Che bella notizia!

Awesome news!

Sunshine Coasters Mela Stalker and Reilly Flanagan have been selected in the Australian Winter Olympics team to compete in Milano-Cortina, Italy.

Mela, a Coolum local who celebrates her 22nd birthday during the week of the Opening Ceremony, will compete in both the snowboard Big Air (Feb 8 and 9) and Slopestyle (Feb 16 and 17) being held at the Livigno Snow Park.

“I’m pretty damn excited,” Mela said. “It’s been a big run into the Games, so it’s cool to be here with everyone and feel all the feels.”

Mela will join fellow Aussies Tess Coady and Ally Hickman at the start line for the Big Air event.

Noosaville’s Reilly, 21, said he was incredibly proud to be living out a childhood dream and “endlessly grateful to everyone who’s supported me along the way”.

“It’s pretty strange but special at the same time, not many Queenslanders can say they are a Winter Olympian. From the outside looking in, it looks like a strange mix, but we have such a strong program coming from gymnastics in Australia,” he said.

The Olympic selection capped off an amazing few months for Reilly, having been announced as the Skiing Male Athlete of the Year at the 2025 Snow Australia Awards. He has been chosen to compete in the men’s aerials on Feb 17 and 19 and mixed team aerials team on Feb 21.

Both Mela and Reilly will be making their Olympics debuts.

The Australian Olympic team announcements can be found linked here which highlights some of Mela’s and Reilly’s recent successes on the World Cup circuits.

https://www.olympics.com.au/olympians/mela-stalker/

https://www.olympics.com.au/olympians/reilly-flanagan/

Congratulations Mela and Reilly on joining the growing Sunshine Coast Olympians and Paralympians honourboard.

Laurent highlighted the opportunities for Sunshine Coast businesses to get involved with the Games procurement program, noting the multi-level benefits for local companies (big and small) from sponsorship participation to staff volunteerism.

Sunshine Coast 2032 Chair Roz White said the visit was an invaluable opportunity to learn directly from a region that has just delivered a modern, sustainability-focused Games.

“The insights shared, particularly around regional transport, infrastructure and legacy planning, are highly relevant as we look ahead to 2032 and beyond. These conversations help ensure our region is not only prepared for the Games, but positioned to deliver lasting economic, social and community benefits long after 2032,” Ms. White said.

Congratulations to SC2032 Foundation Sponsors Maleny Dairies and Your Brand Crew who became Hall of Fame recipients at the 2025 Sunshine Coast Business Awards Gala.

They were recognised in front of more than 850 gala guests who filled the Sunshine Coast Convention Centre to congratulate 34 category winners and six Hall of Fame inductees.

The biggest 2025 gala prize was awarded to Noosa Black Garlic which claimed both the Small Food and Agribusiness category and the coveted 2025 Business of the Year title, being recognised for its pioneering approach to local production and growing national footprint.

Other standouts were Advanced Aquarium Technologies, Alex Surf Club, Laguna Pest Control and Sunny Rays Catering who all continued their respective winning streaks.

https://www.sunshinecoastbusinessawards.com.au/the-awards/winners/ winners-2025/

Yet again the 2025 Noosa Triathlon delivered – not just as a sporting event, but as a showcase of the Sunshine Coast’s ability to stage world leading sporting events attracting more than 13,000 competitors.

After more than 40 years of action, Noosa Tri is now a virtual 5-day extravaganza, with the 2025 edition tipped to have generated an anticipated $31 million boost for Queensland’s economy.

In total, there were a forecast 9,000-plus visitors to Queensland through the Noosa Tri garnering more than 91,000 visitor nights, benefiting local businesses and tourism operators in the region.

Recent world champion Queenslander Matt Hauser won the men’s feature open race for the first time, beating American visitor John Reed by a minute; while British triathlete Jess Fullagar was even more dominant in the women’s open race, beating Queensland’s recent world under 23 world champion Richelle Hill by 3 minutes.

Another key milestone has been reached in plans to upgrade the Sunshine Coast Stadium at Kawana.

The expression of interest for stadium works has now closed with the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) assessing the applications. It is anticipated that a principal designer for the proposed upgrade will be announced in the first half of 2026.

Under the upgrade plans, the stadium will expand from 1,046 seats to approximately 10,680, with additional temporary stands enabling capacity of up to 20,000 to host preliminary football matches in the 2032 Games.

The stadium upgrade, expected to be completed in 2030, will see a new eastern grandstand and a rebuilt western grandstand. Upgrades will include multi-purpose community spaces and amenities accessible to

people of all abilities. Keep up to date on the stadium project at … GIICA – Sunshine Coast Stadium

These Stadium project forms part of the Brisbane 2032 Games Venue

Infrastructure Program, which also includes the Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre (GIICA – Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre) and a range of other regional projects.

The Sunshine Coast is gearing up to host the Australian Deaf Games from 4 – 11 July 2026, welcoming more than 1,300 athletes, officials, and supporters from across Australia and the Pacific.

The Games will showcase 20 sports alongside a vibrant festival of Deaf culture, connection, and community pride.

The inclusive, world-class sporting event will be another great opportunity for Sunshine Coast residents and visitors to celebrate sport, community, and connection on the road to Brisbane 2032.

The incredible depth of sporting talent across our region was on show at the recent 2025 Sunshine Coast Sports Awards. The Awards have a rich history dating back to 1968, honouring athletes, coaches, volunteers and clubs who have helped build a vibrant, talented local sporting community.

This year’s winners include Paralympic gold medallist Callum Simpson (swimming), rising triathlon sports star Addison Houslip and Rip Curl Pro winner Isabella Nichols.

Congratulations to every nominee, finalist and winner.  We can expect to see many of these athletes making headlines again as the road to Brisbane 2032 draws closer.

See the full list of 2025 winners here.

https://sunshinecoastsports.com.au/annual-sports-award-winners-for-2025

One of Australia’s most successful swimmers, and now passionate Sunshine Coast resident, Cate Campbell was a special guest at a recent Sunshine Coast 2032 Board and Leadership Team meeting.

The 4-time Olympian, world record holder and Australia’s flagbearer at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games inspired the team with her sporting journey and reminded us of the incredible opportunities that lie ahead for our region.

The information-packed meeting was an opportunity to hear the latest updates from across our organisation and key partners.

These sessions keep us informed and aligned as we work to maximise the opportunities the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games bring to the Sunshine Coast, with our teams’ insights guiding our efforts.

Sunshine Coast 2032 Board Director Sonia Heath joined discussions surrounding Kawana’s growth and opportunities ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A Beijing 2018 Olympic Games rower, Sonia shared how athletes at every level are already gearing up for 2032 and the vital role our business and broader community can play in supporting them.

She also highlighted a sobering reality: more than 40% of Australian athletes live at or below the poverty line, often juggling work, study, and training to chase their dreams.

With the Sunshine Coast set to play a central role in 2032, she said now is the perfect time to support our local athletes. From recognising the financial challenges athletes face to offering flexible work arrangements, employment and sponsorships, our region can help ensure their success becomes a shared legacy.

The Wave is set to be the Sunshine Coast’s biggest-ever transport infrastructure project, improving connectivity in the region and delivering a key legacy for Brisbane 2032.

With a heavy passenger rail line from Beerwah to Birtinya (Stages 1 and 2) seamlessly connecting to a high-capacity, high-frequency service through to the Sunshine Coast Airport (Stage 3), The Wave will provide a bold, future-focused transport solution to support the region’s growth and connectivity.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads is leading the project and is regularly updating information as The Wave progresses. Find out the latest news here and register for updates. The Wave – Sunshine Coast | TMR Projects

Updated maps have been released showing refined alignments and station designs.

Five new stations are confirmed to link the Sunshine Coast to the wider South East Queensland rail network:

• Beerwah (upgrade)
• Bells Creek (Aura)
• Caloundra
• Aroona
• Birtinya (Sunshine Coast University Hospital).

Work is also underway to introduce a high-frequency service between Birtinya and the Sunshine Coast Airport, connecting key hubs at Mountain Creek and Maroochydore City Centre.

Early works are underway, including site clearing and earthworks preparation for the Mooloolah River Interchange upgrade. Major earthworks and embankment construction are planned to start next year, with main construction also promised to start in 2026.

Explore the full set of maps

Sunshine Coast 2032 Board Chair Roz White joined a number of Sunshine Coast business leaders attending a forum highlighting the opportunities for local suppliers from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Roz was among hundreds of attendees, with hundreds more joining online to hear the news, including that the Brisbane 2032 Procurement Portal had been opened.

What struck Roz most from the Meet the Brisbane 2032 Buyer event wasn’t just the number of local suppliers at Paris 2024, but how collaboration trumped competition.

“For example, nine social businesses came together to handle services for

24,000 residents of the Olympic and Paralympic Village – amounting to 130,000 bags of laundry!”

“As Paris 2024’s Chief Finance Officer, Fabrice Lacroix, said, ‘You have gold in your hands.’

“We do. The work we’ve been doing through Fit to Supply and our submission to the 100-Day Review is already positioning the Sunshine Coast to make the most of this opportunity.

“But there’s more to do. Whether you’re a business owner with 100,000 employees or two, or know someone that could benefit, I encourage you to explore the 50 live opportunities.”

If you think might be appropriate opportunities, registrations can be made at the Brisbane 2032 Procurement Program.

“Three years ago, we started SC2032 with a simple belief: the largest opportunity in a generation shouldn’t pass our community by,” Roz said.

“The starting gun has officially been fired for Sunshine Coast businesses.”

If you would like to hear more about Roz’s thoughts on the procurement opportunities following the Meet the Buyer Brisbane 2032 event have a listen to this short audio message.

[Listen to Roz’s procurement round up]

The Sunshine Coast Airport has taken another bold step forward with the recent announcement of its $170 million domestic terminal redevelopment.

The terminal transformation is more than just an infrastructure upgrade. It enables the region to attract world-class events, grow participation, support athlete pathways, and deliver lasting community benefits on the road to Brisbane 2032.

A larger, smarter and more sustainable terminal means:

• greater capacity to welcome teams, officials and visitors
• a better first impression of the Sunshine Coast
• stronger connectivity for business, sport and tourism
• local jobs and local procurement supporting our economy

As Queensland builds towards Brisbane 2032, projects like this help position the Sunshine Coast as confident, capable, connected and visitor-ready.

Learn more about the terminal redevelopment and even view the virtual fly-throughs of the upgraded facility: https://lnkd.in/gQPHFR7g

Chair Roz White shared that Sunshine Coast 2032 is now firmly positioned to start activating our local community, and championing outcomes that create long-term benefits for our whole region.

At last night’s gathering of sponsors, ambassadors, Board directors, athletes and community leaders, SC2032 Patron Duncan Armstrong joined Paralympic and Olympic athletes in acknowledging the organisation’s momentum and the opportunities ahead.

Duncan chaired a lively panel discussion during which fellow Olympic swimmer and new Sunshine Coaster Cate Campbell, Paralympic canoeist Curtis McGrath and Coast Para-triathlete Grace Brimelow spoke about personal Games experiences and the excitement ahead to Brisbane 2032. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie gave an update on some of the key Games planning and infrastructure.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli focused on the boundless opportunities ahead for the region, its residents and visitors and shared her thoughts on the newly released Brisbane 2032 vision – Believe. Belong. Become. Brisbane 2032.

The foundations are strong. The community is engaged. Activation has begun — and the Sunshine Coast is ready to step into the decade of opportunity ahead.