Governor’s FNQ trip

QUEENSLAND Governor Paul de Jersey will relocate his office to Cairns and Weipa from today. Mr de Jersey’s wife Kaye will accompany him on the six-day regional program which will include stops in Georgetown, Palm Island, Pormpuraaw, Kowanyama and Blackall. “It is a wonderful way to engage with our regional shires, towns and cities,” he said.

Fire season hots up

FIREFIGHTERS are bracing for more wildfires today with more than 1000 vegetation fires and exposures already recorded across the state just 19 days into this year’s official bushfire season. Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford has praised the efforts of crews “over a very challenging period”. Smoke rising from the Yarrabah hills at the weekend was a result of preventive burn-offs.

Snorkeller rescued

LIFEGUARDS rescued a Japanese boy after he began struggling in deep water at Green Island. A Surf Life Saving Queensland spokesman said the 11-year-old had been snorkelling between the flags when, about 1.30pm on Saturday, he reached an area where the sand bank dropped off.

Best paws forward

BRING your pooch and join in a community dog walk at Rainy Mountain Park at Smithfield on Sunday. Meet near the fenced dog off-leash area for a walk through the suburbs. Afterwards Cairns Regional Council’s animal management team will offer tips and answer questions. The walk goes from 9am to 10.30am on August 26.