According to the latest Douglas Shire Council media release it seems Sue Durie had a real adventure as she traipsed through virtually impenetrable rainforest, scoured remote beaches, dodged huge crocs and feral pigs and discovered plantations most people have never set eyes on to document GPS locations for Council's Draft Coconut Management Plan.

A member of Councilís Open Spaces team, Sue led the physical audit of 11,639 coconut palms in the Douglas Shire to provide valuable data for the Draft Management Plan.

"There were no tracks in many places and no phone signal so you had to walk through the rainforest to locate the coconut palms and if you turned in the wrong direction youíd have trouble finding your way back" Sue said.

"We went to some very isolated locations, particularly up north around Cowie Beach where we came across some spectacular scenery like a huge boulder smothered in orchids"

There were plenty of coconut palms in places you wouldn't expect to find them, some of them in remote areas quite a distance from the coastline.

"You had to be on your guard as I saw a huge slide from a ëbig lizardí at Rocky Point and came across a footprint from a feral pig bigger than my hand but thankfully I didnít meet who they belonged to.î

Sue said the experience was also valuable to see first-hand the impact of coconut palms on the native vegetation.

ìCoconut palms are beautiful to look at and are a valuable food source but you donít realise how much damage they are actually doing to 

the native vegetation until you see it on the scale I did,î Sue said. ìIn some places they are strangling the rainforest and causing erosion.î

General Manager Operations Paul Hoye is encouraging the community to read the draft Coconut Management Plan available on Council's website or click on the link below to view direct and provide feedback before consultation closes on 20 July.

"Proposed actions range from preserving coconut palms along beaches and foreshores to removing those causing damage in natural vegetation areas", Mr Hoye said.

"Residents can also enter into an agreement with Council to maintain coconut palms on streetscapes."

The plan provides a comprehensive overview of the extent and location of coconut palms in the Douglas Shire and defines Council's objectives to manage coconuts effectively on Council-controlled lands.

It aims to identify the role that coconut palms play in any specific location through assessment and classification based on their location and contribution to a given area.

It also addresses issues such as potential risk, distribution, impacts and associated costs of coconut management and aims to establish a framework to implement and track the progress of Council's coconut management for social, economic and environmental outcomes.

Council has also developed a Draft Coconut Management Policy to provide clear direction regarding the management and maintenance of coconut palms on Council-controlled land based on assessments and classifications.

To read the full Draft Coconut Management Plan go to Council's website www.douglas.qld.gov.au or click on the link below.
 

DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN

Then please provide your feedback on the Council website before 20 July.

Nugget was the honest and willing pupil for any of Guy’s new idea’s and by the tender age of four, Nugget was so proficient at his work that he didn't perform in a bridle and saddle for the next 12 years, a truly special stallion and until this day, Guy’s best mate. 

It is very common that the best trainers around the world in all disciplines are normally training many horses for clients without the luxury of being able to ride their own and those who do, quite often have to sell their best horses to survive. 

One of Guys biggest weaknesses or maybe it's his greatest strength is the personal and mutual attachment and bond that he forms with every horse that he spends any length of time with and as he would no sooner sell his best mate than fly to the moon, he had to come up with a plan for his own horses to pay their way.  It was then that Guy McLean the performer was reluctantly dragged out of his shell.

Guys performances, the same as his horsemanship methods have all been self taught, right since the very first time he can remember hisfather has always said “As long as you and your ponies are safe, you can do whatever you like,” with a “Keep your Hands down,” or “ Give that pony a rest,” thrown in for good measure. 

Guy believes that it was this disciplined but essentially free rein that allowed him to evolve into the Horseman and Entertainer he is today, for although he has always shown an interest in all of the disciplines and performers that he has witnessed, it has ultimately been the countless hours spent in the presence of a horse or in front of a crowd that has moulded him and as his life motto reads “Finding a Better Way.” 

Guy and his horse’s have achieved national acclaim in Australia over the past 15 years and his talented horses (especially Nugget) have had their names chanted in front of 20,000 people at Royal shows such as Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. 

Guy has been acclaimed as a National treasure and Living Legend and although this humble Australian still blushes at such remarks, it is the kind words and stories of inspiration that Guy evokes that keeps him in the frame of mind to succeed and continue to spread his message. 

Although the calling of international work has made Guy step away from his beloved homeland (for a while) Australia will always be his home and yet wherever there are wonderful horses and crowds to entertain and educate, Guy says he feels at home.
So it is now that the next stage of the Life of Guy McLean begins as he and four of his own Australian bred ‘Quietway Performance horses’ (of which three are Nuggets babies) have expanded to the international stage. At the moment they are based in Texas USA and will follow their dreams to perform worldwide. 

Guy has always been a dreamer and it is true what they say, that, "If you wish hard enough and stick to your guns, dreams can and will come true". 

So it is fantastic that The Mossman show has managed to entice Guy McLean, The Horse Whisperer back again, (after a five year absence), to perform at the show between July 19th to 20th.  He will be performing three times a day of each day.

This you can't miss!!