GREAT things happen when women support women.
This was abundantly evident among the 125 Whitsunday women who stepped out in support of Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ) at The Garden Bar, in Airlie Beach, last Friday afternoon.
Together with a humbling array of local businesses providing services, donations and raffle prizes for the ‘Team Whitsundays Dancing CEOs’ event, this powerhouse collective raised a whopping $12,000-plus in just four short hours of fun, camaraderie and friendship.
WLSQ Ambassador and Team Whitsundays Mentor, Katelyn Aslett-Collins, said examples of generosity and kindness like this were among the reasons she was proud to have brought the organisation’s flagship fundraiser to the region, with high hopes of achieving outcomes specifically tailored to regional women.
“The work WLSQ does is about breaking the cycle of domestic violence in our communities and while we know this is a prevalent issue in regional and remote areas like ours, statistically fewer regional women are currently accessing their services,” Ms Aslett-Collins said.
“We need women here and in other remote areas of Queensland to know there is a statewide helpline where they can get free, legal advice, on a range of issues, including financial abuse, coercive control and child support matters – and ultimately for me, increasing access for regional women to WLSQ’s on-the-ground outreach services is also an end goal,” she said.
“In the meantime, the message is that if you yourself, or someone you know is in need of free, confidential, anonymous, wrap-around services and support, please pick up the phone and call the WLSQ Helpline on 1800 957 957.”
The team at award-winning Airlie Beach boat and yacht hire service, Whitsunday Escape, is backing this message, with General Manager, Jaclyn Watson, announcing at Friday’s event that proceeds from the company’s annual charity raffle for a luxury five-night Whitsunday charter, will be donated to WLSQ through the Team Whitsundays Dancing CEOs campaign.
“This cause holds deep significance for our team, as domestic violence is an issue that casts a long shadow over all communities, affecting individuals, children, families and workplaces,” Ms Watson said.
“By purchasing a ticket to our raffle, you’re not only entering for a chance to win an unforgettable holiday, but you’re also helping to fund vital services that support and empower women and children across Queensland,” she said.
“Only 1000 tickets are available so this will sell out!”
Tickets cost $50 each, with the getaway aboard the stunning, brand-new Longreach 44 Power Catamaran, ‘Bella Luna’, valued at $13,750.
To purchase tickets, visit www.raffletix.com.au/whitsundayluxury2025.
The winner will be drawn and announced at the Team Whitsundays Dancing CEOs Charity Gala on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the Shute Harbour Maritime Terminal.
On behalf of her fellow Team Whitsundays Dancing CEOs, Kate Purdie (Coral Sea Marina), Julie Telford (SeaLink Whitsundays), Alice Harriott (Whitsunday Family Dental), and herself, Whitsunday Transit’s Candice Crossley extended a heartfelt “thank you” to the team at Whitsunday Escape and everyone who made Friday’s fundraiser a sellout success.
“It was thanks to the generosity of Mandy and Penny Coles and their team at The Garden Bar that so much of the ticket price could go directly to WLSQ, with additional support from Wilmar Sugar, Whitsunday Entertainment, Andrew Pattinson of Vampp Photography, Sophie Camm, and all the businesses who donated prizes for our raffles,” she said.
“We’re asking people to please follow our Team Whitsundays Dancing CEOs Facebook Page, which is where we’re sharing all our ‘Thank You’ tributes and also details of our upcoming events.”
Team Whitsundays is the first regional team to ever participate in the Dancing CEOs initiative, culminating in a dance contest at Brisbane City Hall on May 31, 2025.
To donate directly to their campaign, visit https://www.dancingceos.com.au/kate-purdie-julie-telford-candice-crossley-dr-alice-harriott.
