PICTURE GALLERY: Carnivale and Dusty Martin dominate May in Douglas Shire

May snaps

STAFF WRITERS

Last updated: 08/06/2026 - 17:00 (AEST)

Peter Cooper at the Port Douglas Clipper Cup Race. Picture: Jamie Jansen

Dusty Martin day at the Crocs AFL oval and Port Douglas Carnivale were two of the highlights of our May photos, as Douglas Shire emerged from the wet season and ready to party.

Newsport’s photographers captured many of the big moments from last month, and this gallery is a selection of the best from across the district.

If you have any photos for the June gallery, email to [email protected].

Kuku Yalanji dancers out and about. Picture: DSC

Magnus Danger Magnus at the Paramour Cabaret. Picture: Santiago Gonzalez

Jeanfer Salas (left) is a local instructor who built the Douglas Shire's "Keep on Dancing" community. Picture: Supplied

Close to 5000 people attended Savannah Sounds across the three days. Picture: @_leanvisuals

Julatten soccer player Wini Heatley celebrates winning the Italian league championship with her club Roma. Picture: Wini Heatley

Dustin “Dusty” Martin representing the Port Douglas Crocs AFL team. Picture: Shaun Hollis

Jon Stevens performing at Savannah Sounds on Saturday night. Picture: Santiago Gonzalez

Vanessa Amorosi wowed the crowds at Savannah Sounds on Saturday night. Picture: Santiago Gonzalez

Clouds over Cairns Airport. Picture: Shaun Hollis

The fireworks attracted thousands of Carnivale onlookers on the Friday night. Picture: @_leanvisuals

The Crocs juniors enjoyed Dusty Day. Picture: Sez Kuring

A croc drags a dead wallaby into the water. Picture: Supplied

Dusty Day at the Croc Pit from above. Picture: @_leanvisuals

Kane Gray scores a try for the Reef Raiders. Picture: Shaun Hollis

The Sharks juniors enjoyed the rugby league carnival day. Picture: Supplied

Marine biologist Heather Platt with Charli the green sea turtle at Agincourt Reef. Picture: Supplied

Rebecca Morris and Wild Russ at the launch of Russ’s book Motivations at Babal. Picture: Francesca Bossoni

The amazing costumes were a feature of the Carnivale parade. Picture: @_leanvisuals

Kites at the Carnivale Beach Day on the Saturday. Picture: Shaun Hollis

Ellen Ross has been awarded the International Women’s Day Rural Fire Award for the Northern Region Rural Fire Service Queensland. Pic: Supplied

The crowd enjoyed the Carnivale parade. Picture: Francesca Bossoni

A baby croc dining out on a cane toad. Picture: David White

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( 3 )	Position Vacant	Name	Business	Suburb	Email	Date
1.	FREELANCE FEATURE WRITER (Business & Advertorial) Location: Douglas Shire (Local presence required) Workflow: Freelance / Variable weekly hours About the Role We are seeking a sharp, dependable Freelance Feature Writer based in the Douglas Shire to craft compelling local business profiles and advertorial-style features. If you know how to weave commercial messaging into engaging storytelling and can connect face-to-face with our local business community, we want to hear from you. Because our editorial needs change weekly, workload volume will fluctuate. We need a flexible local writer who can scale up or down seamlessly. Key Responsibilities Write high-quality business features and advertorials on strict deadlines. Turn around clean, print-ready copy quickly and efficiently. Connect with local business owners to capture their unique voice and story. What We’re Looking For Local Resident: Must live in the Douglas Shire area to easily access local businesses. Proven experience in feature writing, journalism, or commercial copywriting. A flawless track record for meeting tight turnaround times. Capability to handle a variable workload week-to-week. To Apply Please send your resume and 2–3 relevant writing samples (ideally business profiles or advertorials) to [email protected]	Newsport	Newsport	Port Douglas	[email protected]	05.06.2026 13:41
2.	CASUAL ON-CALL TRANSFER STAFF Community Funerals is seeking staff to be available on weeknights (4pm-8am) and at weekends (24hrs) to assist with the transfer of deceased persons. Full training will be provided. Staff are rostered on-call one week in three and can usually fit this work around a regular weekday job. You will be paid a daily on-call allowance and a generous $300.00 minimum call out payment. The applicant needs to have a full drivers licence, be well groomed, ability to work as part of a team, maintain confidentiality, physical fitness, willingness to work outside regular business hours and a compassionate and caring attitude. If you are interested please email [email protected] detailing your work background, any relevant experience and any questions. Initial enquires by email only please.	Lorraine	Community Funerals	Port Douglas	[email protected]	4.6.2026 12:38
3.	HOUSING MANAGER (Part-Time) Douglas Shire Aged Persons Home Inc. is seeking a community-focused Housing Manager to support older residents and help maintain independent living across the Douglas Shire. Position Details Part-time role Approx. 30 hours per week Flexible working arrangements available Based locally in Douglas Shire Key Responsibilities Manage the full tenancy lifecycle, including applications, reviews and exits Coordinate property maintenance and contractor activities Support tenants and liaise with stakeholders and support services Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance requirements are met Promote a respectful, positive and community-focused environment What We Offer Flexible and autonomous role Opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the community Supportive volunteer committee and team environment Diverse and rewarding work Work locally in beautiful Douglas Shire About You Strong communication and organisational skills Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities Experience in housing, tenancy, property management, community services or similar fields preferred Passion for supporting older residents and independent living How to Apply Please send your resume and a short cover letter to: [email protected]	N	Douglas Shire Aged persons home	Douglas Shire	[email protected]	28.05.2026 11:33

( 3 )

Add LOGO - (Only JPEG, GIF or PNG files, no PDF. For best results image at least 400px wide)

Position Vacant

Name

Business

Suburb

Date

FREELANCE FEATURE WRITER (Business & Advertorial)

Location: Douglas Shire (Local presence required)

Workflow: Freelance / Variable weekly hours

About the Role

We are seeking a sharp, dependable Freelance Feature Writer based in the Douglas Shire to craft compelling local business profiles and advertorial-style features. If you know how to weave commercial messaging into engaging storytelling and can connect face-to-face with our local business community, we want to hear from you.

Because our editorial needs change weekly, workload volume will fluctuate. We need a flexible local writer who can scale up or down seamlessly.

Key Responsibilities

Write high-quality business features and advertorials on strict deadlines.

Turn around clean, print-ready copy quickly and efficiently.

Connect with local business owners to capture their unique voice and story.

What We’re Looking For

Local Resident: Must live in the Douglas Shire area to easily access local businesses.

Proven experience in feature writing, journalism, or commercial copywriting.

A flawless track record for meeting tight turnaround times.

Capability to handle a variable workload week-to-week.

To Apply

Please send your resume and 2–3 relevant writing samples (ideally business profiles or advertorials) to [email protected]

Newsport

Port Douglas

[email protected]

05.06.2026 13:41

CASUAL ON-CALL TRANSFER STAFF

Community Funerals is seeking staff to be available on weeknights (4pm-8am) and at weekends (24hrs) to assist with the transfer of deceased persons.
Full training will be provided.

Staff are rostered on-call one week in three and can usually fit this work around a regular weekday job. You will be paid a daily on-call allowance and a generous $300.00 minimum call out payment.
The applicant needs to have a full drivers licence, be well groomed, ability to work as part of a team, maintain confidentiality, physical fitness, willingness to work outside regular business hours and a compassionate and caring attitude.

If you are interested please email [email protected] detailing your work background, any relevant experience and any questions. Initial enquires by email only please.

Lorraine

Community Funerals

Port Douglas

[email protected]

4.6.2026 12:38

HOUSING MANAGER (Part-Time)

Douglas Shire Aged Persons Home Inc. is seeking a community-focused Housing Manager to support older residents and help maintain independent living across the Douglas Shire.

Position Details

Part-time role
Approx. 30 hours per week
Flexible working arrangements available
Based locally in Douglas Shire

Key Responsibilities

Manage the full tenancy lifecycle, including applications, reviews and exits
Coordinate property maintenance and contractor activities
Support tenants and liaise with stakeholders and support services
Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance requirements are met
Promote a respectful, positive and community-focused environment

What We Offer

Flexible and autonomous role
Opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the community
Supportive volunteer committee and team environment
Diverse and rewarding work
Work locally in beautiful Douglas Shire

About You

Strong communication and organisational skills
Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities
Experience in housing, tenancy, property management, community services or similar fields preferred
Passion for supporting older residents and independent living

How to Apply
Please send your resume and a short cover letter to:
[email protected]

Douglas Shire Aged persons home

Douglas Shire

[email protected]

28.05.2026 11:33

( 3 )	Date	Start time	End time	Event name	Event description	Location	Cost	Website link	Event contact phone	Event contact email	Category (Maximum of 4 categories)	Terms and conditions	Name	Email	Phone
1.	Thursday 25 June 2026 Jun 25 2026-06-25T00:00:00+10:00	6:00 pm	8:00 pm	Paranormal Romance Author Talk	"Some boys grow up with bedtime stories. I grew up with ghosts, moonshine spells, and a granny who could hex a greedy preacher with a jar of pickled okra." Well, well, well… local paranormal romance author JB Thomas is back, back, back again with his latest release, Kentucky Raised Me Strange. Join JB Thomas at Mossman Library on Thursday 25 June at 6:00 p.m. for an evening of laughter, inspirations, and all things wonderfully strange.	Mossman Library	Free		07 4099 9496	[email protected]	Community Event, Free Event		Douglas Libraries	[email protected]	07 4099 9496
2.	Friday 31 July 2026 Jul 31 2026-07-31T00:00:00+10:00	5pm	8pm	Friday Night Nine and Dine	Come and play nine holes of simulator golf at a famous golf course from around the world, then enjoy some great food at Hardy's BBQ, the newest food place in Port Douglas where charcoal, fire, flavour and fresh ingredients unite to create unforgettable charred dishes. Both premises are located at the bottom end of Grant St. Bookings are essential.	Daddyshack Indoor Golf and Hardy's BBQ, Grant St, Port Douglas	$40 per player for 9 holes and a single serve meal	https://www.facebook.com/groups/1231198597727923	0478208529	[email protected]	Food & Wine Event, Sport Event	Bookings are essential. Call 0478 208 529 to book your golf and food.	Michael Walsh	[email protected]	0414741163
3.	Friday 24 July 2026 Jul 24 2026-07-24T00:00:00+10:00	5pm	8pm	Friday Night Nine and Dine	Come and play nine holes of simulator golf at a famous golf course from around the world, then enjoy some great food at Hardy's BBQ, the newest food place in Port Douglas where charcoal, fire, flavour and fresh ingredients unite to create unforgettable charred dishes. Both premises are located at the bottom end of Grant St. Bookings are essential.	Daddyshack Indoor Golf and Hardy's BBQ, Grant St, Port Douglas	$40 per player for 9 holes and a single serve meal	https://www.facebook.com/groups/1231198597727923	0478208529	[email protected]	Food & Wine Event, Sport Event	Bookings are essential. Call 0478 208 529 to book your golf and food.	Michael Walsh	[email protected]	0414741163

( 3 )

Date

Start time

End time

Event name

Event description

Location

Cost

Website link

Event contact phone

Event contact email

Category (Maximum of 4 categories)

Terms and conditions

Name

Phone

Thursday 25 June 2026

2026-06-25T00:00:00+10:00

6:00 pm

8:00 pm

Paranormal Romance Author Talk

"Some boys grow up with bedtime stories. I grew up with ghosts, moonshine spells, and a granny who could hex a greedy preacher with a jar of pickled okra."

Well, well, well… local paranormal romance author JB Thomas is back, back, back again with his latest release, Kentucky Raised Me Strange.

Join JB Thomas at Mossman Library on Thursday 25 June at 6:00 p.m. for an evening of laughter, inspirations, and all things wonderfully strange.

Mossman Library

Free

07 4099 9496

[email protected]

Community Event, Free Event

Douglas Libraries

[email protected]

07 4099 9496

Friday 31 July 2026

2026-07-31T00:00:00+10:00

5pm

8pm

Friday Night Nine and Dine

Come and play nine holes of simulator golf at a famous golf course from around the world, then enjoy some great food at Hardy's BBQ, the newest food place in Port Douglas where charcoal, fire, flavour and fresh ingredients unite to create unforgettable charred dishes. Both premises are located at the bottom end of Grant St. Bookings are essential.

Daddyshack Indoor Golf and Hardy's BBQ, Grant St, Port Douglas

$40 per player for 9 holes and a single serve meal

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1231198597727923

0478208529

[email protected]

Food & Wine Event, Sport Event

Bookings are essential. Call 0478 208 529 to book your golf and food.

Michael Walsh

[email protected]

0414741163

Friday 24 July 2026

2026-07-24T00:00:00+10:00

5pm

8pm

Friday Night Nine and Dine

Daddyshack Indoor Golf and Hardy's BBQ, Grant St, Port Douglas

$40 per player for 9 holes and a single serve meal

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1231198597727923

0478208529

[email protected]

Food & Wine Event, Sport Event

Bookings are essential. Call 0478 208 529 to book your golf and food.

Michael Walsh

[email protected]

0414741163

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PICTURE GALLERY: Carnivale and Dusty Martin dominate May in Douglas Shire

May snaps

STAFF WRITERS

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Final call for world class festival in our own backyard

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