“I can still recall when we got going with a mere $500, a few chairs, easels, but lots of enthusiasm. But the success of the past 17 years speaks volumes.

“We proved that with a group of ladies with a vested interest in the community, we could make a go of this. And we did. Our current location – the old National Bank on 11 Mill Street – was also a key part in our development,” said Ms Norris.

Ms Norris, who is president of the Mossman District Nursing Home, was appointed the fourth female councillor in 2004. “And I can tell you that there have been only seven female councillors over the past 100 years.”

She speaks fondly of Mossman where she has lived for the past 57 years after relocating from Cairns.

“Mossman was beautiful 57 years ago, and is still beautiful. You have access to so many different areas and this is what makes it special,” she said.

As Ms Norris pointed out, the DAB building is significant. It is on the Queensland Heritage Register, is registered with The National Trust and was once a bank. It has become an integral part of the Douglas region, with its exhibitions proving to be popular events for the community. 

Meanwhile, DAB’s Semester 2 Program for 2019 runs from 15 July to 14 December. 

DAB is a not-for-profit community arts centre run by volunteers. It is a hub for local artists and crafts people, providing quality opportunities for the whole community to learn, create, exhibit, visit and inspire.

It offers a variety of weekly art classes, courses which run for a number of weeks and one-off workshops.

For more information: www.dabmossman.com

Scene at DAB's 'This is Mossman' exhibition. Images: Howard Salkow