Growing up on the Great Barrier Reef is not your typical childhood, but for Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort custodian Amy Gash, it became the foundation for something truly special. Surrounded by crystal clear waters and more than 1,200 marine species, her early years were filled with encounters that most people only dream about. Today, those experiences have inspired a new chapter in her life, one that blends storytelling, tourism and conservation in a powerful way.

Amy has transformed her lifelong connection to the reef into a children’s book series titled Ellie’s Reef Adventures. The debut book introduces young readers to Bubbles the Bottlenose Dolphin, a real life companion who frequently visits the island. Told through the eyes of Ellie, a ten year old girl who can talk to animals, the story invites children into an underwater world filled with wonder and important environmental messages.

For Amy, the motivation behind the series is deeply personal. “I wanted to capture the magic of the reef and help young readers feel connected to it, so they’re inspired to care for and protect it,” she says. “If these stories help children see the reef as something special and worth looking after, then I’ve achieved exactly what I set out to do.”

“I wanted to capture the magic of the reef and help young readers feel connected to it, so they’re inspired to care for and protect it” – Amy Gash

This project is not only a creative milestone but also a reflection of Amy’s broader impact on tourism and conservation. For more than 20 years, she and her family have played a leading role in transforming Lady Elliot Island into a world class eco tourism destination. Their work demonstrates how tourism can go beyond economic benefit and actively contribute to environmental protection and education.

Amy’s journey into publishing was made possible through The Stephen Gregg Bursary for Young Achiever of the Year, which she received at the 2022 Queensland Tourism Awards. Presented by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) and Tourism and Events Queensland, the award includes a $10,000 bursary to support further education or skills development within the tourism industry. Amy used this funding to bring her creative vision to life, covering the illustration and publication of her first book.

QTIC CEO Natassia Wheeler highlights why initiatives like this matter. “Tourism, when done well, is a force for good not just economically, but environmentally and socially,” she says. “What Amy and her family have achieved on Lady Elliot Island shows how operators can lead in both protecting natural assets and inspiring the next generation to value them.”

The impact of the series extends even further. Ten per cent of all book sale profits will be donated to organisations supporting marine protection and sustainable practices, ensuring that each story contributes directly to the reef’s future.

Now, the spotlight turns to the next generation of tourism leaders. Nominations for the 2026 Queensland Tourism Awards are now open. The Stephen Gregg Bursary for Young Achiever of the Year category recognises individuals under 35 who are making a meaningful contribution to the tourism industry and offers a valuable opportunity to invest in their future. If you know someone who is shaping the industry with passion and purpose, now is the time to nominate them and help celebrate the bright minds driving Queensland tourism forward.