If Port Douglas was a cartoon character it could very well be Two Face from the Batman comics.
Why? Because for all the generosity the town displays time and time again when there are people in need, there is a darker side which is slowly eroding the prosperity of our sleepy village by the sea.
This darker side, from my viewpoint, is the factions which operate within the town, and divides the town's people. The effect of this division is amplified as the economic pressures of individuals increase.
Residents are leaving our town, driven out by a lack of visitors, or I should say a lack of visitor spending. Receiver's sale signs are becoming the norm, and even the most experienced business people are not immune.
There is no shortage of places where we are happy to lay the blame - The high Aussie dollar, the weather, the airlines, the tourism body, the Chamber of Commerce, governments at all levels, the GFC, the bloke down the road.
While there is no controlling the uncontrollables, what we can control is our attitude and our actions.
The personal grudges held between individuals in Port Douglas are evident, and in some cases legendary, and from what I hear money and business is often at the root of the issue.
But at a time where it seems we can't rely on outside help, it is the people we don't see eye to eye with that we need to join forces with to get out of the quagmire.
The town has some very savvy business people who bring with them valuable experience, and the intelligence to know that the way we do things needs to change - and fast - if we are to experience future prosperity.
We have resources like Barney Marris from Back Country Bliss who has done a fantastic job in promoting his business and is passionate about the region, as is Steve Edmondson from Poseidon/Sailaway who travels the world on his own money to promote the area.
Terry Murphy is wrapping up the second Port Douglas Black Marlin Challenge and in doing so is attracting around 100 high net worth people to town in November, and (dare I say it) my bosses who also run Port Douglas Event Management and who see the value in giving people another reason to come to the region.
TPDD's executive officer, Doug Ryan, has over two decades of experience in the tourism industry so has a big role to play in bringing this town back from the brink.
There are, no doubt, a number of others who given the chance could lead the town in a fresh direction - one of unity rather than division. This doesn't mean we have to love everyone, just accept that we are reliant on each other to succeed.
There is no shortage of passion (or rhetoric about working together), only it seems, true cooperation and leadership.
So who will take the lead role in bringing the town together and laying a path for the future?
Image by thefilmstage.com.
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Thanks Matt for starting this conversation... one we really need to have ...to build bridges for the future.
It is a good thing that many people are concerned about the future direction of the town and the effects that decisions made by 'the old school crew' have on the future of the area. Thanks to Matt for opening 'the darkness' up to discussion. I myself have experienced a little of the venom from those in control and have been warned to watch my back. The question is is it worth the effort? My business relies in part on my own efforts and in part of those representative organizations funded with our tax payers money to promote the area as best as possible, so yes it is necessary
Persecution of those who care and persecution of those who dare will only reduce the quality of the effort and the confidence of new business in the area. A team effort is required to take the area to a new potential. Discussion and debate is healthy and promotes transparency and accountability. We need new vision, initiative and ideas, not entrenched ego's looking to best serve their own interests.
I feel that the results of our own business efforts can be complimented by the local representative bodies, however time and time again I see these opportunities are being missed. It makes for frustration and further reluctance to introduce new initiatives.
Conditions are difficult enough without the internal power plays. Shine a light in the darkness I say.
Would you mind elaborating on your comment? I'd be keen to find out how I'm instigating anything other than discussion on topics people feel passionate about.
Thanks
Mat
Yes, you can call me Demonised.
How carefully you worded your response. I too will carefully draft my response.
You hear around? If there is such a thing? You know there is ‘such a thing’ or you wouldn’t have written your editorial. A ‘boy’s network’ exists in all towns and cities around the world.
In Port demonisation occurs when one speaks out to challenge the ‘boy's network’. My challenge, for seven long years, ranged from demanding that a local tourism body adhere to their constitution, the laws of Queensland and to respect the federal copyright laws of Australia. The ‘boy’s network’ didn’t like this. My actions resulted in a waste of time, loss of friends and clients.
An apathetic, ill-informed community, keeping in line with the ‘boys network’, considers the out-spoken individual a ‘trouble maker’ and the demonisation occurs with the planting of lies, physical threats and carefully placed rumours; the dark side of Port. Most people don’t have the time or funds to go to court to address these matters. This Ghoul did. Legal action was finally taken when the theft of our design work occurred; not once...but, several times. A settlement was reached and payment made with the condition that the matter not be disclosed publically for 12 months after the fact. The ‘boy’s network’ wanted to keep the community and council ill-informed.
What is their agenda? Control. Power.
What will it take to turn things around?
Well...first...Amalgamation is not the problem.
A community that is ill-informed, afraid of the ‘boy’s network’ and with limited time and interest allows the ‘boy's network’ to maintain control and power. One has to be informed to make sound decisions. Would you join, participate, fund, or take leadership of an organisation that has the constitutional power to control your right to vote, physically search you prior to entering a meeting, or, restricts you from reading board minutes? Many have joined without reading the constitution and many will continue to do so. Most have no idea that they support such an organisation.
Your editorial speaks of individuals that take it upon themselves to market the region and their business. Yes, they are good at it. That’s their job; their responsibility. A business leader has to define their marketing and promotion. One cannot and should not join a tourism organisation then sit back and expect that all their marketing will be done by the organisation. If the organisation, with its ‘decades of experience’, was good at it then the results would be there.
Nature has a way of self correction. The nature of things in our community is petty, self-serving, harmful and negative. As you wrote ‘The personal grudges held between individuals in Port Douglas are evident’. This is the nature of Port. Speak out against the ‘boy’s network’ and grudges will occur. This response will be denigrated and repercussions will occur. As with any small town, our community can be positive, helpful and 'special'. It can also be petty, self-serving, harmful and negative. As you wrote 'The personal grudges held between individuals in Port Douglas are evident...'. Speak out against the 'boy's network' or the mis-giving's of Port and grudges will occur. No doubt, this response to your editorial, with specific examples of corruption will go through the following process: first, the corruption will be ignored. Next, the content of the response and the messenger will be denigrated, demonised, and personal and business repercussions soon to occur; inclusive of anonymous threatening phone calls. Yes, Port Douglas is a special place filled with many characters...including this Demonised Ghoul.
Seven years I supported the tourism body without charge. In-turn I found that ‘no good deed never goes unpunished’. I resigned after the organisation was stolen by the ‘boy’s network’ from the members in a sham AGM.
The ‘boy’s network’ will remain; that’s the nature of things. You can’t stop them or change them. What you can do is small things that generate big results. And, ignore them.
Rather than be further involved in an organisation built on theft, mis-deeds, corruption, and lies I have found that focus on my business, promotion of the region and engage in the Haunting of Oak Beach is the best way to ‘turn things around’. Much good will and has come from it.
And now...let the demonization continue.
i agree,it's a problem......but what's the solution??
I do hear around the traps of these "boys club networks". If there is such a thing, what is their agenda in holding the town back do you think? And what will it take to turn things around?
Mat
Far too many entrenched 'leaders' will demonise your efforts, harm your business, discredit your good name and deny their actions. Their agenda is one of keeping their 'boys club network' in place.
To the person or persons who attempt to take the lead role 'watch your back'. You too can be a demonised ghoul.
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