The future of Great Southern businesses is strong!
Applications have closed for this year’s ACCI Great Southern Business Awards, but not without Great Southern businesses putting up a fierce fight to take out the top positions in one of the eleven categories for this year’s Awards. The most competitive categories being ‘Start Up Business’, ‘Home Based Business’ and ‘Young Business Person of the Year’ proving that our young small businesses are adapting to the changing economic environment, while still being able to effectively deliver their goods and services to consumers.
The finalists for this year’s ACCI Great Southern Business Awards are as follows:
Young Business Person of the Year
Amy Lucas, Balance Accounting & Business Services
Dylan Lott, DJL Electrical
Qiqi Chen, Chee Chee Salon
Wes Sounness, Tankman Mount Barker (Mount Barker)
Start Up Business
Friwi Crepes and Co
JK Bookkeeping (Denmark)
Narpyn Law & Conveyancing
Valeo Coaching
Home Based Business
Albany Family Day Care
Let’s Talk Flowers (Katanning)
Nilla’s Italian Kitchen
Tullybrook Individualised Support Services (Denmark)
Innovation in Business
Albany Indoor Adventures
Infrared Wellness
Tullybrook Individualised Support Services (Denmark)
Environment & Sustainability
Australian Mineral Fertilisers – Grow Safe (Tenterden)
Green Skills Inc.
Oranje Tractor Wine
Excellence in Tourism
Boston Brewing Co. (Denmark)
Hilton Garden Inn Albany
Employee of the Year
Andrew Wellstead, Grande Foods
Jenna Lange, Clarence Estate Aged Care
Martin Monikainen, Direct Seeding Harvesting & Equipment
Community Service Award
CLA Community Development Programs
Southern Aboriginal Corporation
Tullybrook Individualised Support Services (Denmark)
Business with up to 10 Employees
Artisan Brewing (Denmark)
Synergy Graphics
Tankman Mount Barker (Mount Barker)
Business with over 10 Employees
Albany Retravision
Bodycare Physiotherapy
Cameron Caravans
DJL Electrical Contracting
Business Person of the Year
Brian Fitzgerald, Artisan Brewing (Denmark)
Michael Cameron, Cameron Caravans
Nicola Edwards, Synergy Graphics
Stewart Mactaggart, Direct Seeding Harvesting & Equipment
Great Southern Business of the Year
Finalists to be announced at the Awards night
ACCI Chief Executive Lisa Smith discussed the changes made to the judging process this year by enlisting the expertise from key Great Southern business organisations, and noted the wider geographical range of applications received from Great Southern businesses this year.
“We are pleased to have collaborated with the Albany Business Centre, Katanning Regional Business Centre and Denmark CCI by involving them in the judging process this year” she said.
“Not only does this provide an opportunity for local business organisations to collaborate and draw upon their local knowledge and business expertise, but it also works to further unify our Great Southern region.”
As a direct result, we received a number of applications from businesses operating in the wider Great Southern districts. By receiving these applications, it means the Awards night will provide a greater representation of the Great Southern business community – of which we are celebrating.”
Historically, the annual ACCI Great Southern Business Awards have primarily showcased Albany businesses, but this year three Denmark, one Katanning, a Tenterden and Mount Barker businesses have made it into the finals.
With the first round of judging to identify the finalists complete, the final round is set to commence with local Great Southern Business leaders set to determine the overall category winners, and finalists for the coveted ‘Great Southern Business of the Year’ category.
Residents of the Great Southern are encouraged to purchase their tickets and celebrate their local businesses by attending this year’s ACCI Great Southern Business Awards at the Albany Entertainment Centre on Saturday, 29 October. This night, which coincides with WA Small Business Day, will be an evening of celebrating the outstanding contributions, achievements and services our Great Southern business and business people provide.
Set to feature the Great Southern Business Awards ceremony and a post-awards gala party celebration with live music, the annual ACCI Great Southern Business Awards have always been a night to remember, and this year will be no exception.
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