Our story

Elev8 Innovations is a family business we’re building from the ground up here in the Whitsundays.

We started in agriculture, using drones for spraying, seeding and spreading. Working with local growers gave us a practical start and a clear focus: understand what people need, turn up prepared and do the job properly.

My background in mining has shaped how I approach the business. Planning, safety and clear communication are part of my working life, and I bring that same approach to our drone operations. Through that experience and the connections I’ve made, I’ve seen opportunities to support projects beyond agriculture.

We’re now expanding into aerial mapping, thermal imaging, asset inspection and project monitoring, while continuing the agricultural work that got us started.

Looking after the land is part of where we want to take the business. With the right planning and conditions, targeted drone spraying can help avoid unnecessary treatment and reduce vehicle traffic through crops. Environmental monitoring gives land managers a way to track weeds, erosion and changes in vegetation over time, with fewer trips through the areas being surveyed. For us, it’s about using the technology where it can make a practical difference, both for the people doing the work and the country they’re looking after.

Being Indigenous-owned and based in regional Queensland is something I’m proud of. So is building a business my family can be part of. Having my daughter alongside me on days like the one in this photo reminds me why I’m putting the work in.

There’s plenty ahead of us, but the aim is straightforward: build a business people trust, do useful work and create something our family can be proud of.

— Rob