Israeli Ambassador likes Cairns so much he’s

ISRAELI Ambassador Amir Maimon has made his first visit to Cairns and is promising to return to holiday with his wife.

He spent Wednesday in the city meeting Federal MP Warren Entsch, Mayor Bob Manning, Jewish community representative Paul Kamsler and other Israeli businessmen based in Cairns, Cairns State MP Michael

Healy and Tourism Tropical North

Queensland chief executive officer Mark Olsen.

Mr Maimon (pictured right) said, although it was cloudy, he liked what he saw of the “beautiful Esplanade” and the mountains surrounding Cairns.

“I will come back again with my wife Tal for a few days to explore the local aquarium, the Reef and go on Skyrail,” he said.

Mr Maimon was also a guest speak- er at a gathering at Royals Church dubbed “Christians standing shoulder to shoulder with Israel” to mark the country’s 75the anniversary.

Mr Maimon said he was expecting a moving event with the Israel national anthem and other songs sang in Hebrew,

He said as a diplomat it was important he explored the country, learned new cultures and met people to “bet- that is welcoming and inclusive, and that honours the site,” she said.

Stage one of a two-stage managing contract has been awarded to BESIX Watpac who are recruiting sub-contractors for early works. Stage two will be awarded in early August, when construction will start, involving 150 jobs will be created during construction.

MAINTENANCE works will start at the end of this month to replace joint sealant on the 50m swimming pool at Tobruk Memorial Pool. The 50m pool will be closed from Monday, July 31 to Sunday, October 8 as the pool will need to be drained for the maintenance works. A council spokesman said the works were part of regular maintenance, which needed to be undertaken to maintain a watertight seal, improve the visual appearance of the pool, and ensure the safety of patrons. All other facilities, including the 25m outdoor pool, 25m indoor pool, toddler pool, the Flowrider, Coaching Zone, fitness facilities, trampoline park and kiosk will remain open.

Coming Back On Holiday

ter understand what Australia is all about”. “It’s also about investing a lot with other communities – that is very important to me – not just the Jewish community, but Indigenous communities too,” Mr Maimon said

“I am most encouraged with the people I have met here,” he said.

Mr Maimon said it was also critical for him to remedy the misconceptions people had about Israel.