Cape York Weekly Edition 187

Cape York Weekly

PREPARE FOR BUSHFIRE SEASON NOW

Historic baby boy!

First birth in Weipa’s new suite

By CHISA HASEGAWA

WEIPA is celebrating the start of a new beginning after the safe arrival of the first planned birth at the township’s hospital in a quarter of a century.

Little Vin Peter Thorogood was born to parents Emily and Alistair Thorogood at 5:44pm on 28 May, and in doing so made history by being the first baby planned to be born in Weipa since the last birthing service ceased in 1999.

Mum Emily said the family had been preparing to travel to Cairns for Vin’s arrival, but asked their midwife if staying in Weipa was an option.

“When we got the approval, it was such a relief,” she said.

“My first son, Kai, was born in Mareeba, so we had to fly out of Weipa at 36 weeks, and that would have been even more difficult this time with our oldest.

“This time, I was able to labour at home for a while, then just drive two minutes to the hospital, and Vin was born half an hour later.”

The new birthing unit was completed in 2022 at Weipa Hospital, with plans to offer birthing once staff recruitment issues had been finalised.

Continued – Page 2

STATE OF ORIGIN 2024

Authorised by the Queensland Government, William Street, Brisbane.

Little Vin Thorogood made history on 28 May when he became the first baby born in the new birthing suite in Weipa. His arrival was celebrated by his parents, Alistair and Emily, one-year-old brother Kai, and midwifery staff at the Weipa Hospital.

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ECQ investigating claims regarding mayoral vote

THE Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) has launched an investigation into the Hope Vale mayoral race following the 16 March local government elections.

Cape York Weekly understands the investigation pertains to two of the nine candidates who contested the Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council may-

oral election, and allegations surrounding how-to-vote cards and undisclosed group campaigning.

It is believed the investigation is determining whether the allegations can be substantiated, and whether they breach the state’s Local Government Electoral Act 2011

Section 183 of the Act pro-

hibits candidates engaging in group or co-ordinated campaign activity for an election unless they are “members of the same group of candidates” or who are “endorsed by the same registered political party”.

ECQ would not confirm it was investigating the Hope Vale mayoral election, with a spokesperson stating the organisation

“does not comment on compliance activities which may or may not be underway”, however, Cape York Weekly has seen correspondence from an ECQ manager advising that “the investigation is ongoing”.

“[T]his matter is still being investigated and we are treating it very seriously,” the manager states in the correspondence.

First baby born in Weipa’s

From – Page 1

However, challenges were experienced in recruiting sufficient doctors with appropriate additional skills in obstetrics and anaesthetics to allow for a safe and sustainable birthing service to be established in Weipa.

Earlier this year, the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service announced it now had the resources to recommence

birthing services in the western Cape York township, with the suite being officially opened only four days before Vin and the Thorogood family made history.

Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services

Shannon Fentiman described the birth as “groundbreaking”.

“Vin is the first baby to be born at the Weipa service in

new facility

25 years, and while it might be some years before young Vin knows just how groundbreaking his birth was, this is an incredible moment for our hardworking healthcare staff and families in Weipa and the western Cape region,” she said.

“The birthing unit at Weipa was part of a $9.5 million upgrade of the Weipa [Hospital] and we will continue to deliver

these health infrastructure projects to ensure those in our remote areas have access to good quality facilities.”

Seventeen pregnant women due to give birth between 1 June and 31 August this year have been identified as being suitable to do so in Weipa if they wish to.

The new birthing service is expected to support up to 50 births a year initially.

AnnuAl GenerAl meetInG

Parents Alistair and Emily Thorogood, with eldest son Kai, welcome baby Vin and celebrate his birth being the first in Weipa for 25 years with staff midwife Louise Mason-Saunders and midwifery unit manager Letitia Funnell.

Cowboys jersey design has a powerful meaning

By LYNDON KEANE

THE unique story of a Cooktown lagoon was shared on the national stage during last month’s NRL Indigenous Round thanks to the passion and creative flair of Bradley Michael.

Mr Michael, a Balnggarrawarra and Guugu Yimithirr man who grew up in Cooktown and Hope Vale, was asked to create the design for the North Queensland Cowboys’ round 12 clash with the Wests Tigers in Townsville on 24 May, and used the opportunity to tell a story passed down to him by his late grandfather, Tulo Gordon.

The story of Nhinhinhi gurra bamawi guugu (how the giant Nhinhinhi fish changed the languages) is pivotal to Cooktown and Hope Vale, and Mr Michael explained how the actions of the giant groper – Nhinhini – created the diversity of languages in the region from Barratt’s Lagoon – Ngurrayin – near Cooktown Airport.

“It’s a creation story,” he told Cape York Weekly

“I’ve known this place for the last 40 years, you know, and I’ve

never known it to dry up; that’s probably why it’s a story place.

“That’s where [the groper] swallowed everyone up at that waterhole, and then travelled underground back out to sea, and then threw them back out at the same place, and when they came back, they were speaking different languages.”

The story is just one in a book created by his grandfather and Mr Michael said incorporating it into his design for the Cowboys’ jersey was a way to honour his legacy and share the tale with an audience of nearly 16,000 people in Townsville and hundreds of thousands more watching on television.

“It’s a really big platform that

I could share the oldest living culture in the world with. That’s what I love about it,” he said.

“It kind of started a bit over six months ago now; I was really thinking about grandad at that time; it was only a few years ago that they relaunched his book, and that was still fresh in my mind.

“Some of the jerseys don’t have a proper story behind it; they look good, but I thought it needed to tell a significant story, so I had granddad’s book there.”

The story is also being shared on the NRL Cowboys House bus, and Mr Michael’s skill as a carver, not just a painter, was also front and centre when he presented a spear and woomera

he made to the Wests Tigers at a gift giving ceremony before kick-off.

As he reflected on his incredible sharing of Nhinhinhi’s story, Mr Michael said he believed his grandfather would have approved of his own take on sharing his cultural knowledge.

“For granddad, he basically left a legacy, you know,” he said.

“He put these stories down in a book, and me just using that one story and putting it on the back of a jersey so millions of people can see, I reckon he’s smiling down on me from somewhere.

“I reckon he’d be really proud, him and dad, and a lot of other ancestors.”

Cooktown and Hope Vale raised Bradley Michael and his family prepare to see the story of Nhinhinhi gurra bamawi guugu go on show to a huge crowd at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.

Even the NRL Cowboys House bus is helping Bradley Michael share the story of Cooktown’s Barratt’s Lagoon.

FRIDAY JUNE 7 TO SUNDAY JUNE 9, 2024

entitles entry into the fishing competition top 30 major prize draw (approx. $200,000 in prizes) and random prizes! Come & wet a line in Weipa!

• Major raffle with awesome prizes

• Random draws throughout the event

• Live music & family fun for everyone

• Food stalls & product stalls

Huge prizes up for grabs at Weipa Fishing Classic

ALMOST $260,000 in prizes

will be at the forefront of anglers’ minds when the 2024 Weipa Fishing Classic (WFC) starts on Friday.

After countless hours of planning, preparation and ticket selling, committee members are preparing to raise the curtain on their best event yet, with WFC president Lisa Lui saying everything was on track for a bumper weekend.

“The committee has been working nonstop behind the scenes to make sure we are ready to go,” she told Cape York Weekly as the final touches were added ahead of the competition, which will bring hundreds of visiting anglers to Weipa from 7-9 June.

Ms Lui said three boats were in the 2024 prize pool, in addition to a diamond, fishing gear, camping equipment, four-wheel drive gear and much more.

“We’ve got a record number of local sponsors this year, which is enabling us to put on a bigger event,” she said.

“Our sponsors are stepping up and suggesting new competitions to add to the event, one of which is the Junction Engineering Bream for a Bike Comp.

“It’s aimed at the juniors, and specifically at those that don’t have much of an opportunity to get out on a boat.

“The prize is a mountain bike with a custom built, fully loaded fishing trailer.”

Prizes will be awarded for the heaviest fish in all categories, with junior competitors aged 12 years and under targeting queenfish, barramundi, king salmon, blue salmon, bream and grunter.

In the open competition, anglers will be chasing queenfish, barramundi, trevally, king salmon, fingermark, mackerel, grunt-

er, cobia, nannygai, red emperor, tusker and coral trout.

All queenfish, barramundi, trevally and billfish must be treated as catch and release only.

The reading of the rules will be done on Friday night.

While Ms Lui and her committee will not have any time to sit back and smell the roses this

weekend, she said she could not wait to see the reactions of prize winners, as well as what are expected to be some extremely questionable haircuts.

“I’m looking forward to all of it,” she said.

“Watching the fishers bringing in the catch to be weighed each day, seeing the excitement on everyone’s faces when they announce the number draws, when they announce the winners for the different fish categories, the kids especially when they go up to accept their prizes.

“The Mossman Homes Mullet Competition last year was a hit, so I’m definitely looking forward to seeing the guys and gals showing off the mullet hairstyles again this year.”

Federal budget has ‘failed’ Torres Strait

THE mayor and chief executive officer of Torres Strait Island Regional Council (TSIRC) say the 2024-25 federal budget has failed to deliver critical funding for the 15 communities in its service footprint.

TSIRC was one of 77 Queensland councils to miss out on funding for community liveability and safety in last month’s budget, with Mayor Phillemon Mosby saying it would be difficult for the council to improve the lives of community members without urgent financial support.

“There must be a real commitment for treaty and voice funding if we are to close the gap,” Mayor Mosby said.

“The federal budget allocates spending to regional connectivity, water, bridges and other Programs, and while we have made good gain in terms of funding to housing and jobs, the budget has missed the mark on remote and discrete First Nations communities like those in the Torres Strait.

“This is not just about First Nations people; this is about all Australians, and local

government is about everybody.” TSIRC chief executive officer James William said the council would continue to apply for funding to assist with local service delivery.

“We remain steadfast in our mission to improve our communities’ liveability,” he said.

“Our region is very unique and unlike any other council in Australia, and with that comes a set of unique challenges as we strive to deliver services to 15 communities who all have different needs.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

QATSIF award entries open

ABORIGINAL and Torres Strait Islander artists, storytellers, poets, dancers, musicians and photographers from across Cape York and the Torres Strait are being asked to showcase their talent as they share their culture.

Entries for the 2024 Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation (QATSIF) Creative Arts Competition are now open, and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary students are eligible to make a submission.

Entries for the seventh QATSIF Creative Arts Competition must relate to either the 2024 Reconciliation Week or NAIDOC Week themes.

For more information, email enquiries@ qatsif.org.au. Entries for the competition close on 7 June.

CCC reporting to increase

THE Queensland Government will adopt all 16 recommendations outlined by former Chief Justice of Queensland Catherine Holmes in her report into the Crime and Corruption Commission’s (CCC) reporting functions.

Ms Holmes was appointed to lead a three-month review into the CCC’s ability to publicly report in relation to corruption matters, following the High Court’s decision in Crime and Corruption Commission v Carne, with her report considered by cabinet on 27 May.

Ms Holmes has recommended a model to ensure the CCC can issue important public reports and make public statements, while at the same time ensuring that important individual rights are protected.

It was recommended elected officials may be the subject of a report, even if corruption allegations are not proven, provided the report is purely factual and in the public interest.

Women in STEM celebrated

NOMINATIONS are now open for the 2024 Queensland Women in STEM Prize, which recognises and celebrates the state’s trailblazing women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Prizes worth a total of $24,000 will be offered across three categories: the Judges’ Award, First Nations STEM Award, and the Breaking Barriers Award. Applications must be received by 5pm on 19 July, with the winners to be announced in November. For more information, go to www.qwisp.qm.qld.gov.au.

The main boat prize for the Weipa Fishing Classic has been wrapped in the event’s colours and is ready to be taken home by one lucky ticket holder.

After months of planning and selling tickets, the 2024 Weipa Fishing Classic is only three days away.

Cape’s healthcare collaboration wins state reconciliation award

THE Cape York Kidney Care (CYKC) program has won the Health and Wellbeing category of the Queensland Reconciliation Awards.

To address the high rates of kidney disease and kidney failure needing dialysis in First Nations communities, Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) partnered with Apunipima Cape York Health Council in 2019 to reach six communities: Weipa, Napranum, Mapoon, Aurukun, Pormpuraaw and Kowanyama.

TCHHS nephrologist Dr Tahira Scott said the innovative model of care was the first of its kind in Australia, with its success apparent.

She said the heart of the model was the involvement of First Nations health workers or practitioners.

“We recognise that partnerships with Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations like Apunipima can achieve real success in patient-centric health outcomes,” Dr Scott said.

“We’re providing a gold standard nephrology service in the bush, meaning those who see the CYKC team are receiving the same level of care you would receive in a city through using a different integrative model of care, which is culturally safe.

“We are so proud to receive this reconciliation award and we believe this model is something that could be replicated in other non-urban health services around Queensland.”

Outreach clinics were held at Apunipima’s facilities in the six communities.

Apunipima CEO Debra Malthouse said this partnership showed the strengths of each organisation

in directly addressing these chronic health conditions in Cape York.

“We are focused on providing comprehensive primary health care to the communities we serve,” she said.

“Our staff on the ground are able to provide the link between the community and the visiting outreach clinicians, making patients feel comfortable and supported through their healthcare journey.”

Youth leadership highlighted in Aurukun celebrations

By CHISA HASEGAWA

SPORT has the power to bring people together, and it was no different for this year’s Reconciliation Week celebration in Aurukun.

Led by the Kang Kang Youth leadership team at PCYC Aurukun, more than 150 community members came together for a night of touch football to play, laugh and yarn.

The Kang Kang Youth organise several events throughout the year and learn what it takes to become a leader in their own backyard.

PCYC Aurukun youth support worker Norma Armstrong-Ravula said building strong youth was the way forward for the community.

“It’s not just them saying we want to do a touch event, it’s thinking about what goes into a touch event, what do we need, what do we want to eat, who’s going to cook, who’s going to clean up, who’s going to serve the food; there’s a lot of learning that comes with all of that,” she said.

“A big part of what we do is try to empower the young people.

“Our Elders, like all communities, are passing and we need to get the next generation ready to lead their communities forward.”

She said for the team at PCYC Aurukun, this year’s Reconciliation Week theme, Now More Than Ever, meant youth and community coming together for change.

“Now, more than ever, we need to work together” Ms Armstrong-Ravula said.

“Now, more than ever, we need to support our youth. Now, more than ever, we need to look after our Elders.

“Now, more than ever, we have to be the change for the community.”

The youth support worker said the night left everyone’s hearts and stomachs feeling full.

“There was so much laughter, so many smiles, and we had a massive feed together at the end,” she said.

“There were also a lot of people just sitting and watching and yarning, and there were a lot of service providers speaking about how they can work better together for Aurukun’s future.”

A partnership to address the high rates of kidney disease in Cape York First Nations communities has won a Queensland Reconciliation Award.

Touch football brought the Aurukun community together for Reconciliation Week fun.

Lockhart opens hearts and minds

By CHISA HASEGAWA

EXPERIENCING Indigenous culture through music and dance in Lockhart River has given one Adelaide singer the drive to integrate a sense of community into her choir.

Through the reverse travel program by Girls from Oz (G-oz), 12 singers from the Australian Girls Choir (AGC) were chosen to perform and experience life in Lockhart River this Reconciliation Week.

G-oz is a not-for-profit organisation that gives youth in remote communities access to high-quality performing arts education, and the AGC holds fundraisers throughout the year to help make it happen.

AGC member Ceilidh Welsh said immersing herself in the Lockhart River community had been an “eye-opening” experience.

“Just being able to see what we’re actually doing these fundraisers for has been really eyeopening,” she said.

“Coming here and seeing the impact that we make, not from the outside but from the inside, has been absolutely beautiful.”

As well as teaching the kids choral works and performing for the community, Ms Welsh said it was also exciting to learn a few traditional songs from the children.

“We don’t usually sing Aboriginal hymns, so it’s been interesting to note the differences in how the AGC sings and how community

sings together,” she told Cape York Weekly

The singer said she wanted to take the sense of community she felt when the Lockhart River children sang together back to the AGC.

“Instead of going through the motions of a song, just really trying to understand where we are, who we’re with, and why we’re doing it,” Ms Welsh said.

“The community is just incredible here; it’s loving and beautiful, and it’s amazing to have that feeling while singing and knowing that you’re grateful to be there.”

G-oz general manager Kylie Lee-Archer said providing young people with an opportunity to see life outside their norm was integral to the program.

Once a year, girls from Lockhart River get the chance to travel to

one of the capital cities to perform with the AGC as part of G-oz’s travel program.

For the reverse travel program, which has been running for the past three years, girls travelled to the eastern Cape York community from Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane and Canberra.

“It’s a core part of the program for Lockhart River girls to go to the city, but we think it’s also real-

ly important for the city girls, lots of whom have many privileges, to come and see life in Lockhart,” Ms Lee-Archer said.

“They are in the AGC, so that’s already something that remote kids can’t access very easily, but they might also do swimming or ballet or debating, and all those extracurricular activities that remote communities simply don’t have access to. But it’s also valuable to see all of the things that Lockhart River does have, like a beautiful environment and an amazing connection to culture.”

Ms Lee-Archer said the reverse travel program was timed with Reconciliation Week because seeing and understanding was a crucial first step to a reconciled path forward.

“Experiencing each other’s cultures, seeing each other’s lives, and getting that two-way perspective is so important,” the G-oz general manager said.

“I think in Australia, the more important one is for us city whitefella to learn; we are the ones who need to learn about Indigenous culture, about community life, and about what it’s like to be remote from the city.

“The AGC girls will go home, talk to their friends and families about all the strengths that they saw, and hopefully might change some people’s preconceived opinions about Aboriginal people and communities.”

Moving towards reconciliation: The Australian Girls Choir and Lockhart River share culture and smiles through music.

Locals and visiting members of the Australian Girls Choir united to sing a range of songs, including hymns,

NEWS IN BRIEF

Napranum to send off mine

THE Napranum foreshore will come alive with sound and colour on 12 June when the community joins representatives of Rio Tinto and Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council to commemorate the last ore being shipped from East Weipa.

The free event comes on the back of similar celebrations in Weipa last month, and will include activities for the kids, free food, drinks and ice cream, as well as a head-turning fireworks display.

The event will run from 5-8pm, and community members can email RTAWeipafeedback@riotinto.com or call 1800 707 633 to register for their free food, soft drink and ice cream.

QPS launch knife campaign

THE Queensland Police Service (QPS) has launched a new knife crime prevention campaign called End Knife Violence in support of new knife laws coming into effect on 1 September, 2024.

The campaign will urge Queenslanders to work together to make the state safer and end knife violence.

The campaign also aims to support awareness among businesses, including those on Cape York and in the Torres Strait, of their new responsibilities once legislation comes into effect.

The new laws, which ban the sale of knives to juveniles, will require retailers to securely store particular controlled items such as double-edged knives, machetes, tomahawks and axes, and display signage regarding age-restricted items.

By LYNDON KEANE

THE first independent runner to announce their candidacy for Cook has launched his campaign with a simple question for voters: who do you really trust?

Thursday Island health worker Yen Loban will try to unseat incumbent Cynthia Lui at the 26 October state election and said cost of living pressures, health and local employment opportunities were at the forefront of his platform.

Not to be confused with his uncle, the former Torres Shire Council mayor and Torres Strait Regional Authority board member of the same name, Mr Loban said his lived experience under what he described as decades of government neglect of Cook had triggered his candidacy.

“I’m turning 40 and life beings at 40, mate,” he told Cape York Weekly

“I believe that I have a passion for my people, and would like to serve them as the elected Cook member.

“I’ll be addressing all the issues; I’ve lived the struggles myself; I know the hardship and I understand what people go through, and I will be serving them on the ground.”

After growing up in a family of 12 in a three-bedroom house, Mr Loban slammed recent local and state leadership in failing to find a solution to remote housing and overcrowding.

“I’ve seen the struggle and I’ve seen the disadvantage for young people,” he said.

“Leaders have failed us … and I’m talking about Parliament

and mayors in local government. It’s just not on; something needs to be done to have these issues addressed.

“When you look at Torres Strait, I like to use Torres Strait as an example, I come from a household of 10 siblings, and with mum and dad, there were 12 of us in a three-bedroom house; that causes a lot of the stresses when you look at a lot of the social determinants of health, education and crime.”

Mr Loban said he would be “spreading myself as thin as possible” to campaign across the mammoth Cook electorate between now and when voters went to the polls.

“I want to cover as far north and south as I can, and east and west,” he explained.

“I’ll be in every community,

and campaigning as hard as I can; I want to sit down with people in the community, hear their issues and have a frank discussion about those communities I’ll represent.”

So far, the Cook ballot paper will feature five names: Mr Loban, Labor’s Ms Lui, backfrom-the-political-void David Kempton for the Liberal National Party, Peter Campion for One Nation and Duane Amos for Katter’s Australian Party.

Mr Loban said his campaign would be a simple one focused on generating measurable positive change for the electorate.

“It’s just about going forward,” he said

“Who do you really trust?

“Who do you really have faith in to make the changes you really need in your community?”

Any advertising of knives or controlled items that suggests them “suitable for combat” will be prohibited to further curb notoriety of weapon carrying.

Horse and Hound Show

FOUR-LEGGED members of the community will be on display when the Cooktown Horse Sports Association holds a Horse and Hound Show on 15-16 June.

The horse event will be held at Cooktown Racecourse on the Saturday, while the town’s dog park on Adelaide Street will host the hounds the following day.

Junior and open age groups will be offered for both shows, with events and categories to suit every participant.

A full list of events and categories are available on the Cooktown Horse Sports Association Facebook page.

To nominate, email cooktownhorsesports4895@gmail.com with the event, your name, age group, horse or dog name, and categories.

Well-known Torres Strait identity Yen Loban is the fifth candidate to nominate as a contender for the October 2024 state election and says his motivation is a belief the major parties have “been neglecting the Cook electorate for decades”.

Punsand Bay to launch own beer

By CHISA HASEGAWA

IT doesn’t get any more Queensland than a cold beer on the beach, especially one as idyllic as Punsand Bay at the tip of Cape York Peninsula.

Punsand Bay Cape York Camping will officially launch its new Cape York Lager at its Queensland Day celebration on 8 June, where a beach party will unite locals and visitors as they toast the state.

General manager Kahlia Colquhoun said it had been a dream to launch a beer for over a decade since she and her husband took over the campgrounds in 2013.

Two years ago, the opportunity arose when Your Mates Brewing from the Sunshine Coast came to promote their brand, and they partnered to release the first Cape York branded beer.

“Your Mates Brewing is all about good times, camping adventures and having a beer with your mate, so his business aligned really well with what we offer, because that’s what people come to Punsand Bay for,” Ms Colquhoun said.

“It’s brewed down in the Sunshine Coast, so it’s brewed in Queensland by Queenslanders, which we think is pretty cool.

“We’re pretty proud and chuffed with ourselves that we get to launch such an awesome product that we’re really behind.”

Ms Colquhoun said the mid-

strength, low-carb beer was already receiving great feedback from locals since its unofficial release a few weeks ago.

“It’s really light and refreshing, and we’ve got it on tap exclusively at Punsand Bay,” she said.

“In our little oasis selling pizzas and beers, it was a no-brainer

FARM AT HOME WORKSHOP

for us and we’re really excited that 2024 is the year of the Cape York Lager.”

She said it was hoped the Queensland Day official launch would help grow the brand to something the Cape York community could be proud of.

“We’ll be doing a couple of

giveaways to promote the brand and we’re really excited to share it with everyone,” Ms Colquhoun said.

“As the year goes on, hopefully, the Cape York Lager brand will be able to sponsor some events and support the community back like they support us.”

Queensland Day is a celebration of Queensland’s birthday and marks the state’s official separation from New South Wales as an independent colony in 1859.

This Queensland Day, 6 June, marks 165 years since the momentous separation took place.

That’s surely worth a toast.

Revellers at Punsand Bay will be able to say cheers to Queensland Day on 8 June with a cold glass of the new Cape York Lager.

‘Frustrating’ answer over Telstra outage

TELSTRA and Aurukun residents are at odds over two mobile phone outages community members say lasted up to 10 times longer than the company reported.

Cape York Weekly has confirmed from a number of Aurukun sources the first outage occurred at about 10:30pm on 24 May and was not fixed until 10am the following day, before a second outage at 9:45pm on Saturday night left residents and businesses unable to use their mobile phones until ap-

proximately 8pm on 26 May. Telstra would not confirm the cause of the outages, with regional general manager Rachel Cliffe saying service was only impacted for “a matter of hours”.

“Two separate issues affected services in Aurukun on Friday and Sunday,” she said.

“We restored services each time within a matter of hours, but we know it would’ve been a frustrating couple of days. We worked to get everything back online as quickly as

possible and we thank everyone for their patience while we sorted it out.”

One resident who Cape York Weekly spoke to refuted Telstra’s claims and said the company’s assessment of the situation was “delusional”.

“How can they say it’s a matter of hours when we couldn’t use our phones for nearly 12 and 24 hours at a time?” they said.

“They’re delusional if they think their response was as fast as they are saying.”

Shuffling of deckchairs gives TCICA new identity

By LYNDON KEANE

THE Torres Cape Indigenous Council Alliance (TCICA) is searching for a new name after its board voted to add the Palm Island, Cherbourg and Woorabinda councils to its membership last week.

TCICA met in Cairns for the first time since the 16 March local government elections on 2829 May, with the selection of a new executive the first order of business.

Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Territa Dick was chosen as chair, with Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Bruce Gibson and Weipa Town Authority Chair Jaime Gane

elected as deputy chair and secretary respectively.

With the addition of Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council, Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council and Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council, TCICA now represents all 17 Indigenous local governments in the state, a move Mayor Dick said gave “strength in numbers” when it came to advocacy.

“It’s strength in numbers, and to show a united front to all tiers of government that all of the Indigenous councils want to be heard,” she said.

“It was important that we all came together to lobby as one voice.”

Mayor Dick said it remained

to be seen whether the organisation’s scope would evolve into more of a lobbying entity, but explained all 17 councils shared the same challenges and frustrations.

“It is still very early days, and the members haven’t had an opportunity to discuss our direction,” she said.

“We are currently planning our next meeting, which will focus on developing our new strategic direction and priorities.

“Although there are many new members, the priorities haven’t changed, with housing, education, food and water security, freight, health, infrastructure, employment and economic opportunities, to name a few, re-

CONNECTING COOK

with Cynthia Lui, MP

Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Prevention

Month has drawn to a close in May. During May, we shine a light on these dark places because, sadly, DFV is all around us - a terrible and often hidden reality in many communities and families. I hear the same thing when I visit communities and speak to the services working with families. The way we deal with DFV is not perfect and it needs review. Victims of violence – which, statistically, is mostly women and children – are commonly known to flee their homes and their places of comfort and support, to escape violence. We need to reform the way we approach

NEWS IN BRIEF

Witness appeal on TI

POLICE are appealing for public assistance in relation to the dangerous operation of a vehicle on Summer Street on Thursday Island on 30 May.

At about 6:15pm on Thursday, a white dual cab Toyota Hilux belonging to a local business was seen driving erratically and almost crashed into other vehicles.

Police are asking anyone who may have information about the driver, or vision of the vehicle, to contact the Thursday Island police station on 4069 1520.

Local whooping cough case

TORRES Strait residents are being asked to protect against whooping cough (pertussis) after three cases were confirmed on Hammond Island over the past month.

Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) public health medical officer Dr Allison Hempenstall said nine cases had been recorded across the region so far in 2024, including multiple cases in Cooktown.

The number is a spike on a nil result for the whole of 2023, with no cases recorded in the TCHHS service delivery footprint since 2019.

“We are urging all Torres Strait, Northern Peninsula Area and Cape York residents and their children who are eligible for the vaccine to ensure they are vaccinated,” Dr Hempenstall said.

“This is especially important for residents of Hammond and Thursday islands, given the recent cases on Hammond, and the regular movement of people between the two islands.”

$500,000 for wildlife carers

maining our priority at this time.

“Having the other three councils joining us, our key focus will be to get together and develop a strong strategy moving forward.”

TCICA’s new membership and name is expected to be formalised at its July meeting, and Mayor Dick said she would like to see both the state and federal governments hold remote cabinet meetings on Cape York to get a first-hand look at how their decision making affected communities.

“It would be great to have them do this, so that they can see and experience the impacts of their decisions first-hand in our discrete communities,” she said.

DFV in Cook so that these people are not at risk of finding themselves in more vulnerable situations like homelessness, school disengagement and fear. Having worked in DFV before I was elected, I am acutely aware of the need to do more with perpetrators to change behaviours; to invest in education; and to create awareness. Our government’s recently introduced Coercive Control laws are good progress towards changing the focus, but there is still a long way to go and I am determined to see through this change.

CAPE York wildlife carers can now apply for $500,000 in funding to help individual and group native animal rehabilitation efforts. The State Government is offering grants of up to $10,000 to individual wildlife carers, with up to $25,000 available for wildlife care organisations.

People with a passion for caring for sick and injured native animals and releasing them back into the wild are encouraged to apply for funding to increase their capacity for rehabilitation services.

Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Leanne Linard said the funding was aimed at supporting local wildlife care activities.

For more information about the Community Sustainability Action grants, email csagrants@des.qld.gov.au or call 3330 6360 by the 9 July deadline.

Cape York and Torres Strait clubs supporting Active Women and Girls

Three Cape and Torres clubs have received funding in the latest rounds of the Active Women and Girls grant program to buy equipment, run education and training, or promote and support the participation of women and girls.

Congratulations to: Weipa Rodeo Association

Cooktown Horse Sports Association

Zenadth Kes Junior Rugby League Club

New TCICA executive deputy chair Bruce Gibson (Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council), chair Territa Dick (Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council) and secretary Jaime Gane (Weipa Town Authority) with executive officer Michael Miller at the organisation’s first meeting following the March elections.

Forum reinforces ‘lifeline’ that PDR offers Cape York

By LYNDON KEANE

A CAIRNS forum has demonstrated the “absolute benefit” sealing the Peninsula Developmental Road (PDR) will have on the social, economic and environmental growth of Cape York, according to the co-chair of the Cape York Region Package (CYRP) taskforce.

The taskforce met with representatives from the State Government, Cape York councils and other key stakeholders on 30 May to provide an update on the progress of stage two of the CYRP, and seek feedback on emerging priorities and what future advocacy would look like.

One of the key themes to come out of the forum was the fact the PDR is a “lifeline, not a road” for Cape York residents, as are the community access roads linking places like Aurukun, Pormpuraaw and Lockhart River.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) provided an update on the stage two rollout, and admitted the project was suffering “cost and resource pressures”, mainly due to geotechnical issues around the Archer River bridge construction.

TMR North Queensland regional director Ross Hodgman said stage one of the CYRP had target-

ed “low-hanging fruit” and delivered “bang for buck” through sealing the easiest parts of the PDR, while stage two was incorporating more technical elements, including the bridge.

“It’s been an extremely challenging project,” he told the forum.

Cape York Weekly understands from a number of State Government sources the cost of the bridge has blown out by tens of millions of dollars due to difficulties in constructing its footings.

It is estimated when the bridge opens to traffic in late 2024, the Archer River section of the PDR

will only be closed for two or three days each year, down from a current figure of about 85 days.

CYRP taskforce co-chair Professor Allan Dale said the feedback received at the forum reinforced how vital the PDR was.

“In terms of continuing input into the completion of stage two, what’s really clear now is the absolute benefit of this in social, economic and environmental terms,” he explained.

With TMR admitting the PDR upgrade could not be assessed by a conventional infrastructure development matrix, Professor Dale’s

Coen hero needs you to vote now

CAPE York residents have until Thursday to make Coen aged and palliative care advocate Jodi Hamilton the 2024 RFDS Queensland Local Hero.

Ms Hamilton was crowned as the Cairns region winner of the award in May, and supporters have until 6 June to cast their vote to get her across the line as the overall state winner of the prestigious gong.

Ms Hamilton’s regional win came on the back of her tireless work to ensure those living in remote parts of Cape York can die in their hometown with dignity.

co-chair, Professor Hurriyet Babacan, said the state and federal governments needed to look at the broader benefits the completion of stages three and four of the CYRP would provide to the region.

“Cost-benefit, narrow infrastructure analysis will not cut it. We need to keep on factoring in those broader definitions of what constitutes a cost benefit [like] social costs, safety costs and also food security,” she said.

“If you start monetising these, the costs add up and then a road can come in, and then you get multiple benefits out of it.”

“It’s really hard in these small towns, because when someone falls ill, they need to be taken away for medical treatment and if it’s not successful, they’re not necessarily coming home in time,” she said.

If Ms Hamilton can claim the overall Local Hero award, it would top out a big two years for Cape York, with Wolverton Station’s Emma Jackson announced as the 2022 winner.

RFDS Queensland CEO Meredith Staib emphasised the extraordinary efforts of this year’s regional winners.

To show your support for Ms Hamilton, visit www.rfdslocalhero.com.au and cast your vote.

Representatives from the Cape York Region Package taskforce, the Department of Transport and Main Roads, Cape York councils and community members discuss the progress of stage two of the project to seal the PDR on 30 May.

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Backpackers boost flood clean-up

By CHISA HASEGAWA

THE helping hands of young backpackers are bringing hope to an exhausted Rossville community after almost six months of Tropical Cyclone Jasper clean-up with no end in sight.

Under the Federal Government’s Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program, people with a current WHM visa can apply for a second or third year if they work or volunteer in areas affected by natural disasters.

Having worked as a mental health nurse in disaster management and resilience previously, Wallaby Creek Festival volunteer co-ordinator Pasha Lynch had the connections and knowledge needed to bring reinforcements to the flood-affected town.

“The work that needs to be done is insurmountable, it’s just incredible how much further we have to go.” Ms Lynch said.

“When we had the flood, I saw everyone was pushing and pushing; we pushed hard for months, but people started getting more and more tired. How can you pitch yourself up when you’ve given all you’ve got?”

Forty-six backpackers have already been confirmed for the community between May and July, and will volunteer four to six hours a day for five days a week to meet their visa requirements.

“People are excited to have them

here because they’re realising that we’re getting young, strong, willing people coming to help,” Ms Lynch said.

“It’s giving people hope that there is a way to move forward without it all being on yourself.”

Ms Lynch explained that with many backpackers hungry for a

“cultural experience”, they were willing to go the extra mile to immerse themselves in the community.

She said community members would accommodate volunteers in exchange for another set of hands.

“All we ask for is that people feed them, give them a roof over

their head or even a tent, and basically make them part of your family while they’re here,” she said.

The volunteer co-ordinator encouraged community members to work together.

“There are some people that have lost everything and are doing it tough financially, and they can’t

afford to feed someone else but need the help,” Ms Lynch said.

“By asking for community support, maybe someone else has food or accommodation to spare and people can help each other out.

“I feel that our community up here can reciprocate the dedication that these volunteers are showing.”

Seniors Legal & Social Support Service

Free legal and social work support for older people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing elder abuse or financial exploitation, Cape York & Torres Strait

• Think someone is humbugging you for your money

• Think you might have been scammed or financially exploited

• Want to know more about keeping yourself safe

• Want to know more about Advance Care Planning such as Enduring Powers of Attorney and Advanced Health Directives

• Want to know your options for care facilities and services that keep you on Country

• Are having troubles accessing MyAgedCare or NDIS or need support to access higher levels of funding

• Want to be able to yarn in a safe and supportive space where your voice matters

• Want support to be confident in advocating for yourself

• Need a little extra support

The first group of volunteers has arrived in Rossville and is eager to start helping the community with its flood clean-up efforts.

Major boost for SES units across Cape

IN a part of Queensland where extreme weather events are a matter of when, not if, the State Emergency Service (SES) is vital to community resilience and recovery.

Following the effects of Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023, the State Government has announced seven Cape York SES groups will share $695,000 in funding for vehicle and facility upgrades through its Queensland Fire and Emergency Services grants program.

Nearly $294,000 of the funding will go towards reactivating the SES in Wujal Wujal with a new office and replacement vehicle identified as the main priorities.

In addition, Aurukun will receive $46,000 for a new vehicle, Lakeland will get $75,000 to upgrade its truck, and Coen $29,000 for a specialised vehicle canopy.

Bamaga will boost its road crash rescue capability through $143,000 in funding, with Hope Vale receiving $37,550 for an emergency light tower and generator, and Alexndra Bay almost $70,000 to upgrade its local SES shed.

Queensland Fire and Emergen-

cy Services Commissioner Stephen Smith highlighted the importance of the SES, especially after last year’s the devasting natural disaster events.

“The assistance and support provided by our volunteers during this year’s demanding severe weather season exemplifies the importance of a well-funded and well-equipped State Emergency Service,” he said.

“With Queensland being a state of climate extremes, it is critical that SES groups are armed with essential state-of-the-art equipment necessary for effective disaster response.”

Maintenance dredging notice

Defib plan to help Close the Gap

FIFTEEN unique island communities in the Torres Strait will receive lifesaving medical devices for the first time thanks to a commitment from Torres Strait Islands Regional Council (TSIRC).

A total of 15 defibrillators will be issued to communities in the TSIRC local government area, a strategy Mayor Phillemon Mosby described as “a small but powerful step in closing the gap for Torres Strait Islanders”.

“For many people on the mainland, a defibrillator is very accessible, with many people having devices at their workplaces and even at sporting events, but that has not been the reality for our communities,” Mayor Mosby said.

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) will undertake maintenance dredging from mid-May 2024 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

“TSIRC has been advocating tirelessly for necessary resources such as defibrillators for our communities; it’s all part of our plan to ensure our communities are autonomous, prosperous, and sustainable.”

More than 30,000 Australians suffer from sudden cardiac arrest each year, with as few as 5 per cent surviving without a defibrillator.

Mayor Mosby said staff first aid training would add to the community benefit of the defibrillators.

“As well as the delivery of the defibrillators, we will also roll out training to ensure there are dedicated first aiders and other staff are competent and ready to act, should a situation arise,” he said.

May - July 2024 | Notice for Weipa community

It is hoped a TSIRC decision to install 15 defibrillators across islands in its local government area will save lives.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services boss Stephen Smith.

Reconciliation pieces come home

By CHISA HASEGAWA

TURTLE paintings representing the first act of reconciliation have been returned to Cape York after being displayed at the National Museum of Australia since 2019.

The pieces, created by artists in Hope Vale, now hang proudly at the Waalmbal Birri Heritage and Culture Centre (WBHCC) in Cooktown for all to remember the country’s history and the significance of turtles in its reconciliation journey.

Sea turtles were at the heart of a conflict between Captain Cook and the local Guugu Yimithirr people when Cook’s crew broke protocol around catching turtles from sacred breeding grounds.

A disagreement followed, and the Guugu Yimithirr set the grasslands around the crew’s campsite on fire to cleanse the sacred land.

Cook fired his musket and hit one of the Guugu Yimithirr people, which was a further violation of shedding blood on the neutral land.

At the location now known as Reconciliation Rocks, a group of granite boulders on the banks of what is now known as the Endeavour River (Waalumbaal Birri), a Guugu Yimithirr Elder symbolically held out a spear with a broken tip as a symbol of peace and formalised the ritual by blowing sweat as a gesture of friendship.

WBHCC vice-president Alberta Hornsby said the turtle paintings

were created at the Hope Vale Arts and Culture Centre through an initiative by the National Museum of Australia, adding it was an honour to have the works displayed where the history of reconciliation began.

“The National Museum offered them to the Waalmbal Birri Heritage and Culture Centre because they wanted to return them here,” she said.

“We asked the artists who created them if we could have them and display them at the centre, and they were really happy to have their creations exhibited in such a wonderful way.

“The sad thing for us is since the exhibition, two of the artists have passed away, so it’s a wonderful memory of them as well.”

Ms Hornsby explained that the

paintings were returned last year, but they had not figured out how to mount them until recently, just in time for Reconciliation Week.

“We wanted to find the space and give them the best visibility possible,” she said.

“I think everyone should come in and see them, because it’s through the incident that happened over the turtles that we have this

evidence of reconciliation dictated by cultural governance.

“Our warriors at any time could have speared Cook’s men and speared Cook himself, because they had the element of surprise, but they didn’t; they were respectful of their own laws that they did not spill blood on their own Country, and that is very important to remember.”

Join us as we take a journey through time from the discovery of bauxite to mining the last ore at East Weipa. Hosted along the Napranum Foreshore, these events are open to everyone and we hope to see some past employees there on the day!

Wednesday, 12 June 2024 Napranum Foreshore 5.00pm - 8.00pm

Date: Venue: Time: Kids activities Free food, icecream and softdrink (1 voucher per person) Fireworks display and much more!

The turtle pieces created for the Captain Cook exhibition in Canberra have been returned to where reconciliation began.

CapeYorkWeekly

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PDR funding must be prioritised

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

THE Cape York Regional Package (CYRP) open forum in Cairns on 30 May proved two things definitively: one, stakeholders agree continued funding for stages three and four of the project will literally make or break Cape York’s future and, two, ego and polling success are taking precedence over people.

At the heart of the CYRP is the Peninsula Developmental Road (PDR), and the community access roads and bridge infrastructure linking us with the rest of Queensland.

While stage one and stage two of the massive project have delivered some significant local wins to date, a hurdle the State Government diplomatically describes as “cost and resource pressures” has thrown a spanner in the works for the second stage’s completion.

Geotechnical issues have caused a cost and calendar blowout on the Archer River bridge, with a reported budget black hole of about $80 million – I say “reported”, because it’s impossible to get a figure from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) – having to be plugged before funding for stage three can even be considered.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not pointing the finger at the TMR crew, who are doing a commend-

able job on a politically and environmentally challenging, extremely public stage.

I’m lobbing the blame grenade in the direction of our state and federal governments, who are reluctant to stump up what is realistically another five hundred or so million dollars, minimum, to improve the lives of what are the handful of voters who call Cape York home.

One has to wonder how much they actually care about what is arguably the most important issue

for the region, given the only political representation in the room was from Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch’s office – Member for Cook Cynthia Lui didn’t bother to send anyone, while the candidates who have nominated to try and end her reign were also missing in action.

However it’s framed, the politically emaciated elephant in the room is that no matter how much the two upper tiers of government do or don’t spend on upgrading the PDR, bridges like Myall Creek and

Laura’s Shelley’s Crossing, and the roads into communities like Kowanyama, it is only ever going to win or lose them one state and one federal seat.

They don’t like to admit it, but the appetite Canberra and Brisbane have for getting the PDR to a standard that’s expected for a main road in every other part of Australia comes down to a numbers game where the social and economic wellbeing of Cape York voters takes a backseat to urban pork barrelling.

Make no mistake, if Cook and Leichhardt covered five or six electorates at both state and federal level, the PDR would have been sealed a decade ago.

Last week’s forum acknowledged the decisions around CYRP funding and the project’s delivery couldn’t be made using the normal cost-benefit matrix for infrastructure ambitions in more heavily populated parts of Queensland.

But that’s all right, because the PDR isn’t a normal road.

As was quite rightly identified during the forum, it’s absolutely more than bitumen, red dirt and water crossings that become impassable for months at a time.

It’s our lifeline, and connects the veins crisscrossing the communities that make up Cape York.

Without the PDR, there is no Cape York, and without a prioritised rollout of the final two stages of the CYRP, there is no chance of us celebrating any tangible social or economic growth anytime soon.

Politicians aren’t renowned for adopting a commonsense approach to taking advice from we commoners, but here’s something for nothing ahead of October’s state election and the 2025 – providing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese doesn’t pull the trigger early – federal election: the candidates for whichever parties make a genuine commitment to the CYRP and people of Cape York will win Cook and Leichhardt.

The Peninsula Developmental Road and its ongoing improvement is far too critical to the daily lives of Cape York residents to be measured by standard government infrastructure funding yardsticks.

Cape York Weekly Puzzles Page

Whillier

Fit the numbers 1-6 once into every hexagon so that where the hexagons touch, the numbers are the same. No number is repeated in any single hexagon.

Kuku’nathi Konnect training highlights strength of Culcha

NAPRANUM is being united through the strength of traditional culture following a series of training modules being facilitated by Kuku’nathi Services.

Over two days in May, 11 participants completed the eighth and latest module in free monthly training designed to upskill local jobseekers in preparation for future employment opportunities.

Kuku’nathi Services partnered with Indigenous-owned training organisation Corporate Culcha to deliver the modules, which are being taught from a new hub in Napranum.

Pre-employment specialist Valkyrie Bird said participants had taken a lot from the training, adding jobseekers had reported higher motivation since it began in late 2023.

“The feedback we get each time we of-

fer this training is very positive. Our participants tell me how motivated they feel now, and how keen they are for more training,” she said.

“Even, as we drop them home, they are making sure I will remind them ahead of the next training dates, and telling me about the friends and family members they will invite along, too.”

Corporate Culcha trainer Kitrina Bushell praised the move to the new Napranum space, explaining it allowed the training to be even more embedded in the community.

“It’s so nice to be delivering training in the community where participants live. The move to the Napranum hub will also allow us to explore ways we can get more handson and out-and-about in the community during the next modules,” she said.

Have your say on the design of the Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program

A new jobs program is coming to remote communi�es and the Australian Government wants to hear from you about how it should work.

People living in remote communi�es are invited to provide feedback to help design the new program.

You can have your say at an upcoming mee�ng in your area, or fill out a survey on the NIAA website.

To find out more visit www.niaa.gov.au/rjed-consulta�ons, call 1800 079 098 or visit your local NIAA office

Golf Day!

SATURDAY, JUNE 15

9-HOLE GOLF AMBROSE (TEAMS OF 4 PLAYERS)

Bacon & egg breakfast burger available

9am Buggy auction

10am Tee-off (shotgun start) Drinks available from the club

Courtesy buggy on course

$50 per player (includes green fees, burger & beer/wine/soft drink on completion)

Register your team @ the Club or Ph: 4069 7332 E: cgclub@bigpond.net.au Come & enjoy a fun day of golf & fundraising!

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL! Only 18 teams available –contact Club to confirm your team’s place

POSITION VACANT

Job Title: Secretary Manager

Location: Weipa, Queensland Company: Weipa Bowls Club

About Us:

Weipa Bowls Club is a local community club located in Far North Queensland, dedicated to the sport of lawn bowls, the members, the local community and providing a family friendly club. We are committed to innovation, excellence and creating a positive work environment for our employees. Join our dynamic team and be a part of our growth journey.

Position Overview:

We have a rare and exciting opportunity for a proactive and experienced Club Secretary Manager to join our team. This hands-on role requires you to bring proven experience of club-wide operations including exemplary cash handling, staff management and the ability to communicate with a diverse group of members and guests.

Working closely with the Board of Management and club staff, this position requires clear communication and organisational skills, whilst delivering high standards of customer service.

The minimum role requirements:

3 years experience within an operational supervisory position with high exposure to gaming and food and beverage service.

Current RSA, RSG, RMLV and Gaming Nominee Licence will be required.

A working knowledge and understanding of relevant club industry legislation and standards. The ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends and public holidays.

Superior customer service skills.

What We Offer:

Competitive salary and benefits package

Opportunities for professional growth and development

Collaborative and inclusive work environment

How to Apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter detailing their qualifications and experience to manager@weipabowlsclub.com.au – Please include “Secretary Manager” in the subject line of your email.

Application Deadline:

Close of business, 30 June 2024

Weipa Bowls Club is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Join us at Weipa Bowls Club and help us shape the future of hospitality.

Free, culture-focused training being delivered in Napranum is creating a number of positive outcomes for local jobseekers.

Napranum has embraced the Kuku’nathi Services partnership with Corporate Culcha.

Invitation to comment

Draft terms of reference for environmental impact statement

Northern Silica project, located at Cape Flattery, 30 kilometres north of Hope Vale

The proponent, Northern Silica Pty Ltd, proposes to develop the $534.8 million Northern Silica project. The project involves development of a greenfield silica sand mine and processing plants to extract up to 3.75 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of silica sand during Stage 1 (years 1-2), increasing up to 6.25 Mtpa during Stage 2 (years 3+). The project proposes to extract silica from mining lease 100308 with supporting infrastructure located on mining lease 100310, 100313, 100312, and 100311 to produce 121 million tonnes of silica sand over its 25 year life. Northern Silica Pty Ltd proposes to ship product via bulk carrier ocean-going vessels within the Port of Cape Flattery for export to Asia.

The Coordinator-General declared the project a ‘coordinated project’, under section 26(1)(a) of the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (SDPWO Act) (Qld), triggering the requirement for an environmental impact statement (EIS).

The draft terms of reference (TOR) for the EIS have been prepared by the Coordinator-General. You are invited to comment on whether the draft TOR covers all the matters Northern Silica Pty Ltd must address when preparing the EIS.

The Coordinator-General will consider all comments before finalising the TOR.

On 14 June 2023, the Australian Government Minister for the Environment and Water determined that the project is likely to have a significant impact upon matters of national environmental significance and will require approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC 2023/09485) before it can proceed. The controlling provisions include World Heritage properties (sections 12 and 15A), National Heritage places (sections 15B and 15C), the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (sections 24B and 24C), listed threatened species and communities (sections 18 and 18A) and listed migratory species (sections 20 and 20A). The project will be assessed under the bilateral agreement between the Australian and Queensland governments. The CoordinatorGeneral’s EIS evaluation report will be provided to the Australian Minister. How to comment

Comments on the draft TOR are invited from Monday 3 June 2024 to Monday 8 July 2024. For information about providing comments to the Coordinator-General, please refer to the fact sheet Have your say on draft terms of reference for an environmental impact statement and accompanying comment form, available online and at the public display locations shown below.

The draft TOR is available to view online from Monday 3 June 2024 to Monday 8 July 2024 at www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/nsp

Should you require access to a computer, please visit the following venues during business hours:

• Cairns City Library, 151 Abbott Street, Cairns

• Cooktown Library, 33 Helen Street, Cooktown

• Hope Vale Indigenous Knowledge Centre, 1 Muni Street, Hope Vale

• Laura Library, Laura Town Hall

• State Library of Queensland, Cultural Centre, Stanley Place, South Bank, Brisbane

• National Library of Australia, Parkes Place, Canberra.

Send your comments to the Coordinator-General using one of the following methods:

Online: www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/nsp

Email: northernsilicaproject@coordinatorgeneral.qld.gov.au

Post: Attention: The Coordinator-General

c/- EIS Project Manager, Northern Silica project Project Evaluation and Facilitation Office of the Coordinator-General PO Box 15517 City East Qld 4002 Australia

COMMENTS CLOSE ON MONDAY 8 JULY 2024

Notes: While you are encouraged to use the comment form, it is not mandatory. Your comment, including any personal information provided in connection with your comment, may be disclosed by the Coordinator-General to the project proponent, local, state and Australian government agencies. Your personal information will otherwise be dealt with in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld).

If you have special communication needs, telephone the EIS project manager on +61 7 3452 7483 to make alternative arrangements to comment. For public and administrative convenience, the Coordinator-General will receive all comments on behalf of the Queensland and Australian governments.

CAPE YORK LAND COUNCIL

YUK PUYNGK

ICN 1163 | A BN 22 965 382 705

NOTICE OF CONSULTATION

EPM 28570 – Gene BOOTH and Ivar

STORRONING

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

This notice is to advise that CYLC will facilitate a meeting with people who hold Native Title rights and interests in the proposed Exploration Permit for Minerals (EPM) 28570 (as shown on the map below). On 6 December 2023, the Department of Resources issued a notification under section 29(7) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (NTA) identifying that EPM 28570 is an act that attracts the expedited procedure. On 28 March 2024, the Native Title Party instructed CYLC to object to the expedited statement. Details of the meeting are as follows:

Who: People who hold Native Title rights and interests in the EPM area

Date: 14 June 2024

When: 10:00am – 1:00pm

Venue*: Mareeba Library Meeting Room 43 Anzac Avenue, MAREEBA QLD 4880

*Video conference facilities will also be available upon request.

Purpose of this meeting:

The purpose of this meeting is for CYLC to provide information and seek instructions in relation to:

• the expedited procedure statement under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) attached to the notification of EPM 28570;

• cultural heritage that may be affected within the EPM area; and

• options available to progress this matter under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) and the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (Qld).

Please contact Clementine Rushford at CYLC for free at 1800 623 548 or email crushford@cylc.org.au or 0418 685 477 if you have any questions regarding this notice or to confirm your attendance. If there are any changes to this meeting, this will be advised on CYLC’s Facebook page and website.

CAREERS WITH COOK SHIRE COUNCIL

Embark on a rewarding career journey with Cook Shire Council, where professionalism meets passion for community service. We are currently recruiting for the following roles:

MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS

INDIGENOUS PARTNERSHIPS OFFICER GRADER OPERATOR PLUMBERS X 2 ELECTRICIAN

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Invitation to comment

Draft terms of reference for environmental impact statement Cape Flattery Silica Sand project, located at Cape Flattery, 42 kilometres northeast of Hope Vale

The proponent, Cape Flattery Silica Pty Ltd, proposes to develop the $180-240 million Cape Flattery Silica Sand project. The project involves development of a greenfield silica sand mine and processing plants to extract up to 2 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of silica sand during Stage 1 (years 1-3), increasing up to 4 Mtpa during Stage 2 (years 4+). The project proposes to extract silica from mining leases 100284 and 100352 to produce 38-39 million tonnes of silica sand over its 15 year life. Cape Flattery Silica Pty Ltd proposes to tranship product silica sand via barges to bulk carrier ocean-going vessels within the Port of Cape Flattery for export to Asia.

The Coordinator-General declared the project a ‘coordinated project’, under section 26(1)(a) of the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (SDPWO Act) (Qld), triggering the requirement for an environmental impact statement (EIS).

The draft terms of reference (TOR) for the EIS have been prepared by the Coordinator-General. You are invited to comment on whether the draft TOR covers all the matters Cape Flattery Silica Pty Ltd must address when preparing the EIS. The Coordinator-General will consider all comments before finalising the TOR.

The draft TOR does not relate to matters of national environmental significance. A separate EIS process for potential impacts on matters of national environmental significance is being undertaken by the Australian Minister for the Environment and Water under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC 2022/09376).

How to comment

Comments on the draft TOR are invited from Monday 3 June 2024 to Monday 8 July 2024. For information about providing comments to the Coordinator-General, please refer to the fact sheet Have your say on draft terms of reference for an environmental impact statement and accompanying comment form, available online and at the public display locations shown below.

The draft TOR is available to view online from Monday 3 June 2024 to Monday 8 July 2024 at www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/cfss

Should you require access to a computer, please visit the following venues during business hours:

• Cairns City Library, 151 Abbott Street, Cairns

• Cooktown Library, 33 Helen Street, Cooktown

• Hope Vale Indigenous Knowledge Centre, 1 Muni Street, Hope Vale

• Laura Library, Laura Town Hall

• State Library of Queensland, Cultural Centre, Stanley Place, South Bank, Brisbane.

Send your comments to the Coordinator-General using one of the following methods:

Online: www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/cfss

Email: cfss@coordinatorgeneral.qld.gov.au

Post: Attention: The Coordinator-General c/- EIS Project Manager, Cape Flattery Silica Sand project Project Evaluation and Facilitation Office of the Coordinator-General PO Box 15517 City East Qld 4002 Australia

COMMENTS CLOSE ON MONDAY 8 JULY 2024

Notes: While you are encouraged to use the comment form, it is not mandatory. Your comment, including any personal information provided in connection with your comment, may be disclosed by the CoordinatorGeneral to the project proponent, local, state and Australian government agencies. Your personal information will otherwise be dealt with in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld). If you have special communication needs, telephone the EIS project manager on +61 7 3452 7483 to make alternative arrangements to comment.

School spirit the winner in Weipa

WHILE Evans lifted the silverware high as the winning house, participation and school spirit won gold when students competed in the 2024 Western Cape College athletics carnival on 30-31 May.

It was a sea of blue as the Crocs celebrated their house victory, with Mapoon claiming the event’s house spirit award.

Three new records were set during the two days of competition, with Marquez Guivarra (boys 9 years high jump – 1.14 metres), Eleighara Dau (girls 11 years 100m – 13.71 seconds) and David Kostecki (boys 12 years triple jump – 9.30m) inking their names in the school’s history book.

Principal Dan Tonon praised

students and the staff who worked behind the scenes to make the carnival a success.

“The engagement and support from parents and community members were invaluable, creating an atmosphere of unity and encouragement,” he said.

“It is just a wonderful couple of days to witness the spirit and sportsmanship on display of students from year 3 to year 12; it is a unique event to see our older students supporting and encouraging our younger students.

“I am immensely proud of the high levels of participation across all events, showcasing the diverse talents within our school community.”

WESTERN CAPE COLLEGE 2024 AGE CHAMPIONS

9 years: Beau Ison; Abbigail Sorbello and Jaynie Sashigunan

10 years: Slayde de Tournouer; Eva Ginn

11 years: Kairie Elia; Eleighara Dau

12 years: David Kostecki; Tanna de Tournouer

13 years: Jahvan Sandy; Teeahne-Rae Masso

14 years: Afridi Bandicootcha; Phoebe Bani

15 years: Max Lynch; Kalinda Enoch

16 years: Akut Anau; Ashandra Bond

17+ years: Kael Lawrence; Bessie Daniel-King

Maroons favourites as Cotter faces distraction

QUEENSLAND will head into Wednesday night’s 2024 State of Origin opener in Sydney as slight favourites, but perhaps bets should be placed on whether forward Rueben Cotter will make his schedule a winner.

Cotter is expected to play a big part in the game, but he will also have to play the role of new dad at some point in the next week, with he and wife Mackenzie expecting their second child.

“We hope to be due the back end of next week; maybe the following week,” he said.

“We were cutting it close again and we timed it perfectly.”

Juggling football and family life

is not a new concept for Cotter, with daughter Sunny born just three days after his 2022 Origin debut, and he and Mackenzie tying the knot the day after he donned Australian colours against Samoa last year.

The Maroons line-up remains unchanged, with coach Billy Slater hoping his charges can open their 2024 Origin account with a win on the road.

The game will be shown live on Channel 9 from 8pm.

Teams will lock horns in game two of the Women’s State of Origin series in front of a sold out crowd in Newcastle at 7:45pm on 6 June, with the game televised live on Channel 9.

Troy Hudson flies high during the high jump competition at Western Cape College.

The Western Cape College 2024 age champions celebrate their success at the athletics carnival.

Mapoon campus students get excited after winning the house spirit award.

Jayjuarney Douthat, Tanna de Tournouer and Karissa Payne show off their athletics success on the podium at Andoom Oval.

Golfers aim to ace men’s mental health fundraiser

PLAYERS will tee off in the name of men’s mental health when Carpentaria Golf Club hosts a fundraiser and family fun day on 15 June.

A buggy auction will start the day from 9am before teams of four contest a nine-hole Ambrose from 10am with a shotgun start.

Club president Murray Mountjoy said the event followed the success of a similar competition in 2023, adding all funds raised on the day would remain on western Cape York and be distributed between local groups.

“It’s all consistent with some of our members’ views and my views of supporting men’s health and mental health,” he said.

“It was a successful fundraiser last year with nearly 80 players, and we distributed funds to a lot of local groups.

“All of it again this year will be going into local support for men’s health.”

Bookings for the event are essential, with only 18 teams scheduled to reach for their clubs on the day.

The competition will cost $50 per player, which includes green fees, a delicious bacon and egg breakfast burger to provide nutrition before stepping onto the first tee box, and a drink after putting out on the ninth hole.

Mr Mountjoy said a family fun day would follow the Ambrose once teams had returned to the clubhouse.

For more information, or to register, call 4069 7332 or email cgclub@bigpond.net.au.

Hetaraka the Cooktown golf champion

BRENT Hetaraka has been crowned the king of Cooktown Golf Club after securing overall club champion and A-grade champion honours for 2024.

Hetaraka was too good in the Agrade division, firing a final round of 73 off the stick to post a championship total of 146 and claim the silverware.

A final round gross 81 and total of 159 was enough for Graham Burton to secure the B-grade win, while the in-form Daniel Biddle took the C-grade chocolates with a gross 94 final round and total of 188.

Players teed off in the Sovereign Resort June Medal on 1 June, with Biddle (gross 93/nett 63) claiming the first spot on the podium, ahead

of Wal Welsh (gross 84/nett 65) and Eddie Cridland (gross 89/nett 66).

Jack Bradley tasted nearest to the pin success on 2/11, with Hetaraka made the most of a left-cut pin to put his name on the green marker on 9/18.

A club spokesperson said the 2024 Cooktown Open would be held on 28-29 June, with two $10,000 hole-in-one prizes set to tantalise competitors.

“With only a month before our open, we still have plenty of spots available, and there’s $5,000 in prizes from Drummond Golf, Ping, Taylor Made and Callaway, plus two $10,000 hole-in-one prizes courtesy of FNQiB,” they said.

“You have to be in it to win it.”

SPORT IN BRIEF

Nett 8 win for Dall

JON Dall’s handicap has been given a haircut following a resounding victory at Dawnbusters at Carpentaria Golf Club on 2 June.

Seventeen golfers made the most of glorious conditions, with Dall’s 41 handicap allowing him to record a stunning nett 8 and two-stroke win from Jay Murray. Murray capped off a strong round by claiming the women’s longest drive and nearest to the pin prizes, while Peter Lamond was the longest hitting male competitor. New player Steve Kennedy was welcomed into the Dawnbusters family, with new members always received with open arms.

O’Neill takes Wackers prize

RANDALL O’Neill (nett 33.5) secured a narrow win over Viv Chan (nett 34) when 18 players contested Wednesday Wackers in Weipa on 29 May.

Grant Crossley took nearest to the pin honours on the 7th hole, with Lenny Dick claiming the weekly Bradman’s gong.

Six parkrun PBs in Weipa

EIGHT new participants laced up their shoes to join a field of 55 for Weipa parkrun 368 on 1 June.

On the back of his 100th finish last week, Reece Reed continued his purple patch of form to finish the five-kilometre course the quickest in a personal best time of 21 minutes, 40 seconds.

Lewis Haslop, Jason Smith, Karishma Maganlal, Lizzy Polak and Kerry Boshammer also stopped the clock in PB performances on the day.

First timer Di Dempsey impressed on debut to finish as the fastest female runner in a time of 23:54.

NPA junior league sign-on

BAMAGA’S Yusia Ginau Oval will be a hive of activity on 7-8 June when Northern Peninsula Area Junior Rugby League holds sign-on and come and try events.

The sign-on will be held from 4-6pm on 7 June, with the come and try day set to have players hitting the paddock from 8:30am2pm on 8 June. For more information, call Marlon Nakachi on 0474 036 116 or email marlon.nakachi@nparc.qld.gov.au.

Eighteen teams will play an Ambrose for a cause on 15 June when Carpentaria Golf Club holds a fundraising competition for local men’s and mental health.

Daniel Biddle does not look happy to be approached by the paparazzi after claiming the 2024 Cooktown Golf Club C-grade championship, but we are sure he is celebrating on the inside.