The hugely successful event was organised by the dedicated Rotary members and was hosted by the man with the smoothest voice on the Sunshine Coast – Peter Lang from Australia Zoo.

It was an exciting night for the 24 finalists representing eight individual categories, and equally exciting for their cheer-squads and supporters.

The winners on the night were – Jacob Schild, John Winterhoff, Joselyn Evans, Emily Jurd, Jennie Lunt, Ros Smerdon, Greg Cubis, Amanda Brown, Beerwah Hotel and Scott Wright.

The one category where the judges could not decide on a clear winner was the person working with a disability, and they called it a three-way tie.

The photo below shows the girls with their certificates along with Carolyn Male who sponsored their category.

There were a number of special awards presented on the night. One was for the ‘Super Team award’ which went to the crew at the Zoo. With 501 staff, it was too difficult to judge the Zoo against the other entrants in the team category – so in recognition of the great job the staff at the Zoo do, a special award was created. Also on the night Rotary member Kenny McKennzie was given a ‘Service Above Self’ award for his graphic design talents in producing this year’s Rotary calendar and the promotional material for the awards.

One of the other highlights of the night was a presentation by the ‘Two Mals’. Mal Brough and Mal Meninga shared their personal experiences completing the Kokoda Track last year.

Bob McLean, President of the club said he was pleased with how the whole event had run, and throughout the night acknowledged the numerous sponsors of the evening that helped bring it all together. Australia Zoo showed their strong support for the local business community and Rotary by being the major sponsor.

Other sponsors included Bassett Barks, ANZ, Eagle Boys/Video Ezy, Subway, Pioneer Permanent Building Society, Glasshouse Country News, the Beerwah & District Business Association, Caloundra City Council (Cr Anna Grosskreutz), Eden in Glasshouse Country, and the Beerwah Marketplace.

AUSTRALIA Zoo displayed its commitment to Rotary and the local community through their Pride in Workmanship Awards sponsorship, which was held on Saturday, March 18 at the Beerwah Community Centre.

The Pride in Workmanship Award is designed to acknowledge an employee, tradesperson or office person – irrespective of age or vocation – who, in the eyes of the nominator or employer, displays outstanding qualities in terms of approach, attitude, dedication and commitment to their job.

The award is intended to cover all aspects of work performance and ethics, including output quality and quantity, safety, initiative and sense of responsibility.

Many Australia Zoo staff members were nominated for the awards, with Mammals Curator Amanda Brown nominated for Excellence in Workmanship – Employee and entertainer Scott Wright nominated for Vocational Excellence.

Both received the award in their respective categories from an exceptional lineup of nominees.

Other proud nominees included Education Coordinator Nick Bell for the Job Well Done – Employee award and Zoo trainee Kahlia Leggett for the Apprentices and Trainees award.

The team of 530 employees at Australia Zoo was honoured by receiving a special team award for their obvious pride in their work.

Australia Zoo also got into the spirit by nominating several local businesses they have worked with since the Zoo’s opening.

Steve Valpreda, more commonly known as Steve the Butcher and a long-time supplier and friend, was nominated and a finalist for the Small Business – Owner award.

Australia Zoo would like to congratulate all nominees and winners for their attitude and pride for working in the local community.

AUSTRALIA Zoo owner and director Terri Irwin was appointed an Order of Australia Honorary Member (AM) in the General Division on Thursday, March 16.

Terri was recognised for her service to wildlife conservation and the tourism industry, particularly through Australia Zoo and her support for many charitable organisations.

Mrs Irwin has made an outstanding contribution to wildlife protection and charitable causes.

She is passionate about animals and conservation which she promotes through the goals and missions of Australia Zoo.

She is also an active Wildlife Warriors patron and promotes her conservation message through her lectures and workshops at schools, universities and community groups.

Sharing their passion for nature, the Irwins have established the Australian Wildlife Hospital, Australia’s largest dedicated veterinary facility for sick, injured and orphaned native Australian animals.

While she is known worldwide for her contribution to conservation, Terri is also recognised for her charitable work.

She has also provided assistance to the children of East Timor by supplying school equipment and toys and, following the tsunami disaster in Indonesia, she instigated a humanitarian and veterinarian aid project to assist the Department of Forestry and Nature Conservation and Fauna and Flora International, Sumatra.

Last week Terri Irwin, Owner and Director of Australia Zoo was appointed an Order of Australia Honorary Member (AM) in the General Division.

Terri was recognised for her service to wildlife conservation and the tourism industry, particularly through Australia Zoo, and her support for many charitable organisations.

Terri has made an outstanding contribution to wildlife protection and charitable causes. She is passionate about animals and conservation which she promotes through the goals and missions of Australia Zoo. Terri is also an active patron of Wildlife Warriors Worldwide Ltd and promotes her conservation message through lectures and workshops at schools, universities and community groups.

While Terri is known worldwide for her contribution to conservation, she is also recognised for her charitable work including the fundraising support she provides to over 2000 organisations every year.

Category: Apprentices and Trainees
Sponsor: Australia Zoo
Winner: Jacob Schild, Grounds Trainee – Beerwah State High School

Category: Vocational Excellence – young person who overcomes challenges to succeed at school or work
Sponsor: Eagle Boys & Video Ezy
Winner: Scott Wright, Australia Zoo

Category: Small Business Owner
Sponsor: Beerwah & District Business Association
Winner: Rosslyn Smerdon, Director – Smerdon Enterprides

Category: Job Well Done - Employee
Sponsor: Beerwah Marketplace
Winner: Greg Cubis – Groundsman/Education Officer

Category: Business Team
Sponsor: Subway
Winner: Beerwah Hotel

Category: Volunteers
Sponsor: Cr. Anna Grosskreutz (Caloundra City Councillor)
Winner: John Winterhoff, GHM Community Hall

Category: Excellence in Workmanship - Employee
Sponsor: Pioneer Permanent Building Society
Winner: Amanda Brown, Head Mammal Keeper – Australia Zoo

Category: Person with a Disability
Sponsor: Carolyn Male
Winners: Emily Jurd, Volunteer Coochin Hills Haven; Jennie Lunt, School-based Trainee Beerwah Library; Joselyn Evans, Beerwah RSL

WHEN your mate's a seven-time surfing world champion who is mobbed by fans wherever he goes, it pays to be discreet when he sleeps over.

Kelly Slater slipped quietly into town this week, nailed some “gnarly” big sets at Wurtulla and, thanks to the discretion of his friends, then went on his winning way again. And according to Slater's host and good mate, Bush Beat boss Al Hing, that's just the way Kelly likes it.

The affable American, who once again has the surfing world at his feet after dispatching Aussie Taj Burrow in the final of the Rip Curl Pro at Duranbah, turned to the Hings to guarantee some timely R and R away from the media spotlight. That meant Kelly and his mum Judy lapping up Al and Jenny's home hospitality for a few days and packing in a fair swag of Aussie adventure.

Surfing's brightest star's Sunshine Coast recipe for rest included eating up some sizeable swell, going on a personally guided tour of Australia Zoo with his mate Steve Irwin and opening his shoulders at Pelican Waters' championship golf course. Al and Jenny have been friends with Kelly since they met him surfing in Fiji in 1992 while they were on their honeymoon.

“We were just free surfing – everyone knew of him even then when he was still a kid,” Al said.

“He was not the champion back then but everybody could see that he was on the way up – just like a young Tom Carroll.”

Every few years since then, when Kelly is touring Australia , he drops in… in the nicest possible way.

“Kelly really enjoyed his stay here – he is a very private person and likes to do things away from the media.

“He and Steve Irwin have been friends for years and he had a private tour of the Zoo.”

Kelly's low-key schedule also included a dinner with guests including lifesaving champion Darren Mercer and a game of golf at Club Pelican where he showed fairly awesome ability with the clubs.

“He is a person who likes his personal space – but this is his time off and he was enjoying himself,” Darren said.

And when the washing machine conditions started to churn off Wurtulla, Kelly had to have a crack.

“It was pretty big and gnarly and not many went out, but Kelly killed it,” Al said.

Al said Kelly will be back for the Bells Beach Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach but was not about to say if Kelly would call by again – not until he's moved on.

That's what friends are for.

THE brains behind Australia Zoo, Terri Irwin, was yesterday appointed an Order of Australia Honorary Member (AM) in the General Division.

Australia Zoo said Terri was recognised for her service to wildlife conservation and the tourism industry, particularly through Australia Zoo, and her support for many charitable organisations.

“Terri has made an outstanding contribution to wildlife protection and charitable causes,” a Zoo statement said.

“She is passionate about animals and conservation which she promotes through the goals and missions of Australia Zoo.

“She is also an active patron of Wildlife Warriors Worldwide Ltd and promotes her conservation message through her lectures and workshops at schools, universities and community groups.”

While she is known worldwide for her contribution to conservation, Terri is also recognised for her charitable work.

She provides fundraising support to more than 2000 organisations every year.

Last week at the prestigious Australian Tourism Awards, Steve Irwin was recognised with an award for Services to Inbound Tourism. Federal Tourism Minister Fran Bailey presented Steve with the honour and thanked him for his outstanding contribution to the promotion of Australia in overseas markets.

Speaking from the Awards ceremony at the Gold Coast, Steve said that he was honored to be recognised, and that he was very proud to accept this award.

“This award is not only for me personally, but it's for my whole team at Australia Zoo who work tirelessly to spread the message of conservation.

“Mate, there is no better place to live than Australia . I've been to some pretty amazing places, but I always look forward to coming home to spend more time in our gorgeous country with my family. I can never sell enough of Australia to the world.”

Steve has received worldwide attention for his passionate crusade to educate people about the conservation of wildlife and saving its habitat. From starring in his own TV series, The Crocodile Hunter, to his very own movie role in Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course, Steve's raw energy has inspired a new generation of conservationists.

He is committed to presenting Australia as a first-rate and safe travel destination, and through his work in Tourism Australia campaigns, including the recent G'day LA – Australia Week event he is constantly promoting the natural wonders of Down Under to the glistening A-list of international markets.

There was even more reason for Steve to celebrate, with Australia Zoo taking out the Australian Tourism Retailing award from an exceptional field of entrants from all around Australia.