Peace festival at Fogarty Park

The HuMANDALA Peace Festival will be held from noon this Saturday at Fogarty Park.

The festival aims to raise funds to provide counselling services and the construction of a building for homeless youths. The main event will be the creation of the HuMANDALA, a human art piece shaped by people linking hands to create this flower image Other features of the festival include performances, demonstrations, a mind-body-spirit expo, markets, youth service providers and workshops. For more information, contact Renee Cashman on 4055 9761 or email hive@beeuniversal.org.

Plenty on offer for seniors

FROM golf and lawn bowls to ten-pin bowling, free concerts and sausage sizzles, Senior’s Week 2006 offers something for everyone.

Cairns City Council invites all residents of Cairns, 50 years and over to participate in a week of fun and activities from August 5-12. The week is aimed at providing seniors in the community with free entry or discounts on activities such as golf, ten-pin bowling, lawn bowls, movies, and indoor bowling, and a variety of dining options, all proudly supported by local businesses and Cairns City Council. Some of the highlights of the week include a special Morning Melodies concert at Cairns Civic Theatre featuring Jeannie Little on August 7, and the Patti Allen Theatre Royale Vaudeville Show to be held at Cazalys on August 11. For further information on the tickets or program please contact Glenda McAuliffe on 4044 3019.

Rose joins Taipans

Taipans archenemy Robert Rose has seen the light and joined the Cairns basketball team.

Rose has caused problems for the Taipans’ on a number of occasions, including an incident two seasons ago with the scores tied and only seconds left in the game Rose netted a three-pointer to crush the Taipans’ hopes, giving Townsville the win. "Hopefully, I can do that for Cairns now." Rose said. While Gary Boodnikoff is recovering from ankle surgery, 41 year old Rose has been given a three month contract with the Taipans Robert took part in his first pre-season training session yesterday hoping to work his way on to the Taipans’ roster for the full season.

Record number of babies born

A record 1178 babies were born at Cairns Base Hospital in the first six months of this year.

Member for Cairns Desley Boyle said the 2006 first-half result was 48 higher than for the first six months of 2005, when 1130 babies were born, and is the highest first-half result ever. "People often assume that Cairns' growth comes from interstate and overseas migration. But these figures average out at more than 45 babies a week. That sort of growth helps our economy and is also important in helping Cairns remain a young area,” Ms Boyle said.

Garden Awards judged soon

Judging of the Cairns Garden Awards will take place on August 8-10 with the winners announced on Saturday, August 12.

Gardens entered in the annual awards will be judged by experienced horticulturist Darryl South. Bookings are being taking for The Cairns Garden Club’s bus tour of the winning gardens on Sunday August 20. To ensure you have a seat on the tour telephone 4054 5098.

Australia venue for reef education

Australia is becoming the training ground for the world's coral reef experts say leading marine scientists.

The Australian Research Council's coral reef studies centre, based at James Cook University (JCU), the University of Queensland and the Australian National University has attracted 75 postgraduate students from 23 countries. Head of Marine Biology at JCU, Professor Mike Kingsford, said top students are attracted by the opportunity to work with experts in climate change, fisheries and reef management.