By Christine de Kock
LEADERS of industry and community last week celebrated the success of businesses in the West with a sparkling awards night.
Threehundred packed the Skyline Room at Flemington Racecourse last week for the presentations of the Powercor Greater Western Business Excellence Awards.
Greater Western Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GWCCI) president Janice Simpson said: “A highlight of the evening was seeing the beaming faces of winners.”
Ms Simpson said regional businesses were the “powerhouses of economic growth” in the West, and deserved to be recognised for commitment to the community.
Partners Joanne Hartshorn and Kathryn Head of Kidz Digz were the night’s big winners, taking out the Best Startup Business award and Business Persons of the Year.
Kidz Digz, a play centre and party venue for children, offers services for parents in a variety of workshops and with fresh food prepared by chefs.
Other winners were Macquarie Goodman Group – Best Big Business; McKnight’s Retravision in Hoppers Crossing – Best Medium Business; The Paws Store – Best Small Business; Dirtscape Dreaming – Best Small Office Home Office or Micro Business; Plantic Technologies Limited – Best Export Business; Healthcare Assist – Business Innovation; Galli Winery – Best Agri Business; Open Family Australia – Best NotFor Profit Business.
Finalists for the Best Medium Business included: Plantic Technologies Pty Ltd; Brunswick Boat Group; Kidz Digz; Horticultural Skills Australia; Secombs Solicitors; Dual Ware Industries; Footscray Timber and Hardware; and Melton Toyota and Suzuki.
Best Small Business finalists: Matchworks Footscray; SpiritWest Services; Feeling Healthy; Melbourne Dance Exchange; GSLS Pty Ltd; JaxWorx Pty Ltd; John Ryan and Assoc; Western Marine Centre; Homestead Financial Group P/L; Mt Atkinson Olive Grove and Café; Doggy Dooz and Digi Digital Print.
Best Small Office Home Office or Micro Business finalists: Cartridge World; Healthcare Assist; Heads Together; AllTrades Insurance Repairs; Maribyrnong River Cruises; Hey Dee Ho Music for Tinies; Keble Johnston Pty Ltd.
Best Export Business finalists: Horticultural Skills Australia; and Brunswick Boat Group.
Finalists for the Business Innovation Award Melbourne Dance Exchange; Maribyrnong River Cruises; Dirtscape Dreaming; Space 2; and Keble Johnston Pty Ltd.
Best Agri Business Award finalists: Horticultural Skills Australia; and Mt Atkinson Olive Grove and Café.
Best StartUp Business Award: The Paws Store; AllTrades Insurance Repairs; Feeling Healthy; Cartridge World; and Space2.
Best NotForProfit Business finalists: Benetas St Georges; Dual Ware Industries; Open Family Australia Inc; SpiritWest Services; and Melton Regional Industries.
