Cairns Local News August 06 2024

Local News Cairns

Mayor‘s green set of wheels

l CAIRNS REGION

| Nick Dalton

CAIRNS Mayor Amy Eden is going electric.

She will soon take delivery of a Hyundai IONIQ 5 at a cost of nearly $71,000.

A council spokeswoman said the mayor was also currently driving a council fleet car, also electric, pending the arrival of the Hyundai IONIQ 5.

“Both vehicles are electric, reflecting (the) council’s commitment to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions,” she said.

“All mayors have the option of a council-provided car as part of their remuneration – an option that has been taken up by all recent mayors.

“Mayors have the option of purchasing that vehicle from (the) council at the end of their term, as was the case when Mayor Bob Manning left office.”

The spokeswoman said the council’s remuneration guidelines capped the value of the mayor’s vehicle at $72,200 (2023/24 value). The mayor’s new vehicle costs $70,645.

It’s a far cry from her personal car, a thirsty V8 Toyota LandCruiser 4WD wagon.

“Mayor Eden selected the vehicle she preferred, and (the) council sought quotes from local dealerships,” the spokeswoman said.

CONTINUED PAGE 3

Band marches on

Cairns

Municipal ensemble forced to find new venue

l CAIRNS NORTH

| Nick Dalton

THE Cairns Municipal Band –forced to give up its Charles St premises at Cairns North to make way for James Cook University’s Cairns Tropical Enterprise Centre (CTEC) car park – has had to go back to the drawing board because of expensive construction costs.

The band has acquired a site in the Greenslopes St cultural precinct to build a new hall of about 450sqm.

But band life and building committee member John Sexton said the original drawings were being redesigned to ensure the cost stayed around $1.1 million.

He said quotes based on the first designs – which cost $50,000 –ranged from $1.3m-$2m.

“We negotiated with JCU for two years about the price. Initially they offered us peanuts,” Mr Sexton said.

The final offer was $1.15 million.

“JCU got off relatively cheaply,” he said,

“The committee didn’t want to sell but eventually we were resigned to, otherwise they would have resumed it if we didn’t sell,” he said.

“The sale did not have the approval of all band members but ìn the interests of the hospital foundation it was committee-approved.”

Mr Sexton said the new single level building needed to be 450sqm so it accommodated the band, its equipment and other bits and pieces.

He said the band, which had 35 members, was fortunately able to acquire the last block left in Greenslopes St.

The building must be built on a concrete foundation 800mm higher to mitigate flooding from nearby Saltwater Creek.

Mr Sexton said it was a new regulation even though the other buildings in the precinct had never flooded, not even after Cyclone Jasper.

“That costs a lot of money. We’ll need a stage area, seating for 150 people, a wheelchair ramp, car parking for 20-25 cars, a kitchen and toilets as well as storage,” Mr Sexton said.

“It will be all that we require to accommodate the band,” he said.

He said the next set of designs should be ready later this month for the committee to make a final decision on.

“We are having them draw up a building with the right floor area and for a price we can afford,” Mr Sexton said.

Mr Sexton said all going well construction could start at the end of October for a six-month build.

He said the band was supposed to be leaving Charles St by mid-next year.

CONTINUED PAGE 3

Cairns Municipal Band life member John Sexton plays The Last Post as the ensemble prepares to move from Cairns North to Edge Hill. Picture: Nick Dalton

l KURANDA

| Nick Dalton

MORE than $260 million is to be spent upgrading the Kuranda Range Rd after reconstruction works to repair the damage caused during and after Cyclone Jasper.

The aim is to improve safety on the Kennedy Highway between Smithfield and Kuranda by reducing the amount and length of unplanned closures of the road.

The Albanese government is investing $210m and the Miles government is providing $52.5m.

The upgrades include:

• A safe turn-around area, suitable for vehicles up to 19m (including semitrailers), to provide an option to turn around and change travel plans in case the road is unexpectedly closed. It is expected to be near the Black Mountain Rd intersection in the form of a roundabout.

• A concrete median barrier at the bend locally known as ‘The Hairpin’ (before the start of the first upward overtaking lanes) to reduce the risk of head-on crashes.

• A further 10 Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) technology stations covering a further 5.5km to provide real time information to traffic management centre operators to detect hazards, and monitor changes in road conditions and traffic behaviour.

• Other work includes additional guardrails, shoulder widening, centre line

treatments, vegetation management and slope stability treatments.

The work is expected to start mid-2026 after reconstruction ends.

Queensland Transport and Main Roads

Minister Bart Mellish said the works were safety-related and he did not rule out a study for an alternative route.

“If there is need for a study into alternative routes, we’re happy to look at that,” he said.

But Mr Mellish said “initial work that we’ve done has shown that it (the study) would not be needed until 2050” with the road able to handle the volumes of traffic , according to a disputed Cairns to Northern Tablelands Access Strategy.“But if there is a desire to look at this, we’re happy to look at this if it can fit in with the funding package that we’ve got from the federal government,” he said.

Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said the road was a vital lifeline to Cairns for everyone travelling to and from Kuranda, the Atherton Tablelands and beyond.

“Every road user wants it to be as safe and efficient as possible. I’m assured that TMR’s priority on Kuranda Range Road is the long-term repair works of the sections damaged by the massive flooding in post-Tropical Cyclone Jasper,” he said. He revealed that analysis by Smithfield police found that the majority of the drivers involved in crashes on the road were locals, who were often speeding, not driving to the conditions and had poor tyres – not tourists in rental cars.

l CAIRNS REGION

| Nick Dalton

TWO councillor advisers have been appointed to the office of Mayor Amy Eden. Former Cairns MP and journalist Gavin King and former Queensland Government adviser

Bree Graafland are the two new advisers.

The roles pay up to $154,361 a year and are under contract until March 2028.

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of two councillor advisors to the mayor’s office at Cairns Regional Council,” Cr Eden said in a Facebook post.

Range safety upgrades

New councillor advisers to lobby at highest levels

“These appointments are standard practice across councils in Queensland (and have been utilised by former Mayor Bob Manning in the past), enabling us to better serve our community with strategic insight and support,” she said.

“Gavin King brings over 25 years of experience in media,

community engagement and stakeholder partnerships and will commence this month.

“Bree Graafland is returning to her hometown of Cairns after a decade of living in Brisbane, where she worked for the state government, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience, and will commence in October.

“These roles will support my work and vision as mayor across policy, advocacy, strategic communications and stakeholder engagement. These roles are vital in ensuring that our community’s needs are met effectively and that our council’s strategic initiatives are communicated clearly and implemented successfully.”

Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish (left) and Barron River MP Craig Crawford at the bottom of the Kuranda Range Rd at Smithfield. Picture: Nick Dalton

Mulgrave Gallery has focus on Indigenous

l CAIRNS CBD

| Nick Dalton

A NEW purpose-designed gallery in the former Mulgrave Shire Council offices has been officially opened.

It now features more than 255sqm of exhibition space, including one large display area, two smaller rooms and two original vault rooms being used as mini galleries, making five unique exhibition spaces.

It also includes landscaping, a new projection wall, seating and paths linking the gallery with the Court House and Cairns Art galleries.

The upgrades were supported by $12.1 million in grant funding from the Australian Government. Cairns Regional Council contributed $12.2m to the project to make an overall total project amount of $24.3m. The project was delivered in partnership with the Queensland Government.

The first exhibition in the new Mulgrave Gallery, “(re)connection: Culture, Country

and People” will run until January 2025.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said the gallery was an important addition to Cairns’ cultural landscape.

“Mulgrave Gallery stands as a symbol of Cairns’ dedication to preserving its past while boldly embracing the future,” she said.

“This dynamic fusion of heritage and modernity will not only elevate the local art scene but also position Cairns as a premier destination for cultural tourism in northern Australia.

“With the arts sector employing around 1000 people, the new gallery will provide further economic benefits to the city.

“Not only will this endeavour support creatives and the arts community, but it strengthens our city’s economy.

“The arts sector already contributes more than $125m (directly and indirectly) to Cairns city’s economy and is a growing driver for tourism in Australia.”

Region-wide community clean-up before the annual wet season

Litter’s great problem

l CAIRNS REGION

| Nick Dalton

THE community is being urged to help clean up the region before the wet season.

Cairns Regional Council has launched a new litter reduction campaign to highlight the importance of keeping waterways clean and caring for country.

The ‘A Little Litter is a Big Problem’ advertising campaign as part of the Clean Creeks initiative, involves pre-

wet season clean-ups, community engagement and education.

As part of the program, Indigenous ranger groups will work with the community at volunteer clean ups in every weekend in September to target rubbish in local urban waterways.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said even a little litter was a big problem for the Great Barrier Reef.

“Every piece of litter left on our streets and near our waterways can end up in the ocean,

harming our precious marine life,” she said.

“Simply putting rubbish in the bin can make a significant difference,” Cr Eden said.

She said September was the best time for us to pick up rubbish before the wet season rain washed it out to sea.

In 2023, a group of 100 dedicated volunteers collected 80 bags of litter, equivalent to 17 wheelie bins, from urban waterways during the Clean Up Cairns events. The most common items found were cigarette butts, broken plastic, and

plastic containers.

“You can help be part of the solution and lend a hand at your local Clean Up Cairns event running every weekend in September where locals can come together to protect the reef,” Cr Eden said.

“Last year’s efforts by our volunteers were incredible, but we need everyone to do their part,” she said.

The events are:

• Saturday, September 7, 9.30am-11.30am - Meet at Giangurra Esplanade Park, Pine Creek, Yarrabah Rd

• Sunday, September 15, 9.30am-11.30am - Meet at Bana Gindarja Creek, Sinclair Miller Bridge, Ravizza Drive

• Friday, September 20, 9.30am-11.30am- Meet at Cairns Central Taxi Rank, McLeod St

• Saturday, September 28, 9.30am-11.30am - Meet at Rotary Park, Howard Kennedy Drive, Babinda.

To get involved just go along, no registration is necessary.

For more information https://bit.ly/4dODIeu

Municipal band is on the move

FROM PAGE 1

Mr Sexton said there was a possibility the band, which is paying a peppercorn rental to JCU, would stay at Charles St if the funding for the carpark was not received next year.

“We’re sad to be leaving but we need to look to the future,” he said.

Mr Sexton said the band had been on the site for 75 years, starting with just a shed, but which grew into a two-storey building.

He said many other community groups currently used the hall, such as Japanese drummers, a ukelele group and a Sunday church organisation.

Mr Sexton said whether the band was able to hire the new venue to the groups would have to be negotiated under the terms of the cultural precinct land agreement.

A JCU spokesman said the property was bought by the university as part of its Dugurrdja site development.

“JCU has allowed the Cairns Municipal Band to continue using the building free of charge until the location is required for the development,” he said.

“The university has committed to give the band six months’ notice before they need to vacate.”

Uncle Hendrick Fourmile performs the smoking ceremony in the new gallery. Picture: Cairns Regional Council

State election2024

High profile candidates chosen for Labor’s Far North heartland

Race for key electorate

l MULGRAVE

| Nick Dalton

THE race for the Labor held seat of Mulgrave has stepped up with former Cairns mayor Terry James contesting the seat for the LNP, while Katter’s Australian Party has announced popular school teacher and sportsman Steve Lesina as their candidate. Mulgrave is currently held by Labor’s Curtis Pitt who is retiring. He has backed television actor Aaron Fa’aoso but the ALP have yet to confirm who will be their candidate.

Mr James was a councillor in Cairns for 22 years and became mayor after Bob Manning’s retirement late last year. He was unsuccessful during the March elections.

“I’m unashamedly parochial about Cairns and our beautiful region,” he said.

“We live in a location that is the envy of the world, with a lifestyle to match.

“I also know we have so much more to offer Australia and the world, but to do that we need to get the basics right for locals after a decade of neglect under Labor.

“I’ve proudly built a life here in the Cairns region over 40 years and there is so much more to do.

“Our communities are hurt-

ing from power prices and insurance premiums that are spiralling out of reach.

“Locals are being exposed to crime like never before, while the ability for locals to access health services and housing is extremely difficult.

“These issues have come about because the Palaszczuk/ Miles Labor government has stopped listening to locals and is focused purely on its own survival.”

LNP leader David Crisafulli said he was proud to have Mr James on board as the final member of the Far North Queensland team.

“Terry knows how to get things done and brings a wealth of experience in business and local government to the team,” he said.

Mr Lesina teaches at Bentley Park College and has taken on leadership roles such as a year level and sports coordinator.

“I never thought about becoming a politician – all I have worked hard to do in my career is help better the lives of those around me. So, I needed some convincing, but after a few quick considerations, I was in,” he said.

“I just can’t help but take any opportunity I can to contribute to creating a better life, and opening up opportunities for

my community. I am so passionate about my local people, our communities, and defending our Far North Queensland way of life.

“As I grew up, I had many challenges and barriers to navigate, but now that I’m able to give back, I’m ready to offer a real Far North Queensland voice for my community – not

KAP Leader Robbie Katter said he was in awe of the respect that Mr Lesina held within the peri-urban electorate.

“I’ve always grown up with football as the lifeblood of the community,” he said.

“From my schoolboy days

through to representing my hometown and the wider region, I know the social fabric that football, and all those who make it happen week by week, are to our communities.

“Steven is a real voice for real Far North Queenslanders, supported by a party who is based in North Queensland –not Brisbane.”

Paramedic replaces stalwart

l LEICHHARDT

A 15-year veteran of the Queensland Ambulance Service and former Cairns regional councillor, Jeremy Neal, has been selected as the LNP’s candidate to succeed long-time MP Warren Entsch at the next federal election.

Mr Neal (right), who will contest the seat of Leichhardt, said after “Labor’s 12 interest rate hikes, families and small businesses continue to do it tough in Far North Queensland”.

“Businesses are crying out for affordable, reliable energy and families are facing soaring prices for fuel, rent, and basic groceries under Anthony Albanese and Labor,” he said.

“That’s why I’m proud to join Peter Dutton and the LNP to get Australia back on track with a back-to-basics economic plan.

“Communities right across the Cape and Far North Queensland have had a fierce and passionate advocate for many years in Warren Entsch and I am determined to continue his legacy to deliver for Leichhardt.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Mr Neal had “spent his life helping others in their time of need and I know he’s determined to get Australia back on track”.

through Malanda, Yungaburra, Tolga, Atherton and Herberton acedeliveries2@gmail.com Tom 0400 413 036

one that is beholden to a Brisbane HQ trying to win woke Brisbane votes.”

The LNP’s candidate for Mulgrave Terry James.

KAP’s candidate for Mulgrave Steve Lesina.

State election2024

Homeless rapid support

l CAIRNS

A NEW team has been established to rapidly respond and help people across the Far North experiencing homelessness.

The ‘critical response team’ will work with the local homelessness network to regularly visit known areas where people are experiencing homelessness and offer fast support to help them find accommodation.

Alongside the new team, the government is also building more social homes across Cairns and the Far North, including in Parramatta Park, Yorkeys Knob and Earlville.

Member for Cairns Michael Healy said there were dozens of social homes under construction, a new youth foyer for Cairns and the new team reaching out to people and helping them find a safe place to stay. “It adds to record funding to tackle homelessness through our Homes for Queenslanders plan, including a 20 per cent increase for our hardworking homelessness organisations,” he said.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said their plan wasn’t just building one million homes – it was also providing critical funding towards ending homelessness.“The new team will be out in their van every day offering people a safe place to stay, wraparound support and longerterm housing,” she said.

Centre for special care

LNP pledges $55m for venue for youth with complex requirements

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l CAIRNS

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

A $55 million purpose-built secure care facility for children with complex needs has been promised by the LNP as part of a four-year plan to improve outcomes for children and workers in the residential and foster care system.

The LNP’s child protection spokeswoman Amanda Camm said in Cairns on Tuesday the rollout of the LNP’s ‘Safer Children, Safer Communities’ plan was a comprehensive four-year policy that would focus on the reform of the residential care system and the construction of a secure care facility.

“We are going to bring back educational opportunities, discipline and structure to young people who desperately need it through a dual carer model with a rollout of dual care workforce in residential care providing 24/7 supervision up to 2030 where we’ll see a 100 per cent of that workforce rolled out across the state,” she said.

“We are also going to increase the number of CSOs by 20 per cent over the first term if we are elected in October. This is bolstering a workforce that is under enormous pressure across this state and in particular in Cairns.

“This is a significant $55 mil-

Working with the Reef Guardian Council, Land and Sea Rangers from Yirrganydji, Madjaybana, and Mandingalbay, Cairns Regional Council has coordinated community clean-up events across the region. Residents are encouraged to lend a hand at one of the remaining Clean Up events:

• Saturday, 7 September (East Trinity)

• Friday, 20 September (Cairns City)

• Saturday, 28 September (Babinda) For more information, please visit www.cairns.qld.gov.au/cleanup

lion investment, a commitment that will provide a secure care facility.

“It’s not a detention centre, but it is a facility that is 24/7 wraparound therapeutic intensive support for some of our most complex young people, those who suffer with mental health disorders, significant trauma, alcohol and drug abuse.”

LNP candidate for Cairns Yolonde Entsch said the sector had been calling for a secure care facility.

“It was just 12 months ago that we held a residential care forum here in Cairns where we heard first-hand from residential care providers about the crisis that the child safety system is in, so I’m thrilled to know that their input has been included,” she said.

“One of the things I’ve heard is that there’s no access for those young people who really need a mental health assessment, to a psychiatrist, not to a counsellor or GP.

“I’ve heard of this model (secure care facility) down in Victoria and it’s a great model so for it to come in our policy is a huge win.”

Executive manager for Anglicare North Queensland Andrew Brackman praised the LNP’s commitment and said it would prevent people from getting hurt and reduce people in residential care in the long term.

new playgrounds will be installed within the existing playground footprints at:

• Henley’s Hill Park in Earlville

• Engineers Park in Whitfield

Residents are invited to provide their feedback on the design of these new playgrounds. Your insights are invaluable in creating spaces where children can thrive, imagine, and explore.

Construction is expected to commence in 2025. Submissions close Sunday 8 September 2024. For more information, please visit www.cairns.qld.gov.au/feedback

The LNP’s Amanda Camm, Anglicare’s Andrew Brackman and LNP candidate Yolonde Entsch.

Start talking about grief

New service to help people after deaths

l CAIRNS NORTH

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

DOZENS of Cairns Hospital visitors commemorated Grief Awareness Day on August 30 by sharing a message on a grief awareness tree, an initiative looking to normalise Far North Queenslanders’ experiences with grief.

A beautifully decorated tree was set up for passersby at Cairns Hospital to engage in a conversation about grief, the things no one says about experiencing grief and the stories through messages, an open conversation or even a hug.

The event was organised by Cairns grief and bereavement care coordinator – Laura Love – from the recently launched Grief and Bereavement Service Specialist Palliative Rural Telehealth Service (SPaRTa) at Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) who says it’s time to start a real conversation on grief.

“This is our grief awareness tree as part of our Grief Awareness Day and it really is to create awareness and normalise grief

experiences,” she said.

“We want to demystify grief and give people tangible strategies to start talking about it so we can all heal in more helpful ways.

“Often people don’t want to talk about grief, death and dying because they’re not very sexy areas but they affect everyone –everyone dies.

“On the tree we have supportive quotes and blank cards for people to contribute their own messages of hope, healing and things that were actually helpful in their grief.

“This has created a safe space for people to acknowledge that they have grief in their life and it’s OK to voice it and talk about it.” Ms Love said there were a

lot of misconceptions around grief that need to be debunked.

“There are a lot of misconceptions around grief out there and it’s stopping people from leaning into conversations on grief or stepping up to support family and friends,” she said.

“One very obvious cliché is that ‘grief shrinks over time’ but what we actually know about grief is that we grow around it, but it’s always there.”

Ms Love said people had to “get comfortable with the uncomfortable”.

If you would like support and to talk to someone trained in grief and loss, the Griefline Helpline can be reached on 1300 845 745 between 8am and 8pm, seven days a week.

Kindy kids just love hockey

l BENTLEY PARK

CHILDS World Early Learning Centres have teamed up with the Cairns Hockey Association to introduce youngsters to the sport.

Admissions director Alison McCallum-Harding said the centres believed in the power of community and the importance of early childhood experiences that fostered both physical and social development.

“Recently, we had the joy of seeing our children’s faces light up as they were introduced to the exciting world of hockey, thanks to the incredible efforts of the Cairns Hockey Association,” she said.

“Through the Childs World ‘connect and protect’ community program, our young learners were given the opportunity to engage with a sport that, not only promotes physical health, but also teaches teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.

“The energy and enthusiasm brought by the Cairns Hockey Association staff were contagious, and it was heartwarming to see our children immerse themselves in this new experience.

“This initiative is more than just an introduction to a sport, it’s a step towards building a stronger,

healthier community.

“By connecting our children with positive, active outlets at an early age, we are laying the foundation for a future where they grow up to be confident, healthy, and engaged members of society.

“We are deeply grateful to Cairns Hockey Association for their involvement in the

Childs World connect and protect program. “It is a testament to their commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of children and families in our region.”

Ms McCallum-Harding invited other sports groups to participate in the program by phoning 0475 259 709.

Coal royalties help pay for cost-of-living support

Ask any Queenslander and they will tell you we’re number one. Number one for sunshine and lifestyle. We are also number one to benefit from coal royalties.

Coal royalties help to pay for cost-of-living support like electricity rebates and free kindy. They also help pay for infrastructure and services.

Queensland is the world’s largest exporter of coal used to make steel for wind turbines and electric vehicles needed for the global transition to clean energy. This demand means a record 44,000* people have jobs in Queensland coal mines.

Everyone benefits from coal royalties

Childs World kindergarten teacher Jamie Whitlock (left) and Cairns Hockey development manager Jakob Stennett with Childs World Kindy students (names withheld). Picture: Supplied

Grief expert Laura Love with the grief awareness tree.

Arts grants now open

l CASSOWARY COAST

ROUND one of Cassowary Coast Regional Council’s Regional Arts and Development Fund (RADF) program is open.

The RADF is a partnership with the Queensland Government, through Arts Queensland and the council to support local arts and culture in the Cassowary Coast region.

A council spokesman said community members or groups in the Cassowary Coast could benefit from up to $5000 in funding to help boost their arts and cultural projects.

“This funding provides engaging and exciting opportunities for established and emerging artists on the Cassowary Coast and assists in boosting the region’s arts, music and culture scene,” he said.

Previous recipients have included Etty Bay Surf Lifesaving Club, PCYC, Cardwell UFO Festival and Cardwell RSL.

Information sessions still to be held include:

• September 9, from 9am to 2pm, Innisfail Shire Hall

• September 10, from 11am to 3pm, Mission Beach Library.

The 2024-2025 RADF grants program will be delivered in rounds. Round one is open until September 29.

For more information visit: https://bit.ly/4bWS7EU

Sealing roads sorted Council outlines strategy to bitumise gravel pavement network

l CASSOWARY COAST

| Nick Dalton

THE most urgent and well-used unsealed roads on the Cassowary Coast will go to the top of the list in the regional council’s program of sealing roads with bitumen.

The council has a new policy with six criteria to assess which roads would be sealed.

Last month’s council meeting was told that to seal all 514km of unsealed sections would cost more than $500 million and would require a 19 per cent rate rise. The cost of maintaining sealed roads was also $12,000 more kilometre than an unsealed road.

Councillor for infrastructure services Nicholas Pervan said the policy would assess each road’s need for upgrades across six criteria.

“Highest on our priorities is ensuring a return on investment for our ratepayers,” he said.

“Expected safety improvements and the amount of traffic it carries will then be considered, followed by how the environment would benefit and how the section connects with other sealed roads.

“In 2022 we put a plan in place to improve our unsealed roads and I was pleased to see that more than half of the actions have been completed to date.

This includes a move toward heavy grading techniques to improve road performance, the purchase of a new water truck to increase productivity and a separate crew for high priority repairs such as potholes.

“The team is also half-way through a further seven actions to deliver an improved unsealed road network for the Cassowary Coast community by June 2025.”

The council spends $1.8m on unsealed road re-sheeting and

$1.6m on maintenance grading.

Cr Pervan said that high rainfall, including cyclone and flooding events, in the Cassowary Coast, coupled with a small population spread across the vast region made it very difficult to manage the scale of improvements that some residents wanted to see.

“Council has finite funds and we need to make sure the money we invest in roads goes to those which provide the most benefit for the community,” he said.

“At last month’s council meeting, we approved more than $25m worth of contracts for repairs to local roads that were damaged by Tropical Cyclone Jasper and the flooding associated with the event.

“This funding, from the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), will be vital to ensure the 2500 sites on our roads that were damaged during the cyclone event, will be brought back up to standard without ratepayers having to

cover these costs.”

At the council meeting, council asset maintenance manager Brendan Slattery said the unsealed roads plan was created in consultation with residents.

“The 2022 Community Scorecard identified unsealed roads as a priority area for the community and (the) council continues to strive toward delivering safe and durable roads for the community in the face of high rainfall and volatile weather events alongside rising costs of materials,” he said.

Councillor Nicholas Pervan with the council’s unsealed road team members. Picture: Cassowary Coast Regional Council

Protecting community after infant seriously ill with meningoccocal disease

People urged to get the jab

l CAIRNS NORTH

| Nick Dalton

HEALTH authorities are planning a widespread vaccination program across greater Cairns after an infant with meningococcal disease fights for life in Townsville Hospital.

The new case, a four-monthold infant from Cairns’ northern beaches, is in a serious but

stable condition in Townsville University Hospital paediatric intensive care unit.

Two young people in Yarrabah’s Aboriginal community were confirmed with meningococcal disease in early August 2024. Both patients have now recovered.

The third probable case is currently being investigated by Tropical Public Health Services (Cairns).

A Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service spokesman said the program would be rolled out north to Palm Cove, west to Kuranda and south to Gordonvale as well as at Yarrabah.

He said people would be able to be inoculated at their GPs as well as at pharmacies.

Tropical Public Health Services acting director Dr Paul Dugdale said the team was cur-

Medical practice expands

l EARLVILLE

CAIRNS Doctors and Specialists on Barr St at Earlville have expanded and reached an agreement with Cairns Private Hospital to share services.

The medical practice will provide their private consultation rooms and services to the hospital which will offer its custom built, state-of-the-art theatres for surgical procedures to specialists who are interested in practising in the Cairns region.

Hospital chief executive officer Ben Tooth said the partnership “will help secure

much needed specialist health services for our region by providing specialists with custom built consultancy rooms and surgical theatres”.

“We hope that this partnership will help to attract more specialists to our region,” he said.

Practice business manager Jason Christopher said the business had grown from three general medical practitioners in August 2017 to 13 GPs and eight specialists.

“Our vision and the practice’s ethos has always been about improving the health outcomes for the people of Cairns and the local region,” he said.

“Increasing access to specialist services here in FNQ enables us to help achieve that goal,” he said.

The practice’s expansion has included a mezzanine level that accommodates the specialists as well as Dr Chris Donahue as a new business partner joining current business partners Jason Christopher, Frank and Vinnie Pappalardo.

The specialists include three paediatricians, a dermatologist, a gynaecologist, an alternative, plant-based medical specialist, a general surgeon, a geriatrician, a vasectomy specialist and two psychologists.

rently investigating links between the Yarrabah cases and the Cairns northern beaches case.

“As such, we have expanded the meningococcal outbreak warning for the Cairns area,” he said.

“We will be administering antibiotics to close contacts of the infant. We will also work with GPs to increase meningococcal B vaccination coverage.”

Dr Dugdale said meningococcal disease was caused by bacteria transmitted by close contact.

“At any given time, meningococcal bacteria are carried by about 10 per cent of the population silently at the back of the throat or in the nose,” he said.

“The bacteria can be spread via droplets from the nose or throat during coughing and sneezing or close contact such as kissing.

“Meningococcal disease is a relatively rare illness, however, the disease can cause serious illness marked by a rapid deterioration.”

“If concerned, people should seek immediate medical attention, as early treatment with antibiotics can be lifesaving,” Dr Dugdale said. “Parents and carers should also make sure their children’s meningococcal vaccines are up to date,” he said.

Assistant practice manager Rebecca Sultana (left), practice manager Shaye Kyles, business partners Jason Christopher and Frank Pappalardo, Mayor Amy Eden and managing partner Chris Donohue.

Vibrant new rescue choppers

l CAIRNS NORTH

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

TWO new emergency helicopters are ready to soar the skies of the Cape and the Torres Strait providing emergency healthcare as part of the state government’s $288 million investment 10-year plan.

Two multi-mission Leonardo AW139 helicopters will be deployed to the region, covering an area of more than 130,000 square kilometres over the Torres Strait and northern Cape York Peninsula to ensure emergency care to remote communities.

The choppers are part of a

fully funded $288 million Miles Government investment in emergency helicopter services for the region over the next decade and will replace two Bell 412 helicopters.

Badu Island artist Alick Tipoti has designed the new helicopters’ striking artwork, with the colours and designs representative of the local communities the helicopters will serve.

Provider Babcock Australia oversaw the project, arranging the fit out through Five Rings Aerospace and finalising the adaptations through Skytek in Cairns.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said the “amazing

helicopters will be taking to the sky across the most beautiful but also most remote parts of our state and I’m so thrilled that we engaged the worldrenowned artist Alick Tipoti to do the artwork on these helicopters”.

“Not only will these brandnew helicopters safely transfer patients and deliver emergency health care, but they will also provide enhanced search and rescue capability which is a critical service in the region.”

Each helicopter has enhanced capability including increased speed and range, improved search and rescue, and a powered stretcher loading system.

Top award for airport – again

Cyclone Jasper flood recovery efforts played major role in judges’ decisions

l AEROGLEN

| Nick Dalton

CAIRNS Airport has been crowned airport of the year at the Australian Aviation Awards for the second year in a row.

The team’s flood recovery efforts in December 2023 were a major contributor, along with a series of other key community initiatives and infrastruc-

ture developments over the last 12 months. Cairns Airport chief executive officer Richard Barker said it was incredible to take home airport of the year for a second year in a row.

“I’m very proud of the team at Cairns Airport for their commitment to the region and industry,” he said.

“This dedication is what enabled Cairns Airport to reopen our aerodrome so rapidly

after last year’s unprecedented flooding. Our team displayed mammoth determination and resilience, and in doing so produced an exceptional outcome for our community and stakeholders.

“We were able to support emergency services during the critical recovery time and connect customers with loved ones before the festive season.”

Judges also factored in:

• The airport’s $55 million international terminal redevelopment to improve customer comfort and access

• The start of the Eastern Aviation Precinct for local operators and industries

• Growth in freight opportunities, including the significant cargo capacity of Singapore Airlines’

A350 and the opening of the Regional Trade Distribution Centre (RTDC)

• The landmark CleanCo Queensland agreement, enabling carbon-neutral operations by 2025

• Key partnerships, including sponsorship of Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship Cairns

• Employment and training initiatives, including sup-

port for licenced aircraft maintenance engineers (LAME) cadetship and the annual careers day.

Mr Barker said the airport’s company purpose was to sustainably grow its aviationrelated business to support the growth of the community.

“Community lies at the heart of everything we do and we are motivated by this commitment every day,” he said.

Andrew Cridland of Babcock (left), Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service

CEO Rex O’Rourke, Cook MP Cynthia Lui, Health Minister Shannon Fentiman, TCHHS medical superintendent Dr Preston Cardelli, Briana Keating of Queensland Ambulance and Michael Cussen of Retrieval Services Queensland with one of the two new AW139 rescue choppers. Picture: Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

Gong for talented actor

l CAIRNS

| Nick Dalton

CAIRNS actor Hayden Keable has won the ‘most impressive supporting performance’ award at the prestigious Screen It International Film Festival.

The 32-year-old received the honour for his outstanding performance in the multi-award-winning short comedy film, Chesters which was brought to life by talented Far North Queensland filmmakers Yarner.

Yarner creative producer and writer Jannah Dryden said “we are so incredibly proud of Hayden, not just because of his talent in front of the camera, but also because his professionalism and dedication to this role behind the scenes honestly blew us all away”.

Chesters is an inclusive comedy that tells the tale of Shaun’s absurd first day of work which goes hilariously wrong as he uncovers the shady dealings behind the company’s façade.

In addition to Mr Kable’s award, the Yarner team also celebrated wins for ‘most outstanding di-

rector’ and ‘tremendous editing’ in their category, further highlighting the film’s success on the international stage.

Mr Keable, regarded as a talented actor with a positive and wicked sense of humour, has Down syndrome. He is also a member of the ARC Disability Service’s creative ensemble – a talented collective of artists living with a disability whose multi-award winning work spans across stage, books and screen.

“It’s been wonderful to help generate an independent pathway for Hayden and support him every step of the way on this incredible project,” said ARC creative arts coordinator Karen Jackson,

Mr Keable said he was grateful for the award and thanked his parents for their support and Ms Dryden and Chesters director Glenn Saggers for their guidance and encouragement.

The Screen It International Film Festival described Mr Keable as “a legend with epic talent,” adding that seeing how much joy the recognition brings is the reason they enjoy doing what they do.

connected ecosystems. A worldwide education program Reef Guardian Schools initiative allows participating schools to care for the Reef, undertaking positive actions within their school and local community that contribute to Reef protection and resilience.

Aligning with the Australian Curriculum, Reef Guardian Schools receive education resources and training opportunities to assist in educating students about challenges faced, and what can be done to ensure a safe future for the Reef.

Reef Authority education assistant director Elizabeth Hickman said the competition was a great way to get students interested in eco-friendly ideas.

“All schools, no matter where they’re located, can have some positive impact on the Great Barrier Reef and other coral reefs around the world,” she said.

“Through these challenges, I am amazed at the creativity the students demonstrate.” To register visit: https://bit.ly/3ZaP0oT

Teen awarded for her STEM achievements

l MT SHERIDAN

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

A TALENTED year 12 student from St Monica’s College has been honoured on the state stage for her proficiency in STEM at the distinguished Peter Doherty Awards in Brisbane last month.

Leila McLean from Mt Sheridan has always had a passion for science, and inspired by her teachers at St Monica’s, her parents and her friends, she has fiercely pursued STEM (Science, technology, engineering and math) from a very early age.

The 17-year-old’s desire to contribute to society through her intelligence and hard work have now led her to become one of the winners of the Peter Doherty Awards among over 90 applications in Queensland. With the $5000 prize she’s looking to further her STEM education through biomedical programs.

“This award means a lot to me because I’ve been passionate about STEM my entire life and it’s really exciting to be able to represent Cairns and the teachers that have had an impact on me,” Ms McLean said.

“I’ve been able to slowly

build up from making volcanoes to thinking of my own creative solutions to problems like developing prototypes of things like a vertical garden that self-waters, so I’m proud to have grown my knowledge and be at a point where I’m able to come up with innovative solutions.

“Being at the awards ceremony in Brisbane surrounded by all the students I was excited to show that you don’t need to live in a big city to be excellent in STEM and living in a regional area doesn’t mean less potential.”

Motivated by her family experiences with critical health issues such as heart disease and cancer, Ms McLean has immersed herself in advanced programs like SPARQ-ed where high school students collaborate on real-life biomedical research with leading scientists during school holidays. She plans to study medicine or biomedical science at James Cook University in Cairns.

“STEM is at the base of everything that life is, science is at the front of everything that we do every day, in the way the sun rises and sets, in the way that plants and humans interact, and ecosystems are formed,” she said.

Patients now ‘happier’

Dementia sufferers more cheerful after donation

l CAIRNS REGION

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

LIFE has become a little brighter for dementia patients at 11 residential aged care homes across Cairns thanks to a donation of 50 headsets full of music from the Inner Wheel Club of Trinity After Dark (TAD).

Being a cause close to her heart, TAD president Chris Jarvis pitched the initiative to 13 club members after her husband, who lives in a nursing home with Parkinson’s-related dementia, received a pair of headphones from his old Rotary Club in South Australia.

“They sent a pair of headsets

for my husband and some extra ones for other patients. I go in everyday to see him so to watch the residents put them on and change completely was quite surprising,” she said.

“They go from being very agitated to calm or from angry to cheerful, so I realised how good this was for people with dementia.

“I went back to my Inner Wheel Group and mentioned it to them, and we decided to do something.”

With the money raised from past events like markets and barbecues 50 sets of headphones were bought from Jaycar which supported them with a discount.

“I approached the manager at Jaycar Electronics Cairns, his name is John Whitham, to see if they could assist,” Ms Jarvis said.

“I told John about the music headsets for people with dementia and that our club was wanting to give back to our community from our fundraising efforts and he came up with a very good deal for us.

“We purchased 50 headsets, 50 SD cards, and several USB chargers. With John being kind enough to give the club a generous discount we could stay within budget and still help as many people as possible.”

The aged care homes received four headsets each load-

of headsets

ed with music of all genres and generations with one charger, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

“I’m a registered nurse by profession so I just like to help people, and knowing the carers can use this and make patients a little bit calmer and more centered is what we wanted,” Ms Jarvis said.

“We’ve received messages from some of the homes saying that they needed more because the patients were fighting for them because they enjoyed them so much and others saying how amazing is to see people change.

“Across the board it’s been a very positive experience.”

Facilities that received headsets:

• BUPA Residential Aged Care Mt Sheridan and Woree

• Bolton Clarke Farnorha, Westcourt

• Mercy Place, Westcourt

• Infi n8 Care facilities Carivonica Waters, Edmonton Gardens and Edge Hill Orchards

• Sub Acute Care Unit (SACU) Manoora

• Kewarra Aged Care

• Pinanga Hollingsworth Residential Care at Portsmith

• Pyramid Residential Aged Care at Gordonvale

• Fulton Place Residential Care Cairns City.

Leila McLean has been awarded the Peter Doherty Award for her excellence in STEM. Picture: Supplied

Lettersto the editor

Nick Adsett, Kanimbla

Suzy Malkinson, Trinity Beach

No. Freedom of choice. Those who want it, can add it independently.

- Donna Bella, Facebook

No fluoride in Cairns water. Fluoride needs more research. The experts even say that - Zane Cosgrove, Facebook

Imagine having access to a cheap and reliable fix and denying people poorer than you the same fix? Have you not seen kids’ teeth rotting in their heads up here? I was fortunate my mother gave me fluoride tablets when we lived somewhere without fluoridated water. Everyone should have such an advantage - Fiona Thomas Mackie, Facebook

Fine by me. Spent the longest part of my life in South Australia where there has been fluoride in the water since the early 70s. Now on the wrong side of 40 and have not had a single cavity or tooth filling. It has benefits, for sure. Negatives? Out of myself, my family and friends in SA, nobody I know has ever had any ill effects from drinking water treated with a prescribed dose of fluoride.

- Daniel Bywaters, Facebook

No. We live in the tropics and need to drink copious amounts of water during the summer months which means we would ingest many many more times the “safe” limit. Not that I believe there is such a thing as safe. It’s a toxic chemical and if it was so good at protecting teeth why are we still seeing massive amounts of tooth decay even in places where fluoride is used? This should be an individual choice not an imposition.

- Diane Finlay, Facebook

Fluoridation of drinking water is one of the most successful public health initiatives of our times. This is backed up by science, but if one trawls the internet it is easy to find articles that don’t support fluoridation and all the associated whacko conspiracy theories that is misinformation and if one regurgitates these “alternative facts”, it’s disinformation. It has a multiplier effect on the gullible. In a post truth world created by the Murdochs, Trumps and their lackies, it is not surprising to see non-scientific rubbish dressed up to look credible. Ask your dentist what they think. They are the experts.

- Paul Matthews, Facebook

Maggie Hill, Redlynch

Pam Young, Innisfail

Lynda Jones, Edge Hill

Last week’s question was: Should fluoride be added to Cairns’ drinking water. Why or why not? Here are some of your comments.

Kuranda Range Rd enough? Why or why not?

A three-year cycle for Douglas

l PORT DOUGLAS

I’VE covered the Gran Fondo Festival for the last two years, since its inception, and I’m pleased to say the bike event is set to return again this coming weekend for the third time, in Port Douglas, with the main day being this Sunday September 8.

“Everything is on track for another amazing event this year,” said festival director Bade Stapleton.

“We have riders coming from every state and territory in Australia and from across the globe to visit and enjoy everything our region has to offer. The ride is just the perfect excuse to visit,” he said.

To add to the excitement, last week

Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon announced that the Douglas Shire Council had secured the festival for another three years until 2027.

Cr Scomazzon said the council had no hesitation in continuing its support for the festival.

“The event is steadily growing and so too is our reputation as a tourism destination for cyclists and mountain bike riders. The combined economic benefit of the 2022/2023 events is more than $2.8 million and visitor numbers exceeding 4000,” she said.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive officer Mark Olsen welcomed the support for the event to run another three years.

“Port Douglas Gran Fondo is part of

a healthy Tropical North Queensland event calendar and over the past three years has broadened its reach bringing in more interstate visitors,” he said.

“This certainty will assist with marketing even further afield, especially in places like Japan where there is strong interest in participating in sporting events in the only place where the ancient rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef.”

From a traffic point of view, The Great Barrier Reef Drive will be closed for half a day this Sunday, with timed 136km and 100km return Gran Fondo rides from Port Douglas to Palm Cove, a 60km Semi Fondo ride from Port Douglas to Wangetti and back and a 48km one-way leisurely Medio Fondo

ride from Palm Cove to Port Douglas.

A highlight for the weekend is the Choo Choos free family ride where each child participating receives a free ice cream from Choo Choos Ice Creamery. This will go down well, no doubt, with the hotter spring days now here.

People are encouraged to dress up as they have some great prizes for best dressed family, best dressed individual and best dressed bike.

The festival actually hits the road this Saturday, with the Hartley’s to Port 40km mountain bike race, starting from Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures and finishing on Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas.

This is followed by the Lexus of Cairns Criterium, a 2.2km lap circuit

starting and finishing outside the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, the Choo Choos Free Family Ride and finally the Wharf Street Sprint Race, held under lights along the 250m Wharf Street straight, all done to the sound of local live music.

Mr Stapleton said Tropical North Queensland residents could get $20 off their entry cost by using the code LOCALS when registering.

Registrations can be made at www.portdouglasgranfondo.com.au

I’m off to grease my chain, so for now it’s Gazza signing out.

Send your stories to gazza@ cairnslocalnews.com.au

Festival director Bade Stapleton, with volunteer helper Natalina Clyde-Smith, Douglas Shire Council Mayor Lisa Scomazzon and Gordon Wellham from event sponsor, Exemplar Coaches and Limousines.

Four riders crossing the finish line at last year’s event.

CAIRNS REGION

EDMONTON

Piccones My Village Bakehouse Post Office

ELLIS BEACH Ellis Beach Bar & Grill

FRESHWATER Limberlost Garden Centre Café

GORDONVALE

Cignall Gordonvale Peak Mobility & Rehab

SUPA IGA Gordonvale United Fuel Gordonvale

HOLLOWAYS BEACH Holloways Beach Spar

KEWARRA BEACH

Friendly Grocer Kewarra Park

MACHANS BEACH Machans Beach Store

MANOORA Tosca’s Pizzeria & Bar

MANUNDA

Brothers Leagues Club Cairns

Byrnes Meats Café Mateo

Cignall Reservoir Rd N News Agency Raintrees

MOUNT SHERIDAN

Friendly Grocer Mount Sheridan Mount Sheridan Newspower

PALM COVE

O’Donnells Bar

Palm Cove Deli

Petes Place Surf Club Palm Cove

PORTSMITH

Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron

Cairns Regional Council

Food4u Catering

Portsmith Quality Meats United Woree

REDLYNCH

Redlynch Central Shopping Centre

SMITHFIELD

Nextra Marlin Coast Newsagency

Smithfield Shopping Centre

SPAR Express Campus

TSG Smithfield

STRATFORD

Jonsson’s Farm Market

Stratford General Store

TRINITY BEACH

The Beach House at Trinity Trinity Beach Night Owl

TRINITY PARK

Marlin Coast Neighbourhood Centre

Reed Rd Store & Takeaway

WESTCOURT

Cazaly’s Cairns

Cignall Westcourt

DFO Cairns - Info Desk

Freechoice Tobacconist

TSG Tobacco Station - DFO

WHITE ROCK

Friendly Grocer White Rock General Store

WOREE

Bayview Gardens Newsagency

Shorts IGA Woree

IGA Southside

YORKEYS KNOB

Yorkeys Knob Boat Club

Yorkey’s Post Office

CASSOWARY COAST

CARDWELL

Brearleys Bakery

Cardwell Butchery

Cardwell Ice Works

Cardwell IGA

Cardwell Museum

Rainforest & Reef Visitor Centre

Visitor Information & Heritage Centre

Hinchinbrook Regional Arts

Salad Bowl

Seabreeze Cafe

Terry & Mamikos Cafe

KURRIMINE BEACH

Kurrimine Beach Service Station

INNISFAIL

A&A Realty

Brothers Leagues Club Innisfail

Cignall Innisfail

Collins Catering

Dom’s CTC Tobacconist

Maranos Ampol

Wining and Dining

Med-style restaurant opens

l

CAIRNS WATERFRONT

A NEW Mediterranean restaurant – Éla Drink + Meze – has opened its doors on the Cairns waterfront dining precinct.

The Wilson Group (of Ollie’s Italian and formerly The Chambers) has opened their new venue along 23m of the boardwalk overlooking Trinity Inlet on the site previously home to the Boatshed.

Owner Joan Wilson said in collaboration with Clui Design, “the interiors dance around an earthyEuropean colour palette, featuring an impressive white marble bar, timber-battened archways, plush textured fabrics, elegant tiling and lush tropical greenery”.

“The venue is both light-filled and breezy, with the capacity to host up to 140 guests (seated) across a range of carefully considered and comfortable seating options – from banquette to bar, in both indoor and alfresco settings,” she said.

“Behind the scenes, head chef Vincent Perraud leads the kitchen, bringing years of professional experience working in establishments across the globe from Adelaide’s Hey Jupiter, to La Brasserie and Bistro Massili in California. Perraud’s cooking

style is young and dynamic, with a flair for creatively balancing traditional flavours and modern interpretations.

“Designed with intent to share, the menu features a range of small and large mezes perfectly suited for every occasion, from breezy long lunches to drinks and nibbles at dusk.

“Celebrated small plates include baked eggplant, dolmades and goat-milk saganaki, while large plates include confit lamb shoulder and the parrilla-grilled chicken souvlaki. The menu is complemented by a generous selection of signature and classic cocktails, exceptional wines and crisp beers.

“It (Éla Drink + Meze) feels like the right evolution for the Cairns waterfront fining precinct.

“It is named after a Greek expression translating to ‘come’ or ‘come now’, Éla Drink + Meze is aimed at tourists as well as locals to enjoy a slice of Mediterranean paradise with waterfront views, a strong culinary concept and an elevated, yet casual ambience perfectly suited to tropical Far North Queensland’s balmy climate.”

Reservations are now live on www.elacairns.com.au/ reservations

The new Ela Drink + Meze lights up the Cairns waterfront. Inset: Owner Joan Wilson. Pictures: Supplied

TimeOut

Sultry burlesque on ‘Nard

Paramour Cabaret’s big top tent show in CBD

l CAIRNS ESPLANADE

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

NEXT Thursday the Cairns Esplanade transforms into a haven of artistry and allure as it plays host to two mesmerizing performances – the adults only ‘Paramour Cabaret’ and the family friendly ‘Librarian’s Labyrinth’.

From September 12-22 Cairns residents will get to experience the circus magic with ‘Librarian’s Labyrinth’ – on Saturdays and Sundays – while adults relish to the sultry beats of ‘Paramour Cabaret’ – on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays – at the Paramour’s big top tent on Coconut Grove Park on the Esplanade.

This will be the first time Cairns experiences these shows under Paramour’s big top tent.

“We are incredibly proud to debut our brand-new big top tent in Cairns, a city that has always embraced our

vision and artistry,” said creative director Wes Evans.

“This tent represents our growth and commitment to delivering worldclass performances that inspire, entertain and give back to the community.

“With a towering height and stateof-the-art design, the tent provides a breathtaking setting that elevates our performances to new heights – literally.”

Kicking off in the morning with a magical experience, ‘Librarians Labyrinth’ will take viewers on a whimsical journey through a fantastical realm where gravity is defied by aerialists and mystical creatures come to life.

This performance will combine elements of circus, dance and magic to create a multi-dimensional experience that appeals to all ages. Through clever narratives and inventive staging, the show explores imagination, and adventure, reminding us of the

magic that lies within the pages of a book and the endless possibilities that reading can unlock.

At night the vibrations are sultrier with the signature ‘Paramour Cabaret’ and its blend of sultry burlesque, drag queens and a loudmouth host that has no filter which it’s making its return to the Cairns stage but this time in the top tent setting.

Audiences can expect a sensory overload from the moment they enter the tent as the cabaret’s immersive atmosphere invites the audience to step into a world where glamour meets an out-of-control party atmosphere, blurring the lines between spectator and participant.

“As the sun sets over the picturesque Esplanade on September 12, audiences will be treated to an evening they won’t soon forget,” Mr Evans said.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.paramourcabaret.com

Dress to impress on Art Deco Day

l INNISFAIL

| Isabella Guzman

Gonzalez

DRESS to impress and get into the feel of Innisfail’s art deco days with the launch of the 2024 Tropical Art Deco Festival set to start this Sunday and celebrate Art Deco Day on September 13.

As part of the historical society’s Tropical Art Deco Festival, held from Sunday, September 8 until Sunday, September 15, Innisfail has declared Friday, September 13 Art Deco Day, an occasion to celebrate the history of

the town, its architecture and fashion of yesteryear.

Known as one of Innisfail’s signature festivals, the Tropical Art Deco Festival presents a catalogue of free and ticketed events for all ages and lovers of fashion, architecture and history.

Society president Trish Ernst said she wanted businesses and residents to get involved with Art Deco Day and the Tropical Art Deco Festival with decorations and lots of style.

“We’d love to see businesses in the Innisfail CBD decorate their windows and have their staff dress up in art

deco style for the day, on the Friday of the festival,” she said.

“Members of the community coming into town on September 13 can dress up as well, just for fun, to get into the spirit of the festival. You don’t need a special event to dress up, although there will be plenty of opportunities at dedicated festival events.” These events include the art deco high tea at the Shire Hall, Flappers and Dappers Ball and historical cemetery walk.

For a full program and tickets visit www. innisfailhistory.com.au or the Tropical Art Deco Facebook page.

Paramour Cabaret is back in Cairns with shows through September. Picture: Supplied

Val McCallum (left), Innisfail and District Historical Society president Trish Ernst with her deco doggy and Diane Vitale, dressed to impress in their art deco style. Picture: Supplied

Rock around the CPAC clock

The Williams Brothers pay tribute to world’s greatest rock and roll legends

l CAIRNS CBD

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

IT’S time to rock around the clock with the roaring guitars of The Williams Brothers and their tribute to the greatest rock and roll legends from the 50s and 60s at CPAC tomorrow.

The legends of rock and roll will come back to life tomorrow (September 7) from 6.30pm at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre with ‘Twist & Shout’ – a show that will take the audience on a journey through the 50s and 60s best rock and roll hits that changed music history.

With the likes of Elvis, Little Richard, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Chuck Berry, The Beatles, The Bee Gees and The Monkees’ hits one after the other, there’ll be nonstop dancing and singing along.

One third of The Williams Brothers, Warren Williams, said this would be a night to relive the best moment of rock and roll history.

“Twist and Shout is basically a salute to all the great music from the 50 and 60s and the big starts of this time,” he said.

“On the first half of the show we’ll do the songs from

all the big soloists like Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, and the list goes on. We’ll play all of their big hits plus a lot of footage from them in their careers.

“In the second half of the show we do all the duos, trios and bands from the time like The Monkees, The Bee Gees, The Dave Clark Five, The Beatles, and more.

“We’re three brothers, myself, my brother Darren and my brother Andrew, so the show is also a bit of the story of our lives growing up in that music because our father was Warren Williams Sr, one of the pioneers of rock and roll in Australia in the 50s and 60s.”

Mr William said the show was one not to miss for fans of classic hits.

“Being three brothers, the Bee Gees are one of our highlights of the show. With lots of their early work, we’re also big Beatles fans so we like to finish the show with a Beatles selection,” he said.

“These songs are timeless, so if you love that era of music, you want to see great energy on stage and lots of great footage from that time then come and have a dance.”

To buy tickets, visit the Ticketlink website.

Saturday 14th Sept

Jazz on Edith 9.30-11.30am

Art Deco Guided History Walk 10am Shire Hall $20.00

or

Vintage Purse Workshop 10am-2pm $30.00 0429 368 998 www.trybooking.com/CSREY

Mamu Tropical Skywalk open every day www.paronellapark.rezdy.com/ Brothers Leagues Club Bistro dinner & trivia 4061 7199 Wednesday 11th Sept Shire Hall Tour 10.00am

Paronella Park open 7days 9am-7.30pm www.paronellapark.com Art Deco Guided History Walk Shire Hall 10.00am $20.00

www.trybooking.com/CKXOE or just turn up

Picnic Parasol Workshop

10am-2pm $30.00 0429 368 998

www.trybooking.com/CSRBF

Art Deco Trivia 8 per team Innisfail RSL Club $2.00pp 7pm Dress to impress! Book a team 4061 1601

Friday 13th Sept

Shire Hall Tour 10.00am

FREE entry Meet in foyer

Self-guided Town Walk FREE app download or booklet from Shire Hall or Museum

Flappers & Dappers Ball Shire

Hall $40.00 Dress to impress!

7.30pm Tables of 8

trybooking.com/CSOKN

0409 442 246

Edith Street Innisfail Doggy Deco Brunch Famishes Café. Dress to impress!

Edith St 9.30-11.30am

Pet registrations preferred: 0408 652 115

Great Gatsby Picnic Jack Fossey Park 2.30-5.30pm BYO chair, rug, picnic (no BYO alcohol please) Entertainment & refreshments all afternoon

Dress to impress!

Art Deco Paint & Sip Workshop 2-5pm 0437 362 332

Art Deco Cruise 5.30pm $40.00 Dress to impress! www.snappingtours.com

Al Capone’s Gangsters & Gals Italian Night Brothers Leagues Club 40617199 Dress to impress! Sunday 15th Sept

Vintage Market Shire Hall Innisfail 9am-2pm Refreshments & entertainment all day

Gold coin entry Stall bookings: 0439 817 100 Sapore Di Italia Jazz Cafe

Rankin St Innisfail 7.30am-2pm Mini-Rail Fun Day Warrina Lakes 10am-2pm fun for kids

MORE INFO: www.innisfailhistory.com.au /about-6 @tropicalartdeco

The Williams Brothers are coming to CPAC to bring the legends of 50s and 60s rock & roll back to life. Picture: Supplied

Fashion themes for 2024 races revealed

Elegance key to Amateurs

l CAIRNS NORTH

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

SPRING is here and with it the races but, most importantly, the fashion and this year Cairns Amateurs Carnival is set to wow with its tropical elegance theme. Going from Thursday, September 12 to Saturday, September 14, the Cairns Amateurs is back with more fashion, beautiful styling and over $15,000 in prizes for the best dressed pledged by fashion partner Cairns Central.

This year’s categories include gold class ladies racewear, open ladies racewear and local ladies racewear on Friday, September 13 and best dressed couple, open ladies classic racewear, open men’s racewear and open ladies contemporary racewear for Saturday, September 14.

Carnival Ambassador and racing style icon Emma Scodellaro will set the fashion pace across both days.

“This is the 66th year of the Cairns Amateurs, and we’re continuing the theme of bringing

country and city together. We’ve got the gala ball, the high tea, two days of racing with Fashions on the Field being the pinnacle of the carnival,” said Amateurs steering committee member Rebecca Conlan.

“The theme for this year’s Fashions on the Field is ‘tropical elegance’ and we’re encouraging people to encompass what that theme means to them, something that’s appropriate for the climate but also very polished,” she said.

“It can be fun and colourful, or it can be muted pastel tones, which is the palette we have in the tropics. We just ask people to bring their own interpretation in a very polished and racewear format.”

To build on the excitement of the upcoming Fashions on the Field, fashion partner Cairns Central has set up a retrospective exhibition showcasing the elegance and creativity of past winners and their stunning outfits.

The exhibition showcases the winning fashion ensembles of Hall of Fame winners Jaydee Paino, Di Stewart, Kymberlee

The exhibition is located on the ground floor near the Myer entrance and will run until the end of September.

“We are proud of our longterm partnership with Cairns Amateurs, encapsulated by our Fashions on the Field exhibition,” said Cairns Central marketing manager Lousie Struber.

“For shoppers, we trust this colourful floor installation will be a lovely walk down memory lane and insight into the constantly changing world of fashion.”

Multi Fashions on the Field winner and Tablelands resident Kymberlee Cockrem offered a few tips for fashionistas this racing season.

“For this year’s theme I recommend colourful and breezy fabrics, something that fits the climate of Cairns, and the most important thing – wear something you’re comfortable in and that you love wearing,” she said. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/4dNXRRF

Cairns Amateurs Carnival steering committee member Rebecca Conlan (left), Cairns Central marketing manager Louise Struber and Fashions of the Field winner Kymberlee Cockrem at the Cairns Central Fashions on the Field exhibition. Picture: Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

Cockrem, Monique Locastro, Tim Marsh and Yvette Thompson.

Lively end to Cairns Festival

Thousands swarm to Carnival on Collins Father’s Day finale to annual event

l EDGE HILL

THE 62nd iteration of the Cairns Festival has come to a spectacular end with the lively and colourful Carnival on Collins last Sunday.

Blue skies, great tropical weather and a sense of community were present at Carnival on Collins last weekend to make for the perfect ending to another successful Cairns Festival with an array of free entertainment and ticketed events, food and lots to do for the whole family.

Thousands of people packed Edge Hill for this much-loved Father’s Day tradition, which saw Collins Avenue transformed into a festival space filled with street performers, over 200 market stalls, live music and more.

The Tanks Arts Centre and Cairns Botanic Gardens were also buzzing with activity, hosting art exhibitions, film screenings, craft workshops and roving performers for attendees of all ages.

Highlights included the Slime of Your Life event, which delighted children with its playful, messy fun, as well as the Flecker Gardens main stage which saw the Cairns Taiko Drummers, Cape York Aboriginal Australian Academy Band and El Moth among others entertain the crowds.

The Reef Lights were once again one of the big protagonists of Cairns Festival with thousands walking around the Esplanade to see the captivating lasers, digital artistry and

entrancing soundscapes, plus the Lagoon lights and water show and its profound message on protecting the Reef.

Other popular installations included HEXADECA a musical playground that transforms the public into conductors of their own symphony, and The Bubble Station which produced 12,000 bubbles per minute.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said even the weather got into the festival spirit with clear skies welcoming thousands of people to Carnival on Collins.

“Carnival on Collins is an absolute highlight of Cairns Festival and a wonderful way to close out 10 days of high-quality arts and cultural action,” Cr Eden said.

“That so many people came down to Edge Hill to enjoy the free activities on offer is proof that Carnival on Collins remains one of the community’s favourite events.

“The Cairns Festival adds so much fun and colour to our city, and it really brings everyone together, so it’s always sad when we reach the last day.

“I can’t wait to see what next year’s line-up has on offer,” she said.

Cairns Festival is also expected to have injected an estimated $2 million into the local economy.

“Festival brings people to the region, they stay in our hotels, dine in our restaurants, experience all the natural beauty the region has to offer as well as experiencing the incredible arts culture we have on offer,” Cr Eden said.

Kelly Sissons and Wade Ensing from the Wet Tropics Management Authority at Carnival on Collins.

Let’s Get Festival Flash Mob at Carnival on Collins. Pictures: Supplied

Ben Otto from Tajenka Orchid Gardens at his Carnival on Collins stall.

MAREEBA, CAIRNS HINTERLAND

WHAT’S

BABINDA HARVEST FESTIVAL @ BABINDA

l SAT SEP 7TH, 8:00AM

A full day of events begins with the Traders Day Competition in the morning, the Grand Street Parade, festivities and tractor pull afterwards at the Babinda Showgrounds.

At the festival, there are food stalls, children’s entertainment, market stalls, live entertainment and a bar, a pavilion filled with local arts, fruits and displays. The night concludes with a wonderful fireworks display and cane burning at 8:30pm, and the bands play until midnight.

GRAN FONDO FESTIVAL @ PORT DOUGLAS

l FRI SEP 6TH, 4:00PM

The Port Douglas Gran Fondo Festival is a three-day festival and the perfect excuse to visit and explore this stunning region.

The festival features a 136km and 100km Gran Fondo courses and a 48km Medio Fondo course. All are timed, but it’s not a race; challenge yourself for a best time, or take your time to stop for photos, enjoy the experience with family and friends and most importantly, stay safe.

Other festival events include a criterium, sprint, family ride, expo at the marina, live music and after-party! The perfect excuse to bring the whole family to Port Douglas for a holiday. See the website for more details: www.portdouglasgranfondo.com.au

NEW EXHIBITION SEASON @ NORTHSITE

l FRI SEP 6TH, 10:00AM-5:00PM

Join us at NorthSite Contemporary Arts for Exhibitions Season Four, showcasing experimental and thought-provoking works that explore the environment, the body, and materials. Located at the Bulmba-Ja Art Centre in Cairns, this season features four distinctive exhibitions by artists from Far North Queensland. Explore Jill Chism’s ‘Remnants,’ discover Luke Aleksandrow’s ‘The Break Collection,’ engage with Cristina Bevilacqua’s ‘SKIN’. Finally, delve into ‘Intimate Worlds,’ a group exhibition showcasing artists Kim Nolan, Danish Quapoor, Lois Hayes, Bunda Art, Malki Studio and Anne Jillett, curated by Lauren Carter.

A LIFE IN ART @ CAIRNS ART GALLERY

l SAT SEP 6TH, 5:30PM-8:00PM

This exhibition tells the story of Margaret Olley’s incredible life and enduring career through her art. The exhibition includes artwork from as early as 1938, painted at just 15 years of age, through to 2011, the year of her death. Olley’s incredible career, enormous capacity for friendship and dedication to the art world, have made her one of Australia’s most loved and celebrated artists.

Free event, RSVP essential. Please book online to secure your spot.

Image: Greg WEIGHT Australia b.1946 Portrait Margaret Olley 1991

FLICKERFEST @ BOTANIC GARDENS

l FRI SEP 6TH - SAT SEP 7TH, 7:30PM

Celebrating 33 years, this year Flickerfest is screening at the Cairns Botanic Gardens over two huge nights.

Fri Sep 6th – Best of Australian Shorts. Celebrate the incredible talent within our emerging Australian industry.

Sat Sep 7th –Short Laughs Comedy – clever and offbeat selection of funny shorts from around the world.

Pack a picnic basket and a camp chair. Nick’s Souvlaki food van will be onsite.

Gates open 5:30pm / Films start at 7:30pm.

*Classification: Children under 15yrs must be accompanied by an adult.

CAIRNS AMATEURS @ CANNON PARK, WOREE

l THU SEP 12TH - SAT SEP 14TH, 11:00AM

The Cairns Amateurs Racing Carnival is three days of fun, fashion, glamour, food and entertainment built around two days of horse racing in Cairns. There is a wonderful array of venues where you can watch the quality thoroughbred racing and gala events throughout the beautiful tropical city of Cairns, including a Fashion High Tea, President’s Welcome Cocktail Party and Gala Ball.

It is the perfect time of year to experience Tropical North Queensland’s premium spring racing carnival and all that our beautiful tropical paradise has to offer.

GIG Guide

*Please check with the Venues regarding any cancellations or entry requirements.

FRIDAY 6TH

Calypso Club DJ Saf, 4:00pm

Dunwoody’s Amber McIntosh, 4:00pm

Strait on the Beach Raine Dance, 4:00pm

Boardwalk Social Tessa Devine, 4:30pm

Salt House Stan Stone, 5:00pm

Surf Club Palm Cove Nicole Nighthawk, 5:00pm

Ellis Beach Bar & Grill Tim Woodz, 5.30pm

Barron River Hotel The Lost Boy - Troy Davidson, 6:00pm

Pachamama DJ Rod, 6:00pm

TANKS The Wild Ones, 6:00pm

The Benson SAX MAN - Troy Stevens, 6:00pm Cazalys Carrizma, 6:30pm Brothers Leagues Club Cairns Sole2Soul, 7:00pm CPAC The Beach Boys Experience, 7:30pm The Pier Bar DJ Jackz, 7:30pm Whiskey & Wine DJ Moose, 7:30pm Salt House DJ Matt Caseli, 8:00pm

The Pier Bar GTA, 8:00pm

Rattle’N’Hum Palm Cove Janna Mercedes, 8:00pm

Rattle’N’Hum Cairns Sanchez Brothers, 8:30pm

BAR36 Big Noise, 9:00pm

P.J.O’Brien’s Cairns Nightshift, 9:30pm

P.J.O’Brien’s Cairns DJ Nakji, 10:00pm

SATURDAY 7TH

Ellis Beach Bar & Grill Lady Valiant Duo, 1:00pm

Surf Club Palm Cove Dave Dusch, 2:00pm

Yorkeys Knob Boating Club INFINITY DUO, 3:00pm

Boardwalk Social John Buttigieg, 4:30pm

Ellis Beach Bar & Grill Nicole Nighthawk, 5:00pm

Salt House Amber Farnan, 5:00pm

Paper Crane Colorfulblac, 5:30pm

The Vine Room Christina Ukulele, 6:00pm

Cazalys Rowly Showband, 6:15pm

Babinda Harvest Festival Mississippi Shakedown, 6:30pm

TANKS The Roadtrippers + Black Image + Boing Boing, 6:30pm Brothers Leagues Club Cairns No More No Less, 7:00pm CPAC Twist & Shout - The Williams Brothers, 7:30pm The Pier Bar DJ Moose, 7:30pm

Whiskey & Wine DJ Luke, 7:30pm Salt House DJ Moose, 8:00pm The Pier Bar Kaweyova, 8:00pm Rattle’N’Hum Palm Cove Bourban Gorillas, 8:00pm Rattle’N’Hum Cairns Flavour, 8:30pm Rocco DJ JC, 8:30pm

BAR36 Big Noise, 9:00pm

P.J.O’Brien’s Cairns Nightshift, 9:30pm

P.J.O’Brien’s Cairns DJ Syntax, 10:00pm

SUNDAY 8TH

Boardwalk Social Anais Campbell, 2:00pm

Calypso Club DJ Luke, 3:00pm

Mandala Cafe Blue Reed, 10:00am

Dunwoody’s Darron Beahan, 2:00pm

Rattle’N’Hum Palm Cove Johnny Sanchez, 3:00pm

The Crown Hotel Keith Eales, 3:00pm Yorkeys Knob Boating Club Andrea, 3:00pm

O’Sheas Gone Troppo!, 4:00pm

The Pier Bar DJ Nakji, 4:30pm

The Pier Bar Nightshift, 5:00pm

Whiskey & Wine DJ JC, 5:00pm

BAR36 Coconut Kiss, 7:30pm

Salt House Groove Therapy, 8:00pm

Are you a venue or an artist that wants to be listed in the Gig Guide? Complete the form on www.cairnslocalnews.com.au/gig-guide to submit your gig each week to be listed in Friday’s paper.

Take a minute... Puzzles for you

SUDOKU

Solutions

Weekly Horoscopes

CROSSWORD

Join humanitarian groups and let your leadership ability take over. You will do extremely well if you get involved in competitive activities this week. Focus, and concentrate on yourself and your future. Trying to deal with your mate will be unproductive and possibly hurtful.

You will be drawn to individuals who can provide you with both intellectual conversation and physical passion. Your temper may get the better of you if a colleague has tried to ruin your reputation. Help others solve their dilemmas. Avoid arguments with relatives who might be conservative and outdated.

Face any emotional problems head-on to avoid situations getting out of hand. An older member of your family may have left you with a pressing situation. Don’t evade issues or twist the truth around. You are best to get out of the house this week.

Partnerships with creative people could lead to financial gains. Voice your opinions and contribute to the de bate. Children may be on your mind. You need to control your temper and deal with the situation rationally.

You will be confused about the intentions of someone you work with. You may want to get involved in financial investments presented to you. Educational pursuits should help you develop your hobbies. Do not sign contracts or get involved in any uncertain financial deals.

You can meet an ideal mate and enjoy social interactions if you get out and mingle. Discuss your intentions with influential people. Put your creative ideas to work on home projects that will make your family happy. Be prepared for surprising changes with coworkers.

If you’re feeling uncertain, take some time alone to reassess your motives and needs. Reach your own conclusions instead of relying on others’ opinions. Focus on your work and avoid situations that could damage your reputation. Pleasure trips will introduce you to new and interesting people.

racetrack. Entertainment could cost you more than you expect. Business or pleasure trips will be knowledgeable as well as highly successful.

If you can mix business with pleasure much can be accomplished. Try to avoid serious discussions with loved ones. Expect some flak. You may be tempted to spend too much on entertainment or luxury items.

The personal problems you may be having are interfering with your productivity. You may find that romance will unfold through business connections. You may have personal problems, but professional duties might be pressing. Investments will not be as they appear this week.

(7)

26. in a shocking or vivid manner (7)

27. having a specified number of sides (5)

28. decline in value or performance (9)

DOWN

1. transfer a plant to a new pot (5)

2. adult (7)

3. a musical technique involving rapid repetition of a note (7)

4. a simple, picturesque scene or story (5)

5. sibling of a grandparent (5-4)

ACROSS

Travel opportunities must be taken advantage of. Be careful not to lead someone on if you truly have no interest. The emotional state of peers may cause a problem for you. Throw yourself into your work.

1. political faction with conservative views (5-4)

6. vapor produced by boiling (5)

9. offspring (7)

10. small spot or patch on an organism used for detection (7)

11. thin metallic sheet used for wrapping or cooking (7)

12. kettle drums used in orchestras (7)

13. without preparation or planning (9)

15. not major or significant (5)

16. characteristic spirit or values of a community (5)

19. male head of a family or group (9) 22. record of past events (7) 23. to restrain or prevent (7) 25. a representative instance or model

6. wife of one’s parent who is not one’s biological mother (7)

7. to make something clear or understandable (7)

8. female head of a family or group (9)

13. large, continuous areas of ice covering land (3,6)

14. seed of the poppy plant often used in baking (5,4)

17. married man (7)

18. bent forward or down (7)

20. to receive property from someone who has passed away (7)

21. to give something a new label or brand (7)

23. relative by marriage (2-3)

24. played or experimented with (5)

Last chance for engine immobiliser installations

| Nick Dalton

MOTORISTS have less than a month to redeem their state government $500 immobiliser voucher.

Brett O’Sughrue of Cairns Auto Electrical said if people had applied and been granted the $500 immobiliser voucher he urged them to contact an approved installer and book in their vehicle.

“Generally, the voucher will

cover the entire cost of the immobiliser and installation, which means no out-of-pocket expense to the customer,” he said.

“It is a great opportunity to add extra security to your vehicle to combat the youth crime currently in Cairns and surrounding regions.

“Time is running out quickly and if the voucher isn’t redeemed by the installer on September 30 it will expire. The immobiliser needs to be installed on or before September 30.

“I advise people to not become complacent and leave redeeming their voucher to the last minute.

“It can take up to two hours to install an immobiliser and, depending on the volume of vehicles booked in, you may need to leave your car with us for at least half the day.

“Getting the job done earlier means more security for your vehicle and possible savings with your insurer so it makes sense to book your car in now.”

With over 3000 vouchers left

to be redeemed in Cairns, residents must act swiftly and secure their installations.

A car immobiliser supplier is calling on all political parties to pledge a broader scheme before the October 26 state election.

LC Distributors principal Lisa Cohen said the $10 million 20,000-vehicle trial overseen by the Queensland Police Service was due to end on June 30, but was extended until September 30.

“An immobiliser prevents

someone without the code to start a vehicle, even if they have the car keys,” she said.

“The extent of car theft across the state has been appalling, and the Queensland Government is to be congratulated for adopting the Queensland Police Union proposal for a car immobiliser trial.”

Ms Cohen said that the car immobiliser voucher system in Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa should be extended, and other parts of Queensland should be included as part of the govern-

ment’s $1.28 billion community safety plan for Queensland.

“The Queensland Government has committed to adopt a statewide towing assistance scheme to provide financial support for people who have had their car stolen,” she said.

“It would make sense to extend the car immobiliser trial for state-wide implementation to reduce the number of victims of crime and reduce the call on the towing of motor vehicles scheme.”

Kayla McCrohan of Cairns Auto Electrical installs an engine immobiliser key pad in a customer’s car. Pictures: Almando Anton

Cairns Auto Electrical owners Samantha and Brett O’Sughrue.

No. 1 card activity can now be played inside many German SUVs and sedans

In-car UNO game in BMWs

l GAMING

| Nick Dalton

AN in-car version of UNO

– the world’s number one card game – is now available to Australian BMW customers.

UNO Car Party made its global debut for in-car gaming last month in Cologne, Germany at gamescom 2024 – the world’s foremost video game event.

It has since rolled out via the AirConsole platform to more than 500,000 BMW and MINI vehicles overthe-air – including in Australia.

“We continue to increase the value of the overall digital experience for our customers,” said the BMW Group development connected company and technical operations senior vice-president Stephan Durach.

“Our partners AirConsole and Mattel are helping make in-car gaming into a new social experience, and I am thrilled to offer a family-favourite game like UNO for this exciting innovation,” he said.

Mattel, AirConsole and BMW Group have transformed UNO into a playable connected game in a brand-

new environment: the car. Stationary drivers can use AirConsole’s unique game controller system to connect any passenger to the game using their personal devices. Up to four players can experience the game that brings people together through its simple, universal gameplay that transcends languages and cultures. Vehicles must be in park to enable gameplay.

Since 2022, the partnership between the BMW Group and AirConsole has been pioneering in-car gaming, bringing intuitive and innovative gameplay to BMW vehicles through the AirConsole platform. Its selection of games has grown since the introduction of AirConsole, with popular games such as ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’, which launched as an in-car world premiere in collaboration between Sony Pictures Television, the BMW Group and AirConsole. In Australia, AirConsole is available in vehicles running BMW Operating System 8.5 and an embedded personal eSIM. It is not available with the BMW 2 Series Coupé, 3 Series or 4 Series.

The UNO game can be played via personal devices and the infotainment screens in many BMWs. Picture: BMW Australia

$50m 33-lot development inspired by Californian desert resort community

Welcome to ‘Palm Springs’

| Nick Dalton AN upmarket $50 million 33-lot development depicting Palm Springs in California is due to start soon at Port Douglas.

BeChe will be created by Allaro Homes off Mitre St at Craiglie and opposite Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa.

Allaro Homes business development manager Troy Cavallaro said the project would mix Mediterraneanstyle with Palms Springs. He said the houses would involve big curves and half and full arches “which haven’t been around for a long time” but were “all the rage” down south.

Palm Springs architectural features include flat roofs with clean lines, open floor plans, large windows, integration with nature using stone and wood, a minimalist

aesthetic, the use of modern materials to create bold geometric shapes and flat planes and angles.

Land and house packages range from about 400sqm lots to 1000sqm with the cheapest package about $1.15 million and the bigger lots of between $2m-$2.5m.

Mr Cavallaro said there were two-bedroom dualkey single storey villas up to two-storey, five-bedroom properties with a pool and high-end finishes such as brass tapware, natural stones and melaleuca trees on site would be milled and used in construction.

He said the family firm had spent a lot of money on fill to lift the site and protect against flooding which would be of great benefit to Ozcare’s Port Douglas Aged Care Facility next door, which had been inundated in the past. The water would be filtered through bio-retention filters and basins and would

be of the best quality as it flowed into the wetlands, Mr Cavallaro said.

He said interest was 95 per cent from southern buyers but also some from locals.

Mr Cavallaro said the homes would be ideal holiday let-style accommodation for six to nine months of the year.

“They are 100m off the beach, 20m to Sea Temple and some are overlooking a golf course,” he said.

Mr Cavallaro said 10 houses and land packages were already under contract.

He said locals would probably wait to see the first completed homes before making any commitments.

After civil works – expected to start about now – construction of the first house was expected to start early next year, he said. Allaro Homes are also involved with the Half Moon Bay development at Trinity Park and Casa Mia at Gordonvale.

Land of this size in the small community of Coquette Point is rare. Starting from Coquette Point Rd and running right down to the Johnstone River, the land has several areas that would be the perfect spot for your rainforest retreat.

l CRAIGLIE

An artist’s impression of Allaro Homes’ BeChe’s project of Palm Springs-style homes at Craiglie. Picture: Supplied

Cairns Local

PROPOSAL FOR 5G UPGRADE MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION AT THE EXISTING TELECOMMUNICATIONS SITE IN WHITFIELD

1. The site at which this works is being undertaken is located at Hillview Crescent, Whitfield QLD 4870 (Lot 26 RP728571). The proposed works include the installation of new 4G and 5G equipment and associated works at the existing 15m monopole. The proposed works comprise of:

• Replacement of three (3) existing panel antennas with three (3) new panel antennas (each antenna no longer than 2.8m in height) on existing mounts,

• Installation and reconfiguration of associated ancillary equipment including but not limited to the replacement of eighteen (18) remote radio units (RRUs) for twenty-one (21) RRUs on the existing mounts and replacement of one (1) GPS antenna with two (2) GPS antennas on the existing equipment shelter to ensure proper functioning of the facility.

2. Optus and Vodafone regard the proposed works as a lowimpact facility under Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 based on the description above.

3. The proposed infrastructure will comply with the ACMA EME regulatory arrangements. An EME Report and further information can be obtained from www.rfnsa.com.au/4870015

4. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to: CPS Technology & Infrastructure, (02) 9300 1700, submissionsVIC@cpstech.com.au by 5pm on Monday 23rd September 2024

AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS

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

Al-Anon can help you. Meetings held weekly at:

HAVE you got something to sell? Call Amelie at Cairns Local News on: 4031 7678 OR email: admin@cairnslocalnews. com.au Classie deadline is 4pm every Wednesday.

PRIVACY POLICY

Cairns

Local News

Cairns Local News collects personal information to assist us in providing goods and services which you have requested to process competition entries, giveaways and to improve our products and services to you. We may be in touch by phone, mail, fax or internet to inform you of any services and promotions which may be of interest.

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, except where agreed upon by the publisher. The monetary level of advertising is based upon the frequency used within the period of the order. The term may vary from three months to one year. The word “Advertisement” will be used on advertising copy which in the opinion of the publisher resembles editorial. The terms set out above are subject to change without notification at the discretion of the publisher.

Advertisement Proofing

Local News Cairns

Friday September 6th

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

Kuranda Heritage Markets: Rob Veivers Dr, 10:00-15:30

Kuranda Rainforest Markets: 13 Therwine St, 10:00-15:00

Rusty’s Markets: Grafton St, Cairns, 05:00-16:00

Saturday September 7th

The proofing of advertisements cannot be guaranteed unless advertising copy content is received at Cairns Local News by 4pm TUESDAY prior to publication. The final proofing deadline is 5pm Wednesday prior to publication, any revisions requested after 5pm Wednesday are not guaranteed. If a booking is confirmed, final proof approval

• Cairns City: Tuesday nights, 6pm-7pm Edmonton: Thursdays, 12pm-1pm Kuranda: Mondays, 11am-12pm For further information, Call 1300 25 2666 or www.al-anon.org.au Lady 75 years seeks health conscious friend. Write to: PO Box 290, Earlville, 4870

HOW DO I CANCEL AN ADVERTISEMENT?

Should you need to cancel an advertisement campaign, please advise in writing 7 days prior to publication. Should you need to cancel an existing advertisement, please call the office on 4031 7678 before the weekly deadline: Display Ads: 5:00pm Tuesdays Classifieds: 4:00pm Wednesdays

Another method of cancellation is by emailing: admin@cairnslocalnews.com.au

Atherton: Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 1 Golf Links Dr, 07:00-12:00

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

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

Koah Monthly Market: 322 Koah Road, 09:00-13:00

Kuranda Heritage Markets: Rob Veivers Dr, 10:00-15:30

Kuranda Rainforest Markets: 13 Therwine St, 10:00-15:00

Mossman Markets: 13 Foxton Ave, 07:00-13:00

Rusty’s Markets: Grafton St, Cairns, 05:00-16:00

Sunday September 8th

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

Kuranda Heritage Markets: Rob Veivers Dr, 10:00-15:30

Kuranda Rainforest Markets: 13 Therwine St, 10:00-15:00

Mission Beach Markets: Ulysses Park, 07:00-12:00

Port Douglas Markets: Wharf St, 08:00-13:00

Rusty’s Markets: Grafton St, Cairns, 05:00-15:00

Tolga Markets: Morrow Park Racecourse, 07:00-12:00

Bronze medals for ‘Scooter’

Swimmer comes third in men’s individual medley and breaststroke at Paralympics

Sport Results

GORDONVALE BOWLS

Thursday, August 29th. Triples. Winners: Sandy Mac, Wazza, Joe Jackson.

MOSSMAN BOWLS

Sunday, September 1st. Win-

ners: Terry Richards, Mike Sims, Joe Girgenti def. Bill Smith, Steve Hudson, Bill Allison +24. R/U: Dave Blain, Peter McGrory, Peter Gorsuch def. David White, Jock Constantine, Bernie Savage +10. Ray Prain,

Peter Worley, Nev Fletcher def. Charlie Toohey, David Campbell, John Arnald +4 Col Widdows, Daryl Hoskin, Derek Franklin draw. Ted Holmes, Mark Featherston, Ali Douglas +16/16

MARLIN COAST BOWLS

Tuesday, August 27th. Tuesday morning bowls. Winners:

l PARALYMPICS

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

THE pride and joy of Cairns – Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson – continues to make history for regional sport after two extraordinary performances at the Paris Paralympics earning him bronze in the 150m individual medley and 50m breaststroke.

The Rattle and Hum Bar and Grill was pumping on Wednesday afternoon as the community watched Patterson’s second performance at the 50m breaststroke heats before the finals.

After showcasing great speed at the 150m men’s individual medley, which earned him a shared podium with another beloved Aussie Ahmed Kelly, people were eager to see him swim in his strongest category, the 50m breaststroke.

On the other side of the world and over 14,000kms away, Mr Patterson has embraced the love from the community and channelled it into his performance.

“I’ve had so much support back home and it’s been awesome,” he said.

“It feels good to be able to say that I’m a living and breathing role model for the next generation and I hope to inspire them to try a paralympic sport and represent their country.

“The games and the swims have been great so far. The crowds have been very supportive and on the second day of the relay swim, the crowds were roaring which was amazing.

“When I got the bronze medal, what was going

Bob H, Laurie W. R/U: Robyn, Barb T. Tuesday afternoon Men’s triples. Winners: Bob W, Glenn, Giles. R/U: Greg, Bob, Shane. Tuesday night bowls. Winners: Nil. Wednesday, August 28th. Wednesday mixed bowls. Winners: Glenda, Anne S, Anne F. R/U: June Brown, Andy J, Wendy H. Thursday, August 29th. Thursday Mixed

through my mind was focusing on all the hard work in training and executing the race plan by Herbie (coach Andrew ‘Herbie’ Howard) and it came out very well.

“Earlier in the year I couldn’t go under 3.12 in the 150m IM and then in the heats I did 3.07 and then in the final I did 3.06 so I’m very happy about that.”

Ahead of his 50m breaststroke heats on Wednesday ,Mr Patterson said he was feeling strong and focused.

“I’m feeling pumped, training has gone great, splits are strong and I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing. I’m in a good headspace,” he said.

“It’s been amazing sharing this journey with Herbie, 17 years in the making and he’s also enjoying every part of it but especially when he saw me win the bronze.

“I’d like to thank the Cairns community and ask

self-selected triples. Winners: Steven A, Robyn, Stephen C. R/U: Meredith, Steve P, Valerie. Saturday, August 31st. Saturday morning Scroungers. Winner: no winners. R/U: no winners.

BROTHERS EDMONTON

BOWLS

them to continue supporting us because I love every minute of it, and we’ll see you soon.”

FNQ Swimming president Jim Greatorex said Scooter’s Paralympic journey would have great impact on Cairns’ young swimmers.

“The whole swimming community is incredibly proud of his achievements, he’s inspirational and we can’t wait to see him back with his medal,” he said.

“Also a big congrats to Herbie as his coach and mentor, this partnership between them is critical.

“Scooter’s journey has been more challenging than most, but because he’s so relatable, many of our athletes are incredibly inspired to achieve more. We know the dedication to the sport that has been required for him to be selected for the Australian team, and then to win a medal is exceptional.”

Wednesday, August 28th. Overall Winners: A. Del Favero, M. Catalano, J. Blain. Game 1. Winners: R. Schmidt, S. Paris, M. Paris. Game 2. Winners: D. Cairns, J. Mason, D. Jacoora. Thursday, August 29th. Winners: L. Catalano, K. Laverton, W. Jones. R/U: C. Morris, N. Kina, A. Windsor. Saturday, August 30th. Winners: M. Girardi, S. McQuade, J. McLeish. R/U: D. Cairns, N. Kina, A. Windsor.

Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson with one of his bronze medals and coach Andrew ‘Herbie’ Howard at the Paris Paralympics.

Above right: Scooter and Herbie with his FNQ Swimming team mates before leaving for Paris.

Northern ready for preliminary finals

Pride almost tasting glory

l RUGBY LEAGUE

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

THE trophy is closer to reach after the Northern Pride’s remarkable performance in semifinals against the Sunshine Coast Falcons 38-0 last weekend.

Now the teams’ eyes are set on excelling at preliminary finals on September 14.

The battle is coming to an end and Northern Pride can almost taste the glory as the dream of the Hostplus Cup coming home to Cairns seems more impending than just hopeful.

With another dominant performance from Pride 38-0 against known rival, the Sunshine Coast Falcons, Pride continues to look strong, focused and more than anything – hungry for the premiership.

As tensions rise and only the best of the best remain, Northern Pride has one weekend to gather itself and prepare for another monumental battle on September 14 at Barlow Park against either the Redcliffe Dolphins or the Central Queensland Capras.

Coach Eric Smith said focus was the key to the upcoming match.

“It’s nice to have the weekend off after a brutal clash on the weekend,” he said.

“Focus now is on training and looking to improve for the prelim final.

“We unfortunately had a casualty in the Falcons game and lost winger Rob Derby to an ankle injury that will see him out for the rest of the season but in good news we are hoping to have Josh Allen back on deck.”

Pride’s chief executive Garreth Smith praised the team’s performance and focus during

the team’s most crucial match.

“What an incredible start to our finals campaign,” he said.

“Our dominant win against the Sunshine Coast Falcons in week one of the Hostplus Cup final series was nothing short of outstanding. The team showed tremendous determination on the field, and I couldn’t be prouder of their performance.

“Special congratulations go to Tom Duffy, our Ringers Western player of the match. Tom’s performance was exceptional, and he truly led the way in what was a fantastic team effort.

“The focus now shifts to the preliminary final, where we’ll face either the Redcliffe Dolphins or the Central Queensland Capras on Saturday, September 14 at our home, Barlow Park. This is a crucial game, and the stakes couldn’t be higher as we continue our journey towards the ultimate prize.”

Mr Smith also encouraged the community to get tickets for the preliminary finals on September 14 to support the boys in the last but toughest part of the journey.

To buy tickets, visit https://bit.ly/3TbxHAb

Smithfield netballers make history by winning gold

l NETBALL

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

THE 11 boys from the Smithfield State High School open netball team have made history as the only Cairns team to take the Vicki Wilson Netball State Championship in Brisbane crowning themselves as the best team in Queensland.

Out of 120 teams in the state, the Smithfield SHS netballers have taken home gold after a remarkable performance at the championships last month.

After a weekend of non-stop netball, Smithfield defeated

Glenala State High School to take the championship in the boys open category.

Team captain and player of the tournament Brock Adaway said it had been an incredible reward to see their hard work of three years pay off.

“The Vicki Wilson State Championship is growing every year, this year we’re up to 120 boys’ teams from around Queensland,” he said.

“We trained every Wednesday morning ahead of the championship and have been doing this for the last two years.

“It wasn’t easy, the competition is way harder than it is up here because those boys defi-

nitely play a lot more netball than we do. They’re around the sport more than we are, so it was a challenge, but we played as a team and it’s what’s always helped us.

“I think what made a difference in this championship is the way we play as a team. As one, we’ve bonded really well as a group, not only on the netball court but outside of it. We hang out as a group all the time and that synergy helps us on the court.

“It feels good to represent Cairns and we’re really thankful that the hard work we’ve put in the last couple of years has paid off in the end.”

team’s coach Brooke Knight said it had been the ultimate goal for this team to win the state championship and they were very happy with the result.

“They have been training together since year 10 and the majority are now in year 12,” she said.

“This team has won every competition in Cairns and the goal was taking states, last year when they went to states they ended fifth and this year they’ve won it. That win was really exciting, they were stoked and this being a Cairns first, the whole school community got around them to watch the matches on stream, it was amazing.”

Player of the match Tom Duffy was key in the semi-finals against the Sunshine Coast Falcons. Picture: Supplied

Coach Eric Smith.

The

Front row: Mathys Moolman, Jed Cavanagh, Tyler Lamprecht, Matteo Sama-Flores, Bailey Schwarz. Back row: Dion Woodhouse (manager), Julius Johnson, Brock Adaway, Dustin Baxter, Jed Pelaez, Bode Pollard, Dylan Targett, Brooke Knight (coach). Picture: Supplied

Cutters to beat Hawks

Lions tipped to thrash Bulldogs, Tigers should win against Crocs

l AFL Cairns finals week one men’s preview

| John Gillett

Qualifying final

South Cairns Cutters play North Cairns Tigers

A REMATCH of the 2013 decider and the men’s major final kicks off this weekend’s finals festival at Cazalys.

North Cairns have not won a legitimate premiership since 1988, while that victory in 2013 was the last time the Cutters saluted.

The Cutters have been the best team all year, experiencing a solitary defeat and have shown time and time again that they can win from any position and situation while being premiership favourites since round 3.

However, that one defeat did come at the hands of the Tigers in round 10 and a last quarter fadeout prevented the Tigers winning on ANZAC Day also, so the Tigers know their best is good enough.

With both teams surely supremely confident, it bodes for a bruising encounter in the middle and with goals coming from everywhere on the park for both teams, the back

six holds the key for each of the teams.

Prediction: Cutters by 15

Elimination final Port Douglas Crocs play Cairns City Lions

IT is win or go home for this rematch of the 2022 decider.

Reigning premiers Port go in as deserved favourites and will be a nightmare to face next week for either Cutters or Norths, but have struggled for the same consistency that made them irrepressible premiers 12 months ago.

The Lions will be looking to prey on that as they make their finals return after a 12-month hiatus and will be hellbent on proving they are back where they belong, rather than just making up the numbers in fourth.

The key match-up looks to be Rainbird vs Chapple, the leading two goalkickers in season 2024.

The neutral venue adds another layer of intrigue for this fixture. Port won both games away, while the Lions won their sole trip to Port. To highlight the dominance of these two teams, they have won the nine of the last ten men’s A grade premierships.

Prediction: Draw – Port

Youth aim for gold at champs

l LITTLE ATHLETICS

| Isaac Colman

YOUNG athletes from across Tropical North Queensland are coming together next Saturday, September 14, competing for gold as part of the annual HART Winter Regional Championships.

Hosted by Tully Little Athletics Club, the day is expecting to see over 100 young athletes competing in track and field events.

Held at Barlow Park Stadium, the competition will see competitors from Little Athletics clubs of Cassowary Coast, Cooktown, Douglas Shire, Tablelands and Tully.

Open to athletes from under 7 to under 17 age divisions, placegetters are eligible to compete in the McDonalds State Championships, hosted by Little Athletics Queensland in March next year.

Tully Little Athletics manager Jess Law said the annual championships were a great way for the clubs to come together and encourage one another.

“It’s really beneficial to the kids,” she said.

“This is our annual championship, where we can all come together and compete.

“We’ve got some really ace kids who progress through the school sports system as well as club, they frequently go to the state and national level.

“We find it’s really a confidence booster for our kids, particularly the ones who don’t do the athletics stuff on a regular basis.”

Kevin Canendo of Tigers (with ball), Alex Rogers of Cutters (on left), Joey Ugle of Cutters and Alex Pulling of Tigers (background). Below: Max Hoffman (Lions) and Ethan McCullough (Crocs) compete in the ruck. Pictures: RAWI/AFL