HOW WE SEE IT! Saturday Snapshot

With Bryan Littlely and Shaun Hollis

Last updated:
Cartoon: Shaun Hollis

Daintree Ferry yarn keeps on delivering

Just build a bridge and get over it… I’ve heard it said many, many times, but not that often for it to mean actually build a physical bridge.

I do, however, have some experience as a junior reporter dealing with one of the most controversial builds of a bridge to replace a ferry.

In the 1990s, the Hindmarsh Island bridge at Goolwa, South Australia, and on the edge of my home turf, was one of the hottest legal and political controversies of the time.

“Secret women’s business”, the claims made by a group of Ngarrindjeri women elders that the site was sacred to them for reasons that could not be revealed, became the subject of intense legal battles and great fodder for journos.

I was at the time a bit too junior in the reporting ranks, and my local paper a bit bereft of resources (and legal representation), to really sink my teeth into the issue, but a good scribe mate of mine won a Walkley Award for his efforts.

Whether it is a four-lane ferry, a bridge or a combination of both as ol mate Shaun Hollis has suggested in this week’s cheeky cartoon, this looks like a similar story set to keep on giving.

Can’t pay the ferryman

 

Please pipe down… I like pizza

The age-old debate of what qualifies you as a local has been raised this past week through our Newsport Facebook page.

We’ll have a good hard look at that over the next couple of weeks but can I ask that you all pipe down a bit on the topic…. I’ve been getting local priced pizza at Rattle N Hum every Tuesday and they taste damn great.

 

Cruise ships… I’m on board

Living on the coast and at town with a decent port for most of my life, I have been waiting for the day I could ask a cruise ship load of passengers what they think of the town they disembarked at.

I got that chance this week with the Celebrity Edge docked off Port Douglas (too far out for my drone to get out to for the shots I wanted).

And I was nothing short of impressed by the comments that came from the happy customers who streamed up Macrossan Street and surrounds, with most saying they were busy shopping up a storm and enjoying what Port has to offer.

Ironically, a cruise ship finally did dock in my home town of Victor Harbor this week despite the lack of infrastructure and lack of foresight by leaders there (I ought to know, I was on council there and headed up the boating facilities advisory board… note the term “was”!).

I’m sure those passengers from the much smaller luxury expedition cruise ship Le Jacques Cartier had similar praise for the “brilliant” shopping experience in Victor’s main street… the two recently closed cafes, and a coffee shop which shuts and 2pm may have been a bit of a downer for them, but I’m sure there were plenty of bargains to be had in the four Op Shops in their Ocean Street. Be thankful this town does not move at horse tram pace, people.

Port Douglas has the edge

 

Rusty’s fit for President role

It is a good person who puts their hand up to be president of any local sporting club… usually a thankless volunteer task where you have to be everything from marriage counsellor to designated driver, employment hunter and even parole officer in some cases.

New Crocs president Rusty Bradley takes the reins at the Port Douglas Football Club for season 2025 and while congratulating him, and covering the story, over last weekend I avoided telling the first timer about my experience as a footy club president.

Mitchell Park footy club in Adelaide’s south built Amateur League success in the ‘80s when the housing trust area with big families, and plenty of tough lads, filled its ranks. Cast forward 20 years and I put my hand up for the easiest job on the committee, Vice President.

It was a breeze for the first couple of months, before the President quit.

It came with both its challenges and opportunities. I once had to assist with a police investigation at Tuesday night training, and I gave plenty of guys a room when they were in the dog house, but I did get to tell the club secretary he wasn’t getting paid for umpiring the Magoos the day he sent me off for arguing a free.

Bitten off more than he can chew?

 

Niamh tops a talented lot

Niamh Zillfleisch has set new standards for schooling at Mossman State High School with an incredible ATAR score in her final year of schooling.

But her 96.05 is not the only good number coming from Mossman High. We’ll have a bit more on it next week, but it seems almost the whole class of 2024 were up to the task.

Well done guys. Diligent students, many of whom avoided the swim through of Schoolies at Surfers Paradise to got to Magnetic Island for their high school education ending celebrations

Top of the class

 

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