Page 104 - Port Douglas Magazine 39

duos.

EMMA PLANT &

KYLE LIVINGSTON LUKE

What started off as an island meeting as work mates for dynamic duo Emma Plant and HEADLAND
Kyle Livingston has led the couple to put down roots in Port Douglas, taking the helm at
the much-celebrated Tin Shed and a recent spellbound engagement under the magically
& ROISIN
dancing Northern Lights in Norway. Spoiler alert, she said yes!

The year was 2012 when the pair first They purchased a home that they are
met, both employed by a resort on in the midst of renovating and Kyle HUDSON
Fraser Island. On Emma’s first night as has taken the lead role of the Tin Shed
she was finding her way to her room becoming the General Manager two
in the staff village, Kyle noticed and years ago, something he has been proud
thought she was a lost tourist and went to achieve at his young age.
to help and see if she needed directions. Having worked so well together in the
As they spoke Emma was drawn to his past, about a year and a half ago Emma
friendliness and kindness, and after joined the management team. While at
assisting with her bags Kyle invited her work Kyle is the bigwig ensuring smooth
to join him for dinner. operations, a dynamic that jovially
From that fateful encounter, the two switches at home, and Emma is now
worked closely together covering responsible for all the sales, marketing,
functions on the island. Building a and functions at the Club.
tight friendship, they were becoming They have a hack in business and life.
very close, and in time it turned into Emma and Kyle are quite opposite in
something immensely special. many ways, really, they couldn’t be more
As island life came to a close, it was time different if they tried. Emma is more
to leave the past and start anew, and the of an observer while Kyle can hold a
couple moved to Sydney for a brief stint. crowd’s attention, she’s very careful,
However, they yearned for the warmth organised, and methodical while he
and beachy lifestyle of Queensland and is more likely to make spontaneous
travelling north they found themselves decisions.
in Cairns. After a long weekend getaway Through their mutual respect of each
to the tropical paradise of Port Douglas, other, their different perspectives or
they realised it had captured their hearts. approaches can be balanced out nicely to
While visiting, Kyle met up with an old become a complementary force that has
mate from back home, who at the time helped them find harmony in business
was the General Manager of the Tin and in life.
Shed. On the spot he offered Kyle a bar For Emma and Kyle, working at the
manager role. There was little hesitation Tin Shed, also known as the Douglas
- Emma and Kyle were moving. Community & Sports Club Inc. is so
With the idea that the Port Douglas much more than a spot with prime
shift would be seasonal for about a waterfront inlet real estate with a
year, that year turned into another and million-dollar view. It’s the depth of the
another and then another, until there club that makes it so special. Operating
was no reason to move on. Their love as a not-for-profit organization it allows
for the Douglas Shire grew as well as the the Club to support its members,
couples career progression. community, and sporting groups by way
The beauty of the fringing mountains of grants, member offers, raffles and
and stretches of soft sandy beaches made sponsorship to name a few.
it easy to stay but the community and its While most venues are profiting a small
people made it so they couldn’t leave. few, at the Tin Shed Kyle and Emma
They relish that for such a small town, love working for the whole community.
Being able to give so much back really
Port Douglas packs so many activities,
“ and plus those views are to die for. They about.
makes the hard work something to smile
there’s always something happening,
enjoy meeting the many visitors, with
Work-life balance is achieved by the
simplicity of life in the Douglas Shire.
new faces and people coming into the
Kyle and Emma believe it’s as easy as
Tin Shed. It helps keep things fresh and
“Work-life balance is achieved by the simplicity interesting as there is always someone camp chairs out on the beach, a good
of life in the Douglas Shire. For Kyle and Emma, new to meet, who you can learn from book, and a glass of bubbles in hand,
bliss is as easy as camp chairs out on the beach” and enjoy hearing about their life stories. making it feel like it’s like holidays every
Life has flourished in the past 10 years day up here.
since Emma and Kyle moved to Port. thetinshed-portdouglas.com.au
106 Port Douglas Magazine & Travel Planner