Award winners for the 2014 Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards were announced at the Awards Gala Dinner on Saturday, 12 July 2014.
Winners were from across 13 categories, focusing on business excellence in areas such as branding and marketing, business systems, workforce training and development, customer service, innovation, entrepreneurship, workplace health and safety and sustainability.
In addition, three major award winners were also recognised for their contribution to the Lake Macquarie Community as individuals and businesses.
Business Growth Centre Manager, Brett Gleeson said they were extremely pleased with the results.
“In its third year, the Awards have demonstrated that there are many businesses in Lake Macquarie who aspire to and have achieved excellence,” Brett said.
“The Gala Dinner is a celebration of these achievements and it was certainly pleasing to see so many business people come together to support their colleagues.”
“The winners represent a range of business sizes, from small businesses like Woohoo Salon to larger sized businesses like Charlestown Square. These awards demonstrate that smaller business can compete with bigger businesses because the Award categories are structured around business functions.”
Winners took home a share of a $56,000 prize pool which included advertising packages from 2HD and Newcastle Herald, cash contributions from Delta Electricity, specialised services, advice and coaching from businesses and groups including Turnbull Hill Lawyers, PDH Accounting Services, CCS Corporation, Aspire Training, DFK Crosbie, Evolution Business Advisers, Supply Connect, Your Business Connections and State Training Services as well as an accommodation package from Tuscany Wine Estate.
The winners are as follows:
- Excellence in Branding & Marketing
Ability Options, Charlestown
- Excellence in Sustainable Business Practices
Woohoo Salon, Charlestown
- Excellence in Business Systems
ATUNE Health Centres, Warners Bay
- Excellence in Innovation
Inzant, Nords Wharf
- Excellence in Retail Practices
GS Mechanical, Whitebridge
- Excellence in Workforce Training & Development
Evolution Business & Personal Advisers, Warners Bay
- Excellence in Entrepreneurship
Joshua Jeffress, Design Anthology, Gateshead
- Excellence in Customer Service by the Whole Business
Charlestown Square, Charlestown
- Excellence in Customer Service by an Individual Employee
Natarlia Bridges, GS Mechanical, Whitebridge
- Excellence in Not For Profit or Charity
Anglican Care, Booragul
- Excellence in New Business Commencement
MySky, Cardiff
- Excellence in Young Entrepreneurship
Alex Mitchell, Nulex Construction & Backyard Grannys, Bennetts Green
- Excellence in Workplace Health & Safety
LFP Mining, Cardiff
- Young Business Person of the Year
Grace McLean, Royal Institute for Deaf & Blind Children, Floraville
- Business Person of the Year
Narelle Redman, Silveradoh Promotional Products, Warners Bay
- Business of the Year
GS Mechanical, Whitebridge
