2025 Sunshine Coast Biosphere Community Awards honour innovators
From arts, the environment and young people, to business, innovation and senior citizens, The Sunshine Coast Biosphere Community Awards 2025 have showcased hardworking locals. SEE LIST OF WINNERS.
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The Sunshine Coast Biosphere Community Awards 2025 were held in Maroochydore on Friday, honouring those who work tirelessly to support, uphold and inspire others in the community.
From arts, the environment and young people, to business, innovation and senior citizens, the Sunshine Coast Council-organised awards showcased and celebrated the hard work of many Sunshine Coast residents.
Michael Wise, 77, was nominated for Senior Citizen of the Year for his transformative work and leadership at Bloomhill Cancer Care.
Honoured to be among so many local “stars”, Mr Wise said the event recognised the community.
“It’s an exciting time,” he said.
Before the ceremony started, his wife, Ruth Wise, said they were looking forward to celebrating every category.
“If people are giving their time to our community, we want to celebrate that,” she said.
George Hooper, 46, attended the awards on behalf of the Maroochydore Community Justice Group, an organisation dedicated to delivering culturally safe programs to protect and support local First Nations people.
“It’s such a privilege to be here and it’s even more of an honour to be nominated,” he said.
Mr Hooper said, while the recognition was welcomed, it was “not an endpoint” for his organisation.
“It’s more of an encouragement to keep doing the work we’re doing for our mob and community entangled in the justice system,” he said.
Tracy Tucker, 53, attended the awards on behalf of ECOllaboration, a leading environmental organisation dedicated to conservation, education and sustainability.
ECOllaboration tied with Bamboo Projects (a charity and NDIS provider) for the Community Group or Organisation award, and Ms Tucker said it was a testament to every person involved in its powerful work.
“We have a team of 60 people, this is about them,” she said.
“It’s recognition for the things they do day in and day out, that they just consider their normal job.”
Founder and volunteer leader of Beach Matters, a group dedicated to protecting Sunshine Coast beaches, Rachel Bermingham, was nominated for Citizen of the Year.
Ms Bermingham said the nomination was “very heartwarming to see” and that awards like these “remind us to strive to be better”.
“Just being nominated and feeling that support and recognition and appreciation for what you do, it honestly speaks volumes,” she said.
“A lot of volunteers just work, work, work, and do so much for the community without any accolades or recognition.
“This enables you to stop and treasure people that do appreciate you as much as you appreciate them and their support.”
Aqua Ubique, owned by veteran husband and wife Shannon and Dannii Lemanksi, took out the award for Biosphere Business of the Year.
Honoured for their innovative work to combat water insecurity, Mr and Mrs Lemanski said the kind of recognition offered by these awards are what powers their work.
“Finding the change-makers and the visionaries in the community and celebrating them is so important,” Mr Lemanski said.
“Our company’s been around for almost two years and it’s because of the support of council and community that we’ve been able to go from a business card, to a product, to an impact project in that time.”
Mrs Lemanski agreed, calling the community a “pivotal” part of their work.
“Without that kind of recognition, and without that kind of support, you can still grow but it’s a lot harder,” she said.
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