Cape York Weekly FREE – #269 | Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Editorial: editor@capeyorkweekly.com.au|Advertising: sales@region.com.au
Weipa celebrates 50th baby born in community BILLY Kadwell and Yasmin Cavanagh welcome their second daughter, Brydie, who is the 50th baby to be born at the Weipa Integrated Health Service maternity unit. Photo: Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service. Full story, page 3.
INSIDE TODAY
CALL FOR CANDIDATES Page 3
TIN SHED UPGRADE Page 4
Operation BROADSTAFF BORDER FORCE OPERATION TO COMBAT ILLEGAL TORRES STRAIT FISHING by CHISA HASEGAWA
A full-scale operation led by the Australian Border Force to chase illegal fishers out of Torres Strait waters is being launched. Photo: Supplied.
THE Australian Border Force is launching a multiagency operation to combat illegal foreign fishing in Torres Strait waters. Operation BROADSTAFF builds on similar operations in north-west Western Australia and the Northern Territory to take enforcement action against illegal fishing activities. Since 1 January, there have been 10 interceptions of suspected illegal fishing vessels in northern Queensland and the Torres Strait, enabled
via increased surveillance and additional on-water assets in the region. “This has now been scaled up to a full operation,” Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill said. “A message to these criminals is, Australian waters [and] Australian maritime resources are for Australians. You didn’t succeed in Western Australia, we chased you out of the Northern Territory in Darwin, and you’re not going to succeed in the Torres Strait. – Continued page 2
AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATIONS Pages 8 & 9 GHOST NET ARTIST Page 6
WAIBEN’S NEXT LEADERS Page 9
WHAT’S ON @ THE ALBY... MONDAY $18 PASTA
NIGHT
YOUR CHOICE OF SAUCE TOSSED WITH YOUR FAVOURITE PASTA: SPAGHETTI LINGUINE CHICKEN TORTELLINI OR GF PENNE
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
TACOS! TRIVIA YOUR CHOICE NIGHT OF 3 TACOS FOR $15
SPORTS BAR 6PM - 8.30PM
FROM 7.30PM
$15
FRIDAY 5.30 – 7.30PM
JAG THE JOKER
JACKPOTS WEEKLY ‘TIL JOKER IS FOUND!
+ MEAT TRAY RAFFLES
FROM 7.30PM
RUMP MUSICAL BINGO FREE TO PLAY WITH GREAT NIGHT PRIZES & GIVEAWAYS
THE DECK RESTAURANT IS OPEN 7 DAYS, 6 TO 8.30PM