Western cape bulletin 2014 01 08 by Regional and Remote Newspapers

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Wednesday, January 8, 2014

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Double boating fatality avoided on Christmas Eve “ The sharks took just two or three minutes to arrive after they had jumped into the water. – VMR Weipa skipper

“

Peter “Crazy” Graham

A 406 EPIRB has saved the lives of two more Weipa citizens, prompting Weipa Volunteer Marine Rescue skipper Peter “Crazy” Graham to urge local boaties to ensure they carry the lifesaving devices on board their vessels at all times. VMR Weipa received an activation call at 8.45am on Christmas Eve from Thursday Island Water Police. The details were very limited but it was believed a vessel was sinking in the Weipa Harbour. As VMR’s Rescue 1 was being launched additional information came to hand. “With a clearer signal from the 406 beacon and a second ﬁx now possible, the signal was pin-pointed to an area 45 kilometres to sea from Evans Landing,” Crazy said. Volunteer Marine Rescue Weipa crewman Stephen Eyles and skipper Peter “Crazy” Graham with the Rescue 1 vessel and 406 EPIRBs which saved the lives of two Weipa citizens on Christmas Eve.

 continued page 2

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Crew member Stephen Eyles and skipper Crazy Pete headed out in moderate sea conditions to begin the search. They arrived in the area at 11am with no sign of a vessel or crew. They began an immediate search pattern at a slower speed and continued until the arrival on-scene of the Dornier search and rescue aircraft from Cairns. The aircraft radio operator confirmed with Crazy that a rescue helicopter was en-route from Horn Island to assist in the search and recovery. With the aircraft doing very low and slow passes over the outer areas Rescue 1 continued to concentrate on the location of the EPIRB signal. “With minutes ticking away and no vessel being located, it was now clear the search was for survivors in the water. Survivors that would have been in the open sea for far longer than anyone would wish for,” Crazy said. At 11.30am the aircraft dropped an orange smoke marker and Rescue 1 made best speed to the spot and located two men ﬂoating with the aid of a life jacket each, and one clutching a 406 beacon.

Crewman Steve Eyles pulled both men from the water and assisted them down onto the deck. He then began a basic medical assessment of the two men. Once both were cleared as ﬁt to be transported to Weipa by sea, Crazy advised both the Dornier and helicopter that the beacon had been turned off and thanked both for their assistance. “Both men were exhausted and physically shaking but thankful their ordeal had ended. “They explained that the boat had gone down in just a couple of minutes. They had had no warning or time to do anything but grab the safety gear. “They said the sharks took just two or three minutes to arrive after they had jumped into the water,” Crazy said. Both men were reunited with friends and family at the Evans Landing jetty when returned to Weipa around 2pm by Rescue 1. When asked by the Bully for his thoughts on the rescue Crazy said “What is there to say? When the boatie meets his obligations to the system by having the right safety gear, the system works incredibly well – even here in

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WELL, well, well, 2014 and we’re still here. Somehow, we have managed to survive without the politicians, newshounds and television planners, who have all dropped their vital work for six weeks. Funny how local shops manage to stay open for all but Christmas, Boxing and New Year’s Days but the people at the heart of our nation’s well-being don’t have any ofﬁce juniors to stand in while they are

Bulletin

Ph: 4069 7471

Office: 34 Alstonia Drive, Nanum Phone: 1300 4874 00

EDITOR: Giembra Busmer editor@westerncapebulletin.com.au

The Western Cape Your voice in the Cape Portland Roads Lockhart River

Archer River Coen

An irreverent, satirical (and totally fictional) comment upon the issues of life, by our faceless correspondent.

Editor’s mobile: 0428 589 515 Advertising office manager: 0439 996 930 Accounts enquiries: (07) 5534 1872 PO Box 209, Weipa, Qld 4874 ABN 20 101 920 076 PLEASE NOTE: The office is sometimes unattended. Please call to make an appointment. Where we go: Approx 1300 copies distributed every Wednesday to Weipa, Napranum, Aurukun, Mapoon, Lockhart River, Pormpuraaw, Kowanyama, Archer River, Coen, Musgrave, Hann River, Laura, Thursday Island, Cooktown, Cairns, Cape York mail run and subscriptions sent throughout Australia. Readership average: 5500.

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Page 2 Western Cape Bulletin January 8, 2014

“

VMR Weipa crewman Stephen Eyles and skipper Peter “Crazy” Graham.

If you go boating anywhere up here and do not have an EPIRB, you’re an idiot. – VRM Weipa skipper Peter “Crazy” Graham

the more remote parts of the country. “These guys had what they were asked to have and as a result they were easy to save. If you go boating anywhere up here and do not have an EPIRB, you’re an idiot. EPIRBs make great presents for anyone with a boat,” he said. “Boaties still have the impression that an EPIRB is a last resort when in fact nothing could be further from the truth.

studying foreign tourist locations. So what has been happening? Well, the seas around Cape York and into the Strait are under attack from Chinese pirates. Or at least, pirates funded by Chinese crime syndicates. They are after our sea-cucumbers, abalone, turtles and giant clams. The cleaning lady at the Australian Fisheries Management Authority says she is aware of the situation and believes the destination for all these tasty goodies is Hong Kong. She has left a note on the Minister’s desk and is sure that he will sort everything out when he ﬁnds his way back to his ofﬁce. David Kempton’s cleaning lady has also been working hard. Voters from Cape York have been trying to contact him about the state of our roads. The cleaning lady says he understands that half-heartedly patching up dirt roads does not really get us much further forward,

Publisher’s Details Publishers of The Western Cape Bulletin

“

“Your breakdown may seem a minor problem but sitting waiting for another vessel to pass by will result in darkness falling, you being reported overdue and a search over a large area by many assets being instigated. “All of this could be avoided by turning on your beacon and you will be home before you know it and everyone gets a good nights sleep,” he concluded.

and he did mention it in his Christmas card to the Oberführer. Something about the way she spoke on the phone left me thinking that she does not believe the Oberführer will pay much attention. The most intriguing thing coming in the New Year will be the rumours about our health services. Someone has been whispering that there will be big cuts . . . I can report I have run the rumours to earth. The cleaning lady at the Department of Health in Canberra says she has received a phone call from an American, a Mr B. Obama, saying that they have a slightly used health care system for sale. She says the Americans don’t need it as they have bought a new one. The old one is for sale very cheaply and will be much, much cheaper to run than our current health service. She expects the minister will jump at the chance.

Letters to the editor

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

Real news for real Australia

CHAIRMAN: Mark Bousen chairman@regionalandremote.com.au PUBLISHER: Corey Bousen publisher@regionalandremote.com.au MANAGING EDITOR: Mark Bousen chairman@regionalandremote.com.au ACCOUNTS: Meg Bousen accounts@westerncapebulletin.com.au

Letters to the Editor are published as a free community service and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Western Cape Bulletin 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 209, Weipa, Qld, 4874 or Email: editor@westerncapebulletin.com.au

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WHAT’S ON...

Cape York/Torres Strait/NPA new health chief says:

Improved health starts at the pregnancy stage

HEALTH care in remote regions, such as Cape York, Torres Strait and NPA, needs to start being addressed at the pregnancy and postnatal stages, according to Bob McCarthy, the interim chairman of the proposed new amalgamated Health body for those regions. “The challenge for Indigenous communities is getting early access to health-related issues, and that starts right back at birth. “If we can get a health system to work with and help expectant mothers and the post-natal stages, and work on diet and through-life issues, we stand a chance of changing the well-being outcomes for future generations.” Health Minister Lawrence Springborg last month announced the merger of the Cape York and Torres Strait-NPA Hospital Health Services into one body. Mr McCarthy, as Cape York Hospital and Health Service Board chairman, has been given the job to develop a plan for the amalgamation of the two boards, to come into force as soon as mid-2014.

ther Weipa or Thursday Island. “Both areas have cultural differences but are both geographically challenged. There are places in Cape York which don’t have regular air services which is very similar to some Outer Islands in the Torres Strait where access has to be made on a charter basis.” Mr McCarthy said nothing will change for “people on the ground who will continue to run it”. “There will be one management structure in place, instead of two, and one board which will handle the governance issues.

“

We would encourage community involvement and control which might well take place on site-by-site or on an area-by-area basis – Bob McCarthy

“

Bob McCarthy. By Mark Bousen

Torres Shire Mayor Pedro Stephen says management of Torres Strait health services will be set back 40 years with the merger. “It’s an insult for the hard work and advocacy for community control by our past Elders and leaders. “If the Minister thinks he can improve the health service by remote control he is terribly wrong,” he said. Mr McCarthy told the Western Cape Bulletin he will be visiting Cape York, the Torres Strait and NPA in the New Year to talk with community leaders about the new organisation. Mr McCarthy said: “Pedro would have more knowledge than I do, and I guess he’s talking about previous structures. “There seems to be some misunderstanding about the proposed new structure. “We can be quite ﬂexible in how we operate. Just because there will be a single board and single structure, that does not exclude local groups to be involved and help run and operate the services locally. “I think it’s just a misunderstanding about the structural organisation and local involvement; I look forward to meeting with Pedro and community leaders to discuss their concerns early in the New Year.” Mr McCarthy said there would be a central facility, but two areas – Cape York and Torres Strait/NPA - would run “roughly independently” with chief operating ofﬁcers for both the north and south, working under a managing-director/ CEO who would be based in ei-

“The majority of the staff won’t be affected in the short or longer term; only the management and board structure will change.” One of the issues Mr McCarthy wants to address in his ﬁrst visit to the Torres Strait/ NPA is what he describes as: “communities say ‘we want to run it ourselves’ and then no one puts their hands up.” “There is some confusion about the idea of community control and involvement. “ We w o u l d e n c o u r a g e community involvement and control which might well take place on site-by-site or on an area-by-area basis.

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“We need to deal with issues as they occur and to deal with issues on a local level; we have to be community savvy and community involved.” Mr McCarthy said the board would be looking at third-party organisations which are working well in some areas of Cape York as part of the plan to taking health care to remote areas, such as the Outer Islands in the Torres Strait. “I’d like to see some of them operating in the Torres Strait and NPA.” He expects the new board will consist of himself as chair and three directors from each of Cape York and Torres Strait/ NPA regions. Mr McCarthy who is “basically retired” says he travelled throughout Cape York and has been to Thursday Island many times but not to the Outer Islands, through his former position as Director-General of the Department of State Development and Innovation. He also has a long-standing relationship with Indigenous communities, especially in Napranum, Mapoon and Weipa. Cape York Health Service consists of Aurukun, Coen, Cooktown, Hope Vale, Kowanyama, Laura, Lockhart River, Mapoon, Napranmum, Weipa and Wujal Wujal health centres. Torres Strait/NPA Health Service consists of Badu, Boigu, Poruma, Erub, Dauan, Horn, Kubin, Mabuiag, Mer, Saibai, Ugar, St Pauls, Thursday Island, Warraber, Iama, Masig Islands, Bamaga, Injinoo, New Mapoon, Seisa and Umagico health centres.

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Western Cape Bulletin January 8, 2014 Page 3

Clean Up Weipa Sunday, January 12, 2014

In recent times there has been a large amount of illegal dumping occurring in Weipa and it has desecrated our beautiful township. All types of illegal dumping has occurred and includes fridges, children’s clothes and dog bodies, covered only with a plastic bag. This dumping is incomprehensible given that the Weipa Dump does NOT charge for the dumping of most household items, including fridges and air-cons, and is open 7 days per week (not public holidays or in the case of extreme circumstances).

Weipa needs your help to “clean up” some of the worst-affected areas! WHERE:

Everyone to meet and park at the Weipa Caravan Park & Camping Ground

WHEN:

Commences 7am sharp

WHAT TO BRING: Hats, sunscreen, water, walking shoes & a ute with a trailer if available (not essential) All volunteers to meet at the Weipa Caravan Park & Camping Ground at 7am for a de-brief and will commence with clean up from the Caravan Park towards the Lakes. Volunteers will finish clean up and re-assemble at the Caravan Park around noon.

letter/news Letter to the editor email: editor@westerncapebulletin.com.au

Weipa Billfish Club – Slack family fundraiser Over the past couple of weeks members of the Weipa Billfish Club have been running a monster raffle to raise funds to help Jayleen, Malcolm, Sean, Simone and Amelia after Jayleen’s recent health diagnosis. Members of the club, a number of local businesses, and kind-hearted individuals in the community kindly donated a vast array of goods including fishing tackle, automotive equipment, beauty products, wine and eskies, all to be included in a monster wheelbarrow raffle. Another prize was donated by Adamas Diamonds – a beautiful pink champagne diamond which was the second draw in the raffle. It was really heart warming for Weipa Billfish Club members to see the generosity exhibited by people in

our community to help out a family that is going through an extremely hard time at the moment. In all the entire raffle raised $5012 which has been deposited into the Slack Family Trust Account to assist the family in the future. The raffle was drawn on December 24 and the winner of the monster raffle was Rachel O’Sullivan. The winner of the pink champagne diamond was young Clancy Gordon. I think his Mum might have a bit of negotiating to do with Clancy on that one. The Weipa Billfish Club would like to thank all members, businesses and individuals who contributed in so many ways and also the community of Weipa for your generosity. Finally, the club would like to express our sincere support for Jayleen, Malcolm and the kids – our thoughts are with you all at this time. Weipa Billfish Club

Years of service recognised

A barbecue lunch will be provided by Rio Tinto Alcan Weipa for volunteers.

Weipa 2014 Weipa community community update updateJanuary August 2011 Christmas and New Year Scherger caseload Capacity at Scherger remains at about celebrations

600. Thereof areclient currently about 470 A range activities were peopleover accommodated at period, the centre. staged the holiday This follows announcement by the which provedthevery popular. Catholic Minister Immigration andon Citizenship, Mass wasforstaged on-site Christmas Eve followed by dinner Chris Bowen, that the Scherger operations and will carols. continue until 30 June 2012. A service wasofstaged at St and The Department Immigration Joseph’s church on Christmas Citizenship (DIAC), the detention services morning. provider Serco and health services Scherger detainees wereand offered provider International Health Medical a Services traditional lunch on Christmas Day (IHMS) continue to effectively with all the trimmings including plum manage the client caseload. Serco also pudding and bon bons. continues to recruit people from the area Games as needs, bingo which and tugto meet itssuch staffing has of-war against detention services risen to include 14 indigenous locals. staff were played and carols were performed the minister’s afternoon. Visit frominthe A Boxing Day cricket match was advisory group hotly contested, complete with a A visit from members of the Minister for short break for an Aussie BBQ Immigration and Citizenship’s advisory lunch. For New Year’s Eve, a dance group, Council for Immigration event was staged with party Services food and Status Resolution (CISSR), is and a light show.

scheduled for August 3–5. They will also attend the next community Client activities reference group in the Weipa A small groupmeeting of clients recently Town Authority rooms on August 5. took part in a mural-painting activity

at Napranum Pre-School. We would Accommodation like to thank the pre-school for this An expression of interest process for terriﬁ c community engagement accommodation in Weipa has recently opportunity. been finalised and those who responded Clients have begun harvesting have been informed of the outcome. produce from their vegetable The accommodation bookings needed to patches, including corn,arebeans and house departmental service provider staff. tomatoes. activities and excursions are TheAll new hotel redevelopment remains continuing asadditional normal,rooms including on course and are ﬁshing trips, town available tours, and expected to become in early swimming. Excursions off-site September. are an important way to maintain The old hospital reconstruction has been the good mental health of those completed with some 90 rooms now accommodated at the centre. staff. available for Serco and subcontractor

Transfers DIAC continues to consult closely with all No transfers to and fromtothe relevant stakeholders in Weipa ensure Scherger Immigration the best possible outcome Detention for all parties. Centre occurred in December The department is very conscious and the remained static. of thepopulation potential impact its staffing The main nationalities represented accommodation requirements may have include Bangladeshis on tourist Sri andLankans, other accommodation in Weipa and it continues to take steps to and Afghans. address this issue. Comments?

Comments? If you would like to get in touch Ifwith you the would like to get indirectly, touch with the department please department directly, please don’t hesitate don’t hesitate to send an email to: to send an email to scherger.idc@immi.gov.au scherger.idc@immi.gov.au

Corporal Phil Beaver recently received his Long Service Medal (pictured above) for 15 years of service in the Australian Army. Cpl Beaver joined the Army in 1996. His first posting was to University of New South Wales Regiment until 2001, after which he was posted to 1st Commando Regiment until 2012. Cpl Beaver was then posted to 51FNQR B Coy Weipa and early this year moves on to Darwin to 2nd Cavalry Regiment. Cpl Beaver was deployed to Afghanistan on Operation Slipper during the period 2010-11.

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Page 4 Western Cape Bulletin

January 8, 2014

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Sports Bar LIVE Driver charged Aussie saltwater Entertainment with multiple TUESDAY, JANUARY 14 crocs live up to their offences ? ?

feisty reputation

Charles Darwin University wildlife biologist Matthew Brien.

THe australian saltwater crocodile’s feisty reputation has been reaffirmed in a study of juvenile crocodiles that compared the aggression levels of seven species from around the world. In an academic paper released on December 11, the “Saltie” (Crocodylus porosus) was rated ahead of species from Papua New Guinea, South America and SouthEast Asia. The Australian freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni) was ranked fifth ahead of the American alligator and the Indian gharial. Charles Darwin University wildlife biologist Matthew Brien and co-author of “The good, the bad, and the ugly: agonistic behaviour in juvenile crocodilians” said the rankings were based on the observations of hatchling and juvenile crocodiles in captive conditions. “While all species exhibited aggressive behaviour, there is significant variety in the nature and extent of the behaviour and some behaviour is unique to some species,” Mr Brien said. “The Saltie is the only species that combines the actions of tail wagging and head striking. In certain situations they are inclined to smash each other in the head, an action that was rare in other species.

“Among the hatchlings, they were the only species to exhibit rapid flight, inflate their posture and raise their heads and tails.” Mr Brien said most of the aggressive behaviour exhibited by adults to determine access to resources such as food, shelter and mates, was also exhibited by baby crocs. “Aggressive behaviour is often present shortly after hatching, which supports the view that they may be hard wired from birth.” Mr Brien said the shape of a crocodile’s head seemed also to be relevant, with the two most aggressive species featuring broad snouts. “We found that the broad-snouted species often made contact with the head whereas the species with longer more fragile snouts often raised their heads to avoid contact involving the head.” Mr Brien said three species made vocal sounds of sufficient intensity to generate ripples in the water, although only Papua New Guinea’s Crocodylus novaeguineae (second most aggressive) seemed to do so as an aggressive behaviour. Mr Brien said the study, which involved the use of infrared CCTV cameras at research facilities in India and Australia, had shed light into the cryptic and secretive nature of species almost impossible to observe in the wild. “This is just the tip of the iceberg. Further research should look beyond the visual and into the role of vocalisations and chemical cues,” he said. The seven species in order of high to low aggression: Crocodylus porosus, Crocodylus novaeguineae, Cuviers Dwarf Caiman, Crocodylus siamensis, Crocodylus johnstoni, Alligator mississippiensis, Gavialis gangeticus.

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Weipa police have charged a 32 year-old female with evading police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, disqualified driving and obstructing police. The female driver, and sole occupant of the vehicle at the time allegedly failed to stop for Police following an earlier incident in which the female driver has allegedly hit another vehicle. It will be alleged local Police attempted to stop the vehicle after they had located it travelling south on John Evans Drive, however the driver failed to stop and quickly accelerated away, causing oncoming traffic to take evasive action to avoid a collision. Police located the vehicle a short time later down an embankment. The driver is alleged to have then attempted to hide from Police in bushland but was

quickly located and arrested. Officer In Charge, Senior Sergeant Brett Jenkins said, “Anyone who attempts to evade Police can expect to be charged to the full extent of the law. “Attempting to evade Police puts more than the offending drivers life at risk, and often ends in real tragedy for innocent motorists or pedestrians. “Harsh penalties will reflect this type of unlawful and dangerous activity. “I can just about guarantee you that we know most people and vehicles in this town so the driver is already caught. “We pull out all stops to locate and charge offenders as quickly as we can so please don’t do it!” Snr Sgt Jenkins said. The driver appears before the Weipa Magistrates Court later this month.

Our search for the Weipa Idol

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19

Sunday Session with our very own KIWI DALE 2 – 6pm

Australia Day Weekend at the Alby! FRIDAY, JANUARY 24

BARBARY COASTERS 7.30 – 11.30pm Covers Duo from the Metropolis of Cairns

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25

KIWI DALE live from 2pm Barbecue grill from noon to 4pm BARBARY COASTERS 7.30 – 11.30PM

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Keep your aircon at 25º Make this your Summer Resolution, because every degree below 25 adds around 10% to your aircon running costs. For more ways to save this summer, visit ergon.com.au/summer.

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Western Cape Bulletin January 8, 2014

Page 5

feature story

Patrolling Australia’s North The 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment is one of the Australian Army’s three Regional Force Surveillance Units and plays an important role in the security of Australia by conducting surveillance patrols in the sparsely populated and remote regions of Far North Queensland. The unit actively takes part in Operation Resolute, which is the Australian Defence Force’s contribution to the whole of government effort to protect Australia’s maritime borders and other offshore interests. Corporal Nick Wiseman discovered that patrolling Australia’s North is a combined effort . . .

By Cpl Nick Wiseman

SOLDIERS from farnorth Queensland recently completed a maritime patrol totalling more than 400km up and down Cape York – in 4.4m tinnies. The six-man patrol, from 51 Far North Queensland Regiment, was tasked with the mission of observing the coastline and river entries for signs of illegal activities. Patrol commander Corporal Stephen Moran said patrolling in the small boats posed several challenges. “The saltwater and constant pounding of the waves takes it out of you even though you’re doing shorter days than others in

static observation posts,” he said. “Fortunately we managed to make land at night, which allowed us to rest up.” Patrolman Private Jimmy Pascoe said going on patrol was a great experience. “It’s a good life in the Army,” he said. “I enjoy learning different skills but it can get tiring out there all day in the boats.” The patrol departed Captain Billy’s Landing and headed south along the Cape analysing key terrain, which had been identified as possible areas where illegal vessels could land or cache equipment. It was down there that the

patrol discovered another challenge – being stalked by a crocodile more than 2.5m long. “Usually they will move on when boats come into an area making noise,” Corporal Moran said. “This one was adamant and stayed about a metre from our boats, even at low tide he’d find the nearest bit of water and stay nearby.” Patrols are all too familiar with crocodiles around the Cape, and soldiers have learned over the years that leaving them alone and keeping an eye on them, is usually enough. After returning to Captain Billy’s Landing for a quick stop, debrief and resupply,

they returned to the ocean and began the second half of their patrol, this time north. It was Private Jeffrey Tamate’s first tasking after joining the unit and completing his patrolman courses. “I live on the west side of the Cape near Weipa,” he said. “Little things are different on this side of the Cape, like the winds. “It’s a pretty interesting experience. I could see myself doing this for a while yet.” The patrol spent a further 48 hours travelling north, patrolling the coastline and river entrances before making their way back to enjoy some well-earned rest.

COMBINED EFFORT: Back – Tony Pascoe (Lockhart), Stephen Moran (Cairns), Maurice Nona (TI) and Jimmy Pacoe (Lockhart). Front – Jeffrey Tamate (Weipa) and Andrew Vela (Cooktown). Photo: Cpl Nick Wiseman.

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Chaplain Jim Pearson conducted a bush service for soldiers who would be deployed on Operation Resolute over Remembrance Day, 2013. Photo: Cpl Nick Wiseman.

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Jeff Robinson (Weipa) maintaining communications with vessels offshore. Photo: Cpl Nick Wiseman.

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January 8, 2014

feature story

Battling crocs and big waves

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A zodiac comes in to pick up a marine technician to repair a regional patrol craft during Operation Resolute. Photo: Cpl Nick Wiseman. By Cpl Nick Wiseman

IT IS the middle of the night when a boat appears from the darkness almost beaching itself on the sands of a small island off the coast of Cape York. Just as fast, six figures jump clear with weapons ready and disappear into the shadows. Morning comes, the boat is long gone, there is no trace of human life and those six figures are no-where to be seen. They are, however, watching and waiting. These are the soldiers of the Regional Force Surveillance Unit, 51 Far North Queensland Regiment (51FNQR). Born and raised in far-north Queensland, they are experts in living off the land and are instantly able to tell if something is amiss. Add to that their highly-developed Army skills, and the soldiers of 51FNQR are a formidable force. OC B Coy Major Steven La Rose commanded the patrol and said the mission was to screen the area and identify illegal activities. “We’re looking for things like foreign fishing vessels that may be working in our waters,” he said. “Also any smuggling or transfer of contraband and illegal maritime arrivals transiting through the area.” In his first year in command, Major La Rose said he relied heavily on his soldiers’ local knowledge.

“It’s been a very steep learning curve,” he said. “We have soldiers who have traversed the Cape in tinnies as a civilian activity and are able to provide ﬁrst-hand knowledge in areas we operate in. “I’m only here for two years as OC while these guys have lived here their whole lives so you need to absorb everything they tell you and use that to come up with a plan that is going to work given the assets we have.” This particular patrol included not only soldiers from 51FNQR, but also from other units including 1 Commando Regiment, 20 Surveillance and Target Acquisition Regiment, 1 Royal Australian Regiment, 2 Royal Australian Regiment, 2/17 Royal New South Wales Regiment and 8 Combat Services Support Battalion. With a command post at Captain Billy’s Landing, patrols deployed from there to nearby islands. These patrols deployed ground surveillance radars, image capture and transfer technology and static observation posts. Major La Rose said there were many challenges in an area that big, that remote and speciﬁcally because it was far-north Queensland. “Crocodiles can pose a problem,” he said. “We had reports of two patrols that had crocodiles

in their laying up positions with one even sunbaking between two of the boats. “Weather conditions also pose a challenge with soldiers from other units not always acclimatised to this part of Australia.” Differing from most Army exercises and operational deployments, much of the Operation Resolute patrol was maritime based, with all patrols except one inserted by, or operating directly on, the ocean. With a constant ﬂow of bulk carriers, fishing vessels and yachts, the patrols were kept busy reporting back to the command post, which then consolidated the sightings and passing the information to their battalion headquarters and then on to Border Protection Command and other government agencies. Being a domestic operation, soldiers were tasked only to conduct surveillance and report what they found. “We don’t actually get involved with anything going on but gather information to send back to Border Protection Command,” Major La Rose said. “They then have Customs and police they can activate. We’re essentially a sensor for Border Protection Command.”

Western Cape Cultural Centre closured during Christmas period The Western Cape Cultural Centre will be closed from Friday 13 December, reopening on Tuesday 4 February 2014. The grounds and picnic tables remain open for public use during this timeframe. We apologise for any inconvenience this closure may cause. For more information, contact our freecall feedback hotline 1800 707 633.

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www.seaswift.com.au Western Cape Bulletin January 8, 2014 Page 7

Western Cape Bulletin is now on

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New wheels turning for Aurukun Community Police Project

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A QueeNsLANd Police service/Aurukun shire Council partnership has been able to gain solid traction with the provision of a new fully-equipped Police vehicle to get things rolling. The Aurukun Community Police Program is the brainchild of local Officer-in-Charge, Senior Sergeant Brendon McMahon, and sees 12 full-time Community Police Officers (CPOs) employed by the Aurukun Shire Council. The new vehicle was supplied by the QPS and will allow the officers to conduct patrols of their community during the day and night where they work along the state police officers, responding to all manner of jobs within the division. The CPOs also act as a liaison, assisting both State Police and local residents with the unique policing requirements of a remote indigenous community. In addition to their regular du-

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Page 8 Western Cape Bulletin

January 8, 2014

ties, the CPOs also provide a security presence at the local store during trading hours. Obviously, such an important role in the local community requires the officers to look the part as well, so each of the CPOs is provided with full Police uniforms and ongoing training through the QPS Cross Cultural Liaison Unit. Senior Sergeant McMahon is justifiably proud of his newest recruits and believes that they have already had a positive effect on policing the remote Cape York community. “Since the commencement of the Aurukun Community Police Project, the entire community have been very supportive and proud of their local CPOs. “Both our calls for service and our after hours call-outs have reduced as a direct consequence of this valuable partnership”, he said.

WeLL, the year 2014 is now upon us and many of us are wondering what the New Year is going to bring. Depending on people’s interests there will be eyes kept on the Stock Markets, eyes kept on the extreme weather that is hitting many countries. And then there are us Christians who continue to search the Scriptures and listen to the prophets who are keeping us informed as to how events are falling in line with the words of the Bible. And all our eyes are

By Rev. Michael Connolly

on Israel. One of the movies I liked in the past was Mel Gibson’s the “The Passion of the Christ” but I was disappointed in one sense because the story ends with Jesus death on the cross, and only gives small segments showing that the Lord in fact defeated death. It would have been good if it showed the Lord’s resurrection and activities after his re s u r re c t i o n , w h e n he met with hundreds of his followers, and gave instructions to his disciples.

In early December just gone by we looked at Luke Ch 24 because this gospel book gives a good understanding of the Lord’s resurrection and activities after that event. Perhaps we should read the whole chapter again to remind ourselves of this and bring us up to speed as we continue our Bible Studies by going through the book of Acts. Lord, please open our minds to understand the Scriptures.

Rev Michael Connolly.

news

Searching for dolphins in PNG Western Cape charter company Eclipse FNQ Charters was recently involved in a field trip to Papua New Guinea where researchers investigated dolphin populations in PNG waters... The first confirmed sighting of humpback dolphins in Papua New Guinea has taken place on a unique chartered field trip to investigate more about dolphin populations in the waters around southern PNG. Internationally-renowned James Cook University dolphin researcher Dr Isabel Beasley has just returned from the trip, where she and seven PNG counterparts spent 15 days on the live-aboard charter vessel MV Eclipse conducting the first broad scale assessment of marine mammal occurrence in the Kikori Delta, in south-western PNG. The research trip was funded by the PNG LNG Project, as part of the project’s community investment program. Dr Beasley said during the trip, the survey team undertook 2200km of survey and sighted 36 dolphin groups. Orcaella sp. were the most numerous, with sightings of humpback dolphins and bottlenose also obtained, she said. “The very high numbers of Orcaella sp. sighted indicate that the Kikori Delta region is an internationally important hotspot for the species,” she said. “Although it remains unknown whether the species is Irrawaddy or snubfin dolphins, future genetic analysis will assist to confirm which species occurs in the Kikori Delta region.” Dr Beasley, from JCU’s School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, said the humpback dolphin, Sousa chinensis and Orcaella sp. (Irrawaddy and snubfin dolphins) were known to occur in small isolated populations in Indo-Pacific/ Asian coastal waters, however their conservation status in PNG remains unknown. The Orcaella sp. from Kikori is the only known resident population in the Pacific Islands. “The project investigated the occurrence of inshore dolphins in the Kikori Delta region,

using discussions with local communities, boat-based surveys, photo-identification and genetic analysis of samples obtained from stranded individuals,” Dr Beasley said. “We also investigated the occurrence of other marine megafauna, such as offshore cetaceans, marine turtles and dugongs, in the region. The project also provided intensive training for local collaborators to conduct marine mammal studies.” Dr Beasley said all participants gained experience in conducting marine mammal surveys and data entry during the surveys. “Two University of PNG students undertook their fourth year university research projects on cetacean survey methods and community perceptions towards marine mammals, while cetacean skeletal material discovered from previous strandings were donated to the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery by community members.” Dr Beasley said the results of the study would assist towards an accurate assessment of the taxonomy and conservation status of marine mammals (and associated marine megafauna) inhabiting the Kikori Delta region. It will also contribute towards developing community-based management strategies for their long-term survival. Dr Beasley said the project, while funded by PNG LNG, includes collaboration with local PNG agencies, the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery, Department of Environment and Conservation, Institute of Biological Research, and University of Papua New Guinea. Owner/operators of Eclipse FNQ Bianca Gerrard and Joe Berwick said they were proud to be a part of Dr Isabel Beasley’s field trip. “This trip meant a lot to Eclipse and her crew as these rare and threatened Dolphins are regularly sighted along the west coast of

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A Humpback dolphin in the waters around southern PNG. Photo: Mat Golding.

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WEIPA 4069 7183 CAIRNS 4035 4022

NOMINATIONS are now open for the election of a new Weipa Town Authority Chairman and Weipa Town Authority Member. The election is required following the resignation of former Chairman Peter McCulkin on November 8 and former WTA Member Trevor Snodgrass on December 31. Weipa residents are encouraged to contact the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to check their current enrolment details prior to the close of the roll on January 22. Weipa Town Authority CEO Warren Seen is the returning officer

for the election which is scheduled to be held on February 22. Mr Seen said any nominations from candidates for the election would be declared on January 23. “If you would like to nominate, forms can be obtained from the Weipa Town Office,” he said. “Nominations must be made on the approved form and accompanied with a nomination fee of $250. Nominations can be received up until noon on nomination day January 23. “All residents are welcome to become involved in the governance of the local community.”

Researchers onboard the MV Eclipse during the PNG field trip.

MV Eclipse crew and researchers celebrate the success of the field trip. Cape York, where Eclipse spends a lot of her time,” Ms Gerrard said. “The Kikori Delta region consists of an intricate system of rivers including hundreds of miles of shallow inadequately surveyed waters. “MV Eclipse proved to be a very useful tool in making the project a success with a shallow draft and custom built tenders and hopes to be a part of future monitoring programs.” Ms Gerrard said the Eclipse crew had learnt a lot about the Australian Snubfin and Indo-

Pacific Dolphins from participating in the project. “It really drives home how special these marine mammals are,” she said. “It also re-iterates how important it is to monitor and look after the small amounts of habitat where this particular species are found. “The western Cape is a very special region and appears to be a hotspot for these particular species, and we all need to work together to look after it and keep it that way.”

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Power outage number temporarily unavailable Please be aware that our power outage and bridge works free call number 1800 820 711 is temporarily unavailable. We are working to fix this hotline, and will notify residents when it is working again.

24 hours a day, 7 days a week emergency callout

In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns, please phone our free call feedback hotline 1800 707 633, or visit us at the Community Relations Building, located behind Weipa Bowls Club.

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We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

0487 463 750 Western Cape Bulletin January 8, 2014

Page 9

feature: 2013 year in review ry a u n a J

Virgin Australia wants Weipa route

Virgin Australia is in discussions with the Queensland Government regarding the decision to extend five QantasLink regulated route contracts, including tne Cairns-Weipa route, until December, 2014.

Water delivery upgrade kicks off

The first phase of the Weipa town water

ar u r b e F

Federal election announced

Federal members of both major parties in Far North Queensland have welcomed the call by Prime Minister Julia Gillard for a federal election on Saturday, September 14.

delivery system upgrade, which will ensure the town’s water systems are equipped to handle current and future water demand, is due to commence next week.

Cyclone Oswald batters the Cape

Damaging winds, heavy rainfall and abnormally high tides heralded the start of the wet season as Cyclone Oswald made landfall on Cape York in the early hours of Tuesday, January 22.

with plans underway for monthly events.

Records tumble at Weipa swim meet

At the Weipa Swimming Club meet, held on Friday, February 15 a total of 43 swimmers took to the pool with 50 Personal Bests swum and two records broken.

Weipa Motel opens door to fundraisers CYHHS call for voluntary The Weipa Motel & Resort generously redundancies

opened their doors to fundraisers in 2013

h Marc

State Government housing disgrace

Two properties owned by the Queensland Government’s Department of Transport have been allowed to fall into a derelict state, despite the demand for housing in the Weipa area being far from met.

Oztag side prepares for State titles

The Weipa Oztag representative team,

April

Creating a Weipa community garden

Two inclusive projects that aim to enhance the clean, green and healthy image of Weipa were launched in April – the Western Cape Landcare Group and Weipa community garden.

Permanent doctors for Weipa Health Service The Weipa Integrated Health Service

May

Local soldier returns home

The 2013 ANZAC Day commemorations in Weipa were particularly poignant for one local family as their son returned to the town following active service in Afghanistan.

Weipa Wildlife Care swim challenge

Weipa Lightning Swimming Club

June

Tourist attraction hits the water

After years of planning David and Lisa Hill’s dream finally came to fruition with the launch of their new tour business Western Cape Eco Tours.

Soccer ﬁnals fever The Weipa soccer season concluded with six sensational games followed by a sausage sizzle and trophy presentation.

Page 10 Western Cape Bulletin January 8, 2014

Cape York Hospital and Health Service

the Weipa Razorbacks are heading to Caloundra next week to take on the rest, in an attempt to secure the Queensland Oztag State title.

Napranum supermarket construction begins Building work has begun on a brand new supermarket at Napranum, the biggest ever to be built in the Cape York Indigenous community. The Island & Cape store will create around 20 full and part-time jobs.

is fully staffed with permanent doctors for the first time in many years. The CYHHS expanded their Full Time Equivalent doctors from three to four.

Pebbles Playgroup expands

Due to the increased demand for children’s activities in Weipa Pebbles Playgroup expanded its opening hours and days to four days a week, up from just two days per week only 12 months ago.

members completed a 20km Weipa Wildlife challenge swim, raising almost $1900 for the local wildlife care group - well above their set target of $500.

Third Weipa Mother’s Day fun run

Weipa Crocs head south to contest Goldﬁeld Ashes

The Weipa Crocs will play Doggers, Mossman and Pengland when they travel to Charters Towers for the Goldfield Ashes cricket carnival at Charters Towers.

Weipa Australia Day awards

Steve Fairbrother was named Citizen of the Year at the Australia Day celebrations held at the Carpentaria Golf Club.

has called for expressions of interest from staff who may wish to apply for a voluntary redundancy as part of a wider structural change.

Crocodile sighted at the Lakes

The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection received a report that a two to three-metre crocodile had been seen at around 6pm on February 21, at the drain between Lake McLeod and Lake Patricia.

Weipa Shaves for a Cure

Weipa Woolworths, the Western Cape College and a Goodline Team raised almost $15,000 locally for the annual Leukaemia Foundation event.

Good ﬁsh caught

Netball clinic a winner

Despite more rain than you could poke a stick at local anglers were able to land some impressive fish.

Around 60 keen netballers took part in the Western Cape College school holiday netball clinic.

Aurukun bauxite list announced

The State Government finalised a shortlist of five groups to progress to detailed proposals of the Aurukun bauxite resource.

South of Embley approved

Rio Tinto Alcan has welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s environmental approval of the South of Embley project.

First contact commemorated

Around 80 adults, children and dogs donned pink outfits and took part in the Weipa Mother’s Day fun run, raising over $1600 for the National Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The Queensland Governnor Penelope Wensley joined an official delegation from the Netherlands for the opening ceremony of the First Contact Memorial at Cullen Point.

Biggest Fishing Classic yet

Despite blustery winds and overcast skies for most of the weekend the eighth annual Weipa Fishing Classic was declared the most successful yet.

Weipa embraces Rhee Taekwondo

There was a huge surge of interest in Weipa Rhee Taekwondo within days of opening their doors.

Weipa to Cairns route to open up

The State Government has agreed to deregulate air services between Cairns and Weipa from the end of 2014.

Weipa break and enter spree Weipa Police are asking people to be vigilant protecting their homes and property following a recent spate of break-ins.

feature: 2013 year in review July

Mapoon smashes thong record

Over five days members of the Mapoon Land & Sea Rangers, a team from Conservation Volunteers Australia, GhostNets Australia and Tangaroa Blue cleaned up at Cullen Point and Back Beach, Mapoon collecting more than 7154 thongs.

Sitting elegantly in the Embley River the

land enjoyed two fantastic days of bowls at the 2013 Weipa Bauxite Classic.

Super Yacht Twizzle visits Weipa

New ﬂood boat for Weipa SES unit

Weipa SES took delivery of a new flood boat on August 5 which was shipped to Weipa free of charge by Toll Marine Logistics.

Classic weekend for lady bowlers With $15,000 in prizemoney up for grabs lady bowlers from all over Queens-

be m e t Sep

Napranum store ofﬁcially opened

The Napranum Take-Away and Convenience store was officially opened by Member for Cook, David Kempton.

Entsch retains Leichhardt seat

Despite a strong swing against him, particularly in Cape York’s Indigenous communities, LNP Member for Leichhardt,

er b o t c O

Ofﬁcers honoured at Weipa service

Around 50 community members and 10 representatives of the Queensland Police Service attended the Police Remembrance Day service held at St Lukes Churcb.

Screamin’ reels at Billﬁsh tournament

Twenty teams contested the second annual Weipa Billfish Tournament with 44

be m e v No

Rural ﬁries expand their ﬂeet

The Western Cape Rural Fire Brigade has taken delivery of their new light-attack fire-fighting appliance..

WTA chairman resigns

The elected chairman of the Weipa Town Authority, Peter McCulkin resigned his position effective December 13.

be m e c De

Queensland Dirt Kart Titles

High speed action came to the Weipa speedway in spectacular fashion as the Weipa Dirt Kart Club hosted the inaugural Queensland Dirt Kart Titles. An estimated 2000 people got their backsides trackside over the three day event.

st u g u A

Super Yacht Twizzle attracted a great deal of attention as locals and tourists flocked to catch a glimpse of the 57.5 metre vessel.

RTA celebrate Weipa milestones

Traditional Owners, community representatives and employees joined together on December 2 to mark 50 years of operating at Rio Tinto Alcan’s Weipa bauxite mine.

WTA CEO calls it a day Weipa Town Authority Chief Executive Officer Ian Pressley resigned his position on December 2 after 12 years of service.

Men’s Bauxite Classic action

Twenty-eight teams from three states contested the two day Men’s Weipa Bauxite Classic. With a prize pool of $25,000 the 112 players enjoyed a tightly contested competition with the Mighty Blues the eventual first placegetters.

Warren Entsch retained his seat following the Federal election.

Craig Hughey tops Bully footy tipping

Avid Hawthorn Hawks fan Craig Hughey reigned supreme in both the Bully NRL and AFL tipping competitions.

Weipa Pig Hunt a huge success

Organisers of the annual Weipa Pig Hunt

Billfish tagged from around 80 raised, mostly Sailfish and several baby Black Marlin.

High praise for Weipa cheer team

Eleven members of the Weipa Gymnastics Club competed at the NQ Cheerleading Championships in Tully.

Final bash for junior cricketers

It was a morning of catches, run outs,

Goodline staff in the pink

Deliberately lit blaze near hospital

Western Cape Rural Fire Brigade and Rio Tinto Alcan Fire & Rescue Service were called to attend a deliberately lit grass fire near the Weipa Hospital on July 19.

Governor-General tours Cape York

Australian Governor-General and her husband Mr Michael Bryce toured Cape York amid much excitement and ceremony.

Weipa Woolworths snags award

A focus on supporting local community groups and events saw the local supermarket awarded the Queensland Store of the Year.

Buckin’ out at the Weipa Bullride

The 10th annual Weipa Bullride and Cabaret was a huge success despite an unseasonal downpour on the opening night.

declared the 2013 event a huge success, with 190 feral pig kills registered by 96 hunters in 36 teams.

Historic Aurukun land transfer The Aurukun community saw a longawaited land transfer come to fruition on September 18. More than 736,000 hectares of land at Aurukun was formally recognised as Aboriginal ownership at a ceremony held in the community’s Town Square.

cover drives, hook shots and cuts on the local cricket pitch for the 2013 Weipa Junior Cricket club break-up.

New creatures found on Cape York

Scientists have discovered a lost world of unknown creatures in a rainforest perched on massive boulders in a remote part of Cape York. Three species previously unkown to science (a leaf-tailed gecko, golden-coloured skink and a boulderdwelling frog) were discovered.

Goodline staff donned pink work shirts as part of a company fundraiser for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

the day. The Paanja Cultural Festival was held over three days and included official ceremonies, traditional dancing and games, market stalls and live entertainment.

Hundreds of people converged on the Mapoon community to celebrate the return of local people to their community after being forcibly removed from their homes 50 years ago by the government of

The Cape Alumina Board has suspended all work on its Pisolite Hills mine and port project and will undertake a comprehensive review of all its other operations in Queensland.

A celebration of survival

Ladies Billﬁsh fundraiser success

The Weipa Billfish Club hosted its inaugural ladies gamefish charity fundraiser on December 7, with 21 boats registering and 54 anglers nominating, including one junior.

Flouridation feedback Weipa Town Authority is seeking feedback from the community as to whether it should flouridate the town water supply or not.

Pisolite Hills project suspended

The spirit of giving is alive and well

The Spirit of Christmas and the precious gift of giving was celebrated in Weipa at a fundraiser held at the Weipa Bowls Club for a local family facing a not so merry festive season.

Weipa Christmas lights This year’s Christmas lights competition saw the Weipa community light up the town with a record number of entries.

Western Cape Bulletin January 8, 2014 Page 11

UT &about NEW YEARS EVE @ Weipa Bowls Club

Page 12 Western Cape Bulletin January 8, 2014

PHOTOS: STRETCH NOONAN

UT &about

PHOTOS: STRETCH NOONAN

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Got an event coming up?

NEW YEARS EVE @ Weipa Bowls Club

Send us an email detailing the event name, date, time and location to: ofﬁce@westerncapebulletin.com.au and we’ll include it in the Community Calendar at no charge! JANUARY

Sunday 12

Clean up of the Lakes starting at 7am at The Weipa Camping Ground and Caravan Park. Everyone is welcome to help out at this community clean-up.

Friday 17

WTA monthly meeting at Council Chambers 8.30am

Australia Day bonanza Saturday 25 weekend at The Albatross and Sunday 26 Bay Resort. Sunday 26

Australia Day Awards Ceremony at Carpantaria Golf Club from 7.30am.

FEBRUARY Thursday 6