SCBA judging chair providing tips on entering the Awards at info sessions - photo by Reflected Image PR

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

Need some award-winning secrets for your business? Well, they are on offer at the 2022 Sunshine Coast Business Awards information sessions which will be held across the region starting on Wednesday 15th June.

Sunshine Coast Business Awards Chair Jennifer Swaine said the Awards application process was rigorous, so each year they offered information sessions where attendees could pick the brains of past winners and get advice from experts.

“Past entrants are always telling us the benefits the application process helped improve their businesses, giving them an opportunity to take a more holistic look at their operations, rather than being stuck in the every-day functional work,” Mrs Swaine said.

Lets be frank promo screen

Special business video series explores secrets of four award-winning Sunshine Coast businesses

The Sunshine Coast Chamber Alliance is today launching a special series of videos that explores business through the eyes of four award-winning Sunshine Coast entrepreneurs from their Humble Beginnings to Making the Future.

The series called “Let’s be Frank about Business”, supported by Sunshine Coast Council’s Community Grants Program, is timely for Queensland Small Business Month, and gives the community a rare glimpse into the inner workings of these businesses, offering tips that are relevant across all industries.

SC Chamber Allliance SCBA Awards Launch Breakfast

Sunshine Coast Business Awards 2022 entries officially open at Small Business Month Breakfast

Entries for the 2022 Sunshine Coast Business Awards, powered by LPE, will open today after the official launch at the Sunshine Coast Small Business Month Breakfast.

SC Chamber Alliance SCBA Awards Launch Breakfast

More than 260 people will attend the sold-out celebration of Coast businesses after an incredibly tough business environment over the past two years that has included fire, floods and Covid.

The Breakfast will see Sunshine Coast businesspeople hear from three of the 2021 Awards winners as part of a panel offering insights into what winning the Awards has meant for their business and how businesses can set themselves up for success with their entries. The panel will include John Langmead from Advanced Aquarium Technologies which took out Building and Construction Large, Export and Business of the Year, Deb Caruso from In Publishing which won Creative Industries Large, and Sonia Martin from Sunny Street which won Health and Wellness Large.

John Robertson

Retired District Court Judge to share insights on youth crime

Retired District Court Judge and current chair of the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council, John Robertson will be the guest speaker at a very special Buderim Foundation Breakfast on Wednesday 11th May.

Mr Robertson will be presenting “Sentencing Children – Myths and Remedies” at the breakfast, which will raise money for the Buderim Foundation’s investment fund. Earnings from the fund are given out in annual grants to organisations supporting the local community.

Buderim Foundation chair Dr Russell Stitz said Mr Robertson’s presentation was sure to be of interest to the local community and expected a lively question and answer session.

“At the Buderim Foundation we want to support the community and part of that is giving people the opportunity to consider important issues like youth justice, and to hear from experts like Mr Robertson, who bring a non-political, evidence-based approach to the issue,” Dr Stitz said.

SCS James Hill playing for Australia v Engaland in 2019

Suncoast Spinners player and coach named in Australian team for World Cup Wheelchair Rugby League

Suncoast Spinners Wheelchair Sports Club member and coach James Hill has been named as part of the Australian team for the World Cup Wheelchair Rugby League competition in the United Kingdom later this year.
Suncoast Spinners president Bridie Kean said everyone at the Club was really excited for James, who plays wheelchair rugby league as well as playing and coaching wheelchair basketball.
“This is the second time James has been selected to play for Australia and he has also played for Queensland in State of Origin competitions,” Bridie said.
James, 23, has been playing wheelchair sport since 2014 after accompanying a friend to a social game. He said at Sunshine Coast Spinners, Reverse Inclusion, where able-bodied people were encouraged to play together with those in a wheelchair to develop a truly inclusive sport, was a key part of their mission.

The Hatted Chef executive chef Chris Sell (right) with Sunny Street director and nurse Sonia Martin

Hatted Chef Heat & Eat Meals reaches 5000 meal milestone for the Homeless & Vulnerable

JUST 18-months since it launched, The Hatted Chef has reached the milestone of providing 5,000 meals for the homeless and vulnerable.

The Hatted Chef executive chef Chris Sell (right) with Sunny Street director and nurse Sonia Martin

The Hatted Chef executive chef Chris Sell (right) with Sunny Street director and nurse Sonia Martin

The Hatted Chef, which offers chef-prepared, heat & eat meals for sale through independent food stores, began at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic with an idea that had been brewing in the kitchens of Mooloolaba restaurant The Dock Mooloolaba.

The Hatted Chef executive chef Chris Sell said now coming up to 18-months after launching on 27th October 2020, the team was delighted to be expanding its distribution beyond the Sunshine Coast, into Brisbane, and preparing several hundred meals a week.

Buderim Foundation Thompson Fund grants available for Sunshine Coast organisations helping those in need

Applications are now open for the 2022 Buderim Foundation Thompson Fund to assist eligible charity organisations that help those in need throughout the Sunshine Coast community.

Buderim Foundation Thompson Fund 2021 Grants – Susan Beaton(YouTurn), Rebecca Ramsay(BF), Fiona Browne,Jo Higgins(Lily House), Roy&Nola Thompson, Kathleen Hope(SunnyKids),Michele Lipner(OzHarvest), Dr Russell Stitz (BF),Tanya Bell (YouTurn) – photo by Ross Eason.

The Buderim Foundation became the trustee for the Thompson Charitable Trust in 2021 and this will be the second year the Foundation has offered grants from the fund.

Foundation Grants Committee chair, Rebecca Ramsay said Organisations that provide services for those unable to achieve a modest standard of living, were invited to assess their eligibility for the 2022 grants program from 4th April 2022, with applications closing on 8th May.

“In 2021, four organisations providing support to people experiencing homelessness and financial distress due to domestic violence and other circumstance on the Sunshine Coast, were awarded grants totalling $110,000 from the Buderim Foundation Thompson Fund,” Mrs Ramsay said.

Sunshine Coast Falcons and Sunshine Miter 10 team uo - photo by Reflected Image PR - RPR01205

Sunshine Coast Rugby League Team Launch 2022 Season with support of Sunshine Mitre 10

The Sunshine Coast Falcons will take to the field for the first home game of the 2022 QRL season this weekend with the backing of Sunshine Mitre 10, one of the largest independently operated hardware suppliers in Queensland.

Sunshine Coast Falcons player Patrice Siolo, CEO Chris Flannery, with Sunshine Mitre 10 general manager Neil Hutchins and Falcons head coach Brad Henderson.

Following their sponsorship of the club in 2021, Sunshine Mitre 10 have signed on for a 3-year partnership.

Sunshine Mitre 10 general manager Neil Hutchins said the Falcon’s sponsorship was part of the organisation’s commitment to supporting local sporting and community organisations where they operated.

“We really enjoyed being part of the Sunshine Coast Falcons last year and like Sunshine Mitre 10 the Club has deep roots in the Sunshine Coast community,” Mr Hutchins said.

BWMCA ready to celebrate 75th Anniversary 2 - photo by Reflected Image PR RPR1525

Buderim set for stellar BWMCA 75th Anniversary Celebrations

BUDERIM will be swinging back to the 1940s for a very special weekend of celebrations on the weekend of 27th to 29th May, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Buderim War Memorial Community Association.

BWMCA ready to celebrate 75 years – Sunshine Coast Concert Band’s Gordon Parker, Deb Ansett & Georgiana Truman from 3bCreative, BWMCA president Errol Richarson & Tracy Reeves from 3bCreative

With celebrations delayed from 2020 due to COVID, BWMCA President Errol Richardson said everyone in the organisation was more than ready to celebrate.

Mr Richardson said the weekend would begin with a 1940s Musical Extravaganza Concert on Friday 27th May, followed by a 1940s Big Band Dance on Saturday 28th May.

Sunshine Mitre 10 General Manager Neil Hutchins & Group Trade Manager Deen Saint at the new Distribution Centre - photo by Reflected Image PR 1006

Sunshine Mitre 10’s new Distribution Centre secures supplies for building and trade customers

Sunshine Mitre 10 has expanded their Distribution network to help ensure builders and tradies have access to all the materials they need.

The new purpose-built Distribution Centre at Kunda Park was secured in 2021 and officially opened this year.

Sunshine Mitre 10 General Manager Neil Hutchins said the new facilities are a specific response to industry-wide supply chain challenges that have been experienced since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It is no secret that there has been a significant shortage of building materials and delays in the supply of materials to Australia, so we wanted to do all we could to give our building and trade customers some security around this,” Mr Hutchins said.

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