Best in business revealed

SOME of the best of Ballarat’s businesses was revealed this week, with the announcement of the Federation University Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards finalists.

The awards aim to allow businesses to focus on their management, planning and processes and provide an opportunity for development.

In total, 38 businesses were selected as finalists in an announcement made at the Ballarat Mining Exchange on Wednesday morning.

“It’s a culmination of our process and all the businesses doing their hard work to put their business forward,” said Anne Alexander chair of Commerce Ballarat’s board.

“The applications are amazing, it always makes it a really tough job for the judging panel.

“It’s always very, very difficult to go from the elimination phase to the finalists and then ultimately the winner.”

Community Bank Buninyong were one of this year’s finalists in the NBN Local Professional Services Business Award category.

Branch manager Randall Dreger said the awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the hard work of staff.

“We pride ourselves on our customer service and our professional service so to celebrate that and the staff is a culmination of our business we have built up,” he said.

“It’s about recognising our staff and the great job they do day in and day out.”

Sam Elshaug, communications lead at the Community Bank Buninyong said the nomination process was beneficial.

“The application process is thorough, and it really involves taking a very close examination at the internal workings of the business,” she said.

“It’s a really good process to go through annually to reflect on what the last 12 months has been like.”

One of the event sponsors is Regional Development Australia Grampians, and chair Stuart Benjamin said it’s important to recognise the success of the region’s businesses.

“I think it’s really important to celebrate success and too often in small business we’re so busy working on our business we don’t get to celebrate milestones,” he said.

“This is a great example of taking a moment to reflect.”

2023 Federation University Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards finalists

City of Ballarat Creative Industries Business Award – Hotel Vera Ballarat, Volta, and Country and Vintage Babes

The WIN Network Customer Service Award – SMS Integration, Schnitz Ballarat, and CountPro

Bartlett Manufacturing Family Business Award – Portable Buildings by Design, Sectrol Security, and Ballan Local Butcher

Vitrafy Life Sciences Health and Wellbeing Business Award – Dental on Errard, Jackie Allen Yoga. And Dana Street Dental

Gellibrand Support Services Inclusion Business Award – BGT Jobs + Training Ballarat, Piano Bar Ballarat, and Cafs

Federation University Technology Parks Innovation Award – Dental on Errard, Ferndale Foods Australia, and Aiculus

Nevett Wilkinson Frawley Large Business Award – Ballarat Turf Club, Ferndale Foods Australia, and Cafs

Ballarat Times News Group Micro/Home Based Business Award – Dashie Dog Ramps, Ivy&Coco, and Ivory Haus Wedding Fair

Runway HQ Newcomer Business Award – No Fight Tights, Olive Interior Styling, and Raven Collective

nbn Local Professional Services Business Award – Franklin Copywriting, Community Bank Buninyong, and CountPro

Mercure Ballarat Hotel and Convention Centre Restaurants, Cafes and Pubs Business Award – The Shared Table, Piano Bar Ballarat, and Hotel Canberra

Hip Pocket Workwear & Safety (Ballarat) Retail Business Award – Formosa Gardens Nursery, The Source Bulk Foods, and Haymes Paint

Power FM SME Business Award – LYDIARDgeneral, Hot Temple, and Minx Makeup and Blowdry Bar

John Holland Social Change Maker Award – Western Bulldogs, Tradie CFO, and Raven Collective

Central Highlands Water Trade Business Award- Smith and Sons Renovation and Extensions Ballarat, Portable Buildings by Design, and Ballarat Roadworthy Centre