Our $200 Play On! Sports Vouchers have helped over 293,000 QLD kids play sport and the next round is about to kick in! This includes close to 14,000 kids across FNQ and 2,215 kids in Barron River.

Every Queensland child aged 5 to 17 is eligible for one $200 voucher per financial year, to go towards their sports registration fees, alleviating the rising cost of living for Queensland families, getting more young Queenslanders active.

The next round of our Play On! Sports Vouchers is set to open on July 27, delivering relief you can rely on, getting more kids get involved in sport.

Visit www.qld.gov.au/playon for more information on the next round.

Today I had the pleasure of attending the annual Cairns Churches Civic Leaders` Event, where local churches and faith-based organisations gathered to thank civic leaders for their service to our community.

The scale of their contribution is truly impressive, and I thought I`d share a few facts I learned today:

• More than 1,000 volunteers give their time through Christian faith organisations and faith-based NGOs across our region.
• More than $10 million in practical and emergency assistance is provided to community members in need.
• 13 faith-based NGOs work alongside local, state and federal governments to deliver support and services.
• More than 150 accommodation spaces are currently available for young people and adults, with another 40 spaces planned by 2026.
• Faith-based op shops help divert more than 16 tonnes of clothing from landfill every year through reuse and recycling.

Thank you to Cairns Churches for the invitation and for the important role you play in strengthening our community.

@cairnschurches

Here comes the bus!

The Crisafulli Government has confirmed a brand-new airport bus service, connecting Cairns Airport with the heart of the CBD by public transport for the very first time.

From the end of this year, Route 100 will provide a convenient connection between Cairns Airport, Cairns Hospital, Cairns City Bus Station and Cairns Lagoon.

- Services every 30 minutes
- Operating 4am–10:30pm, seven days a week
- Just 50 cents per trip thanks to the Crisafulli Government`s Permanent 50 Cent Fares

I want to thank everyone who signed my petition to get this bus up and running, the Transport Minister and of course, Cairns Airport. It was great to join Richard Barker, CEO Cairns Airport this morning to share this announcement with media and take a look at the planned timetable.

This new service will make it easier for locals, visitors and airport workers to travel across the city while supporting Cairns` growing tourism industry and economy.

@cairnsairport

Always great to welcome the Festival Guy Kane and Lila into the office. There are two great festivals coming up for our community including FNQ`s Dog`s Day Out which Lila is especially excited about.

Save the dates:
-Freshwater Street Fiesta - 22 August, 10am to 4pm, Richmond Park, Freshwater
-FNQ Dogs Day Out - 5 September, 9am to 1pm, Barron Waters Park, Caravonica

Thank you to Kane for organising these great events for our region. Can`t wait!

The 2026 Australian Festival of Chamber Music is shaping up to be another extraordinary celebration of world-class music, unforgettable performances and unique experiences right here in North Queensland. I am so excited to see this festival come to Cairns for the first time.

@afcmcairns

PLAY ON! SUCCESS

Our $200 Play On! Sports vouchers have helped close to 14,000 kids get active in Far North Queensland including 2,125 in Barron River.

Our Play On! Sports vouchers are locked in for the next four years, delivering relief you can rely on and helping more kids get involved in sport.

Across Far North Queensland, 221 sporting clubs are now accepting Play On!
The most popular sports among local participants have been:
- Football (or soccer as the girls in my office call it)
- Rugby League
- Gymnastics

The next round is set to open on July 27, head to www.qld.gov.au/playon for more information.