REBECCA DOUTHWAITE

OWNER OF CORE PUBLISHING

MACKAY AND WHITSUNDAY LIFE NEWSPAPER

Making waves in the publishing world, Bec’s career has skyrocketed even further into success in the past three years with the introduction of Mackay and Whitsunday Life Newspaper.

Bec started her first magazine when she was just 21 years old and recalls being a young girl with a big dream – a dream that paid off with dedication, perseverance and of course the entrepreneurial grit which has seen her launch several highly regarded publications.

Initially, Bec produced City Life Magazine, a lifestyle publication that began in Cairns and expanded to Townsville and the Whitsundays.

DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY IN THREE WORDS: FRIENDLY, AMBITIOUS, AND LOYAL

At the time she sold City Life to APN Australian Regional Newspaper, her son, Kaylem was just six months old so she decided to use some of the non-compete period to stay at home with her son and start a completely different business in signage.

Kaylem was 5, when she started making plans to start Core Life Magazine and, by coincidence, APN closed their failed attempt at running City Life the same week as she launched – eliminating her competition.

This was almost 12 years ago, and Core Life has been a cornerstone of the local business community ever since.

DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY IN THREE WORDS: JEN - FEARLESS, DETERMINED AND LOVING. BETH - PEACE-LOVING LIBRAN!

Fine Arts Diploma and Certificate in Visual Arts from TAFE for Beth, the pair have an array of expertise – including Beth’s Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Writing and Publishing.

While studying, Beth raised her daughters intending to set a great example for them.

“I believe women can do anything and I have always taught my daughters that,” Beth said.

“I have always encouraged them to follow their interests and have goals.”

For the pair, they have seen their share of challenges as a small business, but Jen said the combined cerebral and physical aspects of working in the ever-changing printing industry made it all worth it – as well as working with her daughter, who has been an enormous help in some trying times.

“I recently “kicked cancer’s butt” when I underwent 28 radiation treatments and two rounds of chemotherapy,” Jen said.

“I was fortunate enough to have my daughter Beth step up and to leave the business confidently in her hands while I have been focused on my health.”

Together, they made the enormous decision to withdraw from a franchise in 2021 and became an independent small business, opening their doors as “Cartridge Universe Whitsunday”.

Elmarie Van Der Westhuizen

What is the passion of any great educator? To teach and to see your students flourish --that is “the most rewarding job in the world” and Elmarie van der Westhuizen has been living it for more than four decades.

The Assistant Principal of Whitsunday Christian College’s Primary School has been an educator all her life, moving from South Africa to Australia to pursue the career which is “in her veins.”

“Both my husband and my parents were involved in Education,” Elmarie said.

“My husband, Frans, is a teacher and we have two beautiful daugh- ters, Twane’ and Elmie, who are both in Education, too. I love what I am doing with my life – to Educate the youth of Australia.”

Eight years ago, Bec launched Tripping Magazine, a successful travel and leisure publication.

Then, almost three years ago when News Corp shut down 14 regional newspapers, she launched Mackay and Whitsunday Life Newspaper to give the community back their voice in print.

Bec lives with her husband of 15 years, Paul (Douthy) and her now17-year-old-son who has just got his P-plates.

In her spare time, she loves renovating the house with her husband, working out at the gym or taking their three dogs for long walks at Conway Beach.

Elmarie has spent the last 23 years living in Cannon Valley, with 20 of those at Whitsunday Christian College in various roles and responsibilities: as a Prep teacher, in the school’s management team, and now as Assistant Principal Primary.

Education has provided her with unlimited fulfillment, allowing her to guide the next generation, as well as an appetite for what’s new in the teaching sphere.

“I am always keeping up to date

DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY IN THREE WORDS: DEDICATED, COMMITTED (HARDWORKING) AND PATIENT with the latest developments in Education,” she said.

And like every Whitsunday resident, she enjoys the lifestyle it has provided when she steps away from her passion on the weekends.

“The best thing that’s ever happened to me is moving to Australia with my family,” Elmarie said.

“When I am home, I spend my time with my husband in the garden or going out for a lovely lunch at one of our beautiful restaurants in Airlie Beach. We also enjoy spending time on the water in our boat, fishing and appreciating the beautiful region.”

Misty Bland

With a head for business and a heart for animals, Misty Bland balances the demands of her dynamic career by spending time on her property caring for her cattle dogs, ducks and chickens.

A registered cattle dog breeder, Misty also runs a herd of Droughtmaster cattle who all have names, and she finds that she is often as busy at home on the farm as she is at work.

Loving being around people almost as much as she loves being around animals, Misty has enjoyed an expansive career that has spanned many different industries, all of which have a common thread – caring for people and their happiness.

From beauty therapy and remedial

Nicole Polley

DIRECTOR OF POLLEYS REALTY

Falling in love with the Whitsundays on her wedding day, Nicole married the love of her life at Coral Sea Resort and the couple honey-mooned at Hydeaway Bay. It was here that they spotted the house of their dreams, and they made an offer, securing the property as their home the very next day.

Nicole has been working in the real estate industry since she was 15 years old and quickly rose through the ranks, from front desk to director.

At the age of 20 she was honoured to give a speech at a national real estate conference.

DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY IN THREE WORDS: BUBBLY, HEADSTRONG AND DRIVEN

It was in 2018 that Nicole opened the doors to her own real estate agency in Brisbane and she now employs six staff.

When her family relocated to the Whitsundays two years ago, she expanded her agency, opening a second location, with an office in Airlie Beach opening its doors last year.

Nicole has two sons with her husband of 18 years and the family has two dogs, a mini dachshund called Porshe and Heidi, a multi pom.

When she is not selling houses around the region, Nicole can be found enjoying the outdoors, fishing and swimming or with her kids on

DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY IN THREE WORDS: CARING, DETERMINED AND INNOVATIVE massage to managing the public relations and events portfolio for a dairy company down south.

Most recently, Misty is heading up the digital marketing and design aspect of Polley’s Realty whilst studying for a postgraduate in Digital Communications with QUT.

Originally from South Africa, Misty immigrated to Australia with her family in 2009. She met her husband, Rob, when they were Year 12 dance partners and the couple have now been together for 24 years. They have two adult children, Edward and Kimberly.

One of Misty’s most cherished life moments is falling in love with the idyllic Whitsundays and the spectac- ular locals, who have adopted them as their family.

But life has not always been clear sailing, in fact, Misty has written a book about her life and the rare cancer journey they’ve faced, which she hopes to one-day self-publish.

She founded a cancer charity in 2015 and had the support of several Australian celebrities in producing a vintage inspired calendar. She is also the Australian Ambassador for the Chordoma Foundation based in America.

These days, you can find Misty spending her weekends on the farm where she is renovating her home, gardening, cooking and spending time with the family.

Kath Barker

LICENCED REAL ESTATE AGENT AND AUCTIONEER FROM POLLEY’S REALTY

Returning to the region she loves a year ago, Kath and her husband, Dan, have settled down in Cannonvale and it feels fabulous to be home.

It was 1980 when her beloved father moved to Airlie Beach and Kath has many happy memories living with him over the years.

During this time, her father owned a local private charter yacht and Kath worked as a crew member and cook.

It was during this time that she fell in love with the Whitsundays and has always remembered those days fondly.

Tragically, her father passed away the footy field watching them play. Since moving to the Whitsundays, Nicole has mastered a new and unique approach to local realty which has proved both successful and popular with clients at all stages of life.

Her central office is located above the NAB bank, on the main street in Airlie Beach and has a modern, boutique feel where customers can relax, unwind and feel both spoilt and inspired.

Dedicated to putting her clients first and matching people with the lifestyle of their dreams, Nicole is a living example of how to create a successful Whitsunday life.

DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY IN THREE WORDS: CARING, EFFERVESCENT, DYNAMIC some years ago, but Kath says that returning to the area to live with her own family has made her feel closer to him.

Originally from Sydney, Kath has spent the last 18 years operating a construction business alongside her husband.

Deciding to pursue a new direction but drawing on her experience in the housing and building sector, Kath decided to embark on a career in real estate on the Gold Coast 2019.

Recently, when she moved to the Whitsundays, she became happily employed at Polley’s Realty where she is a Licenced Real Estate Agent and also the resident auctioneer.

Kath has two adult sons called Alex and Daniel, a grandson named Oak, and daughter-in-laws Kat and Keele.

She also has two Russian Blue Cats Tilly and Paul, a Cavoodle named Bailey and a best friend called Sharon.

One of her lifelong favourite memories has been visiting Borneo three times where she met Dr Birute Galdikas and was able to interact with Orangutans in the wild.

Back on Australian soil, Kath loves spending her weekends boating, swimming, snorkelling and enjoying time with family and friends.

Sarah Logan

OWNER, MANAGER AND AUDIOMETRIST AT WHITSUNDAY HEARING

Opening up a whole new world of freedom and confidence for her clients, Sarah uses her skills as an Audiometrist to evaluate hearing and then prescribe the best solution for the individual. Often, this can transform lives.

Originally from Geelong in Victoria, Sarah spent some time travelling after school and enjoyed 12 months living in the UK.

After returning to Australia and exploring a few career options, she decided to start her training as an Audiometrist in Geelong and qualified in 2005.

She then moved to Brisbane in 2006 and gained invaluable experience working for several hearing organ-