Inspiration-gram: Images of holiday bliss win Instagram users a Hamilton Island escape 19 April 2013 Following the success of Hamilton Island’s first Instameet which captured a global imagination, five new lucky Instagram users from Australia and the United Kingdom have won holidays to share the picture perfect paradise with the world. Taking part in the Ultimate Instameet: Return2Paradise from 17-19 May, the keen photographers will unite for a weekend retreat for the senses, seeing, tasting, experiencing and sharing the Island with their photo app followers. Electrician Mark Seabury (@markseabury) from Northmead and insurance worker Rob Read (@bobby_j) from Greystanes in NSW will join married couple graphic designer/photographer Matt (@mattglastonbury) and fulltime student Mia Glastonbury (@miaglastonbury) from Tasmania’s Rose Bay. The foursome will be accompanied by UK winner, PR & Creative Manager from London, Ido Simyoni (@ido8all). 28 year old Read found out he had been selected to attend the Instameet on his birthday, saying he couldn't think of a better birthday surprise. ‘I work in insurance and Instagram’s my creative release. I love it because you get to connect to a great community sharing how they see the world which I think is a very special thing.’ For Matt and Mia Glastonbury, the news that they had both been chosen was a very happy surprise. ‘Discovering that I had been chosen was an incredibly thrilling buzz, which did honestly come as a bitter-sweet surprise. Mia and I never go anywhere without each-other and have been inseparable for years. When I discovered that she also won my jaw just dropped. We are so happy to both be attending Hamilton Island’s Instameet,’ Matt said. These talented mobile photographers won their holidays by simply posting photos that represented their idea of holiday bliss. Their stunning images were selected out of thousands of entries received into the competition. Sophie Baker, Hamilton Island’s Senior Communications Manager said: ’Instagram is a modern-day postcard; a way to share your travel experiences instantly with friends, family and followers around the globe. Hamilton Island is an idyllic paradise in Queensland’s picturesque Whitsundays, so there’s no better way to promote the Island to the world than through Instagram, the portable, ever-changing mosaic carried in the pockets of 100 million users worldwide.’ These lucky competition winners will be joined on Hamilton Island by some high profile Australian and Asian ambassadors who will be announced next month. Staying in varying accommodations to showcase the Island’s broad offering, the eclectic group will enjoy incredible activities from gourmet beach barbeques and seaplane flights over the Great Barrier Reef to beach escapes and mountain peak climbs, posting their images on Instagram and sharing them across their other social media networks including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, Tumblr and China’s Weibo. To follow Hamilton Island’s Ultimate Instameet Return2Paradise as it unfolds in real-time: @hamiltonisland, @markseabury, @ bobby_j, @mattglastonbury, @miaglastonbury and @ido8all. - ENDS - Notes to editors: See the first Ultimate Instameet unfold in this short documentary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2Gc1YfS0-o About our Instagramers: Mark Seabury, 44years My passion is photography. It starts with a vision, what follows is often a wild journey and the challenge of capturing an image which can move and inspire people is something that drives me every day. I love Instagram because it is a powerful way to share images and get inspiration from others. It puts the world of creativity in the palm of your hand. Rob Read, 28years I'm 28 and received notification of winning on my birthday, and I couldn't think of a better birthday surprise. I work in insurance and Instagram works as my creative release. I love Instagram because you get to connect to a great community sharing how they see the world and I think that's a very special thing. I am so excited to be one of the winners for the Return2Paradise Instameet. I still can't quite believe it and can't wait to go! Matt Glastonbury, 41years I love Instagram because it's a wonderful platform for sharing your creative expression, finding inspiration, inspiring others, connecting locally and globally, and also being recognised. Most of all, it's a great way to have more fun while exploring and showing off the beauty of Tasmania. Mia Glastonbury, 41years I love Instagram because I get to experience different cultures. I love sharing my photos with other people and showing how beautiful Australia is. I love to see what others are doing all over the world. It helps me to meet local people, make new friends, find new places, express creativity, and it helps me to focus on what makes me happy. Ido Simyoni, 30years Instagram is all about sharing a story with pictures and words. I think that if you are open, honest and also have some photography skills, you can succeed on Instagram. Being one of the winners of Hamilton Island's Ultimate Instameet Return2paradise is an amazing opportunity for me to explore heaven on earth, capture it and share it with my followers. It's going to be a long flight from London, but I'm sure it's well worth the travel. I can even imagine myself wanting to stay longer, can I? Hamilton Island is located off the Queensland coast of Australia, within the Whitsunday Islands at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Here visitors can experience everything that is great about Australia – natural landscapes, calm turquoise waters, secluded beaches, beautiful weather, fascinating coral reefs, diverse flora and fauna. Hamilton Island offers a wide range of accommodation options, not to mention over 60 activities and all within a short direct flight from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Cairns. There are also great connections from other Australian cities. www.hamiltonisland.com.au www.facebook.com/hamiltonisland Media contacts and image library: www.hamiltonisland.com.au/media-centre/ Sophie Baker, Senior Communications Manager e: sbaker@hamiltonisland.com.au t: +61 (0)438 442 323 Michelle Crowshaw, Trade Communications Manager e: mcrowshaw@hamiltonisland.com.au t: +61 (0)417 065 173 Instagram: Connect with us: @hamiltonisland and @qualiaresort, Mention us: #hamiltonisland and #qualia Facebook: www.facebook.com/hamiltonisland and www.facebook.com/qualia Twitter: @hamiltonisland and @qualia.