Tweed’s Young Business Achievers prepare for study

Two of the Tweed’s brightest young business minds have been weighing up their study options with staff from Southern Cross University’s Graduate College of Management.

Hayley Buckner and Peter Sutton each received funding for a unit of postgraduate business study at the University after jointly winning the Young Business Achiever of the Year at the Tweed Business Excellence (BEX) Awards.

Peter Sutton was recognised for the outstanding success of his company, Sutton Excavations, which started with a bobcat and truck five years ago and has grown considerably to provide ecologically sustainable landclearing for clients such as National Parks and the Tweed and Gold Coast city councils, as well as earthworks and civil contracting for the building industry.

Hayley Buckner was the brains behind Pottsville shop Home, Life and Style and is now putting her skills to use arranging customised packages for working holidaymakers through international company The Global Work and Travel Co.

Hayley said she was looking forward to brushing up her skills through formal study.

“In the past few years study has had to take a back seat while I travelled, went into business and had a family,” said Hayley.

“I’m really pleased to now have the opportunity to take on some formal study and gain a qualification – especially through Southern Cross University as it is so highly regarded.

“My interest is in the area of communications, so I’m looking forward to hearing about units of study on subjects like human resources, recruitment and management.”

Southern Cross University has supported the Tweed BEX Awards through judging and sponsorship since its inception six years ago.

Professor Ian Eddie said SCU’s Graduate College of Management was proud to support the Young Business Achiever of the Year, and had decided to award two prizes both this year and last year because of the outstanding calibre of candidates in the Tweed region.

“The two winners stood out because despite being in very different fields of business, both of their operations were innovative and had a strong community focus,” said Professor Eddie.

“As well as learning about the business models that will help them improve their outcomes, the two award winners will have the opportunity to have personal contact with academic staff and expand their networks through meeting with other students.

“By encouraging these individuals we hope to help support the Tweed business community and its future development so it has the opportunity to be world class.”

Photo: Professor Ian Eddie and Hayley Buckner discuss course options. (High resolution image available on request)