Shining at Glassies

WOODFORD Home Timber & Hardware took home two awards at the annual local business awards for the Glass House electorate, including the coveted Gold Employee Award for Dick Howard.

Andrew Powell MP (left ) and Steve Minnikin MP (right) with Moreton Bay winners: Bronze Employee, Maggie Upson from Sticks & Stones Espresso Bar (centre left ); Silver Employee, Makayla Bigalla from, Hair on Archer (centre right); and Gold Employee, Dick Howard from Woodford Home Timber & Hardware (centre), who also won Silver Business.

Hosted by Glass House MP Andrew Powell, in partnership with neighbouring Caloundra MP Kendall Morton, the Glassies Small Business Awards celebrates small business excellence in the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay Hinterland.

The gala event, held in conjunction with Queensland’s Small and Family Business Month, is the culmination of two months of nominations and voting to celebrate all that business is and does for the region.

Held on May 28 at the Woodford Hotel, about 120 business owners and staff attended the awards, including special guest Small Business Minister Steve Minnikin.

Mr Powell said he knew straight away Mr Howard would be a top contender for a Gold Glassie after seeing the sheer number of nominations he received from the public.

“Since then, we were blown away with the number of votes, and the comments highlighting Dick’s contributions to the community, his kindness, and the ability to make every customer smile,” Mr Powell said.

The prestigious Gold Glassies are handpicked by Mr Powell in consultation with the Chamber presidents.

Along with Mr Howard’s Gold Employee Award, Woodford Home Timber & Hardware also took home the Silver Business Award for Moreton Bay.

Wamuran Country Meats won the Bronze Moreton Bay Business Award.
Makayla Bigalla from Hair on Archer took home the Silver Employee Moreton Bay Award, while Maggie Upson from Sticks & Stones Espresso Bar won the Bronze Employee Award for Moreton Bay.

The Silver Glassies are awarded based on public votes, with over 3,000 received this year. The Bronze awards are selected by the presidents of the local Chambers of Commerce.

“The Glassies are about celebrating the people behind our local small businesses – the heart and soul of our community,” Mr Powell said.
“Thank you to everyone who nominated, voted, and contributed to another great Glassies Gala for 2025.”