The highly anticipated 2023 Moreton Bay Business and Innovation Awards was held in Caboolture on Friday night.
Over 600 local business leaders attended the event that showcased the remarkable contributions businesses and individuals make to the Moreton Bay region's thriving economy.
Mayor Peter Flannery said Moreton Bay businesses had again provided the inspiration for a growing economy.
"As we strive to create a $40 billion economy and 100,000 new jobs, I am in awe of our business community and business leaders for what they do and achieve day-in-day-out,” Mayor Flannery said.
“I want to congratulate all the award winners and finalists, and I also want to thank every business operating in our region because it's your hard work that's building positive recognition for Moreton Bay.”
A distinguished panel of 48 judges deliberated over 170 entries to identify 66 finalists and winners across 15 categories.
Integrate Physio emerged triumphant as the Business of the Year, showcasing their outstanding accomplishments in customer service and growth of the business since first launching Moreton Bay in 2014.
Shane Newcombe, CEO of Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism, remarked on the challenging task faced by this year's judges due to the high calibre of entries in all categories.
"This year's awards celebrate everything from accessibility and inclusiveness to customer service, advanced manufacturing, innovation and corporate social responsibility. There are many businesses throughout the region who shine in these categories," Mr Newcombe said.
The Moreton Bay Business and Innovation Awards shine a spotlight on the success of the 31,000 plus businesses in the Moreton Bay region and serves as a pathway to national and international recognition.
Full list of finalists and winners
SRJ Walker Wayland Award for Not-for-Profit Excellence
- BallyCara Intercept Youth and Family Support Program
- Open Minds - headspace
- Younity Community Services
- Winner: Encircle
UniSC Award for Environment and Sustainability Excellence
- Brisbane Whale Watching
- Nielsen and Company Consulting
- Northshore Pet Resort
- ONETIME
- Winner: Moreton Bay Recycling
Solar Bollard Lighting Award for Exporting Excellence
- Joint Winners: EJ and ONETIME
Telstra Award for Youth Innovation Excellence
- By Chloe - Redcliffe State High School
- Winner: Project Bray Green, Bray Park High School
Dynamic Bradview Roofing Award for Corporate Social Responsibility
- Kakadu Organics
- Northshore Pet Resort
- Oncall Group Australia
- Social Ocean
- Winner: Ausbuild
Bishopp Award for Marketing Excellence
- Beyond Dental Care
- Lincom Group
- Orange Sherbet
- Winner: Cashmere Syrups
Award for Employee of the Year
- Hayden Kadel - Moreton Bay Recycling
- Kelly Dimkovska - Splice Marketing Agency
- Liam Mellor - Northshore Pet Resort
- Wes Meijer – Arena21
- Winner: Hannah Worthy - The Store of Requirement
EPIC Assist Award for Accessibility and Inclusiveness Excellence
- Arena21
- Mountain Wine Tours
- Winner: Belgravia Leisure
Moreton Daily Award for Customer Service Excellence
- Beyond Dental Care
- Narangba Timbers
- Sesame Lane Care & Kindergarten
- Springers Solar
- Winner: IntegratePHYSIO
Visit Moreton Bay Award for Tourism Business Excellence
- Bribie Beach Shack
- Maiala Park Lodge
- Mountain Wine Tours
- Redcliffe Farmers and Artisan Markets
- Winner: Brisbane Whale Watching
Think2Be Award for Entrepreneur of the Year
- Barbara Armstrong - Sweet Peanuts
- Daniel Nixon - ONETIME
- Michael Casablanca - Woodland Shopfitting
- Tory Ogden - Voltora Industries
- Winner: Ellie Bakker, Splice Marketing Agency
RDA Moreton Bay Award for Innovation Excellence
- AUSEV Chilli Coffee
- Kompliance
- ONETIME
- Winner: Elexon Electronics
Food and Agribusiness Excellence
- Bask & Co.
- Cashmere Syrups
- Chilli Coffee
- Scarborough Harbour Brewing Co.
- Winner: Moreton Bay Kitchen
North Harbour Award for Advanced Manufacturing Excellence
- Bella Maree Natural Animal Products
- EJ
- Elexon Electronics
- EZee Industries
- Winner: My Berries
Westpac Award for Businesswoman of the Year
- Ellie Bakker - Splice Marketing Agency
- Gerry Blackwell - Youth Development Foundation
- Kelly Matthews - Green Tape Solutions
- Kristy Ponting - Australian Owned
- Winner: Ruth Limkin - The Banyans Health and Wellness
Moreton Bay Business of the Year
Fast facts about the Moreton Bay region
- As of June 2022, more businesses in the Moreton Bay region generate $10m+ turnover than those in Ipswich, Logan or Sunshine Coast.
- 65% of total goods and services used in local production are sourced from the local economy.
- The region generated 84 trademarks per 1000 businesses in 2020-2022, showing a high calibre of business in the region.
- More than 1,200 new Professional, Scientific and Technical Services businesses have been registered in the region since March 2020.
- Within South-East Queensland, the region is responsible for:
- 50% of the domestic exports of Polymer and Rubber Product Manufacturing
- 88% of domestic exports of Furniture Manufacturing.
- 17.7% of SEQ agricultural value.
In fact, there are more agricultural businesses in the region than in Brisbane and Sunshine Coast combined.