Local legend and young achiever awards
The Cape to Cape team recognised for excellence
Meanwhile, two other team members were shortlisted for gongs at the tourism awards but narrowly missed out taking home an award. Bree Zikmundovsky was nominated for the FACET Golden Guide Award. And Cape to Cape Explorer Tours’ accommodation general manager Nic Chirico was a finalist in Individual Excellence by a Tourism Professional for her role running Surfpoint Resort at Gnarabup.
Cape to Cape Explorer Tours specialise in guided and self-guided hiking adventures on the Margaret River region’s Cape to Cape Track, connecting people to nature and the great outdoors. The business has twice before won gold in the Ecotourism Award. And many other gold, silver and bronze category wins since it was created 14 years ago. Surfpoint Resort has also twice won WA Tourism Award golds in the 3-3.5 start accommodation category.
A win for “each and every one of you”
In a heartfelt message to the team at Cape to Cape Explorer Tours, Gene said he had “honestly never felt so grateful for the incredible team that have come together at Cape to Cape”. “Tonight is a win for each and every one of you who has worked so hard this season, and every season, to make the business the success that it is,” he said.
“It was such an honour to watch Floss’s incredible speech. And huge congratulations to Nic, whose phenomenal passion for our business and the award writing process, truly means that each and every win is really a win for her incredible writing and recording skills. Thanks everyone! I’m so stoked with how this season has run. And I can’t wait to do it all again.”
Honoured to be part of an incredible team
Making space for all kinds of brilliance
In her moving and powerful acceptance speech at the gala awards night in Perth, Floss said: “Receiving this award isn’t just a celebration of success. It’s a recognition of everything it took to get here. Growing up I was never the model student. I was curious, energetic and yes – disruptive. And couldn’t seem to squeeze myself into the mould the system had laid out for me. For years I carried all the shame about not fitting in. But not anymore.
“This award marks a turning point. I’m learning to own my story. To stand in my power, not quietly, not apologetically, but boldly. Because when one woman owns her success, she creates space for other women to do the same. This moment is not just mine. It’s for every girl who’s ever been told to tone it down. For every student who’s even been told to behave – instead be brave. Let’s keep making space for all kinds of brilliance.”See www.capetocapetours.com.au for more info on Cape to Cape Explorer Tours’ products and people.