Best of the best – top businesses announced

THE finalists for the Be.Bendigo Business Excellence Awards have been revealed.

Up to three finalists have been named in 15 categories, with the overall Business of the Year Award to be handed to one of the group winners.

Among the businesses up for the award are the Bendigo Jockey Club, Bendigo Winegrowers Association and Discovery Centre in the events and attractions category.

The Dispensary, Cambrian Hotel and Balgownie Estate are listed as finalists for hospitality excellence and Haven; Home, Safe, Bendigo Foodshare, and Eaglehawk Community House are finalists for the social change maker category.

Chief operations officer of disability service provider Interchange Loddon Mallee Eli Geary has been nominated for the young and professional category.

He said he “reluctantly agreed” to the nomination and said being named a finalist was “humbling”.

“It’s not something that I enjoy, stepping into the spotlight, but I can appreciate it’s giving acknowledgement to the work that I’ve done with the organisation over the last couple of years I’ve been here and the work the organisation’s done for the local community,” he said.

Mr Geary, 30, has been involved with Interchange for almost five years and said the work the not-for-profit does to support people with disabilities, their family, and the community in providing inclusive practices is “amazing”.

“Very regularly do staff members at interchange go above and beyond in the work that we do, and for me I just think that’s pretty incredible,” he said.

The businesses will now undergo the next stage of site visits and adjudication before the gala awards night on Friday, 6 August at the All Seasons Hotel.

For the full list of finalists, head to bbea.com.au/award-categories.