Issue 155: 5 June 2014
Freehold ownership one step closer Natural Resources and Mines Minister Andrew Powell has tabled the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land (Providing Freehold) and other Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 in Queensland parliament, which may take Palm Island residents a step closer towards owning their own home on the Island.
The new legislation, tabled said the Bill was “ground person with interest in the last month provides ordinary breaking.” land however there will be no freehold land ownership “For the first time in the impediment to a subsequent opportunities. history of Queensland there transfer to a non-indigenous Member for Townsville, John will be an opportunity for person,” he said. “There may Hathaway said the Bill would Indigenous Queenslanders to be some risk of subsequent give Palm Island residents the own their own homes in their sale to non-community same property rights to the communities in unconditional members however this is far land enjoyed by other freehold freehold,” he said. “When outweighed by the huge boost property holders. passed through Parliament normalisation will bring to “Palm Island residents should later this year the bill will economic development and have the same rights as those give the trustee the ability community growth. It is time on the main land and that to provide freehold to local we treated all Australians is to own their own home,” indigenous people.” equally and today marks a
Mr Hathaway said. “This Mr Kempton said the major step in that direction.” initiative is about removing the legislation was a significant Mr Kempton said the barriers for home ownership opportunity for all indigenous legislation would not create in indigenous communities and Queenslanders that came with freehold but rather provide a allowing residents to determine a lot of responsibility. mechanism for the community their own destiny. “The initial grant of freehold to do adopt it when the timing “This freehold model takes will be to an Indigenous was right. SEE P7 FOR MORE... into account the unique features of Aboriginal INSIDE: and Torres Strait Islander • Wages lost to communities. It will be the Elders’, families choice of the Palm Island and communities community whether they in Court ... p 3 accept the freehold model • Bwgcolman radio ready for re-launch ... p 3 within their town area.” Assistant Minister for • Teams celebrate netball wins ... pp 4-5 Aboriginal and Torres Strait WARNING! Some images in this Issue may contain deceased persons Islander Affairs David Kempton which may cause distress to some people. The sixth annual Former Origin Greats (FOGs) Career Expo was attended by more than 1000 students from around north Queensland, including Bwgcolman High School, late last month.
FOGs included Gene Miles, Mamu descendants recognised Greg Dowling, Colin Scott, Pic by Christine Howes with thanks to the Sam Backo, Steve Renouf, North Queensland Land Council Allan Langer, Michael Hancock, Wendell Sailor and Scott Prince. Teacher Lynette Kim Sing took her enthusiastic charges to check out a variety of potential careers. Mamu descendants Philip Obah Snr and Kelly James are now The event featured a diverse on the board of the Mamu Aboriginal Corporation’s Registered range of prominent Queensland Native Title Prescribed Body Corporate. employment, education and They are descendants of Apical Ancestor Annie Innisfail, training providers with exhibits who along with many other Mamu and other rainforest tribal on mining and construction, groups, had been shifted away from country to Palm Island. business, hospitality as well as Their Mamu clan country is around the Innisfail area south government and health. of the North Johnstone River through to the Liverpool Creek Palm Island’s Bwgcolman catchment. The pic above was taken at their Native Title State High student Kathleen Determination celebrations held in November last year. Haines said she would love Regina and Maisie James and Cr Frank Conway have to get a job as a physical worked hard with Philip and Auntie Mary Twaddle and their education teacher. 2 Townsville families towards this significant recognition. Stolen wages should be properly repaid – QCU A District Court ruling accepted a state government application for a permanent stay of proceedings in a Stolen Wages case supported by the Queensland Council of Unions last week. Uncle Conrad Yeatman, a It ruled that there was the racist and inhuman practices of 74-year-old from Yarrabah in north insufficient evidence and no living the last century. It doesn’t matter Queensland, was unsuccessful witnesses to allow it to proceed. what schemes they have created to in resisting an application to Mr Monaghan said further activities give the impression of fairness, the the Court from the Queensland were planned to highlight the issue is that these workers were government to permanently stay Newman LNP’s attitude towards denied fair wages and should be the Stolen Wages case. fairness for Indigenous workers. He repaid properly. Claimants and supporters said workers of today – Indigenous “For this government to deny have vowed to continue their or non-indigenous - were incredulous them is to endorse racist and decade-long court battle for fair this government would accept that inhuman practices that no modern reparation of $21.2 million of wages could be withheld. Queenslander would stand for.” Stolen Wages. “This happened in the middle of Uncle Conrad was a former QCU General Secretary Ron last century but by fighting this carpenter and labourer in Monaghan said the Aboriginal and case, this government has shown Queensland who had his wages held Torres Strait Islander community, that it thinks this behaviour is from him since he began work at 14. particularly older workers and acceptable,” Mr Monaghan said. “These workers, some as young as pensioners, would be dismayed by “The QCU will work with the 10 when they started, were denied the District Court decision to shut Indigenous community to highlight the basic elements all workers take down the test case. how this government has endorsed for granted,” Mr Monaghan said. Bwgcolman radio set for July re-launch Bwgcolman Radio is due to be relaunched on 1 July with a series of introductory workshops and informal BBQs. Radio 4PI 97.3FM, affectionately known as Bwgcolman Radio, will managed be by Aaron Thaiday (pictured). “Through a series of introductory workshops and BBQ get-togethers we hope to bring the community closer together as well as create employment opportunities and an avenue for our local artists,” Mr Thaiday said.
“Since February we have worked tirelessly upgrading Bwgcolman people at the forefront of the radio station and now have the capacity for our radio operations. regular programming and training. “If anyone is interested in a career in “Over the next few weeks we are looking into the Indigenous Media, has the gift of the creation of radio training programs for our locals that gab or just loves to work around music will open the doorway for indigenous media employment and entertainment please contact me at and development on Palm. the PCYC for more information.” “Radio 4PI - For Palm Island - will always be known PH: 07 47 701 793 (Branch) as Bwgcolman Radio and it is our endeavour to have PH: 07 47 701 863 (Radio Station)
THIS PAGE PROUDLYPROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BYBY 4PI4PI -- BWGCOLMANBWGCOLMAN RADIORADIO 97.3FM97.3FM 3 Stealers take out local PCYC netball competition Over the past 8 weeks PCYC has run a social mixed netball competition on a Tuesday night. Last week was the Grand Final between Farmers and Stealers and it was a close game. The score kept changing throughout the evening and in the final quarter it was looking like there Pictured above: Stealers & Farmers along with Stealers’ Kristen Morgan, umpires might have to be Keona Smith & Andrea Castors both umpires and Farmers’ Darren Murphy extra time as it was throughout the competition, and beat and fairest and Alice Morgan so close. On the a special thank you to the Grand goal keeper from Farmers as Most final whistle Stealers Final umpires, Andrea Castors and Valuable Player. had triumphed by 3 Keona Smith who did a wonderful Acting Sergeant Janet LINDSAY goals. Many thanks job. They selected John Sibley Relief Branch Manager, Palm Island to the all competitors goal defence from Stealers as Police -Citizens Youth Clubs QLD 4 Palm teams’ historic wins scoop Townsville trophies After two days of fierce and fun competition, Palm Island girls, pictured left, made netball history in Townsville last month. Students from Bwgcolman and St awarded runners up. first for our Division.” Michael’s schools competed in the Cathy Freeman Foundation’s Congratulations to the following Junior McDonald’s Cup Under 12 Program Coordinator, Daphne players who gave their all: Division C in Townsville, which was Lawrence, said it was another great Palm Island Reds (St Michael’s): run by the Townsville City Netball example of how sporting activities Jashieka Baira Association. are helping create opportunities Tonya Burns This was the most recent trip for students while also making Roselee Bramwell offered by the Cathy Freeman attending school more fun. Terese Wilson Foundation (CFF) Activities “Our girls were undefeated and Priscilla Sibley Program. CFF has supported we were so amazed to see how Mary Williams students on Palm Island with regular well they played,” Ms Lawrence Chentalli Sibley structured sporting and recreational said. “It was a pleasure to watch Jaunita Fraser activities including netball, rugby, them play and was terrific to see Palm Island Greens (Bwgcolman): boxing and Australian Rules football the smiles on their faces when they Tanya Thimble since 2009. received their trophies.” Stephanie David The 16 girls from Palm Island Emma Jane Clark from Sportswomen Tkai Haines competed against five other teams Australia (SWA) said she was really Vasenai Dabea from local Netball Associations moved by the spirit and camaraderie Stella Charles in Runaway Bay, Whitsundays of the Palm Island competitors. Martha Marks and Townsville. It was a point “The girls represented Palm Island Lotisha Daphney accumulating competition and there and the Cathy Freeman Foundation Jurisha Wales were no finals as the scores were so well at the competition that it Well done to both teams and tallied throughout the weekend. was really heart-warming to see,” to the adults/coaches/helpers Both Palm teams played seven Ms Clark said. who were Jon Sibley-Murphy games over two days and St Both teams would agree that the + Thomasina Morgan from St Michael’s won every game while scoreboard results were secondary Michael’s, Chloe from Bwgcolman Bwgcolman only lost in its game and the general spirit and fun of and Daphne Lawrence + Emma from against St Michael’s, which was the trip was what mattered most. the Cathy Freeman Foundation. reported to be a very nail biting Bwgcolman student and Meanwhile, training has now resumed game to watch! competitor Tanya Thimble said, “it for both teams for the Cathy Freeman Palm Island Reds (St Michael’s) was a really great weekend and at Foundation Netball Challenge on and Palm Island Greens least we came second.” 18 June. Both teams will compete (Bwgcolman) were both winners St Michael’s student and against one another, and six other of their Division. The Reds were competitor Chentalli Sibley said, teams (five from Townsville and one awarded first place as undefeated “we had a really great weekend, from Magnetic Island) at the PCYC winners, and the Greens were winning all our games and coming from 9.30am-3pm. 5 THE NEXT PALM ISLAND VOICE DEADLINE (for Issue 156) will be THURSDAY 12 June for publication on Thursday 19 June The next RDO is Thursday 5 June followed by the public holiday on Friday 6 June. RDOs are every Friday fortnight. PUBLIC NOTICE For out-of-hours emergencies please call 0458 789 011. The Palm Island Aboriginal Shire For more information contact would like to announce the Council on 4770 1177 Works on the Pontoon Project Palm Island Aboriginal has now commenced on the Shire Council has 328 Palm Island Jetty. ‘likes’ on Facebook!!! A temporary walk-way has been ADVERTISE! put in place for the boarding/ Page Sponsorship: (1cm or 18pt high banner unloading for the Ferry Services. across nominated page): $120 Quarter A4 Page: $250 + GST PIASC are predicting the works Half A4 Page: $350 + GST to be ending around late June. Full A4 Page: $550 + GST Ads are to be booked by no later than 5pm on deadline day (see above) and all material submitted no later than COB the next day. Print approval required by Monday COB. SUBSCRIBE! Individuals & Families (hard copy): $65 Community & NGOs (hard copy): $125 Government & Corporate (hard copy): $240 PDF (password protected): $55 *All from now to 30 June 2015* Subscription rates vary according to when the initial subscription is taken out – eg if taken in January 2015 the rate will be half of the full year to take it to July 2015. ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS To book an ad or inquire about ARE ADVISED THAT THE JETTY subscriptions please contact the Editor, Christine Howes, on 0419 656 277 WILL BE CLOSED OFF DURING or via [email protected] THE WORKS. PLEASE SUPPORT US SO WE CAN Thank you for your co-operation. CONTINUE TO SUPPORT YOU!!! Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council 6 Government calls for submissions to Bill The Agriculture, Resources and Environment Committee of the Queensland Parliament has commenced an inquiry into the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land (Providing Freehold) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2014, which was introduced in Parliament on 8 May 2014 by Hon Andrew Cripps MP, Minister for Natural Resources and Mines.
The objectives of the Bill are to: land where, due to erosion, the access along 1. Introduce the option of ordinary freehold title the area of beach has been compromised by the into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander private ownership of the beach area. communities; Information about the committee’s inquiry including 2. Simplify the leasing framework that applies to links to the Bill and Explanatory Notes are available Indigenous land to reduce the regulatory burden on the committee’s website at: http://www.parliament. on trustees and lessees; qld.gov.au/work-of-committees/committees/AREC/ 3. Amend the Land Valuation Act 2010 to enable inquiries/current-inquiries/23-ATSILOLA Indigenous Local Government Areas to be subject Call for submissions to statutory valuations; The committee is calling for public submissions to its 4. Provide for the repeal of the Aurukun and inquiry into the Bill. Mornington Shire Leases Act 1978 upon transfer Written submissions are best sent by email under the Aboriginal Land Act 1991 of the to [email protected]
RISING young Palm Island boxing star Levi Baira made it seven straight wins when he defeated a heavier opponent at a Sunstate Amateur Boxing tournament in Mackay last Saturday night.
The 13-year-old Levi stopped his Rockhampton opponent in the first round of their 44.5kg bout. Trainer Ray Dennis was highly impressed. “The boxer he beat was 6kg heavier and Levi has a bright future if he trains hard,” he said. “There were 22 bouts on the card and Levi’s was second last on the night.” Marcus Ketchup, aged 15, was the other boxer to travel to Mackay and lost a split points decision. “The Mackay boxer who beat Marcus was very experienced so it was a good effort from our lad,” Mr Dennis said. The team travelled from Palm on Friday’s ferry and stayed at the Hotel Allen in North Ward that night. They made the 400km road trip to Mackay the next day and returned home after the fights that night. “I want to thank Kevin Castors for loaning us his car and his daughter drove us to Mackay and back,” he said. The Palm contingent returned home on Sunday afternoon’s ferry.
Out & About: the Charles family recently celebrated baby Irene’s baptism... More ‘Out & About’ pics coming next issue!