Your Douglas News - February 2023

Miallo volunteer is Shire’s top citizen

A LOCAL volunteer who has dedicated more than 20 years to helping people beat blood cancer is the Douglas Shire’s 2023 Citizen of the Year.

Miallo resident Kerry Shepherdson, who also received an Honoured Member Award for the Leukemia Foundation in Brisbane last year, was one of the founding members of the Mossman District Leukemia Foundation in 1999. She was one of nine award recipients who were recognised at an Australia Day Awards Ceremony at the Port Douglas Community Hall last week.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said Kerry displayed tremendous dedication to the region.

“Kerry is a quiet achiever who has volunteered for numerous organisations over many years,” he said.

READ MORE & SEE THE FULL LIST INSIDE

HAVE YOUR SAY

Port Douglas Aquatic Precinct location

DOUGLAS Shire Council will ask the community to choose between two potential locations for a splash park in Port Douglas.

Council secured funding to build a splash park and is working towards delivering the project in 2024.

There are two locations being considered – Jalunbu Park behind the Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club and Reynolds Park, on Davidson Street.

Council staff will collect feedback about the preferred location and key features to inform the design during an extensive engagement schedule in February 2023.

Council is also continuing to investigate the community’s appetite for a second public swimming pool.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said Council wanted feedback on which

location is the best and why.

“We are investigating building an aquatic precinct at one of these locations so we would like the community to tell us their top choice and what features they would like to see,” he said.

“Council will use this information to create a nature-based design and build a zero-depth water play area that reflects our beautiful natural environment and is suitable for a world-class tourism town.”

“We will also be asking the community whether they believe a second public swimming pool is needed and providing further details about anticipated financial impacts on Council’s budgets.”

“Already more than 300 people have registered their interest via Council’s website which is fantastic to see.”

People can register for Port Douglas Aquatic Precinct project updates at a dedicated webpage here: https://douglas.qld.gov.au/port-douglas-splash-park/

Port Douglas Aquatic Precinct Engagement

Saturday 18 Feb & Sunday 19 Feb 2023

People can learn more about to the project and provide their feedback at one of the upcoming engagement events. You’ll find us by the pink flamingos:

• Come and play – Saturday 18 February, 9am-12pm at Jalunbu Park, corner of Garrick and Mowbray Street.

Come along for an ice cream and some fun family activities and games.

• Family movie night – Saturday 18 February, from 5pm at Reynolds Park

Bring along a picnic basket and rug for a screening of the family movie Moana. We’ll have live music and face painting from 5pm. We’ll start the movie as the sun sets.

• Port Douglas Markets – Sunday 19 February, 8am-1.30pm

Look for our stall at the Sunday markets and come share your feedback and ideas with our team.

For those unable to attend any of the engagement activities in person, there will be an opportunity for people to provide their input via a survey from 17 February 2023.

Questionnaires will be available at Council’s offices and libraries as well as being online. Those registered for updates will receive the survey link directly once it is released.

have

your say

Where should the Port Douglas Aquatic Precinct be located?

Douglas Shire Council has identified two potential locations for the new splash park:

• Jalunbu Park in Garrick Street, or

• Reynolds Park in Davidson Street

We are planning engagement activities in early 2023 to get your feedback on which is best and why.

Follow the QR code or search for Port Douglas Aquatic Precinct on Council’s website to access the project page. There you can sign up to our mailing list to keep updated on upcoming events and opportunities to have your say.

Enquiries: 4099 9414 or email gaye.scott@douglas.qld.gov.au

Douglas Shire Council Mayor Michael Kerr and Citizen of the Year Award winner Kerry Shepherdson

2023 Australia Day Award recipients

A LOCAL volunteer who has dedicated more than 20 years to helping people beat blood cancer is the Douglas Shire’s 2023 Citizen of the Year.

Miallo resident Kerry Shepherdson, who also received an Honoured Member Award for the Leukemia Foundation in Brisbane last year, was one of the founding members of the Mossman District Leukemia Foundation in 1999.

Kerry is currently serving as Secretary for The Mossman Hospital Friends of the Foundation, the Mossman District Branch of the Leukaemia Foundation, and the Syndicate/ Whyanbeel Rural Fire Brigade.

She was celebrated in front of a large crowd at the Australia Day Awards Ceremony at the Port Douglas Community Hall today.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said Kerry displayed tremendous dedication to the region.

“Kerry is a quiet achiever who has volunteered for numerous organisations over many years,” he said.

“To this day, she works tirelessly for every organisation she is involved with and ensures everything runs smoothly.”

“Kerry truly is one of our unsung heroes. She always gives more than 100% to each organisation to ensure they achieve its vision and mission.”

Kerry was also a member of the Kindergarten Committee that was responsible for build-

Senior Citizen of the Year – Ellen Ross

Ellen is a volunteer rural fire fighter who has been with the Wonga Beach brigade since 2007. She has a heavy vehicle licence which allowed her to drive the fire truck and attend many call outs up until 2021. O this day, she still puts her hand up if there are no drivers for call outs. Ellen managed the renovation of the old fire shed into an office, and the 50th Anniversary of the Wonga Beach Rural Fire Brigade in June 2022. Ellen’s current role includes Community Volunteer Education Officer where she oversees the safety and wellbeing of her fellow volunteers, making sure their PPE is up to date and they are well equipped, and safe, working out in the field as firefighters.

Senior Sports Awards – Greg Mill

Local hockey pioneer Greg Mill has worked tirelessly to promote hockey as a sport in Douglas Shire. Since the club started in 2019, Greg has increased its membership numbers to 160 and organised the first beach hockey tournament on Four Mile Beach – the first of kinds in the country. He has coached local kids and has such a passion for hockey.

Civic Recognition Award – Michelle Vladich

Michelle is an outstanding member of the community who has volunteered for Queensland Ambulance Service since 2005. The local Ambulance Committee raises money for extra equipment and miscellaneous items for the service.

Michelle inspires the group to achieve. The latest equipment she helped get was a raiser chair which will help paramedics get people off the ground.

Michelle is a hardworking mum and a role model.

Junior Sports Award – Lewis Marano

Lewis is a football champion who won the golden boot and most valuable player award at a soccer carnival attended by more than 500 participants. From Douglas, he represented Cairns in Townsville and won the Crad Evans Cup with his team. Along with his soccer achievements, Lewis has also made representative teams in cross country, touch football, athletics, and futsal.

ing the first kindergarten near Foxton Bridge. She was one of nine award recipients who were recognised today.

Other award winners include:

• Junior Sports – Lewis Marano

• Senior Sports – Greg Mill

• Environmental Achievement – Emily Silverstone

• Arts and Culture – Emily Oorthuysen

• Volunteer of the Year – Gail Cockburn

• Young Citizen of the Year – Gwyneth Dowell

• Senior Citizen of the Year – Ellen Ross

• Civic Recognition Award – Michelle Vladich

Mayor Kerr said every nominee should be proud of their work.

“To have your name put forward by your peers is an achievement in itself and every nominee should be congratulated,” he said.

“I am so proud of all of our winners, from young judo star Gwyneth Dowell, who achieved academic excellence in her final year of school, to local hockey pioneer Greg Mills, we are very lucky to have so much talent in the Douglas Shire.”

Arts & Culture Award – Emily Oorthuysen

A recent Mossman State High School graduate, Emily is an accomplished artist who successfully exhibited a wide range of exhibitions in the Far North. She was awarded prizes for her work, including first prize at the Young Archie’s Exhibition for portraiture. Emily was also privately commissioned to complete drawings and murals, and she has already sold pieces of her art. She is a remarkably talented young person.

Young Citizen of the Year – Gwyneth Dowell

Gwyneth is a talented dancer and national judo competitor who also achieved academic excellence during her time at Mossman State High School. Before graduating in 2022, Gwyneth received a staggering 24 subject awards during her six years of secondary school. She is also a talented dancer with Bodies in Motion, sitting dance exams at a very high level. Gwyneth is an exceptional young person, who has achieved remarkable success and conducts herself with dignity and grace.

Volunteer of the Year – Gail Cockburn

Gail is an extremely hard-working volunteer archivist for the Douglas Shire Historical Society. She spent many hours setting up a database for all the artefacts which is now accessible to via the Society’s website.

Gail is meticulous in picking up any tiny discrepancies and the Society is extremely proud of her incredible efforts.

Gail has served the Douglas Shire Community as a volunteer over many years.

Environmental Achievement Award – Emily Silverstone

Emily has been an active member of Rainforest Rescue for more than six years. She has organised and participated in tree planting activities and represented Rainforest Rescue at many events.

In her personal time, she has participated in beach clean-ups organised by various environmental groups, and heads down to the beach on her own to pick up rubbish. Her love for the rainforest and reef is second to none, inspiring her to become an Australian citizen two years ago.

Award winners with DSC Mayor Michael Kerr, Deputy Mayor Lisa Scomazzon, Cr Abigail Noli, Cr Peter McKeown, Cr Roy Zammataro and Hon Warren Entsch MP

A VISION to connect Mossman and surrounds via a dedicated shared cycle network continues to roll ahead in 2023.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr recently spent a day with Assistant Local Government Minister Nikki Boyd MP showcasing local projects, including a stopover at the recently completed $2.5 million Mossman to Cooya Beach cycleway.

The 2.3-kilometre-long shared cycleway runs from Junction Bridge along Bonnie Doon Road to the Cooya Beach Road intersection at Cooya Beach.

The projects are joint funded by Douglas Shire Council and the Queensland Government under the Cycle Network Local Government Grants Program.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said it was terrific to see the shared cycleways move ahead.

“Shared pathways are fantastic projects which enhance the liveability of our beautiful shire and provide visitors with another way to get around,” he said.

“The Far North Queensland Principal Cycle Network plan provides an exciting pipeline of cycleway investment for Douglas.”

“I was delighted to spend the day with the Assistant Minister to show her a number of great projects funded by the State Government and discuss future opportunities to invest in Douglas.”

Douglas cycleways currently underway – January 2023

• Council has secured funding and planning is well advanced to extend the cycleway 2.4 km from Kubirri Aged Care to the Mossman Gorge Centre.

• The cycleway from Mossman to Cooya Beach turn off has been completed. Planning is underway to extend the cycleway down Melaleuca Drive to the beach.

• The cycleway from the Raintrees to Syndicate Road has been completed. This will be extended to Newell Beach however plans cannot be finalised until the Department of Transport finishes the roadworks on Mossman-Daintree Road.

For more information, please visit: https://douglas.qld.gov.au/douglas-shire-principal-cycle-network/

Council kicks off field lighting upgrade at Mossman Showgrounds

FOUR new light towers with smart technology will tackle inefficient sports field lighting at the home of the Mossman Sharks Rugby League Club.

Douglas Shire Council awarded a $288,753 contact to GMH Solutions Pty Ltd for Coronation Park Sports Field Lighting project.

The project will see decades old lighting infrastructure replaced with new energy efficient LED technology and a user-friendly smart lighting control system.

Council successfully obtained grant funding through the Department of Sport & Recreation Active Game Day program.

The new 27-metre-high lights are expected to be installed mid-2023.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said improving sports facilities helped encour-

age the community to engage in sport, recreation, and healthy activities.

“The new light towers are a fantastic investment that allows us to replace the current floodlights on wooden poles which are about 30 years old,” he said.

“Our local rugby league club will be thrilled to have brighter and more reliable lighting for training and night games this season.”

“Council identified the need to replace the lighting in its Coronation Park Sports Masterplan which can be used by local sporting clubs, organisations and Council to seek grant funding from State and Federal Governments.”

The new lights will have automated controls which can be managed through a cloud-based system.

You can download the full master plan at the following link: https://douglas.qld.gov.au/download/community_development/Port-Douglas-and-Coronation-Park-Master-Plan-Final.pdf

Douglas Shire Council Mayor Michael Kerr, Assistant Local Government Minister Nikki Boyd MP, DSC Deputy Mayor Lisa Scomazzon, Cr Roy Zammataro and Cr Peter Mckeown at Silky Oaks Lodge.

An aerial photo of the Mossman Showgrounds which will get four new lights this year.

pdhotsteamy.com.au

Douglas leads nation-wide repatriation of Indigenous artefacts

A COLLECTION of Indigenous artefacts such as chisels and axes that were stored at Mossman Shire Hall will be returned to Traditional Owners from across Australia.

Douglas Shire Council has notified the Queensland Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships’ Cultural Heritage Unit which will contact Indigenous groups from 12 locations in Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

The second repatriation efforts follow the return of 101 local artefacts to the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation, which is the legally recognised cultural body in Douglas Shire with authority to make decisions around ownership. Local items include some collected from Cooya Beach, Daintree River, Newell Beach, Mossman, Mossman Gorge, and Wonga Beach.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said Council followed all protocols set out in the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (Qld) since it was approached about the collection cared for at the Mossman Shire Hall.

“Council is very keen to see these cultural items returned to where they belong

in the correct manner as directed by state legislation,” he said.

“These artefacts were donated in the mid-1990s by the family of John Patrick Dwyer, who was a registered collector of bird eggs and an ardent gatherer of shells and Aboriginal artefacts.”

The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (Qld) states that Council is obliged to return artefacts to the Aboriginal peoples who have a traditional connection to them.

The full collection includes points, tula chisels and tula slugs, stone implements, polished axes, grinding stones, axe blanks before polishing, groove axes, pestles, knives, millstones, and percussion stones, collected from across New South Wales, Northern Territory and Queensland. The dates of collection are unknown however some of the items have been marked with the place of origin.

“Since the request for artefacts, staff have searched Council offices thoroughly to ensure there were no further artefacts that may have been missed, and I urge residents who may be holding similar artefacts to also assist in returning these items,” Mayor Kerr said.

Barra farm catches agritourism grant

A barramundi farm at Wonga beach has secured an Agritourism Diversification Grant for a new Hook-A-Barra tour.

Daintree Saltwater Barramundi Farm was one of twelve QLD farming businesses that secured grant funding to engage specialist services, and construct or modify on-farm

WHAT’S ON - FEBRUARY 2023

• Saturday 4th – Mossman Markets, 7am – 1pm

• Sunday 5th – Port Douglas Sunday Markets, 8am – 1.30pm

Wednesday 8th – Mossman Markets, 7am – 1pm

Saturday 11th – Mossman Markets, 7am – 1pm

Road

infrastructure.

The Queensland Government is supporting the resilience of our farming sector while growing the agritourism sector through another round of Agritourism Business Grants in partnership with the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF).

• Saturday 18th – HAVE YOUR SAY - Port Douglas Aquatic Precinct Consultation - Come and play – 9am-12pm at Jalunbu Park, on the corner of Garrick St and Mowbray St.

Saturday 18th – Family Movie Night, 5pm at Reynolds Park