Finalists named for business awards

A LINE-UP of businesses and organisations have been announced as finalists for this year’s Bendigo Business Excellence Awards across 20 categories, with the winners to be announced in August.

The 73 finalists now move onto the next round of judging this month.

Be.Bendigo CEO Rob Herbert said the shortlisting process was competitive, with many new businesses and individuals entering for the first time.

“It’s been an extensive process already to get to this stage,” he said. “The Emerging and Energised Award category has again been one of the most competitive.

“Entry numbers are also up on last year across many other categories, most significantly in the individual awards, with entries for the Regional Women’s Business Award increasing by 50 percent, and almost four times more Young and Professional Award entries.”

The Discovery Science & Technology Centre is a finalist in two categories, the Community Minded Award and the Diverse and Inclusive Award.

The centre’s general manager, Alissa Van Soest, who has also been named a finalist for the Young and Professional Award, said the acknowledgment “feels incredible.”

“It was lovely,” she said. “I think what the team’s doing and trying to achieve and what I’m doing and trying to achieve has been seen and recognised by people who want to give us a shout out.”

Bendigo Foodshare, which supports central Victorians through food relief and education, has been named as a finalist in the Not-For-Profit category.

CEO Michelle Murphy said being shortlisted is validation of what Foodshare and its volunteers have achieved.

“It’s really pertinent to be named a finalist this year, when just last week we received the keys to our new food relief warehouse that’s been such a long time in the making,” she commented.

“It’s a real privilege. We’re honoured to be recognised by our community.”