Nick Oxley and his team from the Gold Fish Bowl Bakery have taken out the Armidale Business of the Year at the 2012 Armidale Business Awards held at the TAS Hoskins Centre last Friday night. The who’s who of local business attended the gala black tie affair held by the Armidale Business Chamber and hosted by well-known ABC commentator Stephanie Brantz.
Armidale Chamber CEO, Elizabeth Egan, was delighted with the amount of local people that came along to support the awards.
“It was a terrific success and there was a real buzz at our new venue, the TAS Hoskins Centre,” said Elizabeth Egan.
“We filled it to capacity and a lot of people have commented on the terrific atmosphere throughout the evening, with such a cross section of businesses all together.”
The Business Awards are a chance for local businesses to be acknowledged for all their hard work they do every day.
“They are being acknowledged for what they do and I think they are quite overwhelmed by that,” said Elizabeth.
“The crowd response to each winner was so positive and encouraging, the judges did a great job.
“Businesses are hard work and I think it is really important that one of these glass trophies means something, we are building that gradually within the business community.”
Mr John Welch from Armidale’s yes Optus Business Centre, who presented the Armidale Business of the Year award to Nick Oxley from the Gold Fish Bowl, commented during the awards that Nick and his team demonstrated a business model based on creativity and innovation, without sacrificing efficiency and productivity.
“An outstanding example of a 21st century company, they thoroughly understand and respond to their customers’ needs,” said Mr Welch.
“They understand the business they are in, where the competition lies and consistently explore ways that may place them ahead of the pack.
“The Armidale Business of the Year has embraced technology and uses it creatively and effectively to genuinely add value to their activities, for themselves and their customers.
“They approach their enterprise with energy, dynamism and a unique blend of the new and the traditional, of youth and experience – thus making it a business that truly reflects Armidale and the New England.”
2012 Armidale Business Award winners are:
The 2012 Armidale Business of the Year is The Gold Fish Bowl Bakery
The Armidale Business Award for Accommodation Services goes to Quality Hotel Powerhouse.
The Business Innovation Award for 2012 goes to ISU Solutions.
The 012 Award for excellence in the Café and Restaurant category goes to The Gold Fish Bowl Bakery.
The 2012 Community Organ-isation Award goes to the outstanding and inspirational BACKTRACK.
The inaugural Creative Industries Award goes to David Waugh Designs.
2012 Armidale Business Award for Education and Training goes to The Armidale Campus of TAFE NSW.
The Green Business Award sponsored by the University of New England goes to New England Building Recyclers.
The 2012 Armidale Business Award in Health, Beauty and Wellbeing goes to Gym Ridz Personal Training.
The 2012 Armidale Business Award for New Business goes to Fat Goose Crossing.
The New England Enterprising Woman for 2012 is Tammy Homewood. Tammy is owner /manager of Healthy Inspirations in Armidale.
The 2012 Armidale Business Award in Professional Services goes to Dewhurst Dental Practice.
The 2012 Armidale Business Award for Property Services goes to Armidale First National.
The Armidale Business Award for a Pub or Club goes to The Royal Hotel.
The 2012 Retail Award goes to Turners Armidale.
The Rural and Agricultural Enterprises Award goes to Milly Hill Lamb.
The 2012 Tourism Award goes to Saumarez Homestead — National Trust of Australia (NSW).
The 2012 Armidale Business Award for Trade Enterprises goes to LGHM — Lawns, Gardens and Home Maintenance.
