TOP NEWS

New Art Exhibit Open

The latest art exhibit at TYTO Art Gallery opened on Friday and is open until the end of July. This ‘n’ That by Sue Hollamby brings Sue’s art style to life, she shares a charming collection of heartfelt works that showcase her genuine passion for art and creativity. In the new exhibit expect a lively blend of colour, imagination, and character in this wonderfully eclectic collection. The exhibit’s opening night was an extraordinary success, and attendees said it was wonderful to see art

Read the full story
The Saga Of Cardwell: 1870 - 1890

First Deaths to Johnstone Division Records show that the first death in Cardwell was on 7th March 1864, and the first burial in the cemetery was that of a six-month-old female child later in 1864. The first European baby born in Cardwell was George Cardwell Peters, on October 9th 1864, and in 1866 the Province of Cardwell was proclaimed. The telegraph line reached Cardwell in December 1869 after five men lost their lives from Jungle Fever during its construction from Townsville. Cardwell’s first

Read the full story
Kings Of Country Rock Tour Hits Lucinda Hotel

Fans of legendary American country rock are in for a real treat when the Kings of Country Rock Tour hits the Lucinda Hotel on Saturday, 13th September 2025. This two-hour stage spectacular is much more than a tribute show. It captures all the sounds, energy and excitement of two of the biggest bands of the 1970s — the Eagles and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Featuring a cast of internationally respected musicians, the show promises a high-energy, crowd-pleasing experience that will have audienc

Read the full story
A Special Book Launch In Ingham

From the cane fields of Macknade to bookshelves across Australia, Angelina Mastrippolito’s debut memoir Le Seconde: Inheriting the Unspoken has made an inspiring impact. Her hometown launch, held at TYTO Conference Centre in Ingham, was a moving and memorable event, with more than seventy people gathering to celebrate her success. Friends, family, childhood neighbours and past classmates filled the room to show their support, purchase a signed copy, and hear Angie speak about her journey. The w

Read the full story

Ingham Wildlife Warrior

January 13, 2025

Local 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.

Photos supplied

IN OTHER NEWS

Did You Know? 24 June
Read the full story
Staying Mindful In A Busy World
Read the full story
The Fascinating Mating Strategies of Reef Fish
Read the full story
A Fond Farewell from Ruby & Koa
Read the full story