THE Business Excellence Awards made a resounding return to Goulburn on Saturday night, with more than 120 people attending the gala dinner at Southern Star Inn.
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Held for the first time since 2006, the Goulburn Chamber of Commerce hosted the red-carpet event which featured nine independently-judged award categories.
Brooke Wilding of Absolute Fitness took out two awards, winning Excellence in Small Business (less than 20 staff) and Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Absolute Fitness’s master personal trainer Tess Wharton won Excellence in Customer Service.
Trainee Apprentice of the Year went to Jared Simon of K & H Ainsworth Engineering, while Tamara Miller of Marianvale Blue won the Excellence in Innovation category.
Carrie Edwards from Warrigal won Excellence In Sustainability.
Maree Hopkins from Architectural Rendering & Coatings took out the Excellence in Business Ethics category.
Excellence in Business (of more than 20 employers) was won by Tracy Fry from Allens Training.
And Employer of Choice went to Scott Shiel from Auto One.
“We take great pride in supporting the local community,” Mr Shiel said during his acceptance speech.
He said the awards recognised those businesses and individuals which made a “Goulburn great place to live, work and raise our families.”
Ms Wilding said it was an honour to be praised by her business peers.
“It’s a fantastic achievement for everyone, for Tess especially and I’m so happy for her that she’s been acknowledged this way,” she said.
Ms Wilding started her personal training business in the old Eldorado Arcade about 14 years ago.
She now employs more than 10 staff and operates from a purpose-built 24/7 facility in Lansdowne Street.
Along the way she has endured droughts, flooding rains and other challenges.
“If I was going to offer a person starting out in business some advice, it would be this: It comes down to passion and commitment,” she said. “It’s not going to be easy, but the more you put into it, the greater the rewards.”
Ms Fry accepted her award flanked by nine of her Allens Training colleagues.
“Most of us are under the age of 25 … the rest are under the age of 30!” she said.
“I think we’re a perfect example of the amazing potential of our town.”
Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor, State Member for Goulburn Pru Goward and Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Geoff Kettle handed out awards.
Master of Ceremonies Gail Bowdern described Goulburn as like a “super moon” … “a moon but with more.”
“Goulburn has so much to offer,” she said.
“We should be excited about the growth of Goulburn and the growth of Goulburn businesses.”