FOR many years telephonists were the backbone of communication for towns. They transferred calls, helped people find others, and memorised hundreds of phone numbers. For Mareeba’s Jill Roos (pictured left), Gladys France (right), EveLyn McGrath, Elaine Evans, and Carmel Maifredi, working at the town’s telephone exchange was full of laughs, gossip, and good stories. Fifty years after the exchange went from manual to automatic, the women still meet up every month to continue the friendships that were forged in the back of the old Mareeba post office.
See story Page 4
Distillery vies for big award
200-student milestone for uni centre
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.
A SIGNIFICANT milestone has been reached by the Tablelands University Centre, welcoming its 200th student since opening.
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).
The study hub, an initiative of Vocational Partnerships Group (VPG), provides free support for post-secondary students enrolled in university or vocational courses.
The IWSC is renowned for its rigorous judging process, which evaluates spirits based on taste, balance, finish, and value.
Eighteen-year-old student Abbey Wilson, who is studying a STEPS bridging course through CQUniversity as a pathway to a Bachelor of Paramedic Science, became the centre’s 200th student.
“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.
“I didn’t think university was an option for me after finishing school in Year 10,” Ms Wilson said.
“Being recognised on this level by the IWSC is incredibly rewarding for our team.
“But ever since I visited the Atherton Ambulance Service at 12, I’ve wanted to be a paramedic, and the STEPS course is my way in.”
“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.”
Working two local jobs and living in a busy household, Ms Wilson values the dedicated study environment at TUC.
“Having a space where I can focus on study will make a big difference,” she said.
“I think it will really help me separate work, home, and study life.
“I already know a few other students at the TUC studying different degrees, and I’m excited to study alongside them.
The end goal is to become a paramedic and work in regional communities, so I’m grateful I don’t have to leave home to get the education I need
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.
communities, so I’m grateful I don’t have to leave home to get the education I need,” Ms Wilson added.
locally and internationally for their distinct flavours and exceptional quality”.
VPG chief executive officer Maryanne Tranter said the milestone for the centre validated their mission to expand educational access.
“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.
“I think it will help keep me motivated and on track.
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
“The end goal is to become a paramedic and work in regional
“Our local students will eventually fill critical workforce gaps in health, education, and other essential services across our region.”
“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.
“Reaching our 200th student milestone confirms what we’ve always believed – that there’s tremendous appetite for higher education in our region,” she said.
Tablelands Regional Council Mayor Rod Marti said the TUC had become a crucial part of the region’s workforce development strategy.
“And we’re situated in a really nice area, the fluctuations in temperature with the hot days and cold nights helps the spirit age really well.”
“The 200-student milestone at the TUC represents 200 potential skilled professionals for our local workforce,” he said.
The Mt Uncle Distillery has also recently started distribution in the UK, adding to their many successes.
“Locals no longer have to choose between staying in their community and pursuing higher education.
This IWSC recognition follows
“I congratulate VPG for creating opportunities for locals to gain qualifications locally.
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.
“By training local talent for
local jobs, we’re addressing skills shortages while keeping our future professionals right here on the Tablelands.”
The TUC is one of 46 Regional University Study Hubs across Australia providing quiet study spaces, fast internet, academic support, and industry connections – critical resources for remote learners.
Funded by the Australian Government with additional backing from the Tablelands Regional Council, the centre provides vital education infrastructure and on-theground support to regional students.
Crackdown on feeding crocs
Petition to save recycle shop
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.
A PETITION has been launched to try and save the Atherton Recycle Market which is due to close in mid-April.
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 council and the Endeavour Foundation to “seriously reconsider” the decision to close the facility as a recycling outlet.
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.
The operation, located at Tablelands Regional Council’s Atherton Waste Transfer Station, sells secondhand goods and has been operated for the past 10 years by the Endeavour Foundation.
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.
But the foundation says it has to close the shop due to it no longer being financially viable.
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.
A Tablelands Regional Council spokesperson confirmed the organisation would not be taking over the operation as a broad second-hand or “buyback” shop.
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.
“We will temporarily use the facility to store good-quality second-hand mattresses for donation to goodwill organisations,” the spokesperson said.
Conservation officers now also have the power to direct people to move away from a crocodile to avoid any potential human-crocodile interactions.
Last week, a petition was created calling for
The government has also significantly increased
The petition states that the Recycle Market is not only contributing to the reduction of waste in the local government area, but is also a meeting place for the community, allowing people to engage with each other, and providing “supported employment pathways” for people with a disability.
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.
A spokesman, who did not want to be named, said the decision had been made without consulting those who would be affected by the closure.
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”.
He understood that the shop would not be taking any more second-hand items after 28 March and that it would be closing on 10 April.
“The State Government has failed to manage the crocodile crisis for over a decade, and now it’s completely out of control,” he said.
Anyone who wishes to sign the petition can do so at the Recycle Market.
“Ask anyone who regularly fishes or uses our waterways - they’ll tell you the crocodile population has exploded. “This is a Northern Queensland issue, and it should be managed locally, not from over 1,800 km away in an ivory tower.”
Mt Uncle Distillery Owner and Head Distiller Mark Watkins with FNQ Rum’s awardwinning Iridium X rum.
Student Abbey Wilson has become the 200th student to use the Tablelands
Town centre needs spruce-up
By ROBYN HOLMES
COMPLAINTS about how the Atherton town centre looks have triggered a review into whether Tablelands Regional Council’s parks and gardens staff need more resources to keep the commercial hub of the region looking clean and attractive.
The town, which won Queensland’s Tidiest Town award 20 years ago, is looking “a bit sad” and “disgraceful” according to Cr Con Spanos and Cr Kevin Cardew.
“A lot of other towns (in the TRC area) have voluntary garden groups that do a magnificent job in keeping our towns beautiful,” Cr Cardew said.
“But Atherton’s town centre and the approaches into
town are disgraceful.
“I get complaints every single week about the Atherton town centre and I’m sure I’m not the only one.”
Cr Cardew said he did not blame staff for the condition of the town’s main business district and its approaches, saying more funds were needed.
“It’s not an indictment upon staff, they are under-resourced, but we need to start thinking about it because we have budget deliberations starting at the end of March,” he said.
“The whole point about this today is to bring the attention to everybody that we need to do something – it’s (Atherton) our major town in the TRC footprint and it doesn’t look pretty at all.
“I’m not looking for something new – it’s about
maintaining what we have better.”
Cr Spanos said he was getting pushback from the community about how the town looked and agreed the budget allocated to parks and gardens needed reviewing.
“The town is looking a bit sad,” he said.
“Atherton is the commercial hub of the TRC, it’s never going to be pretty little village again, it’s grown immeasurably.
“You’ve also got to remember that the main street is also the main road, getting in there and getting things done isn’t as easy as other places.”
He also noted that smaller towns often had volunteers and community groups actively involved in making their town attractive.
“The buck shouldn’t just
stop with the TRC. If the community is interested in how our main street and our verges look, they can help.” Cr Spanos said.
“It’s not just on us. I think the community should jump up and say ‘hey, I’d like to do a bit as well’.”
Even new chief executive officer Dr Nikola Stepanov had noticed the town needed some care.
“As someone who drove into town, I certainly noticed it,” she said.
Mayor Rod Marti also backed a review of the resources allocated to keeping the town looking clean and tidy
“We have all expressed for some time that our parks and gardens are basically under-resourced – we have been talking about that for a
long time,” he said.
“We have to put more resources in because they work so hard. Perhaps what we need to do first is to give it an increase in the upcoming budget well beyond CPI if we want our entrances to towns to look better.”
Community Services general manager Hilary Jackson suggested the first step “to address the frustrations of councillors” was for councillors to agree on the level of standard that should apply to the area.
Cr Dave Bilney said he would like all towns in the local government area to be given the same review to see if more resources were needed there.
“I understand Atherton is the primary focus but we should be looking at other town centres and entries as well. We may
need to look at all towns, I think that would be smarter,” he said.
But Cr Cardew said he wanted it to specifically focus on Atherton to begin with and wanted the information for the next monthly meeting in March so that it could guide 2025-26 Budget deliberations.
Dr Stepanov said that timeline would not be achievable and committed to bringing back a report to council at its June ordinary meeting.
Last week, the council finished planting the embankment on Kennedy Highway/Tolga Road between Golf Links Road and Grove Street in Atherton. The project involved around 350 plants, with a few flowering species to add some colour.
Keeping up the connection
The changeover of the Mareeba Telephone Exchange from manual to automatic was a revolutionary leap in technology in 1975, and 50 years on, the women who worked there still keep in touch. KONNOR FURBER gets the gossip.
FOR Gladys France, Eve-Lyn McGrath, Elaine Evans, Jill Roos, and Carmel Maifredi, the memories of working at the exchange in the old Mareeba post office are still very much alive, and to this day they still meet monthly to catch up.
They are organising a reunion for the whole Mareeba Telephone Exchange next month to mark the half century since the exchange was automated.
“Our job was interesting, very interesting,” Gladys said slyly.
“What happens on the exchange, stays on the exchange,” Carmel added while laughing.
“We were all women working together and we had no arguments,” Elaine said.
“And we still get together every month, 50 years on,” Eve-Lyn added with a smile.
The changeover took place at 6am on Sunday 27 July 1975, leaving the women to move on to a different exchange that was still manual, or to begin a new chapter in their lives.
“On that Sunday, one of our night boys was working that morning, and he reckons they came in, with an axe, cut the cable, and it went from manual to automatic,” Gladys said.
“They cut the cable with an axe! How would you be?”
In the early days of telephony, companies used manual telephone switchboards. Operators would connect calls by inserting a pair of phone plugs into the appropriate jacks.
In Mareeba, the telephone exchange was in the back of the old post office, which is the now empty piece of land in between KFC and the old fire brigade station.
It had three local-call switchboards, and several trunk-call switchboards. Local calls cost 10 cents and trunk calls were timed in three-minute intervals.
“A lot of switchboards back then had shutters, but ours was a modern one with lights,” Jill said.
“When somebody picked up the phone, the light would come on and you plugged into it and said, ‘number please’, then you would transfer them and say ‘connecting’.”
Gladys said: “By the time we finished, we had 1200 numbers on those switchboards, and most of us knew nearly every one of them.
“It was a very important role so the town could have communication.”
“We had to learn all the standard phrases, like ‘number please’, ‘are you extending’, or ‘are you getting through’,” Eve-Lyn said.
“A lot of people would just call up and ask for the paper shop or Cleall’s Butchery, not wanting to look it up, so we would know the number and put them through to where they wanted.”
In its heyday, the exchange had about 20 girls and two monitors working shifts from morning, day, and night, with men typically taking over for the night shifts.
“Number 20 was the police, 1 was the ambulance, 2 was the hospital, 5 was a fire alert, and 13 was the undertaker (funeral parlour),” Gladys explained.
“If you saw that the hospital was ringing the undertaker, you knew someone had died.
“We’d get accidents too, and someone would ring to be put through to the ambulance, then someone else would see the ambulance down the road and ring up and ask what was going on,” she laughed.
Gladys worked at the exchange for 10 years right up until the changeover, and it wasn’t until a few years after she started, that married women were allowed to work in government jobs.
“When I started in 1965; if you got married, you had to finish,” Gladys said.
“So, there was always a turnover from young girls getting married and more coming in to replace them, but they changed that.”
Jill added: “I was there for about four years before I got married, then eight years had gone past, and they begged me to go back.
“My husband kept saying ‘my wife doesn’t need to work’, but I told him they only wanted me for four weeks, they’re stuck. ‘Well only for four weeks’, he said to me.
“I must’ve stayed there for seven or eight years until they went automatic,” she chuckled.
According to the women, it was widely assumed that the telephonists listened in on people’s phone calls and would know all of the gossip in the town.
“No, absolutely not, we were always too busy,” Gladys said.
“Once again, what happens on the exchange, stays on the exchange,” Carmel added.
“We were always under supervision, and very busy,” Jill said.
“People always thought we listened to everyone, but we knew what was going on because we knew who was calling who,” Elaine said.
Gladys continued: “We did have to monitor a call to make sure people were getting through.
“There was a monitoring key, so you switched that over and if you could hear someone talking, you just pulled it back.
“But no, we didn’t listen in on calls, we monitored them,” she said carefully with a grin.
The reunion will be held on Saturday night, 5 April, at the Gateway Hotel, Mareeba, which is opposite the old post office and exchange.
“Entertainment will be if anyone wants to get up and share a story from their days of working in the industry,” Eve-Lyn said.
“Hopefully there’ll be lots of old photos to look at and reminisce about.
“We will also be going to the Heritage Centre for breakfast on Sunday morning because there are people travelling from further afield, so that is open for anyone who wishes to come as well.”
The women are confident they have reached out to everyone who was involved, including post office workers, exchange workers, technicians and linesman.
If you were involved and have not been contacted, or would like more information, call EveLyn on 0439 754 380.
“
By the time we finished, we had 1200 numbers on those switchboards, and
The 24 July 1975 edition of the Tablelands Advertiser bids farewell to “the girls of the Mareeba Telephone Exchange”.
A photo of the old post office not long after it was built, courtesy of the Mareeba History Facebook page.
– Gladys France
By ANDREE STEPHENS
THE cost of holding a postal vote to fill a vacancy on the Mareeba Shire Council has been estimated at $150,000 by the Electoral Commission Queensland (ECQ).
A council spokesperson said last week the amount was at the high end and likely to be cheaper, given last year’s full council election was estimated at approximately $170,000 but the actual final cost was $141,000.
Shire now that the nominations for candidates are closed.
ECQ will include information on how to vote, advising that once the ballot paper has been completed, it must be signed by a witness and dated, before being mailed in the pre-paid envelope.
You can send the vote back at any time before the vote closes at 6pm on Saturday 5 April - at which time the counting begins.
Pedersen puts hat into the ring for council job Postal vote could cost up to $150,000
FORMER councillor and well-known cattleman Alan Pedersen has put his hat into the ring for the Mareeba Shire Council by-election to be held on 5 April.
The vacancy on council came about after Cr Kevin Davies passed away in mid-January.
Mr Pedersen served 15 years in local government, as a councillor in the amalgamated Tablelands Regional Council, and as a councillor and Deputy Mayor (for four years) of Mareeba Shire. He stepped away from the job in 2020 to concentrate on running his cattle station, Karma Waters, and on his mining and earthmoving operations, but with his sons now older and able to assist at the property and having sold his mining interests, Mr Pedersen is ready to again step up to represent the community.
“I think there’s a need for me to come back to council – firstly, I think I owe it to Kevin, he was a good friend and a good councillor and he was man who knew about roads,” Mr Pedersen said.
“I think there is a lack of knowledge on the council about roads in particular –and there’s nothing more important than finance and roads, one follows the other, and they are my two priorities.
“I think I can fill that void (knowledge on roads) that was left after Kev passed.”
Mr Pedersen said he thought the current council was doing a good job but believed his knowledge and experience would be of great benefit to the shire.
Well-known for his pragmatic and forthright approach to council issues, and his role in organising the Great Wheelbarrow Race for many years, Mr Pedersen believes his commitment to getting value for money from ratepayers’ dollars will serve the community well.
“I was a bit surprised about the recent rate rise of 5.6% - and I want to know where that came from because it was double what was forecast in the financial plan, but I can’t criticise anyone for that until I know what the reasons for that were,” he said.
Despite his success as a councillor for 15 years, Mr Pedersen said he also learned a lot from that time in office.
“I’ve been in council for 15 years and I know I made mistakes – anyone who says they don’t make mistakes should have a statue in the main street,” he said.
“There are things you look back on and say ‘I shouldn’t have done that’ but you have to be decisive – make the decision and be responsible for it.
“If it’s a stuff up, put your hand up. You make the decisions on the best information you’ve got on the day and sometimes you find out down the track that it wasn’t good, but we always thought we were doing the right thing.”
He also knows that to achieve anything in council, “you have to be part of the team”.
“You can’t just bang the table and get what you want - you’ve got to respect the opinions of the other councillors and the advice from staff to get things done and be diplomatic,” he said.
Candidates line up for poll
FORMER councillor Gaye Taylor has nominated for the Mareeba Shire by-election next month.
Ms Taylor is well-known across the shire, having served a term as councillor under former Mayor Mick Borzi from 2004-2008.
She also served from 2012 until the deamalgamation election in March 2013 when she was unsuccessful.
Ms Taylor will be vying to get the job from other candidates, Mladen Bosnic and Carole
Chong, who have also nominated for the 5 April poll.
Mr Bosnic came seventh at the 2024 election and could have been offered the position of councillor when Cr Kevin Davies passed away leaving a vacancy on the council. But council opted for the by-election instead.
A member of the Muluridji tribe, Carol Chong has also nominated for the poll. Ms Chong’s daughter Shaquille contested the 2024 poll for council but was unsuccessful.
YOUNG offenders in the Mareeba area are showing signs of working in larger groups and are getting more opportunistic in stealing cars, a senior police officer has confirmed.
The comments come after growing public concerns that crime is becoming more organised and brazen in the area.
“We do see instances where we have multiple offenders and obviously, they are looking for an opportunity to commit offences,” Detective Inspector Jason Chetham said last week.
“There’s a degree of organisation, but it’s not sophisticated.
“There’s been a shift in greater Cairns and the Tablelands area - we have seen that commonality of offenders grouping together, but they organise themselves on a limited basis.”
Det Insp. Chetham is responsible for regional police across Cairns, the Tablelands and as far afield as the Cassowary Coast.
He said the recent assignment of police officers to the Tablelands left the force wellequipped to deal with offences.
“I believe we’ve got enough police up here to keep the community safe,” he said.
“We rely very heavily upon the information that community can provide us, and we try to be very proactive and dissuade people from committing crimes, and where we have to, we have the resources here to react.”
He said when residents see a group acting
suspiciously, they should contact the police, day or night.
He also acknowledged the recent car thefts, footage of which had swamped social media.
“The lady who had her car stolen, that was a single offender and very opportunistic,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the offender knew there was a child in the back.”
Another incident of a car stolen from a man while he was pumping up the tyres at a local service station, was filmed in a dramatic police roadblock across the Granite Creek bridge. Again, a very opportunistic theft attempt Det Insp. Chetham said.
“The victims are not to blame,” he added, and many people can be caught out.
People leaving their car running while they quickly duck into a coffee shop, a pizza pickup, or a bottlo run were typical examples of opening themselves up to theft, as was leaving doors unlocked at home – so common in country towns.
“We’d love to be able to do that, but it’s not the environment we live in at the moment,” Det Insp. Chetham said.
“We encourage people to secure their property.
“It does pay to be aware, and as I say, when people see something suspicious and provide us with information, hopefully, we can act on it and try to prevent the offences from happening in the first place.”
The postal vote for the councillor position left vacant after the death of Kevin Davies in January was approved by the Minister for Local Government Ann Leahy just shy of the legal cut-off date for the vacancy to be filled.
Council also had the choice of appointing the runner-up in the 2024 local government election because it had been less than a year when the vacancy arose. However, council said the residents should choose, not councillors.
Minister Leahy said in a recent statement that the postal vote requested by council would save $65,000, which means council could have faced a $215,000 bill if it had proceeded with an in-person by-election for one candidate.
In the meantime, residents will need to keep a close eye on their letterboxes for their postal vote paperwork, which is being mailed to every enrolled voter in Mareeba
Counting will continue until 15 April, to allow for any delays in postal delivery. (Australia Post last year cut letter delivery to every second day.)
This could mean an official result may not be called until mid-April.
For more information on postal voting, and the Mareeba by-election visit: www.ecq.qld. gov.au/elections/election-events
Cattleman and former councillor Alan Pedersen has nominated for the Mareeba Shire by-election.
Atherton teachers raise money for leukaemia
OVER $1,600 was raised for the Leukaemia Foundation after three teachers from Atherton State High School shaved and coloured their hair to support the cause.
Atherton teachers Matt Simpson and Torsten Pluschke shaved their heads and Bianca Blandon coloured her hair for the World’s Greatest Shave which takes place over the month of March.
In total they raised $1,685 and Ms Blandon explained her passion to participate in the event was driven by family members who have passed away or battled Leukaemia.
“My uncle passed away as a child from Leukaemia and my cousin has been in remission for many years,” she said.
“I’ve wanted to help the Leukaemia Foundation for years. Growing up they only
had the option to shave but now that they have introduced cut or colour to the mix, I finally get to help support this foundation and promote these options to others.
“I’ve seen first-hand what Leukaemia does to an individual and their family, hence why this is so important to me to try and prevent this.
“Raising money for the cause means my small sacrifice can help save lives and can also help make a difference to the families who are affected by Leukaemia,” she said.
According to the Leukaemia Foundation, 7,813 participants have taken part in 2025 so far and together have raised $3.87 million to further life-saving research and support families facing blood cancer.
For more information or to donate, visit www.worldsgreatestshave.com.
Cooktown police charge offenders
COOKTOWN police have recently charged two people with drink driving and vehicle offences, and three people who were involved in a street disturbance outside of the Cooktown Court House.
A 56-year-old man and a 33-year-old man have been charged with drink driving and vehicle offences in Cooktown recently.
At approximately 11am on 1 March, police from Cooktown Police Station intercepted a vehicle on Charlotte Street, Cooktown.
The driver of the vehicle, a 56-year-old male from Hope Vale, returned a positive roadside reading for alcohol and later returned a blood alcohol concentration reading of 0.124.
The vehicle that the male was driving was also unregistered and uninsured.
He was issued with an immediate licence suspension and a notice to appear at Cooktown Magistrates Court on 2 April, charged with drink driving and driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle.
At approximately 2pm on 2 March, police from Cooktown Police Station intercepted a vehicle on Endeavour Valley Road for the purpose of a breath test and licence check.
The driver, a 33-year-old Cooktown man, returned a positive reading for alcohol and later a blood alcohol concentration reading of 0.113.
The male was issued with an immediate licence suspension and a notice to appear at Cooktown Magistrates Court on 5 March.
Cooktown police as well as neighbouring police divisions are involved in a traffic operation targeting the Cook Shire, running until and including the Easter holidays.
Police are urging motorists to drive safely and avoid the ‘Fatal Five’ behaviours, which are speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing seatbelts, fatigue, and distraction.
Furthermore, a 46-year-old female, a 20-yearold female and a 19-year-old female that were involved in a street disturbance outside of the
Cooktown Court House on 28 February have been charged.
It will be alleged the trio were involved in a heated exchange with members of the public and caused unrest to many others.
The 46-year-old female was charged with public nuisance and driving whilst suspended and was issued with a notice to appear at Cooktown Magistrates Court on 2 April.
The 20-year-old female was issued with multiple infringement notices including commit public nuisance and traffic offences, totalling $1853 in fines.
The 19-year-old female was also issued with multiple infringement notices, also equalling $1853 in fines.
To report any information to police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form at www.police. qld.gov.au/reporting.
To report crime information anonymously,
In other news
Cooktown police are giving away up to 10 brand-new bicycles in conjunction with local Road Safety Initiatives, with one winner being announced every two weeks.
Competition Rules:
n Every time you are spotted wearing your helmet, your name will go into the draw.
n Entries into the draw are unlimited.
n A winner will be announced every second Friday, starting on 28 March.
n Participants must be aged 18 and under.
n Competition is limited to Cooktown, Laura, Hopevale, and Wujal Wujal residents only.
Atherton State High School’s Matt Simpson shaved his head for the World’s Greatest Shave.
Vets rank high as workplace for women
A LOCAL veterinary facility has been named one of Australia’s 30 Best Workplaces for Women by Great Place to Work® Australia.
The only veterinary business listed, and one of only three regional employers named, Tablelands Veterinary Services (TVS, joined an impressive group of winners across the country including Adobe, 4 Pines Brewing Company, Allianz, Cisco, Hilton, Mattel, Queensland Country Bank, and Specsavers.
The list is compiled by Great Place To Work, a global company specialises in measuring and offering certification on the quality of life at work. To qualify, organisations must have at least 50 female employees.
TVS has eight clinics across regional and rural Far North Queensland and were first established on the Atherton Tablelands in 1977.
With 88% of its workforce identifying
as female, including 74% of its vets and 72% of its leadership team, TVS has actively worked to reshape the traditionally demanding veterinary career model.
“Our profession has well-documented challenges with recruitment and retention, especially in rural and regional areas,”
TVS general manager Jason Chuck said.
“For the last five years, we’ve focused on proving that veterinary careers can be both rewarding and sustainableparticularly for those balancing careers with parenting or caring responsibilities.”
Flexible work schedules, a fourday work week for full-time staff, and an innovative, transparent pay system designed to prevent gender bias are among the initiatives that have helped TVS build a more equitable and supportive workplace.
Veterinary careers in rural and regional areas have traditionally been shaped by
BULLDOZER HIRE
long hours, after-hours demands, and rigid rostering creating barriers that have often disproportionately affected women.
“At TVS, we’ve made a conscious effort to challenge those old ways of working,” RVS director and vet, Dr Stephanie Williams, said.
“We’ve increased support staff ratios, invested in training and mentoring, and developed operating systems that reduce the burden of after-hours work.
“These changes don’t just benefit women, they create a better, more sustainable workplace for everyone.”
“This recognition is incredibly important, not just for TVS, but for our industry.
“We hope it inspires more veterinary workplaces to listen to their teams, make meaningful changes, and create careers that keep people passionate about this incredible profession.”
(left) Ravenshoe veterinary team leader Jamie Russell and Edmonton senior registered veterinary nurse Jodie Austin.
(left to right) Malanda team – accounts team leader Taeger Wallace, senior associate veterinarian Laura Seccull, senior registered veterinary nurse Kym Geisler, executive assistant Kimberley Kenny and inventory manager Lisa Puttlitz.
Community share in Ramadan ritual
AS Muslims around the world commemorate the sacred month of Ramadan, on Thursday 6 March, the Mareeba Mosque hosted members from various parts of the community for an Iftar (breaking of the fast ceremony).
Iftar is a ritual that occurs daily for the Muslim faithful as they break their fasts at sunset throughout the month. Fasting the month of Ramadan is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam.
Muslims who are of a mature age, and physically able to, are required to fast from all food and drink, from dawn until sunset.
Muslims are also encouraged to increase in righteous actions like prayer and charity, while also refining their character by cultivating traits such as being mindful of God, gratitude, and patience, while also leaving off disliked traits and sinful behaviour.
When the verses commanding the faithful to fast were revealed by God in the Quran, God points out that “fasting was ordained for those before you”.
This is a reference to how previous communities of believers fasted in a similar fashion. So, Muslims believe their fast is a continuation of God’s order.
College dux a doctor to be
MOSSMAN local Tully Smith was named St Stephens’ College Dux of 2024 earning the first-year medicine student a trophy and bursary from her school.
Tully, who achieved an impressive ATAR of 98.4, received the accolade during a recent student leader induction night, where she was also awarded the Anthony Family trophy and bursary from David Anthony of David Anthony Solicitors.
Her ATAR score put her in only 25% of Queensland students who scored 90 or above. Just 36 students achieving the highest possible score of 99.95.
“Being awarded college dux is a huge honour, and something I’m really grateful for. It has been an aspiration of mine for a few years,” Tully said.
“It inspires me to keep learning and to approach future challenges with the same dedication and curiosity, and it motivates me to strive for excellence.
“It is a personal achievement I am very proud of.”
The trophy is awarded to the school’s student with the “most outstanding” academic achievement each year, along with a $500 bursary.
I am interested in cardiothoracic surgery and rural generalism. I intend to work in rural and remote communities in Far North Queensland. “ “
Excellence award.
“I am interested in cardiothoracic surgery and rural generalism. I plan on pursuing these specialties after my schooling,” she said.
“I intend to work in rural and remote communities in Far North Queensland.”
In her final year of high school last year, Tully received the Principal’s Medal for Academic Achievement and subject awards for chemistry and physics, along with an Academic
Tully began her first year of university this year and is studying a dual degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at James Cook University in Smithfield.
Tully’s advice for other students pursuing academic achievements is simply, “don’t give up”.
“I know it’s cliche, but don’t give up. You want to give it your best shot, so at the end you aren’t wondering ‘what if’,” she said.
“Look after yourself as well. You can’t give things your best effort or do your best work if you aren’t taking care of your mental and physical health.”
+ more information: team@konceptkonnect.com
The Iftar ceremony of breaking of the fast Ifta hosted by the Mareeba Mosque.
Mission to save tiny bettong population from extinction
A mission is underway to save the Northern Bettong.
IMAGE: Dr Andrew Dennis.
NORTHERN bettongs will be relocated to save a tiny population near Mount Carbine from extinction in the first rescue mission between two wild populations of this species.
Less than 30 northern bettongs are left at Mt Spurgeon, near Mount Carbine and the species is listed as endangered, with only two wild populations and one re-introduced population remaining, all of them in North Queensland.
Terrain NRM’s Dr Andrew Dennis said the translocation project aims to be a “genetic rescue”.
“We need diversity in the gene pool. The Mt Spurgeon population is so small now that they are genetically inbred,’’ he said.
“That has led to an inbreeding depression, with females producing fewer babies than in healthy populations, and to the population not being able to cope with other pressures like feral animals and lantana weed taking over large parts of the habitat. They can’t breed fast enough to keep up.”
Terrain NRM has secured $420,000 from the Australian Government through its Natural Heritage Trust program to partner with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Gulf Savannah NRM on the translocation project, which is guided by the Northern Bettong Recovery Team.
It follows the successful reintroduction of northern bettongs to the Paluma region, where they have been breeding up over the last year in Mount Zero Taravale Wildlife Sanctuary, a fenced predator-free tract of land.
Forty-nine northern bettongs were moved from Lamb Range near Mareeba to the sanctuary in the AWC-led partnership project, funded by AWC with the support of the Queensland Government and Traditional Owners.
“This time about seven northern bettongs will be relocated from Lamb Range, and it’ll be to an existing population,’’ Dr Dennis
said.
“We want to improve the genetic makeup by 30 per cent, to take reproduction up to normal rates.”
“Genetic rescues” are gaining momentum in threatened species conservation across Australia. The first was for mountain pygmy possums in Victoria in 2010. They’ve since helped the eastern-barred bandicoot, helmeted honeyeaters and rock wallabies.
Dr Dennis said the northern bettong project would include weed and pest control work at Mt Spurgeon National Park in the lead-up, to prepare the habitat for the bettong population to re-expand. This will be followed by population monitoring for at least two years after the bettongs are translocated.
“We will be surveying the area and controlling feral animals, including pigs and cats, over a few hundred hectares of land,’’ he said.
“We’ll also be removing lantana, which is suppressing food sources for bettongs. This work will build on years of survey and monitoring work by AWC and Western Yalanji Traditional owners, with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Gulf Savannah NRM.
“It’ll be a team effort again – we will be working closely with the Northern Bettong Recovery Team including Western Yalanji, researchers from James Cook University who’ve provided the genetic data, and our project partners Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Gulf Savannah NRM and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.”
Dr Dennis, who is also the Northern Bettong Recovery Team Chair, said the northern bettong population had dramatically declined over the past 20-30 years, with an estimated 1100 remaining on Lamb Range, at Mt Spurgeon and the Mt Zero sanctuary area.
“Their habitat is very restricted – they are now only living in a narrow, fragmented strip
of eucalypt forest along the western edge of the Wet Tropics,’’ he said.
“They’ve been identified as one of 20 Australian mammals at the greatest risk of extinction.”
NORTHERN BETTONGS FACTS:
n They mainly feed on truffles, which grow underground, connected to the roots of trees.
n They help the forest by spreading the spores of truffles around with their droppings, making them a keystone species, responsible for the dispersal of a huge number of ectomycorrhizal fungi species. These fungi have an essential role in forest health, forming a symbiotic relationship with the roots of eucalyptus and allocasuarina trees.
n They make spit balls, called oorts, out of undigested grass, and these help researchers to track their movements.
major makeover survey extended
A SURVEY to determine what locals think of a major makeover of the facilities at Lake Eacham will now close on 5 April.
The popular swimming spot is set to undergo an upgrade as part of a State Government project aimed at enhancing safety and overall park experience.
A draft design for Lake Eacham has been developed by the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation which is the subject of the online survey.
The design aims to maximise universal accessibility, maintain the existing footprint, and upgrade time-worn facilities while respecting the historical importance of the lake.
The survey was supposed to close early March, but the department has now extended the time until 5 April. To access it, go to https://intheloop.des.qld.gov.au/
• See letter to the editor, Page 22
Trevor and Alison Wilson tok the time to dress for the occasion.
Frances Petersen and Kymberley Cockrem were perfectly dressed for the St Patrick’s Day themed races at Mareeba on Saturday.
Tarah Puller and Nadine Vielle at the event which was hosted at the Atherton International Club.
Charmian Campbell and Carolyn Mundt. Tristan and Rachel Kidcaff were dressed in style.
Enjoying the day were Ken and Sandra Gregg. Tom Braes and Ann Eldridge.
Cam Skinner and Mandy Malliff. Jillian Trout and Alita Jennings.
Devices installed where they can help
NEARLY 50 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) have been installed in buildings and vehicles across the Tablelands Region.
Tablelands Regional Council has installed 47 of the machines in buildings and vehicles in Atherton, Herberton, Malanda, Ravenshoe, Tolga and Yungaburra.
“We’re proud to make these AEDs available and to have the opportunity to significantly improve the chance of someone surviving a cardiac arrest,” Mayor Rod Marti said.
“The AEDs are available for anyone to use and don’t require training.
“They’re perfectly safe and won’t administer a shot if the patient doesn’t need it.”
Information Centre Officer Nicole Smith is very appreciative of the AED being located at the Atherton visitor centre.
“I worked on the Great Barrier Reef for 13 years and witnessed people die before defibs were developed and made available,” she said.
“I am thrilled for our volunteers and visitors, some of whom have heart problems. It gives me peace of mind particularly when it is quiet in town. “I am very thankful for this life saving resource.”
The devices are located at:
n 3x at TRC’s building on Mabel Street, Atherton
n Atherton Library
n Atherton Tablelands Information Centre
n Disaster Coordination Centre, Atherton
n Herberton Mining Centre
n Lakeside Caravan Park
n Malanda Depot
n Malanda Falls Caravan Park
n Malanda Falls Visitor Centre
n Ravenshoe Depot
n Ravenshoe Visitor Centre
n Tolga Depot
n Yungaburra Visitor Information Centre
n 32x in TRC vehicles
Protest rally on pavilion
A PROTEST about the way the Patrick English Pavilion at Malanda has been handled by Tablelands Regional Council will be held on Thursday.
Organiser Matt Lachlan has been a vocal critic of the way the council has managed the pavilion over the past few years and has accused the organisation of “serious wrongdoing” and misleading the community.
The igloo is scheduled for demolition by the council after it decided that repairing the ageing structure was not economically viable. The pavilion was suddenly closed to the public just before last year’s Malanda Show.
Mr Lachlan had also submitted a 77-page complaint to the Crime and Conduct Commission in relation to the handling of the issue (and claims against former CEO Gary Rinehart), with the CCC dismissing three of his claims and handing back two of the complaints to TRC for investigation.
In a letter from new chief executive officer Dr Nikola Stepanov to Mr Lachlan earlier this month, she advised that: “We have since been advised that the CCC is satisfied with the way TRC previously investigated the allegations….”
But Mr Lachlan is determined to bring the matter back into the public spotlight by holding the protest meeting this week.
“Many of us have had an absolute gutful of the way TRC has treated the community,” he said.
“The fact that council has repeatedly lied, misled the public, withheld an engineering report, and risked public safety is utterly reprehensible.
“It is abundantly clear that this council is doing all it can to avoid
accountability. Formal complaints were filed with council last year over this matter and many of the most serious issues raised were simply ignored completely.
“There has been no accountability whatsoever. This is a chance for everyone who feels like ‘Enough is Enough’ to stand together and demand accountability - proper investigations and consequences for those responsible for misconduct.
“We are also calling on the state government to intervene and formally investigate council.”
In a statement, Dr Stepanov said any community member was welcome to raise concerns with council, but it had acted appropriately in how decisions were made regarding the pavilion.
“It is often difficult when community members are heavily invested in achieving an outcome that aligns with their views or wants, even when council has thoroughly considered all avenues and made a decision in the best overall interests of the community and ratepayers,” she said.
“The work of council is complex, and there is a need to strike a balance between what is affordable and achievable in a region like ours where there are competing demands and needs.
“This will invariably mean that individuals and groups will be disappointed when they do not get their desired outcome as has occurred in this instance.”
The protest will start at 9.30am on Thursday outside the council building in Mabel Street, Atherton.
For further information, email to save-the-malanda-igloo@hotmail.com
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Ken Goleby and Joseph Hands with one of the vehicle AEDs that have been installed in vehicles and buildings across the Tablelands region.
Malanda seniors inducted at ceremony
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THE Year 12 cohort at Malanda State High School was officially inducted as seniors of the school recently, with all of them receiving a senior badge as they step into their final year of education.
Also welcomed into their leadership roles were the school captains, sports captains, year level captains, and junior captains.
The event was attended by past student Mr Bowen-Wilson, who shared invaluable insights and wisdom with the students to inspire them for the year ahead.
Also in attendance was Cr Dave Bilney, along with other special guests and parents.
Vale Mary Bolam – champion of Chillagoe’s rich history
The Chillagoe community, and especially the Chillagoe Alliance, is mourning the passing of Mary Bolam on 4 March. Mary was a driving force behind the town’s historical preservation, tourism, and community development for more than four decades.
Her passion for Chillagoe, its people, and its stories shaped much of what visitors and locals appreciate today.
Mary moved to Chillagoe in the 1980s and first became known in town as the owner and operator of the Chillagoe Motel, which later became part of the local mining companies’ accommodation. Never one to stand still, she went on to transform a house and its extensive gardens beside Chillagoe Creek into Chillagoe Creek Homestead, a peaceful retreat offering camping for visitors.
Her greatest legacy, however, lies in her tireless efforts to preserve and promote Chillagoe’s rich history.
As a founding member and long-serving Heritage Officer of the Chillagoe Alliance, Mary played a vital role in securing funding for the Heritage Trails Network and the Centenary of Federation celebrations, ensuring that the town’s past was honoured and remembered. Recognising the need for a central space to coordinate heritage projects, she helped establish The Hub, which later led to the formal creation of the Chillagoe Alliance after a key meeting on 20 July 1999.
Mary was behind many of Chillagoe’s most recognisable heritage projects. One of the most striking is Dave the Elasmosaur, a life-sized replica of a 140-million-year-old marine reptile
discovered in the district. She championed the project from the start, engaging an expert modeller from the Queensland Museum to bring it to life. Today, Dave stands proudly at the entrance to town, a reminder of Chillagoe’s prehistoric past.
Mary’s love for history extended beyond landmarks – she also worked to document it. She compiled a mining history booklet, gathering historic photographs and stories that highlight the town’s deep connection to Australia’s political and industrial landscape. She was instrumental in the restoration of the Chillagoe Court House, a building that once hosted a 1920s Royal Commission into mining corruption. Under her guidance, it was transformed into a museum that gives visitors insight into the region’s legal and mining history.
Another of Mary’s lasting contributions was the restoration of the Chillagoe Railway Station, built in 1901 to serve the mines and smelters. Thanks to her dedication, efforts were set in motion to restore and repurpose the station, ensuring its historical significance is recognised. She remained actively involved in advocating for its future until her passing.
Mary was more than a historian and community leader – she was a force of nature, fiercely dedicated to ensuring that Chillagoe’s past was never forgotten. Her work continues to enrich the town, and her legacy will live on through the many projects she helped create.
Mary Bolam will be deeply missed, but the mark she left on Chillagoe will remain for generations to come.
School captains Shizuki (left), Gabrielle, Macey and Tom, with Principal Natasha Lyndon (middle).
Eacham sports captains Bayley (left), Elektra, Zahra and Paityn.
Junior school captains Lily (left), Alicia, Abbie and Jaylen.
Tinaroo sports captains Sophia (left), Ashton, Tessa and Caitlin.
Year 8 captains Khy and Gabriella. Year 10 captains Caden and Amelie.
Barrine sports captains Kirby (left), Nash, Felicity and Ruby.
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ENTERTAINMENT
Fantasy, reality and spaces in between
LOCAL artists Linda Bates, Catherine Devine and Tina Jacobson have a new exhibition now open at the Tableland Regional Gallery.
The artists explore the worlds of fantasy, reality and the spaces in between through drawing, painting and sculpture.
The “And I think to myself…” exhibition will be on display until Saturday 26 April, with the artists being in residence on various Fridays and Saturdays.
To find out about other exhibitions and workshops coming up, go to trc.qld.gov.au/galleries
A family music afternoon
A FAMILY day hosted by the Tableland Country Music Club will be held this Sunday in Atherton.
The club holds events like this throughout the year to provide locals with free entertainment and give newcomers the chance to showcase their talent.
Performers must provide four chord charts for Rusty Strings. Food and drinks will be on sale. The family day will be held at the Atherton Hotel, “The Black Stump”, on Sunday, with the meeting to begin at 11am and music from 12 noon to 5pm.
For more information, call Karen on 4095 1008.
Oasis by Tina Jacobson is one of the artworks on display at the new exhibition.
Bumpy Satin Ash by Catherine Devine will be displayed at the gallery.
ENTERTAINMENT
Women’s day celebrated with Julatten style
FROM body art, affirmation cards and a gourmet lunch, to a keynote address and an occasional Ulysses butterfly drifting by, the first International Women’s Day event held at the Julatten Hotel recently proved a hit with the community.
Some 30 women joined in the celebration, which was co-hosted by Bowerbird Publishing chief executive owner Crystal Leonardi and Julatten Hotel manager Maddie Cronin.
The event featured storytelling, an Asian-inspired menu paired with special IWD cocktails, and a joyful recognition
of local women who have shaped the community.
Delivering her keynote address, Crystal spoke of her own journey in publishing and the challenges she faced. It was also an opportunity to launch her sixth book, Clarity.
Supported by local businesses, including The Posy Crew, Marama Jewellers, Divine Beauty, and authors Chantal Munro and Mary Pearson, organisers and attendees hope the Julatten IWD will become an annual event.
Savannah sounds in Port Douglas
A NEW wave of live music and entertainment will be surging into the Port Douglas Carnivale this year with a three-day Savannah Sounds festival.
Created by the team behind the highly successful Savannah in the Round, held annually in Mareeba, the Port Douglas event will take place from 23-25 May.
The festival will kick off in the “Savannah Sounds Park Precinct”, with a Friday night DJ Sounds party, before headline events across Saturday and Sunday.
“We are more than excited to bring Savannah Sounds to Port Douglas as part of Port Douglas Carnivale,” Sound Australia director James Dein said. Saturday will bring the party to Four Mile Beach from 11am, with local DJs followed by Jolyon Petch.
Live music then hits the park with a line-up including Kairos Kin, Max Jackson, The Wolfe Brothers, Sheppard and The Black Sorrows.
The festival wraps up on Sunday 25 May, with music from midday to 8.15pm featuring The Katie Richards Band, followed Eddie Skiba, El Moth, Little Steely Brothers, headliner Glenn Shorrock, and local act Roadtrippers.
Max Jackson is one of the artists to feature at Savannah Sounds at the Port Douglas Carnivale.
ON LANDthe Unearthing our soil heroes
LANDCARE Australia is calling for landcare and envirnonment community groups to “unearth” the unsung soil heroes in rural and regional communities across Australia.
Nominations are being called for the prestigious 2025 General Jeffery Soil Health Award which honours the remarkable work done by Australia’s first National Soils Advocate, former Governor General, the late Major General the Hon. Michael Jeffery, AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC.
As Australia’s first National Soils Advocate, General Jeffery passionately advocated for improvements in the health of our agricultural landscape. By championing soil health from Parliament House to the paddock, he successfully changed attitudes towards soil sustainability and energised change on farms right across Australia.
The $20,000 award will help the winner in their mission to improve soil health in Australian landscapes.
The current Award holder, Dr Oliver Knox, is urging people to go online and nominate before the closing date on 31 March.
“It’s a great award that celebrates all things soily. People might well ask, ‘why should we
care about soil health?’ and the answer is simple, soils are the basis of food production, food security and human health,” he said.
Managing and preserving soil health is critical and although Australia is internationally renowned for its high-quality agricultural industry, the health of the country’s soil continues to decline due to erosion, acidification and salinisation, Landcare Australia said.
“Healthy, well-managed soil is a vital part of the sustainability and productivity of our agricultural sector
and in today’s cost of living crisis agricultural productivity affects us all, so like General Jeffery, we must be relentless in focusing on the importance of integrated management of soil, water, animals and plants to the benefit of all Australians and our environment,” a spokesperson said.
“At Landcare Australia, we believe it is vitally important that we do all we can to share knowledge and celebrate the people who are working to protect, conserve and build the health of our soils.
“If you do know someone
who’s working on a project, whether it’s a project looking at Dung Beetles, or a farming family who are passionate about soils, get online and make a nomination.”
The winner of the award will receive a trophy and a $20,000 grant for an agreed soil project and will be announced at the 2025 National Landcare Awards gala dinner hosted as part of the 2025 National Landcare Conference on the Gold Coast in September.
To find out more or nominate, go to www.landcareaustralia. org.au/soilhealthaward.
AUSTRALIAN beef production hit a record 2.57 million tonnes in 2024 – 1% higher than the previous record seen in 2014, according to a new research report by agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank.
Live cattle industry wants more support
CATTLE Australia is calling on both sides of politics to throw their full support behind Australia’s live cattle export industry and push back against new trade barriers around the world, with new data demonstrating the vital role of cattle and beef exports to the national economy.
Meat & Livestock Australia’s market data released last week shows cattle exports increased by 22% to 747,000 head and beef exports increased by 24% to 1,972,000 tonnes (carcase weight) in 2024.
CA chief executive Dr Chris Parker said a whopping 76% of beef processed in Australia in 2024 was exported, generating valuable revenue for the Australian economy and supporting tens of thousands of jobs across rural and regional Australia.
“Australian beef and cattle exports are also crucial in providing food security to people around the world and it is imperative our political leaders fight any moves by our global trading partners to impose new tariffs or trade barriers,” he said.
“In the run-up to the Federal election, we will also be working hard to secure commitments from both parties to guarantee the future of the live cattle trade.
“Strengthening our ties with Indonesia is critically important for the economy and national security, not to mention the livelihoods of cattle producers right across Australia.”
Specifically, CA is calling for an investment of $5 million per year for five years to re-establish the Indonesia Australia Red Meat and Cattle Partnership, which ended in 2024 after 10 years of successful collaboration to improve Indonesia’s cattle sector, food security and trade between the two countries.
ended last year and are up 17% on the same period in 2024.
Despite these record production volumes though, Australian cattle prices have remained steady, with the agribusiness banking specialist forecasting a stable outlook for prices ahead, with some potential “upside” through the first half of 2025.
Quarterly report lead author, RaboResearch senior animal proteins analyst, Angus Gidley-Baird, said production volumes in quarter one and the rest of 2025 were expected to be similar to 2024.
The report says weekly Australian cattle slaughter numbers for the first six weeks of 2025 have continued at the same rate they
The report noted that while Australian beef production volumes had reached a record in 2024, actual slaughter numbers were down an estimated 10% on the 2014 record. This was due to higher slaughter weights (an average of 310kg) in 2024.
“Despite record production volumes, Australian cattle prices remain steady,” ” Mr Gidley-Baird said.
The report said that in the last six months of 2024, most Australian cattle prices traded within 10% of the average, making it one of the more stable periods in recent years.
Mr Gidley-Baird said generally favourable seasonal conditions across many Australian beef-production regions had maintained producer confidence.
“This was reflected in strong buying
activity in early-year weaner sales and the strong US market is also supporting demand for Australian exports,” he said.
RaboResearch calculations indicate export volumes to the US in 2024 – which were up 60% on the previous year – almost equalled the volumes consumed in the Australian domestic market.
“Imported lean Australian trim prices averaged 26% higher in the first six weeks of 2025 than they did in 2024 indicating that the US demand remains and will potentially drive prices higher in 2025,” Mr GidleyBaird said.
“With favourable seasonal conditions and improving US demand for imports, we believe Australian cattle prices will remain steady with some upside through the first half of 2025, although US tariff activity does create some uncertainty.”
Cattle Australia chief executive
Chris Parker.
PROPERTY
Introducing Stage 14 A
AMAROO Estate is excited to introduce Stage 14A. A breathtaking new release featuring 12 exclusive blocks, located on Allambee Close and the extension of Karobean Drive, designed for those who crave space, tranquillity, and a connection with nature.
These stunning lots are surrounded by pristine natural bushland, offering a peaceful
escape while still being conveniently close to town amenities. With lot sizes ranging from 910 sqm to an expansive 2517 sqm, you’ll have all the room you need to bring your dream home to life – whether that includes a sprawling outdoor entertaining area, a large backyard for the kids, or space for a pool and shed. Each lot in Stage 14A comes with:
• Wide frontages
• Town water
• Underground power,
• Sewerage and NBN connectivity Imagine waking up to nature’s beauty while enjoying the comforts of a well-connected community. Whether you’re looking for a spacious backyard, room for a pool, or a bigger shed, Stage 14A has it all.
Pop into the Amaroo Land Centre for any information or call Ryley on 0409 321 000 if you would like to arrange an inspection, at a time that best suits you.
Follow us on our socials or check out our website www.amarooestate.com.au for all updates regarding our upcoming stages.
090 306
•
•
PROPERTY
front door, and sliding glass doors
• Tiled rear entertainment patio with shade blinds –Entertain in privacy!
• Double remote-control garage with internal access
• 6.6kw Solar System – Save
on those electricity bills!
• Garden/storage shed
• 807m2 allotment, fenced on 3 sides
• Coloured concrete footpaths & drive-way
• Ideally located in a quiet street and only 4kms to Atherton Town Centre
For further information or to arrange an inspection, call exclusive marketing agent Raquel at Sommerset Realty on 0408 983 879.
• Modern kitchen with electric appliances & a breakfast
• Master bedroom featuring a generous ensuite and walk-in
• Bedrooms (2) & (3) with
Charming Queenslander with stunning views
NESTLED in the heart of the Tablelands, this beautifully renovated Queenslander offers the perfect blend of character, comfort, and functionality. Set on a fully fenced 5.9 acre parcel, this home boasts sweeping rural views from its expansive deck, a thoughtfully updated interior with traditional features, and ample space for both relaxation and entertaining. With a powered 3 bay shed, established gardens, bore and solar this property is ideal for those seeking a peaceful yet practical acreage lifestyle.
Property features:
• 3 bedrooms + study nook – spacious and light-filled, perfect for family living or working from home.
• 2 bathrooms featuring a stunning clawfoot bath for ultimate relaxation.
• Renovated kitchen. Cook whilst overlooking the breathtaking views.
• Open plan living – VJ walls, polished timber floors, and casement windows add timeless character.
• Expansive deck on 2 sides – Breathtaking views over the property, ideal for
entertaining.
• Under-house parking and entertaining space – versatile area for gatherings or extra storage.
• 6.5kW solar system –Energy-efficient living at its best.
• Powered 3-bay shed –perfect for a workshop, storage, or extra vehicles.
• Established gardens and bore – lush greenery and reliable water supply.
• Fully fenced – secure for livestock. This stunning property offers the best of acreage living, while keeping you close to town conveniences. Don’t miss your chance to secure this dream lifestyle. Contact Elders Agent Janine Rielly on 0407 032 422 today to arrange a viewing.
Beautiful townhouse with stunning views
THIS beautifully designed townhouse effortlessly combines luxury and convenience in a picturesque lakeside setting. With stunning views, and close proximity to the lake every morning feels like a holiday - taking leisurely strolls along the water’s edge, canoe paddle, close to boat ramp for skiing and other water activities. With a view out to the lake, the open-plan living area, elegantly tiled, flows seamlessly into a wellappointed timber kitchen, complete with granite benchtops, dishwasher and pantry. Stay comfortable yearround with air conditioning and an electric fireplace, creating a cozy yet modern atmosphere. A convenient powder room is also located downstairs.
Step outside to a charming private patio, the perfect place to relax and take in the tranquil lake views, just a short stroll from the water’s edge.
Upstairs, two spacious carpeted bedrooms offer a peaceful retreat. The main bedroom is a standout, featuring generous space, built-in robes, ensuite, and a private deck with stunning lake views. Begin your
morning relaxing with a cuppa whilst enjoying the serenity and privacy.
Additional features include a secure lock-up garage and energy-efficient solar panels. Situated in a sought-after complex with a resort-style pool, this townhouse offers the best of lakeside living with all the modern comforts. Ideal for owner occupiers,
Acreage and privacy in perfect location
NIGHTINGALE Real Estate
Tablelands is proud to present Los Altos, first time to market in over 62 years.
19 Brasch Road is a private 6 acre lifestyle acreage block, the rear boundary backing onto National Park and the front boundary having access to the beautiful Scrubby Creek. Less than 10 minutes from Atherton CBD in the sought after Carrington district, 19 Brasch Rd is in a perfect location.
The property was named Los Altos, as from the house and
shed roof you have magnificent views of Scrubby creek and the glorious mountains of the Great Dividing Range. In the 70s land owners in the district were encouraged to plant pines as a viable wood resource which can be seen on the hillside.
The 60’s styled double storey family home is surrounded by nature and over the years many exotic fruit trees, plants and ready to go veggie gardens were created.
Features of this piece of
paradise include:
Upstairs:
• Kitchen, dining and living room which has a hand crafted fireplace including a decorative stone wall
• Three bedrooms with built-in wardrobes
• Main bathroom
• Small study/office nook
• Fully enclosed back veranda, making it a great rumpus room overlooking the gardens
Downstairs:
• Independent granny flat with one bedroom, bathroom and
kitchenette
• Shared laundry room
• Lots of storage areas and the possibility for a large indoor entertainment area.
Attached to the house is a large pool room with a certified inground swimming pool.
Close to the house is a well situated, spacious, 304m2 powered shed which has more than enough room to securely house 5-6 vehicles or run a business. With another 80m2 covered, outdoor, parking garage attached, there is
also safe parking for other equipment like recreational vehicles, caravans or farm equipment.
All the driveways are concrete for easy all year round access.
This property has so much
Address: Price: Agent:
potential, whether you want to be self-sufficient forever or open a business using the large shed as your base. You can be certain once you cross over the bridge on Scrubby Creek you won’t want to leave this secluded property.
Contact: 19 Brasch Road, CARRINGTON Contact agent EXCLUSIVE to Shellie Nightingale Nightingale Real Estate Tablelands 0429 966 038
PROPERTY
Picturesque private acreage with everything
ENJOY the freedom of space and the lifestyle and privacy that only an acreage property offers. This 38.9Ha (96 acre) property is positioned on the Cairns side of Mareeba within easy reach of town and features a picturesque and private location, a modern 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, sizeable home, substantial shed, infrastructure in place for cattle and horses as well as the added bonus of income ability from 600 lime trees.
The considerable list of inclusions are:
• Fully tiled 4 bedroom home with generous sized rooms and open plan living & dining area plus split system airconditioning to the living and 3 bedrooms
• All bedrooms with mirrored built-in robes
• Master bedroom with his & hers mirrored built-in robes & ensuite
• Central kitchen with large walk-in pantry, gas cooktop and dishwasher
• Main bathroom with plunge bath and shower
• Laundry with built-in cabinetry
• 2.7m high ceilings & larger double lock up garage
• Patio with views overlooking the acreage
• Tinted windows and security screens throughout
• 27,000L rainwater tank
• Fully fenced, 2 paddocks with dog fencing for goats and 2 paddocks for cattle plus steel cattle yard and loading ramp
external boundary fence is 4 strand
• House yard with dog fence
• 3.5L/Sec good quality unmetered bore water with 3 phase pump, shed & fertigation system
• 18m x 12m open front shed with 6m x 12m concreted area, 3 phase power, 2 generator points & sizeable solar power system with 15kw inverter
• 4 Bin lime grader
• 600 lime trees
IF you are looking for a property that is ready for you to move into with very-little to almost no work required, then feast your eyes on this property at 42 Walsh Street, Mareeba.
This red-brick three bedroom and two bathroom home has been recently given a complete makeover and is now on the market for sale.
There are three good sized bedrooms, all with polished timber flooring, the larger of which features air-conditioning and they all have ceiling fans and casement windows so you can stay cool in summer.
There is a large kitchen which was recently renovated and has lots of new cabinetry and new appliances, and it could also accommodate a small dining space. There is a large pantry, electric stove/
oven and rangehood, as well as a dishwasher.
Adjacent to the kitchen is a large family room and there is also another room at the front of the home which could be used as an additional TV room, a formal dining space or even an office or study.
The living areas all have polished timber flooring and casement windows as well, and the two living rooms at the front of the home have large French doors which lead out onto the front porch. The living area is serviced by a large split system air-conditioner.
The main bathroom has also been totally renovated recently and is located convenient to the bedrooms. It features a large shower space, tiled floors and new fixtures and fittings throughout. The laundry, which has direct
access to the kitchen has the second bathroom which is made up of a separate shower and vanity room and a separate toilet. Outside, the home has also been given a spruce up with all window and door frames
recently being painted, some new guttering installed and the roof repainted giving it a new and modern look.
There is a single-bay lock up garage, which has an additional storage or workshop room at the rear, and there is
an oversized covered carport as well. All this on a fully fenced 1,012m2 corner allotment, just a short stroll to town.
Property features:
• Three bedrooms and two bathrooms
• Polished hardwood timber flooring
• Recently renovated and repainted inside
• Lots of new kitchen cabinetry
• Two living areas, Splitsystem air-conditioning
• Renovated modern bathroom, new fixtures and fittings
• Large laundry with second bathroom - also renovated
• Spacious yard with lots of room for the kids or pets
• Secure, fenced yard, almost all Colorbond fencing
• Lock-up garage, workshop/ storage room and large carport
• 1,012m2 corner allotment with only two neighbours
To register your interest, or to take a closer look, call exclusive agent Remo Esposito on 0401 969 473 or email remo@crmareeba. com today.
Address: Price: Agent: Contact: 42 Walsh Street, MAREEBA $439,000 EXCLUSIVE to Remo Esposito Central Realty 0401 969 473 or 4092 2232
Peace and Tranquility in Tolga
FROM the moment you step through the front door you are greeted by the serenity and taken to a Mediterranean ambience.
Office or fourth bedroom and living rooms downstairs with access to the very private outdoor area overlooking well established gardens with an abundant variety of fruit trees.
The generous sized master bedroom has a walk-through robe leading to the ensuite. It also has it’s own private balcony overlooking the gardens for quiet enjoyment.
The other two bedrooms are spacious and have built in wardrobes.
This two-level family home situated on 4600 square meters with a creek as its back boundary has something for everyone. There is a 7 x 12 meter shed with a high roof to accommodate a caravan, boat and tradespersons vehicle and tools. There is also an art / craft studio or teenager’s retreat. For the little ones there is a cubby house for hours of
LETTERS to the editor
Minor lake changes only
I AM writing to give my thoughts about the proposed multi-million dollar enhancement to the day-use area of Lake Eacham by Queensland Government’s Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation.
I think that the amount of money, time and resources recommended for this project is unwarranted. The $1 million spent on refurbishments back in 2007 was aimed at improving facilities, safety and bettering the protection of the environment. It just seems too soon for yet another upgrade.
If “universal accessibility” means the inclusion of wheelchair access, then I agree that this is needed. I propose that the current entry for kayaks, canoes and paddle boards be levelled slightly so this can also be used safely by people in wheelchairs.
I’d also like to see the ladies’ changing shed restored. It’s difficult to change in the toilets where there are no benches to place one’s belongings. Furthermore, the changing shed, with its stone foundations, has unique charm – it is at least 60 years old – and is worth preserving.
If infrastructure upgrades involving concrete are kept to a bare minimum, this will allow money to be spent on increasing Park Ranger presence and improving signage. Revenue can also be raised by introducing entry fees in the form of annual or daily passes.
Patrolling Rangers can instruct visitors about safety and acceptable behaviour. I learned recently that a ranger, with his family, lived on site at Lake Eacham from the 1950s to the early 70s. His job was to maintain the picnic areas and amenities particularly at night if young people were out and about.
Recently, a friend related how she reprimanded a visitor for allowing his dog to enter the water but her pleas were met with resistance. In fact, the visitor responded by saying the dog was having “physiotherapy”.
It would be far better for the protection of our wonderful World Heritage-listed National Parks for regulations to be enforced by the rangers with regular on-the-spot fines. I believe rangers were working at the lake on Australia Day last month and I heard their presence created a calming atmosphere.
At the toilets, there are signs prohibiting the feeding of cassowaries and smoking within 10m of facilities. These could be displayed more prominently. The “no diving” signs at the water’s edge perhaps need to be larger.
The tens of thousands of visitors each year bring sunscreen, insect repellent, litter and car exhaust pollution. The lake has even been used for shampooing hair!
Lake Eacham is a closed water system.
I wonder how many pollutants this scenic attraction can withstand?
“Friends of the Lake” do not wish the magic clarity of the water to be affected. I have a friend who no longer swims at Lake Eacham due to the ear and throat infections she was developing.
Another friend does not think that additional bicycle parking is needed. When he cycles to the lake, he hardly ever sees other bicycles.
I am especially concerned about the two cassowaries which have taken up residence in the Lake Eacham surrounds in recent months.
“Friends of the Lake” do not wish an upgrade to Lake Eacham to increase traffic on the roads. Cars impose a huge threat to the survival of cassowaries.
The Crater Lakes National Park is within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area which is recognised by the Tablelands Regional Council for its exceptional biodiversity, evolutionary history and superb scenic beauty. Cassowaries play a vital role as “rainforest gardeners.” They eat various fruits and disperse seeds over large distances through their droppings, helping regenerate the rainforest and thereby sustaining its biodiversity.
This year at 12 noon on Saturday, 15 February, I observed four illegal parks, three blocked toilets, abundant litter, the sound of music playing and visitors back flipping into the water from the concrete blocks.
Two days later, I saw a car’s skid marks on the grass; this car had also knocked over a low timber fence rail in its path.
Improvements are most definitely required but is replacing concrete with yet more concrete the answer? Let us all hope that changes are implemented effectively to the benefit of visitors and the natural environment alike.
The department’s survey at https://intheloop. des.qld.gov.au closes on 5 April. Please have your say.
Jocelyn Goodwin MALANDA
Remove Eacham’s croc
I WAS fortunate to grow up in the picturesque Atherton Tablelands, a region rich in natural beauty with its rainforests, waterfalls, and pristine lakes.
It was an idyllic childhood, full of carefree days spent swimming at places like Lake Eacham – a clear, blue volcanic lake surrounded by lush greenery. Saturdays at the lake were a family tradition, and its safe, tranquil waters were a haven far removed from the risks of coastal swimming.
Sadly, that sense of carefree enjoyment has been disrupted in recent years. The introduction of a crocodile – likely by someone acting without thought for the consequences – has introduced a
new element of danger.
While it is a freshwater crocodile and generally less aggressive than its saltwater counterpart, its territorial nature poses a risk to swimmers. The ability to safely relocate the animal exists, yet no action has been taken, leaving many to wonder why this simple step to restore the lake’s safety has not been pursued.
This situation reminds me of another instance where the actions of a few have had lasting effects on the many – this time in aviation.
When I was eight years old, I experienced my first flight on a Lockheed Electra, travelling from Melbourne to Brisbane. As the only child on board, I was invited to the flight deck to meet the pilots.
That memorable moment sparked my lifelong passion for aviation and eventually led to a career where I had the privilege of flying the very same aircraft years later.
Back then, aviation had an openness that inspired countless young people. However, the tragic events of September 11, 2001, brought about profound changes.
Cockpits are now sealed, and while this enhances security, it has also removed an inspiring tradition. More importantly, it has created a potential safety concern on two-pilot flights.
When one pilot leaves the cockpit for a break, the door remains locked, and the passengers’ safety depends entirely on the remaining pilot. While larger, long-haul flights typically have additional crew members to mitigate this risk, short-haul flights often do not.
This vulnerability, coupled with the rising frequency of medical issues among pilots, presents a clear need for protocols requiring a second person to be in the cockpit at all times.
Both of these examples – whether a lake’s disrupted ecosystem or gaps in aviation safety – highlight how small actions, or inactions, can affect many people. Addressing these issues is not only reasonable but necessary to ensure the enjoyment and safety of future generations.
Michael Parusel BURPENGARY
Don’t dump dump shop
MORE human than the men shed, better than better together, more country than the country women’s, more standup than the courthouse, a relic of a more promising past, overgrown and bushy like the good Lord intended it – it’s the Atherton Recycling Shop at the tip.
The mighty Dump Shop… go and sign the petition to keep it open before the pretenders to efficiency and the new world wowsers shut it down on April 28.
M.K. ATHERTON
CRIMINALS are impersonating real businesses and offering fake investment bonds. They claim these bonds offer high returns and are protected by the government.
Scammers will encourage you to register your name, mobile number and email on a fake website. They steal money by getting people to buy fake investment bonds. They will also use your personal details to commit other scams.
The National Anti-Scam Centre works with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) to remove investment scam websites, which led to thousands of websites being taken down in 2024.
HOW TO SPOT THE SCAM
This scam can be hard to spot because criminals set up fake emails where they pretend to be legitimate brokers. They also have a fake website which looks like the real business’s website. The fake website has the business’s branding and uses links that go to the real website.
The fake website comes up in internet searches for investment opportunities.
Recently criminals were impersonating Bunnings in one of these types of scams. Scammers offered environmental bonds that support carbon reduction, sustainability and waste reduction.
They offered three investment options ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 and promised higher than market returns of up to 9%. They said that the investments are supported by Bunnings and protected by government finance regulations. ASIC has taken down the fake Bunnings websites.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
There are steps you can take to help avoid investment scams:
• Don’t trust surprise offers to invest.
• Don’t take investment advice from people you have met on social media.
• Check the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) website to confirm if the person offering the investment is licenced.
• Check the Moneysmart investor alert list for companies and websites you should not trust.
• Check if the business details match the company’s real website.
STAY PROTECTED
STOP – Don’t give money or personal information to anyone if unsure. Say no, hang up, delete.
CHECK – Scammers pretend to be from organisations you know and trust. If you’re not sure, call the official phone number of the organisation to check. Do an internet search to see if there are warnings about any investment scam. Check the ASIC website to confirm if the person offering the investment is licenced.
PROTECT – Act quickly if something feels wrong. If you have had money or personal information stolen contact your bank immediately.
IF YOU’VE BEEN AFFECTED
Don’t be embarrassed about being scammed.
If you’ve had money or personal information stolen contact your bank or card provider immediately.
If you’ve been scammed or have provided personal information call IDCARE on 1800 595 160.
Help others by reporting scams to Scamwatch.
WHAT IS THE NATIONAL ANTI-SCAM CENTRE?
The National Anti-Scam Centre is where government and industry work together to protect Australians from scams. We’re harnessing shared resources and smarter analytics to identify blind spots, strengthen weak links and use data to react faster, stopping scams before they happen.
Our aim is to make Australia a harder target for scammers. For more information about how to avoid or report a scam, visit the Scamwatch website at www.scamwatch.gov.au/
BIG WORD SEARCH
CROSSWORD
leadership. (8)
25. A jet engine in which the jet gases also operate a turbine-driven compressor for compressing the air drawn into the engine. (8)
28. A fabric or yarn made from the hair of the Angora goat (6)
30. A tenant’s regular payment to a landlord for the use of property or land. (4)
31. Denoting, relating to, or of the nature of sound or sound waves. (5)
32. A four-wheeled carriage for a baby, pushed by a person on foot. (4)
DOWN:
1. Give up (power or territory). (4)
2. A fertile soil of clay and sand containing humus. (4)
3. The activity of spending a holiday living in a tent. (7)
4. In accordance with fact or reality. (4)
5. A small hot-tasting pod of a variety of capsicum, (6)
S
P A P R I K N C H O K E B E Y V A Y U
O Y P O J F T N E M A N R U O T S V S
N T
Puzzle Solutions
ACROSS:
7. A shop or part of a shop that sells food such as cheese and cold meat. (4)
9. Being broadcast on radio or television. (2,3)
10. Gain unauthorised access to data in a system or computer. (4)
11. Unwanted material or goods that have been thrown overboard from a ship and washed ashore, (6)
12. Prevent from happening; make impossible. (8)
13. An internal or external framework of bone, cartilage, or other rigid material supporting or containing the body of an animal or plant. (8)
16. (In the Middle Ages) a man who served his sovereign or lord as a mounted soldier in armour. (6)
18. Be unpleasant or undesirable. (3,4)
19. Moderate; economical. (7)
22. Unintentionally put (an object) where it cannot readily be found and so lose it temporarily. (6)
24. The position or state of being a leader; command;
6. A substance that forms hydrogen ions H+ when dissolved in water, (4)
8. A hormone that allows glucose in the blood to enter cells, providing them with the energy to function. (7)
14. A strong cotton or wool fabric of a dull brownish-yellow colour, used especially in military clothing. (5)
15. Of an orange-brown or yellowish-brown colour. (5)
16. The tenth letter of the Greek alphabet (5)
17. An Indic language of northern India, derived from Sanskrit and written in the Devanagari script. (5)
20. The fruit of a rose, especially a wild kind. (4,3)
21. A slender-bodied marine fish of the cod family, (7)
23. The energy of the sexual drive as a component of the life instinct. (6)
26. The chief nitrogenous end product of the metabolic breakdown of proteins in all mammals and some fishes. (4)
27. A thing said or done for amusement. (4)
28. A small rodent that typically has a pointed snout, (4)
29. The person who leads prayers in a mosque. (4)
WEEKLY HOROSCOPES
You may have a problem dealing with elders. You need to sit back and enjoy. Satisfy your passionate mood. Don’t hold yourself back because you think you’re too old. You need to remind yourself... Age is just a number.
You need to spend some time reflecting on past experiences and involvement’s. Opportunities to get ahead are evident. Changes in your home are apparent, and you must be willing to bend if you don’t want to find yourself alone. Get involved in the activities of children.
Your leadership ability will enhance your reputation. Don’t forget family obligations. Your creative imagination will help you in coming up with unique ideas. It is time to clear your decks, a fresh start begins with a cleanse of home and mind.
You won’t get the reaction you want from your mate this week. You might find that coworkers will support your endeavours. Try to be honest when dealing with your mate. You can easily impress others with your generous nature.
Don’t let others take advantage of your good nature. Children will keep you busy. Let others know what your intentions are and be honest in your approach. Take care of any pressing health problems.
Outings with relatives or good friends will provide you with stimulating conversation. You can’t always have your own way. You must not make unnecessary changes this week. Secret affairs will only lead to heartache, think before you get in over your head.
Home improvement projects will go well if you delegate work to all your family members. Work quietly at your own goals and forget about situations that you can do little about. Get involved in worthwhile endeavours and meet new friends. You’d be wise to control your spending.
Don’t forget to let your mate know how much you care. Look before you leap. You may experience financial loss if you don’t use good judgment. You must strive to get the most important projects completed properly, rather than doling everything in a half baked way.
You will find that you can work progressively at improving yourself this week. Your high energy must be directed into productive goals, or frustrations will occur. Look into intellectual and physical games that will test your abilities.
Beware of colleagues who don’t have your best interests in mind. Take matters in hand when it comes to dealing with clients or colleagues. Generosity will put you in the poorhouse. Recognition will be yours if you meet your deadline.
Do the necessary chores and then do things that please you. Don’t even bother trying to get their approval on the things you want to do. Do not make rash decisions about your personal life. You have bent over backward trying to help them to little avail.
Now is the time to concentrate on building a strong financial future. Social events will be rewarding. Changes in your home environment may cause friction. If you’re looking to do something worthwhile, consider volunteer work.
Maria Teresa Moreno (nee Del Rio Alonso)
19 July, 1930 ~ 6 March, 2025 Died peacefully at the Canberra Hospital.
Much loved Mother to Margarita, Roberto and Jose. Mother-in-Law to Rhonda (Dec.) and Monique. Cherished Abuela to her grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and extended family.
A celebration of Maria Teresa’s life will be held in the chapel of the Norwood Park Crematorium, 65 Sandford Street, Michell on Monday 24 March, 2025 commencing at 10.30am.
“Live Stream available at: www. norwoodpark.com.au/service-streaming/”
CANBERRA
(02) 6161 5859 www.simplegoodbyes.com.au
Cecilia Madie Moller
Late of Charters Towers and formally of the Atherton Tablelands. Passed away peacefully surrounded by family on the 12th of March, 2025. Aged 85 years.
Beloved wife of Neville (Dec.). Dearly loved Mother of Delma, Barbara, Denise, Cindy & Graham. Mother-in-Law of Peter, Bruce & Steve. Cherished Grandmother of Elizabeth, Jamie, Matthew, Christopher, Sarah, Laurence, Martin, Kobe & Kiara. Adored Great Grandmother to Payton, Maison, Tyeson, Bailon, Charli, Levi, Nash, Alexander, Leonardo, CJ and Isla. Beloved Daughter of Ruby and Robert Sherwood (Dec.). Much loved Sister to Christine. Loved Aunty, 2nd Mum and Friend to many.
All Family and Friends are warmly invited to attend Cecilia’s Funeral Service which will commence at 10am, Wednesday 19th March, 2025 at the Uniting Church, Gill Street, Charters Towers.
CURRY, Jim Lake Barrine.
07/07/1929 ~ 12/03/2025
An extraordinary man. Well loved.
An all round good bloke. Lived life well.
We will always remember him for his stories, his jokes, his music and the twinkle in his eyes. Jim Curry’s celebration of life will be held on the 21st of March - this Friday at Lake Barrine Teahouse, 10am. All friends and family of Jim are welcome, bring your ukuleles and harmonicas!
IN LOVING MEMORY OF JOHNSTON, Russell
Late of Mareeba. Passed away unexpectedly on the 10th of March, 2025. Aged 66 years. Much loved Brother, Brother-in-Law, Uncle and Great Uncle. Will be sadly missed by all Family and Friends.
In keeping with Russell’s wishes, a private cremation will take place. Family and Friends of Russell are kindly invited to attend his memorial service which is to take place at the Mareeba Leagues Club on Monday 24th of March, 2025 commencing at 10:00am.
WANTED TO BUY! COX Stockman Mowers That need repairs in Atherton Region. 7am to 7pm - CASH! Call Al 0428 194 505
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
Angelo De Blasio
The family of the late Angelo De Blasio would like to thank everyone who visited, phoned, sent flowers, cards and attended Angelo’s funeral. We are grateful for your kindness and support during this time.
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all those who provided health care to Angelo, Dr Manypeney and staff at Mareeba Medical Centre, Mareeba Blue Care Aged Care and all the staff at the Mareeba Hospital.
Thank you to Cami at Guilfoyle Funeral Services for your compassion and professionalism.
Please accept this as our personal heartfelt thanks to you all.
In loving memory of our Mum and Dad, Nonno, Nanna and Nonna
Carlo Peluchetti
7/4/1914 ~~~ 19/3/1995
‘Together Again’
Antonia Peluchetti
24/3/1928
25/3/2024
We are sending a dove to heaven, with a parcel on its wings, Be careful when you open it, it’s full of beautiful things.
Inside are a million kisses, wrapped up in a million hugs, To say how much we miss you both, and send you all our love. Missed by your daughters Jeanette and Patrick, Rene and Luch, Grandchildren Melissa and Aaron, Michael and Birgit, Natalie Sheree and Daniel, Jacinta and Marcus, Great Grandchildren Sophia, Kobe, Hunter, Zoe, Luis and Maeve.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF Angelo Russo
6.2.1942 - 17.3.2022
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
The world changes from year to year, Our lives from day to day. But the love and memory of you, Shall never pass away. Loving Wife and Family.
Venue Change
WEEKLY SUNDAY BINGO
NOTIFICATION OF
Community Housing Company is recruiting for TIME HOUSING SUPPORT OFFICERS seeking motivated team members of communication skills, working in homelessness programs to conduct assertive outreach.
positions require after hours work 7 days week on a roster basis with flexibility. are all fixed term to 30/06/2026. offer a supportive workplace culture, development opportunities, and salary packaging arrangements. Selection criteria available at: reception@mchc.org.au
Applications close on 6th September, 2024 immediate start available for the successful applicant/s.
Traffic control will be in place on the northern end of Byrnes St for two (2) nights on 19 August
We would like to thank residents for their patience. For more information, please contact Council on 1300 308 461.
LEGAL SECRETARY
Applications are invited for a full time Legal Secretary position with David Anthony Solicitors.
RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
• Provide quality service to all clients
VIETNAM VETERAN’S DAY
Atherton
• Manage incoming calls, emails, mail and direct communications to the appropriate persons
• Perform administrative duties including document preparation, filing, general file management, and calendar management
• Provide administrative and clerical support to the Solicitors and Conveyancing Clerk of the firm
REQUIREMENTS:
Members, Guests and the Public are invited to attend and lay a wreath. Following the service, all are welcome to join the RSL Members and families at the Atherton Hotel.
• Proficient typing & computer skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
General Enquires to the Secretary John Mudge MBE Mob 0427 056 361
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
• Legal experience will be an advantage but is not a prerequisite
To apply, please email: reception@dasmareeba.com.au
Muddy madness at Herberton Speedway
Tennis club to host fun comp
THE Mareeba Tennis Club will be hosting a community teams challenge with a fancy dress code next weekend and is encouraging all members of the community to join in on the fun.
The club is inviting local businesses, organisations, community groups, schools, and community members to put together a team of three to four players to play doubles competitions in tennis and pickleball.
There will be a number of prizes donated by local businesses to be won on the day and attendees are also welcome to come in fancy dress or “loud and bright” colours to add to the entertainment.
The competition will be held next Saturday from 4pm, with gates opening at 3pm and a registration fee of just $20 per person to be paid by cash or card on the day. The bar will open at 4pm and a barbecue dinner is included in the registration fees.
Nominations close this Friday, call Mark on 0499 505 984 or email mareebatennis@bigpond.com
The Mareeba Tennis Club is located at 30 Chewko Road.
Bulls
A WET and muddy track made for fun racing for the Tableland Competition Car Club who held their first meet of 2025 over the weekend.
Avid race drivers excitedly kicked off the season at Herberton’s Tepon Motor Speedway Circuit on Sunday and it was Callum Jonsson taking out D Grade, Harrison Jonsson winning C Grade, and Lewis Finch claiming B Grade.
But it was Owen Rankine who started his year well after clinching the A Grade win.
dominate in 4-1 victory over Lions
performances
securing an impressive 4-1 victory over the Leichhardt Lions in Round 3 of the Football Queensland QPL at Borzi Park.
After a tightly contested opening 20 minutes, Dylan Cummings put the Bulls ahead with a stunning strike from outside the box.
However, the Lions equalised just before halftime, setting up an intense second half.
The Bulls came out firing after the break, with Coretin Royer restoring the lead, followed by Cummings securing his second goal of the night.
Darcey McCormack sealed the win with a fourth goal, capping off a dominant display.
In the Men’s Reserves, the Bulls claimed their
first big win of the season with a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory. The returning Damian Avolio netted the match-winner late in the second half.
The U16s also put in a strong performance, earning their first point of the season with a determined 2-2 draw, down 2-0 at half-time the young Bulls showed their fighting spirit to draw level and nearly steal all three points.
Friday night saw the Men’s Division 1 side fall 1-0 to the Edge Hill Tigers, while the Ladies’ match at Walker Road, Edmonton, was postponed due to wet weather.
Looking ahead, the Bulls Ladies will host the Edge Hill Tigers this Friday night in a highly anticipated clash, while the Men’s side will travel to take on the Stratford Dolphins on Saturday.
Senior netball kicks off
REGISTRATIONS are now open for Mareeba Netball’s Tuesday night senior competition which will kick off next Tuesday. People aged 15 and over are encouraged to make a team, lace up their shoes, and hit the court for an exciting season of netball, whether
it’s for competitive action or just for fun.
The ‘Early Bird’ registration fee is $173 until next Tuesday, or $195 after that date. For more information, visit Mareeba Netball Association on Facebook.
Atherton falls short in rain-affected match
THE final round of the Far North Cricket competition was ruined by the continuous wet weather over the weekend, with Atherton’s game against Mulgrave being the only match that went ahead.
Atherton took an unfortunate loss in their match at Loder Park at the weekend, with the visiting team from Mulgrave claiming a win in a reduced overs (DLS) setting.
Atherton went out to bat first and totalled 6/152 after 32 overs before Mulgrave amassed 2/178 after 22.5 overs.
Opening the batting for Atherton was Charlie Lawrence who managed 21 runs from 39 balls, and Alex Nasser who scored 26 from 49.
A quick 17 off 24 balls from Logan Poggioli inched Atherton towards a good score.
Further efforts from captain Tom Boorman (28 from 33) and Brandon Green (29 from 30) put the home side in a good position to defend their score.
Atherton finished 6/152 after 32 overs.
The opening batsmen for Mulgrave proved too strong for Atherton’s bowlers, however, both amassing half centuries in impressive fashion. Matthew Wilkins scored an impressive 78-not-out off 65 balls, hitting five 4s and four 6s during his stint.
Other opening batsmen Justin Reid totalled 55 from 30 including seven 4s and two 6s.
An extra effort from young gun Rhys Johnston who went 37 from 41 boosted the visiting side’s score into a position to come away with a win. Mulgrave finished 2/178 after 22.5 overs, securing first-place on the ladder and a spot in the grand final.
This weekend, Norths (2nd) and Rovers (3rd) will battle it out in the semi-final for a spot in the grand final.
The end of the season has seen Atherton finish in fifth on 60 points and Mareeba in sixth on 54 points.
Atherton’s Brandon Green scored 29 runs from 30 balls in their match against Mulgrave at the weekend.
THE Mareeba Bulls delivered one of their best
under new coach Victor Madrid,
Mick Schuch.
Edward Smith.
Andrew McCreath.
Cameron O’Flynn.
Josh Dotti.
Rivalry game to kick off footy season
ROUND 1 of the FNQ Rugby League season officially kicks off this weekend and it will see an epic rematch of the recent trial game between Mareeba and Atherton.
The trial match between the two local teams saw an intensely close game finish at 22-all, and this weekend they will be battling it out once again with the added incentive of competition points.
The Atherton Roosters A Grade features the likes of former Northern Pride fullback Rhy Young, and Graham Clark Jnr who is a former Northern Pride and Canterbury Bulldogs player in the Intrust Super Cup, among a multitude of other talent.
The Gladiators also boast a competitive lineup with their halfback Kaleb Eaton having representative experience with the Canterbury Bulldogs and North Queensland Cowboys.
Former Northern Pride players Whyatt Barnes and Ash Little will also be sure to add to the competition this weekend.
Young triathlete to represent the state SPORT
“After the big crowd we got at the trial game, I think we’re all definitely looking forward to the season kicking off,” Gladiators A Grade co-coach Trent Barnard said.
“It’s going to be a tough one, so we’ll need to turn up for it if we want to get the job done.
“They’ve got a good side Atherton, and with the rivalry and
everything I think it’ll be a really good match.
“It’d be great to come away with a win, but as long as we just start playing good footy, I don’t think the wins will be too far away.
“Hopefully we can go up there and get a win to start the season off well.”
Roosters A Grade coach Joel Riethmuller said he was excited for the season to kick off and to see his team get back on the field, noting that a home-field advantage is “always helpful”.
“It always helps being at home, that’s where we want to win the most and that’s where our support is,” he said.
“But whenever we play
Mareeba, it doesn’t matter where they are on the table or what the situation is, they always seem to find something for that game against us.
“It’d be good to start with a win and I think the first six to seven weeks are very important to set yourself up to be in a good position.
“So, it should be a good game and I’m looking forward to it.”
The games will be held this Saturday at the Atherton Showgrounds with the Under 19s kicking off first at 3pm, followed by Reserve Grade at 4.30pm, and then the eagerly anticipated A Grade game at 6pm.
A YOUNG triathlete from Mareeba will soon be travelling to Western Australia to represent Queensland in the School Sport Australia National Triathlon Championships after qualifying at the recent State Championships in Hervey Bay.
Harley Sweeper is a talented, young triathlete and has already accumulated quite an impressive resume for his age.
The Year 9 St Stephen’s student has made the Peninsula side three times for track events, three times for cross country and four times for aquathlons and triathlons.
He has also made the State team once for an aquathlon, and now again for a triathlon following his recent success at the State Championships.
Harley began competing in aquathlons, a combined swimming and running event, when he was 10 years old as there were no options for school students under the age of 13 to compete in triathlons.
After turning 13, however, he was able to transition to triathlons which have been the focus of his training for about 18 months now.
Harley also enjoys playing rugby league and competing in running and swimming competitions separately.
“I began competing in triathlons because I already compete in running and swimming, so I thought I would give it a go,” the youngster said.
“I competed in aquathlons then decided to introduce the bike 18 months ago. It’s taken a while, but my cycling skills are improving.
“I do feel a bit nervous about competing at Nationals because there are a lot of strong competitors.
“I love these events because it combines two of my favourite sports which are running and swimming.”
Harley will head just south of Perth to Rockingham this Saturday where he will take on the top young athletes in the nation.
His age group will be completing a 300m swim, 10km bike ride, and 2km run for their triathlon.
“We are very proud parents. He works extremely hard, training mornings, afternoons and weekends,” his mother Melinda said.
“He has received substantial local support from coaches in Mareeba and Cairns, including Kevin Davies, who dedicated his mornings to coaching swimming.
“Kev actually provided swimming training for three of the four Peninsula team members that made the State team. We wish he was here to share the news.”
Harley Sweeper will represent Queensland at the School Sport Australia National Triathlon Championships.
The Gladiators training hard at a Crossfit session.
