Mulgrave News July 2015 by Mulgrave News

EDITION 62, JULY 2015

Reach Out for Ravenshoe A small but dedicated group of Gordonvale residents gathered at the Gordonvale RSL Hall on Tuesday the 23rd of June as an organising committee for a monster cent sale to be held at the RSL Hall in Gordon Street, Gordonvale on the 11th of July 2015.

The cent sale is to raise money for the community of Ravenshoe. Known for being the highest town in Queensland at 927 metres above sea level the town sits 127 kilometres west of Cairns. People from right across Australia and in fact the world were horrified when on the 9th of June a vehicle left the road and crashed through the side wall of the Serves You Right CafĂŠ, hitting a number of gas bottles and causing a massive explosion. 20 people were taken to hospital and 2 people have since died with a number of people still in a very serious condition in a number of hospitals around the region. Amongst the injured were two local firefighters, Joe Torrisi and Michael Beck who were in the cafĂŠ at the time of the incident.

Over $280,000 has been raised from around the nation and donations are still flooding in to help heal the scars of the terrible event.

The first meeting organised by Cheryl Campbell saw many local community members come together and discuss ways of raising money to assist. Many local businesses and residents will be donating prizes for the event. Doors for the cent sale will open at 1:00pm. Entry cost will be $5.00 per person with all money going towards the members of the Ravenshoe community who so desperately need a lift. The entry fee will include afternoon tea. Organisers are still looking for people who can donate prizes or can cook some cakes or slices for the day. But most of all your attendance is needed to support this worthy cause. Further details can be obtain by phoning Cheryl Campbell on 0418 183 539 or by contacting the Mulgrave News Office on 4056 5877 or email, admin@mulgravenews.com.au

Cindy Barber BCom 4/58 Norman St. GORDONVALE

Ph: 4056 2852 www.TopTaxOnline.com.au returns@TopTaxOnline.com.au

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2015 Great Pyramid Race warms up Organisation is well advanced for the running of the 56th Great Pyramid Race in Gordonvale on the 8th of August 2015. The 12 kilometre race up Walshs’ Pyramid, run at 2:00pm is the feature event of an action packed weekend that has now cemented itself on the far norths’ sporting and entertainment calender. Once again the feature event will be supported by a number of other sporting events and entertainment from local community organisations.

Although the race only allows 150 competitors, the event itself last year attracted over 13,000 spectators. All local hotels will continue with the entertainment during the evening as well as fireworks, rides for the children and plenty of things to do in Norman Park. The organising committee is

still looking for volunteers on the day. Further details can be obtained by popping into the Great Pyramid Office in Norman Street between 9:00am and 12:00 noon on Monday, Wednesday or Friday. Thanks again to our wonderful sponsors and volunteers for making this event possible.

Kicking off the Saturday morning there will be the local Gordonvale markets commencing at 8:00am. There will also be a 5 kilometre cross country race and 1500 metre road race around Norman Park. Prominent on the day over the last few years and back again this year is the big boys toys. The race itself commences in Norman Park and after a 3 kilometre run to the bottom competitors commence the steep 3 kilometre climb to the summit, before turning around at the top and at times free falling to the base. Runners will then continue back to Norman Park for the finish of the 12 kilometre event. Currently the record sits at 1 hour, 15 minutes and 34 seconds set in 1997 by Sunshine Coast runner Neil Labinsky. The womens record was set by Anita Appleby the same year in a time of 1 hour, 32 minutes and 6 seconds. The race has come along way since it was first run in 1959.

Robyn’s Real Estate Read Welcome to this month's Editorial of all things Real Estate. It has been an excellent month for enquiries from buyers visiting from other parts of Australia who are looking to invest or retire here to our beautiful region. They see good value in the Cairns region as prices are skyrocketing in the capital cities and pushing people out of their local markets. This is why it is a great time to look at your own property portfolio and getting ready our winter tourist selling season. Spotlight on Edmonton - The current median sale price for houses is $372,000 and $190,000 for units with approx. 65 house sales and 12 unit sales this year. Most houses (137) sold in the $300,000 to $400,000 range, and units in the $200,000 to $250,000 range. If you would like a free Market Appraisal or a Pre Listing Checklist on how to maximise your selling price, please give me a call or email for an honest and confidential chat about your real estate needs - Robyn Hawley-Whitton - 0488 071 007 or E: robynhw@cpo.com.au

Robyn’s Bowen Therapy and Emmett Technique

Robyn John Remedial Therapist 90 Riverstone Road Gordonvale Phone 4056 3656 Mobile 0431 303 453 Member of BTFA Relieving Pain and Discomfort

Gift Vouchers Available 2

For all your painting requirements interior, exterior and touchups

Comprehensive Deck Restoration Cut Back and Recoat from $8.00 p/sqm Pool & Patio Decks to look like new

Contact John for a quote Ph: 07 4056 3712 Mob: 0412 772 585 E: pearcepainters@bigpond.com

Malama Honua, to ‘Care for our Island, Earth’ An education crew on board a traditional voyaging canoe from Hawaii requested to visit Gordonvale State School while it was docked in Cairns to investigate ways the school has incorporated sustainable practices into the school culture. The Hawaiian name for the voyage is Malama Honua, to ‘Care for our Island, Earth’. The aim of their journey is to find a sustainable future for their Hawaiian islands. They have travelled many kilometres across the ocean using traditional wayfinding with stars, waves, wind and birds as mapping points for direction. After meeting with Year 4 students from the school’s program, ‘Excelsior: A Whole Community Approach to Sustainability’, Hye Jung Kin, a public school teacher from Hawaii was especially impressed with the students’ knowledge around sustainability and with their level of commitment to investigating local environmental issues. Crew members will be sharing the information gathered from speaking with the students, Lisa O’Mara from Mulgrave Landcare and Sandra Charlton, Co-ordinator of the Excelsior Program to inspire new and ongoing collaborations between youth, communities and leaders in Hawaii.

Kennedy’s Legacy – Aussie Rules Footy in Far North Queensland When Howard Kennedy surveyed the damage on his Woopen Creek property he decided nothing could be fixed there and then, so he took himself into Cairns to watch a footy match. His decision set in motion six decades of Australian Rules football in the sugar growing communities to the south of Cairns, namely Babinda, Aloomba and Gordonvale. Today the game is growing strongly in the district again with the rise of the Pyramid Power club in Gordonvale. Cairns based author and Pyramid Power junior coach, Wesley Hull, has traced this history in his new book: Kennedy’s Legacy – The History of the Pyramid Power Australian Football and Sporting Club. From the days of Howard and Ailsa Kennedy rounding up kids, jerseys, boots and players each match day, through the early days of the Aloomba-Gordonvale club and famous pioneers of the game in Jack Holt and Des Trannore, the book looks at the growth of the Australian game in a part of the country where hard work was needed to establish support to grow and thrive. As well as examining part of the local history through Australian Rules football, the book continues as a rare look at the creation and development of a junior club in a highly Rugby League region, peppered with often hilarious yarns of life in a club that has had to do things a little “differently” to most to grow the game. A valuable addition to the canon of sporting history across Far North Queensland, particularly Cairns and surrounding districts, Kennedy’s Legacy is certainly worth the read whether you enjoy history, sport, or just something a bit different. To purchase a copy online or simply get more information about the book you can visit the following website: http://wesleyhullauthor.weebly.com/. Copies are also available at Roddo’s News Babinda on Munro Street (Phone 07 4067 1222).

Business Guide LAWN MOWING Morrie's Mowing & Yard Maintenance Lawn Mowing - Pruning - Weed Control Odd Jobs - Commercial Domestic Body Corp. Ph: 4056 5628 - Mob: 0428 291 033

UPHOLSTERY Paulie’s Upholstery Recovers, Repairs, Made to Order Furniture & Bed Heads. Free Measure and Quotes. Local tradesman with 18 years experience Ph: 0413 005 833 E: info@pauliesupholstery.com.au

ELECTRICIAN BKL Electrical: No Job Too Small Split System A/C’s, Safety Switches, Sheds / Garages, Security Lighting, Test & Tagging, Smoke Detectors, Switch Board Replacements, Power Points. Electrical Contractor Lic. No. 71068 ABN 87 169 579 855. AU No. AU35579. Ph: 4045 0583 - E: bklewis2@bigpond.com

YOGA Gentle Hatha Yoga to stretch the body and release tension. Suits all ages & levels of ability. Seniors Stretch Class: Mon 1.15pm-2.15pm Girl Guides Hall. General Class: CWA Hall, Norman St, Gordonvale. Mon 5.45-7.15pm,Thurs 9.30-11.00am. Class at Aloomba School Library: Mon 3.15-4.30pm. Enquiries: Marilyn Pratt Ph: 4054 2485 Mob: 0423 045 145 E: mazzap50@bigpond.net.au

27th July to 5th August Students are 15-17 years, male & female. Will attend Gordonvale SHS daily.

$$$ PAID! Call: 4041 7990 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) Email: info@edrec.com

The Mulgrave News is an independently owned newsletter printed and delivered free to the residents of Gordonvale every month. Any articles of interest can be included in the paper by emailing to admin@mulgravenews.com.au. Deadline for articles and advertising is the 15th of the month to allow time for set up and printing. The paper relies on advertising by local businesses to succeed. If you cannot advertise in the paper, please support the businesses that do advertise. Authors are responsible for obtaining permission to reproduce any material published in the Mulgrave News for which they do not hold copyright.

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Guitar Lessons with Steve Schwartz Steve Schwartz is a passionate musician and music teacher based in Mt Sheridan. Steve is also a member of the London College of Music Affiliated Registry of Guitar Tutors. Steve has played several times in our town, teaches a number of local guitar students and feels a real connection to Gordonvale. He grew up listening to hard rock, plays and sings classic acoustic rock and he is currently recording a classical guitar CD. Steve’s qualifications and wide ranging music background mean that he teaches a very diverse range of music including rock, metal, country, acoustic, classical and electric. Steve holds a current blue card and teaches all ages from 7 up. He is easy going and enjoys working with a diverse range of people. Steve has a passion for working with beginners and loves helping more advanced players develop their skills. If you have reached a point where you want to learn to play guitar Steve is currently taking bookings for term three. Students typically book a regular half hour slot once each week. Lessons are individually tailored to suit each individual student and Steve will happily work with you to learn how to play your favourite songs while he teaches you new techniques and skills. His rates are very reasonable. Regular half hour lessons are $30 for adults and $25 for students. If you would like to know more phone Steve on mobile 0416 464 821, like his Facebook page: www.facebook.com/SteveSchwartzGuitarTuition or email him: schwartzsteven@hotmail.com.

$2.2 million for new Early Childhood Centre Gordonvale will get a new early childhood and family support centre along with an extra 24 kindy places, Treasurer and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt has announced. Mr Pitt said he was delivering on an election commitment to build a new centre at Gordonvale State School, which would be operated by The Benevolent Society. “The Palaszczuk Government will provide $2.2 million towards construction of this new centre in response to a growing community demand,” he said.“It will be a new purpose-built facility that delivers a wider range of childhood care and education services. It’s great news for children and their families and great news for jobs and the local economy when construction gets underway.” Mr Pitt said that the early years service would enable the not-for-profit Benevolent Society to expand the service it currently provides at Gordonvale community hall.“The Benevolent Society is consulting with local stakeholders about the types of services to be provided in the new facility,” he said. “But it will focus on early childhood education and care, family support and child and maternal health. That’s a great outcome for the local community because it will better support the needs of families and young children in Gordonvale.” Education Minister Kate Jones said the Palaszczuk Government wanted schools to become hubs that provide a range of affordable child and education-focused services.“We want to ensure every Queensland child has access to quality early childhood care and education services that will support their safe, healthy and successful development,” she said. The Benevolent Society’s Cairns Early Years Centre has already relocated five staff to Gordonvale State School where they are operating from a classroom under team leader Claudine Wiesner ahead of construction starting on the new building. “We are already working closely with Gordonvale State School to deliver services including school readiness programs, outreach to hard-to-reach families and child health and wellbeing assessments,” Ms Wiesner said. “We look forward to welcoming more families to the new integrated early years service at Gordonvale State School.”

Our best advice. Your best interests. Telephone: 4081 6700 www.marinomoller.com.au Port Douglas Cairns Edmonton Gordonvale Babinda

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Gordonvale Community Hub located @ 17-19 Cannon Street 4 6

7 9 11

13 20 26

1 4 4 8 8 8 13

JULY Markets, Norman Park 7.30am - 12pm Sewing Group (every Monday) Presbyterian Women’s Fellowship Gordonvale, 9am – 12pm at Presbyterian Church Hall, Norman Street Story time Gordonvale Library 10.30am – 11.30am (first Tuesday of every month) JP Signing Service, Gordonvale RSL 10am - 2pm Cent Sale, $5 entry, Gordonvale RSL Hall, doors open 1pm – funds raised go to Reach Out For Ravenshoe organised by Gordonvale Community Organisations, contact Cheryl Campbell 0418 183 539 Sewing Group (every Monday) Presbyterian Women’s Fellowship Gordonvale, 9am – 12pm at Presbyterian Church Hall, Norman Street Sewing Group (every Monday) Presbyterian Women’s Fellowship Gordonvale, 9am – 12pm at Presbyterian Church Hall, Norman Street Good Price Pharmacy Warehouse Ride for Isabel start and finish in Norman Park, Gordonvale, more details http://www.rideforisabel.org.au AUGUST Markets, Norman Park 7.30am - 12pm Story time Gordonvale Library 10.30am – 11.30am (first Tuesday of every month) Mulgrave Settlers Museum Tea Cosy competition closes The 56th Great Pyramid Race & Country Fair, 8am – 8pm, Norman Park Gordonvale Mulgrave Settlers Museum Tea Cosy competition judging & display day Patchwork Quilt & Craft Display (NOT A QUILT SHOW), Presbyterian Church, Norman St, 9am – 3pm, Entry $5.00 JP Signing Service, Gordonvale RSL 10am - 2pm

WEEKLY Mon Sewing Group - Presbyterian Women’s Fellowship Gordonvale, 9am – 12pm at Presbyterian Church Hall, Norman Street Mon Gordonvale Goannas Playgroup 9.30am – 11.30am, QCWA Hall, Norman Street Mon Brownies 7-10 years 4.00pm-6.00pm - Guide Hut, Church Street Mon Guides 10-13 years 6.30pm-8.30pm - Guide Hut, Church Street Tue Playtime at Gordonvale 9.00am -10.30am – 0-5yrs, Free, outside prep room Gordonvale State School – Phone the school for more details 4043 3666 Tue Rangers 13-18 years 7pm-9pm,Guide Hut, Church Street Sat Gumnuts 5-7 years 9.30am-11am Guide Hut, Church Street Mon-Sat Mulgrave Settlers Museum, 60 Gordon Street 10am - 2pm If you would like to see your small or large event eg. fetes, cent sales, trivia nights, markets etc. published in the Caltex Community Calender please email your details to: admin@mulgravenews.com.au or give us a call on 07 4056 5825

Caltex Gordonvale 24 hrs 7 days 07 4056 6027

Canvas Printing Did you know you can get your favourite photo printed directly onto canvas right here at Print & Bind Gordonvale, stretched & ready to hang at the best prices.

76 Gordon St, Gordonvale

1300 275 434 www.printandbind.com.au

Council Corner WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND THE REGION Dreaming Stories - Gordonvale Library

Dreaming Stories - Babinda Library

56th Great Pyramid Race & Country Fair

TUES 7 JUL 2015, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

MON 20 JUL 2015, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

SAT 8 AUG 2015, 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Location: Gordonvale Library Contact: 4056 1365 Join us as we read Dreaming Stories in celebration of NAIDOC Week 2015.

Location: Babinda Library Contact: 4067 1112 Join us as we read Dreaming Stories in celebration of NAIDOC Week 2015.

Location: Norman Park Gordonvale RACE REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW OPEN Market Stalls, Big Boys Toys, 1500 metre Road Race and 5 kilometre cross country race.

James Cook University Open Day

AFL Comes Alive in Cairns

LEGO Mania - Gordonvale Library

SAT 11 JUL 2015, 2:00 PM

(During School Term)

Location: Cazalys Stadium Phone: 4042 3000 Email: admin@cafl.com.au Round 15 of the 2015 Toyota AFL Premiership Season comes to Cazalys Stadium when the Western Bulldogs host the Gold Coast SUNS as AFL Comes Alive in Cairns on Saturday July 11.

THURS 6 AUG 2015, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM Frequency: Every week on Thursday, until further notice Location: Gordonvale Library Contact: 4044 3778 Come join in the free fun of building with LEGO. At Gordonvale Library every Thursday 3.30pm4.30pm during school term only.

SUN 23 AUG 2015, 11:00 AM Location: James Cook University Cairns Campus Website: www.jcu.edu.au/openday/cairns/index.htm James Cook University's Open Day is a great opportunity to find out more about your local university – whether you are interested in starting, changing or furthering your career or you are simply curious about what is happening 'out at the uni', Open Day is a great day out for you and your family.

Youth Management Teams (YMT) Robyn’s Bowen Therapy & Emmett Technique

Youth Management Teams (YMT) provide opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills and abilities. How? Practice. After all, isn't that how most leaders become truly successful? Many people learn by ‘doing' and through the roles you take on you can build your knowledge, experience and expertise in leadership, and have a great time doing it. Many of the current YMT members play instrumental roles around their local club assisting as volunteers by running discos, activities and other larger events. Once a team is established, the benefit to a club and the community is only limited by the keenness and imagination of the people who make up the team.

Headaches, Dizziness and Sinus

Teams meet regularly, set their own goals, create and complete their own youth-related projects, and try out different leadership roles. Some teams have been running for a long time, others are just starting. Find a club. After some time as YMT member or facilitator, you can keep growing your leadership skills by becoming a Youth Delegate - an elected member of the Club Management Committee between 16 and 25 years old.

Dizziness is another symptom that can be relieved by Bowen and Emmett treatments. While dizziness can be caused by many things, an infected sinus is a common cause. I have had many clients that have found relief after a sinus treatment, especially if their discomfort was mostly around the eye region. Others suffering from dizziness have benefited from a balancing treatment which helps stabilise their whole body.

Youth Delegates can present issues effecting young people in their local area and play an advisory role to the Management Committee on activities and events for the young people in their local community. For further details contact Steve at The Edmonton PCYC on 4045 6540.

Whatever your pain or discomfort a Bowen and Emmett treatment will help you heal and make you feel better. Enjoy life and don’t put up with pain and discomfort. Robyn is available Monday to Saturday and home visits are available. Please phone 4056 3656 or 0431 303 453 for an appointment.

There are many reasons for headaches and dizziness. Headaches can be the result of physical or emotional tension. Tight muscles in the neck and shoulder regions can result in headaches so relaxing specific muscles will reduce the pressure and pain. Alternatively you may need a whole body relaxation treatment to relieve the headache.

Gordonvale Lions Club The following equipment & facilities are available for hire: Tables (seats 8) $ 7 Chairs $ 1 Large Barbeques $ 25 + gas Contact Norm Fitzpatrick 4056 3081

Air-conditioned club room with: • tables & seating for 60 • self-contained kitchen • data projector, laptop and screen Hire cost is $60/day or $10/day to non-profit organizations. Contact Glenn Pope 0417 707 447. Our large catering van is available for functions, fetes etc. Contact Barry Hardy 0408 562 120 We are currently seeking new members. Enquiries: Barry Hardy 0408 562 120 or Kelly Beadman 0414 682 962

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Early Days on the Mulgrave An Excerpt Of Ken Alley’s Stories (Information supplied by Mulgrave Settlers Museum) When my grandparents first settled at Riverstone (near Gordonvale) in 1877, the women had to take the washing through the scrub to the river which was about a mile away. My father used to guard them with a rifle. After they did the washing, they used to have a swim. One day, a girl who was visiting Riverstone was swimming in the river and nearly drowned. My father rescued her. The Cairns Telegraph Newspaper reported the incident in a much more sensational and dramatic fashion. “We give particulars of a narrow escape from drowning in the Mulgrave River. It seems that Mrs Blackwell, Mrs Williams and Miss Beale were bathing in the Mulgrave River when suddenly Miss Beale got out of her depth and was drowning. Mrs Williams, with most heroic presence of mind, dashed in after the girl and made a great effort to save her, but Miss Beale frantically clutched her would-be preserver and dragged her under the water. Mr George Alley was called upon and dived several times to retrieve the lifeless body. Miss Beale was black in the face when she was brought to the shore, so Mr Alley and the other two ladies used the usual restoratives and brought the girl around. After 24 hours, the girl had entirely recovered”. There were crocodiles in the Mulgrave River and their favourite haunt was the large hole just below where the Little Mulgrave flowed into the Mulgrave. They were there right up to the early 1920’s, but after development, they all disappeared. My father said in the early days three men were sleeping not far from the water at Russell Heads. During the night, a crocodile grabbed the leg of the man sleeping in the middle and was dragging him towards the water. One of the other men got his rifle and was pulling the trigger to fire at the crocodile. In his excitement, he forgot to release the safety catch, but the other man snatched the weapon and shot the crocodile. The man attacked, did not suffer serious injury. My brother Dick, tells the story that there was no jail in Gordonvale in the early days. Dick said the police would chain prisoners to a log in the corner of the park where the water tower is. Just after the railway came to Gordonvale in 1897, Dick said a prisoner, who had been chained to a log, picked it up and put it on his shoulder, and carried it over to the station where he sat on it and watched the train come in. Having satisfied his curiosity, he carried the log back to the park and resumed his jail time. Billy Griffin told me that one day my auntie, Mrs Blackwell, returned from south with a pot plant of Lantana and she thought the flowers were so pretty. My brother Dick remembers there was a single lantana bush growing in an old stump at the Pyramid Mill, he and his mates used to pick the flowers and put them in their hats. After the Pyramid Sugar Mill closed, the whole plantation quickly became covered in lantana. My aunt, Mrs Blackwell, was taken ill at Riverstone. There was no doctor or ambulance available, and she was too ill to be taken to the doctor in Cairns by coach. Sixteen men from Riverstone took it in turns and carried her in her bed to the doctor in Cairns, a distance of 17 miles. My grandfather William

Saunders Alley, died in Cairns in 1889 at the age of 57 and is buried with my grandmother in the family cemetery at Riverstone, in which my father, mother and aunt (Mrs Blackwell) are also buried. When we look back we can be proud of the development of this district over the past 100 years. Those early pioneers left their homelands for a new strange land. They carved out homes for themselves out of the wilderness. We must pay tribute to William Saunders Alley and Richard Blackwell especially, as they were the first settlers on the Mulgrave River. We must also pay tribute to their womenfolk, who stood by their side. They laid solid foundations for others to build on. They sowed so that others might reap.

Gillies Range Road Upgrade Works to improve safety and travelling conditions on the Gillies Range Road, are almost complete. Treasurer and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said the $790,000 project, funded by the Queensland Government’s Safer Roads Sooner program, would deliver improved safety and travelling conditions on the busy route. “Crews will upgrade the road surface and widen a 600 metre section of Gillies Range Road between Vico Street and the Goldsborough turnoff,” Mr Pitt said. “Safer Roads Sooner is all about improving road safety through highbenefit, cost-effective measures at known black spots and potential crash locations. Road users have been calling out for improvements along this important route for many years, so I am sure they will be very pleased with these works.” Mr Pitt said Transport and Main Roads was also planning to widen and seal a second 1.3km section of the road, to be carried out at a later date.

Babinda Library Campaign to Reduce Unwanted Pets Celebrates 60 Years Babinda Library has officially turned 60 and, the library would like to invites all Babinda residents and visitors to explore its facilities and services. Division 1 Councillor Steve Brain recalled the history of the library building. "Like many libraries in Australia, Babinda Library began life as a School of Arts," Division 1 Councillor Steve Brain said. "The original building was constructed in 1915 but suffered severe damage in the 1918 cyclone. The current building took shape around 1920, with parts of the original structure incorporated into the building. “The building spent some time as the town's RSL hall prior to its purchase in 1954 by the then Mulgrave Shire Council. The purchase price was £3000. The Council renovated the building to serve as a library and branch office. It was officially opened on 18 February 1955," Cr Brain said. A history and memorabilia display is currently on show in the library, featuring membership log books, photographs, newspaper clippings and past uniforms. The present branch supervisor, Holly Goriss, has been with the library for more than half of its existence. She will be serving up the birthday cake to all visitors to the open day and will be happy to discuss the changes she has seen during the past three decades. "I was here BC – before computers," Ms Goriss said. "We used the old card system and catalogues. It's been fascinating how libraries have embraced the electronic age."

Pet owners are being called to action on the issue of desexing their dogs and cats under a statewide campaign being supported by Cairns Regional Council.

Council today voted to get behind the RSPCA's Operation: Wanted campaign, which aims to increase the number of pets that are desexed and reduce issues related to unwanted litters, wandering pets and aggressive behaviour.

"We all know that, sadly, not every dog or cat that goes to the pound or to a shelter finds a home," Cr Manning said.

During Operation: Wanted, the participating vet practices will offer discounted desexing for dogs and cats until 31 August. Four local vet practices have signed up to the campaign:

Mayor Bob Manning said about 20 per cent of the Cairns region's 24,427 registered dogs were not desexed, yet they were consistently overrepresented at Council's pound.

Greencross Vets Brinsmead Greencross Vets Redlynch Central Greencross Vets Earlville Orange Vet, Smithfield

“It is a sad fact that so many pets find themselves in the pound for various reasons," Cr Manning said. "But it is no coincidence that many of these impounded pets have not been desexed. Entire dogs and cats are more likely to wander and to behave aggressively.”

"If you have a dog or cat that hasn't been desexed, it's not too late. By getting your pet desexed, you are not only contributing to a safer community with less unwanted puppies and kittens, but you are also entitled to significantly discounted registration, in the case of dogs," Cr Manning said.

“A big part of being a responsible pet owner is ensuring dogs and cats are desexed. If the cost of desexing is an issue, that is something that needs to be considered before getting a pet, as the cost of not desexing can be far greater.”

For more information on Operation: Wanted, visit www.operationwanted.com.au

Operation: Wanted aims to increase desexing of pets, thereby reducing the number of unwanted litters and, in turn, the number of abandoned pets looking for a new home.

Police News Update Residents of Castlereagh Street Gordonvale were woken suddenly on Friday the 19th of June after a car was dumped in the back of a residents at the top end of the street. A male person left the vehicle running and took off on foot into a vacant paddock adjacent to the property. Police were quickly on the scene and a police dog was deployed. A male person was located hiding in the cane paddock. A 36 year old male became disoriented before dumping the car and fleeing. On Monday the 22nd of June the man appeared in Cairns Magistrates court on a total of 12 charges after drugs including heroin, methamphetamine, steroids as well as a sawn off rifle and ammunition were found in the vehicle. The man was refused bail and will reappear in Court on the 13th of July.

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Robyn Hawley-Whitton Ph: 07 4031 9222 Mob: 0488 071 007 Email: robynhw@cpo.com.au www.cpo.com.au

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W NE

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Great value, situated in the township, this spacious, low set home oozes charm - timber floors, French doors & exposed beams. Modern kitchen & bathroom with bath & glass vanity top. Large bedrooms, main with private, timber deck. Side access, big yard, fenced.

13 Stanley Street, Gordonvale

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W NE Investor Alert! Family Home for Outdoor Lovers $299,000 neg.

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Affordable Semi-Acreage & Great Family Home $479,000 neg.

If you love living outdoors this family home will delight with its 738m² block & large rear veranda. Spacious rooms & large 2 way bathroom with bath. Open plan living & dining areas. Drive through access to rear, garden shed, fenced. Currently tenanted.

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W NE Forest Gardens - Romantic Town Cottage Mid $300,000's Elevated position in a quiet street this charming home offers quality & style. 3 bed, 1 x 2 way bath, 2 car. Main bed has walk through his / hers robes. New Guinea Rosewood kitchen & bay windows. Open plan living & dining flows to rear, tiled patio.

Private 5 Flat Acres, Permanent Creek & House Mid $300,000's Bounded on two sides by a permanent creek this solid, high set home is brimming with potential. Just add a bit of elbow grease & some renovating skills & you may have your dream home. 4 bedr, 1 bath, modern kitchen & bathroom. Potential for self-contained living. Old stables.

RECENT SOLD PROPERTIES • Maitland Rd, Mt Peter - $500,000 • Mendelsohn Cl, Gordonvale - $308,000 • Stamp St, Goldsborough - $625,000 • Hillman Pl, Bentley Park - $410,000 • Greenacres Cl, White Rock - $215,000 • Ross Road, Deeral - $365,000 • Waugh's Pocket Rd - $497,000 • McMahon Dr, Fishery - $328,000

Please phone Robyn to get the best possible price for your property.

• Funeral Home • Crematorium • 300 Seat Chapel • Catering Facilities

70-76 Maher Road, Gordonvale Disclaimer: The views expressed in the Mulgrave News are not necessarily the views of the production team. Any enquiries with regards to articles can be directed to email admin@mulgravenews.com.au or by phoning 4056 5877, Fax 4056 5866 or coming into 86 Gordon Street, Gordonvale Qld 4865.