The Board has nine Directors with a diverse mix of skills and experience, representing a range of destinations, of which Michael is the only representative from Tropical North Queensland.

Michael said of the appointment, �I am pleased and honoured to accept the role on the TEQ Board. I look forward to being an active participant and working with my fellow Directors ensuring positive growth and enhancing Queensland�s reputation as a destination of choice both domestically and internationally�.

Michael has an extensive and active involvement in the region�s tourism industry and has over 20 years of experience and expertise ranging across hotels, coach touring and marine tourism. He also currently serves as a Director on the Board of Tourism Tropical North Queensland and in the past on the Board of Tourism Port Douglas Daintree.

As well as being a founding member of the Palm Cove Promotional Association, he has participated in government and industry advisory committees including Tourism Australia�s Chinese Advisory Panel and TTNQ�s Emerging Markets Advisory Panel. Michael is also Chairman of Cairns Access Community Housing, a regional organisation responsible for managing and providing low cost housing in the Cairns region.

Reef King�s ccontemporary interior design and refurbishment includes new bars, internal staircase, floor coverings, seating and the installation of a new chair lift to transfer disabled passengers if required between the main and upper deck. Passengers seated on the upper deck also have a special view into the wheelhouse with full viewing windows to watch all the action as the skipper plies the Coral Sea.

Tony Baker, Managing Director of Quicksilver Group said, �We recognize the need to reinvest and keep our products to the standard of a five star, premier reef operator. Presentation of our fleet to the highest standard is very important to our operation and customer service focus ensuring our passengers have the newest and best facilities available to enjoy their journey and time at the Great Barrier Reef,� said Mr Baker.

Still with bat in hand, Queensland and Australian T20 cricketer, Ben Cutting changed his cricket gear for snorkel and fins to spearhead the campaign. It was also a day to remember for Mossman local and aspiring cricketer Tristian Geddes who managed to have a day off school to travel with one of his heroes.

Ben said after his reef experience �It�s amazing what you can witness out on the Reef. I really enjoyed heading out today with the Quicksilver crew to promote the sport I love in one of the most picturesque spots in the world. If you haven�t been out to see one of the World�s Wonders� I�d highly encourage you to do it!�

Tony Baker, Quicksilver Group Managing Director said �Quicksilver was pleased to host Ben Cutting from Cricket Australia to showcase the iconic wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. While Cricket Australia is yet to introduce underwater cricket, Nemo and his reef friends cheered Ben as he hit the underwater world for a six.�

Now in its 15th year, Quicksilver hosted the day of fun and laughs onboard Quicksilver V with players (some good at cards and some not) offering a fantastic opportunity to donate to this worthy local cause.

The monies raised will assist the animal refuge facility and boarding kennels as they move forward to secure new facilities that will enhance the future of Paws and Claws. Michael Kerr, Paws and Claws President said, �This was a wonderful surprise and comes at a time when it is well needed. The refuge is constantly battling to raise money to keep the current refuge open and gain the needed funds to build the new refuge. Donations like this get us in the right direction.�

�The Quicksilver 500 card game has supported Paws and Claws for the past 9 years and to date has raised over $10,000. Paws and Claws is a wonderful community organisation caring for many homeless animals and we�re very pleased to be able to support the great work they do,� said Tony Baker, Managing Director, Quicksilver Group.

The not for profit organization currently has many four legged friends looking for fur-ever, loving homes.

Silverswift was on the return journey from the reef, about half way between Cape Grafton and Green Island, when they noticed a large humpback breaching and stopped the vessel.

Silverswift Dive Instructor Sam Killian said they believed it was a male humpback breaching (celebrating perhaps?!), and the nearby female was on the surface when a small calf, less than 2 metres in length emerged to the surface. The calf did a few rolls and swam around close to the mother.

Just previously, a large humpback swam through the dive site while Silverswift was moored at one of our exclusive sites at �Tracey�s Bommie�, Flynn Reef.

Humpbacks are generally seen on the Great Barrier Reef between the months of June to September with regular sightings at the Outer Reefs and Green Island, bringing an added bonus for passengers at this time.

Humpback whales regularly migrate from Antarctic waters along the east coast of Australia every winter to the warmer waters of the Great Barrier Reef to breed and calve. They are easily identified by having extremely large pectoral fins (their scientific name is Megaptera, which literally means giant wing), and scalloped flukes. They grow up to approximately 16 metres in length, weighing in at 30-50 tonnes. Male humpbacks produce �songs�, which are believed to attract females at mating times.

As experienced divers, Pro Dive Cairns 3 Day / 2 Night Liveaboard trip and Silversonic�s day dive and snorkel adventures were the perfect fit for some serious time underwater! Pictured with our Group Media Manager Megan Bell joining Pro Dive Cairns� liveaboard trip from Germany were Jan Schmitz and Norbert Probst, from France Jean-Michel Mille and from Spain, Francisco Nadal Yuste.

With Pro Dive Cairns visiting a selection of 16 exclusive outer reef sites from Cairns and Silversonic visiting a selection of 29 exclusive Agincourt ribbon reef sites from Port Douglas, these reef systems just over 100km apart showcase the amazing diversity and beauty the Great Barrier Reef is renowned for.

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 more information contact the crew at Great Adventures Reservations on 4044 9944 or email [email protected]

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]