Local Briefs

l YOUTH PROGRAMS

TWO projects aimed at addressing youth offending in Cairns will share in more than $550,000 in funding under the Palaszczuk Government’s Community Partnership Innovation Grants. Selectability will receive almost $260,000 to deliver an after-hours outreach and mentoring program at Earlville and Edmonton. It includes transportation to return young people home, and referrals for young people to connect them with existing cultural programs and support services. Indigenous group training organisation Australian Training Works Group will receive almost $300,000 to provide work readiness courses and build young people’s skills for the workplace, including communication, teamwork and other interpersonal skills.

l COMMUNITY FUN DAY l BOOK SIGNING

THE Marlin Coast Neighbourhood Centre is hosting a Community Fun Day on Saturday, May 13 from 9am1pm. The free community event includes face painting, magic tricks and juggling, a brica-brac stall, Devonshire tea, a cake stall, free children’s activities, raffles, and a sausage sizzle. It is at the centre, 205 Reed Rd, Trinity Park.

Shine on Productions had applied to the council for $200,000 in cash and $50,000 in-kind for venue hire and services on the Cairns Esplanade.

However, officers recommended a one-year $25,000 cash agreement.

Shine on Productions indicated in their application that the 2023 event had an anticipated attendance of “15,000 unique attendees, incorporating 5625 out of region primary purpose visitors generating 10,342 visitor nights”.

“Given this is a new event and event concept for Cairns, council officers consider there is a significant risk these numbers may not be achieved,” the report said.

Cr Cathy Zeiger said, at the council meeting where the application was discussed, that $250,000 was “a little bit extravagant and wishful thinking for an initial event”.

She said the festival was also receiving funding from other sources and $25,000 was “reasonable” for an initial event that would take time to receive the community’s support.

Cr Zeiger suggested the organisers engage Australian Idol winner Royston Sagigi-Baira from Mapoon as the festival’s opening act. Cr Amy Eden said the festival would help “reactivate the CBD”.

Julie Brooks of Shine on Productions said she would not comment until it is launched next month.