It took me a couple and years, and a lot of political pizazz to finally get the DSC behind the Carnivale. Carnivale has been resurrected from an under funded, PDDTA hot potato, to a well managed, better funded event, with a DSC contribution last year of $50K, up from around just $10K when I came to office. In smaller communities like Palm Cove, Mossman and Port Douglas, the annual big social bash has a lot of importance in brewing the social glue that keeps our community caring and sharing its life.
These events, from a business point of view are also invaluable tools, and the national exposure generated by Carnivale in 2007 was worth a fortune.
I am told Cairns has a stronger history of supporting its event calendar. I would however, like to see Palm Cove get better CRC support when it comes to funding and managing its fine annual Fiesta, get to together.
The Mossman Show has a history steeped in color and tradition, and whilst Douglas Shire Council has had a sort of unsaid traditional support for the Mossman Show, I have had to recently push for the contracts defining these events be given some longevity, to insure contractual and sponsorship arrangements can be struck with certainty and continuity.
Part of the boost I argued for at Carnivale, saw the art and cultural aspects sponsored with $25K. Many of the art and cultural events, shows and happenings of Carnivale were not able to turn a profit, and its my view that local government should step up to the plate and support these events. When it comes to support for community events, vote Rod.

CONTACT ROD DAVIS: roddav@bigpond.net.au
MOBILE 0418 235561, HOME 0740 994434, MAIL PO 714, Port Douglas, 4877.