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In Focus, 26 February 2015

Dear reader, welcome to the latest edition of In Focus, full of news, events and opportunities from your council.

Mayor's Message

It's fantastic to see our very own Cairns Taipans sitting atop the National Basketball League ladder.

Tomorrow night, they will take on the Perth Wildcats in the first game of a best-of-three semifinals series.

There is no doubting that sport is a great leveller. It brings people together like nothing else. We're a great sporting nation and friendly rivalry can bring out the best in us.

With that in mind, I would truly love to see our city get right behind the Taipans in their challenge to bring Cairns its very first national title.

Decorate your business or home in orange to join in the fun and excitement and to show your support for our home team.

The Taipans have continually proved to be excellent role models for our communiy and Council is proud to be associated with the club as a sponsor.

Let's go, Taipans!

Mayor Bob Manning

Babinda Library turns 60
Librarian Holly Goriss with some of the library memorabilia

Babinda Library reached a significant milestone this month, racking up 60 years since its official opening.

A history and memorabilia display is currently on show in the library as a reminder of days gone by in the traditional sugar town. Long-time Babinda librarian Holly Goriss is pictured with some of the items on display.

The current building was constrcuted in around 1920, with parts of the previous, cyclone-damaged structure incorporated into the building.

Mulgrave Shire Council purchased the building in 1954 for £3000. It was officially opened as the Babinda library on 18 February 1955.

These days, Babinda Library holds around 5300 items, with access to the full Cairns Library catalogue of more than 200,000 items. There is a large selection of magazines, DVDs, CDs and audiobooks, as well as the traditional page variety.

The branch features a local history touchscreen loaded with historical photographs from the Jago collection.

Events to celebrate the library's 60th birthday are being planned for later in the year.

Celebrating women
International Women's Day logo

Tickets are now on sale for the Cairns Region International Women’s Day Breakfast.

To be held on Saturday 7 March in the Cairns Shangri-La Ballroom, the morning will celebrate the wonderful contyribution women have made to our community.

The highlight will be the announcement of the Cairns Region Woman of the Year and Young Woman of the Year.

Guest host will be Sea FM's Juanita Soper. Doors open at 7.30am for an 8am start. Tickets are $35 per person and include a hot, plated breakfast with tea, coffee, fruit and Pastries. Book through TicketLiNK online or on 1300 855 835.

Other local events celebrating International Women's Day include Gals at the Gallery on Thursday 5 March at the Cairns Regional Gallery and Gals and Ukes on 9 March at Hambledon House.

See the What's On calendar on our website for details.

Chinese friendship garden
Concept design for Chinese garden

Work will soon be under way on a Chinese-style friendship garden in the Centenary Lakes precintct.

VIS Constructions will be tasked with constructing the gardens, which have been designed in consultation with the Mayoral office of Zhanjiang, one of Cairns’ seven Sister Cities.

The project will include red entry pillars, a pavilion, tai chi lawn and ornamental boulders alongside traditional Chinese plants.

It is to be located on the banks of Freshwater Lake and will reflect the unique relationship between Cairns and Zhanjiang and Cairns’ historical and ongoing connection with China.

It is also intended to be a place of reflection for Chinese visitors to Cairns.

Lake Morris recreation

Expressions of Interest for the operation of recreational activities on Copperlode Falls Dam will close on Friday 6 March.

Council is seeking suitably qualified commercial and community entities with the relevant experience and knowledge to develop, promote, and conduct recreational activities in accordance with the core values outlined in the Lake Morris Recreation Management Plan

Council will be delivering a presentation on this Expression of Interest process and to provide an overview of the Lake Morris Recreation Management Plan. The date and details of this presentation will be included in the EOI Documents.

Documents for this Expression of Interest are only available via email. 

Healthy partnership
Bob Norman and Bob Manning sign the Memorandum of Understanding

Improved health and wellbeing within the Cairns regional community is the core aim under a formalised agreement between Council and the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS).

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the two organisations, building on an existing partnership between the two organisations.

Council will seek out opportunities to join forces with CHHHS to promote public health-based campaigns and initiatives.

The MoU agrees both parties:

  • Work in partnership to foster a healthy community
  • Jointly conduct health promotion activities
  • Build the capabilities of both organisations by sharing corporate knowledge, information and resources
  • Identify opportunities to collaborate on matters beneficial to both parties
  • Seek opportunities through shared-service agreements
  • To work cooperatively to identify and secure available funding from a range of sources

Orange Army call to action
Cr Cooper and Cr O'Halloran with Taipan players and orange balloons

The call has gone out to turn Cairns orange as our city's only national sporting team embarks on a mission to secure the club's first title.

The CQ University Cairns Taipans have finished the regular season in top spot on the NBL ladder, going into the semifinals play-offs this Friday.

Council is encouraging local businesses to decorate their shopfronts in support of the Taipans. Council has led the way by lighting the City Library in an orange hue and distributing posters to CBD businesses.

The Taipans will take on the Perth Wildcats at the Cairns Convention Centre this Friday night. They will then travel to Perth for game 2 on Sunday. If required, a third game will be played in Cairnse on Tuesday 3 March.