Cape York Weekly Edition 120

CEO QUASHES COMPANY RUMOUR

Vessel not for sale: Sea Swift

By MATT NICHOLLS

THE chief executive officer of Sea Swift says the company has no plans to sell its yet-to-be-delivered vessel, quashing a nasty rumour doing the rounds.

Dwayne Freeman said that he had heard many false stories, but was firm in his response that the Newcastle Bay would be servicing the Cape and Torres Strait before the next wet season.

“I can categorically say that we are taking possession of this vessel,” he said in an interview with Cape York Weekly on Friday.

“We’re not selling it or disposing of it in any way.”

Mr Freeman said delays on the ship’s construction had frustrated Sea Swift, but global staff shortages were having an impact.

“We’ve been waiting long periods of time for specific components for that vessel and other things, which has meant that it has been delayed, but (Newcastle Bay) will be here this year and we will get it into service,” he said.

“At the right point in time, once we’ve tested the vessel and gotten it into service, we will also reintroduce the passenger services.”

The vessel is still being fitted out in Indonesia, the CEO said.

“It’s going through the final sort of stages of commissioning and

testing. That will take place between now and mid-year and then it’ll make its way to us,” Mr Freeman said.

“I’m certainly hopeful the vessel will be in place by Q3 of the calendar year this year.

“But with the sort of distances you’re dealing with and some

of the issues you’ve got in dealing with labour supply and other things, it’s not uncommon for these things to either come forward or go back by a few months at a time.

“But certainly (we’ll have it) this calendar year, and I’m hopeful that we’ll have this thing in place by the third quarter of the year.”

While Mr Freeman said he did not appreciate the rumours, he said he understood the great amount of interest in the new vessel, which was originally meant to join the fleet in 2021.

“Everyone is interested in it and wants to talk about it,” he said.

Continued – Page 2

Sea Swift CEO Dwayne Freeman says there’s no truth to rumours that the company is selling the Newcastle Bay

“For me, getting this vessel in service is one of the critical pieces for Sea Swift and there’s no way in the world I would sell it or not take delivery of it, because it’s a critical element in our business.”

CEO Dwayne Freeman

Sea Swift backs freight subsidies to help region

From – Page 1

“I have heard multiple rumours about all sorts of things, including our competitors buying the vessel and running it and all of these sorts of things.

“Everyone’s interested in this vessel right because it’s a flagship move from Sea Swift in the past and sort of links back to our identity.

“For me, getting this vessel in service is one of the critical pieces for Sea Swift and there’s no way in the world I would sell that or not take delivery of it, because it’s a critical element in our business.

“Having a line haul vessel that can meet the schedule that’s required from Cairns to Horn Island, and Weipa is critical for our business to getting food deliveries into the OTSI (outer Torres Strait islands), as well as the Cape region.

“You can’t do it with landing craft, and I’ve got competitors that may think that they can.

“But certainly, from our perspective, we think that having a high-speed, line haul vessel is critical to running services in the Cape and the Torres Strait.”

Mr Freeman said Sea Swift had been forced to adapt its fleet to ensure it could meet the demanding schedule while waiting for the Newcastle Bay to arrive.

“As you know, particularly when you’ve got a network business, you rely on these assets,” he said.

“With the delays in that asset we’ve acquired at least a couple of vessels and we’ve also done work, very good work with AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority).

“With AMSA, we have done works and extended out the lives of a few of our vessels to make sure that we can continue to meet that schedule.

“We’ve invested heavily in making sure that we’ve got that fleet available during that period of time.

“We’ve got a newly acquired landing craft turning up in the next few months and we’ve got options to buy multiple vessels to fill any gaps.”

FREIGHT SUBSIDIES

WHEN Mr Freeman took on the Sea Swift role in July, he walked into a company that was struggling to stay afloat.

With the delay of Newcastle Bay, a pandemic creating staff shortages and the cost of fuel and essential goods rising, the board implemented a 14.5 per cent rise on freight, which Mr Freeman had to announce just weeks into the job.

There are behind-the-scenes talks of freight subsidies for remote communities in Queensland and the Torres and Cape Indigenous Councils Alliance has commissioned a report into a freight subsidy for the region.

Mr Freeman said Sea Swift was supportive of the idea to help remote communities thrive.

“I want to make it clear that this is not about Sea Swift and improving our bottom line,” he said.

“I’ve done a lot of work over 20 years in supply chains.

“This is one of the most fractured, long supply chains you can deal with, particularly on the food side.

“When you’re at the end of a very long supply chain, naturally, the costs are very high.

“The big chunk of our business is supplying energy, food and basic materials to remote regional communities.

“Now, we know that is a high cost, not so much from a Sea Swift perspective, but because of the labour.

“Getting labour at the moment is a high cost and with unemployment where it is now, it is very expensive to do business.

“To get that cost down for some of the communities out here that can least afford it, I

think is an important thing for government.

“Some of the things we do are really like a community service obligation. There are some services legs we run, which are really sort of basic services to the community.

“And as such, do I think the government should engage in (freight subsidies) in the right way? Yes, I do.”

Mr Freeman said Sea Swift delivered to some Torres Strait Islands at a loss.

“We’ve got certainly some market segments in both the Northern Territory as well as Queensland that we don’t make money on,” he said.

“What that does is it puts pressure on being able to renew assets. We run very heavy, assetintensive businesses and vessels aren’t cheap.

“Having the money there to actually reinvest in that is the difficult component here.”

The Newcastle Bay was floated for the first time in the middle of last year but its internals still need fitting out.

Locally owned business making waves in Weipa

By MATT NICHOLLS

WHAT a difference a local touch can make.

Weipa, thriving from a strong wet season, has never looked as good in the past decade.

Most of that can be put down to the team at Evolution Mining and Civil, which took over the parks and gardens contract from Sodexo on January 1, working around the clock since to make the town look its best.

Managing director Sandra Kemp said the positive feedback had been overwhelming since Evolution’s brand-new mowers hit the ground.

“We really appreciate the comments because we know our team has worked really hard to make the town look good again,” she said.

“It has been a hard slog because of all the growth, but we are seeing the rewards.”

Sandra and her husband Ian Cardelli moved to Weipa around 2003 when Rio Tinto was looking for skilled operators.

They grew up in Mareeba but came to love Weipa and the opportunities that were available.

“I worked for Rio for almost 15 years and then went and did a

stint as a supervisor for Aurukun Earthmoving,” said Ian.

“But the goal was to start our own business.”

In November 2021, Evolution Mining and Civil was born.

Sandra, a proud Traditional Owner with ties to the area near Musgrave as well as Central Queensland, went to one of her Elders for advice on the name.

“She came up with ‘Nunni Dulgieh’, which means ‘from the ground up,” said Sandra, who spent 17 years working for Centrelink.

“We didn’t go with that as the company name but it is our motto or phrase.

“I think we settled on Evolution because we wanted to be constantly evolving.

“We have a real passion for training and developing people.

“Everything we want to do is about evolving.”

While the business has grown rapidly in 14 months, Ian said it had been manageable and wellstaged.

“We kicked off with the dozers and managed to get a few jobs near the Skardon River and subcontracting to McCoskers at the (Weipa) landfill,” he said.

“Then we got a contract with

the (Rio Tinto) geology team and it’s grown from there.”

Evolution also focuses on labour hire and last year sent down workers to subcontract for McConnell Dowell on the Archer River bridge project.

“We’ve done it all ourselves, too,” said Ian.

“I think people might see that we’re an Indigenous-owned business and think we’ve been given grants or had access to money and opportunities that others wouldn’t have had.

“That’s not true. We’ve had to put all of our own money into it and we’ve done it completely by ourselves.

“Sandra has only just started to draw a wage.”

While the bar wasn’t set high by Sodexo, Evolution has blown the community away with its attention to detail and its response time to jobs requiring attention.

“We live in this community and so do our workers, so we notice things and have that sense of town pride,” Sandra said.

“I don’t think we envisaged taking on this contract, but when the tender came up we thought it was something that would work well with our mining and civil business and perhaps create

pathways for young people who want to grow.”

Western Cape College principal Dan Tonon said he was looking forward to working with Evolution.

“I think what they are doing is perfect for Weipa,” he said.

“There will be a lot of employment opportunities and you might start on a mower but you’ll be able to progress and find the role that suits you.”

Evolution’s contract with Rio Tinto and the Weipa Town Authority also covers the mine site and looking after vacant houses in town.

Jason Nixon and his wife Margie Adidi in Napranum are committed sub-contractors to Evolution.

“It’s great for us because we love working with Sandra and Ian,” said Jason.

“Look at everyone here. They are all locals.”

Sandra said she was proud to be able to help young people.

“The difference between us and others is that we’ll go and pick you up from Napranum if you don’t have a car,” she said.

“Last year I was driving a lad down to the Archer and picking him up when his time was up.”

Evolution Mining and Civil already has around 50 employees after picking up a crucial contract to service Weipa and Rio Tinto’s mine sites late last year.

TTNQ pushes for a longer season

BOOSTING shoulder season travel and new off-season events have been mooted at the annual Cook Shire tourism planning workshop, held at the Seaview Motel last week.

Local tourism operators, Cook Shire Council, Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Cooktown Chamber of Commerce and Tourism members attended the event, which marks the third year of a partnership between the council, TTNQ and the chamber.

TTNQ chief executive Mark Olsen said it was a strong turnout for the session to plan how the three organisations would continue to work together to drive tourism in the region.

“The operators are optimis-

tic about a strong winter tourism season and it is pleasing to hear they have had some real success in attracting high spending visitors outside the traditional busy season with bookings strong through to November,” Mr Olsen said.

“Boosting shoulder season travel is the key to the future success of tourism in the Cook Shire and together we identified three priorities to help drive this.

“The first is to create a strong local network for referrals through operators experiencing each other’s products so that they can recommend each other.”

publications targeting off-season big-spenders in Queensland.

The third priority was to create new off-season events, and leveraging the existing events calendar to grow the tourism shoulder season.

Mr Olsen said there was a real energy in Cook Shire, with lots of investment in existing products and new tourism experiences being developed.

“The Cooktown Seaview Motel where the event was hosted is being refurbished and it is stunning,” he said.

Looking to Buy or Sell

Mr Olsen said the second priority was building on last year’s regional tourism photo shoot to boost targeted media coverage in

“There is a new focus on creating quality food and dining experiences as well as good quality product that meets the needs of the modern traveller.”

Cooktown Museum’s Beverley Grant with Cook Shire Council director Lawrence Booth. Georgie Sadler from TTNQ and councillor Marilyn Morris.

Loretta Skorin and Kat Hewitt from Bloomfield Cabins and Camping at the Seaview Motel last week.

Cooktown Real Estate’s Ariah Bolton, TTNQ CEO Mark Olsen and Hamish and Isabella Haslop from Mungumby Lodge. Pictures: KRISTINA OLSEN

Cafe owner cops whack after causeway incident

By MATT NICHOLLS

THE owner of Mapoon’s Wild Cape Cafe has taken responsibility for his actions after his truck got stuck on the Archer River causeway on Thursday morning.

Patrick Akenson was airlifted from his truck around 3pm that day after police ordered a rescue chopper from Horn Island.

The road was officially closed, meaning Mr Akenson –who also manages the Mapoon Store – was breaking the law by driving back from Cairns.

“Yes, I was in the wrong for attempting to cross the Archer River,” he said on Sunday.

“I only had good intentions ... to supply Mapoon with affordable supplies, as everyone who lives in the Cape knows the cost of freight. In saying that, yes, I was still in the wrong.”

Mr Akenson said he misread the conditions underneath the notorious Archer crossing.

“The river level was not the issue, it was the very soft sand bar that stopped me, which I underestimated,” he told Cape York Weekly

“I would like to thank the air rescue and police for their help, but at no time did I ask for it or require it, as you could walk from the truck to the shore.

“But naturally, once the police were involved, they are required to follow procedures and protocols. I have accepted the fines applied to me.”

There were initial fears that the Wild Cape Cafe truck would be stuck on the causeway for weeks, or get washed away when the river levels rose.

However, some Cape York locals were able to drag it away late on Thursday afternoon using a dump truck.

“With the help of my friends in the area, we pulled the truck out and checked all the mechanical elements to ensure that the truck was safe to travel,” Mr Akenson said.

“On Saturday, with permission from the Coen police, I drove the truck back to Cairns, with no issues arising.

“The truck will now stay in Cairns until the wet season is over.

“This will cause supply issues for Mapoon, as we will only be able to get supplies from Woolworths (in Weipa).

“Woolworths have been great in their support but that still limits what we can get.

“The only other option would be to raise the prices by 50 per cent to cover the freight.

“I would also like to thank all the people who wrote supporting comments.”

On Friday, police said they had issued two traffic infringement notices amounting to $747 for disobeying a road access sign and careless driving.

On the same day as the Archer incident, this overloaded truck bound for Bamboo Station got bogged north of the Hann River Roadhouse.

Grievous bodily harm

A LOCKHART River man has been charged with grievous bodily harm after an incident in the Cape community.

On January 25 around 5pm, two men known to each other became involved in an altercation whilst at a Kuyumu Street address.

It will be alleged a 30-year-old local man assaulted a 57-year-old local man and pushed him to the ground causing a large haematoma to the back of his head. He was flown to Cairns for treatment.

The 30-year-old was charged with one count of grievous bodily harm. He is scheduled to appear at the Lockhart Magistrates Court on February 14.

Screwdriver attack

A KOWANYAMA man has been charged after he allegedly stabbed another man with a screwdriver.

Police said around 3.40am on January 26, two men became involved in a physical altercation at an address on Kowanyama Street.

It will be alleged a 34-year-old local man stabbed a 39-year-old local man in the upper chest with a screwdriver, causing a small puncture wound. He was transported to the local clinic for treatment.

The 34-year-old man was charged with one count each of wounding, assault occasioning bodily harm, domestic violence offence and contravene a domestic violence order.

High range drink driver

POLICE officers last month intercepted a 20-year-old Injinoo woman after her vehicle was missing a number plate.

As a part of the intercept, officers conducted a roadside breath test which returned a positive reading.

She was transported to Bamaga Police Station for further testing and it will be alleged she returned a reading of 0.150 per cent BAC.

Her licence was suspended and she was issued with a notice to appear at the Bamaga Magistrates Court on February 23.

Break and enter

BAMAGA police are investigating a break and enter at a Jacob Street business.

Between 4pm on Wednesday, January 25, and noon on Friday, January 27, a padlock was removed from a door and entry was gained to the shed.

Once inside, cupboards were searched, a white board was graffitied and a number of iPads and chargers were stolen.

The Wild Cape truck, pictured from the northern side.

A dump truck managed to drag it off the causeway. Patrick Akenson and wife Lou in Mapoon late last year.

Patrick Akenson is winched from his truck.

PREPARATIONS are making fast progress for the inaugural Western Cape Futures Symposium, to be held in Weipa in March.

Hosted by the Western Cape Chamber of Commerce in partnership with key stakeholders in the region, the symposium will help set the scene for significant change in the landscape of this region.

Invited attendees include government ministers, relevant departmental staff, plus a range of keynote speakers covering subjects directly relevant to the advancement of the Western Cape community.

While the program is still being finalised, confirmed speakers include Dr John Coyne, the head of the Northern Australia Strategic Policy Centre, Cook Shire mayor Peter Scott and James Palmer from Space Centre Australia.

“The symposium is going to shine a spotlight on our region and get a lot of influential people in the same room to discuss the future of the Western Cape,” said Weipa Town Authority member Jaime Gane, who is helping to put together the event.

“Development of an exciting

and comprehensive program is currently being finalised and will feature sessions on important topics, including business development, innovation and technology, indigenous opportunities, tourism, land use, strategic planning, supply chains and transport.

“Confirmed presentations already include updates on the Talisman Sabre defence exercise planned for mid-year and a representative will be here from Australia Zoo.”

Ms Gane said the symposium offered a unique opportunity for

interested community members to access business and government expertise through presentations and face to face networking.

“This is the first time in the region’s history that such a forward looking initiative has been offered,” she said.

“A range of sponsorship arrangements are available, some including the opportunity to have a stall at the symposium venue for promotion and engagement.”

Tickets will be required to attend the event, to be held from March 23 to 24.

WTA member Jaime Gane is helping to assemble the symposium line-up.

Rio Tinto employees up for Qld awards

WEIPA will be well represented at the 2023 Resources Awards for Women, with two Rio Tinto employees nominated for different categories.

Allyson Cousens has been named as a finalist in the category for Inclusion and Diversity Champion in Queensland Resources.

She is a resource and support specialist and focuses on coaching and mentoring leaders to change the way they recruit for roles to provide more opportunities for diverse candidates to succeed.

Earlier in her career, Ms

Cousens spent 32 years working in the public and private sectors, including 23 years with the Queensland Police Service.

In 2021, she moved to Rio

Tinto’s Amrun mine, where her priority was to attract workers from diverse backgrounds, particularly women and local Indigenous people.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Colleague Jaimiee McCombe has been named as a finalist in the category of Exceptional Tradeswoman/Technician/Operator.

She was the youngest apprentice that Rio Tinto had employed at their Weipa operations when she started her apprenticeship in 2007.

After completing her apprenticeship, she took on various roles across the Northern Territory and Queensland before returning to Amrun in 2016 where she is now maintenance supervisor for fixed plant maintenance.

The awards will be held on March 8 in Brisbane.

Cape York ambos call on locals to brush up on CPR

DO you know how to perform CPR in an emergency? Or how long has it been since you learnt how to do it?

Cape York ambulance officers are encouraging residents in the region to either learn the lifesaving measure or brush up on their skills.

Mark Ward, a Weipa-based field officer for the Cape, said there were recent local exam-

ples when CPR had been used and help avoid a tragedy.

“It’s something everyone should know because it can make such a big difference,” he told Cape York Weekly

“Performing CPR also buys a lot of time when an ambulance is on the way.”

Mr Ward said parents should learn CPR, especially when their children start to swim.

“Drowning is a risk for small children. Organise who is responsible for supervision and make sure they are being watched at all times,” he said.

“Small children often make no sound at all when having difficulty swimming, and can be in serious trouble within a matter of seconds.

“Early intervention of first aid after a near-drowning incident

can be the difference between life and death.

“Pools can be just as dangerous as swimming in creeks, dams and beaches – always remain vigilant no matter the body of water.”

Mr Ward and the QAS staff in locations around the Cape are able to train locals in CPR if they register online via the Queensland Ambulance website.

Climate roundtable

THE Torres Strait Climate Centre of Excellence is a step closer to reality, with community, regional and government stakeholders holding a roundtable on Thursday Island in January.

Stakeholders from across the Far North, including the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Area, attended the gathering.

Torres Strait Regional Authority chair Pedro Stephen said the meeting reaffirmed a shared commitment to progress a federally funded Torres Strait Climate Centre of Excellence.

“The Torres Strait is at the front door to climate impacts in this nation,” he said.

“Climate change is among the biggest threats we face not only in our lifetime, but for generations to come.

“The Torres Strait Climate Centre of Excellence will connect traditional knowledge, lived experience and Western science to design and identity climate action in communities across the Torres Strait.”

Mr Stephen said recruitment for an executive to oversee the establishment and operations was under way.

The federal government committed $15.9 million over four years to establish the Climate Centre of Excellence.

Sea levels are rising at about three times the global average in the Torres Strait, which comprises more than 270 islands and reefs across 48,000 square kilometres stretching from the tip of Cape York towards Papua New Guinea.

Vet issues warning

ONGOING heavy rain across parts of the Cape has resulted in an outbreak of leptospirosis, a potentially fatal disease which can be passed from animals to humans, vets have warned.

“Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning that animals can infect and cause clinical disease in humans,” Cairns Emergency Vets said.

“It is usually contracted through infected urine and contaminated waterways and can survive for many months in standing water, especially in humid environments like the tropics. We have seen five cases here in the last week.”

The vets urged pet owners to vaccinate their dogs against the disease, and contact their vet immediately if they suspect their pet has contracted the disease.

Symptoms include stiffness, muscle pain, refusal to eat, jaundiced gums, ears and eyes, lethargy, fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and weakness.

Allyson Cousens. Jaimiee McCombe.

Queensland Ambulance Service field officer Mark Ward and Weipa officer in charge Ben West want all residents to know CPR to help save lives.

Huge storm leaves town in the dark

By SARAH MARTIN

WITH a flash seen several blocks away and a noise like a shotgun blast, lightning took down a powerline at Cooktown’s busy Hope and Harrigan street intersection on Thursday, leaving 215 residents without power while Ergon crews frantically repaired the damage.

The busy road, which is the main entrance to Cooktown, was closed for several hours from 5pm, with the downed line visible trailing across the street while local Ergon staff pulled another late night getting the repairs done and power back on by 10pm.

Nearby resident Kimberley Gibson said her boys yelled out in fright as they watched the lightning strike the line, but knew not to go outside.

“There was a blue light running along the lines I was telling the boys that’s it’s from the hit and power running along the lines,” Ms Gibson said.

“It was so scary, the boys had never seen anything like it before, first the transmitter made a sizzling noise and then the big bang when the lightning hit.

“I thought it was a shotgun going off.”

Swimming training was in full swing more than two blocks away, but swimmers saw the huge flash as the lightning struck and quickly left the water.

Ergon reported 36,000 lightning strikes in the Cooktown area during the short but vicious storm, and said while crews are well prepared and on call 24/7, residents were urged to be prepared for long power outages during storm season.

“Fault-finding and emergency repairs aren’t always straight-forward so we ask for the community to be patient and be prepared,” Ergon’s Far North Area Manager Charlie Casa told Cape York Weekly

Always report fallen powerlines to emergency services on 000 or call Ergon on 13 16 70.

Lakea aiming high for fundraiser

COOKTOWN teenager Lakea

Hegamaea will walk and swim a whopping 140km throughout the month of February to raise money for young people’s cancer support.

The 14-year-old has a goal of 5km per day, and with contributions already pouring in on the first day of the challenge, she has beaten her modest fundraising target.

“I was first hoping to raise $250, but then everyone started contributing a lot, so I have raised my goal higher to $350,” Lakea said.

The young athlete, who is an active member of the Cooktown Amateur Swimming Club, said fitness and her great-uncle’s cancer battle had motivated her to take on the Canteen fundraiser.

“I’ve got to get fit for an upcoming competition, so would be training anyway,” she said.

Lakea’s usual swim training regime is three afternoons a week, but this month she will be hitting the pool and the streets every day.

She started the challenge bright

and early, smashing half her daily distance target, which is 100 laps of the pool, before most of her friends were out of bed.

“This morning I swam 2.5km and this afternoon I’ll swim another 2.5km,” she said on February 1.

“I’ll probably be doing more swimming, but I’ll get out and do some walking as well.”

To donate to Lakea’s fundraiser, visit www.capeyorkweekly.com.au or our Facebook page for the direct link to the donation site.

Cape rainforest ready for refurb

WORK will soon begin to protect and repair the endangered environment at Bloomfield’s Weary Bay.

The area’s littoral rainforest, vine thickets and dunes have been decimated by clearing, weeds, recreational beach use and fire, Dabu Jajikal Aboriginal Corporation CEO Chris Patterson said.

“The funding, from the Australian government through Terrain’s Building Rainforest Resilience program will protect the critically endangered littoral rainforest present on the beach dunes of Balabay (Weary Bay),” Mr Patterson said.

“This project also helps facilitate the Dabu Jajikal family’s aspirations to be more closely and actively involved in the management of this culturally significant location.”

Mr Patterson said the endangered ecological community at Weary Bay was doubly important as it was also critical habitat for the southern cassowary.

“Planned projects over the next six months include weed control, particularly targeting mother of millions, snakeweed and guinea grass,” he said.

“Flammable forest edges will be managed with appropriate cultural burning, degraded areas will be revegetated, rubbish removed and off-track vehicle access controlled.”

Dabu Jajikal Elder and engagement coordinator Marie Shipton

said initial work would focus on the southern dunes.

“Within our Balabay Management Plan our Elders have identified this southern end of the beach dune as an area requiring urgent management attention and this work will go some way to starting the process of the protection that it needs,” Ms Shipton said.

Dabu Jajikal will partner with Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation, Cook Shire Council, Firesticks Alliance and Cape York Weeds and Feral Animals to undertake the works.

Calvin Olbar, Josie Olbar and Tomika Daylight are keen to see the rainforest at Weary Bay restored to its former glory.

Tomika Daylight on the beach at Bloomfield.

Lola Daylight, Mabel Yougie and Patricia Buchanan.

Name changed but legacy of matriarch not forgotten

AFTER almost 40 years hosting numerous businesses and organisations, Cooktown’s O’Connor’s Arcade has a new name, in honour of former local nurse Carol Lovell.

The late Cooktown matriarch and businesswoman Margaret O’Connor built the 10-shop centre on Charlotte Street in 1985 after selling the West Coast Hotel, daughter Julie Hill said.

“It was built on the site of the really old chemist shop that old Billy and Della Baker had back when I was a kid,” Ms Hill said.

“Mum had a shop there before the arcade was built and there was no chemist in town at that time, so she used to take scripts and send them to Cairns and get them back up for people.

“Her old shop had videos, lollies, that sort of thing along one side, and the other side was chemist-type products and gifts.”

When Ms O’Connor built the arcade, she contacted chemist Peter O’Lachlan, who moved to Cooktown with his wife Helen and opened the town’s first pharmacy in the new building.

Over the years, O’Connors has been home to numerous ventures, including a shoe shop, gift and homewares store, hairdresser, op shop, TAB, pizza takeaway, jewellers, government services and cafe.

Ms O’Connor passed away in 2006, leaving the arcade to her four children, and in 2020 the building was sold to current owners Melinda and Nick Loukas.

Mr Loukas is a Cairns-based pharmacist whose Alive Discount Pharmacy now occupies one side of the arcade, with the soon-to-beopened Country Universities Centre Cape York on the other side.

Mr Loukas said the name change was something he and his wife wanted to do in honour of her mother Carol Lovell, nee Martin, who grew up in Cooktown along with her siblings Louis and Gail.

With the support of Ms O’Connor’s family, the Carol Lovell Arcade sign and a commemorative plaque were unveiled last year.

Calendar a chance to win prizes

CAPE York kids could walk away with hundreds of dollars in prizes and boost their knowledge of traditional seasonal foods, with a new art competition aimed to help pass down knowledge to the younger generation.

The Binthi Seasonal Plant Calendar Youth Art Competition is open for entries until February 28, with three categories for youth from age 5 to 25.

Binthi Land Holding Group’s Ramona McIvor said entrants were invited to create a painting or drawing to interpret the newlycreated calendar.

“The theme is Protecting Country and the Great Barrier Reef, and the goal is to teach the children to learn about sustainability of the resources according to the seasons, as indicated by the flowers,” she said.

“Not all the animals on the wheel are eaten today but are included for history’s sake.”

The calendar, which was developed by Binthi’s Ramona McIver with design assistance by Cape York NRM’s Monique Bell, provides traditional information and images on the region’s unique flora and fauna.

Contact Ms McIvor via email at blhgac@gmail.com or phone 0429 613 782 for more information.

The Cooktown arcade is now named after the late Carol Lovell.

In front of the Carol Lovell Arcade – Alive Discount Pharmacy Cooktown staff Lilly Woodward, Zoe Pennell, Lesa McDougall and pharmacist Bruce Enderlin.

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Sudoku

Fill in the blank cells using numbers from 1 to 9. Each number can only appear once in each row, column and 3x3 block.

DAILY CONVENTIONAL CROSSWORD 15 X 15

Quick Workout

Fit the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 into the hexagons so that where the hexagons touch, the numbers will be the same. No number is repeated in any hexagon.

Note to Editor: Created in QUARK XPRESS. VER.4.03 Items not needed for publication can be erased as each is in a separate text box.

Quick Crossword

Crossword

TODAY’S Good: 9

Spot the 5 Differences

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION ahead anhedral blah dhal hade halberd hale haled haler hand handle HANDLEBAR handler hard harden hare hared head heal hear heard held herald herb herbal herd lahar rehab rhea

Reference: Macquarie Concise Dictionary Focus No. 3947

AURUKUN COMMUNITY INDIGENOUS CORPORATION

Notice of a ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The members of the above mentioned corporation, are invited to attend this Annual General Meeting

Date: Wed 8th February 2023

Start Time: 11:30 am

Venue: Aurukun Community Justice Centre

The purpose of this meeting is to

1) Review membership

2) Table financial records and

3) Election of Board of Directors

4) Seek resolution for amendment to ACIC constitution

For those members wishing to nominate for the upcoming Board positions, please be aware of the change to corporation legislation.

ALL MEMBERS WISHING TO NOMINATE FOR A BOARD POSITION MUST HAVE APPLIED FOR AND RECEIVED THEIR “INDIVIDUAL DIRECTOR I’D NUMBER” PRIOR TO THE MEETING DATE. WITHOUT THIS, ACIC IS UNABLE TO ACCEPT YOUR NOMINATION TO A BOARD POSITION.

If you are unable to attend and wish to arrange a Proxy, or you require transport on the day of the meeting, please contact Stuart Marquardt at the Justice Centre on 0437 640 747

By (Harriet Pootchemunka) (ACIC Chairperson)

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Lot 48 Yangie Street

New Mapoon

Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC) is seeking Expressions of Interest from any interested businesses, organisations or individuals who be in interested in leasing the following block of land and building:

Lot Details: Lot 48 on SP273365

Address: 48 Yangie Street, New Mapoon QLD 4876

Lot 49 Yangie Street

New Mapoon

Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC) is seeking Expressions of Interest from any interested businesses, organisations or individuals who be in interested in leasing the following block of land and building:

Lot Details: Lot 49 on SP273365

Address: 49 Yangie Street, New Mapoon QLD 4876

For more information on the Expression of Interest including to obtain a copy of the relevant forms or arrange an inspection, interested parties should contact Peri Sunai on 0439 198 633 or peri.sunai@nparc.qld.gov.au

Expressions of Interest close February 28, 2023

AUTHORISATION MEETING FOR A NATIVE TITLE DETERMINATION AGREEMENT

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

Atambaya Native Title Group

Wednesday 22 February 2023 – Bamaga, Cape York

Cape York Land Council (CYLC) will hold a meeting on Wednesday 22 February 2023 in Bamaga for the Atambaya Native Title Group to consider whether to authorise a proposed agreement for a determination of native title for the area shown on the map below.

A determination of native title involves a decision of the Federal Court. Important things about a determination of native title include that the Federal Court determines (1) who holds native title, (2) what the native title rights are, (3) the area to which the native title rights apply after any determination is made, and (4) which corporation will represent the members of the determined native title group. If the meeting on Wednesday 22 February 2023 authorises the proposed determination of native title, the determination will then be sought in the Federal Court. The Court has listed a hearing for a potential consent determination for the area shown on the map above, if there is to be a consent determination, in the week of 3 July 2023

A copy of the proposed agreement for a determination of native title for the area shown on the map above will be available at the meeting on Wednesday 22 February 2023

At the request of the people who constitute the Applicant in the Cape York United Number 1 Native Title Claim, CYLC staff and consultants will be in attendance to be available to explain things such as the meaning and effect of the proposed agreement at the meeting. Any person attending the meeting will be able to ask questions about the proposed agreement and state their views about it.

Who is invited to attend the meeting?

The meeting is open to all descendants by birth, or adoption in accordance with traditional law and custom, of one or more of the following apical ancestors:

1. Mary McDonnell & Jack Snake

2. Ourinda & Emara McDonnell Charcoal

3. Nataki Charlie

4. William ‘Willie’ McDonnell

5. Charlie McDonnell (father of Charlie Woolhead)

6. Charlie McDonnell (father of Polly McDonnell aka Polly Peter)

7. Alligator McDonnell (aka Wondorognu/ Wondoronio)

8. Wargo (father of Kitty McDonnell, Jacko and Frank Doyle)

9. Epiden & Eteman (parents of Doris Harry)

10. Kaio

11. Sambo Wooleye (father of Simon and Sarah Peter)

12. Aitapu aka Atapu/Oitutu (spouse of Jack Wantanu McDonnell and Atunmer/ Atunmu)

13. Atunmer aka Atunmu (spouse of Aitapu aka Atapu/Oitutu)

14. Jack Wantanu McDonnell (spouse of Aitapu aka Atapu/Oitutu)

15. Vaseline

Any person who is a descendant of one or more of the apical ancestors listed above is invited to attend the meeting. Please contact CYLC if you would like to confirm whether you are a descendant of one or more of the apical ancestors listed above and so entitled to attend the meeting.

The meeting will be held as follows:

Date: Wednesday 22 February 2023

Venue: Family Resource Centre, Lot 10 Adidi Street, Bamaga, QLD

Time: 5:00pm

Video-conferencing and COVID-19

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

Purpose of the Authorisation Meeting

The purpose of the meeting is to decide whether or not to approve the proposed agreement for a determination of native title for the area shown on the map above. The agenda of the meeting will be to consider whether the persons present:

• agree and adopt a decision-making process;

• agree to the proposed agreement for a determination of native title;

• agree to nominate the existing Atambaya Native Title Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC (ICN 9839) to be the corporation to represent the native title holders identified in the proposed agreement for a determination of native title over the proposed determination area;

• authorise the Principal Legal Officer of CYLC to nominate the proposed corporation in writing to the Federal Court for it to be the prescribed body corporate under s.57(2)(a)&(b) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) for the proposed determination of native title.

To register your interest in attending this meeting or to enquire about travel assistance, please contact Leah Thompson at CYLC on free call number 1800 623 548 or by email lthompson@ cylc.org.au no later than Wednesday 15 February 2023 Note that there is limited funding available for travel assistance. If you have queries about this meeting, please contact Michelle Cioffi on 0408 408 017 or mcioffi@cylc.org.au.

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.

Front Office Receptionist

Sovereign Resort Hotel Cooktown

Front Office & Guest Services (Hospitality & Tourism)

Multiple Positions Available

Traineeship available

Part Time 16 hours + to Full time 38 hours

Salary subject to hrs and experience up to $65000-

The Sovereign Resort Hotel Cooktown is a 4-star resort based in Tropical Far North Queensland. We are seeking a professionally presented and well-spoken experienced Receptionist. You will be the first point of contact to all our clients and will play an important role in the front of house administration, working closely with the General Managers. The Sovereign Resort Hotel consists of 38 rooms, Al A Carte Restaurant, Café Bar Bistro, Bottle shop and is a Hinterland Aviation Agent and Toll Freight Agent.

Your responsibilities & daily duties will include:

• Entering reservation into RMS operating system

• Answering calls & email correspondence

• Meeting & Greeting Clients & Groups

• Booking Transfers & Flights

Skills & Experience:

• Experience in Administration and Accounts

• Microsoft Office, Word, Excel & Outlook.

• Excellent Customer Service Skills

• Opera or equivalent RMS systems

• Literacy & Numeracy Skills

• Ability to take initiative

• Communication Skills

• Must work well in a team

Please email your resume to: rachael.webber@sovereignresort.com.au

Resumes only accepted by email

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 Sub Committees 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:

ADMINISTRATION OFFICER

Reporting to the Office Manager, the Administration Officer is responsible for assisting in the efficient and effective functioning of the WCCT Office in order to meet organisational objectives. This includes demonstrating appropriate and professional workplace behaviours, performing their responsibilities in a manner which reflects and responds to continuous improvement, and providing administrative support to the Office Manager as directed, and to other areas as required within the office of the WCCT. The Administration Officer is also responsible for assisting in the coordination of all WCCT, WCCCA Sub-Regional Trusts and Sub-Committees meetings scheduled throughout the year. We anticipate that applicants will have;

• Minimum Year 12 education;

• Minimum 1 year experience in a similar administrative role;

• Sound IT and MYOB experience;

• C Class Driver’s license; and

• An understanding of engaging with Aboriginal people.

Tertiary qualifications in Business/Administration or higher will be considered favorably. 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, 10TH FEBRUARY 2023

Chef De Partie

Sovereign Resort Hotel Cooktown, Far North QLD

Chef De Partie

$70000

38 hours Full time

The Sovereign Resort Hotel is a Four-Star Resort situated on the Great Barrier Reef in Cooktown Far North Queensland. We have a 38-room resort with beautiful tropical gardens and a lagoon swimming pool. We have multiple restaurants on site. A la carte Balcony Restaurant with views overlooking the beautiful Endeavour River Mouth, Café Bar Bistro and Bottle shop.

We are seeking a motivated Qualified Chef with a minimum of 2 years’ experience to join our kitchen team.

This position is highly diverse and requires a highly talented and experienced chef seeking a role in a remote location.

The Role is Chef De Partie specializing in Western Fusion Cooking Candidates must have the following Qualifications and Experience:

• Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery

• Experience as Breakfast Chef

• Experience in café style food - Burgers, Fish n Chips, Pizzas etc.

• Experience in fine Dining Cooking

• Experience in working or living in remote locations in Australia

• Experience in cold larder

• Experience in dessert section

Duties & Responsibilities:

• To follow all instructions of the Head Chef

• Maintain a clean, safe and hygienic work environment

• Work as instructed across all workstations preparing and serving food to the highest quality across all aspects of the Resorts locations and Menus

• Comply with all OH&S polices & procedures

Accommodation is available at a subsidized rate of $100 per week

Sponsorship is available for the right candidate

Email resume to rachael.webber@sovereignresort.com.au

Please contact WTA on 4030 9400 for further information.

Jake Johnson and a ‘cattle dog cod’ speckled grouper.

Ruben Wone and Riley Jones with their pig on the weekend.

David Mossman shows off his reef catch.

Zavier Shyhun and a nice 58cm fingermark.

Mike Poppell wasn’t to be outdone, either!

Annie Laidlaw with a PB golden trevally.

Size doesn’t matter, says Shaila Polacik, who caught this near Cooktown. Loraine Smith shows off her latest catch.

SPORT IN BRIEF

Shortened stableford

PETE Ross was Sunday’s stableford winner at the Carpentaria Golf Club.

The event was played over 16 holes as the first green was an island due to recent wet weather.

Ross had a good score of 35 points to be the winner, closely followed by Jeff Watson, who carded 34.

Nearest the pins were won by Peter Clarke on 7 and Watson on 18.

This week’s competition will be an 18hole stableford, weather permitting.

Nail-biting result

A COUNTBACK was required to determine the winner of last week’s Wednesday

Wackers at Weipa, with Jim Hunter getting the chocolates.

He nudged out Rob Richardson for the honours as 12 players battled it out for the nine-hole social event.

Viv Chan was nearest to pin on the 18th, while Alan Wyness claimed the Bradman’s.

Big names withdraw

THE NRL All Star game has been rocked by more high-profile withdrawals just a week out from the game.

After Josh Addo-Carr withdrew from the Indigenous All Stars squad on Friday, Maori players Daejarn Asi, Joseph Manu, Starford Toa, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, and Dallin WateneZelezniak have all pulled out too.

The showpiece pre-season event will be played at Rotorua International Stadium in New Zealand on Saturday.

Test series starts Thursday

AUSTRALIA will be without Josh Hazlewood for the first Test against India in Nagpur, with the fast bowler battling injury.

Hazlewood has been troubled by an Achilles tendon complaint, with the injury surfacing before the Australian squad arrived in India for the four-Test series. He is expected to join fellow quick Mitchell Starc on the sidelines.

Hazlewood’s injury could open the door for Scott Boland to play.

Uncapped West Australian speedster Lance Morris is the other fast bowler in the 18-man squad.

The Test series starts at 2pm Thursday.

Barrel racing royalty to share some tips

CAPE York horse riders will get to learn from one of Australia’s top barrel racers when Kellie Reinhardt brings her clinic to Cooktown in April.

Cooktown Horsesports Association president Sarah Frew said the April 15 and 16 clinic was an opportunity not to be missed.

“Having Kellie come to Cooktown to host this clinic will be an awesome learning experience for both children and adults to enhance their horsemanship skills,” she said.

“Being in Cooktown we don’t have opportunities like this come up regularly; everyone who attends will get value for

money and gain skills they will keep for a lifetime.”

Reinhardt, who has been riding competitively her whole life, and sharing her technique

through clinics across Australia and internationally since 2017, says the clinic is designed to develop riders of all abilities.

“This clinic is not about

speed, its about being correct and consistent, which then leads to speed as your horse progresses,” she said.

“The clinic is designed to help you as a rider with your mental preparation and goal setting, along with developing your horsemanship to build key foundations for a more solid, soundminded horse.”

The clinic, which costs $375 for riders or $140 for observers, will cover a range of horsemanship skills.

To make a booking, go to kelliereinhardtbarrelracing.com or contact Ms Frew on 0447 296 319 for more information.

Taipans to host NBL final

A BANGED up Cairns Taipans side will host the Tasmania JackJumpers in a final on Thursday night after finishing the NBL season in third position.

A win against the Tasmanians would see the Snakes play New Zealand in a best-of-three series

to qualify for the grand final.

However, the Taipans earned a double-chance, meaning a loss would see them play the winner of the SEM Phoenix v Perth Wildcats match, which is also being played on Thursday.

Awaiting them would be the

WEIPA TIDE TIMES

http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/tides/#!/qld-weipa

Sydney Kings, who finished on top of the NBL table.

While Cairns had a strong season, winning 18 of 28 games, the Taipans enter the post-season with a raft of injuries to key players.

One-time MVP candidate

COOKTOWN TIDE TIMES

Keanu Pinder is unlikely to play any part in the NBL finals with an eye injury, while import Tahjere McCall is battling an ankle complaint.

Tip-off for the Cairns Taipans v Tasmania JackJumpers match is 7.30pm on Thursday.

– story by Sarah Martin

Kellie Reinhardt is bringing a barrel racing clinic to Cooktown.

Cairns Taipans big man DJ Hogg will be a key player for the Snakes when they host the Tasmania JackJumpers on Thursday night.

DEB DUFFY

Principal Licencee 0418 773 747

debduffy@weiparealestate.com.au

www.weiparealestate.com.au PO Box 552, Weipa QLD4874

Cape York Weekly is a free, locally-owned newspaper, published every Tuedsay by Cape York Weekly Pty Ltd

ABN: 506 391 612 92

EDITOR: Matt Nicholls

Ph: 0477 450 558

editor@capeyorkweekly.com.au

PO Box 1079 Weipa, Qld 4874

ADVERTISING: editor@capeyorkweekly.com.au

ACCOUNTS: accounts@capeyorkweekly.com.au

EDITORIAL DEADLINE: 5pm Friday

SPORTS EDITORIAL DEADLINE: 3pm Sunday

ADVERTSING BOOKING DEADLINE: 11am Friday

ADVERTISING COPY DEADLINE: 4pm Friday

WEBSITE:

www.capeyorkweekly.com.au

Go to the website and click on the subscribe button to receive a free digital copy of the newspaper delivered to your inbox every week

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.