The Express Newspaper 16 April 2025 by Carlo Portella

DREAM IS ON TRACK

Ben Daley celebrates his new wheels with Adrian Schincariol.

Distillery vies for big award

FAR Northern police are gearing up for a busy two weeks, ensuring everyone travelling around the region stays safe.

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.

Locals and visitors can expect to see an increased presence on the roads and on the water, conducting high-visibility operations until 21 April.

Cairns Water Police Officer-in-Charge

Sergeant Andrew Ibell said boaties must remain vigilant and prepare properly for trips.

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).

“It’s important to keep an eye on the weather conditions, and make sure you pack safety equipment including lifejackets and an EPRIB, and always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return,” he said.

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

“Like on the roads, being under the influence of drugs or alcohol while operating a vessel is illegal, and can be extremely dangerous.

“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.

“Alerting family or friends or reporting your trip to the local Volunteer Marine Rescue group or Coast Guard could help save your life in the event of an emergency.

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

“Check your vessel is properly maintained and have a plan if you get into trouble.”

“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 Cairns Highway Patrol Unit will also be keeping drivers in check, with Operation X-Ray Easter launching last week, and continuing throughout the school holidays.

Officers will be particularly focusing on drink and drug driving, ensuring everyone makes it home safely.

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.

Officer-in-charge of the Cairns Highway Patrol Unit Senior Sergeant Craig Johnson, said police could be anywhere and at any time, using high-visibility patrols and covert operations to keep road users safe.

“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.

“It’s critical that drivers and riders stay alert and avoid the fatal five: driving under the influence, speeding, fatigue, distraction, and failing to wear a seatbelt correctly,” he said.

“Police will do whatever it takes to increase safety on our roads, creating safer drivers, safer vehicles and safer communities.”

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

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

FORMER councillor and Great Wheelbarrow Race Committee Chair Kevin Davies, who passed away in January, has been named the Face of the Race for the 2025 event.

“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.

The race, to take place between 9-11 May, was an important event for Mr Davies who competed in the event numerous times and became the chair of the organising committee in 2024.

“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.”

“This year we are dedicating the race to our beloved past chair and councillor, Kevin Davies – a face we all love and miss so very much,” long-time committee member and friend Natasha Srhoj said.

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

This IWSC recognition follows

“Kevin was a champion of the race since it began and a champion and friend of the people in it, the charities and the communities along the way who benefit from it.

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.

“There wasn’t anything Kevin wouldn’t do to make this race the best it could be for all involved. He always wanted the best for everyone.

“This was a man who dedicated his time to make things better for everyone else - truly service above self. He embodied everything this race is about and this year we are doing it for Kev.”

Ms Srhoj encouraged anyone considering competing in this year’s race to nominate now.

“So let’s all be like Kev, join us and let’s make this the best year yet for our leader we can never forget,” she said.

“He’s with us in spirit and will be watching us along the Wheelbarrow Way!”

To register go to www.greatwheelbarrowrace. com.au before 30 April.

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.

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.

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

The government has also signiﬁcantly increased

“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.”

Former councillor Kevin Davies has been named Face of the Race for 2025 as recognition for the passion he had for the annual event.

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

Tourism momentum growing

By ANDREE STEPHENS

FROM building agri-tourism or creating coffee trails, to finding hidden gems like the labyrinth at Mt Molloy, tourism in the Mareeba Shire is building momentum, a Chamber of Commerce lunch heard recently.

Mareeba Local Tourism Operations (LTO) chair and Deputy Mayor Lenore Wyatt said “tourism is a significant contributor to the economy”.

Presenting the LTO’s latest updates, Cr Wyatt said the shire attracted $162.2 million in tourism spend during 2022-23 – the highest amount on record based on the most recent figures available.

What was “really exciting” was that the LTO, formed two years ago, had become an incorporated entity in November.

“Now we are a not-for-profit, with a board of directors representing all of the tourist industry, it opens up new opportunities to seek out grants so we can focus on budding industries and hidden gems,” Cr Wyatt said.

The LTO was borne out of the council’s Mareeba Tourism funding arm and the Chamber of Commerce, which was also a major financial contributor. Bendigo Bank had also backed the LTO and was “fantastic in supporting our networking events”, and Tourism Tropical North Queensland had been matching a council funding arrangement and assisting with promotional material.

Those entities were still major contributors to the LTO, but the operation would no longer come under any one umbrella, Cr Wyatt explained. This allowed it to have greater control over decision-making and provide more targeted focus for the region’s tourism industry.

One such focus raised at the lunch was the growing trend for agri-tourism. A key agri-tourism representative will be attending the Rotary Fields Days in May and the LTO has jumped on the chance to show off the region.

“We will be taking her on a tour bus around the Mareeba Shire while she is here to expose her to what we have to offer,” Cr Wyatt said.

“I mean when you look at what is here, the Golden Drop mango winery, that came out of a mango property, one of our earliest successes; Skybury Coffee, where they just grew coffee –

now look at it, it’s mind-blowing; and Jacques Coffee another great place to visit.

“We’ve been told that coffee is big so we’re considering creating a coffee trail for the region,” she added.

“Station visits are another budding industry, opening up properties to camping. It’s one of the potential ways for smaller size farms to be able to get extra funds. There’s lots of potential and the more we have, the more people will come.”

The driving tour in May would also show off some hidden gems, Cr Wyatt said, as well as the bigger

ticket items, such as Kuranda.

The latter was lately reaping the benefits of spectacular bud lighting on the village centre’s 14 fig trees.

Cr Wyatt said the community was already seeing more nightlife, such as at the Butterfly shop which recently advertised a trivia night, or the popular Petite Café, which had extended its opening hours. This all helped grow visitation.

The LTO was also working closely with agencies such as the Road Traffic Authority, and groups like Atherton Tourism, which was bringing Tablelands tourism into a

“collective family”.

“A lot of businesses had felt they were getting lost in the noise”, Cr Wyatt said.

But connections were building, especially through the networking events. One great example was the cross-promotion developed between the Emerald Creek Ice Creamery and the Ford Museum.

Similarly, the growth of social media, website management and revamps of the Visit Mareeba and Kuranda Village tourism pages had provided more connectivity and capacity building for tourism organisations.

“We provide access to a national tourism database if you become a member of LTO,” Cr Wyatt said. “We had eight listings from the region to start with, now we have 30.”

She pointed out that the LTO was free to join, but that would change on 1 July, so she encouraged tourism operators and businesses to “get in early”.

Tourism campaigns such as “Hidden Gems”, which had singled out places such as Julatten and Mt Molloy, had also proved a hit.

“The Labyrinth in Mt Molloy is lovely, and not everyone knows about it,” Cr Wyatt said. “It’s kept going by a volunteer.”

(The Labyrinth is currently waterlogged and best visited in the dry season between June and October.)

LTO has also created a key events calendar and introduced driving itineraries which are mentioned in a 25-minute Overland Travellers video, “What to do on the way to the Cape”.

“We are really proud of what the LTO is doing,” Cr Wyatt said. “Let’s face it, tourism is everyone’s business.”

The Labyrinth in Mt Molloy is one of Mareeba Shires hidden gems in the dry season.

Mountain dreaming

By ANDREE STEPHENS

BEN Daley was only 18 when, while walking with a friend, he was hit by a motorbike driven by an underage rider. The accident left him with an acquired brain injury, unable to talk and walk.

But nearly 25 years later, Ben is fulfilling a dream of returning to his beloved sport, mountain biking riding.

“My story tells of hope, aspiration and a sense of belonging in the mountain bike community. I want to feel included and be able to interact with fellow competitors,” he wrote.

With the support of businesses and communities in Far North Queensland, Ben is now the proud owner of a custom-built adaptive mountain bike after more than a year of fundraising – assisted by his NDIS service provider, Tolgabased guardians & co.

“The community really got behind Ben,” guardians & co. founding director and support program manager Joan Schincariol said.

“And his carer, Pina Low, has been, and continues to be, the driving force in supporting Ben to source sponsors and interact with the community in sharing his dream.”

And this dream is getting bigger.

“The quadricycle was just the beginning, now he is focused on his next goal of competing, which we can

all get behind.”

Ben lives in his own home, set up as an NDIS Shared Living arrangement, with another NDIS participant after his loving parents, who now reside in Carinya Home, could no longer support him.

He has already begun preparing for his first race in Mogo, NSW, in October this year. This mountain biking event includes adaptive mountain biking for paraplegics, Joan explained.

“The training and preparation are paramount,” Joan said. “Ben’s support team are a big part of helping him achieve his goal.

“He does core training, strengthening his arms - that is where personal trainer Angela Woods and FNQ Health & Fitness come into it,” Joan said.

“We (guardians & co.) also have an e-bike that the support team and Pina takes with Ben on his trails locally, so he can practice in the quadricycle and build his speed, and progress to more challenging tracks.”

The support team and Joan’s husband Adrian (also a cofounder of guardians & co.) will all make the 2,661 km drive to the competition with Ben later this year.

For Ben, this journey heralds an exciting new phase of his life.

“Mountain biking is freedom and a closeness to nature,” he wrote. “Shared interest and shared competition offer a ladder over the usual barriers to social interaction and inclusion.”

School donates for blood cancer

THE student council at Mareeba State High School recently held a World’s Greatest Shave event and have donated over $800 to the Leukaemia Foundation.

Eight staff participated in the event to raise funds by colouring their hair. The student council also held a sausage sizzle and a cookie decorating stall to allow them to raise more money for the cause.

“Thank you to the staff who volunteered to have their hair coloured, the students who assisted at the various activities and the local businesses that supported this fundraiser,” teacher Laurette Seddon said.

“We really appreciate Mel and her team at Coles Mareeba, the team from Russo’s Quality Meats and the staff at Brumby’s Mareeba, without their support the student council would not be able to raise these funds to donate to a good cause.”

The school raised $250 through gold coin and online donations during the recent event. They will also be adding $610 raised from their Valentine’s Day fundraiser, bringing their total donation amount to $860.

(top left) Students enjoyed the opportunity to spray Mr Stanway’s hair.

(bottom left) The student council also raised money for the Leukaemia Foundation through a sausage sizzle.

Digital insights for small business

MAREEBA Shire’s small businesses can kick start Queensland Small Business month with a free workshop that will help uncover clever ways to market themselves.

The Digital Solutions Program is coming to Mareeba to deliver a “Marketing on a Budget” workshop on 1 May at the Mareeba Library tech room from 9am to 11am.

The workshop will cover Google Ads (create effective ad campaigns); Meta Advertising (advertising on Facebook and Instagram); Email Marketing (craft compelling email campaigns); and Canva and AI tips (enhancing your marketing materials with Canva and AI tools).

The free workshop will be presented by Nicky Jurd who started her company Precedence back in 2000 when the Internet was still new.

She has a strong emphasis on creating profitable websites for their client base of small and medium Australian businesses.

Her specialty is in composing and delivering informative, audience-driven training around the effective engagement of customers by small business people through the use of web tools and social media.

Numbers are limited so those who wish to attend should book by going to https://events. humanitix.com/marketing-on-a-budget-tools-forsuccess-mareeba

Major makeovers for Atherton clubs

By KONNOR FURBER

NEARLY half a million dollars of funding has been put towards the major upgrades of two key sporting clubs in Atherton, with Minister for Sport and Racing Tim Mander who travelled north to officially open the new facilities.

The Atherton Bowls Club received a grant of $190,000 to have a new bowling green installed while the Atherton Golf Club received a co-contributed grant of about $300,000 to have 1.2km of concrete cart paths built.

Also in attendance at the openings was Member for Kennedy Bob Katter, Member for Barron River Bree James, Member for Hill Shane Knuth, Tablelands Mayor Rod Marti and other dignitaries including representatives from Queensland Sport and Recreation.

Bowls Club secretary Beth Johnston said attaining funding to install a new green was very important and could help boost the club’s member numbers.

“We’re extremely grateful, it’s a lot of money for a small club to get. Especially in this time with all the floods and everything, we’re just really grateful,” she said.

“The new green is very important. The old one was 16 years old and was getting a lot of mould, just a lot of general wear and tear too.

“I think it will help us to attract new members.”

The Atherton Golf Club project cost an estimated $300,000, with the club contributing to approximately 25-30% of that and the rest from the government grant.

Club president Kerry Duck said the new cart paths were vital in allowing the club’s members to play year-round and provided an avenue for players to be able to use carts in wet weather conditions.

“The paths are extremely important. They’ve allowed the club and its members to be able to play the course at times when normally they could only walk,” he said.

“So, people that are elderly, and we do have a lot of elderly members, and where it’s beyond walking for them, they can use carts and the paths to be able to play even in very extreme weather conditions. The club is extremely grateful.”

This ANZAC Day, join our Sub Branch in paying tribute to all who have bravely served our nation. There’s no greater way to honour the ANZAC’s – and all who followed their example – than by commemorating as a community on 25 April.

Lest We Forget Friday 25th April, 2025

Dawn Service 4:28am

Main Service: March starts 10:15am at the Post Ofﬁce centre, followed immediately by the Main Service at the Cenotaph, ANZAC Park, Byrnes Street, Mareeba

Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander (left) and Atherton Golf Club president Kerry Duck tested out the new concrete cart paths.

(right) Atherton Bowls Club committee chair Julie Shuttleworth and Mr Mander have a bowl on the brand-new green.

Restored memorial to be unveiled

A MEMORIAL erected more than 100 years ago has been refurbished and will be unveiled to the public before Anzac Day.

Tablelands Regional Council has refurbished the Evelyn Scrub War Memorial which was erected in 1919 and lists the names of 41 men from Evelyn who served in World War 1.

“Last year, we received funding to repair the honour roll on the memorial, which is the only remaining structure from the former Evelyn Scrub town,” Cr Annette Haydon said.

She said the 41 men named on the memorial represented nearly 90% of the young men from the area at that time.

The council brought in people with the special skills required to give the memorial a true makeover.

“We commissioned a specialist metals conservator to restore the copper and brass memorial honour roll, and the new mounting system will ensure it is more secure and protected,” Cr Haydon said.

“The individual name plaques were

also removed and treated with a corrosion inhibitor and protective coating.

“The memorial itself has received a makeover to remove the flaking paint and to tidy the concrete bevelled edge of the recess, and the whole memorial has been cleaned and repainted.

“The broken urn on the top has also been restored and replaced by a stonemason.

“We’re hoping the work will keep the memorial in good condition for years to come and I thank the Ravenshoe RSL Sub Branch for the help.”

Cr Haydon said the public was invited to come to the memorial on Jonsson Road, Evelyn at 10am Wednesday 23 April to celebrate its new look.

“We’ll have morning tea after the unveiling – the venue will move to the Ravenshoe RSL Sub Branch Hall if it’s raining,” she said.

Anyone wishing to attend is encouraged to RSVP their attendance and dietary requirements by calling 1300 362 242 by Wednesday 16 April.

Funds on offer for local playgroups

PLAY in regional and remote Queensland is set to be boosted, with playgroups now able to apply for funding launched as part of National Playgroup Week (1723 March).

The Rural and Remote Grants program from national not-forprofit Play Matters is offering up to $5000 to playgroups in communities identified as moderately accessible, remote, and very remote.

Groups in the Mareeba, Cook, Douglas and Tablelands local government areas are eligible to apply.

Play Matters chief executive officer Penny Creamer said accessing playgroups was a

vital part of supporting a child’s growth.

“We know 90% of a child’s brain develops by the time they turn five and play is scientifically proven to assist that development,” she said.

“Play supports the early learning of skills including reading, singing, and counting, while playgroups bring children, and importantly their families, together for social interaction and emotional support.

“From Maranoa to Mt Isa, Torres Strait to the Tablelands, every child should be able to benefit from the way playgroups connect children, families, and communities.”

Every week, more than 24,000 families attend 500 playgroups, play experiences, music therapy classes, and parenting peer support groups facilitated by Play Matters.

“Playgroups are often run by volunteers at a nominal fee to families, so cost isn’t a barrier for seeking support through play. The grants will allow coordinators to purchase new educational resources and equipment, access networking opportunities, and upgrade facilities, to make their playgroups even more inclusive, engaging, and enriching for families and children.”

For the first time as part of its National Playgroup Week

celebrations, Play Matters is also launching free webinars to help families and educators better understand the power of play.

“The webinars will focus on the role adults have in children’s play, how play builds strong families and community, and how it improves children’s wellbeing through play,” Ms Creamer said.

“If you care for a child under the age of five and are yet to try a playgroup, we encourage you to search for your local play experiences via the Play Matters website and give it a go.” Grant applications close on 27 April and can be made by going to: https://playmatters.org. au/playgroup-grants

The badly worn war memorial at Evelyn Scrub has been restored and will be unveiled on 23 April.

Bosnic leads in by-election

WITH the numbers still too close to call, shimmying for the position of Mareeba Shire councillor looks to be a nailbiter between candidates Mladen Bosnic and Alan Pedersen.

As of Monday morning, the Queensland Electoral Commission website showed no real change in the neck-to-neck race, with Mr Bosnic (pictured) leading with 4,017 votes, and Mr Pedersen closely following on 3,840 votes.

“The results so far are tight, I admit, but they were tight last time,” Mr Bosnic said. “

“And the number of votes have dwindled off. My fingers and toes are twisted from being crossed all week.”

He said he had done his best and campaigned hard and joked that he had a speech ready for a win and for a loss.

He praised the community for its efforts in the byelection, with the 10,426 votes cast so far a “pretty good result” considering only about 11,000 voted in the full local government election the previous year.

According to the QEC, the number of people enrolled to vote in the shire is 16,376.

And while the results were not clear as this article went to print (counting closed on Tuesday), Mr Bosnic feels vindicated in his objection to the byelection being held at all.

“I think the council

underestimated the public there,” he said.

“Even now, while we’re in the midst of a Federal election, the issue has stayed in the public limelight, there’s been a lot of social media chatter.”

Mr Bosnic was the runnerup in the council election held in 2024, and with the passing of Cr Kevin Davies, the Local Government Act provided for two options to fill the vacant position – offering the position to the next candidate in line or holding a by-election.

Mr Bosnic was the next in line.

Much of the public reaction was against council’s decision to hold the byelection, claiming it was a waste of money which has been estimated to be in excess of $100,000.

“I don’t want to dwell on it, but my views haven’t changed, and I think the voters have spoken,” Mr Bosnic said.

Three other candidates Gaye Taylor (926 votes), Carol Chong (849 votes) and Robyn Drury (633 votes) are well behind Mr Bosnic and Mr Pedersen.

NOMINATIONS for the highly anticipated 2025 Mareeba Rodeo Queen competition are now open and this year’s matrons are eagerly encouraging young women in the community to apply.

Annalisa Savaglio will return for her second year as the Matron of Honour and will be joined by first-time matron Andrea Dati.

Both have experience with community events and are enthusiastically planning this year’s competition.

“The competition is a great way for entrants to meet new people, grow in confidence, have fun, and learn many new things,” Ms Savaglio said.

Ms Dati said: “It gives entrants

a chance to represent themselves, their sponsors, the rodeo, and the community.”

2022 Rodeo Queen Maia Gambino said young women in the community should sign up for the competition for many reasons.

“The competition is a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, make new friends, and be involved in the community in a number of activities and celebrations,” she said.

“It should also be known that you don’t have to be a cowgirl or typically country to take part in it.

“It broadened my understanding of the show movement and the history of the

Rodeo royalty sought

Mareeba Rodeo.

“I personally gained a lot of self-confidence, and I was grateful to represent Mareeba.”

The beloved community event will once again see young women from across the Mareeba Shire vie for the esteemed titles of Mareeba Rodeo Queen and Princess.

The annual quest attracts young women aged between 16 and 21 from the local community.

The aspiring rodeo ambassadors will be judged based on the qualities needed to represent the rodeo effectively during various engagements.

The competition consists of a three-week program of events, culminating in the highly

MT GARNET RACES & RODEO 2025

Friday 2nd May ~ Sunday 4th May

FRIDAY 2ND MAY

• Calcutta 9.30am at TAB Rink

• 5 Race Program

anticipated crowning ceremony at the downtown parade before the rodeo weekend from 12-13 July. The Mareeba Rodeo Association has prepared an information guide available on their website which provides all necessary details for those considering entering or sponsoring an entrant.

Entrants and sponsors are encouraged to visit the Mareeba Rodeo website at www.mareebarodeo.com.au/ queen-competition to view the information guide and submit their nominations.

Nominations for the 2025 Rodeo Queen competition will close on 25 May.

• Cabaret: Continuous Music, “Careless” & “The Black Image Band” - 18+

SATURDAY 3RD MAY

• Calcutta 9.30am at TAB Rink

• 6 Race Program

• Fabulous Fashions on the Field

Multiple Categories

• Cabaret: Continuous Music, “Careless” & “The Black Image Band” - 18+

SUNDAY 4TH MAY

• Starting 9am

• Trade Show

• Live Auction

• Big Screens Australia

• Grand Parade

• Cabaret: Dusty Haven

ABCRA Afﬁliated

Full Points Rodeo. All nominations through iCompete.

Annalisa Savaglio (front) will return as this year’s Matron of Honour and will be joined by Andrea Dati.

Lions celebrate milestone

MALANDA Lions celebrated 60 years of operation recently with a gathering of Lions branch members from Mareeba and Atherton joining in on the celebrations. The 22 March celebration was held at the Top Rail in Malanda.

(from left) Rico Cabassi and Ron Blundell from Mareeba Lions, Neil Clarke and Con Spanos from Atherton Lions.

Representatives of the Atherton Lions who were the sponsor club of Malanda Lions (from left) 2nd Vice District Governor Russell Hilder, Joint Zone chair Sandy Taske, Rod MacGowan, Joint Zone chair Chrissy Vit, president Geoff Seamark, Ruth Seamark, Neil Clarke and Con Spanos from Atherton Lions, and Mary-Ellen Ryan.

Malanda Lions president for the past eight years, Cade Blankesley.

Joint Zone chair Sandy Taske, immediate past district president Jo Lyons, and Joint Zone chair Chrissy Vit.

THE popular Tolga Sunflower Farm has recently reopened for business after a two-year hiatus and owner Anthony Trimarchi is urging people to “get in quick” while the flowers are blooming.

“We would like to welcome everyone back and we hope to see you soon. Hopefully we can come back bigger and better,” Mr Trimarchi said.

“We’re open to the public to come and pick their own sunflowers. People can come and pick their own at $1-a-stem, 20 for $20, on weekends from 9am-5pm.”

The farm, located at 46-76 Tate Road, Tolga, is kid and dog friendly, with dogs required to be on a leash at all times.

For information visit the Tolga Sunflower Farm on Facebook or call 0447 955 691.

Anthony Trimarchi and his daughter Elyse were pleased to announce the Tolga Sunflower Farm is once again open for business.

NO changes will be made to the Atherton off-leash dog park until a review is completed of Tablelands Regional Council’s Planning Scheme and local laws.

Council officers were last month asked to investigate installing a temporary fence at the Platypus Park off-leash facility to separate smaller dogs from bigger dogs, and also asked why a report, requested in August last year, on the feasibility of establishing an off-leash dog park and amenities in the park on Solar Crescent/ Planet Avenue had not been forthcoming.

NIGHT closures for the Kuranda Range Road will cease from 17 April to 27 April to allow for the public to use the road freely during the Easter and Anzac Day long weekends. There is also no scheduled night closure on Sunday 4 May to take into account movement on the May Day Labour weekend.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads advised that due to the fact that many road users travel during these holidays, it had factored this into the reconstruction program. Night closures will continue as previously advised from Monday 5 May until December 2025.

At the March meeting, a report advised that due to the existing dog park being on heritage-listed land which was “currently subject to confidential discussions”, council would be required to apply for a Heritage Exemption Certificate through the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation.

In 2024, officers pursued the matter with the department which provided an exemption certificate with the condition that TRC would need to organise training for officers performing works and have relevantly qualified representatives on site. Officers also found that only

seven requests had been made between January 2020 and March this year relating to dogs being aggressive or rushing. Officers advised that those dog owners who lodged a complaint were divided on their support for a fence.

“This suggests that both sides of the project request are represented by constituents and an overall community engagement would be required for the one-off project,” a council report explained.

Cr Kevin Cardew, who put forward the request for the temporary fence on behalf of

some dog owners, said the fence was “a simple request” and he did not think the matter should be so complicated.

Chief executive officer Nikola Stepanov said nothing in local government “was easy” and added she had received feedback from members of the public who believed the issue came down to “active dogs and inactive dogs”, rather than the size of the animals.

Cr Con Spanos said he would rather the council’s resources be directed towards identifying a new location for an off-leash dog park, noting the constraints of the current site with its heritage

status, and complaints that it was regularly quite muddy.

The report advised that due to the lack of customer requests received, heritage requirements, dog owner’s obligations under the Animal Management Act 2008, confidential discussions concerning the associated land parcel and no program of works in council’s project register, it was recommended that council not progress with a dividing fence.

Instead, council would continue to operate the current dog park and off leash areas in their current state until a full-service review could be

completed in conjunction with the Planning Scheme and Local Law review.

Officers also reported on the feasibility of establishing another off-leash dog park and amenities within the the park on Solar Crescent/Planet Avenue.

The report outlined a number of actions that would be required including ensuring separation of at least 10m from the dog park to the playground, developing a land management plan, amending a local law to reflect the new dog park, and investigating sewerage, water and power connections to an amenity block.

Greens name candidates 2025 federal election

THE Greens have announced two candidates who will stand for the upcoming Federal election in the electorates of Kennedy and Leichhardt.

A science educator has been chosen as the candidate for Kennedy, going up against the vast experience of incumbent Bob Katter.

Carole Stanford is a science educator and has taught chemistry and computing in high schools and universities.

“I’m running for Kennedy to give voters a positive, progressive choice at this election and to be a champion for the community, not vested interests,” she said.

Ms Stanford says she will be campaigning on cost of living, housing and climate change.

“The people of Kennedy are struggling under the weight of a rising cost of living, homelessness, and climate crisis that is affecting our water and food production and causing extreme conditions across our region,” she said.

“As a Greens candidate, I am campaigning to stop supermarket price gouging, cap rents and deliver cheaper mortgages for those in housing stress, and to make big corporations pay their fair share in tax so we can fund free GP visits and dental and mental health into Medicare.

“We need to tackle the climate crisis by stopping new coal and gas production and rapidly transitioning to renewable energy, which will create long-term, clean jobs for our region.”

In Leichhardt, Phillip Musumeci has been chosen to take on the fight to win the seat with incumbent Warren Entsch (LNP) not contesting the 2025 poll.

This is Mr Musumeci’s second tilt at the seat, having contested it in 2022.

Mr Musumeci is a fourth generation local who was born in Babinda, grew up on a family farm, and now lives in Cairns with his wife and son. He has spent half his working life as a systems engineer and the other half teaching computing science and engineering at a number of universities, including James Cook University.

Mr Musumeci says he is running for Leichhardt again because the major parties have failed the community on the issues of cost of living, housing and climate change.

“As an academic adviser at James Cook University, I saw firsthand how

difficult it is for young people to pay the bills, juggle study and part-time work, and how hopeless many feel about ever owning a home of their own,” he said.

“Too many people in our community are struggling to pay the bills and are being ripped off every time they buy groceries at the supermarket.

“The Greens are committed to tackling the cost of living crisis by making supermarket price gouging illegal, putting dental and mental health into Medicare, and making visits to the GP free.

“We will address the housing crisis by capping rent increases and building more affordable housing.

“We will take strong action on climate change by stopping new coal and gas projects and investing in renewables to create thousands of well paid, long-term jobs in clean energy.”

NATIONALS Leader David Littleproud and Shadow Minister for Northern Australia, Senator Susan McDonald, have launched the election campaigns of LNP candidate for Leichhardt Jeremy Neal, and candidate for Kennedy Annette Swaine.

Mr Littleproud said the two hopefuls for the 3 May Federal election would be assets for their communities, with Mr Neal working as a paramedic and Ms Swaine a former police officer and small business owner.

The LNP has so far pledged an $87.5 million Cairns Water Security Project, an Urgent Care Clinic for Cairns Northern Beaches, sporting infrastructure upgrades for Cairns Hockey and Endeavour Park Football, relocating the Cowboys NRLW to Cairns, upgrading Muddy’s playground on the Cairns Esplanade and ensuring grassroots groups like the Cairns Men’s Shed has a new carpark for safety of their members.

The party says it will also restore the 80/20 Bruce Highway funding model, which Labor previously scrapped as part

of its decision to cut $488 million for the highway.

Mr Neal said his extensive travel through Cape York and his daily interactions with voters in Cairns had shown Labor’s costof-living crisis was having major impacts and the community deserved better.

“I’m proud of our commitment to provide funding to the Cairns Water Supply Project and its $600 million Agriculture and Mining Roads Program, which will make a difference in the Cape,” he said.

Mrs Swaine said the community had been crying out for help in the Kennedy electorate for decades, but no one has delivered.

“I am determined to help families and deliver real solutions,” Mrs Swaine said.

“Over the nearly three decades I have lived and worked in Kennedy, I have heard the same complaints, seen the same problems go unsolved and listened to the same excuses for why the region isn’t powering ahead. This is something I am determined to change and that is why I am running.”

Carole Stanford and Phillip Musumeci will represent The Greens in Kennedy and Leichhardt at the upcoming federal election.

Pushes for bike trail funds 2025 federal election

Candidates take Katter on in Kennedy

KENNEDY voters have eight candidates to choose from when they go to the polls for the 3 May Federal election.

For the thirteenth time, Bob Katter will contest the seat, and with 32 years of representing Kennedy and a safe margin of 13%, he will be hard to beat.

Long-standing Australian Workers Union official and foster carer from Gordonvale, Sharon Winn, has thrown her hat in the ring for Labor.

“Cost of living is the number one issue for families in Kennedy, and Labor is the only party with a real plan to tackle it,” she said.

“Under Labor, inflation is down, wages are up, unemployment is low and now interest rates have started to come down too – but we know there’s more work to do.

“Labor’s plans for cheaper medicines, record investment in hospitals and strengthening Medicare with the biggest single investment in bulk billing ever will make a real difference.”

The LNP has named Annette Swaine as its candidate for Kennedy while the Greens have chosen science educator Carole Stanford as its candidate.

Family First’s Douglas Lush will stand for his party, standing for “strong families, freedom for faith, and protecting the most vulnerable are critical for the future of our community and our nation”.

Standing for Clive Palmer’s party, Trumpet of Patriots, is Mark Westcott, while Pauline Hanson’s One Nation has put forward Kate Harris as its candidate.

“Australia needs common-sense solutions,” Mr Westcott said.

“We need real people in Parliament, not career politicians. I believe in strong, practical policies –just like Trump is delivering in the U.S. – to get this country back on track.”

Steven Clare is standing as an Independent.

FEDERAL Member for Kennedy

Bob Katter, State Member for Hill

Shane Knuth, Tablelands Mayor Rod Marti and Tablelands Cycle Sports president David Prete have joined together to call on State and Federal governments to commit funding to expand Atherton’s mountain bike park.

Mr Katter believes the expansion of the Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park (AFMBP) will be vital for the future economic prosperity of the Tablelands region and the broader Far North.

“This is a region that pumps out sugarcane, avocados, bananas, coffee and more for the rest of the country – really, it’s the food bowl of the north – and what do we ask in return? Just a small investment in infrastructure that brings people here, keeps locals active, and gives people something to do besides staring at a screen,” he said.

Stage one of the AFMBP, delivered in 2013, was a collaborative effort involving Tablelands Cycle Sports, Tablelands Regional Council, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, and First Australians representatives.

The trail network now spans approximately 55km of purposebuilt mountain bike trails designed and constructed by World Trail.

Stage two aims to add over 50km of internationally benchmarked trails, positioning the AFMBP on the national and global map for mountain biking destinations.

“These trails will be inclusive, world-class, and profitable,” Mr

Katter said.

“They’ll get kids off the couch, tourists out of the airport, and dollars flowing into the Far North.”

The existing trails meet almost all the criteria required for international trail recognition under World Trail benchmarking, including airport proximity, accommodation, and a natural landscape.

The primary enhancement needed is increased trail density, which Stage two seeks to address.

Mr Prete stressed the importance of mountain biking to the tourism sector.

“Tasmania got in early – they saw the opportunity. Derby now attracts 60,000 plus visitors a year, and Whistler in Canada makes more money in the biking season than the ski season,” he said.

“Mountain bikers are highvalue visitors – they stay longer, they spend more, and they come back. This is a game-changer for Far North Queensland.”

A completed business case indicates the project would return $4 for every dollar invested and generate nearly $70 million for the regional economy over the next decade.

“All we’re asking for is funding to do the groundwork,” Mr Katter said.

“Stage one was a joint effort between council, State, and Federal Governments – and it’ll take the same kind of commitment again to make Stage two a reality.”

Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter, Tablelands Mayor Rod Marti and State Member for Hill Shane Knuth are calling for more funds to expand the Atherton mountain bike trails.

Our Council Our Community

We Will Remember Them

Anzac Day

There are seven cenotaphs across the region, and memorial gates in Malanda. Services are held at all of these locations on Anzac Day. Other wartime commemorations are also recognised throughout the year. You can find all the Anzac Day services and road closures across our region at trc.qld.gov.au/anzac-day

Evelyn Scrub War Memorial

We are celebrating the refurbishment of the Evelyn Scrub War Memorial with an unveiling at 10am Wednesday 23 April. Meet at the memorial on Jonsson Road, Evelyn and stay for morning tea after the unveiling. RSVP attendance and dietary requirements to trcevents@trc.qld.gov.au or 1300 362 242 by TODAY Wednesday 16 April.

Rocky Creek War Memorial Park

WWII Heritage Walk

This project is proudly supported by the Queensland Government and Tablelands Regional Council.

Afghanistan Avenue Of Honour

The Afghanistan Avenue of Honour at Tinaburra is a living memorial dedicated to those who served in Afghanistan. The avenue of Flame Trees leads to memorials and an honour board. Find out more at avenueofhonour.com.au

Rocky Creek War Memorial Park is located on the 2/2nd Australian General Hospital laundry and medical stores site. The hospital was the largest military medical facility in the Southern Hemisphere. Its 3000 beds treated over 60,000 patients between 1943 and 1945. Signs provide information on the history of the site and the region, and war artists. The park also displays unit and personal plaques that honour the men and women who were stationed on the Atherton Tablelands during WWII. There are more than 110 unit plaques and nearly 300 personal plaques, and new plaques are dedicated each year on Victory in the Pacific (VP) Day, held on the Sunday closest to 15 August. This year is the 80th anniversary of VP Day and we are planning a weekend of commemorations including a dinner dance, art exhibition, trivia night and memorial service. Stay tuned for more details. Find out more at trc.qld.gov.au/rocky-creek-war-memorial

Roads Of Remembrance

Our Roads of Remembrance project identifies roads in our region named after WWI people, places and events. The roads have custom signs bearing the rising sun badge. You can find a list of the roads, and information about their origin at trc.qld.gov.au/ roads-of-remembrance

This easy 1km walk in Millstream Falls National Park takes you to the remains of tent sites, corduroy roads, training and parade grounds, trenches and other reminders of the 2/14th and 2/28th Battalions that were stationed there.

War History Trails

Two fabulous wartime trails link significant historical sites across the region. You can download the brochures and maps from trc.qld.gov.au/war-history-trails, or pick up copies from one of our information centres.

The Anzac Trail links more than 60 memorial sites and explores the legacies of the local men and women who contributed to World War I. The trail travels to war memorials, buildings, cemeteries, natural memorials and museums.

The WWII Trail brochure details the wartime history on the Atherton Tablelands, which was a staging and training post, and the Australian Army headquarters. The region also housed the 13th Advanced Ordnance Depot, which was the largest in North Queensland’s history.

Find Out More

Learn about Ravenshoe’s war history from the photographic display at the Ravenshoe Visitor Centre.

Tolga Museum is also packed with wartime and other history, and the helpful volunteers have more historical knowledge to share.

© John de Rooy | Tableland Photography

©Gordon Grimwade |WriteShutter

Dawn Whyatt Frith PhD. OAM (1943-2025)

Dawn Frith – a woman of substance

ONE of the best-known scientists from the Atherton Tablelands passed away recently. In the world of ornithology – the study of birds – Dawn Frith is extremely well known, especially for her work on bowerbirds and the definitive volume she wrote with husband Dr Cliff Frith, published by the Oxford University Press.

But Dawn’s work was much more wideranging. She began an amazing field career on remote Aldabra Atoll in the Indian Ocean where she spent a year studying its insects.

Dawn had completed a PhD in England on marine organisms and had worked at a university college before her time on Aldabra for the Royal Society of London. It was while Dawn was working on Aldabra that she met her future husband Cliff Frith.

After their respective return to the UK and writing up their separate field work, they both travelled to Thailand where Dawn had been appointed the Senior Marine Biologist at the Phuket Marine Biological Centre.

This period studying, both separately (Dawn on mangrove ecology and fiddler crabs, and Cliff on snakes) and together (on Hornbills) was highly successful and Dawn’s appointment was extended during which time the couple married in Bangkok.

The agreement they reached to jointly study the birds of paradise and bowerbirds of New Guinea seemed best achieved by establishing a base in northern Queensland and so they moved to Paluma.

Here Dawn not only contributed to the study of birds of paradise and bowerbirds with Cliff, but also developed her own project that contributed to an understanding of their ecology, using detailed field studies of insects and leaf-litter invertebrates.

In New Guinea, as a courageous field scientist in challenging remote environments, Dawn made significant observations and measurements of the feeding ecology, nesting biology and courtship behaviour of birds of paradise, bowerbirds and other species; work published in international journals in a string of scientific papers.

Dawn always loved animals including her own horse while growing up in England. In Thailand, Dawn rescued and fell in love with Hornbills that lived in their home while they

reared them and then refused to leave.

But it was her passionate love for our tropical rainforests that motivated her to spend thousands of hours in the forests at Paluma, observing and recording the lives of many species and building a wonderful knowledge base about our forest birds and their lives.

As photo-journalists, Dawn and Cliff crossed the world and lived and worked in many countries, always focussed on nature. They counted as friends and colleagues many outstanding people including David Attenborough and Jared Diamond.

In January 1984, the Friths became Australian citizens and also expanded their publishing work as a means of self-funding their research activities. This was a novel approach and Dawn was a key partner in the business which also led to many valuable books and booklets about the environment of northern Australia.

They purchased a rainforest property near Topaz (now a nature refuge) and continued their remarkable work. Apart from joint efforts, Dawn took a leading role in publishing a magnificent book on the natural history of Cape York Peninsula.

In 1996, Cliff and Dawn were jointly awarded the most esteemed recognition for ornithology in Australia, the Dominic Seventy Medal from the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union. This was the first time two people had been jointly recognised.

They also received the Cassowary Award from the Wet Tropics Management Authority for helping the community appreciate the beauty and diversity of the World Heritage Area through books, photography and film.

Together they published a hardback book on “Bowerbirds: Nature, Art and History” that won the Whitley Award in 2008. They followed this with another magnificent book on “Birds of Paradise: Nature, Art and History” that earned them another Whitley Award in 2011.

Dawn leaves a legacy of very many scientific papers and books on natural history and she continued to work with Cliff on many projects.

They were each awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2021 for services to conservation and the environment.

Dawn had a beautiful nature, a very caring person who never put herself forward but was always there with kindness and affection.

Her many friends admired her pluck and character, much of which is beautifully revealed in the story of Cliff and Dawn’s life in their marvellous biography: “A Wild Romance”. Sadly, Dawn was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and eventually had to go into full time residential care in Malanda, where Cliff tended her every day and played his guitar and sang her favourite songs. Their 53 years together is a modern love story. Dawn’s life is a wonderful model of being a scientist and an outstanding human. A woman of substance, Dawn lived an amazing life. She is greatly missed.

- Peter Valentine, Malanda.

ON LANDthe

AUSVEG is encouraging Australian vegetable growers to make the most of a

online resource which has put a wealth of

The recently-launched Knowledge Hub – housed on the AUSVEG website – provides a centralised platform for growers to access and keep up to date with more than 3,000 pieces of levy-funded R&D project information, resources and research.

AUSVEG is the national peak industry body for Australia’s over 3,600 vegetable, potato, and onion producers, who account for 3.8 million tonnes of vegetable production worth $5.7 billion in farmgate value annually. This accounts for one third of Australia’s $16.98 billion horticulture industry. Covering everything from

agtech, biosecurity, soil health, irrigation, business development, to consumer insights and much more, the new Knowledge Hub is home to nearly 1,700 R&D project overviews, over 1,100 project reports, more than 400 fact sheets, and hundreds of articles, videos, case studies and podcasts.

“By consolidating relevant and valuable information into a single platform, the Knowledge Hub gives growers a new tool to make informed decisions, address challenges, and adopt innovative practices to benefit their businesses, using key R&D resources that their levies have funded,” AUSVEG national manager communications, Andrew MacDonald said.

The Knowledge Hub can be accessed at www.ausveg. com.au/knowledge-hub/

AN innovative irrigation demonstration has begun in Dimbulah which aims to improve water and energy efficiency in sugar cane, reduce labour costs and create a more sustainable farming practice.

The irrigation automation toolkit combines irrigation automation hardware, crop growth modelling solutions, real-time energy usage tracking and a unified data platform, all designed to provide farmers with precise irrigation control and reduce operational costs.

Salvetti Farming farm manager Jason Salvetti said when the opportunity presented itself to test the toolkit on his farm, he was keen to get it up and running.

“I’ve always been interested in technology and computers, and we started off with some basic systems like weather stations and soil moisture probes, and then the next step was to try and start some automation processes on the farm,” he said.

“Our home farm is about a 20-minute drive from here, and on the flood irrigation systems, we would come out here anytime between two and three times a day.

“The advantage of this technology is that it will basically do those trips for us, in that it will change the irrigation valving required to move to the next irrigation set by itself, without anyone having to be around to do it.”

highlight the importance of data-driven irrigation practices in the face of increasing climate variability.

“In 2025, we have seen a record-breaking wet season, and this technology can take into account moisture levels in the soil, to deliver the amount of water needed through more precise irrigation scheduling to maximise crop growth and conserve water for when the farms need it,” he said.

watering schedule, whether that be turned on and off manually or in an automated sense, is going to help save water.”

AgriTech Solutions Irrigation Agronomist and managing director Steve Attard is supervising the technological implementation in Dimbulah.

Mr Attard said many farmers lacked precise insights into their water usage, cost and whether it met their crops’ specific needs.

hopefully to inform other farmers and advisers about the possibilities that this technology can bring them.”

Professor Phelps believes that with continued success, the toolkit could redefine water management practices across multiple crop types, contributing to long-term drought resilience and productivity growth for agricultural communities.

The toolkit, which began in the Burdekin, was designed through a number of collaborations, one of which being James Cook University (JCU), which is home to the Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (TNQ Drought Hub).

TNQ Drought Hub director, Professor David Phelps, said the hub was building on the success of the previous trial through the Dimbulah site to

“This really shows how farms can become more resilient heading into a drought, as we know, it’s not ‘if’ but ‘when’ the next drought arrives.

“In this situation, we’re trying to take technologies that have worked really well in the Burdekin sugarcane production area, up to the Atherton Tablelands, and iron out the local issues.

“An integrated system that’s detecting both how much moisture is in the soil, the growth rate and the productivity of the cane and adjusting the

“If we can reduce costs and energy without negatively impacting productivity, then we know that profitability is going to increase,” he said.

“We understand very similar processes are used in the Tableland region, and so there was no reason why this technology, wouldn’t translate to making benefits for farmers around energy costs and water costs in those regions.

“The natural thing to do then was to set up a local demonstration site through the TNQ Drought Hub to showcase the type of technology and

“As this technology continues to deliver results, we have a unique opportunity to reshape water management practices across various crops and regions,” he added.

“It all comes back to our mission at the hub of supporting projects that build resilience within local communities.

“By investing in innovative technology like this, we’re equipping farmers and producers with the tools to adapt, thrive, and contribute to the sustainability of the agricultural industry well into the future.”

Dr Ben Jarihani, Program lead, Transformational Agricultural Systems and TNQ Drought Hub Director Professor David Phelps are helping to test the technology.

New play from Mareeba playwright

A NEW play written by Mareeba playwright Ken Cotterill will be featured at the Rondo Theatre in Cairns, with performances to start on 25 April.

Breakfast On Pluto is set in present-day Melbourne and touches on the themes of loneliness, love and family ties.

Stan is a middle-aged, single dad living in the suburbs. His vivacious sister, Jean, is trying to pair him up with some of her ballroom dancing friends, but nothing romantically seems to

work until one night his son, Ian, finds a semi-unconscious woman on the side of the road and brings her home.

From that point on, the lives of Stan, Ian and Jean are never the same again.

The play’s run starts on 25 April and will finish on 10 May, with matinees on Sunday 25 April and on 4 May.

Tickets are on sale now at therondo.com.au/ Book or phone

Last Call Ticketing on 0415 822 333.

Moffat watches part of new exhibition

A PAIR of 19th-century gold watches once owned by John Moffat and his wife Margaret is part of a new exhibition in Cairns that unearths some of the most interesting artefacts at the Cairns Museum.

Moffat was a key figure in the development of Irvinebank and the broader North Queensland mining industry and the two watches offer a tangible connection to the people and stories that helped shape the town’s early years.

For 45 years, the Cairns Museum has been home to the stories, objects, and memories that define the region’s past and some of the most intriguing artefacts are featured in the “If These Walls Could Talk” exhibition which is open until 19 May.

Every item in the exhibition has been personally selected by the

museum’s dedicated members and volunteers, who have devoted their time to preserving and sharing the social history of Cairns.

Long-time volunteer Fran selected the 19th-century watches owned by Moffat and his wife.

Among the standout pieces on display is an ornate silk-lined pewter casket, designed in the Arts and Crafts style and made by Hardy Brothers circa 1911. Inside, it holds an illuminated address intended as a gift to early Cairns settler William John Munro, a key figure in the region’s early industries.

Cairns Historical Society president Dr Clive Skarott says the exhibition is an opportunity to acknowledge the many people who have contributed to the museum’s collection over the decades, including his own family.

“The museum is more than just

a place to store artefacts – it’s a place where stories are gathered, shared, and brought to life. I’ve personally contributed historical material and images from my own family, knowing how important it is to keep these stories alive for future generations.

“This exhibition is a tribute to the dedication of our community and the incredible stories that continue to emerge from our collection.”

As part of “If These Walls Could Talk”, the museum is also inviting visitors to contribute their own knowledge to history. A “comment box” within the exhibition will allow guests to share information about objects that have yet to be fully identified, adding another layer of discovery to the facility’s collection.

“If These Walls Could Talk” runs until 19 May at the Cairns Museum.

A dress rehearsal for the new play Breakfast on Pluto to be performed at the Rondo Theatre in Cairns. Images: Barton Photography.

Some of the artefacts from the new exhibition including the watches owned by the Moffats (left) and ornate silklined pewter casket (above).

EMAIL editorial@theexpressnewspaper.com.au to the editor

Remove the bollards

CEOLA Drive was designed as a lovely wide access road which would facilitate a future corridor for growth out to Amaroo and beyond.

It allowed free flow traffic, easy access to the side streets, wide grass verges on either side for pedestrians and future foot paths, parallel parking for residents, visitors, tradespeople and garbage collection.

Residents also had unrestricted vehicle access to their own driveways. This is especially important if you have boats, trailers, caravans etc.

The installation of these bollards must have been based on bad advice and by persons who do not reside in this area. A better, wiser and more functional and appropriate choice would have been to construct a normal and typical footpath along Ceola Drive which would have solved pedestrian and bike access and left Ceola Drive to provide the traffic flow it was designed to do.

Ironically, this would have been by council Town Planning.

The restrictive bollards were erected, according to some residents, without consultation and I personally can’t imagine too many homeowners who would want this unsightly access imposition to be built at their street front.

The council has stated otherwise. Someone’s nose is growing longer. Traffic flow and access is now restrictive. Garbage collection is affected and street sweeping is now impossible.

As for walkers, prams and such, beware of weeds and uneven road/gutter joins and the cant of the road slope which interferes with normal walking or jogging.

As a regular user of Ceola Drive, I believe this was a particularly bad decision and a waste of rate payers (or grant) money. The beneficiaries are only a very small percentage of the Shire population, these being mostly local to that area.

As the growth around Amaroo continues, the traffic flow problems will be exacerbated along Ceola Drive. There are too many negatives associated with the continued existence of these bollards and council should remove them as soon as possible and when the Council has more money to waste, build a footpath.

When these “things” were imposed upon us, it was stated that it was only for a six-month trial. This is well and truly over.

Thanks to The Express, I became aware of some online survey regarding this matter. How was that announced I wonder? One councillor I spoke to had not even visited the site. Incredible!

Before anymore “thought bubbles” are enacted by council, I suggest they widen their consultation process and provide full details of the proposal, prior to any implementation, as any professional and responsible council should.

I would think that residents of Ceola Drive particularly on the bollard side, should consider some sort of combined legal action against the council if these things are not removed.

This should be based on the impact the bollards have on their properties, particularly property devaluations and the ongoing restrictions of access to their properties as well as limitations to local government and trade services.

It’s simply not right

Stan Thornton MAREEBA

I TOTALLY agree with Barry Brae’s letter (02/04/25). People going about their day-to-day business in their own homes can be confronted by armed and often masked intruders threatening violence to steal whatever they choose, and if a confrontation occurs and an intruder is injured, they have the legal high ground over the homeowner.

Believe it or not, that is the law as it currently stands.

Even more disturbing is how this gross mishandling of legislative power allowed this to occur in the first place.

It surely begs the question: “Are our elected

representatives acting in our best interests?”

After all, this law had to be drafted up by someone, then presented, reviewed, and voted on before it was legislated. That this made it into law leaves me astounded.

As an analogy, let’s compare it with a related scenario. If someone threatens another person with a toy/replica firearm, it is considered a serious crime, but when armed intruders enter a private residence with real weapons, they have legal immunity in certain situations.

Law abiding citizens should have the legal right to use whatever means at their disposal to defuse the situation, while the armed intruders forfeit all legal rights once they enter a private residence without invitation.

Now is the time to lobby government for change while they are shaking hands and making magnanimous promises.

Or perhaps it is time to ditch our so called “Two Party Preferred” system because they (I don’t need to name them), have been in power for decades and are, therefore, collectively responsible for every bit of bad decision making that has gotten us into the morass we are currently bogged down in.

Jim Pacey ATHERTON

An eternal phenomenon

OCEAN covers 70% of the earth’s surface. Water vapour (Sg 0.5 to air) has a long wave infrared absorption spectrum in the frequency bands, 1.38,1.87, 2.7, 6.3 with a broad band centered @ 71 micrometers.

Water vapour is on average between 1-3% (saturation 4%) of the atmosphere and is thermal induced and controlled, as a rule of thumb, 10deg C = about 1%, more temperature more water vapour.

The sun shines, temperature rises, infrared absorption by the earth’s surface and evaporation increase. More heat expands the air allowing more water vapour to stream up through the air.

Water vapour condenses to liquid (infrared is emitted, dispersed into space) and forms clouds, which, on average, covers two thirds of the earth. Clouds deflect sunshine, primary cooling effect.

Water vapour condensing out at the top is resupplied by evaporation in at the bottom. An evaporable air conditioner works on this principal, a blast of water vapour laden air, absorbing and removing large amounts of infrared energy, same as a cool sea breeze.

At the earth’s average mean 15deg C water as rain absorbs 2gms of Co2. Co2 is relatively static and absorbs long wave infrared at only four narrow bands of the frequency spectrum, @ 2, 2.7, 4.3, and 15 micrometers.

All other available infrared ignores Co2 and being by far the larger portion, determines air temperature. Infrared within the Co2 frequency spectrum has only a 1 in 7142 (0.014%) chance of being absorbed by any of the 140ppm of man-made Co2.

When Co2 emits infrared, that infrared becomes part of the total available infrared. How is it that only the long wave infrared emitted by Co2 remains to change the climate when all other available infrared disperses to equilibrium in space?

Hot moves to cold, it does not go the other way. How does a mere 140ppm of man-made Co2 compete with a far superior volume of more efficient water vapour and change climate? More temperature = more evaporation = more clouds = more rain = less Co2.

I have not received any measured, scientific controlled explanation as to how a mere 140ppm of man-made Co2 can transfer sufficient energy (or photons) required to warm the air, ocean and melt ice, while causing fires, floods and droughts.

Climate change is an eternal phenomenon.

Graeme Congdon MT GARNET

Desperation of deniers

WHAT is the collective term for a group of climate change deniers? A curse? A scourge? Myself, I think a desperation of deniers fits best.

Spend two minutes on Google, search for a recent awarding of $1US million in favour of scientist Michael Mann against two climate change deniers, in what was a repugnant, drawn out and vile campaign against Professor Mann. It is only one of an increasing tale of litigation as truth confronts lies.

Dig a little deeper, search for sadly their too many letters to the Editor in struggling regional Australian newspapers and you quickly realise how unoriginal the campaign of desperate deniers has become in a war waged by misinformation and disinformation fought not on the Dark Web, but one better known as the dank web.

Their language is from the same playbook, contributing nothing to science or human endeavours other than falsehoods of irrelevance and malevolence.

There is a tide rising against the politics of division of Mr Campion and those of his ilk, as a tsunami of truth gathers on an ocean of lies. If politics is the voice of the people, if science is the language of validation, then the legal system is the arbitration of truth.

Perhaps I’ve judged The Express too harshly. It may be the Editor provides an invaluable community service to those suffering from TOMs (Tired Old Man Syndrome) left befuddled and frustrated by a world that has already passed them by.

Mark Parsons HERBERTON

HISTORY UPDATE

A.N.Z.A.C. - Australia and New Zealand Army Corp.

APRIL 25 is commemorated as Anzac Day when the populations of Australia and New Zealand pause and remember the people who fought overseas to hold and maintain the freedoms we are so familiar with today.

It is a day to stop and reflect on how many gave up their lives and give thanks in appreciation for their sacrifice. The Anzac legend began in World War 1 but now has been applied to all and any conflicts Australians have participated in.

Go and stand in front of the Mareeba Cenotaph at Anzac Park in Byrnes Street and let your eyes run down the number of names listed there. Names such as Gibbons, McDowall, Maher, Leswell and many more and hopefully you will feel proud and grateful but also sad as these men did not return to live their lives in peace and security, but gave up theirs so we can.

Humbly thank them for their sacrifice and hope that such conflicts and losses may not happen again.

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”

The Historical Society of Mareeba has in their library many books, magazines and articles on nearly all the conflicts Australians have been in. Some are for research only but there is also many for sale.

Call in Tuesdays 8am until 12 noon or Wednesday 8am until 2.30pm and on Mareeba Market Days (7am until 12 noon) and check them out. Retail books - some fact, others fiction based on fact – are going at very reasonable prices. Military buffs will be excited at the number.

As usual, the society’s team are busy scanning council records as well as re-checking mining information onto our computers, getting them organised for public usage.

We would appreciate assistance with these endeavours. So, if interested contact Helen on 4092 3599 or email: sec@mbahistsoc.org.au and we can chat.

Our doors are always open for people with a love of preserving our important, interesting and valuable local history, we cover the whole Mareeba Shire, not just Mareeba town. Would enjoy meeting with you.

– Helen Kindt (Hon Sec)

MAREEBA LIONS CLUB

APRIL 2025

IT was a slow start to the year but it has taken off with a vengeance. Two markets in March, another coming up on the 12 April.

We assisted with the opening of the new Lifeline store in Mareeba and the new Big Hat shop that has opened opposite Mareeba Toyota/Hansen Ford. We participated in Clean Up Australia and with the help of community volunteers and the Scouts removed 180 kg of rubbish from the environment.

We supported two Youth of the Year events with local student Harley Cek being successful in Mareeba and Atherton. We, in conjunction with The Express newspaper organised the Mareeba International Women’s Day event which raised over $2,000 for the Black Cockatoo Foundation.

Whilst we have numerous events throughout the year, in the near future we have Mt Garnet Rodeo, Chillagoe Rodeo, and the Family Friendly Metrogaine. This is a family fun morning which raises funds for the Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation, and The Queensland and Northern New South Wales Lions Medical Research Foundation.

At the end of the day research is important, and the life you save may be your own.

Thankfully, we have people being invited to join our small club, which is great. We could do with more members as we have so many annual events to organise. If you are a person of good character and want to be involved in the community, and make new friends just contact us.

The easiest way is to email lionsmba@ gmail.com

We are also interested in forming new Lions Clubs in the area. If you think your community could support a Lions Club then get in touch. Speewah, Koah, Mt Molloy, Julatten, Chillagoe to name a few are communities which could benefit from having a Lions Club delivering humanitarian and service projects in the immediate area.

There are many benefits in forming a Lions Club in your area, particularly being part of an organisation with 1.4 million members worldwide and the and the liability insurance which Lions Clubs carry.

Remember you can support your local Mareeba Lions by taking your recyclable containers to Containers for Change, 11 Bowers Street, and quote Scheme ID C10128319. The depot is out near the cattle sale yards. No need to package just take your recyclables out there and quote the ID number for Lions.

Don’t waste the containers help your local Lions Club by dropping them off for recycling.

In addition, you can recycle vehicle batteries by dropping off at Brunos Batteries, or Lions will collect from you if that suits you better.

Lions also receive postage stamps and eye glasses for recycling.

Lions Medical Research Foundation supports hands on medical research experiences for high school students. Four highly accomplished senior school students from Townsville and Mackay have been selected as the latest recipients of the LMRF Beryl Phippard Memorial Scholarships. These scholarships enable these exceptional students to travel to Brisbane to participate in the SPARQ-ed Senior Research Immersion program held at the Translational Research Institute over the Easter holidays.

Although membership of Lions is by invitation you are invited to enquire about joining this great volunteer international humanitarian organisation.

Fellowship, Good times, meeting people, building lasting friendships, service to the community, learning new skills, leadership and personal development - these are some of the reasons we are the Lions.

Lions meet in Mareeba at the Mareeba Leagues Club at 6.30 pm on the first and third Tuesday of the month.

business potential at Amaroo Village

Charming renovated cottage in Tumoulin

and

a ready to use greenhouse set up for aquaponics awaits

The property is energyefficient, equipped with 16kVA solar batteries and 18kW solar

or workspace options. Water security with a bore, rainwater

Bordering the picturesque State Forest, this serene retreat is a rare find.

A family size surprise in Herberton

HERE you can make your life that little better with this family friendly home.

This high set home has 3 bedrooms all with built-in wardrobes, ceiling fans and the bathroom has an easy access shower. For outdoor living there is a timber decked verandah, the ideal space for entertaining.

There is a carport plus additional space underneath the house with room for children to play out of the sun and rain.

For secure storage there are two lawn lockers offering space for the extras.

The 1,500sqm allotment

adjoins forestry land and is surrounded by bush offering complete privacy in a quiet location on a no through road and across the road from the primary school.

This home is ideal for the growing family. You will have peace of mind watching your children walk safely to and from school.

For more information or to arrange an inspection, call Trisha Jackson on 4091 3955 at Professionals Atherton. To view more photos, visit athertonrealestate. com.au

Neat as a pin in Atherton

Stunning 5 acre pole home

TUCKED away on a private 5.2 acres with a gorgeous rainforest backdrop and a clear running permanent spring fed creek, this stunning Pole home features an open plan kitchen, dining and lounge with wood heater & high ceilings.

The perfect family home

your enjoyment and privacy. For further information or to arrange an inspection, call exclusive marketing agent Raquel at Sommerset Realty on 0408 983 879.

Address: Price: Agent: Contact: 90 Countryview Drive, ATHERTON $775,000 EXCLUSIVE to Raquel Cunzolo Sommerset Realty 0408 983 879

There are multi covered decks with the larger deck being 75 sqm with sail to admire the abundance of wildlife.

The master bedroom is detached from the main house but connected by the covered

veranda that wraps the length of the house, featuring a walk through ensuite and second outdoor treetop shower, built in wardrobe, louvres and fixed glass panels to take in the beauty of your backyard. There are three additional spacious bedrooms with built

– Walt Whitman

BIG WORD SEARCH

CROSSWORD

22. A raccoon-like animal found mainly in Central and South America (5)

24. A reporter who puts a lot of effort into discovering new stories (9)

25. (of a person or action) innocent and unsuspecting. (9)

26. A select group that is superior in terms of ability or qualities to the rest of a group or society. (5)

27. The phenomena of the physical world collectively, including plants, animals, the landscape, and other features and products of the earth. (6)

28 the curved sickle shape of the waxing or waning moon. (8)

DOWN:

1. An instance of group fighting in a public place that disturbs the peace. (6)

2. 32nd President of the United States (9)

I H S C H C R O T

T T T A X O Q O P N N R X P K X Z R T

I I E N E O B V N Y G F P P X E Q T T

O O R G Y L E N O L H E S I T

ACROSS:

1. Having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance or abilities. (8)

5. The god of the underworld in Ancient Egyptian religion. (6)

10. The plants of a particular region, habitat, or geological period. (5)

11. Torment or tease (someone) with the sight or promise of something that is unobtainable. (9)

12. The smallest transfinite cardinal number (5-4)

13. Drop saliva uncontrollably from the mouth. (5)

14. A small cup usually with a handle used with a saucer for hot beverages (6)

15. A strongbox or small chest for holding valuables. (7)

18. Without guile or deception. (7)

20. Joined together politically, for a common purpose, or by common feelings. (6)

3. A person who combines text and pictures in advertisements, magazines, or books. (7,8)

4. A situation in which all four groups of cards have equal value in a game of bridge (2-5)

6. A way of behaving that is slightly unfriendly and too formal. (15)

7. A very large, thick-skinned animal from Africa or Asia that has one or two horns (5)

8. Denoting a fruit that has no seeds. (8)

9. All together or all at the same time. (2,4)

16. A person with senior managerial responsibility in a business. (9)

17. A threatened penalty for disobeying a law or rule. (8)

19. Solar Deity (3,3)

20. Lacking wisdom or good sense (7)

21. The arrival of a notable person or thing. (6)

23. The jargon or slang of a particular group or class. (5)

WEEKLY HOROSCOPES

You could do extremely well in competitive sports events. Any attractions toward clients will be one sided and must be put right out of your head. Children will be of major concern if you haven’t kept the lines of communication open. A new friend is on the horizon.

Don’t take sides if you wish to remain on good terms with both parties. Unpleasant situations concerning family members will be unnerving. Changes in your home will be positive. New romantic partners may attend a function that puts you in the limelight.

You can utilize your versatile mind and dazzle others with your speed and accuracy. If you’re in the mood, go out and socialise, or get involved in sports activities. You’re eager to learn. Property deals look good, but remember prior learning’s before jumping in headfirst.

Deception is likely. Lay your cards on the table regarding your personal direction. Don’t be a pest or a troublemaker this week, it may be misconstrued. Look after financial transactions this week, you’ll benefit from all the small savings, it may just not seem like it right now.

You could meet potential new mates if you go out with friends or take pleasure trips. Curb the impulse to make lavish purchases and maybe spend some time with good friends. You are best to get out of the house this week, the fresh air will work wonders.

Pleasure trips will ease the tension between you and your mate. Opportunities will develop through those you encounter while attending organisational events. Join groups of a humanitarian nature. You could find yourself having problems with co-workers and employers.

Follow through on some of the good ideas that come up, and you could have a real winner of a deal. Take things slowly, especially for the sake of those you love. Look at your options before making commitments that could jeopardize your financial position.

Build on friendship rather than starting out in an intimate encounter. You should be making plans to spend some time with the ones you love. Don’t make promises. Club memberships could be expensive and prove unnecessary.

Confusion at an emotional level will cause you to make wrong decisions concerning your personal life. Do not let them in on your plans if you want things to run smoothly. Older relatives may be a burden. You can prosper if you in vest in property.

Drastic financial losses may be likely if you lend money. They will not have the patience to wait for you to complete things that they’ve asked you to do. Travel will result in new romantic attractions. Join a club to work off that excess energy; but find a more cost effective option.

Someone close to you may need help. You will attract new love interests. Trouble could be brewing at home. A passionate encounter with your mate should help alleviate that pent-up energy. But just remember where your loyalties lie. Don’t do anything you could regret. You will accomplish the most in the work environment this week. Romance may be better than you ever thought possible. You are ready to blow up and your stress level has gone into over drive. Take one day at a time, things will get better.

Presbyterians meet in Mareeba for worship this Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday at the earlier time of 9.00am, at QCWA Hall, Wilkes Street (behind Meals on Wheels). All welcome!

On Good Friday 18 April, 2025 at 9.00am: Contrasts of Easter #7: Triumph in Tragedy

“And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying ‘Rejoice!’.” (Matthew 28:9) These worship times are scheduled to finish in time for people to drive to Atherton of the first session of the Keswick convention on both of these days.

Roberta Maree O’KEEFE

Formerly of Townsville. Passed away suddenly on Friday 21st March, 2025 at Cairns Hospital. Aged 61 years.

Dearly loved Mother of Nicole, John, Phillipa, Jake, Michaela, Dean and Laura. Loving Daughter of Francis and Delores O’Keefe. A funeral service has been held to celebrate Roberta’s life.

TREERS, Carl Joseph

MILNE, Jake Mark

Late of Wondecla. Passed away tragically on Friday the 4th of April, 2025. Aged 33 years.

Much loved Son of Steve and Vicki. Brother, Brother-in-Law and Uncle to Karlie & Kent, Patrick, Regan and Piper. Father to Allira. Grandson of Bette. Much loved Nephew and Cousin. Friend to many.

The relatives and friends of Jake are respectfully invited to attend his funeral service which will be held in it’s entirety at Rocky Creek Igloo, Frazer Road, Tolga on Thursday 17th April commencing at 3.00pm.

Long time resident of the Tablelands. Passed away peacefully on Thursday the 10th of April, 2025. Aged 76 years.

Much Loved Husband of Barbara. Father of Kylie, Kim and Rachel. Carpenter, moonshine expert, cat lover, generous and loving person.

Keeping with Carl’s wishes, a private cremation will be held.

Public notice

Atherton Tablelands Chamber of Commerce Inc.

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

IN LOVING MEMORY OF PENNISI, Giuseppe (Joe)

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Joe Pennisi. A local resident of Mareeba for 70+ years, Joe passed away peacefully on Thursday the 10th of April, 2025. Aged 99 years A beloved Husband to Betty (Dec.). Loving Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, and Friend to many.

Will be sadly missed by all family and friends. Relatives and friends of Joe are respectfully invited to attend his funeral which will be held graveside at the Mareeba Cemetery on Thursday 17th April commencing at 1:00pm. Please meet at the Mareeba Leagues Club at 2:30pm after the funeral to share stories of Joe’s life.

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

Ian Peter

Son of Jim (Dec.) and Margaret (Dec.). Brother of Lyn. Uncle and Great Uncle to Tracey, Drew, Erica and Families.

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

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

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

Annual General Meeting WILL BE HELD AS FOLLOWS: Wednesday 30th April, 2025 5.30pm – 6.30pm Better Together Community Support, 16a Roberts Street, Atherton. Light refreshments will be served.

Guest Speaker: Rosie Douglas (Tourism Advisor) is currently undertaking a review of the Atherton Tablelands Destination Marketing Strategy currently commissioned by the Tablelands Regional Council. Rosie will provide an interesting overview of the information collected to date, and strategies for going forward.

5.30 - 5.50pm: Committee Meeting

5.50 - 6.10pm: Guest Speaker, Rosie Douglas

6.10 - 6.30pm: Annual General Meeting (Election of New Committee) All members welcome. Join online https:// athertonchamber.com.au/ Nominations are welcome from all business operators. Main St/CBD, Agriculture and Construction are particularly encouraged for representation.

Enquiries: info@athertonchamber.com.au Mobile: 0457 521 005

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 IN LOVING MEMORY OF LODGE, Pamela Dawn Passed away on the 3rd of April, 2023. Greatly missed by Trevor and Friends.

PHONE: 4092 5331

to 7pm - CASH! Call Al 0428 194 505

Did your property get impacted by Jasper?

The Queensland Government has partnered with Gulf Savannah NRM to connect with local communities in the Mareeba Shire and gather information on the impacts of the extreme rainfall brought by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

We are currently collecting details on damage to riverbanks, creeks, wetlands, and other waterways, including erosion, sediment buildup, vegetation loss, gully erosion, riparian weed incursions, and debris accumulation. Please note that this program is focused on the environmental impacts of the event and does not cover infrastructure repairs, such as roads, dams, or fencing. Our goal is to compile a register of affected areas to support funding allocations for natural resource management efforts within the Mareeba Shire. This is a key opportunity to ensure our region is included in the recovery process. Once the State determines funding availability, we will use this data to develop targeted projects to restore the most impacted sites.

If you have any observations or information to share, we’d greatly appreciate your input.

Please contact Marcus Mulholland by phone on 043 745 4769 or by email: marcus.mulholland@ gulfsavannahnrm.org

BOILEAU,

Under

Atherton

9.30am–12.00noon — Main Street between the intersections with Vernon, Jack and Cook Streets including RSL Road. Detour via Railway Lane or Mabel Street.

Herberton

9.30–11.00am — Grace Street between the intersections with Jack and John Streets and Denbigh Road. Detour via Florence Street and Moffat Street West.

Malanda

4.00–5.00am and 8.00–11.00am — English and Catherine Streets adjacent to memorial gates. Detour via Downing and Lions Streets. Millaa Millaa

10.30–11.00am — Palm Avenue between Beech and Maple Streets, Main Street between Maple and Oak Streets, and Oak Street between Main and Wattle Streets. Detour via Lodge Avenue and Wattle Streets.

Mount Garnet

9.30–11.00am — Kennedy Highway (Garnet Street) between Mica and Ruby Streets. Detour via Mica, Opal Ruby Streets.

Ravenshoe

9.00–11.00am — Grigg Street between Kuradilla and Wakooka Streets, Monument Street at the intersection of Major Street, John Street near Monument Street, and Erpo Street at the intersection of Kuradilla Street. Detour via Wakooka Street.

School Bus Driver

Atherton Tablelands / Casual Position

We are seeking a casual School Bus Driver to join our team in Atherton.

I would like to meet a Senior Lady to share my active lifestyle with. You need to be a non-smoker, retired, healthy, active, adventurous & enjoy travelling. Atherton based.

If this rings your bell, call Al on 0428 194 501 - 7am to 7pm Anzac Day Road Closures

Yungaburra

5.00–6.30am — Tinaburra Drive from Lakeside Drive to Afghanistan Avenue of Honour.

6.30–9.30am — Kehoe Place between Maude Kehoe Place and Eacham Road.

REVISED DEADLINES

$31 – $34 per hour as per the award. This important role is responsible for ensuring safe transportation of students to and from school, providing a caring and supportive environment for children. The successful candidate will:

• Transport children to and from school

• Adhere to all relevant transport, safely, and child protection regulations

• Always maintain a clean and mechanically sound bus

• Ensure the safety of all students when entering and leaving the bus

• Hold a current Light Rigid Driver’s License

• Hold a current Drivers Authorisation

• Have full work rights in Australia

• Communicate effectively with Bus Supervisor, Students, Parents and School Staff

• Keep and maintain daily accurate daily reports

• Be flexible

• Hours of work are 4 hours to per day (7am - 9 am / 2pm - 4pm)

Please email application with a cover letter and resume with at least two references.

Email: maggattera@bigpond.com

Fantastic turnout for Herberton Speedway

PositioN VacaNt

Al Acworth

Geoff Schulz Owen Rankine

Edward Smith

Owen Jonsson

Boorman takes out top 3 club awards Mareeba captain the best behind the stumps

THE Atherton Cricket Club held their end-of-season presentations recently which looked back on and celebrated player achievements throughout the season.

AWARDS

1st Grade Player of the Year –

Tom Boorman

Most Runs – Tom Boorman

Most Wickets – Tom Boorman

2nd Grade Player of the Year –

Lachlan Hollitt

Most Runs – Charlie Lawrence

Most Wickets – Tallas Blaney

4th

Player of the Year –

Tyler Misener

Most runs – Tyler Misener

Most Wickets – Cody Misener

THE captain of Mareeba Cricket Club’s 1st Grade side was recognised as the division’s best wicketkeeper at a presentation night recently.

Brendan Falvo was very happy to realise he was awarded as the Wicketkeeper of the Year for the 2024/2025 season at Cricket Far North’s presentation night.

“It just shows how much we’ve improved as a team, I think. For me to be getting the chances to take all of those catches, it shows that our bowlers really hit the spots this season,” he said.

“I think I had 12 dismissals more than the next wicketkeeper in 1st Grade, so I was pretty happy with myself this year in that aspect.

“It’s a credit to our team and it shows we’re on the way up.”

Competition close at swimming carnival

CLOSE competition for sports houses and racers made

St Stephen’s recent swimming carnival an eventful day out.

Students lined the edge of the pool dressed in house colours, cheering on their fellow swimmers.

This year it was Deacon who claimed the carnival trophy.

AGE CHAMPIONS

and Summer

THE Mareeba Bulls suffered another loss at the weekend, going down to the Southside Comets 3-0.

This is the third loss in a row for the premier side, now sitting 6th on the ladder.

The Under 23 side had more luck on the field, ending up with a 2-2 draw against the Comets.

The women’s side fought out a tough game, narrowly losing to the Comets 3-2. Goals for the Bulls came from B. Veschetti and S. Chong. No games will be played this weekend, with the Bulls men’s sides to play at home against Innisfail on 26 April.

The next game for the Bull’s women, who are currently fourth on the ladder, is against the Stratford Dolphins on Anzac Day, with the game to kick off at 8.30pm.

Atherton Cricket Club’s 1st Grade captain Tom Boorman took out all three awards for the senior division.

Mareeba Bandits’ captain Brendan Falvo (right) was awarded as the Wicketkeeper of the Year for the recent season.

Deacon house captains

Walmsley

Johnston claim the swimming carnival trophy for 2025.

Harley Sweeper and Simba Makoti.

Tara, Jasmine, Maryanne, Alana and Lucia.

SPORT

Atherton find another win, Mareeba draws

THE Atherton Roosters found their third win of the season against the Ivanhoe Knights over the weekend while the Mareeba Gladiators drew against the Mossman Sharks after a last-minute try levelled the score.

The Roosters now hold fourth spot on the ladder after their 22-8 win over Ivanhoe’s. The Gladiators are currently eighth in the FNQRL competition after their 32-all match against Mossman earned them just one point.

Atherton

The Roosters took on the Knights in Smithfield on Saturday and found another win early in the season, with centre Brad Hammond scoring a double.

The Knights opened the scoring through centre Quinnlan Tupou in the fourth minute, but Atherton soon fired back with winger Regan Herd going over in the 17th minute followed by interchange prop Scott Bolton five minutes later.

Not long after, the Knights went in again through winger Caiban Thaiday. Atherton led 10-8 at halftime.

The Roosters remained tough in the second half, not allowing a single point to be scored by their opposition.

Centre Brad Hammond found the tryline twice in the second half, going over in the 45th and 64th minute.

Regan Herd converted both of his centre’s tries and kicked three from four conversions on the day, bringing the final score to 22-8.

The Atherton Roosters Reserve Grade side fell just short to the Knights Reserve’s, with a final score of 2420. However, the Under 19 Roosters

thrashed their opponents 50-6.

Mareeba

The Mareeba Gladiators drew against the Mossman Sharks at Davies Park, Mareeba, on Sunday in a hard-fought game that was levelled up through a last-minute try from Mossman.

Mossman opened the scoring in the back-and-forth match in the seventh minute and Mareeba answered back shortly after through a try from fullback Trezman Banjo.

Mossman answered back through centre Windsor Bowie before Mareeba found a try through interchange prop Tyrone Williams.

Mossman went over again just shy of halftime, bringing the score to 1612 in favour of the visitors heading into the break.

The Gladiators struck early in the second half after halfback Kaleb Eaton went over in the opening four minutes.

There was a 10-minute battle before Mossman went over for their fourth try to reclaim the lead. They then went over again shortly after to extend the lead to 26-18.

However, a fired-up Aparama Vulavou (centre) went over for his first try of the game several minutes later to bring the score to 26-24.

With six minutes left to play, the Sharks gave away a penalty and Mareeba opted to take a two-point penalty goal to level the scores, with Trezman Banjo successfully converting it.

Just two minutes later, Vulavou went over for another try and Mareeba

claimed the lead with just a few minutes to play.

But an error from Mareeba as they were coming out of their end gave Mossman an opportunity.

The visitors took advantage and scored in the final minute of the game, with the conversion bringing the final score to 32-all.

“We should’ve won but yet again we’re just hurting ourselves with errors,” A Grade co-coach Trent Barnard said.

“We lost both of our hookers to injuries, so we were down a couple on the bench again.

“But credit to the boys, they hung in there. Mossman skipped out to a lead and we just grinded our way back, so there’s a lot of positives there.

“There’s still little moments that

we’re not getting right, but it’s all there which is good.

“I’m really happy we came away with a point, we would’ve been pretty annoyed if we came away with nothing because the boys deserved a point after a physical game against Mossman.

“Also, it was really good to see a big crowd on Sunday in Mareeba. It looks like the town is getting behind us and the club, which is great to see.”

The Gladiators Reserve Grade fell just short to the Sharks, with a final score of 16-12, while the Under 19s also fell short, going down 26-10.

All teams will have a week off over the Easter holidays and will return for the ANZAC Day round where Mareeba will host Edmonton Storm and Atherton will travel to take on Yarrabah.