Cape York Weekly Edition 118

KEEPING KIDS AT HOME

Fighting for life Man hospitalised after scooter crash

By SARAH MARTIN

A MUCH-LOVED local man is clinging to life after a horrific scooter accident in Cooktown left him with severe head injuries.

Shayne Chessor, 42, was airlifted to Townsville after hitting a traffic island at the intersection of

May and Ida Street on Friday afternoon on a motorised scooter.

A Townsville Hospital and Health Service spokeswoman said Mr Chessor remained in a critical but stable condition on Monday afternoon.

in charge, Senior Sergeant John

McArthur, said Mr Chessor was wearing a helmet, but alcohol was suspected to be a contributing factor in the accident.

“No one likes to see the trauma associated with traffic crashes, and I hope Shayne makes a good recovery,” he said.

Continued – Page 2

A pilot program in Cape York is helping parents with sick kids stay closer to home. Dr Donna Franklin, pictured with Napranum mum Lily York and her daughter Jenovia York-Charger, says the results are already overwhelmingly positive. Seven-month-old Jenovia has already been transferred to Cairns Hospital four times with respiratory problems in her short life. Dr Franklin hopes to reduce the amount of similar trips for other parents. Full story – Page 5

Cooktown Police’s officer

Cooktown local Shayne Chessor.

Man in critical condition after crashing scooter

From – Page 1

“Road safety is a focus for the police district moving forward, but we rely on the public to make good decisions regarding driving behaviour,” Senior Sergeant McArthur said on Monday.

Long-time friend Chantelle Wignall said she was heartbroken to hear the news.

“Keep fighting and come home to your family and friends in Cooktown; too many fish and crabs to catch yet buddy,” she said.

Ms Wignall said Mr Chessor was believed to have multiple broken bones, including a

wrist, ribs, hip and eye socket, and was in an induced coma to allow his body to heal.

“As far as I know it’s now a waiting game, as they did say it would be three to four days for the swelling (on his brain) to go down,” she said.

“He’s a fighter, all we can do is keep sending positive thoughts.”

Keen fellow fisherman Anthony Pearson wrote on Facebook of Mr Chessor’s love for fishing.

“We still have plenty of fish to catch my good friend, God is not ready yet for you,” Mr Pearson wrote.

Slow down near schools, warn Cape York police

SCHOOL zone speed limits will be enforced, Cape York police say, as they look to crack down on motorists.

“It’s not just speeding, either,” said Weipa-based Senior Sergeant Warren Flegg.

“We’re also looking at parents who don’t follow the signs and park in drop-off areas.”

Senior Sergeant Flegg said

he had to give out a number of warnings to parents who ignored signs out the front of Western Cape College on Monday.

“To help with traffic flow, the parking spaces at the school become two-minute zones and have been that way for several years,” he said.

“The signs are clearly marked and we won’t give warnings for

much longer. Parents are not to park their car and get out and enter the school during the set times.”

Last year, the state road toll hit 299, the highest number in a decade. Acting Assistant Commissioner Chris Stream said drivers needed to obey the rules so everyone, especially children, could get home safely.

“Always be aware of the speed limits and your surroundings when travelling through school zones, as some of the commuters include children crossing the road on their way to, or from, school,” he said.

“School speed zones are in place to protect our children, who are not as familiar with the roads.”

Cooktown’s Shayne Chessor was hospitalised after he crashed his scooter at the intersection of May and Ida Street on Friday.

School zone speed limits will be enforced throughout the Cape, Senior Sergeant Warren Flegg says.

Bowls, golf, donuts and awards for Australia Day

By MATT NICHOLLS

WEIPA’S Citizen of the Year

will be announced on Wednesday night as part of a change-up to Australia Day festivities in the community.

“We’ve decided to try something a bit different,” said Weipa Town Authority chair Michael Rowland.

“Previously, the crowds have been down on Australia Day and there’s a shift away from having events (on January 26).

“This year we’ve decided to do a formal dinner and acknowledge the citizens and events who have made Weipa a great place to live.”

While the WTA is not putting on formalities on Thursday, there won’t be a shortage of things to do.

Pebbles Playgroup is cooking up donuts to raise funds, complemented by the coffee van.

The Weipa Bowls Club has a massive social bowls event

planned, with more than $1000 in prizes up for grabs.

At the Carpentaria Golf Club, a social ambrose event will also be staged for members and the general public.

Cooktown will stick to tradition with its Citizen of the Year Awards on Thursday.

Cook Shire will kick off proceedings at 9am at the Cooktown Shire Hall with a ceremo-

ny to announce the shire’s award winners. A council spokeswoman said a record number of nominations had been received, with nominees from Cooktown, Lakeland, Laura, Rossville and Bloomfield.

The event also includes a speech from Australia Day Ambassador and mental health advocate Dr Tahnee Bridson and a free CWA morning tea.

She told the ABC that she was humbled to be acknowledged among a list of top young achievers in the nation.

Ms Elu was chosen as the Queensland Young Australian of the Year for her advocacy work in enrolling Indigenous residents in the NPA, fighting for better telecommunications and for organising local beach clean-ups.

“I felt just so honoured to be there,” she said. “Hearing my name called was just surreal.”

Ms Elu has been working with the AEC to enrol more Indigenous people and educate them about the importance of voting.

“There’s a lot of issues affecting us,” she said.

“It’s important that we understand how the political system works, so it can benefit us.”

● SEISIA resident Talei Elu will find out on Wednesday night if she is crowned the Young Australian of the Year.

The Weipa Bowls Club is inviting local residents to turn up for social bowls on Thursday. The cost is $20 and includes a light lunch. Details on the right.

Seisia’s Talei Elu is in line to win the Young Australian of the Year award.

Lakeland case study could help benefit the Reef: RDA

according to Regional Development Australia Tropical North CEO Sonja Johnson.

RDA Tropical North has sent a case study on a Lakeland banana farm’s use of green compost to the federal government after completing a three‐year feasibility study into the commercial production of green waste for agriculture.

Ms Johnson said the study, undertaken by Central Queensland University, Price Waterhouse Coopers and Outsource Management, found agricultural producers were generally supportive of green waste compost to help reduce runoff and meet their environmental obligations.

“Lakeland banana farmer Peter Inderbitzin began successfully composting green waste from his farm to supplement the use of chemical fertiliser and improve the soil more than 13 years ago,” Ms Johnson said.

“Our study supported his experience that using green compost would increase fruit production, reduce water usage, and extend crop life.

“It would also reduce the amount of chemical fertiliser required and overcome reliance on

fertilisers, such as urea which comes from the Ukraine and Russia, which were currently experiencing supply chain interruptions.

“Green compost seems like the perfect circular economy solution.

“However, the study found there is a shortage of green compost with much of it going into landfill as it is contaminated with plastics or other waste like glass and metal.

“To overcome potential biosecurity risks, the raw material needs to be pasteurised into compost before it can be used.

“The cost of transporting raw

material to a compost facility and the resulting commercial compost to the farm gate is a limitation.

“This could be overcome by upskilling farmers to undertake treatment on their own property rather than sending it to a processing plant and return, particularly if that plant is more than 150km away from the farm gate.

“Further work is required to encourage uptake and increase the availability of green waste compost on a commercial scale which would require trials for different crops and the possibility of grow-

ing crops specifically to be used in compost manufacture.”

Ms Johnson said RDA Tropical North was in discussions with the federal government to seek funding for the next stage to be led by the Queensland Farmers Federation in consortium with peak industry groups and Natural Resource Management groups in the Great Barrier Reef catchment area.

Comprehensive reports and data from the past three years of critical research, analysis, cooperation and collaboration are now available on the RDA Tropical North website.

Club angry after thief nicks shed

THE president of Weipa’s sports shooting club says he’s furious after a thief stole a large shed that was about to be erected at their rifle range.

Dave Rutherford said the slab had been laid, but the 7x7m shed was waiting to be put up after the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia branch recieved a $30,000 grant last year.

“They’ve come in through the back, cut the fence and loaded it onto a trailer,” he said.

“What’s worse is this person is a local. Someone from our own community has done this.

“You can’t go anywhere by road at the moment so they’ve come from Weipa most likely.”

The club has contacted Weipa Police and been able to access CCTV footage from the Mission River bridge.

“We’re hoping the person can be identified and we’ve had a lot of community support since the word got out,” Mr Rutherford said.

“The shed itself is probably worth $20,000 and a lot of work has gone in to get that grant. As part of getting the funds we need to show it has been put up.

“Someone will know something so please contact the police if you have any information.”

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A case study at Lakeland has identified composting opportunities that could reduce runoff onto the Great Barrier Reef.

Cape findings could be a game changer for state

By MATT NICHOLLS

A PILOT study launched in the Cape could soon help improve childhood respiratory treatment and reduce unnecessary medical transfers.

Paris on Country is a new study being launched by Queensland’s world-leading Paediatric Acute Respiratory Intervention Studies (PARIS) program.

It is led by chief investigator Dr Donna Franklin and aims to cut the number of children being transferred away to city hospitals by up to 50 per cent.

“Based on the evidence from two world-first clinical trials – PARIS I and II – we now understand when it is best to place an infant or child on nasal high flow therapy and when to use standard oxygen as a first line oxygen therapy,” she said.

High-flow oxygen therapy, which provides increased oxygen to patients via a nasal cannula, is rarely available in remote areas and up to 50 per cent of all patients are transferred to city hospitals for a higher level of care than they may actually need.

“This causes emotional stress for children and families, unnecessary load on emergency departments, and huge transfer costs for the state,” said Dr Franklin.

“Paris on Country will develop and implement a respiratory care training package to help rural and remote clinicians decide when to escalate treatment and when to seek specialist advice via telehealth.

“By providing local clinicians with the tools, education and information they need, we hope to see a positive change for these sick children.”

The resource and training pack is based on evidence from the world-first Paris trials which were led by Dr Andreas Schibler, a researcher at Queensland’s Wesley Research Institute

REDUCING UNNECESSARY TRAVEL

● Acute respiratory illnesses, like bronchiolitis, asthma and pneumonia, are the most frequent cause of hospitalisation in children and 28 per cent of intensive care admissions.

● Mortality rates from acute respiratory failure can be up to 20 per cent in under-resourced communities – 3 to 4 times higher for Indigenous than non-Indigenous Australians.

● In Far North Queensland, 30 to 50 per cent of children with acute respiratory failure are transferred to hospitals in Cairns or Townsville (only 9-12 per cent in south-east Queensland).

● New Paris on Country project aims to reduce these transfers by half.

and a world leader in paediatric acute respiratory medicine and intensive care.

The pilot study is currently running at Weipa, Cooktown and Thursday Island hospitals, under PhD candidate Sally West from James Cook University.

“This is a service parents in remote communities are desperate to see introduced,” said Ms West.

“Having a child with breathing difficulties is stressful, but needing to transfer them away from country can be devastat-

ing, particularly for Indigenous families.”

The pilot study is now being expanded to 18 rural and remote hospitals across the Torres and Cape, Townsville, North West, and Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Services.

Coen hit by power cut

DESPITE heavy rain last week, Coen was on strict water restrictions for several days after a power outage temporarily took out the town’s water supply.

The power cut on Monday, January 16 forced Cook Shire Council to switch the town’s water treatment plant to bore water, impacting the supply.

“During power outages the Coen water treatment plant gets connected to bore water which runs at a reduced rate, therefore restricting the rate at which we’re able to treat water,” mayor Peter Scott said.

“The restrictions were announced on Tuesday in order to raise awareness of the diminishing reserves and encourage residents to be mindful of their water consumption and reduce use.”

Coen’s power was partially restored on Tuesday night, however there was not enough current to fully run the water treatment plant, with water restrictions remaining in place until late Friday.

King tides hit region

BOATIES and coastal residents are reminded seasonal king tides are due this week, and again next month, with the potential to sweep away unsecured vessels and other loose property.

Maritime Safety Queensland general manager Kell Dillon said the high tides would occur between January 22 and 24, and again between February 19 and 21.

“Boat owners and people who own properties and businesses in low-lying areas near tidal waterways need to prepare accordingly,” he said.

“Despite the regal title, king tides simply means the highest tides of the year.

“They are predictable annual events and people should not get caught out failing to prepare for them.

“Property owners should move tinnies, kayaks, garden furniture and other objects away from the water’s edge to prevent them finishing up in our streams and bays.

“They should also secure any loose pontoons or vegetation such as fallen tree branches.”

Mr Dillon said owners of larger vessels should also take precautions.

“Anyone with moored or anchored vessels should make sure their mooring tackle, anchors, chains and lines are wellmaintained and have sufficient length to ride out the highest tides,” he said.

Tidal predictions for locations along the coast are published in the 2023 Queensland Tide Tables and available for free download at msq.qld.gov.au

Dr Andreas Schibler is a leader in paediatric acute respiratory medicine and intensive care.

Dr Donna Franklin with 5-year-old patient Molly Forbes at Weipa Hospital.

Fierce storm claims life of teen’s

By MATT NICHOLLS

A CAPE York teenager is mourning the death of her best mate after a violent storm hit her family’s property last week.

Carley Shephard, 17, said her seven-year-old gelding Denzil was struck by lightning and died in his paddock on Lilyvale last Monday.

“I didn’t really believe it,” she told Cape York Weekly

“He was a special horse. I could get on him anywhere with just a rope on his neck.

“If I was bored I’d just grab the bridle and take him.”

Carley, who starts Year 12 at Malanda this week, said she suspected something was wrong when Denzil didn’t come to the house.

“He would always come up in the afternoon for a carrot. I didn’t think too much of it at first because he hates water and hates the rain,” she said.

“But the next day he didn’t come and his mates did, so I was worried.”

When the rain cleared, it was Carley’s dad who found Denzil dead on the ground.

“I got Denzil because my other horse Hotshot died. He hurt his neck in a paddock injury,” she said.

“I got him five years ago and he cost $5500 and came from Barcaldine.”

Carley said Denzil had been a work in progress as she took him to rodeos around the region.

“He was pretty good. I didn’t start barrel racing with him until 2021. Before that he was just a consistent mustering horse,” she said.

“He was fast and could turn quick so he made quick time.

“He went to Laura last year and he was probably just getting into his best rodeo years.”

New building almost complete

ENDEAVOUR Christian College’s Prep and Year 1 cohort will soon have a new purpose-built building, with the roof on and work well under way.

Principal Peter Connell said the new building would become the permanent home of the Prep and Year 1 students, and would also house an inclusive education area, outdoor education spaces and a play gym.

“The space will be mainly used for our early years classes, but it does also have an inclusive education area for students who need additional support out of the classroom,” Mr Connell said.

Cairns-based Richardson’s Building Services began construction in 2022, with the final touches expected to be completed in April.

“It’s exciting, we’re very excited about it,” Mr Connell said.

“Richardson’s Building Services are doing a great job, they are on time and on plan. They got the roof on before the rain started, which helped them to keep going even when it’s been raining.”

The Prep and Year 1 classes will begin the first term of school this week in the main building, before moving into their new digs in Term 2.

Peter Connell with Prep-Year 1 teacher Jacynta Hunt and teacher aide Jenny Hook outside the new classroom.

Carley Shephard loved Denzil.

Rio Tinto program opening doors

AMRUN site visits, field work and medical assessments are all part of a day’s work for three university students who are currently living and working in Weipa as part of the Rio Tinto Indigenous Scholarship and Cadetship programs.

Proud Gamilaroi and Murrawari sisters Kaiawa and Miriama Welsh along with Kayla Yamashita, who has ancestry across Badu Island and Thanawithi and Peppan clans, are currently working throughout the mine site for three months in areas that complement their university studies.

That includes environmental management, emergency services and hydrocarbon project work.

Kaiawa is undertaking a double degree in Law and Environmental Science and is hoping to work in the mining industry as an Environmental Lawyer.

“My leaders asked what I wanted to do during this cadetship and then gave me projects to work on that I’m interested in,” she said.

“I love the versatility and the team I get to work with.”

Miriama, who is studying Paramedic Science at Central Queensland University is working with the Rio Tinto Emergency Services team.

She said she was enjoying the opportunity.

“I’m learning practical skills and getting hands-on experience. I’ve learnt so much in the past eight weeks,” she said.

Kayla is studying Environmental Practice at James Cook University and said she was enjoying working with team members around the WCCCA meeting outcomes.

“I’m aiming for a graduate po-

sition in Rio Tinto when I finish studying,” she said.

Rio Tinto has once again opened their Indigenous Scholarship and Cadetship programs.

The 2023 programs provide opportunities for Indigenous students

who aspire to work at Rio Tinto and are studying at university in disciplines that are transferrable to the mining and metals industry such as Engineering, Science, Technology and Humanities.

It is a gateway for Indigenous

university students all around Australia into a career with Rio Tinto and the positive impact has been seen locally in Cape York.

This year’s program applications close on February 28. Go to the below link for more info.

Applications for Indigenous cadetships and scholarships

now open. Applications close 28 February 2023

Available to Indigenous students who are studying at university in Australia. Find out more at riotinto.com/careers/graduates-students

Kaiawa Welsh, Kayla Yamashita and Miriama Welsh are full of praise for Rio Tinto’s Indigenous Scholarship and Cadetship programs.

MORE than half a million dollars in funding will boost on-country conservation and land management across Cape York and the Torres Strait under the recently announced Looking After Country program.

The funds will be spread across seven different projects from climate change mapping on Kaurareg country on Prince of Wales Island in the Torres Strait, south to butterfly research on Western Kuku Yalanji country near Palmer River.

State Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the funding supported First Nations communities that had been playing a powerful role in caring for their environment for thousands of years.

“These projects will also support jobs, whether they be rangers or project officers,” she said.

Kaurareg Native Title Aboriginal Corporation will receive $74,835 to work with archaeologists and heritage protection specialists to create an app-based system for prioritising cultural heritage sites at risk from climate change on Prince of Wales Island.

“The project will empower the Kaurareg to prioritise, map and mitigate damage and loss to cultural heritage sites identified to be at risk,” KNTAC general manager Enid Tom said.

“It will assist in educating the youth, who are the future generation, about caring for country.”

The Kyerrwandha Thingalkal Land Trust in central Cape York will use a $71,137 grant on a cultural burning and invasive species control project.

Land Trust chair Alwyn Lyall said the project would teach young people about traditional fire management methods.

“We will conduct hands-on

workshop activities in the field to enable our young people to learn traditional fire management methods and different ways of burning Country from knowledge passed down,” Mr Lyall said.

“This will be done in such a way to maximise intergenerational learning and long-term knowledge transfer.”

Other projects include $75,000 to care for Dabangay heritage and recreational areas on Mabuiag Is-

land; $73,236 for continued traditional fire management training on Bromley country near Wenlock River; $75,000 for weed management and capacity building at Wakooka and Cape Melville.

A total of $75,000 will go towards butterfly research near Palmer River; and $75,000 for a women’s cultural heritage leadership program run by Dabu Jajikal Aboriginal Corporation at Bloomfield.

Melioidosis concern in the region

WITH wet conditions affecting Cape York, health authorities are reminding residents to take precautions against melioidosis.

Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service public health medical officer Allison Hempenstall said three cases of melioidosis had been reported within the health service region this year.

“While this is not a large number, it’s worth our communities being aware that cases are occurring,” she said.

“Melioidosis is a soil-borne bacterial disease that can cause pneumonia, abdominal organ, skin and bloodstream infections.

“While potentially fatal, melioidosis is treatable and curable with antibiotics.

“Melioidosis is uncommon in healthy adults and rarely seen in children.

“However, people who have diabetes, chronic lung disease, chronic kidney disease, cancer, medication that suppresses their immune system and drink too much alcohol are most at risk of developing the infection.”

Dr Hempenstall said melioidosis was caused by a germ typically found in muddy surface waters and said people should avoid unnecessary contact with such muddy water or floodwater.

Several Cape York organisations have been awarded grants under the Looking After Country program.

We are at the crossroad: chair’s letter to leaders

By IAN TRUST

DEAR Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition,

We are at a crossroads. There can be no doubt Australians overwhelmingly want to resolve the mutually felt burdens of our past and build a new settlement together, one that celebrates the rightful place of Indigenous heritage in Australia’s national identity.

The time for showing leadership is now. It is in this way the Australian people can be united rather than further divided, and as a nation we can become the very best version of ourselves, one that celebrates our many stories and layered identities, including most fundamentally:

1. The story of its foundations 65,000-year-old continuously living culture of Indigenous people.

2. The story of the British institutions built on these foundations, transported from the United Kingdom more than 230 years ago to be the democratic heritage of all Australians.

3. The story of multicultural migration which brought gifts of people and their cultures from all over the planet making us one of the most diverse and peaceful societies on earth.

It is through showing leadership and love too that we can build a new partnership between government and Indigenous Australians to close the gap on the shocking disparity that continues to afflict First Nations families and communities, despite all the substantial effort that our clever country has devoted over many years to ameliorating our disadvantage.

We all know the top-down, government-led approach to closing the gap does not work.

This is precisely why you have both committed to empowering approaches and have agreed that structural reforms are necessary to achieve the

changes we all want to see. The National Agreement on Closing the Gap negotiated with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations in 2020 to improve the effectiveness of closing the gap efforts, made empowerment and structural reform a clear and shared priority.

The proposal for constitutional recognition to guarantee us a Voice in decisions made about us is the structural change needed to build a new empowering partnership between Indigenous Australians, government, and the Australian people.

We need a Voice to ensure local Indigenous communities across all of Australia’s diverse regions can be heard.

To close the gap, it is local people not just politicians who need to have a say.

Politicians of all political persuasions have had their chance over a long period – yet the devastating tragedies of Indigenous child protection, incarceration and suicide continue to worsen

and too many of our people simply cannot fulfil their potential.

A Voice will create a shift from the current approach that is not working, to a more empowering partnership where negotiation and agreement making is commonplace between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and governments.

After more than 230 years, many hard-won lessons, and 15 years’ worth of democratic processes to deliver on the bipartisan promise of constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians, the proposal for constitutional recognition to guarantee us a Voice in the decisions made about us is the only viable pathway forward on the table.

This is Indigenous Australians saying, “we want in”.

We want in to the Australian Constitution. We want to be part of Australia, formally and permanently.

The proposal will be put to the Australian people in 2023.

Such a crucial juncture in our

nation’s history, behoves you to work together.

Prime Minister, we implore you to reach out to the Opposition and establish a proper bipartisan approach to develop the detail of the Voice model. This process may well be ongoing beyond the referendum itself.

We agree that the referendum is not about the detail of the Voice but rather the principle that we should have a Voice.

The operational details of the Voice will be set out in legislation in due course following a referendum. The details of the model are to be determined by the parliament and changes will be made from time to time as required.

Nonetheless, we can see further work could be done now in a bipartisan fashion to improve thinking about the Voice model even further.

Ian Trust is the chair of the Empowered Communities Leaders Group. This letter has been edited for space purposes.

Cape councils eligible

DISASTER assistance is now available for local councils in regional Queensland impacted by recent wet weather events.

Support has been activated for the first of the regions affected by monsoon activity during December and January, through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Councils can receive assistance to help repair roads and other essential public infrastructure, as well as covering the cost of counter disaster operations like evacuation centres.

So far the 14 Local Government Areas activated for assistance for this event are: Barcaldine, Boulia, Carpentaria, Cook, Croydon, Diamantina, Etheridge, Kowanyama, Mapoon, Mornington, Napranum, Northern Peninsula Area, Palm Island and Pormpuraaw.

Information at www.qra.qld.gov.au

Top baby names

THE votes are in – with Amelia and Oliver crowned Queensland’s most popular baby names for 2022.

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said the data identified trends in naming conventions over the past 167 years.

“Since 1856, when Queensland was still formally part of New South Wales, birth registration data has been gathered and released annually by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM),” she said.

“It is fascinating to see the various names which have changed in popularity and the unpredictability of the results most notably for girls’ names over the last few years.”

Of the 62,740 births registered throughout Queensland in 2022, there were more than 12,000 different first names recorded.

“Amelia has taken the top girls name in 2022, making an incredible comeback after 2021 when it came in at eighth,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Charlotte, Isla and Olivia continue to see popularity in the top four for names for girls, having not budged for much of the last decade.

“Oliver is still holding onto the top spot – now for the 10th year in a row – with another commanding lead since overtaking Jack in 2013.

“Boys names have been remarkably stable in recent years.

“There was only one new entry into the top ten boys’ names, with Luca rising from 18th to 10th in 2022, to replace Elijah who tumbled to 12th.”

Ian Trust is calling on Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton to take a bipartison approach to the Voice.

Back to School 2023

Ariah Goody, flanked by Margaret and Theresa Goody, was all smiles on her first day at Cooktown State School. Weipa prep student Amber with her mum and dad.

It was a family affair for Mason Pope’s first day at Endeavour Christian College, with mum Tori, dad Henry and little brothers James and Harry.

William Smith has been looking forward to prep since moving to Weipa. Maverick Morris was thrilled to be starting prep. Finn Thomson shows dad Nick around the prep room.

Hallie Skye and proud parent Zoe Fuller.

Coen’s Isla Barba with a big grin.

Josie and Ashley Crowe were there to settle son Harrison in for his first day at Endeavour Christian College.

Daedric Grimshaw didn’t want to miss out on being in the paper so he dressed up in uniform ahead of his first day of school at St Joseph’s in Weipa, which returns on Tuesday.

Big prep boy Fyn Gorman was stoked to be starting at Western Cape College.

Endeavour Christian College teacher Jacynta Hunt with Riahra Yeomans. Jasmin Wawrzyniak with son Slater.

Lyarna Michael was excited for her first day, with support from sister Tilahni and mum Janie.

Weipa’s Jasmyn and Ava Wheeler.

Gungarde Family Fishing Day

Chantelle Andrew with children Maddie and Dougie. Friends Ruby Kulka and Tijuana Miller enjoyed a day out.

Leon Roberts was stoked with his catch of the day.

Darby and Davidson Rosendale-Collie, Arlo Pyers and Marlin Dreaver were getting crafty.

Kaecie Gibson with her prettiest fish entry.

Kehl and Ayla Yeomans were happy with this nice jack caught off the rocks.

Nathalie Binz and daughter Josephine Roberts enjoyed a family day out at the waterfront.

New locals Nimi and Job Kuruduadua check out the action on the fishing platforms.

Alex Roberts dropped a line in at the Cooktown Wharf, hoping to catch a winning fish.

Ivana Gibson took nephew Ngumboy Deeral and daughter Sarai Kyle to the wharf for the comp. Trying to catch a winning fish were Shura Guinea, Tyler Tree and Jack Lemon.

Zoe Winton caught this trevally on a rod off the fishing platform.

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.

If

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

M7776

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

Cooktown players crack underwater gold in West

By SARAH MARTIN

GOLD medals are coming back to the Cape after stellar performances by Cooktown’s underwater hockey players at the National Championships in Western Australia last week.

Cooktown Crocs Underwater Hockey coach Scott Thomason said both the Queensland under-15 and under-19 teams, which include seven Cooktown players, won gold.

“It’s the first time Queensland has won gold in the U15s and U19s,” he said.

“The U15s just dominated the whole tournament, scoring over 100 goals in five days and only had three goals scored against them. The three kids from Cooktown played really, really well.”

Coached by Thomason, the gold medal-winning Queensland U15 side included local boys Ned Sail, Jett Ryder and Cruze Ryder.

Rocco and Sienna Thomason, Sam Ryder and Amber Frame were part of the U19 team.

“The U19s had a great tournament and won most of their games,” Thomason said.

“In the final they played Western Australia, who won the nationals last year, and beat

them 4-nil, with heaps of people watching.

“It was a really gritty win, probably the game of the tournament. Rocco got most valuable player in the final, scoring two goals, and Sam scored one, so three of the four goals scored in that final match were by Cooktown players.”

Sienna and Amber also stepped up to join fellow Cooktown player Natalie James in the

Queensland Elite Women’s side, while Thomason played for the Queensland Masters team.

“Sienna and Amber played a handful of games for the Elite Women’s side, but wanted to focus on bringing back the gold with the U19s,” he said.

“The Elite Women’s team didn’t get a medal placing, but only missed by a couple of goals.

“I played in the Masters A team and we got a bronze medal

and played some really tough games.”

Thomason said the club was thankful to the community for supporting them.

“The kids really did Cooktown proud, and we are so thankful to the Cooktown RSL Memorial Club and Endeavour Lions Club, as well as the whole community for giving us the opportunity to compete and represent Cooktown.”

Hutton finds form

JAMIE Hutton was Sunday’s Dawn Busters golf winner at Weipa.

He beat a field of 13, with Matt Byrne the runner-up.

Rachael Dick claimed the Hoffman’s, but her consolation was winning the longest drive for the ladies.

Eugene Ventner had the men’s longest drive, while Byrne picked up the nearest to pin prize.

This Sunday’s round is off the front nine, with tee off from around 6.30am. Visitors and new members are welcome.

The Carpentaria Golf Club is also hosting a social ambrose event on Australia Day, with members of the public welcome to play.

Late inclusion triumphs

THE last minute addition of Team TNT (Aaron Hobbs and Brent Hetaraka) proved to be a winning one as they took out round two of the Cooktown Golf Club’s ambrose championships.

The pair put together a sparkling round of nett 60.25 to just pip the newly formed Team Stemac (Steve Butler and John McArthur), who carded a nett 60.5.

Butler’s original partner Daniel Biddle had to withdraw after an arm injury, which paved the way for McArthur to take his place in the best two of three rounds format.

In third on Saturday was current overall leader Team PingTing (Rick Butler and Matt Firth), who had a nett 61.5.

Nearest the pins went to Graham Burton on 2/11, Aaron Hobbs for 14 and Matt Firth on 9/18.

The Queensland Under-19 team won gold with four Cooktown representatives in the squad.

The Queensland Under-19 celebrates its success in Western Australia.

Cooktown had three players (and the coach) in the Queensland Under-15 squad.

Weipa Crocs undefeated at Ashes

By MATT NICHOLLS

BOASTING a team of misfits, the Weipa Crocs have continued their golden run at the Goldfield Ashes, winning all three games at the Charters Towers cricket carnival.

Led by stalwart Aaron Johnson and skipper Shane Haydon, the Crocs were superb across all days, from Friday to Sunday.

The Crocs kick-started their run with a win against Coen Heroes.

After batting first, the Weipa XI put on 263.

Daniel Gane, Harley Flanagan and Noah Forgarty each scored half centuries before compulsory retirement at 50.

The Crocs were then able to skittle the Heroes for 189 in reply.

While the Weipa side was unbeaten across the weekend, there were more than 100 teams in the B2 division, meaning the Crocs did not take out the title.

However, they have vowed to return in 2024 for another crack.

The Coen Heroes were no match for the Weipa Crocs in Friday’s opening game in Charters Towers.

The Weipa Crocs featured a group of misfits from across North Queensland, although had a few long-term Ashes stalwarts.

Half century heroes Harley Flanagan, Daniel Gane and Noah Fogarty.

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.