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

Monday December 31, 2001 47th Edition

Cairns is still enjoying a festive break with most businesses remaining closed until the 2nd of January. Even though the City has been caught in the midst of a heat wave people have still managed to find ways to cool down and enjoy the holidays. Especially popular have been the freshwater swimming holes and rivers that have offered a respite from the hot and humid conditions. New Years Eve celebrations are set to go over the top with a number of large fireworks shows set to fire along the Cairns coastline on the night.

Our thoughts and sympathy goes to those people living in New South Wales who are experiencing losses due to purposely-lit bush fires.

Cairns gears up for New Year's Eve celebrations
Cairns is on standby for the biggest New Years Eve celebrations that the city has seen. Crowds of up to 10,000 people are expected to line the Esplanade and the City Heart to witness two fireworks shows on the night. There are a number of other fireworks shows set to go off throughout the region on the night, in Palm Cove and Port Douglas.

Heat wave continues
The hot weather is set to continue across the far north with stifling conditions having settled on Cairns for the past three weeks. Traditionally the annual wet season would have commenced by now, however prevailing weather conditions have ensured that dry north easterly winds continue, bringing little or no rain and with no relief in sight.

When the wet season does commence Cairns can expect thousands of millimetres of rain in a relatively short time.

Lotto winner still to come forward
Last Saturday's $23 million lotto draw had one lucky winner in Trinity Beach. The identity of the winner, who has to share the first division prize with ten other winners across the Country, is still unknown. Golden Casket Lottery Spokeswoman, Kara Chiconi, said "they haven't come forward so we assume that the winner has thrown their ticker in a corner and will check it on Monday. In this sort of case we just have to sit tight and wait and see who comes forward. They have got seven years but in these cases it usually takes a day or two - we've not had anyone who does not come forward". The total prize pool on the night was $58 million.

Queens visit is on again
Following the disappointment of the cancellation of the Queen's visit to Cairns in October, the announcement has been made that she will definitely be in the City in March 2002. The Queen is expected to perform several opening ceremonies whilst in the City with details yet to be confirmed.

2002 declared "Year of the Outback"
Queensland is well known for it's natural attractions including The Great Barrier Reef and the World Heritage Rainforests. With the announcement that 2002 has been declared the '"Year of the Outback", attention is intended to shifted to showcase the diverse and widespread Queensland outback. "Year of the Outback" Queensland Committee Chairman, Peter Huth, stated " People think of the great Queensland coastline and reef, but our state also has vast, fascinating and historic outback destinations and, even more importantly, unique outback characters and traditions.

Some of the events proposed for the year long celebration include: Queensland Cattle Saleyards Conference, 74th Anniversary of the Royal Flying Doctors and a Coast to Coast Bike Road to mention just a few.

Post Christmas sales go crazy
Like every other city in Australia, Cairns was caught in a wave of hysteria with the end of year sales, which commenced on Boxing Day (26th of December). This year the sales were very popular with bargains galore for those shoppers brave enough to battle the large crowds. The end of year sales have become a tradition in Australia with virtually all retailers participating the event. Cairns retailers have reported record trading in the few days prior to Christmas and in the end of year sales.