The biggest night in big and small business is underway!
See a full list of winners as the night progresses below ...
Bruce Bartrop of real estate dynasty Bartrop Real Estate has received the Business Achievement Award.
Bartrop Real Estate has been in business in Ballarat since Mr Bartrop’s father, Edgar, opened a two roomed office on Lydiard Street in 1921.
Mr Bartrop thanked his wife, his family and Bartrop Real Estate staff upon receiving his award.
“Thank you all for your support and the honour that I have received this evening,” Mr Bartrop said.
Mitchell Harris took out the Regional Development Australia – Grampians Paddock to Plate Business Award.
Co-owner John Harris encouraged the audience to support local farmers and said the family-run business hoped to be champions of Western Victoria and its produce.
“One thing we wanted to do was not just to be another bar, we wanted to be champions for Western Victoria,” Mr Harris said.
City of Ballarat Restaurants, Cafes and Pubs Business Award went to Hop Temple, which can “match a beer to your personality”, manager Brian Taylor said.
“We want to make Ballarat the eat and drink capital, we want to do big things moving forward,” manager Brian Taylor said.
“I want to thank my staff, my staff are a great asset and one of my founding staff is still there and that's my dad,” general manager Troy Beaston said.
Munash Natural Fertilisers received the Power FM Small Business Award.
Garden market manager Garry Holding thanked staff and clients – from small acreage farmers to home gardens.
Harwood Andrews Family Business Award went to Eureka Concrete – a family business for 45 years.
“I want to thank my staff, my staff are a great asset and one of my founding staff is still there and that's my dad,” general manager Troy Beaston said.
Mercure Ballarat Hotel and Convention Centre Professional Service Business Award went to a realtor for the first time this year.
PRDnationwide is the winner for 2016.
“Our business has gone through some significant changes and the way our team has handled it, we are truly grateful. This award is not for us but for the team,” director Nicole Simpson said.
The Courier New and Emerging Business Award went to Le Chic Beauty.
The business was a finalist in the same category in its first year of opening.
"To my lovely clients, I've seen so many of you tonight and I really thank you for supporting me, my dreams and supporting local business," owner Amanda Aleem said.
Health-e Workforce Solutions has received the Viatek Innovation Award.
Health-e Workforce Solutions’ human resource management software helps healthcare providers manage their professional workforce.
“To me innovation is turning an idea into a solution and then taking that solution on a journey and then making that into adding value back to our clients,” founder Danny Rathgeber said.
Grill’d Ballarat is the winner of the Commerce Ballarat Franchise Business Award.
Australia’s longest running eisteddfod has won Ballarat Regional Tourism Special Events and Attractions Award.
“We have been around for 125 years, that is a long time but we're doing new things, remaining relevant to young people,” business manager Brett Macdonald said.
Regional Australia’s only niche perfumery, Sweet Fern, has won the Stockland Wendouree Retail Business Award.
“I’d like to thank my fellow finalists Boost Juice and Crafty Squirrel, I’d also like to thank my husband who is the carpenter and designer – Sweet Fern is not just a shop, it’s about an experience in a space,” co-owner Kate Robinson said.
“It takes a village to raise a child and I would say it’s the same thing for small business.”
The Ad Group has taken out the Commerce Ballarat Creative Industries Award.
“If I could leave a message with any of you, remember that you don’t have to go outside of Ballarat to find amazing talent and people who can provide amazing creative talent for you,” owner Peter Brugman said.
Oak Tree Ballarat Dental has won Nova Pharmacy Health and Wellbeing Business Award for a focus on the future.
“Thank you to our staff, you are the heart of our surgery and I can’t thank you enough for the work you’ve done over the last three years,” partner Dr John Lim.
AND … The winner of Business of the Year for 2016 is Child and Family Services.
“I think it puts us into a new area of recognition by the community because most people don’t understand that to run a charity you’ve got to run a lot of business,” chief executive officer Allan Joy said.
“We’ve been working to a plan, part of it was to maintain and enhance our commitment to the community, it’s really a tribute to the organisation.”
