The winners of the East Grampians Business Awards were announced at a gala dinner presentation last night, with the Business of the Year taken out by Pomonal Estate.
Ararat Rural City Council CEO Dr Tim Harrison said the Council held the awards to recognise excellence in a sector that brings much economic activity and growth to the region.
Award winners were toasted at the dinner, which was attended by the Hon. Adem Somyurek, Victorian Minister for Small Business and for Local Government, as well as the Mayor Cr Jo Armstrong.
Award category winners were:
- Retail – Growmaster Grampians (honourable mention – Three Blooms)
- Professional Services – Skinco (honourable mention – Ararat Physiotherapy and Health Services)
- Agribusiness – Perennial Pasture Systems
- Tourism and hospitality – Pomonal Estate (honourable mention – Acacia Caravan Park)
- Innovation and Technology – AF Gason
- People's Choice – Three Blooms
- Business of the Year – Pomonal Estate
Dr Harrison congratulated all the winners and thanked everyone who entered the awards as well as the independent judges.
Sponsors of the awards were Ararat Rural City Council, ACE Radio, Grampians Tourism, Regional Development Australia Grampians and the Greater Ararat Business (GAB) Network.
"Entering awards like these is a great opportunity for a business to take stock of their achievements and think about where they want to go in future," he said.
"The awards provide businesses in the Ararat municipality with the opportunity to grow, develop and further enhance their business, thus ensuring the awards remain a relevant and important part of our business community."
Dr Harrison said the East Grampians Business Awards followed on from the now-defunct Grampians Pyrenees Business Awards that date back to 1999. This year the award application process was simplified.
Image above: winners of the East Grampians Business Awards.
