Sustainable practices and a focus on farm-to-plate style experiences has seen Redcliffe café Flock Eatery named Moreton Bay Regional Council Business of the Year at the 2018 Moreton Bay Region Business Excellence & Innovation Awards.
From community groups and exporters to entrepreneurs, school groups and not-for-profit organisations, the business community’s night of nights welcomed more than 450 guests to join in celebrations at Eatons Hill Hotel on Friday, 30 November.
A total 13 awards were presented at the sold-out gala event, including major award categories Moreton Bay Regional Council Business of the Year and SRJ Walker Wayland Community Group of the Year.
Flock Eatery took out top prize, chosen by judges from the total pool of applicants, while Community-owned Encircle Ltd won the Community Group of the Year category for its support of disadvantaged and at-risk people.
Encircle, which operates neighbourhood centres at Redcliffe and Lawnton, and a free legal service at Strathpine, was awarded a grand prize of $5,000 to help continue its invaluable work within the local community.
Proving that science and education is a winning combination for kids, Murrumba Downs-based It’s Rocket Science Adventures topped the Telstra Innovation Excellence category for its alternative learning and inventive tech products that help students explore the wonders of aviation, aerospace and rocket science.
A big thank you to all those who nominated as part of this year’s program, and congratulations to all of this year’s finalists and winners.
Meet the winners of the 2018 Moreton Bay Region Business Excellence & Innovation Awards:
SRJ Walker Wayland Building a Stronger Community Excellence Award
WINNER: Samford Commons
FINALISTS:
A Brave Life
Coastal Protection Core
MatchWorks
TerryWhite Chemmart Samford
The Youth Development Foundation
Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism Customer Service Excellence Award
WINNER: Kallangur Dental Surgery
FINALISTS:
Mon Komo Hotel
Northshore Pet Resort
Rothwell Physiotherapy
Tasteful Transitions
Employee of the Year Award
WINNER: Ben Harrington – PCYC Pine Rivers
FINALISTS:
Antony King – It’s Rocket Science Adventures
Jordan Bampton – Mon Komo Hotel
Ruth Woollett – Scarborough Physio and Health
Tracy Johnson – SRJ Walker Wayland
Cleanaway Environment & Sustainability Excellence Award
WINNER: Flock Eatery
FINALISTS:
Coastal Protection Core
Kennedy’s Timbers
Loop Growers
SoilCyclers
Regional Development Australia Moreton Bay Exporting Excellence Award
WINNER: Solar Bollard Lighting
FINALISTS:
Big Dog Pet Foods
Metromatics
Southern Cross Educational Enterprises
Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism Visitor Experience Excellence Award
WINNER: Sandstone Point Hotel
FINALISTS:
Abbey Museum
Brisbane Whale Watching
Markets & Events Australia – Redcliffe Jetty Markets
Sebel Margate
Quest Community News Business Marketing Excellence Award
WINNER: Caboolture RSL
FINALISTS:
Kindred
Larrikin Puppets
Sebel Margate
Sesame Lane Care and Kindergarten
Telstra Innovation Excellence Award
WINNER: It’s Rocket Science Adventures
FINALISTS:
Coastal Protection Core
Electronic & Mechanical Calibrations
Moveage Group
Solar Bollard Lighting
Innovate Moreton Bay Successful Start-Up Award
WINNER: ParentTV
FINALISTS:
It’s Rocket Science Adventures
North West Physiotherapy – Eatons Hill
QuoteSpec
White Brick Brewing
USC Young Entrepreneur Award
WINNER: Eva Porter – Porter Designs
FINALISTS:
Geoff Abel – Flock Eatery
Jessica Ricketts – JR Media
Chris Ryan – Ryno Hire
Rebecca Anderson – Becky B Hair
Think2Be Youth Innovation Excellence Award
WINNER: Murrumba State Secondary College – ‘Hands Free Crutch’
FINALISTS:
Bray Park State High School – The Active Carriage
Pine Rivers State High School – Toilift
Redcliffe State High School – Inferno Racing
Tullawong State High School, Enterprise Academy - Glimpse
SRJ Walker Wayland Community Group of the Year Award
WINNER: Encircle Ltd.
FINALISTS:
A Brave Life
Chameleon Youth Housing
Samford Commons
The Youth Development Foundation
Moreton Bay Regional Council Business of the Year Award
WINNER: Flock Eatery
(chosen from total pool of entries)
Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism (MBRIT) CEO Shane Newcombe said that the awards attracted a high calibre of businesses, students, entrepreneurs, and community groups across the 12 award categories open for nomination.
“With more than 200 applications received, the entries really reflected the diversity within the business, education and not-for-profit sectors of the Moreton Bay Region,” Mr Newcombe said.
“I want to extend a big congratulations to all of this year’s winners, finalists and nominees for going above and beyond in showcasing their commitment to excellence, and ongoing contributions to the region.”
Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland said that the awards celebrated the achievements and recognised the hard work of those who make the Moreton Bay Region a great place to live, work and play.
“I thank all our entrants, finalists and winners for the contributions they’ve made to ensuring our region’s economy and sense of community grow into the future,” he said.
“Your focus on the challenges and opportunities ahead will continue to deliver local jobs for our young people and see the Moreton Bay Region embrace not only new technologies but also the best-practices in customer service.
“You are absolutely deserving of this recognition and it has filled me with pride to be able to celebrate with you tonight.”
The 2018 Moreton Bay Region Business Excellence and Innovation were judged by a panel of leading business and industry experts, start-up mentors, founders, and representatives from the Queensland Government.
The Awards are proudly presented by MBRIT and Moreton Bay Regional Council, along with the award category sponsors. A special thank you goes to the event table sponsors, and 2018 MBRIT partners for making the night such a huge success.
Pictured: Lexie and Geoff Abel of award-winning Flock Eatery with Attorney-General of Queensland and Minister for Justice and Minister for Training and Skills, Yvette D'Ath, and Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor, Allan Sutherland.