General News
10 June, 2026
Crucial centre looks ahead
THE Port Douglas Community Service Network, since its beginnings in 1988, has been shaped by community, for community.
What began as a community meeting, bringing local people together to discuss the needs of the region, the network has now grown into one of the Douglas Shire’s most important community organisations.
From its early days operating from office spaces borrowed from local businesses to a small weatherboard house in Mudlo Street from 1993, to the opening of the purpose-built Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre in 2005, the organisation has remained focused on supporting local people through connection, care and practical support.
Over the years, the centre has provided a wide range of programs and services, including playgroups, new parents groups, emergency relief, social connection activities, community transport, financial counselling, no interest loans, support groups and community recovery services.
Right now, the organisation is looking to the future through its new ‘Be the reason we grow’ fundraising campaign, which aims to raise money to future-proof the Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre.
Planned upgrades include improving the security of the building, air conditioning key gathering spaces to improve comfort and usability during extreme heat and wet weather, creating additional office space for visiting services and building a new barbecue shed to support community gatherings and connections throughout the Shire.
The campaign will also feature a large mangrove donation mural, symbolising the strength, resilience and interconnectedness of the Douglas community.
Community members and businesses are invited to buy a leaf on the mural, with donation levels ranging from $100 through to $1000 for corporate leaves. Donors can choose the wording that appears on their leaf, whether recognising a family name, business or honouring someone who had a special connection to the centre.
Port Douglas Community Service Network CEO Emma Travers said the campaign was about ensuring the centre remained a safe, welcoming and resilient place for future generations.
“For nearly four decades, this centre has supported local people through some of life’s most difficult moments as well as many joyful ones” Ms Travers said.
“We know there are so many people in our community who have attended a playgroup or new parents’ group, received emergency relief, joined a social group, accessed transport, volunteered, used a no interest loan for household essentials or simply found support and connection through the centre. We invite everyone who has had a connection with the centre to help us write the next chapter of our story.”
The community is invited to attend the official launch of the “Be the reason we grow” campaign upstairs at the Tin Shed on Tuesday 16 June from 4pm to 6pm.
The event will feature a live broadcast with Michael Joseph and Douglas FM. There will be a chance to hear about the origin of the centre, plus information about the planned renovations and stories highlighting the impact the organisation continues to have across the community.
Everyone is welcome to attend, although for those unable to join the launch in person, they can tune in to Douglas FM to listen live and be part of the celebration wherever they are.
To find out more or donate to the campaign, drop in to the centre, call 4099 5518 or visit www.portdouglascommunityservicenetwork.org.au
I’m off to check out the exciting new neighbourhood centre plans, so for now it’s Gazza signing out.
Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au
