The Affirmations Project

Written by creator, Cherylene Brooke-Turner

It’s hard to believe it has been over 20 years since the Affirmations Project first began in Port Douglas, Far North Queensland, in 2004. Time has flown, but the vision, spirit, and heart of this project remain as strong as the day it was created.

As we step into 2024/25, it feels like the stars have aligned. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Affirmations Project, alongside other community milestones: the 30th anniversary of Port Douglas Carnivale, the 50th anniversary of the Low Islands Preservation Society, and the 30th anniversary of the iconic Salsa Bar & Grill. Together, these moments celebrate the unique, vibrant community that has always defined Port Douglas and the Douglas Shire.

The Affirmations Project was born from a simple but powerful question I asked myself one night while living on a yacht in the Marina Mirage:

“What makes a community function?”

The answer was clear: its people.

WHY 20 YEARS?

Life has a way of steering us in unexpected directions. I left Port Douglas, married, later divorced, and experienced both joyful and painful chapters of life. There were moments of deep adversity—battles with breast cancer, major depression, and CPTSD—that tested me greatly. But through it all, I carried with me the affirmations and voices of Port Douglas. They gave me strength and reminded me to believe in myself, even when life felt overwhelming.

That is why this project means so much. It’s more than a book. It’s a testament to resilience, faith, and community.

WHAT THE AFFIRMATIONS PROJECT REPRESENTS

The Affirmations Project is both personal and collective. Personally, it is one of the proudest achievements of my life, alongside raising two beautiful Border Collies and navigating my own life’s highs and lows. Collectively, it is a tribute to the people of Port Douglas and the Douglas Shire—past, present, and future.

It celebrates those who shaped the region into what it is today and honours those who shared their wisdom with me over 20 years ago. It also reflects the enduring strength of Far North Queenslanders—people who rise after cyclones, floods, and hardship, and keep moving forward with resilience and hope.

A GIFT FOR ALL

This project is a gift—from me, but more importantly, from the community itself. Inside these pages are affirmations that remind us to:

Never give up.
Believe in yourself.
Find positivity, even in adversity.
Hold onto the beauty of life, community, and nature.

My hope is that everyone who reads this publication—whether you are a local, a visitor, or someone simply passing through—finds at least one affirmation that resonates with your own journey.

And to those visiting Port Douglas and the Douglas Shire, may you carry home not just memories of stunning beaches and rainforests, but also the heart and spirit of a place that has always been about more than its beauty.

HOW IT BEGAN

I arrived in Port Douglas in 2001, after time spent backpacking, living in Byron Bay, and deepening my own journey of meditation and reflection. By then, Port Douglas had grown from a sleepy fishing village into a lively, cosmopolitan town with electric energy and colourful characters. The rich and famous holidayed alongside everyday people, all of whom contributed to the unique fabric of the place.

Working locally, I became immersed in the community. But more than anything, I wanted to capture what gave Port Douglas its soul. And so the Affirmations Project began.

I designed a consent form and began approaching people around the Shire, asking them simple but meaningful questions:

What makes you function?
What do you believe in?
Is there an affirmation you live by?

The only guideline: keep it positive and under 20 words.

The response was overwhelming. People proudly shared their affirmations, offering insights that revealed the values, hopes, and spirit of the community.

From these contributions, I began shaping chapters for what would eventually become a book.

CHILDREN'S VOICES & LOCAL CREATIVITY

Wanting to include young voices, I spent time in the local school library. Each week, children created drawings paired with their own affirmations. Those children are now adults, but their words and artwork remain timeless reminders of youthful wisdom and positivity.

I also approached professional photographers, inviting them to contribute their work. Their images captured the stunning natural beauty of the region:

"where the Great Barrier Reef meets the World Heritage Rainforest, where markets, beaches, weddings, and everyday life reflect the

special spirit of the Shire."

Their generosity brought colour and authenticity to the project.

In 2005, I received a Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) grant of $1,000 to support the project. At the time, I knew it was something special: a real-time snapshot of Port Douglas, its people, and its essence. I carefully kept every contribution, image, and document. What I didn’t know then was that it would take two decades before the project finally made its way into publication.

A MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR:

It has taken me 20 years to bring this project to light, but perhaps the timing is exactly as it should be. The voices within these pages speak across generations, offering wisdom, encouragement, and joy that is just as relevant today as it was in 2004.

From the depths of my heart, thank you to the community of Port Douglas and Shire for trusting me with your words, your affirmations, and your spirit.

Here’s to the Voices of Port Douglas and Shire—a true piece of history.