Healing through art in the Douglas Shire

Words by Jamie Jansen

Venture off the tourist trail in the Far North and you’ll find art where you least expect it - in the heart of a sugar town just 20 minutes from Port Douglas. Along Mossman’s main street, a 51-metre mosaic shimmers across the planter walls, with handmade tiles and haiku displayed side by side. Nearby, the Showgrounds grandstand bursts with a mural by local Indigenous youth, alive with stories, community spirit, and rainforest hues.

More than decoration, these community-made artworks tell a story of recovery and resilience in the wake of Cyclone Jasper and the subsequent rain event. In a region where life usually moves to the rhythm of the tropics and major weather events are rare, what stood out wasn’t the storm, but the way people rallied; neighbours helping neighbours, strangers becoming friends, and creativity becoming a bridge for connection and healing. That spirit sparked a wave of art projects that still brighten public spaces today.

Creativity in recovery

Our tight knit community embraced a new approach to recovery, one that focused not only on roads and infrastructure but also on restoring wellbeing, connection, and spirit. 

Following the region's most recent weather event, one of the initiatives to emerge was the Creative Recovery program. Backed by the Regional Arts Development Fund, more than 20 locals trained as Creative Recovery Practitioners, running workshops from Wujal Wujal to Cooktown to Mossman. 

Using poetry, pottery, movement, and music, they offered open, welcoming spaces where people could reconnect and share their experiences after the recent weather events.

A mosaic of words and colour

The Mossman mosaic emerged from pottery and writing workshops led by ceramic artists Sam Matthews and Leanne Emmitt with haiku poet Dr Helen Ramoutsaki, where residents created vibrant tiles and reflective poems for the planter walls. 

“Creative activities helped us meet in a fun, open way, breaking down barriers and giving us a shared purpose,” Dr Ramoutsaki said. “I’ll remember the small shifts, a smile replacing a frown, shared laughter, a tear dried, names exchanged, and a writer’s joy at seeing their work displayed.”

A mural for the next generation

That same spirit of creativity and connection flowed into another project born from the program, one that gave a voice to the next generation.

At the Mossman Showgrounds grandstand, Kuku Yalanji mural artist Lalania Tusa collaborated with local youth to capture their perspectives and their connection to the area.

Before painting began, Lalania met with local youth and community members to gather stories of Mossman’s rivers, estuaries, and ocean. Painted by the community in vibrant colours, the mural spans rainforest to sea, weaving these stories into symbols that honour place, resilience, and the guidance of Elders past and present.

While painting, conversations turned to the recent weather events, concerns for family and Elders, and the loss of everyday life. For many young people, it was their first chance to share experiences, making the project both art and therapy. 

The real reward wasn’t the finished art but the shared moments along the way; a laugh, a spark of creativity, a new friendship.

The role of the DMU

Projects like these grew from strong partnerships and a fresh, hands-on approach to recovery after Cyclone Jasper, one that placed the community at the heart of the process like never before.

Leading the shift was the council’s vision, backed by the newly formed Disaster Management Unit (DMU), created to strengthen disaster resilience across all four phases: prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.

As Dr Ramoutsaki said: “I’ve lived in the Douglas Shire for nearly 30 years, and one of the aspects that keeps me here is our amazing community. People pull together when needed, with Council’s disaster planning and recovery efforts providing strong support. Creative recovery matters, because the arts are at the heart of what makes this place so vibrant.”

So next time you see a mural or haiku mosaic, remember: it’s more than art. It’s how this region faces challenges: together, creatively, and with heart.

To learn more about the Disaster Management Unit, click here.