LJ Hooker Cessnock | Kurri Kurri has been named Real Estate Agency of the Year at the annual Australian Small Business Champion Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony on Saturday, 18 April 2015.

The Australian Small Business Champion Awards is the only national recognition program for Australian small businesses.

Bryce and Mellissa Gibson of LJ Hooker Cessnock | Kurri Kurri were presented with the award statuette after beating 11 other finalists.

“It is a tremendous honour to not only be a finalist but the winner of such a prestigious national award,” Bryce said.

“To borrow a quote from the founder of LJ Hooker, Sir Leslie Hooker, real estate isn’t about houses, it’s about people. The customer is the foundation of any business’ success, especially in a small business, so it’s great to be independently recognised for that and as a leader in our field.”

Steve Loe, Managing Director of awards organiser Precedent Productions, said the Australian Small Business Champion Awards are a way to recognise the efforts of small business people whose efforts contribute to the prosperity and vitality of communities across Australia.

LJ Hooker Cessnock | Kurri Kurri has gone from strength to strength and has enjoyed a stellar 12 months. The business was a national finalist for Innovation and also Community Involvement at the 2015 REIA Awards for Excellence, it won the New Media Award at the Social Network Cessnock Chamber of Commerce and Real Estate Office of the Year at the Hunter BEC.

At the Real Estate Business (REB) Awards for Excellence, Mellissa Gibson was a finalist for Business Development Manager of the Year and Property Manager of the Year finalist and Bryce Gibson was a finalist for Regional Sales Person of the Year and Regional Principal of the Year