Palm Island Voice Issue 287 FREE! Thursday 24 October 2019 PLEASE note there may be some images of deceased persons within this publication. Push for resolution on water issues Queensland’s Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has called on his federal counterpart to fulfil the LNP’s pre-election commitment to help Palm Island residents gain access to clean drinking water. Mr Hinchliffe said the State Stewart also said the projects “Last week, cleaning of the Government had provided more needed Federal support. island’s five water reservoirs was than $6 million to tackle five of “…We need the Federal finished, but the water is still six priority water projects on the Government to provide the $2 going to look a little discoloured. Island and it was now time for the million it promised so we can “For the time being, however, the Federal Government to sign off on complete the sixth project, which boil water notice is still in place promises made in the lead up to is installing a new rising main from and will be lifted by the council the Federal election. the water treatment plant to the in consultation with Queensland Member for Townsville Scott main reservoir,” Mr Stewart said. Health.” Obe Geia Challenge celebrates ongoing success TWELVE primary school rugby league teams competed in this year’s Obe Geia Challenge, with many future stars on show in front of several heroes including former-Cowboys fullback Matty Bowen and Obe Geia Jnr himself. Obe was the first Palm Geia Challenge plays teams of Islander to play A grade 15 aged between 10-12 years to for the North Queensland promote the benefits of sport, Cowboys. fitness and healthy living. Palm Island sides from It also aims to increase Bwgcolman Community School positive attitudes and and St Michael’s Catholic behaviours and reduce truancy. School were in top form Townsville’s St Clare’s against visitors from Magnetic Catholic School won the final Island and nine Townsville over St Joseph’s Catholic school teams. School. Established in 2009, the Obe Words: Alf Wilson; Pics: NQ Cowboys Arremi Pearson Shaquanna Castors Palm Island plays gooooood football at Bindal AllBlacks Words & Pics by Alf Wilson PALM Island Barracudas sides Gold and Green performed strongly at the Bindal Sharks Allblacks carnival in Townsville earlier this month. A total of 16 men’s teams, Green meet on field two on lost 30-18 to Coastal Balas. four women’s and eight Saturday afternoon at the Barracudas Green made the under 17 sides played on the Sports Reserve in what was an top eight before losing 32-16 to day with the men’s comp entertaining contest. Jumma Balas in a quarter final. representing the most teams Barracudas Gold 22 beat In the other quarter finals, of any Queensland Allblacks Barracudas Green 10 and Barracudas Gold 24 d Juru carnival this year, just beating both advanced to the winner’s Gubullamunda16, Mackay the 15 who played at the section for the Sam Reuben Cup. Stallions 40 d Kasl United Arthur Beetson Foundation Points table after the 14, Coastal Balas 32 d J & M Murri Knockout in Brisbane the qualifying matches saw Daisy Memorial 0. week before. Barracudas Gold finish fourth Fielding a star-studded line In their qualifying round and Green come in eighth. up, Barracudas Gold reached matches Barracudas Green – A Jim & Melba Daisy Memorial the semi finals of the Sam who were a Memorial side for side - in memory of the mum Reuben Cup before going down Stanton Wotton – 30 defeated and dad of legendary Vern gallantly 30-14 to a quality Charters Towers side Black Daisy - came in sixth to also Jumma Balas. Bream 2 and Barracudas Gold reach the winners shield section. In the other semi final Coastal 28 beat KASL United 18. The Daisy Memorial side Balas 34 d Mackay Stallions 4, After those games a massive defeated Blood Brothers in who then rolled Jumma Balas crowd watched Gold and their qualifying games and then 10-nil in the grand final. PLATE DIVISION In quarter finals of the Kaleb Leo Plate Division for the sides in the bottom eight of the ladder: Gulf Bulls d Blood Brothers (forf), Raiders 24 d Walkabouts 22, Black Bream 22 d Burdekin Delta 16, Coen Colts 20 d Yapuyata 14. Semi finals: Coen Colts 18 d Gulf Bulls 16, Raiders 44 d Black Bream 12. Grand Final: The Raiders side, organised by Jimmy Doolan, defeated Coen Colts 46-20. UNDER 17 GRADE In the under 17 grade Barracudas fought out a tough 16-all draw with Cannonballs and lost 18-9 to Kasl United. The young Barracudas finished a creditable sixth on the ladder. The under 17 grand final was played between Gulf Bulls and Townsville Walkabouts which had players of Palm descent. Walkabouts won 16-8. WOMEN’S COMP Rothana Baira and her daughter Lyrech Mara – named Best Forward – played major roles for champion women’s side Jumma Gummas who defeated Mackay Stallions 32-nil in their grand final. Former Palm Island PLO Manatu Neliman also shone for Jumma Gummas. MORE (PEOPLE) PICS NEXT ISSUE! 2019 Coolburra Shield A courageous Skipjacks went down 16-8 to Lavarack Barracks Rugby Club – formerly Australian Army Thunder – at this year’s prestigious Bill Coolburra Memorial Shield competition, played on Palm Island, earlier this month. LARC players travelled to Palm Billo Wotton, Raoul Miller, The inaugural all women’s Edna Island by ferry. Hamilton Taia, Karlin Murgha, Fred Coolburra Plate, named in honour It was the 12th match for the Bulsey jnr and his brother Isaac of Uncle Bill’s late wife, and shield with the Army now holding Bulsey. contested by Skipjacks Ladies and a 7-5 winning record. Skipjacks made the first Townsville side Walkabouts, also It was the first time in three breakthrough with Isaac Bulsey had the dust flying. years the two sides have met on crossing for a try in the 10th Moewaiya Youngblutt scored the Skipjack’s home ground. minute. first for the Skipjacks, but it was Skipjacks captain coach Fred It was in the second half that the Walkabouts who dominated, Bulsey said it was a hard fought Army surged scoring their first try winning the match 14 to 4. game. and converting to take the lead. Best player was Dianne Fulford “We were on top early but one Brute strength and gritty and best on field award went of their players got injured and determination saw Army cross two to Lesha Dempsey from the they got over us after that,” he more times before the Skipjacks Walkabouts. said. struck back with a try of their This year marked 10 years since Words: Alf Wilson; Pics supplied. Best players for Skipjacks were own. Uncle Bill Coolburra’s passing. Our innovations Our innovations LEGAL NOTICE Any person having claim, whether as Community Notices a creditor or beneficiary or otherwise, in regards to the estates of any of the Congratulations undermentioned deceased persons are hereby required to send particulars of such claims to the Public Trustee of Queensland, Townsville to on or before twenty-one (21) days of the date of this notice. After that date the Public Trustee may distribute the estates of the said Uncle Noel & deceased amongst the parties entitled thereto, having regard only to the claims of which he shall have had notice. Aunty Jenny AGNES GUNNAWARRA ALSO KNOW AS AGNESS LOTTIE GUNNAWARRA (PENSIONER) late of Main Street, Palm Island and in the Cannon state of Queensland, deceased, who died on or about the 14th day of July, 2019. JODY HOLLETT for 48 years of Regional Manager Public Trust Office PN003007 marriage Townsville PALM ISLAND VOICE 2019 BOIL WATER CANCELLED 30th October Issue 288: THE BOIL WATER ALERT IS NOW LIFTED Deadline: Thursday 31 October - Publication Date: Thursday 7 COUNCIL HAS BEEN ADVISED BY 1971 2019 November QUEENSLAND HEALTH AND THE DEPARTMENT Issue 289: We wish you OF NATURAL RESOURCES, MINES AND ENERGY Deadline: Thursday 14 (WATER SUPPLY REGULATOR) November many more to Publication Date: Thursday 21 THAT THE RELEVANT PUBLIC HEALTH CRITERIA November FOR LIFTING THE Issue 290: come, with love Deadline: Thursday 28 BOIL WATER ALERT HAS BEEN MET November from your family Publication Date: Thursday 5 COUNCIL STILL ASK THAT RESIDENTS CONTINUE December Issue 291: TO CONSERVE WATER. on Palm Island Deadline: Thursday 12 December XO Publication Date: Thursday 19 December Rugby league greats Vern Daisy and Bruno Cullen (pictured left) were just two of 100 or more players and officials at a 50-year reunion for the famous Mount Isa Miners in Townsville last month. The event was held on the exact date of the team’s famous first victory in the prestigious north Queensland rugby league competition, the Foley Shield, which they won nine times between 1969 and 1988. Many of the players who represented Mount Isa during those dominating years, dubbed the ‘golden era’, were Indigenous with two of the greatest including Vern and his brother Frank. Vern said it was an emotional three days of catching up and celebrating with old mates such as organisers Johnny Moran, Alan Hansen & Mel Brosnan and former players Ken Muckan, Terry Hammond, Bill Bawden, Words & Pic: Alf Wilson Gavin Shepherd, Bob Wilson, Terry & Dennis Keefe & Bryon Woodcock. NEXT DEADLINE (Issue 287) THURSDAY 31 OCTOBER for PUBLICATION on THURSDAY 7 November The Palm Island Voice is published fortnightly by the Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council and edited by Christine Howes. Members of the Palm Island community and local organisations are welcome to submit birthdays, community information, pics, yarns and letters to the Editor.