2019 April 11 community

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Thursday, April 11th 2019

$1000 CROC REWARD PAGE 5

CROSS COUNTRY PAGE 17

Parents of Four Boys: Don’t Drink and Drive!

SEAN DENT

THE TULLY TIGERS PLAY OFF AGAINST THE KANGAROOS PAGE 20

IT takes a special kind of courage for a parent dealing with the heart-rending tragedy of losing a teenage son to then use that experience to attempt to save the lives of others. That courage was on display last Friday night at the Top Pub in Tully, QLD where locals joined the grieving parents and friends to offer emotional solace and to raise much-needed money to help the families deal with the

unexpected financial burden.

There was no doubt that the community gathered together at the Top Pub last Friday night with the intent to celebrate and revere the lives of Braydan Carter-Mathews, 19, Ryan Beckman, 19, Shawn Woods, 18 and Tom Breen, 19. Listening to people talk about the young men, it was obvious how proud everyone was of the way they lived their lives.

Words like sweetest, kindest,

free-spirited, most grateful and fun were on everyone’s lips as they relived the good memories.

In all, they raised $4,000 that night by raffling off various prizes donated by local businesses. The fundraiser was organised by Caitlin Pendlebury, who was friends with the boys and whose sister, Rhiannon dated Tom. Like everyone who spoke to me, Caitlin held all four of them in high regard. “They will be missed.

They used to come in every day in the afternoon for a casual couple of drinks, and every Friday night, always together, always well-behaved. They never had a bad word to say about anyone. Everyone genuinely loved them.”

Peter Burgess, the proprietor of the Top Pub, said they were great kids, always together, always very respectful, never a hint of a problem from them in all the time he knew them.

Continues PG3

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COMMUNITY NEWS

CCIN Editor’s Column

Sari Hyytinen

I like seeing innovation from women in what has traditionally been a male dominated world. Though I believe that things have changed significantly for women and we need to acknowledge what has already changed as we continue to look to the future and work on the things that still need to change. I feel it is important to acknowledge that both men and women have strived for these changes to take effect.

As we are heading toward a world that is dominated by technological changes, it is important to recognize that technology is still an area that is male-dominated. There are opportunities in the technological world for women. Therefore, the question then must be asked, why is this an area that does not appear to appeal to women? How are

we able to fix this as a culture and make it more appealing? AI algorithms appear to have also caused concerns as they are based on tools created by a male dominated industry, and the thought process of males in the industry. Therefore, when these algorithms are used to hire people for a job, they gravitate towards male applicants - not female applicants.

Western culture has ensured that women are equal. It is mindset concerns more than policy concerns that appear to me to be the problem. There is no point placing quotas, as no women would want to be merely filling a quota. As a female, I would like to be acknowledged for the skills I bring to the position and not be chosen just to fill a quota.

Catriona Wallace, the CEO of FlamingoAI, has been working on recruitment tools and improving algorithms with the goal that more women will be recruited into the workforce and will help create AI technology.

These tools must be embraced by all companies in Australia if we are going get full value from the female minds in the country. As in building anything strong. It all starts at the foundation.

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info@ccin.com.au Please send mail to: PO Box 1100, Tully Queensland, 4854

DATE CLAIMER! When and where to be in 2019 April 20 - Easter Saturday Cardwell Jetty Markets 25 - Tiger Leagues Club May 5 - Feast of the 3 Saints Silkwood 12 - Tiger Leagues Club Mothers Day Lunch 15 - Cassowary Coast Line Dancers Biggest Morning Tea. 23 - Mission Beach Lioness Club Biggest Morning Tea June 1 - Tully Tennis Hosts Banana Cup 4 - Tiger Leagues Club Ladies Night 29 - Tully Catholic Ball July 14 - Kurrimine Beach Markets

Office Address: 72 Butler Street, Tully Queensland, 4854

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Rainfall Tully

Director / Journalist

Sari Hyytinen

20 - Mission Beach Lioness Club Cent Sale August 11 - Kurrimine Beach Markets 31 - Tully Horticultural and Garden Club Flower Show September 1 - Tiger Leagues Club Fathers Day 7 - Silkwood High Tea Suicide Prevention 7 - St Clare’s School Fete 8 - Kurrimine Beach Markets October 13 - Kurrimine Beach Markets 26 - Saint Gerard

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Boil water alert for Tully and Tully rural water supply schemes lifted Lifting of the Boil Water Alert - Tully (Boulder) and Tully Rural (Bulgun) Water Supply Schemes Cassowary Coast Regional Council advises the boil water alert has now been lifted for residents living in Tully town, Feluga, East Feluga, Bulgun, Silky Oak, Euramo, Merryburn, South Mission Beach, Wongaling Beach, Carmoo, Hull Heads, Tully Heads, Jarra Creek area (Syndicate Road and Mullins Road) area.

Page 2 Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, April 11, 2019

No communities in the Cassowary Coast Region are currently under a boil water alert.

For further information, please contact Council on 1300 763 903 or refer advice on Council’s web page or Facebook page.

LOCAL AFFAIRS

Parents of Four Boys: Don’t Drink and Drive!

Continued from PG1

Despite the best efforts of the revellers to use the fundraising event to celebrate the lives of the four young men, there was no denying the sadness in the air and it was equally obvious that everybody was still suffering from the tragic loss of life, still less than a week before.

Caitlin explained how this was supposed to be the start of their exciting journey into adulthood.

“Ryan, Tom, and Shawn all lived up on McQuillan Street in Tully and worked at the banana farm for some time. Braydan had an apprenticeship in Cairns as a sheet metal worker.

Ryan had been working at the banana farm for two years, but had just been made permanent. He’d wanted to be made permanent for a while, so he could get a loan for a car. That’s why there was such a big celebration because he was finally getting a new car.”

Time and time again, that message from various friends and acquaintances at the Top Pub shone through: This was supposed to be the start of something exciting for them. They were well-raised kids with great values, who worked hard and showed everyone respect – that was also obvious just from speaking to their parents. Ryan’s mom,

Joanne, came to me when she heard I was there. She seemed so happy I had come, and then it dawned on me a little while later, she was happy everyone had come.

She referred to the four of them as her boys as if she saw them as brothers, not just friends. She said she didn’t want her boys to be forgotten. She looked me in the eye and told me, “Tell everyone thank you!” and then repeated those words, and then again, and one more time before bursting into tears and hugging me. The words came from her lips, but talking to the people who knew the boys, the lads themselves would have said the same thing to me were they able to. I spoke with parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, workmates, and friends. All of them proudly represented the four teenagers’ spirt of optimism and their never-ending quest to cheer others up, but clearly struggled to cope with the loss.

There was more to this evening than fund raising, grief, and pride.

The families were committed to send a message to the other sons and daughters in the region and that message echoed the words of Shawn Wood’s mom, who said through tears on Channel Seven News the previous Tuesday night, “Don’t drink

and drive. It’s not worth it.” Orange stubby holders produced for the occasion bore picture of Ryan and the words: Never drink and drive!

Those stubby holders, which will no doubt be seen around Tully for a long time to come also bore the hashtag #ytb – yeah the boys – words that were shouted out at regular intervals during the evening of the fundraiser throughout the Top Pub, ironically the last place most locals saw them alive.

They left the pub around midnight and set off along the Tully Gorge Road, heading west. They’d planned a camping trip for the weekend. Early the next morning, their friends at the camp site wondered where they were.

Their Grey Holden Astra was spotted some twelve hours after they left the Top Pub by a passing fisherman. It lay semi-submerged by Bridge 15 in the Tully River – 30 kilometres west of Tully. By then, Braydan, Ryan, and Shawn were dead. Tom was still alive but had suffered critical injuries. He was airlifted to Townsville Hospital, but he also passed away hours later. Although he never regained consciousness, his girlfriend, Rhiannon did get to spend some time with him while

he was on life support in Townsville Hospital and was able to say goodbye before he passed away.

Caitlin acknowledged that they had been drinking, but said part of the blame goes to the conditions of the roads. “That road gets really bad the second it rains; it gets leaf covering and it’s all slippery and it’s a crap road. I hate when people say that Queensland has triple the road deaths of other states. When you drive off the road outside of Queensland, you go into grass. You don’t go off into much (danger). Here in Queensland, when you go off the road, you go into a tree, a ditch, a mountain, off a cliff, into a river. They need to do something about the roads.”

She spoke optimistically about the work that Shane Knuth, the member for Hill in the Katter’s Party, is doing regarding road safety. She discussed an accident that killed another friend of hers, Maddi Spyve, in December 2018 while crossing an intersection of Queensland’s Bruce Highway and Feluga Road at Feluga. The car Spyve and her mother were in collided with a semi-trailer at what has been described as a notorious accident hotspot.

“Shane Knuth has gone to Parliament and Main Roads to fix that intersection, and we had a talk to him about this (Tully Gorge) road and he’s going to look into that as well,” said Caitlin.

Knuth said he is fully aware of the situation and the dangers involved along that stretch. “With regard to Tully Gorge Road, we will be working with Council and the government to make it safer because it’s used by many tourists and locals.” He also offered his condolences to the families. “It’s an absolute tragedy and

hopefully we can get this road improved.”

Both Knuth and Caitlin expressed their hope that people learn from this, especially with the Easter holidays and the White Water Rafting Championships coming up, which she said will attract a lot of partyers.

The fundraiser on Friday night was one of several aimed at relieving the financial burden of the four families. So far, they have raised in excess of $34,000, from upwards of 500 individual donations, with still more coming in. If you want to contribute, you can still go to gofundme.com and search for the name of one of the boys and make a contribution.

Even small amounts help – not just financially, but in showing the families they are not alone.

Caitlin Pendlebury, who organised the fundraiser, asked us to give special thanks to the people who helped her pull it all together: Rhiannon Pendlebury, Taleah Davies, Rhys Davies, Seth Stephens. She also asked us to thank the ticket sellers: Kasey Griffen, Kamaya Wyse, Katelyn Martin, and Serah Mackenzie.

She also wanted to thank the various organizations who donated the prizes for the raffle. Three prizes were donated by Hotel Tully. Tackleworld Tully donated $70 worth of IFish stock. Woolworths donated a $50 gift voucher. Two meat trays were donated

by Meat at Phil’s and Tully Tender Cut Butcher. Six prizes were donated by Leah at Some book shop. Four prizes were donated by Feluga Hotel. Boutique Maree donate two $25 vouchers. Cavs Marine & Outdoor donated a $20 voucher. Bendigo Bank donated two gift packs. SUPA IGA Tully donated two $100 gift vouchers. Lou’s Food Emporium donated a $100 voucher. Sportsfirst Ayr donated two vouchers worth $50 each. Mitre 10 Tully donated Gift Baskets.

Dawn parade assemble outside the Tigers Leagues Club @ 5.30am for a 6am march GUNFIRE BREAKFAST ROAST LUNCH

After the dawn parade – gold coin donation Starts 11.30am $16.50 members & $18.50 non-members

DATES TO REMEMBER Thursday 25th April Sunday May 12th Thursday 4th July

Anzac Day Mothers Day Lunch Ladies night with the ‘Sydney Hotshots’ 18+ event, tickets on sale now Sunday 1st September Fathers Day Lunch Tuesday 31st December New Years Eve Cash giveaway party The club will be closed on the 19th April due to Good Friday The clubs bistro will be closed from April 19th and will re-open Monday 22nd for Dinner only 6 – 8pm The clubs bar and gaming will be open as usual from Easter Saturday.

Contact Staff for more information

65 Bryant St, Tully. Ph: 4068 1180 www.tigersleaguesclub.com.au Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, April 11, 2019 Page 3

COMMUNITY NEWS

Trio Cavallaro classical music delights Innisfail audience MARIA GIRGENTI AN intimate and appreciative audience recently filled Mother of Good Counsel Catholic Church, Innisfail for an evening of memorable and musical brilliance

by Trio Cavallaro for the first performance in the fourth Classical International Chamber Music Series.

The audience was enraptured by some of opera’s greatest works by Handel, Bellini, Weber and instrumental music by Verdi and Gragnani which charmed the soul.

Soprano Petah Chapman performed three selected arias as the role of Cleopatra from Handel’s opera ‘Julius Caesar,’ German opera ‘Der Freischutz,’ the aria ‘Cavatine’ from C M Von Weber, as well as the song ‘Morgen’ (meaning tomorrow) from Vier Letzte Lieder (Richard Strauss), all arranged by the trio.

In between these powerful vocal performances, there were instrumental solos of Bach for violin and arrangement for guitar of musical highlights from Verdi’s famous opera ‘La Traviata,’ a sonata for violin and guitar by Filippo Gragnani, a master of both instruments from the classical era.

The iconic ‘Danse Espagnole’ by Manuel De Falla was also heard, as well as a sensible impression of the tropics by Australian composer Richard Charlton.

Violinist and award winning Australian-Italian soprano Petah Cavallaro-Chapman was born on the Atherton Tablelands and began studying classical voice at Queensland Conservatorium where she won Margreta Elkins Award in the Dame Joan Sutherland competition.

Chapman continued with coaches in America and Italy where she performed in scenes from ‘Don Giovanni’ and ‘Cosi fan Tutte.’ She was chosen for the finals of the Academia Del Maggio Musicale in Flor-

ence and gave a private recital in Rome.

She teaches and mentors all over Australia and is known for her strong and agile lyric voice and superb characterisation, having performed in Australia and overseas.

As a soprano she became an Italian-Australian citizen and spent time maturing in conservatoriums, theatres and concert halls of the world.

Chapman was joined by Khalida De Ridder, an award winning violinist who was also born on the Tablelands and taught violin from her studio in Atherton, before pursuing a career as a concert violinist.

De Ridder who began playing violin at the age of four, studied on scholarship at Australian Institute of Music in Sydney before attending the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen.

She has performed concerts in Holland, Denmark, Ireland, Germany and Italy and is the recipient of a number of national and international awards.

A musician of technical and emotional brilliance, De Ridder has worked as an orchestral musician in Aarhus (Denmark) and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras.

Danish classical guitarist Simon Thielke and husband of De Ridder is a graduate of the Royal Danish Academy of Music and has represented his country at numerous international guitar competitions.

Currently, Thielke is mentored by Paolo Peggoraro at the prestigious Segovia Academy in Italy and is known for his silky sound, uncompromising technical ability and deep musical understanding.

Trio Cavallaro also hosted performances in Atherton, Cairns and Griffith, New South Wales before Soprano Petah Cavallaro-Chapman, guitarist Simon Thielke and violinist Khalida De Ridder after their concert at Mother of Good Counsel Catholic Church Innisfail. heading overseas to Copenhagen.

2018 Executive committee re-elected at this year’s Tully & District Orchid Society AGM THE Tully & District Orchid Society Inc. held its AGM on Saturday where last year’s executive committee was returned unopposed for 2019-20 year with Locky Marshall as President, Jacko Leeson as Vice President, Vicky Goldsmith as Secretary and John Goldsmith as Treasurer.

The key component of Mr Marshall’s annual report was that overall membership numbers remained stable and the club’s educational and information element was supported by a number of guest speakers and DVD presentations.

The area of changes that stood out most was the refinement of the voting system in the Novice/Small Growers Division of the club.

Club members have responded very positively to these changes with small growers now earning points against the same level of expertise and all volume of orchids grown.

With the emphasis on learning, two senior club members Ray Petrie and Locky Marshall demonstrated the full re-potting procedure of three dendrobiums and two cattleyas supplied by two of the club’s novice growers.

This included a hygiene demonstration, the current thinking on potting medium, as well as another but most effective way of staking.

The administering of growth hormone has been around for years but what caught even the experienced growers by surprise was the strength now used on a one off application which is producing outstanding results.

The number of orchids benched were primarily down due to weather conditions and the absence of several large growers.

The colour on individual blooms creates enormous interest but none more than

the three dendrobium Cooktown bigibbum plants benched by Tony Schoisengeier and Robin Jordan.

The Cooktown bigibbum orchid is one of the most important native orchids of Australia and has been used extensively as a parent in hybridising many of the dendrobiums now seen at your local markets.

It was also used in developing the current strain of dendrobiums for cut flower market in Hawaii. Some of the better known names from Hawaii are Jaquelyn Thomas ‘Uniwai Blush’ and ‘Uniwai Supreme.’

On November 19, 1959, under the botanical name Dendrobium bigibbum var phalaenopsis, it was proclaimed as the floral emblem of Queensland.

Tully & District Orchid Society meet on the first Saturday of the month at the Catholic Church Hall, Mars Street, Tully starting Tony Schoisengeier and Robin Jordan with two of their Cooktown at 12:30pm. bigibbum orchids.

Top of the Town Quality Meats Changes Name to Meat at Phil’s SEAN DENT PHILLIP Crole, who has been the proprietor of Top of the Town Quality Meats for the past year, announced that the name of the business has been changed to Meat at Phil’s as of April 2019. Crole said the new name capitalises on the “Meat at …” pseudo-brand that people recognise all around Australia.

As well as the name change, Crole invested much time on the new logo, which he said takes advantage of the recognizable black & red colours displayed by many successful food chains around Australia and the world. As for the gold ring, he just shrugged. “It’s gold, mate. It speaks for itself.”

Crole is just 24 years old but has been already been managing butcher shops for four years and has a lot of fresh ideas to compete with the likes of IGA. He wants to offer a better service proposition than the big chain supermarkets. “We get about 40-70 people coming into the shop every day. You get to know your customers and you can offer them personal

attention that IGA can’t.” He also offers more flexible hours: open from 6:00 AM till 6:00 PM. Crole leans heavily on social media. For example, on the Meat at Phil’s Facebook page, Crole has started to host a weekly special. “We offer a pack of items that will feed two people for five days, and it costs just $35.” This week’s pack includes 500gm Angelo’s beef tortellini, 500gm topside mince, 500gm diced stewing steak, two large pork chops, and two Tully’s BEST chicken kievs.

He acknowledged one of the challenges of competing with the supermarket chains is that a mom with a couple of kids can do all her shopping in one place. To compete, Crole said he will offer them the option to call in an order and drive to the loading zone outside Meat at Phil’s.

Phil himself will carry their order to the car and allow them to pay via his wireless terminal. Sixty seconds and they’ll be driving home.

Crole said there are plans for some more cosmetic changes and infrastructure works shortly. All banking and contact details will remain the same.

Page 4 Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, April 11, 2019

New Name same quality service and meats

previously know as Top of the Town Quality meats

Come in and see our range of quality meats

57 Bryant Street Tully • Phone 4068 3484

COMMUNITY NEWS

$1000 Reward for Info on Croc Killer SEAN DENT LONGTIME Cardwell resident, 84-year-old Henry Ryadard, is offering a $1000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the killer of Bismarck, the so-called “friendly crocodile” that patrolled the waters along the Cardwell waterfront for the past 80-100 years.

It must be clear though, despite the fact that several locals we spoke to are adamant that Bismarck was killed by gunshot, no such finding has been reached so far by the Department of Environment and Science (DES) or the Queensland Police Service (QPS).

That being said, neither have they ruled it out. A spokesperson for DES said this week, “The investigation into the death of an icon crocodile in far north Queensland is ongoing” and that DES Wildlife Officers and the QPS are still compiling and analysing evidence of the incident that happened more than a month ago.

Bismarck’s passing captured the attention of the world, appearing in headlines on CNN, The Washington Post, The London Times, Daily Mail, German publication Der Spiegel, and Yahoo News, among many other media outlets in a variety of countries.

It even attracted the interest of the family of late conservationist, Steve Irwin. After more than 50 Cardwell residents attended a vigil for Bismarck, Irwin’s family filmed an apology for not being able to attend the ceremo-

ny and spoke about how proud Irwin would have been of Cardwell residents for their warm and heartfelt response to the killing of the 4.5 metre saltwater crocodile. “He was so, so passionate about protecting crocodiles and making sure we have these modern-day dinosaurs for the future generations,” Irwin’s daughter Bindi said.

Ryadard agreed and described Bismarck as, “the top of the food chain.”

Irwin’s widow, Terri, spoke at length about the environmental importance of crocodiles like Bismarck.

“Crocodiles are the apex predator, like the roof on your house that protects everything underneath. Crocodiles make sure we have barramundi and mud crab and healthy river systems.

The loss of crocodiles has a huge trophic cascade effect on all wildlife, but the loss of this crocodile is so sad because it’s like losing one of the big tusker elephants in Africa. It was a big mature croc and really important for the ecosystem, it was old, established, it was the king of the river,” she said.

Ryan Moody, the local fisherman who found the eighty-year-old reptile dead, spoke about his specific concerns regarding the reptile’s replacement. “He never showed interest in human beings,” Moody said. “I’m a bit worried about what’s going to move in next because there’s a rather aggressive one on the other side of the channel.”

On this matter, Ryadard also agreed.

“I used to see him all the time and took

pictures of him. Yesterday, I saw three small crocodiles coming past and I just hope people are smart and don’t let their kids or pets go swimming in the water.”

Like many of us, Ryadard came to love Australia after a long journey from a distant land: in his case, Sweden. He was attracted to Australia firstly because he’d heard about the beautiful climate. It didn’t hurt that back in those days, Australia offered to pay the air fare for immigrants who were smart and hard-working.

Henry was a world traveller even back then and was actually in India talking to people about what Australia was like when he received approval to go to Australia, which he was delighted to find out about on his return to Stockholm. He took his qualifications as an industrial engineer to Melbourne, and then on to Sydney where he started his own company. After making a bit of money, he bought a boat and sailed around the world three times. In later years, he bought a motor home and spent five years travelling all around Australia. Of all the places he visited, Cardwell, he came to decide, was beautiful and the place where a lover of nature such as him might live out his years. [How long ago did he move to Cardwell] Henry retired 36 years ago and now spends his time enjoying nature, a lot of which is around his new home in Cardwell. He’s clearly upset that someone would interfere with the

Funeral for a Friend

Exclusive Premiere Screening of ‘Celeste’ budget so had to make a little bit of money go a long way.”

The sprawling, lush and decaying Paronella Park at Mena Creek is central to the plot and the psyches of its characters both living and deceased.

A number of locals were utilised as extras in the film and although the rain played havoc with the concert scene they persevered and did a great job.

The actors adapted well to the diverse conditions and everyone learned to cope with the oppressive humidity, slippery, muddy and wet terrain, as well as, bugs, mosquitoes, snakes, crocodiles and other dangerous wildlife in the vicinity.

A sell-out premiere screening of Celeste was also held at Cairns Performing Arts Centre last Friday evening.

Celeste, which runs for 105 minutes and has been selected in film festivals in Australia and overseas, will screen in select Australian cinemas from April 25

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at the back and on the sides.

They came to pay their final respects to a local hero who everyone in Tully seems to know.

Sala, as they called him, passed away last week at the age of 55 of a heart attack.

Walk down Butler Street in Tully and ask anyone you meet, “Did you know Sala?” The answer isn’t so much yes as, “Of course I knew Sala!” The tone implies the question itself is silly. And their answer is invariably followed with a smile – their very response embodying what Reverend Mark Dewar, the minister at Sala’s funeral, said about the Samoan as he

SEAN DENT HIS full name was Taefamali’I Okesene Sala, but everyone knew him as Sala.

If the measure of a man is the number of family and friends who turn up to bid him farewell; if it’s the number of people who fly in for that farewell; if it’s when business owners take leave from running their shops for that farewell, then Sala was a giant of a man in his community.

More than 500 people filled the seats at his funeral on April 10 at Tully Cyclone Centre, and there were still people standing

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OVER 400 excited locals were treated like movie stars as they walked the red carpet for the Queensland first exclusive premiere screening of the film ‘Celeste’ at Shire Hall last Thursday which was filmed in the local region.

Celeste is an intoxicating story of love, betrayal and Schubert amidst the bohemian world of opera, set in a remote rainforest of tropical North Queensland.

The screening was followed by an exclusive Q&A session with the film’s writer/director Ben Hackworth who had travelled from Brisbane and leading actor Thomas Cocquerel who had flown in from Los Angeles.

The Q&A session provided an opportunity for film lovers to engage directly with a leading film director and actor and to hear first-hand of their experiences shooting in the tropics.

Hackworth said the story was partly inspired by famous ac-

tress the late Diane Cilento who retreated to tropical North Queensland and kept a rambling estate called Karnak.

“About 10 years ago I did some travelling in Far North Queensland where I visited Tully and Innisfail and also ended up visiting Paronella Park after a friend’s suggestion.”

Hollywood-based Radha Mitchell who plays the title character of Celeste, led the small core Australian cast together with emerging international talents Thomas Cocquerel and Odessa Young along with esteemed actor Nadine Garner in a key supporting role.

All three help bring to life the unique and original story by Queensland-raised director and writer Hackworth, who cowrote the script with the late theatre acting legend and playwright Billie Brown.

“As it was an independent feature film we didn’t have a huge

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opened the formalities: “I can’t remember when Sala didn’t have time for a hello or a chat.

He was always smiling.”

To many Tully locals, Sala was the security guard outside Bottom Pub waving at them, calling them out by name as they walked by. Mission Beach residents knew him as the butcher in Woolworths.

Valu, his wife of 35 years, carried herself with pride at the funeral: pride in her beloved husband and pride that so many others loved him. She wore a cultural dress of green and gold.

Other female members of the family wore dresses of white and gold. The men wore white shirts and traditional lavalava and sandals.

Rev Dewar spoke glowingly about Sala. “He had a quiet confidence, a joy of living. He was a man who was comfortable in his own skin and comfortable in his relationship with God.” Several businesses on Butler Street closed for the morning so staff could attend the funeral of their friend, including Sala’s beloved Bottom Pub.

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delicate balance of nature.

“Bismarck was like an old friend. Crocodiles have been here for 65 million years, and what happened was just wrong.” (For reference, humans have been here approximately 200,000 years.)

The DES spokesperson said, “The maximum penalty for killing, injuring or taking a crocodile is Henry Ryadard, Cardwell $29,373.75. DES would aler the risk, so avoid using canoes and ways investigate evidence if a member kayaks of the public deliberately killed a croc* Stand back from the water’s edge odile. However, the department would when fishing and don’t wade in to realways take into account any evidence trieve a lure that suggested the person killed the * Camp at least 50 metres from the crocodile in the honest and reasonable edge of the water belief that their life or the lives of peo* Never leave food, fish scraps or ple nearby were in immediate danger bait near water, camp site or boat ramp due to crocodile attack.” * Never provoke, harass or feed In view of the fact that it is likely crocs a new crocodile will take over Bis* Always supervise children near marck’s territory, the DES reminds the water and keep pets on a lead everyone to be Crocwise and follow * Remember, you are responsible standard procedures: for your own safety in Croc Country * Expect crocodiles in ALL north* Report all croc sightings to DES ern Queensland waterways even if by calling 1300 130 372. there is no warning sign If you have information regarding * Obey all warning signs – they are the untimely death of Bismarck, you there to keep you safe can contact Henry Ryadard at 0477 * Be aware crocs also swim in the 307 749 and claim the reward. Cardocean and be extra cautious around well Police suggested you can also water at night call Crime Stoppers to make an anon* Stay well away from croc traps – ymous report at 1800 333 000 or call that includes fishing and boating Policelink 131 444. * The smaller the vessel the great-

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$ 99 99 Cassowary$Coast Independent News, Thursday, April 11, 2019 Page 5 ea ea

COMMUNITY NEWS

Chjowai Rate Reprieve CHJOWAI Housing Co-operative Society Limited is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned and operated not-for-profit, Community Housing Organisation that was established in 1973. The concept for the Society was developed by a group of local Indigenous community people who wanted to improve the living standards and welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our community of Innisfail. As a result a community meeting was called to discuss the housing needs and issues that the state Government were not addressing at the time with regards to poor living conditions of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

From that meeting a working party of 15 people were elected to do the groundwork in establishing a local Indigenous housing organisation.

The working part worked voluntarily and met all expenses in the establishment of this organisation “Chjowai” up until incorporation in 1975.

This year marks Chjowai Housing Co-operative Society Limited 46th year of oper-

ation with the last four years being the toughest faced by the organisaiton. Chjowai Housing Co-operative Society Limited has aging housing stock with numerous repairs and maintenance issues with half our housing stock being purchased in the late 1970s.

As well as having no State or Federal Government assistance for Chjowai Housing Co-operative Society Limited housing portfolio in over 24 years. Federal funds known as Community Housing Infrastructure Program (CHIP) funding was handed over to the State Government.

Chjowai Housing Co-operative Society Limited would need to sign up with State Government under the “One Social Housing” policy to gain financial assistance. This meant State Government putting Caveats on all housing stock and would need to be paid back by Chjowai Housing Co-operative Society Limited should we decide to be leave that program.

However at a recent state Indigenous Community Housing Conference held in March it was identified that out of

50 Indigenous Community Housing Organisations only 10 were signed up and still find it difficult to house their members due to housing policies that would move families out of their houses due to leases ending and no other reason.

While the Minister for Housing and Public Works, Minister for Digital Technology and Minister for Sports Mick Di Brenni address the conference along with other Department of Housing and Public Works Senior Staff, it was identified that a more collaborative relationship would need to be implemented. The model that was established over 6 years ago was then agreed upon by representatives to formulate a state housing peak body with regional representatives that would meet regularly and take issues directly to the Ministers Office regarding Indigenous Community Housing Organisations.

A positive outcome for Chjowai Housing Co-operative Society Limited was that the current issue of 23 houses being put up for Public Auction was at the for front of discussions and tabled with The

MBCA APRIL MEETING

THE MBCA April meeting began with a report on the current trading of the new Mission Beach Aquatic Centre from manager, John Cavanagh.

He reported that after a slow start in November and for the months of January and February 2019 an average daily patronage at just 41, “March had been great” with an average of 65/70 users per day.

This means the complex is now near to covering wages and chemical costs but is still not close to breaking even with power costs running at nearly $10,000 per month.

This is despite a significant bank of solar panels, according to a recent Council report.

The focus is now on switching users from casual to regular use, particularly now that EFTPOS and Wi-Fi have been installed and the café is in operation.

The Centre currently employs 3.75 full-time equivalent

employees and is now open 83 hours a week with 8 staff currently being trained.

There are currently 130 members.

With winter approaching the current controversy revolves around whether to switch on the heat pumps to maintain the current water pool temperature at around 27/28 degrees or let it fall down to a chilly 25degrees as those in Sydney would still gladly experience .

Mayor Kremastos, also in attendance, added that the allup annual running expense of the complex was expected to be around $670,000 including $200,000 depreciation. A strong income from patrons would reduce the final cost to Council.

The new Rotary Park Splash Pad was also costing Council $120,000 pa including $35,000 depreciation.

Cr Kimberley was asked whether he would support a Council allocation for funding

the much-needed Billabong Pool shade cloth in the forthcoming budget. He indicated that at this time, while he could not rule it out, he could not commit as he was being lobbied by many groups for numerous items. He suggested that the pool group apply for grants and work with local service organisations.

Cr. Kimberley also revealed that there were no vegetation-screening regulations on the industrial park area opposite MARCS Park. However, he had been successful in lobbying the Department of Transport who had now agreed to tidy up and beautify the space given the location is a major entranceway to Mission Beach.

Local State Government member, Shane Knuth, reported that he had been successful in obtaining a State Government commitment to upgrade the accident-prone East Feluga intersection with the Bruce Highway.

FUNDING WIN FOR RATEPAYERS

In its last days prior to moving to caretaker mode the Federal Government has approved a $3m grant towards the $7.1m cost of the proposed new Tully Grandstand. Together with the previously announced $3m from the State Government ratepayers will now need top up with only $1.1m.

Mayor Kremastos confirmed at the MBCA April meeting that the grant had been facilitated by the representations of Bob Katter. And that it was from a committed Federal Government programme so it did not depend upon the re-election of the Morrison Government.

BOAT LAUNCHING SITE CONTROVERSY

Council had previously decided in February that the boat-launching site currently in the Mission Beach caravan park should be relocated north towards Boyett Rd and that its use would be restricted to commercial operators.

At their meeting today Council will consider the applicable permitting regulations. They report that commercial operators who they have con-

Honourable Jackie Trad MP (Deputy Premier and Treasurer of Queensland).

In a recent media release it was quoted that Chjowai Housing Co-operative Society received $962,501 income that included $494,816 from government. This failed to state that Chjowai Housing Co-operative Society funding is for projects that is 100% non-housing money and that out of the overall total of income from rents equals Administration cost, insurance, repairs and maintenance and rates.

Finally the Board of Directors on behalf of tenants and members would like to acknowledge Member for Hill Shane Knuth and thank him for his assistance. Currently negotiations are ongoing with various State Government agencies and Chjowai Housing Co-operative Society Limited with the Board of Directors keeping the Tenants and members abreast of outcomes as they are the priority throughout this current situation.

sulted with have no real interest in using a ramp there, even if upgraded at this new site.

Cr Kimberley indicated to the MBCA April meeting that he had well and truly heard the representations from recreational users regarding access to this new ramp and would likely propose some flexibility to the recommendations currently suggested by Council officers.

Page 6 Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, April 11, 2019

Nashos new President

Nashos executive committee for 2019-2020: Standing: Ann Wakefield (Minutes Secretary) Rob Saunders and Margaret Saunders (Secretary); Seated: Ron Trackson (Patron), John Wakefield (President), David Grima (Vice President) and George Palmer (Treasurer) who were elected at the branches’ recent AGM. MARIA GIRGENTI mittee and wished them well in

their roles.

THE Innisfail, Babinda and TulHe also paid tribute to the great ly branch of the National Service- work done by previous President men’s Association recently held Carlo Prete who sadly passed away their AGM where John Wakefield in November last year and will be was elected as the new President, sorely missed.

David Grima was elected as the Mr Wakefield thanked everyone new Vice President, George Palmer for their attendance and contriwas re-elected as Treasurer, Mar- bution at Nasho’s Day which was garet Saunders as Secretary, Ann moved indoors to Innisfail RSL Wakefield as Minutes Secretary due to the extreme heatwave conand Di Mecking as Welfare Officer ditions. make up the 2019-20 executive He encouraged all members to committee. complete a personal record form Ron Trackson was elected as which has personal details, conthe new Patron of the National Ser- tains service numbers, date of vicemen’s Association branch after intake, place of service, next of the resignation of John Lowe while kin, date of discharge, training the new Padre is Mick Grant af- battalion, branch member and if ter the departure of Father Nathan they wish to have a plaque, which McKay. makes it easier for obtaining perCommittee members are Rob mission for plaques from AustraliSaunders, Aldo Bensi, Charlie Cat- an War Graves in Canberra. alano and Ron Trackson.

New branch member Colin After he was elected, new Pres- Blennerhassett was welcomed by ident Mr Wakefield welcomed new Mr Wakefield. and returning members of the com-

Council AD

Does your community group need funding?

Community Assistance Scheme – FY 2018-2019 Annual Grants Round Open NOW Council provides limited financial assistance to support community organisations and individuals making a positive contribution to the development of the Cassowary Coast region’s environmental, social and cultural values, economic, sport, recreation and lifestyle.

Further information can be accessed on Council’s website: www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/web/guest/community-assistance-scheme Annual Grant Round out now CLOSING: Friday May 3, 2019 for projects not commencing before Monday May 27, 2019.

All projects must be completed in the 2019 calendar year. For the best opportunity to secure funding please contact Kath Hansen (Community Development Officer) on 40302255 prior to submitting your application.

Ph: 1300 763 903

Better Together

COMMUNITY NEWS

SCHOOL holiday fun with the Tully Support Centre.

DON’T MISS LASER-TAG AT THE YOUTH CENTRE TODAY 3:30pm – 5:30pm!!!

It’s free so grab your friends and come on down!

The TSC has some great activities this school holidays at the Explore, Develop, Grow group and the Tully Youth Centre.

Explore, Develop, Grow (EDGe) The EDGe group is a mum’s group with a difference. It is designed to focus on child-centred play and fun for both mums and children alike. The EDGe group is held every Tuesday from

9:30am – 11:00am. This school holidays EDGe is doing art and craft, making Easter baskets, reading stories and watching how to Train Your Dragon 3. Morning tea is provided; contact Maxine on 40681004 for more information.

The Tully Youth Centre (TYC) The TYC has hit the school holidays in a big way this Youth Week. The theme for this year’s Youth Week is “Unlimited.”

Young people have already been reaching for their unlimited potential this school holidays. Today we will be kicking it up a notch with FREE laser-tag and a BBQ. But the fun doesn’t end there, with a multi-game afternoon on Tuesday the 16th of April, a pool comp on Wednesday the 17th of April and ending the week with a movie and popcorn on Thursday the 18th of April.

The TYC is open Tuesday to Thursday from 3:30pm – 6:00pm these school holidays. The TYC is funded by the Cassowary Coast Regional Council and is located in the Tully Show Grounds next to the igloo. The TYC provides safe recreational activities for all young people aged 10 – 17yrs; all activities are free and includes

food and drinks.

Don’t forget the TYC also has lots of great equipment for use every day, including pool tables, computers, xbox 360s, air hockey and handball. We also have a stereo and young people are welcome to bring along their own music to play.

The TYC is such a great place for ALL young people in our community; it doesn’t matter what your cultural background or gender is, the TYC exists for all young people aged 10 – 17yrs.

The Tully Support Centre is funded by the Queensland Government.

The Tully Support Centre is located at 54 Bryant Street in Tully, normal opening hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 1pm & 2pm to 4pm and Wednesday 9am to 1pm & 2pm to 6pm.

To register your interest or for more info about groups and other services please call 4068 1004, check the Tully Support Centre online at www.tullysupportcentre.com.au or follow us on Facebook “Tully Support Centre Inc.”

with Katriina Hyytinen

Hello I been after this beauty Ulysses butterfly for a long time now.

Every time I seen one flying, it’s been on a fast mission somewhere.

The other day one flew to taste some lovely nectar next to me.

This butterfly is becoming scarce.

Years ago I used to see them daily, but it is a different story today.

The holidays have been quiet so far.

How about yours?

Blessings to you all.

Remember to share you stories with the paper.

Love Katriina

Congratulations!

Merryburn 250 Tully-Mission Beach Road

Hay (Ex Cattle) Property, Home, Sheds, Creeks And Rainforest This rural property is ideally located between the Mission Beach area and Tully, by road approx. 17 km from Wongaling Beach in the Mission Beach area and only 5 km from Tully. The property has a mostly permanent sandy creek which the Seller swims in and the property also has some rainforest and backs on to Wet Tropics World Heritage Area Mount Mackay National Park

Congratulations Janelle Morton for graduating from James Cook University with a degree in Bachelor of Business majoring in Human Resources Management.

• 4 bedroom high set Queenslander home with high ceilings and mostly timber floors with the home partially renovated. Under the home is parking for two vehicles • Large machinery shed, 4 wide bays. The shed is approx. 24 metres wide x 8.9 metres deep • Bush machinery shed, 3 wide bays. The shed is approx. 18 metres wide x 4.6 metres deep • Present property use is hay making for feed or mulch from approx. 18.22 ha (45 acres) under mostly Brachiaria humidicola and Setaria improved pasture grass on the property • Partly fenced and previously a cattle property which it is ideally suited for

53.4341ha (132ac) 4 B 1 C 2 J

For Sale Expressions of Interest Closing Monday 20 May 2019 at 5 pm View by appointment with Jim Cooper www.landmarkharcourts.com.au/ LHY3283

Jim Cooper M 0417 736 935 P 07 4068 3900

jim.cooper@landmarkharcourts.com.au Landmark Harcourts Tully

Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, April 11, 2019 Page 7

Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, April 11, 2019 Page 9