A Sunshine Coast teenager’s unique teddy bear business is helping to comfort more children, after she claimed a renowned Australia Day award.
Angelique Hallett won the Sunshine Coast Young Citizen of the Year award earlier this year, and that’s provided her and her business, Love Hope Bears, with plenty of momentum.
“Winning the award has created so many amazing opportunities for me, both personally and professionally,” she said
“I’ve become more confident, my business has been given a platform, and it was rewarding to be acknowledged for the work I have done.”
Loving Hope Bears offers a touch of comfort to children, who have escaped domestic violence situations, by way of a teddy bear.
Angelique is on a mission to ensure every child has something to cuddle through the good times and the bad.
The Year 12 student said she had met a great network of professionals who wanted to share their time and experience to assist her, since winning the award.
She won other awards, including the 7NEWS Young Achiever ‘Create Change’ QLD award and the Secondary Schools Citizenship Award 2021 QLD, presented by The Order of Australia Association in Parliament House.
“I’ve been invited to many functions that have supported Loving Hope Bears with purchases and donations,” she said.
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“I’ve also been given the amazing opportunity to feature in a book along with other inspirational women leaders.
“Perhaps most importantly, this award has brought me a few steps closer to my long-term goal of providing all children across Australia living in Domestic Violence shelters with a teddy.”
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said Angelique embodied everything the Sunshine Coast Australia Day Awards were about.
“The Sunshine Coast Australia Day awards recognise the outstanding achievements and contributions of members of our community to the social fabric of our region,” he said.
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“We all know inspirational people who go one step further to make the Sunshine Coast great and I encourage you to recognise and reward their efforts and achievements by nominating them for an award.”
Sunshine Coast Australia Day Awards nominations close on December 6.
Nominating is simple. Fill out a short online form in one of seven categories, provide 300 – 500 words that highlight your nominee’s achievements or contributions, and upload any documents to help the judges know they’re the one.
View current Sunshine Coast Australia Day winners at sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
