From October 2009: Council is always concerned about putting BBQs in suburban parks, but Milky Pine Park in Baview recently received a new Council BBQ courtesy of Paul Wallace and his team in Works and Services. The location of this park on busy Anderson Rd, works to discourage vandalism!
New BBQ in Milky Pine Park
A new CEO has been appointed to Cairns Regional Council and will start work on November 16. The appointment follows a nationwide search for a new CEO which attracted more than 40 applicants from all states of Australia as well as New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. The vacancy arose when the previous CEO, Noel Briggs, resigned in June, in the wake of the “cash-for-comment” scandal.
The applications received were of a very high standard with a number of well respected local government managers from around the country applying. A CRC Spokesperson said, “We were very pleased with the level of interest in the position and especially the calibre of candidates; in the end Lyn was selected on the basis of her excellent record as a CEO. She has a particularly strong record of achievement in community engagement which the panel felt would be a great asset to council.” Lyn has been with Wagga Wagga City Council since March 2008. Prior to that she was CEO of the City of Thuringowa. She is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Management as well as the Local Government Managers Association and was recognised as Queensland and Australian businesswoman of the year in 1996 for her work at Brisbane City Council.
Cr. Rob Pyne said, “Council is very pleased to have secured the services of such an experienced well respected local government manager and I look forward to the leadership, vision and stability that Lyn will bring to the role. Moving forward she will have the chance to shape her own Management Team to see the ‘operational’ business of Council is done well.”
Lyn Russell
NEW CEO APPOINTED TO COUNCIL
A local family was honoured, by having a White Rock Park named after them.
The family boasts many talented individuals, including:
Frank Reys, champion jockey, won his first race in 1948. In 1973 he was the first Aboriginal jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, riding Gala Supreme to victory, becoming a legend in the horse racing industry!
Fred Reys, worked a number of jobs in the area, including cane cutting, plant operator and with the Mulgrave Shire in Parks and Gardens. Fred married Mona a Gimuy Yidindji woman, from White Rock.
Mona had worked at the Gordonvale Hospital for just over 17 years as an assistant nurse and Domestic supervisor.
Ken (Fred’s and Mona’s son), was a Senior Public Servant of 24 years, in Canberra and in North Queensland, former General Manager of Bumma Bippera Media and Chairperson of the National Indigenous Media Association. He is currently Deputy Chair of the National Indigenous Television. Ken is an elder of the Gimuy Yidindji Clan of Cairns and gives ‘Welcome to Country’ speeches on behalf of the Traditional Owners and custodians of the land.
Eric Reys worked in many organisations including both community radio stations 98.7FM and 89.1FM.and was a driver for Prime Minister Harold Holt;
Karen Reys is the daughter of yet another of Frank’s brothers, Stephen. She is a talented indigenous artist and her work is recognised throughout Australia. Karen has over twenty years experience working with indigenous programs and organisations. Prior to moving to Perth, Karen lived in White Rock for many years and was an educator of aboriginal art and culture, working in primary schools, private and government organisations, community arts festivals and exhibitions throughout Cairns.
Susan Reys is another daughter of Stephen Reys. Susan grew up in Cairns and is also a very talented painters.
Shelley Reys, is the first indigenous woman to be Deputy Chairperson of the Australia Day Council and is a director of Reconciliation Australia and the Fred Hollows Foundation;
Other family members have also significantly contributed to the region, including Andy Reys (late), a teacher, Lawrence Reys, who owns and operates a Cairns tiling trade business for over 30 years and Lynette (late) a highly tertiary qualified, skilled nurse and Nurse Educator.
As you can see, the Reys clan are real local achievers.
A full history of the park itself may also be of interest.
Cairns Regional Council is shifting its focus from building new assets to ‘the maintenance and replacement’ of existing assets. The Woree Community Centre, located on the corner of Toogood Road and Jasper Street, is a great example of this approach.
In the past 18 months, Council has laid new carpet at the centre, replaced the roof guttering and most recently, given the car park attention with new curbing. The centre is managed for Council by the FNQ TPI, which results in considerable savings for the rate payer. People wanting to book the centre 4033 7608 or fnqtpi@bigpond.net.au It is heavily booked at the moment, but opportunities are sure to arise in the New Year.
Woree Community Centre
Cairns Regional Council has endorsed the campaign by local residents for the town of Miriwinni to have an additional ‘r’ added to its name, to bring it into line with the significant indigenous name Merriwinnoo.
Councillor for Division 1, Cr. Paul Gregory, said “As the name has indigenous roots from the Yidinji clan and refers to nearby Mount Bellenden Ker that forms the town’s dynamic backdrop, the township has formed a committee to return Miriwinni to its original spelling.” He added, “although the request may appear small, restoring the town’s moniker to its original spelling held historical significance for the community.”
“Pre-war documentation and the original railway station show Miriwinni with a double ‘r’ spelling and somewhere along the way this was overlooked or forgotten,” Cr Gregory said.
The town’s Restore the R in Miriwinni Committee has collected more than 400 signatures in a petition that has been presented to state parliament.
Cairns Regional Council’s endorsement of the revised spelling is a requirement in gaining ministerial approval for the name change.
