Gooch Richards’ Cairns Diary: Day One

Gooch Richards is a future copywriting legend working for advertising powerhouse BMF. He thought this would be his first foray into the world of Cannes, but thanks to a simple misunderstanding, he’s now in Cairns. Making the most of this situation, Richards has decided to stick to the plan and write a diary for CB, from tropical North Queensland.

I touch down at Cairns International Airport at 5.30pm. I can’t tell if there’s a palpable excitement in the air, or if it’s just the humidity. Either way, I’m thrilled to finally be here. Haven’t seen any ad people yet, although one guy on my flight was wearing white linen pants and a pale blue pastel jacket. Pretty sure he was just a knob.

The delegate yellow-top cab whisks me to my digs in the city centre. I ask my driver if there’s a buzz around town. He says no. I’m staying at Villa Vaucluse, a quaint, late 20th century hotel owned and operated by one generation of friendly, non-French speaking staff and a couple of drifters. The Mentos-eyed towel elephant on my bed cheers me up after my three-hour flight. No signs of jetlag yet.

The Bundy from the flight is wearing off and I’m late for drinks at Gilligan’s. Tuesday is Bogan Bingo and Wet T-shirt Competition night. It’s still a balmy 26 degrees, so at least the competitors will be comfortable.

It’s been a dream of mine to head to the Lions for many years. Tomorrow that dream becomes reality. I can’t wait to see the work and experience the atmosphere I’ve heard so much about. Something tells me the next few days are going to be very special.