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 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.