LOCAL EXCELLENCE... Pictured on stage at the 25th annual Business Excellence Award’s gala dinner, which were held at GV Hotel this year, are the 2022 winners and sponsors. Photo: Kelly Carmody
By Deanne Jeffers
THE 25TH annual Business Excellence Awards were presented on Friday, December 9. The Awards have not been able to go ahead for the past two years due to Covid, and were postponed again following the floods, which saw the venue change to the GV Hotel Cabaret room.
LOCAL EXCELLENCE… Pictured on stage at the 25th annual Business Excellence Award’s gala dinner, which were held at GV Hotel this year, are the 2022 winners and sponsors. Photo: Kelly Carmody
On the evening, 16 local businesses and individuals were honoured on the night, while Central Tyre Service was inducted into the Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Business Hall of Fame.
Congratulations to all the award recipients and nominees. The Awards are proudly sponsored by 95.3 Triple M, WIN TV, The Shepparton Adviser and major sponsor White-King Pental.
Business Excellence Awards 2022 award recipients:
Apprentice/Trainee of the Year… Olivia Wells, Tatura Hot Bread
Best New Business (Under Two Years) … Thrive 4 Life Therapy
Visitor Experience of the Year (Tourism Hospitality)… Museum of Vehicle Evolution (MOVE)
Visitor Experience of the Year (Tourism Accommodation) … Quest Shepparton
Best Marketing/Advertising Campaign… Cardamone Real Estate
Entrepreneur of the Year… Josh and Beth Taylor of Tinto Bakery
Innovator of the Year… GV Body Rejuvenation
GV Healthy Workplace of the Year… HomeSafe GV
Young Professional of the Year… Ashviney Vigneswaran, Graham Hill Eyecare
Environmental/Sustainable Business of the Year… SCS Packaging
Customer Service of the Year (Retail/Hospitality)… Shepparton Amcal Pharmacy
Customer Service of the Year (Professional Services) … The Eye Shop
Customer Service of the Year (Trade Services) … Future NRG
Hall of Fame inductee… Central Tyre Service
Business of the Year (Professional Services) … Sofra Partners
Business of the Year (Trade Services) … Watters Electrical
Business of the Year (Retail Services) … Trelly’s Outdoor.
Profiles of each of the successful award’s recipients can be found below.
Young Professional of the Year
Ashviney (Ash) Vigneswaran
Graham Hill Eyecare
Pictured left is Ashviney Vigneswaran and Terese Thomas, La Trobe University senior engagement coordinator
An early career optometrist, Ash graduated from The University of Melbourne in 2020 and currently works at Graham Hill Eyecare, a full scope private practice that uses state of the art technology to diagnose and manage ocular diseases.
She started consulting during the pandemic, taking referrals and emergency cases from GV Health and surrounding GP clinics.
Ash presented at a state conference and now is part of the Course Advisory Committee for the University’s Doctor of Optometry course.
She is passionate about healthcare and ensuring that people can access efficient and appropriate help in times of need.GV Healthy Workplace of the Year
HomeSafe GV
Pictured left is Lucas White and Sarah Forte, health, safety & wellbeing advisor at GV Health
HomeSafe GV, formerly known as GV Smoke Alarms, was established in 2014 by Lucas and Bec White when they discovered a need for this service in the region.
It continues to be a locally owned and operated family business that has grown from smoke alarm servicing to include a fully-servicing Gas & Electrical department that proudly protects homes and families across the region.
Now with over 25 staff, ranging from administration, A-Grade electricians, gas plumbers and apprentices, HomeSafe GV is a community minded business that is actively involved in community sponsorship within the Goulburn Valley.Innovator of the Year
GV Body Rejuvenation
Pictured left is Monique Camm and Annette Rose, NBN Co. local business lead northeast Victoria
GV Body Rejuvenation aims to help men and women of all ages to regain muscle health and restore confidence.
Through clinically proven technology the Emsella chair and Emsculpt machine use electromagnetic energy to rebuild and strengthen different muscle groups.
This provides a non-invasive solution for incontinence, abdominal separation and fat loss.
Emtone is used to tighten skin, decrease fat chambers and treat all the causes of cellulite.
GV Body Rejuvenation aims to educate and rejuvenate.
“Just because something is common, does not mean it is normal.”Entrepreneur of the Year
Beth & Josh Taylor
Tinto Bakery
Pictured left is Beth and Josh Taylor with Simon Rutkowski of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Tinto is a local bakery focused on sourdough bread, pastries and specialty coffee.
Tinto Bakery sources the best quality local and seasonal ingredients and brings them together to make innovative and delicious products.
The staff and management of Tinto Bakery are driven by a desire to serve the community, acting as a meeting point and a place to enjoy great food made in house from scratch.Best Marketing/Advertising Campaign
Cardamone Real Estate
Pictured left is Peter Cardamone and Dale Skinner from WIN Television
A family-owned agency, Cardamone Real Estate has serviced the Goulburn Valley community since its formation in 2014.
Managing director Peter Cardamone and his wife Lyndi are true locals who are proud to provide generous support to over 25 sporting clubs across the region.
Cardamone Real Estate is a previous winner of the “Best Marketing” category and prides itself on “thinking outside the square” in its approach to doing business in the GV.
You know across the Goulburn Valley region you’re in …#CardamoneCountryVisitor Experience of the Year (Tourism Accomodation)
Quest Shepparton
Pictured is the Quest Shepparton team with sponsor, GSSC visitor economy team leader, Ingrid Thomas
Quest Shepparton serviced apartment style hotel rooms offer guests a relaxed and comfortable Shepparton accommodation experience perfect for short or long stays.
Located just 200 metres from the CBD, Quest Shepparton is the ideal location for visitors looking to visit the city’s many attractions and events.
Quest sets itself apart with 69 serviced apartments including studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments that provide the ultimate home away from home for people visiting the region.Visitor Experience of the Year (Tourism Hospitality)
Museum of Vehicle Evolution (MOVE)
Pictured left is Peter Hill and Ingrid Thomas, Greater Shepparton City Council visitor economy team leader
MOVE is a world-class transport museum, displaying motor cars, motorbikes, trucks, buses, and much more.
A major source of attraction to the region, visitors can learn about the legends of the road transport industry and their machines in the Kenworth Dealer Pavilion’s “Avenue of Legends.”
MOVE also features a contemporary and interactive exhibition space that displays such collections as The Furphy Museum, The Farren Vintage Bicycle
Collection, The Dick Clayton Collection of gramophones, telephones, and radio, and the extraordinary Loel Thomson Costume Collection.Best New Business (Under Two Years) Award
Thrive 4 Life Therapy
Pictured left is Lauren Farrow and Tricia Martinek Greater Shepparton City Council business development coordinator
Thrive4Life Therapy began as one person’s dream, that all people deserve to thrive and live fulfilling lives.
The team has grown to include occupational therapists, physiotherapists, allied health assistants and administration staff.
Thrive4Life Therapy works as a team of professionals to develop connections, support clients and make them feel safe.
They look at the whole person, listen to their needs and ideas and help develop strategies to enable them to live fulfilling lives.
A passionate and committed team, Thrive4Life get to celebrate successes, no matter how small. They are expert problem solvers and help change lives!Business of the Year (Professional Services)
Sofra Partners Chartered Accountants
Pictured left are Tracey and Terry Sofra with Keiran Moon, Harvey Norman electrical proprietor
Sofra Partners is a contemporary accounting firm providing business and taxation services.
Since 1996, the firm has expanded with an experienced team that provides service to clients across Australia from both Shepparton and Melbourne offices.
The team is driven by the desire to educate and improve their clients’ situation in every area; whether that be building their business, paying less tax, protecting assets, building wealth or simply getting balance in their lives.
Sofra Partners team has experience working with clients across a diverse range of industries and its expertise can span any industry, business, or scenario.Business of the Year (Trade Services)
Watters Electrical
Pictured left is Kate Ryan, Nick Lucarelli and Keiran Moon, Harvey Norman electrical proprietor
Watters Electrical is the largest and longest standing electrical contracting company operating in Regional Victoria and Southern New South Wales.
With branches in Shepparton, Albury and Wangaratta, Watters Electrical proudly employs approximately 240 local people and is one of the largest employers of apprentices in the region.
Watters Electrical has teams specialising in all areas of the electrical industry.
If you see a large commercial and industrial building project being constructed in the region, chances are Watters Electrical is involved.Customer Service of the Year (Trade Services)
Future NRG
Pictured is Shaun Gash and Wendy Crow, Shepparton Chamber of Commerce & Industry board member
Future NRG was formed in 2013, as a direct response to a perceived gap in the market for a holistic energy management company.
Its focus is on the outcomes and synergies between individual energy efficient products across all energy sectors, both residential and commercial, including E- V charging, Battery Storage, Hot Water, Hydronic heating and Off-grid energy.
Initially working in a shared office space, Future NRG has now expanded to three locations in Shepparton, Echuca and Geelong.
The vision of Future NRG is to continue to support the local community with leading-edge energy saving technologies.Customer Service of the Year (Professional Services)
The Eye Shop
Pictured from left is Milena Millar WDEA works site manager, Vanessa and Ashley Madeira
The Eye Shop is a local family-owned Eyecare and Eyewear business in the Shepparton CBD.
It was established in 2006 and is run by optometrist Ashley Madeira and store manager Vanessa Madeira.
The Eye Shop provides friendly and caring personalised eye tests, quality spectacle frames, world class lenses, sunglasses, and contact lens solutions for their patients.
Ashley and Vanessa enjoy the reactions of their patients when they see themselves and see their new world through their fabulous eyewear from The Eye Shop.Apprentice/Trainee of the Year
Olivia Wells
Tatura Hot Bread
Pictured from left is Olivia Wells and Wilna Fourie, acting director Foundation and Futures GOTAFE
Benefitting from time with Brereton’s and Hungie Fangs, Olivia completed her apprenticeship at Tatura Hot Bread.
Following in the footsteps of her qualified-chef mother and more-than-handy-in-the-kitchen grandmothers, Olivia entered the industry with confidence.
Seeking to challenge herself, Olivia entered a raft of competitions eventually representing Victoria where she achieved a second placing.
Drawing on her highly acclaimed Mexican Pie recipe, Olivia went on to claim the award for Best Gourmet Pie in Victoria.Business of the Year (Retail Services)
Trelly’s Outdoors
Pictured left is Ross Threlfall, Ricky Seiter and Keiran Moon, Harvey Norman electrical proprietor
A family business for almost 40 years, Trellys Outdoor has benefitted from dedicated staff and family commitment to the lifestyle retail sector over that period of time.
One of the keys to Trelly’s success is the returning customer.
With the relationships formed through the expert advice and care provided by staff, community members are assured of satisfaction as they are steered down the most productive pathway in their preferred recreational pursuit.Customer Service of the Year (Retail/Hospitality)
Antonella Loverso
Shepparton Amcal Pharmacy
Pictured is Antonella Loverso and Wayne Sutton, Shepparton Club general manager
Antonella has worked as the retail manager in the pharmacy for the past 16 years.
She manages stock, completes daily orders and assists with the day to day running of the retail department.
Antonella enjoys sourcing new and exclusive products for the store to provide a wonderful shopping experience for the local community.
Antonella loves working in the pharmacy as she is passionate about providing excellent customer service and enjoys building relationships with customers that she sees time and time again.
