Women of Douglas | February 2022

Words by Roy Weavers  |  Images by Raine Ward

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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 of Queensland who has walked to the North Pole, loves to holiday in Africa and counts herself as lucky to have discovered her beloved Daintree Rainforest home just by sticking a pin in the map!! 

But Nicky Swan, CEO Mossman Botanic Gardens is just that character.  Coming originally from the famous borough of Notting Hill in West London, she admits she had no idea what living ‘off the grid’ meant, and that that ignorance was bliss and generated a lifestyle that she had only previously dreamed of.  It obviously agrees with her because she is now a 21 year resident of her secret idyl in the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest and has filled her life with a myriad of achievements that would leave most other people in her wake.  Not least of which was walking with her then husband to the North Pole in 1994.   

She admits she had no idea what living ‘off the grid’ meant, and that that ignorance was bliss and generated a lifestyle that she had only previously dreamed of

Nicky has always considered Australia to be a land of opportunity and since arriving back in 2000 has put her considerable energy into everything she has undertaken. 

Many Port Douglas locals will remember her amazing gift and fashion emporium called No.5 down on Wharf Street.  She describes it more as a destination rather than just a shop.  It had an energy of it’s own and attracted both locals and tourists and on more than one occasion entertained many of 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 refused the request and met the actress to explain that the whole experience of the shop was the fusion of all creatures great and small and persuaded the Hollywood star, much to her handlers chagrin, to pop in.  She consequently chatted with other shoppers without annoyance or interference and had a ‘fat old time’ checking out all the amazing ‘assemblage’ of goodies, and much to Nicky’s relief, spent a fortune!! 

This personifies Nicky.  She is a ‘Big Picture’, positive person who has to believe in whatever she takes on.  She loves holidaying in Africa where she enjoys it’s majesty, breath of environment and the warmth of the people.  So it’s not surprising that she admires David Attenborough because, as she explains, he never waivers from his quest for the environment and it’s importance. And that is how she feels about all her ambitions for this area.  

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! 

This determined attitude is very much Nicky’s mantra.  She has such a powerful personality which more often than not means she gets 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 Plan and Business plan for the Gardens and is working tirelessly now as CEO to get the architectural plan finalized and the formidable funds ($70m) raised.  In just the last year (2021) her organizational skills have seen the first stage open with the ‘Garden of Woven Memories’ being established.  With the political and philanthropic support she and the board of Directors are gathering, this global venture will be built in the very near future and generate the acknowledged wealth of opportunity for Mossman and the Douglas Shire. 

Nicky has no time for people who have entitlement as a community background.  Anything that is worth having is worth working for and often that requires a change of approach.  She believes, that just as with the ambition of the Botanic Gardens, Mossman is completely unique and a region of opportunity and if we could only stop referencing elsewhere we will all realize just how amazing this location is already and allow the area to embrace the progress within it’s grasp. 

Her tropical tip is a simple one, ‘Find a local and ask them where they go to spend their leisure time.  The secret locations revealed will undoubtedly excite and enthrall you and most locals are more than happy to share’.  

And finally Nicky confirms that the most important thing she has learnt in life is to smile every day. Oh, and only drink expensive champagne at breakfast, lunch and dinner.  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’m lucky I’m on that path!!” 

Ashleigh Ernest Owner, Out n About Sportfishing 

Time is precious, make it count 

My next guest, Ashleigh Ernest, is the owner of Out n About Sportfishing which has an outstanding reputation for both quality and quantity of fishing success. At the young age of just 29 years old, and in spite of the ridiculously tough past two years, she still thoroughly enjoys running her fishing venture.  “We are exactly where I hoped we would be following our decision to buy the business back in October 2020,” she told me. 

Originally trained as a hairdresser, it may not have seemed the obvious career choice for Ashleigh. However, when the opportunity arose to join the team at Out N About Sportfishing as Reservations Manager, she jumped at the chance and this new challenge. Not one to shy away from hard work, she quickly picked up the ropes and worked alongside then-owners Syd and Tessa. She gained experience whilst she nurtured her personal love of fishing!  

Not one to shy away from hard work, she quickly picked up the ropes and worked alongside then-owners Syd and Tessa

Ashleigh felt Syd and Tess had done a great job with their business, excited to see the success of a fishing tour, run by  a local family. (And we all know it’s the locals that know where the best fishing spots are!) Gaining confidence and eager to continue to expand her business acumen, when the couple announced they were selling, Ashleigh felt the time may be right for her to step up and take over the reins. She admits that initially her husband Paul had some reservations.    

Paul knew his energetic wife was more than capable of achieving anything she put her mind to. However, his concerns were purely based upon the lack of full time support that he may be able to offer her. As a Marine Engineer, Paul’s work was based in Skardon River, North of Weipa in Queensland and it was a role that required him to work as a FIFO (Fly in and fly out worker). The couple’s daughter Samantha had not long turned two years old and these initial thoughts did not yet include their now five-month old son, Grayson. 

The couple took their time, working through the pros and cons and together they decided to move on the purchase of the business. With the support of family and friends, hard work and perseverance they continued to build on the company’s reputation and created a new chapter of their own. 

With the support of family and friends, hard work and perseverance they continued to build on the company’s reputation and created a new chapter of their own

Fast forward to today and perhaps some super human organisational skills, the couple are innately proud of how far their family business has come. Like many small business owners Ashleigh manages her time between caring for her young family and being on call. Working in the business, she manages bookings, the company accounts and the day to day operations. The good news, the business has continued to see growth, with a fully booked schedule most days.  Ashleigh believes their success thus far can be attributed to many factors.  

Naturally, the product - each of their two boats can carry up to six guests, making it ideal for families and small groups who want to enjoy a day out on the water. Despite working away, when her husband Paul is home he uses his professional knowledge and skills to ensure their vessels are always in tip top condition.  And then there is their brilliant team of Skippers and Fishing Guides who bring a wealth of experience. Ashleigh adds,” It is an all round team effort working towards one mission, to ensure our guests have a once in a lifetime experience, whether they are fishing up the river or out on the Coral Sea.” 

When asked to think of an appropriate word to describe herself, she laughs: “Insane might be a good definition!” However, the more we chat the more I think that brave is probably a more apt representation. Always on the go, time is precious but Ashleigh certainly appreciates that more than most, “Enjoying quality family time is essential and the more we can involve our children in outdoor activities the better.” She laughs, “Our daughter Sam has been camping and boating since she was six weeks old and had her sea legs well before she could walk!” 

Any other tips for our readers? 

“Yes, the discovery of this homemade recipe for insect repellent - just mix ¾ baby oil with ¼ Dettol and shake. It is hands down the best at keeping those mozzies at bay.” 

“Oh and grab a cold beer at the end of the day, after all it is the perfect accompaniment after any great day Out n About.”

Chrissie Mclaughlin, Australian Artist and Galley Curator 

“Even on my rare days off I like to paint” 

My final guest is Chrissie McLaughlin. An accomplished artist, art consultant, gallery curator, event organiser and artist mentor. In fact, by her own admission there isn’t a much in the art world that she hasn’t lent her skills to and she loves it all! And she’s very good at it all too! 

Her passion for all things art and artist related has been acquired during her life’s experience and her extensive travels. She grew up in Coffs Harbour and from the age of 18 years old spent a decade in Sydney before travelling and living in Europe for another decade. She arrived in Port Douglas early 1990. She was thrilled to discover a wealth of beauty and a multitude of amazing local artists who were interpreting and illustrating the region’s natural wonders in their own different ways. 

She arrived in Port Douglas early 1990. She was thrilled to discover a wealth of beauty and a multitude of amazing local artists...

Over the past few years she has been focused in her pursuit of councils grants. Representing creators, securing equipment, trying to ensure visual art has a strong presence in the Douglas Shire. Projects such as the Art in Transit, Port Douglas Artists, Call of the Running Tide, and the hugely successful exhibition Retrospective, Past, Present and Future. This exhibition alone celebrated the works of 58 local artists and helped raise more than $75,000 in artwork sales. Working closely with Catseye Productions, the team also produced a mini-documentary to lobby for a permanent visual art space in the Douglas Shire.  

More recently, Chrissie has been consulting at The Lyons Gallery Port Douglas, Sheraton Mirage and now opening in Cairns. “Dealing with artists that are international superstars like Picasso, Warhol and Banksy is a total buzz” and having a mentor in Gallery owner Darryn Lyons has opened a new and exciting inspiring world for me.”  

Her description of the Douglas Shire is fun, she describes it as totally unique and wonderfully eccentric … “Eccentric landscape, eccentric environment, eccentric people” and “I love it with all these traits, as just that! It really is like nowhere else in the world”. 

She laughs out aloud when I ask her if she can pick one word that best describes her. “Well, perhaps this should be my second career because I would say, a juggler!” “With so many projects on the go at any one time, ideally I need to be an accomplished one at that! Whether it is time, focus, budgets, people, grants, and so the list goes on … if I can just keep all of those balls in the air and on the move, then success and enjoyment will follow. Hopefully, too, it will allow me the opportunity to make a living in a world I have a passion for, art.” 

if I can just keep all of those balls in the air and on the move, then success and enjoyment will follow...

She is well respected among all her fellow artists for her hard work and tenacity, but a person she says she most admires also works within the creative field. Chrissie cannot sing praises enough for close friend Alison George from Catseye Productions, a local photographer and videographer. “She is just so professional, creative, generous and emits a partnership atmosphere that generates easy cooperation. In so many of the events we have been able to bring to fruition, much of their success has been thanks to her hard work, input and creativity. And for that, I am ever thankful,” Chrissie said. 

Whilst she must have the energy of an Olympic athlete to realise all these tasks, she confesses there is nothing she loves more than enjoying the rainy season, or the Green Season as she prefers to call it. “Watching everything come back to life is simply amazing. It’s the best time for blooming flowers and fruits to ripen, and the wildlife is never slow to take advantage of this activity. It is nature’s inspiration and so very special.” 

“During this time of year, everyone should take advantage of it, get out and take a walk in the rain in the rainforest where you can stay cool and appreciate the incomparable beauty that surrounds you.” A timely reminder, though, her pet peeve, rubbish! “I see so many cans and bottles discarded among the rainforest and surrounding hinterland.” Her advice: Cash em in, don’t’ chuck em out! “I just can’t comprehend how people can live and travel around this amazing environment and not realise the damage they can so easily do. It’s so fragile. Anyone who comes into contact with this region should appreciate it for its treasure.  

I must say that having spent this short time with Chrissie, I see her love and enthusiasm for the area, and art is second to none. Generated by her quiet army of local artists, it is there for all to see, and it should be celebrated. I’ve already earmarked my next exhibition for 2022, anything that Chrissie is organising! I know her positivity and passion will shine through, and the art will be the only hero.