Palm Cove News

APRIL, 2002

Irukandji cause of drownings?

Editorial

AIRPORT SIGNS FIASCO

"A minor battle" between council officers and tourism operators is taking place over wordage on signs at the airport directing people to the city and beaches, Northern News of February says.

The council officers want 'Northern Beaches' and the tourism operators want 'Cairns Beaches.'

The tourist industry says 'Cairns Beaches' is now being used internationally to describe the area north of the airport and has been officially recognised at state and federal levels.

The Palm Cove Progress Association battled for years to gain recognition of the name 'Cairns Beaches'. Tourists had been confused as to where 'Northern Beaches' actually was.

Not mentioned on any map, 'Northern Beaches' could be anywhere from Cairns to Cooktown.

There can be no confusion about 'Cairns Beaches'.

Our area's name is now 'Cairns Beaches.' It is right and proper for it to go on the advertising pamphlets which are distributed in their thousands to travel agents and others around the world.

It is also right for the same name to direct people at the airport.

THE TINY irukandji jellyfish's sting is not fatal, but the pain is so intense it might cause a heart attack or stroke, Jamie Seymour says.

The James Cook University zoologist said the initial sting was mild but the severe symptoms developed quickly about 30 minutes later.

A 44 year-old tourist suffered a sting while snorkelling at Opal Reef off Port Douglas last weekend which triggered a rapid rise in blood pressure leading to a cerebral haemorrhage (stroke.)

A British tourist died after being stung in January swimming off Hamilton Island. He had a heart and blood pressure condition which was apparantly aggravated by the sting.

Seymour said the thumbnail sized jellyfish caused an increase in blood pressure, intense aches, and anxiety.

"If you're at 25m (underwater) and all of a sudden your blood pressure goes through the roof, you drown. You panic and you drown," he said.

Irukandji were pushed closer to shore than usual this year thanks to weeks of northwestery winds, forcing the closure of beaches around Cairns in December.

Mayor Kevin Byrne said council would use the Dr Edward Koch Foundation to set up an Irukandji research project funded by local residents, council, and business donations.

Uninet is waiting for the weather to clear before trialling a new stinger net, made from shade cloth, at Palm Cove.

Triton St extension OK

A BRIDGE over Sweet Creek at the rear of Angsana has been finished and so has another 200m of road.

Trition St now continues in the same attractive manner of the esplanade with red brick pavements and a designer thoroughfare.

A roundabout is included which will connect with the highway near Wild World and become the main entrance to Palm Cove, while Veivers Rd will be closed.

Triton Palace Resort, a development including 104 holiday apartments, 24 beachfront residences, and a 20m resort pool is now under construction.

Caravan Park's new caretakers

GEOFF & PAT DAVIS, managers of Cove's caravan park for six years, have retired to Yungaburra.

"I'll be back regularly to catch up on the local gossip," said Pat.

New caretakers are Bill and Meredith

Longest Lunch a good idea

WE MIGHT be having tables set end to end along Cove's entire one kilometre beachfront winding between the palms for a classy picnic lunch for 1,000 guests served on Sunday, September 1.

Organiser Robert Van Den Hoven of Apres Beach Bar and Grill submitted the

concept to Festival Cairns.

"Festival Cairns should have a beach event, and The Longest Lunch is a great way to celebrate our lifestyle and exotic foods," he said in Northern News, Feb.

"Prices should be very reasonable because of voluntary participation of local and city chefs, hotel and restaurant staff, and sponsorship," he said.

Thomas, late of Billabong Caravan Park, Clifton Beach.

Cove's Park is reportedly the only park making a profit for Cairns City Council.

Avon man genuine

Re last month's item, a rather irate person rang and said the Avon man was bona fide.

"His name is Gary and he is the only male on the sales force," she said.

Our apologies, but Avon was not listed in the phone book and we couldn't check.

Old Palm Cove identity dies

LONG-TIME resident Mr Lou Radlof of Veivers Rd died late last year, aged 86.

A chartered accountant who helped a number of Cove people with their tax returns, he once owned a beachfront property now occupied by the shopping centre and post office.

Son Bob Radlof of Machans Beach said his father had many interests including restocking of fish on the Tablelands and the Barron River in the early 1940s. "He was an avid fisherman and wrote a history of fishing on Tineroo Dam," he said.

Mr Radlof and his late wife had five children.

Published by Jerry Dukes, 52Terebra St Palm

Cove 4879. Ph 40591610; Fax 40590058

Email : jdukes@ozemail.com.au