At their Annual Awards Luncheon, the Newcastle Business Club recognised individuals and an organisation that contributed to the commonweal of Newcastle and the wider Hunter region.

The Awards were presented by Senior Vice President, Stephanie Jordan, and President Clare Ferguson.

The Individual Award was presented to Marty Adnum, the Founder and Managing Director of Out of The Square Media (OOTS) a popular, local creative agency.

This Award recognises his tireless support for the Newcastle community as an individual and through his agency’s work.

“An active member on many boards and cultural organisations, Marty is dedicated to creating programsto support segments of the community in need. He recently co-initiated the ‘Everyone has a story’ mental health campaign assisting the manufacturing industry,” Stephanie said.

“During the recent challenging times, Marty rallied community support to create three high-profile projects with the aim of bringing hope and help to others.

“Togethernotalone.com.au showcased innovation, creativity, and kindness in our community and helphunter.com.au was a one-stop hub for businesses scrambling during COVID-19 by offering them free advice, such as legal, recruitment, mental health, and finances.

“As restrictions eased, his Experience Hunter campaign was launched to entice visitors to destinations in our region.”

Newy Burger Co was the recipient of the Organisation Award.

Stephanie acknowledged Newy Burger Co for using their profile to support and fundraise for local families battling various illnesses and hardship.

“Established by Ben Neil, Newy Burger Co was started with a passion for providing Novacastrians with the standard of burgers normally seen in Sydney and Melbourne,” she said.

“Shortly after Newy Burger Co opened, Ben was introduced to Kane Ransom who was battling leukaemia. Ben’s little boy was about the same age and immediately he wanted to do something to assist the Ransom family. From this the Newy Burger Co Good Karma Fundraising program was born.”

In the last six years Newy Burger Co has hosted major fundraisers, karma kegs and numerous raffles and auctions, which has raised over $200,000 to assist families and others in the Newcastle Region.

Newy Burger Co have also been supporting the team a Soul Café with weekly donations for some time and since the early stages of COVID-19.

They started providing free soup and bread to anyone in the community–no questions asked. Also, with the help of 12 other local businesses, they have been distributing Kindness Boxes, which provide families with meals for a week and other essentials.

The final award for the day, the Youth Award was presented to Irini-Stephania Kassas for her exceptional leadership and outstanding commitment to our community while helping raise awareness of Newcastle internationally.

Irini is the Deputy Chair of Newcastle International INC., a non-for-profit agency which focuses on reviewing and sustaining international relational relations between Newcastle and overseas parties.

“In work and life Irini strives to bring people together for the betterment of society and ensuring opportunities are provided for positive social change,” Stephanie said.

“Irini paved the way for Newcastle’s engagement on the World Alliance and through this is connectingpeople on a global scale to elevate Newcastle and encourage international visitors to the region.

“A community spirited individual, Irini is a volunteer at the Newcastle Museum, participates in the Sleepout for Soul, the Lord Mayor’s Breakfast Prayer, CityServe and sat at the committee for the Hippocrates Australian Greek Aged Care Association. Furthering her involvement in the Hunter, last January Irini become a State Emergency Volunteer with Maitland’s volunteer unit.”

The Newcastle Business Club Annual Awards recognise a younger (under 35) person, an individual and acompany/organisation each year who have made a significant contribution toward the improvement of industry, culture, education, sport or the overall wellbeing of the citizens of Newcastle.

Each award winner is presented with a framed photograph of The Summer House by E. Hilda Rix-Nicholas, as well as an overview of their recognised accomplishments.

The original painting was purchased in 1976 by the Newcastle Business Club and presented to Newcastle Region Art Gallery for the benefit of the people of the region.

It is a lasting gift to mark the inauguration of the Annual Award to an individual and organisation fromthe region who (or which) has made a major contribution to the commonweal of the city.

IMAGE | Marty Adnum – Out of the Square Media – Winner of NBC 2020 Individual Award and Clare Ferguson – NBC President & Monica Clare Recruitment.