Issue 9 • November 2012 Got a story? Get in touch! Email: theloop@cairns.qld.gov.au Phone: 4044 3020

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From CEO’s Desk

> Get involved!Email: theloop@cairns.qld.gov.au

Hi everyone,

We are on the eve of one of the most spectacular and historic moments our region will encounter.

On November 14, I encourage you all to “look up” in unison to experience a true natural phenomenon – a total solar eclipse.

We have been granted the best, front row seats for this rare show. Embrace this event, plan to spend it with friends or family. If you have a view of the sunrise from your home, take advantage of it and invite your neighbours. Also, speak with your supervisor or team leader - you may need extra travel time for the trip to work that day.

People from around the world have recognised the signifi cance of this total solar eclipse and are travelling to be here for it. Our region will again be in the international spotlight and I am sure, whatever your role is at Council, you will make visitors to the region feel welcome.

Last month I mentioned the latest members of the 25 Year Service Club. Two members of the club were left out of my message last month, so a belated congratulations to David Purkiss and Vince Spranklin (pictured right), both from Infrastructure Services.

It’s a privilege to celebrate our wonderful long-standing employees and the contribution they have made to both our Council and region over the past quarter century and longer.

Finally, I would like to draw your attention to our Mayor’s Christmas Appeal article in this month’s The Loop.

Assistance provided through the appeal is a gesture of goodwill and that adds a little cheer to what may be a diffi cult time of the year for some people in our community.

Money raised through the appeal is used to provide over 500 food hampers which will be distributed before Christmas.

One of the easiest ways to contribute to the appeal is via an automatic deduction organised through Payroll.

You can also donate online using your credit card, or you may make a payment over the counter at any of Council’s Business Offi ces using cash, cheque, money order or credit card. I encourage you to support this appeal.

Peter (Peter Tabulo, Acting CEO, Cairns Regional Council)

P2 - Get ready

The 2012 Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Appeal is on now.There are many people in our community who are doing it tough and through this Appeal, charitable organisations join together with Council to bring a bit of cheer to local families on Christmas Day.Christmas is all about giving – about celebrating what we can share with others and the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Appeal is locals helping locals when they need it most.Thanks to the generosity of people in the Cairns region, the 2011 Appeal raised $60,000 to purchase items for 620 food hampers, which were packed and distributed by volunteers.This year, we are expecting the demand for assistance to be just as high, so we are hoping to replicate that amazing fundraising effort.You can make a quick and secure donation online using your credit card, or you may make a payment over the counter at any of Council’s Business Offi ces using cash, cheque, money order or credit card.

EFTPOS facilities are also available.

Alternatively, you may post your cheque or money order to the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal, Cairns Regional Council, PO Box 359, Cairns Q 4870.

No food items or toys can be accepted for the appeal. By giving to the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal, you can make a huge difference in helping the disadvantaged this Christmas.Donation Box Locations:

Portsmith Fuel – Portsmith, Edmonton, Stratford; Mobil – Edmonton, Woree, Brinsmead, North Cairns, Yorkey’s Knob, Gordonvale; IGA – Gordonvale, Brinsmead, Centenary Park, Woree, Smithfi eld, Yorkey’s Knob; Cairns Regional Council – Libraries and Customer Service Centres (Cairns and Mossman); The Good Guys

Brothers Leagues Club; Pease Street Pharmacy, Brinsmead; Marlin Coast Newsagency, Smithfi eld.

Mayor’s Christmas Appeal

P4 - Eclipse 2012 P5 - Sweet tri P8 - Gone Fishin’

25 Year Club welcomes its latest inductees

P7- Real food

1Issue 9 • November 2012

NOVEMBER 14Eclipse BBQ 5am-10amEclipse Breakfast BBQ on Vasey Esplanade by Lions Club of Trinity Beach in aid of local charities.

Cairns Eclipse PairsCairns Bridge Club, Greenslopes St,Edge Hill 9am-5pmA One Day Bridge Competition open to Overseas Visitors and ABF registered Australian bridge players. For details contact 0400 581 139

NOVEMBER 15Cairns Regional Council Community Information Session 4-6pmHambledon House, 117 Bruce Highway, Edmonton

NOVEMBER 19Morning Melodies - The Beggars Australian SongbookCairns Civic Theatre, Cnr Sheridan & Florence StreetsFor tickets www.ticketlink.com.au

NOVEMBER 23-28Destination Daintree Art Prize and Exhibition The Sugar Wharf, Port DouglasAnnual art exhibition and competition administered by Douglas Arts Inc, Mossman to showcase local creative talent and promote the diversity,

beauty and inspirational qualities of the Daintree. For more information 4098 3337

NOVEMBER 25Tanks Arts Centre Christmas Markets 9am-2pm, Tanks Arts Centre, 46 Collins Ave, Edge HillSpecial Christmas markets. This is the last Tanks market day for 2012.Sunday Markets at the Tanks Arts Centre are a blend of quality local art, craft, produce and lifestyle stalls combined with family friendly activities, local entertainers and arts-based fun.

NOVEMBER 30 (pictured right)Tropical Innovation Awards Gala Dinner 6.30pm - 11pmThe Convention Centre, CairnsVisit tropicalinnovationawards.com

For more information on events throughout the region go to Council’s website, cairns.qld.gov.au and click on What’s on.

Council ClippingsHave a say on Tobruk Tobruk Memorial Pool is the region’s most highly profi led and visible fi xed format swimming facility.

Council made a commitment to investigate options for the revitalisation of Tobruk Pool and surrounding infrastructure. Part of this process involves talking to residents to understand your needs and identify what mix of facilities and services should be included in future plans for the pool.

Take the online survey and have your say about the future of Tobruk Pool. Survey closes 5pm 30 November and can be found on Council’s Your Say site.

Ferry Smart CardsSmart cards entitling holders to free use of the Daintree River ferry during the summer will be available at Council’s stall at the Port Douglas Eclipse Festival in Market Park from Sunday, 11 November to Tuesday, 13 November.

The Smart Cards are available to residents of the Cairns, Cassowary Coast and Tablelands Regional Council areas.

The cards can be used from November 1 until February 28 to gain access to the vehicle ferry.

Cards can also be obtained in person by visiting one of Council’s administration centres at Cairns or Mossman with photo identifi cation, or by downloading a form from Council’s website and mailing with a copy of relevant identifi cation showing place of residence.

Christmas card compYoung people in the region have the opportunity to win a fabulous ‘mystery’ Christmas present as well as having their artwork made into Council’s 2012 e-Christmas card.

We are looking for an image of a ‘tropical Christmas’. The competition is open to all young people up to the age of 13 years living in the Cairns Regional Council area.

Entrants can either draw a picture or digitally produce an A4 image using graphic design software programs. Prizes will be awarded for different age categories.

Entry forms are available from our website or from any branch of Council’s Libraries or Customer Service Centres.

Entries close 5:30pm Monday 26 November 2012.

Norman Park SurveyGordonvale residents are being asked for their input into the future of Norman Park.

The survey has been delivered to 3500 homes in the Gordonvale area and is also available online.

Survey forms can also be collected and returned at the Gordonvale Library.

Anyone who does not receive a survey but would like to participate can do so at www.cairns.qld.gov.au

Vote now for top TIAVoting is now open in the People’s Choice category of the Tropical Innovation Awards, which will be presented at a gala ceremony next month.

A People’s Choice shortlist of 23 entries has been selected from a fi eld of a total of 91 applications received for this year’s awards.

Public voting can be done online at the Tropical Innovation Awards website (www.tropicalinnovationawards.com) until 3pm Thursday 29 November.

Winners of the People’s Choice category and all other categories will be announced at the Tropical Innovation Awards gala on Friday 30 November at Cairns Convention Centre.

What’s On

Believe it or not it’s that time of year again to start getting ready for the wet season and the possibility of the region being impacted upon by strong winds and fl ooding.

Please take the time to clean up your part of Council’s buildings and depots and ensure you are familiar with the recently developed Business Continuity Plans for your Branch or Unit.

Some of the usual checks include; ensuring all fl ood markers are in place and in good condition; vehicles and essential plant are fully fuelled and in good operational order in and outside of work hours; contractor and emergency contact lists are updated; and Council’s After-Hours Call Centre “Bible” has up-to-date information (see doc #169649).

Also over the coming month, please deliver the Cyclone Clean-up Toolbox Talk to your teams (#3053958 v2).

Free Green WastePrepare your garden for the upcoming cyclone season and dispose of your domestic greenwaste (tree clippings, palm fronds, grass cuttings etc) for FREE at Council’s Transfer Stations from Saturday 3 to Sunday 11 November.

Where:

• Portsmith Transfer Station

• Smithfi eld Transfer Station

• Gordonvale Transfer Station

• Killaloe Transfer Station

• Newell Beach Transfer Station

• Babinda Transfer Station

Note: this offer is only for domestic cars, utes and/or trailers and light trucks (vehicle weight to GVM 4 tonnes maximum).

It’s storm seasonGet ready!

The Loop is YOUR newsletter, so get involved! We encourage Council staff to submit stories, feedback, ideas, comments, news and anything else you’d like to share with your colleagues.Email: theloop@cairns.qld.gov.au

2 Issue 9 • November 2012

What our customers are sayingProperty Services“They all have good knowledge and if they cannot answer a question will refer me or fi nd an answer so I do not have to follow up and remind them of my jobs at all. They are always available or will email back promptly.”

Project Services and Facilities Management“Project delivery was fantastic and part was run by Massimo’s team and part by Project Services. They worked well together. I would use them both again. The project was scoped well and risk was managed well too. It was a quality build and all people involved took a high interest even though it was a small project. I was very impressed and found them all to be professional. I

did not have to chase people and found they chased me up.”

Tanks“Perfect! Great sound and atmosphere. One of our fave things about Cairns, having recently arrived.”

Connecting Awareness SessionsDon’t forget to book into your Connecting Awareness Sessions. Find out what all the fuss is about. See what has happened to date and how you can get involved! There are two sessions left for the year so make sure you get into one of the following; Thursday 15 November and Wednesday 11 December.

No need to fi ll in a training form, just contact Erin Marsterson by email, phone or visit the online training registration page on the Intranet.

A word from Service Quality

Fleet Mechanical Services

LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT

Leadership Development Programs

Emotional Intelligence

Great Leaders Great Teams Great Results

31 Oct - 2 November and 12-14 November

Speed of Trust – 4 and 5 December

Everyday Skills

Time Management – 8 November

Conduct a PRDP – 21 November

Recruitment & Selection – 29 November

Conduct a PRDP – 13 December

What Services do you provide? Fleet Mechanical Services (pictured above) provides repair, services and maintenance to the Council’s vehicle and truck fl eet, plant, small engine and mobile equipment. The workshop undertakes servicing, fault rectifi cation and general repair to more than 600 Council fl eet vehicles and more than 2000 small engine units. The workshop is unique in many ways as it will repair vehicles from a small sedan to a Caterpillar grader in a one-stop shop. Through training and experience, the workshop staff develop skills in hydraulics, automotive electronics, pneumatics to name a few specialised areas, as well as the knowledge and experience in repairing and maintaining vehicles, trucks and plant from multiple manufactures. As well as the vehicle repairs, the workforce are expected to know lawnmowers and turn their hand at repairing small engine machinery when required. Who are your customers?

Fleet Mechanical Services have workshops in Martyn St, Gordonvale and Mossman Council Depots. All Council vehicles, trucks and plant, including lawnmowers and associated small engine equipment are maintained at the depot workshops.

The Martyn Street workshop repairs and maintains units from all Divisions, including Cairns Water and Waste, and Infrastructure Services. Lani and Leanne are the shop front of the workshops and it is their happy voices most of our customers communicate with when requesting information or booking vehicles in for service. About the Team: At the Martyn Street Mechanical Workshop the tradespeople are a group of 22 people with a mix of Diesel Fitters/Motor Mechanics, Small Plant Mechanics and a Trades Assistant/Cleaner. The team has seven apprentices who are training in Diesel Fitting and Small Plant Mechanics. As the apprentices progress through their apprenticeship they work in all aspects of the trade and rotate through the fabrication workshop and small engine section.A random fact about the team: Everyone in the workshop actively participates in training and we constantly have work experience students in our workshop from either TAFE or the local high schools.We have a good team spirit, for example we are attempting to organise a team to put into the Great Wheelbarrow Race in 2013.

That’s Our Team!What Services do you provide? The Martyn Street Workshop Stores team is in integral part of the wider Mechanical Services team and its services are essential to the daily operations of this wider team.

Whilst the Workshop Stores main emphasis is on the Martyn Street Workshop it will assist the Gordonvale and Mossman Workshops when required.

For years the workshop store was just a receiving store and held minimal parts. Over the last couple of years the store has changed its focus and is developing into a store which holds specifi c stock items for Council’s wide range of machines and plant.

The store has constantly been developing and changing new procedures and stock items are introduced. The Workshop Store does not compete with, or replace the Martyn Street Main Store, it services only the workshops and works closely with the Main Store.

The Council has many specialised machines as well as the common garden variety vehicles and the store is slowly building up stock of what we consider are “fast moving items” so it can supply maintenance and repair parts from stock and ensure machines and vehicles are repaired in a timely manner.

While the store still purchased many items from our local suppliers on “as need basis” they are slowly working towards stocking common maintenance and repair items.

Who are your customers? The store purchases and supplies parts and accessories for the whole of the Council vehicle fl eet, and these vehicles come from all Departments of the Council.

The Mechanical Workshops repairs the vehicles and plant and the store orders and supplies the parts and accessories to repair

the fl eet. The Fleet Store also assists in the purchase of material and accessories for the Fabrication Workshop.

About the TeamThere are three members of the store team, two Parts Interpreters and one Apprentice Parts Interpreter. Staff work from the store in the Martyn Street Workshop and work closely with the diesel fi tters in identifying parts, ordering the correct parts and ensuring the items are delivered to the correct Fitter.

Their fl exibility is highlighted by the way they source parts from suppliers. As Cairns is a small player in the automotive industry it could take a number of enquiries to various suppliers to ensure the item is delivered as soon as possible.

A random fact about the team: A part of the development of the store is the engagement of an Apprentice Parts Interpreter. The Council has never had an apprentice Parts Interpreter and the engagement of the apprentice is a part of the stores development and acceptance of new procedures - another example of the Mechanical Services commitment to training our youth.

The Martyn Street Workshop Stores team (l-r): Robbie Petrie, Glen Carlon and Yerzyk Sawicki.

In October we brought you the City Library and Hambledon House Community Centre teams and this month it is Martyn Street Mechanical Services and the Fleet Stores. Who do you want to see in December? Send through your requests or nominate your team! A team photo is a must, contact Erin if you would like help. Missed a profi le? They are now available on the intranet on our Connecting page.Martyn Street Workshop Stores

3Issue 9 • November 2012

Council has launched a special souvenir booklet to mark the Total Solar Eclipse over the region on 14 November.

The 20-page full colour booklet features information on the best viewing places, activities such as the Port Douglas Eclipse Festival and the Solar Eclipse Marathon, safety tips and a map of the eclipse path.

While a list of viewing spots is featured, there is no doubt the best place to view this event will be at your own home. If you can see the sun at 6.30am from your home now, then you will be able to see the eclipse from there on 14 November.

The pocket-sized booklet contains important information on road conditions and closures for the event which are crucial so people have an understanding of where they can go and perhaps, where to avoid.

For those visiting the area for the eclipse the booklet promotes Council-owned facilities such as the Cairns Botanic Gardens and Cattana Wetlands as great places to visit.

The Cairns Regional Council Solar Eclipse 2012 booklet is available from libraries throughout the region, at Council service centres, at visitor information centres and can be downloaded from Council’s website at www.cairns.qld.gov.au/eclipse/

Get ready to Look Up!

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the earth and sun close enough to block some or all of the sun’s direct light. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun and blocks it completely, forming a shadow on the earth. For this to occur the sun, earth and moon come in a straight line in their orbits and it will seem like the moon has covered the sun.

At the time of the Total Eclipse, the sky will go very dark with a glowing light around the horizon, planets and bright stars will be visible and the Sun’s spectacular outer atmosphere (the Corona) will appear.

RIGHT: This map indicates the Path of Totality of the eclipse for our region, the centre line is the central crossing line for the event.

What you need to know... Eclipse 2012Top viewing spotsHere are some of the top viewing locations for this spectacular event.

Your Home!The best seat in the house is yours! If you can see the sun from your house or neighbourhood then stay and enjoy.

Within two weeks from the solar eclipse (start of November 2012) check your view of the Sun from your home. If you can see the Sun at 6.38am then your home is a great location to view this natural event.

Cairns1. Cairns Esplanade (northern end. Due to the headland at East Trinity viewing of the eclipse will be from approximately 6am, this is 15 minutes after the fi rst stages of the eclipse).

2. Open fi elds with large clear outlook to the east.

3. Holloways Beach, Yorkeys Knob Beach, Trinity Beach (except southern end) .

4. Clifton Beach, Palm Cove.

5. Ellis Beach - Northern and central end.

Cairns North to South of Port Douglas1.Wangetti Beach.

Port Douglas & The Daintree area1. Four Mile Beach.

2. Open fi elds with large clear outlook to the east.

3. Cooya Beach, Newell Beach, Rocky Point and Wonga Beach.

4. Cape Kimberly Beach.

Cape Tribulation BeachThe Daintree Ferry will be operating from 4am on the morning of the Solar Eclipse to ensure early access to viewing locations north of the river such as Cape Kimberly and Cape Tribulation.

Road closuresCairns, Kuranda and Wangetti

• Kuranda Range Lookout & Rex Lookout: Closed.

• Lake Morris Road: Closed. Residential Traffi c Only.

• Oak Beach will be open to vehicular traffi c however parking is limited. Once the limited parking capacity is reached the area will be closed. Viewing at Oak Beach is not recommended.

• Wangetti Beach: A large parking area will be available opposite Wangetti College for a gold coin donation to the school. The beach is accessible from this parking area along a 400 metre road. The beach access road will be closed to vehicle traffi c for the morning.

• Palm Cove – Boat ramp closed from 4pm Tuesday, November 13 until 12 midday on November 14.

• Palm Cove Jetty – Open until reached capacity.

• Yorkeys Knob: Ray and Janet streets: Closed. Residential traffi c only.

• Trinity Beach – southern end Vasey Esplanade/Possum Street: Closed. Residential traffi c only.

Port Douglas and Mossman

• The Esplanade Four Mile Beach (between Macrossan – Mowbray) Closed. Residential traffi c only.

• Mowbray Street and Macrossan Street: Closed. Residential traffi c only.

• Island Point Road: Closed. Residential traffi c only.

• Murphy Street: Closed. Residential traffi c only.

• Alexandra Range Lookout in the Daintree will be closed.

WeatherA total solar eclipse will occur regardless of weather conditions however the visibility of the alignment of the sun and the moon may be impeded by cloud cover. Take the unique opportunity to experience this natural phenomenon! The total solar eclipse in this region is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

The last Total Solar Eclipse in Australia was in South Australia on December 4, 2002.

A total eclipse of the Sun will occur over the Cairns region in the early morning of 14 November 2012. We will have the best seat in the house for this amazing event and more than 50,000 “eclipse chasers” are expected to converge on the region. The last total solar eclipse in Cairns was in 710 AD and the next one won’t be until April 25, 2237.

4 Issue 9 • November 2012

Solar Eclipse 2012

As an organisation Cairns Regional council throws its support behind our region’s favourite sons and only national sporting team, the Cairns Taipans. But behind the scenes many staff don the orange and fi nd their voices courtside every home game as supporters and volunteers.Sharon Bluett, a Business Advisory Offi cer for Infrastructure Services admits she is a diehard National Basketball League Cairns Taipans fan, but she takes her support to another level as a volunteer usher.

Sharon has guided game lovers to their seats for six years in one of the most feared domains for NBL teams on the road, the Cairns Convention Centre, affectionately known as the Snake Pit.

As an usher, there was an obvious perk to the job.

“I love the game and you get to watch the game for free,” Sharon said. “It’s my way of helping the team and keeping them going.

“I have been watching the games from the start and then a few

years ago a friend of mine from work said they were looking for ushers so I put my hand up.”

The Taipans fans are widely regarded as some of the most passionate within the league, a title Sharon said has been well earned.

“There’s a lot of people who travel all over the place to support the team, they go to the New Zealand games and all over the place.”

Sharon also headed to Townsville last year for the semi-fi nal, where the Orange Army was in full voice.

“The semi-fi nal against Townsville was fantastic, it was just the best.”

And as for tips for this coming season? Sharon said she had been closely watching the team during past months and this season looked bright.

“I think they will go really well this year, I have been watching them through the pre-season games and they seem to have a very strong team.”

Scott Dillon, Cadet Building Surveyor from Environmental Assessment shares his passion for running with The Loop. He tackled the Pyramid Race earlier this year and now has his sights set on the ultimate running challenge, a marathon.

“I used to run cross country in high school but stopped after leaving school. Before starting this job with Council I was a contract carpenter and after physical work each day I didn’t really have the energy to go running so have gotten back into it in the last couple of years.

“This was my fi rst attempt at the pyramid race. The fact that it starts at 2pm makes for a very hot and hard race.

“The climb up the pyramid is very strenuous, gravity helps you down but by the bottom your legs are shot. The run from the pyramid back into Gordonvale is the hardest as it feels like it is never going to end.

“I was hoping to come in under two hours so I was very pleased to fi nish in 1hr 48mins and 16th place overall.

“I ran the pyramid four times leading up to the race but as I live in Stratford I did most of my training on the Blue Arrow and the Douglas Track.

“Generally I just did a few short road runs through the week and a long trail run on the weekends.

“I am going to run a couple of the local trail runs early next year and also going to have a go at the Gold Coast Marathon in July. I have never attempted that distance before so it will be quite a challenge.”

Wearing their fi nest cupcake inspired uniforms, some familiar faces pulled on their togs, spruced their spokes, and tightened their laces for the annual Tri de Femme at Smithfi eld Sporting Precinct last month.

The Cairns Regional Council Cupcakes were anchored by Division 6 representative Councillow Linda Cooper. Marketing and Communications Social Media offi cer Kerri Jenkins led the team off the blocks for the 150m swim leg, and Economic Development and Innovation’s Katrina Houghton completed the trio for the 5km cycle leg.

“We all did Zumba as a warm up, but I think we may need to brush up out skill at the Esplanade’s Active Living classes,” Kerri said.

“We had a great time, the shorter distance

meant that we all had plenty of energy to run across the fi nish line together.”

Kerri added that the CRC Cupcakes uniform was proudly put together by Cr Cooper.

A signature event on the Cairns Triathlon calendar, the Tri de Femme is in its 16th year. The event is a participation level event aimed at all those females out there wanting to give triathlon a go or just do something active for a great cause.

The event doubles as a fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Foundation with all proceeds from the day going to the charity.

CRC cupcakes make a sweet impression

Scott conquers the mountain

Orange army ready to roarSTILL READY TO ROAR: Last month we shared a photo of Sharon Bluett from Infrastructure Services, what we forgot to share was her story. The Loop apologises for this oversight. Sharon is pictured to the right of this photo with a fellow Taipans fan.

SWEET VICTORY: Cr Linda Cooper, Kerri Jenkins and Katrina Houghton cross the line together following last month’s Tri de Femme Triathlon.

5Issue 9 • November 2012

Our People

Throw your support to Council’s own Mo Bros

The accolades continue to roll in for Council with a number of branches recognised for providing services and community facilities that are accessible to all.

Council won four of the 2012 Inclusive Community Champion Awards which were announced by the Spinal Injuries Association at a ceremony on Monday.

The awards were:

Best Sporting Facility Cairns Regional Council for the Cairns International Tennis Centre. This facility was described as an “accessible venue, featuring undercover grandstand seating for people with mobility impairment, an accessible restaurant, lift connects users to second level of the building and has accessible unisex toilets.”

Best Government Department Cairns Regional Council for its Accessible Cairns website. “Cairns is the fi rst local government in Queensland to employ an Access and Equity Offi cer. Ian Chill has supported Council to develop a website designed to assist locals and visitors with information about the region in order to plan activities and access services that are often diffi cult for people with a medical condition, disability, the aged, people with temporary injury and parents with prams and young children.”

Best Recreation Leisure Entertainment Precinct Cairns Regional Council for the Manunda Library. Described as “an accessible library, noted for its helpful staff in supporting all sections of the community to access services. It hosts facilities for people with visual impairment and frequently hosts meetings for various sections of the community who fi nd it an easy venue due to its accessibility and services for all users.”

Best Tourism AwardCairns Regional Council for the Esplanade Lagoon. The Lagoon is described as having “wide, accessible pathways leading to, and around the lagoon. The lagoon has a very gentle graded entry into the pool, which allows access for people of all ages and abilities. There are a number of facilities surrounding and

Top gong for accessibility

Did you know Cairns Regional Council will soon use LinkedIn to post Council job advertisements?

You can see the new LinkedIn button at the top of our job vacancies page: http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/about-council/current-vacancies

If you are on LinkedIn already, please log into your profi le and add/select the new “Cairns Regional Council” company profi le as your employer. You can also choose to ‘follow’ CRC on LinkedIn and have our updates appear in your LI newsfeed.

If you’re not on Linked In – you should be and can sign up here: http://www.linkedin.com

E-recruitment

Social Media minute

It’s that time of year again. No it isn’t the countdown to Christmas, but something even harder to face - Movember.

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on many men’s faces at Council. The aim of which is to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifi cally prostate cancer and male mental health.

Registering at www.movember.com, guys start from Movember 1st with a clean-shaven face and then for the rest of the month, these selfl ess and generous men known as Mo Bros, groom, trim and wax their way into the annals of fi ne moustachery.

Supported by the women in their lives, Mo Sistas, Movember Mo Bros raise funds by seeking out sponsorship for their Mo growing efforts.

Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November and through their actions and words raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around

the often ignored issue of men’s health.

At the end of the month, Mo Bros and their female supporters (Mo Sistas) celebrate their gallantry and valor by either throwing their own Movember

party or attending one of the infamous Gala Partés held around the world by Movember, for Movember.

For more information on Movember head to www.movember.com

MIGHTY MO BROS: One of the infamous Mo Bros among Council ranks is Coordinator of Natural Resources Management, Russell Wild.

EBA offers Christmas bonanzasChristmas is nearly here!

Our new EBA has plenty of Christmas suprises to help you make the most of the silly season.

If you are on a standard 19 Day Month hours or a nine-day fortnight, fl exible work hours arrangement, you have the opportunity to request an establishment of a Christmas Bank for the designated Christmas Close Down period of December 27-28 and 31December 2012.

Where approved, you can accrue a Christmas Bank of RDO’s from October each year.

The maximum Christmas Bank accrual for each calendar year is three days.Christmas Bank RDO’s can only be used for the Christmas close down period and will be automatically allocated to this purpose.See Clause 5.9 of Council’s EBA ‘Christmas Bank’ for more information.

Need Christmas cash?Would you like your annual leave loading in a lump sum in December each year?

You now have the option to have your annual leave loading paid as a lump sum each year.

Application forms must be received by the payroll offi ce no later than Friday November 30.

It should be noted that if you opt in for this arrangement, you will not be able to change your mind.

This will be a permanent arrangement for the duration of your employment with Council.

Contact Payroll on 4044 3040 or email at payroll@cairns.qld.gov.au if you have any questions.

Fact sheets and information can also be located on Council’s Intranet.

Issue 9 • November 2012 6

Liking Cairns Regional Council on Facebook is a great way to fi nd out about things happening outside of your department and can also serve as a source of healthy inspiration for fun, interesting and often free things for you to do outside of work.

Visit: www.facebook.com/CairnsRegionalCouncil

General Policies and Administration Instructions New General Policy Description1:06:33 SunSmart Policy for Sporting OrganisationsAmended General Policy Description1:06:08 Busking1:02:28 Debt Recovery1:02:63 Visual Style (Logo and Branding) and Writers’ GuideAmended Admin Instructions Description2:02:49 Telecommuting (Working from Home)2:02:11 Leave without Pay and Mid-Career Breaks2:02:46 Uniforms - Indoor Staff2:02:28 Recruitment and Selection2:02:69 Agency Staff Hire – Outdoor2:02:03 Annual Leave2:02:32 Uniforms – Outdoor Staff2:02:54 Voluntary Emergency Services Leave2:02:13 Long Service Leave2:02:46 Uniforms – Indoor Staff2:02:14 Special Natural Disaster Leave2:02:52 Classifi cation Review Procedures – Federal Award Positions2:02:110 Bereavement Leave2:02:111 Agency Staff Hire – Indoor2:02:102 Private Use of Council Vehicles

New Admin Instructions Description2:02:110 Bereavement Leave2:02:111 Agency Staff Hire – Indoor2:02:102 Private Use of Council Vehicles

Real Food to your doorstep

Greensmart Corner

Note: Please check the Council Intranet for more details on the above.

Infrastructure Services latest

Welcome Aboard Recent new starters with Council include:

Erenie Te-Kakau, Corporate Services

Aidan Bartells, Activities & Programs Offi cer

Trevor Jordan, Cairns Works

Nicole Jones, Community, Sport & Cultural Services

Lea Hefferan, Community, Sport & Cultural Services

Carole Winsbury, Community, Sport & Cultural Services

Margie Daly, Community, Sport &Cultural Services

Amanda Walker, Technical Support Services

Helius Visser, Infrastructure Services

Lauren Stiles, Planning Offi cer

Jason Bilal, Recycling Sorter

Staff wanting to buy 100 per cent locally grown fruit and vegetables direct from the farm can now have a food box delivered to their workplace every Thursday, thanks to Council’s Wellbeing Program.

The food boxes cost $40 per week and contain fresh, in-season produce picked from the Atherton Tablelands.

Cairns Real Food Network are a community based enterprise responsible for the food box concept.

They have over 70 farmers from the region supplying a large variety of seasonal produce including salad and Asian greens, potato, onion, garlic, tomato, carrot, beetroot, citrus, pineapple, melons and pawpaw – to name a few.

Apart from the obvious benefi ts of convenience and nutrition, signing up for a food box:

• Supports the local economy by purchasing food grown by local farmers

• Reduces food miles by bringing the farm gate closer to the dinner plate

Dan Walton, Council’s Sustainability Offi cer said that at least ten staff were required to make it viable for the Real Food Network to deliver to a workplace.

“Please contact me if you’re interested. If we get ten or more people from the same workplace, Real Foods will deliver for us.”

Key points to remember:

• The food boxes are delivered every Thursday,

• The produce is fresh, good value and 100 per cent locally grown,

• The contents of the boxes vary depending on what’s in season,

• You don’t get to choose what’s in the box – it’s a bit like a fresh food lucky dip,

• The boxes cost $40 per week via on-line subscription.

You can sign-up for a trial period of either two or four weeks.

To register your interest, contact Dan Walton via email d.walton@cairns.qld.gov.au or phone 4044 3253. To fi nd out more information visit www.realfoodnetwork.com.au

Dinner Creek Causeway, Bramston Beach. The Dinner Creek Causeway works were postponed last year following the identifi cation of an endangered species in this area.

Works included replacing culverts and improvements to the approach sections of the crossing.

Uniform updateA Request for Quotation (RFQ) for a new uniform contract was issued last week with the expectation that the new contract should be fi nalised in January 2013.

Should you wish to purchase uniforms now, you can still do this through the current supplier Yakka however we would suggest this be done prior to end of December 2012.

7Issue 9 • November 2012

Small steps can make a world of difference.

6 2 4

5 9

3 7

3 3 1

1 6 7

7 6

4 3 8

5 1

9 5 7

1 4 6 7 2 8 5 3 9

5 2 9 3 6 4 8 1 7

3 8 7 1 5 9 2 6 4

7 9 5 6 8 2 3 4 1

8 6 1 5 4 3 7 9 2

2 3 4 9 1 7 6 8 5

9 1 8 2 3 5 4 7 6

4 7 2 8 9 6 1 5 3

6 5 3 4 7 1 9 2 8

Send in your Trivia Challenge and Sudoku answers to theloop@cairns.qld.gov.au or via internal mail to go into a draw to win a double pass to an upcoming show at the Cairns Civic Theatre!

Congratulations Telita Ruben, you have won a double-pass to a upcoming show at Cairns Civic Theatre.

Answers (Issue 8 - October 2012)

Trivia challenge: 1. 116 years2. Ecuador3. Sheep and Horses 4. November 5. Squirrel fur 6.Dogs 7. Albert 8. Crimson 9. New Zealand 10.Orange

Sudoku:

Gone Fishin’An overnight trip out to the wide grounds recently resulted in a few nice sweetlip, a reefjack and a hefty Black Spot Reefcod for Senior Customer Service Offi cer and Gone Fishin’ regular Glenn Kear and his boys Flynn and Eden.

Most of the fi sh that were hooked were eaten by hungry large sharks on the way up but still managed to put a few in the esky.

Send in your Gone Fishin’ photos to: theloop@cairns.qld.gov.au

Joke corner

Take 10Supported by Cairns Civic Theatre

Got a story?

Email: theloop@cairns.qld.gov.au Phone: 4044 3020

Internal Mail: (addressed to) The Loop, Marketing and Communications.

Deadline for stories is the 15th of each month.Illustration by Robert Cowling, Cadet Designer, Infrastructure Services

with Genn Kear and his boys

Can you answer all of these special eclipse mind stretchers correctly?

1. In plain terms, a solar eclipse is a phenomenon that occurs when the moon obscures the disk of the sun. An eclipse only takes place during what lunar phase?

2. What type of eclipse takes place when a ring of light surrounds the outline of the moon?

3. More than one eclipse can occur during the calendar month. True or false?

4. During what phase of a total eclipse do Bailey’s Beads occur?

5. When was the only recorded total eclipse in ancient times.

6. When the earth is farthest from the sun, its position is called aphelion. In that position a total eclipse is most likely. What is the earth’s closest position called when an annular eclipse is more likely to occur?

7. Total eclipses usually last more than seven minutes. True or false?

8. Which of the following can you use to adequately protect your eyes while looking at the sun?

A: A CD; B: Solar fi lter; C: Film negative; D: Sunglasses

9. A solar eclipse and a planetary transit can be observed from Earth at the same time. True or false?

10. Solar eclipses also occur on other planets in out solar system. Which other planets experience them?

Send in your answers to be in with a chance of winning. Simply email theloop@cairns.qld.gov.au or via internal mail to Marketing and Communication.

Trivia challenge

Sudoku challenge

Two scientists, Dr Holmes and Dr Watson were going camping. They pitched their tent under the stars and went to sleep. Sometime in the middle of the night Dr Holmes woke Dr Watson and said: “Watson, look up at the stars, and tell me what you see?”

Watson replied: “I see millions and millions of stars.”

Holmes said: “What do you deduce from that?”

Watson replied: “Well, if there are millions of stars, and if even a few of those have planets, quite likely there are some planets like earth out there. And if there are a few planets like earth out there, there might also be life.”

And Holmes said: “Watson, you idiot, it means that somebody stole our tent!”

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