Cairns Amateurs Carnival President David Goodman has officially welcomed a group of social butterflies and ‘businesspeople around town’ tasked with spreading the word and sharing the excitement as 2021 local carnival ambassadors.

Three partnerships comprise the Amateurs’ coveted role of local ambassadors for 2021 who, according to Mr Goodman, have been chosen for their influence and profile within different sectors of the community but more importantly, their genuine love of the carnival and everything it represents from fashion and fun to horses and racing.

The couples are magazine maven Jacqui Nolan and partner, private security firm owner and rugby legend Troy Jaques, artist and realtor Regan Piccone and husband, racehorse owner and businessman, John Piccone and Cairns’ extraordinarily talented wedding photographer Matt Evans and cosmetic beauty professional wife, Alisha Evans. (Please refer to bios at bottom of media release)

In their responsibility to engender community support for the return of Cairns Amateurs after its 2020 COVID hiatus, the local ambassadors’ campaign will be instrumental in the marketing of this year’s spring racing carnival.

Using their social media platforms and business connections the ambassadors will organically promote and attend key events including the Ladies Fashion High Tea, Amateurs Ball, Seppelt Pavilion (formerly Yellowglen House) on Ladies Day and the Members enclosure at Saturday’s race meeting.

In welcoming the ambassadors on board at a cocktail event at Ochre Restaurant and Bar this week, Mr Goodman said the initiative carries on from its successful introduction in 2019.

“Cairns Amateurs knows the value of its local community and as a not for profit, volunteer run event with all-ages appeal, we are always looking at fresh and innovative ways of doing things,” Mr Goodman said.

Newly appointed ambassador Regan Piccone said she is thrilled to have been asked to be a Cairns Amateurs local ambassador. “It is such an exciting time of year, and our region really comes alive.  There are so many wonderful events to attend and participate in and we get the opportunity to dress up and socialise. I’m excited to see the horse races as well as meeting lots of new people”.

Speaking on behalf of himself and wife Alisha, Matt Evans said they too are very excited to be on board and part of Cairns’ biggest social event. “Alisha and I are generally so busy in September that this will be the first year we’ll be going along and enjoying the Carnival atmosphere together.”

The local ambassadors’ role has been created to work separately but also in conjunction with this year’s recently named official event carnival ambassador, Emma Scodellaro.

Mr Goodman also took the opportunity at this week’s gathering to announce Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation as the Amateurs new local charitable recipient for this year’s carnival.

“Every two years the committee nominates a local charity to benefit from funds raised at the Ladies Fashion High Tea, Amateurs Ball auction and other events.  After our two-year partnership with COUCH came to an end in 2019, we are excited to throw our support behind another hardworking and deserving charity that does so much for the health of our community,” he said.

The Cairns Amateurs Carnival is being held from Thursday 9 September to Saturday 11 September 2021.

“Tickets for events are limited and destined to sell out across all days with this year’s Carnival already showing an unprecedented level of interest and uptake.  My advice is ‘get in quick’ and avoid disappointment,” he said.