Wet Tropic Times, 2023, February 23, Newspaper Edition

Hill MP Shane Knuth, Traeger MP and KAP Leader Robbie Katter, Hinchinbrook MP and KAP Deputy Leader Nick Dametto

World Day Of Prayer At St John’s Anglican Church

Where: 2 Black Street, Tully

Date: Friday 3rd March

Time: 9.30 a.m.

All Welcome!

WEATHER

Regional Rainfall Report

Australia’s ‘worthless’ free trade agreements killing agriculture

ON BEHALF OF KENNEDY MP BOB KATTER

THE Federal Government’s freetrade deals aren’t “worth the paper their written on,” Kennedy MP Bob Katter says as large farming corporations struggle to turn profits and consider selling, amid export bans on their produce.

A bid to relaunch Queensland’s fruit and vegetable exports, after the devastation caused to the industry by fruit flies, has reignited following reports one of the country’s largest avocado growers is considering selling its farms.

Costa Group has told media it is looking at “trimming” its avocado business following unprofitable years with weather events and inability to export from Australia’s east coast impacting the bottom line.

Mr Katter said if a big company like Costa was cutting back on avocados, then inevitably, small farmers would go to the wall.

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Ingham, QLD 4850

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Mail: PO Box 1100 Tully QLD 4854

“The jobs that will disappear with the sale or demise of our farms is a direct result of these worthless free trade agreements, when the Government promised so much to growers and allowed them to expand without any real chance of trading internationally,” he said.

“Now they’re facing challenges with excess supply,

and no opportunity to export that produce because no one in the Government will stand up for Australian farmers.

“It’s even more absurd because there is a solution for avocados staring at them in the face – it’s been reported to me that there is an agreement that we can export avocados at risk of fruit flies by freezing for seven hours first. But whether its fumigating or freezing, our Governments should be providing these services if they’re fair dinkum about exports.

Mr Katter said that other fruit and vegies growers weren’t as fortunate and spoke on the Export Control Amendment Bill earlier this month doubling down on the need for fumigation facilities, which would allow Queensland growers to meet international standards and send their produce overseas to large markets such as Japan and China.

“When I was the Minister for Northern Development (in State Parliament), we realised that we had to put a fumigation plant in Cairns, which is one of the centres of fruit and vegetable growing in Australia. But the government went down before we got it in.

“Thirty years later, we still haven't got a fumigation plant. It is quite justified for another country to say: 'If you want to

send bananas, mangoes or whatever to us, then we don't want any of your diseases; we want it fumigated before it leaves Australia’.

“Build a fumigation plant

Weekly Bible Verse

Psalm 62:7 NLT

in Cairns or your free trade agreements are worthless. It is desperately needed. Build a fumigation plant now if you're fair dinkum about exporting fruit and vegetables from this country.”

“My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.”

Major bank postpones branch closure following KAP pressure and calls for State-owned service

ON BEHALF OF KATTER PARTY MEMBERS SHANE KNUTH HILL MP, NICK DAMETTO KAP DEPUTY LEADER AND HINCHINBROOK MP AND ROBBIE KATTER KAP LEADER AND TRAEGER MP.

A MAJOR Australian bank's decision to pause its regional branch closures has been welcomed by Kennedy MP Bob Katter, who, along with the Katter's Australian Party, has been strongly speaking against the financial "abandonment" of regional Australia.

Westpac has advised Mr Katter's office that it would postpone eight regional branch closures announced earlier this month, including Cloncurry, Ingham and Tully in North Queensland.

The bank told Mr Katter's office it would make no further decisions on the branch closures while it engaged in a Federal Senate inquiry.

"We're deeply appreciative that we, the KAP, have achieved a pause," Mr Katter said.

"There's real danger for the major banks with the KAP's determination to proceed with the postal bank, following the courageous initiative taken by Christine Holgate, who was sacked by the Liberal-Nationals when she was trying to do this.

"Whilst this is a small battle in a big war, we thank Westpac for its concisions."

State Member for Hill Shane Knuth cautiously welcomed Westpac's "temporary pause" in its decision to close regional branches.

"Many Tully residents have expressed their concern to me as a lot of the elderly don't have access to online banking," Mr Knuth said.

"Communities such as this rely on regional branches to provide a service and direct one on one contact and

provides local jobs in the community.

"The reality is banks standing within the community are at an all-time low as they rack in multibillion dollar profits while cutting services."

KAP deputy leader and Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto said it was good to see the backlash from Westpac customers in regional areas was enough to pressure the bank into postponing its regional branch closures.

"While it seems we have been a given a short reprieve here in Ingham, it is vitally important that regional Australia take this opportunity to be heard through this enquiry, and I encourage every affected person to make a submission into the inquiry by the 31st of March, 2023.

"We can only hope that the inquiry delivers overwhelming evidence that shows the important role that banks play in the regions.

"We have been shown little loyalty by the big banks over the years and I will always support the idea of a public postal bank that gives the big four a run for their money."

KAP leader and Traeger MP Robbie Katter said the aging population within the Traeger electorate was a concern that came with banks giving online-only options.

"The impending closure of the Cloncurry branch however to me seemed highly misguided," he said.

"Cloncurry is a solid growth area, and for Westpac to have considered pulling a branch from that district shows a disregard for the regions."

"We're especially grateful to the strong leadership of the locals in Cloncurry for playing a big role in putting a holt to the decision."

Spiritual Food with Jess

The Spirit of Religion

THE Spirit of religion has given us a watered-down version of Christianity and led to a lack of life and power within the body of Christ.

Even Jesus had to deal with religious people during his earthly ministry. After all, the religious people put him on the cross.

An illustration of the Spirit of religion in action comes directly from the scripture:

Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." At once,

the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat." But he replied, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.'" So they asked him, "Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?"

John 5:8-12 NIV

Notice that the Jewish leaders were more concerned about this man 'carrying his mat' on the Sabbath day than with the miracle before their eyes.

This man could not walk because he

Westpac's announcement comes after the Federal MP asked the Prime Minister during Question Time on Wednesday if he would provide a guarantee of banking services in regional parts of Australia.

"Prime Minister, banks in Australia's towns are closing. Treasurers Keating, Hockey and Swan averred the majors will always be underwritten by government. Will you support North Queensland's industrial leadership in proposing a North Queensland postal bank, initiated by the KAP," Mr Katter asked.

Mr Katter also pointed out the hypocrisy of two Liberal senators whose party sacked former Australia Post chief executive Ms Holgate while she was attempting to form postal banks and who were now calling for an inquiry into that very idea.

"I note the curious inconsistency of two Liberal senators, who, in power, sacked Holgate, the person actually creating a people's bank. Out of power, the two want to 'look into it'.

"Churchill observed: 'Looking into it, you'll only see yourself. How extraordinarily narcissistic."

was lame and paralysed, and yet the Pharisees were more concerned about him carrying a mat!

Would you naturally think such Jewish leaders would recognise God's handiwork?

My question to you:

Why do you think the Jewish leaders worried more about a man carrying his mat than the miracle standing before them?

A religious spirit influences a person, or group of people, to replace a genuine relationship with God with works and traditions.

A person who is operating in the religious Spirit often carries resentment and bitterness or a strong sense of self-

righteousness. This leads to a multitude of destructive thoughts and behaviours, resulting in a blindness to the works of the Holy Spirit - thus denying and hindering His power.

Let's not be asleep but awake and have our eyes wide open to see the lies that are before us. If you believe a spirit of religion is operating within your church, pray and intercede, trusting God has this in hand. Remember to put on the whole armour of God every day and stand boldly in prayer. If you believe you have the Spirit of religion, I encourage you to seek deliverance; you can do this by contacting your local church and talking to your Pastor about your situation.

Have a blessed week.

Cassowary Coast Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy

CASSOWARY COAST REGIONAL COUNCIL

COASTAL hazards is part and parcel of residing in the Cassowary Coast. With over 120km of coastline and several offshore islands, the region and residents are vulnerable to coastal hazards and the long-term impacts of climate change.

Most residents in the region have experienced impacts of severe weather events such as flooding of the Johnstone and Murray Rivers and Tropical Cyclones Larry (2006) and Yasi (2011).

CCRC joins 31 coastal councils who are developing a Coastal Adaptation Strategy, through the Queensland Government’s QCoast 2100 program.

With support from their consultant team, CCRC has

developed a draft Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy, titled Evolving with Our Coast.

This strategy:

Assesses the risk from coastal hazards, including coastal erosion, storm tide inundation and sea level rise, over time.

Has a vision for how the community and region can respond, adapt and evolve with the impacts of coastal hazards.

Identifies adaptation actions to respond to these coastal hazards.

An outline of a strategy for implementing these adaptation measures which details roles, responsibilities and periods for actions.

CCRC is seeking community feedback on the draft strategy to ensure it provides the foundation for our collective action in the future.

Residents provide feedback on the entire strategy, which is open until Monday, March 20, or download the chapter relevant to their locality of interest.

To find out more, please visit https://yoursay. cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/CHAS.

The 3 Ps impeding turtle hatchling success.

IT’S been a few long and warm months of waiting, and now it’s hatching time at the beach. Mandubarra Rangers have been monitoring turtle nests daily, and the wait is almost over. Rangers have also been working towards better conditions for increased

hatchling success through their coastal management. Reducing the impacts stemming from the three deadly Ps have been highly prioritised in their work schedule of late.

Predation, light pollution and plastics are big hitters for turtle hatchlings. It seems an uphill battle, but traditional custodians across the region are putting in the hard yards to reduce these impeding factors to hatchling survival rates.

James Epong, a Mandubarra traditional owner, reports, “we’re managing country through a feral pig trapping program, engagement with stakeholders to lower their light pollution and cleaning the beaches ahead of and during the nesting season for improved nesting and hatching conditions”.

Residents in our region also do their bit to give the hatchlings a safer environment for starting life. Bingil Bay resident Jo Senior walks Narragon Beach regularly, picking up debris and has observed an increase recently of fishing line and tackle along the foreshore and entwined in the vegetation, mainly through the mangrove community south of the Jetty.

Installation of Tackle Bins at Cassowary Coast fishing hotspots is proving a success; however, a lot of tackle is still being found in our marine environment. Turtles and other marine life can be harmed, maimed or even killed through fishing line entanglement and ingestion. Responsible disposal of unwanted fishing tackle and knowing your fishing knots will aid in the reduction of this litter in our marine environment.

Light pollution is a show-stopper for turtles as they use the glow of the solar system to navigate when nesting and on their first journey to the big blue as a hatchling. Coastal lights create such a glow that it confuses turtle navigation. Coastal residents can lower

their glow by turning off outside lights, closing curtains or facing artificial lights and TV screens away from the beach.

Predation is a natural occurrence; however, the balance has shifted unfavourably for turtles with the increase of feral pigs and wandering pets. When at the beach, keep pets on a lead and away from the dune vegetation to reduce disturbance, compaction and the potential of predation.

Fallen comrades remembered on National Servicemen's Day

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARIA GIRGENTI

WHILST February 14 (Valentine's Day) is traditionally a day of love and romance for couples, it is also one of great significance for National Servicemen throughout Australia.

Last Tuesday, National Servicemen from Innisfail/Babinda/Tully and Tableland branches, their partners and supporters gathered for a memorial ceremony at King George Park, Innisfail, to honour their fallen.

The newly elected Labour Government abolished National Service conscription on December 5, 1972.

National Servicemen's Day recognises the last day Australian Nashos marched out of camp in 1974.

The National Servicemen's Association, which has branches throughout Australia, is the secondlargest ex-service organisation after the RSL.

Since Federation, Australia has had four National Service schemes. Although the first scheme started in 1911, records indicate it may have been as early as 1904.

Australia's second Prime Minister, Alfred Deakin, introduced the first compulsory military scheme, which saw men aged 14 - 26 years conscripted as School Cadets or in the Citizens' Military Forces (CMF). This scheme ended in 1929.

In 1940, Prime Minister Robert Menzies re-introduced the CMF. All unmarried men aged 21 years conscripted in the second scheme did up to three months of army training. This occurred during World War II, and these men could only serve in Australia or Papua New Guinea.

The third National Service scheme ran from 1951 - 1959, and eligible men aged 18 years called up completed three months of full-time army training.

In late 1964, saw National Service was re-introduced due to the conflicts in Vietnam. The selection was via birthday ballot, and if called up, men had to complete two years of full-time army service.

A total of 287,000 young Australian men did compulsory training in the Navy, Army and Air Force between 1951 - 1972.

Under the second scheme (19651972), 212 died on active service in Borneo and Vietnam, with more than 1,200 wounded.

When called up in the second scheme, 35,000 men chose to undertake the Alternative Service option in the CMF.

In 1987, Barry Vicary, a 1965 Nasho and Vietnam veteran, founded the National Servicemen's Association of Australia in Toowoomba to seek a better deal for Nashos and for them to receive a medal in recognition of their service.

The Australian government recognised the vital contribution of

Carl and Fiona Butler International Ministers

National Servicemen to Australia's defence preparedness in 2001 with the Anniversary of National Service 19511972 Medal.

Five years later, Nashos became eligible to receive the Australian Defence Medal in recognition of their required time in service.

On December 8, 2001, the GovernorGeneral dedicated the new Memorial Fountain in Canberra to remember all National Servicemen.

In 2010, the National Servicemen's memorial, unveiled at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, enshrined the Nashos into our nation's history.

Carl and Fiona Butler are a dynamic Australian couple who regularly travel the globe together preaching and demonstrating the uncompromised, lifetransforming Gospel of Jesus Christ. Their objective is to win the lost, build faith, minister healing, cast vision, inspire and strengthen the Church and empower people to serve the Lord and fulfill their God-ordained destinies

Tully Family Church

Saturday & Sunday, 25-26 February 2023

Saturday night: 7.00pm

Sunday: 9:00am & 6.00pm

More information: Mobile: 0448 460 136

Family members placed poppies on plaques at the National Servicemen’s memorial

National Servicemen, their partners and supporters stand to attention at the ceremony.

wall.

National Servicemen Colin Ritchie placed a poppy, whilst Charlie Catalano watched on.

Padre Mick Grant and branch members from Innisfail/Babinda/Tully National Servicemen’s Association of Australia at their memorial wall.

Letters to the editor

to a privately owned and run incorporated business. Perhaps you need to apply for funding too.

Times

WET TROPIC

What is affecting regional/rural Australia?

SARI RUSSO NEE HYYTINEN

THERE are a lot of items affecting our regional/ rural areas in Australia now that are significant for our future. One of the major issues being reported on is the youth crime that has significantly affected regional areas across Australia.

It is positive that Westpac Bank has put on hold the closing of the rural premises they announced previously due to now being involved in a Federal Senate Inquiry. I look forward to the outcome, as I am sure many rural people are watching to see how the Federal government will represent its rural constituents.

I will admit that I do not advocate for the voice as the Federal government currently portrays it. Particularly when it hasn’t been drafted, and we are expected to sign a blank cheque for a government that hasn’t looked after regional/rural areas properly for decades. As far as I can see, regional Indigenous communities have not been consulted on what the voice will do to benefit them.

As far as I can tell, the voice is part of a significant problem that exists across the entirety of Australia. People who live in cities and have never lived in regional areas believe they know how to look after our environment and people better than we do.

I am unsure how many people follow Avi Yemini, who recently went to Alice Springs to talk to the Indigenous community to see whether the city Indigenous represents them. The answer from the people on the ground in Alice Springs interviewed by Avi Yemini was a resounding no. They had never heard of Senator Lidia Thorpe or Linda Burney, Minister for Indigenous Australians.

Who is going to benefit from the voice? How will all Australians, not just a few Indigenous living in the city, benefit from the voice?

Community Funding Scheme

TO all you small struggling business owners CCRC has implemented a Community Funding Scheme. This means council no longer assists community groups with in kind support. You must apply for a grant. CCRC has recently given a grant of around $3000 I believe

Thank you

“Names and address supplied.”

If you would like to see what is on offer from the CCRC please see the web address provided.

https://www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/fundinggrants

Have an opinion? Send a letter to the editor

Remembering Sister Eileen Mary

MARIA GIRGENTI

IN mid-2022, on the Feast of Pentecost, the Mother of Good Counsel Catholic community paid tribute to Good Samaritan Sister Eileen Brown with a special morning tea at Innisfail Parish Centre.

Sr Eileen’s brothers, Leonard and Maurice Brown and sister-in-law Susie Brown from Wollongong were also in attendance.

Burial of a lock of Sr Eileen’s hair and flower petals from her room took place in the garden outside the Parish Centre.

Father Kerry Crowley blessed a special plaque in memory of Sr Eileen’s contribution, permanently displayed in the Parish Centre.

Parish members described Sr Eileen as “a quiet, gentle, kind person, with boundless energy, who lived her faith, possessed a certain charisma, touched lots of people through her outreach work and made countless friends of all ages and nationalities.”

Bishop Peter Ingham, former Bishop of Wollongong, described Eileen as “personable, enthusiastic, and highly competent with a deep faith.”

Eileen Mary Brown was born on July 30, 1944, at the foot of Mount Keira, the eldest of four, with three younger brothers, Leonard, Denis, and Maurice.

In 1981, Eileen, aged 36, transferred to Innisfail and was appointed Superior of the local community and Deputy Principal of Good Counsel College.

A year later, with the introduction of cluster superiors, Sr Eileen also became Superior of Tully.

In June 1982, after consultation between Sr Caroline Duhigg and Parish priest Fr Brian Fitzpatrick OSA, this resulted in establishing a Parish team as a collaborative ministry between the Augustinian Fathers

Brown

and the Good Samaritan Sisters.

As a founding member of the Parish team, Sr Eileen worked part-time in the Tully Parish to facilitate being the Superior there.

In 1984, Sr Eileen ceased working in Tully and directed her energies to the vision and mission of the Innisfail Parish team.

Adult education became one of Sr Eileen’s passions, especially for young mothers. As a result, she became involved in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), outreach to Filipino women, liturgical education/formation, and pastoral planning.

The Parish Centre, blessed and opened in 1987 by Bishop James Battersby, was the brainchild of Father Brian Fitzpatrick and Sr Eileen as a place of welcome and community.

As an active member of the Innisfail Parish team and Pastoral Associate, Sr Eileen also established a Parish Playgroup for young parents and youth groups.

1991 - Sr Eileen transferred back to New South Wales and worked at St John’s High School, Nowra.

After six months of study leave in 1992, she returned to Nowra until October 1997, when she transferred to Wollongong.

Here, she continued to work in the Liturgical ministry of the Wollongong Diocese until after 2002, until her failing health forced her to resign.

Having battled Parkinson’s disease, Sr Eileen Brown passed away peacefully on October 27, 2021, aged 77, after 57 years professed as a Good Samaritan Sister.

Sister Eileen Brown

Sister Eileen Brown with Father Brian Fitzpatrick in 2001.

Sister Eileen’s brothers Maurice and Leonard Brown and sister-in-law Susie Brown with Father Kerry Crowley in Innisfail.

Crocodile Sighting, Roaming Dogs, Council's Battery Recycling Points, Water Meter Replacements and Calling Fitness Providers

Crocodile Sighting

Residents are to be aware of a recent crocodile sighting that occurred on Tuesday 21 February 2023 on Euclid Street Ingham.

The sighting has been reported to the Department of Environment and Science and is currently under investigation.

Always remember that no natural waterway in "crocodile country" is ever 100% risk free, and the public should remain Crocwise at all times when in and around crocodile habitats.

Services Temporarily Discontinued at the Warrens Hill Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre Council would like to remind residents that the Tip Shop services are temporarily discontinued at the Warrens Hill Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre, effective immediately.

These changes are due to concerns of the stability of the embankment around the old landfill cell above the location of these suspended services.

In the interest of public safety, Council has introduced an exclusion zone around the toe and batter of the slope.

As residents are aware, Council is required to meet environmental licensing conditions for the management of the Warrens Hill Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre and has been undertaking a landfill capping program.

For reasons yet to be determined, the cap has breached and resulted in slope slippage occurring.

Council is investigating and determining remediation actions required.

Please note that operating hours at Halifax are:

• Monday and Tuesday - Closed;

• Wednesday - 8.30am to 1.30pm;

• Thursday - 8.30am to 1.30pm;

• Friday - 12.30pm to 5.30pm;

• Saturday - 7.30am to 5.30pm (closed between 12.00pm and 1.00pm); and

• Sunday - 12.30pm to 5.30pm

Please be advised that the Halifax Resource Recovery Centre is closed on all Public Holidays.

Council regrets any inconvenience that these changes will cause the community, however the safety of the public must always be paramount and the communities understanding would be appreciated.

For more information about the Halifax Resource Recovery Centre, visit Council's Waste Facilities and Fees page on www.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au.

Roaming Dogs

Local Law surrounding roaming dogs are in place to ensure public safety and to allow uninterrupted use of public spaces.

If a dog is identified as roaming it may be impounded and all reasonable attempts to locate an owner will be made prior to being rehomed.

To avoid this happening to your beloved pet, ensure your yard is adequately secured to safeguard against escape attempts.

If you take your pooch outside of your yard, make sure you have attached a lead to them and that you are holding onto the lead.

Dogs are required to be registered and microchipped under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2003

FIRST 5 FOREVER UNDERWATER WONDERLAND

Families are invited to attend the upcoming First 5 Forever Underwater Wonderland Baby Welcoming Ceremony.

Each new baby that has arrived in the community over the past twelve months will receive a Welcoming Certificate, sapling and gift bag. Enjoy a fun filled morning of yummy food, activities, arts and crafts and entertainment for the whole family.

Registration essential by 4.00pm Wednesday 22 March 2023 for your child to receive a certificate and sapling.

Register today

For further information please visit Council’s website Events

Calendar page or phone 4776 4600.

Please look after your pet to avoid costly fees and penalties.

Council's Battery Recycling Points

Did you know that if recycled, 95% of a battery’s components can be turned into new batteries or used in other industries?

But when dumped in landfill those valuable elements are lost forever. Discarded batteries can leach hazardous materials and pollute the environment, especially groundwater and waterways, so why not recycle them instead?

As part of Council’s commitment to reducing hazardous waste to landfill, we have teamed up with battery recycler Ecobatt to add more battery drop off points around the Hinchinbrook Shire.

These receptacles accept domestic batteries of all types (and mobile phones) but not the large lead acid batteries from vehicles.

They also accept faulty or broken rechargeable batteries from cordless hand tools such as drills. Council battery recycling locations are as follows:

• Foyer of the Shire Hall on Lannercost Street;

• Hinchinbrook Shire Library;

• Hinchinbrook Visitor Information Centre;

• Warrens Hill Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre; and

• Halifax Resource Recovery Centre.

There is also a battery recycling station located near the checkouts of Woolworths Ingham the next time you are shopping.

Water Meter Replacements

Residents are advised that between Monday 20 February and Friday 3 March 2023, contractors will be undertaking the warranty replacement of water meters that have been identified as not functioning as intended in the Shire. In most cases, the installation of the new smart meter will take less than 30 minutes, with the water to your property being shut off for about 15 minutes.

Should you require any further information or clarification concerning this matter, please contact Council’s Utility Department on 4776 4771 for the necessary assistance.

Calling Fitness Providers Council is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) for providers who can deliver physical activities within the Shire as part of the 2023 Hinchinbrook Health and Wellbeing Program.

To submit your interest, complete the form by 5.00pm Monday 27 February 2023 at https://bit.ly/3lMAzWg.

Round Three Active Clubs Funding

The Active Clubs program will provide funding to local and regional sport and active recreation organisations to support training an education for volunteers, volunteer recognition, equipment, and opportunities for participation.

Funding up to $2,500 is available to support projects that provide responsive assistance to clubs and organisations. Applications close 5.00pm Wednesday 1 March 2023. For more information or to apply, visit https://bit.ly/3SkpQyv.

WORKS NOTICE ABERGOWRIE ROAD INSITU STABILISATION

Council wishes to advise that insitu stabilisation works have commenced on Abergowrie Road Abergowrie. Ongoing works will occur between 6.00am and 5.00pm with a number of traffic conditions in place during these times.

Council would like to thank you for your cooperation during this necessary phase of works.

For further information on current roadworks, please visit Council’s website, Roadworks page or contact Council.

Half Yearly Rate Notices

Half Yearly Rate Notices are being issued and are due for payment on or before Friday 31 March 2023.

Council encourages ratepayers who may have difficulty with payments to discuss a payment plan as soon as possible. Ratepayers also have access to assistance under Council’s Financial Hardship Policy.

Don’t forget if you pay on or before the due date and have no rates in arrears, you will go into the draw to win $2,000 to be spent locally at up to five Hinchinbrook Shire businesses of your choice.

The winner of the Rate Incentive Scheme will be drawn at Council’s General Meeting held on Wednesday 26 April 2023.

Current Procurement and Tender Opportunities

Keep up to date with opportunities available through Council by visiting the Current Procurement and Tender Opportunities page on Council’s website.

Current opportunities include:

• HSC 23/01 - Cristaldis Road Floodway and Waterview Creek Scour Protection Upgrade

Should you require further information, please contact Council’s Procurement Services on 4776 4665.

Clean Up Australia Day 2023

Thinking of volunteering in this year’s Clean Up Australia Day?

Sunday 5 March 2023 is approaching fast so it is your final chance to join a local Clean Up event.

If you cannot find a clean-up near you why not create your own?

Grab your friends, family, neighbours and local community and join or create your own clean-up online at https://bit.ly/3SeOHnj.

School Zone IntroductionAbergowrie State School

Council wishes to advise that a School Zone will be installed around Abergowrie State School in the coming weeks.

The school zone will impose a reduced speed limit of 60km/h during the hours of 8.00am to 9.00am and 2.30pm to 3.30pm on school days.

Safety concerns were raised to Council by members of the public regarding the safety of children walking and riding to school along Abergowrie Road, which is currently an 100km/h speed zone.

With the introduction of a kindergarten program and an increase in student numbers this year, it was agreed that a school zone was necessary to protect the school children’s safety.

Council would like to thank you for your cooperation during this necessary phase of works.

For further information on current roadworks, please visit Council's website, Roadworks page or contact Council.

Regional Arts Development Fund Public Applications Round Two 2022-2023

Do you or someone you know have a project idea that could contribute to Arts and Culture in the Hinchinbrook Shire?

Applications for funding through Council's Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) Program are open for Round Two from Monday 30 January 2023 until 5.00pm Friday 24 February 2023.

RADF provides funding to successful applicants for up to 70% of the total project cost.

To download an application form and to find out more visit Council's website, Grants and Funding page or contact the TYTO Regional Art Gallery.

The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.

(Previous RADF recipient).

Image: Lucinda Progress Association - Borello Park Mural

OPEN AS USUAL

We recently announced that our local Ingham and Tully Westpac branches were going to permanently close. We have postponed this decision and will remain OPEN as usual.

We appreciate your understanding and will advise you of any changes.

We look forward to helping you with your banking needs now, and in the future.

For more information please visit us in branch.

Council's Mosquito Management

HINCHINBROOK SHIRE COUNCIL

THE recent high rainfall has contributed to an increase in mosquito numbers throughout the district. To combat nuisance mosquitoes and limit the spread of mosquitoborne viruses, Council conducts a systematic mosquito control program on Council land and some areas of Unallocated State Land.

Council uses best-practice chemical control methods developed and approved specifically for mosquito control activities. This generally provides effective control while protecting public health and our natural environment.

These control methods specifically target mosquito larvae in ponded water bodies and retard the larvae from maturing into adult mosquitoes. Through Council's control program, fresh and saltwater sources are treated, including underground drainage infrastructure in built-up areas. However, continuing heavy rains after application reduces the effectiveness of this control method and hence the perception of increased aggravation.

Contrary to some opinion, Council does not conduct 'knock down' aerial fogging of adult mosquitoes within the Shire. This control method is relatively ineffective and poses serious risks to the environment, people and their pets.

Although Council is already doing what it can to reduce mosquito populations in urban areas, residents are reminded that under the Public Health Regulation, householders are responsible for preventing mosquitoes from breeding on their property.

Simply cleaning up items that hold water or emptying containers and disposing of palm fronds in and around your house reduces mosquitoes' opportunity to breed. Further, it prevents the risk of spreading mosquitoborne diseases such as Dengue Fever and various viruses that can affect people's health. There are many options for people wanting to protect themselves against mosquitoes, including wearing long, lightcoloured clothing, insect repellent, knockdown, and residual insecticides that are readily available from suppliers.

Low-cost mosquito larvicide pellets (NOMOZ®) are available to purchase for $10 from Council's Main Office located at 25 Lannercost Street, Ingham.

Similar to the commercial products Council employs, NOMOZ® Pellets prevent mosquito larvae from developing into adult mosquitoes for up to six months and can be used in small natural and artificial water bodies around your property.

For further information, please contact Council's Biosecurity Team on 4776 4740.

Asian Dragon Fruit Salad

Serves: 6

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 0 minutes

1 ½ serves per portion

Ingredients

Salad:

4 cups mixed salad leaves

1 avocado, cubed

1 pink dragon fruit, sliced into wedges

½ red onion, finely sliced

1 bunch coriander, stems and leaves roughly chopped

1 red apple, julienned

1 carrot, peeled into julienne strips

3 tablespoons granulated peanuts

Dressing:

3 tablespoons plum sauce

3 teaspoons sesame oil

2 teaspoons salt reduced soy sauce

2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar

1 ½ teaspoons fresh ginger, grated

1 lime, juiced

Method

ADD all salad ingredients except peanuts to a large bowl.

COMBINE all dressing ingredients in a screw top jar and shake well to combine.

POUR dressing over salad just before serving. Sprinkle with peanuts and toss to combine.

Recipe courtesy of the Country Kitchens 2023

Product of the Year Recipe Collection – Dragon Fruit

Construction of a Public Wash Down Facility

HINCHINBROOK SHIRE COUNCIL

POWERLINK Queensland's Genex Kidston Renewable Energy Project will see the construction of a switching station on Knuckledown Road to service a new 186-kilometre transmission line from Mount Fox to Kidston. To reduce the biosecurity risks associated with the movement of machinery for this project, Council has recently approved the construction and operation of a weed seed washdown facility within the Mount Fox Cricket Ground Reserve.

Powerlink requested the opportunity to work with the Council to establish the washdown facility along the western boundary of the public reserve, not only to meet its own biosecurity obligations as part of the new transmission line but also to provide a public weed seed prevention facility on the western boundary of the Shire.

Council representatives initiated discussions with members of the Mount Fox community in early 2022 to seek local advice on the site's positioning. The Mount

Fox Cricket Grounds were agreed upon as the most suitable location. It can be accessed by community members and visitors travelling to and from western Shires into the Hinchinbrook area, preventing further potential weed seed spread.

Powerlink will be responsible for the initial construction and maintenance of the facility for the life of the Genex Project (until approximately mid-April 2024), at which point Council and the Mount Fox community will negotiate whether they will continue to operate the facility as an ongoing weed seed prevention asset for the Shire into the future.

Due to the early onset of this year's wet season, the commencement of construction works has been delayed. It is anticipated that construction will commence in early 2023 and be operational by June 2023, weather permitting, with the likelihood of it being available for use by the local and travelling public soon after.

For further information, please contact Council's Biosecurity Team on 4776 4740.

Empowering women through education and health is a priority for the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA). The QCWA Country Kitchens program, funded by the Queensland Government through Health and Wellbeing Queensland, supports Queenslanders to adopt healthier lifestyles. To find out more about the program visit https://qcwacountrykitchens.com.au/.

Empowering women through education and health is a priority for the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA). The QCWA Country Kitchens program, funded by the Queensland Government through Health and Wellbeing Queensland, supports Queenslanders to adopt healthier lifestyles. To find out more about the program visit https://qcwacountrykitchens.com.au/.

Innisfail's Feast of the Senses 20 birthday celebrations

MARIA GIRGENTI

IN 2023, the Innisfail Feast of the Senses, Queensland's premier tropical food festival, celebrates its 20th birthday.

Members of the former Department of Primary Industries started the event in 2003 to promote the region's wide range of rare and exotic fruits.

From its humble beginnings as a one-day event in 2003, the Feast has grown to be the biggest event on the Cassowary Coast calendar.

Independent of any organisation, a

small yet dedicated volunteer committee runs the Feast of the Senses.

Since 2003, the festival has expanded to include meat, seafood, herbs, spices and wine, celebrating the produce and variety of cultures in the Cassowary Coast region.

Over the 20 years, Feast of the Senses has grown and evolved to include river cruises, food trails, Taste of the Tropics Dinner, a fun fancy-dress Gone Troppo trivia night, and this year consists of a Pro-biotic Sodas and NoBake Cakes cooking workshop.

There is something for everyone, and the four-day festival kicks off on Thursday, March 23.

The festival attracts visitors from all over Queensland and interstate, with 5,000 patrons attending last year's Australian Bananas River Feast.

On Sunday, March 26, the Innisfail riverfront comes alive from 9.00 am3.00 pm with stalls, live entertainment, river cruises, cooking demonstrations in the Canecutter Court, as well as the popular rare and tropical fruit display and tastings, with the fruit auction held

later in the day.

"We haven't forgotten the children," said President Ros Jensen. "The Kid Zone is packed with activities and fun stuff for the youngsters to do whilst parents take a well-earned break."

"All of our ticketed events and stall bookings are now open, and you can also put your name down to volunteer on the day via the website or Facebook."

For further information on the Australian Bananas River Feast, stallholder applications, volunteers, all festival events and ticket bookings, please visit www.feastofthesenses.com. au or the Feast of the Senses Facebook page.

Remember to attend the 20th birthday celebrations and this fantastic 'top 10' Queensland event.

Knuth Calls on Federal and State Governments to Fix Regional Health Issues

ON BEHALF OF SHANE KNUTH HILL MP

MEMBER for Hill Shane Knuth has labelled access to basic health services in regional Queensland as being at a crisis point.

Mr Knuth said these services have been declining in smaller regional centres for the past decade while both levels of government continually shifted responsibility and squabbled over funding.

He said every Queenslander has the right to access basic health services in a developed nation such as Australia, regardless of their postcode.

"Last week, I attended a meeting at Mission Beach with residents about the closure of their only GP medical clinic, leaving residents with the only option of travelling to Tully or Innisfail to see a doctor," Mr Knuth said.

"Even this has become an issue as both Tully and Innisfail GP services are overflowing with long waitlists and in some cases unable to accepting new patients."

Mr Knuth said he and Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter have both raised these issues in parliament.

"Personally, I put forward over a dozen questions to the health Minister alone in

2022 on various aspects of our failing health system in regional Queensland," he said.

"I also wrote to the Minister for Heath in 2020 about the impending closure of the Medical Centre in Mission Beach.

"I put forward a solution to the minister of getting a locum doctor in from Tully Hospital to help within the community, but this hasn't happened," Mr Knuth said.

Mr Knuth said he and Mr Katter are calling on both State and Federal Governments to incentivise doctors to move to regional areas and open GP practices.

"We have both lobbied for significant changes to encourage GP's to move back to smaller regional centres, including an increase to the Medicare rebate for regional GP's and speeding up visa approval for overseas GP's," Mr Knuth said.

"We have objected to the recent changes to the Distribution Priority Area (DPA) for overseas GPs to obtain full Australian accreditation, which has now been broadened to include major regional cities. This change will cause significant damage to attracting GPs to smaller regional centres.

"I am sick and tired of hearing about the state governments record spend on health in last year's budget, which is not reflected on what is actually happening on the ground in smaller regional centres."

A popular stop on the Southern Food Trail is Peter and Alison Salleras’ Fruit Forest Farm at East Feluga.

At last year’s Feast of the Senses cooking stage, Tracey and Jack Gallagher from The Pocket, El Arish made a curry using plantain bananas.

Rare and tropical fruits are always a huge hit at Innisfail’s Feast of the Senses.

A wide variety of the region’s rare and exotic fruits on display at the Feast of the Senses Innisfail.

Tully

Support Centre News

This is an excellent opportunity to gain skills and find employment in the Hospitality industry.

Shane

Greenwood

with 54 Bryant Street, Tully - 4068 1004

No Cost Training

THE Tully Support Centre (TSC) is offering no cost Certificate III in Hospitality (SIT20421) course delivered by MiHaven Training face-to-face in Tully funded by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training Skilling Queenslanders for work initiative.

Places are limited, with only nine spots left!

Contact Maxine on 40681004 or email maxine@tullysupportcentre.com.

au to secure your place.

To be eligible, participants must be:

• Queensland residents

• aged 25 years or older

• An Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident (includes humanitarian entrant), temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on a pathway to permanent residency or a New Zealand citizen.

• able to successfully complete the training and undertake work

The TSC has successfully delivered Skilling Queenslanders for Work projects throughout the Cassowary Coast Region, supporting over 280 community members to successfully achieve a nationally recognised qualification, gain or retain work and improve their confidence and employability.

For more information about the program or program eligibility, contact Maxine on 40681004 or email maxine@ tullysupportcentre.com.au

The Tully Support Centre is funded by the Queensland Government and services communities throughout the Cassowary Coast.

The Tully Support Centre is located at 54 Bryant Street in Tully, opening hours Monday to Friday from 9 am to 1 pm & 2 pm to 4 pm; and open until 6 pm on Wednesdays.

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

ONLINE AUCTION

LIVE

WEDNESDAY

AUCTION - 9AM START

GENERAL GOODS & CHATTELS

VIEWING TUESDAY 28 FEBRUARY 9AM - 6PM AT 401 SHERIDAN STREET, CAIRNS NORTH

Note:

240 Menzies Road, Bartle Frere QLD 4861 Sugarcane Farm on 7 Titles – Boundary to the Russell River ‘Located approximately 4km from Josephine Falls’

Total Land Area: 31.94 Ha = 78.92 acres*

Total Land Area: 31.94 Ha = 78.92 acres*

Usable Land Area: 30.28 Ha = 74.82 acres*

Usable Land Area: 30.28 Ha = 74.82 acres*

Sale is on a W.I.W.O. basis which includes the 2023 sugarcane crop, already fertilised. Sales includes: Two combined lockable sheds – Total floor area 471.96 sqm*

Sale is on a W.I.W.O. basis which includes the 2023 sugarcane crop, already fertilised. Sales includes: Two combined lockable sheds – Total floor area 471.96 sqm*

Auction: Saturday 11th March 2023 – 11am Onsite.

Auction: Saturday 11th March 2023 – 11am Onsite.

Inspections available by appointment.

Inspections available by appointment.

All offers will be presented to the Owners, an offer may be accepted prior to Auction. *all areas approximate List #1597 https://aarealty.net/rural/1597/

All offers will be presented to the Owners, an offer may be accepted prior to Auction. *all areas approximate List #1597 https://aarealty.net/rural/1597/

FLEGLER

On

Happy Birthday Joe

Please

PAYMENT

Church times across the region

Tully Family Church, 9am, Sun, 2 Watkins St, Tully Cardwell AOG, 9:30am Sun, Shire Hall, Cardwell Mission Beach Family Church, 6pm, Sun, Unit 3, 2-4 Stephens Street, Mission Beach Life Church, 10am, Sun, 28-32 Townsville Road, Ingham

Churches of Christ Care Rockingham Home Aged Care Service, 9am Fri, 3rd Fri of month, 40 Jamieson St, Cardwell

St Rita’s Babinda, 7am, Sun, 15 Church St, Babinda

Mother of Good Counsel, 6:30pm Sat Vigil, 9am, Sun, 90 Rankin St, Innisfail

Our Lady of Fatima, 10am, Sun, 32 Glasgow Street, El Arish, St John the Evangelist, 6pm, Sat, 4 Harold Street, Silkwood, St Rita’s South Johnstone, 7am, 1st, 3rd & 5th/month, 5 Green Street, South Johnstone Christ the King, 7am, 2nd & 4th/month, 10 Harbour Road, Mourilyan Holy Spirit, Mission Beach 7am Sun, 12 Webb Rd, Wongaling Beach St Clare of Montefalco

Church, 6pm Vigil Mass, Sat

9am, Sun, 13 Mars St, Tully

Our Lady Star of the Sea, 5pm Sun (except 1st Sunday), 121 Victoria St, Cardwell Ingham Region Catholic Parishes:

St Patrick’s, 8:30am, Sunday, 18 Abbott Street, Ingham

St Peter’s, 7am, Sunday, 10 Scott Street, Halifax, Canossa Chapel, 10am, Sunday, St Teresa’s College / 3819 Abergowrie Rd

St Teresa’s, Trebonne, 10am

Seventh Day Adventist Innisfail, 10:30am, Sat ,Bible Study, 11am, Sat, 114 Lawrence

Road, Bamboo Creek

Tully Seventh Day Adventist Church, Sat 9:30am Sabbath School, Sat 11am, 1 Edward St, Tully

Baptist Churches

Innisfail, 9:30am, Sun, 12 Tierney St, Innisfail Estate 6:30pm, Sun, Ladies Church Tully Baptist Church, 10am, Sun, 6 Plumb Street, Tully Cardwell Baptist Church, 11am, Sun, Bruce Highway, Cardwell Sugar Reef Baptist Church, 9:30am, S, “The Knightclub” 38 Herbert St, Ingham Baptist Independent, 11am, Sun, 77 Halifax Rd, Ingham

Uniting Churches

Cassowary Coast Uniting Churchs: Innisfail, 10.30am, Sun, 8 Scullen Ave, Mighell, Innisfail Mission Beach, 8am, Sun, 2224 Tully-Mission Beach Rd, Mission Beach, Tully Tongan Uniting, 9am, Sun, 16 Mcquillan st,Tully, Ingham District Uniting

Churches: Ingham, 10am, Sun 16 Herbert St, Ingham Halifax, 8am, Sun 12 Anderssen St, Halifax Blue Haven Lodge, Ingham, 11am (2nd & 4th Tues)

St Marks Lutheran Church, 9am, Sun, 34 Townsville Road, Ingham

Non-denominational

Empower Church Innisfail, 10am, Sun, 191-193 Mourilyan Rd, South Innisfail

St Albans Anglican Church, 9am, Sun, 83 Rankin Street, Innisfail St John Anglican Church, 5pm, Sat, 2 Black Street, Tully John Oliver Feetham Pioneer Memorial 11am, Sun, 45 Bruce Highway, Cardwell St John Anglican Church, 3pm, 3rd Sun of month, Motel Chapel, Kurrimine Beach

Holy Trinity (Ingham) 6pm Saturday Service. 8:30am, Sunday. 37 McIlwraith Street, Ingham All Souls, 7am, Sun, 10 Four Mile Road, Victoria Estate

South Johnstone State School Junior Red Cross, the only remaining active group in Australia

MARIA GIRGENTI

THE Silkwood/Kurrimine Red Cross branch is extremely proud to have the South Johnstone State School Junior Red Cross as part of their branch, especially as it is the only Junior Red Cross still active in Australia.

Silkwood/Kurrimine branch members have maintained a close relationship with South Johnstone State School and kept the Junior Red Cross members engaged in their local community.

Since 2018, Year 3 - 6 students who became Junior Red Cross members learned skills such as sewing, craft, origami, knitting, cooking and weaving.

Students stated they enjoyed Junior Red Cross as it is “they learned new skills, social interaction, teamwork, confidence building, as well as making gifts for others and brightening up the lives of elderly residents.”

Each year, Junior Red Cross members created handmade Mother’s/Father’s Day/Christmas cards and gifts for residents at Warrina and Villa Nova residents, as well as presented concerts at the home.

In 2022, South Johnstone Junior Red Cross members ran a dreadnought stall at the Kurrimine Beach Progress Association markets.

Each year, at South Johnstone State School’s awards presentation, a Junior Red Cross member is awarded The Mary Robertson Citizenship Award who has shown the qualities of a responsible, reliable and excellent role model.

Junior Red Cross, formally established in Australia in 1918, is an iconic part of Red Cross history.

Youth were engaged in Junior Red Cross Society Groups through their school and/or their local Red Cross branch. By the 1930s, there were numerous Junior Red Cross Groups across Australia, and youth members were actively engaged in Red Cross activities and volunteer work.

Members recite the Pledge and strive to follow the seven Red Cross principles of Humanity (value people, not systems), Impartiality (no discrimination), Neutrality (take initiatives, not sides), Independence (respond to needs, not politics), Voluntary Service (committed with a desire for personal gain), Unity (work together to achieve our purpose) and Universality (work has no borders).

In late 2021, Japan’s Red Cross Society extended a hand of international friendship to the Australian Red Cross to connect the Seika Elementary School Junior Red Cross with a Junior Red Cross group in Australia.

This invitation went to Silkwood/Kurrimine branch, and from there, a lovely correspondence was established between the two Junior groups, with both creating an International Friendship topic album.

Silkwood State School Junior Red Cross leaders Helen Walsh and Kathy Ferguson ran Junior Red Cross at the school for 21 years before it closed in 2012.

During this time, Junior Red Cross members participated in a variety of fundraising activities for Cystic Fibrosis, Footy Colours, Daffodil, Butterfly, Red and White Days, Save the Children, Amnesty International, Salvation Army, flood and bushfire appeals, as well as Clean Up Australia Day.

Junior Red Cross leaders, Dianne Dodson, Maryellen Butler and volunteer Kathy Ferguson and South Johnstone State School Junior Red Cross members with their 2022 Father’s Day gifts for local aged care residents.

Junior Red Cross leaders Dianne Dodson and Maryellen Butler with South Johnstone State School members Shelby Harrison and Alyssa Sly.

2023 Prep classes - Silkwood State School and St John's School, Silkwood

Love blooms on Valentine’s Day at Innisfail State College

LAST Tuesday, February 14, Innisfail State College celebrated Valentine’s Day with a sea of vibrant, red roses seen across the College.

For their first fundraising activity for 2023, the newly elected Student Council were out in full force selling gift wrapped fresh roses and raffle tickets to staff and students during lunch breaks on the annual day of love and romance.

Over $800 was raised and these funds go back to the Student Council to fund future events and projects.

Congratulations to new ISC teacher Mrs Smith who won the raffle kindly donated by Cheryl-Lee Florist.

A special thank you to the ISC Student Council, Year 12 students and staff who volunteered their time to assist with this event.

Teacher, Lynette McLeish and Alison Green (teacher aide) with Silkwood State School Prep - Year 2 class. Absent Koeby.

Jan Strano (School Officer), Acting Principal Linda Gaia, Robyn Parisi (teacher) and new teacher Rosemarie Pensini with St Johns' School, Silkwood Prep students.

Innisfail State College Year 12 Student Council with the freshly cut red roses they sold on Valentine's Day.

Innisfail State College’s Student Council sold fresh red roses on Valentine’s Day for their first fundraiser in 2023.

Cost of food climbs as Labor leaves farmers in limbo

ON BEHALF OF DAVID LITTLEPROUD MARANOA MP

THE cost of living continues to rise due to agriculture workforce shortages. Still, the Albanese Government refuses to accept the Ag Visa as part of the solution.

In today’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Senate estimates hearing Senator Penny Wong revealed that more ASEAN countries were interested in joining the Ag Visa.

Agriculture Minister Murray Watt wouldn’t even approach the subject during estimates, opting to refer all Ag Visa questions to the Foreign Affairs Committee, which led to the revelation.

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said this omission from Senator Wong showed Labor had no idea what the agriculture industry needed and no regard for fixing the costof-living crisis.

“It is disappointing to hear more

countries wanted to be a part of the Ag Visa, which would bring more workers to Australia, but Labor is refusing to

accommodate them,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Australia needs 172,000 workers

Funding commitment recognises hard work and an exciting future

OWEN MENKENS, CANEGROWERS CHAIRMAN

FOR the best part of a decade, Queensland’s cane growers have been working hard to improve farming practices, making their businesses more profitable, efficient, sustainable and improving environmental outcomes.

Those efforts have resulted in 40 per cent of Queensland’s total cane-growing area now being independently accredited as farming at or above industry best standards.

It’s a figure that many other agricultural sectors would love to replicate, but that doesn’t mean cane growers are resting on their laurels.

The industry-led best management practice program, Smartcane BMP, the driving force behind this remarkable achievement, recently received Phase 4 funding from the Queensland Government.

This $4.47 million cash injection over the next three years is a recognition of the tremendous results this program, and participating growers, have achieved to date.

Growers across the industry have embraced the program, which validates the changes they are making on-farm to provide positive environmental outcomes while improving their bottom line.

And while 40% might be the official figure, the actual figure would be much higher when you consider the number of growers implementing best practices on their farms but have yet to seek accreditation.

But Smartcane BMP is much more than an effort to meet environmental targets. It is one of the cornerstones of the industry’s future sustainability strategy.

Global sustainability frameworks have recognised the program as meeting their rigid standards for sustainably produced sugar.

This means that a significant and growing percentage of Queensland’s sugar can now be marketed as sustainable. This is hugely important in a world where consumers increasingly demand sustainably produced products.

To assist with this effort, CANEGROWERS, in conjunction with KMPG, has developed and trialled a blockchain platform allowing Australian sustainable

Funding helps banana growers continue to improve practices

AUSTRALIAN BANANA GROWERS

FEBRUARY 15, 2023: North Queensland banana growers will continue to receive support to invest in the future of their farming businesses and the health of the Great Barrier Reef, thanks to new funding for the Banana Best Management Practice (BMP) program.

The Queensland Government has committed $3.76 million to Banana BMP, allowing the program to continue until at least 2026.

The Banana BMP project, which began in 2018, is delivered by the Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC). It supports growers to self-assess their own practices and, where possible, make improvements based on expert advice.

ABGC chair Stephen Lowe said he was pleased the Queensland Government had made such a significant investment to support the state’s banana growers.

“This will allow growers to continue to implement best management practice on their farms,” he said.

“It is a practical example of the government backing growers to farm sustainably in the Wet Tropics and Cape York. Our growers are embracing practices that are critical for productivity and profitability but also for improving water quality.

“We take our role as land stewards for the next generation very seriously, and this investment is further evidence of that.”

In the previous phase of the project, more than 2500 hectares of banana production saw changes to farming practices. This represents more than 25 per cent of the total area under bananas in reef catchments.

“I know the very capable ABGC Extension Team wants to continue working with growers to help them consider improving the way they farm,” ABGC CEO

to get food from paddock to plate, but Labor has left farmers unable to plant or produce as much food.

“Why is Labor denying Australian farmers the workers they so desperately need?

“Common sense tells you when supply goes down, demand goes up, which is why Australians are paying more at the grocery check-out right now.”

Mr Littleproud added Labor made an obvious mistake in cancelling the Ag Visa, which was designed to supplement the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme for workers in Southeast Asia.

Figures show food and non-alcoholic beverages have increased by 9.2 per cent over 12 months.

“The PALM scheme is not bringing in enough workers and Australians, including farmers and families, are suffering as a result.”

sugar to be traced from the paddock to the package.

It’s a technological advancement that will open doors to more international markets and eventually, we hope, produce a premium for Queensland growers.

Australia has one of the world’s most innovative and sustainable sugar industries. Our growers are recognised internationally as some of the best anywhere in the world.

We can all be proud of this wonderful industry, which supports so many coastal communities and contributes significantly to our state’s economy.

Of course, the industry has challenges; negative stories will always garner more media attention than positive ones. But rest assured; there are exciting times ahead for Queensland’s sugar industry.

While many industries may view climate-driven economic change with apprehension, the sugar industry sees an opportunity to become a leader in the nation’s bioeconomy.

Smartcane BMP and the hard work of participating growers is at the centre of this strategy.

The program is 100% voluntary, and I encourage all growers to get involved and seek accreditation.

While we in the industry know we are operating at the highest environmental standards, accreditation provides a validation that opens the doors to policy and market-based recognition.

Leanne Erakovic said. “It doesn’t matter if the grower is new to banana farming or has been doing it for 20 years; there is always a benefit to reviewing your practices, both for sustainability and for profitability.

The Queensland Government announcement coincides with a massive milestone for the industry, with the Banana BMP guidelines set to turn 10 this year. Even before the BMP project began to support the guidelines, they had earnt a reputation as a manual for growers wanting to make positive changes.

“A decade of Best Management Practice is a great achievement for this industry, and something we’ll be marking throughout the year,” Ms Erakovic said.

“It’s also pleasing to see that, as part of the latest round of funding, the government has provided $1.5 million for grants to help growers continue to build on this. We know it’s been a tough few years, and this will go some way to supporting more on-farm improvements, as well as ensuring a strong future for Australian bananas and better water quality.”

Growers interested in finding out more about grants or the Banana BMP project more broadly can contact the team via bmp@abgc.org.au.

David Littleproud and farmers.

ALOCASIA

ALOCASIA is a genus of rhizomatous or tuberous plant from the family Araceae. There are about 90 accepted species native to tropical and subtropical Asia and eastern Australia. Around the world, many growers widely cultivate a range of hybrids and cultivars as ornamentals.

Alocasias are a beautiful and stunning plant which can be grown indoors or outdoors in a pot or in the ground. They are fast growing tropical plant with arrowhead or heart shaped foliage with many different colour veins and textures from thick, waxy, slick and glossy foliage. The best required environment for alocasia’s is they love the high humidity, bright indirect light (not liking direct midday sun which will burn the leaves or too low on light will stunt the growth), and a well-drained soil, they do not like wet feet. If the soil is to wet this could lead to root rot and you could lose your plant.

A small insignificant flower can be seen on the stems in late summer which look like a spathiphyllum (peace lilly) flower. They are sensitive to sudden temperature swings so keep them away from drafts or heating and cooling vents. Alocasias don’t grow well in cooler temperatures they can suffer in temperatures of 10 degrees and may die in temperatures of 5 degrees.

Regular feeding can invigorate leaf growth and feed once a month in spring and summer. Because they can lay dormant (they can lose their leaves and stop growing) in winter it’s better not to fertilize. When the warm weather comes back they will reshoot again. Alocasias are sensitive to fertilize burn so just use

half strength and they love organic rather than mineral based fertilisers.

If you are planting your alocasia in a pot, use a good quality potting mix and make sure your pot has drainage holes. If you want to make your own potting mix a combination of these medias are excellent. Mix coco coir, peat moss, perlite, pumice and some coarse sand together and your plant will love you. If you are planting in the ground and your soil is poor refresh it with a good quality compost mix or worm castings.

Bugs are not much of a problem, but they can attract mealybugs, spider mite, aphids and scale. To treat just use soapy water which you can make at home or spray with neem oil. The easiest way to propagate your plant is by dividing the rhizomes, just tease apart the roots and rhizomes by hand or use a shape knife, then replant the plants at the same depth they were, and water and you have just produced new plants.

There is one thing about alocasias though all varieties are toxic to both pets and humans when they are ingested so be aware.

As Green As Garden Centre is packed with plants including some different varieties of alocasias, also in stock are the

Flame of the Forrest, Jade vines and the amazing Rainbow Gum. Also selling beautiful bunches of fresh flowers by A Dash of Pollen and serving pancakes and coffee on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 12pm from Jam & Butters Coffee Co. This Saturday the Village in the Valley Tully Markets are on at the Lions Park Tully from 8am to 12pm come on down and support the markets. Live music and market stalls.

Bowls News

Ingham Bowls

RAIN disrupted bowls being played this week, but the sun came out for Sunday mixed social bowls.

Prize winning team was A Foti, D Horsley & R Basaglia defeating T Arknik, J Holmes & T Koop 29-9 (21points to 6)

J Fenoglio, R Cantatore & E Piotto def M Moore, J Hamlyn & P Herman 24-18 (18points to 9)

Happening at our club this week:

Call 47762117 or 0487240397 to nominate for any of the following games.

Barefoot Bowls are played every Thursday between 6-8 pm

Names into the club by 5:30 pm, new players welcome.

Men's Pairs played Friday's at 2:15 pm

Names into the club by 1:45 pm

F Pallanza on Pairs Duty for February 24:

NQDMBA are having a trial game on Saturday,

Golf News

Innisfail Golf Club awards presentation

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARIA GIRGENTI

ON February 11, Innisfail Golf Club members celebrated individual player achievements throughout the 2022 season at their presentation evening at the clubhouse.

Members and guests enjoyed predinner drinks, a three-course dinner catered by Riverfront Café and the awards presentation.

Innisfail’s junior golfers had a successful year with many highlights and achievements.

Regina Gattera officially moved up from 13 to 18 Holes, Max Costello moved up from nine Holes Novice to 18 Holes, whilst Keean Greven moved up from 9-Hole Modified to 9-Hole Novice.

Outstanding Improvement Award: Georgia Hill-Lemonis

In 2022, the FNQ Junior Club of the Year was a new event where the Nett scores were averaged out at each event, with clubs receiving points for their position from that event.

February 25.

On the Ingham Green 24 players are coming up from Townsville district that will play against 24 players from the Herbert River District. Come along and watch great bowls being played.

Mixed Social Bowls played every Sunday at 1:30 pm

Names into the club by 12:30 pm

On Roster for February 26:

Bar Duty: G Brierley

Social Selector: J Eddleston

Innisfail Men’s Bowls

LAST Thursday afternoon’s social bowls was a washout.

Visitors and new members are most welcome with names in by 12.30 pm for a 1.00 pm start.

In the A-Grade Club Singles competition, Jim Martinod had a comfortable win over Alan Morrison.

Alf Siliato and Alf Strano prevailed in an extremely tight game against Mal Clifford and Sam Micale with a score of 18 - 14 in the Club Pairs.

Last Saturday, Innisfail’s Barry Wallis Shield teams had two wins against Edmonton and Cairns.

This Saturday, February 25 at 1.00 pm, Innisfail will contest the final at South Johnstone Bowls Club at 1:00 pm.

For most of these events, Regina Gattera and Caine Cockle were the only two junior golfers from Innisfail who attended.

Innisfail finished in second place on 182 points, just behind Half Moon Bay, who had at least ten juniors at each event which is an impressive achievement.

Max Costello took out the FNQ Boys’ 9-Hole Nett Junior Golfer of the Year Award.

The Peninsula School Sports trials took place in November, where Innisfail juniors Regina Gattera, Keean Greven and Caine Cockle gained selection and will compete in May on the Sunshine Coast.

The Most Improved Boy Award is based on improvement in the handicap of the season, and these juniors have their names added to the Mark Walker Memorial Honour Board.

In 2022, Finn Jensen and Keean Greven tied for this award.

Regina Gattera, who claimed the Most Improved Girl Award, started out as 13-Hole Junior had wins in Atherton, Half Moon Bay, Innisfail, Mossman, Millaa Millaa, Cairns and Ravenshoe.

Gattera also won the FNQ Golf 13-

Tully Bowls

SUNDAY, February 19:

A Good roll up of 24 players enjoyed 2 games of 10 ends.

Team 1 Sean Prinisloo/John Taylor/Donte (6) v Team 2 Gavin Buick/Lou Brunello/Steve/Betty (10).

Team 3 Rod Bradley/Rita Pezzutto/Ita Hudson (8)

v Team 4 Leno Ceccato/Pauline Edwards/Toni Buick (15)

Team 5 Ray Downing/Joan Mercer/Bev Harrop (2)

v Team 6 Peter Smith/Val Bradley/Kobie Schwort (14)

Team 7 Robyn Brunello/Pam Staier/Jason Harrop (9) v Team 8 Joanne Townsend/Anthony Fitzsimmons/ Mary Bacic (4)

After Smoko.

Team 1 (13) v Team 8 (6). Team 2 (9) v Team 7(10).

Team 5 (7) v Team 4 (8) Team 6 (3) v Team 3 (18)

Winning Team out of the hat was Joanne Townsend, Anthony Fitzsimmons and Mary Bacic.

Players socialised after the game, which is always a fun time.

New Players are always welcome, so please come down and join in the fun! Cheers!

Hole Nett Junior Golfer of the Year, Junior Golf Queensland 9-Hole District Points Challenge FNQ and finished the 2022 season on a high note, having stepped up to 18-Holes.

Caine Cockle won in Atherton, Innisfail and Cairns and claimed the B-Grade Men’s Club Champion and Overall Nett Champion.

For the second consecutive year, FNQ Golf selected Cockle to play in the Gary Player Classic.

He also qualified for the Greg Norman Junior Masters in his first round of the season, dug deep, and worked extremely hard to try and make the Day 4 field, only narrowly missing out as he finished third in Nett.

Jeff McGrath, a continuous member of the club since 1966, who previously held the role of Treasurer and was involved in green renovations, received Life Membership of the Innisfail Golf Club.

Major award winners:

Junior Gross Champion: Caine Cockle

Ladies Division 2: Cindy Cockle

Ladies Division 1: Addi Butorac

Senior Gross Club Championship: Addi Butorac

C-Grade Men’s Division: Geoff Johnston

B-Grade Men’s Division: Caine Cockle

A-Grade Men’s and Club Championship: Andrew Rose

IGC Junior coordinator, Cindy Cockle (left) with Regina Gattera - Most Improved Girl award winner.

Club captain, Luke Peters (far left) with Innisfail Golf Club major award winners: Geoff Johnston, Caine Cockle, Addi Butorac, Andrew Rose and Cindy Cockle.

Finn Jensen, joint winner of the Most Improved Boy award.

Keean Greven, joint winner of the Most Improved Boy award.

Club president, Jake Cockle (right) presented Jeff McGrath with Life Membership of Innisfail Golf Club.

and NOW Then

QRL History Committee

GREG

SHANNON

LAST week I attended the first QRL History meeting of the year in the refurbished QRL offices in Milton, Brisbane. ‘These offices had to be rebuilt after the Brisbane floods when several metres of water swept through them!

One of the items discussed at this meeting was the upcoming “Ross Livermore” lecture. This lecture occurs every year with a different theme and different speakers. We have had coaches and former players like Wayne Bennett, Wally Lewis, John Lang, and rugby league authors like Adrian McGregor and Hugh Lunn speak in the past.

This year the guest speaker will be Tony Currie, and anyone who followed the game in the 1980s and 1990s will know who he is. Tony was an electrifying winger/centre/fullback who played 15 origin games for Qld and seven times for Australia in the 1980s.

Born in Townsville, he grew up in Brisbane, where he debuted in first-grade rugby league with the Wests club in the old Brisbane Rugby league competition in

Shane

Muriata

"WELCOME welcome all, step right up ladies and gentlemen and have a go at trying to unseed the number one NRL team in the country, and if you do, you will be doing us all a favour by finishing off those no-good cheating Penny Panthers from the Blue Mountains of Penrith in the West of Sydney".

With that jealous line that seems to accompany every other supporter in the rugby league universe, it's little wonder Nathan Cleary still has a massive airport.

With the new National Rugby League season on the horizon, the preseason jitters have given us hope for another bumper year of footy madness. Let's start with the Cows. Although small on the recruitment market, they have relied on walking their juniors through the ranks, which has already proved to be a winning formula for this mob.

The world's most outstanding team, the Brisbane Broncos, have shed a few players off the Red Hill shelf and put their faith back in the Q Cup stocks to help us out of this premiership slump. Remembering the Titans of the Gold Coast should be a move up the ladder in 2023, so expect big things from the Glitter Strip team.

1981. That same year, he made his first Qld origin side at 18 years of age and was part of most Qld origin squads until 1989. A speedy and clever player Tony was also an excellent defender.

In 1982 he was voted the best and fairest player for the Brisbane competition (in those days called the Rothmans cup). At the end of the 1983 season, he was one of the first Qld players to move to the UK to play in their season. In those days, the English rugby league season was played in our summer, and Tony joined the Leeds club, becoming a crowd favourite over there.

He had a season with Redcliffe in 1985 before rejoining Wests for the 1986 season, then signed mid-season with Sydney’s Canterbury Bankstown (now Bulldogs) and went on to win the 1986 Sydney premiership with the club who a young Phil Gould coached.

Tony returned to Brisbane in 1989, joining the Broncos in their second year, and stayed until the end of the 1992 season and was a member of the 1992 Broncos premiership squad along with Ingham’s Willie Morganson.

After finishing with the Bronco’s, he played one final season back where it all started, with Wests, this time in the old Qld state league.

Turning to coaching, he went back to the UK in 1996 as the London Bronco’s coach in the English Superleague and stayed for three seasons.

Tony was one of those players who was always there for Qld and could always be relied on to play a

The big talk in the footy world is obviously the New Kids on the Block, who sound like my favourite 90s boy band who covered my walls back in the day.

The Dolphins, coached by the master Jedi himself, Godfather Wayne Bennett, looked better than ok on their first outing. If anything, these guys will not be on the bottom cause any team that the GOAT coaches will take their fair share of Ws.

What an unbelievable weekend (Two weekends ago) it was for the NRL All Stars when for the first time in the game's history, it was taken out of Australia and into the Land of the long white clouds.

If there's anything that this game taught us, it is that the Kiwis have a better understanding of cultural exposure or awareness when it comes to history. I know we have come a fair way through Indigenous Round and those sorts of recognition, but hearing the pride of the Maori side singing their anthem in language is one of the most incredible things you will ever hear.

As Tully is one of the smallest towns in the north to have a full-time A-grade team with a Reserve Grade and 18s team, it makes for a long process to get players to even come to our paradise. With that in mind, Tully has picked up two signings that will significantly boost our sugar and banana belt. Isaac Toby and Alex Smith will bolster an already formidable team that boasts some of the best local talents since, well, yours truly donned the black and gold.

Isaac Toby from the Cape plied his trade in the Townsville Comp under coach Cameron Miller when

solid game and did it with style and modesty.

He has also run a successful tyre fitting business in Brisbane for many years. He has been a great mentor to many young people, especially young indigenous people in both rugby league and business.

Tony will deliver the next Rios Livermore lecture in Brisbane on April 22.

he was at the Burdekin Roosters. Toby was also a member of the Townsville Blackhawks system, so that the Doomadgee product will bring a swag of talent to the gumboot town.

When I finally caught up with the man, he only had good words for our club "I want to help rebuild this club, be here to see us rise back to the top".

Tully's other major signing hails all the way from England in the Superleague and is looking forward to fitting in with the locals, even if it's hot as "Its very hot, but I think I will love it here. The people are very laid back, and they love their footy. I want to be a part of that, so hopefully I can contribute to the success of this great club once again".

Hopefully, this will be the start of the rise because our town definitely needs another Cinderella story.

A young Tony Currie when playing for Brisbane club Wests

Tully Tigers ALex Issac

Innisfail and District Tennis Association is ready to serve it up in 2023

STORY AND PHOTO BY MARIA GIRGENTI

AT the end of January, INNISFAIL and District Tennis Association held Come and Try Days in Innisfail, Mission Beach. Despite the inclement weather, enthusiastic youngsters and adults hit the courts.

On the day, there were heaps of activities, catering for the beginner, social player and the up-and-coming club tennis star, with new members signing up and returning players.

The day was aimed at promoting the club's facilities, with information on membership, junior and adult coaching, doubles fixtures, social tennis, and tournaments.

Social tennis is held on Wednesday mornings, adult beginner coaching on Tuesday evenings, adult coaching on Wednesday evenings, with social tennis and junior coaching on Thursday evenings.

IDTA membership can be completed online anytime via https://play.tennis.

com.au/IDTA or contact Margaret Tinney on 0422 951 862.

The club is a registered FairPlay activity provider, and Round 8 applications are now open.

Eligible families can access Fair Play vouchers of up to $150 to assist young people aged 5 - 17 with sports membership, registration and participation fees.

For information on coaching in Innisfail, Mission Beach and Tully, please contact Heiner Wirtz-Fielding on 0457 524 903, or visit New Zone Tennis Facebook page.

To keep updated on upcoming events/ activities and programs, please visit Innisfail and District Tennis Association Facebook page.

The season has started, and local tennis players are gearing up to compete in various local and regional tournaments throughout 2023, including the Innisfail Junior Age Championships, Junior Development Series, Banana Cup and Nerada Open Championships.

Coach Heiner Wirtz-Fielding with aspiring young tennis players on the court at Innisfail’s Come and Try Day.

Innisfail BJJ athlete Brodie Mayocchi wins triple gold in Brisbane

MARIA GIRGENTI

MMA athlete Brodie Mayocchi from Fusion Fight and Fitness Innisfail had a cracking start to the year, winning triple gold in the adult purple belt division at Queensland Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Circuit (QBJJC) Brisbane Championship, held at Somerville House, South Brisbane on February 5.

After a little break from the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu circuit Hyperfly athlete Mayocchi, aged 17, from Innisfail, went undefeated and took out gold in three divisions.

In the final of the Male Gi -88.3.kg (Medium Heavy) division, Mayocchi claimed gold with a win over Steven Girgis from Brisbane.

Mayocchi then won gold in the final against James Davies in the Male No Gi -79.5kg (Middle) division.

He proved too strong for Pedro Queiroz from

Burleigh Heads in the semi-final of the Purple Belt Male Gi Absolute Open Weight division.

A win over Brisbane’s Sunny Matheson in the Purple Belt Male Absolute Gi Open Weight division final saw Mayocchi claim another gold medal.

The Brisbane Championship attracted over 500 registrations, which included athletes from Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Gold Coast, Noosa, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast, Surfers Paradise, Hervey Bay, Beaudesert, New South Wales, Victoria and Darwin.

Last Sunday, February 19, Fusion Fight and Fitness Innisfail had a massive team who competed in the QBJJC Townsville Open at Townsville Sports Precinct, North Ward.

New and returning players braved the rain at Innisfail and District Tennis Association’s Come and Try Day.

Brodie Mayocchi in action on the mats at the QBJJC Brisbane Championship. Photo: QBJJC.

Brodie Mayocchi (middle) with one of his gold medals in Brisbane. Photo: QBJJC.

Brodie Mayocchi (right) returned home from Brisbane with three gold medals. Photo: QBJJC.

UNFORTUNATELY, the weather conditions were not ideal for most forms of fishing over last weekend. The huge tidal run and flooding made the estuaries in the coastal creeks unfishable.

The only chance you had was to get up into the upper tidal influence. Still, unfortunately, the flooding was too extensive, so most anglers decided to stay home or try another alternative.

The central heart area of the Hinchinbrook channel did offer some opportunities, especially around the mouth of the mud drains during the last 2 hours leading up to the bottom of the tide.

The Barra and Mangrove Jacks lay in wait both in the mouth of the drain and in the deeper water where the drain drops off. The main advantage of the heart of the channel (around the Benjamin Flats) is that there are extensive drains, and the water quality is usually a lot better.

The good news is that these extremely high tides, coupled with the flooding, will allow the fish to travel out of the waterholes and lagoons down to the ocean to enable them to breed. Alternatively, the fry (small baitfish and juvenile Barra) can also travel back up into these same wetlands to grow and mature more quickly.

Those anglers lucky enough to have access to fish in the flooded creeks and drains did catch some nice Barra, mostly smaller undersize fish; however, the larger mature fish do regularly turn up and surprise a lucky angler. Weedless soft plastics are definitely the better performer to use in these conditions. Prawn patterns and paddle tails, such as the new cast range, are ideal.

Looking forward to this coming weekend, we are still likely to have swollen rivers. The good news is that the tiny run in the tide will give the estuaries some chance of clearing. We should also see some prawns and mud crabs on the sheltered beaches and mud flats.

If the water conditions allow, these tides are ideal for fishing for Fingermark in the Hinchinbrook Channel, and there should be a few Barra and Mangrove Jacks n the creeks running into the channel. I would try the northern and central parts of the Hinchinbrook Channel. The water quality should be better there as you are getting away from the influence of the Herbert.

It is always possible to find sheltered bays along the island flats and look for signs of bait fish, especially around water colour changes.

As stated earlier, there is very little run in the tides this weekend, and the forecast is for 15 to 20 knots of south easterlies. If casting lures for Barra, Jacks and Flathead, I prefer the early morning run-out tide. If I were bait fishing, especially for Fingermark, I would plan my trip to fish on either side of the evening low tide change as there is more run in the tide during the afternoon and evening tides.

Be extremely careful when on the water as there are lots of logs and debris at the moment. I also expect box jelly numbers to be up due to the recent rain.

Good Fishing

Roly Newton Tackle World Tully

Jane Rowe with a solid barra from the local caught on a live mudcod.

SPORT

Innisfail Judo Club awards presentation

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARIA GIRGENTI

LAST December, Innisfail Judo Club celebrated an extremely successful 2022 season at their awards presentation held at Pavilion 1, Innisfail Showgrounds.

Judokas of all ages and skill levels received new belts and certificates after two gradings throughout the year conducted by Senseis Paul De Brincat and Rick Bruschi.

Belts are a sign of progression through the judo ranks, and judokas achieve levels based on their abilities and skills.

New belts: Nate Melvin, Pride Tutavake, James Gunning, Abhiraj Grang, Eli Gallen, Declan Sinton, Nathan Cannon, Evie McCarthy, Xavier Humphreys, Eli Humphreys, Jarrah Humphreys, Sky Her, Patrick Cannon (two levels), Jorja McKenzie, Amber McCarthy, Emmalee McKenzie, Tokuhinangaro Soatini, Darcy Tew, Hayden Rossiter and Emily Ryder.

Club highlights

Five regional competitions took place in Mossman, Northern Beaches, Cairns and two in Innisfail.

Innisfail Annual Open/Training camp with guest coach Ivica Pavlinic.

Melbourne International Open - Lily (gold), Luke Magnanini (gold); Coby and Riley De Brincat (bronze).

Luke Magnanini was selected in the Australian Cadet team. He attended the Cadet European Cup and training camps in Poland and Portugal.

Queensland State Titles, Noosa - Cienna Leaver (Senior Girls); Riley De Brincat and Luke Magnanini (Cadet and Junior Men’s) - State champions.

Silver: Charli-Rose Nurzenski, Coby De Brincat (two divisions), Lily De Brincat, Cienna Leaver, Luke Magnanini.

Bronze: Lily De Brincat, Seth Leaver (two divisions), Riley and Coby De Brincat.

Luke Magnanini: Throw of the Day and Spirit of Judo Award.

Innisfail finished 4th Best Academy from 25 clubs in Queensland.

Judo Australia National School Championships represented Innisfail State College and finished 1st on

the National School points table and 3rd from 39 clubs.

Gold - Jonathan, Lily and Riley De Brincat; SilverJonathan and Lily Brincat and Cienna Leaver; Bronze - Cienna Leaver and Coby De Brincat.

Gold Coast International Open - Gold: Lily De Brincat; Silver: Cienna Leaver; Bronze: Riley and Luke Magnanini (double bronze) - Innisfail finished as the 10th Best Academy from 51.

Six Innisfail judokas Queensland State team competed at Nationals - Silver - Jonathan and Riley De Brincat. Bronze - Coby De Brincat, Luke Magnanini and Riley (two divisions). Gold: Jonathan De Brincat in the Queensland team who won the Junior Teams event.

Oceania Open, Perth - Bronze: Riley De Brincat Club awards

Most Improved: Emmalee McKenzie

Encouragement Award: Emily Ryder

The Tony Termine Judoka of the Year: Jonathan De Brincat

The Rick Bruschi Competition Player of the Year: Riley De Brincat

At the end of January, Innisfail judokas commenced training in preparation for upcoming North Queensland regional competitions, with the first tournament at Mossman Shire Hall next month.

Innisfail and District Tennis Association is ready to serve it up in 2023... page 22

Innisfail judokas who received their new belts and certificates after gradings.

Jonathan De Brincat (second from left)Judoka of the Year, with Paul De Brincat, Tony Termine and Rick Bruschi.

Rick Bruschi (left) with Riley De BrincatCompetition Player of the Year award winner.

Tony Termine and Rick Bruschi with Innisfail Judo Club’s major award recipients.

Innisfail Judo Club Senseis, coaches and officials.