Courtesy of Wauchope Gazette, 29th July, 2019
Wauchope businesses have more trophies in the cabinet after the big business award on Saturday night.
The 2019 Holiday Coast Credit Union Greater Port Macquarie Business awards attract entries from across our area, celebrating the best in our community.
The Wauchope winners were:
Caleb Rose, general manager of Wauchope Country Club which won Excellence in Small Business said it was their privilege to be part of the community.
“We are grateful to the community for supporting us,” he said.
“That’s the thrill of it. The award is also a credit to our staff and represents a lot of hard work over a number of years to get from where we were to where we are now.”
Rosemary Spradbow from CS Mechanical Repairs, who owns the business with her husband, said they were very surprised to win the Automotive Services cateogry for the fourth year in a row
“We are honoured and so thankful for being announced the winners,” she said.
“I think the awards are a great idea. Every time you go there, you get a little bit of inspiration from everybody. We now sponsor awards, and we encourage people to enter,” she added.
Daniel Parry-Hawkins of DPH Handyman and Yard Maintenance was thrilled to win Outstanding Young Entrepreneur.
“I’m very stoked with it. For starting the business only nine months ago, it’s taken off, and I”m very new to the area, but the community spirit has been great. I moved up here from the Central Coast with my family. It was a great night,” he said.
Robyn Flanagan from Wauchope Travel, which won Excellence in Small Business, was delighted to be given an award in such prestigious company.
“I’d like to pay tribute to my hard-working staff, and our loyal customers. We value the fact that they appreciate the personal touch, and continue to shop locally,” she said.
Bennetts Steel were ecstatic at winning the Industry, Manufacturing and Engineering award, and thanked everyone who voted for them, as well as acknowledging their wonderful staff.
Taking the top gong for Business of the Year was MBC Recruitment, which excels in temporary and permanent recruitment, labour hire, traffic management, nursing agency staffing, healthcare services and is a registered NDIS provider. Manager Sunette Deline was thrilled to accept the award for the company, which won several others, and paid tribute to the staff.
“I want to say thank you so much to this awesome team. They work themselves stupid until nine o’clock most nights. We have 600 employees. Thank you,” she said.
Charles Sturt University was inducted into the Hall of Fame. The director of external engagement, Kate Wood-Foye said that as the newest face on the team, she couldn’t claim any of the fabulous success the team have achieved.
“Charles Sturt is very much part of our community. I’m very proud of this amazing team, in learning, sustainability and the environment. It’s such an exciting year for us. We are heading into stage two of the campus build and we are announcing new courses for the coming year. I represent a wonderful team, and we wouldn’t be here without our amazing community,” said Ms Wood-Foye.
The inaugural Wayne Jackson Outstanding Community Service Award went to the local organising committee chairman for Ironman Australia Port Macquarie, Mike Reid who felt emotional.
“If this award is about Ironman, I have got the biggest team in Port Macquarie: 2,500 volunteers and 20 directors who make it what it is. To me, Wayne was a very special man. He wasn’t only an Ironman. He was a community man, a family man, and a really special man to us. It was always family first. Thank you for this. It’s the most special thing I have ever got in my life,” said Mr Reid.
Business Port Macquarie president Michael Mowle said the celebration of local business grows stronger every year.
“The Chamber embraces the opportunity to showcase local business and recognise the contributions each business makes to our growing economy,” Mr Mowle said.
Regional manager for the Mid North Coast NSW Business Chamber Kellon Beard said winners of the excellence awards will now proceed to the regional business awards finals and pit them against the best of the Macleay and Coffs Coast.
“It has provided our judges with a satisfying challenge. We are lucky to work in such an engaging and supportive business community,” he said.