MR ENTSCH: I rise this afternoon to place on the record and pay tribute to those in my community who were recently named as Citizens of the Year at recent local government Australia Day Awards ceremonies in my electorate. These awards are always one of the highlights of the year, as they acknowledge those who…
MR ENTSCH: To say that the Cairns and Far North Queensland tourism industry has been doing it tough lately is certainly an understatement. Given all the challenges that the industry has faced over the last 12 months or more, it was very pleasing to see Far North Queensland businesses recognised at the recent Queensland Tourism…
MR ENTSCH: Presenting certificates at end-of-year school award ceremonies is something I look forward to each year. It’s a time when school communities come together to recognise the achievements of students throughout the year. This year I presented awards at Kuranda District State College; Redlynch State College; Cooktown State School; and Cape York House—for the…
Mr ENTSCH: I recently travelled to Lakeland, located a few hundred kilometres north-west of Cairns, for the official opening of a new sporting oval and facilities. This wasn’t just another sporting field or simply another opening. The sporting field was named in honour of Cape York legend Alan Wilson. The Alan Wilson Oval is a fitting…
Mr ENTSCH: The word ‘legend’ is one that is often used and branded about, especially when referring to our sporting heroes. But what really makes a sporting legend—passion, dedication, success? If they’re the criteria then Cairns Paralympic athlete Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson has certainly earnt the title. Scooter, as he’s commonly known, recently competed in the…
MR ENTSCH: It gives me great pleasure to highlight the winners of the Tropical North Queensland Tourism Industry Excellence Awards, which were held last Friday evening in the Rainforestation Nature Park at Kuranda. More than 170 people gathered to celebrate the industry’s excellence in innovation by acknowledging the people and businesses at the forefront of…
MR ENTSCH: Last Wednesday evening, my beautiful wife and I had the pleasure of attending the 2021 North Queensland and Northern Territory Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence, at the Reef Casino in Cairns. It was a sold-out event, with some 190 guests, in what everyone in the tourism and hospitality business feels has…
Mr ENTSCH: On Saturday night the 2021 Cairns Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards were held. Since the inception of the awards in 2017, the BEX awards, as they are commonly known, showcase business excellence and the contributions businesses have made to the community of Cairns. With 10 categories, 200 nominees, 71 finalists and 14…
Mr ENTSCH: Far North Queenslanders have answered the call and rolled up their sleeves in record numbers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. They know the vaccine is the best defence to protect themselves, their families, their loved ones and their communities from COVID-19. They also know that the 70 per cent to 80 per cent…
Mr ENTSCH: I rise this afternoon to pay tribute to the amazing health professionals who are getting on with the job of ensuring that those living in Cape York communities are receiving their COVID-19 vaccines. So far, residents living in Bamaga, Coen, Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Aurukun, Pormpuraaw and Weipa have had access to their first…