Moreton Bay Business & Innovations Awards 2025 Program
First Nations
Acknowledgement of Country
City of Moreton Bay acknowledges the Jinibara, Kabi Kabi, and Turrbal peoples as the traditional custodians of Moreton Bay.
We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. We recognise that Moreton Bay is a place of cultural, spiritual, social and economic significance to Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples.
A connection that is enduring.
Mayors Message
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2025 Moreton Bay Business and Innovation Awards.
Now in its eighth year, this event continues to be a highlight on our city's calendar; a night where we come together to celebrate the ingenuity, resilience, and leadership of Moreton Bay’s business community.
This year, we honour 61 outstanding finalists across 13 diverse categories. These finalists represent the drive, commitment, and innovation that our 31,000-strong businesses are known for. Spanning industries from advanced manufacturing and agribusiness to tourism, healthcare, and innovation, their achievements also reflect the strength, diversity, and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives it forward.
These awards are more than a celebration; they are a reflection of our city’s momentum. As City of Moreton Bay enters a chapter of growth and investment, our businesses are not just keeping pace, they are setting new benchmarks in accessibility, sustainability, customer service, and corporate responsibility. Whether you’re here tonight as a finalist, supporter, sponsor, or judge, your presence speaks volumes about the pride we all share in our city's strong and collaborative business community. I commend each nominee for their contribution to our community and local economy and congratulate the winners for their exceptional achievements. Together, we are building a city that is innovative, inclusive, and ready for the future.
MAYOR PETER FLANNERY, CITY OF MORETON BAY
Welcome to the
The Moreton Bay Business & Innovation Awards celebrate and acknowledge the achievements, resilience, and innovation in the City of Moreton Bay business community.
Congratulations to all nominees, finalists and winners for your outstanding achievements and for being involved with this year’s awards program. Tonight, we come together as fellow business leaders, colleagues and industry champions to recognise and celebrate the significant contribution local business makes to our City and economic recovery.
The Moreton Bay Business & Innovation Awards are proudly presented by Tourism & Events Moreton Bay in partnership with Delivery Partner, City of Moreton Bay.
Acknowledgements
Welcome to Country
Entertainment
by Turrbal Dippil: Refiti Tovi is a proud descendant of the Turrbal People. Raised in culture and guided by her Elders, she has learned traditional Lore and Protocol. With over a decade of experience in Early Childhood Education, Refiti is passionate about empowering the next generation and strengthening her community through truth-telling, advocacy and cultural connection. Refiti is here with us today with the blessing of her Aunty Turrbal Elder, Songwoman Maroochy, to deliver the Welcome to Country on behalf of the Turrbal People of Brisbane.
Master of Ceremonies
Chris Parsons: With two decades at Channel 7 on shows like Weekender, The Great Outdoors, and The National Lotto, Chris Parsons has become one of Queensland’s most familiar faces. Having hosted some of the state’s biggest events, he’s now focused on creating TV shows for businesses and YouTube — helping brands tell stories that truly connect.
AE Duo: Joining forces from the salty Sunshine Coast + vibrant Melbourne, Aaron + Ellia are ones to bring a different tone to all the classics you know and all the tunes you wish you knew. With vocals that are bound to make you want to be involved and acoustic looped grooves that fire up the soul and energy, you’ll be leaving feeling a little more alive than when you first arrived.
JL Fox: DJ JL Fox brings energy and life to each event being an open format DJ with a love of nostalgia. Her costumes, funky vibes and smiley personality light up the room and set the scene just how you want it. With many years under her belt as a live performer, she mixes elements of her vocals, performing and knowledge of reading the room to her advantage.
Thank you to our trusted suppliers
Í Eatons Hill Hotel
Í Distinct Audio & Production
Í Events Fantastic
Í Foti Fireworks
Í Get a Photobooth
Í Lil M Designs
Í Photography:
» Dominika Lis Photography
» Shutterspeed Photography
Í Videography:
» Jorge Nieto / Antipodes Visuals
Proceedings
Opener
SRJ Walker Wayland
Award for Not-for-Profit Excellence
Award for Corporate Social Responsibility Excellence
Award for Exporting Excellence
MAINS SERVED
Akyra Strategy and Development
Employee of the Year
Award for Advanced Manufacturing Excellence
AE Duo
Think2Be Group
Award for Entrepreneur of the Year
Bishopp Outdoor Advertising
Award for Tourism Business Excellence
*Program subject to change
RDA Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast Award for Innovation Excellence
Businesswoman of the Year
Award for Food and Agribuisiness Excellence
DESSERTS SERVED
UniSC
Award for Environment and Sustainability Excellence
Award for Customer Service Excellence
Award for New Business Excellence
City of Moreton Bay
Business of the Year
JL Fox
Menu
Two-course alternate drop
MAIN
Grain fed Beef Eye Fillet w sauté green beans, pomme fondant and red wine jus (DF, GF, NF)
Baked Prosciutto wrapped Chicken Supreme w sauté potatoes, honey glazed carrots, broccolini and hollandaise sauce (DF, NF)
DESSERT
Passionfruit Tart w tangy passionfruit jelly and marshmallows (NF)
Death by Chocolate w chocolate mousse cake, dark chocolate ganache and mixed berry compote (NF)
DF: Dairy Free
GF: Gluten Free NF: Nut Free
2025 Judging Panel
Raymer Consulting Group, Managing Director
Amy Gash
Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, General Manager Brand & Strategy
Asher Telford
Red Cat Adventures, Director
Asrar Ismail
Quality Management Australia, Manager – Governance, Strategy and Compliance
Craig Tichon
Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Principal Project Officer, Private Sector Partnerships
Dominic Lis
Bishopp Outdoor Advertising, Director of Sales
Ellie Bakker
Splice Marketing Agency, Chief Executive Officer
Jacqueline Steel
Regional Development Australia (RDA) Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast Inc., Chief Executive Officer
Jana Walker
Business Financing, Associate Director
Professor Karen Becker
UniSC, Head of Moreton Bay Campus
Kirsty Fields
Social Ocean, Creative Director
Occupational Therapist, Entrepreneur, and Advocate for Sustainable Innovation
Lisa Kerr
Unitywater, Manager Strategy and Innovation
Margaret Goody
Akyra Strategy & Development, Managing Director
Dr Noel Tracey
UniSC, Lecturer Management
Sachin Ayachit
Fair Farms, National Program Manager
Sarah Yip Leaders Lounge, Managing Director
Sean Cranny
Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Sector Development Lead – Innovation
Stewart Moore
Founder & CEO, EarthCheck
Stuart Kerr
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Commissioner
Sueanne Carr
Customer Frame, Partner + Co-Founder
Trudi Ashcroft
BallyCara Ltd, Corporate Services Director
This award recognises a not-for-profit organisation in the City of Moreton Bay that, over the past 24 months, has delivered strong, community-based initiatives that positively impacts on, and delivers long-term benefits for the community. These organisations may operate social enterprises, deliver social services and/ or undertake charitable work and exist for educational, charitable, or social reasons and from which its shareholders, owners or trustees do not benefit financially from its activities.
Presented by Jason Croston from SRJ Walker Wayland and Councillor Yvonne Barlow from City of Moreton Bay.
Award for Corporate Social Responsibility Excellence
The Award for Corporate Social Responsibility celebrates organisations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to ethical, inclusive, and sustainable business practices. This prestigious award recognises businesses that go beyond traditional corporate responsibility by embedding accessibility, inclusion, and/or social impact at the heart of their strategic approach.
Nominations are sought from commercial businesses who have integrated open and transparent business practices based on ethical values, accessible and inclusive initiatives and respect for employees, customers, communities, owners/investors, government, suppliers, competitors and the environment, which contribute to sustainable business success.
Presented by Councillor Jim Moloney from City of Moreton Bay.
for Exporting Excellence
This award recognises a business in the City of Moreton Bay that has exemplified excellence in exporting and outstanding performance in building trade between Moreton Bay and global export markets, in any industry or sector, over the past 24 months.
Presented by Councillor Jim Moloney from City of Moreton Bay.
2025 FINALISTS Brand Hero Solar Bollard Lighting
Award for Employee of the Year
This award recognises an individual for their extraordinary professional achievements and contribution to their organisation. Applications for this category must be submitted by an employer or colleague of the nominee. The nominee must have worked with the organisation for a minimum of 24 months. Presented by Margaret Goody from Akyra Strategy and Development and Councillor Mark Booth from City of Moreton Bay.
2025 FINALISTS
Brooke Lilley Beyond Dental Care
Jeb Ryan
Heart-led Support
Julianne Reardon
Samford Variety Store and Newsagency
Olivia Tulloch
Gather and Feast Café
for Advanced Manufacturing Excellence
This award will recognise outstanding achievements by an advanced manufacturing business in the City of Moreton Bay that can demonstrate their commitment to delivering innovative technologies, tools, processes, and techniques to transform materials or components into new products. Advanced manufacturing can include production activities that depend on information, automation, computation, software, sensing, and networking. Presented by Councillor Mark Booth from City of Moreton Bay.
2025 FINALISTS
Arrowes Roading Safety Pty Ltd
Grydale Solutions Pty Ltd
Health Focus Manufacturers
Reid Print Technologies
Superior Engineering
Hilton Misso rst made his mark as a lawyer, where he was instrumental in introducing the no win, no pay model, making justice more accessible and changing the way legal services are delivered in Australia.
He then went on to become the founder of Sesame Lane Care & Kindergarten, a much-loved organisation that has supported generations of families across the city of Moreton Bay.
Today, Hilton continues to inspire as the founder of THink2Be, a dynamic organisation dedicated to personal and professional growth, helping people and businesses unlock their true potential.
And most recently, Hilton has shared his wisdom with the world through his bestselling book, How to Manifest Success. You can pick up your copy at think2be.com.au.
Award for Entrepreneur of the Year
This award will recognise and celebrate an enterprising individual, either a founder or owner of a business, who adopts new or innovative ideas to generate a new product, service, business process or enter a new market. Presented by Hilton Misso from Think2Be Healthy Group.
2025 FINALISTS
Daniel McCullough Pharus Wellbeing
David Antonacci
Teeny Tiny Homes
James Anderson Hop To It Collective Pty Ltd
Joshua Peasley JJ’s Deliveries
Tory Ogden Kompliance Pty Ltd
Billboard advertising works because it meets people where they are. From billboards to airports, we connect brands with real people, right here in Moreton Bay. bishopp.com.au
sponsoring Let’s grow your brand visibility
Award for Tourism Business Excellence
This award will recognise a tourism, leisure or entertainment business operating in the City of Moreton Bay that can demonstrate their commitment to consistently delivering an exceptional visitor experience over the past 12 months, which allows them to stand out from their competitors and enhances the appeal of the City of Moreton Bay. This category will be awarded to a business who can demonstrate excellence in leadership, collaboration and innovation within the visitor economy.
Presented by Dominic Lis From Bishopp Outdoor Advertising and Councillor Karl Winchester from City of Moreton Bay.
2025 FINALISTS
Brisbane Whale Watching
G’day Adventure Tours
Maiala Park Lodge
Redcliffe Markets
Trevena Glen Farm
for Innovation Excellence
This award recognises a business within the City of Moreton Bay demonstrating excellence in a product, process, business model or marketing innovation that challenges conventional thinking and demonstrates competitiveness in the national or global market, regardless of company size. Nominations may be for a single initiative (product innovation, process innovation, business model innovation or marketing innovation) or an overall strategy within a company.
Presented by Tracey Coobula from RDA Moreton Bay & Sunshine Coast and Councillor Karl Winchester from City of Moreton Bay.
Award for Businesswoman of the Year
The Businesswoman of the Year award recognises an individual woman who has made an outstanding contribution to the Moreton Bay business landscape. It seeks to reward dedication to Moreton Bay and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence in business.
Presented by Councillor Cath Tonks from City of Moreton Bay.
2025 FINALISTS
Ange Ryan
RTM Cloud
Candice Kiss
Gather and Feast Café
Danni Vee
Danni Vee Consulting
Kelly Matthews
Green Tape Solutions
Ruth Limkin
The Banyans Healthcare
Award for Food and Agribusiness Excellence
This award recognises outstanding achievements by a food and agribusiness business within the City of Moreton Bay that has demonstrated a commitment to innovation, excellence and business practices that seek to grow and shape the future of agribusiness in the City.
Presented by Councillor Cath Tonks from City of Moreton Bay.
2025 FINALISTS
Annie Lane Café
Australian Steak Co
Buddy Brewing Pty Ltd
Gourmet Taste Creations
Hip Hops Brewers
Award for Environment & Sustainability Excellence
This award recognises a business in the City of Moreton Bay that has made a strong commitment to sustainable practices and environment improvement as part of their day-to-day business operations within the past 12 months.
Nominations are sought from companies which demonstrate excellence in clean business practices and sustainable resource use, including energy, waste, water, and recycling. Nominations may be for a single initiative or an overall strategy within a company.
Presented by Alex Elibank-Murray from UniSC Moreton Bay and Councillor Tony Latter from City of Moreton Bay.
Award for Customer Service Excellence
This award will recognise a business in the City of Moreton Bay that has reflected an excellence in customer service over the past 12 months, going above and beyond in their field to offer exceptional service for customers. Presented by Councillor Ellie Smith from City of Moreton Bay.
for New Business Excellence
The New Business Excellence Award recognises outstanding achievements and notable contributions made by a business that has been in operation for no more than 12 months. This category recognises new businesses that have commenced trading or service delivery during the qualifying period.
Presented by Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway from City of Moreton Bay.
2025 FINALISTS
ADHD Her Way
Hop To It Collective
iReformer
Keirden Dry Cleaners
Mortar Finance
Where our community, environment and economy grow together.
We’re proud to sponsor the Moreton Bay Business and Innovation Awards. We know how important local businesses are to our community and the many benefits they bring. That’s why we invest in the local economy across our city and are proud to provide what our community needs for a vibrant lifestyle. We are a city where our community, economy and environment grow and prosper together.
Award for Business of the Year
Presented by Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway from City of Moreton Bay.
The winner of this prestigious award will be selected from the pool of finalists from eligible categories that have achieved the judges’ highest overall score.
Finalists in the following categories are eligible to win the City of Moreton Bay Business of the Year.
Í Award for Food and Agribusiness Excellence
Í Award for Advanced Manufacturing Excellence
Í Bishopp Outdoor Advertising Award for Tourism Business Excellence
Í Award for Customer Service Excellence
Í Award for Exporting Excellence
Í UniSC Award for Environment & Sustainability Excellence
Í SRJ Walker Wayland Award for Not-For-Profit Excellence
Í RDA Moreton Bay & Sunshine Coast Award for Innovation Excellence
Í Award for New Business Excellence
Í Award for Corporate Social Responsibility Excellence
