Chamber @ Dusk | 29th May 2026

Hi, I'm David Batt, your Federal Member for Hinkler.

After graduating high school, I joined the Qld Police Service where I worked as a Police Officer for over 23 years rising to the rank of Detective Sergeant.

I was the Manager of the Bundaberg PCYC for several years.

I have been a long-term volunteer and community advocate championing the Bundaberg region with over 27 years of Board experience across community organisations, sporting clubs and education.

In 2008 I was elected to Bundaberg Regional Council. Serving for three terms including one as Deputy Mayor.

I was elected as the State Member for Bundaberg in November 2017, becoming the Shadow Assistant Minister for State Development in December.

As a Councillor, I held the portfolios of Governance, Sport, Recreation & Venues and Disaster Management.

I was the Deputy Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group and the Local Recovery Co-ordinator for the January 2013 record flood in the district.

I was honoured to be awarded a ‘Paul Harris Fellow’ by the Sunrise Rotary Club for my efforts in steering the ‘Response and Recovery’ to the devastating floods of December 2010 and January 2011.

Prior to getting elected in May 2025, I worked as the Community Resilience & Disaster Management Coordinator for Bundaberg Regional Council.

At this event David will cover topics around the federal budget and the impacts for small business as well as industry updates and about the small business survey all during small business month!

🍴 Event Details
📅 Date: Friday 29th May 2026
🕕 Time: 5:30pm – 8:00pm
📍 Venue: Waterfront Restaurant Hervey Bay
💲 Price: Members $50 | Non-Members $60
(includes dinner, dessert, and keynote – drinks available at the bar)
🎟 Bookings close 5 pm, Wednesday 27th May – No door sales

Seats are limited – secure your spot now for an evening of connection, insight, and inspiration at our  Chamber at Dusk.

Bio Dr Mindy Thorpe (PhD)

Hailing originally from PNG, Dr (PhD) Mindy Thorpe’s working life spans careers in Nursing,Industrial Advocacy for Trade Unions, Academia, Qld Government WHS Inspector and Auditor,and finally Consultant and Auditor in WHS, Quality and Environment Compliance andManagement before semi-retiring to write and to open and operate a classical Pilates Studio.

After working through the tumultuous years of Award restructuring and Union Amalgamations for two trade unions, Mindy spent the 1990’s lecturing to law, business and behavioural science undergraduate and postgraduates, in WHS, EEO and Anti-Discrimination law, public policy,employment relations, behavioural science and politics for 4 major Universities in NSW and Qld.

At the same time Mindy worked with industry – manufacturing and small business in Northern NSW mentoring, training and auditing businesses while completing her own post graduate studies, all while owning and operating a coffee shop in Mullumbimby!

After returning to Queensland in 1998 and continuing to lecture, consult and study, Dr Thorpe was awarded a PhD in the field of Government for a “Study of participation of workers –measures of commitment and perceptions of support from their organisation” in 2000.

Mindy has also managed WHS, quality and environment on construction projects ranging invalue up to $210M in Queensland and Victoria. She was commended by the National Project Manager for Lion Nathan for her management of WHS and environment on a $75M construction project at XXXX in Brisbane, a project with 5 principal contactors that took 18 months, was completed with no Lost Time Injuries. Her success in achieving this outcome was attributed to her consultative and hands-on work ethic and ability to work with and mentor all levels of the workforce from workers to senior and executive managers, fostering a strongly consultative and collaborative approach to managing occupational health and safety and environmental issuesacross the 5 projects.

Mindy has developed and implemented integrated WHS, quality and environmental management systems for businesses in building and civil construction, heavy vehicle transport, horticulture, manufacturing, labour hire, engineering and occupational rehabilitation industries, amongst others.

In 2015, Mindy started to wind down the consulting practice and focus on another major project, becoming a classical Pilates Instructor in the Joseph Pilates Method of exercise and rehabilitation for people with acute and chronic injuries and for improving health and wellbeing.

Covid 19, also impacted and brought Mindy permanently to Hervey Bay, working with Richers Transport in managing occupational health and safety and heavy vehicle compliance for the business and she is still working with the Company today.

In 2021 Dr Mindy reopened Barefoot Pilates Studio in Pialba and is still winding down her consultancy practice. Mindy is a passionate animal rights advocate and fundraises each year for the RSPCA, raising over $52,000.00 in 6 years organising and running the annual Million Paws Walk; and has now also started fundraising for the RFDS, raising over $14,000.00 in the last 3 years.

Mindy has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce since January 2022.

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PRICING
Member Price $50
Non-Member Price $60

DETAILS
Friday 29th May 2026 | 5:30pm (For a 6pm start) to 8:00pm 
The Waterfront Restaurant

REGISTRATION & BOOKING
Registrations are to be completed online before 5 pm –Wednesday 27th May
PLEASE NOTE; NO DOOR SALES

Book your tickets now. Limited seats are available and ticketing will close when full.
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All Enquiries:
Chamber Committee
admin@herveybaychamber.com.au