The Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards were recently presented, during a gala awards night at Lindeman’s Winery, with a wide range of businesses recognised.
Hunter Region BEC Manager, Kerry Hallett, said that they would have loved all of the finalists to receive an award but unfortunately there can only be one winner.
“There were nearly 200 nominations received with 78 finalists and our judges worked hard throughout August to come to their final decisions,” Kerry said. “The standard of applications was exceptional – with so many successful businesses in the region, we’re hopeful businesses will see continued success.”
“The big winners on the night were Deltawater, who took out the trophy for Innovation and Business of the Year, Stephanie Mortel of Mortels Sheepskin Factory who won Business Woman of the Year, Bryce Gibson of LJ Hooker Cessnock and Kurri Kurri who secured the Young Entrepreneur in his final eligible year and Tony Mortel of Mortels Sheepskin Factory as the Business Leader of the Year. Congratulations to these winners and all the winners of individual categories,” Kerry concluded.
The awards were originally known as The Cessnock/Kurri Kurri Small Business Awards and started in 1993, covering the businesses of the Cessnock Shire only. Over the years they grew to encompass the Maitland and Dungog shires and became known as the Lower Hunter Business Excellence Awards. In 2007 the awards were renamed the Hunter Region Business Excellence Awards and were opened to businesses throughout the Hunter region.
The full list of 2015 winners can be viewed below.
- Arts Crafts and Giftware
- Hospitality and Tourism
Highly Commended | All Australian Journeys
- Internet-based business
- Hairdressing/Beauticians
Inspirations Hair Design
Highly Commended | Bliss Beauty and Body
- Retail
- Business Services
- Health Services
Highly Commended | Body and Mind 2000
Highly Commended | Gym Matrix Pty Ltd
Construction/Trades
Valley Electrical
Highly Commended | Smart Torque Automotive
Highly Commended | Jennings Print Group
- Financial/Real Estate
Aussie Maitland
- Not for Profit
Newcastle MBA Group Training & Personnel
- Innovation
Highly Commended | Mortels Sheepskin Factory
- Home Based Business
Newcastle Heritage and Ghost Tours
- New Start Business
- Environmental
- NEIS
Aplus Care4All
Highly Commended | Wildcraft Australia
- Customer Service Business
Aussie Maitland
- Customer Service Individual
Monique Hope
Highly Commended | Fiona Morris
- Young Entrepreneur
Bryce Gibson
- Businesswoman
Stephanie Mortel
Highly Commended | Mellissa Gibson
Highly Commended | Christine Atkins
- Business Leader
Tony Mortel
Business of the Year
Image | Alex and Dianne Panov of Deltawater
