Cape York Weekly Edition 141

By SARAH MARTIN

Cook Shire mayor Peter Scott said the incentives were aimed at increasing development.

“The housing incentive policy is a real win for Cook Shire,” he said.

Under the policy, eligible multiple dwelling or dual occupancy developments could receive up to $35,000 in incentives, while single dwellings built for an owner-occu-

pier on vacant land could receive up to $10,000 in rates relief.

The incentives come with strict criteria, and are available on a firstin, first-served basis, with a maximum of $250,000 available during the two-year policy period.

It was deemed a low-risk move by the council, Cr Scott said.

Snider sisters – Ilyaree, Nyurin, Violet, Wudarabin and Marika – are looking forward to opening the Laura Quinkan Dance Festival

Council pushes new incentive program

From – Page 1

“The council undertook extensive consultation with stakeholders including developers, builders and other regional councils to better understand the barriers to development and what is needed to facilitate growth,” the mayor said.

“While many of the factors, such as material and transport costs, are outside of council’s control, one of the key issues raised

was our infrastructure charges and poor understanding of our development application process.

This policy aims to address that by offering reduced charges and rates relief on new owner-occupied houses.

“We will also work to increase awareness of the development application process and the support available from council when people are going through that process.”

Cr Scott said although the council would be forgoing income in the short term, the long-term benefits to the community, economy and the increased rate base would benefit the whole region.

The policy will come into effect on August 1 this year and remain in place until July 30, 2025 or when the maximum cumulative incentive value of $250,000 has been reached.

Health chair backs care given in Torres and Cape

By MATT NICHOLLS

THE chair of the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service has defended the quality of care provided in the region, especially for First Nations patients.

In a statement, Ella Kris said the health service was “absolutely committed” to delivering culturally responsive and inclusive healthcare services to all our communities.

“Our dedicated health service staff work hard to deliver the highest quality care possible right across our diverse region and we are proud of their achievements in doing this on each and every single day,” she said.

“Our health service is always happy to receive and respond to feedback from patients, their families, and our communities.

“We will willingly participate in any reviews of our clinical processes and procedures and are confident in the quality of the health care we deliver.

“It should be noted we have the highest ratio of First Nations employment of any health service in the state.”

Responding to criticism from community leaders following the death of a two-year-old girl at Bamaga Hospital, which led to the resignation of TCHHS chief executive Beverley Hamerton, Ms Kris said the health service had built a strong track record.

“About 21 per cent of our health service’s workforce iden-

tify as being of Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander descent,” she said.

“This is an increase of about 5.1 per cent over the past five years and we continue to work on expanding this as much as possible.

“To this end, the TCHHS has a comprehensive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Strategy in place – both to increase the number of Indigenous people working in our health service and to improve the skills and career opportunities for those already working for us.

“As well as health service staff, this training is also open to

non-employee Indigenous people living in our various remote communities to help provide employment pathways for local residents and expand our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce in the future.

“We are also mindful of the need for all our staff to be culturally aware when delivering services to our diverse communities.

“As such, the Torres and Cape HHS has a comprehensive Cultural Capability Program in place for all staff and has individual Cultural Capability Coordinators appointed for Cape York and for the Torres Strait

and Northern Peninsula Area to help direct this work.

“This program is designed to enable all our employees to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours that are needed in their roles to provide better service delivery to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers.

“With everyone’s support, we will work hard towards improving our cultural responsiveness, awareness, and inclusiveness in every way possible, as well as working towards continuously improving health outcomes for all our First Nations and nonFirst Nations residents.

Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service chair Ella Kris (inset) has backed the quality of care provided in the region’s health facilities after a two-year-old girl died at Bamaga Hospital last month.

New campground to give tourists a taste of Cape

By SARAH MARTIN

NEW locals Joey and Ashleigh Smith are embracing the rural lifestyle in Cooktown and are ready to share their slice of paradise after they were successful in their application for a 74-person campground on their property.

The couple moved from the Sunshine Coast with their three children in 2021, hoping to get back to their small town roots, and before they arrived had hatched plans for their Cooktown Campout business.

“The girls always wanted horses and (my son) Xave always wanted a motorbike,” said Mrs Smith.

“We thought acreage would be nice and (my husband) Joey

started looking and he found Cooktown.

“We put the camper trailer on the back, came up for a drive and fell in love.”

The family opened Cooktown Campout as a HipCamp site for the 2022 tourist season, and this year will begin expanding to open more sites on their 60-acre block.

“It’s all self contained, which is what people were doing already, so it will just be business as usual really,” Mr Smith said.

Although their slogan is ‘the stop to the Top’, the couple said plenty of visitors enjoyed getting a feel for bush camping without having to go off the beaten track.

The campground is on Barrett’s Creek Road near the Cook-

town Airport and about 15 minutes north of Cooktown.

“We had a Cairns couple who had bought a new van but hadn’t used it yet and they came up and stayed and loved it,” Mr Smith said.

The campground is pet friendly, and for those who love animals, visitors are welcome to the daily 5pm feeding to get handson with the Smiths’ menagerie of pets and farm animals.

“They can bottle feed the calves, and we have pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys, peacocks, ducks, guinea pigs and puppies,” Mrs Smith said.

“We’ve had a few school and daycare groups come out for an excursion to visit the animals and we even have people staying

elsewhere hear about the petting farm and drop in just for that.”

Cooktown Campout currently has six group sites, with a further four in planning, and more single sites also on the way.

“We’re trying to keep it as bush as possible, just natural, and eventually we’ll have an amenities block, but apart from that we’re not trying to turn it into a Big4 – no waterslides or watered lawns,” Mr Smith said.

“We’ll probably put in a playground and gravelled area, slash a spot and put in some footy posts so the kids can run around.

“The parents can sit there and watch the sunset while the kids run around, done, box ticked –if the kids are happy, the parents are happy.”

The Smith family – Ashley, Joey and children Onah, Ind and Xave – run Cooktown Campout at their Barrett’s Creek Road property.

Outdoor movies on offer

GRAB your camp chairs and beanbags, outdoor movies are now on every Saturday night in Bloomfield, with a gold coin entry fee going back into local groups.

Bloomfield Cabins and Camping started the weekend family movie screenings in June and plan to continue for the rest of the tourist season.

“The aim is to provide entertainment for locals and our guests, with the gold coin donation going back into a local community organisation at the end of the season,” owner Kat Hewitt said.

“We have a big screen set up outside, people bring their own chairs and blankets, you can bring a picnic or dine in the restaurant or grab a takeaway pizza.”

Movies start at 6pm every Saturday, with the program advertised on the Bloomfield Cabins and Camping Facebook page.

Public holiday backed

Snider family geared up for Laura Dance Festival

By SARAH MARTIN

FOUR generations of the Snider family will follow the footsteps of their ancestors when they stir dust at the ancient bora grounds of the Laura Quinkan Dance Festival this Friday.

Cooktown’s Nash Snider will be among them and, for the first time, will be joined by his five daughters in the opening ceremony of the three-day event.

The proud Kuku Jelanji man is a Traditional Owner of the Laura area, and his family have opened the Laura festival for more than a decade, but this year would be only the second time they had included dance in the ceremony.

“All of the cousins come together, young, old, Elders, teenagers, aunts and uncles and little kids,” Mr Snider said.

“We’re all dancing together in the opening ceremony, presenting the shield to the winning troupe on Sunday and dancing again to close the festival.”

Mr Snider said the Kuku Jelanji Laura Quinkan Dance troupe was formed for the 2021 festival, and this year his daughters and other female relatives were joining the group.

“We have been dancing since we were little, but on our mum’s country near Beaudesert and this is our first time dancing Cape

York-style,” oldest daughter Wudarabin said.

“Our relations taught us and we have taught ourselves, practicing every afternoon together.”

Younger sibling Nyurin said there would be a bit of stage fright, but mostly excitement and pride.

“It’s very important to our

family being back in Laura, going back on country and doing the dances, making our costumes, collecting dye and ochre and palms for our grass skirts,” she said.

“It’s the process of sitting down and doing it as a family, connecting with the materials.”

Mr Snider said the troupe danced with seven dots on their forehead in respect and acknowledgement of the seven Quinkan clans surrounding the Laura area.

“Without the other clan groups making up the surrounding areas, and others from across Cape York and further south, we wouldn’t have a festival,” he said.

“I’d like to acknowledge them all and all the time they put into the Laura Quinkan Dance Festival.”

The festival opens on Friday and runs on Saturday and Sunday at the bora grounds on the southern side of Laura. Tickets are available at the gate.

COOK Shire residents will again celebrate their own shire-wide public holiday on the Friday of the Laura Races and Rodeo, with the council nominating the date again for 2024 after positive feedback on the inaugural Laura holiday this year.

Local governments can request special holidays around a significant annual event, with Cook Shire previously having a public holiday in line with Cairns’ annual show.

Mayor Peter Scott said the council was happy to be able to align the holiday with a local event.

“The Laura Races and Rodeo is such an iconic and important event for the whole of Cape York, so it’s wonderful to be able to give our community the extra day off to enjoy it,” he said.

Changes to fishing laws

NEW east coast Spanish mackerel fishery management arrangements are now in place, having taken effect on Saturday.

The changes aim to strike a balance between rebuilding the stock and providing more controlled access for recreational and commercial fishers.

A recreational possession limit of one fish per person, or two fish per boat with two or more recreational fishers on board (the boat limit will not apply to licensed charter fishing trips).

The extended charter trip limit will be removed.

There will also be closure periods in October and November, preventing anglers from targeting Spanish mackerel.

Download the Queensland Fishing 2.0 app for more information.

Nash Snider and daughters Marika, Ilyaree, Violet, Wudarabin and Nyurin will open the Laura Quinkan Dance Festival on Friday.

The Sniders have been preparing their costumes as a family.

Theft target tells others to take note

By SARAH MARTIN

FRED Paterson is warning other business owners to tighten up their security after a “wake up call” break-in at his Cooktown mechanic workshop.

Mr Paterson discovered the break in by chance when he dropped into his Cape York Tyres and Mechanical office to pick up something on his way to Cairns.

“I came down about 5am on Saturday and found the front door smashed; it looks like they’ve got a crowbar or big screwdriver and levered the door off the bricks,” he said.

“They’ve spent quite a while and broken all the locking mechanism out, but luckily we have a second door on the office and whether they got spooked by something or that door put them off, we don’t know.”

Mr Paterson said it was a wake-up call for him and should be for other local businesses.

“Being here next to the (Marano’s) servo, which is always lit up, we sort of relied on that being a deterrent,” he said.

Cooktown Police were advised on Saturday morning and were making inquiries.

Mr Paterson said CCTV footage from the neighbouring Marano’s service station did not cover the front of his business, but he would be beefing up security to include cameras and sensor lighting.

“It’s a wake up call for us and I think it should be for everyone else,” he said.

“It’s worth a cheap investment in some security cameras and sensor lights.”

Yarning circle launched in Coen

A NEW yarning circle in Coen featuring imposing three-metre tall sculptures that represent the seven clan groups of the area is the first in a series of art installations planned in the Sculpting the Tropical Trail project.

The corten steel plinths were installed by Cook Shire last week, each featuring significant emblems of the local clans, as well as images of things brought by the area’s newer residents, including cars, horses and roads.

“The Sculpting the Tropical Trail project was inspired by the sculptures at the Lakeland Gateway to

the Cape, with each of the communities represented at the Gateway to eventually have their own sculptures in their community,” Regional Art Services Network project officer Waratah Nicholls said.

“It’s a neutral space that belongs to everyone, under the beautiful big shady trees next to the Coen Guesthouse. People can go there and have lunch, community meetings or just hang out.”

The yarning circle will eventually feature a bush tucker garden, part of a community resilience-building project coordinated by the council’s disaster management officer.

Coen’s yarning circle is the first in a series of art installations planned across Cape communities.

Not happy ... Fred Paterson.

Friday 18th & Saturday 19th August, 2023 Weipa Showgrounds, Andoom Road, Weipa

FREE RODEO SCHOOL FOR NOMINATED COMPETITORS

Thursday 17th August

Sponsored by: JaiMec

Competitors to attend with parent/ guardian supervision & in appropriate riding attire –jeans & enclosed footwear

Junior Poddy Ride (5-10 years)

Sponsored by: MKJ Machinery Hire, Cape Dingo

Mini Bulls (11-15 years) $500 (NEW EVENT)

Sponsored by: Albatross Bay Resort, Cairns Hardware

Junior Bullock (16-18 years) $1000

Sponsored by: PPaniri Agricultural Co, Evolution Mining + Civil

Women’s Bullock (16 years & over) $1000

Sponsored by: Kym-Maree Beauty Room, Paniri Agricultural Co

Open Bullock (16 years & over) $1500

Sponsored by: Feral Verterbrate Reduction Contracting, Paniri Agricultural Co

Open Barrel Race (18 years & over) $1000 (NEW EVENT)

Sponsored by: Country Mile Services, EMS Cape

Contracting

Junior Barrel Race (Under18 years) $500 (NEW EVENT)

Sponsored by: Country Mile Services, EMS Cape

Contracting

Ringers Ironman Challenge (16 years & over)

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Whip Cracking Competition

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Women’s Steer Wrestling (16 years & over)

Sponsored by: Steady Fabrication, Steady Contracting, Western Cape Eco Tours, Whiskey and Wildflowers, Capeaccino Crew

Men’s Steer Wrestling (16 years & over)

Sponsored by: Steady Fabrication, Steady Contracting, Western Cape Eco Tours, Albatross Bay Resort, Weipa Rent-a-Car

Bushman’s Buckjump (18 years & over) $2000

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Saddle Bronc (18 years & over) $2000 (NEW EVENT)

Sponsored by: Country Mile Services, EMS Cape Contracting

Novice Bull (16 years & over) $2000

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Open Bull (18 years & over) $5000

Sponsored by: Goodline

Kids Dance Comp

Sponsored by: Sodexo, Whiskey and Wildflowers, Outback Body Shop

Kids Colouring in Comp

Sponsored by: Sodexo, Whiskey and Wildflowers, Weipa

Real Estate

Lolly Throw

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Best Dressed Cowboy/Cowgirl

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CAPE OF ORIGIN

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PBR RIDERS PBR EVENTS

LIVE BAND: Danny Phegan

Entertainment sponsors: Weipa Bowls Club & Junction Engineering

Thank you to our additional sponsors:

Rates to go up by 3pc in tight budget

COOK Shire mayor Peter Scott said councillors last week adopted a “responsible” budget, with almost $100 million in projected costs, more than $70 million of which is expected to be funded by grants.

Cr Scott said the budget took into account the rising costs of living, with a general rate rise of three per cent.

“Council is very conscious of the current cost of living pressures, and has worked hard to ensure a responsible budget that continues to deliver essential services to a high standard, while reducing costs wherever possible,” the mayor said.

“The $100 discount for prompt rates payments will remain and council has also kept interest on overdue rates the same as last financial year, instead of raising it around three per cent in line with legislation.”

More than $55 million will go towards operational projects, including $3.1 million for community services such as pool, libraries and parks.

Security was among the pri-

orities listed in the budget, with $30,000 slated for grants aimed at encouraging investment in business security upgrades, such as security cameras.

The council also allocated $20,000 to subsidise the cost of dog de-sexing, a $30,000 grant program for innovative environmentally-sustainable projects and $20,000 for an economic development portal aimed at investors.

Cook Shire’s $21.7 million capital works program includes more than $20 million worth of projects carried over from the previous financial year, and just over $19 million worth of funded projects.

“Council has a difficult task in delivering services at the current level, or better, with a limited rate base, while keeping those rates and other fees as low as possible,” Cr Scott said.

“To do this, council officers have worked extremely hard to manage ongoing costs and identify efficiencies to ensure costs are kept to a minimum.”

– story by Sarah

Martin

Spartan arrival provides a thrill

MAEVE McCollum has gained an insight into her chosen career in aviation after a week of work experience at the Cooktown Airport with Cook Shire.

The Year 10 Endeavour Christian College student hopes to become an air traffic controller and said she enjoyed learning new skills and working with council staff during her four-day placement.

“I would definitely recommend this placement to another student,” she said.

During her work experience, Maeve undertook airport reporting officer duties, visited the Cooktown aircraft maintenance hangar, learnt about commercial flight check in procedures and even toured a visiting Royal Australian Air Force Spartan aircraft. As the Spartan is heavier than the aircraft which normally use the airport, Maeve assisted with the pavement concession required to allow the behemoth to land, before personnel took her for a tour.

Maeve McCollum got to tour a RAAF Spartan during her work experience with Cook Shire Council.

Marine science students given a leg-up from NQBP

WEIPA’S Simone Slack is one of two first-year James Cook University marine science students that will embark on a unique realworld experience as a result of an ongoing partnership with North Queensland Bulk Ports.

Simone and Elijah Kingston have been named recipients of the 2023 NQBP Marine Science Scholarship. They will be provided with financial assistance throughout their studies, as well as the invaluable opportunity to work alongside researchers and port industry managers.

NQBP acting CEO Belinda Kenny said the port-university partnership had a history of helping budding marine scientists kickstart their careers.

“We’re pleased to welcome Elijah and Simone to our growing community of university students benefiting from the hands-on experience with our port industry environment experts,” Ms Kenny said.

“They’ll gain invaluable insights into the real-world applications of port environmental management on the shores of a World Heritage Area.

“This scholarship not only supports these enthusiastic students but also upholds our commitment to fostering the next generation of marine science professionals.”

Hailing from an idyllic Cape York coastal community, Simone said she was captivated by the ocean from a young age.

“I have been snorkelling and diving since I was about 10 years old,” she said.

“I have always lived in Weipa and the ocean has always been

practically just outside my doorstep. I want to learn about the wonders of marine life and get a greater understanding of life underwater.”

Elijah Kingston recently relocated from the Sunshine Coast to Townsville to nurture his passion for Marine Science at JCU.

His enthusiasm for the Great

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Show your interest in govt grant

LEICHHARDT MP Warren Entsch says expressions of interest for the Growing Regions Program will open tomorrow (Wednesday).

The program is aimed at supporting the development of regional Australia. The program is open to incorporated not-forprofit organisations and local governments and will provide infrastructure funding opportunities of between $500,000 and $15 million.

Applicants are required to make a cash co-contribution, which varies based on circumstances outlined in the grant guidelines.

“The Growing Regions Program is a fantastic opportunity for our community to access funding for projects that will drive growth and development in our region,” Mr Entsch said.

Barrier Reef and its extraordinary biodiversity drives his academic journey, which will now be enriched by practical industry experience.

Since 2021 NQBP and JCU have awarded five scholarships to university students undertaking a Bachelor of Marine Science.

“I encourage all eligible organisations to submit their expressions of interest and take advantage of this opportunity.”

The program is a two-part process, with expressions of interests closing on August 1.

Successful applicants will then be invited to provide a full and more detailed application from November 1. All projects must be completed by December 2025.

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With interest rates continuing to rise, there has never been a be er time to review your current home loan options.

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Weipa’s Simone Slack has been awarded a scholarship through North Queensland Bulk Ports.

Weipa birthing classes get a thumbs up from parents

PREGNANT Weipa women and their families can now receive extra support with the launch of new birthing classes.

The Weipa Midwifery Group Practice team are running the “Bump, Birth and Beyond” classes to help women and their families prepare for their birth and the new baby.

The classes are being held on a trial basis at the Weipa Hospital on Wednesday evenings – three weeks per month.

Weipa Midwifery Unit Manager

Rukhsana Aziz said the classes were launched last month and were already proving popular.

She said the three sessions –which also cater for Napranum and Mapoon women – would cover pregnancy, birthing and post-natal care and were for both the woman and her partner or support person.

Some of the topics covered will include changes in the body during pregnancy, how to tell when you’re in labour, the types of pain relief available, empowering women and becoming a family – including support for partners.

“These types of classes are something that most maternity services run,” she said.

“During COVID-19 unfortunately they predominantly had to be run online, but I think in a small

community like Weipa people really enjoy meeting in person.

“While we are currently not able to offer birthing in Weipa, we want to ensure local women are provided with the best possible information and education before they travel to give birth.

“We are a very close-knit team and we’re very keen to ensure all our women remain in good health.”

The Weipa MGP is currently caring for about 80 women in their area which includes Weipa, Napranum and Mapoon.

Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Director of Midwifery Gemma McMillan said these classes were another great way of ensuring women-centred continuity of care.

“The classes are run by one of

Dredging program a success

NORTH Queensland Bulk Ports has successfully completed maintenance dredging at the Port of Weipa for 2023.

Dredge vessel TSHD Brisbane and its supporting vessels have left the Port of Weipa after completing a 45-day program.

Around 780,000m3 of natural sediment was removed from the port and placed at the approved Dredge Material Placement Area in Albatross Bay.

The TSHD Brisbane undertook over 400 trips to and from the DMPA without incident.

“This is a testament to all involved including the local Weipa fishing and boating community,” an NQBP spokesperson said.

Cans a hot commodity for savvy kids at Laura rodeo

ALMOST 40,000 containers are headed for recycling and more than $3800 in cash has gone back into the pockets of happy can collectors after the Laura Rodeo and Races.

The thousands of attendees were handed Containers for Change collection bags as they arrived at the popular event, Auswaste on-site to exchange the containers for cash.

“It’s so rewarding for us doing these events, seeing the same kids every year and watching their faces as they get their cash back and head off to buy slushies or fairy floss,” Kenny Reid said.

“Probably the standout for the weekend was one family with kids aged 6, 9 and 11, and the kids collected a full buggy-load of containers and got just shy of $500 between them.

“That’s pretty good money for a couple of morning’s work.”

Mr Reid said as well as keeping containers out of landfill and helping keep the event area clean, collecting containers gave kids something to do, as well as an opportunity to see the benefits of teamwork.

“You’d see the ones collecting on their own lining up and often they’d see the kids in a group get more money and you could see them thinking about the benefits of being in a team,” he said.

“It also teaches them a little bit about money. My wife Steffi always makes a point of telling them the total amount and then asking them how much each kid will get and they work it out and work out who is going to get how many coins and notes.”

the MGP midwives and are designed to give women and their families greater confidence in what can be both an exciting and daunting time,” she said.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer these to our local families as another way to bring care closer to home and cannot wait until we are able to offer birthing services here, too.”

“We would like to thank the Weipa community for their patience and understanding during the project and we would also like to commend all staff and contractors for their work in completing the dredging program in Weipa.”

Environmental monitoring and management measures were implemented throughout the campaign to minimise the risk to the marine environment.

NQBP has managed the annual maintenance dredging program at the Port of Weipa for more than 30 years.

Weipa Midwifery Group Practice clinical nurse Tish Funnell talks about foetal monitoring during one of the classes.

The Auswaste truck loaded with containers after the Laura Rodeo and Races.

End of an era as much-loved port

By MATT NICHOLLS

JOHN Clark says he’ll miss the laidback lifestyle of Weipa when he bids farewell to the place he has called home for almost 17 years.

This week, on Friday, July 7, the man best known as “Clarky” will retire from his role as port supervisor at Weipa and reluctantly move to Cairns.

“I’d love to move home (to Thursday Island) but it’s too expensive and there are no houses available,” he said.

“I’ve never lived in the city but whenever I go there I always want to come home straight away.”

Moving to the big smoke of Cairns will be a big adjustment for Clarky and his wife Cathrina, who made the shift from TI to Weipa in 2007.

“It was the wife who wanted the change,” he said of the move.

“I was working as the assistant port supervisor on TI for Ports Corporation Queensland and there was a port supervisor job that came up in Weipa.

“We were in Weipa for about a year when it changed from PCQ

to North Queensland Bulk Ports.”

The Weipa lifestyle has certainly suited the 74-year-old, who enjoys spending time in the bush and near the water.

“I love the relaxed life here. It’s

much the same as I had at home; you go fishing and hunting on your days off.”

A camp by the Wenlock River is where you’ll find Clarky on his days off, although his Weipa-based

son will now be entrusted to look after it.

While the much-loved figure says he doesn’t know how he’ll spend retirement, he’ll no doubt be kept busy by his growing family.

A father of five, Clarky has 23 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He says he’ll still a few years off from having any great, great-grandchildren.

Amongst his massive family is Jesse Williams, nicknamed “Tha Monstar” in America after his dominant performances in college football.

“That’s my grandson. He’s my eldest daughter’s son,” said Clarky. Williams was drafted to the Seattle Seahawks in the 2013 NFL Draft, but didn’t play a game after struggling with injuries.

LIFE ON THURSDAY ISLAND

This year marks Clarky’s 60th year in full-time employment, having finished school as a teenager to work with his father.

“I worked with him until he died in 1970 and then I took over,” he recalled.

“We did plumbing, gas fitting, oxy-electric welding, steel fabrication, fencing, tree lopping and kitchen renovations.

“We were general contractors, basically. At one stage we were even the temporary undertakers.

Clarky, left, reckons he’s cooked 5000 snags for NQBP over the Weipa Fishing Classic weekends.

Clarky, centre, with Charles David and Edwin Turner during his PCQ days in the Torres Strait.

After two decades working for North Queensland Bulk Ports, mostly out of Weipa, John Clark will retire this Friday.

When NQBP decided to name a vessel in John Clark’s honour, he said they had no choice but to call it ‘Clarky’.

supervisor sails off into sunset

“I ran the business until 1998 and then started doing freelance work for a few people I had previously contracted to. That was from 1998 until 2002 when I started with Ports Corp.”

Clarky’s grandfather previously had a blacksmith and plumbing business on TI but it was put on hold when most residents were evacuated for World War II.

“My grandfather and his family got evacuated in 1941 and were sent to Toowoomba,” he said.

“They came back in 1946 and everything had been taken. The Yanks that were on TI took everything – they cleaned the house out.

“There wasn’t even a mirror left in the house.”

Always community-minded, Clarky was on the executive committee of Torres Shire Council and held the chairman’s role for several years.

“They gave me a plaque when I finished up,” he said.

Does a plaque compare to a boat? Recently, NQBP honoured his legacy by naming a boat in his honour.

“I wasn’t surprised when it was

announced because they did tell me,” he said.

“But I told them they had to put Clarky on it instead of my name.

“Most people won’t know this but my name is actually Edwin John Clark. But everyone knows me as Clarky so it had to be that.”

NQBP acting CEO Belinda Kenny congratulated Clarky on his upcoming retirement.

“In his 20-plus years with NQBP (and formerly Port Corporation Queensland), Clarky has had a stalwart presence in Weipa not only with our port stakeholders, but also throughout the wider community,” Ms Kenny said.

“His commitment and dedication to his role as NQBP’s port supervisor will leave a lasting legacy.

“Always willing to go the extra mile, Clarky has also cooked thousands of sausages during the annual Weipa Fishing Classic and has presented many of our sponsorships and donations to community groups.

“We wish Clarky and his wife Cath all the best with their move to Cairns and in their retirement journey.”

Clarky and his wife Cath will retire to Cairns.

Clarky’s grin will be missed by many in the Weipa community.

Weipa Community Care CEO Josephine Tait with Clarky.

Clarky with Romy Teitzel and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow when they were with the Cowboys.

Deaths were preventable, says coroner

A CORONER has found a public hospital service and a community healthcare provider failed in their care for three women who died of complications from a preventable heart condition.

The women, known as Kaya, Betty, and Ms Sandy, lived in Doomadgee and died from complications with rheumatic heart disease in 2019 and 2020.

The inquest into their care was triggered after a Four Corners investigation.

In handing down her findings, Coroner Nerida Wilson was damning of the Doomadgee Hospital, managed by the North West Hospital and Health Service.

She found that Gidgee Healing and hospitals in Mount Isa and Doomadgee failed to provide follow-up care after patients were discharged, that Doomadgee Hospital failed to follow up on reasonable concerns from Kaya’s family, and that it did not deliver culturally safe practices.

She also found the Doomadgee community lacked access to sufficient housing, showers, clean mattresses, and laundries, and that a

strained relationship between the community and health services had created an environment where people did not feel safe.

“Simply put, the system has failed,” the coroner said.

Coroner Wilson made 19 recommendations, including for the health services involved and the state health department to consider adopting a risk matrix for identifying, measuring, and monitoring institutional racism within public hospitals.

She recommended a cultural leader or restorative expert be engaged to attempt to restore the trust and relationship between the Doomadgee community and healthcare providers.

In a statement, Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said the government would accept all the recommendations and work with the Doomadgee community.

She said the findings would help improve the prevention and early intervention of RHD.

The NWHHS is now keeping an RHD register, which files patients’ information and is shared with other health providers.

Custom mural to greet students

A COLOURFUL mural designed by staff member and local artist Marley Sharp will welcome people to Cooktown’s new Country Universities Centre.

Mr Sharp is the centre’s Indigenous Engagement Coordinator and also an award-winning artist, and said the design represented the centre and helped make a welcoming environment.

“The lines are the wifi waves going through the air and the colours represent the region, the rainforest and the reef,” he said.

ADOPTION DAY

20 KERR POINT DRIVE, EVANS LANDING

SATURDAY, JULY 22, 2023

FR0M 10AM – NOON

Meet our dogs,

“The eagle is our CUC logo and then we have all the students along the bottom.”

The centre, located on Charlotte Street in Cooktown, offers services to people from Year 10 level and up who were studying with a registered training organisation, TAFE or university.

It aims to help bridge the gap between remote and urban education, with three study rooms available for bookings, as well as a shared study space, lounge, shared space, training room and kitchen.

ADOPT, DON’T SHOP

COFFEE & BBQ WILL BE AVAILABLE

sooth the soul –it’s not only good enrichment, but socialisation for our dogs in care!

Country Universities Centre Cape York’s Marley Sharp is completing a mural in the new centre.

Cape York Weekly Puzzles Page

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

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.

Quick Crossword

Crossword

the 5 Differences

TENDER

Tender No: TWBC2023-001

SHADE STRUCTURE INSTALLATION

Weipa Bowls Club Inc is inviting tenders from suitably qualified and experienced contractors to undertake the construction and installation of shade structures surrounding the bowling greens. Tenderers may register expressions of interest for the tender documentation via email to manager@weipabowlsclub.com.au

Tenders close at 2pm Monday 17 July 2023 and must be submitted via email to manager@weipabowlsclub.com.au and be received by close.

For more information, please contact manager@weipabowlsclub.com.au

Tania Iti, Secretary Manager, Weipa Bowls Club Inc

GREAT

CONNECTING NORTH QLD

Gungarde

Applications

jelliott@gungarde.com.au

PRE-AUTHORISATION

INFORMATION MEETINGS FOR A PROPOSED NATIVE TITLE DETERMINATION APPLICATION

Wuthathi Native Title Group

Monday 24 July 2023, Cairns

Tuesday 25 July 2023, Thursday Island

Wednesday 26 July 2023, Northern Peninsula Area

Thursday 27 July 2023, Lockhart River

Monday 31 July 2023, Weipa

Thursday 3 August 2023, Normanton

Cape York Land Council (CYLC) will hold a series of pre-authorisation information meetings at locations and on dates as provided in the below table to consider:

1. Authorisation of the proposed Wuthathi native title determination application (see map of proposed application area below)

2. Authorisation of the Applicant for the proposed Wuthathi Sea Claim

Public Tickets Available for the Alliance Airlines Charter

Public seats on the Alliance Airlines Charter flights are available for the community to purchase. See below, the weekly charter flight schedule:

Brisbane (Mondays)

QQ7240 BNE 08:45 WEI 11:50

QQ7241 WEI 12:25 BNE 15:20

Cairns (Thursdays)

QQ7242 CNS 06:35 WEI 07:50

QQ7243 WEI 09:55 CNS 11:10

Seats are limited, to book please visit www allianceairlines com au or scan the QR code!

Who is invited to attend the meetings?

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

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 meetings will be held as follows (meals will be provided):

Date: Monday 24 July 2023

Venue: Rydges Esplanade Resort

209 – 217 Abbott St, Cairns

Time: 11:00am – 2:00pm

Date: Wednesday 26 July 2023

Venue: New Mapoon Hall

81 Brown St, New Mapoon

Time: 11:30am – 2:30pm

Date: Monday 31 July 2023

Venue: Weipa Storm Shelter, Hibberd Dr, Rocky Point, Weipa

Time: 11:30am – 2:30pm

Video-conferencing

Date: Tuesday 25 July 2023

Venue: James Cook University, 86 – 88 Victoria Pde, Thursday Island

Time: 12:00pm – 3:00pm

Date: Thursday 27 July 2023

Venue: Lockhart River Social Club, 275 Maathuy St, Lockhart River

Time: 11:00am – 2:00pm

Date: Thursday 3 August 2023

Venue: Shire Hall Training Room, Cnr of Brown & Landsborough St, Normanton

Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm

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.

1. Johnson Moreton

2. Frank Wilson

3. Ida “Waterbag” Temple

4. Moe Rie Warren

5. Annie (Athanamu) Punda

6. Pintharra

7. Innis Pascoe

8. Dinah

9. Ada Lancaster

10. Nara Jira Para

11. Ela (Illa)

12. Eliza (wife of Tom Ware)

Support @ Home Program

Position Vacant

Gungarde Community Centre is seeking applications from suitably qualified people to join our team in the role of aDMinistRation sUPPoRt

Applications close at noon on Friday, 14th July 2023

For further information or to request a copy of the Position Description please contact 07 4069 5412 or

jelliott@gungarde.com.au

Horsburgh to debut as Qld chase sweep

QUEENSLAND coach Billy Slater has called on several fresh faces for Game Three of the Origin series as the Maroons look to secure the first clean sweep in 13 years.

Raiders prop Corey Horsburgh has been named make his Origin debut after he was part of the extended squad earlier in the series while AJ Brimson takes over at fullback for Reece Walsh, who is ruled out with suspension.

Horsburgh’s inclusion comes at the expense of Broncos prop Thomas Flegler, who is unavailable for selection with a foot injury.

The Maroons are otherwise unchanged from their series-clinching win in Brisbane with Cowboys playmaker Tom Dearden named as 18th man, while Eels forward J’maine Hopgood joins the squad as 19th man.

The Maroons are chasing their fifth clean sweep in Origin history having achieved the feat in 1988, 89, 95 and 2010.

Meanwhile, NSW coach Brad Fittler has dumped Jarome Luai for the third game of the State of Origin series, recalled Cody Walker and handed debuts to Keaon Koloamatangi and Bradman Best as the Blues plot to avoid a series whitewash.

Luai, Hudson Young, Tyson Frizell and Junior Paulo have paid the price for the Blues’ hefty loss in Origin II and will not feature in the series finale on July 12 in Sydney.

Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu has also missed out.

The NRL’s leader in try assists, South Sydney five-eighth Walker has beaten Luai in the battle to partner Mitch Moses in the halves.

Walker has four games of Origin

experience, most recently featuring in all three matches of 2020’s post-season series. He was joined in that series by Parramatta’s Clint Gutherson, who will also return to the Origin arena as Fittler’s bench utility.

MAROONS SQUAD

1. AJ Brimson (Titans)

2. Xavier Coates (Storm)

3. Valentine Holmes (Cowboys)

4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins)

5. Murray Taulagi (Cowboys)

6. Cameron Munster (Storm)

7. Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles)

8. Reuben Cotter (Cowboys)

9. Harry Grant (Storm)

10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Titans)

11. David Fifita (Titans)

12. Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys)

13. Patrick Carrigan (Broncos)

14. Ben Hunt (Dragons)

15. Lindsay Collins (Roosters)

16.Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans)

17. Corey Horsburgh (Raiders)

18. Tom Dearden (Cowboys)

19. J’maine Hopgood (Eels)

BLUES SQUAD

1. James Tedesco (Roosters)

2. Brian To’o (Panthers)

3. Stephen Crichton (Panthers)

4. Bradman Best (Knights)

5. Josh Addo-Carr (Bulldogs)

6. Cody Walker (Rabbitohs)

7. Mitchell Moses (Eels)

8. Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)

9. Damien Cook (Rabbitohs)

10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Eels)

11. Liam Martin (Panthers)

12. Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs)

13. Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs)

14. Isaah Yeo (Panthers)

15. Jacob Saifiti (Knights)

16. Reece Robson (Cowboys)

17. Clint Gutherson (Eels)

18. Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys)

19. Spencer Leniu (Panthers)

Festival embraces technology

COMPETITORS in this year’s Weipa Running Festival will have near-perfect times recorded as organisers switch to GPS technology for this month’s event.

The electronic timing system will see runners wear a shoe tag. Family members and friends will be able to track their progress as they run, with a number of strategic mats placed around the course for the athletes to cross over.

“It does make marshalling on-course a lot easier.

There’s a little less manual timing and, from a volunteer perspective, it helps,” said Weipa Running Festival stalwart Rose Robins.

Entries are still open for the annual event, which has a big race day in Weipa on Sunday, July 23, but officially opens this weekend as virtual runs can be recorded over a two-week period.

Around 250 people are expected to take part, with around two-thirds to run on the race day, which finishes at Andoom Oval.

Zsolt Dallos was last year’s Weipa Running Festival half-marathon winner.