Southern Business Women Connect luncheon – Currumbin RSL – Friday 16th August

Over 180 local business and community representatives attended the Southern Business Women Connect luncheon on Friday 16 August at Currumbin RSL, which is sponsored and hosted by Community Bank Tugun, part of Bendigo Bank, to shine a spotlight on community organisations that champion diversity in the community.

The talented Triple M Gold Coast Breakfast Program host, Ali Plath kept the guests entertained as emcee with hilarity and fun as well as an informative, on-the-couch interview with the guest speakers.

Keynote speaker, Chloe Maxwell of 4ASDKids and guest speaker Nick Marshall of Albatross Nippers provided an insight into the needs of special needs children in the community.

Chloe spoke of her own personal experience with her son Max as a child with special needs which was both heartwarming and tear-jerking as she shared the many highs and lows of her journey as a parent.

Nick shared how the Albatross Nippers Program at Nobby’s Beach Surf Club for children with special needs was inspired by a conversation with a surf club family who couldn’t continue to attend the Nippers Program for their abled child due to their special needs child.

Nick could see first-hand there was a need in the community to provide a program where all children, regardless of their diverse needs, can participate in nippers at the same time.

To further support the invaluable work of community organisations for people with disabilities, guests donated sensory toys to the collection drive for Currumbin Community Special School as well as participate in the silent auction for Monte Lupo Art sculptures.

The beautiful and unique sculptures are handcrafted by people with a disability, giving the artist an opportunity to express their creativity through ceramic art.  Monte Lupo Arts also provides employment opportunities for people with special needs.

Local business and community organisations donated over 30 raffle prizes to support the fundraising efforts where all proceeds from the event will be donated to Albatross Nippers to enable them to continue to provide such a worthwhile program.

The annual event is in it’s 7^th year with the 2025 event already in the planning stages.