Trailblazers and top performers in the Gold Coast business community were recognized and celebrated last night, Thursday Sept 2, at the Creek to Creek Chamber of Commerce

2010 Business Awards. With the exceptionally high standard of nominees this year, the judges didn’t have an easy task in picking the winners, and those who walked away with an award represented the cream of the crop. The evening was hosted by Channel 7 weather reporter Liz Cantor and attended by almost 100 members of the local business community. A panel of independent judges including local business leaders and local MP Jann Stuckey decided on the winners from each category, and the results are as follows:

 

Tursa Under 25 Young Business Achiever Award

 

Gemma Roberts – Serene Beauty:

 

Gemma was recently awarded the 2010 APAA Therapist of the Year, an

award that celebrates aesthetics and high achievers in the beauty

industry field. Alongside studying a Certificate IV in small business

management and holding a managerial role, this young lady has shown

great potential during her employment with Serene Beauty and Medispa

in Tugun thanks to her commitment to her clients, and her ability to

provide service with care.

 

The Pines Business Achievement Award: 5 or less Employees

 

Sealife Interiors:

This store on the Gold Coast highway at Palm Beach offers stylish

recycled collectable furniture and home wares which have been given a

complete makeover to suit a modern beach theme. The store connects

with clients through their retail showroom in a converted beachside

shack, while also showcasing their creations on Facebook to a wider

audience.

 

Currumbin RSL Business Achiever Award: 6-30 Employees

 

Bendigo Bank Elanora:

Operating since 2001, Bendigo Bank Elanora’s focus on customer

satisfaction is the driving force behind it’s continued involvement

and fundraising efforts for local community organizations such as

Currumbin Rural Fire Brigade, Palm Beach Currumbin Lions Club,

Leukemia foundation and Careflight. Branch Manager Susie Carter was

recently crowned District Charity Queen and a Finalist in this year’s

Lions Medical Research Personality Quest thanks to her work with the

Palm Beach Currumbin Lions Club to raise more than $15,000 to support

medical research, with the quest raising $220, 000 overall.

 

Red Heeler Business Achievement Award: 30+ Employees

 

Currumbin RSL:

In 2009 cash donations totaling over $140,000 was shared amongst local

groups and events from a generous Currumbin RSL. In 2010 they hope to

continue financial aid to the community. Currumbin RSL is a dynamic

organization priding itself on being an integral part of the local

community. The club is multi faceted and encompasses CRC, College of

Hospitality, Dune Café, Foodoo the Catering Company and a veterans

support centre. It’s 160-member staff work to completely satisfy

visitors with their hospitality.

 

Inology Business Achievement Awards: Home Based Business

 

Palm Beach Apartments:

Whether you’re looking for peace and tranquility, or an adventure,

manager of Palm Beach Apartments, Christine Abaloz will strive to make

your stay a memorable and enjoyable experience. Running accommodation

based on the philosophy of ‘treat people like you’d like to be

treated’ attitude, Christine Abaloz has a strong relationship with

local community groups and sports clubs in the area, and offers

support and reduced costs for its patrons.

 

Bendigo Bank Tugun Business Achievement Award: Non-Profit/Community

 

Centacare:

Centacare Employment Group provides a free service in the local

community for individuals looking for work. Their mission statement of

‘strengthening families, supporting people and communities’, delivers

a strong work ethic and commitment to its clients. Centacare has

operated in the area for the past 7 years, also providing job seek

services to people with disabilities. Running as a non-for profit

organization, staff teams have increased from just 7 staff with 150

clients to 20 staff and 1100 clients.

 

 

Soul Arch Media Business Achiever Award: Product or Service Innovation

 

Barefoot Barista:

Local coffee aficionados are quick to point out that Barefoot Barista

whips up arguably one of the best brews on the Gold Coast. This trendy

new nook in Palm Beach Ave serves homemade light meals and treats, and

although space is limited the store always seems to accommodate the

crowds of eager caffeine seekers.

 

Bayview Enterprises Business Achiever Award: Special Achievement

 

D’Alliance Festival:

The D’Alliance Festival presented by Currumbin RSL provides the

community with a free cutting edge festival that supports local arts

workers and profiles the arts under one umbrella-including comedy,

film, music, street art, circus and interactive creative workshops.

Three dedicated staff, twenty volunteers and numerous Currumbin RSL

employees brought the event to life this year for the second year

running, providing a community event that aids cultural, social and

economic development for the region, and engages local artists and art

workers, film, comedy and visual art dreamers. The program is in the

process of planning for 2011.

 

“Winners were chosen for their commitment, achievements and

contribution to the Gold Coast business community, and the high

caliber of the winners is an indication of the sheer volume of

exceptional businesses located on the Southern Gold Coast,” said

Chamber President Darren Mackintosh. “This is the fifth year we have

run this event, and judging by the level of ingenuity and good

citizenship displayed by our Finalists this year I’d say this region

has a promising future ahead.”

 

One finalist not on the official list of winners, but certainly a

winner on the evening was local community group Palm Beach Youth Music

Venture. The initiative pairs teens from the Palm Beach, Currumbin,

Tugun and Elanora region with musical mentors with the aim of giving

the youth a positive creative outlet, and bringing them together

through music. The program only commenced twelve weeks prior to the

event, so apart from being the PBYMV’s first public performance as a

group, it was also personally the first performance for many of the

participants.

 

Awards performances included PBYMV’s vocalists Beau, Jess, Toni and

Jasmin, followed by the band Revolution, and an Awards finale with an

astounding set by guitarist/vocalist Beau Maynard.

 

The Creek to Creek Chamber of Commerce 2009 Business Awards were

proudly supported by leading local Gold Coast businesses including

Tursa Employment and Training, Bendigo Bank Tugun, Currumbin RSL,

Inology, Bayview Enterprises, The Pines Shopping Center, Soul Arch

Media & Marketing, and Red Heeler Business Essentials.

 

To view a full list of awards finalists, please visit

 

 

For press ready images, finalist profiles, interviews, and all other

media enquiries, contact:

Carolyn Ridings Emge

Soul Arch Media & Marketing

Phone: + 61 (0) 7 55358812 / 0415310193

Email: caz (at) soularchmedia.com