Torquay businesses shine at awards

THE achievements of businesses operating across the 3228 postcode have been placed in the spotlight this week, with the announcement of this year’s winners of the Torquay Business Awards, presented by the Surf Coast Times.

A sold-out gala event, held at The Sands Resort in Torquay on Monday evening, saw almost 150 business leaders and representatives come together to celebrate a community known internationally for its entrepreneurial spirit and locally for punching above its weight.

Hosted by Commerce Torquay and the Rotary Club of Torquay, this year’s awards were the biggest in the initiative’s three-year history, with approximately 200 award nominations submitted and 23 finalists named across the seven award categories.

Surf Coast Women’s Health Group was crowned GAWK’s Business of the Year, while Champion Blinds owner Craig Smith was named Commerce Torquay’s Business Leader of the Year.

The winner of the Professional Services award, sponsored by Coulter Legal, was Nelson Financial, an award-winning mortgage brokerage firm based in Torquay.

The award is recognition of the business’s exceptional service and community involvement, including its financial support for local sports clubs, environmental initiatives and community events.

 

 

For its impressive growth since the COVID-19 pandemic, commitment to diversity and inclusion, eco-friendly practices and support for local charities, Winki Energy was honoured with the Trade Services award, sponsored by Moon Mother Productions and Turner Events.

Torquay Community House took out this year’s Not For Profit award, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Torquay, for the significant and positive impact it has on the local community through its offering of wellbeing initiatives and the role it plays in fostering a sense of belonging.

Praised as an “outstanding example of leadership in business”, Go Ride a Wave was this year’s recipient of the Tourism and Hospitality award, sponsored by Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism.

It was Go Ride A Wave’s commitment to quality and innovation, its promotion of the Surf Coast region on the global stage, along with its dedication to sustainability and community wellbeing that secured the business the win.

New addition to the Surf Coast business landscape Wolf Telstra Partner was the recipient of this year’s Retail award, sponsored by Geelong Broadcasters.

Backed by 30 years of award-winning achievements in eastern Victorian, the judging panel said the business brings a wealth of experience to the Surf Coast and has already demonstrated a strong commitment to the local community through a variety of sponsorships, partnerships and initiatives.

 

 

Commerce Torquay interim president Sarah Minter said the event had exceeded expectations and it had been exciting to see such a wide array of local businesses gather for the occasion.

“I’m raising a family here and not only do I want to support those local businesses, but I want there to be thriving business opportunities so that the next generation has opportunities to work here.

“I also love that [with] the quality of the services that you’ve got down here, you don’t need to go to a large hub, you don’t need to go into Geelong, you definitely do need to go into Melbourne because actually the range of businesses available here covers everything that you need locally.”

Looking to the future, she said the goal was to continue building the Torquay Business Awards into an annual celebration that becomes a “real date in everyone’s calendar”.

She is also eager to see Commerce Torquay continue to evolve.

“We are the established chamber of commerce for Torquay and really want to be able to keep celebrating business, keep providing networking opportunities and be the go-to organisation that people think of when they have a business in town.

“There’s lot of amazing business associations here and we love supporting all of them, but we really hope that we can continue to grow and maybe gain a few members.”

For more, head to commercetorquay.com.au