State of our Region 2021

It’s time to connect, reflect and celebrate our region’s many outstanding achievements over the past year, despite many challenges.

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson is joined by a number of community representatives, updating us on the region’s progress and showcasing priorities for the year ahead. Enjoy!

Aaron and Khayt Williams

Local wellbeing experts Aaron and Khayt from Mindstar are working alongside council to deliver a small business support portal providing business advice as well as wellbeing support and strategies to support business owners, their staff and our region to B-Well and Prosper.

Dr Bridie Kean

Chair of the new Sunshine Coast Legacy Plan Community Reference Group, Australian wheelchair basketball player, Paralympic silver and bronze medallist and University of the Sunshine Coast Lecturer in Public Health, Dr Bridie Kean will reflect on 2021 and the opportunities presented by the Sunshine Coast region’s role in the delivery of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Glasshouse Christian College

Sunshine Coast Telstra Innovation Award-winning students from Glasshouse Christian College, including Ebony Quinlan, and LEDPlates Team of Arno, Charlie and Josiah who will provide a young peoples’ perspective and talk about their achievements for 2021.

Jodi Salmond

Jodi Salmond of Reef Check Australia is a marine researcher specialising in citizen science, conservation biology and reef ecology. She uses hands-on research and community education to encourage everyone to become the best versions of themselves and to look after the planet.

Karen Kim

Karen Kim a recent graduate of the Sunshine Coast Migrant Work Ready program, who is passionate about creating a better world through education. A former TV reporter in South Korea, university lecturer and English teacher, Karen has volunteered and contributed to council's long-running Adult Literacy Program.

Simon Thornalley

Simon is passionate about the ocean, his Indigenous heritage, and the environment which has led him to create a cultural tourism business. He is the Owner/Director of Saltwater Eco Tours, a unique experience that provides water-based tours in the Sunshine Coast to culturally significant sites to educate visitors about the connection between Indigenous culture and the ocean. In 2020, Simon was selected as a Young Tourism Leader and in 2021 was received the QTIC Young Achievers Award.

David Wardle

David is Managing Director of Quik Corp, Australia's leading manufacturer of specialised equipment in the agricultural and emergency services sectors. David shares his experience growing and leading a business on the Sunshine Coast and the opportunities available for local businesses.