Update – Nominations have been extended until 9am 27 September 2021 so there’s still time to get your submission in. But don’t wait until the last minute, get your nomination started today!

 

The Scenic Rim Business Excellence Awards aim to showcase, promote and unite businesses within the Scenic Rim by recognising excellence in innovation, productivity and customer service.

Delivered by Scenic Rim Regional Council, the awards seek to highlight your ideals and aspirations while applauding your achievements and endeavours to succeed, whether you are a large, medium or small business.

The Business Excellence Awards Ceremony is a highlight of the business social calendar, bringing together the region’s business community to celebrate and share in our successes.

Why enter the awards?

1. You, and your employees, work hard in your business and deserve to be acknowledged and rewarded.
2. Participation provides an opportunity to showcase your services and products, and awareness of your business, to a broader audience.
3. It’s a chance to examine your business and evaluate core strengths, strategic focus, performance and achievements.

Award Categories

• Excellence in Tourism and Accommodation
• Excellence in Hospitality – Food and Dining
• Excellence in Retail
• Excellence in Trades and Construction
• Excellence in Agriculture
• Excellence in Transport, Logistics, Manufacturing and Mining
• Excellence in Professional and Community Services
• Most Outstanding New Business
• Excellence in Business (20+ Staff)
• Excellence in Workplace Skills Development
• Trainee/Apprentice of the Year
• Regional Prosperity Award (awarded by the judges to the most outstanding category winner)

Key dates

ACTIVITY	DUE DATE
Nominations open	20 August 2021
Nominations close	27 September 2021
Juding (assessing applications and site inspection)	21 September to 1 October 2021
2021 Business Excellence Awards Ceremony – tickets on sale	13 September 2021
2021 Business Excellence Awards Ceremony – ticket sales close	29 October 2021
2021 Business Excellence Awards Ceremony – Boonah Cultural Centre	5 November 2021

How to nominate:

Complete the application online via the SmartyGrants platform: scenicrim.smartygrants.com.au
Questions regarding nominations and submissions can be sent to [email protected] or call 07 5540 5111 and ask for Regional Prosperity.

Queensland small businesses are being reminded that Business Boost grants of up to $15,000 open at 9am tomorrow, Friday July 30.

Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said the grants can be used for upgrades and organisational improvements for established businesses.

“Business Boost is part of our $25 million Small Business Grants program that’s been rolling out this year,” Minister Farmer said.

“They are another example of how we are backing small business as part of Queensland’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

“Earlier this year I heard from more than 2,500 businesses as part of our Small Business Roadshow, and a key piece of feedback from business is that they wanted to know what grants were coming and when.

“That’s why we announced our overall grant plans during Small Business Month and published the guidelines and an example application form for these Business Boost grants on July 15.

“This means small businesses have had the last two weeks to read the guidelines and the frequently asked questions, and to prepare their application for the best chance of securing a grant.

“We know that our grants have been very popular, so I’d recommend businesses are ready to go with their applications at 9am tomorrow morning.”

The Small Business Grants program is part of the Big Plans for Small Business Strategy, and follows more than $181 million in the Small Business COVID-19 Adaption grants which have helped more than 20,400 recipients.

“That includes businesses like the Sunshine Coast’s tourist attraction, Bellingham Maze, and Toowoomba-based Garden City Auto Trimming and Upholstery, which each received $10,000 grants,” Minister Farmer said.

Bellingham Maze owner Adam Cheshire said support from the Queensland Government has been amazing and has helped the business come through tough times.

“The $10,000 Small Business COVID-19 Adaption grant went towards running costs and will also help finance a major rebranding and marketing of the attraction later this year,” Mr Cheshire said.

Co-owner of Garden City Auto Trimming and Upholstery Rebecca Wenham says the Small Business COVID-19 Adaption Grant helped rebuild the business website and upgrade their social media presence, which has resulted in a significant increase in customers.

“We have recovered to such an extent that we employed an apprentice in auto trimming in April this year,” Ms Wenham said.

“It allowed us to expand our network and attract new business and the grant also helped another local business, which we engaged to build the new website.”

Business Boost grants can be used for activities such as website development and upgrades, strategic marketing, training and coaching, and advisory services.

Businesses need to have a turnover of between $300,000 and $600,000 to be eligible for Business Boost grants. Businesses will need to co-contribute 30 per cent of the total cost of their proposed purchases.

These grants are in addition to the Business Growth Fund grants of up to $50,000 and the Business Basics grants of $5,000.

The Business Boost grants program provides support to businesses to advance improvements in their efficiency and productivity.

This support includes funded activities in 3 project areas:

1. Future planning
2. Specialised and automated software
3. Staff management, development and planning

The program is administered by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT).

You may be eligible to receive a grant payment of $15,000 (excluding GST) on completing your proposed project.

Successful applicants must co-contribute at least 30% of the total project costs.

To be eligible for this grant, your business must:

• have fewer than 20 employees at the time of applying for the grant
• have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and registered for GST
• have a Queensland headquarters
• have a turnover of between $300,000 (minimum) and $600,000 (maximum) in the last financial year (2020–21)
• have a publicly reachable web presence to identify business operations (e.g. business website and/or social media pages)
• not be insolvent or have owners/directors that are an undischarged bankrupt.

Check your eligibility to find out if your business can apply for the program.

Applications open at 9am on 30 July 2021. Start preparing your application now. application guidelines

Business Boost Grant applications open at 9am tomorrow Friday 30 July 2021 at https://www.business.qld.gov.au/starting-business/advice-support/grants/business-boost

For further information about the program email us at [email protected] or contact the Small Business Hotline on 1300 654 687.

 

 

Every Queenslander deserves the opportunity to create a better future through education and training, and that’s why TAFE Queensland is awarding up to 100 scholarships to Queenslanders looking to change their lives and build lifelong careers.

Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said applications for the scholarships open today, with recipients receiving up to $5,000 to study any TAFE Queensland qualification from a certificate III through to advanced diplomas and bachelor’s degrees.

“The Palaszczuk Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan puts a focus on investing in skills, and with over $1 billion for training and skills in the recent state budget we are taking that commitment seriously,” Minister Farmer said.

“These scholarships are another opportunity for Queenslanders to take courses that will lead to real, rewarding jobs in a wide range of industries.

“TAFE Queensland offers qualifications in all industry areas and delivers training throughout the state.

“Thanks to the Palaszczuk Government’s $100 million Equipping TAFE for the Future program, the facilities that students are learning in are better than ever too.”

The scholarships will help cover the costs of course fees, text books, and living expenses.

“We know the power vocational education has to change people’s lives and we want to help people fulfil their career potential regardless of their circumstances,” Minister Farmer said.

“There are two types of scholarships available. Merit Scholarships are aimed at supporting people who have demonstrated strong levels of achievement to advance their careers, and Access and Equity Scholarships designed to help students who are battling social or financial hardship.”

The TAFE Queensland Scholarship Program first launched in 2015. Since then it has helped more than 390 Queenslanders pursue their career goals thanks to more than $1.8million of support.

Holly Maloney is studying a double Diploma of Building Design and Diploma of Interior Design at TAFE Queensland’s South Bank Campus and was awarded a TAFE Queensland Scholarship in 2020.

“Studying at TAFE Queensland is amazing and so much more engaging than school. I’m learning drawing, hand rendering and making floor plans in a hands-on environment around people who are just as passionate as me,” Ms Maloney said.

“I am very grateful for my scholarship, and used it to buy a laptop to run technical drawing software so I can study from anywhere.”

TAFE Queensland Chief Executive Officer, Mary Campbell, said this year RACQ and CPL have partnered with the TAFE Queensland Scholarship Program to support Queenslanders to receive access to training.

“RACQ have come on-board to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who wish to study in the Townsville region, while CPL have provided funding for scholarships under the Access and Equity category for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a disability,” Mrs Campbell said.

With an average of 600 applications received each year, Mrs Campbell said she encourages anyone looking to start their career or make a career change to apply now.

“Whether you’re leaving school, considering a career change or looking to upskill, all Queenslanders are urged to apply.”

Applications for a TAFE Queensland scholarship to commence study in semester one, 2022 open on 12 July and close on 24 September 2021.