NEWS
Friday May 07, 2021
Cairns Local News
BRIEFS
|3
CAIRNS
Positive COVID Milestone THE Cairns Hinterland Hospital Health Service (CHHHS) have now conducted 100,000 COVID tests across their testing clinics in the region. CHHHS Director of Nursing COVID-19 Tracey Bancroft paided tribute to her team responsible for this achievement. “Over 100,000 COVID tests, that’s the highest number outside the south-east corner. Whilst COVID has not had the same impact in Cairns as it has in other centres throughout Australia, the demands have still been high on our frontline medical staff. “Our pathology team have had to work overtime to achieve this along with our staff here in Cairns as well as the rural sites, whilst responding to numerous outbreaks across Australia, we have had to remain agile to meet the needs of our community. With over 250,000 people living in the CHHHS area, performing 100,000 COVID tests in 12 months represents an enormous effort. “The community is still responding and coming out to test, they are doing the right thing”, she said. With the vaccination schedule now moving into the 2A cat-
Cancer Council Volunteers Maureen Gardiner, Lorna Weber and Narelle Innes
ATHERTON TABLELANDS
Sharing a bite for cancer fight TANYA MURPHY
CAIRNS’ “Flower Power” Fundraising Group are hosting a morning tea on Saturday May 29 to raise much needed funds for the Queensland Cancer Council. As part of the ‘Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea’ annual Cancer Council fundraising appeal, the group will be supplying a delicious morning tea as well as raffles, cent sales fashion parade, candle lighting ceremony and lucky door prize. The event will kick off at 9:30am at the Eisteddfod Hall, Greenslopes Street, Edge Hill and the Entry fee is $20. In 2019, the Flower Pow-
er Fundraising group raised $4371 for Cancer Council Queensland. Flower Power are a passionate supporter of Cancer Council Queensland and recently also deposited $20,000 through Do It For Cancer. The group are seeking eager volunteers to join their group to support Cancer Council Queensland and anyone interested in joining can contact Janice Browne at janice.browne@bigpond.com. The Cancer Council are also calling for more businesses, community groups and individuals to host morning tea events. In 2021, the official day to host a morning tea is Thursday 27 May, but anyone can
egory, Bancroft still encourage people not to get complacent. “Even if you have been vaccinated, should you have any signs or symptoms, we still recommend that you come to get tested.” The vaccination rollout continues in Cairns, with over 13,000 vaccinations, with 4,800 of those being Health Care workers. Rhiannon Fawkner, a Registered Nurse working in the Fever Clinics has found the work extremely rewarding. “People presenting generally are coming in because they have symptoms or travelled to a hot spot and need to be tested before isolating. “People are usually getting their results back within 8 – 24 hours.” she added, “it is good to see such a strong community response.”
host at any time in May or June. By hosting or attending an Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea (in-person or virtually), participants will help Cancer Council Queensland continue their life-saving cancer research, prevention, advocacy and support programs. Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is the largest and most successful event of its kind in the country and raises over $7 million nationally each year - this year they hope to attract over 20,000 hosts. Every dollar raised helps support those impacted by cancer. Those who want to host can register at biggestmorningtea.com.au or call 1300 65
65 85 to receive a free morning tea host kit. Anyone unable to host a morning tea can still get involved by donating directly to Cancer Council via biggestmorningtea.com.au. Due to current circumstances, Cancer Council Queensland encourages all participants to follow the recommended guidelines provided by the Australian Government. Details regarding Cancer Council Queensland fundraising events may change as circumstances change. For more information and support regarding cancer and COVID-19, please visit www.health.gov.au.
Science Challenge Champs ATHERTON State High School were the winners when James Cook University brought the Science and Engineering Challenge to Cairns recently. More than 100 students from seven high schools competed in a range of activities, from building and testing bridges to designing biomechanical hands. “The Challenge is a fun day with an emphasis on teamwork,” JCU’s Orr Thomason said. “The aim is to inspire students to consider careers in science and engineering, and to choose subjects such as maths, physics and chemistry in Years 11 and 12.” The students were allocated one or two challenges for the day and then assessed as to how well they completed the tasks, competing against teams from other schools. The Challenge is part of a
Bethany Bailey and Miah Cox from Atherton State High School receiving their award from JCU’s Orr Thomason. nationwide STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) outreach program and is administered by the University of Newcastle. The Cairns Challenge, along with others to be held in Mackay, Rockhampton and Townsville, is supported by James Cook University.
SALE NOW!
WE DO A
FREE
Choose from over 3,000 colours, designs and textures across carpet, hard flooring, rugs and window furnishings ranges and see your dream interior become a reality.
MEASURE AND QUOTE.
2 0 9 M ulgrave R d Bungalow Q LD 4 8 7 0 | Ph: (0 7 ) 4 0 4 1 1 2 7 1 E mail: c airns @ c hoi c e s f looring.c om .au www.choicesflooring.com.au/store/c ai rns
