Cooroy Rag Community Newspaper

Saturday Spotlight: Cooper Archibald

Local teenager Cooper Archibald Team Archibald Racing celebrated his 17th birthday in unforgettable fashion, claiming the 2026 Australian Dirt Track Championship and etching his name into Australian motorcycle racing history as the youngest winner of the demanding race.

The championship victory, achieved against a field of up to 50 professional riders, made Cooper the first and youngest competitor to win an Australian title aboard the new Ducati Desmo 450.

The Australian Dirt Track Championship attracts up to 50 riders in the premier Pro 450 class, with only the 12 fastest competitors earning a place in the championship final. Raced on a flat dirt circuit featuring at least one right-hand turn, known in the sport as a dog leg, the event includes four four-lap heat races and a four-lap qualifying race. The championship is ultimately decided in a six-lap final, where the winner is crowned Australian champion.

For the North Arm teenager, the achievement did not immediately sink in. “The feeling of me winning didn’t come straight away,” he said. “It was a busy four hours after I won the title as I had to catch a plane home to go for my driver's licence. It really didn’t fully hit until I got off the plane and jumped in my mate’s car, where I [had to] tell him his music was too slow for the occasion!!”

Having first climbed onto a dirt bike at just three years old, Cooper has spent years building an impressive racing résumé. He is a two-time Australian Flat Track Nationals junior champion and won the Australian 85cc title in 2022. However, stepping into the senior ranks presented new challenges. “The biggest challenge that I faced stepping into the pro 450 class was facing new opponents that I had not raced before,” he said.

His championship success also marked a significant milestone for Ducati. “It’s been an honour to race with the Ducati 450,” Cooper said. “The achievement of winning the first Australian title on the Desmo 450 is a historic moment for both myself and Ducati.”

Away from the track, Cooper recently received a Duke of Edinburgh Award, an achievement he describes as a personal highlight. “[Receiving] this award is a huge self-accomplishment,” he said. “It has bought me so much joy to hold that trophy and have my name carved into it permanently next to some major Motorsport names.

Behind the success is a strong support network. Cooper credits his family and friends for helping him reach the top level of the sport. “My biggest supporters are my mum and dad, [family friend] Rob and brother Jackson,” he said.

Now working full-time as a civil construction apprentice while maintaining a demanding training schedule, Cooper has no plans to slow down. “I have set myself a goal to win the Australian flat track nationals coming up on 23–24 July. It is a seven-round series that crowns an Australian champion, and it is being held at Maryborough. I also have a goal to go race overseas on my Ducati.”

For up-and-coming riders dreaming of following in his tyre tracks, Cooper’s advice is simple. “You are the only one who can make it happen,” he said. “Stay consistent in your training and most importantly believe in yourself. If you can think it, it can happen.”

Sunday Spotlight: Andrew Chapman

After more than 25 years serving the Pomona community, Andrew Chapman is handing over the keys to Andrews A Grade Mechanical and beginning a new rural life with his family in Bundaberg.

Andrew, owner of the long-running local workshop, said the business had always been about more than fixing cars. “Well family and cost of life was the original motive for starting the business, but I just love helping people,” he said. “That’s the number one reason and we are grateful for being a part of the Pomona community. We’ve been blessed here.”

Known for his personal approach with customers, Andrew said many of the relationships built through the workshop lasted decades. “The work is more than a transaction. I have a personal relationship with them all,” he said. “On my invoice… instead of something meaningless it says: ‘Thank you for your business, it’s been a privilege to be of service to you.’”

A true local since primary school, the resident of 50 years is also known for having a huge heart, running youth outreach programs in the Pomona Memorial Hall and volunteering as a prison chaplain. “I’ve always wanted to help those less fortunate,” he said.

The business has now been taken over by local couple Abby and Hayden, with the workshop renamed Pomona Complete Auto . Andrew said the business would be in good hands. “Hayden has been with me here for eight years (and I’ve known him since his school days), so I know he will continue on with the principals and legacy of the company.”

The Chapman family has purchased a 150-acre property near Bundaberg, where several generations of the extended family will live. Despite the move, he plans to continue operating Andrews A Grade Mechanical as a mobile service in the Bundaberg region.

Looking back on his years in Pomona, Andrew said he felt deeply grateful. “I’m humbled to be a part of their lives - that they trusted me and count it a privilege that I was given the opportunity. I want to wish the community all the best in the days ahead.”

Rattler RV park sparks strong community discussion

The long-planned RV park at the historic Mary Valley Rattler precinct continues to spark strong community discussion as Gympie continues adapting to changing tourism patterns following the Bruce Highway bypass.

The proposed RV park, expected to open in 2027, has been described by the Mary Valley Rattler as a key part of its long-term vision to strengthen the heritage railway precinct and attract more visitors to the region.

The project has generated widespread debate online and throughout the community, with many residents viewing it as an important step in encouraging travellers to spend more time in Gympie rather than simply passing through.

Mary Valley Rattler General Manager Sherry Lowe said the RV park had always formed part of a broader strategy for the precinct. “The RV park has always been part of a broader plan to activate the Historic Railway Precinct and strengthen the Mary Valley Rattler as a destination, not just a single experience,” Sherry said. “Over time, the project has evolved alongside planning requirements, tenure considerations, and funding availability.”

The facility will differ from traditional caravan parks because of its location within a working heritage railway precinct. “Visitors will have the opportunity to stay within walking distance of an operational rail experience, heritage buildings, and curated visitor offerings,” she said. “It is not intended to compete with traditional caravan parks, but rather complement the region’s accommodation mix by offering an experience-led stay.”

The project is also viewed as an important revenue stream for the not-for-profit organisation, which maintains extensive heritage infrastructure and tourism operations. “The RV park is an important step in diversifying revenue streams and strengthening the long-term sustainability of the organisation,” Sherry said. “Securing this funding is a significant milestone for the Mary Valley Rattler.”

Gympie Regional Council said it broadly supported initiatives that enhanced tourism infrastructure and diversified accommodation options where they aligned with economic development goals. Council previously approved a planning permit for a 16-bay tourist park at the site in 2019, although any changes to the original design may require updated apGympie Regional Council said it broadly supported initiatives that enhanced tourism infrastructure and diversified accommodation options where they aligned with economic development goals. Council previously approved a planning permit for a 16-bay tourist park at the site in 2019, although any changes to the original design may require updated apGympie Regional Councilprovals.

A council spokesperson said the full impacts of the Bruce Highway bypass were still emerging, particularly with reduced through-traffic into the Gympie township. “However, it is still too early to quantify long-term effects, and there are emerging opportunities to reposition Gympie as a destination rather than a stopover,” the spokesperson said.

Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig said council welcomed proposals aimed at boosting the regional economy. “Council is always welcoming of proposals from community where there’s a goal of building our local economy and creating new opportunities for people to work, visit, live, and invest in our region,” Mayor Glen said. “Our role is to ensure these ideas are appropriate, safe, and aligned to the vision we have for Gympie Region.”

Community members have also weighed in heavily on the proposal. Gympie resident Mal Dodt said the town needed more facilities to encourage RV travellers to stay longer and spend locally. “I think it is a great addition to our town but we need more sites like this so our town can grab that Motorhomer spend,” Mal said.

“There is definitely a need for this project, also with Gympie’s festivals such as the Gympie Show, The Gympie Muster, the Gympie Rally and the much anticipated return of Gympie Gold Rush Festival in October it will be even more sought after.”

The Mary Valley Rattler hopes the project will become part of a broader push to position Gympie as a destination experience built around heritage tourism, events and regional travel.