Cairns Local News August 25 2023

Local News Cairns

And they’re racing at the Cairns Cup

New jobs for 40

Woolworths opens new $6m supermarket and online hub at Raintrees

l MANUNDA

|

Nick Dalton

A SWANKY new $6 million Woolworths supermarket has opened at Raintrees shopping centre, adding 40 new staff.

The building, which includes the main online delivery hub for the Cairns region, has provided 40 new jobs as well as 86 team members from the old store, plus more than 50 from other stores in the region, to total 186 people.

New store manager Troy Papps said it was a satisfying moment.

“I’m proud. I’m proud of my team closing one store and opening a new one,” he said.

The new store brings a whole new look and feel, with convenient shopping options and an extensive range of products on offer for local customers.

Every department in the new store features a significant upgrade to its predecessor.

There’s a larger produce section with a range of fresh fruit and vegetables, including locally sourced items from the Atherton Tablelands and bananas from Tully.

Customers have access to a full production bakery, a onestop shop for gourmet loaves, stone-baked bread, pastries and desserts.

A selection of 100 per cent

Australian meat has been stocked in the new store, with Baiada BBQ chickens from Mareeba.

There’s also a variety of local seafood available from the seafood counter and milk and

yoghurts from Mungalli Creek, Stockman’s eggs and Sweet Buzz Honey.

The supermarket is almost 1000sqm larger than the old store (2763 sqm) at 3800 sqm.

There is a new ‘direct to boot’

service and the store will act as a home delivery hub for the region.

For Woolworths Raintrees longest serving staff member Robyn Henningsen, it was a special moment.

GP lifeline for small comunity

l CARDWELL

THE Cardwell community has been thrown a lifeline with a doctor to be appointed to practice at the town’s only full-time medical centre.

The town was facing turmoil on September 1 when the clinic was to close permanently.

Dire doctor shortages and stressed staff had led Cardwell Family Practice owners Carmen Edmondson and Julie McKay to shut the clinic on Friday next week.

But the Queensland Government announced this week that management had been transferred to the Townsville Hospital and Health Service and that Rural Health Management Service had been appointed to operate the practice.

Ms McKay said “this is a real team effort, and the Rural Health Management Service to take the practice management side on at such short notice is just a marvellous result,” she said. “We weren’t fighting for my job or Carmen’s job, we were fighting for our patients and we couldn’t have asked for anything better than this sustainable plan moving forward.”

The ‘check-out chick’ officially cut the ribbon at 8am on Wednesday, marking 49 years since she first started at the supermarket. “I love it, I really do enjoy my job,” she said.

CONTINUED PAGE 3

Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter said he was impressed by the courage and fortitude shown by residents, Queensland KAP Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto, Mayor Mark Nolan and the Cassowary Coast Regional Council.

NEW GP AT TULLY – PAGE 3

New Woolworths Raintrees supermarket manager Troy Papps with longest serving team member Robyn Henningsen. Picture: Maddy Gavin

Centre on its milky way

University’s medical skills training project given Dugurrdja name

l CAIRNS NORTH

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

DUGURRDJA or milky way is

the name of James Cook University’s Cairns Tropical Enterprise Centre (CTEC).

Construction of the $50 million building next to Cairns Hospital started with a smoking ceremony, sod turning and the announcement of the health and innovation precinct’s Indigenous name on Wednesday.

A part of the FNQ Health Innovation Precinct, CTEC will house a multidisciplinary clinic, and facilities for clinical skills training, research and teaching and will complement the Cairns Hospital’s new 32bed surgical centre in Cairns North.

JCU vice chancellor Simon Briggs said the facility was expected to to be up and running by 2025.

“This facility will give us a focal point for medical allied health training co-located with the hospital, so it will provide an important stepping stone for us in the provision and support for the training of the medical workforce that is needed in FNQ,” he said.

“Today (last Wednesday) is officially the start of our construction, creating a centre for clinical training, teaching and research aligned to the needs of our region and workforce. This is a landmark building, one that will help secure a healthier future for the people of Cairns and FNQ.

“We’re hopeful that the building will be operational in early 2025.”

Cairns and Hinterland

Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) chief executive Leena Singh said a team of engineers from Brisbane was being sourced for the construction of the precinct.

“We’re working through with our partners in Brisbane around acquiring some expertise in civil engineering to be able to bring that together and have a look at our site to make sure we choose the right site, CTEC and the surgical centre are both underway now,” she said.

“We’re celebrating JCU’s CTEC building today and next door we’ve got the surgical

centre being built and we have hundreds of millions of dollars going to Cairns Hospital right now to contribute to the ideas, knowledge and innovation that will happen in this precinct.”

Gimuy Walubara Yindinji elder Henrietta Marrie AM said the name solidified collaboration with the Yidinji people.

“Dugurrdja represents the knowledge, the songlines and stories that flow through this country,” she said.

“We’re proud to be participating as partners in this project, so we chose a name that represents the coming together of knowledge.”

Yidinji members (from left) Maria Morrison, Shaun Creek, Marun Fourmile and Iesha Bong perform the smoking ceremony.

CHHHS chief executive Leena Singh (left) , JCU vice chancellor Simon Briggs, Yidinji performer Marun Fourmile, Yidinji elder Henrietta Marrie AM, Yidinji performer Iesha Bong and CHHHS chairman Clive Skarott.

Pictures: Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

GP’s promise to town

New Tully doctor committed to clinic for as long as she can

l TULLY | Nick

Dalton

A BEACON of hope is shining in the town of Tully with a new doctor committed to staying in the community.

The Tully Medical Centre has a new doctor. Resident medical officer Dr Baylie Fletcher now calls Tully home, and she intends to stay.

She said she simply loved working and living in the small rural community.

Dr Fletcher was able to move to north Queensland and join the Tully Medical Centre with help from a support package involving Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) in partnership with Health Workforce Queensland. The rural workforce enhancement program provides incentive packages and other incentives to attract GPs and health professionals to rural and remote areas to help address health professional shortages.

“Working in this position has been incredible and Tully is a beautiful little town with plenty to do and outstanding sceneries,” she said.

“The incentives associated with the role were an added bonus.

“I think the program is a great idea, particularly in times like now when there are workforce shortages and spots to be filled. I am so grateful for the opportunities that have come from this program and to everyone for their support and making this happen.”

Embracing the community and work has already fostered a deep sense of connection and fulfillment for Dr Fletcher.

“The best aspects of my work include the variety, the constant learning, and the comradery that comes with this environment,”

LocalBriefs

l CENT SALE

THE Scope Club of Cairns is hosting a cent sale at Gordonvale Primary School, George St, Gordonvale on Saturday, September 2 from noon. Tickets are adults $6, children $3, includes afternoon tea. Proceeds to assist local charities.

l LEAGUE RAFFLE

CAIRNS Crusaders

Indigenous rugby league team is holding a raffle so it can compete at the Murri Carnival at Redcliffe next month. Tickets are $5. Visit https://rafflelink.com.au/ cairnscrusaders2023 to view the prizes.

l RANGE TESTING

TESTING of recently installed Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) technology has started on the Kuranda Range Road. A Department of Transport spokesman said the testing phase would ensure the ITS technology was working correctly and communicating with the Traffic Management Centre (TMC) so informed decisions could be made for safe and efficient operation of the road. To minimise impacts on road users, the ITS testing is carried out at night from 6pm to 6am, weather and construction conditions permitting.

l HISTORICAL PLAN

she said. “My aim is to now get on to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) program and ideally continue at Tully Medical Centre. I intend to stay in Tully for as long as I can, until I am required to move as part of training.”

For the past three years, NQPHN, in partnership with Health Workforce Queensland, has funded the Rural Workforce Enhancement Program, which

provides incentive packages and other incentives to attract GPs and health professionals to rural and remote areas to help address health professional shortages.

Support is available for domestic relocation travel, rental assistance, continuing professional development registration costs, travel, and accommodation, and professional memberships, among other things, for 12 months. This year, NQPHN extended the program from al-

lied health professionals to all primary care professionals in the NQPHN catchment area, including GPs, with further incentives to attract GPs to the areas with the most critical needs, such as Tully.

Thirteen health professionals – including four general practitioners (GPs) and nine allied health professionals – are helping to ease the effects of workforce shortages in North Queensland after receiving an incentive

package funded by NQPHN.

NQPHN chief executive Robin Whyte said NQPHN was working to help address the shortage of GPs and allied health professionals in North Queensland’s rural and remote communities.

“Workforce is a national conversation, but across our NQPHN catchment area we are working on a variety of local solutions to attract health care professionals,” she said.

AN iconic museum in Gordonvale that celebrates the history of the local sugarcane industry will develop a business plan. Cairns Regional Council has awarded $5000 to the Mulgrave Shire Historical Society (MSHS) Incorporated through its industry and economic development fund to identify a sustainable business model and seek further financial support. The MSHS and the Mulgrave Settlers Museum contribute to the region’s broader tourism industry by helping attract visitors into Gordonvale’s historic town centre and positively impacting the local economy.

Longest Woolies staffer opens new Raintrees store after 49 years

FROM PAGE 1

“I love it, I really do enjoy my job,” she said. “The store team is like family. It has got better over the years too and the older you get you become more accepting.

“I know all my customers by name. I’ve had a few health issues lately and customers have

asked for my phone number at the register, inquiring about my health and inviting me home for coffee. It blew me away.”

Mrs Henningsen said she was now serving the children of customers’ children.

Opening the new store is extra special for Mr Papps. He’s

worked with Woolworths for 27 years, travelling from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Ayr to Cairns.

“I’ve come back to Raintrees to open my first new store as a manager. I was here 10 years ago and we were expecting a new store back then. My team and I

are ready to offer local residents a new shopping experience,” he said. “It’s really all about the new technology on offer as we say goodbye to the old store, and we’re focussed on building out our team to support the largest online hub for Woolworths in north Queensland, servicing a

wider area of the community than ever before with home delivered groceries.”

The supermarket also offers customers the most extensive range of international foods at Woolworths across Cairns.

A number of community initiatives include weekly dona-

tions of surplus baked goods, grocery foods, fruit and vegetables to OzHarvest.

Opening hours are 8am-9pm Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm on Saturday and 9am-6pm on Sunday.

Watch the video at www.cairnslocal.news.com.au

Tully’s new GP Dr Baylie Fletcher loves working and living in the rural community she now calls home. Picture: Supplied

$1m financial booster

National conference delegates spend up big across the Far North

l CAIRNS REGION

|

Nick Dalton

A NATIONAL conference involving more than 260 delegates has injected more than $1 million into the economy of the Far North.

The annual Clark Rubber franchise conference was held in Cairns last week and involved franchisees and their suppliers.

The Pullman Cairns International hotel hosted the first two days of plenary sessions and the Cairns Convention Centre hosted a two-day supplier expo and formal gala dinner and awards night.

A welcome dinner was held at Rainforestation at Kuranda, a master class was hosted at Flames of the Forest, Port Douglas, and Crystalbrook’s Paper Crane restaurant was the venue for the supplier dinner.

Clark Rubber director Edward Plowman said conference organisers worked with Cairns Regional Council and Tourism Tropical North Queensland who supported the event.

He said he, fellow director Graeme Goldman and chief executive Anthony Grice were delighted with the Cairns conference and the warm welcome the whole network received while in the region.

“Many delegates have chosen to extend their stay and make it

a family or personal holiday,”

Mr Plowman said.

“Clark Rubber are very committed to the local region and Far North Queensland. Queensland is making up much of Clark Rubber’s growth plans leading to 2030,” he said.

“Clark Rubber’s strategic plan is to grow the network to 150-plus large format retail stores by 2030 and significantly expand the mobile service fleet,

with a key focus on pool and pool service.

“The brand is making significant investment into their people both at franchisor and franchisee level and undergoing significant investment into their IT systems and processes together with plans to roll out McCartney designed new format Store2025.

“Clark Rubber is an icon of Australian retailing with a histo-

ry dating back to 1946. With 61 stores nationally, our stores are specialists in pools, foam and rubber – a truly unique position in the Australian retail market.

“With such a broad product range, our customer base is equally diverse and includes families, tradies, hobbyists, and commercial customers to name but a few.”

Cairns Clark Rubber franchisees Karen Moes and Rob

Training for army cadets

l TULLY

TWENTY-FOUR army cadets from Tully’s 152 Army Cadet Unit (ACU) unit will gain their medic patches and first aid and CPR qualification next week, thanks to a first-ever collaboration with the Tully-based first aid training organisation Tweak First Aid Training.

On Tuesday, August 29, Tweak trainers will attend the unit’s base at Tully State High School to help the cadets complete their training, where they will perform CPR on an adult and a child, learn how to use an AED defibrillator, triaging, stabilising a snake bite, and more.

Army cadet captain and officer in command of the 152 ACU, Captain Rick Gorle, said having the support of an outside organisation like Tweak was really encouraging for the cadets.

“As a cadet officer, we must hold a nationally recognised first aid certificate to run the unit,” Capt Gorle said.

Bradley are 2022’s Clark Rubber 2022 franchisees of the year.

The Cairns store opened in Cairns in July, 2002 and has been a mainstay Cairns business for the past 21 years.

Ms Moes has been in Cairns for over 50 years and Mr Bradley is a third generation Cairns family.

Both families have all been to school in Cairns, including secondary and tertiary education.

the-art allied health hub in Cairns

“The unit’s administration officer did her training with Tweak and told them how great I’d be to do something with the cadets, and they jumped on board with great enthusiasm. The cadets are doing the online component now and on Tuesday (August 29) we’re going to run the extended practical session.” Capt Gorle said the skills the teens acquired through their cadetship would be kept for life.

Clark Rubber Cairns franchisees Karen Moes and Rob Bradley were named the best in Australia. Picture: Supplied

Aviation jobs taking off

l AEROGLEN

| Nick Dalton

STUNT pilot Emma McDonald is urging people, especially women, to consider a job in aviation at Cairns Airport’s careers day on Sunday.

At least 2000 people are expected to attend the day at general aviation (Cairns Aviation Skills Centre) from 9am to noon with more than 300 jobs on offer.

Ms McDonald, who will be performing a 15-minute aerobatic display along the Cairns Esplanade tomorrow from 4.30pm-5.30pm before Cairns Festival’s grand parade, is passionate about the aviation industry.

“It is diverse. Every day is an adventure and there are many careers to choose from,” she said.

“From a pilot’s perspective, I get to see all the moving posts of aviation come together to make flying possible.

“Aviation is always growing with the amount of people wanting to travel. Due to this there are some areas in which aviation is lacking support and people.

“Something that most people don't consider is that aircraft can't fly without maintainers, we can't fly around safely without air traffic controllers, we can't

fly without refuellers and the planes certainly don't fly without pilots just to name a few.

“It really is a big ecosystem that needs continuous support as it grows. There are so many different jobs to choose from with amazing career progression and support, the hard part is trying to choose one.”

Ms McDonald and reigning Red Bull Air Race world champion Matt Hall will be at the careers event to meet fans and share stories

Hours slashed by pharmacy

60-day dispensing rule has been blamed

l MANUNDA

| Nick Dalton

A MANUNDA pharmacy has cut its trading hours in anticipation of the costly 60-day dispensing rule and a shortage of pharmacists.

Twomey said he was not surprised.

“Calanna pharmacies used to be 8am-8pm, seven days a week, but Terry White (the new owners) have cut hours,” he said. The stores now close at either 5pm or 6pm.

about their careers from 10.30am.

A range of roles are up for grabs around the precinct, including in airport operations, security, baggage handling, engineering, hospitality and retail, with pathways for apprentices, trainees and people looking for a career change.

The event will take place from 9am-12pm and is free to attend, with a sausage sizzle and refreshments.

Register at www.cairnsairport.com.au

Edmonton Flowers

Optimal Pharmacy at the Raintrees shopping centre used to trade seven days a week but now is closed on Sunday, with Monday to Friday hours of 8am6pm and Saturday 9am-4pm. Previously it was open until 6.30pm Monday to Wednesday and Friday and 7pm on Thursday and 9am-5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Pharmacist and manager Bec Wilkins blamed the pending 60-day rule where customers would be able to receive twice the medication for the cost of a single prescription.

She said the proposal would mean their dispensing fee income would be halved.

“So instead of getting $8 per stock item every month we will be getting $8 per second month,” Miss Wilkins said. She said the business relied on prescriptions more than general stock in the store to make

money. “Our store’s not very profitable as it is.

“We rely on dispensing stock and if the prescriptions are cut it will be a massive hit,” Miss Wilkins said.

She said she had slashed the hours of some of the 14 parttime and casual staff to meet the budget and therefore reduced opening hours.

Miss Wilkins said another factor was the severe shortage of pharmacists.

She said the owner had been forced to fly in pharmacists from New South Wales so there were at least two available for dispensing and reduce the stress on staff.

Pharmacy Guild of Australia president Professor Trent

Mr Twomey said Chemist Warehouse had also started increasing their prices.

He said he was in Brisbane this week to continue the guild’s lobbying campaign followed by Canberra when parliament sits again from September 4.

A new report by the Commonwealth Bank and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has revealed a bleak outlook from pharmacists because of the Albanese government’s introduction of 60-day dispensing.

The ‘Commbank Pharmacy Insights Report 2023’ shows an overwhelming number of pharmacists will be charging for what were previously free services, cutting staff and trading hours, and believe the value of their pharmacy will fall over the next three years.

Comment was sought from Terry White Chemmart and Chemist Warehouse.

Aerobatics pilot Emma McDonald will be at the Cairns Airport careers day and will perform demonstrations. Picture: Supplied

Pharmacy manager Bec Wilkins.

Three independents form alliance for 2024 Cairns local elections

‘Dream team’ hopefuls

l CAIRNS REGION

|

Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

AIMING to tackle the housing crisis, youth crime and infrastructure in Cairns head on, three independents – the ‘Dream Team’ as they call themselves, – are former magistrate Pat O’Shane, first-timer Shane Cuthbert and current division 2 councillor Rob Pyne.

Law student at CQU and youth advocate Shane Cuthbert announced his debut candidacy for division 4 (Earlville, Kanimbla, Mooroobool, Manunda and Manoora), currently held by Cr Terry James, who has announced his candidacy for mayor.

A former youth offender, Mr Cuthbert believes youth crime and housing are the crises that need to be prioritised.

“I’ve attended most council meetings over the last 18 months, so I’m up to date across all issues. There’s no other candidates doing this as far as I’m aware,” he said.

“I want to focus on housing, youth crime and justice reforms. Cairns council currently waives development fees for wealthy developers, they have budgeted $6 million to be waived in the next financial year and that’s money that we could be putting into community housing or supporting a homeless shelter.

“When it comes to youth crime, I’ve been advocating for the last four years for a 24-hour youth centre in Cairns because crime peaks between 12am and 2am and most programs only run until 11pm. “I was a youth offender and I’ve changed my life and now I’m

Woman of year div. 2 candidate

l

SOUTHERN CORRIDOR

hoping to use all of that as tools to make the community better.”

Kuku Yalandji woman and former magistrate and Leichhardt candidate Pat O’Shane will be contesting division 8 (Barron, Caravonica, Smithfield, and the Northern Beaches), incumbent to Ronda Coghlan, looking to create change for the youth at grassroot levels.

“Council is the fundamental political organisation in the city, and there are a lot of issues in this city that need to be addressed. What I want people to understand is that we haven’t nourished a society that cherishes youth in particular,” she said.

“First of all, we need social housing. I don’t think this council in particular has a social housing policy, and we need to address youth crime which is being all blamed on Indigenous youth.”

Now in its third year as a division 2 councillor, Rob Pyne has his eyes set on division 5 (Cairns CBD, Cairns North, Portsmith, Westcourt, Parramatta Park, Aeroglen, Bungalow) to make a “vibrant inner city”.

“Some people in Parramatta Park, Westcourt, Bungalow, have been paying rates for over 100 years and they still don’t have footpaths, so we’ve got to get people in council who will invest in these inner-city areas which I believe offer a prospect of a really awesome quality of life,” Cr Pyne said.

“Investment in infrastructure and access is key for residents, and creating a CBD that people want to go to, we need more trees, more public transport, and better access for people who use their own devices.”

COMMUNITY leader, advocate and Cairns Regional Council’s 2022 woman of the year Kesa Strieby (right) is the fourth candidate for division 2 in next year’s local government elections in March.

She will be representing Team Eden, led by Councillor Amy Eden, who is standing for the mayoralty.

A Fijian native, along with her husband Markus, she has spent over 40 years building a life together while living in 10 different countries.

For the past 16 years, Ms Strieby has called Cairns home, and during this time, she has dedicated herself to various community causes. She is also the founding member of the Fijian Community Association.

“Division 2 is the growth corridor for Cairns, with many young families, multicultural communities, and social and cultural needs,” she said.

“I want to work collaboratively with everyone to elevate the area further.”

Ms Strieby has influenced the redesign of a proposed neighbourhood centre into a space that will benefit the entire Cairns community. She is the fourth confirmed candidate for the division which is fast becoming one of the hotly-contested seats.

Independent council candidates Pat O’Shane (left), Rob Pyne and Shane Cuthbert.

Picture: Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

Cyclone awareness yarns

l WOREE

CAIRNS Regional Council has partnered with The Pyjama Foundation to increase cyclone awareness among local foster families ahead of the upcoming wet season.

The council has donated activity story books about staying safe in cyclones and heavy rain to local Pyjama Angel volunteers.

Families will learn about safety in extreme weather events through the eyes of a small bird and his animal friends.

Deputy Mayor Terry James, who is chairman of the local

disaster management group, said the council gifted the books titled 'Birdie and the Cyclone' and 'Birdie and the Flood' to provide new reading material and raise awareness about cyclone and flood preparation.

“We live in the wet tropics, so we want everyone in our community to be confident and aware of how to stay safe in cyclones and flood events,” he said.

“Educating children early is the best way to build confidence and resilience, and through this type of learning with older children or adults telling the story, the whole family benefits

‘Robbed’ of a billion bucks

Cairns region ‘ripped off’ by government

l CAIRNS

| Nick Dalton

THE Cairns region has been “robbed” of over a billion dollars in state government funding in the past 10 years.

from the information.”

The series of stories related to natural disasters were developed by infant mental health specialists and are targeted at children aged under 6 years and can be told through the use of hand puppets.

Cr James said the council was thrilled to support the Pyjama Foundation and their incredible work while raising awareness of the upcoming wet season. “There is a network of around 50 Pyjama Angels active in the Cairns area. They provide children in foster care with positive interactions and learning-based mentoring through reading," he said.

Cairns Regional Council analysis of government capital expenditure shows that per capita between 2014 and 2024 the region received $1.21 billion less than Toowoomba/Darling Downs region, $4.38bn less that central Queensland and $1.25bn less than the Townsville regiom.

“Despite increases in recent years, direct budgeted capital expenditure per capita by the state government in the Cairns region over the 10 years 201415 to 2023-24 is the lowest of any region in the state outside south-east Queensland (Greater Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast regions) and significantly below the per capita spend for other regions,” economic development and advocacy director Nick Masasso said in the report.

Cr Brett Olds (div 9) told a council meeting on Wednesday that “we’re being robbed blind”. He said he could not understand why the region’s four

MPs, including a minister, an assistant minister and the speaker of the house, were “not standing up for us”.

“They are in a powerful position and should be saying enough is enough,” Cr Olds said.

He said the Cairns region was “way behind everyone else”.

Cr Olds said senior state government officials had suggested the council increase rates so the state did not have to grant more money to the region.

Deputy mayor Cr Terry James said the difference between Cairns and the other regions was “significant”.

Cr Amy Eden (div 5) said “imagine what the place could look like with that level of (fair) investment.

“I feel we are being ripped off,” she said.

Mayor Bob Manning said the state government refused to discuss why Cairns received a lot less than other regions and the southeast.

He said two weeks after the Cowboys won the premiership, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and then Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited Townsville and announced $300m for a

Festival road closures

new football stadium. “Townsville council pays nothing for this stadium, there is no risk,” Cr Manning said.

In the report Mr Masasso said the per capita analysis was based on the usual resident population of the various regions.

“It does not take into account the fact the Cairns region also has a significant visitor population. In the five years to 2021/22, the Cairns Local Government Area welcomed an average of 2.3 million domestic and international visitors per annum, equating to just over 7.5 million room nights,” he said.

“This represents an additional 26,800 people visiting the Cairns LGA on any given day (five-year average), which equates to an increase of 10.3 per cent of the usual resident population of the Cairns region.

“These visitors also utilise significant components of the region’s infrastructure and services.

“Had this visitor population been included in the analysis, the already significant gap between the Cairns region per capita spend and that of other regions over the past 10 years would be even wider.”

Council News Update

Cairns Festival kicks-off today (Friday 25 August) with the dynamic laser and light production, Reef Lights, from 6.30pm along the Esplanade.

On Saturday, the Grand Parade starts along the Esplanade from 5.30pm, followed by the annual fireworks display at 7.30pm.

The following road closures are associated with the Grand Parade on Saturday:

n Lake St, from Minnie St to Florence St: 5am-10pm, no parking from 5am, road closed at 4pm

n Minnie St, from Lake St to the Esplanade: 2pm-10pm

n Cairns Esplanade, from Minnie St to Spence St: 5am-10pm

n Pier Point Rd, half road closure, no access to bus stops: 5am-10pm

n The Pier Car Park, western section only: 5am-10pm.

Visit www.cairnsfest.com.au for the Cairns Festival program.

Rates due next week

A variety of convenient online and phone payment options are available; visit Council’s website for more details. Residents can now opt to receive future rates notices by email via Council’s website, by providing their name, email address and property assessment number, found on the top right hand corner of any existing notice. They can also request a Bpay View version via their internet banking.

Deputy mayor Terry James (centre) reads one of the books to Pyjama angel Lucy Pedersen, Jasmine Hinds, Willow Paterson and Pyjama angel Lucy Friends. Picture: Cairns Regional Council

Jewel in the crown

Cairns Amateurs ball a gem

l CAIRNS ESPLANADE

| Isaac Colman

SIXTY-FIVE years of the Cairns Amateur Carnival will be celebrated alongside a spectacular black-tie gala event, the 65-year anniversary Sapphire Ball – a night full of theatrics, pyrotechnics, high-energy choreographed dance performances as well as a live band performing.

Cairns Amateurs have gone all-out by booking a waterfront marquee overlooking the Cairns Esplanade, with over 500 expected guests to be treated to a gilt-edged entertainment program.

This year’s event will be a blend of unique food, hospitality, and live entertainment with some of the best in business, such as the award-winning team from Ochre Restaurant and Catering, talented performers from KL Performance Industry Dancing and even the authenticity of local band Kaweyova.

Cairns Amateurs Carnival president David Goodman (above) said the ball was among his favourite events whose long tradition had been refined and refreshed, enjoying a resurgence in popularity among the next generation of racegoers.

“This event really is our city’s night of nights, a one-of-a-kind celebration

Terrain board’s new boss

l CAIRNS CBD

INDIGENOUS leader Barry Hunter has been appointed new chairman of Far North Queensland’s Terrain NRM board.

The Cairns resident replaces current chairman Keith Noble, who after 12 years on the board, including eight in the top role, has announced his retirement on November 14.

Mr Hunter (above) was first appointed to the board in 2018.

A descendant of the Djabugay and Jiddabul-speaking people of the Cairns hinterland, his career has included a broad range of roles in government, mining and not–for-profit organisations.

with its own unique brand of Far North Queensland hospitality and flair.

“Each year we work hard to raise the bar in being the best black-tie gala in town, the one that cannot be missed and is best remembered,” he said.

Special guests invited to attend the ball include Queensland Governor Dr Jeannette Young, Queensland Racing Minister Grace Grace, patron and Member for Cairns Michael Healy, racing media identity Bart Sinclair and carnival ambassador Emma Scodellaro.

General admission to the carnival begins at $35 per person at the gate or $30 online. Two-day membership packages begin from $180 per person.

All tickets and events can be booked and purchased online at www.cairnsamateurs.org.au

“Terrain is integral to leadership of the region and management of our natural assets,” he said.

“We will be continuing to work with others, combining science, technical expertise, local knowledge, traditional knowledge and innovative solutions, to ensure a thriving and sustainable Wet Tropics region from the Reef and rainforest to industry and economies.”

Terrain NRM CEO Stewart Christie said he was looking forward to working with Mr Hunter, who “brings a wide breadth of knowledge and experience and will provide important continuity for Terrain NRM”.

IT MIGHT JUST BE EAR WAX

The symptoms of ear wax are impaired hearing, dizziness, ear pain, a plugged or full sensation and ringing in the ear. You should never attempt to self-clean and always seek professional advice. We can help! We offer gentle and effective methods of wax removal.

Sam Clark, lead singer of Kaweyova, will be entertaining at this year’s Sapphire Ball.

Picture: Veronica Sagredo, Blueclick Photography

Retiree back on the

beat

l CAIRNS CBD

THE Far North’s first Special Constable, Peter Banaghan, has been sworn-in.

Special Constable Banaghan (right) retired at the rank of senior sergeant at Cairns in 2021. He served for more than 43 years in the Queensland Police Service (QPS) rising through the ranks from cadet to Senior Sergeant.

Although Special Constable Banaghan served throughout Queensland, the main bulk of his service was in the Far Northern region.

“I joined the service in 1978 initially serving in the southeast and then the Mount Isa area before relocating to Cairns in 1988,” he said.

“I stayed in Cairns when I retired, the city holds a special place in my heart.

“The Special Constable program gives me the opportunity to still be involved in the community and the QPS.”

The QPS, through the Special Constable program, is tapping into the vast experience of retired officers to strengthen policing capacity. Special Constables hold the same powers as permanently employed officers and undergo training to ensure they can perform the same duties and responsibilities.

‘Humble’ police officer

Innisfail cop nominated for Queensland ‘everyday hero’ award

l INNISFAIL

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

AN Innisfail police officer and State Emergency Services (SES) volunteer has been dubbed an ‘everyday hero’ for his passion and eagerness to support and uplift the local community.

A father of two girls, Constable Andrew Marr has been nominated for a QBANK Everyday Hero Award for his dedication to the Innisfail community.

The QBANK Everyday Hero Awards recognise local, state, and federal government employees in Queensland in jobs that pertain to administration of justice and protection of life and property.

Mr Marr was previously a member of the Australian Defence Force before joining the Queensland Police Service in July, 2022 and in his new role he focusses on public safety and crime prevention while dedicating his spare time to supporting the community by volunteering with SES.

“I felt like my career goal within Defence had been achieved and I was after a new challenge,” he said.

“I enjoy being in a role where I can be of assistance to other people, and I wanted to focus more on a local scale.

“Innisfail is a close-knit community and, although it sounds

very cliché, I like the fact that by volunteering or policing I can make the community somewhat safer and better for my kids to grow up in. It’s nice knowing that there are small things that I can do.”

Mr Marr said he felt humbled by the nomination.

“There are a million people out there that are more deserv-

ing of the award and even the nomination. I know that my wife nominated me, and she was very clear on why she feels I’m worthy of the nomination so I’m a little bit overwhelmed,” he said.

“I’m happy to be a quiet achiever and be behind the scenes.”

The nomination detailed how

Mr Marr utilised his previous skills and knowledge in both his community roles to educate and enhance the abilities of the local groups and committed countless of hours upkeeping Innisfail’s SES facilities.

“I look forward, through my two roles, to integrate the local QPS and local SES on a much closer level,” he said. Winners

will be selected by a panel of highly respected judges and will receive $2000 deposited into a QBANK account and $2000 donated to a charity of their choice.

Finalists will be announced in September and winners will be recognised at the annual awards dinner at the W Hotel Brisbane on October 27, 2023.

Constable Andrew Marr has been nominated for an ‘everyday hero’ award for his dedication to the Innisfail community. Picture: Supplied.

Attracting superyachts

Brokers see best of what is on offer in Far North

l CAIRNS MARINA

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

FOUR luxury charter brokers from across Australia have been in Cairns researching what they can put on itineraries to lure superyacht guests.

Brokers from The Luxury Charter Group, The Yacht Life, Ahoy Club and Ocean Alliance visited the most iconic locations in the Far North, from Skyrail and the Great Barrier Reef, to a helicopter ride to Port Douglas and visiting the Cairns Marina with the purpose of marketing the tropical destination to their clients domestically and internationally.

The familiarisation event, organised by the Superyacht Group Great Barrier Reef in collaboration with Morris Nautical, Lizard Island Resort and Tourism and Events Queensland, could mean an influx of luxury yachts arriving in the region from across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific in coming years.

With over 80 luxury yachts across Australia chartering to Tropical North Queensland, like the iconic The Beast based in New Zealand, or local treasures, such as the Beluga based in Port Douglas and the Aurora based in

Yorkeys Knob, the race is on to make FNQ a luxury charter destination.

Ocean Alliance managing director and charter broker Joachim Howard, who works with one of the largest fleets of yachts that charter to TNQ with over 20 vessels, said he was looking forward to gaining insight into the region.

“We want to learn more about the region and encourage more commercial yachts to come up and also more local and international clients to visit Australia and charter here,” he said.

“Cairns is one of the key gateways to the Great Barrier Reef and has an international airport, so most of our itineraries begin here and go to Lizard Island, it’s one of our most popular charter itineraries, so we’re here to learn even more.”

Ports North Cairns marina manager Andrew Rokstad said it was an annual effort to promote the region as a luxury yachts destination. “We’re out here promoting the region and ensuring the superyacht industry are aware of what we have here, the Reef, the rainforest, and to promote the charter industry and attract more boats to come into the region,” he said. “We’re into our peak season now. Three large vessels are coming in and we’re almost fully booked for September.”

600 at Indigenous gathering

l CAIRNS CBD

MORE than 600 delegates are in Cairns this week for the sold-out National Custodians of Country Gathering (the Gathering).

Hosted by First Nations people and led by the Firesticks Alliance, the Gathering aims to foster collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to work together to address the pressing need for ecological restoration, enhanced biodiversity and community resilience.

Firesticks Alliance co-founder and expert cultural fire practitioner Victor Steffensen said the holistic nature of Indigenous knowledge was significant a contemporary context.

“The National Custodians of Country Gathering will showcase the entire Indigenous knowledge system and its relevance to modern society,” he said.

“We want to show how rich our culture and practices are across science, conservation, agriculture, language and connecting with country, and how these various knowledge systems can be holistically applied to ensure better outcomes for our communities, future generations and the world they are set to inherit. “Indigenous knowledge-based solutions are nature-based solutions. Through this event, we want to show how we are all stronger together – Indigenous and nonIndigenous.”

Ahoy Club Yacht Charters sales executive Arielle Farrell (left), The Yacht Life co-founder Joey Crutch, Ocean Alliance managing director Joachim Howard and The Luxury Charter Group charter executive Rebecca Montgomery exploring the Cairns marina. Picture: Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

Humble fruit to be celebrated next month by industry leaders

l FAR NORTH | Nick Dalton

THE under-rated red papaya is being given a makeover to increase its popularity as a food.

Mareeba papaya grower Skybury Farms is launching the first Papaya Week next month.

Skybury general manager Candy MacLaughlin said the concept was to introduce restaurants, cafés and the public more broadly to the benefits inherent in the widely grown and marketed red papaya.

“Our idea is to do a pilot program locally here in TNQ and partner with local restaurants, so we are able to show chefs and diners how delicious and versatile this local crop really is,” she said.

“With nearly all red papaya eaten in Australia grown within 500km of Cairns, the industry is a major employer supplying around 5000 tonnes each year to meet intrastate and interstate demand and contributing about $20 million per annum into the economy.

“Our papaya fields at Paddy’s Green near Mareeba are part of a patchwork of neighbouring growers’ farms.

“As well as Skybury, there are several other major papaya growers in Far North Queensland who grow and

pick red papaya for 52 weeks a year.

“As an industry, papaya would employ thousands of people directly and hundreds more indirectly in transport, logistics, storage and retailing.”

Papaya Week will run from September 11-17 2023, with restaurant partners Ochre Restaurant, Guyala Café, Caffiend and Skybury’s own café set to embrace papaya power in specially created papaya dishes on their menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“One of the interesting aspects of papaya – apart from it being a delicious and nutritious superfood – is that it is incredibly versatile,”Ms MacLaughlin said.

“You can use it in a papaya boat for breakfast, in bruschetta for lunch, and in savoury curries for dinner. And anytime is papaya smoothie time.”

Fast facts

• Papaya’s nickname is the ‘fruit of the angels’ and it comes from the explorer Christopher Columbus, who, during his voyages to the Americas, was impressed by the sweet and heavenly taste of the tropical fruit.

• It’s a superfood rich in nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, potassium, and magnesium

• High in antioxidants such as carotenoids and flavonoids

• Boosts digestion with an enzyme called papain, which aids in breaking down proteins and supports digestion.

l CAIRNS REGION

| Nick Dalton

BUYERS for two significant businesses in Cairns – the Cairns Aquarium and the Woolworths Gordonvale shopping centre –have yet to be locked in.

Expressions of interest for the aquarium closed on June 30 and for the shopping centre on March 30.

The aquarium is considered irreplaceable and features some of the Far North’s most dangerous and lethal animals, such as sharks, crocodiles, stingrays and snakes.

It was once valued at $100 million and selling agent Stacey Quaid of Colliers International Cairns said there had been good inquiries before a marketing campaign was launched in May.

He said that he had “no news” about the sale yet.

Woolworths put the shopping centre – built for $20 million –up for sale in February, seven months after it was completed.

The 3880sqm shopping centre is anchored by a 3315sqm lease to Woolworths and has a fully leased net income of $1.29m per annum.

Other retailers include Coco Sushi, Malaysia Noodle House, Discount Drug Store and JSL Phone Repairs.

Danny Betros of CBRE Cairns said he had nothing to report on the sale at this stage.

Skybury Farms general manager

Candy MacLaughlin with papayas. Picture: FNQ Food Magazine

Alarming

JCU forest findings

l SMITHFIELD

ON the heels of Earth’s warmest week on record, a new study finds the world’s tropical forest canopies may be closer to critical high-temperature thresholds than previously thought, but there may still be time to act.

PhD candidate Kali Middleby and Research Fellow Dr Alex Cheesman from James Cook University’s Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science at Smithfield took part in the study.

Ms Middleby said the research combined satellite thermal and on-ground warming data from across the world’s tropical forests.

“Sunlit leaves in forest canopies can be much hotter than the surrounding air temperature. When these temperatures surpass their tolerance threshold it leads to leaf death. This study shows that occasionally tropical leaves reach and exceed the temperatures at which they can no longer function,” she said.

She said lead author Dr Christopher Doughty from Northern Arizona University and the team were able to build a comprehensive understanding of current tropical forest leaf temperatures and model how they may be expected to change given ongoing anthropogenic global warming.

Dr Doughty said it was not too late to act and save tropical forests from dying.

Taking trek to the top

Cancer survivor to climb one of highest mountains in the world

l TRINITY BEACH

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

CERVICAL cancer survivor

Alana Keniger and daughter Indah, 10, are preparing for the trek of a lifetime, pledging to climb Kilimanjaro this September to raise funds for gynaecological cancer research.

In the first week of September, Ms Keniger and her daughter, joined by her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, will be climbing Kilimanjaro, with each participant raising $10,000 towards not-for-profit Cherish Women’s Cancer Foundation for research.

If they reach the top, Indah will be the youngest person ever to climb Kilimanjaro.

“It means the world to me to be able to step on the top of Kilimanjaro, cancer-free, with my daughter and three generations of my family, it means everything,” she said.

The Trinity Beach resident’s life was turned upside down after a life-threatening stage III cervical cancer diagnosis.

“I had been feeling unwell, and it was the third doctor I visited who sent me for some cancer screenings,” she said.

“I was flown to Townsville for a complete diagnosis, and within three weeks, I was getting chemo and radiation five days a week. I received a clear

scan in February, so I’m in a post-treatment recovery phase.”

After connecting with the founder of Cherish during her diagnosis, Ms Keineger made Kilimanjaro her goal.

“Prof. Andreas Obermair (founder) told me every year they do a trek, and that next year it was going to be Kilimanjaro,

and I said, “I’m coming with you”,” she said.

“This was before I started treatment. I needed that goal that would get me past cancer.

“We’re currently 12 people going up. “We’re trying to make that 20 to raise over $120,000, which will all go to Cherish.

“We’re close to our goal with

$8500, and I ran a trivia night at Trinity Beach Sports Club on July 22. “That was my last fundraising event,” she said.

With over 6700 women and girls diagnosed with gynaecological cancers like vulvar, endometrial and ovarian cancers in Australia, Ms Keineger believes this to be the worthiest of

causes. “I’m probably going to be one of the last generations to have to deal with cervical cancer because so much research and resources have been put into it,” she said.

The Kenigers will arrive in Tanzania on August 30 and start their way up Kilimanjaro in the first week of September.

FNQ deserves world class cancer treatment. We can do it togethe r. The Foundation needs to raise $1.5 million to support the developme nt of state-of-the-art facilities and provide the best possible care to cancer

The Foundation will work with Queensland Health on the $3.4 mil lion project, which will lessen the need for patients having to trav el south for treatment. They will be cared for here at Cairns Hospital C ancer Care hub, close to those who love them.

1.5 million will help us: We

Cervical cancer survivor Alana Keniger and her daughter Indah are climbing Kilimanjaro next month. Picture: Supplied

WANT

Not all Indigenous support the Voice

PM Anthony Albanese’s Voice to Parliament will be getting a ‘no’ vote from me, simply because it does not have the full support of Indigenous people.

When even the very people that are supposed to benefit from the Voice are divided over its merits, there is surely something very wrong.

The Voice seems to be causing ever more disunity, with some very vocal Indigenous statesmen calling it flawed and insulting to First Nations people.

Prominent leaders like Warren Mundine and Senator Jacinta Price wisely predict the Voice will squander millions of dollars and result in chaos, confusion and conflict.

They highlight that the proposal is built on a fundamentally flawed premise that Australia’s Indigenous people are a single, homogenous race, rather than a multitude of distinct nations each with their own unique history, culture and language.

If First Nations people believe the Voice will not deliver meaningful change for themselves, then who am I – as a privileged non-Indigenous woman – to disagree?

Majella Martin, Earlville

Shout out to Wayne’s World

JUST a quick shout out to Wayne who brightens our lives every month with his article Wayne’s World.

His insights into life in our fabulous region and a heads up around local news and events is always refreshing. Often I see Wayne wandering around the CDB greeting punters and chatting

about all things weird and wonderful.

I have been blessed to say G’day to Wayne and have a chat on a few occasions.

He always leaves me with a smile on my face and a feeling of gratitude for all we enjoy in this wonderful city that we all call home.

Wayne’s colourful beards, cool hats and matching tropical outfits are a real hit with locals and tourists alike and remind us of why we don’t live in the capital cities with their dreary greys, blacks and a slash of red clothing.

We all wish you the very best in your health recovery journey and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Wayne – you rock brother.

Brett Moore, Kanimbla Heights

Railway station for model club

HERE’S a thought for the Cairns Model Railway Club.

The ideal spot for a model railway club would be a railway station.

The Redlynch railway station is unused.

David Swift, Redlynch

Thanks from The Smith Family

I’M writing to express my deep appreciation and thanks to everyone across Queensland who supported The Smith Family’s 2023 Winter Appeal.

It goes without saying that the last few years have been incredibly hard on all Australians. We have gone from the COVID-19 pandemic to the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. Living in economically unstable

Vocal Local join our online debate be a

Last week we asked the question: Do you think a youth jail should be built at Edmonton?

Here are some of your comments.

THIS

Do you support the government’s 60-day dispensing proposal? @cairnslocalnews

times is particularly difficult for young people, and this is even more true for children living in poverty. School can be a great constant, and all children should feel confident enough to participate fully, so they can get the most out of their education.

If a jail needs to be built, it should be build right in the middle of the CBD. People in jail have friends and family who need to visit them, so it should be as convenient as possible. It will also provide jobs to the locals. Treating a jail like an industrial warehouse for undesirable humans to be put in the middle of nowhere is the wrong approach and encourages a “get rid of them”, instead of a rehabilitation and support approach. Or better yet, abolish jails entirely and use the saved money on support programs to prevent people from needing to commit crimes in the first place.

James Veighan - Facebook

Is it just for Cairns youth or for the region? Personally it should be on farm land out of city or town

The families we support want the very best for their children and while they are working hard to pay for necessities, things like tutoring or tailored support to help their children catch up, are simply not within reach, especially as the cost-of-living increases bite. When we empower a young

enough to be an incentive to not go there. I remember a few years ago teens doing burnout in a stolen car in a car park of one.

Chris Corcoran - Facebook

There is vacant land in Swallow Rd at Edmonton next to 51st Battalion’s Porton Barracks. Knowing they are next to an army base should prove somewhat of a deterrent.

John, Manoora

Yes it’s gotta go somewhere. I know no-one wants it in their suburb but it has to be a suburb.

Ange Callander - Facebook

No.

Belinda Stott, Susan Jackson James, Marissa Murnane, Judith Barrie, Col Oakley - Facebook

person through education, it can change the course of their life.

So, on behalf of the students and families we support – thank you very much for your incredible generosity.

Doug Taylor, chief executive officer, The Smith Family

Warning about attaching illegal posters to power poles

ENERGEX and Ergon are warning people who attach signs to power poles they are dicing with death following a situation that could have ended in tragedy.

Crews responding to an emergency outage in Brisbane found a scorched advertising sign and staple gun, as well as damage to an 11,000-volt cable attached to a power pole.

We have no idea what state the person who tried to post the sign was in because they fled the scene, but their actions could have been fatal or at least

led to severe burns. We have network protection in place for the community’s safety, but that does not mean it’s OK to interfere with electrical assets.

It is mind-blowing that anyone would risk their life to attach a sign to a power pole.

They’ve also caused disruption to the community as power was cut to more than 1000 customers, who remained without power while crews fixed the damage.

Illegal sign posters are not only risking their own safety and causing unnecessary disruption, they create additional risks for crews working on the electricity network.

Imagine turning up at work to discover someone had left

rusty nails, screws and staples half-driven into your workspace and how dangerous that’d be for you. This is exactly what our crews are facing.

The risk was growing with an increasing number of advertising signs being illegally tacked up on power poles across state.

What the people who put up these signs don’t appreciate is that our crews often have to climb these poles at night and during severe weather in pouring rain with low visibility.

The nails, screws and the

signs themselves can easily rip into our crews’ protective clothing and skin, putting them in a very dangerous situation.

Some of these backyard operators also don’t know that attaching signs to our power poles isn’t just dangerous and a huge waste of public resources. It’s also illegal and can attract fines of more than $6000 under state legislation.

Energex and Ergon no longer tolerate this dangerous practice and will be pursuing legal action against businesses or individuals associated with

unauthorised signage. No-one deserves to go to work where sharp objects are hidden within their workspace. This is about keeping our staff safe from harm and deterring people from this dangerous practice. Most signs clearly display the phone number of the business owners, and we will start getting in touch with them, so we strongly recommend these people stop placing their signs on poles.

Arturo Erazo is Energex’s contracts coordinator

Gazza’s Gossip

Locals lace up for leukaemia

l MOSSMAN

LAVENDER and Lace returned to the Mossman Shire Hall last Saturday which, as in previous years, provided a colourful and entertaining event, raising funds for the Mossman District Branch Leukaemia Foundation.

The event attracted a large attendance, which included a few familiar local personalities such as Shaun Cram, the main host for the afternoon.

The event kicked off with some songs from local singer Bec Waters and this was followed by more music from the members of Lynda’s Music Studio.

Another attraction for the afternoon was

a fashion parade provided by local shop Ives Mensland.

All involved had a couple of main objectives in mind, those being to have a heap of fun and more importantly to raise an even bigger heap of money to go towards supporting local leukaemia patients and research.

Valuable funds were raised through cent sales, lucky cupcakes, snap raffles and proceeds from the delicious afternoon tea.

Scary statistics show that the number of new leukaemia cases diagnosed has increased from over 1600 per year in the early 1980s to over 4500 per year currently.

To be more specific, only in the last couple of years, Australians have seen an increase

Breakfast from 6am on Douglas FM 101.5FM

of 162 friends and family, per year, lost to this awful scourge.

With this in mind, organisations like the Mossman district branch of the Leukaemia Foundation, plus the amazing members and supporters involved, play a massive part in hopefully, one day, making illnesses such a leukaemia a thing of the past.

Further details about the Mossman district branch of the Leukaemia Foundation can be found on their Facebook Page.

I’m off to finish my cupcake, so for now it’s Gazza signing out. Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au

Sunday arvo at the Croc Pit

PORT DOUGLAS

ONE of the many interesting parts of writing Gazza’s Goss is attending different events around the Douglas Shire. Meeting different people is one of the fun factors for me, but it’s always an extra bonus when the occasion has a special purpose such as a fund raiser.

One such event, recently, was the Port Douglas Croc’s Reverse Raffle, held at their home ground the ‘Croc Pit’.

With a fantastic afternoon of socialising fully expected, it was no surprise that all tickets were sold out prior to the event.

With food and beverages covered under the one ticket price, all that people had to worry about was whether their raffle number would or wouldn’t come up. Being a reverse raffle, all were hoping that their number wouldn’t come up and with the last number out of the hat worth $5000, many fingers were firmly crossed.

I could have easily provided dozens of pictures from this superb afternoon, but the ones chosen should give you some idea of the fun had by all.

Proceeds will support the Port Douglas Crocs as they continue with another very successful season.

Large numbers in attendance at the Croc Pit. l

Lavender and Lace brought colour and fun to Mossman Shire Hall.

Students from Lynda’s Music Studio added sound to the colour.

Host for the afternoon Shaun Cram.

Lots of goodies were available to raise funds for leukaemia.

We’re excited to announce the completion of our fresh new store. You’ll find our friendly team and a large fresh food department o ering everything from Australian fruit and veg to The Odd Bunch range.

We have a great, convenient range that is easy to shop. You’ll fall in love with our new deli, with cured meats sliced to order.

We’ve got everything you need for a party platter, plus a fantastic selection of Australian and imported cheeses.

Just

small taste of what you’ll discover at our fresh new Woolworths Raintrees.

From the farm to your table

Your new local fresh fruit and vegetable market is here bringing you the best of the country.

When it comes to fresh, it doesn’t get any fresher than this. We take great pride in partnering with Australian farmers to bring you fruit and veg – fresh, crisp and full of flavour.

You might also notice that one of our sections has fruit and veg that looks a little bit di erent. We call this range The Odd Bunch. It’s made up of fresh produce that looks di erent, but is just as beautiful on the inside, healthy and

For our bread & pastry fans

Ashining star of our fresh new store, the bakery is your onestop shop for gourmet loaves, pastries and party cakes. It’s pretty easy to find too, just follow that moreish smell of baked bread.

The team are not just baking the bread but o ering to slice it too. If you love a good loaf, you won’t be disappointed. We use only the fi nest ingredients in our in- store range with Aussie wheat flour.

Our desserts make any day a celebration. There’s a cake for everyone, whether you have a soft spot for Traditional Carrot Cake, prefer Orange & Poppy Seed or want to go all out with our Indulgent Chocolate and Caramel Cake.

Focus onEducation

New pre-school program focusses on connecting children with the natural world

Nurturing our young explorers

l KINDERGARTEN

CONNECTING children with nature is a key education tool used by a Cairns kindergarten.

Childs World Learning Centres’ admissions director Alison McCallum-Harding said “in an era where technological advances dominate our daily lives, it has become increasingly important to foster a deep connection between young minds and the natural world”.

“The foundation for a lifelong appreciation of nature begins in the formative years, making it imperative for our early learning centre to embrace innovative approaches,” she said.

Little World Early Learning Centres are now introducing nature workshops into their kindergarten program to create nurturing holistic development and environmental consciousness.

“Our nature workshops provide a unique avenue for young minds to engage with their surroundings in a hands-on and experiential manner,” Ms McCallum-Harding said.

“Through activities like nature walks, wildlife observation, and interactive gardening, kindergarten students can immerse themselves in the wonders of the natural environment. These workshops encourage sensory exploration, stimulate creativity, and spark a sense of wonder that is often lost in traditional classroom settings.”

Ms McCallum-Harding said na-

ture workshops instilled vital life skills in young learners. “By learning to navigate natural surroundings, children enhance their problem-solving abilities,” she said.

“They develop resilience as they adapt to changing weather conditions and unexpected challenges, fostering a sense of adaptability and resourcefulness.

“Additionally, these workshops promote physical activity and health, addressing concerns about sedentary lifestyles among children.

“While the benefits of nature workshops are undeniable, their implementation requires careful planning and collaboration, this is why we are partnering with local environmental organisation ‘Growing Wild’.

“Having Carmel from Growing Wild lead our nature workshops will bring specialised knowledge and resources into the classroom,” Ms McCallum-Harding said.

“The incorporation of nature workshops into our kindergarten program represents a powerful stride towards nurturing wellrounded individuals with a strong affinity for the environment.

“By encouraging exploration, critical thinking, and environmental consciousness, these workshops contribute not only to academic growth but also to the holistic development of our students. As we embrace this innovative approach, we are sowing the seeds of a brighter future for our children ...”

Children at Little World Early Learning Centres are getting back to nature.

TimeOut

Ancient Indigenous art and culture celebrated at 10-day 61st Cairns Festival

‘Sand people’ in spotlight

l

CAIRNS ESPLANADE

| Gail Sedorkin

DON’T miss the world premiere of Gulgi-Barra, an important local dance work created for Cairns Festival 2023 and just one of the many highlights of the 10-day program that starts tonight.

Audiences will be taken on a journey of discovery of the ancient sand people in this free performance on Cairns Esplanade’s Eastern Events Lawn, the first of five shows including a matinee tomorrow.

The Miriki Performing Arts production features a cast of 60 dancers and singers telling the story of this old Yidinji clan group whose ancestral custodians lived within traditional homelands in and around what is now known as Trinity Inlet.

Directed by Miriki assistant artistic director and head choreographer Balla Neba, Gulgi-Barra brings together Miriki developing artists aged seven to 16 years, cultural advisor Uncle David Mundraby’s Dabul Dancers from Yarrabah, the Kingdom Voices Choir and the NRL Cowboys House Ensemble from Townsville.

Ms Neba said the show came together after a series of interpretive workshops exploring the sand stories and the way the clan used it in their daily lives.

“It is a very special story and I am honoured that Uncle David and Aunty Roberta Mundraby have trusted Miriki with this story,” she said.

“The Gulgi-Barra or sand people are not there anymore, and I believe Uncle David is only one of a handful of living descendants of that tribe,” he said.

“The show starts off with Uncle David and the Dabul dancers, blessing the dance space and audience with a prayer in language. It’s beautiful.

“Then the Cowboys Ensemble dancers come out, the Miriki walk out and then the Kingdom Voices choir, with

their beautiful soulful harmonies, sing We Are Gathering, a traditional peace song.”

Tiffany Beckwith-Skinner, who is widely respected in the fashion, TV and music industries with three decades experience working with artists like Powderfinger, Russell Crowe and Usher,

With

has created the traditional country and Paris-Milan catwalk-inspired contemporary costumes for the performance.

Ms Neba also acknowledged Tristan Barton as an important collaborator, creating a moving video and short film for Gulgi-Barra, incorporating Uncle David Mundraby’s song line of the

Gulgi-Barra story.” Seeing all these people come together is quite an emotional experience.

“I am so proud of our dancers,” she said.

Miriki Performing arts chief executive officer and artistic director Pauline Lampton said the team first talked

about the concept of sand as a theme for a show in 2022 before consulting cultural advisors Uncle David Mundraby and Aunty Roberta Mundraby who shared stories of the sand people. For the full Cairns Festival program that runs until Sunday, September 3, go to www.cairnsfest.com.au

Scarlett Jean Cheethan, Lealon Schrieber and Nyeira Faith Cashmere. Pictures: Supplied

Melileucah Drahm-Butler and Lealon Schrieber.

Young dancers from Miriki Performinh Arts.

Hot & Heavy ignites Tanks

The Ironing Maidens to debut world premiere of their new fiery performance

l EDGE HILL | Gail Sedorkin

CAIRNS Festival is set to ignite with an electrifying performance as The Ironing Maidens take the stage for their world premiere of Hot & Heavy.

The Ironing Maidens invite audiences to join their immersive, interactive ‘fabulation’ that is part installation, part performance and part banging dance party at Tanks Arts Centre on August 25 and August 27. While still retaining a sense of fun with electronic instruments made from irons and ironing boards and incorporating a gliding washing machine, swinging Hills Hoist, an aerialist and dance troupe, Hot & Heavy moves away from the cheeky, poppy world of electric housewives and into something deeper.

The Ironing Maidens’ Melania Jack and Patty Preece worked with a climate specialist and engaged a virtuoso team to help develop this new world to explore.

They included choreographic director Leigh-Anne Vizer, who has also been busy with FIFA World Cup ceremonies, and Auslan performance interpreter, Alison Toft, to help break down inclusivity barriers.

“This is the next phase of The

Ironing Maidens, a show with a different look and feel,” Ms Jack said.

Ms Preece said they would be working with the Cairns community through a series of workshops in the lead up to the performances, to “skill share in music and dance and invite people to create with us and join in the live performance”.

The Ironing Maidens creative workshops are open to anyone aged 15 and over of any ability who wants to upskill and engage in the Hot & Heavy community ensemble, and will cover electronic music and song writing, plus dance and improvisation.

Hot & Heavy will premiere at the Tanks Arts Centre on Friday, August 25 from 8pm, followed by a dance party with DJ Hiphophoe until midnight, and on Sunday, August 27 at 1pm.

For the full Cairns Festival program of music, theatre, film, dance and events and more information go to www.cairnsfest.com.au and visit https:// events.humanitix.com/host/theironing-maidens for upcoming workshops from August 15-19 at Tanks Arts Centre.

The Ironing Maidens invite audiences to join their immersive, interactive ‘fabulation’ that is part installation, part performance and part banging dance party at Tanks Arts Centre on August 25 and August 27.

The Ironing Maidens will take to the stage for their world premiere of Hot and Heavy as part of Cairns Festival.

Picture: Supplied.

TimeOut

Annual event packed with entertainment and performers throughout the city

Festival to liven up everyone

l CAIRNS CITY

| Gail Sedorkin

THE 10 days of non-stop live music, light shows, art, dance, theatre, puppets and parades of Cairns Festival 2023 starts today. Cairns Festival features 78 free and ticketed events including more than 1200 artists, technicians and performers and all the glitz and glamour fitting for a 61st birthday bash.

Two world premieres kick off Cairns Festival, local dance performance GulgiBarra by Miriki Performing Arts on the Cairns Esplanade, and immersive ‘dance party’ Hot & Heavy by The Ironing Maidens at Tanks Arts Centre.

JUTE Theatre Company joins the opening celebrations with the debut of the dramatic comedy Higher Faster Louder at Bulmba-ja, the inspirational tale of Marilyn Marsh Booth, one of the world’s first female pilots.

See the underwater wonders of the Great Barrier Reef with the laser and light projection show, Reef Lights, along the Esplanade and Lagoon.

Nearby is festival favourite City Lights, which lights-up the Cairns City Library with the projected artwork of Francoise Lane, and on Tuesday, August 29 don’t miss Light Moves by Bonemap at Lake Placid.

Marvel at the full-sized flamingo puppets parading through the city tonight and this weekend. Flamingos, presented by Dead Puppet Society, will mesmerise with vibrant colours and awe-inspiring puppetry skills at Esplanade Main Stage, Tanks Art Centre and other venues.

Cairns Festival continues in spectacular fashion this weekend with fireworks, free concerts and the ever-popular Grand Parade along the Cairns Esplanade from 5.30pm tomorrow.

The Grand Parade has long been the opening highlight of the Cairns Festival followed by spectacular fireworks display from 7.30pm.

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said it was only appropriate that the 61st Cairns Festival was shaping up as the biggest in its history.

“I can recall back to the first Fun in the Sun Festival (Cairns Festival) in 1962 … those were wonderful days … and still this festival continues to go on. It’s just great.”

Councillor Kristy Vallely said the 10day program showcased a diverse and exciting array of events.

“From magnificent lightshows, giant hot air balloon sculptures, modern dance, and outstanding musical performances, the festival will showcase local, worldclass national and international theatre, art, music, circus cabaret, film and comedy.”

Explore free exhibitions across the Cairns Festival program including ENERGY 2023, showcasing the best young and emerging student artists from Far North Queensland at Tanks Arts Centre from Wednesday, August 30.

The final days of the program are no less jam-packed, with the massively popular Carnival on Collins one of the last events on September 3.

With 78 events for Cairns Festival a program is essential and can be found at cairnsfest.com.au

Art Deco High Tea & Fashion Parade

RSL Club Innisfail

$40.00 2.00-5pm Dress to impress BYO teacup competition trybooking.com/CJHKB

Rhonda Mayocchi: 0427 616 990

Art Deco Cruises 4.00pm & 6 30pm

Dress to impress in your Art Deco

$40.00pp Bookings at snappingtours.com

Vintage Market 9am-2pm FREE entry

Stalls, music entertainment & refreshments

Shire Hall Innisfail

Stalls Bookings: 0439 817 100

Sapore Di Italia’s

Promoting the colour and culture of Cairns Festival are (front row, from left) Graeme Sawers, Michelle Cooke and Frankie Hogan (from Cairns Rock N Roll Dance Club), with (back row, from left) Liza Sergeev (from Passaros Paraiso), Cr Kristy Vallely, Christopher Adams (Cairns RSL Pipes and Drums), Terri Lallemand (Kenyans in Cairns), Aida Bakvis (Cairns Rock N Roll Dance Club), and Sian James (Passaros Paraiso).

Annual multicultural event involved more than 450 people in popular park

Diversity of city celebrated

l MANUNDA

THE multiculturalism of Cairns was celebrated in style in suburbia last Friday night.

Up to 450 people took part in the event at Harald Falge Park, Manunda, with AFL Queensland hosting a range of children’s activities, while local African, Ukrainian, and Fijian community groups were selling traditional finger food alongside a free sausage sizzle.

Following the cultural dancers, an acoustic live performance from local emerging musician

Chris Whitchurch entertained the audience and a free screening of the animated family movie Vivo was shown at 7pm.

Division 7 Councillor Max O’Halloran said it was a wonderful event that was growing.

He said Cairns was a melting pot of cultures.

“It was colourful with singing, dancing and different foods,”

Cr O’Halloran said. “It’s a nice spot, it’s a meeting place and a lot of people (of cultural backgrounds) live in the area.

“It was well received and I think it will continue to grow.”

Cr O’Halloran said it did not cost the council much to organise.

He said the gathering showed how proud the participants were of their cultures and countries of origin.

Pictures: Almando

Anton

Eve Howe and Mark James.

Asara Banu and Rothana Abednego.

Cairns Regional Council animal management leading officer Zoe Burtt.

African cuisine with Cecily Gakinya, Sophie Nyoike and Peris Ng’ang’a.

Sausage Sizzle volunteers of God’s Favour Worship Centre - Carla Joseph, Tino, Daisy and Anna.

Rikky, Will, Dominika, (front) Angus, Taito, Koshiro, River and Daisy.

Yuliia Slastin and Ukraine dancer Sonya Ostapliuk. Isabelle Mikolajczak and Lucina Lubke.

Marcus Macdonald from AFL Cairns. The Tapaitau family.

Kayley Landicho and Emma Robertson of the RSPCA. MC Andre McMillan with Peris Ng’ang’a

It’s all going to charity’s dogs

Cazalys animal fundraiser for the RSPCA

l WESTCOURT

| Isaballa

Guzman Gonzalez

CAZALYS has once again jumped on board to support RSPCA Cairns with the Cazalys

Top Dog and RSPCA Cupcake Day fundraising event to support the RPSCA Cairns animals on September 2.

Hosted at Cazalys, the Top Dog – RSPCA Cupcake Day on Saturday, September 2 offers a fun day out for the whole family (pets included), from 9am to 12pm, with lots of cupcakes, a jumping castle, face painting, market stalls, some RSPCA pups and a photo competition to find Cazalys Top Dog with many prizes available over 12

categories. Owners can register their dogs online for $10.

Having partnered with Cazalys in 2021, RSPCA Cairns is hoping to match or surpass the $2200 raised that year.

With an average of 80-100 animals across the RSPCA Cairns facilities daily, shelter manager Natalie Anger said this was an important day in the calendar.

“Cupcake day is one of annual fundraising events to help raise money for RSPCA to help look after all the animals that come through our care and this year Cazalys is hosting the event for us,” Ms Anger said.

“Anyone can sign up to host their own cupcake day and Cazalys are running a family fun day out event to help raise funds.

“Funds will go to support the Cairns shelter and animals that come through the shelter, animals that are surrendered, there’s been an increase in surrenders recently, people needing our help for financial reasons or homelessness, also animals from animal welfare complains and also animal ambulance.”

All dogs attending the event must be on a lead and only social, non-reactive dogs are encouraged to participate to prevent incidents.

“It’s a great day out for the families, including their fur baby, and your dog has the chance to become the Top Dog so get involved,” Ms Anger said. To register, visit www.trybooking.com/events/ landing/1092729

Shelter manager Natalie Anger with a puppy from the Cairns RSPCA shelter. Picture: Supplied

WHAT’S

WIP PRIDE PARTY THE SECRET JUNGLE CAIRNS

l FRI AUGUST 25, 7:00PM-10:00PM

The Secret Jungle presents the “WEAR IT PURPLE Pride Party & Fundraiser” with DJ Atticus. Wear it Purple Day celebrates LGBT+ awareness and LGBT+ youth across Australia. Wear your favourite shades of purple and enjoy an exclusive selection of purple drinks; from lemonades and iced teas to alcohol-free cocktails.

All welcome for this event, table bookings are recommended.

Reserve your spot through The Secret Jungle.

AUSARMOURFEST 2023 ARMOUR AND ARTILLERY MUSEUM

l FRI AUGUST 25 - SUN AUGUST 27 Ausarmourfest is the largest display of armoured fighting vehicles in the world that you can ride in!!!

Single day entry tickets to AusArmourfest 2023 are available to be purchased on the day.

For more information visit www.ausarmour.com/ausarmourfest/

CAIRNS FESTIVAL 2023 GRAND PARADE

l SAT AUGUST 26, 5:30PM-7:30PM

The Cairns Esplanade transforms into a street parade of dazzling entertainment for the young and the young at heart with the Cairns Festival Grand Parade. Attracting thousands of visitors and locals, the Grand Parade has long been the opening highlight of the Cairns Festival and is a true community event in the finest of Tropical North Queensland traditions.

Fireworks Spectacular | From 7.30pm

AFTER DARK SKYPARK

l SAT AUGUST 26, 6:00PM-11:30PM

Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping and electrifying night as Skypark Cairns transforms into an extraordinary playground for our After Dark!

Cost: $10 Entry with a Free Drink

Book your spot now through eventbrite and be part of the most thrilling After Dark Event ever

HIGHER FASTER LOUDER JUTE

l FRI AUGUST 25, 6:00PM-9:00PM

JUTE Theatre Company proudly presents, Higher Faster Louder, a new play born from the remarkable experiences of Marilyn Marsh-Booth, one of the world’s first female commercial pilots during the transformative era of women’s liberation in the 1960s.

Performances from Friday 25th August through till Saturday 2nd September – Various Days and Times Book your tickets through eventbrite.

RIDE FOR ISABEL 2023 NORMAN PARK, GORDONVALE

l SUN AUGUST 27, 7:00AM-12:30PM

Ride for Isabel is an annual event that supports and raises funds for birth suites at the at Cairns Hospital through the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation. Departing from Norman Park, Gordonvale the riders travel through to East Trinity or Aloomba.

For more information and to register visit the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation website.

*Please check with the Venues regarding any cancellations or entry requirements due to COVID-19

FRIDAY

Play the Music – Court House Gallery, 3:00pm

Amber Farnan – Dunwoody’s Hotel, 4:00pm

Festival HQ – Court House Gallery, 4:30pm

Sax Man – Lunico Trinity Beach, 4:30pm

Wind & Wood – Ten 06, 5:30pm

Daryl Roberts & Hey Gringo – Ellis Beach Bar & Grill, 5:30pm

Festival Cairns Music Event - Main Stage Esplanade, 5:45pm

Steve Williams – Barron River Hotel, 6:00pm

Barbary Coasters – O’Donnell’s Irish Bar & Grill, 6:00pm

Hot Ice – Cazaly’s Cairns, 6:30pm

DJ Atticus – The Secret Jungle Cairns, 7:00pm

Kaweyova – Roo Bar & Grill, 7:00pm

Rose Tattoo – Edge Hill Tavern, 8:00pm

Ironing Maidens – Tanks Arts Centre, 8:00pm

Mitch King – Paddy’s Irish Pub & Grill Port Douglas, 8:00pm

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

SATURDAY

Festival Cairns Music Event - Main Stage Esplanade, 1:15pm

San Stone – Surf Club Palm Cove, 2:00pm

Mitch King – Ellis Beach Bar & Grill, 2:00pm

Barbary Coasters – Strait on the Beach, 3:00pm

Rob Papp – Carrajah Hotel, 3:00pm

Nikki Doll – Cairns Colonial Club, 4:30pm

Big Pupps – Thargomindah Polocrosse Club, 6:00pm

Carrizma – Cazaly’s Cairns, 6:15pm

Keith Eales – Roo Bar & Grill, 6:30pm

Katie Richards – Trinity Beach Sports Club, 6:30pm

Skye Karaoke – Smithfield Tavern, 7:00pm

The Maria’s – Red Beret Hotel, 8:00pm

Oz Deathrays – Edge Hill Tavern, 8:00pm

Wild Willy – The Jack, 9:00pm

Sanchez – Bar36 Reef Hotel Casino, 9:00pm

DjGlennW – Palm Cove Tavern, 9:00pm

SUNDAY

Blue Reed – Barton Falls Hotel, 12:00pm

After FX – Red Beret Hotel, 1:00pm

Ironing Maidens – Tanks Arts Centre, 1:00pm

Katie Richards – Julatten Hotel, 1:00pm

Sunday Punk – Cairns German Club, 2:00pm

DjGlennW – Dundee’s at the Aquarium, 2:00pm

Steve Williams – Edge Hill Memorial Bowls Club, 2:00pm

Festival Cairns Music Event - Main Stage Esplanade, 2:00pm

Axon Bower & Phoebe Over, Dunwoody’s Hotel, 2:00pm

Sax Man – O’Donnell’s Irish Bar & Grill, 3:00pm

Barbary Coasters – Yorkeys Knob Boating Club, 3:00pm

Wind and Wood – O’Sheas, 3:00pm

Bobby Maguire – Sauce Brewing Co. 3:30pm

Festival HQ – Court House Gallery, 4:00pm

Kaweyova – Bar36 Reef Hotel Casino, 7:30pm

Take a minute... Puzzles for you

Weekly Horoscopes

Your self-confidence will attract members of the opposite sex You may find yourself in the midst of a pretty good deal. Keep important information to yourself. Don’t expect support from your mate.

Friendships will be ruined if you let too many people get involved in any disputes. Don’t let your anger consume you and don’t allow important matters go unattended to. Don’t jump into investments too quickly. You should expect to have changes in your home.

You always seem to spend more than you make. Don’t hesitate to sign up for creative courses or physical fitness programs. Disputes may start because of a lack of honesty. Either way, you’re up for a passionate encounter with someone special.

WORD SEARCH

Trips will be exciting. First find out if they’re married. You may find that you’re being used. Plan events like camping or white-water rafting.

Don’t take offense at comments made by coworkers. Nothing can be resolved if you don’t want to talk about it. Your goals will be in reach if you direct your energy wisely. Be careful not to come on too strongly.

CROSSWORD

You have your own family to consider as well. Go after your professional goals. You will get out of shape easily if you don’t keep on top of things. Hidden matters are likely to surface. Your willingness to help others can and will lead to fatigue if you don’t learn to say no.

ACROSS

You must consider yourself for a change. Offer consolation, but don’t give them any direction. Don’t let any small misunderstandings get in the way. You can help other people with their financial problems by setting up a budget for them.

Put some energy into getting back into shape. Listen to reason. Read between the lines when signing contracts. Your ability to deal with humanitarian groups will enhance your reputation. Don’t let relatives stand in the way of your personal plans.

Put your efforts into making changes to your domestic scene. Your outgoing nature might work against you this week. Try not to spend too much on children or entertainment. You can set your goals and make a beeline for your target.

8. flour or meal made of cereal grains, nuts, or starchy roots (6)

9. a device that carries people or goods up and down inside tall buildings (8)

10. brief, intense, and emotional talks designed to influence or encourage an audience (3,5)

11. the possessions or property of a person (6)

20. a company that produces or provides something (6)

22. having or showing a lack of skill or knowledge (8)

25. a large shrimp or prawn (6)

26. a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye (8)

27. a person who is confined as a prisoner (8)

28. to smear or rub with oil or an oily substance (6)

DOWN

1. a sport in which you are pulled along the surface of the water by a boat (5,3)

2. a short, half-suppressed laugh (6)

3. a brightly coloured garden flower with long, thin petals in a shape like a ball (6)

4. a childhood infection caused by a virus (7)

5. a coarse light-brown raw sugar (8)

6. any musical composition of a free or improvisatory nature (8)

7. to move in a feeble or unsteady way (6)

15. richly resonant: a plummy voice (8)

16. a hypothetical or fictional inhabitant of Mars (8)

Your family needs to spend some time with you, too. You will earn recognition for the work you are doing. Your mind will be on matters that deal with secret affairs. Don’t bother retaliating, just walk away.

Do what’s best for the people you love most. Don’t second guess yourself, just go to it. You will drive your emotional partner crazy this week. Your intellectual wit will bring greater popularity with your peers.

Your energy will be highbut you should watch out for temper tantrums. Be sure to take care of the needs of your immediate loved ones. Listening will provide you with valuable information. You will have a greater involvement in groups; however, they may not be to your advantage.

12. a sequence of characters that identifies a user (8)

13. to take something in, especially gradually (6)

14. a device for pumping air into or out of an enclosed space (3,4)

17. a general feeling of being ill or having no energy (7)

18. making someone or something smarter or tidier (8)

19. a room or area where food is prepared and cooked (7)

21. subordinate or inferior in position, rank, or importance (6)

23. catch in or as in a trap (6)

24. a member of the clergy (6)

Spotlight on Cassowary Coast

Sandy beach fun run

l MISSION BEACH

PALM tree-lined beaches became a running track for more than 140 people at the Cassowary Coast Multisport Club’s

2023

Mackays Group Beachruns@ Mission.

From the half marathon to the 1km kids’ dash, this year’s event attracted record numbers.

“A big shout out to everyone who came along to run or walk and to all our volunteers and sponsors,” said club president Richard Blanchette.

“We loved seeing you all from near and far enjoying this event which is in its 11th year and is one of our major events for the year.”

Mackays Group Beachruns@ Mission featured a 21km run the length of the beaches, a 10km classic, the Coral Coast Financial Services team relay event, a 5km fun run and the 1km kids’ dash. This year’s event was strongly supported by Mission Beach, Tully and Innisfail runners and walkers, as well as from Cairns, Townsville and the Tablelands.

“Funds raised will help junior athletes to build on their experiences by representing the region at events within Queensland and interstate,” Mr Blanchette said.

Health, Healing and Harmony

Arjun Singh (left) and Jimmy Ma from the Tully Mill 20km relay team. Picture: Supplied

$6m Kenrick Park upgrade will include playground and pump track

Designed with families in mind

l GORDONVALE

A NEGLECTED park in one of the fastest growing areas of Cairns is being transformed into a destination for families.

The upgrade of Kenrick Park in Gordonvale is underway, starting the process of recreating a dynamic community space for families in the southern corridor of Cairns.

Civil works mark the start of the $6 million stage one of the project, which includes a new dog off-leash area, playground equipment, intermediate pump track, carpark, toilets, pathways, basketball court, shelters, and picnic areas.

Construction of stage one is expected to be completed by late next year.

The Queensland Government announced a $3m funding commitment to the project earlier this year. The park covers 5.7ha.

Division 1 Councillor Brett Moller said residents would welcome the sight of work starting at the park following extensive public consultation, master planning and detailed design.

“This project will have benefits for decades to come and

will become a destination park for all of Cairns, not just locals but also visitors to our region,” he said.

“It will create a safe, sustainable, and connected place for the southern corridor that complements residents’ quality of life.

“It will increase liveability, provide a space to promote positive physical and mental health, and also help address crime and anti-social behaviours in the area.” The masterplan also outlines a variety of proposed additions to be constructed in stages in future years.

Cr Moller said another important aspect was a cycle and pedestrian path linking the park to the Bruce Highway overpass.

Queensland Parliament speaker and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said “Gordonvale is a fast-growing area, and the Kenrick Park Masterplan is a vital component to cater for that growth”.

“At present, the park is underdeveloped with a basic skate park, dirt BMX track and ageing basketball court and really doesn’t meet Gordonvale’s needs now or into the future as the community grows,” he said.

Division 1 Councillor Brett Moller at the Kenrick Park site at Gordonvale on the western side of the Bruce Highway.

Palm Cove Tourism

Streetscaping will take years Beach masterplan to be developed as and when council has funding

l PALM COVE

| Nick Dalton

RISING costs and a tight budget have placed most of the Palm Cove streetscape and landscape masterplan in a holding pattern.

Division 9 Councillor Brett Olds said the master plan was endorsed by the council in November last year but was considered a long-term document to be used as a guiding principle for any works that had to be done.

The master plan focusses on the Williams Esplanade and foreshore precinct, extending from the Palm Cove jetty in the north to the Sea Temple in the south, and bounded by Oliva St in the west.

The plan includes relocation of the children’s playground further north, returning underutilised roadway to green space, and improved pedestrian connectivity are among projects identified in a new Palm Cove streetscape plan.

There are six key projects:

Northern activity precinct –Reconfiguring the northern part of Palm Cove and return

underutilised roadway and trafficable areas to green open space

• Play precinct – Relocating the existing play facility by moving the children’s playground to a more suitable site further to the north to address safety, access and overcrowding

• Harpa St node – Provision of safer pedestrian crossings across Harpa St and Williams Esplanade

• Veivers gateway node – Improving traffic flows and pedestrian, cycle and vehicle safety, while creating a sense of arrival for Palm Cove

• Public art – Provision of public art opportunities to heighten the unique sense of place and visitor experience for Palm Cove

• Feature lighting – Installation of feature lighting that has a synergy with the character and relaxed natural ambience of Palm Cove.

Cr Olds said one of the priorities was to improve safety aspects of the Northern Beaches Leisure Trail near carparks in Harpa St and just south of the Williams Esplanade children’s playground where there were

conflicts with cars reversing out into the paths of cyclists.

Another was a new toilet similar to the Grafton St facility, which includes landscaping and greenery, in Veivers Rd near the Esplanade. He said better footpaths in the vicinity of Caroyta Close and the Esplanade were also planned.

Cr Olds said as the financial situation improved, he hoped further aspects of the master plan would be implemented. “Palm Cove is the jewel in the crown. A lot of rates come from that 750m long strip,” he said.

At the time of the launch last year Cr Olds said public engagement was critical in identifying what the community valued most in Palm Cove.

“I think the local community will be pleased that their feedback has been incorporated into the plan and will be happy with the projects identified for Palm Cove’s foreshore,” he said. “This is an exciting development, however, we need to be clear that the projects identified in the plan will not be delivered tomorrow. It will take time and many budget deliberations for them to be progressed.”

The foreshore at Palm Cove is enjoyed by many walkers. Inset: Cr Brett Olds. Main picture: TTNQ

Real Estate

Fashionable green listings

Real estate agents and homeowners highlight sustainable features in houses

| Nick Dalton

IN the evolving landscape of the real estate market, a new trend has emerged – ‘green listing’.

Ray White Group data analyst William Clark said there had been a rise in advertising sustainable features such as energy or water-saving features.

“Over the last three years, there has been an increasing proportion of listings with ‘solar panels’, ‘battery’ or ‘offgrid’ appearing in advertising copy,” he said.

“This is not an exhaustive list of ways a house can be green, however solar panels were the most frequently advertised, while batteries and being offgrid make a house green to the greatest degree.

“While there has been an observable decline from an April 2023 peak, the trend over the last three years still looks strong.

“Green features in housing

are becoming more popular, and so the marketing of these green features is also becoming more popular.

“Both homeowners fitting their homes with green fea-

tures, and agents training to market these features, is more frequent.”

“We see that most listings with green features only have one.

“Though it is also becoming more frequent over time to see two to four and even five green features per house. In 2023, we even saw eight listings with five green features.

“These kinds of green listings are more likely to require large lot sizes to accommodate an ‘off-the-grid’ existence and large rainwater tanks.

“Large lot sizes will nece-

ssarily exclude places in the inner-city and other high-density areas. With regional areas having a higher proportion of houses rather than units, single-family dwellings may retrofit green features such as solar panels and battery packs quicker and more autonomously than units and complexes with large strata groups.

“This means states, cities and suburbs with more houses and fewer units will see a higher proportion of green listings.

“There’s no denying that all states have sufficient physical space to support more properties with rainwater tanks and a self-powered grid, but we saw in the results that Queensland, with large amounts of wealth along the coast, had the most green listings.

“Queensland has the highest proportion of green listings, with areas in Moreton Bay, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast heavily featuring in the list of greenest suburbs.

“Taking out the top spot was Mount Mee in Moreton Bay.”

This tropical sustainable two-bedroom home at Stratford also acts as a bridge over a gully. Inset: Ray White data analyst William Clark.

Motoring

Big rise in car theft claims sparks warning from insurer

l SECURITY

| Nick Dalton

THE RACQ is urging Queensland vehicle owners to remain vigilant after receiving 1760 claims for stolen vehicles across the state last financial year, a 10 per cent increase on the previous year.

The data revealed Fitzroy in central Queensland experienced the biggest jump in car theft claims, up by 72 per cent, followed by Logan, in south east

Queensland, with a 37 per cent increase.

Despite experiencing a 16.5 per cent decrease from the previous year, the Gold Coast still had the highest number of car theft claims by volume with 182 claims.

Insurance chief executive Trent Sayers said car theft remained a key issue in Queensland, affecting thousands of car owners each year.

“RACQ Insurance alone has seen a 10 per cent increase in car theft claims over the past year,

with Townsville (169), Cairns (128) and Brisbane’s inner city experiencing the highest frequency of stolen vehicles,” he said.

“According to insurance claims data, one in three vehicles was stolen between 1am – 4am, and more incidents occurred on the weekend than any other day of the week.

“Unsurprisingly, our research also found more than half of Queenslanders are aware of rising car thefts in their area or nearby, and of those, 40 per cent

are very concerned about the growing risk.”

Mr Sayers encouraged vehicle owners to stay alert and take precautions to protect their vehicles.

“Queenslanders must keep security in mind when parking their cars, particularly overnight,” he said. “When possible, park your car in a locked garage or gated driveway and lock your car, even when it’s in a secure location.

“If a secure location isn’t an option, park in a well-lit popu-

lated area and remove any valuables from your vehicle to ensure thieves aren’t tempted.”

According to the data, the Toyota HiLux, Toyota LandCruiser and Toyota Corolla were the most stolen vehicles, with older aged vehicles tending to be the target for thieves.

“Older vehicles tend to be popular with thieves as many aren’t fitted with immobilisers and they are also easy to dispose of as parts or re-identify and sell,” Mr Sayers said.

“For vehicles with modern

security features, accessing the keys is the most common method of theft.

“Drivers are urged to keep their keys in a hidden location within the home, well away from entry points, so that opportunistic thieves cannot easily access them.”

“If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of having a car stolen, contact your local police immediately to report the theft and then contact your insurer to check your cover and lodge the claim,” he said.

The Toyota HiLux ute was the most stolen vehicle in Queensland according to the RACQ.

Toyota’s LandCruiser was another model popular with car thieves

The Toyota Corolla is in the sights of car theives

Special BMWs on sale

Sales manager Grant Woolcock has sharpened his pencil to offer special deals on a range

of BMWs. “We need to clear these models as we have new stock arriving and are running out of room,” he said.

“There is no better time to drive away in a near-new BMW.

“They are starting from as low as $56,990 for our 118i hatch.

“We have 3 Series, X1, X4, X5 demonstrators as well.”

The deals are:

• Black 118i hatch was $62,678, now $56,990

• Silver 3 Series 330i sedan was $103,345, now $92,990

• White 3 Series 320i was $86,346, now $76,000

Blue X1 20i wagon was $73,832, now $65,000

• Maroon X4M 40i wagon was $133,000, now $121,000

• Black X5 30d wagon was $139,582, now $128,500 Maroon X5 30d Wagon was $140,600, now $129,000.

Westco BMW sales manager Grant Woolcock with two of the brand’s demonstrators on sale in Newell St, Cairns.

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PUBLIC NOTICES

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

Cairns

Port Douglas, Mossman, Kuranda, Cairns, Edmonton, Gordonvale, Babinda, Innisfail, Tully, Cardwell and many more inbetween!

Grab

Happy 60th Wedding Anniversary

for the 31st of August

Ron & Judy Woods of Yorkeys Knob

Love Jacqui, Aaron, Grant Xxx

Lady 75 years seeks health conscious friend.

Write to: PO Box 290, Earlville, 4870

Are you a single, sincere gent, 38-62, any race.

I am a pretty, Christian lady seeking permanent relationship to live out bush.

No-text, please phone 0447 178 329

Friday August 25th

Cairns Night Markets: 54-60 Abbott St, 16:30-23:00

Kuranda Heritage Markets: Rob Veivers Dr, 10:00-15:00

Kuranda Rainforest Markets: 7 Therwine St, 09:30-15:00

Rusty’s Markets: Grafton St, Cairns, 05:00-18:00

Saturday August 26th

Cairns Night Markets: 54-60 Abbott St, 16:30-23:00

Kuranda Heritage Markets: Rob Veivers Dr, 10:00-15:00

Kuranda Rainforest Markets: 7 Therwine St, 09:30-15:00

Mossman: St David’s Church, 07:00-13:00

Rusty’s Markets: Grafton St, Cairns, 05:00-18:00

ENTERTAINMENT SPECIALISTS

Prices

Available for Functions, Weddings, Birthdays, Venues, Clubs

Quality product with Professional delivery! Call 0421902046 or search us on Facebook

Classifieds Deadlines 4pm Wednesday Local News Cairns every week of publication

Sunday August 27th

Cairns Night Markets: 54-60 Abbott St, 16:30-23:00

Kuranda Heritage Markets: Rob Veivers Dr, 10:00-15:00

Kuranda Rainforest Markets: 7 Therwine St, 09:30-15:00

Port

Rusty’s

07:30-14:00

Testing mountain bike race

New Port Douglas Gran Fondo event will challenge riders on steep gradients

l CYCLING

| Isaac Colman

THE newest addition to the Port Douglas Gran Fondo festival – the Hartley’s to Port 40km Mountain Bike Race – is expected to be a challenge for riders.

Saturday, September 9 marks the first event which is the MTB race.

The race will start at Wangetti, outside the front doors of Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures.

Connect Sport Australia managing director Bade Stapleton said “the course will take riders up Quaid Rd, a private road which is closed to cars all year round.

“This 5km climb with an average of 8.5 per cent gradient will be a challenge for everyone,” he said.

“Riders will then turn right into Black Mountain Road, before descending the famous Bump Track into Mowbray. The final stretch will take the riders along Four Mile Beach to the finish line in Port Douglas.”

Peter Freeman from Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures revealed a surprise for the riders and families who arrive in the morning.

“We are excited to have this event start from our front door,” he said.

“So, we’ve decided to do something special for the family and friends of the riders and offer them a very unique opportunity to buy a Breakfast with the Crocs experience.

“This is something we don’t offer on any other day of the year, as we are doing this as a very unique experience for those getting up early to see their family and friends off from the start of the Hartley’s to Port.”

Mr Stapleton said the event was more popular than last year’s festival.

“Entries are already up by 25 per cent on last year’s festival. We are expecting over 1200 participants this year,” he said.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive officer Mark Olsen said the Hartley’s to Port mountain bike race was another exciting addition to the growing number of mountain bike events on the calendar.

“Cairns and Port Douglas are quickly becoming the places to visit with your mountain bike. Building on Crankworx, Reef to Reef, the Croc Trophy and the recently announced 2024 and 2025 UCI Masters Mountain Bike World Championships,” said Olsen.

“This event provides yet another reason for people to visit our region.”

Sport Results

EDGE HILL BOWLS

Thursday, August 17th. Winners; Eric Cole, Yvonne Bolton, Margaret Wardrop. Tuesday, August 15th. Winners; Wendy Lynn, Mike Lynn, Robyn Cole. R/U; Karina Homer, Vicky Obree, Ken O’Bree. Saturday, August 19th. Winners; Trish DeRon, Paul Gerbich. R/U; Gai Barrett, Bruce Moseley. Sunday, August 20th. Kennedy’s Betta Living Triples. Winners; Peter Whitehead,

Matt Reynolds, Steve Henson. R/U; Wayne Petrohilos, Doug Laycock, Wayne Hewitt. 3rd Place; Stumpy, Kiwi, Dutchy.

BROTHERS EDMONTON BOWLS

Wednesday, August 16th. Overall winners; M. Bucklar, R. Pamphilon, J. Populin. R/U; M. Harker. R. Taggart, M. Kolmer. 3rd; R. Schmidt, S. Paris, R. Moody. Sunday, August 20th. Frank Grainer Memo-

rial Day. Winners; O. Scott, R. Fraser, D. Daffy, N. Hall. R/U; N. Kina, S. McQuade, D. Quinn, A. Quinn. 3rd; F. Jorgensen, T. Johnson, R. Pamphilon, M. Pedtrola.

WEST CAIRNS MEN

BOWLS

Sunday, August 13th. Winners; Stan Weston, Hairy, John Wilcox. R/U; Norm, Barry Watson, Rod Boundy. Tuesday, August 15th. Winners; Jo Jackson, Ted Hamilton, Glen Blanes. R/U; B. O’Shea, A. Sanderson, J. Rilley. Thirsty Thursday. Best players;

Brownie, Les Jackson, Dawn. Friday, August 18th. B Grade Singles; J Wilcox def. F Clarke 26/11. Friday night scroungers. Winner; Geoff Rowley. R/U; Mal Taylor.

MARLIN COAST BOWLS

Tuesday morning bowls. Winners; No Winners. R/U; No Winners. Tuesday afternoon Men’s triples. Winners; David, Bryan, Jason. R/U; Paul, Alan, John. Tuesday night bowls. Spider. Winners; Sandy, Robby, Jim, Curtis, Shane, Jeff. Wednesday mixed bowls. Winners; S Porter, L Roberts,

Lesley. R/U; L Jackson, M Jackson, H Mcgregor. Thursday Morning Bowls. Winner; No Winners. R/U; No winners. Thursday Mixed triples. Winners; Dave Harrison, Gary, Robbo. Second; L Blythe, B O’Shea, E Blythe. Saturday Morning Scroungers. Winner; N Robson. Runner up; SJ Pitt. Club Championships. Men’s Triples. C Hughes, J Walford, R Gillman def. M Weaver, G Reynold, A Jennings 23-13.

MOSSMAN MEN’S

BOWLS

Sunday. August 20th. Moss-

man Sugar Festival Men’s Day. Overall winners; Team “O’Shea” w/ 4W and 49P. R/U; Team “Atherton” w/ 4W and 41P. 3rd place; Mossman team “Douglas” w/ 3 wins and 44 points.

FNQ NASHO INTERBRANCH RIFLE SHOOT Saturday, August 19th. 19 shooters. Overall Winner; Rusty Vonarx w/ 196.11. R/U; Lorry Calleja w/ 192.7. 3rd; Aldo Bensi w/ 188.6. .22” 50m standing. 1st; Rusty Vonarx w/ 96.3. 2nd; Lorry Calleja w/ 93.1. 3rd; John Hardy w/ 93.0.

Mountain bike riders on Four Mile Beach at Port Douglas after coming off the infamous Bump Track. Picture: Supplied

Three horses to face-off in race to see who wins over crowds at Cannon Park

Gigantic task for Cairns Cup

l RACING

| Glenn Davis

SATURDAY’S Cairns Cup event at Cannon Park is sure to be a nail-biter, as trainer Lindsay Hatch and his two runners, American Saint and Sayl accept a huge task – facing off against Townsville Cup winner Ricky Vale, and his runner Namazu.

August 12th’s Townsville Cup ended with Namazu demolishing his competitors over 2000 metres, with American Saint six lengths behind.

Hatch has a spirit that wants him and his runners to win, but his confidence is shaken by Namazu’s easy win on the weight scale, with Namazu being 61kgs.

“It was an enormous run from American Saint, but I don’t think we can beat Namazu,” Hatch said.

“There’s no turnaround in the weights under the quality conditions.”

The race’s quality conditions don’t allow Namazu to be penalised for his Townsville victory, meaning that Namazu will be carrying the same weight of 61kg while American Saint

stays on the minimum.

“It means Namazu can go on and win more cups and not get penalised further if he races in a quality race,” Hatch said.

“Ricky Vale is doing a great job with Namazu, but we get no advantage by meeting him on the same terms.”

Last year’s Mackay Cup winner Sayl is also saddling up for the Cairns event, after finishing ninth in the Townsville cup.

“I made a mistake with Sayl by giving him four months off last year and it’s just taking him a long time to find form,” he said.

“He needs to fire soon, or he could be in trouble.

“I put blinkers on him in the Townsville Cup but that was the wrong move and they’re coming off for the Cairns Cup.”

“I think this is my first Cairns Cup runner and I’d love to win, but the weight scale makes it very difficult,” he said.

Throughout all of this, Hatch remains to stay in strong spirit, training his runners for the highest hopes and even booking leading jockey, Justin Stanley to ride American Saint in the cup.

New $10m lighting project to enhance Barlow Park

l MULTI-SPORTS

| Isaac Colman

MULTI-million dollars are being invested in a new lighting complex for Barlow Park, paving the way for not only night games, but also more elite-level rugby league, rugby union, and football matches as well as track and field events to be able to be held at the venue.

The $10 million project will increase the lighting capacity from 500 lux to broadcast standard and includes plans for installation of a large video screen for scoring and replays.

i-LEC Group was awarded the tender to install the broadcast quality lighting at the multi-sport facility, with installation beginning next month.

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said it was

a significant but worthy investment.

“Barlow Park is Cairns’ premier multipurpose sporting facility and has hosted top level rugby league on many occasions, including the recent South Sydney Rabbitohs v St George Dragons NRL premiership match,” he said.

“However, we are currently limited to afternoon timeslots due to the venue not meeting digital television broadcast standards, which these upgrades will resolve.

“With our tropical climate, having the capacity to host night matches will make it more attractive for broadcasters, increase comfort for players and spectators, and therefore boost the city’s prospects of hosting top level football matches.

“Cairns is already well known as a tourism sports destination, and this will only enhance that reputation. Bringing big

sporting events to the city has the potential to contribute millions of dollars to the economy annually and support jobs.”

Member for Cairns and assistant tourism minister Michael Healy said: “Barlow Park’s broadcast-quality lighting and big screen upgrade is part of an important early legacy for Tropical North Queensland from the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“This upgrade, backed by the Palaszczuk government, will support a dozen construction jobs and many more in the Tropical North’s visitor economy in the years ahead,” he said.

“In addition to enhancing the game day experience for fans, Barlow Park’s transformation puts Tropical North Queensland on the map for more world-class sporting content.

Justin Stanley gives high hopes to trainer Lindsay Hatch, going up against Namazu this Thursday. Picture: Supplied

Barlow park’s planned lighting upgrade will pave the way for higher-level sports matches to be able to be held at the venue.

Picture: Supplied