Cairns Local News May 19 2023

Luxury retailers closing down

Lack of overseas tourists spells end of DFS, Louis Vuitton stores in CBD

l CAIRNS CITY

| Nick Dalton

ICONIC luxury retailers T Galleria by DFS and Louis Vuitton in the Cairns CBD are closing.

Hard hit by border closures during COVID-19 and a slow rebounding international tourism market, the businesses shut for good on June 30 after more than 20 years and tens of millions of dollars spent on upgrades.

Building co-owner Frank Gasparin said “we are saddened by the departure of DFS Galleria and Louis Vuitton from Cairns after 23 years of operation”.

“We have been in negotiations with them for many months in an attempt to

convince them to stay, but to no avail,” he said in a company statement.

“It is clear their business direction is more focussed down south and not with the local market of Cairns.

“On June 30, 2023 they have advised that they will be leaving.

“We want the people of Cairns to know that we did everything in our power to assist DFS Galleria and Louis Vuitton to stay, and while their iconic presence will be sorely missed, we are excited about plans afoot to bring some equally big brands to our great city to ensure the site is a high-end shopping destination for many more years to come.”

Mr Gasparin said talks were advanced.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Simon and Liz Terry of Perth are disappointed the T Galleria by DFS and Louis Vuitton designer stores are closing after 20 years. Picture: Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

No crucial funding

Federal Budget: Opposition critical of spending, and taxes

l

FAR NORTH

| Nick Dalton

THE Cairns region has missed out on key infrastructure funding in the 2023-24 Federal Budget with new taxes expected to increase costs for residents and businesses, according to Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch.

“Labor’s new farming tax and their truckies tax is only going to grow these pressures, particularly for regional communities,” Mr Entsch said. “This is only going to translate to more expensive trips to the supermarket.”

He said there were no allocated funds for the marine precinct nor for an alternative route to the Tablelands.

“They didn’t allocate the $24 million needed to finish the marine precinct, it’s the last tranche in order to get it to completion, and they haven’t stepped up to do it,” he said.

“We’ve seen the Queensland Government in recent days commit to half of that money, but they need to convince the Federal Treasurer to commit to the other half.

“There is no money to identify an alternative for the current route, which means it’s another year of kicking the can down the road.

“It’s clearly obvious the Kuranda Range will never meet the needs of heavy transport.”

On tourism, Mr Entsch welcomed the Labor government honouring the $15m for Tourism Tropical North Queensland that he secured in the previous government but criticised Labor’s increase to the passenger movement charge.

Mr Entsch said Labor had cut the successful The Young Entrepreneurs Project, which was supposed to be a further two year contract, with just two months’ notice.

Northern Australia Opposition spokeswoman Senator Susan McDonald said the Budget cut northern water projects, lacking clarity in northern roads funding, and buried spending on flood recovery for Gulf of Carpentaria, Kimberley and NT communities. “In this Budget,

Northern Australia has at best, been insulted, or at worst, forgotten.” she said.

“For example, Labor’s regional spending paper from this Budget runs to just 87 pages – the Coalition’s last regional Budget paper ran to more than 300 pages.

“All this Labor government has done is steal future jobs, prosperity and hope from Northern Australia by cutting the $5.4 billion Hells Gates Dam, the Urannah Dam and the

Hughenden Irrigation Project.

“In this Budget the North Queensland Water Infrastructure Authority has been abolished, meaning decisions about water in Northern Australia will now be made in a department building in Canberra 2000km away.”

After the Coalition boosted northern roads funding by more than a billion dollars, Senator McDonald said the lack of detail on Labor’s road spend was concerning.

Lobby group pleased l FAR NORTH

FAR North Queensland’s independent economic development and advocacy organisation Advance Cairns has welcomed the confirmation of additional $30 million in funding for the critical Cairns marine precinct Common User Facility (CUF), part of a suite of measures contained in the Federal Government’s Budget last week.

Chief executive officer Jacinta Reddan welcomed confirmation of a total $180m for the CUF over the next five years, with CQUniversity’s Cairns CBD campus to receive $50m over the next four years.

“Importantly, given the CUF is jointly funded by Federal and Queensland governments, we would expect to see this new money matched by the state, bringing to $360m total funds earmarked for what is one of the biggest infrastructure projects in the region,” she said.

“In committing these funds, the government said this would see the delivery of a ship-lift and work areas and support the region’s forecast increase in demand for marine-related services, and would further diversify the economy.

“We are particularly pleased to see this forecast to flow from next year. This comes on the heels of an announcement by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk of $39m towards early works for the CUF,” Ms Reddan said.

Advance Cairns also welcomed the boost to Medicare where GP bulk-billing incentives tripled for families with young children, pensioners and concession cardholders. Chairman Nick Trompf said this would have a significant impact in the Far North.

Delays on the Kuranda Range Rd due to crashes and other incidents are common, but there is nothing in the Federal Budget to improve the situation, says Federal MP Warren Entsch.

Desperate plea for GPs

State petition calls for permanent doctors on the Cassowary Coast

l CARDWELL

| Nick Dalton

SMALL Cassowary Coast towns are in a desperate fight to keep and attract general practitioners to their communities.

In dire straits are Mission Beach (no doctor), Cardwell, Tully and Ingham.

Cardwell resident Gabi

Plumm has started a petition which has 1000 signatures with the aim of 10,000, calling on the Queensland Government to intervene.

“The petition of residents of the State of Queensland draws to the attention of the House the urgent need for full-time doctors in rural medical practices including but not limited to Cardwell, Ingham, Tully and Mission Beach,” she said.

“The dearth of available medical practitioners has had dire complications for the residents of these rural towns specifically those of older age.

“Medical practitioners are needed more in rural towns to minimise the travel distance for the elderly.

“As I live in Cardwell, a town where a large majority of residents are over 60 years of age, I have seen how difficult it is for people get access to a doctor in order to: get a repeat prescription, get a referral to a specialist, or simply consult a medical professional when one’s health is failing,” she said.

“We are sent to Tully Hospital emergency, which is fine if one can drive or if one has a friend to drive. This is not the case for many people, and we have no taxis or home visits.

“Our family practice in Cardwell has suffered from rapidly rising costs, major difficulties in

employing doctors and nurses, with locums, when identified, charging vast sums just to relocate to this area.”

Ms Plumm said there were long waiting times, no doctor at Mission Beach, a community of 3500 and three or four doctors in Ingham with a population of 4000-plus.

State Member for Hinchinbrook and Katter’s Australian Party deputy leader Nick Dametto has sponsored the petition and said his electorate had the highest aging population per capita compared to anywhere else in Queensland.

“It’s a fact that many health conditions are more common as people age, so you could say that the elderly are the higher users of our health services. Despite this, we still have the regional and rural areas with aging populations not getting the adequate health care they deserve,” he said.

Cardwell Family Practice coowner and registered nurse Julie McKay said the situation was “dire” with the business relying on locums and never knowing when or if the next arrive.

“The medical professions are not being heard, no-one is talking to us. We need the community to help us so we can help them,” she said

A Cassowary Coast Regional Council spokeswoman said the issue was a priority in the council’s Advocacy Plan 2023 - Collaborative and Place Based Primary Health Care Services.

She said the council put forward a motion about the situation at the Local Government Association of Queensland conference in 2022 which was incorporated into the LGAQ 2023 Advocacy Action Plan.

The spokeswoman said deputations led by Mayor Nolan met

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath last week when the regional sitting of parliament took place.

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) chief executive officer Robin Whyte said for the past three years, NQPHN, in partnership with Health Workforce Queensland, had funded relocation packages to address allied health professional shortages, including gen-

eral practitioners (GPs), with further incentives to attract doctors in critical areas, including Tully and Mission Beach.

“As a result of this funding, the Tully practice has been able to attract at least one new GP to service Tully and Mission Beach (given the closure of the practice in Mission Beach),” she said.

Ms Whyte said NQPHN with Health Workforce, the Univer-

sity of Queensland and Mater Research Institute was offering a Virtual Integrated Practice model across the North Queensland region and Tully, Ingham and Cardwell had submitted expressions of interest.

Paper petitions are available throughout the Cassowary Coast. To sign the e-petition, visit the Queensland Parliament website.

Talks underway to replace high-end brands with other global names

FROM PAGE 1

“We can advise that we are in advanced negotiations with a number of other global brands to take their place and we hope to be able to make an announcement on that very soon,” he said.

A DFS spokeswoman said “as part of our regular and ongoing review of our global store network, DFS has decided to close T Galleria by DFS, Cairns in Australia on June 30, 2023”. “This decision was not made lightly or easily,” she said.

“We are proud of our 20-year history with this beautiful destination.

“However, to optimally position our resources and product offering for our travelling customers, we will be consolidating our operations through our store and head office in Sydney, as well as our new flagship store in Brisbane which is set to open in early 2024.

“We remain fully committed to serving customers in Australia at these locations.”

DFS currently employs 14 staff in

Cairns. “All have been provided with support to ensure a smooth transition, including potential redeployment to another DFS location,” the spokeswoman said.

Louis Vuitton were contacted for comment.The Bvlgari store, also part of the building, hasn’t reopened since COVID.

Liz and Simon Terry from Perth hope the building can reopen with another high-end tenant. “This seems to be the only store with designer brands that we’ve seen around Cairns, and it’s really

easy to spot,” Ms Terry said. “I believe people come here for the Great Barrier Reef, I don’t think they come here for the designer brands. But every Australian city has a designer area, so I think it should stay,” she said. “It’s a beautiful building so hopefully in the future it can be repurposed again,” Mr Terry said. It was last used as a post office in 1988 and then the building, co-owned by Mr Gasparin and Stuart Thyrd, was renovated and the interior adapted for retail

use while the façade was preserved. Its biggest makeover was in 2019 when nearly $20 million was spent creating a shopping extravaganza for those seeking some of the most luxurious retail brands in the world. At the same time the adjacent Louis Vuitton outlet received a $4 million upgrade.

In 2019 assistant general manager Gareth Jones said DFS was optimistic about the future of Cairns, signing a 10-year lease with options.

l $1.4M LOTTO WIN

l CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL

l LEGACY RELAY RUN

l PALLIATIVE CARE MOVIE

Cardwell resident Gabi Plumm has started a petition for more doctors in the town and surrounding communities. Picture: Supplied

Honours for loyal citizens

l CAIRNS CBD

| Nick Dalton

QUEENSLAND Governor Dr

Jeannette Young has awarded

18 Far Northern residents who have been recognised under the Australian Honours and Awards system.

“You can be proud that the contribution you have made has been identified by your peers as being above and beyond what duty demands,” she told the investiture ceremony in Cairns last Friday.

“What this means for today’s recipients is that you can – and should – wear the medals you have received with both gratitude and pride because they signify the recognition and respect of your fellow Australians,” she said.

“One of the most enjoyable aspects of investiture ceremonies conducted in regional centres is the wide range of awards represented and today is a fine example of that diversity.

“From human rights, medicine, defence and frontline emergency services, community service, engineering, creative arts and wildlife conservation, to name but a few, the contributions of those of you being recognised today are many and varied.

“However, what unites you, is your passion and commitment to serving your communities.

“Service is a powerful word, because it encompasses the admirable qualities of diligence, industry and effort, but also those of kindness, courage and sacri-

fice. Through your service, your leadership, and your commitment to using your skills, knowledge and expertise to help others, you have all brought about much positive change in your communities and should be rightly proud of your achievements.

“I am delighted that we have been able to bring you all together today, so that your family who have supported and encouraged

you along the way can share this celebration with you.

“As Governor, I am privileged to speak for all Queenslanders, and on their behalf, I congratulate and thank you for the difference you have made in the lives of others.”

The recipients were Officer of the Order of Australia: Dame Carol Anne Kidu. Member of the Order of Australia: Professor Ed-

ward Strivens. The Conspicuous Service Cross: Lieutenant Commander Makaila Lasalo (navy). The Public Service Medal: Kenneth Timms. The Australia Police Medal: Senior Sergeant John McArthur and Senior Sergeant Gary Hunter. The Australian Fire Service Medal: Ian Fulton. The Ambulance Service Medal: Nadine Bond. The Medal of the Order of Australia in the Honor-

ary Division: Margit Cianell. The Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division: Herbert Layt, Donald Lawie, James Hill, Graeme Haussmann, Lone White, Yoko Mills and John Harvey. The Medal of the Order of Australia in the Military Division: Chief Petty Officer Nathan Byast. The Conspicuous Service Medal: Chief Petty Officer Christopher Bell.

Indigenous grants available

l FAR NORTH

INDIGENOUS students from across the Wet Tropics region are being encouraged to apply for a grant to help with studies and future employment opportunities in environmental and agricultural fields.

Terrain NRM’s Natural Capital Fund Indigenous Education Bursary Program is open to students doing university or TAFE courses focused on the environment, agriculture, natural resource management, conservation or sustainable development.

James Cook University student Ty’a Dynevor received a $3000 grant last year. “My Dad’s motto was ‘Never give up. Just go for it’. If you are experiencing financial stress and difficulties and you need an extra bit of money to support yourself in your studies, this is a great bursary fund and opportunity for you. I’ve also appreciated how Terrain keeps in touch with me for potential future opportunities, like internships and workshops in the region,” she said.”

Applications are open until 5pm on Friday, June 30, phone Terrain NRM on 4043 8000. Due to a production error, the full story about the scheme (from P1) was overlooked for P4 in last week’s paper. CLN apologises for the error.

The 18 award winners at the Cairns Court House Gallery with Queensland Governor Dr Jeannette Young last Friday. Picture:

Supplied

Recipients ‘recognised and respected’ by the community

Super seaside shopping sale

Tough Maroons heading north

Billy Slater to showcase team before Origin 3

l FAR NORTH

| Nick Dalton

THE Maroons are heading to the Far North to meet fans before game three of the Origin series this year.

Coach Billy Slater – who hails from Innisfail – will bring the team to Barlow Park in Cairns on July 4th for the first time with the help of Cairns Regional Council and Queensland Rugby League.

l MACHANS BEACH

DOZENS of homes at Machans Beach are expected to open their doors for the annual 'super suburb sale’ on Sunday.

Garage sales, a trash and treasure sale, entertainment and breakfasts are all part of the festivities in the seaside suburb.

Dympna Leonard of the Machans Beach Community Association said the closeknit community was ready for the annual sale from 8am.

“In years past over 40 homes opened their doors at one time to join the town in the festival atmosphere the event always creates, and this year we may even surpass that number,” she said.

Ms Leonard said participants should meet at the Machans Beach School Multi-Purpose Hall where the P&C would be serving their famous brekkie burgers and coffee.

“You can pick up your map for a gold coin donation which will give you a clear idea of where all the garage

sales are being held and purchase a ticket in the everpopular raffle,” she said.

“And as if the garage sales at the ‘super suburb sale’ weren’t enough, this year also sees the return of the trash and treasure sale in the Machans Beach Community Hall in Tucker St.

"The sale is always a huge hit attracting visitors from all over Cairns in search of a bargain and a fun day out.

“They simply turn up, grab a map, search out the many bargains to be had and have a fabulous day out.”

Supporters will be able to watch the Maroons train and meet their favourite Origin players, who will also spend time with community groups and junior participants involved in Far North Queensland Rugby League (FNQRL) competitions.

“Being a local boy from Innisfail, I know how much rugby league means to the region, and I know how much this team means to the people up there,” Mr Slater said.

“It’s a great opportunity to be able to take the state’s most inspirational team there, and I think Cairns and the surrounding areas will be buzzing.

“Our Maroons fan days have a huge impact. I felt it as a player myself when we went out to places like Longreach, Emerald and Bundaberg, towns like that,

especially if they’ve faced with a little bit of adversity. To see the enjoyment on faces is really special.”

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the event would inspire junior participants throughout the region.

“Cairns is regional rugby league heartland … always has been and always will be,” he said. “It is so important that we bring the next set of youngsters up through the ranks and events like this, where the kids get to see their heroes and give them a high five are just so important.

“I remember being a young kid and watching my footballing heroes in Cairns, so I know the impact that an event like this can have on someone.

“When it comes to sport, there wouldn’t be a team that Queens-

landers love more than the Maroons, so I am sure there’ll be a huge turnout for the fan day.”

QRL North chairman Clinton Begg said fans in North Queensland “are very passionate about the Maroons, so this opportunity for Cairns to host the fan day is really exciting for the region”.

“The excitement that a five year-old gets from seeing the Maroons up close is something we should be embracing and cherishing,” he said.

Mr Begg said the Maroons’ visit to the region would provide another boost for the FNQRL.

“A lot of hard work has gone into the FNQRL over the last few years and I think this is a great reward for that as well,” Begg said.

“We’ve got a great team in QRL North who are very passionate about working with our clubs and volunteers to deliver rugby league in the area.

“Our participation numbers in FNQRL are really strong and that’s something that we’re very proud of and something that we’re going to continue to foster and grow.”

July 4 schedule at Barlow Park

• 8.30am: Player signing and meet and greet

• 10.30awm: Junior league clinic

• 11.30am: Maroons training session

Yvonne Mangan, Letitia Choppy, Stu Downs and Dympna Leonard are all set for the Machans Beach Super Suburb sale on Sunday. Picture: Supplied

Maroons coach Billy Slater.

Grocers pick up top gongs

Teitzel family wins three honours at annual Queensland IGA excellence awards

l TULLY

| Nick Dalton TEITZEL’S

IGA Tully

store has scooped up three top prizes at the annual Queensland IGA Awards of Excellence in Fiji.

The awards were:

• Large IGA delicatessen department of the year

• Large IGA grocery and general merchandise department of the year

• IGA Queensland large store of the year.

The store will now compete at the national awards on the Gold Coast in July. There were 22 awards in total.

An IGA spokeswoman said Teitzel’s IGA Tully won the awards for many reasons.

“They have a high standard offering with an extensive range to suit both locals and travellers,” she said.

“The team is known for going over and above to meet the needs of the locals, whether it’s sourcing local and specialty products or being first to market on new and emerging products, the team is always looking for opportunities to improve their offer and deliver great value for their local shoppers.

“Owners Craig and Ellie-May Teitzel have put their heart and soul into the store and the store is known as a local hub with an extensive range, great customer service and a community minded mentality.

“The entire team is passionate about their customers and always go over and above to deliver a first-class shopping experience.”

Mr Teitzel dedicated the awards to his staff.

“It would be impossible for Ellen-May and I to run a successful business, win awards like this and do what we do at our store without the hard work, loyalty and dedication of our amazing team,” he said.

“We can’t thank them enough. We love what we do and the entire team is committed to supporting our local community.

“A huge thanks also goes to our local shoppers. We genuinely look forward to seeing you in store every day and can’t thank you enough for your ongoing support.”

Metcash Food Queensland general manager Roy Leisk said the awards acknowledged the hard work, excellence and commitment to their local commu-

nities that Queensland IGA stores have demonstrated throughout the year.

“Craig, Ellen-May and the entire team at Teitzel’s IGA Tully go over and above every day to meet the needs of their local shoppers and demonstrate that good old fashioned personal service goes a long way,” he said.

“Not only do they have

put their heart and soul into delivering a great offer and excellent value, but they have also created a local hub that helps bring the community together.”

Sam Bartel (right) of Piccone’s IGA Manoora took home the rising star award.

The rising star award recognises store staff members who display out-

standing potential and dedication to their store and the IGA brand.

“Sam started out as a grocery manager and then moved to assistant store manager,” the IGA spokeswoman

Bustling maritime open day

l PORTSMITH

THREE hundred people have signed up to explore maritime careers after an open day at Portsmith last weekend.

More than 1000 visitors attended the Cairns Maritime Careers Open Day to explore the opportunities the marine industry has to offer.

The event, developed by Cairns Chamber of Commerce as host of the Cairns Regional Jobs Committee, was deemed a great success, with a quarter of the participants registering a career-seeking profile through the Marine Jobs platform.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce chief executive Patricia O’Neill said the committee was “overwhelmed with the volume of attendees of all ages and experience levels who attended the event eager to start working or skilling up for their next work adventure”.

said. “He was the force behind new technology implementation at Pease St, Manoora, to ensure better stock supplies, expand the range and better meet the needs of local shoppers,” she said.

“He was recently promoted to store manager of IGA Pease Street and continues to implement new strategies.”

TAFE’s Great Barrier Reef International Marine College in Tingara St came to life on Saturday, May 13, after 1228 visitors attended the careers day, where 30 businesses displayed the career opportunities in the sector and 70-plus were also advertised.

Marine Jobs maritime industry skill advisor Adam Chanter said “out of the 1200 people that registered for attendance, 300 created a career seeker profile through the Marine Jobs platform.”

Ellie-May and Craig Teitzel of Teitzel’s IGA Tully store in the bakery section. Pictures: Supplied

Navy’s oldest ships farewelled

l PORTSMITH

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

THE Navy’s oldest vessels

– HMAS Benalla and Shepparton – have berthed for the final time at HMAS Cairns before their official decommissioning in June.

After 30 years of service and data collection necessary for creating military products for safety navigation, the two ships will be demilitarised before being offered for sale.

The ships are the last of the Paluma Class to serve, with HMAS Paluma and Mermaid retiring in 2021. HMAS

Shepparton entered service in 1990 and has held the title of ‘First Lady of the Fleet’ for the past two years as the oldest ship in the Australian Navy fleet.

The 36m-long ships formed part of the Navy’s hydrographic survey fleet, working in pairs to map the ocean floor and hydrographic charting.

HMAS Shepparton commanding officer LCDR Benjamin Stevenson said the final arrival into Cairns was a sad and proud moment, but new and more advanced capabilities were being introduced. “That includes remotely operated vehicles as well new generation vessels featuring adaptive mine

countermeasures and military survey capability,” said LCDR Stevenson.

HMAS Benalla

Commanding Officer LCDR

Michael Casey said the crews of the two ships spent a final night together sailing around Fitzroy Island, enjoying one last deck barbecue.

“The two ships and those who served on them have served proudly and with honour, but it’s now time for the next evolutionary step effect to meet the growing threat of mines and to better develop maritime environmental knowledge in support of operations,” said LCDR Casey.

New action plan to double Indigenous tours

Roadmap for arts and culture

l FAR NORTH

|

Nick Dalton

A NEW action plan is aiming to double the number of Indigenous experiences and employees in the Far North by 2032.

Currently there are about 37 Indigenous tours on offer, and a further 100 products are in the pipeline, employing dozens of Indigenous staff.

Last week Tropical North Queensland First Nations Tourism Action Plan was launched.

Tropical North Queensland Indigenous Experiences Cluster Group chairman Dale Mundraby co-chaired the plan’s steering committee alongside Juan Walker with 12 months of consultation undertaken throughout the region.

Mr Mundraby said the action plan was a roadmap that would make a significant impact on First Nations tourism by embracing its potential and connecting visitors in a respectful way to Country, culture and the people at the heart of it.

“The plan aims to double both the number of Indigenous experiences and the number of Indigenous people employed in the Tropical North Queensland tourism industry in the region by 2032 with all tourism entities

formally acknowledging Country. The number of visitors having an Indigenous experience is targeted to grow from 12 per cent to 30 per cent by 2032 with the number of visitors participating in regenerative tourism supporting Country and culture doubling.

Mr Walker said the fundamental principle that all tourism occurred on Country was at the heart of the plan.

“Our tourism sector must commit to assisting local communities to design and deliver appropriate tourism experiences that deliver sustainable benefits to our communities and ensure culture and Country for future generations,” he said.

“In return we will work with the sector to educate, collaborate and deliver awe-inspiring

destination experiences that will position Tropical North Queensland as a global leader in tourism.

“I encourage our First Nations people to embrace the opportunities, take the initiative and utilise the plan to achieve their goals.”

Member for Cairns and Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy said Tropical North Queensland had enormous potential to grow cultural tourism experiences.

“Tropical North Queensland is known for its diverse line up of holidaymaker attractions, but we know First Nations cultural experiences are increasingly sought after by visitors to this region,” he said.

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the industryled Towards Tourism 2032 roadmap was about harnessing Queensland’s iconic natural and cultural assets to transform Queensland’s visitor economy and grow good tourism jobs.

TTNQ chief executive officer Mark Olsen said the growing interest in authentic cultural experiences across the world was demonstrated at the Australian Tourism Exchange two weeks ago where the international travel trade was eager to learn about new Indigenous product.

Sailors honour HMAS Benalla which berthed in Cairns for the last time last week. Picture: LSIS Shane Cameron

Dale Mundraby.

No judgement fitness and dancing classes are a hit with so many Kauri pine timber for free

Grooving in the dark

l EDGE HILL

|

Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

NOT-for-profit franchise No Lights No Lycra has relaunched in Cairns and is encouraging the community to dance like no one’s watching every Tuesday night.

A different approach to exercise and dance, No Lights No Lycra (NLNL) offers a safe space for people to burn some calories without judgment, dancing in a hall entirely in the dark.

NLNL launched in Cairns in 2018, and after shutting down due to COVID, sessions have returned to the Junior Eisteddfod Hall at 67 Greenslopes St every Tuesday night.

From 7.15pm to 8.15pm and for a $10 fee, Cairns residents can enjoy nostalgic playlists and try their best dance moves without fearing judgment. No bookings are required.

NLNL Cairns ambassador and Parramatta Park resident Rebecca Godfrey said NLNL offered an alternative to traditional ways to exercise.

“NLNL is an exercise class with a bit of a difference because there’s no instructor. It’s just you coming to a casual class and dancing your own style in your own way and leave feeling really good about yourself,” Ms Godfrey said.

“Because the hall is very dark, you

don’t feel judged, so it’s a very inclusive exercise class.

“We get a very diverse group of people attending, ranging from early 20s up to 60-70 years old, and I’m excited for NLNL to grow in Cairns and more people to get familiar with it.”

NLNL Cairns ambassador and Whitfield resident Lu Burke said the sessions were the perfect way to unwind.

“I attended NLNL in Cairns in 2018 and fell in love,” Ms Burke said.

“Epiphany moments happen in NLNL. You plan your life in NLNL. It’s one hour of no talking but singing, dancing, and moving, and you hear songs from your teenage years.

“It’s about connecting with music, which we sometimes forget because we’re so busy.”

Currently, NLNL holds a steady 20-25 participants per session, but the ambassadors hope that promotion and publicity can increase those numbers to help cover costs.

“At the end of the day, this is a social enterprise, so we don’t do it for profit,” Ms Godfrey said. “We rely on the generosity of others to borrow a speaker, and we pay for the hall hire, so until we get sustainable regular numbers, there’s always that worry about insurance and hall hire,” she said.

For more information, visit No Lights No Lycra Cairns on Facebook.

l

EDGE HILL

TIMBER from a Kauri pine which was removed from the Cairns Botanic Gardens in February will be offered at no cost to not-for profit groups and local schools.

The 35m-high tree was removed in February in the interests of public safety, following the discovery of significant decay at the base of the tree.

Timber is being made available to organisations registered with Go Clubs through an expression of interest (EOI) process.

Division 7 Councillor Max O’Halloran encouraged eligible organisations and community groups to register their interest.

“Kauri is a popular timber among woodworkers, so I expect there will be quite a bit of interest in the community,” he said.

“The Go Clubs program is a great way for council to dispose of the timber to not-for-profit groups in a fair and equitable manner.

“I would urge people to get their EOI submission in quickly as it is ‘first come, first served’ and there is obviously a limited amount of timber available.”

The pine is available in full length slabs, planks and blocks suitable for woodturning.

For more information, email goclubs@cairns.qld.gov.au, or go to the Go Clubs Cairns Members Facebook page.

Carnivale to rock seaside town for three days of festivities

l PORT DOUGLAS

IT’S party time at Port Douglas as the seaside town celebrates “living the best life” with the tropical extravaganza of Carnivale in full swing this weekend.

Port Douglas Carnivale officially kicks off today (Friday, May 19) with the gastronomical feast of The Longest Lunch, serving up the best of Far Northern produce.

By late afternoon the boisterous and colourful street parade takes to Macrossan St, celebrating the theme of Living the Best Life.

The parade of floats, costumes, dancers, performers, music and food stalls will be a riot of colour, with a fireworks finale at 8pm.

Tonight the Port Douglas Yacht Club illuminates with Tropical Neon Nights featuring DJ Sgt Slick and Electric Dreams DJs from 8pm.

In Dixie Park, the Wonderland Spiegeltent will host its burlesque cabaret Popcorn Underground, family fare Circus Wonderland – A Neverland Adventure and from 10.30pm the adults-only entertainment Debauched with Tash York.

A new event for music lovers this year is the three-day Port Douglas Music Trails, with different venues hosting local music acts in succession including Cinnamon Sun, Tim Woodz, Stuie Harcourt, Tessa Devine and JC & The Tree.

Douglas Shire Mayor Mi-

chael Kerr said Carnivale was about including everyone in the fun, with events for all ages and budgets.

“It’s the simple things that make our lives so meaningful, from family and friendships, to surrounding ourselves in the

beautiful nature and wildlife we have here,” he said.

Carnivale goes to the seaside tomorrow (above) for the family beach day, with competitions, food stalls, roving entertainers, sand sculpting as well as the chance to partici-

pate in kite surfing and wake boarding. Just back from the beach in Jalunbu Park the fourlegged Pooch Party will be in full swing from 10am-2pm.

On the opposite side of town, the FNQ Gin Fest returns to the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina Port Douglas from 12pm, followed by a rum masterclass at the Sheridan Grand Mirage and Resort in Raise a Glass to the Past and the Italian Harvest Feast.

Saturday night Tropic Rock will turn up the volume at Rex Smeal Park with headline rockers You Am I, supported by local act Lady Valiant. Having released their 11th studio album in 2021, The Lives of Others, the group are in good

form and after more than two decades of touring, deliver a live show that has earned them a special place as Australian rock royalty.

For the energetic, the Douglas Dash 5km fun run starts at 7am Sunday from Rex Smeal Park, taking in Four Mile Beach and the cross-country terrain of Flagstaff Hill as part of its return loop.

Then there’s a Seafood Extravaganza on the marina boardwalk, Sheraton Sunset Sessions for a poolside event of colourful cocktails, tasty Mediterranean bites and Café Del Mar tunes by DJ ‘Jus Joe’. For the full program of events and book tickets, go to www.carnivale.com.au.

No Lights No Lycra Cairns ambassadors Rebecca Godfrey and Lu Burke are inviting the Cairns community to dance freely and break a sweat at the No Lights No Lycra sessions every Tuesday at Edge Hill. Picture: Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

New childcare centre opens

Vital projects

are capitalised Park upgrade and community space approvals

l CAIRNS REGION

|

Nick Dalton

TWO of Cairns Regional Council’s wish list items for funding from the Queensland Government have been granted.

While in Cairns for the regional sitting of parliament, Deputy Premier Steven Miles announced that the Palaszczuk Government would invest $935,000 in a new Trinity Beach Community Activity Space (CAS).

and connect at local events”.

l BENTLEY PARK

THE newest early education centre in Cairns has opened at Bentley Park.

Small Steps Academy centre director Rachael

Mayson said the academy was about everything curious and was inspired by and reflected both the early years framework and the curiosity approach.

“The curiosity approach is based on child-led learning and aims to ignite their natural curiosity and imagination while encouraging children to

explore the world around them,” she said.

“At Small Steps we have established our own curriculum which reflects both the curiosity approach and early years framework.

“Listening to each child’s aspirations and curiosities is a vital part of our curriculum and we customise the learning encounters to meet their personal needs and interests.

“Our vision is to strive towards providing children, families and our community with an atmosphere that

is homely, enlightening, educational and uplifting.

Small Steps Academy is owned and operated by a local Cairns family who have been in the early childhood education profession for over 30 years.

They are supporters of the community as well as junior sporting clubs.

Small Steps Academy, at 21-23 Robert Road, provides early childhood education and care for children from six weeks to school age.

For more information call 4222 3325.

Gordonvale Sugar Solstice

He also revealed in Thursday’s sitting that $3m would be provided to redevelop Gordonvale’s Kenrick Park, due to start in the 2023/24 financial year with $6m of initial capital funding. The council will match the funding of both projects.

The new Trinity Beach centre will be about 300sqm, twice the size of the outdated 40-year-old Trinity Beach Community Centre, which no longer meets the needs of a growing Smithfield and Northern Beaches community. It will be adjacent to the Trinity Beach Kindergarten and Northern Beaches Youth Activity Space.

Mr Miles said “the growing community of Smithfield and the Northern Beaches deserves a bigger and better space to meet

“That’s why we will include a $935,000 investment in a new centre, which will be a new focal point for the local community,” he said.

Local MP, Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said Smithfield and Northern Beaches locals loved to get together.

“The existing centre is incredibly popular, hosting more than 470 events in 2022,” he said.

“The Smithfield and Northern Beaches population is expected to grow 25 per cent in the next 15 years to more than 52,000 people so the new centre will help to strengthen social networks as the community grows.

“With the availability of a bigger and better space, the community will be able to enjoy even more gatherings and ac-

tivities where they can socialise, share and learn.”

Mayor Bob Manning said the new centre was a priority project identified by the council ahead of State Parliament’s sitting in Cairns.

“This announcement is an outstanding result for the Northern Beaches community, and I want to thank the State Government for recognising the significance of this project,” he said.

“The current facility is more than 40 years old and is an important community centre, used extensively by diverse groups from the Red Cross and Alcoholics Anonymous to playgroups, and exercise, martial arts and art classes.

“This funding will allow for a new community activity space and will become a focal point for local residents to connect, gather, learn, share and play.”

Also on the council’s wish list with matching funding: a Cairns Community and Multicultural Centre at White Rock ($200,000), two sections of the Northern Beaches Leisure Trail ($800,000 state only), expansion of the Smithfield Mountain Bike Trial and support of Crankworx and Cairns Skills and Workforce Planning.

Small Steps Academy educators Karli Ross and Jodie Dolan with baby Logan Booy.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles.

Drink wisely— not too much

Fresh campaign to target at-risk alcohol users

l CAIRNS

|

Nick Dalton

RESEARCH that shows

Queenslanders drink more alcohol at risky levels than the national average has led to a new DrinkWise campaign launched in Cairns.

DrinkWise chief executive officer Simon Strahan said, with the Queensland Hotels Association (QHA), his organisation was launching the initiative to remind Queenslanders about the importance of moderating alcohol consumption, always being respectful towards others and knowing that support services were available to provide help and advice if needed.

He said the expansion of DrinkWise’s education efforts in Queensland increased after the organisation’s research revealed Queenslanders (34 per cent) were significantly more likely to be drinking alcohol at risky levels when compared with the nation’s average (28 per cent).

He said risky drinkers were classified as people who consumed 10 or more standard drinks a week, or more than four standard drinks during a day.

Mr Strahan said moderation, respect and responsibil-

ity themed posters, coasters, and digital assets would be displayed in 24 pubs, bars and bottle shops throughout central Cairns.

He said moderation, mental health and support service social media messaging would also be tailored for adult audiences in the Cairns area, including specific moderation and mental health messaging directed towards young adults.

“Of course, while the majority of Australians are choosing to drink within the recommended government guidelines, there are still some who are drinking at risky levels, engaging in anti-social behaviour or turning to alcohol as a coping strategy,

which is why we’re increasing our efforts in Queensland,” Mr Strahan said.

Senior Sergeant Gary Hunter of Cairns Police said the DrinkWise messaging “is really important to educate the wider community about drinking in moderation and being respectful to those they live with and the wider community at all times”.

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said “these DrinkWise materials will serve as consistent reminders to those customers who choose to drink, to do so responsibly and to socialise in a respectful manner.”

North Queensland Cowboys player Cohen Hess said “The initiative is something all the Cowboys players are passionate about.

“We’re proud to work with DrinkWise to remind Queenslanders to take care of one another and if choosing to drink alcohol at a game, at a hotel or at home, it should always be in moderation and respecting those around them,” he said.

QHA chief executive Bernie Hogan said it was important that QHA were helping promote messages that encouraged conversations about mental health, with pubs integral to regional Queensland communities.

Town’s team hooks early place

l INNISFAIL

A TEAM of anglers from Lindsay Rural North Queensland has been awarded an early place in the final round of a national fishing competition supporting rural mental health.

David McDowell heads up Lindsay Rural’s team in Innisfail competing in the 2023 Bayer Big Fish Challenge.

The Bayer Big Fish Challenge is a friendly fishing competition that supports rural mental wellbeing through a partnership with The Fly Program.

Bayer Crop Science

donates $1 per centimetre of the largest fish per species per team to The Fly Program, funding additional places for rural Australians on mental health retreats.

Ordinarily, the top performing finalists at the end of the year are invited to attend a final round of competition for the chance to be crowned Bayer Rural Angler of the Year.

However, Bayer Crop Science national key account manager Ben Thompson said a change to the competition rules this year allowed Lindsay Rural North Queensland to claim a ticket, being the top performing team on April 30.

“David’s team had raised

$1417 by April 30 this year, just four months into the competition,” Mr Thompson said.

“Bayer’s retreats, which are funded through the competition, address the serious consequences of the mental health challenge which faces rural Australians.

Mr McDowell can attest to the importance of the program after attending one of Bayer’s retreats.

“It was a soul-healing experience,” Mr McDowell said. “It was great to spend some time with other likeminded people, who also worked in the ag industry, and to realise there’s a lot of other people in similar situations to you," he said.

Simon Strahan, Mayor Bob Manning and Bernie Hogan at the Drinkwise launch.

David McDowell of Innisfail with his large catch. His team is vying for Bayer’s Big Fish Challenge. Picture: Supplied

Lettersto the editor

WANT TO BE HEARD? send your text to 0473 424 877 or email letters@cairnslocalnews.com.au

Vocal Local join our online debate be a

Last week we asked the question: Will you support the Salvos’ Red Shield appeal and why?

Here are some of your comments.

WGC Lawyers were proud to support the Salvation Army at the launch of their Red Shield Appeal in Cairns. This important annual event showcases how the Salvation Army cares for vulnerable Australians – those struggling with homelessness, domestic violence, addiction, mental illness, or disaster impacts. They fight alongside them for as long as it takes.

WGC Lawyers, Cairns

Our team were proud to join the Cairns business community at the launch of The Salvation Army Australia 2023 Red Shield Appeal. Olympian Natalie Cook entertained us with her motivational words about showing up each day in order to achieve dreams, give hope, and make a difference.

The Salvation Army do this by supporting thousands of vulnerable Australians every day.

Congratulations to a friend of our firm, Bob Fowler, on receiving the prestigious Eva Burrows Award recognising his contribution to The Salvation Army spanning over 30 years.

BDO North Queensland

Cr Linda Cooper, Cr Brett Olds, Cr Cathy Zeiger and I attended Salvation Army Red Shield appeal launch representing Cairns Regional Council. The Salvos do amazing work supporting our vulnerable and disadvantaged residents and they need our support to enable them to continue doing what they do.

Cr Brett Moller, Division One

COUNCIL NEWS

Snap up free dog rego

Council is offering 20 free dog registrations for the 2023/24 rego period.

All you have to do is take a selfie with one of our Proactive Patrol officers and your pooch and post to your Facebook or Instagram page, tagging @CairnsPets. Make sure your post is ‘public’ otherwise we won’t be able to find it.

Our officers patrol popular dog walking spots throughout the region, every morning and afternoon, including beaches and foreshores, sporting precincts, popular parks such as Goomboora, and key cycle and walking tracks.

Five winners will be drawn each week until 9 June.

More details at cairns.qld.gov.au/pets

David Lloyd, CEO, National Heart Foundation of Australia

Improvement works

Old Smithfield Rd, Freshwater: New footpath from Kamerunga Rd. Lane closures and detours. Dexter Rd, Gordonvale: Shoulder widening and culvert repairs between Crossland Rd and Littles Rd. Temporary lane closures.

Graham St, Edmonton: Kerb and channel works on the northern side, from Jubilee St to Wiseman Rd East. Lane closures and traffic control.

Aeroglen Dr, Stratford: Bus stop upgrade. Bus stop has been temporary relocated 90 metres north. Evans St, Yorkeys Knob: Water main works between Varley St and Sims Esplanade. Detours and traffic control as required.

Woodward St, Whitfield: Water main works between Heavey Cr and Nolan St. Detours and traffic control.

For a full list of works visit our website.

Brett Duck, Mt Sheridan

Edmonton

TICKLED PINK IN PORT

l PORT DOUGLAS

I HAD the pleasure of attending last Saturday’s ‘Pink in the Tropics’ day which was the combination of a superb lunch followed by a visit to the Croc Pit for a tight game between the Crocs and the Saints.

The colour theme for the day was pink with a touch of blue and the purpose was to raise funds to support the fight against the scourge that is cancer.

Those guys not brave enough to don their favourite pink shirt were more than happy to blue up, which was quite significant as this was representative of the fact that the afternoon also acknowledged prostate cancer.

Starting off with lunch, a hugely fun time was had by all with some 130 people enjoying a gorgeous meal at Salsa Bar and Grill.

Participants showed their generosity by supporting raffles and auctions which ultimately would help to raise those all important funds.

Once fully replete, they were bused off to the Croc Pit for an excellent game of AFL which ultimately saw the Saints come back from behind to enjoy an away victory.

For a little background, Pink in the Tropics Inc is a community based, charity breast cancer support group intended to help those recently diagnosed with cancer, those undergoing treatment, and to celebrate the survivors.

The group chat about all things breast cancer, like what to expect during treatments, how to manage stress and ways to communicate with loved ones about your diagnosis.

Pink in the Tropics, which carries out its fine support work in the Port Douglas, Mossman, Julatten and Daintree regions, was formed in 2010

by a group of Douglas Shire women and has become an uplifting and positive community group for those facing the challenge of breast cancer.

The stats can be quite scary. In the time between when you woke up this morning and when you go to sleep tonight, 57 Australians will be told they have breast cancer.

The incidence rate of women and men being diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia is increasing, with an increase in the last 10 years of 33 per cent.

Australia, however, has one of the best breast cancer survival rates in the world with the mortality rate from breast cancer decreasing.

Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia, overtaking breast cancer as the country’s leading cause of cancer

Current estimates also suggest that more than 3500 men will die from prostate cancer this year,

something that may be avoided with early detection.

Obviously, days like this fundraiser go a long way to helping fight the disease.

One of my favourite memories of the day was catching up with Annie Richardson who was the original inspiration for the day’s events. Having visited capital cities with similar events, she believed a lunch and sports events combined would more than work in the Douglas Shire. She wasn’t wrong as the event has grown from strength to strength in recent years.

It’s time to put my pink bow tie away for another year, so for now it’s Gazza signing out.

Annie Richardson, the inspiration behind the big fundraiser.

The Crocs in pink for the match.

The pink moke does a lap of the Croc Pit.

Girls in fine form at the Croc Pit bar.

Pretty in pink at Salsa Bar & Grill.

Boys helping out at the Spike Bar.

A colour lunch at Salsa Bar & Grill.

More participants at Salsa Bar & Grill.

Hair and Beauty Essential overnight skincare tips

IF you’re looking to improve your skin’s appearance, ask yourself: what are you doing for your skin while you’re asleep?

Board-certified dermatologist

Dr. Joshua Zeichner said because about one-third of your day was spent sleeping, make the most of that valuable time by taking proactive steps so you could wake up with smoother, firmer, healthier-looking skin every morning.

“When you sleep, skin cell turnover rates increase, and your skin repairs itself from the day’s damage. But there’s more that you can do to help your skin while you’re sleeping,” he said.

“By using a retinol serum at night, you can enhance the activities that are already naturally occurring.

“This can help your skin look its best when you wake up in the morning, and with continued use, improve radiance, texture and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”

Tips for a nightly skincare routine:

• Make sure to thoroughly remove dirt, grime and makeup

Even when you’re feeling tired and the hour is late, it’s vital to take time to cleanse your face before bedtime, removing all traces of makeup before

applying serum and/or moisturiser. Otherwise, dirt, oils and makeup residue will be sitting on your skin all night long. By not removing those impurities, you’re preventing your skin cells from being able to completely renew themselves overnight, leaving your skin looking

dull and tired the next day.

• Use RoC Retinol Correxion® Line Smoothing Night

Serum Capsules

After cleansing your face, use a retinol product that will refresh your skin overnight. Retinol is known as the gold standard of skincare by many experts due to

its benefits that work deep within the skin’s surface to reveal renewed, fresher-looking skin. RoC was first to discover a method for stabilising retinol, combining it with ingredients like vitamin E and oxygen boosters to make it safe and effective for daily use. RoC Retinol Correxi-

on Night Serum Capsules provide perfectly measured doses of pure RoC retinol in easy-to-use, 100 per cent biodegradable capsules, filled with a lightweight fluid that drenches your skin and dries to a silky finish. According to a clinical study, 97 per cent had visibly reduced fine lines

and wrinkles. After four weeks of use, Retinol Correxion Night Serum Capsules were clinically proven to visibly show firmer skin and will continue delivering results over time.Visit Target.com to learn more about this must-have nightly serum.

• Don’t neglect your pillowcases

If you’re going to press your face against a pillowcase for six-eight hours every night, wouldn’t it be ideal to make sure yours are really clean? Wash your pillowcases frequently in hot water so you’ll be sleeping on a clean surface each night. Consider buying extra pillowcases so you can swap them out almost nightly.

• Moisturise your bedroom, not just your face

If you shave dry skin or live in an arid climate, it may benefit your skin to use a portable humidifier in your bedroom. Keeping your bedroom’s humidity levels between 40-60 per cent will help your skin naturally absorb more hydration overnight, while you’re (literally) getting your beauty sleep.

Following these steps, you’ll soon see the results – a healthier, more youthful complexion that you’ll be happy to wake up to every morning.

It is important to prepare your skin every night before sleeping, so it can rejuvenate and refresh.

TimeOut

Trusting your gut feeling

Play by Indigenous for Indigenous children to take stage across the Cape

l CAPE YORK | Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

JUTE Theatre Company’s residency program Dare to Dream is set to begin its tour across the Far North with an all-First Nations play, I Gut this Feeling, aiming to teach children to trust their intuition.

From May 22 and for 13 weeks, the all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cast and crew will bring I Gut This Feeling to Mossman, Weipa, Mapoon, Lockhart River and Normanton to build safer communities.

Aimed at school students from years 4 to 9, I Gut this Feeling, directed by Isaac Dandric, tells the story of a young girl, Djirra, trying to make her way back home through a strange world, showcasing the importance of trusting your gut when things don’t feel right.

JUTE’s creative producer Monica Stevens said Dare to Dream, established in 2016, aimed to inspire Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to express themselves through theatre.

“Embracing the heuristic spirit of Dare to Dream’s residency program, I Gut this Feeling is a culmination of everything Dare to Dream stands for, primarily the positive impact theatre can make on the lives of young people in remote centres,” Ms Stevens said.

“I Gut this Feeling is a twohander, 30-minute show. We spend a week in the community. First, we do a school performance, and then we do a residency that teaches children

about trusting your instincts – if you’re in danger how to protect yourself.”

The protagonist of I Gut this Feeling, Jamaylya BallangarryKearins, who plays Djirra, said remote Indigenous communities needed representation.

“The foundational themes of the play focus on intuition in moments where your gut

doesn’t feel quite right,” Ms Ballangarry-Kearins said.

“Representation is crucial.

I’m a big believer that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people need to be the controllers of their narrative, and theatre is narrative-driven, so to bring that industry is super important.

“I’m very Aboriginal, so it’s nice to have someone who looks

like me go up there and plant a seed of growth and for them to learn this information in a kind and safe space.”

I Gut this Feeling is also based on the Westpac Safer Children, Safer Communities work program objectives covering sensitive topics, focusing on addressing and preventing childhood trauma.

Indie rock group at Gilligans

l CAIRNS CBD

WESTERN Australia’s polished indie-rockers Ghost Care are gearing up to join Spacey Jane as their main support for a string of east-coast stops in May and June, including Cairns.

“It’s super exciting to get on the road again with our mates Spacey Jane,” the trio said.

“It’s going to be great to jump out of WA and get to some places over east we haven’t played yet.

“This tour is exactly what we were hoping to do a bit of this year.

“It’s been a crazily busy period over the last couple months for all three of us and we’re really stoked to be digging our heels into some new music, touring and shows.”

“We want kids to find the confidence to speak up if something’s wrong, and the program identifies for them trusted people and organisations in their community,” Ms Steven said.

For more information on the Dare to Dream program, visit the JUTE website or click the following link in our online editikon: https://bit.ly/42XkE8t

In the three years the trio have been riffing, Ghost Care have carved out a devout following. With a nomination best pop act in the WAM Awards alongside San Cisco, Spacey Jane and Stella Donnelly under their belt, 2023 is the year they capitalise on their growth and kick it into the next gear.

They will be performing at Gilligans on Sunday, June 4. For tickets go to: www.spaceyjane.com.au

I Gut this Feeling lead actors Jamaylya Ballangarry-Kearins and Maurice Sailor. Picture: Supplied

Ghost Care’s Luke Del Fante, Beau Torrance and Tanaya Harper.

Dress up and have lots of fun

l CAIRNS CBD

| Nick Dalton

ATTORI the Entertainers are bringing the best of the 1980s to Cairns next weekend with a dance party that has so much fun it will knock your fluoro socks off.

Rick Romeo is presenting the Awesome 80s Dance Party live at Cazalys on May 27.

The show will feature smash hits from the prominent pop and rock era including the songs you love, or love to hate.

The entertainers have eight performances including A Night in Vegas, Buble’s Way and Swing Serenade, but Mr Romeo said the Awesome 80s was the favourite by far.

“The Awesome 80s is one of the best shows because people just get up and dance to it,” he said.

“Whenever we do the show, the crossover of ages always blows me away, because we have 18-year-olds to over 50s getting up and dancing,” he said.

“Music after the 80s got a bit cranky but music in the 80s was really happy and fun.

“So it’s really nice to see people responding to such brilliant songs.

“The good part about the show is there’s a lot of 80s music people love and a few they love to hate. It’s just a real fun show.”

Mr Romeo said people often pulled out their best outfits from

the 80s – and the bigger and more colourful they were, the better. We’ve had people bring out their bridesmaids dresses from the 80s.

“What I’ve noticed is the more people dress up, the more

fun they seem to have,” he said.

“This show will take you on a trip of dancing and laughter through the 80s looking at the music and memories which made this decade such a fantastic and fun time.”

Mr Romeo said the fullycostumed show had four performers who would urge the audience to on the dance floor in no time.

Cazalys is offering a twocourse alternate drop dinner

TimeOut

Science over a pint of beer

l SMITHFIELD

THE Pint of Science Australia

Festival is back in Cairns for its fifth year, showcasing science in the most relaxed of venues – the pub.

This year’s talks in Cairns will feature scientists who investigate the natural environment on our doorstep.

“Pint of Science is a really fun way to learn more about the work of local scientists and about the world around us” Cairns festival coordinator Abbi Scott said.

“In Cairns we’re fortunate to have the rainforest and the Reef, which attract scientists from around the world. Cairns is a great place to live, but it’s also a fantastic place to work as a researcher.”

“This year’s Pint of Science speakers will be sharing their work, and explaining how locals can survey the Great Barrier Reef, or even discover new species.”

of a main and dessert for $59. Dinner is served between 7 and 8pm followed by the show until 11pm. For more information and booking details head to www.trybooking.com/CHPPW or book at Cazalys reception.

Pint of Science will present two nights in Cairns on Monday, May 22 and Tuesday, May 23 hosted by Macalister Brewing Company at Smithfield.

Tickets are $8 in advance. For tickets and more information search for Cairns events on www. pintofscience.com.au or click the following link in our online edition: https://bit.ly/3o7f83Q

Attori and The Entertainers are hitting the stage at Cazalys on May 27, offering a dinner and show for $59.

Entries open to Airlie music fest

Far North musos invited to enter regional comp

l CAIRNS

| Nick Dalton

APPLICATIONS are now open for original acts to enter what has now become Australia’s largest live, original music initiative – Passport to Airlie 2023.

Regional competitions will be hosted in Cairns, as well as Melbourne, Newcastle, Byron Bay, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Mackay and Darwin.

Passport to Airlie co-ordinator

Cherrie Hughes said each regional winner played in the main tent at Airlie Beach on Thursday, November 9 to open Airlie Beach Festival of Music 2023.

“They’ll be hoping for not just an overall win but also the prize of a headline spot at next year’s Airlie Beach Festival of Music,” she said.

“The chance to be on a bill with international stars was once-in-a-lifetime ... fresh new acts and established artists can all enter to have this chance plus the opportunity to build experience and networks as well as their opportunity for a spot on the Airlie Beach Festival of Music line-up.”

Brick Lane Brewing is back again for the second year as the official Passport to Airlie sponsor in 2023, a relationship that has assisted greatly in the growth of Passport.

Brick Lane and festival ambassador Sarah McLeod also returns as head judge and mentor before she rocks the stage with The Superjesus Saturday night.

“Passport is going off, what a great opportunity for bands to be discovered on a legit platform in front of real fans who will follow their journey. Australian Idol this ‘aint,” she said. Passport to Airlie’s 2022 win-

ner Perry Street Park have gone on an absolute tear since winning last year’s competition, now winning the Bluesfest Byron Bay Busking Competition which saw them playing the Juke Joint stage for Bluesfest 2023.

Frontman Benny Nelson says of his Passport experience: “I’ve personally been a part of P2A twice.

“Once as a solo project in 2019 and in 2022 with Perry Street Park,” he said.

“Passport to Airlie gives up and coming bands from all around Australia the opportunity to perform at a renowned festival on the big stage in front of industry and music lovers.”

The Airlie Beach Festival of Music returns for an 11th year. The festival delivers a stellar line up of acts each year and has featured some of the biggest names nationally and internationally on the seaside stage.

Back at the Whitsunday Sailing Club in 2023, the festival

• Applications for Passport to Airlie 2023 are open now via: https://www.airliebeachfestivalofmusic.com.au/how-to-enter/

will be under the big tent from November 9-12.

Tickets are on sale now, starting at $300 for a three-day pass

It is widely acknowledged the festival has transformed what was once Airlie Beach’s quietest weekend into the busiest, with the calendar re-set for each November on the weekend after the Melbourne Cup.

The first announcement for 2023 sees the festival bringing Ian Moss, Frenzal Rhomb, The Superjesus and Pierce Brothers to the Whitsundays.

Tickets available from: https://www.airliebeachfestivalofmusic.com.au/event/airlie-beach-festival-of-music-2023/

Last year’s Passport to Airlie winners Benny Nelson, Ryan Brook, Sebastian (Baz) Jennings-Hingston and Harrison Charles Shakespeare-Davies with their backstage crew and performing (below).

SUPER SUBURB SALE MACHANS BEACH Sunday FROM 8am

l SUN MAY 21, FROM 8:00AM

CRANKWORX CAIRNS 2023 SMITHFIELD MTB PARK

l WED MAY 17 - SUN MAY 21

l FRI MAY 19 - SAT MAY 20

THUNDER

IN

l SAT MAY 20 - SUN MAY 21

ROSE WATTS - IMPERMANII AUSTRALIA GALLERY

*Please

Barbary Coasters, Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron, 4:00pm

The Vibes, Dunwoody’s Hotel, 4:00pm

The Vibes, Dunwoody’s Hotel, 4:00pm

Christina Ukulele, The Cotton Club, 5:30pm

Wind and Wood, Ten 06, 5.30pm

Rock’n Sweet, Edge Hill Memorial Bowls Club, 6:00pm

Whiskey Boat Trio, O’Donnells Irish Bar and Grill, 6:00pm

Eddie Skiba, Barron River Hotel, 6:00pm

Denim Blues, Mission Beach Blues Bar, 6:00pm

Carruthers and others Jazz, The Benson Hotel, 6:30pm

Carrizma, Cazaly’s Cairns, 6:30pm

Infinity Duo, Mareeba Spanish Club, 7:00pm

Andrea and Louie, Trinity Beach Sports Club, 7:30pm

Kaweyova, Rattle N Hum Palm Cove, 8:00pm

Lisa Hunt, Bar36 at The Reef Hotel Casino, 9:00pm

SATURDAY

Wood and Wind, Yorkeys Knob Boating Club, 3:00pm Rowly, Ellis Beach Bar and Grill, 2:00pm Wasabi Barbie, Big Trev’s Takeaway, 3:00pm Waiting for Alice, Strait on the Beach, 3:00pm

Christina Ukulele, Vine Room, 6:00pm

Infinity Duo, Cazalys Cairns, 6:15pm

Guitar Masters, Hallorans Hill Hall, 7:00pm Kaweyova Duo, Central Hotel, 7:30pm Lisa Hunt, Bar36 at The Reef Hotel Casino, 9:00pm Tropic Thunder, Red Beret Hotel, 8:00pm

SUNDAY

DJGlennW, Dundees at the Aquarium, 11:30am

Cinnamon Sun, Ellis Beach Bar and Grill, 1:00pm

Tony George, Red Beret Hotel, 1:00pm

Bobby Maguire, Dunwoodys Hotel, 2:00pm

Jay Cee Music, Edge Hill Memorial Bowls Club, 2:30pm

JC & Me, Edge Hill Memorial Bowls Club, 2:30pm

Vivin Aisi, Paper Crane by Crystalbrook, 3:00pm

Jasmine Maraea, Ten 06, 3:00pm

Kaweyova, Hidden at Yorkeys, 3:00pm

Andrea, Bar36 at The Reef Hotel Casino, 7:30pm

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

Weekly Horoscopes

Avoid any gossip and be careful that you aren’t misinterpreted. Relatives may be less than easy to deal with. Get involved in a competitive sport that will bring the challenges you thrive on. Things may not be as harmonious as you would like with colleagues or employers this week.

Disappointments regarding partners will be subject to the way you react to their personal comments. You will easily blow situations out of proportion. You will have to check your cash flow before you decide to indulge in hobbies or entertainment that may be beyond your budget.

Sudden romance could end just as quickly. Arguments with children or friends may leave you steaming. Sit back. Home improvement projects will run smoothly.

You can solidify your relationship if you plan a special evening with your mate. Dealing with in-laws or relatives will not be in your best interest. Confusion is apparent and you’ll need some sound advice if you want to do the right thing. However, you must not neglect your family.

Dig deep to work out the costs of new a venture before you sign on the dotted line. Do your job and then spend some time with family; you’ll be glad you did. Try to join interest groups such as ballroom dance classes or perhaps an internet organization.

Do not let your mate annoy you; patience will be the key. Disputes on the home front may be hard to avoid. Acceptance is the key. You will be able to pick up on future trends if you keep your eyes peeled for unique ideas.

CROSSWORD

Avoid too much discourse with colleagues this week. You’ll communicate easily and develop new friendships. You can bet officials will be waiting for you when you do. Your mate may not have been honest with you.

You may want to try your hand at a little creative writing. Don’t let your boss get the better of you. Inharmonious situations at home may be extremely upsetting for you. Your determination and stamina will make your work look flaw less and effortless. You’ll be able to discuss your ambitions with your mate.

Your partner may be reluctant to tell you how they feel. You may want to look at your direction in life. Relationships have not been the best for you lately and it’s left you somewhat gun shy. Your partner may be reluctant to tell you how they feel.

You can make sound financial investments if you act fast. You may find yourself in a predicament with family members. Your outgoing charm and obvious talent will be admired. Need some adventure in your life? Exotic destinations beckon you.

Think of joining a health club that will benefit your physical appearance. Residential moves should be considered carefully. You can develop your creative talents if you take the time to practice your art. You may want to take a serious look at your goals and objectives.

Someone you work with may be trying to make you look bad. You will get along well with your colleagues this week. You could be tempted to overspend on unnecessary items. Don’t divulge secret information.

ACROSS

8. a theatre where films are shown for public entertainment (6)

9. to be similar in appearance to someone or something (4,4)

10. slang expression for ‘be quick’ (4-4)

11. to make sure that a problem does not occur (6)

12. cheerful friendliness; geniality (8)

13. difficult or annoying; hard to endure (6)

14. to provide or pay for instruction, especially at a school (7)

17. a person or thing that causes great trouble or suffering (7)

20. a spicy dish of meat, onions, chillies or chilli powder, and usually beans (6)

22. a thick, strong cotton fabric with a shaved pile surface (8)

25. to undo the sewing of (6)

26. a kind of hand gun (8)

27. to jump over a person or thing (8)

28. a device that responds to a physical stimulus (6)

DOWN

1. a direct or certain route or course (8)

2. an Indonesian dish made by deep-frying fermented soya beans (6)

3. measure the depth of water (6)

4. a comfortable slip-on shoe that is worn indoors (7)

5. relating to the running of a home or to family relations (8)

6. said to a person who has just sneezed (5,3)

7. a track on a slope for skiing (3,3)

15. a steam organ (8)

16. the practice of deception (8)

18. a dog that has been trained to lead a blind or partially sighted person (5,3)

19. to feel upset or annoyed (7)

21. have a strong desire or craving for (6)

23. sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious (6)

24. a strip of rigid material used for supporting and immobilizing a broken bone (6)

Motoring

Golf GTI is great all-rounder

l REVIEW

| Nick Dalton

THE Volkswagen Golf GTI was credited with starting the hot hatch phenomenon.

In 1974 six Volkswagen staffers concocted a secret plan to develop a sporty version of the Golf and it was launched in 1976 with a modest 1.6-litre four-cylinder 81kW and 140Nm and a 0-100-km/h of 9.2 seconds.

Nonetheless it could top 182km/h and astonished Porsche drivers along German autobahns as it whizzed past. Initially 5000 units were planned. That grew to 461,690.

Fast forward to today and the Golf has grown up somewhat, now powered by a 180kW/370NM 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, capable of the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.4 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h.

While there are faster and cheaper rivals, the Mk 8 is regarded as the best all-rounder and daily driver.

Price wise it has risen quite a bit too, with the base version

$60,958 drive away. Volkswagen argues that there is more standard equipment to justify the increase.

The GTI is a discreet car and doesn’t shout its high-performance credentials. Many owners like to fly below the radar. Nevertheless there are some clues such as the sporty alloy wheels, iconic red grille strip above a very bold bumper with chequered flag-style fog lights.

In profile there’s a GTI badge on the front guard, red calipers and tinted rear glass.

At the rear there is a minimalist approach to the badging – just the three important letters ‘GTI’ below the VW emblem, which doubles as the boot opening handle. The lower bumper features a pair of round exhaust tips.

The inside has the legendary tartan seat trim, which is called ‘Scale Paper’ in this generataion and specification.

Other goodies include LED headlights, keyless entry and push-button start, electric heated folding side mirrors, standard-fit 18in alloys and adjustable suspension: comfort, eco or

sport. Inside you’ll find a 10in touchscreen with sat-nav, digital radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker stereo, wireless phone charging and for the key fob, auto-dimming rear view mirror, a digital instrument cluster, front, side and rear parking sensors with auto-parking, sports front seats with manual adjustment and leather-wrapped steering wheel, The boxy design provides a spacious interior and boot.

There are dual ISOFIX and three top-tether points for kid seats, plus there’s a fold-down armrest with cup holders, big door pockets for a bottle or loose items, and a few pockets on the front seat-backs too. There are two USB-C ports and directional air-vents.

Up front you’ll find similar storage – cup holders between the seats, a pair of big cubbies in the doors, and additional holsters for a phone (with wireless charging) and 2x USB-C ports, a centre console bin, and a reasonable glovebox.

The usability of the media system is not terrific. There are menus upon menus, and noth-

ing as intuitive as it could be because so much of it is touchscreen-based. There are only a few hard buttons below, and then you still need to use the screen to get where you need.

I also think the much-criticised lack of knobs and buttons for volume and temperature control is an issue. There are controls below the screen, but they aren’t illuminated, and they aren’t always the most receptive.

It does take getting used to but you’ll get the hang of it eventually.

The powertrain is delightful. It doesn’t feel overpowered at all but actually feels quicker than the figures suggest.

It’s reasonably quiet and comfortable around town but has plenty of urge for range road drives and for overtaking on the open road.

The seven-speed dual-clutch DSG can be snappy and intuitive at pace and easy to use around town.

The steering is delightful. It’s accurate, nicely weighted and still easy to park or pilot through a series of bends on a favourite

back road, in my case the tight and twisty Springmount Rd between the Arriga Mill and the Walsh River, also part of the Targa route.

It was quick and handled extremely well and the front differential lock helps to ensure you don’t end up with one front tyre spinning as you try and get the power down out of a tight corner,

The official combined cycle fuel consumption figure is 7.0 litres per 100 kilometres.

That’s what you should be able to achieve across a mix of driving.

During my time in the Golf GTI, I did about 250km and saw a real-world return of 9.8.L/100km, but that included spirited driving.

After the refuel it came down to 8.1L/100km on the quieter return home.

It has a 50-litre fuel tank that needs to be filled with 95RON premium unleaded at a minimum.

The Golf 8 range scored a maximum five-star ANCAP crash test rating in 2019. Active safety tech includes forward

AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, plus it has blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reversing collision avoidance, lane keeping support, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors.

It has a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty. Servicing is every 12 months/15,000km. There’s a capped-price plan or “Care Plan” prepay packs for three years/45,000km ($1600) or five years/75,000km ($2800). Roadside assistance is included, but that renews each time the car is serviced with VW.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is still a standard-setter as an allrounder sporty hatch.

The most frustrating issue was the confusing and complicated media screen.

A couple of rattles emerged in the dash and passenger door but disappeared on another run the following day. Go figure.

The Golf GTI is a sporty hatch with plenty of power and presence.

Westco Volkswagen has a couple of models in stock at their Mulgrave Rd dealership, phone: 4044 4188.

The front end of the Volkswagen Golf GTI is characterised with chequered flag foglights and eyebrow daytime running lights.

The Golf GTI is an accomplished and sporty drive on back roads.

The modern interior has digital instruments.

Hot Nissan in award finals

l CAIRNS

| Nick Dalton CAIRNS electrician Aron Ritchie is a finalist in the Milwaukee 2023 Young Street Machine of the Year competition.

His Nissan Silvia S15 is one of 16 finalists in the competition.

The shortlisted entrants are from Sydney, Regency Downs, NSW Central Coast, Wodonga, Cairns, Newcastle, Hobart and even Barmedman in country NSW.

Street Machine editor Andrew Broadley said there was “a smoking hot array of hand built, high-horsepower, tyre-torturing machines that were all built by entrants aged 16-24”.

He said there were now 10 days of voting until the national winner was announced on Friday, June 2.

“This is the second year of the Milwaukee Young Street Machine of the Year Competition, and we’ve been blown away by the quality of entries,” Mr Broadley said.

“We’re encouraging every red-blooded Aussie motoring enthusiast and Street Machine aficionado to get in there and vote for the winner,” he said.

Finalists include eight Fords, three Holdens, two Nissans, two Chryslers and one Toyota

Mr Ritchie said he bought his S15 four years again when

he was 17. He’s now 22.

“When I bought it, it was completely stock with the only thing that wasn’t factory being the head unit. I have since changed everything,” he said.

“I have tried to do as much as I could myself as I don’t have the budget as most people and the majority of the modifications were done when I was an apprentice.”

Mr Ritchie said it now had a RB26 forged engine from a Nissan 33 GTR, a CD009 gearbox from a Nissan 350-Z, a custom tail-shaft, air suspension and finished with with his favouri-

te 326Power 3D star body and lip kit.

The winner will be featured in Street Machine and will take home a $2500 cash prize.

Voting is open via

www.whichcar.com.au, or click the following link from our online edition: https://bit.ly/3o8kNGJ

One lucky voter will also win $2500.

Aron Ritchie (Inset) and his Nissan Silvia S15 which is one of 16 finalists in the Milwaukee Young Street Machine of the Year competition.

Gorgeous Queenslander

REIQ’s assertive rental law campaign

THE Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) is calling on property managers and property investors in Queensland to join its campaign to convince the State Government to reconsider proposed stage 2 rental law reforms.

REIQ chief executive officer Antonia Mercorella said the peak body was preparing its submission to the Queensland Government’s option paper regarding stage two rental reforms, and would ensure the voices of property managers and property investors are represented and heard.

“The REIQ is concerned with ongoing and consistent rental law reforms in Queensland which are progressively eroding property investor rights along with their confidence and interfering with contractual relations,” she said.

“If investors decide that enough is enough and either sell or withdraw their properties from our state’s rental pool, the critical rental crisis in Queensland will only get worse.

“If you too are concerned by this, we’re asking property investors to add your voice to the REIQ campaign which will advocate against the majority of the proposed stage 2 rental law reforms.

“With as many voices as possible, we can be heard by the government and advocate for more fair and balanced law reforms that will benefit both tenants and property investors in Queensland.”

l CAIRNS NORTH

AN old Queenslander, affectionately known as Frangipani House at Cairns North, is under offer after just its first open home.

Professionals Cairns-Edge

Hill principal Billy Gartner said the home attracted 30 groups who inspected the property, with four contracts drawn up.

“This gorgeous old girl has all the features you would expect to find in a traditional old Queenslander,” he said.

“There are high ceilings, tongue and groove walls, hardwood timber floors, sprawling verandas and the bonus of a large outdoor deck/entertaining area overlooking a sparkling Pebbletex inground pool.

“Upstairs, you’ll find three

spacious bedrooms plus a fulllength veranda/sleepout.

“Downstairs, there’s a small studio with a kitchenette (not legal height) and another bathroom.”

Mr Gartner said the property was on a rare 809m2 corner allotment and with multi-unit zoning there was potential to build another dwelling at the back with a private entrance

off Lily Street or even raise and build additional unit/units underneath with council approval.

“She has ‘really good bones’ and heaps of potential to add personal touches and develop further to provide additional income,” he said.

The house’s features include:

• Four bedrooms

• Two bathrooms

• Four car spaces

• 809sqm

• A pool

• A ground level studio with kitchenette.

The price was $780,000 negotiable.

Mr Gartner at Professionals Edge Hill can be contacted on 0407 102 103 or www.professionalsedgehill.com.au/

The REIQ is encouraging property investors to get involved by using the REIQ’s template letter as a base to draft correspondence to send to their local MP, and completing a survey to share their lived experiences with the REIQ – accessible via the REIQ website.

The options paper was released by the government on April 18.

Real Estate

Good value high-set family home

l EAST INNISFAIL

AFFORDABLE living is what a three-bedroom home at East Innisfail is offering buyers.

A&A Realty principal Alf Pagano said the property, listed for $320,000, was a high-set house on 857sqm.

He said two bedrooms plus an upstairs living area were airconditioned and the downstairs living area also featured airconditioning.

Mr Pagano said there were two bathrooms and two covered patios, the property was partially fenced and included a 2.5Kw solar system.

“This conveniently located Queenslander-style home combines many of its original features with some stylish updates, making it a standout family home or investment property,” he said.

Mr Pagano said it was close to a medical centre and Innisfail Hospital, parks and playgrounds, a public pool, schools, shops and sport facilities as well as public transport.

The median price in the suburb is $252,500, with growth of 12.2 per cent in the past year.

Sixty-four homes were sold in

the last 12 months and were on the market for an average 60 days. Houses in East Innisfail rent out for $360 a week with an annual rental yield of 7.6 per cent.

East Innisfail is a suburban locality in the Cassowary Coast region.

In the 2021 census East Innisfail had a population of 1757 people, almost equally divided between men and women. The median age was 39, there were 428 families and 836 homes.

The locality is bounded by the Johnstone River to the north, by its tributary the South Johnstone River to the west and by Marty Street to the south.

East Innisfail is directly linked to the Innisfail CBD via the new Jubilee Bridge over the South Johnstone River.

Historically the suburb was linked to the CBD by the original Jubilee Bridge, which was built in 1923.

Land for a school was secured by the Department of Lands in 1935. Innisfail East State School opened on March 6, 1936.

Contact A&A Realty on 4061 1466 or the website: www.aarealty.net

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PRIVACY POLICY

Local News Cairns

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.

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:

• Cairns City: Tuesday nights, 6pm to 7pm

Retired

Lady

Friday May 19th

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

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

Kuranda Rainforest Markets: 7 Therwine St, 09:30-15:00

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

OLIVER, Robert John (John)

Passed away peacefully on 14 May, 2023. A Memorial will be held at the Mareeba Leagues Club on 26 May, 2023 at 10am. All friends and family invited.

AREYOU HIRING?

FNQ Markets

Saturday May 20th

Cairns Night Markets: 54-60 Abbott St, 16:30-23:00 Clifton Beach: Clifton Beach Shopping Centre, 09:00-14:00 Innisfail Lioness: ANZAC Park, 07:00-12:00

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

Kuranda Rainforest Markets: 7 Therwine St, 09:30-15:00

Malanda: Showgrounds, 07:30-12:30

Mareeba Markets: 100 Park, 7:00-12:00

Mossman: St David’s Church, 07:00-13:00

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

Sunday May 21st

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

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

Kuranda Rainforest Markets: 7 Therwine

Brothers Leagues Club snares league legend for five-month contract with possible extension

Burgess ‘excited’ to be back

l MANUNDA | Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

CAIRNS Brothers Leagues

Club have secured NRL legend George Burgess for the FNQ Rugby League competition.

With over 150 NRL games to his name, an NRL premiership title, and coming from one of Australia’s most iconic sporting families, Burgess has a lot to offer to the local game and many ideas for community enrichment.

After a long break and hip surgery, he has signed for five months with Brothers with the possibility of an extension.

The ex-Rabittohs player said he felt the “itch” to return to the sport.

“It was good timing for both Tim Rumford (head of coaching at Brothers) and me,” he said.

“Community is a big thing for me, and to see what they’re doing up here

with the engagement and the junior rugby league is so strong, that was a big draw card.

“Getting the chance to come up here and be around a footy team, it’s great. The camaraderie is something you always miss.”

As part of Cairns Brothers Leagues Club, Burgess will be taking on a holistic role, enhancing the club’s community projects, coaching, although not officially, and more crucially, maintaining Brothers’ reign on the Cairns District Rugby League title.

Brothers captain-coach

Jordan Biondi-Odo said there were a lot of expectations, but the focus was on Burgess making the most of his time in Cairns.

“I congratulate Tim and everyone involved for landing the big fella.

“There probably comes some expectations with his resume in footy, but as long as he’s playing at a high standard, the most im-

Sport Results

MOSSMAN LADIES’

BOWLS

Tuesday May 9th: Our ladies travelled up to the Maize festival at Atherton. Thursday May 11th meeting day: winners drawn out of the hat: Pauline Lightfoot, Christy Colley and Trish Arnold with 2 wins; R/ ups: Joanne Dickson, Joan Day and Anne Geddes. The 1st Prize was won by Barbara Withers.

Sunday social mixed bowls winners: Ian Bailey and Carole Maxted; R/ups: Leonie Sims and Peter McGrory Contact: Mossman Memorial Bowls Club: 4098 1434.

MARLIN COAST BOWLS

CLUB

Tuesday morning bowls winner: A Jacobs. Tuesday afternoon men’s triples winners: Dennis, P Cavanagh, R Lloyd; R/ups: P Hamilton, N & B Morris. Tuesday night spider: Dave, Rob, Esta, Keith, Brian, Mick, Peter, Road. Wednesday mixed bowls winners: J Curtayne, J Carey, Bob; R/ups: Trevor, Al-

portant thing is for him to enjoy his footy and be one of the boys.”

Mr Burgess said he was excited about his new role at Brothers and hoped to do important community work in Cairns.

“As part of Cairns Brothers, we’ll do some great community work, so it feels like going full circle,” he said.

“Getting back to the game is the biggest thing.

I just vanished out the back door, and my dad coaches, my mum coaches and my brothers are all involved in the game, so I felt like I was doing a disservice to them by not going back into the game.

“I see myself playing, helping out with coaching and connecting with the community.”

“At this stage, we have agreed to five months, it’ll be reviewed at the end of the year, but I feel like this could go on longer, and I’m very optimistic about what we’re doing.”

travel to West Cairns. 3rd Division are at home to Silkwood this week.

lan, Dennis. Thursday mixed triples winners: Kevin, Brad, Ross; R/ups: Rose, Gary, Robbo. Saturday morning scroungers winner: Jeanette Ward. Club Championships: Men’s B Grade Singles: D Grummitt def G McCall, 25-11; P Callaghan def D Smith 25-23. Club championships to be played: Check boards for play by dates for Championship games. Like us on Facebook.

INNISFAIL MENS BOWLS

Thursday afternoon social bowls winners: Sergio DellaPozza, Alan Morrison and Ian Revie. Club pairs winners: Mick Devries and Ian Humphries; R/up: Snow Clark and Greg McDonald. There are still more club games to be played so please organise your games to be played. 2023 Pennants season: 1st Division: South Johnstone proved too strong by winning all three rinks. A better result for our 3rd Division teams by defeating Babinda. This Saturday our 1st Division teams

MOSSMAN MEN’S BOWLS

Saturday May 13th club championship fours: Eric Smith, Ted Holmes, Peter Fairchild, Daryl Hoskin def Bernie Wolland, Dylan Wilde, Peter Riley, Nev Tesch, 23-20. McTaggart, Too Elton, Bob Carroll def Steve Cue, George Wilmot, Steve Cue, 22-20; Sas, Bernie Savage, Geoff Sims def Billy Smith, Jim Geddes, Dave Egan, 28-24; David White, Jock Constantine, Chris Payne def Col Widdows, Troy Churchill, John Arnold, 16-11; and the winners for the day: John Fleming, Charlie Toohey, Gavin Cleary def Peter Busch, Dick Pitt, Matty Samson, 24-15.

Pairs: Mick Frese, Peter Cleary def David Blain, Terry Richards, 26-24. Sunday May 14th: Handicap Singles, Bernie Wolland (-6) def Nev Tesch (0), 25-17; Col Widdows (-3) def Russell Hooker (0) 25-16. Mossman was represented by 2 teams in the BPL Prelim round as hosted by Marlin Coast

Bowls Club. David White, Malachy McTaggart and Peter Busch finished in second place overall (in Section 1) with 2 wins + 1 loss (tie-breaker); and Gerrard Beech, Peter Fairchild and Sas (Section 2) with 1 win + 2 losses (1 via tie-breaker). Follow Mossman Bowls Club Men’s Section on Facebook.

GORDONVALE

Wednesday May 10th winners: Virgi Flo & Margaret. Thursday winners: Trevor Mick & Mucka; R/Up: Frank John & Graeme. Raffle winner: G Frizzo. Saturday: 1st round Division 2 pennants: Gordonvale def West Cairns. Some great bowls played by both teams.

WEST CAIRNS MEN

Tuesday May 9th winners: S Corolan, T Mawer, A Radford ; R/up: W Edwards, W Vella, S Howell. Thirsty Thursday best players: Ted Hellmuth, Chris Auger, Tony Blewer. Friday night scroungers winner: Pauline Bent; R/up: Edna Parks. Club Championships A grade pairs: S Carolan, A Radford def G Stanley, K Vivian, 25-24. A

grade singles: John Banes def Alby Radford, 25-19. Pennants 1st division: Edge Hill def West Cairns; 2nd division: Gordonvale def West Cairns.

BROTHERS EDMONTON

Ladies: Thursday May 11th

consistency singles: J Rick + 10 def E Atkinson 0. S Rowe 0 def D Quinn 0. Championship pairs: L Ceely, A Evans def J Baird, G Buttigieg.

Men’s: Wednesday May 10th

overall winners: Joe Jackson, Rob Morris, Mick Catalano; R/ up: Athol Smith, Greg Hickey, Garry Moule; 3rd: Owen Scott, Mark Capper, Sandy McQuade. Saturday May 13th pennants: Div 2: BEBC & Sth Johnstone, Draw. Div 3: Edge Hill 48 def BEBC 31.

WEST CAIRNS TPI

MEMORIAL BOWLS CLUB

Monday 8th winners: Graham Cross (visitor), Mike Ireland and team leader Dawn Evans. A successful committee meeting was held before play commenced. Our club has mostly retired ladies and gents and the play is social based with no ag-

gressive play permitted. New members are always welcomed, and we can assure any new players an enjoyable afternoon. Afternoon tea is included in the green fee including sandwiches, hot drinks, and cake. We hope to meet you soon.

EDGE HILL BOWLS CLUB

Ladies Bowls: Thursday May 11th social bowls winners: Elaine Whitehead and Margaret Wardrop. Consistency singles quarter final: Elaine Whitehead def Margaret Wardrop, 101-89. Lou Pomroy def Yvonne Bolton 101-89.

Men’s Championship Bowls: Club A grade singles: Matt Norrie def Phil Lee, 26-20. Nick Twining vs Chris Henson, with the winner to play Steve Henson in round 2. John Hayes vs Mal Taylor, Matt Norrie vs Simon Vardy to reach the Quarter Finals. Tuesday May 9th mixed social bowls winners: Terry Bartholomeusz and Frank Battye. Saturday May 13th men’s pennants div 1 team defeated West Cairns, winning all rinks. Div 2 def Marlin Coast; Div 3 def Brothers Edmonton 48-31.

NRL champion George Burgess with Brothers Leagues Club head coach Tim Rumford. Picture: Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

Mountain biking ‘paradise’

Beautiful Smithfield rainforest and region showcased to the world during Crankworx 2023

l MISSION BEACH

| Isabella

Guzman Gonzalez

AFTER an extremely successful first round, Crankworx World Tour returned to Cairns this week, with competitors from around the world visiting the city for the second ‘Paradise Edition’.

Since May 17 and up to this Sunday, the Smithfield trails are the home of mountain biking for a fast-paced and exciting competition. The competition is being live-streamed across 30 countries.

Cairns’ downhill legends Mick Hannah who won bronze at last year’s event and Joel Sutherland are among the athletes competing in the Paradise Edition who will represent Far North Queensland.

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the event was expected to build on last year’s success.

“Last year’s inaugural event was an incredible success, and we expect a similar response this year,” he said.

“Hosting the world’s most watched mountain bike event provides incredible exposure for Tropical North Queensland.

“The Crankworx World Tour has a global audience of millions, and during the five days of competition in Cairns, more than 550 competitors will showcase their skills, and over 9000 spectators are expected to watch the action trackside.

“The Smithfield trails are unique in the way they wind and twist their

way through the rainforest, over and through streams and gullies, and along ridges that showcase views of the Great Barrier Reef.”

Crankworx alum and Flux Trail director Remy Morton said the event was an opportunity to showcase the Far North’s high-quality tracks and competitors.

“To be here today building the venue and being a part of the event is very special,” he said.

“It’s a great opportunity not only to bring the best riders to Cairns but also to show them a world-class event.

“It’s not only a competition, but also sharing my passion with other riders and bringing everyone to Australia.”

Crankworx Cairns event director Callum Ray said Cairns had the perfect venue to host the event.

“The course build project is the real hero of the Crankworx Cairns event,” he said.

“The trail builders draw inspiration from the uniqueness of the Cairns landscape and surrounding environment.

“The overall goal is to get more people frothing over the trails and getting out there riding, as well as setting a benchmark for Australian mountain biking.”

Member for Cairns Michael Healy said Crankworx would boost the economy.

“It’s a win for our local businesses too, with hotels and restaurants filling up, transport services busy and our tourism operators taking visitors out to explore this beautiful region,” he said. Mick

FNQ football premier league round 10 this weekend

l FAR NORTH

THE Football Queensland Far North Queensland Premier League enters round 10 this weekend.

The Mareeba Bulls host arch rivals, the Stratford Dolphins on Saturday night, the Redlynch Strikers host the Leichhardt Lions and in the Match of the round the Marlin Coast Rangers host the Edge Hill Tigers.

The Sunday game involves the Southside Comets hosting the Innisfail Cutters.

In the QPL Women’s league tonight, Leichhardt Lions Red team hosts Marlin Coast Rangers, Southside Comets Levi’s team play Southside Comets Halley’s side, Innisfail United are at home for their match against Leichhardt White, Redlynch Strikers play Stratford Dolphins while Douglas Dragons host Edge Hill Tigers

Hannah of Cairns in action on the Smithfield mountain bike park. He came third last year.

Picture: Clint Trahan

Stratford Dolphins’ senior players.