Over 70 people attended the Forrest Beach Progress Association’s first Hoy of the year on Saturday, 11th of January. Many prizes were given out, but most importantly, it was a great day out, and fun was had by all. Every game of Hoy resulted in a prize, every fifth game winner won a meat tray. There were also two raffles and a cent sale, and the money raised helped the Forrest Beach Progress Association treat the community. Forrest Beach Progress Association President Wayne Squires said the F
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The Bruce Highway is the most important road in our region, it serves as the major north-south freight and commuter corridor, connecting various coastal population centres from Brisbane to Cairns over a total length of 1,673km. For numerous years, the Bruce Highway has been in dire need of repairs and funding. Last week, the government announced that $9 billion will be funded for the Bruce Highway, $7.2 billion from the federal government and $1.8 billion from state funding. The Ingham to
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Queensland’s waterways are home to one of nature’s most formidable predators: the crocodile. Since gaining protection in 1971, crocodile populations have steadily increased, making these prehistoric creatures a vital part of the ecosystem. However, they also pose risks to residents and visitors, especially in areas like Hinchinbrook. Crocodiles are an iconic part of Far North Queensland's identity, but their presence often sparks divisive debates. Sightings along the coast highlight the challen
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On December 23, 2024, Syngenta Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 002 933 717) initiated a voluntary recall for specific batches of GRAMOXONE® 360 PRO Herbicide, sold by agricultural retailers between October 1 and December 20, 2024. The recall was made under Section 106 of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code, as part of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994. Reason for Recall: The recall concerns the 20L containers from batches 389865 and 389866, which were found to have not me
Read the full storyLocal Paul Coppo lives two different lives. In Ingham, he is a cane farmer, and he enjoys the work, but his other life takes him to southern Africa.
In Africa, Paul helps and assists anti-poacher rangers. The rangers he helps are highly skilled, and before Paul assists them with upskilling, they go through a demanding selection course
and intensive training.
Anti-poacher rangers are funded internationally and are special rangers with skills that help
protect endangered species from poachers who wish to harm animals.
Paul trains rangers by teaching them additional skills like Close-Quarter Fighting (CQF),
survival skills, interrogation tactics, and evidence gathering. Paul also noted that 90 per cent
of the Rangers could not swim, so he developed a Water Confidence and Survivability
Course.
“In a morning, I take them from not swimming to being able to duck dive and survive,”
added Paul.
“We don't turn them into Olympic swimmers, but we give them survival skills, and I am very proud of that, because, to my knowledge, I'm the only person in Africa doing that.
“I go in and try to upskill those people to make them more effective at their job. I want to say that the Rangers are always super motivated, incredibly fit, intelligent, very effective at what they do, and they relish the opportunity to learn.”
Paul doesn’t just train rangers; he also does operations, which involves entering the field, and Paul loves it.
“I enjoy working with the Rangers as individuals. I have established relationships with quite
a few of them, whom I call my brothers; we are very close,” said Paul.
“I love being out in their bush, and it is very demanding physically; on a standard day, you
will do two patrols, averaging about 16 to 25 kilometres a day.
“What I like about it is the rangers and management appreciate every bit of assistance.”
His contributions and skills have seen him recognised as a Game Ranger and Tracker Trainer Specialist.
Paul thoroughly enjoys assisting in training in Africa and said he likes using his unique skill
set to help the anti-poaching rangers become more effective at their jobs.
He sees himself as a wildlife conservationist and says, “I believe I am making a difference for people and animals, which effectively helps humanity. The world becomes a poorer place when you lose a species.
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