ALL

Member for Glass House, Andrew Powell MP, has joined Chambers of Commerce and local businesses to celebrate another Small Business Awards Gala.

The special gala event on Tuesday evening – the culmination of nearly two months of nominations, voting and deliberations – brought together almost 150 small business owners and employees as well as the local Chambers of Commerce to celebrate all that small business is and does for the region.

“It was a packed house and I think that goes to show how much our communities love their small and family businesses,” said Mr Powell.

“With so many businesses and employees nominated, and the gala gaining more recognition each year, I think we might just have to find a bigger venue next year!”

Glass House locals cast an extraordinary number of votes, nearly 5,000 all up, for the nominated businesses and employees – more than Mr Powell has ever received before.

While the silver “Glassy” is purely a popularity contest based on the number of votes received, the bronze “Glassies” are selected by local the Chamber of Commerce Presidents. The two coveted gold glassies are handpicked by Andrew himself, in consultation with the Chamber Presidents of course.

“It is always difficult to choose the bronze and gold winners due to the quantity and quality of entries, and we deliberate over the options for a long time before selecting the winners.”

Andrew introduced a “Hall of Fame” category in 2023, to acknowledge certain businesses and employees who have nominated almost every year since the Awards inception and have won a Glassy or two.

“There are some people who are just total fan favourites,” he explained.

“When we see them nominated, we just know they will win, again, by a landslide. So to share the love, we awarded them a Hall of Fame trophy and certificate to acknowledge their amazing contributions.”

Without further ado, the winners of this year’s Glass House Small Business Awards are:

• MONTVILLE
• Bronze Business: Tina Cooper Glass Gallery
• Silver Business: Crystal Multiverse
• Bronze Employee: Eliza Claridge from The Barn on Flaxton
• Silver Employee: Serge Doumergue from Crystal Multiverse

• MALENY
• Bronze Business: Rosetta Books
• Silver Business: Maleny Jewellers
• Bronze Employee: Jennepher Bucher from Maleny Cheese
• Silver Employee: Elaine Haggerty from Beyond Words Therapy Centre

• GLASSHOUSE COUNTRY
• Bronze Business: The Local Beerwah
• Silver Business: Mooloolah Newsagency
• Bronze Employee: Lizzie Vaughan from All About Autism
• Silver Employee: Natalie Lelievre from Mooloolah Newsagency
• MORETON BAY
• Bronze Business: Woodfit
• Silver Business: Red Fox Orchids
• Bronze Employee: Taylor Wenham from Sunnydaze Wellness
• Silver Employee: TIE between Cheryl Grant from Rayview Produce and Jasmine Brown from the Woodford Hotel

• HALL OF FAME
• Maple Street Co-op
• Mountain View Pet Retreat
• Ledgers Country Butchery
• VIP Wildlife
• Sharon Schofield from Easton Lawyers
• Jodie Pember from White’s IGA Mooloolah

• And finally, the GOLD WINNERS
• Business: Tamara Hazelden Real Estate
• Employee: Jim Goulton from Maleny Jewellers

“Nominations for Tamara called her and her team (Lauren and Tess) an inspiration for women in business everywhere. They are constantly supporting community events and projects as well as really making a name for themselves in the real estate industry. Tamara has also stepped up into the role of Vice President of the Glasshouse Country Chamber of Commerce, giving President Jenny a much-needed reprieve.”

“And where would I even begin with Jim? Running Maleny Jewellers since 2000 with his wife Sandra, Jim is consistently praised by customers for his repair and design work, creative ability, passion and attention to detail. One nomination read I love the beautiful unseen work he does to help others in the community and I think that just about sums up who Jim is, always helping others wherever he can.”

Whilst there simply aren’t enough awards for all, even after adding a legendary Hall of Fame category, Andrew and the Chamber Presidents send their sincere congratulations to every small business and employee who was nominated in this year’s awards.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities across an electorate like Glass House that doesn’t have big shopping centres. Every year I hold these Awards to celebrate and thank small businesses and share the communities gratitude for them. Thank you to everyone who nominated, voted and contributed to the Glassies this year,” concluded Mr Powell.