Palm Island Voice Issue 305 FREE! Thursday 30 July 2020 PLEASE note there may be some images of deceased persons within this publication. THE WORLD WILL BE WATCHING! Words & Pic by Alf Wilson Palm Island will take a front row seat at a worldwide stage when local boxer Patrick Clarke makes his professional fighting debut against Jeff Horn’s brother Ben in Townsville next month. The gala night of boxing will feature Jeff fighting Tim Tszyu and be broadcast nationally and internationally on cable television from Townsville’s giant Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Wednesday 26 August. Patrick, at just 26-years-old, will fight in the welterweight division after an impressive amateur career spanning more than 70 bouts. An estimated 16,000 people are expected to be at the Stadium, including many Palm Islanders in support of the Bwgcolman boxer who said his largest audience to date had been just 300. Palm Island Mayor Mislam Sam, nephew to one of Palm Island’s former boxing greats Doug Sam, said the community Patrick Clarke fighting at the 100-years-strong boxing would benefit greatly from the exposure. tournament hosted by the Palm Island Boxing Club in July 2018. “Palm Island has a long history of After signing his contract “There will be people producing good boxers and this will also on the mainland, Patrick told watching from around the show youngsters that dedication and hard the Palm Island Voice the world and this will be good training has enabled Patrick to achieve opportunity was certain to be for me and the Palm Island this,” he said. a positive for the community. people,” he said. Continues... ...from page 1... “Since the announcement was made that I will be fighting, it has gone viral on social media,” boxer Patrick Clarke said. Meetings moved for funeral and budget Today’s community funeral, combined with the need for extensive budget preparations Quietly-spoken Patrick has weekends to train at the Hawks Doug Sam in the 1980s and has shifted this month’s July Land Trust and Council meetings to tomorrow, Friday two sons to his partner Caroline Club Bamford Lane gym under Peter Bonner in 2008. Williams – Ernest aged two, respected trainer Dennis Clancy. BELOW: Patrick signing his contract, 31 July, CEO Adele Young says. and Patrick jnr, aged four. Dennis, from the Wakka Wakka pic thanks to Dennis Clancy “Council will be presented the annual budget for make strategic budget decisions – something “I am hopeful this will show people in the Wide Bay consideration and passage at this meeting,” Ms they have lacked in the past. youth here that they can achieve area, said he was impressed Young said. “I can confirm it was a very difficult “Simply put Council spends millions more than what they put their minds to,” with Patrick’s commitment budget with a large operational deficit. it earns each year, running down cash reserves he said. to training. “After eight weeks as CEO, following the financial and taking money from project funding to prop up “Also the beauty of Palm “Patrick has been sharp controller report of last year, I knew the books would operations – this has to stop. Island with our beaches, clear and possesses great be bad and Palm Council would need some serious “There are no more cash reserves and we will waters and other things will be reflexes, a good set of reform - but I never expected it to be this bad. rebuild Council systems from the ground up showcased.” eyes and has the ability to “For the first time in years we can clearly see – transparently and honestly, and with good In the weeks immediately before become one of the country’s exactly how much more Council is spending over business practice. the much-anticipated fight he best fighters,” he said. what it is earning. “Addressing the anticipated deficit will require will train on Palm Island under “This is a good thing for major changes, right across the entire Council. Difficulties the guidance of veteran trainer Palm Island and a message “Difficulties with finance staff who are currently Moving forward Ray Dennis, with help from for youth that they can before the courts are well-known. “The only possible path forward is to cut former champion amateur boxer achieve positive things.” “We are working to ensure that situation unnecessary expenditure, restructure and Telstan Sibley. Patrick will be the first can never happen again and Council has clear, streamline Council administration and operations Patrick has been travelling professional boxer to reliable, and credible information before it to and grow new revenue streams. to and from Palm Island on represent Palm Island since “We can’t run a council on millions of as increasing local and confidence of the community overspent dollars. A word from Cr Andrew Castors employment, and looking back into council, then we “The mistakes and poor management practices after the health and definitely need to be transparent of the past have to be dealt with now. well-being of our mob. and accountable for our actions. First of all, I just wanted to say thank you to all those “Council now has zero cash reserves – in fact I believe we can do this I would like to reassure everyone less than zero dollars – there isn’t enough cash people who have supported me since our Council by ensuring our local we are doing our best to be fair left to finish the projects we already have. Elections held back in March of this year new sporting competitions are and honest, and we are making “These legacy issues will require a disciplined up and running, and, most decisions with the community’s Councillor Andrew Castors writes... importantly maintained best interest at heart. plan over a number of years to turn Palm Island I feel deeply humbled and following in the footsteps of played a pivotal role in setting so they can educate our Changes are definitely coming, Council around and become the high performing honoured to be elected into my both my grandfathers. up the Ranger Services here on mob about the importance of it’s just going to take some time. organisation it should be – focused on the new role as Councillor within the Bernard (Juju) Castors was the Island – a service which living healthier lifestyles. I appreciate the great faith you needs of its residents. Palm Island Aboriginal Shire. elected as one of our very first was crucial and beneficial to As Councillor Kyle-Sailor says, have shown in me in allowing Transparency I promise I will try and do my Chairmen back in the late 1970s our community, that we sadly no “every council is always faced me this opportunity to stand up absolute best to represent you, alongside Buller Coutts, and longer have. My father Robert with an enormous task”. and be your voice as one of your “As we move forward, there will also be a new It has definitely been a very newly elected leaders. the people of Palm Island, as Eric Bunn, who served as Deputy (Bob) Castors also served on the era of transparency. part of a new and innovative Chairman in the 1980s (pictured previous council (2016 - 2020). difficult start to our term as a Thank you. “We will make sure much more information voice on Council. bottom right). I am very much aware I am council and we still have some and data is available to our community through I would also like to He was also an SES Controller, following in some very big very tough decisions to make a public dashboard and enhanced website, and acknowledge that I am the third Fire Surveillance Officer, footsteps. as we move ahead in these generation of my family to have Ambulance Driver, Search and I want to make education unprecedented times. all kept up-to-date in as close to real time as taken on a leadership role, Rescue Member, and he also my main priority, as well If we are to restore the trust possible.” For the most up-to-date information re COVID-19 see the Council’s website at http://www.palmcouncil.qld.gov.au The Palm Island Voice is free & online at www.chowes.com.au/newsletters/palmisland New video relays “We can do the right thing on the ground here by following the health messaging…this is all about important new protecting our elders, our community and our way health messages of life…,” Mayor Mislam Sam. Covid-19 testing is available at the Palm Island Primary Health Care Centre SEE THE PALM ISLAND ABORIGINAL SHIRE COUNCIL PAGE FOR THE FULL VIDEO! POSITIONS VACANT Telstra tower good to go A much anticipated Telstra Tower upgrade has taken a significant step Camp Crew – On Country Cultural forward with Federal Government Healing Camps backing and the finalisation of the We are currently recruiting 5 casual Camp Crew members Cultural Heritage Agreement. to work with youth for our new On Country Cultural Healing Camps based on Eastern Kuku Yalanji Country. PIASC CEO Adele Young said Telstra The Camp Crew will be responsible for supervising and contractors, Visionstream, had advised the Council mentoring young people, setting up camps, cooking meals and facilitating group counselling sessions and cultural they were ready to proceed over the next few activities (in conjunction with Jabalbina Rangers and the months. Traditional Owners Elders groups). Camps are a minimum 5 days in duration. “The Tower is a priority project under the You must have outdoor experience and the ability work with Federal Government blackspot program,” she said. a team and lead a camp of 6 -10 youth.