Three Sunshine Coast businesses and community champions have received national recognition for their work supporting people with disability.
Business owner Amanda Smyth, Noosaville’s Wallace Park Learning & Lifestyle Hub and Next Generation Pet Foods were among the winners at Endeavour Foundation’s 2026 Business Excellence and Impact Awards.
The awards were held at Rydges South Bank in Brisbane on October 22, with almost 300 business leaders, disability advocates and community representatives attending.
Endeavour Foundation CEO Andrew Chesterman said the Sunshine Coast winners exemplified the power of local people and businesses making a genuine difference.
“These award winners demonstrate what can happen when communities embrace inclusion and recognise the talents, potential and contribution of people with disability,” he said.
Amanda Smyth received the Charity Champion Award for her fundraising and support of the foundation.
The owner of Wild Horse Turf has been involved with the Great Endeavour Rally since 2018 and recently published her first children’s picture book, Dream Big, Little One.
The book shares the stories of seven people supported by Endeavour Foundation who have pursued their interests and goals.
“I wrote this book because you can’t be what you can’t see. For many children with disability and their families, it can be difficult to imagine what the future might hold,” she said.
“I wanted to create something that shows there are endless possibilities, hopefully inspiring people to dream bigger.”
She has committed all proceeds from book sales to the charity.
Wallace Park Learning & Lifestyle Hub received the Growth Through Engagement Award for its work helping people with disability develop skills, pursue interests and build community connections.
The Noosaville centre offers activities including cooking, gardening, arts, music and sailing.
Site manager Sandy Hegarty said the recognition reflected the contributions of participants, families, staff, volunteers and community partners.
“Every day, we see people with disability build friendships, develop new skills and pursue their goals in ways that are meaningful to them.”
The Partnership Excellence Award went to Next Generation Pet Foods for their commitment to inclusive employment and longstanding partnership with the foundation.
Through the partnership, employees with disability gain skills in packaging and warehousing while helping expand capacity at Endeavour Foundation’s Business Solutions operations, creating employment opportunities.
The Sunshine Coast-based company manufactures its products in Toowoomba, with teams at Endeavour Foundation’s Business Solutions Toowoomba and Wacol sites playing a key role in packaging operations.
“It’s great to see what we’re doing in our business is helping create work opportunities for people with disability, and through this work, contribute to the products we’re making,” said business manager Rodney Klanke.
“There’s a lot of care taken with our products. It’s not easy to ensure every box and every package is packed consistently and correctly – but the team delivers every time, and that commitment to quality is incredibly important to our business and certainly not unnoticed.”
The event formed part of Endeavour Foundation’s 75th anniversary celebrations, recognising achievements in advocacy, leadership, partnerships, philanthropy and community impact.
