Advance Cairns

Mr ENTSCH: Last week I had the pleasure of attending a gala event to mark the 20th anniversary since the establishment of advocacy group Advance Cairns. Advance Cairns has grown to be one of the most fierce and effective advocacy groups in Queensland. In fact, the Advance Cairns footprint covers 26 local government areas across…

Uncle Henry Gibson

Mr ENTSCH:  I rise today to pay tribute to a marvellous, talented and much-loved Far North Queenslander. Former pearl diver, Uncle Henry Gibson, better known as Seaman Dan, passed away peacefully late last year at the age of 92. Seaman Dan rose to national and international prominence at the age of 70, when he first…

School Leaders

Mr ENTSCH: I recently had the pleasure of attending two award ceremonies at schools in my electorate. The two awards ceremonies proved to me beyond doubt that our future is in capable hands. At the Cairns State High School senior induction ceremony, I had the honour of presenting the JA Barnes Memorial Prize to Rubin…

Douglas Shire Council Australia Day Awards

Mr ENTSCH: I rise this afternoon to acknowledge those in my community who were recently recognised at the Douglas Shire Council Australia Day awards. It’s always a special day where we acknowledge the work of those who strive to make our community a better place for everybody. This year the Douglas Shire Council Citizen of…

Cairns and Far North Queensland Tourism

Mr ENTSCH: I rise this evening to pay tribute to the businesses across my electorate. Like many others across the nation, they face challenges like never before. Far North Queensland, especially Cairns and Port Douglas, were the first regions in the nation to be severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Sadly, we’ll also be among…

Ross Moller

Mr ENTSCH: I rise today to pay tribute to and remember a good friend and giant in the Cairns business community who recently passed away. Real estate veteran and community leader Ross Moller passed away suddenly last month at the age of 66. Ross started his career as a real estate agent in 1989 and…

Cairns Regional Council Australia Day Awards

Mr ENTSCH: I rise this afternoon to place on the record those in my community that were recently recognised at the Cairns Regional Council Australia Day Awards. These awards are always one of the highlights of the year, as they acknowledge those who have worked tirelessly to ensure our community is a great place to…

Tourism and Marine Operators

Mr ENTSCH: The Queensland border has finally come down, and the visitors are pouring in. But we’re still being subjected to some baffling decisions by the Queensland Labor government. Cairns is home to the largest reef fleet in the state, and operators have been itching to take people out on our magnificent and very healthy…

Star of the Sea Christmas

Mr ENTSCH: There are many things that I enjoy doing in my role as a local member of parliament but none more than my annual Christmas lunch with the residents of the Star of the Sea Elders Village on Thursday Island. It’s that one event that, rain, hail or shine, I never miss. Star of…

D’Arcy Byrnes

Mr ENTSCH: I rise today to pay tribute to one of my constituents and a great Far North Queenslander who recently passed away. D’arcy Byrnes of Byrnes Quality Meats will be fondly remembered by all of those who were fortunate enough to know him as a giant in the Australian meat industry. Originally a carpenter,…