Stars and Stories: The Black Star Radio Podcast

A New Chapter for the Tablelands: Meet Mayor Kevin Cardew
In this episode, MJ speaks with Tablelands Regional Council Mayor Kevin Cardew about his first council meeting and what he wants to see happen across the region.
Kevin talks about receiving more than 70% of the vote in the recent mayoral election, his six years as a councillor and his approach to making changes while working with the rest of council.
He also discusses some of the major issues and projects ahead, including proposed traffic lights at Drove Street and the highway, a new sewage treatment plant for Atherton and the development of a new town planning scheme to help manage growth across the Tablelands.
Kevin also talks about the importance of volunteers, improving the look of town centres and the community groups helping make the Tablelands such a great place to live.
Listen to the full conversation.

In this episode, Michael speaks with Gerald Quigley, pharmacist and Master Herbalist, about prostate checkups and what can happen when a PSA test comes back elevated.
Gerald talks about the anxiety many men experience when they're told they need further investigation and why some men may switch off when they're confronted with information they're not comfortable with.
He also discusses the Prostate Cancer Foundation's Telly Nursing service, which provides a trained male to talk through the information you've been given and help explain what your options may be.
Gerald explains why having a conversation and understanding what you've been told can be important, rather than putting it off and hoping everything will be fine.
Listen to the full conversation.

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.