March Newsletter 2023
Stay up to date with the latest news and events happening in and around the Douglas Shire.
Hello there!
Even though we’re in the midst of the quiet season, there is so much happening around town this month that you won’t want to miss out on! We’ve got some seriously exciting events lined up, including St. Patrick’s Day, International Women’s Day, and Clean Up Australia Day. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
There are loads of other fun activities and events taking place all over the Douglas Shire, and we can’t wait to share them all with you. From Fair Markets to Girl’s Night Out, there’s something for everyone this month.
So, if you’re looking to spice up your social calendar, or just want to connect with others in the community, come join us! Let’s explore all the exciting events happening this month together.
Announcement
Current and important announcements for the Douglas Shire.
Douglas Shire Council
REMINDER|| The Daintree Ferry is to close for a safety inspection & maintenance from Monday 6th March 2023
At high tide on Monday, dry-dock airbags will be placed on the concrete ramp at the southern side of the Daintree River and inflated slowly to help tow the ferry to shore.
This could take up to six hours.
Inflation and deflation of the airbags is regulated by gauges to control lift capacity, ferry height and airbag pressure. The ferry will be washed down and inspected once secured.
After the inspection, Council will also undertake important maintenance tasks that can’t be done during normal operations.
At this stage, the ferry is scheduled to resume service at 5am on Saturday 11 March 2023. Read more here
Events
Events happening this month in the Douglas Shire
Julatten Fair Market
Geraghty Park Hall
Sunday 5th From 14:00 – 17:00
Join us for the grand opening of the Fair Market at Geraghty Park Hall, Julatten on March 5th from 2-5 pm. Mayor Toppin will be there for the ribbon cutting at 3 pm.
Live music, barbeque, stalls, cakes, and even an open mic and soapbox will be available. You can also have fun playing table tennis, chess, and boule while the kids can enjoy the playground.
Bring your produce, craft, or art to sell or swap. Julatten’s community fridge will also be available for any excess produce. Come and hang out with us in a cozy and child-safe environment.
You can just turn up on the day or phone 0411170524 to reserve a spot. Remember, everyone is welcome! See you there!
N 17’s 5th Birthday Party
N 17 Burger Co. Port Douglas
Saturday 11 March from 15:00-23:00
N17 is turning 5 and they’re inviting you to come and celebrate with them on the 11th of march with a special gust Wolf Lane Distillery.Follow their socials for more info
Girls’ Night Out #7
Harrisons Restaurant Port Douglas
SATURDAY, 25 MARCH AT 18:00
Grab your favourite ladies for the return of our annual “Girls’ Night Out” event.
Our epic annual, Girl’s Night Out is back for its seventh annual series this March.
Enjoy a night of food, live music and fabulous company in the air-conditioned comfort of Harrisons as we shake off the wet season and connect with old and new friends.
Ladies will enjoy canapes on arrival followed by two delicious Feasting style courses. You are welcome to BYO wine or purchase all drinks from our cash bar on the night.In 2023, Harrisons will be partnering with the Mossman Hospital Friends of the Foundation to raise funds towards their current goal of purchasing two monitors to fully equip the Acute Ward Central Patient Monitoring Station in our Shire’s Mossman Hospital. A portion of your ticket price plus 100% of funds raised from raffles and auctions on the night will go to the foundation to make life-saving and life-changing improvements within our community!
Book Tickets
Sound Healing
Port Douglas Community Hall
Monday 6th March 10 – 11:30
Cost: optional donation
Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre is happy to offer you the opportunity to try an immersive sound experience next Monday morning at the Community Hall. Sound healer Russell Hibbs is keen to share his knowledge and passion for the benefit of sound therapy on physical and emotional health and wellbeing. Please bring a yoga mat or blanket, pillow, and water bottle.
Call 4099 5518 to reserve your spot.
Topics In The Tropics
Hemingway’s Brewery FNQ
THURSDAY 30th FROM 19:00-21:00
Free Entry but bookings are recommended.Learn more
Fundraiser Bollywood Nights
Mossman Support Services
FRIDAY, 31 MARCH AT 17:30
It is with great excitement that we present our first fundraiser for 2023. This event will aim to raise funds for a safe and accessible Beach Wheelchair for NDIS participants and anyone visiting the Douglas Shire.
For Businesses
Digital Conversion Clinic
Mossman Bowls club
Thursday 9th March 8.30 – 12.30
Last chance to register!
Following the success of the Digital Marketing Clinics in Port Douglas and Daintree, a final clinic is now being hosted in Mossman.
Specifically tailored for the Shire’s micro and small businesses, the Digital Conversion Clinic is free for small businesses, and will arm you with the fundamentals to generate and convert digital leads.
Delivered by local Digital Marketing Specialist, Mark Cox, the workshop will give local business owners access to best-practise knowledge to build confidence in applying digital marketing.
The 4-hour workshop will be held at the Mossman Bowls Club on Thursday, March 9, 2023, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm.
Spaces are limited so register now! Up to 2 x registration per business. Light refreshments provided
Workforce Planning Course
The Queensland Government and the University of the Sunshine Coast have teamed up to create a new workforce planning course for Queensland small businesses.
The free course will help business owners, and managers struggling to find staff, to take on the task of workforce planning.
This course is designed to help business owners and managers fully understand their workforce, by developing an agile, flexible workforce plan to respond to changes in the business environment. Learn More
Mental Health Awareness Training
From customers, colleagues, friends, and family, to ourselves, it is likely we are all exposed to mental health pressures and mental health illness. Yet it is not always clear how to manage interactions with someone facing mental illness.
The shortened Mental Health Awareness Training will provide businesses and staff with important insights and tips.
Sessions are held on the following dates throughout March, and places are limited.
Thursday, March 2
8:30 am – 12 pm
12:30 pm – 4 pm
Friday, March 3
12:30 pm – 4 pm
Wednesday, March 15
8:30 am – 12 pm
For Volunteers
Four Mile Beach North and Middle Regular Monthly Clean-up Event, QLD
Friday 17 14:00 16:00
Where: Daintree Lounge at the Sheraton Grand Mirage, Port Douglas
To Register: Please email hannah@tangaroablue.org
Looking for a way to be part of practical solutions for our environment?
Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas is one of our longest-running QLD beach monitoring sites. We have been cleaning and collecting data from this site each month for the past 12 years.
Volunteers need to wear enclosed shoes, bring sun/rain protection, and plenty of drinking water (1 to 2 litres is recommended). We try to ensure that all Tangaroa Blue events are free from single-use plastic, so bring along your reusable water bottle. All equipment and drinking water top-ups will be provided.
Surf Life Saving North Queensland Sign on Day
Sunday 5 March 2023
10 am – 2 pm
Four Mile Beach needs you!
Surf Life Saving North Queensland is looking for members and volunteers from Port Douglas to Mission Beach. Come along to their Sign On Day to meet your local club and get ready to patrol our beaches this season.
Sign On Day Details:
Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club
Sunday 5 March 2023
10 am – 2 pm
Find out about all the fun, friendship, fitness and personal development that you can enjoy as a member of Surf Life Saving. Whether you are looking at becoming a nipper, a patrolling member, staying fit or simply making some new friends; the club would love to meet you!
Grants, Projects & Tenders
Stay up to date with the latest available grants, projects and tenders.
Get involved in Carnival 2023
Partner up with the Biggest Party in Town!
Join the likes of Property Shop, Tin Shed, Ray White, Raine&Horne, and Hemingway’s in partnering with Carnivale 2023!
Naming Rights Partnerships, Major Partnerships, and Supporting Partnerships are available across Carnivale’s iconic calendar of events.
Benefit from more than $150,000 worth of publicity through partnering with the “Living The Best Life” Carnivale weekend on May 19-21, 2023.
Check out the event prospectus, and feel free to bring your ideas directly to Council’s Events Officer, Paul Smyth. Together, we’ll make it the best one yet!
Apply now
Douglas Shire Council
Have your say – Port Douglas Aquatic Precinct Survey Now Open!
We are seeking your input to help inform the development of an aquatic precinct in Port Douglas.
You are invited to provide your feedback, via a 5-minute survey, on the following:
- Your preferred location for a splash park, Jalunbu Park or Reynolds Park, and why.
- The look and feel of the splash park
- Your level of support for a public swimming facility, in addition to the splash park, and whether this facility should be a 50 m lap pool or free-form lagoon.
The new splash park is jointly funded by the Queensland Government and Douglas Shire Council. You can do the survey, and find out more about the project and the options being considered in the project here
The survey is open until march 3rd 2023.
Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program Round 3
A funding boost of $10 million is providing FNQ manufacturers with a new opportunity to secure financial help for business-expanding initiatives through the Queensland Government’s Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program.
These grants are an opportunity for manufacturers to become more productive, build advanced manufacturing capabilities and create the jobs of the future through:
- technology adoption
- skills and training
- business development
- advanced robotic manufacturing hub services.
Grants between $10,000 and $500,000 are now available for eligible manufacturing small to medium enterprises in the Far North Queensland region
Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grants
CRC-P Grants provide funding for short-term, industry-led research collaborations to solve industry-identified problems. Collaborations must include at least 3 partners, including at least one Australian industry organisation, one small to medium enterprise (SME) and one Australian research organisation. Funding of between $100,000 and $3 million is available for short-term projects of up to 3 years.
Indigenous Business Australia: Social Enterprise Grant
Indigenous Business Australia has launched their new Social Enterprise Grant to provide opportunities to support First Nations female entrepreneurs to innovate and solve social issues facing their communities and improve the economic security of other First Nations women and their communities.
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