YOUR DOUGLAS NEWS O C T
CYBERCRIME FIGHTERS COMING TO MOSSMAN LIBRARY PASSWORD repetition and a relaxed attitude to bank account activity are some of the mistakes being made by victims of identity theft, according to cyber support service IDCare. Australians lost $3.1 billion in online scams and IDCare spokesman Robert Blackmore said regional residents were among the hardest hit. “A vulnerability index reveals regional victims took longer to get their affairs back in order because the access to (support) services was more challenging and the response journey was longer,” Mr Blackmore said.
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HOWZAT?! A cybercrime and identity session will be held at Mossman Library next Monday (October 9).
It’s for this reason IDCare’s Cyber Resilience Outreach Clinic (CROC) is heading to Mossman Library next Monday afternoon (October 9). Mr Blackmore said losing large amounts of money through cybercrime and identity theft was a “bewildering and anxiety-provoking topic” and educational sessions were best delivered in a face-to-face forum. He said attending a CROC was an opportunity for participants to reassess their online security. “It’s about long and different passwords. A lot of
people have the same password for all their accounts,” Mr Blackmore said. “So that’s a very easy one that we can fix straight away, turning on the multifactor codes or using authentication apps, particular on any of your sensitive accounts, including banking. “It gives you that next level of security. “Our main job is to take people’s calls and offer an individualized response plan based on what’s happened and what they need to do to try and get back on track to the best of their ability.”
Cricket nets will be built at Cooya Beach as a result of Max Schwarzer’s petition.
Max secures nets for Cooya MAX Schwarzer is known to deliver the goods on the cricket field but is now getting some runs on the board as a community champion for Cooya Beach. Following the 13-year-old’s advocacy, the Douglas Shire Council has committed to building cricket nets at Lou Prince Park. The Muddies Douglas Cricket Association player got on the front foot last year when his petition, featuring 170 signatures at the time, was presented to council (the petition now has 200 signatures). “The cricket nets would get more kids and adults into playing a fun sport,” Max said in the petition. “Many people in Cooya Beach want to play and practice playing cricket but they can’t because there are no facilities for it. “It would stop your kids from always being stuck at home being bored, they could be fit and have fun. It would also massively improve mental and physical health of people of all ages.” Council has since committed to the project while the Cooya Beach community were given the opportunity to provide feedback on the nets last month. Max said he was pleased the project had
been approved. “It was encouraging to receive support for the idea and Mayor Kerr responded really quickly to my emails, which was great,” he said. “I didn’t think that it would go ahead. I just thought that would be a good idea and might as well just give it a shot. I didn’t expect support for it.” Despite his effective lobbying, the Mossman High School student scoffed at the suggestion he may have a future in politics or local government. Instead, he’s looking forward to honing his cricketing skills at Lou Prince Park when the nets are eventually built. “Nets are great because you don’t have to retrieve the ball and you can just keep on going and going – it’s a great way to train,” he said. Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said he was pleased the project was going ahead. “Max’s proactive approach to the cricket nets deserved our attention and will hopefully inspire other young people to engage with Council and get more involved in their community,” he said.
CHAMPION CROCS
Champion Crocs. The Port Douglas Crocs are still on a high following last month’s win in the AFL Cairns Grand Final. The final score 12.7 (79) to Cairns Saints 6.9 (45).
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Cairns Local News, Friday, October 6, 2023 PAGE 21
YOUR DOUGLAS NEWS
Oct 06, 2023
Daintree River Ferry safety upgrade charters a more reliable service
An essential ferry upgrade begins on Sunday October 15.
RESIDENTS and tourists can look forward to a safer and more reliable Daintree River Ferry service after a crucial upgrade begins next month. For regular ferry travellers and visitors it will be business as usual during the day, and a slight adjustment to the late night schedule on some evenings. Douglas Shire Mayor, Michael Kerr said most users won’t notice any difference to their routines or be forced
to change holiday plans. “The Council has listened to residents and tourism operators to ensure the service will continue as normal during peak morning and afternoon periods,” Mayor Kerr said. “This work is unavoidable and critical to ongoing operations. I appreciate everyone’s patience and want to assure everyone this work will be completed as efficiently as possible.”
The maintenance work will begin mid-October and run over six weeks to modify four davits (crane-like devices) which are used to raise and lower the ferry’s ramps. There’ll be no change to the service on Friday and Saturday, while night-time runs will operate until 8pm from Sunday to Thursday. Douglas Shire Council will continue to provide progress reports.
CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY FOR NEW AUSTRALIANS
New Australian citizen Samuel Herridge, with Douglas Shire Deputy Mayor Lisa Scomazzon and Councillor Peter McKeown, at a citizenship ceremony in Port Douglas.
PAGE 22 Cairns Local News, Friday, October 6, 2023
A GROUP of new Australians was recognised in a citizenship ceremony held at the Port Douglas Community Hall last month. 16 people received a Commemorative Australian Citizenship Certificate from Douglas Shire Deputy Mayor Lisa Scomazzon as well as a native plant from council’s nursery to celebrate the special occasion. The Shire’s new citizens are from Belgium, Romania, Russian Federation, Thailand, Philippines, United States of America, Taiwan,
Italy and the United Kingdom. Cr Scomazzon said she was pleased to welcome so many new citizens to the Douglas Shire. “These new citizens have chosen to become an Australian because they seek the special qualities of peace, prosperity and harmony which characterise the Australian lifestyle,” she said. “Australia gains by their commitment to it and through the contribution they will make to its wellbeing.”
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YOUR DOUGLAS NEWS
Oct 06, 2023
Indigenous album launch in Mossman SOME of Mossman’s best singers have bunkered down in a Daintree recording studio to produce an album celebrating First Nations music. Bama Muruku Badin Baderi, which was officially launched in Mossman last month, was made possible due to a $10,000 Douglas Shire Council (DSC) grant. Inspired by the musical talent in Mossman, project coordinator Reuben Dwyer approached the council for a helping hand. It took about a year to record the album and Reuben said it was hard work for all involved. “Sometimes it can be several hours and three or four days to create one song,” he said. “Some had to come back and sing other parts or maybe we thought that they had a better performance in them. “And there’s that pressure of performing when the (studio’s) red light goes on. “They call it red light fever. Soon as you see that red light go on and you know you’re being recorded and that’s when you know things are real. “It takes a lot of courage to just sing out loud. You know, anyone
Patricia and Shanice McLean at the Bama Muruku Badin Baderi album launch in Mossman last month.
who doesn’t sing or perform generally respects that there’s other people who can because
most people are terrified of public performances”. Reuben said Shanice McLean
and Andrew Gibson were among the participants that impressed during the production process.
“Both of them offer a really special insight into what it’s like to be indigenous in a modern Australian setting. I think that’s the thing that those two particularly bring to the bring to the project.” Reuben thanked DSC for its contribution to the project. “I would have recorded the CD anyway but it would have taken me a couple of years and it would have had a large financial toll for me. “I think it’s even better coming from the council because it shows it cares and has a commitment to Indigenous culture. “For me, as a white person working in Yalanji country, I thank elders past, present and emerging for welcoming, helping and assisting me with any cultural protocols that need to be followed.” Deputy Mayor Lisa Scomazzon, who attended last month’s launch, said she was pleased the Council grant made the album possible. “It’s providing the region’s best artists with a platform to dream big and share their talents with a bigger audience than they may have thought possible,” she said. “I was so impressed with talent on show and hopefully this is a catalyst for similar projects in the region.”
New members needed for arts committee THE Douglas Shire Council is seeking nominations for the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) Advisory Committee. This committee plays a vital role in fostering the growth and development of arts and culture within the Douglas Shire Council region. It advises Council on the allocation of funds from the RADF, ensures that grants are awarded to projects that align with the incoming Strategy for Arts, Culture & Creativity 20242029 and RADF Program objectives and criteria. Interested individuals are encouraged to nominate themselves or someone they believe would be a valuable addition to this
committee. Members of the advisory committee are expected to possess a deep understanding and passion for the arts and cultural sector. Council is encouraging applications from persons who bring experience from a wide range of arts and cultural modalities and/or who have strategic board experience within cultural organisations. The RADF Committee meet up to four times per year and are provided with full training on the RADF Program itself including the RADF Assessment process. Councillor Abigail Noli said being part of the committee was rewarding “and is integral in the process for
increasing art in Douglas”. “Art encourages community cohesion and it allows us to see the world around us. It also educates us about our past and where we are today,” Cr Noli said. “RADF does all that through creating opportunities for individuals and groups by assisting to fulfil ideas and make them reality.” Nominations are open to individuals to become a part of the committee and contribute to the vibrant arts and culture scene of our Shire. Nominations opened on October 1 and close on December 31. For more information head to the DSC website.
Arresting holiday program at Mossman The Mossman Library school holiday program was popular with local families last month. Senior Constable Cassandra Hill with Boe (left) and Lennox during a visit by police.
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Cairns Local News, Friday, October 6, 2023 PAGE 23
YOUR DOUGLAS NEWS
Oct 06, 2023
Guru granting funding opportunities HOW COUNCIL SPENDS EVERY $100:
fence around the Port Douglas IT’S hoped a new partnership Court House Museum,” she said. between the Douglas Shire “Without getting a grant, we Council and an online search wouldn’t have ever been able to engine will help community afford it. groups make the most of grant Roads “We ended up going to the Maintenance opportunities. Water & Wastewater Gambling Community Benefit $16.80 Grant Guru - which provides a $17.90 Fund but it did take a bit of a comprehensive and up-to-date trawling (for the appropriate list of funding programs – is now grant).” accessible on the DSC website. She said Grant Guru could Grant Guru features advanced prove handy to range of groups. filtering, allowing you to narrow “I also write books and trying down your search by activity, to find a grant to sponsor printindustry and current and future ing is very difficult. So if it (Grant grants. Guru) can filter theInfrastructure, search down It also has other valuable Gardens, Parks Machinery to say “printing” that would be a information and tips for grant & Sports & Facilities great help,” she said. applications. Douglas Shire Historical$14.20 “I’m also part of a pétanque $12.70 group and we are looking for Society Life Member Pam Willissome equipment for our piste Burden said grant applications (playing area) but it is really hard were sometimes a challenging to know where to secure grants.” process. For more information head to “We recently received a big the Douglas Shire website. grant to put a beautiful new
Interest Revenue $389K
Other Operating Revenue $1.1M
Revenue
Grants & Subsidies $3.3M
Net Rates & Utilities $38.8M
Fees & Charges $7.3M
Douglas Shire Historical Society Life Member Pam Willis-Burden and volunteer Bruce Clifton.
Governance and Waste Management 2024 Australia Day nominations open Responsible Administration & Recycling Finance $12.00 $9.60 Costs $171K fishing funds secured Douglas 2021 and THE Douglas Shire the Council has received Community &Queensland Economic IT Services Infrastructure Grants more than $6000 in $5.10 Program 2021. State GovernmentDevelopment Douglas Shire Mayor funding to continue $6.20 Michael Kerr said its promotion of community education responsible fishing. was important. The Queensland “The purpose of Community Fishing the flyer is to promote Grants Program money responsible fishing will be used to host through educating community-led fishing days for children in Port the community and visitors on fishing best Douglas and Newell Planning, Environment & Health & Local Laws practices. The flyer Beach and to produce will continue to build an educational fishing Management Disaster $2.10 community awareness flyer. $3.40 of the value of our Newell Beach will fisheries resources and host a fishing day later improve compliance,” this month while the he said. event in Port Douglas “The fishing days will be held in 2024. OPERATING are designed to The funding follows TOTAL educate children on from the success EXPENDITURE about the importance of the Promotion of sustainable fishing of Sustainable through fun activities.” Fishing Practices in
Staff to Deliver Services $18M
Expenses
Depreciation $14.2M
$53.6M
TOTAL REVENUE 2023 Citizen of the Year, Kerry Shepherdson.
DO something special for a friend and nominate them for a 2024 Australia Day Award. Nominations are now open across eight categories to celebrate Douglas locals who have gone above and beyond for the community in the past 12 months. Materials We have so many incredible, selflServices ess and modest people who & give back to the community. $21.2Msports stars, Volunteers, environmental advocates, artists and every day high achievers will be recognised at the Port Douglas Community Hall on January 26 next year. Australia Day Awards are open to residents and community groups that have made an outstanding achievement or contribution to the community. It will take only a few minutes to fill out an online nomination form at council’s website today. You can also ask our customer service staff for a form at the Mossman Administration Building or Port Douglas Community Hub. Nominations close on Friday November 17, so spread the message and make sure a friend, doing great things in the Douglas Shire, gets the credit they deserve.
$50.8M
WHAT’S ON OCTOBER 2023 • Saturday 7th – Mossman Markets, 7am – 1pm • Sunday 8th – Port Douglas Sunday Markets, 8am – 1.30pm • Monday 9th – Mayor and Councillors Cuppa & Chat, Country Women’s Association, Port Douglas, 9am – 10am • Friday 13th - Port Shorts Film Festival, Rex Smeal Park, Port Douglas • Saturday 14th – Port Shorts Film Festival, Rex Smeal Park, Port Douglas • Saturday 14th – Mossman Markets, 7am – 1pm • Sunday 15th – Port Douglas Sunday Markets, 8am – 1.30pm • Saturday 21st – Mossman Markets, 7am – 1pm
• Sunday 22nd – Port Douglas Sunday Markets, 8am – 1.30pm • Monday 23rd – Mayor and Councillors Cuppa & Chat, Heritage Lodge, Diwan, 10am – 11am • Saturday 28th – Mossman Markets, 7am – 1pm • Sunday 29th – Port Douglas Sunday Markets, 8am – 1.30pm • Monday 30th – Mayor and Councillors Cuppa & Chat, Temptations, Mossman 8:30am – 9:30am • Tuesday 31st – Douglas Shire Council Ordinary Council Meeting, 10am
07 4099 9444 | PO Box 723, Mossman Q 4873 enquiries@douglas.qld.gov.au | douglas.qld.gov.au PAGE 24 Cairns Local News, Friday, October 6, 2023
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