Local clinic backs Torquay Business Awards

DRIVEN by a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by women and girls in accessing healthcare, the Surf Coast Women’s Health Group launched onto the scene last year with purpose.

Just seven months later, the clinic was crowned the 3228 postcode’s Business of the Year in the 2024 Torquay Business Awards, an accolade that recognises the group’s almost immediate success in transforming women’s healthcare across the Surf Coast and creating a safe space where concerns are no longer overlooked or ignored.

Co-director Courtney Weybury said the award had provided the clinic’s dedicated team with both a boost in confidence and a pat on the back, confirming the business was on the right track, while also increasing community awareness of its mission.

“It was great for us to know that what we’re doing has been noticed.

“Winning the award and having that recognition and acknowledgement, we’ve had more clients and more people come through the doors because of it.”

She said the awards program, between its dedicated marketing for participating businesses and coverage in local news media, had served to lift the clinic’s profile, as had opportunities to network with other business professionals in the region.

She encouraged all businesses across the 3228 postcode to consider entering this year’s awards program, with the submission process providing an opportunity to stop, think about and celebrate their achievements with their teams.

“Definitely have a go. Even to be [at the awards ceremony], it’s such a wonderful night – the event itself last year was fabulous,” Ms Weybury said.

“To then meet other businesses from the Surf Coast and the community was amazing. Just have a crack. You never know what’s going to come of it.”

This year’s judging panel – comprised of representatives from Commerce Torquay, the Rotary Club of Torquay, the Surf Coast Times, the Surf Coast Shire and others interested organisations – will assess entries on three key areas: sustainability initiatives, contributions to the community and business achievements, whether they be innovations, financial success, or otherwise.

Entrants are encouraged to assume the judges know nothing about their business, with the panel only able to judge entries on what has been included in the submission, and to use the entry as an opportunity to shine a spotlight on their achievements.

“Really sell yourselves. This is not the place for modesty,” Commerce Torquay president Sarah Minter advised.

“If you don’t tell us something that you’re doing, we won’t know.”

Entries to the Torquay Business Awards will close on July 31.

Judging will be completed by August 21, with this year’s winners to be crowned as a gala event at The Sands on September 4.

For more information, to submit an entry or to nominate a business for an award, head to commercetorquay.com.au