TIME is precious for Scott Carter, and he prefers to use it to give back to his community.
Growing up on a farm in Chambers Flat, Queensland, Scott was one of five siblings, with three brothers and one sister.
His most vivid memories of life on the farm are of chasing chooks around the paddock.
He spent his primary school years in New South Wales but he eventually moved back to Queensland in 1979.
In 1983, at 15 years of age, Scott started working in travel and tourism after he was offered a job following a stint of work experience with the bus company Greyhound Australia.
“I was off at a full-time job the following year and just went from there,” he said.
Scott’s taste of the tourism industry led him to work for interstate bus companies and airlines for 10 years.
When that chapter of his life closed, he decided to start up a transport company.
He predicted that he was only going to run the businesses for a few years, but it grew into 30 years with him selling the business in 2024.
“The one big thing was customer loyalty,” he said.
“My largest customer had been with me pretty much the whole time through, and I grew with them.
“To me, it’s about loyalty and support, which is what I feel Canungra has.”
Scott moved to Canungra with his partner Sharon McKeown because they were both looking for a change.
“Sharon lived on the Sunshine Coast, and I lived in Brisbane – we certainly liked the area because of the small community feel; the village atmosphere,” he said.
The couple bought their block of land four years ago, but they were finally able to call Canungra home last year.
“We built the shed, but now we had to build the house. We engaged local contractors, plumbing and electrical wherever we could,” he added.
Scott met Sharon through their children connecting over swimming.
Their children have gone off to be successful in their own fields with Scott’s children, Lachlan and Bailey, being social media influencers known as Those Carter Boys, and Sharon’s children, Taylor and Kaylee, being Olympic swimmers with the Australian Dolphins.
With their children grown, a new house and no business, Scott was stuck on what to do with his free time.
He opened the first laundromat on Tamborine Mountain – Tamborine Tumbler.
“It’s been a godsend to the community up there. They’re certainly using it, and the feedback is 100 per cent positive,” Scott said.
“It’s what the community was crying out for, and I’ve just been blown away from the support.”
Alongside running a new business, Scott enjoys getting involved in the community by being part of the Canungra Chamber of Commerce and Community Cancer Care.
He has also been a member of the children’s charity Variety Australia for more than 20 years with their events taking him around the country, particularly Western Queensland.
“It’s amazing to watch how they juggle that life on a cattle station and also juggle a child with special needs.
“You tip your hat off to them,” he added.
Through business, charity work and pleasure, Scott has travelled roughly 75 per cent of Australia and several countries overseas.
He plans to continue serving his community and show newcomers what Canungra has to offer.
“I enjoy being part of the community and seeing things go from nothing to an actual event,” he said.
“I would like to showcase our town to people outside of the local area because we do have so much to offer.”
