Riviera in the final for the Best Big Boat award in Germany

Luxury motor yacht builder Riviera this year signed off on their 6000th boat and is now in line to win an international award for the 4600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition.

Riviera founder and owner, Rodney Longhurst.

Luxury motor yacht builder Riviera is in the running for the world’s Best Big Boat award at the prestigious Best of Boats Awards in Germany, completing a big year for the Coomera manufacturer.

The Gold Coast company, which launched it 6000th motor yacht this year, is the only non European brand to be competing in the category, after being announced as a finalist with their 4600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition.

Riviera will be competing against entries from Spain, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Greece, with the winner to be announced in Berlin on November 28.

Riviera Australia owner Rodney Longhurst at the factory in Coomera.

Owner Rodney Longhurst says the nomination placed Riviera among the leading boat builders in the world, and was recognition of the company’s constant commitment to world class quality and craftsmanship.

“This is one of the most respected boating awards in the world – and is a fantastic accolade for our amazing 900-strong team,” he says.

“We are all immensely honoured to be the only finalist from outside of Europe.

“We are always striving to be different and better. Being named as a finalist in the Best of Boats Award highlights the dedication of our extremely talented team in designing and creating luxury motor yachts of distinction.”

The Best of Boats Award is the world’s largest award for motorboats so far as the number of countries represented, and covers all European and international water sport regions.

The Best of Boats Award was launched in 2014 by boating journalists with two things in common: extensive experience as boat testers and particular interest in the practical needs of boaters.

The nomination comes as Riviera returns from the prestigious Fort Lauderdale International Boat which happened to fall on the last weekend before the US election.

Above par

We hear there was a good time had by all and more than a few Bradmanesque scores at the recent Lowes Petroleum’s charity golf day in Goondiwindi.

With 140 golfers from the worlds of fuel, primary production and oil and lubricants, gathered at the club and in the end raised a staggering $75,000.

The money will be divided to give Ronald McDonald House SEQ, $70,000 and $2500 each to local organisations Meditrans and the Goondiwindi PCYC.

Among the players Lowes Petroleum chief executive Cameron White teed up with farming and tourism heavy weight Goondiwindi Cotton’s Sam Coulton along with Kev Hurley from one of Australia’s largest truck and trailer dealership – Brown and Hurley.

From left: David Berends, Cameron White, Cameron Gill and Stewart McRae (at the Goondiwindi Golf Course.

Guests came from as far south as Melbourne and as far north as Townsville and now in its 18th year rain has never caused a cancellation.

Lowes Petroleum’s general manager for Queensland/NSW Bernie Morris says the inaugural event was a small affair raising money for a road safety trailer that could be taken around to the local schools teaching children road rules and road sense.

“We were planning on having an annual or biennial golf day and it was when we saw a young school student hit by a car, while riding their bike, when we decided to use the event to raise money,” Bernie said.

“Fortunately, the child wasn’t badly injured. We bought a trailer that went from school to school with road signs that could be set up in a car park where kids would ride their bikes around in a ‘real road’ environment.

“The event has grown thanks to the support of the town, the golf club and our 40 plus sponsors who give generously every time but mostly because of our amazing golf committee.”