Douglas mourns the loss of historian

NOEL Weare’s passion for history was evident until the very end; the founder of the Douglas Shire Historical Society was focused on a coastal project before his sudden death last month.

Mr Weare had been working with Douglas Shire Council officers only days before his passing on May 11. His latest project was gaining heritage listing for the ‘datum rock’ in Port Douglas; a survey rock that was used as the reference point for the harbour.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said Mr Weare was an enthusiastic advocate for the preservation of local history and worked tirelessly to benefit the Port Douglas Court House Museum

“Mr Weare displayed admirable tenacity when trying to secure funding for historical projects; Council respected his passion to recognise and document our past,” he said.

Mr Weare founded the Douglas Shire Histori- cal Society in 1994 to establish a museum in the old court house.

In 2015, he saved the historic Dixie’s Shed from demolition and worked with Council to relocate it to a site near Rex Smeal Park.

The flag staff on Flagstaff Hill was saved and restored due to his advocacy (the project winning a High Commendation for Conservation Works in the 2019 Queensland Heritage Awards) and he organised the preservation of a timber pile from the old Mowbray Diggers Bridge, now exhibited at the Craiglie Teamsters Park.

Council presented him with the Civic Recognition Award in 2021.

A funeral service for Mr Weare was held on the verandah of the Court House Museum on May 22 before his internment in the Port Douglas Cemetery.

*Background provided by Pam Willis Burden for the Douglas Shire Historical Society.

Athena, or Athlene Lamprose as she was known in the classroom, has been reflecting on her childhood as the school celebrates its 125th anniversary.

Mrs Vafeas said her family did not have much when they left Greece and arrived in North Queensland but she did pick up an important life skill during her time at MSS.

“Once a week we had a lady teach us sewing and that’s how I learned how to sew. She (the sewing teacher) thought I was really good at it, and I was sewing from then on from home,” she said.

“I sewed all my life. My daughter Maria had five bridesmaids at her wedding and I sewed all their dresses.”

“I remember the people, the shops, the school; I still have lovely memories of Mossman.”

The Brisbane resident will not be the only former pupil taking a walk down memory lane this month.

Around 250 people from across Australia and the Far North will be converging on Mossman Shire Hall for a Birthday Banquet –Reunion Dinner on Friday, June 23.

The celebrations continue the following day (June 24) with a fete.

Mrs Vafeas is not as mobile as she once was and regrettably won’t be able to attend the school’s celebrations. But she will be thinking of the MSS community and hopes their memories of the school are as special as hers.

“I wish them good health and all the best and hope they enjoy time with their family and friends,” she said.

For more information on the school’s 125-year celebrations, head to the Mossman State School Facebook page.

Tourism operators embrace Experiences Expo

THE tourism industry’s version of speed dating was held in Port Douglas last month; the Experiences Expo a quickfire get together of front-desk and accommodation specialists and the operators of the shire’s major tourist attractions.

Tourism Port Douglas Daintree CEO Tara Bennett said it was an opportunity for busy tourism experts to learn more about what is on offer in our region.

“Tour operators don’t always have the resources to go out and individually meet every information provider,” Ms Bennett said.

“That’s why we put on the expo so that it provides a platform for everyone to come together really efficiently in two hours.

“Everyone came away having made fantastic new contacts, learned about new experiences and new products in the region and really equipping themselves for the coming winter season.

“It means we can all make the most of visitors’ time in the region.”

The expo featured exhibi- tions from Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre, Far North Escapes, Destination Daintree, Kuranda Day Tours, Lady Douglas and Shaolin, Sheraton Grand Mirage, Nautilus Aviation, Wildlife Habitat, Ocean Safari, Brett’s Kuranda & Outback Tours, Down Under Tours, Daintree Marketing Co-Op/ Daintreepedia, Daintree Discovery Centre, HookA-Barra, Flames Of The Forest, Quicksilver Group, Reef Unlimited, Zulu, Cape Trib, Back Country Bliss, and Resurface Dive.