Cairns Local News February 23 2024

Local News Cairns

Council cyclone damage bill soars to $113m

Page 3

Sad end of an era

Junior Choral Society shuts doors after 71 years

l PARRAMATTA PARK

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

PILES of music sheets and a cabinet full of glorious trophies are all that remain at the Junior Choral Society hall on Grove St as it prepares to close the doors after 71 years training the young voices of the Far North.

On February 29, the society will officially shut the doors to the iconic hall, that has seen talented young singers come through its ranks for decades, after struggling to reach its member quota in the last two years.

Toni Dunstan, society conductor since 1985 and daughter of its founder Tom Sewell, said it was time to close the organisation’s

chapter in the city’s history.

“COVID was the last nail in the coffin for us,” she said.

“After that our numbers dwindled and we couldn’t get enough members.

“I’ve also been the conductor for 39 years and needed to find a new conductor because it’s time for me to step down, but that wasn’t possible either.

“I really enjoyed spending time with the children – that was the highlight for me, having all of these children join the club and be wary of me and, by the end of the term, we’re best mates. It was amazing.”

Mrs Dunstan said she had been extremely fortunate to witness the glory days of the society.

CONTINUED PAGE 2

Rumours comedy absolutely hilarious

Page 19

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Driven: Mazda’s luxurious family SUV

Junior Choral Society conductor and daughter of the society’s founder Toni Dunstan farewells the organisation after 71 years of service. Picture: Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

l WOREE

CAIRNS Regional Council is joining forces with local rehoming organisations to find the “purrfect” new home for rescue cats and kittens.

The Cat Adoption Day tomorrow involves residents meeting cats and kittens available for adoption from 9am-noon.

The council has held successful adoption days since 2019, with more than 350 cats and dogs rehomed through the initiatives.

Council chief executive officer Mica Martin said the day was one way the council could support local rehoming organisations, which do the heavy lifting when it came to finding new homes for otherwise unwanted pets.

“Cats make great companions and are known for their loving nature – a lot of people would say they make the ‘purrfect’ pet,” she said.

“Unfortunately, many end up lost, abandoned, or surrendered to council.

“Putting down animals is always our last resort, and we work closely with local rehoming organisations to find new loving homes for cats and kittens that come into our care.”

Cat Adoption Day will be held at the animal care and education centre at 55-57 Links Drive, Woree.

RESCUE A DOG PAGE 7

‘Purrfect’ time for kittens

l CAIRNS ESPLANADE

| Nick Dalton

AFTER a $28 million upgrade with more to come, the Holiday Inn on the Cairns Esplanade has been rebranded Cairns Harbourside Hotel.

Taisei Kanko Australia Pty Limited has also revealed that the 173-room property would be a self-managed, independent hotel.

To facilitate the change from global management to local management, one of Cairns’ most established tourism figures, Glen Macdonald, has been appointed general manager.

Mr Macdonald was general manager and then CEO of Fitzroy Island Resort for more than 12 years.

As a long-term resident of Far North Queensland and having served as a board member of the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators, Taisei Kanko said Mr Macdonald was ideal to deliver the future direction for Cairns Harbourside Hotel, which had played a fundamental role in establishing Cairns and Far North Queensland as one of the world’s most renowned tropical resort destinations.

Taisei Kanko is one of the pioneers of Cairns’ tourism growth. It has owned the Harbourside since 1991, expanding the property in 1993 from its original 100 rooms to 173 rooms, all with private balconies of water, mountain or tropical garden views.

The hotel underwent a $28m upgrade to the dining area with the Harbourside Bar and Kitchen offering a farm-to-table dining experience focusing on local produce with an extensive organic wine list. Other facilities include a swimming pool, spa, conference and function facilities, and a CBD shuttle service.

Mr Macdonald said the owners would refresh the rooms, involving new furnishings and an upgrade to bathrooms.

He said that he was thrilled to be appointed general manager of a hotel that had played an important role in the city’s tourism development.

“I was fortunate enough to lead the team at Fitzroy Island Resort as it established a new direction after I joined in 2011, and I am looking forward to being part of the fresh new vision for Cairns Harbourside Hotel,” said Mr Macdonald.

“All the travel trends in recent years have highlighted visitors increasing desires for accommodation that captures the destination’s DNA,” he said.

“With the new brand image and the plans for upgrading the hotel, we look forward to delivering a very authentic tropical Queensland experience, through interior design, the food we offer at our restaurant, and warm and relaxed service.”

New signs will be unveiled as part of the relaunch rollout, and a new website – www.cairnsharboursidehotel.com.au – went live this week.

Local management for renamed and $28m upgraded venue

Junior choral society was safe haven for troubled youth

FROM PAGE 1

“My father Tom Sewell and Jack Daniel founded the club in 1953. Initially it was the Cairns Juvenile Choral Society and Orchestra but after two years of having an orchestra it became only the choral society,” she said.

“I’ve been involved since the beginning. I was eight-yearsold when it was founded, and it was aimed at children ages eight to 18.

“Over the years there’s been quite a number of conductors, we did pantomimes, musicals and Christmas caroling was our

biggest fundraiser event.

“When I was in the choir, we had up to 120 members but generally some of the conductors wouldn’t have more than 50 or sometimes you would get 20. I had 70 at one stage.

“We have lots of trophies that we’ve won over the years.

We used to compete in Cairns, Townsville, Innisfail, Rockhampton, even Brisbane at one stage.”

Mrs Dunstan thanked the community for almost 40 years of music and friendship.

“What makes me the happiest is that this was a safe place

for so many children who came from troubled backgrounds and at times this was their safe haven where they wouldn’t be judged,” she said.

“It’s been an honour and a pleasure to have been there for the children of Cairns who have passed through the choir.”

A new name to Cairns Harbourside Hotel (formerly Holiday Inn) and local management headed by general manager Glen Macdonald (inset). Pictures: Supplied

Daintree rainforest re-opens for visitors

l DAINTREE

THE Daintree rainforest is back in business as far as Thornton Beach for day trippers.

Independent day visitors can see the iconic view from the Alexandra Lookout and visit attractions such as the Daintree Discovery Centre.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive officer Mark Olsen said it was great news that the road would open to Thornton Beach after being closed for more than two months, with only organised tours allowed to take people north of the river in recent weeks.

“Sadly the public still cannot head further north to Cape Tribulation and our thoughts are with the people who live and work there,” he said.

“After such a long wait for greater access to the Daintree National Park, I encourage accommodation providers to suggest their guests travel north and support the operators who will have faced 65 days without customers.

“There are guided

walks, fishing tours, tropical fruit ice creams to taste and crocodile spotting tours open.

“Please check opening days and times as these vary with some operators starting later in the week.

“The Douglas Shire Card allows locals a free trip on the Daintree Ferry until February 28 and I encourage the community to make the most of this access”.

The new road conditions for Alexandra Range to Thornton Beach are:

• The Daintree Ferry is open from 5am to midnight.

• Alexandra Range is open with a single lane from 5am to midnight.

• It is open to vehicles under 12.5 metres in length and less than 25 tonnes.

• Vehicles towing caravans, trailers or campervans must measure less than 12.5 metres or less than 25 tonnes.

• Vehicles will be able to stop at the Alexandra Lookout. When leaving the lookout, vehicles will need to wait to join the end of the queue, and this will be under traffic control.

New council to inherit $34m debt following cyclone damage

Jasper’s big $113m bill

l CAIRNS REGION

| Nick Dalton

THE new Cairns Regional Council faces a debt of at least $34 million after costs associated with the recovery and rebuild process following Cyclone Jasper topped at least $113 million.

At Wednesday’s second last monthly meeting before the March 16 elections, councillors were told by Mayor Terry James that at the end of January the bill was $113 million.

He said the council would be able to claim $79m from state and federal governments and in surances, leaving a shortfall of $34m.

Cr James said the new council

would have to work out how to recover the millions of dollars and that would involve councillors lobbying the higher levels of government for more funding.

Deputy mayor Cr Brett Moller, who returns unopposed to division 1, said new councillors would have to practice “fiscal literacy” to tackle “the big challenge ahead”.

Chief executive officer Mica Martin, in her report, said the full impact of the ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper flooding event on council’s fi nances was still being worked through.

She said costs to date were about $8.5m with a total bill to exceed $100m.

“While funding programs such as the joint commonwealth

and state government’s disaster recovery funding arrangements, particularly the Reconstruction of Public Assets portion, are expected to cover significant elements of these costs, council officers estimate that around a third of council’s total costs will not be covered by any of the current funding programs,” Ms Martin said.

“We continue to work closely and collaboratively with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority to advocate for funding to cover the expected shortfall,” she said.

Ms Martin said an independent economic assessment of the impacts of the disaster had started and would assist in medium to long term economic re-

covery and resilience planning.

“The ex-TC Jasper/flooding recovery plan draft, due for council endorsement in April, will outline the range of activity undertaken by council and relevant agencies with a focus on community sustainability and resilience,” she said.

Ms Martin said earlier this month a joint letter from her and the mayor was sent to the Inspector-General of Emergency Management (IGEM) Alistair Dawson, requesting that an IGEM review of the cyclone and subsequent flooding event take place, “that it be done so expeditiously, and urging that public input be allowed into the review”.

“We further reiterated our

commitment to fully engaging in such an exercise,” she said.

Ms Martin said hard waste collection was completed on January 19 with case-by-case assessments in flood-affected areas throughout early February.

“Priority works include Barron Gorge Rd, Casuarina St reconstruction options, Savannah St (Palm Cove) drainage reconstruction and numerous culvert and drainage structure projects.

“A recent addition to the priority works list is the principal cycleway network bridge crossing the Barron River at Caravonica and the installation of a temporary pedestrian bridge at Fisheries Bridge, Goldsborough.”

The Daintree Discovery Centre is welcoming visitors after the road to Thornton Beach re-opened following the ex-Cyclone Jasper flooding disaster. Picture: Tourism Tropical North Queensland

‘Brave’ start for new boss

Dale heads up tropical research centre

l FAR NORTH

| Nick Dalton

BRAVE solutions are needed to tackle major environmental challenges, says newlyappointed Reef and Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC) chairman Professor Allan Dale.

Prof. Dale was unanimously voted in as the new chairman at a recent RRRC annual meeting, replacing Dr Andrew Ash who served on the board for 10 years, the last four years as chairman.

Prof. Dale will oversee a diverse body of work across Australia carried out by teams of scientists as they work to solve the biggest environmental issues facing the nation across air, sea and land.

“I am enormously proud to represent an organisation that is working out in the field,” he said. “

“It is, not only carrying out critical research to save our environment each and every day, but it is taking that research and implementing lasting change through the results discovered so that we can be part of the solution.

“I have had a long associa-

tion with the RRRC and I have always admired the large-scale social impact of its work.

“We are at a time in history when brave solutions need to be explored. I couldn’t be prouder to be part of an organisation that is courageous in its thinking and willing to be part of sweeping environmental solutions that also benefit our communities.

“It gives me great hope that collectively we can solve the environmental problems we face by bringing the best minds in the field to the table.

“I look forward to embracing sustainable regional development for our communities that support our way of life for future generations to come,”

RCCC managing director Sheriden Morris said Prof. Dale had many decades of experience and knowledge in the science and tropical regional development space.

“Given his intimate knowledge of tropical environments and communities and the many challenges they face, our scientists and operations team are delighted to have such a depth of knowledge at the helm as we strive to solve those major environmental challenges as a nation,” she said.

Dr Dale is a professor of tropical regional development at The Cairns Institute, James Cook University and chief scientist for the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA).

He is deputy chairman of the Premier’s Queensland Plan Ambassador Council. He was previously the chairman of Regional Development Australia Far North Queensland and Torres Strait (RDA FNQ&TS) and the ex-CEO of Terrain NRM.

Play trivia for cancer charity

l PARRAMATTA PARK

| Isaac Colman

NEXT Friday is sure to get brain and hearts working, as Cairns’ leading cancer support charity COUCH hosts a trivia games fundraiser in collaboration with community leaders.

From 6pm, Cairns Brass Hall is set for a night of fun and philanthropy, as the community comes together to support those in need.

Chosen to represent COUCH on the Adventure All-Star television show, Catherine Pacey from Hook

and Sail Catering, and Kate Fern from Powerhouse Property, are aiming to raise a combined total of $20,000 for the charity, hosting the night as a way to start this inspiring initiative.

Division 7 candidate Anna Middleton and division 4 contender Cate Mahoney are also attending the night.

Ms Pacey and Ms Fern both said that they were excited to kick off the initiative with the support of local community leaders.

“Together with Anna Middleton, Cate Mahoney, and the entire community, we are excited to kick off our

fundraising campaign with The Trivia Games,” they said.

“This event, not only promises to be an enjoyable evening, but also a meaningful opportunity for us to come together and support families facing the challenges of cancer.”

Founded in 2006, Cairns Organisation United for Cancer Health (COUCH) has been supporting families, friend and other loved ones who are currently in the battle with cancer. Through generous donations and fundraising efforts, the charity operates the COUCH Cancer Wellness Centre at Manoora.

Adventure All-Star television show contestants Kate Fern and Catherine Pacey are aiming to raise a combined total of $20,000 for COUCH, starting with a trivia night next Friday. Picture: Kate Fern

New Reef and Rainforest Centre chairman Professor Allan Dale.

Unique homes completed

l MOOROOBOOL

THE first specialist disability accommodation (SDA) apartments in Cairns have opened at Mooroorbool.

They were built by MiHaven and will be managed by MiHaven Care.

MiHaven Care general manager Laurie Armstrong said the new SDA property at Swallow St could house 12 people.

“189 Swallow St has one and two-bedroom apartments and 191 Swallow St has one-bedroom apartments,” he said.

“This accommodation provides a concierge-supported model of care.”

Mr Armstrong said the project was Cairns’ first SDA apartment complex with two dwellings housing one and two-bedroom apartments.

“This unique property also provides tenants requiring high physical support (HPS), improved liveability (IL) or fully accessible (FA) accommodation with a concierge-supported model of care,” he said.

“Concierge support involves the provision of 24-hour on-site shared support by a single supported independent living (SIL) provider, who resides in a separate apartment.

“To date, MiHaven Care has successfully accommodated over 47 individuals in 32 MiHaven residences across the Far North.”

Residents move into $6m specialist disability accommodation

Access to all areas

l SMITHFIELD

| Nick Dalton

GROUND-breaking $6 million specialist disability accommodation (SDA) at Smithfield is likely to be the start of more in the Far North.

It comes as MiHaven Care also finishes a first for Cairns – one and twobedroom SDA apartments at Mooroobool. (See sidebar)

Four homes have been built at Canopy’s Edge by Allaro Homes for Apollo SDA and Home in Place. They will be operated by leading disability charity Aruma.

The homes – two one-bedroom villas, one two-bedroom home and one three-bedroom home – are classified as specialist disability accommodation (SDA), catering for those who have high support needs.

Four people have already secured places, with three vacancies still available.

Apollo SDA executive director Justin Goddard said the project was three years in the making with construction taking 14 months.

He said the homes were funded by MySAS (My Specialised Accommodation Solutions), an investment fund started by Macquarie Asset Management.

Mr Goddard said they were designed

involving the users, especially those in wheelchairs, with wider door openings (modified to become automated if required), high-end finishes, good access to the pantry, bathrooms, showers and bedrooms.

Mr Goddard said it was hoped that more of the specialist homes would be built by Apollo in the Far North.

Aruma general manager Sandra Pointon said the charity was pleased to be able to respond to demand by offering homes that gave people with a disability much-needed stability and security.”

Ms Pointon said residents were funded through their NDIS packages to be able to live in the homes. They didn’t rent or buy them.

She said they were the first of its kind in Cairns and Aruma would “love to build more”.

Michael Beldon will be one of the first residents to move in, and after three months of searching for the perfect place, he said he was looking forward to the freedom his new home would bring.

“I am extremely excited … it’s like Christmas. I’m feeling very excited to move and get out of the place I’m in now,” he said. Mr Beldon said the new home had smooth levels, easy access to the bathroom, wider doors and no sharp corners, and was close to the Smithfield shopping centre.

Michael Beldon beside the hydrotherapy pool at his new Canopy’s Edge specialist disability accommodation house with Aruma general manager Sandra Pointon.

Picture: Nick Dalton

Children’s book highlights unique fish and wonders of the sea

Rare hairy Reef tale

l FAR NORTH

| Nick Dalton

A RARE fish with an unkempt red mane that made headlines around the world when it was photographed on the Great Barrier Reef has been brought to life in a children’s book launched in Cairns this week.

Underwater macro photographer John Magee has created Hairy Harry, an eco-minded redhead character based on the hairy ghost pipefish, for a children’s book called Hairy Harry’s Very Hairy Day which he hopes will inspire a love of conservation.

Mr Magee said Passions of Paradise had the best moorings where he could indulge his curiosity for the many macro creatures on the Great Barrier Reef.

“I dived under the Passions catamaran one day at Hastings Reef and found some red algae on the seabed. Then I noticed an eye looking at me and it was a hairy ghost pipefish.

“In 30 years of diving I have not seen another and I’ve only heard of one other person who has seen a hairy ghost pipefish on the Great Barrier Reef.”

Mr Magee went back later and took 200 photographs of the pipefish and posted the best on Facebook.

“Two days later I checked the post and it had 34,000 likes. I started get-

ting calls from newspapers, scuba diving magazines and even National Geographic. “My photograph has featured in The Australian, National Geographic, the BBC and Australian Geographic. It was a finalist in the Australian Geographic Wildlife Photographer of the Year and has been used for studies around the world.

“I had the idea for a children’s book that would encourage the next generation to conserve the Great Barrier Reef. Hairy Harry is a vain, but shy character who needs to go to the hair salon before he can talk to leaders from around the world about the delicate environment that he lives in and issue a plea for people to protect his home.”

Mr Magee, who left Northern Ireland 35 years ago for Australia, chose Nightingale Books in the UK to develop illustrations from his famous photograph and publish his story book. It can be ordered from Amazon, Pegasus, and Booktopia.

Passions of Paradise chief executive Scotty Garden said Mr Magee’s macro photographs were on display on the Passions catamaran and created a talking point for passengers.

“John has been a great supporter of Passions for many years and I’ve dived with him many times, but I have never seen Hairy Harry in person,” he said.

Show support for Lions

l CAIRNS REGION

LIONS clubs are promoting what they do at Lions Awareness Day on Saturday, March 2.

Cairns Trinity Bay Lions Club president Mary Hooper said their activities would be highlighted at Bunnings in Cairns and Smithfield.

“Lions are ordinary people, just like you, just like me. They are people who care for their fellow man with a passion. They are here, they are there, they are around everywhere,” she said.

“They are here to help you when you need help.

“Name a disaster – Lions are there doing their bit. Droughts, fires, floods, cyclones, famine, disease, illness, Lions are there with the aid that is needed.

“Lions in Australia have the drive and passion to take on board such causes as caring for sight, for diabetes, for childhood cancer, for humanitarian needs, for the environment.”

Mrs Hooper said Lions would tell the community about the huge effort they poured into flood relief in the Cairns region.

“We might even mention the six-figure amount made available for the purpose of easing the horrors of the recent flooding,” she said.

“Most of all, they will tell you of the fellowship and inclusiveness of being a part of the world’s greatest service organisation.”

The famous photograph of the rare hairy ghost pipefish. Insets: Author, diver and photographer John Magee (top right) and the cover of his new children’s book (bottom left). Pictures: John Magee

Give these dogs a new home

l CAIRNS REGION

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

WITH shelters and rescues filled to the brim, Cairns Animal Rescue and Petbarn Cairns are urging the community to join the Rescue Month campaign and give a pup its happy forever home this weekend.

Dozens of fully vaccinated, desexed and completely adorable dogs will be up for adoption this weekend, February 24-25, and the following weekend, March 2-3, from 10.30am as Cairns Animal Rescue and Petbarn Cairns

bring back their annual drive to help the increasing numbers of surrenders.

Animal rescuer Kylie Warns said the increasing cost of living and the housing crisis were causing more surrenders than ever in the region.

“We founded Cairns Animal Recue five years ago and in those five years this is the worst it’s ever been. We currently have over 60 dogs in care,” she said.

“We are full to the brim, we have a line up of dogs sitting in the pound waiting for a foster home. We’re overflowing, the pounds are fuller than they’ve ever been, the surrenders are bigger than we’ve ever had.

“It’s all triggered by the housing crisis, the interest rates, people losing their homes in the cyclone, people having to surrender their dogs because their landlord has move back in. It’s tough.”

During the first adoption weekend, six dogs were put into adoption and the shelter hopes to keep up these figures in the coming weekends.

“We partnered with PetBarn and SavourLife last year and it was highly successful, so we’re doing it again this year, and every three months we do more adoption days with PetBarn,”

Ms Warns said.

Visit https://www.petbarn.com. au/dog-rescue

Top-level flood discussions

Northern beaches collective seeks community cabinet ministerial meetings

l NORTHERN BEACHES

| Nick Dalton

A COMMUNITY collective known as “Beaches Residents” is seeking high-level meetings with state government ministers when they meet in Cairns on February 28 as part of community cabinet.

In their meetings, the group wants the Barron River delta investigation report of the early 1980s dusted off and updated.

In the meantime the organisation is calling for a moratorium on any development on the delta until the report is updated.

The group has requested meetings with Premier Steven Miles, as well as 11 other senior ministers.

“We have requested meetings with each of the relevant ministers and the premier for the community cabinet on February 28,” the group said in a statement.

“We have made a copy of the

Barron River delta investigation from 1981 as we would like this updated,” they said.

“We have some concerns that the recommendations contained within it may not have been followed as closely as we would like, resulting in an increase in flood inundation.”

In their submissions to the various ministers, Beaches Residents want temporary accommodation, safe shelters and better backup accommodation discussed.

They also want to know the effect of development on flooding, hard surfaces reducing drainage into soil and appropriate waterway and sand management on the Barron River delta.

The collective wants testing of soil regarding black water, possibly from a landfill sand mine, a more thought-out approach to changing climate, new communication technology between the Bureau of Meteorology and the SMS warning system, an easing

of training for SES volunteers, and an SES boat permanently at Machans and Holloways beaches.

The Holloways Beach Community Association is also preparing a joint submission to cabinet, which was unanimously endorsed at a meeting of residents two weeks ago.

In the meantime, former Mulgrave Shire councilllor Ross Parisi, who has extensive knowledge of the Barron River delta, has

also called for a stop to development on the flood plain.

“I wrote about this plus more in 2009 ... the solution to the flooding at Holloways Beach and Yorkeys Knob has been documented and awaits implementation,” he said in a Facebook post. He said he wanted the council and the government to update the ‘Barron River Delta Investigation’ 1981, taking into consideration the sand mines at Holloways Beach.

Rescuers Kylie Warns with dogs Elsa and puppies Silas and Valaria and Michelle Barker with Star. Picture: Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

Independent mayoral candidate talks about floods, youth crime, fluoride

Kelly stakes claim to top job

l CAIRNS REGION

| Nick Dalton

LAST minute independent Cairns mayoral candidate John Kelly has outlined his Common Sense Party policies.

“I don’t tell lies, I don’t have great political aspirations, but I do think I can solve the flooding issues and crime problems in Cairns,” he said.

“I would work with the federal government or state government to get funding support for the structural changes required to achieve these urgently required goals.

“I would also step up and fight for the idea to build a jail in Cairns. I would like a jail to be 160km from the city.

“If, I, John Kelly (right) get elected as mayor, we will be buying our own machinery and

going to the federal government to build a big home for the homeless, and that would take about 75 per cent of the crime from Cairns.

“Plus, if the little fellas break into a shop, they will be working for nothing, and the dole money will go to the damage of the shop

owners, plus we will start a traineeship for the kids so once they done their time in jail, they will have something to look forward to operating machinery in the council.

“I also believe that fluoride should be put back in the water … in order to help save people’s teeth, especially those

of young children. I am a team player, and willing to work with all and any of the other elected councillors going forward to make Cairns stronger and bring more funding for change into the area.

“I went out to Machans Beach after the first cyclone we had, there were about 300 people who would have lost around $100,000 per family.

“It is very simple to fix the

problem with the flooding. All you have to do is block off the rivers, put four big pipes in 3x3m and put flaps on them, and then go back up the river a quarter of a mile and do the same and again and again.”

Mr Kelly said the banks of the river, as well as creeks, should be 2m higher to prevent flooding. Vote in our mayoral poll on Cairns Local News’ Facebook page

Buyback campaign shines

l CAIRNS REGION

NEARLY 150 people have gathered at a community rally to back a campaign to buy back Taylor Point at Trinity Beach. Rally organiser Community First leader and mayoral candidate, Denis Walls said the rally at Connemara Park last Saturday morning was “a huge success”.

“Division 9 Community First candidate Carine Visschers and local Taylor Point Action Group (TPAG) representative Annabel Brittain did a fantastic job of organising the event to the extent that, at its peak, nearly 150 people were counted,”

he said. “This is a fantastic turnout for a community rally held in the middle of our wet season.

“First People’s traditional owner Gavin Singleton spoke powerfully about the significance of Taylor Point to his ancestors and present day Yirrganydji.

“He outlined the history of Taylor Point, reinforced later by TPAG spokesperson Jasse Walton and why it needs to be protected.

“I explained the survey carried out a few years ago that detailed, despite the accepted need for remediation, the extent of the biodiversity that exists on the 18.2ha property.

“The community, both locally and more broadly, has spoken.

“We, at Community First, are pushing for a state buyback into public hands supported by council in its capacity to develop some of the infrastructure similar to what they have done at Earl Hill which has turned out to be a wonderful community asset after the state buyback some years ago.

“A rehabilitated Taylor Point would be the final piece of the headland jigsaw in the northern beaches enhancing coastal walking and leisure opportunities." Mr Walls said it would cost up to $8m to buy back the land.

Members of Community First with residents at last Saturday’s rally to push the state government to buy back Taylor Point at Trinity Beach. Picture: Community First

Free green waste disposal plan

l PORTSMITH

YEAR-round free green waste disposal will be offered to Cairns ratepayers if Team Eden is elected next month.

Team leader Amy Eden said the cost of waste disposal in Queensland was set to dramatically increase under the Queensland Government’s waste levy legislation.

“To minimise the increasing cost to ratepayers, an Edenled council will introduce a number of measures to keep waste out of landfill that does not need to go there,” she said.

“The first of these measures will be the introduction of free green waste disposal for all Cairns residents year-round.

“We live in one of the wettest parts of Australia. Given the risk that overgrown vegetation poses to drainage systems and during cyclone season, it makes sense to have free green waste disposal all year round.

“The current format of scheduled free green waste periods puts residents on the back foot, as they race against time to attack backyard jungles as the wet season hastily approaches. And then

there’s the line-up at the transfer station.

“Year-round access to free green waste disposal would make it easier to maintain yards with smaller, less onerous clean-ups throughout the year, and would eliminate the city-wide mad rush that frustrates residents and puts enormous pressure on our transfer stations and the staff who work there.”

Improving recycling outcomes is another initiative by Team Eden.

It wants recycling bins to be added to more multi-unit complexes.

Unity’s heart

Council lobby team should be extended

l CAIRNS REGION

| Nick Dalton

THE Cairns Unity Team wants to expand the advocacy team within the regional council to push for big ticket items.

If elected, Unity will also establish a “One Cairns” network involving all elected politicians, state and federal, as well as representatives from key groups such as Advance Cairns and the city’s chamber of commerce.

Team leader and Mayor Terry James said the additional advocacy team members would not be duplicating the lobbying roles of Advance Cairns, which covered the entire Far North and rallied for projects outside of the council’s realm, such as the navy base expansion and the marine precinct.

He said the council advocacy team was focused solely on the Cairns region, seeking funding for items such as a new pool at Edmonton, extra sporting fields, the $500m Cairns Water Security Stage 1 project and the upgrade of Barlow Park.

“Unity has a long track record

of delivering the projects that the council needs, irrespective of whether the LNP or Labor are in power in Brisbane or Canberra,” Cr James said.

“It has never mattered who the Member for Leichhardt is. It has never mattered who the members for Mulgrave, Cairns or Barron River are. Unity Councils deliver for the future of Cairns.

“This Unity-led council has delivered for the people of Cairns through six prime ministers and

three Queensland premiers.”

Cr James said the expansion of the advocacy team would be tasked with, “not just developing proposals for projects the council wants to deliver, but also for projects that are needed for our city – irrespective of whether another level of government will provide it, the non-government organisation (NGO) sector will deliver it or whether or not it is a partnership with the private sector”.

“We believe that Cairns Regional Council should be the leaders of advocacy outcomes for our city, and we should no longer be left to the whims of party politics or the desires of others to drive projects in our city,” he said. “We can’t just rely on George Street or Canberra to spontaneously decide to give us funding for projects.”

Cr Kristy Vallely (division 6) said she “came into council to get results for my residents. “This policy will ensure that we have all the systems in place to ensure that when council can deliver alone, it continues to do so, and when we need partners to deliver, that can occur as well,” she said.

Team Eden candidates (from left) Trevor Tim, Amy Eden, Jo Piggott, Kesa Strieby and Ian Moller-Nielsen outside the council’s recycling centre at Portsmith.

Unity team members at Munro Martin Parklands.

Groups share in arts grants

l CASSOWARY COAST

CASSOWARY Coast’s RSL clubs and community organisations will share in almost $40,000 in support of commemoration and arts.

As part of the Queensland Government and Cassowary Coast Regional Council Regional Arts Development Fund, six arts initiatives from the region will share a total of $22,940 in grants, with five events part of the ANZAC Day and Battle for the Coral Sea Commemoration’s round 1 also sharing a total of $16,000 in grants.

Receiving a grant of $4875 for artwork sharing traditional Girramay stories, Murray Upper State School Teacher and P&C representative Rebecca McLean said that they were extremely fortunate to receive this grant.

“We are so lucky to work with and learn from the First Nations people of this land, Ms Mclean said.

“The Girramay people have always been so willing to share their culture with our students.”

“We look forward to this opportunity to see their stories represented in (their) amazing artwork.”

New dog exercise zones But owners warned that pets off-leash must be controlled

| Isaac Colman

SHAPING the region into a lifestyle destination of choice for furry friends, Cassowary Coast Regional Council has endorsed three additional dog-off-leash areas in Innisfail, Wongaling Beach and Tully Heads.

Following the success of five existing locations, the additional three will also allow dogs to be ‘off-leash’ in specified areas, under full control of their owners.

The new ‘off-leash’ locations are in Innisfail’s Wrights Park on Sherwood Street, Wongaling Beach’s Banfield Parade and Dickinson Street, with the final location being in Tully Heads, baetween the Carron Esplanade and Penning Park.

These new areas join the region’s existing ‘off-leash’ locations in Kurrimine Beach’s Boustead Park, Mission Beach’s Esplanade, South Mission Beach’s foreshore, Tully’s Widsoet Park, and Cardwell’s Coral Sea

Park. A council spokesman said as dogs being off-leash could pose a possible risk, it was the owner’s responsibility to manage their dog and make sure that it was not a nuisance to other beach or park enjoyers, nearby residents or fellow dog owners.

He said that the new locations were a great addition to the region, and an overall valuable asset to the community.

“The opening of the new areas provides our region’s dogs an opportunity to run around in a large, open space,” he said.

“As well as being beneficial for the pets, the owners are also exercising, and receiving health and wellbeing benefits that fruit from this.”

The spokesman said the community also had responsibility for these areas, with the conditions being that owners must be able to manage their pets. “Although the new and existing dog-offleash areas come with such extraordinary benefits, these benefits, like everything, come with a risk,” he said.

Cassowary Coast Regional Council has seen great benefits received from the five existing dog off-leash locations, one of these being Wrights Park in Innisfail, where local dog owner Riley Haack enjoys the area with her dog Betty. Picture: Cassowary Coast Regional Council.

THIS WEEK’S QUESTION

What issues should be raised with the Premier and cabinet ministers when they meet in Cairns on February 28?

@cairnslocalnews

more people to Palm Cove until you sort out the car parking situation. I never go there now as it takes too long to find a car park. The same is happening in the city. I went there last weekend for the Lantern Festival and drove around for an hour trying to find a car park. We missed the event. Unless the council pulls their finger out and creates more parking then I won’t be frequenting either places and I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one that feels this way.

- Julie Morris, Facebook

Couldn’t get parking. Drove somewhere else instead.

- Andrea Koenig, Facebook

John Felan’s vision is to create access through to shops etc via Amphora St. A car park would be built in Cedar Rd and people bused to the promenade.

-John Nicholas, Facebook

Cairns’ Esplanade dining precinct was $28 million. Williams Esplanade over double that length. Hope he’s paying for it. I could see a one-way street perhaps working. But if you did that people would want rest of road for parking.

- Dan Hammersley, Facebook

This is the way.

- Les Lane, Facebook

Nice idea, but with already limited parking and loading zones, how will people access the area?

- Slammin Ng, Facebook

How sad.

- Valerie Mandall, Facebook

Should make the road bikes only.

- Sam Sam, Facebook

More concrete.

- Vick Kandiah, Facebook

Hair today … gone tomorrow

l MOSSMAN

HAIR with Heart is the national fundraising and hair donation program run by the Variety Club, the Children’s Charity. The origins of Hair with Heart began back in 2007, when former rugby league player Matthew Adamson’s daughter Charlotte was diagnosed with alopecia, which is an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss.

Matthew and his wife Rebecca established the Princess Charlotte Alopecia Foundation soon after to promote awareness of alopecia in the community and raise funds to supply quality, human hair wigs to people with alopecia. In 2013, the foundation became part of the Variety family, becoming the Princess Charlotte Alopecia Program. Building on the amazing work of Matthew, Rebecca and their volunteers, it has continued to grow, grant-

ing wigs to children with alopecia and accepting hair donations to make into wigs for kids and adults with hair loss due to the medical condition. In 2016, the project grew into the Hair with Heart program.

When Douglas Shire local Tanya Morris decided to cut her own hair off for Hair with Heart, her main ambition, like others, was to provide enough hair to make a wig for a child in need who no longer had hair. Tanya researched different places to get a wig made and this is when she found the Variety Club.

There are, in fact, a number of ways to help either by actually donating your hair, getting your locks cut off as a fundraiser, or simply just fundraising in any way to assist a child in need.

Tanya discovered that she would be able to give them 35cm of hair, which would be used to make a

wig for a child and that’s where her journey started.

She initially fundraised for about a month and ended up getting about $650 which is enough for a child to have what they needed to start school for the new year. Although this was fantastic, it wasn’t enough to make a wig at this stage.

Moving forward, Tanya had planned to get a cut by LJ Kidd in Mossman, but unfortunately on the actual day of the big chop, Mossman was flooded and LJ’s shop, like many businesses, got washed out and therefore shut for a month.

On a positive, by this stage, Tanya had raised about $750 and had also planned a trip to see her children in New South Wales. While there, she was encouraged by her daughter to finally get snipped which was streamed live, thus encouraging more people to make donations.

The end tally was $1619 which was way more

than ever expected and was well on the way to allow Tanya, not only to donate her hair, but get a wig fully made.

Tanya, who’s normal day job is as a project officer looking after volunteers, would encourage anybody to contact the Variety Club to do the cut and apparently, they can even use coloured hair. She would also love to see a Douglas Shire contingency in the annual Variety Club Bash for 2027. Anyone interested can contact her at the Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre.

I’m off for a short back and sides and maybe a blue rinse, so for now it’s Gazza signing out.

Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au

Tanya Morris with colleagues at the Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre.

Tanya’s locks before the chop.

Top lunches for littlies Making healthy choices for kids

l GOOD FOOD

NEW research shows that veggies and protein are the top food items ditched by parents when packing their child’s lunchbox, despite it being the best source of sustained energy.

That’s why Life Ed and Woolworths are partnering to launch their annual search for Australia’s Healthier Lunchboxes, to encourage healthier choices.

A national survey commissioned by Life Ed and Woolworths found that 78 per cent of parents believe that giving their kids enough energy for the school day is the most important factor when packing a lunchbox.

One of last year’s winners of Australia’s Healthier Lunchboxes, Katie O’Hare of Edmonton, addresses this at home with her three children Órla, 5, Niamh, 4,

and Saoirse, 2, and at work, where she runs a health and fitness program for local children, by adding excitement to what can seem like monotonous activities.

“When my children saw me enthusiastic about the foods going into their lunchboxes, it seemed to get them interested and involved,” she said.

“Since last year’s competition, we’ve been trying to eat a wide range of foods in each meal, with lots of different colours on our plates. It’s opened up so many positive discussions too.

“Like most parents, I want to give my children the best possible start to life. I believe that enabling them to grow up with a healthy understanding of nutrition is a big part of that.

“I also feel it is important that our children’s bodies and brains are adequately

fuelled for the day’s activities.”

Australia’s Healthier Lunchboxes is about shining a light on practical and affordable ideas and inspiration to show parents and children what’s possible when they know the facts about food.

“We need to work together as a community – inside and beyond the classroom –to give Aussie kids the fuel and tools they need to make healthy choices into the future,” said Russell D’Costa, CEO of Life Ed Australia.

By simply taking a photo of their kids’ healthier lunchbox or education efforts from schools, parents will be in the running to win a share of $12,000 in prizes. This includes Woolworths e-gift cards and Healthy Harold visit vouchers.

The winners will be announced in April.

Lunchbox queen Katie O’Hare of Edmonton with Niamh, 4, Saoirse, 2, and Orla, 5, and their healthy lunchboxes.

Youngsters love their fishing

Eighty take part in Norship Young Guns Shootout, picking up many prizes

longest fish awards were handed to Eli Sigley for the boatbased subcategory, and Ethan Gilmore for the land-based, with Kai Ziebell winning the most fish caught award.

The teens age group saw Max Littlemore take the title of longest fish caught for boatbased and Kade Battle-Gould for land-based, with the most fish caught being awarded to Kaine Cutler.

tackers, six to eight-year-old juniors, nine to 12-year-old mids, and 13–17-year-old teens.

Categories for the tournament included the longest fish for boat, most fish caught, and longest fish for land-based, with a single angler being awarded for each age group.

The winners for tackers was Flix Watson for the longest fish, and the tackers’ most fish caught award being presented to Ryder Seres.

In the juniors group, the longest fish award was handed to Oscar Watson, with Kimberley Seres securing the most fish caught award.

In the mids age group, the

A spokesman from Yorkeys Knob Sport Fishing Club said that anglers participating in the tournament went to great lengths to try and take the win.

“A total of 550 fishing photos were submitted,” he said.

“Despite the anglers enduring cyclone conditions and rain over the six-week tournament period, resulting in many varying fish being caught and released in most cases, anglers made multiple excursions and fished various locations around Cairns, Northern Beaches as well as offshore.”

“It was great to see so many YKSFC faithful participances, as well as a fresh batch of new faces.”

Ethan Gilmour (mids group) caught the land-based longest fish.

Karoria Weir.

Logan Battle-Gould with his best catch of the day.

Kimberley Seres. Ryder Seres.

Ben Fairbairn.

Mind-body exercises under swaying palm trees on village’s beachfront

Idyllic spot to practise yoga

l PALM COVE

| Leonie Jarrett

“LEAN into love in the midst of madness.”

This is the instructor’s message as the yoga class finishes. Mats are arranged in rows on a grassed, beachfront area in beautiful Palm Cove.

The grassy area sits under a canopy of palm trees. The waves whoosh rhythmically on to the shore as the yoga poses flow, the palm fronds flap a little in the sea breeze and the birds overhead sing.

If the yoga participants’ minds wander, they can gaze out to an expanse of smooth, yellow sand and the rainforest coastline towards Cairns. Ahhh … is there a more idyllic spot to practise yoga?

Beth Hartig came to Australia from England on a working holiday visa in 2012. She met her partner in Western Australia and followed him to Palm Cove, instantly feeling at home and loving the warm weather.

She did her 200 hours teacher training in India – the birthplace of yoga – and, in 2014, she established Hartig Yoga: https://hartigyoga.com

Two and a half years ago, Ms Hartig added yoga retreats of up to five days. During COVID-19 lockdowns, she also added an online arm to her business.

Nine times a week, she or another equally passionate yoga instructor, takes yoga practice for up to 25 people –mainly women but men too. In peak times, participants are a 50/50 mix of locals and tourists.

“Surrender,” is the theme of one practice, “Life happens for you, not to you.”

Monday morning class is all about a gentle reset to the week – “Do not rush into your week … reset before you start running into your week.”

Then there’s a message that particularly resonates: “Empty the noise from your mind.”

Ms Hartig started yoga herself with a video that she

was given at age 16. She maintains that it is never too late to start yoga, never too late to retrain muscles and to become more flexible.

The classes reaffirm body positivity. There is no judgement here – just continuous messaging about only doing what is comfortable for your body, that yoga is not about suffering.

Ms Hartig said that the participants’ bodies would never again be what they are today.

Palm Cove in October is perfection. The skies are endlessly blue, the sun perpetually shining with the temperature hovering around 30 degrees. The water temperature is 26 degrees if anyone feels like a dip after yoga practice. The verdant green of the lattice of palm fronds against the sapphire blue of the sky is breathtaking. The wave noise – somewhere between lapping and crashing – adds a soothing, regular, background beat. There can’t be a more idyllic spot to practise yoga.

Yoga on the beachfront at Palm Cove. Inset: yoga teacher Beth Hartig. Pictures: Leonie Jarrett

Sugar town business needs more room to display full range of products

Mobility store adding space

l GORDONVALE

A GORDONVALE mobility store is expanding.

Peak Mobility and Rehab is adding 200sqm of space in Bryce’s Arcade. Business manager David Holzheimer said the expansion would be dedicated entirely to showcasing their comprehensive collection of mobility aids.

“This expansion allows us to house an even broader selection of walkers, recliners, beds, bathroom and daily living aids, alongside the exciting addition of our new Shoprider scooter range,” he said.

“By enlarging our display area, we aim to enhance our service quality and product availability, ensuring our customers can thoroughly explore and trial our products in-store.”

The business is hosting an open day on Wednesday, March 13, from 11am1pm.

“This event is, not just an opportunity to explore our expanded facilities, but also a chance to meet our dedicated team and discover the variety of services and outlets Bryce’s Arcade has to offer,” Mr Holzheimer said.

“At Peak Mobility and Rehab, we are committed to supporting the Gordonvale community through our unwavering dedication to providing top-

quality mobility products, backed by our friendly and expert service,” he said.

Mr Holzheimer said their “friendly service and close connections to allied health professionals help us source and supply the right products for our customers”.

“We are community driven and dedicated to supporting the disability and aged care sectors,” he said.

“Our staff are very knowledgeable in NDIS and aged care packages and we are happy to offer advice and support.

“Our service and support are based on getting to understand the customer’s situation and then sourcing and supplying the most suitable products that improve their lifestyle.

“The best thing about Peak Mobility and Rehab is its friendly knowledgeable staff, you can come in and have chat while receiving information on the quality products available.

“We personally deliver and install to Cairns and the surrounding areas. We do our best to supply customers with the equipment they need to help them through times of need.

Peak Mobility is at shop 8c, Bryce’s Arcade, 58-62 Norman St, Gordonvale Contact: 4208 8166 sales@ peakmobilityandrehab.com.au www.peakmobilityandrehab.com.au

Peak Mobility and Rehab business manager David Holzheimer tries one of their new recliners.

TimeOut

Vaudeville adventures

The Great Travelling Medicin Show to wow Far Northern audiences

l CAIRNS CBD

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

WITH beautiful vaudeville visuals inspired on classic travelling healers from all cultures, The Great Travelling Médicin Show will put on stage an unconventional adventure with a lot of heart.

Coming to the Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC) for three shows from March 7-9, The Great Travelling Médicin Show commissioned by the Centre for Australasian Theatre (CfAT), promises to be an exploration of the human experience through an array of relatable quirky and culturally diverse characters with stunning costumes and visuals that will take audiences to the yesteryear.

After their performances at CPAC, CfAT will take The Great Travelling Médicin Show up to Atherton, Julatten and Kuranda.

Co-director and CfAT secretary Catherine Hassall said the play would make for a night of spectacular performances and powerful messages.

“The Great Travelling Médicin Show is an exploration of human experience. We explore three different aspects in the show, the realm of the divine, the human realm in all its glorious and grotesque aspects, and the show with all the magic of the theatre,” she said.

“It draws on the mythos and nostalgia of the travelling troupe which has a history in almost every country, so it pulls on that romanticism and we looked at

the original medicine shows, where people were selling cures and elixirs and using performance to do that.

“We have seven cast members and each plays three characters so we have a total of 21 characters from different cultural backgrounds so there’s something for everyone.

“Those who love theatre will

love it, and does who are not theatre fans will love it too.”

In The Great Travelling Médicin Show the audience steps into world where the nomadic spirit of the past takes centre stage in an unconventional adventure full of surrealism and elixir that will move swiftly between reality and illusion.

Actor Lenny Donahue said

audiences could expect excitement and outstanding visuals paired with a heartfelt story.

“People can expect comedy, drama but also an exploration of the world of theatre through movement and dance and they can enjoy a great performance of a multicultural theatre company that allows us to express ourselves as artists and theater

makers,” he said.

“Come along and enjoy the magic of theatre, it’s a beautiful experience to witness live performances and seeing these characters on stage that you might see yourself as it’s very wonderful.”

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.cairns.qld.gov.au/CPAC

Rumours comedy sells out

l EDGE HILL

READY, set, laugh, Rumours by Rondo Theatre and directed by Narelle Shorey is finally here to kick off the 70th anniversary celebration of the community theatre with a sold-out season.

In Rumours, deputy mayor Charlie Brock, and his wife Myra are hosting a glamorous anniversary party at their home. Chris and Ken Gorman are the first of eight guests to arrive to find Charlie wounded in bed, his wife missing, the domestic help gone and unprepared food in the kitchen.

Instead of taking Charlie to the hospital and notifying the police, Chris and Ken decide it is more important to try to protect Charlie’s reputation and then insanity and hilarity unfolds.

Rumours producer Kevin Shorey said it was exciting to kick off an extremely thrilling year for the theatre and its first play of the year with a fully sold-out show.

“We are fully sold out, there are no tickets left for our performances,” he said.

“We’ve had some difficulties and issues with some cast members getting sick but working with an extremely talented cast we’ve excelled in our last two rehearsals and we’re ready to go.

“This has been a very wonderful experience for our director Narelle, and it has been a very joyous experience for such a talented cast to work together.

“What a way to start the 70th anniversary of Rondo with the hilarious Rumours fully sold out. We’re very excited.”

Great Travelling Médicin Show cast members (from the left, clockwise) Miyako (surname withheld) Daniel Joseph, Catherine Hassall, Maya Hassall and Lenny Donahue. Picture: Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

Rock band Vanns off the wall

Tavern performance will include hits such as ‘Last of your Kind’, ‘Fake Friends’

l EDGE HILL

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

NEW South Wales indie rock band The Vanns is taking a trip up north for the final leg of their regional tour for an unforgettable headbanging night at Edge Hill Tavern this April.

Touring with their latest 2023 album Last of Your Kind, The Vanns are coming up to Cairns for the second time on April 6 for an exciting night of live music and some of the bands’ most popular hits like Fake Friends.

Bassist Tom Switlek said the band was eager to meet their FNQ fans for a second time.

“We have 21 dates starting in Melbourne and finishing up in Queensland so it should be lots of fun,” he said.

“We played the Edge Hill Tavern before two years ago, so we’re excited to be back, we’re expecting it to be a ball, it’s not even work, just a good time.”

With their latest album ‘Last Of Your Kind’ charting at #8 on the ARIA Albums Chart, #2 on the Australian Albums Chart, as well as being long-listed for the Australian Music Prize, the four-piece band will go through some of their biggest and most loved hits paired with some of the best songs of their new album.

“We define ourselves as a live band, so our fans can expect a high energy performance, it’ll be loud, live and a good time,” Mr Switlek said.

“There’s a few favourites that we’d love to play in Cairns. Fake Friends is always a good one, that will definitely get played, and from the new album Settle Me Down is really fun, especially the second half of the song and Haunted is always fun as well.”

“What we love about playing up in Cairns is that everyone gets into it, there’s nothing better than being on stage and watching the audience react beyond just standing there and watching and Queensland fans always enjoy it and sing and dance around, so that’s what we’re most excited about.”

Mr Switlek invited everyone to come to the Edge Hill Tavern this April and enjoy some loud live music.

“Every time we have a bit of a break here and there it’s not fun so we’re happy to be back and keep the ball rolling and keep playing,” he said.

“We’ll be going to the studio soon to work on our third album but for now if you are into loud music and want to have a good time, come drink some beers with us and have a dance.”

To buy tickets from Live at your Local, visit https://bit.ly/3uGhOIO

Homebirthing features on big screen

l SMITHFIELD

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

A SUCCESSFUL documentary exploring the empowering journey of homebirth, ‘Born at Home’, is making its way to Cairns for a one-night screening at Event Cinemas Smithfield next week.

With sold-out screenings in Brisbane and Gold Coast, the documentary Born at Home will feature a Q&A panel with a local homebirth family, and homebirth midwives and health practitioners and door prizes at Event Cinemas Smithfield on Tuesday, February 26 from 6pm.

Tickets for the screening are $22 and free for babies in arms. Event organiser and homebirth educator Michelle Daga said the film was not just for expectant parents but for anyone looking to learn more about homebirth.

“We’re very excited to bring the event up to Cairns. The film features six stories of Queensland home birthing families, there’s footage of their homebirths and a lot of discussion and conversation with the families on why they chose homebirth,” she said.

“It also features quite a few midwives and maternity care professionals giving evidence and insights on homebirth and

why it’s growing again in Australia.

“After the screening we will have a Q&A panel with myself and a few doulas, midwives, perinatal massage therapists and local families sharing their insights on home birthing in FNQ.

Film makers Eleanor Currie and Amanda Banks from Homebirth Queensland said the film was an exploration on how increasingly mothers were feel safer choosing to give birth at home.

“Where and how women choose to birth, matters,” Ms Banks said.

To buy tickets, visit https://tickets.demand. film/event/12583?ref=YavVyRag

As part of their regional tour, indie rock band The Vanns is coming to the Edge Hill Tavern in April. Picture: Supplied

Dad Bob, mum Jessica and baby boy Donny are one of the families portrayed in the Born at Home documentary.

Picture: Olive Juice Lifestyle Photography

Authors gathering for annual event

‘24 festival is write on track

l CAIRNS CBD

| Isabella Guzman

Gonzalez

FAR Northern authors will take over the Cairns Tropical Writers Festival this March with FNQ publishing company Bowerbird Publishing showcasing four authors at the festival in a packed schedule of workshops, book launches and meet and greets to celebrate the talent of the region.

Founded by Julatten’s selfpublished author Crystal Leonardi, Bowerbird Publishing continues its journey of growth and expansion with a key appearance at the Cairns Writers Festival in March and book launches across the year.

Author and founder Crystal Leonardi said great things were in store for 2024 and the CTWF.

“I’ve got a new book with an illustrator, it’s the third in my children’s book series, so we have My Brother Sebastian: explaining cancer to kids, My friend Alice: explaining dis-

ability to kids and currently I’m working on a new one titled My Mate Jet: explaining stroke to kids, which should be out on June 1,” she said. “I have a fantastic lineup of authors to publish this year, I’ve got 12 booked in so far and I’m looking forward to lots of diverse topics, genres and authors from all over Australia.

“For the festival, on March 8 I’ll be reading My Friend Alice to school students from the Far North and interacting with them, over the Saturday and Sunday I’m involved in panel -style events on interviewing and a blogging workshop.

“I’ve also got three authors coming with me: Mary Pearson from Townsville, Alan Isherwood from Atherton and Chantal Monroe from Julatten and we’ll be there for the three days promoting our books and meeting and greeting.”

Ms Leonardi highlighted the Far North Queenslander authors and their exciting programs at the festival.

“Our most experienced writer from the trio is Julatten’s Chantal Monroe, and the book she’ll be featuring is Tickle Touch, an environmental fairytale for adults, it’s a social satire of the environmental problems we’re facing,” she said.

“Alan Isherwood published Isherwood’s Australia, his autobiography. Alan has lived an extremely well-travelled life and lived in Indigenous communities both in Australia and PNG. In the book he explores his English roots and his wife’s Chinese roots and his experiences and lessons learned in these communities.”

Ms Leonardi encouraged the community to attend CTWF and celebrate local authors.

“I was absolutely blown away last year but the momentum of the festival is taking to new places this year and to be able to have a writers’ festival in the tropics, along with all other capital cities, it’s fantastic for Cairns, but especially for the writers’ community in FNQ.”

Bowerbird Publishing founder and author Crystal Leonardi will be holding meet and greets, workshops and panels at the Cairns Tropical Writers Festival. Picture: Tricia Griffin, Bloom & Zoom Studio.

Reef House takes top gong

Palm Cove eatery picks up Chefs of NQ restaurant of the year for third time

l PALM COVE

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

WITH their high-quality service and innovative take on seafood and fresh produce, the Reef House Palm Cove enchanted the hearts of judges throughout 2023 and earned their third win as restaurant of the year at the Chefs of North Queensland awards.

Beating seven of Cairns’ most iconic restaurants like C’est Bon, Ochre and Dundee’s on the Waterfront for the crown, Reef House Palm Cove has proved that third time is the charm, becoming restaurant of the year for the third time in four years at a ceremony award held at TAFE on February 12.

The Backyard on Marlin Marina was second, while Tropics at the TAFE took third place.

Reef House head chef Ondrej Urbanovsky said it was an honour to be recognised again as restaurant of the year.

“This means a lot to me because I’m a very competitive person, so to have won this award three times in the last four years is a great feeling,” he said

“I’m also working with a great team and that makes us better. In April we’ll be prepar-

ing the new menu for the 2024 competition.

“I really enjoy working with seafood and I can say it’s my strength and I displayed that in the competition. We use local ingredients, fresh ingredients and we’re a very passionate team that works very hard. We’ve learned from each other and grown as a team which gave us an advantage in the competition.”

Chefs of North Queensland awards organiser Lisa Ganter said it was a tough competition, but Reef House had really elevated their cuisine in 2023.

“We always have a tight competition amongst restaurants like C’est Bon and Ochre and the Reef House has been a frontrunner several times but I think their overall service really won over the tasters,” she said.

“We held eight luncheons this year where the eight participant restaurants would bring their own menus and the tasters would judge and at the end of the year we gather that information to crown a winner.

“Reef House always has amazing food and presentation with great quality and all restaurants bring their best and try to excel but I believe the overall service is what gave Reef House the advantage.”

Award presenter and winner of the secondary school culinary challenge James Ryan, Reef House general manager Wayne Harris, Reef House head chef Ondrej Urbanovsky and winner of the secondary school culinary challenge Annika Reiha. Picture: Supplied

WHAT’S ON

CAIRNS ART SOCIETY @ CAIRNS ART GALLERY

l FRI FEB 23, 9:00AM-5:00PM

Cairns Art Society is one of north Queensland’s oldest and most respected community arts organisations. Each year a panel of independent judges choose the best entries for inclusion in the exhibition at the Cairns Art Gallery and a number of acquisitive and non-acquisitive prizes for categories such as best oil painting, best acrylic painting, best digital art are awarded on the night, generously donated by local businesses and individual sponsors.

Exhibition Runs: 3rd – 25th February 2024

Entry: Free Entry. See the Cairns Art Gallery website for details.

U3A GUEST SPEAKER @ BROTHERS CAIRNS

l THU FEB 29, 1:00PM-3:00PM

Our guest speaker this week is environmental scientist Pam Jones, who will present “Empire of the Grasses.” This is a story of the evolution of grasses, humans and fire during a period when CO2 and temperatures plummeted. Pam started her career as a chemist and biochemist but has spent over 3 decades as an environmental scientist. Working both in Australia and Asia, her career spanned everything from designing new cities, reducing pollution from power stations to initiating the Hong Kong Wetland Park. Held at Brother’s Leagues Club, tea and coffee is included. Cost $5 non-members, $3 U3A members

LANTERN FESTIVAL @ CAIRNS ESPLANADE

l SAT FEB 24, 5:00PM-7:30PM

The Lantern Festival, also known as the Yuan Xiao marks the end of Chinese New Year festivities. CADCAI will celebrate with authentic Chinese food, festivities and entertainment for the entire family, plus a spectacular fireworks display conclude the Chinese New Year celebrations at 7.30pm. The event will feature a Welcome to Country and traditional Yidinji Smoking Ceremony at 5.00pm, CADCAI Dragon and Lion Performances, Molohua Chinese Dancers, Chinese New Year merchandise and lantern stalls, Chinese food.

Venue: Cairns Lagoon Plaza; See the CADCAI website for details.

THE ACCIDENTAL BRIDE @ BULMBA-JA

l SUN FEB 25, 3:30PM-5:00PM

Shoba Sadler, a published writer, journalist, and emerging playwright of Indian heritage hailing from the Far North is a proud graduate of JUTE’s Write Sparks script development program in 2022. Shoba brings her unique voice and cultural perspective to the forefront with her script for The Accidental Bride. Shoba Sadler, a published writer, journalist, and emerging playwright of Indian heritage hailing from the Far North is a proud graduate of JUTE’s Write Sparks script development program in 2022. Shoba brings her unique voice and cultural perspective to the forefront with her script for The Accidental Bride. Reserve your FREE tickets through Humanitix.

CARVING COUNTRY @ CAIRNS ART GALLERY

l SUN FEB 25, 10:00AM-2:00PM

This exhibition celebrates the rich and unique visual culture of First Nation artists from the region, through works in the Cairns Art Gallery Collection. Carving Country showcases the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts practice and provides a unique insight into contemporary printmaking by artists whose works are grounded in traditional cultural practices. Using modern day tools and materials they have created a particular style and art form that is now nationally and internationally acclaimed. Exhibition Runs: 20th January – 29th February 2024, free entry.

Image: Roy MCIVOR, Buurraay milbaal (Water tears – wet) 2010, screenprint, 61 x 91 cm, Cairns Art Gallery Collection. Donated by Roy McIvor through the Australian, Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2012.

WATERCOLOUR

WORKSHOP @ ARTISTS@WORK

l SAT FEB 24, 10:30AM-12:30PM

Watercolours For Beginners with Tennille Tobin Art & Design is on again! Come and join us for some fun and friendly creative time in the air-conditioned comfort of the Artists@Work gallery and studio space, Lake Street, Cairns City. Together we’ll learn some basic skills and techniques used in watercolour painting and paint your very own seascapes. Let your artistic side come out to play in this fun and friendly class for creatives of all ages and stages. All tools and equipment supplied, small friendly class sizes. Cost: $50 per person. For bookings please text or phone Tennille directly on: 0488242498 or email:tennilletobin@yahoo.com

GIG Guide

*Please

FRIDAY

The Salt House Anais Campbell, 5:00pm

The Benson Hotel Juanita, Ash and Isla, 5:00pm

Cazaly’s Cairns Russell Harris, 6:30pm

Brothers Leagues Club Innisfail Cassady Connections, 7:00pm

Brothers Leagues Club Cairns Infinity Duo, 7:00pm

Tanks Arts Centre Mia Dyson, 7:30pm

The Salt House DJ Caseli, 8:00pm

Bar36 The Reef Hotel Casino Big Noise, 9:00pm

SATURDAY

Yorkeys Knob Boating Club Lady Valiant, 3:00pm

The Salt House Sunset Raga 5:00pm

Ellis Beach Bar & Grill ABBA Tribute Show, 6:00pm

Cazaly’s Cairns Lexi and Waha, 6:30pm

Theo’s Bar Carinda Christie, 7:00pm

Atherton International Club Infinity Duo, 7:00pm

Trinity Beach Tavern Eddie Skiba, 7:00pm

Red Beret Hotel Tropic Thunder, 8:00pm

Bar36 The Reef Hotel Casino Big Noise, 9:00pm

SUNDAY

Dundee’s at the Aquarium DjGlennW, 11:30am

O’Donnell’s Palm Cove Two Dogs Music, 2:00pm

Ellis Beach Bar & Grill Miss Tee, 2:00pm

Barrier Reef Hotel Victoria Boxall, 2:00pm

Yorkeys Knob Boating Club Infinity Duo, 3:00pm

O’Shea’s Waterfront Bar Barbary Coasters, 4:00pm

The Salt House Shannon Hunter, 5:00pm

Vitalia’s Italian Restaurant Dave Stygall, 6:00pm

Bar36 The Reef Hotel Casino Justin Wellington, 7:30pm

Solutions

CROSSWORD

You

Frustrations and limitations could cause anxiety this week. You will be tempted to shop till you drop. Sudden romantic connections may be short lived.

You should catch up on correspondence. Be firm when dealing with matters pertaining to your environment. Your involvement in interest groups may bring you popularity. Put financial speculation with family members or friends on the back burner for now.

25. a red deer of a large race native to North America (6)

26. tasks or events occurring, done or appearing once a year or every year (8)

27. a diamond-shaped pattern of two or more colours (6)

DOWN

1. something pleasing to eat that is considered rare or luxurious (8)

2. a representation of a cross with a figure of Christ on it (8)

3. an uncomfortable sensation that causes a desire to scratch (4)

Avoid overloading your plate. Sports, physical fitness programs, exercise in general will make you feel better and show some pretty quick results. Luck is with you. You may need to make a few alterations to your living arrangements.

granted. Shopping could cost more than you bargained for. Travel could be in order.

Do your own thing without drawing attention to it. Try to bend to their wishes if you want to avoid conflict. Don’t let your emotions get out of hand. Hassles with your boss are sure to erupt if you speak your mind.

ACROSS

You may want to talk to your boss about your future goals. Changes regarding family members will set you off. Don’t allow someone to do a job that was designated specifically for you. Entertainment should include your whole family.

1. dishonest behavior behavior that is meant to fool or trick someone (6)

4. a process occurring at constant pressure (8)

9. to start an activity or event in motion (6)

10. members of a religious cult (8)

12. a signed note for money owed for food or drink (4)

13. the loss or giving up of something as a penalty for wrongdoing (10)

15. a young child who has very great ability in something (5,7)

18. amusing and entertaining (5-7)

21. containing or conveying a promise or assurance (10)

22. a firm hold; a tight grasp (4)

24. a kind of backsaw that is used to cut straight lines in wood (5,3)

5. a conservative, pompous person (7,5)

6. a waterproof cap worn to cover the hair while swimming (7,3)

7. slightly indecent and liable to shock (6)

8. a small wheel fixed to the bottomof a piece of furniture (6)

11. the press; the profession of journalism (6,6)

14. added, extra, or supplementary to what is already present or available (10)

16. infinite or unending time (8)

17. related through adoption (8)

19. marked with spots (6)

20. a historic region in south eastern Europe (6)

23. a set of two things used together or regarded as a unit (4)

Father and son mortgage team

l MONEY MATTERS

JASON and John Zenel are the finance experts behind MoneyQuest Cairns.

They specialise in finding the right loan for your needs, whether you’re a first home buyer, investor, or looking to refinance.

Formerly a banker, Jason Zenel said he made the switch to mortgage broking and started MoneyQuest Cairns so that he could offer

locals a wide variety of loan options and personalised support.

“With interest rates rising, lots of people are feeling the pinch and that’s where we come in,” he said.

“We can review your current loan, compare it to others on the market and chat to you about alternative solutions.”

Jason’s father John is also part of the MoneyQuest Cairns team.

“After 19 years of running my own lending business, I decided to sell and give Jason a hand,” he said. “I’m really enjoying it. We have 25 years of finance experience between us, and our top priority is helping members of the local community achieve their finance goals.”

To learn more about your loan options, call 0421 656 180 or send an email to jason.zenel@moneyquest. com.au

AN

dwellings led a jump in Queensland’s overall building approvals in December – but the state is still moving at a snail’s pace in the race to reach the national five-year target for new homes.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) recorded a 7.5 per cent total increase in house and unit approvals in the preceding three months to December 2023.

The short-term strong results are thanks to an increase in approvals for units on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. North Queensland is also posting strong approvals (+30.4 per cent) with the remaining regions largely unchanged while in the Far North it was a mere one per cent.

Approvals for non-residential

building work are now trending down (- 67.3 per cent) from a record high of $20 billion.

However, the 12-month rolling total provides the bigger picture, with the 33,519 buildings approved representing a plunge of 8.6 per cent compared to the previous 12 months.

Master Builders chief executive officer Paul Bidwell said, while the three-month trend was positive, Queensland was still left well short of the annual target of 49,000 new homes on average each year for the next five years to begin to address the housing crisis.

“In addition to the federal five-year target, we recently congratulated the Miles government on its new Homes for Queenslanders plan to build 1.2 million homes by 2046,” Mr Bidwell said. “That equates to a target of 45,500 homes on

average per year for the next 22 years, although with the federal target this needs to be front-loaded. Under current conditions, including labour shortages and red tape stifling home builders, we’re concerned those numbers can’t be met.”

Mr Bidwell said new ABS data on construction costs added an additional layer of concern.

“The cost to build a house in Queensland has risen by 41 per cent over the past three years,” he said.

“There is some good news. While costs are still rising (+3 per cent), the materials price hikes of the last three years have slowed and they’re now at their lowest rate in over two years.

“Steel used to construct homes in Brisbane for example has dropped in price (-15.9 per cent) over the last year, while timber has seen no change (+0.3 ).”

Jason Zenel of MoneyQuest Cairns.

MoneyQuest Cairns’ John Zenel.

Motoring

Powered-up SUV offers plenty of choice and options for practical families

Hit a ‘six’ in Mazda’s CX-60

l REVIEW

| Nick Dalton

MAZDA is a car maker that always does things a little differently.

It was the only manufacturer to persist with the rotary engine and, while it doesn’t make any cars with this powerplant as the sole method of propulsion, a small version is used as a range extender in Mazda’s electric car – the MX-30 R-EV, only available overseas.

But the company has just announced a team of 36 engineers to “accelerate” the development of rotary engines.

Mazda was one of the first Japanese to make utes in the 1960s – the B-series – now known as the BT-50.

Mazda revitalised the lightweight roadster – the MX-5 – the highest selling model in the world with over one million units.

Of course, it has embraced the SUV, with the CX-5 its most popular seller.

While others have invested heavily in electric cars, Mazda has been cautious, and has only offered one fully-electric model – the MX-30 –

now withdrawn for sale in Australia.

Mazda has gone down the path of developing a range of in-line six-cylinder petrol, diesel and plugin hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) SUVs, including the CX-60, the CX-90, later this year the CX-70, and, in the future, the CX-80.

Many have criticised Mazda’s almost non-existent line-up of electric cars but after spending billions of dollars, manufacturers such as Volkswagen, Ford and Mercedes-Benz, are cutting production and curtailing investment. In Australia electric car sales have plateaued.

Mazda has moved into the premium space, first with the CX-60 and CX-90 in Australia, what it calls the “Large Product Group”.

I spent a week behind the wheel of the base model CX-60, the Evolve 3.3L e-Skyactiv G petrol automatic, which was finished in a lovely platinum quartz with dark grey wheels. Normally it is $64,798 on the road, but the demonstrator is $58,990.

There is no mistaking the CX60 is big, but it is handsome. The bonnet seems to go on forever (it was a bit hard to see the outer edge

CONTINUED PAGE 27

The best of the Mazda CX-60s is the petrol 3.3-litre straight six version, starting from $64,798 for the Evolve (demonstrator $58,990).

Motoring Guide

Petrol powerplant SUV’s best all-rounder

FROM PAGE 26 for placement in car parks) and underneath is a straight-six engine.

Most of these engines have gone by the wayside, but Mazda has done well at its first attempt.

The most affordable powertrain is the 3.3-litre petrol six, which combines a 48-volt mild hybrid system, a turbocharger and direct injection to produce 209kW and 450Nm.

Fuel economy figures are listed at 7.4 litres per 100km on the ADR combined cycle and braked towing capacity at 2500kg.

I spent most of my time in and around Cairns with runs to

Edmonton and Smithfield and achieved 10.9L/100km. Bear in mind the vehicle had extremely low kilometres and wasn’t run in.

All powertrains are married to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all feature all-wheel drive. The i-Active all-wheel-drive system features a rear-axle torque bias to deliver a sportier driving feel and enhanced cornering grip under acceleration, Mazda says.

Mazda also claims the CX60 offers improved dynamic performance when measured against the (predominantly) front-wheel driven CX-5 range, thanks to its longer wheelbase

and more balanced north-south engine platform, which puts more weight between the axles and yields improvements to suspension geometry (double wishbones at the front, multi-link at the rear).

The 3.3-litre petrol (G40e) is terrifically smooth and powerful via a smooth eight-speed auto.

It’s energetic from the get-go, (0-100km/h in a hot hatch time of 6.9 seconds) and the higher it is revved, the better it sounds and feels, gathering pace with the kind of effortlessness you’d typically associate with inline sixes from BMW.

At higher engine speeds, the G40e zips around slower traf-

fic, building momentum with creamy gear changes to propel the nearly two-tonne SUV on to speeds that quickly border on attracting the boys in blue.

Normally it is quiet and smooth with just some minor road and wind noise.

The G40e’s ride is on the firm side, typical of Mazda, so it is not as lush or absorbent as some rivals, but it can be hustled into corners and roundabouts with confidence.

Dimensionally, the CX-60 is 4740mm in length (+165mm more than the CX-5), 1890mm wide (+45mm) and 1680mm tall (unchanged). It rides on a 2870mm wheelbase to offer

50mm more front seat shoulder-room and 50mm more rear-seat legroom than the CX-5, and 477 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place. There’s ample room for five people with good luggage capacity.

As a minimum, all variants arrive as standard with alloy wheels, LED headlights, a powered tailgate, digital instrumentation and infotainment screen, wireless phone charger, proprietary satellite navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, and a 360-degree parking camera. All variants have secured a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

The CX-60 range does offer something different depending on preferences.

While there is a diesel version (favoured by country folk) and the PHEV, which will be appreciated by big city dwellers, the petrol-powered CX-60 is the best all-rounder.

It is a strong, efficient, mostly quiet, and refined vehicle. The ride can be a bit sharp and the transmission can be clunky at times.

The based model Evolve will be most attractive for Aussie families on the look-out for a versatile SUV.

REVIEW VEHICLE COURTESY OF CAIRNS MAZDA

The review vehicle was finished in an attractive platinum quartz shade of paint. Pictures: Nick Dalton

The CX-60 features a modern and clean dashboard and instrumentation with a touch of luxury.

slender of title, infringement of trademarks or publication titles, breach of trade practices or fair trading legislation, unfair competition, violation of privacy, confidential information, royalty rights, licenses or other property rights and thus WARRANT that all material complies with relevant laws and that its publication will not give rise to claims or liabilities to the publisher, directors, employees and agents, and without limiting the generality that nothing is in breach of the Trade Practices Act 1974 or the Copyright Act 1968, the Fair Trading Act 1987 or the Consumer Protection, Defamation and Sale of Goods Legislation of the States and Territories or infringes the right of any person.

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Advertising Code Clearance

Rulings by the Trade Practices Commission require that all advertisements relating to alcoholic beverages, therapeutic goods, weight loss/slimming clinics and products or programmes must carry an APB Clearance Number. All advertisements that do not carry the APB Number first must be submitted for clearance and the issue of an APB number for inclusion in the advertisement directed to: Australian Publishers Bureau, Suite 2/1, 741 Pacific Highway, Gordon NSW 2072, Phone (02) 9499 3412.

AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS

Help and hope for families and friends of alcoholics. If someone in your family has a drinking problem, you can often see what it is doing to them, but can you see what it is doing to you?

Al-Anon can help you.

Meetings held weekly at:

• Cairns City: Tuesday nights, 6pm to 7pm

• Edmonton: Thursdays, 12pm to 1pm

• Kuranda: Mondays, 11am to 12 noon

For further information, Call 1300 25 2666 or www.al-anon.org.au

Serious

ADVERTISE today!

Call Lisa on 07 4031 7678 or email admin@cairnslocalnews.com.au

Local Sport

Swapping UK for tropics

New football club development ambassador brings all-round skills to FNQ

l SOCCER

|

Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

AWARD-WINNING coach, experienced player and coach developer Jack Southwell has big plans for football in the region, including building a stronger football community, club development as the newly-appointed club development ambassador for Football Queensland Far North and Gulf.

Trading the UK for the tropical heat of Cairns, football all-rounder Jack Southwell is the latest addition to Football Queensland Far North and Gulf

and, with his vast experience as coach and coach developer with Manchester United Foundation and Wrexham AFC Community Trust, he’s bringing fresh ideas for the region.

“My key goals are supporting club development on and off the football bench, develop coaches through coach education and mentoring and build the Football Queensland academy into a northern high-performance centre for players,” Mr Southwell said.

“I’m excited to take on this role and support Football Queensland’s vision and being the person tasked to imple-

ment this and play a part in the growth of football in the region motivates me because I want to leave a legacy within the community, long after I retire.”

Mr Southwell said this was an ideal role for him and he was looking forward to connecting with the community.

“The role ties everything I am passionate about into one. I am very motivated to work from within the community and build lasting relationships with the clubs, the players and the coaches,” he said.

“I can use my experience in supporting the clubs, bringing a holistic perspective, not just

with my experience in coaching, but also the motivation and passion to succeed in working with the football community to overcome barriers and challenges.

“I want to make sure the clubs are healthy, strong and growing, because strong clubs within the region leads to strong football.

“The next key focus would be developing, mentoring and upskilling the coaches to help improve the standard of football in the area.”

With the past Women’s World Cup and upcoming Olympics, Mr Southwell said the time was right to build a passion for the

Sport Results

TULLY BOWLS

Sunday, February 18th. Winners; Peter Smith, Lino Ceccato, Darly Stumbles.

MARLIN COAST BOWLS

Tuesday, February 13th. Tuesday morning bowls. Winners;

Helen, Bob, Barb. R/U; Ruth, June, Yvonne. Tuesday afternoon Men’s triples. Winners; D Parnell, A Mattsson, B Wright. R/U; John, bob, Glenn. Tuesday night bowls. Spider. Winners; Sisca, Rod, paper, Deb, Steve. Wednesday mixed bowls. Win-

ners; Trevor, bob, Betty. R/U; L Jennings, P Taggert. Thursday Mixed triples. Winners; Darren, Alan, Crackers. R/U; Gordon, Marion, Brian O. Saturday Morning Scroungers. Winner; Mikea. R/U; Robbo. Club Championships. Men’s Fours. C Flanagan, C Hughes, E Blythe, D Lawnton def. L O’Donhoue, Paul, Bill, D Gibson 20-8. Ladies Pairs. B Noe, O Morley def. J Smith, L Mikic 28-25.

GORDONVALE BOWLS

Thursday afternoon bowls. Winners; Jo Jackson, Morris Perolda. Alan Peterson. R/U; Margi Bruni, Trevor Moody, Brian Waters.

BROTHERS EDMONTON BOWLS

Thursday, February 15th. Winners; S. Bates, L. Hoskins, S. Rowe. R/U; N. Kina, J. McLean, B. Hill, G. Buttigieg.

sport in the region.

“We’re in a quite unique position to build on the success of the Women’s World Cup and grow even to a further scale if we can build on the Olympics 2032, so there are growth opportunities and it’s a very exciting time to be involved with football in the region,” he said.

“Football Queensland is inclusive and there’s something for all genders, abilities and ages so I encourage everyone in the community to come along and get involved.” For more information, visit www.footballqueensland.com. au

Bowls club helps out soccer ladies

l EDGE HILL

THE Edge Hill Bowls Club has donated $5500 to the Edge Hill United Football Club to cover the registration of 11 premier women for the 2024 season.

Female members of the football club had spent the previous 12 months selling tickets in the bowls club’s weekly Thursday night meat raffle draw.

The net proceeds of the sales totalled $5500.

“We’re so grateful to have

Wednesday, February 14th. Overall winners; M. Bucklar, R. Pamphilon, J. Populin. 2nd; M. O’Halloran, G. Frizzo, R. Jorgensen. 3rd; B. Power, Q. Bates, J. Blain. Saturday, Febraury 17th. Winners; C. Morris, B. Power, D. Begg. R/U; A. Crittenden, J. McLean, R. Moody.

WEST CAIRNS MEN

Tuesday, February 13th. Winners; Joe, Ted, John. R/U;

the support of other local clubs,” said a football club spokeswoman.

“Pay it forward and get down to the Edge Hill Bowls Club for a meal and a game,” she said.

Bowls club operations manager Lawrence Green said members enjoyed the Thursday night raffles when the 'girls' networked and sold tickets in the meat raffles, raising thousands of dollars for their club.

"It's a win for both organisations," he said.

Rob, Mac, Wayne. Thirsty Thursday. Best players; Ted Hellmuth, Maurie Raisin, Harry Mac. Friday night scroungers. Winner; Geoff Rowley. R/U; Irene Crampton. Club Championship. A grade pairs. Maurie Hetherton, Steve Kavanagh def. Glen Donovan, Phil Buntain 24/9. Sunday, February 18th. Richo, Vinney, Steve Ford draw. Norm, Des, Yakka. Jackpot not won.

Edge Hill Bowls Club operations manager Lawrence Green (centre) with female members of the Edge Hill United Football Club.

New Far North football development ambassador Jack Southwell.

All Abilities Social Crew discover passion for indoor paddle sport at the beach

Making one hell of a racket

l PICKLEBALL

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

INSPIRED by tennis legend

Ash Barty’s book, a local group of young people with disabilities and their dedicated support workers discovered a new passion for sport after holding a pickleball afternoon with the support of the Mission Beach Pickleball Club.

The social group for young people with disabilities, the All Abilities Social Crew has been gathering for over a year every Monday, to connect isolated NDIS participants and explore a vast array of fun activities across the Far North.

The crew is also a part of the Cassowary Coast book club The Next Chapter, and after reading The Amazing Ash Barty, crew member Cody Hansen pitched the idea to the group to try out pickleball.

With the help of Cassowary Coast division 3 councillor Trudy Tschui and president of the Mission Beach Pickleball Club Jenny Flegler, eight group members and their eight support workers, gathered at the JP Byrne Indoor Sports Club on February 5 to make Ash Barty proud.

Co-founder of the All-Abilities Social Crew and support worker Fiona Fowles said it had been an exciting afternoon for all.

“With the support of Trudy Tschui we approached the Tully/ Mission Beach Pickleball Club and asked them if they could accommodate our crew and they said yes,” Ms Fowles said.

“They were very excited to learn all these things that Ash Barty was talking about on her book.

“They absolutely loved it.

Jenny Flegler and two other members of the pickleball club taught us how to play, and they stayed with us all afternoon, everybody was having a ball.

“Some of our crew members have mobility issues but the ladies from the club helped so everyone was able to join.

“Our community just goes above and beyond, we weren’t charged a fee and the club was so welcoming. They took the time to teach our participants and were so patient. It was lovely.”

Ms Flegler said hosting the All-Abilities Social Crew had been a wonderful experience.

“We had them playing on three courts and some of the ones with mobility issues said they were not going to play at all.

“I convinced them to just hit against the wall and one of them was so excited she wouldn’t leave the wall,” Ms Flegler said.

“Some of them could hit the ball, some couldn’t, but everyone was having a lot of fun learning.

“It was very exciting and the carers did an amazing job running up and down and picking up balls but everyone was laughing and enjoying themselves.

“We would absolutely love to have them back. It made us so happy to see them enjoy sport.”

Ms Fowles said the crew were looking forward to future sessions of pickleball.

Tully Bowls Club prepares for great year ahead

l BOWLS

JOAN Mercer has been elected interim president of Tully Bowls Club.

Rod Bradley is vice president, Des Roberts is secretary and Robyn Brunello is treasurer.

Club spokeswoman Rita Pezzutto said all the honorary positions were filled.

“The future of our club is in good hands and we all look forward to a great year of bowling,” she said.

“We also welcome any new members who would like to join us.

“After (the annual meeting earlier this month), 18 members enjoyed playing on our newly-repaired green, which had been damaged in the recent floods.

“Many thanks to all the members plus non-members who helped with the repairs.”

In the meantime Cassowary Coast councillor Trudy Tschui said the excitement of the Tully centenary was gathering momentum as the month of June approached.

“The Tully 100 committee were recently sent some memorabilia, after members of the Pylant family thought

this would be a good opportunity to share their mother’s badges from her time spent with the Tully Bowls Club,” she said.

“The committee reached out to bowls club treasurer Robyn Brunello (right), who gratefully received the badges on behalf of the club.

“The badges are now on display at the club for the community to admire. If

you have any items that you would like to share, please reach out to the Tully 100 committee.”

Cr Tschui said some of the 100 events included cemetery walks, Sugar Week industry celebrations, Read-to-Me Day, Multicultural Food Celebration – 100 years of food. Follow Tully 100 on Facebook for more information about the planned events.

All-Abilities Crew members Danny Reed, Trish Lardi, Jane Saunders, Luke Kattenberg, Tully/Mission Beach Pickleball Club president Jenny Flegler, Julie Barratt, Montana Papadopoulos, Cody Hansen, co-founder Fiona Fowles, co-founder Shelly Barratt, Jemma Carroll, Nathan Marsilio, Leanne Clarke, Ash Ellingworth, Katie Kirkwood and Mel Bowman-Finn. Pictures: Supplied

Support worker Katie Kirkwood and Ash Ellingworth at the pickleball club, Mission Beach.

Montana Papadopoulos, Jenny Flegler, Trish Lardi and Billie Kaukiainen enjoy the pickleball.

Lot 41