A MORE informal approach to the Banjo Business Awards worked well in its first year, according to the Orange Business Chamber.
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President Ash Brown said some tweaks would be considered for the November awards, but the feedback from Saturday night’s event had been overwhelmingly positive.
“Not having fixed tables got people mingling and it was a good night,” he said.
Mr Brown said the winners were a good mix of existing businesses and fresh enterprise.
“There’s some unsung heroes in Orange, that’s what I think came out of the night,” he said.
“In our daily activities, we probably don’t hear a lot about these businesses and what they do.”
He said it was also encouraging to see the number of Highly Commended awards given out.
Each category had only one winner, but where points were close, up to five Highly Commendeds were given.
AND THE WINNERS WERE …
Who took home the big awards on Saturday night:
- Best New Employee award: Jessica Cullen of Elwood’s Eatery
- Excellence in Customer Service award: Nick Clift of Forefront Services
- Young Entrepreneur award: Anthony Redfern of Forefront Services
- Business Leader award: Cally Woodhouse of Yates Baker McLean
- Best New Business award: Dirty Workx Pty Ltd
- Employer of Choice award: Housing Plus
- Excellence in Hospitality Services award: Elwood’s Eatery
- Excellence in Tourism award: Orange Visitor Information Centre
- Excellence in Manufacturing, Agribusiness, Mining, Industrial or Trade award: RJM Communications and Electrical
- Excellence in Professional or Health Services award: Mulberry Lane Vet Hospital
- Excellence in Retail award: Bobbies Clothing
- Excellence in Personal Lifestyle Services award: The Dog Lady
- Excellence in Community Services award: LiveBetter Community Services
- Hall of Fame Inductee: Bobbies Clothing
- Excellence in Small Business (less than 20 people) award: Mulberry Lane Vet hospital
- Excellence in Business (more than 20 people) award: Forefront Services
- Banjo Business of the Year: Forefront Services