Finalists in this year’s Lake Mac Business Excellence Awards reflect the depth and diversity of business across the city, according to Lake Macquarie Mayor and panel judge, Kay Fraser.
Kay said almost 100 entries were received after a call for submissions in May.
“It was pleasing to see lots of new applicants this year, and the applications were almost universally of a very high standard,” Kay said.
“There was actually quite a bit of discussion and debate among the judges to determine finalists in some categories because many had fantastic entries.”
Finalists range from an early childhood centre to a volunteer group of local healthcare workers, providing life-saving CPR training to people in the community.
Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony at Belmont 16s on Friday 29 July, with most category winners progressing to the Hunter Business Awards later this year.
LAKE MAC BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2022 FINALISTS
| CATEGORY | FINALISTS |
| Outstanding Employee | Alessandra Brown, Sensational Start OT Georgia Smith, Weekenda Jordan Farrelly, A Growing Understanding |
| Outstanding Young Buiness Leader (18-35 years) | Alyce Svensk, Sensational Start OT Cameron Owen, SAPHI Vivek Jayachandran, Jaegersoft |
| Outstanding Business Leader (36 years and over) | Lauren Haskins A Growing Understanding Michelle Kent, Kent Conveyancing Scott Robinson, ADW Johnson |
| Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality | Lake Macquarie Cruises Mischief Kitchen Weekenda Pty Ltd |
| Employer of Choice | A Growing Understanding Lake Group Strata Sensational Start Occupational Therapy |
| Excellence in Innovation | Australia’s Largest Smart Green Infrastructure Project Behavioural Science meets Reality TV to drive Sustainable Housing (The Blue Tribe Co.) The Rumpus Room Pelican |
| Excellence in Sustainability | Move to Renewables Swansea Community Cottage Inc |
| Outstanding Community Organisation | Empowered Community Services Hunter Heart Safe Swansea Community Cottage Inc |
| Outstanding Start-Up | Gourmet Coffee Cruiser Jaegersoft Kara Grace Collective – The Organised Family |
| Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion | Dance4wellbeing Kristy Davis, Pitch Perfect |
| Excellence in Micro Business | Adventures in Speech Pathology Dream & Believe Entertainment Flowrite Air Conditioning, Electrical and Refrigeration |
| Excellence in Small Business | GDW Engineering Salon Ten Spectrum Comms |
| Excellence in Large Business | A Growing Understanding Air Extreme Air Conditioning Lake Group Strata |
IMAGE | Lake Macquarie Cruises – 2021 award winner: Excellence in Retail, Hospitality and Tourism
