Cape York Weekly Edition 117

By MATT NICHOLLS

WHEN Erchana Murray-Bartlett arrived in Seisia on August 20, she had just completed the first of what would be 150 marathons in 150 days, an effort that would smash a world record and see her run from the Tip of Cape York all the way to her home in Victoria.

On Monday, she completed her epic journey surrounded by family

and friends on Melbourne’s iconic running track, The Tan.

It’s a trip that took her to many corners of Cape York, including Weipa and Cooktown, all while raising funds for at-risk wildlife through the Wilderness Society.

At the time of writing, that mark had just reached $100,000 on her GoFundMe page.

 Read about Murray-Bartlett’s epic trip on Page 10.

Erchana Murray-Bartlett stops for a break on the PDR in Cape York ast year.

Meg Barrett, daughter Aimee and son-in-law Zac Mackey are running Cooktown’s Gilled & Gutted. Story – Page 7

Food drops organised as wet season stops access

By MATT NICHOLLS

REMOTE communities in Cape York and the Gulf are now relying on aerial food supply drops as the wet season takes a grip on the Far North.

Doomadgee received a drop from Skytrans on the weekend, while Coen is preparing to get a re-supply today from Daintree Air.

Cook Shire Council has been coordinating the Coen drop in partnership with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, local businesses and wholesale suppliers.

Weather permitting, Daintree Air will today make a delivery of essential supplies to the landlocked Coen, Cook Shire’s second largest town.

“Every year seasonal rains, flooding rivers and dangerous road conditions cause a large section of the Peninsular Developmental Road to close for weeks at a time,” mayor Peter Scott said.

“This prevents many regional

and remote communities across the Cape from obtaining essential supplies through traditional road transport routes.

Daintree Air will be able to transport more than five tonnes of day-to-day provisions, including dry store grocery staples, fresh produce, mail and other essential supplies from Cairns.

Under Queensland Disaster Management arrangements, the state government pays the additional transport costs to deliver them.

Cr Scott reminded communi-

ty members across the Cape that it was important to be self-sufficient and not to become reliant on resupply operations.

“Preparation is paramount. We urge households to plan ahead and get ready,” he said.

“You need at least five days of supplies to see you through, so there is absolutely no need to panic buy.”

Cr Scott said coordinated resupplies provided isolated individuals and communities with essential goods needed for survival.

Skytrans loaded up a plane and dropped essential supplies to Doomadgee in the Gulf on the weekend.

Coen received an aerial resupply in 2019 and is scheduled to take another today, weather permitting.

Councillor calls for volunteer database

COOK Shire councillor Marilyn

Morris has proposed a centralised volunteer database to ease pressure on struggling volunteer-run groups across the Cape.

The idea was first raised several years ago by a former Cooktown Museum staffer and aimed to save groups at risk of folding due to lack of volunteers.

“My life has been about volunteering, and in my mind Cook Shire is the way it is because of all the volunteers becoming one big community and working together for nothing,” she said.

“I put a notice of motion to council’s December meeting, and council will now do some investigating to see how we could make this work.”

Ms Morris said until the concept was fully investigated, the structure of a potential “chamber of volunteers” was unknown.

“It could be some sort of database where all the organisations can say we need this, and then volunteers might say they’d like to do a day here and a day there, or a few months a year,” she said.

“There are so many little groups doing their own thing, and if we don’t all come together as one big group, they’ll die.”

Cook Shire said there was an opportunity for the council to support the initiative through the expansion of a community development officer role.

“Without a dedicated staff member to support the Chamber of Volunteers there is a risk that due to current resourcing the aspirations of the group will remain unrealised,” the December meeting minutes stated.

Napranum school racing to be ready for students

A NEW primary school will open its doors to students in Term 1 this year, but may not be ready in time for next Monday’s return to school date.

Kluthuthu Christian College founder Mark Howard said the wet season had foiled plans to have buildings installed on the site in Napranum, which will have its own school for the first time since 2005.

“There have been a few challenges,” Mr Howard admitted.

“The ground is soft and we

can’t get the trucks on the site without getting bogged.”

The Kluthuthu school will be located on the former Napranum school’s oval, between the child care centre and the council administration centre.

“We might have a little bit of a delayed opening, but we will do all we can to open (on Monday),” Mr Howard said.

Currently, all Napranum children have to go to Weipa to attend school, either at Western Cape College or St Joseph’s.

Mr Howard said Kluthuthu would offer a local alternative and had been well supported by the community.

“I think we have around 30 students enrolled,” he said last week.

“This is something the community has been asking for and I’m sure they will support it.”

Vernon Clark has been appointed as principal and has recruited staff to fill the key roles at the school.

Mr Howard said the Christian

school was self-funded through donations and wouldn’t be able to get government funding as an independent school until it had been running for six months.

“These are the challenges we face but we are committed,” he said.

“We’ve got 3.6 acres to work with and the school is only going to grow.

“These hiccups at the start will be worth it in the long run and we thank the community for its patience.”

Napranum community members and Elders turn the first sod at the site of the Kluthuthu Christian College, which is meant to open next week.

Councillor Marilyn Morris.

New university hub ready to open

By SARAH MARTIN

THE doors will be opened on the region’s first dedicated study support centre next month, with the Cape York Country Universities Centre scheduled to open in Cooktown in late February.

Longtime Helenvale local and new centre manager Jenni James said it was exciting to be able to offer services to help bridge the gap between remote and urban education.

“The centre will have dedicated study and learning spaces for students to come and meet their peers, access the internet, study and complete exams,” she said.

“CUC is dedicated to providing equity for students, no matter where they are from and where they choose to study – we would like to see students across the Cape getting the same support as those in the city.”

As well as support for university and TAFE students, the centre is creating three new jobs, with the full-time centre manager to be complemented by an Indigenous engagement officer and a part-time learning skills advisor.

The not-for-profit centre is funded until 2025 under the federal government’s Regional University Centres program, and governed by an independent board comprised of Cook Shire Council, university and TAFE members.

Work began late last year to fit

out the centre, at 100 Charlotte Street, which will include three private study rooms, a reception area, manager’s office, kitchen and bathroom, training room and open shared space.

The study rooms can also cater for students completing exams,

“The idea is to support and en-

courage students, whether it is to guide people in where and what they might want to study, help them with enrolments, looking at different courses, connect with other students and provide academic skills support,” Ms James said.

“I’ll be at the centre from

8.30am to 5pm weekdays, but once students enrol with us they will be able to access the centre from 5am to midnight seven days a week.”

Discussions were already under way to expand the centre’s services to include satellite branches in other Cape York towns, Ms James said.

“The centre is for the whole Cape, not just Cooktown, and we will be offering support by phone and video to students across the Cape,” she said.

For more information, contact Ms James by email at jenni. james@cuccapeyork.edu.au or phone 0499 202 249.

Registered activity providers are able to accept FairPlay vouchers from parents and referral agents. The program opens for voucher applications on 25 January so register now to become an activity provider and help us get more Queensland kids participating in sport and recreation.

Cape York Country Universities Centre manager Jenni James outside the soon-to-be opened space in Carol Lovell Arcade on Charlotte Street in Cooktown.

School holiday program

COOKTOWN District Community Centre will start a holiday care program in the April school holidays, following feedback from a community survey circulated in December.

CDCC project development coordinator Heidi Carroll said the program would run for one week during the April and June holidays and, if successful, would be continued during the September and December school break.

“CDCC is committed to covering staff and administration costs, transport and some equipment, however to assist, families will be asked to pay a fee,” Ms Carroll said.

The program, which is planned to include activities such as craft, art, discos and excursions and cater for up to 20 children, will run from 9am to 3pm from April 3 to 6 and June 26 to 30.

Children can be booked for one or multiple days, with a cost of $35 per child, with discounts for early bookings and siblings.

Ms Carroll said further information would be available as the program developed.

Shindig to welcome mural

MEMBERS of the public are invited to the Bloomfield Library for the official unveiling of a new mural featuring 120 individually designed tiles celebrating the beauty of the region.

The 13cm tiles, designed and created over two years by 20 people under the guidance of local artists Lainie Franzi and Jude Edwards, feature plants and animals from the Bloomfield area and have been installed as a mural panel at the Bloomfield Library.

Ms Franzi said participants were of all ages and skill levels.

“We had professional ceramicists and complete novices, locals and some people just travelling through who took part. The only theme that we wanted to follow was nature, and around Bloomfield we have the rainforest, the beach and the reef, so that gave us loads of opportunity for what people could do,” she said.

“Now we need to celebrate and admire the mural, and we’d love as many people as possible to come along, have a barbecue and a yarn and dance.”

The celebratory event is on Saturday, January 28 from 10.30am to 2pm and includes live music, a barbecue lunch, market stalls and tea and coffee.

Ms Franzi said the project was made possible by funding from Cook Shire’s Regional Arts Development Fund and the Cooktown Hardware Community Chest.

Diatreme buoyed by silica drilling results

SILICA sands developer and explorer Diatreme Resources says it has made progress at its Northern Silica Project in Cape York.

Positive results from infill and step out drilling at the Si2 deposit in 2022 confirmed the continuity and quality of silica sand in the dune system, CEO Neil McIntyre said.

Engagement with Traditional Owners and other members of the Hope Vale community has continued to be at the forefront of Diatreme’s exploration campaigns, with Diatreme working

closely with Native Title representatives to ensure maximum community benefits while minimising environmental impacts.

“The significant additional drilling and apparent extension to the Si2 dune evaluation is a great result, delivered for a second year in a row by the Northern Silica Project development team,” Mr McIntyre said last week.

“The team has worked closely with Native Title representatives, providing mentoring and training to field teams, to ensure long-term benefits to the local community, as per our commitment to Traditional Owners.

“The drilling results have improved confidence in the North-

ern Silica Project, boosting the potential for a mineral resource upgrade in the new year.

“Diatreme is now progressing a scoping study focused on the results from the Si2 dune system, which is expected to be delivered in late Q1 2023.

“These are exciting times for Diatreme as we work to unlock this valuable, high-grade silica resource for the fast-growing solar PV industry, contributing to the world’s decarbonisation drive while delivering genuine, long lasting economic benefits to the FNQ community.”

Chillagoe officer in strife after floodwater mishap

SENIOR Queensland Police officials will question a Chillagoe officer after he was swept off the road on Friday afternoon.

Cape York Weekly understands the officer was on his way back to Chillagoe from a routine prisoner transfer at Mareeba.

On his way back, near Almaden, he attempted to cross the Pump Creek causeway.

The floodwater swept the fourwheel drive off the road and onto the bank of the creek.

The officer was able to escape and was reportedly uninjured.

The vehicle was spotted being towed in Mareeba on the weekend after it was recovered by Barron River Towing.

Queensland Police Service said it would be investigating.

“A police 4WD was swept off the Pump Creek causeway, near Almaden late this afternoon,” a QPS spokesperson said.

“Around 4.15pm a single officer patrol was travelling along the Burke Development Road between Chillagoe and Almaden, with the officer returning to Chillagoe after responding to a call in Mareeba.

“The officer drove onto the causeway with the strength of the water current sweeping the vehicle off the roadway and into Pump Creek.

“The officer exited the vehicle and swam a short distance to the creek bank. He was physically uninjured.

“An investigation has commenced as to the circumstances surrounding this incident.”

The police vehicle that was washed off the Pump Creek causeway on Friday afternoon was pictured getting towed in Mareeba on the weekend.

The police officer managed to escape without injury.

Big change for fish and chip shop

By SARAH MARTIN

THE Barrett family have thrown out the high-vis shirts and swapped them for aprons after buying their first business and making the move to Cooktown.

Damian and Meg Barrett were living in Mackay and looking for a change of lifestyle when they decided to buy the popular waterfront

seafood takeaway business Gilled & Gutted.

This was despite not having any business or cafe experience.

“Damo suggested a sea change, we were wanting something different, more of a laidback lifestyle,” Ms Barrett said.

“He’s worked in the mines for 30 years and I’ve been a food service wholesale rep for 20 years.

“We’ve got friends in Cooktown and they said it’s a nice little town, so we came up for a look about six weeks before we bought it.”

The couple, with daughter and son-in-law Aimee and Zac Mackey, took over management in November, and already have plans to open a cafe in the former Restaurant 1770 space adjacent to Gilled & Gutted.

“We want to open before Easter to get it running smoothly before jumping into the busy season,” Ms Barrett said.

“We’re going to open initially as a café and then find a chef so we can do the restaurant trade at night.”

Ms Barrett said they planned to offer something different so as not to compete with existing business-

es, with a regularly changing menu and specials such as cocktails and tapas.

“The feedback we’ve had from locals is that they’re really looking forward to it reopening after so long,” she said.

The family said they planned to support local businesses as much as possible, including buying fresh seafood.

Looking to Buy or Sell in 2023?

No email address or internet? – that’s fine too. We combine the best in on and offline communications to ensure ALL of our clients are fully catered for.

If you are just after a market update or wanting to have a chat please call. To make decisions you need good accurate information! Our team are here to assist you with professional and friendly service. Like elsewhere, our market is pretty hot right now with an increasing number of properties going straight from appraisal and listing to sale within the same day. With our current high turnover of listings, we have qualified buyers who are waiting for the right property and are ready to go. Your property may be our next sale contract. Cooktown offers excellent rental returns on investment properties or be an owner occupier and enjoy our amazing lifestyle in this pristine part of the world.

The new owner of Gilled & Gutted in Cooktown, Meg Barrett, with daughter Aimee and son-in-law Zac Mackey.

Out-of-town

still throwing money at Weipa

By MATT NICHOLLS

DESPITE

Residents wake after big quake

CAPE York and Torres Strait residents were last week awoken by the tremor of an underwater earthquake in Indonesia.

investors

still eyeing off Weipa, a local real estate agent says.

“I sold six properties last month, all to out-of-town investors,” said Weipa Real Estate’s Deb Duffy.

“This month I’ve already sold four and two were locals and two were investors.”

Ms Duffy said there had been an adjustment to the market, however Weipa was still providing a strong return on investment.

“Investors like Weipa because the rents are high and they are seeing a positive return,” she said last week.

“There’s no doubt the market has slowed since the start of July but it hasn’t come to a stop.

“In fact, my biggest problem is getting stock. I’m running out of houses to sell.”

In the past three years, Weipa Real Estate has sold more than 160 properties.

“When I arrived there were 135 properties on the market and now I have just 14 left to sell,” Ms Duffy told Cape York Weekly

“We’ve even had people pull properties off the market because they know they will struggle to find another place if they sell.”

RATES TO RISE?

THERE is a chance Weipa’s rates could rise following an assessment of land values.

Weipa was among a handful of local government areas in the region that was assessed last year.

“The State Valuation Service’s team of almost 140 expert valuers gathered on-the-ground information, as well as undertaking desktop assessments, including

“Their assessments will see new land valuations issued for properties by March 31.”

Ms Stone said the State Valuation Service valued a selection of Queensland LGAs each year.

“There has been significant market movement especially in rural Queensland and that is a reflec-

tion of continued confidence in the rural sector,” she said.

“Land valuations provide independent data that underpins decision-making and allows landowners to monitor the changing value of their land.

“Local governments and the Queensland Revenue Office may use this information as an input to their rating and land tax considerations.”

The 7.6 magnitude quake struck near Indonesia’s Tanimbar Islands, east of Timor-Leste, early on Tuesday, with the epicentre at a depth of about 90km.

It was felt hundreds of kilometres away, particularly in Darwin.

“I thought someone was shaking the bed,” said Weipa resident Ben Bright.

More than 2600 people in northern Australia reported feeling the quake to Geoscience Australia.

It was felt in Weipa, Seisia, Badu Island and in large parts of the NT, which senior seismologist Tanja Pejic described as “pretty significant”.

“It’s quite possible that we will see aftershocks along those magnitudes of maybe five or larger that might still be felt, although I suspect it wouldn’t be felt as widely as the 7.6 earthquake,” she said.

She said anyone caught in an earthquake should drop to the ground, cover their head with their hands, crawl under shelter, such as a table, and hold on until the shaking stopped.

research on property sales since the last valuation,” acting ValuerGeneral Suzanne Stone said.

While the market has slowed, investors are still snapping up properties in Weipa, keen to benefit from high rent returns.

New book written by local writer

WHEN it comes to saucy, no one does it better than Cooktown’s romance novelist, Eric George.

Jacques Eric George, known as Eric by his friends or Jacqueline George by his readers, has penned more than 20 books, mostly in his favourite genre of erotic romance, but his published works also include non-fiction and thrillers.

Mr George’s latest book, which hit shelves last month, is something new for the writer, who penned it with fellow author DJ Prewer.

“I don’t know DJ, but I published a book for her and she seemed pleasant and interesting so I asked if she would be interested in a joint story,” he said.

“We worked together by email over five difficult years, including medical operations, COVID and quarantine.”

Mr George said despite never having met Ms Prewer, the pair worked well together.

“She is very talkative, but very secretive; we’ve never met or even spoken by phone,” he said.

“We have two endings to choose from, the same as Charles Dickens did with Great Expectations.”

Mr George and DJ Prewer’s book, Fanny Howarth: the Journey of a Lady, entwines fact with fiction, following the story of two authors trying to write a historical romance set in the 1700s.

Copies are available at the Cooktown Creative Arts Association gallery or on Amazon.

Councils gear up for Australia Day

COOK Shire residents are invited to celebrate their Australia Day nominees and award winners at a free event at the Cooktown Shire Hall on Thursday, January 26 at 9am.

The event will include the awards ceremony, a speech from Australia Day Ambassador and mental health advocate Dr Tahnee Bridson and a delicious free morning tea from the Cooktown Country Women’s Association.

Mayor Peter Scott said it was an honour to welcome Dr Bridson to the Shire.

“Her commitment and passion for her pur-

pose, combined with her sense of service exemplifies the Australian spirit,” Cr Scott said.

Dr Bridson founded Hand-n-Hand Peer Support in 2020 to assist healthcare workers who are experiencing wellbeing or mental health issues.

Meanwhile, Weipa is changing up its plans for Australia Day celebrations this year, with a shift to a dinner to acknowledge the 2023 award winners and nominees.

The dinner will be held next Wednesday at the Albatross Bay Resort.

Free workshops this week

LOCAL not-for-profits are invited to boost their skills with two free workshops provided by Cook Shire Council this week.

The Good Governance workshop is on Wednesday from 9am to 3pm and will teach participants about budgets, finance, governance requirements, committee roles and responsibilities, event compliance and management.

The Great Grant Writing Skills workshop, from 9am to 3pm on Thursday, will assist attendees to understand grant guidelines, assessment and writing, as well as a walk through of creating a full application.

The workshops are presented by awardwinning coach and mentor Petina Tieman of Cairns-based Complete Business Solutions.

For more information, or to book, contact Cook Shire Council on 4082 0500.

Powerhouse banquet

FOODIES are urged to hop in quickly to book their seats for the Year of the Rabbit Chinese Banquet at Nature’s PowerHouse in Cooktown next week.

The banquet, to celebrate Chinese New Year, is the first in a series planned at Nature’s PowerHouse, with similar feasts last year selling out fast.

Held on Tuesday, January 24 from 6.30pm, tickets are $60. Phone Nature’s PowerHouse on 4069 6004 to book.

Don’t get shocked: Ergon

HAVE you got a potential shocking killer in your home?

Have you ever touched a tap or piece of metal in your home and received an electric shock or tingle?

Ergon Energy network area manager Chris Graham said the issue was more common than people think with hundreds of shocks and tingles reported in Far North homes last year.

“If you feel a shock or tingle, pick up a phone and call us,” Mr Graham said.

“At no cost to the caller, one of our crews will come to the premise, diagnose the source of the electric shock and recommend the next course of action for the property owner.

“If a fault is found on the Ergon side of the network we will repair it at absolutely no cost. However, if the fault is found to be within the customer’s property, we will make the premise electrically safe and the owner will need to engage the services of a licensed electrical contractor.”

To report electrical hazards at any time, call Ergon on 13 16 70.

Eric George with his latest novel.

Cook Shire’s Australia Day Ambassador is psychologist Tahnee Bridson.

150 marathons in 150 epic days: runner makes it from Tip to Toe

MONTHS after starting out from the tip of Cape York, Erchana Murray-Bartlett has completed her 150th consecutive daily marathon in Melbourne, finishing a recordbreaking journey through Australia’s eastern states.

Murray-Bartlett set out in August to run more than 6200km, raising money for the Wilderness Society and awareness of Australia’s extinction crisis – just days before Ned Brockmann began his 4000km run from the west to east coast.

Her journey has taken her along beaches, dirt roads and through Victoria’s high country, interspersed with visits to schools and conservation groups.

To date, the runner has raised more than $100,000.

Her final marathon was yesterday at the Pillars of Wisdom in Melbourne, and ended with four loops of the Tan track.

The current Guinness World Record for most consecutive daily marathons (female) was set last August by Englishwoman Kate Jayden, who completed 106 in as many days.

Murray-Bartlett has been keeping a detailed record of her daily runs, which the Guinness world records will consider for certification after her journey is complete.

The 32-year-old, who spoke breezily on the phone while finishing one of her daily marathons, said: “I’m so proud of what my body has been able to achieve. I’m so proud of the money we’ve raised.”

Murray-Bartlett has been joined by other runners in recent weeks.

“[They’re] keeping me going,” she told The Guardian

“It’s distracting me from the pain in my hips and my knees and my feet.”

Nearly five months of daily running has taken its toll. MurrayBartlett said her feet had increased half a shoe size and were covered in calluses.

“They’re not that sightly at the moment, to be honest,” she said.

“I don’t have any tendinopathies or broken bones … just overuse and soreness in my knees, lower legs and in my back.

“Also I have this constant brain fog that is making everything really difficult.

“You almost feel like you’ve aged 50 years.”

The past several months have seen her run along the New South Wales coastline and around the Victorian peaks of Mount Hotham and Mount Feathertop.

“I did more hills in December than the rest of the trip combined –I think it was 14 or 15km of elevation,” she said.

To allow her body to cope with limited recovery time each day, Murray-Bartlett ran slower than she would have if competing in a race; she completed her marathons in about four hours.

Throughout her journey, the one-time Olympics hopeful said

aimed to eat between 5000 and 6000 calories a day.

“I’ve lost more weight than I anticipated, and as a nutritionist, I was very careful of that,” she said.

“So what I even thought was a ludicrous amount of food wasn’t enough.

“My intake is now four or five big meals a day and just constant snacking. I’m at the point now where I’m almost too tired to eat.”

Murray-Bartlett’s final weekend of marathons involved a public group run along the Warburton trail in the Yarra Ranges, as well as a run with family members, including relatives who have flown in from overseas to see her cross the finish line.

“I don’t want this to ever end because I’m having a lot of fun,” she said.

“But I also really do need to stop because my body is at its limit.”

–by Donna Lu, The Guardian

www.health.qld.gov.au/torres-cape/html/telehealth

she

After starting in Cape York, Erchana Murray-Bartlett has run 150 marathons.

Murray-Bartlett completed her gruelling mission on Monday.

Position Vacant

Job Title: Accounts Administration Assistant

Role Available: Permanent Part Time

Application Close Date: Friday 20 January 2023

About Our Centre

At Weipa Kindergarten we are dedicated in providing quality early education within a safe, caring, and natural environment. We believe that children learn best through play and with staff who understand and respect their individual needs. We strive to foster all areas of children’s development with an emphasis on self-esteem, independence, and friendship. We value family and community and strive to work together to create strong partnerships in these areas.

About the role

We are seeking an all-rounder administration officer with experience in bookkeeping, reception and administration duties. This position requires a minimum of 18 hours per week however additional hours may be required from time to time. A flexible and family friendly work arrangement is available to accommodate school hours.

About you

To be successfully considered for this role, you will have:

• Minimum 1 year experience in an administration role

• Bookkeeping experience using MYOB,

• Sound experience with MS Office

• Ability to work proactively with minimal supervision

• Good time management skills

• Strong customer service skills

• A high level of attention to detail

It will also be beneficial if you have:

• A tertiary qualification in administration/business

For all applications, enquiries or for the full position description please contact the Director – Danielle Thompson on wecea@bigpond.net.au or 4069 9293.

We are looking for our next team member!

EDC Electrical are searching for an Office Administrator to work alongside the accounts manager, providing friendly customer service and a range of office administration duties for our growing team of electrical and refrigeration professionals.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Ideally looking for candidates with the following skills and experience, however all training will be provided for the right fit within the company.

~ High level of attention to detail

~ Strong time management and organisational skills

~ Proficient in the Office suite of products

~ The ability to work under pressure

~ Be able to work well with a team and work independently

~ Excellent verbal and written communication skills

~ The ability to multi-task

QUALIFICATIONS

& EXPERIENCE

~ Sound knowledge and experience with Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel

~ Experience with Simpro Software highly regarded (but not essential)

~ Drivers Licence

THE ROLE

With the growth our company has experienced, we are looking for an office administrator to provide support to our management team and field staff. The key responsibilities include:

~ General Office Administration

~ Scheduling works

~ Facilitating supply orders for the office and technicians

~ Answering phone calls, emails, and social media customer enquiries and actioning accordingly

~ Computer data entries

~ Maintaining merchandise and asset registers

~ Providing accounts and administration support as required

Please email your cover letter and CV to: accounts@edcelectrical.net.au

OR for information regarding the position please call the office on: 07 4229 7077

Public Notice

Awonga Point Waste Water Treatment Facility

Due to elevated storm water levels the Awonga Point Waste Water Treatment Facility is currently at full capacity.

In accordance with standard operating procedures, storm water from the network will be discharged simultaneously with treated effluent through the approved existing outfall infrastructure, under the Mission River Bridge. This action is periodically required to alleviate the system and ensure continued safe operation.

The discharge will be at minimal flow and will continue until storm water levels abate.

As a precautionary measure, fishing is not recommended within the immediate vicinity of the outfall which is located on the sea floor under the Mission River Bridge, approximately 60m offshore. Please

Non-Executive Member

Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Board

Contribute to the Torres and Cape community to deliver exceptional healthcare

• Member opportunity for the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Board

• Part-time statutory appointment commencing approx. July 2023

• Diverse skills and experience required

The Opportunity

The Queensland Government delivers free universal healthcare to five million Queenslanders through Queensland Health. The Queensland Government is investing a record $23.6 billion into healthcare.

The Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Board (HHB) is one of 16 statewide boards and provides governance to the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (HHS). The Torres and Cape HHS delivers hospital and healthcare services across Cape York and the Northern Peninsula Area, including 18 islands in the Torres Straits. All 16 HHBs, including the Torres and Cape HHB, are accountable to the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services and must perform their functions in accordance with the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011

Board members are community leaders and have the ability to contribute to shaping the future of health care in the region for which they are responsible, whilst enhancing the efficient, effective and sustainable delivery of health services.

Applications

The Queensland Government is seeking applications from appropriately experienced community members to fill a vacancy on the Torres and Cape HHB. Community members are being sought from the Torres and Cape region and from throughout the state to be on the board. To be successful in this role, you:

• are ready and able to add value to the Board through your skills, knowledge and experience, including but not limited to any of the following areas of expertise: health management; business management; financial management; human resource management; clinical expertise; legal expertise; primary healthcare; health consumer and community engagement; and persons with skills, knowledge and experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and community issues

• are able to analyse, critically assess and drive performance

• have the confidence and connections to strengthen community engagement and collaborative partnerships

• are a leader who thinks strategically, embodies personal integrity, has political astuteness, commercial acumen, resilience and are a team player

• are available to travel to Torres and Cape HHS communities if you are located outside the region. Applications are to be submitted online. For an information pack and instructions on how to submit your application please visit https://edenritchie.com.au/hhb-appointment/

These opportunities are remunerated in accordance with Queensland Government guidelines. We strongly encourage First Nations people, women, people with expertise in multiculturalism, young people, and people with disabilities to apply. A range of probity checks will be undertaken for persons being considered for appointment.

Applications close midnight, Friday 10 February 2023. Should you wish to receive assistance on submitting your expression of interest, please contact Eden Ritchie Recruitment via Justine Eden on 0412 156 930 or Kim Ritchie on 0412 156 920.

M7776

The Western Cape Communities Co-Existence Agreement (WCCCA) is an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) over the Rio Tinto mining lease areas of the Western Cape York region of Northern Queensland. The Agreement is between the eleven Traditional Owner Groups, four Shire Councils (Aurukun, Napranum, Mapoon and New Mapoon), Rio Tinto, the Queensland State Government and the Cape York Land Council on behalf of the Native Title Parties.

The Western Cape Communities Coordinating Committee (WCCCC) and its three SubCommittees transparently monitor, implement and review the objectives of the WCCCA to ensure that all parties’ obligations under the agreement are met. The WCCT office is the administration arm for all the Trusts and the WCCCC. It manages the overall business of the company including servicing, assisting and supporting the above entities.

WCCT is committed to providing high quality services to our Traditional Owners, and we recognize the importance of employing the most suitable candidates. Currently we are seeking applications for the position of:

GARDENER

Reporting to the Office Manager, the Gardener is responsible for monitoring the health of all plants and greenscapes, watering and feeding plants, trimming trees and shrubs, fertilizing and mowing lawns, mulching and weeding gardens, keeping green spaces and walkways clear of debris and litter and providing support to the Office Manager as directed. Applicants should have knowledge and experience in using and maintaining landscaping equipment, including mowers, trimmers and fertilizers while following health and safety regulations.

We anticipate that applicants will have;

• Experience in a similar role and or familiarity with landscaping design;

• Knowledge of regional plant life;

• Knowledge of local pests and how to eliminate them;

• Knowledge of synthetic and natural fertilizers;

• Knowledge of health and safety regulations for landscaping;

• The ability to lift heavy objects and remain on your feet for long periods of time;

Traditional Owners and Aboriginal people are strongly encouraged to apply.

For further information including a position description please contact: Office Manager

Phone: (07) 4069 7945 Email: offmgr@westerncape.com.au

All applications should be clearly marked “Private and Confidential” and addressed as follows: Executive Officer PO Box 106 Weipa, QLD, 4874 Phone: (07) 4069 7945 Email: eo@westerncape.com.au

CLOSING DATE – FRIDAY, 27TH JANUARY 2023

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

EOI 005/23

Licence of Commercial Accommodation Facility – Mackenzie Camp 1

Aurukun Shire Council is seeking Expressions of Interest from interested parties for a Licence over Mackenzie Camp 1.

The Mackenzie Camp 1 is aimed primarily at the contractor market. This is a facility which has 24 rooms. The airconditioned rooms feature single beds, and full ensuite. There is also a guest kitchen, laundry and off-street parking to assist and the regime for mowing will be dependent on seasonal factors.

Council offers the successful tenderer(s) a licence for a 3-year fixed term with a 3-year option for the facility. Tenders will be assessed on the basis of experience and the benefits to the Aurukun community offered by each tenderer.

If you would wish to submit an Expression of Interest, please contact, or collect an information pack from Vendor Panel.

Interested parties must submit the Expression of Interest on the prescribed offer form. All documentation must be submitted prior to 4pm 06/02/2023.

Alan Neilan

Acting Chief Executive Officer

NOTICE OF BOUNDARY RESOLUTION MEETINGS FOR THAYPAN, POSSUM, KUKU WARRA NATIVE TITLE GROUPS

Cape York United # 1 Native Title Claim (QUD673/2014)

1 - 2 February 2023 Bob’s Place, Laura

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

Day #1: Thaypan and Possum boundary resolution meeting

Date: Wednesday 1 February 2023

Time: 10:00am–4:00pm

Venue: Bob’s Place, 1 Peninsula Developmental Rd, Laura QLD 4892

Day #2: Thaypan, Possum and Kuku Warra boundary resolution meeting

Date: Thursday 2 February 2023

Time: 10:00am–4:00pm

Venue: Bob’s Place, 1 Peninsula Developmental Rd, Laura QLD 4892

Purpose of Meeting

CYLC will be facilitating meetings between representatives of the Thaypan, Possum and Kuku Warra Native Title Groups to resolve their common boundaries in the area generally shown in the map (inset). These are important decision-making meetings and CYLC will take instructions about these boundary decisions by way of written resolution. The boundary descriptions must be provided to the State of Queensland under the Federal Court timetable. 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 for travel assistance or to confirm attendance, please contact Jayd Copelin by Monday 23 January 2023 on free call number 1800 623 548 or by email jcopeli@cylc.org.au. Note that there is limited funding available for travel assistance.

Video-Conferencing Video-conferencing facilities will be made available at the meeting, including because of the potential for COVID-19 to interfere with attendance. 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 above.

Cooktown’s Nina Kay off the reef.

Amanda Gordon with a nice trout.

James Bally with a 103cm barra caught at Pormpuraaw.

Emily and Maddie Gostelow with a small nanny.

Mitchell Kaye with a 93cm nanny.

Michael Moses with a fingermark.

Bruce Henderson and proud dad Simon with some cray.

Kiren Tarpencha with a beaut barra.

Shane Johnson caught this beauty just before Christmas at Duyfken.

Graham Johnson at Duyfken Point.

Wackers win for Hunter

JIM Hunter started 2023 in fine form with a win in last week’s Wednesday Wackers. He beat Steve Abraham for the honours in a field of 13 on the front nine.

Nearest the pins went to Abraham and Randall O’Neill, while Stretch Noonan claimed the Bradman’s.

Team PingTings start well

RICK Butler and Matt Fir th have claimed the first of three rounds in the Cooktown Golf Club ambrose championships.

The winning pair will be the team with the best two rounds, meaning its not too late to find a partner and take to the Walker Bay course.

Team PingTings scored 59.75 points to just hold out Team GeddB (Graham Burton and Eddie Cridland) on 60.25 points, while Team LauCam (Laurie Downs and Campbell Venables) are just behind on 61.25.

Nearest to the pins went to Wal Welsh for 2/11 and Laurie Downs took home 9/18. For the second week in a row, no one was able to hit the green on 14.

Snakes eye top spot

AFTER battling to avoid the wooden spoon last season, the Cairns Taipans are in second place on the NBL ladder and are eyeing off top spot ahead of the playoffs.

The Snakes consolidated second spot with wins against Illawarra on Friday night and then backed up with a win against the Breakers in New Zealand on Sunday.

The Taipans are back home to host the Tasmania JackJumpers in another massive clash on Friday night.

Cowboys snub the Pride

IN a major blow to the profile of rugby league in Far North Queensland, the North Queensland Cowboys will no longer send contracted players to the Cairns-based Northern Pride or Mackay Cutters.

The Cowboys will instead send all players to the Townsville Blackhawks when they are not required for NRL duty.

Pride CEO Garreth Smith said the club would work hard to ensure its sustainability and competitiveness in the Hostplussponsored Queensland Cup, with a focus on players from the Far North.

Unlikely match-up to kick off 2023 Goldfield Ashes

TWO Cape York sides will battle it out on the opening day of this year’s Goldfield Ashes cricket carnival in Charters Towers.

The three-day event starts on Friday and the Weipa Crocs will kick off their 2023 campaign with a match against the Coen Heroes.

Both teams are long-time participants in the Ashes, which brings hundreds of cricketers from across North Queensland to compete in what is mostly a social carnival.

“When you’re out on the field you try to win, but winning doesn’t really matter,” said Crocs stalwart Aaron Johnson, who will once again pad up for Weipa this year.

“It’s always a highlight on the calendar and hopefully it stays dry.

“The rain doesn’t usually stop

play unless it gets torrential, though, but it’s nicer when the sun is out.”

Johnson said the Crocs would go to Charters Towers short on a few familiar faces.

“We’ve got about eight or nine players at this stage. We might get to 11 but if we are one or two short it won’t make much of a difference,” he said.

Johnson expected the Heroes to provide stiff opposition on Friday.

“They normally play in a higher division so maybe they want to be a bit more social,” he said.

“They’ve got some good cricketers but it’ll be a lot of fun.”

Cape York Weekly editor Matt Nicholls will be there to cover the action (and perhaps have a bat).

The Weipa Crocs team had a strong weekend in 2022 and will be hoping to repeat the dose this weekend in Charters Towers.

Weipa Crocs stalwarts Aaron and Clair Johnson.

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.