Pyramid Views

19/12/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1C5qWC7FZM/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Qld Police are calling Cairns area residents to share your views on community safety.

18/12/2025

FROM ONE ROOM TO TWO STORES: PEAK MOBILITY & REHAB GROWS TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS
Peak Mobility and Rehab’s story began in Gordonvale when Practice Manager David identified a clear gap in access to quality mobility and rehabilitation equipment. Working within Gordonvale Physiotherapy, he regularly saw how challenging it was for people with disabilities and older clients to source the right aids. Teaming up with Helen Cooper, he launched a small operation from a single room in the clinic, offering basic items such as dressing and stocking aids. From these humble beginnings, the business has since grown into two fully equipped stores offering everything from mobility scooters and power chairs to adjustable beds and lift chairs.
The decision to expand into Cairns came directly from community feedback. Local occupational therapists and clients consistently reported difficulty travelling to Gordonvale—especially those living on the northside. Opening a Cairns-based store at 187 Newell Street now allows more therapists and clients to trial equipment conveniently and receive personalised support closer to home.
The new Cairns location also enhances their operational capacity. With a larger floor area and dedicated warehouse facilities, the team can stock more products, manage deliveries efficiently, and provide a central hub for therapists to collect and return equipment. This complements the Gordonvale store and strengthens service across the wider region.
Peak Mobility and Rehab specialises in a broad range of mobility and daily living aids, helping clients source exactly what they need to stay safe and independent. Their close collaboration with allied health professionals—including in-store trials, product checks, and regular training sessions—ensures each customer receives well-informed recommendations.
What truly sets the business apart is its lived experience and deep local roots. David, who has Cerebral Palsy, and Helen, whose father acquired paraplegia after a farm accident, understand firsthand the difference the right equipment can make. Their empathy drives a genuine commitment to helping people live their best lives.
Looking ahead, David and Helen hope to continue expanding their service and training more staff, ensuring Peak Mobility and Rehab remains the region’s trusted one-stop shop for mobility solutions. Both stores welcome locals to visit, trial products, and speak with the friendly team.

16/12/2025

MEN’S HEALTH MATTERS: MOVEMBER IN GORDONVALE
Gordonvale Family Medical Centre staff are rallying behind Movember to raise awareness for men’s health. The campaign, recognised around the world, focuses on early detection and prevention of prostate cancer, testicular cancer and men’s mental health challenges. This year, the clinic is encouraging the Gordonvale community to join in by starting conversations, checking in on mates and learning more about the health issues many men hesitate to talk about.
Dr Arash Foroudi is leading the charge at the clinic, proudly posing in a Movember T-shirt and sporting a playful false moustache in support of the initiative. He hopes the light-hearted approach helps break down barriers that often prevent men from seeking help.
The medical centre is encouraging local men to book routine check-ups throughout November, especially those who may have delayed appointments over the past few years. Early intervention remains one of the strongest tools in improving health outcomes, yet many men continue to avoid screenings or dismiss symptoms. Screening includes questions about family history and a blood test, usually every 2 years from 50-74 years, but earlier in men with strong family histories.
The Centre has created a display in its waiting room to highlight the campaign, with information on common men’s health concerns and steps residents can take to support their own wellbeing.
Gordonvale Family Medical Centre hopes its participation will inspire more local residents to get involved, spread awareness and support the men in their lives.

16/12/2025

LOCAL THERAPIST EXPANDS HER HEALING TOUCH
For many years, Robyn John has been a trusted practitioner of Bowen Therapy and the Emmett Technique in Gordonvale, helping locals find relief from pain, improve mobility and reduce stiffness. Known for her gentle, client-focused approach, Robyn has built lasting relationships within the community and has become a familiar and respected name in local wellbeing.
Recently, Robyn has expanded her practice to include Gentle Scar Therapy, a specialised technique that supports healing and improves comfort around scar tissue. This new therapy aligns beautifully with her holistic philosophy of encouraging the body’s natural ability to restore itself.
Robyn was inspired to explore Gentle Scar Therapy after learning how significantly scar tissue can affect surrounding areas. Scars, she explains, often extend their impact beyond what is visible on the surface, sometimes contributing to tension, discomfort, or restricted movement elsewhere in the body.
The therapy can be beneficial for many types of scars, including those resulting from surgery, burns, grafts, or injury. By working with the body’s fascia—a web-like network of connective tissue that supports and links every part of the body—the gentle techniques used can help release restrictions, improve range of motion, and reduce discomfort.
In her practice, Robyn has already noticed the difference this approach can make. Clients have experienced improvements in flexibility, ease of movement, and overall wellbeing after treatment, particularly where scar tissue was contributing to stiffness or imbalance.
For Robyn, adding Gentle Scar Therapy is a natural extension of her holistic philosophy. She believes in the body’s innate capacity to heal and values therapies that work in harmony with that process. By integrating this new modality, she continues her mission to help people move more freely, feel more comfortable, and experience better quality of life.
Photo: Robyn John using Gentle Scar Therapy on a client

15/12/2025

BRIDGESTONE ROLLING INTO GORDONVALE IN 2026
Bridgestone is set to expand its presence in Far North Queensland with a new store planned to open in early 2026 at 126 Fisher Road, right beside Woolworths Gordonvale. The modern facility, showcased in the accompanying artist’s impression, reflects the growing demand for services in the rapidly developing Gordonvale area. In addition to the Bridgestone tenancy, the newly constructed building will also offer additional commercial space for lease, presenting an opportunity for new businesses to establish in a high-visibility, high-traffic location. With the town continuing to grow, the arrival of Bridgestone—and the potential for more retailers alongside it—signals continued investment in the community and more local choices for residents.
Photo: Artist impression of new Bridgestone store

14/12/2025

HORSES, DOGS AND COUNTRY TUNES LIGHT UP THE POLOCROSSE GROUNDS
The Pyramid Polocrosse Grounds came alive on Saturday, 25 October, as country music entertainer and horseman Tom Curtain returned to Gordonvale as part of his Here’s To You National Tour. Drawing crowds that rival the size of small towns, Curtain once again proved why he is one of Australia’s most loved rural performers.
With more than 12 million streams, two Golden Guitar Awards, and a Gold win for Best Tourist Attraction in Australia at the 2024 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards for his Katherine Outback Experience, Tom’s show was a true celebration of the bush. Families gathered under the stars to enjoy a night filled with music, laughter and incredible horsemanship, with kids dancing along and even a few impromptu barrel races adding to the fun.
A skilled horseman, Tom demonstrated his connection with horses, working dogs and even goats—entertaining the crowd while showcasing the talents that have shaped his career. His journey began on his family farm in Kumbia, Queensland, where he started his first horse at twelve under the guidance of renowned horseman Hurley Toomey. After studying Animal Science at the University of Queensland, he headed north to Mount Sanford Station, where he discovered his love for songwriting and life on the land.
Next for Tom was the Katherine Outback Experience—a unique venture blending authentic horse-starting demonstrations with live country music and bush storytelling. Since its launch in 2013, the show has trained over 2,000 horses and inspired thousands of visitors to appreciate rural life.
As an ambassador for Dolly’s Dream, Tom continues to use his performances to raise funds and awareness about mental health and wellbeing in rural communities.
Photo: Tom Curtain performing from his horse

12/12/2025

10/12/2025

Know Your Town
70 – 74 Gordon Street Gordonvale

The site on the corner of Gordon and Thumm Streets has been the place of many businesses over the years. The Mulgrave Shire Historical Society has photographs of the site being occupied by J B Stewart and John Gordon (Butchers) and A. Abdullah (Mercer & Draper) next door, the Thomas Bros (Butchers) and the Grogan Bros (Butchers) with a Chemist next door. The butcher shops were right on the corner. Later this site was Paul Gauchi’s Billiard Saloon and then an empty allotment. In a 1981 photo, the building where Abdulla and the Chemist were, shows a Coin Laundry.
(Information and photo provided by Mulgrave Shire Historical Society)

09/12/2025

RED CROSS SUPPORTS INCLUSIVE ARTS SHOWCASE
Gordonvale Red Cross members recently attended a creative development showcase of The Magnificent Danny & Dazzle, presented by ARC Creatives. Among the performers was Gabby, a Gordonvale local and granddaughter of Red Cross member, Lena Benedetti whose involvement added a special connection for the visitors.
ARC Creatives, a long-standing community organisation in Cairns, continues to support people with disability by helping participants build independence, recognise personal strengths and pursue individual goals. The showcase reflected this mission, bringing together community, creativity and inclusive participation.
The Magnificent Danny & Dazzle is a stage adaptation of Adam Reddicliffe’s children’s book, telling the magical story of two dragons whose friendship sparks imagination and adventure. The developing production highlights the power of community arts and the value of giving all participants a platform to shine.
The Regional Arts Development Fund and the Gordonvale Red Cross have both played a role in supporting this work, helping ARC Creatives make the arts accessible and inspiring for people of all abilities. Red Cross members were pleased to see the project’s progress and proud to cheer on a Gordonvale performer in the cast.
Photo: Author, Adam Reddicliffe with Gordonvale Red Cross members, representatives from ARC and cast of The Magnificent Danny & Dazzle.

09/12/2025

STREETS AHEAD- This column provides a background to the streets and infrastructure of Gordonvale and who or what they were named after. Column compiled by Julie Amadio-Mulgrave Shire Historical Society
Healy Street
Healy Street is named after James Healy and his son Francis Healy who arrived in the Cairns area in 1876. Many generations of the Healy family have since called Gordonvale their home, and family members have married, united and intertwined with long time Gordonvale family names such as the Alley’s, Greenwood’s, and Ebrington’s.
Francis Healy known as Frank was born in Brisbane in1867. The family moved to several places as his father James was a police officer with the Queensland police. His sister Mary Ellen married George Gorham Alley in 1897 and moved to Riverstone near Gordonvale. Frank did many different jobs, working as an apprentice in the printing trade, carted cane for Hambledon Mill, he did butchering at Goldsborough, and packed materials for the first section of the Cairns Kuranda Railway. Frank married Mary Ann Greenwood in1898 and had four children: Ellen, twin boys Francis & John and Herbert (Bert). Frank took on the position of Station Master and Postmaster at the new Aloomba Station. He worked several jobs in farming and mining and in 1920 took up cane farming and settled in the Gordonvale area. Frank’s son Herbert Farrell (Bert) Healy married Sabina Bethel in 1926, and they had three sons: Francis James ( Frank), Herbert Patrick (Bert), and John Alan (referred to as Alan). Sabina (Bini) was a very accomplished dressmaker and machinist and made all the family’s clothes and sold her creations to a manufacturer. She was then employed at T. Bryce & Sons in Gordonvale in the Manchester department.
The family did not own a car and one year Bert (snr) took the two older boys Frank and Bert on holiday for a week to Russell Heads. They harnessed their old racehorse “Bullion’ into the old two-wheel sulky with a kerosene lantern attached. They travelled thirty miles to Deeral Landing and Bert (snr) called out to his Chinese friend ‘Ahu’ over the other side to row the wooden flattie across the river for them to use on their holiday. Bert (Snr) rowed ten miles to Russell Heads, and they all camped on the beach without a tent and had a fabulous time.
Young Bert’s sporting journey started in 1943 at fifteen, riding his dad’s racehorses. He won his first race by ten lengths which spurred him on, but riding was not without its trials and tribulations such as having bad falls from horses bucking and from riding horses that would not stop. He would have to just hang on for another go around the track. Bert (snr) was a professional boxer and trained as a welterweight, but he only had three professional round contests. He went on to train other boxers including his three sons, who then went on to take part in boxing matches themselves. Bouts were held in the RSL hall in Gordonvale and other venues around the local district. Ron Greenwood remembers Alan Healy training him to box and showing him some useful moves in case he ever got into a row with someone.
There are no longer any direct Healy family members living in Gordonvale. Pictured from left are Michael and Ron Greenwood, who are first cousins. They are second cousins to Bert & Sabina Healy’s children: Frank, Bert (jnr), and Alan.

08/12/2025

ANSWERING THE CALL: FIRE BRIGADE’S 75 YEARS OF SERVICE
Back in 1950, the establishment of the Gordonvale Fire Station marked a milestone in the development of this rural township. Many towns across the region would wait decades before securing their own brigade, often suffering devastating fires that spread from one property to the next. With the introduction of building bylaws requiring fire-resistant materials and the creation of a permanent brigade, Gordonvale was well positioned to protect its growing community.
The original station, built at 105 Norman Street, served faithfully for 67 years before the opening of the new Gillies Range Road facility in 2018. The modern station was designed to meet the needs of a growing population, provide better highway access, and house an expanded range of equipment to handle an increasingly diverse workload.
Gordonvale’s station remains an auxiliary brigade, staffed entirely by local men and women who balance full-time jobs with 24/7 emergency response. When the pager sounds, they leave work or home to protect their community — with appreciation extended to supportive local employers such as the Mulgrave Mill. Their work extends beyond fires, including road crash rescues along the Bruce Highway from Babinda to Edmonton, as well as the Gillies and Yarrabah Ranges. Crews are also trained for swift-water rescues, medical assists, alarms, and animal rescues, often backing up Cairns crews during major incidents.
Hundreds of locals have served as auxiliary firefighters since 1950. Among the most dedicated are Michael Reid, who recently retired after 27 years as Auxiliary Captain, and Darren Warncke, the current Auxiliary Lieutenant, who will retire in January after 26 years. The Warncke family’s service spans an extraordinary 62 years, beginning with Darren’s late father Ron, who served over three decades as Auxiliary Captain, and also including Darren’s brother Lee, who volunteered for several years before him.
Other long-serving members in the community include Frank Steene, John Gaiardo, John Goessling, and Gordon Simpson. Behind every firefighter stands a supportive family — the unsung heroes who answer the call in their own way each time the siren sounds.

08/12/2025

Join us for the evening. We look forward to seeing you there very much.
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