NEWSPORT NEWSFEED: Loco love flows as we watch their final farewell

It is both enthralling and heartbreaking, the loading up of every last loco from the Mossman Sugar Mill to transport them around 200km to MSF Sugar's operations at South Johnstone.

Ian Arcus watched on across all of Tuesday, camera and video in hand as part of his Ian Arcus Photographics business, as the rolling stock rolled out of the mill to be lifted by two cranes and placed in a precision operation onto low-loaders for the trip to their new homes.

And as the much loved mill locos left, seen trundling through Mossman for the last time - on on trucks and not tracks - and mixed in traffic on the range, Douglas residents have emotionally responded on Newsport's Facebook page since it broke the news on Tuesday morning.

"I saw one of the locos leaving town today on the back of a truck. The "Faughy'. So sad to see,'' said Ethel Woods.

"My 8 year old was very excited and then sad to see ‘Douglas’ on the back of the truck,'' added Lara Doctor.

And from Sam Gusmeroli: "Oh no! My 3 year old son makes us drive into the mill to see them. He’s going to be devastated! No more toot toot’s for Bear''.

There has also been almost as much speculation on what it means for Mossman Mill that the locos have been sold and removed, many commentators saying it signals the end of the line for the mill.

"That's the last knife in the back for the mill,'' wrote Steve Fuller.

"Mill's been on life support for last 5 plus yrs, had multiple owners, all bailed out,'' added Russ Cook.

Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) Port Douglas is now part of Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ), marking a new era for Far North Queensland’s on-water community.

The 30-strong volunteer unit, which formed more than four decades ago, is the seventh Volunteer Marine Rescue unit in Queensland to transition to MRQ since 1 July 2024.

MRQ is Queensland’s first state-wide, State Government-funded volunteer marine rescue service dedicated to saving lives at sea and supporting those on or near the water.

MRQ is part of Queensland Police Service, which is responsible for coordinating the state’s disaster and emergency services response – but MRQ is a separate service with its own identity, structure, governance and uniforms.

VMR Port Douglas volunteer members work with Mossman State High School Year 11 students to help them secure a Coxswain Certificate II. Students spend one day a week during the school term with several members of the unit to learn the ropes.

Activations range from tow-ins and training exercises run by VMR Port Douglas.

MRQ Port Douglas follows the transition of MRQ Jacobs Well on 9 December 2024, MRQ Hervey Bay on 3 December 2024, MRQ Victoria Point on 19 November 2024, MRQ Currumbin on 14 November 2024 and MRQ Gladstone and Mackay units in July 2024.

MRQ Chief Officer Tony Wulff said VMR Port Douglas’ move to MRQ was an exciting step for marine rescue in Far North Queensland.

“This is a milestone for MRQ Port Douglas and the Far North’s on-water community,” he said.

“We know the community has relied on the Port Douglas volunteers for more than four decades and they will continue to do so and the same, friendly faces will still be there.

“The government’s commitment to marine rescue and the on-water community to keep everyone as safe as possible is testament to the thousands of marine rescue volunteers across our great state.”

MRQ Port Douglas Unit Commander Ross Wood said although the unit had a small volunteer base, they were a dedicated bunch.

“We are a very enthusiastic and supportive group who continue to look after our community members when they take to the water, no matter what the weather conditions,” he said.

“We look forward to continuing this as we are MRQ Port Douglas and proudly wear the bright blue and yellow MRQ uniforms.”

Further information can be found here: Marine Rescue Queensland.