Cape York Weekly Edition 112

Low building in Gulf of Carpentaria

Cyclone watch

By MATT NICHOLLS

CAPE York residents should be on weather watch this week as the wet season finally kicks into gear.

There’s even a small chance of a cyclone forming in the Gulf of Carpentaria, although the Bureau of Meteorology is not yet making that prediction.

“A trough is expected to develop across the eastern Arafura Sea and northern Gulf of Carpentaria from Tuesday onwards,” the BoM said.

“It is expected to extend across Cape York Peninsula to the Coral Sea region. A tropical low may de velop along the trough later in the week or by the weekend.

“The environmental conditions

are marginally favourable for trop ical cyclone development.”

Meteorologist Livio Regano said the Bureau was only willing to declare the potential development of a tropical low.

“It could be a strong system and things could change later in the week,” he told Cape York Weekly

“There’s a big trough strewn

across North Queensland which is very active at the moment.

“It’s almost monsoon-like but it isn’t a monsoon.

“In a true monsoon, you get tropical winds from across the equator, down from Indonesia.

“We don’t have those winds at the moment.”

Continued – Page 2

Cyclone watch: Heavy rain for region

From – Page 1

Mr Regano said he wouldn’t be surprised to see a busy tropi cal season, given the condi tions.

“The water temperature in the Gulf and the Coral Sea is smoking hot right now,” he said.

“Most of the Gulf is between 30 and 31 degrees, which is about as hot as it gets. It can’t really get much warmer.

“That’s fairly typical for a La Nina period.”

Cyclones don’t form in North Queensland until the wa ter temperatures reached 26.5 degrees, Mr Regano said.

“The outlook for the Aus tralian tropical cyclone season is for an above-average amount of cyclones,” he said.

“That doesn’t mean much to the average person because sometimes that forecast is wrong. But what it means is

that in the past when we’ve had these type of conditions we’ve had an increased amount of cy clones in Australia.

“The only thing I can say with any kind of certainty is that parts of Cape York Pen insula will get some good rain this week.

“If a storm misses you, don’t

worry because another one is coming.”

Weipa Town Authority chair Michael Rowland said it was a good time for local residents to think about their homes and to update their cyclone kits and plans.

“There’s some really good information on the WTA web

site, with links to the Queens land Get Ready site as well,” he said.

“The Torres and Cape Indig enous Councils Alliance also has a new Disaster Dashboard which has important informa tion for locals and visitors.”

Details for the TCICA dis aster dashboard are on Page 8.

Scam victim speaks out after losing almost $40k

By SARAH MARTIN

MORE than two months’ wages have been siphoned from a tiny Aboriginal corporation repre senting the Traditional Owners of Laura in a slick online scam.

Ang-Gnarra Aboriginal Cor poration had almost $40,000 stolen by scammers, believed to be based in Zambia, just weeks after health organisation Apuni pima Cape York Health Council was hit by hackers who may have accessed confidential pa tient files.

“It’s hit our business hard, losing that amount of money,” said Ang-Gnarra chief executive officer August Stevens.

“We’re praying that we can get the money back, but I really don’t have much hope.

“I’m thinking Apunipima got hit, I’m a patient, and then we got hit. I don’t know if there’s a

correlation, but it’s a big coinci dence.”

Mr Stevens said doing busi ness online was the small or ganisation’s downfall, with their standard practice of invoices emailed to and paid by the ac countant providing an easy in for the scammers.

“When we buy machinery, I get our directors to sign off on it and then we send that author

ity to pay to our accountant via email,” he said.

“That’s how (the scammers) did it, they came across that document and changed the date, amount to pay and bank details and sent it directly to the ac count, but it appeared to come from me.”

The loss was discovered the following day when Mr Stevens rang the accountants.

“They said we’ve paid the machinery invoice and I said ‘Oh my God, we’ve been scammed’,” he said.

The $38,400 loss was imme diately reported to the authori ties, the bank, and the insurance company, but the policy didn’t cover the missing money.

“It’s been a big wake up call,” Mr Stevens said.

“We got complacent, but we’ve learnt from this and made a lot of changes.

“I’d really like to warn other small businesses and even coun cils that this can happen.

“We’re not even on the world map and we got hit.”

Mr Stevens said investiga tors found Ang-Gnarra’s emails were being tapped by an entity in Zambia, with foreign eyes accessing everything sent to or from the Laura-based organisa tion.

“We don’t know how long they had been there, sitting in the background monitoring our emails,” he said.

“We’re just a little drop in the ocean when it comes to scamming, but that’s about two months’ wages for us and it leaves a big hole.”

Meanwhile, Apunipima has still not provided an update since it was a victim of a major security breach, leaving patients around the Cape in the dark.

Ang-Gnarra CEO August Stevens.

Expect to get wet if you are in Cape York this week. Heavy rain is forecast, especially later in the week.

By MATT NICHOLLS

FRIENDS, family and former colleagues of Billy Gordon were in shock on Saturday as news filtered through of his death.

The former Member for Cook died in his sleep, his fiancee Olympia Little said.

“I lost the love of my life last night,” she said.

“I’m going to miss you my love; love you always and for ever. Fly high, rest easy, Billy.”

Mr Gordon, 49, was the CEO of Indigenous Carbon Australia, having found the first job he re ally loved after leaving politics.

He first stood for the Labor Party in 2013 in the federal seat of Leichhardt and then won the state seat of Cook in 2015.

“I got involved in politics be cause I got frustrated with peo ple, politicians and bureaucrats

making important decisions about issues that impacted upon my family, my life and my com munity,” he said in his maiden speech to parliament.

Just months after producing a massive 10.2 per cent swing to unseat LNP incumbent Da vid Kempton, Mr Gordon was

forced out of the Labor Party af ter his previous criminal history was revealed publicly.

Most of the misdemenours happened when he was a young man, former Skytrans colleague Mike Thinee said.

“Everyone does things when you’re 20 that you don’t do when you’re 40,” he said.

“Billy was great for us at Skytrans and I thought he was a rising star in politics.

“Mentored appropriately, he could have been an inspirational Indigenous leader.

“He was articulate, had a great sense of humour and was compassionate.”

State MP Robbie Katter said he had some great conversations with Mr Gordon both in and out of parliament.

“We had a few disagreements but I think we were supportive

of him when he was kicked out by Labor,” he said.

“We had some disagreements but we still spoke after he fin ished in politics.”

Fomer Labor Senator Jan McLucas, who was given a special thanks in Mr Gordon’s maiden speech, said she was saddened by his passing.

“My thoughts are with Billy’s family and friends as they come to terms with his untimely pass ing,” she said.

“His life was full, but all too short. May he rest in peace.”

Hope Vale’s Gerhardt Pear son said Mr Gordon was “one of the great characters of Far North Queensland” and “a staunch and persistent advocate for Indig enous rights”.

“He was brave in his mission, and a good and loyal person,” he wrote on Saturday.

Paramedics providing support in Aurukun

TORRES and Cape Hospital and Health Service says it is appreciative of the help from Queensland Ambulance Service as it looks to bolster services in Aurukun.

TCHHS executive general manager Ian Power said: “Au

rukun

Healthcare Cen tre staff are continuing to deliver health services to the commu nity from within the clinic and responding to emergencies with the support of QAS.

“Paramedics and an ambu lance have been deployed at

Aurukun as part of the multiagency response to support the primary health care centre and we thank them for their support.

“Routine community visits or outreach home visits from the primary healthcare centre remain temporarily suspended

until further notice but we are providing first response to emer gency 000 calls with the support of QAS and police.

“We are continuing to moni tor the situation on a daily basis and are liaising closely with oth er government agencies.”

TCHHS executive general manager Ian Power, health worker Heather Rose, Aurukun PHCC acting director of nursing Tiffany Dwyer, Aurukun nurse practitioner Nicole Kuchel, QAS paramedics Mark Zimmerman and Jordan Williames, and Weipa doctor Stephen Johnston.

Primary

Former MP Billy Gordon.

Lock it or lose it, Cape police say

By SARAH MARTIN

TWO people have been charged and police are warning residents to lock it or lose it after another week of home invasions, burglary and fear for Cooktown locals.

The coastal community has been experiencing an unusual wave of crime this month, with four cars stolen, masked and armed intrud ers terrorising nurses in the Cook town Hospital and multiple reports of thefts from homes and cars across town.

A woman in her 80s was left shaken after waking to find her bedside drawers and jewellery box opened and valuables missing, while another local woman is liv ing in fear after five break-ins in a short period.

“Money has gone missing, drawers and cupboards are left

open and my personal belong ings have been gone through,” the resident, who did not want to be named, said.

“I feel scared and violated.”

Recycling hub potential for growth town

LAKELAND could soon house a $3 million recycling plant capable of turning most waste into reusable products under a new proposal.

Auswaste FNQ’s Kenny Reid said the business, which currently manages the Lake land waste transfer station for Cook Shire Council, was working towards approvals for the recycling hub.

Plans include a concrete plant, as well as gaseous machine able to turn tyres, septic and household waste into reusable products.

“We want to look at granulation and extru sion and become a recycler ourselves, able to make recycled plastic products such as park benches and bollards which can be put back into the community,” Mr Reid said.

“The gaseous machine also produces heat energy which we’re looking at using to off set some of the heating and cooling require ments of a local Lakeland business; it’s all very fresh, everyone is getting behind it.”

The Reids and their business partners Dylan Miller and Jenny Bradley also plan to build a permanent concrete plant at Lake land, with byproducts including carbon blacks, potash and powdered glass all able to be used in the concrete.

“It’s all very exciting; what it does is cre ates a total waste solution,” Mr Reid said.

“Not many businesses are coming up with a local solution that enables you to look after all types of waste.”

Council is supportive of the proposal, with mayor Peter Scott tipping the Lakeland area to be a potential green hub.

“It’s always great to see local business grow and succeed,” Cr Scott said.

“Auswaste provide important services across the Cape so it’s fantastic to hear of their innovative plans to expand. With the existing solar farm and future plans for a wind farm, Lakeland has the potential to be come a green-energy hub for the Cape.”

Mr Reid said the potential to use the heat produced by the plant in local farming was exciting.

“Without the ability to get rid of the heat we would produce, the plant wouldn’t be as green as it could be, and that’s the really ex citing thing about the farm,” he said.

“We can actually capture that energy and utilise it to reduce their power consumption.”

Auswaste FNQ hope the plant could be a pilot project for Cape York.

After the third break-in, she in stalled security cameras and last week rushed home from work with several colleagues after the camera showed the intruder in her house.

“He came in through the bed room window and was still in the house when we arrived, and my colleague chased him down the street back to his house,” she said.

“Women living on their own should be extra vigilant as that is the type of victims he is known for preying on – he is an absolute cockroach.”

Police were called and a 32-year-old Cooktown man was charged but has been released on conditional bail.

The shaken woman praised the efforts of local police, who she said responded promptly.

Cooktown Officer in Charge, Senior Sergeant John McArthur, urged residents not to make it easy for criminals.

“In most cases the victims of recent property offences took secu rity precautions,” he said.

“But it is important that it is not made easy for those who choose to commit these offences.

“It’s important to keep valu ables, including car keys, in a loca tion where they cannot be found by any potential offender.”

Police have also charged a 17-year-old boy with six counts of entering premises and stealing, in addition to wilful damage, steal ing, unlawful use of a motor ve hicle, enter dwelling and commit, trespassing and attempted entering premises.

Senior Sergeant McArthur said the charges followed an alleged burglary rampage on Thursday, November 17.

The teenager appeared in Cairns Magistrates Court and, despite po lice objections, was granted con ditional bail, including not being allowed to return to Cooktown.

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Cooktown Sergeant Ken White and the local police team are warning residents to keep their homes, cars and belongings secure following a local crime wave.

Opportunity for those looking for employment

By SARAH MARTIN

JOB hunters looking for work experience and organisations needing workers will be connected under the new Pathway to Real Jobs initiative.

Cooktown’s Josiah Bowen and Sally Chapman are the first to take part in the new program, coordinated by social and econom ic development organisation My Pathway, and have been gaining skills with Cape York Weeds and Feral Animals.

“There is plenty of on-country work, but it needs resourcing,” said Trevor Meldrum, the CYWAFA environmental operations manager.

“This initiative takes the pressure off em ployers that don’t have the resources but are passionate about employing locally.”

Pathway to Real Jobs aims to develop lo cal capability and skills that lead to ongoing employment, and work experience partici

pants take part at no cost to the businesses involved.

CYWAFA is the first local business to get on board, taking on Mr Bowen and Ms Chapman as environmental officers.

The pair are working with the CYWAFA team, gaining on the job skills and experi ence in conservation and land management.

Ms Chapman said she was excited to lead the way with the new initiative and encour aged others to get involved.

“Work experience is what is most need ed to get off welfare and make a long-term change,” she said.

“I am excited to be involved in the paid work trial and being first cab off the rank. I will be letting all the young ones know to speak to My Pathway about this.”

The program aims to expand as new host employers sign up across a range of indus tries, with positions readily available across the Cape.

Joey Dix from Cape York Weeds and Feral Animals with new environmental officers Josiah Bowen and Sally Chapman, who signed up as part of a new My Pathway program.

NPA urged to have say on new facility

THE Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service is calling for com munity and staff feedback to help inform the location of a new pri mary healthcare centre in Bamaga.

Two sites have been identified as the potential location – the ex isting site on Adidi Street and a new location off Injinoo Road near to Bamaga Oval and the hospital.

Both options have potential benefits.

The health service will host a community forum in Bamaga on December 7 and 8 to seek feed back from the community.

The forum will be run out of the Cape York Peninsula Lodge on Wednesday, December 7 from noon to 5pm, and on Thursday, December 8 from 9am to noon.

The forum is open to members of the public and will be set-up in an exhibition style with sketch drawings on display and experi enced health service staff on hand to answer questions.

Following extensive consulta tion, a site for the replacement primary healthcare clinic will be chosen.

The new facility is being built as

part of the Department of Health’s Building Rural and Remote Health Program.

The Building Rural and Remote Health Program is an initiative es tablished to improve infrastructure critical to the delivery of health services in rural and remote com munities.

The new Bamaga PHCC project is in addition to more than $10 mil lion investment in Bamaga health services including:

• $4.17 million – replacement of hot and cold water services at Bamaga Hospital and upgrades to latest design standards and require ments. (Currently under way with completion expected late 2023.)

• $3.67 million – new staff ac commodation at Bamaga Hospital.

• $1.65 million – Bamaga Hospi tal roof replacement.

• $600,000 upgrade of existing electrical systems at Bamaga Hos pital.

If you would like to learn more information about the new Bamaga Primary Healthcare Clinic forum, email TCHHS-Capital-Works@ health.qld.gov.au or phone 07 4226 3025.

Inspirational GM off to London

WEIPA’S head of mining is on a plane to London after she was selected in the 100 Global Inspi rational Women in Mining.

Rio Tinto Weipa general man ager Shona Markham is one of 15 Australians to have been se lected for the celebrations.

Organised by Women in Min ing UK, the event is dedicated to promoting the employment, retention and advancement of women in the mining industry.

WIM UK received 915 nomi nations from 61 countries from a diverse range of backgrounds.

Ms Markham was recognised for her contribution towards a stronger, safer, and more sustain able mining industry.

She is regarded as a role mod el to encourage future genera tions of women to consider min ing as a career choice.

Bamaga Enterprises delivers on more community services

The future of one of the region’s most important services, the local Australia Post office, is in safe hands with Bamaga Enterprises Ltd (BEL) taking over its opera�ons.

Located at 79 Adidi Street next to BEL’s head office, Australia Post Bamaga LPO is the most northern post office on the Australian mainland and essen�al for a remote community.

BEL was successful in its expression of interest to purchase the business a�er Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) Regional Council closely examined its future earlier this year.

Robert Poipoi, Chairperson of BEL, says it was an absolute necessity to keep these services running.

“Money transfers, billpaying services, package deliveries, providing prin�ng and office

supplies... it all needed to remain available to our community members and businesses,” he explains.

Currently in charge of daily opera�ons is Jean Williams, an ac�ve member of the Bamaga community and a BEL Director. She’s not the only familiar face on-site – all of Australia Post’s staff remain employed a�er BEL adver�sed mul�ple

job vacancies and filled the roles quickly with previous staff members.

BEL plans to upgrade the Post Office in the new year as part of its ongoing commitment to suppor�ng the NPA. The Indigenous, not-for-profit organisa�on also operates BP Bamaga, Cape York Peninsula Lodge, Bamaga Motel, and Bamaga Tavern.

Bamaga Enterprises Ltd., Rural Transaction Centre, Adidi St, Bamaga QLD 4876 Ph 4069 3533 www.bament.com.au

The post office plays home to so many of our region’s most vital services.

Rio Tinto Weipa general manager Shona Markham was picked in the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining.

Mayor proud of new road

LOCKHART River mayor Wayne Butcher has praised his council’s team after it successfully built and sealed a new road using a local workforce.

“For the first time in history, Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council has built a road from scratch to bitumen,” he said.

“It was built in house by the council, local sub-contractors and concrete and culvert crews.

“We also had support from Black and Moore Engineering.”

Cr Butcher said it had been a long but well-planned journey.

“We used the crawl, walk and run strategy over the past few years, building the capacity and capabilities of our council team, community businesses and peo ple,” he said.

“Challenges always come with such large projects, but the longterm focus on building a better community is all part of the pro gress!”

Cr Butcher said the Department of Transport and Main Roads had also played a part in supporting the council build of the road, which leads to the Old Mission area.

Building roads in the Cape require excellent drainage and strategic culverts so they can cope with the wet season. Local council workers and local sub-contractors were used to build the road.

This is the first time Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council has built a sealed road from scratch using local workers.

Artists off to capital for opening

AURUKUN’S famous ku’ (camp dog) carvings are among 160 works installed in the inaugural display of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art in the newly lo cated Yiribana Gallery at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Aurukun deputy mayor Craig Koomeeta and Wik and Kugu Arts Centre manager Gabriel Water man will accompany artists Leigh Namponan, Keith Wikmunea, Ver non Marbendinar, Lex Namponan and Roderick Yunkaporta to the exhibition in Sydney this week where they will give talks on their art.

Nine artists from the Wik and Kugu Arts Centre have carved 26 dogs that will be located in vari ous groups across the gallery’s existing buildings and their new buildings, which officially open on Saturday.

Aurukun mayor Keri Tamwoy said the Wik and Kugu artists were enjoying a number of successful exhibitions and sales over the past year to galleries and private col lectors.

“Wik-Mungkan artist Alair Pambegan’s ancestral story of Walkaln-aw (bonefish story place), produced with the assis tance of Nathan Ampeybegan, was purchased by a private collector in Canberra,” she said.

“The large installation was part of the Tim Klingender Fine Art Gallery exhibition at Australia’s premiere art fair, the Sydney Con temporary.

“The National Gallery of Vic toria has purchased two large sculptures by Apalech men Keith Wikmunea and Vernon Marbendi nar showcasing their puulwuy (totems) which were displayed in

NEWS IN BRIEF

Christmas in Cook Shire

THE festive season is drawing closer, with a perfect chance to get in the mood and shop for local gifts at the Lakeland Christmas Fair and Markets this Saturday, and Carols by Candlelight in Cooktown on Sunday.

The annual Lakeland event, held on the grass in front of the Lakeland Coffee Shop, includes children’s activities, food and drinks, market stalls, a ute parade and carols.

The fun family afternoon starts at 3pm, with the ute parade and a chance at $200 prize for the best decorated ute, kicking off at 5pm, followed by carols at 6pm.

Stallholders are welcome and can book by phoning Sam Simmonds on 0429 995 094.

Carollers can warm up at Lakeland and finish off their weekend with another session of carols on the Cooktown waterfront on Sunday evening.

Head to Endeavour Park at 7pm – bring your own chairs or rugs.

Fishing Classic AGM

LOCAL residents interested in joining the Weipa Fishing Classic committee are urged to attend the AGM on December 7.

The original date was for tomorrow, but it has been pushed back a week.

The AGM will be held at the Weipa Bowls Club from 7pm.

More details on Page 2.

Award for Gould

FORMER Weipa advocate Nigel Gould was this month recognised for his dedication to men’s health.

The Rio Tinto employee won the Safety Advocate Award for Mining.

“It’s an honour,” Mr Gould said.

“It’s about mental health, helping your friends out, and the peer support work I’ve done. It’s for the community, it’s not for me, and it’s an honour to be successful.”

Mr Gould has been involved in advocacy work “for many decades”.

He helped start the Running of the Bulls in Weipa, with proceeds going to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

At the awards ceremony, Mr Gould sported a suit and tie made from a moustachepatterned fabric, and a couple of ‘R U OK? Day’ badges, “It’s a matter of getting the message out that ‘it’s OK not to be OK’,”he said.

the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.

“Keith’s ‘Tee’with yot-a!’ fea tures thee’with (cockatoo), kallam (galah) and minh tech (goanna) and Vernon’s ‘Nguk-al yotam-an Puulwuya!’ shows the nguk (owl) sitting in a tree.

“Our community’s artists had record sales at both CIAF and the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, and recently exhibited at the Brun swick Street Gallery in Melbourne.

“These successes are testa ment to the rich cultural heritage belonging to the Wik and Kugu people which they express through their art and are a good indicator that there is a healthy demand for this kind of work.

“Our community takes great pride in empowering our children through teaching culture and shar ing our in-depth spiritual connec tion to our country and our kin.”

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Keith Wikmunea painting a ku’ carving at Aurukun’s Wik and Kugu Arts Centre.

White Ribbon Day @ Cooktown

THE Cooktown community came together last week to remember women who had lost their lives to domestic violence and start con versations about change at the an nual White Ribbon Day event at the community centre.

White Ribbon Day is part of a global movement to eliminate gendered violence, an event which Tracey Boulton said was an impor tant awareness raiser.

“It’s so important for the com munity as a whole to be open to having these discussions,” said the CEO of the Cooktown District Community Centre.

“In particular for men and boys to feel confident to talk to their boys and mates about these is sues, and stand up to stop violence against women.”

Tucked behind the gardens this corner property is adjacent to the Cooktown State School and next door to the Day Care centre. Set on a larger than usual 1/4 acre at 1290m2, there is ample yard space and gardens. 3 bedrooms with office/extra bedroom. Family home or solid investment in excellent location. Walking distance to all of the amenities including pool, PCYC, and Kindy. Newly renovated with fresh paint throughout, new floor coverings in the bedrooms and new split system aircons throughout for year round comfort. A feature of this home is the locally sourced slate flooring. Very easy living in the spacious open plan kitchen, living and dining area also opens out onto the covered BBQ and entertaining area.

Caritta and Grant Fagberg were on hand to keep attendees cool with slushies and ice cream.

Local service providers and residents came together for White Ribbon Day last Wednesday.

Shirley Sues, Renee Harrigan and Tracey Boulton.

Jo Reuben planted a lilly pilly to acknowledge those who lost their lives to domestic violence.

Tristtan Cooper, Josh Macdermott, Lucas Giese, Frances Gertz and Lesley Montgomery at the Cooktown District Community Centre.

Western Cape College Celebrations

Bastien Thompson-McLean was a finalist in the FNQ apprentice/ trainee of the year awards.

School-based Traineeship Award recipients Daniel Griffin and Zarli Millard.

2023 Junior Secondary captains and vice captains: Florianna Wapau, Matt Morley, Ziona Oracion and Angus Larcombe.

2023 Heads of House – Tom Wilson and Will Johnson (Duyfken), Jett Davies and Emmi Cousens (Evans) and Emmi Roberts (Flinders).

Top of Year 11 – Elsie Maher and Emmi Roberts.

Senior NAIDOC Award recipients Gary Cornthwaite, Maxwell Emmett, Jasmine Williams, Andrea Joe, Shawarna Gutchen-Hodges and Tayjarnah Tanna.

This year’s college captains, Coby Morton and Jasmine Williams, handed over their blazers to 2023 college captains Megan Barton an Elsie Maher.

Top of Year 10 Annabelle Clements.

NAIDOC Boarding Award recipient Ozie Bosen.

Top of Year 7 Demi de Tournouer.

Top of Year 8 Ziona Oracion.

Boarder of the Year Malakula Kris.

NAIDOC Principal’s Award recipient Tayjarnah Tanna.

Top of Year 9 Bereket Linnehan.

Tahu Loban receiving the Conservation and Land Management Award.

Western Cape College’s graduating class of 2022.

Rio Tinto Scholarship recipients – Letitia Flegg, Jasmine Williams and Martha Somorofo with Shona Markham, general manager of Rio Tinto’s Weipa operations.

Junior Sportsman of the Year Max Lynch.

Junior Sportswoman of the Year Bridie Maher.

Senior Sportsman of the Year Koit Bosen.

Senior Sportswoman of the Year Simone Slack.

Jasmine Williams was a finalist in two major FNQ awards for being an Indigenous apprentice/trainee.

Endeavour Christian College Awards

Mayor Peter Scott presented the ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award to Sam Ryder.

Teacher Chris McPhail presents Corinne Stallan with the Year 11 Sportswoman Award.

Year 5 teacher Sue-Ellen Massey with sportsman award recipient Chase Hunt.

Jessica Crowe, with teacher Marius Booysen, received the Diligence Award for Year 4.

Josie Case was the Year 5 Character Award recipient.

Haywen Kulka, with Year 7 teacher Eric Massey, was the Sportsman Award recipient.

Middle school special award recipients Maeve McCollum, Vivencia Willcox, Molitta Grillo and Scott McNab.

Year 12 Dux and Diligence award recipient Ava Croatto.

Year 7 Sportswoman was Demi D’Addona.

Leaha Van Dyk-Angus received the Arts and Character awards.

Mission Aviation Fellowship award recipient Sophie Wright.

Molly Godfrey-Roberts received the Year 7 Diligence award.

Sophie Wright received the Year 10 Diligence, Academic and Sports woman awards.

Senior school Diligence award recipient Ava Croatto

Year 11 Sportsman Award winner Ethan Smith.

The Year 4 Character award went to Rhodesia Jenyns.

Middle school sportswoman Maeve McCollum.

Endeavour Lions Club president Jim Fay presented Ava Croatto with the 2022 Bert Mason Scholarship.

Year 4 Arts award recipient Phoebe Surbey. The Year 4 Sportsman Joe Reid.

Year 5 Diligence award recipient Lucy Godfrey-Roberts.

The Year 5 Sportswoman was Matilda Montgomery.

Year 5 Arts award recipient Micah Parkes.

The Year 12 Sportswoman was Kaitlyn Darvell.

Year 4 Sportswoman recipient Shine Corea.

Year 8 Diligence, Character and Academic award recipient Kate Wakefield.

Councillor Marilyn Morris with Environment and Conservation Award winner Sienna Thomason.

Head of Art Jen Hall with Queensland Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Foundation Award recipients Wudarabin Snider and Presaiah Ross-Hart.

Overall Sport Champions Amber Frame, Grace Raleigh, Lucas Giese, Maia Pensio, Lachlan Little, and Natalie Little with teachers Jamin Cherry and Andrew Morris.

The Cooktown Bowls Club Award, presented by club manager Arthur Cranston, went to Cory Haimes, Geri-Rose Lukacs and Avah Cope.

Australian Defence Force Award, Future Innovators Award and Long Tan Youth Leadership Award recipients Lana Beaufils, Josie Dagge, Lucas Giese and Shaelanee Hegamaea, with Chief Petty Officer Shane Ridley and Cooktown RSL sub-branch president Julie Oliver.

Cooktown State School P&C president Scott Johnson presented Amber Frame and Sophie Roberts with the William Clements Award. Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch with Dux winners Holly Clarke, Clare Smith and Josie Dagge.

Mayor Peter Scott presented Sienna Thomason with the Ampol Best All Rounder Award.

Archer Giese, Natalie Little, Presaiah Ross-Hart, Michael Toohey and Ava Pensio were presented with Leadership Awards by mayor Peter Scott.

Outstanding Endeavour Award recipients were Joshua McDermott, Lachlan Little, Lavinia Tree, Giulia Nobile, Maia Pensio and Jaylarni Harrigan, with Cooktown Police Officer In Charge, Senior Sergeant John McArthur.

Seventeen graduates celebrated

THE Cowboys Community Foun dation is proud to celebrate the achievements of 17 NRL Cowboys House graduates and future leaders as they take their next steps into further education, training and em ployment post-secondary school.

The graduating cohort of 11 young men and six young women joined their fellow Indigenous boarding students, staff, family and community members, school community members, partners and supporters for the sixth annual NRL Cowboys House awards cer emony earlier this month.

NRL Cowboys House Girls Campus shone as the efforts and achievements of the whole Year 7-12 student body were recognised across 18 award categories.

The awards followed a Wel come to Country and performance by the Wulgurukaba Walkabouts and on-stage performances by the NRL Cowboys House dance troupe and student soloist George Abednego.

NRL Cowboys House general manager Rochelle Jones paid trib ute to every student who had re flected the NRL Cowboys House values of family, resilience and in tegrity in their actions throughout the year.

“We are really fortunate to work

in a place where we’re still seeing many firsts for our young people who are coming here from some very remote communities,” she said.

“Whether it’s their first time in a large shopping centre or movie theatre, or the first time at a school of over 2000 students, they take that challenge in their stride.

“All of the young people who leave their families to come to Townsville to get a secondary education, you’re a truly amazing group of young people.

“Day to day, our staff, partners and volunteers, all of the people here and watching at home get to travel on the journey with these awesome people – it’s a wonderful experience.”

The celebrations were hosted by Leland Michael and Makeilla Gibson – both from Cooktown –and included guest speakers and a Q&A with past students about their time at NRL Cowboys House and their lives since graduation.

Graduating students were presented with a special North

Queensland

Indigenous secondary students across North Queensland.

“Over the years, we’ve worked hard to create an innovative bal ance of ensuring a place of safety, friendship and fun, but also en couraging students to challenge themselves to reach the goals they have for themselves and write their own stories,” he said.

“Six years on, I believe we’ve created a unique home away from home unlike any other in this coun try that is creating success stories.

“My message to the graduating and continuing students is simple – remember, success is inside each and every one of you.”

Outgoing house captains Elijah Joe and Chasidy Pearson encour aged younger students to work hard in their education to achieve their dreams.

Speaking at the ceremony, Cow boys Community Foundation di rector Jeff Reibel said NRL Cow boys House had created significant opportunities and outcomes for

2022 graduates: George Abed nego (Thursday Island), Brody Ah-Kit (Mornington Island), Liana Bee (Normanton), Josh Daniel (Thursday Island), Trefena Du gong (Mornington Island), Elijah Joe (Mornington Island), Jay lee Linden (Mornington Island), Larnie Mara (Mapoon), Jaylen McMullen (Normanton), Tekelu Mene (Warraber Island), Rodnei sha Mick (Doomadgee), Manu Nona (Thursday Island), Chasidy Pearson (Yarrabah), Haley Pear son (Warraber Island), Kody Rog ers (Mornington Island), Zayryn Rosendale (Hope Vale), Cordell White-Benson (Rockhampton).

Toyota Cowboys In digenous jersey with their name and boarding number on the back, featuring Mapoon artist Margaret Mara’s design.

Wulgurukaba Walkabouts performed the welcome to country and opening dance performance.

Cowboys House foundation students and graduates Brody Ah-Kit (Mornington Island), Zayryn Rosendale (Hope Vale), Elijah Joe (Mornington Island) and Kody Rogers (Mornington Island).

Hosts of the evening, Year 10 student Makeilla Gibson and Year 11 student Leland Michael (both of Cooktown).

NRL Cowboys House’s Year 12 graduates with their special jerseys featuring the design of Mapoon’s Margaret Mara.

Godfrey-Roberts is King

COOKTOWN Golf Club has crowned a new champion after Sam Godfrey-Roberts took out the Wayne King Medal of Medals on Saturday.

The A-grader was long and straight off the tee with his irons and keeping his ball in play proved the difference as he carded a gross 72, nett 63.

He was just ahead of the fast improving Eddie Cridland, who had a 90/64 to be runner-up. However, Eddie won the side bet cash, which proved quite lucrative.

In third spot was Graham Burton with a gross 77, nett 68.

Nearest to pins went to Campbell Venables for 2/11, Steve Butler on 14 and Burton on 9/18.

This Saturday is a bit of a grudge match with a “pick-your-own-partner ambrose” from the white tees. Every team has claimed to be the best and Saturday will settle the argument for 2022.

Superintendent shines

CARPENTARIA Golf Club superintendent Steve Jensen found his best form to be the overall winner in Sunday’s monthly medal round, carding a nett 69.

Sandy Nelson was next best with a nett 70 to win C-grade, while the B-grade medal went to Garry Breitkreutz with a nett 72.

Nearest to pins went to Grant Crossley on 7 and Ross Craven on 18.

Ventner wins Dawnies

EUGENE Ventner was Sunday morning’s winner of Dawn Busters golf at Weipa, beating a field on nine.

Viv Dick was runner-up, while Jon Doyle rounded up the field to claim Hoffman’s.

Grant Crossley had the longest drive for the men’s and Sharon Gardiner was the longest female hitter off the first tee.

There was no Wednesday Wackers last week due to a lack of numbers.

Test series starts in Perth

AUSTRALIA and the West Indies will kick off the men’s summer of cricket in Perth this Wednesday with the opening Test of a twomatch series.

Play starts at 12.20pm Queensland time, with Pat Cummins to lead the XI against Kraigg Brathwaite’s squad.

Oliver to fight old enemy

WHEN Cooktown muaythai fighter Oliver Hanson takes on Jye Van Polen in Mackay this weekend he plans to finish an epic five-match, six-year battle history with a resounding win.

The pair have been going toe to toe under muaythai rules since the age of 11, with Oliver losing the last bout more than three years ago.

Full Boar Gym coach Vince Parkes said this match would be different, with both boys now older, stronger and more expe rienced.

“I’m pretty sure Oliver will hit harder than Jye, but Jye is fast, he’s lighter and his hands are really, really quick,” he said.

Oliver is going in as the un derdog, taking the fight on just 10 days’ notice and forced to undertake a gruelling training

regime to try and bring his fit ness up to scratch.

“We’ve had to train smarter, not harder, trying not to fatigue

him too much for work and training the next day,” Parkes said.

“The heat has been making

it hard, trying to keep his hy dration up. But each day he has been going half an hour longer or another round on the pads longer.”

Oliver will also be stepping into unfamiliar rules, with the bout his first time fighting un der kickboxing rules, meaning he can throw punches, kicks and knees, but isn’t allowed to grap ple or use his razor-sharp elbow strikes.

However, Parkes wasn’t phased, and said fighting under different rules would be a great experience for his young charge.

“We’re working on lots of body shots, hand combinations and a lot more ring craft,” he said.

“Having kickboxing experi ence will be just another string to his bow.”

WEIPA running stars Bridie Maher, Demi de Tournouer and Max Lynch are gearing up for a trip to the City of Churches in December. On Saturday at the Weipa Christmas Markets, they were helping with a sausage sizzle in their honour, which will help fund their trip to the All Schools National Athletic Championships in Adelaide. The trio are hard workers and have been training all year, earning themselves some great trips away. The championships are from December 9 to 11.

Oliver Hanson is gearing up for a tough bout against an old rival.

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.