Cairns Local News June 21 2024

Local News Cairns

l CAIRNS REGION

| Nick Dalton

A CAIRNS car owner whose vehicle was stolen during a fraudulent sale process has won a battle through the Australian Financial Complaints Authority to have his losses covered by his insurer.

Insurer SGUAS denied the owner’s claim, saying the car was not stolen because the man “willingly signed over” the registration before receiving the cheque. It said this meant the policy was non-existent when the man suffered the loss. The insurer also argued the theft was not a “sudden and accidental event” and should have been considered a civil matter.

The man, who has not been identified, arranged to sell his 2015 Chevrolet Corvette for $205,000 in December last year to a buyer who wanted it sent to Rockhampton.

The complainant said the loss should be covered because it was a criminal matter, given police were investigating it as fraud and there had been a warrant for the offender’s arrest.

The owner agreed to sign registration and plate transfer papers before transporting the vehicle. The next day, he received payment for the car via a fraudulent cheque – which was dishonoured later that day – and took the vehicle to Rockhampton.

On the following day, he received a phone call telling him someone was trying to sell the vehicle and reported the theft to the police.

The Australian Financial Complaints Authority said it agreed with the complainant, saying the evidence showed the buyer “sought to gain possession of the complainant’s vehicle fraudulently”.

“The exchanged information shows the alleged offender acted dishonestly to secure possession of the insured vehicle.”

CONTINUED PAGE 3

Helping hand for bubs

$21,000

l CAIRNS NORTH

|

A RECENTLY donated $21,000 intubation equipment is changing the lives of the smallest patients at Cairns Hospital – neonatal babies.

The donation by Hyundai Help 4 Kids to the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation resulted in a glidescope for the premature babies at the hospital’s special care nursery, facilitating the process of intubation for premature babies with underdeveloped lungs or infections resulting in less discomfort for the babies and less stress for the doctors.

The glidescope has a camera in the laryngoscope – the tool used to open the airways for intubation – a handle and a monitor so doctors and nurses can see what’s happening with every baby.

Since its arrival two weeks ago it has been regularly used by doctors and trainees at the nursery, according to the hospital’s clinical director of paediatrics Dr Neil Archer.

“Traditionally we use what’s called a laryngoscope to open up the mouth and view the vocal cords to put a tube in. That would be done by our direct vision and you can imagine that with a small premature baby that’s a very small space and you don’t have a lot of room

100 happy returns for Maureen

WESTCOURT

MAUREEN Stanfield has turned her hand to diverse roles over a century – including a one race stint as a racing jockey.

The Westcourt resident (right) has just celebrated her 100th birthday at the Bolton Clarke Farnorha aged care home.

The mother of four, grandmother of 10 and greatgrandmother of four says a dose of luck and the right attitude have helped her reach the milestone.

“I don’t think there is a

secret, I think you just get lucky I suppose,” she said. “I have never stopped to think about what to do to live a long life because I didn’t think I would have made it but I weathered all the storms and just kept going,” she said.

“It’s been a good life when I look back at the things that have happened and I’m so fortunate now.

“I would say you just have to take every day as it comes and there are so many things you can turn your hand to if you make up your mind.”

Mrs Stanfield was born

in Brisbane on June 8, 1924 and has led a rural life growing up and working on farms from Monto all the way out to Kenmore Park.

“I grew up around Monto where my mother and stepfather owned a dairy farm –they pioneered the farm and cleared it all to make space,” she said.

“We had to travel to a very small school of 40 students by sulky, a one-horse vehicle, before we got our own ponies to ride.

“After I finished school I moved to Gladstone to start my nursing training in surgi-

cal and hygiene, and there was a soldier I met there,” she said. The soldier, John Stanfield, would become Maureen’s husband. After marrying, she left her nursing career to work and raise a family on farms with him.

“I ended riding one of his horses at the races once because the jockey didn’t turn up and my husband just said ‘go on, you’ll be right’ and it was so thrilling.”

Mrs Stanfield celebrated her birthday and membership of the ‘Centenarian Club’ with family and friends.

to manoeuvre,” he said. “The glidescope gives us the ability to do two things, one is for everybody else to see what you can see in this small space – it has a camera – and so they can understand where you’re at in a difficult process. It allows us to help trainees who are gaining skills to intubate under our guidance.

“Second, in babies who are proving difficult to intubate for anatomical reasons it gives us a better option to be able to intubate more smoothly and quickly.”

Dr Archer said the glidescope was already making waves in the nursery,

“We’ve wanted one glidescope for quite a while, and since having it we’ve used it each week on some difficult babies and my colleagues’ smiles tell me that they find it incredibly helpful,” he said.

Foundation’s chief executive Gina Hogan said it was especially rewarding being able to support the region’s primmie babies. “We’re celebrating a really wonderful donation, Hyundai Help 4 Kids donated $21,000 that enabled us to buy a glidescope, for the most vulnerable babies and it’s already being used and it’s making a difference in only two weeks,” she said.

Ms Hogan said the foundation was grateful for businesses such as Trinity Hyundai supporting the local community.

Cairns Hospital clinical director of paediatrics Dr Neil Archer testing the new glidescope.

Picture: Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

Celebrated authors chat about their books

l CASSOWARY COAST

AFTER a successful launch with local author Kerstin Pilz, the Author Talks at Cassowary Coast Libraries will culminate with a bang with Brisbane author Barbara Hannay and her upcoming book

The Wife’s Secret in July.

The special series of author talks across Innisfail, Cardwell, Tully and Mission Beach libraries have attracted readers from across the region to hear from some of their favourite authors throughout June and culminating in July.

It opened with Kerstin Pilz and her best-selling book ‘Loving My Lying, Dying, Cheating Husband’ and was followed by award-winning author of historical and romance novels Annie Seaton and the first book of her latest historical saga ‘Daughters of The Darling’ called ‘From Across the Sea’.

The Author Talks will close with Brisbanebased author Barbara Hannay and her upcoming novel ‘The Wife’s Secret’ with two final talks at Mission Beach and Innisfail libraries on Friday, July 26 at 10am and 1.30pm on July 26.

Ms Pilz said it had been a delightful experience.

“I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to share my story through a national audience, however, to do so in my home region of the Cassowary Coast is extra special,” she said. With only one speaker to go, the Author Talk with Ms Hannay is set to be a special one with her soon-to-be-released novel, ‘The Wife’s Secret’, set in a location inspired by the Cassowary Coast.

Registration to attend can be made online at cassowarycoast.qld.gov. au/libraries or by calling Cassowary Coast Library and Museum Services at 1300 366 616 or email library@ccrc.qld.gov.au

$6m to cover costs of trucking Mossman cane to Gordonvale mill

Lifeline for growers

l MOSSMAN

| Nick Dalton

MOSSMAN Mill canegrowers have been thrown a $6 million lifeline to have their crop crushed at Gordonvale.

The Miles government has announced up to $6m from the $12.1m support package for Mossman will be used to assist growers to transport their current crop and address standover cane at the Mulgrave Mill.

Douglas Shire Council will receive a $5.9m grant to develop and implement the Mossman Region Transition Program, building on the work of the Mossman Region Stakeholder Advisory Committee established by the government.

The Mossman Mill was placed into voluntary administration in November, despite

the Queensland and Australian governments providing nearly $48m in support to Far Northern Milling since 2019.

Canegrowers Mossman chairman Matt Watson said the government’s commitment was a huge relief for growers.

“Finding a funding arrangement to cover the cost of transport has been the stumbling block to making this venture a reality. It’s been an anxious time for growers, but we can all take a deep breath now and start preparing for the crush,” he said.

Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said “sugar is a lifeblood industry for Mossman”.

“The closure of the mill has left locals devastated and is already impacting businesses,” she said.

“We will be working with

growers and community members to identify new opportunities for the region, building on the excellent work of the Mossman Region Stakeholder Advisory Committee.

“We’re grateful to the Queensland Government for ensuring this year’s crop is not lost and supporting locally led solutions as we look to Mossman’s future.”

Premier Steven Miles said he knew the uncertainty around the Mossman Mill had been distressing for growers and the community.

“When I met with concerned locals at Cairns Community Cabinet earlier this year, they told me that funding to help with the next steps was what they needed, so we have delivered that,” he said.

“$6m will go toward trans-

port costs to get this year’s harvest to crush, which is critical for growers to be able to make money off this crop.”

State Development and Infrastructure Minister Grace Grace said the mill’s closure had created a lot of uncertainty for the community and Far Northern sugar industry.

“We have listened to local concerns, and we are responding by unlocking $6m in funding from the $12.1m package announced earlier this year to support growers to crush this year’s crop,” she said.

“We’re also looking to Mossman’s future – my department will invest $5.9m to support Douglas Shire Council to take over Mossman Region Transition Program, which will look at alternative opportunities the region may wish to tap into,

whether that’s tourism, diversifying into different crops, or small business opportunities.

Agricultural Minister Mark Furner said there was about 300,000 tonnes of cane standing in fields and with the Queensland Government’s support, growers would be able to get a revenue from the 2024 crop.

Cook MP Cynthia Lui said she knew how important the sugar industry was for the Mossman area and the closure of the mill had been difficult for the local community and businesses.

“This support package will go a long way to help our growers process this year’s crop and look to the future with funding for the development and implementation of the Mossman Region Transition Program,” she said.

Insurer ordered to pay owner

FROM PAGE 1

“... there is no information to suggest the alleged offender acted with genuine intent to purchase the vehicle legally,” the authority said.

It says the policy had not ended, because no payment was made to complete the sale.

SGUAS said, even if the claim was valid, it would have been denied because the owner failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the theft.

The insurer noted the complainant imposed two conditions in a verbal agreement with the buyer: the funds were to be paid with a bank cheque, and deposited before the vehicle transfer. It said that by satisfying only one of these conditions before the transfer, he recklessly courted danger.

The authority disagreed, saying the man believed these conditions were met when the funds were credited to his bank account, only to later be taken away.

“This showed he took measures to avoid the risk,” the authority said.

“The fact he did not verify the cheque was a bank one does not mean he deliberately or recklessly court the risk, particularly given he checked his account and the funds were credited.”

AFCA requires the insurer to accept and settle the theft claim based on the policy terms.

AFCA considers complaints that previously would have been handled by the Financial Ombudsman Service, the Credit and Investments Ombudsman and the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal. It is the dispute resolution scheme for fi nancial services and considers complaints about credit, fi nance and loans, insurance, banking deposits and payments, investments and fi nancial advice and superannuation.

Kerstin Pilz spoke about her book ‘Loving My Lying, Dying, Cheating Husband’. Picture: Cassowary Coast Regional Council

A Chevrolet Corvette similar to the one pictured above was stolen.

Cairns Regional Council Budget 2024-25

No new projects but plenty of funding for paths, parks and roads

l CAIRNS REGION

| Nick Dalton WATER security, improving suburban connectivity, and targeting core areas of service delivery underline Cairns Regional Council’s record $383 million capital works program.

The budget commits $217.7m to Cairns Water Security Stage 1 with consrtuction due to begin in August.

The project, the council’s largest single infrastructure commitment, is designed to secure the city’s immediate drinking water needs by delivering new water capacity like a dam, but at less cost and with a much lighter environmental footprint.

Last week, the state government announced that it would increase its commitment to the project by $87.5m to $195 million. The federal government has yet to match the figure.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said the capital works program focused on vital investments, such as water security, while still delivering smaller, important projects for the suburbs.

“I love this city (I even have the T-shirt to prove it), and while today, in honesty, I’m sitting here delivering a budget largely inherited and not everything I’d have hoped for, I do still present it with a great deal of hope,” she said.

“Hope that it allows us to address critical challenges this year, and in doing so, empowers us to build from that platform next year, with the new initiatives and fulfilled promises that will make Cairns the city we all want it to be.”

This year, the $383m capital works program allows for:

• $217.7m to Cairns Water Se-

curity Stage 1 (CWSS1)

• $52m for roads, bridges, street lighting, drainage, kerb and channel, shoulder sealing, and bus stops

• $43.1m to enhance the water network (exclusive of CWSS1)

$32.7m for improving our wastewater network

• $20.4m dedicated to commu-

nity, sport, and cultural projects.

As part of the capital works program, $22m specifically for disaster recovery.

This includes initial allocations for:

• $1.275m for the Casuarina Street bridge at Holloways Beach

• $1m for repairs to Lower Ka-

merunga bridge

• $1m for Barron Gorge Rd

• $500,000 for Fisheries Bridge at Goldsborough

• Repairs to Figtree Dr, Kamerunga, ($900,000), Lower Freshwater Rd ($800,000), Orana St, Caravonica ($400,000), Joyce Rd ($400,000) and Grays bridge ($400,000).

Back to basics spending

l CAIRNS REGION

CAIRNS Regional Council has gone back to basics in this year’s budget.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said in redeveloping what councillors could with the budget, “we also focused on the ‘little big things’ that will make a difference to our community’s most vulnerable and get us back to the basics our people most urgently need”.

“There is $3 million for new footpaths, up from $1m in last year’s budget, and a significant increase in funding to ensure parks and open spaces live up to community expectations,” she said.

This will add to the current network of 543km of sealed footpaths and 208 pedestrian bridges, to promote active travel.

“When constructing new footpaths, there is an emphasis on connecting key services, such as schools, aged care facilities and shopping centres, improving safety, addressing areas of high concern within the community, and improving accessibility to bus stops and other local destinations,” a council spokesman said.

It has injected $57.4m into the annual maintenance program this year to cover the upkeep of parks and nature areas, extensive road networks, and more.

Councillors Trevor Tim (left), Anna Middleton, Brett Olds, Matthew Tickner, Kristy Vallely, Mayor Amy Eden, Cathy Zeiger, Brett Moller and Rhonda Coghlan toast the council’s budget. Absent: Cr Rob Pyne. Picture: Cairns Regional Council

Councillors on ‘same page’

l CAIRNS REGION

THE Cairns Regional Council has unanimously passed its record $669 million budget, unlike last year when former division 5 councillor and now mayor Amy Eden and Cr Rob Pyne voted against it.

This year Cr Pyne (Div. 5) said this year it was “definitely a good budget” with items that needed to be done.

Cr Brett Moller (Div. 1) said it was a “prudent and responsible” budget and the increases in rates and charges were “reasonable and necessary”.

Deputy mayor Brett Olds (Div. 9) said the council had no choice but to increase rates because it “was not a good idea” to reduce levels of service nor take on more debt.

Cr Trevor Tim (Div. 4) said it was a good budget while Cr Rhonda Coghlan (Div. 8) said it was “not pretty” but “responsible” and did not “compromise service levels”. Cr Matthew Tickner (Div.2) said the budget talks had not been easy and there was “no surgarcoating” – it was “a fiscally conservative approach”. Cr Cathy Zeiger (Div. 3) said “we are all on the same page”, while Cr Anna Middleton (Div. 7) said the budget delivered the services that the community expected. Cr Kristy Vallely (Div. 6) said councillors and staff had worked together to “make the best decisions for our community”.

Cairns Regional Council Budget 2024-25

Local authority allocates $669m in 6.7 per cent increase this year

Rate rise of $196 a year

Council News Update

Improvement works

Have your say - Jeff Pezzutti skatepark

Council has been working with the community to develop a new kids and youth activity space at Jeff Pezzutti Park in Woree.

We’re now ready to design the skate park and we want to hear from skaters who are keen to share their ideas.

An online survey is open until Friday 28 June 2024.

Check www.cairns.qld.gov.au/feedback for all the latest project updates.

High water pier maintenance, Esplanade: Footpath closures near the ferris wheel resuming Monday 24 June.

Wiseman Road, Edmonton: Stormwater pipe replacement near Rainforest Rd intersection from Monday 24 June.

Moore St, Trinity Beach: Water main upgrade north of Trinity Beach Rd from Wednesday 26 June.

Guernieri Rd, Packers Camp: Water main replacement underway.

Mt Peter Rd, Edmonton: Water main installation between Coombak Cl and Cooper Rd underway.

Kenny St, Portsmith: Signal upgrade at the Dutton St intersection underway. (Queensland Rail works)

4Visit Council’s website for a full list of improvement works.

l CAIRNS REGION

| Nick Dalton

A FREEZE on jobs over the next 12 months and close scrutiny of spending are some of the aspects of this year’s Cairns Regional Council’s record $669 million budget.

Mayor Amy Eden said after the council was elected in March, councillors and senior staff spent the next 50 days finetuning the budget to cut a proposed 7.9 per cent rate rise to 6.7 per cent.

The average ratepayer will pay $196 more in rates, from $2906 a year to $3102. Last year the rise was 5.99 per cent ($201 extra, double that of the previous year of 3.1 per cent). The 2023-24 budget was $433.5m but didn’t include the Cairns Water Security Stage 1 project which has been allocated $217.7m this year.

Cr Eden said when councillors first met in budget workshops, “it centred first on minimising any additional pressures on cost of living, by making intricate and carefully calculated revisions to decrease the planned rate rise from 7.9 per cent to 6.7 per cent – no small feat in the face of escalating costs on so many fronts”.

“This is not the budget of my dreams, it is a business-as-usual budget, and a budget that was 90 per cent developed and locked in by the previous council by the time

we were elected,” she said. Cr Eden blamed the previous council for the larger rate rise and the current tight financial situation for not including election pledges such as $1000 rate relief for first home buyers, $2 summer swims and tierd water pricing but does include free e-waste and white waste disposal.

But Cr Brett Moller hit back, saying high interest rates, high CPI and increasing labour and material costs were to blame for the financial circumstances.

Cr Eden said the subsidy to pensioner ratepayers would be increased to $320 per year, with eligibility criteria widened to provide relief to 1200 more households than last year.

“Previously, the subsidy amount did not increase in line with rate rises and the eligibility criteria required all ratepayers on the title to be pension card holders,” she said. Deputy mayor Brett Olds said he expected the 6.7 per cent rate rise to be the highest over the next four years. Residential water charges will increase by 13 cents per kilolitre and commercial water by 14 cents per kilolitre. The hourly fee at the Lake St carpark will be $1.50 an hour (down from $2.10 an hour), capped at $10 per day. A daily rate will be $6 at the Grafton St carpark. On-street parking fees will increase by 10 cents an hour to $2.20 an hour.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden with the budget papers at Spence St. Picture: Nick Dalton

$741.052.71 reasons to party

l CAIRNS CITY

TWO Cairns residents have won more than $740,000 in lottery tickets.

One man wasted no time celebrating his Saturday Gold Lotto win of $541,052.71, popping a bottle of French champagne with his wife.

“I found out this morning at 5am. I usually wake up pretty early and I checked my ticket,” he said.

“I let my wife sleep until 7am and then I said, ‘I’ve got news that’s going to make your day’.

I’ve only been playing for about 30 years.

“This really takes the pressure off.

"It means my wife and I can retire. We want to travel around Australia in a caravan and this means we’ll be able to do all of that sooner than we thought.”

The man’s winning 50-game QuickPick was bought at TSG and Golden Casket DFO Cairns. Store manager Kelly Moran said she was celebrating the win with balloons, streamers and “lots of smiles all round”.

“Our customers will be

happy to learn that a division one winning ticket was sold by our store and will be looking forward to their chance to win,” she said.

A Manunda man has struggled to remain composed at work after discovering an unexpected $200,000 windfall in a recent Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot draw.

The Far North Queenslander held the first prize winning entry in Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot draw 1681, drawn June 17. He plans a tropical escape and a block of land to build on for his family.

Selfless FNQ humanitarian

Helping others

l WHITFIELD

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

AFTER 40 years travelling around the world in an effort to make a change for children victims of human trafficking, chiropractor and philanthropist James Ainsley is urging the Cairns community to pack their bags and support Nepal.

Known better for his work as a chiropractor, Mr Ainsley quietly has been putting his medical degree to use for isolated and struggling communities around the world – Thailand, China, India, Bhutan and, most recently Nepal, helping victims of sex and human trafficking get medical treatment and prepare them for a better life.

Despite having known horrors and tragedies that most won’t ever witness, Mr Ainsley said his last mission trip to Kathmandu in March had been life-changing and rang alarm bells for the need for more volunteers willing to sacrifice their time and expertise to help the children of Nepal.

“One of the girls I met is 12-years-old, there’s another 123 kids in this area all rescued from the sex trade. She has syphilis, gonorrhea and TB, and I always thought I was tough, but I was standing beside her, and the tears were rolling down my face,” he said.

“Three years ago, this man rang me up saying I should come to Kathmandu to help these people and I had no idea. I went there to look after these

girls nutrition-wise and physically-wise. I stayed there for six weeks.

“The people who rescues them bring them to this parish and they’re educated, they usually come from tribes where they’re ‘the unclean’ or ‘the untouchables’ and these are amazing people. One girl did school by listening through the door.

“There’s no specific reason for me to do this, the answer would be – Why not? – that’s what I do, I help people, I want to help them make their lives better.”

Mr Ainsley said it was time for a privileged society like Australia to step up and support those in need in communities like Nepal.

“We’ve become very selfish when we have so much to offer,” he said.

“You have to sacrifice your time and your money, I have to pay for these mission trips but if I can do it, why wouldn’t I?” he said.

“It’s not hard to do, you need to do it through a church and find out which ones have missions.

“This trip to Kathmandu was different, seeing these kids changes your life forever, we all should do something.”

Despite being in his 70s, Mr Ainsley said he would keep doing mission trips until he died, to keep supporting children in need around the world.

“I’ll stop when I get rigor mortis,” he said.

“We’re very lucky and there shouldn’t be a reason, we should help because we can.”

TSG and Golden Casket DFO Cairns store manager Kelly Moran celebrating the $541,052.71 win with balloons, streamers and “lots of smiles all round”. Picture: The Lott

Charity worker James Ainsley in Nepal. Picture: Supplied

Local Briefs

l

RUBY BALL

GET ready to paint the town red, with the return of The Ruby Ball in Cairns. The fun night is aiming to raise $177,000 for the redeveloped Salvation Army Sheriden Street Supported Accommodation Centre. The ball is on Saturday, June 29 from 6.30pm-11pm at the Cairns Convention Centre. Tickets are $295 each, with $100 from every ticket going to the Salvos. Buy tickets through TryBooking or via the website: www.fnqsalvoschampions.com.au

l LIVE MUSIC BACK

THE return of live music at The Beach House, Trinity Beach, attracted a crowd of 200 people last Sunday to listen to The Joker Pokers.

Owner Harry Delios said it was “awesome, we had a really good day, it was obvious the community really missed the music”.

The Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation closed down live music at the venue in December last year after a single noise complaint. But Mr Delios worked with the OLGR to amend his licence so live music could return.

l VW BEETLE DAY

REV up your engines and get ready for a day filled with thrills and nostalgia on Sunday for the iconic VW Beetle on Worldwide VW Beetle Day at the Esplanade skate park from 11am until 2pm.

Trees to get the chop

Powerlink to remove vegetation to protect electricity network

l SOUTHERN CORRIDOR

| Nick Dalton

NEARLY 400 trees are to be chopped down at Mt Sheridan to protect the electricity network.

Chris Garlick of Powerlink said community input was being sought on how “we go about this work after it was identified that around 385 trees would also need to be removed along Powerlink’s high voltage underground cable easement which runs from our Bayview Heights to White Rock transition stations”.

“These trees are deemed to be placing the underground high voltage cables at risk, particularly during storm and cyclone season,” he said.

“Community consultation will include door knocking of residents of Forest Gardens Estate, Mount Sheridan, who are located near the underground cable easement and a series of drop-in sessions.

“We will be seeking input on two proposed options which all include how we conduct the vegetation management work and how we restore the area with new vegetation or other amenities.

“Since the underground cables were installed, there has been significant development in the Mount Sheridan area, including the residential Forest

Gardens Estate. Over time, vegetation has grown around the underground cables and easement.

“Planning is underway for essential works to ensure the continued secure supply of power.

“Works are required along sections of the underground cables and easement located in Mount Sheridan’s Forest Gardens Estate and include:

• vegetation management

along the easement, including selected removal of about 385 trees identified as being a high or future risk to the underground cables

• easement restoration, including replanting with compatible vegetation

• refurbishment works at two joint bay sites located near Alpinia Terrace and Amazon Close.

“We are targeting commencement of these essential works in late July 2024 and activities will be delivered over an approximate three-to-four-year period, due to the wet season and extent of works required.

“We will minimise impacts wherever possible, and keep residents and the community updated on start and finish dates for all planned works.”

Powerlink is planning to stage the vegetation removal and easement restoration works and is seeking community feedback on two proposed options. Proposed option one involves tree removal and restoration works over three years, between 2024 and 2026. The second option is over four years – 2024-27. Visit: powerlink.com.au/bayviewheightswhiterock

An artist’s impression of Amazon Terrace at Mt Sheridan after the trees are removed and new shrubs and grasses are added. (Inset) How Amazon Terrace looks today with the existing trees. Pictures: Powerlink

Rotary’s $22,000 gala dinner

l MANUNDA

| Isaac Colman

MORE than $22,000 has been raised at a gala dinner for local women’s charity

‘Flourishing Women’.

Founded in 2018 by North Queensland urogynaecologist, academic, and author Professor Ajay Rane, ‘Flourishing Women’ is a charity dedicated to the global treatment of fistula, a disease that has symptoms such as urinary and faecal incontinence, and effects being as severe as the inability to work or reproduce.

Held at the Cairns TAFE

College campus, the gala dinner event was supported by the Combined Rotary Clubs of Cairns.

Combined Rotary Clubs of Cairns organiser Rita Zappulla said the generosity of locals for Flourishing Women surpassed her expectations.

“Hearing Professor Rane tell his story of founding a charity that treats women in the developing world who have suffered devastating childbirth injuries really resonated with the room,” Ms Zappulla said.

“After 25 years travelling to countries like India, the Congo, Nepal, and sub-

Saharan Africa operating on local women and training doctors, he was encouraged by one of his colleagues to start a charity that could raise the money needed to build capacity in overseas medical communities,” she said.

Professor Rane said that the best news he could hear was that he was no longer needed.

“When I am told that (I am no longer needed), I am delighted,” Prof Rane said. “It means that we have built the medical capacity and capability, and trained the local surgeons to a level where they can successfully do the operations.”

P&O steams away forever

Popular brand sunk for new operator

l TRINITY INLET

| Nick Dalton

THE axing of the P&O cruise ship brand has puzzled a Far Northern tourism leader while the impact on the industry and the port in Cairns is expected to be minimal.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive officer Mark Olsen said he was “surprised” that the “strong” 90year brand was being retired from next year.

He said it would only affect one ship which visited the Far North – Pacific Explorer, one of the oldest cruise ships (built in 1997) and known affectionately as “Dora” among the cruise community. It was scheduled to visit Cairns three times next year.

P&O’s larger and more modern cruise ships – the Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure – will be rebranded and transferred to the Carnival Cruise Line fleet, along with their workforces.

Mr Olsen said there had been recent discussions with Carnival representatives.

He said Pacific Explorer –which has a 1988 passenger capacity – was “an old asset” which

would make way for bigger, newer vessels.

“Carnival is one of the largest operators in the world and are very serious about increasing their investment,” he said.

Mr Olsen said Cairns was rated highly by operators and passengers, especially as they could easily stroll into the city centre from the wharf. He said cruise shipping played an important role in the Far North’s off-season from November to March when many vessels called in.

Mr Olsen said Cairns was well placed to take more cruise ships and overall passenger numbers were up 240 per cent post-Covid.

A Ports North spokeswoman confirmed that Pacific Explorer – which visited last month and is due back once more on June 29 –would not be returning next year.

“Cruising is a quickly evolving and growing market and we expect more than 87 ships to visit Cairns in 2025, which is up 90 per cent from 2019,” she said.

“More broadly, the global cruise industry fleet is expected to grow by 60 through to 2028 and Cairns remains an appealing destination given our close proximity to the reef, rainforest and the many attractions of the CBD.”

P&O Cruises Australia issued a surprise notice to customers abut the brand. “As a result, all itineraries on Pacific Explorer scheduled to sail after March 2, 2025 are being cancelled,” it said. “If you are booked on one of these itineraries you will be contacted by guest services in the coming days with refund details.”

At the Flourishing Women gala fundraiser were Ellen Gardiner (Rotary Club of Cairns president), Suzie Pont, Professor Ajay Rane and Rotary area governor Rita Zappulla. Picture: Supplied

Pacific Explorer (rear) and Pacific Encounter at the Port of Cairns. Picture: Ports North

Local cardiac care critical to healthy lifestyles in all age groups, young and old

Listen closely to heartbeats

dition where your heart doesn’t pump blood to the rest of your body as it should, it’s crucial for regional communities to stay on top of their heart health and Keith Waring, 85, from Tolga and Elena Fang, 26, from Brinsmead hope their testimony and advice will encourage people to get their heart checked.

con-

Ms Fang who lives with myocarditis was diagnosed at age 13 when she was living in China. Myocarditis is the inflammation

of the heart muscle, if left untreated it can lead to heart failure.

Having lived in Cairns for the past eight years, Ms Fang said her health had improved thanks to the care of doctors at Cairns Hospital.

“I was diagnosed with myocarditis but my doctors in China said there was not much I could do, except not drink too much water or put too much stress on my heart,” she said. “The doctors at Cairns Hospital have been

great and put me on a treatment plan. Now I’m on blood thinners and furosemide to keep the fluid down in my body.

“This Heart Failure Awareness Week I would say to young people to pay attention to early symptoms like being fatigued, short of breath or if you feel like you’re going to faint because these can be early signs of a heart condition and it can happen to young people too.”

Tolga retiree Keith Waring

got diagnosed at a routine health check 12 years ago when his GP noticed that he had an irregular heartbeat when taking his blood pressure.

“I had no symptoms before that,” he said. “I was referred to Cairns Cardiology to Dr Chin Lim. Ever since then I’ve had regular checkups.

“Eventually I got a loop recorder implanted which is managed by an app because the doctor wanted information in real

time. One day Dr Lim received an alert that my heart had stopped for four to five seconds twice. He was in Singapore at the time, but he called me down to Cairns for a further check-up and recommended I get a pacemaker, which I did early this year.

“My message for Heart Failure Awareness Week would be to get your regular heart checks, I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t gotten mine.”

Visit www.hearts4heart.org.au

Beach runs are their mission

l MISSION BEACH

| Isaac Colman

MACKAYS Group’s Beachruns@Mission event is back and better than ever, introducing a new 12-km team relay event.

Scheduled on July 28, the event is a great challenge for either team of individual fitness, with individual distances for everyone.

Fundraising for the Cassowary Coast Multisport Club, the event supports junior athletes in representing the region in statewide as well as interstate events.

Open to runners of all

levels, the event is also open to walkers, with 21km, 10km, 5km and 1km individual categories, as well this year’s new 12km team relay.

The new beach relay event can be entered as a fourperson team where everyone runs 3km, or as a three or two-person team where the individual distance is increased.

Club president Richard Blanchette said the aim was to top the 140 participants last year, hoping to bring more teams into the event.

“We’re calling on local businesses and organisations who want a fitness or team challenge in 2024,” he said.

“The runs are entirely on the beach, on firm sand, and the 5km event is open to both runners and walkers.

“The 1km is a children’s event, then there’s the 10km and the half marathon, which covers the length of Mission Beach, Wongaling Beach and South Mission Beach.

“You’re running on palm tree-lined beaches looking out at the islands, it doesn’t get much better.

“Set your own challenge and enjoy a Mission Beach-style running day.”

For registrations and more information visit the Cassowary Coast Multisport Club website at www.ccmclub.org.au

Looking forward to Beachruns@Mission Beach are (from left at the front) Indianna Chugg, Kaiden Roberts, Zoe Wells, Josh Chugg, Amy Sachlikidis, Charlize Gee, Dave Macfarlane, Shannon Lenehan and Susanne Filewood. Picture: Supplied

Lettersto the editor

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

Music should not have been banned Ian Horn, Trinity Beach Israel should end Gaza war

Vocal Local

Sean McGinn, Clifton Beach State Budget’s big budget is ‘big bust’

Last week we asked: What do you think about how one complaint can shut down music at a popular bar – The Beach House - for months? Here are some of your comments.

Common sense isn’t so common.

- Giles Smith, Facebook

Minority rules these days.

- Michelle Moseley, Facebook

Not the Cairns it used to be.

- Mobus Appus, Facebook

This is ridiculous that one complaint can close down a venue for live music. Restaurants like Coco Mojo have also been impacted. They try to offer live music, but have been forced to have the music so low, it’s hard to hear.

- Wayne Howorth, Facebook

There must be more to this than loud music. Across the road has loud music but it never stopped them from playing.

- Alan Duff, Facebook

Most restaurants with music have it way too loud – for residents and

Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Enstch Labor fails to deliver for Cook

also customers.

- Judi Adams, Facebook

A lot of months too many. I will be visiting in the next few weeks.

- Owen Snelten, Facebook

That’s ludicrous.

- Maja Korver, Facebook

The squeaky wheel gets the oil.

- Greg Gigi Delaforce, Facebook

One person shouldn’t be responsible for musicians losing work and people who support them, as well as losing their pleasure of listening and the venue losing income because of one person.

- Carcar, via text

I guess people don’t realise how hard it is to run these things. They’re like you wanna’ complain? OK. We will just close it down.

- Riva Tnt, Facebook

David Kempton, LNP candidate for Cook THIS WEEK’S QUESTION What do you think about the Cairns Regional Council budget? Should

@cairnslocalnews

Solid foundations for Mossman Hospital

l MOSSMAN

MOSSMAN Hospital Friends of the Foundation held a highly successful fundraising lunch at Lichi Restaurant on Sunday, June 9, attracting a vibrant crowd and raising significant funds for the health facility.

The event was attended by 73 enthusiastic supporters who enjoyed an exquisite threecourse meal, and among the distinguished guests were Mayor Lisa Scomazzon, deputy mayor Roy Zammataro and councillors Damian Meadows and Abigail Noli.

The highlight of the afternoon was a compelling speech by a Mossman Hospital physiotherapist, who shared insights into the hospital’s ongoing efforts to enhance health care services.

Peter Capp served as the master of cer-

emonies, guiding the event with his engaging presence.

Generous contributions from local businesses made the raffle and auction segments of the event particularly exciting, with numerous prizes up for grabs. The community’s generosity was amazing, culminating in an impressive $3190 raised from the day’s activities.

The funds will be instrumental in supporting the Mossman Hospital Friends of the Foundation’s mission to enhance the hospital’s services by buying much-needed equipment.

Mossman Hospital Friends of the Foundation are a subsidiary of the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation.

Throughout the year, they organise a variety of fundraising activities, including sausage sizzles at the Port Douglas and Moss-

man markets, Easter and Christmas raffles, the Mossman Show car park and merchandise stall, trivia nights and events such as the International Women’s Day at the Sheraton Mirage, plus high teas, breakfast and lunch gatherings.

The community’s unwavering support is crucial to the group’s success. Businesses consistently donate prizes and sponsorship and the wider community turns out in droves to support each fundraising initiative.

The Mossman Hospital Friends of the Foundation is always eager to welcome new volunteers to join their rewarding efforts.

Those interested in contributing to this vibrant and impactful group are encouraged to contact Deborah Kachel at 0418 476 532.

To help, contact the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation or visit www.fnqhf.org.au

THE music concert planned for the Mossman Showgrounds last Saturday went ahead with great success.

This free, family-friendly community concert featured a line-up of local bands and finished up with renowned rapper, Lil Mase, who flew in from the Gold Coast. He was originally from Cairns, so has a great connection with the Far North. Concert co-ordinator Reuben Dwyer couldn’t have picked a better day, with full-on sunshine for the whole of the afternoon and evening.

As Reuban told me last week “the music is there to lift everyone’s spirits after a tough few months”.

Lil Mase certainly helped on the day by interacting with the audience, showing them his rapping techniques and some slick dance moves.

I’m sure this won’t be the last concert of its type to be held in Mossman.

I’m off to work on my hip hop dance routine, so for now it’s Gazza signing out.

Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au

l MOSSMAN

Rapper Lil Mase mixes with the Mossman crowd. Picture: Supplied

Guests of the recent fundraiser. Inset: Foundation volunteer and coordinator Deborah Kachel. Pictures: Supplied

Hair and Beauty

Young stylists put to the test

l SKILLS

AUSTRALIA’S largest skills competition kicked off at TAFE Queensland’s Cairns campus this week as the region’s top hair and beauty apprentices battled it out in the hair and beauty skills category of the North Queensland WorldSkills Australia 2024 regional competitions.

About 5000 young Australians have started competing in over 500 regional competitions throughout the nation across 64 skill areas, which cover a diverse range of industries including construction and building, information and communications technology, manufacturing and engineering technology, social and personal services, creative arts and fashion, transport and logistics, and hair and beauty.

TAFE Queensland hairdressing apprentice Ella Devietti, who is employed by Hair Organix in Atherton, was crowned the winner of yesterday’s competition and will now take on the

winner of the regional competition in Townsville for a chance to represent North Queensland at the WorldSkills Australia 2025 National Championships.

Nine TAFE Queensland apprentices from the Certificate III in Hairdressing (SHB30416) program participated in the competition. The event began with a ladies cut and colour, followed by a men’s short hair taper, and concluded with a ladies long-hair updo inspired by a photo.

The competition was judged by TAFE Queensland hairdressing teachers Paul Pardini and Fe Holden, alongside Hairhouse Warehouse’s Samuel Dethierry. Mr Pardini said it was “a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their skills, as well as highlighting the career options available to young people”.

“It helps students build on the skills that they’ve developed throughout their training, explore new techniques, and measure their skills against the nation’s best,” he said.

TAFE Queensland hairdressing apprentice and Cairns local Tiana Heusdens was second.

“Growing up, I taught myself a lot of things about hair and beauty. When I was in high school, I was a bit lost working out what I wanted to do, so this has been an amazing way to lean into my creative talents,” she said.

“I want to pack up my scissors and see where the wind takes me. I want to travel with my hairdressing.

“Competitions like WorldSkills take you out of your comfort zone. Something that pushes the boundaries of what you know about hairdressing is really exciting.

“My training at TAFE Queensland helped set up the foundations. We’ve learned all that we need to know to go off and build on those skills throughout our apprenticeships.”

For more information about or to book an appointment visit our tafeqld.edu.au or contact us on 1300 308 233.

TAFE Cairns hairdressing skills winner apprentice Ella Devietti taking part in the competition.

Picture: TAFE Queensland

Solution to blocked gutters

l ROOFING

A SOLUTION to blocked gutters and birds nesting in gutter corners is at hand.

NQ All-Clear distributor Steve Porter said All-Clear Gutter Guard fitted to gutters was a permanent gutter protection system that will keep gutters and downpipes clear of leaves, nesting birds and other vermin for years to come, making the hazardous job of being up a ladder a thing of the past.

“No more cleaning leaves, mud and grime out of your gutters, along with the cuts, abrasions, and possible serious injury or worse from falling,” he said.

“It is a past-time that’s more dangerous the older we get – I speak from painful experience.

“All-Clear Gutter Guard Protection is the quality permanent fix against blocked gutters.

“Made from tough long lasting Australian BlueScope steel or longlasting aluminium mesh, the gutter guard lets the rain in and keeps the leaves, nesting birds and other vermin out.

“The product comes complete with a long-written manufacturer’s warranty and will stop your gutters and downpipes rusting out sooner, as the

gutters drain properly.

“Mynah bird and sparrow infestation bring in nesting rubbish and birdlice – it can be a health hazard to you and your family.

“Also blocked gutters are an ideal breeding ground for mosquitos and other insects – a big health problem after heavy rain or flooding.

“Other pests such as rats and snakes are often found in gutters or roof cavities trying to prey on birds’ nests.

“These creatures are fine out in the bush but not the best things to have in your roof or gutters.

“All-Clear gutter protection will permanently keep them all out of your gutters and roof for good.

“If you drink water from a tank, our gutter guards are a must, along with a good ‘first-flush unit’ as water will drain into your tank, clean and free of any animal droppings and organic roof bric-a-brac.

“A much bigger problem in southern areas, the metal gutter guards give extra protection against fire-embers, in the dry season. It can, lessen your insurance premiums in some cases.”

Mr Porter said since no two houses were the same, his team was able to give an obligation-free quote on site. Call All-Clear Gutter Guard NQ on 1800 100 525 or Mr Porter on 0400 724 278.

Steve Porter of Gutter Guard with his product. Right: The installed Gutter Guard, blocked gutters and unblocking gutters.

TimeOut

Tribute band to rock ‘n roll The Reef Hotel Casino for two shows this weekend

Steeling the hearts of fans

l CAIRNS CBD

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

THE best homage to Little River Band – Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers – is coming to Cairns for the first time as Little Steely Brothers command the stage at The Reef Hotel Casino this weekend.

Bringing the best of rock and roll, most beloved legendary bands and the West Coast sound, Brisbane tribute band Little Steely Brothers are ready to win the hearts of Cairns’ rock fans with their timeless hits at BAR36 tonight (June 21) and tomorrow.

Little Steely Brothers bassist and back vocalist Greg Richards said the six-piece band was ready to get Cairns rocking to the classics.

“We did Savannah in the Round back in 2021 but this will be our first time actually performing in Cairns,” he said.

“When we first formed the band we realised that we were all choosing songs

from either Little River Band, Steely Dan or Doobie Brothers, so that’s where the name came from and where we started.

“By popular demand we added some

Eagles to our set-list and when we play in Cairns we’ll also add songs from West Coast shows like Toto and Jackson

Browne from a similar era, 70s and 80s.

“We sing fully live, we don’t have

backing tracks, it’s all live. While we might be called a tribute band we don’t dress up, none of us look anything like the people in the original bands but we put all of our effort in sounding

as much as possible like the original bands. “We’re very excited, the casino is a fabulous venue and the people that go there seem to really enjoy themselves, so we certainly hope they enjoy us as well.”

With a repertoire of over 60 songs and with its members boasting over 40 years of experience performing live, Little Steely Brothers is ready to rock on with a two-hour set of classics like Rikki Don’t Lose That Number, What a Fool Believes, Help Is On Its Way and more. We start the second set with It’s a Long Way There which we really enjoy playing, Hotel California also goes very well with the audience and Lido Shuffle is good for people to dance,” Mr Richards said.

“Anybody who enjoys music from that era will be pleased with how we present the music because we were playing these songs when they first came out, so it’s a great venue and a great city and we can’t wait to see you there.”

Tale of Queensland’s sugar king at base of Bartle Frere

l CAIRNS CBD

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

AN exploration of the legacy of the migrant Zammit Maltese family in the Far North – ‘Queensland’s Sugar King: The Zammit Legacy’ – will introduce Cairns’ readers into the world of the pioneers of sugar in Bartle Frere.

‘Queensland’s Sugar King: The Zammit Legacy’ is the debut historical biography by Queensland author Catherine Smith (right) in which, through exploring her family history, she discovered the story of the Zammits, a couple of Maltese migrants who pioneered the su-

gar industry in the Far North while also confronting the challenges of discrimination and family tragedies.

Ms Smith will be visiting the Cairns

City Library on August 30 to discuss the book and the Zammits’ legacy in Cairns.

“I decided to write this book because I met strangers who had met my grandfather, and he died before I was born, so I never met him,” she said.

“In my 20s people would ask me if I was Italian or Greek, and I would tell them that my mother had Maltese heritage and they would say – “I once met this wonderful Maltese man”, and as it transpired, they were referring to my grandfather.

“From then I spent a lot of time re-

searching. It was a 20-year journey, I spent years just finding the right info.”

‘Queensland’s Sugar King’ tells the story of Ms Smith’s grandfather Paul Zammit and his wife Pauline as they revolutionise the sugar industry in the Far North and faced the challenges of their personal lives.

“This is a non-fiction historical book, and it chronicles the lives of Paul and Pauline Zammit who arrived in Australia in the early 1910s,” Ms Smith said.

“Unlike most Maltese migrants they didn’t settle in Sydney or Melbourne and decided to come north. The special aspect of this story is that they were pioneers of the sugar industry at Bartle Frere.

“The Zammits lived on 301 acres of farmland at the base of Mount Bartle Frere, and they grew a family of 10 children, and they were all musical, so the name Zammit was known for quality musical performances and concerts.

“Through this book I would like people to realise that the contributions that one Maltese migrant family made to the heritage of North Queensland was quite remarkable and added to the cultural weave of the region and it’s a story that’s rich and multidimensional but to date their contribution has been unquantified.” For more information and to purchase the book, visit https://www.qldsugarking.com/

Brisbane tribute band Little Steely Brothers will rock out to the classics at The Reef Hotel Casino this weekend.

Picture: Michelle Cop Photography

Rising starlet for Amateurs

Country singer returning to the Far North

l WOREE

| isabella Guzman Gonzalez

RISING country star Max Jackson is on a journey to conquer Far North Queensland after announcing she’ll be headlining the Cairns Amateurs Ball, performing at the Mareeba Rodeo and joining the lineup of Savannah in the Round.

After a stellar performance at Savannah Sounds of the Reef, Australia’s country darling Max Jackson decided that the Far North was the place to be and she’s now preparing for three shows in FNQ across the second half of the year starting with a promotional performance at the Mareeba Rodeo on July 13, headlining the 2024 Ladbrokes Cairns Amateurs Ball on September 13 and joining the Savannah in the Round lineup on October 12.

Ms Jackson told Cairns Local News she had fallen in love with Cairns and FNQ and was eager to perform at a high-end event like the Cairns Amateurs Ball.

“I’m actually from a small town called Coonamble in country NSW, although I live in Newcastle now, I’ve never ever been to Cairns before. Savannah Sounds on the Reef was my first ever visit, which was the most incredible introduction to the region,” she said.

“It was a beautiful welcome and to be able to be coming back three more times throughout the rest of the year is so exciting and I can’t wait to be back in the sunshine.

“I’m really looking forward to being a part of Amateurs this year. It’s a black tie event so we’re ready to, in our very own country way, get dressed up but bringing the relaxed and fun vibes and getting everyone on the dance floor.”

From humble beginnings and influenced by Australian country artists like Lee Kernaghan and Gina Jeffreys, Ms Jackson has hit the ground running with number one hits like Little More Country and winning the 2022 Toyota Star Maker and a Golden Guitar for Best New Talent at the 2023 Australian Country Music Awards, and she’s ready to bring her music to the Far North.

“People coming to see me in Cairns are going to be listening to a bunch of new music because I’m finishing off recording my album but really my shows are all high energy and fun and hopefully people leave feeling happy and uplifted,” she said.

“It’s a very exciting time for country music in Australia, people are really starting to connect to the genre so I encourage everyone to come because it’ll be a great time with great people and great energy and the FNQ crowd brings the fun.”

‘Gig for Gaza’ fundraiser

l KURANDA

| Isaac Colman

THIS Saturday is set to see a night of local artists at Kuranda Amphitheatre, with entertainment and support, as Free Palestine FNQ host their “Gig for Gaza” fundraiser.

Beginning at 3pm, ‘Gig for Gaza’ is a family-friendly musical event to raise funds to pro-

vide humanitarian aid to victims in Palestine’s Gaza Strip. With the event ending at 10pm, the night will consist of hours of chill folky music, Latin beats and a stand-up performance by local First Nations comedian Leon Filewood. Featuring a diverse range of Hip-Hop, Reggae, Funk, UK Garage, Dubstep and Drum&Bass, the night will see various local artists such as Mau

Power, Lucy Gallant, Toshi Sakamoto, and JC Funkdafied take the stage. With entry prices being $15 for concession, $20 for individual and $35 for family, all proceeds will be donated to independent not-for-profit organisations Gaza Sunbird, Gaza Kinder Relief, and Gaza Freedom Flotilla to provide food, medical aid and other essential supplies on the ground.

Country rising star Max Jackson wants to win the hearts of her FNQ with three shows in the Far North including a headlining performance at the Cairns Amateurs Ball. Picture: Supplied

Julatten author snaps up awards for passionate yarns with tropical settings

From rainforest to world stage

l JULATTEN

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

JULATTEN author and founder of FNQ’s only publishing company Bowerbird Publishing continues making waves in the literature world after taking two international awards at the Telly Awards and the Women Changing the World Awards.

Having won a large array of awards in Australia for her books and work through Bowerbird Publishing, Ms Leonardi is now breaking into the international industry taking bronze among entries from around the world at the Telly Awards in the book trailer category for four book trailers published through Bowerbird Publishing and Woman in Literature at the Woman Changing the World Awards in late May.

The Telly Awards based in New York highlights work in the advertising and marketing space while the Women Changing the World Awards held in London recognise the work of women around the world.

Ms Leonardi said this was the ultimate nod to her hard work.

“I was so shocked, not winning one award but two, that were one week from each other and I’m very excited to see where this takes my business and having a new platform to promote my authors and my own

books as well,” she said.

“On May 4 I also released another book – ‘My Mate Jed’– with Nicola Baker from MoyaMoya Australia and raised money for the Stroke Foundation and the Moyamoya Foundation, and we’ve been reading the book to children at schools.

“I’m still pinching myself, I can’t believe that my little home office business in the rainforest of Julatten is being noticed on the world stage. I’m producing these books from the farm and they’re being celebrated around the world.

“I’m especially proud of the Telly Awards because the advertising industry is so difficult to break into but also people are looking for new and exciting ideas all the time so it’s really humbling to think that my book trailers were noticed among 1500 entries – which is amazing.

“Women in Literature has got me to think that I’m making an impact on a world stage, and again is very humbling but also very unexpected because I started writing books and publishing other people’s books to help the writer go through that cathartic moment and I’ve grown and healed from those experiences.”

Ms Leonardi shows no signs of stopping with eight more new titles of authors under Bowerbird Publishing dropping during the second half of the year and she’s hoping to start planning the first ever Bowerbird Publishing tour around Australia for 2025.

Our theatre family is what keeps the Clink alive and successful. WE REQUIRE A VARYING SKILL SET OF VOLUNTEERS! If your interested in learning some new skills, having some fun and meeting new friends fill in the expression of interest form at: www.clinktheatre.com.au And our volunteer co-ordinator will be in touch.

Crystal Leonardi with her latest book ‘My Mate Jed’. Picture: Supplied

WHAT’S

MUSIC, ART, CULTURE @ RAVENSHOE

l FRI JUN 21ST-24TH, 4 DAY EVENT

After a booming third edition, NYX Festival returns as Australia’s up and coming underground arts, music and culture experience to hit the tropical paradise of North Queensland on June 21-24.

Nestled amongst the picturesque utopian rivers, paper barks and eucalyptus forests, the four day experience is set on a remote 30,000 acre property in Ravenshoe. The ultimate location to reconnect with nature during perfect weather conditions over the winter solstice whilst dancing away under the millions of breathtakingly clear stars of the milky way.

Note this is a 4 day event, camp sites available, refer to the website for more information: https://nyxfestival.com.au/info/

FUNDRAISING BIKE RIDE @ CAIRNS TO KARUMBA

l FRI JUN 21ST-28TH, 8 FULL DAYS

Cairns to Karumba Bike Ride is a truly epic adventure that you will talk about for a lifetime. Whether you are a rider (road or dirt), a supporter, or a volunteer, there is a place for everyone.

Each year, 250+ riders, volunteers and support crews travel through the unique and historic outback towns of the iconic Savannah Way, raising funds to make sure bush kids get a fair-go.

The kids line the route and say g’day with cheering, banners and flags.

Visit Cairns to Kurumba Bike Ride for more details: https://c2kbikeride.com.au/1-ride-overview/

QUILT AND CRAFT EXPO @ MOSSMAN

l SAT JUN 22ND-MON JUN 24TH, 9:00AM-3:00PM

See a display of quilt and craft items created from all over North Queensland and beyond. Delicious morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be available each day. Enjoy a hot or cold drink while you chat with friends. You will also be able to visit craft stalls with gifts and all of your quilt/crafting needs. All proceeds of this amazing event go to Leukaemia Foundation.

Where: Mossman Indoor Sports Centre

Opening times: 9:00am–4:00pm (Saturday & Sunday), 9:00am–3:00pm (Monday)

Tickets: Adult $10, High School Age $8.

ARTS NATIONAL @ STRATFORD LIBRARY

l SUN JUN 23RD, 1:30PM-4:00PM

The ancient and remarkable history of glass as an art form is traced with reference to works in major public collections including the National Gallery of Victoria. The lecture also refers to glass-related imagery and symbolism in the visual arts, film and literature – a tradition that ranges in time and type from biblical allusion and Chaucerian dream visions of glass temples through to the novels, films, poetry and recent science fiction.

Cost: $25 for visitors per lecture / $135 Annual Membership For more information visit www.artsnational.au/societies/cairns/

MONOPRINTING @ CAIRNS ART GALLERY

l TUE JUN 25TH, 10:00AM-11:30AM

Monoprinting with artist Jamie Lee Simpson, suitable for ages 4-9.

This workshop is a great introduction to the world of printmaking for any little artist. Learn the techniques used in monoprinting, which involves tracing and transferring ink, all while drawing your own unique design! All materials are provided and students can be dropped off to enjoy this activity under the supervision of our qualified teachers.

Cost: $25 Members / $31 Non-members

WORKSHOPS @ ARTISAN BAY TRINITY BEACH

l MON JUN 24TH-JUL 5TH, 9:15AM-11:30AM

Looking for fun and engaging activities for your kids this school holiday? Join our exclusive small group workshops designed for children aged 5 to 12 years! All material included.

We offer creative arts and crafts sessions, interactive and hands-on activities in small groups of 4 kids for personalized attention.

Special Prices: 1 Class: Only $29 / 2 Classes: Just $55

Location: Trinity Beach, Flagship Drive Register Now: text 0481303959 or email: info.artisanbay@gmail.com

GIG Guide

*Please check with the Venues regarding any cancellations or entry requirements.

FRIDAY

CPAC JCU Cairns Eisteddfod, 8:30am

Dunwoodys Hotel Gumpy Savidas, 4:00pm German Club Cairns Silver Fox Jazz Band, 5:00pm Surf Club Palm Cove Lexi & Waha, 5:00pm Currajah Hotel Two Dogs, 5:30pm

Mayhems Wind and Wood, 6:00pm

Ellis Beach Bar & Grill Drewboy, 6:00pm

The Benson Hotel Carruthers & Others, 6:00pm Cazaly’s Cairns Hot Ice, 6:30pm

Tanks Arts Centre The Terrys, 6:30pm

Edge Hill Bowls Club Russell Harris, 6:30pm

Elixir Music House Soul Son Choir, 6:30pm

Brothers Cairns Infinity Duo, 7:00pm

Anthill Hotel Mareeba Mississippi Shakedown, 8:00pm

Bar36 The Reef Hotel Casino Little Steely Brothers, 9:00pm

SATURDAY

CPAC JCU Eisteddfod, 8:30am

Ellis Beach Bar & Grill Tullara & Dave Cooke, 2:00pm

Yorkeys Knob Boating Club Marty Bell, 3:00pm

The Beach House @ Trinity Two Dogs, 3:00pm

Narrow Tracks Distilling Julian James, 4:00pm

Crown Hotel Andrea & Louie, 6:00pm

Cazalys Cairns Bowie Tribute Show, 6:15pm

The Spanish Club Mareeba Infinity Duo, 7:00pm

Mission Beach Blues Bar & Café Wind and Wood, 7:00pm

Brothers Cairns Peter Kinch, 7:00pm

Tanks Arts Centre Regurgitator, 7:15pm

Red Beret Hotel Tropic Thunder, 8:00pm

Bar36 The Reef Hotel Casino Little Steely Brothers, 9:00pm

SUNDAY

CPAC JCU Eisteddfod, 8:30am

Ellis Beach Bar & Grill De Luxe, 1:00pm

Dunwoodys Hotel Amber Farnan, 2:00pm

The Beach House @ Trinity Janna Mercedes, 2:00pm

Hilton Hotel Andrea, 2:30pm

Yorkeys Knob Boating Club True North Boogie Band, 3:00pm

O’Shea’s on the Waterfront Barbary Coasters, 4:00pm

Bar36 The Reef Hotel Casino Sunbird, 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

Solutions

Weekly Horoscopes

Nothing can be resolved if you don’t want to talk about it. You will attract members of the opposite sex readily. Ask a close friend for advice. Do something that will be stimulating and creative.

CROSSWORD

Avoid any confrontations with colleagues. You can take advantage of opportunities if you are quick to make a move. You should put your efforts into creative projects. Put your efforts into being creative.

Unpredictable events will disrupt your routine. Be quiet about your intentions or ideas that might bring added cash. Strengthen your position among your peers. Be ready to explain your actions.

Take time to find out all you can. You will encounter those who can help you further your goals if you attend functions that attract prominent people. Look into projects that you feel would contribute something to your appearance. Investments are best left alone this week.

You would be wise to consider attending lectures that will broaden your awareness concerning your professional direction. You will have an inaccurate assessment of your status in society. Show what a dedicated person you can be. Financial gains can be made.

This might not be a day for hasty decisions. If you join intellectual or cultural groups, you should meet individuals who stimulate you. You will have an interest in foreigners and their cultures. Assist a relative or good friend by setting of a budget for them.

23. an area in the East of England (4,6)

24. to hold back or restrain (4)

25. a public celebration in Spain or Latin America (6)

26. old and torn, or in poor condition (8)

DOWN

1. the unit of currency for Australia (6)

2. a piece of cloth that represents a country, group, or institution (4)

3. the exactly right word or phrasing (3,5)

4. another term for sweatsuit or sweatpants (6)

Eliminate situations that are no longer to your advantage. You may find yourself in an opportune position if you are willing to take a bit of a risk. Check into art objects or precious stones. You can do well in group endeavours. Try not to overspend on luxury items.

You should get into some of those creative hobbies that you always said you wanted to do. Talk to others about your plans. A long discussion is in order if you wish to clear the air. Use your obvious talent to work with detail and you can come up with something great.

You must be careful not to trust just anyone. Digestive disorders will be a result of family squabbles. You can make the most headway if you put in some overtime. For best results get out of the office and do your job on the road.

Problems with in-laws may cause friction in your personal relationship. Loss or theft may occur if you are careless with your belongings. Try to do your job and then leave. Now is the time to concentrate on building a strong financial future for your family.

ACROSS

Don’t try to twist things around so that they sound more enticing. Communication will be the source of your knowledge and you must be sure to spend time with those who have more experience. Find a way to consolidate. You can make a serious attempt at quitting those bad habits that you’ve picked up over the years.

7. a road that drivers must pay to use (4,4)

9. relating to or characteristic of wood or woodland (6)

10. a shoe with a thick wooden sole (4)

11. a cheeky or impertinent person (10)

12. British term for packaged potato chips (6)

5. the body of words used in a particular language (10)

6. a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral (8)

8. to leave a place suddenly or secretly (6)

13. a person who separates, withdraws, or secedes, as from an established church (10)

15. a small, sweet type of orange that has a thinner, looser skin (8)

14. a small tree that grows in dry areas in the Americas and produces pods (8)

15. a small endearingly sweet child (6)

16. to make repeated small-scale attacks on an enemy (6)

length. Do not lend money to friends or contribute more than necessary to groups unworthy of your cash.

19. to advance gradually beyond usual or acceptable limits (8)

21. used to confirm or support a point or idea just mentioned (6)

17. choosing separate foods in a restaurant rather than having a complete meal (1,2,5)

18. a small wooden house found in mountain areas (6)

20. occurring once every year (6)

22. a horn with parts like branches that grows on the head of a deer (6)

24. the flesh of a cow, bull, or ox, used as food (4)

REIQ backs housing scheme

State Opposition’s initiative to get people into property gets solid approval

l SPECIAL REPORT

| Nick Dalton

THE Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) is backing the State Opposition’s plan to boost Queensland’s lagging home ownership levels.

First homebuyers who build their property would not pay any stamp duty and struggling savers will be given government equity to buy a home under a major housing policy unveiled by Opposition Leader David Crisafulli.

The abolition of stamp duty would save a first homebuyer $24,100 on a house and land package worth $850,000.

The LNP will commit to keeping the Miles government’s updated stamp duty concession threshold of $700,000 for first home buyers purchasing existing properties.

Mr Crisafulli also

unveiled a $165m sharedequity scheme – where the government would help people with savings of at least two per cent to “close the deposit gap” and buy a home.

REIQ chief executive officer Antonia Mercorella said the multifaceted housing plan put forward by the LNP in its first major policy move demonstrated a strong focus on increasing housing supply and assisting aspiring homeowners.

“The REIQ commends this suite of initiatives focused on a much-needed boost to home ownership levels in Queensland,” she said.

“We welcome the move to stamp out stamp duty for first home buyers of new builds. This is a promising first step towards the REIQ’s long-held vision of seeing stamp duty abolished across all property transactions.

“While it’s welcome news that the LNP will match the raised $700,000 first home buyer stamp duty concession threshold, we want to see this threshold amount varied to reflect median house prices in different markets.

“Removing the restrictions on renting out unutilised rooms for first home buyers receiving concessions is a firmly held position of ours and a no-brainer benefiting both buyers and renters.

“Introducing a statelevel shared equity scheme to support 1000 people with as little as two per cent savings, aligns with what the REIQ asked for at the recent Help to Buy Parliamentary Committee hearing. This will help some renters clear the hurdle of having to come up with a hefty 20 per cent deposit and could knock years off home buying timelines.”

State Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has a few ideas to get people into houses. Picture: Supplied

Record car sales again as buyers swoop on hybrids

l MARKET REPORT

| Nick Dalton

A RECORD number of new vehicles were sold in May, with hybrid and plug-in hybrids leading the charge.

A total of 111,099 vehicles were sold in May, surpassing last year’s figure of 105,694 which previously was the best May result on record.

The year-to-date sales now

stand at 512,753 marking an increase of over 55,920 vehicles compared to the same period last year (456,833).

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber said that another record-breaking month underscored the ongoing strength of the industry.

“The continued growth highlights consumer confidence and the industry’s ability to meet diverse needs of Australian mo-

torists despite current economic challenges,” he said.

“The Australian market is one of the most open and competitive in the world which supplies consumers with a wide choice of vehicles across all segments and price categories.”

Monthly sales of hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles saw a notable increase, capturing 15.8 per cent of the market compared to 7.9 per cent in the previous year. Battery electric vehicles

saw a slight increase in sales accounting for 8.1 per cent of new sales, up from 7.7 per cent at the same month last year.

Toyota was the market leader with sales of 23,389, with Ford (8806) beating Mazda (8002) to second, followed by Kia (7504) and Hyundai (6495).

Rounding out the top 10 were Mitsubishi sixth (6409), Isuzu Ute (4401), MG (4159), Tesla (3567) and Nissan (3425).

Year-to-date Toyota is well

in front (100,398), followed by Ford (40,129) and Mazda (39,064).

The Ford Ranger was Australia’s top selling vehicle with sales of 5912, followed by the Toyota HiLux (5702), Toyota RAV4 (5517) Isuzu Ute D-Max (2612) and Toyota Landcruiser (2578).

In sixth was Mitsubishi Outlander (2500), Toyota Camry (2468), Toyota Corolla (2439), Ford Everest (211) and Mazda CX-5 (2108).

Sales in the Australian Capital Territory were up by 10.6 per cent (1673), New South Wales increased by 5.3 per cent (33,145), Queensland was up by 5.5 per cent (23,534), South Australia increased by 11.3 per cent (7501), Victoria rose by 3.2 per cent (30,095), Western Australia was up by 5.4 per cent (12,334), Tasmania increased by 7.1 per cent (1818) but the Northern Territory decreased by 8.8 per cent (999).

Ford Ranger topped the new vehicle market again in May, with 5912 sales, but Toyota is still sales leader. Pictures: Supplied

Toyota’s HiLux was No.2 but helped the brand reach the top in May.

The Mazda CX-5 is Mazda’s best-selling vehicle.

Motoring Guide Trip down memory lane

Save your car from theft

l SECURITY

ENGINE immobilisers have emerged as a crucial tool in the fight against car theft.

Brett O’Sughrue of Cairns Auto Electrical said by preventing the engine from starting without the correct key or transponder, the devices offered a robust deterrent against theft.

“This technology, not only enhances personal security, but also provides substantial economic benefits,” he said.

Mr O’Sughrue said the Queensland Police Service’s engine immobiliser subsidy trial had successfully achieved an uptake of all 20,000 vouchers across North Queensland although redemption of the vouchers has been slow with just over 6000 redeemed (as of April 2024). He said to assist those with vouchers the redemption period had been extended until September 30.

He advised people not to become complacent and leave redeeming their voucher to the last minute.

“It can take up to two hours to install an immobiliser and, depending on the volume of vehicles booked in, you may need to leave your car with us for at least half the day,” Mr O’Sughrue said.

Cairns Auto Electrical is at 25 Johnston St, Stratford, phone: 4058 2543.

Aged care residents full of joy when old cars drive up for show

l CAR SHOW

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

A CLASSIC car and hot rod show at Mercy Place Cairns last week drove aged care residents down memory lane with its display of 12 vintage cars that fuelled joyful memories from their youth.

Over 70 residents were treated to an exhibition of 12 vintage and muscle cars from Cairns’ Hot Rod and Custom Car Club, morning tea and live entertainment headlined by local artist Macca who had the residents vibing to the tune of 50s and 60s crooners and performances by local belly dancers.

The event was a great success with residents, but for 94-year-old John Mark the event had an even deeper sentimental value as his father was the first owner of a Holden in Mareeba.

He said he believed it was in the late 1940s and it was one of the first cars on the Tablelands.

“Being the first family to own a Holden in Mareeba was incredible. It was a rare sight to see one on the road back then, especially in our small town. My father had it for many years, and it became a cherished part of our family.

“My father worked for Queensland Railways so he was better paid than most people in those

days and I think the car cost around £750 which was a lot of bloody money in those days.

“He was very particular about the car and we had to be extremely careful but I remember driving it to Kuranda. I have many fond memories of driving in the car, including going on family outings on the weekends.”

Mr Mark said that the classic car and hot rod show had brought back good memories from his teenage years and his passion for cars.

“Seeing these cars on display after so many years was very exciting, it was like travelling back in time and reliving those moments with my family,” he said.

“This event was very special to me. It reminded me of all the wonderful memories from my childhood and the special times we had as a family. Seeing these cars again made me feel a deep sense of nostalgia and happiness.”

Mercy Place Cairns general manager Zubair Coovadia said events like this were essential in supporting residents with dementia.

“For a lot of our dementia residents their short-term memory is not great but their long-term memory is still intact and seeing cars like this triggers good memories and anything that triggers good memories is a win,” he said.

Mercy Place Cairns resident John Mark with one of his favourite cars of the show – a Chevrolet Corvette. Picture: Maddy Gavin

Cairns Local

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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

• Edmonton: Thursdays, 12pm to 1pm

• Kuranda: Mondays, 11am to 12 noon For further information, Call 1300 25 2666 or www.al-anon.org.au

Lady 76 years seeks health-conscious friend.

Write to: PO Box 290, Earlville, 4870

Pretty lady seeks kind gent 40-59 with Christian values of any race to travel to north America and live on bush block near Cooktown for permanent relationship

No-text, please phone 0447 178 329 Place a fundraising box in your staff room, or front counter, funds raised

for as little as �70 call Lisa

Friday June 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 St, 09:30-15:00

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

Saturday June 22nd

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

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

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

Tully: Lions Park, 08:00-12:00

Yungaburra: Bruce Jones Park, Main St, 07:30-12:30

Sunday June 23rd

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

Port Douglas: by St Mary’s Church, 07:30-14:00

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

Tumoulin: Tumoulin Railway Station, 08:00-12:00

Ironman winner nearly lost right foot to infection

First place ‘surreal’

Finishing in first place over six minutes before reigning champion Kylie Simpson, New Zealand’s Hannah Berry has claimed her biggest career victory to date at the 2024 Cairns Airport Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship Cairns.

Pride in 2nd spot

l RUGBY LEAGUE

NORTHERN Pride currently sits second on the ladder behind Norths Devils after a good 4222 win against Wynnum Manly Clydesdales.

Their next game tomorrow is at home against Townville Blackhawks (rivalry round).

Pride chief executive officer

Garreth Smith said it was “another great win on the road for our team in round 14 against the Western Clydesdales”.

“The boys had to work hard all the way to the end but came away with the two points on a tough road trip to Toowoomba,” he said.

“Coach Eric Smith was disappointed with our completion rate, and likewise disappointed with a few efforts in defence at the back end of the game.

“Eric is still very motivated by the room for improvement

on the back of winning and believes there is still plenty of room in the ceiling with the team.

“As we look ahead to round 15, we face off in the Kenfrost Homes Cup (rivalry round) against the Townsville Blackhawks who currently sit in ninth position.

“Last time we played in the Kenfrost Homes Cup in 2023 we got away with a field goal to win in the last 30 seconds of play (13-12).”

Mr Smith said Kenfrost Homes were giving away 400 tickets to the game to get everyone down to support the team. The main game kicks off at 3pm, pre-games will be the FNQRL open women’s teams Kangaroos versus Yarrabah at 12.35pm, followed by more junior games while the big boys warm up out on the main field. For the ticket giveaway, visit: https://bit.ly/3z5TKRJ

l IRONMAN

| Isaac Colman

ATHLETE Matt Burton has set a new course best time at the 2024 Cairns Airport Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship Cairns.

Both he and Hannah Berry secured maximum Ironman Pro Series points. Western Australia’s Burton finished three and a half minutes before New Zealand’s Braden Currie, with New Zealand’s Berry finishing in first, over six minutes before reigning women's champion Kylie Simpson.

Burton said the thought of having set a new record along with maximum points was

surreal, especially after a recent health issue.

“It’s surreal, this is my 10th trip across,” he said.

“It's by far the most beautiful Cairns for my 10th time over to enjoy the Far North.

“I knew I was in relatively good shape, despite the start of the year.

“I had a real hiatus in and out of hospital with some issues, I was 10 weeks off my feet.”

Having almost lost his right foot to a serious infection in January, his win can be seen as a testimony to his determination.

“When you have 10 weeks off you start from zero,” Burton said.

“You’ve got no fitness, but

Sport Results

GORDONVALE BOWLS

Thursday, June 13th. Winners; F Guesmer/G Spicer, M Greenwood, A Quinn. R/U; C Jarrad, W Sten, V Black.

MARLIN COAST BOWLS

CLUB

Tuesday, June 11th. Tuesday morning bowls. Winners; No winners. R/U; No winners. Tuesday afternoon Men’s tri-

ples. Winners; Greg, Bob, Eddie. R/U; D. Parnell, A. Mattsson, B. Wright. Tuesday night bowls. Winners; Ian, Matt, David, Brad, Sisca, Rod. Wednesday, June 12th. Wednesday mixed bowls. Winners; V. still, D. Kenshole. R/U; M. Kennon, Pat Mc. Thursday, June 13th. Thursday Mixed triples. Winners; Trish, Dave, Dave. R/U; Paul, Eddie, Don. Saturday,

the beauty is muscle memory.

“Muscle does remember, and it just took 10 weeks to remember before I really started to feel a little bit more myself.

“I decided to come into Cairns two weeks early, and it was the best decision of my life.”

Berry said she had worked harder than she ever had before, proud that it paid off with her biggest career victory.

“I don't know how to put it into words. It means a lot,” she said.

“It’s a big step in the right direction for me, and it's exciting.

“We work so hard for this.

“You really have to celebrate

June 15th. Saturday Morning Scroungers. Winner; Ross F, R/U; Jock.

MOSSMAN MEMORIAL

BOWLS CLUB

Saturday, June 15th. Winners; Col Widdows, Steve Cue def. David White, Sas +17. R/U; David Turnbull, Bernie Wolland, Tony Brlyack def. Ted Holmes, Peter McGrory, Col Maxted +13. Colin Johnson, Peter Worley, Jarroyd Kearney def. Bill Smith, Geoff Sims, Ali Douglas +9. Troy Churchill, Nev Tesch,

these times because sport has its ups and downs, so I'll be celebrating tonight.”

Burton said his win had pushed him to want to enjoy the sport even more.

“Sport is beautiful, but with all forms of beauty, there's trauma, and there's tribulation,” he said.

“It very much became about not just me performing but having my wife and my son experience it as a real team.

“Who knows, he might actually remember this, maybe it’s his first memory being two and a half.

“It takes a lot more than an athlete to get across the line in good shape.”

Bernie Savage def. Richard Anderson, Daryl Hoskins, John Arnold +8. Ron North, Graham Hutchinson, Brian King def. Derek Franklin, Col Maxted, Nev Fletcher +3. Charlie Toohey, Jock Constantine def. Terry Richards, Bill Allison +2.

BROTHERS EDMONTON

BOWLS NOTES

Wednesday June 12th. Winners; Q. Bate, B. Power. J. Blain. R/U; G. Frizzo, T. Collins, M. O’Halloran. Third; G. Ceely, D. Daffy, G. Cann. Thursday, June

13th. Championship Singles Final. D. Begg def. G. Buttigieg. Social bowls. Winner; D. Begg. R/U; Marg, L. Catalano, S. Bates, J. Rick. Sunday, June 16th.

BEBC Ladies Classic. Winners; C. Populin, L. Ceely, D. Quinn, D. Begg. R/U; D. Hester, R. Fraser, G. Buttigieg, J. Rick. Third; J. McMillan, A. Rowbotham, S. Hemmensley, E. Rowbotham

WEST CAIRNS MEN

Tuesday, June 11th. Winners;

Joe Jackson, Ted Hamilton, Phil Buntain. R/U; Scott Carolan, Trevor Mitchell, Alby Radford. Jackpot not won. Thursday, June 13th. Thirsty Thursday. Best players; T. Smith, F. Clarke, Rolly. Friday, June 14th. Friday night scroungers. Winner; Irene Crampton. R/U; Andy Cochrane. Sunday, June 16th. Winners; J. Bent, F. Clarke, T. Collins. R/U; Andy Cochrane, R. Radnga, Scotty. Jackpot not won. Free game. Winner; D. Lazarus. Division 2 Pennants. West Cairns Men def. Edge Hill.

Finishing in first place, three and a half minutes before New Zealand’s Braden Currie, Western Australia’s Matt Burton set the new course best time last Saturday at the 2024 Cairns Airport Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship Cairns. Pictures: Supplied

Nat McGavin on the attack. Picture: Chris Robson

Can anyone beat Cutters?

Game to watch is South Cairns taking on Port Douglas Crocs in round 12

l AFL | John Gillett CAN anyone beat the Cutters?

Not a new question in this

but

The manner of their wins against all opponents makes it hard to find any real weakness in this line-up as they look primed for a premiership tilt.

They have been irrepressible and completely ruthless in games against teams outside the top four, refusing to take their foot off the throat.

That is almost as impressive as their willingness to adapt and try different things, spearheaded by coach Cresswell, when plans A and B are not working. Tigers have come closest, but could not outlast the final quarter avalanche on ANZAC Day.

The game to watch will be their trip to Port in round 12.

Two wins and significant percentage separate fourth-placed Tigers and fifth-placed Bulldogs, while sixth and seventh placed Saints and Hawks have a solitary win between them.

Both the Dogs and Saints have improved as

the season has gone on, and have been gallant at times against top four opponents.

The Dogs have the best chance of the teams outside the four, particularly if Jaiden Butson continues on the way to superstardom, but they will need to start winning those “eight-pointers” against Tigers and Lions.

That is easier said than done. There is not a world where I could imagine Tigers or Lions doing the Dogs any favours as they themselves jockey for position in the top four, which leads me to… is a Crocs vs Cutters grand final already pencilled in?

They are by far the form teams of the competition as we approach the second representative break. Reigning premiers Port have only lost twice, once against the Cutters and once against the Tigers where they were undermanned and very

inaccurate. Tigers were three minutes from beating the Cutters on ANZAC Day, but have been hot and cold since.

The Lions have shown glimpses of their backto-back premiership winning best, not least in a rampant second half against the Tigers, but have lost both home fixtures to Port. Premierships or grand finalists are not decided in June, but there are two clear favourites at this stage. Is Troy Barbero a Crathern Medal smokey in a winless team?

There has not been much to smile about if you are a Hawks fan so far this season as they face a second consecutive winless season. Lionhearted skipper Barbero has provided a bright spot every week, on his way to being one of only two players with seven best player nominations at this stage of the season.

(Above) Is Hawks skipper Troy Barbero a dark horse for the Crathern Medal? (Above right) Will anyone defeat Beau McKeown’s Cutters this season? (Below) Are Brett McKeown and the Port Douglas Crocs headed for another grand final? Pictures: RAWI/AFL

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We are dedicated to providing an exceptional and affordable retirement living option for all of our residents.

Services include but are not limited to the following:

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Internet And Solar Electricity

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