Page 73 - Port Douglas Magazine 34

JOANIE DORAN

OWNER, CAFE FRESQ

What is for you won’t go by you
As I sat down to meet my next interviewee in the Woman of Douglas
series, Joanie Doran and co-owner of Café Fresq in Port Douglas, her
partner Aoife (pronounced Eefa) welcomed me with coffee and the
warning that I was about to enter the world of Joanie the chatterbox!!
As a person who admits she was happier to be in the background before
they jumped headlong into owning Cafe Fresq, Joanie laughs and adds
that she prefers to call the chatter “networking!” Judging by the loyal
following of their “regulars,” and the rave reviews from visitors, it’s easy
to see why Joanie’s networking style, coupled with Aoife’s food, has
“it’s easy to see why created a cafe vibe that is relaxed, delicious and fun!
Joanie’s networking But how did these two lovely Irish ladies find their way to these parts?
Both keen travellers, Joanie and Aoife met in Australia in 2007. Keen
style, coupled with for adventures they continued to explore the country for the next
couple of years before settling in Western Australia. Finding work as a
Aoife’s food, has social worker and operations manager in Port Hedland would be their
stepping stone to enable a move to their favourite holiday destination,
created a cafe Port Douglas. As a place they loved the feel of, it reminded them of
vibe that is relaxed, home and their county towns of Southern Ireland.
First, they purchased an investment property, a holiday home in Port
delicious and fun!” Douglas. Their friends in WA still questioned though what, if any
job opportunities might be available should they make the move
permanent? They would reassure them with humour, “It’s ok,” they said,
“We will just have to buy our favourite holiday restaurant, Café Fresq!”
I guess the universe had a similar idea. Later that year they arrived in
Port Douglas, only to find that the café was indeed for sale! “Well we
believe that, ‘What is for you won’t go by you,’ says Joanie, “It was
meant to be, so we put our best foot forward, bought it and have never
looked back!”
They consider themselves very fortunate almost every day. “We live and
work in paradise and we have an awesome team of core staff and loyal
customers who have joined us on our journey. The good times, and of
course the more eventful recent times that have on occasion felt like a
matter of survival. Our team are true professionals, troopers and we
love them all. And yes it’s true, “ she chuckles, “We do have a bell that
they can ring to reign me back in if I’m networking a bit too much and
they need all hands on deck.” You can’t help but feel Cafe Fresq would
be a great place to work, with humour being an important part of the
team ethos.
Under the capable guidance of Aoife and the team Joanie was fortunate
to be able to take a back seat for a while last year, to care for a very
special someone, their two year old son Billy. Family life seems to
come naturally to the girls and Billy has already seen his fair share of
travels, with visits to Ireland to soak up his Irish heritage and no doubt
some family cuddles. Closer to home, Joanie and her family, “Enjoy
being a tourist in our hometown. We love dining out. It’s a treat for
us and there is always something to learn from the other great local
restaurateurs for our own business.” She smiles, “Besides it is the perfect
opportunity to do more ‘networking’ but without the fear of a bell! And
on those nice calm days, you will find them out on the water, sailing to
one of their favourite spots around Low Isles, teaching Billy about the
iconic Great Barrier Reef.
I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed my morning catch up with Joanie.
Her humour and positivity is infectious, and as I left her I thought to
myself, if their moto, “What is for you won’t go by you,” is going to ring
true for me then I’d best take her on her parting words, “Make sure you
have a cocktail in the swimming pool later!”
Say no more, consider it done.

PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 73