Thank you to everyone who joined yesterday’s Annual General Meeting. We reflected on a strong 2024 financial year, reporting a healthy financial position and a year of momentum, collaboration, and meaningful progress for the Chamber.
Highlights for 2024-25 include:
- Hosting State and Federal Election Meet the Candidate forums
- Deepening collaboration with government and regional stakeholders
- Making six formal submissions to Council
- Launching key findings from the Vision for the Whitsundays project
- Strengthening our Advisory Group, Proserpine and Ground Transport Sub-Committees
- Merging with Weddings Whitsundays
- Growing membership to 230 businesses
- Delivering 11 events attracting 300+ attendees
Looking ahead to 2025–26, we enter the new financial year with confidence, purpose, and a clear vision. With a sold-out Whitsunday Business Conference, successful Whitsunday Business Awards program, and the addition of Cruise Ship Markets management, the Chamber is well positioned to continue driving growth, advocacy, and opportunity across the Whitsundays.
Welcome to the 2025–26 Board!
I would like to sincerely thank our Board members for their dedication, expertise, and ongoing support. To Megan, Fiona, Jannah, Anthony, Emily, and Asher. Your contributions continue to make a meaningful impact.
We also extend a warm welcome to our new Board nominees, Giulian and Doug, whose fresh perspectives will be invaluable as we move forward.
Photo credit: Daniel Heggie/Mackay and Whitsunday Life
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)
BOARD MEMBERS:
- Anthony Nobilia (Airlie Beach Executive Services)
- Asher Telford (Sealink Whitsundays and Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry Association)
- Doug O’Connor (Option Insurance Brokers)
- Emily Harvey (Filby’s Motors)
- Giulian Grasso (Whitsunday Law)
President’s Report
At yesterday’s AGM, the 2024-25 President’s Report was received:
The 2024–25 financial year was one of significant progress, collaboration, and momentum for the Chamber as we strengthened our advocacy voice, expanded our membership base, and continued to champion opportunities for local business and industry.
Over the year, the Chamber navigated a dynamic business environment marked by both Queensland and Federal Elections and a suite of industrial relations reforms. These shifts reinforced the importance of having a strong, united business voice at the table to ensure local perspectives are understood and represented.
Our advocacy gained traction across multiple fronts.
We facilitated a successful Meet the Candidate forum for the Federal Election, providing members and the broader business community the opportunity to engage directly with candidates on key regional issues from road infrastructure and insurance costs to business resilience and red tape.
The Chamber also made six formal submissions to Council on development and public consultation matters, issued statements on major policy topics including visitor services in Proserpine, the revival of the RV Park, local budget impacts, and the introduction of Uber to the Whitsundays.
We were proud to launch the key findings of our Vision for the Whitsundays research and advocacy project, with more to follow on the importance of our diverse districts, balancing preservation with progression, and preparing for transformational economic projects.
Our sub-committees continued to strengthen local engagement and outcomes.
The Advisory Group, Proserpine Sub-Committee, and Ground Transport Operators Sub-Committee each made measurable progress, and the merger of Weddings Whitsundays further broadened our collective industry representation.
We also deepened collaboration with Whitsunday Regional Council, Bowen Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Whitsundays, and other regional partners to align advocacy efforts and amplify local business priorities.
Membership grew strongly to 230, supported by the joint membership offer with Tourism Whitsundays: a milestone partnership that allows members to access the benefits of both organisations.
Throughout the year, we delivered eleven professional development and networking events, attracting over 300 registrations across a range of business topics. This commitment to education and connection remains central to the Chamber’s purpose.
As we move into 2025–26, our focus turns to delivering new horizons set by the Board in our latest planning workshop. With the sold-out Whitsunday Business Conference, being a major delivery partner of the Whitsunday Business Awards program, taking on management of the Cruise Ship Markets and an ambitious five-year plan ahead, the Chamber is well positioned to continue driving growth, advocacy, and opportunity for our members and the wider Whitsundays business community.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Board members for their time and expertise. To Megan, Fiona, Jannah, Anthony, Emily and Asher for their continued support and contribution, and to our new Board nominees – Giulian and Doug – who will bring fresh perspectives.
As we resource ourselves for future growth, our operational team now includes Julia, Cait and some of our Board members actively involved in delivery.
Thank you.
Allan Milostic
President, Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry
From Awards to Advocacy: What’s Next for Local Business