By Sonia Isaacs
HINTERLAND businesses shone bright at the 2025 Sunshine Coast Business Awards, with Maleny Cheese, Gregson & Weight, Qspec Building Mobility Solutions, Maleny Botanic Gardens and Birdworld and Maleny Dairies among the standout success stories.
Maleny Cheese took out the coveted Large Food and Agribusiness category, a particularly meaningful milestone as the family-owned company celebrated 21 years in business this year.
Co-owner Sara Bucher said the win was a heartfelt acknowledgement of the people behind the brand.
“This award is really about our long-standing staff, who are like family to us,” she said.
“Their dedication and commitment are the heart of our business, and this recognition is a celebration of what goes on behind the scenes every day.”
The hinterland’s strong showing continued with Maleny Dairies inducted into the Sunshine Coast Business Awards Hall of Fame, an honour reserved for businesses that win their category three years in a row. Awards Chair Jennifer Swaine said the awards program highlights the region’s growing national and global influence.
“These Business Awards not only celebrate success, but also tell the story of a region that continues to grow, innovate and make its mark nationally and globally,” Ms Swaine said.
Gregson & Weight Funeral Directors claimed top honours in the Professional Services Large Business category for their decades of compassionate service to local families.
Director Luke Gregson said the accolade belonged to their dedicated team.
“We are extremely honoured to win this award,” he said. “It’s a great recognition of the long-standing dedication, service, and professionalism offered by our staff to Sunshine Coast families,
“The Business Awards are a great showcase of the very diverse and successful businesses on the Coast. We’re proud to be a part of it and to continue serving the families of the Sunshine Coast and hinterland.”
Maleny Botanic Gardens and Birdworld also featured prominently, winning the Experiences Category for Large Business.
General manager, Verena Olesch, said it was a breakthrough moment after four years of entering. “We couldn’t be prouder of our amazing team who create magic every single day from greeting guests with a smile to keeping 23 acres of gardens blooming all year round,” she said.
Rounding out a memorable night for hinterland enterprise, Landsborough-based Qspec Building Mobility Solutions secured the Trades and Services Large Business award.
Managing Director Ryan Quade said: “Moving into Landsborough has been a great uplift culturally and geographically for the business.”
“We’ve got a team of 42 staff, so it’s really nice to be recognised for the work that we deliver and the benefits that we create for our community with independence, dignity and freedom for people that are quite vulnerable within our community, but it’s also really good recognition of our amazing staff as well.”
Now in its 30th year, the milestone awards drew a record 263 entries.
sonia@gcnews.com.au