Centacare FNQ has marked a decade of helping Far North Queensland families send their children back to school with dignity and confidence, officially launching the 2026 School Savvy season on January 12.

The milestone coincides with the opening of this year’s School Savvy pop-up shop season, themed ‘Our Village, Their Future’, which celebrates the collective effort of donors, volunteers, hairdressers, community partners and families across the region.

Over the past 10 years, School Savvy has supported 14,429 students and 6,702 families across the region, delivered 756 free haircuts, and hosted 25 community pop-up shops, easing the financial pressure of back-to-school costs for families doing it tough.

The Cairns Showgrounds hosted the first daily pop-up shop of the 2026 season, with additional School Savvy pop-up locations opening across the region throughout January.

Douglas Shire School Savvy pop-up shop

In the Douglas Shire, a School Savvy pop-up shop will be held at Mossman Shire Hall on Thursday, 22 January, from 11am to 2pm, giving local families access to essential school supplies so children can start the new school year feeling prepared and confident.

Everyday items such as exercise books, pencil cases, lunch boxes, drink bottles, pens, coloured pencils, glue, scissors, calculators and school bags can make a significant difference to a child’s readiness to learn.

Community members wishing to contribute can drop donations directly to the Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre, with all items passed on to support local families attending the Mossman pop-up.