Rowan Anderson

Journalist

Port Douglas has a population of just under 4000 people but attracts 772,000-day visitors a year.

With its international flavour according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, about 20% of the population in Douglas Shire was born overseas.

A tourist hub for visitors with access to the world-famous Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest, it is clear to see why people like to call the region home. 

Last month a group of new Aussies from across the globe became citizens and now call Douglas Shire home.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr welcomed the 22 new Australian Citizens at a Citizenship Ceremony at the Mossman Shire Hall.

The new citizens coming from across the globe including Estonia, France, Poland, Spain, the Philippines, Denmark, Italy and the United Kingdom.

The citizenship ceremony drew a crowd of 70 people and was the first public ceremony since the covid-19 pandemic.

Mayor Kerr spoke with Newsport about what made Port Douglas so appealing to call home and how important the new citizens were to the region.

“We love welcoming people from different cultures to our beautiful region,” Kerr said.

“While many have lived here for years and are entrenched in our community, it is wonderful to formally certify their Australian Citizenship in front of their friends and family. A diverse mix of people from different cultures helps enrich our community.

Newsport spoke with one of the newest citizens Vincent Di Cugno about what drew him to Port Douglas and why he made it official.

Originally from Italy his connection to Port Douglas goes back a decade.

“I landed in Brisbane in 2013 and stayed there for three weeks.”

Travelling with two friends after buying a van he worked in farms until arriving in Port Douglas.

“When I arrived here, I started working at ‘Sassi’ [a Port Douglas restaurant]. My bosses at the time Tony and Di sponsored me.

“I worked there for eight years, and I bought a restaurant where I worked last year in August.”

He married Valentina and they had a son, Giovanni, who is now three years old.

His son also became one of Port Douglas’ newest citizens his new home coming full circle and showing what is possible in our own patch of paradise.

Mayor Kerr summed up why so many loved Port Douglas and why visitors were drawn to calling it home.

“Everyone loves the relaxed lifestyle our region offers. We are a close-knit community blessed with the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest on our doorstep, coupled with a thriving and supportive small business scene.

“You only have to walk down Macrossan Street to see and feel the vibrancy of Port Douglas.”