tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878592054777492431.post3381347550621875776..comments2024-01-20T10:32:53.309+10:00Comments on CairnsBlog.net: Thomas (Tom) Alfred Pyne 1935 – 2011Michael P Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890121680113642715noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878592054777492431.post-20873026546510024862011-11-01T20:28:25.448+10:002011-11-01T20:28:25.448+10:00A nice tribute to a local legend who was clearly w...A nice tribute to a local legend who was clearly well-loved - and some very interesting comments. CairnsBlog at its best.Syd Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08575806747240913926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878592054777492431.post-20453262028146747792011-11-01T09:40:18.105+10:002011-11-01T09:40:18.105+10:00Alan Hudson as Editor of The Cairns Post was not t...Alan Hudson as Editor of The Cairns Post was not the type to trash the office of Mayor, nor demonise public figures. Mayors, Members of Parliament, and candidates for public office were all treated fairly and with respect. However John Mackenzie showed no such restraint when he went after Tom Pyne over the new Council offices in Spence Street. Mackenzie dubbed it, "Tom's Taj Mahal", "a memorial to an ego" (now where have we heard that?) and, wait for it...."A WHITE ELEPHANT".! Tom himself mentions those spiteful sneering insults in the interview in "Cairns Life" ,found on Rob Pynes website THE ROCK NEWS.<br />I remember the furore whipped up by Mackenzie well, as Tom had displays of the new building placed all around the city and implemented avenues for people to provide ideas, suggestions and feedback. There were also several public meetings as well after Mackenzie roared away day after day that there had been "no public consultation." Mackenzie also went after Tom when he proposed redeveloping the Cairns Esplanade, and the usual ragtag of knockers, whingers, whiners and malcontents were all quickly sparked up bellyaching away that the monies should be spent on roads or the hospital. (Mackenzie had led the campaign against a new hospital back in 1995.) Mackenzie backed away on the esplanade redevelopment, despite initially trying to derail it, as the proposal was too popular with the locals and tourist bodies. <br />Tom Pyne found a fair, impartial Editor in Alan Hudson of The Cairns Post, but John Mackenzie was always looking for opportunities to discredit him.Alison Allowaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878592054777492431.post-47977944273865005982011-10-31T15:57:47.992+10:002011-10-31T15:57:47.992+10:00It must be pointed out that Tom Pyne's term in...It must be pointed out that Tom Pyne's term in public office was during the term of Alan Hudson as Editor of The Cairns Post. Hudson ensured fair and equal treatment of all political parties and candidates. He did not engage in obsessive demonisation, week after week, to further his own political career as we have seen with Gavin King. Mackenzie did not arrive until the early 1980s and immediately made a target of Tom once his very close mate Kev Byrne embarked on a public career. For most of Tom's career, there was no internet, hence no bloggers. Tom's career therefore occurred during the impartial media times, when as Mayor he did not see his public office ridiculed and mocked, he was not lampooned, vilified and forced to pay "cash for comment", nor did he see the community of Cairns stroked and incited into the rancorous polarised groups they are today. The media helps shape and make the community leader. Tom's popularity was shaped by the impartial media of the time.Terry Vancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11877795512713940515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878592054777492431.post-87272368947033891812011-10-31T09:54:55.649+10:002011-10-31T09:54:55.649+10:00They have skeletons running the place Tony? I alw...They have skeletons running the place Tony? I always had a hunch...Jolly Joker, Paramatta Pknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878592054777492431.post-55542785594093572472011-10-31T09:50:05.561+10:002011-10-31T09:50:05.561+10:00I'm sure the Cairns Post has only skeleton sta...I'm sure the Cairns Post has only skeleton staffing at weekends — Monday's edition is usually skimpy irrespective of breaking news. Hopefully, our daily organ will accord Tom Pyne the send off he so richly deserves. I'm sure it was an enormous source of satisfaction to Tom to see his son carry on a great family tradition. My condolences to Rob and the rest of the Pyne family.Tony Hillierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06811119917896735831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878592054777492431.post-50768163566592326942011-10-31T09:08:22.070+10:002011-10-31T09:08:22.070+10:00It's moments like this when you do take stock ...It's moments like this when you do take stock and reflect on your current ''representatives'' and there is such a stark different to intellect, ability, honestly and drive. <br /><br />Thanks for you contribution to Cairns all those years ago that made such a difference today.Rosealeenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878592054777492431.post-17947106563451265062011-10-31T08:56:52.714+10:002011-10-31T08:56:52.714+10:00the fact that there was a tiny mention in the comp...the fact that there was a tiny mention in the compost about Tom Pyne, show they *had* time but gave it little prominence another example of why so many of us take it with any seriousness <br />I think this was on cairnsblog late afternoon so the post could have easily paid a decent respect to one of Cairns forefathersJoan of Kurandanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878592054777492431.post-63318779855049735042011-10-31T08:40:59.890+10:002011-10-31T08:40:59.890+10:00to be fair to the Cairns Post his passing only hap...to be fair to the Cairns Post his passing only happened yesterdayJJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878592054777492431.post-83561278854578112792011-10-31T08:39:34.047+10:002011-10-31T08:39:34.047+10:00A great warrior the like of are rare .....very rar...A great warrior the like of are rare .....very rare in politics these days... only folk like Julia Leu and of course Tom's son Rob, spring to mind. <br />Really puts in sharp perspective the gravy train selfish greediness like the ones we know....... and they're everywhere just in it for themselves.Jamie O'Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08846936223536639038845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878592054777492431.post-90684175727519546802011-10-31T08:20:05.396+10:002011-10-31T08:20:05.396+10:00just shows the a newspaper like the post can't...just shows the a newspaper like the post can't adapt and reflect the local community. that's all. the people are now the mediaTownie guynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878592054777492431.post-18496373595587784062011-10-31T08:15:57.815+10:002011-10-31T08:15:57.815+10:00beautiful tribute.
I note the words Tom shared w...beautiful tribute. <br /><br />I note the words Tom shared with you - must have been gong back awhile - about legal action and blogs. kinda shocked he engaged in that but that shows he was a real human being and even after all that time he was prepared to make criticisms of the current mob - well Byrne at that stage. I doubt you were making political capital out of it because of what that dickhead councillor Blake has tried to do tto you - regardless it's a very fair point that Tom Pyne made. He was old school with a real heart and tough.... like the mayor said - he could take it......this current mob like blake CANT TAKE IT and their memory will be one of greed and ripping the community off for their own. such a contrast to the real folk who use to run for council annd public life..... <br /><br />Blessings to the Pyne familyGerry of Gordonvalenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878592054777492431.post-11466283445619470192011-10-31T08:10:22.784+10:002011-10-31T08:10:22.784+10:00This is really the passing of a great elder of the...This is really the passing of a great elder of the Cairns community.<br /> thanks Mike for your lovely recollection of his more public memories and also the comments........<br /><br />I note his morning's Cairns Post has a pathetic ''snippet'' about Tom somewhere hidden on page 7... truly amazing that the town's paper show such little respect for one of our great leaders, who had such a huge impact on the modern Cairns.<br />,... sure the qantas debacle is on there... however there';s something about insurances on page 3 and a wire store they copy and pasted on page two.. <br /><br />shame on you cairns postSamuel Richardson, Freshyhttp://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=142810021592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878592054777492431.post-13232410592106935942011-10-31T05:54:56.861+10:002011-10-31T05:54:56.861+10:00RIP Tom.RIP Tom.Hans Van Veluwenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02883239441648828881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878592054777492431.post-59719836608998443742011-10-30T21:50:52.074+10:002011-10-30T21:50:52.074+10:00An outstanding ALP leader who helped transform a c...An outstanding ALP leader who helped transform a country town into a modern city along with one of his best friends, popular Labor Member for Cairns, the late Ray Jones. Tom will be missed by memory.Terry Vancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11877795512713940515noreply@blogger.com