The retailer won three awards, including the Business of the Year. 

Managing director David Young said they were thrilled at the recognition in the middle of an expansion across to New Zealand. 

“New Zealand’s always been a dream, and the 100^th store last year in Ballarat (as well), and we’ve got 120 today,” he said.  

On the awards, he recognised they faced steep competition. 

“We’re stoked,” he said. 

"In the two finalist categories we were against really good businesses. That’s what I really enjoyed about tonight; so many good businesses here...to take two awards and to take the big one was awesome.” 

The Business Excellence award-winners were announced at the gala dinner on Thursday night. 

PETstock, owned by the Young family since 1991, also won the Family Business of the Year and Retail Business awards. 

Commerce Ballarat chair David Wright said in his gala speech all 14 winners showed the best of enterprise in Ballarat. 

“I am continually stunned by our business community’s ability to embrace change, overcome challenges and continue to thrive,” he said. 

The ceremony came after a long campaign that ensured plenty of exposure from all the finalists. 

The 44 finalists came from hundreds of nominees, and the judging panels spent considerable time working out the most deserving businesses. 

Chair of the judges panel Chris Cartledge said in speech picking the winners was always hard. 

“The judges really wear their hearts on their sleeves with this, we’d like to make everyone winners,” he said. 

Mr Cartledge also paid tribute to Joe Ballinger, who won the Business Achievement Award for his decades of contributing to Ballarat. 

“It’s people like Joe that make our city very special,” he said.   

Grill’d also made a strong show, winning two awards after opening a year ago. 

alex.hamer@fairfaxmedia.com.au