The awards recognise and reward excellence and innovation across a range of business and industry categories.
And with 11 business categories to choose from, Campaspe Shire Council mayor Adrian Weston said there was sure to be a category that suits.
“Local businesses are the backbone of our dynamic regional economy, providing jobs, vital services and goods for our everyday living and lifestyle choices,” he said.
“We have a diverse, energetic business community on both sides of the Murray and these awards are a tangible way of celebrating their achievements.”
The Garden Planners’ Kate and Craig Turner won last year’s best home-based business award and are encouraging locals to nominate.
‘‘We started this business thinking we’d just do a couple of garden designs but after 12 months working from home we suddenly had truckloads of plants coming and the phone kept ringing,’’ Craig said.
‘‘One day we got a call to say we’d been nominated for this award. The application process was actually amazing. It made us look into our business plan and different ways we needed to improve.’’
After winning the award, The Garden Planners has only flourished.
‘‘Two years down the track, we’ve moved out of our house and have a design studio in the Port of Echuca and also a wholesale nursery yard,’’ Craig said.
‘‘Last year we did 750 garden designs from Bendigo to Shepparton and we’ve also supplied 300,000 plants to those jobs as well.
‘‘We’re thrilled by what the award’s brought for us, that’s for sure.’’
The 2019 award categories are:
■ Young Entrepreneur of the Year
■ Employee of the Year
■ Best Agri-business
■ Best Home-based Business
■ Best New Business
■ Best Professional Service – Community
■ Best Professional Service
■ Best Retail Business
■ Excellence in Hospitality
■ Excellence in Manufacturing & Trade
■ Excellence in Tourism
Nominations are now open, closing Friday, June 14.
Murray River Council mayor Chris Bilkey said in addition to the nomination categories, this year will see the first People’s Choice Award.
“This category will allow members of the public to vote for their favourite business, with voting open from Monday, July 15 through to Friday, September 6,” Cr Bilkey said.
The Gala awards dinner will be held at the Rich River Golf Club Resort on Wednesday, October 9.
Full details, including online application forms, are available at campaspemurraybusinessawards.com