Council farewells popular Division 7 representative

Big hearted and community focused, with a welcoming and easy-going demeanour and a touch of old-fashioned warmth, all these ingredients have made Cr Max O’Halloran one of the most popular elected members at Cairns Regional Council.

Today, at the final Council Ordinary Meeting before the Local Government Election on 16 March, the likeable and affable Division 7 Councillor was farewelled by his peers and the organisation.

Cr O’Halloran, who was elected to Council in 2012, is not contesting the Local Government Election on 16 March.

At today’s meeting, Council formally acknowledged the service of the retiring Councillor and thanked him for his contribution to Cairns community.

The following statement was made during the Mayoral Minute:

“Cr O’Halloran has represented Council on the Cairns Art Gallery Board, has served as Chair of Council’s Sport, Community, Sport, Events and Cultural Services Committee, and as Chair of Cairns Gallery Precinct Project Steering Committee.

“Cr Max has also held positions in the following Council committees:

• Water and Waste Committee
• Cyclesport Precinct Development
• The Precinct Steering Committee
• Planning & Environment Committee
• Major Events Advisory Group
• Cannon Park Master Plan Steering Committee
• Flying Fox Advisory Committee

“To tell the story of Cr O’Halloran’s Council career in numbers, the following numbers paint a picture – he has served as a Councillor for three terms over 12 years, or 4,340 days, attending 394 Council meetings which equates to a 99.8% attendance record, and has served on Councils that have delivered $1.5 billion in capital works projects.”

Cr O’Halloran was presented with a photobook, containing a selection of images documenting his time at Council, along with message from former and present councillors.

He also received a framed photograph commemorating the Tobruk Memorial Pool redevelopment, as well as his name plaque from the Council Chambers.

Cr O’Halloran described his 12 years as an elected representative as incredibly rewarding and I was an honour to service the community.

“This city has been pretty good to me and it is nice to think you’ve had some input, and be thankful that you had the opportunity to be part of something worthwhile,” Cr O’Halloran said.

"When you see some of the facilities built since you have been in Council – like Tobruk Pool redevelopment, the netball courts in Martyn St, the 80-metre extension of Lake St through mangroves to Airport Dr, and the cricket fields at Griffiths Park – they are the things that make you feel you have achieved something.

“I don’t own it, I have just been lucky enough to be in a position to help drive those development a little and work with some fantastic Councillors over three terms to get a lot of stuff done.

“I will be happy to finish up and walk through the gate and blend into the environment and be happy I had the opportunity to represent a wonderful city.”

Prior to his election to Council, Cr O’Halloran was best known for his role in developing and elevating AFL in the Far North.

Born in Tasmania, the former Footscray (now Western Bulldogs) and Carlton AFL player moved to Cairns in 1978.

After playing a season for South Cairns, he was appointed player-coach of Norths Cairns Tigers – a club he would guide to four premierships.

In 1992, he became assistant coach of the newly formed Cairns Saints, before taking over the top job and guiding the club to their second premiership in 1995.

In 1997 he was appointed assistant coach of the Queensland Country representative side.

Cr O’Halloran also served on the AFL Cairns board from 1998-2007 – his contribution to the game recognised with life membership of AFL Cairns and North Cairns Football Club

However, the 71-year-old Councillor’s connection and impact to Cairns has not been confined to footy.

He has owned Tidal Seafood Traders (Cairns) for over 30 years, and he is Patron of Cairns Bands and the Rondo Theatre, and a life member of Tobruk Pool.

Cr O’Halloran said being involved in the $23.7 million redevelopment of Tobruk Memorial Pool, which upgraded the aquatic facility to FINA specifications, was one of his proudest achievements.

Other notable achievements he singled out included extending Lake St to Airport Dr, upgrading of netball centre on Martyn St, and the work done at Griffiths Park, including the new lighting, parking, the entry and installation of a new white picket fence, as other notable achievements during his time as Councillor.

Cr O’Halloran said it was the small things, like getting an unsightly block mowed, that were equally as rewarding.

“They are the little big things where you build relationships with your community,” he said.

“I am so lucky in Division 7 that I have many people who were comfortable enough to ring me and speak to me as a mate and friend and ask for something to be done – they are the sort of things that swells your shirt up.

“I remember I had a lady who was upset at me about a vacant lot next door that was overgrown.

“I went over to take a picture of it and as I was about to, the slasher turned up right behind me … that made me look a million bucks.

“They are the great things. I have had a lot of great times and a lot of funny times.”

Some of the Capital Work projects Cr O’Halloran has overseen in his time have included:

• Munro Martin Parklands
• Cairns Performing Arts Centre
• Esplanade Dining Precinct
• Court House Gallery
• Tobruk Memorial Pool redevelopment
• Griffiths Park redevelopment
• Cairns Netball Centre redevelopment
• Cairns international Tennis Centre roof
• Harald Falge Park redevelopment
• Endeavour Park soccer/cricket redevelopment

Other notable achievements of the Council where Cr O’Halloran has played a key role include:

• Establishment of Council’s Go Clubs not-for-profit support program
• Great Barrier Reef Masters Games
• Development of the Major Events Precinct vision and subsequent Olympic venue upgrades
• Support for Cairns Taipans community ownership model
• AFL and NRL Premiership matches
• Rugby League World Cup