Our Team

03
Pharmacy Staff
Our Team

Our Team

Jo Host

Pharmacist and Owner

BPharm, UQ. Dip Business, Dip Management.

Meet Jo

Mario Barbagallo

Pharmacist and Owner

BPharm, UQ.

Meet Mario

MOOLOOLABA BEACH PHARMACY

Our staff and level of customer service is our greatest asset

Long before brand name pharmacies dominated the Sunshine Coast, Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy was servicing the individual needs of locals and tourists alike along the Esplanade. And whilst the products have certainly changed since the doors first opened in the 1950s, the vision of providing individualised healthcare with respect and dignity have absolutely not. In fact, walking into the Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy is like receiving a warm hug from your grandmother after grazing your knee… followed by a rather direct line of questioning about whether you put sunscreen on, have you reapplied and where is your hat?

This isn’t a faceless pharmacy, but a team of passionate locals working together to serve our community. And that community encompasses everyone who loves Mooloolaba just as much as us, whether they’re visiting for the day, the week or live and work in the area.

Mario, along with his family, have built the Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy into a local identity, a place where people feel comfortable and taken care of. After fifty years, Mario can still be found from time to time behind the front dispensary, greeting customers like old friends because they are … or soon will be! 

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HELPFUL HEALTH TIPS

We encourage staff training and education

Stepping into Mario’s shoes with greater frequency is his business partner, Jo Host, another UQ graduate who is a self-confessed pharmacy nerd, mother of three and Sunshine Coast foodie and homewares connoisseur. Jo is also at the forefront of the push to eco-friendly and organic products, as well as sustainability within the practice itself. She brings a fresh, encouraging and nurturing energy to the Pharmacy, one which she says permeates all her staff. ‘We are one big family, and once someone begins working here, they rarely leave. They love it because this is a great place to work!’

The Pharmacy offers and provides training to all staff in Certificate III and IV Pharmacy, something Jo and Mario are passionate about. Intern Pharmacists can often be found here, students from local high schools are welcomed on work experience and all staff are encouraged to further their training so as to better care for customers.

Linda

Pharmacist in Charge

BPharm, UQ.

Kana

Pharmacist On Duty
Meet Kana

Sharon

Pharmacy Assistant
Meet Sharon

Paris

Pharmacy Assistant
Meet Paris

Caity

Pharmacy Assistant
Meet Caity

Jenna

Pharmacy Assistant
Meet Jenna

Terry

Webster Technician & Deliveries
Meet Terry

Rachael

Pharmacy Assistant
Meet Rachael

Kate

Beauty Consultant
Meet Kate

Brands we carry

Some of the quality brands that we carry at Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy

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Contacts us & location

Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy

77 Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba QLD 4557
PO Box 481, Mooloolaba QLD 4557
healthy@mooloolababeachpharmacy.com.au
Ph. 07 5444 7404
Fax. 07 5444 7795

Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy © 2023 | Site by DMS

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Jo Host
Pharmacist and Owner
BPharm, UQ. Dip Business, Dip Management.

Having been passionate about helping people since childhood, Jo always knew she would work in the healthcare industry, with pharmacy the perfect fit. Her very first job once she graduated from the University of Queensland in 2002 was with Mario. She recalls leaving  to travel overseas a few years later and thinking, I’m leaving the best job I’ll ever have! After travelling the world, she returned in 2010 and now 18 years after her journey at Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy began, she is a part owner.

Jo brings an effervescence to everything she does, especially in regards to healthcare and pharmacy, with this hardworking and caring pocket rocket a huge asset for the Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy. Incredibly loyal and pragmatic, when she says, ‘this is the best pharmacy on the Sunshine Coast!’ you believe her and not just because of her enthusiasm, but because she backs up her statement with the facts: ‘The entire team is so passionate about the healthcare needs of our local community and tourists that visit here. We have a great range of stock, offer a huge range of services and truly care about each and every one of our customers like they are our own family… oh and we have the best view of the ocean from the Pharmacy!’

Jo truly cares for her customers, and is not the type to stand behind screens of bottles and boxes. She is out, front and centre, helping and listening to every individual need of each of her customers.

With a huge interest in nutrition and three children under the age of 11 she is also running a healthy and busy household. There’s always a travel adventure in the planning for Jo’s family! Not one to hold back on exciting experiences, in 2019, she was climbing volcanoes in Papua New Guinea with her then six week old son strapped to her chest.

Jo is also a passionate supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness and Screening, the ‘Love Your Sister’ organisation and donates locally to Bloomhill at Buderim.

Mario Barbagallo
Pharmacist and Owner
BPharm, UQ.

As an original owner of the Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy, Mario not only carries over half a century of experience and professionalism in pharmacy, he is a local icon.

Interested in pharmacy from a young age, Mario graduated from the University of Queensland in 1970, returning to his hometown of Innisfail to work. A three-month locum in Mooloolaba in 1974 sealed his fate in the area, ‘I was immediately mesmerized by this laid-back fishing village and occasional holiday destination. I just never left.’

Married to Carmel with four children and 1500 kilometres away from relatives, the Mooloolaba community became their family, one built on trust and belief.

In the early days of Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy, dispensing in a town with only one part-time doctor presented business problems. Mario began building a rapport with other local professions, notably the local fishing industry. ‘They required first aid kits and many times we accepted an esky of prawns as payment.’ He also paid particular attention to visitors who returned year after year and who would often became permanent residents and customers.

As an owner, Mario understands the greatest asset to business is his staff. He leads from the front, careful to meet the needs of female staff in particular regarding pregnancies, school hours and children. Of his staff, Mario says, ‘I respect their opinion, am non-judgemental and always try to help in a positive way,’ ensuring he is also a much loved member of the team.

Ever the community man, Mario has been actively involved in volunteering for Rotary for the past 30 years, running the yearly bowel cancer screening and awareness campaign and is the coordinator of the Alexandra Headland foreshore conservation group. He has worked on kindergarten and school committees, charities like St Vincent de Paul Society and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

Mario lives and breathes the outdoors with surfing, snowboarding, cycling and getting out in garden regular past times. One of his greatest challenges was walking the Kokoda Track and Great Ocean Road, which in retrospect, he admits, is fairly insignificant compared to raising four children and nine grandchildren.

Kana
Pharmacist On Duty
From the mega city of Tokyo to the beachside enclave of Mooloolaba, Kana has brought a
level of care, professionalism and expertise that is Japan’s loss and our gain.

Despite her
wealth of experience (over six years in community pharmacies both here and in Japan), Kana
is humble in her achievements: “I am a newly registered pharmacist here in Australia, and
there are always new developments in health care. I use trusted resources and ongoing
professional development to make sure I provide the best possible options for my customers.”
Kana loves the different daily challenges of working in the white pharmacist jacket, filling
prescriptions, counselling customer health concerns, giving vaccinations and more. She
brings even more honesty and empathy to the Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy, a place she is
happy in because: “every staff member loves their role, and even our customers enjoy visiting
us.”

Relocating to a different hemisphere has been challenging for Kana and her young family, but
she has settled in beautifully with the help of some home comforts and a new addition to her
household. “I love typical Japanese food like sushi, ramen noodles, sashimi (raw seafood),
tempura and so on… and cats! I love cats so much!” Kana often donates to the Noosa RSPCA
and has recently added to her family with a one year old smokey black coloured rescue cat
she adores.

Sharon
Pharmacy Assistant and Manager

Sharon brings a nurturing, down-to-earth element to the Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy. Having worked in pharmacies for 15 years, she has built a wealth of experience with roles in management, sales and staffing. Her knowledge and expertise are obvious both on the shop floor and within our team; she approaches every task with the kind of open smile, warmth and understanding that puts everyone around her at ease.

Originally from a large pharmacy in regional Victoria, Sharon loves her new location next to the beach: “I thoroughly enjoy the interactions I have with our local customers as well as those from all around Australia and overseas. To work in such a beautiful pharmacy with other lovely staff members makes coming to work a joy.”

Apart from her three beautiful children and for grandchildren, Sharon’s other love is sport. “I have a
Life Membership with the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Netball Association and have acted as a netball league delegate, secretary, player and coach.” She follows the Suncorp Super Netball religiously (“Go the Vixens!”) and is a mad Richmond AFL supporter.

Paris
Pharmacy Assistant, Dispensary Technician

Bubbly and bright, Paris has become a highly valued team member within the Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy and the community we serve. “I love working in pharmacy, helping others and making people happy! The thought of making someone’s day makes me feel like I have achieved something positive!” Whether it’s assisting visitors or our regular elderly customers,
Paris uses her 9+ years of experience, continuing professional development and vivacious personality to instantly put people at ease, giving advice and helping with prescriptions as well as sales.

Originally from country Victoria, Paris has used her time on the Sunshine Coast to sniff out the best cafes and restaurants, take in the beautiful scenery and become a happy fixture of this fantastic community. “This pharmacy is so special to me as we honestly are like one big family: I cherish the relationships I have built here and within the community so much.”

Whilst tending to a loyal client base at the Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy, she is also studying Occupational Therapy (Honours) at USC, finds time to play in the local netball organisation several times a week and enjoys a full social schedule. Oh to be young and full of energy: Paris is a beautiful dose of happy sunshine!

Caity
Retail Assistant

Caity has worked in pharmacy for over four years, and when coupled with a love of nutrition and the beach, she is an excellent source of advice and information about leading a healthy lifestyle. Passionate about health with a friendly, helpful demeanour, Caity has been a wonderful addition to the team. As a newcomer to the Sunshine Coast, her thoughts on Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy’s role in the area are particularly significant: ‘I love the family feel to this chemist… There is a really special connection with the locals; this chemist is a part of their daily walk and they feel at home here.’

With a Certificate III giving her a strong knowledge in all areas of community pharmacy, along with her love of the surf, Caity is an excellent person to ask about anything from vitamins, sunscreen to wind direction.

Jenna
Pharmacy Assisstant

When Jenna first walked into the Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy, it was to complete her Year 10 work experience. Her potential to Mario and Jo was immediately obvious, whilst she “had always been interested in healthcare, completing my high school work experience here really sparked my enjoyment for helping people with their health needs.” It was a match made in heaven, and Jenna has quickly become a trusted member of our team and a familiar face within our pharmacy.

Positive and supportive, Jenna is a favourite amongst our customers. Helping with prescriptions and over the counter medications, she is always ready to listen to customer needs and provide honest, helpful advice.

“My goal is to make their experience at the pharmacy as positive and supportive as possible.
We are more than just a place to pick up prescriptions; we are a community hub where people come for reliable advice, friendly service, and a chat.”

Jenna’s beautiful, helpful nature is an absolute boon for the Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy, but there’s a fearless adrenaline seeker underneath that teal uniform! In her free time, you’ll find this caring and discreet healthcare hero on her motorbike ripping up enduro trails or competing on motocross tracks.

Terry
Medication Packing & Deliveries

Having worked in the health care industry all her life, and with impressive experience, knowledge and training, Terry is a highly valued member of the Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy team. It’s not simply because of her abilities however, but for the passion, honesty and trustworthy way she goes about her work. Having been part of the Pharmacy for over 11 years, Terry’s customers aren’t just clients, they’ve become her friends.

With a nursing background and as a team member who delivers medication to customer homes, Terry’s wonderful combination of sincerity, trust and confidentiality are highly valued qualities in the Pharmacy team. She has held roles in pharmacy, general practice and treatment room management.

Terry loves supporting her local community, especially the Coast’s Surf Clubs, and can’t wait to own a motorhome and travel all over Australia.

Rachael
Pharmacy Assisstant

With almost two decades experience working in the industry, Rachael brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to the Mooloolaba Beach Pharmacy.

She has an innate ability to build
rapport with customers: “I love getting to know our regulars, to have a joke with them yet be
there for them when they are in need.” This customer service excellence is coupled with a
thirst for knowledge, with Rachael always eager to take on professional development
opportunities within the Pharmacy, from CPR to beauty needs.

We love the positivity, care and discretion Rachael brings to the Mooloolaba Beach
Pharmacy, and the feeling is mutual. “This is not just your average pharmacy: we have the
most amazing brands in-store, views to die for and a beautiful newly fitted shop. I absolutely
love it here and feel very privileged to work in such a gorgeous shop in a beautiful place with
great colleagues.”

A keen runner, Rachael also cycles, ocean swims across the bay and participates in triathlon,
but she isn’t just in it to win it. “I love to help out during our local events, and have
volunteered at the Sunny Coast Marathon and Mooloolaba Triathlon events numerous times.”
Rachael tempers all this wholesome activity with a love of coffee, amazing food and the odd
margarita.

Kate
Pharmacy Assistant & Beauty Specialist

With a deep and abiding love of the beach and a passion for cosmetics, Kate is the perfect person for anyone wanting to look good whilst remaining sun safe on the beach! On the coast for 17 years, she is kind, bubbly and a joy to talk to, easily developing a lasting rapport with new and existing customers. Empathetic to the needs of others, she is a well-respected and valued member of the team.

A member of the local swimming club, Kate can be found cooking and meeting up with friends, travelling and looking forward to her son’s visits from University.