Townsville Bulletin’s list of the biggest stories from April 2024
A new Mayor sworn in, Tones and I announcing her solo return to Townsville and a tragic hit-and-run were the stories that captivated readers in April this year. Look back on the top stories of April 2024.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
April 4
Townsville’s favourite prep teacher for 2024 crowned
Taking out the title of Townsville’s favourite prep teacher for 2024, Emily Blakss from Southern Cross Catholic College in Annandale said she was ‘very excited’ to learn that she won the reader poll.
“I felt this whole time a little overwhelmed, in a good way,” she said.
“Seeing the lovely things people were writing, and hearing parents talk about it at school - as teachers we don’t expect any of that, we just love our jobs.”
The prep teacher said she had completed her prac at Southern Cross while at university and then was offered a position at the school teaching year one for two years before moving onto prep classes.
Mrs Blakss acknowledged not only her tiny students, but the parents as well as an important part of the process.
“Our parents come into class in the morning, we see a lot of them,” she said.
“Having a good relationship with them is really important, I talk to the parents in our class a lot, they love hearing about their kids’ days.
“It’s all new for them too especially if it’s their first preppy.”
April 7
Tones and I announces return to Townsville following huge reception at P!nk concert
Aussie hit maker Tones and I is announced in April she was returning to Townsville, after delighting fans as the opener for Pink’s recent tour.
Townsville fans went wild, so much so that Tones and I announced on April 16 on that she would be adding a second show in the city as part of her Australian tour. The Aussie singer-songwriter known for hits such as Dance Monkey and Fly Away, posted to Facebook saying “Wow Townsville, you really sold out all the pre-sale tickets you crazy crazy kids.”
Tones and I joined P!nk on her recent tour and was blown away by the reaction from fans at Queensland Country Bank Arena.
“Townsville you are LOUD!,” she said in a Facebook post after the concerts.
“You shine so bright on your own. Last night you brought the energy of 10 stadiums! The locals are so kind and generous.”
April 10
Troy Thompson sworn in as Mayor of Townsville
Mayor-elect Troy Thompson was officially sworn in on April 10 and said that he would like to see the deputy mayor role be contested every year and voted on anonymously within the chamber.
The swearing in ceremony for Townsville’s 47th mayor and his councillors was held on Wednesday morning, while a special meeting to determine the deputy mayor later that day resulted in Paul Jacob being sworn into the role.
Councillors, including Mr Jacob, shut down a push by Townsville’s new mayor Troy Thompson to conduct a secret ballot to determine who the deputy mayor would be.
Mr Thompson said he had asked the chief executive to change how the deputy mayor role was considered, so that new councillors could develop their knowledge and be considered for the role later in the term.
He said in a press conference after his swearing in ceremony that these changes would be up to the councillors to decide.
“I’ve had some councillors come to me and say they’re comfortable to elect somebody but they would have liked an opportunity to put their name forward but aren’t as experienced at council moments at the moment,” Mr Thompson said.
April 10
Troy Thompson allowed back into parliament after ban revoked
Queensland parliament lifted a ban on Troy Thompson to allow the highly controversial figure to complete an induction for his new role as Townsville mayor.
Local Government Association Queensland confirmed on April 9 that new and returning mayors were expected to attend the Mayoral Induction session in Brisbane on Wednesday, April 17.
The requirement was expected to pose a problem for Mr Thompson, who was banned from the parliamentary precinct after a publicity stunt backfired horribly in 2020.
Mr Thompson took a photograph of a brochure for his abortive campaign for the seat of Thuringowa outside the office of incumbent MP Aaron Harper.
At the time, House Speaker Curtis Pitt said the incident was inappropriate and “could at best be considered immature”.
Mr Harper has since spoken out about the incident.
It is understood, however, that the ban that would have prevented Mr Thompson from completing the LGAQ induction will be lifted.
April 10
Petition for Julian Assange statue supported by Mayor
A group lobbying for Townsville to become the home of a Julian Assange statue has garnered the support of the city’s new mayor.
The group has proposed the statue be built on The Strand, overlooking Magnetic Island, with a number of people already signing the petition.
Mayor Troy Thompson said he supported an Assange statue being built but said it would require further consultation and investigation.
“It is my personal belief, that a plaque or statue may be a great talking point and potentially, attract many visitors to Townsville, if done correctly, but that is something for discussion and consultation with the community and then the chamber for discussion and investigation, should the case stack up,” Mr Thompson said.
“I have not announced any project as this is a matter for council to review first and foremost.”
A petition urging the Townsville City Council to install a statue of Julian Assange at The Strand overlooking his childhood home of Magnetic Island has received close to 100 signatures at the time.
April 12
Townsville City Coucil CEO resigns
Townsville City Council chief executive Prins Ralston announced on April 12 that he would resign effective from May 10.
Dr Ralston thanked the council’s team of more than 1800 people for their support and dedication over the past four years.
“It’s been a privilege, leading a team of dedicated, professional and conscientious people, who go above and beyond for the community every day,” Dr Ralston said.
Dr Ralston said he had seen upward growth in extraordinary circumstances and that the city was in a good position to take advantage of such momentum.
Mayor Troy Thompson, who was sworn in only two days before, thanked Dr Ralston for serving Townsville in the past four years with “great professionalism and dedication.”
April 15
Castle Hill Girl Guides clubhouse trashed in vandalism attack
A Townsville mother of two spoke out after the much loved Girl Guides hut in West End was destroyed.
Mother of two, Rachael Armstrong said she received photographs of the Castle Hill Girl Guides hut located on the corner of Percy and Harold Sts West End vandalised, with much of the children’s belongings inside destroyed.
“It’s fully trashed,” Mrs Armstrong said at the time.
“They learn to cook and it gives them good life skills and engages them in a community group that does things for the community which is what we want youth to be doing. “My daughters saw the photos and asked what happened. They’re shocked and upset and they said ‘how could they do this? It’s so evil’.”
A Queensland Police spokesman said two 15-year-old girls from Garbutt and a 15-year-old boy from the West End had been arrested in relation to the incident.
“They were all charged with enter premises with one count each of intent to commit indictable offence, wilful damage, wilful damage by graffiti, and interfere with fire safety apparatuses,” a QPS spokeswoman said.
“The male was also charged with obstruct police.”
The trio were all dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justices Act.
Following the vandalism many groups and organisations offered their help to the club to clean up and remove the graffiti, with Townsville City Council also arranging for rubbish pick-up.
The clubhouse was officially reopened in July with a an event recognising the volunteers and contributors to the makeover held on July 13.
April 17
Outpouring of grief following sudden death of beloved Townsville GP
The grieving wife of a beloved Townsville doctor has spoken out publicly after his tragic sudden death, which has left his family and patients reeling.
Dr Mark Bartsch sadly passed away on Tuesday, April 2, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and dedication that has touched the lives of countless individuals.
The Cranbrook GP was just months away from celebrating 25 years of dedicated service at the Healthlink Family Medical Centre.
Wife and author Taryn Claire said his death had come as a “complete and utter shock” in series of heartfelt messages on her public Facebook page.
“I have lost my friend, my companion, my lover,” she said. “I have lost my anchor. I have lost my person.
There has been an outpouring of grief online, with many of Dr. Bartsch’s patients paying tribute to his memory on the Remembering Mark Facebook page.
Steve Martin, a patient of Dr. Bartsch for over two decades, remembered him as a caring and exceptionally knowledgeable doctor with a unique sense of humour.
“To think that I won’t hear him call my name from the waiting room or see his face again is an anguish too hard to bear right now,” Martin said. “Those of us who knew Mark loved him dearly.”
April 24
19-year-old Vincent man killed in hit-and-run motorbike crash
A young motorbike rider was killed in an alleged hit-and-run crash in Townsville, with police at the time searching for the occupants of the other vehicle involved.
Vincent man Michael Wehrman, 19, sadly died following the crash in Heatley about 4.40pm on April 13.
Police said initial investigations indicate a Holden Commodore and dirt bike, which Mr Wehrman was riding, were travelling in opposite directions along Dalrymple Service Road before they crashed near a school.
The rider of the dirt bike, Mr Wehrman, sustained critical injuries and was rushed to Townsville University Hospital but he was sadly declared deceased a short time later.
Police allege that after the crash, the Holden Commodore fled the scene and was later located abandoned at an address on Marcel Street, Kirwan.
31-year-old Raphael Steven Woodhouse was charged and later faced the Innisfail Magistrates Court in June.
April 29
Troy Thompson referred to Qld council integrity watchdog over military claims
Queensland’s council integrity watchdog was asked to investigate Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson’s military history after questions were raised during official Anzac week duties.
As reported in the Townsville Bulletin on April 27, Mr Thompson has failed to produce any official records of his time in the Army and SAS after claiming throughout his mayoral campaign to have served in multiple units in Western Australia for five years.
Army veterans raised questions after the mayor made a speech at Townsville’s Anzac Day Dawn Service without any medals of his own, including the Australian Defence Medal for 4+ years of service, and telling media he “can’t remember” his service number.
Presenting himself as an army veteran throughout his election campaign, Townsville’s new mayor Troy Thompson’s left side of his chest was bare at Anzac Day’s Dawn Service. Mr Thompson wore his father’s medals on his right side, telling his Facebook followers in a video Wednesday night from Anzac Park that he often visits the wall where his father’s name appears on a plaque.
During his mayoral campaign, Mr Thompson regularly sat in front of a sign that labelled him a “proud father and son, business man, global traveller, soldier, gas fitter, business graduate and cancer survivor”.
Mr Thompson made a post on his campaign page on January 20 titled “My life in the Army” accompanied by a photo of him wearing a camouflage shirt, outlining his time with 109 Signals in Perth, 105 Signals in Fremantle and 152 Signals Swanbourne.
“If you’re also enlisted in the Army, feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below,” he told voters.
In an online interview with the North Queensland Freedom Network on YouTube in February, the aspiring politician said he got his “fighting style” from his mother who served for 20 years, along with his father who served 25.
“I spent five years in the military in Perth, so I was in signals, in … Karakatta, Fremantle and SAS Swanbourne.”
Asked about his time in the army on Anzac Day, the mayor told the Bulletin he was a reservist with the 109th Signals Squadron, before shifting over to the 152 Signal Squadron (SAS) “through a family member” where he spent “a bit of time” and “exited through 105” in Karrakatta.
The Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works confirmed they had referred the matter to Queensland’s council integrity watchdog, which investigates complaints about councillor conduct.
April 29
Why these youth crime victims in Townsville chose forgiveness
A Townsville couple opened up on why they chose to forgive a teenage boy they caught trying to steal their car after a face-to-face meeting that changed their perspectives.
Nat and Zac Bennet made headlines earlier in April for a dramatic citizen’s arrest in Kelso.
The couple had woken up to find two youths allegedly attempting to steal cars in their driveway around 3am on Friday, April 12.
They chased them and managed catch and subdue one boy before the police arrived.
The 15-year-old boy was charged with offences including attempted enter dwelling with intent at night and possess house breaking instrument at night.
Police said he was dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justices Act.
Ms Bennet admitted at the time she had been boiling with anger when it all happened and said it brought up traumatic memories of a separate incident when their car got stolen a few years ago.
She said the last thing she expected was getting a message from the boy the had caught about a fortnight later.
He had reached out to them later wanting to apologise in person for everything and the couple agreed.
They said they believe the boy was “caught up in the wrong crowd” and was working on steps to break out of the cycle of crime.
April 30
The Ville CEO steps down
Having overseen the multimillion-dollar transformation of The Ville and the construction and completion of Townsville’s newest hotel Ardo, chief executive Michael Jones announced at the end of April he had decided to step down after seven years in the top job.
Mr Jones joined the company in 2017, when he moved up from Mackay with his family, and said he was very honoured and grateful to have held the title. Mr Jones previously held the role of general manager of the Mackay’s Harrup Park Country Club.
He said it was an exciting time joining the company as the The Ville hotel underwent a $43 million redevelopment.
“I have worked closely with Chris over those last 7 years and there has been a lot of money invested, firstly at The Ville and then Ardo,” she said.
“We are incredibly proud of the product and we have a significantly larger team than when I first arrived.”
Mr Jones said he would continue on as chief executive until November and then plans to move down south to be closer to his young family.
“My eldest son goes to boarding school in the Gold Coast, and my wife and I have been spending more time down to visit him recently,” he said.
“We thought after seven years maybe it’s time to get down there and support him as he finishes school.”
Originally published as Townsville Bulletin’s list of the biggest stories from April 2024
‘We’re always here, always ready’: Christmas Day on the job
Essential workers across Townsville spent Christmas Day at work, but they still had plenty of festive spirit. Read about their Christmas.
Bagging a bargain this Boxing Day
Thousands of residents have flooded to Townsville Shopping Centre, trying to find a bargain this Boxing Day. See which stores did the best.
Widespread fish-kill blamed on low oxygen levels in water
Low dissolved oxygen levels in water are being blamed for the deaths of large numbers of fish in Hinchinbrook Shire.
‘First wave’: Former MP hits back against Labor executive axings
Former Mundingburra MP Les Walker warns Christmas season government axings including former Mayor Jenny Hill’s is likely to be the first among many.
‘Very central’: Families celebrate childcare centre’s opening
Townsville families needing another childcare option were pleased to see a new 94-place centre open this week in a very central location. Find out where.
Pass the baton: GBRO music maestro hands over the reins
The longstanding manager of the Great Barrier Reef Orchestra (BRO) has passed on her baton after 24 years of running the orchestra.