Issuu

EXPRESS The

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Locally owned and proudly independent

YOUR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL PHOTOS – PAGES 12 & 13

INTERSECTION MAKES PEOPLE CROSS Small business owners are not happy with the Department of Transport and Main Roads over what they say has been a lack of consultation and planning on the impending removal of the Byrnes St roundabout and how it will impact parking and trade for local businesses.  FULL STORY PG 3

Marti enters TRC mayoral race l PG 5

New cadet program comes to region l PG 9

PHONE: 4096 7700

1911 Resta u ra n t

TRADING HOURS: MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8AM - 6PM SATURDAY & SUNDAY 8AM - 5PM

OPEN MONDAY - SUNDAY

MALANDA

Email: mail@sparmalanda.com.au

Friendly Atmosphere and Affordable Family Meals!

2-10 English Street, Malanda

Making Every Day Better!

PHONE 4096 7720

• Breakfast & Lunch: 10.00am-2.00pm • Dinner: Monday to Thursday 6.00-8.00pm Friday and Saturday 6.00-8.30pm

TAKEAWAYS AVAILABLE!

EXPRESS The

Locally owned & Proudly independent

(07) 4092 3464 186 Byrnes St, Mareeba

admin@theexpressnewspaper.com.au



www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au

The team...

MANAGING EDITOR Carl Portella

JOURNALIST Phil Brandel

ADVERTISING MANAGER Natasha Srhoj

CADET JOURNALIST Rhys Thomas

ADMIN / ONLINE PRODUCER Natasha Burton

The Express is published by Portasea Pty Ltd, 141 Constance St Mareeba QLD 4880. ACN: 141 250 213 CIRCULATION 9,000 Printed by Townsville print centre 623-645 Flinders St Townsville QLD 4810

Cupitt awarded coveted OAM

OAM: Ashely Cupitt of Yungaburra was awarded an Order of Australia Medal.

ASHELY Cupitt, a name synonymous with hard work, commitment and volunteerism has added another achievement to his long standing line, being honoured with the Order of Australia Medal (OAM). Mr Cupitt has worked and lived in the Tablelands for nearly all of his life and has done many amazing things while living here.

From working as an Auxiliary fire fighter, to a training officer and then to a Warden and now captain of the Yungaburra Fire Station, Mr Cupitt has had years and years of non-stop work, along with his volunteer based activities. Being on the ANZAC committee, volunteering at the Atherton Bowls Club and the forming and running of the

Atherton Army Cadets are just some of Mr Cupitt’s accomplishments. Mr Cupitt was extremely humbled by this award and sees it as a huge honour. “It’s a great honour to be recognised by your country for doing something you love,” he said. “It’s a culmination of everything I’ve done over the years.

“And all I’ve really done is tried my best to help people whenever I could.” Mr Cupitt also owns and operates a boxing gym that not only teaches kids how to defend themselves but also sees it as a way to help mentor young kids. He also comes from a long line of boxing lineage with his father being a welterweight champion, and Mr Cupitt started

on the bag in 1967. Mr Cupitt has extended his thanks and gratitude to all the people who have supported him and also nominated him for the OAM. “I would like to thank the people who nominated me and all those that have supported me,” he said. “Also everyone who I have worked with over the years.”

GET CARRIED AWAY WITH...

TUXWORTH & WOODS CARRIERS

SERVICING: • Cairns • Mossman • Port Douglas • Cooktown • Croydon • Normanton • Karumba • Coen • Musgrave • Archer River • Weipa  BODY TRUCKS  SEMI TRAILERS  REFRIGERATED VANS  DROP DECK TRAILERS

Regular interior cleaning of offices, commercial premises and homes. Includes fans, airconditioners, bathrooms and kitchens, and tile cleans

4035 4022

AFTER HOURS: 0418 183 399 • FAX: 4035 4021 25 REDDEN ST, CAIRNS • EMAIL: val@tuxworth.com.au

• Oven & BBQ Cleans • Builders Cleans • Bond/Move Out Cleans • Specialise in removal of water canker and mineral build up on most shower screens

Many other services, ask us, we provide free quotes so you know exactly what you will be paying!

CAELUM 0447 659 793 or 1800 1 JAMES PAGE 2 The Express, Wednesday, February 5, 2020

ESTABLISHED 1972

www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au

Business owners left in the dark over lights MAREEBA business owners are not happy with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) after what they claim is a lack of consultation from the TMR in regards to their plan to remove the Byrnes Street roundabout and install traffic lights. Kaycie McPherson from McPherson’s Family Bakery said that TMR has left many local business owners in the dark. “TMR can’t tell us how many car spots are going to be taken up during these road works. One minute they’re saying none, then next minute only the middle car parks and now they are saying most of the car parks out front of my shop will be taken up,” said Mrs McPherson. “In 2018 there were pipework’s out front of our business and that cost us over $2000 dollars a day in wasted goods.” Norma Moloney, principal of Ray White Mareeba, also said that a lack of consultation from TMR is a major problem. “We received a very vague letter dated January 9 – telling us there’s going to be roadwork’s starting on February 2, but it’s light on details. It says that there may be times when access to the businesses adjacent to the works will be temporarily restricted, but it doesn’t tell us

when or how long for,” said Mrs Moloney. According to TMR, the $3.47 million dollar project will remove the existing roundabout at the Byrnes Street and Rankin Street intersection, installing traffic signals to improve safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. Weather permitting works are expected to be completed in May 2020. This is not something that Kaycie McPherson wants to hear. “When they say weather permitting why are they working in the middle of the wet season? Everybody knows February is the wettest month, this is going to take way longer than 4 months,” Kaycie said at a meeting last Wednesday at McPherson’s Bakery representatives from TMR couldn’t answer basic questions. “They couldn’t even tell me specifically which car spots would be removed or for how long.” Mrs Moloney said in the meeting TMR staff were very unprepared. “They couldn’t even answer basic questions about car parks, they lacked information and they came with a bad attitude,” she said.

Kaycie McPherson from McPherson’s Family Bakery said that TMR has left many local business owners in the dark.

Rebel of Laura Louise Vintage Collectables (The fairy shop) said her landlord didn’t even know about the road works until a building inspector came. “A guy turned up looking for cracks in the building, saying he was checking on buildings that were going to be affected by the

3 GET 4TH FREE

H SEMI TRAILER PARTS H TRUCK PARTS H ACCESSORIES

“We are not against the lights going in, we’re just worried about the road works, the lack of consultation and planning and how this is going to affect businesses in town,” Kaycie Said The Express has asked TMR for a response and is still awaiting their reply.

Goodyear Assurance TripleMax 2 - Car Tyres

Free Delivery Service available to Mareeba!

(Easy B-Double access)

the upcoming roadwork’s, but couldn’t quote names or numbers when asked by The Express. It’s something that both Norma and Kaycie disagree with. “They say they door knocked but we can find only one other business who they met with until I rang them up for this meeting.”

Buy

4095 4447

18-20 Quilter Crescent, ATHERTON INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, TOLGA

road works,” “That’s when we contacted our landlord who didn’t know anything either, TMR has not been in contact with anyone.” TMR representative Hilary Woodman claimed at the meeting that local businesses were door knocked and told about

service and ﬁ

NOBODY BEATS OUR 4 STORE BUYING POWER Mareeba 4092 2290

Atherton 4091 1122

Malanda 4096 5300

Mossman 4098 1502

*Offers end 29/02/2020 or while stocks last at participating Goodyear Autocare stores. Tyres must be purchased and fitted in sets of four in one transaction. ‘Buy 4 tyres and get the 4th Free’ is only available on Goodyear Assurance TripleMax 2 range. Additional service and fitting charges may apply. Excludes fleet, commercial and account customers. Not available with other offers. No rain checks.

GUILFOYLE MAREEBA FUNERAL SERVICES

The purpose built Chapel at Guilfoyle’s Funeral Service Mareeba is an air Crematorium, Chapels and Memorial Gardens – “Burials & Cremations” conditioned state of the art chapel featuring an audio and video system that helps families farewell and celebrate the lives of loved ones. With seating for over 250 people the chapel can be used for twilight funeral services and evening visuals.

“Entrusted by families for over 70 years”

PHONE: 4092 1013 www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au

AS A NON-DENOMINATIONAL CHAPEL, ALL ARE WELCOME TO USE THIS VERSATILE FACILITY.

mbaguilfoyle@bigpond.com The Express, Wednesday, February 5, 2020 PAGE 3

Mareeba Chamber opposes State Government planning instrument THE Mareeba Chamber of Commerce have come out in support of Mayor Tom Gilmore after his comments about the new temporary planning instrument stifling rural residential projects in Mareeba Shire. The State Government announced in December last year that a temporary local planning instrument (TLPI) had been applied over Mareeba Shire, to “help preserve agricultural productivity across the region”. Meaning that future planning applications for rural residential subdivisions will be impact assessable and will require Mareeba Shire Council to comply with the Far North Regional Plan. At the time Mayor Gilmore said it’s “less about development and more about the State government not wanting to fix the Kuranda Range.” Sentiments that Mareeba Chamber of Commerce president and Mareeba Citizen of the year Joe Moro agrees with. “Our shire is enjoying solid growth, largely due to the collaborative work of all levels of government and key stakeholders, to promote the shire, its industries and lifestyle attributes,” Mr Moro said “But this is under serious threat if opportunities to develop land in

Mareeba Shire are hindered with planning conditions.” Mr Moro said current deficiencies of the Kuranda Range Road have contributed to the introduction of the TLPI. “The road in its current form, is at capacity, with no long-term plans by the State Government to upgrade it to improve safety, efficiency and reliability,” Mr Moro said. “ In late 2019, the KurWorld development was knocked back after the developers were told by the State Government that they would need to duplicate the Kuranda Range Road, to cater for the expected increased traffic to be generated from the development. Mr Moro says “While the State Government moves to stymie rural residential subdivisions in Mareeba Shire, and the like, traffic volumes on Kuranda Range Road continue to grow at 1.5% per year.” “It is time the State Government got serious about the growth and prosperity of Mareeba Shire.” At the time Cynthia Lui told The Express that “I support any actions that protect agricultural land and jobs in our region. It will now be up to council to consult with the community and amend their planning scheme to reflect community expectations.”

OPPOSED: Mareeba Shire Council will challenge the State Government over the TLPI with Mayor Tom Gilmore saying “Stifling development is a convenient way for the Queensland Government to avoid upgrading the Kuranda Range Road rather than addressing the hard issues.”

Council to challenge planning decision MAREEBA Shire Mayor Tom Gilmore is set to write the Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, Cameron Dick, to express Mareeba Shire Council’s (MSC) disapproval of the Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) that was placed on the MSC last year and which lasts for two years. It’s believed that the TLPI was placed on the council in a shock move with no prior consultation with the Mayor, Council, Member for Cook Cynthia Lui or local residents. According the MSC, The TLPI makes it almost impossible to subdivide land to lots less than 60 hectares in a Rural zone. Labelling the decision as short-sighted and offensive, Mayor Tom Gilmore will oppose the new conditions and ask the TLPI to be revoked.

“The Minister’s decision effectively denies further sensible settlement in our rural areas,” Cr Gilmore said. “I question the Minister’s Departmental advice and the Minister’s motivation behind the decision. “Stifling development is a convenient way for the Queensland Government to avoid upgrading the Kuranda Range Road rather than addressing the hard issues. “Instead of planning for the future and having plans to expand and improve the Kuranda Range Road, the Queensland Government has decided to choke sensible development – stagnating growth not only on the Tablelands but the entire Gulf region.” Councillor Gilmore said Council dismisses the statement of reason from the State, indi-

13 PALOMINO AVENUE, TOLGA

P: 4095 5383 • E: shop@texgun.com.au W: www.texgunsupplies.com.au ~~~ MAIL ORDERS WELCOME ~~~

PAGE 4 The Express, Wednesday, February 5, 2020

refused by Council. “The Minister has ignored the geography and topography as well as historic subdivision patterns,” Cr Gilmore concluded. A spokesperson from the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning said “Primary industry, including agriculture, is the largest employer in Mareeba Shire. “The TLPI will help preserve agricultural productivity and jobs across the region, ensuring future rural subdivisions comply with the Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 and the intent of the rural zone within Mareeba Shire Council Planning Scheme, both of which were subject to extensive public consultation.”

Supporting calls for Range Road planning funding

TEX GUN SUP SUPPLIES PLIES • FIREARMS IN ALL CATEGORIES • AMMUNITION AND RELOADING EQUIPMENT • SAFES, TARGETS AND ACCESSORIES • SMOKERS AND ROTISSERIE SPITS • QLD WEAPONS SAFETY COURSES

cates the TLPI was imposed to protect agricultural land. “The introduction of the TLPI will have a very negative impact on a number of land owners while not actually protecting and maintaining land used for agricultural purposes,” Cr Gilmore said. The statement of reasons cited five applications which all had sound planning reasoning for approval and did not impact on agricultural land. “Council has been very careful in ensuring that subdivisions in rural areas did not impact agricultural land and on many occasions, potential applicants have been discouraged from pursuing the application on the grounds of impact on the viability of good agricultural land. “Where the advice has been ignored and an application has been lodged, these have been

Now Open At Mareeba Industrial Park CORNER OF MARTIN TENNI & THORA CLELAND DRIVES PRODUCE LINES EX MAREEBA AND TABLELANDS: • Mangoes • Avocadoes • Bananas • Longans • Lychees • All Citrus • Other Exotic Fruits

PHONE: 4092 0400

CONTACT JASON ADAMS - M: 0448 684 446 E: managermba@blenners.com.au

THE Mareeba Chamber of Commerce has thrown its support behind calls for federal funding so the Queensland Government can undertake urgent studies on upgrading the Kuranda Range Road. Chamber president Joe Moro said the chamber has long advocated for a new assessment of existing and potential other upgrading options for the range and now wants the Federal Government to come to the party with funding. “We are aware the State Government is in the throes of applying for $21 million to allow for a strategic assessment of service requirements, prelimi-

nary evaluation and a detailed business case,” Mr Moro said. “The detail required and complexity of the road and its environment, means this work can’t and won’t happen overnight. “We’d like to see this funding made available to the state as soon as the application is made and duly considered, to allow for an immediate start to the planning study.” Mr Moro said the growth and prosperity of Mareeba Shire would continue to suffer unless action was taken to improve the safety, efficiency and reliability of the vital transport link.

www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au

CLEALL’S BUTCHERY THIS WEEK’S SPECIALS

Third runner in Tablelands mayoral race

ROD Marti, a former councillor at the Tablelands Regional Council (TRC), has announced his intention to enter the race for TRC mayor in the upcoming local government elections. Mr Marti says he wants to bring council back to its core business. “We have to focus and invest in those things that local government must do. I’d put managing our road network at the top of that list, with water supplies and waste management a close second,” “We must respond better especially when sections of roads fail as well as address the medium term by chipping away at sealing gravel roads. We’ve got to remain focussed and get

Council’s core business right. “A Council I lead will address the current abrogation of responsibility by councillors. If there are policies and procedures that restrict councillor responsibilities, these will be reviewed. “A Council that I lead will be a responsible elected body, it won’t get every decision right, but it will be one that turns up and makes its own decisions based on sound advice. “If elected Mayor Mr Marti said “I’ll ensure that Council policies and procedures do not unnecessarily impede growth and development of business that’s vital for community prosperity. Ratepayers and applicants are customers, and any

WEIGHT

Rod Marti is the third mayoral candidate for the Tablelands Regional Council’s Local Government elections in March.

1.8 1.6 1.4 1.2 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0

75 BYRNES STREET, MAREEBA PHONE & FAX ORDERS WELCOME PH: 4092 1006 ~ FAX: 4092 3353

SMOKEHO U SPECIALS SE ALS AVAILABL O E!

Meet our people working hard to make everything easier for you

STEPHEN OLDHAM

Stephen is a Funeral Director and Authorised Celebrant. As a Registered Nurse, Stephen has had a long and distinguished career in palliative care nursing, counselling and grief support. He plays a leading role in our community engagement program including providing education at nursing homes and working with community groups. During 2020 Stephen will be conducting seminars in Mareeba to support people affected by grief.

conditions sought by Council must be reasonable.” Between 2012 and 2016, Mr Marti was the councillor for Division 4 which included the town of Yungaburra and significant parts of the Lake Tinaroo foreshore and farm land. “I ran for Mayor in 2016 local government elections and finished second to Joe Paronella,” “The reason I want to be Mayor is because I think I can do better. I have the business acumen, and the skills.” Mr Marti will be up against current Deputy Mayor Katrina Mellick and first time runner Ken Carey who have both nominated to run for Mayor at the March 28 election.

KP Mango comp leader board

WHOLE BUDGET RUMPS (Sliced) ................................... $11.99 KG WHOLE PRIME RUMPS (Sliced)...................................... $13.99 KG WHOLE PRIME RIB FILLETS (Sliced) ..............................$23.99 KG CORNED BRISKET .......................................................... $10.99 KG PORK LOIN CHOPS ......................................................... $14.99 KG RIB ROASTS .................................................................. $11.99 KG BBQ STEAK ................................................................... $16.99 KG CRUMBED STEAK .......................................................... $16.99 KG BEEF SAUSAGES............................................................ $11.99 KG BEEF MINCE .................................................................. $11.99 KG BEER STICKS ................................................................. $18.99 KG SPECIALS AVAILABLE NOW IN STOCK: WHILE STOCKS LAST! BEEF JERKY... $8.00 PER 100 GRAMS COUNTRY ORDERS SMOKED PORK CHOPS... $15.99KG WELCOME!

COMMUNITY FUNERALS Community Spirit

4092 4774

www.communityfunerals.com.au

Inspirational, affordable & authentic farewells that pay tribute to lives well lived

LUNCH SPECIALS 10 CHOICES - ALL $11.90 EACH!

LUNCH TIME ONLY!

WIN 1 of 7 Mars Titan Camper Trailers Simply Purchase a Meal, purchase one of the selected brands below over the bar, or spend $15 in the Hotel’s Drive-Thru on any of these products to receive an entry into the draw!!

Promotion ends Sat 28 March.

~~~ DAILY SPECIALS ~~~

MAD MONDAY

MONSTER THURSDAY

Chicken Schnitzel 300g with Monster Crumbed Steak 400g ......... $16.50 Free Toppers: Parmi, Graham, PIZZA FRIDAY Hawaiian or Garlic Prawn ................... $16.90 House made Pizzas .............................. $15.00

THAI TUESDAY SATURDAYS Weight (KG) Choice of two curries ........................... $15.00 STEAK WEDNESDAY

KIDS EAT FREE!

PASTA SUNDAY

250g Rump with Steak Topper ....... $22.90 Pasta Buffet ............................................$18.00

 Valentines Day Menu – Friday 14th February, 2020

in for judging and gives them either first, second or third. With cash prizes up for grabs courtesy of Lindsay Transport for the first, second and third heaviest mangoes entries have only been getting bigger and bigger. With the competition nearing a close The Express has decided to put out a top 10 heaviest mangoes list current-

www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au

ly entered in this year competition (above). Any mangoes entered in the competition must be brought into The Express office with a photo clearly showing the weight of the mango on digital scales, the mangoes must also be of the Kensington Pride variety. Entries close on February Friday, February 28 at 4pm.



187 Byrnes St, Mareeba P: 4092 2588

THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL Tooheys Extra Dry Stubbies: $46

Available at Cellarbrations Bottleshops: Centre Cellars Mareeba, Mareeba Plaza Cellars and the Graham Hotel Drive Thru.



WITH only a couple of weeks left until the end of the annual KP Mango Competition, some monstrous entries looking to take out the first place prize have been brought into The Express Presented by The Express Newspaper and FNQ Growers, the KP Mango Competition looks at the heaviest mangoes across the area put

Entrée: Oysters Natural ½ Dozen or a Dozen, Oysters Kilpatrick ½ Dozen or a Dozen. Mains: Crispy Skin Atlantic Salmon with Smashed Garlic Chats, Cherry Tomato & Avo Salsa, and Lemon Beuree Blanc OR 400g Teriyaki Steak with Caesar Salad & Confit Fat Boy Chips. Desserts: Pavlova with Chantilly Cream, Passionfruit & Vanilla Bean Ice Cream OR Mango Cheesecake with Mango Coulis & Strawberry Compote, and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

$5 DISCOUNT VOUCHER Friday Night CHARGRILL (Bring in voucher to redeem.)



The Express, Wednesday, February 5, 2020 PAGE 5

The new Atherton RSL Club is yet to open.

Atherton RSL opening a mystery

THE building is up, the beer taps are connected and the power is on, but there’s still no opening date for the New Atherton RSL Club at 2 Railway lane. Construction started in late 2018 and was meant to be finished by ANZAC Day 2019; now there are rumours that it won’t be opened in time for ANZAC day 2020.

The original Atherton RSL Club in Main street closed in July 2008 due to financial hardship, the premises were then sold in August 2009. According to RSL QLD’s webpage, “After three years of submitting applications, the Sub Branch was finally successful in obtaining a grant from the Australian Government’s Building

Better Regions Fund. The grant was provided on a dollar-fordollar basis to match what the Sub Branch has saved, along with some revenue received from the sale of the old RSL building by RSL Queensland in 2008.” It’s believed the new club will have a small bistro, outdoor children’s play area and an un-

Training for aspiring mayors and councillors

ASPIRING mayoral and councillor candidates will get the chance to get a leg up on the competition with the launch of the governments “so you want to be a councillor” program. Run by the department of Local Government, a three module course is provided to those aspiring to run in the local government elections on March 28. Along with the online course being provided information and training sessions are being offered in regions in the Far North. Tablelands Regional Council CEO Justin Commons encourages anyone considering run-

ning as a Councillor or Mayor in the upcoming March local government elections to understand the roles and responsibilities of being an elected member. “New reforms for local government have been rolling out since late 2017 following the release of the Belcarra report,” he said. “As part of this reform, it is now compulsory for all candidates to complete online ‘So you want to be a councillor?’ training. “Councillors are elected to govern the Council for the benefit of the entire local community

and have duties under the Local Government Act 2009 and duties arising from the organisation’s activities.” Cooktown, Hope Vale, Wujal Wujal and Yarrabah will all have these sessions available into February. The Hope Vale session will be on Wednesday February 19, with Wujal Wujal and Yarrabah on Thursday February 20 and Cooktown on Friday February 21. To check if you’re eligible for this training head to www. dlgrma.qld.gov.au/so-you-wantto-be-a-councillor

Best ranked schools on the Tablelands AN education website has compiled a list of all the best schools and their rankings across the country. “Better Education” uses scores from across the country to put schools into rankings and compare them against other schools out of a max score of

100. On the tablelands the best primary school ranked on the “Better Education” website was Malanda State school with an outstanding 94/100 score. Dimbulah State School came in second with 89 and St Thomas in third with 87, Mareeba

State and Mt Molloy tied with 74. The secondary schools across the tablelands scored sparsely with St Stephens scoring 92 overall with the next best being 85 from Malanda followed by Atherton on 80 and Mareeba High on 72.

dercover area for eating. It’s also been rumoured that the new club won’t have poker machines. Requests from the Express to the Atherton RSL Committee have been met with either “no comment” or “we can’t answer that sorry.” RSL Queensland President Tony Ferris said it was a com-

mon misperception that RSL Clubs in Queensland provided veteran welfare services – but this was actually the role of RSL Sub Branches. “In Queensland, RSL Clubs are commercial entities and most are not owned or operated by the RSL,” Mr Ferris said. “RSL Clubs are licensed entertainment venues which may

Rowena enters Miss World Australia LOCAL fashionista Rowena Petersen (pictured) has turned heads and has been selected to compete in the Miss World Australia 2020 QLD Preliminary Finals. The preliminary finals will see Rowena going up against other Miss Australia hopefuls from Queensland, vying for the final spot and another step closer to the crown. Once selected for Queensland the chosen nominee will then be going up against other women from the states and territories. Rowena has also nominated to raise money through her pageant journey for Variety, The Children’s Charity who helps kids who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs. Rowena is excited for her journey to begin. “I’m so excited for this opportunity I can’t wait,” she said.

“I’ve always wanted to be involved in it, so I just thought I’d nominate and see how I would go. “I’m very excited to also raise money for this charity and moving forward with the comp and seeing how far I can go.” Rowena will be documenting her pageant journey and charity fundraising journey at

FARM MACHINERY REPAIRS

Volunteers Sought - Interested persons please visit: PAGE 6 The Express, Wednesday, February 5, 2020

QBCC No. 1275266

her Facebook – Rowena Petersen.37 Rowena will be competiting in the QLD finals on March 15 on the Gold Coast and the 16th Miss Universe Australia pageant will be held in June 2020 at the Sofitel in Melbourne with the winner representing Australia in the Miss Universe Pageant 2020.

ONSITE WELDING

• General Fabrication • All Types Of Welding • Sheet Metal Work

crimestoppersqld.com.au/volunteer

– or may not – provide some of their proceeds back to local RSL Sub Branches for veteran welfare activities..” “The Mareeba and Atherton RSL Sub Branches have not closed and will continue to support local veterans as they have for many years.” So why all the mystery?

• Lathe & Milling Machine • Tungsten Hardfacing

124 Mason Street, Mareeba  (07) 4092 2433 • Fax (07) 4092 3126 www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au

Platypus on “brink of extinction”

The map of Savannah in the Round to be held at the Mareeba Rodeo Grounds in October this year.

Groundbreaking music festival map released

FAR North Queensland has its own international country music event launching this October, with the announcement of ‘Savannah in the Round’. Set to become the biggest date on the calendar for country fans across the far north and attract thousands to the region, with people across Australia making guesses at which superstars of country will be headlining the inaugural event. ‘Savannah in the Round’ has already had 2,000 people sign up on their website. The festival will include three days and three nights of entertainment, transforming the Kerribee Park Rodeo Grounds into a world-class camping festival site on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend. Just 60km west of Cairns, the event is well-positioned to welcome visitors from across the country and is the perfect long weekend getaway for

those looking to explore everything the region has to offer as the world’s gateway to Savannah Country to the north and west and the Great Barrier Reef to the east. “We also offer the amazing tablelands, one of the best festival sites in the country, the reef, the rainforest and the hottest line-up of country acts from around the world. It’s the perfect mix for visitors and locals alike,” said Mareeba Councillor Edward ‘Nipper’ Brown who has been working closely with the promotors to bring this Festival to life. Managed by respected event company Sound Australia the event will also feature a strong focus on First Nations culture to coincide with the Year of Indigenous Tourism. The festival will include First Nations storytelling, artists, music and dance. “This festival will attract not only the best country music acts from across Australia

and the world, but will drive visitors to Tropical North Queensland where they will be able to experience a worldclass cultural event right on the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef and the world’s oldest rainforest,” said Tourism Industry Development minister Kate Jones. Sound Australia has secured the festival site for ten years, with over a dozen community groups providing services to the event, creating a much-needed boost to the local economy with the economic impact expected to exceed $4.5-5.5 million dollars in its first year. “The Mareeba festival site is as good as I have seen in the country,” said Festival Director and Sound Australia CEO James Dein. “With such great infrastructure and the incredible reef and rainforest experiences on their doorstep, I can’t imagine any international artist not

wanting to put this great new event on their calendar. It’s an amazing opportunity for Tropical North Queensland and shows the State again leading the way.” Thousands of people have already signed up for supporters plus locals presale information, giving them first dibs when artists are announced and tickets go on sale. To join them, simply visit the festival website and register your details. Country music is exploding around the world and the Australian scene has never been healthier with breakout stars like Keith Urban and Morgan Evans putting Australia on the map and international superstars putting Australia on their tour itinerary. Who will be playing at Savannah in the Round? Visit www.savannahintheround.com.au to be the first to find out.

ONE of Australia's shyest animals, the platypus is being pushed towards the “brink of extinction” by climate threats and habitat destruction, researchers say. A new study by UNSW researchers found that the impacts of land clearing, climate change, and drought and water distribution are driving the mammal’s population into drastic decline. The study found that under current climate projections, the platypus population could decline by up to 73 per cent over the next 50 years. T h e UNSW study also predicts that the shy m onet r em e could become locally extinct in up to 40 per cent of areas that it currently lives in. The trajectory could place the mammal on the "brink of extinction" researchers from UNSW said. Even before Australia's devastating bushfire season - which has killed millions of the nation's wildlife - the platypus population was suffering as a result of the intensifying drought and heatwave. A spokesperson from the QLD Department of Environment and Science: “The platypus is an esteemed and iconic Australian species susceptible to human-induced environmental pressures. These pressures include a rapidly

changing climate, habitat losses caused by urban expansion and development, changes to the quality and volume of water in waterways and non-native predators including feral cats, dogs and foxes.” “The findings of a study by UNSW indicate a review of the conservation status of the platypus both nationally and in Queensland may be warranted.” Jade Waring from The Australian Platypus Park south of Tarzali said “I think it’s quiet devastating that the Platypus are on the brink of extinction considering they are one of the oldest lineages of mammals on earth.” Jade believes that there are still plentiful numbers of platypus around the Tablelands area “I believe that there are high numbers of Platypus in all the creeks around us. I believe that there needs to be more funding, better water management and more awareness for the platypus so that everyone can get involved.” “We need more research programs and local conservation programs in our area to help save the platypus we have now and keep them here before something catastrophic happens again.” The study was the first nationwide attempt to establish a so-called metapopulation model for the platypus.

Dairy farmers wait for good news

WITH Malanda Milk processing up for sale yet again, some farmers are hoping that more milk from the Tablelands will end up on Chinese tables. Last year it was announced that Malanda Milk who is currently owned by Dairy Farmers, which is part of Lion Dairy and Drinks was being sold to Chinese company Mengniu Dairy for $600 million dollars. The sale had yet to be approved the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Foreign Investment Review Board. Director of the Dairy Farmers Milk co-op and Milla Milla Dairy Farmer James Geraghty said “some people may be upset that another Australian asset has been sold to overseas interests, but Dairy Farmers has not been

in Australian hands for some time.” “Lion Dairy and Drinks, is owned by Japanese brewer Kirin, before Kirin brought it, Dairy Farmers was owned by a Filipino company.” “If we had a choice between a Japanese brewer who doesn't want to be here and a Chinese milk company who wants to be here, we'll take the Chinese,” he said. Mr Geraghty hopes that the new owners will play hard ball with Coles and Woolworths “Australians are going to have to pay more for milk, or there won’t be any.” Even though it will change from one set of overseas hands to another, Member for Hill, Shane Knuth said “he has always been a strong supporter of

www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au

Australian ownership and that sadly relying on a foreign company reveals what little effort our governments have played to protect the dairy industry.” “I believe in the old co-op system with dairy farmer ownerships, I am very disappointed with consecutive governments. Time and time again despite the desperate situation they’ve rejected everything that has been put forward by the dairy farmers to help - from a minimum price scheme to the fair milk logo legislation and reining in on the supermarket giants,” Mr Knuth said. “It’s sad to see our dairy industry has gone from 1,500 to 320 in Queensland since 2000, and from 270 to 53 on the Tablelands.

The Express, Wednesday, February 5, 2020 PAGE 7

Club at breaking point Update: Cannabis plants located, Mutchilba A 53-year-old local man was charged with one count of producing a dangerous drug following a police search of a Mutchilba address on January 23. Officers executed a search warrant at a Springmount Road address at about 9am last Thursday morning. As a result of the search, officers located a number of cannabis plants growing amongst an orchard. The man is scheduled to appear in Mareeba Magistrates Court on February 24. High range drink driver, Atherton A 48-year-old Biboohra man was charged with high range drink driving early January 28 The man was reportedly intercepted on Albrecht Street, Atherton at about 4.30am for a roadside breath test. As a result of the test, he was transported to Mareeba Police Station for further testing. It’s alleged that as a result of that test, he returned a reading of 0.235 per cent BAC He is scheduled to appear in Atherton Magistrates Court on February 18. Break and enter, Ravenshoe Police are investigating a break and enter to a Herbert Street address where a yellow

2004 Ford Falcon with Queensland registration 874IKL was reportedly stolen. Between 4am and 4.30am on January 29, entry was gained to an unlocked front door. The keys to the vehicle were the only property reported stolen. Break and enter, Mareeba At about 8pm on January 29, night staff at a Byrnes Street business had part of a skylight fall on them. An intruder has reportedly gained access to the roof of the business, causing damage to the skylight as they attempted to gain entry into the building. Staff were alerted to a noise on the roof, and part of a skylight falling inside the building. The intruders have allegedly run from the scene.

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.

AFTER four break-ins, in under two weeks at the Mareeba Tennis club, the clubs President Mark Keating says “enough is enough.” “I’m just over it; I’ve been here since 3am this morning cleaning up. This is the fourth time in less than two weeks we have been broken into – I don’t know what to do,” he said. It’s believed that unknown persons entered the club in the early hours on Friday, January 31 armed with bolt cutters, first cutting the wire fence around the permitter of the courts and then smashing windows to get into the clubs kitchen. They then used bolt cutters to try and unlock a cupboard where they believed alcohol was being stored “We removed all the alcohol after the second break-in and put a sign up to try and deter them,” Mark said Mark estimates so far the damage has cost the club over $3000 dollars and with an open day on the weekend “it’s not a good look to have all this glass lying around with people coming and trying Tennis for the first time.”

Damage from the latest break in at the Mareeba Tennis Club.

r u o r y e p b a a p s Gr w e n l a c : o l s n e o i u t tr a c o l g n i w o l l o f e at th MAREEBA: Mareeba News, Piagno’s News, Mareeba Discount Drug Store, Shell Mareeba Service Station, BP Mareeba, Mareeba IGA, Curcio’s Bakery, Mobil Service Station Mareeba, Termite, Portsmith Fuels, Biboohra Cash Store, Post Office Centre Mareeba, Mareeba Leagues Club and all good business outlets. ATHERTON: Summers News, Phillips News, Mobile Atherton, Fresh St. Market IGA, Puma Service Station Atherton, Atherton International Club, Atherton Bakehouse and Café on Louise. SOUTHERN TABLELANDS: Tolga News, Mobil Service Station Tolga, Cash Store Walkamin, Malanda Spar, Caltex Malanda, Marano’s Malanda, Tobin’s Millaa Millaa, Yungaburra Foodworks, Yungaburra Pit Stop, Kairi Store, Herberton News, Herberton 5 Star, Wondecla Roadhouse, Ravenshoe News, Ravenshoe Hiland Bakery, Foodworks Ravenshoe, Ravenshoe Information Centre, Marano’s Ravenshoe, Tall Timbers Roadhouse and Mt Garnet Post Office. KURANDA: Kuranda News, Kuranda Foodmart, Koah Service Station, Speewah Store, Kowrowa Cash Store and Kuranda BP Roadhouse.

es s s e n i s u all b m s s u o r e And num e Tablelands, h across t ninsula! Pe d n a f l u G PAGE 8 The Express, Wednesday, February 5, 2020

DIMBULAH: TGT Home Hardware, Dimbulah Post Office, Bendigo Bank, Dimbulah One Stop and De Lai Fuel Distribution. CHILLAGOE: Almaden Hotel, Chillagoe Post Office, Chillagoe General Store, Chillagoe Hotel and Post Office Hotel. COOKTOWN: Cooktown IGA, Cooktown News, Sovereign Hotel, Caltex Cooktown, Palmer River Roadhouse, Cooktown Hotel, Lakeland Downs Hotel, Lakeland Roadhouse and Lakeland Coffee House. MT MOLLOY: Mt Molloy Post Office and Mt Molloy Store. KARUMBA: Post Office Karumba, Karumba Pharmacy and Carpentaria Fuels. GEORGETOWN: Ampol Roadhouse, Midway Caravan Park and Georgetown Hospital. NORMANTON: One Stop Shop, Normanton Trader and Garden Café. MT SURPRISE: Post Office and Mt Surprise Service Station. CROYDON: Gulf Gate Roadhouse and Croydon General Store. EINASLEIGH: Post Office and Einasleigh Council. FORSAYTH: Store and Post Office and Goldfield Tavern. MOSSMAN: Port Douglas IGA and Mossman News. CAIRNS: Smithfield News (Shopping Centre) and Cairns Central Nextra News.

www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au

New cadet program

Join up today for the new Emergency Services Cadets Program.

WE’VE all heard of The Scouts, The Guides and The Army cadets. Now there’s another youth group coming to the Tablelands, with the hope of inspiring young people to choose a career in the emergency services. According to Jade Burgess Emergency Services Cadets Program Coordinator “The Emergency Services Cadets Program (ESC) is funded by Queensland Fire & Emergency Services and is delivered by PCYC Queensland. “The Emergency services cadets are for youth who want to learn skills from: The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard, Marine Rescue, QLD Ambulance, QLD Fire and rescue, QLD Police, Red Cross, The Rural Fire bri-

gade, The SES and Surf lifesaving QLD” Jade said “The Program provides positive experiences and opportunities for young people to develop their skills and abilities, enabling them to build their leadership potential.” Mr Damian Irwin, Captain Fire-fighter for Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and ESC Tablelands Coordinator said “Cadets will learn a diverse range of emergency response skills, leadership skills and communication techniques; and are encouraged to explore a career pathway in emergency services and volunteering.” “At our sign-on information night, we will have several emergency vehicles on display

www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au

and staff from the various emergency services here to answer any questions” The Tablelands Unit sign-on night is at 6pm on February 19. The cadets will meet weekly, on Wednesdays from 6pm to 8pm during school term and train out of the Herberton Fire station in Perkins St. The ESC is open to young people aged 12 to 17 and is free to all participants. The Tablelands Emergency Services Cadets Unit will be the newest and 19th Unit to open across the state. To register or for more information go to www.pcyc.org.au/ cadets or phone 07 3909 9555

WINNERS: Tolga Bakery’s Gina Raso, Carina Taylor, Roland Valintine and Rebecca Padovan with their award for ‘Best Meat Pie’ on the Tablelands.

Best meat pie goes to Tolga Bakery

THE Express Newspaper is celebrating 10 years of delivering news to the Tablelands and as part of our celebrations, we are looking for the ‘Best of the Tablelands’ and for the past week we have been taking your votes on the best Meat Pie. After hundreds of votes, Express readers have voted the Tolga Bakery in Main St as having the best Meat Pie on the Tablelands. Owner of the Bakery Ro-

land Valintine said “It’s a very pleasant surprise that we won this award, it’s very humbling,” he said. “Everything is made by hand with locally sourced products, we get our meat from the Yungaburra Butchery, and without good meat you don’t get good meat pies. “Consistency is a big part of what we do; we try to do the best we can every time.” Mr Valintine also extended his thanks to his amazing

staff, including two other bakers who he credited the award too. The best of the Tablelands now continues and we are now looking for the Tablelands best pub. Vote now on our Facebook page or on 4092 3464 or email us at editorial@theexpressnewspaper.com.au Winner of the best pub will be announced Monday, February 10, 2020 on Facebook.

The Express, Wednesday, February 5, 2020 PAGE 9

EXPRESSyourself Australia Day date change response

IN response to the opinion you seek about the article your correspondent, Phil Brandel, wrote on January 22, “Why we should move Australia Day”. Cairns was not bombed by the Japanese as claimed by your writer. They did have plans to invade Australia, but were stopped by four main setbacks – the Battle of Rabaul, the Battle of the Kokoda Track, the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway. Australia Day marks the date of the colonisation of this country in 1788, and is all about celebrating the progress Australia has made in a very short period of just over 200 years since then. Compare that to the 60,000-odd years of indigenous occupation as claimed by Phil Brandel. And that is a figure – like the 750,000 inhabitants he claimed to be living here at the time of Captain Cook’s visit in 1770 – obviously pulled out of the air, with the only true recording processes coming with colonisation. At this present time there are those in our lucky country who want to turn back the clock – to a time so many, many years ago when a group of people came to

this uninhibited country from other parts of the world to settle. This resulted in hundreds of dialects throughout our country. Which of those dialects is now being taught at some of our schools, and giving us an unpronounceable lingo to replace long-recognised place names? It is only since the first European settlers came ashore that Australia has progressed. Sure, we can look back. But Australia Day marks a special time in our history. It is a day when we should all look forward and take pride in being Australian. Editors Note: Cairns was bombed 30th of July 1942 source https://www.awm.gov. au. In 1788, The Indigenous Australia population was approx 750,000 – Source https:// www.amnesty.org.au/ and https://www.abs.gov.au/ or https:// thecommonwealth.org. Australia was not uninhabited in 1770 – The High Court’s Mabo judgment in 1992 overturned the terra nullius fiction. David Hooper RAVENSHOE

Australia Day date change response

JUST read Phil Brandel’s excellent piece on why we should move the date on which Aus-

tralia day is celebrated. I fully agree with any First Nations person who considers that the 1770 landing brought no joy to Aborigines. It would be good to move Australia Day celebrations to another day. Perhaps the date on which Aborigines gain recognition in the Australian Constitution. Rupert Russell MOUNT MOLLOY

Buy local, buy Australian made

TODAY I went to Coles to buy some bacon. On reading the very, very fine print on the packaging, I could not find any product that said anything better than “Made by not more than 22% Australian ingredients”. What does that mean? Perhaps the only thing “Australian” about the product is the packaging and maybe the water that is pumped in to increase the weight. When we are in an era where parts of the world are rife with contaminated pork products, why are the citizens of this country required to eat this imported rubbish, while our best pork gets exported? My advice to everyone, if you want it, is simple. If you

want Australian beef and pork, get it from your local butchers. Don’t buy the prepacked rubbish. Peter Beatts MAREEBA

TRC Deputy Mayor offers some facts

IN response to continuing community commentary from some quarters, TRC Deputy Mayor Kartina Mellick released the following. Although this Council has conservatively forecasted four consecutive budget deficits, it has actually delivered three surpluses Y1 $2.5M; Y2 $6.9M; Y3 $1M and one deficit Y4 $0.3M (mainly due to a timing issue)”. These figures relate to Operating (Recurrent) Income and Expenditure, excluding Capital Grants in the audited Statement of Comprehensive Income. Over the term of the current Council, ratepayers have actually paid $7M less in their rates and charges than what was forecast by the previous Council, for the same period. These figures include proposed pensioner discounts and the like. It has been reported that cash reserves will decline from $41M in 2020 to $19M in 2025. What wasn’t mentioned,

Letters to the Editor EMAIL: editorial@theexpressnewspaper.com.au said Ms Mellick, – is that for the same period, the report shows an investment of over $172M into our community assets (roads/water/waste and the like); nor that in each out year beyond 2025 through to the end of the forecast period, the cash reserves build year on year; all of which, have been considered with responsible fiscal management. In response to persistent public comment that council contracts should be discussed in open rather than confidential sessions, Ms Mellick draws attention to an unanimous resolution on 3/12/2015 – 15 months before the current Council came in to office – to cease to disclose tender prices at public openings of tenders; going on to instruct Officers “that reports relating to tenders are to be treated as confidential.” Ms Mellick also made the point that the divestment of funding into Council depots was a result of Council budgeting decisions made well prior to the current Council coming to office. Ms Mellick has acknowledged a steep learning curve during her first term in office. “There have been many lessons learnt; and there remains a long, hard road ahead. I am sure that over the coming weeks, much will be said about Council performance,

both publicly and in private conversations. I simply ask that the focus be placed firmly on informed facts and context; and that unhelpful Politics and spin be left at the door. Katrina Mellick ATHERTON TRC Deputy Mayor

Have your say Email us your letter today

OPINION With Phil Brandel @Philbrandel1

We are not so great

OVER the Australia day long weekend, I heard lots of patriotic tropes and clichés like “Australia is the greatest country in the world” or “If you don’t like it leave.” I’m all for being patriotic, I’m a proud Australian and I believe we are a great country. But we are not the greatest country in the world, although we used to be. We used to stand up for what was right. We waged war on poverty, not poor people. We sacrificed, we cared about our neighbours. We built great big things, we made amazing technological advances and we invented stuff. We cured diseases; we had some of the world’s greatest minds, artists and musicians. We had a health care and social security system that was the envy of the world. We aspired to be intelligent, we didn’t belittle it, and it didn’t make us feel inferior.

PAGE 10 The Express, Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Australia is not the greatest country in the world anymore, but it can be (Apologies and credit to Jeff Daniels in Newsroom for my version of his speech) These days our politicians run on fear and focus groups. In the past we had Mabo and we gave Indigenous Australians the right to vote; now we have politicians stuck on Uluru because they can’t get down, while pulling a media stunt. We used to take care of people who couldn’t take of themselves, now ask anyone who has dealt with Centrelink or the NDIS how hard it is, with some people literally dying before they get help. We used to know our neighbours by name, now we are more willing to take them to court because their dog is barking or if we are hurt by what they say. Once upon a time Australia was famous for building big things, like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Snowy Mountains

Hydro scheme and the Coolgardie pipeline. Now we can’t even get a road fixed between Mareeba and Cairns. Have a look at the debacle that is the Cross River rail project in Brisbane and the trams in Sydney. I remember when INXS, Men at Work, Midnight oil were selling out stadiums across the globe, now we celebrate people sitting on a couch watching TV, criticising other people on TV. We had the world’s greatest scientists; we invented the bionic ear, the black box and the Gardasil and Cervarix cancer vaccines. Now we have people shouting down our scientists because they don’t like what they are telling us about vaccines, the climate and energy. We used to have a thriving dairy and meat industry, now our dairy farmers are going broke, and the cows are starving. Australia is not the greatest country in the world anymore, but it can be.

www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au

TGT Rebranded!

Tobacco Growers Trading (TGT) Mareeba is pleased to announce a rebranding of its Mareeba and Dimbulah stores. Both locations, which were part of the Home Timber

and Hardware Group since 2013, will now become TGT H Hardware.

TGT has been able to undertake a major refurbishment of both its hardware stores and provide a higher range

of products through much larger stores.

Chairperson of the TGT Board of Directors Serg Battistin said “Since being purchased by Metcash which also owns the Mitre 10 chain

of hardware stores, we felt that the HTH Group could no longer provide TGT with the independence it needs to enable TGT to differentiate itself from its competitors in the market place”.

“As a result, TGT has decided to leave the HTH Group and align itself with another independent buying group, HBT or Hardware & Building Traders”. “Through HBT, TGT can maintain its independence in the hardware/building industry and continue to offer the full range of products at competitive pricing”. “The board of TGT are excited about the change and we hope all our customers will embrace the new look hardware stores at Mareeba and Dimbulah” he said.

Mareeba Store Manager Sasha Avolio and CEO Sheldon Mulla oversee the re-branding of TGT Mareeba and Dimbulah.

From an operational point of view, both buildings in Mareeba and Dimbulah will undergo internal and external cosmetic changes which will commence in the coming weeks.

CEO Sheldon Mulla said “We do not expect these changes to interrupt trade or inconvenience any of our customers”. “TGT has been a member of the HBT group for several years and we have grown our association with them over this time”. “HBT are true believers in supporting independently owned stores like ours without the overheads and expectations of large corporate marketing groups”. “The changeover to the H Hardware brand should only take a few weeks and then it will be back to the business supporting a new brand with a new image”. “This change is simply a change of buying groups and not a change to the ownership structure of the business”. “We hope the change will bring a bright new look to our stores and to the main streets of Mareeba and Dimbulah” he said.

! ce vi er s y it al qu e am S ... s ct u od Same quality pr • Camping and Fishing • Homewares • Garden Supplies • Irrigation • Tools • Plumbing • Heavy Building • Gas • Paint • Electrical • Bathroom and Kitchen Accessories

MAREEBA www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au

204 Byrnes Street P: 4092 2888

DIMBULAH

Glynn Street P: 4093 5302

The Express, Wednesday, February 5, 2020 PAGE 11

Zayden Salerno (6) ready for grade 1 at St Thomas’.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 2020

First day of prep for Thomas Taber.

Sofia (6) and Benji (10) of Malanda.

PHOTOS: Supplied

Reese Gobus (Yr 3 at St Thomas’) and Ava Gobus (Yr 7 at St Stephens).

Brayden (Prep) and Layla (Grade 1).

Ivy-Rose Pickering’s first day at Dimbulah Kindergarten.

Jake (Prep), Matthew (Year 7) and Amy Nason (Year 3) all ready for school.

Ella Kelly (5) started Prep at St Thomas’.

Asha, Rocco and Mase – best friends at Mareeba State School.

n i W

Mila Tokarahi – First day of Prep at Mareeba State School.

Kaelan Bailey (5) at St Thomas’.

Aaliyah Payne (prep), Amelia Payne (grade 3), Annabelle Payne (grade 6) and Parker Payne (1).

New parents that book at any of our Mareeba Kids Campus Centres and commence care before 28th

February 2020, will go into the draw to

WIN ONE WEEK OF FREE CHILDCARE FEES!

A FREE WEEK OF CHILDCARE

Jump onto our website to enter and lodge your booking.

www.mareebakidscampus.com.au (CONDITIONS APPLY*)

KINDY

OUT OF HOURS SCHOOL & VACATION CARE

CHILDCARE & EARLY LEARNING

4-6 Hastie Street • P: 4092 7575 E: kindy@mareebakidscampus.com.au

Est. 1981 0-17 Years

67 Constace Street • P: 4092 1912 E: constance@mareebakidscampus.com.au

4-6 Hastie Street • P: 4092 7575 E: hastie@mareebakidscampus.com.au

9 Dunlop Street • P: 4092 5277 E: dunlop@mareebakidscampus.com.au

Shaping young lives for 38 years! *CONDITIONS: All of our centres are open for the promotion. The new booking must be for a minimum of 2 days per week in a permanent booking. The new booking we receive must meet our existing spaces available at our centres, i.e. we must be able to fit in the referred booking. The normal CCS rebate will apply from Centrelink on the week of free care. The draw will take place on Tuesday 3rd March, 2020 and the one week’s free childcare will apply for the week of 9-13th March, 2020. PAGE 12 The Express, Wednesday, February 5, 2020

NOW TAKING ENROLM EN FOR 202 TS 0

www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au

Elea Imbony (12) and Charlee Croucher (11) at Mareeba State High with and Hayden Watkin (5) at St Thomas’.

Millie and Bronson Willson of Tolga in Grade 2 and Prep.

Phoebe and Johnny Fitzgerald (9 and 8) at St Joseph’s in Atherton.

Indiena (10), Harlea (8) and Shilah Browning (5 and first day of Prep.) at St Thomas' in Mareeba.

Maddison (year 6) and Shelby (year 3) at Mareeba State School. RIGHT: Addyson (6, grade 2) and Hudsyn (9 grade 4).

Harpah & Nevaeh West – First day of Prep Mareeba State School.

Everlee Peckham and Claire Blain – First day of Prep 2020 at St Thomas of Villanova Parish School.

Amiahs Moorcroft-Kose – First day of Prep at Mareeba State School.

19 26

paperr ws News ss press Expre e 21 The 20Th 22 Ne 23 pape 24 Ex 2020 (Australia) 28

S S

M M

5 5 12 12 19 19 26 26

6 6 13 13 20 20 27 27

S S

4 11 18 25

19 20

21 22

36 37

6 6 13 13 20 20 27 27

13 20

T 7

T T 7 7 14 14 21 21 28 28

7 7 14 14 21 21 28 28

September er T Septemb W T T 1 1 8 8 15 15 22 22 29 29

W 2 2 9 9 16 16 23 23 30 30

T 3 3 10 10 17 17 24 24

September T

1 Jan Jan 126Jan 26 27 Jan 27 Jan

New Year's Day Day lia Day Year's New Austra Day' observed liaDay Austra 'Australia 'Australia Day' observed

31 5

F 1

F F 1 1 8 8 15 15 22 22 29 29

M M

S S 4 4 11 11 18 18 25 25

F F 3 3 10 10 17 17 24 24 31 31

T T 2 2 9 9 16 16 23 23 30 30

May May W

5 5 12 12 19 19 26 26

S S

4 4 11 11 18 18 25 25

May 7 7 14 14 21 21 28 28

T T

W 1 1 8 8 15 15 22 22 29 29

M M

3 3 10 10 17 17 24 24 31 31

January ary JanuW

T T

S S 2 2 9 9 16 16 23 23 30 30

15 22

S S 5 5 12 12 19 19 26 26

F 4

10 Apr 10 13 Apr 13 25 Apr 25 Apr

T T

2 2 9 9 16 16 23 23

3 3 10 10 17 17 24 24

4 4 11 11 18 18 25 25

5 5 12 12 19 19 26 26

S 2

S S

7 7 14 14 21 21 28 28

M M 1 1 8 8 15 15 22 22 29 29

30 40

W 3 3 10 1025 17 17 24 2426

27 October ber OctoW

M M

T T

4 4 11 11 18 18 25 25

5 5 12 12 19 19 26 26

6 6 13 13 20 20 27 27

7 7 14 14 21 21 28 28

Good Friday Monday Good EasterFriday regions) y Day (Most Easter ANZACMonda s) ANZAC Day (Most region

7 7 14 14 21 21 28 28

6 6 13 13 20 20 27 2327

June June W

T T 2 2 9 9 16 16 23 23 30 30

S S

23 F

February February T W

M M

29 F F 4 4 11 11 18 18 25 25

S S

40 41

T T 4 4 11 11 18 18 25 25

14 21 28

T T 1 1 8 8 15 15 22 22 29 29

F F 2 2 9 9 16 16 23 23 30 30

27 Apr 27 Apr 25 Dec 25 Dec

1 8

28 29

29 45

6 13 13 20 20 27 27

7 7 14 14 21 21 28 28

16 23

M M 2 2 9 9 16 16 23 23 30 30

W 1 1 8 8 15 15 22 22 29 29

10 17 24

T T 2 2 9 9 16 16 23 23 30 30

November r T mbe Nove W T T 3 3 10 10 17 17 24 24

W 4 4 11 11 18 18 25 25

October

27 SS

F F 6 6 13 13 20 20 27 27

5 5 12 12 19 19 26 26

July July W T

M M

Capital ANZAC Day (Australian Capital ANZA TerritoCry)Day (Australian as Day ry) Territo Christm Christmas Day

W 4 4 11 11 18 18 25 25

June

S S 1 1 8 8 15 15 22 22 29 29

26 TT

T T 3 3 10 10 17 17 24 24 31 31

March h Marc W

5 5 12 12 19 19 26 26

S S 3 3 10 10 17 17 24 24 31 31

S S

M M 2 2 9 9 16 16 23 23 30 30

S S 1 1 8 8 15 15 22 22 29 29

S S 6 6 13 13 20 20 27 27

Mareeba Byrnes St, 12 11 12 13 14 18615 15u wspaper.com.a sne res exp the in@ p: 4092 3464 e: adm 13 18 19 20 21 pap 22er.com.au 22 www.theexpressnews April

S S 1 1 8 8 15 15 22 22 29 29

F F 5 5 12 12 19 19 26 26

26 Dec 26 28 Dec 28 Dec

T 5 5 12 12 19 19 26 26

28 SS

F F 3 3 10 10 17 17 24 24 31 31

11 18

15 16

F 18

S S 4 4 11 11 18 18 25 25

12 32

2 2 9 9 16 16 23 23 30 30

W 1 1 8 8 15 15 22 22 29 29

7 7 14 14 21 21 28 28

S S

S S 7 7 14 14 21 21 28 28

6 6 13 13 20 20 27 27

5 5 12 12 19 19 26 26

25 F F 6 6 13 13 20 20 27 27

29 T

M M

7 7 14 14 21 21 28 28

T14 T 2 2 9 9 16 16 23 23 30 30

April W T

M M

4 4 11 11 18 18 25 25

3 3 10 10 17 17 24 24 31 31

20 27

S S

M M

6 6 13 13 20 20 27 27

7 7 14 14 21 21 28 28

5 5 12 12 19 19 26 26

6 6 13 13 29 20 20 27 27

r Decembe31 r T Decembe W T T 1 1 8 8 15 15 22 22 29 29

W 2 2 9 9 16 16 23 23 30 30

T 3 3 10 10 17 17 24 24 31 31

16 23

S S 4 4 11 11 18 18 25 25

F F 3 3 10 10 17 17 24 24

August 27 st T Augu W

T T

Isabell Clarke – First day of Prep at Tolga State School.

Alejandro Curtis (year 8) and Esperanza Curtis (year 10) at St Stephens.

Rhys (grade 3) and Chloe (grade 5) on their first day back in 2020.

Calendar for Year 0 (Australia) Calendar for Year 202

1 6

Layla West (7) in Grade 3 at Mareeba State School

Selina (12 in Grade 7 at Atherton High School, Kyrian Age (10 in Grade 5 at Yungaburra Primary School) and Charlie (15 in Grade 10 at Atherton High School.

Malia and Rylan Taylor at Malanda State School.

Ben McKeegan (5) in Grade 1 at Mareeba State School.

F F 7 7 14 14 21 21 28 28

12 19 F 26 F 4 4 11 11 18 18 25 25

S S 1 1 8 8 15 15 22 22 29 29

S S 5 5 12 12 19 19 26 26

Lael Owens (year 4), Nicola Owens (year 3) and Pippa Owens (year Graeme Taber – first day of year 2. 1).

2020 CALENDAR 3

July W

15 16 17 18

31 32

August W

COLLECT YOUR FREE DESKTOP CALENDAR

33 34 35 36

 Local News  Loca S S  Local People

• CONVENIENT SIZE November • EASY TO SEEDecember • FULL YEAR AT A GLANCE 3

52 1

s) Boxing Day (Most region s) y Day Holida ing region (Most as/Box Boxing ChristmDay Holiday Christmas/Boxing Day

l Views

45 esday  Every Wedn 46

49 50

CALENDARS ARE FROM THE STREET, 14 15 16 17 18 19AVAILABLE 11 12 13 14 15 16EXPRESS 17 15 OFFICE 16 17 @ 18 186 19 BYRNES 20 21 13 14 15MAREEBA 16 17 18 21 22 23 24 25 26 18 19 20 21 JEWELLERS, 22 23 24 22 23STREET, 24 25 26 27 28 20 21 22 23 24 25 OR ARABELLA MAIN ATHERTON

www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au

51 52 1

The Express, Wednesday, February 5, 2020 PAGE 13

ON IT AG ’S AI N!

KP MANGO COMPETITION WE’RE LOOKING FOR THE HEAVIEST KP MANGO (KENSINGTON PRIDE)

BROUGHT TO YOU BY FNQ GROWERS AND THE EXPRESS NEWSPAPER

IN THE REGION!

START GROWING YOUR MANGOES NOW!! COMPETITION OUTLINE:  The mango must be Kensington Pride variety only  Mango must be photographed on electronic scales clearly showing the weight  The Mango must be viewed by a member of The Express Newspaper team or Joe Moro from FNQ Growers  The mango must not be tampered with in any way  The competition is open to all farmers and budding farmers in the region  Prizes: 1st place $500 - 2nd place $300 - 3rd place $200  The competition will close on Wednesday February 29th, 2020  Winner will be announced at the end of the harvest season  The heaviest mango will be declared the winner  All mangoes will be retained by the Editor of The Express for verification and consumption

PAGE 14 The Express, Wednesday, February 5, 2020

LAST YEAR’S WINNER!

Last year’s winner: Kiara Cabassi pictured with Lindsay Rural Mareeba Manager Stephen Srhoj.

www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au

RELOCATED TO: 57 BYRNES STREET

New premises – same great service and products

Taylor’s Upholstery & Canvas and Taylor’s Trailer & Caravan Parts is now open in their new purpose built premises at 57 Byrnes Street, Mareeba...

NOW AT: 57 BYRNES STREET, MAREEBA (Next to Repco)

We Repair & Manufacture Upholstery, Canvas, Marine & Auto Goods!

• Custom Taylor-Made Products • Roll-out Awnings for Caravans / Motorhomes • Annexes and Walls • Car Seats • Carpets • Hood Linings • Door Trims • Motorbike Seats • Canvas Seat Covers • Tonneau Covers • Canopies & Side Curtains • Boat Seats • Boat & Motor Covers • Biminies / Canopies • Foam – Cut to Size • Swags & Mattresses • Camper Trailer Tops & Repairs

57 BYRNES STREET, MAREEBA PHONE: 4092 6839 www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au

NOW AT: 57 BYRNES STREET, MAREEBA (Next to Repco) Suppliers of Trailer & Caravan Parts & Accessories

 Springs, Axles, Hubs, Bearings, Nuts & Bolts, Brakes, Couplings, Tow Balls, U-bolts, Trailer Rims  Jockey Wheels / Stands & Wind-Up Legs  Mudguards, Gas Bottle / Jerry Can Holders  Winches, Boat Rollers & Fittings  Water Tanks  Locks, Latches, Hinges, Vents  Door Rubber, Pinchweld, Adhesive Rubber  Ute Matting, Gas Struts  Trailer Plugs & Adaptors  Caravan Power Inlet / Outlets, Lights / Lenses  Toilet Chemicals, Cleaning Products  John Guest Water Pipe & Fittings, HW Anodes  Levelling Ramps & Chocks, Towing Mirrors  Hatches & Vents, Hardware Roll-Out Awnings & Parts  Anti-Flap Kits & DeFlappers

57 BYRNES STREET, MAREEBA PHONE: 4092 6839 The Express, Wednesday, February 5, 2020 PAGE 15

RELOCATED TO: 57 BYRNES STREET

Service with a smile

SUPERIOR WORKMANSHIP: Michael (Bat) and Jill Taylor and their friendly team can help you with all your upholstery and canvas needs as well as trailer and caravans parts.

AS part of the business relocation and new premises, Michael (Bat) and Jill Taylor decided to introduce an additional business name to reflect the retail trade side of the business that has steadily grown over the years. There are so many trailers and caravans on the road

these days it’s hard to keep up with parts and accessories that keep them on the road. Taylor’s Trailer and Caravan Parts stock an extensive range of parts to help you build your own trailer or repair it, along with a large range of automotive hardware. They

also stock a large range of parts and accessories for caravans and motorhomes. Taylor’s Trailer and Caravan Parts, now at their new location at 57 Byrnes Street, Mareeba. Come and check it out today and if it’s not in stock, they can easily get it in for you quickly.

COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL Servicing the Tablelands and remote Cape York OUR SPECIALTIES: • Plumbing Renovations • Camera Inspections • Sanitary Plumbing • Cold Water Work • Tank Installation • Drainage Plumbing • Tradewaste • Gas Plumbing • Water Plumbing • Hydro Jetting • Mechanical Plumbing

Our congratulations to Michael and Jill from Taylor’s Upholstery on the opening of their new premises in Byrnes St, Mareeba! 18 Reynolds Street, Mareeba Phone 4092 4888 or 0418 162 646 PAGE 16 The Express, Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Andersens wishes to congratulate Taylors Upholstery. We are proud to have provided tiles and floor coverings for the project.

From all of us here at Andersens Mareeba

Visit us at 10 Herberton Street, Mareeba Or call 1300 307 459 www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au

RELOCATED TO: 57 BYRNES STREET

Family owned and operated THEN AND NOW: Michael and Jill Taylor with their daughter Kayla in 1992 and now with their grand daughter Izzy in the new business premises on Byrnes Street, Mareeba.

IT was in August 1992 when Michael and Jill Taylor and their then three year old daughter Kayla decided to open their own upholstery business. The business, at 8 Costin Street Mareeba, served as a platform to establish themselves and grow their business. Twenty seven years later Michael and Jill have fulfilled

a lifelong ambition to own their own building and relocate their business. Taylor’s Upholstery and Canvas and Taylor’s Trailer and Caravan Parts is now located at 57 Byrnes Street Mareeba in a new, purpose built building. The new location on the main street gives them more presence, and has a show-

room designed to display the variety of products they carry and is more visible to passing traffic and travellers. An excited Jill said “We had the opportunity to purchase this property in 2018 and we immediately began to prepare for the building stage, it’s been a challenge, but we’ve achieved what we’d planned,”

“Shane Smith was our builder, and where we could we’ve used local tradies in the building process. “The location here is central, easily accessible and has excellent exposure to passing traffic, and easy access for people with trailers and caravans. “We are able to show off more in the new show room

and it gives us a great sense of pride and achievement.” she said. Michael, with 40 years’ experience in the trade, is the expert when it comes to everything upholstery and can custom make products for many applications including home, auto and marine. From re-upholstering car interiors to swags and ton-

neau covers, blinds and awnings, Taylor’s Upholstery and Canvas can design, repair and make just about anything. Call in and see Michael for all your upholstery and canvas needs and more at their new premises located at 57 Byrnes St. Mareeba or phone 4092 6839.

Congratulations to Taylor’s Upholstery & Taylor’s Trailer & Caravan Parts on the grand opening of your new premises in Mareeba We a proud to have been the local building company behind this great new development.

Commercial Industrial Residential GARAGES | CUSTOM DESIGNS FARM SHEDS | CARPORTS | STRUCTURAL www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au

Quality workmanship with uncompromising attention to detail

P: 4092 3619 A: 58 Costin St, Mareeba www.shanesmithbuilder.com.au QBCC LIC NO: 1053497

The Express, Wednesday, February 5, 2020 PAGE 17

EXPRESSO Your Weekly Horoscopes



Aries



March 21 to Apr 20

You can win points if you present your ideas this week. There is not much you can do to alleviate the problem, but consider putting some extra work into your house. April 21 to May 21 Taurus

Wednesday 5th

Thursday 6th

Friday 7th

Tide Times 0017 0.94 0704 2.67 1259 1.44 1837 2.22

Tide Times 0051 0.74 0738 2.89 1334 1.29 1916 2.33

Tide Times 0128 0.55 0816 3.10 1411 1.14 1956 2.44

Max 32o Min 21o

Max 32o Min 22o

Max 32o Min 21o

Saturday 8th

Sunday 9th

Tide Times 0207 0.40 0855 3.26 1450 1.02 2037 2.53

Tide Times 0248 0.31 0933 3.35 1530 0.95 2117 2.57

Max 33o Min 22o

SUDOKU Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3x3 square.

May 22 to June 21

Leo

July 23 to Aug 22

Virgo

Aug 23 - Sept 23

Consider a trial separation if you and your mate just can’t come to terms. Don’t blow situations out of proportion. You will be prone to carelessness that could result in accidents.

1. Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend for 30 second. (if using a thermomix - 10 sec/Speed 7). 2. Scrape down the bowl and blend for a further 10 seconds until the mixture forms a ball. (if using thermomix - blend 5 sec/Speed 7). 3. Using a tablespoon measure, scoop out the mixture and form into 15 bliss balls. 4. Keep refrigerated until serving.

WORD SEARCH

C R O S S

Libra

Sept 24 to Oct 23 Sudden romantic encounters will set your head spinning. Don’t be critical or overly opinionated with dislikes; it could cause disapproval and unwanted opposition. Self deception about relation ships is a problem.

WORD

Oct 24 to Nov 22

You need to take a good look at all sides of an issue before making a decision. You may want to clear the air where older relatives are concerned. Travel or short trips will probably be your best outlet.

Advise

Cloud

Frost

Normal

Aurora

Cold

Ground

Snowfall

Blizzard

Compass

Knot

Storm

Breeze

Dry

Lake

Summer

Sagittarius

Calm

Fair

Lightning

Vapor

Cell

Flash

Mist

Water

Climate

Front

Muggy

Wedge

Nov 23 to Dec 21

You need time to put your house in order and sort out what you are going to do about your personal direction. A long discussion is in order if you wish to clear the air. You should want to feel good about yourself.

Capricorn

Puzzle solutions

Dec 22 to Jan 20

You will find that superiors may not see situations as you do. You may have difficulties with foreigners. Pamper yourself for a change. Avoid lovers who already have a relation ship.

Aquarius

Jan 21 to Feb 19

Opportunities for partnerships are present; but get every detail in writing. Put your energy into home renovations. Opportunities to make money may interfere with your personal plans. Travel will be exciting.

Pisces

Tide Times 0411 0.42 1051 3.25 1655 0.97 2247 2.48

Max 29o Min 24o

Ingredients

Your high energy, original ideas, and excellent memory will aid your accomplishments. Get on with your life. You can expect to face opposition on the home front.

Scorpio

Tide Times 0328 0.30 1012 3.35 1611 0.93 2200 2.56

Method

June 22 to July 22

You can handle situations that require contact with institutions or large corporations. Your sensitive, affectionate nature will capture the heart of anyone you are attracted to.

Tuesday 11th

200g pecan nuts 35g desiccated coconut 2 tbls black chia seeds 3 medjool dates 2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp salt 1 tsp vanilla bean paste 2 tsp maple syrup 45g coconut or avocado oil

Mingle with individuals who are established and can give you some serious insight into business and future trends. Self-deception about relation ships is a problem.

Cancer

Monday 10th

Max 32o Min 24o

Max 32o Min 23o

Salted Pecan Bliss Balls

Control those desires to cast your fate to the wind. You can make sound financial investments if you act fast. Difficulties may be encountered while traveling in foreign countries.

Gemini

! k a e r b a Take

ACROSS 7. Expensive or ostentatious clothes or decoration. 8. Enter somewhere forcibly or suddenly. 9. Either of two equal or corresponding parts into which something is or can be divided. 10. Of, typical of, or peculiar to the tropics. 11. Turn into or express in verse. 13. A golf course, especially one on grass-covered sandy ground near the sea. 15. An abnormally high body temperature. 16. Weighing a great deal; heavy. 18. A day or period of celebration, typically for religious reasons. 19. A miscellaneous collection of things. 21. Physical strength and good health. 22. In a way that shows that one is not treating something as serious; casually.

ORDER YOUR PHOTOS TODAY

Feb 20 to March 20

You can anger others quickly this week. Avoid overspending on items for your home. A change of attitude has probably disrupted your home environment. You need to keep busy doing things that you both enjoy.

PAGE 18 The Express, Wednesday, February 5, 2020

DOWN 1. A shiny silicate mineral with a layered structure, found as minute scales in granite and other rocks. 2. The confident and forceful expression or promotion of oneself, one’s views, or one’s desires. 3. Utterly bewilder or perplex someone. 4. A piece of turf cut out of the ground by a golf club in making a stroke. 5. A sloping grooved board or surface on which washed dishes are left to drain into an adjacent sink. 6. Towards or relating to the more expensive or affluent sector of the market. 12. Critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially of scripture. 14. Dried leaves of tea. 17. Used before a singular noun to refer to all the individual members of a set. 20. Spend time doing nothing.

LIKE US & JOIN OUR FACEBOOK FRIENDS!

4092 3464 www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au

PROPERTY HOUSES l LAND l UNITS l INVESTMENTS l ACREAGE l FARMS l RENTALS

Super convenient location JUST one block from Coles is this little gem. Perfect for a single person, or a young family looking for their first home on a budget, or the astute investor looking for a great little property to add to their portfolio which is sure to give great returns. This home is full of character and charm with two large bedrooms and a large living area, whether it's the owner occupier or tenants, there is plenty of room to stretch out. There is a large dining area which is central to the home with great access to the kitchen and sleepout/office area. The kitchen is compact, but very tidy, with new splashbacks. The bathroom and toilet have had some TLC recently and with a fresh coat

www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au

of paint, they feel like new. Outside the maintenance has been kept up to date with new gutters and downpipes, and a fresh coat of paint to the fascias, door trims, windows and window sills. The yard is fully fenced and there is an old shed down the back, perfect to store your camping gear as well. • Two bedrooms, one bathroom plus sleepout • Neat and tidy kitchen • Large living areas • Hardwood timber floors Address: Price: Agent: Contact:

• Tongue and groove walls • Fresh bathroom and toilet • Superior location • Fully fenced 675m2 • Shed down the back

This property at this price is sure to be snapped up in this location, so don't delay. For more information call exclusive agent Remo Esposito at the Central Realty Mareeba office today to arrange a private inspection on 0401 969 473.

28 Basalt St, MAREEBA $185,000 NEG EXCLUSIVE to Remo Esposito Central Realty Mareeba 0401 969 473 or 4092 2232

The Express, Wednesday, February 5, 2020 PAGE 19

PROPERTY

OPEN HOME THIS SATURDA Y Amaroo Par k Estate

OPEN HOME

THIS SATURDAY 10.00AM - 11.00AM 192 Hastie Road @ Amaroo Estate

• FULLY TILED 4 BRM + ENSUITE & EXTENDED REAR PATIO • A/C IN LIVING , MAIN & OFFICE + S/SCREENS & BUILT-INS • LARGE GARAGE TO FIT 4WD, 935M2 BLOCK + SIDE ACCESS

PRICE: $389,000 NEG JOE: 0417 700 468

WWW.JOETORRISI.COM.AU

Come and see the difference for yourself...

JUST completed and on display this brand new Anthony Langtree four bedroom home is defined by it’s dynamic design encompassed in an elegant and functional family

BUSHLAND LIVING/WEEKEND GETAWAY • 28.3 ACRES BACKING ONTO WALSH RIVER • PERFECT FAMILY GETAWAY • PRIVATE SWIMMING HOLE • BEAUTIFUL CAMPING SPOTS • SUBSTANTIAL AREA OF LEVEL, CLEARED LAND • NATURAL BUSHLAND SURROUNDS

PRICE: $240,000 NEG

JOE TORRISI 0417 700 468 PAGE 20 The Express, Wednesday, February 5, 2020

home. Winner of the 2019 HIA Award for best display home in it's class it blends striking contemporary features, incorporates value for money and offers a distinct warmth and personality. Positioned on a substantial 1007m2 allotment in the elite area of Amaroo Park Estate, only minutes from town, it boasts a generous floor plan, superior fixtures and fittings and lots of natural light throughout. The list of quality features include: • Eligible for the Qld Govt $15,000 First Home Owners Grant • Gorgeous colour schemes and neutral finishes plus superior fixtures and fittings throughout • 245m2 floor plan with gorgeous colour schemes and neutral finishes + living area able to be incorporated with the patio by opening up both sets of sliding stacker doors for true indoor/outdoor entertaining • Fully tiled and split-system air-conditioned through-

out + separate media room • Four sizeable bedrooms, three with mirrored built-in robes • Master bedroom with stylish ensuite and substantial his and hers walk-in robe • Stunning central kitchen with stone bench tops, substantial drawer and bench space, separate plumbedin fridge space and quality stainless steel Bosch appliances • Rear patio directly off the dining /living area • Generous laundry with built-in cabinetry • Hallway built-in storage cupboard plus In-built storage cupboard in carport • Security screens and tinted windows throughout plus solar hot water system • Exposed aggregate Address: Price: Agent: Contact:

driveway plus pathways all round • Fully colourbond fenced and beautifully landscaped 1007m2 allotment + side access and auto irrigation with no rear neighbours • Very well located in "Amaroo Park” Estate on the Cairns side of Mareeba, only 5 minutes to town centre This stunning home is a superior example of vision meeting execution. Inspection is highly recommended – Come and see the difference for yourself. Open to view this Saturday from 11.15am to 1pm. For further information or to arrange a private inspection please contact exclusive agent Joe Torrisi on 0417 700 468. 8 Allara St, MAREEBA $495,000 NEG EXCLUSIVE to Joe Torrisi Joe Torrisi Real Estate 0417 700 468

www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au

PROPERTY

Not to big not to small

FULLY fenced and immaculately presented inside and out. This home features an extra large living with open plan kitchen, lounge and dining. The focus in this home is on large open plan living with the kitchen having a central view of living areas. Features Include: • Three bedrooms • All bedrooms have built-ins • Air conditioning to master bedroom • Large main bathroom with extra large shower (with Address: Price: Agent: Contact:

heater lights) • Separate toilet • Butlers Pantry • Large Linen press • Fully security screened • Cat door • Fully fenced with rear access Move in and immediately enjoy the lifestyle this property has to offer with not a thing to do.

Thinking about selling?

www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au

INDEPENDENT SECURE LIVING WITH A PRIVATE GARDEN

Call marketing agent Aurelia Rogato on 0418 183 555 for more information at Rogato Real Estate. 5 Wren Close, MAREEBA $345,000 NEG Aurelia Rogato Rogato Real Estate 0418 183 555

0 ,0 0 5 $2

Find out where your property sits in today’s market by calling the experts

07 4092 2232

Unit 1/2-4 Strattman Street, Mareeba • 2 Bedrooms With Built-ins • Open Plan Living • Large Kitchen With Plenty Of Storage • Fully Airconditioned • Walk To CBD • Exclusive Access To Private Courtyard

Aurelia 0418 183 555

4092 5255 The Express, Wednesday, February 5, 2020 PAGE 21

A Air Conditioning & Refrigeration B Blinds C