Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry

About Us

The Chamber’s purpose is to unite and empower Whitsunday businesses by advocating, supporting, and fostering a thriving and collaborative business environment.

Our past

The Airlie Beach Chamber of Commerce was established in 2013, building on the efforts and achievements of previous Airlie Beach Chambers. Initially, most of the Chamber members were located around the Main Street of Airlie Beach.

In December 2015 our name changed to Whitsunday Coast Chamber of Commerce to reflect the current membership and the Chamber’s coverage.

In 2023, in response to strategic developments within the Chamber and the merger with the Proserpine Chamber of Commerce, we became the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Our present

The Chamber is an apolitical and financially autonomous organisation, working to continually improve business conditions in the region. 

While we work collaboratively with all levels of government and other representative bodies, both in the private and public sectors, the Chamber’s greatest asset is its independence. It allows us to advocate on a range of issues to advance the concerns and interests of our members in regional economic opportunities and community affairs.

As the united voice of local business and industry, we are committed to driving sustainable business growth and connectivity for our members.

Our current membership is drawn from the entire Whitsunday business community, representing all industry sectors.

The Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry remains focused on its responsibility to build business capacity, to advocate for the best possible business environment for our members to operate in, and to take advantage of opportunities.

Meet the Chamber Board

Board members (L-R) Fiona Erquiaga, Giulian Grasso, Jannah Baker, Doug O’Connor, Allan Milostic, Megan Taylor and Emily Harvey (absent Anthony Nobilia and Asher Telford).
Photo credit: Daniel Heggie/Mackay and Whitsunday Life

The Chamber is led by a visionary and engaged Board:

  • President Allan Milostic – LiveLife Pharmacy Airlie Beach
  • Vice President Jannah Baker – Scallywag Fabrication
  • Secretary Megan Taylor – Kapow Interactive
  • Treasurer Fiona Erquiaga – Smooth Sailing Finance Consulting
  • Anthony Nobilia (Airlie Beach Executive Services)
  • Asher Telford (Sealink Whitsundays and Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry Association)
  • Doug O’Connor (Option Insurance Brokers)
  • Giulian Grasso (Whitsunday Law)

Sub-Committees

The Chamber has a number of Advisory Groups and Sub-Committees to help inform and deliver our activities.

Chamber Advisory Group

The Chamber’s Advisory Group brings together regional business leaders to drive strategic discussions and strengthen the united voice of the Whitsunday business community. It serves as a strategic think tank, reinforcing the Chamber’s position as the ‘go-to’ source of regional business expertise for all levels of government.

Chamber Advisory Group Members:

  • Allan Milostic (Chair) – President, Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry
  • Adrian Bram – Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry Association
  • Bernadette Porter – Proserpine State High School
  • Cory-Dean O’Shae – Wilmar Proserpine Mill
  • Courtney Quinn-McCabe – Tassal Proserpine Prawn Farm
  • Jaide & Andrew Paranomos – McDonald’s Airlie Beach, Cannonvale & Bowen
  • Judy Porter – Shiift
  • Julia Wheway – TAFE Queensland
  • Kate Purdie – Coral Sea Marina Resort
  • Kon Flaherty – Green Energy Technology
  • Mark Henry – Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale-Proserpine
Prosperine Sub-Committee

The Chamber’s Proserpine Sub-Committee brings together passionate local business owners and operators to focus on the unique challenges and opportunities in Proserpine. This sub-committee is all about giving Proserpine businesses a stronger voice and ensuring they’re at the table when it comes to shaping the region’s future.

Proserpine Sub-Committee Members:

  • Jannah Baker (Chair) – Scallywag Fabrication
  • Barb Cochrane – Fresh Fields News and Gifts
  • Bernadette Porter – Proserpine State High School
  • Channelle Gangemi – Gangemi Cabinetmakers
  • Leigh Skead – Creative Connections Whitsunday
  • Mark Lipkin – The Airlie Group
  • Wendy Barker – AWB First Aid First
Ground Transport Operators Sub-Committee

The Ground Transport Operators Sub-Committee brings together key transport providers from across the region and serves as a formal conduit through which transport-related concerns, opportunities, and recommendations can be effectively communicated to major regional and state stakeholders.

Members of the GTO Sub-Committee are:

  • Anthony Nobilia (Chair) – Airlie Beach Executive Services
  • Bernadette & Geoff Wishart – Airlie Beach Private Transfers and Tours
  • Darrell Storey – Airlie Beach Party Bus
  • Ian Paczensky – Whitsunday Transit
  • Jim Sherrington – Whitsunday Transport Company
  • Rabia Morris – Whitsunday Wheels
  • Trevor Moore & Max McBride – Mackay Whitsunday Taxis
Conference and Events Sub-Commitee

The Conference and Events Sub-Committee plays a vital role in shaping not only the education program and the fun of the annual Whitsunday Business Conference but also help align the Chamber’s broader calendar of events so clear themes and connections carry right across the year.

Members of the Sub-Committee are: 

  • Jannah Baker (Chair) – Scallywag Fabrication
  • Berny O’Connor – Be Efficient Administration Services
  • Doug O’Connor – Option Insurance Brokers
  • Julia Wheway – TAFE Queensland
  • Kath Barker – Compass Realty Whitsundays
  • Megan Taylor – Kapow Interactive
  • Sue Birch – Sue Birch Consulting
  • Trish Jandt – Mackay and Whitsunday Life
Weddings Whitsundays Advisory Group

The Weddings Whitsundays Advisory Group, comprised of self-nominated industry stakeholders, will focus on solidifying crucial marketing elements and defining strategic approaches that will elevate the Whitsundays’ presence in the competitive wedding market.

Members of the Weddings Whitsundays Advisory Group are: 

  • Cait Fleming (Chair) – Weddings Whitsundays Liaison
  • Annie Lloyd-Lewis – I Do Whitsunday Weddings
  • Brooke Miles – Brooke Miles Photography
  • Dave Sampson – Whitsunday Entertainment
  • Deb Savvy – Tropix Photography
  • Lauriely Taylor – Lauriely Taylor Makeup
  • Melissa Ardern – The Creek Whitsundays
  • Stef Pagden – Elementa Whitsundays
  • Tanya Watts – Tanya Watts Celebrant
  • Trish Jandt – Mackay and Whitsunday Life
Cruise Ship Market Sub-Committee

The Airlie Beach Cruise Ship Markets Sub-Committee helps guide the strategic direction and ongoing growth of one of the region’s premier visitor experiences.

Members are:

  • Cait Fleming, Chamber’s Portfolio Manager (chair)
  • Brett Crocker, Whitsunday Laser Creations
  • Kristel and Rod Taylor, Cotton Candy Cowgirls (jointly hold the seat)
  • Luke Henry, Ocea Collective
  • Margaret Burgess, Margaret Burgess Art
  • Peter Scott, Annie’s Coffee

Meet the Operations Team

L-R: Cait Fleming, Richard Evans and Julia Evans

The Chamber is supported by a dedicated team working alongside our Board to deliver advocacy, services, and events for the region’s business community.

Executive Officer, Dr Julia Evans manages the day-to-day operations of the Chamber and leads delivery of our strategic priorities. She brings extensive experience in governance, strategy, advocacy, and member engagement.

Portfolio Manager, Cait Fleming oversees a number of major initiatives, including Weddings Whitsundays, Chamber-managed Markets, Community Fund, and our Sub-Committees.

Chamber Liaison, Ambi Middleton oversees membership and administration across all areas of Chamber.

Specialist government and advocacy advice is provided by Richard Evans.

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