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editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au • Issue 661 • Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Up, up and away Ita lifts the roof off the West Coast Hotel WEST Coast Hotel patrons have been assured by its owner Graham McCauley that the Cooktown icon will open for business as soon as possible. “I’m not sure what we’ll be doing with the top part, but we’ll be reopening the bottom section as soon as we get Cook Shire Council approval,” he said. Staff were rudely awoken in the early hours of Saturday morning with the roof dangling precariously close to their heads after the roof had been partly torn off with the ferocity of Tropical Cyclone Ita’s winds. The hotel was rebuilt at its original location around 1876. Photos: GARY HUTCHISON.
News SPECIAL REPORT Cooktown Local
H H H H H H H H H H H H H
COOKTOWN
Cyclone Ita OUR EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE
INSIDE: PAGES 3 and 7 – 11
What’s on at the Sov!
H The most beautiful place in Cooktown H
Cnr Charlotte & Green Streets, Cooktown • Phone: 4043 0500 • info@sovereignresort.com.au • www.sovereignresort.com.au • Courtesy bus available
Sovereign Café Bar Bistro The Sovereign Resort would like to wish everyone a very Happy Easter!
Closed Good Friday
Is now open and cooking all day. Food available from 7am to 8.30pm.
SATURDAY NIGHT
Cyclone Ita Recovery Party From 7.30pm, with Big Wheel live in the Café Bar!
sunday roast $12 SUNDAY SESSION ar
in the Café B
live music 1-5pm
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Order any main meal and receive 1 kid's roast for FREE!
SUNDAY SPECIA
What’s On
editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au
EDITOR’S NOTE: If you have an upcoming event, please let us know by email to editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au or phone Gary Hutchison on (07) 4069 5773.
WEEKLY
2nd & 4th Tuesday, every month. Trivia Night at the Cooktown RSL Memorial Club, 7pm. Info call 4069 5780. Every Thursday. Bingo, 10am, and Social Darts, 7pm, at the Bowls Club. Every Friday. Monster Meat Raffles in the Caf Bar, @ The Sovereign, from 6pm. Every Friday. Members Draw, from 6.30pm; Raffles and Lucky Pokies Seat, 8-8.30pm, at the Bowls Club. Every Friday. Members Draw (7.30-8.30pm) @ the Cooktown RSL Memorial Club plus raffles. Every Saturday. Lions Club raffles and members' draw at the Top Pub, from 12 noon to 3pm. Every Sunday. Social Bowls, from 8.30am, Bowls Club. Every Monday. Hospitality Bowls, from 2.30pm, Bowls Club. Every Sunday and Tuesday. Cooktown Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in the CWA Hall in Charlotte Street. Sunday: from 1.30pm, Tuesday from 8pm. Call 0477 505 047 for details. Every Tuesday. Cards and Games morning, 10am, Bowls Club. Every Tuesday and Thursday. Swim for Your Life at the Cooktown Pool from 9am to 10pm. Every Wednesday. Social Bowls, from 1pm, at the Bowls Club. Every Wednesday and Saturday. Cooktown Pool - Aqua Aerobics: Wednesday from 5.30pm to 6.30pm, Saturday 12 noon to 1pm.
APRIL
Thu 17. Gungarde Holiday Activities. Easter Activities at Gungarde Hall from 9am to 12 pm. Easter Egg Hunt in Lions Park from 1pm to 4pm. 4069 5412 for details. Thu 17 only. Members Draw (7.30-8.30pm) @ the Cooktown RSL Memorial Club plus raffles. Fri - Mon, 18 - 21. Laura Amateur Turf Club working bee. Fri 18. Good Friday public holiday. Sat 19. Easter Saturday public holiday. Sat 19. Cyclone Ita Recovery Party, with Big Wheel live, in the Caf Bar from 7.30pm @ The Sovereign. Sun 20. Sunday Session with Big Wheel live, 1-5pm @ The Sovereign. Mon 21. Easter Monday public holiday. Tue - Wed, 22 - 23. Ordinary Meeting of Cook Shire Council, from 9am @ Council's administration building. Phone 4069 5444. Wed 23. Building Active Communities free training and education for sport and rec volunteers, 6.30 - 9.30pm @ PCYC Cooktown Events Centre. Phone 4222 5236. Fri 25. Anzac Day public holiday. Fri 25. Anzac Day Ceremonies: Dawn Service - 5.50am at Anzac Memorial Park for Service to commence at 6am. Public Service - Assemble at RSL Memorial Club at 10.15am for the march to Anzac Memorial Park, for service at 11am.
CHURCH SERVICES Baptist: Hogg Street, near IGA, 9.30am Sun. Phone 4069 5155. Cooktown Community Church (AOG/ACC): Gungarde Hall, 9.30am Sun; Home Group 7.30am Wed. Phone 4069 5070, 0427 756 793. Catholic: 6pm Sat and 8.30am Sun, St Mary's, Cooktown. Phone 4069 5730. Anglican: Christ Church Chapel, Sun 8.30am. Phone 4069 6778, 0428 696 493. Lutheran: Hope Vale at 9am on Sunday, Cooktown. Phone either 4060 9197 or 0419 023 114.
letters to the editor To the many – the McDonalds send thanks ROB and I have experienced of a number of cyclones, both separately and as a couple. We have between us, seen out cyclones and storms in a tent, a caravan, a couple of different houses and a few different boats. Our experiences include being almost in the centre of a couple of cyclones, but they were mere “Storms in a Tea Cup” compared to Severe Tropical Cyclone Ita. Having done what we believed we could to secure Dancing Dolphin, we made the decision in the early hours of Friday morning that it would be unwise to stay aboard. Not only would we risk our own lives and that of our one-year-old Siamese, Ariettie but, if we were in need of help, we may also be endangering the lives of those who had to come rescue us. We knew we had only one trip in our dinghy to take what we needed – so “frivolous” things like photos and jewellery - and sorry Kevin - Ariettie’s vaccination certificates were left behind. Thankfully, the coffee can, bag of milk powder and canister of sugar we grabbed were useful. To cut a long story short, it was a scary night, and we worried like hell – along with every single other person inside that shelter, including the volunteers and professional services – that our home could survive the night. First of all, we would like to thank the owners, skipper and crew of fishing vessel, Arafura Queen for helping us get Dancing Dolphin into Four Mile Creek and getting her settled in. It’s the second time they have helped us get into the creek with a storm coming. Next, we would like to thank Ian McCrae for coming out in his brand
With their normal residence, the Dancing Dolphin, safely moored upstream in the Endeavour River, Rob and Gay McDonald and their ‘child’ Ari were waiting entry to the evacuation centre. new 4WD and taking us to the cyclone shelter and helping us get home. The return trip included helping the folks from SV Starchaser to chainsaw a path back to the river, and I cringed every time I heard a branch probably scratch his brand new paint. Ian has been one of the best friends one could hope to find, and we thank him for being there. Next, I would like to thank Kevin (Stevenson), the shelter manager, for his compassion and empathy for all us crazy pet owners in the middle of the night, when he let us in to reassure our pets. And further, I would like to thank, through him, all the people who worked to set up and run the shelter (not many deputy mayors would empty bins and mop up rain water in the middle of the night).
A police officer got a gym mat for our friend, Maggie, to help her get some sleep. A neighbor loaned us a blanket. We were offered, but did not take two sleeping bags, just in case somebody else needed them more. The SES and police who walked around inside during the worst of the storm helped to make one feel a little more comforted and secure. Members of the media passed on information after the TV signal was lost. Somebody phoned via Dot Bell, letting us know Dancing Dolphin was safe, if nothing else – not sure who it was but would love to thank them. Water Police also let us know the chainsaw was on the way to help us get down the track and get home.
One of those ladies, whose name I have forgotten, sorry, brought doggy treats to the frightened pets in the wee hours - a little gesture of kindness that was not “in
Yes, some leaks showed up. But I’ve seen water forced through vents before in lesser cyclones than this one! Yes, sure, the doors to the store room were un-
Contacts & Deadlines Editor: (07) 4069 5773 Editor’s mobile: 0411 722 807 People wishing to meet in person with the editor can do so by calling him, and he will arrange a time to meet with you at a mutually convenient location. All advertising / accounts enquiries, please call: 1300 4895 00 or (07) 4098 2281 Mobile: 0419 828 639 Fax: 1300 787 248 Where we go: Approx 1400 copies distributed every Thursday throughout Cooktown, Hope Vale, Rossville, Wujal Wujal, Bloomfield, Ayton, Marton, Port Douglas, Mossman, Cairns, Lakeland Downs/Laura, Mt Carbine/Mt Molloy, Mareeba and Coen, and subscribers across Australia and overseas.
EDITOR: Gary Hutchison editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au GENERAL MANAGER & AD DESIGN: Sharon Gallery ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au
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2 – Cooktown Local News – Wednesday, April 16, 2014
the plan” but came from her huge heart.
der pressure, but it got sorted out and it is also something that happens in the middle of a cyclone. Consider all the heroic people who held those doors shut while the problem was fixed. Ambulances make reasonable wind breaks too. Who would have thought they would put such an expensive and necessary vehicle into harm’s way to protect the few souls sleeping in front of the open inner doors? Repeat: these were inner doors and did not access outer walls. People complained about not being fed. I reckon they need to think before making such silly complaints! I saw SES and police from Cairns and Atherton, for example, as well as our locals. Did any of the complainers consider that these folks whose own homes, families, possessions, etc, were also at risk, and that they were sheltering and protecting us – at risk of their very lives, maybe – instead? It would have been a tough enough ex-
We were grateful to be allowed in with our own food, we were most pleased to be under that massive roof with the wind ripping Lord knows what into small pieces outside. It sounded monstrous, wild, devastating. Every time I looked at one of the female SES workers, I asked myself if I could take her place, and was pleased I didn’t have to. I ask all of you, the sheltered, the assisted, the rescued, to take a moment to feel, to show gratitude to those who sheltered/assisted/rescued/planned/etc. Our sincere thanks Gay, Rob and Ariettie McDonald.
Letters to the editor
Publisher’s Details Publishers of the Cooktown Local News
ercise for a brand-new cyclone shelter to cope with catering for those who did the work. The lessons learned from this first experience will make for a much better operation next time and, in this region, there will be a “Next Time”.
regional & remote N E W S P A P E R S
Real news for real Australia
CHAIRMAN: Mark Bousen editor@regionalandremote.com.au PUBLISHER: Corey Bousen publisher@regionalandremote.com.au MANAGING EDITOR: Mark Bousen editor@regionalandremote.com.au ACCOUNTS: Sharon Gallery, General Manager accounts@cooktownlocalnews.com.au
Letters to the Editor are published as a free community service and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Cooktown Local News nor its management. Letters must be legible, preferably less than 250 words, carry a name and address, and be signed. A telephone number or similar identification must also be provided. Unsigned and anonymous letters, or use of a nom de plume, eg Concerned Citizen, etc will not be accepted. Names withheld on discretion of the publisher. Letters may be edited for space or content or omitted altogether at the discretion of the editor. Mail to: PO Box 36, Cooktown, Qld, 4895 Fax: 1300 787 248 or Email: editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au.
Cyclone Ita
Council has advised residents not to handle or go near any materials
At Monday’s Local Disaster Management Group meeting at the Cook Shire Council chambers, an Ergon Energy representative reported that barring unforeseen circumstances, Cooktown would have had its power restored that day, while Hope Vale and Wujal Wujal could expect reconnection by Tuesday and Wednesday respectively. Communications with Hope Vale and Wujal Wujal were lost completely, but mobile phone services around Cooktown and some of the outer areas remained intact. Although contact with Wujal Wujal was still unavailable as at Tuesday, mobile phone services had been restored to Hope Vale by Monday.
“There are so many stories of heroism throughout Ita, both from the emergency crews and the community, so at this stage it would be a bit unfair to name names,” he said. “But the efforts of our guys in getting the water back on as quickly as they did deserves a mention. “They were at work at daybreak on Saturday morning and didn’t stop until about midnight on Sunday night – all up they worked solidly for about 40 hours. “And as for concerns about the sewerage, that was never a problem.” Mr Wilton said mention should also go to Cornett’s IGA Cooktown Manager Paul Scott. “Paul and the IGA were on the front foot right from the time it was obvious we were facing a
“Them being here as early as they were meant the recovery process started immediately.
Similarly, the locations and number of houses affected by flooding is also still not fully known.
okto
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In regards to the cleanup effort, he also lauded those good Samaritans who had been helping with the massive job ahead. However, those offering assistance to council with their chainsaws could only do so if their equipment was certified. “We’re very grateful of this,” he said. “But unfortunately, we’re bound by regulations in this regard.
Department of Communities staff are in town offering outreach services to people suffering personal or financial hardship, but in that regard, they are asking residents not to attend the government hub offices in town, but to contact them on 1800 173 349.
Aleisha Lyons was doing her bit to help family and friends with the massive clean-up of downed vegetation at her Racecourse Road residence. Despite the havoc wreaked on trees, bushes and the fence, the house sustained only minimal damage to some roof guttering. See more photos on pages 7 – 11. Photo: GARY HUTCHISON.
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“Along with all residents in the district, they’ve worked tirelessly throughout.”
“Of course, while we cannot accept their help, there is nothing to stop them offering it to their neighbours and other residents.”
Whether or not other houses outside of Cooktown have been unroofed is still unknown.
Two life-threatening crises have also come to light. One was the rescue of a family who had driven through flood waters on the Mulligan Highway at Keatings Lagoon, only to find a rapidly-rising Annan River threatening their lives on the other side. Unable to go back, the SES Swift Water Rescue Team was called to take them to safety while their vehicle went under water. The other was a
“Then there were our team at council, the external agencies of Ergon Energy, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, SES, the Queensland Police Service and Queensland Ambulance Service – all of which had staff and equipment on the ground well before Ita turned up.
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SES is also offering similar services for people needing assessments on the removal of debris from their homes, with 132 500 the number to call for that assistance.
$16
5.30pm to 6.30pm WEDNESDAY LUNCH SPECIAL n Bo w
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It is believed the West Coast Hotel was the only business to lose its roof, with two houses in Cooktown also suffering the same fate.
One aspect of the clean-up which is concerning Cook Shire Council authorities though is the prospect of people handling asbestos, with council staff expected to go door-todoor to provide safety equipment and advice to residents on the safe handling of this deadly building product.
It is known that Hope Vale’s banana plantation was razed, while Peter Inderbitzin has reported his Swiss Farms banana plantation at Lakeland suffered crop losses of between 15 to 20 per cent.
Cook Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Steve Wilton said conjecture about the town’s sewerage services was unfounded, while he lauded the efforts of his staff engaged in restoring the town’s water supply.
“Look, it starts with the residents who cleaned up their yards to reduce the amount of flying debris generated during the storm,” he said.
takeaway SPECIALS
ONLY
Power and communications were severed, roads were cut and some houses were inundated by floodwaters, while yards and properties have been described by some as “war zones” with the massive clean-up faced to remove the debris.
It is the loss of communications and inaccessibility to communities that has restricted the information gathering process of all concerned to fully ascertain the extent of Ita’s effects outside Cooktown.
Anyone with asbestos concerns is advised to contact council immediately on 4069 5444 for advice.
Cooktown lost power and water early on Friday evening, but both were gradually starting to be restored by Sunday.
cHECK OUT OUR MONTHLY
ONLY ONLY
s
While at this stage no major, widespread structural damages have been recorded, Ita’s impact was not lessened, with fallen trees, broken branches, uprooted vegetation and localised flooding wreaking havoc throughout.
The PCYC Cooktown Events Centre’s capabilities as an evacuation centre were tested, with about 330 people seeking shelter, but at this stage, the number who sought refuge in Hope Vale’s facility is still unknown.
in which asbestos is suspected to be contained.
He said proactive preparation by all concerned was the reason damage was kept to an absolute minimum.
Please be advised that the Club is CLOSED for Good Friday (April 18) ALL DAY and also CLOSED ANZAC Day (April 25) until 1pm.
okto
Predicted to strike as a catastrophic Category 5 weather event, Ita’s wind velocity fell far short of the forecast 240km/hplus destructive winds, with speeds around the 130km/h mark being recorded at Cooktown Airport.
yachtsman, blown from the deck of his Endeavour River-moored boat, forced to battle the tide without his board shorts which had been dragged off by the current in his swim to shore. He was located naked by police and taken to hospital where he was examined and released.
“With his forward planning, there were sufficient stocks to ensure the town wouldn’t be without food.”
The Cooktown Bowls Club hopes that everyone has survived the cyclone.
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Most importantly, there was no loss of life or casualties throughout the region’s ordeal.
Steer clear of asbestos during clean-up
cyclone threat,” he said.
• Fully Airconditioned • Bar • Pokies
C uB o
COOKTOWN and the district is open for business and will be ready in time for the approaching tourist season as residents and government agencies work tirelessly to clean up the mess left in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Ita.
C uB o
Cooktown Local
Effects of Ita still being assessed By GARY HUTCHISON
n Bo w
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SPECIAL REPORT
Cooktown Bowls FREE WiFi News Club Phone 4069 5819
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Cooktown Local News – Wednesday, April 16, 2014 – 3
NEWS Ph: 1300 4895 00 • Fax: 1300 7872 48
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COOKTOWN MEDICAL CENTRE The Doctors and staff at the Cooktown Medical Centre wish everyone a Happy Easter.
We wish to advise the Surgery will be closed on Friday 18th, Saturday 19th, Sunday 20th and Monday 21st of April, 2014. We will re-open at normal times from Tuesday 22nd of April, 2014. Please ensure you have your supply of regular medications before the Easter holiday break.
AnzAc DAY Ceremonies FRIDAY, ApRIl 25
Dawn Service
Assemble at 5.50am at Anzac Memorial Park for Dawn Service. Service to Commence at 6am The public is cordially invited to attend. After Dawn Service, all ex-service and serving personnel and the public are invited to a gunshot breakfast, with rum and milk provided, at the RSL Memorial Club.
Public Service Assemble at RSL Memorial Club at 10.15am for the march to Anzac Memorial Park, for Service at 11am. All service personnel and the public are invited to attend. After lunch will be traditional Anzac Day activities including Two-Up and Crown & Anchor at the RSL Memorial Club, from 12.30pm-6pm.
Returned Service personnel please wear medals “The Survivors of war will never forget. For the dead will not let them, may they rest in Peace” “The Price of Liberty is Eternal Vigilance” RETURNED AND SERVICES LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA (COOKTOWN SUB BRANCH) PO Box 843, Cooktown QLD 4895 Enquiries phone Jim Fay 4069 6353 or 0413 322 625
Fed. Gov’t aid for banana crop WORKERS at Hope Vale’s banana plantation can be sure of at least 13 weeks’ employment as they begun work to restore their crop, which was razed by the fury of Tropical Cyclone Ita’s winds over the weekend. Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch made the guarantee during his visit to Hope Vale on Monday. To be primarily funded by the Federal Government, Mr Entsch said he hoped the State Government would also assist. He said a further assessment would be made before that time period expired. “It will be six to seven months before this plantation will produce its next crop,” he said. “We need to give the 30-odd workers up there the confidence their immediate financial futures are safe. “They deserve that at least, they’ve worked extra hard to get that (damaged) crop up and running. “They all turned up for work on Friday and were there the first thing this morning (Monday). “We have to encourage
Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch and Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Greg McLean visit the decimated banana plantation with General Manager of Hope Vale Foundation Kenny Reid. Photo: HEATHER BECK. that enthusiasm.” Mr Entsch said the incomes of those workers was a vital cog to the Hope Vale community. “They spend their money in Hope Vale and that strengthens the job prospects of others in Hope Vale,” he said. Premier Campbell had also inspected the plantation on Sunday.
An aerial view of Hope Vale’s banana plantation, flattened by Tropical Cyclone Ita’s winds. Photo: newdaily.com.au
Ready to roll on road repairs DURING his visit to Cooktown on Monday, Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said he expected approval to be given to Cook Shire Council to administer the Day Labour Program that is used for the reconstruction of the shire’s roads. Mr Entsch said he had been in close consultation with Prime Minister Tony Abbott and expected his approval to be given by the end of the week. Mr Entsch had flown from Western Australia to inspect cyclone damage in Cooktown and Hope Vale. “What it means is, that Cook Shire Council doesn’t have to be hamstrung by going through the tender process, which would mean getting tenders from across the country, then having to wait for them to be approved down south (Canberra),” he said. “You already have the council staff and private contractors with the machinery, expertise and materials here ready to go.
4 – Cooktown Local News – Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Cook Shire Mayor Peter Scott and Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch inspecting the damage to the West Coast Hotel as part of his visit to Cooktown. PHoto: GARY HUTCHISON. “It’s only common sense that council doesn’t have to go through the protracted process of having to wait for the goahead from interstate. “Work can get started earlier and finish quicker.” He said the proposal also had the full support of Premier
Campbell Newman and Local Government Minister David Crisafulli. Cook Shire Mayor Peter Scott said he welcomed the announcement. “Allowing council to run this program not only ensures the employment futures of
those involved with rebuilding the shire’s road network, but it will give the Australian tax payer best value for money,” he said. “We have all the resources here, so the savings in time and money are obvious.”
NEWS
Nicholls refuses to rule out Ergon depot closures: Union AS Cyclone Ita was bearing down on Far North Queensland, many of the communities preparing for its wrath faced another significant threat to their existence, the proposed closure of their Ergon depots, the Electrical Trades Union said last week. The ETU says: “Treasurer Tim Nicholls, following his secret invitee-only gathering in Toowoomba last week where reports conclude that the treasurer, when asked specifically whether he would rule out further Ergon depot closures, he refused to do so. “This revelation follows similar comments he made about the future of depots on ABC radio last week when he said: ‘the Government is keen to explore options for private sector investment in Ergon Energy.’
A makeshift sign erected during Cyclone Yasi. Photo submitted. “There has been some concern about possible changes to how small Ergon Energy depots in rural communities would operate in the future. “In Longreach last week, Mr Nicholls said no
decision had been made, but options were being considered.” An angry ETU State organiser Stuart Traill said the treasurer was cutting the bush adrift and his “weasel words” would be
cold comfort for already understaffed Ergon workers in far north Queensland who faced the wrath of Cyclone Ita, List of depots that will be directly involved in clean-up efforts, which could also face closure and/or privatisation under the LNPs policy include: • Cooktown; • Thursday Island; • Bamaga; • Mossman; • Ravenshoe; • Charters Towers; • Georgetown; • Normanton; and • Hughenden. “The men and women on the front line, the people who will put their lives on the line to get the power back on after what we think will be a category 4 cyclone, are dead set heroes, and Nicholls treats them like this.
Telephone: 1300 4895 00 Fax: 1300 7872 48 Phones attended 8.30am to 5pm - Monday to Friday
“It’s a bloody disgrace, he should hang his head in shame.” Mr Traill said the image of Newman and his PR spin doctors wandering around looking for photo opportunities while communities face isolation and the prospect of losing their Ergon depot shows where the Government’s priorities lie ‘all spin, no substance’.” Mr Traill reiterated the Union’s call for a binding referendum on asset sales to be held this year and also called on “the Premier and his Ministers to categorically rule out closing any more Ergon depots and further the Union calls on the Government to immediately abandon their plans for further jobs cuts in the industry.”
Stay safe in clean-up COOKTOWN Multi-Purpose Health Service went back to business as usual from Monday, April 14. Cape York Hospital and Health Service Acting Chief Executive Dr Jill Newland said while the hospital remained on generator power at that time, normal clinics had restarted. The dialysis unit also was back in normal operation Dr Newland said. “I must praise the staff at Cooktown for the work they have done looking after inpatients and agedcare residents during the cyclone and getting everything back to normal so quickly,’’ she said. Staff from throughout the health service had been magnificent in their response to Cyclone Ita and the subsequent clean-up that had now started.” Dr Newland said the Laura Primary Health Care Centre also had returned to business as usual and was back on mains power,” she said. “Our primary health care centres at Hope Vale and Wujal Wujal both remained on generator power and were still closed as at Monday, except for emergencies. “Thankfully, neither of them sustained any significant damage at all.’’ Dr Newland said with the postcyclone recovery phase now in full swing, the Cape York HHS had activated its post-disaster mental health response. “This response will be co-ordinated by the Cape York Mental Health Team, which will be able to provide mental health assistance and support to affected communities as required,’’ she said. Anyone requiring mental health assistance or support in the Cooktown area is urged to contact the Cooktown Mental Health and ATODS team on 4043 0190. Dr Newland said the most important priority now as the clean-
Tropical Cyclone Ita might have battered the sign a little, but the Cooktown Multi-Purpose Service is operating in full swing. Photo submitted. up got under way was for residents to remain safe and healthy. “At Cooktown, for instance, residents should heed the council’s warning about boiling all water before cooking and drinking, or to use bottled water instead for consumption and cooking,’’ she said. “There is a potential risk that consuming unboiled drinking water could affect people, especially vulnerable people such as those who are very young, elderly or immune compromised. “Residents also should take care around any residual floodwaters or surface water as these can increase the risk of diseases such leptospirosis, melioidosis, dengue fever and diarrhoeal diseases.’’ Dr Newland said residents should wear gloves and covered shoes when cleaning up or moving through water and treat any cuts immediately with antiseptic. “Apply a protective dressing to the wound and see a doctor if injuries are serious,’’ she said. “If you do see a doctor or nurse about an injury incurred while cleaning up post-cyclone, you will be asked if your tetanus immunisa-
tion is up to date. “If not, or if you cannot remember, you will be offered an injection as a precaution. “Anyone concerned about their health should contact their local doctor or go to their local health facility and advise them of any concerns.’’ Dr Newland said all residents also should be mindful of food safety. “A closed refrigerator should keep food cold for about four hours, while freezers usually will not defrost and spoil food for at least 24 hours, provided the door has been kept shut,’’ she said. “As most residents in the cyclone-affected communities will have lost power for much longer than that, they should now consider any foods in their fridges and freezers as spoiled unless they have been connected to an alternative and working power source, such as a generator. “If you are in any doubt at all, throw it out.’’ Extensive disaster recovery information, as well as disasterrelated health information is
available at: • http://www.health.qld.gov.au/ disaster/storms/default.asp • http://www.health.qld.gov.au/ disaster/ • The Department of Communities has established a 1800 assistance service for members of the public seeking help – the number to call is 1800 17 33 49. Food safety tips: • If your power has been cut and you have not kept your freezer stocked with ice, food will start to spoil; and • Throw out any food that has started to spoil, especially if it smells bad, tastes strange or is slimy. Reduce your risk of injury: • Don’t try and do it too quickly, and get assistance if the job is too big; • Look out for snakes and spiders, which may have moved to drier ground; • Be careful when operating chainsaws and other vegetationclearing equipment – wear protective clothing and keep children and pets away; • Do not handle wet electrical equipment; and • Even in cloudy conditions, protect yourself from the sun and ensure you drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Reduce your risk of disease: • Avoid unnecessary contact with mud and dirt; • Wear boots and gloves when cleaning up; • Clean cuts and scratches with salty water or antiseptic and apply a waterproof dressing; if the skin around cuts becomes red or sore, see your doctor; • Wash your hands thoroughly before eating or smoking; • Shower thoroughly with soap at the end of each day; • Clean and disinfect any household surfaces which have come into contact with floodwater; and • Throw out any flood-damaged food.
Cooktown RSL Memorial Club
INCORPORATED
127 Charlotte St, Cooktown
Ph: 4069 5780 • Fax: 4069 6080 Email: cooktown.rsl@bigpond.com
• Relax, enjoy a cold beer in airconditioned comfort • Friday Night Courtesy Bus • Bar Snacks, 5pm • Big screen TV • Pokies • Plus… Members Draw (you must be here to win)
TOMORROW NIGHT (THURSDAY) Draw did not go off last week due to Cyclone Ita.
Jackpot:
$1800!
Drawn between 7.30pm - 8.30pm.
Club will be closed Easter Friday, April 18
Cooktown Local News – Wednesday, April 16, 2014 – 5
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Join Ramneek Kaur Tuesdays & Thursdays 3.30–5.30pm at Lions Hall
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Cooktown Combined Dance Group will be offering more dance activities in the coming months - Phone: 0459 354 120 and leave a message
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Apels
Vera’s collection is safe ART lovers and fans of Nature’s PowerHouse can rest easy knowing the Vera Scarth-Johnson collection on display and other pieces kept in storage were kept safe from Tropical Cyclone Ita. Nature’s PowerHouse Manager John Tritton and his family camped overnight at the venue last Friday to ensure airconditioning vital to preserving the collection was kept running while Ita did her worse through the Botanic Gardens and around town. “I wanted to make sure I was on hand to keep the generators running if I had to,” John said. “Vera’s collection is too precious to the town not to make the extra effort.” John said with trees banging against the building’s roof and breaking off throughout the gardens was a frightening experience.
While fallen trees stopped entry to the PowerHouse via its front steps and a ramp leading from the gardens, the state of the gardens was still not properly known at Monday, with the clean-up planned from then. Until an inspection is conducted by staff, the gardens will remain closed until it can be ascertained that patrons walking through will be safe from the prospect of being injured by falling branches weakened by the storm.
Solicitors and Notary
FOR HELP WITH ALL YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS, FOR ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE CALL US
4092 2522
Writers’ Celebrate the precious time of year We celebrate again “If Easter Had Not “My Happy Dress” The smiling secret that Jesus precious time on Come” Corner that It’s Easter Sunday and my loves me, the yearly calendar – Easter.
Level 1, 85 Byrnes Street, Mareeba 4880 Fax 4092 2138 Email reception@apels.com.au
5
Entry Fee per Person
Top: Fallen trees across the front steps of Nature’s PowerHouse. Bottom: This fallen tree was blocking access to the Nature’s PowerHouse verandah. Photos: GARY HUTCHISON.
“It was like canons going off the whole night,” he said.
a difference
Come and join the fun of our Trivia Nights… Get together your team of 2 – 6 people. Entry fees donated to local charities and non-profit organisations.
Cooktown RSL Memorial Club 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month @ 7pm
H Next game: Tuesday, April 22 H Enquiries call 4069 5780 • Entry fees this game donated to Full Boar Thai Boxing
FREE QUOTES
Insurance work / supply only or supply and install All types of roofing, cladding and accessories for sheds, houses, patios Commercial, industrial and residential • Fully licensed and insured • Work Fully guaranteed • reFerences available • cairns based
P: 4033 5055 E: info@cardinalroofing.com.au
Email your original writings, in verse or prose for our column to either: thekellers@bigpond.com or editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au or post them to: P O Box 645, Cooktown, 4895. Dianne Keller Cooktown Writers’ Group.
I can’t imagine life Without my Saviour and my Friend. No joys and woes to share With The True Rock that will not bend.
If Easter had not come Man’s sin would ever be a stain But Jesus shared our world; Died on The Cross - then Rose again !
That’s 26 scheduled flights between Cairns and Cooktown from Monday through to Saturday. Fortnightly Sunday flights now available. For a reliable service, you can count on Hinterland Aviation to get you to where you need to be.
I add to my dress jewels of pearls and gold. These baubles echo the treasure I hold;
Laying down His sweet life on Calvary.
The world’s a stunningly beautiful place Yet still sin enters and robs it of grace. When life’s awash with mess, stress and duress Wink at the Lord! Put on your happy dress! By DIANNE KELLER.
An inconvenient ‘loan’ WHOMEVER “borrowed” the RSL Sub Branch generator that was stored at their May Street aged-care units could not have done so at a more inconvenient time. Being kept in the garage of Sub Branch Secretary Jim Fay for the specific purpose of supplying power in the event of an outage during Tropical Cyclone Ita, the generator was found to be missing when Welfare Officer Jodie Andrews went to give residents there the ca-
Your connection between Cairns and Cooktown Hinterland Aviation provides a reliable, regular transport service each week between Cairns and Cooktown.
By DIANNE KELLER.
soul’s set free! My future beckons; bright Eternity! I choose a rainbow dress of happy hues, Colours that sing; yellows, pinks, greens and blues.
pability of making hot cuppas and meals. Jodie said she preferred to think the generator had been borrowed rather than stolen, but added its removal couldn’t have come at a more inconvenient time. “Jim’s away on holidays at the moment, so the generator was stored towards the back of his garage, with a number of items placed in front of it,” she said. “So they’ve moved that stuff out
of the way to get to it. “I was more than just a little disappointed when I found it gone, it meant those people there can’t enjoy a hot meal, let alone a hot cuppa.” She said the generator can be returned with no questions asked. Anyone who can help with information about the location of this piece of equipment can contact Jodie on either 4069 6353 or 0488 092 415.
Sunday Afternoon Fortnightly Flights
Cairns/Cooktown/Cairns Next scheduled flights
Apr. 20 May 4 May 18 Anytime, Anywhere
Telephone: [07] 4040 1333 | Email: info@hinterlandaviation.com.au | Book online at: www.hinterlandaviation.com.au 6 – Cooktown Local News – Wednesday, April 16, 2014
News SPECIAL REPORT Cooktown Local
Cyclone Ita OUR EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE
AY FRIDRIL AP
Continued on pages 8 to 11
11
Waiting for the ‘big blow’ PEOPLE lying on swags, camp stretchers and other bedding relaxed as best they could on Friday morning, having sought refuge at the PCYC Cooktown Events Centre, sheltering from the imminent onslaught of Tropical Cyclone Ita later that day. At 8.30am there were less than 200 who ringed the indoor basketball court in the main auditorium, with more trickling in slowly as the morning progressed. Officially opened in 2011 as a multi-purpose facility, the primary function of which is to act as an evacuation and recovery centre in the event of cyclones, the events centre was built to withstand Category 5 weather events, which was what Ita was offering. Cook Shire Council had activated its evacuation centre status at eight o’clock on Thursday night, and while some chose to
arrive early, many had started their entries from 7am on Friday morning when it re-opened. Council’s plan was to close it off when winds reached 100km/h, which was expected at about 11am. Centre Manager during Ita’s incursion into Cooktown’s lifestyle, Kevin Stevenson, said the mood of the temporary residents was good. “Everyone who has arrived has been excellent,” he said. “People have been very cooperative and understanding of the requirements that have been put in place. “And the behaviour of the kids has been wonderful, we’re putting a movie on for them later to help keep them entertained.” Those inhabiting the shelter were residents who feared the structural credibility of their homes would not withstand Ita’s fury.
“We’re only renting and we didn’t think the house would stand up to it and thought this would be the safest place to stay,” said Cassie Grillo. But not all were land dwellers, with Dancing Dolphin owners Rob and Gay McDonald mooring their pride and joy further up the Endeavour River and deciding the evacuation centre was the best place for them and their Siamese cat “Ari”. “Ari’s our child, and had to come with us,” Rob said. While people continued to arrive at the centre, Charlotte Street was relatively free of activity, with some business owners making last minute preparations to secure their building. And although some were engaged with their businesses, others chose final looks and photographs of the Wharf and the river before heading home to weather out the big storm.
Main pic: Irrepressible fisherman Wayne Hunt contemplates his chances of landing a barra before heading off to the evacuation centre with the imminent arrival of Tropical Cyclone Ita. With a couple of hours up his sleeve before the big blow, it wasn’t the Category 5 weather event that concerned him, it was his wife Jacynta’s instructions that he had “five minutes to look around” that had him worried. Inset: The sign says it all.
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Heavy rain greeted arrivals seeking shelter from Tropical Cyclone Ita at the PCYC Cooktown Events Centre.
Evacuation Centre Manager Kevin Stevenson was happy with the co-operation received from people seeking shelter before Tropical Cyclone Ita struck.
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Above: Eamonn and Joanne Ireland relaxing before the storm. Middle right: The events centre basketball court was ringed by residents seeking shelter from Tropical Cyclone Ita. Bottom right: There was little life on Charlotte Street as residents and business owners bunkered down in preparation for Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Ita.
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Cooktown Local News – Wednesday, April 16, 2014 – 7
Cyclone Ita
The aftermath of the ‘big 2 1 blow’ Y RDA L U T SA PRI A
Main pic: Cook Shire Council’s public floating pontoon battles Saturday’s high winds and squally rains. Inset (top right): A private berthing facility suffered Ita’s fury. Inset (below): This boat was partially submerged in the Endeavour River opposite Lions Park on Saturday morning.
Above: This vessel survived Ita and continued to remain defiant despite gusting winds and driving rain on Saturday.
Saturday’s high tide saw the Endeavour River bridge near the airport dangerously close to going under.
This house on the southern banks of the Endeavour River was in danger of being inundated by the rising tide at 11am on Saturday morning.
This old girl twisted from her moorings to find herself on a sandbank on Saturday’s low tide.
Emergency services crews were on the job early trying to remove the most dangerous threats to safety. This fallen tree on the Endeavour Valley Road near the Endeavour River bridge was being assessed for removal.
More houses in danger of being flooded at 11am on Saturday morning.
The Endeavour River broke its banks and edged its way south along the lower side of the Endeavour Valley Road.
8 – Cooktown Local News – Wednesday, April 16, 2014
News SPECIAL REPORT Cooktown Local
Y RDA L U T SA PRI A
12
Damage far and wide
Main pic: Rain continued to fall on Saturday, while floodwaters from the Annan River inundated the Mulligan Highway right back past Keatings Lagoon, near the intersection of Brown Street.
The flight of this roofing iron was stopped when it was impaled on a palm tree of this Helen Street yard.
Power lines down on the Endeavour Valley Road, opposite the race course on Saturday morning.
The fence in front of the Cooktown Orchid Caravan Park reception office fell victim to Ita.
This Endeavour Valley Road house’s roof was a Tropical Cyclone Ita casualty.
Seen from its Hope Street frontage, the roof of this house flew down into its yard with a Helen Street perspective where it was stopped by a palm tree.
Gates and fences were no matches for falling trees.
Vegetation, fencing and sheds were the main victims of Ita’s fury as is seen here at the Walker Street side of the Cooktown Orchid Caravan Park.
Cooktown Local News – Wednesday, April 16 2014 – 9
Cyclone Ita
And the clean-up begins DAY SUN RIL AP
13
Main pic: After having gone over its bridge immediately after Ita, the Little Annan River had subsided somewhat by Sunday, but it was a roaring, raging torrent as it raced downstream. Left: Flattened grass and silt on the roadway show just what height the Little Annan River reached when she went over the bridge on Saturday. The Gillman family (from left) Peter, John and Pinny were some other locals who chose a lunch time visit to the Sovvy for a break from their cyclone clean up.
The ABC documentary crew of Chris Sammut, Terry Meehan and Nick Robinson toast the resolve of Cooktowners with some cold drinks at the Sovvy on Sunday after a hectic few days of filming.
Fallen trees fringing houses, similar to this Mason Street residence was the familiar scene around the shire after Ita.
After a full, hard Sunday morning of cleaning up Tropical Cyclone Ita’s mess, Tarsh Marshall (left) decided to reward her kids (from left) Manawa, Pania, Kyle and Alex Crowther with lunch and cold drinks at the Sovvy.
Still at the PCYC Cooktown Events Centre evacuation centre on Sunday were: (from left front) Stacey Stevens, Anton Moessner and Lena and Lana Stevens and Kathleen Stevens (back left) who were being visited by Loretta Sullivan and Marton Rural Fire Brigade volunteer Tristan Skyring.
Jay Houghton hard at it with a chainsaw - a sight across most of the shire after Ita claimed trees and bushes.
A Sovvy Sunday lunch was a welcome distraction for Nadine and Steve Scholz after the rigours of TC Ita.
10 – Cooktown Local News – Wednesday, April 16, 2014
News SPECIAL REPORT Cooktown Local
BY S O T PHOKAZ E IC R P
KEEN amateur photographer Kaz Price, ever alert to good photo opportunities, has kindly shared some of her photographic memories of the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Ita. Kaz’s quest for the best images saw her flying high in a helicopter over the region.
Wujal Wujal chopper inspection.
News Cooktown Local
Thanks for the effort Kaz.
We survived the anger of
Cyclone Ita ICE
PHOTO: KAZ PR
And everyone has a story to tell - and we are inviting you to share them with the world.
Tell us how you coped, what you did, what your saw, show us your photographs for history’s sake. Let the Cooktown Local News share your stories, experiences and photographs with your neighbours and the thousands of people who rode out the turmoil generated by Cyclone Ita.
You weren’t alone during Ita, there were countless others in a similar situation as a community survived. Now be a part if the community’s story to tell about Cyclone Ita. Call the editor (4069 5773) or send your story or pics to editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au or
Cooktown Local News – Wednesday, April 16, 2014 – 11
FRIDAY 18
6:00 ABC News Breakfast 9:00 ABC News Mornings 10:00 The Wonder Years 11:00 Big Ideas 12:00 Movie: Brother Sun, Sister Moon 2:00 At The Movies 2:30 As Time Goes By 3:00 Songs of Praise: Urban Hope - Peckham 3:35 Compass 4:00 Wild At Heart 5:00 Eggheads 5:30 ABC News: Early Edition 6:00 Grand Designs Revisited: The Lot, France 6:50 What’s Your Story? Phillipa: Aerobics Queen 7:00 ABC News 7:30 Joanna Lumley: The Search For Noah’s Ark 8:35 A Mother’s Son - A mother suspects that her son could be the killer of a recently found dead girl, and becomes caught in a torturous dilemma of whether to denounce him or protect him. 10:00 Sisters Of War - Inspired by the remarkable true story of two extraordinary Australian women. 11:00 Shaun Micallef’s MAD AS HELL 11:40 Rage 5:00 Rage
6:00 Today 9:00 Danoz Direct 10:00 Brand Developers 11:00 National Morning News 12:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show 1:00 Movie: “Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home” 3:00 National News Now 4:15 National Afternoon News 5:30 Hot Seat 6:00 National News 7:00 A Current Affair 7:30 Football: Newcastle Knights Vs Brisbane Broncos 9:30 Football: Manly Sea Eagles Vs Nth Qld Cowboys 11:30 Last Man Standing: The corrupt superiors of a Los Angeles cop are making life miserable for him when they undermine his efforts to bust a crime lord and blame him for his partner’s death. Starring Bruce Willis. 1:30 McQ: Seattle police lieutenant Lon McQ throws his badge in and takes the law into his own hands after his friend is killed. Lon pays for information and learns of a two million dollar drug heist which is about to take place involving members of the Police Force. 3:30 Skippy - The Bush Kangaroo 4:00 Brand Developers / 4:30 Good Morning America
6:00 Sunrise 9:00 The Morning Show 11:30 Seven Morning News 12:30 A Place To Call Home 2:00 The Daily Edition 3:00 The Chase 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 Deal Or No Deal 5:30 Million Dollar Minute 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Better Homes & Gardens 8:30 Movie: “The Line Of Fire” - Frank Horrigan is an uncompromising Secret Service agent on the verge of retirement who is still haunted by what he perceives as his failure to protect President John F. Kennedy in 1963. 11:15 Movie: “Fletch” (Cons Adv: V,A,S) “Fletch (1985)” Fletch, an intrepid reporter investigating a drug ring who is approached by a man that offers to pay Fletch thousands of dollars to kill him. What’s the mysterious man really up to? Is it related to the drug ring? 1.15 Desperate Housewives - “She Needs Me” 2:15 SPECIAL: France Soaring With The Senses - Part 1 3:00 Home Shopping / 4:00 NBC Today
5:00 World News 1:00 The Food Lover’s Guide To Australia 1:30 Inspector Rex: Just In Time 2:30 NITV News Week In Review 3:00 France 24 International News 3:30 Al Jazeera News 4:00 The Journal 4:30 PBS Newshour 5:30 Global Village 6:00 Madhur Jaffrey’s Curry Nation 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 The Great British Countryside: Yorkshire 8:35 The Dark Ages: An Age Of Light 9:40 As It Happened - Churchill’s Desert War 10:25 SBS World News Late 11:05 The Feed: Best Stories Of The Week 11:35 Film: “The Blonde With Bare Breasts” - Brothers Julien and Louis are small-time crooks who make a living transporting gravel across Paris on their father’s barge. 1:40 Kurt Wallender: The Sniper - - When a small-time crook is killed by a sniper, Wallander and the Ystad police investigate. 3:20 Film: “The Protector” - A young Thai fighter named Kham must travel to Australia to retrieve his two stolen elephants. 4:50 Luke Nguyen’s Greater Mekong Bitesize
SATURDAY 19
6:00 Rage 10:30 Rage Guest Programmer 11:30 The Checkout 12:00 Australian Story 12:30 Next Big Thing 1:40 Movie: “Paper Moon” (G) 3:25 Movie: “Jesus Christ Superstar” (G) 5:10 River Cottage Veg Every Day 6:00 Saturday Landline 6:30 Gardening Australia 7:00 ABC News 7:30 Death In Paradise - DI Humphrey Goodman and his team are introduced to the jet-setting world of pilots and cabin crew when an airline stewardess is discovered murdered 8:30 The Gods of Wheat Street: The Fighting Freeburns - Odin thought his only battle was organising the paperwork for the bank, but he’s not the only one interested in Colpepper & Sons. 9:30 Last Tango in Halifax 10:25 Birdsong: As an English soldier fights in the horrific trenches of northern France, he is haunted by the memories of his forbidden love affair with a French woman. 11:55 Rage Guest Programmer 5:00 Rage
6:00 Bubble Guppies 7:00 Weekend Today - Saturday 10:00 Danoz Direct 11:00 Encore “The Block” 12:00 Wildcard 1:30 Surfsport World Championship Tour 2:30 The Middle “The Last Whiff of summer Part 1 3:00 Commando 4:00 The Bottom Line 4:30 Reel Action 5:00 4WD TV 5:30 Getaway 6:00 National News Saturday 7:00 Movie: “Stick It”- A former gymnast turned juvenile delinquent whom, after one too many run-ins with the law, is forced to enrol in an elite gymnastics academy. 9:10 Movie: “The In-Laws” When prospective fathers-in-law Steve Tobias and Jerry Peyser meet for the first time to celebrate their children’s upcoming marriage, the cake hits the fan. 11:15 Movie: “The Informant” The U.S. government decides to go after an agri-business giant with a price-fixing accusation. 1:30 Movie: “Meteor” With a five-mile-wide asteroid speeding to earth, an American space scientist calculates that only the combined weaponry from America and Russia can destroy it. 3:30 Extra 4:00 Brand Developers 5:00 Skippy - The Bush Kangaroo / 5:30 Wesley Impact
6:00 Saturday Disney 7:00 Weekend Sunrise 10:00 The Morning Show - Weekend 12:00 Seven’s Horse Racing 2014 5:30 TBA 6:00 Seven News 7:00 2014 AFL Premiership Season: Rnd 5 - Essendon Vs St Kilda. 11:00 Strike Back - IA mission in Vienna is diverted when the team learns that four European Union officials - including agent John Allen who has knowledge on the Latif project- have been kidnapped in Kosovo. 1:00 Desperate Housewives: 2:00 SPECIAL: France Soaring With Senses Part 2 - Greg Grainger continues his inspiring and adventurous tour of France, a vibrant country with spectacular scenery and exciting culture. 3:00 Harry’s Practice 3:30 It Is Written Oceania - “Bennett The Padre of Gallipoli” Religious program. 4:00 Home Shopping 5:00 Dr Oz - “What The Yuck! Your Grossest Questions Ever”
5:00 World News 1:00 Bach: A Passionate Life 2:40 Ventriloquist Nina Conti 3:50 Piano Notes 3:00 Mel Brooks: Make A Noise 4:00 Contact - Stuart Franklin: Tiananmen Square 4:30 PBS Newshour 5:30 A History Of Celtic Britain - Age Of Warriors 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 My Wild Affair: The Elephant Who Found A Mum 8:30 Robson Green: How The North Was Built 9:30 Movie: “The Passion Of Christ MAV(V) 11:50 Movie: “Camino ” M (A) - In Spanish. The heartbreaking story of Camino, a bubbly 11-year-old girl whose happy God-focused life in Madrid and innocent platonic love for Cuco are thwarted by the onset of a terminal illness, a cross she bears with a mixture of exemplary devotion and naivety. 2:20 The Sperminator - Under the pretence of good medicine, Dr Cecil Jacobson, a British-trained fertility expert, helped dozens of women in the small community of Alexandria, Virginia in the US to have babies. 3:15 Movie: “Louise-Michel
SUNDAY 20
6:00 Rage 8:00 Weekend Breakfast 10:00 The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 11:30 Songs of Praise: Easter Praise 12:00 Leaving Amish Paradise 1:00 Gardening Australia 1:30 Compass: The Mystery Of Mary Magdalene: Part 1 2:00 Death In Paradise 3:00 The Private Life Of An Easter Masterpiece 4:00 Big Art Ideas 5:00 Midsomer Murders: Murder on St Malley’s Day 6:30 Compass: The Mystery Of Mary Magdalene: Part 2 7:00 ABC News 7:30 Restoration Home: Little Naish 8:30 Call The Midwife: Christmas Special 9:50 Jack Irish: Bad Debts 11:30 Movie: “Paltoon” (Adult Themes, V) 1:25 Movie: “This Land Is Mine” (PG) - Young prize fighter Joe Pendleton, killed in a plane crash, persuades ‘Heavenly Express’ dispatcher Mr. Jordan that he must find him a new body as he should have survived. 3:10 Restoration Home: Little Naish 4:10 The New Inventors 4:40 Catalyst 5:30 Best Of Collectors
6:00 Easter Sunday Service 7:00 Weekend Today 10:00 Wide World Of Sports 10:30 Wide World Of Sports 11:30 Sunday Footy Show 1:30 Broncos Insider 2:00 2014 Intrust Supercup 4:00 Football: Raiders Vs Storm 6:00 National News Sunday 6:30 TBA 7:30 60 Minutes 8:30 TBA 9:30 The Mentalist - “Red In Tooth And Claw” - The team investigate a case involving a graduate student at a natural history museum and discover how ruthless the academic world can be. 10:30 Person Of Interest - “Mors Praematura” While Finch tries to protect an estate investigator whose Number has gone up, Reese searches for a missing Sam... unaware that Root has convinced Sam to help with a mission for The Machine. 11:30 Who Gets The Last Laugh 12:00 Financial Review Sunday 12:30 The Australian Surf Life Saving Championships (CC) 2:30 Brand Developers 4:00 Good Morning America - Sunday 5:00 National Early Morning News / 5:30 Today
6:00 Sofia The First 6:30 Easter Special: Daily Light 7:00 Weekend Sunrise 10:00 AFL Game Day 11:30 Guys With Kids 12:00 Easter Special: The Road To The Show Part 2 1:30 TBA 2:00 Footy Flashbacks “Ron Barassi Profile” 2:30 2014 AFL Premiership Season Melbourne Vs Gold Coast 5:30 TBA 6:00 Seven News 6:30 TBA 7:30 TBA 8:30 TBA 11:30 Royal Pains: “Dancing With The Devil / Hurts Like A Mother” When Hank gets a call from Shadow Pond, he’s surprised to find Marisa, not Boris, on the other end of the line. 12:30 Dr Oz - “Dr Oz’s Skin Care Plan For Your Skin Type” 1:30 Harry’s Practice 2:00 Home Shopping 3:00 NBC Today 4:00 NBC Meet The Press 5:00 Sunrise Extra 5:30 Seven Early News - Latest news, sport and weather from Australia and around the world.
5:00 World News 1:00 Al Jazeera News 1:30 Wainwright Walks 2:00 Speedweek 4:00 Football Asia 4:30 UEFA Champions League Magazine 5:00 Subaru World Of Cycling 5:30 Road To The 2014 FIFA World Cup. Brazil, Japan, Algeria & Germany. 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Lost Worlds: Meet Caligula 8:35 Tales Of The Unexpected - Who’s Your Daddy 9:30 Freakonomics: - The field of economics can study more than the workings of economies or businesses, it can also help explore human behaviour in how it reacts to incentives. 11:00 Amstel Gold 2014 - Live AEST coverage of the 49th edition of the Amstel Gold Race in the Netherlands. 1:30 Movie: “Buddenbrooks” - The Decline Of A Family - An adaptation of literary giant Thomas Mann’s 1900 Nobel Prize-Winning novel of the same name, this film charts the downfall of an aristocratic merchant family over four generations in Northern Germany. 4:10 The Food Lovers’ Guide To Australia 4:40 Adbc Bitesize - A bite-sized morsel of SBS’s history-based quiz program.
MONDAY 21
SBS
6:00 ABC News Breakfast 9:30 ABC News Mornings 10:00 The Wonder Years 11:00 Big Ideas 12:00 ABC News With Ros Childs 1:00 Call The Midwife - Christmas Special 2:30 As Time Goes By 3:00 Last Of The Summer Wine 3:30 Midsomer Murders 5:00 Eggheads 5:30 ABC News: Early Edition 6:00 Grand Designs Revisited: Lake District 6:55 Dream Build: Jilliby House 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 8:00 Australian Story 8:30 Four Corners 9:20 Media Watch 9:35 Q&A 10:35 Lateline 11:10 The Business 11:35 Monroe 12:20 Movie: “The Silent Enemy” (PG) 2:10 Movie: “Ill Met By Moonlight” (PG) 3:55 Movie: “Crossfire” (PG) 5.30 Eggheads: Hel’s Angels
6:00 Today 9:00 Danoz Direct 10:00 Brand Developers 11:00 National Morning News 12:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show 1:00 Movie: “Grumpier Old Men” (PG l,a) 3:00 National News Now 4:15 National Afternoon News 5:30 Hot Seat 6:00 National News 7:00 A Current Affair 7:30 The Big Bang Theory “The Speckerman Recurrence” Leonard must face his fears after being contacted by his high school tormentor while Penny realises that she might have been a bully herself. 8:30 TBA 9:30 Embarassing Fat Bodies - The second programme meets a husband and wife couple with a combined weight of 52 stone, and a 21-year-old Mum whose life is maligned by her enormous J cup breasts. 10:30 Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations 12:30 Nitro Circus Live 1:05 Extra 1:30 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo 2:00 Brand Developers 3:30 Good Morning America 5:00 National Early Morning News / 5:30 Today
6:00 Sunrise 9:00 The Morning Show 11:30 Seven Morning News 12:00 TBA 1:00 Footy Flashbacks 2:30 2014 AFL Premiership Season Geelong Vs Hawthorn 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Home And Away 7:30 TBA 8:30 Revenge: Payback 9:30 How I Met Your Mother: Daisy 10:30 TBA 11:30 Talking Footy 12:30 Parks And Recreation: Bailout 1:00 Home Shopping 3:30 Sons And Daughters - Barbara’s reaction to Gordon’s rejection leads to behaviour which worries Andy. 4:00 NBC Today 5:00 Sunrise Extra / 5:30 Seven Early News
5:00 World News 1:00 Living Safely - Preventing Accidents And Injury In Indigenous Communities 1:35 First Australians 2:50 The Drummer Of Ravel’s Bolero 3:00 France 24 International News 3:30 Al Jazeera News 4:00 The Journal 4:30 FIFA Futbol Mundial 5:00 Living Black 5:30 Global Village 6:00 Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam 6:30 SBS World News 7:35 Mythbusters: Bullet Baloney 8:35 Vikings: Answers In Blood 9:30 RocKwiz - Ms Murphy, Continental Robert Susz and Suze DeMarchi 10:30 SBS World News Late 11:00 The World Game 11:30 Copa Del Rey 2014 Final 12:30 Movie: “Silent Wedding” M(V,N,S,L) In 1953, the exuberant wedding celebrations of a young couple in a small Romanian village are forced to continue in silence. 2:45 Movie: “Tears For Sale” MA(S) 4:20 Kill Arman - USA/Street Fighting 4:50 Luke Nguyen’s Greater Mekong Bitesize
TUESDAY 22
7 CENTRAL
6:00 ABC News Breakfast 9:30 ABC News Mornings 10:00 The Wonder Years 11:00 Four Corners 11:45 Media Watch 12:00 ABC News With Ros Childs 1:00 Q&A 2:00 Poh’s Kitchen 2:30 As Time Goes By 3:00 Last Of The Summer Wine 3:30 Midsomer Murders 5:00 Eggheads 5:30 ABC News: Early Edition 6:00 Grand Designs Revisited: Weald Of Kent 6:50 What’s Your Story. - Dingo Love 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 8:00 Foreign Correspondent 8:30 New Tricks: Moving Target 9:30 At The Movies 10:00 The Writer’s Room 10:25 Lateline 11:00 The Business 11:25 Four Corners 12:10 Media Watch 12:25 Movie: “Stage Door Canteen” (G) 2:40 Grand Designs Revisited: Weald Of Kent 3:30 Rugby Union: Shute Shield: Round 4: Sydney University V Manly 5:30 Eggheads
6:00 Today 9:00 Danoz Direct 10:00 Brand Developers 11:00 National Morning News 12:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show 1:00 Movie: Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None” (PG) 3:00 National News Now 4:15 National Afternoon News 5:30 Hot Seat 6:00 National News 7:00 A Current Affair 7:30 The Big Bang Theory - “The Shiny Trinket Maneuver” Sheldon gets in trouble with Amy and it’s up to Penny to teach him how to be a better boyfriend. 8:00 The Big Bang Theory - “The Recombination Hypothesis” 8:30 Two Broke Girls 9:30 TBA 9:40 20/20 12:30 Extra 1:00 Impractical Jokers 1:30 Brand Developers 4:00 Good Morning America 5:00 National Early Morning News 5:30 Today
6:00 Sunrise 9:00 The Morning Show 11:30 Seven Morning News 12:00 Movie: “Scenes Of The Crime” (Cons Adv: V) 2:00 The Daily Edition 3:00 The Chase 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 Deal Or No Deal 5:30 Million Dollar Minute 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Home And Away 7:30 TBA 8:45 Resurrection: “Us Against The World” Bellamy and Sheriff Fred form an uneasy partnership to find Caleb, who has gone on the run after Dale’s murder. 9:45 Parenthood: “Limbo / The Offer” - Jasmine and Crosby disagree over a crucial point in Aida’s upbringing 11:45 Smash: “The Parents” - “ After Leigh Conroy joins the cast of ‘Bombshell,’ Tom finds himself struggling to diffuse the years of tension between her and Ivy. 1:00 Home Shopping 4:00 NBC Today 5:00 Sunrise Extra / 5:30 Seven Early News
5:00 World News 1:00 Celtic Women 2:25 ADbc 3:00 France 24 International News 3:30 Al Jazeera News 4:00 The Journal 4:30 PBS Newshour 5:30 Global Village 6:00 Food Safari 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Antiques Uncovered 8:30 Insight 9:30 Dateline 10:30 SBS World News Late 11:00 The Killing: Against Ulrick Strange’s advice, Sarah arranges to exhume Per Møller. 12:10 East West 101 - The Lost Boy 1:10 Movie: “Adrift” - This sensual drama follows Duyen, a young newlywed whose husband’s absence drives her into the arms of another man. 3:00 The Circuit - Sorry Business - Following on from the awardwinning first series, The Circuit returns to SBS with series two. 4:00 UEFA Champions League 2013/2014 - Live coverage of the first leg of semi-finals from Matchday 11 at the UEFA Champions League. 6:30 Chinese News
WEDNESDAY 23
IMPARJA
6:00 ABC News Breakfast 9:30 ABC News Mornings 10:00 The Wonder Years 11:00 One Plus One 11:30 Foreign Correspondent 12:00 ABC News With Ros Childs 12:30 National Press Club Address 1:30 Devil’s Island 2:00 Poh’s Kitchen 2:30 As Time Goes By 3:00 Last Of The Summer Wine 3:30 Midsomer murders 5:00 Eggheads 5:30 ABC News: Early Edition 6:00 Grand Designs Revisited: Ashford 6:50 The Checkout - Snack Size. 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 8:00 Q1: Knees & Knockers 8:30 Spicks & Specks (PG) 9:00 The Agony of Modern Manners: Travel 9:30 The Kumars 10:00 Would I Lie To You 10:30 Lateline 11:05 The Business 11:30 Hustle 12:35 Movie: “One Minute To Zero” (G) A soldier during the Korean War finds romance. 2:30 Football: VFL: Round 3 Richmond Vs Williamstown 5:30 Eggheads
6:00 Today 9:00 Danoz Direct 10:00 Brand Developers 11:00 National Morning News 12:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show 1:00 Movie: “The Getting Of Wisdom” (PG) 3:00 National News Now 4:15 National Afternoon News 5:30 Hot Seat 6:00 National News 7:00 A Current Affair 7:30 TBA 8:30 TBA 9:30 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - “Ghosts Of The Past” 10:30 CSI: NY - “Cuckoo’s Nest” 11.30 Rizzoli & Isles - “Dirty Little Secret” - Tensions continue to mount between Jane and Maura, causing those close to them to be caught in the middle. 12:30 Extra 1:00 Impractical Jokers 1:30 Brand Developers 3:30 Good Morning America 5:00 National Early Morning News / 5:30 Today
6:00 Sunrise 10:00 The Morning Show 11:30 Seven Morning News 12:00 A Place To Call Home (Cons Adv: A,S) 2:00 The Daily Edition 3:00 The Chase 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 Deal Or No Deal 5:30 Million Dollar Minute 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Home And Away 7:30 TBA 10:00 Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D - Double Episode - End Of The Beginning / Turn, Turn, Turn - Agents Garrett and Triplett are back to help Coulson’s team track down S.H.I.E.L.D.’S nefarious enemy - the Clairvoyant. 11:55 Defiance: “The Bride Wore Black” The time for Christie McCawley and Alak Tarr’s wedding has arrived but Datak wants to call it off when Rafe tells him Christie has been cut out his will. 1:00 Home Shopping 3:30 Sons And Daughters 4:00 NBC Today 5:00 Sunrise Extra / 5:30 Seven Early News
5:00 World News 1:00 Insight 2:00 Dateline 3:00 France 24 International News 3:30 Al Jazeera News 4:00 The Journal 4:30 PBS Newshour 5:30 Global Village 6:00 My Family Feast - Indian 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Pilgrimage With Simon Reeve 8:35 One Born Every Minute - What Happened Next? 9:30 The Bridge 10:40 SBS World News Late 11:10 Movie: “Little White Lies” - In French. When charismatic party man Ludo leaves a Paris nightclub one evening, he is involved in a car accident that leaves him comatose in hospital. MA(S,L) 1:50 Movie: “Ajami” MA(A,D) This Cannes award winner and Oscar-nominated film presents life in the impoverished and dangerous neighbourhood of Ajami where Jews, Christians and Muslims live and work together on a knife’s edge of religious tension. 4:00 Food Lovers Guide To Australia 4:30 UEFA Champions League 2013/2014
THURSDAY 24
ABC
6:00 ABC News Breakfast 9:30 ABC News Mornings 10:00 The Wonder Years 11.00 Wonders Of The Universe 12:00 ABC News With Ros Childs 1:00 QI 1:30 The Kumars 2:00 Poh’s Kitchen 2:30 As Time Goes By 3:00 Last Of The Summer Wine 3:30 Midsomer Murders 5:00 Eggheads 5:30 ABC News: Early Edition 6:00 Grand Designs Revisited: West Cumbria 6:55 Clarke And Dawe 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 8:00 The Checkout - Factory Seconds 8:30 Call The Midwife 9:30 Assused: Tracie’s Story 10:30 Lateline 11:05 The Business 11:35 Girls’ Own War Stories 12:30 Grand Designs Revisited: West Cumbria 2:30 Football: WAFL: Round 5: West Perth Vs Sth Freemantle 4:25 ABC News Breakfast: ANZAC Dawn Service 5:30 ANZAC Day: National Dawn Service From Canberra 5:50 ABC News Breakfast: ANZAC Day
6:00 Today 9:00 Danoz Direct 10:00 Brand Developers 11:00 National Morning News 12:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show 1:00 Movie: Protocol 3:00 National News Now 4:15 National Afternoon News 5:30 Hot Seat 6:00 National News 7:00 A Current Affair 7:30 Top Gear 8:40 Two And A Half Men 11:10 Two And A Half Men 11:40 The AFL Footy Show 1:30 Extra 3:30 Good Morning America 4:15 National News Special Presentation - ANZAC Dawn Service - Join us as National News brings you the Dawn Service live from the Cenotaph, Martin Place, Sydney. 5:00 Today
6:00 Sunrise 9:00 The Morning Show 11:30 Seven Morning News 12:00 A Place To Call Home (Cons Adv: S,V,A,L) 2:00 The Daily Edition 3:00 The Chase 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 Deal Or No Deal 5:30 Million Dollar Minute 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Home And Away 8:00 TBA 8:30 TBA 9:30 TBA 11:00 Parks And Recreation - “Partridge / Animal Control” - Leslie and Ben travel back to his hometown of Partridge, MN to accept the key to the city. 12:00 Dr Oz 1:00 Home Shopping 4:00 NBC Today 4:50 Seven News Special - Sunrise - ANZAC Day Dawn Service - The latest news, sport and weather from around Australia and overseas.
7:00 World News 1:00 Turn Back Time 2:00 The Hotel 2:50 The Great Rabbit 3:00 France 24 International News 3:30 Al Jazeera News 4:00 The Journal 4:30 PBS Newshour 5:30 Global Village 6:00 Island Feast With Peter Kuruvita 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Luke Nguyen’s France 8:00 French Food Safari 8:30 Jerusalem On A Plate 9:30 Life Of Crime 10:30 SBS World News Late 11:05 UEFA Champions League Highlights 11:30 Toughest Place To Be A... - Ferryman 12:30 Putin, Russia And The West - New Start 1:35 Movie: “The Chaser” MAV(V) - An ex-cop turned pimp is in financial trouble as several of his girls have recently disappeared without clearing their debts. 3:50 The Real M*A*S*H 4:45 UEFA Europa League 2013/2014
12 – Cooktown Local News – Wednesday, April 16, 2014
CROSSWORD No. 194
SUDOKU No. 194
Your Lucky
Stars
ARIES (March 21st - April 20th) A disagreement with colleagues at work will soon be resolved. Don’t take this misunderstanding too seriously: it’s part of a process that everyone involved has to go through. Romance. The Moon/Pallas Midpoint presently in your sign will help you to understand your partner’s recent concerns.
TAURUS (April 21st - May 21st) You are not much of a gambler. However, if you do succumb to the temptation you could be very lucky this week. Your career will soon receive a big boost: make sure you recognise the opportunity when it comes. Romance. A brief encounter with a foreigner will intrigue you. You may be surprised by a sudden show of affection.
GEMINI (May 22nd - June 21st) You must be careful not to waste too much time messing around. Try to calm down and stop worrying about what everybody else thinks you should do. You will know what you should be doing: ignore the rest and get on with it! Romance. A power-struggle between you and your partner will not help either of you. A recent dispute must be settled peacefully.
FOR KIDS
CANCER (June 22nd - July 23rd) You may need to bide your time and get past any negative feelings you have about work at the moment. You may not have the control over the situation you would like, but you can still get something from it. Romance. Your partner may be a little trying at times this week: you must do your best to be as understanding as possible.
LEO (July 24th - August 23rd) Be very careful with a possession which may get stolen. This would not be of much value to a thief, but it would upset you to lose it. A surprise toward the end of the week will shake you up. Romance. The Moon/ Juno Midpoint presently in your sign will help you to understand your partner much better: use this to good effect this weekend.
FINDWORD No. 194
VIRGO (August 24th - September 23rd) Don’t spend the whole week working! You need to give yourself a break and do something just for fun. People around you will welcome you taking the lead. Romance. Your partner may seem to be a little too interested in someone that they have recently met. Don’t get too suspicious: it will only lead to negative feelings that won’t be justified.
A LAUGH WITH LOTSA
LIBRA (September 24th - October 23rd) Don’t allow other people to push you around! If you are not careful, you will end up doing work which is not your responsibility. Be assertive this week with people who have some sort of control over you. Romance. Your partner will be reassured by your strong support: this will bring the two of you together.
SCORPIO (October 24th - November 22nd)
For all your printing needs – www.lotsa.com.au
MUDDY RIVER
Don’t get into a confrontation with somebody in authority. You will be able to get what you want, but only if you choose a more subtle approach. You need to be more diplomatic. Romance. You will need a lot of emotional support at the moment. A close friend will not let you down.
SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd - December 21st) Try to count your blessings this week rather than finding fault with others. Recent events have unsettled you and you need to reorganise and consolidate. Romance. Your relationship with your partner should get much closer over the next few weeks.
CAPRICORN (December 22nd - January 20th) An old friend who appears from out of the blue may have a surprise in store. Be sure to show your gratitude. Romance. A new relationship will soon be getting off the ground. You may not be clear about your feelings for this person, however. Go with the flow for the time being.
AQUARIUS (January 21st - February 19th)
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“
“
Easter spells out beauty, the rare
beauty of new life.
–S.D. Gordon
SOLUTIONS No. 194
A disagreement with your mother may be the result of feelings which lie just below the surface. Don’t be too quick to blame her for a situation which is unavoidable. Romance. A passing glance from a person whom you hardly know will cheer you up for the whole week.
PISCES (February 20th - March 20th) You may need to give some thought to a strange dream. You will not be satisfied until you have worked out what it really meant. Try not to be too distracted at work, though. Romance. A show of emotional strength may not be the best strategy: you need to calm down a little. You will need patience in one important relationship this week.
Cooktown Local News – Wednesday, April 16, 2014 – 13
you’ll find your local tradie here
trades & services directory ABRASIVE BLASTING
ABRASIVE DELAHUNTY PLANT HIRE BLASTING New Equipment... Now in Cooktown
Phone 4069 5412 or Mobile 0400 695 177
trades & services directory
FENCING
FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES AND QUALITY WORK
Call Mick 0411 985 507 or 4069 6721
Timber – pine or hardwood Glass Gates Aluminium Security Retaining walls Gramline / Colourbond New house lots a speciality PHONE GREG
Licensed Contractor QBSA 1093073
0428 128 044
4098 1866
PAINTERS
Got products to sell, or services you need to let the community know about? ADVERTISE HERE
The other local painter…
MEAT PACK S available or create your own pack!
“Mouth Watering Meats”
Bulk sides of Lamb, Beef and Pork available ~ Trawler bulk orders most welcomed
Shop 3, 1 Muni St, Hopevale • Ph: 4060 9392 Fax: 4060 9342 • Email: hopevalebutchery@bigpond.com
Opening hours: 8am to 5pm Monday to Thursday 8am to 2pm, Friday and 8am to noon Saturday FREE Delivery to the Cooktown area!
CONCRETING
BSA: 12141087
BRACKENHURST CONCRETING
• All aspects of concreting and civil work • Houses, sheds and driveways • Decorative and exposed concrete • Spraycrete and concrete grinding Nick Prendergast Phone: 0429 923 400
Endeavour Painting and Property Maintenance
All aspects of earthmoving – Experienced and professional operators Specialising in roadworks, subdivisions, clearing, driveways, dams and rockwalls. • 8, 12, 21, 23 and 26 Tonne Excavators • Grader, Backhoes, Rollers, Dozer • Float, Roadtrain Sidetippers and Water Trucks
Contact us on 0408 181 894 or 4069 6407
ELECTRICIANS / ELECTRICAL
BUTCHERS
call us 1800 4895 00 or email us ads@cooktown localnews.com.au
Specialising in: • Land clearing • Rock walls • Driveways • Dams • Road construction • Bulk earthmoving
BUILDING SUPPLIES
Email ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au or call 1300 4895 00
can’t see your ad here?
Kingfisher
LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
Great value for your advertising $
in the
FENCING
EARTHMOVING
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COLOUR! $45/wk Colour • $30/wk Mono for a 6-month booking (GST inclusive)
BSA 1112207
Phone Dave or Silke anytime 0417 074 946 or 4069 6464
FULLY LICENCED AND INSURED FOR YOUR PEACE OF MIND
PEST CONTROL
COOKTOWN
PEST CONTROL ABN: 37 495 170 374 Mitigation Permit: WIMP01346103
LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
Call 1300 4895 00 or email ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au to book your advertisement
EQUIPMENT HIRE
C&D ENTERPRISES
SNAKES Removed/Identified JIM SYMES
••Annual Annual Inspections Inspections ••Domestic Domestic and and Commercial Commercial Pre-purchase ••Pre-purchase Inspection Inspection Preand andPost Post ••Pre Construction Construction Physical ••Physical & Chemical &Barrier Chemical Barrier
3019•(ph/fax) mobile 04270427 818818 462462 Ph:4060 4060 3019 Fax: 4060or 3017 • Mobile:
PLUMBING • Bobcat hire and attachments • Excavator hire and attachments • Telehandler and attachments
Cameron Orchard ph/fax 4069 5309 mob 0407 695 309
EARTHMOVING & CONCRETE
0417 002 143
• Concrete – Earthmoving & Civil Works – Building Pads – Subdivisions – Driveways – Trenches – Post Holes – Clearing – Drainage – Demolition • Plumbing & Pool Preparation – Raw Materials & Cartage – Rock & Tree Removal • Small & Large Excavators & Attachments – Bobcats – Tip Trucks – Water Carts – Rollers – Tag & Dog Trailers Local multi-skilled operators providing you a competant, reliable & hassle-free service in Earthmoving & Civil Works
ROOFING
Nadine & Steve Scholz • PO Box 964 Cooktown Q 4895 admin@cooktowncivilgroup.com cooktowncivilgroup
Advertise your business in the Trades and Services Section Call 1300 4895 00 or email ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au to book your advertisement.
14 – Cooktown Local News – Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Advertise your business Call 1300 4895 00 or 4098 2281
CLASSIFIEDS TRADES COOKTOWN Skip Bins. Commercial and domestic rubbish removal and disposal. Ph 4069 5545 or 0408 772 361.
MOTELS
STORAGE SHEDS
AAA CBD CBD CBD – Inn Cairns Boutique Apartments, 71 Lake Street, Cairns. Self catering, secure car parking, pool/gazebo, opp PO and Woolworths. Ph 07 4041 2350.
Returned and Services League of Australia Cooktown Sub Branch
MONTHLY MEETING at the Sub Branch Office, 132 Charlotte Street
In accordance with the Place Names Act 1994, notice is given that the Minister for Natural Resources and Mines has decided to name two gullies as Forssberg Gully and Slaughterhouse Gully within the Cook Shire local government area.
this Sunday, April 20 Office: 4069 6353 Mobile: 0413 322 625
Jimmy Fay, Secretary
Optometrist visiting Servicing Cooktown since 1997
Visiting regularly
Cooktown Towing, Tyres & Mechanical Ferrari Street (behind Mobil S/S) Cooktown
Phone: 4069 5545 • Mobile: 0408 772 361
TREELOPPING
STANDBY Response Service. Support and information for people bereaved by suicide. Ph 0439 722 266. 24 hours – 7 days per week.
PUBLIC NOTICE CIVIL celebrant Kathleen Roberts. Naming Ceremonies, Marriages, Funeral Co-ordination. 4069 5004 or 0427 695 004
CLASSIFIEDS Attention-seeking space seeks like-minded advertiser. Email your line classified through to ads@ cooktownlocalnews.com. au or call 1300 4895 00 and ask for Shaz.
ELLIS BEACH OL’ SKOOL MOTORCYCLE SHOW
Sunday, April 13
Attention: Trades & Services Advertisers To ensure that consumers locating contractors through advertisements published are protected, and that licensed contractors are not being disadvantaged, the Building Services Authority requires that all advertisers • state their name and BSA licence number on their advertisement or • state words to the effect “cannot perform building work valued at more than $3,300”. Non-compliance with these requirements may result in the advertiser receiving a warning or a fine from the BSA. If you do not meet the above requirements in your present advertisement, please contact the Cooktown Local News as soon as possible with your details.
T: 1300 4895 00, 4098 2281 M: 0419 828 639 E: ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au
NED OSTatPO9.30am POpens
DUE TO ITA...
...It’s back on!
Sunday, april 27 Opens at 9.30am
Enquiries: 0457 098 582
All money raised goes to needy, local families
Cooktown Skip Bins Rubbish removal and disposal Ph: 4069 5545 or 0408 772 361
Ocular health Eyesight testing Glaucoma assessment Diabetic sight analysis Contact Lens Consultations
Eyedentity Optical phone: (07) 4033 7575
CAPE YORK ENGINEERING COOKTOWN MARINE Penrite Oil Agent
Steel and Aluminium supplies • Welding Fabrication: steel, alloy, stainless, site work • Guillotine, Bender, Roller: pipe threading and bending • Machining: lathe, milling • Hydraulics: hose repairs • Bolts, welding equipment • Metroll products, perlins, iron by order • Marine: boat, trailer, outboard repairs, parts and oils
220 MacMillan St, Cooktown
Ph Phil 4069 5224 or Mob 0417 776 524
Forssberg Gully was first proposed to be named Forsberg Gully, but further historical evidence supports the decision to use the spelling of Forssberg Gully. Queensland place names plan QPN 1069 shows the location of the places affected by the decision and may be viewed at www.dnrm.qld.gov.au Enquiries about the decision should be directed to Bill Sales on 07 4799 7037 or by email at Bill.Sales@dnrm.gld.gov.au Great state. Great opportunity.
Coffee and the
?
Cooktown Local News
Perfection.
DOUBLE HELIX science quiz www.csiro.au
Quiz questions
1. What would a person be doing if they were using their zygomaticus major muscle? 2. What type of eclipse occurs when the moon is between the Sun and the Earth? 3. In chemistry, what does PVA stand for? 4. True or false – A pulsar is sometimes known as the ‘clock’ of the universe? 5. Which two oceans are connected by the Panama Canal?
Quiz answers
GENERAL TOWING – Special local & Cooktown to Cairns rates TYRES – Cars, Utes, 4x4’s and Trucks – most sizes MECHANICAL REPAIRS & SERVICING – All makes & models, 2WD & 4WD
1. A person would be smiling or laughing if they were using their zygomaticus major muscle. 2. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon is between the Sun and the Earth 3. In chemistry, PVA stands for polyvinyl acetate or polyvinyl alcohol. 4. True. A pulsar is sometimes known as the ‘clock’ of the universe. 5. The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
TOWING - TYRES - MECHANICAL OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
PLACE NAME DECISION Naming Forssberg Gully and Slaughterhouse Gully
PUBLIC NOTICE
TOWING / TYRES
Public Notice
The next meeting will be held at 9am
MOTELS CAIRNS Rainbow Inn. 3½ star, all facilities including cable TV. Close to the city, from $65 per night. Ph 4051 1022.
Department of Natural Resources and Mines
Blaze036431
trades & services directory
To subscribe to Double Helix go to www.csiro.au/helix-subscribe or call 02 6276 6643
Turtle Rescue
Please contact our office on (07) 4069 6957 or Larissa 0432 283 357 or Mick 0408 577 193
keep in touch
your Read copy at home A Cooktown Local News print
subscription is a great idea if you are moving away and want to keep in touch with friends and events in the Cooktown area.
Turtle Rescue is supported by
News Cooktown Local
Yuku-Baja-Muliku Rangers are offering their services to assist with any sick or injured Marine Turtles found.
Yuku Baja Muliku Landowner & Reserves Ltd Archer Point Land Trust • www.archerpoint.com.au
Phone
1300 4895 00 or 4098 2281 accounts@regionalandremote.com.au
Cooktown Local News – Wednesday, April 16, 2014 – 15
CLASSIFIEDS/COMMUNITY
Tennis courts Cooktown to be closed until showcased at further notice Cairns Central
COOKTOWN’s tennis courts will be closed until further notice.
present state the facility is unsafe for use.
Two floodlights have fallen down and have caused extensive damage to the fencing around the perimeter of the courts.
“We have to get experts in to assess the damage and give us quotes and a plan as to our options before we can announce a date when we can use them again,” she said.
Cooktown Tennis Club President Jodi Johnson said in its
PLANNING for a two-day Cooktown promotion at Cairns Central is well under way with several local groups collaborating to showcase Cooktown and the region for the commencement of the 2014 tourist season. Events to be featured are The Discovery Festival and Re-enactment in June, the RV Event New Year in July, Wallaby Creek Festival in September and the Cooktown Races in November. The focus will be on promoting events, attractions and businesses involved in the tourism industry. Information will be provided on how to get here, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and where to fuel up. Several tables will be set up to promote local businesses and for anyone interested in showcas-
ing their business, an A4 poster and fliers for a small fee of $50 per business will be provided for this service. Volunteers will answer queries and hand out brochures and the Cooktown and Cape York Visitor Information booklets and fliers. In addition to the base grant of $5000 for this promotion, assistance will also be provided by Cook Shire Council staff who will be there to promote the RV Event and assist with general queries. Tourism Cape York are also providing hands on support and the Tourism Queensland Info Centre will be paid a visit as well. The volunteers will all be in uniform or costume and some will provide entertainment during the promotion.
CLASSIFIEDS
Banners and static and audio visual displays will be set up with ongoing slide shows of events and images around the community. DVDs will be shown and performances by Captain Cook and his marines will take place several times each day as well as other entertainment yet to be advised. Bronwyn Sieverding from the Discovery Festival and Sofiea Gibson from the Re-enactment Association will visit businesses in the next couple of weeks to discuss the opportunity to be involved in the promotion. Organiser of the promotion, Loretta Sullivan said, “Anyone who would like to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity are asked to contact 0427 194 820 to discuss the promotion.”
News Cooktown Local
OPERATION COOKTOWN
PHOTO COMP
To assist the community of Cooktown after cyclone Ita, the Vietnam & Veterans Motorcycle Club, FNQ Chapter (V&VMC FNQ Chapter) have programed a ride from Mareeba to Cooktown code name “Operation Cooktown”.
The ride will be open to motorcycle enthusiasts from around the Cairns and Tableland area departing Mareeba RSL at 10.45am, Saturday, May 17, 2014 and heading to Cooktown for an overnight stay. The purpose of the visit is to spend money in the town and show our support to the Cooktown Community in view of the past week of events. The Vietnam & Veterans Motorcycle Club, FNQ Chapter is a Chapter for serving and ex-serving members of the defence force who have served their country in Vietnam or served in “War Like Service” during operations post-Vietnam. We ride with purpose and pride and enjoy getting involved with the community and being involved in Military and community related events. Our club and colours are very well respected and the motorcycle community in FNQ are very supportive.
To follow what the V&VMC FNQ Chapter are doing, visit our Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/V. VMC.FNQ.Chapter V&VMC FNQ Chapter email point of contact: VMC.FNQ.Sec@gmail.com
Advertising proudly sponsored by the
News
16 – Cooktown Local News – Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Cooktown Local
WINNER of this week’s Cornett’s IGA Cooktown and Cooktown Local News photo competition with her image titled, “My Princess” is Jacynta Hunt’s capture of her daughter Teila. Each week, the IGA will donate a $25 meat voucher to the successful photographer. In Teila’s portrait, Jacynta has been able to feature a big, bright happy smile that should warm the hearts of everyone after coping with the threat of Tropical Cyclone Ita.
On a more technical note though, the photo is crisp and clear and features a brilliant contrast of colour between Teila’s red hair and the deep green of the carpet of grass on which she was lying. Photographers now have until 5pm next Monday, April 21 to submit their entries for the next stage of the competition. Jacynta’s winning entry will be printed and displayed in a gallery the IGA has prepared in their store.
To submit an entry send your photo as an email attachment to editor@ cooktownlocalnews.com.au and please include your contact phone number. Photos need to be in full resolution, between 1mb and 10mb in size. Photos with date stamps impressed into them will not be considered.... Happy snapping!
HISTORY
Relaxing on the verandah of the Laura Police residence Laura Police Station opened in 1877 with SubInspector 1/c Hervey Fitzgerald in charge. As policing reached across the state more and more stations were opened, usually in small towns of less than 300 people or in places that were growing due to the building of train lines or the discovery of gold. By December 1884, 20 years after the inauguration of the Police Force, there were 155 stations with 657 police officers and 182 Indigenous troopers and trackers. There was also a growth in the number of single-officer stations. In 1884, there were 36 stations, each of which was operated by a single police officer - of these six were assisted in their duties by an Indigenous tracker. This photos shows Constable Daniel Fitzgibbon and his wife relaxing on the verandah of the Laura Police residence, 1906. Photo submitted.
History Coen Police Buildings, 1935. Image No. PM3724. Photo courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.
From the Vault - The Coen Cyclone of 1943 WITH most of our columnists still affected by loss of power or cleaning up after Tropical Cyclone Ita, we thought we’d bring you this slice of history about the cyclone that struck Coen in 1943: “In the early morning of 16 December, 1943, a cyclone visited the township of Coen, in the Cairns Police District. The severe weather front blew with such force that tree branches, iron sheeting and lengths of timber were strewn about causing injury to persons and damage to buildings. Torrents of rain pelted the town and surrounding areas, flooding buildings and streets. Residents were terrified, and reported being stranded in their shuddering homes whilst roofs were torn away. As rain poured in to drench the interior of their houses, they took refuge under furniture. During the cyclone, Constable Daniel Duncan McNaught with little regard for himself, visited every home in the township of Coen to check the safety
of residents and ensure they had sufficient food and necessary supplies to keep them during the six-hour storm. The Constable successfully moved two families from their destroyed homes to places of safety, and his actions saved them from certain injury or possibly death. Constable McNaught also attended the battered Police Station and nailed a table to the windows in an attempt to protect it from further damage. Two days after the storm, with persistent rain falling and roads impassable, the Constable rode by horseback to Ebagoolah, south of Coen, to examine the overland telegraph lines, and to ensure the safety of residents in out-lying areas. Sergeant Austin Murray Cooper was also personally affected by the cyclone at Coen, with his home almost demolished during the night. Early the next morning the Sergeant, concerned with the welfare of older residents he knew, camped on the riverbank and mustered helpers to search for the two men. One of the elderly men
was found in a semi-conscious condition, trapped under a large timber girder. With assistance to remove the massive lump of wood, Sergeant Cooper dragged the stockman from the pile of twisted timber and metal, and brought him to safety. Sergeant Cooper continued his good work by co-ordinating a clean-up crew, and personally assisting in the job of cleaning up Coen, its aerodrome and telegraph lines. Statements were taken from Coen residents at the time, and furnished to the Police Commissioner Cecil Carroll: Maurice Shephard a general carrier and Coroner of Coen wrote ‘…I think very highly of the actions of Constable McNaught and I am of the opinion he should be suitably rewarded for his many acts of unselfish conduct and bravery on the night and morning of the cyclone.’ Margaret Armbust, a grazier, provided by statement ‘…Constable McNaught should be rewarded for acts of bravery, initiative and work during the cyclone.’ Robert Ray, the Coen Postmaster
wrote ‘…I have heard most of the people of Coen commenting on the manner and conduct of Constable McNaught, and the way in which he visited every home in order to render moral or physical assistance…’ Robert Kraemer, the thankful injured pensioner, wrote ‘…I am very grateful to (Sergeant Cooper) and the people who rescued me, and I am quite sure that had I not been rescued I would have died there…’ Frederick Heinemann, head stockman, provided a statement including ‘…I think it was due to the initiative of Sergeant Cooper that (Coen resident Robert) Kraemer was found so soon… and was particularly helpful in making native labour available for the needy and organising a working unit to clear the road and aerodrome…’ On 3 March 1944, Commissioner Carroll wrote a memorandum to the Inspector in Cairns commending the good work of Sergeant Cooper and Constable McNaught in connection with the Coen Cyclone of 16 December 1943.
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Cooktown Local News – Wednesday, April 16, 2014 – 17
COMMUNITY
Good wishes from Saigon during Ita crisis Story by ALF WILSON NEWS of Cyclone Ita heading towards Cooktown reached as far
away as Saigon, Vietnam, where a man well known to locals was angst over the safety of residents. For many years come-
Marlin Coast Veterinary Surgery Will be visiting Cooktown WedneSday, May 7 from 2pm and ThurSday, May 8 until 12 noon Clinic is at the CWA rooms FOR APPOINTMENTS PLEASE PHONE
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dian Dirty Pierre raised money for charities by selling his legendary Tshirts at the Cooktown’s annual Discover Festival weekend. His last festival at Cooktown was in June, 2006, and he had travelled around Australia from his Melbourne base raising money for various charities by designing T-shirts with humorous captions for different festivals. He also has personally signed the back of thousands of T-shirts for a donation for charity. His trademark was his long, bushy, grey beard and denim cap and money raised from selling Pierre’s humorous captioned T-shirts at Cooktown went to charities including the Cooktown Volunteer Coast Guard. The bearded beast of burden was a well-known character at Cooktown and would sell his Tshirts at the local hotels, at the re-enactment of the landing of Captain Cook on the banks of the Endeavour River, during the
Billy Kart Derby, and at other festival events. “I went to Cooktown from 1989 to 2006 and profits from the sale of my T-shirts went mostly to the Coast Guard, but also supported the Reenactment Society, and the organising festival committee,” he said. Now based in Saigon, Dirty Pierre did everything he could to get information about Cyclone Ita as it headed towards Cooktown before hitting Cape Flattery. “I was getting three updates a day on my smartphone and as soon as I knew it was heading towards Cooktown I contacted my friends there and told them my thoughts were with them,” Dirty Pierre told the Cooktown Local News. “They were busy battening down and were prepared, I have sent text messages since, but no reply as the phones were out.” He did manage to see some photos on the ABC website of the West Coast
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Hotel, which had its roof blown off. “I was relieved that nobody was hurt and I used to stay at that hotel,” he said. After the cyclone Dirty Pierre was able to contact friends in Cooktown whom he found all safe.
“That was great,” he said. Top: Dirty Pierre with locals where he now lives in Saigon. Bottom: Dirty Pierre (right) at a past Discovery Festival weekend. Photos submitted.
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Tuxworth & Woods Carriers 18 – Cooktown Local News – Thursday, Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Established more than 30 years
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Along theBLOOMFIELD TRACK
293 Mulgrave Rd Cairns • Ph: (07) 4041 4543
with Mike D’Arcy – D’Arcy of DAintree 4WD tours
A close shave LIKE the solar eclipse, seeing the rainforest north of the Daintree River after Cyclone Ita will be a spectacular experience for lucky Easter tourists. We feel pretty lucky. No leaf shredding like Cyclone Yasi at Mission Beach. Not only has the cyclone given us a trim instead of the full haircut, but the rainforest became highly visible and very scenic. The road from the Daintree River through to Cow Bay is a fascinating and even wild drive at the moment - not to
Just a trim really
be missed. It’s definitely not pretty, but evidence of the cyclone’s power is on display with small landslips, re-positioned trees, dropped and overhanging vines and lots of leaves. But through all this, the myriad little waterfalls and the unique vegetation - king ferns, tree ferns and figs are all very visible. From Cape Trib to Cow Bay the drive is more tidily manicured. Not so many treefalls,
but a slightly more open vegetation showing the largely untouched jungle interior.
Community itself has survived well with just the odd treefall affecting housing.
Francis Walker from Walker Family Tours tells me that Wujal Community has cleared the Track from Wujal to Woobadda Creek.
Finally, the road from Ayton to the Mulligan Highway is open so people can get down to Wujal from Cooktown or the inland road.
The Bloomfield Track Drive from Cape Tribulation to Woobadda is still an unknown and may take a few days to get equipment in, assess and clear. The Wujal
Down in the Cape Trib area, National Parks are trying to make some boardwalks available for Easter. In any case, there are beautiful beaches Cow Bay, Thornton, My-
all and Cape Tribulation Beaches to visit. Thanks go to all the real heroes - the local volunteers, SES and council staff who worked nonstop to clear the roads and get things right. They deserve enormous praise. Cyclones are a regular feature of the rainforest, and this was definitely a trim, or maybe a close shave. Happy travelling. Mike and Trish D’Arcy D’Arcy of Daintree 4WD Tours Phone: +61 7 4098 9180 www.darcyofdaintree. com.au
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4WD & Commercials Tide times Cooktown
NOTE: these are predictions only, subject to change due to prevailing weather conditions. It is recommended you use this table as a guide only. Information from www.bom.gov.au/ australia/tides/ - select "Around Cairns" red tag, then select Cooktown from the list.
Fri 18 Apr
Tue 22 Apr
Low 4:44 am 1.27 m High 10:13 am 2.08 m Low 4:35 pm 0.78 m High 11:24 pm 2.42 m
High 4:01 am 2.43 m Low 10:56 am 1.15 m High 4:27 pm 1.83 m Low 10:11 pm 1.10 m
Sat 19 Apr Wed 23 Apr Low 5:51 am 1.42 m High 11:01 am 1.88 m Low 5:23 pm 0.93 m
High 5:00 am 2.56 m Low 11:39 am 0.95 m High 5:27 pm 2.05 m Low 11:17 pm 0.97 m
MOON PHASES NEW MOON Tuesday, Apr 29. Time: 16.14
FULL LAST MOON QUARTER Thursday, May 15. Tuesday, Apr 22. Time: 05.16 Time: 17.52
Marine radio channels:
21 and 16 Weather Watch
Endeavour Valley rainfall is unavailable due to Ita dropping a branch on the rain gauge!
TheLURE SHOP
Sun 20 Apr Thu 24 Apr High 12:38 am 2.32 m Low 7:57 am 1.48 m High 12:24 pm 1.69 m Low 6:34 pm 1.10 m
High 5:45 am 2.67 m Low 12:16 pm 0.78 m High 6:13 pm 2.28 m
• Local advice • Bait, Ice, Tackle • Chandlery • Garmin • GME • Supplies for commercial fleet • Charter bookings • Marine batteries • Snorkelling • Spearfishing • Bushpower • Trailer parts • Battery chargers
Mon 21 Apr Fri 25 Apr High 2:36 am 2.32 m Low 9:54 am 1.35 m High 2:56 pm 1.67 m Low 8:35 pm 1.17 m
Above: Cape Trib Road - after the storm. Top right: Farmer and Stokoe family with Gloria and George Kulka before Ita. Bottom right: Daintree Ferry from the north side of Daintree River.
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Cyclone no threat to holiday pool fun WITH the threat of Tropical Cyclone Ita looming and wind speeds increasing as early as Tuesday last week, organisers were thinking they might have to cancel their scheduled afternoon of fun at the Cooktown Pool. Fearing that parents and their children would be at home preparing for Ita, they thought no one would turn up at all. But they forgot that Cooktowners will never let the weather interfere with a good time, and a good time was held by all as the wind only increased the challenge being offered by the floating obstacle course.
Kids lined up for hours and waited patiently till it was safe for their turn to tackle the Cooktown Pool’s obstacle course last Tuesday
Not everyone used the traditional slippery side method to exit the obstacle course.
Taking a rest from the pool in the shade were Tristy and Sonja Gibson.
Another creative exit method from the obstacle course.
20 – Cooktown Local News – Wednesday, April 16, 2014
The kids lined up and waited patiently for their turns to tackle the plastic monster in the middle of the pool, which was made even more difficult by hoses trained on it to keep it slippery. While the children whose ages qualified them to attempt the obstacle course were busy in their endeavours, the younger kids enjoyed the pool, along with the parents who turned up to supervise. And for those parents who didn’t feel like swimming, they supervised from the shade of the trees by poolside. Photos: GARY HUTCHISON.
Enjoying the poolside shade were Tahlani Whitford who was with Tara, Emma, Lana and Jum Beaufils and Krista Whitford.
Others preferred a more relaxed approach to the afternoon than tackling the rigours of the obstacle course.