Daniel Hadgelias, Ethan Sieverding and Matthew Thiel doff their hats to the 150th Cooktown Races as thousands of punters frocked up to witness a thrilling day of thoroughbred action on Saturday. There were seven races on the card, with the Cooktown Cup taken out by the Janel Ryan-trained Choir Boy, who set a new record in the process. Check out our coverage of the race meeting in our special four-page liftout.
Partnering with other regional and remote parts of the state will be integral to securing the level of political interest needed to make the dream of a sealed Peninsula Developmental Road a reality, a Cairns forum has been told. Turn to Page 5 to read what was discussed. Taskforce calls
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Vera Scarth-Johnson Gallery Association Inc
When: Sunday 24
November 2024
Where: Nature’s PowerHouse
Time: 10:30am – 12:00pm
We invite members and friends of the Vera Scarth-Johnson Gallery Association to join us
TUXWORTH & WOODS CARRIERS
Need a reliable freight service to the Cape?
Tuxworth & Woods have all your refrigerated, dry & heavy haulage needs covered – from 20 grams to 20 tonnes
WEIPA DEPOT
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
GENUINE cost of living relief may be on the cards for Cape York and Torres Strait residents at their wits’ end with skyrocketing household expenses.
Premier David Crisafulli has committed to investigating the existing State Government Remote Communities Freight Assistance Scheme and whether it is having any discernible positive impact on the hip pockets of those living in the northernmost part of Queensland.
The former Labor government increased the subsidy received by residents of Cape York, Torres Strait and the Gulf to 20 per cent in September, but
only on items deemed “eligible essential goods”, such as milk, bread, fruit and vegetables, at retailers participating in the scheme.
Former premier Steven Miles was criticised for failing to recognise other everyday items like fuel, clothing and whitegoods as
essential, leading many shoppers and community leaders to question whether the subsidy was really easing cost of living pressures.
On 7 November, a spokeswoman for Premier Crisafulli told Cape York Weekly the new government would look at the
scheme and whether change was needed.
“Driving down the skyrocketing cost of living for Queenslanders, including in remote and regional Queensland, is a major priority for the Crisafulli Government, and the Minister for Transport and Main Roads is seeking information from the department regarding the freight subsidy scheme,” the spokeswoman said.
“Labor failed to deliver for our Cape and Torres communities over a number of years, and only in the shadow of an election attempted to distract from their failures in these communities.”
Homegrown PSOs ready to serve NPA community
By CHISA HASEGAWA
BAMAGA’S first group of Protective Services Officers (PSO) are ready for duty after completing an intense five-week training course designed to bring First Nations people into the Queensland Police Service role.
The five new PSOs celebrated with family, friends and fellow officers at their graduation ceremony late last month, donning new uniforms and a drive to protect their community.
One new graduate, 21-yearold Jamani Elu, said she wanted to become a PSO to try something new, and be a positive role model for local youth.
Her desire to lead young people was inspired by her grandmother, who was a teacher for more than 30 years, and being the oldest of nine siblings.
“This position is at the school, so it’s sort of like helping kids and keeping my community safe – the teachers, the students, and the education buildings,” she said.
“I have eight younger siblings who I look after with my parents, so caring for children is one of my strengths.”
Senior project officer Pete Ingram said as part of the First Nations Protective Services Group Project, people like Ms Elu were helping to break down barriers between police and Indigenous communities.
“Protective services looks after state government infrastructure, and it’s predominantly done in communities by subcontractors that are FIFO workers,” he explained.
“I thought it’d be really good with Closing the Gap and reframing relationships to try and
recruit, train and engage local people to do it, who can then be engaged with their community because they’re a part of it.
“Getting the community support was a hard one; dropping something new into a community that generally have a distrust of police, and saying come and work for us hasn’t been an easy thing to do, but we’re breaking down some barriers.”
Ms Elu said she believed the local involvement in police roles was a positive step for her community.
“I would say being in this position is really good – having the kids looking at you, asking questions and being an inspiration for them while keeping the community safe,” she said.
“We know everybody, everybody respects everybody, and I think that’s how you know it’s good to have locals protecting the schools and stuff.
“If the community can also be in this kind of position, then I think it sort of brings everybody together, instead of having to see everything separately.”
The five new Bamaga PSOs hope to build the relationship and trust between the police and the Northern Peninsula Area community. Photo: Pete Ingram.
Further cost of living relief may be on the cards for Cape York and Torres Strait residents after the new government committed to investigating the efficacy of the Remote Communities Freight Assistance Scheme.
ScoMo joins forces with Cape spaceport hopeful
THE appointment of a former prime minister to the board and signing of a global memorandum of understanding (MoU) have put the possibility of a spaceport being established on western Cape York a giant leap closer, according to the chief executive officer of Space Centre Australia (SCA).
The road to building a spaceport in the northernmost part of the state has been a bumpy one for SCA and boss James Palmer, with tenure, approvals and funding the consistent hurdles to making the ambitious plan a reality.
But Mr Palmer said things were now looking up for the project after last month’s signing of the MoU and announcement former PM Scott Morrison had taken on the non-executive chairman role on the SCA board.
The MoU supports a plan for eight companies, including SCA, to construct eight spaceports on five continents and establish a forum to “explore potential strategic collaboration in a range of areas of common interest and introduce a dialogue on establishing international spaceport standards”.
“This MoU represents a significant step forward in the development of global spaceport operations,” Mr Palmer said.
“This collaboration will help ensure that spaceports worldwide operate with greater efficiency and care, ultimately leading to more reliable and sustainable outcomes for the entire space industry; through these partnerships, we are also opening the door to shared innovations that will drive continued progress in this rapidly evolving sector.”
SCA and Mr Palmer came under fire in late 2023 after another one of his businesses, Palm Branch Group, was liquidated.
The scrutiny does not appear to have diminished the former PM’s appetite to come aboard,
with Mr Morrison saying he was “thrilled” to join the SCA team.
“I’m thrilled to be taking on this new role with the team at SCA as they implement their plans to become not just the premier permanent spaceport with the most comprehensive launch service offering in Australia, but a leading player in the space launch sector globally,” he said.
“I believe SCA will present a unique offering to global investors, providing both exposure to the fast growing global space sector, while providing the stability and durability associated with a traditional infrastructure investment.”
Of the MoU, Mr Morrison said it would be critical to recognising the impact the space sector could have on the economic prosperity of the region and Australia.
“It … provides a platform for the sector to authoritatively engage with the regulatory, defence and security agencies of government, as space becomes an increasingly important item on the strategic agenda of global political leaders,” he said.
“Such engagement will be vital to realising the extraordinary potential of the space sector.”
Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch, who said in 2023 he had “started as a sceptic and I’m now an absolute disciple” about the project, told Cape York Weekly he had not been given a recent update on the project but said the appointment of Mr Morrison gave it more credibility.
“I haven’t had an update on where they are with it at the moment, but I’ve got no reason to believe it’s not going to continue,” he said.
“Scott (Morrison) told me he was going to take a role on and he’s been actively involved, so he’s been ticking the boxes. Is it going to happen? I hope so.
The Leichhardt MP added he believed the unique nature of the spaceport project represented the type of commercial diversification Cape York required to plot a sustainable future independent of mining.
“What he’s proposing is exactly what we need in relation to diversification [on Cape York],” Mr Entsch said.
on social media!
“The fact he’s got a former prime minister gives it a lot more credibility as well.”
In another boost for SCA’s ambition, sensor solutions provider Hensoldt announced late last month it had a contract with Mr Palmer’s company to deliver two high-performance air surveillance radar - next generation systems (ASR-NG), along with a 20-year sustainment plan, with the deal estimated to be worth around $30 million. Under the contract terms, Hensoldt will deliver the two ASR-NG radars by the end of 2026, with sustainment services starting in 2027.
While there are no details around the siting of the systems, Mr Morrison hinted one could be located on Cape York.
“The establishment of SCA’s spaceport in Cape York will not just provide the infrastructure needed to make Australia a leading nation in the global space industry, but it will importantly and significantly enhance Australia’s surveillance and aviation domain management capabilities in remote Northern Australia,” the former PM said.
Former prime minister Scott Morrison says he is “thrilled” to join Space Centre Australia and chief executive officer James Palmer as the company’s non-executive chairman as it pushes to build a spaceport on Cape York.
TCHHS shines spotlight on star rookie for NDIS work
By CHISA HASEGAWA
SHE may be new to town, but Northern Peninsula Area and Torres Strait occupational therapist Grace Schofield is no stranger to child development.
Bringing with her six years of experience as an occupational therapist in Mackay, she said she had loved learning about health in a remote community since starting at Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) in January 2024.
Ms Schofield was named Rookie of the Year at first TCHHS allied health awards late last month for her work with the new NDIS early childhood team.
“It was definitely exciting, but I think it was one of those things where I feel like I’ve just been doing my job,” she said.
“It’s a little bit unique for health to be teaming up with NDIS and that sort of thing, so it was nice to have that acknowledgement of what we’re doing is going well and our program is getting out there.”
In the past 10 months, the occupational therapist said remote work had taught her to become a more flexible and resourceful healthcare provider.
“I think I’ve really learned to be more flexible, in the sense of, there’s not always the resources available, and you’ve got to think outside of the box and get creative,” she said.
“We’re very lucky working in that early childhood space where play is a big contributing factor to development – whether it’s their communication or motor skills or social skills, you can incorporate a lot of that into play, and you don’t need a lot of things to be able to play well.
“It’s been really cool to have those conversations with families and learn about what play looks like for kids up north – it’s completely different in a rural or remote town, because the kids have different experiences.”
In her second year, Ms Schofield said she hoped to continue her work with children and educating parents.
“Communities have been really open to having support for their children and family, and I think that’s something that’s a bit overdue,” she said.
“Hopefully, in the future, we can do some more education sessions around specific developmental topics that the community has questions about.”
Weipa men treated to a free meal
TO mark International Men’s Day next week, Rio Tinto will be hosting a free barbecue breakfast for staff and members of the Weipa community in the Kumrumja Building at Rocky Point.
The breakfast will kick off at 8am for an 8:30am start on Tuesday, 19 November and will use the date as a “great opportunity to take part in a global conversation about manhood, masculinity and men’s issues”.
“The intent is to support and bring awareness to some of the support services already available, as well as give some impetus to the conversation around men’s mental health,” an event spokesperson said.
“The themes discussed at the breakfast will include highlighting some of the social issues that men and boys face, making a difference for the men and boys in our community, celebrating men and boys in all their diversity, and having some serious fun in the process.
“The event is intended to be relatively informal but with some guest speakers.”
To attend the free event, RSVP by email to WeBelongWeipa@ riotinto.com by 15 November.
Weipa
Community Feedback and Complaints
for everyone Every complaint
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
Grace Schofield was recognised as TCHHS’s allied health
Rookie of the Year.
PDR seal reliant on partnerships
By LYNDON KEANE
AN ongoing collaborative battle plan involving stakeholders as far south as Rockhampton and west as Mount Isa will likely be required to help realise the vision of a sealed Peninsula Developmental Road (PDR), a Cairns forum has been told.
The Cape York Region Package (CYRP) taskforce hosted the open forum at the Cairns RSL on 7 November to provide an update on the progress of stage two of the project, as well as look at the priorities and funding opportunities involved with stage three.
To date, almost $600 million has been invested in the first two stages of the long-held dream of sealing the PDR to Weipa and upgrading bridge infrastructure, including $323.13m for stage two.
One hundred and sixty-four kilometres of the PDR are left to seal and Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) district director (Far North) Darryl Jones told stakeholders the CYRP initially targeted “low-hanging fruit”, something that would not be possible with future stages of the project.
“It’s slowly getting more and more difficult as we go along,” he said, referring to expected road realignments and engineering challenges.
“There will be a distance-fordollar-type approach … we’re
looking to close that 164km gap as much as we can in the next stage.”
Mr Jones confirmed Shelley’s Crossing, north of Laura, was not on the radar for upgrading as part of stage three works, adding there was yet to be any construction given the green light for 2025 as TMR waited on a response from the Federal Government about its resubmitted project proposal report.
The CYRP is currently funded through an 80:20 partnership between Canberra and Brisbane, with a spokeswoman for Premier David Crisafulli confirming to Cape York Weekly the new State Government would honour the $60m pledge made by the former Labor gov-
ernment prior to last month’s state election.
“The Crisafulli Government will continue the budgeted $60m, including $20m over the coming four years for stage three of the Cape York Regional Package, and is calling on the Federal Government to also commit funds to the project,” the spokeswoman said.
CYRP taskforce co-chairs Professors Allan Dale and Hurriyet Babacan, who also chairs Regional Development Australia (RDA) Tropical North, said they believed Cape York would struggle to attract the level of federal political interest needed to secure the funding to complete the project without
collaborating on an “integrated package for northern Australia”.
“Stage three is going to be a very competitive process,” Professor Babacan said.
“We’ve had a change of government; yes, they’ve committed $60m, but is the Commonwealth going to honour the 80:20 rule? We don’t know yet.
“It is going to take a collective effort working together and advocating our needs and the benefits, given that we’re nationally competing [for road infrastructure funding].
“The RDA, the national RDAs, they’re interested in an integrated package.
“We need to get them (the Federal Government) to think broader than just narrow economic assessment for infrastructure investments, and we have to demonstrate the benefits of these projects at a local level, and we can only do that collectively, between the Commonwealth and the state, and then the different agencies that are here, and the community.”
Mr Jones echoed the sentiment about traditional funding metrics not stacking up when it came to remote infrastructure projects like the CYRP.
“There are a whole lot of other things that benefit from [the upgrade] … not just the standard metrics the governments use,” he told the forum.
Professor Dale said a unified approach from the entire northern part of the state would ensure Cape York’s voice was not drowned out by more politically valuable, highpopulation areas.
“Twenty thousand voices in Cape York find it hard to influence budget and policy – 250,000 people across Tropical North Queensland still struggle,” he said.
“We had to really have a conversation across the whole of North Queensland about why Cape York is important, and that’s what got a groundswell of over a million people, in effect, talking to the state and the Commonwealth, and keeping the state and the Commonwealth being collaborative.”
We are seeking input and comment from residents of Weipa and other western Cape Communities to inform a comprehensive socio-economic impact assessment (SEIA) which will support planning the future of the region.
The study is being undertaken as Rio Tinto considers expansion of the Amrun operation and the closure of the East Weipa mine, where active mining recently finished, and the Andoom mine, which is set to finish active mining later this decade.
The SEIA is being delivered by an independent specialist consultancy called EMM. It will take six to seven months to complete.
Have your say!
Stakeholders from across Cape York were united in the view that regional collaboration will be the key to unlocking ongoing funding to complete the remaining stages of the Cape York Region Package at a taskforce forum in Cairns.
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
It’s official: Kempton claims Cook
LABOR’S Cynthia Lui will not return for a third term after the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) made an official declaration of the result of five-way race for Cook on 7 November.
Ms Lui trumped her closest rival, the Liberal National Party’s David Kempton, by just 16 votes to win an incredibly close first preference race, 33.34 per cent to 33.28 per cent, with Katter’s Australian Party’s Duane Amos the next best with 19.67 per cent of primary votes.
With preferences, Mr Kempton received 54.98 per cent of the two-party preferred vote to secure ECQ’s official declaration of victory and his return for a second term as the Cook MP
NEWS IN BRIEF
Cooktown carols coming
A BIG turnout is expected in Cooktown’s Lions Park when Carols by Candlelight is held in two weeks.
after serving under former premier Campbell Newman from 2012-2015.
In a heartfelt Facebook post on Thursday, Ms Lui conceded defeat and wished Cook residents “nothing but the very best”.
“Next to being a mum, my other greatest achievement was representing the vast and diverse Cook [e]lectorate,” Ms Lui said in the post.
“Since 2017, It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as the Member for Cook, and give back to the region I so dearly love.
“Nothing was more important to me than to see our communities succeed, and I fought hard for everything we achieved together.
“I have always believed that our
communities deserved the best, no matter where we live. The results are in and Cook has spoken.
“There is so much to look forward for, and I wish the beautiful Cook [e] lectorate nothing but the very best.”
Following the ECQ declaration, the Cape York Weekly requested an interview with Mr Kempton to discuss his win and immediate plans for Cook but he refused, saying via text message “I’ll be sending a press release”.
No media release had been received by yesterday’s (11 November) print deadline.
It is the fifth interview request by this publication Mr Kempton has refused since he declared victory in a social media post on 28 October.
The free event, hosted by the Combined Churches of Cooktown, will kick off at 6:30pm on 30 November with a sausage sizzle, with attendees set to sing the first carols from 7pm.
An event spokesperson asked attendees to bring their own chairs to ensure they were comfortable for the performance.
“Please bring your own chairs and blankets, and mosquito repellent, to make sure you can enjoy the show,” the spokesperson said.
Weipa Christmas fun
THE annual Weipa Christmas markets will be held at the Weipa Storm Surge Shelter from 9am-12pm on 30 November, with Weipa Town Authority promising something for everyone, including a special visit from Santa Claus before he returns in December with a sleigh full of presents.
Santa will be at the markets to say hello and take photos to create Christmas memories, irrespective of whether you have been naughty or nice. There will be a bumper range of stalls, activities for the kids and a range of sweet treats on offer.
For more information, check out the WTA website or Facebook page.
Symposium date saver
STAKEHOLDERS with an interest in Weipa and the surrounding communities are being urged to cross out 7-8 May in their 2025 diaries to attend the Western Cape Futures Forum.
The biennial event was conceived from the need to create a vision and plan for a sustainable future for the region, and is being hosted by the Western Cape Chamber of Commerce in partnership with local councils, private sector entities and not-for-profit organisations.
For more information about the event, visit www.westerncapechamber.com.au.
Weipa first aid course
THE Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) is offering first aid training on Weipa’s doorstep next Monday.
Both a full QAS first aid course and CPR refresher course will be held at the SES headquarters at Rocky Point on 18 November, with the full course scheduled to run from 8:30am-5:30pm.
Anyone interested in completing either course is urged to either register online at www.ambulance.qld.gov.au/firstaid or just turn up early on the Monday morning.
The LNP’s David Kempton (centre), pictured with Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett on a tour of the Mossman mill last week, has been declared the winner of Cook by the ECQ.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Wellbeing Services walk with families
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Wellbeing Services (FWS) support families to safely care for and protect their children. FWS is a culturally safe and free service for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families who have children under 18 living in their care.
The service covers the whole of Queensland, including the Torres Strait Islands and Cape York Peninsula.
Each year more than 4,000 families attend FWS for support with parenting and family issues.
Available to all family members including parents, grandparents, and other kin, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations deliver support based on the family’s strengths and local community needs.
Families facing challenges are encouraged to reach out to their local FWS as support is readily available and only a phone call away. FWS can assist with common parenting issues such as day-to-day care needs, family routines and structure in the home. FWS providers are also experienced in supporting families affected by drug use,
alcohol, and domestic and family violence.
Support for mothers
Sherry* was battling substance abuse and suffering from depression when she reached out to FWS, through a local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service. Her family had been impacted by domestic violence (DV) and she could barely afford to buy food or clothes for her children.
FWS helped Sherry create a budget and find support for her mental health through counselling. Sherry’s support worker helped her to improve her self-restraint and develop skills to manage her anger, and they created a family safety plan to prevent further DV issues.
Sherry’s younger kids are now in day care, and they attend playgroup, while the older kids are part of a homework club. The kids are all thriving as they love learning and being in contact with other children.
“I can now reach out to people, feel supported and know that I am not on my own,” says Sherry.
A FWS worker regularly checks in with the family, ensuring they get routine
service.
Sherry now attends yarning circles with community Elders and listens to them pass on their cultural knowledge. She has also completed a course in Mental Health First Aid and is studying for a traineeship to help her get a good job.
Overcoming obstacles
Alex* was struggling with homesickness, language barriers and financial issues, while her teenage daughters were having issues engaging at their new
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school due to cultural conflicts.
When she first reached out to FWS, Alex was seeking school engagement support for her children but they were able to help her with so much more.
A FWS worker met weekly with Alex’s family in a safe and comfortable space with an interpreter present, so the family could tell their story in their first language instead of English, which is actually their third language.
After Alex also spoke to her FWS worker about her partner’s mental health concerns, they
navigated through the NDIS application process and organised a mental health assessment.
Now Alex attends a women’s group, which has helped her make friends in her new community. Her FWS worker has supported her daughters in their school transition and was able to refer her partner and son to further support for men. To find free and confidential support near you, visit www.familywellbeingqld.org.au or call 1300 117 095.
*All names have been changed to protect people’s identities.
We all want the best for our kids, to keep them safe, strong, and connected to culture. Community organisations you trust are here to walk with you. To contact them and find free and confidential support near you, visit the Family Wellbeing Services website. Because we all want the best for our kids.
Visit familywellbeingqld.org.au or call 1300 117 095
counselling from a local Murri support
Photo posed by actors.
Deadly new artwork for RFDS car
By CHISA HASEGAWA
A UNIQUE vehicle is one way to get the conversation rolling, which is exactly what the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s (RFDS) mental health team has done to reach communities on the Cape.
For the first time, the RFDS Queensland section has decked out two new vehicles to be used in Cooktown, Wujal Wujal, Laura and Kowanyama with Indigenous artwork that represents the journey and spirit of the service’s com-
mitment to First Nations peoples.
“Especially in the Cape, we’ve been advocating internally for a long time to support RFDS to make more prominent steps towards reconciliation,” RFDS Queensland Section Far North mental health manager Jos Middleton said.
“Some of our smaller wins there included the Indigenous artwork on our uniforms that we wear proudly, which was by a local Cooktown artist.
“This was an opportunity to take that to the next level by dem-
CALLING ALL MO BROS AND MO SISTAS
onstrating RFDS respect for First Nations people through embracing the artwork on something bigger; we are hopeful this can help bridge the gap, which is really important in the Cape where more than 50 per cent of our clients do identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.”
Ms Middleton said the artwork displayed on the vehicles was part of a larger piece commissioned for the RFDS by David Williams, which featured representations of the services offered, flight path-
ways across the state and dedication to growth.
“The star on the car is one of the six service elements that has been extracted from the artwork to represent the mental health team,” she said.
With this year’s increase in services across the Cape came the need for new vehicles, Ms Middleton said, adding that they had been able to resume services in Pormpuraaw after having to step away for a year.
“We’ve also increased our ser-
vices in other communities in the Cape, so it just means that we are not walking on foot so much, we’re able to get around to people’s houses for home visits much easier, or we’re able to use our cars as engagement tools,” she said.
“People in Kowanyama are already coming up to our clinicians, saying, ‘deadly car, the artwork is deadly’, which is great to hear –it’s become a bit of a talking point and it’s reducing barriers to accessing services, which is one of our key targets.”
Indigenous artwork on the newest addition to the RFDS fleet has already become a talking point that is helping to reduce barriers to accessing health services.
BOOK LAUNCH
Vera Scarth-Johnson Gallery Association Inc
We warmly invite Community Members, Association Members and Friends to the launch of the eagerly awaited second edition of Vera Scarth-Johnson’s ‘National Treasures’ book. Please join us in celebrating the remarkable work of our renowned botanical illustrator and passionate advocate for the Endeavour River [Waalmbal Birri].
WHERE: Nature’s PowerHouse
WHEN: Saturday 16 November 2024, 4 – 6pm
Milestone meet draws big crowd
A PLEASANT south-easterly breeze took the edge off hot conditions when thousands of racegoers frocked up to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Cooktown Races on Saturday.
Did we spot you out and about at the Cooktown Amateur Turf Club? Make sure you check out our bumper gallery on the Cape York Weekly website.
Rosie and Tori Attenborough. Archer, Max, Kim and Lucas Giese.
Molli Harrison, Taylar Evans and Johnno Harrison.
Sayah Scott, Peter Scott, Ian Poole and Gaelo Poole. Cooktown locals and visitors get together at the races.
Amaliya Fitzgerald, Jackson Fitzgerald, Genevieve Higgins and Talei Viranatuleo.
Denicka, Eadie and Addison Danaher.
Julianne Mesner and Susan Rose catch up with Simon Vaughan and Guapo before the six-year-old gelding went on to win race two on Saturday afternoon.
Jockeys Lacey Morrison, Shae Nielson, Mel Campbell, Lauren Guernier, Amanda Thomson and Tyler Leslight line up for a photo before race one.
Tyler Kuskopf, Dani Reed, Les Shearer, Kim Shearer, Rob Schuring, Dianne Healy, Helen Reed and Lindon Reed get excited about their day at the races. Graham Purdy and Peter Gunther check out the form.
By CHISA HASEGAWA
FROM a true vintage dress, handmade millinery and conquering the grassy field in a pair of stiletto heels, Cooktown fashionistas did not disappoint at the town’s 150th annual race day on 9 November.
“I would hate to be a judge”, was the buzz phrase of Fashions on the Field (FOTF) onlookers as contestants dressed to the nines lined up on stage.
Kate Fraser, one of the judges tasked with making the difficult choice, said this year welcomed the highest calibre of entries she had seen since she joined the panel.
“I’ve been involved for a couple of years, and my family has been involved for maybe 30 years, and I thought it was the best quality of outfits we’ve seen,” she said.
“I think there was depth across each of the categories; everyone had co-ordinated outfits and I think they wouldn’t have felt out of place at any of the big city race meetings.
“The little je ne sais quoi, if you like, was deportment – how people carried themselves, posture and everything; some people just stood out because they just owned it –they might’ve been standing on the back of a tray truck, but they stood and carried themselves as if they were at Flemington.”
In celebration of its centuryand-a-half history, there was a special Heritage category that delivered Cooktown local Shani Miller her first FOTF win.
Ms Miller, who received the golden winner’s sash in a dress worn by her grandmother about 60 years ago, said it was an emotional way to celebrate the event’s milestone anniversary.
“This is my nana’s dress, I’m not sure exactly how old she is now, but she’s probably nearly 80 and she wore this dress when she was 17,” she said.
“I just love it – it stands out as heritage and it’s pretty authentically vintage.
“Nana did Fashions on the Field
a lot, and my mum has also entered heaps, and she’s won it a few times but I never had, so it’s pretty special.”
Co-ordinated colour schemes and unique pieces looked to be the winning elements, with moss green duo Ben and Jasmine Broad taking home the prize for Style Duo of the day.
“We kind of had to throw every-
thing together a little bit at the last minute, because, you know, shopping is a bit limited in Cooktown, so we’re feeling pretty chuffed,” Ms Broad said.
The creative Ms Broad handcrafted her fascinator with plants from local gardens, saying the art of a good outfit in a remote town was a combination of craftiness, second-hand and online shopping.
“I think it was probably a lot of going to Vinnies and our local stores and seeing what we can find, and then filling the gaps with a little bit of online shopping, and then frantically picking stuff out of people’s gardens,” she told Cape York Weekly
“I honestly just wanted to create something that was a little bit fun, and probably haven’t let go of Halloween yet – we raided some gardens and came up with this after lots of hot glue and swearing last night.”
The duo did think they had a
chance of securing the win, but said they believed having one brain behind the two-outfit operation helped them get over the line.
“[It was] probably because one person styles both outfits,” Ms Broad laughed, with her husband adding that he had no say in the look.
“Usually, we dress a little bit different compared to other people – I have moss in my hair – so, we didn’t really think we would win, but feel very flattered that other people thought we look as cute as we do.”
Cooktown residents don’t always get a lot of opportunities to dress to the nines in the laidback lifestyle of Cape York, but when they do, they do it well.
Jasmine and Ben Broad wowed the judges with their unique moss green look.
The Fashions on the Field judges struggled to pick the winning looks from a high calibre of entries.
Cooktown Amateur Turf Club ~ 150 Years
Four winners makes Morrison the Queen of Cooktown
THERE was no wiping the smile off Townsville jockey Lacey Morrison’s face on Saturday after she put on a riding masterclass for the big crowd at the 2024 Cooktown Races.
With a strong book of rides in six of the seven races on the program, the 40-year-old – who took an eight-year hiatus from the saddle in 2013 – saluted four times and notched up two seconds to fellow hoop Nathan Day, who rode
three winners, including Choir Boy in the 2024 Cooktown Cup.
Saturday’s result has Morrison sitting fifth in the current Queensland Jockey Premiership, with a winning strike rate of 23.40 per cent after 29 wins, 26 seconds and 22 thirds from 124 starts over the past three months.
Morrison joked the meeting would “definitely” help her standing in the premiership race and praised the Cooktown Amateur
Turf Club for putting on a memorable 150th anniversary meeting.
“You’ve got to keep those percentages up for sure,” she laughed.
“It was a really good day; we love coming to Cooktown.
“It’s always been a successful track for me and all the trainers I ride for here target their horses every year for these races.
“Today had a great atmosphere and its always such a pleasure to ride here.”
Choir Boy books Brisbane ticket with record-breaking Cup victory
By LYNDON KEANE
WITH a cheeky glance back a furlong from home on Saturday afternoon, jockey Nathan Day knew he would be saddling up the 2024 Cooktown RSL Memorial Club Cooktown Cup winner in a $200,000 country racing showdown in Brisbane.
The affable hoop piloted the Janel Ryan-trained Choir Boy to a stunning victory in the main event on the seven-race card, with the six-year-old Divine Prophet gelding putting 11.68 lengths on the small field as a huge roar went up from punters who had heavily backed the $1.40 favourite.
The race was a qualifier for the 2024 Queensland Country Cups Challenge, which will pit the state’s best bush horses against one another at Doomben over 1600 metres on November 30.
Day said the bumper win at Cooktown’s milestone 150th race meeting had been a great way to qualify.
“He’s a great bush horse – he just loves these tracks,” he told Cape York Weekly
“If we could have a race like this every two weeks, he’d be a million-dollar horse up here; the bigger tracks are a bit harder for him, but these hard, tight tracks, he just loves it.”
Choir Boy and Day will partner up again in Brisbane in three weeks, with the jockey praising his mount and comparing Choir Boy to a former NRL hard man.
“He’s a hard arse,” Day said.
“He’s like Shane Webcke, you know – he just keeps going, you can’t stop him.”
One of Choir Boy’s co-owners, Chris Jorgensen, said the win was the culmination of a six-month plan to have him lining up at Doomben.
“It was a terrific watch,” he said post-race.
“Nathan’s had a lot of success with the horse and we had a plan to get to Brisbane, and this was on our chart about six months ago.”
It was a big day for the Cupwinning hoop, claiming three wins in what turned out to be a mesmerising contest for top jockey hon-
ours against Lacey Morrison, who saluted four times.
In the first race of the day, the Cape York Weekly Benchmark 65, Morrison finished on top for trainer Alwyn Bailey with Rough Cut Jewel ($2.60) over the 1000m trip, with apprentice Mel Campbell steering Thumani ($3.50) to a second place and Amanda Thomson handing trainer Alex Malliff twothirds of the trifecta by riding Nazorian ($12) to third.
Day and Morrison locked horns in the Cooktown Hardware and Up North Enterprises Benchmark 50, with the former pairing up with Guapo ($4) to eke out a narrow win over the latter on Power Puff ($2F), with Thomson finishing third on $11 chance Blondie’s Secret.
It was a repeat result in the third race, the Poison Creek Station Maiden Plater over 1290m, with Day piloting the highly-fancied Ignacio ($1.40F) to victory over Morrison on Missy Lyn ($3) and Campbell on Mishani Burn ($6).
Morrison triumphed on the Athol Ryan-trained Racatoon ($1.80F) in the Lion’s Den QTIS Class 3 Plate, with Tyler Leslight finishing second on Wishnowsky ($12) and Day third on Boovey ($4.20).
It was the Morrison show again in the fifth, the Cooktown Bowls Club Cooktown Bracelet Open Plate, with the jockey saluting after riding favourite Crystal Chief ($1.80F) to an almost-two-length win over apprentices Jenna Edwards on Deluxe Legend ($7) and Lauren Guernier on Bakersfield ($3.60).
Morrison brought up her fourth win of the meeting in her last ride for the day in race six, the Cooktown Real Estate Karen Olsen Memorial Benchmark 55 Handicap. Prophetess ($3) was too good over the 1400m journey for Bailey, with Edwards and Guernier completing an identical result finishing second and third respectively on Pelsaert ($5) and Deal An Ace ($2.50).
Choir Boy was a runaway winner of the 2024 Cooktown RSL Memorial Club Cooktown Cup, breaking the track record in the process. The gelding won by more than 11 lengths, much to the joy of jockey Nathan Day (right). The Janel Ryan-trained gelding will now contest the Country Cups Challenge in Brisbane.
Lacey Morrison claims her first of four wins at the 150th Cooktown Races aboard the Rough Cut Jewel for trainer Alwyn Bailey.
Carolyn Bethel, Warren Butler and Pamela Stagg.
Andrew Doherty, Jo Doherty, Gaye Andrews and Struan Andrews. Donna Harris and Toni Wienert. Photos: Chisa Hasegawa and Lyndon Keane
Rosie Attenborough, Alice Hansford and Sheena Langley.
Alwyn Bailey and Ross McGee.
Peter Finlayson and Mark Prystupa.
Susan and David Scott take a break in the shade. Jackson Hopkins and Anastasia Wynberg.
Cooktown Amateur Turf Club president Robyn Holmes and Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch. Carrie Chiasson and Kristie Jenkin. Sally and Peter Maher. Sarah Frew claimed the Chic Lady category crown in Fashions on the Field.
Susan Rose and Helen Marsh. There was only one place to be in Cooktown on Saturday, with friends making the most of stunning conditions to catch up at the milestone 150th race meet.
Development group scores award
THE strategy to help drive the diversification of economic development in the northernmost part of the state has been recognised as an award winner at a ceremony in Western Australia.
Regional Development Australia (RDA) Tropical North’s Tropical North Queensland Economic Development Strategy 2024-2029 was recognised at the inaugural 2024 Regional Development Australia Awards in Busselton on 28 October in the Investing in Places category, which recognises targeted and place-based investment that enables communities to thrive and adapt.
RDA Tropical North Chair
Professor Hurriyet Babacan said forging a regional partnership to create a strategic plan for the Far North, including Cape York and the Torres Strait, was critical for the future of the region.
“This strategy emerged from understanding 21 local government areas’ priorities from Cardwell north to the Torres Strait Islands and west to Croydon, with the Torres Cape Indigenous Council Alliance as a key partner,” she said.
“It also involved the synthesis of 37 regional plans and the result is a cohesive vision
NEWS IN BRIEF
Mapoon after-school fun
MAPOON Aboriginal Shire Council is offering an after-school program to keep kids engaged each week between now and the end of the year.
The program is being held from 3-4:30pm on Monday to Thursday at the splash park, with a focus on both learning and playing.
A range of activities are on offer, including an obstacle course, slip and slide, a three-on-three basketball competition and, of course, water activities utilising the splash park infrastructure.
Parents and care givers are being encouraged to attend.
For more information, call 0409 631 483 or check out the council’s Facebook page.
Christmas in Lakeland
THE community will unite for the festive season when the Lakeland Christmas fair is held on 7 December.
The event will be hosted by the Lakeland Progress Association and is set to offer plenty of things to keep patrons of all ages entertained, including markets, a Christmas photo booth and presents for the kids.
The action will get under way with the markets from 3pm on the grassed area in front of the Lakeland coffee shop, with local entertainment from 4:30pm and Christmas carols from 6:30pm.
Stallholders are asked to call 0417 625 121 or email lakeland@outlook.com.au to register for their free site.
For more information, check out the Lakeland Progress Association Facebook page.
Torres freight EOI
THE State Government is calling for applications for expressions of interest to deliver sea freight to Outer Torres Strait Island (OTSI) communities.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads is managing the EOI through the government’s QTenders portal, with submissions needing to be lodged by midnight on 22 November.
The OTSI region has a population of about 8,000 people dispersed across 16 small and remote islands located in the Torres Strait between Cape York and Papua New Guinea.
Owing to the complexity of supply chain and transport logistics, the cost of shipping freight to the OTSI region is significantly higher than other supply chains.
For more information, visit www. qtenders.epw.qld.gov.au/qtenders.
across economic, environmental, social and cultural pillars for the region.
“Key priority development areas and infrastructure projects have been identified that canvas land-use perspectives, emerging growth industries and considerations for population growth and liveability to inform government investment decisions.”
The Tropical North Queensland Economic Development Strategy 2024-2029 has a roadmap listing the current proposals requiring support, those with sourced funding which require a continued commitment, and implementation priorities.
Western Australian Minister for Regional Development Don Punch, RDA Tropical North CEO Sonja Johnson and Deputy Chair Brett Moller, and Busselton Mayor Phill Cronin celebrate RDA Tropical North’s award win for the Tropical North Queensland Economic Development Strategy 2024-2029. Photo: Supplied.
THE buzzword resonating around the room at last week’s Cape York Region Package (CYRP) taskforce meeting in Cairns was impossible to ignore: collaboration.
The word has been served and volleyed across meeting rooms more than “synergy” and “new normal” in recent years, and is generally taken to mean a stakeholder is happy to participate in a process if someone else is willing to do the heavy lifting and then share the kudos. But make no mistake, a genuine collaboration is going to be needed between not only stakeholders on Cape York, but also those in other regional and remote parts of Queensland, if we’re ever going to be able to rally enough political will to secure the funding needed to seal a road infrastructure success story.
The road to remote prosperity is seldom paved – let alone dotted with public amenities – by communities singing from their own song sheet, which boils down to political mathematics, and a single electorate’s historical inability to be an enticing enough carrot to those with a predilection for pork barrelling. In simple terms, despite its geography, Cape York represents merely a single state and federal win to jousting political par-
ties, which is why we tend to miss out on all the big ticket funding promises come election time.
CYRP taskforce co-chair Professor Allan Dale is spot on when he says it’s going to be like pushing the proverbial wheelbarrow with a flat tyre up a hill for Cape York stakeholders to get the hundreds of millions of dollars required to complete stage three of the plan to seal the Peninsula Developmental Road (PDR) on our own. If we work with other regional and remote stakeholders to secure a bulk piece of the funding pie to share,
our collective bargaining power suddenly allows us to dangle a political carrot with enough economy of scale to get even the most disinterested party policy boffins licking their lips.
As an example, if our own Regional Development Australia (RDA) Tropical North works with the RDA committees to its immediate south and west, the collaboration morphs from a Cape Yorkcentric one seat into a politically muscular 10 seats.
However, one area Cape York can’t afford to be herded into a sin-
gle pen with is what we offer Brisbane and Canberra economically.
Our economy needs to be as rich and diverse as the people who make up Cape York and, while collaboration will still play a vital role, communities are going to need to identify a commercial point of difference that benefits them, Cape York and our political masters down south.
We can’t all be doing the same thing. We need to identify niches that only Cape York can do well and run with them.
We’re off to a reasonable start,
with Weipa turning its mind towards opportunities outside mining through a potential freight hub, James Palmer’s Space Centre Australia seemingly gaining momentum for a local spaceport, and primary producers in southern Cape York chomping at the bit to trial new and unusual agricultural products if the $1.6 billion Lakeland Irrigation Area Scheme gets off the ground.
I’ve also spoken to operators looking at unique tourism offerings only our region can support, and stakeholders in the Northern Area Peninsula exploring opportunities to launch enterprises that will potentially provide food security for the entire Cape and Torres Strait. It’s a diverse mix from a passionate, innovative group of stakeholders – and it’s exactly what we need.
It’s going to be an uncertain six months for our region, with a new State Government and what will likely be a new Federal Government by March or April. Our longserving federal MP is hanging up his hat, and taking with him the knowledge, respect and advocacy muscle it takes years to cement. What it all means for us remains to be seen.
What we can’t be uncertain about is that for us to continue pushing forwards towards a bright – and sealed – future for Cape York, we’re going to have to embrace “collaborative diversity” as our buzzword for 2025.
Cape York Weekly Puzzles Page
Quick Workout
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.
Business Support Officer –
Rural Fire Service – Cooktown
Queensland Fire Department
Status: Permanent Flexible Full-time
Classification: AO3
Salary: $73,997.00 - $82,108.00 per annum
Division: Rural Fire Service QLD
Region/Directorate: RFS - NORTHERN
Work Unit: Rural Fire Service
Location: Cooktown
Closing Date: Midnight 21 November 2024
Reference No: QLD_QFD_20280_24
Current Queensland Fire Department employees and volunteers must apply via their internal careers site
About us
The Queensland Fire Department (QFD) provides fire prevention, preparedness and response services to fire in the built and landscape environments, as well as scientific and specialist capabilities to Queensland communities.
Purpose of the role
The Business Support Officer [Operations], will be a key member of the team providing efficient, effective and confidential administrative support to meet the functions of the business unit. You will support staff, set priorities and monitor workflows to undertake work across a broad range of service delivery activities. You will assist staff through the provision and coordination of human resource and finance administration, information management, documentation control, diary management and/or secretariat duties, as required, including monitoring for compliance for the successful delivery of activities to meet work area objectives.
Key requirements
Highly desirable requirements
• Government purchasing (Level 1).
• Knowledge or experience in the use of human resource, finance systems (i.e. SAP / Aurion) and document management systems and reporting.
Special requirements
• It is expected that the incumbent will participate in an out of hours on call roster during emergency operations. This may require work outside of normal hours (e.g. night shift), including weekends, working extended hours and may include deployment to other parts of the state.
Your key accountabilities
Your part in the ongoing success of our department, in supporting key frontline services will see you responsible for a variety of work, including, but not limited to:
• Provide high level administrative support, including assisting in the preparation, review and coordination of correspondence, reports, minutes and other materials, in accordance with the departmental requirements and style guides.
• Assist with administrative tasks for the processing of work unit records, human resource and finance administration activities, ensuring compliance with department policy and procedures.
• Utilise departmental systems/databases to create, update, review and report on business activities, resolve issues or provide recommendation for improvement to ensure effective maintenance of records and access to information.
• Coordinate and organise meetings, training courses, workshops, travel and accommodation itineraries, including catering, and ensure accurate information is provided to assist with planning and scheduling.
• Liaise and maintain positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels, including members of the public to support key processes, procedures and delivery of unit outcomes.
• Undertake general office duties, mail distribution, filing, diary control and maintenance of office equipment and asset records to ensure the effective management of the office.
• Contribute to the development, maintenance, training and advice of administrative processes, procedures and use of systems to ensure compliance and the provision of quality support services to the work area.
• Undertake support and administrative duties during emergencies and disasters which may involve short-notice activation and rostering outside of business hours.
Want more information?
Please contact Anne Siegmeier, District Business Coordinator on 0499 786 658 or email anne.siegmeier@qfes.qld.gov.au.
You can also visit our website to find out more information about joining our team.
How to apply
Via Smart Jobs website and please refer to the QFD Public Service Application Guide [All PS Classifications/Streams and Senior Officer] for information on how to apply for this role and contact us to discuss any reasonable adjustments if required.
Dawnbusters champions crowned
By LYNDON KEANE
THE culmination of 365 days of blood, sweat, tears, rain and flies was on show at Carpentaria Golf Club on Sunday as 21 players vied for bragging rights at the 2024 Dawnbusters Championships.
Dawnbusters are required to play 10 regular nine-hole competitions throughout the year to qualify for the event, which takes the format of a 13-hole showdown to settle once and for all who can lay the biggest claim to wearing the coveted Dawnbusters winner’s shirt.
In A-grade, Rob McVean secured gross winner honours, with Jim Hunter crowned the bridesmaid.
Scott Andrews and Viv Chan were the A-grade nett winner and runner-up respectively.
To complete a strong day on the course for the pair, Andrews claimed the nearest to the pin prize, with Chan securing the women’s long drive.
Hunter was the biggest hitting A-grader, while David Sands (Bgrade), Simon Ayles (C-grade) and Steve Kennett (non-qualifiers) also impressed with the driver.
McVean showed why he took the A-grade gross prize by recording the least number of putts over the 13 holes, while Lenny Dick grabbed the gong for doing ex-
actly the opposite. A Dawnbusters spokesperson thanked players for making the championship one of Weipa’s must-do golfing events every year, and the volunteers who ensured competitors were fed when they returned to the clubhouse.
“Numbers were down on previous years due to natural attrition and commitments of some of the other players, however, this did not dampen the enthusiasm of the remaining players and a good time was had by all,” the spokesperson said.
“A special thank you to the volunteers who manned the barbecue – they were our unsung heroes of the day.”
Dawnbusters will return to its regular programming on 17 November, with the crew set to tackle
2024 DAWNBUSTERS
CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS
A-grade
Gross winner: Rob McVean
Gross runner-up: Jim Hunter
Nett winner: Scott Andrews
Nett runner-up: Viv Chan
B-grade
Gross winner: Brandon Waretini
Gross runner-up: Randall O’Neill
Nett winner: Kerry Bosshammer
Nett runner-up: Helen Sabatino
C-grade
Gross winner: Rachel Dick
Gross runner-up: Chris Hamill
Nett winner: Krystle Ellis
Nett runner-up: Simon Ayles
Non-qualifiers
Gross winner: Steve Kennett; Gross runner-up: Chelsea Buckley
GUNGARDE COMMUNITY CENTRE ABORIGINAL CORPORTATION
(I.C.N. 148)
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
All members of the corporation are advised that an Annual General Meeting of Gungarde Community Centre Aboriginal Corporation will be held as follows:
TIME: 11:30AM
DATE: 28 November 2024
PLACE: Gungarde Hall – 92 Charlotte Street, Cooktown Qld 4895
Agenda Items:
• Acceptance of previous minutes 23 November 2023
• Chairperson’s/Director report
• CEO report
• Financial report
• Auditor’s report
Please note this is a non-voting AGM PHONE: 07 4069 5412 for further information
GUNGARDE COMMUNITY CENTRE
ABORIGINAL CORPORATION
92 Charlotte Street, Cooktown QLD 4895 T: 07 4069 5412
IDENTIFIED POSITION VACANT:
Gungarde Community Centre Aboriginal Corporation is seeking applicants suitable for the role of Family Participation Convenor
Applications close 5pm, 22ND November 2024
For further information or to request a copy of the Position Description please contact 07 4069 5412 or swilson@gungarde.com.au
ICN: 148 ABN: 45 180 964 190
GUNGARDE COMMUNITY CENTRE
ABORIGINAL CORPORATION
92 Charlotte Street, Cooktown QLD 4895 T: 07 4069 5412
IDENTIFIED POSITION VACANT:
Gungarde Community Centre Aboriginal Corporation is seeking applicants suitable for the role of Family Participation Support Worker
Applications close 5pm, 22ND November 2024
For further information or to request a copy of the Position Description please contact 07 4069 5412 or swilson@gungarde.com.au
ICN: 148 ABN: 45 180 964 190
GUNGARDE COMMUNITY CENTRE
ABORIGINAL CORPORATION (icn. 148)
92 Charlotte Street, Cooktown QLD 4895 T: 07 4069 5412
POSITION VACANT:
Gungarde Community Centre is seeking applications from suitably qualified people to join our team in the role of Housing Support Worker
Applications close at noon on 29TH November 2024
For further information or to request a copy of the Position Description please contact 07 4069 5412 or swilson@gungarde.com.au
the front nine from about 6am –new players are always welcome to join the madness.
Dawnbusters Championships A-grade winner Rob McVean accepts his prize from Jon Dall on Sunday afternoon.
Parkrun celebrates 15,000th finisher
WEIPA parkrun is celebrating a finishing milestone after 42 competitors laced up their shoes for event #391 on 9 November.
More than 15,000 finishes have now been recorded for the western Cape York parkrun, with the tally now sitting at 15,007 at the completion of Saturday’s instalment.
Among the 42 parkrunners were four first timers who tackled the 5-kilometre circuit before the temperature in Weipa soared beyond 37 degrees.
Jack Barton hit his stride to be
the first finisher and fastest male home in a handy time of 20 minutes, 34 seconds, while Nicole
Widmer held off Tash Tapper to claim the women’s honours in 24:46.
Personal best performances were recorded by Jenna Parker, Vincent Kippen, Sam Aschenbrenner and Sheryl Kruger-Strydom.
Volunteers Denica Bowden, Michael Collins, Sian Edwards, Parx Hall, Luke O’Day, Nicole Pritchard, Rose Robins and Flynn Widmer helped ensure the event went off without a hitch.
Weipa parkrun is held from 7am every Saturday morning, with the parkrun family meeting at the hospital roundabout on John Evans Drive.
Cooktown swimmers get hands dirty to raise cash
THEY may be more adept in a pool, but members of the Cooktown Amateur Swimming Club (CASC) capped off a big seven days of activities by getting covered in soap suds for a good cause on 9 November.
With the club’s next competition scheduled for Malanda this Saturday, swimmers and coaching staff converged on Cooktown Hardware with hoses, buckets and sponges for a car wash fundraiser to help cover travel costs to attend the meeting.
CASC president Melissa Gunton said while many of the senior swimmers would miss the Malanda showdown due to their year 12 graduation, three team members were ready to make a splash at their debut away carnival.
“Our team will be heading off to Malanda next weekend to battle it out against swimmers from all over Far North Queensland,” she said.
“We are taking a team of 11 down and, unfortunately, due to the year 12 graduation clash-
ing, we won’t have some of our senior members attending this carnival.
“We look forward to some of our new juniors excelling at their first away carnival, including Job Kuruduadua, Archer Meyer and Adele Dooley, who are set to make a splash.”
The car wash ended a week of activity at the club, which now
boasts four fully qualified senior first aiders after members underwent training with renowned swimming coach Andrew “Herbie” Howard.
“We now have four fully qualified first aid seniors aged 14-17 years, and five first aid competent juniors and seniors who are under the age of 14,” Ms Gunton said.
“This was a necessary life skill that the committee thought would be valuable for our members and thanks to the Active Clubs grant, we were able to offer this to our team.
“Coach Herbie also did some coaching clinics for us all weekend and provided valuable training for our members and coaching staff.”
SPORT IN BRIEF
Wackers prize for Head
ANOTHER strong contingent of 15 golfers battled hot conditions on the back nine in the quest for weekly Wackers glory at Carpentaria Golf Club on 6 November.
Steve Head was the best on course to return to the clubhouse with a gross 47 for a winning nett 29.5, holding off runner-up Josh Martin, who succumbed to the curse of the lower handicap after carding 45 off the stick for a nett 31.
PK was the best with the short clubs on hole 15, while Josh Martin bagged the pin prize for his effort on the 18th.
It was a complete change of fortune for Pom, who tasted victory last week only to be handed the Bradman’s crown for the round.
Equine Christmas party
HORSES and their riders will have a chance to reflect on 2024 and get into the festive spirit when the Cooktown Horse Sports Association hosts a Christmas break up day on 7 December.
With a $10 entry fee, the fun will get under way at the Cooktown Racecourse from 3:30pm, and conclude with a barbecue and drinks when horses have been unsaddled for the final time this year.
Prizes will be on offer across tiny tots, junior and senior club classes for those who dress to impress with a Christmas theme.
For more information, check out the group’s Facebook page.
One week left for futsal
PLAYERS have one week left to show off their fancy footwork in Kowanyama as the community’s fustal competition prepares for finals fever.
With the temperature soaring on western Cape York, Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council has been hosting the indoor soccer showdown for the past month, with 19 November scheduled for playoffs so a champion team can be crowned.
The penultimate round kicks off at 5:15pm today (12 November) at the Kowanyama Multipurpose Centre.
For more information about the competition, call 0427 951 590.
Forty-two competitors prepare to run, jog or walk the 5-kilometre circuit for Weipa parkrun #391 on Saturday morning.
Cooktown Amateur Swimming Club members tackle a fundraising car wash to help competitors travel to Malanda to compete against swimmers from across Far North Queensland this Saturday.
