Pictured here, she is being towed in from the very edge of the Outer Reef in a journey that took approximately 20 hours. While annual refits and maintenance are conducted, this is the first time she has been towed back to the mainland in 18 years for a complete refurbishment.

Tony Baker, Quicksilver Group Managing Director said, "This continued investment into our fleet and assets reflects our commitment to our region's tourism industry and ensures the best possible facilities available on the Great Barrier Reef for our customers to experience our amazing collection of reef products."

Much like some of the marine life on the reef, the prized trophy has led a colourful and mysterious life, believed to have been lost in the Cairns Trinity Inlet around 1959, only to be fished out by some local children several years later and used as a fun childhood fishing cup prize. Long forgotten, this year it resurfaced and was returned to the Cairns Jockey Club.

Celebrating the 103rd running of the Cairns Cup this year, the Cairns Jockey Club thought it would be a novel idea to take the infamous 1947 Cup for another underwater adventure. In 2012 Quicksilver took Australia's most famous trophy, the Melbourne Cup on an underwater dive on the Great Barrier Reef, this time though protected in a watertight clear casing.

Pictured with the 1947 Cairns Cup at Agincourt Reef are:
- Underwater with the Cup is Quicksilver Diver Brindley
- Bluey Forsythe (ABC Radio and Win TV Sports presenter) and Jeff Mizen (Promotions manager at Brothers, naming rights sponsor for the Cairns Cup).

While it's often difficult to predict the exact dates when this will occur due to the contributing factors, the earliest prediction for Coral Spawning this year is around 11- 13 November depending on water temperatures, or alternatively between 10-12 December.

This simultaneous mass spawning of corals was first scientifically observed in 1981 by several marine biologists and it's Mother Nature's way of maintaining a consistently robust coral gene pool. Predicting when this will occur is not an exact science but does rely on several environmental cues. The ocean temperature needs to be 26 degrees celcius or above for the month before for the gametes to mature. Secondly, they will generally reproduce 4 to 6 nights after the full moon in November or December when there is little tidal movement. Thirdly, it will generally be about 2-3 hours after the sun sets, because it's nice and romantic! But more importantly most of the plankton feeders will be asleep, giving the eggs more time to settle to the relative safety of the reef.

While not guaranteed, if you would like to experience this amazing natural event with a 3 Day / 2 Night Liveaboard Dive Trip, contact the team at Pro Dive Cairns [email protected] for more information.

A curious dwarf Minke Whale eyeing off Silversonic's lucky snorkellers!

Departing daily from Port Douglas, the 24metre Poseidon is designed for personalised dive and snorkel adventures. With a special roaming permit to visit three different and unique reef site environments daily, like Silversonic, Poseidon takes you into the stunning Agincourt ribbon reefs - one of the most pristine reef systems of the entire Great Barrier Reef.

Catering for snorkellers, introductory and certified divers, daily passenger numbers are capped at 85 to ensure personalised service and attention. Poseidon also has a special permit allowing guests to swim with the Dwarf Minke Whales in season and is accredited with Advanced Ecotourism Certification.

Poseidon departs Port Douglas at 8.30am and returns at 4.30pm.

Your day aboard Poseidon includes:

• Return coach transfers from Port Douglas accommodation.
• Return Poseidon cruise from Port Douglas Port Douglas Marina.
• Morning tea, coffee with fresh muffins and focaccia on boarding; afternoon tea with cake and tropical fruit platter.
• Tropical buffet lunch with prawns.
• Reef interpretation talk.
• Guided snorkel tour with marine biologist.
• Snorkel equipment and instruction provided.
• Lycra suits and flotation devices.
• Equipment and wetsuit provided for divers.
• Prescription masks available at no extra cost.

Optional Extras:

• Introductory Scuba Diving
• Certified Scuba Diving
• Wetsuits available for hire on board
• Professional photographer service on board.

Great Adventures mentored and provided Lachlan's school based traineeship for the past two years while he attended Trinity Bay State High School to complete Grade 11 & 12, and one day per week, worked as a deckhand on Great Adventures to complete his Certificate II in Transport and Distribution (Coastal Maritime Operations - Coxswain).

Commenting on his past 2 years with the Quicksilver Group HR Manager Tess Pinches said, "We are absolutely delighted with the progress Lachlan has made. It is a tremendous accolade to see him start out from high school and over 2 years gain his qualifications and be awarded the Australian Vocational Student of the Year is a wonderful success story. We look forward to Lachlan continuing his career path with the Quicksilver Group. Lachlan completed the course in 18 months and was offered a permanent part time position".

As part of his prize he will be sponsored through his Master Class 5. Brian Cave, Great Adventures General Manager Operations said "We look forward to seeing Locky go on to greater challenges and assist him as he gains his Master Class 5. This will enable him to skipper vessels up to 24 metres."

Lachlan said he knew from a young age that he wanted to be a skipper and lead a life on the water. His dad had a boat and was always out on the reef. Speaking of his award Lachlan said "I am thrilled with the recognition and the opportunities the award provides and I can continue to progress my career with Great Adventures and across the Quicksilver Group. I have learnt so much about tour vessels from the skippers and crew, from fast cats to sail boats and I'm very excited about the prospect of obtaining my Master 5 and being at the helm in the future.

The Quicksilver Group currently employs 10 apprentices across the Group and is pleased to support local traineeships.

Heidi Taylor from the Australian Marine Debris Initiative said the annual Woody Island Clean Up held recently was a great success and pleasing to say this site has also seen a reduction in marine debris. "In 2012 we removed 637kg, in 2013 we removed 210kg and this year, our volunteers collected 140.8kg.

Thanks to Mort and all the crew on Wavedancer for transporting volunteers and the bags of rubbish back to the mainland. A huge thanks to Jenni and Wayne - Low Isles Caretakers for all their logistical support. And of course a huge thanks to all our volunteers who did a wonderful job in cleaning the island!"

If you're dreaming of Christmas Day on a tropical island, then you will be delighted with the sumptuous buffet lunch at Green Island Resort's signature restaurant, Emeralds. Led by the very talented Executive Chef Shuki Salem, the team have been busy creating a wonderful menu full of fresh seasonal produce and traditional delights for a special Christmas Day buffet lunch. A two hour beverage package with an assortment of wines, beers, juices and soft drinks will also quench your thirst.

As well as a treat for house guests, there are limited seats available for day visitors to join in the celebrations at Green Island. After feasting to your content, enjoy the island surrounds with a leisurely stroll through the rainforest, snorkel or view the reef from a glass bottom boat.

For Green Island Day Visitors, the price is $190 per adult and $88 per child, and in addition to lunch, your day also includes return fast catamaran transfers with Great Adventures and the choice of snorkelling equipment or a glass bottom boat tour to experience the Great Barrier Reef.

Green Island Resort Emeralds Christmas Day Lunch Menu

Bookings are essential as places are limited, book directly with Great Adventures on 4044 9944 or email [email protected]

Cameron has been vision impaired since birth and the purpose of his swim was to raise $5000 and awareness for the good work of the Fred Hollows Foundation to assist vision impaired people.

Encountering a pod of dolphins along the way, Cameron was escorted across the Coral Sea crossing by his support team including Dad Alan, Ted Bunt and Ben Eales aboard the support boat and paddle board.

Following Great Adventures Green Island Ocean Swim (3 km event) on 14 September, he will continue training for his next big adventure in October when he heads to Hawaii to attempt the 42km Molokai Channel. Cameron also recently won the Quicksilver Green Island Reef Swim as part of the Airport Cairns Ironman 3km swim for juniors.

On behalf of everyone at the Quicksilver Group, a massive congratulations to Cameron and his outstanding spirit. Good luck reaching your fundraising target and with your next big swim!