Cooktown Local News 12 January 2012

Page 1

News for Cooktown • Hope Vale • Rossville • Wujal Wujal • Bloomfield • Ayton • Marton • Lakeland • Laura • Coen

News

For all your advertising enquiries or bookings EMAIL: ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au

Cooktown Local

$2 • PH: 1300 4895 00 • EDITORIAL: editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au • Issue 546 • Thursday, January 12, 2012

Callous thieves target invalid pensioner By GARY HUTCHISON LOW-LIFE scum is just one of the labels being used to describe the callous thieves who robbed severely-handicapped pensioner George Theobold of about $250 and ruin his start to 2012. There aren’t too many in town who either don’t know George or know of him, but in case you don’t, he is the grey-haired, grey-bearded gentleman who rides a grey mobility scooter with an Australian flag billowing out the back. And when he’s not on the scooter, George uses a walker to help him get around. Fiercely independent, George refuses to allow his medical conditions to defeat him, but with the theft on January 2, he admitted he did feel “flattened” for a while. But that emotion soon turned to anger. “I’d been wearing a pair of shorts without a pocket, so I was carrying my wallet in the basket of my walker, which was hooked on to the back of my scooter,” George said. “I rode it on to the back porch and left it there, because it’s always been alright. “I was going to use that money for a weekend away, so that was gone too.” He said he did hear noises which he thought were coming from the house next door, but took no notice of them. “That house is for rent, and I thought it might have been new tenants,” he said. “Looks like it was someone at my scooter.” The thief(ves) responsible also stole George’s credit cards and other personal cards from the wallet. Asked about security measures, he said that because of his mobility issues,

he needed his house to be open when he is home. Despite his misfortune though, George could still crack it for a smile when the Cooktown Local News asked him if he had ever been issued with a speeding ticket on his scooter. “No,” he laughed. “Just as well too because I wouldn’t have any money to pay for the bloody thing.” However, friends of more than 10 years, Cass Sorensen and Penny Johnson failed to see any humour in the situation. “It’s absolutely disgusting,” Cass Sorensen said. “They’re nothing but low-life scum. It’s unbelievable they would have targeted George. “There’s no way they wouldn’t have known he was disabled with the wallet being in the walker on the scooter, is there no limit as to how low these people will go?” Penny Johnson said she was appalled by the theft. “It’s just a reflection on how vulnerable those people in our community who can’t afford to protect their property are,” she said. Cooktown Police Officer in Charge Senior Sergeant John McArthur once again reminded residents to secure their homes and vehicles and to be vigilant, not only for themselves, but also for their neighbours. “In this day and age, everybody has to be conscious of the need to protect their money and valuables,” he said. “And unfortunately, that means locking houses and cars and not leaving valuables laying around - even though it’s Cooktown.”

LANDLAND

Invalid pensioner George Theobold on his mobility scooter on his back porch, shows his wallet which was left empty by thieves who struck on January 2. Photo: GARY HUTCHISON.

LAKELAND ACREAGES

• Freehold land • River and creek frontage • Electricity available • Bitumen road Don’t delay, 2 have been sold, limited number remaining! frontage

From 250 acres to 11,500 acres

Call 0417 786 922 or email John Hay at johnhay@cooktownparadise.com.au

3 5 BACK to SCHOOL SPECIAL HAIR ON BROADWAY

Kids HALF PRICE with every adult haircut ‘How you want to look is your business, creating that look is my business’

Aly 4060 8007 – 16 Broadway Street, Ayton (1 hour south of Cooktown, on the coast road) a new religion

for hair

Latest anti-aging products sweeping America & Europe


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 1300 867 737.

JANUARY Sat 14. Family Fun Day at Home Rule Rainforest Retreat.

10am to 2pm. Lunch provided, bus available. Call Michael Graham on 0459 774 903 for information. Sun 15. Cooktown Alcoholics Anonymous meeting from 1.30pm at the CWA Hall in Charlotte Street. Call 4069 5626 for information. Tue 17. Free holiday art activity at Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery from 10am. Participants will be provided with an art journal to use and keep. Tue 17. Cooktown Alcoholics Anonymous meeting from 8pm at the CWA Hall in Charlotte Street. Call 4069 5088 for information. Wed 18. Free holiday art activity at Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery from 10am. Participants will be provided with an art journal to use and keep. Wed 18. Cooktown SSAA Sunset Shoot from 5.30pm alternating between Combined Service Core and Sports pistol/Centrefire disciplines. Thu 19. Free holiday art activity at Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery from 10am. Participants will be provided with an art journal to use and keep. Fri 20. Back to School Disco at Gungarde Hall from 4.30pm to 6pm for Prep-year-aged children to Year 3 children; 6.30pm to 9pm for Years 4 to 9. Sat 21. Cape York SSAA Rifle Shoot - a Rimfire and Centrefire day. For further details call Toby on 4069 5663. Sun 22. Treasure hunt at Botanical Gardens from 11am. Sun 22. Cooktown Alcoholics Anonymous meeting from 1.30pm at the CWA Hall in Charlotte Stree. Call 4069 5626 for information. Sun 22. Cooktown SSAA Practical Shoot from 9am. Tue 24. Cooktown Alcoholics Anonymous meeting from 8pm at the CWA Hall in Charlotte Street. Call 4069 5088 for information. Wed 25. Cooktown SSAA general meeting from 5.30, followed by Sunset Shoot – alternating between Combined Service Core and Sports pistol/Centrefire disciplines. Thu 26. Neighbourhood Watch Meeting in the Cook Shire Chambers from 6pm. Call 0411 722 807 for information. Sun 29. Cooktown Alcoholics Anonymous meeting from 1.30pm at the CWA Hall in Charlotte Street. Call 4069 5626 for information. Tue 31. Cooktown Alcoholics Anonymous meeting from 8pm at the CWA Hall in Charlotte Street. Call 4069 5088 for information.

February Sat 4. Club Veg meeting from 10.30am at the Cooktown District Community Centre 13 Charles Street.

CHURCH SERVICES Baptist: Hogg Street, near IGA, 9.30am Sun. Phone 4069 5155. Assembly of God: Gungarde, 9.30am Sun; Home group 7.30pm Tue; young adults 7pm Thu. Phone 4069 5070. 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. Rossville Christian Fellowship: Elsie Hatfield’s, 8am Sun. Phone 4060 3968. Lutheran: Hope Vale at 9am on Sunday, Cooktown. Phone either 4060 9197 or 0419 023 114.

 letters to the editor

Local Planning Scheme a joke but no-one laughing WELL, sadly the foreseen “done deal” for the Rehab Centre is now “done” and done so totally against our local Councillors’ and many local constituents’ opinions as it relates to the ill-chosen site for this vital service. Our on-the-ground local knowledge and expertise surrounding this “no” decision has been truly ignored. Mr Lucas, note I will not privilege him with the title “Honourable” as I believe he and his team of so-called experts, did not give us constituents or our local Councillors the respect we deserve for the 20 months of effort put forth to put sense into this insane process and site selection. He overrode our Council’s decision and took away all our local government rights. The timing of his decision also highlights his lack of respect to all those who sent in submission, the time being 5.37 pm on Friday, December 23 2011, just as he walked out the door for his Christmas/New Year’s Break. It’s “Ivory Tower Syndrome” at is worst. What are they afraid of? Why this site? Why, Why, Why this Site? Why despite overwhelming public opinion to the contrary do these politicians think they know best and go ahead suggesting we have no part to play in the decision process; that our passions for this region are insignificant; that we are not as intelligent or insightful as they believe they are with respect to our local area’s needs; and that we should just sit ideal, keep quiet and thank them for making the tough decisions in our best interest? I have already had to endure bullying tactics by the proposed service providers via the issuing of legal papers and orders to only “speak to them via their lawyers” as an attempt to try to stifle our “Concept YES/Location NO” campaign and to limit my right to speak out on so many constituents’ behalf. A further slap in the face comes with the advice by Mr Lucas, that the service provider organise a Community Reference Group to include neighbours to this proposed facility. How is this committee to be developed? Who will they invite? Will it only include “yes men” type individuals with personal hidden agendas for financial and/or notoriety aspirations? As opposed to persons who love where they have chosen to live and will do anything in their powers to ensure that the safety, security and amenities of their surrounding community are maintained and yes, will live here for many years well after the original persons involved in this process have retired and/or moved on? If Mr Lucas and his team had

come and walked amongst the locals at a Saturday market in Lion’s Park next to Cook’s Landing in Cooktown, they would have heard first-hand the frustration and questions by the locals in relation to the handling of this DA by all levels of government and the true disgust at the unsuitability of this site. I am disappointed he has shielded himself from actually speaking face-to-face with the locals of this Cape community about the merits of this proposal and the true inferiority of this site compared to so many other possibilities which, if truly investigated would reap more desired outcomes for the clients of this service, the service providers, the funding body and the wider Cape Communities. Which constituents have they consulted and or opinions respected? I know myself they do not include me and the many other members of the public whose views and pleas have been dismissed as irrelevant and/or insignificant. Mr Lucas keeps speaking of “flooding”, but fails to understand that the soil on site becomes inundated with water creating a bog and the road becomes impassable due to elevated creek levels which hinder access by vital emergency service providers. He now asks as a condition, that the applicant conduct a hydrological test on Flaggy Road and this must be done during the wet. It is about time some testing was done during the wet as the dry tests are very much different from the wet ones. Why was this DA approved before this was even considered, especially when this has been the number one element on the objection item list? Why just Flaggy Road? What about all the other roads which become impassable as well during the wet? I believe possibly, because the ministerial assessor may lack the necessary local on-the-ground knowledge. There are many documents put in place to protect us from inappropriate or poorly planned developments and these include the Sustainable Planning Act, our Local Planning Scheme and now the Draft Community Plan. All of these documents to me now are simply just that, documents full of empty words with no power and no real substance when it comes to the hidden agendas of our elected state and federal politicians and other persons in positions of power. If our local documents had any weight at all with the directions of our Council than we could feel safe and assured when considering their words and would feel protected from having DA like this overturned at a

Contacts & Deadlines Editor: (07) 4069 5773 Editor’s mobile: 0411 722 807 All advertising / accounts enquiries, please call: 1300 4895 00 or (07) 4099 4633 Fax: 1300 7872 48 Phones attended 8.30am to 5pm - Monday to Friday

Office hours: 8.30am - Midday OPEN ALL DAY WEDNESDAY

PLEASE NOTE: The office is frequently unattended Please call to make an appointment to see the editor Where we go: Approx 1400 copies distributed every Friday 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.

More letters see page 4 >>

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

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

by 10am 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 12 - 18 January 2012

state level. For example, the draft Community Plan is aimed at guiding the direction of Cooktown for the next 10 years and supporting the wants for improvements to the local “economic wellbeing” and upholding the “community vision”. This draft Community Plan involved considerable community consultation over the past year and highlights the hopes of local constituents. These are hopes that are in direct contrast to this disheartening decision, and which make us all ask why do we even bother? For example, the Plan aims to: Identify and protect elements that contributes to the identity of each place through the planning scheme (yes this includes our Rurally Zoned Communities); Create safety and security at home in the streets and during emergencies (This being a key element continually and consistently highlighted to the powers that be throughout this whole DA process); Value the participation of our community members and the treatment of everyone with respect (Respect being something which I for one have been denied on many levels and I know others have felt the same); Maintain the local identity and integrity by ensuring that as part of any development includes recognition in keeping with existing values and current lifestyles and that the spirit and local histories are recognised and respected. (This being an item which an overwhelming number of people reported they would like considered. Now tell me honestly if you believe, that the Poison Creek’s lifestyle and spirits have been recognised and respected through this process? I say NOT); Protect and promote the range of opportunities for different lifestyles provided by our unique and diverse communities (A Government Service Hub, as Mr O’Brien aims to create as the sole focus will not achieve this as the plan suggests the vision for a vibrant and increasingly sustainable local economy as many of these services include two to three-year tenures, free housing and no investment in the local community); Identify and protect elements that contribute to the identity of each place through the planning scheme. (This once again includes the Rurally Zoned Communities and the Desire Environmental Outcomes); To consider local values when developing services and facilities (The state government forgot that we are part of the “State Interest” and we have never disagreed with

 Letters to the editor

Publisher’s Details Publishers of the Cooktown Local News

the “Concept” and the need for such a service for the residents of the Cape, and we wonder why has he not directed his efforts and funding towards those facilities already in existence but now closed down due to mismanagement by their service providers.); and Encourage Leadership and Governance to progress long-term community planning ? and empower all local residents to participate in the affairs in their townships and shire by providing the information they need to open transparent decision making processes and to ensure all community expressed need for better engagement with Council (This vision would be nice especially with our dream for both EMT and Councillors to work together as one and respect and utilise the insight and on-the-ground knowledge of all for the good of the shire). I now conclude that , as I believe the rights and common privileges of Cook Shire voters and local constituents have been overridden by what I can only put down to ego and narrow mindedness of those in power to make decisions. Yes, make decisions which impact us, our livelihood, our future and our local economy without even consulting us. This is an issue which has passed through so many hands that I truly believe and fear that all the facts we have supplied over the many months may have been construed and/or lost in the process. If the request for intervention by the Minister had never been requested and the appeal process been allowed, our facts would have come out and common-sense in relation to the unsuitability of this site would have been made purely evident. And the “Concept” of this service could then be directed to an alternate and more appropriate location. Three key words still ring in my ears from the four meetings held in Cooktown on June 29 and 30, 2010 and November 10, 2010 when the facilitators of each community meetings on this topic highlighted and promised that “No Ministerial Intervention” would be sought on this topic, as the applicants would follow the DA process and the final decision made by our Local Council. Whose word can we really believe? Thanks to you all for your support, encouragement and honest comments over the past 20 months of this frustrating journey. When will it all end? 2012 we hope. Kate Dagge - Poison Creek

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

Real news for real Australia

CHAIRMAN: Mark Bousen chairman@regionalandremote.com.au PUBLISHER: Corey Bousen publisher@regionalandremote.com.au MANAGING EDITOR: Grant Banks editor@regionalandremote.com.au ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Craig Burkill associate.publisher@regionalandremote.com.au ACCOUNTS: Cathy Nicholson 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.


NEWS

Lucas overturns Rehab Centre decision

Apels Solicitors and Notary

FOR HELP WITH ALL YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS, FOR ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE CALL US

4092 2522

Level 1, 85 Byrnes Street, Mareeba 4880 Fax 4092 2138 Email reception@apels.com.au

The

RESTAURANT

Poison Creek resident Steve Weise has described the decision by Local Government Minister Paul Lucas to overturn the Cook Shire Council rejection of the proposed Flaggy Road Rehabilitation Centre DA as a slap in the face of decent citizens and Councillors. Mr Weise is seen here at the entrance to the site he maintains is flood-prone. Photo: GARY HUTCHISON. LOCAL Government Minister Paul Lucas overturned a Cook Shire Council decision to conditionally approve the Flaggy Road Rehabilitation Centre on Friday, December 23. Mr Lucas said the proposal for the centre would provide 13 accommodation units, a community centre, shed, amenity block, recreation space and other facilities for use by people undergoing rehabilitation for drug and alcohol addictions. “The state government has previously committed $36.4 million to work on tackling drug and alcohol problems in the state’s farnorth,” Mr Lucas said in a media statement released on December 23. “Calling in the development ensured consideration was given to the significant level of assistance a facility like this would provide to the indigenous community.” Mr Lucas said the majority of submissions received following his announcement of a call in supported the concept of the development but questioned the site’s susceptibility to flooding during the wet season. “That’s why the applicant, the Community Congress Development Education Unit, is required to prepare a hydraulic assessment of the site, as well as a hydraulic study of Flaggy Road as part of the approval,” he said. “There is a need for drug and alcohol rehabilitation services in the region follow-

ing the closure of several other such centres in the region. “This development will respond to a critical shortage of such facilities in the Cape York, a serious issue that needs to be addressed in Far North Queensland.” The Cooktown Local News has been able to obtain access to a copy of the Minister’s decision, in which a total of 26 conditions are listed. In brief, these include matters relating to - approval plans and documents, standard operating procedures, bush fire maintenance, landscaping, operational works, certificates of completion as work progresses, a five percent bond of total cost of construction, services, internal driveways and car parking, Flaggy Road hydrological assessment, emergency measures if site is flood-bound, hydraulics assessment for site, building immunity to flood, water supply, quality and treatment, effluent disposal and maintenance of systems, construction waste management plan, cultural heritage, environmental protection, noise and dust, public utilities, currency period of DA to be four years and additional developmental applications. At the time of printing, this information in its complete format is not available for public viewing. Poison Creek residents Steve Weise and Kate Dagge waged a 20-month battle against

Locals working for locals

the project on the bases of Flaggy Road being an unsuitable site, and it being a waste of taxpayers’ money when consideration was given to the fact that other facilities in Cairns and Mareeba had closed down. The pair, and their supporters, have constantly maintained they were not against the concept, but the site - the reason given by Cook Shire Councillors in a five to one majority vote rejecting the original DA. Mrs Dagge has responded angrily to the decision and her thoughts can be read on page 2, while Mr Weise described the Minister’s decision as a blatant misuse of ministerial powers and a slap in the face to the decent citizens and Councillors of the Cook Shire. He said concerns which had been identified more than 18 months ago could have been easily overcome by simply selecting a more suitable site. “In his assessment, the minister has totally ignored serious flaws in the design of the sewage treatment works because of incomplete soil testing, the detrimental effects on the feeder roads system, the security of the locals given that parolees will be accepted at the centre and the health well-being of staff and residents at the centre,” he said. Community Congress Development Education Unit Director, Reverend Shane Blackman has been unavailable for comment because of a family bereavement.

So, NO PIZZA’S! But, But, But...

Phil (our new chef) will be keeping the restaurant open with his exciting new menu while we are gone! Please come in and try his cuisine of Mediterranean dishes and also his speciality Asian cuisine, including Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese. A taste of new and exciting dishes happening in the new year. All meals available in takeaway also.

The Wogs would like to thank all their valued customers for their support in 2011.

Bon Appetit, The Wogs! 95 Charlotte Street (opp Top Pub)

Ph 4069 6338

4x4 all-terrain telescopic forklift

Two semis running

16.8m reach with forks, bucket, hook and personal cage

* Tilt-tray hire * Forklift hire

MARTON TRANSPORT – CAIRNS TO COOKTOWN –

The Wogs will be going on holidays from January 9 until the end of February…

Ken mobile: 0408 783 176 • Cooktown phone: 4069 5142 Northline Depot: 103-105 Draper St, Cairns

Cooktown Local News 12 - 18 January 2012 – 3


 letters to the editor

opinion

PDR closure questioned

Barrier Reef Childcare Open Monday to Friday, excluding Public Holidays 7.30am to 5.30pm. Ph: (07) 4069 6440

THE Peninsula Developmental Road north of Laura has been officially closed since January 1, even though it’s still as dry as a dead dingo’s “donger”. The road is in good shape and local people are still travelling, so is it reasonable to be closing the road this early? Peninsula people can get a permit to travel from the Department of Transport, but should they have to? Don’t we have a right to use the road, without having to ask an office in Cairns for a permit? Most Peninsula residents don’t even know about this, but if station people drive from their property to the clinic in Laura or Coen without a permit, they’re breaking the law. If Laura families drive up to the Hann to go fishing without a permit, they’re breaking the law. If people from Weipa or Aurukun drive

“Regretful Rehab Override” - a poem

Barrier Reef Childcare offers Educational Programs, including Literacy, Numeracy, Physical and Social Activities that are the foundations to life long learning. Enrolments are now being taken for the 2012 year, please contact Amanda

                               

to Mareeba for supplies without a permit, they’re breaking the law. Is this a reasonable action for the Departmentt of Transport to take? And the permit is not available from local police - you have to apply to a Cairns DOT office, and then return a signed copy to them and carry the permit in your vehicle anytime you travel the PDR. Are our local police expected to book us for travelling without a permit? At the very least, local police should be able to issue the permits, but fair go, Peninsula people should be entitled to travel the Peninsula road without having to ask the government for permission. If you want to apply for a permit, call the Department of Transport on 4050 5406. But lots of people won’t! Matt Trezise Jowalbinna Station - Laura

The fight is now over, the deal has been done, And unfortunately for us taxpayers, stupidity won. Conditions have been set, hopefully a deal done with God, ‘Cause soon the rains will arrive to transform the site to a bog. And no submission sent in from our Council to say, That they voted against it, five to one was the way. No Council representation to show good reasons why, Their majority knew the site was only good for the dry. And I don’t understand why our Council refused to submit, When those for whom we have voted consider the site to be shit. But now our Councillors’ knowledge has been completely overturned, Meaning the fight has been lost with so many Cook Shire constituents burned. Really, what is the point of having a planning code set in place, When it can so easily be ignored if the powers to be want the space. So now move in the earth movers to scrape and to dig, Soon they’ll get stuck in the mud, just like the soil testers did. By NICOLE DARVELL

Trust an issue with council THE big question for anyone standing for election to Cook Shire Council in March, 2012, is trust. Those elected, whether Mayor or Councillors, will have to have implicit trust in the accuracy of the professional advice given to them by any council staff person. The recent tsunami of angry protests from locals was caused by erroneous and seriously unprofessional advice that, in the private sector, would lead to disciplinary action, if not dismissal, or even a class action by those affected. This breach of faith with “clients” (you), reflects badly not only on the elected Mayor and Councillors, but also on all the 95 per cent of Cook Shire Council staff who “are” professional, and are doing their very best for Cook Shire residents. Remember, there are around 300 council staff in this shire, and all those people are affected by decisions made by Council, whether they are ratepayers or tenants, just as you are. They are good people, our friends, our neighbours, who are just as embarrassed and disgusted by what happened as you are. What the shire doesn’t need, is for these good people to up and leave, taking their children with them, and leaving us all worse off. Backwash from this tsunami is the swirling eddies of ill-feeling among residents, many of whom face the terrifying prospect of their businesses being smashed by a wall of water rates, and any profits in what was already a floundering year, going down the gurgler. It’s now up to the incoming Council to at least find a rainbow in all this, if not the pot of gold. But trust - that will be the big question, Jenny Moxham, Candidate for Cook Shire Mayor, 2012

Australia Day at the Sovereign! e r o m t a d e lu Va ! 0 0 0 , 0 1 $ n a th

SOMEONE IS GOING TO WIN THE TINNIE AND A BOAT FULL OF GOODIES!



Hosted by our favourite MC… Johnny the Wog!! LIVE MUSIC from noon featuring ROSWELL!

Loads of COMPETITIONS!

Great AUSSIE BARBECUE!

Cnr Charlotte & Green Streets, Cooktown • Ph: (07) 4043 0500 • Fax: (07) 4069 5582 info@sovereignresort.com.au • www.sovereignresort.com.au

4 – Cooktown Local News 12 - 18 January 2012


NEWS

Cook Shire Council Australia Day Award winners in 2011 along with Mayor Peter Scott and ambassador Jenny Woodward. File photo.

Serving the Cape since 1954 When you need professional and sensitive advice, contact our leading Family Law team. Suzanne Hadley (Partner & Accredited Specialist) Deanne Drummond (Associate & Senior Practitioner)

WE CAN ALSO ASSIST WITH YOUR COMPENSATION FOR ACCIDENTS 12 Aplin Street, Cairns Qld 4870

ph (07) 4051 4766 • fax (07) 4051 9631 email: legal@farrellys.com.au www.farrellys.com.au

Australia Day nominees WHO will receive Cook Shire Australia Day Awards at a presentation ceremony to be held in Lions Park on January 26? Nominees for awards who have been notified and accepted their nominations include: Citizen of the Year - John Dessman, Jean Haack and Loretta Sullivan; Young Citizen of the Year - Bryce Kirk and Darcie Sieverding; Sportsperson of the Year - Carmen Forward and Geoffrey Kulka Jnr; Junior Sportsperson of the Year - Ben King, Joe Pope and Zane Stallan; Cultural Award “The Arts” - Kathi GibsonSteffansen, Jean Haack, Tyson Hang, Jennifer Midgley and Martin Pattie; Volunteer of the Year - John Dessman, Jean Haack, Rhonda Hill, Bryce Kirk, Jennifer Midgley, Debra Smith, Loretta Sullivan, Greg Westcott and Jill Williams; Community Event Award - 1770 Trivia Night (Jan Howard), Cooktown & District Country Show, Cooktown Symposium (Cooktown Re-enactment Association), Laura Races and Campdraft Rodeo, Opening of the Cooktown Events Centre and Recycled Art Competition (Jennifer Midgley);

Community Service Club Award - Bloomfield Memorial Association, Cooktown Re-enactment Association and Cooktown RSL Memorial Club; and Service to Cook Shire Award - Jean Haack, Peter and Francis Inderbitzen, Ben King and Loretta Sullivan. However, a Cook Shire Council spokeswoman said there were other nominees who had, at the time of publishing, not been advised of their nominations and advised of their acceptance. These people will still be be included for decision and acknowledged at the presentation. The spokeswoman said that there were some nominees who declined to be considered for awards. Nominations for the awards closed last Friday, January 6. Award recipients will receive a bronze medallion and a certificate recognising their contributions for a variety of categories will be presented by Cook Shire Mayor Peter Scott and Australia Day Ambassador, Yassmin Abdel-Magried - a Queensland state finalist in last year’s Young Australian of the Year Awards. The Endeavour Lions Club will provide a barbecue breakfast before the awards ceremony which will start at 10am. In the event of inclement weather, the function will be transferred to the Events Centre.

Hank Green

Cooktown State School taking enrolments THE start of the New Year is always an exciting one, both for returning students and our new prep enrolments. We are looking forward to a very busy year with the return of the majority of teachers. We do however, have four new teachers. Shane Mayberry will be joining the high school staff, while Stephanie Valentine, Trina McBurnie, and Tanya Eizenberg will be joining the primary school staff. Due to the transfer nature of Education Queensland, we had a late transfer of our Guidance Officer Danelle McKeehan in the last week of school. Her replacement is Brandon Modini who has had experience in the Cairns region. Danelle did excellent work in the school as I am sure those people who dealt with her will attest to. She will be a hard act to follow!

This year with the focus being on increased literacy and numeracy results, we are hoping that we will get an increase in the number of parent volunteers in the school. School is an integral part of the community and as such needs the help of parents to make it successful. Even if you can’t volunteer on a regular basis, we would be happy to see you. Let teachers know when you have a spare 30 minutes to help your student and others with reading or listening to their number facts. There are many things you can help the teacher with - sometimes an extra pair of hands with craft activities etc. makes all the difference. Children love to see their parents helping out and it also helps children to understand that education is valued. Attendance is a continual focus at

our school and with the introduction of attendance data walls last year, our attendances lifted, but it is still not good enough. As you know, unless your child comes to school regularly, they miss vital parts of their education which will make it difficult for them to achieve as they go on in life. We do our best to be supportive of all our students, however, if you have concerns in the first instance talk to the class teacher and if it is still not resolved, then make an appointment with the Deputy Principal of that particular sector. The school office will be open for new enrolments from next Monday, January 16. For further information call 4082 0222. Jillian Blennerhassett Principal Cooktown State School

E LOCALS H T E R E H W “ EAT!” MEET AND

COURTESY BUS operates 7 DAYS A WEEK Ph 4069 5308 for pick-up

Keno at the Top Pub

– Come and try your luck!

THIS WEEK AT THE TOP PUB

This Friday, January 13 ‘3 Blind Mice’ – Cairns Band

australia day

idday m s t r a t s n the actio ary 26 u n a j , y a d s thur

family fun day at the ‘toppy’ Come and join in on the fun!

 Live music  Kids treasure hunt  Thong throwing competition  Pie eating competition  Whip cracking competition  Cane toad racing  And lots more! COOKTOWN HOTEL - THE TOP PUB $)"3-055& 453&&5 $00,508/ t 1)0/& Cooktown Local News 12 - 18 January 2012 – 5


Cooktown RSL Memorial Club

INCORPORATED

$IBSMPɆ F 4U $PPLUPXO

NEWS

Librarian indexes her thoughts on Cooktown By ERIC GEORGE

1I t 'BY &NBJM DPPLUPXO STM!CJHQPOE DPN

t 3FMBY FOKPZ B DPME CFFS JO BJSDPOEJUJPOFE DPNGPSU t 'SJEBZ /JHIU $PVSUFTZ #VT t #BS 4OBDLT QN t 1PLJFT t 1MVTy .FNCFST %SBX ZPV NVTU CF IFSF UP XJO

New Chef - Great New Menu Lunch and Dinner t /PPO UP QN t QN UP QN

4VOEBZ OJHIU SPBTUTy for $25 4VOEBZ OJHIU SPBTUTy 2

“Mouth Watering Meatsâ€? Shop 3, 1 Muni St, Hopevale Phone: 4060 9392 Fax: 4060 9342 • Email: hopevalebutchery@bigpond.com

Now delivering to the Cooktown Community

MEAT PACKS

or even create your own pack!

BBQ Pack $40

1kg – Blade Steak 1kg – Sausages 1kg – Chicken Wings

1kg – Hamburger Mince 1doz – Eggs

Family Pack $50 1kg – Mince 1kg – Sausages 1kg – Rump

0.5kg – Lamb F/Q Chops 1kg – Chicken Wings

Camper Pack $50 1kg – Diced Steak 1kg – Sausages 1kg – Beef Rib Bones

1.5kg – Corned Brisket 2kg – Soup Bones 1doz – Eggs

Bulk Pack $100 2kg – Sausages 2kg – Mince 2kg – Blade Steak

2kg – Pork F/Q Chops 2kg – Chicken Pieces

Freezer Pack $100 1kg – Mince 1kg – Sausages 1kg – Rump 1kg – Pork Chops 1kg – Chicken Pieces

1kg – Beef Rib Bones 1.5kg – Silverside 1.5kg – Roast of Choice: Beef, Lamb, Pork or a Whole Chicken

Bulk sides of Lamb, Beef and Pork available Trawler bulk orders most welcomed

Get your lamb for Australia Day now!

Opening hours: 8am to 5pm Monday to Thursday 8am to 2pm, Friday • 8am to noon Saturday

DIANA Burns is Cooktown’s librarian and so, a bit of an oddity. Where other shire people are employed to get busy servicing and administering the town, Diana’s job is to be Cooktown’s cultural focus. She first came to Australia with her Australian husband Peter. “We started in Melbourne and then decided to do the big trip around Australia. Took four months to reach Cairns, had car problems and got a job in the fisheries. We started working on a mother ship that ploughed up and down to the Torres Straits. We then ran a prawn barge in Princess Charlotte Bay. It was an amazing time. The trawlers used to come alongside and unload their catch to us. We acted as a half-way point,� Diana said. So what did she see when she got up every morning? “A vast horizon, fish jumping out of the water, Princess Charlotte Bay and the Stanley Islands, we saw dolphins batting garfish, we saw turtles, we went diving... it was a wonderful time.� What did Diana Burns look like then? Diana chuckles and says, “Very tall and willowy, with hair down to my waist. It was a great lifestyle, and it enabled us to get some money together because we weren’t spending anything. We wanted a place to live that was clutter-free of people, and when we came to visit a friend in Cooktown, we looked at three houses and bought the third one.� “The Cooktown we knew was very, very different. Remember, it was an eight hour drive from Cairns on a dirt road. You had the choices that were available in the town itself, and that was it. There was one aeroplane per week, in the Wet you were cut off, it was a great existence. There was a great sense of community, and that has changed majorly Cooktown librarian Diana Burns. Photo: ERIC GEORGE. since then.� Diana started at the library about 20 years in that direction.� Cooktown is a funny place, in that it doesn’t ago, part-time at first and working her way up. For ordinary Australians, the library has generate its own economy, and is becoming She likes being a country librarian. “Because been the centre of village culture for perhaps increasingly a government town, serviced by it’s a small town, you get to know your 150 years, so where does it go now? “It moves government industry. Therein lies the danger. borrowers and your borrowing community with the times. It becomes a communication You need them as a source of monetary very well. That has changed a lot with the hub, where books are less important and all the input, but at the same time there is too much advent of computers in libraries. We have a digital technology more. I think there is still emphasis on control.� wider group of users now.� a place for the library. Cooktown library, as I What would be the one future project Diana Diana works in an island of tranquillity, would like to see it, has to belong in a com- would wish for Cooktown? She says that is and watches the changes that are happening munity centre, like the new Events Centre. A quite a hard question, but when I explain around her. “The changes are the reliance place that offers gym facilities, cafes, a place that is why we are asking a smart person, on the internet, and its use as a tool for where young people can go and practise on she says, “I think that the current foreshore information. And the fact that the children their electric guitars and Ah, yes! I’ll grab a development project is an excellent idea, with do not come to the library. There is a whole book for myself as well.� more interactive things happening down there. generation out there that is either not reading, Taking Diana out of her library, where We live in a place of great natural beauty, and or is totally involved with the internet as a does she see Cooktown going in the next that would enhance it.� means of communication.� ten years? “I think over the decade, we Here Diana is talking about facilities What about their parents, the 20-year will be subjected to even more legislation. for locals rather than tourists. “I’ve got a olds? “Who are they? They don’t come near Cooktown has lost a lot of its essence. It used problem with tourists,� she says with a laugh. the library either, except to use the internet. to be a place of individuals who took some “Look, there is a huge push at the moment They certainly don’t borrow books. The sad responsibility for themselves. Now there is a for free camping. I look on it from the basis thing for me is to see these people who are feeling that whoever the local power is, will that the caravan park operators are doing it absolutely proficient on a computer, but few take responsibility for everyone’s actions, and fairly tough. If you do offer free camping, the can read a book. Only graphic novels.� I think that’s sad. ratepayer ultimately pays the price because What does this mean for the future? “I “Against that, I don’t think the care factor whatever is offered has got to be serviced. don’t know, actually. We have to accept the for people getting older will go away. We have The town needs the tourist dollar, no doubt digital format as the way of the future, and a much more personal application of health about that, but I don’t like the way the town the library will have to adapt more and more services that you would ever get elsewhere. is being marketed.�

Cooktown / Cairns limited ights available

Hinterland Aviation wishes to advise its regular travellers that during the seasonal period there will be limited ights available between Cooktown and Cairns. To check availability simply visit our website or phone and speak to one of our friendly team members.

Anytime, Anywhere Telephone: [07] 4040 1333 | Email: info@hinterlandaviation.com.au Book online at: www.hinterlandaviation.com.au

6 – Cooktown Local News 12 - 18 January 2012


Playing from 4-7pm

SATURDAY,NEWS JULY 16

Supermarket announces extended hours THE WEST Julie Bochow, Manager of Cornett’s IGA Supermarket Cooktown in the carpark which will soon undergo repairs. Photo: GARY HUTCHISON.

COAST HOTEL

COOKTOWN IGA customers can now enjoy longer weekday trading hours, along with looking forward to the prospect of repairs to the car park surface. Julie Bochow, Manager of Cornett’s IGA Supermarket Cooktown, said the needs of customers working late or out of town would be accommodated with the new hours. “We’re now open from 8am to 7pm on Mondays to Fridays, which will give customers who work late or have to travel from out of town that extra hour to do their shopping,” Ms Bochow said. “We know that some of our loyal customers work in Hope Vale and on the banana farm at Lakeland, so this move will not only help them, but it will also help parents who work in town until after 5pm and then have to pick up their kids from daycare.” Ms Bochow said weekend trading hours for the Helen Street store would remain the same. And she said that while the need for longer hours had already been addressed, the issue of repairs to the pot holes in the car park surface would soon be decided. “Mr Cornett, the store’s owner has been out to make an assessment of the car park, and we’ve researched a couple of ways to fix the holes and I am hoping he will provide me with an answer as to how and when they will be fixed soon,” she said. Cornett IGA Supermarket Cooktown’s trading hours are now: Monday to Friday - 8am to 7pm, Saturday - 8am to 6pm and Sunday - 9am to 5pm.

THE WEST COAST HOTEL

-ANER -IM M ETHIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 4 – 7PM

KAZ IS BACK

in the kitchen with a $10 roast for Sunday lunch

 Pool Comp 6.30pm on Wednesdays  WITH PUBLICAN’S PRIZE FREE POOL ON SUNDAYS Restarting Tuesday, January 17

ig h t ” s –N “ D a r@t7PM PUBLICAN’S PRIZE

Don’t forget…

da y s ” “T hu rs ty T hu rs FROM 4 – 5PM ~ Airconditioned Pokie Lounge ~ Charlotte St, Cooktown

Ph: 4069 5350

Bright spark amps up business

LEARN: YOURWAY

Auto electrician Ken Petersen checks the meter reading on this vehicle. Photo: GARY HUTCHISON. COOKTOWN’S new bright spark in town hopes to provide an extra charge to the needs of local vehicle owners with the establishment of his new business. Ken Petersen, a fully-qualified auto electrician who did his training in Mareeba and Cairns, has only recently started a mobile service, but hopes to move into a workshop as soon as possible. Although Ken and his family arrived in Cooktown in November, his entry into the business world here was delayed for family reasons. “Our baby daughter needed an operation just before Christmas, so all of our attention was focused on her,” Ken said. “But the op was successful and we’re all recovering well, so now it’s time to get back to work.” Ken said he was trained to provide a full range of auto electrical services, but would soon add vehicle air conditioning to his repertoire. “I’m not too far away from getting my licences for that (auto air conditioning), and as soon as I do, I’ll be right to do that as well,” he said. Along with the usual range of repairs to vehicle electrical systems, Ken said he also intended being available for the installation of audio systems and UHF radios. “I’m still setting up accounts with suppliers, but once that’s done and people can tell me what they want, I can order things in,” he said. “Either that or I’ll just install what they already have for the cost of labour.” And while Ken has only recently begun his new venture, he said there has already been a call for his services. “Word spreads quickly in this town and I’ve already had a fair bit of business,” he said. Ken can be contacted on 0409 721 892.

A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY AND BATCHELOR INSTITUTE OF INDIGENOUS TERTIARY EDUCATION

Cooktown Local News 12 - 18 January 2012 – 7


NEWS

A helping hand for doctors in remote areas A NEW course at James Cook University will train ‘Physician Assistants’ to help target the health needs of rural, remote and tropical Queensland. From January 2012, JCU will offer the Bachelor of Health Science (Physician Assistant), based in the School of Medicine and Dentistry at JCU Townsville. Physician assistants (PAs) are qualified to practice medicine under the supervision of a doctor or physician specialist. The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine recently endorsed a policy statement giving strong support to the potential of PAs, saying they “extend the reach of doctors in rural and remote communities and stabilise health care services”. The three-year Bachelor Degree course is designed for mature, medical or non-medical professionals with previous healthcare experience and a certain level of

ENDEAVOUR

CHRISTIAN COLLEGE Charles Street, Cooktown

OPENING JANUARY 2012 Now taking enrolments

Prep – Year 7 Caring Christian Community Third and subsequent children receive free tuition z

For further information please contact Principal Peter Coates on 4069 5155 or 0429 473 706 or email endeavour@ccmschools.edu.au Information packs and enrolment forms are available at Endeavour Pharmacy

All things through Christ

tertiary education. Allan Forde, Senior Lecturer in the School of Medicine and Dentistry at JCU, said PAs could undertake duties previously only performed by doctors or physicians, including examination, diagnosis, and carrying out investigations, as well as treatment and prescribing. “However, all physician assistants must be associated with a supervising doctor or physician,” he said. Mr Forde said the PA education was very different to a nursing, or nurse practitioner course. “Nurse practitioners are educated in an advanced practice nursing format that is based in nursing theory and philosophy, in addition to diagnostic and therapeutic skills. “Physician Assistants are trained in a medical model to practice medicine under the supervision of a doctor or physician. PA students do not need to be nurses, but some are.” Mr Forde said the PA profession had proved to be very popular in the United States, with more than 80,000 PAs practising today. “The PA prototype could help rural, remote and Indigenous health care in particular, and that’s what we are focused on at JCU.” Professor Richard Murray, Dean and Head of JCU’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, said rural and remote medicine had a strong tradition of team-based health care. “This includes flexible delegation of clinical tasks by rural doctors to nurses, Aboriginal health workers, allied health practitioners, paramedics, lay health care assistants and others,” he said. “This is a practical adaptation to workforce shortage and geography and has helped to ensure that the evolving abilities of all members of a health care team can be fully applied.” Mr Forde said becoming a PA would help advance the careers of skilled medical technicians and other allied health personnel looking for a change in direction or the ability to extend their contribution in the clinical arena.

Christmas drug raids net a bag full of ‘presents’ for police SANTA wasn’t calling early for five locals who answered knocks on their doors just before Christmas, it was in fact the police, who were executing search warrants on their homes in search of illegal drugs. The December 22 raids were part of a co-ordinated operation which netted a total of 12 charges. One of the searches, on the home of a 70-year-old Cooktown man, yielded seven cannabis plants ranging in size between 80cm and 150cm, 21 cannabis seedlings, about 60g of cannabis and smoking utensils. He subsequently pleaded guilty at the January 3 sittings of the Cooktown Magistrates Court to charges of producing a dangerous drug, possessing a dangerous drug and possessing smoking utensils for which he was convicted and fined a total of $1200. In other drug-related matters heard on January 3 arising from the operation, a 25-year-old Cooktown man was placed on probation for 12 months after he pleaded guilty to charges of having been in possession of smoking utensils and a small amount of cannabis, while a 43-year-old female resident was fined $250 after she pleaded guilty to permitting a place to be used for the commission of drug offences. A 26-year-old Cooktown man allegedly found in possession of a small quantity of cannabis and a smoking utensil was remanded to December 31, when he will appear to face charges associated with those allegations. Another 26-year-old Cooktown man was also remanded until January 31, when he will face charges of allegedly being found in unlawful possession of cannabis, morphine, a hypodermic syringe and smoking utensils. In another matter heard on January 3, a 43-yearold Cooktown man who pleaded guilty to having driven with a blood alcohol concentration of .129 per cent was convicted and fined $800 and disqualified from driving for six months.



 

  

 

                      

  



  



    

      



     w  w    w   w     w   w    w  w  







 

       



   w   w    w   w          

8 – Cooktown Local News 12 - 18 January 2012



                  

 

                



     

 

  

        

        



      w   w        



          


NEWS

Endeavour Christian College still enrolling DESPITE rumours to the contrary, the Endeavour Christian College is still taking enrollments for Prep through to Year 7 students. Principal Peter Coates said there was a mistaken belief in some sections of the community that the new educational facility had closed its books to more pupils. “We said from the start that our first year of operation would be a giant learning curve for us, and that we intended to remain exible so we could meet the needs of the community,â€? he said. “At this point in time, we will open as a two teacher school, but if there are enough enrollments, we will be able to expand to a three teacher establishment.â€? Principal Coates said the school building had been built larger from the start to cater for future expansion as it became warranted. “We told those who attended our introduction night that that was our plan,â€? he said. “We didn’t want to be in a situation where we were tacking extra buildings on to cope with an unexpanded demand.â€? He conďŹ rmed that both he and his wife Christine, also a qualiďŹ ed educator, will be joined by another teacher. “Christine will work both as a teacher and an administration ofďŹ cer, and there’ll be another teacher also working full-time,â€? he said. “But we’ll have no hesitation in employing another teacher if one is required.,â€? As at Tuesday, January 10, the exterior of the school had been completed to lock-up stage, with builders hurrying to finish the interior so that learning aids such as

Marlin Coast Veterinary Surgery Will be visiting Cooktown WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8 from 2pm and THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9 until 12 noon Clinic is at the CWA rooms FOR APPOINTMENTS PLEASE PHONE

Sylvia Geraghty 4069 5337 or Clinic 4057 6033 Appointments are essential

Has your life been touched by suicide?

24 hr information & support for family, friends, and others who have been bereaved by suicide IT expert Cameron Weir with a pallet load of computer equipment ready for installation in the Endeavour Christian College. Photo: GARY HUTCHISON. computers can be installed. “At this stage, we’re on target for a January 23 opening, the start of the school year, and provided we have no more unscheduled delays we hope to achieve that target,� he said. “There’s a pallet load of computer equip-

ment waiting to be installed and networked, with our IT expert on the ground here in Cooktown already.� Inquiries about the Endeavour Christian College can be directed to Peter Coates on either 4069 5155 0r 0429 473 706.

(24 hrs.) 0459 299 147 (07) 4050 4955 matthew.looker@lccq.org.au

Cairns Cleaning Supplies

Bushwalkers enjoy their holiday adventures By JEANETTE COVACEVICH COOKTOWN Bushwalkers have been busy over the holiday period. We’ve been up and over one of the massive sand dunes in the Cape Flattery area, on top of the Battle Camp Range and most recently, in a sandstone-based swamp and its bordering regions and atop the remnant volcano, Port OfďŹ ce Hill. The ascent of the ďŹ rst-mentioned was steep and hard because of slipping sand. Once on top, the walking was easy. It was like being on a snowďŹ eld - except for the heat. We spotted two emus en route to the lagoon in the heart of the dune. There we lunched and cooled off before heading back to our cars via a swamp. An afternoon storm ensured we arrived like drowned, cool rats. Our second trip found us on top of the Battle Camp Range exploring its northern and western faces. Following recent rain there, we were able to sample quite a few unusual, owering plants for the Queensland Herbarium in Brisbane. On Sunday last, we explored a swamp just north of the McIvor Road in the hope of discovering some new records for the many ground orchids in our district. We found none, but did see some memorable clusters of the green-owered Banksia robur and a multitude of Sundews. After crossing the swamp, we moved up on to the sandstone escarpment for some sterling views before our descent to a crystal clear, shady creek for lunch and a lot of talk about past and possible future adventures. We then took our cars for a short trip north to the foot of Post OfďŹ ce Hill, one of many extinct volcanoes in the Cooktown area. This one has a 10m cap of relatively soft basalt. Weathering through

4"-&4 4&37*$& 3&1"*34 PO BMM $PNNFSDJBM 'MPPS BOE $BSQFU $MFBOJOH &RVJQNFOU Phone Tom, not Dick or Harry, for our list of specials!

Phone 4035 2345 Cooktown Bushwalkers Lewis Collins, Barbara Dunn, Sarah Matthews and Prue Mulcahy on a recent trip. BELOW: A Sunnydew, seen on a recent trip by the Cooktown Bushwalkers. Photos: JEANETTE COVACEVICH. the 20,000 or so years since the volcano was active, enabled us to scramble to the top on the northern edge. Cooktown Bushwalkers always have interesting and happy, if sometimes tiring days. With those three walks, we ďŹ nished 2011 and started 2012 in the same vein. Our next walk, weather permitting, is this Sunday, January 15. Ring Prue on 4069 6527 for details.

.PC t 'BY

86-90 Aumuller Street, Cairns Qld 4870

Email: tom@cleaningsupplies.com.au Web: www.cleaningsupplies.com.au

Naked Energy We Will Be At The Cooktown Markets !!!

This SATURDAY the 14th

FREE QUOTES solar panel systems COMPETITIVE PRICES 0417 89 33 79 solar hot water RELIABLE SERVICE info@nakedenergy.com.au heat pumps www.n a k e d e n e r g y.com.au stand alone off-grid systems Cooktown Local News 12 - 18 January 2012 – 9


2011 - The year in rewiew News for Cooktown • Hope Vale • Rossville • Wujal Wujal • Bloomfield • Ayton • Marton • Lakeland • Laura • Coen

News Cooktown Local

$2 • Issue 496 • ph 1300 4895 00 • fax 1300 7872 48 • email: editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au • Friday, 14 January, 2011

14

January

Cooktown support for flood victims Cooktown is leading the way in a fantastic initiative to raise money for the Queensland Flood Appeal whilst encouraging visitors to the region. Judy Bennett, spokesperson for Chamber’s ‘Cooktown Cares’ campaign, explained: “Everybody wants to do something to help and show they care,” she said. “So when visitors come to this

region over the next few months we’d like them to know that a percentage of the money they spend in town will be going to the flood victims.” A website is being set up where people can register how they’re going to help - whether it’s through giving a percentage of their earnings for a period of time, or through a

fund-raising event. The website is being set up, free of charge, by Queensland Online, and arrangements being made so funds can be deposited in a special account at ANZ in Cooktown. “The response so far has been fantastic”, said Judy, “with: Pam’s Place, Guurrbi Tours,

Sovereign Hotel, Seaview Motel, Big 4 Holiday Park, Coral Princess Cruises, James Cook Museum, Cooktown’s Bargain Barn, Cooktown Newsagents, Milkwood Lodge, Alamanda Inn, Croc Shop, Cooktown Local News,

Paradise Realty, and Cook Shire Council amongst those pledging their support within the first two hours of the idea being proposed.” If you would like to contribute please e-mail your name and details of your pledge to cooktowncares@ gmail.com. For more information contact Judy Bennett (4069 6043).

Mulligan on information superhighway By COREY BOUSEN Forget worrying about the dangerous twits on the road, now your time can be better spent tweeting about the status of the Mulligan Highway. A new website, which aims to provide timely and accurate information on road closures on the Mulligan Highway, was launched last week in response to the dramatic flooding that has hit Queensland in recent times. The website is located at: http://www.queenslandonline.net/mulligan/ The site is the brainchild of Airlie Beach-based computer wizard James Davison, who proposed the idea to his online friend, Dr Judy Bennett, of Cooktown’s Guurrbi Tours. Frustrated over the perennial problem of inaccurate information on the RACQ’s road condition’s website regarding the Mulligan Highway -which often discouraged tourists from visiting Cooktown despite the highway actually being open - Dr Bennett was quick to urge Mr Davison to turn the website idea into reality. “The issue of road closures has been a huge problem for us in Cooktown,” Dr Bennett told Cooktown Local News. “We’ve been totally unable to get an up-to-date and reliable online service. Hopefully now we’ve cracked it,” she said. “For example, last April the RACQ website was reporting the Mulligan Highway as being closed for weeks when it was only closed for a couple of hours on one day.” Throwing their support behind the idea are Mt Carbine Roadhouse proprietors Brett and Janine Metzger, who for years have been the sole source of accurate information regarding the status of the highway - tirelessly answering thousands of phone enquiries every wet season. Making the most of the power of the internet, Brett and Janine have joined micro-blogging website Twitter, providing daily updates on the status of the Mulligan from the @Mulligan_Hwy Twitter address. “Road is open. 4.5ml of rain overnight. Storms

MAJOR PROBLEM: This closure of the Mulligan Highway at the McLeod River causeway in 2009 is a problem that occurs every wet season. Travellers can now avoid a wasted journey by checking the status of the highway online. expected this afternoon. Travel safe.”, Mt Carbine Roadhouse tweeted in one of its first-ever tweets on 6 January. Brett checks the McLeod River causeway, the weakest link on the Mulligan highway, on a daily basis to confirm that it is open to traffic. Describing the new website as a “bloody marvellous idea” Brett and Janine we’re guided into using Twitter by Mr Davison.

Historical Cottage on 1 Acre (07)

“It’s new for me,” Brett said. “I didn’t know anything about tweeting; it was all set up yesterday,” he told the Cooktown Local News last Thursday. Like Dr Bennett, the Metzgers have been frustrated by inaccurate road closure information on the RACQ website. “We had been proactive and approached the RACQ in previous years because they were

R

This fully renovated two bedroom cottage with large covered deck looks out through shady poplar gum trees to the neighbouring lillypad dam. Olde Worlde charm of T&G walls, original casement windows and polished windo floorb floorboards. Low, low rates rates, country living th less than 9kms to town.

Ph 4069 5775 or 04 0428 696 775 www www.fnqproperty.com

AINFOREST EAL ESTATE

Reduced another $17,000 to sell this great Investment opportunity returning over 6% in rent - or great for the larger family.

$348,000

This home features two bedrooms upstairs with a full sized kitchen and bathroom and then has two bedrooms down with kitchenette and second bathroom. Backing onto a seasonal creek and only minutes from the town centre are just some of the features of this “priced to sell” home. Currently rented at $450 per week, this home has always brought in good returns but the owner has moved down south and now wants to reinvest closer to home. Looking will reveal a quality home at a great price in a great position.

ONLY $289,000 ONL

4069 5922

reporting the road closed when it was open and open when it was closed,” Brett said. “We got to the top of the RACQ and they told us they couldn’t take a report unless we were a member of council or a copper; when it’s the local coppers and main roads department who ring us to get the info,” Brett said, highlighting the stupidity of the RACQ policy. Continued Page 4.

Full particulars are available from

4

John Hay • johnhay@cooktownparadise.com.au • 0417 786 922 Barbara Hay • rentals@cooktownparadise.com.au • 0418 695 922

2 2

COOKTOWN remained one of the driest places in the state, while the rest of Queensland was inundated with flooding rains. But while Cooktowners remained safe, the adverse conditions in the south directly affected food supplies with

News Cooktown Local

3

February

$2 • Issue 499 • ph 1300 4895 00 • fax 1300 7872 48 • email: editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au • Thursday, 3 February, 2011

SES Local Controller Kym Jerome and Cooktown Police Officer in Charge Senior Sergeant John McArthur discuss the progress of Cyclone Yasi with Cook Shire Mayor Peter Scott at Tuesday's Local Disaster Management Group meeting. Photo:GARY HUTCHISON.

Cooktown battens down Early delivery for 'biggest thing to hit' to strike at about one o'clock on Thursday morning. While at this stage, Cooktown is expected to escape the full brunt of the anticipated ferocious weather event, destructive winds in excess of 300kmh are anticipated to ravage the region for up to 20 hours and possibly longer. “We have to expect considerable damage with a weather event like this,” Mayor Scott

said. And although more southern centres, like Cairns and Port Douglas, appear to be in Yasi’s sights, the very erratic nature of cyclones means that Cooktown cannot be excluded from the potential full fury. All transport facilities will be shut down by 8.30 this morning and residents are urged to stay indoors during the event. Continued Page 3.

200 metres to Boat Ramp - 1 Acre

R

IN response to the likely emergency situation stemming from Cyclone Yasi this edition of Cooktown Local News went to press a day earlier this week, allowing for a Wednesday morning distribution. With Troncs cancelling all truck operations as of Tuesday, this newspaper was driven by car to Cooktown on Tuesday night. Depending on the infrastructure situation, distribution of next week’s editon of the Cooktown Local News could be delayed - although we are hopeful that it will be distributed on time next Thursday, 10 February. The Bousen Family and the Cooktown Local News team wish everyone the best for the coming days.

AINFOREST EAL ESTATE

Ph 4069 5775 or 0428 696 775 04 www www.fnqproperty.com

$121,000

(07) 4069 5922

News for Cooktown • Hope Vale • Rossville • Wujal Wujal • Bloomfield • Ayton • Marton • Lakeland • Laura • Coen

News Cooktown Local

$2 • Issue 505 • ph 1300 4895 00 • fax 1300 7872 48 • email: editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au • Thursday, 17 March, 2011

Chat with Matt News

March

Matthew Bowen talks with th the olumn Read our exclusive new column

CHANNEL 9 commentator screamed “And Matt Bowen’s got his mojo back!” after the North Queensland Cowboys custodian and our local hero sliced through the Bronco’s defence on Friday night. Bowen was sensational in a performance which saw him pperfectly positioned for every ev downtown kick to return the ball with gusto and confidence. Severall scintillating raidss off the back of short passes around the rucks kept the Broncos Severa ddefence f e guessing i andd on the th back b k foot. f t Read R d this thi week’s k’ Chat Ch t with ith Matt M tt back b k page >>

Cooktown Local

Kiara Linton, Nadia Muggleton and Jamie Whitlock remind Jen Coates just how much hair is about to be shaved off at the World’s Greatest Shave on Saturday. INSET: Looking different after having their hair shaved off to support the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave for a Cure are Tshinta Grace and Jenny Coates. Photos:GARY HUTCHISON.

Close shave for great cause gauge, she only had about $2500 donated to the cause. “I had to be realistic and thought I wasn’t going to make it,” she said. “But all of a sudden, we’ve been flooded with donations on top of what everyone had done on Saturday night.” The Sovereign Resort became Cooktown Hair & Beauty’s Margot Linton’s salon where locals paid for colours and exotic haircuts which added to the fun. Jenny was not alone in the shave department,

COOKTOWN

with Tshinta Grace the first of five others to go out in sympathy with her. “All up there were six shaved, 30 coloured and two Mohawks,” she said. And it was not only the locals getting into the fun, with resort guests, Taiwan tourists Ken Yu and Joan Su both having colours as mementos of their stay in Cooktown. The function also proved to be a great family event with a number of children under the age of 10 also coloured and looking forward to going to school on Monday with their new styles.

P aradise R ealty

R

We have moved to a new premises at 32 Charlotte Street OPEN 9am - 4pm Monday to Saturday

AUCTION 16th April at 11am

Find us 1km towards the airport opposite the Council Depot We are planning to move again soon, back to a new real estate office to be built at 116 Charlotte St, corner of Furneaux St

4069 5922 32 Charlotte St Cooktown

(07)

THIS WEEK’S BEST BUY: Half acre bushland block. Power available. High and dry. Under $100,000

4069 5922

Whil While the th drinks d i k flowed d amidst id t howls h l off laughter, the 40 plus audience was regularly brought back to reality as Leukaemia statistics were read out. But the whole room was hushed by little Kiara Linton’s revelation that she too had been a sufferer of the deadly disease, saved only by a transplant from her sister Zoe. “You only have to see Kiara and listen to her story to know that losing a bit of hair and donating some money to help the Foundation makes it all worthwhile,” a humbled Jenny said.

AINFOREST EAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE SALES & RENTALS COOKTOWN

Full particulars are available from

4

John Hay • johnhay@cooktownparadise.com.au • 0417 786 922 Barbara Hay • rentals@cooktownparadise.com.au • 0418 695 922

1

1

Ph 4069 5775 or 04 0428 696 775 www www.fnqproperty.com

AUCTION!!!! Magistrates House in Flinders Street. Homes aren’t built like this anymore. This is your chance to secure a fantastic parcel of land in a much sought-after area, and it also comes with a threefour bedroom home, large outdoor entertaining area and lockable shed. The Magistrates House, although not Heritage listed, has a historical feel about it. There are three bedrooms plus an office or fourth bedroom which feature built-in wardrobes and airconditioning. The block itself is quite large at 1466 square metres, and is zoned as Medium Density Residential.

For an inspection or further information contact Karen Olsen on 4069 5775 or karenolsen@bigpond.com

News for Cooktown • Hope Vale • Rossville • Wujal Wujal • Bloomfield • Ayton • Marton • Lakeland • Laura • Coen

News

For all your advertising enquiries or bookings EMAIL: ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au

Cooktown Local

Your clients will be all ears when you advertise your business here! ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au

4

Thieves strip Botanical Gardens bare of Cooktown Orchids THIEVES virtually strip Cooktown Botanical Gardens bare of Cooktown Orchids, and it was not only the Gardens that were in the sights of thieves as the number of break and enter offences around town seems to

7

$2 • PH: 1300 4895 00 • EDITORIAL: editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au • Issue 509 • Thursday, April 14, 2011

Chat with Matt News

COWBOYS’ custodian Matt Bowen showed his trademark anticipation and sizzling pace to run 40 metres to help his team to a commanding 22-0 half time lead against the Titans in Townsville last Friday night. But the home team could not maintain its first half flair, while th the visitors scored two unanswered tries in the second stanza. Theyy hung on for thee win and the Cowsboys are nicel nicely perched in fourth on the The ladder after round 5. Read this week’s Chat with Matt back page >>

Cooktown Local

Matthew Bowen talks with h th the

April

Wild weather wreaks havoc

LEFT: Only heavy vehicles dared cross the Little Annan which was a raging torrent on a couple of days last week. ABOVE: A landslip on Shipton’s Road near Wallaby Creek last Thursday and then again on Friday reduced traffic flow to one lane for a number of days until it was cleared. Photos: GARY HUTCHISON. By GARY HUTCHISON HEAVY rain falls and squally, gusty winds took their toll on Cooktown and its surrounds last week. Worst affected was Shipton’s Flat Road near Wallaby Creek where two separate landslips on Thursday morning and then again on Friday morning reduced it to a one-lane road.

Tonnes of mud, trees and shrubs reduced the already narrow carriageway to one lane. Botanic Gardens Curator and Rossville resident Sandy Lloyd said there were more than 288mm - about 14 inches - of rain recorded at her home between Tuesday morning and Friday morning. “I check the rain gauge every morning, and on

Wednesday I recorded 146mm, another 100mm on Thursday and there were about 42mm on Friday morning,” Ms Lloyd said. “The first slip on Thursday was bad enough, but on Friday the trees and bush had come down, so it was a bit of a mess really.” Ms Lloyd said it looked as though a spring had started bubbling up from beneath the road’s surface.

R

Country Quiet & Town Convenience 4069 5922

AUCTION

32 Charlotte St Cooktown

4069 5922

Full particulars are available from

1

John Hay • johnhay@cooktownparadise.com.au • 0417 786 922 Barbara Hay • rentals@cooktownparadise.com.au • 0418 695 922

1 2+

Ph 4069 5775 or 0428 696 775 04 www.fnqproperty.com www

Want more metres for your money? Then this Auction is for you!

On a block which is approximately 4046sqm this versatile property is sure to tick all the right boxes. Surrounded by Medium Density Residential this property is zoned “Light Industry”. Located on a large corner block, the property has two road frontages, two access points, and an air conditioned “office” with bathroom and kitchen facilities. If your looking for a depot for your machinery/vehicles or a storage yard for materials, perhaps you have different plans, the options really are open for this property.

Modern, fully-tiled, masonry block home with 3 spacious bedrooms, large Colorbond lock-up shed on a subdividable acre with two street frontages and established, low-maintenance gardens. Views of bushland and Mt Cook give the country feel, within walking distance of schools, hospital and supermarket. VALUE AT $485,000

(07)

“The crews have cleared the mess as best as they can, but the spring will just add to their problems now,” she said. Helen Stirling is another one of many Rossville residents delayed at the site. “I drove up on it at about 8.30am on my way into Cooktown, but didn’t get there until about 11.30am,” she said. Continued page 3 >>

AINFOREST EAL ESTATE

COOKTOWN

Paradise Realty

REAL ESTATE SALES & RENTALS

News Cooktown Local

Your clients will be all ears when you advertise your business here! ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au

$2 • PH: 1300 4895 00 • EDITORIAL: editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au • Issue 512 • Thursday, May 5, 2011

Chat with Matt News Cooktown Local

Matthew Bowen talks with the

lanes

5

THE North Queensland Cowboys wrestled a fast finishing Manly outfit to a controversial 22-20 defeat at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Saturday night. In scintillating form, local hero Matt Bowen contributed two blistering tries off set moves and a sound kicking game. Sound in all aspects of his defense game, Bowen brought the home crowd to its feet when he launched himself unsuccessfully at a much bigger opponent in an effort to stop a try. Read Matt’s thoughts on the game on page 20.

Archer Point upgrade a must

May

Archer Point Road neglected for two years

By GARY HUTCHISON

Yuku Baja Muliku Rangers Joyce Henderson and Mick Hale at one of the sites on the Archer Point Road where sharp, blue gravel has been used by the Cook Shire Council to rectify a boggy section. In background is a section Cook Shire Council has started to cover with soil. Photo:GARY HUTCHISON. the road now before the full tourist season starts. “We’ve just had Easter with tourists making it to Archer Point but what advertisement is that for this region,” he said. Cook Shire Council Mayor Peter Scott said Council understood the

BEAUTIFUL MYSTIC SANDS

concerns of the Land Trust and the Chamber but said that at present there were no allocated funds or plans of an upgrade. “Any upgrades will be subject to future development within the area,” he said. With regards to the use of blue

gravel he said it was the only suitable option. “Finer grade substitutes are likely to wash away in heavy rain.” Mayor Scott also noted that use of Archer Point Road was restricted to 4WD drive vehicles and trailers with high clearances.

R

Tropical style at Balgal Beach, Townsville. Screened outdoor living in a modern Queenslander. Value at $450,000. Owner wants to purchase in Cooktown. Opportunity for sellers in Cooktown who have to relocate.

Now at 95 Charlotte St, Cooktown

(07) 4069 5922

Barbara Hay 0418 695 922 rentals@cooktownparadise.com.au Real Estate Sales & Rentals

“Only those vehicles are permitted to use the road and it is definitely restricted to ordinary trailers and caravans,” he said. The Cooktown Local News has noted that in recent weeks Council has begun covering some sections of the blue gravel with soil.

AINFOREST EAL ESTATE

AUCTION

1

1 2+

Cooktown Local

Your clients will be all ears when you advertise your business here! ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au

Thousands discover Cooktown

Muskets fired during the Re-enactment ceremony. Photos: GARY HUTCHISON.

Bama running from Cook’s camp after setting some fires.

Captain Cook and his crew landing at the start of Sunday’s Re-enactment ceremony.

4 Adelaide St, Cooktown

Mixed Use Zoning. 1012m2 (Quarter acre) versatile vacant land next door to Cooktown Storage Sheds. A cleared, level lot on which to build a home (hi-set for views), duplex or triplex or a location to run your own business. This property WILL BE SOLD, so be there for a bargain on-site on Saturday July 9, at noon.

(07) 4069 5922

Now at 95 Charlotte St, Cooktown

Email John Hay at johnhay@cooktownparadise.com.au or call 0417 786 922

away

UFO sinks boat

A boat sunk in the Endeavour River after an unknown floating object collided with its hull.

Causeway over the Bloomfield Ri v e r w a s h e d

THE causeway over the Bloomfield River at Wujal Wujal is washed away and a transportable bridge is mooted as a likely solution until a new bridge can be erected at the site.

Festival.

be on the rise.

10

No Hope Street

NINE break and enter offences within 10 weeks sees Hope Street labelled as “No Hope” Street, with senior local police advising that more than 20 offences had been committed in the town since the start of 2011.

14

Heavy rain and winds wreak havoc

HEAVY rain falls and squally, gusting winds wreak havoc around Cooktown. More than 288mm in four days was recorded in Rossville, while a land slip at Shipton’s Flat caused the closure of the Bloomfield Road near Wallaby Creek.

THE Yuku Baja Muliku Land Trust is joined by the Cooktown Chamber of Commerce in calls to upgrade the Archer Point Road, which they claim had been neglected for two years.

12

17

at Gungarde Hall. Rangers preserve history with rock art restoration work at the Quinkan Reserves.

Former Munburra property handed over to Juunja Warra people

31

A PROMISE made by the state government to the Juunju Warra people about 20 years ago was finally honoured when the former Munburra property was handed over by Member for Cook Jason O’Brien in a ceremony

TWO local roads earn the ire of locals, with a petition struck demanding the state government fix the moon-like surface of the Endeavour Valley Road, while a bog hole on the Archer Point Road grows.

21

ANZAC Day Memorial Services were held in Cooktown and in Ayton with possibly the best crowds ever attending to commemorate Australia’s solemn day.

Winds of change blow

THE announcement of an agreement between the Yuku Baja Muliku people and National Power which will see a start on the establishment of a wind farm at Archer Point was made.

27

ANZAC Day crowds great

Chamber calls for rough crossing THE Cooktown Chamber of Commerce calls on the Shire Council and Cairns Regional Council to construct a “rough crossing” as a solution to the Bloomfield River.

26

Calls for local Fisheries office

THE seizure of an illegal fishing net from the Annan River resulted in renewed calls for the establishment of a Fisheries Office in Cooktown.

Local roads earn ire of motorists

Bloomfield Crossing re-opens

THE Bloomfield River Crossing is re-opened with the completion of a temporary crossing, which local tourist operators said was just in time with the oncoming season about to open.

For an inspection or further information contact Karen Olsen on 4069 5775 or karenolsen@bigpond.com

News

MORTGAGEE IN POSSESSION AUCTION

17

normal markets.

Ph 4069 5775 or 0428 696 775 04 www.fnqproperty.com www

$2 • PH: 1300 4895 00 • EDITORIAL: editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au • Issue 518 • Thursday June 16, 2011

from Commercial

COOK Shire Council adjusted its water policy after meeting with business owners expressing dire concerns that proposed sharp increases in tariffs could force them to close their doors.

Want more metres for your money? Then this AUCTION is for you!

News for Cooktown • Hope Vale • Rossville • Wujal Wujal • Bloomfield • Ayton • Marton • Lakeland • Laura • Coen

For all your advertising enquiries or bookings EMAIL: ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au

Council adjusts Farmer gives away fruit water policy after Passion fruit farmer Terry Rayner m e e t i n g w i t h gives about 500 boxes of ripe fruit away because floods in the south of business owners Queensland had washed away his

On a block which is approximately 4046sqm this versatile property is sure to tick all the right boxes. Surrounded by Medium Density Residential this property is zoned “Community Use”. Located on a large corner block, the property has two road frontages, two access points, and an airconditioned “office” with bathroom and kitchen facilities. If your looking for a depot for your machinery/vehicles or a storage yard for materials, perhaps you have different plans, the options really are open for this property (Subject to council approval).

Join our PARADISE TRADE CLUB We will simply send you an email of each new property. Sellers of out of area properties, this includes you.

June

Coast Guard tows capsized boat out of shipping

COOKTOWN Volunteer Coast Guard towed a capsized, 31foot motor cruiser out of the shipping lanes, removing the threat of collision with other vessels.

Chamber of Commerce joins Yuku Baja Muliku in bid to have road fixed THE Yuku Baja Muliku Land Trust has been joined by the Cooktown Chamber of Commerce in calls for the Cook Shire Council to upgrade the Archer Point Road immediately. Land Trust Managing Director Larissa Hale said Archer Point Road was a gazetted road and as such is Council’s responsibility; something which had been neglected for more than two years. Mrs Hale said the road was a nightmare during the wet season. “It hasn’t been maintained properly for years, and during the wet season, it’s frequently closed and impassable to traffic,” she said. “And usually when it is closed, there is either inadequate or no signage to warn travellers of the situation. “Also, there’s no proper drainage and erosion is becoming a problem.” She said that in any condition, the road gave no encouragement to tourists to visit that part of the region. Cooktown Chamber of Commerce President Greg Whittaker supported Mrs Hale’s assessment of the issue. “This Council’s got to get fair dinkum about encouraging tourists to this area,” Mr Whittaker said. “And that road doesn’t do that.” Mr Whittaker said Council’s installation of blue gravel in boggy areas was a band-aid solution, which was not only temporary but caused damage to the tyres on the vehicles driving over it. “That big blue gravel is rough and sharp and can cut tyres up,” he said. Both organisations have called on Council to take action on the state of

WHILE Cooktown escaped the ravaging Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Yasi, a glass panel valued at $2000 at the lookout on Grassy Hill was smashed in an act of wanton vandalism.

For an inspection or further information contact Karen Olsen on 4069 5775 or karenolsen@bigpond.com

News for Cooktown • Hope Vale • Rossville • Wujal Wujal • Bloomfield • Ayton • Marton • Lakeland • Laura • Coen

For all your advertising enquiries or bookings EMAIL: ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au

Glass panel on Grass Hill smashed

21

Contact Jill Williams on 0409 695 123 email jillyw@bigpond.com or Karen Olsen on 0428 696 775 email karenolsen@bigpond.com

Email John Hay at johnhay@cooktownparadise.com.au or call 0417 786 922

Paradise Realty

THE Local Disaster Management Group meets to discuss the threat that Cyclone Yasi posed to Cooktown. Mayor Peter Scott urges residents to batten down the hatches in readiness for what could be the biggest thing to hit Australia.

10

This private 5691sqm (nearly 1.5 acres) property now reduced to sell. Set in a small private cul-de-sac just a few minutes to town, this property has a gentle slope to the back and offers privacy plus. The property has already been selectively cleared and it is easy to clear more if desired. Situated just off the main road to Quarantine Bay and only minutes from the Golf Course, this is the perfect block to build your retirement home or great for a starter shed. Power and phone available. Just reduced to $139,500.

Reduced to

SHE’S almost bald, but after raising more than $5500, with more coming for the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave campaign, Jenny Coates is ecstatic with the result. “Cooktown’s amazing,” squealed the popular IGA employee. “The generosity of the people in this community is just wonderful.” When she first entered the campaign, Jenny set the goal of $5000, but leading into Saturday’s function, at which more than a metre of her lush, brown hair was taken back to a #1

C y c l o n e Ya s i threatens

Reduced $30,500 vendor says sell - This selectively cleared shady block sitting inside a quiet cul-de-sac only minutes from the town centre.

$139,500

Fully fenced level block only 200 metres to the new boat ramp on the Endeavour River with access to the Great Barrier Reef. Power, phone, broadband, school bus and rubbish collection all available. Keen vendor says sell now!

both the IGA and Cooktown Quality Meats shelves almost laid bare. A “Cooktown Cares Campaign” was started to raise money for the flood victims in the south. And with the new wet season looming, better information on road conditions on the Mulligan Highway was assured with daily reports being broadcast on the social networking site, Twitter.

For a look today • Phone: Karen 0428 696 775 • Email: karenolsen@bigpond.com

News for Cooktown • Hope Vale • Rossville • Wujal Wujal • Bloomfield • Ayton • Marton • Lakeland • Laura • Coen

By GARY HUTCHISON COOK Shire residents are being strongly urged to batten down the hatches in preparation for Cyclone Yasi - described by Mayor Peter Scott as “the biggest thing to hit Australia.” The Local Disaster Management Group met on Tuesday, and will meet again today (Wednesday) to ensure all possible preparations and precautions are being implemented in readiness for the Category 4 cyclone, expected

Southern flooding puts local food supplies at risk

PART 1 JANUARY - JUNE

River AView INFOREST

R

Ph 4069 5775 or 0428 696 775

from Commercial E A L E S T A T E www.fnqproperty.com Property Now $15,000 of the already reduced price $120,000

Right in the centre of Cooktown, this A stunning block set on the scenic coastal road at beautiful Bloomfield. vacant land is a perfect opportunity for a A vacant 20ha (50 acre) bush block on the scenic coastal road new business venture. 506m2 ‘Business’ between Cooktown and Cairns with power past the front boundary. This zoned freehold block just 100m to P.O. area is renown for it’s scenic beauty being rainforest surrounded by This site is suited for a shop or office heritage listed ranges. There is a good house site on the rear elevation overlooking the green pasture of the neighbouring cattle station and the and caretaker’s residence.

ever-changing colours of the mountain ranges. Just a short drive to the Great value at only $120,000 lovely remote white sandy beach at Weary Bay (see photo). The Ayton

Call us now for full details

2

Cooktown hosts 130 travel agents

COOKTOWN’S stocks as a tourist destination sky-rocketed when the town hosted the AOT Travel Group’s highest 130 achievers from around the country. The highlight of the visit for the agents was dinner on the Wharf, catered to by Restaurant 1770.

General Store/Supermarket is just a close by and it is approximately 65k’s to Cooktown. Reduced from $170,000 to $150,000 to $135,000, now $120,000. Contact me to view on Google Earth.

Contact Jill Williams on 0409 695 123 email jillyw@bigpond.com or Karen Olsen on 0428 696 775 email karenolsen@bigpond.com

What was once a Cooktown church in need of lots of TLC is now a stunning, spacious 2 bedroom home on a peaceful, fully fenced acre. Follow the signs to Ironwood Ave, off Oakey Creek Rd, less than 9 klms from town.

$395,000

10 – Cooktown Local News 12 - 18 January 2012

9

L e o p a r d finds home in Cooktown

A leopard tank finds its home in Anzac Park, while donations of power tools from locals are made to the Poison Creek resident whose shed was raided by thieves in May.

16

Aged care angel awarded OAM

WUJAL Wujal’s aged care angel, Sharon Anderson is awarded an Order of Australia Medal for almost 20 years of service to the Bloomfield and Wujal Wujal communities.

30

HMAS Endeavour to visit Cooktown

AN announcement is made that the replica of the HMAS Endeavour will visit Cooktown, after earlier plans in which Cooktown was not included were altered.


NYE @ The Lions Den

Photos: FAITH NULLEY

Samantha Hobbs kicking her heels up on the Lion’s Den dance floor for the New Year’s Eve, Inbred Hillbilly theme.

Bec Lynch and Lani Brouwer-Hughes show that inbred hillbillies can be glamorous too.

Jim Symes with mate Terry “Bear” who wore his best ‘hair shirt’ to the Lion’s Den “Inbred Hillbilly” New Year’s night.

Kelly Barnett having a big New Year’s at the Den.

Mitch Fetchner and Sam Hasty dancing up a hillbilly storm.

Steve Weise and Faith Nulley teamed up as early favourites for the “Most Attractive Couple” award at the Den’s ‘Inbred Hillbilly” New Year’s night.

Paul Clemesha and Lyn Shadow looking the part at the Den.

Denis Kelly dressed in his Sunday-best hillbilly gear at the Den.

Cooktown Local News 12 - 18 January 2012 – 11


FRIDAY 13 SATURDAY 14

4:00 Rage (MA) 5:00 Rage (PG) 6:00 Rage (G) 10:00 Rage Goes Retro! 11:00 Dan Cruickshank’s Adventures In Architecture: Paradise 12:00 My Family: Susan For A Bruisin’ 12:30 Unlikely Travellers: Preparation 1:00 Basketball: WNBL: Bendigo Vs Dandenong 3:00 Football: W-League: Brisbane Roar Vs Sydney FC 5:00 Clever Monkeys 5:50 Minuscule: Goofing Off 6:00 The Great Rift: Africa’s Wild Heart: Water 6:50 Inside The Great Rift: Water - Cameraman Gavin Newman has spent several years developing a remote underwater camera. He is about to send it on a descent into the cracks in the floor of the Southern Red Sea. 7:00 ABC News 7:30 Hogfather: Death’s granddaughter, Susan, continues her search to find out what happened to the Hogfather and stumbles upon trouble at the Tooth Fairy’s castle. 9:10 Single-Handed: The Stolen Child: A child has gone missing and the mother blames his absent father when she sees his car driving away. She tells Sgt. Jack Driscoll that he had previously threatened to take the boy. 10:45 The Jonathan Ross Show: Jonathan Ross presents an entertaining show featuring comedy, celebrity chat and the latest music. 11:30 Rage Goes Retro!

6:00 Weekend Today - Saturday 8:00 Children’s Programs 11:00 Danoz Direct 12:00 Third Test - Australia v India 2:30 Magic Millions Special Presentation 3:00 Third Test - Australia Vs New Zealand 5:00 National News Saturday 5:30 Third Test - Australia Vs India 7:30 Movie: “Arthur And The Invisibles” (PG v,a) 8:30 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Kill Me If You Can - The CSIs are called to three different crime scenes in one night that are seemingly unrelated, but each case’s forensic evidence reveals a common link. 9:30 Movie: “Beautiful Kate” (MA s) - Ned Kendall returns to his family home to say goodbye to his dying father, only to have long-buried secrets from the family’s past awakened by memories of his beautiful sister. 11:35 Movie: “Cross Of Iron” (AV v) - A contest of wills develops between the courageous Steiner and his new commander, Capt. Stransky, a pompous aristocrat. Stransky has his sights set on earning the Iron Cross but he’s a poltroon at heart, which soon leads him to take desperate measures. 1:40 That’ll Be The Day 3:30 Skippy - The Bush Kangaroo 4:00 Danoz Direct 5:30 Wesley Impact Summer Series

6:00 Children’s Programs 7:00 Weekend Sunrise 9:00 Children’s Programs 1:00 Movie: “Mercules (1997)” (G) 3:00 Movie: “Saved! (2004)” (PG l,s,a) 5:00 Creek To Coast 5:30 Queensland Weekender 6:00 Seven News 6:30 No Leave No Life - This week, Rosso surprises DOCS case woker Emma Shahin whose last holiday was her honeymoon in 2008. Emma’s husband Andre wants her to take a break from her emotionally exhausting job so Rosso takes them on a food and wine adventure through Victoria’s Yarra and King Valley regions. Features special guest foodie, Paul Mercurio. 7:00 Movie: “Eight Below” (PG a) - Inspired by a true story, follow the incredible friendship between eight amazing sled dogs and their guide, Jerry Shepard. Stranded in Antarctica during the most unforgiving winter on the planet, Jerry’s beloved dogs must learn to survive together until Jerry returns for them. 9:30 Movie: “Duplicity” (PG s,l) 12:10 Movie: “Roll Bounce” (PG) - 1970s roller-skate jams fuel this coming -of-age comedy, as X and his friends, who rule their local rink, are shocked when their home base goes out of business. 2:20 Style By Jury 2:50 Auction Squad 4:00 Home Shopping

5:00 Weatherwatch & Music 5:05 World News 1:00 Who Is Harry Nilsson and Why Is Everybody Talkin’ About Him? 2:20 Lin Hwai-Min and the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre 3:20 Looking For Truffaut 3:50 The Chopin Etudes 3:55 The Beauty Of Books 4:30 PBS Newshour 5:30 Dakar Rally 2012 Highlights: Stage 12 6:00 Oz And James Drink To Britain 6:30 World News Australia 7:35 Big, Bigger, Biggest: Skywheel - An examination of the technological leaps forward that have enabled the world’s largest observation wheel - the Singapore Flyer - to be built. 8:35 RocKwiz 9:30 Movie: “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (M a) - In English And Spanish. Two girlfriends on a summer holiday in Spain become enamoured with the same painter, unaware that his ex-wife, with whom he has a tempestuous relationship, is about to re-enter the picture. 11:15 Movie: “Empire Of The Wolves” (MAV v) - In French and Turkish. Jean Reno stars in this fast paced action thriller in the vein of The Bourne Identity. Two police officers scour the underworld of Paris to investigate a series of brutal murders. The case leads them to a mysterious Turkish far-right group called the Grey Wolves. 1:30 Weatherwatch Overnight

SUNDAY 15

4:00 Rage (PG) 6:30 Children’s Programs 9:00 ABC News 24 Mornings 9:30 The World This Week 10:00 ABC News 24 Mornings 10:40 Christianity: A History: Dark Continents 11:30 Songs Of Praise: Senior School Choir Of The Year 12:00 Britain From Above: Man Made Britain 1:00 7.30 Select 1:30 Message Stick: Yarning Up 3 2:00 The Story Of India: Freedom 3:00 Soundtrack For A Revolution 4:20 Cutting It At The Fringe 5:05 The South Bank SHow: Disney/Pixar 6:00 Last Chance To See: Northern White Rhino 7:00 ABC News 7:30 Grand Designs 8:30 Balibo 10:20 Shifting Shelter 4: Acclaimed filmmaker Ivan Sen follows the lives of four young Aboriginal people in rural NSW. 11:15 Eye On The Storm: Vanessa O’Hanlon looks back at the extreme weather of 2011. 11:45 Movie: “Pink Panther” (PG) - Meet Inspector Jacques Clouseau - the bumbling French detective whose career is one gigantic banana peel! 1:40 Grand Designs 2:30 Star Stories: Heather Mills Presents Milld And McCartney: Why Paul Is A Total Bastard - Heather Mills and Paul McCartney are given the ‘Star Stories’ treatment. 2:55 Rage

6:00 Weekend Today 9:00 Surfsport 10:00 Australian Fishing Championships 10:30 Discover Downunder - Summer Series 11:00 Danoz Direct 12:00 Third Test - Australia Vs India 2:30 The Cricket Show 3:00 Third Test - Australia Vs India 5:00 National News Sunday 5:30 Third Test - Australia Vs India 7:30 David Attenborough’s Madagascar: Lost Worlds 8:30 The Mentalist: Throwing Fire - Lisbon and the team investigate the murder of an ex-pro baseball player who’s started his own baseball talent scouting and training facility for young up-and-coming baseball talent. 9:30 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Brain Doe - The CSI crew is stumped when they discover a disembodied brain at a crime scene where all the other brains are accounted for. 10:30 2011 Santos Tour Down Under - Highlights 12:00 Flashpoint: Aisle 13 - When a young man learns his best friend’s family is having financial problems, he decides to rob a local food store to get some money. 1:00 Memphis Beat 2:00 Skippy - The Bush Kangaroo 2:30 Danoz Direct 3:30 Newstyle Direct 4:00 Goodmorning America - Sunday 5:00 National Early Morning News / 5:30 Today

6:00 Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil 6:30 Phineas and Ferb 7:00 Weekend Sunrise 10:00 Kochie’s Business Builders 10:30 Under The Hammer 11:00 Children’s Programs 1:00 That ‘70s Show 1:30 Movie: “The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1996)” (G) 3:30 Movie: “Dr. Dolittle 3 (2006)” (G) 5:30 The Great South East 6:00 Seven News 6:30 Special: Classified: Marine One 7:30 Border Security - Australia’s Front Line 8:00 Coast Watch 8:30 Bones: “The Witch In The Wardrobe” 9:30 Castle: “Murder Most Fowl / Close Encounters Of The Murderous” - While investigating the murder of a NYC subway worker found shot to death in Central Park, Castle and Beckett unexpectedly uncover the shocking and violent abduction of a young boy. 11:30 Royal Pains: “Listen To The Music” 12:30 Love Bites: “Modern Plagues” 1:30 The Real Seachange 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 8:30 PopAsia 10:30 Football Asia 11:00 Les Murray’s Football Feature 12:00 FIFA Futbol Mundial 12:30 Speedweek 2:00 Al Jazeera News 3:00 Ethnic Business Awards 2011 5:00 Cycling Central 5:30 Dakar Rally 2012 Highlights: Stage 13 6:00 Thalassa: The Musicians Of Cape Verde 6:30 World News Australia 7:30 Lost Worlds: A History Of Ancient Britain: Age Of Ancestors - A voyage of discovery through the world of prehistoric Britain with historian Neil Oliver 8:30 Once Upon A Time In Cabramatta 9:30 Movie: “Venus” (MA l) - Septuagenarian Maurice, a once wellknown actor with a reputation as a ladies’ man, cannot resist a final flirtation with his friend’s pretty teenage grandniece in this beautiful and utterly compelling film about love, friendship and mortality. 11:15 Movie: “Parineeta” (PG) - In Hindi. Set in Calcutta in 1962. Shekhar, the son of a wealthy businessman, is due to marry Gayatri, the daughter of an industrialist. But he is in love with Lolita, his childhood sweetheart who lives next door. Meanwhile, Girish, a steel tycoon from London also becomes smitten with Lolita. 1:35 Weatherwatch Overnight

MONDAY 16

SBS 5:00 Weatherwatch & Music 5:05 World News 1:00 Food Lovers’ Guide To Australia 1:30 Inspector Rex: The Horrible Truth 2:30 The Squiz 3:00 Letters And Numbers 3:30 Al Jazeera News 4:00 The Journal 4:30 PBS Newshour 5:30 Dakar Rally 2012 Highlights: Stage 11 6:00 Letters and Numbers 6:30 World News Australia 7:30 Coast: Galway To Baltimore 8:30 Empire Of The Seas: Heart Of Oak 9:30 Chronicle Of The Third Reich: 1936 - 1939 10:30 World News Australia Late 11:05 Movie: “Novo” (MA s,n,a) - In French. Graham has total memory loss after an accident. He takes on lovers, but can never remember them and must resort to writing notes on everything. Then one day he recognises his son. A lusty homage to the film Memento. 12:50 Movie: “Head Under Water” (MA v,s) - In German. Echoing German black comedies of the nineties, this twisted crime thriller follows the investigation into the murder of a local high school bully and the subsequent dramatic and violent events that follow it. 2:55 Weatherwatch Overnight

4:00 The Chaser’s War On Everything 4:30 Can we Help? 5:00 Gardening Australia 5:30 State to State Summer 6:00 ABC News Breakfast 9:00 ABC News 9:30 ABC News 24 Mornings 10:00 Time Team 11:00 Landline 12:00 Midday Report 12:30 Monarch of the Glen 1:25 The Dreaming 1:35 Annabel Langbein: The Free Range Cook 2:00 Waterloo Road 3:00 Children’s Programs 6:00 The Drum 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 8:00 Who’s Been Sleeping In My House?: Nelson Grange 8:30 Harry’s Arctic Heroes 9:25 TBA 10:25 ABC News: Late Edition 10:35 Silent Witness: Judgement: Part 1 11:30 Place of Execution 12:20 Darling Buds Of May: Cast Not Your Pearls Before Swine: Part 1 - Pop has the ‘perfick’ birthday surprise for Ma, and Primrose goes in search of her latest love, Roger McGarry. 1:15 Harry’s Arctic Heroes: Prince Harry joins four British soldiers wounded in the conflict in Afghanistan on an ambitious 260 km charity trek to the North Pole. In this opening episode Prince Harry joins his fellow servicemen in training. 2:10 Hungry Beast 2:40 Rage

6:00 Weekend Today 9:00 Danoz Direct 10:00 Yamba’s Playtime 10:30 Kitchen Whiz 11:00 National Morning News 12:00 Third Test Australia Vs India 2:30 The Cricket Show 3:00 Third Test - Australia Vs India 5:00 National News 5:30 Third Test - Australia Vs India 7:30 Getaway 8:00 Spirit Of The Horse 8:30 The Mentalist: Rose Coloured Glasses - Rigsby goes undercover as an alumnus at a fifteenth high school reunion when Patrick Jane and the team investigate a double homicide that may be linked to an old prank. 9:30 Harry’s Law: American Girl - It’s Harry vs. Langford, Ohio, when, while on a vacation, they impound her car for violating their “Buy American” law; and Adam represents a Chinese family whose daughter was taken from them because of China’s one-child policy. 10:30 BIG 11:30 The Unusuals 12:30 The Avengers 1:30 Entertainment Tonight 2:00 Danoz Direct 3:00 Newstyle Direct 3:30 Goodmorning America - Sunday 5:00 National Early Morning News / 5:30 Today

6:00 Sunrise 9:00 Children’s Programs 10:00 2012 Australian Open 5:00 2012 Australian Open 6:00 Seven News 6:30 Today Tonight 7:00 2012 Australian Open: “2012 Australian Open - Night 1” Coverage continues of the Grand Slam of Asia-Pacific where viewers can expect the biggest names in tennis, the hottest action in years and a comprehensive coverage of the event. 11:30 That ‘70s Show: “The Drive-In” - Kelso tells Eric that ‘The Omen’ is playing at the drive-in and that he should take Donna. Eric hesitates but soon realises that he could be in ‘make-out city’. Meanwhile, Kitty takes a quiz in Cosmo and learns that there is no spontaneity in her relationship with Red. 12:00 Auction Squad 1:00 Infomercials 3:00 Home Shopping 3:30 Room For Improvement: John and Tracey have thrown in their jobs to start a Bed and Breakfast down the coast, but their sea change needs help... and fast! 4:00 NBC Today 5:00 Sunrise Extra 5:30 Seven Early News

5:00 Weatherwatch & Music 5:05 World News 1:00 Food Lovers’ Guide to Australia 1:30 Inspector Rex: Boxing Robots 2:30 ADbc 3:00 Letters And Numbers 3:30 Al Jazeera News 4:00 The Journal 4:30 FIFA Futbol Mundial 5:00 The Crew 5:30 Dakar Rally 2012 Highlights: Stage 14 6:00 Letters And Numbers 6:30 World News Australia 7:35 Mythbusters: Wrecking Ball Baloney - Inspired by a viral video, Adam and Jamie test whether it is possible to construct a working Newton’s cradle (a device in which five metal balls are suspended from a frame) using large wrecking balls. 8:35 Freddi Flintoff versus the World: Texas 9:30 Wilfred: Dog Of A Town (Part 2) 10:00 South Park: Ass Burgers 10:30 World News Australia Late 11:05 The World Game 12:05 SOS: Na Wewe 1:05 Movie: “Vares: Private Eye” (MAV s,l,v) - In Finnish. Harddrinking private investigator Vares becomes romantically and then professionally involved with a beautiful but troubled blonde. A fast-paced gangster film that boasts a cast of shady characters who plot and double-cross their way across the country. A box-office hit in its Finnish homeland. 2:50 Weatherwatch Overnight

TUESDAY 17

7 CENTRAL 6:00 Sunrise 9:00 The Morning Show 10:00 Style By Jury 10:30 Dr Oz 11:30 Seven Morning News 12:00 Movie: “Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior (2006)” (PG) 2:00 Sea Princess 2:30 Sally Wollywood - Super Detective 3:00 Zeke’s Pad 3:30 Toybox 4:00 Spit It Out 4:30 Seven News 5:30 Deal Or No Deal 6:00 Seven News 6:30 Today Tonight 7:00 Wallander: “The Fifth Woman” (M) 7:30 Better Homes & Gardens Summer 8:30 TBA 10:30 Movie: “Red Dragon” (AV v,a) - Ex-FBI agent Will Graham is an expert investigator who quit the Bureau after almost losing his life in the process of capturing the elusive Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Years later, after a series of particularly grisly murders, Graham reluctantly agrees to come out of retirement and assist in a mysterious case. 1:00 Movie: “Asunder (1998)” (M v,s,l) - When a freak accident destroys everything in one man’s life, the troubled marriage of his best friends threatens to be invaded. 3:05 Infomercials 4:00 NBC Today

4:00 The Chaser’s War On Everything 4:30 Can we Help? 5:00 Best Of Gardening Australia 5:30 State to State Summer 6:00 ABC News Breakfast 9:00 ABC News 9:30 ABC News 24 Mornings 10:00 Time Team 11:00 Bettlefield Mysteries 11:45 Picture Perfect Homes 12:00 Midday Report 12:30 Seven Ages Of Britain 1:30 Meerkat Manor: The Next Generation 2:00 Children’s Programs 6:00 The Drum 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 8:00 Nigella Kitchen: Kitchen Comforts 8:30 Nature’s Miracle Babies: Spix, Sifaka, Numbat, Wallaby 9:25 Gareth Malone’s Extraordinary School For Boys 10:25 ABC News: Late Edition 10:35 Spooks 11:30 Colours By Numbers: The Sodukumentary 12:20 Monarch Of The Glen: Crockery flies at Glenbogle when Lexie comes face to face with her wayward mother for the first time in four years. 1:10 Nature’s Miracle Babies: Spix, Sifaka, Numbat, Wallaby 2:05 Island Life: Torres Strait Islands - Looks at the battle to stop exotic diseases using the Torres Strait Islands as stepping stones to Australia, as the annual monsoon brings millions of insects to them. 3:00 Rage

6:00 Today 9:00 Danoz Direct 10:00 Yamba’s Playtime 10:30 Kitchen Whiz 11:00 National Morning News 12:00 Third Test - Australia Vs India 2:30 The Cricket Show 3:00 Third Test - Australia Vs India 5:00 National News 5:30 Third Test - Australia Vs India 7:30 Getaway 8:00 Morning Of The Earth 8:30 Two And A Half Men: “Thanks For The Intercourse” (M s) - Walden redecorates, and the change unsettles Alan as it prompts him to think of losing Charlie. 9:00 Mike And Molly: “Mike In The House” - When Mike moves in with Molly and her family, he has to adjust from life in his bachelor pad to a house full of women. 9:30 Person Of Interest: Mission Creep (M s) - Reese joins a gang of thieves to infiltrate a crime ring. 10:30 Nothing Trivial: All The News That’s Fit To Print” Is The Motto Of Which Newspaper? *Series Final* 11:30 2011 Santos Tour Down Under - Highlights 12:30 The Unusuals 1:30 Danoz Direct 3:00 Newstyle Direct 3:30 Good Morning America 5:00 National Early Morning News / 5:30 Today

6:00 Sunrise 9:00 Children’s Programs 10:00 2012 Australian Open 5:00 2012 Australian Open 6:00 Seven News 6:30 Today Tonight 7:00 2012 Australian Open: “2012 Australian Open - Night 2” 11:30 That ‘70s Show: “Red Sees Red” - Kitty thinks Red is having a little too much fun playing warden, and she’s determined to get her happy home back. 12:00 Auction Squad: The team hit Queensland’s Gold Coast with some great ideas to save a badly-planned family home with an ugly pool area. 1:00 Infomercials 3:00 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: Natalie Barr and Mark Beretta present the latest news, sport and weather from around Australia and overseas.

5:00 Weatherwatch & Music 5:05 World News 1:00 Into The Deep: America, Whaling And The World 3:00 Letters And Numbers 3:30 Al Jazeera News 4:00 The Journal 4:30 PBS Newshour 5:30 Global Village: Oceans Apart 6:00 Letters And Numbers 6:30 World News Australia 7:30 Who Do You Think You Are? 8:30 Pleasure And Pain 9:30 Cutting Edge: Terror Island 10:30 World News Australia 11:05 Movie: “Stella” (M a,s,l) - In French & Italian. Paris, 1977. Sassy and streetwise 11-year-old Stella knows poker better than grammar when she starts the year at a prestigious new school. There, she discovers the possibilities of a whole new world outside her parents’ bar. 12:55 Mad Men: “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes / Ladies Room” (M a,l) -New York City, 1960 - while Don Draper, creative director for the Sterling Cooper ad agency, struggles to control his problematic love life, he tries to keep the agency from losing a big tobacco account. / Betty consults with a specialist about her health issues; Don is pressured to help with Nixon’s presidential campaign; and Peggy pines for the absent Pete while fending off the advances of several co-workers. 2:50 Weatherwatch Overnight

WEDNESDAY 18

IMPARJA 6:00 Today 9:00 Danoz Direct 1:00 Yamba’s Playtime 10:30 Kitchen Whiz 11:00 National Morning News 12:00 Third Test - Australia v India 2:30 The Cricket Show 3:00 Third Test - Australia Vs India 5:00 National News 5:30 Third Test - Australia Vs India 7:30 Getaway 8:00 Hot Property: Sometimes making the decision to sell a much loved family home can be tough. Join Michael Caton on the ride through the highs and lows as properties go under the hammer in this brand new series of Hot Property. 8:30 Movie: “U.S. Marshals” (M v,l) - U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard and his street-smart deputies pursue a fugitive who is accused of two New York assassinations. 11:15 Movie: “Deer Hunter” (AV v,a,l) - A group of working-class friends decide to enlist in the Army during the Vietnam War and find it to be hellish chaos – nothing like the noble venture they imagined – and return as changed men. 2:40 Spyforce: “Double Agent” (PG) - A German submarine is being supplied from a farmhouse on a remote part of the Australian coastline. The Spyforce team trap an enemy Agent and under the threat of a firing squad, force the Agent to broadcast false information to the submarine. 3:35 Danoz Direct / 4:30 Good Morning America

4:00 The Chaser’s War On Everything 4:30 Can we Help? 5:00 Gardening Australia 5:30 State to State Summer 6:00 ABC News Breakfast 9:00 ABC News 9:30 ABC News 24 Mornings 10:00 Time Team 11:00 Ideal World 12:00 Midday Report 12:30 Mapping The World 1:30 The Trophy Room 2:00 Children’s Programs 6:00 The Drum 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 8:00 Outnumbered 8:30 QI: Future 9:00 The Thick Of It 9:35 Absolutely Fabulous: Schmoozin’ 10:05 The Trip: TheAngel At Hetton 10:35 ABC News: Late Edition 10:45 Raw Comedy 2011 11:45 CELEBRITY: Dominick Dunne 1:10 The Cars That Ate China 2:05 Absolutely Fabulous: Schmoozin’ 2:35 The Trip: The Angel At Hetton - The final stop on the ‘hanging out and eating together’ jaunt of comedians Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon sees drama enter the comedic script. 3:05 Rage

6:00 Today 9:00 Danoz Direct 10:00 Alive And Cooking 10:30 Kitchen Whiz 11:00 National Morning News 12:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show 1:00 The View 2:00 Days Of Our Lives 3:00 Entertainment Tonight 3:30 Yumba’s Playtime 4:00 Pyramid 4:30 National Afternoon News 5:30 Hot Seat 6:00 National News 6:30 A Current Affair 7:00 The Big Bang Theory: “The Wildebeest Implementation” (PG s,l) 7:30 RBT 8:30 Underbelly Files: Infiltration 10:30 True CSI: Cold Blood: Shortcut To Murder - A popular university student is brutally raped and strangled in broad daylight near her North Bay, Ontario home. Although police find key DNA evidence, construct a profile of the brazen killer and arrest a series of prime suspects, their case collapses over and over again. Can they connect the dots? And will they find Sarah Whitehead’s killer? 11:20 2011 Santos Tour Down Under - Highlights 12:20 Memphis Beat: Run On 1:15 Nine Presents 1:30 Danoz Direct 3:00 Newstyle Direct 3:30 Goodmorning America 5:00 National Early Morning News / 5:30 Today

6:00 Sunrise 9:00 Children’s Programs 10:00 2012 Australian Open 5:00 2012 Australian Open 6:00 Seven News 6:30 Today Tonight 7:00 2012 Australian Open: “2012 Australian Open - Night 3” 11:30 That ‘70s Show: “Hyde’s Father” - Hyde’s world is turned upside down when he finds that his father, who left over eight years ago, is bartending at a local dive. Donna’s annoyed when she finds a stack of girly magazines under Eric’s bed. 12:00 Auction Squad: How to add an extra room - for $700, plus your chance to share in $100,000 in home appliances. 1:00 Infomercials 3:00 Home Shopping 3:30 Room For Improvement: Don’t miss the biggest cash-back ever, as the team creates a little magic for a big-hearted Aussie Mum. 4:00 NBC Today 5:00 Sunrise Extra 5:30 Seven Early News: Natalie Barr and Mark Beretta present the latest news, sport and weather from around Australia and overseas.

5:00 Weatherwatch & Music 5:05 World News 1:00 Jump! 2:40 Spaceflies 3:00 Letters And Numbers 3:30 Al Jazeera News 4:00 The Journal 4:30 PBS Newshour 5:30 Global Village: White Diamonds Of Harbin 6:00 Letters And Numbers 6:30 World News Australia 7:30 Luke Gamble’s Vet Adventures: Grenada 8:30 From Sydney To Tokyo By Any Means: Papua New Guinea 9:30 The Chinese Are Coming 10:30 World News Australia 11:05 Movie: “Coffee and Cigarettes” (M) - A comic series of short vignettes built on one another to create a cumulative effect, as the characters discuss things as diverse as caffeine popsicles, Paris in the 1920s, and the use of nicotine as an insecticide - all the while sitting around sipping coffee and smoking cigarettes. 12:50 Movie: “Towards Zero” (M s,n,v) - In French. Adapted from an Agatha Christie novel. Guillaume, his ex-wife Aude, and his current wife Caroline head to his Aunt Camilla’s rambling country home in Brittany and right into an explosive mix of murder, twists, and turns. When Camilla is found dead in her bed, Inspector Bataille is left to determine what happened. 2:45 Weatherwatch Overnight

THURSDAY 19

ABC 4:00 Football: W-League 6:00 ABC News Breakfast 9:00 ABC News 9:30 ABC News 24 Mornings 10:00 Time Team 11:00 Chopper Rescue 11:30 One Plus One 12:00 Midday Report 12:30 Schools Spectacular 2011 3:00 Children’s Programs 6:00 The Drum 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 8:00 My Family: Susan For A Bruisn’: Susan has a school reunion, but after a number of knockbacks she is not feeling at her most confident. Can Ben’s Cavitoxing help her feel her old self again? 8:30 Midsomer Murders: The Glitch: An outspoken scientific genius and inventor stirs up resentment at the local university with murderous consequences. 10:05 The Graham Norton Show: Graham Norton presents his unique celebrity chat show focusing on the people, trends, stories and pop culture that interest him most, featuring trademark Norton comedy monologues and celebrity chat. 10:55 ABC News: Late Edition 11:05 Adam Hills In Gordon St Tonight: Adam is joined by comedian Dave Hughes, environmental activist and captain of the Sea Shepherd Paul Watson, and actress Claudia Karvan. Music is provided by Paris Wells and The Bedroom Philosopher. 12:05 Rage

4:00 Basketball: WNBL 6:00 ABC News Breakfast 9:00 ABC News 9:30 ABC News 24 Mornings 10:00 Time Team 11:00 Rivers And Life 12:00 Midday Report 12:30 The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes 1:25 My Family 2:00 Children’s Programs 6:00 The Drum 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 8:00 Jimmy’s Food Factory: Hot And Cold 8:30 The People’s Supermarket 9:25 Greatest Cities Of The World With Griff Rhys Jones: Hong Kong 10:15 ABC News: Late Edition 10:25 Stephen Fry In America: Mississippi 11:25 More Than This... The Roxy Music Story: Featuring interviews with band members, music luminaries and neverbefore-seen performance and studio footage, this is the definitive story of Bryan Ferry’s Roxy Music and their influence on generations of musicians. 12:20 Hungry Beast 12:50 The Clinic 1:40 The People’s Supermarket 2:30 The Chaser’s War On Repeats 3:00 Rage

6:00 Today 9:00 Danoz Direct 10:00 Alive And Cooking 10:30 Kitchen Whiz 11:00 National Morning News 12:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show 1:00 The View 2:00 Days Of Our Lives 3:00 Entertainment Tonight 3:30 Yumba’s Playtime 4:00 Pyramid 4:30 National Afternoon News 5:30 Hot Seat 6:00 National News 6:30 A Current Affair 7:00 The Big Bang Theory: “The Engagement Reaction” (PG s) 7:30 Getaway 8:30 Unforgettable: Lost Things 9:30 CSI: NY: Do Or Die - The senior valedictorian at Manhattan’s most elite private school is murdered in a girl’s restroom. The investigation reveals the victim’s head was bashed against a sink and that the stellar school is rife with sex, drugs and cheating. 10:30 TBA 11:30 2011 Santos Tour Down Under - Highlights 11:30 Southland: Code 4 1:30 Danoz Direct 3:00 Newstyle Direct 3:30 Goodmorning America 5:00 National Early Morning News / 5:30 Today

6:00 Sunrise 9:00 Children’s Programs 10:00 2012 Australian Open 5:00 2012 Australian Open 6:00 Seven News 6:30 Today Tonight 7:00 2012 Australian Open: “2012 Australian Open - Night 4” 11:30 That ‘70s Show: “Too Old To Trick Or Treat, Too Young To Die” (PG) - Point Place goes paranormal when Eric falls for Donna’s new look. Laurie goes psycho on Kelso, and Fez tries to figure out why Midge has disappeared. 12:00 Auction Squad: A blokey bachelor pad gets a ‘Hollywood’ makeover, for its starring role as a stylish 21st century family home. 1:00 Infomercials 3:00 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: Natalie Barr and Mark Beretta present the latest news, sport and weather from around Australia and overseas.

5:00 Weatherwatch & Music 5:05 World News 1:00 Food Lovers’ Guide to Australia 1:30 Inspector Rex: A Priest In Danger 2:30 The Squiz 3:00 Letters And Numbers 3:30 Al Jazeera News 4:00 The Journal 4:30 PBS Newshour 5:30 Global Village: Under The Spell Of Horses: India 6:00 Letters And Numbers 6:30 World News Australia 7:30 Zumbo: Summer Love 8:00 One Man and His Campervan: Northumberland - Martin Dorey, campervan lover and passionate foodie, journeys around Britain in his 1970s classic campervan on the ultimate escapist adventure. 8:30 Oz And Hugh Raise The Bar 9:35 24 Hours In Emergency 10:30 World News Australia 11:00 Sex: An Unnatural History: Taboo 11:30 Erotic Tales: Devilish Education - A milkmaid at the turn of the last century takes a swim in the river to escape the heat. The next day a stranger shows her a painting depicting her naked. Embarrassed but hardly offended, she is introduced to the secret pleasures of life. 12:05 Kill Arman: USA / Street Fighting 12:35 The Fixer 2:25 Weatherwatch Overnight

12 – Cooktown Local News 12 - 18 January 2012


CROSSWORD No. 80

SUDOKU No. 80

Your Lucky

ARIES (March 21st - April 20th) Time spent helping out a friend at work may take up more of your energy than you expect. Your input will not go unnoticed, however. Romance. Don’t allow yourself to be ruled by your emotions. You need to make an important decision and must wait until you are more relaxed.

TAURUS (April 21st - May 21st) Once you have started a new project nobody will be able to stop you! Your momentum will help you to push through a barrier which has stopped other people in their tracks. Romance. Your partner may find it hard to cope with all your excess energy! A powerful aspect to Mars later in the week could make you a little tense: do your best to use your excess energy constructively.

GEMINI (May 22nd - June 21st)

ACROSS

1..... Wine storage (6) 4..... Slacken, cease (3, 2) 6..... To cut grass (3) 4..... Cherish (4) 10... TV cooking contest (6, 4) 12... Ridiculous (6) 13... Opinion (6) 14... Place where you were born (5, 5) 16... Indonesia’s largest island (4) 17... How many Olympic medals did Cathy Freeman win? (3) 18... Saying: The pen is mightier than the ----- (5)

19... Lease holder (6)

DOWN

A few negative comments this week may sap your confidence for a while. You need to take the remarks in context, however, and not overreact. Romance. A person whom you have known for some time may still be interested in you. They will do their best to pretend not to be interested, but their actions will give them away.

FOR KIDS

CANCER (June 22nd - July 23rd)

1..... Joker (8) 2..... Rule (3) 3..... Connected by kinship (7) 4..... Vital organ (5) 5..... Evidence (5) 9..... Month (7) 9..... Cup used in church (7) 11 ... Spin-off, by product (3, 5) 13... Weight in bottom of boat to keep it stable (7) 14... Metal alloy in copper and zinc (5) 15... Stash (5) 17... Drink (3)

FINDWORD No. 80

Be careful that problems at work don’t spill over into your home-life. So long as you try hard to be patient, everything will be resolved. Romance. You may need a little extra emotional support from your partner at the moment. Communications between you will be especially strong, but be careful not to be too demanding.

LEO (July 24th - August 23rd) Activities which don’t need much money will give you a chance to get back on your feet financially. Some recent extravagances have taken their toll. Romance. A favourable aspect to Venus will give your love-life a push in the right direction. A romantic get-together this week will put your relationship onto much firmer ground after a recent misunderstanding.

VIRGO (August 24th - September 23rd)

ARIES (March 21st - April 20th) Try to avoid petty disagreements causing friction between different members of the family. It might be better if some areas of discussion were avoided altogether for a while. Romance. If you are looking to meet someone new then this week will be one of the best times to open up any opportunities that come your way.

TAURUS (April 21st - May 21st) This will be a very successful week, so long as you avoid people who try to waste your time. You may have to be quite firm at times! Romance. Everything points to you having a strong sense of purpose this week. This should not be only restricted to your work or professional life and a confident approach should not be avoided.

GEMINI (May 22nd - June 21st) You will have the travel bug this week, with good reason, so be sure to arrange a trip away early on. You will be then fully revitalised for the upcoming weeks. Romance. A person whom you admire will give you a few words of encouragement today. You will instantly be feeling in a more positive mood.

CANCER (June 22nd - July 23rd) A new project should get off to an excellent start. Be sure to focus your energies on this early on, otherwise you may have to modify your original plans to take recent events into account. Romance. This would be an excellent time for a romantic evening. You will be in the best of moods, and will enjoy being made a fuss of.

LEO (July 24th - August 23rd) You may need to sort out a problem which has arisen amongst your friends. Whatever you do, you are likely to upset one side or the other! Romance. A strong aspect to Uranus will bring spontaneity in travel and romance so stick your neck out and combine the two. You will not be disappointed!

VIRGO (August 24th - September 23rd)

LIBRA (September 24th - October 23rd)

You may find it difficult to tolerate people who don’t know what they are doing. You won’t appreciate having to clear up a mess caused by someone else. Romance. If you are able to relax properly this will be an excellent week for both of you. Be especially careful not to get into arguments, especially ones involving money. You won’t be in a mood for compromise at the moment!

You know that you are taking the right course of action. A show of support from your friends will cheer you up and give you the confidence to continue. Romance. You may be feeling especially wild at the moment. Hold back before you make an unfortunate mistake!

SCORPIO (October 24th - November 22nd)

A favourable aspect to Neptune will help you to use your intuition in a situation in which you will definitely need it. The most logical solution may not be the best one to take. Romance. Neptune could also make you a little unrealistic at times. Don’t do anything rash until you have had a chance to discuss it with friends.

A kind word will go a– long way. Your enthuFor all your printing needs www.lotsa.com.au siasm and energy will be appreciated by the people around you; however you must be sympathetic to people who are not so dynamic. Romance. A favourable aspect to Neptune this week will improve your powers of intuition, just when you most need them!

MUDDY RIVER

CAPRICORN (December 22nd - January 20th)

– Elizabeth Kenny

 

LIBRA (September 24th - October 23rd)

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd - December 21st)



Stars

This will be a great time to brainstorm for creative ideas. You will feel productive but you may have to push others to get through what you want. Romance. Your partner will be very responsive if you give out the right signals. Don’t worry if they seem shy about letting you know how they feel.

At times this week you will need to spend more time by yourself. You have a lot of work to get through and won’t be happy if you are constantly interrupted. Romance. A new relationship may pick up speed faster than you expect. Very soon you will have to make a decision about how quickly you want to get involved with this person.

He who angers you conquers you.

A surprise move later in the week may leave you wondering what is going on. Talk to a person whom you can trust – your other colleagues may not be so quick to tell you everything. Romance. A power-struggle between you and your partner will not help either of you. Do your best to settle a recent dispute in a way which satisfies both sides.

A LAUGH WITH LOTSA

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Your  Lucky

SCORPIO (October 24th - November 22nd)

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd - December 21st) Don’t be too shy about expressing your feelings to the people who matter to you. If your friends don’t know what is important to you they won’t be able to help you. Romance. A chance remark may have more significance than it seems at the time. Remember what this person says – you will see the full meaning of it later in the week.

CAPRICORN (December 22nd - January 20th)

Your ability to spot a financial opportunity will help to bring in some money just when you need it most. Make sure you don’t take any more risks than you have to, however. Romance. Time spent with someone whom you hardly know could prove interesting. This person may be much keener on you than you realised. Don’t expect any dramatic developments for the time being, however.

Someone whom you have not seen for a little while will soon be coming back into your life. A meeting around the middle of the week will give you a chance to catch up with what this friend has been up to. Romance. A difficult aspect to Pluto may cause a deep-seated emotional problem to come to the surface. Deal with it as comprehensively as you can before the situation escalates.

AQUARIUS (January 21st - February 19th)

AQUARIUS (January 21st - February 19th)

A favourable aspect to Jupiter will help to bring a little more luck into your life over the next few days. Don’t miss an opportunity just because a friend tries to put you off. Romance. Your self-confidence will be especially high at the moment. You may need to be the one who takes the initiative in a new relationship.

SOLUTIONS No. 80

PISCES (February 20th - March 20th) A favourable aspect to Jupiter will give you the confidence you need to sort out a long-standing problem. You need to deal head-on with an issue which you have been trying to avoid. Romance. Your partner will appreciate a few words of encouragement. You might not realise how much they value your support.

A difficult decision could create stress for a while this week. So long as you ignore other people’s advice, you are unlikely to go very far wrong. Romance. Be careful not to let an emotional power-struggle develop between you and your partner. An issue which should have been resolved weeks ago will come back to haunt you.

PISCES (February 20th - March 20th) A person who has let you down in the past is just about to do so again. Don’t be too trusting the second time around. Romance. This will be a very good period for romance, provided you don’t lose patience with your partner. An incident at the beginning of the week could sour your relationship for a while: do your best to put it to one side and focus on all those things which have gone right.

Cooktown Local News 12 - 18 January 2012 – 13


Trades and Services BLINDS & AWNINGS

Cooktown Blinds & Awnings

%DITOR Sä EMAIL EDITOR COOKTOWNä LOCALNEWS COM AU !DVERTISINGä EMAIL ADS COOKTOWNä LOCALNEWS COM AU

ď – Blinds ď – Awnings ď – Shade Sails ď – for a FREE measure and quote Phone: 4069 6625 or 0439 393 546

!DVERTISINGän sä"OXäADä BOOKINGS BYä AMä 45%3$!93 sä"OXäADä MATERIAL BYä.//.ä 45%3$!93 sä,INEä #LASSIlEDS BYä AMä 7%$.%3$!93 %DITORIALän sä'ENERALä PICS ä STORIES äLETTERS ä ETC BYä.//.ä -/.$!93 sä2EGULARä COLUMNS BYä PMä &2)$!93 sä3PORTSä COLUMNS BYä PMä -/.$!93

CLANCY GANFIELD Electrician Based in Cooktown Servicing Cairns to the Tip clancy_ganďŹ eld@hotmail.com Lic. No. 73751

EQUIPMENT HIRE & RAW MATERIAL SUPPLIES

BUILDERS BloomďŹ eld - Rossville Cooktown - Lakeland ANDREW DAVIES LICENSED BUILDER PH: 0408 930 905

Phone: 4060 8219 Mobile: 0401 882 650 Fax: 07 4027 9615 Email: ashley@rasaholliday.com Web: www.rasaholliday.com Electrical Contractors Licence: 72639

Steve Weise ď † Machinery Hire ď † All your Sand & Gravel needs ď † Mulch, Road Base & Top Soil available ď † Small loads catered for

Ph 0429 491 744

BUILDING * RENOVATIONS * FURNITURE * LICENSED ASBESTOS REMOVAL *

FENCING

CABINET MAKING

Kingfisher

FENCING

/FlCEä(OURS AMänä -IDDAY /0%.äALLäDAYä 7%$.%3$!9

$EADLINES

EQUIPMENT HIRE

0439 046 555

4ELEPHONE ä ä &AX ä ä

ELECTRICAL

ENGINE REPAIRS

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

Licensed Contractor QBSA 1093073

0428 128 044

X 4098

1866

FLOOR COVERINGS

CONCRETING & CARPENTRY

CARPET, VINYL & BLINDS Servicing Far North Qld and all Islands

Supply and lay Supply and lay Sand & polish

* Gov approved products * * Domestice & commercial * * Repairs * Call Neil and deal direct with layer

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

EARTHMOVING

Ph: 0419 776 121 E: nmcash22@gmail.com

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

EQUIPMENT HIRE GENERAL MAINTENANCE Q: ANY NIGGLING MAINTENANCE NEEDS? Q: CAN�T GET A TRADIE &/OR THEIR PRICES PROHIBATIVE A: FAIR FLAT RATE $30/hr 0434848232

INSURANCE

All aspects of earthmoving – Experienced and professional operators Specialising in roadworks, subdivisions, clearing, driveways, dams and rockwalls. • 8, 12, 21, 23 and 26 Tonne Excavators • Grader, Backhoes, Rollers, Dozer • Float, Roadtrain Sidetippers and Water Trucks

Contact us on 0408 181 894 or 4069 6407

14 – Cooktown Local News 12 - 18 January 2012

ph: 4031 1222 mob: 0417 708 814


Trades and Services PLUMBING

PAINTERS

STORAGE SHEDS

Telephone: 1300 4895 00 Fax: 1300 7872 48

PEST CONTROL

ALL PEST

• Plumber • Drainer • GasďŹ tter

R&C Lemon BSA No 736944

& WEED CONTROL 7HUPLWH 6SHFLDOLVWV $%1 %6$ 7HUPLWHV 3UH WUHDWV 3UH SXUFKDVH 7HUPLWH 5HSRUWV 5HWLFXODWLRQ %DLWLQJ 6\VWHPV &RFNURDFKHV $QWV 6SLGHUV 5RGHQWV )OHDV HWF

• All Maintenance and New Work • Remote Work a Specialty

PH: 4069 5378

6HUYLFLQJ &DUGZHOO WR &DSH <RUN 7RUUHV 6WUDLW

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

ROOFING

199 Newell St Bungalow Ph: 4054 2888 E: admin@allpestandweed.com.au

Phones attended 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday

Ferrari Street (behind Mobil S/S) Cooktown

Phone: 4069 5545 • Mobile: 0408 772 361

TREELOPPING

Email your

classiďŹ eds thru to

ads@ cooktownlocal news. com.au

Pre-payment required so please include your postal address and your credit card details, or we can provide direct debit information

Deadline – 10.30am WEDNESDAYS

BSA: 101 86 85

Advertise in the SHEDS

UPHOLSTERY PLASTERING

AUTHORISED DISTRIBUTORS FOR

THE SHED COMPANY PRODUCTS

COOKTOWN SHEDS Supplying and Servicing All The Far North

Advertise your business Call 1300 4895 00

Michael Brett 0417 484 948 0408 249 888 Email: mjtsurf@hotmail.com • RESIDENTIAL

• RURAL

• COMMERCIAL

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

Attention: Trades & Services Advertisers 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 $3,300â€?. Non-compliance with these requirements may result in the advertiser receiving a warning or a ďŹ ne from the BSA. If you do not meet the above requirements in your present advertisement, please contact us as soon as possible with your details. Telephone: 1300 4895 00 Fax: 1300 7872 48 Email: ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au

TRADES and SERVICES section in

C O L O U R

For more details call

1300 4895 00 or email

ads@ cooktownlocalnews .com.au to book your advertisement

Cooktown Local News 12 - 18 January 2012 – 15


CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING DEADLINE: 10.30AM WEDNESDAYS

Sylvia Simpson

FOR SALE

FOR RENT

POSITIONS VACANT

TRADES

CONTAINERS for sale or hire. Ph Cooktown Towing, Tyres & Mechanical 4069 5545.

TWO BEDROOM unit for rent. Recently renovated high set unit with lots of undercover space. Quiet cul-de-sac at the bottom of Grassy Hill. Lovely garden and bush surroundings. Two minutes walk to Post OfďŹ ce. Reasonable Rental Ph 0415 369 874

CLEANING staff wanted. Must be honest, conscientious, with the ability to pay attention to detail. Must be reliable and have own transport. Will be expected to work unsupervised. Early morning start – ďŹ nish before 9AM. Please phone Nellie on 07 4069 6404 or Mobile 0428 696 404.

COOKTOWN Skip Bins. Commercial and domestic rubbish removal and disposal. Ph 4069 5851 or 0417 962 581.

Happy 60th Birthday!

FOR SALE

Have a great day on Friday

2000 TOYOTA Hilux Dual Cab tray back with cage, 262 000kms, rego til June 2012, gc, $5000 ono ph 0428 472 110.

Lots of love from George, Nardia, Jason and all the family

FOR SALE TWO bedroom masonry block home. Recently renovated. Quiet rural location, five minutes to town. Includes adequate tank water storage, plus shed with toilet and extra room for your boat/caravan. $300,000. To view property call Robyn 4069 5196 or Jeff 0418 880 506.

GUNGARDE COMMUNITY CENTRE

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST Required for tendering housing upgrades for Gungarde all interested parties including Builders, concreters, treeloppers and fencers are to attend a meeting at Gungarde on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 6pm for further information.

MOTELS

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF AGM

PROPERTY FOR SALE

TWO BEDROOM flat - half duplex. $260 per week, air conditioned bedrooms, centrally located, close to hospital. Responsible tenants need only apply. Phone 0438 106 108

COOKTOWN Amateur Turf Club announce Annual General Meeting to be held 11 AM, Sun 22nd January 2012. All members encouraged to attend.

Cooktown Skip Bins Rubbish removal and disposal

Three bedroom air-conditioned house, walk to town – partly furnished $280 Two bedroom air-conditioned units furnished – $250 per week Three bedroom air-conditioned unit, walk to town – $260 per week

Must have references. Contact Karen Olsen • Phone: 4069 5775 • or Email direct: karenolsen@bigpond.com

TRADES TILING, Free quotes, 15 yrs experience, fully qualified. Ph Peter 0412 859 587

Servicing Cooktown since 1997

Visiting regularly ď † ď † ď † ď † ď †

Ph 4069 5775 or 0428 696 775 www.fnqproperty.com

Fully air-conditioned four bedroom house – long term lease preferred

GET $10,000 grant before 31 Jan. Two lovely, recently renovated homes on one acre. $240,000 each. 0400 029480.

Optometrist visiting

Ph: Deb Smith 4069 5851 or 0428 106 136

FOR RENT:

Ocular health Eyesight testing Glaucoma assessment Diabetic sight analysis Contact Lens Consultations

Eyedentity Optical phone: (07) 4033 7575 Cooktown Computer Stuff 72 Charlotte St #OMPUTERäSALESäsäSERVICEäsäREPAIRS säCABLESäsäMEDIAäNETWORKING säSOFTWAREä äVIRUSäTROUBLESHOOTING säCARTRIDGESäsäRE INKING

Phone 4069 6010

%MAIL äCOMPUTERSTUFF BIGPOND COM

Proposed Development Have your say From: To:

Extractive Industry Increased Extractive Industry (20,000t to 100,000t) and ERA’s 16-2(b), 16-3(a) and 33

By:

Marilyn Clark

At:

41 Mt Amos Road, Cooktown

On:

Lot 1 on RP902192

:

4041 5118

web:

N/A

Approval sought:

Development Permit

Application No.:

DA/2844

Comment period: 12/1/12 – 28/2/12 Written comments to the assessment manager Assessment Manager: Post: : web:

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

FOR RENT

ADVERTISE your classified here! Garage Sales, Meetings, Car or Boat for Sale!

Cook Shire Council PO Box 3, Cooktown QLD 4895 (07) 4069 5444 www.cook.qld.gov.au

Telephone: 1300 4895 00 Fax: 1300 7872 48

PUBLIC NOTICES

CIVIL celebrant Kathleen Roberts. Naming Ceremonies, Marriages, Funeral Co-ordination. 4069 5004 or 0427 695 004

Refreshments will be served.

R

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

AAA CBD CBD CBD – Inn Cairns Boutique Apartments, 17 Lake Street, Cairns. Self catering, secure car parking, pool/gazebo, opp PO and Woolworths. Ph 07 4041 2350.

Please rsvp at the Gungarde ofďŹ ce or call (07) 4069 5412.

AINFOREST EAL ESTATE

MOTELS

$EADLINES !DVERTISINGän

sä"OXäADäBOOKINGS BYä AMä 45%3$!93 sä"OXäADäMATERIAL BYä.//.ä 45%3$!93 sä,INEä#LASSIlEDS BYä AMä 7%$.%3$!93

%DITORIALän

sä'ENERALä PICS ä STORIES äLETTERS ä ETC BYä.//.ä -/.$!93 sä2EGULARä COLUMNS BYä PMä&2)$!93 sä3PORTSäCOLUMNS BYä PMä-/.$!93

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 MacMillan St, Cooktown

Ph Phil 4069 5224 or Mob 0417 776 524

COOK SHIRE COUNCIL

TENDER T07/11 TENDER FOR BULK WASTE TRANSPORT Cook Shire Council invites Tenders for contractors interested in undertaking the haulage of bulk waste, on a weekly basis, from Cooktown to the Spring Mount LandďŹ ll in Mareeba, Qld. The contract is expected to run for three (3) years. Tender Documents may be downloaded from www.cook.qld.gov.au ďƒ” Council ďƒ” Tenders and Contracts.

Copies of the full application can be viewed or obtained from the Assessment Manager

Enquiries may be directed to Council’s Business Services Manager on 07 4069 5444.

Public NotiďŹ cation Requirement Sustainable Planning Act 2009 Form 5 v 1

Tenders MUST be lodged in Cook Shire Council’s Tender Box at 10 Furneaux Street (Cooktown QLD) by: 2pm, Thursday, February 9, 2012.

16 – Cooktown Local News 12 - 18 January 2012

Phones attended 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday

Email your

classiďŹ eds thru to

ads@ cooktownlocal news. com.au

Pre-payment required so please include your postal address and your credit card details, or we can provide direct debit information

Deadline – 10.30am WEDNESDAYS

Advertise in the

TRADES and SERVICES section in

C O L O U R

For more details call

1300 4895 00 or email

ads@ cooktownlocalnews .com.au to book your advertisement


COMMUNITY Will we see a better year in 2012?

Reverend was active in local affairs Step Back WITHä #OOKTOWNä (ISTORIALä 3OCIETY

View from the Hill WELL, here we are in 2012 at last, and feeling optimistic. Whatever the new year brings, the chances are it will be better than the old one. As a start, let’s hope for more tourists, even the ones who are too cheap to pay $10 per night for using the facilities. Anyone who takes up some pavement space will make Cooktown look more alive, and they will inevitably spread out to the outlying centres too. Let’s make a New Year’s Resolution to appreciate our visitors, even the stingiest grey nomad. While we are at it, we should appreciate our backpackers too. They work hard and keep our agricultural economy ticking over, so I promise to learn “G’Day” in Japanese and Korean to be friendly. Watching the juggernaut of the American elections rolling ponderously on, I promise to see our own politicians for what they really are. Yes, they are scheming, devious, self-centred creeps with the world view of a Canberra possum, but they are far from as bad as the American version. Over there really is another planet. Did you know that near two-thirds of Republican voters think evolution is a conspiracy theory to undermine American values and steal their apple pies? Over there, despite all the evidence against it, they still believe in “trickle down” economics. This is the charming idea that, if you allow a very small percentage of your population to get obscenely rich, they will spend all their money and the benefits will trickle down to the rest of the population. It just happens that the folks at the very top of the tree are the politicians and their friends (surprise, surprise), and they are free to indulge in as many cigars and champagne magnums as they like. Unfortunately, the folks at the bottom of the tree are being slowly buried under mounds of cigar ash, and are finding that the champagne trickling down to their level has a distinctly used quality to it. We are not that bad - yet. We are still treated to airline and department store owners on television demanding protection for their unique life styles, but we are not stupid enough to listen. Are we?

The Reverend H H Gowing in a sketch done by Garnett Agnew, appearing in the mural at the West Coast Hotel. OVER the next few weeks we are continuing on with more “Faces in the street”. This series was started last year and looks at the characters depicted in the mural at the West Coast Hotel. This time, it is the turn of Harry Gowing and Bill Eccles - two contrasting characters. Harry Herbert Gowing: We are fortunate to have been able to build a picture of Harry Gowing from his First World War service records. On his medical examination papers, Harry was described as having brown eyes (with good vision), dark brown hair and a ‘florid’ complexion. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in September 1915, aged 35 years and seven months. His occupation at the time was listed as clerk, however, his military appointment in November 1915 was to the “5th Reinforcements 8th Field Ambulance AMC”. His enlistment papers indicated he had previously been

rejected for service due to being under standard height - he was 5’6”- and he was of slight build, just eight stone three pounds (52kg). His papers tell us also that he was married, had children, and that at least two-fifths of his pay was to be directed to his wife (Flora) and the children. He was native born and his religion was Church of England. In May of 1916 he embarked with his unit bound for Alexandria. Later in the same year he was transferred to England attached to the Australian Auxiliary Hospital, which was based in Southall, London. His service was cut short in November of that year when he was repatriated to Australia on H T “Wiltshire”, suffering from colitis. He was discharged from duty in February 1917. By 1919, Harry had apparently regained his health. We read of him now named as “The Rev. H H Gowing” in a newspaper report from the Diocese of Goulburn (NSW) in which it was

noted that the Rev. Gowing had been relieving the Rector of Borowa and was in August 1919, to be temporarily appointed in charge of the parish of Gunning due to the incumbent’s illness. Ten years later in 1929, Rev. Gowing’s career had taken him to what must have been a more permanent appointment in Cooktown, where, in his role as Church of England Minister, he conducted the graveside service for 86-year- old Mrs S A Williams, the mother of another of our “faces” (Montefore Williams). It would appear that Rev. Gowing involved himself impartially in Cooktown events. His kind comments at a farewell function held at the convent school for a departing police officer, Acting Sergeant S J Gavin, were considered newsworthy. Sergeant Gavin was not one of the Reverend’s flock, but Rev. Gowing expressed pleasure at having been included in the gathering. Another of the Reverend’s notable duties in the Cooktown area, reported as far away

as Townsville, was his solemnising of the union between Henrietta Doris Holzapfel and Arthur Philip Miller at Rose Park, Flaggy, Endeavour River in April, 1931. Described in great detail in the newspaper report, this “very pretty wedding”, was possibly the marriage of the year in the area. Apart from his official duties as a Minister of the Church of England, Rev. Gowing involved himself in community matters. He was present at a meeting of Trustees, Committee and Sub-scribers to the School of Arts, during which the removal of the School of Arts building, due to its ‘dangerous condition’ (the meeting was held, prudently, in the Library) and the sale of furniture, subject to government approval, were discussed. The Reverend Gowing was elected to a vacancy on the committee at the same meeting. By MARGE SCULLY and JEAN STEPHAN Cooktown History Centre

Are problems disturbing your peace? TO a sovereign God, our problems as far as God is concerned are miniscule. After all, the Lord said, “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for From the Pulpit me? : Jer 32:27 Gen 18:14. Dad looked out the kitchen window as his seven-year-old son played in the backyard sandpit. He watched him moving several large rocks out of the sandbox. One very big rock was giving the boy a great deal of trouble. He watched his son move the rock to the edge of the sandpit, but each time it looked like he would be able to move it over the side of the sandpit, the rock would

fall back. The last time it fell, it pinched one of his little fingers. The father walked out to his tearful son and asked him what the matter was. His son told him all about the heavy rock in the sandpit. The father asked, “Why didn’t you use all the strength you had?” The little boy replied, “I did dad, I did.” The father responded, “No son, you didn’t ask your dad!” And with that the father reached down and together he and his son removed the rock from the sandpit. Remember the old hymn: “What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear, What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” The Bible tells us not to be anxious, but to come to Him for every need knowing that there is nothing He cannot do. Remember, “when in a fix, Philippians 4:6” May the God of peace who stepped into human history as Jesus, Emmanuel,- “God with us”, grant you his peace and keep you in that peace in 2012. Pastor Peter Cooktown Baptist Church.

Cooktown Local News 12 - 18 January 2012 – 17


SPORT

“The big five” Lord, why did you create midges, mosquitoes and fleas Who bite, bequeath itches and savage ankles and knees? It’s hard to love one mozzie, let alone en masse! How hungrily they breed and feed, alas and alack! Beauty shines in strength, line and speed; horse, tiger, gazelle. Beasts of burden aid; donkey, ox, yak, camel as well; But why give us these minute marauders and their crowd? P’rhaps to wrap in humble cloth Man who deigns to walk proud. And then there’s Mr and Mrs Cockroach and their ilk, Who bestow on mankind no leather, fur, meat or milk, Yet survive freezing, probably a nuclear blast. Maybe their smelly juices will cure cancer at last. And Number Five is Louis the Fly (and all his mob); Swarming faces, ferrying germs, bustling on the job. Even with my rampant imagination on high, His “raison d’etre” eludes me, I confess and sigh. I shall ask, in Paradise, where time is eternal, Why The Lord choose to invent The Big Five Infernal. Till then, I’ve decided, He must just want me to know That right royal relief and jubilant joy when they GO! By DIANNE KELLER. All itchy, annoying beasties are now revelling in our weather but happy New Year anyway and don’t let the bedbugs bite!Email your contributions for our column to: thekellers@bigpond.com or post to: P O Box 645, Cooktown, 4895.

Country Road Coachlines CAIRNS TO COOKTOWN ~ Passenger and freight ~

EXPRESS BUS SERVICE

Bus Services DEPARTS CAIRNS Inland Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun at 7am Coastal Mon, Wed and Fri at 7am DEPARTS COOKTOWN Inland Mon, Tues, Sat at 12.30pm Wed, Fri, Sun at 1.30pm Coastal Tues, Thurs and Sat at 7.30am

Boris, Doris and the Russians on the Track

Olga, Alex and Dmitri Chuprakov--visitors from Russia via Shanghai. Photos: MIKE D’ARCY

Along the BLOOMFIELD TRACK

A JOURNEY along the Track became a spine-tingling experience for a visiting Russian family last week. Dmitri and Olga (and son Alex) are examples of modern, highly mobile, international professionals. They now live in Shanghai, China consulting to the oil industry. Previously, they had lived in Cuba and Russia. The hustle and bustle of Shanghai encourages them to visit Australia, New Zealand and other high-nature, low population places. Rock-climbing and wilderness are high on their lists of to-do things, and already Alex is showing the skills of his grandad, a former rock-climbing expert from the Ukraine. “Seeing the wild and remote views along the coastline, hearing about Indigenous history and culture at Wujal Wujal and learning about the history around Cooktown made us really think about the concept of first contact between the different cultures,”

Olga explained. “That’s why we wanted to visit Cooktown. “We have been right through South America down to Tierra del Fuego (“Land of Fires”) and visited the Magellan Museum, where the story of first contact between Europeans and the natives of South America is explained really well. We’ve also lived in Cuba and learned about the impact of the Europeans on the local populations. The similarities are scary. “Now to visit Cooktown, Archer Point, Grassy Hill, the James Cook Museum and Wujal Wujal has given us an amazing, spine-tingling experience. It makes us feel like we have shared the experience of first contact from many angles.” “The Russians are coming” - catch cry of the Cold War: Dmitri was highly amused to visit the 1885 Russian Canon on the Esplanade, supplied from Brisbane (along

INLAND SERVICE – Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun Departs Cairns 7am. Arrives CTN 11.45am. Departs Cooktown Mon, Tues, Sat 12.30pm, arrives CNS 5pm. Departs Cooktown Wed, Fri, Sun 1.30pm, arrives CNS 6pm. 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’ 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)

Once Boris, now renamed Doris after laying eggs at Lynchaven.

Troncs

Transport Solutions Body Truck Monday to Friday Departs Cooktown for Cairns approx 4pm daily

Chiller and Freezer Product accepted in Cairns Monday – Thursday by 3pm For delivery in Cooktown Tuesday – Friday Semi Trailer out of Cairns

 Dry goods to depot Monday to Friday by 3pm  Van and Truck pick-ups to be phoned in by 2pm Monday to Friday

Cooktown Office and Yard – Phone: (07) 4069 5661 After Hours: Ken 0417 645 101 Endeavour Valley Road, Cooktown • Office Hours: 9am-5pm Monday to Friday

Cairns Yard – Phone: (07) 4035 3360 169 Little Spence Street, Monday to Friday Depot: 8am-3pm, Office: 8am-5pm

Mareeba Depot CLC Produce 5 Frew Street Mareeba

 Container and Oversize Transport also available – Phone enquiries on (07) 4035 3360 18 – Cooktown Local News 12 - 18 January 2012

with four cannonballs and an Army Lieutenant) to save Cooktown from the Russian invasion. “The plan must have worked,” said Dmitri, “as the Russian Fleet never set foot in Cooktown.” Until now Dmitri, your family’s visit was much more relaxing. Oddity of the week concerns Boris, a resident croc at Lynchaven Motel, Diwan (between Cow Bay and Cape Trib). “Boris” has now been re-named ‘Doris’ after she was found sitting on a pile of eggs in her cage. Good work, Doris! With the recent brilliant weather, visitors along the Track have had brilliant scenery, coloured and calm seas, crocs at the Bloomfield River lookout, a family of cassowaries at Emmagen Creek and Cape Trib resort area and even a bustard or plains turkey towards Archer Point. Not to forget fresh seafood and rambutans in season. A great time, with no crowds. The Track itself has been very good, especially the Cape Trib/Wujal section. The gravel sections from Ayton to Rossville are pretty awful unfortunately, so drive carefully unless you want to give the underneath of your car a workout. Watch for a few highish tides around midday - remember, anything above about 2.4 metres makes the Bloomfield River crossing too high. Watch for rain in the catchment area and ask locals if in doubt. Happy travelling Mike D’Arcy D’Arcy of Daintree 4WD Tours www.darcyofdaintree.com.au Ph:+61 7 4098 9180

Nothing normal about Muff’s trail A LOT has been happening to the Hash in the few weeks over Christmas. This is the time of year when some of us disappear off down south, while others turn into normal people. They produce previously unacknowledged parents and grandchildren from goodness knows where, and run around pandering to their every need. I have to shake my head when I see hard-nosed Hashers playing with kids on the grass. Don’t they have any sense of what is appropriate? I shall bear their behaviour in mind next time I see them pretending to be larrikins. On New Year’s Eve we were

ferried over to the North Shore. Ostensibly for a run, but actually to watch Captain F*&t and his crew performing a comedy of errors as they tried to get moored. You have never seen such a mess of tangled lines, misplaced anchors and contradictory orders. I wish I had brought a camera - it would have been an instant hit on YouTube.The after-party at Cooks Landing (thank you, Bev) was fun and finished off a good year. The new year has started with a ‘gentle’ run at Muff and Tuff’s, where we got savaged by swarms of marsh flies, chased along a trail that Muff said was normal but seemed to be about 15 km long. Never mind, at least the food was good. Then last Monday, Deep Throat laid her first ever run. A good crowd of Hashers turned out to find she had

laid a real runner’s trail. There were interesting bits of bush to start and finish, but in between was a long stretch of road where the runners disappeared into the distance. Back at the bash, Stumbles presided and celebrated Sew Ezy’s birthday, Soggy collecting some impressively bloody scratches, and Deep Throat’s three-quarter carton run. Virgin Keith was welcomed, and Granddad was punished for being long and boring. The parties continue next week as we celebrate Burn’s Night at Oyster’s. Just turn up at 5.30pm Monday, January 16 and it would be a good idea to wear something tartan to honour the occasion. Call Moses on 4069 5854 or 0409 686 032 for details. On-on! Lye Bak


SPORT

Shooters take advantage of good weather THE good weather during Christmas and the New Year at the SSAA Cameron Creek Range allowed shooters from various disciplines to take the advantage and put in extra practice or sighting-in. Toby reports it was a quiet shoot for the Combined Services Core 3 Position Rifle Shoot last weekend, and from a possible score of 150.30 points results were as follows: Accurised class - Toby Graves was first with 131.2 and Andy Hill second with 90. Standard class - Toby Graves was first with 119.3 and Andy Hill second with 97.3. The next Rifle Shoot will be a Rimfire and Centrefire day on Saturday, January 21. For further details call Toby on 4069 5663. Anne Williams Secretary

Bowlers celebrate a good year

Winners of the 2011 Mixed Fours Competition - Barry Clarke, Alex Poberay, Karen Johnstone and Bob O’Doherty.

Snake banned from club SIX shooters and one snake turned up for our first shoot on Wednesday, January 4, “Toby the Snake Charmer” relocated our slithery friend to a safer place before the shooting begun. Mal took out first place with a score of 495, Melinda took out second with 438 and third went to Steve with 420. Chris, Toby and Lina were placed fourth, fifth and sixth respectively. Lina’s score was a Personal Best and she continues to improve every week. Everyone in the club is excited about 2012 being a very competitive and fun year of shooting. January dates to put in your diary: Sunset shoots - Wednesdays, 18 and 25 from 5.30pm, alternating between Combined Service Core and Sports pistol/Centrefire; Practical shoot - Sunday, 22 from 9am; and General meeting is the last Wednesday of the month, January 25 at 5.30pm. Chris Stewart Publicity Officer

Cooktown Bowls Club President Bob Sullivan (centre) with Dave Webber and Heath Bramwel - winners of the Men’s Pairs.

Cooktown Bowls Club’s youngest bowling member, Kevin Dukes won trophies for the Men’s Triples and the Men’s Fours Competitions.

COOKTOWN Bowls Club held its Annual General Meeting in conjunction with last year’s Christmas party and Trophy Presentations function. The new committee members for 2012 were all elected unopposed, with Bob Sullivan returned as President, Vice-President - Bob O’Doherty, Secretary - Kimberley Roberts, Treasurer - Merle O’Doherty, Greens Director - Barry Clarke and Committee Members - Alex Poberay, Sue Stephenson, Peg Watkins and Karen Olsen. Our one and only junior bowler Kevin Dukes won two trophies this year and continues to bowl well. Other juniors and seniors are welcome to come and try on any of our social days, when they will be assisted by other bowlers if required. There were a number of improvements to the club during last year, with new shade areas added which are currently being lined, and lighting and fans installed, while a garden bed has been planted along the front fence. The club assisted a number of local organisations throughout the year with more than $19,000 donated to the community for various reasons. Our courtesy coach was upgraded and has the dual role of taking bowlers to other bowling events in the Atherton Tableland District. Our old bus found a good home with the RSL Sub Branch who were very appreciative of the donation. The committee is extremely proud of the standing the club holds within the local community, and will continue to strive to provide a quality facility for our members and patrons. The long awaited extension to the club is on track for completion around the middle of this year. Good bowling all. The Bowls Bag

Visitor wins last competition for year FIRST and foremost - happy New Year to everyone and may 2012 be a prosperous one for all. A very enjoyable couple of weeks In the at Cooktown Golf Links were had Bunker with playing numbers staying pretty much the same as last year’s figures, but it would be great to see more people coming out to take advantage of our little piece of paradise. The winner of the weekly Stroke competition held between December 24 and 30 was visitor, Marg Woodrow who had a nett score of 65 - three-under-par.

Ian Keller was the runner-up for this competition with his two-under-par 63. The weekly Stableford competition held between December 31 and January 6 was Rick Cowe who finished with an impressive 39. Ian Keller was again the runner-up for the week with 38. The weekly competition for this week, January 7 to 13 is a Stroke competition and leading the field so far is Wayne Brennan with a nett score of 60. Coming in at runner-up is Blue Hobbs and Steve Weise, who both have a nett of 62. This competition ends on Friday so come out and have a hit you just never know your luck.

This Saturday will be the weekly Stableford competition which will run from January 14 to 20, while the following week will be a Stroke competition. The main calendar of events will recommence on Saturday, January 28, which will be the January Monthly Medal. Thanks to Phil and Chris who have managed to maintain the course in such a pristine condition without much rain. The compliments being delivered to me by members and visitors on the condition of the course is a testament to the hard work that the boys are putting in - it just keeps getting better and better. Happy golfing everyone. Kelly Barnett - Manager, Cooktown Golf Club

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

CAIRNS OFFICE

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

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

Tuxworth & Woods Carriers

Established more than 30 years Cooktown Local News 12 - 18 January 2012 – 19


Sport Cooktown Local

SPORTS CONTRIBUTIONS

Phone: 1300 4895 00 • Fax: 1300 787 248 • Email: editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au

Sports reports deadline is 5pm, Monday prior to publication

editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au

A smelly old pillie lures rare beauty

ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au

Junior tennis served 2500 aces by RSL

By GARY HUTCHISON KEEN angler Jim Stone (pictured) landed his best ever Christmas fishing present on Christmas eve, when two strong men helped him haul in a 29.325kg Giant Trevally off the “Dolphin” at the Cooktown Wharf. Commonly known as a GT, Jim said it was rare for the species to be caught in Cooktown waters. The titanic struggle between man and fish lasted about a half hour, but greater numbers dictated the result, although not without some opposition from a family of Groupers that inhabit the waters around the Wharf. “Two adult Groupers, one an albino female and the other its mate, constantly attack fish being hauled in, and they were after the GT while we were trying to land it,” Jim said. “It (the GT) was literally crawling up the wall to escape them, but in the end, we were lucky to bring it in unscathed.” However, while Jim’s catch might have escaped the Groupers, it didn’t escape the dinner plates of five families over Christmas. “That’s right, five families were fed with that beauty,” he said. Jim’s prize catch was landed using a 60lb braid line with a ganged hook. And the magic bait that lured the GT in? “A dirty, smelly old ‘pillie’,” Jim laughed. “It was at least a few days old.” But if one of the monsters wasn’t enough to satisfy Jim’s angling appetite, all his Christmases almost came at once the next day, when he believes an even bigger GT escaped his reel. “It must have been the big brother or the daddy of the one I caught the day before, but I reckon that bloke would have been another 10kg heavier,” he said. “He was just too big and too strong for me to bring in, so I cut him loose.”

COOKTOWN’S RSL Memorial Club recently served up 2500 aces to the Cooktown Tennis Club, which will go a long way to ensuring the future fun and development of youngsters in the sport locally. The aces were delivered by way of a $2500 Community Grant which has been put to good use with the purchase of a ball machine, three mini tennis nets, 24 tins of low-compression balls and a basket to keep them in - equipment specially designed for junior players. Coach Carmen Forward said the smaller nets made it easier for the kids to hit the ball over, while the low-compression balls slowed the games to speeds of which they were capable. “And the ball machine keeps serving the balls to the kids at a speed adjusted to their level, and in the same place all the time, which helps them with their hand-eye co-ordination,” Carmen said. And when consideration is given to the number of Australia’s tennis legends whose roots lie in small communities like Cooktown, the value of these coaching

aids cannot be underestimated. The great Ken “Muscles” Rosewall hails from Blackbutt, a Queensland town about the same size as Cooktown. Memorial Club Secretary Manager Suzi McKewen said the club was delighted to have been able to award the money to the tennis club. “Kids playing sport is not only healthy for them physically, but it also develops character, so the Memorial Club is delighted to see this grant go to such a worthy cause,” Ms McKewen said. During this year’s season, coaching for tiny tots will be conducted on Wednesday afternoons, while for juniors, it will be held on Saturday mornings. Carmen said the club was looking for new members, both adults and juniors, to join what she described as an enthusiastic bunch of fun and friendly players who enjoyed a hit when the weather allows. For further information, call Carmen on 4069 5333.

Cooktown Bowls Club AIRCONDITIONED

Members’ Draw & Raffles:

DON’T FORGET TO SWIPE

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13: Jackpot $600! Bonus Draw after 8pm if not won in the Early draw between 6.30 and 7pm.

Social Bowls:

YOUR MEMBERS CARD

Wednesday register 1pm, play 1.30pm. Sunday register 9.30am, play 10am. Jackpot $132.

Barefoot Bowls:

Every Wednesday night. Register by 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Jackpot $19.

Pokies Lucky Seat:

EVERY FRIDAY: Drawn between 8pm and 8.30pm. 4 x $25 raffles for food or fuel. Cannot be exchanged for cash..

AND RECEIVE POINTS!

Bush Bingo:

Starting soon! Keep reading for updates.

Jed Forward, Cooktown RSL Memorial Club Secretary/Manager Suzi McKewen, Bo Skipworth and Caeli Barker with the ball machine bought as part of a $2500 Community Grant from the Memorial Club. Photo: GARY HUTCHISON.

Wednesdays and Fridays – Courtesy Bus – out to Marton & Keatings Lagoon –

Ph 4069 5819

Tide times – Cooktown

FRIDAY, JANUARY. 13 TO FRIDAY, JANUARY. 20

Datum is Lowest Astronomical Tide. Tide times are provided by courtesy of Maritime Safety Queensland, © The State of Queensland (Department of Transport and Main Roads) 2010.

Fri 13 Time 04:54 11:43 18:18 23:46

Sat 14 Ht 0.76 2.44 1.11 1.75

 =

Time 05:43 12:34 19:34

MOON PHASES

Ht 1.01 2.28 1.1

Sun 15

Mon 16

Tue 17

Time 01:24 06:55 13:45 21:00

Time 03:52 09:20 15:16 22:13

Time 05:15 11:11 16:36 23:13

NEW MOON Mon. Jan 23 . Time: 17.39

Ht 1.69 1.28 2.11 1.02

FIRST QUARTER Tue. Jan 31. Time: 14.10

Ht 1.82 1.43 1.99 0.88

FULL MOON Wed. Feb 08. Time: 07.54

20 – Cooktown Local News 12 - 18 January 2012

Ht 2.08 1.35 1.96 0.71

LAST QUARTER Mon, Jan 16. Time: 19.08

Wed 18

Thu 19

Fri 20

Time 06:09 12:17 17:40

Time 00:03 06:52 13:06 18:31

Time 00:47 07:31 13:47 19:15

Ht 2.36 1.19 1.99

Ht 0.53 2.6 1.03 2.05

Ht 0.37 2.79 0.91 2.11

Weather Watch Endeavour Valley January montly rainfall totals: 1ml

The

LURE SHOP

Open 7 Days • • • • • •

Local advice Bait, Ice, Tackle Chandlery Garmin GME Supplies for commercial fleet

PO Box 571 142 Charlotte Street Cooktown Qld 4895 Ph/Fax: 07 4069 5396 Mob: 0427 623 398 russelltbowman@bigpond.com • • • • • • •

Charter bookings Marine batteries Snorkelling Spearfishing Trailer parts Bushpower Battery chargers


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.