Business profiles

Meet Dan Hoey, the skipper behind Salty Dog Fishing Charters. Since November 2013, Dan has been sharing his passion for fishing with locals and visitors alike. His dream was always to run charters in Port Fairy - a spot known for its challenging yet rewarding waters - where he could combine his love of recreational fishing with the thrill of helping every guest hook that unforgettable catch.

Salty Dog Charters run full-day (8-hour) offshore tour for ages 12 and up. Guests can experience everything from bottom fishing for gummy shark, snapper, and bull shark to chasing pelagic species like the mighty southern blue fin tuna.

For Dan, it's all about the excitement. Watching someone reel in their first big fish - whether a tuna or a gummy shark - never gets old.

When asked about his secret to always getting everyone a catch, no matter the day or conditions, Dan credited his local knowledge and years of experience. Fishing in Port Fairy can be unpredictable due to shifting tides, variable fish movements, and ever-changing weather conditions, so helping every guest land a fish is a real achievement.

Salty Dog isn't your scripted, same-old, same-old charter. Every trip is an adventure - you never know if you'll encounter dolphins, whales, seals, seabirds, or even a 100kg tuna. Dan says it's like living a David Attenborough documentary.

Around 80% of Salty Dog's customers are return visitors, with many local farmers joining the charter when things quieten down on the farm. The remaining 20% are first-timers and summer holidaymakers looking for a memorable experience.

Dan said the best advice he's had is to be passionate about your product. That passion is what keeps people coming back. He's proud to be part of the Port Fairy small business community as supporting local operators keeps our coastal town alive and thriving.

Follow Salty Dog Fishing Charters to see the latest catches and what they get up to:

Facebook: @saltydogcharters

Instagram: @saltydogcharters

Website: www.saltydogcharters.com.au

After seeing shops close along the main street, Emily Thorne wanted to be part of bringing life back to town. Knot Just Hair isn’t just a business - it’s a statement that Mortlake is worth investing in. 

While working at another salon in town Emily noticed another business close along Mortlake’s main strip. Once a busy hub for the town, Dunlop Street had gradually seen a number of businesses move on over the years. Rather than feel discouraged by the change, Emily decided to back herself. With a passion for beauty and a desire to bring fresh energy to the strip, she took the leap and started a business of her own.

In March 2025, Emily took over the old newsagency building in Mortlake and transformed it into the beauty salon 'Knot Just Hair', offering hair, nail and beauty services to the local community. Passionate about supporting small-town business growth, Emily has also used the shopfront as a launchpad for other local entrepreneurs. Until recently, a massage therapist operated from the space before becoming busy enough to branch out independently. Now trading as 'Kit Massage Therapy', the business has moved into its own premises on Dunlop Street, marking another positive step for Mortlake’s growing small business community.

But for Emily, it was never meant to be just a salon. She was intentional about creating a safe and welcoming space where people could sit, chat, vent, laugh and feel supported - a place that brings a little life back to the main street.

Driving force

Emily’s biggest motivation is her two young children. She hopes to show them that with hard work and determination they can achieve anything they set their minds to. For her, Knot Just Hair is more than just a business - it’s a statement that Mortlake is a town worth investing in.

Community connection

Living on a farm herself, Emily understands the realities of rural life. Many of her clients are farmers and CFA volunteers, and through conversations in the salon she began hearing about the pressures they were under. Offering free haircuts for farmers is her way of giving back to the community that has supported her - from the local tradies who helped fit out the salon to the clients who have shared advice, encouragement and loyalty.

Business advice

When it comes to business, Emily’s advice is simple: reinvest and be patient. Rather than spending money as soon as it comes in, she believes in putting it back into the business and allowing it to grow over time.

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Knot Just Hair Mortlake Facebook page