Building a Thriving Business: Embracing challenges and change for success

A Chef by trade, Tony started his career at the 5-star Resort Hotel, Hyatt Regency Coolum Resort & Spa, spending five years training in their nine kitchens. He then travelled to the US to take a role with Disney as Chef de Cuisine aboard one of their luxury Cruise liners “The Wonder”.

From here Tony developed a passion for Italian food and accepted an offer to work alongside Celebrity Chef Peter Kuruvita in the World renowned and multi-award winning Hayman Island Resort on QLD’s Great Barrier Reef.

In 2003 Tony went on to open The Wine Bar in Maroochydore, a 100 seat fine dining venue which was awarded five Sunshine Coast Restaurant of the Year awards 2003, 04 & 05 and several Wine List of the Year awards.

After selling The Wine Bar after eight years, Tony ventured to Brisbane after accepting the position of Executive Chef of the soon-to-be-opened Stokehouse “Q”. Under Tony’s guidance, Stokehouse Queensland would be awarded “2 Hats” in the prestigious Good Food Guide, one of only four QLD restaurants to achieve this.

Long-time friend Peter Kuruvita asked Tony for assistance to launch the re-furbished Sheraton Noosa Restaurant & Spa & launch Noosa Beach House “Peter Kuruvita”.

Tony developed his own Burger Franchise, Boutique Donut Franchise & opened six very successful Asian street food venues across Australia, as well as a slew of espresso bars, pubs & whisky bars.

Tony’s current restaurant portfolio features nine successful venues located across the Sunshine Coast at The Wharf Mooloolaba, the Maroochydore CBD, Palmwoods and Bokarina

Sue has spent most of her career in corporate roles, supporting global programs and technology initiatives within the IT industry. Her broad cross-functional experience spans HR, eLearning, Marketing, Finance, Business Operations, and Competitive Intelligence, giving her a well-rounded perspective on business strategy and operations.
Last year, Sue took time off to complete her MBA and has since embarked on another learning journey, pursuing a master’s degree in cyber security at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC). This year, she shifted her focus and accepted a new role as an Enterprise Architect at the Sunshine Coast Council, within the Digital and Information Services branch.

David and his wife Cathy started the Big Boing in Birtinya 10 years ago. Success to David is living an enjoyable lifestyle, raising two well-adjusted sons, and providing employment and income to many staff over the last decade. The Big Boing has welcomed past mayor Mark Jamieson, and current Mayor of the Sunshine Coast, Rosanna Natoli to their premises, and has been recognised as an important employer of young people on the Coast. A significant event for The Big Boing took place in August 2024 when forty staff returned to celebrate the business’ ten-year anniversary. This celebration and milestone highlighted the value David and his wife place on their people and was a proud moment in the history of their business.

David completed a Master of Business Administration at UniSC specialising in Innovation. He has more recently studied a micro-credential through Trinity College of Dublin (Ireland) in Entrepreneurship in a Nature Based Enterprise and is now studying a Post Graduate Certificate in Research Methods through the University of Highlands and Isles (Scotland).  In addition to his ongoing commitments at The Big Boing, David is creating an exciting start-up to address nature-based issues in our region. He believes in giving back to the community as a Justice of the Peace and values mentoring Grade 9 business class students of entrepreneurship at St. Teresa’s College in Noosaville.

As Head of Economic Development at Sunshine Coast Council, Chris is charged with delivering on the outcomes identified in the Sunshine Coast Regional Economic Development Strategy, in collaboration with Business and industry stakeholders. He has extensive commercial and transaction experience in both the private and public sector throughout a range of geographies and industries. Chris is skilled in negotiating complex deals, managing diverse stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes and taking initial seed concepts through the development and approval stages to an operational entity.