General News
16 May, 2026
Pink in Tropics wins again
IT’S been all go in the Douglas Shire just recently with every weekend seemingly serving up some form of lively entertainment for both locals and visitors.
Last weekend was no exception, with the annual ‘Pink in the Tropics’ fundraising lunch, followed by AFL home games for the Port Douglas Crocs at the Croc Pit and rugby union at Raider Park with the Reef Raiders.
About 60 people attended the initial fund-raising lunch at Salsa Bar and Grill, Port Douglas, with both guys and girls ‘pinking it up’ and raising an estimated $7500.
For a little bit of history, Pink in the Tropics Incorporated was formed in 2010 by a group of Douglas Shire women and has become an uplifting and positive community group for those facing the challenge of breast cancer.
The community-based charity and support group in the Port Douglas, Mossman, Julatten to Daintree regions currently has a following of 30-plus men and women who enjoy monthly gatherings over coffee and wine and together host a number of fundraising activities throughout the year.
Outside of supporting people and their families dealing with breast cancer, the charity is committed to giving back to the wider community.
Since the group’s inception, the Douglas Shire community and local businesses have been extremely generous to Pink in the Tropics, which allows them to assist with other charitable causes.
As a result, they have made donations to the Mossman Multi-purpose Health Service in support of the ‘Stitching for Scrubs’ project which provides hospital staff scrubs for use in infectious disease control.
Just prior to last week’s superb lunch and numerous raffles, Pink in the Tropics president Deborah Kachel spoke about the importance of this local charity.
“Pink in the Tropics started when four friends, including myself, all had breast cancer at the same time in 2009,” Ms Kachel said. “I was fortunate to have support here, but lots of people don’t have extended family, so that is why Pink in the Tropics was formed” she added.
Charity member and former breast cancer patient Bianca Moore also spoke about her experience and how Pink in the Tropics is supporting the community.
“All money raised goes to those affected by breast cancer,” she said.
“We also contribute to the amazing Mossman Hospital in the hope that one day we will have a dedicated area for those battling cancer.”
Apart from funds raised during the lunch, Salsa contributed $10 from every meal served.
During the day both the Port Douglas Crocs and Reef Raiders organised their own fundraising efforts, including the Crocs women’s teams, collecting $1100 from a raffle and the Raiders collecting monies from a number board and auctioned rugby jerseys.
For those keen to know more about Pink in the Tropics, people can find details via pinkinthetropics.org.
Well I’m off to find a new pink shirt for next year’s fundraiser, so for now it’s Gazza signing out.
Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au
