Cape York Weekly FREE – #114 | Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Editor: Matt Nicholls 0477 450 558 | editor@capeyorkweekly.com.au
Rural Fire Service to get new station
Early Christmas By MATT NICHOLLS
DIG DEEP FOR THOSE IN NEED
LONG-TIME Weipa firefighter Tony Lankester says he’s excited about the prospect of a new station for the local fire brigade after years of lobbying for better facilities in the region. In an early Christmas present, it was announced last week that more than half a million dollars would be spent on building the new headquarters for the Western Cape Rural Fire Brigade. “It’s very exciting,” said Mr Lankester, the first officer of the WCRFB. “It’s been a long battle to get that funding.” Weipa boasts the best equipped firefighting capability in the Cape, Mr Lankester said, but the brigade had some of the worst facilities. “The shed we operate out of now is just not suitable, even though we make it work,” he said. “It’s a bit different in Weipa to other parts of the region because we have Rio Tinto Emergency Services, which are there to cater for both the town and the mine. “Having full-time firefighters in a place like Weipa is a big advantage and we’re lucky that a lot of the Rio guys also volunteer for the Western Cape Rural Fire Brigade.” Mr Lankester is one of the many who “double up” and he said the role of the WCRFB was crucial. “In the dry season you’ll see us out all the time attending to grass fires and also helping out at some of the cattle stations,” he said. “We often work closely with the Rio Tinto team to provide support on back-burning.” Continued – Page 2
SUPPORT FOR CAPE IN CAPITAL Page 5
Before heading off on your Christmas holidays, Weipa Community Care’s Lilly Nash is urging you to give generously to those who are less fortunate. Details – Page 6
HOPE VALE PIG HUNT A BIG HIT Page 8 AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATIONS Pages 8 & 9 SENIORS ENJOY LIONS LUNCH Page 11
MORE SUCCESS IN THE POOL Page 18
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