DEVILS FLYING HIGH IN WINTON

TOWNSVILLE builder Adrian Gabrielli is already a big hit in Winton where his company is building the new $ 22 million Waltzing Matilda Centre. He’s putting back into the Winton community with jobs, contract work and sponsorship. But what the Wintonites will really love is the sight of the flag of their local rugby league team, the Diamantina Devils flying from the boom of the crane that looms large over the construction site in the town’s main street. The Devils are revered in Winton and there is no greater fan than Mayor Butch Lenton. The flag only went up on Friday last week, but they reckon Butch drove up and down Elderslie Street all day, looking at it fluttering in the wind. Go, the mighty Devils. END of an era looming at the Walker Street fun factory with the departure of council’s spin doctor of 19 years, the popular Tony “Chopper” Wode.

Chopper ( pictured) is following in the footsteps of his wife, archaeologist and number one fan, Dr Shelley Greer, who called it a day at James Cook University last year.

An amiable bloke who enjoys a coldie, a punt on the horses and a spot of fishing, Chopper can quickly turn feral when journos ask questions council would prefer were not asked. A champion race caller, he intends to devote more time to horse racing and of course to fishing.

That’s of course after a generous send- off to be attended by his journo mates. It should be a quiet affair. Mayors? He’s had a few. Tony Mooney, Les Tyrell, Jenny Hill. Who was his favourite? He’s not saying, but once the blowtorch is applied after a few sherbets at the send- off it will all come out. He leaves sometime this month.