Nestled at the corner of Mulgrave Road and Toogood Road, Calanna Whole Health Corner stands as a testament to generations of dedication, vision, and service to the Cairns community. What is now a thriving healthcare corner was once part of the original Calanna Family Farm — a place rich in history and deeply intertwined with the lives of the people it serves.

It all began in 1930 when Mario Cantoni moved from the Halifax/Ingham region to purchase this land. Like many in North Queensland at the time, he worked tirelessly in the cane fields, determined to build a better future for his family. Years later, his son-in-law Tony Calanna (who emigrated to Australia from Sicily in 1925, just before his 19th birthday) and second daughter, Alma, along with a business partner, bought the farm from Mr Cantoni, making it their home with their children Mario and Lynette in 1954-55. The land not only nurtured crops but also became the heart of the Calanna family.

Tony and Alma worked the Woree cane farm and by the late 1960s with the Cairns region growing, the farm began to evolve. By this stage young Mario Calanna was nearing the end of secondary school. Tony gave Mario two options – the shovel or the book. As sections were subdivided, Mario Calanna chose “the books” and a new path, one that would redefine healthcare in the region. After completing his pharmacy studies at the University of Queelsland in 1970, he returned to Cairns with a Bachelor of Pharmacy and began working at Brosnan’s Pharmacy on Abbott Street.

Meanwhile, his family saw an even greater potential for the land. What if, instead of crops, it could cultivate health and wellbeing? The idea was bold, even improbable — the location was then considered “the middle of nowhere”. But Mario Calanna embraced his parents’ vision, and together, they transformed that dream into reality.

On June 8, 1976 — Tony Calanna’s 70th birthday — Mario opened the doors of the Calanna Pharmacy and Medical Centre. More than just a pharmacy, it became a comprehensive healthcare destination, bringing together doctors, dentists and allied health professionals. Over the years, thousands of families have passed through its doors seeking care and advice. Today, it remains Cairns' longest-operating medical centre, now welcoming its fourth generation of residents.

For Matthew Calanna, Mario's son, the centre has always been part of his life. Growing up surrounded by his father’s work, he developed a deep appreciation for healthcare and its impact on the community. Inspired by this legacy, Matthew pursued pharmacy at James Cook University in Townsville and joined the family business in 2003, expanding Calanna Pharmacy from just two locations in Cairns to 12 pharmacies across Cairns, Townsville, Innisfail, and Atherton.

Under his leadership, the business introduced Mario’s Range its own line of products, and became one of the first pharmacies in the region to integrate naturopathy, practitioner-grade vitamins, herbs, and health foods into its offerings. At its peak, more than 170 staff proudly carried forward the Calanna commitment to the Cairns community.

In 2022, the pharmacy business was sold — a bittersweet milestone. Later that year, Mario Calanna passed away, leaving behind not just a business, but a legacy of compassion and service to Cairns.

As the 50th anniversary of Calanna Whole Health Corner approaches in 2026, it is a time to reflect on the incredible journey that began almost 96 years ago. It is a legacy that grew from the rich soils of Woree into a complete health and wellbeing destination for Cairns. While the landscape may have changed, one thing remains the same — the commitment to caring for our community lives strong in Matthew Calanna, just as it did in the generations that came before him. 

• Toogood Medical Centre
• Calanna Terry White Chemmart Woree
• Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology
• Caligaris Accounting
• Cairns Occupational Therapy
• Adam Physiotherapy
• Cairns Audiology
• Cairns Massage Champions
• Abilifly Support Services
• Healthcare Chiropractic