Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Jacob Cassady and Kurt Harlow, represented here by Chamber President Mary Brown, took home top individual awards. Photo source: Mary Brown
Two Hinchinbrook tourism operators swept up top honours at the North Queensland Tourism and Events Awards in Townsville on Friday 16th October
Managing Director of Mungalla Aboriginal Tours Jacob Cassady won the Richard Power Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual, while Kurt Harlow of Hidden Valley Cabins and Tours received the Graham Jackson Young Achiever Award.
Hinchinbrook Visitor Information Centre team are also celebrating recognition as finalists in two categories.
Two Hinchinbrook tourism operators have been recognised for their contributions to the region’s tourism industry, taking home top honours at the North Queensland Tourism and Events Awards.
Managing Director of Mungalla Aboriginal Tours Jacob Cassady won the Richard Power Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual, while Kurt Harlow of Hidden Valley Cabins and Tours received the Graham Jackson Young Achiever Award.
Mungalla Aboriginal Tours are operated at Mungalla Station, approximately 12 kilometres east of Ingham, conducting tours and experiences that blend Nywaigi Aboriginal culture with pioneering history.
According to the company’s mission statement, the homestead is a resource owned by Nywaigi Traditional Owners for the purpose of fostering Aboriginal cultural values by building economic and cultural opportunities for future generations through the careful use of Country, inviting visitors to experience ancient lands through ancient hands.
“Indigenous-led tourism is an incredible way to create a genuine connection between visitors and Country,” Mr. Cassady recently told Townsville Enterprise.
"We’ve seen first-hand people don’t just want to see the landscape - they want to understand its history and hear its stories from the people who have cared for it for thousands of years.”
Hidden Valley Cabins & Tours is an eco-retreat venue which has been family owned and operated near the Paluma Range for over 35 years.
The team praised Tour Guide Kurt Harlow on his recent win for the company.
“For those who know Kurt, you know just how much heart, passion, knowledge and dedication he pours into everything he does,” a spokesperson shared.
“Kurt is so much more than a tour guide. His genuine love and respect for the natural world, his passion for conservation, sustainability and education, and his ability to share that knowledge with people from all walks of life is something truly special.
“But behind all of that is also a husband, father, friend and one of the driving forces behind our little family business.”
President of the Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Mary Brown attended the awards, congratulating both winners on their achievements.
“It was a privilege to be present to witness two of Hinchinbrook’s tourism operators announced as winners,” Ms Brown said.
She also acknowledged the Hinchinbrook Visitor Information Centre team, who were finalists in two categories.
“Wonderful to acknowledge the many talented and committed people who support and deliver the diverse tourism experiences into the Hinchinbrook Shire,” Ms Brown said.
The North Queensland Tourism and Events Awards recognise excellence across the region’s tourism industry, celebrating the people, places, organisations and events that go above and beyond to deliver outstanding visitor experiences throughout Townsville North Queensland.
Former Australian representative and Tully Tigers legend Angelo Crema (centre) celebrates the club's centenary with his great-nephews Thomas and Ryan Flegler and Jack and Benn Campagnolo, who have all followed in his rugby league footsteps. Photo Credit: Tully Tigers
A century of rugby league, legendary players and community pride came together as Tully celebrated 100 years of the Tigers in spectacular style.
Around 200 guests gathered for a centenary dinner dance on October 17, reuniting former Foley Shield champions, NRL stars, families and supporters for a memorable night of stories, laughter and tributes.
From historic premiership triumphs to the next generation of footballing talent, the milestone celebration honoured the people and passion behind one of Tully’s proudest sporting traditions.
The Tully Tiger’s proud history came alive at the centenary dinner dance on Saturday 17th October, with around 200 guests gathering to celebrate 100 years of the Tigers.
Former players from the famous 1963 Foley Shield-winning team and the 1964 side joined more recent rugby league stars, families and supporters for an evening of memories, reunions and entertainment. Among the special guests was Queensland Rugby League chairperson Brian Canavan, who travelled to Tully for the occasion.
Centenary event organiser and Club Secretary Nadine O'Farrell said Canavan thoroughly enjoyed the celebrations.
"He came up, and he loved the night as well," she said.
Canavan and NRL player Jake Clifford were among the guest speakers, alongside club president Anthony Emmi.
Emmi said the speeches received a wonderful reception, including a standing ovation, reflecting the significance of the occasion for those attending.
There was plenty of humour too, with Jack Campagnolo entertaining guests as his Italian comedy character Mario, in a performance inspired by the larger-than-life characters of rugby league's television past.
Behind Tully Rugby League's centenary celebrations are people who have also spent countless hours researching, collecting and preserving the stories of generations of footballers.
Among them are Nipper O'Brien, Peter Lucy and rugby league historian Greg Shannon, whose dedication has ensured much of the club's history has not been lost.
Nipper's involvement dates back to the early 1970s. A former player, coach, secretary and club president, he served in numerous roles over three decades. His contribution to local sport was recognised with an Australia Day Sports Administrator award in 2003.
Peter Lucy arrived in Tully in 1979 to work at the Mill, becoming a member of the Tigers' 1985 premiership-winning team. His involvement continued through administration, including serving as president of Tully Junior Rugby League from 2001 to 2006.
In 2008, Nipper and Peter combined their knowledge and passion to compile Rugby League in Tully from 1926 to 2008.
Drawing on newspaper reports, photographs, records and community recollections, they documented more than eight decades of local football, preserving the names and achievements of players, coaches and volunteers.
Greg Shannon, a respected North Queensland rugby league historian, has also contributed his research and knowledge, helping piece together the club's story and identify significant people, photographs and milestones.
Now, a new centenary history book is in preparation, with Greg, Peter and several former players working to bring the story up to date.
Centenary event organiser Nadine O'Farrell said the book was originally intended for release during the anniversary year, but the demands of research and contributors' work commitments had delayed publication.
"It was meant to come out this year, but we just ran out of time," she said.
The book is now expected in early 2027, providing another lasting record of the players, families and supporters who have made the Tigers such an important part of Tully's history.
The Tully Tigers' centenary celebrations continue on Saturday 24th October with a second cemetery tour, sharing the stories of players, families and colourful characters who helped shape rugby league in Tully.
DETAILS: The tour begins at 5.30pm at the new Tully Cemetery. Participants are encouraged to wear their Tigers shirts, bring a torch and make a gold coin donation to the Tully Hospital Foundation.
Running a country rugby league club today is a very different proposition from the days when local teams travelled by train and volunteers marked out the playing fields.
For Tully Tigers president Anthony Emmi, who has led the club since 2013, one of the greatest challenges is meeting the increasing costs of keeping teams on the field.
"These days the challenge is finance. Everything's so expensive," he said.
Emmi, who played for the Tigers from 1994 to 2012, says running a modern sporting club demands significant time, financial management and volunteer commitment – and none of it could be achieved without sponsors.
The centenary celebrations were another reminder of just how much the Tigers appreciate people willing to give their time.
From organising the dinner and researching the club's history to coaching junior teams, fundraising and maintaining facilities, volunteers remain central to the club's future.
Finding the next generation of administrators is another focus for this thriving club.
With many committee members balancing employment, businesses and family responsibilities, the club is always looking for younger volunteers willing to take on leadership roles.
With another successful season under its belt, Tully Tigers is looking forward to more good times ahead, while proud of what every team brings to the club.
In the centenary year, the Tigers' under-13 girls claimed the minor premiership and reached the grand final, while the under-14 boys and senior reserve-grade team also made finals appearances.
The club continues to provide opportunities for young footballers, with growing participation by girls adding another dimension to its future.
For Anthony, the Tigers' greatest asset remains the commitment of the people behind the scenes.
After 100 years, the challenge is ensuring the next generation is ready to carry that tradition forward.
"We'll be right, because we've got good people with the footy club," he said.
While the players and premierships were celebrated at the Centenary dinner, the occasion was also an opportunity to recognise the people behind the scenes who have helped keep the Tigers going for 100 years.
For generations of Tully families, rugby league has been much more than a weekend sport. It has been a lifelong commitment, passed from parents to children and sustained by people whose contributions often go unnoticed.
"If you look at photos from 1926 to now, there's a Pease or a Jones in just about every photo," Club President Anthony Emmi said.
Generations of families have supported the Tigers as players, coaches, administrators and volunteers, with women playing a vital role behind the scenes, from fundraising and running canteens to organising events and supporting teams.
"Just passionate about it. That's the type of people that we've got in Tully," Anthony said.
Their names may not appear in the premiership records, but their contribution has been just as important in keeping the Tigers roaring for 100 years.
Local businesses and sponsors have also been essential to the club's success, providing financial support to keep teams on the field and meet the rising costs of running a country rugby league club.
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