Eco-tourism leader Wildlife Coast Cruises has been awarded Business of the Year in the annual Bass Coast Awards which celebrate service excellence, innovation and resilience.
Businesses in retail, food and beverage, tourism, wellness, fitness, tourism, marketing and hair and beauty were also recognised for their leadership, marketing, accessibility, inclusion and sustainability during a challenging time.
This year the community's participation in voting for their favourite local businesses was one of the highest it has been in the awards' 15-year history. There were 61 entrants in the judged awards and over 100 local businesses received 1,192 votes in the People's Choice Awards.
The Awards were announced at a presentation dinner at Silverwater Resort in San Remo on Friday 21 October attended by 170 people.
Wildlife Coast Cruises, which has been operating cruises for almost 30 years around Phillip Island, Seal Rocks, French Island, Westernport and Wilsons Promontory, won the Environmental Sustainability, People's Choice Tourism Attraction award categories as well as overall Business of the Year.
The business is proud of reducing its environmental impact as it showcases tourists our Australian Fur Seals, migrating whales, dolphins and coastal birdlife.
The judges said the tourism business was not only making amazing progress in terms of its own sustainability practices, but sharing and assisting the community, as well as other businesses. "It is a true sustainability leader in the business sector.''
Bass Coast Shire Mayor Cr Michael Whelan congratulated all the winners and finalists.
"The past couple years have been very challenging for all businesses and we are privileged in our community to have such innovative, resilient and successful businesses,'' Cr Whelan said.
"Through sheer hard work, commitment to customers and passion our local businesses are succeeding and doing us all proud.''
2022 Business Award Winners
Business of the Year sponsored by Bass Coast Shire Council
Wildlife Coast Cruises
Access, Equity and Inclusion sponsored by Westernport Water
Winner: Brinnie T Design
Runners up: Phillip Island Tenpin Bowling and Entertainment Centre
Environmental Sustainability sponsored by Harman Wines,
Winner: Wildlife Coast Cruises
Runners up: Bass Strait Direct, The Only Straw and French Island Cottage
Resiliencesponsored by Bass Coast Shire Council
Winner: Balance Health Phillip Island
Runners up: My 24/7 Gym and VORTEX Surf Skate Snow
Business Innovation sponsored by NBN Local - Gippsland
Winner: Terralab
Runners up: Wattle Bank Farm
Leadershipsponsored by Silverwater Resort
Winner: Maru Koala and Animal Park
Runners up: Sunscape Solar
Marketing and Communications sponsored by Destination Phillip Island
Winner: Connect2 Electrical Solutions
Runners up: Bass Coast Boat and Caravan Storage
2022 People's Choice Award Winners sponsored by Bass Coast Shire Council
Accommodation and Tourism Attraction
Winner: Wildlife Coast Cruises
Runners Up: NRMA Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park
Food and Beverage
Winner: Harman Wines
Runners Up: Mon Dieu
Hair and Beauty
Winner: Hair by Sarah Azzato
Runners Up: Hair by Karra
Health, Wellbeing and Lifestyle
Winner: Lioness Fit
Runners Up: Wonthaggi Allied Health
Online, Mobile and Home-based Business
Winner: Gippy Organics
Runners Up: Graham Lyle Insurance
Retail and Services
Winner: Bass Coast Boat & Caravan Storage
Runners Up: Bass Strait Direct
Trades and Services
Winner: Sunscape Solar
Runners Up: Connect 2 Electrical
The Awards are sponsored by Destination Phillip Island, NBN Co., Silverwater Resort, Westernport Water and Harman Wines.
The Award judges were Kim Storey, Heidi Hamm, Rebecca Massaro, Andrea Evans-McCall, Marcus McKenzie, Peter Clayton and Paul Drew with the support of Jayne Simpson.
