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$2 • PH: 1300 4895 00 • EDITORIAL: editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au • Issue 657 • Thursday, March 20, 2014
Deal ‘meats’ local needs
Police locate missing man
By GARY HUTCHISON IT would seem like a deal made in heaven, but the benefits of a big company working hand-in-hand with a small local business are obvious. And the recent announcement of the partnership between Cooktown Quality Meats and Cornett’s IGA Cooktown has left all parties with grins wider than the mouth of the Endeavour. Basically, the local butcher will not only run its own operation, but will also supply the IGA with the fresh meat it requires to supply the needs of its customers. Cooktown Quality Meats Proprietor Ian Ramsey said it’s no secret that small businesses struggle against the might of bigger companies, so he’s delighted with the new arrangement. “What it means for us (my family) and to me, is that the sustainability of our business in town is guaranteed, it means we can
The smiles say it all: (From left front) Cooktown Quality Meats Proprietor Ian Ramsey with Kati Guzsely and Cornett’s IGA Cooktown Manager Paul Scott with (from back left) Chris Hatton and Jake Ramsey. Photo: GARY HUTCHISON. employ more people,” he said.
able somewhere else.”
“And if we can employ more, the money that’s generated in the town with their income will hopefully see more jobs avail-
Ian said buying local and supporting local businesses was essential to the survival of the town.
looking after each other,” he said. “So when I met with Paul (Scott, IGA Manager) I jumped at the opportunity.”
“That’s what it’s all about,
continued page 3
Local market at ‘rock bottom’ By Corey Bousen
The recent release of unimproved land valuations from the state government paints an interesting picture of the local property market, with valuations falling by 25 per cent in one part of the Cook Shire and doubling in another. A folder detailing the change in land values from last year, as determined by the Queensland
H H H H H H H H H H H H H
Government’s Department of Natural Resources, is available for viewing at the counter of the Cook Shire office. The Cooktown Local News took the opportunity to have a look through this data and found that valuations of properties in Cooktown mostly fell by between four-15 per cent over the last year, although addresses in Racecourse Road saw their official land value decline
25 per cent.
It is important to note that percentages quoted in this article are not comprehensive, but were compiled by analysing a random selection of addresses across the shire. At the other end of the spectrum, the state government has increased its valuation of some properties along the Peninsula Developmental Road by 100 per cent.
Spots where valuations remained steady include Marton, Rossville, Lakelands and Portland Roads, while increases of around 15 per cent were recorded for Bloomfield and Ayton. Hope Vale valuations fell about 5.4 per cent while Quarantine Bay valuations were down by over nine per cent. Commenting on the release of the new data, the Cook Shire Council said it was too early to say what
effect they will have on the calculation or rates. “Council has only just received the 2014 Annual Land Valuation data from the Department of Natural Resources, therefore until modeling is undertaken for the 2014/2015 Annual Budget, any changes to rates cannot be determined,” it said in response to questions from Cooktown Local News.
Police divers on Tuesday afternoon located the body of a Weipa man believed to have been swept off a causeway at Archer River last Friday. Police divers travelled by car from Cairns to Archer River, north of Coen, on Tuesday and commenced a search upon their arrival in the afternoon and located a body in a vehicle, which was then transported back to Weipa. Police will prepare a report for the coroner on the incident that led to the death of the 69-year-old Weipa man. Initial information indicated two men were in a vehicle travelling south on the Peninsula Development Road on Friday afternoon, March 14, when they attempted to cross the Archer River via a flooded causeway around 5.30pm. The vehicle was swept downstream with one of the occupants managing to swim to the bank of the river while the second occupant could not be located. The incident was reported to officers around 3.30pm on Saturday, and a search operation commenced at the site that afternoon. Police and emergency services searched the banks of the river system on foot and by air in an effort to locate the missing man. The Queensland Police Dive Unit was deployed and travelled from Brisbane, arriving in Cairns on Monday afternoon. Specialist officers from the Dive Squad transported specialist equipment to the Archer River by road and local Cairns Tactical Crime Squad officers travelled with the divers to assist in the search. At time of going to press Police had advised the Archer River remained officially closed to all traffic at the Archer River crossing.
continued page 4
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EDITOR’S NOTE: If you have an upcoming event, please let us know by email to editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au or phone Gary Hutchison on (07) 4069 5773.
WEEKLY
2nd & 4th Tuesday, every month. Trivia Night at the Coktown RSL Memorial Club, 7pm. Info call 4069 5780. Every Thursday. Bingo, 10am, and Social Darts, 7pm, at the Bowls Club. Every Friday. Monster Meat Raffles in the Caf Bar, @ The Sovereign, from 6pm. Every Friday. Members Draw, from 6.30pm; Raffles and Lucky Pokies Seat, 8-8.30pm, at the Bowls Club. Every Friday. Members Draw (7.30-8.30pm) @ the Cooktown RSL Memorial Club plus raffles. Every Saturday. Lions Club raffles and members' draw at the Top Pub, from 12 noon to 3pm. Every Sunday. Social Bowls, from 8.30am, Bowls Club. Every Monday. Hospitality Bowls, from 2.30pm, Bowls Club. Every Sunday and Tuesday. Cooktown Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in the CWA Hall in Charlotte Street. Sunday: from 1.30pm, Tuesday from 8pm. Call 0477 505 047 for details. Every Tuesday. Cards and Games morning, 10am, Bowls Club. Every Tuesday and Thursday. Swim for Your Life at the Cooktown Pool from 9am to 10pm. Every Wednesday. Social Bowls, from 1pm, at the Bowls Club. Every Wednesday and Saturday. Cooktown Pool - Aqua Aerobics: Wednesday from 5.30pm to 6.30pm, Saturday 12 noon to 1pm.
MARCH
Thu 20. National Close the Gap Day. Fri 21. Harmony Day. Fri 21. Benn Song live in the Caf Bar @ The Sovereign. Fri 21. StandBy "Pathways to Care" Bereavement Workshop, 10am - 3pm, Cooktown Police Citizens Youth Club, 3 May St, Cooktown. Mandy Kliszewski 4050 4955, 0459 299 147. Sun 23. Cooktown Dive Club AGM, Cook's Landing Kiosk, 3.30pm. Kathy 0458 594 168, Kym 0427 527 724. Thu 27. Cooktown Tennis Club AGM at The Italian Restaurant, 5pm. Jodi 0428 472 110. Fri 28. Cooktown Creative Arts Assoc AGM, 5pm, CCAA premises, 97 Charlotte St, 4069 5794. Sat 29. Cape York Folk Club AGM, 12 noon at Nature's PowerHouse. Jen Midgley 4069 6878 A/H. Mon 31. Cooktown Re-Enactment Assoc. AGM, at The Boathouse, 6pm. Phone 4069 6861 or 0427 194 820.
letters to the editor Chiropractor needed Following on from your article last week on the condition of the road between Cooktown and Hope Vale
(‘Years of lobbying and road still not sealed’, p4), Member for Cook David Kempton states that grading of the road started on March 10 but was halted due to wet weather.
by Corey Bousen, Publisher, Cooktown Local News Residents of the Cook Shire, as the letters-to-the-editor page of the Cooktown Local News often illustrate, are some of the most-opinionated citizens in the state. But the arrival of the Cook Shire Community Action Group (CSCAG) in 2014 has ramped up the vitriol another couple of notches and, fairly or unfairly, it is the Cook Shire’s elected councillors and senior administrators who are squarely in the firing line. At this point, let me clearly state that this column is meant as an observation of the current dynamics pertaining to local government politics in Cook Shire, and is in no way meant to provide enlightenment as to who is right or wrong in the many issues of concern between council and the CSCAG.
As I write this letter, it is now March 17 and there are two machines sitting out on Endeavour Valley Road doing nothing and they have not moved since your newspaper came out on March 13.
Small-town local government in Australia is usually blessed by a lack of party politics with councillors standing as independents and without the backing of the political parties that dominate state and federal politics. But the members of the CSCAG, which met for the third time last Saturday, appear to be coalescing into an unofficial opposition party that could be a significant factor at the next local government elections to be held in two years in March, 2016. The spark for the emergence of the CSCAG has been the Shire Council’s contentious ‘Selective Inspection Program’ targeting non-compliant and illegally constructed buildings in the Endeavour Valley / Posion Creek area. But there is certainly no short-
age of vocal locals with a grudge – again, either fairly or unfairly – against council who have been happy to join the ranks of the CSCAG. The group’s “Register of Issues and Concerns”, presented to council in January, details 70 matters on which they would like the shire to respond. There were murmurings from the floor among the 35 or so participants at the CSCAG meeting at the events centre on Saturday of putting up a mayoral candidate in 2016, and one might also expect a few candidates associated with the CSCAG to put their names on the ticket for the five councillor positions. Mayor Peter Scott has tried to bring the CSCAG into the fold of council, writing to organiser Helen Rutherford on March 11 to advise that “council has proposed that a formal committee be established to address the group’s concerns to council”.
Should we all send the bills to the council for them to realise it would be cheaper to get those machines moving? Kristy Turner
Councillor Scott further stated: “This is council’s preferred method of interaction with interest groups – with meetings conducted and recommendations being made in a structured and legislatively recognised manner.” This offer, however, was unanimously rejected on Saturday, with the 35 participants at the meeting opting instead to remain independent and without any official links to council. With each side currently insisting that communication between the parties be conducted on their respective terms, there may not be much constructive interaction going forward. If this is the case, then the truth of the effectiveness of the CSCAG in having an impact on the conduct of local government in the Cook Shire really won’t be known until the next election – which is certainly shaping up as one to be remembered.
News PHOTO COMP WINNER of this week’s competition with his image titled, “Fire Rainbows” is Rick Butler – he will receive the IGA $25 meat voucher. Rick tells us it was taken last February, just before a thunder storm, but he’s only just found out how rare the occurrence is. Fire Rainbows are neither fire, nor rainbows, but are so called because of their brilliant pastel colors and flame-like appearance. They are a brightlycolored circumhorizontal arc which occur mostly during the summer and between particular latitudes. The conditions required to form a fire rainbow are
CHURCH SERVICES
very precise – the sun has to be at an elevation of 58° or greater, there must be high altitude cirrus clouds with plateshaped ice crystals, and sunlight has to enter the ice crystals at a specific angle. This is why circum-horizontal arc is such a rare phenomenon. In this case, it is yet again a matter of “being in the right place at the right time. Photographers now have until 5pm next Monday, March 24 to submit their entries for the next stage of the competition. Rick’s winning entry will be printed and displayed in a gallery the IGA has prepared in their store.
To submit an entry send your photo as an email attachment to editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au and please include your contact phone number. Photos need to be in full resolution, between 1mb and 10mb in size. Photos with date stamps impressed into them will not be considered.... Happy snapping!
Contacts & Deadlines
Where we go: Approx 1400 copies distributed every Thursday throughout Cooktown, Hope Vale, Rossville, Wujal Wujal, Bloomfield, Ayton, Marton, Port Douglas, Mossman, Cairns, Lakeland Downs/Laura, Mt Carbine/Mt Molloy, Mareeba and Coen, and subscribers across Australia and overseas.
is getting beyond a joke.
Cooktown Local
APRIL
Editor: (07) 4069 5773 Editor’s mobile: 0411 722 807 People wishing to meet in person with the editor can do so by calling him, and he will arrange a time to meet with you at a mutually convenient location. All advertising / accounts enquiries, please call: 1300 4895 00 or (07) 4098 2281 Mobile: 0419 828 639 Fax: 1300 787 248
The wear and tear on my car as well as the need for a chiropractor
Comment from the Publisher
Wed 9 and Thu 10. Marlin Coast Veterinary Surgery visiting at the CWA rooms. Phone 4069 5337 or 4057 6033 for appointments. Fri - Mon, 18 - 21. Laura Amateur Turf Club working bee.
Baptist: Hogg Street, near IGA, 9.30am Sun. Phone 4069 5155. Cooktown Community Church (AOG/ACC): Gungarde Hall, 9.30am Sun; Home Group 7.30am Wed. Phone 4069 5070, 0427 756 793. Catholic: 6pm Sat and 8.30am Sun, St Mary's, Cooktown. Phone 4069 5730. Anglican: Christ Church Chapel, Sun 8.30am. Phone 4069 6778, 0428 696 493. Lutheran: Hope Vale at 9am on Sunday, Cooktown. Phone either 4060 9197 or 0419 023 114.
The weather has been fine for a while now and the road is as hard as its going to get so why the hold up?
EDITOR: Gary Hutchison editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au GENERAL MANAGER & AD DESIGN: Sharon Gallery ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au
ADVERTISING – Box ad bookings: Box ad material: Line Classifieds: EDITORIAL – General copy:
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by NOON MONDAYS (pics, stories, letters, etc) Regular columns: by 5pm FRIDAYS Sports columns: by 5pm MONDAYS
2 – Cooktown Local News – Thursday, March 20, 2014
Letters to the editor
Publisher’s Details Publishers of the Cooktown Local News
regional & remote N E W S P A P E R S
Real news for real Australia
CHAIRMAN: Mark Bousen editor@regionalandremote.com.au PUBLISHER: Corey Bousen publisher@regionalandremote.com.au MANAGING EDITOR: Mark Bousen editor@regionalandremote.com.au ACCOUNTS: Sharon Gallery, General Manager accounts@cooktownlocalnews.com.au
Letters to the Editor are published as a free community service and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Cooktown Local News nor its management. Letters must be legible, preferably less than 250 words, carry a name and address, and be signed. A telephone number or similar identification must also be provided. Unsigned and anonymous letters, or use of a nom de plume, eg Concerned Citizen, etc will not be accepted. Names withheld on discretion of the publisher. Letters may be edited for space or content or omitted altogether at the discretion of the editor. Mail to: PO Box 36, Cooktown, Qld, 4895 Fax: 1300 787 248 or Email: editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au.
PCYC Cooktown Manager Sergeant Howard Pratt has confirmed the show will go on, with Friday, August 1 to be the dedicated day. The decision means the already-designated public holiday for that date will remain intact. However, the 2014 show will only be a one-day event.
The measure became necessary following the recent Cook Shire Council decision to cancel this year’s show and form and sup-
Sergeant Pratt is insistent that his crew need as much community input and support into this year’s event to ensure its success. “We really need the community to get behind us so it can take some ownership of the show and we know what they want and whether we can cater to those ideas,” he said. “And of course, with such a massive operation we cannot have enough volunteers to bring it all together.” For further information, to volunteer information or your support, contact PCYC Cooktown on 4069 5890.
Bronze artists visit Cooktown The artists are keen to involve the people of the community in this project as much as possible and will undertake consultations and hope to conduct bronze workshops in Hopevale and Cooktown in future months.
Meetings were held in Cooktown and Hope Vale so Aden and Karena could discuss the project, meet and photograph some of the Bama whose ancestors met with Cook here in 1770.
“Although we received seven top-class applications from bronze work artists throughout the country, we couldn’t have made a better choice than Aden and Karena. Their work is exemplary, they have had experience with indigenous sculpture, they are keen to learn more about our history and bring a wealth of expertise to the project,” advised Re-enactment Association President Mrs Loretta Sullivan
A tour of Cooktown included a drive up Grassy Hill which presents a magnificent panorama of some of the Guugu Yimithirr lands and a full perspective of what Captain Cook saw when he was searching for a passage through the Great Barrier Reef. Endeavour’s landing site and careening sites were later inspected prior to a visit to Reconciliation Rocks where the statue is to be erected.
The group discussed the uniqueness of the project and the fact arose that you can’t have a reconciliation with only one person - so there is a distinct possibility the project could be expanded
Fully supporting Ian’s statements, Paul said the arrangement suited their needs perfectly. “Our customers wanted fresh meat from a local source, so that’s what we’ve been able to do with Ian,” he said. “We will still be providing cryovac meat for travellers and the locals who want it, but our fresh meat will come through Ian.” Paul said they decided to implement the use of the local butcher to support and bring competing business structures together to ensure the sustainability for all parties involved.
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FREE WiFi Members of the Little Old Man Statue Group pictured on Grassy Hill (left to right) are Bama Historian Alberta Hornsby, Traditional Owner Cynthia Deeral, Sculptor Aden McLeod and Reenactment Association President Loretta Sullivan to include more than just the Little Old Man. “It is possible we could end up with a magnificent, world-class artwork depicting Australia’s first recorded reconciliation if we can raise the necessary funds to expand the project.
“There is no deadline for the completion of the work, we just want to ensure we have a quality work of art that will tell the story of the first reconciliation, of which we can all be proud. “It is vital that we ensure the Bama are rec-
ognised for the part their ancestors played in Australia’s history. “Without the courtesy and support of the Wallambaal Birri Bama in 1770, we could all be in a very different place than the one in which we find ourselves today.” she concluded.
Deal ‘meats’ local needs from page 1
• Fully Airconditioned • Bar • Pokies
“It also allows choice for the customer in relation to fresh versus cryovac,” he said.
land and Morganbury is also very well known for quality pork production,” Paul said.
“We can simply order today and have tomorrow, ensuring freshness for the consumer.
He said because they trade seven days a week and up to 363 days per year, Vacuum Pack meats allows us them to carry a greater variety of meat, offering extended shelf life.
“The quality of meat is excellent and by working hand in hand with Ian we have been able to secure a business relationship that drives an offer that the town enjoys and deserves.” Together they have daily communication with the supplier, Morganbury Meats in Mareeba to ensure quality and consistency of offer. “The tablelands provides some of the best beef in Queens-
“The packaging of these lines also complements the type of travelling customer we have here in tourism and locals wishing to go away camping,” he said. But how does meat pricing stack up against Cairns and the rest of the state? “The pricing model for meat
in Cooktown has been benchmarked not only from Cairns pricing, but the general pricing of meat in comparison to all majors in Queensland,” Paul said. “We can honestly say that all the recommended retail prices are in line with most supermarket chain pricing whether it be in Cairns or Brisbane. “Given the fact that whether we buy local or bring stock up from the down south everyone has a freight component and we think that with the relationships we have built with our supply partners we believe the offer to the consumer in Cooktown is very competitive.”
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Bronze artists Aden and Karena McLeod, from Jaggan on the Atherton Tablelands, visited Cooktown last week to meet with the organisers of the Little Old Man statue and to get a feel for this unique project.
Phone 4069 5819
PCYC Cooktown Manager Sergeant Howard Pratt has confirmed the date of the 2014 show is Friday, August 1. Photo: GARY HUTCHISON.
As reported in last week’s edition of the Cooktown Local News, this year’s event will be a mini-show, a stop-gap measure to ensure the community will have an opportunity to display its wares and enjoy some entertained along the way.
port the development of a new show society to control future shows from 2015 and beyond.
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Show date confirmed
Cooktown Bowls Club
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“Cooktown’s largest and newest kitchen and menu!” Bookings Appreciated: 4069 5829
Lunch: Wed - Fri 12 noon - 2pm Dinner: Mon - Sun 5.30pm - 8pm
Cooktown Local News – Thursday, March 20, 2014 – 3
NEWS
$10,000 donation to P&C for the third time FOR the third year running, the Cooktown Local News made a $10,000 donation to the Cooktown State School Parents and Citizen’s Association as a result of an agreement between the P&C and Cooktown Local News for the production of the 2014 Cooktown Business and Community Directory. P&C Vice-President Nikki Darvell said the association was grateful for the donation and the support given to the school and its students by the Cooktown Local News. “The Cooktown Local News have very generously supported the phone book for the last three years, meaning the P&C are not having to enlist volun-
Local market at ‘rock bottom’ from page 1 “The land valuations themselves do not determine changes to rates. Rate increases and decreases are determined by council’s budget deliberations” in July, the council response also said. With changes in state government valuations determined by actual sale prices achieved in the local market, Rainforest Real Esate proprietor Karen Olsen said she is of the opinion that the local market has now reached its bottom. “Property prices have progressively dropped since 2008 down to where they are now. I believe we’ve hit rock bottom and the market will hopefully turnaround and start to increase from here. “There are certainly a lot more people looking to buy at the moment but the properties that are selling are those where the owners are realistic about the price they want to achieve.” In particular, Ms Olsen says Cooktown represents a great investors’ market, with rental returns on houses relatively high due to strong demand but low supply. State government publications on lodging objections to statutory valuations are also available at the council’s front desk or online.
teers to do all the hard work, something any volunteer group in our community would truly appreciate,” Mrs Darvell said. “I would like to thank Corey Bousen and his team at Cooktown Local News for creating such a professional publication. “I would also like to thank Gary Hutchison for his constant commitment to the students of our school.” Mrs Darvell said the recent donation will be put towards creating permanent shade for the primary playgrounds as well as other P&C requests they will receive during the year. “Last year the school used part of the donation to purchase choir uniforms as well as a chook pen for the primary school, with the
majority allocated towards the permanent shade project.” Cooktown Local News Publisher Corey Bousen said he was pleased to again be contributing $10,000 to the local P&C. “Not only is the P&C Directory a great fundraiser, but we’ve been able to publish the highest quality, full-colour phone book that was, for the second time this year, distributed free-of-charge to the local readers of the Cooktown Local News,” he said. “A special thanks to Cooktown Local News General Manager Sharon Gallery who did the bulk of the work in compiling and producing this year’s directory,” Mr Bousen added.
Funding still available to honour ANZAC Centenary LOCAL organisations that want to commemorate the Centenary of ANZAC are urged to submit their applications for Federal Government funding before the Round 2 deadline on April 30. “We had a good response in Round 1, and I’m pleased to say that one of the applications has already been processed and approved,” Federal Member for Leichhardt Mr Entsch said. “However, due to the volume of applications that the Department of Veterans’ Affairs is receiving, they are taking some time to be processed which is why the ANZAC Centenary Local Grants Committee here in Leichhardt needs all applications for Round 2 in by April 30. “This will enable them to be assessed in a timely manner, so that organisations can get themselves prepared to commemorate the ANZAC Centenary over 2014-2018.” Organisations being urged to apply for a grant include community and ex-service organisations, schools and other educational institutions, museums and cultural institutions, local government authorities and other non-profit community organisations. Further information on the project, including the guidelines and an application form, can be accessed in the following ways: download from Mr Entsch’s website at www.warrenentsch.com.au or visit the Cairns Electorate office in the MacDonnells Building, 102 Grafton St, Cairns; or email warren.entsch. mp@aph.gov.au requesting details.
(From front left) Shaylee, Kaitlyn and Jessi Darvell with (from back left) Cooktown Local News editor Gary Hutchison who was presenting Cooktown State School P&C vice-president with a cheque for $10,000, the CLN’s donation from the 2014 Cooktown Business and Community directory.
Cooktown to feature in Cairns promotion COOKTOWN will be the major focus at an innovative twoday expo at Cairns Central - Centre Court on May 15 and 16. The Cooktown Reenactment Association successfully obtained a Cook Shire Council Economic Development Grant of $5000 to underpin the costs of an expo which will serve to attract visitation to Cooktown for the 2014 tourist season and to promote major events such as the Discovery Festival, Cooktown Races and businesses who would like to be featured at the expo. “We want to encourage locals to participate in the expo, which if successful, could become a major annual focus on our community just prior to the tourist season,” Re-enactment Association President Loretta Sullivan said. “We have the whole
Your connection between Cairns and Cooktown Hinterland Aviation provides a reliable, regular transport service each week between Cairns and Cooktown. That’s 26 scheduled flights between Cairns and Cooktown from Monday through to Saturday. Fortnightly Sunday flights now available. For a reliable service, you can count on Hinterland Aviation to get you to where you need to be.
10m by 13 meter Centre Stage area to utilise so a lot can be done over a two day period to attract interest. “Visitors to the expo will be able to mingle through the exhibits, take away brochures and talk to our volunteers about how to get here, where to stay and dine and what they can do when they get here.” Mrs Sullivan said businesses will be provided with the opportunity of setting up and manning a table of their own or they will be happy to hand out their brochures and business cards and they can pay a fee to assist with costs. “Captain Cook will of course feature at various times throughout the show and the Re-enactment DVD will be shown,” she said. Joining them will be volunteers from the Cooktown Discovery Festival Com-
mittee and Bama representatives. Bama Historian Alberta Hornsby will provide a power-point presentation based upon the unique version of the Captain Cook story from the viewpoint of the local Aboriginal people. She said that to take a team of six volunteers down to Cairns for the promotion and ensure they are not out of pocket for their time, additional funds will be needed. “We will need to cover things like the cost of site hire, transport, accommodation, meals, equipment hire and incidentals,” she said. “So we will be approaching local businesses to assist with the costs.” She said standalone signs will be needed to promote the community and asked that if anyone has any suitable signage they would love to hear
from them. “We have been presented with a golden opportunity by Cook Shire Council through these Economic Development Grants being made available, so we should get ourselves to Cairns and showcase the region as often as possible,” she said. “We are going all out with this promotion and to encourage interest we would like to offer a prize of accommodation, meals and some tours - not available during the Discovery Festival. Anyone who would like to provide a prize or is interested in assisting or being involved, should contact Loretta Sullivan for details on 0427 194 820 or email: endeavourriver1770@ gmail.com Businesses participating in this promotion will have their brochures handed out free of charge.
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The red-necked ‘Dragon’ with striking dreadlocks pulled more scrub than most people have had hot dinners. I loved it. It’s probably the happiest I’ve ever been, on horseback. It’s good work – good, honest, hard work. Honestly!”
Story and photo by ERIC GEORGE DEEP in the dark places at the back of the West Coast Hotel, where the general public never ventures, you will find “Dragon”. He is a tall man with striking dreadlocks swept into a bunch on the top of his head, and he is the chef. His job is to keep the patrons well fed and happy. In the quiet of a Saturday morning before opening time, we sat in the bar and I asked him when he had arrived in Cooktown. “I’ve been here for just on five years. Came up for a seven-day party, and never left.
I asked Dragon what sort of schooling he had had. “Catholic schooling, would you believe, with the Christian Brothers. I came out and did my “jackerooship” early on, out at west Condamine. Then I went on to Toowoomba and did my apprenticeship as a chef. “I stayed in that for a few years, but became very bored with it and went to the Gold Coast. I was working there in a laminating factory, when I got my back stuffed. That changed a lot of normal habits.”
“I’m a north Queensland boy born. My parents had a property just west of Emerald.”
Looking back on his early days, does Dragon have any advice for our young people? “Yes – stay off the drugs! The ice and that sort of stuff. I watched it ruin Nimbin in three years. I hate it. And study hard and get a bit of paper. You have to nowadays.”
That surprised me, as it is hard to see Dragon as a farmer nowadays. “I’m a red-neck. I only grew my dreads this long to cover up my red neck. I’ve killed more ‘roos and
The Gold Coast must have been a contrast for a country boy. “Nine-anda-half years I lived there, and I’d never live there again. I don’t really like towns. Too many people.
I like open spaces; I’m country born and bred.” I asked what had brought Dragon back to North Queensland and he gave an answer I did not expect. “I do a lot of firebreathing and fire-twirling, and I used to follow the festival circuit. That’s what brought me back, about seven years ago. “I had a little fire-twirling shop in Kuranda for a couple of years, a cottage industry shop in the old markets.” I was intrigued that anyone could make a business from selling equipment to fire-twirlers. What did he sell? Bottles of petrol? “Yes – that too, except we use a proper fire fuel. Any toy you can imagine them setting on fire, from swords to skipping ropes. It’s quite phenomenal how many people are into it. It’s something I love with a passion. I don’t perform as much; just play with it.” So fire-twirling brought Dragon to Cooktown. Why did he stay? “I absolutely love it, the town and the people. My first address in Cooktown was under the second coconut palm at Finch Bay. I lived there for three weeks and fell in love with the place.
“There’s just one thing I can say – only in Cooktown. It’s OK, we’re from Cooktown. I absolutely love the place. It’s got everything you need; good people, good area, good fishing, good pigging.” And then Dragon decided he had better earn a living? “No. I’m a volunteer here and you can’t sack a volunteer. I started off helping a mate with the Sunday roast and it developed into this. I’m on a pension because I can’t work consistently, so it’s impossible to get a job. If my back goes, or my ankles go... it’s like getting old, and I’m just about to turn 50.” Dragon helps out at the hotel – why? “We’re trying to get the old place back and get some life into her. I’ve been asked to work here four times and said no. It was only because of the old manager, and now the new manager has asked me to stay on to help out. I’m glad; it gives me something to do. “The West Coast is the oldest pub in Cooktown. It used to be really good, with a beer garden and everything, but it has been let go. Now the new manager, he’s a rarity in Cooktown. Normally people will say a lot but
very rarely do it; he does what he says which is a pleasant surprise.” The hotel is planning to make improvements, re-open their beer garden and have more live music nights. I asked Dragon what it was like to run a restaurant kitchen, producing good food to order. That must take a good deal of organisation, doesn’t it? He laughs and says, “If people heard that, that I am organised, they would probably laugh, but yes, in the kitchen I am. I take it very seriously. I love my cooking and I have quite a good rep around town. How does Dragon see Cooktown’s future. Would he like us to get more like Port Douglas? “Oh God, no! Or Byron Bay, or any of the other places they have destroyed. I remember Byron 30 years ago when the waves used to break on the beach by the surf club. Now they’ve got steps and reclaimed car parks; they’ve ruined it. Keep it old fashioned, I reckon. “Cooktown’s a great little place, a great area, and I’d hate to see it raped and pillaged like Douglas or any of those other places.”
NEWS
POLICE BEAT
Cooktown man jailed for cultivation A 34-year-old Cooktown man has been jailed for three years for his role in the cultivation of 2900 cannabis plants at Mt Amos that was the subject of a major drug bust in mid-2012 that was estimated by police to be worth $4m. The man will be eligible for parole in January, 2015, with the Cairns District Court taking into account 69 days of pre-trial custody is deemed to be time served. In a separate matter, during the past week a 35 year-old Cook-
town man has been charged on two separate occasions for allegedly breaching his bail conditions. The man was placed on bail on March 6 by the Magistrate with a condition not to consume alcohol. However, on two separate occasions subsequent to this date the man has been located by police in varying states of intoxication. Cook Shire residents are also reminded that licence days at the Cooktown Police Station are Tuesday and Thursday only, between the hours of 9am to 3pm.
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West Coast Hotel manager Dave Gay with ‘Dragon’.
Cooktown Local News – Thursday, March 20, 2014 – 5
NEWS
Motorcycle muster is coming to town in May Cooktown is set for a friendly invasion of bikies on the weekend of May 1718 when the Wayne Leonard’s Motorcycle Muster rolls into town. With all the news focusing on outlaw motorcycle gangs, Queensland police are unlikely to be troubled by these lovers of two-wheel transport. In fact, there will be at least one of their own among the riders. At the end of the working week, Queensland Police Service Senior Prosecutor, Michelle Emeleus, swaps her conservative suits for motorcycle leathers. Lawyer, mother-of-two and motorbike rider, Michelle Emeleus, says she has no problem wearing different hats (or helmets) at different times during her busy life. In fact, she enjoys it – which is why she is looking forward to taking part in Wayne Leonard’s Motorcycle Muster with her husband, Jack, for the sixth time, in May. Every year, “Nanna flies up from Sydney” to care for their grandsons, Ben, aged 7 and William, 5, while the
Brinsmead couple climb aboard Jack’s motorbike and take off on the annual ride, which raises funds for the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation. This year, they will be travelling from Cairns to Cooktown. “It’s really different to what I normally do and I meet really different people as well,” observed Mrs Emeleus. “Riding through town together in our orange Motorcycle Muster t-shirts and waving at everyone is a lot of fun.”
details revered by her husband. She has no idea of the make and/or size of the first motorbike that he bought. “I know it was purple,” she said. His current bike is “blue” … or at least one of them is. “There may be another three or four in the shed,” she said vaguely. “He’s had
a lot of bikes over the years, in various states of disrepair. He likes tinkering with them. At one point he had seven – some in pieces.” Luckily, young Ben is keen on motorbikes and will soon be old enough to talk the torque, so to speak, with his dad. At present, he can’t wait to turn 10, when he will
be legally allowed to ride as a pillion passenger on Jack’s bike. Then both he and his mum will be vying for the pillion seat during the 2017 Motorcycle Muster! For more information about how to join Wayne Leonard’s Motorcycle Muster or to make an online
donation to Michelle and Jack Emeleus or one of the other registered participants who are fundraising for this year’s event, please visit: www.motorcyclemuster.com.au or contact Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation Fundraising and Marketing Manager, Glenys Duncombe, on 4226 6327.
Although she has a motorbike licence, she prefers to ride as a pillion passenger, which allows her to “sit back, relax and enjoy the ride”. Michelle, 34, and Jack, 35, a career firefighter, have been together since high school in Sydney. “Jack got his motorbike licence as soon as he could,” she remembers. “He used to give me a lift to university on his bike.” Although the couple have been together for 18 years, Mrs Emeleus remains vague about the kind of technical
Jack and Michelle Emeleus, pictured here during the muster in 2012, are looking forward to arriving in Cooktown on the weekend of May 17-18.
Cooktown fires up to launch Animating Spaces Artists and creative supporters gathered to celebrate the launch of Animating Spaces 2014 in Cooktown at the Sovereign Resort Hotel last Saturday night. Cooktown is set to receive funding and support from Artslink Queensland for three community-led creative projects leading up to a major event Animating Spaces Cooktown on September 20, 2014. Animating Spaces is
a statewide multi-arts initiative designed to revitalise and celebrate significant or unusual spaces within regional communities through locally-driven arts activities and events. In 2014 the communities of Cooktown, Roma, Yeppoon, Gladstone and Samford will each undertake projects reflecting their interests and aspirations, culminating in a weekend event as part of a regional road map of
arts and cultural activity. “Animating Spaces is an exciting opportunity for our community to come together for a day and night of celebration for everyone to join in.” says Waratah Nicholls, Community Coordinator Animating Spaces and Arts Nexus. “We will unveil our animated spaces with a host of activities - the brand new yarning circle will present a program of
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6 – Cooktown Local News – Thursday, March 20, 2014
performance and community talks, the mural at new sea pool will be complimented by a range of hands-on fun arts activities and the not-tobe-missed Warrama at Bicentennial Park will be a spectacle blending ancient indigenous dance with modern technology and special effects.” Renowned leadlight artist, Kim Fowler is the Project Coordinator for The Yarning Circle, a beautiful inclusive and useable public art work - a circular sitting area decorated with stunning mosaics. “It will be a healing place, a meeting place, a community space where locals and visitors can share stories, poetry or music. It will be constructed with an earth bag technique, and the skills left in the community can be transferred to garden seating, retaining walls, even your own home.” says Fowler. Community leader Alberta Hornsby and daughter Sonja Gibson are teaming up to coordinate Warrama - a Guugu Yimithirr and Kuku Yalanji word for “corroboree”. planning to collaborate with the Hopevale Arts and Cul-
ture Centre, a new cultural dance and song of great significance will be created in traditional way to record the story of contact between the Endeavour crew and the Guugu Yimithirr Bama for future generations. “We want to inspire our performers to create a world-class performance that tells this important Cooktown story from the Bama perspective interpreted from the Endeavour journals. The dance will be enhanced by contemporary lighting and digital projections with a view to future performance at any appropriate events in the community or other regions and indeed on the world stage,” says Ms Hornsby. Mural artists Jane Dennis, relocating from Western Australia, will involve our young people in the third project designing and painting a large mural artwork that Cooktown can all be proud of. “Young people would like to talk to the community about this impressive mural project. As part of the process they will interview locals about your stories and experience of living in Cooktown and will
use this information to inspire the design of the mural,” says Ms Dennis. Mayor Peter Scott said: “This project is a wonderful opportunity to showcase and further develop the diversity of artistic talent in Cooktown while creating areas that will be attractive and valuable to both residents and visitors.” “We are very pleased that the Cook Shire Council and community is on board with Animating Spaces in 2014 and look forward to working with the local coordinators and artists to deliver great creativeactivity.” said Regional Arts Development at Artslink Queensland, Kerryanne Farrer. “This project is about bringing people together to celebrate the unique places in their community using the arts in any form...be it music, digital animation, comedy, dance. Each Animating Spaces weekend should be a chance for locals to re-imagine their home town and to share new experiences with visitors too. It is about employing local creatives, building capacity and strengthening communities.” The project, assisting
fifteen regional Queensland communities from 2013-2015, is funded by the Australia Council for the Arts, Arts Queensland, Regional Arts Australia and the five participating local councils. In 2013 Redlands, Hervey Bay, Toowoomba, Eud lo and Charters Towers were supported through the Animating Spaces Project to generate arts activities and events by and for their communities. Videos of the events can be viewed here: http://artslinkqld.com. au/regional- arts/animatingspaces/ Artslink Queensland provides regional artists, cultural organisations and schools with the services and products they require to inspire and build their businesses, create networks, increase access to thearts and strengthen cultural development in Queensland communities. For more information about Animating Spaces in Cooktown, Join our facebook group ‘Cooktown Animating Spaces’ to register your interest or to get involved please contact Waratah Nicholls on mobile 0429 695 533 or at email addresswaratahstar@gmail.com.
Aussie to the core Writers’ Corner
OUR poet this week, Greg Slack, is an Aussie to the core and always manages to imbue his poetry with true-blue tongue-in-cheek humour. Hasn’t he captured the antics of Louis the Fly to a tee? Email your original scribblings for our column to either: thekellers@bigpond.com or
editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au or post them to: PO Box 645, Cooktown, 4895. Dianne Keller
Or the owl who’s supposed to be wise Nor crafty working dogs, cattle or sheep. No, it’s common variety flies!
Cooktown Writers’ Group.
They’ve been winning the battle since time began, Bringing anguish to all human faces. There’s nothing persists like a housefly can! It seems they hold all the aces. You can be out there dutifully working Or enjoying some sport or leisure. Whatever, the buggers are lurking And easily have your measure. We can all relate to the following tale How, when your hands are full, they appear; Stroll across your face without fail.
“Fly-Byes” We humans think we’re the clever breed And that we’ve got all the answers And yes! let’s take a bow and concede That we have made mighty advances But when we speak of sheer cunning It isn’t our very best feature. Let’s confess we’re not in the running And acknowledge a much smaller creature. No, it’s not a rat from the sewer deep
You “fffhhh” and “ffooff” but they show no fear! So exasperated, you toss down your load And grab for the spray can or swat. It’s right at the point you start to explode They’ve vamoosed! They’ve done the big trot! They’ll zoom around the house in full flight And you’ll watch where the mongrel has landed; Grab spray can, your eyes filled with battle light, But ---- he’s gone and you’re left empty-handed! You’ll cut up some cabbage to boil in the pot. Are you set for a bumpy ride? A squadron of blowflies is what you’ve got! Just where the hell do they hide? By GREG SLACK
Our forgiving Father wrongdoing and the belief that God must condemn us for our sin. If that’s your situation, you don’t understand divine pardon.
From the Pulpit Luke 15:11-24 IF we have an unforgiving spirit toward another person, we ourselves experience a form of bondage. An even worse type of emotional imprisonment can result from guilt over
The Bible teaches that forgiveness belongs to God. Today’s reading drives the point home with the parable of the prodigal son. In this story, the younger of two brothers took an early inheritance and wasted it foolishly. Eventually, he had nothing left and had to work among pigs, a despicable job for a Jewish man. When he returned home in despair, his father welcomed him
with open arms and a celebration. The son had done nothing to earn his father’s pardon or joyful greeting. If we are to understand forgiveness, we must realize that God’s motivation for pardoning sins is found only in Himself and His love. Like the prodigal son, we can do nothing to earn it. The wayward son “came to his senses” (v. 17); that is to say, he began to think the truth about himself and the situation he’d created. We do the same when we repent - we agree that our wrongdoing was sin and
decide to turn away from it. Our forgiveness was fully taken care of at the cross, and it was applied to each of us personally when we received Jesus as Saviour. But our fleshly patterns aren’t extinguished all at once. So anytime you sin, confess that your behavior was wrong (1 John 1:9). Then you won’t be burdened by guilt, and you can enjoy fellowship with your heavenly Father. God bless ya heaps! Have an awesome week. Pastor Wayne Brennan Cooktown Community Church.
Listening to the old fogey’s View from the Hill Isn’t it nice when people pay attention to you? Nothing warms an old fogey’s heart more than some-one listening to what they say - and then doing something about it! Bless you all. Only last week I was whinging about the shire throwing our Cooktown Show into the bin and – hey presto! – it’s back on again. Of course, it won’t have so many bells and whistles as last year’s extravaganza, but it will
happen. It will be a good country-style show, done by us, for us. That’s the way. That’s just how it should be. Now I’m sitting here thinking about how it happened. Perhaps people actually read my letters to the paper, and take them to heart. That’s nice, but I have to tell you, it is a great responsibility. It’s all very well being cranky at the world if no-one is listening, but now I shall have to be more careful. No more throwing barbed comments around, I’m afraid. That will probably be comforting to our hard working and imaginative councillors whose staff will no longer lead them by the nose. They will probably have to ‘allow
the staff to have undue influence’ instead. And the group of socially active rate-payers from the Poison Creek area now have legitimate concerns over the licensing of structures. (Although what they can do about it now Google Earth is open to anyone, I don’t know. They may as well paint target rings around their illegal sheds and dunnies. Perhaps they can use camouflage netting like the military do, or paint their roofs like a paddock, complete with trees and cows.) I’m afraid I can’t refer to the anti-fluoride lobby as a bunch of loonies any more. They will have to be – I don’t know – chemically aware citizens. No, that won’t work because most of them are
only aware of opinions provided by other loonies – sorry, other chemically unaware citizens.
COMMUNITY
History
The Bank of New South Wales in Cooktown. Photo submitted.
Maytown Memories Part 2 LATE in 2013, the Cooktown Historical Society was given a copy of a letter that was sent to Mrs M. Parsons of Maytown from Adrian Davies of Perth. The letter was dated October 29, 1926. The following is Part 2 of a reproduction of extracts from that letter. Please note that the terminology and expressions are that of the letter’s author and not of the Historical Society. “Dear Mrs Parsons I wonder if the Mechanic’s Hall is still standing? One of my jobs when the coach arrived was to put the papers out on the tables. I could recognise the Post Office from your photograph, but Leslie Street looks as if a cyclone or a few hundred of them had visited the place recently. There appears to be nothing left standing. I could name nearly every shop in the street commencing at Butcher’s Creek and finishing at the Gold Warden’s residence about half a mile near the cemetery. Maytown was a noted place for Chinese, even the blacksmith was a chow. His name was Jimmie Ah Sue. His shop was right opposite the Hall just below Ahler’s Hotel. Mrs Seibel kept the next hotel on the same side of the road. Further up, Mr Alex McKenzie had a store. Gee Kee’s store was close by the Palmer Chronicle Printing Office and then came Cameron the saddler. I was wondering if this was the man you mentioned in your letter. He used to have a big black beard and was a fine big man. He would be about 70 years old now. Do I remember Harry Harbord? I should think so! He was a great friend of our family and it often struck me why a man of his experience in gold mining never came over this
way (Western Australia). I suppose the Graham family have all passed away. They had a place out near the Right Hand Branch on the way to the Round Mountain. I was only a resident of the Palmer for three years as my brother and I were sent to college in Brisbane for four years and only came home for two months every Christmas. However, I did a great deal of travelling with my father over the Cook district and I will never forget one trip to the Normanby Goldfield. We started out from Maytown with Mr Clifford as our guide. It was the wet season, it took us about a fortnight to complete the journey on account of the flooded rivers, and one of our men got the D.T.s at a Chinaman’s place at Byerstown. He turned back leaving the rest of us to battle on the best we could. We managed to get through on a track that had not been used since the first rush. I remember going out of our way a few miles to have a look at the noted Hell’s Gates, where a whole family, named Straun, were killed and eaten by the natives in the first rush to the field. We came back from the Normanby via Cooktown. I was also on the Annan River town and mining surveys and had a trip to Coen and Chillagoe with Mr Robert Jack, the eminent geologist of the time and J. V. Mulligan the Government explorer and prospector, who discovered the Palmer in about 1874. I was also on a survey of the Mitchell and Mossman Rivers, so you see I saw a good deal of that part of the country” To be continued...
And how am I going to refer to the anti-climate change gang? The ones with loud and strident opinions but next to no record of studying anything about it? Oh, stuff it! I can’t be so polite. What’s the point of being old if you can’t be cranky as well? The View from the Hill is written by a Cooktown resident who submits the column to the newspaper and who receives no payment. No editorial direction is ever given to the author. Accordingly, the (often provocative) opinions contained in the column are solely those of the author and do not represent the views of the Cooktown Local News or its publisher.
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NEWS
Benefactor brings joy of golf to Hope Vale kids By Corey Bousen
an offer the local course promptly accepted.
A mysterious benefactor based in Sydney continues to bring the joy of golf to the kids from Hope Vale by providing funding and other support for them to learn the basics of the game.
Now in its third year, 13 Hope Vale students and five teachers were at Walker Bay’s Cooktown Golf Links on Sunday to receive expert instruction from Daniel Gawley, PGA Professional for Drummond Golf in Cairns.
Course manager Kelly Barnett said the Sydney-based businessman first made contact “out of the blue” a couple of years back offering to finance and organise the introductory golf training, which was
Mr Gawley said Sunday’s training session was the first of what is hoped will be a total of four training sessions for 2014 with the aim of the kids being at the stage “where they’ll definitely be able
to go out and play a full game of golf”. With NRL and AFL both attracting strong participation among the indigenous sportsmen and women on Cape York Peninsula, Mr Gawley says there is ample opportunity for golf to find its own niche. “Our aim is to get the kids to enjoy golf and to get them out on this beautiful golf course,” he said. Mr Gawley teaching method includes a combination of the SNAG (Starting New At Golf) and PGAendorsed Pump Golf training systems.
Quality instruction and fun were the order of the day.
Trying out one of the golf buggies for size were April Deemal-Snyder; Dantae Rosendale; Zaymon McGreen; Michael Dingo and Shalarah Deeral.
Above: A great time was had by the kids from the Hope Vale Campus of the Cape York Aboriginal Australian Acadamy. Left: Dolita Delta was pretty pleased with her first effort with a golf putter.
5
Entry Fee per Person
Kirtryce Walker shows here delight at hitting the target.
Barry Bowen shows his determination to master the game.
Deqwan Rosshart steadies for the shot.
Shalarah Deeral managed to keep her eye on the ball.
a difference
Come and join the fun of our Trivia Nights… Get together your team of 2 – 6 people. Entry fees donated to local charities and non-profit organisations.
Cooktown RSL Memorial Club 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month @ 7pm
(Next game: Tuesday, MARCH 25)
Enquiries call 4069 5780
• Entry fees this game donated to Cooktown RSL Sub-Branch
8 – Cooktown Local News – Thursday, March 20, 2014
A future golf champion may be among these happy faces from the Hope Vale Campus of the Cape York Aboriginal Australian Acadamy.
NEWS
READERS might remember the plight of baby Yiri Harrigan, who in 2011 died as a result of complications after the second of three scheduled heart surgeries.
With his chances of survival dim, they were given the option of termination, but the thought never entered their heads – they decided to give the little a fighting chance at life. So they packed up and moved to Melbourne where his first two operations were performed – one just days after his birth and the second in December. And fight the little man did.
But that’s when cruel fate stepped in and Yiri suffered a stroke, which ultimately left his mum and dad with the gutwrenching decision of having to authorise the removal of the tubes that were keeping him alive. And now, in honour of Yiri, his family want to do something to give back to the hospital that had helped them so much. Along with their 9-year-old
MANY people think the poorer health and lower life expectancy of people living in rural or remote Australia are attributable to the under-supply of health services in those areas. But this is only one contributing factor. Far more important is the distribution of health risk factors and how they interact with the nature of rural and remote places, which results in people dying younger. Data from the National Health Performance Authority shows life expectancy at birth ranges from 83.6 years in metro areas to 81.5 in regional hubs and 78.2 in rural places.
Yiri wasn’t even born when his parents Dylan and Sonnette were told he would be born with with hypo-plastic left heart syndrome, which to a layman means that only half of Yiri’s heart would be working.
At the time, his courage and tenacity amazed his team of doctors and things were looking bright for a return home to Cooktown until the third surgery three years later.
By LESLEY BARCLAY Professor of Rural Health at University of Sydney. Published in theconversation.com
Dylan and Sonnette Harrigan with baby Yiri in 2011 are hoping locals will donate to ‘Team Yiri’ to raise money in support of the Melbourne Children’s Hospital as a thank you for their best efforts in trying to save Yiri’s life. daughter Myeisha and a few Melbourne friends, Dylan and Sonnette have formed Team Yiri, to run 15 kilometres in the “Run for the Kids Marathon” which will be held in Melbourne on April 13. And they are hoping the locals who so generously supported Yiri during his ordeal, can find it in their hearts to donate to this worthy appeal.
They have only set a small goal of $2000, but how about it Cooktown? Can you help them smash that? To donate, go to: http://runforthekids2014.gofundraise. com.au/page/Yirisrace2014 For those wanting to follow the team’s progress, just go to facebook and “like” their page, ‘Team Yiri’.
Trivia night benefits local society Cooktown Historical Society was the recent beneficiary from Cooktown RSL Memorial Club’s “Trivia Nights with a difference”, receiving a $150 donation.
Representing the Cooktown Historical Society to receive their donation were Jenny Habermann, Marg Scully, Jean Stefan and Mick Scully.
Teams of six enter the trivia nights with each player paying a $5 entry fee, with the combined entry fees being donated to a different local charity or community organisation on a rotating basis.
The trivia nights take place the second and fourth Tuesday of each month with the next night to be held on 25 February from 7pm. Entry fees for this game will be donated to Cooktown Volunteer Coastguard. Other local charities or community organisations who wish to be put on the schedule to receive a donation should contact the RSL’s manager John on 4069 5780.
The picture is even grimmer when we look at avoidable deaths. From a population of 100,000, there are 115 avoidable deaths in metro areas compared to 171 in regional hubs and 244 in rural places. Clearly, there’s more than one factor at play here. Compared with those living in major cities, the people of rural and remote Australia have fewer years of completed education and lower incomes. And a greater proportion of them have a disability, smoke and drink to risky degrees. They also have poorer access to the internet and mobile phones. And then there’s access to health profes-
sionals, including doctors, which is notoriously poor in rural areas. Compared with the rate at which city people access Medicare, people in rural and remote areas are at a massive disadvantage – there’s a so-called “Medicare deficit” of around $1 billion a year. All in all, there’s a slanting line across key health measures such as potentially avoidable death, potentially avoidable hospitalisation and life expectancy from major cities through to very remote areas. Cancer survival rates show the same pattern. Social factors that impact health, such as income, completed years of education, disability, smoking and risky drinking, show the same gradient. All of these result in a higher incidence among the people of rural remote areas of various disadvantages relating to work, income, education and children (think of the proportion of families with young children in poverty). If we are to address these disadvantages, we need to unpick the relationship between socioeconomic status and geography. From an equity standpoint, the important issues are why levels of employment are low, why in a particular place there are few professionals and many labourers, why internet access is
low, and why are there fewer people with education above year 11 – and what can be done about these things. It seems safe to assume that the causes of health deficits include “rurality” – a combination of remoteness and town size because it’s obvious that town size, not just remoteness, will strongly influence variables, such as income, educational attainment, work skills and housing costs. While the role of income and education on health status are universal and universally accepted, it’s too early to dismiss place – especially “rurality” – as a determinant of health status. It seems likely that place is a primary determining factor in the worse health of rural and remote Australians, with socioeconomic status being an intermediary. In other words, low income might be the toxin, with place being what allows it to harm people. We know socioeconomic status is a major determinant of health, but understanding how the characteristics of a particular place impact health is critically important if we are to understand how to improve health and longevity in rural and remote Australia.
Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
Have your say on the draft Cape York Regional Plan— consultation closing soon In November 2013, the Queensland Government released a draft regional plan for Cape York to encourage economic development balanced with protecting the region’s significant environmental and cultural resources. The plan has the vision of providing communities on Cape York with the opportunities to create a sound economic future, while protecting the environment. Consultation is closing soon—you can have your say on the draft Cape York Regional Plan until 25 March 2014. Submissions will be considered before the plan is finalised later this year. For a copy of the plan and more information on how to make a submission: visit email call
www.qld.gov.au/capeyork cyregionalplan@dsdip.qld.gov.au 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
Blaze034227
Have a heart and donate to Team Yiri
Unravelling why geography is Australia’s biggest silent killer
Great state. Great opportunity.
Cooktown Local News – Thursday, March 20, 2014 – 9
UT&about
PHOTOS: GARY HUTCHISON
Partying @ The Wog’s Italian Restaurant Left: Celebrating her birthday was Lyn Brenner, seen here with Andrew Mirtschen and Monique Bowman. Right: Russell Bowman and Greg Angel. Below right: Helping Sarah Henderson (right) to celebrate her 30th birthday were (from left) Courtney Bird and Annie Buhmann.
Alan and Kerry Brown.
Margie McGovern with Mick Davies.
Paul Scott with Lee Davies.
Below: Great music ensured that diners really enjoyed the evening.
Above top: Some of Sarah Henderson’s birthday crew. Above: Lee Greaves and Sarah Henderson. Left: Karen Nicolaou, Kimberley Sullivan and Sandra Gougeon.
10 – Cooktown Local News – Thursday, March 20, 2014
PHOTOS: GARY HUTCHISON
UT&about
St Patrick’s Day Celebrations @ the Toppy, March 14
Local band U4REEL entertained the happy crowd for hours with their excellent Irish music.
Richard and Marlene Ross.
At the Toppy for an early St Paddy’s Day celebration were Cindy Seden and Rob Cannon.
Cliff Pearson and Robert Ross.
HaroldiIan Woibo.
Left: Glenn Griffiths with Tyra and Cliff Pearson. Right: James and Verina Exelby.
Alison Booker and Maureen Roberts.
Albie Baird and Peter Seymour.
Nat Wilkes and Jo Kent.
Cooktown Local News – Thursday, March 20, 2014 – 11
FRIDAY 21
6:00 Today 9:00 Danoz Direct 10:00 Brand Developers 11:00 National Morning News 12:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show 1:00 Movie: “The Cure” (PG a,l) 3:00 National News Now 4:15 National Afternoon News 5:30 Hot Seat 6:00 National News 7:00 A Current Affair 7:30 Football: Brisbane Broncos Vs Sydney Roosters 9:30 Football: Wests Tigers Vs South Sydney Rabbitohs 11:30 Movie: “Cobra” (AV v,l) - A street-tough detective’s nononsense approach to law enforcement is tested when he single-handedly tackles a marauding band of psycho-bikers who strike randomly. 1:10 Movie: “Enter The Dragon” (AV v,l) - A monk enters a brutal championship tournament to which only the best are invited. His athletic prowess lands him there, but he’s also serving as a spy for the British government. 3:05 Impractical Jokers 3:30 Skippy - The Bush Kangaroo 4:00 Brand Developers / 4:30 Good Morning America
6:00 Sunrise 9:00 The Morning Show 11:30 Seven Morning News 12:00 Movie: “Forgotten Sins” (M a) 2:00 The Daily Edition 3:00 The Chase 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 Deal Or No Deal 5:30 Million Dollar Minute 6:00 Better Homes And Gardens 6:30 Football: North Melbourne Vs Essendon 10:00 TBA 12:00 Desperate Housewives: “Witch’s Lament” - Halloween finds Gaby, Bree and Lynette attempting to exhume and move the body of Gaby’s stepfather, and Susan discovers that being art teacher Andre’s intern doesn’t involve art. 1:00 Up All Night 1:30 Special: The Coral Reefs Are Dying - Ben Cropp takes viewers below the surface where he finds Australia’s live coral reefs and a multitude of marine life. 2:30 Harry’s Practice 3:00 Home Shopping / 4:00 NBC Today
5:00 World News 1:00 The Food Lover’s Guide To Australia 1:30 Inspector Rex: Ice Time (Part 2) 2:30 NITV News Week In Review 3:00 France 24 International News 3:30 Al Jazeera News 4:00 The Journal 4:30 PBS Newshour 5:30 Global Village 6:00 Madhur Jaffrey’s Curry Nation 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Coast: The Riddle Of The Tides 8:35 Henry Viii’s Enforcer: The Rise And Fall Of Thomas Cromwell 9:35 As It Happened 10:30 SBS World News Late 11:00 The Feed 11:30 Movie: “At A Glance” (M l,n,s,v) - In Italian. When art critic Pietro Lulli brings his significantly younger companion Gloria to an exhibition, he doesn’t realise that her admiration of the work by struggling sculptor Adrian will have such a lasting effect on her. The two immediately hit it off and Gloria soon becomes Adrian’s companion. 1:40 Movie: “Kurt Wallender: The Courier” (M n,v,l,d) 3:20 Weatherwatch Overnight
SATURDAY 22
6:00 Rage 10:30 Rage Guest Programmer 11:30 Australian Story 12:00 The Next Big Thing 1:00 Father Brown: The Devil’s Dust 2:00 Movie: “Best Of The Badmen” (PG) 3:30 Movie: “Slaughter Trail” (PG) 5:00 Walk On The Wild Side 5:30 Devil Island: Devil Dynasty 6:00 Paralympic Highlights 6:30 Hello Birdy: Travellers 7:00 ABC News 7:30 Doc Martin 8:20 Midsomer Murders - A series of murders in Midsomer St Claire seem to be inspired by macabre images on a medieval fresco recently discovered in the church crypt. But who is responsible and why? 9:50 The Mystery Of A Hansom Cab: Based on the novel by Fergus Hulme in which a man is murdered in 19th century Melbourne. The investigation uncovers a trail of secrets and scandal spreading from opium dens and brothels to the cream of society. 11:30 Adam Hills: The Last Leg 12:05 Rage Guest Programmer 5:00 Rage / 5:30 Paralympic Highlights
6:00 Children’s Programs 7:00 Weekend Today - Saturday 10:00 Danoz Direct 11:00 Who Do You Think You Are? 12:00 The Middle 12:30 The Block: Fans Vs Faves 4:00 The Bottom Line 4:30 South Aussi With Cosi 5:00 Your 4x4 5:30 Getaway 6:00 National News Saturday 7:00 The Block: Fans Vs Faves Unlocked - Join Shelley Craft and see all the funniest behind the scenes from another week of renovating. See how the kitchens are progressing and get the inside scoop from judges Neale, Shaynna and Darren. 7:40 TBA 12:00 Movie: “Orphan” (AV v,s,l) - The tragic loss of their unborn child has devastated Kate and John, taking a toll on both their marriage and Kate’s fragile psyche. So the pair decide to adopt a nine year-old girl, but it soon becomes clear, this seemingly angelic little girl is not what she appears to be. 2:30 The Avengers: Winged Avenger 3:30 Extra 4:00 Brand Developes 5:00 Skippy - The Bush Kangaroo / 5:30 Wesley Impact
6:00 Saturday Disney 7:00 Weekend Sunrise 10:00 The Morning Show - Weekend 12:00 Movie: “You Again” (G) - Successful PR pro Marni heads home for her older brother’s wedding and discovers that he’s marrying her high school arch nemesis, who’s conveniently forgotten their problematic past. Then the bride’s jet- setting aunt bursts in and Marni’s not- so-jet-setting mum comes face to face with her own high school rival. 2:30 TBA 5:00 Creek To Coast 5:30 Football: St Kilda Vs Melbourne 10:00 Strike Back 2:00 Desperate Housewives: “Always In Control” (M) - Bree is shocked to learn the identity of the person who dug up the body of Gaby’s stepfather, and Lynette’s jealousy over Tom’s girlfriend leads her to tell untruths about her to her children. 1:00 Movie: “Dying On The Edge (FKA: Hearsay)” (M s,v) 3:00 World’s Strictest Parents 4:00 Home Shopping 5:00 Dr Oz: “It’s Easy! Simple Ways To Do The Right Things To Get Healthy” Get answers to your health questions from Dr Oz and other leading doctors, hospitals, associations and authors.
5:00 World News 1:00 The Emperor’s Secret Garden 2:05 Lenny Henry: Finding Shakespeare 3:00 Steve Schapiro: An Eye On American Icons 4:00 A Season At The Juillard School New York 4:30 PBS Newshour 5:30 Mexican Fiesta With Peter Kuruvita 5:35 Treasures Decoded 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 The Great Serengeti 8:30 The Story Of The Jews 9:30 Movie: “Rampart” (MA s,l) - Sandy George presents this Australian premiere film as part of SBS’s American Indie Season: Los Angeles, 1999. Vietnam vet and Rampart Precinct cop Dave Brown is the last of the renegade law enforcers, working to take care of his family and struggling for his own survival. Brown is dedicated to doing “the people’s dirty work” and asserting his own unique brand of justice. 11:30 Movie: “Priceless” (M l) - In French. 1:25 Diary Of A Teenage Nudist 2:25 Movie: “Ricky” (M s,l,n) - In French. 4:05 Weatherwatch Overnight
6:00 Rage 7:30 Asia Pacific Focus 8:00 Weekend Breakfast 9:00 Insiders 10:00 Offsiders 10:30 Paralympic Highlights 11:00 Australian Story 11:30 Songs Of Praise 12:00 Landline 1:00 Gardening Australia 1:30 Compass 2:00 Doc Martin 3:00 Art Of Germany: A Divided Land 4:00 Sunday Arts: Big Ideas 5:10 Father Brown: The Devils Dust 6:00 Paralympic Highlights 6:30 Compass: Joanna Lumley The Search For Noah’s Ark: Part 2 7:00 ABC News 7:30 Richard Hammond Builds A Universe 8:30 Rake 9:30 Waking The Dead: Harbinger (Part 2) 10:20 Wallander: Firewall 11:50 Movie: “For A Few Dollars More” (M a,v) - The ‘Man With No Name’ teams up with equally lethal Colonel Mortimer in pursuit of a sadistic killer and his band of desperadoes. 2:00 Movie: “Macao” (PG) 3:25 Richard Hammond Builds A Universe 4:30 Catalyst 5:00 Gardening Australia / 5:30 Collectors
6:00 Children’s Programs 7:00 Weekend Today 10:00 Financial Review Sunday 10:30 Wide World Of Sports 11:30 Sunday Footy Show 1:30 Broncos Insider 2:00 2014 Intrust Supercup 4:00 Football: Manly Sea Eagles Vs Parramatta Eels 6:00 National News Sunday 6:30 The Block: Fans Vs Faves 7:40 60 Minutes 8:40 Fat Tony & Co 9:40 Person Of Interest 10:40 Love Child: Joan fights the hospital ‘boys club’ for her right to complete her medical degree. Johnny is arrested after an antiWar protest, while Shirley goes into premature labour. Annie gets the opportunity of a lifetime at a Kings Cross nightclub. 11:40 Who Gets The Last Laugh? 12:10 Financial Review Sunday 12:40 What Would You Do? 1:30 Spyforce 2:30 Brand Developers 4:00 Good Morning America - Sunday 5:00 National Early Morning News / 5:30 Today
6:00 Children’s Programs 7:00 Weekend Sunrise 10:00 AFL Game Day 11:30 Footy Flashbacks 1:00 Movie: “Judy Moody And The Not Bummer Summer” (PG v,l) 4:00 Better Homes And Gardens 4:30 TBA 6:00 Seven News 6:30 My Kitchen Rules 8:00 Sunday Night 9:00 Downton Abbey 10:00 Castle: Close Encounters 12:00 Dr Oz: “The Controversial Pill That Could Prevent Cancer: Should You” Get answers to your health questions from Dr Oz and other leading doctors, hospitals, associations and authors. 1:00 Special: Images Of Italy - Greg Grainger takes viewers from the enchantment of the Tuscany region to the classic charm of Verona and Venice. 2:00 Home Shopping 3:00 NBC Today 4:00 NBC Meet The Press 5:00 Sunrise Extra / 5:30 Seven Early News
5:00 World News 1:00 Al Jazeera News 1:30 Cycling Central 2:00 Speedweek 4:00 Football Asia 4:30 UEFA Champions League Magazine 5:00 Wainwright Walks 5:30 Who Do You Think You Are? 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Mexican Fiesta With Peter Kuruvita Bitesize 7:35 Lost Worlds: The Vikings 8:35 I, Human. 9:30 There’s Something About Patrick 10:30 Movie: “The Good Life” (M l,n,s) In Spanish. A thoughtprovoking depiction of life in the Chilean city of Santiago, following four characters who struggle to reach their goals, but each of them obtains something unexpected and different from what they wanted. 12:20 Movie: “A Short Stay In Switzerland” (MA a) - Just after losing her husband to a fatal neurological condition, Dr Anne Turner is diagnosed with a similar illness. So she plans to end her life herself. 2:05 Weatherwatch Overnight
6:00 ABC News Breakfast 9:30 ABC News Mornings 10:00 Children’s Programs 11:00 Big Ideas 12:00 Midday Report 1:00 Landline 2:00 Parliament Question Time 3:00 Bed Of Roses 4:00 New Tricks 5:00 Eggheads 5:30 ABC News: Early Edition 6:00 Paralympic Highlights 6:30 Who’s Been Sleeping In My House? 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 8:00 Australian Story 8:30 Four Corners 9:20 Media Watch 9:35 Q&A 10:35 Lateline 11:10 The Business 11:35 Monroe 12:25 Parliament Question Time 1:25 Movie: “Hell Is For Heroes” (M v) 3:05 Movie: “Fort Apache” (G) 5:30 Eggheads
6:00 Today 9:00 Danoz Direct 9:30 Brand Developers 11:00 National Morning News 12:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show 1:00 Movie: “The Invasion” (M v,a,l) 3:00 National News Now 4:15 National Afternoon News 5:30 Hot Seat 6:00 National News 7:00 A Current Affair 7:30 The Block: Fans Vs Faves 8:40 Love Child: Joan’s world is rocked when she uncovers the truth about Annie’s baby. Shirley’s affair with Johnny is exposed when her husband returns injured from Vietnam. Annie’s singing career takes off when she appears on TV show Bandstand. 9:50 The Mentalist: The Red Barn 10:50 Inside Story: Lethal Lovers 11:50 TBA 12:50 Extra 1:20 Nine Presents 1:30 Skippy - The Bush Kangaroo 2:00 Brand Developers 3:30 Good Morning America 5:00 National Early Morning News / 5:30 Today
6:00 Sunrise 9:00 The Morning Show 11:30 Seven Morning News 12:00 Movie: “United” (M a,l) 2:00 The Daily Edition 3:00 The Chase 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 Deal Or No Deal 5:30 Million Dollar Minute 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Home And Away 7:30 My Kitchen Rules 9:00 Revenge: Exodus 10:00 How I Met Your Mother: How Your Mother Met Me 10:30 How I Met Your Mother: Karma / The Broath 11:30 Talking Footy 12:30 Parks And Recreation: Ron And Diane 1:00 Home Shopping 3:30 Sons And Daughters - After a promising start, Jill hits problems in her new relationship with Derek. 4:00 NBC Today 5:00 Sunrise Extra / 5:30 Seven Early News
5:00 World News 1:00 The Royal Jewels 2:05 Battle Castle 3:00 France 24 International News 3:30 Al Jazeera News 4:00 The Journal 4:30 FIFA Futbol Mundial 5:00 The Farm Fixer 5:30 Global Village 6:00 Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam 6:30 SBS World News 7:35 Idris Elba: King Of Speed 8:35 Stephen Hawking’s Future Universe 9:30 Housos 10:30 SBS World News Late 11:00 The World Game 11:30 Clown: Casa Tua - Mia forces Frank to get his sperm count checked. Complications including a children’s DVD, a porn movie and a furious Iben ensues. Meanwhile, Casper finds a pregnancy test in the kitchen and after disbanding the idea that Frank could have placed it there, he moves on to find the guilty party. 12:00 Shorts On Screen 12:40 Derren Brown: The Heist 1:35 William Shatner’s Weird Or What? 2:40 Weatherwatch Overnight
6:00 ABC News Breakfast 9:30 ABC News Mornings 10:00 Children’s Programs 11:00 Four Corners 11:45 Media Watch 12:00 Midday Report 1:00 Q&A 2:00 Parliament Question Time 3:00 Bed Of Roses 4:00 New Tricks 5:00 Eggheads 5:30 ABC News: Early Edition 6:00 Grand Designs 6:45 Little Crackers: Alan Davies 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 8:00 Foregin Correspondent 8:30 New Tricks: Old Fossils 9:30 At The Movies 10:00 Hannah Gadsby’s OZ 10:30 Lateline 11:05 The Business 11:30 Four Corners 12:20 Media Watch 12:35 Parliament Question Time 1:35 Movie: “Mr Lucky” (PG) 3:15 Movie: “Suspicion” (PG) 4:50 Songs Of Praise / 5:30 Eggheads
6:00 Today 9:00 Danoz Direct 10:00 Brand Developers 11:00 National Morning News 12:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show 1:00 Movie: “Forever Young” (PG v,l) 3:00 National News Now 4:15 National Afternoon News 5:30 Hot Seat 6:00 National News 7:00 A Current Affair 7:30 The Block: Fans Vs Faves 8:40 The Big Bang Theory: The Convention Conundrum 9:10 The Big Bang Theory: The Higgs Boson Observation 9:40 2 Broke Girls: And The Near Death Experience 10:10 2 Broke Girls: And The Hidden Stash 10:40 Two And A Half Men: What A Lovely Landing Strip 11:10 Two And A Half Men: One False Move, Zimbabwe! 11:40 Weeds: Qualitative Spatial Reasoning 12:10 20/20 1:00 Extra 1:30 Brand Developers 3:30 Good Morning America 5:00 National Early Morning News / 5:30 Today
6:00 Sunrise 9:00 The Morning Show 11:30 Seven Morning News 12:00 Movie: “Subdivision” (M l) 2:00 The Daily Edition 3:00 The Chase 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 Deal Or No Deal 5:30 Million Dollar Minute 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Home And Away 7:30 My Kitchen Rules 8:45 TBA 11:45 Smash: The Read Through - Julia’s fears increase when Tom airs his suspicions of Peter. Jimmy and Kyle confront their own crisis of confidence as ‘Hit List’ is read for the first time. Meanwhile, Ivy realizes her triumph might not be all she hoped when she meets her new co- star, Terry Falls, and Karen wonders if she can trust Jimmy. 1:00 Home Shopping 4:00 NBC Today 5:00 Sunrise Extra / 5:30 Seven Early News
5:00 World News 1:00 One Born Every Minute 2:50 Luke Nguyen’s Greater Mekong Bitesize 3:00 France 24 International News 3:30 Al Jazeera News 4:00 The Journal 4:30 PBS Newshour 5:30 Global Village 6:00 Food Safari 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Queen Victoria’s Children 8:30 Insight 9:30 Dateline 10:30 SBS World News Late 11:00 The Killing: In Danish. The body of a female lawyer is found in a Copenhagen park. Shortly after, an ex-soldier who served in Afghanistan is savagely killed. Are the murders linked? Only one person can help: a stubborn, rebellious woman in her early forties, Detective Inspector Sarah Lund. Running parallel to the case, both the Minister of Justice and an escaped prisoner are also desperately searching for the murderer. 12:10 Art And Copy 1:45 My Asian Heart 2:50 Weatherwatch Overnight
6:00 ABC News Breakfast 9:30 ABC News Mornings 10:00 Children’s Programs 11:00 One Plus One 11:30 Foreign Correspondent 12:00 Midday Report 12:30 National Press Club Address 1:30 Hello Birdy 2:00 Parliament Question Time 3:00 Bed Of Roses 4:00 New Tricks 5:00 Eggheads 5:30 ABC News: Early Edition 6:00 Grand Designs 6:50 The Checkout 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 8:00 Shaun Micallef’s MAD AS HELL 8:30 Spicks And Specks 9:00 The Moodys: Baby Shower Blues 9:30 Adam Hills: The Last Leg 10:00 The Wrong Mans 10:30 Lateline 11:05 The Business 11:35 Hustle 12:35 Parliament Question Time 1:35 Movie: “Kitty Foyle” (PG) 3:25 Movie: “Shall We Dance” (PG) 5:30 Eggheads
6:00 Today 9:00 Danoz Direct 10:00 Brand Developers 11:00 National Morning News 12:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show 1:00 Movie: “Fair Game” (M v,l,s) 3:00 National News Now 4:15 National Afternoon News 5:30 Hot Seat 6:00 National News 7:00 A Current Affair 7:30 The Block: Fans Vs Faves 8:40 Inside Story 9:40 CSI: De Los Muertos 10:40 CSI: NY: Today Is Life - In the series final, there is widespread unrest over the police shooting of an unarmed man. The community uproar forces Mac and his team to move quickly to solve the case. 11:40 The Footy Show Late 1:30 Brand Developers 3:30 Good Morning America 5:00 National Early Morning News 5:30 Today
6:00 Sunrise 10:00 The Morning Show 11:30 Seven Morning News 12:00 Disney TV Features 2:00 The Daily Edition 3:00 The Chase 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 Deal Or No Deal 5:30 Million Dollar Minute 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Home And Away 7:30 My Kitchen Rules 8:45 The Blacklist: The world’s most wanted criminal mysteriously turns himself in and offers to help them hunt down the very men he’s spent his entire life protecting. 9:45 TBA 11:45 Defiance: Brothers In Arms - Nolan welcomes an old army buddy, Eddie Braddock, who is now working as a bounty hunter. 1:00 Home Shopping 3:30 Sons And Daughters 4:00 NBC Today 5:00 Sunrise Extra / 5:30 Seven Early News
5:00 World News 5:30 UEFA Champions League 2013/2014 8:00 Weatherwatch 8:05 World News 1:00 Insight 2:00 Dateline 3:00 France 24 International News 3:30 Al Jazeera News 4:00 The Journal 4:30 PBS Newshour 5:30 Global Village 6:00 My Family Feast 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Indian Ocean With Simon Reeve 8:35 One Born Every Minute 9:30 Lilyhammer 10:25 SBS World News Late 11:00 Movie: “Potiche” - In French. When her husband is taken hostage by his striking employees, a trophy wife takes the reins of the family business and proves to be a remarkably effective leader. However business and personal complications arrive in the form of her ex-lover, a former union leader. 12:50 Movie: “A Heart Elsewhere” (PG) - In Italian, English Subtitles. Nello is a sensitive and shy 35-year-old whose philandering father keeps encouraging him to seduce women. 2:45 Weatherwatch Overnight
6:00 Today 9:00 Danoz Direct 10:00 Brand Developers 11:00 National Morning News 12:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show 1:00 Movie: “54” (M d,l,s) - From innocence to decadence to indulgence. Only one place can take you there! This film retells the story of the famous Studio 54, a hot disco hangout for the social elite of New York where drugs, music and fashion were on display in dazzling abundance. 3:00 National News Now 4:15 National Afternoon News 5:30 Hot Seat 6:00 National News 7:00 A Current Affair 7:30 The Block: Fans Vs Faves 8:40 The NRL Footy Show 10:40 Fat Tony & Co 11:30 20/20 12:30 Extra 1:00 The Baron 2:00 Brand Developers 3:30 Good Morning America 5:00 National Early Morning News / 5:30 Today
6:00 Sunrise 9:00 The Morning Show 11:30 Seven Morning News 12:00 Movie: “Payback” (M v) 2:00 The Daily Edition 3:00 The Chase 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 Deal Or No Deal 5:30 Million Dollar Minute 6:00 Home And Away 6:30 Football: Richmond Vs Carlton 10:00 Happy Endings: “Lying Around” - When Brad hears that Jane’s old sorority sister is coming for a visit, he lies and says he has a work retreat out of town, but he’s actually on ‘staycation’ in a fancy hotel in the city. Alex meets a new guy, Liam, but his dates dates are over-the-top. 10:30 Surveillance Oz 11:30 Young, Lazy And Driving Us Crazy 12:30 Harry’s Practice 1:00 Home Shopping 4:00 NBC Today 5:00 Sunrise Extra / 5:30 Seven Early News
5:00 Korean News 5:30 UEFA Champions League 2013/2014 8:00 Weatherwatch 8:05 World News 1:00 One Born Every Minute 2:50 Luke Lguyen’s Greater Mekong Bitesize 3:00 France 24 International News 3:30 Al Jazeera News 4:00 The Journal 4:30 PBS Newshour 5:30 Global Village 6:00 Island Feast With Peter Kuruvita 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Mexican Fiesta With Peter Kuruvita 8:00 Gormet Farmer 8:30 Exploring China 9:35 The Escape Artist: Talented junior barrister Will Burton specialises in spiriting people out of tight legal corners, hence his nickname - the Escape Artist. 10:40 SBS World News Late 11:05 UEFA Champions League Highlights 11:35 Prophets Of Science Fiction 12:30 Liberal Rule 1:30 James May’s Toy Stories 2:00 Weatherwatch Overnight
THURSDAY 27
6:00 ABC News Breakfast 9:30 ABC News Mornings 10:00 Children’s Programs 12:00 Midday Report 1:00 Janet King 2:00 At The Movies 2:30 As Time Goes By 3:00 Bed Of Roses 4:00 New Tricks 5:00 Eggheads 5:30 ABC News 6:00 Paralympic Highlights 6:30 Who’s Been Sleeping In My House? 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 8:00 Would I Lie To You? 8:30 The Doctor Blake Mysteries - When a second body is found in a coffin just before it is to be buried, Blake is on the case. He knew the victim and won’t let the matter rest until he has answers. 9:30 Line Of Duty - Arnott is convinced Gates played a part in Jackie’s disappearance. 10:30 Lateline 11:10 Shaun Micallef’s MAD AS HELL 11:40 Rage 5:30 Paralympic Highlights
SUNDAY 23
SBS
MONDAY 24
7 CENTRAL
TUESDAY 25
IMPARJA
WEDNESDAY 26
ABC
6:00 ABC News Breakfast 9:30 ABC News Mornings 10:00 Children’s Programs 12:00 Midday Report 1:00 Shaun Micallef’s MAD AS HELL 1:30 The Checkout 2:00 Parliament Question Time 3:00 Bed Of Roses 4:00 New Tricks 5:00 Eggheads 5:30 ABC News: Early Edition 6:00 Grand Designs 6:55 Clarke And Dawe 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 8:00 The Checkout 8:30 Janet King: The Third Man 9:30 The School 10:20 Lateline 10:55 The Business 11:20 Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day 12:10 Parliament Question Time 1:10 The School 2:00 Songs Of Praise 2:30 Football: WAFL: Round 1: Peel Thunder Vs East Perth 5:30 Eggheads
12 – Cooktown Local News – Thursday, March 20, 2014
CROSSWORD No. 190
SUDOKU No. 190
Your Lucky
Stars
PISCES (February 20th - March 20th) A group discussion will help you to come up with some ideas. You will be surprised what you can achieve if you put your minds together. This could encourage more meetings. Romance. Try not to disguise the way you feel. Confusing your partner about your needs will not help anyone who is involved.
ARIES (March 21st - April 20th) You may need to back down this week, in order to keep your relations with your colleagues in good shape. Don’t feel like this puts you in a lower position, however. Romance. Try to think up a pleasant surprise for your partner. They are feeling a little down at the moment and could use cheering up.
TAURUS (April 21st - May 21st) A surprisingly frank discussion could help to clear the air. This will be an excellent time to really get to grips with this matter. Honesty is the only thing that will help! Romance. Your relationship may be on rocky ground this week. Be careful not to do anything too drastic. You can mend this issue.
FOR KIDS
GEMINI (May 22nd - June 21st) Someone that you have known for many years will shortly be going through a difficult patch. They will be grateful for your assistance. Even the smallest gesture will have great effect. Romance. Your partner may seem ungrateful for the things you have done. However, it’s likely they just didn’t think to give thanks.
CANCER (June 22nd - July 23rd) A secret which concerns a close friend must not be taken lightly. Your friend only told you the secret because they knew that you can be trusted. Keep that trust! Romance. Don’t take a flirtation at work too seriously. This person is not genuinely interested. They do this with everyone. Don’t get too upset.
LEO (July 24th - August 23rd) Be very careful with a possession which may get stolen. This would not be of much value to a thief, but it would upset you to lose it. It’s best to put it in storage. Romance. You may have found it difficult to make some changes in your life, but now that you have accomplished them, you are pushing your mate.
FINDWORD No. 190 A LAUGH WITH LOTSA
VIRGO (August 24th - September 23rd) Your friends will be impressed by your positive mood. This will be an excellent time to push through some changes which have been taking time to materialise. Romance. The Moon/Neptune Midpoint in your sign could make you a little too sensitive at times. Thankfully, your partner is very mindful of this.
LIBRA (September 24th - October 23rd) You may be feeling a little insecure. Try to think of some positive things which have been said to you recently. Keeping a small list will boost your confidence. Romance. You won’t be feeling your usual self. Don’t do anything you are unsure about. If in doubt, put off a decision for a few weeks.
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MUDDY RIVER
SCORPIO (October 24th - November 22nd) Your home life may seem a bit boring this week. Take advantage of this because it’s likely the calm before the storm. Next week will be very busy! Romance. Your relationship will soon be in better shape than it has been for some time. Try to find something to do in celebration! You both deserve it!
SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd - December 21st) Your friend’s attitude is wearing you down. Surrounding yourself by more positive people over the next week will help revive your free spirit. Romance. The Moon/ Jupiter Midpoint in your sign will make you feel especially warm towards your partner. This change will be acknowledged and appreciated!
CAPRICORN (December 22nd - January 20th)
Stop worrying about
A new hobby will help to put you in touch with someone that you have not seen for a very long time. You may not have had any inkling that they had a shared interest. Romance. A new relationship will start to warm up. Decide how you feel about this before it is too late! You can put the brakes on if necessary.
what you have to loose
AQUARIUS (January 21st - February 19th)
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“
“
and start focusing on
what you have to gain.
–Unknown
SOLUTIONS No. 190
Don’t allow your parents to interfere too much in your life. Their aid could be a little intrusive at times. Remember, they are only trying to help. Romance. Don’t get too worked up about the state of your relationship. A dose of realism will help to put everything in perspective. Things will go as they should.
Cooktown Local News – Thursday, March 20, 2014 – 13
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can’t see your ad here?
Kingfisher
LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
Great value for your advertising $
in the
FENCING
EARTHMOVING
Advertise HERE in
COLOUR! $45/wk Colour • $30/wk Mono for a 6-month booking (GST inclusive)
BSA 1112207
Phone Dave or Silke anytime 0417 074 946 or 4069 6464
FULLY LICENCED AND INSURED FOR YOUR PEACE OF MIND
PEST CONTROL
COOKTOWN
PEST CONTROL ABN: 37 495 170 374 Mitigation Permit: WIMP01346103
LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
Call 1300 4895 00 or email ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au to book your advertisement
EQUIPMENT HIRE
C&D ENTERPRISES
SNAKES Removed/Identified JIM SYMES
••Annual Annual Inspections Inspections ••Domestic Domestic and and Commercial Commercial Pre-purchase ••Pre-purchase Inspection Inspection Preand andPost Post ••Pre Construction Construction Physical ••Physical & Chemical &Barrier Chemical Barrier
3019•(ph/fax) mobile 04270427 818818 462462 Ph:4060 4060 3019 Fax: 4060or 3017 • Mobile:
PLUMBING • Bobcat hire and attachments • Excavator hire and attachments • Telehandler and attachments
Cameron Orchard ph/fax 4069 5309 mob 0407 695 309
EARTHMOVING & CONCRETE
0417 002 143
• Concrete – Earthmoving & Civil Works – Building Pads – Subdivisions – Driveways – Trenches – Post Holes – Clearing – Drainage – Demolition • Plumbing & Pool Preparation – Raw Materials & Cartage – Rock & Tree Removal • Small & Large Excavators & Attachments – Bobcats – Tip Trucks – Water Carts – Rollers – Tag & Dog Trailers Local multi-skilled operators providing you a competant, reliable & hassle-free service in Earthmoving & Civil Works
ROOFING
Nadine & Steve Scholz • PO Box 964 Cooktown Q 4895 admin@cooktowncivilgroup.com cooktowncivilgroup
Advertise your business in the Trades and Services Section Call 1300 4895 00 or email ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au to book your advertisement.
14 – Cooktown Local News – Thursday, March 20, 2014
Advertise your business Call 1300 4895 00 or 4098 2281
GARAGE SALE
GARAGE SALE
GARAGE SALE - Saturday 29th March. 15 Hogg St., Cooktown; 8.00AM - 1.00PM.
MASSIVE GARAGE SALE, SATURDAY 22nd March 18 Walker Street Cooktown. Furniture and white goods everything must go! 6.5kg Washing Machine, 4kg Dryer, 2 x 6 drawer chests, 4 x 3 drawer bed side tables, 2 x Queen mattresses with mattress topper and pine timber bed frames, TV unit, coffee table, office desk plus much more! Prices are negotiable considering reasonable offers only. Sale starts 8am Saturday 22nd. No early birds please. Phone 0417 622 655.
TRADES COOKTOWN Skip Bins. Commercial and domestic rubbish removal and disposal. Ph 4069 5545 or 0408 772 361.
MOTELS AAA CBD CBD CBD – Inn Cairns Boutique Apartments, 71 Lake Street, Cairns. Self catering, secure car parking, pool/gazebo, opp PO and Woolworths. Ph 07 4041 2350.
MOTELS
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
CAIRNS Rainbow Inn. 3½ star, all facilities including cable TV. Close to the city, from $65 per night. Ph 4051 1022.
PUBLIC NOTICE STANDBY Response Service. Support and information for people bereaved by suicide. Ph 0439 722 266. 24 hours – 7 days per week.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Cooktown Towing, Tyres & Mechanical Ferrari Street (behind Mobil S/S) Cooktown
Phone: 4069 5545 • Mobile: 0408 772 361
TREELOPPING
CIVIL celebrant Kathleen Roberts. Naming Ceremonies, Marriages, Funeral Co-ordination. 4069 5004 or 0427 695 004
Ph: 4069 5545 or 0408 772 361
Telephone: 1300 4895 00
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 $3,300”. Non-compliance with these requirements may result in the advertiser receiving a warning or a fine from the BSA. If you do not meet the above requirements in your present advertisement, please contact the Cooktown Local News as soon as possible with your details.
T: 1300 4895 00, 4098 2281 M: 0419 828 639 E: ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au
Fax: 1300 7872 48 Phones attended 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday
Email your
classifieds thru to
ads@ cooktownlocal news. com.au
OL’ SKOOL MOTORCYCLE SHOW
Sunday, April 13 Opens at 9.30am Enquiries: 0457 098 582
All money raised goes to needy, local families
PUBLIC NOTICE Cooktown Tennis Club AGM/General Meeting – 27th March at The Italian Restaurant 5pm. Enquiries phone Jodi 0428 472 110. All welcome.
What do I do if I find sick, injured or orphaned wildlife? Call FNQ Wildlife Rescue on (07)
4053 4467
FOR RENT
The Wildlife Rescue emergency number is manned by volunteers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We will assess the animal and, depending on that assessment, take the animal to a vet or a wildlife foster carer. Email: fnqwr@bigpond.com Web: www.fnqwildliferescue.org.au
FOR RENT - New Renovation 3 BR half Duplex. $280 P/W. Central Location close to Hospital A/C in Bedrooms. Responsible Tenants need only apply. PH Mob 0438 106 108.
Optometrist visiting Servicing Cooktown since 1997
Visiting regularly
Cooktown Skip Bins Rubbish removal and disposal
ELLIS BEACH
DOUBLE HELIX science quiz www.csiro.au
Quiz questions
1. What is the lightest element in the periodic table? 2. How many chromosomes do humans have? 3. Does a proton have a positive or negative charge? 4. True or false – Untreated sewage is one of the main sources of water pollution in India? 5. What part of the brain controls a person’s heartbeat?
Quiz answers
STORAGE SHEDS
CLASSIFIEDS
1. Hydrogen is the lightest element in the periodic table. 2. Humans have 46 chromosomes. 3. A proton has a positive charge. 4. True. Untreated sewage is one of the main sources of water pollution in India. 5. The medulla oblongata controls a person’s heartbeat.
trades & services directory
To subscribe to Double Helix go to www.csiro.au/helix-subscribe or call 02 6276 6643
Coffee and the
?
Cooktown Local News
Ocular health Eyesight testing Glaucoma assessment Diabetic sight analysis Contact Lens Consultations
Eyedentity Optical phone: (07) 4033 7575
CAPE YORK ENGINEERING COOKTOWN MARINE
Perfection.
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
220 MacMillan St, Cooktown
Ph Phil 4069 5224 or Mob 0417 776 524
Turtle Rescue
Yuku-Baja-Muliku Rangers are offering their services to assist with any sick or injured Marine Turtles found. We encourage contact with us at any time to implement a speedy recovery for these beautiful creatures to enable a better chance of rehabilitation.
Please contact our office on (07) 4069 6957 or Larissa - 0432 283 357 / Mick - 0408 577 193. Yuku Baja Muliku Landowner & Reserves Ltd • Archer Point Land Trust • www.archerpoint.com.au Ph: (07) 4069 6957 ~ Fax: (07) 4069 6501 • PO Box 1011 Cooktown QLD 4895 Turtle Rescue is supported by
News Cooktown Local
keep in touch
your Read copy at home A Cooktown Local News print
subscription is a great idea if you are moving away and want to keep in touch with friends and events in the Cooktown area.
Phone
1300 4895 00 or 4098 2281 accounts@regionalandremote.com.au
Cooktown Local News – Thursday, March 20, 2014 – 15
CLASSIFIEDS 09-06-1951 ~ 18-03-2012 Missing you every time we turn the page. And cherishing all the chapters when you were there. Mum (Robyn), Jeff, Daniel, Tess, Peta, Brandon & Veronika
VICKERS, Dorothy Gertrude Formerly of Cooktown, Dorothy passed away peacefully at Glenmead Retirement Village on 15th March, 2014, aged 95 years. Dorothy will be sadly missed by family and friends. The relatives and friends of Dorothy are respectfully invited to attend a celebration of her life which will be held at Glenmead Retirement Village on Thursday, 20th March, 2014, commencing at 2pm. Please meet at the Chapel. Cairns Crematorium Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens PO Box 114, Earlville, QLD 4870 Ph: 4036 1888
Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council
Tender 14/15
Register of Pre-Qualified Suppliers and Trades people Invites tenders from individuals and organisations wishing to be appointed to a Register of Pre-Qualified Suppliers and Trades people in the following categories: • Carpentry • Concreting • Painting • Tiling/Waterproofing • Electrical • Floor Laying • Plumbing • Treelopping • Data/Telecommunications Cabling • Civil Works Supervision - Roadworks/Subdivision Tender documentation is available by contacting Mrs Wendy Ashworth – Phone: 4083 9108, Email: chambers@ wujalwujalcouncil.qld.gov.au Tenders close at 5pm, Monday, April 28, 2014. Alan Neilan Chief Executive Officer 20/3/14
Cape York Folk Club
the presenters of Wallaby Creek Festival are holding their
Annual General Meeting Saturday, March 29, 2014
12 noon at Nature’s PowerHouse • Light lunch will be provided Come along and provide your input for 2014’s festival. Any inquiries please call Jen Midgley 4069 6878 A/H
AGM POSITION VACANT We currently have a vacancy for a permanent part-time
Trade Sales Team Member at our Cooktown Branch The primary objective of this position is to provide excellent customer service to our customers and potential customers. Successful candidates will have a strong desire to work with people in a service capacity. We are looking for a person with good overall knowledge of our Building products. This position requires a willingness to work in all areas of the trade centre and most importantly work as part of a team. The hours will include a Saturday roster You will be responsible for: • Provision of Customer Service • Sharing of Product Knowledge to assist customers and other team members • Stock Management • Keying customer orders to ensure timely delivery • Feedback to Branch Manager with regards to customer feedback and comment • Willingly assisting in all areas of the shop as required Skills/Knowledge/Experience • Customer Service skills • Building Materials knowledge (preferred) • Forklift Licence is preferred • Ability to use computerised equipment • Passion for presentation • Ability to converse with a variety of different customers, staff, managers, tradesmen Cairns Hardware prides itself on superior products and customer service through our dedicated and experienced staff. We offer our staff training and development plus excellent conditions. To express your interest in working with us please forward your resume and cover letter to: Email: rbutler@cairnshardware.com.au Fax: 07 4069 5843 Applications close Friday 28th March 2014 Cairns Hardware is an equal opportunity employer. LOCALLY FAMOUS SINCE THE 70’S
COOKTOWN CREATIVE ARTS ASSOC. 97 CHARLOTTE ST, COOKTOWN PHONE: 4069 5794.
Annual General Meeting Friday, March 28, 5pm CCAA premises, 97 Charlotte Street. Only financial members can nominate or vote.
Cooktown Dive Club AGM & General Meeting Where: Cook’s Landing Kiosk Day / Date / Time: Sunday, March 23, 2014 – 3.30pm • New members welcome
Photo: Michael Amendolia
Phillip (Wayne) Buhmann
R E S TO R E
T S IGJH U ST FO R
$2 5
Contact: President Kathy Lawfer 0458 594 168 or Secretary Kym Jerome 0427 527 724
5 PEOPLE 4 O UT O F BLIND WHO A R E D TO BE E E N DON’T
FOR SALE
ELECTRIC DUX HOT WATER UNITS 6 x 160 litres, 01/2007. $75 each 1 x 250 litres, 08/2001. $50 each 2 x 259 litres, 09/2010. $150 each In good condition.
DONATE NOW
1800 352 352
HOLLOWS .ORG . AU
PHONE 4069 5377 Seaview Motel Education Queensland Lakeland State School (SS) Laura State School (SS) Southern Cape Cluster (SCC) Temporary Vacancies Cleaning Officer Part-Time hours – Lakeland SS Grounds Officer Casual hours – Lakeland SS Administration Officer AO2 (AAEP):Part-Time 10.5 hours + ADO - Lakeland SS Part-Time 10.5 hours + ADO - Laura SS (All positions have the possibility of long term extension) Applications are invited for the above positions. Applicants need to apply in writing (2 pgs) addressing their suitability along with resume and 2 referees. *Administration Officer AO2 (AAEP) applicants need to also address abilities against a selection criteria. This is available from the Business Services Manager SCC on Ph: 07 4082 0222 or email: jmmcc1@eq.edu.au Enquiries and completed applications contact:Jacinta McCosh, BSM SCC, PO Box 4, Cooktown Qld 4895, Fax (07) 40696561 or email: jmmcc1@eq.edu.au The closing date for applications is 3.00 pm, Friday 28 March 2014. *Applicants can apply for one portion of the roles, preference will be given to applicants able to undertake the role at both schools. Applications will be valid for 12 months. The Commission for Children and Young People Act 2000 requires the preferred applicant to be subject to a Working With Children Check and as part of Education Queensland policy, employees must undergo a Criminal History Check. Education Queensland is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a smoke free environment.
! W O N Y P O C R U O Y T E G 2014 EDITION
16 – Cooktown Local News – Thursday, March 20, 2014
The 2014 Cooktown State School Parents & Citizens Association directory is available at the Cooktown Newsagency.
ONLY
$10
COMMUNITY/CLASSIFIEDS
Along the BLOOMFIELD TRACK
with Mike D’Arcy – D’Arcy of DAintree 4WD tours
FANCY a bird that can fly within two days of hatching! The Orange-footed Scrubfowl (Megapodius reinwardt) is named after its huge, bright orangecoloured feet. Along with other moundbirds known also as “mound-builders” or “thermometer birds”, it’s a very special but very weird bird species. In our region, Scrubfowl eggs were a favourite food of the Kuku Yalanji people, who call them “Jarruka”. We call them chooks. Scrubfowl are the birds most likely to disturb your sleep at night with their squawking, but you’re most likely to see them in the early morning or late afternoon. From a big list, I’ve taken out a few of the things that make the Orange-footed Scrubfowl stand apart from domestic chooks and other species of the Galliforme Order. Domestic chooks lay several eggs one to three days apart. After a batch accumulates, they start sitting on or brooding them, so they all eventually hatch at about the same time.
Orange-footed Scrubfowl: A weird bird indeed Our Scrubfowl are quite different to chooks. Instead of sitting on eggs, moundbirds rake together huge mounds of vegetation, in which an army of bacteria and fungi help decompose the material to provide the right temperature for incubation. It’s a huge permanent mound, by the way, up to 2 metres high, and perhaps 6x4 metres wide. Because Scrubfowl eggs are so huge – 20 per cent of their body weight (which is a bantam size of around 1-1.2 kg) - it takes a few days to grow each egg, so the gap between laid eggs could be 10 or so days. So, up to 15 or so eggs are laid over many months, each dug into a separate excavated hole in the mound. With up to 15 eggs, this takes place over many months. There is no air bub-
ble in the egg. Instead of an eggtooth to peck its way out of the shell, the Scrubfowl uses its huge legs to scratch through the shell. Once out of the shell, it tamps down the soil to make a breathing chamber, has a little rest, then starts to dig its way up and out of the mound. This generally involves over 1 metre in height, and takes up to two days. After a final, listeningfor-danger rest, the chick bursts out of the mound, pretty well fully formed (although small) and can fly onto a branch almost immediately. In fact, the young are better fliers than adults. Young Scrubfowls are able to run, pursue prey, and, in some species, fly on the same day they hatch. They are fully able to defend themselves and neither need nor receive parental care. What a life lesson! Please discuss this with your children.
The Scrubfowl diet is omnivorous, although they seem to prefer worms, termites and beetles, with just a little fruit. Adult Scrubfowl form couples and are socially monogamous, not polyandrous like domestic chooks. Both tend the mound and they even sing a type of ritual duet together. Different types of calls seem to indicate to other couples who may be interested in sharing the same mound that they are in the area. Other calls just keep us awake at night. Traffic (4WD only) has been able to move along the Track comfortably enough, but fresh water has made the Bloomfield River impassable on a few occasions. With the ex-Cyclone Hadi rain predicted this week so plan your trip very carefully. Happy travelling!
l l e W g n i v i L
Top: The Scrubfowl form couples and are socially monogamous. Bottom: Scrubfowl chicks are usually born about 10 days apart.
with MICHELLE HODGKISS
HOW fortunate are we to live in such a beautiful place as Cooktown and have the amazing culinary skills and knowledge of people like Saeng! Not only are most of her ingredients organically home grown, but also her experience is based on original authentic Thai cuisine that would match any topnotch ‘inner-city’ restaurant! Last Sunday; Saeng
Method:
Saeng has kindly offered to share with us her delicious dimsims.
Steamed Chicken Dimsims
• Combine chicken mince, oyster sauce, white pepper, water chestnuts, onion, seasoning sauce.
Ingredients:
• Marinate in the fridge for one hour
500g lean chicken mince 1 Teaspoon white pepper 2 Tablespoon sauce
oyster
200g Chinese water chestnut (can use carrot or bamboo shoots’) 1 Onion 1 Teaspoon seasoning sauce (Soya sauce) 500g-wonton pastry (ready made sheets can be purchased from IGA)
Bar & Bottle shop attendants wanted
H H H H H AT THE SOVEREIGN RESORT HOTEL QHA award rates apply. H H Come and be part of a fantastic team. H Please drop resumes off at Reception or H email info@sovereignresort.com.au H
EVACUATION TUBE SOLAR HOT WATER SYSTEMS
Saeng’s delicious chicken dimsims and her lovely daughter Bo, offered us their expertise in the ‘Wog’s’ kitchen to an eager ‘mouth watering’ 10 locals including myself!
CLASSIFIEDS
• Compact Roof Systems Ready • Retro Kits - utilising to install your own electric tank from • Solar Split Systems • Evacuation Tube Water Mark Certification Pool Heaters Ph Tina: 0447 962 119 www.pipinghotsolar.com.au
• Open Chinese water chest nuts
$1750
• Chop onion and water chestnuts, put aside in a bowl
• Blend to a smooth paste. • Work with one sheet of pastry at a time, keeping the rest covered. Place one tablespoon of filling in the center of each sheet. Gather the sheet in the center like a pouch; gently press down the filling to firmly pack and tap on the bench to flatten the base. • Place the Dim Sims
PUBLIC NOTICE
in a steamer and cook for 30 minutes or until they are firm (a bamboo steamer – 20 min)
• Serve with soy sauce. Thank you Saeng! We look forward to your next Thai Cooking Class!
Cook Shire Council would like to advise that commencing Monday March 24 until Saturday March 29, approximately fifty (50) heavy vehicles (semi-trailers) per day will be transporting large rocks along Charlotte Street to the Cooktown Foreshore Reclamation area. Council apologies for any inconvenience this may cause and urges all motorists and pedestrians to exercise extra caution during this time.
Cooktown Local News – Thursday, March 20, 2014 – 17
SPORT
Friendships formed at Peninsula trials ON March 3 eight boys travelled down to Innisfail to compete in the Under-15 and Open Peninsula Rugby League selection trials.
Deadlines
Advertising –
• Box ad bookings: by 10am TUESDAYS • Box ad material: by NOON TUESDAYS • Line Classifieds: by 10.30am WEDNESDAYS
Editorial –
• General (pics, stories, letters, etc): by NOON MONDAYS • Regular columns: by 5pm FRIDAYS • Sports columns: by 5pm MONDAYS
Marlin Coast Veterinary Surgery Will be visiting Cooktown WedneSday, aPRIL 9 from 2pm and ThuRSday, aPRIL 10 until 12 noon Clinic is at the CWA rooms FOR APPOINTMENTS PLEASE PHONE
Sylvia Geraghty 4069 5337 or Clinic 4057 6033 Appointments are essential
Country Road Coachlines CAIRNS TO COOKTOWN ~ Passenger and freight ~
It was a big learning curve for the boys as they were slotted in to quite experienced teams in the open age group and as part of a combined Cape and Torres Strait team in the Under-15s. The boys did themselves proud trying very hard in all of the games that they played. Their efforts were well-recognised by their team mates as they were frequently warmly greeted by their team mates from the Torres Strait when they saw them around the night markets in Cairns and at the movies.
Cooktown boys who played in the March 3 Under-15 and Open Peninsula trials were: (from front left) Mahlyke Pierce-Walker, Aidan Whitson and Steven Johnson with (from back left) Jakeb Whitman, Hugh McGregor, Kevin Dukes, Shaun Law and Brandon Stroppe. Photo submitted.
A special mention must go to Shaun Law who had had a very impressive game in the final round
taking close to two tackles out of every set of six in the first half with a couple of good runs in attack.
Firearms safety course a success
EXPRESS BUS SERVICE
Bus Services
INLAND RUN DEPARTS CAIRNS
the trip and taking the boys away. It was good to give the boys the opportunity to compete at
We held a firearms safety course on Saturday and had 13 attendees from area’s as far north as Coen and south of the Bloomfield gaining safety certs for a wide variety of firearms licence categories, including rifle, hand gun and C class.
DEPARTS COOKTOWN
Wed, Fri, Sun at 1.30pm – Arrives Cairns 6pm Sat at 12.30pm – arrives Cairns 5pm
COASTAL RUN DEPARTS CAIRNS
Mon, Wed and Fri at 7am
DEPARTS COOKTOWN
Tues, Thurs and Sat at 7.30am
AGENTS
COOKTOWN (Photo Shop) 4069 5446 BLOOMFIELD (Ayton Store) 4060 8125 LAKELAND (Mobil Roadhouse) 4060 2188
Bus Service and Airport Shuttle Bus Bookings essential: 7 days 4069 5446 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)
These safety certificates are a requirement if you want to apply for a firearms licence so the club holds them about 3 monthly.
WEDNESDAY night was another good night with 10 shooters lining up for a 3P Service Shoot with a possible of 360 points. We had two classes contested. In rimfire Keith led with 339 points, closely followed by Chris V and Andy with 338. This was good, close shooting. In revolver, Janne won the day
The next sunset shoot is on Wednesday, March 26 and gets underway at 5.30pm. A general meeting will also be held in conjunction with this shoot. Regards, Mal
this level and it will stand them in good stead for future sporting endeavours.
Members and visitors shoot well
with 350 points, followed by Mal with 340.
Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun at 7am – Arrives Cooktown 11.45am
‘Travel with the Local Boy’
Thanks should go to Mr Denny Ottone, Mr Sam Bann and Mr Dean Whitson for organising
ON Saturday, March 15, five club members and four visiting pistol shooters contest-
Sport
ed an IPSC/Practical Match. The results were as follows: Centrefire, 1st. Ian McKinna, 2nd. Katie. Revolver, 1st. Carol, 2nd. Katie. Rimfire, 1st. Ian McKinna, 2nd. Ken White. The next Pistol Shoot will be Saturday, March 22 and will be a Falling Plate Match for Centrefire and Rimfire handguns. Regards, Dizzy
Cooktown Local
CONTRIBUTIONS
Phone: 4069 5773 Fax: 1300 787 248 Email: editor@cooktown localnews.com.au Sports reports deadline:
5pm, Monday
prior to publication
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 KP Auto Electricians
25 Redden Street
Ph: 4069 5459 • Fax: 4035 4021 • Mob: 0419 759 892
Ph: 4035 4022 • Fax: 4035 4021
Tuxworth & Woods Carriers 18 – Cooktown Local News – Thursday, March 20, 2014
Established more than 30 years
Golden barra moments at wharf
THE fishing action has been rather quiet this last week with the prevailing rain showers, but a few anglers have had some golden moments with the barra. Early during last Sunday morning, there were three nice barramundi landed from the town wharf. The tidal sand flats in the mouths of the Endeavour and Annan Rivers have been good areas for some general fishing with grunter, barramundi, mangrove jack and flathead being targeted. There is also the possibility of snagging a
queenfish in the Annan. Legal size for queenfish is 50cm with a bag limit of five fish. Last weekend was a reasonably good one weather-wise with light to moderate breezes which were suitable for offshore boating and fishing. The tides will be about 1m to 1.5m for the next six days with the last quarter moon phase on Monday, March 24. This coming weekend hopefully will still be a good opportunity for offshore fishing, potentially offering relatively light sea and wind conditions. As always, double check the weather forecast before leaving the boat ramp. The number of good boating weekends is becoming limited with the end of the tropical wet season getting closer. So if you want to get out amongst the reef fish, you need to grab the chance when the condi-
tions are fair or you will miss out.
HOPE Vale’s Laken Pearson and Tyrese Wallace from Wujal Wujal are promising players who are part of an Australian Rules team that has been established under an Australian first program. Laken and Tyrese are members of the Cape York Eagles club which has entered sides for the first time in the Cairns and District under 15 and under 17 junior competitions. Laken played for the Eagles which made their debut in round one on March 7 and beat Port Douglas Crocs 15-14-104 to 3-1-19. The side backed up in round two a week later and defeated North Cairns Tigers. Tyrese is part of the Cape York Eagles under 17 side, which made their debut in round one on 14th March and lost to Hawks 10-9-69 to 4-3-27.
It is recommended you use this table as a guide only. Information from www.bom.gov.au/ australia/tides/ - select "Around Cairns" red tag, then select Cooktown from the list.
Fri 21 Mar Tue 25 Mar
Tight Lines, Russell Bowman The Lure Shop
Offshore fishing opportunities to catch beauties such as this giant trevally are decreasing with the end of the wet season.
High 12:38 am 2.07 m Low 7:14 am 1.62 m High 11:58 am 1.77 m Low 6:51 pm 1.20 m
This mangrove jack was a good catch.
The formation of the new club is an Australian first and their home ground is also the home of 40 young indigenous men from the Cape. They live at the House, attend school in Cairns and now get to play in Eagles guernseys at a home ground just outside their bedroom window. The House has been operational for 12 months and its performance is being monitored by the AFL and other big institutions who see potential in the set-up. AFL Cape York House program manager Rick Hanlon told the Cooktown Local News on March 17 it was an exciting program. “We have lads from many communities including Aurukun, Kowanyama, Coen, Lockhart River, Wujal Wujal and Torres Strait Islands. We don’t have any expectations other than
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High 6:12 am 2.74 m Low 12:37 pm 0.89 m High 6:21 pm 2.26 m
MOON PHASES NEW MOON Monday, Mar 31. Time: 04.45
FIRST QUARTER Monday, Apr 7. Time: 18.31
FULL MOON Tuesday, Apr 15. Time: 17.42
LAST QUARTER Monday, Mar 24. Time: 11.46
Marine radio channels:
21 and 16
Weather Watch Endeavour Valley rainfall total March: 252.5 mm
TheLURE SHOP
Low 12:22 am 0.67 m High 6:49 am 2.89 m Low 1:11 pm 0.71 m High 7:02 pm 2.47 m
• Local advice • Bait, Ice, Tackle • Chandlery • Garmin • GME • Supplies for commercial fleet • Charter bookings • Marine batteries • Snorkelling • Spearfishing • Bushpower • Trailer parts • Battery chargers
Mon 24 Mar Fri 28 Mar
to train and play hard and enjoy their footy,” he said.
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High 3:19 am 2.11 m Low 10:27 am 1.51 m High 3:05 pm 1.68 m Low 9:10 pm 1.20 m
Cape York under 17 Eagles on debut.
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High 5:32 am 2.54 m Low 12:02 pm 1.09 m High 5:36 pm 2.03 m Low 11:35 pm 0.84 m
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TOP END CARS
NOTE: these are predictions only, subject to change due to prevailing weather conditions.
• CARS • UTES • VANS • 4WDS www.westcomotors.com.au CLICK USED
$
293 Mulgrave Rd Cairns • Ph: (07) 4041 4543
4WD & Commercials Tide times Cooktown
With the good rains in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria, conditions are shaping up for a good fishing season in the region’s streams and rivers, and in the offshore waters.
New rules team By Alf Wilson
SPORT
Auto, T/Diesel, 4X4 Dual Cab, Tow Bar, Snorkel, Side Steps, Nudge Bar, Tonneau Cover
Cedric Pearson, Harrison Pearson, Joseph Pearson (all Coconut Island), John Pearson (Yam), Laken Pearson (Hope Vale), McFarlane Pearson (Coconut Island), Philemon Pearson (Coconut Island), Pylarnie Piva (Lockhart River), Saige Reid ( Mornington Island), Malachi Songoro (Yam), Munro Stephens (Coconut Island), Captain Tabuai, Gerome Tabuai (Bamaga), Nathaniel Tamwoy (Badu), Tyrese Wallace (Wujal Wujal), Zarlee Woolla (Aurukun), Glendon Woosup (Injinoo), Denzel Yunkaporta (Aurukun), Michael Zingle (Kowanyama).
USED CARS
9,990
$
#84712
Low 1:04 am 0.54 m High 7:25 am 2.97 m Low 1:46 pm 0.58 m High 7:41 pm 2.64 m
146 Charlotte St, Cooktown Ph/Fax: 07 4069 6655 Mob: 0427 623 398 russelltbowman@ bigpond.com
Open 7 Days
• No-deposit finance available • Freight available • Trade-ins welcome – CASH FOR CARS • Huge range online – CLICK USED 347-359 Mulgrave Road Cairns • Ph: (07) 4044 4111
2004 MAzDA 3 SP 23 Manual, Fog Lights, Tow Bar, Reverse Sensors, Cruise Control, only 99,000klms
High 4:42 am 2.32 m Low 11:25 am 1.30 m High 4:40 pm 1.82 m Low 10:37 pm 1.04 m
2009 HYUNDAI I30
11,990
$
#84713
Auto, Central Locking, AUX, Service History
2007 TOYOTA HILUX WORKMATE
13,990
$
#84882
Manual, 3 Seater, Alloy Dropside, Ladder Racks, 15’’ Sunny’s
2008 NISSAN NAvARA D40 ST-X
2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SLX
2010 TOYOTA L/CRUISER PRADO GXL
Manual, T/Diesel, B/Bar, Tow Bar, UHF, Spotties, Canopy, 4X4
Auto T/Diesel, 7 Seater, Cruise Control, Bluetooth, 17’’ Alloys
Auto, T/Diesel, 7 seater, Nudge Bar, Tow Bar, 4X4, Service History, Low Klms
24,990
$
#84755
28,990
$
#84726
52,990
$
#84859
FOR ALL YOUR 4WD OFFROAD & TOURING NEEDS www.westcomotors.com.au CLICK USED Cooktown Local News – Thursday, March 20, 2014 – 19
Sport Cooktown Local
SPORTS CONTRIBUTIONS
Phone: 4069 5773 • Fax: 1300 787 248 • Email: editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au
Sports reports deadline is 5pm, Monday prior to publication
editor@cooktownlocalnews.com.au
St Paddy’s Shenanigans in County Cook Hash Trash By Ronan Finnegan TO be sure, be sure with your usual Hash correspondent on medical leave in Cairns for some long overdue rubber-band ligation - I have jetted in from me ancestral home of County Cork to give me eagle-eyed observations of ye St Patrick’s Day festivities in County Cook. And to be sure, it t’was a truly grand occasion as the local eejits with a running problem dug out their shillelaghs and banded together for a wee stroll through the sticks. That jammy bogger Offal, and her other half the Silver Honey Badger, were all class for providing their Endeavour Valley gaff on the day. The Hash gang was enthusiastically greeted by a fine chorus of at least 18 Irish wolfhounds, who had popped in for a holiday in the country and continued to howl their combined gifts-of-the-gab for
several hours, encouraged by the illegal arrival at the festivities of Robin Hood’s own pooch. It t’wasn’t all Guinness and giggles on the day, with Grandda getting proceedings off to a shaky start by reversing his truck into Offal’s stone wall - but to be sure his defence is sound in that he was simply kissing the local Blarney stone... just a little too enthusiastically with the back of his ute. Wee bonny Thumbelina made it easy for what she (offensively but truthfully) described as an “elderly” gaggle of hashers by leading our jovial band in an easterly direction towards the airport. We can state categorically that no Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 were found as we roamed over hill and over dale. The suspension bridge at the end of Railway Ave proved a touristy sensation as the St Patrick’s Hash gang almost raised a sweat through the back tracks of Poison Creek. Little agitation was found as our bonny bunch strolled forth and admired the natural beauty until Miss Lane drew blood in a eejit effort to pull a blade of grass while walking. (Papercuts eat ye heart out). Returning back to Offals, the St Paddy celebrations were given a boost with the news of
the arrival, only minutes earlier, of a bonny granddaughter for Offal and the Silver Honey Badger. There was nary a dry eye among the hashers as we sipped a dram of the Baileys to the wee bairn’s good health. The real Shenanigans began, to be sure, as a Dickson Cider or two was thrown back and the Craic was good until a vile and racist tirade of Irish jokes almost brought your beloved correspondent to tears. Fortifying meself with a couple a jars of me Mammy’s milk, I’m afraid I may have begun acting the maggot but I will always remember the delicious neeps and tatties that were served, followed by a tasty trifle with dragon fruit that rival the excellence of me Mammy Siobhan’s own recipe. To be sure, to be sure, I will remember me 2014 St Paddy’s Day in the wonderful County Cook for a long time to come... at least until me next bottle of Jameson’s. Slainte and good health to ye and ye family Ronan Next week’s Hash is at Robin Hood’s at the Old Bank (opposite the ANZ). The run starts at 5.30pm and ring Moses on 4069 5854 for further details.
Susan still master of the pool
Susan checks out her time at the end of her swim with Richard Lee.
By Corey Bousen Local swimming hero Susan Forsyth continues to dazzle on the eve of her 78th birthday, competing in her first 400m freestyle race at the local pool on Sunday. Susan, who competes as a member of the Barbarians Masters Swim Team, completed the 16 laps in a time of 14 minutes 18.93 seconds but interestingly won’t know how she placed until April 5 when the others competitors in the race swim over 2,000km away in Brisbane. Susan competed in what is known as a ‘postal swim’, where her solo swim is timed and then ranked against those of other swimmers who compete at a swimming carnival elsewhere in the state. Regardless of the final outcome, Susan is certainly a winner for her dedication to the sport of swimming, which she only discovered a few years ago in her early seventies. With the Cooktown pool now considered her second home, Susan trains at least once a day, swimming 60 laps (1.5km), which is a considerable achievement given that she couldn’t complete a single lap when she first took up the sport. Cooktown Local News spoke
PROPERTIES FOR SALE ACREAGE
Phone 4069 5775 112 Charlotte Street Cooktown Q 4895 rainforestsales@bigpond.com www.realestate.com.au
Dan Kerridge 0438 982 577
• 16ha creek along boundary, billabongs, power and NBN cable in street ...........$149,500 • 25ha Railway Ave, backs onto Endeavour River, creek runs through ................$200,000
HOUSES
ads@cooktownlocalnews.com.au
Four generations of Susan’s family came together for the swim. Joining her on Sunday were granddaughter Jacynta Hunt, great-granddaughter Teila Hunt (5) and daughter Sandy Jones. to Susan as she prepared to for her race on Sunday, and asked her what she hoped to achieve? “I hope to finish. I want to do my best,” she said. Susan says she loves the sport as it gives her mental and physical freedom. “Follow the black line and you’re in your own domain,” she said. Sunday’s 400m swim was Susan’s longest competitive swim to date, and was timed by Richard Lee and Michelle Damschke. Last year she brought home five medals from a Masters swimming meet in Cairns, where she competed in the 75-79
• Two-bedrm house, verandahs front and back, 1,500 sq mtrs land, in town .....$253,000 • Three-bedrm, lots of living space, fenced, double carport + powered shed .......$330,000 • NEW LISTING! Four-bedrm, as-new house, inground pool, fully fenced ............$342,000 • Three-bedrms, aircon, fenced, shed, landscaping, fruit trees, gardens ...............$345,000
20 – Cooktown Local News – Thursday, March 20, 2014
Masters swimming is for adult swimmers over the age of 18 and enjoys thousands of members across Queensland and Australia. Susan is the only Masters swimmer in Cooktown but she would love to see more people down at the pool enjoying all of the benefits that swimming has to offer. An early ‘Happy Birthday’ to Susan who will turn 78 at the end of the month. Naturally, her birthday party will be held at the Cooktown pool.
BUY of the WEEK 6SetHectares high on a hill sits this
• Neat two-bedrm house on 1,300 sq mtrs with two street access. Value ...........$250,000 • Low-set restored Q’lander, furnished, in town area, shed with three-phase ........$259,000
age group in the 50m races for freestyle, backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke and the 100m race for backstroke.
$
350,000
Call Dan Kerridge for an inspection - 0438 982 577
two-bedroom dwelling on six hectares (15 acres) of land. Three kilometres from town. Adjoins national park, long bitumen driveway, views in all directions, total privacy. Town water and electricity connected. Offers will be considered by the owners.