Your Douglas News - June 2023

Carnivale marks 30 years in 2024

OLD and new events will be the highlight of next year’s Port Douglas Carnivale celebration as the countdown begins to the much-loved festival’s 30th milestone year.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said planning was already underway for 2024, even while the dust still settled on this year’s event, which was held last month from May 12-21.

Mayor Kerr said perfect weather helped draw crowds to the various events across the three days with every corner of Port Douglas activated in some way.

“We saw pop up events across town including the Family Beach Day on Four Mile Beach, the Tropic Rock concert with You Am I at Rex Smeal Park, the Longest Lunch, FNQ Gin Fest and Seafood Extravaganza centred around Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, as well as community events at the Port Douglas Community Hall and the Sugar Wharf.”

Dixie Park was once again the home base for the Wonderland Spiegeltent’s 10-

day season, which included performances of Popcorn Underground, Debauched, and Circus Wonderland – A Neverland Adventure.

“People loved the atmosphere right across town, and it is this formula that has contributed to the long-running success of Port Douglas Carnivale,” Cr Kerr added.

“We are so fortunate to live in this amazing part of the world and Carnivale gives us a platform to showcase our world-class produce, talent and creativity on a national stage.”

Mayor Kerr said revellers could expect the return of some of Carnivale’s favourite events such as The Wonderland Spiegeltent, The Longest Lunch, Street Parade, Family Beach Day and Seafood Extravaganza in 2024 along with some special surprises that celebrated the very foundations of the festival.

To join in the excitement next year, mark your calendar for when Port Douglas Carnivale returns on May 24-26, 2024.

RECONCILIATION WEEK

THE Mossman Library has been the hub for this year’s National Reconciliation Week 2023 (NRW) activities (May 27– June 3).

The film ‘Mabo’ (the life story of Eddie ‘Koiki’ Mabo) was screened, while a special Indigenous story time was organised as well.

In the lead-up to NRW, the library also hosted the workshop series ‘Who’s your mob?’ which helps people research their Indigenous family history.

The theme for NRW has been ‘Be a Voice for Generations’.

It encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work, and socialise - whilst also acting to create a better country for future generation. NRW creates awareness around issues that relate to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities – and celebrates the coming together of Indigenous and non-Indigenous voices.

It also commemorates two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey –the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

“Reconciliation

be

in our

everyday lives, whether it is at our work, where our children go to school or at sport clubs and community groups,” he said.

“It’s about changing our attitudes and actions but also developing a deeper

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said NRW was an opportunity to acknowledge the mistakes of the past and dedicate ourselves to ongoing reconciliation.

can

achieved

respect for our First Nations people, the traditional owners of the land.” For more information about National Reconciliation Week head to the Reconciliation Australia website.

Port Douglas Carnivale’s famous Family Beach Day.

Mossman State School Celebrates

TO assimilate with the “Aussie” kids, 98-year-old Athena Vafeas was given a different name during her time at Mossman State School (MSS).

Australia was a different place for migrant families back in 1937!

Douglas mourns the loss of historian

NOEL Weare’s passion for history was evident until the very end; the founder of the Douglas Shire Historical Society was focused on a coastal project before his sudden death last month.

Mr Weare had been working with Douglas Shire Council officers only days before his passing on May 11. His latest project was gaining heritage listing for the ‘datum rock’ in Port Douglas; a survey rock that was used as the reference point for the harbour.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said Mr Weare was an enthusiastic advocate for the preservation of local history and worked tirelessly to benefit the Port Douglas Court House Museum

“Mr Weare displayed admirable tenacity when trying to secure funding for historical projects; Council respected his passion to recognise and document our past,” he said.

Mr Weare founded the Douglas Shire Histori-

cal Society in 1994 to establish a museum in the old court house.

In 2015, he saved the historic Dixie’s Shed from demolition and worked with Council to relocate it to a site near Rex Smeal Park.

The flag staff on Flagstaff Hill was saved and restored due to his advocacy (the project winning a High Commendation for Conservation Works in the 2019 Queensland Heritage Awards) and he organised the preservation of a timber pile from the old Mowbray Diggers Bridge, now exhibited at the Craiglie Teamsters Park.

Council presented him with the Civic Recognition Award in 2021.

A funeral service for Mr Weare was held on the verandah of the Court House Museum on May 22 before his internment in the Port Douglas Cemetery.

*Background provided by Pam Willis Burden for the Douglas Shire Historical Society.

Athena, or Athlene Lamprose as she was known in the classroom, has been reflecting on her childhood as the school celebrates its 125th anniversary.

Mrs Vafeas said her family did not have much when they left Greece and arrived in North Queensland but she did pick up an important life skill during her time at MSS.

“Once a week we had a lady teach us sewing and that’s how I learned how to sew. She (the sewing teacher) thought I was really good at it, and I was sewing from then on from home,” she said.

“I sewed all my life. My daughter Maria had five bridesmaids at her wedding and I sewed all their dresses.”

“I remember the people, the shops, the school; I still have lovely memories

of Mossman.”

The Brisbane resident will not be the only former pupil taking a walk down memory lane this month.

Around 250 people from across Australia and the Far North will be converging on Mossman Shire Hall for a Birthday Banquet –Reunion Dinner on Friday, June 23.

The celebrations continue the following day (June 24) with a fete.

Mrs Vafeas is not as mobile as she once was

and regrettably won’t be able to attend the school’s celebrations. But she will be thinking of the MSS community and hopes their memories of the school are as special as hers.

“I wish them good health and all the best and hope they enjoy time with their family and friends,” she said.

For more information on the school’s 125-year celebrations, head to the Mossman State School Facebook page.

Tourism Operators embrace Experiences Expo

THE tourism industry’s version of speed dating was held in Port Douglas last month; the Experiences Expo a quickfire get together of front-desk and accommodation specialists and the operators of the shire’s major tourist attractions.

Tourism Port Douglas Daintree CEO Tara Bennett said it was an opportunity for busy tourism experts to learn more about what is on offer in our region.

“Tour operators don’t always have the resources to go out and individually meet

every information provider,” Ms Bennett said.

“That’s why we put on the expo so that it provides a platform for everyone to come together really efficiently in two hours.

“Everyone came away having made fantastic new contacts, learned about new experiences and new products in the region and really equipping themselves for the coming winter season.

“It means we can all make the most of visitors’ time in the region.”

The expo featured exhibi-

tions from Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre, Far North Escapes, Destination Daintree, Kuranda Day Tours, Lady Douglas and Shaolin, Sheraton Grand Mirage, Nautilus Aviation, Wildlife Habitat, Ocean Safari, Brett’s Kuranda & Outback Tours, Down Under Tours, Daintree Marketing Co-Op/ Daintreepedia, Daintree Discovery Centre, HookA-Barra, Flames Of The Forest, Quicksilver Group, Reef Unlimited, Zulu, Cape Trib, Back Country Bliss, and Resurface Dive.

Historian Noel Weare (pictured with Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr and Deputy Mayor Lisa Scomazzon) received Council’s Civil Recognition Award in 2021. He passed away last month.

98-year-old Athena Vafeas first attended Mossman State School in 1937.

Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas’ Trent Berry was one of the exhibitors at the Experiences Expo.

Local markets lead sustainable tourism

A PERMANENT, outdoor water bottle refill station has been installed at the entrance to Market Park, home of the Sunday Port Douglas Markets.

The contactless refill station will automatically track the number of water bottle refills and sets a standard for Port Douglas on the world map in a world heritage environmental area to be a leader in sustainable tourism. We are encouraging both tourists and locals to Bring Your Own (BYO) reusable water bottles each and every time they come to the Markets.

It’s an important habit to teach not only future generations, but tourists whether you’re from Australia or overseas. You can bring your own or purchase a reusable water bottle during your stay to refill multiple times while you’re visiting protected world heritage great barrier reef and rainforest habitats.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said it was important Council played its part in reducing plastic waste.

“Too often people think that plastic pollution is a problem overseas, but a number of local beaches have plastic washed up every day and from plastic being sold in Australia as well. Cape Kimberly in the Daintree is probably the most shocking,” Cr Kerr said. ‘We have the best quality drinking water right here in Douglas Shire, you’re drinking water from the rainforest.”

The refill station features a photo of Mossman Gorge, and is located adjacent to the pedestrian crossing on Macrossan and

Douglas Mayor welcomes Regional Parliament

REGIONAL Parliament returned to Cairns last month for the first time in 15 years.

Politicians from across Queensland converged on the Cairns Convention Centre for a three-day (May 9-11) sitting of parliament, with youth crime, water security and tourism on the agenda.

An evening-session of Question Time was held to give more local residents an opportunity to attend and witness democracy in action.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the regional sitting was a positive exercise which kept the Douglas Shire on the Palaszczuk Government’s radar.

“I would like to thank the Queensland Government organising for the latest regional sitting of parliament to be held in Cairns,” Cr Kerr said.

“It is the ideal opportunity for politicians to get out from behind their desks and learn more about the issues impacting on Far North Queensland.

“It gave local businesses, tourism operators and our residents rare, face-to-face access to elected members.

Wharf Street.

“We want to provide the necessary infrastructure that sets the standard of Port Douglas/Douglas Shire as a world class, Eco Certified sustainable tourism destination, one that works to protect and preserve the natural habitat and animals that it depends upon,” Cr Kerr said.

Other tourism destinations, tour operators, as well as cafes and events are being encouraged to help build and use the Water Bottle Refill Network of Douglas Shire. For more information, visit www.plasticfreecairns.org/watermap including how to join the map and set up a water refill station.

Council will be improving its website and tools to encourage more refill stations to be provided to support plastic free events in the region.

Businesses encouraged towards sustainability

BARNEY Swan has completed a South Pole expedition using only renewable energy and is now playing a significant role in restoring parts of the Daintree Rainforest.

He’s a champion for sustainability but refreshingly his expectations of others are more realistic.

The ClimateForce CEO was a facilitator at “The Sustainability Story” – a Do It In Douglas event held for small businesses operators at the Douglas Community Hall on May 23.

Mr Swan said the session was about including people, from all walks of life, in a collaborative sustainability discussion.

“Sometimes the conversation of sustainability can be very polarizing,” he said.

“But it’s not about making people feel silly for where they’re at; whether they’re using a big diesel tractor or maybe still using single-use plastics or maybe don’t have any solar panels on the roof of their business.

“Instead, it’s about encouraging diversification and making it fun and exciting. And bringing everyone on board whether you’re a student, a business, a business owner, or just a stay-athome parent.”

Mr Swan said the Douglas Shire had an opportunity to strengthen its reputation as a sustainable region – and deliver more employment and training opportunities - given its relatively small population.

“We’ve only got 14,000 people in the shire, and it just makes it, in my mind, a little bit easier to build that trust compared to the likes of Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne.

“As a regional shire, I think we really can get the community on board.

“The Do It In Douglas

event was a unique opportunity to bring together the private and public sector and fundamentally just drive forward a really trustworthy story.”

Ecotourism Australia also conducted 1-on-1 consultations with businesses following the breakfast to present their new offering – the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard (co-founded by Tourism Australia) and to meet with nature-based operators for their accreditation program.

*Douglas Shire was the first eco-certified destination with Ecotourism Australia.

“The bipartisan support for the “Path to Treaty” bill was also significant. An inquiry into colonisation will help provide a new narrative for Australians.

“And the regional sitting proved a memorable experience for students (some of which who travelled from the Douglas Shire) who witnessed the dynamic environment of Question Time.”

Cr Kerr held a series of meetings with MPs during the visit and delivered the opening address at an event with Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development, the

Honourable Di Farmer.

“Given May was Queensland Small Business Month, it did seem fitting for all of us to be talking about the local operators who keep our economy ticking along and the importance of training and skills development”, Cr Kerr said.

‘We like to think our region is pulling its weight when it comes to a buoyant Queensland economy and hope to continue our positive relationship with the State Government, with collaboration the key to taking skills and development to the next level.”

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr says the new water bottle refill station will help reduce single-plastic use at the Port Douglas Markets.

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development, the Honourable Di Farmer with Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr.

ClimateForce CEO Barney Swan was a speaker at last month’s “The Sustainability Story” breakfast – a Do It In Douglas event.

Electric Ant infestation in Port Douglas

HOW COUNCIL SPENDS EVERY $100:

RESIDENTS and contract gardeners are reminded to take care with the disposal of green waste following two new infestations of electric ants in Port Douglas.

The infestations were located near the intersection of Port and Davidson Streets in April.

Council’s Electric Ant Eradication Program team have alerted affected residents and intermediate

restriction zones have been put in place.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said ratepayers need to play their part in reduce the spread of electric ants.

“Electric ants have the potential to seriously damage our unique environment, the outdoor lifestyle we enjoy, and our valuable farming and horticultural industries,” Cr

Kerr said.

“That’s why we are working with Biosecurity Queensland to eradicate these pests.

“If you suspect electric ants may be present at your home, book a free yard check.”

An Electric Ant Information session was held at the Mossman Library on Tuesday, May 30.

IRONMAN LIVE SITE

WITNESS greatness as world class ironman athletes enter Port Douglas for the turnaround section of the Cairns IRONMAN “Race in Paradise”.

Teamsters Park (Willie Pye Memorial Park) will feature as a LIVE Site with entertainment, food, and drink vendors on the bike course.

Join the crowds and cheer on competitors

as they do two laps on the bike towards Port Douglas.

The Live Site will give you the chance to experience the pace of true athletes while enjoying a free sausage sizzle and DJ.

When: 18th June 2023, 10am – 2pm Where: Teamsters Park CRN Captain Cook Highway & Beor Street.

WHAT’S ON - JUNE 2023

• Friday 2nd – Artful Abstraction, Art Exhibition at DAB 10am – 2pm

• Friday 2nd – Reconciliation Week welcome to country and smoking ceremony at Mossman State Highschool, 9am

• Friday 2nd – Reconciliation Week Opening of Reconciliation Garden at Mossman Highschool, 10am – 11am

• Friday 2nd – Reconciliation Week movie screening at Mossman Library, 12pm –4:45pm

• Saturday 3rd – Mossman Markets, 7am – 1pm

• Saturday 3rd – Artful Abstraction, Art Exhibition at DAB 10am – 2pm

• Sunday 4th – Port Douglas Sunday Markets, 8am – 1.30pm

• Monday 5th – Camerata in Concert at Mossman Shire Hall

• Saturday 10th – Mossman Markets, 7am – 1pm

• Saturday 10th – Encore! Classical Masterpieces at the Clink, 7:30pm

• Sunday 11th – Port Douglas Sunday Markets, 8am – 1.30pm

• Sunday 11th – Encore! Classical Masterpieces at the Clink, 2pm

• Saturday 17th – Mossman Markets, 7am – 1pm

• Sunday 18th – Port Douglas Sunday Markets, 8am – 1.30pm

• Sunday 18th – Cairns IRONMAN Live Site bike turn at Teamsters Park, 10am –2pm

• Thursday 22nd – Douglas Citizenship Ceremony, Mossman Shire Hall, 9:30am

• Friday 23rd – Mossman State School 125 Year Birthday Banquet

• Saturday 24th – Mossman Markets, 7am – 1pm

• Saturday 24th – Mossman State School 125 Year Birthday Community Fete, MSS oval, 2pm – 10pm

• Sunday 25th – Port Douglas Sunday Markets, 8am – 1.30pm

• Tuesday 27th – Douglas Shire Council Ordinary Council Meeting, 10am

Craiglie’s Teamsters Park (Willie Pye Memorial Park) will be a Live Site during this month’s Cairns Ironman event.