Less than three weeks to enter the 2021 Sunshine Coast Business Awards

Past Sunshine Coast Business Awards winners and finalists have more in common than just the Awards, with many saying the process of entering the awards improved their businesses.

Sunshine Coast Business Awards head of judges Bruce Williams, 2019 winner Naomi Campbell from Concepts Lab, Awards chair Jennifer Swaine with sponsors LPEs Damien Glanville and Sunshine Coast Councils Mandy Day - photo by Reflected Image PR

Sunshine Coast Business Awards head of judges Bruce Williams, 2019 winner Naomi Campbell from Concepts Lab, Awards chair Jennifer Swaine with sponsors LPEs Damien Glanville and Sunshine Coast Councils Mandy Day – photo by Reflected Image PR

And with just three weeks left to enter this year’s Awards, it is a good time to focus on the benefits.

Sunshine Coast Business Awards Chair Jennifer Swaine said with the current lockdown a reminder of the impact Covid-19 was continuing to have for all businesses, they wanted this year’s Awards to be a real acknowledgement and celebration of the Sunshine Coast’s resilience.

“With everyone facing challenges and uncertainty again, taking the opportunity to look at your business as you go through the entry process, can be rewarding in itself,” Mrs Swaine said.

And past winners and finalists agree.

Thousands turn out for opening of new flagship Sunshine Mitre 10 store in Nambour

Thousands turned out to celebrate the grand opening of the new flagship Sunshine Mitre 10 store, in the same town where the company’s 110-year history began, on Saturday. Sunshine Mitre 10 general manager Neil Hutchins said it was very satisfying to see the community turn out for the opening of the new 13,000 square metre site opening.

“It really was a great day with everyone coming to check out the new store, grab some bargains and also enjoy the fun including face painting, a balloon artist for the kids, a sausage sizzle, coffee, Boost Juice and more.”

Employing 40 staff, the new site at 980 Nambour Connection Road, includes 4,000 square metres under-roof and is one of the largest in the Sunshine Mitre 10 network, with extensive retail product and trade supply through their well-managed trade drive-through experience.

“This new flagship store includes all the latest brands and products and showcase the best hardware product available. The site has everything you need to get in, get out, and get on with it and the entire project has been meticulously designed to provide the customer with the ultimate hardware shopping experience,” Mr Hutchins said.

Less than six weeks to enter the 2021 Sunshine Coast Business Awards

With less than six weeks until entries close, the 2021 Sunshine Coast Business are set to be another great celebration of business achievements across the region.

Sunshine Coast Business Awards head of judges Bruce Williams, 2019 winner Naomi Campbell from Concepts Lab and Awards chair Jennifer Swaine - photo by Reflected Image PR

Sunshine Coast Business Awards head of judges Bruce Williams, 2019 winner Naomi Campbell from Concepts Lab and Awards chair Jennifer Swaine – photo by Reflected Image PR

Sunshine Coast Business Awards Chair Jennifer Swaine said everyone was really excited to have the Awards back for 2021, following one of the most challenging business years in living memory.

Mrs Swaine while the applications process for the Awards was something that took a little time, previous entrants had said the process was a great opportunity to step back from day-to-day operations and critically examine their own business.

“We pride ourselves on the quality of the Awards applications process – it’s not a popularity contest, but instead entrants are judged according to the criteria, by business experts, with finalists also participating in interviews,” Mrs Swaine said.

“Already over100 businesses had begun the application process with more than 90 attending information sessions to get tips direct from judges.

NOOSA alive! 2021 Ballet performance and literature, high tea with a difference and a special Picnic in the Park

Imagine a world where you can see Queensland Ballet, a literary event with world ballet stars Li Cunxin and Mary Li, a series of intimate High Teas with a difference courtesy of comedian Clint Bolster, and his alter ego persona Booff, as well as an amazing family Picnic in the Park complete with unicorn-pony rides, singing, dancing, storytelling circus workshops and more, in just one 10-day festival.

High Tea with BOOFF! is an immersive performance not to be missed!

 

NOOSA alive! has all this and more plus an extra four-day festival within the festival on Noosa Main Beach with the all-new Seaside Vibes mini music festival, including a special opera under the stars and an intimate Joni Mitchell Blue Album tribute under a special clear-roof Evie Networks Marque, styled by LB Event Collective.

Festival president Andrew Stafford said with just days until the start of the Festival on Thursday 15th July, now was the time to check out the whole program and secure tickets.

“Since the end of the Covid lock down, ticket sales across all events have surged. Our Beach Opera under the Stars, Delovely Duck Lunch and Bella Diva performance are already booked out with many other events over 80% of capacity, so book now to avoid disappointment,” Mr Stafford said.

Huge celebration planned for new flagship Sunshine Mitre 10 store in Nambour

Sunshine Mitre 10 general manager ready to swing open the gates at new Nambour flagship store!

Sunshine Mitre 10 will celebrate the opening of their new flagship store at Nambour on Saturday 24th July, with Block TV star Scott Cam as well as 2020 series winners Jimmy and Tam there to celebrate, with huge specials and giveaways throughout the day.

Sunshine Mitre 10 general manager Neil Hutchins said it was exciting to see the new 13,000 square metre site opening.

“The store at 980 Nambour Connection Road will employ 40 staff and offer the latest variety of products to our retail and trade customers,” Mr Hutchins said.

“To celebrate, we are having a huge opening day on Saturday 24th July.  The store will open at 8am and we have a catalogue full of great specials.

“At 10am Scott Cam, host of The Block, as well as 2020 series winners, Sunshine Coast locals Jimmy and Tam, will officially cut the ribbon and open the store.  They will be around until 12noon to chat to fans and take photos.”

Sunshine Coast Swim with Whales season launches as new 24metre Whale Watching vessel arrives

The Whales are back and today we are officially launching the 2021 Swim with Wales Season on the Sunshine Coast.

Celebrating the launch of Swim with Whales season – Sunreef’s Dan Hart, with Cr Jason OPray and VSC CEO Matt Stoeckel.jpg

While we have just had a COVID lockdown, 35,000 humpback whales don’t have travel restrictions and are expected to migrate through Sunshine Coast waters.

Sunreef Mooloolaba owner Dan Hart said pre-covid, whale seasons could expect to attract about 15,000 locals and tourists alike to take a closer look and participate in a whale watching or swim with whales experience.

“Everyone was affected by COVID last year, but we still had strong support from locals and the drive tourist market and hosted about 10,000 guests.

“With Whale Watching season starting at the beginning of June and Swim with Whales season coming out of another lockdown, we are hoping to increase that this year.

“Already bookings are strong, and we hope that within COVID restrictions we have another great season.”

Comedy, Qld Ballet and acrobatics take to The J stage for NOOSA alive! 2021

Comedy, the Queensland Ballet, and the acrobats of Cirque Bon Bon will all be taking to the stage at The J in July as part of the annual performing arts festival NOOSA alive!

The performances are just a few of the incredible events available as part of this year’s program from 15th to 24th July.

NOOSA alive! President Andrew Stafford said the J performances would offer something for everyone from the Queensland Ballet performances on the evenings of 15th and 16th July, to comedy with outstanding comedian Akmal on 21st July, to the spectacle of Cirque Bon Bon with two performances on 24th July.

“Everyone was very excited about the return of Queensland Ballet to the stage at The J which would showcase a vision of the company’s future through the Jette Parker Young Artists Program, with high energy and vibrant performances suitable for the whole family.

“Whether you already love ballet, or you want to introduce your children or family and friends, you will see featured Company dancers delight in two breathtaking pieces including a new work by Resident Choreographer Natalie Weir,” Mr Stafford said.

Sunshine Coast organisations receive inaugural Thompson Fund Grants to support people in need

Four organisations providing support to people experiencing homelessness and financial distress due to domestic violence and other circumstance on the Sunshine Coast, have received grants totalling $110,000 from the Buderim Foundation Thompson Fund.

Hinternoosa Realestate

Youturn Youth Support received funds to fit out two Tiny Houses which will provide affordable living for vulnerable young people, and support for driver’s license costs for four young people.

SunnyKids Sunshine Coast received a grant to provide assistance to 100 individuals at risk of homelessness due to domestic violence and economic instability.

Ozharvest received money to purchase over 16 tonnes of food to support 20 recipient agencies that provide essential meals for people in need.

Lily House received a grant to provide funding for emergency living and school needs and food support for women and their children in crisis.

These grants are the first to be distributed from the newly established Buderim Foundation Thompson Fund which is the result of a large multi-million-dollar donation by Sunshine Coast residents Roy and Nola Thompson.

Sunshine Mitre 10 invests in lifesaving defibrillators for every store

WITH 18 stores throughout Queensland, Sunshine Mitre 10, one of the largest independently operated and owned hardware suppliers in Queensland, have invested in lifesaving defibrillators for all its stores.

Sunshine Mitre 10 general manager Neil Hutchins with one of the defibrillators, now in every Sunshine Mitre 10 store.

Sunshine Mitre 10 general manager Neil Hutchins said the defibrillators were an investment in emergency health care not just for their staff, but also for the communities in which they operate.

“We have over 400 staff across our locations, and we take our duty of care very seriously so we have first aid officers at each location, and now we also have defibrillators which can help save lives for anyone experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest,” Mr Hutchins said.

“But it’s not only that, many of our stores are in regional and remote locations so by having a defibrillator on-site, it also makes these lifesaving devices more accessible to the local communities.

“And while it’s a very big investment, if we can save just one life, it will be money very well spent.”

Free information sessions hold the key to help win the Sunshine Coast Business Awards

Previous Sunshine Coast Business Awards winners are often asked what the secret is to winning the prestigious awards?

The answer many of them say is planning and finding out all the tips and tricks at one of the free information sessions held by Awards Chair Jennifer Swaine and Judging Chair Bruce Williams.

Mrs Swaine said while the applications process for the Awards was something that took a little time, previous entrants had said the process was a great opportunity to step back from day-to-day operations and critically examine their own business.

“We pride ourselves on the quality of the Awards applications process – it’s not a popularity contest, but instead entrants are judged according to a criteria, by business experts, with finalists also participating in interviews,” Mrs Swaine said.

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