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

Monday September 23, 2002 84th Edition

The spirit of the Cairns community was in full swing this week with some very strange and in some cases, daring, charity fundraising events. Some were fearless and bared all for charity while others had expensive taste in fruit and even the local wildlife got involved with crocodile races held last week. Festival Cairns, an array of fun and exciting activities run over three weeks, ended on Saturday, with the Parade of Lights final and fireworks along the Cairns Esplanade.

Baring all for charity
Couples in a small outback Queensland town bared all in a new calendar for charity last week. The people of Chillagoe, west of Cairns have been posing for a nude calendar to raise money for the local hospital. This is the third year that locals have got behind the rather raunchy concept. Last year's theme "Chillagoe Chicks" featured naked women, while in 2000, nude men posed for "Chillagoe Charmers". This year they have taken it one step further, with the theme being "Chillagoe Couples". Shooting locations have included a cave, a cubbyhouse, a waterhole, on the back of a horse and behind termite mounds. Volunteers have ranged from tour guides to stockmen.

Cairns singing sensation rocks to the top
Cairns singing stars Shakaya have been nominated for an ARIA award (Australian Recording Industry Association) for their single Stop Calling Me and will perform the hit at the awards ceremony, taking place in Sydney on October 15. The nomination in the highest selling single category is the latest landmark in Shakaya's extraordinary rise to national prominence. The ARIA awards are the Australian equivalent of America's Grammys. The duo's latest single Cinderella, is due for release at the end of September.

Esplanade lagoon party plans
Tentative party plans have been pencilled in for February 15 for the official opening of the Esplanade lagoon - the centre focus of the Cairns waterfront redevelopment. While the official launch will be next year, the lagoon may be open for swimming as early as December. Cairns City Council Esplanade organising committee spokesman Gary Schofield revealed that some of the country's best international swimmers would be part of the day-long opening festivities. "Our Big Splash will be held on February 15, which would involve a food festival, street stalls, and a floating pontoon stage off the mudflats for a night time free concert with supports," Mr Schofield said.

Pirates of Penzance hits Cairns
The swashbuckling song and dance smash-hit musical Pirates of Penzance opened in Cairns last week with a star studded line up of performers. Among them were principal and producer Simon Gallaher and stage and rock veteran Jon English who impressed audiences with their modern slant on the 120-year-old classic. The performance has been tailored to suit Cairns with references made to the tropical environment. However, the traditional musical feel has also been retained, making the mix a hit with audiences of all ages.

Café China wins award
Cairns restaurant Café China has won the American Express Award for best restaurant in Cairns and the Far North Queensland region for the second year running. The restaurant and noodle bar won against a strong contingent of contestants, which is judged by American Express cardholders. Café China co-owner Harry Sou said "I think to try and win an award like that through member voting, the consistency of food and service also have to meet the expectations of our regular customers." Following this success, a second restaurant will be opened at The Reef Hotel Casino by the end of the year.

Far North marked as fuel centre
The North Queensland region from Mareeba to Dimbulah has been marked as a proposed new ethanol fuel production centre, using oil from tea-tree and eucalypt trees grown in the area. Technology consultant Greg Eaton said the fuel would use two species of eucalypt and tea-tree as additives. "The alcohol in fuel absorbs water. Eventually it absorbs enough water to separate and cause problems," he said. "These new additives - natural renewable products grown by farmers - prevent this happening."

Mangoes sold for $36 000
A phenomenal $36,000 was handed over last week for the season's first tray of Cairns mangoes at the Sydney Markets in Flemington. Joe Logozzo won the bidding for the tray at the annual mango auction to raise money for the Westmead Children's Hospital. "I paid $36, 000 for a tray of 12 mangoes," he said. "I wasn't expecting to bid that high, but I was determined to outbid the others."

Croc races raise money
The Aboriginal community of Pormpuraaw north of Cairns, held their annual crocodile races to raise money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service recently. The event involved 25 baby crocodiles on loan from a nearby croc farm - in five heats and one final. Croc handlers released the animals down a slide onto a track where they crawled about 6m to the finish line. Organiser Peter Gottstein said "We put a bit of tape on their nose so they don't go and chew any of the spectators." "Some run fantastically well and other try to run back up the shute." The crocs are sold in a Calcutta auction before the races.