Stars and Stories: The Black Star Radio Podcast

In this episode, MJ speaks with Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council CEO Chad King about the Barra Bash and what's planned for the big fishing weekend.
Chad talks about the prizes up for grabs, including a $30,000 boat supplied by Bill's Marine, and explains why you'll need to be at Blanco Park on Sunday afternoon if your number is drawn to win it.
He also reveals a change to the barra competition this year, with the winner being the heaviest barramundi caught that is no more than 85 centimetres long.
There are also categories for queenfish, mangrove jack, fingermark, bluebone, bream and salmon, plus separate categories for junior anglers.
Chad says the event is bringing together local anglers, families from Weipa, tourists from across Cape York and visitors from further south for a family-friendly weekend of fishing and community.
Listen to the full conversation.

In this episode, MJ chats with Greg Bowden, General Manager Placemaking at Tablelands Regional Council, about some of the things happening across the Tablelands over the long weekend.
Greg runs through the markets, live music and movies happening across the region, including the night markets at Priors Creek Parklands, live music at Mount Uncle Distillery and the Creekside Cinema.
He also talks about Gem Fest at the Tolga Racecourse and why it's worth taking a closer look at the rocks and gems on display.
And for the mountain bikers, Trail 12 has reopened at the Tablelands Mountain Bike Park after work by the local mountain biking community and trail designers.
Listen to the full conversation.

In this episode, MJ speaks with Dr Sarah Pye, the author of Curious Kai Asks Why, a children's book that follows Kai and her mum as they travel around Queensland, meeting scientists and learning about the natural world.
Sarah shares the story behind the book and how her interest in endangered wildlife began with
a trip to Borneo, where she met a conservationist working to save a species from extinction.
That experience eventually led Sarah to write about endangered wildlife and connect children with the scientists and people working to understand and protect it.
Sarah also talks about the real scientists featured in Curious Kai Asks Why, including experts from Far North Queensland, and her upcoming Tablelands workshops, where children and adults can explore wildlife, science, writing and even build a rainforest in a jar.
Listen to the full conversation.

In this episode, MJ speaks with Dr Graham Lauriston from Tropical Vets Atherton about cassowaries and a very unusual member of his team, a cassowary skeleton named Victor.
Graham explains how Victor came to be, why cassowary skeletons are so interesting, and what makes their anatomy unique, including the many vertebrae that connect the head to the rest of the body.
Victor will also be making an appearance at workshops at Atherton Library and Malanda Library, alongside Dr Sarah Pye and Curious Kai.
Graham talks about what cassowaries eat, where they live, the threats they face around roads and rainforest edges, and why protecting their habitat is so important.
He also shares what to do if you come across a cassowary in the wild, including why you shouldn't turn and run and how to give the bird plenty of space.
Listen to the full conversation.

In this episode, Mark speaks with actor and filmmaker Steve Bastoni at the Outback by the Sea Short Film Festival in Normanton.
Steve talks about his career, including roles in Police Rescue, Underbelly, Wentworth, Neighbours and The Matrix Reloaded, and why he loves bringing film festivals to regional communities.
Now in its third year, the festival gives local young filmmakers the chance to see their work on the big screen, with Normanton State School students producing around six films for this year's event.
Steve also talks about the incredible short films being screened, including films that have received international recognition, and why giving young filmmakers a supportive place to have a go is so important.
Listen to the full conversation now.

The Barra Bash may be over, but Doug Austin has plenty to report after a huge weekend at Lake Tinaroo.
A total of 101 fish were caught, including 49 barramundi, with 30 of those measuring more than a metre. There were also 52 sooty grunter caught, including one measuring an impressive 50 centimetres. That means more sooty grunter were caught than barramundi this year.
Then there were the catfish. 384 were caught, weighing a combined 270 kilos, with one competitor catching 205 catfish and earning the title of Catfish King.
Doug also reveals who took home the $10,000 lucky draw, talks about the family activities that made the event such a success, and looks ahead to the planned release of more than 20,000 barramundi fingerlings in February.
He also explains what's next for the Barra Bash, with the event moving to a biannual format.
Listen to the full conversation.