PERHAPS it's no surprise Kerry Eaton is officially Cairns' best dad - he's been a father to more than 200 children.

With his wife, Anne, the father-of-five has looked after scores of foster kids in the past 20 years.

He was nominated as Queensland Father of the Year by daughter Fiona Cats, who thought it would be the ultimate Father's Day gift.

"It's a bit overwhelming. That my daughter nominated me in the first place is pretty special," Mr Eaton said.

"I personally don't think I do a better job than a lot of other fathers out there.

"But over the last 23 years we've cared for more than 200 children, so I've had a bit of practice."

The answer to the golden question, "What makes a good dad?" is simple, he said.

"It's tolerance - being able to accept your kids for who they are and being supportive of them."

Ms Cats, who has two children of her own - Joshua, 6, and Cayleb, 3, said: "He's special. He's not my biological
dad.

"I didn't really know my dad, so Dad's become my dad.

"He's become the only male role model who's been in my life forever.

"I think the world of him."

The Cairns Father of the Year award is from youth and children's charity SU Qld.

SU Qld's North Queensland manager, Gavin Morgan, said: "We believe that the role of fathers is becoming undervalued in society.

"We wanted to find some dads who are doing what they do every day but don't necessarily get the recognition they deserve for it."

Mr Eaton will go on to face six other top dads in the state finals.

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