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$2 • PH: 1300 4895 00 • EDITORIAL: editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au • Issue 649 • Thursday, January 23, 2014

the 2014 cooktown state school parents & citizens Assoc.

cooktown Business & community directory

free

included with this week’s issue of the Cooktown Local News!

Driver escapes wrecked stolen car

Cooktown police are seeking public assistance to locate the driver of this stolen Audi sedan, which was involved in a traffic accident near the intersection of Endeavour Valley Road and Reid Street on Saturday, January 18. Photo submitted.

By GARY HUTCHISON THE injured driver of a stolen car, crashed last Saturday morning, is still sought by investigating police.

H H H H H H H H H H H H H

Eye-witness accounts of those who were first on the scene near the intersection of Endeavour Valley Road and Reid Street, were that the driver and sole occupant of the black Audi sedan, extricated himself from the

overturned vehicle and escaped into bushland prior to police attendance.

Blood inside the vehicle indicate the alleged offender, believed to be a 19-yearold Cooktown man, had sustained some injuries in

the incident and had been unconscious for a short period of time before escaping from the scene.

A Cooktown Police spokesman said it is believed the crash occurred as a result of the driver losing

control of the vehicle when negotiating a slight right hand curve in the road.

“The vehicle has then crossed onto the incorrect side of the road and rolled several times,” he said.  continued page 3

Ask iler A t e r r you copy r u o y for todAy!

Free P&C directory this week THIS week’s edition of Cooktown Local News comes with a free copy of the P&C’s 2014 Cooktown Business and Community Directory.

Please ensure that your retailer has given you a copy of the dirctory when you bought your copy of the Cooktown Local News.

Readers who want more than one copy of the directory can purchase additional copies of the phone book for $2 each from the Cooktown Newsagency from 23 January. (Please don’t buy multiple copies of the newspaper to get multiple copies of the phone book, as this will mean other readers will miss out on getting their copy of the Cooktown Local News).

The local phone book is published by the Cooktown State School P&C Association and compiled by Cooktown Local News.

The 2014 phone book will again be the largest single fund-raiser for the P&C, with a guaranteed $10,000 to be donated from Cooktown Local News to the P&C. The price of the directory will rise to its usual $10 a copy from 1 March, and will continue to be available from Cooktown Newsagency.

What’s on at the Sov! H The most beautiful place in Cooktown H Courtesy Bus available H

COOKTOWN

Cnr Charlotte & Green Streets, Cooktown • Phone: 4043 0500 • info@sovereignresort.com.au • www.sovereignresort.com.au

thIs frIday nIght

...In the Café Bar

thIs sUnday

Day Celebrations Join in our Aus...traandliasomeone is going to see inside (page 7)

WIN THE TINNIE!

What’s On

editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au

EDITOR’S NOTE: If you have an upcoming event, please let us know by email to editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au or phone Gary Hutchison on (07) 4069 5773.

WEEKLY

Every Thursday. Bush Bingo, 10am, and Social Darts,

7pm, at the Bowls Club.

Every Friday. Monster Meat Raffles in the Caf Bar, @ The Sovereign, from 6pm.

Every Friday. Members Draw, from 6.30pm; Raffles and Lucky Pokies Seat, 8-8.30pm, at the Bowls Club.

Every Friday. Members Draw (7.30-8.30pm) @ the Cooktown RSL Memorial Club.

Every Saturday. Lions Club raffles and members' draw at the Top Pub, from 12 noon to 3pm.

Every Sunday. Social Bowls, from 8.30am, Bowls Club.

Every Sunday and Tuesday. Cooktown Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in the CWA Hall in Charlotte Street.

Sunday: from 1.30pm, Tuesday from 8pm. Call 4069 5626 for details.

Every Tuesday. Cards and Games morning, 10am, Bowls Club.

Every Tuesday and Thursday. Swim for Your Life at the Cooktown Pool from 9am to 10pm.

Every Wednesday. Social Bowls, from 1pm, at the Bowls Club.

Every Wednesday and Saturday. Cooktown Pool - Aqua Aerobics: Wednesday from 5.30pm to 6.30pm, Saturday 12 noon to 1pm.

JANUARY 2014

Fri 24. Live music in the Caf Bar @ The Sovereign.

Sat 25. Australia Day Eve: Wizard's Sleeve live at the Top Pub. Prizes and giveaways, games, face painting.

Sun 26. Australia Day celebrations @ PCYC Cooktown Events Centre. Ph: Cook Shire Council 4069 5444.

Sun 26. Australia Day Celebrations @ The Sovereign.

Live music from lunch time with Big Wheel, Pie Eating competition, Live crab racing, and the tinnie draw.

Sun 26. Smash 'n' Splash available, 1-3pm @ Cooktown Pool. Ph: 4069 6928.

Mon 27 - DATE CHANGE. Beat It Information, Registration and Fitness Screening Session, 9-11am, Cooktown Wellbeing Centre, underneath Croc Shop, access via Adelaide St. Ph: Sandy 4043 0170 or Chanelle 0455 541 488.

FEBRUARY

Sat 1. Rossville Rural Fire Brigade official open day from

2pm located at 13 Cedar Road Rossville. Look for the sign on the road out there.

Sat 8. Cook Shire Community Action Group meeting at Nature's PowerHouse from 2-4pm. Light lunches and refreshments available.

Can club secretaries please send in a list of their events planned for the year to editor@cooktownlocalnews.com. au so they can be included in the What's On section.

CHURCH SERVICES Baptist: Hogg Street, near IGA, 9.30am Sun. Phone 4069 5155.

Cooktown Community Church (AOG/ACC): Gungarde Hall, 9.30am Sun; Home Group 7.30am Wed. Phone 4069 5070, 0427 756 793.

Catholic: 6pm Sat and 8.30am Sun, St Mary's, Cooktown. Phone 4069 5730.

Anglican: Christ Church Chapel, Sun 8.30am.

Phone 4069 6778, 0428 696 493.

Lutheran: Hope Vale at 9am on Sunday, Cooktown.

Phone either 4060 9197 or 0419 023 114.

 letters to the editor Conference recommended IT’S really great to see Cook Shire Council supporting the local business community by organising the first Cape York and Cooktown Business Conference here in February.

They have arranged a prominent line-up of speakers who have a range of business expertise from which many people could find a benefit.

Having heard him before, Tom O’Toole is an inspirational speaker and it is worth attending just to hear his presentation.

Networking and speaking to other business people has the additional bonus of sharing ideas and experiences, which could assist you to solve some of your business problems as well.

The cost of $90, which is a tax deduction, includes all the sessions, two “smokos” and lunch, and is very reasonable as most of the conferences I have attended in the past have been more than three times that amount The main benefit is that they are bringing the people to us. We don’t have to go to the time and expense of leaving town to experience the same benefits as our big city cousins.

Having attended several large and small conferences in the past, I can thoroughly recommend attending any conference where you can learn more about how to run your business. Even if you only get one new idea it is well worth the time and the cost.

Consider sending your staff members along to this innovative event, as well because an investment in them is an investment in your business.

Loretta Sullivan, Cooktown

A note of farewell AFTER 12 years, we feel it is time to move on from our pastoral role in the Cooktown Baptist Church.

Our motto over that time has been, “Serving the Cooktown Community”. We acknowledge God’s help enabling us to be “of service” during our time here.

It has been our pleasure and privilege to be part of the Cooktown community and to have come to know so many so well.

To you all, thanks for being our friends. Your cheerfulness, kindness, helpfulness, and willingness to stop and have a chat will always be remembered. You are special people living in a special town and we will always treasure the memories of you all.

Be assured of our prayers and thoughts in the days ahead.

May God richly bless you.

Peter and Christine Coates

More information about wildlife carers WITH regards to last week’s story about being a wildlife carer, along with information about the role of wildlife carer being available at: http://www.fnqwildliferescue.org.au, further information about rehabilitation permits can be obtained from: http://www.ehp. qld.gov.au.

Contacts & Deadlines Editor: (07) 4069 5773 Editor’s mobile: 0411 722 807 People wishing to meet in person with the editor can do so by calling him, and he will arrange a time to meet with you at a mutually convenient location.

All advertising / accounts enquiries, please call: 1300 4895 00 or (07) 4098 2281 Mobile: 0419 828 639 Fax: 1300 787 248 Where we go: Approx 1400 copies distributed every Thursday throughout Cooktown, Hope Vale, Rossville, Wujal Wujal, Bloomfield, Ayton, Marton, Port Douglas, Mossman, Cairns, Lakeland Downs/Laura, Mt Carbine/Mt Molloy, Mareeba and Coen, and subscribers across Australia and overseas.

Charlie Martin - ‘Ignorance, even at the top level’

EDITOR: Gary Hutchison editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au GENERAL MANAGER & AD DESIGN: Sharon Gallery ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au

ADVERTISING – Box ad bookings: Box ad material: Line Classifieds: EDITORIAL – General copy:

by 10.30am TUESDAYS

by NOON TUESDAYS by 10.30am WEDNESDAYS

by NOON MONDAYS (pics, stories, letters, etc) Regular columns: by 5pm FRIDAYS Sports columns: by 5pm MONDAYS

2 – Cooktown Local News – Thursday, January 23, 2014

IT is almost 12 months since I wrote to the Minister for Local Government Mr David Christafulli, the Director General for Local Government, Mrs Joan Sheldon and the Ethics Advisor to Local Government. I still have had no reply from any of them!

I raised serious concerns about the council I was part of and my treatment as a councillor during my five-year term. During the past 11 months, I have made: • 14 calls to the Minister’s Office seeking response to my letter of complaint; • Seven calls have been made to the Director General’s Office seeking a response; and • Five calls to the Member for Cook David Kempton.

Not a single reply from any of them and promised return phone calls, that never happened.

Obviously not important enough!

I often wonder why I had people come to me during my time as a councillor complaining of being ignored, but now I can see for myself why they did, and just how frustrated they got when they were simply

disregarded by even by the minister himself.

According to a source, a spokesperson from Cook Shire Council who told listeners on a radio station I had resigned from council due to my wife’s death on January 18, 2012, and had “two little girls to look after”.

This is quite untrue!

These comments were obviously put in place to overshadow the reasons why I handed my resignation in. It had nothing to do with my personal life!

I resigned because it was becoming most unbearable in my role as a councillor, where upon I was obviously targeted and not trusted. I could no longer return on my part either. I caved in due to the pressure I was under with no support what soever within the Minister’s Office.

There comes a time when your own health, credibility and integrity come before issues you simply have no control over.

Unfortunately. goes on.

Obviously

life

Charlie Martin Einasleigh

Entsch answer to Schoolkids Bonus cuts YET again our local Senator, Jan McLucas, has been caught spreading misinformation about the Schoolkids Bonus (Cooktown Local News, January 16, 2014).

It was the former Labor Government which linked the payment of the Schoolkids Bonus to the proceeds of the Minerals Resource Rent Tax (MRRT), a tax that was initially going to raise $49.5 billion, then $26.5 billion… but wait - has only actually raised $0.4 billion!

Because the mining tax has not raised enough income, the government can’t afford the things it was meant to pay for. Labor was using borrowed money to pay for these measures - money we can’t afford and our children will have to pay off in the future.

Our move to repeal the Schoolkids Bonus is consistent with the position we took to the election and is part of our commitment to repair the

The hovernment is committed to improving schools and education outcomes for students through policies proven to deliver better education outcomes, rather than with bonus payments to individuals.

We are also easing cost of living pressures by abolishing the carbon tax, but keeping the income tax cuts and fortnightly pension increases and paying superannuation on paid parental leave.

I hope this clarifies the situation both for readers and Senator McLucas.

Warren Entsch MP Federal Member for Leichhardt

 Letters to the editor

Publisher’s Details Publishers of the Cooktown Local News

nation’s finances, saving $4.5 billion over the forward estimates. Unfortunately, Labor’s failure to support our policy will cost an additional $728 million to the nudget this year as a new round of Schoolkids Bonuses has just gone out the door.

regional & remote N E W S P A P E R S

Real news for real Australia

CHAIRMAN: Mark Bousen editor@regionalandremote.com.au PUBLISHER: Corey Bousen publisher@regionalandremote.com.au MANAGING EDITOR: Mark Bousen editor@regionalandremote.com.au ACCOUNTS: Sharon Gallery, General Manager accounts@cooktownlocalnews.com.au

Letters to the Editor are published as a free community service and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Cooktown Local News nor its management.

Letters must be legible, preferably less than 250 words, carry a name and address, and be signed. A telephone number or similar identification must also be provided.

Unsigned and anonymous letters, or use of a nom de plume, eg Concerned Citizen, etc will not be accepted.

Names withheld on discretion of the publisher.

Letters may be edited for space or content or omitted altogether at the discretion of the editor.

Mail to: PO Box 36, Cooktown, Qld, 4895 Fax: 1300 787 248 or Email: editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au.

also getting Christian radio (Vision Fm 88.0) for Cooktown and being involved with Mike Shambrook, then school principal, in bringing the school chaplain to town,” he said.

THIS Sunday, January 26 will see Baptist Church Pastor Peter Coates deliver his last service to the Cooktown congregation he has served with much dedication and love for about the past 12 years.

Asked to share their special memories of Cooktown, Peter and Christine said there were so many.

Peter and his wife Christine will soon thereafter move to Cairns, after which they may seek another pastoral opportunity elsewhere.

“We feel it’s time to move on, can you imagine sitting in church listening to me for 12 years,” Peter said.

“It’s time for a ‘different flavour’ of pastoral guidance.

“And who knows, we might even come back here one day to retire.”

Peter and Christine first arrived with their daughter Jennifer who was then 12-yearsold in December, 2001.

During that time, Christine first worked as a supply teacher for many years and then worked at the James Cook Museum, while Jennifer attended both the Cooktown State primary and high schools.

After graduating from year12, Jennifer went on to work at Cornett’s IGA Cooktown and the WestPac bank, as well as involving herself with her parents in their many community activities.

“If we had to narrow them down into a nutshell, I think we’d say the kind-hearted people who stop to say hello in the street,” he said.

Christine Coates with her husband, Pastor Peter, who will deliver his last service to Cooktown’s Baptist Church congregation on Sunday. Photo: GARY HUTCHISON. Since 2001 though, Peter has packed the activities of two men into his commitment to the Cooktown Community.

He started as a teacher at the Cooktown State School where he taught for a few years fulltime, along with running the Baptist Church.

Upon his retirement from the state school system, he assumed the role of school bus and tour operator for Cooktown Tours, while still maintaining his role as Pastor Peter.

But if this was not enough for the effervescent couple, the pair managed to nurture a plan, which ultimately saw the establishment of the Endeavour Christian College in 2011.

“We’re very proud of Jennifer’s achievements before she moved to Cairns,” he said.

“We saw the need for a different educational facility here,” he said.

“Especially the more than $6000 she raised in her ‘Shave for a Cure’ campaign in 2011.”

“And with the help of many people, we were delighted to see the project come to frui-

tion.

“We’re particularly grateful to the council at the time for its support, without which it probably wouldn’t have gone ahead.”

Peter and Christine were the first principal and teachers at Endeavour, before handing over the reins to Jannie and Louise Basson.

“The school and Cooktown have been very fortunate in securing the services of Jannie and Louise,” he said.

“They are both passionate about their roles and I think it would be fair to say it would be almost impossible to find better choices.”

Along with the Endeavour Christian College, what other achievements did he think were their most memorable.

“Not only pioneering Endeavour Christian College, but

“Cooktown has a strong sense of community like no other we have experienced in the other small country towns we’ve been in.”

Cook Shire Mayor Peter Scott said the Coates will leave Cookktown with some wonderful legacies.

“They led the Christian community in the realisation of the Christian school, which has had a profoundly, positive influence on Cooktown society,” he said.

Cooktown Baptist Church member Justin Coventry said Peter is a remarkable man of God.

that will make a positive contribution to the quality of life of the community or offer benefit to the shire as a whole.

Eligible applicants can apply for funding up to $2000 to deliver activities, events or projects

Community groups and organisations that have not previously received funding under

this program are strongly encouraged to considering applying to this additional round.

Successful applications in the past have been used to fund a wide range of costs including, but not limited to: venue hire, purchase of essen-

And when asked what the immediate future held for the Coates family, Peter, with his trademark sense of humour said, “Well, since Jennifer left, we’ve been ‘minding’ her cat and dog,” he said.

“So, when we reunite with her, the first thing we hope to do is give them back to her.”

tial equipment, fee waivers, food and catering, entertainment, security, promotions and advertising.

Applications open tomorrow, Friday, January 24 and will close Friday, February 28, 2014.

Application forms and

guidelines are available at Council’s administration building, via Council’s website or by contacting the Economic Development and Community Services team on (07) 4069 5444 or email mail@cook.qld.gov.au.

Driver escapes wrecked stolen car  from page 1 “It is believed that speed and alcohol were contributing factors to the crash.

“The vehicle was extensively damaged as a result of the crash.”

Owner of the car, Ben Wiseman, said while it was only valued at about $2000, the vehicle

was his pride and joy and his means of transport in his future plans to leave Cooktown.

“It’s a total write-off and wasn’t insured, so now I have nothing,” he said.

A recent Year-12 graduate of Cooktown High School, Ben is also well-known in his customer role at the Cooktown Cafe where he worked after school and on

weekends to save the money for his car.

Ben was asleep in his room on Saturday, January 11 when the keys were removed and his car taken from its parking spot during the night.

As at Tuesday afternoon, the alleged driver of the vehicle had still not been located, nor is the extent of his injuries known.

oKTo

• Fully Airconditioned • Bar • Pokies

BINGO

NOW 10am Thursdays

CARDS & GAMES Tuesdays @ 10am DARTS

7pm every Thursday

BOWLS SOCIAL 1pm every Wednesday 8.30am every Sunday

Wednesdays and Fridays – Courtesy Bus – To Marton & Keatings Lagoon

“He lives out a life of service and is an inspiration to all of us,” Justin said.

Additional round of grants program starts COOK Shire Council is pleased to announce an additional round of the Community Development Grant Program.

Phone 4069 5819

Police are appealing for anyone present at the scene prior to either their arrival or the arrival of the Queensland Ambulance Service to contact them.

Information can either be passed on to Cooktown Criminal Investigation Branch Detective Jett Stapleton on 4069 5688 or through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

e t a r b e l e C australia day Bistro

fish&

with .

$20

ONLY

By GARY HUTCHISON

n Bo W

s CL WL

Christian couple moving on after 12 years

Cooktown Bowls Club

C uB o

NEWS

each

big bull ribs “Cooktown’s largest and newest kitchen and menu!”

Bookings Appreciated: 4069 5829

Cooktown Local News – Thursday, January 23, 2014 – 3

NEWS

Deadlines Advertising –

Editorial –

• Box ad bookings: by 10am TUESDAYS

• General (pics, stories, letters, etc):

by NOON MONDAYS • Regular columns: by 5pm FRIDAYS • Sports columns: by 5pm MONDAYS

• Box ad material:

by NOON TUESDAYS • Line Classifieds: by 10.30am WEDNESDAYS

Cooktown RSL Memorial Club invites you to their

2

Saturday, February 15 First act @ 7.30pm

1000

IN PRIZES!

• Open to anyone over 18 years • Contestants cannot compete if they have ever been paid for any performances • Judges decision is final • Free sausage sizzle

REGISTRATION FORM

Name: .......................................................................................................

Contact phone number: ...................................................................

Type of act: ............................................................................................

Expected time of act: .......................................................................

Please drop this form into the Club by 5pm Friday, February 14.

Cooktown RSL Memorial Club

INCORPORATED

127 Charlotte St, Cooktown

Visiting pianist to play at Nature’s PowerHouse WHAT can be better to do on a public holiday Monday, January 27, than enjoy a live performance by a terrific jazz pianist – in the beautiful surroundings of the verandah at Nature’s PowerHouse?

Yes, some of you may have other ideas, but I’m sure many will want to take up the opportunity offered by Elke Gear who has only recently moved to Cooktown and just loves the place.

With her parents coming up from Victoria on a brief visit around the Australia Day weekend, it was an irresistible opportunity to ask her father, Greg Gear, to perform for us. Greg plays in the official Roy-

al Australian Air Force (RAAF) Band when he’s not working in his “other job” as a piano tuner.

“The Band performs throughout Australia frequently for various events and sometimes internationally, playing a wide range of music, including Big Band and classical,” said Elke, “and, of course, they play a lot of marching music, which doesn’t require a piano so Dad plays percussion. He’s also performed with smaller groups where they write their own songs. He might perform some of those too.”

This will be different from our evening concerts. For a start, it will be in the morning at 10.30am with coffee, soft

• Relax, enjoy a cold beer in airconditioned comfort • Friday Night Courtesy Bus • Bar Snacks, 5pm • Big screen TV • Pokies • Plus… Members Draw (you must be here to win)

Member not present for the $600 draw was Connie Zaddo.

This week:

$700

Drawn between 7.30pm - 8.30pm.

drinks and cake available at Nature’s PowerHouse.

AND it will be free!

Although we will have a collection box available should anyone wish to

make a small donation to the Vera Scarth-Johnson Gallery Association.

day, here’s a suggestion you could well enjoy. We hope to see you there!

So if you haven’t made plans for the Australia Day public holiday Mon-

For further inquiries contact Jacqui Sykes on 4069 5442.

Ergon Energy warns of phone scam ERGON Energy has warned its customers are being targeted with phishing emails seeking personal information and payment of bogus electricity accounts.

Ph: 4069 5780 • Fax: 4069 6080 Email: cooktown.rsl@bigpond.com

Pianist Greg Gear, will be performing at NPH on Monday, January 27, from 10.30 am. Photo submitted.

Group Manager Retail Service Channels Brett Milne said customers in North Queensland and the Toowoomba areas had received emails from a company called Pacific Gas & Electric in the last few days.

“These customers knew the emails were a scam and rang to alert Ergon. There are probably substantially more customers who’ve also received the same email. To

my knowledge there is no such electricity retailer as Pacific Gas & Electric offering services in regional Queensland,” he said.

Mr Milne said the emails are designed to seek credit card and personal information for fraudulent use.

“Phishing emails aren’t about buying something. They try to lure you by clicking on a link and entering your account and password information, which can then be used for financial gain.

“Our advice is never give out personal information over the phone or by email to

people and or companies you don’t know.

“Customers receiving these emails should not respond but call the Office of Fair Trading hotline number – 13 74 68 or contact them via their web site at www. fairtrading.qld.gov.au or the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on 1300302502 or visit their web site www.scamwatch.gov.au ”, he said.

Mr Milne said the Ergon customers should be vigilant as scammers become bolder in their attempts to elicit personal information.

Pension Bonus Scheme registrations closing soon PEOPLE eligible to register for the Pension Bonus Scheme must do so before new registrations close on March 1, 2014.

The Pension Bonus Scheme is a lump-sum incentive for people who qualified for the Age Pension before September 20, 2009, and who remain in the workforce, to defer claiming the Age Pension.

In the 2013-14 Budget, the federal government announced no new registrations for the Pension Bonus Scheme would be accepted from 1 March 2014.

Subject to legislation, if you do not register before March 1, you will not be able to claim a Pension Bonus payment.

You need to register for the Pension Bonus Scheme if you: • turned Age Pension age be-

fore 20 September 2009; • continued to work since turning Age Pension age, and • deferred receiving the Age Pension.

If you are already registered with the Pension Bonus Scheme, or register before March 1, you will be eligible to claim a Pension Bonus Payment under the existing rules.

To find out more contact the Human Resources Department.

NOTE: After March 1, 2014, the Work Bonus Scheme, which has been in place since 2011, will continue to be available, allowing a person receiving the Age Pension to earn up to $250 a fortnight without it affecting their rate of age pension, providing that this additional income is reported.

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4 – Cooktown Local News – Thursday, January 23, 2014

NEWS

Dan - the multi-tasking, musical computer nerd Story and photo

by ERIC GEORGE DAN Hodgson is the man behind our new computer service - Dial-a-Nerd. He is a tall man with a smile and, when I met him in his crowded workshop, he looked every inch the IT technician his business name says he is. I started by asking him how he came to be in Cooktown.

“We came up eight years ago to run the River of Gold. I grew up in Nambour and left school after grade 10 to become a panel beater.

That lasted about a year until I realised there must be a better way to earn a living.”

What is wrong with being a panel beater?

“I was actually born in Salisbury, South Australia and only moved to the Sunshine Coast when I was five. I think it is compulsory to become a panel beater if you come from that part of South Australia. I left my apprenticeship to become a chef. I trained in Noosa and did my four years servitude there.

“I had been playing a few gigs and did a lot of busking on the streets after hours, so I became a full-time musician.”

What sort of music did Dan play? “I play the guitar, drums, keyboard.

I played a lot of contemporary rock. The grunge scene. Just busking after the pubs closed. We’d head out at midnight, spend five hours on the street and make $250 in fifty cent pieces.

“When I was 20, I moved up to Port Doug-

Dan Hodgson at work in his business as Dial-A-Nerd. las. I had a couple of mates who had gone up on holiday and never come back. I thought I would go up for a couple of weeks and catch up, but then I never came back either. I spent five years in Port Douglas and formed a band called Tweek which did pretty well.

Contemporary rock, with some original stuff. We toured with Matchbox 20 in 2001.”

I was interested to find Dan had been a professional musician for so long. It is a business that has a reputation for being impossible to make any money. Dan laughs and says “It’s a terrific industry.” Would he recommend a young person to go into it? “Absolutely!

Absolutely, if you want to experience life. Be a musician until you’re 25, and then get a real job, as my old man would say.”

Does that apply to other sorts of musician say a violinist? “Yes. I’ve done musical theatre, I’ve played in an orchestra at school as a percussionist, I have a really broad appreciation of music. Music can absolutely change

your life.”

But no one makes any money? “Except for the record labels and distribution companies. The industry has changed a lot, and you can now be your own distributor. Before, out of a $30 album sale, you were lucky to retain 20 cents. Now you can promote yourself through YouTube, retail your own music through the online iTunes platform.

“There are a lot of platforms which come around kick-starters. If you build up a following, they will actually prefund the development of a physical album.”

Is there still a market for physical CD albums?

“Yes. Along with newspapers, it is a bit of a tactile experience. The medium itself is dying.

The only reason they still exist is that distribution companies need something to distribute, so they can enforce their copyright on everything.

But new, emerging artists are supporting themselves without ever making a physical album. Just through digital sales.”

After being a full-time musician, Dan went into hospitality. He ran the Fox and Firkin in Cairns for a year after the band scaled down a bit, and then he came up to run the River of Gold.

What was his first impression of Cooktown?

“The road was almost all sealed by them. It had been a pretty good wet season and everything was very green.

The night we arrived, the Old Bank was doing a historic display. They set up old photos from a 100 years ago. That was how we saw Cooktown because they handed us the keys to the motel and for 371 days, we didn’t see anything but the inside of the place. I looked after the ground work and the upkeep of the place and cooked seven nights a week. Jen (Dan’s partner) looked after the reception and book work, kept the housekeeping straight and ran the bar and restaurant. We worked out we were doing 110 hours each a week without a day off.

“In the end we took three months off and just

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about lapsed into a coma.

We actually left Cooktown, but after a while we felt we had not experienced Cooktown yet, so we put everything into a car and came back up again.

“I did a little bit of cooking around, and Jen worked for council. I was chef at the RSL for 12 months, then I went to work for the council.

I took a traineeship in waste management. I did a lot of work with developing recycling.”

In the end, Dan found more and more people were asking him to fix their computers, so in May of last year he decided to start Dial-aNerd. Giving up a solid income was scary, but computer servicing is a fundamental business. In the modern world Dan is as necessary as the undertaker. Dan says he is very busy. “Absolutely flat out. I’m blown away with the amount of work, and it just keeps growing.”

And the self-employed lifestyle? “Fantastic! I have my own show, and I’m still playing music.”

If someone made Dan “King for the Day”, what would he like to give Cooktown? “We look after native wildlife and do rehabilitation. I guess a facility for native wildlife rehab. And for domestic animals. A vet would be a leap forward for the town. There’s a lot of non-critical treatment that doesn’t happen up here. Also boarding, because a lot of people who would take the opportunity to get away for a couple of days just don’t have that option.”

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While many registrations have already been received, council is keen for even more organisations to come on board and take advantage of this great opportunity to showcase our business strengths and potential for growth and development.

Registration pricing is from as little as $90 per person for the full day’s conference, including morning and afternoon tea, lunch and a delegate bag.

Mayor Peter Scott said, “A key focus of the Cook Shire Council is to promote the live-ability and increase the population of Cooktown. We want to offer the lifestyle choice of a small town with all the facilities to do business and raise families.

Council’s first Cooktown and Cape York Business Conference will provide a wealth of information and networking opportunities to help develop this through our local economy.”

A fantastic line-up of speakers has been confirmed.

Registration forms are available from Council’s administration building, Shire libraries, via Council’s website www.cook.qld.gov.au/businessconference or on request.

For more information about the 2014 Cooktown and Cape York Business Conference contact Council’s Economic Development Officer by phoning (07) 4069 5444 or email mail@cook.qld.gov.au.

Registrations close Friday, January 31, 2014.

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‘Cash for Christmas’ winner named Cooktown Hospital’s Friends of the Foundation “Cash for Christmas” raffle was drawn on December 18, 2013 with Rossville’s John Newman the lucky winner.

The committee would like to say a big thank you to all who supported us once again by generously buying tickets and to all those businesses who continue to support us with donation.

Community Nominations for the Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) The Department of Education is seeking nominations from communities who are interested in having HIPPY delivered in their community from 2015. The Department of Education is expanding this programme to a further 25 new communities, with an emphasis on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander focussed communities.

HIPPY is a two-year home-based programme that works with parents and children from the year before the child commences school. It gives parents and carers the confidence to be their child’s first teacher and be engaged in their child’s learning.

If you would like more information on having HIPPY in your community, please visit the department’s website at www.education.gov.au/hippy or call (02) 6240 7308 for nomination details.

Community Nominations should be submitted to the department and received by 14 February 2014.

AG80298

The committee is made up of volunteers who work all year to provide those extra items for the Cooktown Health Service, which hopefully makes the patient journey that much easier and more comfortable and would like to assure the residents that all money raised by the local committee is used here in Cooktown.

We also would like to thank our “parent body”, the North Queensland

Multi Purpose Health Service visitor, Christine Sheehan, watched

by Acting Director of Nursing, Rebecca Buldo, drawing the raffle on December 18. Photo submitted.

Hospital Foundation for its valuable assistance and leadership with provision of fiscal management, auditing the books, volunteer insurance and printing of tickets.

Our Annual General Meeting will be held in

the HACC room at the Hospital on February 18, 2014 at 5pm.

Invite anyone who would like to join and be part of the fund raising effort to come along.

Planning for the biannual Mother’s Day Fete has

already started, but many more helpers are needed.

Telephone inquiries can be made at the Hospital on 4043 0100.

Daphne Fenton President Friends of the Foundation

 FREE BBQ brekkie  FREE tea, coffee and refreshments  Kids activities   Meet Cook Shire Australia Day Ambassador, Mr Ross McKinnon AM  Performances   Presentation of Australia Day Awards  New Australians taking the Citizenship Pledge   Cutting of the Australia Day cake 

~ ALL WELCOME ~ Special thanks to the Cooktown CWA, Endeavour Lions Club, Cooktown District Community Centre and Woolworths for their generous support of this event

6 – Cooktown Local News – Thursday, January 23, 2014

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Cooktown Local News – Thursday, January 23, 2014 – 7

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Aboriginals in more-remote areas would like to take their medicine Story and photo by NACCHOMEDIA THE National Rural Health Alliance says the relatively poor access to medicines and pharmaceutical advice to people in rural and remote areas can be resolved with

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8 – Cooktown Local News – Thursday, January 23, 2014

some simple and low-cost changes to programs and regulations.

Dr Tim Kelly, Chairperson of the Alliance, described the situation as an important healthcare deficit which has received insufficient attention.

“The Alliance’s new discussion paper demonstrates the extent to which people in Australia’s rural and remote areas have poorer access to prescribed and non-prescribed medicines, less advice about the use of medicines, and poorer access to professional pharmacy services,” Dr Kelly said.

“As with so many other issues in the rural and remote health sector, there is a gradient of deficit as one moves from major cities through regional areas to remote and very remote places.

“Our Discussion Paper explores these issues and begins scoping for a project which could advise Australian governments on the best ways to improve the situation.”

The paper describes how and where people access medicines and con-

siders the bottlenecks and inefficiencies that need to be addressed.

Reimbursement through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is the main means by which the Australian Government funds access to medicines and there should be action to bolster the supply of pharmacists (and the services they provide) to rural and remote areas of Australia.

For instance, there could be scholarships for pharmacy students from rural areas and increased incentives for rural pharmacists to provide training opportunities for pharmacy interns.

The Alliance proposes the investigation of ways to simplify medication prescribing and dispensing legislation and evaluate how such things as pharmacy outposts and telepharmacy can allow more equitable access.

Small rural hospitals often do not have the capacity to employ a pharmacist, but they could if the role also provided professional support to local Aboriginal Health Services and

Better access to medicines and pharmaceutical advice could see more people likely to take medicines. professional medicines reviews in the community.

People living outside major cities also have poorer access to advice related to medicines, and this has implications for both the safety of patients and for the effectiveness of their medications.

There should be better integration of various programs already in place for the provision of medicines and pharmaceutical advice.

By prioritising quality use of medicine initiatives, the government could better manage and reduce chronic disease in rural and remote areas.

Many Aboriginal peo-

ple in remote areas access medicines through Section 100 arrangements, but there is often insufficient professional pharmacist advice provided in these settings.

Better funding could allow greater access for these vulnerable Australians to professional pharmacy services the rest of us take for granted.

The Alliance is calling for action on this issue and for further investigation of potential solutions. It is time to ensure that people in rural and remote Australia receive the same level of health care as those in the major cities, including access to medicines.

Fire on the Federal

History

THE Turtle Group is a group of four, very small and vegetated islands that form part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

They are situated 30km west of Lizard Island, 10km offshore from Lookout Point, 84km north of Cooktown and 28km north of the nearest settlement at Cape Flattery.

Access to all the islands is by private boat via the boat ramp in the Starke River, or with a permitted commercial operator.

Several days later, The Brisbane Courier, Thursday, February 5, 1914 gave a further report from the crews experiences: “Some information was recently published in the Courier regarding the loss of the brigantine auxiliary Federal, through an explosion in the oil tank while off Turtle Island North Queensland. The captain and crew of the ill-fated vessel reached Pinkenba last evening by the Matunga. According to state-

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The schooner Federal - destroyed by fire in 1914. Photo submitted. ments made by the crew, the accident took place on January 24, at night. The vessel was lying to at the time and there was no warning of any sort.

The explosion created great alarm which was intensified by the outburst of flame which immediately followed. In a moment, the whole of the locality where the tank was situated became a sheet of flame. It was decided to quickly take to the boat and as soon as possible, Captain Haug, J Livingstone (engineer) a French sailor named M Espérant, Mr Massarinhus (a coffee planter from Timor) and the crew of 10 Malays, got aboard and stood off the burning vessel. The fire burned furiously, and in about four hours nothing was left but the hull which was burnt below the waterline and foundered.

It is not known what caused the outbreak, but the fury of the explosion may be imagined when it is stated that the benzine tank contained 880 gallons of oil. With the Federal destroyed there was nothing left but to strike out for a land-

ing place on the coast and the captain headed south. They had not a scrap of food aboard, but luckily there was plenty of water available on the islands, which they passed and during the two-and-a-half days that they occupied in reaching a landing place rain fell heavily. All the food available consisted of a crab, captured at one of the islands.

Eventually, they reached the mission station at Cape Bedford, which is in charge of Mr Schwartz and were given food, after which the mission launch transferred them to Cooktown where they waited for the Matunga. After the arrival of the party in Sydney, the Malay seamen will be shipped back to Timor. The Federal, which was of 150 tons register, was engaged trading between Timor and the islands to the North of Australia.”

For further info about the Turtle Group you can go to the National Park web site: www.nprsr.qld.gov. au/parks/turtle-group/about.html

Answered prayers From the Pulpit Matthew 7:7-11 IN His Word, our Father commands us to pray continually (1 Thess. 5:17). And He promises that when we ask, we will receive (Luke 11:9).

Yet how often has silence seemed to be the

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However, 100 years ago in 1914, they were the scene of a near disaster for the crew of the schooner Federal.

“The auxiliary schooner Federal owned by the Timor Plantations Limited Sydney, was destroyed by fire while anchored to the south of the Turtle Group on Friday night.

The fire was discovered in the engine room and in a short time she was burned to the waters edge.

Captain Haug and a crew of 14 had just left the side when a gasoline tank exploded. The crew lost everything and arrived at the Cape Bedford Mission Station on Sunday night without having tasted food for two days and two nights.

They came over to Cooktown in the missionary schooner this morning.”

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The Argus (Melbourne), Tuesday, January 27, 1914 reported that:

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answer to our prayer requests? We must understand that God answers our prayers with a “Yes”, or a “No” or a “Wait”.

The Lord wouldn’t tell us to pray if He were not going to respond. In fact, He points out that any father who loves his children gives them what they need and what is good (vv. 11-13). And He, as our heavenly Father, will provide so much more. But if we want God to respond, we must meet three important conditions.

First, we must have a right relationship with Jesus Christ by trust-

ing Him as Saviour. But some people choose to live in ungodliness even after salvation. Scripture states, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Ps. 66:18 kjv). This doesn’t mean we can never make a mistake - God understands our frailty. But we must repent of all known sin and avoid continuing in it.

Second, we must make right requests. Scripture reminds us to ask according to God’s will (1 John 5:14). That means we can share our hopes and desires while submitting to whatever He deems

best. Over time, certain yearnings may lose appeal or give us a check in our spirit.

Third, we should pray specifically and with confidence. When making requests aligned with God’s will, we can be sure He’ll answer.

Our heavenly Father tells His children to pray and assures that He will respond. As you present your requests, ask Him to show you if anything is getting in the way of His answer.

God bless ya heaps!

Pastor Wayne Brennan Cooktown Community Church

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COOKTOWN HOTEL CHARLOTTE ST, COOKTOWN • PH 4069 5308 COURTESY BUS operates 7 DAYS A WEEK • Phone for pick-up Cooktown Local News – Thursday, January 23, 2014 – 9

PHOTOS: GARY HUTCHISON

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Cheyanne Lee and Heath Bramwell serving up the delicacies to the famished.

Arnold Muza, Sokar Pokharel and Lachlan Bassani.

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NEWS

Youth justice system report reveals concerning statistics WHILE the overall rate of offending by young people in Queensland has remained relatively stable over the past three years, there is significant evidence that more attention is needed to address the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in Queensland’s youth justice system.

The Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian last week released the Child Guardian Report: Youth Justice System 2011-12 which shows that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people were five times more likely to receive an Official Caution from police, 17 times more likely to be arrested by police, 12 times more likely to appear in Childrens Court proceedings, 19 times more likely to be subject of a youth justice supervision order given by the courts and 33 times more likely to be sentenced to a Detention Order.

Other key findings of the report include: • Between 2009-12, offences resulting in a young person aged 10-16 years receiving a caution decreased by 20 per cent, while offences resulting in an arrest action increased by 30 per cent; • The age groups that had the largest increase in the proportion of arrests in the overall number of offences by each age group between 2009-12 included 12-year-olds (59.6 per cent), and 10-year-olds (56.3 per cent); • Together, young people aged 15 and 16 accounted for more than half (61.3 per cent) of young people admitted to youth justice orders in 2011-12; • There is disparity across the youth justice regions for admission to Detention Orders, with the regions of Far North Queensland, North Queensland and Central Queensland together accounting for 68.3 per cent of all admissions; and • Between the years 2009-12, there was a 14.8 per cent increase in young people subject to dual orders – that is young people who were the subject of a Finalised Child Protection order (for more than 12 months) and were also admitted to a Supervised Youth Justice Order.

This latest report – the Commission’s second in-depth analysis of the State’s youth justice system – reveals that while accounting for only 6.4 per cent of young people aged 10-17 years, the rate of over-representation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people widened during each step through the youth justice system.

Acting Commissioner for Children and Young People and Child Guardian, Barry Salmon,

said these figures reinforced the need for whole-of-Government and community approaches to continue focusing on improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people as part of current reforms to both the child protection and youth justice systems in Queensland. This includes addressing the complexity of issues and chronic social and economic disadvantage experienced by some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.

Mr Salmon said: “Reforms to the child protection and youth justice systems need to take into account the causal factors of disadvantage and employ culturally appropriate methods of crime prevention and justice diversions, otherwise over-representation and levels of disadvantage will continue to the next generation.”

Another issue highlighted in the Commission’s report was the increasing number of young people coming into contact with the youth justice system who are already known to the child protection system. At 30 June 2012, 72 per cent of young people in the youth justice system were also known to the child protection system in Queensland.

The Commission’s report highlights the significant challenges in designing appropriate prevention programs, diversionary initiatives and statutory mechanisms to appropriately manage young offenders.

Areas requiring further attention identified in the report include: • the vital need to focus on early intervention programs and strategies which prevent young people from coming into contact with the youth justice system; • the need to develop effective strategies to reduce the high levels of young people on remand (un-sentenced detention) in Queensland youth detention centres; • the importance of developing evidence-based diversionary programs for young people in a way that provides options for flexible service delivery in remote and regional locations; and • the need for the development of additional targeted therapeutic and culturally appropriate programming that addresses the individual needs of young people.

To access the report and learn more about the Commission’s independent monitoring of Queensland’s youth justice and child protection systems, visit the Commission’s website at www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au

The end justifies the means: Why Queensland is losing the bikie war

By TERRY GOLDSWORTHY

Assistant Professor at Bond University theconversation.com

THREE months into the campaign by the Queensland government against outlaw motorcycle gangs, some meaningful analysis of the effectiveness and justification for the unprecedented measures is possible.

On the statistics and anecdotes that have emerged, it appears likely there will be no smoking gun to indicate success at the end of this campaign. There will be no major evidence that bikie gangs are the epicentre of organised crime in Australia.

Yes, they play a part, but not an overwhelming one.

Arrest figures Last December, figures were released to show the effectiveness of the policing response, codenamed Operation Resolute. Impressive numbers of arrests and charges were given to the media: Officers as part of Operation Resolute, created in response to offending behaviour of Criminal Motorcycle Gangs (CMGs), have arrested 384 people on 817 charges since October 6.

But of the 817 charges, only 28 – or 3.4 per cent – can be considered “organised crime” type charges such as drug trafficking and extortion.

Even more interesting is the proportion of overall crime statistics these figures account for in that twomonth period. In Queensland, 73,309 offences were reported in October and November 2013. Bikies accounted for only one per cent of these offences.

Given the over-policing of bikies, one could also reasonably expect that these figures would be inflated to some degree. The figures rest on all the offenders being conveniently termed “participants of a criminal organisation”. The police will not supply figures for the actual arrests of members – nor the grey and fuzzy “associate arrests” – instead grouping them into a homogeneous category.

If we were to consider just members, I suspect the arrest and charge figures would be drastically reduced.

Illicit drugs The offences laid against bikies account for just 0.8 per cent of total drug supply offences in Queensland.

For trafficking in dangerous drugs they account for five per cent of offences. For production of dangerous drugs

A change in investigative and policing strategy is needed if the Queensland government is to win the so-called ‘bikie wars’ . they accounted for only 1.3 per cent of total offences.

Production by Queensland drug laboratories has been exploding for the last five years, yet we never heard that the bikies were the criminal masterminds behind it.

Australian Crime Commission (ACC) data indicates that from 2010-11 to 201112, Queensland drug laboratory production increased 29 per cent, and Queensland labs accounted for 81 per cent of the national increase in this same period.

Police have indicated that some 193 amphetamine labs had been located in the last six months in Queensland.

Unfortunately, the media were not told how many of these busts resulted in the arrest of any bikies.

Charge stats Included in the December update on Operation Resolute was a short note that six offenders had been charged under the anti-bikie laws. These laws provide for mandatory 25-year prison sentences for bikie gang members for a wide range of charges.

Of the 384 arrested, only 1.5 per cent of offenders were charged under the anti-bikie laws. This is despite the authorities saying that all 384 people arrested were participants in criminal gangs.

The explanation is simple. First, the vast majority of offences involved were of such a minor nature that they are not covered by the anti-bikie laws. Second, the people arrested were acting as individuals: they did not commit their offences as part of some criminal conspiracy for the benefit of the organisation.

It is easy to claim someone is a participant in arrest figures and media releases.

It is not so easy to do this when subject to the scrutiny of the criminal courts, where actual evidence is required to be proven to requisite standards. In a number of instances, claims of bikie gang membership evaporated when the courts required proof.

Involvement in organised

crime Claims have also been made that bikies are responsible for over two-thirds of organised crime profits in Australia (around A$10 billion). We have not seen any credible evidence or methodology to support this.

Of concern is that such claims are being attributed to organisations such as the Australian Crime Commission. A search of the ACC website, however, finds no such data. In fact, its bikie profile series specifically states: …it is difficult to gauge the percentage of organised crime attributed specifically to OMCG members. While they are prevalent in all states and territories, they are just one part of the organised crime picture in Australia.

In the first two months of Operation Resolute, police have recovered only around $200,000 worth of drugs. Divide that figure by all of the “participants” arrested and they would have earned an average of $260 per month – hardly what high rollers are made of.

Impact on freedom of association The legislation included the introduction of consorting or association laws, which prevented two or more bikie gang members from gathering in public.

The two most prominent cases where this law has been enforced are the arrests of five men having a quiet beer in a suburban pub and another five offenders buying ice creams during a family holiday on the Gold Coast.

This is hardly the backroom, nefarious criminal consorting that the laws were put in place to prevent.

It simply is not in the spirit of the legislation, and has been a public relations disaster for the government.

The strategic direction of the campaign has begun to go badly off the rails. With tradesmen now in the sights of law enforcement over links with bikie gangs, the government has moved the war from fringe occupations

– such as tattoo parlours – to mainstream society. This move has raised the ire of trade unions, and they do have the money to fund a legal challenge.

The government has taken the “war on bikies” too far and alerted a complacent wider community to the impact on basic civil liberties.

The “us and them” (the bikies) dichotomy has changed to a more encompassing view of who can be affected by the laws.

The other obvious issue is that if you remove all lawful occupations for bikies, there is little alternative but for them to undertake a life of crime. Rehabilitation does not feature in the current war. The public perception of the war has not been helped by police telling people who they can and cannot be friends with: It cannot be socially acceptable to be a friend of a bikie, you have to learn that it is not on.

The purpose of the legislation is to target criminal activity, not police social interactions.

Resourcing problems All of these arrests have involved substantial planning and policing resources.

The public therefore have the right to ask if the police would be better employed actually targeting criminal enterprise rather than people enjoying beers and ice cream.

Police have finite resources, and as discussed earlier, there are plenty of criminals to be caught other than the bikies. Only three months into the fight, police have diverted dedicated anti-bikie resources to deal with other public order issues.

On top of this, the G20 meeting in Brisbane is looming. That will certainly curtail the current resource diversion to the purported bikie menace.

Bikies undoubtedly commit crime. Unfortunately, in this current climate, if you attempt to explain why the current approach is wrong you are simply labelled a bikie supporter. For most commentators nothing is further from the truth.

The crime committed by bikie gangs would be better combated by using crime management techniques that target actual crime rather than the current set of association laws, which merely target the person and to a large extent miss the criminal activity. The results are not positive. A change in investigative and policing strategy is needed.

Cooktown Local News – Thursday, January 23, 2014 – 11

FRIDAY 24

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9:30 Case Sensitive: The Other Half Lives - Based on the book

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10:20 ABC News: Late Edition 10:30 Hustle - After a close brush with the law in Australia, Mickey Brick is back and looking for a new crew! With the credit crunch, Mickey is keen to target the greedy few who are getting rich from others’ losses.

11:35 Rage

6:00 Today 9:00 Danoz Direct 10:00 Brand Developers 11:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show 12:00 Extra 12:30 One Day Series - Australia Vs England 5:00 National News 5:30 One Day Series - Australia Vs England 10:00 House Husbands - Still reeling from her parent’s separation, Gemma rekindles her friendship with a childhood sweetheart.

Kane and Tom’s relationship faces its biggest challenge yet when Stella’s father returns. And Lewis struggles with Lucy’s decision to move out with Tilda’s teacher, Mr Tuck.

11:00 Movie: “Assassins” (M v,l) 1:40 Movie: “Hooper” (M s,l) - Top Hollywood stuntman, Sonny Hooper, a veteran of many films, meets his potential rival, Ski. On the day of a dazzling flying car stunt the two must do for a film, Ski attempts to chicken out but learns that Hooper has other ideas.

3:30 Extra 4:00 Brand Developers 4:30 Good Morning America

6:00 Sunrise 9:00 Dr Oz 10:00 TBA 11:30 Seven Morning News 12:00 TBA 2:00 2014 Australian Open 5:30 TBA 6:00 Seven News 6:30 Today Tonight 7:00 2014 Australian Open 11:30 That ‘70s Show: Eric’s Naughty No-No - A visit from Paula, Kitty’s beautiful and successful sister, makes Kitty believe that her life is going nowhere.

12:00 Harry’s Practice 1:00 Celebrity Juice: Gok Wan, Josie Gibson, Lethal Bizzle And Danny Jones - Keith Lemon presents the celebrity panel quiz show. He is joined by team captains Rufus Hound and Fearne Cotton. Tonight’s guests include Danny Jones, Josie Gibson, Gok Wan and Leathal Bizzle.

1:45 Auction Squad - The team hits the road for a first-time makeover in the nation’s secret property hotspot, already home to Australia’s most expensive house.

3:00 Home Shopping 4:00 NBC Today

5:00 World News 1:00 Behind The Front Door 1:30 Inspector Rex 2:30 NITV News Week In Review 3:00 France 24 International News 3:30 Al Jazeera News 4:00 The Journal 4:30 PBS Newshour 5:30 Global Village 6:00 Grand Tours Of Scotland 6:30 World News Australia 7:30 Town With Nicolas Crane 8:35 David Starkey’s Music And Monarchy: Great British Music 9:40 As It Happened: Doomsday: The Fall Of A Man 10:35 World News Australia Late 11:10 Movie: “Talk To Me About Love” (M a,l,s) - In Italian.

Sasha is a young man in his twenties, deeply in love with the beautiful Benedetta, who doesn’t seem to recognise his existence. Nicole is a French woman in her forties, living in Rome with her husband. They casually meet and start a friendship which becomes a sentimental education for the youth.

1:15 Inspector Montalbano: Paper Moon 3:15 Weatherwatch Overnight

SATURDAY 25

6:00 Rage 10:30 Rag 11:30 My Family: Dutch Art And Dutch Courage 12:00 Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials Mystery 2:15 Miss South Sudan Australia 3:00 Basketball: WNBL: Round 16 - Dandenong Vs Adelaide 5:05 Nature’s Miracle Babies: Islands 6:00 Australian Of The Year 7:00 ABC News 7:30 Cliffy 9:05 The Mystery Of Agatha Christie With David Suchet: David Suchet has spent more of his life acting out the plots of Agatha Christie’s work than anyone else in the world. Now he takes a journey around Britain to get under the skin of the best-selling author of all time.

10:00 Silent Witness: Lost (Part 2) - Leo investigates a potential copycat killing, but the team are starting to wonder if Karl Bentley was wrongly convicted, leaving the real murderer free to set out on a new killing spree.

10:55 TBA 11:30 Rage Goes Retro 5:00 Rage

6:00 Children’s Programs 7:00 Weekend Today - Saturday 10:00 Danoz Direct 10:30 2014 Santos Tour Downunder 3:00 Antiques Roadshow 3:30 Alive And Cooking 4:00 Explore Japan 5:00 4WD TV 5:30 Musomagic Outback Tracks 6:00 National News Saturday 7:00 Australia’s Funniest Home Videos 7:30 Movie: “Fantastic Mr. Fox” (PG l,v) - An urbane fox cannot resist returning to his farm raiding ways and then must help his community survive the farmers’ retaliation.

9:15 Movie: “Passenger 57” (M v,l) - While aboard an airplane, an undercover anti-terrorism expert is forced to use his expertise when the flight is hijacked by a psychopathic terrorist.

11:00 2014 Santos Tour Downunder - Highlights 12:00 The Deer Hunter 3:25 Nine Presents 3:35 Impractical Jokers 4:05 Brand Developers 5:00 Skippy - The Bush Kangaroo 5:30 Wesley Impact

6:00 Saturday Disney 7:00 Weekend Sunrise 10:00 The Morning Show - Weekend 12:00 Dr Oz 1:00 TBA 3:00 2014 Australian Open 5:00 New Zealand On A Plate 5:30 Queensland Weekender 6:00 Seven News 6:30 2014 Australian Open 9:30 Movie: “The Frighteners” (M v) - A small-town ‘ghostbuster’ is in league with the very spirits he’s supposed to be exorcising. The scam works well until a powerful spirit goes on a murderous rampage, forcing Frank to find a way to stop the diabolical ghoul in this special- effects-packed supernatural chiller that’s so fiendishly entertaining, it’s frightening!

11:50 That ‘70s Show: Eric’s Panties - Donna seems unconcerned despite of the fact that Shelly, Eric’s lab partner, is continuously hitting on him.

12:20 Celebrity Juice 1:00 Movie: “Mexico City” (M v) 3:30 It’s Written Oceania 4:00 Home Shopping 5:00 Dr Oz

5:00 World News 1:00 Salome 2:55 Ice Music: The Sounds Of The North 3:25 In Mondrian’s Studio 4:30 PBS Newshour 5:30 Who Do You Think You Are? 6:30 World News Australia 7:30 An Original Duckumentary 8:30 Meet The Amish 9:30 Movie: “Shaolin” (MAV v) - In Mandarin and Cantonese.

Set in the early 20th century, China is plunged into strife as feuding warlords fight to expand their power. General Hou is at the centre of the struggle with his violent and ruthless tactics that rarely discriminate between soldiers and civilians. When Hou is betrayed by fellow general Cao Man, he is forced into hiding, and takes refuge with the monks at their hidden mountain temple.

11:55 Movie: “Largo Winch” (MAV v) - In French, Croatian and English. After a powerful billionaire is murdered, his secret adoptive son must race to prove his legitimacy, find his father’s killers and stop them from taking over his financial empire.

1:55 Movie: “Breakfast On Pluto” (MAV v,l) 4:10 Weatherwatch Overnight

SUNDAY 26

6:00 Rage 6:30 Children’s Programs 9:00 Weekend Breakfast 11:30 Australia Day Flag Raising & Citizenship Ceremony 11:00 Weekend Breakfast 11:30 Songs Of Praise 12:00 Best Of Landline 1:00 ABC2 Live: The Reef 2:30 Artscape: The Making Of The Reef 3:00 Football: W-League: Round 10 - Canberra United Vs Perth Glory 5:00 Midsomer Murders: Garden Of Death 6:25 Australia’s Remote Islands: Lord Howe Island 6:55 Governer General Australia Day Address 2014 7:00 ABC News 7:30 Australian Story: Driving Greg Norman 8:30 Mystery Road - Indigenous cowboy detective Jay Swan returns to his outback home town, to solve the murder of a teenage girl whose body is found under the highway trucking route out of town.

10:30 Muse Of Fire 11:55 Romulus, My Father 1:35 The Night, The Prowler 3:00 Countdown Spectacular 2 4:30 The New Inventors 5:00 Catalyst / 5:30 Collectors

6:00 Children’s Programs 7:00 Weekend Today 10:00 Cybershack 10:30 Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Ironman Series 12:30 One Day Series Australia Vs England 5:00 National News Sunday 5:30 One Day Series - Australia Vs England 9:00 2014 Santos Tour Down Under - Highlights: Highlights from Stage Six of Australia’s prestigious international cycling race in its final 85.5km leg of the 815.5km circuit; staged in and around Adelaide, South Australia.

10:00 CSI: Miami: Special Delivery - A delivery-truck driver and a businesswoman on his route are murdered, and the CSI’s investigate to uncover the connection between the two victims.

11:00 TBA 1:00 Spyforce 2:00 Skippy - The Bush Kangaroo 2:30 Brand Developers 4:00 Good Morning America - Sunday 5:00 National Early Morning News 5:30 Today

6:00 Children’s Programs 7:00 Weekend Sunrise 10:00 Dr Oz 11:00 That ‘70s Show 12:00 World’s Strictest Parents 1:00 TBA 3:00 2014 Australian Open 5:00 Better Homes And Gardens 6:00 Seven News 6:30 2014 Australian Open 9:30 TBA 11:45 That ‘70s Show: Fez Dates Donna - To get Caroline off his back, Fez pretends to be dating Donna, while Eric enjoys living as a bachelor again. The guys establish a pool which will pay off when the reunited Kelso and Jackie have their first fight.

12:15 Special: Backyard Killers 1:15 Room For Improvement - A big family gets a double story makeover, with a kitchen and a vast entertaining area.

2:00 Home Shopping 3:00 NBC Today 4:00 NBC Meet The Press 5:00 Sunrise Extra 5:30 Seven Early News

5:00 World News 1:00 Al Jazeera News 1:30 Cycling Central 2:00 Speedweek 4:00 FIFA World Cup 2014 Magazine 4:30 FIFA Futbol Mundial 5:00 Living Black Conversations 5:30 Destination Flavour Japan - Bitesize 5:35 Urban Secrets 6:30 World News Australia 7:30 China’s Great Wall 8:30 Generation War 10:20 America In Primetime 11:20 Movie: “Heiran” (PG) - In Farsi. When Iranian high-school student Mahi falls in love with Heiran, a poor Afghani teenager, her parents oppose their proposed marriage. Defying her family, Mahi follows Heiran to Tehran, where they wed.

1:00 Movie: “A Heart Elsewhere” (PG) - A multi-award winning Italian romantic comedy. Nello is a sensitive and shy 35-year-old whose philandering father keeps encouraging him to seduce women. When Nello goes to Bologna to teach Latin, he meets a beautiful socialite and falls in love.

2:55 Weatherwatch Overnight

MONDAY 27

SBS

6:00 ABC News Breakfast 10:00 Children’s Programs 12:00 Midday Report 12:30 As Time Goes By 1:00 The Picture Show Man 2:35 Lily 3:00 Children’s Programs 5:00 Eggheads 5:30 ABC News: Early Edition 6:00 Grand Designs 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 8:00 QI 8:30 Stephen Fry 9:30 Rake 10:30 ABC News: Late Edition 10:40 Dalziel And Pascoe: A Game Of Soldiers 12:10 ABC2 Live: 2 One Another 1:20 Movie: “Darling Lili” (M a,v) 3:35 Movie: “The Four Feathers” (PG) - A young member of a military family automatically joins the army. However, he feels unsuited to his new life and when he becomes engaged to his sweetheart he resigns his commission.

5:30 Eggheads

6:00 Today 9:00 Danoz Direct 9:30 Brand Developers 11:00 National Morning News 12:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show 1:00 Movie: “The Dragon Pearl” (PG v) 3:00 National News Now 4:15 National Afternoon News 5:30 Hot Seat 6:00 National News 7:00 A Current Affair 7:30 The Big Bang Theory: The Alien Parasite Hypothesis 8:00 The Big Bang Theory: The Justice League Recombination - The guys get Zack and Penny to join their Justice League costume for a New Year’s Eve bash at the comic book store.

8:30 TBA 11:30 Partners: Troubled Partners - After Louis offers Joe his grandmother’s ring to give to Ali as her long-awaited engagement ring, he is shocked when a hurt Wyatt objects.

12:00 Oh Sit! 1:00 Extra 1:30 Skippy - The Bush Kangaroo 2:00 Brand Developers 3:30 Good Morning America 5:00 National Early Morning News 5:30 Today

6:00 Sunrise 10:00 The Morning Show 11:30 Seven Morning News 12:00 Movie: “Elizabeth Taylor: Auction Of A Lifetime” (PG a) 2:00 The Daily Edition 3:00 The Chase 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 TBA 6:00 Seven News 6:30 Today Tonight 7:00 TBA 12:15 Celebrity Juice: Alex Carter, Vanilla Ice And Gino D’Acampo - Keith Lemon presents the celebrity panel quiz show and is joined by team captains Holly Willoughby and Fearne Cotton.

Tonights guests includen Alex Carter, Vanilla Ice, Rufus Hound and Gino D’Acampo.

1:00 Home Shopping 3:30 Sons And Daughters - Wayne makes a clean breast to Katie of his part in Jeff’s betrayal. Barbara changes tactics in an effort to get Liz out of the house.

4:00 NBC Today 5:00 Sunrise Extra 5:30 Seven Early News

5:00 World News 1:00 Oz Concert 2013 2:20 At The Piano With Mozart 2:55 Life Is Beautiful 3:00 France 24 International News 3:30 Al Jazeera News 4:00 The Journal 4:30 FIFA Futbol Mundial 5:00 One Man And His Campervan 5:30 Global Village 6:00 The Lakes With Rory McGrath 6:30 World News Australia 7:30 Strip The City 8:30 Swallowed By A Black Hole 9:30 Housos 10:00 Swift And Shift Couriers 10:30 World News Australia Late 11:00 The World Game 11:30 Clown: Dalai Lama - Casper and Frank are close to closing a contract with Low Power. When Palle goes on a date with Szhirley - Joker’s ex-girlfriend - Frank allows him to borrow his beloved suit jacket, but major consequences follow.

When Mia gets a visit from an old friend, Frank finds it extremely difficult to deal with her past.

12:00 Shorts On Screen 12:35 Monster Bug Wars / 2:25 Weatherwatch Overnight

TUESDAY 28

7 CENTRAL

6:00 ABC News Breakfast 10:00 Children’s Programs 12:00 Midday Report 12:30 Compass 1:00 Dick Smith’s Population Puzzle 2:35 The Wonder Years 3:00 Children’s Programs 5:00 Eggheads 5:30 ABC News: Early Edition 6:00 Grand Designs 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 8:00 QI 8:30 New Tricks: Dark Chocolate 9:30 By Any Means 10:30 ABC News: Late Edition 10:40 Our Queen 11:35 Life: Plants - The drama of the plant world is impossible to view with the naked eye. But using the latest time-lapse technology, all is revealed.

12:25 The Australian Ballet 50th Gala 2:30 By Any Means 3:30 Basketball: WNBL: Round 16: Dandenong Vs Adelaide 5:30 Eggheads

6:00 Today 9:00 Danoz Direct 9:30 Brand Developers 11:00 National Morning News 12:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show 1:00 Movie: “And Then Came Love” (PG l,a) 3:00 National News Now 4:15 National Afternoon News 5:30 Hot Seat 6:00 National News 7:00 A Current Affair 7:30 The Big Bang Theory: The Bus Pants Utilization 8:00 The Big Bang Theory: The Proton Resurgence 8:30 TBA 10:30 Two And A Half Men: My Bodasious Vidalia 11:00 Two And A Half Men: Cows, Prepare To Be Tipped 11:30 Weeds: Threshold 12:00 20/20 12:45 Nine Presents 1:00 Extra 1:30 Brand Developers 3:30 Good Morning America 5:00 National Early Morning News / 5:30 Today

6:00 Sunrise 10:00 The Morning Show 11:30 Seven Morning News 12:00 TBA 2:00 The Daily Edition 3:00 The Chase 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 TBA 6:00 Seven News 6:30 Today Tonight 7:00 TBA 11:45 That ‘70s Show: Jackie Bags Hyde - Red and Bob throw competing Veterans’ Day barbeques, while Jackie and Hyde go on a date.

12:15 Its Always Sunny In Philadelphia: Frank’s Back In Business Frank and Charlie help our Frank’s old company with one last big merger. Meanwhile, an unwritten rule of the bar causes a case of mistaken identity.

1:00 Home Shopping 4:00 NBC Today 5:00 Sunrise Extra - Bringing you the best moments of your mornings with the Sunrise team.

5:30 Seven Early News

5:00 World News 1:00 Tom Thumb 2:35 Swimsuit 46 2:50 The Circus 3:00 France 24 International News 3:30 Al Jazeera News 4:00 The Journal 4:30 PBS Newshour 5:30 Global Village 6:00 The Lakes With Rory McGrath 6:30 World News Australia 7:30 Who Do You Think You Are? 8:30 Person Of Interest 9:30 Extreme ER 10:25 World News Australia Late 11:00 The Bridge: The homeless man’s survival becomes a race against time, and depends completely on the four landlords’ willingness to pay what the murderer demands. Saga and Martin have understood that they’re dealing with someone who has really thought through his crimes, planning them down to the smallest detail. Maybe they can catch the murderer off balance by doing something he doesn’t expect?

12:05 The Khmer Rouge: A Simple Question Of Justice 1:35 Egypt’s Revolution: The End Of A Dictator 2:35 Weatherwatch Overnight

WEDNESDAY 29

IMPARJA

6:00 ABC News Breakfast 10:00 Children’s Programs 12:00 Midday Report 12:30 National Press Club Address 1:30 The Jonathan Ross Show 2:35 The Wonder Years 3:00 Children’s Programs 5:00 Eggheads 5:30 ABC: Early Edition 6:00 Grand Designs 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 8:00 QI 8:30 Kevin McCloud’s Man Made Home: Shower Search 9:20 David Bowie: Five Years In The Making Of An Icon 10:20 ABC News: Late Edition 10:20 The Straits: The Hunt For Vlad - While Harry’s in hospital and his sons hunt down the hired killer, Sissi finds a large sum of money hidden inside Paddy’s house and sets about leaving Cairns until prevented by Sutherland, a corrupt cop.

11:30 Life: Primates 12:20 Dead Famous 1:15 5 Lost At Sea 2:10 Kevin McCloud’s Man Made Home: Shower Search 3:30 Football: W-League: Round 10 - Canberra United Vs Perth Glory 5:30 Eggheads

6:00 Today 9:00 Danoz Direct 9:30 Brand Developers 11:00 National Morning News 12:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show 1:00 Movie: “Joe Versus The Volcano” (PG l) - Joe Banks, a hypochondriac, becomes very ill with a terminal brain disease and has only six months to live. He is visited by an eccentric industrialist who has a proposition he can hardly refuse - a luxurious boat ride in the company of a beautiful female to an exotic volcano! 3:00 National News Now 4:15 National Afternoon News 5:30 Hot Seat 6:00 National News 7:00 A Current Affair 7:30 Twenty/20 - Australia Vs England 10:30 TBA 12:30 Dallas: Guilt And Innocence - Pamela’s mother, Afton Cooper, returns to Dallas to take care of her daughter. Emma is put in the middle of her father and grandmother’s relationship, pushing her closer to Drew.

1:30 Brand Developers 3:30 Good Morning America 5:00 National Early Morning News / 5:30 Today

6:00 Sunrise 10:00 The Morning Show 11:30 Seven Morning News 12:00 Movie: “The Sandlot: Heading Home” (PG l) 2:00 The Daily Edition 3:00 The Chase 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 TBA 6:00 Seven News 6:30 Today Tonight 7:00 TBA 12:20 The Cult: The Other Woman - A reluctant Michael agrees to Sophie’s plan to shoot Edward North. But the shooting doesn’t go to plan and it becomes clear that Sophie’s mission is very different to that of the Liberators.

1:30 Home Shopping 3:30 Sons And Daughters - Wayne’s desperate measures to convince Gordon that Liz is being terrorized put Barbara’s life in danger. While Patricia plans for her future with David, Luke is shocked by something he finds out about the business.

4:00 NBC Today 5:00 Sunrise Extra 5:30 Seven Early News

5:00 World News 1:00 How To Build - A Super Car 2:00 Oz And Hugh Raise The Bar 3:00 France 24 International News 3:30 Al Jazeera News 4:00 The Journal 4:30 PBS Newshour 5:30 Global Village 6:00 The Lakes With Rory McGrath 6:30 World News Australia 7:30 Australia With Simon Reeve 8:35 One Born Every Minute 9:30 Borgen 10:40 World News Australia Late 11:10 Movie: “Baaria” (M v,l) - In Italian. Oscar-winning filmmaker Giuseppe Tornatore directs this grand-scale portrait of life and love over several decades in a small town in Sicily. The story centres on a poor Sicilian family in the 1930s and its prodigal son, Peppino. As Peppino grows older he becomes a passionate political activist, and despite receiving only a basic farm education, he joins the communist party to fight for workers’ rights.

1:50 Movie: “The Result Of Love” (M a,l,n) - In Spanish.

3:30 Weatherwatch Overnight

THURSDAY 30

ABC

6:00 ABC News Breakfast 10:00 Children’s Programs 12:00 Midday Report 12:30 Last Of The Summer Wine 1:00 Dragon’s Den 2:00 A Quiet Word... 2:35 The Wonder Years 3:00 Children’s Programs 5:00 Eggheads 5:30 ABC News: Early Edition 6:05 Grand Designs 6:55 Clarke And Dawe 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 8:00 QI 8:30 88 9:30 The Moaning Of Life 10:15 ABC News: Late Edition 10:30 The Trip: The Yorke Arms 11:00 Genius: Tim Minchin And Alexei Sayle 11:30 The Song Of Lunch 12:20 Movie: “Goin’ South” (PG) 2:05 The Moaning Of Life 3:30 Dalziel And Pascoe: The Price Of Fame 5:00 Daniel Libeskind: Denver Art Museum 5:30 Eggheads

6:00 Today 9:00 Danoz Direct 9:30 Brand Developers 11:00 National Morning News 12:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show 1:00 Movie: “Now And Then” (PG l,s,a) 3:00 National News Now 4:15 National Afternoon News 5:30 Hot Seat 6:00 National News 7:00 A Current Affair 8:30 Person Of Interest: The Devil’s Share - As the POI team seeks justice for Carter’s murder, Finch realizes one of his team members may go one step too far in order to end the war with HR. 9:30 CSI: NY: The Lady In The Lake 10:30 CSI: NY: Clue: SI 11:30 Partners: Pretty Funny 12:00 Extra 12:30 The Baron 1:30 Skippy - The Bush Kangaroo 2:00 Brand Developers 3:30 Good Morning America 5:00 National Early Morning News / 5:30 Today

6:00 Sunrise 10:00 The Morning Show 11:30 Seven Morning News 12:00 Movie: “Problem Child 2” (PG l) 2:00 The Daily Edition 3:00 The Chase 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 TBA 6:00 Seven News 6:30 Today Tonight 7:00 TBA 11:30 That ‘70s Show: Eric’s Drunken Tattoo - When Eric sneaks a peek at Donna’s journal and learns that she wishes he’d be more wild and dangerous, Eric starts his makeover by getting a tattoo on his butt.

12:00 Auction Squad 1:00 Home Shopping 4:00 NBC Today - International news and weather including interviews with newsmakers in the world of politics, business, media, entertainment and sport.

5:00 Sunrise Extra 5:30 Seven Early News

5:00 World News 1:00 Man Vs Wild 2:00 One Born Every Minute USA 2:40 Destination Flavour 2:50 The Boy In The Bubble 3:00 France 24 International News 3:30 Al Jazeera News 4:00 The Journal 4:30 PBS Newshour 5:30 Global Village 6:00 The Lakes With Rory McGrath 6:30 World News Australia 7:30 Food Safari 8:00 Gourmet Farmer 8:30 Luke Nguyen’s Memories Of The Mekong 9:30 Falcon: The Silent And The Damned: Part 2 - In tonight’s series finale, Falcón defies orders to halt his investigation into the death of businessman, Raphael Baena, and Chilean journalist, Virgilio Guzman. An attempt on his own life only strengthens his resolve to get to the truth, despite his lover Consuelo Jiminez’s concern.

10:25 World News Australia Late 11:00 Thursday FC 12:00 The Nine Months That Made You 1:00 Science Under Attack / 2:05 Weatherwatch Overnight

12 – Cooktown Local News – Thursday, January 23, 2014

CROSSWORD No. 182

SUDOKU No. 182

Your  Lucky 





Stars



 

CAPRICORN (December 22nd - January 20th)

Your work will be much more enjoyable than usual this week. Your relationship with your colleagues will finally start to improve and work will feel less like work.

Romance. Recent changes to your home should make your daily life a little more pleasant. Your partner may seem more at ease this week.

AQUARIUS (January 21st - February 19th)

Time spent with a group of people that you don’t know very well will be interesting. You will find much more in common with them than you expected.

Romance. Don’t do anything that might make your partner jealous. You will be surprised how easily they can misinterpret the situation.

PISCES (February 20th - March 20th)

A meeting later in the week may be a little too intimate. You will soon grow to like this person, however. Don’t discount them as a possible friend. Romance. Don’t put yourself down. Your feelings may be a little more negative than usual at the moment. Take your partner’s praise with grace.

FOR KIDS

ARIES (March 21st - April 20th)

A message which seems more important than it really is could waste your energy this week. Check everything very carefully. Romance. Don’t get too jealous about something that your partner does. This contact is much more innocent than it seems. You need to have better trust in your relationship!

TAURUS (April 21st - May 21st)

Everybody will want to give you advice.

One insight that you are given may be less use than it seems, however. You will need to sort through it all. Romance. Don’t allow yourself to be held back by someone who is more conservative than you. They’ll do anything to ensure you don’t achieve your goals.

GEMINI (May 22nd - June 21st)

You would benefit from a short break from your everyday routine. Even a few days away from home would be enough to see everything in perspective. Romance. This is not a very good time for romance. You may be a little confused about your relationship. Analyse this before telling your partner.

FINDWORD No. 182

CANCER (June 22nd - July 23rd)

A LAUGH WITH LOTSA

A frustrating situation may not be quite as bad as it first seems. It may be you who is making it worse than it is. Romance.

An innocent remark could have quite an effect on you. Make sure that you don’t jump to conclusions, however. Realizing that you may be overly sensitive is the best thing you can do.

LEO (July 24th - August 23rd)

Your social life has taken a complete dive lately. Reinvent yourself with a new wardrobe or accessories and get back on the scene! Romance. You will waste a lot of time looking for something that was never really lost. Think hard about where you last saw it. Your partner may be the best person to ask.

For all your printing needs – www.lotsa.com.au

MUDDY RIVER

VIRGO (August 24th - September 23rd)

Try to put some negative thoughts out of your mind. They will only hinder your performance. Take a break from everything if you need to. Romance. Don’t get jealous if your partner wants to spend time with friends. You may benefit from having time apart and having separate stories to tell at your next party.

LIBRA (September 24th - October 23rd)

This is not the best time to do anything which could damage your reputation.

Be cognisant of those around you and those with cameras! Romance. A person who talks to you in the street may want something more. Take this one step at a time. This may not be a dangerous situation, but you should be careful.

“

SCORPIO (October 24th - November 22nd)

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“

Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.

–Henry Ford

SOLUTIONS No. 182

A puzzling conversation with one of your colleagues may have confused you. It is very important that you work out exactly what they meant. Ask for clarification as needed. Romance. This will be an excellent time for getting to know your partner a little better. There are parts of their life that are still a mystery.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd - December 21st)

A new business in the area will draw you in. You’ll be giddy over all of the great gadgets and great prices. Romance.

You may be a little wild at the moment.

Don’t do anything too unexpected or your friends will start to wonder what is going on! This doesn’t mean that you can’t have a good time.



Cooktown Local News – Thursday, January 23, 2014 – 13

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• Concrete – Earthmoving & Civil Works – Building Pads – Subdivisions – Driveways – Trenches – Post Holes – Clearing – Drainage – Demolition • Plumbing & Pool Preparation – Raw Materials & Cartage – Rock & Tree Removal • Small & Large Excavators & Attachments – Bobcats – Tip Trucks – Water Carts – Rollers – Tag & Dog Trailers Local multi-skilled operators providing you a competant, reliable & hassle-free service in Earthmoving & Civil Works

Nadine & Steve Scholz • PO Box 964 Cooktown Q 4895 admin@cooktowncivilgroup.com cooktowncivilgroup

Advertise your business in the Trades and Services Section Call 1300 4895 00 or email ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au to book your advertisement.

14 – Cooktown Local News – Thursday, January 23, 2014

FENCING

Kingfisher

FENCING

Timber – pine or hardwood Glass  Gates  Aluminium Security  Retaining walls Gramline / Colourbond New house lots a speciality PHONE GREG

Licensed Contractor QBSA 1093073

0428 128 044



4098 1866

Advertise your business in the Trades and Services Section Call 1300 4895 00 or email ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au to book your advertisement.

CLASSIFIEDS BARGAIN! Four bedroom house Charlotte St, Cooktown, full width verandah at front, airconditioned, $225,000. Ph: 07 4946 9507.

TRADES

SOIL TESTING Fully accredited, guaranteed rapid results

Soil Testing Contact Eric George, your local technician 4069 5854 • 0409 686 032 Cairns 4047 8600

STORAGE SHEDS

COOKTOWN Skip Bins.

Commercial and domestic rubbish removal and disposal.

Ph 4069 5545 or 0408 772 361.

MOTELS AAA CBD CBD CBD – Inn Cairns Boutique Apartments, 71 Lake Street, Cairns. Self catering, secure car parking, pool/gazebo, opp PO and Woolworths. Ph 07 4041 2350.

MOTELS CAIRNS Rainbow Inn. 3½ star, all facilities including cable TV. Close to the city, from $65 per night. Ph 4051 1022.

WANTED Photos from 1969 to 1971 of Rocky Island or adjacent mainland at Archer Point, that show the large triangles installed for navigation aids.

This is for my personal historical interest only.

Phone Jim Parker on 0408 450 127

Optometrist visiting Servicing Cooktown since 1997

Visiting regularly     

PUBLIC NOTICE STANDBY Response Service.

Support and information for people bereaved by suicide. Ph 0439 722 266. 24 hours – 7 days per week.

PUBLIC NOTICE CIVIL celebrant Kathleen Roberts. Naming Ceremonies, Marriages, Funeral Co-ordination.

4069 5004 or 0427 695 004

TOWING / TYRES

TOWING - TYRES - MECHANICAL OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

GENERAL TOWING – Special local & Cooktown to Cairns rates TYRES – Cars, Utes, 4x4’s and Trucks – most sizes MECHANICAL REPAIRS & SERVICING – All makes & models, 2WD & 4WD

Cooktown Towing, Tyres & Mechanical Ferrari Street (behind Mobil S/S) Cooktown

Phone: 4069 5545 • Mobile: 0408 772 361

TREELOPPING

CLASSIFIEDS ADVERTISE your classified here! Garage Sales, Meetings, Car or Boat for Sale! Email ads@cooktownlocalnews. com.au

Cooktown Skip Bins Rubbish removal and disposal

Old Troncs depot, McIvor Road

To ensure that consumers locating contractors through advertisements published are protected, and that licensed contractors are not being disadvantaged, the Building Services Authority requires that all advertisers • state their name and BSA licence number on their advertisement or • state words to the effect “cannot perform building work valued at more than $3,300”.

Non-compliance with these requirements may result in the advertiser receiving a warning or a fine from the BSA. If you do not meet the above requirements in your present advertisement, please contact the Cooktown Local News as soon as possible with your details.

T: 1300 4895 00, 4098 2281 M: 0419 828 639 E: ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au

Eyedentity Optical phone: (07) 4033 7575

CAPE YORK ENGINEERING COOKTOWN MARINE Penrite Oil Agent

Steel and Aluminium supplies • Welding Fabrication: steel, alloy, stainless, site work • Guillotine, Bender, Roller: pipe threading and bending • Machining: lathe, milling • Hydraulics: hose repairs • Bolts, welding equipment • Metroll products, perlins, iron by order • Marine: boat, trailer, outboard repairs, parts and oils

Ph: 4035 3636

www.csiro.au

Quiz questions 1. Which class of animals do frogs belong to?

2. Dry ice is the frozen form of which gas?

3. What is the anatomical term for the collarbone?

4. What is the chemical formula for table salt?

5. What is the name for the twisted ladder shape typical of a DNA molecule?

To subscribe to Double Helix go to www.csiro.au/helix-subscribe or call 02 6276 6643

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220 MacMillan St, Cooktown

Ph Phil 4069 5224 or Mob 0417 776 524

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Attention: Trades & Services Advertisers

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DOUBLE HELIX science quiz

Quiz answers

HOUSE FOR SALE

1. Frogs belong to the class Amphibia. 2. Dry ice is the frozen form of carbon dioxide (CO2). 3. The anatomical term for the collarbone is ‘clavicle’.4.

The chemical formula for table salt is NaCl. 5. The twisted ladder shape typical of a DNA molecule is a double helix.

trades & services directory

What do I do if I find sick, injured or orphaned wildlife?

Call FNQ Wildlife Rescue on (07) 4053 4467 The Wildlife Rescue emergency number is manned by volunteers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We will assess the animal and, depending on that assessment, take the animal to a vet or a wildlife foster carer.

Email: fnqwr@bigpond.com Web: www.fnqwildliferescue.org.au

Turtle Rescue

Yuku-Baja-Muliku Rangers are offering their services to assist with any sick or injured Marine Turtles found.

We encourage contact with us at any time to implement a speedy recovery for these beautiful creatures to enable a better chance of rehabilitation.

Please contact our office on (07) 4069 6957 or Larissa - 0432 283 357 / Mick - 0408 577 193.

Yuku Baja Muliku Landowner & Reserves Ltd • Archer Point Land Trust • www.archerpoint.com.au Ph: (07) 4069 6957 ~ Fax: (07) 4069 6501 • PO Box 1011 Cooktown QLD 4895 Turtle Rescue is supported by

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Cooktown Local

Cooktown Local News – Thursday, January 23, 2014 – 15

CLASSIES/COMMUNITY This is a FINAL NOTICE for the following vehicle to be collected and the associated outstanding accounts to be paid for. This advertisement follows letters sent directly to the owners requesting collection and payment on 15/1/14. If collection and payment has not occurred 28 days after the date of this advertisement we will sell or dispose of the vehicles in whatever manner deemed appropriate. Please contact Cooktown Auto Repairs immediately to make arrangements. 4069 5933.

23/1/14.

Vehicle Toyota Land Cruiser

Model Body Colour Year Reg No. Vin No. HZJ105 Wagon White 2000 085RVL JT711PJA507017962

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Cape York Sustainable Futures Inc.

BOaRD PORTFOLIOS

Cape York Sustainable Futures Inc. has vacancies for the following portfolios: • Land Stewardship • Community Development x 1 Interested people can call Joanne Gaylard at CYSF on 4053 2856 for an information pack detailing the criteria for board portfolio selection.

Expressions of interest close at noon on Wednesday, February 13, 2014 Southern Cape Cluster Education Queensland Cooktown P-12 State School Permanent Part Time Administration Officer AO2 Temporary Part Time Administration Officer AO2 Applications are invited for two (2) positions. One (1) Permanent and One (1) Temporary, Part Time Administration Offier (AAEP) AO2 level. Hours dependant on applicants skills and abilities.

Applicants must submit a two-page application that addresses the key selection criteria of the position description available from the School or email request to the SCC BSM, Jacinta McCosh on jmmcc1@eq.edu.au. Please contact Jacinta or Pauline for more information on phone (07) 4082 0222.

Completed applications to be forwarded to the Principal (Confidential) Cooktown State School, PO Box 4 Cooktown, Qld, 4895. Email: jmmcc1@eq.edu.au before closing date of 4pm, Thursday, February 6, 2014.

rdening a G A dwarf for every occasion with Marty Pattie

IN my last column I mentioned Heliconia stricta which is a dwarf variety... and it got me thinking how I’m a big fan of exotic dwarfs.

Midgets from Patagonia are the best, they work hard, require little feeding, sleep rough and rarely complain. When they do, it’s just a peeping foreign shrill that is lost amongst the orioles and plovers. I keep about a dozen in the tray of an old ute down the bottom of the yard and they haven’t missed a beat since day one (although I did lose a couple recently due to excessive heat exposure).

But seriously, dwarf varieties of tropical plants, both exotic and native are sometimes a fantastic option. They usually require minimal pruning, are tough and hardy and are ideal for smaller, narrower confines and perfect as potted specimens.

Bougainvilleas

are

can literally be, and how they can quickly climb and grow out of control.

The bambino varieties offer the great sprays of colour, yet are more compact and easier to hedge.

They are the truest dwarf bougainvilleas available.

Pandanus pygmaeus.

Tradescantia spathacea - Hawaiian dwarf Rhoeo. from the northern states of South America. In the 1990s, Brisbane couple Jan and Peter Iredell derived the bambino variety through an intensive

program of breeding and selection. We all know how beautiful Bougainvillea can be, but we also know how much of a “prick” of a thing they

CLASSIFIEDS

The successful applicant/s must undergo a Criminal History Check.

Education Queensland is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a smoke free environment. Applications will be current for 12 months.

Australia Day public holiday – Monday, January 27 The Cooktown Local News office will be closed for the above public holiday.

If you wish to place advertising in the issue of Thursday, January 30, you can either email through your requests prior to the above date, or advertising can still be placed until the deadline of 10.30am on Tuesday, January 28.

Enquiries: Call Sharon (Shaz) Gallery, General Manager on 1300 4895 00 or 07 4098 2281 or email ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au 16 – Cooktown Local News – Thursday, January 23, 2014

JOB OPPORTUNITY Council is seeking a highly motivated and experienced person to fill this part time role.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER You will be: • Experienced in community engagement/development.

• Creative and highly positive and enthusiastic.

• Committed to strong and vibrant communities.

• Outgoing and have a friendly personality.

• A fantastic communicator with people of all walks of life.

• A good ambassador for the organisation.

The role is crucial in assisting in the the delivery of the organisation’s strategic objective of having strong and engaged communities.

Applications close: 4.45pm Friday 31st January 2014.

Information kits for the above positions are available from Council’s website www.cook.qld.gov.au and from Council’s administration building.

Enquiries to: Customer Service Team T: 07 4069 5444 F: 07 4069 5423 E: work@cook.qld.gov.au W: www.cook.qld.gov.au

Applications to: Personal & Confidential Chief Executive Officer Cook Shire Council PO Box 3 COOKTOWN Q 4895 E: work@cook.qld.gov.au

Tradescantia spathacea, “Hawaiian dwarf” has many names including dwarf rhoeo, boat lily, oyster plant and Moses in a cradle. Also once known as Rhoeo bermudensis variegate, it makes a fantastic ground cover that offers a great compact bed of soft purples, greens, pinks and white. It seems to thrive on neglect and lack of water and thus is a favourite of landscape gardeners. It grows via a rambling rhizome, easy to separate and multiply, and the fleshy leaves rarely grow more than 10cm tall.

Callistemon viminalis is one of the most popular bottle brush cultivars.

Also known as Captain Cook or dwarf red bottle, it was promoted to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Jim Cook’s “discovery” of the east coast of Australia in 1770. It is one of the best red bottle brushes, being a compact shrub with small narrow leaves and makes a stunning hedge plant. It will rarely grow to more than two metres tall, with a sort of weeping prostrate form.

Like all callistemons, it has beautiful pendulous flowers that attract birds and butterflies and is extremely tough and tolerant of drought conditions once established.

When we think pandanus, most of us probably think of the large native palm-like trees, but Pandanus pygmaeus is a different “cat”. Native to the Mascarene Islands, east of Madagascar, it is a small ground cover with gorgeous green and golden variegations. It makes an ideal border plant, and is tolerant of full sun or part shade.

This is just a small sample of my favourites, but from the Patagonian midget to the Mascarene pygmy there’s a dwarf for every occasion.

COMMUNITY

Along the

with Mike D’Arcy – D’Arcy of DAintree 4WD tours

BLOOMFIELD TRACK

Fastest crab on the shore

Living Well with

MICHELLE HODGKISS

Devils and angels on horseback Ingredients: Use individual quantities as required – approximately four to six per person. Although beware – they are a very popular little appetiser, especially with Australia Day public holiday coming up this Monday.

Above: At Wujal Wujal Falls were: (left row from front) Little Pink Paige with Kerri and Joe Anderiesz and the Macleod family, (right row from front) Kian, Zoe, Brigid and Craig.

Horn-eyed ghost crab at Cowie Beach this week.

IS it true that the humble ghost crab is the fastest animal on land?

Paige Anderiesz from Brisbane and Kian and Brigid Macleod from Carwoola near Canberra spent some time with their parents exploring Cooktown and the region.

In fact, they were among the first people to cross the Bloomfield River after heavy rains and high tides last Wednesday, January 16.

The three kids were amazed at the incredibly fast ghost crabs (Ocypode ceratophthalma) on Cowie Beach.

But, sadly, no Paige. They’re not the fastest land animals.

At up to five metres per second, they’re slower than Usaine Bolt and much slower than cheetahs. But, considering their size, they are incredibly fast. Hence their name Ocypodidae, meaning fast foot. Keratos means horn, and ophthalmos means eye - referring to the extension of the eye stalk above the eye.

We took a nice photo of a crab

Writers’ Corner

MY parents once knew a modest, elderly gentleman who, to combat loneliness due to the loss of his wife, joined an amateur painting group.

He was in his late 80s at the time and had never held an artist’s brush. By the age of 90, he was invited by Myer, the stylish

“hiding” near a piece of algae and you can see all the characteristics if you look carefully at the photo.

One claw is slightly larger than the other; body is boxlike; the eyes are towards the bottom of the eye stalk (on some species they are at the top) and the body colour is creamy, with a dark purplish colour underneath.

Southern and overseas visitors often ask whether they are the same as ones they have seen elsewhere. Maybe. They are tropical, but there are actually six species in Australia. more overseas. So, most visitors would have seen other species of ghost crab.

We love eating crab, but these crabs love eating flotsam - rubbish or debris that has floated up to the high tide mark since the last tide. Their diet might include carrion, molluscs, crustaceans and washed up seaweed and even turtle hatchlings. After scratching for and sifting through the sand, they leave a characteristic staggered trail

with elongated sand pellets along the beach.

You can see their big “home” holes around the high tide mark look for fresh ones. They can be close to one metre deep with a chamber, and can even have two entrances. They breathe through gills, which they need to keep wet by being underground most of the day or by returning to the sea for a dip.

The Track has been passable since last Wednesday, when the water over the Bloomfield River was quite high. One traveller foolishly tried to cross at one metre over the causeway. Don’t try it! Trees and bushes are strewn along the Track, so weave carefully and be careful of scratches when other vehicles approach.

Scallops; Pitted prunes; Pitted dates; Any “strong” cheese - I used Danish Blue; Bacon or pancetta; Honey (optional); Dry white wine (optional); and Cocktail sticks Method: • Marinate the scallops in a dry white wine the night before (adds a little panache); • Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius; • Use a small sharp knife to cut a slice (not all the way through) in each of the prunes and dates - remove and discard the stone if not pitted; • Place a little piece of blue cheese in the centre; • Wrap a small piece of bacon or pancetta around each date/prune/ scallop; • Brush with honey; and • Place on a baking tray and bake for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.

Note: Scallops are really nutritional. Not only are they low in fat, but a four-ounce serving of scallops contains 100 calories, 20 grams of lean protein, cysteine, a sulfur containing amino acid that helps form healthy skin and hair, bones and connective tissue. It is also helps with vitamin B6 utilisation in the healing of burns and wounds and for insulin production.

Scallops are also a good source of tryptophan, which helps to regulate appetite and elevate the mood.

And if that’s not a good enough reason to eat them, they are also a good source of three minerals – phosphorus, magnesium and potassium. Phosphorus next to calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and is particularly important for strong bones and teeth.

(Unfortunately renal patients are unable to excrete all the phosphorus in their blood, this leads to increased levels which indirectly leads to calcium being pulled out of your bones, causing them to weaken.)

Magnesium is important for the role it plays in more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body, while potassium is an essential mineral for cardiovascular health as well as the proper functioning for all body cells.

High rains are predicted around the time of publication, so take special care in slippery conditions.

Happy travelling, Mike and Trish D’Arcy D’Arcy of Daintree 4WD Tours Phone: +61 7 4098 9180 www.darcy of daintree.com.au

It’s never too late to discover your hidden talent department store in Melbourne, to hold an exhibition of his work. Fortunately, my parents had bought a delightful oil of paperbarks in greens and greys before the prices rose due to his sell-out show. Never too late to discover a hidden talent!

Maybe you are a latent writer? Try a poem, a song or a mini-tale for our column. Email it to either: thekellers@bigpond.com or editor@ cooktownlocalnews. com.au or post it to: -

PO Box 645, Cooktown, 4895.

Dianne Keller Cooktown Writers’ Group.

“In Playful Mood” By DIANNE KELLER Our river donned a stripy shirt today.

It twirled and swirled as the tide made it sway.

Lines of aqua, teal, buff sand and of grey Butted edges of creamy lace that lay.

Our river sported a bonnet of blue With the sky’s fluffy sweet clouds smiling too.

It splashed and dallied as if naught to do But locals to lure, visitors to woo.

Our river, come Wet Season, can be tough.

It can grow, in cyclones, nasty and rough.

We accept all times, though she huff and puff, But, in playful mood, she’s feisty enough!

Devils and angels on horseback.

Cooktown Local News – Thursday, January 23, 2014 – 17

SPORT

Holiday golf round-up

In the Bunker

SATURDAY competitions kick in this weekend with our first major competition for the year and it is the Monthly Medal.

Marlin Coast Veterinary Surgery Will be visiting Cooktown WedneSday, FeBRUaRy 12 from 2pm and ThURSday, FeBRUaRy 13 until 12 noon Clinic is at the CWA rooms

FOR APPOINTMENTS PLEASE PHONE

Sylvia Geraghty 4069 5337 or Clinic 4057 6033 Appointments are essential

Country Road Coachlines

CAIRNS TO COOKTOWN ~ Passenger and freight ~

EXPRESS

BUS SERVICE

Bus Services

INLAND RUN DEPARTS CAIRNS

Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun at 7am – Arrives Cooktown 11.45am

We are yet to secure a sponsor for this event.

The committee decided at the last meeting that all Monthly Medal competitions for 2014 will have a designated tee-off time of 12 noon. We look forward to seeing you all out here for your chance to claim the first Monthly Medal for the year. Best of luck to everyone.

Quite a few members played the Italian Restaurant Weekly competitions during the Christmas and New Year break and below is a wrap up of who won what and when.

Only five members played in the Italian Restaurant Weekly Stroke competition held between December 8 and 13, 2013. Ron Beacroft and Peter Shields both returned a score of nett 65, with Peter declared the winner for the week.

A large field competed in the Weekly Stableford competition held between December 14 and 20, with Kim Haskell winning the week’s event with 38 Stableford points and Alice Burton runnerup with 34 Stableford

points.

Graham Burton had a great round for the Weekly Stroke competition held between December 21 and 27 with a nett score of 62. Peter Shields was the runner-up with a nett 66.

The Weekly Stableford competition held between December 28 and January 3 was well contested with Peter Shields winning the week’s event with 38 points and Steve Butler just behind in runner-up place with 35.

We held the Wayne King Memorial 2-Person Ambrose competition on January 4. This will be an annual event.

Team winners for the day were the Butler brothers Steve and Rick, with runners-up, Wal Welsh and Mark Rolan. Mark and Wal cleaned up in the nearest the pins with Mark claiming 2/11 and Wal landing 14. No one landed on 9/18.

The Weekly Stroke competition held between January 4 and 10 had some close scores with Chris “Turtle” Upite the winner with a nett

Breakfast Club boys: (front row left) Peter Russell, Mick Mason, Barry Moran and Andy Hartwig with (back row from left) Kevin “Rusty” Groth, Wal Welsh, Dick Lemon, Dale Burke, Mark Rolan, Trey Pengelly and Brian Lemon. Submitted photo.

Steve Butler smashed the field for the Weekly Stableford competition held between January 11 and 17 with his 42 Stableford points, while Mick Mason was runner-up with a 36.

Wed, Fri, Sun at 1.30pm – Arrives Cairns 6pm Sat at 12.30pm – arrives Cairns 5pm

COASTAL RUN DEPARTS CAIRNS

Mon, Wed and Fri at 7am

DEPARTS COOKTOWN

Tues, Thurs and Sat at 7.30am

AGENTS

COOKTOWN (Photo Shop) 4069 5446 BLOOMFIELD (Ayton Store) 4060 8125 LAKELAND (Mobil Roadhouse) 4060 2188

Bus Service and Airport Shuttle Bus Bookings essential: 7 days 4069 5446

‘Travel with the Local Boy’

Farewell to Trey Pengelly who has left Cooktown to go and help is grandmother out at Julia Creek for a bit. Hope all goes well for you Trey.

More good scores were returned for the Weekly Stroke competition held between January 18 and 24 Robyn “Batman” McDonald the winner with 62 and Logan Idiens hot on his heels with 63.

Laser Tag battle action

DEPARTS COOKTOWN

It was great to see a few of the old “Brekky Club” boys having a round on Friday … all 11 of them had a terrific afternoon of golf, laughter and sledging.

66. Logan Idiens on a count-back from Graham Burton was the runner-up with 67.

Owned and operated

by Allan Harlow

• The schedule is subject to change or to cancel without notice • Child fares • Student fares • Pensioner rates (not available on Saturdays)

Just a reminder that the new slope handicap system comes into effect today, Thursday, January 23.

GolfLink is recalcu-

lating everyone’s handicap this week, so check the handicap list from Thursday onwards to see if your’s has changed.

GolfLink will also do all the calculations for competitions (thankfully) and there are posters on the notice board indicating what your slope handicap is according to your “exact” handicap.

Also, as from today, when playing a Stroke competition, your Stableford points must also be recorded as this is how it will be entered into GolfLink.

Just letting you know that if anyone is found to be disregarding the cart rules this year, those persons who have hired the cart will not be able to hire a motorized cart for a duration decided on by either Phil or Kelly.

Nearly everyone has been obeying Phil’s requests and hope that this continues in the future.

Happy golfing everyone Kelly Barnett Manager Cooktown Golf Links

Laser Tag sentinels Khya Witheridge and Mikel Whipper stand guard at the PCYC Cooktown Events Centre while the red and the blue armies did battle on Tuesday.

Young recruits from all the over the district and even as far as Yarabah were keen to sign up for the action, with the first onslaughts starting early and going through into the afternoon. Reinforcements swarmed to the aid of their comrades in laser arms as the forces of good and evil (no one knew who was good and who was evil) battled through the day.

Knowing that armies march on their stomachs, the Cooktown District Community Centre (the event organiser) provided a hearty barbecue lunch for all combatants.

CDCC Co-ordinator Karen Whipper, the Field Marshall for the day, said all soldiers fought with unbounded courage, with the only injuries sustained being some bruised egos of those who could not avoid the laser beams of the opposing forces.

Field Marshall Whipper said laser tag is one of the most popular of its holiday activities for local youth.

LEAVE CAIRNS MONDAY TO FRIDAY Deliveries 5 days – AND DELIVER THE NEXT MORNING Meeting all freight needs from Cairns to the Cape • Port Douglas • Mossman • Cooktown • Laura • Archer River • Coen • Musgrave • Kowanyama • Weipa • Croydon • Normanton • Karumba • Pormpuraaw – from 20 grams to 20 tonnes –

Fleet includes: Body trucks, Semi trailers, Refrigerated vans, Side lifter and Fork lift hire

COOKTOWN – tony

Down driveway at Peter Russell Windscreen Repairs Ph: 4069 5459 • Fax: 4035 4021 • Mob: 0419 759 892

CAIRNS OFFICE

25 Redden Street Ph: 4035 4022 • Fax: 4035 4021

Tuxworth & Woods Carriers

18 – Cooktown Local News – Thursday, January 23, 2014

Established more than 30 years

CDCC Fishing Comp sees some ‘reel’ experts tackling the odds Story and photo

by KAZ PRICE THE Blue Water Fishing Club lease was the site of much excitement and competitive fun last Wednesday morning, as 40-or-so young locals pitted their angling skills to try to take home a share of the dizzying array of prizes on offer at the latest CDCC Holiday Fishing Competition.

Organised by the always-effervescent Karen Whipper, Youth at Risk Co-ordinator with the CDCC, and ably assisted by Beaudeane and Brooke, the day turned out to be the exact same – an overcast but fine and breezy day, that had been scheduled in the

planning sessions.

A regular feature of the CDCC Fishing Competitions, Mark Mollison, provided glass bottom boat rides for all the kids, while keener anglers jockeyed for the best positions and continued to build on their castings skills in order to hook the biggest fish, and the biggest prizes.

Competition was slow but fierce, with the various merits of “catch and release”, the identification features of “stripeys” vs. trevallys and whether a crab actually constitutes a catch in a fishing competition being subjects of waterfront chatter throughout the morning.

The smell of sizzling

sausages, and a hardearned thirst saw the kids assemble around midday for the free barbecue and cold drinks for all, just in time for the big announcements, with the hushed silence of suspense somewhat masked by the sound of noisy speculation about the day’s catch.

Councillor Russell Bowman (who moonlights as the CDCC Board Treasurer and is also said to know a little bit about fishing) was on hand to congratulate the winners. Reels and tackle boxes went to the major winners for the day - first place to Erica with a 28cm grunter; second to Charlie for two 25 cm trevally and third to Oliver with a 25cm garfish.

But in usual fash-

ion, no one went home empty-handed, with consolation prizes of soft lures, drink coolers and other necessary fishing paraphernalia being awarded to all participants. There was general agreement it had been a great day for all involved. To the parents who came along, thanks for your support and we’llsee you all again next time.

Russell Bowman with Wilbur Kulka (collecting first prize for his sister Erica) and event co-ordinator Karen Whipper at the CDCC Kid’s Fishing Competition at the Blue Water Fishing Club lease last Wednesday.

CLUB officials from the Three Rivers competition have been invited to attend a QRL Administration Conference in Townsville on February 1 and 2.

in attendance along with other leading administrators.

velopment North Queensland Regional Development Manager.

On the first morning, an introduction will be done by Leigh Anderson followed by the official opening by QRL Chairman Peter Betros.

Other speakers will discuss the QRL players’ insurance policy along with grants for clubs including what is available and how well clubs and administrators can do better.

Cairns-based QRL Northern Division Regional Co-ordinator Dave Maiden said he hoped to see a representative of each division club there.

NRL CEO Dave Smith will then speak on the game going forward and no doubt will touch on his recent visit to Thursday Island for the Zenadth Kes carnival.

“There are many things that have changed in the way the game is administered and the conference will provide information on all the changes,” Maiden said.

QRL CEO Rob Moore, Northern Division Divisional Manager Scott Nosworthy and Leaguenet NQ Madonna McAtee will then speak

“Even if you have been in the game a long time and have attended these conferences in the past, I am sure you will find the content this year interesting and informative. Hopefully to make it easier for volunteers.”

After lunch, new QRL rules, judiciaries and tribunals will be spoken about by Nigel Tillett, a former Chairman of the QRL Northern Division.

NRL CEO Dave Smith will be

Education and Development will then be the subject of a speech by Tony Quinn, NRL De-

That night there will be a dinner, and on the last day, David Maiden and Darren Schooth will speak about health.

The future of women in league and the future for that part of the code will be spoken about by Tony Quinn and Scott Nosworthy.

After that, financial planning and budgeting will be the topic to be spoken about by Rebecca Baguley and Scott Nosworthy.

To finalise the conference, there will be a question and answer period about elite coaching and administration panel and any other subjects that come to mind.

Andy on target over the weekend Combined Services Shoot at Cameron Creek last weekend and it was a pleasure to shoot without the wind for a change.

Things got under way early on Saturday morning for the practice session, which was also well attended.

Discipline Captain, Toby Graves has reported there was a good roll up for the

From a possible score of 150.30 points on offer, results for Sunday’s 3P-Core event were:

Accurised class - 1st Andy Gardner 144.14, 2nd Toby Graves 141.3, 3rd Rocket 95.4; Standard class - 1st Andy Gardner 139.7, 2nd Toby Graves 132.5, 3rd Greg Payne 126.10.

Greg Payne scored 120.6 in the F1 scoped rifle, Toby Graves 122 with the .22 training rifle and 128.2 with the .310 cadet rifle.

And with a possible

score of 50.10 points on offer in the 300-metre Deliberate event, the following results were recorded: Accurised class - 1st Andy Gardner 45.5, 2nd Toby Graves 40.1, 3rd Rocket 18; Standard class - 1 st Andy Gardner 41.2, 2nd Greg Payne 38, 3rd Toby Graves 30.

Anne Williams Secretary

Cooktown

Tide Times NOTE: these are predictions only, subject to change due to prevailing weather conditions.

It is recommended you use this table as a guide only. Information from www.bom.gov. au/australia/tides/ - select "Around Cairns" red tag, then select Cooktown from the list.

Fri 24 Jan

tue 28 Jan

High 5:04 am 1.80 m Low 10:08 am 1.58 m High 3:36 pm 1.89 m Low 10:33 pm 1.01 m

Low 12:47 am 0.38 m High 7:27 am 2.83 m Low 1:42 pm 0.91 m High 7:13 pm 2.30 m

Sat 25 Jan wed 29 Jan

A fascination with culverts very pleasant just now.

Everything is clean and green, but the grass has not started growing tall.

Instead of fighting our way through grass up to our ears, we had a pleasant walk through open country, but did notice the ground was slowly rising.

Local officials invited to attend rugby league conference Story by ALF WILSON

SPORT

THIS week’s run was hosted by F*&t & Thermo, and they chose to start at Culvert 271, Mulligan Highway.

F*&t has a fascination with culverts. Most of us drive along and would be hard put to distinguish the differences between our particular culvert and, say, Culvert 270 (an undesirable place, with rumours of political chicanery and dodgy banking practices). Or Culvert 272 (an up-market location, much sought after by stock brokers and owners of large mining leases).

Never mind that; 271 was the start of the run and at 5.30pm the pack waited and watched as latecomers motored past, did a U-turn and came back. Except Oyster who, deafened by three back-seat drivers, stopped in the middle of the highway and came close to getting wiped out by the semi coming up behind her.

F*&t promised a gentle run, no hills, but some undulations. We expected to follow the edge of the swamp, but instead he led us across the road and into the bush. It is

The gradient increased and increased, all the time luring us on by pretending to be the top of the hill. It rose and rose, far exceeding anything that could reasonably be called an “undulation”, until we finally reached the summit of the ridge.

There were wonderful views out to sea, and over the misty hills inland. In fact, the place was so pretty it was almost worth the breathless climb.

We took in a drink stop on the way down, and reached the cars at about seven o’clock.

Back at the bash, GM Nostrildumass welcomed back Xtraktit, Stumbelina and Ashlee and tried to get on with the normal business of the Hash, but he was distracted by smells coming from Thermo’s billiard table sized barbie, where dinner was nearing perfection...

Next week’s run celebrates Burn’s Night, so wear at least a little tartan when you come to Whizz and Matchbox’s at 5.30pm on Monday, January 27. Everyone is welcome. Contact Moses on either 4069 5854 or 0409 686 032 for details.

On-on! Lye Bak

High 5:40 am 2.05 m Low 11:28 am 1.44 m High 4:46 pm 1.95 m Low 11:21 pm 0.81 m

Low 1:29 am 0.20 m High 8:06 am 3.03 m Low 2:23 pm 0.77 m High 7:58 pm 2.41 m

Sun 26 Jan thu 30 Jan High 6:14 am 2.32 m Low 12:18 pm 1.26 m High 5:40 pm 2.05 m

Low 2:11 am 0.09 m High 8:45 am 3.14 m Low 3:04 pm 0.69 m High 8:41 pm 2.47 m

Mon 27 Jan Fri 31 Jan Low 12:05 am 0.59 m High 6:50 am 2.59 m Low 1:01 pm 1.08 m High 6:28 pm 2.17 m

Low 2:53 am 0.09 m High 9:25 am 3.15 m Low 3:46 pm 0.67 m High 9:26 pm 2.46 m

COASt GuArd marine radio channels: 21 & 16

MOON PHASES NEW MOON Friday, Jan 31.

Time: 07.39

FIRST QUARTER Friday, Feb 7.

Time: 05.22

FULL MOON Saturday, Feb 15.

Time: 09.53

LAST QUARTER Friday, Jan 24.

Time: 15.19

weather watch

Endeavour Valley rainfall total January: 230.5mm

TheLURE SHOP

• Local advice • Bait, Ice, Tackle • Chandlery • Garmin • GME • Supplies for commercial fleet • Charter bookings • Marine batteries • Snorkelling • Spearfishing • Bushpower • Trailer parts • Battery chargers

146 Charlotte St, Cooktown Ph/Fax: 07 4069 6655 Mob: 0427 623 398 russelltbowman@ bigpond.com

Open 7 Days

Cooktown Local News – Thursday, January 23, 2014 – 19

Sport Cooktown Local

Big fine for crabbing bust

Mud crabs.

A COMMERCIAL fisher has been fined $17,000 in the Cooktown Magistrates Court on charges of possessing a large number of regulated mud crabs.

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) District Manager Robert Russell said the illegal catch had been found during an inspection of the fisher’s boat while anchored off Lookout Point.

“QBFP officers found 71 under-sized mud crabs, 24 crab claws without the crab, 38 female mud crab claws without the crabs, and 2.585kg of crab meat,” he said. “$17,000 is a significant fine and it reflects the gravity of this particular case and the amount of illegal product involved.

“Commercial fishers are well aware of the restrictions surrounding the taking of mud crabs.

Anyone who breaches these restrictions runs the risk of heavy fines and possible suspension or cancelation of their licence.

“We have fishing rules in Queensland so that we can all share our fisheries resources and protect them for future generations.

“If you suspect illegal fishing, we urge you to immediately report it to the Fishwatch hotline 1800 017 116 so that it can be investigated.”

For more information on Queensland fishing rules, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23. Follow Fisheries Queensland on Facebook and Twitter (@FisheriesQld).

SPORTS CONTRIBUTIONS

Phone: 4069 5773 • Fax: 1300 787 248 • Email: editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au

Sports reports deadline is 5pm, Monday prior to publication

editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au

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Nine days to barra season

YES, it’s only nine days to mid-day Saturday, February 1 when the catch and keep season resumes for the famous, fighting barramundi.

The smart anglers will get their barra gear out and give it a thorough clean and service prior to going out for their first fish of the season.

It is important for the health and well-being of your reels to service and lube the gears and mechanical parts regularly. If you don’t do this, your reel could seize up and fail causing you to lose the best barra you have ever caught.

And then you will be the subject of your friends’ jokes for the next month. A clean, oiled reel then needs quality, strong line to be able to land the big ones.

After all, who wants to lose their fish because they had old, frayed line?

crabs have been finding their way out of someone’s properly labelled pot into other hands. This is theft and an absolute disgrace to the pot owner who has complied with the fishing regulations.

No one likes thieves in their town. As a result, some people have come home with fewer crabs instead of a larger catch. The good news is the crabs are still active and out there looking for nice bait to nibble on.

The Annan and Endeavour Rivers have been producing some big grunter, fingermark and mangrove Jacks and the spear gunners have been scoring well with the crayfish around the reef structures. Again, the offshore fishing has been lively or quiet. Some boats have had limited activity over their tried and true marks, while some others have found random hot spots in their quest for the beautiful reef fish. One boat recently hauled in four large-mouth nannygais in about 15 minutes, anchored above a mark, with the largest fish measuring 92cm and weighing about 10kg.

Emily Kamholtz is happy with this large mouth nannygai.

Photos: STEVE WALLIN.

Amanda McCaul with a nice haul of large mouth nannygai.

Before going boating, especially on offshore journeys, remember to check the weather to stay safe.

The mud crabs have been active and finding their way into many pots, but many

Tight lines Russell Bowman The Lure Shop

Baked barramundi This large mouth nannygai capture is almost as big as Kris Wallin herself.

20 – Cooktown Local News – Thursday, January 23, 2014

with chilli and green-bean salsa.

Recipe from Taste.com.au. Recipe by Dominic Smith. Photo by Jeremy Simons .

Ingredients 100g butter, softened 2 cloves garlic, crushed 2cm piece ginger, finely grated 4x 200g pieces barramundi, skin on, pin-boned 2 large bunches broccolini, trimmed 1 tbs extra virgin olive oil Green-bean salsa 100g green beans, trimmed, thinly sliced 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, crushed 2 limes, zested, juiced 1 tbs finely chopped mint 1 tbs finely chopped coriander 2 tsp Thai red curry paste

2 long red chillies, seeded, finely chopped 60ml (1/4 cup) vegetable oil

Method Step 1 To make salsa, combine all ingredients in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.

Step 2 Preheat oven to 200C. Combine butter, garlic and ginger in a small saucepan over low heat, and cook until butter is just melted.

Step 3 Place barramundi, skin-side up, in an ovenproof dish and pour over butter mixture, then season. Bake for 10 minutes or until just cooked through. Rest for 5 minutes.

Step 4 Meanwhile, cook broccolini in a saucepan of boiling salted water for 4 minutes or until tender, then drain. Place in a bowl with extra virgin olive oil, season and toss to coat.

Step 5 Divide barramundi among plates, top with salsa and serve with broccolini.