Thursday 10 March 2011

The Port Douglas Community Centre played host to a special occasion on Tuesday evening as around 60 people gathered to celebrate 100 years of International Women's Day.

As part of the celebrations, and in honour of the achievements and contributions made by the women of Douglas to the betterment of the community over its long history, rooms of the Community Centre were named after a select few who stood out above all others.

Reflecting the contribution women continue to make in the Douglas region, the women of Cairns Regional Council (organisers of the event) were in attendance including Mayor Val Schier, Council CEO Lyn Russell, Regional Manager for Douglas Liz Collyer, and Division 10 Councillor Julia Leu.

Cr Leu announced the naming of the rooms:

Diane Cilento Auditorium

Diane Cilento was the founder of Karnak Playhouse which has played host to acts such as Jane Rutter and David Helfgot. She gained international acclaim as an actress in theatre and on screen and moved to the area in 1975.

Hazel Douglas Room

Hazel Douglas is an Eastern Kuku Yulanji woman and the founder of indigenous tourism in the area after showing great determination in establishing her own company, Native Guide Safari Tours. Ms Douglas is a signatory for Native TItle in the area.

Marjorie Norris Room

Marj Norris OAM has been instrumental in many areas of the community since she moved here 48 years ago. She has worked with organisations such as Red Cross, P&C Association, DAB, Mossman Pony Club, Girl Guides, Mossman District Nursing Home and Douglas Shire Council among others.

Harriet Parker Lobby

Harriet Parker was the creator of the sugar industry in the region. She purchased the land that was to become the site of the sugar mill way back in 1882. While her mill ceased crushing in 1888, this was the impetus for others to come together to establish the Mossman Central Mill.

Queensland Country Women's Association Meeting Room

The meeting room honours the founding members of the Mossman QCWA members from 1935, and those who have continued their valuable social, educational, and charitable work culminated in the formation of the Mossman QCWA Younger Set in 2010.

Pink in the Tropics Meeting Room

Established by four Douglas women, Pink in the Tropics ensures no woman suffering from breast cancer in the Douglas area need go through treatment without support. This support extends from monthly meetings, to house cleaning, gardening, and much more.

The Cairns Regional Council has created a booklet about these, and many other women who have given of themselves and helped shaped the region.