2005 Kamsler Award won by Michele Loxley

Michele Loxley doesn't earn a bean for helping tourists have the best possible holiday they can in the tropical north, but the volunteer information consultant at Tourism Tropical North Queensland loves her job anyway - and those she helps love her.

At the annual awards night on March 12 Michele was rewarded when the Cairns Tourism Association named her winner of the 2005 Kamsler Award for Excellence and gave her prizes including a holiday for two in Singapore.

Michele was among 10 finalists vying for the award, named after Cairns identity and tourism pioneer Paul Kamsler Snr.

"I felt very honoured," said the grandmother of two, who adopted Cairns four years ago after visiting on holiday from Western Australia.

A trained mediator who worked for a community legal centre and Relationships Australia, she took up her voluntary role at TTNQ two and a half years ago.

"I love it," she said. "I do two shifts a week, which are two half days, and then do product presentation evenings once a week, tourism famils and on-site inspections for holiday-let accommodation.

CTA committee member John Vickary said Michele had a natural approach, genuine warmth and very open attitude.

"I think she treats every client who walks in as a friend looking for information on how best to holiday in the region," Mr Vickary said.

"She has a wonderful overview of things to do in the area and I think that comes from her actually going out and doing a lot of the touristy things off her own bat when she first arrived."

Michele said it wasn't hard to sell Cairns and its many attractions.

"We have the most wonderful product here and the people who service the industry are so professional. I know people will be well looked after," she said

"It's a wonderful privilege to be able to have some input into tourists' holidays and depending on the time and service you give, you can make a big impact on their holidays."

"If people go away having had a wonderful time, that's the reward. We live in paradise all the time. They only visit it."

The runer-up in the 2005 Kamsler Award for Excellence was Tracey Gothard of Big Cat Green Island Cruises.

- story courtesy of Cairns Post