THE pride of the Douglas Shire will be celebrated next week in a ‘Premiers Parade’ in Mossman and Port Douglas.
The region is hoping the Douglas Dragons will be joining the Port Douglas Crocs and Port Douglas-Mossman Sharks in a special street parade recognising their recent premiership success.
The Dragons take on Mareeba in the grand final at Endeavour Park in Cairns tomorrow night.
The Crocs are still basking in their third straight AFL Cairns premiership, while the Sharks ended a 20-year premiership drought at Barlow Park a fortnight ago.
Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu said the region’s outstanding sporting prowess needed to be recognised.
“This is a really special moment for these clubs,” she said.
“It absolutely fantastic to see sporting success stories, which helps puts Douglas Shire on the map and reminds everyone that we live in the greatest Shire in Far North Queensland.
“You can still feel a real buzz around town and these premiership titles have really given everyone a big lift.”
Council and local police have organised the processions to span two towns, with a police convoy leading the parade at 12pm down Front St on Tuesday, October 9.
Players and club officials will be wearing club colours and travelling in the back tray of trucks.
Buses will then take the clubs to Port Douglas, where they will convoy from Market Park at 1.30pm to the sporting precinct.
The parade will head down Wharf St, turn right down Macrossan St and turn right down Owen St.
Mayor Leu encouraged businesses and residents to show their support for the Douglas Shire athletes.
“There are some great stories kicking around – you have the Sharks who have created history and won the Cairns District Rugby League for the first time in 20 years,” she said.
“Then you have the Crocs who have made it three AFL Cairns titles in a row.
“Let’s hope Douglas United Football Club can beat Mareeba on Friday night and make 2018 a sporting year to truly remember.”
PARADE SCHEDULE – TUESDAY 9 OCTOBER
Mossman
11:30 am – Clubs gather at Pinjarra Place Car park.
11:45 am – Route Debrief
12:00 pm – Convoy departs for Council Building. From Mill Street, turns left
down Front street, sticks to left and ends at car park in front of the Council Admin building.
12:30 pm – Arrive at Council Building.
Buses wait at Admin building and depart for Port Douglas.
Port Douglas
1:00 pm – Buses arrive Port Douglas Markets
1:15 pm –Route Debrief
1:30 pm – Convoy departs Market park for sporting precinct. From Wharf
Street, turns right down Macrossan Street, turns right down Owen Street to finish at the Port Douglas Sports reserve.
