Cape York Weekly Edition 126

EARLY VISIT FROM BUNNY

CAPE INCLUDED IN $64M PACKAGE

Freight support

By MATT NICHOLLS

CAPE York families should soon see some relief at the supermarket register after the state government announced a $64 million package to help reduce the cost of freight in remote Queensland.

The announcement, made in the

Torres Strait on Monday, comes after the Torres and Cape Indigenous Council Alliance commissioned an independent study into a freight subsidy for remote areas, which was released last month.

The state’s package, to last at least five years, directly addresses the rising cost-of-living battles

facing families and businesses in the Cape, Torres Strait and Gulf.

“We listened to the community. We’re delivering this funding package to tackle that challenge head on,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said in a statement.

The announcement was immediately welcomed by a number

of major stakeholders in the Far North, including TCICA chair Robbie Sands, Sea Swift CEO Dwayne Freeman and CEQ chief executive Michael Dykes.

Further support could also be coming following the successful summit on Thursday Island.

Full story – Pages 4 and 5

Weipa families were treated to an early visit from the Easter bunny at Saturday’s markets at the storm surge shelter.

Rio Tinto trials day shift commute, shorter weeks

By MATT NICHOLLS

EMPLOYEES at Rio Tinto are the big winners of changes that the mining company says will improve liveability in Weipa.

The mining company said it was preparing to make changes to employee conditions in the coming months.

A nine-day fortnight for the Monday to Friday workers will be the most popular decision.

Rio Tinto Weipa said: “In line with global trends, we will be offering a compressed working week for Monday to Friday employees, giving the option of every second Friday off or, half-

day every Friday to suit personal circumstances.”

The company is also trialling a daily commute to Amrun for some day shift employees.

Currently, those working at the site south of Weipa have to bus and ferry to a camp, staying there for the duration of their swing.

Rio Tinto Weipa GM Shona Markham said the company was responding to feedback and would trial the daily commute using a fast ferry for those eligible employees.

“We are trialling a day shift option which allows team members to travel to Amrun in the

morning then be home in Weipa by 5pm to spend the night with their family,” she said.

“We are so excited to be able to offer these flexible lifestyle options.

“We know that our employees value family and recreation time and this will give them more of that,” she said of the trial and the nine-day fortnight.

Aurukun residents will also be able to commute quickly and easily to the Amrun mine site via a community commute program utilising access from the site’s southern gate.

Ms Markham said the program was being run in partner-

ship with locally owned and operated company RESET and provided transportation and ongoing support for Aurukun residents, offering increased employment opportunities.

Those working at Rio Tinto’s Cape Kids child care centre will also benefit through improved conditions for staff as it looks to attract and retain an increased number of qualified educators and increase service capacity.

In an effort to employ local people, a career drop-in centre will be hosted in Weipa this week where residents can learn more about the mining operation and register their interest.

Golden gong for Bamaga accommodation

CAPE York Peninsula Lodge has added a new accolade to its growing list of titles, winning Gold in the 4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation category at the annual 2022 Australian Tourism Awards, held in Sydney on Friday night.

The lodge is operated by Bamaga Enterprises Limited, a First Nations, communityowned organisation that reinvests its profits

into scholarships, sponsorships, and community infrastructure.

Cape York Peninsula Lodge was selected as a finalist for the Australian Tourism Awards following its multiple-award win at the 2022 Queensland Tourism Awards in November.

Lodge manager Harrison Mylrea and BEL director Mark Lewis attended the awards.

BEL chair Robert Poipoi said the award recognised the lodge’s outstanding hospitality and the unique cultural experiences it offered guests travelling to the Cape.

“Our tours to Pajinka and Fruit Bat Falls offer guests a rare opportunity to learn even more about the region as they journey through the natural wonders of Cape York and the NPA with an Indigenous guide.”

Cape York Peninsula Lodge manager Harrison Mylrea accepts the award on Friday night, flanked by Bamaga Enterprises Limited director Mark Lewis.

Industry leaders gather to put region in spotlight

By MATT NICHOLLS

THE future of Cape York will be thrust into the spotlight this week as industry leaders from across the Far North gather in Weipa for a region-first summit.

Under the tag Opportunities Rich, the two-day Western Cape Futures Symposium is directly backed by the Aurukun, Mapoon and Napranum councils, along with the Weipa Town Authority.

It also has the support of Rio Tinto, the WCCCA, James Cook University and TCICA, and is being administered by the Western Cape Chamber of Commerce.

WTA member Jaime Gane is the chair of the symposium and said the gathering would lead to a stronger region and greater collaboration between industry and governments.

“The Western Cape Futures Symposium provides a unique opportunity to explore potential for our region in a way which has never been done before,” she said.

“This event is the first of its kind for the region and is the product of unprecedented collaboration between the closely linked Western Cape communities of Weipa, Napranum and Mapoon, along with other key stakeholder groups, to create a united vision for the future.

“We are very excited to welcome everyone to this event, to

share in a two-way learning experience for both locals and visitors alike.

“The Western Cape region presents many opportunities for sustainable growth and development in many areas, which the communities and its residents are keen to explore.

“By working together with government and industry, we

can forge a path that leads to economic diversity and sustainability, to ensure that the next generations have a bright and prosperous future on the Cape.”

There are more than 30 speakers lined up for a jam-packed schedule that will see sessions staged at both the storm surge shelter in Rocky Point and the nearby Kumrumja Centre.

The full program can be downloaded from the Western Cape Chamber of Commerce website, which also includes a link to purchase last-minute tickets for interested locals. There will also be a workshop held on Saturday morning for small businesses.

Hosted by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, and Advance Queensland, the workshop will help attendees gain an understanding of assistance to support small businesses to start, grow and employ through grants and support programs.

Contact the Chamber for more information.

Jaime Gane is spearheading the Western Cape Futures Symposium.

Weipa will bring together industry leaders from all across the Far North for a symposium to discuss the future of the Western Cape.

Freight subsidy aiming to reduce

By MATT NICHOLLS

A MASSIVE freight subsidy has been announced to help ease the pressure on remote Queenslanders in Cape York, Torres Strait and the Gulf.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey made the $64 million announcement at Monday’s Cost of Living Summit on Thursday Island.

It’s a decision that has been welcomed by community and business leaders from across the region.

“Last year, my department conducted a review into remote community freight systems which identified the need for a more targeted, sustainable approach to managing freight disadvantage across the state,” Mr Bailey said.

“This funding will target the high price of freight that is fuelling cost-of-living pressures, delivering on a package of work that addresses the unique challenges of transporting essential goods to these remote regions.”

Torres and Cape Indigenous Councils Alliance chairman and Kowanyama mayor Robbie Sands said it was a great result.

“TCICA welcomes Minister Bailey’s announcement for a freight funding package to cover the Torres Strait, Northern Peninsula, Cape York, and Gulf region of Queensland,” he said.

“Our recent freight equalisation study highlighted the cost-of-

living realities faced by our people because of high transport costs, especially for those living on remote islands in the Torres Strait and on Mornington Island.

“This will go a long way to-

wards helping to lower freight costs, while also finding ways to better coordinate regional supply chains and improve cold storage to keep produce fresher for longer.

“We commend the Queensland

government for listening to us and we look forward to working together to find long-term solutions to the challenges our communities face.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk

said her government was pleased to be able to help.

“During last year’s Torres Strait Community Cabinet, the local community made it clear that one of the biggest challenges for the region was freight,” she said.

“We listened to the community. We’re delivering this funding package to tackle that challenge head on.

“By subsiding some of the freight costs to the Northern Peninsula, Torres Strait, Cape York and Gulf regions, we can ease pressure on local suppliers, and reduce one of the major factors making things like food, and clothing more expensive.”

Because of the timing of the announcement, Cape York Weekly was unable to get all the details on how the freight subsidy will work.

In a statement, the government said the $64 million would be spent over five years and that “funding will be directed toward targeted subsidies for multi-modal freight services”.

It also said it would include the appointment of freight coordinators to “manage complex supply chains” and the “development of community infrastructure”, such as cold storage.

“The Palaszczuk government will work closely with community, all levels of government and industry leaders to design and deliver these measures,” the statement read.

At Sunday’s announcement for an $80 million package for marine infrastructure in the Torres Strait, Cynthia Lui shows her Labor colleagues Senator Nita Green and Ministers Mark Bailey and Leeanne Enoch a map of the region.

rising costs in remote Qld

Marine freight company Sea Swift is likely to play a big role in the rollout of the subsidy and chief executive Dwayne Freeman said it would work with the government to help communities get the most bang for their back.

“We welcome today’s freight subsidy announcement made at the cost-of-living summit on Thursday Island,” he told Cape York Weekly

“Sea Swift has long been supportive of any initiatives to reduce costs felt by the remote communities we service.

“The combination of the remoteness of the communities and the long and fractured supply chain results in higher costs to the customers in these communities.

“We will work with the communities and government on the structure of the subsidy to ensure the communities receive the full benefit.”

Supermarket operator Community Enterprise Queensland went into Monday’s summit full of hope that solutions would be found to help ease the burden on families.

“Like everyone else, we are concerned about the current rate of inflation and the impact this is having on the communities we serve,” CEO Michael Dykes said.

“Average freight costs have increased 12 per cent in two years, and CEQ does not raise our prices to cover freight costs, we absorb them over the entire business.

“We also have cost burdens not

Cape York Weekly

A PUBLIC forum scheduled in Weipa to discuss a Treaty in Queensland failed to attract a crowd on Monday.

The reason? No one was told about it.

The forum wasn’t widely advertised and wasn’t listed on any public notice boards.

Cape York Weekly first heard about it on Friday when a poorly-timed media release hit our inbox.

We raised the issue with Member for Cook Cynthia Lui on Sunday.

faced by other store operators, such as requirements for satellite IT back-up and back-up power generators, with the most recent generator costing $500,000 at our main (Thursday Island) store.

“We want CEQ to continue to deliver affordable groceries to families in some of the most remote parts of Australia to ensure that the communities where we operate enjoy the same quality and choice as people living in larger centres at the best possible price.”

Despite rising freight costs, CEQ said it regularly performed better than mainland rivals when it came to pricing on healthy items.

It also has the same price for fresh produce and meat across all CEQ stores, meaning consumers at Napranum or Lockhart River pay the same as those shopping at Doomadgee or an outer island.

Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said she recognised the struggle for families in remote areas and said there would be more action to come from Monday’s summit.

“Fuel, food and utility costs have all increased, and we understand the impact these rises have on households and businesses,” she said.

“I’ve been advocating strongly for government and private enter-

prise to collaborate to bring down the cost of freight to these regions.

“If we can reduce the cost of getting goods and services into these remote parts of Queensland, we will reduce financial pressures on households and businesses.”

Meanwhile, the state and federal governments announced a joint $80 million package on Sunday to upgrade marine infrastructure in the Torres Strait.

The money, to be spent over the next six years, will target jetty and boat ramp infrastructure in urgent need of repair and upgrades, which the governments hope will also help increase freight efficiency.

She said she put it on her Facebook page last week.

It’s a shame hardly anyone went to the Weipa forum considering the importance of the conversation.

The Interim Truth and Treaty Body is visiting communities across the state to talk about the Truth and Treaty process in Queensland.

Meetings are scheduled in Cairns, Thursday Island, Palm Island and Townsville this week.

Will Cape York get another visit? Time will tell.

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NPARC mayor Patricia Yusia speaks at Monday’s summit with co-chairs Minister of Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey and Member for Cook Cynthia Lui watching on. INSET – The front page of Cape York Weekly on February 21.

buoyed by discovery

PROSPECTIVE miner Diatreme Resources has moved its focus from the Galalar silica project to a nearby dune complex, with updated estimates showing the Northern Silica Project’s deposits are triple that of Galalar.

Diatreme CEO Neil McIntyre said the Si2 dune complex within the Northern Silica Project would now be the company’s focus, with an estimated 235 million tonnes of silica sand available.

“Our ongoing exploration of the Si2 dune continues to provide outstanding results,” he said.

New events will breathe life into Discovery Festival

A BUSH dance will bring back fond memories for many and is among a host of new events at the Cooktown Discovery Festival.

Organisers Cook Shire Council are encouraging other local groups and businesses to follow suit and be involved in the annual festival.

“Regulations can make it challenging for council to host certain events and activities, so it’s always wonderful to see local businesses and community groups stepping up

and organising their own events,” mayor Peter Scott said.

“What’s good for small businesses is great for our community.”

Cr Scott said it was great to see groups getting on board and organising events to take advantage of the crowds flocking to town for the festival.

“We’d really love to see all the businesses in town getting behind this year’s festival so we’re really encouraging venues to host their

own events, activities and entertainment,” he said.

“It’s so great to see the groups like Cooktown Little Athletics coming on board to host and organise their own events on a weekend which attracts record crowds every year.”

In addition to the perennial favourites such as the re-enactment of Cook’s landing, the street parade, fireworks and amusement rides, the highly-anticipated Cape

York Automotive Muster will return after a successful run in 2022.

New events include a fun run, community mural painting and the shire hall bush dance.

The council stepped in to save the festival in 2017 after the volunteer-run committee folded.

“Council didn’t want to see it fall by the wayside and took over event management in order for the community to continue to enjoy a much-loved event,” Cr Scott said.

“We look forward to ongoing exploration and further feasibility studies. Diatreme has an exciting year ahead as we move towards development of a critical minerals project that will advance global decarbonisation.”

The Northern Silica Project would benefit from its proximity to the existing Cape Flattery Port, with Diatreme signing a memorandum of understanding with the state government for use of the port late last year.

A scoping study due to be released within weeks will examine the feasibility of establishing a silica sand operation at Si2 with the potential to fast track the operation, which would be run independently of Galalar.

Health service pulls plug on unpopular IT software

A MALIGNED patient record system used in hospitals and health clinics will be scrapped in a win for the Cape York doctors and nurses who advocated for the removal of the software.

Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service CEO Beverley Hamerton said a review led to the decision.

“An independent consultant’s review has recommended the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service replace the cur-

Church to provide a sanctuary

A FORMER hardware store has been lovingly converted into Cooktown’s newest church, with the building hoped to be open in time for Easter services, and an official opening event in May.

Cooktown Community Church bought the industrial shed on Howard Street in 2017 and have been raising money ever since to convert the building into a church.

Pastor Rick Ashcroft, who is also a builder, project managed the renovations which began last year.

“We are hoping to have approval to open the church for Easter services,” he said.

“And we are bringing one of Australia’s best female preachers to our opening event in May.”

The Cooktown Community Church only has about 40 members in their congregation, with numbers down since people moved to online services post-Covid.

“We haven’t had a place to gather, so we haven’t been able to hold mid-week services and other activities,” Pastor Rick said.

“But we are looking forward to being able to do that now we have a church building.”

The building includes an airconditioned auditorium with seating for about 70 people as well as a spaces for Sunday school.

rent Regional Information Via Electronic Record (RIVeR) electronic medical record system in place across Cape York with an alternative platform,” she said.

“The Best Practice electronic medical record software has been selected as the preferred alternative.

“While the RIVeR system performed adequately in some health facilities it was not regarded as optimal at others.”

Best Practice was introduced

to the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area in 2010 when the region was a separate health service to Cape York.

“As such, Best Practice, a primary health care system, is already well accepted by TCHHS clinicians across our region and is a well-tried and tested system,” Ms Hamerton said.

“It is important that any transition to a new system occurs in a timely manner, and it is therefore necessary that we transition

Easter Bunny at Ayton

THE Easter Bunny will be making a special appearance in Ayton this weekend for a day of free family fun and, of course, a bit of chocolate.

sites to a solution that is known and readily available today.

“The transition to Best Practice will bring all our health facilities, wherever they are located, onto one single electronic medical record system.

“It has always been TCHHS’s long-term strategy that there be a continuous single electronic patient medical record accessible to all clinicians across our diverse health service region no matter where they work.”

Cook Shire Council’s Easter Family Fun Day is on Saturday, March 25 from 9am to midday at the Ayton library marketplace, and everyone is invited.

Kids can meet the Easter Bunny, go on an Easter egg hunt, get their face painted and get crafty.

Nelson and Linda will be there providing live music, and there are also prizes for the best dressed Easter hat.

Community RSL mural

RESIDENTS and visitors, artists and those who have never held a brush are invited to put their mark on a giant wall mural in a tribute to the RSL and local flora and fauna.

The mural, to be painted on the wall between the Cooktown RSL Memorial Club and Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery, would be an ongoing community project, School of Art Society president Jane Dennis said.

“On April 1 I’m going to start painting the poppies on the Charlotte Street end of the wall, so there will be some nice poppies ready for Anzac Day,” Ms Dennis said.

“It’s going to be a wall of flowers, starting at sunrise with the poppies and working towards an evening garden at the back.”

Ms Dennis said there would be regularly advertised opportunities for people to join in painting the mural throughout the year.

“It is a bit of a fundraiser for us, and a fun way for people to get involved and maybe even for us to get a few new members,” she said.

“People can pay a small fee and come along and paint a flower.”

The 20m long mural is funded by the Cooktown RSL Memorial Club and the design was a joint effort between the Art Society and RSL.

Pastor Rick Ashcroft, also a licensed builder, has been working on the new Cooktown Community Church.

Tracey Blumer and Gisela Whithear with Jim Fay in front of the soon-to-be-painted wall.

celebrating

150 years.

We are celebrating 150

years.

29 March 2023 marks Rio Tinto's 150 year anniversary.

29 March 2023 marks Rio Tinto's 150 year anniversary.

That's quite an achievement and one only made possible by people like you

That's quite an achievement and one only made possible by people like you

So please join us as we reflect on our past, celebrate our acheivements and look to our future

So please join us as we reflect on our past, celebrate our acheivements and look to our future

Because together we can acheive much more than we ever can apart

Because together we can acheive much more than we ever can apart

We are Rio Tinto We are 150

We are Rio Tinto. We are 150.

Date:

Time:

Venue:

Hosts:

Saturday 1 April 2023 9am - 11am

Hibberd Library, Weipa

Shona Markham with guest speaker local historian Geoff Wharton

Join Shona and Geoff for a 'fireside chat' as they reflect on the history of Weipa operations and township

Come along and share your stories of living in Weipa and working at Rio Tinto

Everyone is welcome at this free event, no bookings required

Photo: First commercial shipment of bauxite onboard the 'Talinga' on 29 March 1963

Fishing fun event

GRAB your rods and castnets and head to the Bluewater Fishing Club Lease on the Cooktown waterfront this Saturday for the first of a series of fun family events planned by the club.

Club secretary/treasurer Helen Greaves said there were prizes on offer for the kids’ lure throwing competition, and some useful information on hand for all fishers.

“We will have a representative from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries giving a quick chat about what can and can’t be caught, bag limits and the like,” she said.

Attendees can also get tips on how to throw a cast net and enjoy a sausage sizzle and cold drink, and some of the best views in Cooktown.

Ms Greaves said the club was planning regular local family-friendly activities, and hoped attendees at the fun day would bring their ideas for future events.

The fun day is sponsored by Cooktown Platinum Realty, The Lure Shop and Cooktown Hardware.

Popular beach given a much-needed makeover

MORE than 200kg of rubbish was painstakingly removed from a 1.5km stretch of beach as part of South Cape York Catchment group’s regular Walker Bay clean up and marine debris survey.

SCYC program manager Jessie Price-Decle said 17 people volunteered an afternoon to take part in the clean up efforts.

“South Cape York Catchments volunteers did a great job at Walker Bay, getting a clean-up done along with the regular marine debris survey,” she said.

“Two of our volunteers, Ben and Ori, put in a particularly valiant ef-

fort carting a very heavy piece of concrete for about 50 metres up the beach after digging it out of the creek; the most common item found was thongs.”

Ms Price-Decle said the survey had been done by SCYC every three months for almost five years, and the information collected helped Tangaroa Blue tackle the marine debris problem at the source.

The clean up was a ReefClean event funded by the federal government’s Reef Trust and delivered by Tangaroa Blue in partnership with SCYC.

Partnership in the gardens

A COLLABORATIVE information sharing day between Balnggarrawarra Rangers, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, South Cape York Catchments and Cook Shire Council has been held at the Cooktown Botanic Gardens.

Rangers and staff spent the afternoon identifying local plant species and sharing cultural knowledge and language names.

The group also focused on knowledge sharing about the endangered Coix gasteenii grass, which is grown both in the gardens and on Balngarrawarra country.

The group are planning a field trip to Ngaynggarr National Park in the dry season to map and record the rare grass in its natural habitat.

Impromptu art exhibition

THE calibre of entries for Cook Shire’s recent Reconciliation Action Plan youth art competition was so high that the council has organised an impromptu exhibition to share the paintings with the public.

The exhibition will be on display at Nature’s PowerHouse in the Botanic Gardens until April 17, with attendees encouraged to vote for the People’s Choice Award, with the winner to receive a prize.

The works reflect the theme of reconciliation, with the cover artwork to be announced next week when the council formally adopts the RAP.

Ben Ansell and Ori Albert-Mitchell lugged this chunk of concrete rubble off the beach.

Claire Decle was among the youngsters taking part in the clean up.

Cooktown’s Sissi Alb enjoyed her volunteering.

SCYC group coordinator Jason Carroll leading by example.

Ori Albert-Mitchell checking among the driftwood for rubbish.

Volunteers gathered on a beautiful day to clean up debris at Walker Bay.

The group discussed local plant species, cultural knowledge and language names.

You can view the Deadly Young Art exhibition at Nature’s PowerHouse until April 17.

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 GRID Z

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.

Crossword

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.

Spot the 5 Differences

Created: Ted Whillier Qxpress: 8485 Matt Trickey

PRE-AUTHORISATION MEETING FOR A NATIVE TITLE DETERMINATION

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

Central West Wik Native Title Group Tuesday 28 March 2023

Cairns

Cape York Land Council (CYLC) will hold a pre-authorisation meeting on Tuesday 28 March 2023 in Cairns to discuss the process for the Central West Wik Native Title Group to authorise a proposed native title agreement under s.87A of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (NTA) for a determination of native title the determination area as shown on the map below. CYLC will also ask the Central West Wik Native Title Group to consider a proposal to include an additional three apical ancestors to the Central West Wik group description and to decide whether to include these apical ancestors.

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. Following the preauthorisation meeting on Tuesday 28 March 2023, there will be a meeting of the Central West Wik Native Title Group on Thursday 27 April 2023 for the group to decide whether to authorise the proposed s.87A native title agreement.

If the Central West Wik Native Title Group decides to do so, a determination of native title in favour of the group will then be sought in the Federal Court. The Court has listed a hearing for a potential consent determination in the week of 3 July 2023

Group Description

At this meeting, the CYLC will ask the Central West Wik Native Title Group whether they agree to include three additional apical ancestors, being Kepple Ancestor, Warnkoola Ancestor and Palpal (Old Blowdy) in the group description.

Who is invited to attend the meetings?

The Pre-Authorisation 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:

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:

IMPLEMENTATION OFFICER

Reporting to the Implementation Manager, the Implementation Officer is the primary contact point with the eleven Traditional Owner Groups, who are signatories to the WCCCA, and Rio Tinto. This position contributes to assisting with the monitoring and implementation of objectives under the WCCCA and Strategic Plan in the areas of Employment and Training, Cultural Heritage, Community Liaison, reporting and data collection and the facilitation of Aboriginal community participation in cultural, environment and heritage management at a local and regional level.

We anticipate that applicants will have;

• Minimum Year 12 education;

• Knowledge and experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, society and culture and an understanding of relevant issues preferably in relation to the WCCCA region

• Ability and willingness to travel to and work in remote communities

• Trained in or demonstrated previous experience in Education and Training (Tertiary qualifications in this area will be highly regarded but not essential)

• Good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively; and

• C Class Driver’s license.

Traditional Owners and Aboriginal people are strongly encouraged to apply. 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 7TH APRIL 2023

Marine Fauna Surveys

Any person who is a descendant of one or more of the apical ancestors listed above is invited to attend these meetings. 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 individual, Brian Ross, is also invited to attend this meeting. The meeting will be held as follows:

Date: Tuesday 28 March 2023

Venue: Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns

Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm

The location and time of the authorisation meeting on Thursday 27 April 2023 will be publicly notified and notices will be sent out to all members of the Central West Wik Native Title Group with contact details on the CYLC database. Please contact us on free call number 1800 623 548 or by email jcopelin@cylc.org.au to update your details.

Video-conferencing and COVID-19 Precautions

Video-conferencing facilities will be made available at the meeting. If you would like CYLC to arrange a video- conference from your location into the meeting, whether you live at the location of the meeting or elsewhere, please contact CYLC on the number above. Attendance by video-conference is offered because of the potential for COVID-19 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.

Attendance

For travel assistance of to confirm attendance, please contact Jayd Copelin before Wednesday 22 March 2023 on free call number 1800 623 548 or by email jcopelin@cylc. org.au. Please note that there is limited funding for travel assistance

Tuesday 21 to Thursday 23 March 2023

In conjunction with our research partners (Sharks and Rays Australia, University of Sunshine Coast) will be undertaking capture and tagging activities for sawfish, as part of our threatened species research program

Fishing activities will be conducted from Tuesday 21 to Thursday 23 March, in the shaded areas indicated on the map (Pine River, Albatross Bay, Hey/Embley Rivers)

In addition, monitoring loggers will be deployed at various locations (blue-green dots) in the Weipa area These loggers sit on the sea floor and do not pose a threat to the navigation of vessels operating in the areas

If you would like to know more about sawfish or the research program, there will be an information session held at the Albatross Motel on Monday 20 March at 6:30pm

1. Peempa Thum-Kalban Ku’ekka; 2. Daojan (Koondumbin);

3. Jimmy (father of Polly Perkins and Connie Tartempenmiya);

4. Father of Short Charlie and Long Charlie (Chaalongk);

5. George Brown;

6. Chininga; 7. Ko’owata 8. Mosey; 9. Dhaabangchiy; 10. Jimmy Lawrence; 11. Kepple Ancestor; 12. Warnkoola Ancestor; or 13. Palpal (Old Blowdy)

Bush Track closures Extended Evans Landing Area

Friday 10 March 2023

Several dirt road and bush tracks have been closed to eliminate any potential interaction between the Heavy vehicles. Please

Chief Executive Officer

Cape York NRM is a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity with a mission to help people work to care for the natural environment while promoting the sustainable use of natural resources in Cape York Peninsula. They are staffed by an experienced and dedicated team who work with individuals, groups and communities across Cape York to care for Country through various activities that promote and support the organisation’s inclusive mission. Through significant community engagement, they proactively enhance activities based on the core principles of sustainability, ongoing regional development across land and sea and also work to protect threatened plant and animal species and improve fire management.

Your new role

As the new CEO, you will be responsible for the overall leadership and management of the activities of Cape York NRM and will be accountable to the Board. The position is based in Cairns with travel required to regional offices in Atherton and Cooktown and has a core focus on ensuring the organisation continues to operate effectively to ensure onward growth, effective governance and strong financial stability whilst investing in significant stakeholder engagement and commercial relationships.

What you’ll need to succeed

We are seeking an effective and inclusive leader for this critical position. Your previous leadership experience easily evidences your inclusive, open style of management coupled with an inherent ability to develop relationships and identify opportunity. Whilst not for profit experience would be advantageous, we are open to considering individuals with a significant background and genuine interest and experience in Cape York and land and environmental issues. Naturally, you will be an inquisitive and effective executive with confidence in strategic development, corporate governance, risk management and financial performance. You will also be open to a significant amount of travel required to be successful in the role.

What you need to do now

Applications must be submitted online at www.capeyorknrm.com.au/about/vacancies

To find out more, download the application kit at www.capeyorknrm.com.au/about/vacancies

The closing date for applications will be 4pm Wednesday 5 April 2023

Register of Pre-qualified Suppliers

Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC) is inviting tender submissions from businesses and individuals seeking to be placed on Council’s Register of Pre-qualified Suppliers for:

Supply of Trades Services – Contract No. 2023-03-01 and Plant Machinery Hire (Civil & Building Works) –Contract No. 2023-03-02

Interested companies and individuals may complete a Schedule for one, multiple, or all of the listed categories in the supplier registers and return with the completed Tender Response.

A Supplier Information Evening will be held on Wednesday 22 March 2023.

Tenders, suitably endorsed, are invited and will be received via email tenders@nparc.qld.gov.au, until closing Noon, Tuesday 11 April 2023 and will not be opened publicly. The lowest or any Tender will not necessary be accepted. Council may change the Specifications during the tender evaluation period and invite Tenderers to change their Tender.

Tender Specification documents are available to download via Council’s website www.nparc.qld.gov.au\CouncilInformation\

Tenders and Expressions of Interest. Further information can be obtained by contacting Council’s Operations Department via email tenders@nparc.qld.gov.au

Kate Gallaway

Two Water Tanker movements have extended for a further two weeks on dirt roads indicated on the map in the Evans Landing area These moves will take place per hour

MUSGRAVE SUPER 8s CRICKET CARNIVAL

APRIL 29 to MAY 1

Rub shoulders with Australian cricket royalty Doug Walters & Jeff Thomson at this year’s Super 8s Carnival at Musgrave Roadhouse!

Teams from the Cape will do battle with sides from the Tablelands on the Labour Day weekend, from Saturday, April 29 to Monday, May 1.

Barbecue dinner & memorabilia auction on the Saturday night

Camping available Roadhouse kitchen open

Alcohol available to purchase

Members of the public are encouraged to come along & watch the social event being played in front of the iconic homestead

Ashton Gordon with a beaut salmon.

Dave Donald with an east coast cod.

Karo with his PB queenfish.

Alicia Casey and her tuskfish caught off Duyfken.

Emily Pittiglio with her first mackie.

Aiden Clegg with another great barra.

Andreas with red emperor on deck.

Finn Jones had a well earned day off to teach his dad a few tricks.

Tom Henley went night fishing for this barramundi.

Monica Dalglish and a great jack.

SPORT IN BRIEF

Campbell does a Bradbury

WITH some of the big dogs playing in Mareeba, a few Cooktown players sensed an opportunity on Saturday morning and battled it out in a stableford event.

Campbell Venebles was the big winner, carding 36 points to beat John McArthur, who had 33, while Jamie Dobson was third with 32 points.

Nearest the pins went to Paul Sperring on 2/11, while Venebles was closest on both 14 and 9/18.

This Saturday is the Captain v President stroke day on the composite course of White Front 9/Red Back 9.

Red-hot Lucas

JIM Lucas relished playing the full nine holes at last week’s Wednesday Wackers as he knocked over a field of 12.

David Morgan had to settle for runner-up while Steve Head rounded up the field with the Bradman’s.

Ross Craven and Jim Hunter had the nearest to pins.

It was a big week for Lucas as he also claimed Sunday morning’s Dawn Busters golf event.

He beat Lucas Duvenhague in a field of eight.

Viv Dick turned back the clock with the longest drive, while Mal Fairall picked up both the Hoffman’s and nearest to pin.

Cowboys launch inquiry

THE North Queensland Cowboys have launched an investigation after winger Kyle Feldt became the target of online abuse at the weekend.

The Cowboys’ 26-12 loss to the Warriors on Saturday was the first NRL win in Townsville for the New Zealand-based side in five years.

The defeat sparked a reaction on social media, with the club confirming several players and their partners were the subject of hateful comments.

Cowboys chief executive Jeff Reibel issued a statement saying the club had a “zero-tolerance policy” to any kind of abuse of players.

“Our club will be conducting an investigation to ascertain whether the person is a Cowboys member and, if so, their membership will be cancelled.”

Dale’s epic ride to raise money and awareness

By SARAH MARTIN

SERIAL long-distance cyclist

Dale Tan has hit the road again, starting a 5500km ride across Australia to raise money for struggling healthcare workers.

The Cooktown nurse has been riding since he was a teenager, initially in triathlons but over the years has given up the running and swimming to focus on cycling.

He has completed 10 Cardiac Challenge rides – a 330km cycle from Cairns to Cooktown to raise money for cardiac services in the Far North – as well as numerous other long distance rides and is now tackling his second Indian Pacific Wheel Race.

“I ride for the damaged and burnt-out healthcare workers in Australia and the rest of the world,” Mr Tan said.

“These selfless people give so much; it’s not an easy job and mental health support, research and education is of paramount importance.

“Blackdog Institute is quite active in that space and I’d like to contribute just a little bit to that.”

The cyclist’s contribution will see him riding 200km a day from Fremantle in Western Australia’s south to the finish line in Sydney, a journey he hopes will take less than a month.

“Last time I did it in 29 days; this time I’m looking to do it in 25 or less,” he said.

“It’s completely unsupported, I’ll carry my camp gear on my bike and rely on food from roadhouses along the way when there’s the opportunity.”

Mr Tan said cyclists could choose how they raced, with some opting to spend each night

in a motel and eat at restaurants.

“It suits every single budget; us poorer people will probably stay in a motel once a week and recharge,” he said.

“There are 27 riders registered, but usually only half the field will make it to the finish.”

The riders carry satellite

trackers, with supporters able to follow their journey virtually on the IPWR website.

In preparation for the ride, Mr Tan has already clocked up thousands of kilometres in hot, humid and wet conditions to get in shape for the gruelling ride.

“For this sort of event, I plan

COOKTOWN TIDE TIMES

to ride more than 200km a day for a few days in a row,” he said.

“After the event I’ll just do shorter distance rides for a while to keep my fitness going.”

Readers can follow Mr Tan and his fellow Indian Pacific Wheel Race riders progress at ipwr23.maprogress.com

Dale Tan at the starting point at Fremantle ahead of his ride to Sydney.

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

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DEB DUFFY

Principal Licencee 0418 773 747

debduffy@weiparealestate.com.au

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

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.