We may be remote and far-flung but there’s something very special about the Cape York community. Take a look back at some of the stories that had us talking in 2024 – and see if you can guess what our most popular community story was.
14. Cowboys jersey shares Cooktown story and grandfather’s legacy
by Lyndon Keane
Cooktown and Hope Vale raised Bradley Michael and his family prepare to see the story of Nhinhinhi gurra bamawi guugu go on show to a huge crowd at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville. Photo: Supplied.
The unique story of a Cooktown lagoon was shared on the national stage during this year’s NRL Indigenous round thanks to the passion and creative flair of Bradley Michael.
Mr Michael, a Balnggarrawarra and Guugu Yimithirr man who grew up in Cooktown and Hope Vale, was asked to create the design for the North Queensland Cowboys’ round 12 clash with the Wests Tigers in Townsville in May, and used the opportunity to tell a story passed down to him by his late grandfather, Tulo Gordon.
13. Napranum kids brush up on performance skills as circus comes to town
by Chisa Hasegawa
Circa Cairns visited Napranum with a jaw-dropping performance and workshop opportunity. Photo: Supplied.
The Napranum community have now added circus skills to their list of talents after a visit from a First Nations-led performance ensemble.
Circa Cairns held a free performance of their latest work, The Dry, which was inspired by the anticipation and vibrancy of Far North Queensland’s dry season.
12. Cooktown student prints way to entrepreneurial success
by Chisa Hasegawa
13-year-old Cooktown student Kayla Louw has found success in her new 3D printed fidget toy business. Photo: Supplied.
Not many 13-year-olds can call themselves a successful entrepreneur, but one Cooktown girl’s star is on the rise after making over $400 in just two months with her new 3D printed fidget toy business.
Endeavour Christian College student Kayla Louw was celebrated at her school assembly for successfully applying her business class skills to real life with her Shopify storefront, Flame X 3D.
11. Flood devastation fails to stop historic Rossville pub’s reopening
by Chisa Hasegawa
Publican Judy Fry (right) said seeing locals and regulars back at the Lion’s Den Hotel made the long and muddy clean up worth it. Photo: Lion’s Den Hotel.
After weeks of cleaning up water and never-ending mud, the iconic Lion’s Den Hotel opened its doors to eager locals and regulars for an Australia Day celebration.
The Den, as it is affectionately known to Rossville locals, was full of life and joy with around 300 to 350 people in attendance.
Publican Judy Fry, who has been at the Lion’s Den Hotel for 10 years, said the reopening gave a huge boost of morale that the hard work and long, muddy days had been worth it.
10. Hope Vale boy asks for urgent community help to find kidney donor
by Chisa Hasegawa
Twelve-year-old Ly’Jarhl Bowen-Ludwick (right), pictured with his sisters, is now in stage four renal failure and urgently needs a kidney transplant to avoid dialysis. Photo: Supplied.
The search for a kidney donor was on for a 12-year-old Hope Vale boy who was in stage four renal failure.
Ly’Jarhl Bowen-Ludwick was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease at just eight years old, and his condition took a turn for the worse this year.
His mother, Shannan Bowen, said the news was sudden but not unexpected.
9. Iconic Laura festival under threat of becoming ‘memory’
by Cape York Weekly
The CEO of Ang-Gnarra Aboriginal Corporation says the future of the iconic Laura Quinkan Dance Festival is in doubt due to funding concerns. Photo: Supplied.
The future of the biennial Laura Quinkan Dance Festival could be in jeopardy if a funding gap cannot be closed, says the boss of Ang-Gnarra Aboriginal Corporation (AAC).
The festival is a must-attend event for hordes of Cape York locals and visitors every two years, but AAC chief executive officer August Stevens said there were concerns the 2025 edition may not go ahead.
8. Discovery Festival weekend to fill Cooktown with life and laughs
by Chisa Hasegawa
Australian outback comedy duo The Crackup Sisters provided plenty of laughs. Photo: Facebook.
An action-packed Cooktown Discovery Festival brought the community to life as locals and tourists converged on eastern Cape York to experience the history, adventure and culture of region.
From tiny ballerinas, comedy, music, guided tours and historical re-enactments, there was something for everyone to enjoy on the program.
7. Lockhart River wows on red carpet for first NAIDOC Ball
by Cape York Weekly
Youth of Lockhart River looked a million dollars when they made their grand entrance at the eastern Cape York community’s inaugural NAIDOC Ball on 6 July. Photo: Christine Howes/ Puuya Foundation.
Lockhart River youth turned heads when they made grand red carpet entrances to the eastern Cape York community’s first NAIDOC Ball on 6 July.
There was no way to keep the smiles off the faces of the boys and girls as they glitzed and glammed their way into the event, which was made possible through the Puuya Foundation and formalwear donations by Brisbane-based charity Formally Ever After.
6. Boats, bragging rights on offer as Cooktown gets barra fever
by Chisa Hasegawa
Junior anglers can win a boat of their own at this year’s Sovereign Resort Hotel Barramundi Fishing Competition if they snag a barra closest to the mystery weight. Photo: Supplied.
Kids with a passion for fishing threw their hats into the ring to win a brand new tinny at the annual Sovereign Resort Hotel Barramundi Fishing Competition.
For the teen and adult anglers, the chance to win a boat-and-trailer combination has always been a drawcard feature of the event, but it has not been the case for competitors under 12 in past years.
5. Brave Ashlee loses locks at Laura for good cause
by Chisa Hasegawa
Ashlee Reid is all smiles as Shelly Radlof shaves her head as part of her Conquer the Corrugations and Cancer Council fundraiser at the Laura Rodeo and Campdraft. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
A former Weipa resident has put her money – and luscious locks – where her mouth is after shaving her head to raise money and awareness for mental health.
While the action unfolded in the arena at the 2024 Laura Rodeo and Campdraft on 30 June, a small crowed gathered in the shadow of one of the grandstands to watch the clippers move over Ashlee Reid’s dark hair.
4. Bromley brings back traditional Indigenous burning practices
by Cape York Weekly
A new program has reintroduced traditional fire management practices to the Bromley Indigenous Protected Area, with nine Traditional Owners now accredited fire managers. Photo: Supplied.
Traditional burning practices have been successfully reintroduced into the Bromley Indigenous Protected Area to maintain and restore habitat for threatened species, including the endangered palm cockatoo.
The new fire management program was developed with the assistance of a Looking After Country grant from the State Government, with Cape York Natural Resource Management providing planning support.
3. Christmas joy on way for Weipa working parents
by Chisa Hasegawa
Outside of school hours care services in Weipa returned in time for the Christmas holiday season. Photo: Supplied.
Outside of school hours care made a return to Weipa, just in time for the silly season holiday period.
2. Laura pub reopening set to honour ‘Stumpy’
by Lyndon Keane
After being closed since the devastating death of former publican Kev “Stumpy” Darmody in April 2023, the Peninsula Hotel in Laura reopened its doors almost a year to the day. Photo: Supplied.
When Laura’s Peninsula Hotel turned on its beer fridges for the first time in nearly 12 months in April, patrons had the opportunity to raise their glass to its beloved former publican and great mate of its new owner.
The popular watering hole had been closed since early 2023, following the tragic death of Kev “Stumpy” Darmody, who was a staple behind the bar for more than 20 years.
1. Community shares in emotional opening of new Wujal Wujal store
by Cape York Weekly
Lola Daylight, Lisa Law and Steltone Britcher prepare to welcome the first Wujal Wujal residents into the new store on 7 June. Photo: Supplied.
Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) held an emotional grand opening of its new ABIS store in Wujal Wujal as part of a special healing day event in the community on 7 June.
Prior to the devasting floods which displaced the community in December 2023, CEQ was preparing to operate the previously council-leased convenience store, however, following a collaboration between CEQ, Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council and residents, a brand new store – Wujal Bayan Mayiji – opened its doors.
