The inspirational stories of past Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) recipients have been captured on film, as Douglas Shire Council encourages local creatives to apply for the next round of grants —each worth up to $5,000.
A series of short videos showcasing the diverse talents and projects funded by RADF are now available on the Douglas Shire Council website. A special montage will also be screened at the Port Shorts Film Festival in Port Douglas this Saturday (October 18), celebrating the impact of arts funding in the region.
Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said the RADF program plays a vital role in nurturing creativity and strengthening community connections.
“RADF is about empowering local creatives to bring their ideas to life—whether they’re emerging or established artists. These videos beautifully highlight how the grants have helped everyday people turn passion into purpose, and I hope they inspire others to apply,” Mayor Scomazzon said.
“From theatre and music to sculpture and storytelling, RADF supports a wide range of artistic expression. We hope showcasing a montage video at the Port Shorts Film Festival will spark inspiration and encourage others to apply for their own slice of the RADF pie.””
Applications for Stage 2 of the RADF Grant Program close on December 1.
Videos will also be shared across Council’s social media channels in the lead-up to the deadline.
2024 RADF Grant Recipients: In Their Own Words
Filmmaker Ali George – “Stories of the Yalanji Artists”
“I wanted the rest of the community to be able to see who’s behind the artwork, just get a little glimpse of the people who are creating this beautiful art which is now all around our town. As a professional filmmaker the RADF grant gives me the freedom to pursue passion projects alongside my paid work.”
Composer David Pyke – Mowbray River composition
“I spend a lot of time around the Spring Creek, Mowbray area and have a lot of attachment to this river and a good connection. I thought I would like to do something and put this fabulous river and the scenery and embody it into a body of music. I think RADF grants are important because it’s a personal encouragement for the artists or the groups that are involved but also, I think it works the other way where the community gets to find out who’s in the community.”
Crystal Leonardi – Douglas Shire Book Festival
“The Douglas Shire Book Festival is a free, vibrant event that brings together authors and readers from around our community, highlighting the talent in our local area and also gives readers the opportunity to meet authors. We’ve been dreaming of creating an event like this for years but it wasn’t until we got the support of a RADF grant that we could make it happen.”
Douglas Theatre Arts Group’s Michael Kerr – Music theatre and TV presenter workshops
“RADF to us is a godsend because it gives us the opportunity to bring artists like we did. (Australian actor) Rob Mills who is absolutely brilliant on the stage, well known, puts him here in front of our local community and passes on that amazing wealth of experience that he’s got to them.”
Crafter Gillian Vance – “Upcycling for All” e-book
“From all of my crafting I’ve really now moved to only using upcycled. There are so many wonderful things that you can do. I just thought if you had a book that just showed 10 basic things that you can do then you immediately think ‘Oh I can use that for this’ and once I decided it was going to be an e-book the RADF grant sort of gave me a focus. Without the RADF grant I don’t think I would’ve actually ever got to an end.”
Musician Raymond Lafragua – “Believe” song
“My song is about bringing Australia together, combining all these beautiful minds and beautiful hearts and I’m doing it in a rap, hip-hop form and I in sing my language. I’ve been successful with the RADF funding. It reaches potential in that individual that they never knew was there.”
Author Robyn Ross – “Grandpa and Joey’s First Ride” book
“I went and got myself a little typewriter and a fresh lot of ink and just started. I had a tonne of ideas, I wrote most of it all out and did a couple of illustrations and started painting. The RADF grant helps the community immensely. Gives us inspiration. Deep down I think art is in everybody.”
Sculptor Victoria Park – “Submergence” sculpture
“I started thinking about a way that I could express the despair and the hopelessness I felt (during Cyclone Jasper flooding). I don’t think this project would be possible without the RADF (grant). The artwork is an important message I feel and I’m very grateful to the RADF for allowing me to make this large sculptural work.”
