Monday 30 August 2010

Cairns postcards from past - The Esplanade

The Lyons was demolished to build Trilogy. The Esplanade was the truck route through the city because Sheridan street used to turn into a dirt track near where the courthouse is now.

Post your memories in the comments...

24 comments:

Alison Alloway said...

Sheridan Street was not a dirt track at the time of this postcard.
I used to walk down the Esplanade on my way to work and past the Lyons Motel. I recall that occasionally when we had king tides, sea water would come up over the strip of lawn and slap against the sides of cars parked alongside the Esplanade.

Indica Man said...

Gryphonn
I didn't think it was either. I recall the PO circa the pic.

Alison Alloway said...

I believe Billy McMahon and his wife Sonja stayed in the Lyons on one of their trips to Cairns in 1971. I was sitting on a bench on the Cairns esplanade with one of my friends when this elderly gent with large ears approached us, and in a quavery voice said:
"Hello there girls. What a lovely town you live in and what a lovely view of the sea!"
We gave him the famous old Cairns "silent" stare, not sure if he was sincere in his praise of Cairns or being sarcastic about our mud flats and old buildings. Moreover, we wondered if he was a dirty old man.
"I'm waiting for my wife," said the old fellow,taken back a bit by our wary silence, and looking across the road.
"Oh Sonja darling, there you are!"
he said pointing.
We looked at where he was pointing and spotted this young, elegant, beautiful blonde haired woman. Our mouths dropped.
"Well goodbye then girls," said the old gent as he crossed the road to join with the elegant blonde haired woman.
"Who was that old codger?" asked my friend.
"I haven't a clue," I replied.
A few nights later, we recognised him on the television news as the Prime Minister of Australia.
I often wonder if he ever remembered the two teenage girls in Cairns who gave him the "stare"
when he was Prime Minister? I know my friend and I never forgot
seeing him.

Oliver Redlynch said...

Well judging by some of the comments on "The Post" and others, that post-card sums up how some people would like Cairns to remain. Problem is, that's just not an option and if people in Cairns remain small minded and not prepared to take risks (and I'm not just talking about the Cultural Precinct) then Cairns WILL remain small - and business and people will move away and it will become a ghost town.
Nostalgia - its just not what it used to be.

Alison Alloway said...

Oliver, I agree which is why I supported the Cairns Cultural Precinct idea. Upgrading our convention facilities to international standards, a new world class performing centre and a modern museum would do much to catapult Cairns onto the international stage and make us a key team player in Asia. Instead, we are about to get ANOTHER footie stadium (yaaaaaaaay, 'en oath, mate!) so in a few years time, we will be directly competing with Townsville for both teams and crowds. Oh...and we will also be competing with Townsville for the same sized conventions. HERE WE BLOODY GO AGAIN, BACK TO THE 90s when we had to fight with Townsville like shrieking flying foxes over ripe mangoes.
Don't blame all of this on the people, we have some very small minded politicians with little vision whose sole object is to get themselves elected.
Hark! What's that noise! Ohhh its the screams of business and tourist operators coming from 2015 lamenting the loss of convention crowds to Townsville.

Indica Man said...

Mmm, I left Cairns in 1982 after a long association with the area from Cairns to Cooktown, then returned in 1985 for a week.
The change in 3 years was incredible.
I will be back in December this year, possibly for good (which is why I've begun to follow this blog).
I have seen some fairly recent images of Cairns, some of which I didn't recognise, so I'm aware that the place has changed significantly over the past 30 years. Thanks for the interesting read in the comments here so far.
It'll be nice to capture some of the 'flavour' of the day before I get back.

Indica Man said...

Oh, and in my humble opinion, Townsville has *nothing* on Cairns. I've spent time in Townsville. For want of a more eloquent description, Townsville sucks doo-doos.

Alison Alloway said...

Be warned Indica Man, not only has the city ambience changed, but the people in Cairns are not the same people you once knew.

Steve said...

Alison all you do is spit vitriolic rubbish on this blog, why don't you leave Cairns if you are so unhappy here rather then expect everyone else to conform to distorted world view.

Alison Alloway said...

Steve, you will see that I most certainly DO NOT spit "vitriolic rubbish". Immediately above this you can see I have posted an amusing anecdote of Billy McMahon's visit to Cairns and before that another mild comment on Cairns and the esplanade. Throughout my postings on this blog, I have repeatedly written of amusing, mild anecdotes on the history of Cairns. My very first was recounting the day when Princess Alexandria visisted the Far North. "Day of the Princess".
How about before you spew back insults, you learn to read properly? What got up your nose is that I support the Cairns Cultural Precinct isn't it? Hey?
I can see the benefits of having an international standard convention centre attracting things such as ASEAN conferences which will give Cairns a leg into Asia and its growing markets of trade, technology etc. I can see the benefits of having a modern museum and a world class performing theatre. If we lose out on the upgraded convention facilities in particular, we will lose out on a major economic driver in our region. Is that having a distorted view, Steve??

kate said...

I have never seen any vitriolic rubbish on this blog from Alison. From others, but never from her.

Don't worry about it, Alison.

Alison Alloway said...

Thank you kate. I have been a very staunch supporter of the Cairns Cultural Precinct when others have been mocking the entire concept as nothing but a single, sole building a "valcano" and alleging it is only entirely some sort of "ego monument."
I see it as providing us with upgraded international standard convention facilities enabling Cairns to participate in the phenomenal economic growth of South East Asia, through hosting ASEAN conferences and such like. Cairns needs this, particularly since it looks like Townsville will soon get its own convention facilities and we don't want to be squabbling between ourselves for the same conference audiences. We can aim higher, and we MUST do so, to survive. We have to diversify away from tourism, as all the economists are pointing out.
I am also in favour of a new modern museum to showcase our cultural heritage. Our current museum is too small and too crowded and entirely staffed by volunteers. It is a crime that a city of our size is still waiting for a modern museum.
My support for the Cairns Cultural Precinct has seen me become the target of all sorts of abuse. My motives for supporting it are sound...for sheer economic reasons..Cairns must diversify and upgraded international convention facilities will give us the one chance to become a key player in ASIA. If we don't grab it now, believe me, the business community of Townsville will.
I am just appalled that Cairns people see such a small part of the entire project...and that they are entirely focussed on it. The window of opportunity is now fast closing on something which could have been so good for Cairns and its secondary industries in particular.
Incidentally, the idea of the Cairns Cultural Precinct goes back to the days of the Tom Pyne Council. It was never the brainchild of the current Mayor, although I give her full credit for resurrecting it at a time when our economy does need a real shot in the arm.

Steve said...

What hippy tree lover crap we need a new dam or a nuclear power plant.

Alison Alloway said...

You are right about the dam Steve. We should be looking at a new source of water as well. However to keep our economy growing, we have to diversify. Becoming a key player in Asia will boost our secondaries industries, trade and technological industries as well as placing Cairns as a diplomatic and Government centre.
Government services would have to expand, ie quarantine, customs, foreign affairs etc to cope with the growing links with South East Asia. More flights to Asia would also ensue as a matter of course.
This could be the start of an exciting new era for Cairns, a highly beneficial partnership with South East Asia. However those dialogues have to start first, with the international conventions.

MaryO said...

Dear Steve,

I challenge you to come up with a decent, sound argument as to why Australia, let alone Cairns might benefit from a nuclear power plant.

FYI, the attempt to justify nuclear power on the basis that it can help to amelioration of climate change argument is a total red herring, by the way.

James Arile said...

MaryO and Alison, "Steve" is what is called a Troll in the internet ... one who provokes and trolls and contributes nothing at all.

I recommend you ignore them.

Alison Alloway said...

Thanks James. But at least I got a chance to mention my support and the reasons why on the Cairns Cultural Precinct, particularly now the window of opportunity is fast closing. I couldn't live with myself unless I gave it one last effort.

MaryO said...

Yeah, thanks from me too, James.

Always wondered what a "troll" meant - outside fairy tales, that is. I usually only play at very civil blogs, like ABC Pool where there are very few trolls. And little to no prospect of defamation actions.

Still, like Alison, I likewise relished the opportunity to push my own stuff.

Oxebar said...

Well that shut 'Steve' up (I hope).

Indica Man said...

Woah, I leave for a day and there is an argument ensuing...

...can I just put in a peaceful two cents?

The city I live in now has at various repeating times been a life support system for the cattle industry or the coal industry. It has never had an 'identity' as such. However, over the past 10 or so years, there has been a push to attract not only 'grass roots' style conventions and gatherings, but also a push for promoting 'The Arts'.
Now, as much as I don't like this particular city, the economic benefits, combined with the 'derednecking' effect it has had on some parts of the community has been refreshing.
Yes, push for a real cultural precinct and promote and support conventions and gatherings in Cairns. It may help to open a few closed minds.
Forgive me for sounding a little forward, but has Cairns become a city of ex cockroaches and Melbournians?
Cairns and its surrounding area has an extremely rich, diverse and interesting history!
How your beautiful city could not have a decent museum to show this history to visitors is unusual to say the least. Crikey, even Cooktown has a museum of note.

Dammit! When we get back 'home' after Christmas, we're gunna be looking into this...
:)

I am serious though Alison (and all), from an ex-pat FNQ hippy, Cairns needs a cultural identity (read: precinct), and it needs world class convention facilities. You've got a bloody International airport. Put it to use other than ferrying a dwindling supply of tourists!

Alison Alloway said...

Thanks for your support Indica Man.
Of course Cairns needs its own museum and to notch itself up the ladder as a truly "internatinal" city and to play a stronger role in Asia.
However, the cause of the conflict here in Cairns has been an unprecedented campaign run almost entirely by our own "shock jock" radio announcer on 4CA and one of the so called journalists from the local "Cairns Post."
The Cultural Precinct was first mooted in this city some 20 years ago, but was put on hold and resurrected by the current Mayor, Val Schier during her election campaign two years ago.
During her first year as Mayor, unemployment peaked, due to the global financial crisis, falling tourist numbers etc. Our tourist based economy nose-dived...as it has done in the past.
The Mayor then resurrected the idea of a Cultural Precinct containing three items...a modern museum, upgraded international convention facilities, and a state of the art performing centre. The preliminary plans of the performing centre included a structure the shape of a volcano.
Although the Mayor stated very clearly it was only a preliminary design and that the final design would be different, the local radio station "shock jock" and the Cairns Post journo immediately latched onto it, dubbing it the "valcano" and stating it was nothing but a monument to a "political ego." They have conducted a concerted,relentless campaign against the whole concept, completely styming debate.
As a direct result, the community is emotionally divided over the issue.
Then the election came, and Warren Entsch, the LNP Candidate threw into the political ring that he would lobby for and give Cairns a 20,000 seat football stadium and a "Sports Precinct". Entsch won the election.
Well, there is the history.
At stake is the future of Cairns and its chance to diversify its industries and be a key player in the Asian and international community, versus
depending on sport to increase our tourism. The people have chosen sport and the 20,000 seat stadium similar to Dairy Farmers in Townsville.

Alison Alloway said...

For a laugh...here is just a little bit more of Cairns' history.
Back in 1971 or 1972 when the then City Council announced its plans to build our first Civic Theatre, there was, of course, some local opposition. One man actually phoned 4CA and said..."Yairs, it's gonna give all them pervs a place where they can go and perv on the queers wearing them stocking things in the ball-AAY!"
I kid you not!!!

Indica Man said...

I'm not surprised. I was once spat on by an old digger while walking up Sheridan street (I think "effing hippy was the words said). Admittedly, I was wearing a sarong, had a beard and long hair. But hey, it was the dying days of the hippy era and I was just trying to support the cause!
Maybe folk should turn from 4CA to triple J...
:o)

Alison Alloway said...

Hehehe, had a laugh at the word, "de-rednecking", Indica Man.
Cairns has a reputation amongst Australian writers as the "redneck" capital of Australia.
I guess choosing a football stadium over a museum is par for courses in such a city. Another example was the huge, sustained outburst of scorn and derision when some local musos proposed a ukulele festival for Cairns. The poor, harmless, inoffensive little ukulele was Public Enemy Number One for many months and if you happened to like the Torres Strait singer, Seaman Dan, it became prudent to keep quiet.
Canberra celebrated its Jane Austen Festival in April...a nice, charming little event where mostly middle aged women dress up in bonnets and crinolines and talk about Ms Austen's novels and have themselves a jolly good ole ladylike time.
Some of us women thought about tossing that idea into the fray when the anti-ukulele roar was on, just for a bit of a stir!