Our awesome foursome

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

THE Far North's reputation as an outstanding rugby league nursery was enhanced yesterday with four of Queensland's 17-man State of Origin team coming from the region.

Billy Slater, Justin Hodges, Dallas Johnson and Nate Myles won selection yesterday to play New South Wales in the opening Origin clash in Sydney next Wednesday.

Innisfail junior Slater’s outstanding form demanded his Queensland recall after he last played for the Maroons in 2005.

Slater, who made his Test debut last week, won the fullback spot ahead of Karmichael Hunt, with The Cairns Post rugby league columnist Greg Dowling saying Slater’s "weight of runs" through the NRL season had forced the selectors’ hands.

Southern suburbs junior Myles, Kangaroos’ Justin Hodges and Herberton’s Johnson retained spots they held in Queensland’s series-winning squads in 2006 and 2007.

<strong>Proud moments: </strong>Far North stars Dallas Johnson and Nate Myles.

Proud moments: Far North stars Dallas Johnson and Nate Myles.

<Strong>Origin bound:</Strong> Justin Hodges.

Origin bound: Justin Hodges.

<strong>Ambassador:</strong> Billy Slater.

Ambassador: Billy Slater.

<strong>Taxi tax:</strong> A secret new levy will slug taxi passengers an extra $2.

Taxi fee sting

TAXI passengers at Cairns airport face being slugged an extra $2 on top of their normal fare as part of a secret new levy. more

<strong>Emotional night: </strong>
Natalie Mawer (centre) is joined by close friends Angie (left) and Lucy Neil at Cairns Relay For Life.

Col's army won't surrender

NATALIE Mawer knew it would be tough after losing her brother to leukemia two years ago but that didn't stop her marching through the night at the Cairns Relay for Life event. more

<strong>Outnumbered three to one:</strong> Bianca McMahon, Natalie Brangwin and Megan Fitzpatrick surround the “odd man out”, Terance Makoni.

Girls win study duel

GIRLS are winning the battle of the sexes at James Cook University's Cairns campus. more

<strong> Health hopes:</strong> Ms Boyle wants the State Government to allocate money to the expansion of the Cairns Base Hospital.

Hospital tops MP's wish list

CAIRNS MP Desley Boyle wants money for the hospital, bigger and better classrooms and a second Queensland Transport office. more

<strong>Country capers:</strong> Vanessa Allen and Natasha Willis step out in style for the coast-meets-country glamour and gourmet event.
Picture: MIA LACY

Port finds recipe for success

COWBOY-hatted party folk embraced the Carnivale theme and brought "the country to the coast" in style at the weekend as the annual celebration of all things Port Douglas came to a close. more

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