Your Douglas News - June 2024

YOUR DOUGLAS NEWS

JUNE

07 | 2024

Symphony Under the Stars a magical night for Port

REX Smeal Park was alive with the sound of classical music following the Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s performance at Port Douglas last month.

Local residents and tourists came together to attend Symphony

Under the Stars – an event held to mark Carnivale’s 30th anniversary.

An orchestra ensemble also performed for residents at Ozcare aged care facility at Port Douglas while some of the visiting musicians also

held a workshop with students at Mossman State School.

Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said it was a memorable night.

“Council was so grateful the QSO made the trip to Port Douglas to share their beautiful gift of music,” Mayor Scomazzon said.

“Their commitment to regional and remote areas like our own should not be underestimated.

“Music brings people together, regardless of their background or

location. Classical musical and other cultural experiences should be enjoyed by everyone and not just our city friends.

“The QSO and the other 30th anniversary Carnivale events provided a boost to our morale and a weekend to celebrate where we live as the recovery process from natural disaster continues.”

Head to page 3 for more images of Carnivale.

First Nations provider to run new DV shelter

A HIGHLY respected fourdecade old First Nations service provider has been awarded a $2.2 million contract to operate a new domestic and family violence (DFV) shelter at Mossman.

Warringu Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Service, which has been assisting the community since 1984, will manage the shelter.

The purpose-built shelter was commissioned by the Douglas Shire Council with funding from the Federal Government’s Safe Places program.

The shelter comprises of two self-contained units that are suitable for families.

Warringu Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Service will provide culturally safe and trauma informed support that delivers specialist homelessness assistance for the next four and a half years.

The contract runs from April 2024 to August 2028.

In addition to the shelter, Warringu Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Service will provide mobile assistance and DFV access and community education services, to reach more victims in the Douglas Shire.

Women’s shelters, like

the newly built one at Mossman, provide secure temporary accommodation that allows victim-survivors to access specialist support to recover mentally and regain their autonomy.

Before the opening of the new facility at Mossman, there were no DFV specialist homeless services in the region and this shelter will provide a safe secure place for women and children experiencing DFV who are homeless or at risk of being homeless.

Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Yvette D’Ath said the Warringu Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Service will be running this new domestic and family violence shelter for the next four-and-half years.

“The Warringu Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Service is the perfect organisation to provide the much-needed support services,” Ms D’Ath said.

“They are well-equipped and experienced to provide a culturally safe service to women and children of the Douglas Shire.

“I would also like to thank the Douglas Shire and their mayor Lisa Scom-

azzon for working hard to deliver such a vital service for their community.”

Mayor Scomazzon said: “Domestic violence is an abhorrent and widespread issue and as a Council we felt compelled to provide greater support for local women and children.”

“We look forward to Warringu Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Service providing a safe space for those in need and filling a void within our community.”

“I would also like to thank the Queensland Government for funding the service and the Federal Government for providing the Safe Places grant which made the construction of this shelter possible.”

Councillor Abigail Noli said: “The final step of an eight-year project has now been completed with the awarding of a provider contract to operationally run the new Mossman DV shelter.”

“In 2016 I learnt the frightening extent of DV in Douglas and through operational plan initiatives, Council commenced this long-term project.”

“This facility is one aspect of a multi-pronged effort to reduce this crime in our community.”

Lights upgrade welcomed by Sharks

THE Mossman Sharks have a brighter outlook on the FNQ Rugby League season and it has nothing to do with gun recruits or secret game plans.

The local side will be playing its remaining home matches under new light towers at Coronation Park.

Sharks president Jason Fasano said the installation of the upgrade was a “welcome surprise” for the club.

“We knew Council had received funding for the

lighting but weren’t exactly sure when they’d be switched on,” Jason said.

The four new 27-metre steel light towers are equipped with LED energy efficient floodlights and have a user-friendly control system which can be operated remotely.

Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said she was pleased the towers were in place before season’s end.

“The Sharks are one of the most popular clubs in the shire and Council is

pleased it could provide this upgrade for the players,” Cr Scomazzon said.

“It’ll also improve the atmosphere at this year’s Mossman Show and other community events.”

*The Queensland Government provided $145,704 (excluding GST) to Douglas to upgrade lighting to a lux level of 100 to support rugby league at Mossman under Active Gameday Projects to enable Queenslanders to participate in sport and recreation activities.

Wind farm angst inspires exhibition

A MOSSMAN artist, singer and conservationist has used her creative talents to share concerns about wind farms and their impact on native wildlife.

Anastasia Klose’s exhibition For thy sake I in love am grown comprised of drawings, video, installation and performance. It recently drew to a close at Northside Contemporary Arts in Cairns.

Anastasia completed a deep-dive examination into a proposed wind farm at Ravenshoe for conversation group Rainforest Reserves Australia, raising grave concerns about the project. It also provided inspiration for her exhibition.

“I just became really aware of what’s going on in Queensland, under our noses, without people really being aware of the potential environmental impacts of wind farms,” she said.

“I became really concerned and distressed at the thought of our beautiful wildlife being harmed by habitat clearance and by the sound of the wind turbines spinning potentially affecting their behaviour, driving them off the site.”

Anastasia said the singing component of the exhibition evoked the greatest emotion for gallery visitors.

“It’s been a beautiful experience because people returned to hear me sing, some people day after day, and some people wept,” she said.

“People take away the memory of being moved by listening and that memory is

the artwork. It’s an immaterial artwork. It’s a memory of something that they may not have experienced before, that they haven’t heard that before, but that they can’t forget.”

It’s this passion and ability to think outside the square that has seen Anastasia appointed to Council’s new-look Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) Committee.

Anastasia , a RADF grant recipient last year, said emerging artists should apply for the funding too.

“It helped me pay for my singing instructions with (singing teacher) Alteouise DeVaughn, to buy materials and with my fuel costs,” she said.

“The grant was invaluable, and it would’ve been more of a financial strain to hold this exhibit without it.”

Joining Anastasia on the committee are Rueben Dwyer, Tilly Melchert, Helen Ramoutsaki, Saisha Burchill Schonenberger, Mayor Lisa Scomazzon and Council Abigail Noli.

Douglas Shire Council Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said it was “refreshing to see so many news faces on the RADF Committee”.

“We are confident they’ll bring fresh ideas to the table and assist more emerging artists receive grants to make their creative visions a reality,” she said.

Stream 2 of the RADF funding opened on June 1. For more information head to the Regional Arts Development Fund web page.

Two of the new light towers at Coronation Park.

Anastasia Klose, at her recent exhibition in Cairns, is encouraging artists to apply for RADF grants.

Carnivale 2024

The 30th anniversary edition of Carnivale exceeded our expectations!

You may have may noticed the Governor of Queensland Dr Jeannette Young getting her toes sandy at the Family Beach Day while the new Paradise Picnic on the Sunday was a relaxing way to cap off a successful weekend of activities. The program featured 21 events, ranging from the Wonderland Spiegeltent to Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s Symphony Under the Stars, Savour TNQ and the Longest Lunch.

YOUR DOUGLAS NEWS

“It has brought us together to support one another, rebuilt a sense of community, fostered connections and solidarity among the participants.

The Alexandra Bay Social and Sporting Club has held weekly classes for three years but, according to spokesperson Di Price, the slowmoving martial art has never been more important.

“It has improved mood, reduced anxiety, and increased feelings of well-being, helping community members cope with the emotional challenges they’ve been facing post-cyclone,” she said.

“And of course it’s improved balance, flexibility, and overall physical health.”

The club will be able to keep classes affordable after securing $10,000 through the Douglas Shire Council’s Community Grant Program, Events and Activities stream.

Council has also awarded the club a further $10,000 for a new shade shelter through the Community Grants facilities.

Di said the shelter was a

much-needed upgrade.

“I’ve been running playgroup from this space for eight years with Uniting Care Daintree Connections Family support and the old shelter didn’t give us much cover,” she said.

“We also host Alexander Bay Primary school trivia nights, and club social and sporting events and it offers minimal protection.

For more information on Council’s Community Grants Program or other grants available please contact Council Grants Officer by phone (4099 9444), via email grants@douglas.gov.au or head to Council’s website.

Home library volunteer connects with borrowers

FROM family tragedies to surprise parties and everything in between, conversations between Home Library volunteer Judy Orban and her borrowers can be colourful and varied.

An avid reader and library user, Judy said her new role was a perfect fit and an opportunity to give back to the community.

“I look at it as paying it forward as I’m probably not far off that situation myself,” she said.

“In the future, if I can’t get to the library I hope that someone might be able to drop a couple of books around for me to read.

“I like to think that I’m giving some of the clients a bit of joy, satisfaction and companionship, even if it’s only for five to 10 minutes.”

Val is the first borrower Judy visits on a recent home library run. The 87-year-old, who gave up driving about a year ago, said it’s an important service for the elderly.

“It’s a great innovation. I can’t get to the library so they come to me and it helps a lot,” she said.

“I love reading and I love the stories. It gets your mind off all your other worries when you’re into a good book, doesn’t it?”

Kath lives nearby and once the book exchange has been completed the conversation starts to flow.

She shows Judy a humorous birthday card from her son while she’s full of praise for the organisers of a High Tea she attended recently.

The 80-year-old said she was appreciative of the service and Judy’s willingness to have a chat.

“It’s wonderful because I don’t like driving to the library, I don’t like driving around other cars. I’m using the car to shop and go to church, other than that I don’t use it.”

“I missed lunch, so I thought I know what I feel like,” she said with a wry grin.

The 87-year-old said the Home Library visit was a highlight every fortnight.

“It means a great deal because I can no longer get to the library,” she said.

“I can no longer drive or walk far and things like that. Reading means an awful lot to me and without it I would feel quite lost.”

For more information on the Home Library service contact the Mossman Library (ph 4099 9496).

The Alexandra Bay Social and Sporting Club has received a Council grant to continue its weekly Tai Chi sessions and to build a new shade shelter.

Another borrower June greets Judy at the door with an ice cream in hand.

Home Library volunteer Judy Orban with Port Douglas borrower Kath.