A weekly re-cap of the events that have made news in Cairns over the past week.

Monday August 12, 2002 78th Edition

Events in Cairns came in large proportions this week with everything from the arrival of stunning humpback whales, to compost plants and some legendary sporting heroes. It was certainly an interesting and unusual week.

Plaza sells for $22m
Mt Sheridan Plaza, Cairns' newest shopping complex has sold for $22m to a Sydney-based buyer. The James Fielding Group is planning to extend the centre with the opportunity to buy adjoining vacant land worth $2.15 million by 2004. The centre is the first retail property to be marked for the 'James Fielding Retail Fund', predicted to commence late August.

Giant compost plant arrives
Massive composting cylinders, which will play a vital role in the new waste disposal plant in Cairns, arrived last week. The 60m structures were transported from Maryborough by barge. The $120 million Portsmith waste system will ensure Cairns is more environmentally friendly. It is the biggest project undertaken by Cairns City Council in the last 10 years.

Humpbacks give welcome wave to tourists
Humpback whales have been spotted off islands and reefs in Cairns, to the delight of tourists and locals on tour boats over the past few weeks. The whales have been sighted at Green Island, as well as Agincourt and Opal reefs off Port Douglas. Great Adventures skipper Brian Cave, said two groups of up to eight whales were found near Green Island. It was reported that one group had even included a rare, white whale.

Bubs can eat out too
Cairns mothers' celebrated World Breastfeeding Awareness Week by displaying "breastfeeding welcome here" signs throughout the city. Australian Breastfeeding Association Far Northern representative Cathie Reynolds said, "mums sometimes were made to feel uncomfortable about breastfeeding in public." While Queensland laws make it illegal for breastfeeding mums to be forced to leave premises, the signs make breastfeeding-friendly places easily recognizable and welcoming.

Church praised
St Therese's church in Cairns has been honored with the prestigious title of Queensland's top new public building at the Queensland Architect Awards in Brisbane. The church has been described by judges as a "building of beauty and serenity" and was designed by Robin Gibson and Partners. The judges' report also commented that the church presented a traditional message through contemporary space and form, which is difficult to achieve.

Sporting Legends relax in Cairns
More than 400 people attended a charity lunch hosted by sporting legends John Eales and Ian Healy in Cairns recently. Limited edition sporting gear signed by the former Wallaby's captain John Eales and former Australian wicket keeper Ian Healy, raised more than $15 000. The money will be shared by the Cairns Junior Cricket Association, the Cairns and District Rugby Union and the Mayoress Education Trust fund.

Comedy Shows Liven Up Cairns
Top Aussie comedians will have Cairns residents in stitches soon with monthly comedy shows planned for the region. City nightspot Metropolis Bar Dining has launched its new venture, The Cairns Comedy Store, featuring popular comedy acts from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Cairns Comedy Store owner Yanni Trainedes said "the new Cairns shows were designed to offer local residents some lighthearted good medicine."

Perfect Pee
It seems there are different ways to achieve an effective 'pee'. According to professor Ajay Rane of James Cook University, by putting your feet flat on the ground, your hands on your knees and leaning forward, you're ready for the 'perfect pee.' Professor Rane has spent years studying the perfect pee, helping one million Australians, which includes 300 000 men, who suffer from a weak bladder.