Recent freezing temperatures may be a distant memory to many, but Dimbulah growers are still feeling its consequences after many crops were scorched by frost on 18-19 July. Local grower Lucia Pozzebon (pictured) said it was one of the worst she had seen since the 1980s, with the majority of her young Keit mango flowers being destroyed by the unpredicted intense frost. – READ ABOUT IT ON PAGE 5
Maude Kehoe Park has a new bit of furniture that provides a contemplative space to sit, think and learn.
A striking red bench will officially be launched on Wednesday (31 July) carrying the inscription, “Change the ending … of domestic violence.”
“It catches the attention, gets people talking,” Yungaburra resident Alice Blafzczak said.
“The more we remind people to stop, sit and think, the more we can try and stop domestic violence. It’s about education.”
For Alice, it has been a three-and-ahalf-year mission to establish the bench, jumping red tape hurdles, council staff changes and subsequent delays, and site placement debates within the community.
She began the project after meeting the founder of the Red Rose Foundation,
Betty Taylor AM. The foundation supports and encourages communities to be part of the Red Bench campaign across the country.
“I wanted to do something. One in four families in Australia experience some sort of domestic violence. It’s pretty horrific,” she said.
“Our kids are watching, and we need to show them this is not the norm and stop further generations from going down this path.”
She said quite a few dignitaries had been invited to the launch, which will begin at 10am in the park, including Mayor Rod Marti, council members, state MPs, and representatives from groups such as the Rape Crisis Centre and Women’s Shelter.
Alice will also be handing out red roses on the day, with useful contacts at-
tached on a small card.
As for the bench, you cannot miss it.
“It’s as red as red, it’s brilliant,” Alice said, adding that the Men’s Shed had been wonderful in revamping and re-painting the council-donated bench.
Alice hopes to continue her campaign to have a red bench in all the towns on the Tablelands. Already they have emerged in Cairns, Mareeba, Malanda and further north.
She recalls a recent visitor to Yungaburra from England who noticed the red bench and asked about it.
“She was really taken with it and said she would take the idea back to England,” Alice said.
“We’re spreading the message.” If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact: DVCONNECT on 1800811811
A PRINTED newspaper is returning to the Douglas Shire after four years.
The Douglas Gazette’s first edition will be published today and initially will be produced fortnightly with the aim of it being a weekly publication in the future.
reflects my decision to bring The Gazette back to life. (The previous weekly newspaper was the Port Douglas and Mossman Gazette).
“Local residents have expressed enthusiasm and anticipation at the prospect of having a dedicated newspaper once again.
It will be a sister paper to Cairns Local News and The Express on the Tablelands.
Publisher Carl Portella, who is also involved with Sentinel News in southeast Queensland, understands the importance of community-driven journalism.
“Under the new masthead of the Douglas Gazette, this publication marks a resurgence of local journalism in an area once bereft of its own dedicated news source.
“For years, the region had relied on news from afar, disconnected from the immediate concerns and triumphs of its residents. But now, The Gazette promises to fill that void.
“I believe passionately in the power of local news to inform, unite, and empower residents.
“Every community deserves a voice, which
“People are eager to see their stories told, their voices heard, and their concerns addressed.
“The Gazette will be more than just headlines, it will be a platform for community stories, local events, and issues that matter most to the people of Douglas Shire.”
Nick Dalton will edit the publication, supported by a dedicated team of journalists and contributors, including journalist Peter Jackson and columnist Garry “Gazza” McIlroy.
The newspaper will be home delivered to properties and businesses in the greater Port Douglas and Mossman region for free in the first week. Subsequent editions will cost $2.50 and be available throughout Port Douglas, Mossman and the Daintree every Wednesday.
REPORTS that the Federal Government will not provide the $22 million needed to do a study on alternate road corridors from the northern Tablelands to the coast has not phased Member for Barron River Craig Crawford who is vowing that the State will fund the study.
Last week, it was reported that Federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt would not support funding the study unless there was a business case which would most likely fail.
In a letter to Transport Minister Bart Mellish last week, Mr Crawford stressed that two important steps must be taken now to start the process of providing a reliable route to Cairns – commissioning the study into possible corridors and the extension of the National Land Transport Network that would make the Kennedy Highway from Smithfield to Mareeba eligible for significant federal funding.
“It’s about getting the right sequence – I think the Advance Cairns sequence is the correct one – that is to analyse the potential corridors and I’ve come in behind them because I think it’s the right strategy,” Mr Crawford said.
“Park the business case and park all of the noise about how long it’s going to take and all those sorts of things and just go for where are the potential corridors and which ones we think a goer and which ones we are probably wasting our time on.”
He hoped his party would commit to funding the study as part of its election pledges.
“I am certainly putting it forward hoping that it is something that will materialise. But even if it doesn’t come as an election pledge, it doesn’t mean it can’t be done,” Mr Crawford said.
Given the extended time it would take to actually carve a new route through to Cairns, Mr Crawford has revealed he believes the existing Kuranda Range Road could be altered to satisfy the needs of commuters and heavy transport.
“I’m not an engineer, but I think the quickest
delivery of an expanded access probably sits within the corridor that we’re currently in because then we don’t have to start afresh,” he said.
“So, that would mean widening the existing road, replacing tight corners with tunnels and bridges, going back to a plan that was around in 2004. That would be the one that you could deliver the quickest, but it’s not necessarily the best.”
He also cautioned against any move to develop a business care at this stage.
“I’m very concerned that if you do a business case, it would fail,” he said.
“Business cases are purely about the economics, they take all the emotion out of out, and it’s purely about if you spend that much money are you going to get a return on it?
“I’m concerned that if economists look at it, it’s actually a small volume of traffic that’s going up and down….we’re just not going to get bang for buck.’”
“And I’m really worried that if it’s not going to fly, what would happen is the government would park it and call it off for 20 years.”
Mr Crawford is adamant that the Federal Government will have to be involved if a better road access to the coast was ever going to become a reality.
In 2022, the then Transport Minister Mark Bailey did write to the Federal Government requesting the change but no action was taken.
Mr Crawford said extending the national highway to Smithfield had been a significant win for the region but the “elephant in the room was getting it over the hill”.
“If we’re ever going to get a better corridor or something across the range, it’s going to have to involve the Federal Government because it’s too expensive for the state to do,” he said.
“I think there’s an argument for all of us to say to the Commonwealth that with the opening up of Cape York, the Gulf and Lakelands that the federal funded road should go north of the Smithfield roundabout and the logical place is Mareeba as a start.
“If we can get the commonwealth to make the highway from Smithfield to Mareeba a national highway, then they have no choice but to be at the table and say ‘okay, what do we have to do?’”
Mr Crawford said while the state did not need financial assistance to do the study, it would need federal assistance for the “big capital works commitment” and in dealing with environmental regulations at the federal level.
He said when the time came for a business case to be done on the right corridor, it may be up to politicians to ensure it was successful for funding.
“That’s where the politicians come into it – even though the bureaucrats can say the business case doesn’t stack up, the politicians can say ‘thank you very much but we’re still going to do it’.”
He also believes that the Northern Tablelands to Cairns study done in 2021 had not been able to take into account future economic activity such as the extension of agricultural operations in Lakelands and mining in the Cape.
“If we’re able to use the muscle of the advocacy groups to materialise just what that would look like, I think it changes the game a bit,” Mr Crawford added.
A DECISION is looming on whether the Barron River bridge at Kuranda will reopen to two lanes of traffic and whether heavy vehicles will be able to continue to use the bridge, according to Member for Barron River Craig Crawford.
“TMR (Department of Transport and Main Roads) is apparently going to make a decision soon about potentially bringing it back to two lanes,” he said.
“They have the commitment now for a new bridge but the big challenge for them is to keep that current bridge operational and they are going to have to make sure they can get 5-7 years out of it.
“We have got to make sure they don’t reduce the loads (tonnage) and get it back to two lanes – basically, buy themselves time to get the project (new bridge) completed.”
Last week, Mareeba Chamber of Commerce president Joe Moro reiterated the organisation’s position that a new bridge had to be built as a matter of urgency.
“The time for action has arrived and we do not need any more politics on this issue,” Mr Moro said.
“This bridge is the only option in the short term to maintain the strong economic growth in the Cairns, Mareeba and Tableland shires.
“Engineers have indicated that we need a new bridge within the next four years, so, let us get on with it and get it done.
“The Mareeba Chamber is pleased by announcements by both major political parties to replace the bridge. The chamber wants the bridge to be built by the end of the next term of the State Government.
“The current government’s plans to finish building a new bridge by 2031 will take too long.”
IN a shock move, Tablelands Cr Kevin Cardew has resigned as chair of the council’s agricultural advisory committee after his recommendation that former colleague David Clifton should be on the committee was rejected.
Mr Clifton was the main driver in establishing the committee to provide the council with a direct voice from local farmers and chaired the advisory group until the March election, after which Cr Cardew took over the reins.
At last week’s meeting, council was set to approve new members for the committee but chief executive officer Gary Rinehart’s recommendation excluded former councillor David Clifton as a member of the group which was in conflict with Cr Cardew’s recommendation as chair.
Cr Cardew immediately announced that if Mr Clifton was not included, he would be resigning as chair.
“Council received nine nominations for the agricultural advisory committee – six from the previous term and three new nominations. As chairperson of the committee, it is my role to select members for the committee who I believe will bring value to the committee,” he said.
Given that the committee previously had 11 members, Cr Cardew opted to recommend that all nine applications should be accepted.
“This is my first official act as chairperson of the ag committee and as a result, the CEO has seen fit to challenge my decision by excluding one of the nominees, being David Clifton,” he said.
“The CEO has stated that David should not on the committee as he does not have an agricultural background.
“Well, let me be clear, David Clifton was the founder of the agricultural advisory committee and if it was not for David’s foresight and early recognition of the significant economic importance of the agricultural industry in the TRC local government area and the disconnect of this industry with council, and his passion to improve this, there would not be agricultural advisory committee today.
“The committee is arguably the most successful advisory committee council has and one that has gained respect from the agricultural community who, I believe, now has some level of confidence in council through having a voice and connectivity directly to council – all which can be contributed to David Clifton.”
He said a councillor from the 201620 term, who was not re-elected last term, was appointed to the Regional Arts Development Fund advisory committee in the last term of council and, again, in this term of council “without any questions asked”.
“One has to wonder what has motivated the CEO to recommend exclusion of a previous councillor to this committee against my recommendation as chairperson of the ag committee.”
Mayor Rod Marti, who ran against Mr Clifton for the mayoral role in the March election, backed the CEO’s recommendation, saying Mr Clifton only had a role on the previous committee because he was a councillor and had
I am pleased to share with you an update on Council events and projects around the Shire.
Mareeba Multicultural Festival
First and foremost, the Mareeba Multicultural Festival is just around the corner!
This annual event celebrates the rich diversity of our community, showcasing unique cultures, traditions and cuisines that make our Shire such a special place to live.
Expect a day filled with colourful performances, delicious food stalls and engaging activities for all ages.
Mareeba Shire is home to people from over 75 different nationalities and cultural backgrounds, and the festival provides an excellent opportunity to come together, learn from each other, and celebrate our shared heritage.
Council is proud to be a supporter of this event, but it is the local commitment to valuing a culturally diverse community that is the key driver of the event’s success.
You are guaranteed a magnificent day in Mareeba’s
no other connection to the agricultural industry.
Council voted for the recommendation, leaving Mr Clifton out of the group. That triggered Cr Cardew to announce later in the meeting that he was resigning from the agricultural committee effective immediately on the basis that his first action as chair of the committee had not been supported by the CEO’s recommendation.
Mayor Marti chastised Cr Cardew for his stance, saying it was “disappointing that you’ve got eight bonafide people who have volunteered their time to be on the committee and because there’s one person that’s not on the committee, you’ve withdrawn yourself and you have degraded your duty as a councillor”.
Cr Cardew retorted that he did not need a lecture over his decision.
“Point of order Mr Mayor – the decision for me to resign is mine and mine only. I don’t need a lecture from the Mayor for my reasons,” he said.
“I have given you my reasons – my first act as the chairperson of the committee was not supported by this council so, to me, that’s a good indication that I am not fit for that role.
“The fact that the person did not get accepted is part of the reason I’m resigning, but it’s not the primary reason.
“Support from my colleagues in the first decision or recommendation that I’ve made as chair has been totally unsupported. I am still happy to be on the committee, I’m just not going to chair the committee.”
Arnold Park, and I encourage everyone to participate and enjoy the festivities on offer.
For further information, please visit www.mareebamulticulturalfestival.com. au or follow the ‘Mareeba Multicultural Festival’ on Facebook.
Events make a significant difference to the liveability of our Shire. If you are planning an event, we invite you to advertise the event on Council’s free online events calendar.
This is a fantastic opportunity to reach a wider audience. Whether it is a community gathering, workshop, or festival, submit your event online or email info@msc. qld.gov.au for Council’s consideration.
Improvements to Bill Newburn Park in Irvinebank
While driving through the Shire, you will see the continued implementation of a three-year Action Plan for park and open spaces that is being delivered through Council’s Parks & Open Spaces Strategy.
The plan has seen improvements throughout the Shire,
from the Splash Park in Mareeba to better playgrounds and open spaces in Mareeba, Kuranda, Dimbulah and Chillagoe.
I am delighted to announce that the Bill Newburn Park in Irvinebank has recently been upgraded under this action plan.
Improvements to the park includes a new swing set and additional picnic table options, perfect for residents or visitors, so make sure to plan a visit in the coming months!
If you have any enquiries or feedback, please contact me via the details below.
Councillor Ross Cardillo P: 0417 757 142 PO Box 154, Mareeba QLD 4880 E: RossC@msc.qld.gov.au
A COMMUNITY forum will be held in Mareeba early next month as part of the Office of the InspectorGeneral of Emergency Management’s review of the 2023-24 Severe Weather Season.
The review includes the severe storms, tropical cyclones, tropical lows, flooding and bushfires from this period.
The review will identify enhancements to inform and deliver continuous improvement in Queens-
land disaster management arrangements.
Mareeba Shire locals can share their experiences at a community forum to be held on Tuesday 6 August from 5pm to 8.30pm at the Mareeba International Club.
Anyone wishing to attend can register by going to www.igem.qld. gov.au/submissions
Submissions are still open until 30 August and can be sent to Submissions2023-2024@igem.qld.gov.au
Register to have your say via www.igem.qld.gov.au/submissions or scan the QR code below 2023–24 Severe Weather Season Review
The Queensland Inspector-General of Emergency Management is hosting meetings to hear your stories about: Tropical Cyclone Jasper and associated rainfall and flooding: December 2023
By sharing your story, you can help our disaster management sector better protect Queenslanders.
Join us:
Monday 5 August 2024, 5.00–8.30pm Mossman Shire Hall, 8 Mill St, Mossman
Tuesday 6 August 2024, 5.00–8.30pm Mareeba International Club, 10 Vaughan St, Mareeba Light refreshments provided.
BY ANDREE STEPHENS AND ELLIE FINK
GROWERS have gone into salvage mode after frost damage wiped out estimates of up to 80% of crops in some areas of the Tablelands.
“If anyone was not affected by the frost, then they are the luckiest people in the region,” Justin Pozzebon said this week. “There was just nothing you could do.”
For the Pozzebon mango growers, whose property is on the Mutchilba side of Dimbulah, the minus 1 temperature hit the trees at about 5am, with ice already forming. By 7am, there was a blanket of ice.
“It was that cold we had to crack the ice on the birdbath with a hammer,” he said.
The mango trees suffered to varying degrees, with some burnt on the tops, and others with up to half of the tree gone.
“We also have hay paddocks, and they were burnt.”
He is not sure yet of the region’s final toll, but he believes everyone must have been affected as temperatures dropped to -3 and -4 in some parts of Dimbulah.
“But it’s just what Mother Nature does, and you have got to deal with it,” he said.
Cutting back dead vegetation over the coming weeks may help some trees recover, particularly those burned on just the tops. Trees that were burned halfway through were late yield and
would “hopefully re-shoot”.
“We need to do a bit of extra work, but we are better off than some,” he said.
Justin’s mother Lucia Pozzebon, who has been in the farming industry for many years, told The Express that she had never seen such severe frost since the 1980s.
Just down the road, grower Edward Balzarolo’s mature mangoes and sugar cane were hit with severe frost, despite preparations the night before.
Edward said he knew the frost was coming, and he even sprayed his trees with frost protection.
“It was forecast, but no one really expected the intensity that it came with,” he said.
“There are some protective measures you can take, like wetting the ground – frost tends to stick to dry ground – and spraying some frost-protectant chemicals, but as you can tell, it didn’t really protect the trees at all.”
Despite the preventive measures, he still lost 50% of his trees – many of which he said were flowering perfectly.
“They were actually flowering quite well, a good early flower,” he said.
“I am hoping some of them might reshoot as it is only July, but the leaves are pretty scorched at the bottom of the farm.
“If you look at it, we will probably be down 50%, but hopefully, there will be another flowering that can improve yielding.”
“It was that cold we had to crack the ice on the birdbath with a hammer”
FREEZING temperatures had Tablelanders reaching for an extra blanket in July, with the month producing some of the coldest nights experienced for 20 years.
Weather enthusiast Richard Hole of Tolga says his equipment at Kalunga near Herberton recorded a minimum of -4.4°C on Friday 19 July in a Stevenson screen, while -7.7°C was recorded on the grass which was covered in frost.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Mareeba officially had 4.4°C on Thursday 18 July, which is the coldest night in July since the record of 4°C was set in 2001.
Walkamin also shivered with 5.7°C on 18 July, but its coldest night of that month was way back in 1984 when just 2.6°C was recorded.
Rainfall in the Mareeba area has been scarce in the past three months, with just 1mm falling in May and nothing much since. Atherton has had around 100mm in the past three months.
Richard is a keen weather watcher and wants to hear from like-minded people who would like to record the weather at their homes. He says he has an extensive website
(http://weather.org.au) where he could list recordings from locals.
“There is such a lack of accurate data officially provided in our area,” he said.
“Many unofficial recordings are not accurate and that gives people the wrong impression of what is really happening. Instruments need to be checked for accuracy and they should be positioned well clear from buildings and trees.
“The temperatures the BoM provides to the media are taken from thermometers enclosed in a louvered box called a Stevenson Screen.”
He said he was prepared to loan people weather instruments and screens so they could get accurate data that compared well to the BoM readings.
“There is a large difference between screen, grass and air temperatures so it is important to state what type of reading it was,” he said.
“Grass temperatures are very useful as well and the BoM does record them. So, if people have a thermometer that records the minimum temperature, it would be good if they could put it on the grass on a frosty night
in an open area away from trees or buildings.
“They could put the digital display monitor in a plastic bag to protect it from the moisture.”
He said was trying to source accurate and affordable weather stations that automatically logged data on to a computer and uploaded it on to the internet.
This could enable people to see graphs of the measurements up until the current time.
Richard also invented a simply installed hanging weather instrument shelter that can even hang on a clothesline or fence.
“The readings in it compare well to a Stevenson Screen,” he said.
“I’ve also invented an accurate rain gauge that can be read several metres away. Rainfall is more easily measured than from other accurate gauges and it does not need to be emptied often.”
He is also seeking any records especially of extreme weather in the past along with people to help set up equipment.
Anyone interested in getting involved with a weather group or taking weather readings can contact Richard on 4095 4354 or email richardhole1970@gmail.com
PEOPLE living in the Mareeba Shire
have a chance to be part of the State Government’s Housing Finance Loan Regional trial.
The shire is one of 45 local government areas to be eligible to participate in the program which is aimed at people who can afford to buy or build a home but are unable to get a loan through a bank or building society.
The government has now extended the household income eligibility of the existing Queensland Housing Finance Loan from $141,000 to $201,000 per annum for a two-year trial, allowing more people in regional Queensland to apply for the loan.
To be eligible for the loan, you must live in Queensland and be a citi-
zen or permanent resident of Australia; live within the Mareeba Shire; not own or part-own another property; have a household income of less than $201,000 per year; intend to live in the home; have a good credit history; have no significant debts; have a regular savings history; have savings to cover the deposit and other costs, such as legal fees, stamp duty and insurance; be able to afford the loan repayments without hardship; and have earning potential for the term of the loan.
For more information or to apply, go to www.housing.qld.gov.au/initiatives then click on Queensland Housing Finance Loan Regional trial. You can also call 1300 654 322 or email to hscsloaninformation@housing.qld.gov.au
ATHERTON’S popular Christmas Tree Farm is set to expand what it offers and to stage special events for the community in the future.
The farm has been given the green light by Tablelands Regional Council for the sale of food and drinks at the venue, which would start with basic fare such as scones, cakes and coffee, but would expand into the serving of meals in future years.
The owners also flagged that they wish to host specific events to celebrate the holidays – from Christmas carols to Easter egg hunts and Mother’s Day functions – at a later date.
The 30-acre property at Upper Barron currently grows around 10,000 trees which are eagerly sought after by locals since the farm started selling them to the public in 2012.
In 2022, the property opened its new Red Barn Christmas Shop and, now, wants to expand what it has on offer.
In its application to council for a development permit to operate a food and drink outlet, the applicants have given no specific timelines for other stages such as the hosting of events, which may require a further development permit to allow the property to operate a “function facility”.
A NEW housing subdivision fronting the Kennedy Highway at Tolga has been approved by Tablelands Regional Council.
The development involves 25 lots between 4,004 sq m and 5,528 sq m over three stages and opens up more housing availability in the Tolga area.
TWO projects aimed at protecting the region’s wildlife have been completed at Tolga and near Yungaburra.
Tablelands Regional Council is trialling wildlife-friendly fencing at its Tolga depot and has installed wildlife advisory signs on Curtain Fig Tree Road.
“Our activities and movements often pose risk to our wildlife and it’s great that we have these opportunities to mitigate the damage we do,” Cr Maree Baade said.
help birds, and gliders and we’re hoping to install them on other problem TRC fences.
“There are many low-cost ways to help wildlife from becoming entangled on barbed fencing and you can find out more at Wildlife Friendly Fencing (wildlifefriendlyfencing. org).”
wildlife our region protects.
The applicants will be required to construct Robb Road (off Willows Road) to access the lots, with no direct access from the Kennedy Highway.
“At the depot, the barbed top of the fence has snagged flying-foxes a couple of times, especially when the depot citrus trees have fruit.
Apart from roads, the only other council service to the development would be the reticulated water supply, with all lots to be serviced by on-site effluent disposal systems at the time of construction.
“We’ve worked with the Tolga Bat Hospital on a safety bunting deterrent and it seems to be working quite well.
“These visual aids should also
The wildlife advisory signs on Curtain Fig Tree Road are aimed at reducing the risk to the endemic and vulnerable animals in the Curtain Fig National Park, which is bisected by the road.
“Hopefully these signs will help protect our local wildlife, while allowing us to travel safely through the national park on this important access road,” Cr Baade said.
“It’s also a way of reminding visitors and locals about the important
“Our landscape and wildlife are important for tourism and our way of life, but protecting wildlife is also crucial for maintaining biodiversity, which ensures ecosystem stability and resilience.”
The road marking signs will be complemented by two free-standing signs that will be installed in the coming months.
A COMPLAINT will be lodged with a State authority alleging Tablelands Regional Council has breached the Local Government Act principles over the way it has handled the Patrick English Pavilion at Malanda.
The igloo was closed off in mid-May by the council after receiving a structural assessment report that revealed it would cost $2.3 million just to repair parts of the building to make it safe.
The closure sparked community outrage about council’s failure to do any critical repairs to the building over the past nine years despite receiving multiple reports that the curved timber trusses were in urgent need of replacement.
Mayor Rod Marti then gave an assurance that the community would be given an opportunity to have their say on the future of the building but when community consultation opened on 19 July, it caused even more uproar because the online survey did not provide any option to repair the building.
The survey only provides two options – to demolish it in favour of a new multipurpose centre, or demolish it and replace it with a similar “igloo” style building.
That has raised the ire of community advocate Matt Lachlan who is so incensed over the way council has failed to maintain the building and the current “phony attempt” at consultation that he is lodging a complaint with the Office of the Independent Assessor which investigates complaints about local government.
He has already sent a letter to TRC chief executive officer Gary Rinehart and has flagged his intention to also put a complaint to the Queensland Ombudsman.
Mr Lachlan said the consultation at the recent Malanda markets was troubling insofar that the TRC officer had advised community members that the pavilion could not be repaired, that the
engineering report by Black & More dated 24 May 2024 had stated as such, and that council would not consider any other option other than what was on the survey.
“Aside from the first two points being factually incorrect, these assertions make a mockery of the entire consultation process,” he said.
“They show TRC’s ‘engagement’ to be nothing more than a phony attempt to tick the box on consultation, while circumventing due process entirely. In doing so TRC has completely ignored the principles outlined under the Local Government Act 2009.
“The false information provided to members of the public on Saturday makes it clear that council cannot be trusted to conduct consultation in good faith.
“I have no confidence that the concerns raised by community members through this format will be properly handled and passed on to councillors.
“There is no transparency, and no proper process to ensure that occurs. Indeed, the lack of an option for ‘additional comments’ on the survey
specifically precludes that from happening.”
The post about the consultation on TRC’s Facebook page drew around 120 comments, with a large number complaining there was no option to repair the igloo, and Mr Lachlan now has more than 1300 signatures on a petition to save the building.
But Mr Rinehart dismissed claims that the wider community was upset by the decision not to repair the igloo and said council was not going to ask residents about that option if it was not a real possibility.
“The angry feedback is a minority and does not seem to be representative of the broader community’s emotions. People mostly seem frustrated they cannot have a balanced public conversation,” he said.
“The two options provided in the survey are the only two options we can deliver. The engineer’s report says the deficiencies are likely to be cost-prohibitive to repair and render safe for occupancy and the pavilion has exceeded its design life and is no longer serviceable.”
Mr Rinehart said the report recommended that council consider retiring or demolishing the asset as “it is not permissible to patch repair the curved timber trusses due to the severity of the defects and the importance of the primary structural components to the structure”.
“Therefore, the extent of the structural repairs will trigger upgrades/replacement of the whole primary structural system, including foundations, connections, hold-downs, members, etc, to meet modern design criteria. The scale of work required is essentially a reconstruction of the compromised superstructure…,” the report states.
Asked why the council did not undertake major repairs when the first building assessments made it known that the repairs were needed, Mr Rinehart said the organisation had to weigh up what it spent its maintenance funds on.
“Our responsibility is to a broad approach to asset maintenance that considers community need and ability to fund. We apply this approach to our 300-plus community facilities,” he said.
“With regard to the Patrick English Pavilion, annual site inspections have been carried out by staff along with regular engineering reports.
No significant funds have been spent on structural repairs in recent years but over 30 separate works orders have been performed at the facility since 2019 in order to maintain a safe, compliant and functioning community space.”
Mr Rinehart also strongly defended the consultation it was currently undertaking with the community.
“Our process for consultation with the community has and will continue to be conducted in a meaningful way that is open, transparent and accessible to the community,” he said.
A COUNCIL policy aimed at reinstating driveways into properties after road or drainage works have been undertaken that negatively impact on the access is under review, with officers wanting to restrict it to just one access per property.
The policy was adopted by Tablelands Regional Council in June last year after Cr Kevin Cardew raised the matter on behalf of landholders who had complained they had not been able to access their properties after council completed roadworks.
But officers attempted to change the policy at the June meeting to ensure that only the “primary” driveway should be reinstated per property.
“The policy intent is to ensure that, when works delivered by or on behalf of TRC is expected to diminish, worsen or adversely affect the existing level of access provided by a driveway crossover to a private property, TRC will
undertake any works required to ensure the existing level of access to the private property is maintained at the completion of the works,” the report stated.
“Since the adoption of the policy, council has received requests to re-instate or upgrade driveway crossovers to rural properties, which were allegedly affected by TRC road maintenance and renewal works and which are not the primary access to those properties.”
But Cr Cardew made it clear he strongly objected to the change, saying some properties had to have several access points to get machinery or trucks into and out of the property.
“This policy was amended in the last term of council because, just prior to Christmas last year, they lifted the height of the road which meant the people couldn’t get access to their property for the whole Christmas period,” he said.
A FORMER chef, tradies, interstate correctional officers and a croupier are among 12 new officers who have successfully completing a 10-week Custodial Officer Entry program and are ready to start their careers at the Lotus Glen Correctional Centre.
The officers enjoyed a graduation ceremony on 24 June with family and friends.
Led by experienced instructors from the Queensland Corrective Services Academy, the entry program includes training in conflict management, tactical skills and QCS policies and legislation to assist with prisoner rehabilitation.
Queensland Corrective Services is actively recruiting for trade instructors, dog squad officers, psychologists, counsellors, cultural liaison officers and administration positions.
“These newly graduated Custodial Correctional Officers for Lotus Glen Correctional Centre are an important investment in the safety of Queenslanders and a great credit to the QCS Academy’s quality team of instructors,” Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said.
“Over the last year, QCS instructors have clocked up in excess of 250,000 hours training more than 700 corrections officers, with a strong focus on reducing prisoner reoffending.”
“On another property, the farmer could not get his harvester into the paddock because we altered the height of the road or the shape of the drain –they have had that access for many, many years.
“The policy was amended so we would not take away access to their property, whether it be residential or farming.
“Just leave it alone – it was changed in the last term to reflect this.
“If we adopt this (amended policy), it would mean they could only have one access to the property.”
But Infrastructure Services general manager Mark Vis argued that many properties had driveways that were not permitted and not constructed to proper standards which impacted upon the council’s ability to maintain the roads or drainage.
“We have lots of properties that have multi-
ple access points in locations where we would normally not approve it because it’s unsafe or it prevents us from maintaining the road in an efficient way or if it was approved, it would be constructed to specific standards that allows us to maintain the road,” he said.
Mr Vis said if property owners wanted more than one access, it would have to be constructed to standard and be approved. He said he could amend the policy to reflect that it would be for the primary access or any other approved access and bring it back to council.
Mayor Rod Marti said it was “tricky getting the balance right”.
“I understand Cr Cardew’s point of view…. So, I’m supportive of an information session to see if we can find a way through this,” he said. The matter was deferred so councillors could discuss the matter at an information session.
BY ELLIE FINK
“ALL it takes is one kind word” is the message Corrine Lee Cheu’s family is spreading nine months after her tragic passing.
At only 13 years old, Corrine faced a silent battle with her mental health after being bullied online and at school.
On 13 September 2023, she took her own life, leaving behind a gap that her mother, Jodie Fitzgerald, says will never be filled.
Corrine was a girl filled with love and adventure. Jodie said she spent her childhood fishing, chasing cattle at the station, and spending time with her siblings.
“Corrine had the most loving heart. She would always put everyone’s feelings and needs first. I now say Corrine’s heart was too kind for this world; she had an old-fashioned soul,” she said.
“Corrine grew up always out in the bush, so any chance we got. She loved fishing, and she would always out fish all of us - her big brother Damian couldn’t handle it, and she would give him crap about it all the time.
“She loved mustering cattle … driving the catcher and four-wheeler, and she also loved driving the cattle truck - it’s where she could be herself with no makeup up, no shoes, no one to impress and not care in the world.
“The Corrine I got to see when we were in the bush was the Corrine I miss so much. She just loved life.”
When Corrine returned from the bush back to school, she was met with bullying on the school grounds.
She held her head high and tried to push past it, but then the bullying took to social media, with Snapchat messages calling her mean names and making her feel like she was undeserving of her life.
Jodie said her mood began to change, and she began to cry during the school drop-off. Despite being asked if she was okay, Jodie said Corrine put on a brave face and said she was fine.
“I wish she had told me why she didn’t want to go to school, but she didn’t. Did we take that as a sign? Unfortunately, no. We just thought she hated school like a typical teen,” she said.
“Corrine would get called an ugly rat with pictures of a (rat) over an app called Snapchat, and she would get called ugly and that she wasn’t pretty enough to go kill herself, and I still wasn’t aware until we saw the screenshots on Corrine’s phone after she passed.
“I’d always ask her, ‘Corrine, are you ok, love? Is anyone giving you a hard time?’ she would say, ‘No, Mum, I’m fine’.
“We started noticing changes in her - she didn’t want to go to school. She would cry at the drop-off so that I would bring her home. I had a soft spot for her, and she knew it too.”
Corrine began skipping classes and lessons, and Jodie said she started hanging out with “the wrong crowd.” Her personality began to change, but there was nothing Jodie and her family could do.
Since Corrine’s passing, her family have established a foundation to help get the word out about
cyberbullying, mental health and suicide awareness.
The Corrine's One More Light Foundation has successfully raised enough funds from selling raffle tickets and donations to be able to purchase three large signs to continue raising awareness while keeping Corrine's memory alive.
They have also been able to sell awareness shirts through Corrine’s One More Light Foundation Facebook page.
They have also erected signs on Corrine’s “homeland”, Kalinga station and on the Peninsula Development Road, encouraging those struggling to reach out.
“Since losing Corrine, every day is a nightmare. It’s a constant edge emptiness feeling. I constantly need to know where my kids are. If I can’t find them or they are even in the shower, I have panic attacks thinking they have done the same as their sister,” Jodie said.
“I text them throughout the day, and if they don’t reply within a minute, I get more panic attacks and can’t breathe, thinking they are dead.
“It is the worst – it’s a feeling I don’t wish on anyone. Corrine comes from a very caring family. We didn’t have everything but had love and much to give our kids.
“She had her bush life that she loved and siblings that loved her, a family that adored her. We are so broken.”
• If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Bank Services on 1300 659 467.
• For resources on how to support youth, visit headspace.com.au
• To follow Corrine’s One More Light Foundation, visit www.facebook.com/ profile.php?id=61556935387894
9am-5pm
Far North Queensland’s most popular multi-breed beef event, the Tablelands Better Beef Open Day, will feature more breeds than ever with 14 studs participating this year.
The 2024 event on Sunday August 18 will be the sixth year for the Open Day, which attracts hundreds of commercial producers from across Queensland, interstate and overseas.
The Atherton Tablelands has cemented itself as Australia’s most northern seedstock nursery with an array of leading studs participating.
• BEKI SPECKLE PARK
• CHERRYBURN GELBVEIHS
• EULUMA DROUGHTMASTERS
• FASSIFERN LIMOUSINS & DROUGHTMASTERS
• FIGTREE GREY POLL BRAHMANS
• GADGARRA MURRAY GREYS
• HILLTOP DROUGHTMASTERS & MILLSTREAM MINI HEREFORDS
• PINNACLE POCKET SENEPOLS & COMPOSITES
• REEDYBROOK B BRAHMANS
• RIVERLAND DROUGHTMASTERS
• TALLANGALOOK SHORTHORNS SANTA GERTRUDIS
• TELPARA HILLS BRANGUS & ULTRA BLACKS
• YANTEE CREEK BRAHMANS
• WARRINA DROUGHTMASTERS
Tableland Better Beef Open Day
NEARLY $10 million of works to repair damage caused by monsoonal weather and flooding from December 2022 to April 2023 have been awarded by Tablelands Regional Council.
According to council reports, due to the number of roads involved and their vast locations, the works were divided into three separate contracts worth a total of $9.963 million.
Funds for the works are from the Disaster
Arrangements which is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and State Government to provide financial assistance to help communities recover from disasters.
The South 2 contract was awarded to Watto’s Earthmoving & Machinery Hire for $3,247,784; the South 1 contract to Cheshire Contractors for $5,552,931; and the East and West contract to Watto’s Earthmoving & Machinery Hire for $1,162,535.
NEARLY a million dollars will be spent on a major project that will give the Kuranda village a much-needed facelift.
The “Lighting Up Kuranda” project will be undertaken by Mareeba Shire Council after it received a $200,000 “Building Bush Tourism Fund” grant towards the $930,000 project.
The project will see improved street lighting, fairy lighting, planter box landscaping and footpath accessibility upgrades in the main streets of Kuranda.
Mayor Angela Toppin said she was enthusiastic about the project’s potential impact.
“Securing this grant is a fantastic win for Kuranda and we would like to thank the Department of Tourism and Sport for providing
$200,000 towards the project,” she said.
“The improvements will not only make our Village in the Rainforest safer and more accessible but will also stimulate economic activity and enhance the overall visitor experience.
“We look forward to the improvements in Kuranda, one of the most vibrant and attractive destinations in our shire.”
Mayor Toppin said residents and business owners had contributed their thoughts on what enhancements Coondoo Street needed during community consultation in 2021.
“The construction date and programming of works will be finalised following the signing of the funding agreement,” she said.
LNP’S candidate for Cook David Kempton has defended his party’s tough new youth crime initiative.
Under the “Adult Crime, Adult Time” policy, youth offenders will receive the same sentences as adults if they commit crimes including murder, manslaughter, serious harm like wounding, home and business break-ins and robbery, and stealing cars and the dangerous operation of vehicles.
The policy adds to the LNP’s previously announced changes to the Youth Justice Act which will be rolled out before year-end, including, removing “detention as a last resort”, and enshrining in legislation the rights of victims ahead of offenders’ rights.
But the policy has had its detractors who say locking up youth will not help the long-term situation.
Mr Kempton said the proposed laws, to be delivered within 100 days if the LNP is elected in October, would provide young offenders with a choice.
“No matter what the background or contributing factors such as family violence, alcoholism, drug abuse, poverty or homelessness, all young people can take advantage of existing or proposed reha-
bilitation or support services to a pathway of a productive life,” he said.
“If, however, a young person chooses to commit a serious offence such as murder, manslaughter, serious assault or dangerous use of a motor vehicle, they should be aware that under an LNP Government in Queensland, there will be consequences.
“It's easy for these so-called experts to be critical of the LNP policy on the basis it infringes the rights of the perpetrators however they ignore the impact that rampant youth crime is having of everyday Queenslanders, every day.”
Mr Kempton said the Labor Government had failed completely in its responsibility to the people of Queensland as assaults, break and enters and car thefts continued to escalate.
“The LNP's proposed laws, far from filling youth detention centres, will in fact be a deterrent to young offenders seeking to engage in a crime spree to impress their friends or injure others,” he said.
“Young offenders will have the opportunity to choose to lead better lives and the certainty of the consequences should they instead choose not to obey Queensland's laws.”
BY ELLIE FINK
THE science of the butterfly pea plants turned to a new locally designed couture line has shone in the Brisbane spotlight as a part of Brisbane Fashion Month.
The collection, created by Kuranda fashion designer Briana Enoch, has thrust her into the highend fashion industry, and helped her nominate for several awards.
Selected among four other designers across Queensland, Briana, who owns the Jarawee label, was the only First Nations woman to join the partnership between Fashion Queensland and the Institution of Molecular Bioscience.
While touring the institution, Briana fell in love with the butterfly pea and its potential healing properties as a modern medicine.
The Butterfly Pea has potential applications in modern medicine and agriculture, as well as a source of natural food colorants and antioxidants.
It has long been cultivated as a forage and fodder crop and has been widely used in traditional medicine, particularly as a supplement to enhance cognitive functions and alleviate symptoms of numerous ailments, including fever, inflammation, pain, and diabetes.
Professor David Craik and his team from the Institute for Molecular Bioscience worked with an Australian company, Innovate Ag, to produce an eco-friendly insecticide using circular moleculescyclotides - from the butterfly pea plant.
The researchers are also investigating the potential of cyclotides as pharmaceuticals that could be grown in plants, a more affordable and sustainable way of producing medicines than traditional manufacturing methods.
Briana knew she had to create a collection that surrounded the butterfly pea and connect it to her Wildflower collection.
“I chose it because I had a print collection called Wildflower that was inspired by the plants we have
here – the bush medicines we have on Country,” she said.
“We have food and medicines our people survived off for thousands of years – it's our medicine, it’s in our food.
“I bought those cultural aspects, and I put that into the couture.”
Briana got to work designing her couture, which would be showcased at the gala dinner.
She contacted Liana Hastie from Sonlia Fashion, teaming up with the Mareeba fashionista to create a headpiece that perfectly matched the piece.
Showcased by Brisbane-based model Annika Frew, Briana’s design caught the eye of many highend fashion designers at the gala dinner, including Fashion Queensland director Laura Churchill.
“She is quite a big name on the runways, and she is so well connected in the fashion space, so her loving my designs was a huge compliment,” Briana said.
“It is amazing, especially as someone who is a beginner in the industry, to bring my visions and something new to the table.
“I loved being able to bring different elements to the project and show off our creative side and how we can create a fusion between science and fashion to create something beautiful.”
Since showcasing Wildflower, Briana has been nominated for several awards, including the AusMumpreneur Awards and the National Indigenous Fashion Award.
Briana is also working on several projects that she plans to reveal in the coming months.
Briana is incredibly proud of seeing her label take off. Now that she has resigned from her 9-5 job, she is putting her 100% focus on making her Jarawee dreams a reality.
“It is amazing, I don’t even have the words to describe it,” she said.
“These opportunities have been great, and I can’t wait to see where they take me next.”
LOCAL seniors have the opportunity to do more than just work out together, with a fitness program providing them the chance to connect with others at weekly classes.
Fit for Seniors is offering free 30-minute classes at the Mareeba Sports Hall in Walsh Street every Tuesday from 10.30am.
The program focuses on exercises that promote circulation, target fall prevention, improve balance and boost overall fitness in a supportive environment as well as brain games.
Founder Tony Sanderson started the nonprofit after recognising the gap in the area.
“I saw the need in the community for seniors to get active and fit. The more seniors we can get involved, the better,” he said.
More than anything, Tony hopes the classes offer folks a space to interact with each other and foster community.
Outside of classes, members plan breakfasts, luncheons, coffee meet-ups and walks together both in person and via their Facebook page.
“The feedback has been amazing,” Tony said.
“Some of our members have had walking aids they’re not using anymore.”
Tony and three other qualified personal trainers run the classes, typically on a volunteer basis though he hopes to continue growing the program.
Tony stresses the classes are developed to be about more than just fitness, citing the importance of continued connection and community for the elderly.
“It’s the connection isn’t it? It’s the biggest part of it,” he said.
“Now they’ve gotten a social group to connect with.”
The non-profit is supported by local businesses and local councils, such as the Mareeba Shire, Douglas Shire and the Cairns Regional Councils and covers eight different venues throughout the region every week.
Anyone who is interested can register for classes and learn more about the program by going to www.fitforseniors.com.au
A CROSS country for horses has been taking off on the Tablelands, with the Far North Endurance Riders Association hosting 400km endurance rides.
Endurance riding is a sport that tests the stamina, speed, and endurance of both horse and rider as they traverse natural terrains, including trails, roads, and open fields.
Throughout the race, horses must undergo regular veterinary checks before, during, and after the event to ensure they are fit to continue.
Recently, Kristie Sheehan and Briony Ledingham took on the marathon event on their purebred Arab horses, riding 80km and walking 40km for five days.
Another 25 riders from as all over Queensland also competed in shorter courses.
Participants passed by old Cobb & Co mining country, traversed mountain ranges with and descended into hidden valleys and creeks all to make it to the finish line.
FNERA Secretary Clare Zagata said the event was a great success and she hoped more people would get involved in the sport.
“You really bond with the horse through that time and it is great for fitness,” she said.
“We have kids as young as five out there trying it out and heaps of people competing.
“It is something for the whole family – lots of people really come for the campfire and stories!”
The next multiday event is in the next school holidays on the Cordillera Trail. For details on how to get involved, email fnera@outlook.com or visit www.fnera.asn.au/forms
THE cost to re-sheet gravel on 4km of Cashmere-Kirrama Road has blown out by more than half a million dollars.
In February, Tablelands Regional Council allowed a deputation from the owner of Goshen station who explained how the poor state of the road for the past three years was impacting several large cattle properties and people wishing to access tourism spots like Blencoe Falls.
At the time, councillors made a commitment to put $250,000 into this year’s budget to do the repair work and were made aware that State funding under the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) would provide 50% of the money required.
But at a recent meeting, council was faced with having to fork out an additional $563,141 after tenders came in from contractors who could do the work.
The tender for the job was released in March but due to delays caused by weather and limited access to the site during the tender period, the closing date was extended six times.
“As a result of the delays, the practical comple-
tion date for this project has been revised to FY2024/25 requiring deferral of TIDS funding,” a council report stated.
“It is understood that even if the project were awarded earlier, access to site with heavy machinery would not have been feasible.”
The total cost of the project now is $813,140, prompting Cr Dave Bilney to ask officers to explain why the price had increased so much.
“When the initial budget was proposed, it was based on the rates we had on resheeting works that were completed in the southern area last year so that formed the basis of the original $250,000 that we thought this project would cost,” an officer told council.
“However, the contractors have priced it higher due to the significant challenges in the location.”
Council was also told officers would be pursuing additional TIDS funding to assist in paying for the works.
Council unanimously voted to award the contract for the works to Tablelands Civil Constructions Pty Ltd and approved an additional $563,141 for the 2024-25 capital works budget.
THE Tree Kangaroo and Mammal Group is inviting anyone interested to a free talk on some of Australia’s lesser-known mammals and the challenges of photographing them in the wild.
Well-known wildlife photographer Martin Willis will address the topic at the free talk to be presented on Thursday evening (1 August) at the Malanda Hotel.
He will include in his talk many wonderful images of these poorly known species and help us get to know them better.
This is an opportunity to enjoy an evening with our wonderful mammals and a chance to find out more about some of our rarest species.
Included in the presentation will be the fabulous but shy Monjon, the smallest of our Rock Wallabies with a curled bushy-tipped tail and confined to the Kimberley area of Western Australia.
Another once widespread species is the beautiful Numbat, now confined to a couple of reserves in southwestern Australia. Other species will also be featured including local quolls and the wonderful Musky Rat-kangaroo of our Wet Tropics rainforests.
The talk starts at 7.30pm in the ballroom of the hotel.
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We’ll be working on these projects in August (weather and resources permitting):
• Site preparation for the Priors Creek Development in Atherton.
• Slashing in Evelyn, Innot Hot Springs, Millaa Millaa, Mount Garnet, Ravenshoe and Tumoulin.
• Drainage work in Innot Hot Springs and Mount Garnet.
• Grading in Barrine, East Barron, Millaa Millaa, Mount Garnet, Silver Valley and Wongabel.
• Design and construction of a water treatment plant in Ravenshoe.
• Relining of a culvert on Moregatta Road, Millaa Millaa.
• Road surface renewal on Wongabel Road, Wongabel and Channel Road, Walkamin.
• New pipeline and reservoir in Malanda.
• New water intake pontoon and associated infrastructure in Yungaburra.
• Restoration of roads damaged in monsoon and flooding.
Follow these and other projects and programs at trc.qld.gov.au/projects
The next ordinary Council meeting will be at 9am Thursday 22 August in the Coordination Centre, 15 Vernon Street, Atherton. The meeting is open to the public, and will be live streamed and recorded. See trc.qld.gov.au/meetings and socials for agendas, minutes, recordings and live stream links.
See our current vacancies and apply online at trc.qld.gov.au/careers and subscribe to have our Careers @ TRC newsletter delivered right to your inbox at trc.qld.gov.au
We’ve opened another round of the Regional Arts Development Fund for arts, culture and heritage projects. Grants are available to individuals, groups and organisations for up to $6000. Find out more and apply by 5pm Tuesday 8 October at trc.qld.gov.au/trc-grants.
Join the conversation on the future of the Patrick English Pavilion in Malanda. The pavilion has reached the end of its life and cannot be repaired. Share your preference for a community facility in Malanda by completing our survey at trc.qld.gov.au/join-conversation by Sunday 18 August. Or stop and chat to us at the Malanda Markets on Saturday 17 August.
Rate notices will be issued in August with payment due in September. Remember we have concessions for pensioners, not-for-profit organisations and community groups, and now is the time to apply.
Get in touch if you are making regular payments towards your rates and would like to know if you will be paid up by the due date.
Save the snail mail and register today to receive your rate notice by email.
Find out more at trc.qld.gov.au/rates
The TRC Grant Program supports excellence and activities for our community and region. Find out more and apply across a range of streams including youth, community, economy, environment and art, culture and heritage at trc.qld.gov.au/trc-grants
Were you affected by the 2023–24 severe weather? The Inspector-General of Emergency Management is hosting a community forum in Mareeba on Tuesday 6 August. By sharing your story you can help our disaster management sector better protect Queenslanders. Register to attend at igem.qld.gov.au/submissions
79th Anniversary of Victory in the Pacific 11am Sunday 11 August 10am dedication of plaques
Nominate at trc.qld.gov.au/garden-awards by 5pm Wednesday 11 September.
TABLELAND REGIONAL GALLERY
Quiet
By Marnie Awram
On display Tuesday 13 August to Saturday 21 September
Exhibition opening 5pm Friday 16 August
FOYER GALLERY
Local People: The Second Series
By Songriver Photography Group
On display until Friday 10 January
OLD POST OFFICE GALLERY
The Feast
By Tableland Region Art Society
On display until Saturday 31 August
Home Garden
New Home Garden
Rural Home Garden
Edible Garden
Community Garden
Commercial Garden
Young Gardener
THE Tablelands will come alive for the annual Maize Festival over the coming weeks, with the “tropical” theme set to showcase the diverse farming industry across the region.
Originating in the 1960s, this festival has long symbolised the harvest season on the Tablelands, showcasing the vibrant agricultural heritage that defines the region.
This year, the Maize Festival parade, ball, and high tea will return, and locals are invited to attend and enjoy the festivities.
Committee member Sarina Norris said she and the committee were excited to welcome everyone back to the event, with this year being its second after a five-year hiatus.
She said this year’s theme was “Let’s Get Tropical”, shining a spotlight on a different kind of farming sector.
“We had a farming theme last year, and we thought this year, we should still incorporate but differently,” she said.
“You can take ‘Let’s Get Tropical’ in many ways – there are different fruits on the farms, palm trees, and bright tropical colours, and it all just depends on your imagination.”
A standout feature of the festival is the Maize Festival Queen’s quest, with four young women stepping up to represent themselves, their chosen charities, and the festival.
The 2024 quest participants are Teesha Potts, Ariella Beaman, Georgia Dean and Chloe Robertson.
Ms Norris said each girl had already proven themselves worthy of being crowned queen and would now have to impress the community and the judges at the next upcoming events.
“They have all chosen a charity that is close to them that they can support ... and they are all locally based charities,” she said.
This year, the festival has extended beyond Atherton, with the Gala Ball and High Tea both being held outside of the main centre.
The High Tea is set to kick off at the Kairi Community Hall on 4 August from 10.30am.
The queen entrants will speak to patrons about themselves and their charities and engage with prominent community members.
Tickets for the high tea are available at www.trybooking.com/CTMSR
The beloved gala ball is set to welcome hundreds of locals for a night of glitz and glamour at the Yungaburra Hall.
Kicking off on 17 August, the evening begin with a cocktail hour and canapés and dinner will be served by Khans Curry Catering. Desert will be made by volunteers on the evening.
An auction will raise funds for the Maize Festival while live band Careless will rock the night away.
Tickets are available at www.trybooking. com/CTDTT for the gala ball.
The festival will culminate on 31 August with a vibrant street parade on Main Street Atherton. Businesses and organisations will showcase floats embodying the tropical theme.
The grand finale will include the crowning of the Maize Festival Queen, a tug of war, dance performances, and a variety of food stalls.
For more information on the festival, visit the Atherton Maize Festival Facebook page.
MAREEBA online creator Michelle La has won a $10,000 Screen Queensland award to develop her comedy Chopsticks & Chippies.
Announced in Cairns last week, her winning project was part of the NQ Discovering New Online Voices initiative, developed by Screen Queensland and Screenworks, and supported by Screen Australia.
Michelle’s winning pitch, presented live before a judging panel which included Screen Australia’s Margaret Ross and Screen Queensland’s Jesse McCart and Danielle Ah Boo, was described a heartwarming dramedy about friendship, cultural differences and romance.
“As judges we had our work cut out for us, with five unique and distinct pitches that showcased the talent and creativity in this region,” Ms Ross said.
“Michelle gave a really strong pitch, well prepared and funny, filled with nostalgia, showcasing personal and cultural resonance of her project. We can't wait to see Michelle take this story from Mareeba to the world!”
Launched in February, the two-stage program is designed to upskill North and Far North Queensland screen practitioners to develop short form online projects.
Jacqui Feeney, Screen Queensland CEO said the $4 million, multi-year North Queensland Regional program focused on “growing the creative community’s capacity and capability through opportunities for practitioner skills development”.
“We are excited by the potential of the genres, voices and formats emerging from North and Far North Queensland and we are committed to championing these online creators to reach global audiences.”
WITH more than 35 stallholders and a range of gems, creative works and minerals for sale, this Sunday’s Atherton Tableland Mineral & Lapidary Club Inc’s Gem Festival has something for everyone.
The popular “Peg a Claim” competition will be held again, giving patrons the chance to win a wonderful prize of jewellery among many other activities on the day.
With stallholders and tailgaters, coming from throughout Queensland, the event promises to provide plenty of different items that will interest everyone.
There will be homemade jewellery, polished stones, gem trees, mineral specimens, and faceted stones.
The club’s extensive display of members’
creative works in silver jewellery, cabochons, and faceting and minerals collected on their many fossicking club trips can’t be missed.
There’s even a working mining site with a stamper on it which is always popular among visitors.
From 7am-3pm the gem festival will be held adjacent to Tolga Market area and all are welcome to attend. There will be a monster raffle with heaps of prizes to be won as well.
Fun activities such as sand pit fossicking and gem sieving the traditional way are on offer, as well as learning more about minerals and lapidary.
A full canteen will be available throughout the day and free off-road parking.
ORGANISERS are expecting a bumper turnout for the annual Mt Carbine Bull and Bronc Ride, as preparations get under way for the August 10 event.
“It’s certainly grown since the first one back in 2001,” Mt Carbine Rodeo Association president Ian Pedersen said. “We had about 1500 people here last year.”
With free camping, and “nonstop music for four hours from 9pm,” the event attracts people from as far south as Townsville, to the Tablelands, Cairns, Port Douglas and Mareeba, and north to Cooktown and Hopevale.
“It’s a very action-packed day,” Ian said, adding, “and the big screen is back again this year. Everyone loves it.”
Affiliated with the Central Rodeo Cowboys Association, the event attracts the best of bull and bronc riders from across the region, who compete in the Open Bull ride, as well as Novice, Junior and Mini bull categories, Open, Bushman’s, Novice and Junior Saddle Bronc, calf ride and juvenile steer categories.
The stakes will be high with a whopping $16000 in prize money this year.
“We have wonderful sponsors,” Ian said. “We have one sponsor who’s been supporting us since the very start. We are very lucky to have people like that out here.”
So, too, the volunteers who work the kitchen, the bar and help prepare. Again, volunteers come from all over, including Townsville, Ian said.
And after 22 years of enjoying the show (one year was cancelled due to COVID), Ian admits he never tires of his favouritesthe steer scruffing (a sort of wrestling match between human and steer) and the bushman’s saddle - complete with whip cracking.
A Sunday morning recovery breakfast of bacon and egg burgers will round off what is set to be a thrilling weekend.
Nominations for the event open today (Wednesday 31 July) until August 5.
On the day, gates open at midday, with the bar opening at 2pm and competition starting at 5pm. Tickets are available online at www.trybooking.com/BRLQG and at the gate, but organisers remind patrons this is a cash-only event.
Zoe Williams (centre) with representatives from Cairns Business Women’s Club and award sponsor CBC Staff Selection.
Savannah NRM’s chief executive officer Zoe Williams scooped the Manager in Business Award at the recent Cairns Business Women’s Club annual awards ceremony.
The accolade acknowledges her outstanding skills as a senior manager and recognises that under her leadership the not-for-profit organisation has grown from just five staff to a team of 20 employees working across offices in Mareeba, Georgetown and Croydon.
Zoe joined Gulf Savannah NRM in 2018 and oversees the natural resource management company’s mission to support sustainable agriculture, thriving regional communities and healthy environments for the Northern Gulf region.
“Through increasing the organisation’s
size and being successful in gaining additional funding we have been able to deliver more programs to support local communities in agricultural innovation, disaster preparedness, environmental education and threatened species conservation,” she said.
In 2021, Zoe oversaw a name change and complete rebranding of the organisation with the introduction of the Gulf Savannah NRM trading name – previously the company operated as the Northern Gulf Resource Management Group.
“I'm always seeking new opportunities for the organisation. This year we will launch our 10-year strategic plan, Beyond the Horizon, with corporate values and goals to guide Gulf Savannah NRM into the future,” she said.
OWNERS and managers of extensive grazing properties are needed to help map the spread of priority weed species in the Northern Gulf region.
The initiative, led by Gulf Savannah NRM, aims to produce the area’s most up-to-date and accurate weed distribution analysis to support coordinated control activities.
“Being armed with current weed-related data from landholders will also improve our chances of securing funding for future projects to tackle priority weeds,” project officer Taylor Taylor said. Participants are provided with maps to score the distribution and density of weeds on their property.
“We visit all participating properties to explain how to use the maps and everyone taking part will
receive a free digital weed distribution map of their property,” she said.
“So far, we’ve mapped more than 50 properties with rubber vine, neem and Chinese apple proving to be some of the most common pest species.”
The project is primarily focused on extensive grazing properties in Etheridge, Croydon and Carpentaria Shire, but properties in the Mitchell and Staaten river catchments are also encouraged to take part.
Contact Taylor if you are interested in participating at taylor.taylor@gulfsavannahnrm.org or 7741 5031.
The initiative is funded by the Queensland and Australian governments as part of the Queensland Feral Pest Initiative.
BY BRIGITTE DALEY
A SENIOR Principal Beef Extension Officer who treated producers who had 10 or 10,000 head with equal importance, has been immortalised by his colleagues in a fitting and enduring way.
Joe Rolfe, Senior Principal Beef Extension Officer from the Mareeba Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), passed away in March last year, however his memory will continue to forever live in the hearts of his family, work colleagues and all those who knew him.
A room in the Mareeba DAF’s building has now been named in Joe’s honour.
Joe’s family which included wife Kerri, son Gus and daughter Ellen, as well as Joe’s brother Patrick, were in attendance for the official renaming of the Beef Team Office to the “Rolfe Room”.
Work colleagues, past and present, as well as members of the community were also in attendance.
DAF Extensive Livestock Systems RD&E, Animal Science director, Dale Miller, travelled from Brisbane to conduct the official opening. He was joined by Brigid Nelson, DAF Extensive Livestock RD&E (North) Animal Science regional manager, who travelled from Charters Towers.
“Professionally, Joe was academically gifted and qualified with a Masters degree, he led statewide projects as a Principal Beef Extension Officer, and Joe invested incredibly heavily into collaboration, teamwork and relationships,” Dale said.
“While not seeking individual praise, his excellence as a respected expert was recognised by industry awards, such as the Gulf Cattleman’s
Association Outstanding Service and Support to the North Queensland Cattle Industry award in 2018 and the prestigious North Australia Beef Research Council Medal for Communication and Extension in 2019.”
Former North Queensland Beef Research Committee member and Cattle Council chair Greg Brown said Joe was highly respected.
“Anyone who knew Joe would acknowledge that he was a man of great integrity, common sense and genuine loyalty to his family, friends and workmates,” Greg said.
Principal Beef Extension Officer Niilo Gobius said Joe was an inspiration to all who knew him.
“He was the most cheerful and jovial guy around,” Niilo said.
“Joe never complained, a lesson to all of us. He was always looking to help everyone as well.
“When we went overseas to Vanuatu for a year, he offered to look after my cattle near Malanda, despite living at Bones Knob. I didn’t take him up on the offer.
“Joe was always giving of himself to everyone, as well as being a great family man.
“He is sadly missed, but has left a legacy of a beautiful family and friends and work colleagues who he had influenced in very personal ways.”
Senior Beef Extension Officer Bernie English said Joe was a great friend, work partner and team leader.
”Joe’s leadership, vision, skills and work ethic benefited the Northern Beef Industry enormously over the last 25 years,” Bernie said.
“Joe’s greatest professional legacy was his investment in the people of the beef industry.
“At great personal sacrifice, Joe gave his time and energy unreservedly to others, whether they were producers, service providers or work col-
WEEK ENDING 21/07/2024
2024 Crop Estimate: 895,000 Tonnes
leagues.
“His ability to mentor and guide new team ‘beefos’ was outstanding and his bubbly personality is sorely missed.”
Beef Extension Officer Emily Corbett initiated the proposal to dedicate the room in memory of Joe.
“To me Joe was not only an incredible boss, he was a mentor, a role model, a sounding board, and the most caring and kind gentleman,” Emily said.
“He was a natural leader and he did it so well.
“Joe was a standard of man that is few and far between, he truly was a cut above the rest.
“I was lucky enough to find my feet in the Far Northern Beef Team under his guiding wing.
“Name dropping that I was new to extension, working under Joe, seemed to earn me ‘street cred’ in the beef industry, and it didn’t take me long to work out why.
“The ongoing support and encouragement from him are traits he has instilled within my broader team, yet the hole he leaves in our team could never possibly be filled.
“Joe seemed to seamlessly balance the pressures of leading multi-million dollar projects, managing just about everyone, while still never failing to prioritise his family life and ensure there were plenty of laughs and light-heartedness throughout the working week.
“For as long as I work in extension/the industry I will forever do my best to ensure Joe’s legacy lives on.
“In Joe’s words, may I always ‘fight the good fight’ representing the producers of the Far North, with boots on the ground and an impressive amount of kilometres clocked on a QG.”
21/07/2024
2024 Crop Estimate: 1,388,000 Tonnes
Total For Week: 72,940 Tonnes
Total Cane Crushed To Date: 195,424 Tonnes
Percentage Crushed: 14.08%
CCS For Week: 12.15
CCS Average To Date: 11.89
Time we moved on from major parties
HERE’S what you need to know about the political powerhouses who are suddenly concerned about the beleaguered Barron River bridge in the run-up to October’s state election, (Bridge centre of attention for political powerhouses, 17/07/24).
In a recent media release, the Brisbane Labor government’s Transport Minister Bart Mellish said, “Micro stress fractures found in the bridge’s steel shortly after its construction in the 1960s meant that its lifespan was always limited.”
Let that sink in for a moment.
For six decades, every consecutive Brisbane government, Labor and Liberal, has known that this vital bridge would need early replacement.
If the Labor-Liberal UNiparty cared about us, they’d have been planning and saving for this bridge’s replacement for 60 years.
The plans would be there on a shelf, ready to be implemented.
The money would have been accumulating in an account, ready to spend.
Contracts would have been drawn up, ready for builders to sign.
Suppliers would have been short-listed, ready to start delivering materials.
But what were the Labor-Liberal UNiparty doing all this time? They weren’t merely doing nothing - it’s far worse than that.
They abjectly abandoned their responsibility to govern Far North Queensland fairly, in accordance with the will of its people.
They spent our money on nice things for the sardine-tin electorates in the south-east while infrastructure crumbled up here.
They failed every Far Northerner who ever voted for them.
They let us down – consistently – for most of a human lifetime. Their record is one of failure and abandonment.
They’re like an abusive spouse, always promising that this time it will be different; but it never is, we just get abused again each time we elect them.
It’s time we moved on. It’s time we made a new life without them.
This October when we vote, we need to put them where they’ve always put us – last.
Peter Campion
(One Nation candidate for Cook) TOLGA
Not everyone is gaining from govt. ‘benefits’
THE Channel 7 news at 6pm on Saturday 1 June had an item proposing a six-month trial to subsidise fares on the Airtrain in Brisbane at an estimated cost of $10 million which would be “making it easier for every Queenslander to get to the airport”, according to Transport Minister Bart Mellish.
The cost would be borne by Queensland taxpayers.
No surprise that the term “Queenslander” applies to anyone living in the state yet the minister’s reference clearly does NOT apply to all. How is “every Queenslander” to avail of this benefit considering the Airtrain’s limited area of operation?
This parochial remark is in addition to Translink fares being reduced to just 50 cents – again, in its limited areas of operation.
They abused the trust of Far Northerners who helped get them onto comfortable ministerial leather and failed to deliver the bare minimum in return.
In the interests of fairness, what comparable benefit is available to citizens with no access either to the Airtrain or Translink?
The government’s job is to look after all Queenslanders, not just those living in Brisbane or large cities.
One suggestion would be a partial refund calculated on production of dockets from fuel purchases in regional areas and could be paid by Centrelink.
A later news item told of a new bridge to be built to duplicate the one at Bribie Island. The current bridge is in good condition but another would assist traffic on that route. Meanwhile, the bridge over the Barron River at Kuranda which needs urgent repairs or replacement did not seem to warrant the government’s attention, until it was opportune to raise the topic as an election promise.
Similarly, the Kuranda Range road, which has been the subject of several investigations, also has been neglected. An internet search has shown that of the many studies etc., none has been followed through to a meaningful outcome.
This situation has been in train for several years.
It would appear that either regional areas do not get a balanced amount of attention, or that our elected representatives are not heard to any great effect when concerns are voiced. Ministers and other government officials should direct their attention in a more equitable way.
Some weeks later, on 22 July, it was announced that the Premier would add 50 buses to the Translink fleet to accommodate the expected increase in demand when the 50 cent fares started. Again, where is a comparable benefit for regional “Queenslanders”? Keith Hastings TOLGA
THEME: Agriculture
WINNER: Bob Sinclair
THEME: Most Magical Place
WINNER: Jill Melody
ENTER YOUR PHOTOS ON FACEBOOK @ TABLELANDS AND SURROUNDS PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP
SELF-doubting ourselves is a universal experience that can affect all of us at some point in our lives. These fears can hold us back, limit our potential and sometimes even stop us from pursuing our dreams or simply enjoying daily life.
The nature of fear varies from person to person – what might be a terrifying nightmare for one could be a minor concern for another.
In her influential book, “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway”, American psychologist and author Susan Jeffers provides insights into understanding and overcoming fear.
Dr Jeffers explains that the inability to deal with fear often feels like a psychological problem, but in most cases, it is not.
She believes that fear is actually an educational problem. By re-educating our minds, we can learn to perceive and accept our fears as a simple life fact rather than an insurmount-
able barrier to our success and happiness.
According to Dr Jeffers, fear is an inherent part of the human condition and is here to stay.
Therefore, she suggests, that we only have two choices - we can run from it, or we can face it head-on.
Running from fear most likely will keep us stuck in the same situation, whereas if we decide to face our fear, we might find we are happily surprised that we have underestimated ourselves and we actually have the resources and inner abilities to push pass the fear and achieve our goals.
By confronting fear, we can achieve our goals, which, in turn, improves our self-worth and self-esteem. This newfound confidence helps us tackle future fears more effectively.
Dr Jeffers emphasises that facing our fears is often easier than living with the helpless-
ness and self-doubt that comes from avoiding them. By confronting fear, we can break free from its paralysing grip and open ourselves to growth and new opportunities.
Once we understand how fear works, it is essential to learn strategies to overcome the feeling of being stuck. Dr Jeffers suggests several practical approaches:
Shifting from pain to power - pain creates feelings of helplessness, depression, and paralysis. In contrast, power includes feelings of choice, energy and action. By moving from pain to power, fear can lose its hold on us.
Taking responsibility - Instead of perceiving ourselves as victims, we should take responsibility for our actions and monitor our responses. This shift can empower us to take control of our lives.
Practicing positive thinking - cultivating a positive mindset helps us to challenge and
change our negative thought patterns, making it easier to face fears.
Changing relationships - it is important to be aware of relationships that keep us stuck and to cultivate those that support our personal growth.
Dr Jeffers encapsulates her philosophy with this powerful statement: “The real issue has nothing to do with the fear itself, but, rather, how we hold the fear.”
By changing our relationship with fear and employing these strategies, we can transform our lives, achieving personal growth and fulfillment.
The information provided is from Better Together Community Support. This advice may not suit your personal situation and therefore cannot substitute real psychological advice please consult a professional if this has raised issues for you.
WELCOME to your new haven, where comfort, space, and convenience converge on a spacious 800m2 lot. This delightful low-set home embodies modern living with its thoughtful design and inviting features, perfect for families seeking both relaxation and practicality.
The heart of the home, a stylish modern kitchen, beckons with sleek countertops and ample cabinetry, catering to culinary adventures and family meals alike. Adjacent, the dining area seamlessly connects to a charming patio, offering a tranquil retreat for enjoying morning coffees or a barby with family and friends. Discover tranquility in the four bedrooms, with three bedrooms having built-in robes that provide convenient storage solutions. The master
bedroom includes the added luxury of an ensuite bathroom & walk in robe. The home includes an extra room that can be utilized as an office, media room, or even set up your gym in this space.
Outside, the level lot is fully fenced, providing a secure environment for children to play freely and pets to roam. The ample space invites creativity, whether for gardening,
entertaining, or simply relaxing under the open sky.
All shed lovers will enjoy this huge 4 bay powered shed with 3 roller doors & workshop space, built in shelving and a mezzanine floor for extra storage. And to top it off, backyard access to get you to this beauty.
Located in a peaceful neighborhood, this home provides easy access to local
schools, ensuring a quick and convenient commute for families. Nearby, you’ll find shops, markets, and recreational facilities that enhance daily life.
• 3 Bedrooms, built-ins
ATHERTON Auto Wreckers is a multi-faceted automotive business and is now for sale. Successfully popping bonnets for 32+ years, (current owner 12 years), this longestablished business offers motorists an extensive range of services.
This includes vehicle repairs and servicing, aftermarket parts, tyres, wrecking and recycling yard. The current owner has built a reliable and honest reputation with a large loyal repeat customer base through word-of-mouth referrals. This business offers an excellent opportunity for you
to be your own boss and benefit from all the hard work put in over the years.
Retirement now beckons for the current owner who is willing to remain for the changeover period. This reputable business including freehold premises is for sale on a walk-in walk-out basis. As a priority for customer service and
satisfaction the owner is prepared to assist the new owners for a transitional period.
For more information, call Trisha Jackson at Professionals Atherton. Phone 4091 3955 or 0419 1833 145 anytime. To view more photos, visit www.athertonrealestate.com.au
perfect for outdoor entertaining or for children to play, the standout feature of this property is the massive shed, perfect as a workshop for the handyman or your storage needs. Property Features: • Polished timber flooring
THIS charming property, situated on 1.2 hectares just 5 minutes from the CBD of Yungaburra, offers a unique and inviting living experience. The home, constructed with cladded timber and corrugated iron, stands out for its distinctive design and prime location.
and perfect for family meals or entertaining.
uring 7.5x6 meters each, as well as an additional carport of 7.5x3.5 meters, perfect for boats or caravans. As well as 2 x 15,000L water tanks.
Inside, the house features three spacious bedrooms, two of which have French doors that open onto a large timber deck, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living. The property includes two bathrooms and a powder room, ensuring convenience and comfort for residents and guests alike. An internal and separate laundry adds to the functionality of the home. Throughout the house, exposed timber beams, a skylight, and polished timber floors enhance the charm and elegance of the interior.
Adding to the property’s appeal is a mezzanine/loft area, accessed via a staircase from the living room. This versatile space includes an in-built office with air conditioning and two storage rooms, making it ideal for a home office, studio, or additional bedroom. Security screens are installed throughout the home.
Outdoor living is a delight with the large timber deck, which provides an excellent setting for entertaining while offering stunning views of Lake Tinaroo. The surrounding block has been thoughtfully landscaped with a mix of native and rainforest plants and trees, creating a tranquil and private oasis. For additional storage and utility, the property includes two powered & lockable storage sheds meas-
Convenience is at your doorstep, with the local Foodworks, Dr Surgery, Historic Pub, cafes, post office, bowling club, chemist and primary school just 1.2 kilometres away. Additionally, the property is approximately a one-hour drive from Cairns International Airport, making it easily accessible for both local and international travel. This property combines the best of country living with modern comforts and an excellent location, making it a truly special place to call home.
To arrange a private viewing, contact Exclusive Agent Kaydee Chatfield at Main St Real Estate today.
Acreage like this is getting harder and harder to find. This stunning acreage property offers a unique opportunity for those seeking tranquillity, space, and a chance to create their dream lifestyle.
connection at the front of the allotment
• No building covenants
• Stunning 180-degree rural views
• Rubbish collection & school bus service
• Zoned Rural
For further information or to arrange an inspection, call marketing agent Raquel at Sommerset Realty on 0408 983 879. Charming family home, sheds and glorius Lake Tinaroo views Don’t let this one get away! 180-degree views
The heart of the home is its open-plan kitchen, which flows effortlessly into the living room. Here, a timber wood fireplace adds warmth and character, creating a cozy space for relaxation. The adjacent dining area is spacious
• Ideally located approx..6kms to Yungaburra, 12kms to Malanda, and 12kms to Atherton.
• Run a few head of cattle or perfect block for horses
87 Stewarts Gully Road, YUNGABURRA Offers Invited EXCLUSIVE to Kaydee Chatfield Main Street Real Estate 0417 468 941
This 13.98 acre vacant allotment has 180 degree rural views and presents endless possibilities. The perfect spot to build your dream home or a weekender.
Address: Price: Agent: Contact: McKeown Road, East Barron $790,000 Raquel Cunzolo Sommerset Realty 0408 983 879 Address: Price: Agent:
Property Features:
• Cleared 13.98 acre allotment
• Fully fenced • Power will be available for
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THIS sophisticated forever home was architecturally designed to maximize both usable space and panoramic views on offer to create a true 6-star experience. This graceful residence offers an enviable lifestyle, fusing exceptional design elements with state of the art finishes to create a modern masterpiece.
Property Features:
• 5 spacious bedrooms with built-in wardrobes + office & 3 bathrooms
• Master bedroom with beautiful, extra large ensuite with a spa bath, his & hers vanity plus the perfect walk-in robe
• Magnificent, massive media room with plush carpet
• Large polished porcelain floor tiles throughout with tiled skirting & chrome edges; tiled to the ceiling in all bathrooms
• Impressive, state-of-the-art 2-pac kitchen with Miele appliances, stone bench tops & island bench with water fall edges
• Family-sized laundry with an abundance of storage
• Light-filled interior, fully airconditioned throughout
• Tiled footpaths & expansive tiled outdoor entertaining area
• Energy-efficient 5kw Solar electricity system
• Huge 140m2 powered Colorbond shed with mezzanine floor
• In-ground irrigation to manicured lawn & low maintenance landscaping
• 2.47 acres of private, picturesque land (4 acre + creek option available) The quality finishes will ensure the home retains its timeless elegance for years to come.
Homes like these are built to be passed on generation to generation, they are rare on the market, don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity.
For more information or to book your private inspection, contact agents Salvatore Girgenti on 0427 775 414 or Rino Gava on 0427 779 086 at Sibi Girgenti Real Estate.
Address: Price: Agent: Contact: 1018 Mareeba-Dimbulah Road, MAREEBA FROM $1,250,000 Salvatore Girgenti and Rino Gava Sibi Girgenti Real Estate 0427 775 414 or 0427 779 086
• Large laundry with built-in cabinetry
• Main bathroom partly renovated with separate shower & plunge bath + built-in storage cupboard
• 2 toilets
• Hallway storage cupboard
• 2 bay carport with lockable workshop
• Fully split system air-conditioned + living areas with Hardwood Plank flooring & Silky Oak architraves & framing throughout
• 3 spacious bedrooms with built-in robes & tv points
• Stunning central living area overlooking the tropical gardens with sliding door access out to a wraparound patio
• Adjacent dining room
• Stylish gourmet kitchen with granite bench tops & splashbacks, drawers throughout, appliance cupboard & room for a table
• Separate family/media room
• Front office + sewing room with built-in desk
• 6m x 6m powered colorbond shed
• Town water & sewerage + 2ML Riparian rights
• 2,864m2 private allotment with underground irrigation & bitumen driveway access overlooking the Barron River If you’re looking for privacy but have your heart set on a convenient location then you will need to inspect this very unique property immediately. For further information or to arrange a private inspection please contact Exclusive Agent Joe Torrisi on 0417 700 468.
LOCATED on a gener-
ously sized corner block, this red brick double storey home boasts a prime location, just moments away from the high school and hospital. The home offers a blend of classic charm with beautiful timber floors with heaps of extras including a 4-bay high clearance carport, 6ft Colorbond Fencing and 6.6kw solar system. The layout of this home is ideal for families or home based businesses and includes the following key features:
Upstairs:
• Four Bedrooms, two with built-in wardrobes, all featuring new fans.
• Cozy lounge room with a fireplace and access to the front veranda.
• Large Dining Room with built in storage.
• Kitchen with solid timber cabinetry and electric oven.
• Renovated bathroom with a stylish wet
room design, bathtub and a separate toilet.
• Walk in store room, easily big enough for a home office. Downstairs:
• Two Large Open Plan Areas which are ideal for teenagers, man cave, or a home based business.
• Laundry with built-in cabinetry
• Second Bathroom Exterior:
• Huge High Clearance Carport which accommodates up to 4 vehicles and includes an electric car socket.
• Front veranda with stunning mountain views
• Secure 6ft Colorbond fencing surrounds the property.
• Established and low maintenance gardens and plenty of room for a shed.
• Workshop/Storage Area at the rear of the home.
• 6.6kw solar system.
This home is an exceptional find, offering ample space, modern updates, and a prime location. Whether you need room for a growing family, a space for a home business, or simply want to enjoy the mountain views, this property delivers on all fronts.
Don’t miss the opportunity, attend one of our open homes or contact Exclusive listed Agent Michelle Raso on 0428 116 136 for mor information.
SEARCHING for the perfect bushland get-away? Set in a peaceful and private location just 20 minutes north of Mareeba, this sprawling 152-acre property is the ultimate weekender.
With the elevated terrain providing stunning scenic views, great climate, several elevated house and camp sites, many potential dam sites and native bushland all around immerse yourself in nature only minutes from Mount Molloy township.
Easy access is provided from the Mulligan Highway, with all- weather gravel roads and no visible nearby neighbours you can bring the cattle, horses, motorbikes and 4 x 4’s and create a spacious and carefree lifestyle away from
the hustle and bustle of suburban life.
• 152 acre property with stunning views
• Excellent horse & cattle grazing country
• Elevated terrain
• A variety of usable land & flood free house sites
• Potential dam sites
• Multiple tracks suitable for motor bike & 4x wheel driving
• Numerous scenic lookout points
Address: Price: Agent: Contact: 17-19 First Avenue, ATHERTON $539,000 EXCLUSIVE to Michelle Raso Elders Real Estate Tablelands 0428 116 136 Address: Price: Agent: Contact:
• No Building Covenants
• Easy access from the Mulligan Highway, all- weather gravel roads
• 1hr 15min to Cairns, 20min to Mareeba, 1hr to Port Doulgas
• Located within 5 min drive from the turnoff to Quaids Road
To find out more or arrange a Private Inspection contact EXCLUSIVE Agent Vince Costas on 0419 926 691.
19. A round solid figure, or its surface, with every point on its surface equidistant from its centre. (6)
20. A person who makes or repairs articles of tin or tinplate. (8)
22. Immoral, sordid, and corrupt behaviour or activities. (6)
23. To act wrongly (8)
24. Of the same size as the thing represented. (4-5)
25. The end (printed at the end of a book or shown at the end of a film). (5)
7. Have a particular opinion, belief, or idea about someone or something. (5)
8. A device for fastening together the sides of a shirt cuff (9)
10. A nocturnal freshwater crustacean that resembles a small lobster and inhabits streams and rivers. (8)
11. (Of time) to slip or pass by (6)
12. A thing that blocks one’s way or prevents or hinders progress. (8)
14. A small piece of tasty food. (6)
15. A service provided in a hotel allowing guests to order food and drink to be brought to their rooms. (4,7)
1. By, through, or in accordance with which. (7)
2. Enclose or become enclosed in a cyst. (6)
3. A shrub or clump of shrubs with stems of moderate length. (4)
4. The degree to which something is successful in producing a desired result; success. (13)
5. Of very great size or extent; huge or enormous. (8)
6. A light sail above the royal in a square-rigged ship. (7)
9. The enclosing boundary of a curved geometric figure, especially a circle. (13)
13. Rigidly upright or straight. (5)
16. Able to be used. (8)
17. Show approval or praise by clapping. (7)
18. A tool, container, or other article, especially for household use. (7)
21. Short-sighted. (6)
23. A small burrowing mammal with dark velvety fur, a long muzzle, and very small eyes, (4)
It is time to clear your decks. Listen to a good friend who is truly looking out for your best interests. You can get your point across and make valuable connections. Your lover probably won’t put up with your behaviour. Your lucky day is Tuesday.
Offer love and affection instead of conflict and rejection. Someone you least expect could be trying to make you look bad. This is a turning point. Changes could be overwhelming. Your lucky day this week will be Saturday.
Do not get involved in joint financial ventures. Don’t let your partner get you going. You are best to travel or attend lectures or seminars. You should visit a friend or relative who hasn’t been well. You can’t live your life for others. Your lucky day is Monday.
A second chance will result in good work. Your high energy should be spent pleasing your mate. You can get ahead if you play your cards right. Set a limit on the amount you’re willing to spend, and be sure to stick to it. Your lucky day is Friday.
You will enjoy interacting with those who come from different backgrounds. You may be confused regarding your love life. You will be a bit of a spendthrift this week. You are best to back away from commitment. Your lucky day will be Thursday.
Some time spent with that special someone should be your intent. Try to bend but not give in completely. Be very careful while travelling in foreign countries. You can make personal changes that will enhance your reputation and self confidence. Your lucky day is Friday.
Get them to pitch in, if you need help. Unexpected bills will be impossible for you to pay. You need to concentrate on the areas where you can make a difference. You will get upset over trivial matters. Your lucky day this week will be Friday.
Deal with the needs of children. Be diplomatic but stem when it comes to giving of yourself. Problems with your boss could lead to unemployment. Your partner may be somewhat irritable this week. Your lucky day this week will be Sunday.
Deceit with coworkers is apparent. You mustn’t be so trusting. Pleasure trips will be a form of healing for your emotional state of mind. Your lover may not under stand your needs so you must figure out a way to communicate them. Your lucky day is Wednesday.
You will have no trouble getting things to fall into place. You may be angry if someone tries to take credit for something you did. You can open up to your mate and let them know what you expect out of this relationship. Your lucky day is Sunday.
Try to concentrate on research and acquiring information that will be of value in your chosen field. Nagging has never been something that you could tolerate, and it’s once again driving you into a lonely state of affairs. Your lucky day this week will be Saturday.
It’s time to make professional changes. Help children with important projects. Family trips or projects should be on your mind. Travel and family gatherings should be in order. Your lucky day this week will be Thursday.
SMITH, Paul Ray
Late of Ravenshoe. Passed away peacefully on the 22nd of July, 2024. Aged 82 years. Cherished Husband of Nenita (Dec.). Loved Dad of Darren. A friend to many. ~ Until we meet again ~ In keeping with Paul’s wishes, a private cremation will be held.
George Ahlers
14-9-25 to 29-7-14
10 years have gone but we still think of you every day.
John, Tanya, Sarah and Shaun and Families.
Karen Louise Kattenberg
5/5/1982 - 28/7/2021
MOVING SALE - DOWNSIZING EVERYTHING MUST GO!
Furniture, Plants, Pots, Mimco Bags, Sass & Bide, and much more! Sat 3rd & Sun 4th August, 8am - 2pm 163 Emerald Heights Road, Mareeba
GARAGE SALE - Sat 3rd & Sun 4th Aug. 7am - 3pm. 20 Petersen St, Mareeba.
Got a Position Vacant? Call Beth at The Express on 4092 3464.
LEGAL
Applications are invited for a full-time Legal Secretary position with David Anthony Solicitors.
RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
• Provide quality service to all clients
• Manage incoming calls, emails, mail and direct communications to the appropriate persons
Guilfoyle Funeral Services Chapels, Crematorium & Memorial Gardens Atherton: 4091 2147 Mareeba: 4092 1013 Local Family Owned & “Entrusted for over 70 years” www.guilfoylefunerals.com.au
KOCI, Cafase (Kafaze)
Late of Atherton. Passed away peacefully on the 24th of July, 2024. Aged 92 years.
Loved Wife of Hasan (Dec.). Cherished Mum and Mother-in-Law of Drita, Geff & Vlora, Sam & Tina, Peter & Mina, Vit & Margie, Sony & Peta, Viki & Jeff. Doting Grandma and Great Grandma to all her beautiful grandchildren. Beloved Nan of Miriam.
The Koci family would like to thank the nurses and doctors at the Atherton Hospital for all their compassion and care while looking after Mum. A funeral has been held for Cafase.
Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, so loved, so missed, so very dear.
Forever in our hearts, Vince and Lucy, Donna, Wayne and Jolene, Justin, Holly and Lucas.
5/5/1982 - 28/7/2021
Another year has passed without you with us, We think of you every day and remember the amazing wife and Mum you were. Our memories of you will live on forever in our hearts.
Always missed, never forgotten.
Guilfoyle Funeral Services Chapels, Crematorium & Memorial Gardens
• Perform administrative duties including document preparation, filing, general file management, and calendar management
• Provide administrative and clerical support to the Solicitors and Conveyancing Clerk of the firm
REQUIREMENTS:
• Proficient typing & computer skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
• Legal experience will be an advantage but is not a prerequisite
To apply, please email: reception@dasmareeba.com.au.
Love you forever, your husband Shane, and your children Amber, Brooke and Ashley.
ANIMAL OF THE
Atherton: 4091 2147 Mareeba: 4092 1013
NAME: Sadie DOB: 15.03.24
Local Family Owned & “Entrusted for over 70 years” www.guilfoylefunerals.com.au
Alfina (Fina) Garozzo
Born 01.04.1936
Passed 03.08.2014
We thought of you with love today, But that is nothing new. We thought about you yesterday, And days before that too. We think of you in silence, We often speak your name. Now all we have are memories, And your picture in a frame. Your memory is a keepsake, With which we’ll never part. God has you in his keeping, We have you in our heart. In our thoughts forever...
Your forever loving Husband Sam (Dec.), Children Frances, Rosie and Lui, Son-in-Laws Joe and Phillip, Daughter-in-Law Pam, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.
2018 Toyota Hilux Dual-Cab Ute Manual Diesel
Bull bar, UHF, tow bar, reverse camera, LED light bar, window tinting, 2x Anderson plugs, mats, seat covers, Granite tray odometer 194459.
$38,500
Phone Anthony 0409 480 761
ROVER
MOWER With catcher, still new. $3,700 ONO Phone: 4092 5225 or 0407 925 225
George Donald Ahlers 14/09/25-29/07/2014
It’s been 10 years already. Hardly a day passes without thinking of you. Your loving son and daughter in-law.
FOR SALE Kubota RTV 900, 2013 Model, 3,400hrs. $8,000. Ph: 0455 540 354
BREED: Wolfhound x Bull Arab
Sadie is affectionate and charming. She’s great with children, cats and other dogs. She has undergone thorough Vet checks including; Vax, De-sexed & Micro-chipped. Her adoption
If you would like to
wildlife to take up the voluntary position of Secretary for our organisation. For further information please contact: Ann Palmer 0444 557 607
$330. CONCRETE SUPERVISOR For Atherton Tablelands Commercial projects. MUST have experience running crews, as well as screeding & finishing. Above award wages, travel and overtime. Email resume to: janetonycurcio@outlook.com
of
Limestone,
/ overburden, Workshop / machinery / storage on the following land parcels within the Mareeba Shire Council.
Part of Lot 3 SP150971 (Permit and Access), Part of Lot 1191 SP109436 (Permit) and Smelter Road (Access).
The application is located at approximately 500 meters north-west of Chillagoe, adjacent to ML4959.
The applicant is: North Queensland Lime Pty Ltd (100%)
Date & time applications lodged: 21 July, 2022 at 12:34PM Mining activities to be carried out include: Processing and ancillary activities to support the broader Chillagoe operation in the form of Processing plant, Stockpile ore / overburden, Workshop / machinery / storage.
Mining Lease Application Documents
The application documents consist of the Application for Mining Lease, copies of or extracts from the application documents, and the endorsed Mining Lease Notice detailing the location and description of the land applied for (including surface area and access), may be downloaded from the department’s website: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/ mining-energy-water/resources/public-notices-tenders or may be inspected at the Department of Resources office Level 9, 445 Flinders Street, Townsville QLD 4810 or may be obtained by contacting the local mines assessment hub on (07) 4447 9230 or MineralHub@resources. qld.gov.au. Environmental Authority Documents
The application documents for the proposal consist of the following: Application to Amend an Environmental Authority form; Application Supporting documents. Copies of, or extracts from, the application documents may be inspected at the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation Level 4, Building 2, William McCormack Place, 5B Sheridan Street, Cairns QLD 4870 or may be obtained by contacting Permit and Licence Management by phone on 1300 130 372 or by email on palm@des.qld.gov.au
Copies of the standard conditions and eligibility criteria for a resource activity can be obtained by accessing the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation website: www.desi.qld.gov.au or by contacting Permit and Licence Management by phone on 1300 130 372 (select option 4) or by email on: palm@des.qld.gov.au.
Making A Properly Made Objection / Submission
It is advised that any person/entity may make an objection to the grant of the mining lease, and/or a submission about the application for the environmental authority. The objection/submission period, during which objections/submissions can be given, concludes on 23 August, 2024 at 4:30pm (AEST).
A properly made objection and/or submission must be received on or before 4:30pm (AEST) on the last day of the objection/submission period. It must be lodged with the chief executive in writing in the approved form, addressed to the relevant Assessment Hub: Mineral Assessment Hub Level 9, 445 Flinders Street, Townsville QLD 4810
PO Box 1752, Townsville QLD 4810
Email: MineralHub@resources.qld.gov.au
A copy of the objection must also be served upon the applicant/s on or before the last day of the objection period at the following address: North Queensland Lime Pty Ltd
PO Box 2, Miriwinni QLD 4871
Objection for the mining lease application:
A properly made objection in respect to the grant of the mining lease is one that:
• is lodged, on or before 4:30pm (AEST) on the last objection day for the application with the chief executive in writing in the approved form;
• states the grounds of the objection and the facts and circumstances relied on in support of the grounds;
• is signed and dated by each person/entity (i.e. signatory) making the objection; and
• states the name and address of each signatory.
Intending objectors should obtain the approved objection form (MRA-20) by either contacting the relevant assessment hub on (07) 4447 9230 or online from the department’s website: https://www.business.qld. gov.au/industries/mining-energy-water/resources/applicationscompliance/forms-fees.
Submissions for the Environmental Authority application:
A properly made submission must meet all of the following requirements:
• be written or made electronically;
• state the name and address of each submitter;
• be made to the administering authority stated above;
• be received on or before the last day of the submission period;
• state the grounds of the submission and the facts and circumstances relied on in support of the grounds.
Intending submitters may contact the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation on 1300 130 372 to obtain a submission form or obtain a copy from the department’s website: www.desi.qld.gov.au.
INVITATION FOR TENDERS ESC2024-021
DESIGN OF SEAL & TWO COATS OF SEALING WORKS
Etheridge Shire Council invites tenders from suitably qualified tenderers for the Sealing Works on Forsayth Einasleigh Road form chainage 32.267 km to 37.10 km.
It is a requirement of this project that any persons contracted to undertake the building work be accredited under the Work Health and Safety Accreditation Scheme, established by the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Act 2016, at the time of entering into the contract for the building work and maintains accreditation while the building work is being carried out.
Tender documentation (including map) may be obtained from Council website.
Tenders must be emailed to: tender@etheridge.qld.gov.au
By 3.00PM on 12th August, 2024
Council reserves the right to invite all tenderers to change their tenders to take account of a change in the tender specification.
All queries with reference to the Tender must be emailed to Tender@etheridge.qld.gov.au.
Make a submission from: 31st July, 2024 to 23rd August, 2024
Material change of use –Outdoor Sales, Showroom and Warehouse (Vehicle Storage Yard, Dealership Egress and Warehouse)
Where: 236 Walsh Street and 275-289 Byrnes Street, Mareeba QLD 4880
On: Lot 30 on RP 700534 & Lot 45 on SP 300453
Approval Sought: Development Permit for Material change of use – Outdoor Sales, Showroom and Warehouse (Vehicle Storage Yard, Dealership Egress and Warehouse)
Application Ref: MCU/24/0014
You may obtain a copy of the application and make a submission to:
Mareeba Shire Council PO Box 154, MAREEBA, QLD, 4880 info@msc.qld.gov.au 1300 308 461 www.msc.qld.gov.au
Public notification requirements are in accordance with the Planning Act 2016.
Well Women’s Clinics
(These clinics are available to Medicare eligible clients)
Service includes Cervical Screening Tests (Pap Smears), Sexual Health Screening, Breast Awareness, also info on Contraception, Continence, Menopause, Lifestyle Issues, Bowel Health etc.
All services are provided by a specially trained Qld Health Women’s Health Nurse.
Atherton Community Health
Tuesday 6th August
Phone 4091 0263 to make an appointment
Millaa Millaa Health Centre
Wednesday 7th August
Phone 4097 2223 to make an appointment
Mareeba Hospital
Thursday 15th August
Phone 4092 9311 to make an appointment
Fortnightly: Wednesdays 9.00am - 11.00am, CWA Hall, Jack Street, Atherton
FREE and welcoming (chats, coffee, craft & connection).
Please call TSAS 4091 4036 For further information
God has revealed in the Quran:
Say: “We believe in God, and that which has been sent down on us, and sent down on Abraham and Ishmael, Isaac and Jacob, and the Tribes, and in that which was given to Moses and Jesus, and the Prophets, of their Lord; we make no division between any of them, and to Him we surrender.”
For more information please contact us at: mareeba.mosque@gmail.com
The Tableland Competition Car Club Inc. Will be holding their AGM MEETING
At the Herberton Royal Hotel on the 7th of August, commencing at 1900 Hours (7pm)
RENTAL PROPERTIES WANTED
Mareeba Community Housing Company is seeking 2- and 3-bedroom rental properties in Mareeba for the Community Rent Scheme Program. Properties must be in good condition to meet minimum housing standards. The benefits include guaranteed rents, nil management fees, qualified tradespersons, and professional property management team. Phone 4092 6899 for further details and Lessor’s packages.
to the publishers approval and at its discretion can refuse to accept any advertisement it believes the message portrayed within the advertisement might infringe the rights of an individual or may not comply with all the laws and regulations of the States and Territories. The publisher does not accept any responsibility or liability in relation to any loss due to the failure of an advertisement to appear according to instructions The placing or positioning of an advertisement within the requested classification is at the discretion of The Express except where agreed upon by the publisher. The monetary level of advertising is based upon the frequency used within the period of the order. The term may vary from three months to one year. The word “Advertisement” will be used on advertising copy which in the opinion of the publisher resembles editorial. The terms set out above are subject to change without notification at the discretion of the publisher.
adverTisemenT Proofing
The proofing of advertisements cannot be guaranteed unless advertising copy content is received at The Express by 12 Noon Friday prior to publication.
adverTising Code ClearanCe Rulings by the Trade Practices Commission require that all advertisements relating to alcoholic beverages, therapeutic goods, weight loss/slimming clinics and products or programmes must carry an APB Clearance
BY ELLIE FINK
FROM a little team struggling to find players to a grand finalist group, the Atherton Roosters Women’s Team has defied the odds and made their way into the FNQRLW 2024 Grand Final.
Coming through as the underdogs, the Roosters will go up against the Kangaroos in this Saturday’s Grand Final at Barlow Park which kicks off at 5.45pm.
The Kangaroos went undefeated for two seasons before facing the Roosters last week and being defeated 20-14.
Now, they are ready for revenge as they go head to head with the Roosters women in the grand final.
At the beginning of the season, coach Paul Stephen’s set a goal that the team would make it to the grand final after they just missed out during the semi-finals last year.
After realising what they were capable of, Stephens said the women were determined to make it to the finals.
“They went from a couple of losing seasons to making the semi-finals, and they finally realised they were good enough,” he said.
“They have put the effort into training, and our pre-season numbers looked really good. We had much better numbers at training.
“You could tell their attitudes at the start of the season had changed, and they all began to fight for a top spot on
the ladder, and that is when we made the goal to go beyond last year and be better.”
Players from beyond Atherton began to join the team, including hooker Kimberly Bryant, who scored the fourth most amount of tries this season.
Travelling from Innisfail every week to train, Stephens said she was a true asset to the team and is going to be a key player in their final match.
“She signed up with us because there was no women’s team in Innisfail because she has a few close friends here ... and she has been to a good couple of our training sessions,” he said.
“She is a good player and was even an under-19 Northern Pride player at one point.”
Aleysha Genge, who has been with the Roosters Women since the team formed, has also secured some of the top points throughout the season.
“She has been here since the start, and she is just super enthusiastic about football,” he said.
Although Atherton Roosters president Paul Pensini was not able to watch the women’s semi-final game against the Roos, he was proud to hear how they performed and to watch the team grow.
He said it was all a credit to Stephens, who had poured hours of hard work and dedication into the team.
“Looking at their year to year, you
can definitely see the improvements and their knowledge of the game grow,” he said.
“Paul has been absolutely tremendous with the girls. He puts a large amount of his time into them, lots of dedication and patience, and it is incredible to see.
“He is quite an advocate for women in the league, given his daughter Mackenzie (who now plays for the Bulldogs in Sydney) was a part of it.
“So, to Paul’s credit, he has continued to be involved and contribute to the girls so they can keep playing.”
With only a few days until the match, Stephens is determined to keep the team focused on its goal—to win.
He said they had analysed their opposition’s play, and were ready to take advantage of the Roos’ weaknesses to secure the win.
He said it was do or die, and now was their chance to add a new chapter in the Atherton Roosters history book.
“I’m so happy for them – I saw the looks on their faces (during the semifinal) when the full-time bell went, and it was something special,” Stephens said.
“They were all over the moon, but like I said to them after the game, enjoy it now, but it is time to settle down. We have one game to go.
“We have to do better, and we need to make fewer errors and stick to our plan now.”
FROM humble beginnings, the Atherton Roosters women’s team has attracted players from near and far and has grown with the increasing interest in women’s sports.
The club introduced a women’s team in 2019. Women’s Touch was added to the FNQRL competition, with every club welcoming women into the competition.
The Roosters played hard and reached the grand final against the Innisfail team, but they were defeated 1-0.
In 2021, after a Covid hiatus, FNQRL changed the game from touch to tackle.
The Roosters struggled that season, with a lack of players and competition as Covid continued to wreak havoc on the local sporting scene.
Numbers continued to dwindle, and in 2022, the Roosters joined forces with the Mareeba Gladiators to form a combined Atherton/Mareeba Team.
The women advanced to the semi-finals that year but missed out on a shot at the finals. The joined team then disbanded.
The rise of women’s sport did wonders for the Roosters in 2023 when local icons such as Mackenzie Stephens, May May Hobbler and Chloe McKenzie began to make it big in the schoolgirl’s competition, inspiring their peers.
Mackenzie’s father Paul decided to take on the role of coach for the Atherton Roosters women’s team, with his successful daughter by his side.
The team became a powerhouse on the field, making it to the semi-finals against Yarrabah.
Despite not winning the semis, it was a momentous occasion for the group and they used that as motivation heading into this season.
THE Atherton Senior Roosters Rugby League Club will commemorate several premiership milestones with reunion celebrations this weekend for several of the club’s great teams from the past. Established in 1918, the Roosters are presently playing their 106th year on competition.
1974 First Grade Premiers (50 Years) - The Eacham competition grand final was played at Mareeba with the Roosters coming from behind at halftime to defeat Malanda 21-12. This side went onto be back to back premiers with a 1975 title win over Mossman 25-14.
1974 Reserve Grade Premiers (50 Years)
- This was the Roosters first reserve grade Eacham premiership win after defeating Malanda 19-13 in the grand final.
1994 - First Grade Premiers (30 Years)After winning their first CDRL premiership in 1993 over Innisfail, the Roosters went back to back in 1994 taking the grand final over Ivanhoes 18-16 in a extra time thriller at Barlow Park.
2004 - Under 18 Premiers (20 Years) - The Roosters fought back from being behind 2012 at the break to claim the grand final win 28-24 over Yarrabah.
This Friday Night August 2 - Meet and Greet at the Roosters Clubhouse from 5pm. Food and refreshments available
This Saturday August 3 - 2.30PM 2024 premiership games Roosters vs Tully Tigers at the Mungalli Creek Dairy Stadium with the former premiership players being acknowledged.
JERSEY AUCTION the Roosters first grade are playing in a specially designed reunion jersey which are to be auctioned directly after the 6pm main game.
This Sunday August 4 - Social activities around town.
Choose between one of the following walks:
Walk 1 - Sunrise walk to the Mt Emerald Wind Farm. This is a moderate to hard 14 kilometre round trip with magical views of the Tablelands. Each walker must wear their own head light as the walk will commence in the dark, wear a supplied hard hat and agree to a waiver.
Walk 2 - This is a relatively easy walk on a flat wide track from the Rocky Creek Igloo back to Walkamin along the Rail Trail. Approx 8 kilometres. SUNDAY
LOCAL Brodie Davis took on some of the nation’s top drivers to be crowned the 2024 “King of Kerribee” at Saturday’s B & B Fibreglass, Paint and Panel Mareeba Speedway.
Brodie earned the highest points on the night after competing against teams from Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland as well as New Zealander Allen Woods.
The V8-powered “Big Things with Wings” prestige event had race fans on their feet as Brodie scraped into first place with the Leigh Holman-owned
AERO6FOUR No. 51NQ. He just defeated Perth’s Ryan Farrell in the Tulloch Performance Product Q1, with Victorian’s Ryan Davis in the Davis Haulage No. 95 in third.
Organisers were thrilled with the number of families who attended on the night, with the ‘Christmas in July’ theme a huge hit with children who enjoyed the five-hour fun-filled action on and off the track.
In the support classes, a growing division under the mentoring of former Super Sedan Champion Peter Wright, saw
the Junior Sedan Division put on their usual great racing. Cairn’s youngster Bailey Chandler won the Central Tyre Service/ HDPT final with Townsville’s Paige Jordan second and Jaydyn Hawkins third.
The new division of Wingless Sprints did a demonstration with Richie Robb, Samantha Jones and Toni Chapman, proved this class is a great entry level and cost-effective way to get into speedway.
A new smaller track built by VicePresident Cameron Lowe in the infield suited the gearing of the smaller Formula
MARTIAL artists from across the Tablelands participated in an intensive three-day seminar over the Cairns Show long weekend, enhancing their skills in Japanese ju-jitsu and swordsmanship.
Hosted by Mareeba-based Ju Jitsu and Shinkendo Club, Yama No Seiri Budo, students learned from one of the nation's most well-renowned Ju Jitsu practitioners and head of Shinkendo Australia, Howard Quick.
The event kicked off on Friday in Tolga where 14 dedicated martial artists honed their techniques and sparring abilities by participating in tachiuchi, two-person sparring.
The following day the seminar moved to the Yama No Seirei Budo dojo in Mareeba and again focused on swordsmanship before delving into some Ju Jitsu
self-defence techniques.
The seminar ended on Sunday with more Ju Jitsu techniques including knife defence and theory about what to do when faced with unforeseen circumstances.
Yama No Seirei Budo Sensei David Thomas said it was an incredible opportunity to have Shehan Quick again visit the region and teach.
“Most martial artists never get the chance to learn so much from someone with so much knowledge and experience,” he said.
“It was a great experience for everyone involved and we all learned a lot."
Yama No Seirei Budo is looking to take on more students interested in both Shinkendo and Japanese Jui Jitsu, for more information contact Sensei David on 0428 993 205.
500 class. It was the very in-form Kaydon Everson from Townsville, who took out the AERO6FOUR Feature Final, with Anthony Gunell, also from Townsville, in second, and Mareeba’s Cameron Lowe third.
The Central Tyre Services Super Street Sedans once again provided the race fans with plenty of close racing and thrills and spills with Cairns’ Jay Naylor first home in the CTS Feature Final and Brandon Wyatte in second, and Edward Smith in third.
Mareeba Speedway President Scott
said the season was really drawing the crowds with the stripped-back format.
“Being a non-for-profit community, volunteer-based club, we have cut back race meeting numbers to just five for the season but we are making those meetings special, like the Christmas in July event. It’s really working,” he said.
“Our next race meeting will be the 21st of September, which includes a round of the 2024 North Queensland Sprintcar Championship and a Family Fun theme of ‘Disco’, so we hope to see you here.”
RIVAL soccer teams, Mareeba Bulls and Leichhardt Lions, will go head to head again this year in honour of their “football godfathers” for the Moriconi Bomben Soccer Cup this Saturday.
Part of the Cairns Italian Festival, this year’s match will be held at Leichhardt Football Club, and celebrates the rich Italian heritage of two clubs and honours the legacies of Alfio Moriconi and John Bomben.
This year marks the second edition of the cup and promises to be a memorable occasion for all attendees.
The tournament not only showcases the competitive spirit of the clubs but also serves as a tribute to the enduring contributions of Moriconi and Bomben to the local football scene.
Moriconi dedicated his efforts to Mareeba,
while Bomben poured his passion into Leichhardt.
Last year, it was the Lions who took home the inaugural win and now, Mareeba is ready and back for revenge, according to over 45s team member Sandro Soncin.
“We don’t want to speak too soon as everyone’s groins are about to snap, but we will be ready to put on a show,” he said.
The Under 18s game will kick off the event at 2pm on 3 August. The Mens Reserves, will follow at 4pm, before the “old legends” Over 45s team enters the field at 6pm.
The premier men’s game will then kick off at 7.30pm.
Entry to game is $6 an adult, $3 for pensioners and free for children under 18 years old. Tickets can be purchased at the gate.
Celebrating several club premiership milestones plus 2024 FNQ Rugby League premiership action.
THIS FRIDAY NIGHT AUGUST 2
5PM: Meet and Greet at the Roosters Clubhouse. Food and refreshments available
THIS SATURDAY AUGUST 3
2.30PM: 2024 premiership games Roosters vs Tully Tigers at the Mungalli Creek Dairy Stadium
JERSEY AUCTION: The Roosters first grade are playing in a specially designed reunion jersey which are to be auctioned directly after the 6pm main game.
THIS SUNDAY AUGUST 4
Social activities around town.
THE adrenaline is pumping at Spirit Muay Thai in Mareeba, as they gear up for their biggest home fight yet.
After a successful first fight day at the SMT Gym at the beginning of the year, owners and brothers Rosario and Salvatore Signorino are pumped to invite fighters back to their ring theis Saturday 3 August.
Since inception, SMT has travelled to fights across Australia, coming home with many accolades and this year, they hope they can secure more wins on home ground.
Rosario said his team of nak muay were training harder than ever before, with star performer Bryan Wyborn scheduled to be the main event of the night.
“He deserves it for the amount of time he has put into the sport in the past two years –he is really doing a good job,” Ros said.
During his first home fight, Wyborn was dubbed the underdog. As soon as he entered the ring, he had the upper hand, taking out his opponent by knockout.
There are already over 25 athletes confirmed from gyms as far south as Townsville, and many more still waiting for confirmation.
Having so many nak muay in the one place in Mareeba is something Rosario is very excited for and hoped would showcase the talents of local fighters.
“This is something we have been really looking forward to doing and this time we are excited to add more athletes to our line up,” he said.
“It makes us really proud, and makes the fighters very proud, to get a chance to perform something that they love.
“Hopefully we can have more fight days in the future, which will give more chances to our local fighters to perform, rather than going down south.”
Weigh ins for the event start at 10.30am, with the event kicking off from 2pm. Tickets are available at the door for $5 each.
To get involved, contact SMT Gym on Facebook.
FAR North Queensland’s local racing industry contributed almost $60 million to the regional economy in 2022-23, according to data released by Racing Queensland.
Eight clubs from Mareeba to Innisfail and Mt Garnet generated $58.6 million in value-added contributions to the local economy - a 110% increase since 2015.
“With close to 40 race meetings staged in Far North Queensland each year, and close to 2,000 participants driving the local industry, racing is absolutely thriving,” Racing Minister Grace Grace said.
“With more than 450 full-time jobs in the region, those salaries and wages directly benefit
the Far North Queensland economy.
Regional country clubs have also had a boost with a $50,000 uplift for the jockey rooms at Laura Amateur Turf Club and a refurbishment of Mt Garnet Amateur Turf Club starting gates, worth $30,000.
The data was provided by IER – a specialist in the tourism, events and entertainment industries.
RQ Chair Steve Wilson AM said it highlighted “how wide-ranging and impactful the racing industry’s size and scale is across Queensland”.
“Importantly, the continued rise in valueadded contribution remains consistent in rural Queensland,” he said.
A 38-38 draw between the Mareeba Gladiators and the Yarrabah Sea Hawks on Saturday has taken away any chance of the Mareeba team playing finals this year.
The Gladiators had to win their last three games to make into the top six, but the weekend’s draw will not give them enough points.
Sunday’s game was full of action, yielding 15 tries throughout the match, with the Gladiators crossing the line seven times, while the Sea Hawks notched up eight.
The Gladiators were up 12-10 in the opening half and led for much of the match, keeping the pressure in the second half but Yarrabah managed to level the scores by the final siren.
Trezman Banjo crossed the line twice during the match, and Noah Blooranta contributed with a try and kicking four of the five conversions for the Gladiators.
The Gladiators have two home games left for the season, taking on the Kangaroos this Sunday at 3pm, and then Mossman Sharks in the last round.
RELENTLESS goal line defence in the second half has seen the Atherton Roosters hold out the Mossman Sharks 26-18 in wet and trying conditions at Atherton’s Mungalli Creek Dairy Stadium on Saturday night.
The Roosters responded to their last start loss to Innisfail in emphatic fashion to race to a 22-0 lead after just 20 minutes.
After taking a 26-6 lead to the break, the Roosters went off the pace in the second stanza and were full of ball handling errors.
Mossman dominated possession and field position for most of the second half which gave them a strong chance in saving the points.
The Roosters goal line defence was tested many times, with Mossman breaking through twice to score all the points in
the final half.
Coach Joel Riethmuller said errors cost the Roosters in the second half.
“We lost a bit of concentration in the second half, we lost our shape a bit,” he said.
“They (Mossman) must have had a tune up at half-time cause they played much better in the second half. They are a tough side and they had a few players back in from the Pride.
“But our boys did a good job - we had done enough in the first half, and I was happy with the defence we put on, we only gave them 18 points which is under our target.
“A few of older experience players carried the ball well, and putting Jayden Connors back to fullback made a big difference.”
Connors scored a try, kicked
three conversions and two penalties to contribute the scoreboard.
Ryan Madua scored two tries for the team.
Saturday’s win keeps the Roosters in fifth spot on the FNQ rugby league first grade points table.
The Roosters play the Tully Tigers, who are second last on the ladder, on Saturday at home and hope to notch up another victory, especially given the club will be playing host to reunion celebrations. The final round will also be played at home against Edmonton.
“We just take it a week at a time and build on our performances each week,” Joel said.
“The boys just have to believe they can win – they are both winnable games.”
MAREEBA Bulls had a frustrating one-all draw against the Southside Comets in the 18th round of the FNQ soccer league on Saturday night, with coach Kane Alderson believing the game could have been theirs.
“They played well, I couldn’t fault their commit-
ment for the whole game, and we dominated possession in the second half. We just needed a bit more patience in the execution.”
The Bulls were down by one goal after the Comets’ Dylan Soares scored before half-time. But despite a tough first half, the team nail the equaliser.
But the second half at the Lindsay Australia Stadium saw the Bulls dominate possession throughout, and an own-goal reflected the pressure on the Comets.
“They’re a tough side, but we’re looking good,” Kane said.
“And with another four games on the table, it’s going to be a race to the finish.”
The Bulls face up to the Leichhardt Lions next week in an away match on 3 August at 7.30pm at Leichhardt Football Club.
The women’s team also had a disappointing 2-1 defeat against the Comets on Friday night in their home game. Bull’s Samantha Madrid scored a late goal in the second half but it was not enough to chase the Comets two goals from Bri Kingston and Eliza Sailor-Tabuai. They will play at Liechhardt on Friday 2 August, at 8.30pm.
to June 2028.
2021 Toyota Hilux 4x4 SR5 Dual Cab $59,990 Turbo diesel auto, fibreglass canopy, 31,000 kilometres,| balance of factory warranty to June 2026.
2016 Toyota SR Hilux 4x4 Dual Cab $37,990 2.8L turbo diesel automatic, alloy tray, steel bull bar, tow bar, side steps, 12 months warranty.
2017 Ford Everest Trend 4x4 $43,990 7 seater wagon, 3.2 litre turbo diesel automatic, 85,600 kilometres, 6 months rego, 12 months warranty.
2017 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 Dual Cab $39,990
3.2 litre turbo diesel automatic, FX4 Edition, Silverback tray, tow bar, 6 months rego, 12 months warranty.
2016 Mazda 2 Genki Hatch $17,990 Automatic, 23,800 kilometres, 12 months warranty.
2017 Ford Ranger XL 4x4 Dual Cab $42,490
3.2 litre turbo diesel, automatic, Norweld tray with drawer, bull bar, tow bar, 6 months rego, 12 months warranty.
