The Express Newspaper 23 October 2024 by Carlo Portella

www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au

MINE CRITICAL TO GLOBAL SECURITY

NEVER does the colour purple come into its own as when the Jacaranda Festival is celebrated at Herberton. Last weekend’s event for all the family featured live music, entertainment, food stalls, competitions, steam train rides, market stalls, and of course, the glorious Jacaranda trees lining the streets of the historic town. Performer Yindali Sharp (main picture) and Izzy Foy (inset) enjoyed the festival. See more photos on page 12.

Best cars and bikes around

Distillery vies for big award

NEXT to names of countries like Barbados, Thailand and Venezuela, the little local town of Walkamin sounds a bit out of place, and rightly so.

THE region’s best old, new and vintage cars and bikes will all be on display at the Tablelands Car and Bike Show to be hosted at the Malanda Showgrounds this Saturday.

But our very own FNQ Rum from Mt Uncle Distillery has been shortlisted alongside other renowned distilleries from those countries for Rum Producer of the Year at the prestigious International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC).

Starting at 9am and ending at 2pm, the show will bring together bikes and cars of all shapes, sizes and displacements for a celebration of motor excellence.

The IWSC is renowned for its rigorous judging process, which evaluates spirits based on taste, balance, ﬁnish, and value.

There will be trophies for vehicles in several categories – Best Sedan, Best Ute, Best 4WD, Best Vintage Car (pre-1945), and Car of the Show.

“This competition is also known as the ‘Oscars of the Spirits industry’ or it’s like the Olympics in a way, the Rum Producer Trophy is one of the most sought-after accolades,” Mt Uncle’s head distiller Mark Watkins said.

(from left) Trish

“Being recognised on this level by the IWSC is incredibly rewarding for our team.

Bike owners can enter their machines to win Best Modern Bike, Best Vintage Bike (pre-1945) and Bike of the Show.

The show will be supporting the Malanda Men’s Shed for the fourth year in a row, with members volunteering to help run the event on the day including cooking food.

People can register their vehicles at the gate on the day for $5, entry to the show also costs $5 with children under 12 able to enter for free.

Dignity amidst trauma

“We strive to craft rums that reflect the unique terroir of Far North Queensland, and this nomination reaffirms that our efforts are resonating on the world stage.”

THE victims of rape and assault now have an extra hand after the Soroptimists International Tropical Tablelands (SITT) donated a number of “dignity” kits to the Atherton Hospital.

FNQ Rum is the only Australian brand shortlisted for the Rum Producer Trophy, “standing proudly” alongside global giants such as Foursquare Rum USA from Barbados, Sang Som Distillery from Thailand, and Ron Roble Viejo from Venezuela.

The donation of the 20 dignity kits by the group coincides with Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) which is marked each October.

locally and internationally for their distinct ﬂavours and exceptional quality”.

“Dignity kits, which were previously called rape kits, provide a change of clothes and toi-

“This nomination cements FNQ Rum’s position as a leading force in the global rum industry and is a testament to years of hard work, dedication, and innovation,” Mark said.

For more information on the car and bike show or to book a swap meet stall, contact the organiser Marg Kelly on 0439 084 824.

letries and the knowledge that the woman is not alone,” Soroptimist member Julia CazitaMazeaud said.

“Rarely is it easy to talk about but it’s time we did.”

The soroptimists are well known for raising funds to support women and their children and, this year, have significantly contributed to homelessness support and responsible charity groups.

“We use sugar cane nectar to produce a more rich and sweet ﬂavour and then we age the spirit in ex-Australian red wine barrels, so it combines these nice ﬂavours well,” Mark said.

Disaster preparation sessions

FNQ Rum describes its rums as being crafted “from the rich volcanic soils and sugarcane of this unique tropical region” and “produces a range of rums that have been celebrated both

A SERIES of disaster preparedness community sessions will be held across the region by Tablelands Regional Council.

“And we’re situated in a really nice area, the ﬂuctuations in temperature with the hot days and cold nights helps the spirit age really well.”

The Mt Uncle Distillery has also recently started distribution in the UK, adding to their many successes.

The sessions will provide a platform for the community to ask questions, share their concerns and contribute to improvements in disaster response and recovery.

This IWSC recognition follows

a stellar year for FNQ Rum, during which it has already secured multiple awards. At the World Rum Awards earlier this year, FNQ Rum took home two gold medals for its Platinum Cane Spirit and Iridium Agave Cask Finish, alongside being named World’s Best Sugarcane Spirit. Additionally, the brand’s commitment to quality was further highlighted with a silver medal at the International Wine and Spirit Competition for its Iridium X Rum. Mark will be travelling to London to attend the awards ceremony on 12 November.

Catering will be provided and unsupervised activities for children.

The sessions are as follows: Tinaroo Rural Fire Service shed – 5pm-7pm on 24 October; Ravenshoe Town Hall – 5pm-7pm on 29 October; and Herberton CWA Hall – 5pm-7pm on 5 November.

Local Disaster Management Group chair Mayor Rod Marti said representatives from various agencies including Ergon, SES and NBN had been invited to attend and would be available to answer questions.

Crackdown on feeding crocs

NEW oﬀences and increased ﬁnes have been brought in by the State Government to crack down on feeding and interfering with crocodiles.

Two new oﬀences have been introduced making it unlawful to unintentionally feed a crocodile by discarding food and remaining in close proximity to a crocodile.

penalties for existing oﬀences which aim to deter people from engaging in behaviours that pose a serious risk to public safety and animal conservation.

The on-the-spot ﬁne for deliberately disturbing or feeding crocodiles has increased from $483 to $2580, with the maximum court-imposed ﬁne increasing from $6452 to $26,615.

Discarding food, including fish frames, scraps and bait, in a way that may attract crocodiles to a public place such as a boat ramp, jetty, pontoon or camping area can now result in an on-the-spot fine of $483 or a maximum court-imposed fine of $6,452.

Knowingly remaining within close proximity to a crocodile that is on, or partly on, land can now result in an on-the-spot ﬁne of $806 or a maximum courtimposed ﬁne of $16,130.

This oﬀence complements the existing “disturbing” oﬀence which prevents people from approaching or pursuing a crocodile or driving a boat or vehicle within 10m of it.

Conservation oﬃcers now also have the power to direct people to move away from a crocodile to avoid any potential human-crocodile interactions.

Defends

The government has also signiﬁcantly increased

Solid

Delivered-

The on-the-spot ﬁne for interfering with a crocodile trap has increased from $645 to $2580, with the maximum court-imposed ﬁne increasing from $19,356 to $26,615.

But State Member for Hill Shane Knuth, who introduced the KAP’s Crocodile Control, Conservation, and Safety Bill 2024 into Parliament last month, slammed the new offences and fines as “nothing more than a band-aid fix”.

“The State Government has failed to manage the crocodile crisis for over a decade, and now it’s completely out of control,” he said.

“Ask anyone who regularly ﬁshes or uses our waterways - they’ll tell you the crocodile population has exploded. “This is a Northern Queensland issue, and it should be managed locally, not from over 1,800 km away in an ivory tower.”

Mt Uncle Distillery Owner and Head Distiller Mark Watkins with FNQ Rum’s awardwinning Iridium X rum.

Inderbitzin (new SITT member), Elouise McGregor (outpatient social worker), Emily Bodenmann (inpatient social worker), Kate Niederberger (SITT member) and Dr Lloyd Malone with some of the dignity kits donated to the hospital.

Savannah in the Round drew 25,000 attendees over four days and is estimated to have injected around $8 million into the local economy

Festival on the front foot

By KONNOR FURBER

FOLLOWING an enormously successful year for Savannah in the Round, organisers are already looking ahead to sustain the growth of the festival and even teased that “two major headline artists” have been locked-in for 2025.

“After having a bit more time to properly analyse our numbers, the growth is actually better than we first reported,” director James Dein said.

“We could not be happier. We’re going against the trends with a festival that’s growing.”

Around 25,000 people attended the festival over four days, with a 30% increase in ticket sales compared to last year.

“We’ve also got some very, very exciting news to announce in regard to artists in 2025. We have two major headline artists already locked in,” he said.

Mr Dein also noted that the overnight visitor expenditure figure for last year injected approximately $5.5 million into the local economy and after the success of the festival this year, he expects that figure would have jumped up to around $8 million.

The sudden growth of the festival compared to previous years was somewhat unexpected and saw the whole camping area and car park reach full capacity.

Nevertheless, these were seen as “nice problems” and strategies to accommodate a growing audience are already being talked about.

“I didn’t picture us running out of camping, but that happened. It’s a nice problem to have and we’ll expand the campgrounds to include adjacent paddocks as part of the Mareeba Rodeo Arena facility,” Mr Dein said.

“We’re not land-locked, we have plenty of room to expand and we’ll be looking at that very shortly before the wet season, so that we have an understanding as to how we’re going to accommodate increased growth.

“It

“We’ll always be able to accommodate onsite parking for accessible patrons, the elderly and families with young children.

“But for the greater audience, parking offsite may be a part of the norm for the future.

“We’ve got an ongoing arrangement with Mareeba International Club, they have a vast amount of land and have offered to work with us, and we will work with them to further expand ‘park and ride’.

“We will also be looking to have increased and improved amenities on site, it’s fine to grow a festival but you’ve got to keep pace with your facilities and so on and so forth, and we’re very focused on that.”

Mr Dein is also proactive about instilling a bigger presence of the festival throughout the main drag of Mareeba and will also work to improve advertisement and the shuttle services.

“We’ll start earlier with our messaging. We got caught at the last minute this year and we’ll better plan for it,” he said.

“The ‘park and ride’ shuttles will be very much a part of the norm and we’ll also be working very closely with Mareeba Shire Council to develop some more signage presence in the Mareeba CBD.

“We’ll also work closely with the Mareeba Chamber of Commerce to get the message out there. It’s good for business, it’s good for Mareeba and the greater region.

“So, there will be some conversations that will come out of this year’s festival, and we’ll engage closer with business leaders and council to better prepare for 2025.”

Although the festival brings tens of thousands of people and millions of dollars to the Mareeba area, it was noted that local supermarkets weren’t well-prepared to accommodate for the “influx of people into the region”.

“I’m also going to work with the Mareeba Chamber of Commerce and major retailers such as Coles and Woolworths to better prepare for the festival,” Mr Dein said.

“The shelves were bare and empty, they definitely need to do more to prepare.”

Giant cassowary in store for Kuranda

By Andree Stephens

KURANDA will join the many towns across Australia that embrace Big Things, now that plans for a giant Cassowary have been given the go-ahead by Mareeba Shire Council.

The statue, which would be between 4-6m high, is part of the Cassowary Art Trail, a project being overseen by the Kuranda Conservation Community Nursery in partnership with Terra Nova Gallery.

“The Cassowary Art Trail is a project aimed at raising public awareness about the endangered Southern Cassowary and its importance in Indigenous culture in the natural environment,” Mayor Angela Toppin said at a meeting last Wednesday.

There was no cost involved, but council agreed to support the nursery in its quest for funding to buy, install and maintain a Giant Cassowary at Centenary Park adjacent to Therwine St. Kuranda Conservation Community Nursery secretary Jax Bergersen said the long-awaited news of the approval was another milestone for the project.

“These things take a while but the expertise from so many amazing people in our community is fantastic,” she said.

She credits Gallery owner Jurg Jutzi as the “brainchild” of the Cassowary Art Trail and the Giant bird. The group had already erected life-sized cassowary statues, painted by individual Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists, to represent each region in the Wet Tropics region.

The giant version, which will be about 4m, Jax said, would also be

a painted art piece, by a collaboration of artists and community members.

“We have raised funds to “get things started”, and have the support of many local businesses, artists and a whirlpool of volunteers,” she said.

The council approved the proposal after reviewing Department of Transport and Main Roads guidelines for ‘Roadside Advertising’ and driver/pedestrian distraction. The review found the Centenary Park location offered “a prime viewing opportunity for around 1,500 vehicles per day, in addition to as many as 3,000 pedestrians per day.”

Deputy Mayor Lenore Wyatt also gave a “big shout-out” to the community for its hard work.

“They are obviously trying to be proactive about the cassowary, but also tourism,” she said. “It’s a little bit like the Big Pineapple, I suppose, the big whatever. I take my hat off to them, they’ve been trudging along with this Cassowary Trail for quite a while now and this is going to be really exciting.”

Australia reportedly has over 600 “Big Things”, which first began emerging in the early 1960s, with the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, NSW; and the giant Scotsman in Medindie, SA. Other tourist attracting Big Things include a pineapple (Nambour), a golden guitar (Tamworth), a merino (Goulburn), and a prawn (Ballina). Closer to home is Tully’s Golden Gumboot and the Big Crocodile in Normanton. Until 2022, an 8m high statue of Captain Cook stood for 50 years on the main northbound road out of Cairns. It was removed for land redevelopment.

Walking for wellness

WALKING while connecting with other people is the focus of an event to be held in Mareeba this Saturday as part of Mental Health Awareness Week.

Walk and Connect for Wellness is all about blending physical movement with meaningful conversations to promote overall well-being.

The event aims to show people that walking in a relaxed environment helps reduce stress, boost creativity, and enhance mood, while the act of connecting through conversation creates a safe space to share, reflect, and heal.

Organisers Mareeba Mental Health Champions Network say “it’s a way to nourish your mind, body, and spirit, while also contributing to the wellness of your community and the environment around you”.

The walk will also feature the organisation Farm Angels, with participants encouraged to give the group a donation so they can continue to provide support to farmers.

Farm Angels was established as Drought Angels in 2014 to respond to the needs of primary producers impacted by prolonged drought, initially in Queensland.

Since then, the organisation has expanded to provide financial assistance, food hampers, care packs, and mental wellbeing support to over 4,700 primary producers affected by all natural disasters (drought, flood, fire, and plagues) in over 1,300 communities across Australia.

The Walk and Connect for Wellness starts at the new playground area in Bicentennial Lakes on Mason Street this Saturday.

Participants are advised to arrive at 6.30am, with the walk beginning at 7am. A light breakfast will be provided. Walkers are advised to bring a hat and water and put on sunscreen.

School celebrates students

STUDENT achievement was celebrated as St Stephen’s Catholic College held their Celebration of Excellence night last week, recognising the individual efforts of students from Years 7-12.

The night highlighted student achievement across the board from academic, to sport, business, art, community, trade and bursary awards.

A multitude of awards were handed out on the night and one of the highlights was Tully Smith and Ella Daven receiving the more sought-after awards. Tully Smith received the Ro-

tary All-Rounder award and the Principal’s Medal for Academic Excellence.

The Rotary All-Rounder Award is presented to a Year 12 student who achieves the best all-round performance across the areas of academics, sport, culture and citizenship activities.

“Tully is the epitome of an all-rounder. She has achieved high marks in subjects such as specialist maths, physics and chemistry, as well as being a UQ Science Ambassador in 2023,” principal Gary Conwell said.

“Her cultural achievements include her attendance at dance eisteddfods and playing lead roles in multiple end-of-year productions.

“Tully has also been a part of community bands that have played at ANZAC ceremonies and the Mossman Show.

“She also assisted her community at bushfire fundraising sales, clean-ups on beaches and is a Grade 3 dance teacher

at St Andrew’s.”

The Principal’s Medal for Academic Excellence is awarded to the student who has the highest internal results across Year 12.

“Tully has demonstrated dedication to her studies across the year with results in chemistry equally 100% and only dropping one mark in biology and physics across her three internal pieces of assessment,” principal Conwell said.

“Tully also received the subject awards for chemistry and physics and an Academic Excellence Award.

The Sr Mary Stephen Memorial Award was one of multiple awards school captain Ella Daven received throughout the night. This award was presented to her by Bishop Joe Caddy.

“Sr Mary Stephen was a community member who made a very significant impact on the lives of students, staff, parents and all those whom she met. She was a model of courage, compassion

and understanding, humility, and respect, all the values we hold dear at St Stephen’s Catholic College,” principal Conwell said.

“This year’s Sr Mary Stephen Memorial Award recipient has been a thoughtful and reflective student who always sought to do her best.

“As a Mission Captain in Year 11 and school captain in Year 12, Ella has been dedicated to leading with compassion and faith, inspired by the teachings of Christ.

“Ella’s participation in school masses is very important to her, Catholic Education Week also allowed her to further represent the school in the greater community.

“She also represented the college at the bishop’s ordination, a significant event that deepened her understanding of Christian service.

“Ella’s involvement in fundraising for charities, particularly through Rosies, reflects her commitment to almsgiving and helping those less fortunate.

Waterways clean-up a first for council

where water feeds back to the coastline.

Mayor Angela Toppin said a survey had been conducted across approximately 300km.

Speaking at September’s ordinary meeting, Cr Amy Braes said the program was a first for the Mareeba Shire Council, which is working with local environment groups and stakeholders to carry out the work.

“Council’s never undertaken (this) before, to go into water courses and natural gullies and try and clean them up,” she said.

The program is being backed by the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and aims to remove the agricultural debris washed into the system from Cyclone Jasper, Cr Braes continued.

Some 52 sites have been approved in the areas of the Barron River, Granite Gorge and Herberton,

Areas to be targeted include:

• Barron River catchment around Mareeba, Biboohra, Bilwon, Koah and Myola

• Upper Mitchell River Catchment, around Mt Molloy and Julatten, and

• Walsh River catchment from Irvinebank through to Mutchilba, Dimbulah and Almaden.

“Council is liaising with traditional owner groups in relation to cultural heritage matters and has engaged local contractors to complete the work,” Mayor Toppin said.

The project began at the end of September and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Ella Daven was presented the Sr Mary Stephen Award by Bishop Joe Caddy.

Principal Gary Conwell presented Tully Smith with her awards.

A NEW clean-up program targeting local watercourses and gullies impacted by Cyclone Jasper has received a $3.5 million green light.

Inflation, cyclone take toll on council

THE rising cost of materials and services and repairing widespread damage across the shire after Cyclone Jasper were major factors for Mareeba Shire Council, according to its annual report released last week.

Mayor Angela Toppin said the impact of Cyclone Jasper and the devasting extreme rainfall associated with the system late last year had presented “significant challenges” for the shire, having to repair more than half of its road network and other critical infrastructure.

“With over 900 calls and 185 requests for assistance during the event, we faced unprecedented requests for support,” she said.

“In addition, the Australian economy faced substantial inflationary pressures, peaking at 7.8%.

“This economic climate affected our council in several ways, including increased costs for materials and services from contractors and suppliers.”

But the council has managed to cope with the challenges, being identified by the Queensland Audit Office as one of only 29 local governments in the state considered to be financially sustainable.

“It is pleasing to report, and my chest is full of pride, that Mareeba Shire Council is among those local governments. We should be very proud of that,” Mayor Toppin said.

“Congratulations to all the staff, we can’t be sustainable unless everybody is on board.”

Among the highlights in the report is council’s financial operating position as of 30 June 2024, which reflects a surplus of $3.6 million.

The final position was boosted by higher than expected interest, with council earning $4.43 million compared to $2.8 million over the previous 12 months.

Council did not undertake any new borrowings during the 2023-24 financial year and, as of 30 June, had a loan balance of $6.4 million.

Mayor Toppin was also buoyed by the delivery of $34.5 million in capital works for the 12-month period, including $2.3 million for the re-sheet, reseal and asphalt program, $2.1 million in works as part of the Parks and Open Spaces strategy, $10.3 million for upgrades of the Mareeba Water Treatment Plant, $3.6 million for Mareeba Bicentennial Lakes sewer main, and $861,000 to develop the new Kuranda Heights Cemetery.

One of the council’s major projects was the Southern Bicentennial Lakes Precinct which saw new amenities installed including a toilet block, playground and pump track.

Deputy Mayor Cr Lenore Wyatt captured the year in her comments to the meeting.

“What a year it’s been, this annual report captures the highs, the lows, all the great things that we’ve achieved, and we can’t do it without our staff,” she said.

“Our roads, our water infrastructure, sewerage infrastructure. Everything was smashed

in Jasper. And everybody went above and beyond.

“And it’s not just in the bad times, it’s also in the good times that we’re doing great things, bringing murals to Chillagoe, the park at Bicentennial Lakes...”

ANNUAL REPORT SNAPSHOT

•

• 3104 tonnes of recyclables collected

• $1.029 million in sales at industrial park

• $44.57 million (value of) residential approvals

• 329 building approvals

• 54 planning development applications

• 127 dwellings approved

• 4092 dogs registered

• 49,372 swimming pool admissions

• 164,308 visitors at information centres

• $428,149 awarded through Community Partnership Program

• 140,113 visits to council website

• 8324 members of libraries

• 59,973 visit libraries

Water pressure is pumping

RESIDENTS might be feeling the pressure now that new water booster pumps are up and running in Mareeba.

Council heard at its meeting last week the pumps, which have replaced the old gravity-fed system from the town’s water towers, were activated on 10 October.

Waste and Water Operations Manager Morris Hamill said his team had been checking pressure readings, flushing the system to ensure no air traps, and talking to residents.

“Pressure in some areas has gone from 230 kPa (kilopascal) to 350 kPa.”

Mr Hamill said a number of factors had impacted household water pressure in the past year, including location in Mareeba, how the “the dry got dry very quickly”, which had never really happened before”, and the demand period for water had changed.

“What we did find was at that between 8am and 10am period, a second pump was having to come in for about an hour, and again from about 4.30 to about 10pm at night, a second pump was coming in, which just highlighted the massive spike in water use in those periods.”

He said following complaints about water pressure before the boosters were switched on, he had rung a resident to follow up on the issue.

“When I spoke with her at about 7 am, they had four sprinklers running, the little round ones which pump out 9 litres a second each - so there’s 40 litres a second; they had kids having showers and getting ready for school; they had the washing machine going; and mum was doing the washing up as well,” Mr Hamill said.

“They were consuming, just in one house in one street, quite a large amount of water. So, if you get multiple people doing that in a street, you’re going to pare back the amount of pressure you have.”

Now the booster pumps were running, there were no more issues. However, CEO Peter Franks urged people with automatic sprinklers to set them to go off after midnight, outside of the high demand periods.

“That would make a huge difference. It’s a lot more effective to irrigate at night,” he said.

Local government is meant to provide a minimum standard of between 220 kPa, to a maximum of 500.

The new boosters had capacity to reach 720 kPa, and the plan was to continue to increase steadily upwards, to improve household water pressure.

“We don’t want to just go and ramp the pumps up because then we could potentially start popping mains, so we’re just going to do it slowly over the next few months,” Mr Hamill said.

THE LAST WORD COOK ELECTORATE

Make your vote count

THE 2024 State election is well underway, with pre-polling booths reporting a steady stream of voters who want to cast their decision before this Saturday.

Below is a list of the main pre-polling booths in the Cook and Hill electorates. They are open from 8am-6pm each day. On election day, voting booths often move to different locations.

PRE-POLLING VENUES

COOK

• Mossman Shire Hall

• Cooktown Shire Hall

• Cedric Davies Hub, Anzac Avenue, Mareeba

HILL

• Stan Moses Hall, St Mary the Virgin Anglican Church, Alice Street, Atherton

• Yabu Mija Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation, 3 Bolton Street, Ravenshoe

ELECTION DAY POLLING BOOTHS

These are some of the main polling booths for the Cook and Hill electorates on Saturday. They are open from 8am-6pm.

COOK

• Biboohra State School

• Chillagoe State School

• Cooktown Shire Hall

• Daintree State School

• Julatten State School

• Mareeba State School

• Mossman State School

• Port Douglas Community Hall

HILL

• Merriland Hall, Atherton

• Atherton State High School

• Dimbulah State School

• East Palmerston and Nerada Progress Association Hall

• Herberton Shire Hall

• Kairi State School

• Malanda State School

• Millaa Millaa State School

• Mount Garnet QCWA Hall

• Mutchilba State School

• Ravenshoe State School

• Tolga State Primary School

• Walkamin State School

• Yungaburra State School

DUANE AMOS (KAP)

WITH a long history of delivering results across the Gulf and within the electorate of Cook, I am uniquely positioned to provide the leadership that Cook desperately needs.

I understand the nuances of this diverse region and its tremendous potential to play a significant role in shaping the future of Queensland.

The complexities of Cook demand a representative who not only grasps the challenges but can effectively navigate the diversity of communities, agriculture, the Torres Strait, and broader economic interests.

For too long there has been an absence of leadership and true representation across this electorate. Cook needs someone with a strategic vision and the ability to align all levels of government to bring the region to the forefront of Queensland’s future.

Focusing on isolated, single projects that fail to meet the needs identified by local government representatives, businesses, and industry is not enough. What we need is a cohesive, long-term plan that fosters resilient, diverse economic prosperity across the entire electorate.

With 34 years of leadership experience, I have developed the relationships and skills necessary to immediately hit the ground running. I know how to drive outcomes for each community - whether it’s ensuring agricultural sustainability, supporting the unique needs of Torres Strait Islanders, or fostering economic growth.

My platform is rooted in collaboration and action, ensuring that Cook’s voice is heard at all levels of government and that we capitalise on opportunities in every area. The Cook electorate requires leadership, strategy, and a proven ability to deliver results.

I am ready to meet this challenge and work tirelessly to secure a prosperous future for us all.

CYNTHIA LUI (ALP)

IN the past seven years, we have shared many highs.

In Mareeba, I am proud to have seen the delivery of Mareeba Airport Stage 2 redevelopment, Mareeba Industrial Hub, Mareeba Hospital staff accommodation and general theatre, new ambulance station, the return of endoscopy services, new CT scanner, and significant upgrades to Mareeba’s water infrastructure.

Labor has delivered the $1300 cost of living energy rebate, 20 per cent discount on rego, free kindy, free TAFE and tools for tradies, as well as massive investment in the Peninsula Developmental Road, Kennedy Highway and Captain Cook Highway.

I am hopeful for the future because of the commitments the Miles Labor Government has made.

I look forward to delivering on our election promises of a $20 million emergency department upgrade for Mareeba Hospital, and $570,000 for facilities at Mareeba Cricket Club.

We have $5 million on the table for the Mareeba

PCYC and I am focused on transport connections for Mareeba.

Our roads are critical and I will continue to fight for better and more reliable roads, including the Mareeba Heavy Vehicle bypass.

The LNP only has criticism for the past and a track record of sacking people and cutting services. The LNP has not made one commitment for the people of Cook.

And the minor parties simply won’t have the power to get things done. It’s too big a risk.

I will always stand on the side of my communities and I’ve never backed down from fighting hard for Cook, and for Mareeba.

PETER CAMPION (ONE NATION)

WITH Queensland’s super-abundance of natural resources, we should be the richest people on earth.

Our main roads should be expressways, our back roads should all be sealed, and our bridges should be in perfect working order.

Our railways and seaports should’ve grown and become more efficient. Our airports should be free of congestion and delays.

We should have plentiful water supplies from new dams in pristine catchments. Our electricity should be cheap, abundant, and ultra-reliable.

Our hospitals should be modern and well-staffed and should see patients promptly. Our schools should be producing the best-educated graduates.

Our factories, farms, fishing fleets, and mines should be humming. Everyone that needs a job should have one, crime should be almost unknown, and nobody should be homeless or in poverty.

So why, given the immense wealth that Queensland is capable of producing, is everything getting incrementally worse?

Think about who’s been making the decisions on our behalf.

It’s always either the ALP or the LNP. Both do the same things, only at slightly different speeds. Today’s LNP are the ALP from ten years ago.

Both routinely ignore their constitutional obligations to implement the will of their electorates.

Both implement the agenda of

unelected foreign organisations, such as the United Nations and World Economic Forum - always at the expense of our prosperity.

In election season, they both tell us they’re going to make things better but they never do – things just keep getting worse.

The corporate media never mention who’s responsible for things getting worse – they craft their stories to suggest anything other than the ALP and LNP are to blame.

The corporate media never mentions that we don’t need to be ruled only by the ALP or LNP. If they did, we might give someone else a go.

Now think about who the ALP and LNP hate the most, and who the corporate media won’t talk about unless it’s to sneer. That’s right, One Nation.

One Nation is running in every seat and could form government if enough people have woken up that the ALP and LNP have been selling us all out.

DAVID KEMPTON (LNP)

AS we draw closer to 26 October, the electors of Cook face a decision that will have serious implications beyond the fouryear term of the next government.

Who to vote for?

Queensland is in a crisis. We are no longer safe in our homes or streets as youth crime spirals out of control, we are losing faith in our health system, our children can’t afford a home or find a rental and the cost of living is crippling our families.

Small business faces increasing costs and red tape cutting into what profit they make and farmers struggle with large increases in power, water, freight and wage costs. Our transport networks are in tatters, and we continually see cost blowouts in major infrastructure projects.

This all sounds pretty grim however it is our reality and has all happened in the decade Labor has been in power. As I have travelled around over the months since preselection listening to people, I have thought about what the common denominator is to this mess.

It struck me that the one and biggest influence is government policy. Actions or inactions by government that has caused or has a direct impact

upon all of these disasters.

It also struck me that if government has been the root cause of the dilemma we face, then government can fix it.

The current Labor Government says it has done a great job over the past 10 years and asks that you give it a go for another four years to fix the mess it has made.

In my view, the only solution is a change of government.

The current member for Cook has sat on her hands for seven years and done little, with the final insult shutting the Mareeba office.

The KAP will never form government or hold the balance of power so they can only sit on the sideline and watch others score goals.

The only way out is to elect a government with a plan and a member who will listen, speak up and turn up... every time.

TROY MILLER (THE GREENS)

THE two most common questions I have been asked has been, why bother running, you’re not going to win and why should I vote for you?

To answer the first question. It is extremely important to have a range of different people representing different backgrounds and experiences for the health of democracy and society. Would you want to have the same two voices from two major parties, saying the same things just to get votes?

Yes, statistics will show I am likely to lose. But if I am to get my voice and Greens policies into the discussion with the people of Cook, then this is the first step.

We live in a multicultural electorate and everyone deserves the right to be heard.

Just by reading these words shows healthy democracy at work.

The second reason is over the years, working as a paramedic and nurse I grew extremely frustrated seeing the same health problems over and over. I began to look deeper into these health problems and realised so many of them stemmed from poor housing, eduction, nutrition, access, and lack of dental care.

I see these people daily filling our emergency departments costing the taxpayer millions. We must look further into the future and provide long-term solutions.

This leads into the second question, why vote for me?

I will hear the people of the Cook electorate and be their voice in Parliament where I will have the ears of policy makers and can fight for the needs of this community.

I will fight to make housing affordable. Fully fund and feed children in all public schools. This will prevent youth crime. I will put dental into Medicare, improve access by maintaining local roads, fix the Barron River bridge, provide more bulk billing GPs, reduce the cost of living by stopping banks and supermarkets from price gouging, and finally taxing big mining companies and corporations who have been taking public resources, our resources, without paying their fair share.

This is not some utopian dream - we can have all this. I will work for the people of Cook.

THE LAST WORD HILL

THE people of the Hill Electorate have spoken loud and clear: they want change.

They are tired of being ignored, tired of driving on substandard roads, struggling with the high cost of living, facing a lack of housing, unreliable communications, and seeing major cities get more than their fair share.

I have heard you, and I, too, am fed up with being treated like we don’t exist— except for the income we generate for the state, which benefits everyone else.

With my expertise in business leadership, administration, counselling, bullying prevention, and advocacy, I will work tirelessly to ensure that we get what we need for our beautiful part of the world.

It’s time our voices are heard, and our region gets the attention it deserves.

We’ve all seen how easy it is for a majority government in Queensland to pass inconsistent, unbalanced, and hypocritical legislation that makes our lives more difficult. These laws cost our businesses dearly and create uncomfortable, draconian conditions.

We do not need another

majority government, nor do we need a representative who must follow the party line, especially when that line caters only to the South-east corner.

Small businesses are the backbone of this country, yet the government seems determined to shut them down.

Tully and Innisfail are becoming ghost towns, with many shops empty. Those that remain will need to diversify to survive.

It is time for change before small towns like those in the Hill electorate become nonexistent.

Common sense and logic are my strengths, along with creative thinking and problem-solving to get the job done. Hill needs a fierce advocate with a strong voice to stand up for our people and our region.

I will be the people’s representative.

ADVERTORIAL

CAMERON McCOLLUM (LNP)

THERE is an appetite for change in Queensland. It’s easy to understand why. After nine long, hard years of Labor under Palaszczuk and Miles, Queensland has a serious youth crime crisis and the cost of living is a huge burden on household budgets.

Labor weakened Queensland’s strong youth justice laws - put in place by the former LNP Government. Katter Party MPs failed to vote when Labor watered down those laws, effectively helping Labor create a generation of untouchable youth offenders.

Our healthcare system is struggling, marked by ambulance ramping and excessive wait times.

At a time when it’s getting harder to access local health services, Labor is introducing a patients’ tax, making it harder and more expensive to see a GP.

The housing crisis is getting worse. Affordable housing is less accessible and renting is getting more expensive.

This is a big cost of living issue for many people in our community, along with the cost of electricity, car registration and insurance.

The LNP has proposed several policies to address these issues. Most importantly, a new LNP Government will implement our Adult Crime, Adult Time policy and will pass our Making Queensland Safer Laws before Christmas 2024. This policy includes:

Join us for a cause that really matters

Walk and Connect for Wellness –Mareeba Mental Health Champions

Date: Saturday 26th October 2024

Time: 6:30 am for 7 am start

Location: New Playground Bicentennial Lakes on Mason St

WHY should you be there? As part of, although a little later than, Queensland Mental Health Week, we are again hosting a walk for Mental Health awareness. This year we are featuring Farm Angels, previously Drought Angels. It is a charity for rural Australia, supporting Aussie farmers and rural communities with meaningful, and personalised assistance. $35 can help Farm Angels connect with farmers over the phone to provide emotional support and a listening ear.

Who are the Mareeba Mental Health Champions: A dedicated group of individuals working under the umbrella of the Black Cockatoo Foundation. The foundation was launched in honour of Dr. Mark Bestmann. The foundation is for the improvement of the health and well-being of the Mareeba community, through health promotion activities with a major focus on mental illness and suicide prevention. What to expect:

• 15 mins gentle pre-walk stretch with Adrienne Smillie

• A 3 km walk around the streets of

• Increasing police numbers.

• Restoring consequence for actions in the Youth Justice Act

• Removing detention as a last resort.

• Diverting youths at risk to early intervention programs.

In the Hill electorate, we have our own local issues, but we are very much part of Queensland and these issues impact on us locally as much as they impact on the rest of Queensland.

The question for voters in Hill is - will we be part of the solution?

If you think there will be a change of government in Queensland, I urge you to vote to ensure the Hill electorate has a voice in that new LNP Government.

The fact is a minor party representative will continue to sit on the sidelines. Hill deserves better.

JENNIFER COX (THE GREENS)

AS someone who grew up in the area, I am very aware of the issues constituents of Hill face such as the increasing cost of living, the housing crisis continuing to get worse, no transport keeping people isolated and a lack of access to affordable medical care.

The Greens have a plan to tackle these issues by taxing big corporations fairly to fund essential services like public housing, free healthcare, free education, and public transport.

Only by taxing corporations which are driving inflation and returning the money to the community through essential services can the cost of living crisis be stopped.

Any other measures are half measures and will end in more of the same.

Other political parties will offer promises of funding for temporary fixes or band-aid solutions to these issues but fail to address the root cause: corporate profiteering.

Grocery giants and large multinationals drive up food prices, while banks profit from rising interest rates that push families further into hardship, all in the aim to “control inflation”, but ultimately making the situation worse.

We need a government that will protect Queenslanders from rampant profiteering, regulate the cost of food, break up monopolies and duopolies and roll back the privatisation of essential services and

vote for Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) represents – the party focuses on outdated, divisive policies instead of tackling the urgent issues facing rural Queenslanders. It is more interested in making sensational news headlines on policy points reminiscent of Conservative America, than addressing the issues faced by Far North rural Queenslanders. KAP has had most of my lifetime to make a difference in this area, what do we have to show for their years of representation?

KAP could be joining with the Greens to stop the grocery giants ripping off farmers and families, but instead they are talking about forcing votes to recriminalise abortion. We need representatives that take their jobs seriously and realise the repercussions on people’s lives, not what the next political fad is from overseas.

Mareeba, starting and returning to the new playground at Bicentennial Lakes Mason Sreet

• A community of support and understanding, awareness, and connection

• Inspirational stories of resilience and hope – speakers Dr Nathan Walmsley and others

•A time for reflection

• Information on resources for mental health

• Light breakfast provided •Kofi Shack mobile van will be available to purchase hot and iced coffee and chocolate

• BYO water, sunscreen, and hat

• All welcome

• It is a free event however, we invite you to donate to www. farmangels.org.au. A cash-only (no receipt issued) box will also be available on the day for those without website access. Spread the Word: Please share this event with your friends and family to help us continue to create a strong supportive community. Together, we can make a difference!

Contact information: message us on our Facebook page https:// www.facebook.com/MareebaMentalHealthChampionsNetwork

T hursday 12th October

Guest Speakers

Mental Health Champions Network

T hursday 12th October 2023 or Ar nold Park, 171-179 Walsh St, Mareeba R egister online: fundraise.lifeline.or g.au/fundraisers/mareeba-mental-healthor R egister at 5.30am

(All Abilities)

MATT LACHLAN (INDEPENDENT)

In a few days you’ll be asked to cast your vote. This decision has never been more important.

As an advocate who has fought against a range of issues over the last four years, I know what it’s like to be an outsider battling governments at all levels. I genuinely want to make a difference. That is why I am standing as a true independent candidate for Hill.

I have strong policies to help address the housing and homelessness crisis. I also commit to donating 20% of my salary to help alleviate the crisis, and to assist those most in need within our communities.

I believe in fundamental electoral reform including the banning of political donations. I believe the QLD upper house needs to be reinstated to provide scrutiny and act as counterbalance. I propose reform of government spending including advertising, to eliminate the misuse of vital funds that should be far better spent.

Police stations need to be manned during office hours. Drug and alcohol rehab services need to be dramatically improved, so those seeking help can get it when they need it. Consequences for serious repeat offenders need to be significant. Equally, rehabilitation and creative options to give at risk youth the help and motivation to turn their lives around, must be an integral part of the process.

I have strong environmen-

tal policies including an urgent review of the classification of threatened species, targeted protection framework and the banning of all industrial developments (including renewables) in high biodiversity areas. A comprehensive redesign of renewable energy zone mapping is needed to ensure developments are only approved on cleared, degraded land.

Hill is a vast electorate and I will have a mobile office, so the needs of the entire electorate can be properly represented. This will also enable me to be directly informed of issues needing my attention.

As a true independent I will work productively with the government, without ideology and party politics, and in turn will expect and ensure the needs of the people of Hill are properly met.

Please see anewvisionforhill. com for more info.

MICHAEL HODGKINS (ALP)

I AM grateful for this opportunity and invite your support and trust. Together, we can achieve great things and build a brighter future for Hill.

All our Hill communities are growing fast and I will be a strong voice for more infrastructure to stay ahead of the demand. That’s important in the population hubs, but also critical to outlying areas like Mt Garnet, Petford, Archers Creek, Butchers Creek, Millaa Millaa, Babinda and every other little community.

I will support continued cost of living relief because I know how big a difference the $1000 power rebate and the 20% off rego have been for people in our community.

I will be a strong voice for Hill to make sure the Miles Labor Government’s record investment in health continues to deliver for our region – and prevent the cuts planned by the LNP created by its $17 billion of unfunded election promises.

I am a fighter, and I will fight for you. In 2020, I wrote a new Covid plan to enable the Tablelands Folk Festival to go ahead.

It was the only festival held in Queensland in 2020, and regional to boot. That plan was adopted by Tourism Queensland for use by other festivals.

Now in its 44th consecutive year, The Tablelands Folk Festi-

val was used as a case study for Creative Australia to show the importance of regional festivals for community and tourism in general.

I will now use those skills to expand and protect the region’s natural wonders, embrace our historic wonders, and respect the oldest continuous culture on Earth.

I’m a big believer in “All Abilities” tourism, and a proud advocate for the Miles Labor Government’s target for net Zero by 2050 – and all the environmental and employment opportunities that will deliver.

Leadership is about listening, understanding, and acting in the best interests of the community. Nobody should be left behind, we need to offer a hand-up and bring others with us.

I believe in the power of community, working as one, sharing cultures and above all, treating others as we wish to be treated.

SHANE KNUTH (KAP)

I AM very proud to have represented the people of the Hill electorate, delivering many solid infrastructure projects.

These have included new hospitals for Atherton and Dimbulah, Tully Grandstand, Atherton Community Centre, Innisfail Bowls Club restoration, Mission Beach Boating Infrastructure Project, new boat ramp for Kurrimine Beach, millions for different school infrastructure projects across the electorate including $11.5 million to Malanda State High School for classroom expansion and infrastructure, Dairy School Training Centre in Ravenshoe, multi-million dollar projects to upgrade the Main Roads network throughout the electorate –the list goes on, all contributing to inspire me to continue to deliver for the region.

I stand firmly on protecting our assets, our industry and jobs, including successfully fighting for a fair price for dairy farmers and introducing the Sugar Marketing Bill which passed (becoming the eighth Private Members Bill to pass in Queensland history).

I have always been passionate about fighting to protect our personal freedoms and the Australian way of life - the right to camp, fish, hunt and swim.

I have already introduced a Bill into Parliament which prioritises human life before crocs.

I have also provided policy which includes special permits for recreational feral pig hunters to access National Parks and State Forests.

I have passionately stood up to protect the backbone of our country - our farmers, along with parents’ rights.

I am not afraid to tackle the big issues, including a strong policy on crime – relocation sentencing which gives the magistrates power to banish repeat juvenile offenders from their communities and send them to the outback, putting them to work to develop skills in an effort to break the crime cycle.

KAP have also introduced the Castle Law Bill which includes protecting homeowners by allowing Queenslanders to defend themselves and families in their own home using whatever force necessary.

One of my core principles in representing the Hill electorate has always been getting out there, talking to people from all different walks of life and backgrounds and tuning into the real issues.

Voting for me means representing you, not Brisbane.

Vision for the future of the blind

FOR most of us, ordering a meal, catching public transport and browsing social media are routine activities we often take for granted, however for those living with low vision or blindness, like Atherton resident Linda Ovenden, these seemingly simple tasks present significant challenges.

“I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa when I was about seven years old, it’s a degenerative condition that causes you to lose your peripheral vision,” Linda said.

“So I have vision in the centre, but that slowly turns into tunnel vision, which turns into pinhole vision, which is what I’m up to now, and if things go bad I can go completely blind.”

International White Cane Day was held last Tuesday to raise awareness for those who live with vision impairments or blindness, and to also encourage people experiencing vision loss to seek help.

“I think it’s very important to raise awareness for White Cane Day. There aren’t many people in the world who use canes anymore because it carries a stigma, it screams ‘I can’t see’.

“But I find that the benefits of it far outweigh the negative. It’s given me my independence and it’s given me the ability to get around and enjoy the world.

“I think it’s very important to seek help or intervention early because then you don’t get to that place where everything you’re go through overwhelms you so much so that you become depressed.

“It’s easy to feel lost or like you’re backed into a corner. I want to encourage people to get in contact with organisations like Guard Dogs or Vision Australia.

Vision loss is expected to increase by 55% by the year 2050 and by not seeking early support Australians are putting themselves at an increased risk of accidents, falls, poor mental

“I find that the benefits of it far outweigh the negative. It’s given me my independence and it’s given me the ability to get around and enjoy the world,” Linda said.

health and social isolation.

The White Cane is the most commonly used aid for people with low vision or blindness and is the first tool before being matched with a guide dog, with over 5,500 users in Queensland.

There are also other services on offer such as orientation and mobility training, counselling services and assistive technology training.

“The orientation and mobility services have been really good, before I accessed anything from them my world had become very narrow and very restricted.

“When I finally allowed myself to get help, my world became so much better.

“They took me from walking around looking at my feet and using someone as support to using a cane to support myself,” Linda said.

Excellence pays off for everyday hero

A COOKTOWN ambulance technician uplifting his community and going above and beyond to support First Nations people has won a QBANK Everyday Heroes Award.

Ambulance technician and paramedicine student Dylan Harrigan has won the excellence category for delivering exceptional care to patients across his region, and for his contribution to cultural leadership with QAS for the last nine years.

Dylan was one of 23 finalists selected from across the state for the 10th annual awards which celebrate the exceptional achievements of people within Queensland Police, Fire, Health, Ambulance, Corrections, Public Service, Education and volunteers.

Born and raised in Cooktown, Dylan has a true passion for helping his community, particularly his First Nations people.

“I enjoy working in my hometown, helping my people and giving back to my community,” he said.

“It gives me a sense of satisfaction knowing my community, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, feel they trust me to care and treat them, and know they are in safe hands.

“My cultural knowledge aids in providing support to Indigenous patients and their families and creates culturally safe environments.

“I also educate and guide my non-Indigenous colleagues, so they better understand the Indigenous culture, community and people, and can develop their practice in caring and treating patients.”

During a severe weather event in Cairns earlier this year, while his colleagues travelled south to support, Dylan provided crucial assistance to evacuate the small town of Wujal Wujal, one of the hardest hit areas when Tropical Cyclone Jasper crossed the coast.

“I was fulfilling my role in providing cultural support to my people and community during the Wujal Wujal evacuation,” Dylan said.

“My role consisted of providing frontline contact support and assistance to all community members impacted by the severe weather events.

“There is great diversity in

my role. Every day is not the same and there are challenges which provide opportunities for problem solving.”

Dylan said he was surprised and honoured to win a QBANK Everyday Heroes Award.

“It is a bit exciting. I do hope for more recognition for those who truly deserve it because of the hard work and dedication they put in to serving our communities and helping people,” he said. As a winner of the Excellence category, Dylan will receive $2000 and an additional $2000 will be donated to a charity of his choice.

Healthy start to school day

SCHOOLS on the Tablelands will be cooking up a storm, with funding to provide healthy breakfasts and lunches to students under the government’s School and Community Food Relief program.

More than 180,000 students from across the state will access the program, which helps schools provide a good start to the day for students and targets communities experiencing high cost of living pressures.

The $15 million School and Community Food Relief program includes $10.7 million for the Department of Education to support

state schools in delivering the program during the school day, including the option for some schools to engage a food program coordinator.

Some 19 state schools across the Tablelands are included in the program and include:

Atherton High, Biboohra, Butchers Creek, Chillagoe, Dimbulah, Herberton, Irvinebank, Julatten, Kuranda College, Malanda High, Malanda, Mareeba High, Mareeba, Millaa Millaa, Mt Garnet, Mt Molloy, Mutchilba, Ravenshoe and Walkamin.

Ambulance technician and paramedicine student Dylan Harrigan from Cooktown has won a QBANK Everyday Heroes Award.

SENIORS MORNING TEA

MAREEBA – Friday 18 October

I’m a

As a small business owner, I understand the challenges facing local small and family-owned businesses. LISTENING

I’ve heard your concerns on local roads, access to healthcare, the impacts of crime and the housing crisis.

Margaret Merletti, Jean Czygan and David Lawler.

Ailsa Tobiano, Judy Petrusa and Lynne Morgante.

Mick Tobiano and Allan Coulson.

Lorraine Hanush, Merrilee Frankish with mum, Phyllis Frankish, and Chris Hanson.

The large crowd enjoys the entertainment. Guiseppe Salerno, John Smithwick and Ray Bishop.

Dawn Clarke, Bob Burness and Kevin Clarke.

Mareeba Shire Mayor Angela Toppin, Connie Martens and Daphne Treen.

Marisa Sabin and Maria Balayd.

Maria Parise and Carmela Iacutoni.

Tablelands man on 57 charges

DETECTIVES from the Tablelands Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) last week charged a 39-yearold Tablelands man with 57 offences following his arrest in Gladstone on 13 October.

It will be alleged the man was involved in several property offences in the Tablelands area between July and October this year.

Police allege on 11 October, the man assaulted a motorbike rider in Mount Molloy, before pulling him off the motorbike, stealing a helmet and driving away on the bike.

The rider sustained minor injuries.

It is further alleged the man was involved in the theft of several other vehicles, credit cards, and personal property.

On 13 October, Mount Larcom police located the man who attempted to flee on foot.

The man allegedly entered a passing vehicle before he was arrested. No one was injured.

The man was charged with fourteen counts of driving a motor vehicle without a driver’s licence, eleven counts of stealing, eight counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, three counts each of fraud, possessing dangerous drugs, enter premises, two counts each of serious assault police officer, attempted enter premises, unlawful possession of suspected stolen property, and one count each of failure to appear, possess utensils, armed robbery, drive without due care and attention, evasion, unlawful entry of a vehicle, stealing after previous conviction, stealing of a vehicle, and enter dwelling.

He was remanded in custody to reappear in the Gladstone Magistrates Court on 4 November.

JACARANDA FESTIVAL

Danetta Lee (left), Renata Duncan, Kathavina Lane and Emily Lane showcased their Latin dances at the festival.

Meriam Barrett won best decorated bike.

Rob Johnson enjoyed some tin panning.

ENTERTAINMENT

Family fun day

A FREE family event will be held this Saturday from 10am-2pm at Biboohra State School as they raise funds for a new playground.

The inaugural ‘Family Fun Day’ promises to be fun for the whole family with various games, markets and food stalls.

Major milestone for country music club

A MAJOR milestone is coming up this weekend for the Tablelands Country Music Club.

The club is all about promoting country music in the Tablelands region and has brought up some of the biggest names in local talent including Becci Nethery and Albina Nucifora.

The club’s 40th anniversary will be celebrated this Saturday at the Atherton Hotel (The Black Stump) from 6.30pm.

A light supper will be provided and guests are encouraged to “dress country”. Rusty Strings and other guest artists will entertain throughout the evening.

The cost of tickets is $25 per person. Bookings can be made by calling Julie on 0427 933 300.

Show shines light on Loretta’s life

A THEATRE show that will celebrate the life of the late great country singer, Loretta Lynn, is coming to Cairns this weekend.

Coal Miner’s Daughter tells the incredible life of Loretta Lynn, from her early days in the hills of Kentucky to her tempestuous marriage, tragic losses and enduring bonds with such luminaries as Patsy Cline, Conway Twitty, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson.

This inspiring theatre show was a smash hit at the 2023 and 2024 Tamworth Country Music Festival and played to packed theatres in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Victoria throughout 2022/2023. It is now back on the road to Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania.

On their return to touring after the Covid pandemic, Amber Joy Poulton, who stars as Loretta Lynn, and the cast of Coal Miner’s Daughter played to more than 10,000 people across Australia and in an eerie twist of fate, were performing opening night at the very moment of Loretta’s sad passing in Tennessee in October 2022.

Amber, Lizzie Moore (as Patsy Cline) and The Preacher Denis Surmon (as Conway Twitty and Willie Nelson) along with kickin’ band The Holy Men, will sing the story of a champion of women’s rights, a mother of six and a lifetime of chart-topping hits to the country music lovers of the Far North.

Loretta Lynn was arguably the most under rated country music star considering that at the start of her career, many female singers were

given songs to record by the record label but Loretta managed to push the envelope and record mostly songs that she had written or co-written.

That was the birth of controversial songs like, You Ain’t Woman Enough To Take My Man, Don’t Come Home A’ Drinkin’ With Lovin’ On Your Mind, One’s On The Way, and The Pill.

When she wasn’t being controversial singing songs about her own life, she was part of some beautiful duets with Conway Twitty such as After The Fire Is Gone, and Lead Me On, and also some beautiful collaborations with powerhouse singers.

“Loretta paved the way, all those years ago, for women like me to have a place on the main stage,” Amber says.

“She showed us, in the most difficult of times, that women can have it all. We can have the home life, the kids, the husband, the friendships and the career but she also made it very clear we’d have to fight for it and we’d likely be exhausted at the end.

“I love portraying her life, her cheekiness, her sass and her heartbreak through the years until her very sad induction into Country Music Heaven in 2022.”

Coal Miner’s Daughter will be performed at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre on Saturday 26 October. Tickets and more information are available at www.coalminersdaughter.com.au

Amber Joy Poulton and Lizzie Moore performing.

ENTERTAINMENT

Serving up laughs

LOCAL thespians are set to leave audiences cackling with “Rome Sweet Rome,” a dynamic theatre restaurant production that will take centre stage at Mareeba International Club next month.

The show was a big hit at this year’s Cairns Italian Festival, but now Mareeba audiences can enjoy the fun from 15-16 November and 22-23 November.

This interactive play promises a blend of comedy and culinary delights.

Directed by Ida Portella and featuring a script by Mary McMahon and Simon Denver, the show has something for everyone.

Tickets, priced at $79 per person, includes a banquet dinner.

Doors open at 6.30pm, with the show starting at 7pm. Tickets can be purchased tickets from www. trybooking.com/CUESY

Rome Sweet Rome promises to provide plenty of laughs when the show takes centre stage at the Mareeba International Club next month.

ON LANDthe

Sugar too big to ignore this state election

LEADERS of Queensland’s peak sugar industry bodies – Canegrowers and the Australian Sugar Milling Council (ASMC) –have come together to discuss the industry’s future and compare their policy positions ahead of the upcoming state election.

Representing both growers and millers, the organisations had a clear message for politicians hoping to lead the State after Saturday’s election – the sugar industry, which employs over 20,000 Queenslanders and contributes $4.4 billion to the economy, demands urgent government action.

“Sugar is the economic lifeblood of regional communities, from north of Cairns down to the Queensland border and beyond,” ASMC CEO Ash Salardini said.

“While politicians talk about a future manufacturing base, sugar is already here – manufacturing essential products right now.”

Canegrowers, which represents 70% of Queensland’s sugarcane growers, outlined its election priorities, including reduced electricity and water costs, less red tape and regulation, and the development of bioenergy, including biofuels, through the existing sugar supply chain.

“Our industry is essential to regional

Queensland, but for growers to remain competitive and seize future opportunities, we need policies that deliver real outcomes,” Canegrowers CEO Dan Galligan said.

“Affordable electricity and water are critical. But we also need stronger research and development, smarter and more collaborative environmental programs, and biofuels policies that will provide new opportunities for the sugar industry.”

Both organisations emphasised the critical link between the success of mills and growers, with the recent closure of the Mossman Mill providing a stark reminder of the risks involved.

“We need a viable, dependable sugar milling sector,” Mr Galligan said.

“We need to learn the tough lessons from the Mossman Mill closure.”

The peak bodies are calling on the Queensland Government to invest in our people and our essential infrastructure, beginning with the cane rail network and workforce development.

“Canegrowers supports the ASMC’s call for investment in our cane rail network and ensuring the sugar supply chain has the skills and workforce necessary for the future,” Mr Galligan added.

The ASMC echoed the importance of a reliable cane-growing sector.

“Without a reliable supply of cane, we have our backs to the wall,” Mr Salardini said.

“That’s why we fully support Canegrowers’ call for affordable, reliable electricity and water, which are fundamental to Queensland’s cane-growing future.”

While acknowledging they may have their differences, both organisations have committed to building a stronger, collaborative future for the whole industry.

“The opportunities and challenges we face go well beyond any election cycle,” said Mr Salardini.

“That’s why we’re showing the incoming Queensland Government that we mean business and that the sugar industry is ready to lead.”

While collaboration is essential, both organisations will continue to fight for their members’ interests, Mr Galligan said.

“Make no mistake – millers and growers won’t always see eye to eye. But today, we are focusing on common ground. We are telling the Queensland Government that the sugar industry stands united and determined to thrive,” he said.

ON LANDthe

Grant boosts farm production

By KONNOR FURBER

A CITRUS farm in Mutchilba has recently received a $200,000 grant to install a second de-greening facility, ensuring they can now keep up with a rapidly increasing production rate.

“This grant is very important to and appreciated by my business, it will help tremendously with cashflow and alleviate pressure on initial capital outlay,” farm owner Wim Van Niekerk said.

“It increases the whole scale of the business because we can do more, plant more and do it quicker and more effectively.”

Widem Farming is one of 20 Queensland agribusinesses who have benefitted from the total of $3.7 million given in the sixth round of the Rural Economic Development (RED) grants, receiving up to $200,000 each.

“With costs of everything going through the roof, growing your business has become a lot harder than it was a decade ago and requires you to do your due diligence more so than ever,” Wim said.

“It’s very important for us to build a facility that can handle the expansions of the farm and what we’ve planted.”

According to FreshView, de-greening is the process of removing the green colouring, or chlorophyll, from the skin of citrus fruit which is done by permeating measured amounts of ethylene gas into a temperature and humidity-controlled environment.

The fruit de-greens for three days after being picked. It is an important part of the citrus farming process, as it allows the fruit to be visually acceptable for selling.

“Essentially, it’s a big cold room that you run at 24 or 25 degrees, it’s a bit of trial and error as to what temperature you want to de-green them at, and then you inject a gas called ethylene into the room and that just brings out the colour of the fruit,” Wim said.

“And because our climate is very hot up here, the fruit doesn’t colour on the tree and needs these units to bring the colour out.

“It just turns the fruit from green, to yellow, red or orange or whatever colour it needs to be.

Wim Van Niekerk (pictured) of Widem Farming received $200,000 from the latest round of RED grants for the construction of a second de-greening facility.

“It can’t ripen the fruit, it’s purely aesthetical and just changes the colour for the consumer, so they can see it’s a lemon, it’s yellow, they want to buy it.”

Widem Farming’s new facility will add another two de-greening rooms to the existing two that are on the farm currently.

“We need the extra room so we can get the fruit off the trees before they become over ripe and before we run into all sorts of other quality issues,” Wim said.

“We are running those de-greening rooms flat out. We never turn them off and I think this year we will just be able to get the crop off.

“We are pretty much at capacity, if not a bit behind, and for our grapefruit we physically can’t get the crop off next year if we don’t build the new facility, so at the end of the day we don’t really have a choice.

“We pick about 300 bins of lemons per day, grapefruit is around 500 a day, so you’ve got to de-green them and get them to the market.

“It’s all got to do with how quickly you can get the fruit from the tree into the consumers hands.”

The RED grant is a co-contribution grant of up to $200,000 that requires applicants to fund 50% of the project, however, in Wim’s case, he received the full $200,000.

It is also an opportunity to create a number of new employment availabilities on the farm.

“The cost of this project is 50% of $200,000 but they gave us the full $200,000 because it’s quite a big one. The rest of the costs that are needed, I will cover myself,” Wim said.

“It’s going to create around 65 jobs, just from the new facility. By building it, we’ve got the capacity to de-green all the fruit at a quicker rate and that will spool over into everything else down the supply chain.

“So, we’ll need 50-odd extra seasonal workers for six months of the year when we pick the crop and also tractor drivers, forklift drivers, truck drivers, extra packers and stackers, the whole lot.”

Expressions of interest applications for Round 7 of RED Grants close 22 November.

About Widem farming

WIM bought the ex-sugar cane farm in 2014 and started re-developing it, then in 2016, the planting of lime and lemon trees began.

The farm predominately grows lemons, as well as limes and grapefruit. There is 121 hectares of fruit planted with opportunity to develop another 280 hectares.

The farm mostly grows the 2PH seedless lemon variety, as well as seeded Eureka lemons on a smaller scale.

They also grow Tahitian limes and Star Ruby grapefruit.

Limes are picked 12 months of the year with busy and quiet periods fluctuated throughout.

Lemon season begins to heighten in February and grapefruit towards the beginning of March.

It takes approximately three years before a citrus tree will yield its first crop, which is generally small and of reduced quality.

A well-maintained citrus tree can produce fruit for 30-50 years.

“I will work on getting 25-27 years out of my

trees before I start replacing them,” Wim said.

Widem Farming packs between 200-220 thousand cartons of lemons per season but that number is set to increase to 300-350 thousand once the younger trees, which are currently four years old, reach maturity.

They also pack 150-200 thousand cartons of limes and 80-100 thousand cartons of grapefruit per relative season.

Widem Farming markets their fruit through FAVCO in Brisbane.

FAVCO supplies around 30% of their crop to major retailers such as Coles, Woolies, Aldi and Drakes, among others.

The majority of the crop is then distributed into the food services industry, which consists of stocking hotels, bars, restaurants and other similar businesses.

Preliminary data gathered by the Mareeba Chamber of Commerce in the 2024 Tablelands Horticulture Profile showed that citrus farming contributed the most to the total gross value production of the area, with $170 million.

SUGAR

LETTERS

Support free speech

THE left-wing mainstream corporate media aren’t talking about it much, but the Labor-Liberal UNiparty is working hard to extinguish free speech in Australia.

The absolute right to free speech is the foundation that all other human rights are built on. Without free speech you have no way of defending your other rights.

Tyrannical governments throughout history have always extinguished free speech first before attacking their own citizens and stripping them of their other rights, including their right to live.

If you needed proof that the left-wing mainstream corporate media is completely controlled by the same shadowy group who control the UNiparty, their relative silence on the Misinformation and Disinformation Bill is it.

If they were legitimate news organisations, they’d be endlessly and angrily decrying this unneeded and unasked for attack on our fundamental and most-essential human right.

If you needed proof that the Labor and Liberal parties are one organisation pretending to be two to give voters the illusion of choice, remember they both want to silence you.

The Liberals introduced and then later withdrew these horrific laws – but in doing so they created the needed space for Labor to work in.

The Liberals’ website still carries these words in the “Protecting Australians Online” section: “A reelected Coalition Government will introduce new laws to provide the ACMA with stronger enforcement and information-gathering powers to hold big tech companies to account for harmful disinformation and misinformation online.”

Similarly, Labor’s “National Platform” contains these words: “Labor will provide a strong regulatory framework to address misinformation and disinformation as well as support the media literacy of citizens and consumers.”

Misinformation and disinformation have always been used as weapons in human conflict and the only proven defence against them is counter speech.

Only more speech can counter misinformation and disinformation: less speech allows whoever has the power to censor others to win – and those who seek that power always harbour ill intentions towards others.

Personally, I find the endless misinformation and disinformation from the Labor, Liberals, and Greens parties deeply offensive because they’re seeking to harm others and enrich themselves by lying – particularly about climate, energy, and viruses.

However, I’d never try to silence them because in delivering their misinformation and disinformation they expose themselves over time as the liars they are.

That’s why I call them out on free-speech media platforms such as this one: as a supporter of human rights, I use my right to free speech to counter their tsunami of lies.

At no time in history have those who wish to silence others been the good guys – which is why we need to get the Labor-Liberal UNiparty out of our parliaments.

Peter Campion

One Nation’s candidate for Cook

Mental health support

I WRITE on behalf of the not-for-profit Mental Illness Fellowship Australia to highlight to readers that if you or someone you know is facing a mental health issue reach out. Help is out there.

It is absolutely critical that there is much more action from all Governments to support people in your area who have severe mental health issues.

It is now estimated an alarming 68% of people who have severe mental health issues are missing out on any kind of community support to help them … that’s nearly seven out of 10.

We are completely focused on getting rid of the stigma around severe mental illness in particular. It is time we all realised people who are affected need our support.

On average, people with severe mental illness die 23 years earlier than the general population. 50% of people with severe mental illness attempt

to the editor

suicide … compared to 3.7% of the general population.

A huge number of people, who have a severe or complex mental illness, are getting no community support whatsoever for their condition. It is critical to end the massive neglect of people who have mental illness in Australia.

Thousands and thousands of Australians with mental health issues are ending up in our local hospitals and emergency departments because they believe it is the only option for them.

We are highlighting as part of this new awareness campaign that the current system unfortunately actively channels people into emergency and hospital services … placing massive extra pressure on the system. So much trauma is involved with this process.

We urge people in your area to realise recovery is unquestionably possible. We have a key not-forprofit network called Finding North which has become a growing community on the internet, to link people with mental health issues with others in a similar situation so they can share their experiences.

To get more information, just go to www.findingnorth.org.au … it is a powerful tool for readers to easily access.

Tony Stevenson

National CEO - Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia

George vs Thatcher

READING the obituary of the recently deceased Australian legend George Negus a major highlight of his illustrious career was the day he took on Margaret Thatcher, using an analogy. I guess politics must be similar to boxing depending how good each Prime Minister is at the time of the contest.

The Prime Minister up against Margaret Thatcher in those debates of 1987 was Neil Kinnock.

I watched those debates and came to the conclusion that Margaret Thatcher was very fortunate that she wasn’t up against Julia Gillard who came to Australia when she was four years old.

Neil Kinnock went from being a far left politi-

Be wary of romance scams

POLICE are reminding residents to be vigilant and aware of romance scams, which can cost victims a significant amount of money.

When you receive a request online from someone you have never met, carefully consider any requests they make for your personal details or money.

A recent investigation found a 60-yearold Cairns woman lost $200,000 to a scammer who intentionally spent time establishing an online connection and trust with her.

A romance scam typically begins with the scammer sending an unsolicited request or message through a social media platform.

These profiles are fake profiles, however, can appear genuine. They may also encourage you to continue to communicate on different communication or social media platforms.

Over time the scammer builds a story, such as being deployed overseas and unable to access their own funds.

Detective Acting Inspector Cindy Searle says scammers aim to manipulate victims by first establishing a trusting online con-

nection then requesting money.

“If someone has been a victim of a Romance Scam, it’s important to understand you are not at fault. The people behind these scams are well practiced in gaining your trust so you will act on their requests,” she said.

“A scammer may ask you to send money. They may ask you to send cash in packages, make an online transfer either in cryptocurrency or funds, or even open accounts they can access.

“Before making any transactions think about what you really know about the person. If you have not met them in person, you can’t be sure they are who they say they are. “

If you feel you, or someone you know has fallen victim to this type of scam you can find more information through a number of websites including ScamWatch, ID care or the Queensland Police Service webpage.

These resources will assist you with obtaining support and provide you with reporting options.

What can you do if you think your family or friend is being scammed?

If you see signs of stress, depression or withdrawing from usual activities of a family member or friend, that may be a sign something could be wrong.

If your loved one is being scammed, be patient and understand that they may feel embarrassed.

Victims of scams often feel embarrassed, or afraid to talk to their family.

Try and identify how your family member has been scammed:

• If they have given their financial information to a scammer, immediately help them to contact their bank or credit card provider to monitor or stop all transactions.

• Block the scammer’s email address or ‘unfriend’ them from all social media sites and apps.

• Consider changing your family members email address, phone number and all passwords.

• If a physical address has been given to a scammer, advise Police, report cybercrime and report a scam.

cian to where he is today enjoying the warmth of his Ermine robe in the £332 pounds per day House of Lords as well as travel and restaurants allowance.

Neil at 82 years is the same age as George Negus was.

The UK Prime Minister Starmer is on the verge of making the House of Lords members an electable issue for prospective candidates and not jobs for the boys allegedly.

There are 26 Church of England bishops currently serving in the House of Lords and an article I read last year stated that 54% of British people are atheist.

An alteration here will make a major difference in how Britain is governed.

The House of Lords is often criticised for members dozing off or if in attendance at all.

When Neil Kinnock lost the election to Margaret Thatcher his final words were (paraphrasing): “If this woman wins the election, last one out of the country put the lights out.”

Actually, they were already out with regular miners strikes.

Back to Julia Gillard, the little girl I might have noticed having a donkey ride on Barry Island beach. I am not a betting person but if I were, Julia would have been a different kettle of fish in taking on Margaret Thatcher and I would have put my money on her.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned as we know with Julia.

On a lighter note, for Gavin and Stacy fans they have just finished filming a Christmas special on Barry Island.

Ex-Prime Minister David Cameron is one…oh dear what next for the Westminster system of government - David appearing in Coronation Street. Christopher Jarvis PEERAMON

Be clear on nuclear

SO, what is David Crisafulli’s stand on nuclear? He has apparently repeatedly said he will not repeal Queensland legislative ban on nuclear under any circumstances.

Now I hear he will object to “some nuclear sites at Tarong and Callide”. So, he’s now for nuclear but objects to the sites only? Which is it?

You’d think that Premier throwing a spanner on the works by indicating he will hold a plebiscite on the nuclear matter would well and truly clear David’s mind.

On top of that, well over 50% of us now want nuclear in the mix. I believe, as it seems Miles does, the nuclear issue will be important this election.

Barry Braes MAREEBA

Dream family home in Tolga

WELCOME to your dream family home in Tolga.

This stunning home combines comfort, style, and practicality, making it the perfect place for you and your loved ones.

As you step through the inviting foyer, with its built-in shelves ready to showcase your favourite books and treasures. The open-plan living area floods with natural light, creating an atmosphere

for family gatherings and cozy evenings in.

The heart of this home is the kitchen. With ample storage, a generous island bench, and a layout that encourages interaction, it’s the ideal space for cooking up delicious meals while sharing stories and laughter.

The enclosed sunroom offers endless possibilities— whether it’s a craft room, play area for the kids, or a peaceful

spot for your morning coffee, this bright space adds an extra layer of functionality to your home.

When it’s time to unwind, retreat to the main bedroom, your sanctuary featuring a walk-in robe and a stylish ensuite. The additional three bedrooms are spacious and include built-in robes perfect for family members or guests. Step outside into your private paradise! The double re-

mote garage and expansive 4-bay shed provide all the storage and workspace you could need. Imagine lazy summer days spent by your pool, hosting barbecues with friends, or enjoying quiet evenings under the stars. The beautifully landscaped backyard, complete with serene fernery and a water tank for sustainable gardening, offers a peaceful retreat that you’ll cherish for years to come.

And let’s not forget the charming chook pen, giving you the joy of fresh eggs at your doorstep! Don’t miss your chance to make this your forever home.

Address: Price: Agent:

Contact:

70 Rankine Drve, TOLGA Offers Over $820,000 EXCLUSIVE to Suzey Whitby Ray White Atherton 0438 090 306 or 40917 111 houses l land l units l investments l acreage l farms l rentals

Contact exclusive agent Suzey Whitby today on 0438 090 306 to schedule a viewing and experience the magic of this property for yourself.

Five acres with five star views

PERFECTLY positioned on the outskirts of Atherton, this 5-acre property offers the ideal balance between serene rural living and the convenience of nearby amenities.

Elevated to take in sweeping rural views, this land is zoned “Emerging Communities” presenting future development potential (subject to council approval).

The home is brick block construction and features the following:

• Open plan living with beautiful fire place

• Spacious kitchen with large pantry, breakfast bar and 90cm oven and electric appliances.

Colle e Rowston 0419 733 712

• 5 bedrooms, 2 with built in robes and the master with 2 way access to the main bathroom.

• Main bathroom is tiled to the ceiling, has a spa bath and separate shower.

• Separate toilet

• Internal laundry with linen cupboard.

• Double garage

This property is currently tenanted and 24hrs notice is required to arrange an inspection. Whether you’re seeking more space or future investment, this property combines rural beauty with possibilities.

Contact exclusive listed agent Michelle Raso on 0428 116 136 to arrange an inspection.

SPACIOUS HOME, BREATHTAKING VISTAS

33 Janda Street

• Immaculate condition, newly painted and well presented on 856m2

• 3 bedrooms, all with built-ins + 1 bathroom with 3-way access

• Fully fenced yard

• Beautifully landscaped garden and an outdoor entertaining area

• Mountain views

• Double garage Web ID 26359063

Sale Low to Mid $500s

New home with bush backdrop

THIS 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home is located only a short drive to the Mareeba CBD in an ever-evolving estate, The Edge. This near new home has air-conditioning to all bedrooms and main living area.

Three of the four bedrooms have built-in wardrobes with the master having a walk-in robe and ensuite. The open living flows straight out onto the nice size patio and BBQ area giving you that sense of open space while enjoying the country feel outlook.

The modern kitchen has stone benches with ample storage space, dishwasher and pantry.

The property is fully fenced for complete privacy and has side access to the

back yard for vehicles.

Property Features:

• 4 Bedroom + 2 bathrooms

• Modern kitchen with stone bench tops ample storage space, dishwasher and pantry

• Large open plan living and dining

• Air conditioning to all bedrooms and living area

• Ceiling fans throughout

• Tiled throughout and back patio

• Internal laundry

• Double lock up garage with a wide roller door at the patio end which when opened,

creates a very large indoor outdoor entertainment area

• Cement Driveway

• Security Screens

• Fully fenced with vehicle access to backyard

• Open paddock to the rear

• Landscaped and turfed

• 903m2 allotment

For more Information or to arrange an inspection contact exclusive agents Salvatore Girgenti on 0427775414 or email salvatore@girgentigroup.com or Rino Gava on 0427779086 or email rino@girgentigroup.com

Prime position on the main street

CENTRAL Realty Mareeba is proud to present to the market for the first time in over two decades this property in a prime position on the main street of Mareeba. Welcome to 294-296 Byrnes Street.

Occupying a double block, the medium-density residential zoned land is currently home to a super-spacious family-sized dwelling, a large Colorbond shed and plenty of room for everyone to grow, right in the heart of town.

The red-brick home consists of 3 enormous bedrooms, two bathrooms, spacious living areas inside and out, a double garage and additional store room, plus patios front and back.

All bedrooms and the living area feature air-conditioning, the kitchen is spacious and combines with a great size dining room. The lounge room is huge and with wall-to-wall mirrors feels enormous. The

main bathroom is accessed from the hallway and is convenient to the bedrooms.

Outside the features continue, with covered front and back patios. Off the rear patio is the laundry room, which also has an additional bathroom with shower and separate toilet. Centrally there is a fully enclosed outdoor living area, great for parties or gettogethers. The front patio is a great size and has remote controlled privacy screens.

There is a double garage under the main roof, and an additional storage or utility room to the rear,

NESTLED on a generous 3/4-acre block in picturesque Peeramon, this delightful 3-bedroom residence offers a perfect blend of comfort, functionality, and stunning natural beauty. Built in 1989, this well-maintained solid masonry block home is ideal for families looking for space to grow and enjoy the great outdoors.

Property Features:

Bedrooms: 3 spacious bedrooms, 2 with built-in robes to provide ample storage and organization.

Bathrooms: 1 well-appointed and beautifully renovated bathroom designed for convenience and ease.

Living space: Enjoy the comfort of reverse cycle air conditioning, ensuring a pleasant atmosphere year-round.

Kitchen: A modern kitchen featuring a gas cooktop and oven, perfect for easy meal prep and clean-up.

Laundry: Internal laundry

SITUATED in a fantastic location just minutes from Atherton Primary School and Atherton Kindy, this 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom masonry block home offers both comfort and convenience. The home features vinyl plank flooring throughout, an updated kitchen with a pantry and quality appliances, and

facilities and storage for added convenience.

Outdoor Features: Step outside to discover a beautifully landscaped garden featuring numerous fruit trees and ornamental plantings, an outdoor entertaining area, perfect for hosting family gatherings or simply enjoying the serene surroundings. The property also includes a 6 x 6 metre enclosed shed and workshop for all your storage and hobby needs. There is also a 6 x 6 metre carport plus another separate high clearance carport with easy access to the home.

Eco-Friendly amenities: This home offers sustainable living, featuring 6kw solar pan-

and

a refreshed bathroom.

The timber deck is perfect for enjoying the breathtaking views of the mountains and Bones Knob, accessible from both the master bedroom and living area, providing an ideal spot to unwind.

At the rear of the property, there’s a masonry block garden shed with side access

The residence is vacant, and the owners are eager to sell.

Chatfield

The Epitome of Tablelands Farming and Lifestyle!

This Jewel in the crown of the local area would be suited to the astute farmers or the lifestyle change opportunity most only dream of acquiring, with Barron River frontage this is a remarkable property held by the same family for 37 years, approx 200 acres nestled in the coveted Golden Triangle. Enjoy panoramic breathtaking views of the iconic Seven Sisters, a true landmark of the Tablelands.

Just minutes from the township of Atherton, this expansive farming and grazing land boasts 254 meg Barron River water allocations and powered pump stations along the Natural Spring and Barron River. Fully fenced with approx 15 paddocks, fully contoured property features underground mains and rich, red tablelands soil, previously cultivating potatoes and corn and suited to various crops including cane.

The immaculate 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom home offers comfort, complete with a large verandah, air conditioning, and a cozy wood fireplace with billiards table.

Additional amenities include a spacious double garage and a detached 4-bay garage, which features an air-conditioned office and a connected diesel Deutz generator.

A large lockable machinery/workshop shed, rainwater storage plumbed to the house, and two other versatile powered large open concrete floor machinery sheds with a wash-down bay with enough undercover storage to satisfy any needs.

Fully operational cattle yard with a head bail and loading ramp, this property is ideal for intensive farming or grazing or just to have the lifestyle others would be envious of. Lush gardens adorned with a variety of fruit trees create a stunning setting. Fully equipped powered bore for house and livestock. Properties like this rarely come on the market! Information memorandum is available upon request.

Call to arrange your private viewing, an inspection is a must!

Auction

Tuesday 26th November, 11am Onsite

Prior offers will be considered

Inspection by appointment

Steve Heslin 0409 640 744

steve.heslin@elders.com.au

Elders Real Estate FNQ eldersrealestate.com.au/300P165910

*Approx.

Perfect family home in a great location

floorplan filled with natural light, quality fittings and open plan living. All bedrooms have built in wardrobes and the master suite has a large walk-in robe and a generous ensuite.

The neutral colour pallet throughout, coupled with the vinyl flooring adds to the overall appeal. There is an impressive entertaining area at the side of the home, overlooking the spacious yard & scenic views.

Property Features:

• Solid rendered block home built in 2023

• Large open plan living with air-conditioning & glass sliding doors opening onto the

entertainment patio.

• Stylish, spacious kitchen with electric appliances, breakfast bar, pantry, dishwasher and plenty of cupboard space.

• Master bedroom features a generous ensuite & walk-in robe

• Bedrooms (2), (3) & (4) with built in robes

• Main bathroom with a walkin shower, separate bathtub, and vanity unit

Situated in the renowned tropical food bowl district of Lakeland North Qld.

Approx. 302 Ha of Freehold plus 86 Ha of leasehold country with room to expand.

Producing mainly Red and Yellow Seedless Watermelons and Orange Candy Honeydew and Bananas.

Product is mainly exported to Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, NZ and UAE.

Perfect microclimate with reliable summer wet season, sunny days, frost free.

Rainfall underpinned by irrigation from Bores and Dams. Red and block volcanic soils with excellent sealed road access.

Approx 250 km North of Cairns and its International airport.

Owner open to outright sale or joint-venture arrangement and also available to remain to operate.

Closing 10th December 2024

• Internal laundry with custom made cabinetry, sink, and direct door access to clothesline.

• Vinyl flooring, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, aluminium screens, quality fittings and plenty of storage space throughout home.

• Entertainment patio – relax with the family and entertain in privacy.

• Double remote-control garage with internal access

• Vehicle access to large low maintenance backyard –room for a shed

• Fenced 1,046m2 allotment

• Located only 2.6kms from Atherton Town Centre

A sanctuary of seclusion

YOUR lifestyle will be complete on this rural residential property. Here you will discover 4,600m² of tropical gardens in a tranquil park like setting with access to a permanent creek.

From the moment you arrive at this beautiful two-storey home, you are greeted by the serenity and taken to a Mediterranean ambience. Entering the home via a circular driveway you will find the comfortable living areas plus a bathroom and an office or fourth bedroom.

The upper level has three bedrooms and a bathroom with a separate bath and shower. The generous sized

master bedroom has a walkthrough robe leading to the ensuite. For quiet enjoyment, this bedroom has its own private balcony overlooking the gardens.

There is a private tiled patio for outdoor living overlooking well established gardens. Away from the main residence there is an art / craft studio that could be used as a teenagers retreat or additional visitor accommodation.

For the tradie there is a 7m x 12m shed with a mezzanine floor and a high roof to accommodate a caravan, boat, vehicles, and tools.

The current owner has

created a micro climate that differs from the surrounding area with strategic plantings of selected species for protection from windy days and the harsh summer sun. But it’s not just the gardens, with an abundant variety of fruit trees that helps you experience a rural lifestyle.

With access to Rocky Creek there are numerous spots on this delightful property to sit and enjoy the

Address: Price:

Agent:

natural surrounds. There is an irrigation system around the property with water pumped from the creek. Your paradise awaits. Have it all. Have it now.

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

Contact: TOLGA Expressions of Interest Trisha Jackson Professionals Atherton 0419 183 145

TAKE A BREAK EXPRESSO

WORD SEARCH

CROSSWORD

Afghanistan, and certain other Muslim countries. (4)

28 A portable cooking apparatus similar to a small barbecue. (7)

29 A light mauvish-crimson which is one of the primary subtractive colours. (7)

30 A small folded sheet of paper or card, usually with a picture on the front, inside which you write a short letter. (8)

31 To decapitate. (6) DOWN:

1 An area or building where vehicles may be left temporarily. (3,5)

2 Showing that you have a positive opinion about something (9)

3 Put (a ﬁne or loose substance) through a sieve so as to remove lumps or large particles. (4)

5 An ancient Greek or Roman herald’s wand, (8)

N E F V U T V V I

M A V R A L W E E A I N M E I A D R C

X R E M U M C R P T M J E E A C D E O

V B D B B S W I Y S E Q G H N S T T P

X T N E M T N I O P P A S I D T T N T

L E E T S T R I K E B R E A K E R I E

L T C N I T S I D E N C O U R A G E R

ACROSS:

1 Rough or harsh in texture. (6)

4 Something that proves the true qualities, value, or success of someone or something (4,4)

10 A fraud or swindle, especially something that is grossly overpriced. (3-4)

11 (of a disease, injury, or accident) limit (someone) in their movements, senses, or activities. (7)

12 Soon or in the near future. (4)

13 Thinking only of oneself, without regard for the feelings or desires of others; self-centred. (10)

15 The German Emperor, the Emperor of Austria, or the head of the Holy Roman Empire. (6)

16 A large log traditionally burnt in the hearth on Christmas Eve. (4,3)

20 In opposition to. (7)

21 Be unlike or dissimilar. (6)

24 Water that overﬂows from a river, lake, etc during a ﬂood. (10)

26 A title given to rulers and ofﬁcials in central Asia,

6 The deliberate act by which a person chooses to exclude someone who would otherwise be a natural heir from receiving part or all of their estate. (10)

7 A small piece of burning or glowing coal or wood in a dying ﬁre. (5)

8 A long, narrow ditch. (6)

9 A hand gesture in which the index and middle ﬁngers are raised and parted. (1-4)

14 Occurring or appearing at intervals; occasional. (10)

17 Hoping that something may be possible, although it is not likely. (3-6)

18 A person who writes essays, especially as a literary genre. (8)

19 A person who is habitually drunk. (8)

22 A native or inhabitant of Afghanistan. (6)

23 Sordid and disreputable. (5)

25 The curved path of a celestial object or spacecraft round a star, planet, or moon (5)

27 A cruel or terrifying person. (4)

WEEKLY HOROSCOPES

You may have difﬁculties while travelling or problems dealing with close friends or relatives. You may not see your situation clearly. Don’t make large purchases unless you have discussed your choices with your mate. Any difﬁculties with peers could be unnerving.

Your emotions are soaring and if you don’t get your way, look out world. Be careful disclosing information. Romantic opportunities are evident if you get involved in large groups or organizations. Romance is quite possible if you are willing to approach someone who interests you.

Your best efforts will come through making changes in your home. The advice you get this week may be based on false information. You need to take some time out to decide what you want to do. Look into ways to better yourself through improving your dietary habits.

Visitors may drop by unexpectedly, resulting in tension with your lover. Try to be patient and understanding. Travel and family gatherings should be in order. You need to concentrate on the areas where you can make a difference.

Your compassion will be appreciated more than you can imagine. Difﬁculties with appliances, water, or electricity in your home may be evident. You’ll ﬁnd you’re detail oriented this week. Be careful not to lead someone on if you truly have no interest.

Social activity should be on your agenda. Channel your energy wisely and you can score points with the boss. Avoid arguments with relatives who might be conservative. Your lover will be extremely sensitive and now will not be a good time to make changes that they won’t like.

Opportunities for new and exciting relationships will be yours if you get out and join groups. Your business sense will be leading you in a direction that indicates more travel and communication. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. You may be more emotional than usual.

Any ﬁnancial limitations will probably have to be dealt with on your own. You should look into a healthier diet. Try to avoid any drastic/ decisions concerning personal legal matters. Don’t jump into investments too quickly.

Rely on yourself and you will look good to superiors. Your emotions may get the better of you. Your personal partner may be less than willing to accommodate you this week. You might have some problems balancing your books.

You could make extra cash through creative hobbies. You have worked hard and the payback is now. Travel could turn out to be more exciting than you imagined. Caustic language may cause you to want to get out of the house.

You are best to put your efforts into redecorating or inviting friends over. First ﬁnd out if they’re married. Get together with those you ﬁnd mentally stimulating. Pushy people must be kept at arm’s length.

You can enjoy social events and meet new potential mates; however, avoid being lavish. Those close to your heart may be difﬁcult to reason with. Use your obvious talent to work with detail and you can come up with something great.

MAREEBA SHIRE COUNCIL LIBRARY

STATEBIBOORAHSCHOOL

Friday 22 August

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 Ofﬁce 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, Marano’s Ravenshoe, Tall Timbers Roadhouse, Mt Garnet Post Ofﬁce, Cornett’s Ravenshoe, Ravenshoe Information Centre, Malanda Real Estate, Millaa Millaa Real Estate, Malanda Visitor Centre, Eacham Fuels Malanda and Yungaburra Information Centre.

KURANDA:

Kuranda News, Kuranda Foodmart, Koah Service Station, Speewah Store, Kowrowa Cash Store and Kuranda BP Roadhouse.

DIMBULAH:

TGT Home Hardware, Dimbulah Post Ofﬁce, Bendigo Bank, Dimbulah One Stop and De Lai Fuel Distribution.

CHILLAGOE:

Almaden Hotel, Chillagoe Post Ofﬁ ce, Chillagoe General Store, Chillagoe Hotel and Post Ofﬁce Hotel.

MT MOLLOY:

Mt Molloy Post Ofﬁce and Mt Molloy Store.

KARUMBA: Post Ofﬁce Karumba, Karumba Pharmacy and Carpentaria Fuels.

GEORGETOWN:

Ampol Roadhouse, Midway Caravan Park and Georgetown Hospital.

NORMANTON:

One Stop Shop, Normanton Trader and Garden Café.

MT SURPRISE: Post Ofﬁce and Mt Surprise Service Station.

CROYDON:

Gulf Gate Roadhouse and Croydon General Store.

EINASLEIGH: Post Ofﬁce and Einasleigh Council.

FORSAYTH: Store and Post Ofﬁce and Goldﬁ eld Tavern.

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

Harry Potter (Joseph) and Pirate Rieley in their awesome Book Week costumes.

William (back left) and Woody (Deo), (front left) Thing 1 (Wyatt) and Spiderman (Byron) enjoying stop, drop and read time with principal Max Rivett.

Skylah-Pearl (left) and Brydie reading with Mrs Acha.

One of the local police oﬃcers attending Book Week to help the kids engage in learning and reading.

Captain America (Axl), Anika and Marine reading with Mrs Gallo the witch.

The kids playing with each other.

The Mareeba Shire Council Library celebrated book week.

POYNER, Lawrence Joseph

Late of Atherton, formally Lake Eacham.

Passed in hospital with family by his side on the 14th of October, 2024. Aged 79 years.

~ At peace and ﬁnally out of pain. ~ Lawrence leaves behind his beloved Wife of 56 years, Pauline. Cherished Father of Tony, Ken and Darren. Grandfather to his 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Brother of Anthony (Dec.), Vic (Dec.) and Bob.

In Laurie’s words:

“As you are, I once was. And as I am, you will be. When I am gone, you still will be. But in time you will follow me. So in the end, together we will be.”

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

RAYMONT, Ernest Douglas

Late of Malanda. Ngadjon and Mamu Elder

(aka Muppie). Passed away peacefully on Thursday the 5th of September, 2024. Aged 82 years. Brother, Uncle, Cousin, Grandfather, Countryman and Friend to many.

Relatives and friends of Ernie are respectfully invited to attend his funeral which will be held at the Malanda High School Hall, at Memorial Avenue, Malanda on Saturday 26th October, 2024 with a service commencing at 10am, for interment in the Malanda Cemetery. Please wear Maroon or Cowboy’s colours.

WISH someone in your life Happy Birthday. Call Beth at your friendly locally owned Newspaper on 4092 3464.

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

Poyner, Kenneth John

Late of Cairns. Passed in Cairns Hospital on the 17th of October, 2024. Age 54 years.

Gone to join his Dad in a better place. Now ﬁnally at peace.

Brother of Tony & Darren. Private cremation to be held.

Susan Jean ALLEN

Late of Mareeba. Passed away peacefully on Thursday the 17th of October, 2024. Aged 77 years.

Dearly loved Wife of Les. Devoted Mother of Mark and Christine and their families.

Family and friends are warmly invited to attend a funeral service to be held at St George’s Anglican Church, 49 Constance Street, Mareeba on Monday 28th October commencing at 10.00am.

At the conclusion of the service, a private cremation will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations to QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, https://www. qimrberghofer.edu.au/support-us/donate/ would be appreciated. A donation box will be available at the service.

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

GARAGE SALE

All household stuff, lots of books, sewing/quilting material galore. Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th October - 8am to 4pm 47 Mountainview Dr, Atherton No Eftpos Available – Cash Only.

BIG SALE

Saturday 2nd November, 2024

8.00am to 3.00pm

148 Deep Creek Road, Wongabel (Wongabel Stables)

NEW ITEMS:

Clothing and shoes, still in packaging, household linen, Janome sewing machine, off road hauler, vaccuum cleaner, pedestal fans, other electrical appliances, hand crafted bed covers, various sizes, large quantity knitting/crochet wool, mechanics’ aids, art/craft products, novelty bags.

USED ITEMS:

Massage table, small fridge, household items, tools, clothes stand, wardrobe bags, good quality clothing, outdoor furniture, lots of free items! Phone 0429 912 070 for more information.

H Downsizing Garage Sale H

2x drawer wooden single bed with innerspring mattress and protector, hardly used, new Kombucha Crock, kitchenware, LPs, toys, hats & vintage clothing, and much much more!!

One table of goods to benefit the RFDS.

8.00am - 4.00pm

Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th October 14 Lakeside Drive, Tinaroo Falls Dam Road

PHOENIX OFF ROAD POP TOP 15ft, ALKO suspension, good tyres (2 new spares), 160W solar Engel compressor fridge, double bed, dinette (converts to single bed), wraparound awning, caravan cover, tough unit, go anywhere! $10,000 • Phone: 0447 962 923

Exceptional Boxer X Ridgeback Puppies Tan & White.

3 Female, 2 Male PHONE: 0486 031 953

Supply Number: 0015596119849

BRAFORD BULL

Proven Sire • $3,500 PHONE: 0409 346 478

CLASSIFIEDS

An exciting opportunity exists to join the Community Programs Team as a: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT WORKER

Full-time or Part-time Position

The application package which details the role and and eligibility criteria is available at: www.mccinc.org.au/paid-positions/

First Nations applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Must

Applications

An exciting opportunity exists to join the Family Programs Team as an: INTENSIVE FAMILY SUPPORT CASE WORKER

Part-time Position

The application package which details the role and and eligibility criteria is available at: www.mccinc.org.au/paid-positions/

First Nations applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Must address all selection criteria in application.

Skills based pay scale, SCHCADS Level 4.

Applications close Sunday 3rd November, 2024.

GOLDEN DROP WINERY REQUIRE Casual Sales Person

Work available both Kuranda & Farm shop. Must be reliable & responsible. RSA & current Drivers Licence preferred. Includes weekend work, min 16 hours per week. Award rate paid. Call (07) 4093 2750 for interview.

Careers with Queensland Health

Clinical Nurse – Child Health

Location/Division: Mareeba / Atherton

Salary: $54.44 – $58.30 per hour

Duties/Abilities:

• Proven ability to comprehensively assess, plan, implement and evaluate nursing care at an advanced level within a complex environment.

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with team members, patients, families and other stakeholders.

• Competence in the application of clinical problem solving and effective coordination of patient centred care at an advanced level.

Enquiries: Mary Vicary – 07 4092 9100.

Job Ad Referece: CAH597827

Application Kit:

https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-CAH597827

Closing Date: Monday, 4 November 2024

You can apply online at www.smartjobs.qld.gov.au

Public Notice

Notice of Praecipe Nadine Shopland © of Walkamin, Queensland, is not a voluntary transactor in commerce, and is the irrefutable Holder in Due Course of my properties and all associated copyright protected Trade Names since unrebutted lawful Conveyance to the Land and Soil jurisdiction of Terra Australis also known as the Commonwealth of Australia Public Recording Number RPP4463900051003626373600, Proclamation Date 23 August 2024. Thus severing usufruct subjugation ties with the occupying corporate government of Australia in its entirety. Immediately cease and desist any further infringement upon these copyright protected financial instruments and cease and desist misaddressing Nadine Shopland © in fraudulent debased Dog-Latin, GLOSSA.

WEEKLY SUNDAY BINGO

Mareeba Bowls Club 43 Anzac Avenue, Mareeba Doors Open 8.30am for a 9.15am Start Raising funds for Mareeba Hospital Friends of the Foundation!

Women’s Sexual Assault Survivors Group

Fortnightly: Wednesdays

9.00am - 11.00am, CWA Hall, Jack Street, Atherton

FREE and welcoming (chats, coffee, craft & connection).

Please call TSAS 4091 4036 For further information

Hi, my name is Stephanie I am a relationship consultant with over 30 years in the industry. Over the last 3 decades I have successfully introduced thousands of genuine men and women looking for a partner. Please call 1800 261 848 or 0488 200 554 for a free compatibility match. Happiness is only a phone call away! Seniors welcome.

Applications Invited Early Childhood Coordination Targeted Communities

Organisations are invited to apply to establish and deliver early childhood coordination in:

• Aurukun

• Kowanyama

• Cherbourg

• Mapoon

• Napranum (via Weipa)

• Woorabinda

• Lockhart River

The initiative will provide practical assistance to support children and families experiencing vulnerability to successfully transition from home to early childhood settings, and on to school. The service will promote children’s development, family and child wellbeing, and a sense of belonging as the child takes part in their community.

$155,000 per annum, per location, is available until 30 June 2026 to provide early childhood coordination services to support successful transitions for children.

Final date for applications: 15 November 2024

Please refer to the Department of Education’s website for full details: https://earlychildhood. qld.gov.au/grants-and-funding

HOW DO I CANCEL AN ADVERTISEMENT?

Should you need to cancel an existing advertisement please call the office on (07) 4092 3464 before the deadline: Display Ads 9am Thursday; Classifieds 4pm Friday prior to Wednesday’s publication date. Another method of cancellation is by emailing: admin@theexpressnewspaper.com.au

Well Women’s Clinics

(These clinics are available to Medicare eligible clients)

Service includes Cervical Screening Tests (Pap Smears), Sexual Health Screening, Breast Awareness, also info on Contraception, Continence, Menopause, Lifestyle Issues, Bowel Health etc.

All services are provided by a specially trained Qld Health Women’s Health Nurse.

Mount Garnet Primary Health Centre

Wednesday 6th November, 2024 Phone 4097 4800 to make an appointment.

Ravenshoe Primary Health Centre

Monday 25th November, 2024 Phone 4097 6223 to make an appointment. Atherton Community Health Centre

Tuesday 26th November, 2024 Phone 4091 0263 to make an appointment.

Malanda Primary Health Centre Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 27th November, 2024 Phone 4096 5339 to make an appointment. Mareeba Hospital Thursday 28th November, 2024 Phone 4092 9311 to make an appointment.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “There are two kinds of people worth envying: someone whom Allah has made rich and who spends his money righteously, and someone whom Allah has given wisdom and who acts according to it and teaches it to others.” For more information please contact us at: mareeba.mosque@gmail.com

PositioN VacaNt

PersoNal

Zephiyr Robinson Jase

SPORT Mareeba rivals ready to rumble

By Andree Stephens

IT’S A bit like family infighting. The relatives might have a go at each other, but woe betide anyone outside of the circle who tries it on.

Such is the basis for the decades of rivalry between football’s Mareeba and Dimbulah clubs.

Talk to anyone at Mareeba United Football Club and they’ll happily tell you of the history of the teams, how many times the Mareeba Bulls have bested Dimbulah, and how the junior teams are still encouraged in this “sibling rivalry”.

And yet, when discussing the upcoming Fantin Cup – a football clash between the two towns to honour their football and community heritage - players can recite as much about the other team’s successes, as their own. We have learned how players from each team, decades ago, would hitch a ride on the back of a truck to get to Cairns for their matches after they finished their shifts at the tobacco farms. We have heard from former players who have played in both clubs and are loyal to both.

Mareeba United Football Club, unlike its Dimbulah neighbours, continues to thrive in the men’s FNQ league. It even landed in the Grand Final of this year’s season. (Dimbulah’s shrinking population

after the tobacco industry ceased, has left the town focusing on its junior league.)

Mareeba’s history is legendary. The Bulls were a consistently strong side and had, and still have, a mighty support base. Go to any away game and it’s a hard choice to pick which is more entertaining, the game or the fans’ chanting and joking.

Former player Ivor Schofield recalls a semi-final match against Townsville.

“Three thousand people came to watch Mareeba beat Townsville 3-1 in a knockout, even extra police attended.”

The success of the Bulls gave Mareeba the title of “‘Football Capital of North Queensland” – not bad for a small country town, built up by an Italian, and increasingly multicultural, community.

By 2009, the team entered the Queensland State League as the FNQ Bulls, drawing from the whole region, which continued until 2012. They reached the top five in the last three years, and second in their final year.

Back at home, in the local league, stories of rivalry continued to bring a smile.

Steven Gould, now 90, played for Mareeba and won the first-ever Crad Evans in 1963 – the Crad Evans Shield is a symbol of football supremacy in North Queensland.

Local Mareeba former footballer Ray-

mond Cater said Steve had moved to Mareeba from England, and first worked at GH O’Donnell’s printers, and the spotters were fast.

“The first day he arrived Clarrie Bethel and Peter Geraghty, his work colleagues, went from the Graham Hotel to inform Eddie Venturato and Danny Bianchin that a good soccer player from England via Brisbane had arrived in town,” Mr Cater said.

“They quickly raced back to O’Donnell’s to sign Steve up before Dimbulah found out about his arrival in town. This was the sporting rivalry between the clubs back in the day.”

The club’s history also produced some famous football names, such as Frank Farina, who played for Australia, and for the Belgium, France, Italy and England leagues.

Wayne Srhoj was another who played for Melbourne Heart, and is back now playing for the Bulls. He and the Madrid family, another football favourite, continue to put back into the club, bringing up the next generations of players in this community-driven sport.

You can watch the Fantin Cup matches on Saturday 2 November at Bruno’s Park, Dimbulah. Matches begin from 5pm.

ON AGAIN IN 2024!

left: Peter Tokisi tackling Loui Serafini during a state league match.

Former footballers, Loui Serafini and Andre Soncin.

State success for Tablelands girls

TWO young girls from the Tablelands area recently found great success at the Queensland Representative School Sport State Championships, both bringing home a medal each.

Paige Grose of Malanda State High School and Gabrielle Rohde of Atherton Primary School both medaled at the State Championships, qualifying them to represent Queensland in the National Championships.

Paige is a Year 12 student from Malanda and placed second in the 800m with a season personal best, she also competed in the

1500m race and placed fourth.

However, Paige has elected to not compete at Nationals as she wishes to finish her senior year focusing on her studies.

Gabrielle is a 10-year-old Atherton local and picked up a bronze medal in the high jump, jumping 1m 39cm.

The top three for this event jumped higher than the winner for the same age group last year.

Gabrielle will be heading to the Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre to compete in Nationals from 28 November to 2 December.

Tolga takes the

win

GIRLS from Tolga State School have been crowned winners of a Far North interschool cricket competition.

The Woolworths Cricket Blast School Cup Far North finals were recently held and saw boy’s and girl’s teams from St Thomas’ and Tolga State School travel to Cairns to compete in a day of T20 cricket matches.

The teams from both local schools had previously won the Tablelands divisions in the primary school age group.

The girl’s final was between St Thomas’ and Tolga. After losing to St Thomas’ in a previous match they met again in the final, with Tolga winning 121 to 117.

Each wicket taken earned the team five additional runs, contributing to their total score.

The Tolga boys won all their games but were outscored by St Andrew’s on runs at the end of the day, making them runners up of the competition.

Canoe come and try day

THE Tinaroo Canoe Club is inviting all beginner and developing paddlers to try out a number of crafts on the sheltered waters of Lake Tinaroo this Sunday from 9am-12 noon.

The ‘Come and Try’ day will be held down Black Gully Road, Tinaroo and is open to anyone of interest.

The Tolga State School girl’s cricket team are the winners of a Far North Region cricket competition.

Paige Grose placed second in the 800m and fourth in the 1500m races at the State Championships.

Gabrielle Rhode placed third in high jump at the State Championships

SPORT

Two titles up for grabs at speedway season final

THE last race meeting for the Mareeba Speedway 2024 season will be held on Saturday at the club’s revamped venue at Springs Road.

Patrons are guaranteed to see some great racing action, with two titles being contested on the night.

The Mannings Pie’s 2024 Super Street Sedan Title will be held with a big field of race cars coming from the Tablelands, Cairns, Townsville and Mackay.

Current champion Dan Pitchfork from Cairns will be looking to make it two in a row, but he won’t have it all

his own way, with plenty of competition coming from Townsville’s Brett Hardy and local Chris Ross who has returned to racing this season.

The 2024 Warpac North Queensland Modified Production Title is also included in the jam-packed program.

The current champion is Townsville’s Hayden Stephenson and he will have stiff opposition from Yungaburra’s Johnno Collins, Edmonton’s Scott Vella, Townsville’s Stacey Lee as well as a field of quality race cars.

This will be the first time this year that the Modified Production Sedans

have run at Mareeba.

Atherton’s Chris Ross will be vying for the 2024 Super Street Sedan Title on Saturday night.

The very popular and powerful Sprintcars are also included, running their final round of the Snap On North Queensland Sprintcar Championship.

Current points leader Gwesyn Dalliston will be endeavouring to keep local Tablelander John Magro, who is in second, and Cairns youngster Ash Ewing back in third, at bay to endeavour to take out his first Sprintcar Championship.

The Fuch’s Lubricants Junior Sedans, under the mentorship of former Super Sedan star Peter

Wright, are a growing division with competitors aged 10 years to 16 years and are the future of North Queensland speedway.

With a dozen nominations for Saturday night, the in-form 10-year-old Jai Cotterell from Townsville has won the final of his last two starts while in his first year of competing. Other youngsters to watch are Townsville girls Kayla Adams and Livi Jorgensen.

The huge night will also include the 4AM Halloween Family Party with a Scary Maze, huge lolly drop, a jumping castle and prizes for best dressed

children and adults.

Gates open at 3.30pm, with the grand parade at 5pm.

“We have had a very successful 2024 season and Saturday night will be a huge finale for us,” MMRC president Scott Davis said.

“We have really made an effort to cater for families and not just race cars and it is the generous hard work of our many volunteers and the continued generosity of our partners and sponsors, here at our not-for-profit community venue, that has really ensured us have had such a great year.”

Edward Smith from Mt Garnet will be taking part in Saturday night’s action.