Henry Petersen celebrated his 21-year in 2007 as one of Australia's most successful community event organisers. In 1986 he founded Henry Petersen Promotions and its first community event was staged in Thuringowa. The 1986 Balgal Beach $50,000 Tag Fish Competition attracted 700 anglers and scored 2 ABC TV National News Bulletins. He then went on to stage 3 more world class Recreational Family Fishing Classics that offered a combined total of over $550,000 in prize money.

The 1988 NQTV $250,000 International Family Fishing Classic attracted over 3200 anglers & generated world wide media coverage for the Magnetic North Region. It won the Special Events Category at the inaugural Magnetic North Tourism Awards. Henry also just missed out on winning the award for the most outstanding contribution by an individual in promoting Tourism.