Best photos of the year: the standout pictures from 2024

Cairns Post photographer Brendan Radke has photographed the major events and the daily life of Cairns throughout 2024. Here, he selects his standout photos from the year that was. SEE THE GALLERY

Brendan Radke

less than 2 min read

December 10, 2024 - 12:24PM

The Cairns Post

Stingrays Swimming Club members Sydney Kito and Jess Deane have both qualified for the Australian Olympic team trials in June. Both swimmers are an outside chance to swim for Australia at the Paris Olympic Games this year, but both youngsters have their eyes set on representing their nation at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Picture: Brendan Radke

1/75Stingrays Swimming Club members Sydney Kito and Jess Deane have both qualified for the Australian Olympic team trials in June. Both swimmers are an outside chance to swim for Australia at the Paris Olympic Games this year, but both youngsters have their eyes set on representing their nation at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Picture: Brendan Radke

Stingrays Swimming Club member Jess Deane has qualified for the Australian Olympic team trials in June, swimming qualifying times for the 50 and 100 metre freestyle and 100 metre butterfly, She has her eyes set on representing Australia at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Picture: Brendan Radke

2/75Stingrays Swimming Club member Jess Deane has qualified for the Australian Olympic team trials in June, swimming qualifying times for the 50 and 100 metre freestyle and 100 metre butterfly, She has her eyes set on representing Australia at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns Regional Council has begun survey work to install a pedestrian bridge, then a temporary vehicle bridge with a 10 tonne limit, over the upper reaches of the Mulgrave River in the Goldsborough Valley, after the 25 metres of the permanent concrete Fisheries Bridge causeway was washed away by severe flooding after Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Goldsborough Valley local Nigel Young punts across the Mulgrave River on a small tinnie rigged up to a pulley system, after clearing felled trees on his property. Picture: Brendan Radke

3/75Cairns Regional Council has begun survey work to install a pedestrian bridge, then a temporary vehicle bridge with a 10 tonne limit, over the upper reaches of the Mulgrave River in the Goldsborough Valley, after the 25 metres of the permanent concrete Fisheries Bridge causeway was washed away by severe flooding after Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Goldsborough Valley local Nigel Young punts across the Mulgrave River on a small tinnie rigged up to a pulley system, after clearing felled trees on his property. Picture: Brendan Radke

The Holloways Hub is a 100 percent community driven, volunteer-run meeting hub for flood victims, set up at the Holloways Beach community centre. It offers hot meals, water, groceries and household items, which are all donated, to those in need. Holloways Beach resident Jacque Wood has been volunteering at the hub for three weeks, after witnessing her neighbours' houses flood. Picture: Brendan Radke

4/75The Holloways Hub is a 100 percent community driven, volunteer-run meeting hub for flood victims, set up at the Holloways Beach community centre. It offers hot meals, water, groceries and household items, which are all donated, to those in need. Holloways Beach resident Jacque Wood has been volunteering at the hub for three weeks, after witnessing her neighbours' houses flood. Picture: Brendan Radke

5/75The Holloways Hub is a 100 percent community driven, volunteer-run meeting hub for flood victims, set up at the Holloways Beach community centre. It offers hot meals, water, groceries and household items, which are all donated, to those in need. Kuranda resident Lizzy Jacoby visited the hub for some household items with her nine month old daughter Harlow Jacoby. Picture: Brendan Radke

Taipans captain Tahjere McCall in the National Basketball League (NBL) match between the Cairns Taipans and the Tasmania Jackjumpers, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

6/75Taipans captain Tahjere McCall in the National Basketball League (NBL) match between the Cairns Taipans and the Tasmania Jackjumpers, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

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After 15 years of playing in the junior ranks, Juhntye Moloney will kit up as goalkeeper for Edge Hill Tigers' premiership men's squad this Saturday when they take in the Leichhardt Lions, the club which Juhntye's father played goalkeeper for many years.

8/75After 15 years of playing in the junior ranks, Juhntye Moloney will kit up as goalkeeper for Edge Hill Tigers' premiership men's squad this Saturday when they take in the Leichhardt Lions, the club which Juhntye's father played goalkeeper for many years.

The Irish and the Irish at heart will celebrate St Patrick's Day, the national day of Ireland, this Sunday. PJ O'Brien's bartender and proud Irishwoman Emer O'Reilly is ready to pour hundreds of Guinness pints for thirsty patrons this Sunday.. Picture: Brendan Radke

9/75The Irish and the Irish at heart will celebrate St Patrick's Day, the national day of Ireland, this Sunday. PJ O'Brien's bartender and proud Irishwoman Emer O'Reilly is ready to pour hundreds of Guinness pints for thirsty patrons this Sunday.. Picture: Brendan Radke

Amy Eden is the front runner to become Cairns' next mayor, leading the vote count from Saturday's local government election. Picture: Brendan Radke

10/75Amy Eden is the front runner to become Cairns' next mayor, leading the vote count from Saturday's local government election. Picture: Brendan Radke

With Tropical Cyclone Megan threatening the Northern Territory and Queensland border, heavy rain is forecast for Cairns this week. FNQRL ball boy Thomas Brim, 12, has fun diving into puddles at Vico Oval at the completion of the A Grade match between the Cairns Kangaroos and the Innisfail Brothers. Picture: Brendan Radke

11/75With Tropical Cyclone Megan threatening the Northern Territory and Queensland border, heavy rain is forecast for Cairns this week. FNQRL ball boy Thomas Brim, 12, has fun diving into puddles at Vico Oval at the completion of the A Grade match between the Cairns Kangaroos and the Innisfail Brothers. Picture: Brendan Radke

Muay Thai fighter Sunny Mawer, 17, will compete in his fist pro fight at the Elite Fight Series this Saturday night at Brothers Leagues Club. Picture: Brendan Radke

12/75Muay Thai fighter Sunny Mawer, 17, will compete in his fist pro fight at the Elite Fight Series this Saturday night at Brothers Leagues Club. Picture: Brendan Radke

Brothers Regan Herd and Rhylee Herd will look to continue their strong start to the FNQRL season when the Ivanhoe Knights take on the Cairns Kangaroos at Smithfield this Sunday. Picture: Brendan Radke

13/75Brothers Regan Herd and Rhylee Herd will look to continue their strong start to the FNQRL season when the Ivanhoe Knights take on the Cairns Kangaroos at Smithfield this Sunday. Picture: Brendan Radke

Police officers attend a crime scene at the intersection of Sondrio and Torino Streets, Woree, where a 21 year old male was shot by police officers after stealing a police car. Picture: Brendan Radke

14/75Police officers attend a crime scene at the intersection of Sondrio and Torino Streets, Woree, where a 21 year old male was shot by police officers after stealing a police car. Picture: Brendan Radke

Police officers respond to reports of a shooting on Collins Avenue, Edge Hill, by setting up a 500 metre exclusion zone. Edge Hill State School, a nearby kindergarten and swim school placed into lockdown. A black Audi TT coupe involved in the initial incident was later found abandoned outside a Pease Street address. Picture: Brendan Radke

15/75Police officers respond to reports of a shooting on Collins Avenue, Edge Hill, by setting up a 500 metre exclusion zone. Edge Hill State School, a nearby kindergarten and swim school placed into lockdown. A black Audi TT coupe involved in the initial incident was later found abandoned outside a Pease Street address. Picture: Brendan Radke

Easter means one thing in the Francis household - hot cross buns. Sisters Ivy Francis, 7, and Claudia Francis, 4, have rigorously tested hot cross buns from bakeries across Cairns, and found the traditional hot cross bun from Orangerie Patisserie at Redlynch to be their favourite. Picture: Brendan Radke

16/75Easter means one thing in the Francis household - hot cross buns. Sisters Ivy Francis, 7, and Claudia Francis, 4, have rigorously tested hot cross buns from bakeries across Cairns, and found the traditional hot cross bun from Orangerie Patisserie at Redlynch to be their favourite. Picture: Brendan Radke

### EMBARGOED UNTIL 13/4/2024 ### Alan Pambyan is cared for by his grandfather Wik Ampon Traditional Owner Stanford Ngakyunkwokka in Aurukun, a small indigenous town on the Gulf of Carpentaria, 800 kilometers north northwest of Cairns on Cape York in Far North Queensland. Picture: Brendan Radke

17/75### EMBARGOED UNTIL 13/4/2024 ### Alan Pambyan is cared for by his grandfather Wik Ampon Traditional Owner Stanford Ngakyunkwokka in Aurukun, a small indigenous town on the Gulf of Carpentaria, 800 kilometers north northwest of Cairns on Cape York in Far North Queensland. Picture: Brendan Radke

### EMBARGOED UNTIL 13/4/2024 ### Aunty Maureen Karyuka, 69, sits in her wheelchair surrounded by camp dogs in Aurukun, a small indigenous town on the Gulf of Carpentaria, 800 kilometers north northwest of Cairns on Cape York in Far North Queensland. Picture: Brendan Radke

18/75### EMBARGOED UNTIL 13/4/2024 ### Aunty Maureen Karyuka, 69, sits in her wheelchair surrounded by camp dogs in Aurukun, a small indigenous town on the Gulf of Carpentaria, 800 kilometers north northwest of Cairns on Cape York in Far North Queensland. Picture: Brendan Radke

### EMBARGOED UNTIL 13/4/2024 ### Aurukun elder Uncle Jock Eundadumweakin has cataracts in both of his eyes and is missing most of his teeth. Picture: Brendan Radke

19/75### EMBARGOED UNTIL 13/4/2024 ### Aurukun elder Uncle Jock Eundadumweakin has cataracts in both of his eyes and is missing most of his teeth. Picture: Brendan Radke

A family walks down the main street of Aurukun, a small indigenous town on the Gulf of Carpentaria, 800 kilometers north northwest of Cairns on Cape York in Far North Queensland. Picture: Brendan Radke

20/75A family walks down the main street of Aurukun, a small indigenous town on the Gulf of Carpentaria, 800 kilometers north northwest of Cairns on Cape York in Far North Queensland. Picture: Brendan Radke

Pride's Nat McGavin flies over Manase Kaho to score a try in the corner in the Hostplus Cup Queensland Rugby League (QRL) match between the Northern Pride and the Norths Devils, held at Barlow Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

21/75Pride's Nat McGavin flies over Manase Kaho to score a try in the corner in the Hostplus Cup Queensland Rugby League (QRL) match between the Northern Pride and the Norths Devils, held at Barlow Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

Manunda resident Val Veivers, 97, joined the Women's Auxiliary Australian Airforce as an 18 year old in 1944, where she worked on the nation's Liberator bomber aircraft during World War II. On Anzac Day, will take part in the Cairns RSL sub branch's dawn service by passing a torch on to the youngest defence force member in Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

22/75Manunda resident Val Veivers, 97, joined the Women's Auxiliary Australian Airforce as an 18 year old in 1944, where she worked on the nation's Liberator bomber aircraft during World War II. On Anzac Day, will take part in the Cairns RSL sub branch's dawn service by passing a torch on to the youngest defence force member in Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

Hundreds of people gathered in the darkness of the early morning to pay their respects to the lives lost in war at the Cairns RSL sub branch Anzac Day dawn service, held at the Cairns Esplanade. Picture: Brendan Radke

23/75Hundreds of people gathered in the darkness of the early morning to pay their respects to the lives lost in war at the Cairns RSL sub branch Anzac Day dawn service, held at the Cairns Esplanade. Picture: Brendan Radke

World War II veteran Val Veivers, assisted by National Serviceman Neville O'Brien, passed the Spirit of Anzac torch to the region's youngest defence force member Private Ronin Saunders at the Cairns RSL Sub Branch Anzac Day dawn service on the Cairns Esplanade. Picture: Brendan Radke

24/75World War II veteran Val Veivers, assisted by National Serviceman Neville O'Brien, passed the Spirit of Anzac torch to the region's youngest defence force member Private Ronin Saunders at the Cairns RSL Sub Branch Anzac Day dawn service on the Cairns Esplanade. Picture: Brendan Radke

Brisbane pop band Sheppard play a music concert on the Reef Magic pontoon at Moore Reef as part of Savannah Sounds on the Reef, the first ever concert to be held on the northern Great Barrier Reef. Picture: Brendan Radke

25/75Brisbane pop band Sheppard play a music concert on the Reef Magic pontoon at Moore Reef as part of Savannah Sounds on the Reef, the first ever concert to be held on the northern Great Barrier Reef. Picture: Brendan Radke

Tanya Murphy snorkels over coral on Moore Reef, one of 150 local heroes who attended a music concert on the Reef Magic pontoon as part of Savannah Sounds on the Reef, the first ever concert to be held on the northern Great Barrier Reef. Picture: Brendan Radke

26/75Tanya Murphy snorkels over coral on Moore Reef, one of 150 local heroes who attended a music concert on the Reef Magic pontoon as part of Savannah Sounds on the Reef, the first ever concert to be held on the northern Great Barrier Reef. Picture: Brendan Radke

May the Fourth be with you. Star Wars fans Paul Furze and David Ince celebrate May 4 by dressing up as Darth Vader and Storm Trooper Parker respectively, and

27/75May the Fourth be with you. Star Wars fans Paul Furze and David Ince celebrate May 4 by dressing up as Darth Vader and Storm Trooper Parker respectively, and "performing" a pub crawl along Palm Cove's waterfront venues. Picture: Brendan Radke

28/75Grant "Scooter" Patterson will head to the Australian Paralympic Swimming Team trails at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre in June, aiming to qualify for his third Paralympic Games. Picture: Brendan Radke

29/75A model wears a design by Irene Robinson at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair fashion performance Country Speaking "Light the Fire", held at the Tanks Arts Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

30/75A model wears a design by Irene Robinson at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair fashion performance Country Speaking "Light the Fire", held at the Tanks Arts Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

31/75Tahlia Burchill-O'Brien and Tamara Pearson choreographed this year's Cairns Indigenous Art Fair fashion performance Country Speaking "Light the Fire", held at the Tanks Arts Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

John Tangatataia, 6, performs a traditional Torres Strait Islander dance at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

32/75John Tangatataia, 6, performs a traditional Torres Strait Islander dance at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

The Cairns Kangaroos celebrate winning the Far North Queensland Rugby League (FNQRL) women's grand final match against the Atherton Roosters at Barlow Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

33/75The Cairns Kangaroos celebrate winning the Far North Queensland Rugby League (FNQRL) women's grand final match against the Atherton Roosters at Barlow Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns Kangaroos captain Genavie Tabuai holds aloft the winner's shield and the player of the match trophy after winning the Far North Queensland Rugby League (FNQRL) women's grand final match against the Atherton Roosters at Barlow Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

34/75Cairns Kangaroos captain Genavie Tabuai holds aloft the winner's shield and the player of the match trophy after winning the Far North Queensland Rugby League (FNQRL) women's grand final match against the Atherton Roosters at Barlow Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

Scene of a helicopter crash on the roof top of the Double Tree Hilton hotel on the Cairns Esplanade. The chopper came in for a hard landing at around 1:50am on Monday. The police have set up a Public Safety Declaration zone along the Esplanade. Part of the rotor blade in parkland on the opposite side of the Esplanade. Picture: Brendan Radke

35/75Scene of a helicopter crash on the roof top of the Double Tree Hilton hotel on the Cairns Esplanade. The chopper came in for a hard landing at around 1:50am on Monday. The police have set up a Public Safety Declaration zone along the Esplanade. Part of the rotor blade in parkland on the opposite side of the Esplanade. Picture: Brendan Radke

CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA- NewsWire Photos AUGUST 12 , 2024: Scene of a helicopter crash on the roof top of the Double Tree Hilton hotel on the Cairns Esplanade. The chopper came in for a hard landing at around 1:50am on Monday. The police have set up a Public Safety Declaration zone along the Esplanade: Picture: NewsWire / Brendan Radke

36/75CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA- NewsWire Photos AUGUST 12 , 2024: Scene of a helicopter crash on the roof top of the Double Tree Hilton hotel on the Cairns Esplanade. The chopper came in for a hard landing at around 1:50am on Monday. The police have set up a Public Safety Declaration zone along the Esplanade: Picture: NewsWire / Brendan Radke

A large crane lifts the wreckage of a Robinson R44 helicopter off the roof top of the Double Tree Hilton hotel into a skip bin, before lowering it to the Cairns Esplanade. The chopper was stolen from Nautilus Aviation and crashed onto the roof at about 1:50am on Monday. Picture: Brendan Radke

37/75A large crane lifts the wreckage of a Robinson R44 helicopter off the roof top of the Double Tree Hilton hotel into a skip bin, before lowering it to the Cairns Esplanade. The chopper was stolen from Nautilus Aviation and crashed onto the roof at about 1:50am on Monday. Picture: Brendan Radke

The Most Reverend Joe Caddy will be ordained as Bishop of the Far North Queensland diocese in an official ceremony at St Monica's Cathedral on Thursday. He becomes only the eighth Bishop of Cairns and the first to be ordained since Bishop James Foley in 1992. Picture: Brendan Radke

38/75The Most Reverend Joe Caddy will be ordained as Bishop of the Far North Queensland diocese in an official ceremony at St Monica's Cathedral on Thursday. He becomes only the eighth Bishop of Cairns and the first to be ordained since Bishop James Foley in 1992. Picture: Brendan Radke

Taylah McIntosh, Tiana Heusdens and Renae Sommerville at Cairns Amateurs Cup Day, the final day of the Cairns Amateurs racing carnival, held at the Cairns Jockey Club, Cannon Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

39/75Taylah McIntosh, Tiana Heusdens and Renae Sommerville at Cairns Amateurs Cup Day, the final day of the Cairns Amateurs racing carnival, held at the Cairns Jockey Club, Cannon Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

Christine Cross ruffled some feathers with her outfit at Cairns Amateurs Cup Day, the final day of the Cairns Amateurs racing carnival, held at the Cairns Jockey Club, Cannon Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

40/75Christine Cross ruffled some feathers with her outfit at Cairns Amateurs Cup Day, the final day of the Cairns Amateurs racing carnival, held at the Cairns Jockey Club, Cannon Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

Finalists in the Open Ladies Contemporary Racewear at the Cairns Amateurs Cup Day, the final day of the Cairns Amateurs racing carnival, held at the Cairns Jockey Club, Cannon Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

41/75Finalists in the Open Ladies Contemporary Racewear at the Cairns Amateurs Cup Day, the final day of the Cairns Amateurs racing carnival, held at the Cairns Jockey Club, Cannon Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cashin' Chex, ridden by jockey Lacey Morrison, wins the Cairns Amateurs Cup by two lengths, held at the Cairns Jockey Club, Cannon Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

42/75Cashin' Chex, ridden by jockey Lacey Morrison, wins the Cairns Amateurs Cup by two lengths, held at the Cairns Jockey Club, Cannon Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

JCU Mariners players celebrate winning the FNQ Rugby premiership in the grand final match between the JCU Mariners and the Barron Trinity Bulls, held at Barlow Park Picture: Brendan Radke

43/75JCU Mariners players celebrate winning the FNQ Rugby premiership in the grand final match between the JCU Mariners and the Barron Trinity Bulls, held at Barlow Park Picture: Brendan Radke

The lowest tide of the year has seen the sandbank off Buchan Point fully exposed out of the water, allowing people to walk halfway to Double Island, about 1 kilometre out from the beach. Picture: Brendan Radke

44/75The lowest tide of the year has seen the sandbank off Buchan Point fully exposed out of the water, allowing people to walk halfway to Double Island, about 1 kilometre out from the beach. Picture: Brendan Radke

45/75The lowest tide of the year has seen the sandbank off Buchan Point fully exposed out of the water, allowing people to walk halfway to Double Island, about 1 kilometre out from the beach. Frankie Hall and her daughter Ellie Hall, holidaying from fhe UK, beat the rising tide as the skip along the sandbar. Picture: Brendan Radke

46/75Tammy Tooth and the Hot Boxes lead the Cairns Festival Grand Parade, held along the Esplanade on Saturday evening. Picture: Brendan Radke

47/75Ian "Johnno" Johnson rocks out on his guitar on the Music City float in the Cairns Festival Grand Parade, held along the Esplanade on Saturday evening. Picture: Brendan Radke

Joey Forsyth raises his hands in the air from the back of a Mini Moke in Cairns Mini and Moke Club float at the Cairns Festival Grand Parade, held along the Esplanade on Saturday evening. Picture: Brendan Radke

48/75Joey Forsyth raises his hands in the air from the back of a Mini Moke in Cairns Mini and Moke Club float at the Cairns Festival Grand Parade, held along the Esplanade on Saturday evening. Picture: Brendan Radke

Fireworks light up the sky over the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon at the conclusion of the Cairns Festival Grand Parade, held along the Esplanade on Saturday evening. Picture: Brendan Radke

49/75Fireworks light up the sky over the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon at the conclusion of the Cairns Festival Grand Parade, held along the Esplanade on Saturday evening. Picture: Brendan Radke

Queensland Fire Department's Tarrant Green has recalled some shocking and horrific road traffic crashes that he has been assigned to in his role as firefighter and rescue technician. Picture: Brendan Radke

50/75Queensland Fire Department's Tarrant Green has recalled some shocking and horrific road traffic crashes that he has been assigned to in his role as firefighter and rescue technician. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns Brothers celebrate winning the FNQRL A grade premiership after beating the Ivanhoe Knights 18 points to 14 in the grand final match at Barlow Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

51/75Cairns Brothers celebrate winning the FNQRL A grade premiership after beating the Ivanhoe Knights 18 points to 14 in the grand final match at Barlow Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

The casket of respected Yidinji elder of the Gimuy Walabarra Yidinji people, Gudju Gudju Fourmile, lies in state at his funeral service, held at Djarragun College, Gordonvale. Picture: Brendan Radke

52/75The casket of respected Yidinji elder of the Gimuy Walabarra Yidinji people, Gudju Gudju Fourmile, lies in state at his funeral service, held at Djarragun College, Gordonvale. Picture: Brendan Radke

Reverends Wayne Connolly and Valmai Connelly lead pallbearers carrying the casket of respected Yidinji elder of the Gimuy Walabarra Yidinji people, Gudju Gudju Fourmile, from his funeral service held at Djarragun College, Gordonvale. Picture: Brendan Radke

53/75Reverends Wayne Connolly and Valmai Connelly lead pallbearers carrying the casket of respected Yidinji elder of the Gimuy Walabarra Yidinji people, Gudju Gudju Fourmile, from his funeral service held at Djarragun College, Gordonvale. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns City Lions player Denisha Chilman celebrates after kicking a goal n the AFL Cairns women's grand final match between the Cairns City Lions and the North Cairns Tigers, held at Cazalys Stadium, Westcourt. Picture: Brendan Radke

54/75Cairns City Lions player Denisha Chilman celebrates after kicking a goal n the AFL Cairns women's grand final match between the Cairns City Lions and the North Cairns Tigers, held at Cazalys Stadium, Westcourt. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns City Lions players and sisters Lisa Fatnowna and Jess Fatnowna embrace at full time after defeating the North Cairns Tigers in the AFL Cairns women's grand final match, held at Cazalys Stadium, Westcourt. Picture: Brendan Radke

55/75Cairns City Lions players and sisters Lisa Fatnowna and Jess Fatnowna embrace at full time after defeating the North Cairns Tigers in the AFL Cairns women's grand final match, held at Cazalys Stadium, Westcourt. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns City Lions players celebrate winning the AFL Cairns women's grand final match, defeating the North Cairns Tigers at Cazalys Stadium, Westcourt. Picture: Brendan Radke

56/75Cairns City Lions players celebrate winning the AFL Cairns women's grand final match, defeating the North Cairns Tigers at Cazalys Stadium, Westcourt. Picture: Brendan Radke

South Cairns Cutters players celebrate victory at full time in the AFL Cairns men's grand final match defeating the North Cairns Tigers at Cazalys Stadium, Westcourt. Picture: Brendan Radke

57/75South Cairns Cutters players celebrate victory at full time in the AFL Cairns men's grand final match defeating the North Cairns Tigers at Cazalys Stadium, Westcourt. Picture: Brendan Radke

South Cairns Cutters players celebrate winning the AFL Cairns men's grand final match, defeating the North Cairns Tigers at Cazalys Stadium, Westcourt. Picture: Brendan Radke

58/75South Cairns Cutters players celebrate winning the AFL Cairns men's grand final match, defeating the North Cairns Tigers at Cazalys Stadium, Westcourt. Picture: Brendan Radke

59/75Xavier Rudd performs for a large crowd at Munro Martin Parklands during his Freedom Sessions Australian tour. Picture: Brendan Radke

The Kuku Yalanji dance group perform to a large crowd at the Calling Country Ceremony, the opening event of the Shine On Gimuy indigenous cultural festival, held on the Cairns Esplanade Eastern Events lawn on Thursday night. Picture: Brendan Radke

60/75The Kuku Yalanji dance group perform to a large crowd at the Calling Country Ceremony, the opening event of the Shine On Gimuy indigenous cultural festival, held on the Cairns Esplanade Eastern Events lawn on Thursday night. Picture: Brendan Radke

Hawks' Trey Kell and Taipans' Pedro Bradshaw fight for possession in the National Basketball League (NBL) match between the Cairns Taipans and the Illawarra Hawks, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

61/75Hawks' Trey Kell and Taipans' Pedro Bradshaw fight for possession in the National Basketball League (NBL) match between the Cairns Taipans and the Illawarra Hawks, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

Taipans' Rob Edwards drives the ball to the hoop in the National Basketball League (NBL) match between the Cairns Taipans and the Illawarra Hawks, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

62/75Taipans' Rob Edwards drives the ball to the hoop in the National Basketball League (NBL) match between the Cairns Taipans and the Illawarra Hawks, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns Businesswoman Bree James has been elected as the Member for Barron River, and will be part of David Crisafulli's LNP government. Picture: Brendan Radke

63/75Cairns Businesswoman Bree James has been elected as the Member for Barron River, and will be part of David Crisafulli's LNP government. Picture: Brendan Radke

Danielle Jackman, riding her horse The Mighty Mr Nibbles, wins the NuNu Melbourne Cup horse race held on Palm Cove beach. Picture: Brendan Radke

64/75Danielle Jackman, riding her horse The Mighty Mr Nibbles, wins the NuNu Melbourne Cup horse race held on Palm Cove beach. Picture: Brendan Radke

RAN Commander Andrew Thorpe, 51st Battalion commanding officer Leiutenent Colonel Jeremy Schieb and RAAF Group Captain Stuart Dowrie each lay a wreath to honour the fallen at the Cairns RSL sub branch Remembrance Day ceremony, held at the Cairns cenotaph on the Esplanade. Picture: Brendan Radke

65/75RAN Commander Andrew Thorpe, 51st Battalion commanding officer Leiutenent Colonel Jeremy Schieb and RAAF Group Captain Stuart Dowrie each lay a wreath to honour the fallen at the Cairns RSL sub branch Remembrance Day ceremony, held at the Cairns cenotaph on the Esplanade. Picture: Brendan Radke

66/75The June Vale Dancescapes end of year concert, Circus Wonderland. Picture: Brendan Radke

Model Abbey Knapp showcases a design by Dijo Life in the grand finale runway show at Cairns Fashion Week, held at the Screen Queensland studios. Picture: Brendan Radke

67/75Model Abbey Knapp showcases a design by Dijo Life in the grand finale runway show at Cairns Fashion Week, held at the Screen Queensland studios. Picture: Brendan Radke

Model Joanna Gunay showcases a design from Mima Priolo in the grand finale runway show at Cairns Fashion Week, held at the Screen Queensland studios. Picture: Brendan Radke

68/75Model Joanna Gunay showcases a design from Mima Priolo in the grand finale runway show at Cairns Fashion Week, held at the Screen Queensland studios. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns woman Melody Neal, 19, was stabbed seven times in the school yard of Peace Lutheran College by a fellow student in May 2023. Last week the perpetrator was found to be of unsound mind by a mental health court in Brisbane, meaning he will never face a criminal trail for the attack. Melody Neal at home in Trinity Beach with her parents Stewart Neal and Sharon Guest. Picture: Brendan Radke

69/75Cairns woman Melody Neal, 19, was stabbed seven times in the school yard of Peace Lutheran College by a fellow student in May 2023. Last week the perpetrator was found to be of unsound mind by a mental health court in Brisbane, meaning he will never face a criminal trail for the attack. Melody Neal at home in Trinity Beach with her parents Stewart Neal and Sharon Guest. Picture: Brendan Radke

Shai Baller has become AustraliaÃ•s first female jump master after completing two years of training and supervising over 2000 bungy jumps. Shai Baller instructs the godfather of bungy jumping, AJ Hackett, for her first jump as a jump master at Skypark Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

70/75Shai Baller has become AustraliaÃ•s first female jump master after completing two years of training and supervising over 2000 bungy jumps. Shai Baller instructs the godfather of bungy jumping, AJ Hackett, for her first jump as a jump master at Skypark Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

After serving as the commanding officer of the 51st Battalion Far North Queensland Regiment for the past two years, Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Schieb is leaving Cairns to take on a new role in the Australian Army in Canberra. Picture: Brendan Radke

71/75After serving as the commanding officer of the 51st Battalion Far North Queensland Regiment for the past two years, Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Schieb is leaving Cairns to take on a new role in the Australian Army in Canberra. Picture: Brendan Radke

Kirgir Omaskir has held a commemorative service for the eight children killed by Raina Thaiday at Murray Street, Manoora, 10 years ago. Relative of the deceased children Sonya Panuel organised the service for the community. Picture: Brendan Radke

72/75Kirgir Omaskir has held a commemorative service for the eight children killed by Raina Thaiday at Murray Street, Manoora, 10 years ago. Relative of the deceased children Sonya Panuel organised the service for the community. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns Fijian Vili Baleilevuka has been taking donations for the schools in his homeland, to improve literacy rates amongst Fiji's children. The donations will be loaded onto a Fijian Navy boat, with Vili personally delivering the donated goods to the schools before Christmas. Picture: Brendan Radke

73/75Cairns Fijian Vili Baleilevuka has been taking donations for the schools in his homeland, to improve literacy rates amongst Fiji's children. The donations will be loaded onto a Fijian Navy boat, with Vili personally delivering the donated goods to the schools before Christmas. Picture: Brendan Radke

Star FM's breakfast show has top the Cairns radio ratings for another year, 10 months after changing from Dave and Inkie to Johnny and Inkie. Star FM breakfast hosts Johnnie Wilson and Inkie Bissell celebrate topping the radio rankings for another year. Picture: Brendan Radke

74/75Star FM's breakfast show has top the Cairns radio ratings for another year, 10 months after changing from Dave and Inkie to Johnny and Inkie. Star FM breakfast hosts Johnnie Wilson and Inkie Bissell celebrate topping the radio rankings for another year. Picture: Brendan Radke

Bruce Skilbeck has been playing Santa Claus at DFO Shopping Centre this year, spreading the joy of the Christmas season to the young and the young at heart. Santa, aka Bruce Skilbeck, gifts a Christmas present to his grand daughters Lilly Hogan, 11, and Grace Hogan, 5, at the Esplanade Lagoon. Picture: Brendan Radke

75/75Bruce Skilbeck has been playing Santa Claus at DFO Shopping Centre this year, spreading the joy of the Christmas season to the young and the young at heart. Santa, aka Bruce Skilbeck, gifts a Christmas present to his grand daughters Lilly Hogan, 11, and Grace Hogan, 5, at the Esplanade Lagoon. Picture: Brendan Radke

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