Photos, excellence and finals – September 2019 in review

Best in biz! – Thursday, 5 September edition

THE everyday extraordinary of the region’s business community was celebrated as the 2019 Federation Business School Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards came to a conclusion.

The six-month journey started with nominations, went through an application and selection process, saw finalists announced and then winners awarded at a glittering gala ball.

“Building business excellence in our business community is very important,” said Jodie Gillett CEO of Commerce Ballarat. “It means that our businesses are striving to be the best which keeps dollars in our city.

“We have seen many businesses over the years who were finalists or winners of an award go on to collaborate or expand and employ more people.”

Ultimately, R & J Batteries was named Federation Business School Business of the Year.

“It is a massive honour to accept the Business of the Year award,” said Stuart Hamilton, R & J Batteries General Manager.

“The origins of our story typify the hard work that the founders and our team do. It is what makes this family owned business a success.

“It is affirmation of the hard work that Ray Robson, our founder and Managing Director does and that we are doing ok and will continue to do so. Winning Business of the Year gives us a lot of pride. We will celebrate it. It’s a morale booster for everyone.”

 

Vale Danny Frawley – Thursday, 12 September edition

The city lost a favourite son in early-September as Danny ‘Spud’ Frawley passed away following a single-car collision in Millbrook.

Bungaree Football and Netball Club, where the pavilion was named for Frawley in 2013, described him as the town’s “biggest ever export,” and said that “Danny’s legacy will forever live on at the Bungaree FNC.”

The St Kilda Football Club, where he captained the side for nine seasons simply described their community as “heart-broken.”

Frawley left behind a wife and three daughters.

If you or anyone you know needs help you can contact Lifeline 13 11 14, Kids Helpline 1800 551 800, Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 or Headspace on 1800 650 890.

 

Spring fling a good thing – Thursday, 12 September edition

The campaign for another amazing SpringFest got underway with Tim Bone and Jules Zass named as official ambassadors for the event.

“Springtime in Ballarat is magic, and SpringFest is a Ballarat institution. To be a part of it is pretty special,” said Mr Bone.

Ms Zass, who was returning to the role for a fourth year, said watching the event go from strength to strength was a highlight.

“It’s drawing crowds from all over, there’s over 530 stalls and something for everyone,” she said. “You’ve got arts and crafts, plants, heaps of free activities for kids, and I’m most excited about the food and wine.

“There’s so many wonderful options, you’re going to want to sample a bit of everything.”

 

‘Roos and ‘Burra claim CHFNL glory – Thursday, 12 September edition

The Central Highlands Football Netball League season concluded with Waubra claiming the senior flag and Hepburn taking the A-Grade netball grand final.

‘Burra got the job done over Springbank in a back and forth affair, ultimately winning 44 to 41 in wet, trying conditions.

“We play really well in the wet weather. It sounds silly but it just slows the game down and brings is back to our short, sharp game,” said Hepburn captain Tara Ford.

The Kookaburras weren’t as lucky on the Mars Stadium oval, going down to a strong Waubra outfit, 14.13 (97) to 6.9 (45).

Waubra skipper Thomas Nash described his feeling after the win saying, “It’s very special, We’re very, very proud.

“We knew we needed to have a good start and we we’re luckily enough to kick with the wind at the beginning, so we put the pressure on early.”

 

Backing up for backs-to-back – Thursday, 26 September edition

Two weeks later it was the Ballarat Football Netball League’s big day and the winners had a familiar ring to them.

Both A-Grade netball flag and the senior football premiership were lifted by the same teams as last year, Ballarat North and East Point.

East Point downed Sebas, 6.9 (45) to 4.7 (31), to lift the cup.

“One of the words we spoke about pre-game was hunger, because when you are playing against a side that hasn’t played finals for 19 years you most certainly got to have a relative amount of hunger to go back-to-back,” said ‘Roos coach Jake Bridges following his side’s win.

On the netball court North Ballarat took a super close 48-46 win over East Point in awful conditions.

City co-coach Stacey McCartin said the penultimate quarter turn around proved the difference.

“Probably the third-quarter is what set the game up for us and we just had to hold off in the last,” she said. “We knew it was going to be a really good game, a close game, and the girls put four solid quarters together.”