Cape of Origin captain Ky Borghero thrills the Weipa Rodeo crowd with a big 84-point effort on Willy Mack in the open bull ride on Saturday night. Check out all of the action on Pages 18-19.
A Cape York fishing charter operator says he is considering walking away from the industry due to out-of-control shark depredation that is having an impact on the sustainability of his business and the local fishery. Report – Page 3
RIO Tinto is seeking input and comment from western Cape York communities and businesses on a comprehensive socioeconomic impact assessment (SEIA) to assist with future planning and opportunities for the region.
The study is being undertaken as Rio Tinto considers expansions of the Amrun operations and prepares for closures of its East Weipa mine, where active mining recently finished, and the Andoom mine, which is set to finish active mining later this decade.
The company said it was undertaking the SEIA to identify and understand potential impacts to community from these projects
and inform future planning for the region.
Rio Tinto Weipa operations general manager Steve Dunstone said
Tuxworth & Woods have all
the SEIA presented an opportunity for stakeholders to have their say on the region’s future.
“Rio Tinto Weipa’s future re-
mains strong and this is an exciting time for the communities of the western Cape,” he said.
“It’s important to ensure any
community impacts from our operations are managed, and that opportunities are realised for the benefit of future generations.”
The SEIA will begin this month and will take six to seven months to complete, with EMM Consulting managing the project.
EMM Consulting will visit Weipa, Napranum, Mapoon, Aurukun and New Mapoon to seek input from Traditional Owners, community members, councils, local businesses, and Rio Tinto employees and contractors via workshops, interviews and confidential surveys.
For more information, send an email to RTAWeipaFeedback@ riotinto.com or call 1800 820 711.
By CHISA HASEGAWA
Iraci Ave, Evans Landing Mob: 0429 003 743 Ph: 4069 7183 Fax: 4069 7472
COOKTOWN DEPOT
Cnr of Endeavour Road and McMillan Streets, Cooktown Ph: 0419 759 892
CAIRNS OFFICE: Ph: 4035 4022 25 Redden St, Portsmith TUXWORTH & WOODS CARRIERS
PORMPURAAW is gearing up for this year’s Youth Summit with sports, activities, mentoring and stakeholders combining to empower and upskill young people in the community.
The summit is set to be run by the Pormpur Paanthu Aboriginal Corporation (PPAC) over four days, from 17-20 September, during the school holiday break.
PPAC chief executive officer Ganthi Kuppusamy said the annual event had been highly successful in engaging young people.
“In the past, we did it once every three years, but because it’s become a very popular event in Pormpuraaw, we’ve made it an annual event,” she said.
“We’re providing all of these program activities for the youth – acknowledging them, empowering them, and providing early intervention.”
PPAC’s Pormpuraaw Youth Summit was recognised as a finalist in the community category at this year’s Queensland Reconciliation Awards.
The full program is yet to be announced but yearly favourites, such as the healthy breakfast and
the sporting activities, will make a return.
The centrepiece of this year’s summit will be a workshop on key life skills led by cancer survivor, AFL fan and youth worker Marc Harbrow.
“We are passionate about assisting young people and their communities to strive for better health and educational outcomes, with sports being a pri-
mary vehicle to a healthy and balanced lifestyle,” Mr Harbrow said.
“Learning how to lead others, as well as work positively as part of a team, is an essential key for success in life, and genuine change requires strong mentoring and support.”
Although sports will be a major part of the summit, Ms Kuppusamy said there would
be plenty of other activities and learning opportunities for the young people to enjoy.
“There’s also going to be other activities, like a colour run, disco, art, and a bit of onCountry activities,” she said.
“It’s not just about sports, but it’s also education, wellbeing, learning, and health services – there’s a lot happening that week.”
By LYNDON KEANE
A WEIPA charter operator says the sheer scale of the shark depredation problem in the western Cape York fishery is causing him to consider walking away from the industry.
Shark depredation – or “sharking” as it is more commonly known among anglers – occurs when a hooked fish is completely or partially consumed by a shark before it can be reeled in by a fisher.
Researchers from the State Government Department of Agriculture and Fisheries are currently leading a two-year project to find a solution to the depredation problem but Weipa Billfish Club president Ben Bright, who also runs part-time charters from the township, said it may not be enough to stop operators like him from packing up their tackle.
“This season has been the worst shark depredation incidents we’ve had – it’s really concerning,” he said.
“It’s like a sledgehammer to us. It happens all the time; 20 years ago, you’d think nothing of going down the coast chasing pelagic fish and it wouldn’t be unusual to catch 20, 30, 40 individual fish – nowadays, that’s almost off the cards.
“I’ve effectively stopped going offshore; I hate to say it, but you basically have to stop fishing.
“What sells Weipa is its diversity, so if I talk them out of going pelagic fishing, that removes that diversity appeal for customers, but I just don’t see offshore as a viable option.”
The three-phase research project, which runs from March 2024 until October 2026, will seek to identify “potential solutions from measures currently or previously trialled around the world, utilising information from scientific papers, technical reports and fishers”.
Mr Bright said he was con
cerned about the sustainability of the local fishery and anecdotal evidence suggesting sharks had learnt to follow boats to wait for a “free feed” when a fish was hooked.
“The same number of fish are still dying, even if you aren’t able to catch them and pull them out of the water before a shark gets them; you’re actually adding to the problem [by not addressing depredation] and it’s on a steep slope of sustainability,” he said.
“The scientists seem to think the sharks have learnt to follow boats.”
The sentiment about sharks following boats was shared by fellow charter operator Dave Donald, who has fished the region’s waterways for 28 years.
“If you feed a wild animal, you offer it food, it will take that offer, because it’s easier than hunting, and that’s one aspect of what’s happened,” he observed.
“Trawlers, for instance, have
always had sharks following them; you drag a bag of fish or bag of prawns around and it’s shedding stuff all the time ... and the sharks are just following and eating all the bits that come out.
“And basically, that’s what’s happened with boats – now they hear the boat motor and they know it’s feed time.”
Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said he hoped the research project could find a way for a more sustainable coexistence between anglers and sharks.
“Nobody likes their catch being taken by a shark, so developing effective mitigation methods to reduce shark depredation is a win-win for all,” he said.
“It will allow for better coexistence between fishers and sharks, while ensuring our world-class fisheries continue to thrive. I look forward to seeing the outcomes of this important research, and the positive impacts it will have for fishers and industry.”
Mr Bright said he did not believe there was a simple answer to the depredation problem but added he would like to see the research project incorporate studies around local shark populations and how many fish they were harvesting from the western Cape York fishery.
“I’d like to see studies that have been done anywhere to show the numbers of sharks,” he said.
“The scientists are saying numbers are static, but I’d like to see the studies that show that, and that it’s just sharks following me more regularly, rather than a spike in shark numbers.
“I’d be as concerned if there were no sharks but these days, in around the beaches catching barramundi or even blue salmon, there’s sharks there in the clear shallows.
“I suggest there’s almost zero knowledge on what the sharks are harvesting; how do you manage a fishery without knowing what’s being taken out of it?”
By CHISA HASEGAWA
SHE is always helping students in Weipa achieve their career goals, but Western Cape College’s Fiona Marshall has marked a significant milestone in her career after winning the prestigious Australian College of Educators’ Noreen Wilcox Excellence in Education Award.
The award, which celebrated the significant contributions of school staff across Far North Queensland, was held in Cairns on 21 August.
The well-deserved recognition in the Contribution to Education category came after six years as the school’s industry liaison officer – a role in which Ms Marshall tirelessly prepares students life after graduation.
“I was truly honoured to be nominated for this role,” Ms Marshall said.
“Winning the award was a wonderful surprise, especially given the exceptional nominees who shared the stage with me. I would like to officially thank the Noreen Wilcox Awards committee and Noreen Wilcox’s family for hosting the awards that are a celebration of education and non-education staff.”
As part of her role, Ms Marshall works with year 11 and 12 students on their school-based traineeships and apprenticeships from beginning to end, and assists them in applying for full-time apprenticeships after graduation.
She also co-ordinates the work experience programs for
students in years 10-12, organises the annual Western Cape Careers Expo, and regularly establishes and maintains relationships with local businesses and employers to source opportunities for students.
Principal Dan Tonon congratulated Ms Marshall as an invaluable member of the WCC family.
“Fiona has an incredible reputation around her networking and skills to be able to support students to identify and engage in a pathway to suit their needs, as well as for workplaces to be able to find employees that suit their needs and aspirations,” he said.
“It requires her to work intensively with a lot of our businesses, but also obviously very
intensively with the students and their families, and the support she provides is immeasurable.
“This award is a testament to the amazing work she’s done to support our young people into the workforce.”
Ms Marshall said she was proud to accept the award on behalf of the entire school, emphasising it was not only about herself, but about the work of every staff member at WCC.
“These staff relationships have been and are so important for continual support for the WCC students and their career pathway journeys,” she said.
“I absolutely love what I do, and seeing the students, past and present, achieve their career goals always puts a smile on my face.”
LIVE theatre enthusiasts of Cooktown are buzzing to start a community performance group after an “enthralling” immersive theatre experience about love.
D.I.V.E. Theatre Collective’s regional Queensland tour of AMOR stopped by Cooktown last week to present a unique performance style and workshop for residents looking to bring the art of theatre into their communities.
Regional Arts Services Network regional arts officer Waratah Nicholls said audiences were invited to participate in the show in a way they had never experienced before.
“There was no seating provided unless requested, so audience members walked around inside the set; the direction was to come no more than two paces from an actor or set piece, but otherwise, [you] were free to move as you wished,” she explained.
“At times, the audience was moved through the set to allow for particular performance pieces, [and] the actors interacted with the audience by talking to them or looking into their eyes directly.
“It was very thought-provoking, and a novel approach that no one in the audience had experienced before – ‘enthralling’, as one audience member commented.”
Ms Nicholls said after the performance, the D.I.V.E. team imparted their wisdom on creating a theatre company and developing
performances that responded to community interest.
“We discussed what our ideas were for a theatre group in Cooktown; some people were mostly interested in theatre sports, [whereas] others were keen to get a theatre group going ,” she said.
Attendees were left particularly inspired by the connection they felt to the performers, leading to conversations about how live theatre could potentially help struggling community members.
“Interactive theatre, which gives the audi-
ence the opportunity to build a relationship with the show [by being] invited to become part of the story, [was suggested],” Ms Nicholls said.
“In light of the Jasper recovery, this could be a platform for developing a work that tells people’s stories and performs them. This can be incredibly therapeutic for people who have experienced traumatic events like the flooding that we had in December.”
If you are interested in becoming a part of a theatre group, contact Waratah Nicholls at mail@cook.qld.gov.au.
STAKEHOLDERS are being urged to mark 7-8 May 2025 in their calendars as the Western Cape Futures Symposium prepares to make a return next year.
Hosted by the Western Cape Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Aurukun Shire Council, Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council, Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council, the Weipa Town Authority, James Cook University, the Torres and Cape Indigenous Council Alliance, Western Cape Communities Trust and Rio Tinto, the symposium will provide an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the region and explore potential opportunities for development.
It will also focus on key issues impacting the region and will explore the options around transitioning towards a more diverse and sustainable economy.
For more information, visit www. westerncapechamber.com.au/symposium.
COOKTOWN’S Sovereign Resort Hotel will be packed with local support on Friday night when homegrown artist Ella Hartwig returns to launch her eagerly-awaited debut album, Fields of Gold
One of the songs on the 13-track album likely to get the biggest roar of support on 30 August will be Hometown, which recalls some of the artist’s fondest memories of Cooktown.
“I’d really love to make it clear that it’ll be a physical exclusive copy of the 13-track record being sold as CDs,” Hartwig said.
“There are five songs released digitally and the rest is yet to come, but I’d love to share it with my hometown first.
“Being able to share my songs that I’ve written about my hometown, to my hometown, is such a privilege; I am so stoked about the support that I’ve been lucky enough to grow up with.”
THURSDAY Island is set to receive eight more affordable homes through the State Government’s Housing Investment Fund.
The government has partnered with the Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust to provide affordable, modular housing for low-income households including young couples and small families.
While modular homes have been criticised by several high-profile Cape York and Torres Strait leaders as not being fit for purpose, Member for Cook Cynthia Lui praised the option as one that would deliver quicker dwellings for residents.
Cape York is indeed a place of immense beauty and value, deserving of protection, but our Labor Governments are intent on giving power to UNESCO instead of the people who live, work and depend on this important area.
The Government has suggested they will engage with locals throughout this process, but it is clear that they only intend on engaging wth people who agree with the proposed listing.
To impose a world heritage listing on the Cape York Peninsula region is a decision that could have devastating implications for landholders and traditional owner groups.
Restricting rights and the ability to utilise land that many have struggled and fought over for decades.
We don’t need the United Nations telling us how we can use and how we should preserve our land. Locals have the best knowledge and solutions to the challenges we face.
Sign the petition and demand that the Australian and Queensland Governments halt their proposed world heritage listing for the Cape York Peninsula Region.
Sign the petition by scanning the QR code above or visit: tinyurl.com/CAPEYWHL
REGULAR travellers along the Peninsula Developmental Road (PDR) will notice a change when they next get to the junction with the Bamaga Road, but it is visitors deciding on a direction the Western Cape Chamber of Commerce is hoping pay the most attention to the eye-catching new addition.
The chamber unveiled its new Weipa promotional sign at the Yjunction earlier this month in a bid to lure more tourists to the township on their Cape York adventure.
Chamber spokesperson Dave Donald was one of the key drivers of the sign project and said he believed it was only fitting the region’s stunning red cliffs were the focus of the advertising campaign.
“The red cliffs were the obvious natural wonder choice, having been originally mentioned during the voyage of the Duyfken by
Dutch navigator Willem Jantz in 1606, which was the first recorded European sighting of Australia,” he explained.
“The concept was given unanimous support by [WCCC] members and the executive.”
Mr Donald said the original sign spruiking Weipa to passing travellers at the Y-junction had suc-
Ruchook around the corner NAPRANUM will be a hive of cultural activity when locals and visitors unite to celebrate the 2024 Ruchook Cultural Festival in less than a month.
The biennial event will be held on 20-21 September and begin with a float competition at 3pm on the Friday, with competitors vying to have the best decorated vehicle in the procession.
A big crowd will converge on the community on the Saturday for a day and night of dance, history and culture, in addition to a full range of other activities.
For more information, check out the Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council website or Facebook page.
WEIPA police are looking for the rightful owner of the pictured bicycle.
The blue Giant mountain bike was located on Northern Avenue at Rocky Point on 18 August. The owner can collect the bike from the Weipa police station.
“If you don’t use your bike, often check on the location of your bike and ensure children’s bikes are secured when not being used,” a police spokesperson said.
“If your bike is stolen, please report it to police regardless of the value.”
THE State Government has passed laws to end what it describes as “secret meetings” between the LNP and lobbyists.
The laws amend the Integrity Act to widen the definition of “opposition representative” to include Shadow Ministers and Shadow Assistant Ministers.
This means meetings registered lobbyists have with a Shadow Minister or Shadow Assistant Minister, which fit the definition of lobbying activity, will be recorded and publicly available.
The opposition had more than 70 meetings or contacts with lobbyists over the previous financial year.
cumbed to graffiti and vandalism over the years, with the framework requiring structural repairs before the new sign was fitted.
“The chamber is well aware of the graffiti problems but decided that the state of the damaged sign was an eyesore and not conducive to promoting Weipa’s tourism industry, therefore, they were happy
to invest the considerable funds needed to create the new sign,” Mr Donald said.
Weipa Town Authority Chair Jaime Gane praised the efforts of the chamber and local businesses involved in creating the new sign.
“It’s great to see that the chamber were able to complete this project, which will be a great support to the business community in helping to encourage visitors to make a stopover in Weipa a must-do on their travels,” she said.
Mr Donald explained the project had been a truly collaborative effort between the WCCC and three well-known Weipa businesses.
“The sign work was completed by Jess at Weipa Signs and Graphics, while refurbishment of the sign framework and erection of the sign itself was completed by Carpentaria Contracting,” he said.
“To ensure the quality of the red cliffs image, Bill Watson of Captured Moments Photography was engaged to supply the high-resolution image needed, and he also assisted with expert advice on obtaining the vivid colours featured.”
While it is unlikely to replace the iconic Pajinka sign photo for Cape York travellers, Ms Gane said she was thrilled to see selfies at the new Weipa sign already appearing on social media.
“It already seems to be proving a popular photo op with visitors; I’ve seen multiple posts already from travellers on different Facebook pages who have stopped to get a photo with the sign,” she told Cape York Weekly
“It’s free advertising for Weipa every time someone shares a photo of it on social media, so, hopefully, most people stop to get a photo.”
A FIRST-TIME entrant of the annual Lakeland photography competition has snapped up the hearts of community members, winning the Opens (18+ years) People’s Choice Award from more than 100 entries.
Despite placing third in the nature category, Samantha Midgley’s Grub’s Up was the most popular photo with the 82 people who cast their votes.
“I was actually pretty surprised, because the judges put it third, and I didn’t even think about People’s Choice,” the long-time Cape York local said.
Samantha said photography was a fairly newfound hobby after purchasing a camera at the beginning of the year.
“It’s different, because I normally do hunting and fishing and stuff, but it’s a new way of being in the outdoors and seeing stuff you wouldn’t normally really see,” she said.
Samantha was taking a new lens for a spin when she captured her winning photo of blue-faced honeyeaters during feeding.
“I reckon it might’ve been a bit of a fluke, because I’m only new to photography, and you don’t see [a feeding] every day,” she laughed.
“I heard them in the tree and I had a look, and I was just like ‘oh my god, this
is the best thing you could capture for your first photo with the new lens.’”
Lakeland Progress Association event organiser Stefanie O’Kane said it had been a tight race again, with hundreds of entries from a variety of ages and experience levels.
“We had some beautiful entries, and we had a lot more creative entries this year,” she said.
“It’s really quite difficult for the judges to choose every year, because they’re just such great entries and there’s quite a few in the different categories.
“Sometimes, the People’s Choice result is different, and I guess it’s just down to how you personally perceive the photos.”
Ms O’Kane said Samantha’s fresh take on nature might have gotten her the votes of the people.
“Everyone that comes to see the photos, we give them a little card, and they choose their favourite Juniors, Teens, and Opens photo,” she explained.
“The Opens includes all of the categories, so that would have been over 100 photos that people had to choose from.
“It was good to see her photo of a mother bird feeding her chick; it was cute, it was different, and we hadn’t really seen it before.”
By CHISA HASEGAWA
A NEW program to help First Nations girls thrive in school will be launched next week at Western Cape College.
The Stars program will support around 150 girls from year 5 to year 12 with everything from academic mentoring to mental wellbeing and even food security.
WCC principal Dan Tonon said the college was now one of only five schools in the state to have a Stars program in place.
“The wellbeing and support of young people is increasingly having a significant impact on all young people’s learning, regardless of their background,” he said.
“It’s anything from academic support, mentoring and being able to resolve issues for them, it could be access to food; it’s basically about removing any barriers that the girls may have to ensure they’re able to engage fully in learning.
“There will be six female mentors that work with the girls before school, during lunchtime, after school, and in camps and trips to support them to graduate from year 12 and successfully transition into the workforce or further learning.”
WCC implemented the Clontarf program in 2019, which supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys to succeed in their education.
The program proved to be impactful for the young men, and
work began to make a similar support approach available for the school’s female students.
With funding from the federal government, a private funding body and the Western Cape Communities Co-Existence Agreement (WCCCA), the college was able to secure a program for its young women, which will now run alongside the program for boys.
“It’s always been our intention to implement a girls’ program as well,” Mr Tonon said.
“After about 18 months of work with predominantly WCCCA –the local Traditional Owners who have seen that this is a need that will support their young people to achieve their potential – we’ve been able to implement the Stars Foundation within our college.”
Stars Foundation Queensland regional manager Sue Douglas said the program was created in 2015 to ensure girls could receive the same support as boys.
“We know that a good education, including regular school attendance and completion of year 12, lays the foundation for success in life,” she said.
“Across the country, there are programs that support First Nations boys to succeed in school, however, there was a growing gender gap in availability of programs to support First Nations girls, and Stars was established to address this gap. Stars provides a culturally safe, holistic program based on strong, trusting relationships.
“The Stars room provides an environment in which the girls in the program can connect daily with their mentors and feel understood, nurtured, and inspired.
“The mentors provide a diverse range of activities to support students to develop the self-esteem, confidence, and life skills they need to successfully participate in school and transition into a positive and independent future.”
By LYNDON KEANE
AFTER little more than a month in the role, the new Weipa operations general manager for Rio Tinto has barely had time to explore his new backyard as he gears up to help the mining giant and community look towards the future.
Steve Dunstone has replaced Shona Markham in the company’s top job after moving to Cape York from the Northern Territory township of Nhulunbuy with his wife, Sian, and two children – Ezra, 5, and Matilda, 3 – to take up the posting.
Speaking to Cape York Weekly after experiencing his first Weipa Rodeo, Mr Dunstone said his family had quickly fallen in love with the welcoming attitude of the Weipa community.
“What we’ve absolutely noticed really quickly, is how welcoming of a town it is, just all of the different people. It’s a really friendly place, so it’s been really nice as new people,” he said.
From sampling hamburgers and the water park in Mapoon to scoping out some local camping spots, Mr Dunstone said he could see similarities between Weipa and Nhulunbuy, but added he believed Cape York’s layout would open up plenty more opportunities for regular exploration.
“I feel like the Cape’s got a much bigger area, so we can’t wait to check it out now,” he said.
“That was part of the attraction to move here … being able to drive to more locations.
Weipa is the community aspect –it’s probably a lot bigger than a lot of the other GM roles in our business,” he said.
“There’s some really key things over the next few years for Weipa; we’ve just shut East Weipa this year [and] we’ve got a project to look at the expansion of Amrun down south that’ll play out over the next 12, 18 months, and that’s a significant piece of work for Rio Tinto and a big part of the future for the Cape.
“I think it’s (normalisation) important to talk about over time and my experience, I’ve just come from Gove, which is in the middle of this process, so moving from effectively a Rio Tinto corporation to a normalised government in the future.
“I think for Weipa, it’s a complex issue in terms of lots of stakeholders with lots of different views, and we just need to understand that over time, and within Rio Tinto as well, be clear on our position.”
Mr Dunstone said he believed it was critical the community aspect of a “strong, vibrant Weipa” remained intact to ensure the longevity of the township.
“We’ll be up in the [Northern Peninsula Area] in two weeks for the rodeo, and we’ll get up to the tip and just all the camping locations, we can’t wait for that. We’ve got years of exploring to be able to do in that time, which is really cool.”
doom, Mr Dunstone said it was impossible not to step into the role without keeping at least one eye on
With operational expansions and closures scheduled for the coming decade at Amrun and An
“We’ve got existing operations, and a township that’s been running 60 years and really well,” he said.
“It’s a great community, and we need to make sure we protect that for as long as we can, and as long as we’re here, which is a long
Due to illegal dumping, residents and visitors are being advised that effective:
SUNDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2024
the Mt Tully Green Waste Facility on Endeavour Valley Road will no longer be accessible to the general public.
Community members may dispose of green waste five days a week at the Cooktown Waste Transfer Station (during opening hours). Green waste will be assessed for contamination, measured and the relevant Council fees and charges applied.
Businesses and organisations impacted by these changes are encouraged to contact Council to discuss access requirements.
For more information, contact our Waste Managment team by calling 4082 0500 or emailing mail@cook.qld.gov.au
August 22 & 29
THE 2024 clean-up of Cape York beaches has continued as a group of volunteers collected two-and-ahalf tonnes of marine debris from must-visit Chilli Beach from 27 July-2 August.
The clean-up effort was co-ordinated by the Tangaroa Blue Foundation in collaboration with the Kuuku Ya’u and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service staff, with 11 eager volunteers donating their time to rid the beach of rubbish.
A Tangaroa Blue spokesperson said the group had removed a “staggering” amount of debris, adding some of which would be repurposed for the organisation’s Project ReCon.
The project utilises smart buoys to tag ghost nets and other fishing gear in the ocean and track it via GPS until it can be removed.
“Among numerous bottle caps, thongs and plastic bottles was a significant amount of lost fishing
gear, including several large nets, a [fish aggregating device] and six GPS tracker buoys,” the spokesperson said.
“Tangaroa Blue Foundation will repurpose these tracker buoys to help locate and recover ghost nets as part of Project ReCon.”
The bumper haul of rubbish adds to the two tonnes collected at Mapoon in July, during which volunteers found a number of curiosities in the rubbish, including a
cordial bottle from the 1970s and a commemorative beer can.
The spokesperson said the clean-up was made possible with funding support from the Federal Government’s Reef Trust and through collaboration with local organisations and volunteers.
“A special thanks goes out to The Greenhoose Cape York for providing amazing meals to keep the team going throughout the week,” they said.
The next clean-up will be at Captain Billy Landing from 2-4 September before attention is turned to Pennefather Beach from 16-27 September.
Captain Billy Landing is located on the east Cape York coast in the Heathlands Resources Reserve within Jardine River National Park.
To volunteer with Tangaroa Blue on a clean-up operation, email fernanda@tangaroablue.org.
YUSIA GINAU OVAL BAMAGA 5th to 7th SEPTEMBER 2024
THURSDAY NIGHT
Rodeo Events
Poddy Rides
M&F 5 to 12yrs – $10 entry
1st $150, 2nd $75, 3rd $50, 4th $20
FRIDAY Horse Events
Junior Barrel Race
M&F 5 to 15yrs – $10 entry
1st $75, 2nd $45, 3rd $30
Senior Barrel Race
M&F 16+yrs – $10 entry
1st $150, 2nd $90, 3rd $60
Boots & Saddle
M&F 10+yrs – $10 entry
1st $150, 2nd $90, 3rd $60
Figure of 8
M&F 10+yrs – $10 entry
1st $100, 2nd $60, 3rd $40
Bending Race
M&F 10+yrs – $10 entry
1st $100, 2nd $60, 3rd $40
Jockeys required to attend race meeting one hour before event
Cape York Weekly
300m Sprint Race
M&F 18+yrs – $50 entry
1st $850, 2nd $400, 3rd $250
FRIDAY
Rodeo Events
4pm Poddy Rides
M&F 5 to 12yrs – $10 entry
1st $150, 2nd $75, 3rd $50, 4th $20
Warren Bethel Local Bull Ride (1st Round)
18+yrs – $50 entry
1st $1000, 2nd $500, 3rd $250
Novice Bull Ride
M&F 16+yrs – $50 entry
1st $1000, 2nd $500, 3rd $250
SATURDAY Horse Events
Cowal Creek Horse Race
M&F 18+yrs – $50 entry
1st $850, 2nd $400, 3rd $250
Trumby Cup
M&F 18+yrs – $50 entry
1st $1200, 2nd $600, 3rd $400 **A Calcutta will be held at 2pm
SATURDAY
Rodeo Events
Bushmans Saddle Race
M&F 18+yrs – $30 entry
1st $700, 2nd $300, 3rd $150
Warren Bethel Local Bull Ride (2nd Round)
M&F 18+yrs – $50 entry
1st $1000, 2nd $500, 3rd $250
Bob Katter Saddle Bronc 18+yrs – $60 entry
1st $1000, 2nd $600, 3rd $400
Open Bull Ride
Men only 18+yrs – $60 entry
1st $1200, 2nd $600, 3rd $400
BASED on the comments I’ve heard around the traps this dry season, I haven’t been the only one to notice a trending absence of friendly fingers being raised off steering wheels to acknowledge passing motorists on our Cape York roads.
The bush salute is a time-honoured tradition on rural and remote roads, especially up this way, but it seems like many in this year’s tourist cohort are simply refusing to play the game, whether through a disinterest in basic traveller etiquette – “I’m from Toorak and we just don’t do those sorts of things down there” – or confusion about how to offer a single-finger greeting at 80 kilometres per hour or more.
In the event the finger wave drought of 2024 is being caused by the latter, I thought I’d dissect the six most common styles as an unofficial reference point for our southern visitors.
Style 1: Index Excellence
The OG bush salute and the telltale style of someone accustomed to greeting random drivers. This style is identified by the effortless lifting of the index finger from the steering wheel as an acknowledgement to the vehicle coming towards you. If your finger goes anywhere north of 45 degrees from
your grip on the wheel, you’re doing it wrong and likely to appear to the passing driver as though you’re performing a mobile finger puppet show.
Style 2: The Salute
The calling card of the newbie, this style involves the driver lifting their entire right hand off the steering wheel and gesturing towards the oncoming vehicle with a straight hand.
Unfortunately, this style bears a horrible resemblance to the sorts of salutes made mandatory in certain European countries during the
1930s and 1940s, as well as those living under a communist regime. It’s probably best you leave this one in the kit bag.
Style 3: The Grip and Glare
For reasons known only to exponents, this technique involves staunchly refusing to offer a greeting and instead gripping down on the steering wheel while glaring menacingly at the poor bastard whose only crime was to acknowledge your existence on some of the remotest roads in the country.
It may just be an amusing coincidence, but the Grip and Glare
types tend to be those piloting four-wheel drives that could pass for a prime mover and towing caravans big enough to accommodate all the roadies on the Rolling Stones’ last tour.
Style 4: Nothing to See Here
This style is a distant cousin of the Grip and Glare in that there is no bush salute offered, however, fans of the Nothing to See Here will not even make eye contact as you drive past, preferring instead to lower their head and focus on a point at the end of their bonnet in a method not dissimilar to the If-I-
can’t-see-them-they-can’t-see-me mentality adopted by four-yearolds. The theory is these individuals listen to way too many true crime podcasts and assume every motorist who calls Cape York home is the person they based the Wolf Creek franchise on.
Style 5: Put Your Body Into It
Whether it’s due to consuming too much caffeine and three bags of red frogs between Lakeland and Coen, or just an odd and unnecessary ebullience, this style transforms the humble bush salute into a whole body production. Not only does this style involve acknowledging the passing vehicle with a huge grin of Cheshire Cat-esque proportions, you have to offer a wave that would make the Beverly Hillbillies proud. I’m talking about the sort of enthusiasm you’d use to flag down a passing vessel after you’ve been stuck on a deserted island on your own for six months.
Style 6: The Finger Flagpole
This style is technically a single-finger salute, but not in the way you’re thinking. It’s only rolled out in response to an Index Excellence going unrequited. It involves raising and waving your middle finger angrily in the direction of the motorist who’s ignored you. It takes a special, practised skill to be able to transition to this style quickly enough for the intended target to see it. If you hesitate for even a second, you’ll be flipping the bird at an empty road.
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.
Cooktown Racecource 24 September 2024 | 5.30pm
Cooktown Amateur Turf Club, as trustee of the State Reserve on which the racecourse is located, has prepared a draft Land Management Plan (LMP) to manage future interests and activities on the trust land, including leasing a portion of the reserve to Cooktown Horse Sports Association; and an overflow tourist park.
The Club is now seeking the community’s feedback to ensure the LMP reflects thecommunity’s requirements.
Copies of the draft Land Management Plan are available by emailing cooktownturfclub@outlook.com or by phoning 0428 873 187.
COOKTOWN AMATEUR TURF CLUB Inc PO Box 332 Cooktown QLD 4895, cooktownturfclub@outlook.com
MORE than 150 Thursday Island residents joined the Thursday Island Deadly Runners and Walkers and the Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF) in a fun run designed to make a difference to health and fitness on 16-17 August.
The Thursday Island NAIDOC Fun Run offered something for all fitness levels and abilities, with two special guests and Indigenous Marathon Project (IMP) graduates – Torres Shire Council Mayor Elsie Seriat and Harold Matthew –lacing up their shoes to join in.
In 2014, Mayor Seriat and Matthew became the first Thursday Islanders to join the IMP and run a marathon.
Day one kicked off with an a two-kilometre and 3km Colour
Fun Run, where the island’s youth took to the course with enthusiasm and determination.
On the Saturday morning, competitors tackled half marathon, 10km and 5km courses, with sea-
WHILE he did not claim the chocolates, Jim Lucas had one reason to celebrate when a big field 24 teed off in Wackers action at Carpentaria Golf Club on 21 August.
Lucas claimed nearest to the pin bragging rights on the 7th hole after his ball rolled into the cup for a spectacular hole-in-one, his first and only the third in the competition’s 33-year history.
Ross Craven was the day’s winner with a cracking two over par off the stick, with his nett 32.5 enough to secure the honours from runner-up Richard Dawe, who returned to the clubhouse with nett 33.
Helen Sabatino was nearest to the pin on hole nine, while Rhiannan Head got her money back by bagging the Bradman’s.
Rumour has it Lucas eagerly collected $100 from each of his playing partners for the ace but only shouted them two beers at the bar, which Cape York Weekly is suggesting is somewhat stingy, given the low cost of golf club beers in 2024.
DESPITE a stunning morning in Weipa, 13 players in the field of 14 left the course disillusioned and swearing to work on their games after Simon Ayles recorded a fourshot Dawnbusters win on 25 August.
Ayles’ effort of 45 off the stick for a nett 11 may have got him the chocolates, but it also decimated his handicap from 34 to 9 in one fell swoop.
Long drives went to Ayles and Beth Dall, who also claimed the weekly Hoffman’s gong.
Jon Dall secured bridesmaid honours with nett 15.
Jim Lucas added to his Wednesday Wackers hole-in-one by winning the nearest to the pin prize, although Sunday’s effort failed to drop into the cup.
Players will contest a special Father’s Day Bash on 1 September, with the first group teeing off at 7am.
A BIG crowd is tipped to converge on Bamaga’s Yusia Ginau Oval when the 2024 Red Dust Show, Rodeo and Races are held on 5-7 September.
The three-day event will have something for everyone, from a full range of rodeo events to thrilling horse sprints and carnival entertainment.
The annual Calcutta for the Trumby Cup will be a feature of the program, with a substantial prize pool set to lure punters and those able to gauge fast equine talent.
soned runners and first timers pounding the pavement together.
Mayor Seriat said the event provided an opportunity to reflect on her own IMP achievement a decade ago.
“It’s been 10 years since Harold and I lined up to race the New York City Marathon, and so this event is fitting particularly in line with the NAIDOC theme Keep the Fire Burning,” she said.
“I’m very overwhelmed to see the amount of people who have come out to participate, and that’s what we’re about – bringing the community together from all walks of life as in the Reconciliation Week theme Now More Than Ever.
“Thank you to our visitors who helped support the event – Uncle Rob, Tim Crosbie from Athletics Australia, the IMF team and all of the IMF run leaders.”
Indigenous Marathon Foundation founder and four-time Olym-
pian Robert de Castella also commended the event and reflected on the “ripple effect” of Thursday Island’s IMP graduates.
“It was a privilege to visit Thursday Island and see the massive impact the first two Thursday Island IMP graduates, Elsie and Harold, have had 10 years on,” he said.
“In addition to the inspiration they provided by running the New York City Marathon in 2014, now there is a 5km bike path around the Island making running and walking safe and accessible for all.
“We talk about ripples, and this is exactly what IMP’s impact has been on Thursday Island, with six amazing local IMP Graduates, and improved health for all.”
PULLING yourself up out of the dust to find your middle finger at an angle medical professionals would describe as unadvisable would be enough to deter most people from wanting to get straight back on a bucking beast.
Fortunately, for the big crowd at Andoom Oval on Saturday afternoon, cowgirl Sydney van Pelt is not most people.
After being dislodged from her ride during the junior steer event at the 2024 Weipa Rodeo, the 14-year-old suffered a dislocated finger which threatened to stop her competing in her favourite event, the mini bull ride.
Adopting an “it’ll be fine” attitude, van Pelt waved her injured hand to friends and family in the crowd as she left the arena to seek medical attention, which turned out to be the young rodeo star resetting the finger herself.
“It didn’t hurt at all actually, it just went back in,” she laughed after she backed up minutes later with strapped fingers in the mini bull showdown.
“I for sure knew I was going to get back on the mini bulls.”
While van Pelt seem unphased by the injury, the same could not be said for her father, James, who shared the reaction of the crowd after watching her fall.
“I got a little bit sick when I saw Sydney’s finger,” he said.
Sydney van Pelt will certainly be a name to watch when the 20th anniversary edition of the Weipa Rodeo returns in 2025.
– story by
By LYNDON KEANE
WHILE he fell just a point short of claiming the open bull ride, Braydon Wellby can now cross captaining a winning Cape of Origin team off his to-do list after he led Northern to a comprehensive victory at the 2024 Weipa Rodeo on Saturday night.
Wellby’s team demolished the Southern and Central competition with 226.1 points to hand the pro rider his first taste of Cape of Origin success at his third attempt in front of a big crowd at Andoom Oval.
Southern, led by Ky Borghero, finished in second spot with 159.1 points, while the Anthony Ryanskippered Central claimed the bronze on place on 88.1 points.
Borghero reversed the roles in the showcase $5,000 open bull ride with an 84-point winning ride on Willy Mack, with Wellby almost snatching the prizemoney after the judges awarded him 83 points for his effort on Spider.
More than 3,000 people converged on the final night of the 19th anniversary edition of the rodeo to watch Darren George, Jake Simpson and Caleb Sheahan dominate the novice bull, mini bull and open bullock events, while Jasmin Scikluna and Dan O’Connor where in classes of their own when cattle were swapped for horses in the arena in the barrel racing and saddle bronc events.
Weipa Rodeo Association president Reuben Slingo hailed the event an overwhelming success with almost 300 rides, including on several bulls that had
previously never had someone on their back for eight seconds.
“Our 19th event was a huge success with 280 rides, [with] some bulls never having been ridden to time before,” he said.
“We couldn’t be happier with how the weekend went.
“We had huge numbers through the gates and it was awesome to see so many people loving the rodeo; the grounds looked amazing with the extra grandstand for additional seating and slab for the new bar.”
The dust may have barely settled on this year’s rodeo, but Mr Slingo said the committee was
already gearing up to ensure the 2025 instalment – the event’s 20th anniversary – would be one to remember.
“We are always thinking on what comes next and excited about our twentieth anniversary event next year,” he said.
“It’s a huge milestone and be sure we will celebrate it in style with the Weipa community.”
CAPE OF ORIGIN TEAMS
Northern – Captain’s bull ride: Braydon Wellby; open bull ride: Alfred Bond; novice bull ride: Darren George; saddle bronc: Phillip Port; barrel race: Summer van Pelt; ladies bullock ride:
Michaela Smith-Hart; mini bull ride: Matty Prychidczuk
Southern – Captain’s bull ride: Anthony Ryan; open bull ride: Jake Simpson; novice bull ride: Hayden Moss; saddle bronc: Dan O’Connor; barrel race: Jasmine Scikluna; ladies bullock ride: Clare Parry; mini bull ride: Caleb Sheahan
Central – Captain’s bull ride: Ky Borghero; open bull ride: Craig Gibson; novice bull ride: Tennison Paul; saddle bronc: Jack Papworth; barrel race: Charlotte Barrett; ladies bullock ride: Hallie Jenkins; mini bull ride: William Hudson
WEIPA RODEO RESULTS
Open bull ride
1st: Ky Borghero 84 points
2nd: Braydon Wellby 83 points
Novice bull ride
1st: Darren George 76 points
2nd: Jake Simpson 66 points
3rd: Damien Charger 65 points
Mini bull ride
1st: Caleb Sheahan 70 points
2nd: Matty
*More than 40 years in the property industry
• Great communication
• One point of contact - deal direct with the business owner
• Available 24/7
• Professional photography
• Strict tenant criteria and screening
• Regular inspections with comprehensive report including photos
• ZERO tolerance arrears policy.
