Great Opportunities

Click into Creative Caloundra

Council is focused on educational programs and opportunities to support wellness, arts and business industries reach new and exciting benchmarks.

Councillor Terry Landsberg Division 2

As a previous business owner, I know how hard it can be to take time off or invest in new skills and training, particularly when things are looking tough or uncertain. The temptation is there to invest every spare ounce of energy and time into creating, adapting, and sometimes, just staying afloat.

To support small business owners and their staff, Council has developed several business programs; and continues to highlight the success and capability of those businesses and the communities served that have responded to business regardless if impacted by COVID.

Council has launched Local Business Champions; a new program to continue to support and inspire confidence in sectors, industries and businesses. We acknowledge local business efforts whether it’s: a change in their business models to grow current or new business; new business ideas to recover from COVID; start-up businesses. 4 Shop Caloundra | Spring 2020

I encourage you to read the stories of our Local Business Champions and for you to share your story so Council can help profile you and your business.

During October, Mental Health Week in Queensland [10 to 18 October] encourages all of us to think about our mental health and wellbeing, regardless of whether we may have a lived experience of mental illness or not. It also gives us the opportunity to understand the importance of good mental health in our everyday lives and encourages help seeking behaviours when needed. "Every spare ounce of energy and time into creating, adapting, and sometimes, just staying afloat."

Council joined forces with local wellness and business coaches to provide a one-stop shop that can be accessed anytime, anywhere with an internet connection to get free financial advice, health tips and wellness ideas. The B-Well and Prosper online portal allows small businesses with less than 20 staff full-time to log on and gain access to a wealth of information across all areas of small business and wellbeing. Take a break and check in on your health during October at bwell.mindstar.com.au

Council has also partnered with TAFE Queensland to deliver the heavily subsidised Build a Better Business workshop and mentoring program. This very practical course provides training for a focused 2020/21 Business Action Plan, including a finance, marketing and implementation plan; plus on successful course completion you receive a TAFE Certificate IV in Small Business Management.

During the month of October, playful and participatory activations will pop up around the Caloundra CBD. These free all-ages activities will bring cultural vibrancy and connection to the community while keeping it all COVID-safe. Wander through Felicity Park and discover playful paths by day and illuminated gardens and building by night.

Contribute your heartbeat to a musical soundscape, or share memories and hopes via the Dear Caloundra letter writing project maybe you’d like to discuss the world’s recent changes with a street writer collecting thoughts and various perspectives of passers-by? Pause and take a moment to rest at Sub Tropic Studio, then head over to The Strand to peak through the window to the world of Capital Nuf. Place2 invites you to create, post, listen, collect, wonder, rest and pivot on the streets of Caloundra.

I also encourage you to take the opportunity to check out the: Sunshine Coast Art Prize 2020.

The exceptional works by established and emerging artists from across the country were selected from a high calibre field and will be showcased at Caloundra Regional Gallery and online between October 16 and December 6.

Selected works include oil and acrylic painting, charcoal, print, textile and photography. In my view, the 2020 finalist exhibition is definitely one to see, and it’s an apt reflection of contemporary 2D arts practice in Australia - Don’t miss it!

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Share your Local Business Champions stories at BusinessDevelopment@ sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

Visit Council business programs at www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/ Business/Business-Programs

Place2Play www.downtowncaloundra. com.au/place2play