Page 29 - Port Douglas Magazine 39

“

“We had

something that

felt and looked

great, and that

anyone can

wear out in the

sun. It all grew

from there.”

ANCHORS With a background in photography, fashion and textiles, Tess took the wheel Syd is from Sydney. (Before you start thinking, that’s a coincidence,

and designed a new take on the fishing shirt — one that was UPF50 sun-safe

it isn’t. His name is actually Darroch, but in true FNQ style, none of
and super-lightweight, with vented panels down the sides for that crucial
his new friends could get their tongues around it, so they used his

airflow. She hand-drew the simple yet stylish designs inspired by their life
hometown as an easy alternative.) Syd grew up on Sydney Harbour,

AWAY! on the Reef. After seemingly endless researching and trialling of fabrics, she spent his childhood on boats, and headed north in the 1990s.

found the perfect manufacturing partner in WA, and the first shirts went
When Tess met Syd in Port Douglas in 2011, they were united by their
into production.
love of life in the tropics, and a passion for the outdoor lifestyle from the
“One of the most important things for us was to have our sun shirts
ocean to the rainforest to the bush.
Australian made, so we could control the quality and the materials being
“Drawing and art and working with textiles is a passion of mine,” says
used,” explains Tess. “I know it’s not always an option, but I think if you can,

supporting Aussie owned and made is definitely something you should be Tess. “But my other love has always been the ocean and the Reef and
working on boats. Syd’s always worked on boats and has been a skipper
trying to do.” for many of the local tour companies. For a long time, I worked as an
WORDS by Sara Mulcahy It wasn’t long before curious passengers aboard the fishing charters were underwater photographer so I could bring those two worlds together.

A asking about the crew gear, wondering if they were available to buy on board. That’s why Anchorline is the ultimate job for us because we’re selling

wise man (Plato to his friends) once said “Necessity is the mother

And so the first sales were made. Tess and Syd then started loading up the
our own lifestyle. Every weekend we’re out on the water with our two
of all invention”. And lovers of the great outdoors here in Port
car on weekends, taking explorative stalls at local markets in Palm Cove and

daughters, fishing and spear fishing and paddleboarding and exploring,
Douglas will tell you he was onto something there when it comes

to the fishing shirt. Yungaburra near Lake Tinaroo. They soon realised they had something big and the inspiration for the range starts right there.”
on the line.

Back in 2018, Tessa and Darroch ‘Syd’ McMonnies were sailing the ocean “The response was amazing,” says Tess. “There was a gap in the market for Anchorline officially launched in 2020. The website went live in January,

blue with their fishing charter business, taking visitors on day trips from Port something that was easy to wear and versatile, with more subtle designs. We a month before COVID-19 shut down the world. Plans to do trade

Douglas to chase Coral Trout, Spanish Mackerel and Giant Trevally. When found we were selling to a range of different people from sailors and anglers shows, expos and markets went on hold, and the business was left to

you’re out on the water seven days a week, a cool and comfortable crew is to bushwalkers and paddleboarders. While the designs definitely lean tick along slowly online. Once things started to open up again a year

paramount, and the pair wanted to kit out themselves and their team with towards the water, it’s not all about fishing! We had something that felt and later, Syd and Tess took a leap of faith and sold the fishing charter

clothing that fitted the bill. looked great, and that anyone can wear out in the sun. It all grew from there.” business to concentrate on the brand full time.

“Syd was out on the boats all day, every day, even in summer when it was Tess is a lifetime Douglas Shire local. Born on the now defunct maternity “A year and a half ago, we took on TS Print & Embroidery, a garment
super-hot,” says Tess. “He was dying of heat, and we could never find ward at Mossman Hospital, she grew up with her family in the Mowbray decoration business which meant we could do even more of the

anything for him and the crew to wear that looked respectable and was cool Valley. After high school, she decamped to university in Brisbane to study Anchorline production ourselves,” says Syd. “We screen print and

enough to wear all year round. There didn’t seem to be anything out there fine arts and fashion design, which she used as a springboard to head embroider all our shirts on site here in Port Douglas. We’ve grown

that was made in Australia, for Australian conditions. I thought, we can overseas and explore the world. both businesses quite substantially over the past 18 months and life is

definitely do better than this.” consequently pretty hectic right now!”