We recently sat down with the Caloundra Chronicle to chat about our annual Sunflower Challenge, how it all began and how much it has grown over the past three years.
Here’s the full article. 🌻
Joey Mogg is happy to be known around Caloundra as the “sunflower lady”. What matters most to her, though, is that people know the person behind the real estate stigma and the Mogg Property name.
When she first told someone at Pilates that she was going into real estate, the response was immediate: “Oh my God, you’re going to turn into a shark!”
“I said, ‘I’m not going to turn into a shark,’” she laughed.
“I want to be known for me,” Joey said. “I adore helping people and making friends. I’m never one to cold call or force real estate down your throat. I’m just Joey, and I’m here to help when you need me.”
The Mogg Sunflower Challenge began as a way for people to discover who Joey was, without the pressure of a property conversation. She did not expect it to become an annual event eagerly awaited by the local community.
To add to the spirit of connection, Joey put out a call to the community to join in the fun with around 30 volunteers responding to help pack seeds over two days. During that time, conversations were had and new connections were made. Three men who had not previously met discovered they lived four streets apart. They have since decided to join the Men’s Shed together.
“That wouldn’t have happened without the opportunity to sit down, pack seeds and have a talk,” she said.
Now in its fourth year, the initiative will place 10,000 packets of seeds into local hands across Pelican Waters, Golden Beach, Caloundra and the surrounding beachside suburbs.
The challenge now includes prizes for both the largest and smallest sunflower, giving every grower a good shot at the prizes. The idea came after Joey saw how easily people could lose enthusiasm when their plants did not grow as expected.
“Sometimes the little guys need to have their moment too,” she said.
For first-time growers seeking tips, Joey recommends the essentials: sunshine and water, along with a few home-grown tricks such as crushed eggshells, coffee grounds and plenty of encouragement.
“Sing to them, give them praise and good energy,” she said. “Just like us they respond to positivity and warmth. They turn to face the sun, like we all do.”
That same warmth runs through the Sunflower Challenge. Each new leaf gives its grower a small sense of achievement, while every packet of seeds creates an opportunity for neighbours to talk, laugh and connect. For Joey, knowing one small envelope can brighten somebody’s day is what keeps the challenge returning each year.
“It’s not about me. It’s about us,” she said. “You don’t think about the cost. You think about making someone happy, the impact of that and the ripple effect. It just brings joy.”