Sunshine Coast Hinterland Times

Marlene Murray (third from right) with some of of the fifteen Maleny Manor award winning team.

THE HINTERLAND of the Sunshine Coast has consolidated its stake in the wedding industry judging by the results of the12th Queensland Annual Bridal Industry Awards (ABIA) held recently in Brisbane.

More than 1500 wedding suppliers were nominated for awards in 40 categories.

Hinterland businesses were finalists or winners in 13 categories. Maleny Manor was the winner of the Reception Centre category, and Wayne Wiltshire of Montville was the winner of the Live Band / Group award.

The ABIAs are much sought-after awards for Australian wedding suppliers as they are determined by the votes of past brides.

Relative newcomers to the Hinterland, Alan and Georgina Thompson of Flaxton Gardens said they were thrilled to have been finalists in both the Ceremony Venue and Reception Centre categories.

Georgina said that Flaxton Gardens was nominated for the ABIA based on the quality of product, quality of service, value for money and the attitude of the staff who serviced the bride’s needs, before, during and after their wedding day.

Maleny Manor was also a finalist in the In-House Wedding Advisor and Function Coordinator categories.

Host of Maleny Manor, Marlene Murray said, “the whole of the Hinterland is at the forefront of the Queensland wedding industry. Eleven years ago Maleny Manor was a B & B with a few weddings. Now we’re the leading venue here with 108 weddings for interstate and overseas couples a year.”

Local businesses estimate the wedding industry is worth about $12 million a year for Maleny alone, and the Sunshine Coast is now in the top eight of most popular places to be married in Australia.