The iconic Heritage listed Sugar Wharf provided a fitting place to celebrate a wonderful historic milestone for the Douglas Netball Association. Over 120 guests joined the organisers to celebrate the 20th Anniversary Reunion dinner.

MC for the evening Evan 'Buddha' Hocking, AFL Crocs Club Captain, guided the informal proceedings along with a little well timed, if risque, humour which captured he mood of the evening perfectly and my, didn't he look good in his netball uniform?

Current President of the club, Dee Kearney opened the speeches with a wonderfully concise reminisce down memory lane to acknowledge as many of the characters and committee members as she could remember to ensure they received the deserved thanks from the audience and current membership for all the hard work that often goes unsung in the background.

Each name Dee mentioned was greeted with hearty cheers from all the crowd but especially those who had either played alongside them or worked with those mentioned.  The memories came thick & fast and with each award for service well served there was lots of hugs of friendship and appreciation.

Original member Coral Dean then said a few words, many between uncontrollable fits of giggling, which became so infectious that the attendant crowd struggled to regain their composure.  But in the end Coral got her simple but heart-felt message across that without the help and dedication of all those who had formed and continued the great work of running the Douglas Netball Association from the playing side, coaching and admin it wouldn't be the power house of talent that it is today.

Special mention was made of the current Junior organisation where Sharon Beechey and Treveen Page tirelessly produce the stars of tomorrow for the seniors.

The food was excellent, the company even better and the band got everyone's toes a tapping.  The bar quietly did a 'roaring' trade.  And the weather provided the perfect backdrop around the wonderful Sugar Wharf to ensure an excellent night for such a worthy celebration of one of Port Douglas' best sporting clubs.

Let's look forward to the 25th and beyond!