By Christine de Kock
THE business community is set to come together, share and inspire through the Greater Western Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GWCCI) Business Excellence awards.
The competition and celebratory function provides a valuable networking opportunity for small and big businesses who are involved in the event.
Influential sponsors have been attracted to support the awards as it gives them the chance to encourage the growth and development of business in the community.
Telstra Melbourne West metro general manager Christine Ryall said Telstra supported the project because it recognised the challenges small business faced.
“Telstra believes that the GWCCI awards provide small businesses with the opportunity to gain recognition for their staff and themselves and assist the development of new business relationships,” she said.
“Small businesses operate in a very challenging and competitive environment and Telstra is delighted to acknowledge their achievements through these awards”.
WISE Employment public relations manager Noelene Gration said the company, as a sponsor, encouraged businesses to be good employers.
“We have many people on our books looking for work and of course everybody wants to work for a good employer,” she said.
“We do what we can to support great employers in our area.
“The awards help us to develop relationships with them and helps our job seekers find work.”
Ms Gration said award participants achieved a sense of pride and the opportunity to network with other small businesses.
“Part of our vision is to enrich the community and we’re thrilled to be involved with the community at this level,” she said.
The competition was open to businesses in the categories of Best Big Business employing more than 100, Best Medium Business employing more than 20 and fewer than 100, and Best Medium Business employing fewer than 20 staff.
Awards were also available in the categories of Best Small Office, Home Office or MicroBusiness employing fewer than five staff, the Young Entrepreneurs Award for people operating a business under the age of 25, Best Startup Award and Best NotforProfit Business.
Telstra and WISE Employment sponsor the awards, along with Powercor, Austrade, the City of Maribyrnong, Delfin Caroline Springs, Tabaret, City of Hobsons Bay, City of Wyndham, Commonwealth Bank, RACV Business Insurance, Shire of Melton, Melbourne West Area Consultative Committee, City West Water, Victoria University and Limelight Design Studios.
Award applications closed yesterday (Monday), with the winners to be named on the night of 19 October at the Skyline Room, Flemington Racecourse.
Tickets for the awards are also available on the website and range from $75 for GWCCI members to $100 for nonGWCCI members (excluding GST). Prices include drinks, expo, dinner and entertainment.
For more information about the GWCCI, visit the group’s website www.gwcci.com.au
