Community Displays | Millaa Millaa, Malanda & Herberton Qld
Thursday: 31 July
Mareeba and Kuranda Community Displays – Right Around Australia Project
Arnold Park, Mareeba
Weather Concerns and Journey
Dark grey clouds dominated the morning sky as the team departed their Atherton hosts, heading toward Mareeba with forecasted rain threatening the day’s two scheduled displays. However, as they approached Mareeba, the cloud cover began to thin and patches of blue sky emerged, creating more favourable conditions for outdoor activities.
Display Setup and Community Engagement
Arnold Park proved easily accessible, with Bubsie positioned strategically on the edge of the skate park area. The location attracted steady visitor interest, with community members stopping to photograph the historic vehicle and collect books about the journey.
Local Connections
The adjacent police station provided an unexpected outreach opportunity when Frank delivered books to the facility, where they were received with genuine appreciation. This spontaneous community connection demonstrated the project’s positive reception among local organizations and services.
The Mareeba visit served as a relatively brief but successful stop before the team continued to their next destination in Kuranda.
Thursday: 31 July
Centenary Park, Kuranda
Weather Protection and Community Preparation
The journey toward Kuranda began with drizzle, but conditions improved upon entering the picturesque mountain town. Throughout the display period, dark clouds surrounded the area, yet remarkably, no precipitation occurred while Bubsie was positioned for public viewing.
A local Indigenous community group had thoughtfully prepared a large marquee with tables, providing excellent shelter and professional presentation space for the display. This advance preparation demonstrated exceptional community coordination and hospitality.
Diverse Visitor Engagement
The Kuranda location proved ideal for reaching both local residents and international tourists, creating numerous opportunities for storytelling and book distribution. The diverse audience provided a rich cultural exchange as visitors from around the world learned about this unique piece of Australian automotive history.
Extended Media Coverage
Pastor Gordon participated in an interview with a local FM radio station that significantly exceeded typical program parameters. While standard interviews run approximately ten minutes, the compelling nature of Nevill and Bubsie’s story extended the conversation to thirty minutes, providing exceptional promotional coverage for upcoming events and locations.
Return to Cairns
Following the successful Kuranda display, the team descended the mountain range and returned to Cairns, establishing accommodation at the local facility in preparation for the weekend’s scheduled community activities. The day’s events had successfully navigated weather challenges while achieving strong community engagement across multiple venues.
