2025 Wrap Up!
A Year in Review from the Furneaux Collective
As the year comes to an end and the Island eases into summer, we wanted to take a moment to say thank you and reflect on what has been a big and meaningful year for the Furneaux Collective.
2025 has been about people, place and quietly getting on with the work we started through the Islander Way project.
What we are proud of this year
· We secured three-year State Government funding, giving us stability and confidence to support community led ideas and long term thinking for the Furneaux Islands.
· We hosted the Furneaux Futures Forum, bringing locals, partners and big picture thinkers together to talk about where we are headed and how we want to get there.
· We were honoured to receive the Event Organiser Extraordinaire Award at the Visit Northern Tasmania Champions of Tourism Awards, sponsored by Events Tasmania.
· We created a Local Christmas Guide, encouraging people to support island businesses and keep dollars circulating locally during the festive season.
· Our young people stepped up, volunteering their time and lending a hand with the Lions Club to help set up their Christmas market.
· Collective committee members volunteered at the Flinders Island Show bar.
· We launched the Regenerative Business Development Program, supporting local businesses to think long term, place based and values led.
· Through Recycle Rewards, donations flowed through to our wildlife carers, supporting the quiet and constant work they do caring for injured and orphaned animals.
· We supported a second 'Too Good to Tip' event, championing the circular economy, reminding us that sharing, swapping and reuse can be joyful.
· We worked alongside Flinders Council on visitor information, helping shape a welcoming and consistent experience for those coming to the island.
· We welcomed a new committee and a new Project Manager, strengthening our capacity and setting us up well for the next phase.
· We started a "What's On Flinders Island" Facebook Group - a public facing page open to visitors and community members.
Looking ahead to 2026
Next year is shaping up to be just as exciting. We are already deep in planning for a "Not Your Normal Tourism Conference" - Portals to Place in May and the launch of a new podcast sharing island stories and island voices.
To everyone who has supported us, challenged us, showed up, shared an idea or simply cheered us on, thank you. This work only happens because of community.
Wishing you a wonderful festive season, plenty of good food, salt air, long evenings and a strong start to 2026.
With gratitude 💚
The Furneaux Collective Team
www.furneauxcollective.com