General Business - September 24 Ordinary Meeting

Published on 25 September 2025

Councillor Dan Ballard

I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge some recent events and achievements that reflect the strength and spirit of the Mount Isa community.

Firstly, it was a proud moment to see legendary local jockey and wonderful family man Keith Ballard recognised nationally with the Spirit of Racing Award for his 55-year contribution to country racing.

Dad’s humility and work ethic has been an inspiration to all those that know and love him over the years, and it was really very special to get to travel with him to Brisbane for the Hall of Fame and to be there when he received that award, much to his surprise.

Earlier this month we had the Man with a Pram event at the Mount Isa Parkrun. That was really well supported. The weather was beautiful.

I think the path is looking great and it’s a credit to all those involved with those repairs and upgrades.

I’d like to thank all the volunteers for Mount Isa Parkrun who turn up every week.

In particular, I’d like to give a shout-out to Shae and Katelin from the Mount Isa City Council who were there to set up a station with some healthy breakfast options for that particular event.

We also celebrated the achievements of our local apprentices at the recent TAFE Queensland 2025 Mount Isa Trade Excellence Awards, where Michael Koza was named both the Engineering Apprentice of the Year and the Outstanding Apprentice of the Year.

Mount Isa has got a proud history of producing outstanding tradespeople, and I think the work that is done at TAFE to increase the options for locals to upskill and broaden their employment opportunities, what they do there is very valuable and it’s appreciated.

I’d like to encourage everybody that’s available to make their way to the Mount Isa Race Club this weekend for the Mount Isa Spring Cup.

It’s one of the great events that they put on each year at the race club. That club’s run by a small group of dedicated volunteers, which include both Councillor Coghlans and a small number of employees.

I believe, if I’m not mistaken, this will be the first weekend Cr James Coghlan will have the opportunity to call the races from the newly established photo-finish and race-caller’s tower.

It’s a terrific piece of infrastructure and it’s a real credit to Jay and all the work that he’s done down there. It’s one of many infrastructure upgrades that they’ve done.

So anyone that’s available and at a loose end, I would strongly encourage them to go down.

Councillor Travis Crowther

I went to the recent Meeting of the Mines over in Cloncurry. There were some good outcomes that I think came from that. There were some interesting talks as well.

I think they’ve done well with what they’re producing there, and I think that shows that Mount Isa could really take up an area there with the expo going forward and working with Commerce North West.

Congratulations again to all those people that became citizens of Australia. I think there were 15 we had there.

They all pledged their allegiance to Australia, which was good to see. When you see the pride they get in getting that certificate and then also getting the flag as well, they really get to enjoy that. So well done to them.

Councillor James Coghlan

I’d like to congratulate Honey Bradshaw Daniels. We often talk about how much talent we have in Mount Isa and that all they need is the opportunity, and in our era the city was one of the best in all sports in our State, with the best facilities and great coaches.

The change in shifts has decimated sports, but the creation of academies and full-time professionalism has also hurt regional areas.

The Education department hasn’t helped, with their sporting zonal configuration, but Mount Isa and North West Queensland students continue to overcome the hurdles placed in our way.

Honey was one of five Mount Isa representatives in the North West 11 to 12 years girls’ rugby league team that played in the State Championship in Townsville last week.

The team also featured players from Richmond, Hughenden, Cloncurry, Julia Creek, Winton and Longreach, as well as two girls from Palm Island and one from Townsville.

This was the first time a team from North West had attended the State Championships in this age group and they were amazing.

The team was the smallest in size, but their courage stood out and they actually won a game, which took a lot quicker than the boys.

But Honey was selected in the Queensland merit side from that carnival, which is just an amazing feat. And remarkably she’s only 11, so she’s eligible next year as well.

While we talk about the new generation, I’d like to pass on my condolences to the family of Glen Brown. Brownie was 16 when he made his debut in A Grade in Mount Isa, which is an indication of his toughness.

He did National Service and during that time was selected for the Queensland team to play New South Wales. He went on to play for Western Suburbs in Sydney before returning to Mount Isa.

In 1969, when Mount Isa won their first Foley Shield, the team that played in that grand final is etched in the history books in Mount Isa and they’ve been feted for the following 56 years.

Brownie was actually the captain of that side until injury caused him to miss the grand final and all the subsequent glory. But his contribution to Mount Isa – and in particular the Brothers Club – will not be forgotten.

Congratulations to the IsaRATS and their recent Outback to the Stack. I know how much organising is required and assistance needed and it was really well done, and it was great to see so many people out there.

I’d like to thank Phil and Tina Sweeney for their contribution to Mount Isa. They arrived in 1992 and have spent the last 34 years working in the high schools in Mount Isa.

While there is a thought that to receive a good education you need to move away, the results of our two high schools quashes this belief. And Phil has been at the forefront of ensuring our children receive the education they deserve.

Phil and Tina raised a family here in Mount Isa and they’re a great example of a couple who came here for an opportunity and stayed because they found a love for the lifestyle and community.

They’re retiring to Vicky Point and a couple of very nice golf courses nearby, but hopefully we’ll see Phil back each year for the Mount Isa Open. I just wanted to wish them well and thank them for their contribution to our city and our children.

Deputy Mayor Kim Coghlan

I’d just like to congratulate Cloncurry as well on the Meeting of the Mines. I thought it was an excellent two days. I didn’t know what to expect, but some of the speakers were really, really good.

The only disappointing part about it was the ministers didn’t actually hang around for the whole two days – they had their talk and then they got their photo opp, and then they left. Susan McDonald was the only senator that was there for the two days.

Because a lot of what all the speakers were talking about is something that they should have taken back to the big house down in Brisbane.

With updates from Glencore, we’ve had a lot of people in the community coming up and asking what’s going on with Glencore, but as Madame Mayor said in the Mayoral Minute, we don’t know. We only know what we know.

We’re not kept in the loop. They don’t keep many people in the loop. But I do know as soon as we find out that we will be letting the people of Mount Isa know what is going on.

Congratulations to all the sporting organisations that had grand finals since our last meeting. Quite a few sporting organisations have wrapped up for the season.

It wasn’t a good season if you were a Buffs player or an Orioles OG’s player, but congratulations to the winners. Also, go the Lions and the Broncos this weekend.

And once again, a huge congratulations to that 11 to 12 years North West rugby league side. I honestly don’t think Honey understands how monumental it is for her to be named in a merit Queensland side. That is a pinnacle that we really have to fight really hard for.

And Cr James Coghlan told me that they came over and made presentations to the team before they left.

The education system’s something that I argue with and fight with all the time, but I would like to take my hat off for them doing that – to make that a special moment for not only for Honey, but for the people that took them away and also the other players. So, a big thank you there.