CAIRNS CROCODILES

Cairns is an unexpected place to reflect on your career. It’s warm, relaxed, and slightly chaotic in the best way. Tessa described it as a “tropical Albury-Wodonga,” which felt instantly true — and has stuck in my head ever since.

We were up there for Cairns Crocodiles — Asia-Pacific’s premier creative festival, run by Misfits Media. It brought together thousands of people across advertising, media and marketing for a few intense days of talks, panels, parties and impromptu reunions in hotel lobbies. It was a lot — in the best way.

The opening night party set the tone. I’d expected a corporate mixer in a fluoro-lit pub. Instead, it felt like a Berlin rave: lights flashing, speakers pounding, people dancing like it was 2am — and it was only 7:30. Proof below…

Our panel landed on the afternoon of day two. I was lucky to be up there with two of my best mates, Annelise (Anno) and Tessa. Anno’s partner Will and their baby came too — a reminder that whole lives can follow you into these spaces, and sometimes nap through them.

Our moderator, Adam, was cool in the way that only truly aloof and hilarious people can be. At one point, he asked if we wanted to speak about AI in our industry and all three of us just flat out said no. That probably sums up our panel vibe better than anything else.

We talked about making work, taking risks, making rent, and what happens when you tell the truth on screen and people actually hear it. I was so nervous beforehand — But once we were up there, something clicked. 

There’s comfort in sitting beside people who know you — and even more comfort in saying the thing you actually mean. After the panel, something happened that surprised me: people came up. Strangers. Emerging filmmakers. Creatives. They shared stories, thanked us, connected. That part was scary too — the vulnerability hangover, the wondering if you said too much — but it ended up being the best bit. It reminded me how much power there is in just being honest, and how many people are craving real conversation in this industry.

Also: Tessa had a free gin at 10am in the showroom. No real reason to include that, except that it happened and we found it funny.

We wrapped up with a hotel drink, laughed about the day, and tried to decide whether it was brave or chaotic to talk about rent on stage.

Cairns was a reset — the kind that reminds you why you do this, and how lucky you are to do it alongside people you love.

Big thank you to Pippa, Nancy, and the rest of the team who made it happen.
We’ll be back. Probably still sweaty. Definitely still talking.