Cape York Weekly Edition 108

By MATT NICHOLLS

Cup meeting brings late cash injection to region

By SARAH MARTIN

TICKETS are selling fast and accommodation has been booked out for months ahead of Saturday’s Cooktown Cup race meeting, bringing a last flurry of cashed-up visitors to town at the end of the tourist season.

Cooktown Chamber of Com merce and Tourism president and River of Gold Motel man ager Mick Davies said the visi tors expected in town for the annual event was a nice boost to the slowly dwindling visitor numbers.

“We’re booked out for next year before they even leave this year,” Mr Davies said.

“It definitely is a nice boost this late in the year and I’d say most other accommodation places around town are booked out as well.”

Cooktown Amateur Turf Club secretary Janne Stewart said races tickets were selling fast, with about 2000 people expected through the gates on Saturday.

“We’re encouraging people to buy online to avoid standing in the queue, but we will still be

selling tickets at the gates on the day,” she said.

“Corporate tickets have al ready sold out, but general entry will still be available.”

Tickets are $20 for adults, $12 for 12-17 year olds and free for children under 12, with gates open at 10.30am and the first race at 1.15pm.

As well as six local races, punters can have a flutter on southern races, which are shown on several screens, and enjoy refreshments from the bar or Jerome’s Asian food, Cooktown Slushies and Icecreams, Bekto

pia and Cooktown Thai Food Truck.

The hotly-contested Seaview Motel Fashions on the Field will be a highlight, as well as the chance to win a cash prize in the novelty foot races.

Local rockers Black Image Band will keep the crowd en tertained after racing finishes, kicking off from about 6pm and running through until midnight.

Courtesy buses will be run ning from 10am through to mid night, stopping at most accom modation venues.

Lucky escape for family after caravan tips

A BRISBANE couple travelling with their four-year-old grand daughter are lucky to have escaped with no major injuries after their caravan and vehicle tipped over last Thursday.

The incident happened near Lakeland on the Mulligan High way with the girl’s parents travel ling in another vehicle as part of a convoy.

Witnesses said that wind gusts from a passing truck may have unbalanced the caravan, causing it to flip, with the Isuzu also tipping over. The trio were taken to Cook town Hospital for observation.

This Brisbane family’s holiday was ruined when their caravan and vehicle flipped over on the Mulligan Highway, about 6km north of Lakeland.

A couple and their four-year-old granddaughter were in the vehicle when it tipped over on Thursday.

Expect

in Weipa, says Brigadier

By MATT NICHOLLS

THE man in charge of coordi nating the biggest joint venture between the Australian and American militaries says he’s excited about Weipa playing a major role in 2023.

Brigadier Damian Hill is the director of Exercise Talisman Sabre and said locals should be preparing to see a major pres ence in the Cape next year.

“It’s difficult to put a number on it at this stage, but I think around the 1000 mark would be a safe estimate,” he said of the expected troop numbers.

“As far as geography goes, Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 will be our biggest ever.

“We’re expecting to have a large presence across northern Australia, including Cape York, the Northern Territory and West ern Australia.”

Brigadier Hill said that RAAF Base Scherger and the Weipa harbour would provide organisers with a unique train ing opportunity.

“The objective of the exercise has always been about develop ing inter-operability between the US and Australian defence forces,” he said.

“It’s high-end warfighting and training.

“Cape York provides us with a really great opportunity to practice some difficult prob lems.”

Brigadier Hill said the plan was to attempt to run a pipe from near the Weipa harbour all the way to Scherger.

“If we were looking to open up a bare base like Scherger we’d be looking at pumping fuel and oil from Weipa,” he said.

“At this stage, we’re just looking at running a water hose to see how it’s done and what the challenges are

“The heat is going to be a big challenge, especially for the US Marines, who always find it a bit tough over here.

“We’re still finalising plans but we’re looking forward to be ing in Weipa next year, around late July and early August.”

At last year’s Exercise Talisman Sabre, Alaskan-based paratroopers from the US Army were dropped in the Townsville Field Training Area by an Australian Army CH-47 Chinook. The Australian Defence Force is bringing a major part of the 2023 exercise to Weipa next year.

Brigadier Damian Hill is coordinating Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023.

Bridge over troubled water: rock

By MATT NICHOLLS

BASED on the successful tender document, there should have been a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Archer River in the coming weeks.

McConnell Dowell, which won the tender, ambitiously told the state government that it would be able to build a 230-metre bridge over the Archer this year.

That certainly isn’t happening and sources have told Cape York Weekly that there are also serious doubts about the project being fin ished next year.

The main issue is to do with the footings of the bridge.

While all bridge footings have to be secure, there is more pressure on the Archer bridge due to the rare design structure.

It’s one of the few bridges in Australia that is designed to be completely submerged by water.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads says the bridge will go completely under for at least a few days per year.

However, finding appropriate rock in the riverbed has been an is sue for the contractors.

Some sources said there was a lack of bedrock in the Archer, while TMR says there is bedrock, but some rocks in the area are “in credibly hard”.

Either way, it appears there was a stuff-up by the geologist who was contracted to assess the site.

A TMR spokesperson said it

was working with McConnell Dowell to find a solution.

“While the new bridge will sig nificantly improve flood immunity and community resilience, it will still be submerged for periods dur ing the annual wet season,” they said on Friday.

“It’s important we get the de sign for the bridge footings right, as it needs to resist much stronger forces than most conventional bridges.

“The Archer River crossing is

made up of a large amount of bed rock. Recently, contractors have encountered some incredibly hard rock near the footings, which has slowed construction.

“We are working with contrac tors and specialists to determine the best way forward.”

TMR did not answer questions about when the bridge was due to be completed, or when a new de sign was expected to be finalised.

When asked about the tender process and whether it was misled

when told a bridge could be built this year, TMR said: “Tenders are a closed process, however the riv erbed has been under water which has hampered progress.”

Fancy that – a river with water in it.

Funding for the Archer River project comes from both the fed eral and state governments at about an 80-20 split.

However, the state is in charge of managing the work.

Not only does it seem that TMR

was duped in the tender process – every other serious tender bid said it couldn’t be done this year – it has also stood by and watched lengthy delays to roadworks at the southern approach.

ASX-listed company Decmil was last year awarded an $8 mil lion contract to seal 2.8km of road leading to the bridge and Archer River Roadhouse.

The work was meant to be com pleted this year, but now efforts are focused on preparing for the wet.

The Archer River bridge was slated for completion this year, but won’t be finished until this time next year at the earliest, with a possible delay until 2024.

issue forces re-design at Archer

are being created as a result of the Archer River bridge build and sur rounding sealing works.

In partnership with Tradition al Owners and Cape York Land Council, TMR developed the PDR Indigenous Land Use Agreement, which sets out economic oppor tunity, training, and local industry participation targets.

The Archer project will provide more than 11,000 hours of training and upskilling, with all projects completed under the first and sec ond stage of the Cape York Region Package exceeding original goals.

Locals are concerned that the road won’t be able to handle any traffic once the rain starts.

“Once it’s finished it’s going to be great, but they haven’t designed these bypass roads for the wet sea son,” one woman said.

“We know the river goes up every wet season but we can al ways get through to Laura when it goes down. I’m worried we won’t be able to get to Coen because of these works.”

TMR said contractors were aware of the need to plan for the wet season.

“Progress on projects will al ways be subject to weather, par ticularly in the Cape York region,

which experiences heavy wet sea son rainfall over several consecu tive months,” the spokesperson said.

“Contractors across all Cape York Region Package Stage 2 projects will soon begin planning for demobilisation from site, in preparation for the upcoming wet season.

“In the lead-up to demobilisa tion, contractors ensure that all works to date are as best protected from the weather as possible, to al low for a smooth mobilisation to site to continue construction at the end of the wet season.”

In more positive news, TMR says more than 140 direct jobs

“We know how important train ing and skills are in remote and re gional Queensland, which is why we ingrained First Nations engage ment in the delivery of the project,” said Mark Bailey, the Minister for Transport and Main Roads.

“Hundreds of jobs are being supported by this package of work, so we want local businesses and local workers to be the ones who benefit.

“The sealing of the Peninsula Developmental Road will continue to unlock economic and tourism opportunities for the region, and maintain access throughout the wet season.”

The $44.87m bridge build, is expected to reduce road closures at the crossing from 88 days per year, down to as little as two.

The new bridge is designed to be more than eight metres higher than the current crossing.

Delicious new pizzas at Bamaga Tavern

Have you heard about the new mouth-watering gourmet dishes in town?

Regina’s Lounge & Bistro on Adidi Street has a brand-new pizza menu filled with delicious crea�ons topped with a rich, house-made pizza sauce.

From Tuesday to Saturday nights at Bamaga Tavern, the full range is on offer including much-loved classics like Margherita, Meat Lovers, Supreme and Hawaiian.

Plus, there are extradelicious picks like the Garlic Prawn and Bacon pizza, complete with honey-roasted capsicum, and the Spicy Mex pizza, packed with chicken, pepperoni, taco mince, pineapple, onions,

The new pizzas are available from Tuesday to Saturday night at Bamaga Tavern.

honey-roasted capsicum, jalapenos and fresh chilli. Order your favourite (or a few!) from one of the Tavern’s friendly staff members.

Feeling thirsty? There’s no be�er way to enjoy your slice than with a refreshing drink at

Bamaga Tavern’s bar, now open from 10am, Monday to Saturday.

And don’t forget that Bamaga Tavern also has a bo�le shop and drivethru. Drink responsibly. Check our full list of opera�ng hours at bamagatavern.com.au

Regina’s Lounge & Bistro, Bamaga Tavern, 182 Adidi Street, Bamaga.

bamagatavern.com.au

Bamaga

Works on the approaches to the bridge won’t be finished until next year.

Issues with rock in the riverbed have forced a re-design of the new bridge.

The Archer River bridge will be eight metres higher than the causeway.

Cooktown brigade keen to boost firefighter numbers

By SARAH MARTIN

JASON Carroll’s dream of being a firefighter came true, but he says it’s helping people in their darkest moments that has kept him doing the part-time job for 18 years.

Mr Carroll is the captain of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Cooktown Auxiliary Bri gade and said the reward for him was seeing people and knowing they were still alive because of his team’s efforts.

“That’s what has made me stay with it,” he said.

“That’s the kick, the reward I get, seeing someone and knowing they’re here because we helped in their time of need.

“The training is also amazing and the keener you are and more you want to learn, there are so many opportunities.”

Mr Carroll, like most members of the Cooktown brigade, has a full-time job and family, and said more firefighters would mean not everyone had to turn out for every callout.

“We’ve got amazing training, incredible state of the art equip ment and everything we need –except enough firefighters,” he told Cape York Weekly

“We have about seven regulars, but we’re aiming to double that number.

“Once we have our full comple ment of crew it takes the pressure off and it can be more enjoyable.”

Cooktown’s auxiliary brigade, unlike volunteer rural firefighters, are paid casuals, but Mr Carroll said it was the sense of camarade rie and giving back to the commu nity that was more rewarding than the paycheck.

“When you turn up for training or a callout you get paid, but none of us do it for the money,” he said.

“We’re all here to serve the community, and there’s an amaz ing sense of camaraderie, we’re bonding in quite extreme situa tions.”

The station’s only female fire fighter, high school teacher Katie

Hooker, said she enjoyed the em powerment and teamwork.

“You couldn’t get a nicer bunch of people to work with, and I know they will have my back in any situ ation,” Ms Hooker said.

“After a job you feel so pumped, you did something that really mat ters.

“Saving that person or their house really counts and you can’t get that anywhere else.”

The Cooktown brigade’s most common callout is to grass and

bushfires, with the occasional structural fire and a small number of road accidents.

They also assist other emer gency services, such as driving the ambulance or assisting to move patients.

The firefighters also occasional ly attend hazardous chemical inci dents, such as gas leaks and petrol spills, and run community educa tion and engagement activities.

Auxiliary firefighters are en couraged to attend 75 per cent of

training, which is held for two hours on Mondays, and callouts, but Mr Carroll said the group un derstood there was flexibility.

“If you can attend three quar ters of the time we’d be really hap py, but family and health things, we understand and can deal with that,” he said.

For more information, drop in to the Cooktown Fire Station on Hope Street at 5pm on Mondays, or contact Mr Carroll on 0458 074 069.

RFDS after businesses to sign up

THE Royal Flying Doctor Ser vice will extend its Mental Health and Wellbeing Service with the launch of an Employee Assistance Program.

The EAP allows organisations to offer counselling and wellbe ing consultations to their em ployees, which are all provided under complete anonymity and free of charge for the individual.

The first organisation to enlist the new program was AgForce.

RFDS Outback mental health doctor Tim Driscoll said the EAP was designed to help bridge the gap in the accessibility of coun selling and wellbeing services for those living and working outside urban centres.

“We all lead busy lives, which can make it difficult to find time for our health and wellbeing –particularly for those living or working in rural and remote ar eas where people often wait for things to get a lot worse before seeking help,” Dr Driscoll said.

“A conversation with a trained professional can help tackle common daily struggles – such as trouble sleeping, feeling down or long-term stress – helping to address issues and get support before things get out of control.”

In the past year alone, the RFDS provided more than 12,000 mental health consulta tions across the state’s regional, rural and remote communities.

For information about the RFDS EAP, visit rfds.co/EAP

Cooktown teacher Katie Hooker has been a firefighter for two years and is encouraging others to join.

Royal Flying Doctor Service mental health clinician Dr Tim Driscoll.

Record heat wave hits the Cape

By SARAH MARTIN

IT was a hot and frustrating week for Cape York residents and Ergon Energy crews, with record temper atures and multiple power outages impacting the region.

At Weipa, the mercury hit 40 degrees on Saturday for the first time in recorded history, with gauges measuring 40.4 at both the airport and RAAF Scherger.

It was hotter at Kowanyama on Thursday, with locals suffering through 40.8 degree weather.

Hot weather and power outages usually go hand in hand and sev eral communities copped long pe riods without air conditioning.

Mapoon sweltered for 24 hours without power while Ergon per sonnel completed the painstaking fault-finding process.

An Ergon spokeswoman said

Ergon’s network was protected with a safety-switch style system that could be tripped by any ac cidental contact such as lightning, branches or animals.

“When the cause and location of the fault isn’t clear, crews pa trol from the bulk supply point and work their way to the end of the line,” she said.

“Sometimes the fault is really

obvious, other times it can be kilo metres before they find it.”

On Wednesday, more than 800 people from Cooktown, Endeav our Valley and Hope Vale were powerless overnight in 37-degree heat following a storm, with Ergon crews racing from Laura to Cook town to repair the fault by 6pm.

“However circuit breakers tripped again and the restoration process continued through the night, with crews patrolling from the Cooktown substation to the end of the line at Hope Vale,” the spokeswoman said.

“As crews finished checking each section of the feeder, power was progressively restored where it was safe to do so.”

Power was restored to the last 37 customers at the end of the line at Hope Vale at 5am on Thursday.

“We understand any power out

age is frustrating, especially in the heat, but our crews are out there working to fix the problem and get the aircons back on,” Ergon’s spokeswoman said.

“Keeping everyone safe is al ways their top priority, so the com munity’s patience and support is always much appreciated.”

The spokeswoman said relief was short-lived, with a Railway Avenue resident reporting the power out at their property on Thursday morning, with the fault found to be lightning burnt high voltage equipment.

“It’s not clear if this damage caused the earlier outage or was unrelated,” she said.

“For safety, at 8.41am, we had to interrupt power to 369 custom ers so crews could do emergency repairs, with power restored by 3.30pm.”

The spokeswoman urged cus tomers to be prepared for storm season and encouraged businesses to consider their power needs in the event of an outage as Ergon did not have a standby power supply in the Cooktown or Hope Vale areas.

“In the event of a natural dis aster we can deploy mobile gen eration for strategic locations to support critical sites like water and sewerage treatment facilities and hospitals, but we do not have standby generation in Cooktown or Hope Vale,” she said.

Mareeba and Cairns Ergon crews have been supporting Cook town-based staff to undertake ma jor upgrades and maintenance at Lakeland and Cooktown, but the spokeswoman said no network was completely storm-proof.

To report faults, phone Ergon on 13 22 96.

Water shortage in NPA

AGEING water infrastructure, a growing population and a busy tourist season is putting unwanted pressure on the water supply in the Northern Peninsula Area.

On Friday and Saturday night, the NPA Regional Council was forced to turn off the town’s water in four communities.

On Facebook, NPARC pleaded with local residents to be water-wise.

“We are asking all families to be a water hero this Dan Cup and conserve water where possible,” the council wrote.

“Otherwise, NPARC may need to turn off water supply tonight between 10pm to 6am. We will continue to monitor and provide further update this afternoon.”

NPARC mayor Patricia Yusia said the council was battling several factors to keep up with the demand for water.

“Our pipes are very old and there are a lot of leaks. We need funding to replace and upgrade the system,” she said.

“We also have a growing population here and more tourists than ever before, which is also putting a strain on our water supply.

“The council is doing its best.”

Dog attacks in Napranum

AUTHORITIES in Napranum are pursuing a dog and its owner after a series of dog attacks in the community last month.

Cape York Weekly understands the Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council has begun moves to remove/destroy the dog responsible for the attacks.

Police in Weipa were also notified.

Increase in procurement

FIRST Nations-owned businesses supplying goods and services to the state government is up by $118 million (36 per cent) in just one financial year, latest figures show.

Nearly 150 First Nations enterprises –out of a total 535 Indigenous suppliers – did business with the Queensland government for the first time.

Speaking during Indigenous Business Month, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Craig Crawford said the Queensland Indigenous Procurement Policy was about a level playing field for First Nations businesses.

He said the policy started in 2017 and was aimed at supporting First Nations businesses to successfully navigate the government tender process.

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A damaged power line at Cooktown.

Free food for kids in Cape: UQ professor

FREE meals should be provided to Cape York kids at early education and childcare centres, a University of Queensland researcher says.

A study led by Laureate Fellow Professor Karen Thorpe found that centres in disadvantaged commu nities were less likely to provide meals to children than those in af fluent areas.

Professor Thorpe said only 65 per cent of centres in rural and re mote areas provide food.

“We found in remote areas car ers were less likely to provide food,” she said.

“Often it’s about keeping costs down, with services providing lunch for children charging up to $140 a day compared to as low as $60 a day for those without meals.

But healthy food will lead to better outcomes for preschoolers, Professor Thorpe said.

“Early childhood centres are places where we can intervene if families are food insecure or strug gling. Culturally, it’s a lovely thing to share food.”

With food insecurity high in re mote parts of Cape York, Professor Thorpe said the state and federal government should strongly con

sider providing free food in the region.

“If kids go hungry they won’t be able to learn,” she said.

“There’s currently a lot of in vestment in early childcare, but you need to spend the money wise ly.

“Young children have devel oping brains and that sets up the pathways for their whole lives. It’s critical.”

“We have a government that says how important early educa tion and care is.

“This is a way to make it inclu sive where the benefits outweigh the cost.”

Professor Thorpe said the study found some families living below the poverty line often couldn’t af ford enough food for their children, or if they did, it was poor quality.

“We found in some childcare centres, staff were giving their own food to the children when they themselves were struggling finan cially,” she said.

The study – which looked at more than 900 centres across the state – has been published in the academic journal, Social Science and Medicine.

Remember, you need booster doses to make sure you stay protected against COVID-19.

Talk to your doctor, nurse or health worker about how to stay up to date with vaccinations.

keep protecting yourselves, your family and the community by washing your hands regularly and staying home if you are sick.

you are sick please get tested for COVID-19.

can get a RAT test from your local Primary Health Care Centre or hospital, most council offices or buy them from a pharmacy.

the latest

Men’s shed on the way

WORK has begun on constructing a men’s shed in Weipa.

The civil works to create the pad were completed last week at An doom Oval.

A small, but dedicated group of Weipa volunteers are behind the push to build the shed to give local blokes a place to work with their hands, have a yarn amongst them selves and perhaps work with youth.

The project is supported by Rio Tinto Weipa.

Climate change Centre of Excellence in Torres Strait

WHILE Cape York missed out at last week’s budget, the federal government announced it would provide $15.9 million over four years to tackle climate change in the Torres Strait, including establishing the Torres Strait Cli mate Centre of Excellence.

“This is a momentous point in time for the Torres Strait, bringing together all the past and present advocacy and aspirations from the region’s leaders and Traditional Owners,” said Pedro Stephen, the chair of the Torres Strait Regional Authority.

He said the centre would create and im plement a new model for an enduring dia logue on climate change in the Torres Strait.

“We will continue to work in partnership with the leaders and Traditional Owners to co-design the Torres Strait Climate Centre of Excellence,” Mr Stephen said.

Just a handful of small items were includ ed in the budget for Cape York.

Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council will receive $479,381 for the rock wall on the northern side of Cullen Point boat ramp.

Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council got $420,444 for six concrete causeways and Cook Shire Council has been promised $250,000 to upgrade the pedestrian access bridge on the southern side of the Endeav our River.

SENIOR CITIZENS WHO ARE PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF COOKTOWN ARE INVITED TO THE... Endeavour Lions Club Senior Citizens Luncheon

THURSDAY 8TH DECEMBER 2022 at the Cooktown Bowls Club, commencing at 12 noon

for a fun filled afternoon, lunch

drinks provided Please contact JIM FAY 0413 322 625 to RSVP before 24th November as numbers

limited

COVID-19 vaccinations are available from all health facilities!

Indigenous artefacts to be returned to Cape York

INDIGENOUS artefacts will re turn to the hands of Traditional Owners’ hands across Cape York and beyond as part of a long-term project announced by James Cook University.

Last month, the university returned a boomerang and stone axe-head to representatives of the Djabugay community at a ceremony in Cairns, along with six photographic slides.

Djungan community repre sentatives also accepted seven small bark paintings at the same event. The objects were the first of a series of artefacts JCU hopes to give back over the coming months, Professor Rosi ta Henry said.

“We would like to repatriate all the objects we hold,” Profes sor Henry said.

“We often have some prov enance material and documenta tion but there’s a lot of research that goes into finding the items’ original owners.

“I’ve been working for the

last two years on a repatriation project to try and return objects to Traditional Owners.

“These are objects that were donated to JCU over the years that have just ended up in our collection.

“There’s a sense that it’s the right thing to do but that it’s also the right time.”

Djabugay man and cultural development officer, Dennis Hunter was visibly emotional upon receiving the wooden boo merang, believed to have been carved by his grandfather.

“It’ll be good for the commu nity to see it and put the word out that artefacts have been given back to community,” Mr Hunter said.

“It’s history and culture that’s connected to us. I’m connected to that boomerang and there’s something meaningful and spe cial about it.

“I was looking forward to to day. I was never going to miss it. It’s special to be a part of this.”

Many of the artefacts had been kept in the university’s Material Culture Collection for decades, JCU vice chancellor Simon Biggs said.

“This collection was used as a teaching resource from 1975 until 2003, when JCU stopped teaching courses in material cul ture and curatorial studies,” Pro fessor Biggs said.

“Many items, like these paint ings, were purchased by the uni versity or were donated.

“There are also a few items that are ‘on loan’ to JCU, having been left with us for safekeeping by family members.”

In 2004, JCU transferred more than 2000 artefacts from the collection to the Queensland Museum.

“Our judgement now, and the advice from authorities such as the Australian Institute of Abo riginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), is that the remaining artefacts, where pos sible, should be returned to the

peoples whose heritage they are,” Professor Biggs said.

Professor Henry said JCU also holds 61 secret or sacred objects associated with men’s business, and a collection of 24 sensitive photographs of women, which are judged to be women’s business.

“This is a more delicate pro cess,” she said.

“We’re consulting to figure out how we go about repatriat ing items that we shouldn’t have and want to give back.”

Giving First Nations’ peoples the chance to recover lost arte facts was an important step to wards reconciliation, Mr Hunter said.

“There are a lot of materials out there that we’re still trying to get back,” he said.

“They should be back home … it’s about finding its healing place.”

No human remains are in cluded in the JCU Material Cul ture Collection.

Dennis Hunter beams with joy after he was handed a boomerang belonging to the Djabugay people at a ceremony in Cairns last month.

Cook Shire busy with works

By SARAH MARTIN

COOK Shire Council says $37 million worth of

or have been recently completed across the Cape.

The capital works project up date at last month’s council meet ing included details on 38 projects earmarked for the 2022-23 finan cial year across housing, roads, bridges, boating, airport and other sectors.

The long-awaited $1.3 million Jensen’s Crossing Bridge upgrade is on track to be open this month, with bridge girders being delivered to replace the timber log structure with a one-lane concrete bridge.

Dust will soon be a thing of the past on more than 2km of Portland Roads Road, with the tender pro cess under way on a $3 million sealing project, while planning has started for $100,000 of repairs to the tiny community’s town hall.

The region’s disaster resilience

capabilities have been boosted with a series of flood warning in frastructure, including cameras at Oaky Creek causeway, Poison Creek, Wallaby Creek bridge, Hann River, Wenlock River, and at Portland Roads Road.

Flashing warning lights at Oaky Creek causeway and the Little An nan bridge on the Mulligan High way have also been installed.

A planned ablutions block at the busy Starcke River boat ramp is in the scoping phase.

Cook Shire said it was hoping to secure funding for the project.

Comfort and security have been improved at Cooktown’s aged care facilities with new air condition ing, painting, door replacement, plumbing works and security screening.

A state government funded ad dition to Cooktown’s boat ramp is in the design stage, with the $300,000 project to deliver a foot bridge and floating pontoon adja cent to the existing boat ramp.

Pearson in favour of recognition

CONSTITUTIONAL recogni tion of Australia’s First Nations people is “not a project of iden tity politics” but one of “justice, unity and inclusion”, Noel Pear son has declared.

The Hope Vale leader also said “racism will diminish” if the up coming national poll to enshrine a First Nations voice to Parlia ment in the Constitution results in a ‘yes’ vote.

Mr Pearson made the com ments on Thursday during the Boyer Lecture broadcast by the ABC. The lectures are a series of speeches from a recognised Aus tralian invited to share insights on ideas, observations and expe riences.

Mr Pearson said he was “ex cited but anxious” about the referendum and that “thunder storms of strife and discord” threatened the cause.

“Australia doesn’t make sense without recognition. Until the First Peoples are afforded our rightful place, we are a nation missing its most vital heart,” Mr Pearson told the lecture.

Mr Pearson said the forth coming referendum was Austral ia’s “greatest bridge” that would celebrate the rightful place of In digenous heritage in Australia’s identity.

The Jensen’s Creek Bridge upgrade is among Cook Shire’s $37 million capital works program. The bridge is expected to be open later this month.

Seniors’

Cooktown

Susan Forsyth, Rob Greenwood and Peter Whipper enjoyed the day.

Warren Cornwell and Ian Muggleton had a yarn over lunch at the Cooktown Shire Hall.

The hard-working Queensland Health team of Nicole Jarmyn, Nancy Woods, Bronwyn Sieverding, Janet Barber, Debbie Doidge, Jasmine Broad, Destiny Bowen, Jodie Haendel and Jeneen Clark were on hand to keep things running smoothly.

Starrlia Colley and Therersa Condon enjoyed a chat and the cool of the big fans. Val Loftus, Janet Barber and Lofty Loftus. Rose Harrigan, Angela Andrews and Doreen Pearson.

Elizabeth Clements and Maz Morris shared a laugh.

Janet Varker and George Theobald were among the crowd. Cook Shire mayor Peter Scott and Trinnie Hiatt with Beatrice Rowles, Nettie Luthi, Jenny Green, Ann Witts, Helen Hopson and Wendy Ruscoe.

Rossville Markets Birthday

Jarrah O’Connell was having a ball.

Isobella Barker at her book stall.

Rossville’s popular rainforest markets celebrated their 34th birthday on Saturday.

Kerry Whitton’s rainbow serpent birthday cake was a hit.

Corey O’Connell and Gary Meredith were kept busy firing up the pizza oven.

Long-time locals Jodie Hubbard and Jacqui Timmermans.

Waratah Nicholls and Guy share a laugh.

The photographer became the photographed when Cape York Weekly’s Sarah Martin was snapped with Pickles.

Peter Roberts and the Faber family – Asha, Jarrah, Belle and Jesse – who came from Bloomfield.

James, Jade and Terese Marrs, on holiday from Mackay, enjoyed wood-fired pizza for dinner.

Cindy Mallari and her children Eros Mallari-Reddell and Ashley Patiag enjoyed the event.

Coen restrictions ease

FEWER tourists and switching off the potable water tap at Coen’s Dump Ezy point have helped decrease water use, meaning residents can again water lawns and gardens at their leisure for the first time since September.

“The water treatment plant is now keeping up with demand,” a Cook Shire Council spokeswoman said.

“Council staff have also been proactively turning off hoses left on in town.”

Since September 16, residents had been forced to use water with trigger hoses on set days and times to conserve the town’s dwindling supply.

Telehealth’s popularity is rising in remote areas

TELEHEALTH appointments are booming in popularity throughout Cape York and the Torres Strait, with residents rel ishing their digital and virtual care options.

E-appointment numbers in the region have jumped by more than 30 per cent in the past 12 months, as locals realise the benefits of being able to see their specialists from the comfort of their home or local clinic, rather than travelling to Cairns.

Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service patients attended 633 telehealth appointments be tween July and September this year, compared to 480 for the same period in 2021.

Paediatrics and nephrology

(kidney related diseases) have been the most common special ist e-appointments over the past few years in the region.

Across Queensland, there were more than 250,000 non-ad mitted telehealth service events in 2021-22, up 35 per cent from the previous year.

The growth of the TCHHS Telehealth service is being high lighted as part of Telehealth Awareness Week, which ran from October 23-29.

This year’s message, “ex panding our connections”, was particularly relevant, with re mote patients in the Cape now able to regularly connect via video with specialists thousands of kilometres away.

Ricky Proudfoot, the act ing executive director of allied health for TCHHS, said being able to keep people in their com munities rather than taking sev eral flights to see their specialist was a huge benefit.

“Often these trips would in volve several flights and over night stays, which can be par ticularly onerous for those with serious illness or children,” he said.

“Obviously there will always be times when clinicians need to see their patients in person, but Telehealth is such an incred ible tool for those in our remote communities, especially for increasing access to specialist clinics and services.”

TCHHS chief executive Bev Hamerton said telehealth was available at all TCHHS Primary Health Care Centres and hospi tals and were among more than 200 systems in Queensland.

She said the program con tinued to expand and could be used in almost any clinical set ting – from cardiology to mental health.

“It is so exciting our patients are not disadvantaged in their access to top medical treatment due to where they live,” she said.

“This expansion of virtual care of which telehealth forms part of the digital solution, will also help reduce pressures on the health system across Queens land.”

Road repairs in Cape

MORE than $53 million worth of repairs funded by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority are under way to bring Cook Shire’s extensive road network back to pre-flood damage status.

Work crews hit the Cape in July to begin the 2022 Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements program of works, coordinated by Cook Shire Council.

The council assesses the 2934km road network annually, before lodging submissions with QRA for funding to repair and restore flood and other disaster damage.

Works are also continuing on the $71 million 2021 DRFA program, with seven roads not able to be repaired last year due to early rain.

Popular stops hit pause

MOTORISTS travelling the Cape should be aware that several popular stops are now shut for the wet season.

Bramwell Tourist Park and Moreton Telegraph Station are no longer open this year, although the Bramwell Roadhouse is still running.

The Hann River Roadhouse will keep going in November but will close at the start of December.

The operators said the rising cost of fuel, which is needed to run the generators to power the roadhouse, was the reason for shutting down for the wet season.

Poster to help identify local snakes

A GROUP of Cooktown reptile en thusiasts has created a free snake identification poster to help reduce human and snake conflict.

The Cooktown and Cape Snakes group produced the wall poster to provide useful information on snake identification and behav iour and how to deal with reptiles around the home.

The poster outlines commonly seen local reptiles, including the scrub python, coastal taipan and common tree snake, which are colour coded into non-venomous, mildly venomous and highly ven omous.

Cooktown and Cape Snakes group member Lyall Naylor said the poster was a hard-copy exten sion of the information provided by the group on its Facebook page.

“Having the poster can save lives on both sides – stopping peo ple being injured by snakes or in juring snakes themselves,” he said.

The poster features photographs contributed by Cooktown and Cape Snakes group members and is available free from the Cook town RSL Memorial Club and Gungarde Community Centre.

Cooktown and Cape York Snakes member Lisa Naylor with a carpet python removed from a local house.

NOTICE

THAYPAN, POSSUM, KUKU WARRA, OLKOLA AND WESTERN YALANJI NATIVE TITLE GROUPS

– Thursday 17 November 2022

Cooktown

This notice is to advise that Cape York Land Council (CYLC) will be holding boundary resolution meetings in Cooktown for members of the Thaypan, Possum, Kuku Warra, Olkola and Western Yalanji Native Title Groups in relation to the Cape York United #1 Claim. Details of these meetings are as follows:

Day #1: Thaypan, Possum, Kuku Warra, Olkola boundary resolution meeting

Date: Wednesday 16 November 2022

Time: 10:00am–4:00pm

Venue: PCYC Cooktown

Purpose of Meeting

Day #2: Possum, Kuku Warra, Olkola, Western Yalanji boundary resolution meeting

Date: Thursday 17 November 2022

Time: 10:00am–4:00pm

Venue: PCYC Cooktown

CYLC will be facilitating meetings between representatives of the Thaypan, Possum, Kuku Warra, Olkola and Western Yalanji Native Title Groups to resolve their common boundaries in the area generally shown in the map (above). CYLC will take instructions about these boundary decisions by way of written resolution. The boundaries negotiated during these meetings will form part of the final administrative boundaries of each native title group’s Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC).

Attendance

If you have queries about this meeting, or if you would like to arrange a family meeting, please contact Timothy Tabuteau on 0429 007 245 or ttabuteau@cylc. org.au. For travel assistance or to confirm attendance, please contact Littiah Billy by Monday 7 November 2022 on free call number 1800 623 548 or by email lbilly@cylc.org.au. Note that there is limited funding available for travel assistance.

COVID-19 Safety Precautions

Video-conferencing facilities will be made available at the meeting. If you would like CYLC to arrange a video-conference from your location into the meeting, whether you live at the location of the meeting or elsewhere, please contact CYLC on the number below. Attendance by video-conference is offered because of the potential for the COVID-19 emergency to interfere with attendance. It is important to provide every opportunity for persons entitled to attend the meeting. Your safety is our priority. CYLC will take whatever means necessary to protect the health and wellbeing of its staff and clients and to mitigate the risk of the spread of COVID-19.

Cooktown junior has NRLW dream

By SARAH MARTIN

IT was a Sweet 16 with a difference for Cooktown’s Makeilla Gibson last month, who celebrated by playing rugby league for the Queensland Country team before getting a call from the North Queensland Cowboys.

The 16-year-old, who boards at Cowboys House in Townsville and goes to school at Kirwan High, has been playing league since she was 8, moving to Townsville at age 12 to follow her football dreams.

Mother Tegan Kulka said the youngster was having a stellar 2022.

“She’s had a number of selections this year, she’s very excited,” Ms Kulka said.

“She got picked to captain her club, the Central Tigers, then she was selected for the Townsville Blackhawks in the FNQ Region al Championships and then the Queensland Country team selection.

“Now she’s got into the NQ Gold Stars Academy, which is a training program run by the Cowboys, and the Future Maroons program.”

Not only will Makeilla be part of the elite Gold Stars program, but she now has her foot in the door for a career in the National Rugby League Women’s competition, with the North Queensland Cowboys applying to have a team in the 2023 season.

“It’s leaning that way, towards the NRLW hopefully; being at Cowboys House has cre ated a lot of opportunities,” Ms Kulka said.

But the Year 10 student has her feet firmly on the ground, with her studies taking equal place alongside her football training.

“She’s focusing on her rugby league but also looking at what she wants to do after school. She has an interest in architecture and design,” her mum said.

“She is not only excelling on the footy field but she is an outstanding student as well, winning the most outstanding junior academic award, leadership awards and an academic encouragement award.

“I’m very proud of her; and a big thank you to everyone who has supported her.”

Notice of Annual General Meeting of the Vera Scarth-Johnson Gallery Association

The VS-J Gallery Assoc Inc is the legal Trustee for Vera’s collection

All VS-J members and interested community members are invited to join us on Wednesday 2 November 2022 at 2pm at Nature’s PowerHouse

Tea, coffee and cake provided ~ we look forward to seeing you there!

The Vera Scarth-Johnson Collection comprises 150+ botanical illustrations of the flora in the Endeavour River Valley. In 1994 Vera Scarth-Johnson left her collection to the people of Cooktown.

Vera was often accompanied on her trips up the Endeavour River and into the rainforest ranges beyond by Aboriginal friends from the local Guugu Yimithirr people, principally Fred Deeral and Tulo Gordon.

Their collaboration is evident in the notes Scarth-Johnson appended to her sketches and specimens.

Vera’s art has been academically assessed as being of National Significance. It is housed today at Nature’s Powerhouse, in our Botanic Gardens. Vera’s keenest wish was that the collection would encourage people to “appreciate and protect our natural environment”.

This ain’t our rst Rodeo, but it could be yours!

As a committee we invite Weipa & extended areas to share the excitement of the

This is an opportunity to get involved with this amazing event put on

volunteers for our community. The Rodeo committee comprises approximately 40 volunteers who pride themselves on running a professional, safe, inclusive & entertaining family event. We’re immensely proud of the fantastic reputation our event

community support it engenders.

Rising rugby league star Makeilla Gibson.

Bulldogs’ never-say-die attitude

By MATT NICHOLLS

TWO stunning comeback wins and a spirited grand final performance from the Napranum Bulldogs won the hearts and minds of spectators at Bamaga’s Dan Ropeyarn Cup.

While they were soundly beaten 44-10 by Malu Kiwai in Sunday night’s final, the journey to get there was the talking point at Cape York’s biggest footy carnival.

Led by 47-year-old club legend Jason “Shorty” Nixon, who had to be the oldest player at the car nival, the Dogs were able to defy the odds twice to earn a spot in the big dance.

In the quarter final against FNQ Balaz, the Western Cape team was down 14-4 before scoring four tries in the last 10 minutes to win 20-14.

It was even more dire in the semi-final against Eagles United.

The Bulldogs team trailed 16-0 at half-time and then 20-0 early in the second stanza.

But these dogs don’t lie down.

One try led to another and with 10 minutes left they had the Eagles on the back foot.

Leading 20-12, the Eagles opted to take a shot at a penalty goal to make it a 10-point margin.

Napranum caught their breath and continued their fightback, scoring twice more to level it up with 90 seconds left on the clock.

In the earlier rounds of the car nival, teams that scored first were awarded the points, however, in the semi-finals, extra time would be played.

The Dogs simply had to com plete one set to extend the contest.

Not content to give the Eagles a chance in golden point, the Bull dogs went on the attack in the dy ing seconds, with a clever chip and

chase at the halfway mark opening up the defence, allowing Napra num to get within field goal range.

However, they were denied a chance to have a shot when a tack le caught a Bulldogs player around the neck, resulting in a penalty.

From about 35 metres out and directly in front, Charles Murgha made no mistake, giving the Dogs a 24-22 win and a spot in the grand final.

Their run was ultimately ended in the decider by a Malu Kiwai team that had fresher legs and more experience.

The Boigu Island side was full of players from the Cairns District Rugby League competition and also included former NRL player Davin Crampton.

They also played one less game on Sunday as Old Mapoon De scendants couldn’t field enough players in the quarter final.

Pioneer Dames after winning the women’s grand final 20-8 on Sunday night.

New Mapoon Warriors had some of the biggest support at the carnival.

Defence was at a premium between rivals Injinoo and Bamaga.

Napranum Bulldogs and FNQ Balaz after their tense quarter final clash.

Injinoo Crocs drew 6-6 with Bamaga Roos on Sunday. Malu Kiwai were too strong for Bamaga in the semi final.

Jason ‘Shorty’ Nixon shows his respect to an Eagles rival after the semi-final.

The Eagles go on the attack against Napranum.

Dominic Macumboy was a star for the Bulldogs.

Dan Ropeyarn Cup

wins over crowd at NPA carnival

Malu Kiwai raced to a 16-0 lead in the grand final and looked like they would put 60 on the board against a tiring Napranum side.

However, the Bulldogs’ fight came to the fore again.

They scored the next two tries through Kyle Whitton Bates and Jakai Dixon to get the margin back to 16-10.

The Torres Strait team, howev er, responded strongly.

Malu Kiwai put on several late tries to blow out the scoreline.

Nixon, who has no plans to hang up the boots just yet, said he was incredibly proud of his players.

“We’ve been coming here for the past three years trying to do something special and this year we were able to,” he said.

FINAL DAY RESULTS

QF1: Malu Kiwai d Old Mapoon Descendants (game not played due to a lack of available players).

QF2: Bamaga Roos 6 drew with Injinoo Crocs 6 (Bamaga advanced due to scoring first try).

QF3: Eagles United 18 d New Mapoon Warriors 12.

QF4: Napranum Bulldogs 24 d FNQ Balaz 14.

SF1: Malu Kiwai 26 d Bamaga Roos 0.

SF2: Napranum Bulldogs 22 d Eagles United 20.

Women’s GF: Pioneer Dames 20 (Tries: Vicky Songoro 2; Rose Baira, Alanah Phineasa; Goals: Ruth Neliman) d Jillaroos United 8 (Tries: Ellie Clarke, Leandra Newman).

Men’s GF: Malu Kiwai 44 (Tries: Basu Gibuma 2, Raymond Baira 2; Matty Gibuma, Eddie Daniel, Kurt Jackson, Alphy Waireg; Goals: Stan Daniels 5, Charles Baira 1) d Napranum Bulldogs 10 (Tries: Kyle Whitton Bates, Jakai Dixon; Goal: Charles Murgha). Yusia Ginau Oval at Bamaga came to life for the three days of the Dan Ropeyarn Cup.

Eagles United v New Mapoon Warriors.

Malu Kiwai had plenty of gun players across the park.

Napranum produced a big comeback to beat the Eagles in the semi final.

Bamaga Roos produced a big upset in the quarter final.

The Injinoo Crocs were eliminated early on Sunday.

Eagles players make room for a teammate as he attacks New Mapoon.

The Bulldogs’ tackling was fierce against FNQ Balaz.

Dan Ropeyarn Cup champions for 2022 – the Boigu Island-based Malu Kiwai.

with 70. Nearest to pins were won by Warren Flegg on the 7th and Pete Ross on 15.

The monthly medal round was sponsored by Zig’s Lawn Care.

Wackers win for Jon JON Dall was last week’s Wednesday Wackers winner at Weipa, beating a field of 10 on the front nine.

Bruce Brockhurst was the runnerup, while Grant Crossley claimed the Bradman’s.

Amazingly, none of the golfers claimed the nearest to pin on the 7th or 9th.

Dawnies ready to party

LUCAS Duvenhague found his best form ahead of the Dawn Busters Championships with a strong round on Sunday morning.

He beat Viv Dick, with Mal Fairall rounding up the field by taking out the Hoffman’s.

Jim Lucas had the longest drive.

The Dawnies Championships are on this Sunday and will be played as a 13-hole event, with a BBQ to follow.

All Dawnbusterians are encouraged to attend with divisions and gradings for both qualifying and not-qualifying participants.

Eddie’s on fire

SWELTERING conditions made life tough for golfers at Cooktown on Saturday but the heat didn’t worry Eddie Cridland, who brought his red hot form to Walker Bay.

The fast-improving golfer had a personal best 88 off the stick for a nett 60, which remarkably just gave him a narrow win.

Alice Burton (nett 61) and Jamie Dobson (62) should consider themselves unlucky as both scores would win them a monthly medal on most occasions.

Nearest to pins went Campbell Venables on 2/11, Steve Butler on 14 and Jamie Dobson knocked off 9/18.

This week is white tee stableford, with an early start due to the races.

By MATT NICHOLLS

TABLELANDS trainer Ricky Ludwig says he’s not coming to Cooktown to run second with his leading Cup hope Lord of Light, who he expects to win this Saturday.

“It’s a bit hard to say without seeing the fields but I think he’ll be good enough to win,” he said on Monday afternoon.

“I gave him a run at Cairns (on Sunday) and he went really well. He needed that run with the jump up to 1760m in the Cooktown Cup.”

Lord of Light, a four-year-old gelding by Spill the Beans, has raced 15 times this year for five wins and three placings.

The highlight was in Septem ber when he won the Mareeba Cup (2000m) with regular stable rider Frank Edwards aboard.

“He’s a very good horse who tries every race, which is all you can ask,” Ludwig said.

“These types of races like the Mareeba and Cooktown Cups are perfect for him.

“He’ll win a few more races, for sure.”

Cooktown is known to favour on-pace horses, which could be an issue for Lord of Light, who usually takes a sit in his races.

“Frank knows how to ride him and he’ll just sit off the speed before making his move,” the Tolga trainer said.

“As long as you don’t leave your run too late you can win from anywhere at Cooktown.”

Ludwig also plans to bring up his new stable addition King mate for the maiden race.

“He’s got some ability but he’s still very green,” he said.

“He had a trial at Deagon be fore he came up here and run

third. The horse that won the trial has since won in Brisbane so that’s a good sign.

“He’s a three-year-old but he still looks like he’s two. He’ll improve on whatever he does on Saturday.”

There are six races on the card at Cooktown on Saturday, with the first jumping at 1.15pm.

The Cooktown Bowls Clubsponsored Cooktown Cup is the last on the program at 5.05pm.

This year, the Cooktown Am ateur Turf Club also pays tribute to legendary race caller and MC Clive Gordon, who passed away earlier in the year.

Mr Gordon was a life mem ber at Cooktown and race five is named in his honour.

Mareeba Cup winner Lord of Light is aiming to add another Cup to trainer Ricky Ludwig’s collection this Saturday.

The Cooktown Amateur Turf Club will this Saturday pay tribute to the late Clive Gordon (left), pictured with Cooktown caller Bluey Forsyth.

Cape

of

is based in

on the land of the Alngith people, and we acknowledge them as the custodians of this land.