Cape York Weekly Edition 133

Cape York Weekly New ownership for Cape York Weekly

PUBLIC interest journalism in the Cape has received a shot in the arm following the sale of Cape York Weekly to the Canberra-based Region media organisation.

Editor Matt Nicholls met Region co-CEO Michael McGoogan in Weipa last week to seal the deal.

“This is terrific news for the Cape because we’re going to see a record level of investment in public interest journalism in our region,” Mr Nicholls said.

“I’ll remain as the editor and run the dayto-day operations of Cape York Weekly

“Our existing staff will keep their jobs

and the paper will continue to be printed and distributed free of charge.”

Mr McGoogan said Region identified Cape York Weekly as its first Queensland acquisition because of the quality of journalism produced by the masthead in a unique part of the country.

“There are stories being told here that aren’t being told anywhere else,” he said.

“We see the potential for growth in Cape York and throughout Far North Queensland.

“Matt has done a tremendous job with limited resources in one of the remote parts of the country.

“We want to give him access to a bigger team so he can continue to deliver great journalism for the Cape.”

Mr Nicholls said he was looking forward to making some bigger announcements in the near future.

“We’re already working on some exciting new features and we’ll continue to give back to the community,” he said.

“The reason I joined forces with Region is because I know they want to make the investment and grow our publication.”

For more information about Region, visit region.com.au/#about

Community spirit shines in tragic circumstances

EDITORIAL: The best part of living and working in small communities can also be the worst part.

Throughout the Cape and Torres Strait, when a community member is in need, everyone is there to lend a hand.

This is usually because you know the person, or have some kind of connection.

But the hardest thing is seeing first-hand the impacts of what happens when there are tragic circumstances.

What happens when we can’t help? What happens when the only news is bad news?

The whole community is torn to shreds.

Right now, the Torres Strait is in pain.

Most from Thursday Island knew Denne Bourke and hundreds, if not thousands, knew him from their visits.

He was a charitable man, who was always happy to sponsor a local club or help in anyway he could.

Last week, and over the weekend, his generosity was returned when hoardes of locals set out in search of Denee, desperate for answers.

On Sunday night, police issued this statement: “Family and friends would like to thank the community for their support and efforts with the search and rescue.

“They are very grateful for the local community’s quick and detailed response.

“The kindness and generosity during this difficult time has been greatly appreciated.”

On a personal level, I first met Denne in 2020, not long after

he purchased the mobile coffee trailer business on T.I.

We crossed paths several times again. He’d say: “You’re the newspaperman from Weipa!” Cap(uccino) with one sugar, right?”

Of course, it was.

No one knows exactly what happened to Denne last week as he was doing something he had done countless times before.

But something clearly went horribly wrong. He’s going to be dearly missed.

– by Matt Nicholls

Always seen with a smile on his face, Thursday Island business owner Denne Bourke was a much-loved local.

National recognition for Aurukun’s senior artists

By SARAH MARTIN

TWO Aurukun artists are in the running for Australia’s richest art awards after being named as finalists in the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Art Awards.

Janet Koongotema and Keith Wikmunea could win $100,000 for the main prize, or $15,000 across a range of categories, with the winners announced in Darwin in October.

Ms Koongotema was also chosen as a finalist from more than 700 entries in the 126-yearold Wynne Prize, with her painting of Archer River on display in the Art Gallery of New South Wales until September.

Ms Koongotema said she was humbled to have her work recognised by such prestigious awards.

“I’m 86 and I’m still doing it, still working hard,” she told Cape York Weekly

“I learnt when I was 20 and later I was teaching; the girls and women, I taught them to paint.”

Aurukun mayor Keri Tamwoy congratulated the two hometown artists, and said she was very proud of their achievements.

“It’s inspiring to see senior artists like Granny Janet carrying on with that vision, especially when she is communicating

through her artwork and telling the stories that keep us connected to each other and to country,” Cr Tamwoy said.

The pair are among a group of artists working together at Aurukun’s Wik and Kugu Arts Centre.

Ms Koongotema is known for her large, colourful landscapes, while Mr Wikmunea carves the iconic “camp dogs” and is also a painter.

Art centre manager Gabriel

Waterman said recognition of the two artists’ work in the national awards had placed them in elite company.

“The Wynne Prize has given Janet recognition as a landscape artist among both Indigenous and non-Indigenous contemporary artists,” he said.

“She is one of the most prolific artists at the centre; we have strong female representation in the cultural art produced at the centre.

“It’s a positive career for women as they can practice their culture and bring money into the community for their families.”

The winner of the Wynne Prize, fellow Indigenous artist Zaachariaha Fielding, was announced on Thursday.

Coen artist Naomi Hobson was also a finalist in the prestigious art competition for her colourful contemporary depiction of golden wattle and eucalyptus trees.

Keith Wikmunea is famous for his colourful camp dog carvings.

Janet Koongotema’s painting Mo’iam - Archer River was a Wynne Prize finalist.

‘Granny Janet’ is still producing top level art at 86 years of age.

Shaelanee one step closer to her dream

CAPE York teenager Shaelanee Hegamaea is officially a member of the Royal Australian Air Force after graduating from 10 weeks of gruelling training.

The 18-year-old is chasing her dream of joining the Royal Australian Air Force.

Proud father Ivan Hegamaea was able to attend her graduation in Wagga Wagga.

“He saw her march on Anzac Day then watched her graduate on April 26,” mum Melissa Gunton said.

“The first nine weeks of recruit training were gruelling; each recruit had to pass levels of the course before being able to graduate, waking up at 5am and into bed at 10pm.”

Ms Gunton said while the

training was physically hard and emotionally challenging, Shaelanee told her it was the best thing she had ever done.

“She has begun her 11 weeks of initial employment training and then she will hopefully be posted to Amberley in Queensland until early 2024, then back to Wagga Wagga to begin her armament technician trade.”

PDR update in Weipa

A COMMUNITY meeting will be held in Weipa on May 17 to give an update on the Cape York Region Package to upgrade the Peninsula Development Road.

Regional Development Australia Tropical North CEO Sonja Johnson and Cape York Region Package taskforce chair Professor Allan Dale will join representatives from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads for the open forum at Weipa Town Authority from 9.30am to 11.30am.

Ms Johnson said the $237.5 million Stage 2 upgrade consisted of 11 individual projects including eight paving and sealing projects between Laura and Coen and one project north of the Archer River.

“The five-year program will also enable greater access across the Archer River with the construction of a new crossing and a southern approach,” she said.

Register your attendance by emailing info@rdatropicalnorth.org.au.

Grazing forum moved

CROCODILE Station will be the hub for this year’s Cape York NRM Grazing Forum, where landowners from the region will meet with a team of experts to discuss the latest industry developments.

To be held on May 16 and 17, the forum, usually located at the Laura Rodeo Grounds, has had a late change of venue.

Slow going: TMR tardy to repair Cape’s main road

FRUSTRATED Cape York locals and eager tourists are disappointed with the lack of urgency to get the Peninsula Developmental Road back in top condition after the wet season.

There’s been little activity on the region’s arterial highway, with grading starting last week, although there are still a large number of washouts between Coen and the Aurukun turn-off.

“We’re into the second week of May and TMR (Department of Transport and Main Roads) haven’t been sighted,” said Weipa resident Luke McDonald.

“I understand that we had a big wet season, which is all the more

reason to be rushing to get the road fixed because it will probably take longer this year.

“The road isn’t too bad but the washouts are horrible and dangerous if you aren’t paying attention.

“The word is TMR is trying to save money this year, but this is our main road. The whole Cape relies on the PDR.”

Cape York Weekly has asked for an interview with Mark Bailey, the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, while he is in the Far North this week for parliament.

There are also concerns about the Archer River project, with one contractor from 2022 not returning this year.

“The Laura Rodeo Grounds have had the kitchen closed, so with typical Cape York generosity, the managers of Crocodile Station, Roy and Karlene Shephard, have stepped in to host,” said Cape York NRM’s Michael Goddard.

“It’s an easy transition. They’re set up for events like this and we were going to take the forum to the station on the second day for crush-side demonstrations with cattle.”

The event will feature 18 presentations from experts in the fields of fire control and controlled burning; feral animal trapping, in particular, feral pigs; biosecurity; genome technology; low-cost erosion control; controlling woody thickening on properties; financial opportunities; vegetation management laws; and the latest in communications and technology.

“We have a fantastic line-up of presenters, and we’re mixing it up a bit this year,” Mr Goddard said.

“We’ll start at midday on the first day then have the forum close on Wednesday afternoon, so people have daylight time to travel.”

More details about the forum, including registration for the free event, can be found on Page 10 of this edition.

Shaelanee Hegamaea with her dad Ivan in Wagga Wagga.

This bog hole, located 17km north of Hann River Roadhouse, has taken a few scalps this year. Locals want TMR to patch up the worst parts of the PDR.

A truck got bogged at the Myall Creek bypass on Sunday.

Midwives celebrated in the Cape

By SARAH MARTIN

WITH more than six million Aussie women about to be celebrated on Mother’s Day this Sunday, Cooktowners gathered last week to pay tribute to the men and women who help guide many through the first steps of motherhood.

Cape York Weekly spoke to Cooktown’s midwife team who were celebrating International Midwives Day with colleagues and local mothers at the “bungalow”, a relaxed Queenslander-style building and the dedicated home of local midwifery services.

Clinical midwife Sandy Booth has been a friendly face around Cooktown for many years while spending time with husband Lawrence, but has recently moved to town permanently as part of the midwifery team.

“I love mothers and the joy of seeing new parents with their babies has never left me,” the fifthgeneration midwife said.

“I love when they come back after the birth, and they’ve grown this beautiful baby and they’re getting to show us this wonderful thing that they have achieved as a couple.”

Ms Booth has been a midwife for 40 years, starting her training alongside her mother in Zimbabwe at age 12, and said the Cooktown team was dedicated to providing the best care possible for every mother.

“It’s very important that the mothers are happy,” she said.

“We work as a team, we meet with doctors several times a week to discuss the best possible care we can give, and then we go back

to the mothers and they can make an informed decision based on our advice.”

She said the team at Cooktown Multi Purpose Health Service were all working towards a full birthing

service but, with the state-wide doctor shortage, had not been able to attract obstetrics-trained staff to re-open the service.

“Although mothers can’t give birth here at the moment, we do

have an advantage over many of the larger places in that the women have a midwife from start to finish and they can always contact us even when they are in Cairns or Atherton to have their babies,” Ms Booth said.

“It’s well documented that there’s a higher level of uncomplicated, healthy, great births when you put a lot of effort into antenatal care, so the importance of the good antenatal care that can be given in Cooktown is incredibly important.”

Anna Humphries has also recently joined the local midwife team, moving to Cooktown with her husband and their two-yearold, Alba.

“We absolutely love it, we’re not leaving,” Ms Humphries said.

“We really want to make the bungalow a place women can pop in whenever they want, a real safe haven, even for staff to get to know one another and mothers who have had babies in the past.”

The newest members of the midwifery team have been busy settling into their roles and the community and are excitedly planning their Cooktown Discovery Festival parade entry.

“It’s a backyard theme, so it could be nappies hanging on the line,” Ms Humphries said.

“But I’ve heard some of the gusts here are as strong as a Category 1 cyclone, so maybe that won’t work!”

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Midwives Sandy Booth and Anna Humphries with Tayla Mapes and baby Micah Dukes.

Flu cases a concern

CASES of influenza are continuing to rise across Cape York and the Far North.

Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service’s director of medical services Dr Marlow Coates said 370 lab-confirmed cases had been recorded so far this year.

“We’ve had outbreaks on Cape York and are now also seeing rising numbers of cases in the Torres Strait, so we know flu is definitely impacting our communities,” he said.

“Being vaccinated every year is the best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu.

“With the seasonal flu vaccine now readily available, everyone should take the opportunity to be vaccinated.

“It’s a safe vaccine for children and is offered annually to everyone older than six months of age.

Fight night will be huge, says boxing club’s coach

By MATT NICHOLLS

WEIPA is ready to host its first fight night in July, with up to half a dozen local boxers tipped to step into the ring.

Cape York Boxing Academy coach Scott Wallace said boxers from across North Queensland would venture to the Cape for the inaugural event, which will be sanctioned by the Sunstate Amateur Boxing League.

“We’re aiming to have around 20 fights. I’ve ordered that many trophies,” Wallace said.

“If we are going to put on a show, we might as well go big because it’s a long way to travel.

“We’ll have to fly in refs and other officials.”

The fight night will be held at the Weipa Storm Surge Shelter, with up to 1000 tickets to go on sale.

“We think it will sell out but we’ve capped tickets at 1000 because we want to start smaller

and build up as we progress,” said Wallace.

“The local support has been good so far but we’re still chasing a naming rights sponsor.

“Scott Barton has been going to local businesses and hitting them up for support and there’s been a lot of generosity.”

From humble beginnings at the cricket ground, the Cape York Boxing Academy has grown steadily over the last five years and now has a good mix of members.

“It was started with one goal in mind – to engage with our teenagers,” Wallace said.

“We didn’t want them wasting their youth and getting into trouble.

“Boxing provides structure, teaches you discipline and gives you great fitness.

“It’s never been about getting into a ring and fighting, although that’s a bonus for some.”

“The vaccine is free for people who are most at risk, including children aged 6 months to less than 5 years, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people aged 65 years and older, people who are pregnant, and people who have certain medical conditions.

“But as well as vaccination, good hygiene also is very important in preventing flu, just as it was during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Production hits road

JUTE Theatre Company’s award-winning First Nations residency program, Dare to Dream, hits the road this month, touring the Far North and Cape with I Gut this Feeling, an engaging new theatre work aimed at empowering young people with knowledge for building safer communities. The program blends a compelling narrative with First Nations storytelling to form the centrepiece of a residency program, which will be performed in Weipa, Mapoon and Lockhart River.

I Gut this Feeling is clever, comical, and entertaining and has been created to engage and educate audiences both young and old who rarely have opportunities to access or participate in theatrical arts expression of this kind.

The artists/facilitators structure the residencies to align with theatre stage craft, show themes that plug into the Australian curriculum and culminate in an end-of-week showcase; at which students present their residency experiences to peers, and the school community.

The program visits Mossman from May 22, then arrives in Weipa from May 29, followed by Mapoon from June 5, then Lockhart River from June 12.

Billy Reynolds, Jack Barton, Jackson Reynolds, Scott Wallace, Xander Wone and Scott Barton are looking forward to July’s fight night in Weipa.

The Weipa Storm Surge Shelter will host the first ever Weipa fight night on Saturday, July 22.

Massive week for Cape’s mayors

By MATT NICHOLLS

THE bulk of Cape York’s mayors and council leaders will be in Cairns this week as the Far North is thrust into the spotlight with Queensland parliament visiting the region.

Far North Queensland Regional Parliament will be held at the Cairns Convention Centre from Tuesday to Thursday, while there are several Torres Strait and Caperelated events coinciding with the parliamentary visit.

The Torres and Cape Indigenous Councils Alliance will also meet on Tuesday and Wednesday, while the third Indigenous Local Government Disaster Resilience Forum will be held on Thursday.

Kowanyama mayor and TCICA chair Robbie Sands said it would be a good opportunity to put more of the region’s issues on the table.

“Every MP in the state is going to be on our doorstep and we need them to listen to our needs,” he told Cape York Weekly

“Housing is still a major struggle in the Cape and Torres Strait and we’re hoping to get more answers from Ministers about what is happening in that space.”

As part of Regional Parliament, there will be a broader program of events during the week, with the Premier, Ministers and MPs to participate in events.

Regional mayors, Indigenous representatives, business and com-

munity leaders, and school groups will also be involved with events across the week.

Following a visit to Townsville in 2019, it will be the second time Parliament has ventured outside Brisbane since the Palaszczuk Government’s 2017 commitment to reintroduce regional sittings.

“Queensland is a big state, and we are taking the people’s Parlia-

ment to the people,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

“Regional sittings of parliament are an important opportunity for locals – including our students – to not only see democracy in action first hand, but to also hear all of the key issues for their area debated.

“It’s also about engaging and listening to the local community in their own backyard so we can

help boost the local economy and provide better infrastructure and services for them.

“As part of the budget, we’re investing $1.2 billion in Far North infrastructure and capital works, $1.5 billion on health, $66.5 million on education, $173 million for social housing, all supporting thousands of good jobs.”

Member for Cook Cynthia Lui

said she expected a positive week.

“I look forward to having Parliament in the Far North for the first time since I’ve been the Member for Cook,” she said.

“It’s a great opportunity for the government to highlight the great work being done in this part of the state and I am particularly looking forward to debating the Path to Treaty Bill.”

Shane Webcke Safety Talk Weipa and Amrun

Football legend and sports presenter, Shane Webcke will be visiting Weipa to deliver insightful safety talks about the importance of maintaining workplace safety and fostering a strong safety culture

Date: Thursday 11 May

Venues: Amrun Construction Support Facility (CSF) at 10:30am Weipa Storm Surge Shelter at 4:30pm

The talk is open to all people over the age of 18, who work in high-risk conditions Apprentices who are under the age of 18 are also able to attend

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to gain valuable insight!

Proudly presented by

Mayors and council representatives from across the Cape and Torres Strait will be in Cairns this week for regional parliament and TCICA events.

Fete to raise funds for hospital Take mum to the Top Pub this Sunday

COOKTOWN residents who missed the Kindy Fete, or just want another fun day out, can support another worthy cause with the Friends of the Foundation Gala Fete on this Saturday.

In support of the Cooktown Hospital, the fete has been a longtime Cooktown favourite and is a perfect last-minute chance for youngsters to grab Mum something special for Mother’s Day.

“We have a budget Mother’s Day stall with nothing over $5 to give kids the opportunity to get something for Mum without having to break the bank,” organiser Daphne Fenton said.

“The fete is our biggest annual fundraiser, and the money goes towards making patients using our health services a little more comfortable.”

If you have attended any of Cooktown’s public health services, you will likely have benefited from the hard work of the Friends of the Foundation volunteers, such as 75-year-old retired nurse Ms Fenton.

“We bought a $22,000 palliative care bed to make that journey a little more comfortable for people,” she said.

“We made Community Health more welcoming with locallybought Aboriginal artwork, and we have bought warming blankets for the renal patients who get cold sitting for four or five hours of their day.”

The annual fete has been held since 1997, but Ms Fenton said the committee was now holding the event every second year to give other not-for-profit groups a chance to fundraise.

“Cooktown people are very generous, and we’re well supported,” she said.

“The gold coin donation if you forget your mailbox key at the Post Office goes to us, we get donations through the Containers

Maintenance dredging notice

for Change scheme and we also do raffles.”

In addition to the Mother’s Day stall, there will be a bake sale, plant stalls, a barbecue, hot and cold drinks, drawing of the raffle and white elephant stall. Donations can be made by contacting Coralie on 0429 347 929.

The Gala Fete is this Saturday May 13 from 11am at the Cooktown Lions Hall on Amos Street.

DONE breakfast in bed a hundred times? Why not take your mum to the Cooktown Hotel for a unique Mother’s Day celebration.

The unorthodox Mother’s Day Madness event is on from 10am to 6pm this Sunday at the Top Pub, with all proceeds going towards buying the Wallaby Creek Festival site on Shipton’s Flat Road.

Cape York Folk Club President Jen Midgley said the event was a fun way to bring the community together, raise funds for the popular annual festival and spoil mothers all at once.

“Come and spoil your Mum with a day filled with good food and entertainment for the whole family,” Ms Midgley said.

“It’ll be exciting to have homegrown talent Amber Farnan back to perform with her band; we’re also holding our annual general meeting on the day, and are really looking forward to meeting new people and bringing their energy into our wonderful festival.”

Farnan grew up in Cooktown with her equally-talented musical siblings Holly, Jake and Noah, and has won a Queensland Music

Award for her efforts, touring nationally and shared the stage with The Jezabels and Jaguar Jonze .

She even performed her original music with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

“I would love to see some familiar faces there,” Farnan said.

“It will be a great chance to catch up, and it’s going to be super-duper fun to play a show with the full band in the old hometown at the Top Pub!”

In addition to live music, the pub has a special Mother’s Day lunch menu and there are lucky door prizes, a kids creation space, face painting, aerosol art, card reading, raffles, stalls, an open microphone session, crab races and free pool.

May - June 2023 | Notice for Weipa community

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) will undertake maintenance dredging from early May 2023 at the Port of Weipa.

Dredging will also be completed at Amrun on behalf of Rio Tinto. The project will take up to seven (7) weeks to complete.

The dredge vessel TSHD Brisbane, as well as support vessels, have restricted manoeuvring capability. Local and visiting boaties are asked to take care and notice of all warning flags and lights.

Maintenance dredging needs to be carried out to ensure that safe, navigable shipping depths are maintained.

Environmental controls and management measures will be implemented throughout the program to minimise the risk of any potential impact on the marine environment.

Your cooperation and understanding is appreciated.

For more information contact

Amber Farnan is back in town.

Volunteer Daphne Fenton selling raffle tickets before Saturday’s gala fete.

Students given a taste of farming

COOKTOWN students gained an insight into the agricultural industry, visiting six local farming properties on a three-day field trip.

The Ag Inspirations event took Cooktown State School Year 11 and 12 students to local properties Lily Creek Farm, Ninda Creek Cattle, Mt McLean Station, Swiss Farms, Lakeland Mushroom Farm and M&M Cropping.

It provided a behind-the-scenes look at operating a farm business. Held in partnership with the AgForce School to Industry Partnership Program, Tropical North Queensland Drought Hub and Cape York Natural Resource Management, the trip provided students with an insight into the many career pathways in the industry, as well as innovations in the agribusiness sector.

“It was a terrific three days, and the students were impressed with the variety of roles and innovation within the sector,” CYNRM project officer Sienna Thomason said.

AgForce’s general manager of community engagement Tanya Nagle said Lily Creek Farm, which is solar powered and operates with electric vehicles to produce crops of dragonfruit, rambutan, jackfruit and passionfruit, provided students with a great example of innovation in agriculture.

“The students learned about the growing and harvesting techniques and even got to taste test this delicious produce,” she said.

“It was the same at Ninda Creek Cattle, where the owners have actually designed and created a lot of the equipment to use on and off the property.”

As well as exotic fruit production, students got to see large-scale

banana production, crops of maize, sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers, lablab and butterfly peas, as well as cattle and even exotic mushrooms.

Ms Nagle said the Ag Inspirations tour focused on the student and their talents, potential and as-

pirations, providing a look behind the scenes at the business side of an operation, and employer-led discussions about how careers unfold.

“From an industry perspective, it also exposes young people

to the range and diversity of careers within the agriculture supply chain,” she said.

“It also lifts the image of the industry and sparks more interest in and demand for ag-related traineeships.”

Cooktown State School students visited Swiss Farms to learn about the banana industry.

Candles burn brightly for victims

THE community came together last Thursday for the Cooktown District Community Centre’s sombre candlelight vigil to mark domestic and family violence awareness month.

A beautiful sunset over the Endeavour River provided the backdrop as people shared personal stories of domestic and family violence, offered support and remembered those lost.

Cook Shire mayor Peter Scott spoke of a changing society and the importance of working togeth-

er to improve the Cape’s frightening domestic violence statistics, while Traditional Owner and CDCC board member Sha-lane Gibson offered support and vowed to continue raising awareness of domestic and family violence.

The event closed with a minute’s silence as the crowd held their candles aloft and remembered loved ones affected by and lost to domestic and family violence.

The vigil was the first in a series of events planned in the region throughout May.

Service providers, community members and families came together to remember the victims of domestic and family violence at the Cooktown District Community Centre’s candlelight vigil on Thursday.

Beau Peberdy and Gary Justin support more awareness of domestic and family violence.

Sha-lane Gibson spoke at the vigil. Kim Giese and Oliver King. Cook Shire councillor Marilyn Morris with locals.

It was a family affair for Darren Powell and Kath Pennell, with daughters Eva and Jamie, at the waterfront vigil.

A beautiful sunset provided the backdrop for the Cooktown District Community Centre’s Domestic and Family Violence Awareness Month event.

Resilience expert speaks about

As part of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, Cape York Weekly is bringing you a series of articles to raise awareness of the issue in our community. To start, we have a Q&A with JAS RAWLINSON, a best-selling author who has recently spent time in the Cape to research and support people when telling their stories ...

I GREW up in Mid North Coast of NSW in the Coffs harbour region.

To the outside world I probably looked like I had a very privileged life and in some ways I did.

I went to a private school, we lived out in the country, I had my own horse, we had chickens and dogs and I didn’t have to worry about a lot of the issues that kids today worry about.

There were no mobiles so there was no online bullying at the time, although I did encounter some bullying at school.

For most of my school years, no one knew what was going on inside our house.

Something that makes it hard for many kids who are growing up in a home with domestic violence is that the perpetrator is good at hiding the abuse.

Although my dad was very rarely physically abusive towards my mother, there was a lot of emotional, mental and financial abuse – all the non-physical types of DV that aren’t often spoken of.

Every day was about walking on eggshells and never knowing what kind of dad I was going to come home to, and because of that unpredictability – and being quite isolated – people weren’t aware of what was going on.

From the age of 10 I was deeply depressed, and throughout my teens I became increasingly suicidal. We went into a safe house for a period of almost a year when I was about 16 or 17 – a gift from someone at our church – but eventually we had to go back home.

So again, we went back to treading water, just trying to survive.

Everything changed, however, just after I finished school – because a few months before my 19th birthday, my dad took his life.

Suddenly, a new layer of trauma

had been added to all the pre-existing ones that I’d been carrying for so many years, and I just didn’t know how to navigate everything I was dealing with.

As a result, I went out into the world as an emotionally damaged young woman who had no idea what boundaries were – much less, how to set them.

During this time I went into a number of really unhealthy relationships and friendships, one of which ended in a sexual assault at the age of 20.

That was my rock bottom moment; a moment in time where I had to actively choose to re-write my life story, and to crawl my way out of that hole so that I could one day live a better life.

Why have you chosen to share your story?

In the years after my assault I began doing a lot of volunteer work and advocating for those who felt voiceless – mostly as a way to escape my own depression and purposelessness, and to do something that helped others.

At the time, I wasn’t interested in talking about my own experiences, I just wanted to be a voice

for others. But through the process – particularly, the journey of creating a suicide-prevention book series called Reasons to Live – I found that people wanted to know what my story was.

“Why do these issues matter to you?” they’d ask.

“What’s your story?”

At the time, I kind of felt like I was being pushed to open up, but as I did, I began to grow in confidence.

I realised that my story wasn’t something to be ashamed of. It was a way to connect with others, and help them find their own voice.

I’ve been advocating and speaking out about domestic, sexual and child abuse for a decade now, and the reason I share my story so openly, is because I know how beneficial it would have been for me as a 16 or 17-year-old to hear somebody share a story like this.

To know that I wasn’t alone.

Who was your support?

In school my main support was my mum – she was the only person I could really confide in for a long time, and the one who got us through.

It wasn’t until I turned 16 that I

finally told someone the truth. That person was my best friend, and the relief I felt – though small – was tangible.

Suddenly, some of the weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I think it also helped to have someone my own age to talk to.

I did end up seeing the school counsellor, but to be honest, I didn’t really tell her much.

I just wasn’t comfortable. I also saw a psychologist in my very early 20s, but I spent most of the time staring at the ground and mumbling answers. It took about five sessions before I opened up, and then she left the practice soon after.

When it came to support during and after my sexual assault, it was pretty non existent.

Most people didn’t really know about the relationship I was in, and the one friend who did know about *Blake didn’t like him.

She was pretty vocal about her feelings, and at that time, I wasn’t interested in what she had to say. I figured she didn’t understand him the way I did.

And the same went for my mum. Everyone except me could see he was bad news, and as a re-

sult, I kept our friendship/relationship to myself.

Even to this day, my mother struggles to comprehend what was truly going on, because she never really knew about him. It’s been hard for her to wrestle with the guilt of not being able to protect me – but it wasn’t her fault. No one knew about the things going on.

I still find it challenging – at times – to find the right words to explain the relationship Blake and I were in (sometimes friends, sometimes more), and why it was so hard for me to escape his manipulation and charm.

For 18 months he groomed me in various ways – through lovebombing, gaslighting, and an imbalance of power dynamics – and it wasn’t until I was raped, that I finally realised I needed to get away from him.

That’s a hard pill to swallow. Did you end up getting a protection order? No – it just wasn’t a factor for me. Part of Blake’s emotional control/ abuse was that, for most of our relationship, he refused to call me his girlfriend; and so, I never really knew if we were a couple or not.

He was always saying things like, ‘I can’t call you my girlfriend because I might be going away for work and it just wouldn’t be fair on you’, but then at other times, he would say, ‘there’s no one like you and I care about you so much’.

At one point, he even lightheartedly asked me about marrying him – so it wasn’t like we were just friends.

Yet, at the same time, we weren’t in a ‘committed’ relationship, and for that reason, I didn’t even consider something like a protection order.

It took a decade, but eventually, I did report Blake to the police. It provided the closure I desperately needed at the time.

What made it most difficult for you to come forward?

In my teens and early adulthood, I didn’t have words for what I’d experienced.

Some of my friends didn’t even understand – so I figured no one else would.

After all, the only time I saw/ heard anything about rape was

Jas Rawlinson has used her own personal experiences to empower other women suffering from domestic violence.

her personal experience with DV

when it was attributed to someone being attacked in a dark alley; and if you’d been drinking, the victimsurvivor was always the one to get the blame.

These were some of the reasons I didn’t speak out for such a long time.

It was also difficult, because I had no text messages or screenshots to prove the abuse (most of our communication was in person), and so, even if I had wanted to take it further, I didn’t feel I had anything to prove it.

When I finally did come forward and report Blake, I was much older, and felt safe and empowered to do so.

Though I didn’t have text messages, I had a lot of diary entries where I’d detailed the way I felt during and after the abuse.

This helped a little, but I also wondered if it would truly be enough if I chose to go to court.

What advice would you give to someone experiencing domestic or family violence?

The biggest thing is understanding and being aware that abuse is not always physical.

If someone is in a relationship where they are experiencing things that don’t feel right for any reason, it shouldn’t be ignored.

If you experience these things:

● Feeling like you’re always being put down;

● Feeling like you can never do anything right;

● Having your finances controlled;

● Your partner always questions where you go or who you see;

● They control what you’re wearing – all of those points are components of domestic violence.

Coercive control (which includes patterns of intimidation and the use of psychological abuse to wear a person down) is the leading cause of future homicide.

So just because you aren’t being physically abused right now,

doesn’t mean you aren’t at risk of future harm or danger, and it doesn’t mean your case isn’t worthy of support.

When you are in an abusive relationship it can be hard to see that because there are a lot of good times mixed in with the bad.

The main question to ask yourself is, do you feel safe around your partner?

Do you feel physically safe but also safe enough to go to your partner and express your thoughts or opinions?

Can you tell them when you’ve made a mistake or if you’re struggling with something?

If you don’t feel safe to voice these concerns, then step number one is to tell someone you trust.

If you don’t feel safe calling a women’s shelter or support service, please reach out to a loved one, or someone who you know will listen.

It’s imperative, in order to break the isolation. Once you’ve done this, I encourage you to find a professional service that can support you further, because the more people you have supporting you –especially those with knowledge around domestic violence – the better.

How would you describe a healthy relationship?

A healthy relationship doesn’t mean that you’re never going to have disagreements or that you’ll never have an argument.

A healthy relationship is where you can express your thoughts, feelings, and differences of opinion, and know that you are respected and safe in that relationship.

I know that the difference between my marriage and previous relationships is that I am safe to say how I feel about things, and I can go to my husband about anything that is worrying me.

It’s also important for people to understand some of the red flags of abuse, such as gaslighting – which is a psychological form of manipulation where the person makes you doubt your own version of reality.

If you have someone in your life who constantly tells you that you’re ‘overreacting’, and that the things they are doing never happened, then that’s a major red flag.

When you’re being gaslit, you feel as though you’re going insane. Is there anything else you would like to say to the readers?

It’s that your life has value.

It is so important to reach out and get help if you feel that you are experiencing abuse or, if you have experienced abuse and you are living with trauma.

You are worthy of support, and your trauma doesn’t have to be a life sentence.

The things that were done to you, do not have to define you.

You are whole and complete, and every day is a chance to begin those small steps toward a brighter future.

Jas Rawlinson is a best-selling author, book coach and ghostwriter.

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Minor Traffic Delays Peninsula Development Road

Friday 12 May 2023

Works are expected to continue intermittently throughout 2023 The blue areas in the image are planned clearing blocks

Traffic control will be used when clearing areas in close proximity to the road

Please obey all signage and speed limits when travelling through the area

POSITIONS VACANT

Aurukun Shire Council provides a full range of community services including childcare, aged care, community police, library, postal/bank agencies. Aurukun Community is located 1.5 hours flight northwest of Cairns and 2.5 hours by road south of Weipa.

Council is recruiting for the following positions.

Executive Assistant

WHS Advisor

Indigenous Knowledge Centre Coordinator

Head Cook - Aged Care Centre

Group Leader – Childcare

Customer Service Officer Post Office & Bank

All positions are located in Aurukun.

A Position Description and information on how to apply is available on Council’s website www.aurukun.qld.gov.au.

Applications are to be sent to: recruitment@aurukun.qld.gov.au. For additional enquiries contact the Human Resources Manager Peter Chapman on (07) 4060 6855.

Applications close when a suitable applicant is recruited.

Administration/Weighbridge Operator Position Available

Remondis is the waste service provider for Weipa and surrounding areas and we are looking for an organised, self-motivated admin officer with an eye for detail to join our friendly team situated at the Weipa landfill.

The role:

• Data Entry

• Processing staff & vehicle paperwork

• Daily runsheet creation & processing

• General office admin (phone calls, emails & archiving)

• Perform sanitary servicing (one day per month)

• 4 days per week (Wednesday to Saturday)

• Wednesday-Friday (0800-1700) & Saturday (0800-1600)

• Permanent/Part-time

• Annual salary: $64,773 + super

• 4 weeks annual leave per annum

The person:

• Punctual

• Reliable

• Thrive in a team environment

• Provide excellent customer service

• Basic MS Office experience (excel, office & teams)

• Ability to work autonomously, multi-task & prioritise when needed

Applications close on 31 May 2023

APPLY ONLINE AT careers.remondis-australia.com.au

LAP Traineeships – Mine Operators

GREAT

Cooktown takes gold at NQ titles

COOKTOWN’S junior underwater hockey players have again proven they can mingle with the best, taking out the 2023 North Queensland championship.

The team, comprising Jett and Cruze Ryder, Eli Carroll, Yindii and Caleb Kamholtz, Emmett Dukes, Letton Deeral, Jono Coventry and Kristin, Josh and Julian Slykerman, proved too strong for their competition.

“Overall, they dominated the whole competition,” said Cooktown Crocs Underwater Hockey coach Scott Thomason.

“They got the gold medal, playing Cairns in the final and won 7-2.”

Thomason said it was a great learning experience for the younger members of the team playing in a high level competition alongside some of the more experience players.

“It was awesome, we have a whole heap of younger new kids coming through and it was good to have the older guys there to mentor them,” he said.

“We’re also used to a very shallow pool up here, but down there it’s two metres deep and has a fast tile bottom, so it’s a great learning experience.”

The Crocs also fielded a seniors team in the open competition, with Thomason putting on the flippers for a game, alongside children Sienna and Rocco, Natalie James, Hudson Dagge, Tom Logan, Amber Frame, Sam Ryder and Jett Ryder and Eli Carroll, who stepped up from the junior team.

“Each club was also allowed to import two players, and we had Gary Rosewell and Dina Vitorri,” Thomason said.

“Gary is an absolute legend, he’s played in the Australian elite men’s team, played in seven worlds, is an absolute machine, one of the most experienced players in underwater hockey and Dina is the captain of the Queensland elite women’s side.”

Thomason said it was a testament to the Cooktown club’s skills that Gary and Dina “jumped at the chance” to join their team for the titles.

“It was a super close game in the final, we were right in it to the end, but got beaten 1-nil,” he said.

“Last year, Cairns beat us 7-nil, and they have won the NQ Titles seven years’ running. We really played amazingly well.”

The Cooktown juniors will take their gold medal and go back to training, with their eyes set firmly on the 2024 world underwater hockey championships.

The road to worlds begins in July with the try-outs held in Cairns, and the Asia Pacific Cup in September.

“When it comes to competing, we travel all over the place,” Thomason said.

“We’re just lucky we have such a great community to help the kids out, the businesses and organisations like the RSL, hardware store and bowls club are super amazing for getting behind the kids and making all this happen.”

CAPE YORK FOLK CLUB INC

Annual General Meeting

SUNDAY, MAY 14 4PM @ TOP PUB

We need you! We need Management Committee members esp SECRETARY & TEAM MANAGERS COMMERCE (all things financial) HOSPITALITY (are you a chef?)

FESTIVAL CREW CO-ORDINATOR POSITIONS also needed in many areas COME JOIN US – step up & become a part of this wonderful creative event! Info: Sandi 0437 910 883 info @wallabycreekfestival.org.au

Mother’s Day Fundraiser

SUNDAY, MAY 14 @ THE TOP PUB

10AM – 4PM to help us “Buy the Block”

 LIVE MUSIC & DANCING Amber Farnan & The Legends of Perhaps return to Cooktown!

 DOOR PRIZES  RAFFLES  STALLS  OPEN MIC

 POETRY FACE PAINTING  LIVE AEROSOL ART

 CARD READINGS  CRAB RACES  FREE POOL –CHALLENGE A CHAMPION!

The Cooktown Crocs under-15s team are the new NQ Champions after taking out the recent titles.

Cooktown Junior League @ Mossman

Archer Giese made some solid runs in the under 12-13s.

Max Giese played a great game.

Micah Parkes evading the Brothers defence.

Blaine Wawrzyniak makes a run for the try line.

It was smiles all round after the Brothers versus Cooktown Crocs under 12-13 game.

Luke Reeves attempts to duck past a Sharks player in the under 6-7 game.

Ash Gilmour gets away with the ball against Brothers.

Tommy Rathborne going in for the tag on a Sharks player in the under 6-7 game.

Tyler Tree had plenty of ball time.

Rudi Habermann fights his way through a wall of players. Minnie Bowen was a standout with both speed and skills. Nevaeh Harrigan showing the boys how it’s done.

Jermaine Kulka evading the opposition. Slater Wawrzyniak going for the try line. Henry Godfrey-Roberts showed off his skills. Haila Hegamaea gets tagged by Mossman.

Jacob Dotoi-Doughboy about to make a run for the Crocs.

Denson Drum with a 71cm Fingermark from Red Cliffs. Cricket legend Jeff Thomson with a barra caught on his recent Cape trip.

Tom caught this east coast trout on a surface lure.

Weipa’s Aiden Clegg with a massive queenie.

William Smith shows off his grunter.

Best mates Riley and Ruben with their barra at Myall Creek.

Rob Leon with a king salmon at Pormpuraaw.

Krystal Brennan with her first ever red caught off Duyfken.

Pam Brown had a ball on her recent trip to Weipa.

Josh Shaban at the Hann River.

SPORT IN BRIEF

Strong start for Venables

CAMPBELL Venables star ted hot in the club championships at Cooktown on Saturday, shooting a nett 66 to be the early leader. Persistent wind and some tough pin positions made scoring tough for those at Walker Bay. Paul Sperring, with a nett 67 is currently second, while John McArthur is third on nett 69.

Rick Butler picked up the nearest to pins for 2/11 and 9/18, while 14 went untouched. The club championships continue on Saturday.

Bowls star steps up to open competition

TEENAGE bowls sensation Corinne Stallan will step to the big league this week to compete in her first open competition.

The 17-year-old said she was excited to step up to the next level with her young team, representing the Cooktown Bowls Club at the Queensland Championships on the Sunshine Coast.

“I turn 18 in October, and my teammates are Stella from Roma, she’s 16, Sophie from Helensvale will be 18 and Lily from Tweed Heads is only 14,” Stallan said.

Ace for Watson

JEFF Watson had a Sunday to remember after he hit a hole in one in the stableford event at the Carpentaria Golf Club.

His shot on the seventh never looked like missing and, as a result, he picked up the nearest to pin.

Jamie Hutton was the day’s winner with 40 points, ahead of Garry Breitkreutz.

The other nearest to pin went to Sandy Nelson for his effort on the 18th.

Meanwhile, in the social golf, a three-way countback was required to determine the winner of last week’s Wednesday Wackers.

Bruce Brockhurst got the nod in front of Jim Lucas and Jim Hunter.

It wasn’t all bad for Hunter, who picked up the nearest to pin on the 7th. Ross Craven was closest on the 9th, while Stretch Noonan claimed the Bradman’s.

In Sunday’s Dawn Busters golf, Zani Azziz beat a field of eight to win.

Grant Crossley was the runner-up, while Jon Dall had the longest drive for the men’s and Rachel Dick was the longest female driver.

Jon Dall picked up the Hoffman’s and no one claimed the nearest to pin prize.

She was positive about the team’s chances taking on mostly adults.

“It will be very tough as there are Australian team players and other Queensland team players from the open competition who play,” she said.

“But I think we will do well as we are all good consistent bowlers and if we just stick to our game and encourage each other we will go far.”

The community has gotten behind the youngster, raising $1300 towards the trip

from a dress-up bowling night at the Cooktown Bowls Club.

Stallan said the team hoped to win some prize money, and also possibly catch the eye of any roving selectors.

“There will be selectors there, and also ladies who play for Australia, which is exciting,” she said.

“After this I go away to play in the New South Wales versus Queensland competition in Sydney in early July.”

– story by Sarah Martin

All-round athlete is ready for representative duties

By SARAH MARTIN

RISING all-round star Maia Pensio doesn’t know whether to strap on his running shoes, grab a footy or put on his goggles, after being selected to represent the Peninsula for both swimming and rugby league, as well as cross country for the district.

The 10-year-old athlete just loves anything to do with sports, proud mum Liesl Pensio said.

“He loves competing and works hard in all of his sports,” she said.

“There is a constant battle of managing the training demands, particularly when Peninsula rugby league training is in Cairns on a weekly basis.”

Maia, who is a member of the Cooktown Amateur Swimming Club, qualified for six events and was one of only four youngsters in his age group on the Peninsula team who travelled to Brisbane’s Chandler Aquatic Centre earlier this year to compete.

“He was nervous due to the calibre of the competition, but set personal goals of achieving some personal bests and not coming last,” Ms Pensio said.

“He was happy that he did

achieve some personal bests and was proud he placed in the top 20 for the 50m breaststroke, which is his favourite stroke.”

Maia’s efforts have rocketed him into the number two ranking in Far North Queensland.

Maia and fellow Cooktown Crocs rugby league player Chase Hunt were selected at the district trials to play for the Tablelands team, and spent a busy six weeks travelling to Atherton for training, before attending the Peninsula Rugby League Championships in April.

Maia again stood out for selectors, and is now training in Cairns weekly for the Queensland championships in Townsville in July.

Last week the youngster headed to Tinaburra to compete in the district cross country competition, coming second in his race and was picked for the Tablelands cross country team heading to the Peninsula.

Ms Pensio said her and husband Toby were very proud of their son’s achievements.

“We hope that sport may open up opportunities for him in life, but if it doesn’t we know he is having fun and learning valuable life lessons along the way such as commitment, self-discipline and teamwork.”

Jeff Watson after hitting an ace in Weipa.

Maia Pensio is kicking goals.

Cooktown Crocs player Maia Pensio (third from left) with fellow players at the Peninsula trials last month.

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

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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.