2019 May 23rd RUR.POL.FET

COMMUNITY NEWS

THE month of May is Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Prevention Month.

This month seeks to promote healthy relationships and the right of everyone to feel safe in their own home.

This year the Tully Support Centre (TSC) is encouraging the Cassowary Coast to go Purple for DV month. A large number of businesses from Cardwell to Innisfail will be lighting the exterior of the building, flying purple flags or putting up purple decorations to show their support for community members affected

by DFV. In addition, the TSC is also encouraging community members to wearing purple shirts and/or purple ribbons to show their support.

Unfortunately Australia experiences high rates of DFV with one in four women experiencing DFV in her lifetime and around 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year.

DFV is NOT ONLY CONFINED TO PHYSICAL ACTS OF VIOLENCE. DFV also includes; physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, psychological and financial abuse. It also includes any threatening and/or controlling behaviours, including the use of spiritual or cultural beliefs, to justify violent or abusive behaviour.

DFV involves an ongoing pattern of behaviour aimed at controlling the other

person through fear. It can occur within any relationship, towards any person, at any time.

Does this sound familiar?

• The relationship is great, everything’s going well (Honeymoon phase) • Walking on egg shells, moody, nit picking yelling (Tension building phase) • Smashing belongings, violence, hitting, choking, sexual violence (Acute explosion phase) This is the cycle of violence; let us help you break the cycle.

Cassowary Coast Domestic and Family Violence Service The TSC Cassowary Coast Domestic and Family Violence service (CCDFVS) is based in Innisfail and Tully, and provides outreach to Cardwell and Mission Beach.

This program provides Court Support, Child and Adult Counselling services and support to undertake security upgrades for community members experiencing DFV. The CCDFVS provides intensive and therapeutic support in a safe environment, delivered by qualified and experienced staff.

Counselling DFV rarely stops by itself and it can have damaging effects on your physical, emotional and mental well-being.

Counselling is a therapeutic pro-

cess providing a compassionate, non-judgemental environment allowing you to express your feelings, fears and concerns, while respecting your right to make your own decisions.

The counsellor will work with you at a pace that you are comfortable with, to understand and manage identified emotions, behaviours, relationships and that the violence is not your fault.

Child counselling Children cannot be shielded from the effects of DFV. Children witnessing DFV consistently show higher rates of depression, anxiety, trauma symptoms, behavioural and cognitive problems than children and young people not living with DFV. The CCDFVS ensures that child counselling services are delivered in an age-appropriate manner, tailored to meet the needs of the young person.

Court Support The CCDFVS provides weekly court support in Innisfail and Tully.

The CCDFVS court support can provide: • assistance preparing applications • information regarding DVO order conditions and court processes • emotional support during court • advocacy with court staff and police By contacting us prior to your court date, we are able to provide you with a better court support service, tailored to meet your needs.

However, no appointment is necessary for court support and our worker is available on the day to respond to any questions you may have.

We are here to help, but unfortunately we cannot provide legal

Cassowary Coast Domestic and Family Violence Service (CCDFVS)

Supporting women and children affected by domestic and family violence.

If you or someone you know is currently experiencing, or has experienced domestic and family violence, support is available.

The CCDFVS is able to provide: • Adult and Child counselling • Case Management • Court Support • Crisis Intervention • General Support • Assistance with DFV orders • Safety Planning and Risk Assessments • Assistance with security upgrades • Advocacy • Information and • Referral services Services are provided in Innisfail, Tully, Mission Beach and Cardwell.

For more information or to see one of our counsellors please call 40681 004 or email: ccdfvs@tullysupportcentre.com.au.

A partnership between the Tully Support Centre Inc and the Queensland

Page 8 Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, May 23 , 2019

advice.

For legal advice call Legal Aid on 1300 65 11 88 Staying safely in your home The CCDFVS can provide assistance in developing options to remain safely in your home close to social and community supports, including friends and family, school and work.

Privacy & Confidentiality We understand confidentiality keeps you and your family safe! We respect your right to privacy and we do not discuss your information with anyone without your consent.

Important numbers In an emergency dial: 000 DV Connect: 1800 811 811 (24hrs) Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24hrs) Men’s Line OZ: 1300 364 277 (24hrs) Men’s Line QLD: 1800 600 636 1800 Respect: 1800 737 732

(24hrs) Parent’s Line: 1300 30 1300 Kid’s Helpline: 1800 55 1800 Legal Aid: 1300 65 11 88 Remember, in an emergency always dial: 000.

The Cassowary Coast Domestic and Family Violence service is funded by the Queensland Government through the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women.

The Tully Support Centre is located at 54 Bryant Street in Tully, opening hours Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00am to 1:00pm & 2:00pm to 4:00pm; Wednesday 9:00am to 1:00pm & 2:00pm to 6:00pm.

To register your interest or more info about groups and other services please call 40 681 004, check the Tully Support Centre online at www.tullysupportcentre.com.au or follow us on Facebook “Tully Support Centre Inc.”

Domestic Violence in The Cassowary Coast You Are Not Alone SEAN DENT

SHANE Greenwood, Manager of the Tully Support Centre, has a simple message: “Domestic violence in Australia is bad.

And it’s not something that happens over there. There is lots of domestic violence right here on the Cassowary Coast. One in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.”

Women are not the only victims either.

There are a significant number of male victims due to the fact, Greenwood believes, that a lot of people are still living back in the old days 30 to 40 years ago.

“Back then, people thought it was okay for women to hit men.”

In terms of male-on-female violence, I personally remember a code back in Ireland as a child, that it couldn’t be illegal if she was your wife. The police would let the husband off with a warning at best. I was lucky in that I never had to experience it first hand, but many of my friends did. Sadly, many of the father’s passed on “the code” to their own sons, keeping the cycle going for another generation.

These days, we hope the cycle has been broken, but it hasn’t been for many, and turning a blind eye to it helps no one. Thankfully, laws are in place to protect women these days, but in talking to Greenwood, many are still too ashamed to come forward and seek help. Women especially seem to suffer from high levels of stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem in such relationships, which stops hem from

reporting violence perpetrated upon them by their partner, who they look to for approval.

The strange thing is, when they see it in someone else’s relationship, they immediately know that it is wrong. This is where friends and family can help by looking for the warning signs and asking the right questions. Knowing what those questions are and asking them is not an easy skill to pick up on, but the Tully Support Centre can give you some tips, and they are waiting to help.

Don’t wait till the warning signs are obvious i.e. obvious signs of physical violence. Often, perpetrators of domestic violence escalate their aggressive behaviours over months or years. If you wait till the signs are obvious, it may be too late – not just from a physical violence perspective, but from the point of view of what a victim will accept as tolerable.

One thing Greenwood wants to make clear: any acts of aggression toward a domestic partner are wrong, regardless of the gender of the victim, regardless of the sexuality of the relationship. And the negative effects don’t just impact the adult partner; they can lead to all kinds of physical and psychological damage to children in the family too.

Learn the warning signs and learn the next steps. If you need any help, contact the staff at Tully Support Centre today.

COMMUNITY NEWS counts of enter premises and commit indictable offence, where it will be alleged he gained entry to the arcade on May 15 and 17.

It will be further alleged once inside the arcade, the youths have stolen and consumed a number of Break and enter, Innisfail: food items from a café, on both occasions.

Police are investigating the theft of a quantity of The three youths will be dealt with under the money from a Rankin Street business between the provisions of the Youth Justice Act 1992. evening of May 19 and the morning of May 20.

Stolen vehicles Euramo: Entry was gained to the business after the rear Police are investigating the theft of a 2012 white door was forced open.

Toyota Hilux with Queensland registration 720SMJ A charity tin and a plastic container along with from a Stamp Road, Euramo address on May 17. coins from the till were stolen.

At around 4:30am, the vehicle was allegedly stoAnyone with any information is encouraged len from the rear of a shed. to contact police and quote reference number Anyone with any information is encouraged QP1900974957. to contact police and quote reference number High range drink driver, Innisfail: QP1900954764.

A 28-year-old local man was intercepted on Innisfail: Rankin Street around midnight on Saturday morning A 2007 silver Ford Focus with Queensland regfor a roadside breath test. istration 939KMV was allegedly stolen at around It will be alleged as a result of the test, he re- 1:30am on Sunday, May 19 from a Glady Street adturned a reading of 0.186 per cent BAC. dress.

His licence was immediately suspended and he The vehicle was located on Bellenden Street, Belis scheduled to appear at the Innisfail Magistrates vedere at around 7am on Sunday morning.

Court on June 3.

Anyone with any information is encouraged Assault police,Tully: to contact police and quote reference number A 48-year-old Tully man was charged with once QP1900968665. count of assault police on Friday evening.

Theft from vehicles Belvedere: At around 10pm, police attended a Webb Street Two vehicles parked at a Boronia Street address address in relation to a disturbance. were allegedly entered between Saturday evening When officers arrived it will be alleged he has at- and Sunday morning. tempted to grab at an officer’s throat.

Entry was gained to one unlocked vehicle, conOfficers restrained the man. He was transported taining keys to a second locked vehicle. to Innisfail Watch House and charged.

A handbag, wallet and money were stolen.

He is scheduled to appear at the Tully Magistrates Anyone with any information is encouraged Court on June 26. to contact police and quote reference number Burglary, Innisfail: QP1900969686.

A 30-year-old local man was charged with one Innisfail: count each of enter dwelling with intent by break at Entry was allegedly gained to a Mazda 3 on Saturnight and possession of a knife in a public place. day between 5pm and 6pm.

It will be alleged that at around 11pm on Saturday The vehicle was parked in a McGowan Drive car night, the man has gained entry to a Grace Street park and personal documents were stolen from the address by removing a fly screen from a window. vehicle.

He was disturbed and fled the address.

Anyone with any information is encouraged He was located a short time later by police and to contact police and quote reference number was transported to Innisfail Watch House where he QP1900970196. was charged. He is scheduled to appear at the InnisPolice want to remind residents to ensure they lock fail Magistrates Court on June 3. and secure their vehicles.

Youths charged, Innisfail: Car Security tips On the nights of May 15 and May 17, entry was What can you do to help prevent your car from being allegedly gained to an Edith Street arcade. stolen?

An 18-year-old man was charged with one count • Always lock your vehicle including sunroofs and boots of enter premises and commit indictable offence, • Don’t leave windows open where it will be alleged that at around 11pm on May • Remove or place valuable items out of sight 15, he gained entry to the arcade.

• Park your vehicle in a well-lit area He is scheduled to appear at the Innisfail magis• Remove your keys from the ignition, if your car is trates Court on June 3. parked or unattended even for a minute Two Innisfail girls aged 13 and 15-years-old were • Don’t hide the spare key in the vehicle charged with one count each of enter premises and Consider the following devices to help with security: commit indictable offence, where it will be alleged • Car alarm they gained entry to the arcade at around 2:30am • Immobiliser on May 17.

• Ignition shield A 15-year-old Wangan boy was charged with two • Steering wheel lock

• Window etching • GPS tracker Traffic offences, Innisfail: Police intercepted a 22-year-old local man at around 1am Friday morning on Station Street for a roadside breath test.

It will be alleged he returned a reading of 0.096 per cent BAC. Upon producing his licence, it will be further alleged that he held a learners licence and was not being accompanied by an authorised driver.

He was charged with mid-range drink driving and learner licence driver fail to comply with requirement.

His licence was suspended and he is scheduled to appear at the Innisfail Magistrates Court on June 10.

Drink driver, Cardwell: A 53-year-old Cardwell man was charged with one count each of in charge UIL motor vehicle, fail to provide specimen of breath for analysis or blood for test on requirement, and causing a public nuisance on Thursday evening.

He was located in his vehicle at around 7pm on Forest Drive where it will be alleged he refused to provide a specimen of breath.

The man was arrested and transported to Tully Hospital for a specimen of blood to be taken.

He allegedly became abusive with police and hospital staff and was transported to Innisfail Watch House.

He is scheduled to appear at the Tully Magistrates Court on May 30.

Five youths charged, Belvedere: On Wednesday afternoon, Five East Innisfail boys aged between 11-years-old and 15-years-old were each charged with one count of enter dwelling with intent by break.

It will be alleged that at around 1pm, they have gained entry to a Lyons Road address, before they were disturbed by the occupants and fled the house.

Police located them a short time later and they were transported to the Innisfail Watch House.

Break and enter, Mourilyan: Police are investigating a break and enter to a Castor Street address.

Between April 24 and May 11, entry was allegedly gained to the address through an unlocked open window and linen, jewellery and a toy quad bike were stolen.

Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact police and quote reference number QP1900944598.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.

You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.

Driver responsibilities at a traffic crash Jane Moran | Senior Constable | Cassowary Coast Crime Prevention |

IT’S one of those things that we all hope we never have to face, but in the event you are involved in a traffic crash, would you know what to do?

A traffic crash must be reported to police if anyone has been injured, where a driver is refusing to provide their details, if any

of the drivers appear affected by alcohol or drugs or if any of the vehicles involved cannot be driven due to the extent of damage.

Did you know minor traffic crashes don’t need to be reported to police?

In the event of a minor or non-reportable traffic crash, you may move your vehicle to prevent traffic congestion.

You are still required by law to exchange driver details which can be forwarded to your insurance company or used in civil pro-

ceedings along with any notes or photographs you have taken.

If you do later find you need a police occurrence number for insurance purposes, you can complete an online traffic crash form available at the Policelink website https://www.police.qld.gov.au/ programs/policelink/ or alternately phone Policelink on 131 444.

For more information about what to do at a traffic crash, visit https://www.police.qld.gov.au/programs/roadSafety/tcfaq.htm

Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, May 23, 2019 Page 9

WORLD RAFTING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Friends from Around the World Meet in Tully SEAN DENT

WHILE the organisation surrounding the event was a point of pride for locals, it wasn’t The High Point. There was an infectious buzz that is allowed to thrive in a well-organised event such as this. It started with the Parade and the Opening Ceremony. The rain could have put a damper on that evening, and it did rain! God, did it rain. Anyone who looked around for someone complaining about the rain would have been looking for a while.

Maybe it was because many of the competitors were meeting fellow competitors for the

first time in months. The rafting community is a relatively small one and many of them have met before, made friends, and promised to keep in touch, but people get busy. Or maybe they didn’t even exchange names when they met before. Their eyes meet in a strange country and it takes a moment before recognition sets in.

We spoke to one of the members of the Czech Women’s team, and she described the joy of seeing old friends in the village. They simply don’t get the chance in the field of competition to exchange pleasantries. At the Athletes Village, they get to meet a few of their fellow competitors, but most of them are either in their

tents or out in town somewhere.

The opening ceremony at an event such as this is where everyone gathers.

If you’ve ever had the feeling of seeing someone you shared some great times with in the past, maybe thought you’d never see them again, there’s a chill that runs up your spine and a special kind of smile that takes over your face, multiply that over and over and you’ll get a sense of the electricity in the air of the opening ceremony of the Tame the Tully White Water Rafting Championships.

Would it matter to you if it was raining when you saw the face of that old friend?

There was music, there was beer and wine, and that night was a party that continued every night after that whether they were meeting at the river just before a race, at the medal ceremonies every evening, or at the 24-hour laundromat where they waited for their clothes to dry. They exchanged tips on where to get free WiFi in town, where to get the best (or cheapest) food, and how to cope with the insomnia that follows you when you travel down under.

Yes, they’re competitors, and they all want to win. But they’re friends too: you could see that in The Showgrounds.

Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, May 23, 2019 Page 11

WORLD RAFTING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2019 Indonesian U23 Women fared well with three gold medals, including one for overall champion

Behind the Scenes at the Medal Ceremonies with a Flag Savant

Impromptu high fives

Page 12 Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, May 23, 2019

SEAN DENT ONE important part of an international competition is the medal presentation. A lot of work goes into selecting a design for the medals, finding a contractor to produce them, and even what seems like a small detail, finding people to present the medals. At the Tully Showgrounds, once those medals were draped around necks, the athletes turned to their left as the anthem of the winning team started to play.

As the three teams winning the gold, silver, and bronze medals looked up, their flags started to rise. This was not a computer-generated process. There was a human being behind the scenes in charge of this – one of the many behind the scenes people working at this event. These are the people who, while everyone sees their work, no one knows who they are or even that they exist.

We ducked behind the curtain one evening and found Bradley, a young man of 15 years. Bradley is a flag enthusiast.

He can recognise and name the flags of 170 countries. There are 205 sovereign nations in the world. “I have some trouble with about half the countries in Africa and the Caribbean,” Bradley said.

He not only knows what they look like – he can tell you the history and the mean-

ing behind many of them. “The American flag, for example, has 13 stripes representing the original 13 colonies, and 50 stars because there are 50 states.”

He worries though, that he may not get the orientation of the flag just right.

He comes across as a thoughtful young man who worries about such details. We asked does he have some kind of amazing memory. “No, I actually have a really bad memory,” he said. He spoke of how when he meets someone, he repeats their name because otherwise he’ll forget.

He just has a thing for flags and for getting things right. “One time, they gave me the wrong flags and you don’t have much time. I was throwing the flags back at them and telling them, no, that one.”

He also has a fairly calm demeanour and didn’t panic too much when the New Zealand flag got snagged on the final night, and they couldn’t get it down the normal way. With some help from his sidekicks and others around, they quickly fixed the hitch and proceeded to raise the flags of the next winners just in time for the medal winners turn to their left.

Neither the athletes or the hundred of spectators noticed a thing, which is the way behind-the-scenes people like Bradley like it.

World Champs Brazil sing their national anthem

WORLD RAFTING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2019

Brazil Wins Men’s World Rafting Championships at Tully River NZ Women Dominate Open Championship Australia Tops Medal Table with 10 Golds SEAN DENT Downriver Open Mens

Australia Open Wom

en

Prisoners support world rafting championships in Tully INNISFAIL Work Camp prisoners were providing logistics support to one of the biggest sporting events to take place on the Cassowary Coast. Michael Macfarlane, General Manager of Lotus Glen Correctional Centre, which manages the work camp, said the 12 prisoners involved in the work program had spent the weeks prior to the 2019 World Rafting Championships opening on 13 May helping prepare the accommodation camp at the Tully Showgrounds. “The prisoners also helped prepare the competition site in the Tully Gorge, which has been a real

challenge as the terrain is steep and rocky.

“Queensland Corrective Services recognises the importance of community service as an opportunity for low-security prisoners to make reparation to the community harmed by the offending behaviour, and to develop employment skills. “The work program provides regional communities with a valuable source of labour, as the projects are unique to their location and community needs,” Mr Macfarlane said. Also known as Tame the Tully, the event was organised by the International Rafting Federation and marks the

first time the world championships have been held in Australia. About 300 competitors from 18 countries, including the US, Japan, Argentina, Brazil, the Czech Republic and New Zealand, took part in the event, with seven Australian teams competing on home soil. Mr Macfarlane said the prisoners were instrumental in helping set up the event. “The prisoners have earned plenty of thanks from the organisers and other helpers who have been preparing for the hundreds of competitors and support crew drawn to the event,” he said.

IN a touch and go finish in the Men’s Downriver river event, Brazil nipped Czech Republic to end up third in that final race, giving them just enough points to take the title of Men’s Overall Champions at the World Rafting Championships at Tully River Queensland, squeaking out the Russian team by a paltry seven points, leaving third place overall to our neighbours across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand. Had Brazil been a mere 4.5 seconds slower, Russia would have secured the gold medal they very much wanted.

The Brazil Men could see that New Zealand were going to beat Russia by a substantial margin of more than 30 seconds, so all they had to do was stay in third place to win enough points to seal the top overall world championship position.

The Brazilians had put their fate in their own hands the previous day when they beat the highly-disciplined Russians by almost seven seconds with a near-perfect final slalom run, garnering just five penalty points and putting the pressure on Russia in the final event, the Downriver run. When we asked them the night before that final race did they think they’d win number one overall, they all smiled confidently with just a brief nod towards humility because on the river, you never know.

We later saw them huddled over a makeshift river map in a dirt track, planning their strategy for the Downriver run, knowing they needed to finish no further than one position behind the Russians on the final day.

On the Women’s side, New Zealand dominated the open event, and the Downriver run was almost a formality. They could have almost coasted in. If they’d finished a minute and a half slower, they still would have won the overall gold.

Brazil was one of nine countries that sent only a single team to the event, so in that sense, they can claim to have been the most successful country.

Australia was the only nation to send seven teams, one in each of the events, and they had the joint highest medal tally of 18 medals, and the most gold medals with 10. The Czech Republic also finished on 18 medals, six of which were gold thanks in good part to their U23 team, which secured four gold medals.

Australia owed much of its medal tally to the Master Women’s team, which totally conquered the only other team in that category, Costa Rica, winning all four events and the overall gold medal for a total of five of Australia’s ten gold medals.

The U19 Aussie men were also in control, winning four out of five possible gold medals. It was a great performance and says much about the future of Australian Men’s Rafting.

The other Australian Gold medal went to the Australian U23 women in the sprint. The team had the final run in that group and knew just what they had to do, easily beating the Indonesian U23 Women by nearly six seconds.

China was another nation that could claim success, winning their first ever rafting gold medal in the Open Men’s H2H competition, beating Japan in the final playoff.

We’d have to give Japan the nod for the best and most vocal support (not counting Australia). They had a large contingent of spectators cheering them on by the side of the River Tully, and their ages ranged from young children to grandparents. They were also the only team that brought family members up to the podium when they accepted their medals as the overall Master Men’s champions. In fact, the Japanese Masters almost pulled off a clean sweep in the Master Men category, missing the Downriver gold by a mere four seconds, but winning all the other golds.

Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, May 23, 2019 Page 13

WORLD RAFTING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2019

Japanese Coach: “Best White Water River in the World” SEAN DENT DURING the past week or so, we had the opportunity to talk with many visitors to the region and picked up some snippets of interesting feedback along the way. Our favourite was when a Japanese couple asked us for a lift down the mountain. The husband turned out to be Shige Asano, a well-respected guide in this area and the current coach of the Japanese Men’s Open team.

“The Tully River is the best for white water rafting in the world,” he said. “Part of it is the technical side, but also that you can raft here year-round. In Japan, you can’t raft in the winter. Too cold!” He laughed.

Asano is long-time friends with Event Director of the Tully World Rafting championships and 2001 world champion, Graham Maifredi. Asano also competed at those 2001 games, finishing 16th. Asano was the Japanese team’s secret weapon, having been a raft guide for Raging Thunder on the Tully River a few years back.

He was proud of what Maifredi accomplished with hosting these world championships, saying it has been his dream for many years.

Maifredi is quick to deflect the credit, saying that it was a team effort with many people acting to help make it as successful as it was. In fact, there were some 200 volunteers on the books helping to pull it all together.

Amazingly, the event managed to get through some treacherous wet weather on very slippery ground with just one minor accident: a river guide and safety officer who tripped over his own feet and suffered a minor gash on his forehead. On the

JAPAN MENPG whole, it has to be said, the safety guides were excellent at steering spectators toward the safest areas for viewing.

One of the US Open Women’s Team claimed after the first day that it was, “the best day of her life.”

One Czech rafter told us she found Tully a “nice town, very friendly, and the village was so nice, I got to meet so many old friends from other competitions.”

We got word that the British Women’s Masters team was disappointed that they turned down their invitation. They were told that had they attended and did not get on a medal podium during the week, they would stop receiving grant money. As it turned out, only two Women’s Masters

team attended the championships, so the British women would have been guaranteed a medal no matter what.

One impromptu highlight came after the New Zealand Open Women’s team received their medal. A group of fellow Kiwis in the crowd launched themselves up in front of the stage and performed a moving version of the native Haka dance.

Overheard after the final race, in which the American Men finished no better than eighth in any of their four competitions: “We’re going to get the gold medal for partying.” (We can confirm, they were way out in front before the medal ceremony had

even started.)

The most popular hangout in the afternoon following the final races: the 24-hour laundromat. In second place: Rainy Daze Pizza shop.

If you were up in the mountain watching the races, you may have noticed you lost your cell phone signal. Yet, the organisers managed to send printed results to their website.

They somehow managed to have computers, printers, and WiFi in that remote area.

A touching moment came when Sue Emary, the mum of Cassandra Emary, the Australian rafter who died tragically while kayaking in

Nepal last November, was moving toward the stage in Tully Showgrounds to present medals to the third-place team for that event, the Japanese Women’s U23 team. Suddenly, one of the Japanese women made eye contact with Sue and ran in to give her hug. It was obvious they knew each other, and Sue exclaimed, “Yes, I’m going to be presenting you with your medal!”

It took three and a half weeks to set up the course due to safeguards to protect the area put in place by The Australian Heritage Foundation. It’s estimated it will take a week to remove everything.

Mission Beach ‘Monday Funday’ Farewells Rafters CLARE WATSON

ON Monday May 20, Mission Beach hosted an event in honour of the World Rafting Championships, farewelling the competitors with the very best that North QLD has to offer.

The epic ‘Monday Funday’ kicked off at 10:00am in North Mission Beach town centre with busking and beach competitions. Festivities continued into the evening with night markets displaying a stunning range of local products including candles, indigenous artwork and woodwork, beautiful jewellery, clothing, trinkets, and gifts. A talented band, The Natural Culture, kept attendees who were browsing the markets, and

in all of the surrounding restaurants, and venues entertained. Wrapping up the celebrations with a sparkling of light was a fireworks display by A Bright Nite Fireworks. Over 1000 locals and visiting competitors were attracted to the event, packing out the small town and giving local businesses a boom.

The event was created to activate the town and was a great opportunity to show the rafters, who had been competing all week, what our local area is all about, explained organizers of the event Chris Lawrence and Jasmine Parteous. Lawrence, owner of The Garage Bar and

Page 14 Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, May 23, 2019

Grill in Mission beach and Porteous, Castaways GM and Chairman of Tropical Coast Tourism, worked in cooperation with the organizers of the World Rafting Championships to host the event in Mission Beach, the perfect tropical spot for a celebration of local life and culture.

Nim Magar, coach of the Nepalese rafting team said, “Mission Beach is a beautiful place, and the people are very happy and helpful.”

Fabio from the Brazilian team agreed, declaring that North Mission had an “amazing beach” and was “a beautiful place to celebrate the end of the rafting.” He went on to tell how the old tim-

ers in the community were such good people, always offering them assistance with anything they needed.

Farewelling the rafters from 18 countries around the world, who travelled so far to share this tropical home for the last week was the perfect excuse to get the community together and demonstrate to them true North Queenslander hospitality. “Our aim was to Showcase Mission Beach as a beautiful piece of paradise,” said Porteous. “The life and vigour of the community came together and delivered something very special.”

RURAL REPORT

Sedge meeting a promising step forward 10 May 2019: MEMBER for Hill Shane Knuth MP is pleased the fight against noxious weed Navua Sedge is starting to gain traction after facilitating a meeting in Parliament last week with State Agriculture Minister Mark Furner, the Malanda Beef Plan Group and representatives from the Tablelands Regional Council and Hinchinbrook Shire.

The weed has now spread as far south as the NSW border and is taking over farmland paddocks inhibiting grass growth, affecting feed for livestock, native animals and is also spreading along waterways and National Parks. $250,000 in funding had already been secured through a previous campaign involving Mr Knuth, the Malanda Beef Plan Group and local councillors which helped secure funds for control measures lead by Biosecurity (BQ) principal entomologist Dr Kunjithapatham Dhileepan who undertook biological control research in Africa.

This produced positive results with key pathogens that only seem to attack Navua Sedge. However, much more funding is needed for further research and Mr Knuth feels the response from the meeting has been positive, “The reality is this is a very aggressive weed that is taking over prime agricultural land throughout the Tablelands and coastal Queensland,” he said.

“From the beginning, it was difficult to get the message across about how serious the problem is.

This time we all felt the government is starting to

acknowledge the enormity of the issue - there’s a long way to go, but I believe we are starting to make inroads.”

Malanda Beef Plan Group representative Rob Pagano said if successful, the biocontrol will have a positive impact not just for farmers but also the environment as it will help prevent reef run-off, “People don’t even realise what the weed is, yet it’s so prominent within North Queensland and spreading all the way to the NSW border this information has come from biosecurity. It’s not palatable for animals, so they eat the other grasses down short, Navua Sedge then shades the palatable grasses and takes over.

“We feel we are better off than we were after meeting with the Minister. The Beef Group and the TRC have helped to fund Dr Dhileepan’s research and the State Government is prepared to put more toward continuing his work, and an application to the Federal Govt is underway,” Mr Pagano said.

“If successful the research by Dr Dhileepan will provide a biological method. The relief for farmers would be enormous. If this biocontrol is a winner it will also reduce run-off to the reef and help tackle the Navua Sedge spreading along rivers and National Parks.”

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto said a workable solution needed to be found to combat Navua Sedge, which was “spreading like wildfire”.

“This weed is destroying everything in its

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto, Kennedy MP Bob Katter and Hill MP Shane Knuth with representatives from Tablelands Regional Council, Cassowary Coast Regional Council, Hinchinbrook Shire Council, Biosecurity Queensland and beef growers during a meeting on the Atherton Tablelands last year to discuss lobbying for funds for research, development and control methods to combat navua sedge. path,” he said.

“We currently don’t have any chemical-based poisons that are 100 per cent effective and that’s why we need funding from both the Federal and State governments for continued research.

“Initially it was thought that navua sedge would only stick to the wet tropics but we are

Free soil tests and on-farm advice help Wet Tropics farmers

‘Mid-Group’ with growers from Innisfail to the Tablelands, and of the ‘Southern Group’ with growers from Tully and Ingham districts.

FREE soil tests and on-farm soil health advice have helped Innisfail and Tully district farmers, as well as others from all over the Wet Tropics, to fine-tune the way they manage their land.

Forty landholders completed a six-month Digging Deeper Plus soil health program at a workshop in Innisfail recently, after visits to more than 25 farms ranging from cane and grazing land to pineapple, lime and coffee properties.

Terrain NRM’s Rowan Shee said farmers had learned from soil fertility specialist David Hardwick and from each other’s soil samples, innovations and general farming practices. The Digging Deeper Plus program is supported by Terrain NRM through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

“In the Wet Tropics, we have fertile red volcanic soils to light granite soils but many of the take-home messages are the same – about knowing your different soil types and learning how to build soil health across all of them,’’ Mr Shee said.

“Learning how to better understand soil tests results and apply them to land management is also a big part of the program.”

Tablelands grazier Blue Perkowicz said he would be looking at a light fertilising regime after tests revealed high organic matter in his soils but confirmed they were “lacking a little bit of nutrition”.

He also plans to plant more legumes in his pastures to increase biodiversity.

“In the long-term I’ll be looking at more fencing too. We have varying soil types in some paddocks and the cattle pref-

erential graze in the red volcanic soil section. Fencing to separate the different soil types will force them to use pasture they don’t use as much and will rest the other pasture.”

Ingham cane farmer Ian Carr said going “back to the basics” of soil health and better understanding the science behind soil tests would help him with nutrient rates and future planning.

“For the last 20 or so years we’ve been making changes like moving to dual rows, trialling some mixed species cover cropping, minimum till and now zero till,’’ he said. “We’re prepared to work through challenges and a course like this offers up new ideas.”

Lake Barrine grazier Mike Hopkins said the program had given farmers confidence to delve further into soil sampling and test results. “We did a lot of this in the course - learning how to read soil tests correctly and, from that, learning what additives are needed to be used to improve pasture in some places,’’ he said. “It’ll help me to work a lot smarter, to manage the land gently.”

Presenter David Hardwick said keeping high levels of living ground cover was important in high rainfall areas of the Wet Tropics. He said farmers had also benefited from learning more about each other’s innovations, including using ‘compost tea’, adopting ‘planned grazing’ practices and planting multi-species cover crops.

Farmers who want to learn more about their soils can watch a series of Wet Tropics videos featuring David Hardwick at www.terrain.org.au/projects/digging-deeper/soil-health

seeing it quickly spread into the dry north-west and southern cattle country which will be devastating to the industry if it takes hold.

“Sedge cannot be digested by livestock and although pastures may look green and full of grass, navua sedge has the potential to turn it into a desert.”

CANEGROWERS confirms leadership for next three years CANEGROWERS members have taken the final step in their triennial election process in confirming Paul Schembri will continue as Chairman of the organisation for a third term.

Paul Schembri from Mackay will be supported by two Vice Chairmen, Plane Creek district grower Kevin Borg and Owen Menkens from the Burdekin district.

The appointments have been made at a meeting of the CANEGROWERS Policy Council in Cairns. The Council is made up of representatives from all of Queensland’s sugarcane regions.

“I am delighted and humbled to have the support of my colleagues to continue as CANEGROWERS Chairman,” Mr Schembri said.

“Across the 13 district companies which make up CANEGROWERS, 86 of my fellow

growers have been elected to take on representative roles for the next three years. It will be an honour to work as a team with them.

“We are all very busy running our businesses but have decided to take the time to give back to our industry and to help guide and nurture it for the future. This is a privilege and a challenge.

“I wish all of my fellow Directors well for the next three years as we face the challenges of a low-price environment and encourage continued Australian Government engagement with the World Trade Organisation to combat subsidies that distort the world market.

“We will also continue our work to chart a sustainable future for our farms and the Queensland environment while vigorously opposing the State Government’s big stick approach and attempts to grab private business data.”

QSL successful in Supreme Court case THE Supreme Court of Queensland today dismissed Wilmar’s legal action against Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL) relating to costs associated with the 2010 sugar production season.

QSL Chief Executive Officer Greg Beashel welcomed the decision and said QSL intends to seek compensation for costs associated with Wilmar’s legal action.

“This legal action instigated

by Wilmar has been a costly and time-consuming distraction at a time when our entire industry needs to be focusing on securing strong returns and maximising opportunities for growth,” Mr

Beashel said.

“I believe that today’s judgement validates QSL’s position that while the trying circumstances around the 2010 harvest had significant financial consequences for many growers and millers throughout the state, this was first and foremost a result of an unforeseen in-season crop failure.”

Through its legal action commenced in 2015, Wilmar sought damages of $60.86 million plus interest and costs for what it claimed was negligence by QSL in relation to pricing activities associated with the 2010 sugar season.

Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, May 23, 2019 Page 19