Gail Buckingham, the proprietor, said: "We were excited initially, when we were notified that we were in the short-list of three and we should attend the gala presentation night.
"When the winner was announced at that dinner, my colleagues saw my jaw drop in utter disbelief, yet with tears of joy, as we've only been open for nine months."
Gail Buckingham explained that it has been an advantage, that she and her family have been running restaurants all their lives. She and her husband live in a high rise directly above the restaurant. In fact, it was where they lived that brought their attention to the vacant space below, which had not had a restaurant tenant for two years.
They thought they would retire in Coolangatta and enjoy visits from the grand-children. Instead, Gail couldn't resist the call of the restaurant business and followed her instincts and changed the ambience to reflect an upmarket presentation.
Well-Being Australia (WBA) chairman Mark Tronson, held a WBA meeting at the restaurant soon after it opened. Mark, himself, paints under his historic family name 'Tronson du Coudray – the missionary painter', and runs an Art Ministry as part of his respite mission under the WBA umbrella.
"One discussion with Gail Buckingham led to another, and eventually I was invited to place two paintings in the restaurant, with a notice attached that indicates it is supporting the WBA Art Ministry," M V Tronson noted. "Every third to fourth week the two art works are changed over."
Gail Buckingham explained that in all their years running restaurants, they had always enjoyed having live art on easels, and the Art Ministry philosophy fitted in very nicely with their plans.
M V Tronson further noted, "We now have regular small mission gatherings over meals at Cooli's Steak and Seafood Restaurant where there is a lovely ambience and exquisite surroundings."
By coincidence, at their most recent visit to Cooli's Steak & Seafood Restaurant, the WBA group saw a pod of 10 whales and their calves passing by Coolangatta beach, heading south.