More than 280 people attended the gala awards evening at the Deniliquin RSL Club, to celebrate the list of worthy winners.
Two special awards were presented to start the meeting, with Geoff Riley being awarded the new inaugural Norm Brennan Community Contribution Award.
The award was created to recognise an individual that has made a significant contribution to the Deniliquin community, and in celebration of the late Mr Brennan who “dedicated his life to this community and was a fierce defender of our values and our way of life”.
Longtime chamber member Denise Phillips was also honoured on the night, being named a Chamber Champion.
It is awarded to an individual who has continuously demonstrated leadership in the Deniliquin Business community and strengthened business networks and collaboration.
When it came to presenting the excellence awards, Chamber president Paula Rutter said it was exciting to celebrate existing business and a fresh young crop of local business innovators, some of which began mid-pandemic.
Mrs Rutter said one thing that was particularly pleasing was that nominees for the various awards demonstrated a diversity in business in our community.
“It (the awards night) is a fantastic way to showcase our businesses and their employees,” she said.
“It’s easy to see the community clearly wants the event to keep going; it’s our gala event of the year.”
The award winners were:
Excellence and Sustainability - Grass Roots Finance.
Employer of Choice - Deniliquin Children’s Centre.
Outstanding Employee - Simon Genoff, Deniliquin Betta Home Living.
Excellence in Customer Service (Business) - Deniliquin Dry Cleaners.
Excellence in Micro Business - Olivia’s Lash Cave.
Excellence in Small Business - The Depot Historic Collection.
Excellence in Large Business - SunRice Group.
Outstanding Young Business Leader - Angela Charmichel - Big River Real Estate.
Outstanding Business Leader - Lourene Liebenberg - Minding Minds.
Excellence in Customer Service for an Individual - Ashlea McDonnell, NSW Police Force; Runners-up - Rhonda Nevinson, Deniliquin Mitre 10 and Leeah Sutton, Australia Post.
Outstanding New Business - Small Trading Co.
Outstanding Community Organisation - South West Music Regional Conservatorium.
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