Entries for the 2021 Mount Alexander Business Awards are closing soon and local businesses nominated for this year’s awards are urged to get their submissions in before the October 4 deadline.
Residents in Mount Alexander Shire and beyond have shown their support for the work of local businesses, with more than 170 businesses nominated in the awards.
Council received nearly 300 nominations across eight different categories, from people who value the services and contribution that local businesses make in our community.
Council’s manager of economy and development, David Leathem, thanked everyone who nominated a business for an award.
“It’s wonderful to see the local community get behind our local businesses and recognise the great work they are doing,” he said.
“Even though it’s been a difficult 18 months, and some businesses have struggled to remain open, our community is still here for local business, and ready to continue to support what they do.”
Mel and Sas from Gung Hoe Growers were winners in the Agribusiness category at the 2019 awards and encourage other local businesses to enter.
“Being nominated was a big enough compliment from our community for the Mount Alexander Business Awards in 2019,” Mel said.
“We are often in our own little farming bubble in Harcourt on Dja Dja Wurrung country and not sure a lot of the time how our community responds to us!
“We know they support us as growers, but when some people went over the line to nominate us, we were stoked.”
Sas said it felt great to be recognised by the greater business community in which they operated.
“Winning our category was definitely unexpected and so too was the flush of pride for all our hard work being recognised,” she said.
“It’s not often that businesses or people who operate slightly askew of the main system get recognised, and so for us it gave us somewhat a sense of validity we hadn’t had before.”
Nominated businesses need to enter the awards before Monday October 4.
Businesses can enter the awards in up to two of the following categories: Manufacturing, Construction and Trade; Agribusiness; Retail and Hospitality; Tourism and Events; Micro Business; Professional Services; Creative Industries; and Health and Wellbeing.
There will also be an award for ‘Business of the Year’ and ‘Best Practice in Accessibility’.
The winners will be announced at a gala event in December.
To complete an entry form, visit www.mountalexanderbusinessawards.com.au.
For more information contact Marg Barry, business awards officer, on 5471 1727 or m.barry@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.
The awards are proudly run by Mount Alexander Shire Council in partnership with gold sponsor Don Smallgoods and media partner Castlemaine Mail / Midland Express.
They are supported by Business Mount Alexander, Maldon Inc, Maldon and District Community Bank, Mount Alexander Shire Disability Advocacy Group, Regional Development Australia, Vossloh Cogifer and Workspace Australia.
