Brothers top awards night
NEW Zealand-born brothers Kyle and Kaydin Bhana had their talents recognised last night when they took out the youth category of the Sunshine Coast Multicultural Excellence Awards.
Having represented the Sunshine Coast in various music and dance competitions, the boys also worked with National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) throughout last year.
Their win was celebrated by more than 120 people who gathered at Coastline BMW's showroom to recognise the outstanding contributions made by the region's migrants.
Others to inspire the crowd included Irish-born Sydney Hawthorne, who took the business award for the success of his Caloundra business Plastec Australia.
In more than 30 years, Mr Hawthorne went from a plumber to the employer of more than 50 staff as he created one of Australia's largest manufacturers and designers of plumbing products.
Kevin Lloyd won the sport award for his ongoing contribution to soccer on the Coast, coaching various teams in the 20 years since his arrival from the UK.
Suzanne Brown, also from the UK, received the award in the healthmedical category for her voluntary and passionate involvement with the Tang Soo Tao, a non-profit organisation that teaches adults and children the healing arts of tai chi, qi gong, yoga and meditation.
The annual event is organised by USC public relations students.
The winners:
- Health/medical, Suzanne Brown
- Business, Sydney Hawthorne
- Youth Achievement, Kyle and Kaydin Bhana
- Sport, Kevin Lloyd
- Academic/education, Mitsuki Scott
- Arts, Misha Tadic
- Community, Petrus Paul
- Hall of Fame, Ferre de Deyne
