Cairns Local News May 05 2023

Airport’s big plans to bring back tourism to pre-COVID levels

port chief executive officer Richard Barker revealed a number of initiatives were underway to boost the region’s tourism and other industries.

He said international passenger numbers were currently at 60 per cent pre-COVID (2019).

domestic figures were exceeding 2019 during peak periods (279,075 in March, 2023 –298,077 in March 2019).

“The Japanese are slow to recover.

“They are very conservative people and are still not travelling but they are expected to increase significantly due to the Virgin Australia and All Nippon Airways (ANA) services (from June 28).”

anese preferred reliable and full-service airlines, and ANA was a brand they trusted. They could go onto the ANA website and book a return flight all the way to Cairns.

a

interview with Cairns Local News, air-

The latest figures show overall international terminal turnover in March of 33,967 (56,399 in March 2019), while

Mr Barker said the main international routes had resumed in 2022 – Japan, Singapore, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. “With Air New Zealand we are expecting direct flights to become yearround, at the moment they are seasonal,” he said.

Mr Barker said he could not emphasise more how important the Virgin direct services to Tokyo were. He said the Jap-

Mr Barker said a lot of Australians flew to Japan to ski and would take the Virgin direct flight from the Gold Coast to Cairns and then onto Tokyo.

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AVIATION FOCUS PAGES 6-7

Cheers to beer festival

l CAIRNS CBD

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

NOW in its fourth edition, the Cairns Craft Beer Festival is back bigger and frothier than ever with a line-up of crowdfavourite breweries, more space, and more entertainment this Saturday.

Hemingway’s Brewery will be hosting the free-entrance family festival on Saturday, May 6, from noon until late, and beer lovers can expect a range of original and ingenious ales like last year’s popular vanilla beer.

A day for the whole family, there will be entertainment for all ages. Headlining the live music will be Dave Cooke, The Joker Pokers, Andre, Dr Albert and The Malarias, with food stalls accompanying the entertainment.

There will be mini-games for families, a Tinnie Slide challenge for participating breweries and big prizes on the line for participants, like Reef trips with Downunder Cruise and Dive.

Hemingway’s Brewery event coordinator Brendan Dennis said the space had been extended this year and a new brewery had been added.

“This May 6, we’ll have six Far North Queensland breweries all coming to showcase the best craft beers in Australia,” Mr Dennis said.

“We have newcomer Maggie Island Brewery coming to Cairns this year, and I’m very excited to taste every beer they have. “This festival will be the biggest it’s ever been.

“We’ve almost doubled the space this year, we have more bands, and we’re hoping to make it the biggest.

Six brewers to offer a variety of North Queensland flavours

“Get here early, and you’ll want to be in the front row when band Dr Albert and The Malarias come on.”

A celebration of everything beer, the festival brings together the region’s breweries into a healthy and friendly competition of innovation and originality, introducing new and unexpected flavours and bringing back classic favourites.

Macalister Brewing Co owner and founder Rob Callin said a fan favourite, the vanilla beer, was returning.

“We’ve got a few specials this year,” he said.

“We’ll bring our vanilla latitude again because it’s a favourite.

“We’ve brewed a hefeweizen – that’s a German-style wheat beer, we’ve done a New

England style pale ale, and we’ve done a hazelnut porter, so we have dark beer as well.

“This event is great because you have all the breweries in the Cairns region in one place for a day celebrating craft beer.

What’s not to love?”

Mr Callin said the event brought the best out of the local craft industry, exploring new flavours and possible

combinations. “All the breweries like to bring something special for this event, and it’s a chance to do a few one-off beers,” he said.

Other breweries participating are Coral Sea Brewing Co, Barrier Reef Brewing Co, first timer Billycart Brewing Co, Maggie Island Brewing, and festival host, Hemingway’s Brewery.

Hemingway’s Brewery head brewer Lee Drummond, Coral Sea Brewing Co head brewer Hayden Mokaraka and Macalister Brewing co founder Rob Callin. Picture: Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

Pharmacies in crisis

New 60-day dispensing rules could spell end of many chemists

l SMITHFIELD | Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

A SMALL Northern Beaches pharmacist believes he will have to cut opening hours to save money and remain viable following the Albanese government’s move to allow prescriptions to be dispensed over 60 days instead of the current 30 days.

Marlin Coast pharmacist

Phil Anderson is warning the community of the catastrophic impact of the proposal by the Federal Government to be announced in the 2023/24 budget.

Currently, pharmacies across Australia can only dispense 30 days’ worth of medication at a time. The change to 60-day dispense was set to begin on July 1 but has now been postponed, with a first set of changes to kick in by September 1.

Mr Anderson, the owner of Marlin Coast Amcal Pharmacy with 25 years of experience, said this move would create massive shortages and threaten the pharmacy industry.

“We need to cut costs, that might mean changing our opening hours. We’ve been open every day except for Christmas for 12 hours a day since I’ve run the business,” he said.

“We’ll be looking to see whether we can afford to be open that long and we’ll be looking at our services and see what remains viable for us to keep on doing because this is a gigantic cut to our revenue.

“From a patient standpoint, we’re concerned about medication supply. We’ve got 400 molecules that we can’t get a hold of at the moment, with another 75 on the critical list.

“These supply issues have been going on for months and

sometimes even years, and it doesn’t look like it’s getting any better.”

Mr Anderson said the 60-day dispensing period would force many pharmacies to close or cut costs directly impacting patients.

“I might have enough supply for the first dispensing, but on the second dispensing, because of the enormous changes in the way we do business, I might not have that second supply,” he said.

“The problem is that if all 5500 pharmacies across Australia dispensed twice what they’d normally give out, it could cause a supply chain breakdown.”

Pharmacy Guild of Australia president Trent Twomey, of Cairns, said shortages would be the main problem since Australia manufactured very few medications and imported about 95 per cent of products.

“There are 472 drugs that are unavailable in Australia, we

don’t have enough medicine to give everyone one box, and the government wants us to start giving people two boxes,” he said.

“So which patients do they want us to give two to, and which patients do they want us to give none to?

“If you want to redesign the system, you don’t do it in a budget release without talking to the sector on how it’s actually going to work.”

Katter’s Australian Party leader Bob Katter supported the guild and said other small pharmacists had raised concerns about corporate players “outpurchasing” small family businesses.

“I’ve been informed by your family-run pharmacists that when the medication shortage will be in full effect, they won’t have the power to source and order stocks to match the larger corporate chemists,” he said.

Pollies to be greeted by protest about climate change

POLITICIANS and bureaucrats attending the Queensland Parliament sitting in Cairns next week will be greeted by a rally demanding stronger emissions reduction targets to help protect the Great Barrier Reef and the 64,000 jobs it supports.

The demonstration will be hosted by the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre (CAFNEC) and the Australian Marine Con-

servation Society (AMCS), with guest speakers including Reef tour operators and representatives from Doctors for the Environment Australia and the Australian Youth Climate Coalition on Tuesday at 8am outside the Cairns Convention Centre.

AMCS Great Barrier Reef community campaigner Tanya Murphy said “it’s time for the Queensland Government to take

stronger climate action to protect our precious Reef.”

“In the past seven years, the Reef has suffered four mass bleaching events driven by climate-fuelled marine heatwaves,” she said. “The Queensland Government’s current target of 30 per cent by 2030 is one of the lowest in the country and is not aligned with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C, which is a critical temperature

threshold for coral reefs.

“The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s latest report states that in a 2°C warming scenario coral reefs are projected to decline by 99 per cent.

“This puts the Great Barrier Reef and the region’s $6 billion tourism industry in grave danger.”

CAFNEC community campaigner Bronwyn Opie said “reporting by Accenture has dem-

onstrated that Queensland could reduce emissions to 60 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, which would not only protect 64,000 existing Reef jobs, but also create around 87,000 new jobs in emerging renewable energy, battery manufacturing, and clean export industries.”

She said climate change was the greatest threat to the region’s irreplaceable ecosystems.

Smithfield pharmacist Phil Anderson believes he will have to cut opening hours because of the new dispensing rules. Picture: Supplied

New dementia carers’ program

Staying at home scheme starts from May 16

l KEWARRA BEACH

|

Nick Dalton

A NEW innovative Staying at Home program for carers and people living with dementia is coming to Cairns.

Staying at Home project leader Tom Gauci said living at home for as long as possible was the healthiest, happiest choice for most people living with dementia and their partners or other family carers.

“But, without effective methods for coping and caring, home living can be stressful for the carer and the person living with dementia. That doesn’t need to be the case,” he said.

Mr Gauci said to support both, Dementia Support Australia (DSA) was running Staying at Home, an innovative three-day/ two-night residential program around Australia.

He said it was Australian Government-funded, there was no cost to participants and places were open at Kewarra Beach from Tuesday, May 16 to Thursday, May 18.

“Everyone wants to continue living at home,” Mr Gauci said.

“It’s our place of comfort, familiarity and security.

“Staying at Home empowers

people living with dementia and their carers to continue living together at home for as long as possible.”

Mr Gauci said carers were taught how best to manage behaviour changes that came with dementia, how to obtain 24/7 support from DSA’s staff and other community services, how to plan ahead and, very importantly, how to care for their own well-being.

“Participants living with dementia are supported to continue activities they treasure – gardening or creative arts, for example, or excursions into the community – introduced to respite care, and have an opportunity to discuss their diagnosis with the DSA team and the participants,” he said.

“One of the great benefits of

the program for family carers is they share experiences and learnings with others in similar situations,” said Marie Alford, head of Dementia Support Australia at HammondCare. “They know they’re not alone.”

“The program was amazing,” said a family carer who attended the program in Victoria. “The opportunity to meet with other carers was very enlightening ... sharing thoughts, emotions and lots of other issues and suggestions was very helpful.

“The (Staying at Home) team made the program fun while caring for our loved ones and at the same time imparting their knowledge and tips for coping.

“Providing time away from caring duties let us all have a break. I returned home feeling rested.”

Mr Gauci said: “We are seeing that it is very powerful for carers to come together, learn from each other and build a community of support.

“At the same time, our guests living with dementia have embraced the chance to talk openly about their diagnosis and connect with people sharing experiences.”

For more details go to dementia. com.au or click the following link in our online edition: https://bit.ly/44Aqz4z

JCU’s interactive AI new space

l SMITHFIELD

Demelza Werly guides JCU’s innovation facilitator Dr Samantha Horseman and data science student Yihong Mei through the driving simulator she has developed. Picture: James Cook University

Marie Alford of Dementia Support Australia.

Ergon’s apprentice program

l FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND

ERGON Energy and Energex

are offering a record 160 new apprenticeships across Queensland, including Cairns, in 2024.

Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said the electricity distribution networks were increasing their apprentice intake numbers by 10 per cent each year for 10 years as part of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, and supporting the rollout of advanced technologies, including batteries and systems to support rooftop solar and EVs.

Energy Queensland’s acting chief executive officer Peter Scott said Energex and Ergon Energy Network currently had 517 apprentices in various stages of their four-year apprenticeship.

Applications for the apprenticeships open in mid-2023 and will be for various positions with the electricity distribution networks around the state.

The new apprentices for 2024 will start in January and midyear at Energy Queensland’s specialised in-house training facilities, including in Cairns.

To apply to Ergon go to https://bit.ly/44ihuND

Or for Energex https://bit.ly/3noKJ0w

Fashions of the field guru named as sapphire jubilee ambassador

l WOREE

| Nick Dalton

MULTI-award winning fashions on the field doyenne Emma Scodellaro is this year’s 2023 sapphire jubilee ambassador of the Cairns Amateurs Carnival.

Cairns Amateurs Carnival event manager Victoria Jennings said the committee was thrilled to confirm Ms Scodellaro in the role of ambassador.

“Em is such an amazing and brilliant ambassador for our event – not just from a fashion judging perspective but across the entire carnival program,” she said.

“She exudes a happy and luminescent spirit in keeping with the social, fashionable, and fun filled vibe that Amateurs is known for and loved by all.

“We could not think of anyone more perfectly suited to the role of carnival ambassador.”

Ms Jennings said the ambassador’s role was an honour as well as a responsibility, that along with promoting the event between now and September, included being lead judge tasked with deciding the most stylish entrants in this year’s fashions of the field competition.

Ms Scodellaro said she was honoured to represent Cairns Amateurs in 2023.

“I absolutely love the Cairns Ama-

teurs and particularly its history and traditions that continue to resonate with visitors and racegoers today,” she said.

“I am just so thrilled to be given this opportunity and become part of the Amateurs story during this very exciting and special, sapphire jubilee year.”

She is perhaps best known as the founder of It’s All About the Sash – a social media platform sharing ideas while cataloguing the winning looks from fashions on the field competitions across Australia, New Zealand and beyond.

Ms Scodellaro said It’s All About the Sash was her greatest achievement, a platform promoting friendship, sharing ideas, and categorising the winning fashions on the field competitors.

“Fashions on the Field have been my absolute passion for so long now and through my social platforms I aim to educate, promote, and contribute to the development of racing fashion events, not only in Australia, but worldwide,” she said.

Since her first judging role at Cairns Amateurs Carnival in 2019 Ms Scodellaro has become a well-known face at Cannon Park and marquee events.

Tickets to all events are now on sale via www.cairnsamateurs.org. au. Cairns Amateurs Carnival’s 65th sapphire jubilee edition will be held between Thursday and Saturday, September 7-9. Tickets are on sale now.

Fashions on the field winner Emma Scodellaro is 2023 Cairns Amateurs carnival ambassador.

Picture: Supplied

Focus onAviation Women take the lead at airport

with more to come

l AEROGLEN

| Nick Dalton

MORE women are becoming leaders in the once male-dominated aviation industry.

Cairns Airport is proving to be a trendsetter for women breaking through the glass ceiling in areas of airport management, aircraft service and maintenance, flying and border control.

Cairns Airport chief executive officer Richard Barker said, while there was still a way to go, it was promising to see more women in senior aviation roles.

“In the Cairns Airport office, 40 per cent of the leadership team is female and 20 women hold management positions,” he said.

“A diverse workforce helps to power greater collaboration, creativity and innovation, which is crucial for a business to adapt and thrive.”

Alana McKenna is the chief executive of Skytek, a Cairnsbased business specialising in aviation maintenance and repair. She has noticed more women in leadership roles now than before.

“Aviation offers many opportunities for both women and men and, while it has been a male-dominated industry, this is changing slowly,” Ms McKenna said.

“With the variety of roles on offer along with flexible hours there are many roles within aviation for skilled and nonskilled females looking to start

a career path or make a career change,” she said. “With no two days ever the same, and the ability to travel with some roles, it’s an exciting industry to work in.

Playing a part in people’s career journeys is extremely rewarding for me.”

Sheree Gall is the airport’s airside infrastructure manager

and is involved in engineering and management of major infrastructure assets, including aerodrome lighting, pavements, drainage and electrical.

“As an engineer, my entire career has been within industries viewed as male-dominated, some more than others,” she said. “We have a great mix of men and women in various roles and at differing levels at Cairns Airport.

“If viewed as a male-dominated industry in the past, it is certainly not that today.”

Natalie Cross is the team leader of the Far North Queensland detector dog unit and has been with the Australian Border Force (ABF) for more than 20 years.

“Women are well represented in the ABF detector dog program, and I’m very grateful for it,” she said.

“I really appreciate the strong female role models within the ABF, both as leaders and colleagues.

“There is a strong sense of community at Cairns Airport.

“No matter who you work for or what your role is, everyone knows each other and has the same goal of facilitating seamless travel for the public, while also helping keep the community safe.”

North Queensland Airports Group (NQA), owner and operator of Cairns Airport, has a 44 per cent female workforce.

NQA’s diversity, equity and inclusion plan features gender diversity as a key focus area.

Women leaders at Cairns Airport (from left) Hinterland Aviation aircraft maintenance engineer apprentice Keeley Mason, Nautilus Aviation pilot Shauna Wild, Skytek chief executive Alana McKenna, Cairns Airport airside infrastructure manager Sheree Gall and Australian Border Force Far North Queensland detector dog unit team leader Natalie Cross. Pictured: SUPPLIED

Movers and shakers in male-dominated industry are tops in management

Focus onAviation

Second runway not required

CEO outlines expansion plans at airport to include a new 48ha eastern aviation precinct

l AEROGLEN

| Nick Dalton

A SECOND runway at Cairns Airport has been ruled out.

Airport chief executive Richard Barker said there was no need for one earmarked for the mangroves on the eastern side of the property.

“Gatwick Airport in the UK runs a single runway with 40 million passengers a year,” he said.

“Auckland is planning a second runway with 22 million passengers a year.

“We currently handle four million passengers a year and by 2040 that will grow to 10 million.

“We want to preserve the mangroves, that was why the Jack Barnes mangrove boardwalk was rebuilt.”

Mr Barker revealed that the board had just approved the start of the eastern aviation precinct south of the domestic terminal and east of the runway.

The 48-hectare site would become the home for helicopters, the emergency services base and maintenance and repair facilities.

Mr Barker said aviation service businesses at general aviation had never been busier and, while some would stay, others could move to the new precinct in due course.

He said it would take two-to-three years and $10 million to build up the site with soil to meet rising sea levels.

Mr Barker said relocating all

helicopter operations would make it easier and safer for pilots to get to the Reef and stop the need to have to wait before crossing the main runway. There would also be newer facilities. Other businesses at general aviation on the western side would now have the confidence to invest and upgrade their facilities, Mr Barker said.

General aviation would be divided into zones: regional aviation operations, airport industry precincts stages one and two and two maintenance, repair and operations precincts.

The $40m international terminal upgrade was underway, including new check-in and arrivals areas, four new glass airbridges followed by a new and bigger baggage reclaim area, bigger and better immigration facilities, including extra passport kiosks and then a renovated retail precinct.

Mr Barker said work was about to start on expanding the domestic terminal carpark by 280 car parks, taking the total to 1165 uncovered (undercover has an additional 126).

A further 134 new non-covered bays are planned for when demand requires.

The final section of the domestic terminal’s retail offerings was soon to open. He said it was an open plan design, like a large duty-free store, with a range of brands and products, including liquor, fashions and cosmetics. There will be a strong focus on local products,” Mr Barker said.

Korea, Vietnam and India on the radar of airport chief’s new routes

FROM PAGE 1

Mr Barker said bookings on Singapore Airlines were “really strong”, mainly by Europeans who could fly London to Cairns with just one stop on a 20-hour journey. It was also an airline preferred by Indian travellers and was more recognisable than offshoots SilkAir or Scoot.

He said international airlines wanted to add extra services to Cairns but were hampered by the lack of aircraft and staff, especially pilots.

“Singapore is five times a week but they are keen to go daily. Cathay (Pacific) would like to come back but have a real shortage of pilots,” Mr Barker said.

He said another exciting prospect was the new generation, fuel-efficient aircraft being added to fleets.

Virgin’s Japan service would be using one with six more to come and the Qantas Group had 100 on order. They can do more flights, burn a lot less fuel and can go further than current

aircraft. “We are talking about reaching all of Japan, Korea, the east coasts of China and India (from Cairns),” Mr Barker said.

He said Korea and Vietnam were on the radar of the airport as well as India further down the track with the new aircraft.

Mr Barker said only from Cairns or Darwin could airlines using the new generation narrow body planes fly direct to many destinations in Asia.

“For example, you can’t get to Japan

from Brisbane on a narrow body,” he said.

Mr Barker warned that it would be sometime before the Chinese were travelling again.

“China is basically closed. It will be a good two years before we see any real volumes from China and the real challenge is getting visas,” he said.

Mr Barker said the airport was exploring freight opportunities at the Regional Trade Distribution Centre and had been talking to airlines about the

use of wide-bodied aircraft that could handle bigger volumes of freight, especially live seafood.

He said the new Bonza carrier provided the best opportunity for the airport on domestic routes.

“Bonza needs to be successful. They are currently providing 3000 seats a week. They are price competitive and other airlines are responding,” Mr Barker said.

“They are looking to expand. Cairns is their top-selling destination,” he said.

Cairns Airport boss Richard Barker is excited about the $40 million international terminal upgrades. Picture: Nick Dalton

|

Field days set for a record

Thousands of visitors and hundreds of exhibitors expected at Mareeba

l

MAREEBA

Nick Dalton

THIS year’s biennial Rotary FNQ Field Days at Mareeba are expected to set a record.

Event chairman and Mareeba shire councillor Kevin Davies said the three-day event, which was the biggest of its kind in northern Australia, had grown exponentially since its conception in the mid-1980s, with more than 15,000 people attending in 2021 and a record 500 exhibitors featured.

“This year’s event promises to set the bar even higher, with a showcase of brand-new attractions and exhibits and about 50 additional sites,” he said.

Mr Davies said the show was hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Atherton and Mareeba, with all monies raised donated to charities and community organisations.

He said the key theme for this year’s event was a celebration of agriculture.

“This event occurs every two years and the economic benefit it brings to, not just Mareeba and Atherton, but to the region as a whole is huge,” he said.

“The field days also creates an opportunity to catch up with old friends, colleagues and distributors.

“This is not only a field day but a social gathering for many.”

This year’s event will see

the return of crowd-favourite attractions such as the Brown and Hurley agriculture tractor pull and garden tractor display, health and wellbeing displays, daily working machinery demonstrations, events in the arena, cattle display, emergency services demonstrations, and much more.

Site co-ordinator Nina Grant

said 98 per cent of sites were now sold out.

“We have many exhibitors that come back year after year to the field days because they do so well over the three days,” she said.

“So many businesses report great sales and great customer interaction as well as generating new interest from being

out in the public. “Due to this success, we have businesses that have never taken part in the field days and want to be involved and get their name out there. So we’ve created more exhibitor sites to allow for this growth and it’s something we’re really excited about.”

Online ticket sales bookings are available which allows

Native habitat workshops

l FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND

FREE workshops are being held in El Arish and Atherton on how to protect native habitat on your patch – whether that’s two hectares or 2000ha.

A Terrain NRM spokeswoman said land holders would visit properties with nature refuge status and they would hear how to establish and maintain nature refuges and natural assets in the Wet Tropics region.

“Topics will also include other protection opportunities, weed identification and management, pest management, wildlife corridors and developing practical habitat plans,” she said.

“Speakers will be from Ecosure, Terrain NRM, the Wet Tropics Management Authority, councils and conservation groups.”

visitors to get through the gate faster but tickets can also be bought at the gate.

The field days are on Wednesday, May 24 and Thursday, May 25 from 9am to 6pm, and Friday, May 26 from 9am to 4pm.

To volunteer email volunteer@fnqfieldday.org.au

To book a site visit www.fnqfielddays.org.au

The El Arish event is on Tuesday, May 9, at The Pocket, Bruce Highway, just south of El Arish township. The Atherton event is on Thursday, May 11, starting at Mt Quincan Crater Retreat. Both events will visit two properties and run from 8.30am to 4pm with morning tea and lunch provided. The workshops are being delivered by the Queensland Government’s Private Protected Area Program with support from Ecosure and Terrain NRM. For more information and to register, contact Andrew Dennis at andrew. dennis@terrain.org.au

Field Days committee members and volunteers Natasha Shroj, Charlie Martens, Pauline Spackman, Jeanette Sturiale, Trevor Duncan, Ida Portella, Nina Grant and Joe Moro are looking forward to the Rotary Clubs’ Field Days next month. Picture: Supplied

Reservoir back in business

l SMITHFIELD

THE university reservoir at Smithfield has been brought back online after several months of repairs.

A Cairns Regional Council spokesman said the 20-megalitre reservoir was drained late last year due to a significant water leak that was undermining its footings and structural integrity.

“Ground penetrating radar also revealed numerous cavities beneath the structure, which had placed extra stress on the reservoir and caused it to tilt and bulge,” he said.

“As part of an extensive repair program, more than 100 holes were drilled through the reservoir’s slab to allow concrete grout to be pressure injected into the subterranean cavities.

“This resulted in stabilisation of the foundations, raised the footing to re-level the structure, and allowed council to address a 13mm bulge of the reservoir’s wall.

“A specialised coating was also applied to the internal walls to address leakages, before a low-level filling, along with water quality, taste and odour testing was undertaken.”

The spokesman said the reservoir had now been filled to 60 per cent capacity and reconnected to the Cairns water supply.

He said a staged filling of the reservoir was being done increasing the volume week-by-week.

Getting food prices down

Far Northern Indigenous leader wins $50,000 scholarship to help her people

l

CAPE YORK | Isabella

Guzman Gonzalez

TACKLING the food price crisis on Cape York and creating a new food industry is the aim of Cape York Partnership (CYP) operations general manager Audrey Deemal.

Gordonvale resident

Audrey Deemal has been awarded $50,000 for her work with the not-for-profit Cape York Partnership (CYP) in empowering Indigenous communities.

The Westpac Scholars Trust awards 100 scholarships annually across Australia to exceptional scholars holding initiatives across agriculture, sustainability, refugee support, Indigenous support, and disability and mental illness support.

Ms Deemal will use the grant to advance her projects towards financial education in Indigenous communities in the Cape and Cairns.

Through the scholarship, she wants to address the food prices problem in the Cape and start a new food industry within the community.

“With the funds, I want to continue learning about

social enterprise and look at different social enterprises in Cairns around food products,” Ms Deemal said.

“We have a program called Mayi Market where we deliver fresh fruit and vegetables at a lower cost to the Cape community. Our challenge is to keep the prices down so our people can afford it,” she said.

“I want to see how we can use the lessons that we’ve learned from this process to create jobs in the Cape because this is an issue that is always missing in policies and reports around food security in the Cape – how to create more jobs.

“Instead of having food grown in the Tablelands shipped into Brisbane back up to Cairns and then distributed back out, how can we provide food that can stay in Cairns or come from the Cape to go out?

“The missing piece is creating jobs.”

Ms Deemal said there was a long journey ahead, but she was keen to take on the challenge of improving the quality of life for people in the Cape.

“I’m ecstatic this is happening, but I’m mindful that I have to deliver, and

the pressure is on,” she said. “I can’t thank Westpac enough for the funds and the opportunity to learn through the process.”

In her 12 years with CYP, Ms Deemal has developed many programs focused on the enrichment and growth of Indigenous communities through fi-

nancial education. “I help people understand money issues and build their financial capabilities, providing better opportunities for people to choose a valuable life,” she said.

Within CYP, Ms Deemal was involved in critical projects like the O-Hubs, which she developed for

four years before moving on to the general manager role.

“O-Hubs empower people through financial programs which include understanding what a budget is and how it works, understanding wants and needs, banking support, budgeting and payment

support, nd debt reduction,” she said.

“My goal as general manager is to teach people as much as I can about money, business, being more responsible, having more opportunities available, creating a sense of freedom to do what you want.”

Cape York Partnership operations general manager Audrey Deemal wants to tackle the Cape’s food price problem.

Fresh start for men’s shed

Space for Indigenous men to gather, yarn, learn and share skills is vital

l YARRABAH

|

Nick Dalton

NEW life has been breathed into the Yarrabah Men’s Shed.

Like many clubs and services around Australia, COVID impacted heavily upon the willingness, availability and passion for the Yarrabah Men’s Shed.

However a public meeting in the community has reignited the passion and drive to reopen the shed and start to cater for the growing number of men seeking cultural and social connection.

Resident Brent Pearson has campaigned strongly for the reopening of the community’s men’s shed.

“We need a space for our men, a space where they can gather, yarn, learn and share their skills and experiences,” he said.

Mr Pearson said the Yarrabah Shire Aboriginal Council had provided a building a number of years ago for the group and a meeting had galvanised the community to rekindle and reopen the building.

“We want to run programs that inspire our men, allowing them to learn new skills, create new industries and most importantly support them culturally and emotionally,” he said.

Mr Pearson said a lack of employment and training opportunities were the unfortunate reality faced by many of the men in the community.

He said the men’s shed planned to create a space where the men could learn new skills, gain valuable experience as well as acquiring much needed employment pre-requisite accreditations and qualifications.

“We will work closely with many of the programs already in community – Gindaja Men’s Warrior Program and Gurriny

Helping

Yealamucka’s Men’s Health and Wellbeing Program –broadening the reach of these programs and being more inclusive of our men,” Mr Pearson said.

Gurriny Yealamucka’s family wellbeing coordinator Father Les Baird was excited about the rejuvenated men’s shed.

“I work with our community

who live with dementia to stay at home longer.

Staying at Home is a free carer wellbeing and respite program designed to empower and upskill carers to support a person living with dementia to remain at home for as long as possible. With a strong focus on wellbeing and self-care, carers will be equipped to navigate the complexities and challenges of supporting a person living with dementia. As part of the program, the person living with dementia is offered an introduction to respite and receives tailored, individual support to continue meaningful and enjoyable activities for longer.

Calling all allergic residents

l CAIRNS

CAIRNS people allergic to a food or can’t take certain prescription medication are being sought by the National Allergy Council to improve their care.

Dr Katie Frith, co-lead for the National Allergy Council Shared Care for Allergy Project, said trying to access quality allergy care in the community, particularly in rural and remote areas, could be challenging.

“That is why the National Allergy Council is holding faceto-face sessions across Australia to bring people together to talk about how to improve access to allergy care, especially for people living in rural and remote areas,” she said.

The council wants to hear from:

• people living with an allergy or caring for someone with an allergy

• public hospital and health service staff

• healthcare professionals working in private practice

• primary health networks

members who are in the Lotus Glen Correctional Centre, presenting our family wellbeing empowerment program,” he said.

“Having the Yarrabah Men’s Shed operating will allow us to continue this lifechanging work with them when they return to community.

“Our family wellbeing pro-

gram is vital in Yarrabah as well as at Lotus Glen, with such a large number of our community affected by the stolen generation and multi-generational trauma, our program supports them and gives them the tools to cope and change their life outcomes.

“The men’s shed – it’s for the men, and by the men.”

• governments, health administrators, and

• other interested people or groups.

The council is coming to Cairns on Wednesday, May 10, from 9am-3pm. Register through The National Allergy Councils website, or click the following link in our online edition: https://bit.ly/44rhYAP

3

people

Yarrabah Men’s Shed proponents Darren Miller (Gurriny Yealamucka), Stephen Canendo (Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council), Brent Pearson, Robert Frisken (Wugu Nyambil) and Brian Connolly (Anglicare North Queensland). Picture: Supplied

Author’s book tells 25 global stories about devastating WWI conflict Council’s greening grants

l CAIRNS

GRANTS of up to $20,000 are now available to support small, community-based revegetation projects.

The Revegetation of Natural Areas grant program provides funding to improve the native habitat, enhance natural areas and improve biodiversity in Cairns.

This program provides up to $20,000 (excluding GST) for eligible projects that involve onground activities.

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the new funding stream builds on the council’s commitment to protecting and enhancing the natural environment.

“While council already has funding agreements in place with several organisations, this new grant stream adds to our ability to support small community groups with revegetation projects,” he said.

Grant applications close on June 30.

Before submitting an application, groups are asked to contact a member of the natural assets management team to discuss their revegetation project, either by phone 1300 692 247 or email revegetation.grants@cairns.qld. gov.au.

More information is available on the council website, or by clicking the following link in our online edition: https://bit.ly/42mEKIt

|

l

EARLVILLE

Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

AUTHOR Chris Shaw has launched his novel Echoes of Gallipoli, reflecting on the devastating stories of those who fought in Gallipoli and their relatives who grieved them.

A collection of fictional characters from across the world tell the stories of thousands of soldiers silenced by war and the people they left behind, offering readers a glimpse into humanity at its best and worst and the reality that war leaves no one untouched.

A retired pharmacist turned author, Mr Shaw found the inspiration for Echoes of Gallipoli at the 2020 ANZAC services at his retirement village.

“I attended the dawn service at our little retirement village, going in for coffee afterwards, a retired nurse said to me, ‘Our boys must have had a really rough time in Gallipoli’,” he said.

“In my head, I saw a picture of half a dozen Australian soldiers tearing up a beach, screaming their lungs out, and I thought, ‘I’ve got to write that story’.”

Through intensive research, the Earlville resident created 25 stories from nine different countries involved in Gallipoli, from Australia and New Zealand to Scotland, Wales, England, Ireland, India, Canada and France, to

craft testimonies that, although fictional, spoke to the reality of thousands of families involved in WWI.

“I started by creating a family in Winton, Queensland. Patrick Jackson was the son, and I got him going to Gallipoli and how he died,” he said.

“Then I realised that I hadn’t considered the huge impact of the loss of a child to his mum and dad, so I wrote their story too.

“But the Kiwis had been in the fight with us, so I wrote their story. There were 10 nationalities that took part in Gallipoli, and I knew nothing about their cultural backgrounds a century ago.

“So I did two and a half years’ work during lockdown, and I got the cultural background and military context to put in my 25 stories.”

The result of the in-depth research is a beautiful book, not only for its content but its visual appeal, with its cover in leather simulating a war journal from WWI.

“It’s a beautiful presentation and a limited edition of 1000, and some of the proceeds from the book will go to Legacy for families who need a hand,” Mr Shaw said.

“I want people to take away a realisation of what war is all about, having had 80 years of relative peace.”

To buy Echoes of Gallipoli, visit https://www.chrisshawauthor.com/

Earlville author Chris Shaw with his Echoes of Gallipoli novel. Picture: Supplied

Healthcare access for seniors

l CAIRNS

| Nick Dalton

OLDER people in Cairns will be given help to access health and aged care services through a new program funded by the Federal Government.

Aged and Disability Advocacy (ADA) Australia will deliver the new Care Finder program across the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service region.

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network awarded the contract with chief executive Robin Whyte saying there had been long-standing calls for more localised and face-to-face support to help older persons navigate and access health and aged care services.

“The aged care system is already complex, and we know it can be difficult for older persons, particularly when they have limited social supports, to access the right health care services at the right time,” she said.

“The aim of the Care Finder program is to establish a network of ‘care finders’ – that is professionals in the community who can provide intensive, faceto-face support for older persons who are isolated, or have no support person, and who are experiencing barriers to receiving the necessary support,”

Ms Whyte said NQPHN would work with ADA Australia, in collaboration with the community and a range of service system stakeholders, to design service models that met local needs, integrated into broader health care

systems, and delivered improved outcomes for older persons in northern Queensland.

ADA Australia chief executive Geoff Rowe said the organisation was proud to support older people in North Queensland who needed extra help to access

aged care and other services in their community through the Care Finder program.

“We are based in Cairns and provide aged care advocacy services to seniors, and now will be able to extend our expertise to those people who have complex

needs, are isolated, or don’t have help at hand to engage with the aged care system,” he said.

“This new service, ADA Link, will help seniors in need in the region find practical solutions to get the supports and services they need to age well. “The ser-

Vital nose and throat equipment

l CAIRNS NORTH

NOSE, throat and respiratory patients are among the winners from the 2022 QSuper Cardiac Challenge.

Two pieces of equipment bought from last year’s event are already being used by patients and trainee doctors.

Cairns Hospital thoracic and sleep medicine director Dr Stephen Vincent said it was “pretty amazing that you can ride your bike to Cooktown and these cutting-edge pieces of equipment suddenly appear and they help the patients we serve”.

The virtual bronchoscope is a training device used by doctors in training, as well as consultants, to learn or upgrade their skills in performing bronchoscopies.

vice is free, independent, and focused solely on the best outcomes for the person.” ADA Australia also has dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advocates available to support First Nations clients and communities.

“It’s a bit like pilots learning to fly a plane before getting in a jumbo jet. Simulation is the best way to learn these skills as you’re not limited to a patient list – you can use the equipment when it’s available. It’s a computer simulator where you insert the tiny camera into the virtual nose, past the mouth, into the lung,” Dr Vincent said.

The second piece of equipment is a Naso endoscope to diagnose and manage conditions of the nose and throat.

Aged and Disability Advocacy (ADA) Australia Cairns advocate Barry Fewquandie will be helping older First Nations people receive healthcare.

Face-to-face service to help older people navigate services

Grants

Grants of up to $20,000 are now available to support small, community-based revegetation projects.

The Revegetation of Natural Areas grant program provides funding to improve native habitat, enhance natural areas and improve biodiversity in Cairns. Before submitting an application, please contact a member of the Natural Assets Management team to discuss the proposed revegetation project, by phone on 1300 692 247 or email revegetation.grants@cairns.qld.gov.au.

Last week we asked the question: Do you think cruise shipping adds value to our tourism industry? Here are some of your comments.

Cruise shipping adds to our tourism destination and visitor spending. Cairns is arguably the most desired port of all in Australia.

Jess, Gordonvale

Of course, cruise shipping adds value to the Far North’s tourism industry. The ships bring thousands of visitors a year who spend a lot of money on tours, shopping, dining and other things. Many visit the Cairns Museum and the art gallery and just the sight of them wandering around the CBD adds to the city’s bustling feel.

John, Manoora

Not only does Cairns benefit from cruise ships and their passengers and crews, but also Yorkeys Knob, Port Douglas, Cooktown and the

The Voice will divide Australians

Torres Strait. The fact that in Cairns they can walk off the ship straight into the city is rare. There is only one another port that offers that - Sydney - but that is mostly a turnaround port where passengers get on and off the ship and don’t wander into the CBD.

Chris, Brinsmead

The sight of a big cruise ship at the end of Abbott St is one to behold. It’s like a hotel has sprung up overnight. It’s great to see the passengers and crew walking about, clutching shopping bags emblazoned with various brands. We just need to get rid of the itinerants and fill the vacant tenancies to make their experience so much better.

Chris, Brinsmead

Why no Lite White Milk 2-litre on sale?

Council is calling for volunteers to help with the staging of Cairns Ecofiesta.

To be held at Munro Martin Parklands on Sunday 4 June, from 10am to 6pm, the environmental and sustainability expo features live music, food and information stalls, and workshops.

To apply to be a volunteer or a stallholder, visit www.cairns.qld.gov.au/ecofiesta

Long-established tourism operator diversifies into distilling with a local focus

A taste of the tropics

l KURANDA

I Nick Dalton ONE of the Far North’s leading tourism operators is going back to the future.

The CaPTA Group’s Rainforestation Nature Park in Kuranda is the home of the new Mountain Groves Distillery.

CaPTA sales and marketing director Ben Woodward said the distillery, which would make a significant contribution to the region’s expanding food and wine tourism market, had taken its name from the park’s original moniker when it opened in the late 70s and grew in popularity through the 80s.

In 1974 Charles and Pip Woodward bought Mountain Groves, a local

orange orchard and coffee plantation, and Rainforestation Nature Park officially opened as a tourist attraction in 1976 after extensive construction.

“Our region is blessed with beautifully flavoured tropical fruits and spices which are being combined to produce some delicious and unique liqueurs,” Ben Woodward said.

“Initial flavours include passionfruit and pepperberry, mango and chilli, pineapple and cinnamon, and lemon-myrtle-cello, but the intention is to quickly expand the range to over 10 options with some of the region’s unique bush tucker flavours included,” he said.

CaPTA general manager Andrew Hearn said the new cellar door experience would be an addi-

tion to Rainforestation’s army duck rainforest tours, Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience, and its koala and wildlife park.

“At Rainforestation, we have always focused on showcasing the best of the Cairns region,” he said.

“Mountain Groves Distillery will continue that tradition by using the best fresh local fruits and spices to create amazing and unique flavours.”

Mr Hearn said the distillery handcrafted its tropical flavoured liqueurs in small batches, using locally sourced fruits and spices.

He said their Indigenous Pamagirri guides assisted in selecting authentic Australian bush tucker ingredients while local farmers provide the best tropical flavours.

Mountain Groves distiller Christian Auer, CaPTA Group general manager Andrew Hearn and Rainforestation general manager Kieran Sullivan with samples of their tropical liqueurs. Picture: Supplied

Wining and Dining

Seafood aplenty at Port’s Tin Shed

Douglas Community and Sports Club offers the freshest fish and crustaceans in FNQ

l PORT DOUGLAS

FRESH seafood brought directly to the venue’s waterfront doorstep is the speciality of the Douglas Community and Sports Club at Port Douglas.

Affectionately named The Tin Shed, it is the only waterfront dining venue at Port Douglas which looks out to the Daintree and Coral Sea.

Club manager Kyle Livingston said the strongest reputation about The Tin Shed was serving up fresh Far North Queensland seafood.

“Local trawler Santiego provides huge prawns to us at The Tin Shed.

“There’s nothing better than kicking back on our deck watching the Reef boats return while enjoying a chilled bucket of fresh jumbo prawns with an icy cold beer – a bucket list item while visiting the Far North,” he said.

“Fishermen bring in their daily catch straight to our private pontoon where our talented chefs get them ready for that day’s fish special – barramundi, a real hero up here in the tropics, along with coral trout, gold band snapper,

nannygai, red emperor to name just a few.

“We are very lucky to have a wide variety of sustainable fishing options right on our doorstep.

“We offer a massive seafood tower for two and again our bistro prices mean you can enjoy this fresh tower of seasonal offerings at a fraction of the price from other restaurants.

“Items are seasonably available and can change due to availability – natural oysters, prawns, Reef fish, steamed mussels, rock lobster, Morton Bay bugs, calamari, sashimi, ceviche – all served on a tower for two with chips, salad and dipping sauces.”

The menu includes $24 lunch specials Monday to Friday as well as all-day dining with the addition of an afternoon snack menu from 11.30pm till 8.30pm.

“While we pride ourselves in our fresh seafood offerings, we also have a diverse menu with bistro classics,” Mr Livingston said.

“We serve a hearty 300gm sirloin steak and chips topped with jus or bugs and prawns, not to be missed, along with great vegetarian options like eggplant parmigiana – crumbed eggplant drizzled in house made Napoli sauce

and finished with bocconcini and basil pesto.

“We are the local Douglas Community and Sports Club. This means our goal is to give back our profits to the Douglas shire which runs from Wangetti to north of Cape Tribulation,” Mr Livingston said.

“Last year we donated over $150,000 to local not-for-profit community clubs and sporting groups along with sponsoring events for our community such as the Port Shorts Film Festival and the Mossman Street Parade. It’s been wonderful to see the benefit to the community and to our members,” he said.

“Visitors are encouraged to become members as we find guests holidaying in Port Douglas frequent us again and again and this way they can reap the rewards of being a member of the club, such as birthday vouchers and instant wins from our kiosk.”

The club is open seven days a week from 10am-10pm. The venue includes a gaming lounge, TAB, KENO, lunch, dinner, and afternoon snack menu, airconditioned cocktail lounge, tap beers, a second level Bacardi bar and an outdoor deck overlooking the Daintree and Coral Sea. Guests enjoy

a seafood tower at the Douglas Community and Sports Club. Inset: The club’s waterfront setting.

It’s all Rosie for Ross in Port

l PORT DOUGLAS

FROM my old part of the World, the term ‘elope to Gretna Green’ was well known for couples wishing to simply run off and get married. Although this quaint village in Scotland is far from unpleasant, personally I would prefer the option of eloping to our tropical paradise.

Eloping, in fact, may be a slightly strong term for our newlyweds Ross and Rosie Cincotta, from Melbourne. Although they did leave the family at home, they did not do a runner, as such, to tie the knot at Little Cove in Port Douglas.

Rosie and Ross have known each other for 30

Shaz’s ANZAC Day gesture

years and it was after a visit last year to the Douglas Shire that they made the decision to return for this special occasion.

They arrived last week completely on their own, with their only local contact being a friend and now Port resident Joyce Coyle. People in the shire love a celebration, so it didn’t need much arm twisting to convince Joyce to be a witness. During the pre-wedding discussions, no doubt at a local watering hole, another Port resident, Heidi Plainer, offered Rosie and Ross her bright red, pride and joy, Ford Mustang as the wedding vehicle. This gesture, plus the beautiful seaside venue, pretty much ticked all of the boxes for a perfect day.

ANZAC Day is always very special for many individuals from either side of the ditch. Various locations in the Douglas Shire provided the opportunity for locals and visitors to pay their respects to those that gave the ultimate sacrifice.

One particular individual showed her gratitude early on ANZAC Day morning by giving the graves of Diggers and other individuals, who are laid to rest in Mossman Cemetary, her yearly tidy up.

Sharon Osborne, or ‘Shaz’, lost her female best friend Jacqui in 1981 and male best friend Johnny in 1982. She made a promise to her friends and their parents that she would always look after them and Shaz is one to always keep her word.

In fact, Shaz has been carrying out this kind deed for 42 years and has never missed a year.

Both friends were lost in car accidents and on each occasion Shaz should have been in the vehicle herself. As a result, she feels it is extra special for her to do what she does each year.

Shaz has always done this on ANZAC Day which she believes is ‘give back’ day. She does her friends graves, their parents who were three diggers, brother in laws and family members. The most Shaz has done is 21 graves in one day.

“It’s something I love doing and it is a great sense of satisfaction knowing they are not forgotten” Shaz said.

It’s truly a great story.

I’m off to salute all of our amazing local people, so for now it’s Gazza signing out.

Send your stories to

gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au

Above and below: Rosie and Ross tie the knot in Port.

l MOSSMAN

Shaz (above) has been looking after Mossman graves for 42 years.

Construction starts on Mossman Splash Park

CONSTRUCTION has started on the Mossman Splash Park with excavation work now underway.

Douglas Shire Councillors met at the Mossman Pool and Caravan Park to mark the start of construction and release the artist impression.

Council contractors started digging at the grass area before installing underground pipes to get the site ready for splash park materials.

The project is joint funded by Council and the Queensland Government which has offered Council $1.5 million to build splash parks in Mossman and Port Douglas.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the splash park would draw more local families to the Mossman Pool.

“The splash park will be a fantastic addition to the Mossman Pool precinct which is already a really popular venue,” he said.

“Parents will love watching their kids splash around from nearby shady picnic tables and BBQs areas.

“We have more than 1500 pre-schoolers and primary school students in Douglas Shire, many who live on farms, in Mossman and in our rural beachside neighbourhoods.”

“I would like to thank the State Government for providing funding to build this splash park which will be suited to our relaxed tropical lifestyle.”

A report on the community engagement seeking feedback on the location for a splash park in Port Douglas has been completed and will be considered by Councillors at a future meeting.

Family fun at Port Douglas Carnivale

A JAM-packed event program full of good old fashioned family fun, vibrancy, imagination, and adventure is set to entice families to join in the action of Port Douglas Carnivale from May 19-21.

The free premier events for the little ones are the Property Shop Port Douglas & Mossman Street Parade on Friday, May 19, which this year has been themed Living the Best Life, and the fun and action of the Tin Shed Family Beach Day on Saturday, May 20. Each year, crowds line the streets to watch the parade, which is a true community event and includes motorised floats, bands, dancers, and more.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said families would also be able to enjoy the festivities before the parade with the Kids Disco kicking off from 4.30pm outside Rattle n’ Hum on Macrossan Street.

“The spectacle and colour of the parade is amazing, and the action continues afterwards with the fun fair, entertainment and fireworks display at 8pm,” he said.

On Saturday, Four Mile Beach will be transformed into a playground for locals and visitors alike.

The day’s program will start at 10am and includes beach hockey, treasure hunt, a sandcastle competition, circus performance, water sports, market stalls, kites display, beach busking and story time

with ‘Ecky Geck’.

At the Wonderland Spiegeltent, the story of Peter Pan, Wendy, the pirates and just maybe a certain crocodile, will be reimagined in the most extravagant and enchanting way ever.

Circus Wonderland – A Neverland Adventure has been specially created for children of all ages and weaves a magical story full of acrobatic feats, comic moments and crazy characters.

Other family events include the Pooch Party at Jalunbu Park on Saturday, May 20.

This exclusive soiree for the canine in your household promises to be a great day out with lots of treats on offer and a heap of prizes including best dressed and best groomed to the dog with the waggiest tail and the ultimate accoladeprime pooch of the pack.

“All proceeds from the event will go towards Paws & Claws Animal Shelter,” Mayor Kerr added.

Wrapping up the Carnivale weekend will be the Port Douglas Markets, Douglas Dash and Seafood Extravaganza on Sunday, May 21.

Running throughout the weekend is the Go Troppo art exhibition at the Port Douglas Sugar Wharf and Tropical Destinations Photography Exhibition at the Port Douglas Community Hall.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.carnivale.com.au

Douglas Shire Councillors mark the start of Mossman splash park construction at Mossman Pool.

Family beach day.

Pooch party.

A memorable ANZAC Day

Local company to build Mossman Gorge cycleway

CONSTRUCTION on the project, which includes installation of a pedestrian bridge, pile driving, drainage improvements and pedestrian crossovers, will start in May 2023.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said a shared pathway connecting the town and Mossman Gorge was a priority route.

“The pathway will allow children to safely ride their bikes to school. It’s a total distance of three kilometres and approximately a 10-minute ride,” he said.

“The pathway will have solar powered, recessed lighting to make it safer for

people to walk at night, given there’s no streetlights once you are outside the urban area.

“The Far North Queensland Principal Cycle Network plan provides an exciting pipeline of cycleway investment for Douglas.”

The 2km shared pathway will connect Kubirri Aged Care Centre to the Mossman Gorge, marking the final leg of the 3.6km pathway from the intersection of Captain Cook Highway and Johnston Road.

A key priority is to connect Mossman township to Mossman Gorge Centre via a shared pathway for pedestri-

ans, cyclists and those using mobility scooters. Council has been planning and building cycleways to connect communities to the Mossman CBD.

• Council is working on the design for a pathway from Mossman Golf Club through to the Newell Beach esplanade and the next step will be to source funding for the construction phase.

• The cycleway from Mossman to Cooya Beach turn off has been completed. Planning is underway to extend the cycleway down Melaleuca Drive to the beach.

HUNDREDS of locals and visitors attended ANZAC services in Douglas Shire. Three services were held on ANZAC as well as multiple school ceremonies earlier in the week.

Cr Roy Zammataro, Deputy Mayor Lisa Scomazzon, Cr Abigail Noli, Cynthia Lui MP & Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr at Mossman Dawn Service.

Port Douglas ANZAC Service.

Mossman Gorge Road.

Pickleball comes to Douglas

Parkrun in Paradise

DOUGLAS Shire Council is seeking expressions of interest from community members to drive the Douglas Parkrun.

The free communitybased activity is a weekly event held on Saturdays, featuring a 5km run, jog or walk and a 2km option for juniors and families.

Parkrun is a positive, welcoming and inclusive

experience where there is no time limit, and no one finishes last!

There are currently 466 parkrun events around the country, taking place every weekend, lets add Douglas to the Parkrun calendar.

To get going, Parkrun needs a volunteer committee to conduct the events. The Parkrun program will assist with all the training

and logistics. Are you interested in becoming a member? Please forward your Expressions of Interest (contact details and brief statement confirming your interest) to Council’s Sport and Recreation Officer, Jordan Hougan by email: Jordan.hougan@douglas. qld.gov.au

AUSTRALIA’S fast-growing ball sport – a combination of tennis, badminton and ping pong – is bringing people from different generations together and thanks to Douglas U3A movement, Douglas could have its very own team.

Residents of all ages and abilities are invited to pick up a paddle and have some fun at an indoor come and try day on Saturday 6th of May.

The event will be held between 11am and 4pm at the Mossman indoor sports hall.

All equipment, as well as beginner level instruction, will be provided by Cairns and District Pickleball Club. Participants are encouraged to wear tennis shoes or runners.

For more information please contact U3A member Liz Kendall at ekendall56@gmail.com

Have Your Say Port Douglas Skate Park

HOW COUNCIL SPENDS EVERY $100:

DOUGLAS Shire Council is calling for community input on the draft concept designs for Port Douglas Skate Park.

Two potential design options for the park have been created from initial feedback. Check out the concepts online and complete our short survey to tell us which is your favourite!

Survey closes 9am Monday 8 May 2023.

WHAT’S ON

• Saturday 6th – Mossman Markets, 7am – 1pm

• Sunday 7th – Port Douglas Sunday Markets, 8am – 1.30pm

• Sunday 7th – Daniel Champagne at The Clink Theatre

• Monday 8th – Who’s Your Mob Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander family history workshop at Mossman Library, 10:30am

• Tuesday 9th – Hearing Australia, free hearing checks at Mossman Library, 10:30am

• Thursday 11th – Free community NDIS information session at Mossman High School, 5:30pm – 7pm

• Friday 12th to Sunday 21st – Wonderland Spiegeltent, Dixie Park, various shows and times, see Port Douglas Carnivale program for details

• Saturday 13th – Mossman Markets, 7am – 1pm

• Saturday 13th – Meteors Swim Club open day, 9am – 11am

• Sunday 14th – Port Douglas Sunday Markets, 8am – 1.30pm

• Monday 15th to Sunday 21st – Tropical Destinations Photography Exhibition, Port Douglas Community Hall

• Monday 15th May to 6th July – Free BreastScreen at Mossman Hospital

Sand Street works recommence

WORKS have resumed at the Sand Street pedestrian beach access track to Four Mile Beach.

Douglas Shire Council will replace the old wooden stairs with composite fibre stairs and a boardwalk.

Once complete, interpretative signs will be installed.

The pedestrian track is expected to be closed until mid to late May, however there are two alternative beach access tracks close by.

$50.8M

• Thursday 18th – Art Exhibition Opening – Go Troppo 2023, Sugar Wharf, 6pm

• Friday 19th to Sunday 21st – Go Troppo Art Exhibition, Sugar Wharf, 10am – 5pm daily

• Friday 19th to Sunday 21st – Port Douglas Music Trails, various times, and locations, see Port Douglas Carnivale program for details

• Friday 19th – Kids Disco Street Party, at the front of Rattle N’ Hum, 4:30pm – 6:30pm

• Friday 19th – Street Parade, Macrossan Street, from 4:30pm Fireworks at 8pm

• Saturday 20th – Mossman Markets, 7am – 1pm

• Saturday 20th – Family Beach Day, Four Mile Beach, from 9am

• Saturday 20th – Pooch Party, Jalunbu Park, 10am – 2pm

• Saturday 20th – FNQ Gin Fest, Crytalbrook Superyacht Marina, 12pm – 6pm

• Saturday 20th – Tropic Rock, ticketed show, see Port Douglas Carnivale program for details

• Sunday 21st – Port Douglas Sunday Markets, 8am – 1.30pm

• Sunday 21st –Seafood Extravaganza, Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, 12pm - 7pm

• Tuesday 23rd – Do it In Douglas Brekky – Celebrating the Sustainability Story, 7am – 10am

• Saturday 27th – Mossman Markets, 7am – 1pm

• Sunday 28th – Port Douglas Sunday Markets, 8am – 1.30pm

• Tuesday 30th – Douglas Shire Council Ordinary Council Meeting, 10am

TimeOut

Play honours the women of CWA during 100th birthday

l FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND

I Nick Dalton

MORE Than Tea and Scones is a new theatrical production about the women of the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA). It recognises 100 years of effort in 2023, its centennial year.

Written by award winning Cairns playwright Angela Murphy, of Veranda Theatre, the show could be set in any CWA hall.

“I travelled over 2200km, visited 22 Country Women’s Association (CWA) halls across North Queensland and interviewed over 70 women,” said Ms Murphy.

“Their stories have been woven together to create a funny and insightful piece of theatre that will appeal to anyone who cares about their community,” she said. “It’s an eye-opening revelation into what the women in the CWA do. It will surprise and amaze you.

“The show is heartfelt, honest and at times hilarious. It’s the QCWA in their centennial year and it’s coming to a hall near you.”

More than Tea and Scones is directed by Rachel Terry with actors Liz Christensen, Roz Pappalardo, Sarah Speller and Natalie Taylor.

Ms Murphy, founder of Veranda Theatre Co, is a Cairnsbased playwright. She completed a Master of Letters in

Creative Writing at CQU in 2005 and the following year JUTE and Darwin Theatre Companies produced her first, full-length play, The Boathouse.

Drawing on her experiences as a high-school teacher she wrote Survival Instincts which was an award winner at the Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra Short and Sweet Festivals in 2009-10.

In 2011, Angela’s box-office hit What are the Odds? set on Melbourne Cup Day was produced by JUTE and in 2015 the company brought her office comedy Stewed to the stage.

In 2020, Prospect Terrace produced by Angela’s own Veranda Theatre Co, reignited theatre after the COVID-lockdowns, at the CPAC Studio.

In 2021-22, with the support of Arts Queensland and the FNQ community, she embarked on the journey of interviewing, recording and writing More Than Tea and Scones which is being performed at seven venues in the Far North:

• Freshwater CWA Hall (May 19 and 20)

• Clink Theatre, Port Douglas (May 27)

• Tolga CWA Hall (May 28)

• Cooktown Shire Hall (June 3)

• Mareeba CWA Hall (June 4)

• Tully CWA Hall (June 10)

• Millaa Millaa CWA Hall (June 11). Bookings are available from trybooking.com

Playwright Angela Murphy, Rita Merrick from Port Douglas CWA, who was interviewed for More Than Tea and Scones, with actor Sarah Speller.

Beach cocktails as the sun sets

Ibiza’s famous food and drinks sessions to add an exotic flavour to Carnivale

l PORT DOUGLAS

|

Nick Dalton

A WORLD-famous Spanish sunset session is coming to Port Douglas Carnivale this month.

Café Del Mar has been celebrating spectacular sunsets in Ibiza since the 80s.

A special edition of bringing music, sensational sunsets and fun together with Mediterranean food and cool drinks will be hosted at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort on May 21.

Resort general manager Steve Molnar said as the sun was about to set on Sunday, May 21, one of Australia’s most iconic beachfront resorts would come to life as colourful cocktails, Mediterranean bites and Café Del Mar tunes by DJ ‘Jus Joe’ would flow onto the shore of the venue’s main beach.

He said packages included the ‘Pearl Package’ where ticket holders can play in a private poolside cabana by day and settle into the sounds of Café Del Mar by night with premium champagne, tapas, paella, Yarra Valley caviar, freshly shucked oysters, olives and more.

The ‘Shell Package’ was the locals pick as it gave the flexibility to choose food and drink favourites with a $50 credit included in every ticket, Mr Molnar said.

“Globally, our brand celebrates human connections with experiences that foster moments of togetherness for travellers and the local community, on this occasion in a spectacular setting usually exclusively available to resort guests,” he said.

Marketing director Deb McDiarmid said: “Café Del Mar in Ibiza started the unique sunset session tradition which they now continue all over the world and we are delighted they join us during Carnivale to bring the experience to Tropical North Queensland.”

The resort is also presenting two additional events in the Carnivale program on Saturday, May 20, both paying homage to the sugar industry, particularly the cane cutters and their descendants who still farm the local land today.

In the Daintree Bar, Mt Uncle Distillery head distiller and director Mark Watkins will lead a sugar cane rum masterclass.

His commentary is accompanied by samples of three award winning products from his FNQ Rum Co. label.

“What makes this class extra special is hearing the story behind the rum-making process – from planting to harvest, fermentation to copper still and, finally, placement in oak barrels

for ageing,” Mr Molnar said.

Saturday evening celebrates the start of the harvest season with a symbolic cane burning, followed by an Italian familystyle feasting menu under the stars on Sheraton’s Four Mile Lawn. “Inspired by stories of shared suppers and the smells of tomato sugo drifting from the

cane cutter barracks, this gastronomic experience will be complimented by authentic stories told by descendants of the region’s sugar pioneers, a selection of Italian wines and live music, “ Mr Molnar said.

To learn more visit www.sheratonportdouglas.com/experiences or www.carnivale.com.au

The Puglisi farming family who will be lighting a traditional cane burn before an Italian feast.

Stephanie Salway, Steve Beck, Nicole Peterson and other guests enjoy a sunset session at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort. Pictures: Supplied

Mt Uncle Distillery head distiller Mark Watkins will lead a sugar cane rum masterclass.

Film covers the rich history of Herberton area’s post-colonial mining industry

l HERBERTON

| Nick Dalton

AUSTRALIAN film legend Jack Thompson has brought the Far North’s pre-colonial and pioneering history to life in an epic movie experience premiering at the Historic Village Herberton on Saturday (May 6).

Two years in the making – Herberton Heart of the North – combines special effects and digital imagery of the calibre of Star Wars and Avatar movies to create an immersive journey through the region’s history from local First Nations peoples to the post-colonial search for riches.

Executive producer Joe Connor, of Renegade Films, said audiences would be wowed just by the size of the film installation.

At 12m by 3m, it takes up the whole side of the renovated Salvo Building at the Historic Village. Sweeping panoramas combine with a rousing original musical score by Mick Thomas, of Weddings, Parties, Anything fame, to introduce viewers to the historical documentary.

“This installation would not be out of place in one of our national

institutions or state galleries,” Mr Connor said.

“The technology is state-ofthe-art and the creatives who have been involved in the process – Gatherer Media and Bilbie Productions – are world renowned award-winning practitioners,” he said.

“We hope we have created an experience that will engage and entertain visitors with the long history of Herberton and encourage them to look deeper into all that the Historic Village has to offer.”

Historic Village Herberton owners Craig and Connie Kimberly said the choice of Jack Thompson as narrator was crucial to the project.

“He is the iconic Australian storyteller,” they said.

“We wanted people to come out feeling that they had been involved in an experience of Herberton’s history.”

The Kimberlys said the Salvo Building at the Historic Village had undergone a full restoration to turn it into a theatre – complete with solar power – as a fitting home for the installation.

Mr Connor said a lot of research and consultation with First Nations people went into the project.

“So much history is anecdotal but when you put it into a film, it has to be verified as it is there forever,” he said.

“We consulted historians and archaeologists, but relied heavily on the local people, their incredible memories, historical societies, archives and museums.”

The launch is part of the Pioneer Weekend activities at the village on May 6-7 which includes live music, working machinery displays, bush poetry, market stalls, train rides and sausage sizzle. Normal admission prices apply. For more information and full program of events, go to www. historicvillageherberton.com.au

The poster which advertises the historic movie being launched this weekend.

Actor Jack Thompson.

Boge’s debut album at Tanks

Singer’s road trip with The Final Days of Autumn

l CAIRNS

|

Nick Dalton

AT their height, The Butterfly Effect were one of the hardest working bands in the country and for frontman Clint Boge very little has changed.

However, this time, Boge is heading on the road solo in support of his debut album tour, The Final Days of Autumn.

This intimate show at the Tanks Arts Centre on Friday, May 12, promises a personal experience with one of Australia’s most recognisable and authentic vocalists as he explores the softer and darker aspects of himself.

Gig-goers are sure to be captivated with his soulful songs and heartfelt lyrics and can expect highlights from his new album as well as songs from his 2015 EP, Songs of a Delicate Nature.

With a voice that sounds even better live than recorded, mainly because audiences can hear him speak between songs, Boge’s

stripped-down arrangements and vocal versatility promise an extraordinary performance.

After working in The Butterfly Effect and other Brisbane band, Like Thieves, where songwriting was largely been a group effort, Boge says he was yearning to explore the craft on his own.

“When you’ve got different writing dynamics in each band, there was still a part that I wasn’t addressing – my own stuff, which is not folk, but has an almost country-esque tinge to it,” he said.

SESSION

Though Boge is out there burning up his fuse alone, he’s also been working again with The Butterfly Effect after touring again last year with their album IV and says the rest of the year holds plenty in-store for his solo work and band collaborations.

“I don’t know if I’ve bitten off more than I can chew or if I’m keeping myself occupied so that idle hands don’t do the Devil’s work,” he said.

Clint Boge is at the Tanks Arts Centre on May 12. Tickets at Ticketlink.com.au

Singer Clint Boge is appearing at the Tanks Art Centre, Edge Hill, at 7pm on May 12.

CAIRNS EXPO 2023 CAIRNS SHOWGROUNDS

l FRI MAY 5, 8:30AM-4:00PM

The Cairns Expo will feature an extensive range of innovative products and services for lovers of adventure and the great outdoors, including caravans, camper trailers, hybrids, 4x4s and accessories, camping gear, fishing equipment, boats, jet skis and holiday destinations.

For more info and tickets visit cairnsexpo.com.au

PIONEER WEEKEND 2023 HISTORIC VILLAGE HERBERTON

l SAT MAY 6-SUN MAY 7, 9AM-5PM

Pioneer Weekend returns in 2023 bigger and better than ever. More music, music demonstrations, more food – just more of everything you love. So why not join us for the pioneer event of the year at the Historic Village Herberton? Where history comes alive!

Cost: Normal admission prices apply For more information visit the Historic Village Herberton website.

CAIRNS CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL HEMINGWAY’S BREWERY FNQ

l SAT MAY 6, 12PM-10PM

Cairns’ favourite beer festival featuring local breweries and their latest innovations.

Follow Hemingways Brewery FNQ (Cairns Wharf) Facebook page for updates.

MAHARLINA GOROSPE-LOCKIE CAIRNS ART GALLERY

l SAT MAY 6, 10AM-5PM

Once Was tells a story about our changing natural world. Using deceptively appealing colours and textures, the artist challenges the viewer to identify differences between what is gone and what remains in our natural environment.

For more information visit the Cairns Art Gallery website.

Cost: Free Entry!

TREASURES INTO TRACTORS ADFAS AT STRATFORD LIBRARY

l SUN MAY 7, 1:30PM-4PM

How Russia sold off much of its Cultural Heritage following the Revolution. Sometimes referred to as the conversion of “Treasures into Tractors,” the process effectively confiscated and sold off the contents of Russia’s churches, libraries, monasteries, museums, and aristocratic private collections. Cost: Individual lecture is $25 Venue: Stratford Library Meeting Room, 11 Kamerunga Road, Stratford

LAUGHING HEART COMEDY THREE WOLVES

l MON MAY 8, 7PM-9PM

Catch a rotating roster of Cairns’ best-and-brightest comedians every Monday night, with acclaimed pro-comedians frequently stopping by to grace our stage! Book ahead as you never know who might be on.

Check Laughing Heart Comedy‘s Facebook page to see who is appearing!

Cost: $12.00 – $18.00; Book tickets at eventbrite.

FRIDAY

Eddie Skiba, Dunwoody’s, 4:00pm

PJ Myers, Ten 06, 5:30pm

SAX MAN, O’Donnells Café Bar, 6:00pm

Fingerprint, Cazaly’s Cairns, 6.30pm

Infinity Duo, Innisfail RSL, 7:00pm

JC Stylles, The Jazz Sanctuary, 8:00pm Hot Ice, Bar36, 9:00pm

SATURDAY

Tanya Murphy - Yorkeys Knob Boat Club, 3:00pm

Janna Mercedes with violinist Marc Apella - The Beach House Trinity Beach, 4:00pm

Mitch King - Firefly at the Billabong Café, 4:00pm

Carinda Christie - Critereon Hotel, South Johnston, 5:00pm

Wind and Wood - Ten06, 5:30pm

CIAF Music in the Tank - Tanks Arts Centre, 6:00pm

Infinity Duo - Cazalys Cairns, 6:15pm

The Love Handles - Brothers Leagues Club, Innisfail, 7:00pm

Amazing Bass - Bar 94, 7:00pm

Fingerprint - Bar36 @ The Reef Hotel Casino, 9:00pm

SUNDAY

Blue Reed, Mandala Café, 10:00am

DJGlennW, Dundees at the Aquarium, 11.30am

Barbary Coasters, Red Beret Hotel, 1:00pm

Luke Hodge, Skypark, 1:00pm

Bobby Maguire, Dunwoodys, 2:00pm

Eddie Skiba, Beach House at Trinity, 2:00pm

Jasmine Maraea, Ten06, 3:00pm

Justin Wellington, Bar36, 7:30pm

Image: Maharlina Gorospe-Lockie, Was Bare 2022, synthetic polymer paint and pastel on canvas 121.8 x 91.4cm. Courtesy of the artist.

Take a minute... Puzzles for you

Solutions

Weekly Horoscopes

Don’t let domestic problems interfere with your objectives. Inlaws or older individuals may give you a bit of a hard time this week. Make sure that new mates live up to your high standards. Try to get others to stand behind your good judgment.

Don’t delay; go to your physician or dentist and get to the bottom of the discomfort. You will need to finalize important deals this week. You can receive recognition for the work you’ve done. Don’t overindulge in anyway.

CROSSWORD

Travel will be exciting. Don’t be too quick to voice your opinion. Listen to others carefully. You will find that joint ventures could easily turn out to be dead end projects. You need to be sure that you aren’t in your present relationship because it is convenient.

You are exceptional at presenting your ideas. Be careful when dealing with female members of your family. Exhaustion combined with overindulgence could result in minor health problems. Attend seminars that will bring you in contact with the right people.

You are best not to confront situations that deal with in-laws or relatives. You’ll be able to break bad habits if you put your mind to it. You will be able to get along well with colleagues. A new relationship can be yours if you get out with friends.

Your talent will be recognized. Do not travel unless absolutely necessary. Be careful. Attempt to face key issues with lovers or problems could escalate. Investments will cost more than you anticipated.

Some time spent with that special someone should be your intent. Family trips or projects should be on your mind. Don’t let your stubborn nature get the better of you. Deception is probable if you don’t use discrimination.

ACROSS

You will be best suited to doing things around the house or inviting friends over for a visit. If you’re willing to cut loose, you will find yourself amid an exciting encounter.

Organize your day well if you wish to accomplish all you set out to do. Don’t be too quick to judge others.

Travel opportunities must be taken advantage of. You have been going through a period of change that has caused problems for you with your loved ones. Don’t get upset.

Insincere gestures of friendliness are likely to occur.

You will have the getup and go to contribute a great deal to groups of interest. Your ideas may be a little ahead of their time; don’t push them, instead just continue working on development. You can look around for the right place and enlist some of your friends to help you move.

1. a style of architecture and decoration that originated in France in the early 18th century (6)

5. informal term for stupid people (8)

9. a person who has made a will or given a legacy (8)

10. used to say what will happen if something else does not happen (6)

11. the natural colouring of animal or plant tissue (12)

African mammal, with massive jaws and large tusks (12)

23. plural of genus (6)

24. to make someone annoyed or a little angry (8)

25. American nuclear physicist who helped develop the theory of electroweak force (8)

26. to propel with or as if with oars (6)

DOWN

2. an event regarded as a portent of good or evil (4)

3. fully extended or expanded (9)

4. a period when a power supply or other service is not available (6)

5. lightning that is visible in the form of a zigzag or branching line across the sky (6,9)

6. having or marked by a total belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone (8)

7. brilliant display or effect (5)

8. dissatisfaction with one’s circumstances (10)

12. an early form of bicycle propelled by working pedals on cranks fitted to the front axle (10)

15. a person that explains complicated ideas or theories (9)

You may find it difficult to communicate. Try to spend some time on your own. Be prepared to counteract the damage that adversaries are about to create. Sign up for courses that will help you understand yourself better.

Your tendency to vacillate will drive everyone crazy. Travel will lead you in new directions. Be diplomatic and honest, and that person will only be made to look bad. Insincere gestures of friendliness may be misleading.

13. to give up power or territory (4)

14. a person honoured with an award (8)

17. a surname of German or Yiddish origin, meaning ‘gold mountain’ (8)

18. a loud, fast-moving, and aggressive form of music, popular in the 1970s (4)

20. a large thick-skinned semiaquatic

16. an aircraft with floats or skis instead of wheels, designed to land on and take off from water (8)

19. a thing at a rudimentary stage that shows potential for development (6)

21. a song of praise or triumph (5)

22. to knock unconscious or into a dazed or semi-conscious state (4)

Motoring Electric BMWs soar in sales

l WESTCOURT

| Nick Dalton

BMW Group Australia has recorded a significant increase in the registration of electrified models through the first quarter of 2023 as the company continues to expand its line-up of zero and low emission vehicle offerings.

BMW battery electric (BEV) models were up 112 per cent compared with the first quarter of 2022 (458 units versus 216), with triple digit percentage increases for key models such as the iX3 (175 units versus 86) and iX (255 units versus 84).

Fifteen examples of the BMW i7 – the first-ever fully electric 7 Series which launched earlier this year – also found new homes in the first three months of 2023.

A BMW spokesman said “with this notable growth in the local market, BMW led its key German competitors for market share of BEV models in the first quarter of the year”.

“The combined total of BMW BEV and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) registrations also saw

a 45 per cent increase during Q1 (551 units versus 381),” he said.

“BMW will continue to strengthen its BEV line-up with the imminent arrival of the first-ever iX1, which provides a new entry point to the

world of fully electric BMWs while offering outstanding performance, luxury features and a driving range of 440km on the WLTP testing cycle.

“Later this year will also see local introduction of the most powerful fully electric BMW

ever developed, the i7 M70 xDrive.

“The Mini brand, which will offer a fully electric product line-up by 2030, posted growth of 272 per cent in registrations of its BEV and PHEV offerings in the first quarter (268 units

versus 72). The Mini Countryman Hybrid PHEV was up 370 per cent (127 units versus 27), while the Mini Electric Hatch BEV continued its success story with a 213 per cent increase in registrations to the end of March (141 units versus 45).”

The spokesman said registrations of all BMW and Mini models in Australia, including conventional powertrain variants, were also up 4.2 per cent in the first quarter

“Mini increased its volume by nearly 35 per cent, while BMW recorded a 0.3 per cent uplift despite supply challenges,” he said.

News of the local electrified registrations came off the back of the BMW Group announcing impressive growth in global sales of fully electric models.

The company recorded an increase of 83.2 per cent in sales of fully electric BMW and Minis (64,647 units), while BMW more than doubled its sales of BEV models, with 55,979 units delivered to customers (up 112.3 per cent).

“The robust growth for sales of the BMW Group’s electrified vehicles is in line with the company’s forward-thinking approach to sustainability and reducing C02 emissions throughout its entire value chain with the ambition of becoming carbon neutral by 2050,” the spokesman said.

The entry point electric BMW – the iX1 – is due in Australia soon. It has a claimed 440km driving range.

BT-50 utes ideal for tradies

l WESTCOURT

|

Nick Dalton

TRADESMEN and women are the target of Westco Mazda’s BT-50 ute end of financial year sale.

Westco Mazda general manager Scott King said his team was concentrating on the XT range which included dual cabs as well as dual cab cab-chassis models.

He said these versions would appeal mostly to tradies and they should get in before the end of June for tax purposes.

“The XT comes highly equipped as standard, with a focus on advanced safety features and integrated connectivity technologies to get the job done,” Mr King said.

Powering the BT-50 is a turbocharged 3.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine that generates 140kW peak power along with 450Nm torque, the latter provided from 1600 to 2600rpm for exceptional pulling power.

A thorough vehicle weight saving program has reduced weight by around 50kg (model dependent) over the predecessor model and this, combined with the responsive new engine, has led to impressive fuel efficiency gains.

In six-speed automatic-only 4x2 dual cab pickup models, the BT-50 uses 7.7L/100km

on the combined cycle. This 7.7L/100km figure is matched by 4x4 dual cab pickups when equipped with the six-speed manual transmission. When fitted with the six-

speed automatic transmission, 4x4 dual cab pickup and 4X2 dual cab chassis models achieve 8.0L/100km on the combined cycle.

The four-wheel-drive XT

cab-chassis is from $58,390 drive away and the pick-up from $56,859 while two-wheel drive versions are $52,961 and $51,433.

Key specification highlights:

• 17in alloy wheels

• LED headlamps with manual levelling

• Power-adjustable bodycoloured exterior mirrors

• Black cloth seat trim

• Airconditioning

• Power windows

• Carpeted floors

• Cruise control (manual transmission)

• Adaptive cruise control with stop and go (automatic transmission)

• 7-inch full-colour infotainment touchscreen Apple CarPlay® (wireless and USB) and Android™ Auto (USB)

• Bluetooth® hands-free telephone and audio capability

• DAB+ digital radio

• Reversing camera

• Rear-seat USB charging point (dual cab-chassis and pick-up)

• Airbags SRS (driver, front passenger, side, curtain, driver’s knee and driver’s far- side)

• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

• Attention Assist Automatic High Beam (AHB)

• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)

• Blind Spot Monitor (BSM)

• Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)

• Emergency Lane Keeping (ELK) – Overtaking

• Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)

• Hill Descent Control (HDC)

The Mazda BT-50 XT 4WD dual-cab ute is from $56,859 drive away.

Real Estate

Property investors hit again by political rental reforms: REIQ

l CAIRNS

THE Real Estate Institute of Queensland is warning that the Albanese government’s announcement that housing ministers will develop a plan to strengthen renters’ rights nation-wide later this year is yet another swipe at property investor confidence in a state still reeling from relentless rental reforms.

While the national renters’ rights plan announcement lacked detail, the REIQ is concerned that the government has bowed down to pressure from the Greens and could signal yet another nail in the coffin for property investment in Queensland.

REIQ chief executive Antonia Mercorella said it was nonsensical to introduce nation-wide rental reforms on top of far-reaching, stage one rental reforms introduced in Queensland in October last year, and consultation on stage two rental reforms already underway.

“Queensland has already been pushed well down the path of extensive rental reform, all centred on strengthening tenants’ rights,” she said.

“We are about to embark on the second round of rental reforms in this state, and we’ve also just seen rent control being sped through Queensland Parliament in the form of a cap on the frequency of rent increases.

“It’s dangerous to underestimate the cumulative impact of reform after reform after reform, with investors copping it from all levels of government.

“There’s already been an onslaught of rental legislative changes in our state and you begin to wonder how much more rental reform will Queensland property investors take?

“When it comes to tenancy legislation, we need to achieve balance and be careful about gradually tipping the scales too far in favour of either party, so that we can provide adequate protections for tenants while keeping investors in Queensland.”

Ms Mercorella said that, while it was

great to see housing supply planning front and centre of the national agenda, it was confusing what the Federal Government hoped to achieve by proposing to control rental law reforms across Australia.

“Most Australian jurisdictions have already passed significant rental law reforms or are well under way with doing so,” she said.

“The reality is that in each jurisdiction there is various legislation that comes into play and connects with residential tenancies legislation making national uniformity an extremely complex thing to achieve.

“There needs to be consideration of

the unique nuances and recent history of rental legislation in our state and an appreciation of the fact that what works in one state and market won’t necessarily work in another.

“Queensland is unique with a higher rental population than the national average and the makeup of Queensland housing sees those renters relying heavily on private investors to put a roof over their head.”

Ms Mercorella said the REIQ supported all three levels of government working together within the next six months to propose reforms to increase housing supply and affordability and manage growth in cities and towns.

brianbolton@trealty.com.au

The western suburbs of Cairns where many people rent houses from investors. Picture: iStock

Cairns North apartments owned by investors. Picture: iStock

REIQ chief executive officer Antonia Mercorella. Picture: REIQ

Real Estate

Four-bedroom renovated oasis

l BAYVIEW HEIGHTS

EXPRESSIONS of interest are being sought for a renovated four bedroom home in the soughtafter suburb of Bayview Heights.

Agent Brian Bolton said the “special property” was perfect for families.

“This four-bedroom, twobathroom home is nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac and sits on a spacious 1200sq m block,” he said.

“There is a nature reserve with a running creek to the rear of the property and no direct rear neighbours.”

Mr Bolton said it had a renovated and well-designed layout and potential owners would love the separate media room.

“The enormous open plan consists of a kitchen, dining and living area that flows beautifully out to a large entertaining area overlooking the rear yard and nature reserve,” he said.

“The entertainment area is perfect for summer barbecues and family gatherings.

“The bedrooms have built-in wardrobes with mirrors and are spacious and comfortable. There is an ensuite and walk-in wardrobe in the main bedroom.

“The property has a range of eco-friendly features, including solar panels on the roof providing energy efficiency, while the solar hot water system helps to reduce the carbon footprint.

“This is a great opportunity to own a wonderful home in a beautiful location about 8km from the Cairns CBD. It is close to public and private schools, sporting facilities, shopping and much more.”

It features:

A Smeg free standing cooker (gas stove and electric oven)

• Rangehood

• An internal laundry

• Attic storage with flooring and handrails

• Insulation

• Fully-tiled

• Double carport

• Water tank

• Many fruit trees including Davidson’s plum, starfruit and jackfruit

• Side access

• Fully-fenced.

Expressions of interest for 52 Wirrah Close, Bayview Heights, close on May 10, 2023.

Contact Brian Bolton from @realty on 0402 440 098.

PRIVACY POLICY

Local News Cairns

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If you would prefer us not to do so, please write to us at: Cairns Local News, Suite F03, The Conservatory, 12-14 Lake St, Cairns, Qld 4870

Access to your personal information can be obtained by calling (07) 4031 7678.

Local News Cairns

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Friday May 5th

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

FNQ Markets

Saturday May 6th

Atherton: Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 1 Golf Links Drive, 6:00-12:00

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

Gordonvale Cottage Markets: Norman Park, 07:00-12:00

Koah: Koah Hall, Koah Rd, 08:00-12:00

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 St Therese’s School: 135 Robert Rd, Bentley Park, 15:00-20:00

Sunday May 7th

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

Mission Beach Markets: Opposite Hideaways, 07:00-12:00

Palm Cove: Williams Esplanade, 08:00-14:00

Port Douglas: by St Mary’s Church, 07:30-14:00

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

Tolga: Morrow Park Racecourse, 07:00-12.00

Sport

Netballers gear up for senior state titles in June

l

CAIRNS

| Isabella

Guzman

Gonzalez

THE Kenfrost Homes Marlin Coast Netball Academy has chosen their representative team for the 2023 season, which will compete in Newcastle at the Hart senior state titles this June.

The Hart senior state titles will compete from June 9-12 in Newcastle, NSW, and the Marlins will join the competition as a nominated team.

Made up of local netball associations across FNQ, The Kenfrost Homes Marlin Coast Netball Academy is the breeding ground for young female netballers, helping to grow their abili-

Sport Results

MOSSMAN LADIES’

BOWLS

Thursday April 27th: A Grade

singles round 1: Pam Widdows def Trish Arnold; Honey C def Pauline Lightfoot. Social winners: Margaret Cooper, Leonie Sims and Denise Highland; R/ ups: Pauline Lightfoot, Joyce Alexander and Robin Petrus. Any ladies interested in playing in the Pennants please put your name onto the list that’s on the board.

Ladies going to Cooktown should see Robin Petrus to ensure that any monies due have been paid. We welcome all levels of players or non-players.

Names in by 12pm and play is at 1pm. Sunday mixed bowls: 18 players, but no results were handed. Visitors or beginners are welcome to play. Names in by 12pm and play is at 1pm, casual attire. Contact the Mossman Bowls Club: 4098 1434.

WEST CAIRNS MEN’S

BOWLS CLUB

Friday scroungers winner: Mal Taylor; R/up: Irene Crampton. Tuesday afternoon winners: R Lamb, Barry Butt and Mal Taylor, 24pts; R/up: Brute, Maurie and Mario Pannalli, 16pts and +5 in the second game. The jackpot was not won on the day.

Thirsty Thursday best players: Norma Wright, John Reid, Jim Sackley and Neil Mallyon.

Sunday winners: Richo, Neil Manton and Neil Mallyon, 21pts; R/up: Dave Nicholls, Don Lowe and J Bent, 20pts and +1 in the second game. Jackpot was not won. Club Championship Season 2023: A grade singles: Alby Radford, 25pts def Wally Edwards, 8 pts.

A grade pairs: Greg Stanley and Ken Vivian, 32pts def John Murray and Bill Berger, 11pts; Wayne Vella and Steve Howells, 25pts def Alan Paraha and Johno Johnston. Skips to organise your Club competition games, also check with Helen to confirm the available times to play. Happy bowling and see you on the Green. Social bowlers are always welcome at the Club.

BROTHERS EDMONTON

Ladies Section: Men’s president Denis Jacoora and members would like to congratulate the ladies who assisted and catered for the men’s Bruno Destro Shield last weekend it was very much appreciated, thank you.

Men’s Section: Wednesday April 26th winners: Alan Del Favero, Kevin Holden, Robin Moody; R/up: John Blain, Bill Power, Quentin Bates. Draws for club championship A & B singles and pairs are displayed on the main window notice board all games can be played at the discretion of nominees.

Contact Graham Cann 0407 656 128 or Denis Jacoora 0457 275 311 for cards etc.

MARLIN COAST BOWLS

CLUB

Tuesday afternoon men’s triples winners: P Cavanagh, S Pitt, R Lloyd; R/up: B Waters, D Grambau, R Bowes. Tuesday night spider: Deb, Glen. Wednesday mixed bowls winner: J Ward, D Kenshole, A Clarkson; R/up: Ted, E Herwig, L Kenshole. Thursday mixed triples winner: D Parnell, G Midson, P Cavanagh; R/up: Barry, Jeanette, Cornelia. Saturday morning scroungers winner: G Andreatta; R/up: no results.

Club Championships: Ladies pairs final: C Scott, D Deegan def Y Best, J Whitehead, 27-19. Special Events: Bowls Premier League (BPL) May 14th require nomination online so try the website to register.

EDGE HILL BOWLS CLUB

Ladies Bowls: Thursday April 27th social bowls winner: Gai Barrett; R/up: Margaret Wardrop. Ladies A singles final will be played Tuesday May 2nd: Elaine Whitehead vs Lou Pomroy. Good bowling to you both.

Men’s Championship Bowls: Club A singles: Russell Hubbard def Heath Mitchell, 2511. Club pairs: Simon Vardy and Russell Hubbard def Frank Obah and Jared Walker, 2315. Club fours: M Styles, P Lee, J Walker and F Obah def

ties and connecting them to pathways into a future in netball.

A combination of past and new players, the 2023 Marlins team is made of 10 girls from Cairns, Mareeba and Innisfail, aged 14-17, chosen from a cohort of 25 players.

Marlin Coast Netball president Heather McLaren said the state titles were an educational opportunity for the Marlins.

“We grabbed the opportunity with both hands,” she said. “Although the girls won’t be able to dispute the titles, this is a learning experience for them. They get to play other teams but also observe how other states play netball.

“It gives everybody an

D Curry, S Vardy, D Spowart and R Hubbard, 23-22; S Henson, A Hammond, N Twining and L Braggins def R Wilson, M Smith, K Mitchell and W Hewitt 23-13. Frank Obah’s team will now play Lyle Braggins’ team in the Final at a date to be arranged. Keep your eyes open for details. Should be a great game.

Mixed Social Bowls for Tuesday Night 25th April 2023 no winners notified.

Wednesday April 26th winners: Ray Owens, Wayne Hewitt and Matt Norrie; R/ up: Lou, Gai, Annette and Cornelia. Saturday April 29th social bowls winners: Yvonne Bolton, Elaine Whitehead and Bruce Moseley; R/up: Wayne Hunter, Ian Stafford and Brenton Sloper.

Upcoming event: Great Barrier Reef Masters Games, May 25th -28th, reminder that age group sections have been removed from play conditions. Now anyone 35+ can enter any event with relatives or friends. GBR Masters Games events require nomination online.

WEST CAIRNS TPI MEMORIAL BOWLS CLUB

Last Monday fourteen days played, and the winners were declared as the team led by Gavin Nicholls supported by Mick Ford and Lyn Ford. The winners were presented with a small cash prize. Next week we will meet again to play social mixed bowls on the carpet

opportunity, especially the small associations, to travel away with their rep teams, and the girls get to play better players and grow.”

Ms McLaren said the 2023 Marlins would be the first team to travel postCOVID. “Before COVID, we used to travel a lot more, going as far as Singapore,” she said.

“Everything is opening up again, and this year the Marlins have been invited to Newcastle and play the NSW championship.

“The objective of these events is to give the girls an extra within netball and see what they can achieve in the future.”

The Marlins will play for the first time as a team at the Kenfrost Homes pre-

green covered by a fixed roof and sheltered by side covers. We welcome all bowlers from any club to join us on any Monday afternoon as our game is played in a non-competitive atmosphere by mainly retired folk who always enjoy their afternoon out. Play commences at 1.30pm and concludes at 4.30pm.

The committee plans to hold the next bi-monthly meeting on May 15th at 11.30am and all current committee members are asked to attend. We look forward to meeting you in the near future.

GORDONVALE

Wednesday social bowls at 1pm, Thursday club selected 3 bowl pairs - names by 12.30pm for 1pm start.

Thursday winners: A Petersen, M Greenwood, G Spicer; R/ up: F Rich, M Perola, B Wright. Raffle winner: Gaye Populin. The club was well utilized at the weekend in perfect weather. Ladies pennant teams all day Saturday & Sunday, we saw some great bowls played. Our men bowlers played in the Bruno Destro Shield at Edmonton over the weekend. Monday afternoon a social event of bowls at our club. Contact 4056 1050.

INNISFAIL MENS

Thursday afternoon social bowls winners: Bob Chaplain, Greg McDonald and Peter Ryan. Names in by 12.30pm for a 1pm start. New members and visitors most welcome.

mier and junior leagues in May and hold some training sessions before flying to Newcastle in June.

Ms McLaren said this was a big year for the Marlins and the academy, holding its biggest cohort ever.

“This year, we have got 100 girls, the largest group we’ve ever had,” Ms McLaren said.

“We started the program with 12 girls over 20 years ago, and now it’s grown to 100.

“Girls nowadays have a lot of choices in sport, but I would like to see them give a go to netball. Our skills can be carried on to other sports, so have a go. It’s a sport for everybody, so contact us.” For more information, visit www.marlincoastnetball.com

Pennants season starts on May 13th in Innisfail. 1st and 3rd Division teams are on the notice board. If you are selected and not available, please notify selectors.

Good to see some club competition games being played. A-grade club singles: Bob Chaplain def Dave Irwin; Doug Juhas def Gordon Goes; Alf Siliato def George Edgerton; Mick Devries def Lou Fedelto; and Jim Martinod def Ian Humphries. In Club Pairs Snow Clark and Greg McDonald defeated Ian Rieve and Joe VanTienen. Club Fours: Gordon Goes, Steve Howe, Warren Sinclair and Lou Fedalto def Jim Martinod, John Kremastos, Steve Stotter and Peter Ryan.

MILLAA MILLAA GOLF

4BBB sponsored by Malanda Meat Co: Visitor Dave Morrison. Three pairs finished with 64 strokes so places were decided on the second nine. Winners: Mark Twomey and David Gibson, 29 pts; David Welch and Wayne Norris 31pts; Gary Sinclair and Shane Soper, 32 pts. NTP: Ross Ellen 1/10, Bruce Hunter 5/14, Dave Morrison 3/12. Four raffle draws: Warwick Howarth, Reg Dwyer, Ray Marsh and Ross’s lucky number 68 finally came out. Members draw #46 was not in the house.

Just News: There was a huge turn out to say farewell to our life member and mate Kev Stinson, most came back to the club for the wake.

The Marlin Coast Netball Academy’’s representative team. Back row (from left): Asha LynchSimmons, Isabella Teasdale, Jessica Reedman, Bronte Gross, Charlotte Boevink, Lauren Miekle, Jasmine Jeffries, Amelia Sciani. Front left: training partners Ella Picini, Louise Seawright. Front right: players Darna Zeigler, Cecily Okena Picture: Supplied

Sixty years of Stratford soccer

History of Dolphins started with hardworking, mainly European immigrants

l STRATFORD

| Rhys Thomas

PAST players, supporters, officials and more of the Stratford Dolphins are invited to reminisce about the club’s long and rich history, share some laughs and enjoy the company of old friends and teammates at a 60th anniversary gala event in June.

The Stratford Dolphins have their roots deeply imbedded in the Far North including Mareeba and Cairns as the founders of the club were mainly of Croatian or Slavic descent and settled in the area working in the cane or tobacco fields.

The new Australians founded the Stratford United Football Club in 1963 which was initially comprised of southern Slavic peoples, the club nowadays includes all manner of Australian footballers from numerous cultural backgrounds.

The club was not always called the Stratford Dolphins or the Stratford United Football Club but rather Plavi Jadran, meaning Blue Adriatic in Croatian.

It was only after the club moved from their grounds, Martyn Street fields, and established a more permanent home at the East Stratford Sports Reserve did they take on the name Stratford.

The team initially participated in the Cairns competition but quickly broke away and joined the stronger Far North Queensland competition with teams such as the Mareeba Bulls and Dimbulah Barras, who like Straford, had an ethnic blend of players.

Stratford’s influence has remained strong in the hearts of many supporters including Mareeba farmer Mladen Bosnic who spent over a decade on the committee and was president from 2002 to 2010.

The Bosnic family was involved with the club long before he stood up to take the reins, with both his father and brother-in-law having integral roles within the club.

“A lot of the club’s founding members migrated here in the late 50s and they were either in Mareeba working on tobacco or in Cairns on sugarcane,” Mr Bosnic said. “People’s liveli-

hoods were here so naturally this is where they chose to begin the football club.”

He said he felt there were three defining moments in the 60-year history of the Stratford Dolphins that helped shape the club and establish them as a powerhouse – the teams of 1963, ‘66 and ‘72.

These three eras of Stratford football each mark a special point in the club’s calendar, from the founding team in ‘63, the ‘66 team winning the Crad Evans Shield and the infamous ‘72 team which on top on winning the shield, remained largely undefeated throughout the 70s.

Now, six decades on from the founding of the Stratford Dolphins, the club is hosting a special 60th Anniversary Gala at the Pullman Cairns International hotel on June 9.

Current president Angelo Serafin said it was important to celebrate the club’s history and to reconnect with old friends and teammates who people may not have seen in years.

Mr Serafin has been part of the club for many years and hung up his boots in 2016, the last time the club has won the

Crad Evans Shield since the 1972 team.

“We are one of the oldest clubs in the region following Mareeba and Marlin Coast, so to me, celebrating such a huge milestone is paramount both for our past members and our future,” he said.

“Especially with our Croation heritage which is why we have included an outline of the country for our 60-year anniversary shirts.

“The club was built by Croations back in the day and it is important to celebrate that, and multiculturalism itself which is huge in Australia, whether you are Italian, Greek, Croation, Spanish, English or Australian.”

People looking to attend are encouraged to dress formally, tickets are $140 per person and include canapes on arrival, a two-course meal and entry into a mega raffle to be presented on the night.

For more information you can send the Stratford Dolphins a message on Facebook or send an email to stratfordfcevents@ gmail.com

Tickets must be bought before Friday, May 12.

Stratford Dolphins senior and junior players at their football ground. Below (from clockwise) premier men’s coach Rob Wales and premier women’s coach Martin Fehlberg, the 1972 Stratford Dolphins Crad Evans Shield winning side, and the mighty Stratford side of 1975 went through the season undefeated, knocking up double digit scores.