Triple treat celebrated at business awards

In-home care and companionship service Home Instead Geelong shone brightly at last night’s Geelong Business Excellence Awards taking out three awards including the coveted title of Business of the Year.

Home Instead Geelong also won the Emerging Business – Under 3 Years award and its co-owner Giovanni Siano was recognised as the Entrepreneur of the Year.

In praising Home Instead Geelong, the judges said it had emerged as an excellent business within the Geelong community, with customer service and outstanding care giving at the core of every decision made.

“With a solid foundation across the board, from internal processes, recruitment, staff training and sound financial management, Home Instead Geelong have rapidly grown their business,” the judging panel said.

The other major award for the evening, Business Leader of the Year, went to Barwon Heath CEO Frances Diver.

For the second year in a row the awards, hosted by the Geelong Chamber of Commerce, were held via a glittering online event which was hosted by performer Natalie O’Donnell and live-streamed on Facebook, YouTube and Vimeo, as well as being televised on Channel 31.

Special entertainment was provided by chart-topping artist and Geelong local, Taylor Henderson who performed his song Brighter Days and his number one single Borrow My Heart.

The awards program celebrated the region’s clever, creative and resilient business community, while also focusing on audience engagement with viewers asked to dress up and share their photos on Facebook to win prizes.

Event organisers congratulated the winning businesses for their inspiring passion, commitment and resilience, along with an incredible ability to improve and innovate during challenging times.

This year’s awards attracted entries from more than 70 businesses and was supported by major sponsors LBW Business + Wealth Advisors and Deakin University, as well as a host of category sponsors.

The full list of award winners included:

Business of the Year – Home Instead Geelong
Young Entrepreneur – Giovanni Siano
Corporate Social Responsibility – Coastyle Building Solutions
Innovation, Research & Development – FormFlow
Digital Engagement – Sketch & Etch
Sustainable Business – Kardinia International College
Home Based/Micro Business – Crew Faced Make Up Artistry
Health and Wellbeing Promoting Workplace – CentreStage
Safe and Healthy Business – Avalon Airport
Hospitality/Tourism – The 18th Amendment Bar
Small Business or Division/Department – Cabinets by Computer
Medium Business or Division/Department – Custom Neon
Retail Business – You’re Gorgeous Hair & Beauty
Best First Year –Telstra Business Technology Centre Victoria West
Inclusive & Accessible – Geelong Gallery
Business Leader of the Year – Frances Diver
Emerging Business – Home Instead Geelong
Advanced Manufacturing & Industry – Hanlon Industries
Regional Business – Adventure Park
Customer Service – MoPA: Museum of Play and Art