Last week, our publishing team had the privilege of attending the 2025 Queensland Country Press Association (QCPA) Conference and Media Excellence Awards — an annual gathering that brings together the heart of regional journalism from across the state. Held in Brisbane, the event reminded us that while the digital age may be reshaping how news is consumed, the need for trusted, community-driven storytelling has never been greater.

That message rang loud and clear in the opening remarks from Queensland Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett, who made one of the most significant announcements of the day: 75 per cent of the State Government’s print media budget will now be allocated to regional newspapers. In doing so, he acknowledged what many of us have long known — that regional publications are “absolutely vital” and remain the lifeblood of their communities. He spoke of the resurgence of independent newspaper publishers in Queensland and the essential role they play in keeping local voices heard.

This announcement also aligns with key findings from a Deakin University report on media innovation, which found that “securing the future of quality and reliable news and information platforms in non-metropolitan areas is in the national interest.”

As a proud independent publishing group based right here in Mackay and the Whitsundays, we couldn’t agree more. Our newspapers, Mackay and Whitsunday Life, Burdekin Life and Hinchinbrook Life, along with our lifestyle magazines Core Life and Tripping, are built on the idea that strong regional journalism strengthens communities. For the third year running, Mackay Life brought home gold, a testament not just to consistency, but to the kind of storytelling that continues to resonate deeply with our readers and peers across the state. It was humbling to have that work recognised across three award categories: a gold for Marketing Campaign of the Year in Mackay Life, a silver for Best ROP Feature in Burdekin Life, and a bronze for Young Journalist of the Year, awarded to our own Victoria Velton, who began with us in the Whitsundays and is now based in the Hinchinbrook.

One of the standout moments of the conference came from Olympic gold medallist Steven Bradbury. Best known as the man who crossed the finish line after a dramatic pile-up in the 2002 Winter Olympics, Bradbury’s story is often summed up in one word: lucky. But as he candidly shared, that luck was hard-earned. He spoke of training five hours a day, six days a week for over a decade. Of recovering from a broken neck. Of losing four litres of blood after a racing accident. His message? “The harder you work, the luckier you get.” A motto we’re proud to echo.

We also enjoyed a dose of humour from the awards MC, the brilliant Des Dowling, a former journalist turned comedian who knew exactly how to balance wit with insight.

We might be a small team, but like all good Aussie success stories, we’re punching well above our weight, and we’re only just getting started.

Amanda

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Trish Jandt, Crissy Bottrell, Hannah McNamara, Amanda Wright, award sponsor representative, Rachael Smith, Ruth Puddefoot and Daniel Heggie at the 2025 QCPA Media Excellence Awards in Brisbane. Photo credit: Samantha Wantling

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Networking and learning were the themes of the morning at the fourth annual Manufacturers Breakfast held at the Resources Centre of Excellence (RCOE) at the start of June.

The event offered an opportunity for local manufacturers to come together in a relaxed environment to share ideas and network over breakfast.

Manager of the Queensland Manufacturing Hub in Mackay Deb Allan provided an overview of activities undertaken by Hub staff over the past 12 months and what local manufacturers can look forward to over the coming year.

Dean Kirkwood from the Resource Industry Network discussed the launch of the Manufacturers Workforce Attraction toolkit, Teagan Dowling from The BCW presented on the benefits of increased workforce diversity and Jarrah Steen, from GW3, talked through the opportunities presented through decarbonisation, and highlighted the 7 sectors identified in the METS Revenue Diversification Strategy for growth in the Greater Whitsunday region.

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A strong turnout of local manufacturers and industry leaders gathered at the fourth annual Manufacturers Breakfast, held at the Resources Centre of Excellence. Photos supplied

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The Mackay Regional Council has officially triggered the by-election process to fill the vacant councillor position left by the resignation of Cr George Christensen, following a special meeting held on Wednesday, June 4.

The meeting, convened at 8.30am in the Sir Albert Abbott Administration Building, was called specifically to address the vacancy, which came into effect at 5.00pm on Friday, May 30. Councillors gathered to determine how the position—now legally required to be filled within two months—will be managed in accordance with the Local Government Act 2009.

Mayor Greg Williamson confirmed that under the Act, a by-election must be held because the vacancy occurred during the mid-term period of Council’s electoral cycle. This window is defined as beginning on the first anniversary and ending the day before the third anniversary of the last quadrennial election.

Rather than opting for a traditional polling day, councillors voted in favour of recommending a postal ballot as the preferred method for the by-election. This recommendation will now be sent to the Minister for Local Government, who must approve the process and formally request the Electoral Commission Queensland (ECQ) to administer the election.

Mayor Williamson said a postal ballot presented the most practical and economical solution.

“It’s the cheapest way for Mackay Regional Council to hold a by-election, particularly after recent state and federal elections, which have likely caused a bit of voter fatigue,” he said.

Council highlighted three key advantages of using a postal ballot: reduced costs, increased accessibility for voters, and the convenience of participating without attending polling booths in person. The ECQ has previously advised that postal ballots offer savings when compared to full in-person voting infrastructure.

However, the mayor acknowledged that choosing this method may delay the completion of the process slightly beyond the standard two-month timeframe. Even so, Council was assured this would not invalidate the by-election, and it remained committed to ensuring a fair and timely process.

The cost of the by-election has been estimated at $700,000, with Council flagging the need for a budget amendment during the first quarterly review of the 2025/2026 financial year. The by-election costs were not included in the original draft budget, which is set to be adopted later this month.

Once the Minister receives the recommendation from Council, the ECQ will begin the process of scheduling the by-election. A confirmed date is expected to be announced within the next week, with the vote likely to take place in the coming months.

Council will continue to update the community as more information becomes available regarding nominations, voting procedures and timelines.

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Cr George Christensen was sworn in to Mackay Regional Council in 2024—less than 18 months before his unexpected resignation in May 2025

Councillors gathered in the Mackay Chambers on June 4 for a special meeting to set the wheels in motion for a by-election following Cr Christensen’s resignation

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The highlight for most visitors to the Great Barrier Reef is their encounter with the myriads of coral reef fish…every size, shape, and colour. Very inquisitive and often right in your face.

Unfortunately, the opportunity for that experience is changing. A study has found concerning new evidence of long-term declines in coral reef fish around highly visited inshore islands of the Great Barrier Reef.

Scientists surveyed reefs at 100 sites around the Palm Islands, Magnetic Island, Whitsunday Islands, and Keppel Islands over a 14-year period, revealing fish communities are struggling to cope with increasingly frequent disturbances including coral bleaching, floods, and cyclones.

The study is part of a reef monitoring program now led by James Cook University around popular inshore islands, which are important for recreational fishing, tourism, and local communities.

“The fringing reefs around inshore islands suffer from intense human pressure due to their proximity to the coast,” explained Dr Daniela Ceccarelli, the lead author in the study.

“Reefs further from the coast have generally shown fish to be quite stable in the face of environmental disturbances, but it’s a different story for the inshore fish communities.”

“These inshore fish habitats have endured greater cumulative and intense local-scale pressures, with too little time to recover between stress events.”

The study found fish populations across these islands dropped by 33%-72%, and the numbers of fish species fell by 41%-75%, depending on the location.

These are substantial and concerning declines in fish abundance and diversity at the surveyed sites.

In the Whitsunday Islands, Cyclone Debbie in 2017 caused a steep drop in fish abundance.

“Cyclone Debbie’s intense impact on coral cover and physical damage to reef structures reduced available habitat, especially for coral-dependent species,” said Dr Maya Srinivasan, a coral reef ecologist at JCU and co-author of the study. ‘This loss has made it challenging for fish populations to maintain stability in these areas.”

“Marine Park zones where fishing is banned improved the picture to some degree, providing a buffer for the species that are usually targeted by fishers.”

“However, we found that No-Take Marine Reserves are unlikely to mitigate the impacts of an increasingly chaotic climate for all fish species in the long term,” she said.

Coral reefs have always been considered as the “canary in the coal mine”, an early indicator of climate change impacts. This latest research adds to the mounting evidence that without global action on reducing emissions, protected areas and fisheries management alone are not sufficient to safeguard coral reef fish.

Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Conservation Council.

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Memories of time spent on Dent Island as recorded by Reg Hatch in his book “Dent Island 1959” – an extract.

Reg was 20 years of age and a qualified painter when he left Brisbane in 1959 to “see what was over the hill.”  On what was only his second plane trip, he arrived in Mackay and then, with two other passengers, flew to Lindeman Island on his first small-plane trip. After three weeks on Lindeman, Reg boarded the “Hossack H” bound for Dent Island.

On Dent Island, the lighthouse is now an automatically operated light but, in 1959, when Reg Hatch worked there, there were two lighthouse keepers and their families.   Reg observed, “The lighthouse itself wasn’t very high. It was about 30 feet and painted white with a red top. Near the lighthouse was a new split level timber weatherboard house in which the head lighthouse keeper and his family lived.” On the same level to the north, a second new house was being constructed for the other keeper and his family and it was this house that Reg was there to paint.

Reg remarked, “The light keepers didn’t seem too be big on gardening.  There wasn’t any soil, only rocks.  The few trees on the island were stunted. Steps ran down from the lighthouse to the old houses. The only place where it was level was where the houses were perched and it seemed to me if you had one leg shorter than the other, you would be suited to the light keeper’s job.”

Reg also noted there were 200 steps from the lighthouse to the beach.  Lloyd Williams was the head lighthouse keeper. His wife taught their youngest child on the island, whilst the older children attended boarding school. The second keeper, also Reg by name, was English.  He explained to Reg Hatch the method of working the light “six hours on, six hours off, right through the night.”

The workers’ camp was three miles from the lighthouse as that was the only place where water was available.

Living quarters for the workers was a shed which had apparently been erected earlier on by the O’Hara family who had a cattle lease on Dent Island at that time.

Reg said that the primitive conditions the men worked under at Dent Island caused them contact the union organiser in Mackay, asking him to travel to the island to investigate the situation. But the two McDonald brothers (who owned the business engaged on the Dent Island project) had gotten wind of the visit and met the organiser incognito in Mackay and accompanied him on the journey to the island. They plied him with as much alcohol as he could drink so that upon arrival, he was totally incoherent and had to return to Mackay to recover. More men were then employed from Mackay to hurry the job along.

After completion of the work on Dent Island, Reg again worked for a short time on Lindeman Island before moving on. He concluded, “These are my memories of Dent Island as a young painter in 1959.  Little did I realise then that I would later become a lighthouse keeper, serving at various stations along the Queensland coast - Sandy Cape on Fraser Island; then Cape Cleveland outside of Townsville; Booby Island and Goode Island in the Torres Strait and then in 1970, I was made Head Lighthouse Keeper at Cape Moreton. I took over from Lloyd Williams when he retired, eleven years after I had first met him on Dent Island in 1959.”

Postscript: The Dent Island Lighthouse, the first in the area, was erected in 1879. Automation was effected in 1983 and the lighthouse was demanned in 1987.

One of the graves in the accompanying photo is that of three-year-old Caroline Bliss, daughter of the then lighthouse keeper. She was buried on 3rd April 1885.  The occupants of the other two graves are unknown.

Story courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum and Reg Hatch. Photo courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum.

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In a powerful celebration of empathy, leadership, and community spirit, the B Kinder Foundation hosted its very first B Kinder High School Summit on 29 May 2025. Held at Proserpine State High School, the event brought together student leaders from Bowen State High School, Whitsunday Christian College, and St Catherine’s Catholic College.

Far from a typical school event, the summit was designed to inspire students to become agents of change within their schools and communities. Through a series of hands-on activities and guided reflections, students were asked a simple but profound question: “How can I make it better?” The answers that followed were thoughtful, courageous, and full of heart.

Facilitated by Jessi from Illuminate Education Australia, who flew in from Tasmania for the occasion, the summit marked a major milestone for the B Kinder foundation. Over the past seven years, this grassroots movement has evolved into a nationwide initiative, with its B Kinder school program now supporting student leaders across Australia. The program encourages students to roll out five kindness initiatives over the school year and participate in workshops and summits that promote compassionate leadership.

The following day, on 30 May, the Primary School Summit welcomed younger leaders from Whitsunday Christian College, Proserpine State School, and St Catherine’s Catholic College. Both events hosted around 80 students each.

These summits were more than just a day out and were a spark for lasting change. Students left energised, inspired, and ready to carry the message of kindness back into their schools and communities.

As the b kinder foundation continues to grow, events like these are embedding kindness into the heart of education.

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Children at the primary summit on Friday

Children at the High School summit held on Thursday

b kinder foundation representative Mel Turner, Proserpine State High School Captains Callum Henry and Mia Vloedmans, Bowen State High School Captains An Nguyen and Brooke Jameson, Whitsunday Christian College School Captains Cody Love and Charlotte Adams, Director of Schools & Curriculum from illuminate Education Australia Jessi Mostogl.
Front: St Catherine's Catholic College students Isabella O'Sullivan and Domingo del Solar.

Frida the schools therapy dog helping out at the B Kinder event

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Hi Everyone,

Whale season is here, and I’m eagerly awaiting the first sighting!

This is truly my favorite time of year, there’s nothing quite like watching them swim alongside their calves, and send plumes of spray into the sky.

To celebrate, I have had the idea to launch a fun new feature in Ruth2Reef called Whale Watch Weekly! If you capture a photo of one of these incredible whales, please send it to ruth@lifepublishinggroup.com. Your photo could be featured in an upcoming edition, with full credit to you, of course!

And if you come across any other inspiring or interesting environmental stories, I’d love to read those too, so please feel free to send them my way.

Happy whale watching,

Ruth

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The first humpback whales we are likely to see close to the islands are pregnant females or females with newborns.

Humpback mothers with calves spend as much of their time logging as possible.

Logging is a form of rest where humpback whales float motionless near the water's surface, much like a log.

They remain near the surface with their blowholes exposed to the air, allowing them to breathe.

Whales must remain conscious while sleeping to breathe. During this resting state, humpback whales shut down only one hemisphere of their brain at a time while the other remains active.

Mothers also spend time logging to conserve energy, because they are relying on their fat reserves to produce 600 litres of milk per day for her calf; until she returns to her feeding grounds in the Antarctic.

It’s important to be on the lookout for whales during the next couple of months, because logging whales can be extremely hard to see.

Last season there was an injured whale reported off Hamilton Island’s Qualia Resort.

It was a good news story.  After watching her behaviour for a period of time I was pleased to report she was logging with her calf near her nose.

The first photo is logging behaviour.  In the second photo she was no longer logging and has more of a hump.

Please report sick, injured or dead marine life on 1300 130 372

To find out more about special whale events and information on whales in the Whitsundays, join the WHALES OF THE WHITSUNDAYS Facebook page; or go to https://www.whitsundaymarine.org/projects

Contributed by Kellie Leonard, Master Reef Guide/Whales of the Whitsundays

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A once-abandoned gold mine near Proserpine is drawing renewed attention after modern testing revealed the presence of a large, mineralised system, with only a small area explored to date.

The historic Dittmer Mine, discovered in 1934 and closed in 1951 after producing more than 54,000 ounces of gold, is being revived by Ballymore Resources. The company rekindled interest in the site last year after mapping and sampling unearthed several high-grade gold zones. Underground explorations have since reopened, alongside the launch of a 3,000-metre diamond drilling program.

Spanning 513 square kilometres, the broader exploration project has also received a $300,000 grant from the Queensland Government to support an 8,051 line kilometre aerial survey. The area includes multiple historic gold and copper prospects.

If mining proceeds, potential extraction methods would include cyanide leaching and flotation, with metallurgical tests confirming the ore is suitable for such processing. However, the prospect of renewed mining has raised environmental concerns among some local residents, particularly around water quality, road access, and impacts on native wildlife.

To address these concerns, Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm visited the Dittmer community recently to engage with residents and provide updates on the project's status. Approximately 60 locals attended the meeting, where Ms Camm emphasised her commitment to transparent communication and due process.

“The current application for development is sitting with the land court to make an independent decision. The hearing was held on the 6th of May and the court has six months to make a decision.”

Ms Camm reassured residents that their concerns would remain central to any decisions moving forward.
“I am committed to representing the priorities and concerns of the Dittmer community, while ensuring any potential development adheres to strict regulation and controls,” she said.

Once a decision is handed down, Ms Camm said she would consult with the relevant Minister to determine the next steps for the project.

The visit provided a platform for open dialogue between community members and government, with residents raising a range of concerns from environmental protections to infrastructure and local wildlife preservation.

As the process unfolds, both residents and project stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether the Land Court’s decision will pave the way for Dittmer Mine’s next chapter or bring its revival to a halt.

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Amanda Camm, speaks with Dittmer residents about the mine
Around 60 locals attended the meet

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The Whitsundays will soon play host to one of Australia’s most respected economic voices.

David Robertson, Chief Economist at Bendigo Bank, is heading to Proserpine on Thursday, 10 July for a special community event – and everyone’s invited.

Known for his ability to make complex economic trends easy to understand, David’s engaging and down-to-earth style has earned him a strong following, including on his popular YouTube series.

With more than two decades at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank and a career spanning senior roles at major financial institutions, David brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. At this free event, he’ll break down what’s really happening in the economy—from interest rates and employment trends to property values and the Australian dollar.

Hosted by Community Bank Cannonvale–Proserpine, this is a rare opportunity to hear firsthand from a leading expert about the financial forces shaping our country—and what it could all mean for local families, businesses, and the Whitsundays region.

Don’t miss out! Whether you’re a business owner, first homebuyer, retiree, or just curious about what’s ahead for the economy, this event is designed for everyone.

**What: Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale-Proserpine Chief Economist event
When: 7:30am–9am Friday, 11 July 2025
Where: Filby’s Motors, Proserpine
Registration: Free event, open to all. RSVP by Wednesday, 9 July via secretary@whitsundaycel.com.au

Can’t make it? David will be presenting at the Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce’s New Financial Year breakfast, 7:30am Tuesday, 8 July in Mackay. This special event is proudly sponsored by Community Bank Sarina, celebrating 20 years in the community this year.

**Over $211,500 Invested Back Into Our Region – and We're Just Getting Started!

For the past eight years, your locally owned Community Bank Cannonvale-Proserpine has proudly backed regional not-for-profits with more than $211,500 in support — and we’re not slowing down.

In 2025 alone, we’ve provided funding to local sporting clubs, community groups, and iconic regional events. You’ve probably seen our fully equipped BBQ Community Trailer firing up most weekends across the Whitsundays!

“Our profit-with-purpose model means the more our community banks with us, the more we can reinvest,” says Community Bank Cannonvale-Proserpine Chairman, Mark Henry. “It’s a cycle of support — when you back us, we back you.”

We’re proud to sponsor several exciting upcoming events — and we can’t wait to see you there!

• Show Whitsunday (20 and 21 June)
• Cannonvalley Pony Club’s 2-day show jumping and jump equitation event (26–27 July)
• The Great Barrier Reef Festival Arts Exhibition, curated by Creative Connections Whitsunday. The Branch has sponsored the People’s Choice Award (31 July–4 August)
• Cannonvale State School Fete (8 August)
• Coral Sea Marina Result Airlie Beach Triathlon (16–17 August)
• Whitsunday Moto Sports Club’s Great Barrier Reef Title (15–17 August)
• Eco Barge Clean Seas fundraiser at the Flametree Festival (29 August–1 September)
• Whitsunday Writers Festival (12–14 September)
• Whitsunday Trail Fest’ Kids Beach Bash (14 September)
• Paul Bowman Challenge junior rugby league under 9’s carnival involving 70 teams (20–21 September)

Want Support for Your Next Event or Project? Apply Now!

Applications are now open for sponsorship funding and use of our popular Community BBQ Trailer. With limited funds available and high demand, it’s a competitive process — so make sure your application stands out!

To learn more and grab an application form, contact our Board Secretariat at secretary@whitsundaycel.com.au

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On Thursday, I had the privilege of welcoming guests to our Shute Harbour Marine Terminal to mark World Environment Day—a powerful reminder of why we must protect what makes our region so special.

As the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, our Whitsundays is one of the most ecologically significant places in the world. From our reef to our rainforest, we’re not just caretakers of the environment—we’re leaders in sustainable tourism.

Thursday’s event brought together environmental leaders, tourism operators, and community changemakers to focus not just on ideas, but on action.

A highlight was celebrating the launch of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at Whitsunday Coast Airport—a major milestone in our region’s sustainability journey.

We were honoured to have Fiona Walmsley, General Manager of Sustainability, in attendance from Virgin Australia, and she shared their commitment to greener skies.

The adoption of SAF aligns perfectly with our region’s legacy of biodiversity protection and low-impact tourism. But none of it would be possible without strong partnerships—between Council, industry, and the operators who understand that our economic and environmental futures are intertwined.

Whether it’s sustainable aviation, reef-safe tourism, or grassroots green initiatives, we are united by the belief that tourism can and must be a force for good.

Thanks to QTIC for choosing the Whitsundays to host the event, our industry partners for their continued leadership, and every single person who came to listen, to share, and to act.

Together, we are creating a more resilient, sustainable Whitsundays—because our environment deserves nothing less.

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Whitsundays Dancing CEOs Crowned 2025 Fundraising Champions & Win Community Awareness Award

Coral Sea Marina’s Kate Purdie, SeaLink Whitsundays’ Julie Telford, Whitsunday Transit’s Candice Crossley and Whitsunday Family Dental’s Alice Harriott are officially ‘Dancing Queens’ after raising nearly a quarter-of-a-million dollars for Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ) at Brisbane’s City Hall on Saturday night.

Representing the Whitsundays as the region’s inaugural team of ‘Dancing CEOs’, these four women stepped out on stage not just to dance but also to shine a spotlight on the issue of domestic violence, and ultimately to benefit the thousands of women and children impacted by it each year, who turn to WLSQ for help.

Raising a staggering $238,734 of the $877,000 total – and beating Brisbane’s ‘Team Joanne Fricker and Lauren Holland’ to the top of the leaderboard by a mere $1,790 – the Whitsundays team was not only crowned Dancing CEOs’ 2025 Fundraising Champions but also won the Community Awareness Award.

Julie Telford said going into the event, they’d had three goals, all of which were met by that result.

“One was to raise as much money as possible for the vulnerable women and children in our communities and across our state, the majority of whom we will never meet, but whose hardships have touched our hearts,” she said.

“Next was to expose domestic violence for what it really is; to bring the issue out from behind closed doors, where we can challenge it as a community,” she continued.

“And finally, we wanted to have fun with the experience and bring our friends, families, and wonderful, generous, caring community along for the ride.”

Kate Purdie said none of those goals could have been reached without significant support.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Whitsunday community and the local businesses who have supported us,” she said.

Swapping their company roles for new personas as sea sirens for the night, the ladies’ performance was as much about fun as it was philanthropy, showcasing their individual and group dynamic, and capturing the essence of the Whitsundays as Queensland’s premier destination at the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.

The routine was choreographed by Che Pritchard from Brisbane’s Mad Dance House and coached locally by Chez O’Brien from Proserpine’s Chez’s House of Dance.

Alice Harriott said the dance had been modified when the team was just three months into rehearsals, due to a serious knee injury she sustained while skiing.

“I was determined to be on that stage in some capacity or another and am extremely grateful to have fulfilled that wish, but to my mind the challenges I faced in making that happen paled into insignificance by comparison to those faced by the women and children I was there to dance for,” she said.

Candice Crossley, who recruited her team-mates those many months ago, echoed these sentiments.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to dance together for the women and children of Queensland affected by domestic violence.” she said.

The entire team also acknowledged the considerable contribution made by their mentor Katelyn Aslett-Collins, a WLSQ Ambassador and Dancing CEOs alumni, whose dedication to the cause has been unwavering throughout.

For more information and to see event photos and video by the Whitsundays’ ‘Riptide Creative’, follow the ‘Team Whitsundays Dancing CEOs’ Facebook Page.

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This month, we meet Chamber members Jen and Doug O’Connor of Option Insurance Brokers—a new Whitsundays-based business offering personalised insurance solutions for businesses and individuals across Australia.

Established in 2024, Option Insurance Brokers provides tailored cover across all major insurance types, including business packages, liability, commercial motor, professional indemnity, cyber, home and contents, landlord and more. Drawing on over a decade of industry experience in both corporate and boutique brokerages, Jen and Doug set out to create a brokerage that reflects their core values: authenticity, transparency, and genuine service.

“Our motivation was to simplify insurance and make it accessible – cutting through the jargon to give clients peace of mind,” said Jen. “We take the time to understand each client’s circumstances and match them with the right protection.”

As the broader insurance market shifts toward digital convenience, Option Insurance Brokers is embracing a different trend—personalised, human-centred service. With rising premiums, more frequent natural disasters, and increasing policy complexity, the demand for trusted guidance and advocacy is stronger than ever.

Launching a new brand in a competitive industry has been their biggest challenge, but Jen and Doug are rising to it by building strong community relationships, maintaining a strong online presence, and ensuring every client experience leads to word-of-mouth referrals. They also remain agile, constantly reviewing the market to keep cover options competitive and relevant.

Their top tips for fellow business owners include:

Build relationships, not just a client list – Trust drives referrals.
Don’t wait for perfect – Start something, then improve it.
Know your numbers – Financial clarity enables growth.
Jen and Doug value being active Chamber members, saying, “"Being part of the Chamber connects us with supportive local businesses, providing community, collaboration, and resources that have helped us grow. We love the sense of community and the shared drive to see small businesses succeed in our region.”

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Jen and Doug O’Connor of Option Insurance Brokers. Photos supplied

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The Whitsundays is celebrating a historic milestone in its tourism industry, with over 120 local businesses across the region recognised in the 2025 Best of Queensland Experience Program (BOQEP). This record-breaking achievement cements the Whitsundays’ status as one of Queensland’s premier tourism destinations, showcasing the region’s diverse offerings and commitment to delivering world-class visitor experiences.

From boutique accommodations and exciting tours to unique attractions, delicious food and drink, and essential transport services, the honoured businesses represent the full spectrum of the Whitsundays’ vibrant tourism landscape. The BOQEP’s rigorous, independent assessment process evaluates businesses on customer feedback, digital presence, regional tourism membership, and formal accreditation — ensuring only the highest quality experiences earn the prestigious Best of Queensland stamp.

Tourism Whitsundays CEO Tim Booth praised the exceptional achievement:
“Tourism Whitsundays has seen a record level of businesses achieve BoQ status in 2025 which is a huge credit to the tourism businesses in the Whitsundays and a key reason for the ongoing success of the region. Well done to all of the operators that have achieved Best of Queensland this year.”

The Best of Queensland Experience Program is a joint initiative led by Tourism and Events Queensland, in partnership with Queensland’s Regional Tourism Organisations, the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, and the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation. The BOQEP stamp serves as a trusted mark of excellence, guiding visitors to the region’s top-quality tourism experiences and reinforcing the Whitsundays’ reputation as a must-visit destination for travellers from near and far.

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As the cooler months settle in, mid-winter is the perfect time to give your home a thorough deep clean. Beyond the usual dusting and vacuuming, focusing on upholstery, concrete surfaces, and rugs can transform your space into a fresh, healthy haven. Here are some expert tips to get started:

1. Upholstery Cleaning: Why Professionals Matter
   Your couches, chairs, and cushions absorb dust, oils, and allergens daily. Did you know that over time, dirty upholstery can become a hotspot for bacteria and mites? While regular vacuuming helps, professional cleaning is essential to remove deep-seated grime and refresh fabrics without damage. Experts use specialised equipment and eco-friendly solutions, ensuring your furniture looks and smells like new — perfect for Queensland’s humid climate.
2. Water Blasting Concrete: Restore Your Outdoor Spaces
   Outdoor areas take a beating from dust, pollen, and weather. Water blasting (or pressure cleaning) your concrete paths, patios, and driveways can remove stubborn stains, algae, and mould build-up. This not only improves your home’s curb appeal but also prevents slips and surface damage caused by grime. For safety and best results, it’s worth calling in professionals who know the right pressure settings to protect your surfaces.
3. Dusting Rugs: Don’t Forget This Step
   Rugs trap dust and allergens, affecting indoor air quality and dust can accumulate rapidly. Regular vacuuming helps, but occasional professional cleaning removes deep dust and revitalises fibres, extending your rug’s life and keeping your family healthier.

Ready for a complete mid-winter deep clean? Call the experts at Protect and Sanitise on 0406 039 486 for professional upholstery, rug cleaning, and more. Let them help you refresh your home safely and effectively!

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