Local businesses in the Bass Coast Shire were the toast of the town on Friday, October 27, as the 2023 Bass Coast Shire Council Business Awards unfolded at the picturesque Cape Paterson Surf Life Saving Club, the awards night was sold-out, attended by 170 local business people and their supporters.
This year's awards ceremony showcased a profound commitment to everything local. From the delicious food and beverages to trophies, vibrant flowers- the event incorporated and celebrated the outstanding talents of our region.
One of the highlights of the evening was the overwhelming response to the People's Choice Awards categories. This year, we received a staggering 2,300 votes, nearly doubling last year's count. The community's increasing involvement in celebrating local businesses in our region is heartening, and we extend our gratitude to all those who participated.
We thank all 54 applications submitted from businesses across diverse sectors, including construction, hair and beauty, health, hospitality, manufacturing, the visitor economy, retail, and professional services. Among these, 35 businesses applied for the awards, and we were thrilled to welcome 25 first-time applicants who took their place on the stage of recognition.
The esteemed judging panel for this year's awards was comprised of six industry professionals who generously volunteered their time to support the Business Awards. The panel included:
- Kim Story, Destination Phillip Island
- Andrea Evans-McCall, Countries University Centre
- Rebecca Massaro, Interchange Gippsland
- Heidi Hamm, Sustainability Victoria
- Melissa Cashman, Phillip Island Nature Parks
- Jennifer Carroll, GoTo Solutions
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to our sponsors, whose unwavering support made this event possible:
- Harman Wines (Business of the Year)
- Interchange Gippsland (Access, Equity and Inclusion)
- Corio Generation (Business Innovation)
- Westernport Water (Environmental Sustainability)
- rEVENTS Academy (Event Excellence)
- Destination Phillip Island (Marketing and Communications)
- Small Business Mentoring Service (Resilience)
- Food and Fibre Gippsland (Celebration Night)
- nbn Local (Photography)
The 2023 Bass Coast Shire Council Business Awards were a resounding success, celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit and creativity of our local businesses. Council is proud to support and promote these exceptional enterprises, and we look forward to seeing them continue to thrive and contribute to the vibrancy of our community.
Business of the Year winner - Bass Coast Boat and Caravan Storage
Comments from the judges -
"Excellent submission".
"Research, planning, and education is key to delivering a new product."
"Good use of statistics and excellent supporting documents"."
Winner and Runners Up list
Judged Category Awards
Access, Equity and Inclusion sponsored by Interchange Gippsland
- Brinnie T Design - Winner
- YES Youth Hub - Runner Up
Business Innovation sponsored by Corio Generation
- TerraLab - Winner
- Wonthaggi Allied Health Centre - Runner Up
Environmental Sustainability sponsored by Westernport Water
- Wildlife Coast Cruises - Winner
- Bass Strait Direct - Runner Up
Event Excellence sponsored by rEVENTS Academy
- NYE on the Hill - Winner
- Bass Coast Cycle Challenge - Runner Up
Marketing and Communications sponsored by Destination Phillip Island
- Bass Coast Boat and Caravan Storage - Winner
- San Remo Hotel - Runner Up
Resilience sponsored by Small Business Mentoring Service
- Wonthaggi Allied Health Centre - Winner
- San Remo Hotel - Runner Up
Business of the Year sponsored by Harman Wines
- Bass Coast Boat and Caravan Storage
People's Choice Awards
Sponsored by Bass Coast Shire Council.
Accommodation and Tourism Attraction
- Anchor Belle Holiday Park - Winner
- NRMA Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park - Runner Up
Food and Beverage
- Harman Wines - Winner
- Merindah Hill Farm - Runner Up
Hair and Beauty
- her. Skin & Day Spa - Winner
- Hair by Sarah Azzato - Runner Up
Health and Lifestyle
- Wonthaggi Allied Health Centre - Winner
- Balance Health Phillip Island - Runner Up
Online, Mobile and Home-based Business
- We Are Phillip Island - Winner
- Patricia Jamieson Celebrant - Runner Up
Retail and Services
- Bass Coast Boat and Caravan Storage - Winner
- San Remo Butchers - Runner Up
Trade
- Rotaret Hydraulic Engineering - Winner
- Bass Coast Plastering - Runner Up
