Page 71 - Port Douglas Magazine 34

NICKY SWAN

CEO BOTANIC GARDENS, MOSSMAN

This area is unique and a land of opportunity.
It’s not often you are lucky enough to meet someone in Tropical North
Queensland who has walked the last degree to the North Pole, loves
working in Africa and counts herself as lucky to have discovered her
beloved Daintree Rainforest home just by sticking a pin in the map!!
But this is the life story of Nicky Swan, CEO of Mossman Botanic
Gardens. Originally from Notting Hill in West London, she admits she
had no idea what living ‘off the grid’ meant. Now a 21 year resident of
her secret idyll in the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest, this lifestyle
obviously agrees with her and has certainly not held her back, filling her
life with a myriad of achievements that would leave most in her wake.
Nicky has always considered Australia to be a land of opportunity
and since arriving back in 2000 she has put considerable energy into
everything she has undertaken.
Her first gift was the fashion emporium called No.5 situated on Wharf
Street, in Port Douglas. She describes it more as a destination rather
than just a shop. It had an energy of its own which attracted both
locals and tourists and on more than one occasion entertained the
rich and famous of the day. She was once asked to shut the shop to
accommodate a Hollywood star, who was filming in Port Douglas, for
some private shopping. Nicky politely refused the request. Much to
their handlers’ chagrin, the star popped in anyway, was charming and,
to Nicky’s delight, left with several hand selected outfits from her iconic
Port Douglas boutique.
This anecdote personifies Nicky. She is a ‘big picture’, positive person
who has to believe in whatever she takes on. She likes to get things
done her way but she never disrespects her opposition or the counter
argument. Her father was a great influence in this philosophy. It is a
serious talent but comes with great responsibility. “Because you have to
be sure you are right!”
Her current project is the building and opening of the Mossman
Botanic Gardens. She was part of the original team that set out the
master and business plans for the gardens and as CEO she is focused on
the job of finalising architectural plans and raising the formidable funds
required of $60 million. In just a year her organisational skills have
enabled the ‘Garden of Woven Memories’ to be established and stage
one of the project to come alive. Along with increasing political and
philanthropic support, Nicky and the Board of Directors are working
tirelessly, hoping to build upon all the hard work delivered to date and
realise this global venture soon. She acknowledges there is a wealth of “THIS LIFESTYLE
opportunity on the horizon for Mossman and the Douglas Shire.
Nicky confesses she has little time for people who have entitlement as OBVIOUSLY AGREES
a community background. She believes that anything that is worth WITH HER AND HAS
having is worth working for and often requires a change of approach.
Reflecting upon her current project she says: “The ambition of the CERTAINLY NOT
Botanic Gardens, Mossman, is completely unique and I strongly believe HELD HER BACK,
it lies within a region with a wealth of opportunity. We need to stop
referencing elsewhere and simply focus on just how amazing the current FILLING HER LIFE
plans and location are. It’s time for the community to embrace the
progress within its grasp.” WITH A MYRIAD OF
On a lighter note, I ask her if she any tips to share with our readers? ACHIEVEMENTS THAT
“Yes, two - ask a friendly local where they go to spend their leisure time.
The secret locations revealed will undoubtedly excite and enthral you.” WOULD LEAVE MOST
And one of the most important things she has learnt in life, to smile IN HER WAKE”
every day. She explains: “It doesn’t matter how pressured life gets, a
smile will always make you remember that it’s life that matters, treating
people the way you want to be treated and choosing projects that make
a difference … I feel very fortunate that I am on that path!”

PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 71