90. Includes Chicken, Beef, BBQ Pork & King Prawns a. Satay Sauce b. Mongolian Sauce c. Singapore Sauce d. Chao Mein VEGETABLES MEALS
Steamed Jasmine
Coconut Rice
91. Vegetables Stir-Fry: a. Oyster b. Garlic c. Cashew (Sweet Chilli) d. Chao Mein NOODLES & RICE
92. Pad Thai: Chicken $19.90 King Prawns $22.90
93. Pad See Ew: Chicken $19.90 King Prawns
I want to “ reach my audience “
EDITOR’S NOTE
Hi Everyone,
This edition celebrates two of the most powerful, beautiful and at times fragile parts of life - love and health.
Our Partners in Business feature shares the stories of local couples building successful businesses alongside successful relationships. While every journey is unique, a common thread running throughout each conversation was the importance of trust, collaboration and understanding the strengths each person brings to the partnership.
Love is also at the heart of this month’s Tripping Magazine, where
Whitsundays Wedding Trail on 14 June.
In Tripping, you’ll also find our annual Health, Fitness and Beauty feature, profiling the passionate local people helping keep our community healthy, connected and thriving.
Health is a subject that will always feel deeply personal to me. As many of you know, I was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 and feel incredibly fortunate to have remained in remission for almost seven years. Sadly, not everyone’s journey is the same, and in this edition we also share Fern Wilson’s story.
Cancer has a way of both breaking hearts and bringing people together.
During my own experience, the messages, conversations and quiet acts of support meant more than I can ever explain. Often, people don’t know what to say, but simply showing up for someone matters. Most people facing illness are not looking for perfect words, they just want to feel seen, accepted and supported.
That same power of connection carries people through grief, mental health struggles, hardship and life’s many challenges. In a world that can sometimes feel increasingly disconnected, community and kindness have never mattered more.
And that is exactly what we strive to do at Life Publishing: connect the communities we serve.
Happy reading,
CORE PUBLISHING AND EVENTS PTY LTD p. 0429 035 046 e. office@lifepublishinggroup.com
ON THE COVER
Three generations. One unstoppable work ethic. From founder Max Lamb Snr’s hands-on beginnings in 1986 to Max Lamb Jr steering M&P Services into a national force, the family legacy continues with the next generation already part of the journey. Together, they’ve built more than a businessthey’ve built an enduring Queensland success story.
Cover concept: Life Publishing Group
Photography: Alyce Holzy
ON THE COVER TRIPPING
Fitness Cartel Mackay is bringing a fresh approach to health and wellbeing in the region. Combining fitness, recovery and community in one modern space, the facility has quickly become a popular destination for locals of all ages and fitness levels, reflecting a growing focus on healthier lifestyles and balanced living across Mackay.
Photography: Alyce Holzy
Publisher: Rebecca Douthwaite. Editor in Chief: Rachael Smith rachael@corelife.com.au. Graphic Design: Marc Evans Tarnate, Taylor Trewartha and Camila Espinoza. Production: Trisha Coetzee and Georgia McDonald. Sales Managers: Jess Clark jess@corelife.com.au, Trish Jandt trish@lifepublishinggroup.com, Sherie Hensler-Adams sherie@lifepublishinggroup.com and Jack Bridgett jack@lifepublishinggroup.com. Writers: Hannah McNamara, Suzanna McLoughlin, Victoria Velton, Jacob Casha, Chelsea Ravizza and Sebastian Conidi. Photography: R Jean Photography, Alyce Holzy, Bella Drewett. Styling Make-up: Lauriely Taylor Make-up 0415 987 843 | Funk It Up 0402 258 416. Styling Hair: Adam & Eve Hair 4949 2711.
HOLDING ONTO HOPE
Amuch-loved Whitsundays mother is facing the fight of her life after learning her cancer has returned, this time as an incurable diagnosis.
After almost two years in remission, Fern Wilson has once again found herself navigating unimaginable challenges while caring for her young daughter, Zali, who she describes as her greatest reason to keep going.
Known throughout the Cannonvale community for her warmth, positivity and resilience, Fern has continued to face every setback with remarkable courage. As she explores new treatment pathways and focuses on spending precious time with her daughter, the local community has rallied around her in an extraordinary show of support.
In mid-May, friends, local businesses and residents came together for a community morning tea fundraiser held in Fern’s honour, raising funds and offering encouragement as she continues her journey. The event reflected the deep compassion of the Whitsundays community, with many turning out to show Fern and her family they are not alone.
Fern was first diagnosed with stage 3C ER/PR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer after doctors discovered a 13-centimetre tumour. Facing a grim prognosis without treatment, she underwent intensive chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a mastectomy in a determined effort to survive.
“It was one of the hardest periods of my life physically, emotionally and mentally, but I kept fighting because my daughter gave me every reason to stay strong,” Fern shared.
She described recovery as more than just physical healing, explaining that reconnecting with herself emotionally and spiritually became just as important as medical treatment. Through the darkest moments, she says Zali remained her greatest source of strength.
Support from close friends, family and the wider community also played a vital role in helping her through the ordeal. During her recovery, Fern travelled to Bali, where she began incorporating integrative natural therapies alongside conventional medicine.
After later receiving the news she was cancer-free, Fern returned to the Whitsundays and embraced a healthier, more grounded lifestyle, focusing on motherhood, wellbeing and building a life within the local community she had grown to love.
That sense of normality was shattered when ongoing pain led to further scans, revealing the cancer had returned as stage 4 metastatic disease.
“Hearing those words was devastating,” Fern said.
“For a moment, everything went dark. The fear, the shock and the uncertainty were overwhelming, and as a mother, your mind immediately
goes to your child and their future.”
Fern explained that treatment options available to her in Australia were focused largely on management rather than cure, prompting difficult conversations about prognosis and quality of life.
Determined not to lose hope, she made the decision to return to Bali with Zali to pursue an integrative healing approach in an environment she says brings her peace.
“I chose to return to Bali because I wanted access to integrative and supportive treatments that were not readily available to me in Australia,” she said.
“Here, I am receiving therapies focused on supporting my immune system, improving quality of life, and helping my body as a whole.”
Her treatment program includes high-dose intravenous Vitamin C, ozone therapy, nutrient IV therapies and a range of supportive natural treatments aimed at strengthening both body and mind.
“Bali has also given me peace, healing, and the chance to be present with my daughter in a calmer environment while I continue fighting,” she explained.
“Cancer changes everything, but it also reminds you what truly matters — time, love, connection, and the people who stand beside you.”
The mid-May morning tea fundraiser became a powerful reflection of the support surrounding Fern and her daughter, with donations, raffle prizes and messages of encouragement pouring in from across the region.
Fern said she was overwhelmed by the generosity shown by the Whitsundays community.
“To everyone donating prizes, attending the morning tea, reaching out, and supporting Zali and me - thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she said.
“In times like this, community means everything, and knowing we are not alone gives me strength to keep going.”
She also expressed gratitude to Zali’s father and his family for standing beside her throughout treatment and helping support both her and her daughter during some of the most difficult moments.
Despite the heartbreak and uncertainty that comes with a terminal diagnosis, Fern remains focused on hope, healing and cherishing every moment with her daughter.
“I want people to know that even in the hardest moments, hope still exists,” she said.
“I am still fighting, and I am deeply grateful for every person helping us through this journey.”
Picket
DRIVING CHANGE THROUGH
WITH
AMY SAVAGE FROM THE GROW AS I GO PODCAST
Your Wednesday commute just got interesting. Why? Because Amy Savage has launched her passion project.
Driven by a desire to help people feel less alone in the messy middle of life, that universal space where we’re all still figuring things out with every new chapter, Amy has created a podcast called Grow As I Go
Released every Wednesday at 6am, episodes are designed for people who feel like they haven’t quite cracked their goals yet – but want to grow, learn, and get the most out of life as they live it.
“It’s a space for honest, vulnerable conversations about learning as we go, without pretending we have it all together,” Amy explained.
“It’s for the messy middle part of life that we rarely feel comfortable showing. Most stories get told in hindsight, after the lessons are clear. But life isn’t lived that way. We’re figuring things out in real time, and I wanted to create something that reflects that.
“I’ve had quite a bit of personal adversity over the past decade which really sparked a deeper urge to share. I really think there is so much power in being vulnerable and sharing your experiences because the reality is, hard things happen to all of us, and no one should have to navigate that alone.
“We all are so busy on this constant treadmill of life, to the point where we don’t often make time for ourselves to pause, reflect, process, and learn lessons. This podcast is an invitation for people to jump off the treadmill for 15-20 minutes each week, to do exactly that.”
Amy has plenty of experience to share.
In her career she has gone far, working with the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning for 15 years, where she has held roles including Manager of Economic Development, all while running a successful MC business hosting private events.
“I feel very lucky to say that I genuinely love my job,” Amy shared.
Nicole Wirth
Focused Equine HORSEMANSHIP COACH & MENTOR
“I thought that it needed to be perfect and that I needed to have everything figured out before I began,” Amy said.
“Eventually I realized it shouldn’t be about having all the answers or creating something flawless, but more about showing up, being authentic, creating something meaningful – which is the whole vibe this podcast is built on.
“I’ve always been someone who brings a fun, vibrant energy into everything I do, and I want this podcast to feel the same. Even though we’re talking about real and sometimes heavy stuff, we can also see the light and human side of it all.”
Describe your personality in three words: Warm, vibrant and authentic
What Advice would you offer young business
Stop waiting for the ‘right’ moment and take the leap. It’s not about perfection, it’s about being willing to give things a shot. Every experience, good, hard and unexpected, teaches us something. Life is meant to be lived, not held back from.
Find Grow As I Go on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen to your podcasts, and hit subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes. Find updates on Instagram @growasigopodcast
Build an incredible partnership through honouring the instincts of the horse
In-person and virtual support for owners, competitors and trainers where ethical training is the standard (and your competitive advantage)
Mention this ad for your complimentary video consult with Nicole
40 YEARS OF INNOVATION
WITH MAX LAMB JR FROM M&P SERVICES
Founded in 1986 as a modest mechanical and panel shop, M&P Services always punched above its weight. Building on a strong reputation, the family business quickly became a trusted name within the local community. Forty years on, it has grown into an enterprise with not just regional, but national impact.
What began as a hands-on service operation, built on practical skill, long hours, and a commitment to getting the job done right, has evolved into a diverse enterprise spanning fleet servicing, transport/logistics and, more recently, the manufacturing of portable buildings and homes.
Managing director, Max Lamb Jr, explained:
“We’re making some pretty big waves against national competition, and we’ve got a lot of unique products that we’ve developed ourselves which are changing the way portables are getting utilised.”
Their biggest success has been in creating mobile wheeled infrastructure, sought out by clients within mining and construction. These ‘mobile crib units’, fully equipped with all modern amenities, have become an integral part of numerous projects across Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea.
The units offer rapid deployment are easy to transport and offer superior safety, productivity and are especially popular in the current climate provide significant and measurable fuel savings on mining circuits. They cater to industries such as mining, construction, civil and remote area services, providing workers with comfortable, fully functional living and workspaces even in the most challenging environments.
Dedicated to staying local, M&P Services manufactures from their purpose built 15m facility in Paget, meeting or exceeding rigorous industry standards.
According to Max Jr, the company’s ability to tailor these solutions to the unique demands of clients across various sectors has been key to its ongoing success. As M&P Services expands its operations, it continues to innovate in the field of transportable and modular buildings.
Looking back, the company’s success began all the way back in 1986 with Max’s father (Max Snr) and his business partner Peter Brayshaw (dec).
“They were just two mates that would hang out on weekends, go fishing and skiing, and have a beer together.” Max Jr said.
“At M&P they were performing both mechanical and panel repairs on vehicles, trucks, and trailers.
“Fast forward to 40 years, and we’re still in the service industry, but the focus has changed.”
Though their output has evolved, Max pointed out, the same mentality underpins the mission as it did in 1986.
“In the early days of the business, Dad built a good reputation by getting the job done, whether it be loading trucks on weekends, working weekends and all hours of the day or night, as required.
“His mentality to just roll your sleeves up and get through the work laid the foundation for what we do now; we just get on with the job, working to a good time frame, and working closely with clients to make sure that they’re satisfied.”
The strength of M&P’s family values is evidenced by the long-standing staff who have stayed loyal to the business over decades.
“The longevity of my employees a makes my job much easier and contributes to easy,” Max said.
“A large percentage of our staff have been with us more than five and ten years, a few over fifteen and twenty.”
Max Jr himself has been with the company since 1992, taking the helm and buying into the business when Mr Brayshaw retired in 1997.
“Having worked at the business as an apprentice mechanic from 1992, I’ve been part of the stunning transformation since,” he said.
“I still enjoy coming to work every day after 34 years”
With his father’s hardworking genes and a vision for design and growth, Max Lamb Jr has led M&P to become one of the largest portable building manufacturers in regional Queensland, but his sights remain firm on the road ahead.
What’s a business value you uphold?
Giving back to the community. We’re very proud of our annual golf day; we’re holding our eleventh this year. Last year, we raised $75,000 to distribute amongst 13 different local charities.
mpservices.net.au
M&P SERVICES OVER
OVER THE YEARS
Supply contract entered into at $4.9m
Block & Log Tiedown System added to Manufacturing, Sales & Hire
THE MAN WHO STARTED IT ALL MAX LAMB SNR
Before the fleet, the large-scale projects and the well-known name across Central Queensland, there was a rented shed, a thousand dollars, and a Mackay man with a work ethic as solid as steel.
In May 1986, Max Lamb Sr. laid the first foundations of what would become M&P Services, establishing M&P Auto’s in a modest workshop on Archibald Street in Mackay.
The early days were humble. The workshop near the Harbour was not only a workplace but home as well, with Max Snr and his young son living upstairs while the business slowly found its footing below. It was a simple operation built around mechanical repairs, panel beating and roadworthy certificates in the panel repair industry.
Alongside mate Peter Brayshaw (dec), Max Snr rolled up his sleeves and got to work.
Long before the trucks and transport projects, he was simply a Mackay bloke who loved fishing and skiing with friends. What set him apart, however, was the way he approached work. If something didn’t quite function the way it should, he would stop, study it, and work out a better way.
Efficiency, safety and practicality became his trademarks.
With a background in transport, Max Snr invested in a Dodge tow truck, a decision that would unexpectedly reshape the direction of the business. One truck soon became more, and before long the operation had grown into a fleet of twelve tilt-tray trucks transporting portable buildings across Central Queensland.
What made the business stand out was its evolving capability. Transporting structures was one thing, but Max Snr began refining the process so clients could rely on a full-service solution.
Transporting and installing. The whole package.
It was a classic case of Australian ingenuity meeting old fashioned determination, and if something wasn’t working, he would simply figure it out, and make it better.
“My father and grandfather were very hard working, so that’s carried through to five generations,” Max Snr said.
That legacy has shaped the culture of the company from day one. Jobs were completed whether it meant working weekends, late nights, or loading trucks long after others had clocked off.
“I started this 40 years ago, and I’m still here waiting for my gold watch,” he joked.
Today, the business stands as a testament to those early years of grit and determination.
According to his son, Max Lamb Jr., the secret was never complicated. He simply made things work.
“He’d find a way to make it happen, and he’d do the job right,” Max Jnr said.
While Max Snr is no longer labouring on the workshop floor, his presence and influence certainly remains embedded in the company’s DNA. The business is now led by Max Jnr, with the third generation, grandson Max, also part of the team, ensuring the legacy of their forefathers continues. What began with a rented shed and relentless effort has grown into a respected regional operation.
And at the heart of it all remains the same principle that started the journey nearly four decades ago.
Roll up your sleeves, get the job done, and do it properly!
THE TEAM BEHIND THE
In an industry built on precision, reliability and hard yakka, success rarely comes down to one person. At M&P Services, it comes down to the team.
Since 1986, the locally owned and operated company has established itself as a leader in the manufacture of transportable buildings and mobile crib rooms, earning a reputation across the region for quality workmanship, dependable service and practical innovation.
In 2025, that commitment was recognised with a Manufacturing Excellence win at the RIN Awards, but behind every accolade is a workforce that keeps the wheels turning day in and day out.
Today, M&P Services employs between 49 and 61 permanent staff and subcontractors across a wide range of departments including office administration, stores and procurement, logistics, fabrication, construction and assembly, hire and sales, and marketing.
It is a moving machine with many parts, but remarkably, it runs with the kind of rhythm that can only come from strong workplace culture and genuine connection between teams.
From the first concept drawing to final delivery, communication is central to the operation. Daily prestarts and weekly toolbox talks ensure every department remains aligned in real time, helping projects flow efficiently from the office floor to the workshop and out onto the road.
There is no sense of silos here. The administration team knows what is happening in fabrication. Logistics works hand in hand with construction crews. Procurement stays closely connected with operational demands. Everyone understands they are part of something bigger than their own department.
At M&P Services, employment milestones are not unusual. They are part of the company story. Team members regularly celebrate five, 10, 15 and even 20-year anniversaries across both management and operational roles, a reflection of a business where loyalty is valued and people genuinely enjoy coming to work.
The culture itself is best described by three words the company proudly stands by: connected, innovative and empathetic.
Those values are not corporate buzzwords slapped on a lunchroom wall. They are woven through the everyday moments. Staff birthdays and milestones are regularly celebrated. Wins are shared across departments. Support is offered when times get tough. There is a family feel to the business that cannot be manufactured on a production line.
It is perhaps that grounded approach that gives M&P Services its distinct character. There is innovation and ambition, certainly, but also a refreshing sense of humility. The kind built from early starts, steel cap boots, practical problem solving and plenty of elbow grease.
For many businesses, growth can dilute culture. At M&P Services, growth appears to have strengthened it.
The company continues to evolve with changing industry demands while holding firmly to the values that shaped it nearly four decades ago. People are not viewed as numbers on a payroll sheet. They are recognised as the driving force behind every successful project delivered.
In the end, the transportable buildings may carry the M&P Services name, but it is the people inside the business who truly build its foundation.
That collaborative spirit is one of the reasons staff stay for the long haul.
THE TRADE
53,915
in a single month at Whitsunday Coast Airport
PASSENGER NUMBERS Council-owned asset powering visitation growth $ 217 M
DELIVERING THE OF TOMORROW
Enabled through Council partnerships $ in local industry
PRIVATE INVESTMENT
SECURED
$ 15M + for regional sports infrastructure Council - led planning delivering funding outcomes
32,000 + welcomed this quarter CRUISE PASSENGERS Through Council-managed Shute Harbour Marine Terminal
41% in local business
Whitsunday Regional Council is not standing still - it is actively delivering the projects, infrastructure and strategic planning needed to support one of regional Queensland’s fastest-growing communities.
Every investment, partnership and advocacy e ort is designed to position the region for the future while delivering real benefits today.
VISITOR SPEND $ 75M over the last 12 months
Across the region, Council is transforming long-term strategies into visible, on-the-ground outcomes.
FUNDING ATTRACTED
From expanding community hubs and unlocking future housing supply, to strengthening tourism gateways, attracting private investment and advancing critical transport and marine infrastructure, the focus is firmly on practical delivery.
This is about more than projects. It’s about building stronger communities, creating local jobs, supporting business confidence and ensuring the Whitsundays is prepared for sustained growth.
Guided by the Whitsunday 2030 Economic Development Strategy, Council is balancing immediate community needs with long-term opportunity — ensuring the Whitsundays remains competitive, connected and ready to thrive.
This is what delivery looks like:
• Strategic planning backed by action.
• Regional advocacy backed by results.
• And a Council committed to getting on with the job for its community.
The Cannonvale Community Hub Concept
WHITSUNDAYS
Cannonvale
• New trunk infrastructure unlocking future housing supply
• Shute Harbour marine facilities moving forward under Olympic pathway
• Planning reforms now in place delivering clearer outcomes
• Town centres being activated through tourism and creative investment
What This Mean for the Community
• More jobs being created locally
• More visitors supporting local businesses
• Better facilities being delivered for residents
• Infrastructure being built to support growth
• A region moving forward with confidence
The Galbraith Park Master Plan Concept
F25 YEARS OF CARE
With Kim McPherson, Ben Brightman and Chloe Watson from Valley Veterinary Surgery
rom humble beginnings, Valley Veterinary Surgery has spent 25 years growing into a trusted network of family-run clinics, supporting animal-lovers on their best days and worst, and delivering next-level care to pets, livestock and native wildlife.
It all began with a single branch, opened in 2001 by Veterinary Surgeon Kim McPherson and her then-husband Brad Pullen, when their eldest daughter was just seven-months-old.
“I never planned on being a business owner, but it just happened, out of true necessity. We were going to be cane farmers, but the cane was in a real crisis,” Kim said.
Kim and Brad identified the potential for a vet surgery in Walkerston.
It was a risk that depended on the community giving them a chance.
“We were so appreciative of anyone who came to see us,” Kim shared.
Now, Valley Veterinary Surgery has 3 fullystaffed clinics.
“It’s unbelievable to look back now and think where we began. It was such a small beginning. We didn’t do anything fancy,” Kim reminisced.
“We just said: Let’s do this. Let’s listen to people, try and help, give good service... And you know, it’s just happened.
“We barely had a holiday in six years when we
first set up - but they were good times. It was really rewarding to be focused on supporting the Valley. Our girls grew up amongst afterhours emergencies, and sacrifices were endured, but I am so proud of them, one now a doctor and one about to graduate vet science.”
As demand grew, expansion followed, and Valley Veterinary Surgery opened clinics in central Mackay and Marian.
Ten years into the journey, Kim and Brad separated, but the business continued to thrive with his support.
Kim expresses gratitude for Brad’s founding role: “I wouldn’t have done this on my own. We were a unit.”
In 2021, Brad’s shares in the business were taken over by Veterinarian Ben Brightman and Vet Nurse Chloe Watson.
Ben and Chloe were already on staff, dedicated to the team and to maintaining the clinic’s core family values.
Ben had grown up with a dream of working with animals. Valley Veterinary Surgery cared for his family pets, and Ben realised it was exactly the kind of clinic he wanted to work for.
“It was just always a great community-minded family vet clinic. They really cared about our pets and our livestock and wanted to do the best thing for us. You had that special relationship with them.”
Chloe was a nurse for Valley Veterinary Surgery between 2012-2018, before moving to the UK. When she returned in 2020, she became head nurse and took on clinic management.
“I never thought I would be a business owner,” Chloe said.
“I never thought it was an option for a vet nurse or a practice manager. But Kim mentioned it to me and said, with my work ethic, it’s something I’d be good at.
“I found myself thinking about it all the time, after that.”
Despite the business’s growth, a close-knit family-feel endures, with senior staff from day one now mentoring recent graduates.
An upcoming milestone for the business includes the addition of a CT scanner, the first between Bundaberg and Townsville.
Day to day, it’s all about making a difference in the community, treating every pet like it’s their own, and supporting owners on their best days and their worst.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
Kim: A client really appreciating our effort.
Ben: The people in the community.
Chloe: Training the young nurses. valleyvet.com.au
photo credit: Alyce Holzy
DR KIM MCPHERSON Director & Veterinarian
How does success feel for you?
Rewarding. We’ve just always tried to be focused on supporting the valley. From the very first year we always supported Gargett rodeo, Finch Hatton Show and the schools; it’s all been about the community.
What does the day to day look like for you now?
I’m full time still- but I have Tuesdays off to play golf. I love my golf. One of the big things that I enjoy doing at the moment is mentoring new grads. The James Cook University graduates are really good, and we’re
all about supporting them. It’s a tough job, and we used to just be thrown in the deep end. But these days, we’re much more aware of the repercussions of the pressures of vet science and so we want to support them to enter this great industry and look after it. Mentoring the young ones keeps me young.
Where did your love for animals come from?
I grew up with that great farm life, first in Narrabri and then in Longreach, around lambs and calves and piglets and chickens. That led both me and my identical
twin sister into it, because we just enjoyed animals and really wanted to be farmers. We were always fascinated with them. Dad was pretty much a butcher, and we would look at all the viscera; it’s just one of those things, like how little boys are often interested in trucks. We were interested in the ins and outs of animals.
What advice would you give others?
Do the best you can do. Don’t be half hearted about things- try and do things to the best of your ability, whatever that is, and be proud of that effort.
DR BEN BRIGHTMAN Director & Veterinarian
What led you into this career?
I always wanted to be a vet ever since I was in primary school. I grew up in Mackay with a family of a cane and cattle farmers, so I always had that love of animals and livestock. My grandfather, on the other side of the family was in human Orthopaedics. So I guess I sort of just ended up mixing those two interests together, of animals and medicine.
CHLOE WATSON
What have been some of your personal highlights at Valley Veterinary Surgery?
Every day there’s a different highlight. Mostly getting to be do some really cool surgeries and help pets that otherwise wouldn’t have been able to be helped, bringing services to Mackay that just weren’t an option for clients in the past. It’s also really cool to be able to offer procedures that people in the past had to drive to Brisbane or Townsville to get done, making that access to care so much easier.
Director & Practice Operations Manager
What advice would you give to your younger self
Never discount the unexpected, because I definitely never thought I would not be a full-time vet nurse. But now, I love management. I love helping the clinic. I love helping staff, and that’s something I never, ever expected.
What career path brought you here?
I wanted to be a vet when I was a kid. That was what I always wanted
to be. But when I went to university I didn’t get into vet studies. I did zoology for eight months, but I realised I just wanted to get into the workforce. I was really not enjoying studying full time. I had done a week of work experience at Valley Veterinary Surgery during Year 11 and Kim had offered me a school-based traineeship, because she saw that I work really hard. So later, when I realised university wasn’t for me, my mum reminded me that Kim believed in me, and I
applied for some nursing positionsand just happened to get a job with Valley Veterinary Surgery.
Do you have any pets yourself?
I have a cat called Wendy. We’re a one cat household. I tried to bring another cat home, and she was not super impressed with that! My sisters both have dogs and my parents have chickens, so there are always plenty of animals around.
What makes Valley Veterinary Surgery special?
We’re family owned. A lot of clinics are being bought by corporate companies, whereas in ours, the owners of the business are working in the practice. So we’re there and we’re actually making sure that our patients and clients are getting the very best.
Serving the local area for more than 70 years
• Free quotes available across Mackay & surrounding suburbs
• Full-service roofing & plumbing for residential & commercial properties • Focused on quality, safety and long-term value with every job
If you’re searching for a dependable plumber, roofer, or cooling specialist in the Mackay region, call TODAY to request your free quote.
PROTECTING YOUR PENSION IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
As we move through 2026, global events are once again reminding investors how quickly conditions can change. For retirees and those drawing an income from superannuation, headlines about war, rising oil prices and inflation pressures can be unsettling.
The conflict involving Iran has pushed energy prices higher, feeding directly into inflation through transport and production costs. History shows that energy shocks are one of the fastest ways inflation can re ignite, placing pressure on interest rates and investment markets at the same time.
For people in the drawdown phase of superannuation, this naturally raises the question: should we be changing our investment strategy?
For our clients, the answer remains no
At Eclipse Financial Planning, we focus on preparation rather than prediction. Our portfolios are built with protection strategies designed to ensure you can continue receiving income without being forced to sell growth assets when markets are under pressure. Decades of market research consistently show that investors who try to time the market generally end up worse off than those who stay the course. Volatility is uncomfortable, but it is normal. What matters most is having a strategy that allows you to ride through downturns while still meeting your income needs. This is especially important during periods like the current one, where higher oil prices can lift inflation, delay interest rate cuts and unsettle share markets all at once. Selling quality assets during market falls to fund pension payments can permanently lock in losses. A well structured portfolio avoids this by ensuring sufficient defensive and income
producing assets are available when markets fall.
It also helps to have an experienced professional to talk things through. When headlines are dominated by war and economic uncertainty, emotions can easily take over—particularly when your retirement savings are at stake. We don’t believe the current uncertainty will disappear quickly. Periods of calm are the exception, not the rule. Shocks—whether from wars, pandemics or financial crises—are a recurring feature of investing.
That is why now more than ever, it is vital to review and understand your personal retirement strategy. Being prepared before major market movements occur is far more effective than reacting after the fact, particularly if you are already retired or planning to retire in the next few years.
For a free consultation with local people who understand the complexities of these or any other financial matter, contact
Stacey
A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT
WITH HAYLEY AND PAUL MORAN FROM AIRLIE HEALTH HUB
There’s a new team member about to join the Airlie Health Hub team, only this time it’s growing from within, as husband and wife business owners Hayley and Paul Moran are expecting their first child.
Hayley’s motherhood journey is closely entwined with the creation of her business, as she and Paul launched the organic, health-focused food store after Hayley experienced trouble conceiving.
“I had massive fertility issues in my early 20s.” Hayley shared.
“I thought, but why- I shouldn’t? So I asked: what’s in the products that I’m putting on my skin? What’s in the food that I’m eating, the water that I’m drinking?
“There was no access to eating chemical- and toxin-free at that time, so I really had to start my own store to be able to turn my own life around. Now, I’m pregnant… It’s something that we had pretty much given up on.”
Upon discovering the power of how changing your diet can change your life and transform the way you feel, Hayley and Paul committed themselves to helping others feel their best.
“Sometimes, people come to us not just to eat cleaner and eat fresher, but because they have health problems that they know they can’t deny anymore because it’s really impacting their lives.” Hayley said.
Airlie Health Hub offers a new way of fuelling your body, one that is connected to nature, and mindful of the impacts of chemicals on the body; chemicals that often find their way onto supermarket shelves.
Along the way, Hayley and Paul have been building community, supporting producers in the region and looking for new ways to find a natural way of living. They are currently heading into their growing season, heading out to farms in Bowen twice a week to harvest fresh, seasonal produce.
“When you see out-of-season produce in the supermarkets it’s from overseas, or chemically stored, which never tastes as good. Ours, you can just smell the food, you can taste it. It’s so much different,” Hayley explained.
With a little one on the way, Hayley and Paul are continuing to grow the store’s offering, as they learn about new products that keep both baby and Mum healthy and toxin-free.
“I’ve started to implement things in the store now,” Hayley said.
“For instance, there are a lot of chemicals in typical nappies that go straight onto a newborn’s skin. And your skin’s your biggest organ. So, we’re finding alternatives.
Hayley and Paul have always led the business as a duo, but as they step back a little to prepare for parenthood, they have been growing a team of passionate, beautiful staff who carry their warm, welcoming energy and passion for good food. The transition has been made easy for Hayley by Paul’s unwavering support.
“He does everything for me at the moment, whether it be cooking, or putting my shoes on. Paul is my best friend,” she said.
With four years spent running the business, Hayley and Paul have long since found their flow, and complement each other – but it took a little adjustment to find their groove. The secret, they say, is honest, open communication.
The couple’s proudest achievement along the way has been seeing the store grow, adding fresh produce, dairy, organic meat from the Atherton Table Lands, and fresh sourdough bread, to the bulk wholefoods they began with. They’ve grown a network of similar minded, organic producers, curating small-batch products from all over the Whitsundays; and on the horizon they only anticipate further expansion. What makes you feel successful?
That we actually, genuinely love what we do.
@airliehealthhub
photo credit: R Jean Photography
20 YEARS MAKING
WITH STEVE AND LANIE MARKS OF EXPLORE
Photo credit: R Jean Photography
A MARK
Steve and Lanie Marks have just celebrated their 20th anniversary – two decades of love; but also of building businesses together, in a partnership that has changed the property landscape of the Whitsundays.
The pair began in hospitality, running Beaches in Airlie Beach, before entering real estate. Now they have three businesses – Loan Market, Accom Whitsundays, and Explore Property rentals and sales.
Steve is a company director, a leader who strategizes, builds business and dreams up ideas - he shoots for the stars. Lanie, on the other hand, keeps her feet on the ground, and helps turn those grand ideas into concrete plans. She is a mortgage broker, property manager, and more, all whilst being the CEO of the Marks’ family life. Together, they’re a humble and hardworking team.
The couple transitioned into property after the birth of their first of two sons. Looking to pivot out of the unsociable hours of hospitality, the pair sought work that allowed them to make a change, and build something new.
“Steve was always looking at the real estate section of Airlie Beach. He fell in love with Hamilton Island and Airlie Beach the minute he got here, always following the growth of the town.”
Lanie said
“And I was always really interested in real estate, and saw an opportunity to join Ray White, 20 years ago. I worked as a Property Manager and BDM before becoming a mortgage broker and opening Loan Market Whitsunday in 2018.”
Whilst Lanie grew Loan Market, Steve revelled in Project Marketing and became hooked by the satisfaction of seeing his impact growing the town he loved, naming streets and adding development housing.
Four years ago, the pair opened Explore Property, beginning in a small office in Cannonvale before upgrading in 2025, turning an old panel beater’s workshop on Shute Harbour Road into a gorgeous airy space, and growing a team of three to a team of twenty through hard graft and a clear vision.
Just six months ago, the pair further expanded their company and reach with the acquisition of the PRD Rental Business including Residential, Commercial, Storage and Holiday Let Business Accom Whitsunday – their biggest challenge; but also, their biggest success.
With Lanie and Steve combining their skills, the business has become a unique multi-service agency offering bespoke, one-stop service for their clients.
“I think a lot of real estate agents can be very transactional.” Steve explained.
“So we always ask: How can I help? Every single transaction is different.
We collaborate with our owners and tenants and vendors depending on their exact needs and wants- whether they’re moving overseas or interstate, buying an investment property, or holiday home – we give them suggestions and advice in-house, without referrals or extra fees.”
For Lanie and Steve, leading a business as a couple means some of their best strategy meetings pop up unexpectedly.
“We have a theory.” Steve confessed.
“We were on Hamilton Island last week for our wedding anniversary, drinking wine, and we come up with a really good strategy; we went: That’s brilliant!
“The best ideas come when you are relaxed, when you step back, and have capacity for them.”
Their top advice to other couples is to maintain clear and independent roles within the business.
“We don’t step on each other’s toes in in the workspace.” Lanie said.
“He’s got his things he excels at. I have mine.”
Lanie highlighted Steve’s business acumen, strategic planning, and quick thinking.
Steve says Lanie has incredible patience and can filter out the best ideas from the crazy ones.
Steve and Lanie have dreamteamed their way to success, with four businesses now growing independently and together, interweaving and creating a new way of approaching retail. After dedicating themselves to the growth of their business, they’ve reached a stage where they can enjoy the dividends.
“You’ve got to take the time to appreciate the accolades of owning a business; pressure is a privilege,” Steve said. “You’ve got to remember that you can’t work all the time. You can’t lose yourself in the business.”
The pair are now enjoying a rich family life earned through decades of hard work, spending time together and with their boys, finding work life balance and building the team.
And if they get hit with a genius business plan in a spa, at the bar or on the beach? That makes it even better.
What advice would you have for any other couples thinking of going into business together?
Define your roles and trust one another completely to do their job. Understand that there will be mistakes made and find solutions together.
What’s the most unusual place you’ve had a business discussion?
Lanie: On a chairlift, snowboarding in Canada!
Steve: I actually had a really big idea when face down in the snow.
PASSING ON THE PASSION
WITH STEVE & TONI WARD FROM WHITSUNDAY BOAT & JETSKI LICENCE TRAINING
Steve and Toni Ward have spent thirty years turning their lifelong passion for the ocean into a string of successful businesses. This year, the pair dived even deeper into the Whitsunday water scene, building on their legacy with a new venture: Whitsunday Boat & Jetski Licence Training.
Having owned and operated businesses like Whitsunday Jetski Tours, Daydream Island Watersports, Whitsunday Parasailing and Island Jet Boating, the husband-and-wife duo are now helping locals and visitors alike gain not only their marine licences but also something far more valuable: confidence.
“We don’t just teach people to pass a test,” Steve says.
“We teach practical skills for operating safely in real conditions. What makes us unique is the level of real experience behind the training.”
Steve has lived in the Whitsundays, championing marine tourism for over 30 years, owning and operating several successful watersports businesses. With experience that spans vessel operations, safety management, and training, passing on his skills to the next generation of boaties feels like a natural progression.
“Mentoring people on the water has always been a passion.” Steve shared.
“What we both love most is seeing someone
go from nervous to capable in just a day. It’s incredibly rewarding—it’s helping someone build skills for life.”
At Steve’s side is his business partner and wife, Toni, who balances his industry knowledge with strong business and operational experience through a background in administration, customer service, and business management.
“We have very complementary roles.” Toni said.
“Steve is hands-on, delivering training and assessments with a strong focus on safety and real-world experience. I manage the business side—bookings, systems, marketing, and customer communication.
“Our biggest strength is clear communication and shared goals. Like any partnership, balancing work and personal life can be a challenge, but we keep things grounded by staying focused on the bigger picture and supporting each other.”
Highlights of Whitsunday Boat & Jetski’s evolution have been becoming an authorised BoatSafe provider under Allstate Boat Licensing, bringing a locally focused training service to the region they love, and being met with massive enthusiasm.
Outside of work, the ‘Wardys’ – Toni, Steve and four big kids – have always been all about action and adventure.
“We love anything on the water—boating, jet skiing,
kitesurfing, wing foiling—you name it,” they said.
“When we’re not out on the water, we’re usually in the dirt on the motorbikes, enjoying enduro weekends and a bit of adventure riding. At the end of the day, it’s all about family time and making the most of the Whitsundays lifestyle.”
That love of the Whitsundays is poured into everything Steve and Toni do – and it makes them the perfect teachers. Their courses are built on passion, integrity, and a drive to contribute to safe boating by providing high-quality training and a positive, supportive experience for every student.
What advice would you give to others looking to build amazing teams?
Our mantra has always been ‘Your vibe attracts your tribe.’
Never aim to be the smartest person in the room and always be willing to learn something new.
Respect each other’s strengths, stay aligned on your goals, and don’t let small issues grow into bigger ones.
A strong team is built on trust, accountability, and mutual support.
Describe your partner’s personality in three words:
Working with your partner isn’t for everyone—but for some couples, it just works. Running a business together means you’re not only sharing life outside of work, but also the wins, challenges, and day-to-day decisions that come with building something of your own. It takes patience, clear communication, and a good sense of humour—but it can also be incredibly rewarding.
Of course, it comes with its challenges. There’s the balancing act between work and home life, knowing when to switch off (or at least trying to), and making sure each person has their own space to contribute. But on the flip side, there’s a level of trust and understanding that’s hard to replicate in any other business relationship.
For John and Paula Mottin, working together has been part of their story for over a decade. Since 2010, they’ve teamed up in rural property sales, combining their skills and building a strong reputation in the industry along the way.
In 2014, they took a big step forward and purchased a share in McCathies Real Estate T/A Nutrien Harcourts McCathies. It was a natural progression—moving from working in the business to helping shape its future. Then in 2021, they went all in, purchasing the entire business and taking full ownership. Since then, their knowledge and services have expanded well beyond rural sales.
Today, their business covers residential, rural and commercial sales, along with property management and strata management. What makes working together successful for couples like John and Paula is understanding each other’s strengths and backing one another. There’s a shared drive to succeed, but also a shared pride in what they’ve built together.
At the end of the day, being in business as a couple isn’t just about work—it’s about building something meaningful together. And for those who can make it work, it can be one of the most rewarding partnerships there is. burdekin.nutrienharcourts.com.au.
LOGILYTICS LAUNCHES FASTER, SMARTER INTERNET
In a world where everything from business to home life relies on staying connected, reliable internet is no longer a nice-to-have. It is essential. That’s why the Hinchinbrook region is getting a major upgrade.
Through a new partnership with Aussie Broadband, Logilytics is now delivering local NBN services across Hinchinbrook, including high-speed fibre where available. The result is faster speeds, stronger reliability and, importantly, support from a team that understands the needs of the local community. For businesses, dependable internet underpins daily operations, from processing payments and running cloud-based systems to safeguarding data and communicating with customers. At
home, it shapes how families stream, study, work and unwind. When it works well, everything flows. When it does not, it quickly becomes a source of frustration.
Logilytics is focused on removing that frustration. Rather than offering generic, onesize-fits-all solutions, the team works closely with each customer to tailor a setup that suits their specific needs. From choosing the right plan to ensuring WiFi and networks are properly configured, everything is handled with care and local know-how, so customers can rely on a setup that performs when it matters most.
As owner Ben Barbi explains, “People just want their stuff to work. They don’t want to have to lean on IT every time they want to do something.
That’s our passion - technology that works.”
Beyond internet services, Logilytics also supports businesses and residents with WiFi, phone systems, cloud migration, cyber security and hardware setup, providing an end-to-end technology solution.
With fast internet, fast support and a local team behind it, Hinchinbrook now has access to connectivity that keeps pace with modern life. What’s life like outside of work?
“I’ve got a small family, so we like to do things together. I’m also a guitarist and an Air Force Cadets instructor.”
Photo credit: Bella Drewett Photography & Film
Career seekers of all ages will find: Thursday 3rd August
Career seekers of all ages will find:
Universities (AU & International)
Universities (AU & International)
Vocational Education & Training Employers
Employment opportunities
Vocational Education & Training Employers
Applications & Scholarships
Employment opportunities
Postgrad info
Applications & Scholarships
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International student info And more!
A PERFECT PARTNERSHIP
WITH RACHAEL & TYSON GRIFFITHS FROM REEF SIDE BUYERS
ounders of Reef Side Buyers’ Agent Rachael and Tyson Griffiths are a dynamic and forward-thinking team, abreast of the market and analytics, with a people-first approach. In 2025 they took 20 years of hands-on experience across building, property, and long-term investment and used it to launch their own company –all while raising a young family. Already, the company is thriving, with the Griffiths established in the community as go-to advocates for property buyers, acting with insight, strategy and integrity to broker next-level deals for their clients.
Though going into business with your partner is not always for the faint-hearted, Rachael and Tyson went in with confidence and made family business look
The pair complement one another, combining different strengths but the same shared vision to put their clients in a position to make confident decisions and negotiate outcomes that wouldn’t have been possible without representation.
Rachael is the people person. She focuses on relationships, client management, and operations – a highly detailoriented and supportive presence keeping every client informed throughout the process. The strong relationships she builds –both with clients and local agents – often open doors to opportunities that aren’t publicly available.
Tyson’s strengths sit on the analytical side – breaking down the numbers, researching market trends, and identifying the right opportunities. He sources both on-market and off-market properties, assesses value, and structures negotiation strategies based on data and timing.
Everything they do, they do with integrity.
“We saw too many buyers overpaying, buying the wrong property, or missing out entirely because they didn’t understand how the local market actually works,” Tyson said.
“The Whitsundays isn’t a ‘plug and play’ market—you’ve got lifestyle buyers, investors,
short-term rental dynamics, and a lot of off-market deals. If you’re not connected, you’re already behind.”
Whilst building their business, Rachael and Tyson have seen an evolution in the way people buy.
“The biggest shift has been moving from people not really understanding what a buyers’ agent does to now actively seeking one out before they even start looking,” Rachael explained.
“A standout milestone has been consistently securing off-market and pre-market opportunities for clients—those are the deals that change outcomes, not the ones everyone is competing for online.
“Another highlight is seeing repeat clients and referrals grow. That’s usually the clearest sign you’re actually delivering results, not just talking about them.”
Those clients include investors seeking strategic, well-timed deals, as well as commercial clients and first-time buyers looking for structured, guided purchases.
Rachael and Tyson moved to the Whitsundays to give their kids a beautiful childhood, outdoors amongst some of the most stunning nature the country has to offer.
“We spend weekends fishing, camping, and spending time on the water,” Tyson said.
“That’s typical for the Whitsundays, but it’s a big part of why we chose to live here in the first place.”
Now, they now help others on similar journeys, seeking their dream homes by the sea.
If your business had a theme song, what would it be?
Thunderstruck – AC/DC.
What’s the most unusual place you’ve had a business discussion?
The bathtub.
What’s your proudest moment working together?
Building the business from the ground up while raising a young family.
Photo credit: R Jean Photography
TAKING SAFETY TO NEW HEIGHTS
ASTRID AND REECE FINLAY FROM FLY HIGH ROPE ACCESS
High above the ground, suspended by rope and precision, Reece Finlay works where most people simply cannot go. But his true anchor is his wife and business partner, Astrid.
Together, the couple launched Fly High Rope Access, a locally owned company delivering rope access services across Mackay and the wider region. The business was born not just from skill and opportunity, but from a simple family goal.
“We wanted him home with the kids,” Astrid said. “I was trying to find a way for him to leave his job on offshore oil and gas platforms so we could build something better for our family.”
Before that, Reece had been working FIFO out of Mackay, where he met Astrid in 2017. “We actually met on a dating app when we were both working in Darwin,” she laughs.
What followed was a whirlwind chapter of life. Less than a year into their relationship, the couple were preparing for their first child.
“Ten months into the relationship I was saying I wasn’t ready for kids, and two weeks later I was pregnant with our first,” Astrid said.
When COVID arrived around the time their child was born, the couple relocated to Mackay after Reece was offered the chance to return to a previous job in the region. What was meant to be a temporary post, slowly began to feel like home.
“Every time we thought we might leave Mackay,
something happened that kept us here,” Astrid said.
Originally from Brazil and raised in France, Astrid had come to Australia to study and spent the next ten years of her career working as a sound engineer in the music industry and travelling the country. Despite her global background, she said Mackay’s lifestyle and community quickly won her over.
And when the idea of starting a rope access business emerged, it unfolded rapidly.
“Within six weeks we went from just him to having ten people on board, and six months later we had twenty.”
Today, Reece leads operations on-site while Astrid manages the often-unseen side of the company, coordinating logistics, marketing, payroll and administration.
The company specialises in rope access solutions for challenging environments, supporting trades and industries across commercial and industrial sites.
signage installation, the method provides a flexible alternative to traditional access equipment such as scaffolding or lifts. The company’s technicians undergo internationally recognised training through IRATA standards and follow strict safety protocols and risk management procedures.
“One thing we don’t do, is compromise our standards,” Astrid said.
“At the end of the day, we just want everyone to come home safe, and that is our biggest priority.”
While the business continues to expand across Mackay, the Whitsundays and the Bowen Basin, the couple remain focused on building something meaningful for their family and community.
“Working with each other as husband and wife is tough at times, but we communicate and work through it together.
“We also quickly learnt to set boundaries between work and family,” she said.
For the Finlay’s, success comes down to trust, teamwork and keeping their standards high –
Advice to other couples in business?
Communicate, and allocate time every week to check in on both the business and the household.
Photo credit: Alyce Holzy
POWERING THE FUTURE OF FARMING
WITH LIQUAFORCE
For more than three decades, LiquaForce has been a pioneering force in North Queensland’s agricultural sector, delivering innovative liquid fertiliser solutions tailored to sugarcane, horticulture, and broadacre farming. Originally established as a trusted local partner, the company entered a new phase of growth in May 2024 through its partnership with RLF AgTech. This collaboration combined LiquaForce’s deep regional expertise with RLF AgTech’s global research capabilities, significantly expanding manufacturing capacity and broadening the product portfolio.
At the core of LiquaForce’s value proposition is a focus on efficiency and productivity. Its liquid application systems enable growers to cover substantially more ground – up to 60 hectares per day –compared to approximately 8 hectares using traditional granular methods. Among its key products are PlantStarter, a liquid fertiliser formulated to kickstart crop development in a wide range of conditions, including cold and wet soils, by promoting rapid root and shoot growth, and LQ Ratooner, a high-analysis, single-application solution that incorporates organic carbon to stabilise nitrogen release and enhance nutrient uptake.
Beyond its product offering, LiquaForce delivers comprehensive on-farm support. This includes specialised application equipment, professional contracting services, and on-farm storage solutions designed to reduce supply chain risk and improve operational efficiency. By integrating advanced chemistry with practical logistics, the company continues to support a more resilient and progressive agricultural sector.
LiquaForce’s manufacturing hubs in Queensland and Western Australia now produce RLF AgTech products in-house for national distribution, replacing previous third-party manufacturing arrangements. While LiquaForce has strong roots in the sugarcane industry, RLF AgTech is leveraging this foundation to expand into broader markets, including broadacre cropping, cotton, and horticulture. At the same time, RLF AgTech is introducing its higher-margin advanced crop nutrition products into LiquaForce’s established customer network.
Together, RLF AgTech and LiquaForce share a clear objective: to transform Australian agriculture by combining precision liquid nutrition with global research expertise, ultimately improving farmer profitability while advancing environmental sustainability.
Photo credit: Bella Drewett Photography & Film
CANEGROWERS HERBERT RIVER: SUPPORTING LOCAL GROWERS EVERY STEP OF THE WAY
Since 1926 Canegrowers Herbert River has long been the cornerstone of support for sugarcane farmers in the Herbert River district. Their unwavering commitment to advocating for and assisting their members has made them an essential partner in navigating the challenges of modern farming. Offering a range of services, from advocacy and policy influence to essential services such as payroll, Canegrowers Herbert River ensures that local growers have the resources they need to thrive.
One of the most significant contributions Canegrowers Herbert River provides is its robust advocacy for growers’ interests. Sugarcane farming faces numerous pressures, fluctuating market prices, environmental regulations, and the ever-changing climate. Canegrowers Herbert River plays an active role in representing its members at local, state, and federal levels. Through strong advocacy, they ensure that growers’ voices are heard on critical issues.
Their work with various government bodies helps shape policies that protect the interests of cane farmers, ensuring the sustainability of the
industry in the Herbert River region. This kind of representation is invaluable to growers who might not have the time or resources to engage in these important discussions directly. The organisation is deeply engaged with local issues, working closely with farmers to understand their specific challenges and helping to find practical solutions. Whether it’s dealing with infrastructure concerns, road safety, transport, Canegrowers Herbert River plays a vital role in addressing these issues and working toward positive outcomes. By collaborating with
local councils, government bodies, and industry partners, they ensure that farmers’ concerns are heard and resolved in ways that benefit both growers and the wider community.
Every season alone Canegrowers Herbert River assists members with transport issues including permitting and regulation, providing guidance with BMP, compliance audits, permit and notification requirements, drainage, CCS and cut to crush discrepancies, siding issues, cane supply contract matters and many more pertinent issues.
STANDING ON STRONG SHOULDERS: STRENGTH IN UNITY
The story of CANEGROWERS on the Herbert is unique. CANEGROWERS, or as it was first known Queensland Cane Growers Association (QCGA), came about when the Queensland Government legislated for commodity associations with compulsory membership and farmer levies. Yet even before the imposition of compulsory association there was a highly organized association advocating strongly for sugar farmers on the Herbert, the Herbert River Farmers’ League (HRFL)
The Herbert River CANEGROWERS stands on the shoulders of a group of small farmers whose aspirations to grow sugar cane were ridiculed by the planters. Nevertheless, six men, only
two of whom were English speakers, took on the Colonial Sugar Refining Company (CSR) in 1882 as the Herbert River Farmers’ Association (HRFA), and achieved in 1884 what seemed impossible, a contract to supply cane to CSR. It was the first association in north Queensland to solely represent small sugar growers’ interests rather than those of larger planters and was the voice of the small farmers until the formation of the Herbert River Farmers’ League (HRFL) in 1896.
When the Herbert River district branch executive of the QCGA was formed in February 1926, followed by the Herbert River Cane Growers Association (HRCGA) in February 1932 it
inherited branch associations, structure and roles already established by the HRFL. It operated out of the HRFL’s building until the Farmers’ Building opened in 1934. Moreover, the first executive positions of the HRCGA were held by HRFL members who contributed their valuable organizational experience.
This strong associative urge dating from 1882 has defined the strength and determination of CANEGROWERS on the Herbert as it has steered the local industry with a united voice through the many challenges that have beset the industry in the last 100 years.
From Left: Brenden Accornero, Paul Marbelli, Frank Scardamaglia, Zenan Reinaudo, Leah Russo, Sam Torrisi, Steven Marbelli and Terry Motti
100 YEARS OF STEADFAST ADVOCACY:
For 100 years, CANEGROWERS have provided a professional and cohesive voice to growers across Queensland’s sugarcane regions. The not-for-profit public company has dedicated a century to supporting the best possible outcomes for cane growing business and industry, providing advocacy and advice to individual growers, family businesses and corporate enterprise, whilst affecting larger policy change across the country.
Locally Proserpine CANEGROWERS Co-operative will be celebrating the special occasion, commemorating its own unique past as a major tropical agricultural player, where cane growing is woven into the fabric of history, culture and lifestyle.
State-wide, CANEGROWERS have presented commemorative initiatives to celebrate the wonderful work that has been done over the past century. Legends of Cane Country celebrates the contributions of farmers throughout CANEGROWER’s history, inviting community nominations to recognise individuals whose leadership and commitment have made a real difference in their district.
The organisation haswill also produced ‘Voices of Cane Country’, a series of filmed conversations with long serving growers, as each share what a life in cane has meant to them with. the first videos already available online.
Proserpine’s own rich history of sugar farming dates back to 1897, when the Proserpine Mill was constructed. In 1926 Queensland CANEGROWERS Council formed, marking the beginning of the CANEGROWERS organisation.
In 2004, Proserpine’s own independent CANEGROWERS Co-Operative formed. This move made all regional sugarcane farming offices independent, but every co-op will join
together to celebrate the centennial, paying homage as a community to the incredible work that’s been done over the years by regional cane farmers.
As part of celebrations, Proserpine CANEGROWERS Co-Operative are putting on a special historical display at the 2026 Show Whitsunday. The display will feature an array of historical photos and machinery, demonstrating a timeline of evolving technology and dedicated hard work.
The celebrations will highlight the significance of local industry, and demonstrate that advancements made in Sugarcane farming here in Australia have always rippled outward, and had global influence.
“The big thing was harvesting,” explained Proserpine Manager Brendon Nothard.
“The Australian sugarcane industry was the world leader when it came to mechanisation of harvesting. They came up with the designs for the first sugarcane harvesters.”
Such advancements and adoption of technologies occurred in North across Queensland, and including Proserpine in particular, where a fruitful sugarcane industry has endured despite challenging conditions.
“We have a highly variable weather system up here. This is one of the most variable climates in Australia and Australia is one of the most variable climates in the world.” Brendon shared, assuring that despite such challenges, Proserpine continues to work hard to produce sugarcane.
“We are a grower owned organisation. Run by growers and owned by growers. Everything we do here is informed by what growers need most.”
Looking forward, a big theme concerning sugarcane farming’s future is renewable energy.
“The industry is currently focusing on the use of both ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel.” Brendon explained
Ethanol is a renewable biofuel produced from biomass (corn, sugarcane, waste) which reduces greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 44-52% compared to gasoline.
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is an alternative fuel made from non-petroleum feedstocks that reduces air pollution from air transportation. It can be blended with other fuels. These sustainable fuels present huge potential for the industry, decreasing the reliance on externally imported oil.
From the past, looking into the future, CANEGROWERS exists for one simple reason: to give Queensland sugarcane growers a strong, united voice.
canegrowers.com.au
Front - Left to Right: Brendon Nothard (Manager), Glenn Clarke (Chairman), Tony Large. Back - Left to Right: Bessie Orr, Justin Blair, Luke Valmadre, William (Bill) Blair, Lindsay Altmann.
Edwardo (Eddie) Scodellaro, David Scodellaro and Ezio Scodellaro, circa 1949-1950. This historical photo among many others will be displayed at the Show Whitsunday
CENTENARY NIGHT HONOURS BURDEKIN GROWERS AND THEIR LEGACIES
CANEGROWERS marked 100 years on FridaySaturday, 28 February, bringing together generational farmers, dignitaries and organisational leaders to celebrate a century spent fighting—and winning—battles for fairer outcomes for Queensland growers.
Addressing the crowd at Populin’s Hall, Member for Burdekin Dale Last said the 100-year milestone was a testament to the organisation’s enduring work.
“The pathway that the sugar industry has travelled in the last 100 years, from those humble beginnings, to where it is today, didn’t occur by accident. It occurred through a lot of advocacy; through a lot of hard work; because of organisations like CANEGROWERS,” Mr Last said.
To mark the occasion, inaugural ‘Innovation Awards’ were handed out on the night, honouring three Burdekin farmers credited with innovations that have been influential in local and global industry practices.
Home Hill farmer Lui Populin was recognised for the early-1970s invention
of the first single-row automatic billet planter, developed with his late brother Peter. Chris Cannavan received an award on behalf of the late Arthur Cannavan (Deceased) received an award for his SelfPropelled Over-the-Row Cane Harvester, while Ray Menkens was honoured for his Lay-Flat Plastic Fluming System.
CANEGROWERS Burdekin Limited director Owen Menkens said on the night that innovation would continue to shape the industry’s future, particularly as new opportunities emerge, making the organisation’s work now as important as ever.
“The question for our generation is the same as it was for those growers a century ago: will we shape the future of the industry, or will we leave it to others?”
Mr Menkens said.
“Standing together still matters. Membership still matters. Representation still matters. 100 years ago growers in districts like this made a decision to organise. Tonight, we celebrate that decision, and we carry it forward.”
100 YEARS
By 1921, Wilmar’s Invicta Sugar Mill had been constructed, completing the quartet of Burdekin mills that still stand today. Its arrival signalled ambition and growth, cementing the Burdekin’s position early as one of Australia’s leading sugarcane regions.
But as the industry surged into the future, growers themselves found they were not sharing equally in its success—a sentiment shared up and down the state.
At the time, Queensland cane farmers were largely independent operators, working within an industry where their commercial freedoms were heavily dictated by mill owners. For all the cane they grew, and every backbreaking season spent in the fields, they rarely reaped the rewards they believed they deserved.
This frustration eventually led to an epiphany that would reshape the industry forever.
“Our farming forefathers and mothers realised that the industry is bigger than individuals,” says CANEGROWERS Burdekin Limited (CBL) Chair Glenn Betteridge.
“That’s something that still rings true today.”
That collective understanding gave rise to what would eventually become CANEGROWERS.
Born from necessity rather than mere ambition, the organisation emerged in Mackay in 1926 as a collective voice. One that could advocate strongly for farmers in pursuit of equity, bound by a steadfast, unifying conviction.
A voice that would ultimately sustain the organisation, and the sugarcane industry alike, for a century.
“If we didn’t have a system of negotiation that was based on solid principles and proper governance, the industry would probably have fallen over,” said current Queensland CANEGROWERS Chairman and CBL Director Owen Menkens.
“I think the whole industry was working better because of working together. Working together to look at problems, come up with solutions, and make our industry better.”
Today, the team of staff and directors at CBL lead an operation grounded in those same values.
Since officially becoming CANEGROWERS Burdekin Limited in 2005, the company has overseen major wins for local farmers, from negotiating one of the districts best
Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort, Member for Burdekin Dale Last, CBL Chair Glenn Betteridge and CBL Director Owen Menkens officially mark the organisation’s 100th birthday
OF ADVOCACY
cane supply agreements to securing fair transport arrangements, fighting each battle united in stance and shared purpose.
Yet perhaps more importantly, the byproduct of these battles, regardless of outcome, has become the catalyst of something far grander than legal victories. It birthed a community.
A family.
“Things like [the 100-Year Anniversary Ball], and the grower meetings… it’s good for growers. It’s good for getting together with other growers and making fun of them in the spirit of mateship,” said Menkens.
“It’s good for their mental health, and especially as we head into low prices. You need someone to gather everyone together.”
CBL Manager Greg Watson says fostering this sense of family is at the heart of how the organisation operates.
members over many decades. We go over and above what we are here to do to develop strong personal relationships with our members, because we see them as part of a bigger family,” says Watson.
From stepping out of sugar industry related matters, to helping growers find specialist appointments, to sorting internet connections, arranging home security installations, or places to see on holidays, the organisation has always been there, looking out for its people where we can.
“Sometimes we can’t get the outcome they want, but the fact that we sit down, we listen to them, and we have a go and try… growers really appreciate that.”
JOIN THE STRENGTH
100 YEARS STRONG.
John Mottin and the team at Nutrien Harcourts McCathies
Congratulate Cangrowers on a century of supporting our growers and the community.
“Our Directors and staff in most cases have grown up with our
Now more than ever, as the industry faces low prices and ongoing challenges, the value of sticking together remains paramount. With a century supporting growers, building community, and protecting livelihoods, CANEGROWERS enters the next century with the same spirit of unity and commitment that has always defined it.
Trusted by Burdekin farmers & contractors
GLENN BETTERIDGE
Chair of CANEGROWERS Burdekin Limited
Farming has always been in Glenn Betteridge’s blood.
A third-generation cane farmer from Home Hill, Glenn has spent his whole life in the region surrounded by the cane crop he goes to battle for today.
“I was born in Home Hill Hospital, and will probably be planted in the Home Hill cemetery!” Glenn quipped.
His connection to cane farming began with his grandparents, who owned a small farm on Home Hill’s southern side. His father and uncles cut cane by hand, eventually upgrading to full stick loaders and harvesters, marking the family’s shift into mechanised harvesting.
After leaving school, Glenn completed an apprenticeship as an electrician at Inkerman Mill in 1991, a role he credits with giving him an understanding of the processes behind milling.
But once he finished his apprenticeship, he was drawn straight to the paddock.
He and his brothers would purchase a small parcel of land in 1994, and over the next three decades, he not only operated the machinery but managed the harvest, gradually taking ownership of his own operations.
Today, his son oversees the harvesting group, while Glenn’s five-year-old grandson has already started accompanying his father, hinting at a fourth generation ready to carry the family’s tradition forward.
The step back allowed Glenn to focus on his role as Chair of CANEGROWERS Burdekin Limited (CBL). Serving on the CBL board since 2019, he says his priority lies in securing the future for the next generation of farmers.
“I’d like to try and secure the future of our industry,” he said.
“I believe in our industry. With sustainable fuel sources, we can be the leaders in that area if we can get the right support from government.”
STEVE PILLA
GREG WATSON
Manager of CANEGROWERS
Burdekin Limited
Although not a farmer in the conventional sense, Greg Watson has a passion for the sugar industry.
Born and raised in Home Hill, Greg grew up surrounded by cane fields. His grandparents used to own a farm, his parents worked as cane harvesting contractors, and Greg spent much of his childhood helping with the family’s harvesting contract.
But his early career took him down a different path.
After finishing high school, he studied commerce at James Cook University before embarking on a career in banking, first in business, then agribusiness. A decade later, he switched to financial planning, eventually becoming self-employed in a practice for 13 years.
Eventually, though, his roots in the sugarcane industry drew
him back to the heart of it.
He would go on to serve as Executive Officer for the CRC for Sustainable Sugar Production, followed by a role as Grower Relationship Manager for QSL in the Burdekin and Herbert River regions, before returning to the Burdekin as Manager of CANEGROWERS Burdekin Limited in 2020.
This time, however, he returned to the Burdekin with decades of experience in financial services, along with his home-grown passion for the region and the personal approach that defines his work today.
“I’m just always somebody who really enjoys helping people where I can,” says Greg.
“I try not to say no, which is probably a downfall in some respects, but I just try my best to deliver services to growers and assist them when in need.”
In another universe, Steve Pilla is still roaming hospital halls. In this one, fate led the Giru native back to cane farming after a brief stint in nursing, and he hasn’t looked back since.
After dipping his toe in the world of healthcare in the late 1980’s early 1990s, Pilla returned to the family farm in Giru, continuing a story that began when his grandfather arrived in Australia in 1939 and bought the property a decade later. It was a path that felt inevitable in hindsight.
“I grew up always wanting to be on the farm,” Steve says.
OWEN MENKENS
Chairman of CANEGROWERS Queensland, Director of CANEGROWERS Burdekin Limited
Owen Menkens grew up surrounded by farming, even if he briefly looked beyond it.
A fourth-generation cane farmer from Home Hill, Owen spent his holidays working on the farm his great-grandfather first purchased decades ago. Despite that early exposure to the industry, he initially opted for a cooler, more predictable career, heading to university to study accounting.
Though eventually, the pull of the land proved stronger.
“It’s in your blood,” says Menkens.
“I went through periods where I didn’t want to [farm]… but it was always there.”
With that epiphany, by the late 1990s, he was back in the paddock.
Nearly 30 years later, he’s still there, now growing around 36,000 tonnes of cane each year while representing growers from the Burdekin to the global stage.
Menkens joined the CANEGROWERS Burdekin Limited board as a director in
A third generation cane farmer, Steve went into business with his father in 1998. When his father passed away in 2015, it was left to Steve to guide the farm forward.
And he did just that.
In the meantime, he would join the CANEGROWERS Burdekin Limited Board as a Director in 2013, eager for answers in what was a rocky period for the local industry. Seeing the organisation’s extensive work for farmers first-hand kept him on the board for another 13 years and counting.
2010. From that platform, he promptly climbed the ranks, now holding the chairmanship of both CANEGROWERS Queensland and CANEGROWERS Australia.
Reaching the top was never the endgame for Owen, but rather an added bonus.
“At the end of the day, whether you’re a director of [one of the branches], or where I am, it’s all about just trying to get good results, and trying to make the industry better,” Menkens says.
That drive has kept him at the forefront of the industry, involving legal disputes, landmark sugar marketing legislation, and the introduction of the code of conduct that have given growers more control and better tools to manage risk.
Those experiences have given Menkens a reason to believe in the future of the industry.
“As long as we stay at the cutting edge of technology and keep ourselves open to new ideas, we’ll always keep going.”
Despite the work of CANEGROWERS, Steve says the industry’s real strength lies in the steadfastness of farmers themselves.
“It isn’t looking good as far as low prices and sugar at the moment, and looks like our inputs are going to climb this year… But growers always seem to show resilience, and the industry seems to pull through challenging times,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to us getting through this low spot again and getting on the other side and being both environmentally sustainable and financially viable moving forward.”
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PIONEERS OF PROGRESS
SUGAR INDUSTRY TRAILBLAZERS
In the early 1970s, Home Hill cane farmers and brothers Lui and Peter Populin (deceased) reshaped the global cane planting industry with a world-first innovation: the single-row automatic billet planter.
Before their breakthrough, cane planting was a labour-intensive process requiring large crews to manually place cane billets into the ground. The Populin brothers’ invention mechanised the process, dramatically reducing labour requirements and increasing efficiency.
The prototype was first used on the Populin family farm on Groper Creek Road, where it quickly proved its value in real farming conditions. Demand from growers soon followed. In 1973, the brothers introduced an improved two-row semi-mounted model capable of carrying two tonnes of chopperharvested plant cane and planting at a rate exceeding two acres per hour. Their design was officially patented on March 16, 1976. Manufactured locally through Populin Enterprises in Home Hill, the planters were sold across Australia and exported to major sugar-producing regions including Brazil, the United States and Hawaii. Modern billet planters still trace their design back to the Populin brothers’ original concept.
Chris Cannavan received the award on behalf of the late Arthur Cannavan.
Populin Enterprises – Automatic Billet Planter
In the mid-1960s, Burdekin cane grower Ray Menkens began experimenting with new irrigation methods that would ultimately transform water management across the sugar industry.
Seeking an alternative to traditional open earth drains and tube pipe systems, Menkens trialled yellow lay-flat plastic for irrigation fluming. The early material proved unsuitable for North Queensland conditions, melting in the sun and lacking durability.
Determined to improve the concept, Menkens travelled to Sydney to work directly with a plastics manufacturer’s engineer. Together they developed a far more robust black lay-flat fluming capable of withstanding the region’s harsh climate. To encourage adoption, the product was released with a 25-year guarantee.
Early versions included screw-in cups moulded into the plastic, but practical field experience led to further refinement. With input from the Rubiola family, the system evolved to the cup-insertion method widely used today. Graeme Haller later designed a specialised fluming roller, improving efficiency again. By the mid-1970s, layflat plastic fluming had become widely adopted, delivering major labour savings for irrigation across the sugar industry.
In the late 1950s, Burdekin innovator Arthur Cannavan (deceased) set out to mechanise one of the most physically demanding tasks in the sugar industry: harvesting cane.
With a clear vision and the support of his family, Cannavan approached a local blacksmith’s workshop in 1959 to help bring his ideas to life.
The result was a pioneering self-propelled over-the-row cane harvester that introduced a completely new approach to harvesting. Cannavan developed a system using augers and rollers to feed cane into a cutting mechanism, combined with his distinctive “chop and throw” method that cut the cane into billets and delivered them directly for transport.
The machine proved its worth quickly. In 1961, Cannavan’s harvester delivered the first chopped cane to Inkerman Mill, marking a significant milestone in the mechanisation of the industry.
Many of the fundamental concepts he developed, including the use of augers, rollers and billet chopping, remain core features of modern cane harvesters, cementing Cannavan’s place as a pioneer of mechanised harvesting.
Ray Menkens – Lay-Flat Plastic Fluming System
SELL IT RIGHT, WITH A TAYLORED APPROACH
Methods of Sale: Choosing the Right Path in Today’s Property Market
When it comes to selling a home, there’s no onesize-fits-all approach. Behind every successful sale is a carefully chosen strategy - one that reflects not only the property itself, but also the market conditions, buyer behaviour, and the seller’s goals.
This month, we explore the most common methods of sale and what they really mean for homeowners navigating today’s real estate landscape.
Understanding the Selling Strategy
At its core, selling property is about one thing: discovering what the market is truly willing to pay.
While that may sound straightforward, the reality is far more nuanced. Pricing too high can deter buyers before they even step through the door. Pricing too low may leave money on the table. That’s why selecting the right method of sale is just as important as presentation and marketing. Each approach, whether it’s private treaty, or a no-price campaign, creates a different dynamic, influencing buyer behaviour in subtle but powerful ways.
Auction & ‘No Price’ Campaigns: Creating Competition Without a Ceiling
Few methods generate as much energy as an auction, where the focus shifts from setting a figure to discovering what the market is truly prepared to pay in a transparent time driven environment.
By removing a fixed price guide, this strategy encourages buyers to engage more openly, often creating stronger competition. In the case of auction, all bids are visible, giving buyers clarity and confidence while fuelling momentum.
Expressions of Interest (EOI) campaigns take a quieter approach, with offers submitted privately, but still benefit from the same sense of deadlinedriven urgency.
A defined end date, whether it’s auction day or an EOI close, creates a powerful trigger for action. Buyers know they have a limited window, which can lead to more decisive behaviour and, in some cases, premium results.
However, this approach isn’t without its considerations. The process can feel intense, particularly in a public auction setting, and there is no absolute guarantee of a sale if expectations aren’t met. Campaign costs are slightly higher, reflecting the level of marketing required to generate strong interest.
‘For Sale’ or ‘New to Market’ also removes price ceilings and pre-determined value on a property, however there is no ‘transparency’ when negotiating. In a tight market this will often lead to ‘multiple offers’ from buyers, who often feel like they are in a ‘Dutch Auction’
Private Treaty: Control and Flexibility
On the other end of the spectrum is the private treaty method - often referred to as a traditional “for sale” approach.
Here, the property is listed with a set price or price range, and buyers submit offers privately. This creates a more relaxed environment, allowing sellers to consider offers over time rather than making decisions under the pressure of a public bidding process.
One of the biggest advantages of private treaty is control. Sellers can negotiate on their own terms, adjust pricing if needed, and take the time to find the right buyer.
That said, this method can sometimes lack urgency. Without a clear deadline, buyers may take a “wait and see” approach, which can extend
the time a property spends on the market. Pricing also becomes critical - if it doesn’t align with buyer expectations, interest can quickly fade.
When priced strategically, however, private treaty remains a reliable and widely used method, particularly for properties in more stable or balanced markets.
The Role of Pricing Strategy
Even in campaigns where a price is displayed, the goal isn’t simply to list a number - it’s to position the property effectively.
A well-considered price should act as a “take notice” signal, capturing attention and presenting the property as compelling value compared to others on the market. Done well, this encourages inspections, builds momentum, and ultimately drives competition.
Get it wrong, and the campaign can stall before it even begins.
Finding the Right Fit
So, which method is best?
Ultimately, the right method of sale is about more than just choosing a process - it’s about aligning your strategy with your goals, your property, and the realities of the current market.
At TAYLORS, our Property Specialists bring both experience and insight to every campaign, guiding you through the decision-making process with clarity and confidence. We take the time to understand your unique situation, ensuring the approach we recommend is tailored not only to your property, but also to the conditions at play and the outcome you want to achieve.
Our team is here to help you navigate the options and make informed decisions every step of the way.
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When it comes to your property, local knowledge isn’t just an advantage, it’s your greatest asset. Don’t leave your most important sale to chance.
