Tassal Proserpine Prawn Farm Celebrates Community Champion Nomination

Tassal’s Proserpine Prawn Farm has been named a nominee in the Community Champion category in the inaugural Whitsunday Business Awards.

General Manager Grant Purdon from Tassal said the nomination carries special meaning, reflecting both the team’s values and their commitment to the Whitsundays. They said the Proserpine operation represents far more than seafood production, describing it as a business built on creating shared value for the region through innovation, community care, and environmental responsibility.

Grant added that the nomination, acknowledges their long-term vision for sustainability and their role as a responsible neighbour and contributor to the regional economy.

Being part of the first-ever Whitsunday Business Awards has added to the sense of pride among staff. The team said they see the awards as an important opportunity to highlight the region’s resilience and innovation, and feel honoured to be included in the event’s inaugural year.

Tassal believes its standout qualities come from blending world-class aquaculture with genuine community connection. Over the past year, the business has invested nearly $40,000 into initiatives supporting sport, culture, conservation, and community wellbeing. Their contributions range from supporting elite junior swimmers at the Cannonvale Cannons Swimming Club, to supplying prawns for Club Outrigger Whitsunday’s regatta, to assisting the Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre with turtle rehabilitation.

The farm also emphasises the importance of listening to the community. Through Community Advisory Groups, Tassal maintains open dialogue with neighbours and stakeholders to ensure its operations align with both regulatory expectations and the values of those living nearby.

The team hopes the region recognises that the farm is not only producing premium tiger prawns sustainably, but is also working to strengthen local employment, food security, and community partnerships. They highlight Tassal’s guiding “Five Ps" People, Planet, Product, Prosperity, and Principles of Governance.

These principles guide Tassal to produce healthy and accessible food, build strong communities, deliver economic results, and operate with integrity. They are also a framework for driving innovation, collaboration, and transparency, ensuring the long-term success of their operations, environment, and stakeholders.

At Proserpine, this approach includes hiring locally, refining farming methods to reduce environmental impacts, supporting regional suppliers, and contributing to local schools, sport, culture, and conservation programs.

The Proserpine prawn farm is not just about farming seafood. Tassal say it is about creating shared value for the Whitsundays, balancing innovation and growth with care for people, place, and planet.

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