9 minute read
Yarrabah On The Move
CAIRNS VIRGIN GOES ALL OUT
VIRGIN Australia this week announced direct flights between Cairns and Gold Coast. In addition to this new route, Virgin also announced direct flights from Hobart and Launceston to the Gold Coast.
Scheduled to commence in early December, the three new routes will allow over 9,000 additional passengers to fly each month between Cairns and Gold Coast, providing a boost to local business and the tourism sector and allowing more Virgin Australia team members to return to the skies.
Virgin Australia is offering one-way Economy sale fares from just $79 until 11.59 AEST Friday 15 October 2021, or unless sold out prior.
Cairns Airport Chief Executive Officer Richard Barker said the increase in services was a very welcome announcement for both the region and the airport offering locals choice on the popular route for the first time.
“Over a hundred and twenty thousand passengers fly between the Gold Coast and Cairns per year and as Australia’s two most sought-after holiday destinations, it’s another opportunity for people to enjoy holidays with everything from the surf of the Gold Coast to the Reef and Rainforest of Tropical North Queensland.
“The addition of Gold Coast services means Virgin Australia are serving more destinations from Cairns and that’s great testament to their commitment to serve Tropical North Queensland and rebuild after the past eighteen months.
Seasonal services will operate between Gold Coast, Launceston and Hobart, whilst services between Gold Coast and Cairns will operate year-round.
CAIRNS & ATHERTON A SNAG AND A JAB
POP-UP vaccination clinics will operate this weekend at selected Bunnings stores throughout Far North Queensland.
Both Smithfield and Atherton Bunnings stores will be offering tradies, DIY enthusiasts and renovators the opportunity to roll up their sleeve and get their first or second vaccination shot.
A total of 33 Bunnings stores across Queensland will be participating in this program this weekend.
Opening hours and other information will be available via www.health.qld.gov.au/vaccinebookings closer to the weekend.
DOUGLAS SENIORS WEEK
DOUGLAS Shire is in full swing for Seniors Month this October. From cuppas, to craft, to movies, sports comps, dinner & dancing, and pool fun – there’s a sensational line up of events for their most deserving citizens.
Unique to Queenslanders this October, Senior’s month is being celebrated for the first time in 2021 and it’s all about the importance of connecting with one another.
During the month people of all ages, cultures and abilities will connect through inclusive events and activities to celebrate the important and essential roles older people play in our communities. Full details can be found on Council’s website.
CAIRNS ITALIAN FESTIVAL
A NEW festival joins the special events calendar for Far North Queensland. The Cairns Italian Festival this week announced their inaugural week-long event will be held July 28 – August 5 next year. They expect to attract nationally and internationally ranked artists along with hosting a Gala Ball and Food Festival.
Full details are available on their Facebook page: @cairnsitalianfestival.
YARRABAH, A COMMUNITY on the move
Members of the Yarrabah community with their newly aquired bus
PETER MCCULLAGH
YARRABAH is on the move. The small aboriginal community south of Cairns is undergoing tremendous change as several government funded projects are set to deliver tangible benefits for the community.
Community families impacted by domestic and family violence will now have better access to local transport with the purchase of a minibus for the community from bus operator Kinetic.
Minister for Women and Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Shannon Fentiman said the need for transport assistance for affected families was raised during a visit to Yarrabah in April earlier this year.
“I met with the Council and other community leaders during my visit and an issue we discussed during those meetings was how the Queensland Government and the community could work together to support local families,” Minister Fentiman said.
“The Yarrabah Aboriginal Corporation for Women had identified a need in the community for a small bus or mini-van to be able to assist local families, particularly large families, with transport.
“The corporation provides support, stability and education to the Yarrabah community and assists DFV-affected families through its Women’s Resource Centre.
“Following the meeting, my department, the Department of Justice and Attorney-General worked together with the Department of Transport and Main Roads. As a result of that collaboration Sunbus operator Kinetic donated a vehicle for the community.”
Speaker of the Queensland Parliament and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said the corporation will soon take receipt of the minibus enabling it to provide transport assistance to members of the Yarrabah community.
“This is fantastic for our local Yarrabah community,” Mr Pitt said.
“The new bus will ensure women and families can better access vital support services as well as attend important meetings and appointments.
“The Women’s Resource Centre provide crucial support for local families, and they do incredible work in domestic and family violence prevention.”
Another key government funded project is the $11.5 million jetty, designed to increase access to and from the small community and act as a tourism driver for the Mandingalbay Yidinji Aboriginal Corporation.
Construction is nearing completion, with the final platform being laid in place on the 165-metre jetty.
Although years in planning, Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor, Ross Andrews understands the importance of this jetty for the local community and business development of the shire.
“It is evidence that you can balance economic opportunity with cultural heritage, this will be a game changer,” he said.
Currently residents needing to travel to Cairns undertake the 45-minute drive. The construction of the jetty will open the town up to passenger ferry services cutting the travel time 25 minutes.
The completion of the jetty will open the township up, allowing easier access for tourists was well as Yarrabah residents needing to visit Cairns for medical, education or recreational reasons.
Warren ENTSCH MP
Federal Member for Leichhardt Leadership and Stability
200 Mulgrave Road, Westcourt QLD 4870 07 4051 2220 warren.entsch.mp@aph.gov.au warrenentsch.com.au WarrenEntschMP
Cairns Local News | 5 Ol’ fashion SERVO
FROM PAGE 1
Michael Salerno from Stratford Service Station checks the oil for a customer.
DAVID GARDINER REMEMBER when you could pull up to a service station and actually receive real ‘service’? That is, a fuel attendant would not only fill up for you, but also check your car’s oil, water and tyre pressure?
In a couple of places in Cairns, this rare, personalised attention still exists, and these servos are filling what has become a niche market, once an everyday norm in the retail fuel industry.
Stratford Service Station in Rinks Close, Stratford is enjoying strong local support for its full driveway service, its customers happy to keep coming back even if their local doesn’t always offer the cheapest fuel in town.
‘Strattie Servo’ owner Michael Salerno has had the business for three and a half years. He bought it off the Trinity Petroleum group, from where his business continues to source its fuel wholesale.
Michael says there are customers who return to his driveway from all over, not just the local area, because they love the service.
“We get people who drive from the northern beaches, from the south, they really appreciate it,” he says.
Earlier this week, we compared the Stratford Servo’s unleaded regular price per litre with several others in and around the Cairns area. On average, Stratford’s was slightly higher at a little over $1.57 – two or three cents per litre difference, but in many cases lower than some of the ‘big’ brands, one of which had their unleaded at almost $1.62 on the same day.
“We’ve got a very good following, very loyal customers, particularly in our local community here who want
World’s First World’s First World’s First World’s First World’s First
Cassowary Art Trail Tropical North Queensland Cassowary Art Trail Protect the endangered Southern Cassowary To create broader awareness of the endangered Southern Cassowary we set up an Art Trail. Real size Cassowary statues will be painted by local artists and set up around Kuranda as a Trail. We need your support to make this happen and be a part Cassowary Art Trail Tropical North Queensland Protect the endangered Southern Cassowary Cassowary Art Trail Tropical North Queensland Cassowary Art Trail Tropical North Queensland Tropical North Queenslandto protect the future of the endangered Southern Cassowary. To get involved scan the QR code or visit: www.pozible.com/profi le/cassowary-trail for more information To create broader awareness of the endangered Southern Cassowary we set up an Art Trail. Real size Cassowary statues will be painted by local artists Protect the endangered Southern Cassowary and set up around Kuranda as a Trail. We need your support to make this happen and be a part to protect the future of the endangered Southern Cassowary. To create broader awareness of the endangered To get involved scan the QR code or visit: www.pozible.com/profi le/cassowary-trail for more information Southern Cassowary we set up an Art Trail. Real size Cassowary statues will be painted by local artists
To create broader awareness of the endangered Southern Cassowary, we set up an Art
Trail. Real size Cassowary
statues will be painted by local artists and set up around Kuranda as a Trail. We need your support to make this happen and be a part to protect the future of the endangered Southern Cassowary.
To get involved, scan the QR code or visit: www.pozible.com/profile/ cassowary-trail for more information
to support local and I think since COVID, people want to keep their money in Cairns and support local,” Michael says, “rather than giving it to the ‘big boys’. I think they get enough as it is.”
Even though motorists know Stratford Service Station’s fuel prices are never going to be as low as the big petroleum names’ outlets, Michael says when it comes down to a $2-$2.50 difference on a fill-up, his customers are “happy to pay that little bit extra because they are supporting a small local business.”
“One thing we pride ourselves on is service, and I’d like to think that we set the bar high there.”
There is another aspect of the personalised service – the social contact that it also brings, and the chance to have a “chin-wag,” as he puts it, with a regular opportunity to connect with their customers.
Strattie Servo’s driveway service and attention works well for families, senior citizens and people with mobility issues, who don’t have to get out of their cars. The attendant, in many cases Michael himself, comes right to the driver’s window.
“We even bring the EFTPOS out to the car for families that’ve got kids in the car, a few people with disabilities, a service that you don’t see in service stations these days.”
Like so many other small business owners in the region, Michael is also looking forward to the day when both international and domestic tourism levels get back to somewhere near pre-COVID times. In the meantime, he is thankful for the local support for his decision to bring back the service to the service station.
