The Express Newspaper 5th October 2022

biggest and best yet!

Spectacular music, perfect weather, great food and lots of dancing – Savannah in the Round 2022 delivered on every level for the thousands of festival goers who descended on Mareeba over the long weekend.

Multiple hall of famers including international superstar Brad Paisley, performed alongside emerging local and national artists at the biggest event ever to happen on Mareeba soil.

Dream ride for little Harley Lane

BY ELLIE FINK

IT is not often a seven-year-old can save over $1000 to buy his dream toy, but Harley Lane from Dimbulah has done it, purchas ing his own Yamaha TTR110 motorbike with his own money.

Since Harley’s parents Trevor and Nellie Lane could remember, he had always want ed his own motorbike and has spent “pretty much his whole life” saving his pocket mon ey to buy one.

Originally, Harley wanted a TTR50, but at seven years old, he needs one he won’t grow out of too quickly.

To make the money he needed, he spent most of his spare time mowing his mum and Oma’s lawn with a zero turn mower, picking and packing limes, lemons and tomatoes on the family farm, helping his father with odd jobs, whipper snipping and helping out with the garden beds.

Harley’s determination to buy his bike was so strong, he only spent his pocket mon ey once on a small $20 holiday toy.

He decided he wanted to show the team at Mareeba Yamaha the bike he wanted by drawing them a picture and writing them a letter.

Staff at the local outlet were so impressed by the drawing and Harley’s determination to get his own bike, they posted his letter and picture to Facebook – which motivated him even more to work hard and save up.

“Mareeba Yamaha took a photo and post ed it on Facebook. Harley of course had no idea what Facebook was and the best I could do to explain was tell him it was ‘news’ and that lots of people saw his drawing,” Nellie said.

“He was very proud.”

And now, just months off his eighth birthday, Harley has purchased his very own Yamaha motorbike.

The staff immediately recognised Harley when he went to pick up his bike recently, very proud of his efforts in saving up.

“We are so proud of him for saving his money and not wasting it on toys and lollies and instant gratification,” Nellie said.

“We place a lot of emphasis on good work ethic and believe it’s very important to instil in our children.

“He has saved up half of the purchase price, and we are paying the other half for his eighth birthday (in November).”

Seven-year-old Harley Lane has been saving up his whole life for his very own Yamaha TTR110.

The drawing Harley did for Mareeba Yamaha and purchasing his first motorbike from Kim Grothues at Mareeba Yamaha.

Fires destroy livelihoods

BY ELLIE FINK

MILLIONS of dollars’ worth of crops and irrigation equipment in Chewko, Mareeba and Bilwon went up in flames last Tuesday, with a 37-year-old local man now facing 13 counts of arson.

Facing court last week, Chewko resident Danny Pietrograzia was re manded in custody to reappear on 17 October after prosecutors opposed Mr Pietrograzia’s application to be re leased on bail, arguing it would pose an unacceptable risk to public safety

The fires erupted around 1.30pm Tuesday, farcing property owners on Tinaroo Creek Road, Bilwon Road and Chewko Road to fight blazes alongside emergency service crews as 13 sepa rate fires destroyed the crops of several harvest ready farms.

Residents in the Chewko area were being told to prepare for evacuation by 3.33pm as flames became uncontrol lable and smoke started covering Ma reeba’s CBD.

Police made an emergency declara tion at 6.08pm under the Public Safety Preservation Act, encompassing Gran ite Creek in the west, Roiko Road and Chewko Road to the North, the Ken nedy Highway to the east and Spring mount Road to the south.

A total of 33 vehicles and 100 Queensland Fire and Emergency Ser vices staff from brigades across the region spent the evening tackle the blazes that continued to destroy every thing in its path.

The declaration was revoked at 6.43pm after hours of extinguishing the 12 fires and police confirmed they were all deliberately lit, beginning a 24-hour search for the culprit.

Although a majority of the blazes were under control, seven vehicles remained on standby, with three re

sponding to active blazes the next day.

Local farmers Joe and Veronica Bacchion lost all of their irrigation, three quarters of their lime plantation and their entire lychee population only weeks before their biggest harvest yet.

The fire spread rapidly through their Chewko Road farm, with no hope for a harvest this year at all.

“The flames were a good 30 metres high and because of the bit of wind, it just came through full force,” Mrs Bacchion said.

“We are not sure what to do at the moment, it’s an expensive road to take because we lost all of our pipes and irrigation in the fire. A few metres of polly pipe will cost you up to $7,000.

“The flames came all the way to the top of the house. While Joe was out fighting the fires I was in the house with the kids (two toddlers and a threemonth-old baby) trying to keep them safe.

“Our main priority right now is get ting water again just in case something happens again. The trees are pretty well cooked and I don’t think they will come back but it’s hard to know at this point.”

Left with nothing but melted pipes and ash, the Bacchion family cannot see a future for the farm, with their next steps unknown.

“Looking at it now, if we were to completely replace the farm it would cost over $1.5 million,” Mr Bacchion said.

“The price of everything is going up, it would cost a lot of money to build the farm back up.”

There is a GoFundMe page to help support the Bacchion family. To donate, visit https://www.gofundme. com/f/bacchions-fire-fund

Local sugarcane farmer Claude Santucci lost eight hectares to the

blaze on his Chewko Road property and is “gobsmacked” that someone in the community could commit such an act.

“I’m cranky and disappointed that there are individuals out there who carry on with this sort of activity for whatever reason,” he said.

“I hope whoever has done this feels the full force of the law and suffers the consequences – I cannot believe some one could stoop this low.

“Thankfully we didn’t lose any buildings, and no one got hurt. I could

have lost the whole farm, houses sheds and equipment.”

Mr Santucci was amongst fire fight ers and other neighbours putting out the flames into the evening and has spent the last few days doing his best to recover as much of his crop as pos sible for the sugar season.

In Bilwon, the blaze came within 20 metres from Gina and Giovanni Ga lati’s home and 500m away from their well-established citrus farm.

Although they feared for their home and their crop, the couple had

a plan and is encouraging everyone to have one to.

“Living here, you get used to what is happening in the environment, so we were prepared,” Mr Galati said.

“We have had four fires here since 2019 so we know what to do when this happens. I find there are a lot of new people in town who don’t know what they are doing.”

Mrs Galati said she was thankful they have a well-kept lawn that stopped the blaze coming any closer and for the people who pulled up to help.

beyond

of injury and pain

underlying causes

DEVASTATION: Veronica and Joe Bacchion and their three young kids Giuseppe, Mataio and Dantay in what is left of their lychee farm.

Sunny days powers solar way

WITH 300 sunny days a year, it’s no wonder Mareeba Shire residents have embraced the use of solar, with latest figures showing there are 2095 households in the 4880 postcode area with solar panels on their roofs.

The figures became available after the State Government launched a new online search tool, where Queenslanders can find out where their postcode ranks.

In total, the Mareeba Shire has scored well, with 4592 households in the towns of Mareeba, Mt Molloy, Julatten, Kuranda, Chillagoe and Dimbulah with solar panels.

In the southern Tablelands area, Atherton is winning the solar race, with 958 households with solar panels, followed by 629 in the Tina roo/Walkamin/Kairi area, and 628 in the Ma landa area.

The total number of households in the Ta blelands local government area with solar pan els comes to 3891 households.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszc

zuk said with 722,000 Queensland homes now with solar, the State continued to be the nation's leader in rooftop solar, outstripping the other states with almost 88,000 more installations than its nearest rival, New South Wales.

“Together, Queensland’s homes account to over 3.5 GW capacity – that’s more generation capacity than Queensland’s two largest power stations combined (Gladstone 1,680MW, Stan well 1,460MW),” she said.

Bundaberg’s 4670 postcode tops not only Queensland, but the national solar stakes, with over 15,600 solar households.

This was followed by the 4655 postcode at Hervey Bay, the second highest in Queensland, with over 14,000 solar households.

“I want to thank every Queenslander who has helped lower electricity prices and our carbon footprint by installing solar panels on their home – your home is part of Queensland’s biggest power station, powering the state,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Local rush for fuel before price soars

LOCALS flocked to their closest service stations and tried to get one last fuel-up in before the Fed eral Government’s excise tax cut expired at 12am on Thursday last week, with fuel prices now ex pected to rise by more than 20 cents in the coming days or weeks.

The previous Morrison Government halved the fuel excise to ease pressures of the rising cost of living at the time, dropping the tax charged on each litre of fuel sold in Australia from 44.2 to 22.1 cents.

This drop was never meant to be permanent and last Thursday at 12am, the fuel excise reduc tion expired.

Mareeba resident Alice Brown fuelled up in Mareeba just hours before the excise reduction expired.

Ms Brown takes regular trips into Mareeba from her Narcotic Creek road property and did not agree with the excise returning.

“It is ridiculous, I do not understand how the government expects people to live,” she said.

Brisbane resident Tim Wolf has been travel ling through Queensland right up to the tip and

stopped into Mareeba on his way back to fuel up.

While Mr Wolf would like fuel to be cheaper, he said the excise was needed to help pay for road upgrades across the country.

“It needs to happen because it provides impor tant funding for roads – you can’t keep it off for ever,” he said.

As the price of fuel starts to rise, police have issued a warning to people who decide to fuel up and drive off without paying.

Driving off without paying for fuel can happen for a variety of reasons, but not returning to the service station to pay is a criminal offence.

In 2019, QPS began a SMS and email trail that targets vehicles suspected of fuel drive offs, it is still used today to remind vehicle owners to make sure they have paid for their fuel.

While the message will come from “Qld Po lice”, show the date and time of the incident, pro vide the vehicle registration number and other methods of identification, QPS advises that they will never ask vehicle owners to provide personal banking and financial details or ask for a direct payment.

Heritage Museum introduces entry fee

LOCALS and visitors looking to explore the rich history of the Mareeba Shire will now have to pay after the Mareeba Heritage Museum introduced an admission fee last week to help with their operat ing costs and keep the centre viable.

The museum introduced admission fees by ex plaining that in 2022, it cost $3.80 per visitor to operate the museum and the average visitor leaves 22 cents in the donation box and spends a further $1.10 whilst at the museum.

This means the amount of funds the museum receives per visitor does not cover the operating costs, so admission fees have been introduced in

order to continue the work they do in preserving and promoting the history of the shire. Money raised will be used to fund projects and activities.

Children up to 15 years old enter for free but anyone above will have to pay a $5 admission fee for three days of entry.

Mareeba Shire residents will have access to a Locals One Pass for $5 which will give them lifetime entry. You will need to be provide proof of residence or a current Mareeba Leagues Club Membership card.

For more information visit www.mareebaherit agecentre.com.au

Tim Wolf stopped into Mareeba Mobil last Wednesday to fuel up before continuing on his way home to Brisbane after a trip to the tip of Cape York.

An aerial view of solar panels on homes at Amaroo Estate in Mareeba. To check out your post code, go to www.qld.gov.au/yoursolarpostcode

Savannah success

BY RHYS THOMAS

MAREEBA has well and truly been put on the music festi val map after the massive suc cess of Savannah in the Round 2022, bringing in thousands of visitors to the area and injecting millions of dollars into the local economy.

The three-day festival had an impressive line-up of emerging and established musical talents from country to rock and indie, there was something for every one at this year’s “music festi val in the country”

Country music fans got to see some of the best Australian musicians up close and person al over the three days and one lucky fan had a one-of-a-kind encounter with international star Brad Paisley.

A young toddler named Pais ley got the gift of a lifetime af ter the artist came off stage and gave a signed guitar and cow boy hat he wore on stage to her overjoyed mother.

Local Jack Fletcher, brother of Savannah performer Jeremy Fletcher, also got gifted a hat by Paisley during his performance.

The festival got off to a great start, with the cocktail bars at Tastes of Savannah selling over 10,000 drinks on Friday night as people rushed to try the de licious mixes made from local ingredients.

Festival director James Dein

was over the moon with how this year’s festival had turned out with a bumper crowd at tending what became the big gest and best Savannah yet.

“The festival has been fan tastic, a lot of the key learnings from last year we picked up on and implemented and I think operationally it is a testament to the team,” he said.

“We have an amazing team of people, everything from the campground through to the rub bish services and ground service guys, they have been amazing –it has been a really well-oiled machine this year in its delivery.

“There were no pressure points, no stress points, no is sues with crowd behaviour and no real medical incident, you get through a festival and at that point and it has been a good out come for the patrons and for the traders here.”

While the organisers of Sa vannah do not have the official numbers for this year’s festival just yet, it was confirmed earlier there was a 50 per cent uptake in ticket sales compared to last year.

“This festival has got many, many years in it and lots of room to expand and build, our crowd was up significantly from last year but we don’t have ex act figures just yet,” Mr Dein said.

Mr Dein confirmed they had seen an influx of people buy

ing tickets on Sunday, which he called a good “kick in the tail” to patron numbers and revenue.

Mareeba Mayor Angela Toppin got the chance to tour the festival site on Sunday af ternoon and was amazed at the sheer scale and quality of the festival.

“It is just amazing, it has been great to go around and visit the camping sites and see just how huge it is – if you are sitting in the arena, you don’t see that,” she said.

“This festival is just tremen dous for Mareeba in terms of its economy, tourist numbers and of course the entertainment, the selection of performers has just been outstanding.

“I am really pleased to see some of the stalls supporting the festival particularly in Tastes of Savannah which I believe is a great idea.”

Mr Dein and his hardwork ing team are already busy at work organising next year’s fes tival and has confirmed they are in talks with more artists from America to perform at Savan nah in the Round 2023.

Savannah in the Round 2023 will bring people “more of the same” for next year’s festival, saying he does not want to tam per with the successful Savan nah formula.

“This is a great formula and I wouldn’t want to mess with it, moving the Big Top Music

Agent appointed to grow

Mareeba Industrial Park

A STRONGER focus will be on promoting and selling lots at Mareeba’s Industrial Park after Mareeba Shire Council awarded a twoyear contract to a local real estate firm.

Council put out an expression of interest to find the right company that could provide real estate services to market, negotiate, and sell the council-owned freehold land parcels at the industrial park and opted to give the job to Mareeba Property Office.

The company will be given a once-off $6000 payment for marketing and advertising fees and 2.5 per cent commission for each par cel of land sold.

Currently, there are 20 developed lots ready to be sold on Keegan, Effley and Gowan Streets.

Mareeba Mayor Angela Toppin said the industrial park had more than 180 ha of indus

trial land for development within five minutes’ drive of Mareeba.

“The Mareeba Industrial Park presents an unmatched opportunity to business and indus try, and council expects that by engaging an agent to assist with marketing and sales, the investment will continue to grow,” she said.

“With significant council and government funds invested in the Mareeba Industrial Park, there is industrial land ready for construction with some of the most flexible land use in Queensland.”

Mayor Toppin said there were strong pros pects for continued growth and investment in the park which was quickly becoming a trans port and logistics hub.

“The Industrial Park is in close proximity to growers and producers, and it is evolving to support agriculture and horticulture,” she said.

Hall to be closer to the arena and closer to the adjacent park lands and bars was a stroke of genius,” Mr Dein said.

“It ties in the whole festival site into that venue as opposed to it being out on its own.

“We really like the site lay out now and we will just con tinue to build on that.”

Pick up a copy of The Ex press Newspaper in the coming weeks for a full story on Savan nah in the Round 2022’s eco nomic breakdown and see how much Mareeba benefited from this year’s festival.

“This festival is just tremendous for Mareeba in terms of its economy, tourist numbers and of course the entertainment, the selection of performers has just been outstanding”

– Mayor Angela Toppin

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Community to keep town Halloween alive

AFTER over a decade of organising Hal loween celebrations and trick or treating in Mareeba, originator Samantha Malcolm has decided to let the community fill her shoes.

Growing up in Sydney and tracing her family heritage back to England, Sam has always had a strong passion and love for Halloween.

However, after moving to Mareeba, she was shocked to discover there were no events to celebrate and local stores did not even sell anything Halloween related.

Determined to let her children expe rience the same joy that Halloween had brought her, Sam started to organise small scale parties for her daughters.

Her passion soon spread to the rest of the

community and a small family party grew to a street party, to street trick or treating until eventually local businesses got involved.

“When we started, Halloween decora tions were not even sold in shops up here,” she said.

“We started off with just doing a little party for the girls then people started asking to come to the party and it got way too big.

“I saw some friends of mine and they decided to be a house we could go to and trick or treat and then that got way too big.”

Trick or treating grew to be so massive in Mareeba that local businesses got on board and would put up decorations and have lollies to give to kids.

Sam believes now is time for her to step

down from her role as an organiser and let the strong Halloween community run the event itself.

To this end, she had made a specific Facebook page called Halloween (Trick or Treating) in Mareeba, where people can express their interest and get involved in Halloween celebrations in Mareeba.

“I thought this could be the last thing I can do where people can put all their ad dresses where people can go and trick or treat,” Sam said.

Sam would like to express her deepest thanks to everyone who has supported her over the years in getting Halloween on the to-do list for Mareeba residents.

Support group for visually impaired

A NEW peer support group for adults who are visually impaired is being held in Atherton every third Tuesday of the month.

EyeConnect FNQ allows visually impaired locals to connect, advocate, inform and enjoy the company of others and is currently on a trial basis from now until December.

Anyone from the Cairns NDIS region with a visual impairment encouraged to come along and

speak about topics that matter most to them.

Guest speakers from Guide Dogs Australia will be at the next meeting which will take place on 18 October from 10.30am to 12 noon at the Black Stump Function Room at the Atherton Hotel, 90 Main Street, Atherton.

Participants can register with Blind Citizens Australia on 1300 033 660 and contact 0427 968 111 for more information.

Projects get green light from council

A NEW horse-riding and equestrian school near Mareeba and the expansion of a nursing home near Julatten have been approved by Mareeba Shire Council.

The horse-riding school will be established on a site on the Kennedy Highway near Mareeba, complete with a new outdoor and indoor area and facilities to provide horse agistment services for 20 horses on seven paddocks on the property.

Cr Locky Benstead said he was pleased to sup port the project and drew attention to the signifi cant size of the proposed indoor arena.

“I will take my little hat off and put my big Akubra on and say, the indoor arena of 80 metres by 29 metres, that is a significant indoor covered

arena,” he said.

“It is a sign of some growth in the equestrian industry and it is another tick in the box for our shire to welcome in some more residents who are chasing that type of sport.”

The school is expected to operate up to six days a week and involve a maximum of 20 clients per day.

Council also approved extensions to the Mt Kooyong Nursing Home near Julatten.

The project involves demolishing two of the buildings on site to allow for two new buildings to accommodate an additional 12 units for elderly people, a nurse’s station, two communal areas and storage areas.

Youths charged over daylight incident

THREE youths will appear in the Mareeba Chil dren’s Court after they were charged following an incident in a Byrnes Street business on 17 Sep tember.

Police allege the three girls went to a business in the main street at about 2.30pm and were ob served walking the aisles, behaving suspiciously.

When confronted by the store manager, the girls started swearing and yelling at him before throwing a can of soft drink, striking him on the mouth.

The girls were escorted out of the store by the manager, and it will be alleged that one of the girls started to assault him.

Police will further allege the other two girls joined in, punching the manager before ramming a shopping trolley into him, causing a large lacera

tion to his right forearm.

It will also be alleged the girls then grabbed items from nearby stores and threw them towards the manager before leaving the complex.

A 13-year-old Mareeba girl was released on bail and was charged with two counts of public nuisance, and one count each of assault occasion ing bodily harm, enter premises and commit in dictable offence, stealing and wilful damage.

A 15-year-old Atherton girl had her bail re fused and was charged with two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm and one count each of wilful damage and commit public nuisance.

Another 15-year-old Atherton girl also had her bail refused and was charged with one count of commit public nuisance and assault occasioning bodily harm.

Mareeba Halloween organiser Samantha Malcolm, with her daughters Paige, Jamie, Lily and Charlie, is stepping away from organising the annual Halloween celebrations in the town.

Council strikes compromise on RV proposal

BY ROBYN HOLMES

A COMPROMISE has been struck that will allow some Tablelands landholders to host RVs on their properties without having a significant impact on local caravan parks and without having to make an application to council.

Tablelands Regional Council put forward an amendment to its Planning Scheme earlier this year which included a proposal to allow landown ers to host visitors looking for a nature experience on private properties.

Council was also prompted to take action af ter being made aware that some property owners were unlawfully allowing guests to stay on their land, upsetting neighbours and raising concerns that, left unchecked, the practice could get out of control and impact on the environment.

But council’s proposal, which would have al lowed landowners to host up to six RVs allowed on Rural, Rural Residential and Emerging Com munities zones for up to six consecutive nights as an “accepted development” and up to 20 RVs for 13 nights on properties in the Rural and Broad Hectare zones, hit a raw nerve with local caravan parks owners, fearful it would undermine their businesses.

The proposal sparked more than 112 submis sions, with the vast majority objecting to the amendment.

A new proposal was put forward to council at its latest meeting to radically change the param eters of the amendment, now allowing the activity to only take place on land zoned General Rural or Broad Hectare and reducing the number of RVs that would be allowed without council assessing the proposal.

The new amendment will also mean that land owners wanting to host more than six RVs will have to go through a code assessable process with council, and properties that wish to host more than 10 RVs will be impact assessable, giving the pub lic a say.

But Cr Dave Bilney spoke against relaxing the rules to allow landowners to host up to six RVs without a proper assessment by council.

“I would agree that the planning scheme needs to be contemporary and relevant however my firm view is the manner in which we currently assess these applications is proven and best practice,” he said.

“Under the proposed amendments, there is still the ability to self-assess and providing they meet the assessment threshold, they can commence op erations.

“While this is streamlined, it does not provide officers with an understanding with what is hap pening around the shire and whether they are com pliant.

“They are currently occurring largely without council knowledge and further easing of the plan ning scheme will only intensify the current issues of compliance and regulatory protection of natural assets and the environment.

“My suggestion would be to look at ways of reducing our own internal processes that may encourage potential applicants to legitimise their operations and provide officers with what is hap pening, where and when.”

Cr Annette Haydon also spoke against the changes, describing them as a “bit unfair” given that caravan park owners paid hefty rates each year and “had to jump through hoops to meet a sleuth of regulations”.

Cr Peter Hodge, who put forward the new pa rameters, said he wanted to make sure the amend ments were as “fair and equitable” as they could be, but was also adamant the laws must be policed.

“The big thing that has come to me from cara van park owners is that if we are going to put this policy in place, we have to police it,” he said.

Planning manager Tudor Tenase said council was often made aware of the unlawful activity either through complaints or by monitoring web sites and social media.

“We have spoken to them about having to do it in a lawful manner – and I can tell you that we have people waiting.

“Generally, people are quite prepared to do things in a legal way if that legal way is explained to them.”

Mr Tenase also confirmed that despite land owners not having to make an application to host six RVs on the land, they would still have to pay infrastructure charges. But councillors questioned how this would work, given landowners did not have to apply to council in the first place, and why the charges were even necessary.

“New use of the land puts an added strain on council’s infrastructure so it’s fair that infrastruc ture charges be levied. In general, they will be in the order of $750 for each RV site – invoices will be sent and they have to be paid,” Mr Tanase said.

Council approved the changes to the Plan ning Scheme, with Crs Haydon and Bilney voting against the motion. The changes will now go to the Minister for State Development, Infrastruc ture, Local Government and Planning for approval before council can adopt the changes.

Life-sized cassowary trail opens

A TRAIL of cassowary statues has been of ficially opened in Kuranda as the rare bird’s population continues to boom in the Far North.

Three life sized statues of cassowaries will be stationed at different parts of Kuranda and moved biannually to new locations.

The project founder and manager of the Cassowary Art Trail, Jurg Jutzi, has spent the last several months working alongside Kuran da Conservation Community Nursery and lo cal artists George Riley, Rebecca Koller and Connie Rovina to create the unique art pieces.

Mr Jutzi says the trail is only three casso waries so far but hopes it will expand in not only Kuranda but other townships in casso wary country.

“I was looking at what we could do that was different for Kuranda and I thought the cassowary is something special and important in our rainforests,” he said

“I spoke with different conservation

groups up here and they jumped on board be cause many people don’t know what a casso wary is so this project will bring more aware ness to them.

“I feel over the moon to be able to get this project going and to work three fabulous art ists.”

First Nations artist, Ms Rovina, painted seven different dreamtime stories onto her cassowary with the guidance of the Elders.

“They are all local stories and they have been blessed by the local Elders,” she said.

“I am so happy and honoured to be partici pating because it is all about preserving the animals. A few years back there were only 12 recorded cassowaries in the region and now, to my astonishment, we have 40.

“I think people need to be more aware of the dangers of feeding them – even if it’s fruit, it doesn’t pass through their stomach properly – and slowing down especially on the range because that’s where they live.”

Jurg Jutzi, who founded the Cassowary Art Trail, and First Nations artist Connie Rovina with one of the life-sized cassowaries on display.

Host of activities to celebrate seniors

SENIORS across the region can enjoy some special activities during October to mark Seniors Month.

Mareeba Shire will celebrate Seniors Month with a free morning tea at the Ma reeba International Club on 14 October, starting at 10am.

The event will feature free entertain ment and lucky door prizes. To book, call 4086 4950.

Tablelands Regional Council is cel ebrating Seniors’ Month with a free Ageing Well Expo this Thursday and other regional events throughout the next few weeks.

“The ‘social connections’ theme is con tinuing from last year and people of all ages, cultures and abilities can connect and celebrate the important and essential roles older people play in our community,” Dep uty Mayor Cr Kevin Cardew said.

“The Ageing Well Expo is a great op portunity to hear from a range of experts including guest speakers from FNQ Health and Fitness, and Atherton Home Assist.”

Patrons can watch demonstrations, join a club, or get a free health and hearing check.

The expo will kick off at 9am on Thurs day (6 October) at Merriland Hall in Ather ton and finishes at 1pm.

“The celebrations don’t stop therethroughout October there will be regional and regular free events and activities so be sure you don’t miss out,” Cr Cardew said.

Other events during the month include Tai Chi at the Atherton Library every Tues day from 8.30am-9.30am; Bingo at Yunga burra Hotel every Wednesday from 9am until 12 noon ($2 for morning tea); a local family history session at Atherton Library

on 6 October (book on 4089 2247); and the Malanda Mental Health and Volunteer Event to be held on 11 October from 2pm5pm at ECHO Neighbourhood House.

In addition, seniors can participate in a free Android tablet and smartphone course at Atherton Library which goes over four weeks, starting on Tuesday 11 October at 9.30am. To book, call 4089 2247.

At Tolga Community Centre, seniors can have a go at Zumba, with a special ses sion at 9am on 14 October to come and try, with a light morning tea included. Call Ann on 0418 826 168 to book.

If technology is a challenge, seniors can also attend any one of three Tech Help Drop-In sessions at 11.30am on Tuesdays at Herberton Library or at 2.30pm on Tues days at Atherton Library, or at 3pm on Thursdays at the Ravenshoe Library.

Trees planted in honour of Nelly

THE legacy of Nellie Ryan was recognised last week, as her de scendants, councillors and the town of Almaden came together to plant white-flowering trees in her honour.

Nellie passed away 118 years ago of tuberculosis whilst trav elling home to Georgetown after visiting a doctor in Townsville.

Buried in the Almaden ceme tery, her headstone read: “Dear est Nellie, you we loved and will forever, though from us you have flown, but in our memory, you never forgotten shall be while your grave marks the spot near that white blossomed tree”.

Travelling through the small town, Marion and Don ald Lawie were intrigued by the message on her headstone, with no “white-flowering tree” in sight throughout the whole of Almaden.

They discussed the possibil ity of replacing the tree but there was no way to determine what species it could have been, yet they agreed it would need to be hardy and native to survive the outback climate.

Last Wednesday, Almaden locals, relatives of Nellie Ryan and well-wishers watched on as young native bauhinia (Lysip hyllum hookeri) were planted

Event helps rescue animals

ANIMAL Rescue Ta blelands had the oppor tunity to fundraise for their non-for-profit ani mal rescue at the Work ers Club Bike Show, raising over $1000 to help rehome pets across the region.

At the Workers Club annual bike show re cently, Animal Rescue owner Sandy Brown had the opportunity to host a food stand for those who attended.

throughout the town.

“You can see that I’m a farm er’s daughter,” Mareeba Mayor Angela Toppin she said as she expertly wielded a golden shov el to plant the young tree at the cemetery.

Trees were planted at the Tamarind Gardens Caravan Park by Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen, at the Railway Station by Wil Kemp, driver of the Savannahl ander train, and in the gardens of the Railway Hotel by Mr Lawie’s grandsons George and Ted, and Ryan family members Beth and Emma.

These plantings signify that the welcome to strangers is still strong in this resilient outback town and celebrate the commu nity links to be found across the Savannah country.

A commemorative plaque, funded by local state MP Shane Knuth, was placed at the ceme tery with the Mayor’s tree, with another plaque being donated by Geoqube who are currently prospecting in the region.

A number of local residents have volunteered to water and care for the trees with Nellie’s relatives making plans to meet up here again in the future.

Mareeba Mayor Angela Toppin, the Savannahlander team and Marion and Don Lawie after planting a tree in Nellie Ryans honour last week.

Animal Rescue Tablelands owner Sandy Brown presenting a certificate of appreciation to Glen from the Workers Club.

Grant secures mental health services

A COOKTOWN organisation has been awarded a grant of $10,000 to help them run an event to connect local commu nity members to mental health resources and services.

Coined the Cook Shire Wellbeing and Mental Health Big Day Out, the event seeks to build stronger connections be tween people, communities and services.

To help fund the event, South Cape York Catchments ap plied for a grant through Australia Post’s Community Grants and were successful in gaining the maximum amount of $10,000.

South Cape York Catchments work skills program coordi nator Sigal Ramon said the event will also equip community members with simple and effective mental health tools and strategies.

“The event will create a friendly and inclusive space for community members and service providers to connect and learn from each other,” she said.

People will take home self-care tools, a broader support network and an empowered sense of belonging.”

Beware of snakes this spring

SNAKE breeding season is upon us in the Far North and Tablelands

Snake Catchers are urging people to stay alert after fielding 300 calls in September and removing 80 snakes from homes across the region.

The Tablelands is home to some of the most venomous land snakes in the world, including the Coastal Taipan, Eastern Brown Snake, Mulga or King Brown Snake, Red Bellied Black Snake, Rough Scaled Snake, Pale headed Snake, Black Whip Snake, and Death Adders.

With a single bite from these snakes able to kill a person in a matter of hours, locals are being urged to keep vigilant during the warm dry months.

Tablelands Snake Catchers owner Leslie Brown said although many people may believe they can remove the snake themselves, every snake should be treated like it’s venomous and treated with respect.

“Many snakes are coming in from the paddock to inside the house, but we find a lot of snakes stay out in the garden,” he said.

“I think the important thing for people to remember is that snakes aren’t out to get us – they aren’t hunting us down to kill us.

“If you leave the snake, they will leave you be. It’s important for people to not interfere with them and to treat every snake they see as venomous.”

So far this year, brown tree snakes have topped the list for most commonly found snake, a mildly venomous snake with a brown col ouring and thin “S” shaped body.

The eastern brown snake is coming in the second most found and cope well within highly populated areas, making them easy to spot throughout the warmer months.

The third most commonly found snake in the region, according to Mr Brown is the carpet python, a large non-venomous reptile.

With sightings of snakes expected to increase, Mr Brown advises locals to not approach a snake no matter what.

“Our advice is to not approach the snake at all. If the snake is outside, close all the doors of your home and bring your pets in so they are away from the animal,” he said.

“If the snake is inside in a room, close the door of the room and put a towel under the door so it can not get out. This is helpful for us so we know where the snake is, making it easier to catch.

“You can message us a picture of the snake if it is safe to do so or post on Facebook groups such as Snake Identification Australia to identify whether the snake is venomous or not.

“But always make sure no one interacts with the snake and al ways treat it like it is venomous”

Policy change to boost construction

AN investment incentive scheme has been broadened by Tablelands Regional Council in the hope it will kickstart more construction projects in the region.

The Investment Incentive Policy was adopted in June to encourage more ac tivity in the housing construction sector, encourage development of strategically important industries and attract large projects to the region.

Under the policy, infrastructure charges up to $100,000 will be waived for developments that involve the con struction of affordable medium density dwellings, strategically important in dustries or “catalytic” projects, which is defined as projects with a construction value of more than $5 million.

While interest has been reportedly strong, council received feedback that certain conditions of the policy should be changed to ensure it would have the desired effect in boosting activity in con struction and development.

Economic Development executive manager Angelo Finocchiaro told coun cil the changes were all about expanding the eligibility of those who could apply for the incentives.

“The changes are meant to broaden the eligibility of projects, including dual occupancy projects, and projects there were approved prior to the policy commencing to try to get those projects across the line,” he said.

“There’s a whole backlog of projects

in the pipeline and we are trying to clear that backlog and bring them online.”

The major change that will help boost the take-up of the scheme is to enable developments that have been approved prior to the policy beginning on 1 July but have not yet started construction.

Another key change is allowing de velopments that have or will attract gov ernment funding to apply for the incen tives.

The policy’s definition of a “local supplier” has also been amended to in clude companies that may have their principal place of business elsewhere but also have a place of business within the TRC local government area and employ local people.

PHOTO: Tablelands Snake Catchers.

TRC forging ahead with park sell-off

BY ROBYN HOLMES

TABLELANDS Regional Council is forging ahead with plans to sell off a suburban park and turn it into mediumdensity housing.

Council is investigating the disposal of the park, bordered by Pink Street and Maunds Road, despite the protestations of residents, some of whom have lived there for 50 years.

At its recent meeting, council agreed to start the process to assess whether the land can be rezoned to Medium Density Residential before trying to sell it off the land to a developer or enter into a joint venture with a developer.

Cr David Clifton, who initiated the idea, said he wanted the process done as quickly as possible and asked CEO Gary Rinehart to explain why council could not go straight to the market and put out an Expression of Interest (EOI) to pur chase the land.

“I’ve been very enthusiastic about this and my pace re flects my enthusiasm, given the desperate state of housing need we have in this area,” he said.

“I agree Councillor, whether this is the most suitable site, that’s still to be assessed,” Mr Rinehart said.

“We’re seeking to do all we can to get some medium-den sity housing happening in the area.

“Unfortunately with that zoning of the land, we can’t make it a fast bus process, if you like, to go at the speed that we do appreciate you would like to achieve.”

Mr Rinehart said to go straight to the EOI process without first rezoning the land could create uncertainty for developers and was unlikely to generate a lot of interest while the current zoning was in place.

“Our proposal is that we assess the suitability for the re zoning and establish that – that would be the time to consider the disposal of the land which could include an expression of interest which is only a mechanism to dispose of the land or dispose of part of the interest in the land if we want to consider a joint venture once we understand the suitability of it,” he said.

“Under the provisions, we are allowed to have joint ven tures – we have the power to enter into those type of commer cial arrangements. It is used quite sparingly in local govern ment but it remains an option.

“We didn’t go into details at this early stage, let’s see if it

is suitable for rezoning and then consider all disposal options including a joint venture or expression of interest.”

Pink Street resident Antonia Peluchetti, who has lived there for 50 years, and her daughter, Rena Ceola, have been active since they found about the proposal to sell off the land, organising a petition through change.org in a desperate bid for the park to be retained.

Her neighbour, Christie Trowers, has written to council lors to express her concerns about the park sell-off, and while she acknowledged there was a housing crisis, she did not ac cept this was the solution.

“I agree there is a problem, however I do not agree that this small piece of land is even part of the solution. What I see here is an opportunity to cash in on a gifted piece of land, with little care about the residents living in this area,” she wrote.

She also questioned how councillors could assume there was little use of the park at the moment.

“How does Cr Clifton, or any of the members of council, know what the usage of the park is? Granted, now that the small amount of playground equipment has been removed it’s bound to be less,” Ms Trowers wrote.

“Has there been a study on this? Have any of the council lors visited the park on a regular basis to come to this conclu sion?

“I live across the road from this park and have often seen kids swinging, and playing, people enjoying a picnic at the bench and dogs being exercised.”

Ms Trowers described the move to sell off the park to ac commodate more housing “short-sighted”.

“This proposal is so short sighted and will ruin the en trance to Atherton from Yungaburra. Why not make this en trance to Atherton, the business centre of the Tablelands, one that screams proud to be an Athertonion and welcome to our town,” she wrote.

“There are several other places where the housing crisis could be solved, for instance the old primary school site.

“But first we need services and infrastructure to accom modate and plan ahead for this. This is a short-term fix, no better than a band aid, and will leave a similar looking blight on our town.”

If the council chooses to go ahead with the rezoning, there will be a public notification period which will allow residents to send in objections to the proposal.

Free talk on Wet Tropics

A FREE talk by professional photographer Steven Nowakowski will be presented at the Malanda Hotel this Thursday.

Having spent many years as a conservation advocate and undertaken expeditions within the remotest parts of the Wet Tropics, Steve will share some of the most spectacular features and some of their residents.

The talk will also include details about some conservation buyback projects in the wet tropics and other conservation roles for which his pho tography has been important.

This is a chance to learn a little bit about the less accessible parts of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and to enjoy some stunning pho tography.

The talk follows a brief AGM of the Tree Kangaroo and Mammal Group, commencing at 7pm. Members of the public are welcome.

Kristyn Lennon | Associate Lawyer

Photographer and conservation advocate Steven Nowakowski will give a free talk on the Wet Tropics this Thursday.

Japanese speaking success for Tablelands school students

JAPANESE students from across the region have gone head-to-head in the annual Tablelands Japa nese Speaking Competition.

This year, 70 Grade 4-10 students participated in the competition, coming from Alexandra Bay State School, Atherton State School, Atherton State High School, Butchers Creek State School, Cairns School of Distance Education, Kairi State School, Malanda State School, Malanda State High School, Millaa Millaa State School, St Jo seph's Atherton and Yungaburra State School.

This year, the judges comprised of 11 mem bers of the local Japanese community, including Vice Consul Yuki Takemoto from the Consular Office of Japan in Cairns and local business own ers.

Grade 4-7 students were given a speech to memorise and present to the judges whilst stu dents in Grade 8-10 had to write their own speeches for the judges.

This year’s Grade 4 winners were all from Atherton State School, with first place going to a student who cannot be named, second place went to Kayla Johnson, and Denise Page placed third.

The Grade 4 Background Speaker winner was Kian Bragg from Yungaburra SS.

The Grade 5 winner was Malanda State School’s Holly Russell, second place was Skye Haire from Millaa Millaa SS and third was Khy Allen from Malanda SS.

The Grade 5 Background Speaker winner was Koharu Arai from Yungaburra SS.

Grade 6 student Fletcher Winsor from Ma landa SS came in first place for his grade, with classmate Abbie Miller coming in second and Rylie Prince taking out third place.

The winner for Grade 7 was Lester Billingham from Malanda SHS, Tilla Walker from Atherton SHS came in second and Malanda SHS student Indi Palmer coming in third.

For more information or stall holders contact:

Council moves ahead on Wangetti Trail

BIG steps have been made in building Queensland’s first purpose-built walking and mountain biking track after Douglas Shire Council resolved to provide a trustee lease over council-owned land to further progress the Wangetti Trail.

Most of the trail will be lo cated within national park, how ever, there are three sections of the proposed trail on land con trolled by the Cairns and Doug las councils, which required them both to enter into a trustee lease with Department of Tour ism, Innovation and Sport.

Once complete, the 94-kilo metre Wangetti Trail will be Queensland’s first purpose-built walking and mountain biking track.

Stretching from Palm Cove to Port Douglas, the trail aims

to be a signature tourist attrac tion and showcase the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics and the Great Barrier Reef.

Douglas Shire Mayor Mi chael Kerr said the trail had always been an exciting propo sition.

“Douglas was instrumental in developing the Wangetti Trail concept and remains a strong advocate for the project,” he said.

“We believe it has signifi cant potential to be one of Aus tralia’s leading wilderness and adventure tourism experiences.

“Council is eager to ensure it is built that way and keenly awaits further detail from the State Government to under stand the ongoing management arrangements for the trail.”

Splash park for Mossman

MOSSMAN residents will soon be able to enjoy a relaxing, cool time at the Mossman Pool during hot summers, with Douglas Shire Council awarding two contracts for the design and construction of a new splash park.

The new wet play area design has been awarded to Urban Play Solutions for $150,659.30 while the tender for the construction went to Aqua Project Solutions for $405,935.18.

The Queensland Government has committed to providing $1.5 million to council to build splash parks in both Mossman and Port Douglas, with the latter still awaiting tender submissions.

Both projects need to be completed before 31 May 2024 to meet the State Government’s grant funding guidelines.

State budget information

THE 2022-23 State Budget delivers record funding for Queensland’s health and hos pital system to ensure better, quicker healthcare for all Queenslanders.

Across the state, the re cord $22.6 billion Health Budget includes investment in new infrastructure and more beds; a larger work force; a focus on mental health; and innovative re forms to Queensland’s health system.

For the Cairns and the Hinterland, this includes the Cairns Hospital Expansion, a $250 million refurbish ment and new surgical cen tre that will deliver 96 new beds by the first half of 2026; the Cairns Sub-acute ex pansion, delivering 45 new beds by the second half of 202; and $70 million toward the Cairns Hospital Mental Health Unit, delivering 53 beds by 2024.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath said the State Budget would support strong growth in the health workforce, committing to employ an ex tra 9475 staff in this term of government.

“Investment in our health care workforce is vital – they are our greatest asset, and the reason Queenslanders con tinue to receive first-class healthcare every day,” she said.

Minister D’Ath said the budget included $1.1 billion for the Queensland Ambu lance Service, and a focus on improving mental health and wellbeing.

“The investment will help QAS prioritise regional and rural services to ensure ac cessible healthcare no mat ter the location, as we recruit more frontline staff and open new facilities,” she said.

William Turner from Malanda SHS took out first place in the Grade 8 category, followed by Finnlay Ford from Cairns School of Distance Ed and Brody Ball from Malanda SHS. First place for Grade 9 went to Amelia Hol land from Malanda SHS, second place to Polly

Vonghane of Atherton SHS and Jacinta Pederson from Malanda SHS came third.

The Grade 10 category was dominated by Ma landa SHS students, with Briana Penellum taking out first place, Jessica Neal taking home second and Mirabella Boglari coming third.

Malanda State School students Abbie Millar, Fletcher Winsor and Rylie Prince with their awards after the Japanese competition.

Health students get a taste of rural life

FIRST year health students have had a taste of what it would be like to work in a rural or remote area during a recent trip to the Atherton Table lands as part of three Health Workforce Queens land’s GROW Rural Programs, aimed at encour aging them to return and work in the region.

The program is focused on ensuring remote, rural, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island com munities have access to highly skilled health professionals when and where they need them, now and into the future.

It is being supported by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) over the next three years.

GROW Rural NQ presents first-year medical, nursing, midwifery, dentistry, and allied health students with a unique experience to develop familiarity and a deeper understanding of the potential of a professional and personal life they could have working in rural Queensland.

By cultivating strong connections with the health workforce community and the broader community, the GROW Rural program encour ages health students to return to rural communi ties for their clinical placements and to consider rural practice as a future career opportunity.

HWQ Future Workforce team leader Mer edith Connor said the 25 students visited Ather ton, Ravenshoe, and Mareeba.

“Mulungu Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre welcomed the students with fantastic cul tural activities including traditional dance and an

art workshop in which the students painted boo merangs and clapsticks,” Ms Connor said.

She said the activities over the three days included visiting the Ravenshoe and Atherton Talking Circles with local community residents and health professionals who shared their per sonal and professional journeys and a visit to Granite Gorge Nature Park to enjoy nature and the wildlife.

They also did skill sessions based on the 1987 Gillies Range fatal bus crash disaster scenario, rotating the students through the patient journey from first responder to ED, followed by rehabili tation, psychological wellbeing and a specific su turing session.

Mareeba families billeted the GROW Rural students on a Saturday night which allowed the students to experience what it was like to live rurally and shared a community meal at the Ant Hill Hotel.

“We also had local high school and sixth year JCU students volunteer as casualties and look forward to connecting with them again next year,” Ms Connor said.

“The skill session facilitators who so gener ously shared their time, knowledge, skills, and passion made the sessions the highlight of the day.

“It was great to experience how engaged the communities became with GROW Rural over the course of the weekend and their eagerness to be part of next year’s event.”

Wesley Ruff, who is studying nutrition and dietetics at Griffith University on the Gold Coast, said he “loved being introduced to the difference between living in the rural community and the workforce”.

“I think there is a lot more that goes into eve rything than actually meets the public eye and that’s important for individuals such as ourselves to be exposed to,” he said.

Kacey Lynch, who is a psychology student at James Cook University in Townsville, said GROW NQ “was such an amazing opportunity to meet new people, both professionals and peers”.

“I really enjoyed getting a glimpse of what

goes on behind the scenes in rural practice and getting to practise some skills firsthand,” she said.

HWQ CEO Chris Mitchell said HWQ was delighted to take the GROW Rural Program to North Queensland following the success of the program in Central Queensland and Southwest Queensland.

“It was great to see such enthusiasm from our future remote and rural health workforce and we are so pleased that we are able to partner with NQPHN and work with the communities and key stakeholders in Northern Queensland to provide workforce solutions,” Mr Mitchell said.

Minister last hope to stop wind farm

FEDERAL Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s intelligence and knowledge of bird species likely to be affected by the Chalumbin wind farm should present enough common sense to block the 94-turbine project, Mem ber for Kennedy Bob Katter says.

Mr Katter received a briefing from Ms Plibersek who advised she was still “considering her position” on the

project awaiting her approval.

“I was impressed with Ms Pliber sek’s knowledge of the project – the environment and the bird species which would be affected,” he said.

“She had certainly done her home work and due diligence.

“So, with the understanding that she is well aware of the threats this wind farm would pose, I believe the

evidence would be extremely hard for the Minister to ignore.

“And I ask the Minister, that at the very least, delay the decision un til the proper consultation has been done with the community. The previ ous Minister for Environment agreed to come up and the current minister should do the same.”

Mr Katter said he was on the side

of passionate locals in protesting the almost 35km “bird-killing” wall of turbines. He said dense rainforest re gions were no place for a windfarm, particularly one that provided little benefit in comparison to coal.

“A windfarm generates for around $100 a megawatt hour, versus existing coal-fired at $20 a megawatt hour,” he said.

However, he also proposed an al ternative, more suitable location for a wind farm.

“There is nothing more sensi ble than the proposal in Hughenden, which is at super high altitude with negligible birdlife and serious wind availability. But you’re not doing it in forest country,” Mr Katter said.

Seven of the GROW Rural students (from left) Savindie Abeynayak, Louis Huynh, Maddy Harris, Elliot Hunt, Caitlin Brims, Karif Hung, and Jessica Lanza on the Tablelands.

Project Update

Over the past year the Chalumbin Wind Farm project team has been engaging with local community members, the project area’s landowners and Traditional Owners, local environmental management organisations, ecology specialists and engineers, to improve the project design. This work has focused on two key outcomes: achieving a net positive impact for biodiversity and maximising local benefits. New renewable energy development is urgent to mitigate the effects of climate change and meet emissions reduction targets. We also appreciate how unique and special the Tablelands area is and the importance of caring for the natural environment and making sure the local community benefits from the project in relevant and meaningful ways.

Dates for community information sessions at the project’s information hub, at 55 Grigg St, Ravenshoe, will be advertised soon. In the meantime, for any questions, including about the ecology work, plans to minimise environmental impacts, and economic and community benefits, we invite community members, please visit the hub or email the project team via info@chalumbinwindfarm.com.au. The hub is open on Thursday afternoons or to make a special appointment call 1800 731 296.

Community Benefit Program

We are seeking local input on priorities to help design the proposed Community Benefit Program. This program will be based on an industry leading funding commitment of $500,000 per year from the start of construction (estimated by Q2, 2023) and for the ~25 year life of the wind farm. The opportunities for a program of this size are significant. A ‘Community Benefit Program Survey’ is available on the website’s ‘Community’ page and in the information hub.

Renowned artists relished region

SAVANNAH in the Round brought together some of the best musicians Australia has ever produced including the likes of Shannon Noll, Vanessa Am orosi and Jon Stevens.

With decades of experience behind them, world tours, top charting songs and too many awards to count, the trio have seen arenas much bigger than the Mareeba Rodeo Ground packed to the brim with fans.

Noll, Amorosi and Stevens were all front and centre on Savannah in the Round’s Main Stage and spoke volumes about the region and its pas sionate, music loving people.

Noll headlined Friday night’s performance, he was scheduled to play at Savannah in 2021 how ever due to Covid restrictions and border closures, he was unable to perform.

“This my first time at Savannah – I was meant to perform last year but the last couple of years have been a bit of a punishment but we made it this year and it is really exciting,” Noll said ahead of his Friday night appearance.

“This is our first time in Mareeba and it’s great here, I would love to spend some more time up here, it’s beautiful.”

Amorosi was immediately in love with the area, from her drive through the Wet Tropics to Mareeba, saying it reminded her of home.

“I did love coming through with the drive here going up the hill through the mountain, it remind ed me very much of areas I grew up in Victoria – tropical rainforest,” she said.

“This would be my little world right here, as soon as I pulled up I was like, ‘they have bull pens this is an actual rodeo arena!’

“I am a big horse person so I’ve had tons of horses my whole life so I love this kind of envi ronment.”

Jon Stevens often visits the far north for pleas ure, fishing across the eastern coast and up around the tip of Australia.

He visited Mareeba this year for a mix of pleas ure and business, as the headline act for Saturday night.

“I am here for work but it is good fun when you are doing what you love,” he said.

“I’ve been up to the Tablelands before, I have done the Kuranda Scenic Railway and I had a mate who had a farm up on the Northern Tablelands, not too far away from here.”

While the three musicians are very well estab lished in the industry, they understand the impor tance of giving up-and-coming artists a platform to perform and by consequence, grow.

Savannah in the Round had a considerable amount of time dedicated to emerging artists, both local and nation-wide.

“I think playing at Savannah is a great oppor tunity for these emerging artists because this is a three-day festival there is plenty of time to have a whole smattering of young artists come and per form,” Stevens said.

“Good on the promoters for recognising they need that element in there, it is not only just about popular artists or the known artists – it is good to discover new talent.”

Amorosi spent much of her time as a young art ist touring through areas of Europe with bands like INXS, Kiss and more so she had to learn quickly how to adapt her setlist to a different audience than what she was used to.

She believes that festivals like Savannah in the Round, where they make time to showcase emerg ing talent and give it a platform, is extremely im portant to developing as an artist.

“It is extremely important to give young artists a strong platform and this is where you can tell whether a musician is a true musician,” she said.

“This is where you get the miles in, this is where you become a better songwriter, a better performer – being able to actually be immersed in with an audience, feel the energy and adapt to that energy because not every show is the same.

“There were a lot of shows I did through Ger many that were rock festivals, there was no way I was able to go out there and do dance sets, so I was able to adapt.

“That is when you really learn what it is you can bring to the table and your crowd really brings you to that place so it is very important for people learning to get their chops together to be intro duced into these kinds of environments.”

Tel: 1800 731 296

Email: info@chalumbinwindfarm.com.au

Visit chalumbinwindfarm.com.au or scan the QR code right on your mobile

Photomontage

Please send us your questions and tell us what you think. We are keen to hear from you.

Vanessa Amorosi enthralled the audience during her performance on Saturday night.

Shannon Noll experienced Savannah for the first time, headlining Friday night’s program.

Local products the stars of Tastes of Savannah

FESTIVAL goers were able to experience top quality locally produced food and drinks at Sa vannah in the Round this year under the new banner Tastes of Savannah.

Tastes of Savannah was a new addition to the festival and aimed to showcase a wide range of food and drink with locally sourced produce.

From Asian to Caribbean dishes, there was something for everyone to experience and a re laxing environment to try it, with shady trees and beer keg tables.

East Coast Paella owner and head chef Scott (Scotty) Osborne returned to Savannah this year as one of the many food vendors, pro viding patrons with authentic Spanish Paella to enjoy.

Scotty has been cooking the Spanish cui sine for over 15 years, spending the last five of those years based in Cairns.

He was excited to cater at Savannah again and felt business was the same, if not busier than last year.

“This year has been fantastic we will prob ably sell out by tonight and we will go through till just before Brad Paisley comes on,” Scotty said on Sunday afternoon.

“For us it’s been about the same or just a fraction bigger than last year.

“Tastes of Savannah works really well, the set up looks really good and I am excited to work alongside these other amazing stalls and it’s quality.”

Local distillery Mt Uncle Distillery got the chance to set up two bars to showcase their gin cocktails and their new desert agave spirit.

Owner Mark Watkins said there had been a steady stream of customers throughout the festival and his staff had remained quite busy.

“It has been nice and steady, not too hectic – there is a really nice relaxed vibe here,” he said.

“Tastes of Savannah is a good area for us to showcase what products were made virtually down the road.

“We have had a few people inquire about where we are located and I am hoping they plan to pay us a visit at the distillery.”

This year was Mt Uncle’s first time at Savannah in the Round and Mark is looking forward to returning next year with some new concoctions.

Nerves still plague the stars

DESPITE being in the industry for over four dec ades, Aussie rock legend Jon Stevens admitted he still feels nervous every time he walks out on stage.

Stevens spent time fronting renowned bands such as Noiseworks and INXS, household names in the Australian rock scene.

In an interview before his Saturday night per formance at Savannah in the Round’s Main Stage, Stevens said he still gets nervous before he walks out on stage even to this day.

“It is never just another day on the job, when you take it for granted that is when everything goes wrong,” he said.

“I am very grateful every time I go out on stage, it is not about me, I am just the vehicle.

“People pay their hard-earned money to come and see so I do the very best I can do – it is what I will be doing tonight and every night when I walk

on stage.”

Stevens has been regarded as a living piece of Australian’s musical history, an Aussie rock leg end, however he does not see himself that way.

“I don’t think of myself like that because I am always trying to do the next thing while I am still able to,” he said.

“I want to keep making music, playing and per forming because it is what I love and it is enjoy able.

“It’s about the people, it’s not about me, it is about the people that put their hearts out and come to have a good time and forget about their worries for an hour or two hours.”

Stevens put on an incredible performance on Savannah’s Main Stage on Saturday night, with hundreds of people packed into the dance floor singing along to classics from his Noiseworks and INXS days, as well as some solo songs.

Evelyn Rannstrom was hard at work at Mt Uncle Distillery’s stall at Tastes of Savannah.

Jon Stevens belting out a high note during his Saturday night performance at Savannah in the Round.

Grabyourtruelocalnewspaper atthefollowinglocations:

MAREEBA:

Mareeba News, Piagno’s News, Mareeba Discount Drug Store, Shell Mareeba Service Station, BP Mareeba, Mareeba IGA, Curcio’s Bakery, Mobil Service Station Mareeba, Termite, Portsmith Fuels, Biboohra Cash Store, Post Offi ce Centre Mareeba, Mareeba Leagues Club and all good business outlets.

ATHERTON:

Summers News, Phillips News, Mobile Atherton, Fresh St. Market IGA, Puma Service Station Atherton, Atherton International Club, Atherton Bakehouse, Café on Louise, Atherton Feed & Saddle Shed, Tableland Fertilizers Atherton, Community Services Tablelands, Atherton Visitor Centre, Carrington Hotel Atherton, Woolworths Atherton, Woolworths Servo Atherton and Cottage Cafe.

SOUTHERN TABLELANDS: Tolga News, Mobil Service Station Tolga, Cash Store Walkamin, Malanda Spar, Caltex Malanda, Marano’s Malanda, Tobin’s Millaa Millaa, Yungaburra Foodworks, Yungaburra Pit Stop, Kairi Store, Herberton News, Herberton 5 Star, Wondecla Roadhouse, Ravenshoe News, Ravenshoe Hiland Bakery, Foodworks Ravenshoe, Ravenshoe Information Centre, Marano’s Ravenshoe, Tall Timbers Roadhouse, Mt Garnet Post Offi ce, Cornett’s Ravenshoe, Ravenshoe Information Centre, Malanda Real Estate, Millaa Millaa Real Estate, Malanda Visitor Centre, Eacham Fuels Malanda and Yungaburra Information Centre.

KURANDA:

DIMBULAH:

And numerous small businesses across the Tablelands, Gulf and Peninsula!

Caltex

Hotel, Lakeland Downs Hotel, Lakeland

Palmer

MT MOLLOY:

KARUMBA:

GEORGETOWN:

NORMANTON:

Lakeland

Mt Surprise Service Station.

CROYDON: Gulf Gate Roadhouse and Croydon General Store.

EINASLEIGH: Post Offi ce and Einasleigh Council.

FORSAYTH: Store and Post Offi ce and Goldfield Tavern.

MOSSMAN:

Port Douglas IGA and Mossman News.

INNISFAIL: Larsen’s Newsagency and The Book Centre.

CAIRNS: Smithfield News (Shopping Centre), Cairns Central Nextra News, Clifton Beach Newsagency and Trinity Beach News.

The “Muddy Mongrels” from the Sunshine Coast enjoyed the vibes at Savannah in the Round.

Michael Pinch, Ross Cole and Danny Reek with Willow Pinch and Carlee Reek travelled up from Townsville for Savannah this year.

Caitlyn Stephens from Malanda and Pinder Singh from Cairns enjoying a drink at the Bull bar.

Natalie Mott from and Mareeba local Alana Bensted enjoyed their time at Savannah this year.

Linda Mullen and Martin Peplow from Adelaide stopped in during their great Australian road trip.

Shaun Walsh from Lancefield, Daniel Suttie from Weipa, Wade Davis of Goldsborough all celebrated Luke Forbes from Kilmore’s baby shower by attending Savannah in the Round 2022.

Rising stars shine at Savannah

SOME of Australia’s best emerging country music artists got the chance to showcase their unique sounds and origi nal songs as friends Jake Davey, Chelsea Berman and Abbie Ferris performed in the Rising Star Showcase over the weekend.

The Rising Star Showcase was sched uled for Savannah in the Round in 2021 however due to the border restrictions at the time, the trio were unable to perform.

Jake took some time before the festival to explore areas of the far north including Port Douglas and Mareeba, stopping in to grab a nice steak at the Gateway and a quick pick me up coffee at Coffeeworks.

While they did perform together over the festival, Jake, Chelsea and Abbie are all great friends off stage and relished the chance perform together in their own sec tion at Savannah.

Jake even remained onstage for the showcase, playing guitar for both Chelsea and Abbie during their performances.

“Chelsea and Abbie are both really good friends of mine so when we heard there was this showcase that we got to be a part of, it just further cemented that we are all doing good things and we get to do them together,” Jake said.

“They are both incredible artists and the fact that we get to be up there and share that spot is pretty special consider ing the size of Savannah in the Round.

“The fact that we are able to showcase our new songs and sounds together was amazing.”

Playing at Savannah in the Round alongside some of the biggest names in the industry is like a dream come true for the three artists.

With top quality artists such as Shan non Noll, Jon Stevens and international superstar Brad Paisley in the line-up, Ab bie felt the need to buy a t-shirt to mark the occasion.

“When the poster first came out we did not know who else was playing and then when we saw it we were like, ‘oh my god, you can see our names alongside all these

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other amazing acts’,” she said.

“We are claiming we supported Brad Paisley,” Chelsea added.

Chelsea even joined country music sensation James Johnston on-stage on Sunday, performing a song together.

While Abbie has travelled to the far north for Savannah, she has plans to meet her family after the festival is over and go on a holiday through the region.

Chelsea will be returning to Far North Queensland next week as she also holi days with her family in the area.

Locals show out

LOCAL artists had the chance to share the stage with the best of the best in country music over the weekend for the highly suc cessful Savannah in the Round 2022 festival.

Dimbulah’s Aurelle Brunjes, Cooktown’s Yasmin Morris (Yazmindi) and Jeremy Fletcher from Mareeba all performed on one of Savannah’s three stages.

Yasmindi was front and cen tre on Friday as the first act to perform at the Bull Bar to kick off the weekend long festival.

Fletcher was a hot topic over the weekend after he performed two sets over the festival, one each at the Big Top Music Tent the Bull Bar.

Brunjes opened up the Bull Bar on Saturday morning and got the crowd excited for the day to come while Mareeba lo cal Darryl Chaplain kept the crowd entertained ahead of James Blundell’s set.

She got the chance to per form her newest single “Stum bling” which is due to be of ficially released in a couple of months alongside many of her already released and unreleased songs.

“I felt it went really well, it was a lot of fun I had a bunch of party people and were excited to be there,” she said.

“I think they were a very captivated crowd that seemed to enjoy it, when they are asking for more that is always a good sign.”

Brunjes is hoping she can return for next year’s festival but isn’t putting her guard down with plenty of local talent on the Tablelands yet to grace the stage.

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Jake Davey and Abbie Ferris perform ing together during their first Rising Star Showcase on Friday.

Mareeba’s Jeremy Fletcher proved to be a sought-after local artist at Savannah as he played at Savannah.

Brad Paisley’s top fans Mark and Victoria with their three daughters Matilda, Pheobe and Rosie.

Kathryn Brown and Monica Beedle were some of the first on the Main Stage dance floor on Friday night.

Maeve Lowe and Layla Morton enjoying tunes from the Pierce Brothers. Denise Higgins and George Murray were front and centre at Friday’s event.

Wade McCarthy and Brad Carlson found a creative way to keep cool during Savannah’s hot days.

Deborah Pease and Meaghan Harrison were front and centre on the Main Stage dance floor.

Kristy Turner and Pheobe Swinseoe from Cairns and Chantal Hood from Kuranda enjoying Thai food at the inaugural Tastes of Savannah.

Andrew Barnes, Kylie Grimmer and Tracey Barnes having a good laugh whilst enjoying the atmosphere.

Brothers Charlie, Nedd and Harry Webb with their friend Will Duncan giving a big “yeeehaa”.

Deanne Baker and Paul Acker from Cairns enjoying a good drink on a warm Sunday.

Cheryl Crow from Mackay, Suzie Que from Yeppoon, Pam Simmons from Toowoomba (back), Kerrie Kennedy of Airlie Beach and Toni Elliot from Seaforth came together from all across Australia and bonded at Savannah because “we’re old”.

Jacinta Melville, her son Logan and Karen Preece having some family fun.

Charlie, Nedd and Harry Webb peering over the barrier to get a closer glimpse of Black Sorrows.

Daniel Martindale, Lisa Reeve, Rachel O’Donald and Jack Proud whipped out their laid back chairs and were front and centre on Friday night.

“Cheers and beers!” said Teena Van Akkereen, Gavin Frazer, Chris Van Akkeeren, Sam Melvin and Mick Melvin on Sunday.

Torimba Festival has something for everyone

RAVENSHOE is the place to be over the next week or so as the 2022 Torimba Fes tival kicks off, showcasing and celebrating the town’s proud heritage as a timber town and a tourism destination.

The annual event officially started last weekend with the Festival of the Forest which showcases some of the most beauti ful woodwork you will ever see, with visitors able to view the displays or purchase items at Festival Hall in Wakooka Street until 15 October.

The overall festival has a huge number of events including highlights like the To rimba Festival Ball on 15 October which will be attended by the Festival Queen, Taylah Dalgety along with two Miss Torimba’s, Charlie Lee Sye and Georgie Hewitt, and Master Torimba, Clayton McFarlane.

This Friday the Ravenshoe Chamber of Commerce presents the Torimba Hoedown with local band, “No Requests” rocking out at the Pony Club on Wooroora Rd.

This is followed by the festival favourite this Saturday, when the ever-popular Mar di Gras parade, with a theme this year of “Favourite TV Programs”, gets underway in Grigg Street from 3pm.

The best floats, Best Dressed Business and prizes in the kids colouring-in and pho to competitions will be announced at 4pm.

Before the parade, there are plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained, with the action-packed woodchop heats to start at 2pm beside the Wakooka St Hall.

Some of the region’s best woodchoppers will be competing in the heats, culminating in the final at 4.45pm.

Lots of fun awaits families, starting with the scramble of the lolly canon explosion at 4pm alongside the jumping castles, chair swings, a merry-go-round, sandpit, a black smith display, arts and crafts, and food stalls all on offer throughout the afternoon. There are plenty of food and street stalls to keep everyone well fed throughout the day.

The Jinnabulgan indigenous dancers will perform around 4.15pm beside the Raven shoe Hotel, followed by a Samba Dance and drumming performances, followed by live music on a flatbed stage in the main street and the Team Truck Pull from 6.15pm, with the winning team to pick up a $1000 cash prize.

The evening will round out with a fire works display from 8pm.

The festival continues on Sunday with the Garden party expo at the hardware at 9am, and Barefoot Bowls at Ravenshoe Bowls Club from 1pm for a chilled afternoon at the end of huge weekend.

On Wednesday 12 October the Bowls Club hosts a bumper bingo night with loads of prizes, finishing with the Torimba Festival Ball on 15 October at the Ravenshoe Town Hall to wrap up the celebrations and give all the sponsors and hardworking Torimba team a chance to glam up and kick up their heels along to live music on stage.

2022 Torimba Festival queen Taylah Dalgety with (L-R) Charlie Lee Sye (Miss Torimba), Clayton McFarlane (Master Torimba) and Georgie Hewlett (Miss Torimba).

Malanda Bull Ride bucks into action

Two new movies hit the Majestic

TWO entertaining movies now showing at the Majestic Thea tre will keep you laughing or in suspense.

The new historical comedy drama “Amsterdam”, with an all-star cast including Margot Robbie, Taylor Swift, Robert De Niro, Christian Bale, Chris Bale and Rami Malek who had the lead role in Bohemian Rhapsody.

It is based on events that actually happened, and involved an outrageous American plot.

The comedy romance “Ticket To Paradise” starring two great actors, George Clooney and Julia Roberts, and pro duced by the same person who brought out Mamma Mia, continues this weekend.

You can find all the session times and information by going to www.majestictheatre.com.au

AMSTERDAM

Set in the 1930s, the film follows three friends who witness a murder, become suspects themselves, and uncover one of the most outrageous plots in American history.

TICKET TO PARADISE

The film follows Wren Butler, a recent University of Chicago graduate, who accompanies her best friend Lily to a postgraduation jaunt to Bali. Lily’s abrupt decision to marry a Ba linese local triggers her parents to try and stop her from re peating their mistake from 25 years ago. Wren stays in Bali for the engagement/wedding festivities and, in the process, finds her own love with a local doctor.

SPECTATORS at this Saturday night’s Malanda Bull Ride will enjoy six hours of bucking action and the all the thrills and spills of the arena as cowboys get set to put in their best efforts to take out big cash prizes.

Held at the Malanda Showgrounds and sponsored this year by The Big Pub, the evening kicks off at 4pm (gates open at 3pm), and will feature a variety of different events all lead ing up to the very impressive Fahl strom Scaffold Open Bull Ride which has a $10,000 prize pool.

Organisers expect the event to be extremely competitive and tense con sidering the sizeable prize takings

and the calibre of riders taking part.

Spectators will also get to enjoy all the action of the calf rides, local bull ock ride and novice bull rides in the afternoon to the mini bull, junior and open rides in the evening.

Those attending can also enjoy watching all the action close-up on the live big screen.

In addition to the main event on the Saturday afternoon and even ing, celebrations will actually begin on Thursday night at “The Big Pub” with the Open Bull Ride draw and a Calcutta auction.

The Calcutta auction involves the elite Open Bull Riders being split into

teams and each team will be auc tioned to participants who attend the Calcutta.

During the Open Bull Ride on Sat urday, the highest aggregated points will be deemed, the winning team and whoever purchased that team will win 60 per cent of the auction pool of money, with the second place taking home the remaining 40 per cent.

Tickets are available online now from Try Booking or from purchase from Pure Country in Malanda. Tick ets are strictly limited so don’t miss out.

ENTERTAINMENT across the region

Torimba Festival

50TH FESTIVAL OF THE FOREST

2022 Ravenshoe Torimba Festival Program

Committee member Robert Bewick with the Grand Champion Exhibit a tripood corner unit entered by Phil Griffith.A wooden sculpture on display.

Wood crafted toys.

Land Rover with hard top.

Wood crafted train on bridge. 1907 Rolls Royce.

ABOVE: white cockatoos.

LEFT: Sam Baird admires a duchess entry.

CEO takes the reins at Cape York NRM

THE new CEO of Cape York Natural Resource Management has hit the ground running with a trip north to meet the team in the organi sation’s Cooktown office.

Adam Sadler began his appointment on Monday at the Atherton office, taking over from interim CEO and NRM stalwart Bob Frazer, before he headed to Cooktown on Wednesday, where he was also welcomed by Councillor Marilyn Morris.

The chartered environmental engineer and former senior manag er within Local Government, brings more than 20 years’ experience in leadership roles in North Queensland and has overseen diverse delivery teams ranging from natural resource management, civil works, parks and open spaces, environmental health, regulatory ser vices, community services and relations, major events, emergency

management and tourism.

“Having grown up in Far North Queensland, I am happy to be back in the region and look forward to applying my skills and knowledge to help protect Cape York landscapes, grow our com munity and sustain the economic diversity of the region,” he said.

“The Natural Resource Management sector is gaining national significance as a reliable and effective source of ensuring on-theground, proven project delivery designed to improve the biodiver sity and health of country.

“Our work in fire management, protection of threatened species, weed control and feral animal management, water quality improve ment and agricultural innovation are becoming ever more important as the State of the Environment Report reveals dire predictions as the impacts of climate change take effect.

“I look forward to steering the organisation into new and emerg ing areas and continuing to strengthen our position as a key facilita tor for delivery projects across the Cape.”

Research into new Panama resistant bananas bears fruit

GROUND-breaking research is bearing fruit in the quest to develop tasty bananas resistant to Panama TR4 disease.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Devel opment and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said consumer re search had identified four new varieties of the Goldfinger banana with the potential to satisfy both consumer and grower needs.

“Since 2016, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) researchers in Innisfail have been working to unlock the flavour of the Goldfinger banana variety which is known to be resistant to key Panama disease strains including TR4 but had limited taste appeal,” Mr Furner said.

“Earlier this year, 234 consumers took part in a series of tastings to assess five new vari eties of Goldfinger bananas with four of the

varieties scoring equally well with existing commercial varieties of Cavendish and Lady Finger bananas.

“Tasters liked the mild, balanced aroma, flavour and texture of selections which were equally popular among those who prefer ei ther the Cavendish or Lady Finger varieties.”

DAF Consumer and Sensory Scientist Si moné Moller said more than 1000 bananas were tasted during the trial at DAF’s special ised sensory facility in Coopers Plains.

“Overall, the reviews were positive but well summed up by one taster who described the Goldfinger bananas as a ‘super healthy and delicious snack’ that they would look for ward to eating,” Ms Moller said.

“Tasters liked the balance of sweet and sour taste in the Goldfinger bananas with one noting that the fruit had a ‘complex flavour

with notes of citrus, confectionary, and tropi cal fruit’.

“Other comments from the tasters included that the Goldfingers had just the right amount of sweetness, the texture and flesh colour of the banana was very exciting, and that they would be fantastic in a fruit salad.

“My favourite comment came from a taster who said they were reminded of banana lollies and thought they could be marketed as ‘sweet confectionary without the naughty numbers’.

“Feedback from the tastings will help DAF’s plant breeders continue their trials to produce commercially successful Goldfinger banana varieties.”

Mr Furner said consumer acceptance of new the varieties meant Queensland was a step closer to protecting the state’s banana growers from Panama TR4 disease.

Producers urged to prepare for wet season

WITH an increased chance of La Niña reform ing and bringing more heavy rain later in 2022, Queensland primary producers are urged to prepare now for possible flooding and other disasters to help ensure the safety of family, workers and ani mals.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said rainfall for Sep tember to November was likely to be above median levels according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

“Trying to think clearly and make rational deci sions in the middle of a disaster is difficult and a pre-prepared disaster response plan will be a big help,” Mr Furner said.

“We’ve seen how catastrophic monsoonal floods, bushfires, and severe tropical cyclones and hail storms can heavily impact our agriculture sec tor, so I encourage all agri-businesses to get ready now.

“We have online natural disaster guides to help producers get ready at business.qld.gov.au/disasterhub.

“Tips include photographing assets in their predisaster condition, ensuring everyone on the prop erty is familiar with an evacuation plan, and ensur ing livestock can reach higher ground.”

More information is available at business.qld. gov.au/disaster-hub

TABLELAND MILL

CRUSHING STATISTICS

WEEK ENDING 25/09/2022

2022 Crop Estimate: 560,000 Tonnes

Total For Week: 23,889 Tonnes

Total Cane Crushed To Date: 344,129 Tonnes

Percentage Crushed: 59.30%

CCS For Week: 13.87

CCS Average To Date: 13.70

MOSSMAN MILL CRUSHING STATISTICS

WEEK ENDING 25/09/2022

2022 Crop Estimate: 762,696 Tonnes

Total For Week: 35,814 Tonnes

Total Cane Crushed To Date: 376,609 Tonnes

CCS For Week: 12.61

CCS Average To Date: 12.28

Cape York Natural Resource Management CEO Adam Sadler (bottom row, second from right) with Cooktown counsellor Marilyn Morris (bottom row, middle) and team members out the front of the new Cooktown office.

ON LANDthe

Innisfail and Malanda sales return

BY SALLY TURLEY

HAPPY to see the return of cattle sales to their local area after a 30-month hiatus, crowds flocked to the Innisfail and Malanda special store sales last weekend.

Queensland Rural spokesperson Luke Hick mott said purchasers were delighted with the qual ity of cattle on offer.

“The enthusiastic response to the sales under pinned by strong buyer support means the sales will become a monthly event,” he said.

“We believe the cattle numbers are out there and that supply is matched with significant market interest in the available cattle, so we have set dates for Friday, 22 October in Innisfail and Saturday 22 October in Malanda.”

It was literally standing room only at Innisfail, where only the early birds got the seats. A total of 249 cattle were offered, including 197 steers, 47 heifers and five cows.

Cattle on offer consisted of small but high quality lines of Brahman, Brangus, Charbay and Droughtmaster cattle that sold to a competitive panel of southern and local buyers.

The yarding was drawn from many local and coastal areas such as Millaa Millaa, Mena Creek, Tully, Feluga, Silkwood, Moresby, Innisfail, Ne rada, Woopen Creek, Bingil Bay and East Palm erston.

All cattle were offered on a dollar per head basis and the 197 steers, weighing approximately 140-670kg sold from $700 to a top of $2,250 per head to average $1,429.

The 47 heifers, weighed from approximately 180-420kg, selling in a price range from $875 to $1500 to achieve a healthy average of $1201 per head. The five cows on offer weighed from 220430kg and ranged from $800-$1,375 to average $1,060 per head.

In some of the sale highlights, a pen of 25 Charbray steers on account of “Justeatum Pty Ltd”, averaged $1608 per head; a run of 15 quality Droughtmaster heifers sold on account of Camelot Estate Trust attained a $1,341 average; and Cal

vin and Tamara Gallagher's cows sold to a top of $1,375.

“We were over the moon with both sales. The prices were strong and the sales really couldn't have gone any more smoothly. There were good steers available to take on and fatten and lines of quality Droughtmaster heifers that were good enough to go back to the bull for re-stockers,” Mr Hickmott said.

“Purchasers were drawn from far and wide, with cattle finding new homes on the Darling and western downs in southern Queensland and down to Roma, as well as locally on the coast and Ta blelands.”

A total of 285 head, including 178 steers and 107 heifers were yarded at the Malanda show grounds facility. The cattle were comprised of high quality lines of Crossbred and soft Brahman cattle.

Sale cattle came from coastal and Tableland areas, such as Millaa Millaa, Yungaburra, Tarzali, Mareeba, Malanda, Petford and Atherton.

The 178 steers weighed from around 180420kg, selling from $360 to $1,720 to average $1352 per head, while the 107 heifers, also from roughly 180-420kg, attained a price range of $447-$1275 to average $1,016 per head.

Sale highlights included a pen of 42 Charbray 220 - 250kg steers sold on account of Ahlkoz Holdings' for $1,400 to average approximately 596 cents per kilo and a line of 19 heifers belong ing to AE and RE Stoddart that weighed around 250-270kg and made $1257 per head.

A pen of three Brangus steers weighing ap proximately 420kg sold on behalf of HGC Hold ings for $1720 per head, making them the most expensive cattle through the Malanda ring, while a pen of 10 Angus/Dairy cross 157kg steers made $920/hd or around $5.86/kg for Millaa Millaa ven dors Colin and Shelley Daley.

Mr Hickmott said the Queensland Rural team was very happy with the support from vendors, buyers and spectators throughout the process and looked forward to working with them again at next month's sale.

Ryan Burgess and Acashia Van-Rees of Eubenangee were looking for Brahman heifers.

Max and DJay Weldon of South Johnstone, had a last look at the pens of steers and heifers they had for sale, with friend Bryce Maley.

Malanda sale vendor, Colin Daley of "Ourway Holsteins," Millaa Millaa and Malanda beef producer Dave Andersen discussed sale results.

Susan and Perry Forster, who started farming Droughtmaster cross cattle a few years ago, at the Middlebrook, outside of Millaa Millaa, came along to the showgrounds for a look.

Millaa couple, Liz and Warren Butler, caught up with Mareeba author, Colleen Taylor at the sale.

Locals, Robbie Waugh, Trent and Laurence Stonehouse were interested to see how the sale went.

Selwyn Bimrose, with helpers, Shae Pasetti and Donna Furber, was chasing cattle to restock his Millaa property.

Innisfail sale vendor, Ron McKenna of Tuan Brangus Stud and Travis Liddle checked out the 8 steers and 11 heifers Ron had on offer.

VOCAL

LETTERSLOCAL to the editor

Bring on State election

THE Queensland Government’s thoughts and visions for FNQ.

I know, right in the middle of housing shortage, we’ll follow Ireland’s example and slug the landlords for owning invest ment properties slowly crippling any hous ing investment future activities

I know, as we’re short of a quid, we’ll tax the mineral/coal golden goose with an extra over and above investment tax, there fore slowly crippling Queensland’s mining industry

I know we’ll put the Hells Gate dam (Bradfield Scheme) on the back burner AGAIN therefore cancelling any irrigation or drought proofing of western Queensland and killing off creating a massive food bowl to help feed Australia and Asia.

I know we’ll stop developing and main taining the roads in FNQ (including the Bri dle Track) to haul produce to the coast.

I know we’ll forget the here and now, forget FNQ and concentrate on the dis tant future Olympic Games and Southern Queensland.

Under Albo and the left “wokes”, Aus tralia is rapidly going down the same road as Argentina.

Bring on the next Queensland State elec tion.

John Powell-Thomas TOLGA

Clarification on trail

THE Yungaburra Association Inc. (YAI) is a representative group for the community of Yungaburra and surrounds.

Recently, a section of the Peterson Creek Track between the bridge on the Gillies Range Road and the suspension bridge near Penda Street was closed by the owner of the land which includes the track.

YAI was requested to investigate this closure and take forward, on behalf of the community, possible initiatives to re-open this section of the track.

First and foremost, it is important to state that only part of the track has been closed.

The majority of the track, to the north of Penda Street, remains open and is an excel lent walk through beautiful Mabi forest.

The open section of the track is home to abundant wildlife including platypus, pos sums and the occasional tree kangaroo.”

Initial inquiries by representatives of YAI revealed that the land on the part of the track which is closed is on private land.

Representatives of YAI will continue to work with all stakeholders to resolve this issue. However, it is considered there are challenges to be overcome before the track could be opened again. These include bios ecurity issues and insurance issues, which would need to be resolved.

For example, inquiries by the YAI Man agement Team identified that a person using the track may not be covered by insurance if the track was located on private land.

Though the YAI Management Commit tee would ideally look forward to seeing this section of the track reopen, members of the management committee are of the belief that it appears the owner of the track was law fully entitled to close the part of the track on private land.

The YAI Management Committee, would hope that a solution is identified in the future and ideally the track be re-opened at a future date.

In the meantime, the remainder of the track is open and is an excellent place to visit.

Ken Jack Yungaburra Association Management Committee

Put freight back on rail

IS the Kuranda scenic railway next to go? As we all know, the Queensland Govern ment is well and truly broke from poor deci sions by people who couldn’t run a bath.

Queensland Rail is a prime example. Does anyone remember when freight was hauled by locomotives up and down the Kuranda range to service Cairns, Atherton, Mareeba and surrounds?

Fresh produce, meat, sugar, molasses, grains, fuel, cement, cattle, steel, marble, slate, timber, building materials, groceries and general freight were the backbone of Queensland rail in the Far North employing hundreds directly and servicing thousands of Queenslanders. maybe millions. of peo ple worldwide.

It was the perfect system to keep large trucks off the dangerous winding ranges highways and small country roads, secur ing fresh produce transfer to Cairns, Cairns International Airport for export also further south for our Queensland brothers and sis ters.

All gone now, thanks to the mismanage ment of Queensland Government.

Cairns misses out completely with fresh produce, meat and freight now going direct ly down the Gillies or Kuranda range and straight to Brisbane by road transport.

Nowadays, fresh produce travels by road to Brisbane markets then comes back to Cairns and the Far North doing about 3000km and who knows how many days.

It’s about to get much worse – Queens land Rail seems to be disbanding from freight all together, with the latest refusal from Queensland Rail freight services to the Cairns Regional Council for a contract to haul Cairns’s waste (rubbish from the trommel at Portsmith transfer station) to the Mareeba landfill.

Far North Queensland Rail services has sold all remaining freight locomotives for scrap, leaving three 60-year-old locomotives for the Kuranda range tourist train only, two for daily service and one for emergency res cue which means if one locomotive is de commissioned, the service is finished.

Queensland Rail sold all the sister loco motives (spare parts) no longer having any thing to fix the three remaining 60-year-old locomotives.

I don’t like uncovering a problem with out a solution and, yep, I got one.

Let’s get the freight back on the rail where it belongs and the meat and produce going to a new market in Cairns, let’s get cold storage at Cairns Airport again for fresh direct export.

It will save the Kuranda scenic railway and add new rail freight infrastructure, make our roads safer and last longer along with employment for families, build new op portunities for our farmers, but most of all, securing sustainable fresh, affordable local food supplies for Far North Queenslanders.

Jason Clark LAKELAND

Locals had some praise for Tablelands Regional Council after it refused to sign a two-year contract with the Department of Transport and Main Roads to maintain the State’s roads because the funding was reduced by 15 per cent in the second year of the agreement.

Ratepayers have paid for local roads in their rates. Car owners have paid for state roads in their rego. Now they want to triple dip into our pockets for their responsibilities. Good job TRC, hold the line. – Neal Hilly

This probably happened with every council north of the Sunshine Coast....someone’s got to pay for new tunnels, trains, stations, river crossings and the Olympics. –Debbie Moore

Maybe if the road companies stop wasting taxpayer money and build the roads faster and to a high quality, they would deserve the money.

– Matt Jacobsen

You keep on voting the same government in, what do you expect? Time for change. When the changes come don’t whine about them. And don’t vote green, have a look at BCC, the loonies are circling there. – Neil Moloney

Typical of Qld State Gov - Fact: FNQ rates poorly compared to the populous of SEQ, especially under the party in power. Come on LNP and Katter Party, make noise about this disparity. – Sue Wieland

We are currently down in Brisbane from North QLD walking along South Bank. If you live in North QLD like us and haven’t been down to Brisbane for a while, it’s about time you had a look as to where our money is being spent. It is absolutely disgusting to see the inequality in this State. A contract to maintain our roads is nothing but a drip in a male urinal to this Government. Bring on separation. – Brian Hampton

They can’t maintain our own local roads. - Graham Willis The most incompetent Government in the history of the State of Queensland. – Ken Laugh

Wow the bottom line is road safety and playing with people lives with damaged roads. This is disgusting.

– Dior Ann Cook

BY KRISTYN LENNON

WITH about a third of Queensland households renting their home, under standing the rules around rental repairs is important for many of us.

In Queensland, landlords (or their property managers) are responsible for making sure a rental property is fit to live in, reasonably clean and in good repair.

Tenants must notify landlords of any repairs needed, and if they have caused the damage themselves, they may have to pay for the repairs.

If you are a tenant, it is best to put

requests for repairs in writing, detailing the complaint and its impact.

Having the request in writing will come in handy if there are any disputes about the repair, including if a failure to rectify the problem leads to further issues.

Repairs are generally categorised as either routine repairs or emergency repairs, such as a burst water service, a broken toilet or a dangerous electri cal fault.

If routine repairs are not organised within a reasonable time, tenants can issue landlords with a ‘notice to rem edy breach’ form giving them seven

days to fix the problem.

If the problem still cannot be re solved, the Residential Tenancies Au thority has a dispute resolution service that may be able to help.

For emergency repairs, tenants should contact the owner, property manager or the nominated repairer about the issue. If they cannot be con tacted, tenants can arrange for a quali fied person to carry out emergency repairs to a maximum value of two weeks’ rent.

If the tenant has paid for the repair, they should give the receipt to the own er or property manager, who should re

imburse them within seven days.

If tenants have not been reimbursed for emergency repairs within seven days, they can apply to QCAT for a de cision.

It’s important to note that tenants should never stop paying rent, even if there are ongoing disputes about re pairs.

Failing to pay rent is a breach of the rental agreement and could leave ten ants vulnerable to eviction – while still remaining liable for the unpaid rent.

If a person is injured in a rental property due to a hazard linked with poor maintenance or lack of repairs,

they may be able to bring a claim for compensation.

It is recommended that owners take out landlords’ insurance which includes public liability to cover any incidents that may occur at their rental property.

Kristyn Lennon is a Cairns-based law yer who heads Maurice Blackburn’s Tablelands office. This legal informa tion is general in nature and should not be regarded as specific legal advice. If you have a legal question you would like Kristyn to answer you can contact her at klennon@mauriceblackburn.

Move in ready

A splash of originality with excellent views and location

LOCATED on a quiet street, tucked away behind a veil of established gardens is this beautifully presented home. A lovely balance of modern liv ing with a real sense of space and views to match. Well maintained and block through out - it's the ideal property for those looking to downsize or first home buyers.

Entering the home into the spacious living area which has large windows allowing plenty of light to enter and is also air conditioned (reverse cycle) for both cool and warm weather.

The open space also in corporates the dining area and breakfast bar, which in turn leads to the kitchen offer ing new appliances and cap tures the wonderful views.

Down the corridor we have three spacious bedrooms on offer - all with built in robes and new carpet which gives contrast and a feeling of warmth.

The bathroom is in great condition and continues the theme of the home. The toilet is separate for convenience. Laundry is located close by and has direct access out side.

The gardens have all been started all you need to do is nurture them to create your

own vision. A very neat and tidy garden shed offers a place to store all your garden tools.

Enjoy the glowing red sunsets over the Mt Baldy national park and hear the birdsong in the morning - all within minutes of Atherton's Main Street.

This property is also avail able fully furnished - call exclusive agent Alex Payne on 0409 328 153 today for more information.

BUILT with character and unique features, this prop erty is in a league of its own. Offering a spacious, open plan kitchen, living and dining space; the de sign is ideal for entertain ers.

A second living area features high ceilings and polished timber floors, opening to a wrap around deck which showcases views of the Tablelands that are simply un matched.

Three bedrooms are built in, with the master featuring a study/walk in robe space or a po

tential ensuite as well as a private deck to enjoy the view.

The bathroom is two way with a separate toilet. The laundry is also sepa rate and creates a rear en trance from the double bay carport. Set on a 801m2 corner allotment with estab lished lawns and gardens, close the High School and

only 5 mins from the Main Street of Atherton.

A home that is easy to love and has been well kept all round, move straight in

For more information or a private inspection please Contact Exclusive Mar keting Agent Kaydee Chatfield 0417 468 941 at Main Street Real Estate.

Address: 1 Antonia Close, ATHERTON

Price: $440,000

Agent: EXCLUSIVE to Kaydee Chatfield Main Street Real Estate

Contact: 0417 468 941

New build in Atherton

SITUATED in a quiet cul-desac close to Atherton CBD, this property offers a low maintenance lifestyle giving you back your weekends.

The well thought out floor plan provides a central en trance hall which leads to the rear of the home where a large open plan living area opens onto the alfresco out door living space.

Features include:

Kitchen

•

Side

90cm

Butler's pantry which connects

kitchen

Open plan living

leads out

alfresco

Why wait when this welldesigned home is available for immediate occupancy. Contact Exclusive Market ing Agent Collette Rowston at Raine & Horne Atherton today. WEB ID 114698391.

•

Bedroom newly com pleted home

LOCATED within walking dis tance to Atherton CBD, the Primary School and the High School this property is a con venient place to call home for homeowners or tenants alike.

Boasting a practical layout and masonry block construc tion inside and out this property is ideal for someone seeking either a low maintenance home or investment property.

The property features in clude:

• Open plan living and dining

• Near new kitchen with great storage including a pantry

• 3 generous sized bed rooms

• Good size bathroom with easy access shower and sepa

rate toilet

• Internal laundry

• Tiled Tandem carport

• Rear Patio overlooking the back garden

• Tiles, ceiling fans and se curity screens throughout

• 809m2 low maintenance block.

With good tenants in a fixed term lease until December this property is providing a great re turn at $390/week.

To arrange a suitable inspec tion time or for more infor mation please contact Exclu sive Listed Agent Michelle Raso on 0428116136 or email michelle.raso@eldersreales tate.com.au

Address: 49 McConnell Street, ATHERTON

Price: $380,000

Agent: EXCLUSIVE to Michelle Raso Elders Real Estate Malanda Contact: 0428 116 136

The concrete driveway

winds its way down to the 3 bedroom two story home stead, that has been recently renovated to ensure all you need to do is just relax in style as you overlook the cat tle grazing on the green hills.

The property is divided into three paddocks that have capacity to run 60-80 head of cattle in total.

The wet tropics is abun dant in wildlife, which you can enjoy down by the gazebo while overlooking the spring feed creek that flows past.

The design of the home has been well thought out, with open plan living running off the entertainers patio, bathroom – laundry combo to ensure to wash off the after an eventful day ( and keep the red mud out), and an of fice space to keep work in its place on the first floor.

The second floor is fam ily space, with 3 bedrooms, bathroom, lounge room to un wind, and a deck off the mas ter bedroom to enjoy a cuppa while overlooking what could

soon be all yours.

Property Specs.:

• 82.47 ha- separated in 3 paddocks made up of Setaria & Brachiaria grass in approx. 180acres of improved pasture

• Ample water supply with spring fed creek, 3 dams. 2 x rain water tanks

• 20m X 9m Powered Ma chinery Shed

• 3 Bedroom 2 Bathroom recently renovated home and

concrete driveway.

This property boast so much more, so why give Michael a call from Town

to Country Realty on 0417 118 618 or (07) 4097 6900 for more information or to book an private inspection. (TC 314)

"PEGASUS PARK" invites you home. Located on the Atherton Tablelands in the heart of some best dairy farming land in the country,

this 82.47 Ha property comes complete with a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom home, and a pow ered machinery shed.

BRAND new and never been lived in, could this be the prop erty you have been waiting for?

A completely blank canvas to start making your memories in, this stylish and modern home is situated in a lovely area on an elevated block.

Stunning fittings and finishes area highlighted throughout the home with a beautiful modern kitchen being a major fea ture.

Open plan in design allows light and breeze to cascade through the home. A total of 3 bedrooms all with built-ins and the master features a large walk-in robe and stunning ensuite.

Sliding door off the living area leads you out to the patio facing the backyard which features a newly built retaining wall that allows the new owner to establish their own gardens. Plus there is a garden shed to store all your tools.

Due to its elevation, the home allows you to take in the stunning views of the ranges from the front of the home.

Contact Exclusive agent Suzey Whitby at Ray White Atherton today on 0438 090 306 for more information. http://www.raywhiteruralatherton.com.au/L20410747

Peaceful and tranquil setting

SET against a backdrop of green rolling hills, this stun ning acreage property is country living at its best. A place to escape to your own exclusive piece of paradise that is private and secluded, but still within close proximity to basic amenities.

Features Include;

• Solid masonry block home

• 4 bedrooms, 2 bedrooms

with built in robes

• Open plan living with cork flooring and a cosy fire place

• Tasmanian Oak timber kitchen with electric appli ances, rangehood & break fast bar

• Tiled bathroom with a plunge bath, separate show er recess & vanity

•- Internal laundry

• Ceiling fans, security

screens, and plenty of stor age space throughout home

• 2 outdoor entertainment areas

• 2 bay carport (can fit 4 cars) and a 2 bay remote control garage

• 5 bay powered shed with a shower & toilet

• Water supply: Easement to permanent spring creek

• Concrete water tank

• Fully fenced 1.9 acre

property

• School bus run to Millaa Millaa State School, Malanda State School & Malanda High School.

• Well established and maintained gardens

• No neighbours in sight –Enjoy your outdoor living in privacy

• Stunning Mountain & Ru ral Views

Ideally located approx. 5

minutes from Millaa Millaa Town Centre, 25 minutes from Malanda, 40 minutes from Atherton and 40 minutes from Innisfail.

For further information or to arrange an inspection, call exclusive marketing agent Raquel at Sommer set Realty on 0408 983 879.

Address: MILLAA MILLAA Price: $550,000 Agent: EXCLUSIVE to Raquel Cunzolo Sommerset Realty Contact: 0408 983 879

THINKING ABOUT SELLING YOUR PROPERTY?

Then you need an experienced, local Real Estate Agency that gets results. Call Remo or Vince today on 4092 2232.

PROPERTY WORTH?

NESTLED away at the end of a quiet street sits this peace ful concrete block home at 5 Argyle Street, Dimbulah.

With an open plan living, dining and kitchen space that opens out onto the front patio through sliding glass doors, this home is perfect for those who like to entertain family and friends. The galley style kitchen has plenty of bench space, a dishwasher, break fast bar and room for a break fast table as well. The area is serviced by a reverse cycle split-system air-conditioner and has built-in shelving.

The home has 3 large bedrooms (all with built-in shelving, main bedroom is air-conditioned), a study nook, and an extra room lo cated off the carport that is great for an office space or teenager retreat.

The family bathroom has a large shower, built in shelving for storage and a separate toilet. The laundry is spa cious with a built-in linen cup board, and there is additional storage in the floor to ceiling, four door linen cupboard in the hallway.

With a concrete block construction, tiled floor ing throughout and security screens this home is built to stand the test of time and is ideal for families or investors.

Outside is the front patio overlooking the established gardens, and beautiful bush land across the street. Situ ated on a 1,062m2 allotment there is plenty of room to add a great sized shed to the side. Behind the house is a small garden shed and rain water tank.

• Concrete block home, tiled throughout, security screens

• 3 Large bedrooms, plus office/teenager retreat off carport, study nook

• 1 Bathroom, separate toilet, large laundry

• Galley style kitchen, dishwasher, breakfast bar

• Open plan living, dining & kitchen with air-conditioning

• Cosy front patio over looking gardens

• 6kW Solar Power Sys tem

• Single carport, rainwater tank

• Established front garden, peaceful bushland across the street

• 1,062m2 allotment in a quiet street

To arrange your Private Inspection, contact exclu sive agent Vince Costas on 0419 926 691 or pop into the Central Realty Mareeba office.

Address: 5 Argyle Street, DIMBULAH

Price: $279,000

Agent: EXCLUSIVE to Vince Costas

Central Realty Mareeba

Contact: 0419 926 691

PAGE 30 The Express, Wednesday, October 5, 2022 www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au 84 Main Street, Atherton QLD. 4883 Phone: 0408 983 879 www.sommersetrealty.com.au *Free No Obligation Appraisal WHAT IS YOUR Privacy within walking distance to town

PROPERTY

Solid investment opportunity… great location

DON'T miss this exceptional opportunity to secure this entire block of units, set on a generous 1,012m2 parcel of land and only minutes from Mareeba CBD.

Whole unit blocks like this are extremely hard to come by and offer good rental re turns with no Body Corporate fees.

The complex is set on one level and consists of 3 spa cious 2 bedroom units with covered parking. There is also potential to further increase on the current investment with some modernisation.

With vacancy rates in Ma reeba currently hovering at less than 1% you can be con fident of a secure investment with high rental demand.

PROPERTY DETAILS:

3 x two bedroom units:

• Unit 1 – Security screens throughout, air-conditioning in master bedroom, built-in cupboards in both bedrooms, internal laundry

• Unit 2 - Security screens throughout, repainted, airconditioning in master bed room, built-in cupboards in both bedrooms, updated kitchen, blinds, internal laun dry

• Unit 3 – Security screens throughout, repainted, airconditioned master bedroom, built-in cupboards in both bedrooms, internal laundry

This is an outstanding op portunity to create cash flow

and set yourself up for retire ment.

For further information or to organise a private in spection please call exclu sive agent Joe Torrisi.

A winner for the beginner in Atherton

OWNING your own home has clear advantages over renting. So, climb onto the property ladder with this, the most affordable home in Atherton, a great little starter cottage.

This three-bedroom home has an open plan liv ing area with polished timber floors giving the home char acter and warmth.

Entry level buying gets you this practical home where kids and pets can play safely in the fenced 800m² fenced allotment with large shade trees offering a cool place to relax.

Your privacy is assured

in the delightful back yard. This home will appeal to first home buyers or an investor as the long term tenant is keen to stay on.

Situated in a quiet and family friendly neighbour hood.

A council sports field is conveniently located just 250 metres away. Young tradies and DIY enthusiasts

muscle up and give yourself a kick start into home owner ship.

For more information, call Trisha Jackson at Profes sionals Atherton. Phone 4091 3955 or 0419 1833 145 anytime. To view more photos, visit athertonreal estate.com.au

Address: ATHERTON

Price: $305,000

Agent: Trisha Jackson

Professionals Atherton

Contact: 0419 183 145

CHURCH NOTICE

ANNIVERSARY

Mario & Ermelinda Cosentino

SALE

PUBLIC

Women’s Sexual Assault Survivors Group

Meet alternative fortnights at Mareeba and Atherton. Mareeba (Community Centre) Fortnight from 5th October and Atherton (CWA Hall) Fortnight from 12th October

Please call TSAS 4091 4036

For further information

NUGENT, William Francis “Bill”

Late of Atherton. Passed away peacefully at Carinya on the 28th of September, 2022. Aged 90 years.

In keeping with Bill’s wishes, a private cremation will be held.

The family of Bill would like to thank the Carinya staff for their love, support, care and devotion.

Always in our hearts, forever.

Guilfoyle Funeral Services

Chapels, Crematorium & Memorial Gardens Atherton: 4091 2147 Mareeba: 4092 1013

Local Family Owned & “Entrusted for over 70 years” www.guilfoylefunerals.com.au

NOTICE

CONGRATULATIONS

On celebrating your Diamond/60th Anniversary.

Eternally grateful and loving you always from your children Teresa, Maria, Dominic and their families.

THE FAMILY OF GRAEME PASETTI

Thank you for sharing your memories, support and love. Your kindness is deeply appreciated and will always be remembered. Claire, Dean, Fay, Roxanne, John, Michelle and our Families.

ANTONIO MACRI

The Macri family would like to express their sincere gratitude to all the relatives and friends who attended Antonio’s funeral, as well as those who sent floral tributes, cards and messages.

may wish to join the service via the following link: https://livestream.com/rapidspin /maureenmayo.

Guilfoyle Funeral Services

Chapels, Crematorium & Memorial Gardens

Atherton: 4091 2147 Mareeba: 4092 1013

Local Family Owned & “Entrusted for over 70 years”

www.guilfoylefunerals.com.au

A special thank you to all the doctors, nurses and sta at both the Carinya Home for the Aged and the Atherton Hospital, Dr Webb at Atherton Clinic and finally the team at Guilfoyles Funeral Services.

Please accept this as our personal thanks.

Late of Carinya Home. Passed away peacefully on the 22nd of September, 2022. Aged 102 years.

Dearly loved Wife and soulmate of George (Dec.).

Relatives and friends of Dot are respectfully invited to attend her funeral which is appointed to move from St. Mary’s Anglican Church, 36 Alice Street, Atherton on Thursday the 6th of October, 2022 after a service commencing at 11am for interment in the Atherton Cemetery.

Guilfoyle Funeral Services

Chapels, Crematorium & Memorial Gardens

Atherton: 4091 2147 Mareeba: 4092 1013

Local Family Owned & “Entrusted for over 70 years”

www.guilfoylefunerals.com.au

NOTICE OF TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE

SATURDAY 8TH OCTOBER, 2022

Notice is hereby given that the under mentioned road will be closed to all vehicular traffic from Saturday the 8th October, 2022, 12:00pm until 12:00am – Grigg Street and Kuradilla Street, Erpo Street and Kuradilla Street, Wakooka Street and Wormboo Street, Grigg Street and Major Street, Monument Street and Major Street, John Street and Herbert Street.

Ravenshoe will be partially closed at the intersections of Kuradilla Street, Erpo Street Wormboo Street, Major Street and John Street during the holding of Torimba Festival Mardi Gras 2022.

Alternative routes are available on Kuradilla Street intersecting with Grigg Street, Erpo Street and Wakooka Street. Intersections will be open to normal vehicular traffic at 12.00am.

MAYO, Maureen

Late of Mareeba. Passed away peacefully on the 30th of September, 2022. Aged 83 years.

Dearly loved Wife of Ken. Much loved Mother, Sister, Sister-in-Law, Grandmother and friend to many.

BULLPINE, Dorothea Isabel “Dot”

• SPARE PARTS INTERPRETER

Positions can be full-time or job-share for the right applicants. Please express interest by:

E: alan@casalis.com.au P: 07 4092 3841

Or drop in to have a chat!

COMMENCING 2023

• Senior Mathematics Teacher (Full-Time)

• Senior English Teacher (Full-Time/Part-Time)

• Curriculum Writer - Prep (Full-Time)

Jubilee Christian College provides high quality P-12 education programs to students On-campus in Atherton and across Queensland, via Distance Education.

Staff at JCC are caring and dedicated people who value relationships, insist on high standards and are supportive of the Aims and Ethos of a Christian School.

To find out more about these exciting opportunities visit: www.jubileecc.qld.edu.au/working-with-jubilee

Please forward all applications to: principal@jubileecc.qld.edu.au

Applications are to include a covering letter, a current CV, with 2 referees.

Jubilee Christian College is an equal opportunity employer and a Child Safe organisation.

BIODIVERSITY OFFICER

Full Time (75 Hours / Fortnight)

Or Part Time (60 Hours / Fortnight)

Fixed Term to June 2023

With possibility of extension

Location options: Mareeba or Georgetown

DISASTER RESILIENCE OFFICER

Full Time (75 Hours / Fortnight)

Or Part Time (60 Hours / Fortnight)

Fixed Term to March 2025

Location options: Mareeba or Georgetown

WORK SKILLS TRAINEE

Full time (75 Hours / Fortnight)

Fixed Term 6 month contract Located in Georgetown

For more information and to apply, go to: gulfsavannahnrm.org/employment

Applications Close: Monday 10 October, 2022 at 9:00am.

We are also accepting Expressions of Interest for other upcoming positions via our website.

Choorechillum (Ngadjon-Jii Pbc)

Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC HAS A VACANCY FOR AN ADMINISTRATOR OFFICER

For 20 hours per week. If you are interested please contact:

Warren Canendo, Choorechillum

Contact Person on 0428 484 816

Or Don Geyer on 0437 226 546

Technical Farm Officer

Research Infrastructure, Agri-science Queensland

Permanent full time

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Salary: $64,422 to $75,914 per annum

Location: Walkamin

REF: QLD/445288/22

Key Duties:

Working within Research Infrastructure, Agri-science Queensland, you will:

• Provide support for scientific research in a diverse range of field situations across a range of different research projects for DAF, Universities, and other External Clients

• Actively participate in the day-to-day operations of the site focusing on the delivery of trial support and key responsibilities in asset and resource maintenance to deliver high quality service to clients

• Actively participate as a member of a team.

Enquiries: Brett McCahon Ph: 0428 110 810

To apply please visit www.smartjobs.qld.gov.au

Closing Date: Monday, 17 October 2022

M6844

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The Express has introduced cutting edge technology with the Ad Auris Media Player. You can now listen to each article with a simple click.

Try it today!

ADVERTISE your Event today, Call your Friendly Local Newspaper on 4092 3464 or email admin@ theexpressnewspaper.com.au for a quote.

Casali’s Mareeba are searching for a • YARDSPERSON

Shannon rides to world success

again,” she said.

The FEI World Equestrian Games are the major international championships for equestrianism held every four years hosted by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).

The event hosted some of the most elite equestri ans in the world to compete, with Germany taking out the top country this year and Australia coming in 10th.

After her cross country event, Ms Shannon told the Australian Equestrian Team she was thrilled to be on the back of her trusty stallion at the Championships and would do it again in a heartbeat.

“(WillingaPark Clifford) felt like he could go around again. He is always like that, there is no lim it to his tank, but I don’t know if I could go around

“I think I used up all my energy and nerve and it was tough to keep up on your minute markers. I was down but luckily with a good old Thoroughbred you can kick them and they will go a bit faster.

“He was hanging out for me to kick him the whole way but with the winding track we had to keep a bit of containment. He is great. He is such a fighter and such a jumper. I am so appreciative for him.”

Ms Shannon scored 30,3 after the dressage, 41,5 after the cross country and 61,5 after jumping.

Car rally ready for take off

ORGANISERS of the Tour de Cassowary classic car rally are excited to announce the event is back again in 2022 and vow nothing will stop it from going ahead.

Fiona Halloran and Allan Blair, from the Far North Queensland Restorers Car Club, say Covid didn’t prevent the race from happening last year and nothing can stand in their way as they plan for the rally to blast off at the end of October.

Open to classic vehicles 30 years of age or older, the rally, starts at King Reef Resort, Kurrimine Beach on Sat urday 22 October.

Vehicles of less than 30 years of age can also enter if

the vehicle type was released prior to 1992.

This year, the run will concentrate on the Mission Beach region, with competitors asked to be at King Reef Resort at around 8.30am for registration. All the details of the rally will be presented at the drivers and navigators briefing prior to the start at 10am.

The awards and trophy presentations will be present ed after the Concours d’ Elegance which commences at around 3.30 pm after the cars return.

With most competitors usually staying at Mission Beach on the Saturday night of the rally, Fiona says those who wish to participate should start booking accommoda

tion now, as there were already more than 25 entries. She said the best time for the public to attend would be Saturday morning prior to the start or during the Con course d’ Elegance after 3.30pm on Saturday.

“As usual we would like to thank our sponsors which include Shannons who supply the major car of the tour tro phy, Paronella Park, Pacific Coast Eco Bananas, Austral ian Bananas, Tully Sugar/Cofco and, of course, King Reef Resort,” she said.

Further information and entry forms can be obtained by emailing to dkhalloran2@bigpond.com (0418 635 604) or Allan Blair. blairam@bigpond.net.au (0467 195 905).

Crankworx kicks off

THE world’s best mountain bikers have converged on the far north this week as today (Wednesday) marks the begin ning of Crankworx Cairns on the highly renowned downhill tracks of Smithfield, running until Sunday.

Despite being a world-class event there are other events run ning throughout the competition for more amateur riders who have opted not to compete pro fessionally.

The pro competition at Crankworx will include the Trek Official Australia WhipOff Championships, Speed and Style Cairns, the downhill, slopestyle and pump track chal lenge and the specialised Duel Slalom.

Some of these events will even be streamed live on Red Bull TV for those who cannot make it out to the tracks be tween now and Sunday.

Atherton miss out on finals

ATHERTON second grade has suffered a close loss at the hands of Norths Punjabi on Sunday afternoon at Walker Road, push ing them out of the finals race.

After losing the toss Atherton was sent into bat with the goal to post a good defendable score on the infamous Edmonton pitch.

Atherton managed to make 84 runs before being bowled out on the second last ball of their innings.

Norths started well with their opener making it into the dou ble figures before their number three made an impressive stand, making 31 not out.

When Atherton broke through the Norths line-up it was too little too late and the damage was done, Norths passed Ather ton’s score in the 16th over.

Atherton has now been pushed out of the running for a finals appearance in the T20 competition, due to be played at Walker Road this Friday under lights.

First grade returns this week as Atherton again travels down the hill to face off against Mul grave at Walker Road.

FROM the farms of Mutchilba to the arenas in Italy, Hazel Shannon has made her small community proud after debuting at the FEI World Equestrian Games Championships Pratoni in Roma.

Ms Shannon and her stallion WillingaPark Clif ford delivered a stellar performance during her events, coming 36th overall and second in the Australian team.

Born and bred Mutchilba woman Hazel Shannon has made her debut at one of the biggest equestrian competitions in the world PHOTO: Australian Equestrian Team Libby Law Photography

Barra series opens at Tinaroo

LOCALS participating in the 2022 Zerek BARRA Series will claim the home field advantage as the open ing two rounds commence on the waters of Lake Tina roo this weekend.

There are 14 registered teams to compete in this year’s rounds on Lake Tina roo, including returning first round local champion Jo seph Williams from Yunga burra and his Brisbane based teammate Steve Morgan in team Fishing Monthly.

Round one of the series will be a two-session event both running from 4pm till midnight in the 7 and 8 of October.

The following second round is a single 16-hour overnight session going from 3pm to 7am on 9 Oc tober.

There is a mix of cash prize payouts and products for each of the events with the first prize at each event being approximately $1300 in cash.

Tournament Director Nicholle Smith said she al ways looks forward to the series coming to the Table lands for the passionate fish ermen and the hungry fish.

“We love the spring barra

bite at Lake Tinaroo which times in perfectly with mak ing it venue that launches our Zerek BARRA Series each year,” she said.

“We work closely with the team at the Tinaroo Bar ra Bash to ensure no clashes and give everyone maxi mum opportunities to get involved with the awesome tournaments on the lake.”

The event is run using the Australian Bass Tour

(ABT) Tournament Series app where anglers submit catches in real time.

This real-time technolo gy means a LIVE event with up-to-date scoreboards and photo catches available on the ABT website for specta tors throughout the sessions.

The event uses a length/ weight system where fish are assigned a weight based on length which rewards longer fish caught.

Basketball bounces back

BASKETBALL is set to be revived in Mareeba with the Mareeba Basketball Association announc ing the start of their latest season with a new short form season, aiming to get the interest in basketball back.

The upcoming season will only be played during the school term as the association attempts to gather its strength and gain numbers before commencing with a full season.

There is a sign on event and scrimmage game for the men’s competition tonight starting at 7.45pm at the Walsh Street Sports Hall, juniors are being played earlier from 3.30pm to 4.15pm.

The sign on for the Under 10s is next Monday starting from 3.30pm while the ladies will start on

Monday as well from 7.45pm

Association vice president Tyson Tatti is encour aging anyone and everyone to come along and get involved in basketball

“Come along, the more the merrier – if you know any friends that just want to come for a social bounce around at the court, put a team in, come and do it,” he said.

“Especially for this shorter school term we are running in, we are just trying to get the interest back and then later next year we will try and get some more traction and put together a more competitive comp.”

For more information and sign-on details visit the club’s Facebook page.

Mareeba Basketball Association vice president Tyson Tatti is encouraging people to get involved in Mareeba basketball as the season kids off.

Joe Williams with one of the fish that secured the trophy in 2021.

Dedication to club recognised

BY RHYS THOMAS

INVOLVED with community sport in Mareeba for over a dec ade, rugby league volunteer stalwart Rachael Morgan has been recognised for her selfless commitment to grass-roots sports after she was awarded a lifetime membership and a volunteer of the year award from two separate competitions.

Spending 12 years on the sidelines, in the canteen and on the field tending to the bruised and battered mighty Gladiators, Rachael was announced as a Mareeba Junior Rugby Life Mem ber and shared the CDRL’s Volunteer of the Award.

Rachael first got involved with the local rugby league scene at the junior level 12 years ago, as her eldest son first started playing for Mareeba Junior Rugby League, with her other two boys soon to follow.

Not content to just sit idly by and watch the games, she thought if she is going to be at the games anyway, she might as well help out and volunteer some of her time.

“Initially I started just as a mum, turning up with my six and seven-year-old kids and I realised that help was needed and did things like jumping into the canteen, timekeeping that sort of thing,” she said.

“Right from when my kids were little, socially you inter act with other parents so you make friendships without even knowing it and it just builds from there – your interest in the club develops as your kids get more interested.

“Then you have these friendships throughout the club, that you realise, ‘well I’m not going to let my friend do that by themselves’, so I will jump in and help them out.”

Rachael took on her first committee position roughly six years ago as the first aid coordinator, going through all the qualifications and training, remaining in the position until 2020.

She still acts as a first aid officer for her two younger chil dren’s teams, just not as the overall coordinator.

“Initially it was band aids and ice and then as they get older it gets more intense and you deal with broken bones, strapping and all the rest of it,” she said.

After spending over a decade with Mareeba Junior Rugby

League, she made the jump to the Mareeba Gladiators after her eldest son made his debut in the U18s in 2020.

During 2021, Rachael decided to take on an executive com mittee role, being named treasurer and general everything man.

After just two years being involved in the Cairns and Dis trict Rugby League competition, she was named the 2022 Vol unteer of the Year alongside Ashleigh Schreiber from Yarrabah.

“I look around and I see regular faces that I have seen in volved in the competition for years, so I sort of felt like they deserved it more than me,” Rachael said.

“But obviously people have noticed me at juniors on a Fri day night and Saturday mornings and wherever seniors are on a Saturday afternoon or Sunday.”

While Rachael holds the position of treasurer for the Gladi ators, she is often handling a range of different issues through out the week and during game days – if you have a problem, go see Rachael.

“It is an honour that people look up to me in that way and believe in me that I have been able to provide people with the answers and help they need,” she said.

Like many volunteers of her calibre, Rachael feels hon oured to have been given the award but feels she is just one of the many cogs that keeps community groups up and running.

“I do know how much time I put in but there are lots of people like me and every single club in the district has one” she said.

“I do it because of the community spirit and the friendships that I have made.

“I love watching my kids enjoy rugby league and that de veloped into me enjoying rugby league.”

It is the little things about community sports that Rachael really enjoys, the miracle moments where a kid makes a try, he didn’t think he could, a team makes a final they thought was impossible or catching an uncatchable ball.

Rachael plans to keep spending her time at both Mareeba Junior Rugby League and the Mareeba Gladiators for as long as her kids are playing but assures that afterwards, she will remain a passionate supporter.

Mareeba Rugby League volunteering star Rachael Morgan has been recognised for her years of volunteering, being awarded two separate awards.