Cape York Weekly FREE – #143 | Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Editor Matt Nicholls: 0477 450 558 | editor@capeyorkweekly.com.au
INSIDE TODAY
LOCAL MELONS OFF TO JAPAN Page 2
The Northern Pride players show off their specially-designed Country Round jerseys with Mapoon artist Luanna de Jersey (centre) at a community breakfast held at the Weipa Camping Ground on the morning on the match. The jerseys worn by the players were then auctioned off after the game on Andoom Oval.
CAPE ARTISTS SHINE AT CIAF Pages 4 & 5
CLUB WINS HEARTS IN THE CAPE
Pride of Weipa By MATT NICHOLLS
THEY didn’t get the result they wanted on the field, however the Northern Pride players left Weipa with a much bigger fan base after a week of community engagement that blew locals out of the water. Trips to Aurukun, Mapoon and Napranum, combined with a local visits in Weipa proved popular as the Pride set a new bar for Country Round in the Queensland Cup. Around 1000 people filled the sidelines of Andoom Oval to see the Cairns-based club take on the Sunshine Coast Falcons. In a must-win game for both sides as they chased a finals berth,
it was the Falcons who prevailed, winning 24-8. But rather than walk off the field, the Northern Pride players stood on the grass for more than an hour, chatting to kids, posing for photos and presenting their jerseys to be auctioned off. It was an impromptu event and raised more than $10,000 as locals basked in the opportunity to buy a one-off uniform that was designed by Mapoon’s Luanna de Jersey. The players themselves couldn’t help get caught up in the energy of the auction, proving that the game was a success, even if the result didn’t go their way. Special liftout – Pages 13 to 16
Northern Pride CEO Garreth Smith with Embley owner Ronnie Bosuen after he successful bid $7000 for the framed jersey after Saturday night’s game.
AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATIONS Pages 8 & 9 FIGHT NIGHT THIS SATURDAY Page 26
RUNNERS READY FOR FESTIVAL Page 27
WHAT’S ON AT THE ALBY! WEIPA RUNNING FESTIVAL AFTERPARTY 23 JULY @ 4PM Live music from Cameron Cusack, all day smoked beef rolls & drink specials
WINE DINNER 25 JULY @ 6PM Indulge in a remarkable 3-course meal expertly paired with exquisite wines from the finest regions
$100 per person