2019 Business Award winners - Campaspe Shire Council

Coolabah Turf has taken the top award of Business of the Year in the 2019 GMCU Allianz Campaspe Murray Business Awards.

Campaspe Shire Council Mayor, Cr Adrian Weston said the award ceremony, held every two years, is a great way to highlight the fantastic local businesses we have and to celebrate their innovation.

"This year was especially exciting with the addition of a People's Choice Award, which saw 3,800 votes cast from the community for their favourite business," Cr Weston said.

"The Echuca-based mobile first aid training company, TalkSmart Training, took out the People's Choice Award along with the Best Home Based Business Award."

"This year's awards attracted 93 applications across 12 categories, with the awards ceremony being held at the Rich River Golf Club on Wednesday, 9 October."

"Each category had two external judges who reviewed the applications and conducted onsite visits to gain a better understanding of the businesses."

The judges said the following about these winners:

Business of the Year - Coolabah Turf. Coolabah Turf is an outstanding business, showing smart utilisation of technology to maximise staff time and expertise. Coolabah Turf demonstrates an ongoing commitment to building their business profile and understanding the needs and psychology of customers. Steady growth over the years demonstrates solid business planning and practices, as well as outstanding customer service.

Employee of the Year - Nick Marshall from BioMix. Nick is an incredible asset to Biomix managing 100,000 tonnes of waste each year. He has achieved this while also mentoring younger staff, supporting them to develop within the business, introducing family friendly work practices and making sure safety is a priority. He clearly loves his work and the people he works with.

Young Entrepreneur of the Year - Ellen McNeil from Well Soul Studio. Ellen has created a wonderful holistic health and wellbeing space which is warm and inviting. Ellen's enthusiasm to empower others to maintain a healthy mind, body and spirit is both evident and refreshing. Ellen's dream has come to life and fruition with a solid business plan, patience, hard work, determination and wonderful staff.

The business category winners of the GMCU Allianz Campaspe Murray Business Awards are: