On 22 October 2019, Kawana Shoppingworld celebrates its fortieth birthday and intends to make it a celebration for the whole Sunshine Coast community with a range of fun entertainment and giveaways – even offering a free coast-inspired ‘Kawana Cocktail’.
Centre Manager, Robert Smith said he is thrilled to be celebrating the centre’s fortieth birthday and noted that it was important to mark this milestone anniversary to say thank you for the ongoing local community support.
“Kawana Shoppingworld has always been an important part of the community, and when it opened its doors in 1979, as the Sunshine Coast’s first shopping centre, it provided a significant shopping destination for both residents and visitors,” said Mr Smith.
Originally launched as ‘Kern Shopping Town’, the centre was opened by the then Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen and the guests attending were thrilled by a money drop of one-dollar shopping centre currency from a helicopter.
The centre launched with over 40 retailers including Woolworths and Big W as anchor tenants. Out of the original retailers, Terry White Pharmacy, Rockmans, Commonwealth Bank, Wallace Bishop, Red Apple, Kawana Newsagency, Katies and Mister Minit still remain as current retailers.
In 1980, Margaret and Frank Schellenberger opened the Tropicana Bar selling soft serve ice creams and yoghurts.
“Back then people weren’t really that familiar with yoghurt, but it was so exciting to be a part of this brand new shopping centre at the time,” said Mrs Schellenberger.
“We had the Tropicana Bar for three years and have seen so many wonderful changes to the centre over the last forty 40 years. We are looking forward to celebrating with everyone over the weekend.”
The centre has grown to boast over 160 stores including a casual dining and entertainment precinct, which is home to the Event Cinemas, including the first Gold Class and Vmax experiences on the Sunshine Coast that opened in 2018.
“We encourage the Sunshine Coast community to come and help us celebrate this milestone event,” said Mr Smith.
“We have something for everyone – face painting, balloons, free popcorn and a ball prize dive and the Lone Star Bucking Bull Competition.”
“We will have music by local artists all weekend, a ‘Faces of Kawana’ photo wall, memory lane photo walk, exclusive retail offers and a special 40th Anniversary tote bag given away when you spend $40 in the centre.”
Kawana Shoppingworld will be celebrating its birthday on Saturday 26 October and Sunday 27 October with entertainment and activities centre wide:
Saturday 26th October 2019:
10am – Cake cutting and opening ceremony
11am – 2pm – FREE face painting and balloons, ball prize dive & FREE popcorn
1-5pm – FREE Kawana Cocktail at the Cocktail Bar near Coles
Sunday 27th October 2019:
11am – 2pm – FREE face painting and balloons, ball prize dive & FREE popcorn
11am – 7pm – Lone Star Bucking Bull Competition
1-5pm – FREE Kawana Cocktail at the Cocktail Bar near Coles
