General News
26 February, 2026
Shire gymnasts are beaming
FOR some people in the Douglas Shire, discussions about Cyclone Jasper and its aftereffects have fortunately become a distant memory.
There are some locals, unfortunately, who are still working towards a full recovery, even now.
The Mossman and District Gymnastics Club has had its full share of challenges over the last two or more years, but thankfully, the much-used facility has been ticking along quite nicely for the last few months.
As many of us know, Cyclone Jasper caused significant damage to the Mossman area, including the Mossman Gymnastics Club, with $400,000 of equipment perishing. As a result, the facility was stripped down to its bare bones so a full interior rebuild could commence.
“Since the horrific floods in Mossman, it has been a long journey, with much emotion and a lot of hard work, thanks to the incredible support from local families, businesses and the club coaches,” said club manager Vanessa Carey.
“There’s no doubt last year was astounding, but we are really looking forward to what 2026 will bring and, with more coaches on the floor, we’ve been able to offer more classes for our community,” she said.
I recently visited the refurbished building in Mill Street, Mossman, and was impressed by the facilities and new equipment. Smiles beamed from both the instructors and the young future stars of the gymnastics world.
According to team members at the club, kids and adults cartwheeled into the classes for 2026 at the start of February and in just two weeks they have nearly 400 athletes enrolled with vacancies still in some of the classes.
The club has also brought back their ‘Gym Fun All Abilities/NDIS’ program as well as offering more mini gym classes, a new home-schooling class and an open gym day that welcomes walk-in kids and parents for free play.
Last year, the newly-refurbished space certainly brought a lot of excitement to the community from ages one up to adulthood. The upgrades included new spring and foam flooring, matting, other equipment and a sensory room.
In fact, the club attracted 281 athletes training in a range of acrobatic disciplines, such as recreational and competitive gymnastics, aerial silks, ninja warriors, acro tumbling and their pre-school classes in kindergym, mini gym and mini ninja.
They also offered programs to kindy kids, primary and high school students, bringing life and learning to the club throughout the day.
“Recognition goes out to our past and existing team for building the club’s foundation and helping it flourish over 55 years,” Ms Carey said.
“During the summer break, four of our club parents acquired their coaching accreditations and our junior coaches have also shined and stepped up to the role, all thanks to our senior coach Sonja Zettl for guiding them along the pathway of becoming a coach.
“Our new finance officer Mel Fenwick has been amazing and our committee members have doubled, with Beverly Gwynne still sitting as the club’s president and our previous club manager Hayley Bender still dedicated as our fundraising coordinator and grants officer. It’s a proud team to work alongside and be a part of.”
Moving forward, roof repairs and building insulation will soon be completed by Chris Jenkins Construction during the Easter holidays with funding received from a sports and recreation grant. The club will then turn to the exterior of our building, finalising a few things to make it look colourful, cosy and welcoming to all their athletes and members.
Being a not-for-profit club with many overheads, it relies heavily on grant funding, fundraising and sponsorship to keep the club running and ensuring it can continue to offer high-quality programs to participants.
The club acknowledges many sponsors, including The Tin Shed, Club Mossman, Walkabout Cultural Adventures, Raine & Horne, Chris Jenkins Construction, Williams Cete & Co, Marano’s Fuel, Mossman Hardware, Bolt Burchill Tranter Lawyers, Douglas Shire Mowing Services, BH Electrics, Grant Street Kitchen and Central Tyre Services
For now, it is just great to see the Mossman and District Gymnastics Club running so successfully.
I’m off to try a couple of backward rolls and a pike jump, so for now it’s Gazza signing out.
Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au
