The cosmic, futuristic theme for last night’s (Saturday 10.11.12) Sunshine Coast Business Awards was particularly apt as 30 of the brightest business stars in the region were honoured at the 18th Sunshine Coast Business Awards. Over 160 finalists competed across 25 award categories and in front of over 600 guests gathered at the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Innovation Centre.
After completing the judging process of a written submission, onsite interview, mystery shop and reference checks, the winners were delighted to hear their names called by hosts, WIN TV News anchorman, Paul Taylor and Zinc 96.1 announcer, Al Doblo.
Maroochydore’s Ron Hill Automatics won Enterprise of the Year after servicing and repairing vehicles on the coast for over 35 years. Small Business of the Year was Belli Park’s Hinterland Feijoas. The delicious sub-tropical feijoa fruit is produced from 750 trees in one of Australia’s few commercial orchards.
Warana’s Eniquest took home the Innovation Award for their wide range of energy power solutions for the industrial and agricultural sectors including solar panels, cycle batteries, power generators, parts and accessories. Jetts Fitness was presented with the Export Award. The fitness network has two gyms on the Sunshine Coast (at Maroochydore and Mooloolaba) and 178 clubs in Australia and New Zealand with over 175,000 members.
Talented chef, Cameron Matthews from The Long Apron Restaurant at Spicers Clovelly Estate Montville and John Pearson from John Pearson Consulting Coolum Beach were honoured with Outstanding Employee of the Year and Outstanding Business Person of the Year awards, respectively.
Nambour’s Fertility Solutions, Narangba’s (formerly Beerwah) Hahn Environmental Services, Mooloolaba’s Savvy Business Sales, Maroochydore’s Sea English Academy, Maroochydore’s Shine Beauty and Nambour’s Uptown Hair Studio were all inducted into the SCBA Hall of Fame as a result of winning at least three previous SCBAs.
Speaking on behalf of Sunshine Coast Council as the major (Platinum) sponsor of the awards, Mayor Mark Jamieson said the efforts of the winning business people were indeed something to celebrate.
“I have to say I was most impressed by the quality of this year’s entries.
“Congratulations to all and, to those who came so close in each category but just missed out on the ultimate prize, hold your heads high because you are among the champions of this region’s corporate elite.“I look forward to seeing your names in the winning circle again next year.”
Organisers of the awards, Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce’s President Ross Hepworth, thanked the SCBA’s many sponsors for their support.
“This is one of the biggest business awards programs in Australia and although the nomination and entry processes are free and our judges volunteer their time, there’s no getting around the fact that the program comes with an awards presentation party for nearly 650 guests each year.
“Thanks to our in-kind and cash sponsors from all walks of the business community including local and state government, media, education, banking, communications, business services, automotive, tourism, employment and graphic design companies, we’re able to keep celebrating the success of Sunshine Coast businesses year after year.
“This year’s gala tickets sold out in two weeks so we must be doing something right!”
As well as the awards ceremony the evening featured a cocktail party and entertainment from Aerial Angels, Sole Studios dancers, DJ Alan Carroll and light projection artworks by Earth Base Productions.
The full list of SCBA winners is as follows:
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<strong>Winner & Suburb</strong>
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<strong>Sponsor</strong>
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Bebrok Excavations <strong>BLI BLI</strong>
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Sunshine Coast Daily
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Quik Corp <strong>WARANA</strong>
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Sunshine Coast Daily
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Enhanced Health & Fitness Clinic <strong>WARANA</strong>
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University of the Sunshine Coast
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The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital <strong>BUDERIM</strong>
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University of the Sunshine Coast
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Sole Studios <strong>BURNSIDE</strong>
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Hot 91.1FM/Zinc 96.1FM
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The Creative Collective <strong>KULUIN</strong>
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Hot 91.1FM/Zinc 96.1FM
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Duke Environmental <strong>BIRTINYA</strong>
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Sunshine Coast Council
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Perfect Earth <strong>KUNDA PARK</strong>
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Sunshine Coast Council
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Gluten Free Grain Free Company <strong>NAMBOUR</strong>
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Sunshine Coast Council
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Suncoast Fresh Pty Ltd <strong>COOLUM BEACH</strong>
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Sunshine Coast Council
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Kiddie Kicks Soccer <strong>YAROOMBA</strong>
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Lexus of Maroochydore
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Community Solutions Group Limited <strong>BUDDINA</strong>
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Lexus of Maroochydore
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Your Garden Centre & Organic Cafe <strong>FOREST GLEN</strong>
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Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE
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Daze & Nites Lingerie <strong>CALOUNDRA AND BUDERIM</strong>
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Suncorp Bank
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Maple Street Co-Operative <strong>MALENY</strong>
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Suncorp Bank
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Cameron Matthews <strong>MONTVILLE</strong>
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Telstra Country Wide
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John Pearson <strong>COOLUM BEACH</strong>
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Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE
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Hinterland Feijoas <strong>BELLI PARK</strong>
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Suncorp Bank
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Ron Hill Automatics <strong>MAROOCHYDORE</strong>
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Sunshine Coast Council
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Bli Bli House Luxury Bed & Breakfast <strong>BLI BLI</strong>
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Sunshine Coast Destination Ltd
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Aussie World <strong>PALMVIEW</strong>
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Sunshine Coast Destination Ltd
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Noosa Dreamboats <strong>NOOSA</strong>
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Sunshine Coast Destination Ltd
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Eniquest <strong>WARANA</strong>
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AusIndustry
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Jetts Fitness <strong>MAROOCHYDORE & MOOLOOLABA</strong>
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Sunshine Coast Council
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25 – 30. Hall of Fame Inductees 2012
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Fertility Solutions Sunshine Coast Pty Ltd <strong>NAMBOUR</strong>
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WIN Network
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Hahn Environmental Services <strong>NARANGBA </strong>(formerly BEERWAH Sunshine Coast)
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WIN Network
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Savvy Business Sales <strong>MOOLOOLABA</strong>
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WIN Network
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Sea English Academy <strong>MAROOCHYDORE</strong>
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WIN Network
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Shine Beauty <strong>MAROOCHYDORE</strong>
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WIN Network
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Uptown Hair Studio <strong>NAMBOUR</strong>
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WIN Network</p>
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