Council must talk the walk

THE Cairns Regional Council do a pretty good job but could do better in encouraging residents to walk and exercise.

The Esplanade is testimony to this, but is often overcrowded and the objectives of exercise are often not fulfilled.

The best time to exercise is around dawn and with the rising sun, but this is also the time when the undesirables in our society put the elderly and women at risk. So designated walking areas, that are policed and monitored, are essential and should be located all around the city.

Keeping fit should be fun and our council could go a long way by promoting walks around our beautiful city and a “leave your car at home” campaign. Alan Sparks, Bungalow 1087: King William II, son of William the

Conqueror, is crowned King of England. 1580: Francis Drake arrives in Plymouth, England, after sailing The Golden Hind around the world in 33 months. 1918: Allies launch offensive that eventually breaks Germany’s Hindenburg Line in World War I. 1934: The British Cunard liner Queen Mary is launched in Clydebank, Scotland. 1957: Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s musical West Side Story opens on Broadway. 1969: The family comedy series The Brady Bunch premieres on ABC-TV in the US. 1978: Karol Wojtyla, archbishop of Krakow becomes Pope John Paul II, the first non-Italian pope since 1522. 1983: Australia II wins America’s Cup yachting series off Newport, Rhode Island, the first US loss in 132 years. BIRTHDAYS: George Gershwin, US songwriter (1898-1937); Ian Chappell, Australian cricketer and commentator (1943-); Bryan Ferry, British singer (1945-); Olivia Newton-John (above), Australian singer (1948-); Serena Williams, US tennis player (1981-).