Around

the Traps

Dairy Farmers Stadium Home of the North Queensland Cowboys With heavy rain and the threat of cyclone Abigail lurking in the Coral Sea,preparations for the launch of the first home game of the NRL season made some of us a bit toey.But luck went the Cowboys way and Abigail went nor th and crossed the coast near Cairns instead.The rain stopped and the game went ahead with no problems.The Cowboys played extremely well against the Brisbane Bronocs only missing a win by one point.The local support was great to see too.Not one empty seat in the stadium and the crowd went wild with each point scored by the Cowboys.Overall,everything is going well although a few weeks ago,the Stadium had its annual problem of a plague of grasshoppers and bugs.Pest control had to come out and use machines to suck the varmints out of the public lift wells.The smell of the bugs wasn't pleasant either! Recently,Cleanevent,AVS and the Cowboys were preparing for the first Cowboys game to be held at Cazalys in Cairns.What star ted out with two semi-trailer loads of gear and equipment being supplied by DFS ended up being four semi-trailer loads! Darryl Gray

Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre Home of the Townsville Crocs What a fantastic season for the Townsville Crocs! They made it to the NBL Playoffs for the first time in the club's history.    The TECC turned it on for two of the final Playoffs against the Wollongong Hawks.Crowds were in record numbers to see the Crocs win the second game to tie up the series.    Unfortunately they lost the third and deciding game,but what a great effort during the season.    Overall the Centre is going well and the management is very pleased with the standard of post cleans that Cleanevent is providing.    Darryl Gray

ANZ Stadium The season has kicked off to a great star t with the Bronco's winning their 16th home game in a row.The running track has now been reinstated in the venue and ever yone is looking forward to the Goodwill Games commencing in August. We have had many new star ters at the venue and all are performing to a great standard,the new employees have slotted in nicely and are ready to enhance the existing team. The World Athletics Veteran Association (WAVA) is set to commence their championships in July 2001,which will see some 7,000 athletes from 73 countries competing. We wish them good luck. As you can see there are busy times ahead,just the way we like it,bring them on.

Suncorp/Metway Stadium Well,it has finally been decided that this venue is to receive an upgrade,which means that following the last event (State of Origin game 1) to be held 6 May the venue will close for 2 years for redevelopment.

The Gabba G'Day from the Gabba! The AFL season kicked off at the Gabba on Saturday 3 March with an Ansett Cup game,and a good win for the home team over Car lton.There were almost 23,000 patrons at the Gabba,which is the second highest crowd for an Ansett Cup game,so I hear.Looks like the Lions are going to pull good crowds this season!I want to thank all the staff up here for a job well done over the cricket season,and wish you all the best for the rest of the AFL season.Catch up next edition. Russell Murray

Doomben Races All race meetings are going really well and we were looking forward to the Winter Carnival,which commenced in April.    Every good horse in the country heads for Queensland at this time to get the wonderful winter sunshine.    They are always looking for ways to improve each event and I know with the innovations that were introduced,this year's carnival will outdo the last.