8 July 2010…

The 2010 Port Douglas Carnivale advertising campaign, Taste.Watch.Dance.Play, has won a statewide award.

The campaign’s television commercials have won the SEVEN Queensland monthly production award.

Written and directed by Mia Lacy of Libra Communications, the commercials were produced at SEVEN Cairns in April 2010.

“We’ve received great feedback on the advertising campaign this year, with people telling us they enjoyed the theme Taste.Watch.Dance.Play. The commercials feature quality photography by Martine Cotton and graphic design by Chris Cotton, and a soundtrack song by Omid Master

They have really captured the spirit of Port Douglas Carnivale in each of the three 30 second advertisements,” said Mia Lacy.

Mia Lacy and her virtual advertising agency colleagues Richard & Sandy Chapelle and Willi Schultz jointly won the Queensland Multi Media Award 2009 for best overall campaign for ‘Which Way Our Way’ for Queensland Health last year

2010 Street Parade. Photo by Ali George.

Port Douglas Carnivale will be held May 19 – 29 in 2011. Book your accommodation now!

Links for Independent Event Applications / Volunteers / Parade Floats / Entertainment / Food and Market Stalls Online Application Forms will appear on the site in early 2011. Event Applications must be submitted no later than March 31, 2011.

YAY! Wasn’t THAT fun!

2010 Port Douglas Carnivale was a fabulously successful 10 days of community and family fun, food and wine and general merriment. We were blessed again by great weather and great support from the community and visitors to the area.

Every year a huge amount of people work behind the scenes to help bring the infrastucture and administrivia into place and these people usually work without public acknowledgement. We’d like to change that!

First up, every event at Carnivale has its own event manager, all of them work their butts off for months to bring you their event. Thank you to the following indispensable community heroes: Claire Tierney, Richard Stapleton, Drew Weyand, Peter Douglas, Beth Anderson, Donna Anderson, Kirsten Jeffs, Jason Roles, Ruth Grischy & Freda Harris, Corrine Durie, Marco Piat, Michael Woodward, Kerry Shephardson, Kim Hurley, Janine Allen, Monique Leman / Guy Holder / Jeff Gayles / Cameron Walton, Brett Wright, Rebecca Scott, Ping Gibb-Cheng, Guy Besley and Thor Stovell.

The Cairns Regional Council Douglas Branch were unbelievably supportive and proactive. Special shout-outs must go to Liz Collyer, Helen Coulthard, Sean Cooper, Tim O’Brien, Lucy Hart, Peter Clark, Nerida Pink, Mary Graham, Paul Hoye, Liz Leonard and the rest of the Council team who worked behind the scenes to help us produce Carnivale. Thanks to all of you for your dynamic, supportive assistance throughout the planning process.

Neil Torrens from Licensing worked alongside us to ensure that all our bars complied with legal requirements. He was flexible and full of ideas and invaluable advice. Thank you Neil.

Sergeant Damian Meadows and his local team were with us every step of the way, providing guidance and support. We salute your warm and flexible approach and wish every town had a Police team as community minded as you guys!

The Queensland Ambulance Service Port Douglas Office and Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Port Douglas Station are involved in the planning process every year to ensure that all our emergency service needs are met and are extremely supportive and proactive. Ambo’s Craig Downing & Jooanne Plant and their team are committed to providing the best possible paramedic service to the community and helped us shape some great emergency planning. Thank you! Firey’s Louie Leone, Clayton Vladich and Shane Bickoff are great guys and are always full of help and support, attending planning meetings and driving Little Squirt all over Port Douglas. Thank you!!

The local SES branch provide the major events with road closure support and this year also loaned us 2 generators to help us power the street parade. Bob Taylor and his amazing team of volunteers are invaluable to our community and to Carnivale Street Parade and Beach Day. Thank you.

Cameron Walton and the team at Port Douglas Catering and Events went above and beyond the call of duty with their work setting up and running the Carnivale Club at the Sugar Wharf, the Street Parade bars and the set up and catering at Palates of Port. Cam, Chris, Chris, Deb, Dee, Roxanne, Pippi, Graham and the rest of the team: Thank you!

Thanks to all the Port Douglas Accommodation houses and restaurants who supported Carnivale this year. Let’s try and get even more of you involved next year.

Sponsors! Without you, there would be no Carnivale. Media sponsors, infrastructure sponsors, alcohol and food sponsors. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Please take a minute to go and have a look at all the motivated companies who put their money where their community spirit is.

Our Major Sponsors deserve a special mention. Thanks to  Sandra Garvin and Rebecca Alfarez and all at Qld Events (state government). Qld Events have provided funding to the tune of $50 000 a year for the past three years. This year marks the end of that round of support – it’s been such a pleasure working with the  Qld Events Team and we hope to revisit a working relationship again soon.  Thanks to Val Scheir, Julia Leu and the good people at Cairns Regional Council who support us with $50 000 cash and $15 000 in inkind support. Thanks to Wendy Morris, Doug Ryan and the Tourism Port Douglas Daintree Board who fund $40 000 worth of Carnivale Marketing each year, in addition to a media famil that usually takes place early in the year. Events NQ came onboard as a major sponsor this year by providing serious infrastructure support this year and without them, the Concert and so many other aspects of Carnivale couldn’t have happened. Donna and Beth Anderson are true community minded stars and their ongoing participation in Carnivale managing the Food, Wine and a Taste of Port & Longest Lunch events help us keep Carnivale as colourful as is it… Thank you!

Volunteers kept us running this year. Meagan Kelly, while not technically a volunteer in that she did become our intern, worked stupid hours and kept us all in coffee and sushi as well as being a major planner on Beach Day. Thanks angel! Jenni Robertson, Nancy Venne and Stella Carnell, you ladies ROCKED. You consistently came through at short notice and worked your arses off. Thank you! Za Harrichan, Michelle Howarth and Grant Chandler – thanks for helping us out at the Carnivale Club, you helped take the edge off our frazzled overworked butts.

Kim Hurley (Radio Port Douglas Administrator) deserves a special mention. Kim, you are a true champion of community in every possible way. Kim organised the Carnivale Club and also the Rock N Blues Bonanza and worked 12 hours a day in addition to commuting from the Northern Beaches on a daily basis. Thank you! Thanks also to Michael Gabour (Radio Port Douglas boss) for always being an avid and active community member and supporting Carnivale in all ways possible!

Mia Lacy did a fantastic job with the media. Such incredible coverage she managed to get for us! Well done, and thank you.

Rebecca Lumby, our star sponsorship (and so much more) manager, your dynamic energy and creative vision powered Carnivale to new heights. You poured your heart and soul into this festival and certainly helped inspire a new legion of Carnivale volunteers and supporters. Here’s to a job well done! Cheers and thank you! (Hope you’ve caught up on your sleep by now)

Ken Dobbs (Carnivale boss) and Paula Johnson (Carnivale Treasurer) went above and beyond the call of duty on countless occasions. They also poured their very savvy hearts and souls into this festival and we are so lucky to have you considering you do it all for free. If only every community had volunteer lynchpins like you two – people who actually GET THINGS DONE. Thank you!

As for me, it’s been a delight to work with this tremendously dynamic team to bring Carnivale to the town. 2010 was a great festival – thanks to everyone who supported us.

See you in 2011!

Cheers

Martine Cotton. (Website, Social Media, Street Parade Coordinator, Beach day Coordinator)

“A PIECE OF PARADISE – VINTAGE DOUGLAS SHIRE” EXHIBITION at the COURT HOUSE MUSEUM for PORT DOUGLAS CARNIVALE 2010 OPENING DAY THURSDAY 20TH MAY

The Douglas Shire Historical Society is proud to be part of the Port Douglas Carnivale 2010 and the very special “A Piece of Paradise – Vintage Douglas Shire” photographic exhibition opens this Thursday, 20th May, at the Port Douglas Court House Museum in Wharf Street.

Over 30 historic photos, many of which have not been exhibited before, will give a taste of the former Douglas Shire in its prime vintages. Ranged along the verandah of the Australian Heritage-listed Court House Museum, pictures showing times of wealth and times of disappointment, people at work and people at play will feature in this unique exhiition.

In keeping with the vintage theme, Society members Vicki Thomas and Ken Keith went in search of photos from the district covering the 1920s to 1950s. This presented some challenges for Port Douglas because these were years of reduced activity and declining numbers – there were only 100 residents by the end of the period. It was a place sometimes called ‘The ghost town that refused to die’. Gone were the days being of a busy port for the hinterland and yet to come was tourism’s discovery of this piece of paradise.

In keeping with the local theme, Vicki and Ken have even arranged for special local ‘sandbags’ to hold the display boards against the afternoon breezes on the verandah – Mossman Mill sugar bags filled with local sand will make sure the exhibition stays firmly in place.

The Museum will be open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays between 10am and 2pm. Volunteers from the Historical Society will be on hand at all times to welcome locals and visitors.

CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS IN PORT DOUGLAS

The celebrities are coming to Port Douglas Carnivale. A very familiar blonde has been sighted on Four Mile Beach and at the Sugar Wharf. ‘Marilyn Monroe’ aka Natalie Boyd said she was enjoying the balmy weather and looking forward to meeting the locals over the weekend.

“I’ll be attending a few events this weekend, I hope to meet some locals while I’m here and maybe add to my diamond collection. I’m very fond of diamonds, you know,” Miss Marilyn said.

Miss Marilyn will make her first special guest appearance on the red carpet at the opening Hollywood Gala at the Sugar Wharf on Thursday night. Event organisers are transforming the heritage-listed building into a movie world fantasy where Miss Marilyn will feel right at home and are expecting to draw a good crowd.

“The gala opening is being staged by the award winning team at Port Douglas Catering Events who are well used to doing highly glamourous events for the meetings, incentives and conference industry here. This is a chance for people to attend a high end event first hand without the usual price tag that corporates pay for such an experience,” said Ken Dobbs.

The Sugar Wharf will also be used during the 10 day festival as the official Carnivale Club venue where nightly entertainment will appeal to all tastes.

“We know there’s a demand for a venue where people can kick on, so we’ve set up Carnivale Club to be the zone – it will start with nightly Sunset Sessions between 5 and 7pm and then be used for different events such as the Carnivale Food Fight where eight local chefs will battle it out. We think that one might get quite heated!” said Ken Dobbs. “Each night there’s something different on at Carnivale Club – from acoustic sets to jazz caberet with the 1RAR band to the songwriters challenge to a wine tasting by Stuart Blackwell, the chief winemaker from St Hallets.”

On Friday, Miss Marilyn will join other visiting celebrities Mark Waugh, Libby Tricket and Karl Stefanovic at the Sheraton Mirage Longest Lunch. “I’ve heard this year’s theme is to lunch like a celebrity, and I’ve had some practice at that, you know. I fondly remember one wonderfully long lunch with a chap whose initials were JFK,” she said.

Come and kick off Carnivale 2010 in style. The Sugar Wharf. 6 pm – midnight. $50.00 presold, $60.00 at the door. Tickets include a superb meal. 18 years + only.

Securely buy and print
your tickets for
the Hollywood Carnivale Opening Gala
HERE

New Port Douglas Carnivale Ambassadors L-R: Samantha Robertson (Miss Charity Carnivale), Sophie Stevenson (Miss Carnivale 2010) and Melanie Boon, winner of the People’s Choice Award.

New Port Douglas Carnivale Ambassadors L-R: Samantha Robertson (Miss Charity Carnivale), Sophie Stevenson (Miss Carnivale 2010) and Melanie Boon, winner of the People’s Choice Award.

Last night at Rydges Sabaya Miss Sophie Stevenson was crowned Miss Carnivale 2010 in a joyous evening full of comedy, dance and community spirit!

The three new ambassadors of Port Douglas Carnivale 2010 will be Miss Carnivale 2010 Sophie Stevenson, Miss Charity Carnivale Samantha Robertson, and winner of the People’s Choice Award, Melanie Boon.

Port Douglas born and bred Sophie, aged 19, has worked as a PA to the directors of the LJ Hooker Port Douglas franchise for the last three years. She believes Miss Carnivale has been an excellent opportunity to grow on a personal level and to be recognised as a member of her community.

“I am looking forward to getting out there and meeting lots of new people. I am thrilled to be an ambassador for the Douglas region because I’ve lived here all my life and this is somewhere I’ll always call home. We have such a fantastic sense of community spirit in this town. Everyone is continually showing support to the various organisations and events in the area, and I’d like to think that by participating in Miss Carnivale I am able to help give back a little something to the community in my fundraising efforts by helping promote the local businesses and also the Carnivale festivities,” she said.

The contestants had a fundraising goal during the past weeks, and Sophie conducted cup cake sales, pie drives and raffles. A percentage of the monies raised by the entrants is being donated to raising awareness of breast cancer.

Samantha Robertson, aged 19, won the Miss Charity Carnivale title in a very close contest. Samantha raised over $3,000 on her own by auctioning donated prizes and merchandise. She has lived in Port Douglas for eight years and has worked at the Hogs Breath Cafe for the past three. “To be an ambassador for Carnivale is an honor and is already giving me a fantastic insight into many wonderful ideas that may lead me down future career paths. Most of all, the experience and fun of making great new friends is what I am enjoying,” says Samantha.

The total raised by Miss Carnivale 2010 was almost $10,000, which was an increase of 25% on last year’s inaugural event. Port Douglas Carnivale spokesperson, Ken Dobbs, said the funds would be well used in organisation and entertainment for the Macrossan Street Parade and the Four Mile Beach Day.

“These eight contestants have done the community proud over the past weeks and the substantial financial contribution they have made will be a major factor in the success of these two signature Carnivale events,” he said.

This year’s pageant was judged by Trent Evans, producer/journalist at SEVEN Cairns; Kim Hurley, presenter at Radio Port Douglas; Doug Ryan, executive officer at Tourism Port Douglas & Daintree and Eileen Rothwell, features editor at The Cairns Post.

Miss Carnivale 2010 wins a prize package including accommodation at Thala Beach Lodge, a Sailaway cruise and a pampering rejuvenation experience for two from Hibiscus Spa Resort.

Eileen Rothwell said the Miss Carnivale 2010 winner, Sophie Stevenson, shone during the pageant. “We couldn’t fail to notice that Sophie’s inner and outer beauty really shone through. She has a lovely vibrant personality, and clearly has the ability to engage well across a wide range of people,” she said. “Miss Charity, Samantha Robertson, was very poised and lovely and deserves her title for raising an amazing amount of money in such a small community,” said Eileen Rothwell.

The masquerade ball was held in the Rydges Sabaya Grand Ballroom on Saturday 15th May 2010 and attracted around 100 guests, many of whom took the opportunity to dress in masquerade. Mossman dancers, Bodies in Motion, entertained the audience, and event organiser Corrine Durie and M.C. Dave Evans compered the event.

Media Release – Port Douglas 16 May 2010

MISS CARNIVALE PAGEANT’S POPULAR WINNERS

Photo Caption: New Port Douglas Carnivale Ambassadors L-R: Samantha Robertson (Miss Charity Carnivale), Sophie Stevenson (Miss Carnivale 2010) and Melanie Boon, winner of the People’s Choice Award.

A trio of local lovelies have been chosen from a field of eight contestants in the 2010 Miss Carnivale pageant.

The three new ambassadors of Port Douglas Carnivale 2010 will be Miss Carnivale 2010 Sophie Stevenson, Miss Charity Carnivale Samantha Robertson, and winner of the People’s Choice Award, Melanie Boon.

Port Douglas born and bred Sophie, aged 19, has worked as a PA to the directors of the LJ Hooker Port Douglas franchise for the last three years. She believes Miss Carnivale has been an excellent opportunity to grow on a personal level and to be recognised as a member of her community.
“I am looking forward to getting out there and meeting lots of new people. I am thrilled to be an ambassador for the Douglas region because I’ve lived here all my life and this is somewhere I’ll always call home. We have such a fantastic sense of community spirit in this town. Everyone is continually showing support to the various organisations and events in the area, and I’d like to think that by participating in Miss Carnivale I am able to help give back a little something to the community in my fundraising efforts by helping promote the local businesses and also the Carnivale festivities,” she said.

The contestants had a fundraising goal during the past weeks, and Sophie conducted cup cake sales, pie drives and raffles. A percentage of the monies raised by the entrants is being donated to raising awareness of breast cancer.

Samantha Robertson, aged 19, won the Miss Charity Carnivale title in a very close contest. Samantha raised over $3,000 on her own by auctioning donated prizes and merchandise. She has lived in Port Douglas for eight years and has worked at the Hogs Breath Cafe for the past three. “To be an ambassador for Carnivale is an honor and is already giving me a fantastic insight into many wonderful ideas that may lead me down future career paths. Most of all, the experience and fun of making great new friends is what I am enjoying,” says Samantha.

The total raised by Miss Carnivale 2010 was almost $10,000, which was an increase of 25% on last year’s inaugural event. Port Douglas Carnivale spokesperson, Ken Dobbs, said the funds would be well used in organisation and entertainment for the Macrossan Street Parade and the Four Mile Beach Day.

“These eight contestants have done the community proud over the past weeks and the substantial financial contribution they have made will be a major factor in the success of these two signature Carnivale events,” he said.

This year’s pageant was judged by Trent Evans, producer/journalist at SEVEN Cairns; Kim Hurley, presenter at Radio Port Douglas; Doug Ryan, executive officer at Tourism Port Douglas & Daintree and Eileen Rothwell, features editor at The Cairns Post.

Miss Carnivale 2010 wins a prize package including accommodation at Thala Beach Lodge, a Sailaway cruise and a pampering rejuvenation experience for two from Hibiscus Spa Resort.

Eileen Rothwell said the Miss Carnivale 2010 winner, Sophie Stevenson, shone during the pageant. “We couldn’t fail to notice that Sophie’s inner and outer beauty really shone through. She has a lovely vibrant personality, and clearly has the ability to engage well across a wide range of people,” she said. “Miss Charity, Samantha Robertson, was very poised and lovely and deserves her title for raising an amazing amount of money in such a small community,” said Eileen Rothwell.

The masquerade ball was held in the Rydges Sabaya Grand Ballroom on Saturday 15th May 2010 and attracted around 100 guests, many of whom took the opportunity to dress in masquerade. Mossman dancers, Bodies in Motion, entertained the audience, and event organiser Corrine Durie and M.C. Dave Evans compered the event. ENDS….

Sun Palm Transport are giving an exclusive offer to all Cairns Carnivale participants the chance to get to all the fabulous events at a very discounted rate of $20  return! That’s a saving of $50!!!

Bookings are essential and the 2010 Port Douglas Carnivale is going to be the best yet! Bookings: 4087 2900

Bus Time Tables

Fri 21st May. Carnivale Street Parade 6 pm – 11 pm *

Departing Cairns City

• D Bus Stop on Lake St at 5:00 pm
• Dunwoody’s Bus STop on Sheridan St at 5:15 pm

Departing Port Douglas

• Bus departs from MOBIL service Station on Warner St Port Douglas at 10.30 pm.

* Bookings are ESSENTIAL and must be made by midday May 21st.

Sat 22nd May. Food, Wine and a Taste of Port 5.30 pm – 11 pm *

Departing Cairns City

• D Bus Stop on Lake St at 4:00 pm
• Dunwoody’s Bus STop on Sheridan St at 4:15 pm

Departing Port Douglas

• Bus departs from MOBIL service Station on Warner St Port Douglas at 11.30 pm.

* Bookings are ESSENTIAL and must be made by midday May 22nd.

Sun 23rd May. Douglas Rock N Blues Bonanza 1 pm – 6.30 pm *

Departing Cairns City

• Major Hotels in city centre as well as Dunwoody’s, Bellview and D Bus Stops  11 am – 11.20 am

Departing Port Douglas

• Bus departs from PADDY’S BAR (Macrossan St) on Warner St Port Douglas at 5.15 pm & 8 pm.

* Must mention Carnivale to receive exclusive offer on Beach Day and Rock N Blues Bonanza

Sat 29th May. Four Mile Beach Day 10 am  - 3 pm *

Departing Cairns City

• Major Hotels in city centre as well as Dunwoody’s, Bellview and D Bus Stops  9  - 9.20 am and 11 am – 11.20 am

Departing Port Douglas

• Bus departs from RATTLE N HUM Bus stop (Macrossan St) on Warner St Port Douglas at 3.20 pm & 4.30 pm.

* Must mention Carnivale to receive exclusive offer on Beach Day ad Rock N Blues Bonanza

2010 Port Douglas Carnivale Street Parade will explode in a ball of hi-octane street entertainment designed to turn the evening into a true street party! With entertainment zones up and down Macrossan St there will be something to keep everyone entertained from 5 pm till midnight (stopping for the fireworks at 9 pm)!

Crazy Shirlee Sunflower will be looking for love in all the wrong places….. The Great Dave will astonish you with his great feats of physical trickery and balance….. The Spinn Sisters will teach people young and old how to spin a hula hoop like a champion….. Danny Simony‘s Magic Show will enchant the kids…. The Drum Up Big drummers will electrify the parade audience…. Gorgeous Strawberry Fundaes will paint your face… Grab a balloon sculpture from the bumbling Captain Smarty Pants… Kids will be entranced by Kyle Raftery’s Smiley Show… Love FIRE? The Flammable Fire Tribe will fan the flames for their fans all night long… Watch out for that wacky Mr. Stuggles – wait and see what tricks he pulls out of his suitcase – it could be one ball or five clubs and everything in between!.. and MR. ha Ha P will incite joy and hilarity to all that dare to watch…. Beware the Mixed Lollies Fashion Cop (you might get a ticket for that lairy Hawaiian shirt)… Hanzard – juggler extraordinaire – will entertain young and old with his old world showmanship, reminiscent of the vaudeville era…  Wait for the end of the evening for the rollicking Carnivale Tarmac Cabaret as all the acts come together for some late night tomfoolery.

If it’s MUSIC you’re after, we have plenty of that wonderful stuff too! Simon Asquith will play his own magical brand of rootsy acoustic guitar, while Savidas gets down and dirty with their rootsy / hip hop acoustic stuff which will have everyone dancing no doubt. Moondog Blues‘ will be playing their acoustic blues to get us all in the mood for the Douglas Rock N Blues Bonanza the following Sunday! Mountain stars The HillBilly Goats will lead us in a wild, high energy bush Barn Dance out the front of Rattle N Hum and will be found roaming the streets late in the evening to get the hillbilly juices flowing in the late night streets.

We are delighted to present you, in no particular order, the 2010 Port Douglas Carnivale Dining Guide to the finest Restaurants and eateries in Port Douglas. Please support the Restaurants who support Carnivale.

Tommy Bahama 5 Macrossan Street Port Douglas 4099 6699 Light Breakfast and Lunch.

Nautilus
17 Murphy Street but also from 14 Macrossan Street. Dinner nightly from 6pm. Reservations Preferred. Open 7 Days

Rattle n Hum
38 Macrossan St, Port Douglas, (07) 4099 5641. Lunch and Dinner. Open 7 days.

Billy’s By the Sea
28 Wharf Street, Port Douglas, (07) 40995558. Reservations Preferred. Open 7 Days

bel cibo
Macrossan St. Lunch 12-3pm. Dinner 5.30pm – late . Ph 07 4099 6330. Reservations Preferred. Open 7 Days

Bucci Ristorante
41 Macrossan Street. Bookings: 07 4099 6364. Lunch & Dinner. Reservations Preferred. Open 7 Days

Hi Tide Beach Cafe and Seafood Bistro
Peninsula Boutique Hotel, The Esplanade, 07 4099 9100. Reservations Preferred. Open 7 Days

2 Fish Seafood Restaurant
Wharf St, next to the Courthouse Hotel. 07 4099 6350. Reservations Preferred. Open 7 Days

Bistro 3
Corner Wharf and Macrossan Streets. 07 4099 6100. Reservations Preferred. Open 7 Days

Harrison’s Restaurant
2 Wharf street Port Douglas 4877. Ph: 61 7 4099 4011. Reservations Preferred. Open 7 Days

Sakinah House Restaurant
Rydges Sabaya, Port Douglas Ph: 07 4099 8900. Reservations Preferred. Open 7 Days

On The Inlet
3 Inlet St, Port Douglas. Ph: 07 4099 5255. Reservations Preferred. Open 7 Days

Lure Restaurant & Bar
Shop 15-16, Marina Mirage, Port Douglas, 07 4099 5201. Reservations Preferred. Open 7 Days

OTZ Food
Four Mile Plaza, 366 Port Douglas Rd, Port Douglas, tel: (07) 4099 3371. Breakfast and Lunch.

Salsa Bar & Grill
26 Wharf St, Port Douglas. Reservations 07 40994922 . Reservations Preferred. Open 7 Days