No Images? Click here Cairns Regional Council e-news - Volume 22, 25 January 2017Tourism visionary is Citizen of the YearA true pioneer of the Cairns tourism industry, Charles Woodward (pictured with Mayor Bob Manning) was named the 2017 Citizen of the Year at today's Cairns Region Australia Day Awards. Charles established his first venture in 1976 and has since grown his business, CaPTA Group, to be one that is synonymous with Far North Queensland tourism. He has won numerous awards and honours for his contribution to inbound tourism during the past 40 years. His lobbying led to the introduction of the Cairns International Airport, opening an additional international gateway for Queensland in 1984. Charles’ determination to implement social justice changes is demonstrated in his drive to increase Indigenous employment. He has worked alongside Indigenous elders and communities to provide sustainable employment, championing diversity and fostering true reconciliation. Charles was the driving force behind the formation of local charity COUCH, which has successfully lobbied for improved treatment services and facilities for cancer patients. Read more about Charles Woodward and all of the award winners Young Citizen of the YearAt just 17 years of age, Kate Boylan-Ascione has displayed exemplary efforts to raise awareness about human rights and social justice on the international stage. She was one of just 11 Australian students selected to be part of a United Nations delegation to East Timor in 2016 as part of a national Youth Pacific Project. Kate has fundraised extensively for Nepal and East Timor and is active in many community organisations and programs. She received the RSL Youth Development Grant in 2016 and is a talented filmmaker, singer and musician. Kate has shared her passion for the arts and her knowledge with youth in remote communities, having travelled to the Kimberley region in Western Australia to host vocal workshops. Volunteer of the YearA passionate supporter of local rugby league, Pat Bailey has given many decades of voluntary service to the sport. She has worked tirelessly over 40 years to promote and develop rugby league in Cairns. She has given up every weekend during the footy season for as long as she can remember and has been available around-the-clock to provide support to club officials and players. Away from sport, Pat is quick to offer her assistance wherever it can be of benefit. She travelled to Innisfail and Tully to assist the communities in the wake of Cyclone Larry and Yasi respectively. She is a long-serving member of the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation and is the Vice President of Cairns Meals on Wheels. Cultural AwardsJon Christodoulides has made an enormous contribution to the community through his involvement in the music scene, in both a professional and voluntary capacity. He is the musical director of the three bands that make up Cairns Brass, and also for the North Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra. He invests heavily in the development of young musicians and volunteers his time to run free musical workshops. Junior Cultural Award recipient Connor Wright is a talented musician who plays trombone, piano and guitar. He has also been a featured solo singer on many occasions. Connor was part of the cast for the Cairns Choral Society’s acclaimed performance of Phantom of the Opera last year and was selected as a soloist for the group’s recent Christmas concert. He received the prestigious Musician of the Year award as a Year 12 student at St Augustine’s College in 2016. Sports AwardsSportsperson of the Year Montague Summers achieved 23 medals in 24 events in the Australian Transplant Games in Sydney in 2016. He set an unofficial world record for a transplant athlete in last year’s Cairns Ironman 70.3 and set three national records. He has been selected to represent Australia at the 2017 World Transplant Games in Spain and has been appointed as the Australian ambassador for the World Transplant Games Federation. Behind the scenes, he has dedicated much of his time to supporting the Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association. Junior Sportsperson of the Year Tahlulah Tillett achieved broad success in touch football and rugby league in 2016. She represented Queensland in the Under 20 Touch Football State of Origin and has been selected for the Australian Open Mixed touch football squad for this year’s Trans-Tasman series. Next month, Tahlulah will be part of the Indigenous All Stars Women’s rugby league side to play the curtain-raiser to the Harvey Norman All Stars rugby league program. Tahlulah is also a mentor for other young footballers and is employed on a part-time basis with the NRL. Celebrate Australia DayCelebrate Australia Day tomorrow with laidback tunes by the beautiful Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. A free concert will be held from 2pm to 6pm, featuring indi singer-songwriter Sahara Beck and local acts The NightShift, Ino Reeves and Savidas. Prior to the concert, Bopstars will entertain younger audiences from midday until 1.30pm. Free activities are also happening to the north and south of the city. Breakfast will be served in return for a gold coin donation on the Yorkeys Knob foreshore from 7am. Activities including market stalls, petting zoo, face painting and more will continue until 1pm. At Edmonton's Sugarworld Gardens, Rock Impact Inc will host an afternoon of games and entertainment from 2pm to 4pm.
Looking for us on Twitter? We're @councilcairnsTime for walkies?Still trying to lose those extra Christmas kilos? Or have you set a goal to be more active in 2017? Then take the dog for a walk! It's not only a great incentive to get owners up and moving but it's great for your dog's health and wellbeing too. Regular walks help reduce problem barking, provides sensory stimulation and improves social behaviour in dogs. Plus it's a great way to get outdoors and meet your neighbours. Conversation Cafe expandsThe popular Conversation Cafe program has expanded into Stratford Library. The concept provides a friendly and respectful forum for people to engage in discussion on interesting topics over a cuppa and biscuit. The first meeting will be on Friday 3 February, with the topic being "Books to Movies". It's free and everyone is welcome. Conversation Cafe will return on the first Friday of each month. Masters on their MarksThe Great Barrier Reef Masters Games return to Cairns this year on 25-28 May. With 24 sports to choose from, it is time to dust of those runners and jerseys and register. Take advantage of the Early Bird registration discount before March 31. For more information head to the official website. The Great Barrier Reef Masters Games are brought to you by Cairns Regional Council, Tourism Events Queensland and Tourism Tropical North Queensland. Library Elf is here to helpIs your new year’s resolution to spend more time enjoying a good book? Or maybe just to be more organised? That’s where Library Elf can help! All Cairns Libraries members can access the free online helper tool Library Elf to keep track of borrowed items, provide reminders and even advise when a reserved book is ready to pick up. It sends a reminder by email when items are due for return and, if you need a little more time, you can even set up the elf to renew the item. Multiple memberships can be linked to the one Library Elf to keep track of all the item return dates for your household. Cairns Libraries members can register for the free Library Elf service online at www.cairns.qld.gov.au/library. Water restrictionsLevel 1 water restrictions remain in place for the entire Cairns Regional Council area. As well as reduced sprinkler use times, restrictions apply to hosing of paved areas, topping up of swimming pools, ponds and tanks, washing vehicles and operation of fountains. View the full Level 1 fact sheet for details. For more information about how to save water at home and in the garden, visit our website. |