Best in local business crowned

RED Energy arena was host to the Be.Bendigo business awards gala last week, with a record number of guests attending.

Seven hundred people gathered to celebrate the 28th year of the awards, a tradition that acknowledges excellence among local businesses.

Be.Bendigo CEO Rob Herbert said it was the biggest business awards that had been held in person.

“We had a whole gamut of micro-businesses through to large organisations and from all different backgrounds,” he said.

“I think that was the real powerful piece of it all that it was a breadth of interesting achievements across a wide range.”

Awards were handed out in 19 categories, five of which were either added or reworked this year to maintain relevance.

“We need to keep the currency of these awards,” he said. “I think the most pleasing thing for me in terms of observing the evening and the different finalists and winners was how diverse both the business and individual awards were.”

New categories included creative industries, technology and digital, and social procurement which was awarded to Coliban Water.

“Coliban’s management team sort of live and breathe that social procurement aspect of their business and that was the key message,” Mr Herbert said.

“Their entire organisation has embraced the benefits of that as part of how they do business and that was reflected in them winning the award.”

Coliban Water managing director Damian Wells said the award reflected the company’s focus on using local suppliers and products.

“We know that more than simply delivering water and sewer services, our customers expect us to be contributing to a thriving region and economy as well as supporting those who need it,” he said.

“This award reflects our commitment to integrating social procurement practices and making a positive community impact.”

Other notable wins were the volunteer of the year award which went to Mitchell Graham from Empowering Eaglehawk, and the regional women’s business award which went to Cassandra Lewis from DJARRA.