Issue 214 Thursday 6 October 2016

WARNING! Some images in this Issue may contain deceased persons that may cause distress to some people. Palm to field 5 teams in Allblacks

PALM Island sides will play a major role at the Bindal Sharks Allblacks carnival to be held at the Townsville Sports Reserve this weekend.

Cr Roy Prior, who holds QRL Palm Island Community,” he may not be as strong as last coaching certificates, said said. year due to the amount of the Bwgcolman Warriors were “Currently there are four teams. entering the under-16 division. other teams coming out of “But we will be competitive In the senior men’s division Palm with Ajas’ Boys, Fantome come the carnival,” he said. the Barracudas will be amongst Island Hunters and our rugby A large number of Palm 16 teams including three others league president Algon Walsh’s Islanders will turn out at the from Palm Island. side Northern United.” 30th Bindal carnival to support “Barracudas will represent the Cr Prior said the Barracudas their teams. ...Continued p 2...

Several Palm Islanders, including Mayor Alf Lacey (pictured below with Shire Cr Vanda Malone) and Cr Deniece Geia, attended the Winds of Zanadth Cultural Festival on last month... Full story & more pics in our next Issue!

Pics above & below thanks to Rosalie Jensen (Torres Strait Events) Palm to field 3 teams in Townsville Allblacks

Above: At the 2015 Bindal presentation was TAIHS CEO Donald Whaleboat, Cr Roy Prior, Jenny Pryor and referee Dean Saunders; Right: , who lined up for the Cronulla Sharks in the NRL grand final against in a game against Ajas’ Boys from Palm at a previous Bindal carnival.

...From p 1... Organiser Jenny Pryor has and the 30th will be held at Many will stay with family in earned the title of ‘The Iron the local Sports Reserve in Townsville. Lady’ of north October. Many Townsville residents Allblacks carnivals during her During those three decades with Palm connections will also three decades of organising Jenny has seen many Torres be there amongst the large North Queensland’s biggest Strait Islander and Aboriginal crowds. Allblacks carnival. footballers develop into NRL Palm Island Mayor Alf Lacey Her first carnival was in 1987 stars including Ben Barba, has been invited to participate at the Townsville Showgrounds Chris Sandow and Robert Lui. in the carnival opening ceremony. Butler Bay Sunrise Last year Coastal Balas, which included NRL stars Kierran Moseley and Nene Macdonald, won the final over the Northern Dolphins. Macdonald was a standout for the Titans in season 2016 as they made the top eight and he has been signed by the St George Dragons. Barracudas took out the plate section having last won the senior men’s division back in 2012 when the carnival was held at Brothers League Club grounds. Pic by Ashley Lenoy

2 The Palm Island Voice is free & online at www.chowes.com.au/newsletters/palmisland Walkabout offers ADF experience & opportunity

EXPERIENCING life in the Australian Army has become part of training for the Walkabout under 15 rugby league team. Three players with Palm Island SEQld are working together to “This is only one instance which family connections competed develop a Community Engagement shows that when Aboriginal and in their division at the Arthur program to reflect back to the Torres Strait Islander community Beetson Foundation Murri Army Indigenous Strategy to are engaged by government and Knockout carnival in Redcliffe, just encourage more Indigenous men non government organisations at north of , last month. and women to consider the ADF a grass roots level, and can speak They were Tareq Parter, Trakimum as a preferred employer through into youth issues that impact Prior-Barry and Sesoni Koroi and sport,” Ms Smallwood said. on their young people, there can coach Chris Congoo (pictured Youths who stayed on base be a shift in the way programs above). included Zawai Murray, Tyreece are designed, delivered and their The Townsville team stayed at Pott, Ricky Wardle, Trakimum effectiveness,” he said. Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane Prior-Barry, Ben Anau, Mr Congoo said the Defence where players participated in Pemulwuy Yanner, Tareq Parter, Force provided the players with an an activity called ‘Exercise Kim Vaughan, Rayshan Mills- opportunity to be exposed to life Walkabout’ supported by Army Prior, Malcolm Kaitap, Tyreece in the ADF and see the host of and 7CCSB in Brisbane, as well as Whyte, Liam Hall, Tan Roberts, employment options available. DFR Townsville and Brisbane. Logan Bone, Coby McClelland, The Salvation Army invited Australian Army’s Cultural Jiro Whyte, Lleyton Anderson, players back after the carnival Advisor for the Regional Indigenous Bailey Saltner, Zion Osae, Mark to participate in a leadership and Liaison Office (RILO), Lee Gardiner, Nathaniel Geia, Wilfred resilience program which focused Smallwood, travelled to Redcliffe Tapau, Abai Chatfield, Sesoni on identity, health and wellbeing, with the team. Koroi, Tyrone Sirriss, Officials: education and employment, and Army’s support for the Townsville Chris Congoo, Terrence Whyte, healthy relationships. Walkabout team was intended to Ricky Phinasea, Godro Koroi, Lee He said the Murri Knockout emphasise to young Indigenous Smallwood. required players to undergo health men the many career opportunities The side won the under 15 division checks and they must have good within the Australian Defence in 2015 and finished fourth of 15 school attendance to qualify for Forces as well as the importance teams this year. selection. of a healthily lifestyle, education Team coach Chris Congoo also There was also the opportunity to and positive life choices. represents the Salvation Army on be selected in a Queensland side “The RILO NQ, and RILO the Management Committee. to tour New Zealand.

3 The Palm Island Voice is free & online at www.chowes.com.au/newsletters/palmisland Champion trainer breaks all the records VETERAN Palm Island boxing trainer Ray Dennis hasn’t been enjoying the best of health recently but will still be taking boxers to a Sunstate Amateur Boxing League tournament at Magnetic Island later this month.

Mr Dennis is aged 79 and Association,” he said. and Middleweight professional arrived on Palm Island in 1999. Mr Dennis said he trained 15 titles. Since then he has trained 42 Queensland champions at that Junior Thompson was Australian Title winners, 62 time including Palm Islander another good Aboriginal boxer State Title gold medalists and Doug Sam who went on to trained by Dennis who went 92 Golden Gloves tournament represent Australia and win a on to become an Australian victors. world boxing championship. professional champion. “I remember about three “Doug later fought for a “Josh Geia won a State Title months after I arrived here and world professional title in and the late Esrom Geia was in took 11 boxers to Proserpine Korea,” Mr Dennis said. my opinion the best of them all and 10 of them won,” he said. Alf Clay was another of the winning three State titles,” he He has a proud history Dennis trained boxers who said. with Indigenous boxers since was rated the best junior in “I thought he could have gone he started training at the Queensland after defeating on to win a world professional Townsville Fitness Centre in Norm Stevens who later title.” 1967. represented Australia. Dennis said that Stanton “At that time we were boxing Another champion boxer Friday was another quality under the North Queensland trained by Mr Dennis was Neil boxer who won a State Title Boxing Association which was Pattel who went on to win under his training. part of the Australian Boxing the Australian Welterweight “Colin Scott trained with me

4 The Palm Island Voice is free & online at www.chowes.com.au/newsletters/palmisland for Palm Island Boxers over decades from when he was aged just Australian champion but I was “I have seen many great nine and he won 21 of 23 bouts refused permission to travel boxers here but some had sadly and later went on to play with him for the final selection gone astray because of drugs rugby league with the Broncos, trials in Tasmania,” he said. and drink,” he said. State of Origin and one Test Another for Australia,” Dennis said. Dennis trained Versatile Carl Wyles was boxer, Terry another good boxer who was Tears, turned trained by Dennis, who has professional fond memories of his ability. and had lots “Carly played basketball, of bouts on rugby league and Australian the television Rules for Indigenous club program, Garbutt Magpies and he was ‘Ringside’. fast and good,” Dennis said. “1969 was Mr Dennis said a very the first time talented boxer, Brian Magill, the Queensland Association However Mr Dennis said that came from Sydney and never State Titles were held outside for every one young boxer who lost a bout whilst training with Brisbane, when Townsville didn’t go onto achieve their him. hosted them,” he said. full potential, he could easily “At the Commonwealth “Our junior boxers in those find others. Games trials held in days could only fight for State Mr Dennis will celebrate his Maryborough for Queensland Titles, there were no National 80th birthday on March 30 next Magill easily beat the Titles. year.

5 The Palm Island Voice is free & online at www.chowes.com.au/newsletters/palmisland adopted a prudent approach to financial management.

“The budget finished with a modest surplus of $1.5 million,” he said.

“In 2016-2017 we have approved an $868 million balanced operating budget.

“Additionally, $78.7 million has been earmarked in the budget for infrastructure, equipment and maintenance projects.

“These projects will improve the care we provide to the community and boost the local economy during these tough economic times.

“A key priority is to improve the children’s ward at The Townsville Hospital. The Queensland Government has come on board with $6.6 million in funding to redevelop and expand Cardwell to Home Hill and west to Richmond. the ward into a state-of-the-art paediatric Good medicine facility. This commitment will make a big During the 2015-2016 financial year, the difference to the care that we can provide to for local economy Townsville HHS performed 8,292 elective sick kids.” The Townsville Hospital and surgical operations, admitted more than 75,000 people to hospitals and delivered Mr Mooney said the health service was Health Service (HHS) has ended 2,750 babies. also on track to offer more than 369,000 2015-2016 treating more patients outpatient appointments in the coming year. “In addition to delivering high-quality and in communities across North compassionate care, the health service is “Cutting waiting times for specialist outpatient Queensland than ever before. also the region’s largest civilian employer,” appointments is a major focus for the 2016- 2017 financial year,” he said. Townsville Hospital and Health Board Chair Mr Mooney said. Tony Mooney said he was very proud of “We employ one in 50 North Queenslanders “In addition to delivering high standards of the work done across the region by more and our wages bill alone contributes more care, the health service and board are looking than 5,000 full-time staff treating hundreds than $50 million a month into the local forward to building stronger ties with our of thousands of patients in hospitals, economy.” communities to develop and deliver excellent community health services and clinics from public health care.” Mr Mooney said the health service had

Bone Marrow Transplant Unit $78.7 million infrastructure, 300 additional staff car parks and $1.57 equipment and maintenance million at The Townsville Hospital 50 additional public car parks projects in 2016-2017 including: next to The Townsville Hospital upgrade of residential $500 clinical equipment accommodation at the Townsville $12.5 Cancer Centre in addition to the thousand across our facilities million existing 1982 staff car parks Community Care Acquired Brain Injury Unit infrastructure improvements and 646 public car parks $6.4 at rural facilities million new community health centre expansion of medical $2.25 $16.5 imaging department at redevelopment and expansion million on Palm Island million $6.6 The Townsville Hospital of The Townsville Hospital million 22-bed planned procedure unit children’s ward $12.1 million at The Townsville Hospital

Where the money goes In 2015-2016, the Townsville HHS revenue of $864.4 million was spent as shown below. This included a modest surplus of $1.5 million. Townsville Employee expenses 71% Supplies and services 23% Other expenses 1% Depreciation and amortisation 5% Grants and subsidies 0.4%

6 The Palm Island Voice is free & online at www.chowes.com.au/newsletters/palmisland Townsville Hospital and Health Service Our 2015–2016 achievements

At 30 June 2016, no patient At 30 June 2016, the The $13.5 million The Townsville HHS’s cochlear was waiting longer than Townsville HHS maintained refurbishment of the implant service marked its first the clinically recommended its zero long-wait status for Alec Illin Secure Mental anniversary with 15 children time for all three elective general dental treatment Health Rehabilitation and adults fitted with life – surgery categories Unit at The Townsville changing cochlear devices Hospital was completed

The renal unit at the Joyce The Townsville HHS introduced Eventide Residential Aged Townsville HHS staff Palmer Health Service on flexible visiting hours Care Facility achieved celebrated more than 7,000 Palm Island was refurbished to improve patient care accreditation from the years of collective service and an extra dialysis Australian Aged Care at length-of-service events chair was provided Quality Agency Joyce Palmer Health Service in 2015–2016

8,436 emergency 11 beds 732 admissions department visits

7 The Palm Island Voice is free & online at www.chowes.com.au/newsletters/palmisland Don’t forget!!! The DEADLINE for the next NEXT Operating Hours for Council are Monday – PALM ISLAND VOICE Friday 8am – 5pm (213) is If you have any Palm Island questions please Aboriginal Thursday 13 Shire Council contact Reception has 1,259 on 4770 1177 or ‘likes’ on September 4770 0200 Facebook!!! FOR PUBLICATION Make your house a dry place Thursday 20 October A ‘dry place’ is a house where no alcohol is allowed. If you are a tenant, an owner-occupier or a lessee- See our Facebook page for a full occupier you can apply to make your house a dry list of Rates & Dates for 2016 place. All tenants, owner-occupiers or lessee-occupiers of the residence must agree to become a dry place. Dry place declarations are available in all discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, ADVERTISE! as well as Mossman Gorge and Coen. This includes Page Sponsorship: (1cm or 18pt high banner communities with a zero alcohol carriage limit. across nominated page): $120 If your house is made a ‘dry place’, anyone who drinks or has alcohol in your house will be breaking the law. Quarter A4 Page: $250 + GST They could be fined up to $2,238. Half A4 Page: $350 + GST Dry place declarations can be suspended for up to 7 Full A4 Page: $550 + GST days (e.g. for a wedding) or cancelled. How to apply Ads are to be booked by no later than 5pm If you want to make your house a dry place you need to fill out a dry place declaration application form and on deadline day (see above) and all material submit it to the Magistrates Court. There are no fees. submitted no later than COB the next day. You just need proof you are a tenant, owner-occupier or lessee-occupier. Print approval required by Monday COB. Who can help you apply? The community justice group (CJG) and the local police have application forms and can help with submitting it To book an ad, make a contribution to the Magistrates Court. The CJG can also help with filling out the form. or inquire about subscriptions please The Magistrates Court checks and approves applications. contact the Editor, Christine Howes, ‘Dry place declaration’ signs Once the house is dry place, you must display a sign at on 0419 656 277 or each entrance. Signs are available from the local police [email protected] station. When the signs are up, your house is a dry place and anyone who has alcohol in your house can be fined. This includes homebrew. 8 The Palm Island Voice is free & online at www.chowes.com.au/newsletters/palmisland