Bats face the boot – AFL Mount Isa investigating footy assaults
The Lake Nash Bats could be kicked out of the AFL Mount Isa competition after officials and fans assaulted umpires on Saturday. The violence escalated after the final siren of the grand final, won by the Tigers in an upset, however the trouble was brewing well before then.
Doomadgee company takes lead
An Aboriginal owned and operated company dedicated to representing the voice of the Doomadgee community has been established after 15 years in the making. Goonawoona Jungai Ltd, which is a community-controlled organisation, will play a role between governments and service providers in Doomadgee.
Bob rewarded with Birdsville win
Bob Burow was the only Mount Isa trainer to send a horse to Birdsville and he was duly rewarded when The Brotherhood scored an easy win on Saturday ... The two-day meeting was more like a circus ... The fields were already tiny before Todd Austin had to scratch his horses, but they continued to dwindle as rain hit the region.
Festival won’t die while I’m still alive, says Rick
Rick Powell has made the drive from Belyando Crossing to Camooweal for the last 20 years and he says he'll keep coming until he's no longer able to. "I just love it," he said from the Camooweal Drovers Festival on Friday afternoon ... While droving has disappeared from the Australian bush lifestyle, Rick said the festival must live on.
Accessibility pilot program targets local organisations
Guide Dogs Queensland have received a warm welcome in Mount Isa as it looks to pilot an accessibility program in the region. The program will allow organisations and community services to reach the one in six people who have a disability ... Accessibility allows everyone equal opportunity and access to the same information, said Client engagement and collection dog officer, Jonathan Hall.
Birdsville club sweating as rain hits the Outback
All roads lead to Birdsville this week - or do they? While the Birdsville Race Club isn't expected to have its annual two-day meeting directly impacted by rain, there are concerns that roads leading there could be cut off to visitors. Unseasonal August rain hit the North West and parts of the Channel country earlier this week and some roads were quick to shut, albeit temporarily.
Funding win for remote councils
Some of Queensland’s smallest councils are rejoicing after a review will see them receive a bigger slice of the pie from the state government. The Queensland Local Government Grants Commission took a closer look at its financial assistance grants (FAGs) program and although it kept its ungainly name, the revenue will be more fairly distributed across the state.
Camooweal Jockey Club left reeling – Future in doubt
Has the last thoroughbred race been run and won at Camooweal? The president of the race club thinks so ... Camooweal had successfully raced for 132 years until last year when it was deemed by Racing Queensland that the track was no longer fit for racing ... Racing Queensland could have a crisis on its hands, with many other bush clubs under threat of losing their annual meetings due to a lack of funding for infrastructure, especially for track upgrades.