New trades program launches in Mareeba

A NEW “Taste of Trades” program is being launched in Mareeba this week in the hope it will encourage young people to seek a career in the construction sector.

Local organisation Skill360, a part of The BUSY Group, which delivers a range of employment, skills and training programs, is determined to inspire the next generation of tradies for our region.

The “Taste of Trades” program is being delivered by Skill360 and funded under the Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work Program.

The 12-week hands-on-learning program offers eligible young job seekers (aged 15-19) the opportunity to gain skills for the construction trades industry and prepares them for apprenticeship careers in a variety of construction trades. Partnering with local construction industry employers and the Mareeba Cricket Club as a venue partner, participants will learn trade skills while painting the club, along with gaining work experience with local employers.

Skill360 CEO Anthony Chan said it was no secret that our region, and the rest of Australia, was experiencing a skills shortage, particularly in the construction trade industries.

“The Skilling Queenslanders for Work program has proven to be a huge success for job seekers needing to gain valuable skills, work experience and connections to local employers.

“We know this initiative is life-changing because 76 per cent of participants find work or take on further training around 12 months after completion.

“Without our host employers, the program wouldn’t be successful and Skill360 would like to thank those who have committed to being involved.”

Those who attend the course will obtain a Certificate 1 in Construction, and get carer mentoring and work placement support.

Anyone interested in registering for the course, which starts on 14 March, can do so by emailing chloe.anderson@skill360.com.au or call Chloe on 0428 676 912.

Bright lights for Mossman Sharks

MOSSMAN’S rugby league stars gearing up for another year will have the chance to train and play unimpeded at night thanks to a new project which will see the installation of four new light towers.

Douglas Shire Council awarded a $288,753 contact to GMH Solutions Pty Ltd for the Coronation Park Sports Field Lighting project to take place at the Mossman Showgrounds. The project will replace decades old lighting infrastructure replaced with new energy efficient LED technology and a user-friendly smart lighting control system.

The new lights will have automated controls which can be managed through a cloud-based system.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said im- proving sports facilities helped encourage the community to engage in sport, recreation, and healthy activities.

“The new light towers are a fantastic investment that allows us to replace the current floodlights on wooden poles which are about 30 years old,” he said.

“Our local rugby league club will be thrilled to have brighter and more reliable lighting for training and night games this season.

“Council identified the need to replace the lighting in its Coronation Park Sports Masterplan which can be used by local sporting clubs, organisations and council to seek grant funding from State and Federal Governments.”

The new 27-metre-high lights are expected to be installed mid-2023.

Business on board with pet calendars

OUTBACK Solar and Outdoors has joined a host of local businesses who support Animal Rescue Tablelands by selling their calendars instore.

The calendars are being made and sold to help raise funds for Animal Rescue Tablelands to help rehome animals and provide for their food and vet services.

Outback Solar and Outdoors is just one of many local businesses who have supported Animal Rescue Tablelands by opting to sell the calendars out of its store.

The fundraising calendars can also be purchased from The Seconds Shop, Brumbies, Ranbuild, Aquafix Pool Shop, Hansen Ford, Cellabrations, Northern Suppliers and Fraser Automotive.

Bloomfield mural unveiled

ARTISTS and organisers welcomed Bloomfield locals to the unveiling of the long-awaited Bloomfield Flora and Fauna mural project recently after over two years of work.

The mural was a project headed by the Bloomfield Art Club which began in 2021 and included a host of different artists who helped bring the piece together.

The upper primary class of Bloomfield River State School also had a hand in the making of the mural.

Project leader and teacher Lainie Franzi welcomed everyone to the unveiling of the mural and thanked everyone who helped design, shape and install the project.

“Firstly, I would like to thank all the artists, young and old, new and experienced, local and from further afield, who designed, sculpted, added to, perfected, decorated and/or glazed a tile.

“For we did not create individual tiles, one person might have constructed it, another added to it, yet another coloured it and there are lots of people who did all of this creative work for several tiles.”

Ms Franzi also expressed her thanks to Cook Shire Council, Cooktown Hardware Community Chest and Endeavour Christian College for their assistance over the duration of the project.