SINCE announcing their formation just two weeks ago, the Whitsundays’ inaugural team of ‘Dancing CEOs’ have been extremely busy in their quest to end domestic violence and raise more than $41,000 for Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ).
The Whitsundays’ inaugural team of ‘Dancing CEOs’ are Kate Purdie, Candice Crossley, Alice Harriott, Julie Telford, all local business owners/managers.
The four women will compete in a dance contest against other CEOs, on May 31, 2025, at Brisbane City Hall, as part of WLSQ’s flagship fundraising initiative.
They will also carry out fundraising between now and the dance competition, to help put an end to domestic violence.
Team Whitsundays already has a mentor, Katelyn Collins, who has been working with WLSQ for some years.
Now, the team has added another name to their support squad, with the announcement of Whitsunday Regional Council’s ‘Mayoress’ Mel Collins, in the role of Patron.
Through her public profile as wife of Whitsunday Mayor Ry Collins, Ms Collins will now help with advocacy and awareness of Team Whitsundays’ meaningful mission, describing herself as ‘honoured’ to have been asked to perform ceremonial duties at upcoming fundraising events.
“I’m super excited to support the ladies from Team Whitsundays in their pursuit to entertain us with their dancing prowess whilst raising funds for such a worthy cause,” she said.
“Especially as this is an issue close to my heart, having previously worked in the office of our Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm, during her tenure as Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence.”
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, an enormous amount of work has already gone into gathering prizes for raffles and organising events – one of which will be truly ‘Epic’.
In another ‘first’ for both the Whitsundays and an established WLSQ fundraiser, Team Whitsundays will be hosting a 2025 ‘Epic Walk for DV’ in Airlie Beach, on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at the same time as the main event takes place in New Farm Park, Brisbane.
Epic Walk co-founder Brendon Mann, who started the event with his partner Brendan Smith, as part of their own ‘Dancing CEOs’ team fundraising, in 2021, said it was incredible to think that for the first time in its near-five-year history, a ‘sea of purple’ would be spread across two locations, within the north and south of Queensland.
Purple is the colour synonymous with taking a stand against domestic violence.
“For us it’s not just about the fundraising but also about raising awareness of the services provided by WLSQ and the fact that they are available for women across all of Queensland,” Mr Mann said.
“This is a Queensland service, so it’s important to bring that awareness to regional Queensland, and by having the Epic Walk in a place like the Whitsundays we’re hoping to do that.”
Being familiar with the Epic Walk from her time as a former Dancing CEO and as an ongoing WLSQ Ambassador, Katelyn Collins said this was a fantastic way for the entire Whitsundays community to get behind not just their local ‘Team Whitsundays’, but also form their own walking and fundraising teams, thereby making a truly personal contribution to the overarching cause.
“We’re calling on not just individuals, but groups of friends, businesses, community groups, schools, regional organisations – anyone and everyone – to accept the challenge, form a team, sign up and start your own fundraising to help WLSQ reach more women, when they need it most,” she said.
“Bring a blanket, your dog, your family and friends, and join us for a picnic in the park and live entertainment once the walk ends; and if you’re a business interested in sponsoring the 2025 Epic Walk for DV, we need to hear from you, so please, reach out to teamwhitsundays@gmail.com.”
The Whitsundays ‘Epic Walk for DV’ will cover 5km from the Coral Sea Marina Gardens, along the Bicentennial Boardwalk and back.
Registration costs $29, or $24 for early birds and kids walk free.
Individuals and teams can sign up at https://www.epicwalkfordv.com.au/o/whitsundays.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence contact:
DV Connect: 1800 811 811
or
1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732.
