IT IS only acceptable for Cloncurry boys to cry on two occasions, federal member for Kennedy Bob Katter told community members at the opening of the Doomadgee Vet Clinic.
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Mr Katter said this was what he had taught his son Robbie.
``The only two times you're allowed to cry, I said, is when your mother dies or when your dog dies.
``I think we north Queenslanders love our dogs - they're an important member of the family.''
He said a veterinary clinic was an important service for the Doomadgee community.
Mr Katter officially opened the vet clinic, which was set up with federal government funding to the tune of $35,000, state government funding of $24,905 and Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council funding of $24,384.
Cr Elaine Cairns, who was speaking on behalf of Mayor Fred O'Keefe, said the veterinary clinic would be a valuable asset for the community.
``The building used to be a mechanical workshop and it stood idle for many years,'' she said.
``Now we have a very usable building for vets to work in and also an area for Leon [the animal care officer] to take care of the day-to-day issues that may arise concerning resident animals.''
Cr Cairns encouraged residents to use the service.
``We look forward to it being a well-used building for the care of animals within the community,'' she said.
She congratulated the community for its efforts in seeing the clinic to completion.
North West Veterinary Clinic vet Ed Butterworth thanked the community for recognising the importance of the clinic.
``This makes delivering a service so much more practical,'' Mr Butterworth said.
Mr Katter said it was a step in the right direction for Doomadgee.
``There's a wonderful song by The Beatles - I got famous 'cause I threw eggs at them and the police dragged me off, but in those days they were laughing too much to get me in the paddy wagon, but the wonderful song - it gets a little better all the time, it's getting better all the time, every time I come up to Doomadgee, it's getting a little better all the time.''
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the clinic would be open to all members of the Doomadgee community.
``The community's animal management team will use the clinic for treating small injuries and for animal care like dog washing and supplying animal care needs such as flea collars,'' Mr Truss said.