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

Monday January 28, 2002 50th Edition

The people of Cairns celebrated Australia in true Aussie style, with outdoor functions and BBQ's throughout the entire region. Officially marking the end of the school holidays, Cairns will begin to return to normal as 40,000 children return to school.

Australia Day celebrated across the far North
Australia Day is one of the most celebrated holidays in Australia. It represents the day that the colony of Australia was founded. Festivities and special events were held throughout the Country over the holiday weekend. In Cairns there were beach BBQ's (3,000 people attended one at Yorkeys Knob), Australiana displays and bush bands playing in public places.

Australian citizens of note were awarded in ceremonies over the weekend. In Cairns, Mr Bob Manning was named the Cairns City of the Year. Mr Manning is the head of the Cairns Port Authority which overseas the operations of the International Airport and Seaport. Mr Manning has also been involved in many other organizations during his working career, having contributed extensively to the development of the region.

Another well known Cairns businessman, George Chapman, was awarded the Order of Australia. This is the highest award in Cairns and it was given in recognition for the role played by Mr Chapman in promoting and developing the region and supporting community based projects.

Worlds largest flower blooms
The Cairns Botanical Garden had a rare treat last week with the flowering of their 'Sumatran Stinky Plant". The plant is rare and endangered and whilst the smell that the flower produces has been described as similar to a dead rat, there was no shortage of people visiting the gardens for a view at amorphallus titanium. The flower grows to over 3.3 metres and the putrid smell attracts insects that assist in the pollination process. Whilst the flower is big and bold, it has a short life of 2-3 days.

Police blitz for back to school week
Cairns Police have warned motorists that they will be patrolling streets around schools in the region to ensure that motorists stick to the 40km per hour speed limits. The safety of nearly 40,000 school children is a big issue and one that is receiving Local, State and Federal Government attention in attempt to reduce the number of roadside accidents.

New resort planned for old crocodile farm site
A $20 million retirement style resort is being planned for a former crocodile farm site at Mission Beach (160km south of Cairns). The 36 ha site will feature 55 houses and 40 upmarket units and a nine hole golf course, bowling green, lap pools, tennis courts, gym and squash courts, all close to the pristine Mission Beach. The former Crocodile Park was closed after a serious flood in 1991 resulted in virtually all of the wildlife, including 200 crocodiles, to escape into the surrounding environment. The new resort is due to be opened in 2003.

King Tides on the way
Every year Cairns battens down the hatches as the City is inundated with King Tides. Whilst they do little damage, the above normal tides do inundate low lying parts of the City for several hours during each high tide. The flooding also provides an opportunity for some of the Cities reptilian dwellers to travel across roads. Last year a 3m crocodile was run over on one of the main access roads into Cairns.

More cruise ships on the way
Eight international cruise ships will be visiting Cairns in February. This represents an increase of almost 60 percent on the same period last year. The cruise ship market has grown considerably in recent years and the economic benefit to the region has become very significant.

Tickets to the Cairns show set to rise
The Cairns show is as much a part of the year as Christmas and Australia Day. This year, the Cairns Show is feeling the affect of increasing insurance premiums with ticket prices set to rise to cover the spiralling public liability insurance costs. The price rises are not expected to affect attendance figures, however it does put a strain on lower income families, traditionally the main beneficiaries of the show. This years Cairns Show will run from July 17 - 19.

Taipans coach furious over lost game
From elation to misery is how coach Guy Molloy is being quoted, after the Taipans lost a vital game against the Sydney Kings in the last few minutes of the Saturday night clash. Coach Molloy stated that his team's performance was pathetic, a strong condemnation for the team that were level with the Sydney Kings only four minutes from the final siren. The Kings went on to win 96-84.