres and Cape Hos pital and Health Service chief ex ecutive Bev Hamerton.

“We had hoped to start birthing at Weipa before the end of this year but, as with all rural health services in Australia, we have faced some challenges around the recruitment of some key staff,” she said.

“We have recruited many of the medical and midwifery staff need ed to open the service.

“However, the remaining staff required to provide a safe and sus tainable birthing service are not

due to commence until late Janu ary 2023.”

Ms Hamerton said a birthing service required access to qualified midwives, as well as medical staff with additional skills in obstetrics and anaesthetists necessary to sup port the service on a 24/7 roster.

Crackdown on boat moorings in Cooktown

MORE than 25 unauthorised moorings could be removed from Cooktown’s harbour and owners fined nearly $300 after Maritime Safety Queensland was tipped off to the il legal anchorages earlier this year.

The previously onerous registration pro cess was the likely cause for high numbers of illegal moorings, Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Cooktown deputy commander Nick Davidson said.

“There have been a lot of mooring blocks put in over the years, the harbour would be littered with bits of concrete and old engine blocks,” he said.

“The registration process used to be fairly complex, with multiple approvals required from different authorities, but MSQ has now streamlined that.”

MSQ general manager Kell Dillon said the authority was allowing boaties the op portunity to comply before any further ac tion was taken.

“We haven’t started removing the illegal moorings yet,” he said.

“Applications for buoy moorings must be submitted to MSQ for approval; if accepted, an authority is issued prior to the apparatus being installed.”

Mr Dillon said installing a mooring with out authority or not removing an unauthor ised mooring could land boaties with fines.

“There is a penalty of $287; should the owner still not comply, further enforcement action will be taken,” he said.

Mr Dillon said navigational safety of oth er vessels, depth and sensitive marine areas were taken into account when considering mooring applications.

Mr Davidson said many people also didn’t realise a mooring had to be registered to a single vessel.

“There are exemptions for commercial operators, but generally a mooring should only be used by the vessel it’s registered to, and that vessel also needs to be registered,” he said.

“MSQ just want to see some compliance, this is the start of a process to get people on board and compliant.”

Mooring registration ranges from $156 to $195, with annual renewals costing less than $100. The registrant is responsible for the cost and maintenance of the mooring buoy and block.

“These staff are essential to en suring that the service can provide a continuous medical and mid wifery presence for both birthing and after hours and emergency ser vice if they are required,” she said.

“We ask for understanding as we work towards building this new service.

“We are focusing on ensuring that the Weipa community and women of the Western Cape have a birthing service in January that they can trust and is always avail able for women who are eligible to birth locally.”

Birthing services in the Cape has been a political football for both Labor and the LNP for the past decade.

The Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service believed the annual number of births in the re gion didn’t justify the millions of

dollars that has now been spent at Cooktown and Weipa hospitals over the past few years to intro duce the services.

However, when politicians get involved decisions are taken out of the hands of health boards.

The rollout at Cooktown has been problematic. Birthing ser vices started before being put on pause so the hospital could under go renovations.

Then, earlier this year, birthing was stopped again due to a lack of staff. It seems there is no start date in site for Cooktown.

“We understand the continuing suspension of birthing services at the Cooktown Multipurpose Health Service is a stressful time for expectant mothers and their families,” Ms Hamerton said.

“During this period, our won derful team of skilled and dedi

cated midwives have continued to provide unwavering support and a commitment to maintain continu ity of care to our community.

“They have also been supported with obstetric medical advice as needed via telehealth.

“The safety of mums and their babies is always our top priority.

“Birthing services will be rein stated at Cooktown when we can ensure the safe provision of care from a multidisciplinary team for mothers and their babies.

“We continue to recruit to va cant medical positions that led to the suspension of birthing services in February this year.”

While the start of birthing ser vices at Weipa has been pushed back several months, expecting mums are already being supported by the Weipa Midwifery Group Practice team.

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TCHHS boss Bev Hamerton.

New facilities coming for popular camping spot

MAPOON will upgrade its Cullen Point campground and create a his torical walk in the community after it was awarded $2.8 million under the Resources Community Infra structure Fund.

The state government initiative targets mining communities and the Mapoon council was success ful in sharing in the $100 million that was distributed in this round of funding.

Mapoon Aboriginal Shire

Council mayor Aileen Addo said the $2.8 million would be spent on the campground upgrade and the development of an historical inter pretation walk of mission village building sites in the Old Mapoon Precinct.

“Works will include installing concrete pads for camp sites, two shelter structures with seating and three amenities blocks,” Cr Addo said.

“The funding will also provide

for concrete paths, signage, power to the site, automatic solar lighting, and landscaping.

“We will gain expanded and improved camping and day visi tor facilities and visitors will have greater opportunities to learn about the history of Mapoon.

“This will provide opportunities for new local guided-tour services and visitor experiences that will support jobs and economic devel opment.”

Major upgrade for youth precinct

LIGHTS at the cricket ground, an upgrade to the oval and improve ments to the skate park area are all on the cards for Weipa after the WTA was awarded $3.3 million for upgrades to the youth precinct in Rocky Point.

The funds come from the state government’s Resources Commu nity Infrastructure Fund.

Weipa Town Authority chair Michael Rowland said the grant would deliver a vibrant public sport, recreation and youth space for the town.

“This project will create a mod ern, inclusive youth precinct and vibrant public space for the Weipa community,” he said.

“We did a lot of consulting with

the community earlier in the year to get ideas and we’ll go back to the kids in town before finalising our plans.

“Works are likely to include up grading the existing skate park and cricket areas, installing new multifunction courts for ball sports, safe meeting spaces, amenities, path ways, lighting and landscaping.”

Weipa Taxi

Mr Rowland said the initial feedback from the town’s youth had been informative.

“We found they were really en gaged and interested in providing input into what is needed,” he said.

“The half-court basketball court is very popular and we’ll be look ing at creating a full-size court based on the feedback.

“The project will help to support a positive and healthy community and youth culture in Weipa by pro viding new sport and recreation opportunities and a safe place to make connections and have fun.”

The WTA is likely to open up feedback on the precinct in the coming months, with work to start next year.

Going out for the night?

A conceptual drawing of what the youth precinct might look like at Rocky Point when complete. The skate park and basketball court are likely to be upgraded, along with improvements at the oval.

The Cullen Point camping ground is a popular place for Mapoon visitors.

Cape York spaceport has backing across the globe

By SAMUEL DAVIS

WAR in Ukraine is accelerat ing the UK’s interest in plans to build a spaceport in Cape York, Space Centre Australia’s chief executive says.

In March, British satellite company OneWeb suspended launches from Russia’s Bai konur Cosmodrome in Kazakh stan as the conflict erupted along the west Ukrainian border.

And while dozens of OneWeb spacecraft have since launched from the Kremlin-controlled facility, SCA’s chief executive James Palmer said countries and corporations are already looking to take their business elsewhere.

“There’s a very big gap in launch structure availability right now,” Mr Palmer said fol lowing meetings with the UK Space Agency and others in London last month.

“Because of the war in Ukraine, the Kazakhstan cosmo drome is effectively off limits.

“It’s taken away the abil ity for larger scale launches for them. The UK can’t have larger scale launch work because of where they’re located.

“But telcos, government, defence and communications based organisations all need the ability to have satellite ser vices.”

The company is also prepar ing to open its first overseas of fice in Oxfordshire in Decem ber, Mr Palmer said.

“Our connection with the UK has been part of our strategic road map since day one,” the CEO told Cape York Weekly

“We’ve been working with them for over a year now.

“These early talks are about ensuring the UK has future ac cess to meet these demands to launch larger satellites and pay loads.

“The meeting was successful and we’re all on the same page about the direction we need to be moving.”

SCA plans to achieve lift-off near Weipa by 2024.

Local consultancy group Ec otone will help SCA prepare its development applications and Environmental Impact State ments to the state and federal government over the coming months.

If approved, the proposed spaceport would only have small launch capabilities in its first few years before scaling up.

Further consultation with

Traditional Owner groups re garding the spaceport’s location – around 43km east of Weipa –was held last week.

“We had a really good meet ing with Mokwiri Aboriginal Corporation,” Mr Palmer said.

“We’ve also kicked off a lot of our environmental work and meetings with community mem bers.”

International Director at the UK Space Agency, Sarah Boyall said the organisation would keep

a close eye on SCA’s progress in the Cape.

“Like the UK, our colleagues in the Australian space sector have ambitious plans for com mercial launch, and we are pleased to see that this includes collaborating with UK skills and expertise,” Ms Boyall said.

“As the UK-Australia Space Bridge partnership grows, we wish the SCA all the best in their new venture and look forward to opportunities to work together.”

Aurukun drug charges

AN Aurukun man has been charged with drug-related offences after police executed a search warrant in the community on October 7.

Following the raid at an Apalech Street residence, police said they located a large quantity of money, cannabis and drug paraphernalia.

A 37-year-old Aurukun man was charged with one count each of drug trafficking, supplying dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs, receiving property from trafficking or supplying, possessing anything for use in the commission of crime defined in Part 2 and two counts of possessing drug utensils.

He will face Aurukun magistrates Court on November 10.

Crackdown on speed limit

PUBLIC complaints and several near misses have resulted in officials proposing to enforce the unofficial 6-knot speed limit in Cooktown’s harbour.

Although 6-knot signs had previously been in place “for years”, many boaties ignored them, Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Cooktown deputy commander Nick Davidson said.

“I don’t know who installed the signs, but it was never enforceable,” he said.

“I think it’s welcome news, when you’ve got boats moored at the wharves and someone tears past at speed it can be pretty dangerous. I don’t think you’d find many people against it.”

Maritime Safety Queensland general manager Kell Dillon said the 6-knot zone was in addition to general speed limits already applied to the rest of the Endeavour River, including 6 knots within 30 metres of moored vessels and wharves or boat ramps.

“Public consultation on the proposed new speed limit has started, with written submissions requested from stakeholders, locals and waterway users,” Mr Dillon said.

The proposed 6-knot zone runs from just south of the Cooktown boat ramp through the swing basin and north to the start of William Daku Park.

Space Centre Australia chief executive James Palmer says the Weipa spaceport is progressing well.

Fresh faces at community centre

By SARAH MARTIN

AFTER almost a decade at the helm, Cooktown District Com munity Centre chief executive Kaz Price has passed on the baton, along with a freshly painted and welcoming centre.

Since her tenure started in 2013, Ms Price has built the centre to provide numerous programs for the community, including play group, senior’s activities, family support and community develop ment.

“The big ticket achievements during my time have been expand ing the programs from six to 11, as well as making the organisation financially sustainable,” she said.

“My final project has been to oversee the refresh of the centre to make the building more visible, accessible and welcoming.”

The refresh includes landscap ing and a colourful mural on the building’s front, a mosaic at the entrance and painting in the play group area and other spaces.

“The new look is really about re-establishing the community centre as a space that invites peo ple to come in; it’s definitely now the most vivid building in Cook town and looks like a community centre,” Ms Price said.

New chief executive officer Tracey Boulton took over the reins in October, following a threemonth handover period.

“I have to say I love it,” Ms

Boulton told Cape York Weekly

“CDCC is backed by a hard working team of professionals who have welcomed me with open arms; my initial focus is to build on the great work already in place and lift the profile and presence of the centre.”

Ms Boulton said her predeces

sor had left the organisation in a great place.

“Kaz worked tirelessly to grow the services for the benefit of the community, to professionally de velop the staff to deliver those services to the highest standard and achieved accreditation which places CDCC in high accord with

funding bodies and the commu nity,” she said.

“It’s hard to describe how much work goes into these achievements and it is greatly appreciated.”

While she hasn’t got any con crete plans, Ms Price said she was looking forward to spending time with her grandchildren and family,

writing a book and working on her block at Mungumby.

But she said she would still be dropping into the CDCC in a vol unteer capacity and encouraged others to do the same.

“Get on down to your commu nity centre and become involved, become a member,” she said.

Council

on front foot prior to the storm season

COOK Shire Council is urging commu nity members to get ready for the extreme weather season and is offering free dumping for sorted domestic waste at all Cook Shire waste transfer stations, from October 25 to November 7 to help them prepare.

“The Bureau of Meteorology is predict ing above average rainfall and an increased likelihood of an earlier than expected onset of tropical cyclone season,” said Cook Shire mayor Peter Scott.

“Preparation is key when it comes to dealing with extreme weather events.

“Clearing and disposing of loose debris and domestic waste from around our homes and properties is one of the simple and effec tive ways we can prepare our homes and our families for what might come.”

Community members taking advantage of the free dumping days are reminded that their waste must be pre-sorted and that all

un-sorted waste will be charged according to regular fees and charges.

Ahead of the wet season, other prepara tions include the temporary removal of the remote waste skip bins located at Starke River Boat Ramp, Annie River Boat Ramp (Marina Plains) and Port Stewart.

“During the wet, the roads and the rain make it impossible for council’s trucks to access, remove and replace these remote skip bins,” said Tim Ryle, the council’s waste management coordinator.

“They fill up with waste and water and become a hazard, so it’s in the interest of public health and safety that we remove them until we can resume regular service.”

Alternate waste facilities are located at the Cooktown Waste Transfer Station, Lake land WTS, Ayton WTS, Laura WTS, Coen Landfill, Portland Roads Waste Facility and Moreton Telegraph Slit Trench.

Karen Thompson, Mick McDermott, Rob Giblin, Tracey Boulton, Karen Whipper, Kaz Price, Russell Bowman, Jane Dennis, Mikkia Wynter, Sandra Gougeon and Tjuana Gibson in front of the new-look Cooktown District Community Centre.

Waste officer Ambre Paran gets ready for free dumping days at Cooktown Waste Transfer Station.

Cape Kids opening more child care spots in 2023

A LENGTHY waiting list for child care in Weipa will be re duced next year following the recruitment of more teachers and educators at Cape Kids.

Rio Tinto, which owns the early childhood education centre in Trunding, has spent months trying to build capacity to take the load off the waiting list.

Cape Kids says it should be able to offer 73 positions to par ents in the community next year.

“The provision of quality ear ly childhood education and care has been something the core services team at Rio Tinto have been focused on this year,” a

spokesperson for Rio Tinto told Cape York Weekly

“This pathway began earlier this year with compliance and maintenance improvements, to provide even better facilities for local families and educators.

“Over the past months, Rio Tinto have made repairs to the existing infrastructure – this in cludes, flooring, decking, shade sails, painting and new soft walls in our infant wing.

“An increase in our educa tional resources include: new bikes, construction experienc es, role play resources, sports equipment, finger gym resources

to develop pencil grip and hand eye coordination, inclusion re sources to support children with additional and sensory needs and an interactive whiteboard to support the kindergarten pro gram.”

Cape Kids has also recruited two early childhood teachers.

Leanne Joass comes with more than 20 years experience.

She has a special interest in early literacy and has vast ex perience working with children with additional needs.

Cape Kids has also welcomed Sandy MacKinnon, who has worked with C&K and Montes

sori Kindergartens. She believes children learn early numeracy and literacy skills through a rich and nurturing play based educa tion program.

The new recruits will allow Cape Kids to have a 4-5-yearold kindergarten class and a 3-4-year-old cohort.

Stacey Owen, operations lead at Cape Kids said: “I be lieve with the team leading our amazing educators, Cape Kids will go from strength to strength to ensure we can continue to grow and provide quality care and education to our families in Weipa.”

High tea to help halt domestic violence

YOUNG men from across Cape York and the Torres Strait are taking a stand against domestic violence, hosting a ladies lunch eon to raise funds and awareness for the cause.

Students from AFL Cape York House for Boys held the

Stand Up Against Domestic Violence High Tea on Sunday in Cairns with more than 190 women in attendance.

The event, created by stu dents at the Indigenous boarding house in 2015, was designed to raise awareness and inspire so

cial change, particularly in In digenous communities.

Inspirational domestic vio lence advocate and disability advocate, Angela Barker OAM provided the keynote speech.

Students from the Cairnsbased boarding house performed

traditional songs and dances with art and donated goods auc tioned to raise funds.

In the past, the high tea has raised funds for multiple ser vices including Beyond Blue, the Luke Batty Foundation and Shelter Housing Action Cairns.

Back row: Sharman Williams, Elizabeth Dau and Ranadi Nadredre. Front row: Sylvia Lalara, Makita Kerindun, Melba Wurrawilya and Shuntay Yunkaporta

at AFL Cape York House’s High Tea. The event raises money for domestic violence services across Australia.

Picture: SAMUEL DAVIS

Rio’s talking about it on Tuesdays

RIO Tinto employees in Weipa are supporting two Cape York mums and their mental health initiative by adopting work shirts created by TradeMutt.

The idea was sparked by Cape York residents Jackie Perry and Debbie Jackson, who have both lost sons to suicide.

Talk About It Tuesday is fo cused on encouraging open con versations in the community and the workplace as a way to help break down barriers associated with talking about mental health.

From mental health issues and suicide to loss and grief, Rio Tinto wants people to feel both safe and

empowered to reach out when in need of support.

Rio Tinto said it was proud to support Talk About It Tuesday by supplying TradeMutt’s conversa tion-starting workshirts for all em ployees who wish to take part and wear them every Tuesday.

“I’m already seeing these shirts around site and it’s obvious they’re being worn with pride for the cause,” said Rio Tinto peer support coordinator Rebecca Walker.

As orders grow and arrive on site, Rio Tinto hopes the highvisibility shirts are just the begin ning of building a more visible and mindful environment to better

support their colleagues in times of need.

Ms Perry praised Rio Tinto for supporting the cause.

“Please go and talk to a mate or a peer support worker if you are feeling low,” she said.

“Everyone is valuable to fam ily and friends and your family are never better off without you.

“Every problem will have a so lution if we just reach out for a lit tle bit of help.”

TIACS, which stands for This Is A Conversation Starter, is a free mental health support service funded through the sale of Trade Mutt’s workwear.

Those who are struggling can call or text 0488 846 988 from 8am to 10pm Monday to Friday.

It’s a free service.

* Talk About It Tuesday was an award winner at last week’s QLD Mental Health Week Achievement Awards.

Ms Perry and Ms Jackson were recognised for their work with the Coen school.

Staff at the school wear their bright shirts each Tuesday and en courage conversations about men tal health.

“This award is not for us but everyone involved in Talk About It Tuesday,” Ms Perry said.

Jackie Perry and Debbie Jackson at the Qld Mental Health Achievement Awards, where they won an award.

Rio Tinto Weipa’s Aaron Hanshaw and Rebecca Walker.

Rebecca Walker and Louisa Bowie show off their shirts.

Talkin’ about it ... Rebecca Walker and Paul Langsdorf.

CEQ nominated for Queensland COVID award

COMMUNITY Enterprise

Queensland has been recog nised for helping to protect Indigenous communities across Cape York, the Tor res Strait and Palm Island during the COVID-19 pan demic by being nominated for a statewide award.

The not-for-profit remote store operator is in conten tion for the Best Response to the COVID-19 pandemic in work health and safety at the Queensland government’s Safe Work and Return to Work Awards 2022.

CEQ stood out among in itial judging of more than 90 organisations and individu als across Queensland to now be in the final six nomi nees for the category, which

recognises businesses or in dividuals which have shown excellence and innovation in work health and safety

in response to COVID-19.

During the pandemic, CEQ ensured a regular sup ply of high-quality goods

and essential services to the Torres Strait, NPA, main land Aboriginal remote communities, and Palm Is land through its 28 stores.

CEQ chief executive of ficer Michael Dykes said the organisation was honoured to be recognised for its re sponse to the global pan demic.

“We’re absolutely de lighted to have been nomi nated for this award, and it is a tribute to each and every one of our wonderful staff,” Mr Dykes said.

“It’s a great achievement, and great acknowledgement for all the hard work put in by our people.”

From the onset of COV ID, CEQ ensured its supply

chain wouldn’t be compro mised by seeking alternate supply options for essential services.

CEQ also collaborated with various government agencies through the Na tional Indigenous Food Security working group headed by the National In digenous Australians Agen cy (NIAA).

Mr Dykes said that the communities CEQ serves had uninterrupted access to quality goods and services throughout the pandemic.

“We made sure none of our stores ran out of core staples, including toilet pa per which was unavailable in most major cities through out Australia,” he said.

“This was a massive achievement, and I can’t thank enough the efforts of our staff and local communi ties during the past year.

“We also reinforced the need for mask wearing and social distancing, and pro vided hand sanitiser in store to help protect our custom ers from the virus.

“Our flexible work ar rangements, innovative im provements to health and hygiene, and commitment to implement new solutions to the pandemic have all been a great success and it’s fantas tic to be recognised for these achievements.”

The ceremony will be held on Friday, October 21 in Brisbane.

Mt Carbine mine given a new life

AUSTRALIA’S only primary tungsten producer, EQ Resourc es, is processing waste from the Mt Carbine mine to produce the critical mineral in increasing de mand around the world.

EQ Resources and its Ger man partner Cronimet are using modern processing technology to produce tungsten concentrate from waste dumps at the historic Mt Carbine mine, helping gener ate local jobs.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart visited the mine and said the transformation under way at Mt Carbine reflected one of the key themes of the state govern ment’s 30-year-plan for the re sources industry: new opportu nity for old mines.

“Changing technology and demand means some of our old mines could be given new life, creating jobs, which is what’s happening at Mt Carbine,” he said.

Apprentice acknowledged for dedication to his trade

A WEIPA-based apprentice was among the big winners at the TAFE Queensland 2022 Cairns Trade Ex cellence Awards earlier this month.

Morgan Walker, 19, was one of the 16 award winners named.

He collected the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Trade Stu dent of the Year Award in front of more than 250 guests at Heming way’s Brewery.

The annual event recognises the training achievements of trade students from across the state who study at the TAFE Queensland Cairns campus.

“I feel very honoured to be cho

sen to represent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Mr Walker said.

A Torres Strait Islander man, Mr Walker started his apprenticeship with education provider MRAEL and host employer Rio Tinto in 2021.

Mr Walker attends block train ing at the TAFE Cairns campus and has consistently shown great ability in hands-on practical tasks, delivering high-quality results.

“I’m a second year apprentice fitter and turner and I love learning my trade and gaining new skills,” he said.

“I really enjoy my training and all of my teachers are very sup portive and helpful.”

At the ceremony, Mr Walker was praised for being a mentor and role model to his peers, and for always displaying a safety first at titude.

“If someone was considering a trade career my advice is to go for it,” Mr Walker said.

“At the start of your apprentice ship it can be a bit daunting, but everyone around you in your trade is supportive and they’re willing to teach people who want to learn,” he said.

TAFE Queensland Director of Trades (north region) Mark Pat terson said the 2022 Cairns Trade Excellence Awards was now in its sixth year.

“Our annual awards night is a great opportunity to celebrate the dedication and success of the next generation of tradespeople and I’d like to congratulate all of the final ists and winners,” he said.

“More than 1200 apprentices from across the state currently at tend the Cairns campus for train ing and 62 of those students were selected as finalists for the 2022 Cairns Trade Excellence Awards.”

“With Cronimet, a global met als specialist, EQ Resources has refurbished, commissioned, and expanded the Mt Carbine pro cessing plant to extract tungsten from the mine’s waste dump, which has effectively become a low-grade tungsten stockpile.

“The mine is now providing more than 60 good, secure jobs for locals, and with the joint ven ture’s plans to re-start hard rock mining, the project could create more than 100 jobs.”

The project incorporates the old tungsten mine and modern ised and upgraded processing facilities, using state of the art ore-sorting technology.

Waste from this process is finding a new use as road base and aggregates.

Tungsten, also known as wolf ram, is prized for its hardness, durability, and is resistant to corrosion. Its wide ranging-uses include solar technology, wind turbine blades, drill bits and fila ments for lighting.

Weipa apprentice Morgan Walker with his award at the TAFE Queensland 2022 Cairns Trade Excellence Awards, held at Hemingway’s Brewery.

CEQ chief executive officer Michael Dykes.

Cape residents targeted for questionable car sales

By SAMUEL DAVIS

DODGY cars sitting idle in drive ways and on front lawns is an all too common sight in the remote Indigenous community of Wujal Wujal.

“The last time I visited I left with three instances of cars that had been bought and broke down soon after,” financial counsellor Zac Wildy said.

“There have been at least 10 cases in the last 10 months from here alone.”

Mr Wildy visits the Cape York township of around 400 residents once a month through his work with the Indigenous Consumer As sistance Network (ICAN).

Located three-and-a-half hours north of Cairns, Mr Wildy said the rise in beat-up jalopies being sold by some Cairns dealerships to vulnerable community members comes down to a variety of factors.

First, a shortage in motor vehi cles caused by the global pandemic forced dealers to scramble to find suitable cars to sell.

Then, a spike in damaged cars hitting the market following the New South Wales floods led to more buyers being sold “lemons”.

Mr Wildy said the added pres sure of unethical sales tactics used by some dealerships has created a buyers worst nightmare.

“We’re seeing a jump in how dodgy some of the vehicles being sold are,” he said.

“There are repairable write-offs being sent north in varying states of quality to consumers.

“They’re trying to disguise what these vehicles have been through.

“We’re hearing this from other agencies we work with, too. We can say it with a high level of con fidence that’s what’s happening.”

Predatory tactics have led to

many buyers being ripped off or exploited, Mr Wildy said.

“We’ve seen instances where people have had large sums of money paid out through stolen wages and the national redress scheme,” he said.

“A few dealerships have built relationships with financiers that aren’t adhering to their obligations in providing loans.

“We’ve also got clients being provided credit who probably can’t service those loans.”

A recent investigation by con sumer advocacy group CHOICE found several Wujal Wujal resi dents with cars that broke down soon after their purchase.

Among them, Cedric Friday, who bought a second-hand Holden

Captiva with his brother-in-law for $19,000.

“It didn’t last long, just four or five months, got buggered up,” Mr Friday told CHOICE.

“I feel ripped off, I don’t know what to do with this car here now. When you buy a good car it should last you at least five years.

“It didn’t happen with this car.”

In cases where claims have been filed through the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal the outcomes are often less than sat isfactory for the complainant, Mr Wildy said.

“Even when determinations are found in favour of clients we’re finding dealerships aren’t follow ing through with compensation or alternative outcomes,” he said.

“Some of our clients have lim ited means and sometimes lower literacy levels. It’s harder for them to get a fair outcome.

“We need to ensure that those organisations have firm and robust processes and the avenues con sumers have to contest purchases ensures they get a fair hearing.

Earlier this year ICAN held a workshop with RACQ in Wujal Wujal to help prospective car buy ers know how to avoid buying a bad vehicle.

“That was a really successful event. For people in Cairns we’ve also organised free pre-purchase inspections,” Mr Wildy said.

Consumers seeking financial counselling or advocacy can con tact ICAN on 1800 369 878.

Property is off limits to public: council

FOLLOWING a recent meeting of the Oriners-Sefton advisory committee, the Kowanyama Abo riginal Shire Council has organ ised for private property signage to be installed around the cattle station.

The Oriners-Sefton pastoral leases are owned by the council.

Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council has the right to deter mine what activities occur on the land, guided by the families from that Country.

“These signs will help remind visitors that they cannot light fires, hunt, fish or camp on our Country,” senior leader Michael Yam said.

Mr Yam is keen to see Tradi tional Owners visit Oriners.

“We want young people to come and camp and learn about their Country, and to have a spir itual and cultural connection with their homelands,” he said.

“Some outsiders have been do ing the wrong thing, going to the wrong places, and they will get hurt.

“They are also hurting our Country. We want people to re

spect our land and respect our authority.”

Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council’s fire and carbon opera tions contractor Daryl Killin of Tropical Forest Tree Pty Ltd said

members of the public have been lighting fires on the property.

“Fires set by the public pose a threat to council’s aerial burning operations and have the potential to cost the community hundreds of thousands of dollars in carbon credits,” he said.

Charlotte Yam, who has been working towards protecting the endangered golden-shouldered parrot, said permission was need ed to access private property.

“We need people to understand that this is our Traditional Home lands. If you want to visit our Country, you need to get permis sion,” she said.

Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council is developing a formal Oriners-Sefton visitor policy, which will be finalised shortly.

“It’s fantastic to see council and Traditional Owners working together towards achieving col lective goals,” Mr Yam said.

remain

A RESEARCHER has criti cised the federal government’s decision to keep the controver sial cashless debit card (CDC) in Cape York while dumping it elsewhere in Australia.

Thousands of welfare recipi ents across the country have opt ed out of the CDC scheme since it was made optional earlier this month.

The card, which aims to stop money being spent on alcohol and gambling, quarantines up to 80 per cent of a person’s welfare payments.

But despite legislation to abolish the card being passed through the Senate, Cape York and Northern Territory resi dents using the CDC are stuck with the scheme until next year.

A new “equivalent” compulso ry income management card will then be introduced next year.

Under the program, the Fam ily Responsibilities Commission (FRC) will retain the power to refer people to income manage ment.

However, Senior Research Fellow at University of Queens land Dr Zoe Staines said the new card will change little for users living on the Cape.

“This does nothing to address the previous criticisms levelled at the program and it backtracks on Labor’s commitment to end compulsory income manage ment,” Dr Staines said.

“The ‘equivalent’ card under the ‘Enhanced Income Man agement’ scheme will operate in what appears to be identi cal fashion to the CDC on Cape York.”

Arguments against CDC-style programs are that it does little to stop users from finding alter nate means to purchase alcohol and drugs. Further, opponents argue it shames users who hope to spend their money responsibly while limiting their options.

But its many advocates, among them Noel Pearson, ar gue ending income management would lead to major social prob lems in remote Indigenous com munities.

“I think this legislation will wipe out 20 years of my work,” Mr Pearson said after the pro posal to remove the CDC from Cape York was first raised.

“We’d just have to give up. We would come to the point of just giving up on the idea that we can change anything for the fu ture of these communities.

“You will repeal the card and then you will walk away and leave us to the violence, leave us to the hunger, leave us to the ne glected children.”

Dr Staines said more re search-based evidence was re quired to prove claims removing income management would have a negative effect on remote com munities.

Story by Samuel Davis

Michael Yam, Larry Matthew, Marcus Yam and Simpson Yam with signs that make it clear that Oriners-Sefton is private property.

Zac Wildy is a financial counsellor with the Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network.

Cooktown Careers Expo

Students get a feel for the future

HUNDREDS of students got a glimpse into life after school at the annual Careers Expo at the Cook town Events Centre last week.

The event, coordinated by Cooktown P-12 State School, brought dozens of organisations together to provide students infor mation around different career op portunities.

Students from Cooktown State School, Endeavour Christian Col lege and Holy Spirit College took the opportunity to chat with per sonnel from state and local gov ernment service providers, private businesses, Queensland Health, not for profit organisations, Queens land Ambulance, and police and several universities.

Chris Jensen and Peter Roberts from Hastings Deering. Students grabbed some goody bags while chatting to MyPathway staff.

Rio Tinto school engagement advisor Rosselle Canilao shows off with the VR walkthrough of Rio’s operations.

Ilyaree Snider, talking to David Graham of NQ Aero Club, is keen to become a commercial pilot.

Lucy Roberts, Elizabeth and Eliza Gott checked out the stalls.

Skill360 provided information about their services. Cape York NRM also had an information stand.

Ben Houghton, Taylah Mapes and Evelyn Cowley from TCHHS.

Ready Day @

The Solar Relief team made the trip from Townsville. Mike Benjamin on barbecue duties.

Alex Coleman’s cupcakes proved popular.

Kim Hockey from Border Force.

Health workers Mihkahlia Proffitt and Leah Mischewski. Emergency services came together to provide support. Rio Tinto had a presence at the event.

The Weipa Town Authority team coordinated the Get Ready day.

Ziggy and Lita from the Weipa SES unit.

All agencies came together to put on an informative day at the Weipa SES facility on Saturday.

Chakri and Haresh with Australian Army personnel.

The Western Cape Rural Fire Brigade demonstrates the dangers of putting water on an oil fire.

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Teens picked in Indigenous team

By SAMUEL DAVIS

TEARS welled in the eyes of Masie Mosby as he heard the pride in his mother’s voice come down a crackling phone line.

“Yeah, I was starting to cry too,” the softly spoken Darnley Islander said.

“But I tried to stay strong to make her feel better.”

The call home to tell family he’d been selected in the pres tigious Flying Boomerangs AFL leadership program was just the start of the young ruckman’s journey.

Selected after attending an AFL Diversity camp on the Sun shine Coast, the long-kicking left-footer packed his bags and headed to Melbourne for the five-day footy adventure earlier this month.

Picked alongside Rossvilleraised speedster Rushon George, the talented teens teamed up with some of the best Indigenous players from across the country as part of the camp.

“It was a great opportunity for the boys,” AFL Cape York op erations officer Jake O’Halloran said.

“They toured St Kilda footy club and attended the draft com bine before playing against a World Team.”

The chance to play against another representative squad and learn about other cultures was a highlight for George.

“Getting to meet boys from around Australia and play ing with them on the field was great,” the fleet-footed forward said.

“We did a war cry before the

game. I felt pride and was really happy that I got to play down there … but it was pretty cold.

“I just enjoy playing.”

Both George and Mosby at tend high school in Cairns while boarding at AFL Cape York House for Boys.

“These boys are in board ing for around 40 weeks of the year,” O’Halloran said.

“It means they spend a crazy amount of time away from their families.

“To give up that time to pur sue their footy shows a lot of re silience and dedication.”

The talented duo will train with Cairns-based members of the Gold Coast Suns Academy until the end of the school year.

“It was a good experience to play somewhere new in an all In digenous side,” Mosby said.

SPORT IN BRIEF

Jim wins with three

FOURTEEN clubs is about 11 too many for most Weipa golfers, it was proven last Wednesday.

At the Wackers’ three-club event on the front nine, several players produced credible scores including Mick Foy, who had 44 off the stick.

Jim Hunter was the nett winner ahead of Steve Head in a field of 15.

Nearest the pins went to Hunter and Grant Crossley, while Dasha Holmquest was lost without his full arsenal and picked up the Bradman’s.

There’s another three-club event happening this Wednedsay.

Crossley salutes

JUST eight players took to the Carpentaria Golf Club course on Sunday morning for Dawn Busters and it was Grant Crossley who came out on top.

He beat Jon Dall for the honours, while Viv Dick claimed the Hoffman’s.

Mick Cerneka picked up the nearest to pin, while Ross Craven had the longest drive from the first tee.

Cup win for Nana

POPULAR figure ‘Nana’ Vicky Molloy has added her name to the honour board at the Carpentaria Golf Club after winning the 36-hole Rio Tinto Cup on the weekend.

The veteran had a nett score of 145 over the two days, narrowly beating Sharon Gardiner, who carded 146.

The ladies were well clear of the blokes, with third place a dozen shots behind.

Nearest to pins were won by Mark Jorgenson, Jamie Hutton and Sandy Nelson.

Talented footy players Masie Mosby and Rushon George with Jake O’Halloran, the AFL Cape York operations officer.

Jamie Hutton, Mark Jorgenson, Sharon Gardiner, Sandy Nelson and Vicky Molloy after the Rio Tinto Cup at Weipa on the weekend.

Cooktown teen ready to step back into the ring

RISING Cooktown muaythai fighter Sam Kenny will step into centre ring for the fourth time this year at the Fight NQ event in Cairns this weekend.

The 14-year-old oozes poten tial, Full Boar Gym coach Vince Parkes says.

“He had his first fight in May on only three days’ notice, and after only being in the gym for three weeks,” Parkes said.

“Who can do a nine-minute

fight on three days notice when they’ve only done 20 lessons in their whole life?

“I could see the potential in him straight away, but until they get in the ring you never know the hid den talent that’s in them; what’s in their heart and their mind.”

Not only did Kenny go the dis tance in his first fight, he won in convincing style, and has since had two more stoushes in June and September.

“He’s just gone from strength to strength and I reckon he has a good chance of knocking his op ponent out on Saturday; he just hits too hard for a novice,” Parkes said.

Kenny is matched against fel low teenager Ashton Ryan, fight ing out of ATG Muaythai in Ather ton.

The teenager has been work ing hard in the lead up to his bout, with gruelling twice-daily training

sessions including sparring, bag work, strength and conditioning and technique.

“We’re working him all round so he’s good at everything, get ting his eye in and making him sharp and hard and working on his ringcraft,” Parkes said.

“The last words he said this morning when he walked out of the gym, after doing four fiveminute rounds on the pads and 500 knees, was ‘I love muaythai!’.”

Bamaga runner overcomes odds

By SAMUEL DAVIS

STRIDING past Buckingham Pal ace, Joyrah Newman felt a burst of energy as she neared the London Marathon’s finish line.

“It’s this painful happy thing,” Ms Newman said.

“It’s one of the best experiences. You put yourself through so much and you hurt during the run but you don’t feel it when you cross the finish line.

“You’re almost like a new per son.”

The Canberra-based public servant, who still calls Bamaga home, joined the Indigenous Mara thon Project in April, 2021.

Started in 2009 by Aussie cham pion, Robert De Castella, IMP uses running to create inspirational First Nations leaders.

In the past, participants were selected from across Australia to train together.

Then, after just six months prep

aration, the IMP squad members laced up their trainers and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the best athletes in the world at the New York Marathon.

But with lockdowns limiting travel, Ms Newman’s squad was forced to prepare remotely for much of the year.

“It was really hard,” she said.

“My squad only got to see each other twice because of COVID.

“Normally you catch up six times at camps and do big events together.

“We did a lot of virtual catch ups. I remember one time in July we were supposed to meet on the Gold Coast for a half-marathon and then the Premier cancelled the event.

“A lot of us had to go straight back to the airport and fly back to where we were from.”

Injury also hampered her prepa ration.

“A few days after I got picked,

I fell over in a touch footy game,” she said.

“They did the MRI and could see a grade three tear of my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament).

“I said I think I’ll have to pull out but the coach said, ‘Let’s just give this a shot and see how you go’.”

Finally, after four months of in tense physiotherapy, Ms Newman was pounding the pavement again.

Remarkably, she completed her first 20km run in August.

After making steady improve ments, Ms Newman ran her first marathon in the nation’s capital last November, crossing the finish line in five hours and 58 minutes.

Having missed out on the chance to compete at the New York marathon, the IMP squad were given the opportunity to com plete a marathon overseas in 2022.

For Ms Newman, the London event, held earlier this month, was too good an opportunity to pass up.

Recommitting to her training while trekking around Europe, the treasury analyst put in a 17km jog from her accommodation to the Eiffel Tower while in Paris.

After skipping over to Spain, she ran 30km through the streets of Barcelona before a 16km trot through the Emerald Isle in the lead-up to the event.

“When I got to the marathon all I wanted to do was just get up and do it,” Ms Newman said.

“It was beautiful being there but it was actually harder than my first marathon.

“There was such a sense of re lief to do it. As soon as I crossed the finish line I was ready to go home. I was really happy for the journey to end.”

Clocking in at six hours and 22 minutes, Ms Newman’s IMP coach Damian Tuck said it was a remark able end to an 18-month marathon journey.

“For her to continue her training

to complete the London Marathon really demonstrates her resilience, commitment, and determination,” he said.

“Achieving all of this on the back of suffering a significant knee injury at the very start of her IMP year just shows how strong Joy is, what a leader she is, and why she is held in such high regard within the Indigenous Marathon Foundation”

Ms Newman said the experi ence had changed her as a person.

“It’s the start of something new,” she said.

“I had leadership qualities be fore but being given the platform to do something you thought you couldn’t … I’m basically unstop pable now.

“I think a lot of black girls need to almost relearn that.

“Everything’s achievable.”

In December, Ms Newman plans to return to Europe where she’ll compete in half marathons in Turkey and Georgia.

Joy Newman shows her London marathon medal to Robert De Castella, the founder of the Indigenous Marathon Project. INSET – Joy after crossing the line in London.

Cooktown fighter Sam Kenny.

Cape athletes shine on the track

COEN speedster Darius Creek

racing for a spot in the

squad later this year,

the 100m sprint and

events at his school champi

The 12-year-old, who is in his first year at Marist College Ash grove, blew away the competition in the 100m at the Australian Inde pendent Colleges Championships in Brisbane, winning by more than five metres.

“His coaches at Marist are really impressed with him, he’s turning heads there,” proud mum Kirstin Kulka said.

“There were some Athletics Australia personnel at the champi onships watching on and they said positive things to us.”

Growing up in Coen, Darius was age champion every year at his small primary school, but eve rything is new to him at Marist.

With more than 200 students in his year level alone, it was a chal lenge, Ms Kulka said.

“He hasn’t been out of Coen for any competitions, so this is all new to him,” she said.

“He’s training three times a week for track and field and is topthree in his squad at Marist; we’re taking every opportunity that comes along.”

The next opportunity looks to be the state championships, with Darius qualified for the 100m sprints after his impressive first place at the AIC Championships, and a likely spot on the 100m relay team as well.

“We’re very proud of him and can’t wait to see what is in store for him, hopefully he will make it to nationals,” Ms Kulka said.

WEIPA TRIO OFF TO ADELAIDE

THREE of Western Cape Col lege’s best athletes will travel to South Australia in December to represent North Queensland at the 2022 All Schools Championship in Adelaide.

Four Weipa students – Demi de

Tournouer, Tanna de Tournouer, Max Lynch and Bridie Maher – travelled to Townsville in the school holidays to compete in the North Queensland Athletics Championship.

Tanna came away with a PB in her 800m event, while Demi won gold in high jump and gold in the 200m to go with her bronze in the 400m.

Max received bronze for both the 800m and 1500m, while Bridie won gold in the 3000m, silver in the 1500m and 800m.

Bridie, Max and Demi were picked to go to Adelaide, as well as the 2023 National Championships.

They also travelled to Brisbane to represent Peninsula at the 2022 State Athletics Championships.

Coen speedster Darius Creek is pictured contesting the relay for Marist College Ashgrove. The 12-year-old is considered to be a rising athletics star.

Demi de Tournouer, Tanna de Tournouer and Max Lynch have all performed well for Peninsula on the athletics track.

Cape York Weekly recognises that our Indigenous forefathers have lived on this land for some 30,000 years. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners, both past, present and future, of the numerous clan groups on Cape York Peninsula. The newspaper is based in Weipa, on the land of the Alngith people, and we acknowledge them as the custodians of this land.