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12th victory for ‘King of Kennedy’

BOB Katter has swept to his 12th victory, easily beating his opposition to be the Federal Member for Kennedy for the next three years.

The maverick politician has been the federal representative for Kennedy since 1995 and has no plans to step away from politics anytime soon, declaring he’ll die in the job.

Seven candidates lined up to try to topple the “King of Kennedy”, who, as of 10am Monday, had secured 65.6% of the vote (two candidate preferred), with the LNP’s Annette Swaine scoring closest to Mr Katter, with 34%.

After the election, a humbled Mr Katter thanked his supporters, his family and those who volunteer to spread his message.

“Elections aren’t won by blokes in suits. They’re won on the backs of the people who stand out in the sun and the rain, handing out how-to-vote cards for days on end,” he said.

“So, this victory belongs to them. God bless every one of you.

I can’t thank you enough.

“The same goes for my wife Susie, my five children, and even my grandchildren, who have worked tirelessly throughout this campaign to make so much of it happen.

“I certainly couldn’t have done this without them.”

He says the people of his

electorate continue to vote for him because the major parties have failed to support the region.

“I didn’t get re-elected because I’m some sort of outstanding character. I’m just a boy from Cloncurry.

“More members of parliament might get similar results if they actually served their electorates and listened to the people every once in a while, and not some party room in Brisbane or Canberra.

“North Queenslanders are fed up with being called resilient. We’re fed up with getting scraps while Brisbane gets its pleasure palaces, grand roads, rail and other infrastructure.

“The people of Kennedy know the major parties aren’t fighting for them. If you ignore the North, if you ignore the bush, you do it at your own peril.

“The people are rising up in righteous anger, and I don’t blame them one bit.”.

In Leichhardt, Labor’s Matt Smith will become the new member, with LNP newcomer Jeremy Neal unable to secure the seat after Warren Entsch retired.

Mr Neal went the way of many other LNP candidates and current members who became victims of a massive swing against Peter Dutton’s party. The Opposition Leader lost his own seat of Dickson, forcing the Liberals to have to decide on a new leader.

Bob Katter relaxes with his own branded beer after a great win in Saturday’s Federal Election.

Police assaulted

POLICE have charged a 42-year-old Biboohra man with multiple offences including serious assault of police officers.

The man allegedly entered a Caterina Close address around 3am on 28 April and refused to leave the premises when asked and attempted to steal an electric leaf blower.

Police arrived shortly after and located the man on the front lawn of the address. When police attempted to speak with him, he allegedly pushed a police officer.

An officer attempted to arrest the man, when he allegedly lunged and grabbed the officer, causing injury to the officer’s eye before he was taken into custody.

He was charged with one count each of trespass and obstruct police and two counts of serious assault on police.

The man is due to appear at the Mareeba Magistrates Court on 19 May.

Stalking charge

POLICE have charged a 43-year-old man with unlawful stalking in Mareeba after he allegedly approached a woman while she was exercising on a local road.

It will be alleged at around 5am on 16 April, a 41-year-old woman was exercising along Blacks Road, Mareeba, when she sighted a 43-year-old Mareeba man approaching her.

The woman allegedly observed the man walking quickly towards her holding what appeared to be a short pipe or pole.

The woman screamed loudly and ran away whilst the man allegedly chased her for a short distance.

The woman ran home and contacted police.

A witness to the event later reported the incident to police and further added they allegedly saw the man driving a vehicle repeatedly up and down Blacks Road a short time after the incident and then again approximately half an hour later.

On 18 April, police attended a Mareeba address in relation to an unrelated call for service when they located the man who was wanted for questioning.

The man was charged with one count of unlawful stalking, intimidation, harassment or abuse and was due to appear in the Mareeba Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

New adventures await DISCOVER AUSTRALIA

Capital works on the go

COMMUTERS will be pleased to hear the Herberton and Constance Street intersection was expected to be completed within weeks, according to the latest Mareeba Shire council report.

The March Capital Works report outlined progress on a number of major capital works projects, and said despite wet weather delays over recent months, the intersection was nearing completion.

Key works included the installation of a new roundabout, traffic islands, kerbing, footpath extensions, and light pole relocations.

As of March, footpath and kerb ramp works had been completed or were nearing completion on three sides of the intersection, and the concrete roundabout and kerbing had been poured. Practical completion was now anticipated by midMay 2025, weather permitting, the report said.

In Kuranda, the Coondoo Street and Centenary Park streetscape enhancements were proving to be a welcome addition, with footpath and concrete slab repairs around Centenary Park and the start of planter box improvements. The fig trees had been trimmed and adorned with heritage-style LED streetlights along upper Coondoo Street.

Further upgrades to lower Coondoo Street

lighting by Ergon Energy are scheduled for later in 2025.

The rehabilitation and widening of a section of Chewko Road in Mareeba was also nearing completion, with works including water main relocation, drainage improvements, and road widening and sealing.

Progress to date included the completion of drainage on the Borzi Park side, shoulder rebuilds on both sides of the road, and the placement and compaction of subbase and base gravel.

As part of Council’s 10-year water strategy, ageing asbestos cement water mains were being replaced at five locations across Mareeba.

The report said Stage 2 began in March and the section near the Rankin and Byrnes Street carpark was already completed. Works had now begun at Hort Street.

And the Constance Street Footpath and Carparking Project had also been completed.

This pedestrian safety project - funded through the School Transport Infrastructure Program and Council – included a new footpath link on Constance Street, new kerbing and channeling, and formal car parking bays to improve safety during school drop-off and pick-up times.

Capital works carried out at Coondoo Street, Kuranda.

Probe into ‘invasive’ pasture grass

MAREEBA Shire Council will investigate whether

local by-laws.

In a report of the Pest Advisory Committee meeting, council was urged to review the introduced pasture species and its spread.

The concerns were raised by Alan Pederson of Karma Waters Station who said the grass needed to be controlled. Although it had been introduced as a pasture grass, it was “unpalatable to livestock and wildlife”.

The report advised that wynn cassia was located on the Mareeba-Dimbulah Road area and was still being planted and/or promoted as a cattle fodder.

The meeting resolved that shire officers would conduct a more in-depth investigation, with the findings to be reported to the council, which would then consider a local declaration of wynn cassia. The declaration would prohibit the sale and cultivation of the grass within the shire.

The issue would also be passed on to other local government bodies and to the

attention of AgForce, so that landholders and beef growers could be made aware of the types of pasture grasses they were planting, and the possible consequences.

A council officer had also advised the meeting of the emerging pest, itch grass, which was initially found at the Barron River bridge near the Edmund Kennedy rest area on the Kennedy Highway.

More recently, it had been discovered in the Eureka Creek area and the Mareeba township and was spreading. Itch grass is registered as an environmental weed.

The highly invasive Gamba grass

Arson charge over house fire

DETECTIVES have charged a 35-year-old Miallo man with arson following a suspicious fire in Mount Molloy on 23 April.

Emergency services were called to a Main Street address at approximately 5.10pm, following reports the house was fully engulfed.

All occupants were evacuated and no one was physically injured from the incident. It will be alleged the man set fire to the property.

On 24 April, Mossman detectives located the man on a Miallo property where he was arrested and transported to Mareeba police station. The man was charged with one count of arson and is due to attend the Mareeba Magistrates Court on 12 May.

had also been recorded spreading on the roadside on the western edge from Mareeba to the bottom of the Desailly Range. The grass has been registered as a weed of national significance since 2012.

Introduced from Africa, Gamba grass outgrows and reduces native species and presents a major fire risk. Annual spraying is conducted across the shire.

Other weeds being monitored and treated by the council included:

• Parthenium weed – monthly inspections conducted on all sites.

• Amazon frogbit – efforts are ongoing along Chinaman and Atherton Creeks, Mareeba Lakes, and a private dam in Biboohra, with a significant decrease in the number of plants observed. Bimonthly inspections were conducted along the Mitchell River on Two Mile Creek.

• Bellyache bush – a monthly site inspection at a Koah site revealed the presence of seven seedlings in December.

• Emu Creek – weed removal of Bellyache bush, Physic nut and rubber vine continues.

• Bellyache bush – assisted Department of Agriculture and Fisheries researchers in the release of the Bellyache bush leaf miner on the Walsh and Palmer Rivers.

• Chillagoe Township – removal of weeds, specifically Chinese apple, Neem Tree and Rubber vine, from Council properties and roadways.

• Miconia – assessment and eradication in the Kuranda region.

• Electric ants – sentinel site assessments conducted at council transfer stations.

• Balaria – has been located and sprayed along roadside managed by the council.

• Navua sedge – management of sedge along the roadside in the Julatten region.

• Giant rats tail grass – roadside spraying along council roadways. As well as the investigation into Wynn Cassia as an invasive species under local laws, the council has also committed to a review of its Biosecurity Community Plan 2020-2025 and whether to include feral deer and wild horses/brumbies.

It will also make inquiries to Biosecurity Queensland about moth control of Rubber vine and report back to the next Pest Advisory Committee meeting.

The Pest Advisory Committee includes representatives from both Mareeba and Tablelands councils, Department of Resources, Wet Tropics Management Authority, Nguddaboolgan Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, Barbarrum Aboriginal Corporation and Kuranda Conservation.

Appeal for the family after blaze

AN appeal has been established for a family who lost everything in a house fire at Mt Molloy.

The blaze, which took place around 5pm on 23 April, destroyed the family’s home and everything they owned, including items that were purchased for their baby’s imminent arrival.

Mareeba Lions Club has launched an appeal to help the family, with locals encouraged to make cash donations as well as household items.

Club spokesperson Norma Moloney said the family needed all the help they could get.

“While we are grateful they are physically safe, they now face the overwhelming task of rebuilding their lives from nothing at a time when they should be preparing to welcome their newborn,” she said.

“We are calling on the generosity of our community

to support them in this time of need.

“Any donation, no matter how small, will go towards helping them to secure essentials, such as temporary accommodation, clothing, baby supplies and other urgent needs.

“Please keep this family in your thoughts, and show them they are not alone. Together, we can help them find hope and strength during this incredibly difficult time.” Monetary donations can be made through the Lions Club account (BSB: 633000, Account No: 128771573 with a reference of “rebuildhope”).

Anyone wishing to donate a voucher can call Norma on 0417 541 126 to arrange collection. If anyone wants to donate goods, make sure they are clean and in good condition, and contact Amy McDonald on 0413 043 510 to arrange drop off or pick up.

Wynn cassia grass has been located on the Mareeba-Dimbulah Road area.

The Cassowary Coast, nestled in tropical North Queensland, Australia, is a region of breathtaking natural beauty and rich biodiversity.

Named after the endangered cassowary bird, this area is a haven for nature lovers, offering a unique blend of lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and vibrant marine life.

Stretching from Cardwell in the south to Josephine Falls in the north, the Cassowary Coast is home to charming towns like Innisfail, Kurrimine Beach, Tully, and Mission Beach.

Each town has its own character, with Innisfail known for its art deco architecture and Tully famous for being one of the wettest places in Australia.

Mission Beach, with its palm-fringed coastline, serves as a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and nearby tropical islands like Dunk and Bedarra.

Cardwell is a charming coastal town nestled along the Cassowary Coast and known for its stunning natural beauty, rich history, and outdoor adventures. The town is surrounded by lush rainforests, the Hinchinbrook Channel, and the Coral Sea, offering breathtaking views and a serene atmosphere. The town itself features attractions like the Cardwell Spa Pool, a striking natu-

ral pool with bright blue water, and the Cardwell Jetty, a popular spot for ﬁshing and enjoying coastal scenery. The area is steeped in history, with heritage sites like the Cardwell Bush Telegraph and it is also a hub for eco-tourism, with opportunities to explore the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and learn about the region’s Indigenous culture.

The region’s landscapes are incredibly diverse. The Wet Tropics Rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage site, blankets much of the area, providing a sanctuary for countless plant and animal species.

Visitors can explore trails that lead to stunning waterfalls like Attie Creek, Murray and Josephine Falls or take a dip in natural swimming holes such as Cardwell Spa Pools or Alligators Nest.

The coastline, on the other hand, boasts golden sandy beaches and estuaries teeming with wildlife, making it a paradise for ﬁshing, kayaking, and birdwatching.

Agriculture plays a signiﬁcant role in the local economy, with the region being a major producer of bananas, sugarcane, and tropical fruits. Roadside stalls and farm gates offer fresh produce, giving visitors a taste of the area’s agricultural bounty.

For those with a sweet tooth, a visit to Charley’s Chocolate Factory in El Arish is a must, where you can learn about the chocolate-making process and sample locally produced treats.

Adventure seekers will ﬁnd plenty to do on the Cassowary Coast. The Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island is a world-renowned hiking route, offering spectacular views of the coastline and rainforest.

For water enthusiasts, the proximity to the Great Barrier Reef provides opportunities for snorkelling, diving, and

exploring coral reefs brimming with marine life.

Festivals and events celebrating local art, music, and food add to the vibrant community spirit.

The Cassowary Coast is not just a destination; it’s an experience that combines natural wonders, adventure, and cultural richness.

Whether you’re seeking relaxation on secluded beaches, thrilling outdoor activities, or a deeper connection with nature, this tropical paradise has something for everyone.

We want you to experience our backyard that is on your doorstep.

A ﬁrst time visit or a return to pleasant memories, we have put together some impressive accommodation deals together with our local operators to allow you, your friends & family to explore what the Cassowary Coast has to offer. So go on, treat yourself to a great deal and explore the Cassowary Coast.

Mission Beach

Alligators Nest Swimming Hole

Bedarra Island

Andy’s journey through time

By ANDREE STEPHENS

HE has witnessed so many changes in a long life - world war, television, passenger planes, the rise and fall of the tobacco growing industry, computers, the internet and mobile phones. To younger generations it would be like time travel.

But when asked what the most impactful moments of his 100 years have been, Andrea Inveradi recalls two things: his papa waving and smiling just before he was accidentally killed, and the moment he saw his wife and first-born arrive on Australian soil.

The bittersweet memories were life-changing, yet Andy, as he is known, smiles when he describes with clarity, both incidents.

He is sitting on a chair outside the room that he shares with his wife Adelaide at Carinya Home in Atherton. He is fit, lean, and sharp. His exercise bike, used for two hours each day, sits on the porch overlooking a fenced-off, but lush, grounds.

Just a couple of days earlier he and his family and friends celebrated his centenary, with cakes, balloons, and letters from His Majesty the King, the Prime Minister, the Governor General of Australia, and of Queensland, the Premier and many local, federal and state politicians.

He moved to Carinya a few weeks after his wife, about 18 months ago. Adelaide, who suffers from dementia, was assessed as too vulnerable to remain at their farm near Dimbulah.

“I stayed at home for a little while, I didn’t want to be here,” he sighs and smiles, looking over at the bed where Adelaide is resting.

“But it was just me, the rock wallabies and the dog. I needed to be with her. I had no one to talk to.”

It isn’t often you meet a person who has migrated twice to Australia, but then again, it isn’t often you meet a person who’s long life is so intertwined with key moments in modern Australian history.

Born on 29 April, 1925, in Rovato, Brescia, in Lombardy, Northern Italy, he spent his first two years with his baby brother, Rocco, before his father took up an opportunity to go to Australia in 1927. He was to work at a cousin’s cane farm near Ingham and build a new life for his family, as the Depression took hold around the world.

Three years later, the family arrived by boat to reunite with Andy’s father. His dad had bought an old tin hut behind the Ingham hospital, which had belonged to a Chinese gardener who had passed on. Accommodation at the cane farm was for workers only. It was in poor condition following a great flood of the time, but Andy’s dad rebuilt and added another room. It was basic living, with no power, one bed and no water. The brothers slept on the floor, their number growing to four - Andy, Rocco, Angelo, Frankie and baby sister Angelina sleeping with Mum and Dad.

They relied on the creek next to which they lived for water.

“We grew a little bit of corn and vegies, and then we would sell it to people. A penny here, half penny there, we got by with the little money we could save,” Andy says.

“Aborigines were living on the other side of the creek, we had no problem,” Andy shrugged. “They’d come over and ask for a bit of sugar, come up and get a bit of tea and stuff.”

Andy went to school with the nuns, but wasn’t learning well.

“The nuns used to come out every Sunday and visit and they’d say ‘where’s Andy?’, (I used to play the wag). They’d say ‘sometimes he’s a good boy, sometimes he’s a cheeky

boy’,” Andy chuckles.

His father moved him to the state school to see if he would improve.

That didn’t last long. Andy came home crying one afternoon after his teacher had called him a “Dago”. Furious, his beloved father took him back to the nun’s school.

Then Andy’s life changed forever.

“My dad said to my mum one day, ‘tell Andrea not to stop and play marbles at school, tell him to come home straight away, go to the paddock and catch the horse, put him on to the horse cart and we go towards Halifax. Tell him I have bought him a spring bed!”

At 5pm, Andy had the cart ready and the two of them took off to Halifax, climbing up and out from their Creekside home.

“At the top of the hill Dad stopped and waved back to Mum and the rest of the family. He’d never done that before,” Andy says, a half smile, his bright eyes earnest.

“Four times a week we’d go around and sell vegies, he never stopped and waved. He’d never done it before.”

As they continued they neared the railway line and a sugar cane truck was headed to Victoria Mill for the crush.

“Dad was still standing up, and I was kneeling in front of him. The truck tooted its horn, you had to do that before you crossed the line. It frightened the horse, which did a sharp curve and Dad fell. I ended up a couple of hundred yards away on the ground, when the horse stopped

because a wheel got caught in a fence post.

“I wasn’t hurt, and I ran back and a few good guys who were there got in touch with the ambos. In those days we didn’t have a phone. I didn’t wait for the ambulance, I ran home.”

“When I got there, mum said ‘the sergeant came to see me. I didn’t understand what he said, but he had tears in his eyes.’”

Andy told his mum what happened and the following morning a nurse called in to say they had better come up to the hospital.

“I ran. He was still alive, but unconscious. I was with him. Before Mum and the family got there he passed away,” he says.

“Mum could never, never get over it. Didn’t matter how many times the nuns came down to visit, she never got over it.

“We had no money, the Australian people didn’t like us very much because Mussolini went against England. I was being called Dago at school.

“Mum wanted to go back to Italy.

The family took up an offer by former PM, and then fascist dictator, Benito Mussolini, for Italian migrants to return home for free. It was six months before World War II began.

Back in Italy, Andy’s family was helped by his mother’s uncle, who was a priest. Life was still hard, work was scarce, and Andy, close to 16, decided to join the navy without his mother’s knowledge.

“I always liked the navy,” he says.

place, but I fixed it up in the second place,” Andy says a little embarrassed.

The couple were married by proxy, 72 years ago; Andy with a priest beside him in Tully, while Adelaide was with a priest in Italy.

Then the happiest moment of his life happened.

“When I saw Adelaide with my son Emelio. It was nothing special,” he shrugs. “But to me, we were married, and I saw my baby for the first time.”

By the time his family was growing, Emelio joined by brother Victor and sister Laura, and his mother and siblings all settling in and around the region, Andy took on new challenges.

He trained and bought the bakery in Euramo from a friend who had provided the family with free bread.

A few years later he bought the Gordonvale bakery. It was a gamble. The bakery had been shut for years, as the previous owner had not been able to “turn a good loaf”.

When Andy did a bit of investigating he found the oven firebox was in the wrong place and heat was distributing badly. He got a mate from the mill to fix it and his first loaf was just right.

After several years Andy had itchy feet and thought about buying a cane farm in Aloomba. But the bank manager had told him he was better off heading to the Tablelands where tobacco growing was the big earner.

“I was in the submarines.”

He recalls the turning point for him in the war.

“We were given six days at home, and we knew very well, you don’t get six days off during a war. When we come back it’s got to be a big mission.”

They were right. They were to intercept British vessels going to Malta near the Red Sea.

“When we got there, they were waiting for us. They knew we were coming. We had no choice but to turn back.”

Andy says they all knew the war was ending, and they were on the wrong side. Many simply walked away when they returned to Italy.

The war ended, Andy got reconstruction work in Milan, and after a time noticed a young lady on the train. It was Adelaide. After a few shy conversations, they started dating. But life was still tough, and “there was a lot of anger in Italy”.

A cousin in Australia had a cane farm near Tully, close to country he had grown up in. By 1949, Andy for the second time in his life, moved to Australia.

“I went to Euramo and cut cane, just like Dad,” he smiles. “I really enjoyed it.”

He had planned for Adelaide to come out when he was settled, but it would take at least two years as his girlfriend. As fate would have it, it was not long after he arrived that his mother wrote to tell him he was to be a father.

“I did the wrong thing in the first

The family moved to a farm near Dimbulah, which produced a low standard of tobacco, as the soil was poor. But undeterred Andy bought a second farm near sandy creek which proved much more successful.

“I knew nothing about tobacco, but, steady, steady it became a good life.”

The family thrived and in the town Andy became a well-known producer, and community member.

“Then they got sick of us growing tobacco, and we had to stop. And they gave us $4 a kilo! Whatever quality you had. Which you’d be flat out buying a house in town it wasn’t much,” he says with a hint of bitterness.

Andy stayed farming, introducing navy beans, which he shut down after several years as there were “too many navy beans”.

He then began tea tree oil production, he adds laughing with self-deprecation. After expensive fitting out, machinery distilling, and so forth, tea trees also took a dive.

“I said Andrea, it’s time to give it up. I didn’t know what to damn plant. Tobacco was the best.”

He sold both farms and bought another farm, this time to relax and retire. He bought a push bike and spent days riding. He’d go to church every Sunday (which he still does), go bowling, and just enjoyed living easy.

They still have the farm, and his daughter who works in mining, will visit and take him there when she can.

He feels a little frustrated at the inactivity of living in a care wing of Carinya, surrounded by people who need assistance. But it’s what it is. It’s a nice place he says, for people who need looking after.

Staff help when they can by accompanying him on outside walks, or by taking him to the gym - which he loves - but he misses bike riding.

He has visitors, and of course the odd incredible birthday parties. His sister Angelina even made it to his 100th. His brothers have all passed now.

And he has his beloved Adelaide.

“Oh yes, we argue every day, we get divorced every day,” he grins.

Something he wouldn’t miss for the world.

(Above left): Andy celebrating his 100th brithday. (Remaining photos coutesy of FB Page Mareeba History. Above right): Adelaide and Andy. (Below from left): A young Andy in the Italian Navy, cutting cane in Euramo and Adelaide with their son Emelio.

Chronic health help closer to home

RESIDENTS with chronic conditions living in Croydon, Georgetown, and Mt Garnet will soon have support closer to home, thanks to a new teambased healthcare program.

Under the Multidisciplinary Allied Health Teams program, funded by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN), allied health workers from Cairns will work with local GPs and other local primary care providers in the communities.

Following a tender process, NQPHN has announced that Active Performance, in Cairns, will establish the services.

Face-to-face and telehealth services are due to begin on 1

July, with codesign consultation beginning in the coming weeks.

NQPHN chief executive officer Ben Tooth said rural and remote areas of North Queensland experienced higher rates of chronic conditions and potentially preventable hospitalisations, compared to the rest of the state.

“We know GPs, allied health workers, and community members in these areas need more support,” he said.

“This program brings in allied health specialists to work alongside local teams and GPs, so people with chronic conditions can access timely care without having to leave

Ceremonies to honour victims

CEREMONIES will be held across the region this Wednesday to honour the lives lost and support the families affected by Domestic and Family Violence (DFV).

The Cairns Regional Domestic Violence Service (CRDVS) invites the community to participate in the ceremonies that will include a candle lighting ceremony at 6pm, which will be held simultaneously across the state to draw attention to the issue.

Community members can show their support by attending the ceremonies at either Atherton’s Anzac Park or Mareeba’s 100 Park.

Both ceremonies will commence at 5.40pm and conclude at 6.10pm. Attendees are invited to stay for light refreshments following the event.

Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month in May is a Statewide campaign aimed at raising awareness of domestic and family violence across the community.

On why it is so important for the communities to support Remembrance Day, Ms Sandra Keogh, CEO of CRDVS said, “Participating in ceremonies

is particularly important to the friends, families and communities impacted when someone loses their life at the hands of someone they loved.

“It is a reminder that no community is immune and keeps these deaths visible when so often they have been a brief and often sensationalised headline.

“Coming together in this way is also a show of support for victims of domestic and family violence as so many survivors and victims’ families are forced to carry this burden silently.”

According to recent statistics, there have been 55 known domestic and family violence-related deaths in Australia between 1 May 2024 and 30 April 2025, including 49 women and girls, as well as six boys and men.

Of these deaths, Queensland recorded the highest number of DFV related fatalities, with a total of 21 deaths, followed by New South Wales with 18 deaths.

All other states and territories across Australia had eight or fewer deaths.

their community.

“It will make a real difference to help them manage their conditions and stay out of hospital.

“We’re proud to partner with Active Performance and a team that shares our commitment to improving care for people in regional, rural, and remote areas.”

Director and Physiotherapist Nick Kenny, from Active Performance in Cairns, said every person, regardless of gender, age, cultural background or postcode, deserved access to high-quality allied health services.

“It is a sad reality that many who suffer from chronic health

conditions in rural areas, like Croydon, Georgetown, and Mt Garnet, are left with no option but to leave their homes and move to the cities,” he said.

“This program will ensure that community-based allied health services are accessible, and individuals and their families will be supported to manage their health conditions while choosing to remain in their community.

“It’s the first time that regular face-to-face allied health services, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics, and psychology will be provided to these communities based on need.”

NQPHN chief executive officer Ben Tooth.

Prime waterfront living

Nestled in the charming village of Yungaburra, this stunning Jon Nott-designed timber pole home offers prime waterfront living with direct access to Lake Tinaroo.

Set on a 2,395m² block, it features high ceilings, exposed beams, polished timber floors, and an open-plan layout with a granite kitchen and servery to an elevated deck boasting breathtaking lake views.

The living area’s cathedral ceilings and French doors

create seamless indooroutdoor flow.

Upstairs are three airconditioned bedrooms, including a master with a walk-in robe, private deck, and access to the updated bathroom, plus an additional powder room. Downstairs offers a fourth bedroom, bathroom, and living area, ideal for guests or teenagers.

Landscaped gardens feature fruit trees, while sustainability is ensured with a 13.33kW

solar system, battery storage, and EV charger.

Additional highlights include a 7m x 5m insulated shed, double carport, concrete driveway, and a spacious two-bay shed for all

your recreational gear.

For more information about this wonderful home, contact exclusive agent Suzey Whitby at Ray White Atherton. Call 0438 090 306.

OPPORTUNITIES like this are rare in Tolga! Almost completely flat and set back from the road this generous 1,002m² block offers the best of both worldspeaceful surrounds with the convenience of town just moments away.

With no building covenants, you have the freedom to design and build a home that suits your lifestyle and your budget.

Features highlights: • 1002m2 square allotment • Town water and power connected • No Covenants or Easements • 33m Road Buffer • Titled and ready for construction • Near level and low maintenance • Walking distance to Tolga With very little land available in Tolga’s township this block provides an opportunity to call Tolga home.

For more information contact Elders Agent Michelle Raso on michelle.raso@ eldersrealestate.com.au

Solid Carrington family home with granny flat

and

The main home features four spacious bedrooms designed for comfort, providing ample space for relaxation and rest.

The two living areas offer flexibility to all the family and guest with the main living area feature being the builtin fireplace for those cooler winter months.

The one-bedroom granny flat / studio has been thoughtfully placed offering flexibility for guests. With room for at least two cars in the lockup garage off-street and on the driveway, parking is never an issue.

Located in the quiet and family friendly neighbourhood, close to schools, shops, and parks, this property provides everything you need for a convenient and fulfilling lifestyle.

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Emerald this grand 5 bedroom family offers multiple indoor and outdoor living options all encompassed on an expansive 4 acre allotment positioned for privacy & to take advantage of the exceptional views. Features include:

• Approx 542m2 floorplan consisting of 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms & 2 toilets

• Massive air-conditioned internal layout incorporating a sunken lounge with fireplace, separate dining & living areas with in-built brick bar, generous central kitchen & enclosed patio/gym

Great location with space

NORMALLY you are expected to choose, to weigh up the pros and cons. Town or rural. There is no need for you to choose as this property with an expansive architectural designed family home sitting on a private, peaceful, and picturesque 9,300 square metre block (approx. 2.3 acres), just 2km from Woolies. For golf enthusiasts, the Atherton Golf Course is nearby. The property is zoned Rural Residential and can be sub-divided.

As you step through the front door you are greeted by lovely cathedral ceilings leading you into the living area, and kitchen with a walkin pantry and dishwasher.

As you climb the steps to the upper level, you are greeted by a spacious foyer which could double as a reading room or office. The

spacious main bedroom has ample storage and an ensuite with an easy access shower. There are another 3 bedrooms on this level, all with built-in wardrobes. A tiled bathroom with a shower over a bathtub is also on this level. Ideal for a home occupation is this air conditioned room with access to another room and toilet, suitable as a workshop or studio. Alternatively, this area could also be a teenagers retreat. A charming patio overlooks the gardens, creating a peaceful space to enjoy your morning coffee or afternoon beverage, sheltered from the elements by the surrounding trees. This home needs love and attention, no disguising that. You can enjoy hours of fun perusing the variety of products available to use for the refurbishing and decorating of this home. If you need lots of room to move or want a yard big enough to build a large shed, this property deserves your inspection. An ideal project property for a keen renovator, bring your tool box and start the renovations.

For more information, call Trisha Jackson at Professionals Atherton.

CLASSIFIEDS

PositioN VacaNt

POSITION TITLE

FIELD SUPERVISOR

REPORTS TO Choorechillum PBC RNTBC

Board of Directors

DEPARTMENT

Land Management & Conservation

CLASSIFICATION

005 – Full Time Position

DURATION

Contract position for 12 months

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS

Friday 16th May, 2025

This is an ‘identified position’. To perform this role, it is essential that the person is Ngadjon-Jii common law native title holder. It is therefore a genuine occupational requirement under section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991.

This is an ‘identified position’. To perform this role, it is essential that the person is Ngadjon-Jii common law native title holder. It is therefore a genuine occupational require ment under section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Field Supervisor leads the Ngadjon-Jii Rangers team as part of the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) Indigenous Ranger Program (IRP). This role is responsible for managing and implementing processes and standards to ensure the program is delivered to a high standard across designated sites within Ngadjon-Jii country. The Field Supervisor is also expected to demonstrate strong leadership in governance and possess a solid understanding of the administrative and planning requirements necessary to achieve the program’s key milestones

QUALIFICATIONS

• Certificate 3 & 4 or higher in Land Management and Conservation.

• Demonstrated work experience within the Land Management and Conservation Space will be considered.

POSITION SPECIFIC CONDITIONS

• This role requires evidence of skills and qualifications and the possession of a current Drivers License.

POSITION SPECIFIC CONDITIONS

• This role requires evidence of skills and qualifications and the possession of a current Drivers License.

• The successful completion of a Pre-Employment Assessment including drug and alcohol screening is required before any offer of employment.

• Work Hours 8:30am-4:30am Monday to Friday

• The successful completion of a Pre-Employment Assessment including drug and alcohol screening is required before any offer of employment.

HOW TO APPLY

• Work Hours 8:30am-4:30am Monday to Friday HOW TO APPLY

If you wish to apply, please send through a cover letter of no more than 2 pages outlining how you meet each of the selection criteria and copy of your updated resume. If you are selected for interviews you will need to provide us with two referees.

Email: choorechillumpbc@y7mail.com

Public Notice

River (ML 100412).

The applications are located at approximately 59 – 66 kilometres north west of Mareeba.

The applicant is: Fairfield Copper-Gold Pty Ltd 100% Date & time applications lodged: ML 100412 - 18 November 2024, 12:51pm ML 100413 - 18 November 2024, 2:36pm ML 100414 - 18 November 2024, 3:23 pm

Mining activities to be carried out include: Alluvial Gold Mining

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 - Verde Tower, 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:

Environmental Authority Documents

A-EA-NEW-100776654 Standard application for a new environmental authority for a resource activity.

The application documents for the proposal consist of the following:

A-EA-NEW-100779204 Standard application for a new environmental authority for a resource activity.

A-EA-NEW-100776654 Standard application for a new environmental authority for a resource activity.

A-EA-NEW-100778730 Standard application for a new environmental authority for a resource activity.

A-EA-NEW-100779204 Standard application for a new environmental authority for a resource activity.

A-EA-NEW-100778730 Standard application for a new environmental authority for a resource activity.

Copies of, or extracts from, the application documents may be inspected at the Department of Environment and Science, Level 3, 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 and Science website: www.des.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.

The 1975 Atherton A Grade Eacham Rugby League Premiers. Back Row: Eric Richardson (assistant manager), Bill Thorne, John Marnane, Darryl Denney, Mick Fleming, Barry Petrie, David Arbouin, Colin Lee Long (masseur).

Middle Row: Ted DeBondi (manager), Savoy Brown, Sid Bryden, Christo Benjamin, Ron Giveen, Jeff Moss, Sam De Tournouer, Doug Stewart, Ian Beattie, Chris Conway (physio).

Front Row: Peter Hodge, Les McElligott (vice-president), Graham Bevan (captain/coach), Brian Geraghty (president), Len Standen, Steve Evans. Mascot: Jason Petrie. Absent: Tom Masters.

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 6 June 2025 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

Email: MineralHub@resources.qld.gov.au

Level 9, 445 Flinders Street, Townsville QLD 4810

PO Box 1752, Townsville QLD 4810

Email: MineralHub@resources.qld.gov.au

Old chooks mark 50 years

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: Fairfield Copper-Gold Pty Ltd C/- Claire Mackney P.O. Box 706, Mareeba QLD 4880

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:

Fairfield Copper-Gold Pty Ltd

Objection for the mining lease application:

C/- Claire Mackney

A properly made objection in respect to the grant of the mining lease is one that:

P.O. Box 706, Mareeba QLD 4880

THE Atherton Senior Roosters will celebrate another club milestone this year with the 50-year reunion of the 1975 back-to-back premiers.

“It was a great celebration. We held the key to the city for both years, which was good. The party was always good in Atherton.

Objection for the mining lease application:

• 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;

A properly made objection in respect to the grant of the mining lease is one that:

• states the grounds of the objection and the facts and circumstances relied on in support of the grounds;

The side claimed the title over Malanda in 1974 and then defeated Mossman 25-14 in the 1975 Eacham senior competition grand final.

“It’ll be good to catch up with all the old fellas. Atherton was a very important part of my upbringing.

• 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;

• is signed and dated by each person/entity (i.e. signatory) making the objection; and

• states the name and address of each signatory.

• 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-eergy-water/resources/applications-compliance/forms-fees.

Submissions for the Environmental Authority application:

Captain-coach Graham Bevan led the Roosters in both consecutive premierships before joining Cairns Brothers in 1976.

“I just happened to be fortunate enough to be one of the 15 players to win it twice.”

A properly made submission must meet all of the following requirements:

• be written or made electronically;

Submissions for the Environmental Authority application:

• state the name and address of each submitter;

A properly made submission must meet all of the following requirements:

• be made to the administering authority stated above;

• be written or made electronically;

• be received on or before the last day of the submission period;

• state the name and address of each submitter;

• state the grounds of the submission and the facts and circumstances relied on in support of the grounds.

• be made to the administering authority stated above;

Intending submitters may contact the Department of Environment and Science on 1300 130 372 to obtain a submission form or obtain a copy from the departments website: www.des.qld.gov.au.

• 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 and Science on 1300 130 372 to obtain a submission form or obtain a copy from the departments website: www.des.qld.gov.au.

Fullback for the premiership sides Len “Pop” Standen reminisced on the glory days and was grateful to have won the grand final twice in a row.

“It was 50 years ago, and I barely remember what happened five days ago,” he laughed.

“All I remember is that my mate got a depressed cheekbone from one of our own players, I think that was in the Mossman game.

“I believe one of our centres took a tackle and his knee swung around and hit him in the cheek.

“And I was yelling at him to get up because they were pressing our line, and he turned around and half his right eyeball was hanging out!

The club is now inviting all players and connections of the premiership side to the reunion to be held in early June.

They are also extending invitations to past 70s players from the former senior Millaa Millaa, Malanda, Mareeba Easts and Mareeba Wests clubs to attend.

The reunion will be held on 6 and 7 June and will include a meet and greet and an acknowledgement before the 2025 Roosters take on the Mossman Sharks.

The meet and greet will be held at the Roosters clubhouse from 6pm on Friday 6 June and all players from the 1975 era will be acknowledged before the FNQRL game the following day from 2pm.

“It was hard going back in those days. Our coach was Graham Bevan, and he was a hard taskmaster, you wanted to play for him more than anything, I suppose.

“He was a very good coach. I learnt a lot of stuff from him that took me a good step for the rest of my life.

The Senior Roosters are also “honoured” to have former players from the 1975 Mossman side attending.

Established in 1918, the Atherton Senior Roosters play season 107 in 2025.

For more information, contact Darryl Day on 0427 735 367.

Mareeba girls to represent region

SIX young Mareeba girls were recently selected for the Peninsula rugby league team and will travel to the Gold Coast this weekend to take on teams from all over the state.

Madinah Bajramovic, Moharnie Macumboy, Jehaziel Kose, Azariah Mataio, Meeshia McCurley, and Chloe Mackenzie have been selected to represent Peninsula at the Girls Rugby League State Championships.

Bajramovic and Macumboy were picked for the 15-16 years squad, and Kose and Mataio for the 17-18 years team.

However, McCurley and Mackenzie are unfortunately unable to play due to recent injuries.

The young women, who are all current or ex-players of the Mareeba Junior Rugby League Club, will play at the Gold Coast Titans home ground of Cbus Super Stadium from Thursday to Sunday. The girls will then have the opportunity to be picked in the Queensland School Girls team.