The Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry will host the 2025 Whitsunday Business Conference on Thursday 28 August, bringing together more than 120 business leaders and stakeholders from across the region. The full-day program, designed by locals for locals, was shaped following an expression of interest process earlier this year to ensure the topics and speakers reflect the needs of Whitsunday businesses. Attendees can expect keynote speakers, panel discussions, and 14 concurrent session
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Nationally recognised business coach and keynote speaker Judy Porter of Shiift will deliver an energising presentation, Getting Out of Your Own Way, at the 2025 Whitsunday Business Conference. With over 25 years as a multi-industry business owner and a background in psychology, Judy understands how personality, beliefs, and leadership styles shape business culture. Judy challenges leaders to reflect on their approach, build genuine trust, and embrace their role as visionary leaders. “Growing a
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9:00am: Official Opening with Mayor Ry Collins 9:20am: Keynote – Get Out of Your Own Way with Judy Porter 9:50am: Plenary Panel – Working Better Together: From Vision to Impact with Terry Archer (Whitsunday Sailing Club), Justin Butler (Whitsunday Sportspark) and Carol Norris (Greater Whitsunday Communities) 11:00am: Get Connected: Who’s Here to Help Your Business? with Georgia Lavers (Greater Whitsunday Alliance), Gerard Millican (Queensland Business Concierge), Julia Wheway (TAFE Queensland)
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The 2025 Whitsunday Business Conference opens with Mayor Ry Collins officially launching the event and announcing Whitsunday Regional Council’s commitment as a Small Business Friendly Council – an initiative of the Queensland Small Business Commissioner that brings people together to enhance the operating environment to help small and family businesses thrive. A key morning feature is the Working Better Together: From Vision to Impact panel, bringing together regional leaders to discuss how col
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At the Conference, learn how to grow your business through powerful storytelling, exceptional customer service, and effective local marketing. Rachael Smith, Editor in Chief of Mackay and Whitsunday Life, will share how personal storytelling and authentic branding build trust and deepen community connections in regional areas. Rick Brown brings decades of experience in building a $20 million business and delivering outstanding customer service, will reveal twelve key rules that create loyalty,
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TAFE Whitsunday is a big part of this year’s Business Conference, serving up a tasty two-course meal, and morning and afternoon treats, prepared and served by their awesome hospitality and cookery students. Attendees will enjoy the food in Palmers, their student-run training restaurant, where students get real hands-on experience. This is a great way to see local talent in action and shows how TAFE is helping students get job-ready in hospitality and tourism, two of the Whitsundays’ biggest ind
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The Whitsundays Chamber extends its thanks to the major sponsors behind the 2025 Whitsunday Business Conference, recognising their vital role in bringing the sold-out event to life. This year’s conference would not be possible without the generous contributions of: • Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale–Proserpine is a locally owned branch offering full banking services and investing back into the Whitsunday community. • My Pathway connects people and businesses through employment, training
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A major highlight of the 2025 Whitsunday Business Conference will be the dynamic plenary session Working Better Together: From Vision to Impact, showcasing how strategic partnerships are creating real, measurable outcomes across the Whitsundays. Hosted by the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the session will explore how collaboration across sectors—government, business, community, First Nations and environmental groups—is transforming the region’s capacity to deliver high-impact pro
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Planning for the 2026 Conference is already underway, aiming to be bigger and better than ever. The Whitsundays Chamber invites businesses to explore a range of opportunities including sponsorship packages, speaking roles, exhibitor booths, and prize contributions – designed to suit all business sizes and budgets. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting event. Contact admin@whitsundaycoastchamber.com.au. Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Your Local Business Voice The W
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The 2025 Conference features vital sessions on leadership, human resources, and workforce development. One key session, Unlocking Motivation: Leading with Purpose and Impact, led by Brian Ward (BRIAN8), challenges leaders to rethink motivation by focusing on mindset, trust, feedback, and retention. Attendees will learn people-first strategies to build stronger teams and create positive business outcomes. Human resources support is front and centre in the Smarter People Management for Small Busi
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At the Conference, business owners can gain valuable insights and practical tools across operations, finance, and support services to help their businesses grow and stay resilient. For business owners ready to grow, From Solo to Scalable. Corrina Lindby (The Answer is Yes) and Kate Tulett (Th3rd Dimension Media) will show how to scale a business using systems, automation, and tech tools—without the stress or need for a big team. This session provides a clear roadmap to future-proof your business
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Nestled in the heart of the Whitsundays, Tassal’s Proserpine prawn farm is proving to be much more than a seafood producer. It is a quiet local success story, combining innovation, sustainability, and a strong sense of community. The farm, which supplies prawns across the country, is run by locals and focused on local impact. From jobs and training to environmental care and community partnerships, Tassal’s presence in Proserpine is making a meaningful difference. Over the past year, Tassal has
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Backing Our Sporting Future One of the great joys of being Mayor is getting out into the community and celebrating the people and projects that are shaping our Whitsunday region for the better. Last week, I had the pleasure of joining Deputy Mayor Michelle Wright and Cr John Finlay in Bowen to officially open two major sporting facility upgrades that will make a real difference for grassroots sport in our Whitsunday region. First up was the new field lighting at the Bowen Sporting Complex – a
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Did you know? Public consultation for the draft Airlie Beach Masterplan will close this Sunday 17 August. Responding to community feedback, the masterplan sets a bold vision for our next generation of experiences, envisioning catalyst projects, public space upgrades and inspiring private investment in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympics and beyond. Don’t miss your last chance to help shape the future of Airlie Beach by offering your insights on the proposed projects. For more information and to
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The Bowen Tourism and Business volunteers enjoyed a “Christmas in July” celebration last month with a lovely dinner at the Queen’s Beach Hotel in Bowen. The staff and volunteers all donned their favourite Christmas outfits for the evening. Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy said the volunteers were an integral part of the organisation and this was a way of saying thank you. The 18 volunteers welcome thousands of visitors each year at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre n
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At Precision Auto Service From electric scooters to Rolls-Royces, Precision Auto Service has built a reputation for repairing, servicing, and modifying just about anything on wheels. Now in its third year of trading, the locally owned business is led by manager and owner Matt Battams, who brings 28 years of experience in the automotive industry. Starting as a tyre fitter at just 14, Matt went on to work with top-tier brands including Volkswagen, Rolls-Royce, and Mercedes, and even prepared Ast
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The upcoming Flametree Gathering will feature two exciting last-minute additions to its music line-up. Whitsunday band Flying Double Front Kick, fronted by local musician Caden McCarthy, will take the stage on Friday night. "We’re really proud of the local talent that’s in the Whitsundays and we want to celebrate that,” organiser Bronwyn Garland said. Also joining the program is Cairns based Bobby Longstaff, a long-time Woodford Folk Festival performer renowned for his reggae rhythms and witt
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Two and half years and they still keep metal out of landfiil! It’s been 2.5 years since local siblings Luke and Clare took the reins at Whitsunday Recyclers in Proserpine, and their mission remains the same: to divert valuable metal from landfill and give it a second life. Now, they’re expanding that mission—offering on-site farm clean-ups to help rural property owners clear out old machinery, fencing, and scrap metal with ease. “We’ve had a lot of interest from landholders needing help with
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Music lovers in the Whitsundays are in for a nostalgic treat when the acclaimed international production The Simon & Garfunkel Story arrives at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre on Thursday, the 28th of August. Described by none other than Art Garfunkel himself as “A Great Show”, this spectacular concert experience traces the legacy of one of music’s most beloved duos, from their humble beginnings as ‘Tom & Jerry’ in the 1950s to their iconic reunion concert in Central Park in 1981. Having w
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August 16-23 Hamilton Island Race Week 16 Coral Sea Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival (day one) 17 Coral Sea Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival (day two) 17 Bowen Community Markets, Hansen Park, from 8:00am 19 Tech Help, Cannonvale Library, 2:00pm-3:45pm 20 Whitsunday Quilters & Hand Crafts Group, Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, 9:00am-1:30pm, $5pp. 24 Bowen Community Markets, Hansen Park, from 8:00am 26 Sailing For Those With Disability, Whitsunday Sailing Club, from 9am 26 Tech Help, Cann
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Friday 15 August Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm – 10pm) Grand View Hotel: Jason Bull (from 8pm) KC's: Sam McCann (from 8pm) Saturday 16 August Airlie Beach Hotel: Eagles (Tribute Show) (2pm – 5.30pm) Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm – 10pm) Grand View Hotel: DJ Night(from 8pm) Coral Sea Pavillion: DJ Schae KC's: Mick Woodbridge (from 8pm) Sunday 17 August Airlie Beach Hotel: Eagles (Tribute Show) (2pm – 5.30pm) Airlie Beach Hotel: Paul Fergus Morris (6.30pm – 9.30pm) Grand View Hot
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When Marla was rescued while pregnant, she had only just made it to safety. Since then, this gentle 7-year-old Staffy-cross has poured her heart into raising her pups. Now that her mothering duties are complete, it’s finally her turn to find a loving forever home. Marla is the very definition of a sweetheart. She adores children, gets along with dogs and cats, and even makes friends with roosters. With her affectionate nature and easygoing temperament, she would thrive in a kind, caring family
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Prepare for an unforgettable two days when the spectacular two-hour live performance, Hurricane: The Australian Luke Combs Tribute Show comes to town at the Airlie Beach Hotel. Promising to be more than just a concert this tribute is a deep dive into the catalogue of one of country music's biggest stars. This show pays homage to a man who, in a remarkably short time, has become a global country music icon. Born and raised in North Carolina, Luke Combs left college to pursue his passion, movin
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More than 600 students from Bowen State High School and Proserpine State High School explored future career opportunities at the 2025 Careers Expo, held in McKenna Hall last week. The event brought together 40 stalls representing a wide range of industries, including health, mining, transport and logistics, disability support, emergency services, aged care, agriculture, fitness, and universities. Local businesses and regional companies were also on hand to share their expertise and advice. For
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Proserpine State High School students were treated to history coming to life with a special World War II Commemorative Convoy stopping at the school. The commemorative convoy was led by Rockhampton Returned Services League members who are travelling to Townsville to commemorate the Victory Pacific 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and remember all who served in the Australian Military during that difficult time. Dressing in Australian WWII period uniforms and driving authentically re
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