Jenni Pinchen, Sue Volp and Mick Volp have plenty of reasons to celebrate as they arrive at the first break station on the Peninsula Developmental Road in stifling conditions during the 10th Conquer the Corrugations walk on Saturday. Event wrap – Pages 10 and 11
Expectant southern Cape York mothers will be able to have their babies in their own backyard after Premier Steven Miles committed to returning birthing services to Cooktown by “mid next year” if his government wins this month’s state election. Read the full story on Page 3.
PCYC branch to shut as council takes back facility
PCYC Cooktown will close its doors after 13 years of supporting the community’s youth after Cook Shire Council announced on 27 September it was resuming management of the Cooktown Events Centre.
The decision was made after a confidential report about the management of the centre was tabled at the council’s 24 September ordinary meeting, with the organisation saying it would “allow council to adapt the facility to accommodate the growing needs of the community”.
While no specifics have been provided about what the adaption will look like, Mayor Robyn Hol-
mes said she believed the change would “increase programming, improve access and enhance services”.
“This decision reflects council’s
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commitment to providing facilities and services that benefit our evolving community,” she said.
“By resuming management of the Cooktown Events Centre, we
are well positioned to create more flexibility in how the facility is used and deliver diverse activities and services that better serve our residents and visitors.”
It is understood improving the capability to deliver disaster preparedness and response at the centre will form part of the new management direction.
In a Facebook post on Friday afternoon, the PCYC Cooktown team let its followers know the club would be ceasing operation.
“We wish to inform you that PCYC Cooktown will soon be closing, after 13 years as part of the community,” the post reads.
“During this time, we’ve built
strong connections with many of you, and we are incredibly grateful for the energy you’ve brought to this club.
“While we understand and accept the decision made by Cook Shire Council this week to reclaim the facility, we recognise the impact this may have on our members and the broader community.
“On behalf of everyone at PCYC, thank you for being part of our journey since 2011.”
The 8 October edition of the Cape York Weekly will have a full report about the closure, including comments from the council and PCYC Queensland, and reactions from the Cooktown community.
Local ambo recognised for heroics during floods
EXCELLENCY, dedication and the trust of his people have put a Cooktown born-and-bred ambulance technician in the running for a QBANK Everyday Heroes Award.
Tirelessly uplifting his community and supporting fellow First Nations people, ambulance technician and paramedicine student Dylan Harrigan is one of 23 finalists selected from across the state for the 10th annual awards, which will take place in Brisbane on 11 October.
“I enjoy working in my hometown, helping my people and giving back to my community,” he said.
“It gives me a sense of satisfaction knowing my community, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, feel they trust me to care and treat them, and know they are in safe hands.”
Mr Harrigan has been recognised in the Excellence category of the awards for delivering exceptional care to patients across his region, as well as his contribution to cultural leadership with the Queensland Ambulance Service for the past nine years.
“My cultural knowledge aids in providing support to Indigenous patients and their families, and creates culturally safe environments,” the finalist said.
“I also educate and guide my
non-Indigenous colleagues, so they better understand the Indigenous culture, community, and people, and can develop their practice in caring and treating patients.”
This cultural knowledge was integral during the evacuation of Wujal Wujal in December following Tropical Cyclone Jasper – a time that was terrifying, confusing, and heartbreaking for residents as they watched the flood take their homes.
“I was fulfilling my role in providing cultural support to my people and community during the Wujal Wujal evacuation, “ Mr Harrigan said.
“My role consisted of providing frontline contact support and assistance to all community members impacted by the severe weather events.”
He said he was surprised but honoured to be named a finalist in the awards, which celebrate the exceptional achievements of people within emergency services, corrections, education, the public service and volunteers.
“It is a bit exciting – I do hope for more recognition for those who truly deserve it because of the hard work and dedication they put into serving our communities and helping people,” Mr Harrigan said.
Cook Shire is yet to provide details on its plan to resume management of the Cooktown Events Centre, however, the decision means PCYC Cooktown will pull down the shutters after 13 years of supporting the community’s youth.
Cooktown ambulance technician Dylan Harrigan has been named a finalist for an Everyday Heroes Award.
Birthing service promise made on caretaker eve
By LYNDON KEANE
BIRTHING services will return to Cooktown by “mid next year” if Labor retains government at the state election, according to Premier Steven Miles.
The announcement, made on 30 September just before the government went into caretaker mode ahead of the 26 October election, will allow expectant mothers from Cooktown, Lakeland, Laura, Hope Vale and Wujal Wujal to give birth locally, instead of having to travel to Cairns.
The election promise, if delivered, would mean local birthing options would be once again available across Cape York after maternity services returned to Weipa in May.
Premier Miles said he believed it was important for Cape York mothers-to-be to be able to deliver their babies in their own backyard.
“As health minister, I saw first-hand the importance of having access to quality health care services, closer to home and, as Premier, I’m delivering,” he said.
“We are attracting and recruiting skilled clinicians to our regions, and doing what matters to improve the services we deliver right around the state.
“It’s because of my govern-
ment’s investment we’re able to support the return of birthing services in Cooktown from mid next year.
“This is a huge step forward in the clinical care we offer in the Cape, and I want to thank local champion Cynthia Lui for her ongoing advocacy for local women and mums.”
It is anticipated about 40 births per year will occur in Cooktown each year once the service returns.
The decision comes on the back of the last month’s revelation the government had revised
the timeline for the delivery of the $200 million Cooktown Hospital, with works now scheduled to be completed during the 2027-28 financial year.
The government said a new recruitment campaign would be launched to attract the rural generalist general practitioners in obstetrics required to ensure the return of Cooktown maternity services were clinically sustainable and culturally safe.
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said she believed the announcement would mean improved outcomes for mothers
and their babies on eastern Cape York.
“I am so pleased that our advocacy on behalf of the women of Cape York has delivered birthing services in Weipa, and will resume in Cooktown soon,” she said.
“A significant number of these pregnant women will no longer need to travel to Cairns to give birth once birthing services resume in Cooktown; this will allow women to have their babies closer to home, which we know is culturally important and safer for First Nations women.’’
New collaboration to promote telehealth
WHEN you are hours and hours away from specialist medical services, telehealth can be a great alternative to travelling and spending time away from home.
A new partnership between Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) and Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service will bring the inaugural Telehealth Week tour to eastern Cape York this month.
TCHHS telehealth nurse manager Carley Terranova said telehealth services had always been available, but not everyone knew it was an option.
“It’s basically about getting consumer
engagement with the service, telling them about what we can offer, and just letting them know they don’t have to travel to talk to a specialist,” she said.
“The service has always been there for the patients, but it’s the first time we’ve actually joined forces to say, ‘this is what our capabilities are within telehealth’, and to provide a bit of education and digital literacy around the service.”
The team will be travelling to Cooktown, Hope Vale and Wujal Wujal to not only share information about telehealth, but also hear from residents who have had experience receiving telehealth.
“They can also give us feedback on their own experiences as well, which will help us improve our practices and our services,” Ms Terranova said.
“It’s definitely an opportunity for them to give their suggestions or have a general storytelling experience.”
The Telehealth Week tour will start on 14 October at the Cooktown Community Health Centre, before moving to the Hope Vale Community Health Centre on 15 October and the Wujal Wujal Community Health Centre on 16 October.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their mobile phone if they have one.
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui, Premier Steven Miles, Cooktown mum Stephanie Henebery, midwife Anna Humphrey, Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman and Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service chief executive Rex O’Rourke are all smiles at the announcement birthing services will return to Cooktown by mid-2025 if Labor retains power on 26 October.
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Heritage 150 Anniversary Category (Historical Dress Open Category)
Junior Categories will be Judged promptly at 11.30 before the 1st race at
More volunteers needed as SES numbers dwindle
By LYNDON KEANE
AS the 2024 wet season approaches, the State Emergency Service (SES) is calling for volunteers to help boost crew numbers across Cape York.
The SES held an open night in Weipa on 24 September to showcase what the organisation did in the communities it served, and while the event resulted in several new recruits willing to don the orange overalls, Far Northern Region area controller Eleanor Rosam said more people were needed.
“We did see a few interested people come through and we signed up some new recruits,” she told Cape York Weekly
“The numbers in the Weipa SES are currently low and across the rest of the Cape groups; we are actively encouraging anyone who is interested to lodge their expression of interest in joining on the SES website.”
Ms Rosam said volunteers would play a pivotal role during disasters, adding that joining a crew afforded people a whole new range of skills in addition to the feeling of satisfaction from serving their community.
“We respond to all stormrelated emergencies, which can be sandbagging a property to protect it from water, making temporary repairs to someone’s roof, evacuating people in danger of flooding and flood boat operations; in addition, we support all other agencies when required, which includes assisting police searching for missing people, or assisting ambulance rescuing casualties requiring extraction in difficult circumstances,” she said.
“SES members can feel good knowing their work in difficult times has a huge effect within the community and working as part of a close team can really help people connect with others in the community.”
A five-day recruit course will be held in Weipa before the end of the year, and will be mandatory for those wanting to undertake advanced training as their SES career develops.
“All training and equipment is provided for by the SES,” Ms
Rosam told Cape York Weekly
“The dates for the Weipa course will be confirmed towards the end of the year; this training will cover all basic subjects and will be the prerequisite for all higher risk courses.
“This is an excellent opportunity for interested community members to join now to receive training quickly.”
Anyone interested in what the SES does or signing up as a recruit can visit www.ses.qld.gov. au.
CEQ celebrates big year of milestones
COMMUNITY Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) is celebrating several significant milestones and achievements notched up during the 2023-2024 financial year the remote supermarket operator says reflect its commitment to an organisational vision of “Caring, every day, always”.
CEQ board chairperson Joann Schmider said the organisation’s commitment to supporting remote Cape York and Torres Strait communities had been evident more than ever during the previous financial year.
“At CEQ, we are deeply committed to ensuring that cost of living remains at the heart of our decisions,” Ms Schmider said.
CEQ has redefined its community reinvestment strategy through its Good Pasin (give back) program, which has become a cornerstone of its efforts to support the communities in which it operates.
Over the past 12 months, CEQ provided $642,000 in financial and in-kind assistance to not-for-profit organisations and individuals across various communities, including help during Sorry Business to ensure families could focus on grieving without worrying about an additional financial burden.
“It’s not just about financial support; it’s
about fostering connections, preserving culture, and contributing to the overall wellbeing of our communities,” Ms Schmider said.
The Good Pasin program also allowed CEQ to throw its weight behind a range of community success stories including junior sporting events, rodeos, festivals and cultural celebrations.
“The value of these events goes beyond financial support,” Ms Schmider said.
“They are an opportunity for our team to engage directly with community members, share knowledge, and contribute to cultural preservation.”
In terms of operational footprint, CEQ is also celebrating expanding its network by three stores during the 2023-24 reporting period – ABIS Wujal Wujal, IBIS Mapoon, and IBIS Kirriri – in addition to opening the new IBIS Bamaga.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Aurukun woman charged
AN Aurukun woman will face court in a fortnight following an alleged assault at the Cock & Bull pub in Cairns on 24 September.
Police allege the 38-year-old woman and a 19-year-old Gordonvale woman assaulted a 60-year-old man and another 38-yearold woman with a metal pole during the incident. The victims of the alleged attack, understood to also be from Aurukun, were taken to Cairns Hospital for treatment.
The women were charged with two counts each of assault occasioning bodily harm while armed.
They are due to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on 14 October.
Barra Bash this weekend
THE hunt will be on for big barramundi and bragging rights when competitors wet a line in the 2024 Mapoon Barra Bash on 5-6 October.
The annual event is hosted by Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council and provides anglers with an opportunity to not only be crowned the community’s top fisher, but also the chance to win the fantastic major prize of a boat and trailer combination.
Spots in the event are limited and anglers have until 12pm on Friday to register to be eligible to compete.
For more information, call 4082 5200 or check out the council’s Facebook page.
Fund to
boost local fashion
FIRST Nations fashion and textile artists from Cape York and the Torres Strait are being encouraged to take advantage of a new State Government fund aimed at boosting the economic potential of their creativity.
The First Nations Fashion and Textiles Accelerator Fund was launched on 25 September and will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists in Queensland who are working with the fashion and textiles industries to share their stories, celebrate their cultural identity and maximise the economic potential of their art.
Grants of up to $30,000 are available for projects that contribute to business growth, such as skills development, residency programs or small-scale equipment purchases.
For projects that demonstrate significant commercial outcomes, such as investment in infrastructure or growth of product lines, grants of up to $60,000 are available.
For more information about the fund, or to apply, go to www.arts.qld.gov.au.
The opening of the new IBIS Bamaga was one of the 2023-24 financial year highlights for remote supermarket operator CEQ.
The State Emergency Service used an open night in Weipa on 24 September to call for extra volunteers both in the township and across Cape York as the 2024 wet season approaches.
STOP LABOR LOCKING UP CAPE YORK
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
Lost artwork brought back to life
By CHISA HASEGAWA
AFTER losing all of her paintings in the Tropical Cyclone Jasper flood, a Wujal Wujal artist is seeing her work come to life in the form of an eight-metre tall light sculpture.
Selected as one of this year’s artists for the Shine on Gimuy multi-arts light festival in Cairns, Doreen Collins will share the story of the cassowary with visitors, based on an original painting that was
washed away. Ms Collins, who has since relocated to Cairns after the flood event, said it was heartbreaking to lose so many paintings, but added the festival was another chance to show her work and tell her story.
“[It’s] exciting, it’s another opportunity for people to see my artwork that was lost,” she said.
“I did the sketch of it and they’re building it now.
“I’m excited to share my culture because it’s a part of who I am.”
In only its second year, Shine on Gimuy brings First Nations artists from across Tropical North Queensland region together with a team of fabricators to create a magnificent light show.
“It’s about how do we showcase blak excellence in arts and cultures, as well as the region itself to help stimulate visitation, and bring people from all across the world to this beautiful part of Queensland,” event marketing and partnerships co-ordinator Jack Wilkie-Jans said.
“Artworks that are obviously a great deal smaller when the original artworks come to us can be transformed into major light sculptures.
“This has never been done in Cairns before; artists who are emerging and established working together with a team of expert fabricators to bring together something that is just so dazzling.”
Speaking to Cape York Weekly, Mr Wilkie-Jans said that three artists with completely differing
styles would be brought together by colourful lights to decorate Gimuy Boulevard, the entryway to the festival.
“They reflect the colours of the tropics, they reflect the colours of the reef, and more importantly, they reflect what’s in the heart and mind and cultures of these artists,” he said.
The Shine on Gimuy festival will begin on 3 October as the dazzling works light up the Esplanade in Cairns.
Doreen Collins’ cassowary painting will become an eight-metre tall light sculpture.
Jack Wilke-Jans and Doreen Collins are preparing to light up Cairns for the Shine on Gimuy festival.
Land return could be a coup for families
A NEW childcare centre for the people of Horn Island is one step closer following the State Government’s completion of a land transfer to Traditional Owners on 25 September.
Kaurareg Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (KNTAC) has been given the title deeds for a block of land at Wasaga under the Aboriginal Land Act 1991 with the land transfer providing the organisation with inalienable freehold of the block.
The deal means the land cannot be bought, sold or mortgaged, and is held in trust for the benefit of the First Nations people connected to it. The block is home to the island’s Ngu-
rupai Kazil childcare centre, which has been closed for several years, forcing families to travel to nearby Thursday Island via ferry to access childcare services.
In addition to the transfer, the government has provided KNTAC with $247,000 from the 2024-25 state budget to ensure the building complies with modern safety standards.
KNTAC will partner with Goodstart Early Learning to seek Federal Government funding to restart childcare services, with the land transfer representing the clearing of the first hurdle in the process.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Leeanne Enoch said
the deal would help Horn Island forge a path towards self-determination.
“Today’s land transfer supports KNTAC to provide practical, self-governed solutions for meeting Closing the Gap targets in their community,” she said.
KNTAC chair Eliziah Wasaga praised the land transfer and said the return of a local childcare option would be celebrated.
“There will be a lot of happy Elders, parents and children celebrating today, because Horn Island has something great to look forward to for our families, and we should all feel very proud of this wonderful achievement,” he said.
Recent fires were timely warning for Cape: Mayor
THE mayor of Cook Shire is imploring residents and visitors to be more bushfire aware after the Lakeland and Cooktown communities had lucky escapes from potentially catastrophic bushfires last week.
The intensity of the blazes was exacerbated by strong winds across eastern Cape York, with another large fire also burning out a significant amount of land at Mount Carbine at the same time.
Luckily, none of the fires caused structural losses or significant property damage.
However, Cook Shire Mayor Robyn Holmes said the events
were a warning and that everyone needed to understand the risk of bushfires and have a plan in place, especially when the region’s remoteness and limited alternative road exits were taken into account.
“In the dry season, it is imperative everyone knows where to get information in the event they may be impacted by bushfires,” she said.
“Council’s disaster dashboard is the most updated source of information for residents in Cook Shire, and I would strongly encourage residents and visitors to make themselves aware of the information before travelling
into isolated areas, and to assist in preparing for fire season.
“During a bushfire, I would encourage everyone to prepare for evacuation, given fires are unpredictable, especially in areas prone to high winds and changing temperatures; if you happen to be in the path of a fire, be prepared to leave early, as you will have next to no time to evacuate if the wind and conditions change for the worst.”
Mayor Holmes’ sentiment was echoed by the Queensland Fire Department (QFD), with a spokesperson telling Cape York Weekly it was critical bushfire survival plans and official warn-
ings were understood and readily reacted to.
“During a bushfire, your safety depends on your preparations and the decisions you make,” the spokesperson said.
“Make your bushfire survival plan now and know exactly what you can do to protect yourself, your family, and your property.
“Bushfires are unpredictable and plans can fail; a contingency plan that identifies your alternate options may save your life if you are caught in a fire.”
Cape York residents can create a bushfire survival plan by visiting www.bushfire-survivalplan.qfes.qld.gov.au.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Seniors set for Big Day Out
COOKTOWN’S seniors are getting ready for an event to remember when the town holds a Big Day Out on 17 October.
The event will be hosted by the Cooktown Community Care Program and is a chance for clients, their carers and their families, to gather for the “annual day of fun and frivolity”.
There will be activities, raffles and information stalls on offer, as well as morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea provided.
The Big Day Out will be held at PCYC Cooktown from 10am-2pm. Bus transport is available. To RSVP for the event, call 4043 0223 by 10 October.
Weipa gets set for disaster COMMUNITY and emergency services stakeholders will come together later this month to help Weipa residents prepare for the 2024 cyclone season.
Weipa Town Authority (WTA) will hold this year’s Get Ready Weipa Disaster Expo at the SES headquarters at Rocky Point from 9am-12pm on 12 October.
The event is aimed at engaging all community demographics in ensuring the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery message is at the forefront of everyone’s mind as the cyclone season approaches.
Stakeholders and agencies will participate through provision of live demonstrations, displays of service vehicles, boats and machinery, and with information and education stalls.
Project gives kids a voice
IN response to the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023, a new project aimed at supporting the voices of impacted young people in communities on south-eastern Cape York was launched in Mossman last week.
The project, called Kuku Bakal Kaykayanda (Giving words to all the children), will foster resilience and promote healing through creative engagement.
Led by the Creative Recovery Network Tropical North (CRN) partnership, the project is working with children and young people from Rossville, Cooktown, Wujal Wujal, Degarra, and Ayton, and recognises the essential role they play in a community’s disaster recovery.
CRN executive officer Scotia Monkivitch said the project would allow participants to not only recover and heal following natural disasaters, but also help in rebuilding planning.
Lakeland landholders were lucky to escape without any structural losses after strong winds caused a bushfire to burn through thousands of acres of scrub and farmland last week.
Conquer the Corrugations
Mother, daughter, grandchildren connected over a decade of walk
By CHISA HASEGAWA
“I JUST wish she had the opportunity to see it get this big and maybe be able to talk.”
In honour of her late mother, Valmay, Leah Wone arrived at the 10th annual Conquer the Corrugations with her family by her side.
Like many fellow Conquerors who have lost a loved one to a mental health battle, Ms Wone’s life was forever changed when Valmay took her own life in 2019.
She said her mother was one of the original walkers in 2014, but that she was never one to open up and ask for help.
“She was a very beautiful person and she had the loudest laugh; everyone that you talk to goes, ‘I remember your mum, I remember her laugh’,” Ms Wone said.
“She was just so happy on the outside.
“I think she really struggled with [mental health] and she wasn’t open; she was not big on talking and telling people her problems –she didn’t like anyone to know that she was struggling.”
Despite this year’s walk being her third, Ms Wone said it was the first time the entire family had done it together – a special moment, as she missed the opportunity to participate with her mother.
“I think I first did it in 2017 or 2018, and I left the kids at home
with mum and I did it with dad,” she said.
“I remember texting her like, ‘this is crazy’, and she was like, ‘have fun in the heat’, and then we ended up losing her, so I never actually did the walk with her.”
Ms Wone said it was difficult to
talk about the tragedy, but added she had found a community among the event participants.
“You get talking along the walk and you find out who other people have lost and then you get to share your story,” she told Cape York Weekly
“We look around at all of these people, and you could go up to any of them and talk to them because you know they’re all here because they care.
“Day to day, you don’t just meet someone and say, this is what happened to my mum, so it’s a good opportunity to let it all out.”
She said the annual walk had also helped open up a conversation about mental health in the family.
Her children were not originally told the heartbreaking truth, but began to ask questions when they saw their nana on a Conquer the Corrugations shirt.
“When we first lost mum, the two big kids were still little, so we didn’t really know how to navigate that – do we be completely honest or do we not? – so we kind of just said nana’s heart stopped and we
kind of left it at that,” Ms Wone explained.
“When they started asking questions about Conquer and why their nana’s face was on a shirt, that’s how we kind of did start a conversation with them about mental health.
“We’ve normalised it a lot; I don’t remember mum having chats to me about it when I was a teenager like I am with them, because it wasn’t as common or talked about back then.”
As almost 300 people turned up in the red dust for the 10th anniversary walk, Ms Wone said she wished her mother could have seen just how many people cared.
“I don’t know if it would have changed her, because she was just such a person that kept it to herself,” she said.
“I’m hoping that by teaching my daughter and sons from an early age, because [mum] wouldn’t have had anything like this back in the 70s and 80s, maybe having that foundation now will show them that they can talk before it ever got to that sort of point.”
Leah Wone walks the 2024 Conquer the Corrugations for her late mother, Valmay, who struggled to open up about her mental health challenges.
Adam Hooper, Barry Murray and Rosa Murray reach the first rest stop.
The Crystals rock matching rainbow tutus.
Wally Hanckel, Josh Fraser, Ruby Hanckel and Jasmine Scikluna figured four legs were better than two for the 2024 instalment of Conquer the Corrugations.
Marli Delavere, Greg Staader, Gai Delavere and Kane Delavere take a break in the shade.
Aggie McIvor, Chrissy Port and Grace Payne.
Dave Lomas, Brad Clarke and Patrick Atkinson catch up at the water cooler station.
Aynsleigh and Lisa Turner. Mary and Duane Singleton. Alastair Bauer and Conor Meredith from sponsor Diatreme Resources.
Mother-and-daughter duo Marilyn Clark and Sandra Golding, aka the Cluckers.
Conquer the Corrugations
Conquer celebrates 10 years of conversations, commemoration
THERE was no way sweltering temperature was going to deter almost 300 walkers when they took to the Peninsula Developmental Road (PDR) to mark the 10th running of Conquer the Corrugations on 28-29 September.
With the mercury soaring to about 36 degrees on day one, conditions challenged Conquerers but they were all smiles as they trekked along the PDR’s sea of red dust, waving to passing motorists, singing along to portable speakers, and starting conversations aimed at reducing the stigma around opening up and commemorating loved ones lost to mental health battles.
When the procession of colour and costumes returned to Conquer HQ at 28 Mile Lagoon on Sunday afternoon, the red dirt was swapped for glamour as the Diamonds in the Dust gala celebrated the successful completion of a decade of the event.
Make sure you check out our bumper event gallery on the Cape York Weekly website.
Imogen Lewis and Nikita Perrett.
And they’re off – the 10th anniversary of Conquer the Corrugations begins.
Several hundred participants took the challenge.
The Wone family walked in honour of a family member lost to mental health.
The Hamcox sunflower clan bring sunny smiles to Conquer the Corrugations.
Cowabunga!: Ninja Turtle girls prepare to take on 42km red dust walk.
Polly and Jade Polmear arrive at the first rest stop of the walk.
Angela Harris and Kim Dunstan rock matching inspirational tees.
Youth summit to return next year
By CHISA HASEGAWA
AFTER another successful week of youth engagement, the Pormpuraaw community is setting its sights high for next year’s Youth Summit.
Pormpur Paanthu Aboriginal Corporation (PPAC) brought sports, dancing, mentoring and stakeholders together over the September school holidays, with the aim of empowering youth through reconciliation.
PPAC chief executive officer
Ganthi Kuppusamy said the community’s adults banded together annually to make the event a success.
“Every year, they all come together to support, so that’s why it became a very popular event. It was a successful week like always; we got about 65 to 70 youths come out every day for the event,” she said.
After the summit, Ms Kuppusamy said she received sugges-
tions to invite youth from other communities across Cape York.
Pormpuraaw youth worker Jeremiah Gilbo was one of the advocates for outside involvement to engage the young people.
“Even if we just go out and try to get them out of the community to do activities outside, it’ll be something different for them. It was hard to get the youths from the age of probably 16 and up, it was hard to get half of them coming to do activities,” he said.
“If we get people from outside, they’ll want to challenge them in sports, because they love basketball and touch footy and all that stuff.”
Mr Gilbo said in a small community, it was difficult for youth to find activities to engage in, which often led them down the wrong path.
“I think the Youth Summit is a big thing – it gets the kids up to do something on the holidays, keeps them active, makes them learn
about a healthy lifestyle and how to find a better future,” he said.
“Smoking and drinking is a big problem in the community; every time the youth find nothing to do in the community, they go to that, and they think it’s the only choice for them.
“That’s why I really try to make sure the Youth Summit is fun and get them all out there, to show them that smoking and drinking is not a good thing, and not the only option.”
The Gateway to Cape York! LAKELAND DOWNS CAMPING
PCYC Napranum scores a $1 million facility upgrade
THE critical work done by PCYC Napranum and its dedicated staff will be given a boost through $1 million in infrastructure upgrades currently under way at the facility.
As part of the project, the club will receive a new youth and social space, new outdoor covered areas and security upgrades, with works expected to be finished by the end of 2024.
The upgrade is part of a $50m statewide commitment by the Queensland Government to invest in modernising existing PCYCs and building new clubs.
PCYC Queensland chief executive officer Phil Schultz said the upgrade was a significant win for the Napranum community.
“This is such good news for existing members of the club and the Napranum community more broadly, as our capacity to deliver our youth programs will increase with the addition of new youth and social spaces,” he said.
“We know the club plays an important role in the community, and anything which
helps us extend our reach and deliver more for young people in the area is something to celebrate. This is an exciting time for PCYC Queensland, as this unprecedented investment means that we can deliver our programs and activities to even more people and reach even more communities.”
Police Minister Mark Ryan said the government’s commitment was to promote and enhance community safety in every corner of the state.
“The Miles Government’s partnership with PCYC is one of the key elements of our government’s commitment to making people be safe, and feel safe,” he said.
“The evidence shows that if at-risk young people are provided with the appropriate supports, they can divert from contact with the judicial system and lead productive and satisfying lives.
“That’s the critical role PCYC plays in our society, supporting young people to lead the best lives they can, and in turn enhancing community safety.”
Pormpuraaw youth enjoyed a week of sports, culture and education at the community’s 2024 Youth Summit last month.
Photo: Christine Howes
Works have already begun on a $1 million upgrade to PCYC Napranum.
community connect
September 2024
From the general manager
Welcome to the latest edition of Community Connect. Since arriving in Weipa with my wife and two kids, it’s been great to be welcomed so warmly into the community and operations.
My family and I have been enjoying the unique lifestyle that living on the Western Cape offers and my kids have been loving all of the community events and sporting activities.
As a new GM to site, I can see that a lot of great work has been done over the last few years both in our business and also within the communities.
My aim is to continue this momentum and keep working towards stability in our business and sustainability for the region as we move into phases of closure and expansion across our operations.
Getting out into each signatory community and meeting our key stakeholders is really important to me. The family and I had the opportunity to head up to the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) to support the rodeo in August which was a fantatsic experience for all of us. It’s a privilege to participate in these events and learn more about the local culture here in the Cape.
It’s been a busy couple of months for our business
Highlights
with a lot of great work from all of our teams. From great production results through to successful community engagements, we have a lot to share with you this quarter.
Our turtle program is in full swing, with the first hatchlings of the year recorded in mid-August, as well as the completion of our annual feral animal control to reduce the number of predators eating the nests.
We’ve also supported local clean up initiatives such as the Mapoon Beach clean-up and Pennefather Beach clean ups in an effort to help keep rubbish and ghost nests from harming our local marine ecosystems.
On page 2 you will find some information on the Social Economic Impact Assessment (SEIA) study and community survey we are running. I really encourage you to fill out the survey and share your thoughts on the future of Weipa. Your feedback is really important to make sure we get our planning right.
I’m really looking forward to being a part of Weipa’s journey and supporting as we transition into the next phase of operations and expansion on the Western Cape.
Thank you to everyone who has made us feel welcome into the community, and I hope to meet more of you over the coming months.
Stay safe, Steve Dunstone
Employment update
August has been a huge month for our Indigenous Employment and Development team as they visit a number of local and regional communities.
Indigenous Employment and Development officer, Jo Moloney, diesel fitter, Wilfred Bowie and apprentices, Joshua Asera and Kyezaya NamaiSabatino attending the annual Cairns Youth Expo where we estimate over 4000 local students from Cairns and surrounding areas attended.
2023 Australian School-Based Trainee of the Year and Rio Tinto apprentice, Kyezaya NamaiSabatino in Cairns talking to the Year 10 students at the AFL Cape York House for Boys & Girls, and families about subject selection and career pathways. Kyezaya spoke about his journey, experience and gave advice to the young people in the room.
Our engineering team facilitating a presentation on the bauxite mining, refining and smelting process as part of the Western Cape College Year 1 students’ learning this term. When students were quizzed at the end of the presentation, the team were very impressed by how much they knew and had learnt from the lesson.
Turtle season kicks off for 2024
Did you know we have a monitoring program dedicated to the protection and survival of turtles? The program is run by our Land and Sea Management Program (LSMP) team and has been running along the beaches near our Amrun Operations since 2016.
Turtle hatchlings face a lot of challenges in their survival journey into the ocean, including predators such as feral pigs who eat the turtle eggs straight from the nest. The program monitors the number of successful hatchling events each year to validate and inform our feral animal control activities.
The dedicated LSMP team spend hours every day locating and monitoring nests along the beach.
Have your say on our future
There is a lot happening in our region at the moment, and we know that the recent closure of our East Weipa mine along with the upcoming closure of Andoom mine can lead to people wondering what might be next for the region.
We want to make sure that the Western Cape remains a strong and sustainable place to live, work and explore. And to do this, we need your input as we start shaping the future of our operations at Amrun.
To do this, we will be carrying out a study which will help us better plan for the future of the region including expanding our Amrun operations and preparing for closure across East Weipa and Andoom.
Changes to Tentpole access
We have made some changes to the access track into Tentpole, which means the existing low and high roads will no longer be accessible. If you are heading out that way, please make sure you look for the signage showing the new track.
We also need people to be mindful of our Cultural Heritage teams who are often out on country. The use of recreational firearms is not permitted on our lease and the use of these pose a very serious risk to the safety of our teams as well as other recreational users in the area.
By recording new nests as they are laid, the team can track when the eggs are ready to hatch and record the number of hatchlings that emerge from the nest.
The program has evolved a lot over the years and the team have recently started using new tablets for data entry in the field. Not only is this easier for the team to record their findings from the day, but it also helps with tracking trends in nest laying, hatching and predation.
We see a number of different turtles on our beaches including Flatback, Hawksbill, Olive-Ridley and Green turtle species. The first hatchlings of the 2024 season were found in mid-August which is slightly earlier than previous years.
The program continues to demonstrate the positive impact of our feral pig management actions, with successful nesting events increasing dramatically since the program commenced.
The study, called a Socio-Economic Impact Assessment (SEIA) will help us understand how these projects might affect all communities within the region. We can then use this information to manage any impacts on community and create opportunities for future generations.
We are seeking input from all Western Cape communities, Traditional Owners and local businesses to share your ideas, concerns, and hopes for the future. To make sure everyone has the chance to have a say, the survey team from EMM will be visiting the communities of Weipa, Napranum, Mapoon, Aurukun, and New Mapoon.
You can have your say in a couple of ways, including through our confidential survey, through one of our workshops or even just having a chat to one of our team members on their visit to your community.
Mission River and Andoom Creek Bridge Closures
Interruptions to normal bridge access from 8 October through to 8 November. The bridges will be closed from Sunday to Friday at the following times: 7:00am - 9.30am • 10.10am - 1.00pm 1.40pm - 4.30pm
Mapoon Road Traffic Control
Traffic control will be in place at the Ladhu haul road intersection until the boom gates are installed and operational.
Planned power outages
Power outage affecting the Albatross Bay Resort and parts of Trunding on Wednesday 30 October from 8.00am - 12.00pm and the Weipa Airport on Sunday 12 October from 1.30pm - 5.30pm.
For planned power outages and live updates on unplanned outages please visit:
https://weipaelectricity.riotinto.com or our Facebook page facebook.com/RioTintoWeipa
Traditional Owners assisting the LSMP team with the 2024 turtle survey.
QTA success for Rhonda
We are extremely proud to share that Rhonda Woolla, one of our Emergency Services officers, was announced the winner of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year in the 2024 Queensland Training State Awards!
Rhonda completed an 18-month traineeship at Emergency Services in 9 months while studying a Certificate IV in Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Response. Her leaders commend her ability to exhibit calmness in every situation that she encounters, and with this allows her to navigate the challenges of the role.
Rhonda is a reliable, punctual team member who is highly valued by her team. When not at work, she plays a significant role within her community and takes great pride in sharing local knowledge, cultural beliefs and showcasing her Country. She is recognised as a Wik & Wik Waya Traditional Owner group whose family’s bloodline is from the Putch Clan of Aurukun community.
Born and raised in the remote community of Aurukun, 800 kilometers north of Cairns, Rhonda faced many challenges growing up. In her own words, living in a community with limited health services, high educational disengagement rates, and few employment opportunities presented many hurdles. But instead of allowing those barriers to define her, Rhonda rose above them.
In December, Rhonda will travel to Canberra to attend the 2024 Australian National Awards where she will participate in workshops, conferences, and meet with the rest of the finalists in the lead up to the awards!
“August nights” tailings dam exercise
You may have noticed that we have a number of dams across our operations in Weipa, called tailings dams. The dams are used to store the left-over byproduct after we have finished mining and processing bauxite from the ground and are a really important part of our operations.
Our tailings dams are very unlikely to cause any problems for us, but we still need to make sure we are prepared to respond quickly should there be a chance that a tailings dam might flood from heavy rainfall. The chances of this happening is a one in 1000 year event, but we need to remain prepared just in case.
We make sure that we are ready for these events by carrying out desktop exercises to test out our plans and processes. These show us what is already working well and what gaps we need to fix. We also get a better look at what resources we have access to in the community and where we might need to ask for more help.
Last month we held a desktop exercise called “August Nights” to test our plans if our East Weipa tailings dam collapsed and caused flooding from a heavy rainfall event. The dam is located in town because when we first started mining bauxite back in the early 1960’s, the face of the mine was right underneath where many of our houses are built today.
The focus of the exercise was to test out our evacuation processes and what extra help or support might be needed to keep the community safe. We looked at what we would need to do to make sure residents had somewhere safe to stay and how we would make sure that everyone in the community would have plenty of access to services such as healthcare, food and water.
New life for used tyres
Maintaining heavy mining equipment on a mine means we go through a lot of very big tyres and until this year, we haven’t disposed of a single tyre from our Weipa operations since mining first began back in the early 1960’s. While our team is still counting just how many tyres we have across our three sites, we know that we have at least 15000 tyres that need to be removed.
So what do you do with so many tyres? We are all about making sure our operational footprint is sustainable, leaving a minimal impact on the environment so finding a solution that fits is really important. After many years of researching the best way to tackle this problem, we have found a new lease on life for these old tyres – recycling them into roads!
The tyres are transported by road to a processing facility in Townsville where they strip the tyre from the steel. The rubber from the tyres is crumbed right down to 0.3mm in size and sold to businesses that spray, seal and resurface roads in Far North Queensland. The steel is also sold to recyclers so there is minimal waste leftover.
Bitumen made with crumb rubber from used off-the-road tyres and conveyor belts is much
stronger than normal bitumen and can last a lot longer in harsh environmental conditions. We estimate that over two years, the Weipa tyres will be used in respraying up to 1,000 kilometres of roads!
This year, we have removed 1500 tonnes of tyres, which is roughly 837 tyres. Next year we are aiming even higher with a goal to remove 2500 tons. What a great initiative!
Social investment
Are you part of a local not for profit group or club that is looking for funding or in-kind support from Rio Tinto? We have a number of social investment programs available:
Sponsorships and donations
Applications are currently open until 30 October.
RioGivers program
Receive $500 per Rio Tinto employee who volunteers 50 hours for your organisation
Community Development Fund
Expressions of interest opened in March and are ongoing throughout the year.
Conditions apply for each program. To find out more, please reach out to us at RTAWeipaFeedback@riotinto.com
Engagements
If you would like to speak to one of our friendly team members, you can catch us at the following events:
Mapoon Barra Bash
Aurukun Um Thurpak Festival
Napranum DOGIT/ Foundation Day
Community feedback and complaints
At Rio Tinto the strength of our relationships with the communities where we operate, and broader society, is fundamental to our business.
Rio Tinto is willing to learn from our mistakes, by listening to understand and genuine partnering, we will deliver better long-term outcomes for everyone. Every complaint will be carefully considered and a written response will be provided. We encourage open communication and collaboration to work towards an agreed resolution for all involved.
If a resolution cannot be reached, your complaint will be escalated to management who will reassess the issue and undertake an internal investigation to confirm the next steps. An independent tribunal may be considered for complaints of a serious or complex nature.
How can I provide feedback or make a complaint?
Complaints can be made anonymously, please let us know if you wish to remain anonymous. 1800 820 711
to speak to our Communities and Social Performance team, Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm. RTAWeipaFeedback@riotinto.com
In person at Rio Tinto Community Relations, Artie Wales Drive, Weipa. Monday to Friday, 8am4pm.
TMR after input on bridge names
THE State Government is calling for input from Cape York residents about what three well-known bridges on the Peninsula Developmental Road (PDR) should be named.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) announced last week it was inviting submissions from community members about what names should adorn the bridges spanning the Archer River, Saltwater Creek at Musgrave and South Laura.
TMR said naming the bridges would help make navigation easier for tourists, freight operators and residents, while also reflecting the community’s connection to the region.
The bridges over the Archer River and Saltwater Creek have been constructed as part of stages one and two of the Cape York Region Package, which is currently funded through an 80:20 joint arrangement between the state and federal governments.
Last month, TMR told Cape York Weekly the Archer River bridge – which has been plagued by construction delays and cost blowouts – was “expected to be open to traffic by late 2024, weather and construction conditions permitting”.
Originally budgeted to cost $32.2 million, “significant geo-
technical challenges” mean the infrastructure will now come with a price tag of almost $100m more.
TMR acting regional director Kylee Petersen urged Cape York residents to have their say in the naming process of the critical road infrastructure.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the local community to name these important pieces of transport infrastructure and to recognise significant cultures and people who have contributed to the region,” she said.
“TMR is aware extensive stakeholder engagement will be required as part of this naming process and has provided an extended time-
frame for submissions. The Archer River bridge, the Saltwater Creek bridge at Musgrave, and the South Laura bridge are critical pieces of infrastructure that play a vital role in the connectivity and support of the Cape York region.
“It is important that the selected names honour the heritage, culture and aspirations of the communities they will serve.”
Community members have until 1 April 2025 to put forward their preferred names for the three bridges.
Naming guidelines and submission details are available at www. tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/cape-yorkregion-package-stage-2.
Saltwater Creek at Musgrave is one of three bridges along the PDR that the Department of Transport and Main Roads is calling for public help to name.
The soon-to-be-completed Archer River bridge will also need a new name.
IF I had to choose a running of Conquer the Corrugations to be my first, I could have done a lot worse than having the 10th anniversary walk mark my reporting debut on the event hundreds of people from Cape York and beyond now have as a must-do in their calendar every year.
Congratulations must go to organisers and Conquerors for their efforts over the weekend, especially those who were talented enough to make the PDR’s ubiquitous red dirt disappear to shine at the Diamonds in the Dust gala evening on Sunday.
As I spoke to and photographed participants as they trekked and talked their way along the PDR, it dawned on me locally-driven events like Conquer the Corrugations were doing much more than opening up conversations about mental health: they are all the proof we need that empowering communities to develop and deliver programs important to them – including those designed to build individual and collective resilience – will produce more positive outcomes than a boardroom full of well-funded, allegedly expert stakeholders who are complete strangers to the community but swear they have the answers as
they wait for their latest government cheque to clear.
Over two days filled with laughter, deep conversations, tears and philosophical introspection while trying to avoid getting a mouthful of red dust courtesy of caravanners with little sense of personal space, here are my top three takeaways from an event everyone needs to experience at least once.
Lesson 1: Crazy colours create conversations
TradeMutt has done some amazing things to help start hard conversations through colourful workwear but Dan, Ed and their designers can’t hold a candle to the discussions commenced via
a convoy of homemade tutus and fluorescent activewear stretched out across kilometres of stark landscape. During Conquer, it doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from or what your story is – someone will be there to engage in conversation and ask about you. The louder and more left field your ensemble, the more likely the chat will start with a comment about the effort you’ve put in, or an interrogation about where a grown man found a pink tutu and novelty clown bow tie on Cape York.
Lesson 2: Local empowerment equals local success
Whether it’s Conquer, a celebration of culture and history, a
fishing tournament or a health fundraiser in the guise of a dress-up charity golf day, the best community outcomes on Cape York occur when it’s locals in the wheelhouse.
It’s that community passion and pride that drives success, and it’s impossible to replicate with external stakeholders, be they government representatives, consultants or members of service organisations whose names make catchy acronyms but no one can remember what they actually do. If Cape York is going to experience the type of social and economic prosperity we know it has the potential to achieve, we’re going to have to do it ourselves.
Government after government –whether you’re talking about Canberra or Brisbane – has demonstrated the northernmost part of the state is just a political afterthought, so there need to be elected representatives in place who recognise this, are willing to provide the financial support needed to transform community-led initiatives into reality, and then capable of stepping back and allowing empowered locals to deliver the best local outcomes possible.
Lesson 3: Tourists don’t trust giants in crocodile hats
This may not technically be a lesson in local empowerment and decision making, but it does make you question where we are at as a society when tourists seem compelled to almost drive into a table drain to get as far away as possible from a 6’5” man wearing a matching shirt and board shorts, hot pink thongs and an Akubra adorned with a stuffed crocodile decked out in neon, tri-colour sweatbands reminiscent of an 80s aerobics television show. That the aforementioned gentleman was standing in the middle of the PDR at the time waving and grinning manically at the southern visitors while swinging a camera around may have had something to do with it, but it’s not good for the self-esteem. Or so the gentleman tells me. Let’s just all be grateful there was a production issue with the neon pink tutu he was also going to wear.
Cape York Weekly Puzzles Page
Fill in the blank cells using numbers from 1 to 9. Each number can only appear once in each row, column and 3x3 block.
Quick Workout
Fit the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 into the hexagons so that where the hexagons touch, the numbers will be the same. No number is repeated in any hexagon.
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.
GREAT RADIO CONNECTING NORTH QLD
The Western Cape Communities Co-Existence Agreement (WCCCA) is an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) over the Rio Tinto mining lease areas of the Western Cape York region of Northern Queensland. The Agreement is between the eleven Traditional Owner Groups, four Shire Councils (Aurukun, Napranum, Mapoon and New Mapoon), Rio Tinto, the Queensland State Government and the Cape York Land Council on behalf of the Native Title Parties.
The Western Cape Communities Coordinating Committee (WCCCC) and its five Sub-Committees transparently monitor, implement and review the objectives of the WCCCA to ensure that all parties’ obligations under the Agreement are met. The WCCT office is the administration arm for all Trusts and the WCCCC. It manages the overall business of the company, including servicing, assisting and supporting the above entities. WCCT is committed to providing high quality services to our Traditional Owners, and we recognize the importance of employing the most suitable candidates. Currently we are seeking applications for the position of::
OFFICE MANAGER
Reporting to the Executive Officer, the Office Manager is responsible for the efficient and effective functioning of the WCCT Office in order to meet organisational objectives. This includes demonstrating appropriate and professional workplace behaviours, performing their responsibilities in a manner which reflects and responds to continuous improvement, managing Administration staff, managing IT and communications systems and other office equipment, and providing support to the Executive Officer. The Office Manager is also responsible for the coordination and planning of all WCCT, WCCCC, Sub-Regional Trusts and Sub-Committees meetings scheduled throughout the year.
We anticipate the applicants will have completed a formal training in Business Administration or a similar field and have experience in a similar role where they have been responsible for the efficient and effective functioning of an office, managing administration staff, document control, managing IT and communications systems as well as compliance with organisation policies and procedures and workplace health and safety regulations. A current C class driver’s license is also required for this role.
Prior experience with MYOB, centralized database, and a sound knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island protocols are highly desired.
Traditional Owners and Aboriginal people are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants must have the right to work in Australia.
For further information, including a position description please contact the Executive Officer directly.
All applications should be clearly marked “Private and Confidential” and addressed as follows: Executive Officer PO Box 106 Weipa, QLD, 4874 Phone: (07) 4069 7945
Email: eo@westerncape.com.au
CLOSING DATE – FRIDAY, 11T h OCTOBER 2024
The Western Cape Communities Co-Existence Agreement (WCCCA) is an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) over the Rio Tinto mining lease areas of the Western Cape York region of Northern Queensland. The Agreement is between the eleven Traditional Owner Groups, four Shire Councils (Aurukun, Napranum, Mapoon and New Mapoon), Rio Tinto, the Queensland State Government and the Cape York Land Council on behalf of the Native Title Parties.
The Western Cape Communities Coordinating Committee (WCCCC) and its three SubCommittees transparently monitor, implement and review the objectives of the WCCCA to ensure that all parties’ obligations under the agreement are met. The WCCT office is the administration arm for all the Trusts and the WCCCC. It manages the overall business of the company including servicing, assisting and supporting the above entities.
WCCT is committed to providing high quality services to our Traditional Owners, and we recognize the importance of employing the most suitable candidates. Currently we are seeking applications for the position of:
FINANCE GRANTS OFFICER
To meet our corporate and legislative requirements as a charitable trust, the WCCT has a highly complex financial structure. Reporting to the Finance Manager, the Finance Grants Officer is responsible for managing the overall Grant Application process, and supporting the finance manager with finance and reporting functions.
We anticipate that applicants will have a mininum of two years experience in a finance based role, class ‘C’ manual driver’s license, and an understanding of engaging with Aboriginal people.
It will also be beneficial to have a relevant tertiary qualification and prior experience with MYOB.
We anticipate that applicants will have:
• Minimum Year 12 education;
• Minimum 2 year experience in a finance based role;
• Sound IT and MYOB experience; C Class Driver’s license; and
• An understanding of engaging with Aboriginal people
• Tertiary qualifications in Finance or higher will be considered favourably
• Traditional Owners and Aboriginal people are strongly encourage to apply All applications should be clearly marked “Private and Confidential” and addressed as follows:
Executive Officer
PO Box 106
Weipa, QLD, 4874
Phone: (07) 4069 7945
Email: eo@westerncape.com.au
CLOSING DATE – FRIDAY, 4TH OCTOBER 2024
2024
PINK RIBBON CHARITY GOLF DAY
Nominations due by the 13th October
RAFFLE & PRIZES TO BE WON
FAMILY FUN DAY TO FOLLOW
$50
FEEENTRY PP FEE
green fees, entry fees, burger and includeddrink
SATURDAY 19TH OCTOBER
9-hole 4 person Ambrose
8am Buggy Auction and Reading of the Rules
9am Tee-off shotgun start Noon burger lunch provided as part of entry fee
Your annual WCCCA Trusts and Sub-Regional Trusts Annual General Meetings will be held
WCCT Central Sub-Regional Trust Ltd ACN 102246042 as Trustee for the WCCT Central
Monday 14th October 2024
WCCT Administration Building (Achimbun) Lot 21 Kamenjarin Drive, Evans Landing, WEIPA
WCCT Southern Sub-Regional Trust Ltd ACN 102246113 as Trustee for the WCCT Southern
Tuesday 15th October 2024
WCCT Administration Building (Achimbun) Lot 21 Kamenjarin Drive, Evans Landing, WEIPA
WCCT Northern Sub-Regional Trust Ltd ACN 102245956 as Trustee for the WCCT Northern Sub-Regional Trust
Wednesday 16th October 2024 9:00am – 12:00pm
WCCT Administration Building (Achimbun) Lot 21 Kamenjarin Drive, Evans Landing, WEIPA
Western Cape Communities Trust Pty Ltd ACN 102245607 as Trustee for the Western Cape Communities Trust, followed by Western Cape Communities Trust Pty Ltd ACN 102245607 as Trustee for the Western Cape Communities Property Trust
Thursday 17th October 2024 9:00am – 12:00pm
WCCT Administration Building (Achimbun) Lot 21 Kamenjarin Drive, Evans Landing, WEIPA
All Shareholders are encouraged to attend. Morning tea will be provided.
If you have any further enquiries or want to RSVP please call the Administration Officer on (07) 4069 7945
Careers with Queensland Health
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner (Renal) Identified (Kowanyama)
Health Practitioner - Kowanyama PHCC
Salary up to $77,877.00 - $103261.00p.a. plus Employer contribution to superannuation (up to 12.75%) and annual leave loading (17.5%) (HWF3) Job Ad Reference: TC591570
Duties/Abilities: Entry-level or beginning practitioner role for which the occupant consolidates competency, under clinical supervision, to be fully functional at this level and be assessed as a competent worker.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner is a novice practitioner delivering front line services and consolidating their competencies in a supportive work environment. They work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide advocacy, health promotion, referrals, reception and administration, clinical practice, and cultural support. Delivering a culturally and clinically safe comprehensive haemodialysis care for patients at in a satellite haemodialysis unit at Level 1, 2 or 3 in the TCHHS Clinical Services Capability Framework. Providing care that is delivered in a culturally and clinically safe manner. Preparing, performing, assisting, and/or supervising in the safe delivery and monitoring of satellite haemodialysis therapy within individuals’ scope of practice.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner (Renal) Identified (Kowanyama)
Health Practitioner - Kowanyama PHCC
Salary up to $101,600.00 – $116,189.00 p.a. plus Employer contribution to superannuation (up to 12.75%) and annual leave loading (17.5%) (HWF4). Job Ad Reference: TC591574
Duties/Abilities: The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner will provide a range of clinical primary health care services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and communities including delivery of specific health care programs, assessing, and treating clients, providing advice and support to contribute to better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on satellite haemodialysis. This role also provides cultural liaison and brokerage between the service, clients, and the wider community.
Delivering a culturally and clinically safe comprehensive haemodialysis care for patients in a satellite haemodialysis unit at Level 1, 2 or 3 in the TCHHS Clinical Services Capability Framework. Providing care that is delivered in a culturally and clinically safe manner. Preparing, performing, assisting, and/or supervising in the safe delivery and monitoring of satellite haemodialysis therapy within individuals’ scope of practice.
You can apply online at www.smartjobs.qld.gov.au A criminal history check may be conducted on the recommended person for the job.A non-smoking policy applies to Queensland Government buildings, offices and motor vehicles.
Storm star’s boots heading to Weipa
By LYNDON KEANE
THERE is dedication to your sports team, and then there is the sort of dedication that involves five flights and a 7,500-kilometre round trip to watch them book a spot in the 2024 grand final.
But that is exactly what Weipa resident Alexandrea Mathew and her mother, Joycelyn Tiba, did to watch the Melbourne Storm thump the Sydney Roosters in Melbourne on 27 September to secure their ticket to a NRL premiership showdown against the Penrith Panthers.
The pair flew from Weipa to Melbourne –via Adelaide – on the southbound trip, with the year 8 Western Cape College student returning home with some extra baggage after securing the signed game boots of her favourite player, Storm winger Xavier Coates.
Alexandrea created a sign to wave in the crowd outlining the pair’s trek to watch the clash and ask for the number five’s jersey after the team demolished the Roosters 48-18.
She said she still could not believe she got to meet some of the players, including Coates, and score some preliminary final memorabilia.
“I was so thrilled to come down and watch the game, but to actually meet some of the Storm’s players, and for Xavier to notice my poster and walk over, was sick,” she said.
“I am still in shock and can’t believe that he actually gave me his signed boots – it hasn’t sunk in yet.
“They can’t give away the jersey, so he gave me his boots and said thank you for coming down to watch the game.”
The Storm will tackle the Panthers in the season decider in Sydney on 6 October.
Alexandrea Mathew and mum Joycelyn Tiba soak up the atmosphere of Melbourne’s AAMI Park after the year 8 Western Cape College student met her favourite player, Storm winger Xavier Coates.
Crossley returns to Dawnbusters in style
AFTER an absence from Weipa, Dawn-
stalwart Grant Crossley made his return to Carpentaria Golf Club felt by his opponents when he eked out a narrow victory on Sunday.
Crossley fired 49 off the stick for a winning nett 18, with Mick Cernaka unlucky to take the bridesmaid title on countback from
Dave Sands after carding an impressive gross 40 for a nett 19.
Jim Lucas continued with his recent bighitting ways to claim the men’s long drive.
Krystle Ellis was crowned the Hoffman’s winner for the week.
Crossley said he believed his win was “well deserved” and that it was a reminder
he was back in Weipa and ready to add to his win tally, a taunt Cape York Weekly understands none of the other 10 players took seriously during the clubhouse debrief. Dawnbusters will tackle the back nine on 6 October, with the first group of players set to tee off from sunrise at about 6:30am. New golfers are always welcome.
Teams ready to hit water for billfish tournament
By LYNDON KEANE
THE tackle has been prepared and teams are ready to put their sport fishing credentials on the line when they contest the 2024 Weipa Billfish Tournament over three days from Saturday.
The annual event has attracted several new line-ups this year and Weipa Billfish Club president Ben Bright said although it was unlikely, competitors would be aiming to emulate the record result of the 2023 showdown.
“Last year’s tournament saw record numbers of billfish tagged, so it’s a little unreasonable to expect the same this year,” he said.
“Latest reports, however, are of fish much close to home, which will be very welcome to all.”
For anglers who have never experienced chasing billfish, Mr Bright said the thrill was something that had to be lived to be fully understood.
“Billfishing is often seen as the pinnacle of sport fishing and since so much preparation goes into catching a single fish, there’s a high sense of achievement when teams catch their first one, be it large or small,” he explained.
The action will start with a shotgun start adjacent to Gongbung Point at 7am on Saturday.
Mr Bright said he loved was witnessing the “raw emotion” of teams as they reflected on the competition and social events that make the annual event a must-do for many teams.
“My favourite part of the event is seeing the raw emotion from the competitors as they relive their weekend through a slideshow of pictures taken by everyone throughout the tourna-
WEIPA TIDE TIMES
COOKTOWN
There will be action aplenty on the water this weekend as teams go head to head for bragging rights in the Weipa Billfish Tournament.
SPORT IN BRIEF
Three-club success
JIM Lucas shot a personal best winning round of 43/29.5 when Wackers tried to tame Carpentaria Golf Club with just three clubs on 25 September.
The three-club showdown proved popular with the field of 15 players, with Mick Foy (46/32.5) taking runner-up honours and the pin prize on the 18th hole.
Ross Craven gets a special mention for a cracking 41 off the stick with only three of them to choose from. Jim Hunter won the Bradman’s for the round.
Following the success of last week’s three-club round, Wackers will again take to the fairways with limited kit when they tee off tomorrow.
Saddling up for clinic
HORSES and riders will have a weekend of education and then pampering on 5-6 October when the Cooktown Horse Sports Association hosts visiting trainer and expert horseman Jono Battle.
The visit will kick off with a horsemanship clinic on Saturday, which will include an assessment of the connection between horse and rider, as well as tips on hip and shoulder control, speed control and flying changes.
On Sunday, both two- and four-legged participants can book in for an EMMETT treatment, which involves light finger pressure on specific points of the body on humans and equines.
The clinic costs $50 and EMMETT treatments $90 per horse or human.
For more information, call 0447 296 319 or check out the Cooktown Horse Sports Association Facebook page.
Dozen newbies for parkrun
ALMOST a third of the field were first timers when competitors laced up their shoes for Weipa parkrun #385 on Saturday.
Thirty-five parkrunners tackled the 5km course in testing conditions.
Personal bests were set by Jason Smith and Amy Kvernhusvik.
ment weekend,” he told Cape York Weekly Tournament prizes are handed out at a presentation dinner at the Weipa Bowls Club next Monday night.
Chrisden Russ was the first male home and stopped the clock in 21 minutes flat, with Natasha Tapper the first female across the finish line in a time of 27:07. Weipa parkrun is held from 7am every Saturday.
