Hospital work starts

CONSTRUCTION is due to start today on new staff accommodation at Mareeba Hospital. Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service chairman Clive Skarott will host a sod-turning ceremony at the construction site for the $1.5 million project. The project will provide quality accommodation for doctors, nurses and allied health staff working at Mareeba Hospital.

Race day returns

DUST off your fascinators because the races are on this Thursday at Cannon Park Racecourse. The Cairns RSL SubBranch Race Day will take place from noon on Thursday with a six race program, bookies, and plenty of fun for the whole family. Entry is $10 at the gate, and children under 15 are free. For more information visit cairnsjockeyclub.com.au

Cruise ship return

THE biggest ship able to dock at the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal, the Sea Princess, is due to dock tomorrow. The 261m long cruise ship will be carrying 2715 passengers and crew on-board. The vessel is scheduled to arrive at the Port of Cairns at 9am, arriving from Airlie Beach and will depart later at 8pm, bound for Port Douglas.

Education growth

THE state’s international education sector has grown by more than 10 per cent in the last year. Queensland international student enrolments increased 12.5 per cent in the year to February with a total of 81,312 people opting to travel to the sunshine state for education. International education is the state’s second largest service export and was worth $4.13 billion last financial year.

Green Island rescue

A tourist was airlifted to Cairns Hospital after being resuscitated by lifesavers at Green Island yesterday afternoon. The man, believed to be a tourist in his 60s, stopped breathing mid-rescue after signalling for help at the beach about 2pm. “It’s a great outcome because he was swimming between the red and yellow flags,” Surf Life Saving Queensland’s Rob Davidson said.