The residential building awards celebrate excellence in workmanship, innovation and quality while showcasing the best in end results.

The judging of entries took place in June and July and award winners were presented with their awards at a gala dinner in Sydney last month.

Contemporary Homes is a family owned business run by Ken and Sue Barber and Michael and Kelli Paddison.

Contemporary Homes co-director Sue Barber said it was an amazing night and she was pleased her parents Glen and Dot Beard from the Central Coast were also there. 

“Our thanks go out to all our suppliers and subcontractors, who are an intricate part of our success,” Mrs Barber said.

Mr Paddison said the company did not build homes “for the sole purpose of winning awards”.

“However to be recognised for building excellence by the Master Builders Association is a very humbling experience,” he said.

“For me, winning the award makes all of the late nights and weekends worthwhile.

“We really do like to think outside the box and make our homes unique.”

GEOLYSE was given a highly commended award in the extra dimension and innovation category at the 2015 NSW excellence in surveying and spatial information awards (EISSI) in Sydney on September 12.

The Geolyse team was recognised for the work it did surveying cross sections within the Macquarie Marshes for a project designed to strengthen the existing hydraulic models and enable a better understanding of the behaviour of overland water flows through the marshes. 

Geolyse general manager Greg Cooper said finding access to the area through the reed beds was a difficult task and the team chartered a helicopter, fixed a high accuracy GPS device to the side of the craft, and utilised a 10m line and attached weight to measure the ground level of the reed beds from the hovering helicopter. 

Mr Cooper said the highly commended award showed the Geolyse team had the skills and innovative ability to resolve difficult problems. 

“Further it shows that surveyors from the bush can compete against city-based professionals to provide great outcomes for our clients and their communities,” he said.

ORANGE Jenny Craig manager Chantelle Cowdroy will hold a free wellness workshop on September 29 from 6pm. 

Maria Schmich,who recently lost 15 kilograms, will also attend to share her weight-loss secrets and inspire others. 

“We wish to educate people on how and what to buy from the supermarket, as well as ensuring their food is tasty enough to stick with long term,” Mrs Cowdroy said.

Fresh healthy food and snacks will be offered along with expert weightloss advice.

Tupperware specialist Cassie Moore will hold a demonstration on how to store and preserve food. 

The workshop will take place in the Anson Street Plaza.

MEXICAN restaurant franchise Zambrero will open in Orange on Wednesday, October 28 in the former Hardback Cafe  in Summer Street.

Zambrero not only offers fresh Mexican ingredients, but also support a humanitarian enterprise via its Plate 4 Plate charity initiative.

Plate 4 Plate guarantees for every burrito or Mexican bowl (a burrito without the tortilla) sold, one meal is donated to someone in need around the world or living in an underprivileged Australian community. 

Zambrero favourites include tacos, burritos and nachos as well as slow-cooked meats spiced with herbs and a range of accompaniments from lettuce to jalapenos and homemade guacamole. 

Zambrero was founded by Dr Sam Prince in 2005 and the Plate 4 Plate program has resulted in more than 6.5 million meals being delivered to people in need. 

The food distribution channel overseas is managed by Stop Hunger Now and in Australia via a partnership with Foodbank. 

The Orange restaurant will be managed by Fadi Barsoum, who will run the restaurant with his brother Mina. 

Fadi Barsoum, who also owns the franchise in Wagga Wagga, said he thought Orange diners would enjoy the food on offer.

“Plenty of people from Orange have visited our other stores and spoken about wanting a store to open in Orange,” he said.

There are currently 85 Zambrero restaurants in Australia.