Business Awards finalists announced

FINALISTS for 2019 Federation Business School Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards were announced on Tuesday at Civic Hall.

Businesses and individuals from the city and region were presented with nomination certificates across 15 categories.

Jodie Gillett, Commerce Ballarat CEO, said the awards are an opportunity for the local business community to be rewarded and celebrated

“Each and every year the quality of applicant continues to rise which is a testament to our business community,” she said.

This year the City of Ballarat is sponsoring the Restaurants, Cafes and Pubs Business Award category.

CEO Justine Linley said the Business Excellence Awards are a premier activity in the city’s industries.

“We are happy to be involved in an event which gives our businesses the opportunity to reflect on their achievements,” she said.

Showbiz Cinemas Ballarat was one of three businesses nominated in two categories.

Chris Jones, the company’s Director, said he was ecstatic about the dual nomination for the Customer Service Award and New and Emerging Business Award.

“To be listed as finalist for two awards this year, as a business that only opened in August 2017, is a great outcome for our team of 25,” Mr Jones said.

“While the application process is onerous it is one that really gets you thinking about how you conduct your business.

“A wakeup call for me this year was how can we better focus on measuring and monitoring our customer service.”

Sue Emery, Senior Associate at Slater and Gordon Lawyers Ballarat, said she was very proud of the firm being nominated anonymously for the Ballarat Volkswagen Professional Service Business Award section.

“It’s been a big year for Slater and Gordon, with my nomination for Regional Lawyer of the Year in May and now being included amongst Ballarat’s best as a first-time finalist in the business awards,” she said.

Alison Cole is a world leader in stumpwork and goldwork embroidery. She, along with her husband and one staff member have been running Alison Cole Embroidery for 22 years.

She travels the world, spending time in the UK and the USA, teaching her specialist embroidery techniques.

“It’s silly, I go to England to teach them how to do English embroidery,” she said.

“Being a finalist in the creative industries business category is very satisfying and exciting,” she said.

Finalists for all categories are –

Ballarat Foundation Community Impact Award – McDonald’s Ballarat, Musket and Bayonet and 3BA.

Federation Business School Creative Industries Business Award – Alison Cole Embroidery, Interknit and The Academy of Classical Ballet.

Ballarat Community Health Customer Service Award – Creswick Pharmacy, R&J Batteries and Showbiz Cinemas Ballarat.

Regional Development Australia – Grampians Eat Drink West Award – Farmers Arms Hotel Creswick, Salt Kitchen Charcuterie and Springmount Fine Foods.

Nevett Ford Lawyers Events and Attractions Business Award – ALPG Ballarat Icons Pro Am, Ivory Haus Wedding Fair and Kryal Castle.

Mercure Ballarat Hotel and Convention Centre Franchise/Buying Group Business Award – Caltex Service Stations, Karingal Flooring Xtra and Kitchens U Build.

Ballarat Times News Group Health and Wellbeing Business Award – Eureka Osteo, Implexa Allied Health Services and Specsavers Ballarat and Wendouree.

Ballarat Technology Park Innovation Award – ASTEC Equipment Services, Interknit and McCallum Disability Services.

The WIN Network New and Emerging Business Award – Moon and Mountain, NJW Designs and Showbiz Cinemas Ballarat.

Ballarat Volkswagen Professional Service Business Award – Black Iron Technology Group, Chris Packer & Associates and Slater and Gordon Lawyers.

City of Ballarat Restaurant Cafes and Pubs Business Award – Café Lekker, Eclectic Tastes Café & Pantry and The Western Hotel.

MatchWorks Retail Business Award – Ballarat Car Sales, Beacon Lighting Ballarat and Wen & Ware Living.

Power FM Small Business Award – Ballarat Car Sales, Kilderkin Distillery and The Little Cupcake Ballarat.

Central Highlands Water Trade Business Award – Formation Hairstylists, MDB Landscaping Design and Construction and Portable Buildings by Design.

BGT Jobs + Training Young Business Person of the Year Award – Amanda Aleem, Dannielle James and Megan May.