Community
11 January, 2025
Ringing in the New Year
The loss of a much-loved tree in Port Douglas was a shock to many locals just a few days prior to Christmas.
The beautiful poinciana tree, sometimes named as a flame tree, had, for many years, always been at its best around the festive season, the time when its orange flowers were on full show.
Being in the middle of the roundabout along Old Port Road, at the entrance to Palmer Sea Reef Golf Club, the tree’s natural beauty was admired by many every day. A new sapling, of the same variety, has now been planted in the same spot and no doubt passers-by will slowly watch its development over the years as it matures.
It is believed that the tree was struck by lightning on the Friday before Christmas, so I guess nature has had its say on this occasion. In a strange sort of way, this poinciana tree episode has been somewhat representative of an old year coming to an end and the seeing in of a New Year, as we have all just experienced.
As always, there have been many great events in the Douglas Shire to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.
The popular Tin Shed attracted a large crowd to its Christmas draw evening, the prize being vouchers to the value of $10,000. The winner was a delighted and somewhat surprised Heather English from Pool Resort in Port Douglas.
Since collecting the huge prize, Heather’s biggest challenge has been deciding where to start with so many vouchers to spend on a vast selection of different items.
“I am still on cloud nine, I can’t believe that I won,” she said.
Heather says she will definitely give some away to friends and family and there’s plenty of time to share them out.
Once again, Macrossan St in Port Douglas was the choice of many to welcome in 2025.
The kind weather, very different from last year, meant that the local bars and restaurants were all buzzing with both locals and tourists, enjoying life at its best in the tropics.
Two separate firework displays at 9pm and then at midnight meant that the celebrations could be enjoyed by all age groups and, as always, they did not disappoint.
Hopefully this coming year will allow all of those that have had a tough 2024 to move positively into the future and, like the sapling poinciana tree in Port Gardens, grow bigger and stronger with time.
Let me wish everyone a Happy New Year and for now it’s Gazza signing out.
Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au
