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SeaLink turns 25Special feature Twenty five years ago SeaLink Holiday Centre, Adelaide Sightsee- economic impacts on the island are Donna Gauci said island communi- began, taking over the Philanderer ing, Hop-On Hop-Off, Kangaroo Is- reflected in part through the devel- ties needed a ferry service they could III ferry service to Kangaroo Island. land Odysseys, Kangaroo Island opment of new tourism products and depend on and while other ferries Today, SeaLink Travel Group is a Adventure Tours, Vivonne Bay experiences and associated employ- had come and gone, SeaLink had multi-million dollar, publicly-listed Lodge, SeaLink Queensland and ment outcomes.” stood the test of time. company owning businesses across SeaLink Northern Territory. Mr Gregor also recognised “What began as a one-ferry oper- Australia, including iconic Captain “SeaLink is a South Australian SeaLink’s encouragement and men- ation on Kangaroo Island has been Cook Cruises on Sydney Harbour success story and while our company toring of tourism business related built up over time and that has given and on the Murray River, and it in- continues to grow, Kangaroo Island skills through the virtual tourism everyone ongoing security and cer- jects many millions of dollars into has, and always will, play an impor- business program conducted at the tainty,” Ms Gauci said. SeaLink Managing the Kangaroo Island community tant and central role in our opera- Kingscote campus of Kangaroo Is- “With a fleet of two modern fer- Director Jeff Ellison. each year. tions.” land Community Education. ries and millions of dollars invested “In just 25 years our staff num- Chairman of Tourism Kangaroo “It is a great initiative that seeks in terminals at Penneshaw and Cape bers have grown from 15 employees Island, Pierre Gregor, said there was to develop skills valuable to the in- Jervis as well as land-based trans- to over 600 and today we service no doubt that the professional and dustry which may also assist with portation including coaches and four more than three million passengers reliable service provided by SeaLink some of the youth retention chal- wheel-drives, SeaLink continues to a year in Queensland, New South had contributed to the island’s de- lenges facing the island,” he said. invest heavily in the future of Kan- Wales, Northern Territory and South velopment. “The company’s sponsorship sup- garoo Island.” Australia,” Managing Director Jeff “SeaLink’s domestic and interna- port to a significant range of com- “We’re proud of what SeaLink Ellison said. tional marketing plus the holiday munity clubs, associations and has achieved over the past 25 years “What began as a one-ferry oper- packaging has been pivotal in the individuals also helps to demon- and look forward to many more ation now includes a fleet of 26 com- growth of tourism on Kangaroo Is- strate SeaLink’s commitment to decades of continued growth for the SeaLink SA General mercial vessels and brands such as land,” Mr Gregor said. Kangaroo Island.” company.” Manager Donna Gauci. Captain Cook Cruises, Australian “The positive direct and indirect SeaLink SA General Manager Milestones From The Philanderer to tourism projects and inter-state operations ❒ 1989: Philanderer ferry operation pur- and trucking company, majority shareholder ❒ 2013 - 2014: Construction and launch chased from the March family by Malaysian purchased of four new vessels, Elizabeth Cook, Mary company Mbf and renamed Kangaroo Island ❒ 2009: Premier Day Tour business pur- Reibey, Annabelle Rankin and Violet SeaLink chased McKenzie for Captain Cook Cruises, Sydney Harbour ❒ 1991: Purchased second ferry, the Is- ❒ 2010: Construction of $1.2 million bus land Navigator to operate fuel and freight operations and maintenance facility in Pen- ❒ 2013: Purchased new passenger ferry services to/from KI neshaw James Grant for SeaLink Northern Territory ❒ ❒ 1996: A group of South Australian in- ❒ 2010: Phase Two of Vivonne Bay Lodge 2013: Purchased ‘Freedom Sovereign’ vestors and staff members purchased The Island Navigator ferry which SeaLink redevelopment completed - accommodation, ferry ($3.1m) (vessel name changed to ‘Tiwi SeaLink from Mbf, returning it to local owner- purchased in 1991, to run the KI service common room, dining, bar and deck Mantari’) ship and then it went to SeaLink NZ. SeaLink ❒ ❒ 2010: Kangaroo Island Odyssey 4x4 2014: $3.5 million invested into building ❒ 1998: Launched luxury passenger and NZ has since been sold but the Island Navi- new Penneshaw Ferry Terminal gator still operates to Great Barrier Island touring business purchased vehicle ferry Sealion 2000 built at a cost of ❒ 2009-2014: $4 million invested on new from Auckland. ❒ 2011: Sunferries Townsville to Magnetic $9.1million touring coaches and vehicles and Palm Island purchased - rebranded ❒ 2000: Adelaide Sightseeing Day Tours ❒ 2014: SeaLink Queensland signed 5 and City Centre Travel purchased ❒ 2006: Kangaroo Island Adventure Tours SeaLink Queensland ❒ year contract to provide ferry services to ❒ 2003: Australian Holiday Travel Centre in touring business purchased 2011: Captain Cook Cruises and Matilda Magnetic Island Cruises, Sydney Harbour and Murray River Melbourne and Sydney acquired ❒ 2006: Opened CJ’s by the Sea cafe in ❒ Cruises purchased 2014: SeaLink Queensland signed 5 ❒ 2004: Launched second luxury passen- the Cape Jervis ferry terminal year contract to provide ferry services to ❒ ger and vehicle ferry Spirit of KI built at a ❒ 2006: Launched ‘FreightLink’ NZ brand 2011: Sold SeaLink New Zealand includ- Palm Island, Queensland cost of $14.3 million ❒ 2007: Kangaroo Island Booking Centre ing the sale of majority shareholding in Big B ❒ Cartage Limited 2014: Signed contract with the Northern ❒ 2004: Auckland, New Zealand based retail specialist agency purchased Territory Government to provide ferry serv- ❒ Subritzky Ferries purchased ❒ 2007: SeaLink selected as Facility Man- 2011: SkyLink Adelaide Airport Shuttle ices to Tiwi Islands Service sold ❒ 2004: The Ski Connection ski packaging ager for the new Adelaide Central Bus Sta- ❒ 2014: Refurbishment of John Cadman 2 and express coach transport company ac- tion ❒ 2013: Over $3 million invested in pas- completed ($1.7m) quired ❒ 2007: SkyLink Adelaide Airport Shuttle senger ferries Sealion 2000 and Spirit of KI ❒ 2014: Captain Cook Cruises signed con- ❒ 2005: Purchased Vivonne Bay Outdoor Service and fleet of coaches purchased ❒ 2013: SeaLink Travel Group listed on the tract to ferry passengers to the Biennale of Education Centre, renamed Vivonne Bay ❒ 2007: Phase One of $1.2 million ASX Sydney Art Festival Lodge Vivonne Bay Eco Adventures redevelopment - ❒ 2013: Commenced ferry operations in ❒ 2014: Captain Cook Cruises awarded a ❒ 2005: $2.4 million invested into building built bistro and function centre Darwin to Tiwi Islands and Mandorah under 3 year charter contract with Harbour City Fer- Cape Jervis Ferry Terminal ❒ 2008: Big B Cartage Limited - NZ freight SeaLink Northern Territory brand ries www.theislanderonline.com.au The Islander, Thursday, November 27, 2014 Page 11 Special feature Tour a sweet success story When Clifford’s Honey Farm opened honey ice-cream so when groups arrive to in December 1993, business owners Dave the farm their mouths are already wa- and Jenny Clifford welcomed self-drive What has been key is tering in anticipation.” visitors travelling on the SeaLink ferry “all the wonderful SeaLink Today, Clifford’s Honey Farm wel- to their farm gate shop and visitor cen- comes a SeaLink coach daily and other tre. staff, particularly the special groups are regularly booked. In 1997, SeaLink began bringing vis- coach drivers Jenny said she fondly remembered itors to the honey farm in bus groups and SeaLink promotional events, particularly the farm’s relationship with the SA- Kangaroo Island honey so special and” the one where local business owners trav- based company has flourished ever since. unique and rare Ligurian Honey Bees elled with SeaLink staff on the SeaLink “We were very honoured that while Jenny has made her now famous ferry to Port Adelaide for an onboard SeaLink were keen to bring their visitors honey ice-cream for the shop since open- Kangaroo Island presentation to agents. to our honey farm for tours,” Jenny Clif- ing day. Another fond memory was when the ford said. Jenny said from the beginning, a Honey Farm renovated its interpretive Dave and Jenny Clifford - Clifford’s Honey Farm. “Local people, including many who daily tour time slot was negotiated with centre and Dave and Jenny asked then have worked for SeaLink, have been key SeaLink. SeaLink coach driver Michael Clark to in word-of-mouth advertising, promoting “What has been key is all the won- cut the ribbon. Congratulations on the honey farm to visitors from far and derful SeaLink staff, particularly the “We’ve always enjoyed a great rela- wide.” coach drivers,” Jenny said. tionship with SeaLink and wish them Over the years the honey farm has “They have been fantastic promoting every success as they celebrate their 25th 25 years shared its knowledge about what makes the farm’s honey and in particular our year of service to KI,” Ms Clifford said. VR2034250 It’s been a privilege to have Penneshaw Terminal been associated with SeaLink for the last 24 years, congratulations, and we wish you VR2034192 continued success. www.emuridge.com.au The Sealion 2000. Congratulations Nat, Dave and all the staff at the Great gift idea Turner’s Tyre Service Rabbitt Warren Bakery SeaLink Travel SeaLink Gift Vouchers make a would like to great Christmas gift. on this amazing milestone. SeaLink gift vouch- Wow 25 years. Congratulates ers start from $20 and can be redeemed Congratulate LookingLLookking forwardforrward to workingwoorking withwit against any product youyou forfor 25 moremoore SeaLink offered by the SeaLink Travel Group includ- SeaLink on 25 years of service ing ferry fares, accom- over the last 25 years VR2034117 modation, packages, to the Island. VR2034104 tours, experiences and and we are proud to more.