A Minute With The Mayor Ry Collins

This week is National Volunteer Week where we celebrate the power of volunteering to bring people together, create lasting relationships and strengthen our communities. The theme this year is ‘Connecting Communities’ and I can hand on heart say the volunteers across the Whitsunday region have an enormous impact in ensuring our communities are thriving and inclusive.

The breadth of volunteer groups in our region is far-reaching – from the SES, marine rescue crews and wildlife carers to museum guides, event organisers and junior sports coaches – just a few examples of the many locals giving their time to strengthen our communities.

Another great example of volunteer groups is the Rotary Club of Airlie Beach and last Saturday I had the pleasure of opening the Rotary Impact Seminar 2025 at our beautiful Shute Harbour Marine Terminal and delivering the keynote address.

I spoke about Council’s focus for enhancing liveability across the Whitsundays and strengthening the connection between our communities. Community organisations like Rotary play a vital role in supporting this connection. Their tireless work supporting local projects, fundraising efforts, and community wellbeing makes a real difference in people’s lives.

I also had the chance to experience another fantastic volunteer-led initiative – the Whitsunday Brahmans Family Field Day in Proserpine. It was a brilliant afternoon with the family – perfect weather, a great crowd and so much fun for the kids, from face painting and wildlife encounters to tug-of-war and more. It’s days like this that truly showcase the spirit of the Whitsundays – welcoming and connected.

The month of May is Queensland Small Business Month and I’m excited to announce we’re backing our local businesses! Whitsunday Regional Council is partnering with the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning to deliver a free one-day event on Wednesday 28 May at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre.

The event will include one-on-one sessions with Council’s Procurement Team, tendering and capability workshops and practical guidance on becoming a Local Buy supplier – all designed to give local businesses the tools and support they need to grow. Registrations are now open via Eventbrite ticketing website.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical tips and connect directly with experts who can help your business grow. Register now and make the most of this free workshop.

Whether it’s volunteering time or growing a business, it’s the efforts of our local people that keep the Whitsundays connected and thriving - and I thank you all.

‍