Whitsunday Tourism Awards honour industry's best

 Nearly 300 guests attended the 2011 Whitsunday Tourism Awards, with this year’s red carpet rolled out at the Whitsunday Airport for a night of celebrations with an aeronautical theme.

 Tourism Whitsundays’ CEO Peter O’Reilly made a spectacular seaplane entrance flanked by his wife Megan and the evening’s emcees. Ben Southall (fresh from his ‘best expedition in the world’) and Bruce “Hoppo” Hopkins (all the way from ‘Bondi Rescue’) were on hand for the presentation of 21 awards, paying tribute to the achievements of the Whitsunday tourism industry’s best.

 “It’s been a tough year (for the tourism industry) and this is a night to honour those who’ve gone the extra mile,” said Mr O’Reilly in his opening speech.

 Mr O’Reilly also commented on the tough job faced by the panel of independent judges, responsible for allocating each of the awards.

 “The standard and competiveness of the applications this year was exceptionally high. A number of the awards came down to just a handful of points,” he said.

 “The high quality of submissions shows just how hard we are working to promote the Whitsundays to the rest of the world.”

 Impassioned acceptance speeches were the flavour of the night with industry stakeholders encouraging each other to stay strong.

 Manager of Villa Botanica Janet Hogan, who was also celebrating the eve of her company’s 150^th wedding, said maybe Charles Darwin was wrong.

 “It’s not about survival of the fittest – it’s about co-operation and working together – understanding that each one of us is just a very small part of a larger organism – the Airlie Beach community,” Ms Hogan said.

 Especially notable award winners included young achiever Emily Smart and Volunteer Ambassador Co-ordinator Judi Dunn, who received a standing ovation for her “outstanding contribution by a volunteer”.

 “My husband is not going to believe this  - I am so touched I don’t know what to say,” Ms Dunn announced as she accepted her award.

 Ms Dunn was one of a handful of ladies whose high standards of fashion gave rise to an impromptu “best dressed” competition, with Caroline Allen eventually taking the crown.

 The evening was catered for by Fish D’Vine, with after dinner entertainment by the 1RAR band, who ensured that the Whitsunday tourism industry kicked up its collective heels.

Sailability Whitsunday receives 'best' boat

 The presentation of Ben Southall’s Hobie trimaran to charitable organisation Sailability Whitsunday turned out to be an even greater occasion than planned when Sunstate Hobie Director Mal Gray unexpectedly announced, “I’ve just decided to tear the invoice up”.

 Mr Gray had previously agreed to sell the trimaran to Sailability Whitsunday at a reduced cost, having already put it to good use during Ben Southall’s ‘best expedition in the world’.

 “I hadn’t given it a lot of thought before now, but I think it’s a good way to finish off the expedition and I’m sure they (Sailability) can put the money to another really good use,” Mr Gray said.

 Mr Gray said one of the main reasons he decided to make a full donation was “because, like Ben, Sailability were prepared to pay”.

 “I am often approached by people with their hands out. I prefer to give to those who don’t want everything for nothing,” he said.

 “I can see what effort you’ve all put in. You are the generous ones,” Mr Gray told a stunned Sailability Whitsunday President Bruce Carter and his crew.

 Mr Carter said he was “overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone concerned”.

 “The advantage of this boat is we aren’t as tide-reliant as with some of the other vessels. It’s extremely stable and with the trampolines we can have a carer either side of the client. Basically, in conjunction with our three Access-3 dinghies, we now have a range of vessels to suit differing disabilities,” Mr Carter said.

 The Hobie trimaran is in immaculate condition in spite of its gruelling journey along the Great Barrier Reef and comes complete with everything but Ben’s Aussie figurehead “Davo” the glove puppet, who has been “retired”.

 Mr Southall said Friday’s presentation was a “poignant moment” as he farewelled his home of four-and-a-half months and flashed back to his charitable roots.

 “Being patron of something like this is significant for me because it takes me back to my days when I worked for a disabled charity in the UK. It’s a big honour, and comes with the responsibility of helping to promote this throughout Queensland,” he said.

 Friday’s celebrations also included the draw of a 38-prize raffle, which businesses all over the Whitsundays donated to. Mr Carter said funds raised from the raffle would enable Sailability Whitsunday to order a brand new Access-3 dinghy, which was expected to arrive within the next few weeks.

Sailability Whitsunday holds raffle to raise funds

 Sailability Whitsunday is holding a bonanza raffle for the ultimate goal of raising funds to get more disabled and disadvantaged people out on the water.

 Sailability Whitsunday President Bruce Carter says the organisation is currently using borrowed boats, which must eventually be passed on to another upcoming branch.

 “We need to acquire our own boats and have the engineering drawings done (to comply with OH&S) in order to install a derrick (crane), all of which means raising funds. To do this the businesses of the Whitsundays have graciously donated 38 prizes so we can raffle them off and achieve our goals,” Mr Carter said.

 Mr Carter said Sailability Whitsunday was hoping to purchase the Hobie cat used by Ben Southall for his ‘Best Expedition in the World’ and was currently liaising with Ben to deliver the boat towards the end of this month.

 “With the funds from our raffle we will be able to acquire both that particular boat and an access 3.3 dinghy valued at $8,000, to be named ‘Kane” after Danny Kane, a local disabled sailor who passed away last year,” Mr Carter said.

 Regional sales and marketing manager for Fantasea Cruises Jenni Wasson said Fantasea was proud to donate reef trips for the cause.

 “We get asked to donate trips a lot, but when it’s for something like this we don’t even baulk. It’s great to be a part of it,” Ms Wasson said.

 “These are people who don’t have the opportunities the rest of us take for granted. It’s going to bring freedom to them and put smiles on their faces,” she said.

 For more information or to purchase raffle tickets contact Bruce Carter on 0407 632 887.

Whitsunday adventure for Best Job Ben

 For British adventurer Ben Southall, the past two weeks have been anything but dull, with an action-packed Whitsunday itinerary forming part of the ‘Best Expedition in the World’.

 After an eventful arrival in Airlie Beach, Ben hosted a welcome party at the YHA followed by a day of ocean rafting accompanied by travel blogger ‘Tim the Traveller’. Then came a visit to Daydream Island coinciding with the launch of a new educational package, the ‘living reef’.

 “The Living Reef is a great example of how education and entertainment can be combined to provide a unique tourism experience for everybody, from island guests to day trippers and school groups,” Ben said.

 Ben also caught up with Tourism Minister Jan Jarratt at the opening of Art Whitsunday’s annual exhibition, proving, in a mock arm wrestle, he has the muscle-power to kayak the distance ahead.

 Ms Jarratt welcomed Ben back to the Whitsundays. “We thank him for his ongoing efforts to promote Queensland,” she said.

 Following a series of reef monitoring exercises and a rare weekend off, Ben hosted a ‘boys adventure camping and kayaking tour’ with journalists Damien Stannard (Courier Mail) and Tim Spicer (Men’s Fitness magazine) in tow.

 Damien Stannard described the adventure as an “awesome” trip.

 “It was just like the postcards – stunning,” he said.

 After two days on a Hobie kayak, Tim Spicer confirmed Ben’s expedition was “not nearly as easy as it looks”.

 “It’s very challenging actually. Ben’s a fit guy. I don’t know how he’s doing it for 1,600 kms,” he said.

 Last but by no means least, Ben joined forces with solo sailor Jessica Watson in a Whitsunday ‘adventurers challenge’.

 Jessica and Ben were originally scheduled to race separate Hobie kayaks around the south coast of Whitsunday Island, but mere metres into the race Ben’s rudder broke, calling for a sudden change of plan.

 “Ben got a bit scared. It was a bit wet, a bit windy – so he decided he’d come with me instead,” Jessica said.

 “There are two sides to this story… and we’ll go with yours!” Ben said.

 The energetic pair joined took one kayak from Whitehaven Beach to Hamilton Island’s qualia resort in under two hours.

 Jessica described the experience as “great fun”.

 “It’s nice to come up here and do this with Ben. It’s a great expedition he’s on,” she said.  

  Today Ben leaves the Whitsundays with Cooktown firmly in his sights. To follow his progress visit www.islandreefjob.com.

A 'Best Expedition' for the Southall Seniors

 Backpackers aren’t the only tourists with a reason to come to the Whitsundays and Ben Southall’s parents are here to tell the world why.

 Margaret and Duncan Southall are having their very own ‘best expedition’ – in an Apollo motorhome. The senior Southalls have been travelling in ‘grey nomad’ style enjoying a week in the Whitsundays incorporating the croc safari, Localvore tour, visits to Cedar Creek Falls, Conway and Wilsons Beaches and the Proserpine museum.

 “Not everyone comes here and wants to do things on the water so activities like the Localvore tour are good ones for people who don’t want to go sailing or swimming or snorkelling,” they said.

 Margaret said being a “foodie” she absolutely loved the localvore concept.

 “It was a great tour and then to go back and sit and chat to everybody was great. The food at Capers was fantastic,” she said.

 The Southalls visited the Proserpine museum on their ‘day off’.

 “We thought we’d be there for an hour or two but there was so much variety we stayed for most of the morning,” they said.

 Like Ben, the Southalls are beaming their experiences to prospective travellers all over the globe, using technology Margaret maintains the older generations have now embraced.

 “I would always research things on the internet. Blogs and forums tell you quite a lot, especially about accommodation,” she said.

 The Southalls will soon be leaving the Whitsundays for adventures in Bowen and beyond. 

Ben Southall brings Best Expedition to Airlie Beach

 Tourism ambassador and global adventurer Ben Southall held a Hobie kayak clinic for the guests of BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday, in spite of yesterday’s rain.

 Ben is currently paddling, pedalling and sailing his way up the Great Barrier Reef and arrived in the Whitsundays yesterday (see Page 2).

 “I’m feeling pretty fit, but it’s still a long way to go. Cooktown is still a very distant dot on the map,” he said.

 Ben’s kayak clinic kicked off the BIG4 Adventure Whitsundays winter sports carnival, providing children with plenty of outdoor activities during the school holidays.

 “This is about not sitting in front of the TV all the time. So much can be done outdoors and places like BIG4 are perfect for that. Kids want to learn and they love trying new things. Putting smiles on their faces is such a great thing to do,” Ben said.

 Owner of BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Naomi McKinnon said Ben was a great role model for kids.

 “We’ve tried to create that whole concept of getting kids outside and active and Ben’s really the epitome of that,” she said.

 The Hobie Kayak was chosen as the vessel of choice for the ‘best expedition in the world’ after Ben saw one in action at Hervey Bay.

 “This is not meant to be about endurance and if I was to bust my shoulder in the first week, that would be it. When I saw the Hobie kayak I thought it looked like a really accessible means of doing the adventure. It’s really very simple to learn the art of sailing in. By the end of it, hopefully I’ll be an accomplished sailor,” he said.

 Whilst in the Whitsundays Ben will participate in a ‘boys adventure’ camping and kayaking tour. He will also pit his skills against teen solo sailor Jessica Watson, in a Hobie kayak race from Whitehaven Beach to Hamilton Island.

 “She knows much more about sailing than I do,” he joked.

 To follow Ben’s adventures visit www.islandreefjob.com

Best Job Ben booked for Hobie Kayak clinic in the Whitsundays

 Former Best Job in the World Island Caretaker and current Tourism Ambassador for Queensland Ben Southall, will hold a Hobie Kayak clinic during the winter school holidays at BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday in Airlie Beach.  

 Almost a quarter of the way into the Best Expedition in the World, a 1600 km kayaking venture that retraces the route taken by Captain James Cook along the Great Barrier Reef, Ben will welcome a day on land on June 28.

 As well as teaching youngsters how to sail a Hobie kayak Ben will explain more about his journey and his reef discoveries to date.

 BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday owner Naomi McKinnon said Ben’s presence will be a real highlight.

 “By the time Ben reaches our shores, he will have peddled, paddled and sailed almost 400 kilometres up the Great Barrier Reef since his launch from the Town of 1770 on May 21. He has bundles of enthusiasm and is a great role model for leaving the computer behind and getting active and into nature. If anyone can teach kids a passion for the great outdoors it has to be Ben.”

 BIG4 Adventure Activity Co-ordinator Alanna Schneider believes Ben’s kayaking lesson, along with the professional sailing clinics, are a perfect activity for kids visiting the Whitsundays for the first time. 

 “Imagine growing up and telling your kids that you had your first sailing lesson in the beautiful Whitsundays – and with Ben.  It’s a memory to last a lifetime,” Alanna said.

 During his visit to the region, Ben will also have an opportunity to catch up with his parents who are staying at Adventure Whitsunday from Monday 27 June as part of their own Queensland Road Trip.

 Ben said, “I’m a big supporter of nature and adventure and it’s fantastic to see BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday organise sporting activities for kids these school holidays. This is a beautiful environment and it’s natural that kids should get fit, get healthy and get out and enjoy it.”

 Ben’s Hobie Kayak clinic is just one of a number of activities scheduled at the holiday park to encourage younger kids to try new activities and ‘tweens and teens to learn new skills through bookable clinics.