Inspire. Innovate. Lead. Shaping the Future of Young Entrepreneurs
Sunshine Coast Council is proud to partner with Telstra and Study Sunshine Coast to deliver the Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Masterclass Series
The Masterclass Series aims to engage students in targeted masterclasses led by industry experts, covering essential topics such as leadership, critical & creative thinking and connection to industry.
All Year 8 to 10 Sunshine Coast students are invited to participate in the 2026 Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Masterclass Series
Masterclass Two – Future Leaders: IMPACT
Turning Leadership into Action
Hosted by Lachie Smart and closing remarks by Mayor Natoli.
📅 Wednesday, 22nd July 2026 📍 Venue 114 | 114 Sportsmans Parade | Bokarina 🕣 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Morning Tea and Lunch Provided
Building on the foundations of Masterclass One, Future Entrepreneurial Leaders, the second workshop in the Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Masterclass Series turns the focus toward practical influence. Future Leaders: IMPACT is designed to help students understand how their decisions, behaviours and ideas create momentum in teams, communities and emerging ventures. Using the VESPA framework as the backbone, students will deepen their skills in purposeful action, problem framing and communication, guided by real-world insights that translate directly into future study and career pathways.
Led by Lachie Smart, with closing remarks from Mayor Natoli, this session gives Year 8 to 10 students a structured space to test their thinking, strengthen their confidence and apply leadership principles to challenges that matter to them. It is a focused, practical day intended to shift students from learning about leadership to actively shaping the impact they want to make.
As this event is limited to 150 students, we encourage all interested students to apply below. Our panel will carefully select participants based on their enthusiasm, commitment, and genuine interest in this opportunity.
Key Dates: 🔹 Applications Open: Tuesday 26th May 2026 🔹 Applications Close: Monday 6th July 2026 🔹 Permission Forms Due: Monday 13th July 2026 🔹 Masterclass Two: Wednesday 22nd July 2026
This is a unique opportunity for students in grades 8 to 10 to engage with industry experts, develop their leadership capabilities, and be inspired to think big about their futures. There will be Telstra prizes, goodie bags, and a certificate of attendance for participants.
“You don’t need to be extraordinary to do extraordinary things.”
“Act on my big ideas and not just let them go.”
“Leadership isn’t about you, it’s about the people.”
Earlier in the Series
Masterclass One – Future Entrepreneurial Leaders
📅 Wednesday, 29th April 2026 📍 Altitude Nine | Sunshine Coast City Hall | South Sea Islander Way, Maroochydore 🕣 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Delivered in April 2026, Masterclass One introduced students to entrepreneurial leadership through the VESPA framework, helping participants build confidence, resilience and leadership capability alongside peers from across the Sunshine Coast.
Led by Lachie Smart with closing remarks from Mayor Natoli, the workshop challenged students to think differently about leadership, innovation and future pathways.
Future Entrepreneurial Leaders will return in 2027.
The Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Masterclass Series 2026 are proudly brought to you by:
Sunshine Coast Council’s Economic Development Branch is managing these masterclass series. This project directly aligns with one of the five critical pathways identified in the Regional Economic Development Strategy (REDS) 2013-2033, namely; Investment in Talent and Skills. The Sunshine Coast Council is committed to achieving the economic, social and environmental goals detailed in the REDS, and this project will be another step towards achieving those goals.
In addition, the Knowledge and Professional Services Industry and Investment Plan further highlights the need for all encompassing digital education and connectivity, as well as focusing on collaboration as a key driver in creating the new knowledge-based economy.
Telstra are a world class technology company and Australia’s largest mobile network, providing users with mobile phones, internet plans and packages, home phones & more. The Sunshine Coast Telstra Innovation Masterclass Series builds on Council’s and Telstra’s ambitions for the future and encourages students in our region to start thinking today about the possibilities of tomorrow.
Study Sunshine Coast (SSC), established since 2016, is the official study cluster for the Sunshine Coast region and is supported and funded by Sunshine Coast Council and Trade & Investment Queensland through Study Queensland. SSC plays an important role in supporting the student journey including positioning the Sunshine Coast as a leading Australian study destination for both domestic and international students. SSC also works closely with industry and our education providers to attract, develop and retain talent to support the growth and vision for the region.
Key focus areas:
Destination promotion
Enhancing the student experience
Industry engagement and collaboration to support students
Questions? Get in Touch with Us
For all enquiries related to the Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Masterclass Series 2026, please submit via the form.
